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Georgia : A Backpacker’s Paradise
Georgia was the second stop of my Caucasus tour and hands down my favorite country. Georgia has it all: city life, stunning landscapes, wineries, history, backpacking trails, you name it. I spent 7 days here, but honestly, I could’ve done two-weeks. Before coming to Georgia, you have to decide which route you want to take – the backpacking one, party life, historical tour, or a mix of all, especially if you’re limited on time. Here are my top recommendations for Georgia if you have a week or so to spare. 1) Kazbegi Kazbegi is a region located in north-eastern Georgia, which is roughly 3 hours from Tbilisi. Kazbegi is home…
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Best Day Trips from Nairobi
Kenya is a country with it all; there are beaches, safaris, mountains, a thriving capital, 5-star accommodations, etc. Unlike most travelers visiting Kenya, I passed on the safari, as I was coming from Tanzania and just did one there. This left me scrambling to find non-safari related day trips to occupy my time while in Nairobi. Below, I’ll highlight my three favorite day trips from Nairobi. 1) Giraffe Centre Located just 20 kilometers from the city center is Giraffe Centre , a place where you can actually feed giraffes. I’ve been to many parks/zoos in my life, but never have I been able to feed a giraffe! Coming from a…
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Trekking Ala-Kul in One Day
Coming to Kyrgyzstan, trekking Ala-Kul was one of my main goals. Although it was the beginning of June and the lake was still frozen, I wanted to trek Ala-Kul to prepare my body for the 3 day trek that would lie ahead in the upcoming days. Getting to Ala-Kul was fairly simple, I organized a tour with Visit Karakol for the 1 day trek, which cost $160. Getting there…. The next morning, two men picked me up from my hotel and we made our way to the base camp. The route was so scenic, hands down the most beautiful route I have ever seen in my life! I knew Kyrgyzstan…
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A Guide to Climbing Mount Fuji
Mount Fuji is one of the world’s most famous mountains and one deeply important to Japanese people as it is one of their 3 holy mountains. Each year, thousands flock to Japan hoping to catch a glimpse of Fuji on the train passing by, while the brave ones attempt to climb it. At 12,389 feet (3,776.24 meters), Mount Fuji ranks as the largest in Japan, and 7th largest peak on an island in the world. Fuji is iconic and has served as the inspiration for many artists and poets worldwide and after climbing Mt. Fuji and seeing the views for myself, I can see why. Here is a guide to…
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Hiking Mount Bromo
Hiking Mount Bromo was my favorite part of my trip to Indonesia; watching the sunrise was one of the most spectacular things I’ve done in my life. Bromo is an absolute must see if you’re in Indonesia and have the time to visit. Visiting is fairly simple and the hike to the top is painless. How to get there? Unfortunately, there is no direct transportation from Jakarta to Mt. Bromo. First, you’ll need to take a flight to Surabaya (assuming you’re not already there). Next you’ll need to take a bus to Probolinggo from Bungurasih bus terminal, which isn’t too far from the city center. When my friend and I arrived…
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Visiting Zhangjiajie (Avatar Mountains) in November
Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, the place that served as the inspiration for the setting of the movie Avatar, is one of the most popular places in China and for good reason. If you’re in China and have time, take a flight over to Zhangjiajie (airport code DYG). From the airport, take a taxi for about an hour to the park. The park is rather big and most suggest you dedicate at least 3 days here; I did two and thought it was sufficient. The entry ticket will be 248/145 RMB depending if you visit during the high or low season. Within the park, you’ll need a lot of money for…
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Hiking the Rice Terraces of Banaue
When you think of the Philippines, most people envision beautiful beaches, and while the Philippines does have those, many are unaware of the incredible rice terraces of Banaue. These terraces, which are often referred to as the “Eighth Wonder of the World”, are hands down my favorite place in the Philippines. These terraces were carved into the mountains by the indigenous people, largely by hand, over 2000 years ago! If you’re in the Philippines, hiking the Rice Terraces of Banaue is a must! How to Get There? Ask your hotel/hostel to reserve a ticket beforehand. The earlier the better as the seats fill up fast. A one way ticket costs 470PHP…
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Visiting Blue Nile Falls in Ethiopia
I had visited Bahir Dar for the sole purpose of seeing Blue Nile Falls and though the water levels were low in December, it was an extremely pleasant place to visit. After a morning trip to the monasteries in Bahir Dar, I arranged for transportation to Blue Nile Falls in the afternoon. This can be done from your hotel or from any tour agency in the city, which is fairly cheap too. Getting There.. From Bahir Dar, it took about an hour, but it seemed like an eternity. There were about 8 of us tightly squeezed in one van. We spent the bulk of the ride riding on dirt roads,…
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Diamond Head vs. Koko Head
Most travelers in Oahu looking to hike will likely come across two names: Diamond Head and Koko Head, but which one is better? It largely depends on whom you ask, as there are several factors involved. Personally, I thought Koko Head was better. Below, I’ll highlight Diamond Head vs Koko Head. Level of Ease: Diamond Head Diamond Head is pretty easy, a lot easier than I imagined. While I was taking my Uber there, my driver warned me to take it easy and drink a lot of water, so I initially thought it was challenging. I didn’t even break a sweat; it took about 15-20 minutes to reach the…
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Hiking Tokoro National Park
Hiking Taroko National Park is an absolute must in Taiwan, especially for those that love nature. It’s a bit of a journey getting there, but you can do a day trip if you’re short on time. Getting There First, you need to stop at Hualien or Sincheng station, which are the closest points to the park. You can either take a plane, bus, or train to get there. I took the train from Taipei station to Sincheng and paid around 440 NTD for the two-hour journey. I recommend you leave as early as possible to maximize your time at the park. From Sincheng, you will need to purchase a bus…
