When the morning bell rings, I can still see stars in the sky outside my window. 4:30 a.m. feels like an unearthly time to wake, but at the Amritapuri Ashram in the canals of Southern India, the morning bell rings well before the crack of dawn. I flip over to try to get back to sleep, but between my roommates…
Forget gourmet dining and expensive white tablecloth dinners. In Georgetown, Penang, an island on the Northwestern coast of Malaysia, street food reigns supreme. For many of us, street food conjures ideas of deep-fried, cheap, greasy food, better suited for a snack on the way home from the bar than health food. Yet, in Georgetown, street food is a culinary experience. …
I frequently refer to Thailand as “Backpacking for Dummies.” You don’t come to Thailand in hopes of ditching the beaten track. You come for the ease. And perhaps the pad Thai. The first time I ventured to the infamous sandy beaches in the south of The Land of Smiles, I was meeting my boyfriend after months apart. We’d both been…
As I was gearing up for my first trip to Southeast Asia, I knew I was in for some new experiences. I’d be spending one month in Indonesia, and I was ready to encounter new cultures, meet new people, and most of all, try new foods. But I knew there was one experience I wanted to avoid—Bali Belly. Bali Belly,…
The river seemed to disappear behind the mountains and cliffs in front of us. As the boat steamed forward, it came dangerously close to scraping the rocks…only to be saved at the last moment when the mountain gave way to yet another gorge. It was unlike anything I had ever seen anywhere else in the world. And it was totally…
As a Westerner, your trip to Asia will be filled with exciting new experiences as well as a few challenges. The time difference, new foods, and complex itineraries can throw even the most experienced traveler for a loop. Perhaps the biggest challenge of all, however, will be the different customs and traditions you’ll encounter along the way. Navigating them successfully…
During her journey and training to become a yoga instructor, Erin Larsen’s teacher for three years told her that she must go to India. “I was devoted to the practice, therefore I must go to the birthplace of yoga,” she says. Larsen saved money for two years to fund the five months she would spend in India and the month…
The next stop on our 5 Healthy Days Tour is Shanghai, the most populous city in China. Travelers are drawn here due to its constant development. Modern and traditional culture and architecture collide in this city, creating a unique and interesting trip. This city is known for its historical landmarks and its modern and expanding skyline. Not only does this…
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