The other day I was scrolling through my Instagram feed when I came across this post. It was a stunning photo taken at Kelingking Beach on the island of Nusa Penida – one of my favorite places in Bali. I’m obsessed with Nusa Penida so I always love seeing pretty pictures of it, but when…
It’s insane to think about. I’ve been traveling to Bali for the past four years. I’ve visited this island a whopping six times, spent a total of six months here and thoroughly explored seven different areas of the island. Yet somehow before my recent trip to Amed, I had never traveled to northern Bali. How…
I’ve said this many times before, but Nusa Penida might just be my favorite travel destination in Bali. I’ve written about it before, but in case you haven’t heard of it, Nusa Penida is an island located just off the southern coast of Bali. Although it’s only a short 30-minute boat ride from Sanur and a 10-minute ride from…
(UPDATE: As of May 2019, tourism is booming on Nusa Penida. I just want all of you travelers out there to know that the off-the-beaten-path destination described here has changed a lot since my visit. That being said, I still love Nusa Penida and definitely recommend visiting. Happy travels!) I’ve said this before but I’m…
Renting a scooter in Southeast Asia is never something I thought I would do. In fact, I never thought I would ever muster the courage to ride a scooter. The thought of it freaked me out. I’m not sure if I was more nervous about crashing and burning or making a fool out of myself…
When I first found out I’d be moving to Indonesia all I could think about was how much traveling I’d be doing here. I had grand plans to visit as many of Indonesia’s otherworldly destinations as humanly possible. Fast forward nine months and I’ve done a pathetically small amount of traveling within Indonesia. Because I have…
The first time I went to Ubud, I spent less than an hour there before deciding that I needed to leave as soon as possible. I’m not sure if it was the Eat, Pray, Love mentality, the overpriced organic restaurants, or the plethora of yoga studios, but after spending only 24 hours in the city, I…
As our ferry puttered toward the island of Camiguin, Philippines, it felt as if we were sailing toward a lost world. Set amid the cobalt sea, the untamed oasis felt worlds away from the crowded beaches of Boracay and Bohol. Fringed with lush palms, lime green rice paddies, and pebbled beaches, its appearance was deceptively tranquil. Also…
I was lured to the island of Bohol for the same reason every other tourist is. Promises of dreamy tropical beaches, cuddly miniature primates, and surreal Chocolate Hills made it impossible not to visit this popular island getaway during my trip to the Philippines. But, honestly, it was the prospect of motorbiking Bohol that was the…
The first time I rode a motorbike I was terrified. I was vacationing in Hawaii when my family peer pressured me into renting a scooter. Though my family views me as both a laid-back hippie and an adventurous traveler, I am actually a pretty anxious person. So I was petrified as I swerved my scooter onto the highway and…