The idea was not to linger in any one place, but to stay on the move, to drink in the never-ending panorama of the Muttrah Souq. Like most things, ideas are almost always good in theory; but they tend to wane in the most crucial of moments.
Read MoreFrom a distance, Christchurch appeared as a wave of twinkling lights. After two weeks of small towns and open roads, the unfolding chaos of an urban center was somewhat unsettling.
Read MoreOur first tuk-tuk cost us just 10 Baht, and the driver dove right into a much-rehearsed scheme-laden script. We expected as much, being foreign and all, but his lack of creativity was almost endearing.
Read MoreThe sun was long gone as Justin and I sat on a pier looking out onto the Doha skyline. There were four or five fishermen to our left, and a couple dressed in thobe and burka to our right.
Read MoreThe next morning, I woke up to a winter wonderland. Packed with snacks, I made the drive to Mount Cook to hike Kea Point and Hooker Lake. I crossed rope bridges over rivers of glacier water and scrambled in my low-top converse chucks over snow-capped boulders. An hour down the trail, I was completely alone.
Read MoreA little bit about Bahrain, a tiny island in the middle of the Middle East, opposite the bridge to Saudi Arabia. I had landed in Bahrain six weeks earlier on a flight from Sri Lanka, at the height of summer, when temperatures hovered somewhere around 114.
Read MoreIn southern Italy, you learn to slow down. You discover the subtle differences of espresso, lungo, macchiato and americano. You eventually give in and hang your underwear out to dry like your Italian neighbors and separate your trash into 14 different bins of labeled refuse.
Read MoreThe place looked as though it might be closed, but the door creaked open when I pushed inside. There seemed to be no one for miles; collected instead in the city by the bay, living complicated lives beneath the eaves of red ceramic tile.
Read MoreShowers had become optional. Breakfast had become minimal; hot water, instant coffee and biscuits. I wore the same pants pretty much every day, and I slept well. By day 9, hostel hopping had become surprisingly hat.
Read MoreI returned yesterday from a whirlwind trip that was somewhat last minute - and fantastic. We flew across the Gulf to celebrate a friend's birthday in true Dubai style - complete with pink limo, champagne service and a dance floor on the 43rd floor somewhere downtown. In a word: extravagant.
Read MoreI settled beside the fireplace in the main cabin lodge, facing a huge bay window framing the white peaks of New Zealand’s Southern Alps. I had instant coffee by my side. And everything was alright.
Read MoreI love to travel alone. I love the open road and it’s complete and utter lack of expectation. I love that I can sing out loud; sugar binge and skip showers; roll windows down; drive fast or drive slow. I can stop just to stare, count clouds, write a while; or find some café and talk with a stranger for hours. It’s hard to find people you can do all those things with on the road, but if you do find them, don’t ever let them go.
Read MoreWelcome to New Zealand. You’re free. To spend freely. To selfishly hope the world conveniently comes to an end in some catastrophic event as your bank account flat-lines. Day one in the place I have always dreamed of. No itinerary, no partner in crime; just my backpack and an onward ticket to Sydney, Australia.
Read MoreFilm footage of my three week road trip through South Island, New Zealand.
Read MoreFilm footage of three weeks on Oahu, Hawaii.
Read MoreAfter a four year hiatus, I'm finally back in the place I'll always call home. Home is a funny concept, and by all rights, I have no right to call Hawaii home. I lived here for just four years while attending university, but it is the one place I have the most and best memories.
Read MoreI tiptoed through the dorm room past eight sleeping strangers and closed the bathroom door. A shower seemed like a good idea, but the drain was clogged and held at least a few inches of water hostage. I turned on the water and let it run over my hands for a few minutes. Ice cold. I gave up and put my dirty clothes back on, brushed my teeth and packed my little red bag.
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