Image

Fantastic Foto Friday: Steep mountains, crystal clear water & great hiking: Taroko Gorge, Taiwan

While most visitors to Taiwan focus on Taipei, Taiwan has some amazing wilderness to explore. The mountains across the island are steep, the forests dense and the mountain streams crystal clear. My favorite place to hike is Taroko Gorge, a short high-speed train ride from Taipei, Taiwan. It’s a great nature getaway from the busy city and worth a side trip!
But it all starts in Taipei, so check out my Destination Guide Taipei to plan your own trip to Taiwan!

Image

Fantastic Foto Friday: Colonial History of Melaka, Malaysia

Melaka Fort Afomosa

Melaka in Malaysia has an interesting colonial history, with the Portuguese, Dutch and British each in control of the important harbor for 150 years. Throw in the presence of Chinese, Arab and Indian traders and you get a veritable melting pot with hundreds of years of history. Fort Afomosa sits on the hill above the city and offers great views over the city and glimpses into the past!

To plan your own getaway, check out my Destination Guide Melaka!

Image

Fantastic Foto Friday: Endless beaches, quirky bars & restaurants: Nha Trang

Nha Trang in South Central Vietnam is blessed with endless beaches. You can walk for miles along the boardwalk or sandy shore and enjoy the view out over the warm see. You’ll find some quirky spots like “Happy Beach” along the way – first time I saw a piano right on the beach walk! And that beach is available on a budget, with prices for 4- and 5-star hotels under $100 – what’s not to like?
Check out my Destination Guide Nha Trang to plan your own beach getaway.

Image

Fantastic Foto Friday: Manila’s Modern Skyline

Manila has an interesting colonial history and is rapidly becoming a modern city. A great place to see the contrast is at Fort Santiago, the historic, Spanish colonial fortress, with a view across the Pasig River onto the skyline of the city!
To plan your own trip to Manila, the capital city of the Philippines, start with my Destination Guide Manila!

Image

Fantastic Foto Friday: Wildlife at Etosha National Park, Namibia

Visiting Africa to see its wildlife is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and Etosha National Park in Namibia is a great place to do it! You can hang out at the waterholes and watch the wildlife come to you or you can go on wildlife drives, trying to find animals across the park. Either way, you’ll have an amazing experience!
Start planning your own wildlife adventure with my trip report Cape Town to Victoria Falls Adventure

Image

Fantastic Foto Friday: Doi Suthep, stunning temple above Chiang Mai, Thailand

Doi Suthep, Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai, the “Rose of the North”, is Thailand’s second city and a great place to escape to from bustling Bangkok. It’s a little calmer and cooler, set in the Northern mountains of Thailand. One place you shouldn’t miss is Wat Phratat Doi Suthep temple. The buddhist temple sits on top of Doi Suthep mountain and offers stunning views over the valley and the city. 

Do plan your own trip to Chiang Mai, the Rose of the North, for a weekend getaway (or more), check out my Chiang Mai Guide with things to see and places to stay and eat!

Image

Fantastic Foto Friday: Royal Beach Getaway Hua Hin, Thailand

Bangkok, Thailand’s capital, is one of the most popular cities in the world – and one of the busiest! If you want to get away from the hustle and bustle, Hua Hin has been the beach getaway of the Thai Royal Family – and many locals. The beach stretches for miles and you’ll find anything from little huts to villas to luxury hotels! 
To plan your own royal getaway, start with my Destination Guide Bangkok and the Getaway Hua Hin!

Image

Fantastic Foto Friday: Tricycle Tour in Melaka’s Old Town, Malaysia

Melaka Tricycle

I’m usually not a fan of tourist-oriented attractions, but a tricycle ride in Melaka’s Old Town, especially at night, is a fun treat: I have never, anywhere in the world, seen tricycles (or rikshas or any other public transport) seen as decorated as here. In the old days, the decoration would be elaborate flower arrangements. In 2019, they are over-the-top light shows. You can even pick a “Hello Kitty” tricycle for your tour of town.
To plan your own getaway to Melaka, Malaysia, easily reached from Singapore or Kuala Lumpur, check out my Destination Guide Melaka!

Image

Fantastic Foto Friday: Victoria Falls – The Smoke that Thunders

Victoria Falls, on the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe, is one of the most impressive natural sights to experience. The local name translates to the “smoke that thunders” and is an opt description for the masses of water crushing over the cliff in noise and clouds of mist! The double rainbow on my visit made it a lot less threatening and added to the m(y)istery of the visit!
For more adventures in Africa, check out my Cape Town to Victoria Adventures of a Lifetime!

Image

Fantastic Foto Friday: Stunning Temples in Chiang Rai, Thailand

Chiang Rai first became known as the entry point to the “Golden Triangle” between Thailand, Laos and Myanmar, but today is a wonderful city to visit for his peace & quiet along the river, beautiful mountains and stunning temples. 
This Golden Temple is part of the White Temple (confusing, i know) and one of the most impressive sights for any visit to Chiang Rai. To plan your own getaway to Chiang Rai, check out my Weekend Itinerary Chiang Rai!