I am the first to admit, I made a special detour to Chengdu just to visit the giant pandas. The facilities in Chengdu are the only locations in the world where you can hold a giant panda. The opportunity to see them up close and hold one was too much. I had to go! I decided to visit the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding Center. It’s located…
Welcome to Chengdu, the panda mecca of the world! Housing 80% of the world’s pandas, these furry cuddle bugs are considered one of the cutest animals in the world. They’re also known as the “national treasure” of China. The panda habitat was once spread out across central, southern, and eastern China (and even neighboring countries like Myanmar and northern Vietnam). Now, it has been reduced to mainly the…
Have you ever heard of Shangri-La, Tibet? Maybe it’s one of those words you’ve heard thrown around, but wasn’t sure if it was a real place. Or just fictional. Well you’re in good company because, that was me. While backpacking through the Yunnan Province of China, some fellow adventurers were saying they were heading up to Shangri-La. Naturally this peeked my interest because, being a well-seasoned traveler, I wasn’t…
The Hoi An tailors are some of the best tailors in the world! Is that kinda shocking? What do you think of when you think of the clothing capital of the world? Maybe Italy, Paris, Hong Kong? Well, let me fill you in on this gem of a secret. Getting an outfit tailor-made in Hoi An is one of the most popular things to do in Vietnam. And…
While wandering my way through Vietnam, I stumbled upon this little beauty of a town, and I just could NOT get enough of it! Originally planning to only stay in Hoi An for 3 days, I extended my stay to 5, and was still pretty sad to leave this cozy spot. If time had allowed, I think I would have stayed a week, maybe longer, who knows! But…
Kawah Ijen (pronounced: kawa eejen) is located on the island of Java in Indonesia. After reading about it, I knew that no matter how out of the way it might be, I needed to see this blue-flamed beauty. But what makes this volcano more interesting than any other volcano on the planet? Well, Kawah Ijen is an extremely rare volcano that actually erupts electric blue flames from its…
Kawah Ijen is easily one of the most fascinating volcanoes on the planet. Famous for its electric blue flames that are only visible at night, this trip makes for an unforgettable hike, and stunning sunrise. Below are some tips on how to make the most out of your experience to see this blue-flamed beauty. A Guide to Hiking Indonesia’s Blue Flame Volcano: Kawah Ijen Why Go? So what makes…