Your Introspective Tour Guide to the World

Uplifting Vacation Options to Help Heal a Broken Heart

December 12, 2018December 7, 2018 by Bonnie Rush

Breakups are very unfortunate events, and trying to move on after that can be quite the challenge. Some people find it so hard to move on after a breakup that they think it is just okay not to move on at all. Other people drown themselves in their work so that they cannot think of those happy memories that now hurt them so much. Distractions are great for people undergoing a breakup. Other people drown themselves in drinking sessions with friends who know how to have a good time only. But why not try to get away from it all …

Hopping Techniques You Can Utilize

December 13, 2018December 7, 2018 by Bonnie Rush

When buying hops to brew at home or in a small brewery, the quality of hops you acquire is key to the quality of your beer. Not only that you need to understand the different techniques that you should use to brew successfully. A majority of new brewers may not be aware of the different professional hop brewing techniques, while experienced brewers may be applying the wrong techniques. Different beer styles and beer flavors utilize different brewing styles and the best way to understand the method to use is to get knowledge of the different techniques and their applications. Below …

Everything You Need to Know About That Can of Beer You’re Holding

November 9, 2018 by Bonnie Rush

Whether it’s your drink of choice every night out or you find the taste too strong for your preference, no one can deny how beer is a staple in every bar, club, or restaurant almost anywhere in the world. Unlike other alcoholic drinks, beer dates to ancient civilizations, possibly as early as 10,000 BC. Today, it’s still one of the top choices of millions of adults and is currently the third most popular drink, after water and tea. When you’re cracking open a cold one, have you ever stopped to consider what it took to get a truckload of wheat …

Fearless Solo Travel: Backpacking Tips for the Ladies

September 19, 2018September 19, 2018 by Bonnie Rush

Traveling solo can be daunting and dangerous, especially if you’re a woman. But it’s also one of the most rewarding things you can do, especially at a time like this. They say that backpacking is the province of men, but that paradigm has been shaken for quite some time now, and more and more women are feeding their wanderlust to their heart’s desire. If you think about it, female vagabonds are the living, breathing proof that we can do anything, a striking contrast to what society’s perception of us: dependent and incapable. Nevertheless, safety is a priority when you travel …

Go Zero Waste When Traveling with These Tips

September 3, 2018September 7, 2018 by Bonnie Rush

Traveling is a fun, rewarding, and oftentimes, enlightening experience. But one thing you’ll realize along the way is how much waste and carbon footprint you’re leaving. That is not to say, however, that you’ll be a better steward of nature if you travel less and stay at home more. It’s all a matter of being mindful of our actions and making a commitment to leave minimal impact on the environment. Whether you’ve just started a nomadic lifestyle or been at it for years, going zero waste is a worthy cause and philosophy to live by. To help you transition, allow …

WWOOFING in Southeast Asia: Top 5 Countries for Your WWOOF Adventure

September 3, 2018 by Nikolaj Salinger

Farming has never been my strongest suit, having been a city boy most of my life. But developing a green thumb or any other farming skill can take you places. It also paves the way for a unique and authentic experience with a place and culture. WWOOFing is one of the best ways to live and learn in organic farms anywhere in the world. The name is taken from WWOOF, or the World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms, an international movement that links volunteers with organic farms and growers. The premise is that you’ll help out on the farm in …

Hiking the Ngong Ping 360 Rescue Trail

August 16, 2018August 16, 2018 by Bernard San Juan III

While it should be one of the most popular hiking trails in Hong Kong, very few people seem to know about the Ngong Ping 360 Rescue Trail – a 6-kilometer trail (but feels like 8 kilometers) running directly under the cable cars in Lantau Island Hong Kong leading to the Big Buddha. The trail is called that because the commercial park you travel to before getting to the monastery and the Big Buddha is called Ngong Ping 360, and the trail was originally built to service the cable cars throughout the whole trail, breaking from the trail for only less …

Exploring Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam’s Storied, Pulsating Capital

July 18, 2018August 8, 2018 by Bonnie Rush

Vietnam conjures up harrowing images of war and demonstrations. At a young age, I already had a rough sketch not only of the brutal conflict in Indochina, but also the one waged at home. Naturally, as the big history buff that I am, I find myself booking a flight to Ho Chi Minh, with the intent to uncover treasures of the past. Formerly known as Saigon, and still fondly referred to by most locals as Saigon, Ho Chi Minh is like any other bustling metropolis at first glance. On my first day, the roar of cyclos greeted me along with …

Japan on a Shoestring: Budget Tips

July 18, 2018August 1, 2018 by Nikolaj Salinger

It’s no secret to the backpacking community that Japan is an expensive destination. The purist budget traveler in me would stay away from it, but it’s hard to ignore the country’s rich culture, enigmatic cityscapes, and natural wonder. Despite its ridiculously high cost of living, I am still drawn and deeply attached to this country, which is why I keep coming back to it despite my lifestyle and limited resources. The main advantage to being a shoestring traveler for many years is that stretching a budget and getting more for less would require minimum effort. Japan is no exception to …

Meeting Borneo’s Enigmatic Orangutans

July 18, 2018July 25, 2018 by Brooke Verlini

On a solo trip to Kota Kinabalu, I met Sarah, a middle-aged woman who dedicated her entire life to the conservation of orangutans. She’s no primatologist, nor does she see herself as an eco-warrior of some sort. Deeply fascinated, I asked, “What made you decide this is what you want to do?” I expected to hear something political or a heated discussion about poaching and the destructive palm oil industry. Instead, she answered, “One day, I took a tour to a wildlife conservancy in Kubah National Park, and happened upon a motherless baby orangutan nibbling on a leaf. I felt …