-
The Great Pyramids of Egypt: A Dream Come True!
My heart was racing with excitement as we stepped out of our taxi. We were in Cairo, and we were finally going to see the Great Pyramids of Egypt! In my senior year of university, I remember sitting in my Ancient Egypt class, daydreaming of the day when I would actually visit the Great Pyramids for myself. At that moment, I promised myself that I would somehow figure out a way to get myself to these ancient marvels. And now, I was standing infront of them in awe. They were beautiful and it was a dream come true! Visiting the Great Pyramids was a thrilling experience for me in many…
-
The Gorgeous Kuang Si Falls of Laos
After a long and hot day of trekking in the jungles around Luang Prabang, Laos, our guide took us to the gorgeous Kuang Si Falls. This 3 tier waterfall and its surroundings were so incredibly enchanting that I felt I was in paradise. It was beautiful how the white water cascaded down from the shallow pools high above and gathered in the numerous turquoise blue pools. The natural rocks and trees amid the waterfall also added to its beauty. As I stepped into one of the pools, I was surprised by the water’s temperature. It was very cold. Despite it being a very hot day, I was only able to…
-
Surviving Inside Vietnam’s Cu Chi Tunnels
This is one of the many entrances to the Cu Chi tunnels, a network of tunnels lived in by thousands of Vietnamese civilians during the Vietnam War. These tunnels which are located in the area called Cu Chi, near Ho Chi Minh city, belong to even a larger network of tunnels that spread throughout the country. As I walked uncomfortably through the tunnels, I was shocked at how the Vietnamese managed to live in such harsh and tight conditions. I could only imagine how dreadful each day must have been not knowing if you would survive yet another bomb thrown by the Americans. The space in the tunnels was extremely…
-
Peaceful Palmyra in the Syrian Desert
When Jason mentioned visiting Syria during our World Trip, I was reluctant at first. I had always heard on the news and from people, that Syria was a very dangerous place to travel. However, I eventually decided to overcome my fears and travel through Syria with a sense of adventure. It was worth it! At the time of our travel, Syria was a beautiful and peaceful country. One of our highlights in Syria was visiting Palmyra, an ancient Aramaic city located in the Syrian desert. As we walked amid the ruins, I remember thinking, “These ruins look so beautiful within this quiet desert setting.” We leisurely explored the ruins, relaxed,…
-
The Towering Taipei 101
This was the view of the sunrise from our rooftop in Taipei, Taiwan. I have seen many beautiful buildings, and one of my favorites is Taipei 101. I simply love the design of this building. It looks even more spectacular during New Year’s Eve, when fireworks shoot off the building in all directions. For nearly a year, I was fortunate enough to admire this architectural beauty daily, not only from my rooftop but also on the subway ride to and from work. What is your favorite building in the world?
-
Climbing an Active Volcano: Mount Bromo, Indonesia
Everyone in our tour group got up super early to see the sunrise at Indonesia’s famous Mount Bromo. However, we decided we wanted to avoid the crowds, and have this active volcano for ourselves. So around early morning, we leisurely found our way to this natural wonder. Upon reaching the site, I remember thinking, “Wow this is beautiful!” This was the first time ever that we had stepped foot and climbed an active volcano. When we reached the top we could see the sulfur gas bubbling and escaping from the interior of the crater. The smell was extremely strong and not very pleasant. But we managed to escape from the…
-
The Endless Sahara Desert of Egypt
With not even a map in hand, Jason and I walked slowly through the Sahara Desert. For hours, we saw nobody except endless sand and dunes. Walking up the dunes was hard but fun. The curiosity of seeing what was on the other side of the dune was more than enough motivation to keep moving forward. Once at the top, I felt something really beautiful. It was a sense of freedom. It felt like we were the only survivors on the planet. There were no people or footprints to be found anywhere. The feeling of being surrounded by so much space and the beautiful soft sand of the desert was…
-
Stunning Cappadocia, Turkey
This is beautiful Cappadocia in Turkey. This region is formed of soft rocks made by volcanic deposits. It was absolutely amazing to see how people historically carved out spaces for their homes, churches, and monasteries from these rocks. Cappadocia, with its natural beauty and huge monasteries, was simply picturesque. We had the fortune to meet some knowledgeable young boys, who toured us around the monasteries. The spaces were extremely small, and walking from one room to another was definitely challenging. It was hard to believe how people once inhabited these spaces. This was one of the most amazing places we visited during our 3 weeks in Turkey.
-
Picking Tea Leaves in Darjeeling, India
These Indian women work very hard to diligently pick tea leaves at the tea plantation sites in Darjeeling, India. After touring the nearby Happy Valley Tea Estate, I learned that a great amount of effort is put forth not only by the women picking the tea leaves outside, but also the workers who work in the tea factory. It was a very educational trip that left me with a deeper appreciation for tea. By the way, the green tea I drank in Darjeeling was wonderful!
-
Kerala, India’s Kathakali Dance
These talented artists prepare for their upcoming Kathakali dance performance in Fort Kochin, Kerala, India. Aside from the elaborate costumes and make-up, the actual dancing was very impressive. This was one of the most entertaining and memorable dance dramas, I have ever seen. I was amazed by how the artists used only body movements and specifically their eyes, to tell the entire story. What is the most memorable dance performance you have seen?
