Yes, you are eager to explore Argentina’s famous Route 40. But don’t rush out of Salta! This pretty town is worth a day or two of exploration before hitting the road. Here are four must-do’s!
Taking the Road Less Traveled in Rainbow Valley, Jujuy Province, Argentina
Was this really the way to the famous Fourteen Colors Mountain (Cerro de Catorce Colores) in Humahuaca, Argentina? We took the road less traveled, but it was an adventure!
Budget-Friendly DIY Game Drive in Hell's Gate National Park, Kenya
Hell’s Gate National Park, just a two- or three-hour drive from Nairobi, is a great alternative to an expensive organized safari tour…especially if you are just in town for business or you are a budget-conscious traveler. We made a day trip to the park for less than USD$180…
Out of Africa: A Story of Non-Attachment
Out of Africa is a beautiful lesson in non-attachment. We visited the Karen Blixen museum just outside of Nairobi…
Impressions of Nairobi, Kenya
We spent several weeks in the Ruaka and Westlands areas of Nairobi, Kenya. Here is our impression of this modern, rapidly expanding city.
Haller Park: Just What the Doctor Ordered in Mombasa, Kenya
Warning! This story may set a new high bar in your mind for corporate responsibility! The story of Haller park is a tale of patience and rehabilitation. Now a lush, verdant garden paradise, Haller Park was a limestone quarry wasteland forty years ago…
Hakuna Matata in Zanzibar, Tanzania
Hakuna matata - no worries! That’s the vibe in Jambiani Beach on the east coast of Zanzibar, where the people are quick generous, caring and quick to smile…
On Safari in Tanzania
Have you ever dreamed of an African safari? Seeing the world’s largest animals in their natural environment? During a three day game drive through Tarangire National Park, Lake Manyara National Park, and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, we saw all the major "stars" and whole lot more!
Coffee Break in Moshi with the Chaggas
If you visit the Kilimanjaro area of Tanzania, you will spend your days with the singing, fun-loving Chaggas, who have inhabited the hills of this region for hundreds of years. Travel Is Zen spent the afternoon learning how to make the perfect cup of coffee…
Seven Lessons Kilimanjaro Taught Me
I completely underestimated what it takes to hike Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Africa. Every preconception I had about the world’s tallest freestanding mountain was proved a misconception. Truth be told, I got my ass kicked on that mountain, but I learned a lot!
Bandra Walking Tour in Mumbai, India
While in Mumbai, we stayed in the Bandra area, along the Arabian Sea coast. We joined a walking tour to learn more about Portuguese and British influence in this neighborhood…
Dharavi Slum in Mumbai, India: Don't Cry for Me!
It’s called a slum, but through sheer grit and determination, Dharavi in Mumbai has a $650 million annual micro-economy. India is a Russian doll: there’s always someone worse off…
Jaipur, India: Janta Mantar Astrological Observatory
Janta Mantar — a huge astrological observatory in Jaipur — is for science geeks! Through well-detailed written descriptions on every instrument, we received quite a new astronomy vocabulary…
India's Mughal Era: the Taj Mahal, Akbar's Tomb, Daulatabad Fort
Architecture in India reached its apex under the reign of the Mughals in the 1500’s, when monuments such as the Taj Mahal and Akbar’s Tomb were built…
Ancient India at Aurangabad: Ellora and Ajanta Caves
Around the time Jesus was preaching in the Middle East, religious ascetics in Maharashtra province of India began painting and sculpting devotional masterpieces…
Huangshan Mountain, China: Ghost Pines in the Mist
A breeze gathered strength, pushing fog tendrils up and over the cliff ridge. We had waited all day for Old Man Mountain’s big reveal. He did not disappoint. This is Huangshan, China.
Xidi and Hongcun, China: Lessons in Fengshui and Functional Design
Xidi and Hongcun are excellent examples of Chinese villages that are beautiful (great for photography) but also adhere to Fengshui and functional design principles. The architecture of Hui villages evolved to protect women, children and goods in the absence of men…
Wuhan, the Heart of China
The food in Wuhan stole our hearts! Hubu Alley is a famous food street with cuisine unique to Wuhan. Two foods in particular will haunt our dreams and have us drooling in our sleep for years to come..
Three Day Hiking Guide and Maps to China's Zhangjiajie 张家界 National Park
Zhangjiajie National Park is one of China’s most popular tourist areas. There are some terrific hiking trails in the park, if you know how to get there and where to find them. In this post, we provide a three day hiking itinerary, maps, and some tips to avoid the crowds.
Zhangjiajie 张家界 National Park: Inspiration for Avatar's Pandora
When clouds gather along the river valley in China’s Zhangjiajie National Park, the free standing karst peaks can look as if they are floating. We spent three days hiking in the area that inspired Pandora in the movie Avatar...