What a Burmese monk taught me about love and friendship
Little did I know that four days after stepping foot in Myanmar, I would be sitting in the presence of one of the country’s most well-known monks. In my journey to circumnavigate the world by couch-surfing through my social network, Myanmar has brought me the most serendipitous memories. While this...
Life and death on the Ganges ghats
Sometimes, as you travel the winding roads of life — slowly, then speeding up, navigating the curves and bumps you meet along the way — you find yourself stopped, halted suddenly in just the place you need to be. I believe firmly that all we encounter in life — from...
Like a local: Sailing the seas of Mallorca
On Mallorca, it’s easy to enjoy almost everything, but if I could pick just one of the best experiences you could have here, it would be to enjoy Mallorca’s crystalline waters aboard a sailing boat. And we’re not just talking about boat tours for tourists. On weekends, locals love to...
10 ways to bring yourself good luck in the new year
If you want this year to be your year, then you need to ring in the new year the right way. After all, a kiss at midnight is swell, but is that going to help you get richer or get your wishes granted or keep the bad spirits away over...
10 responsible travel resolutions for the new year
New year, new you, blah blah blah, right? Wrong. Why does January 1st always have to mean overhauling your life? After all, your life is probably already pretty awesome. Sure, maybe there’s a few things you could improve, but there’s something to be said for appreciating who you are right...
Why you should talk to strangers when you’re abroad
When I was growing up, my mother used to tell me that life is like a train: it runs its course, it makes many stops, and while some people hop in and out, others stay for the ride. I fondly think of this tale while I am travelling. In the...
40+ things locals say you should know about their cities when you visit
There are some basic rules that follow travellers around wherever they go: watch out for pickpockets in tourist zones; negotiate a taxi rate before you get in the cab; when in doubt, don’t drink the water. But then there are some specific rules for each country, and even each city....
How to fall in love with humanity again
We find ourselves at a time where there are a lot of atrocities taking place. As the influence of technology and social media over our lives exponentially grows, it’s becoming virtually impossible to tune into the media without reading about yet another attack, shooting, or act of utter disrespect toward...
Ramadan kareem! Stories of devotion from around the world
I’ve spent five years living in the Middle East (based predominantly out of Cairo but also doing lengthy stints in Turkey and Morocco), and so non-Muslim travellers often ask me if Ramadan is a good time to visit the Islamic world. From my own experience, I can say with some...
Do your memories of a trip change over time?
The more I travel, the more I get asked where’s my favourite destination. I usually say that I don’t know, that choosing would be like picking your favourite child — each place (or kid) too different to compare. However, there are some people who keep on pressing. “There must be...