Splurge: A Review of Namaaz Dining in Jakarta

It is no secret that I like good food. I mean who doesn’t? It is no secret that I also like bad food. Feel free to come observe me at Cici’s all-you-can-eat pizza buffet for $4.99. However, if I am going to shell out for some fancy food, it really needs to be top notch.…

An Unforgettable Massage in Bogor Indonesia

So this has never been diagnosed, but I have chronic back pain. At home, this affliction had me seeking regular massages (yeah, poor me) until I discovered acupuncture: much more affordable, long-lasting relief. The thing is you have to keep up with the treatment for maintenance and well, I haven’t been. Since I have yet…

A Guide to Make Travel in Indonesia Even Easier

You can say I have traveled extensively, but to be quite honest, I never actually know what I am doing. Between social media, blog posts, and a touch of research, my curiosity strikes and I have to visit this destination. After a two year trip around the world and two years back in the workforce,…

How to Get a Free City Tour of Istanbul through Turkish Airlines

Long layovers suck (she writes as she is sitting through a 14 hour layover with someone doing construction work overhead at 3am…another story for another day). If only there were a way to easily leave the airport and explore.  Here’s the deal—Istanbul has a brand spanking new airport and it is beautiful to look at.…

all the cannolis on display

The Best Cannoli in Boston

Show of hands. How many of you have mentioned you were going to Boston and someone replied, completely unprompted, “you have to try a cannoli at Mike’s Pastry in the North End.” No one ever questions this. You simply say, “ok, I love cannolis.” Well, I want to know what is so good about Mike’s aside…

New York City

My Favorite Thing I’ve Ever Done in New York City

Ok, I’ll spill. The suspense is killing me… My favorite thing I’ve ever done in New York City was attend a taping of the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon. Now what made this experience so epic you may be wondering? Jimmy Fallon is hysterical Reese Witherspoon was a guest that day A blurry shot of my…

Last shot of Fuego Volcano

Hiking Acatenango Volcano in Guatemala

Guys, this was the hardest volcano hike I’ve ever done. I know what you are thinking…”it’s probably the only volcano you’ve ever hiked.” Au contraire! How many times do you have to do something for it to be considered a hobby? Anyway, three. I have climbed three volcanoes and Acatenango was the second one…and the…

Ropa Vieja: the best food in Cuba

Does the Food in Cuba Actually Suck?

If you are considering visiting Cuba, you may have discovered that it doesn’t take much research to learn the food does not have the best reputation. Why? Well, they can’t import the ingredients you want to make your meal great thanks to the big, bad USA (not getting into politics here, but COME ON!!!!) But I…

Cali: Salsa dance capital of Colombia

Learning to Salsa Dance in Colombia: What if Your Hips DO Lie

My previous encounters with salsa always included a side of Tostito tortilla chips, which I masterfully conquered without a hitch. So allow that to set the stage (hah, dance pun) for the impending shitstorm, casually disguised as salsa dance lessons. As if speaking Spanish wasn’t mortifying enough, I opted to bring an entirely new level of embarrassment upon myself while…