The wind gusts did not deter us from getting off the bus. We had been driving for at least two hours, heading steadily towards the coast. At last, the ocean broke into view, grayish green and frothing against the shore. … Read More
It was night time, quite late—that much I remember. I think there were six of us, or maybe five. Enough that we didn’t fit comfortably into the taxi on the way there. Enough that we couldn’t or didn’t all pile … Read More
Washington, DC, is known by those who live here as the land of overachievers. After all, you don’t get a job on Capitol Hill by settling for a B+. This penchant for uber-excelling professionally and academically also extends to residents’ … Read More
I’m what technology watchers call a “late adopter,” meaning I often arrive late to the party when new technologies come out. This “watch and wait and see” behavior has also translated to jumping late onto the bandwagon of the so-called … Read More
I thought I had been hiking before. I even thought I had done one or two challenging hikes in my lifetime. I was mistaken. The hike on the Alex Knob trail—located in New Zealand’s Westland Tai Poutini National Park—was a … Read More
This is the view out my window at sunrise on my first morning in New Zealand’s South Island. I am staying with a small tour group at a remote sheep ranch on the banks of Lake Pukaki. The lake’s color … Read More
Food can make or break a trip. It can be the most memorable aspect of your trip because it’s amazingly delicious—or memorable because it’s so NOT delicious. I still remember the most amazing sandwich I’ve ever had, from a little … Read More
The mountain town of Queenstown, New Zealand, is known as the adventure capital of New Zealand and maybe the world. It’s a small place with a hip and rugged Park City, Utah, vibe that caters to tourists, especially adrenaline junkies. … Read More
With nearly 40 different countries under my belt—airport layovers not included—and lots of trial and error in the packing department along the way, I’ve developed a list of essential travel tips that will make your trip more enjoyable and equip … Read More
For years I have been trying to convince my family to do a destination Christmas someplace warm. I’m not a fan of winter and love the idea of being able to celebrate Christmas without having to don enough layers to … Read More