Back in June, I traveled to Bali on behalf of Culture Trip to investigate the controversial dog meat trade that has been unfolding on the island. I had been to Bali before, but—like most travelers there—remained blissfully unaware of the many issues that plague “the island of the Gods,” distracted instead by my own solo travels and ‘Eat Pray Love’… [Read More]
Dispatch: Exploring the Dog Meat Trade in Bali
It’s the thin, white markings on Cinta’s otherwise black paws that are the first clue to her horrific past, evidence of being bound for days at a time. Cinta—whose name translates to ‘love’ in Bahasa—was rescued from a dog meat restaurant back in 2015, just one of an estimated 80 dog meat warungs (family-owned restaurants) found across… [Read More]
How to Spend the Perfect Day on Gili Trawangan
The Gili Islands—made up of Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno and Gili Air—are a 1.5 hour boat ride from Bali and off the coast of Lombok Island. Known for their white sand beaches and Caribbean-blue waters, the islands are a magnet for couples, backpackers, divers and partiers alike. Of the three islands, Gili Trawangan is the most developed… [Read More]
The Spiritual Side of Bali Most Tourists Don’t See
Every morning in Ubud, I woke up to the soft swishing of the family compound being swept with a coarse broom made of coconut branches. I laid in bed for a few more minutes, listening to the other morning sounds take shape: the cooing of the birds, the chirps of the geckos and the… [Read More]
A First Time Experience Practicing Meditation in Bali
My henna was starting to fade from my hand. A mix of sweat, washing and sun had started to steal away the intricate design that once began at my right pinky finger and made its way up my wrist. I couldn’t help but admire the symbolism of it all. As my time in Bali came to a close,… [Read More]
Checking into the Bambu Indah Hotel in Ubud
It’s afternoon in Bali and the sun has begun to rise high over the rice paddies surrounding Ubud. I’m checking into Bambu Indah-an eco lifestyle hotel that sits along the Ayung River. Bambu Indah—which is translates to “beautiful bamboo”—is unique because of the 11 Javanese bridal homes that make up its rooms. The wooden houses were… [Read More]
How to ‘Eat Pray Love’ Your Way Around Bali
It’s afternoon in Bali. My fingers are resting on my laptop as I try to sum up the last month of travel through Indonesia. How Elizabeth Gilbert managed to eloquently (and concisely, I might add) put her year of self-discovery into writing is beyond me. The effects of Gilbert’s runaway success, Eat Pray Love, is seen everywhere… [Read More]
A Quick Introduction to Wakatobi in Indonesia
I remember working at an advertising firm in Manhattan. It was January-by far one of the worst months to be in New York. The holidays had passed. The charm of snow had faded. All the was left were the months of waiting until Spring. My cubicle-which was a veritable collage of travel images-felt suffocating… [Read More]
A Guide to Visiting Komodo National Park
The other morning I woke up in a hotel room in Indonesia and flipped on the television. As I walked around my room packing, I listened as a documentary on National Geographic Wild blared from the TV. I stopped mid-packing to watch. The documentary flashed images of Komodo dragons and Komodo Island; a place I… [Read More]
