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When I was first searching for where to visit in China, one pretty picture caught my eye — and it felt like a calling! I just couldn’t settle my mind elsewhere. I thought, this is it! This is where I’m going next in this beautiful world. It was a photo of Black Dragon Pool with Jade Dragon Snow Mountain in the backdrop. If you search "Lijiang" on Google, it’s one of the first pictures you’ll see. Anyway, my blabbering aside... let’s get into Black Dragon Pool! 📸 And here’s a recapturing of that scenery from my camera: 🚕 How to Get There Black Dragon Pool Park is located very close to Lijiang Old Town . You can walk from the north exit of the Old Town to the North Gate (Heilongtan North Gate) of the park. But here’s how we went: We didn’t know it was that close, so we took a Didi (China’s version of Grab or Uber) from Lijiang Old Town to what we now know was the Main Gate of the park — located on Minzhu Road , also called the Wenming Archway . It was about a 10-minu...

I spent a week in Chiang Mai to experience the digital nomad café culture that many remote workers talk about.  Most people suggest staying in the Nimman area Chiang Mai, and it's true—there are plenty of cafés, coworking spaces, and one-bedroom apartments available. It's easy to settle in. But honestly, I preferred the Old Town Chiang Mai area. It has better cafés and offers a more peaceful environment to work in. Here are my thoughts on five popular Chiang Mai cafés for digital nomads: 🌿 Fern Forest Cafe This café feels like an oasis in the Old Town, with a beautiful garden and a colonial-style white house. It’s always busy, but it’s spacious with both indoor and outdoor seating. The menu is long with lots of food and drink options. It’s a little pricey, but the food is really good. The atmosphere is calm even though it gets very busy, making it a great place to relax or work. I ended up coming back a few times just for the vibe. 📚 Into the Woods Not the cutest-looking café...

Ghandruk, a picturesque Nepalese village nestled in the foothills of the Himalayas, had long captured my attention through Instagram reels. The experience of getting dressed in traditional Gurung costumes, the enchanting close-up views of the Himalayas, and the promise of tranquility made it a must-visit destination on my Nepal itinerary. For many trekkers in the Annapurna region, Ghandruk marks the final stop on their descent from popular trails like the Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) or the Poonhill trek. However, for those not embarking on a trek or facing unexpected changes in plans, like my own unfortunate knee injury just days before my trek, this guide is here to help you reach this serene village from Kathmandu.  ✈️ 🚌 🚗 Kathmandu to Pokhara: First things first, let's talk about getting to Pokhara, a popular tourist destination in Nepal. A quick Google search will reveal that flying is the fastest option, taking approximately 30 minutes. Multiple airlines operate frequent fligh...

Hạ Long Bay, a mesmerizing UNESCO World Heritage Site in Vietnam, is known for its captivating blend of emerald waters and limestone islands. I booked a Ha Long Bay cruise for my 30th birthday to celebrate myself in tranquility. In this blog, I am telling you how I planned my perfect Ha Long Bay cruise experience. Let’s get started! Booking Your Cruise 🛳 Booking your cruise is a piece of cake. Simply Google and start looking for the perfect cruise that fits your budget and offers the facilities you dream of. Start your cruise search on a popular booking site like Booking.com. Pay attention to the small details if you’re looking for relaxation and pampering. I wanted a room with a nice bathtub that would offer a view of the bay, glass walls in the room so I could enjoy the emerald waters from my bed, and a private balcony. After narrowing down my options based on photos and reviews from Booking.com and TripAdvisor, I compared cruises. My budget was around $310 for a one-night full boar...

  I visited Maafushi island in the last week of December 2021 with my bestie. When I said I was planning to visit the Maldives, here’s what I heard. “What is there to see other than the sea?” “It is just a luxury honeymoon destination.” “You must stay in an overwater villa to experience the Maldives.” “Maldives is insanely expensive!!!” You should not get confused about those misconceptions and plan your trip to this tropical paradise. Here’s why: Don’t have deep pockets? Don’t worry! The Maldives is made up of about 1200 small islands scattered over the Indian Ocean. Finding accommodation in the Maldives can be overwhelming since options vary from ultra-luxurious resorts to small guesthouses. If you look into the rates of resorts on private islands, they are pretty expensive, especially in the peak tourist season from November to April. There are inhabited islands where Maldivians live, but welcoming tourists, and Maafushi is one such island. You can have an affordable holiday in ...