In Focus: Tegalalang Rice Terraces

Bali is a world renown destination for its lush greenery, jungle, culture, and beautiful beaches. On our recent trip to Bali, Indonesia, we were blown away by the beauty and atmosphere that surrounded us and we immediately know why this island paradise had become so popular even before Elizabeth Gilbert caused its popularity to surge with her book “Eat, Pray, Love.” While certainly being a perfect location for Julia Roberts to rediscover her ability to love, Ubud, Bali is much more than a tourist destination, or a lovesick Mecca for middle aged women living out their own bildungsroman.

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Explore More – Batu Caves Video

A short distance from the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur lies an astonishing place known as the Batu Caves. This sprawling tourist attraction contains three separate caves, each filled with different sights but the largest cave sits atop the 273rd step of a towering staircase and was the sole reason for our visit.

Ubud Busy Markets

Markets are often the heartbeat of a country.  The lively streets of Karna Street in Ubud and the traditional market nearby were both excellent representations of Bali in their energy and vibrant colors. Though heavily trafficked by tourists and motorbikes alike, Ubud’s markets had tight enough quarters to feel somehow intimate and welcoming.

In Focus: The Batu Caves

When I first heard that there was a city in Southeast Asia where a giant golden statue stood as guard to a cave temple filled with monkeys, I was sold. It really doesn’t take a whole lot to get me excited about foreign places and every word of that description seemed to redefine what I wanted out of life itself. Caves? Awesome. Hindu temples? The Philosophy student within me is biting at the bit already. Giant golden statues? Show me this giant.

Bali Sneak Peek!

Bali is a paradise that has more than lived up to our expectations. While we often worry that a place is overhyped or a tourist trap once it becomes internationally known as a top destination, we’ve found ourselves surprised and pleased with the atmosphere and location. We just left Ubud for Kuta before we go to a more secluded island for a few days, but we wanted to share some  highlights of Bali in the meantime. Enjoy some photos and stay tuned for more descriptive posts with more pictures later on!

Kuala Lumpur Sneak Peek

Summer vacation is upon us and we already have so much to share! We just spent three days in Kuala Lumpur before heading to Bali but we managed to do and see a fair bit in Malaysia’s capital city in that sort time. Since we aren’t traveling with a computer we are limited in what we can put together and share but we have come up with a sneak peak for you all. Check out a few pictures from our first few days of vacation and expect so see much more in the near future. Enjoy!

Stamps in Our Passports… Indonesia & Malaysia!

Tomorrow we are off! The first semester of the school year is already over and summer vacation is here. We will be catching a train in the morning to Seoul and then flying off to explore more of Southeast Asia.

Phnom Penh’s Royal Palace

The Royal Palace of Phnom Penh is the epitome of Cambodian architecture and opulence. Still maintaining a monarchy, Cambodia has worked hard to preserve their Royal Palace as a tourist destination and cultural icon of Cambodia’s past. While travelling through this country in early 2015, we took the time to visit this gilded estate and see its beautiful grounds for ourselves.

The Killing Fields of Choeung Ek

Warning! This post is going to be difficult to Read. I don’t want to cheapen the story or descriptions of such a real place with pithy commentary. What follows is my best recollection of the killing fields and the emotions they stirred inside of me.

Explore More – Bangkok Waterways Video

Bangkok’s canal network is an oft-overlooked part of the city. With unique perspectives on Thailand’s capitol city and what it used to look like, Bangkok comes alive in the vast network of waterways. For a few hours a canal tour of Bangkok will surely satisfy anyone willing to put their apprehensions of safety and certified boat operators aside.