Carlos Grider 
This story isn’t mine, but I love it. Whenever I hit that feeling that we’re all familiar with, that feeling on the edge of my comfort zone, I remember… …always swim with bull sharks. A friend of a friend from a long time ago took a healthy living kick seriously in a good way. What … Read more
As my plane landed in Istanbul I had a whole new appreciation for Turkey. What initially felt like a risk, a danger, coming to a country bordering war zones with ongoing bad relations with the US, ended up being welcoming, complex, and rich with culture and history. Now that I had landed in Istanbul, the … Read more
On this trip, I hit a new level of planning anarchy. Even in Turkey, at its “level 3 security threat warning” according to the US state department, I decided to go with the wind. Two places kept coming up – Cappadocia and Pammukale. For lack of time, I would not be able to make … Read more
The relaxed port city of Izmir was a wonderful respite after the past two months of being busy and proactive nonstop. Despite the long list of sites to see in the city, I intentionally took it slow and saved the fomo for another city. My days were spent leisurely wandering the city observing the contrasts between … Read more
A couple hours south of Izmir lies the city of Ephesus, home to some of the most well preserved Roman ruins in Europe, and the Temple of Artemis, one of the ancient wonders of the world. When traveling, a balance of history, irreplaceable views, good people, and sufficiently giving into your vices makes for a … Read more
The sun was shining bright, reflecting off the concrete ground and walls of the port as I walked through the port city of Mythilini for the last time. One more stroll through its tiny streets. One more overpriced espresso at the corner coffee shop I had become familiar with. As I passed through passport control, … Read more
As my time on the Greek island of Lesvos neared a close, I was contemplating where to go next. For nearly two months, I volunteered with refugees by teaching English and translating in the refugee camps of Lesvos, but it was finally time to move on and backpacking Turkey emerged as a viable option. Backpacking … Read more
Coron Island. The northernmost island in the Palawan islands. Unheard of until recently and surrounded by crystal clear waters, secret lagoons, countless shipwrecks for snorkeling and diving, and white sand beaches. If you enjoy the sun and the sea while getting off the beaten track, Coron should be on your list. The perfectly curated list … Read more
Coron Island was the highlight of the Philippines for my trip. Shipwrecks at snorkeling depth, dense coral gardens, white sands, and pristine turquoise waters make this locale hard to beat… but you have to work for the beauty and adventure by finding your way to this paradise. There are plenty of options, for the budget, … Read more
For years I’ve had an item on my bucket list: to swim with giants. Whale sharks. The largest living fish in the sea. Docile enough to swim with in safety yet gigantic enough to make you feel your true place in the animal kingdom. As I finished up my trip in Southeast Asia trip, by … Read more