If you’re looking for things to do in Nova Scotia, add these seven culinary adventures to your East Coast road trip itinerary.
If you're on East Coast Canada, here are the best Nova Scotia wineries and Nova Scotia breweries to visit this year.The remote location of Vikasa Yoga, overlooking Koh Samui in Thailand, offers a peaceful setting to attend yoga teacher training. Continue Reading →
Posts by: Allie McLaughlin
Cat Poop Coffee? Made Fresh in Indonesia
Once you get over the fact you’re drinking processed cat poop, luwak coffee makes a pretty good cup of java.
Luwak cat poop coffeeLuwak coffee is made from the partially digested feces of a civet cat (an animal that looks like a bobcat and can be found in parts of Asia). How does it work? Continue Reading →
That Time We Visited An Island Paradise: Seychelles
Seychelles – it’s as good as it looks.
Before I book a beach holiday, the first thing I do is search google images for photos. I usually find hammocks with palm trees, smiling couples drinking Pina Coladas (these drinks of course won’t have any effect on their 6-packs), and beaches with sand so white, it could be mistaken for snow.
But when you get to the actual resort, it doesn’t always look like the pictures on the internet. Seychelles, is an exception to this conundrum. My photographs from this island off the coast of Africa don’t even touch the surface of the how crystal blue the water appears. Continue Reading →
Monkey Madness in Bali, Indonesia
I hate monkeys.
They are cheeky, unpredictable criminals, who are too fast for you to catch when they steal your camera or purse. I would have never visited the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary in Bali, if it wasn’t for my mother visiting. But, I must admit, I was surprised by how much I loved this place.
As you walk through the sanctuary, you will see monkeys — lots of monkeys. The monkeys that cover every square inch of this forest are called long-tailed macaques. These monkeys are more docile (when compared to other types of monkeys) because they are used to the mass amounts of tourists visiting them on a daily basis. Continue Reading →
Hainanese Chicken Rice: What Makes Singapore’s National Dish So Good?
Singapore’s national dish is called chicken rice, not chicken and rice (there is a difference if you want to pretend to be a local). Originating from Hainan, China, chicken rice is commonly called Hainanese chicken rice and can be found in all hawker centres in Singapore. Continue Reading →
5 Things to Know About Attending a Traditional Indian Wedding…in India
Last December, my husband and I were invited to an Indian wedding in India. Yes, this was the real deal. Realizing that most of our close Indian friends are already married, we couldn’t say no to this opportunity. We bought our plane tickets to Delhi, not knowing what to expect. Little did we realize that … Continue Reading →
Hualien, Taiwan: A Coastal Paradise
I’m going to be honest: I only went to Taiwan because my husband was going on a business trip. I didn’t expect much from the busy streets of Taipei, so I booked us a forty-five minute flight to Hualien Country, an area known for its mountains and coastal views. I had no idea this part … Continue Reading →
The Worst Singapore Sling Cocktail I’ve Ever Tasted
When you visit Singapore, one of the flashiest tourist traps is trying a Singapore Sling at the Long Bar. Located in the Raffles Hotel, the Long Bar claims to be the home of the Singapore Sling: a drink made with (but not limited to) lime juice, dry gin, cherry brandy, Cointreau, Benedictine, pineapple juice and various … Continue Reading →
FRIM in Malaysia: The City Escape from Kuala Lumpur
I love the city life, but I get anxious if I don’t expose myself to greenery every few days. While visiting Kuala Lumpur, I decided to go on hike at the Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM). About 80 years ago, FRIM wasn’t a lush forest full of hiking trails, wildlife, and inspiring trees. FRIM was … Continue Reading →
Are the Gili Islands the new Bali?
Don’t get me wrong, I love Bali, it’s beautiful. But after visiting Gili Trawangan, one of the three Gili islands, I felt as though I was being unfaithful to Bali. Why? Because I enjoyed the Gili Islands so much that a part of me wished I booked more of my holiday there. The three Gili … Continue Reading →
Surviving Hostel Hell in Egypt
A couple of years ago my husband and I decided it was a good idea to stay in a hostel in Egypt. We have hosteled all over the world — so this was no big deal, right? Looking back on this story now, I am embarrassed to tell it. I feel like the clueless victim … Continue Reading →
My Cooking School Experience in Bali, Indonesia
What was my most memorable experience in Bali, Indonesia? Definitely the cooking class I took in a Balinese village. This class was more than just mastering new recipes — it was also about learning the local culture, customs, and rituals. Continue Reading →
Durian: The Stinkiest Fruit on Earth
Durian is known as the “King of Fruits” for its giant size, thorny skin, & its pungent smell. It’s also known as the worst tasting fruit in the world. What’s it actually like to eat it? Continue Reading →
Salalah, Oman: Where Magical Forests Can Grow in a Desert
One of my favourite places that I have traveled to (so far) is Salalah. It’s a coastal city in the hidden gem of Oman. The entire year Salalah is a desert: dried out land, little vegetation, and hot enough to cook eggs off the roof top of a car, but during the khareef, Salalah transforms into a land of lush green hills, waterfalls, and animals roaming grass fields. Continue Reading →
Turkey’s Yeni Raki: More Powerful Than Homemade Moonshine
Think Grandpa’s homemade moonshine was strong? Ha! Just taking a ‘wif’ of Yeni Raki could knock you to the ground. Yeni Raki , also called Raki, is a 90 proof (45% alcohol by volume) liquor, that is considered one of the beloved local beverages in Turkey.
But what’s it like to drink it? Continue Reading →