St. Thomas is a large island, and while part one of this three part series explored the capital of Charlotte Amalie, this installment is all about the natural wonders of the island.
There’s a reason why the Caribbean is touted as home to the best beaches in the world. The crystal clear waters, the island life, it’s the perfect vacation. Maybe less accessible because of the whole cruise ship issue now, but I highly recommend spending a week in the USVI to max and relax.
life’s a beach
Vietnam is a beautiful country with sprawling coastline, bustling cities and agrarian villages. It’s a very popular destination amongst travelers for its hospitality, great food and historic value. And while Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Halong Bay, and its venerable beach cities are probably the main draw, consideration should also be made for its Northern Highlands.
Sa Pa is a city in the northwest of Vietnam, very close to the China border. Inhabited by indigenous tribes of Hmong, Tay and Dao, this area is surrounded by rolling green hills noted for their rice field terraces and petroglyphs. It’s a photographer’s dream, and totally worth the arduous journey to get there.
Sa Pa away, doesn’t anyone stay in one place anymore?
In honor of Sakura, the internationally renowned spring cherry blossom season, we continue our journey through Japan. Next destination: Kyoto. One of the most magical cities in Japan, it feels like you’re a character in a novel from eons ago when you’re here. Literally, if this city does not make you feel like you’re in Memoirs of a Geisha or Shogun, then Sayonara, Felicia.
Kyoto has a dark magic feel to it, the city of geishas. You just know there’s secrets hidden in the dark, wooded architecture.
If these rice paper walls could talk…
Growing up in Southern California, I spent some time in Los Angeles, but never actually lived there. So, that makes me a total tourist whenever I come to town, and I love it.
It’s sun-kissed, starry-eyed and there’s literally everything you could ever want. There’s beaches, top education, sports, movie stars, museums, shopping, innovative food and technology. There’s perfect weather and beautiful bodies, it’s the epitome of the glamorous life.
I love LA. (we love it).
Omaha is not just something Peyton Manning yelled a lot while he quarterbacked for the Broncos. It’s also a lovely metropolitan area in the corniest state the Midwest–literally, not figuratively. It is comfortable, young, hip, and up and coming. So up and coming that Facebook is going to open some sort of offshoot HQ there in the next few years.
I had briefly traveled to the Cornhusker state for a weekend years ago, but one of my favorite friend couples lives there, so I visited Nebraska’s most populous city again to hang out with their family. It’s a very family friendly place, and you can see why it’s becoming more and more popular amongst young couples. The pace of life is decent, there’s a lot of industry and tech moving into the area, and proud Nebraskans are opening up cool restaurants and shops all over the city.
Omaha, Omaha set hut!
I am a fan of national parks. I love them. They are our national treasures, and I think they are the best thing about this country, by far. American National Parks feature various ecosystems, geological formations, showcasing the topographic wonders of this country while always continuously championing conservation efforts.
Yellowstone was the first National Park in the United States and one might say it’s the granddaddy of them all. It was signed into law by Ulysses S. Grant in 1872 and covers a vast land area over Montana, Idaho and Wyoming. Yogi Bear also lives here.
Just kidding, I know he lives in Jellystone.
Let’s go get us a pic-a-nic basket…
Going on safari in South Africa was one of the most memorable experiences of my life. Seeing these magnificent animals up close was thrilling and surreal and I still can’t believe I’ve had this opportunity. It’s fun to look at pictures, but the reason I work hard is to get out and see this beautiful world we inhabit amongst so many other beautiful creatures. It’s easy to get caught up in ourselves and in our everyday routines, but traveling opens your mind and reminds you that there’s a bigger picture out there.
South Africa is an incredibly beautiful country, with distinct terrains and landscapes, and to best experience it, make sure you see everything from Cape Town to Johannesburg (you’ve come this far). And you certainly can’t miss Kruger National Park, home of the Big 5 animals: lion, water buffalo, leopard, rhinoceros and elephant. Formerly used as a term to denote the most dangerous animals to hunt, it is now thankfully used to delineate the most exciting animals to shoot with cameras only.
I bless the rains down in Africa…
Traveling docs 