Despite the fact that I grew up in the States (with several years of it on the East Coast – did you know I lived in Pittsburgh as a kid?), I’ve never been to NYC. I know… I can’t believe it! It’s such an iconic city and everyone raves about how amazing it is, so it’s been high on my list of dream destinations. So when Ray and Carmela invited me to visit, how can I pass that up?! Technically, I stayed…
October & November 2017 travel re-cap: back in the U.S.A.
At the beginning of October, I said bye to my family in Beijing and flew back to Los Angeles. It had been exactly two years since I’ve set foot on home soil, so I was feeling equal parts nervous and excited. What would it be like? Would I feel at home or would I feel like an outsider who no longer belonged? Would I pick up with my friends or would I be like a stranger now? http://www.instagram.com/p/BZ1MiVrFtDj/?hl=en&taken-by=slightlyastray The big…
Southern California, home sweet home
When we first decided we were going to get rid of everything that tied us down and travel, we both had our worries, but there was never a doubt in our minds that we wouldn’t like the nomadic lifestyle. D is Southern California born and raised, and I’ve lived here for almost 2 decades. After living in one place for so long… well, it can get quite ordinary. And there’s a whole world out there! So many different cultures and…
The Ultimate Guide to Koreatown – the Coolest Neighborhood in Los Angeles
After almost a decade of living in/around Los Angeles, I still haven’t made up my mind on whether I love or hate the city. However, I have come to the conclusion that Koreatown just may be the coolest place in LA. If you are looking for a night out in downtown Los Angeles… let’s say the kind of night where you eat good food, channel your inner rockstar, and maybe even chat up a cute girl (or guy)… and if…
10 Things to do in Downtown Los Angeles (on a walking tour)
Sometimes on a weekend when D and I find ourselves without any plans, we ride the train up to downtown Los Angeles. We mainly go to eat at one little Mexican stand called Rodolfo’s. Rodolpho’s is situated smack in the middle of the bustling and ever so colorful Olvera Street, a charming little brick-lined alley inducing visions of old Mexico. It also has an interesting history of being the oldest part of downtown Los Angeles. Olvera Street is conveniently located…
Lessons from Hawaii
Spending time in Hawaii is a bit different than spending time in Los Angeles (and I’m not just saying this because I was on vacation). Los Angeles – the land of the superficial – is often consumed by selfies, labels, and smartphones. On Hawaii, there is no room to think of such things. Time slows down in such a way that you are able to notice things you usually take for granted. The locals are friendlier. You just feel happy…
Kualoa Ranch Photo Journal
A trip to Kualoa Ranch is like a trip to yesteryear… to a time when the world has not yet fallen victim to modernization. Where the jungle grows wild and free. Where cows leisurely graze on rolling green hills. It is nature so pristine and pure that Jurassic Park comes to mind. Kualoa Ranch is, without a doubt, the most beautiful place I have ever seen. D and I had the pleasure of spending a day at this nature haven…
[Oahu, Hawaii] Best Cheap Eats, Part 2
Last week, I shared my picks for Oahu’s best cheap eats. This week, I am sharing a few other places worthy of praise: Honorable Mentions: Fook Lam (Chinatown Honolulu) – We came here on Yelp recommendations as we were craving dim sum after days of feasting on Hawaiian food. Eating here is like a study in textural gastronomy… sticky shrimp dumpling wrappers, chewy gooey rice balls, and flaky egg tart crusts with creamy custard filling. The ingredients are fresh and…
[Oahu, Hawaii] Best Cheap Eats, Part 1
When I was planning for my trip to Oahu, Hawaii, one of the most common, well-intentioned advice I received was to be prepared to spend a fortune on food. This was not my experience. D and I were able to eat on about $40-$50 a day for the both of us (errr… save for the couple of meals where we purposely pigged out). Being foodies, we arrived on Oahu with a short list of must-hit-up places, and we also came…
Adventures on Catalina Island – Part 2
Catalina is not the typical island of your dreams. It is more desert than tropical. Instead of waves lapping up on soft white sand beaches, the waves crash into rocky cliffs. Most of the island is a conservancy, where bison roam free and other creatures call home. Falcons soar through the valley against the backdrop of jagged mountains dense with vegetation. It’s a majestic kind of beauty. And then there’s the little town of Avalon, where all the action happens. Rows…