27 Trips I Took When I Was 27

My passport is a double-wide. It holds the stamps of the many places that change my life everyday. Mindless blank stares, through the cheap glass barriers of customs, the ink dries and already begins to fade. Yet if I close my eyes, the memories of those places come flooding back to me. 

That tiny corner baker in Venice that opens at sunrise and housed all the hungry gondoliers. The jam-packed electronic shop in Tokyo, where I continuously yelled “selfie-stick” while pantomiming like a monkey with my phone, nothing. To the most spectacular sunset on top of Table Mountain in Cape Town, where I sipped local wine and stared in awe at the beauty around me. 

To the people who have helped me, loved me, and shared memories with me. Some of which, I’m proud to say, are total strangers. The beauty of traveling by yourself at times is the inevitable dependency you have on other human beings. Asking for directions, speaking different languages, exchanging multiple currencies, talking to complete strangers, all things that push me and force me to grow… daily. From first class plane rides to rickety overnight trains, bare bones camping to glitzy five star resorts… There is no right way to travel. No one can say how anyone should or shouldn't experience the world… 

The only requirement should be to see it. To feel it. To take it all in. With every breath, emotion, and sense alive in your body. Only then will it change you. Only then will you have felt the truest form of exploration both personally and geographically. 

There were more then 27 trips this year but these were the ones that I loved, that loved me back. Chase your dreams, fight hard, get creative and do whatever it is that you love everyday.

For me that’s travel.

Xx

Where to Stay Spotlight: Koh Chang

After a short 45 minute flight from Bangkok, I landed in what felt like a Thai version of Disneyland. Exiting the plane at the bite-size airport in Trat, I boarded the cutest little tram-like vehicle and rode in the open air, past fresh hedges cut into the shapes of elephants. The dream.

I grabbed my bags and got into a taxi. We drove for about five minutes then joined the queue for the frequent ferry over to Koh Chang. Once on the ferry, I got out van, stretched my legs, and took in the views with a fresh bottle of Chang local beer. We arrived on Koh Chang 20 minutes later and drove up through the mountainous terrain to the tropical oasis of Emerald Cove. 

This beautiful, 165 room, 4-star resort is airy, elegant and has absolutely everything you need to relax and fade away on a tropical vacation without totally emptying your wallet. After a chilled lemongrass and jasmine towel to the face and a much needed welcome drink, I was fully checked into my ocean-view suite. The staff was extremely helpful with any request I could drum up and had plenty of recommendations for ways to spend the day. 

The resort is located on Klong Prao Beach, where the tide is rather high (there are certain times of the day where the water comes right up to the wall barrier) but the water is warm and clean. Breakfast is an incredible spread of fresh tropical fruits, pastries, and thai specialities as well as fresh juices and an omelette station. I spent my days basking in the sun, sipping on fruity drinks and taking a dip in their amazing 165-foot infinity pool. 

Pastel sunsets brought in by live music, happy hour drinks, and beach barbecues made me fully appreciate my annual vacation before the holidays. The spa was well appointed with plenty of staff on hand to offer traditional Thai massages for a mind-blowing bargain, only possible in South East Asia. The front desk also helped me with everything from booking a private day trip on a speedboat to sharing their favorite local dive bar on the island. 

Emerald Cove has all the modern amenities and comforts of home, in a modern and sophisticated atmosphere, a truly rare find on the remote and casual island of Koh Chang. From the rooms to the food, massages to the daily ringing bell of happy hour… Emerald Cove was everything I needed in a beach resort and more. It’s the perfect place to call home while discovering all that Elephant Island has to offer. 

Rates start at $120/per night for standard room.

The Magical World of Bali

One of the most common questions I get asked about my travels is... Out of all the places you've been, where is your favorite? 

As any passionate human being knows, this answers is not only loaded, it's completely unfair. How can anyone expect, for example, a devoted music lover to pick one band or song that is above all else, or ask a diehard foodie to pick his single favorite dish, it's just plain cruel. 

However, if I HAD to pick a place... (Gun to my head) I would absolutely choose Bali. 

Im not just talking about surfer-town Seminyak or bohemian Ubud but the entire country as a whole. When you collectively admire, or have the chance to explore the entire country... you start to uncover the endless magic of a place unlike anywhere else on the planet. 

While there are so many reasons why Bali stole my heart, I will only go into the area that had the most impact on my soul. This, was hands down the people.

Every single person I encountered, from the young passionate daughter, who excitedly explained all of the various coffee her parents grew during our tasting just outside of Ubud; to our warm and spirited taxi driver, Ketut, who cracked jokes, and told stories during our three hour journey from Bubunan to Seminyak. 

The people and the naturally blissful spirits within them... Are contagious and truly inspiring to interact with. Life is so simple, and unadorned yet they love and give with such pure generosity and hope.

On one of my morning runs while staying at Zen Resort in Northern Bali, I took a wrong turn and ran straight down the "Main Path" of a small village. It was 7am, and the sun was defusing a misty amber glow over the rice fields that served as the backyard to their modest straw huts. Tired grandmas with leathered skin and palm leaf baskets filled with laundry on their head stepped towards me into the light with a look of bewilderment on their faces. Small children with walking sticks and string bound books watched me in awe as I accidentally became part of their morning. Suddenly the entire village was still, just watching me run. Within that same breath, with an unspoken unity, they all started gently waving and smiling at me. 

It was one of the most beautiful experiences I've even been lucky enough to be a part of. I felt like I was in a cross between a Nike and a National Geographic ad. The lighting, the warm faces smiling, the sound of only my hard breath and feet hitting the gravel was something I still can't forget. 

Eventually, I got to the end of the path, and stood on the edge of the villages’ incredible rice terrace and watched as the sky changed with the sunrise. I was so overwhelmed and filled with love and gratitude that I literally collapsed and started to cry. 

I had never felt that much love, and support laced with curiosity and wonder. And while the beaches, shopping, food, and culture are incredible… to me it was all about the energy.. the people, that's what really changed me.

In a lucky turn of events, I will be heading back to Bali in a few weeks. I can't wait to share my new adventures, travel tips, and experiences in one of my favorite places on the planet. Xx

The Bohemian Beach Town of Tulum

A few months ago I started hearing murmurs, a small muffled mentioning of pop-up shops that gave the hamptons a run for their money. Of mixologists fleeing their bone-chilling local bars in Williamsburg to serve south of the border. Of the ecotourism movement that left travelers with just the beach, a mosquito net, and their own curious minds.

It was happening, the gentle gentrification of Tulum. It started, similar to Yucatan plumbing, like a slow dripping faucet, and has now become the buzzing epicenter of Manhattanites... searching for a break in the sun and a getaway that doesn’t feel too far from home.

Naturally, I had to see what all the fuss was about. So, my two best friends and I booked our flights, rented a car and headed an hour and a half south of Cancun towards the restorative town of Tulum.

After some research, I realized the weekend we had picked was that of a full moon and Papaya Playa Project, an eco-chic multifunctional community nestled carefully between the Mayan Jungle and the beautiful coastline, is infamous for incredible food, comfortable cottages, and an even more kickass full moon party. Done and done.

Every morning during our stay, we indulged in their continental breakfast of fresh fruit, juices, smoothies, and coffee (with the exception of one hungover morning that involved begging for huevos from the incredible line chefs, long after breakfast was done being served.) This would kick start days of biking to the main strip of bohemian, shack-like gems that looked like a cross between the hippie markets of Ibiza and the Crow’s Nest in Montauk.

In a sea of dreamcatchers, overpriced but droolworthy jewelry, and tiny bikinis we mindlessly meandered and strolled the incredible shopping scene that has blossomed in this tiny jungle town.

Open air dining has been absolutely mastered and come complete with large wood burning ovens, buzz-inducing Mezcal concoctions, and of course fresh seafood. We passed on dining at the acclaimed but consistently overcrowded Hardwood for the likes of Cafe Jaguar and the incredible Canopia (which meaning canopy… was our only solace in a tropical rainstorm.)  

Overall, this hippie town has everything you need for a long weekend away. From biological reserves, Mayan ruins, and natural cenotes to bohemian shops, mixology bars, and more beachfront yoga then you can shake a stick at… Tulum is an incredible town, perfect for disconnecting and re-centering yourself before a midwinter breakdown.