You can smell Rotorua, a lovely town tucked into the northwest corner of New Zealand’s North Island, long before you can see it. Rotorua is best-known for two things: its crown as the adventure sports capital of New Zealand and its extensive network of hot springs… hence the looming, sulfur stench. Day #10,288: Mr. M […]
Both Sides of the Tracks in South Africa
A little because I hate air travel, a little because I love trains, and mostly because it just seemed like a very cool way to see the middle of the country, Mr. M & I took a 2-night rail trip from Pretoria to Cape Town on our honeymoon in South Africa. It was agonizingly expensive (just […]
A Long Autumn Walk to Brooklyn
Not long ago, Mr. M remarked on how we’ve never actually walked the entire Brooklyn Bridge. This fact is revolting because (1) we’re trying to tourist our way through NYC while living here, (2) we have a ridiculous number of west coast guests come to stay with us who should’ve already dragged us with them […]
Let Them Eat Cake
Day #10,242: On the third day of our Parisian adventure, Mr. M & I woke up early in a futile attempt to beat the masses on their pilgrimage to the bourgeoisie capital of France. (Try as you may, my friends, it ain’t gonna happen. Unless you steamroll your way through the interior like you’re sprinting […]
The Happiest Place on Earth
A friend recently got Mr. M & me Disneyland tickets at a super-discounted rate. So super-discounted that I snapped them up and didn’t think twice about when we might possibly have a free day together in Southern California. As it so happened, Thanksgiving weekend provided the perfect excuse. Day #11,174: As obnoxious as it sounds, […]
Feeling at Home in the City by the Bay
Heading back to California to celebrate Thanksgiving with my family has me thinking about the concept of home. Sure, NYC is my home for now… as a temporary New Yorker, I have taken to wearing a lot of black and can surf the subways like a pro. But having grown up in Southern California, I can’t […]
Viva Brasil, Iguazu Part Two: Nature at its Finest
Day #11,059: After the stunning views of Iguazu Falls from the Brazilian side, Mr. M & I were pretty pumped to tour the Iguazu National Park in Argentina. Plus, I was secretly coveting another stamp in my passport. In addition to passport stamps, I’m also a sucker for accommodations that include breakfast. The Bourbon Cataratas Hotel […]
Who… Me? A Travel Writer?
Frankly, y’all, I’m a little confused by this burgeoning side career, too. But exciting things have transpired, and I kinda want to share! A few months ago, I started moonlighting as an itinerary writer at Unanchor.com, concocting ridiculously detailed itineraries for similarly OCD travelers visiting New York City. I really love writing for the website […]
Viva Brasil, Iguazu Part One: Cold, Wet, and Awestruck
Day #11,058: Straight off a wonderful last day in Rio de Janeiro, Mr. M & I landed in Iguazu, the eponymously named gateway to the waterfalls (or ‘cataratas,’ one of my favorite Spanish words because it’s just so fun to say). The 14 mile-long network of ‘cataratas’ making up Iguazu Falls straddle the border of […]
Spa Day for Fancy Grown-Ups in Laguna Beach
One of my dearest friends Ms. Dani recently bridged The Great Divide and celebrated her 30th birthday. Because she has brought so much awesomeness to my life, I wanted to step it up and toast her new decade in appropriate, triumphant glory. Day #11,156: After getting stuck in ridonkulous gridlock bumper-to-bumper traffic on the 405 […]