Image of two US passports on world map

10 Essential Phrases to Learn Before You Travel (Even If You Use Google Translate)

  • October 28, 2025
  • by Inga

One daunting aspect of travel is the barrier of a foreign language. It can be an opportunity as well, but being able to get to a hotel or order a meal on the first day can be challenging. If you’re coping with jet lag on top of it, it can make you question why you …

Vegetable tagine showing zucchini and peas topped with parsley in a tagine cooker.

Savoring Morocco: A Journey Through Spices and Stories

  • October 23, 2025
  • by Inga

The first spoonful of tagine stopped me mid-bite. The sauce was silky and rich, the meat tender, but it was the harmony of flavors that caught my attention—lemon brightening the edges, turmeric grounding it, and a whisper of cinnamon tying everything together. Morocco’s cooking doesn’t shout; it lingers, unfolding its secrets one spice at a …

Ghostek Nautical Slim Waterproof Case Gear Review

  • August 31, 2025
  • by Inga

The Ghostek Nautical Slim waterproof case was my ticket to underwater photography using my Pixel 6 Pro Android smartphone. Going on a trip involving two snorkel experiences drove me to take the big step, but there were so many choices. I subscribed to the Snorkeling Explorer newsletter that made a recommendation for the Ghostek Nautical …

Beyond Bali: Your Indonesia Island Itinerary Guide

  • August 04, 2025
  • by Inga

So many superlatives, so little time. Indonesia is like a vast necklace of islands, each with its own personality, and I never feel like I have enough time to see it all. With ten UNESCO World Heritage Sites and over 17,000 islands (only about 6,000 are inhabited), there’s enough to keep you exploring for years. …

Beach with palm trees and view of Waikiki

Coast Walk Around Diamond Head, Oahu, Hawaii

  • February 02, 2025
  • by Inga

Diamond Head, the iconic landmark of the Hawaiian islands, is more than a distinctive volcanic tuff cone. It’s also a neighborhood that encompasses the 300-acre lush green Kapiolani Regional Park at the edge of Waikiki and miles of coastline dotted with beaches and pocket parks. History Hawaiians believe Diamond Head is a manifestation of Pele, …

Five Hikes on the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska

  • October 29, 2024
  • by Inga

In a previous article, I described my favorite hikes around Anchorage. In this article, I describe five hikes further south from Anchorage on the stunning Kenai Peninsula. The scenery couldn’t be more dramatic than the soaring peaks and water views of the Cook Inlet and Gulf of Alaska. These five hikes on the Kenai Peninsula …

Five hikes near Anchorage, Alaska

  • September 24, 2024
  • by Inga

Alaska has long been a favorite destination of mine. I love the majestic mountains, remoteness, lingering pioneer spirit, and softly angled light. I’ve flown in and out of Anchorage, Juneau, Fairbanks, and Whitehorse, Yukon, but never spent much time around Anchorage, using it as a launching point for other adventures. Over the last two years, …

Three Days in Lima: Traveling Back in Time

  • August 21, 2024
  • by Inga

Lima, Peru is a city that has a lot to offer but doesn’t always make a good first impression due to the cloak of chilly fog it wears for months of the year. Not to mention the press of nine million residents in the capital city. However, it is rich in history and there is …

Sink Laundry when Traveling

  • July 23, 2024
  • by Inga

People often ask how I can travel for five weeks or five months with a carry-on suitcase. The key is to do sink laundry when traveling. I can pack for about a week and go indefinitely if I can wash my clothes in the sink when I travel. I mostly wash as I go, a …

How to Dress in Morocco, India and Other Conservative Countries

  • July 09, 2024
  • by Inga

I’ll start by saying that there is no dress code in Morocco or India, and I saw a wide range of clothing choices among tourists. This is an opinion piece—it’s my opinion about how I choose to dress in conservative countries, and I wouldn’t presume to tell others how to dress. I am sharing it …

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