Hakuna matata - no worries! That’s the vibe in Jambiani Beach on the east coast of Zanzibar, where the people are quick generous, caring and quick to smile…
On Safari in Tanzania
Have you ever dreamed of an African safari? Seeing the world’s largest animals in their natural environment? During a three day game drive through Tarangire National Park, Lake Manyara National Park, and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, we saw all the major "stars" and whole lot more!
Coffee Break in Moshi with the Chaggas
If you visit the Kilimanjaro area of Tanzania, you will spend your days with the singing, fun-loving Chaggas, who have inhabited the hills of this region for hundreds of years. Travel Is Zen spent the afternoon learning how to make the perfect cup of coffee…
Seven Lessons Kilimanjaro Taught Me
I completely underestimated what it takes to hike Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Africa. Every preconception I had about the world’s tallest freestanding mountain was proved a misconception. Truth be told, I got my ass kicked on that mountain, but I learned a lot!
Bandra Walking Tour in Mumbai, India
While in Mumbai, we stayed in the Bandra area, along the Arabian Sea coast. We joined a walking tour to learn more about Portuguese and British influence in this neighborhood…
Dharavi Slum in Mumbai, India: Don't Cry for Me!
It’s called a slum, but through sheer grit and determination, Dharavi in Mumbai has a $650 million annual micro-economy. India is a Russian doll: there’s always someone worse off…
Jaipur, India: Janta Mantar Astrological Observatory
Janta Mantar — a huge astrological observatory in Jaipur — is for science geeks! Through well-detailed written descriptions on every instrument, we received quite a new astronomy vocabulary…
India's Mughal Era: the Taj Mahal, Akbar's Tomb, Daulatabad Fort
Architecture in India reached its apex under the reign of the Mughals in the 1500’s, when monuments such as the Taj Mahal and Akbar’s Tomb were built…
Ancient India at Aurangabad: Ellora and Ajanta Caves
Around the time Jesus was preaching in the Middle East, religious ascetics in Maharashtra province of India began painting and sculpting devotional masterpieces…
Huangshan Mountain, China: Ghost Pines in the Mist
A breeze gathered strength, pushing fog tendrils up and over the cliff ridge. We had waited all day for Old Man Mountain’s big reveal. He did not disappoint. This is Huangshan, China.
Xidi and Hongcun, China: Lessons in Fengshui and Functional Design
Xidi and Hongcun are excellent examples of Chinese villages that are beautiful (great for photography) but also adhere to Fengshui and functional design principles. The architecture of Hui villages evolved to protect women, children and goods in the absence of men…
Wuhan, the Heart of China
The food in Wuhan stole our hearts! Hubu Alley is a famous food street with cuisine unique to Wuhan. Two foods in particular will haunt our dreams and have us drooling in our sleep for years to come..
Three Day Hiking Guide and Maps to China's Zhangjiajie 张家界 National Park
Zhangjiajie National Park is one of China’s most popular tourist areas. There are some terrific hiking trails in the park, if you know how to get there and where to find them. In this post, we provide a three day hiking itinerary, maps, and some tips to avoid the crowds.
Zhangjiajie 张家界 National Park: Inspiration for Avatar's Pandora
When clouds gather along the river valley in China’s Zhangjiajie National Park, the free standing karst peaks can look as if they are floating. We spent three days hiking in the area that inspired Pandora in the movie Avatar...
Explaining the Relationship Between Long Term Travel and Vegetarianism
In preparation for our trip around the world, I read many travel blogs. I was struck by how many long-term travelers were vegetarian. I wondered, do vegetarians travel more? Or was there something about global travel that made people become vegetarian?
Ten Days in Guangxi Province, the "Wild West" of China
Guangxi Province is considered the "wild west" in China, an open expanse of mountainous karst-jungle terrain that remains largely untamed to this day. Tourists flock here for all kinds of outdoor activities…
The Price of a Photo in Xingping, Guangxi Province, China
Featured on the back of the Chinese 20 yuan banknote is Yellow Cloth Shoal, a karst landscape scene along the riverbank in Xingping. By the time you read this, Xingping will have already grown exponentially…
Forest Bathing at Longji Rice Terrace 龙脊梯田, Guangxi Province, China
The jungle trail was a complete surprise: dark and mysterious, secluded. Above the crowds, behind the cable car station and costumed tourists, we walked among thick-stalked bamboo and tall pines…
Hot and Steamy Guilin, Guangxi Province, China
Guilin was our home base in Guangxi Province. Our apartment had a wok and a lively farmers’ market was just steps away. I had time to perfect my own healthy version of Eggplant with Garlic Sauce…
Two Weeks in Yunnan Province, China
Yunnan in Chinese means "southern clouds". The clouds in Yunnan Province certainly make an impression! The cities in Yunnan Province -- like Kunming, Dali, Lijiang, and Shangri La -- sit at an elevation higher than Boulder, Colorado…