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airplane flying in blue skies with slight clouds

5 Tips to Alleviate Dry Eyes While Traveling

If you suffer from dry eyes while traveling, whether by plane or cruise ship, these five tips will help make your travels more comfortable. Note: I’m not a medical professional. These are simply tips I’ve used to combat dry eyes myself. Please consult with your doctor to find out what the best treatment is for you. Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. By...

takeshima beach with small rocks on the shore and branches hanging down

Guide to Visiting Takeshima, Gamagori in Japan

If you’re in Central Japan or spending some time in Nagoya, visiting Takeshima in Gamagori should be on your list of places to see. Located in Mikawa Bay, Gamagori city and Takeshima Island (or Take Island) is the perfect day trip from Nagoya when you want to be around nature and the ocean. The picturesque island, designated as a National Treasure, feels like a...

San Mateo Japanese Garden Visitor’s Guide

The San Mateo Japanese Garden is a hidden gem when it comes to Japanese gardens in the Bay Area. Although small in size, every inch is maximized to include all of the traditional elements typically found in a Japanese garden. If you’re visiting the San Francisco Bay Area or San Mateo, a trip to the Japanese garden in San Mateo– as well as a stroll through...

japanese food displayed in red lacqured boxes

Top 50 Most Popular Japanese Food to Try in Japan

Wondering what to eat in Japan? This list of the top 50 most popular Japanese food should help for your next visit to the Land of the Rising Sun! There are so many delicious foods to try in Japan, but it can be overwhelming if you don’t know what’s what or if the menu isn’t written in English. This Japan food guide will give you the basics of what...

frozen ice at Castle Rock near McMurdo Station, Antarctica

Working in Antarctica: Blaster Garry Rex | Stories From the Ice

Working in Antarctica isn’t always easy, but Garry Rex will tell you it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience that is worth the adventure. Read on to find out what it’s like to live and work in Antarctica (or as it’s often referred to as “the ice”) and the highs and lows that come with life at the end of the world. Antarctic Program Background The three stations of the...

flatlay of tan button-down shirt, black converse sneakers, and dark blue denim jeans

McMurdo Station Packing List for Working in Antarctica

A general McMurdo Station packing list is essential for anyone going to work in Antarctica for the first time. While everyone’s list will be slightly different depending on your job, this post will cover the basic things you’ll want to bring based on my experience working in McMurdo. Weight and Baggage Allowance Photo: Suhyeon Choi There are two things to keep in...

Scott's Discovery Hut and Observation Hill at McMurdo Station, Antarctica

Working in Antarctica: Supply Tech Jim Huston | Stories from the Ice

Getting a job working in Antarctica is undoubtedly a unique experience very few people can brag about.  For Supply Tech Jim Huston of Iowa, he’s part of an even more exclusive group of individuals that miraculously survived a heart attack while “on the ice” (in Antarctica).  Now, he’s sharing about life in Antarctica’s largest research facility, McMurdo...

bamboo stalks and leaves

Guide to Visiting Hakone Estate and Gardens in the Bay Area

Japan might be thousands of miles away from California, but Hakone Estate and Gardens brings the Land of the Rising Sun to the Golden State. Located in the South Bay city of Saratoga, this Bay Area Japanese garden is the oldest of its kind in all of the Western Hemisphere. At Hakone, you’ll be transported to Japan while walking through the authentically crafted...

Famous Instagram street in Old San Juan known as Umbrella Street or Calle de Fortaleza; colorful umbrellas hang over the street outside brightly painted buildings

Old San Juan Walking Tour | One Day Puerto Rico Itinerary

Whether you’re visiting San Juan on a cruise or spending a few days in Puerto Rico, an Old San Juan walking tour should be at the top of your list of things to do! As a former cruise ship worker, San Juan was one of my favorite ports to explore week after week. One of the best decisions I ever made was taking myself on a self-guided walking tour of Viejo San...

mexican candies

Mexican Candy Taste Test Review + First Impressions

Mexico is known for lots of strong flavors and spices— but what about its sugary treats? In this Mexican candy taste test, find out what the most popular candies are in Mexico, what they look like, and most importantly— what Mexican candy tastes like! Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, as an Amazon...