Swimming with Blacktip Reef sharks. Learning how to cook crab curry. Drinking toddy fresh from the palm tree. Pristine beaches and beautiful temples and friendly people. Yes, these are just some of the things to see and do in Trincomalee, one of my favorite cities in all of Sri Lanka. Located in the northeast corner … Read more
For the first episode of Derek Eats That! it seemed only fitting to start with the big one: bull penis. Or as it is known locally in Malaysia, “sup torpedo” (torpedo soup — can you guess why it’s named that?) I had long since heard of people eating animal penis, as it’s common practice in … Read more
One of the best things about visiting a new country is learning new things. No matter how much research you do or how many people you ask, there are always things about the country that surprise or even bewilder you. Here’s a quick gift for all you Pinners Last November I had the honor of … Read more
As someone who makes a living off not planning anything, it feels a bit strange writing a post about my upcoming plans. Nevertheless here I am. There are so many exciting happening with The HoliDaze in 2015 that I would be remiss if I didn’t share them with you, my loyal reader. After all it’s … Read more
2014 has been a fun-filled and food-filled year but not one without it’s share of trials and tribulations (case in point getting locked up abroad for 16 days and eventually deported because of a tweet). But through it all I’ve kept on the hunt for more tasty foods to try, whether strange or taboo or … Read more
Colorful patterns. Intricate designs. Vivid landscapes. One of the most iconic things about Indonesian culture is the batik art and batik clothing. It is also an important part of the country’s history. So of course while I was exploring Indonesia on motorcycle of course I had to pause in Yogyakarta briefly to attend a week … Read more
The quickest way to make people want to visit somewhere is to tell them that they cannot. So when I heard that Jaffna was off-limits to foreigners and rare even for ordinary Sri Lankan citizens from the south to visit, well I knew right then and there that I would find a way to explore … Read more
All this year The HoliDaze has been paying tribute to the best new travel blogs of 2014 in a bi-monthly feature. Now, however, it has come to select one overall winner. And that is why I need your help. Look through the following 35 blogs and vote for your favorite one. Make sure to choose … Read more
Up in the northeastern corner of Sri Lanka lies an amazing place named Trincomalee but often referred to as heaven. The beaches are pristine, the scenery is like something out of a movie, the temples are breathtaking, the food is delicious and the people are friendly. Plus it is the home of Girihadu Seya This … Read more
This month’s featured best new travel blogs cover where to drink around the world, India in depth, backpacking and connecting with nature, slow travel and travel photography. This is the final edition of the Best New Travel Blog Awards for 2014. Starting now voting commences on the Best New Travel Blog of 2014. You can … Read more
I love trying out new and strange forms of transportation while traveling but one thing is even more fun: actually driving them! From jeepneys in the Philippines to chicken buses in Guatemala and ojeks in Indonesia, there is no method of transportation I won’t try and no vehicle I cannot drive. And now I’m turning … Read more
First time visitors to Sri Lanka tend to assume that the country and the culture are very similar to India given their close proximity (only 28km apart) however nothing could be further from the truth. I’ve only been in the country a couple of days and already I have been overwhelmingly blown away by the … Read more
