HoliDaze Archive

locals / local life

Destination Bhutan: A Unique Travel Experience

Bhutan Buddhism

Exploring Bhutan is an opportunity to discover a nation who are proud of and have retained their cultural identity. It is a place like no other and visiting it feels like stepping into a magical vortex frozen in time. Bhutan is a peaceful and spiritual oasis lying in the heart of the Eastern Himalayas, dwarfed … Read More

India Unexplored: 24 Incredible Offbeat Destinations

India off the beaten path -- 24 incredible unexplored destinations

Ever thought of traveling off the beaten path and glimpsing a side of India that few tourists see? From pristine beaches to quirky villages, hidden architectural marvels and more, there is no shortage of such unseen places in India. These pristine surroundings are waiting to be discovered. Check out these 24 offbeat India destinations that … Read More

Hong Kong Off The Beaten Path Travel Guide

At first glance, Hong Kong might appear to be just another sprawling modern metropolis that revolves almost entirely around technology, corporate business, and the global financial market. Little do first-time visitors realize that there is plenty more below the surface. For those eager to experience Hong Kong off the beaten path and explore its hidden … Read More

Japanese Toilets: Impressive, Futuristic…And Daunting To First-Timers

Instructions on how to use Japanese toilets

There is nothing more gratifying than a top notch toilet. And when it comes to fancy toilets it is fairly common knowledge that Japan leads the pack. Japanese toilets have features most Westerners have never dreamed of, including background noise to cover any sounds that the user may make, a warm cleansing spray, self-warming seat, … Read More

Indonesian Food Cheat-Sheet: Tips & Translations For First-Timers

Mie Goreng Ayam

Indonesian food can be summed up in two words: delicious and inexpensive. Whether street food or actual restaurant, whether on Sumatra, Java, or somewhere further east, it is pretty hard to go wrong in this culinary country. I’ve eaten some amazing meals that cost only 15,000 rupiah ($1.00 USD) yet have left me so stuffed … Read More

The Ultimate Unique & Offbeat Indonesia Travel Guide

Nusa Penida island

Multi-colored volcanic lakes. Haunted resorts. The world’s largest mud volcano. The world’s most elaborate funerals. An abandoned chicken church and other abandoned structures. Welcome to the quirky and offbeat Indonesia few people discover. And the best part? Most of these places are near popular tourist destinations, meaning that you don’t need to go far to … Read More

Colorful Yunnan: What to do in Kunming & Yunnan, China

Jiuxiang Scenic Area is full of caves, rivers, mountains and valleys

Colorful Yunnan. The signs are everywhere, from the airplane seats to the tour buses…sometimes misspelled 😉 We spent two weeks exploring what to do in Kunming and the rest of Yunnan — now my favorite province in China — all summed up in one short but amazing video embedded below. Who is “we” ??   … Read More

Hel in Photos: Exploring Helsinki, Finland During Winter

Uspenski in Helsinki, Finland

Spend a few days exploring Helsinki and you’ll discover that the Finnish capital city is comprised of a beautiful yet eclectic collection of buildings. It is a place where Art Nouveau meets modern minimalism, with many historic buildings reminiscent of both Swedish or Russian styles of architecture….or both! I arrived early to explore the city … Read More

Trekking Annapurna Conservation Area Guide: What (Not) To Do

Annapurna South, also known as Moditse, as seen from our hotel in Ghorepani

My first experience in Nepal was filled with earthquakes and relief work, so it was not until my third trip to Nepal that I finally got a chance to go trekking Annapurna Conservation Area, something most people do their first trip. Was great to cross another thing off my travel bucket list (because we all … Read More