I love boats, and the colorful fishing boats that line Dakar’s beaches were what interested me in traveling to Senegal. Mosque of the Divinity sits above a beach covered in some of the most beautiful fishing boats I saw during my time there.
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Africa
Lac Rose, Senegal
Lac Rose, located about an hour outside Dakar, has an algae in the water that turns the water pink. It also has a high salt content (equivalent to the Dead Sea), allowing salt to be mined and exported across West Africa.
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Africa
Goree Island, Senegal
Goree Island is a small pedestrian island off the southern coast of Dakar. The island is known for its role in the Atlantic slave trade, and houses several remnants including a museum in the former House of Slaves building. This was one of my favorite places in Dakar, and a welcome respite from the hustle
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Africa
Ngor Island, Senegal
Ngor Island is a small pedestrian island just off the northern coast of Dakar. It’s so close, you can see it from Ngor Beach and it takes just a few minutes by boat to arrive. You can explore the island on foot in around an hour, and then have lunch at one of the restaurants
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South America
Lima, Peru
I loved Lima — the city has a ton of character, interesting street art, good food, and a California-esque surf culture that reminded me of living in Santa Monica. I recommend exploring the area around the pier, walking through Barranco, MATE Museo Mario Testino, Jade Rivera gallery, and Punto Azul for authentic Peruvian seafood.
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South America
Machu Picchu, Peru
I took the luxury Hiram Bingham train to Machu Picchu instead of hiking the Inca Trail, as I had limited time in Peru. The Hiram Bingham train is expensive, but delivered a great experience, and included food, unlimited alcohol, and a guide. If you are interested in taking the Hiram Bingham, it’s possible to book
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South America
Salinas de Maras, Peru
Salinas de Maras salt mines date back to Incan times, and are still used to harvest salt today. The hour-long drive from Cusco through the Sacred Valley is also quite beautiful.
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South America
Cusco, Peru
Cusco is a beautiful city, and the jumping off point for Machu Picchu and Salinas de Maras. It’s worth exploring the entire city and main square, but I personally preferred the San Blas district, which was quieter, less touristy, and more artsy. San Blas is also home to the Healing House, which offers daily meditation
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California
Mendocino County, California
If you drive a few hours north of San Francisco, you’ll find Mendocino County. I was amazed at how many quaint towns there are just north of the Bay Area. If you visit Mendocino, try to go during the Great Day in Elk festival in Elk, California (AFAR magazine just named Elk the new Big
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Asia
Everest Base Camp, Nepal
I first visited Nepal in 2016 and returned in 2018 to finish the trek to Everest Base Camp. I spent about two weeks in the Himalayas, in altitude, trekking through Sherpa villages. I was due to reach Base Camp (5,380 meters / 17,600 feet) on Day 8, but got altitude sickness at Thukla (4,650 meters
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Asia
Saigon, Vietnam
Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon, is the capital of south Vietnam and played a prominent role in the Vietnam War. I was there for a research trip and spent most of my time in the suburban districts of Nha Be and Hoc Mon.
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Asia
Mekong Delta, Vietnam
The Mekong Delta is a maze of waterways outside Saigon in southwestern Vietnam. I highly recommend Mango Cruises.
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