Destination - Glamping in Yosemite

September 21, 2015

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This may make you question my authenticity as a Californian, but I'd never been to Yosemite during my 10+ years of living in California. And it was about time I changed that. The perfect opportunity arose when some of my friends got the permit to hike Half Dome. Was I up for it? No, I am deadly afraid of heights. And I was not the only one hesitating amongst our group of friends. So some of us decided to make this into a "glamping" (glamorous camping) trip while others fought for their lives, climbing up the notorious Half Dome Trail.

So what did our glamping trip looked like? Well we only had one full day, the day when everyone else went up on that deadly hike, and that day went like this: Sleep in, make ourselves a delicious breakfast, do yoga in the cabin, go on a relatively-short walk (Lower Yosemite Falls & Swinging Bridge areas), swim, eat lunch, take a nap, read, play music, and BBQ. If that sounds like your kind of trip, then friend, you are reading the right post.

Yosemite was as beautiful as I had imagined. Witnessing the greatness of the nature is always such a humbling experience. We are so vulnerable before the huge mountains, wild animals, and weather conditions, aren't we? Sometimes I would just stop and look around to soak in the world around me. And that alone was such a healing and restorative experience.

But what was especially great about our glamping trip was that though I didn't get to work out my body as much, I really got to work out my mind and heart. I got to sit on our patio and just journal, meditate, pray, read, and listen to music. That kind of retreat is so needed sometimes, isn't it?

We cheated and made s'mores in microwaves. But hey, who's going to say no to s'mores done ANY WAY?

But of course, the best part of the trip was when the whole gang got to be together. Turned out the Half Dome Crew had a miserably long 20-something mile hike that was both exhausting and frightening (so no FOMO on my side, thank you). When they returned to the cabin as almost-dead bodies, we the Glamping Crew welcomed them with some delicious food. And we just all got to eat, drink, and laugh together, and nothing could be better.

On a side note, it was so heartbreaking to see just how bad the drought has been affecting the nature. A lot of the trees have either withered or burned, and it was so devastating. The trip made me become more serious about saving water, because there's nothing more real than the nature slapping you in the face with reality.

Summer cabin trip hack: If you have leftover watermelon at the end of the trip, blend it up to make watermelon smoothie for the last breakfast before heading back home

Summer is finally coming to an end, and I am very sad about that. I will miss the sweet, sweet watermelons, the perfect weather of summer nights, all the awesome trips, white wines, BBQs, and everything else Summer lets us enjoy. But these great memories of the summer will sustain me until the next one comes around (hopefully). Goodbye for now, Summer!

Destination - Summer in Paris

August 26, 2015

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Paris is probably the most cliché-ridden city in the world. Wine, cigarettes, lights, nights by the river, street musicians... you know what I'm talking about. And as someone fully aware of her helpless romantic self, I have to admit - I'm a sucker for these things. And Parisians - they're not ashamed of their tendencies either.

This summer, I was fortunate to be invited to a wedding in South of France. So, my husband and I decided to make a road trip out of it - from Paris to Nice. We spent the most time in Paris, of course, and it was well worth it.

Taking a mid-day break at Jardin du Luxembourg

The thing I probably enjoyed the most during this trip was the slow(er) lifestyle of the Parisians. Coming from Silicon Valley, where how busy you are determines your worth, it was such a nice break to get away to a place where taking it slow is considered a virtue.

During my short stay in Paris, I got way too used to the afternoon breaks in the park, glasses of wine with each meal, and 9pm dinners than I should have. But I can tell you, the ending to this newly acquainted lifestyle came too quickly, and it was a bitter return to the busy office and hundreds of e-mails.

Dinner at the legendary Bistro Paul Bert

White sturgeon caviar on baked potato @ Caviar Kaspia

There was a period in my life when I dreamed of moving to Paris and living a "free" life. It was a place of escape for me, and I still feel that sentiment from time to time. I'm sure the locals' lives are not always about picnics and wine. I'm sure they also have bills to pay, jobs to go to every morning, and relationship drama. But how they still maintain to keep it so stylish and cool, I don't know. And that's something I'll always admire about Parisians.

Summer in Paris is brutal in many ways. The miserable heatwave, ridiculous amounts of tourists (myself included), and the occasional showers that get you soaking wet. But the summer nights by the river or Eiffel Tower, complete with a $5 bottle of wine, make life feel like a dream.

'Til next time, my summer night's dream.

Destination - Havana, Cuba

June 15, 2015

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Ever since I saw Buena Vista Social Club for the first time about 15 years ago, Cuba has been my #1 dream destination. That's such a typical story for all the Cuba-lovers out there, but I almost believe there are certain people who are destined to be attracted to this country. And the movie is just one of the many ways the country calls your name - IF you are chosen, that is.

Sipping on Hemingway's favorite mojito and listening to this band @ La Bodeguita Del Medio — Sipping on Hemingway's favorite mojito and listening to this band @ **La Bodeguita Del Medio**

The best way to visit Cuba is to go with absolutely no expectations. Because whatever you expect, the country will show you the exact opposite, and you will often find yourself being disappointed. During my short trip, I was disappointed and depressed at so many moments, but also exhilarated, inspired, then in love. I'd never felt so bipolar in my life 'til this trip.

Visiting Cuba is like that crazy relationship you could never get out of - there's no way to have any sort of control over how things will go. It's exactly like that, and more.

Now that it has been legalized for Americans to freely visit the country, I expect there to be a lot of changes - both good and bad. But the Cuba in my memories will never change. The innocent people who also happen to be scammers, the heart-wrenching music you hear in every corner, the kids and dogs on the streets, the sunsets.. Everything romantic and disgusting, I will remember.

Che Guevara and Camilo Cienfuegos @ Plaza de la Revolucion — Che Guevara and Camilo Cienfuegos @ **Plaza de la Revolucion**

Hemingway's favorite daiquiri @ El Floridita — Hemingway's favorite daiquiri @ El **Floridita**

Adios, my Cuba.

Destination - Eating My Way Through Portland

June 10, 2015

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Tasty Mary @ Tasty & Alder — Tasty Mary @ **Tasty & Alder**

You have to agree with me that the best travel itineraries are the ones that are built around food. And Portland is one of the best cities for such itineraries.

Coalition Dill Pickle Gose @ Lardo — Coalition Dill Pickle Gose @ **Lardo**

Chocolate Potato Doughnut @ Tasty & Alder — Chocolate Potato Doughnut @ **Tasty & Alder**

Korean Fried Chicken @ Tasty & Alder — Korean Fried Chicken @ **Tasty & Alder**

In the beautiful city of roses, you will find some well-done American cuisine as well as ethnic dishes, solid microbrews, the finest coffee, amazing local pinot noir, the world's best donuts, and yards full of food carts.

With the freshest local ingredients and adventurous cooking styles, the dishes Portland puts out are nothing like what you can find elsewhere.