wanderland

A Day on the Prince Islands: Hiking, Beaches, and Burgers

If you're ever in Istanbul and find yourself craving a break from the hustle and bustle of the city–Europe or Asia side, the Prince Islands or Adalar are an absolute must-visit. With a ferry ride that costs a mere $2 each way (yes, you read that right)

Pickleball Drama in Kadıköy: Public Courts and the Battle for Court Time

I’ve played pickleball all around the world but nothing prepared me for the theatrics of Kadıköy’s public tennis courts. Yes, you read that right: a public tennis court. Who would’ve thought that this little slice of asphalt would be the stage for some of the most jaw-dropping,

Three Months in Kadıköy: Heatwaves, Pickleball, and a Cowboy Driver

Our Turkish adventure began with a quiet midnight arrival at Istanbul Airport. Immigration was smooth, the bags were ready and waiting, and we found our pickup service without a hitch at Door 8. Things were off to an efficient start—until we met our driver. A self-styled cowboy behind the

The Beautiful Doors of Mussomeli

As we wandered through Mussomeli’s charming streets, one detail kept stopping me in my tracks: the doors. These weren’t your average doors. Set against hefty stone frames, these doors are not just beautiful but structurally astounding. The stones themselves are weathered, their edges softened by the passage of

A Quirky Adventure to Mussomeli, Sicilia: An Unexpected Journey and the Kindness of Frank

When we decided to visit Mussomeli, Sicilia, we thought we had it all figured out. Spoiler alert: we didn’t. Mussomeli doesn’t even have a train station. No big deal, right? The internet made it sound simple—just hop on a train to Acquaviva Casteltermini and grab a taxi.

Two Very Different Adventures in Palermo: Capuchin Catacombs and Mondello Beach

Sicily has a way of throwing the unexpected at you—sometimes literally. Case in point: the pigeon that left me a "gift" on our walk to the Capuchin Catacombs in Palermo. (Un segno di Dio, perhaps? Yes, that's a quote for one of my favorite movies.

Palermo, Sicily: The No Mafia Tour Experience

When you think of Sicily, the Mafia inevitably comes to mind. The island's tangled relationship with organized crime has been part of its history for centuries. But what if I told you there's a tour in Palermo that offers a glimpse of the Mafia that’s

Palermo, Sicily: A Journey That Felt Like Home

When we first arrived in Palermo, Sicily, I didn’t know what to expect beyond the romanticized imagery I’d conjured from books, movies, and wistful daydreams. Having never been before, but with southern Italian roots (albeit not Sicilian), the visit felt like a homecoming of sorts—a chance to

Valencia: A Fling, Not a Forever Love

Ah, Valencia. The city where I thought I had found "the one," only to discover—after a two-month deep dive—that it was more of a summer romance. A passionate, whirlwind affair, but alas, not built to last. Don’t get me wrong, I still like Valencia, but

The Beauty within Taipei

(For the orchids at the Presidential Gardens, visit my post here.) The Botanical Gardens Whispers of Green: A Stroll Through Taipei’s Botanical Wonders Taipei, the city where nature weaves its way into every corner, seems to burst forth in shades of green at every turn. As you wander through

Dali to Fulong

Hiking is a staple of our travels. It's one of the best ways to get to know a country - or at least a specific part of the country. As we endeavor to hike our way from Dali to Fulong, we first have to find our way out

Pottery in Taipei

Never in my wildest dreams did I think that Taipei would be the place that I fell in love with pottery. But it happened. I had taken an 8-week wheel/throwing course in Rhode Island in 2010 (more or less), but that was the extent to my formal experience. My

Life in Taipei, Taiwan

As we continue to travel, we find normalcy quickly. But here in Taipei, it feels different. I start to feel guilty. My mind is over-stimulated by the vibrancy of the city. I hadn't planned on liking Taipei. In fact, the location wasn't my choice; it wasn&

Orchids of Taipei

In my opinion, orchids are undeniably the most feminine, elegant, and sophisticated of all the flowers. Equal parts strong and fragile, vibrant and vulnerable. It's my absolute favorite flower. No garden or life is complete without them. This post is a love-fest to the bewitching, joyful, powerful orchid.

Welcome to Taipei

After an uneventful five-hour flight from Kuala Lumpur to Taipei, we arrive at the airport. Navigating our way through the airport is easy and intuitive. Before getting through immigration, every person has to declare that no meat, animals, prohibited plants, or other such item has been brought into the country.

Sweating It Out in Kuala Lumpur

Chinatown and Central Markets When we first arrive in Kuala Lumpur, we are in very close proximity to Chinatown and the Central Market. Jalan Petaling (Petaling Street) is an open-air market in the heart of Chinatown where visitors and locals alike negotiate the costs of food, goods, and services. Yes,

The Batu Caves

The Batu Caves are a 45-minute commuter train ride from KL Sentral. We arrive at the ticket booth only to learn that we need to purchase tickets from the booth across from where we are. And that line is about 12 people long. The train leaves in 10 minutes and

An Introduction to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

The heat and humidity hits you immediately upon arrival. Despite the 10 hour flight from Istanbul, I'm alert and ready to explore this city. Immigration was a quick and easy process. I wasn't asked how long I planned to stay, but D was asked. When he

The Charm of Istanbul (Part II)

Istanbul is a generously sized megacity, divided between the European and Asian sides and separated by the Sea of Marmara. The two sides of Istanbul are distinct. The European half is steeped in history & culture, has an abundance of tourists, and is a hustler's & smoker'

Cats of Istanbul

This post is simply and importantly dedicated to the beautiful, resilient, and fearless felines of Istanbul. You're welcome! Enjoy. 😉

The Charm of Istanbul (Part I)

The old world charm creates a mystique that makes Istanbul feel just out of reach but still thrilling. It's a bewitching city. With history around every corner and the smell of roasted chestnuts and döner kebap enveloping me, my senses are both delighted and overwhelmed. The density of

Cuatro Días en València, España

How many days does it take to fall in love? Four. Four days. That's 96 hours or 5760 minutes to be precise. And, Cupid's arrow struck hard. Deezy tells me that I love every place we visit. It's true. I do. The same way

A Photo Blog of Porto

There are many, many stories about our time in Porto that simply didn't make the cut - not because the experiences were unworthy: quite the opposite. Sometimes it's difficult to capture the words to describe a place, a feeling. And so, I give way to the

Foxes and Wolves and Boars, Oh My!

The countryside village of São Martinho do Campo is a mere 30 minutes outside of Porto. A pleasant enough train ride and far more remote feeling than you could imagine. The roundtrip fare for the two us is less than 8€ and I am quite proficient in Portuguese when buying

The 500

The 500 is the embodiment of my experience in Porto. Riding the 500 gave me all the information I need to know about this artsy, laid-back, passionate city along the Rio Duoro. During the first two weeks of our stay, the bus ride from the river district in Porto to