The Intrepid Museum in New York City is one of the most fascinating and underrated experiences in a city full of memorable adventures. For one, the museum is located on the USS Intrepid, a friggin retired aircraft carrier permanently docked on the Hudson River at Pier 86 in Manhattan! Talk about awesome; if you are a fan of military history or just amazing killing machines in general, this is the place to be! A note from the writer: this is a pre-pandemic tale.

My travels have certainly taken me to some of the world's most interesting places; and not just interesting historically, culturally, spiritually, nor those pertaining to amazing views, food, shopping, and partying.  Some of these places have been insanely crazy (in a fun way) and Haw Par Villa in Singapore definitely belongs in that category! In a nutshell, it's a theme park featuring a recreation of hell complete with demons and tortured souls; one that has scared generations of kids (the writer included when I first visited the place back in the 90s)! A note from the writer: this is a pre-pandemic tale.

Of all the structures in Islamic Spain, none had a story as iconic as that of the Alhambra of Granada. It is a tale told within the context of the almost 800 year long struggle (known as the Reconquista) by the various Christian kingdoms of the Iberian peninsula (now Spain and Portugal) to reconquer territory from the Muslims. The Alhambra was the last great Muslim stronghold in Spain, standing until 1492, when the Catholic Monarchs (Queen Isabella I of Castile and King Ferdinand II of Aragon) took Granada in the final act of the Reconquista. To visit the UNESCO World Heritage site is to visit two sections forming the single monumental complex: the Generalife and beside it, the Alhambra. A note from the writer: this is a pre-pandemic tale.

Back in 2012 and way before the current situation in the Holy Land, I was fortunate to have been able to visit not just numerous spots across Israel and Jordan, but also the West Bank in Palestine.  Going on a pilgrimage in itself, is a very rewarding experience; but to go alone was in a word.. transformative . For the first time in my young adult life, I was ultimately responsible for my health, safety, and well-being; to say that I grew up during this trip is an understatement. This journey also sparked a love for exploring places I had only read about but had not previously been; a love that has only grown this past decade. Indeed, traveling has become central to my psyche, and is a key reason for this travelogue's existence. Thirteen years later, I'm very happy to be revisiting this adventure. Arriving at the Queen Alia International Airport in Amman, Jordan, a wide-eyed young me was ecstatic to be in the Middle East. A note from the writer: this is a pre-pandemic tale. One...

No visit to NYC is complete without a trip to the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH), celebrated not just because of its fantastic and comprehensive collection but also for playing a starring role in the "Night at the Museum" film starring Ben Stiller and Robin Williams. And of all its attractions, the 94-foot-long blue whale model is the most iconic. Serving as the focal point of the massive Hall of Ocean Life, the whale is so popular that galas, dinners, even sleepovers are held under the massive sea creature. A note from the writer: this is a pre-pandemic tale.

Amusement parks do not only cater to families, they also make for an awesome venue for a date with one's significant other. I was lucky to have experienced it both ways! Opened in 2010, Universal Studios Singapore is the first and only Universal Studios theme park in Southeast Asia and is a must visit when in SG. Located on Sentosa Island, a massive resort playground just south of mainland Singapore, USS covers almost 20 hectares; small by Universal theme park standards but packed with all the crowd favorites. It is also part of the larger Resorts World Sentosa complex, which includes a casino, SEA Aquarium, and several luxury hotels. A note from the writer: this is a pre-pandemic tale with additional post-pandemic photos. Here's a pic of us back in 2019.

In the battle for the fate of the Iberian peninsula, one city stood as the final stronghold of Islamic rule, Granada. This is the story of how one of history's greatest power couples conquered its crown jewel, united their respective kingdoms, and funded voyages that led to the discovery of the Americas; transforming not only Spain but also the world. However, one cannot fully appreciate the city without learning about its bloody history. A note from the writer: this is a pre-pandemic tale.