While I no longer travel around the United States for math competitions, I still love using arithmetic to depict my adventures. This brief post is meant to provide outdoor inspiration, and to spread awareness of random hikes and lifts from around the world.   “Top of Europe” (3,454 m)     Top of Vancouver, Canada… Read More


Vietnam is the cradle of sophisticated dishes that exude healthy colors and flavorful innovations. A general formula for a Vietnamese dish includes a serving of rice-based wraps or noodles, a tart dipping sauce or hearty bone broth, and a hand-plucked selection of raw leaves and herbs for garnish. Prices are affordable, markets stimulate all five… Read More


This tiny country was a gorgeous start to my travels in Latin America. My first visit was also my first backpacking experience. I avoided the touristy spots and took my mother to waterfalls, jungles that ran along beaches, and cloud forests of colorful birds we had never seen before. On my second visit Marcela and I hitched… Read More


With the suffocating regulations and impressive glaciers that are melting away faster than you can say “cachái?” information on the best trek of Torres del Paine National Park (TdP) is constantly evolving. I have yet to meet an individual who has been able to escape the distress and contradiction when trying to reserve campsites and buy… Read More


If a pin on the map could have it all, it would be San Gerardo de Rivas. A mellow mountain town only visited by the most outdoorsy of Costa Rica‘s tourists, it offers the perfect blend of simplicity and indulgence. From easy waterfalls to trekking to wildlife to artisanal treats, everyone (and their mother) is… Read More


A 21-kilometer walk would make me the tallest thing in Costa Rica, I just had ignore the 2,200 elevation gain. To do this as a spontaneous day hike, rather than stay at the pricey base camp and obtain an entry permit, both of which had to be reserved months ahead of time, was technically possible… Read More


“Hi, my name is Vivian. I come from the USA. Both of my parents are Chinese. I am 21 years old. I have no tattoos and never imagined myself getting one. I saw a photo of you one month ago, and was so fascinated by the history and culture of your art that I couldn’t… Read More


Rural highlands meant extra good coffee and extra bad wifi. It was time to put down the phone and tune into the present. Banaue and Sagada were tucked into the Cordillera mountains, adored by Filipino couples and families for their views and cute cafes. Both towns possess UNESCO World Heritage sites. While these spots get… Read More


If there’s anything a solo female traveler knows, it’s how to figure out exactly what she wants. My upcoming flight out of Cebu left me with a laundry list of adventures to seek and so little time left. And this was just the southern half of the island. Possible or not, I had one day… Read More