A Personal Update: Around the World in 2,190 Days Today is Day 173. And for 172 days there has been a dire need to explain the following sentence: On February 7th, 2018, I set off for six years of solo female travel around the world. It’s a bit ridiculous that I only just now got around to this, but until May 8th,… Read More
Five DIY Days Trekking Chile’s Little Known Condor Circuit Circuito Los Cóndores. We would enter through Reserva Nacional Altos de Lircay, and could complete a loop by crossing through Reserva Nacional Radal Siete Tazas. Alternatively, we could exit the trail via Parque Ingles and end at the turquoise, cascading Siete Tazas waterfalls. Fritz already had our food and campsites figured out. Despite all this, and… Read More
Some Summits Summed 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
Photo Journey: The Two-Week Chronicle Of A Hungry Girl And Her Vietnamese Street Food So. How much street food can a hungry Vivian put away in fourteen days? According to my detailed Chasing Calories: Vietnam guide, it would be 47 distinct dishes and nine tropical fruits, not including the foods I ate repeatedly or did not write about. I guess the best way to start off would be with… Read More
Chasing Calories: Vietnam 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
Backpack Costa Rica Off The Most Beaten Path 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
Torres Del Paine ‘O’ Circuit 2018: Top Tips For Tight Budgets 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
10 Reasons Why San Gerardo de Rivas Is My Favorite Place In Costa Rica 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
Cerro Chirripó Day Hike: Pulling Off 42 Kilometers In 19 Hours 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
Whang Od’s Blessing “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