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KeepCalmAndWander

San Francisco Downtown Gay Friendly Hostel Review
, USA

Where Fun and Hospitality Reside – San Francisco Downtown Hostel

September 5, 2014 KeepCalmAndWander 2 Comments
In the City of Hills, I know a place where fun and hospitality reside—at the San Francisco (SF) Downtown Hostel. After one missed flight, a connecting flight that brought the inner Usain Bolt in me (running from Terminal 1 to Terminal 7 at LAX), a lost luggage and a mixed-up
5 Essentials To Planning Your Trip In The United States Golden Gate Bridge Baker Beach San Francisco
, Wig

Biking The Golden Gate Bridge

September 4, 2014 KeepCalmAndWander 3 Comments
The best way to conquer the Golden Gate Bridge and it’s surroundings is through riding a bike. Rent it—and start from the Fisherman’s Wharf. It’s a long ride but the scenery along the way is worth hardening your muscles. As far as I could remember, there’s an uphill struggle twice:
The world's smallest island The Thousand Islands Kingston Canada
Canada

The World’s Smallest Island Has Only One Residence

August 16, 2014 KeepCalmAndWander 1 Comments
This is, perhaps, the world’s smallest island that only one residence can fit on it. This island is found at The Thousand Islands in Ganonoque, Kingston, Ontario. As you can see, the house is really surrounded by water and there’s not even a backyard enough for playing with your kids. The
New Delhi - First Impressions
India

New Delhi – First Impressions

August 12, 2014 KeepCalmAndWander 1 Comments
Stepping outside the Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi at the height of summer in May, you feel a blast of hot air surge over you. For a moment you feel detached from your body; as the 50 degree heat presses down, dust settles on your sticky body and
Kelso Lake at Halton Conservation in Milton
Canada

My first Kayak Experience

August 5, 2014 KeepCalmAndWander 0 Comments
Last weekend, I had my first kayak experience at Kelso Lake for an hour. I paddled across the lake in a single kayak (see more here: https://www.globosurfer.com/best-sit-top-kayaks/)  and boy, it was easier than I thought! But, I must admit, I bumped my kayak into tree branches on the shore because
Caribana Scotiabank Caribbean Carnival 2014
, North America

Photos: Scotiabank Caribbean Festival 2014 Caribana Toronto

August 3, 2014 KeepCalmAndWander 4 Comments
It’s a festival called with two names: Caribana Festival (the old one) and Scotiabank Caribbean Carnival (the new one). For most people, the former is better-sounding than the latter that bears its sponsor’s name. Caribana, aka Scotiabank Caribbean Festival 2014 is no different from the past: disorganized. The first time
The Great Confucius is Buried in this Humble Plot
China

The Great Confucius is Buried in this Humble Plot

July 31, 2014 KeepCalmAndWander 2 Comments
Confucius or Kong Zi, in Chinese, is buried in a humble plot in Qufu, Shandong Province. His tomb has no sign of luxury or grandeur of a philosopher whose analects shaped China—and are still highly-regarded until today. While I was still working in Beijing, one of my students told the class
The Beauty of Iran Held Me Hostage
Iran

The Beauty of Iran Held Me Hostage

July 29, 2014 KeepCalmAndWander 3 Comments
Fellow wanderlust, Sandeep Singh, recently visited Iran and found beauty beyond what he expected to see. When he sent me this article with these five incredible photos, my jaw hanged in the air and all I thought was, “The beauty of Iran held me hostage.” No pun intended. Yes, I’ve never been
Libreria la Escalera Santiago de Cuba
, Cuba

Santiago de Cuba – things to do, see, scams and annoyances

July 25, 2014 KeepCalmAndWander 3 Comments
My fabulous, Cuban landlords had warned me not to go to Santiago de Cuba — and I should have listened. Well, I actually did. I scrapped it off my list of places to visit before flying to Havana. Instead of going to Santiago, I changed my itinerary to Vinales. However,
The Creoles of Santiago de Cuba
, Cuba

The Creoles of Santiago de Cuba

July 23, 2014 KeepCalmAndWander 3 Comments
Tired from my own walking tour in Santiago de Cuba, I sat down on a bench at Plaza de Dolores. Out of nowhere, these Creoles showed up, sat on the opposite bench, and got ready to play their music. However, they seemed restless. Their eyes were wandering around for a
Turkey

Top Travelling Times in Turkey

July 10, 2014 KeepCalmAndWander 4 Comments
A wonderful mixture of the exotic and the familiar, Turkey is a fantastic holiday destination with so much to see and do.  Where East meets West, the whole country bursts with thousands of years of history. Plenty of companies like First Choice offer Turkey holidays, taking you to a truly remarkable place
Visiting Che Guevarra in Santa Clara Cuba
, Cuba

Visiting Che Guevarra in Santa Clara

July 8, 2014 KeepCalmAndWander 1 Comments
If you love history and all things that are associated with Che Guevarra, Santa Clara is the place to be. The famous guerrilla is immortalized everywhere around the city. It’s like the city is a memorial to Che. You see him in propaganda billboards, murals, and souvenirs. Visiting Che Guevarra
Dyke March Toronto 2014 - World Pride Edition
, Pride Anywhere

World Pride Dyke March

June 29, 2014 KeepCalmAndWander 5 Comments
Yesterday’s World Pride Dyke March turned out to be the most participated Dyke March in my 4 years of covering it. It’s louder this year and the march route is longer (I think). I’ve never seen so many lesbians in my life before and this year is record-breaking. And as
Cuban cuisine Mixed grilled seafood
, Cuba

Cuban Cuisine – All the dishes I ate in Cuba

June 16, 2014 KeepCalmAndWander 2 Comments
My first taste of Cuban cuisine was offered by my fabulous Cuban landlords. I don’t really remember what it was but I do remember the red rice with black beans, otherwise known as “Moros y Cristianos”. In English, that’s literally translated as Muslims and Christians. Weird name for food, eh?
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