You know that classic photo of Angkor Wat’s central towers peeking through a massive sea of green trees? That view is captured from the top of Phnom Bakheng, a historic temple mountain in Cambodia. It is one of the oldest temples in the Angkor archaeological area, sitting on a natural hill that gives you a […]
Finding the spot where you can see Angkor Wat rising above the jungle Read More »
When you look up at the wide sky from this grassy hilltop, you will notice dozens of whimsical wooden birdhouses perched on tall metal poles, swaying gently in the breeze. This unique meadow is located in Haneul Park (also known as Sky Park) in Seoul, South Korea. It is a peaceful green escape where the
The breezy hilltop in Seoul where you can feel above the clouds Read More »
You can see this enormous glass facade from across the harbor. The MIA Café, located inside the Museum of Islamic Art in Qatar, sits right at the edge of the Doha Corniche. It offers some of the most dramatic views of the city skyline, all framed by a massive geometric window. Relaxing at the MIA
This cafe has the best skyline view in Doha (and you don’t even need a ticket) Read More »
If you stand in the exact right spot inside a massive, hollowed-out tree stump, the sky above opens up in the shape of a perfect heart. This is Wilson’s Stump in Japan, located deep within the moss-covered forests of Yakushima. Named after the English botanist Ernest Henry Wilson, who introduced it to the West, this
The heart-shaped sky you can only see from inside a giant tree Read More »
After feeding the deer in Nara Park, most visitors head straight back to the station. That is a missed opportunity. If you walk just a little south from Sarusawa Pond, the tourist crowds suddenly thin out, replaced by quiet lanes lined with aged wooden townhouses. This is Nishiterabayashi Street in the historic Naramachi district of
The quiet Nara street I always wander down after seeing the deer Read More »
You’ve probably seen the famous pink honeycomb facade of Hawa Mahal in India all over social media. But most people just snap a quick photo from the cafes across the street and move on. If you actually step through the entrance, you get to stand in this quiet inner courtyard, looking up at the reverse
Why you need to go inside the Palace of Winds, not just take photos from the street Read More »
During my trip to Egypt, there was one place besides the Cairo pyramids that I absolutely had to see. It is the Temple of Horus at Edfu, located along the Nile. Thanks to being buried under sand for centuries, this place survived in near-perfect condition for over two thousand years. Standing between the massive stone
This Egyptian temple is surprisingly intact Read More »
You have probably seen those photos where the sky and ground blend into one infinite mirror. But standing in the middle of Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia during the dry months gives you a completely different perspective. The absolute flatness, the strange hexagonal patterns on the floor, and the silence make you feel like you
Why the dry season here is actually better than the mirror photos Read More »
If you are wandering through the quiet streets of the Töölö neighborhood in Helsinki, you might think you stumbled upon a massive heap of ancient stones. But step closer, and you will find the entrance to Temppeliaukio Church, one of the most unusual sights in Finland. It is literally dug straight into a solid block
The church carved inside a giant rock in Helsinki is unreal Read More »
When you walk along the sea-facing walls of the Citadel of Qaitbay in Alexandria, Egypt, you are looking at the same harbor that ancient sailors watched thousands of years ago. From this raised stone pathway, the modern city curves around the water, creating a view where old stone meets the busy urban shoreline. The solid
The view of Alexandria’s harbor from this ancient fort is unreal Read More »
