Savor a Luxury Botswana Safari at Selinda Explorers Camp

A lion peeking through some leaves

There are moments when the stars align and everything comes together and this is one of them. Above us, lounging in the crook of a sprawling jackalberry tree, an adult female leopard is bathed in golden light and to my delight, she knows how to work the camera. I can tell, it’s going to be […]

Celebrating the NYC Easter Parade and Easter Bonnet Festival

No one would ever mistake Manhattan for being a touchy-feely city. People mostly keep to themselves and the pace can make even the most type – A personality long for a breath. But now and then a holiday comes along and the city softens. Crowds brim with laughter and smiles and the only goal is […]

A Guide to Philadelphia’s Abandoned Prison: Eastern State Penitentiary

‘s Forget Alcatraz, Al Capone Was Here First If you’re like me, fascinated by the criminal mind, fading ruins, and history in its most infamous, Philadelphia’s once abandoned prison Eastern State Penitentiary will make your day. It was Al Capone’s one-time residence and an icon of the world’s early penal system. You may recognize its […]

Marlon du Toit: Life on Safari Leads To A Career In Wildlife Photography

Marlon du Toit, wildlife photographer in Timbavati, SA

On a trip to Africa, my mission was two-fold: I needed to escape my A.D.D., a necessary evil if you want a career in Manhattan (Africa, I found, is one of the few places on earth I can truly relax and be present), and to improve my wildlife photography skills. I have a seemingly infinite […]

Swim with Sea Lions in Mexico’s Sea of Cortez

Sea Lions swimming near Isla Espiritu Santos?

As the sea lions swim past me––banking, rolling, diving, zooming around in loop de loops like Hotwheels on a track––I am sure of one thing, even if this UnCruise adventure sucked (which it doesn’t), the trip would be worth it for this one hour. The Island of Los Islotes We are at the base of […]

Scarface the Lion: The Legend of the Masai Mara

Photographing Scar the lion in the Masai Mara

Updated June 2021 The King of The Masai Mara It was he, Scarface the lion (Scar), curled up like a housecat in the grass, his thick dew-covered mane sparkling in the sun. His brothers Hunter, Sikio, and Morani were nearby; they also slept. The Four Musketeers, known for their prowess and savagery, instead looked precious where […]

Visit Duba Explorers Camp: One of the best in the Okavango Delta

The fire pit on the main deck overlooking the bush - Duba Explorers Camp Okavango Delta, Botswana-978201

It’s mid-morning, and I’m crossing the long, raised boardwalk leading to the island, my excitement building with each plank left behind. I’ve come to Duba Explorers Camp in Botswana, part of the Great Plains Conservation portfolio, one of the best camps in the Okavango Delta, and one of my first stops on an eight-day safari. […]

A Helpful Guide to the New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx

Orchid in New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx = NYBG_Orchid_Singapore-900B146820190308

I love Manhattan, but when I need a break from the concrete canyons I head to the Bronx and the New York Botanical Garden (NYBG). One of the country’s most beautiful historic landmarks, the garden is filled with lush flora, intriguing exhibits, and exciting family-friendly programs and activities. The botanical garden in NYC’s Bronx is […]

Holland America’s Alaska Cruise Land and Sea

View of the Eurodam from the Westerdam

I was about to embark on the second half of my Holland America Alaska Land and Sea Cruise Adventure—the “sea” portion of my journey––and I all I could do was gape at the 10-deck Westerdam rising above the Seward pier. In the cruise industry, the Westerdam is considered a mid-sized vessel and carries a maximum […]

Swimming With Whale Sharks in Mexico (Video)

Whale shark under a wave

The idea of swimming with whale sharks made me nervous. I wanted to, a lot, but I couldn’t forget my bizarre reaction to a spinner dolphin in Costa Rica a few years ago. I was afraid I’d humiliate myself again. At the time, I’d been completely and utterly irrational. I was in the water near […]