Cultured Black Pearl follows the travel musings of a solo female traveler. Enjoy the intimate journey across land and sea, one destination at a time.
Be inspired, engaged and entertained by authentic, immersive experiences, travel tips, GPS-enabled travel guides, and more on the blog.
A big thanks to many of you who aren’t comfortable commenting publicly but send emails in private asking for advice. You motivate me to keep sharing, and I’m glad you are here!
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Safe travels!
latest from my travel blog…
what folks are reading now…
Jazz Legend Al Jarreau Dead at 76
Jazz Legend Al Jarreau Has Died
The sudden news that Al Jarreau died this morning hit hard.
Rewind back barely seven months ago and I was...
How Brazilian wax in Hoboken led me to Blue Apron
Conversation topics during a Brazilian wax run the gamut. So, I wasn't taken aback when Blue Apron came up.
After all, you need something to take...
Basque Style Cod and Freekeh
Basque Style Cod with sweet pepper, tomato sauce and Freekeh is my latest Blue Apron creation
basque style cod
Blue Apron continues to expose me to...
The Buccaneer: St. Croix, Virgin Islands
November is my birthday month and I travel a lot during this time. Each year, I set out to find a relaxing and memorable experience...
GPS Guided Travel Article: Turks and Caicos (Free Promotion)
gps guided travel article apps
Have you ever read a travel article and wished you could take it with you as a guide or itinerary...
Simple Hiking Tips for Every Season
There are several good hiking tips in the blogosphere. In this post, I focus on seasonal hiking tips:
Seasonal Hiking Tips for Summer
Hike before...
Seychelles Islands should be on your bucket list – NYT Travel...
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSo0G40P9AI]
Seychelles are some of the most beautiful islands in the world and a favorite destination as a solo female traveler.
The fastest way to...
US Virgin Islands: St. Croix
Looking for a quick island getaway but wanting to stay in the US, I found myself in St. Croix, Virgin Islands. My friend from...
Citi Hilton HHonors Visa Signature Credit Card
Citi Hilton HHonors Visa Signature Credit Card is the perfect choice for my upcoming trip to Curacao and for anyone looking to earn Hilton...
Uganda Travel: Sipi Falls Things to Do
Making fresh coffee in Sipi Falls, Uganda
Time to get away from the city and explore the mountainside. So, I headed to Eastern Uganda for...
Why I’m not going back to Punta Cana
A few days in and I knew for sure I was enjoying Punta Cana. Then, the shit hit the fan in the most literal...
Roasted Eggplant Pitas and Farro Salad
Roasted Eggplant Pitas with Tomato, Cucumber & Farro Salad, my latest Blue Apron creation
something new
Blue Apron exposed me to delicious vegetarian meals and spices...
Riu Ocho Rios Hotel Review
In dire need to relax, I was glad to arrive at Hotel Riu in Ocho Rios since that would force me to sit still....
New York Times Travel Show 2017 opens tomorrow
The New York Times Travel Show 2017 opens tomorrow and Cultured Black Pearl has your coverage!
The largest consumer travel and trade show in North...
5 Tips for Finding the Right Mission Trip to Support
Pray about your mission trip
A mission trip is different from other humanitarian work. Often faith-based. So, a good practice is to start, end, and...
Blissful nights at Hotel Spiwak: Cali, Colombia
Recently, I had a chance to stay at Hotel Spiwak while in Cali on my Colombian vacation. I loved the hotel! It was centrally...
Eating healthy while traveling solo
Being on the go can take a toll on your body, especially if you’re not eating healthy, not staying hydrated, and skipping exercise. As...
How to see Sydney in Two Days
Sydney, the land way down under. No one in their right mind travels to Australia to stay for just two days, except me.
Life is...
Stephen Ambrose Historical Tours at The New York Times Travel Show
The New York Times Travel Show took place this weekend in New York City at the Jacob Javits Center. Stephen Ambrose Historical Tours was...
The irony of trying to pee straight after a Brazilian bikini...
My first Brazilian bikini wax experience and what happened next...
It was a typical hot summer day in New York City. I walked down 3rd...
Solo Female Travel in Kyoto (and Osaka + Tokyo)
Outside of cherry blossom viewing, my solo travel to Kyoto included a flexible itinerary.
Yearning to...
By Night in Havana with Meiby • Arts Immersion Experience
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4VbNsyMDFw8]
The decision to spend Christmas in Cuba came as a shock to many friends...
Conrad Bali (a Hilton Hotel review)
Mixed reviews for Conrad Bali made me question staying at this Hilton property during my vacation...
W Bali Seminyak: Hotel Review
W Bali Seminyak Villa was beyond marvelous!
Arriving to such an astonishing and tranquil scene after a...
Bali: spiritual travel journey
The journey was long but the arrival was plenty. After a twenty-eight hour flight from...
I’m packing my bags for the following destinations, up next: Home in NYC
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