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…
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Fun Things to Do in Bali for Solo Travelers
There's plenty of sightseeing in Indonesia. Here's my short list of 5 fun things to do in Bali as a solo female traveler.
Padang Padang Beach
On a...
Pampered Travelers Escape to Ani Villas for Luxury • NYT Travel...
The New York Times Travel Show returned this year with record-breaking attendance for the longest-running trade and consumer travel show in North America. The...
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...
Post-trip debrief: Uganda Missionary Trip
Reflections of mission trip in Uganda
I volunteered in Uganda, the Pearl of Africa!
The opportunity to serve the community and vacate appealed to me. I...
Start Here: Getting around Cultured Black Pearl
Welcome to Cultured Black Pearl!
Cultured Black Pearl is a new digital platform featuring my perspectives from around the world as a solo female traveler. Be...
Traveling with friends • Is that drama on the road?
It doesn’t matter how long you’ve known your friends when it comes to traveling on the road for any period of time even the...
Mystique: Luxury Collection Hotel
The luxurious Mystique hotel was a warm welcome after sailing hours across the sea from Mykonos. Possibly more attractive than the view is the luxurious affiliation...
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...
The New York Times Travel Show 2017
The New York Times Travel Show brings together travelers and industry professionals from around the world for a fun weekend of excursions in New...
Things to do in Cali Colombia
Going back to Cali, Cali, Cali!
Had a blast in Colombia for a trip that wasn't planned. Cali reminded me of San Diego. It was safe and...
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...
North Sea Jazz Festival Curacao Review
Landed safely in Curacao just in time for the annual North Sea Jazz Festival.
Labor Day festivities kicked into high gear when I met...
Sunsets & Strolls: Santorini, Greece
Sunsets, strolling, and cheese! My fondest memories of Santorini.
Roaming free through the towns of Santorini resulted in one of the most rejuvenating experiences of...
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...
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...
Traveling while Black: Detained in New Zealand
New Zealand started off with a bang!
A few years ago, I met a lovely guy in Santorini who insisted I add New Zealand to...
San Felipe de Barajas Castle
Some part of me blames Disney for creating a false perception of what a castle truly looks like. The illusion in my head resembled...
Cooking Couscous Stuffed Zucchini
Back in the kitchen with another Blue Apron recipe. This time I'm making Couscous Stuffed Zucchini with Goat Cheese and Summer Squash Salad. The...
i-to-i TEFL review
So last summer I decided to kick my job to the curb. I'd had enough of corporate politics, couldn't use my vacation time, and...
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...
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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