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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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...
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...
Planning solo trip to Bali, Australia, and New Zealand
It’s Bali time! I cannot believe how quickly time ticks.
When I agreed to meet a college friend in Indonesia a year before, I didn’t...
Seared Cod & Summer Succotash
Seared Cod & Summer Succotash is simply irresistible. This Blue Apron recipe doesn’t call for much seasoning yet packs a punch full of flavor....
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 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...
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...
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...
Things to do in Toronto
A snap decision and request for my presence landed me in Toronto for a fun-filled week of shenanigans. They say Toronto is the mini...
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...
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...
How to make the most of a 4-day layover in Paris
The Parisian experience is one to be had. It's overwhelming to take in with only four days to spare, but doable! When my eyes...
Bali perspectives after the trip
Bali perspectives after the trip offers a glimpse into my experience.
My travel journey to Bali was beyond surreal.
The culture, people, and food were all amazing....
Traveling while vegetarian • quick meals
Traveling while vegetarian takes some planning but is getting easier as more establishments recognize the diverse dietary needs of travelers and tourists. I like...
Mykonos Grand Hotel & Resort
Even before arrival, Mykonos Grand Hotel & Resort staff were working to ensure my arrival was perfect, memorable, and unique. To start, they worked...
YouTube Travel Videos
https://apis.google.com/js/platform.js
YouTube travel videos highlighting my travel journey!
Velassaru Maldives Water Villa
Fresh off a month long birthday vacation in Maldives and the Velassaru Maldives villa exceeded...
Ky-Mani Marley Performs at Farm Up Jamaica Festival
Over the weekend, I watched Ky-Mani Marley perform in South Jamaica, Queens for the first annual Farm Up Jamaica festival.
The festival is actually a...
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...
London Eye
The all-seeing London Eye was a fantastic ride. This Ferris wheel is the largest in the world and offers spectacular views of London. You...
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...
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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