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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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...
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...
Barong and Keris Dance: Balinese Cultural Dance
Check out the Barong and Keris Dance while in Batubulan village. The Barong represents a good spirit and is a mythological animal. The dance...
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...
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...
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...
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...
How I prep for solo female travel
Sometimes there is no rhyme or reason. I get the urge for travel, pick a destination, and head for the hills or sea.
When getting...
CDC promotes healthy travel at the New York Times Travel Show
CDC promotes healthy travel at the New York Times Travel Show. Stefanie Erskine, M.P.H. shares 5 healthy travel tips in the short video above.
Staying healthy...
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....
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...
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...
Candle + Spa Subscription Box Review
Hey, Traveling Pearls!
I just returned “home” after nine months straight on the road. I actually gave up my apartment last year and spent my...
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...
Rosario Islands: Worth the hype?
Having been on many beaches across the world, most of which have been private, I’ve turned into a beach snob (but in the best...
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...
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...
Things to do in Cartagena
Located off the Caribbean coast of Colombia is the lovely town of Cartagena. Its old charm hasn’t flooded with tourists yet, so, I highly...
Luwak Coffee Experience in Bali
Before I arrived in Bali, I said I wouldn't do it! Try a cup of Luwak Coffee that is...
They call it “cat poop” coffee 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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