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...
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...
The Reserve at Paradisus Palma Real, Punta Cana Hotel Review
The week before Christmas I had the bright idea to get away to Punta Cana. I'd never had a desire to visit the Dominican...
Cayman Islands + Solo Female Travel Tips
Cayman Islands remain my favorite go-to destination in the Caribbean. After traveling the Caribbean Sea, I'm home in Grand Cayman.
Sade sang it’s never as good...
A long walk in the park: Lincoln Memorial
My heart raced. I’d been here many times, but not like this. The stroll down Pentagon Row under the pale moonlight rekindled a series...
10 Hiking Tips for Your Next Trip
Planning ahead before hiking is essential for success. Spare yourself drama and consider these 10 hiking tips on your next trip.
Water. No brainer,...
10 tips to shatter fears and travel solo
When it comes to traveling there are many obstacles that can get in the way of you getting to your destination. Some of those...
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...
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...
Where to stay in Cartagena, Colombia
I might be a bit of a snob. But in the best way, I promise!
At some point, I got a taste of the suite...
Touring Eiffel Tower
From New York to Paris!
It didn’t matter that we’d flown all night, lacked sleep, and couldn’t check into our rooms. The W was not...
Not all who wander are lost
It is amazing how others perceive you when you express a desire to travel the world. The immediate thought is you must be crazy....
Videos from my solo trip to Bali
I’m back from wonderful Indonesia. It was an amazing journey. Here are a few videos of Bali, Indonesia from my solo female trip. Enjoy...
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...
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...
GPS-guided travel article apps
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 while...
Walled City of Cartagena
Strolling through the streets of Old Town Cartagena with no agenda is surely the best way to experience the Walled City. The main attraction...
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...
Spicy Peperonata Pasta
Cooking my first meal with Blue Apron was so much fun! The first dish was a savory and tangy Spicy Peperonata Pasta. Being vegetarian...
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...
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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