Welcome to Beyond Ordinary Guides, where we curate gorgeous imagery, locally cherished spots, and accessible stories. We hope you enjoy!
Nicole envisioned her summit of Mount Kilimanjaro to be shared with her love. Instead, she embarked on the journey alone, overcoming obstacles with a group of strangers and her guide.
Encinitas, which means “Little Oaks” in Spanish, sits in a sweet spot along Historic Highway 101 95 miles south of Los Angeles and 25 miles north of San Diego. A laid-back bohemian enclave that parallels the Pacific Ocean, Enci’ is famed for beautiful beaches, great surf, and good vibes.
At the intersection of hipster and mainstream is a refurbished 1929 Art Deco stunner. Located at amidst the collision of two neighborhoods, Bucktown and Wicker Park, this former office building has transformed with the times into a contemporary hotel equipped with all the necessities of the changing area.
I don't know if we quite knew what we were getting into heading into Bosnia & Herzegovina. We had booked a day trip to Mostar from Dubrovnik through our Airbnb host, enchanted by the pictures we had seen of Mostar's famous bridge and teal river running underneath. It looked like a fairytale, and as a photographer, I wanted to capture its beauty through my lens. What I naively underestimated were the very real world scars etched into the landscape of this picturesque country, and what a profound impact the kindness and resilience of the people who lived through horrors would have on our time there.
Our driver pulled into what looked like a private drive save for a blue and white sign with an oyster image on it and told us that no self-respecting Croatian from Dubrovnik would order oysters at a restaurant in Dubrovnik. No, they all head to Ston, a settlement along the Pelješac peninsula dating back to 167 BC uniquely situated between the flows of salt and fresh water perfect for the cultivation of bivalve shellfish.
A small town by most standards (around 43,000 at the last census in 2011), Dubrovnik's charm lies in its approachability - walk the city walls in the morning, kayak in the cerulean blue waters in the afternoon, relax for a late afternoon lunch of local grilled fish, explore the shops along the steep and narrow streets that emanate from the Stradun before dinner, and wind down before turning in by watching the sunset from a cliffside bar.
A petit photo journal of our favorite drone shots from our time in the surfing town of Arugam Bay on Sri Lanka’s east coast.
The Best “Norway in a Nutshell” Route (for people who like to get off the beaten path, stretch their legs, and who do not like feeling like cattle).
A ticket on the Verde Canyon Railway is a journey back in time. From talk of cattle rustling to turquoise bolo ties and sweeping desert vistas, we felt like we were living in the Wild West.
A slight detour from the crowded tourist town of Flam lies the small town of Aurland, and the most charming boutique hotel, 29|2 Aurland.
Nicknamed “The Pearl of the Orient,” Hong Kong is an eclectic city buzzing with creativity, history, and commerce. Culturally diverse with a unique East-West heritage––expect soaring modern skyscrapers and sophisticated luxury, juxtaposed with ancient temples, gilded shrines and bustling street markets.
“I have seen your toothbrush touch so many different surfaces,” my friend said as we divided up the remaining food into parcels to distribute the weight
between the packs. The face accompanying this statement was something I can only describe as amused disgust - brow furrowed, nostrils flared, but a slight, positive incline in the corners of the mouth. She was right. I am not one to protect my bristles on a 25-mile slog through rain, mist, hail, and wind. And in grizzly bear country to boot. Plus, I am not disillusioned in thinking that brushing plaque off my teeth makes my mouth actually clean; I have seen some gnarly infections originating from human bites.
