La Mesa, California, is known by its civic motto “the Jewel of the Hills.” With sunny and warm weather year-round, outdoor activities should be on the top of your agenda during a stay in La Mesa. Located in San Diego County (only 9 miles from downtown San Diego) and on the San Diego Trolley line, La Mesa is a convenient base for a Southern California vacation.Lake MurrayThis massive reservoir is located within the Mission Trails Regional Park. Lake Murray is a popular destination ...
August 2018 Roundup
What's this? A roundup post happening on time? Yes my friends - August has just ended, and here I am with the recap!What I've Been Doing Since the Last RoundupAn actual shit-ton of stuff! My last roundup was a mega one that covered January through July of this year. August was a super busy month for me!First, I finally danced in my prefecture's famous dance festival that happens every August, Awa Odori. If you've been following along, you know I joined a dance team last October with ...
5 Fascinating Things To Do In Germany
Germany has become one of the most incredible places in Europe to visit. It’s a country with a deep history stretching across many wildly different eras, as well as one full of beautiful places, modern cities, and interesting and progressive people. Plus, like some of its European neighbors, it’s relatively small and compact, which makes it easy enough to explore. Should you ever wish to do so, these are some of the fascinating things you can do around the country.1. See Neuschwanstein ...
The 7 Best Shopping Spots in Bangkok
Shopping in Bangkok is an unforgettable experience, as many indoor malls are between five and nine floors in total. Night markets don't close until midnight and are ideal for younger crowds. Here, shopping calls for a little stamina and a curious mind, so it's easy to cover a lot in little time. Planning ahead is best, so put on your walking shoes, grab a cold bottle of water, and head to the nearest SkyTrain station for the fastest directions.For Shoppers Who Crave Maximum ...
Monterey Bay: The Best West Coast Diving
Monterey Bay, California, is world-famous with scuba divers for its amazing dive sites. Though it is cold-water diving, divers are rewarded with good visibility to explore massive kelp forests and underwater canyons full of marine life. Both shore and boat diving are available, and you can see large creatures like harbor seals, tiny critters like nudibranches, and everything in between. Be sure to prepare for cold-water diving when planning your trip! Where to Stay Monterey Bay is accessible ...
Napa County for Teetotalers
Most people know Napa is famous for its top-tier wineries and vineyards, but it's worth a visit for teetotalers too! This beautiful region of California boasts a wilderness park, art museums, historic sites, and more. If you're traveling with children or just want to take a break from the vino, there are lots of fun places to check out during your stay in Napa County. Skyline Wilderness Park This 850-acre park has a trail network shared by hikers, bikers, and those on horseback (dogs are not ...
San Francisco’s 4 Most Multicultural Neighborhoods
San Francisco, California: This hilly city — known for its cable cars, Victorian homes, and the Golden Gate Bridge — is also home to some enlightening communities. San Francisco offers a bit of everywhere to everyone who's willing to experience it.The Life of Luxury in the Marina DistrictThe expansive views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, and yachts on the water make the Marina District a neighborhood you must make time to visit. Visit Fort Mason, a former military base turned ...
5 Culturally Fascinating Sites to Visit in China
The vast expanse of China is populated with incredible treasures and cultural sites that would take an entire lifetime to explore. In a previous post here on Cubicle Throwdown, we discussed historic sites throughout China which you may not have known existed and are worthy of visiting. This time we would like to take you on a cultural journey across China to visit five fascinating sites that offer deep insight into Chinese history and way of life.The Great WallImage credit: Severin.stalder ...
January – July 2018 Roundup
Here I am again, writing a mega-roundup instead of the monthly installment. I guess I figured better late than never, especially once I realized 2018 is already more than half over! Let's see what I've been up to for the past seven months...What I've Been Doing Since the Last RoundupI wrote a long post in April about the chronic health issues I have been dealing with since late 2017 (and probably much farther back, but particularly since then). I received a ton of messages and support ...
3 Best Dive Sites in the Puget Sound
If exploring the great blue is part of your vacation list, Seattle is home to many dive sites containing wrecked ships, vibrant aquatic life, and underwater geography for you to explore. Taking a trip to Puget Sound can provide you many opportunities to acquaint yourself with unique and interesting dive sites, where you may encounter harbor seals playfully spending their day, stumble upon the rare prehistoric sixgill shark, or navigate the sunken remains of the USS Governor.Regardless of ...