Montenegro: Country #60…We Took the Bus Everyone Complains About…
One more day closer to meeting up with our Kansas City friends in Croatia THIS WEEK! Over the past month we’ve been making our way toward Croatia almost entirely by bus 🚌, and today we crossed from Albania into country No. 60—Montenegro!
Before booking, we read the reviews for Old Town Travel—the only bus company operating this route—and let’s just say… expectations were low. 😅 The reviews warned us about unwritten luggage fees, major delays, overbooked buses, drivers chain smoking in the bus, passengers being left behind at pitstops, border chaos, and general travel mayhem.
We couldn’t help but wonder… would our experience live up to the reviews? 😂
Kosovo: Understanding Europe’s Youngest Country Through Prizren
Kosovo surprised us in every way. In our 59th country, we explored the historic city of Prizren, where medieval churches, Ottoman mosques, ancient fortresses, and the birthplace of Albanian nationalism reveal the country’s rich and complex past. Join us as we uncover the history, culture, and resilient spirit of Europe’s youngest nation through one of the Balkans’ most captivating cities.
Albania 101: The Term Paper We Happily Wrote
What started as a quick Google search turned into a self-assigned term paper on Albania, a country we knew almost nothing about before arriving. Along the way, we discovered a fascinating history shaped by ancient roots, foreign occupations, decades of communist isolation, and a remarkable modern transformation—one that helps explain everything from Albania's strong pro-American sentiment to its reputation as the former "North Korea of Europe." Armed with a little context, we're finding Tirana to be one of Europe's most surprising and engaging capitals: a vibrant city full of energy, striking architecture, and plenty of quirks, including reversed head nods and a complete absence of McDonald's.
Ubud’s Green Lung: A Walk Through the Sacred Monkey Forest
The Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary in Ubud, Bali is a 14th-century spiritual haven where the Balinese Hindu philosophy of Tri Hita Karana comes to life through the harmonious coexistence of humans, nature, and the divine. Beyond its role as a 30-acre "green lung" for Ubud and a conservation home to over 1,200 long-tailed macaques—regarded as sacred guardians linked to the god Hanuman—the forest remains a vital, functioning religious site. While it welcomes global visitors, the sanctuary preserves its sanctity through three restricted temples dedicated to Shiva, purification, and funeral rites, ensuring that ancient rituals and biodiversity remain protected in an increasingly modern world.
The Seafood Capital & Beyond: A First-Timer’s Guide to Roxas City
Roxas City, named after the Philippines’ first president Manuel Roxas, isn’t exactly a typical tourist stop—and that’s exactly why we liked it. We flew into this non-touristy city on Panay Island as a jumping-off point to visit friends in nearby Pilar, but ended up spending a week getting our first taste of everyday life in the Philippines. Roxas is known as the “Seafood Capital of the Philippines”, though it feels more like an ordinary working town than a resort destination. If you ever find yourself in Roxas City, here’s a few of our experiences!
Meh, Ooh-Ahh, and Ta-Da! Our Honest First Impressions of Busan
Because we chose to take a ferry to South Korea, our first destination became the southern port city of Busan, known for its beaches and seafood! We showed up during the biggest holiday Seollal or Korean New Year Day, marking the first day of the lunar calendar, making note of places either closed or with limited hours.
Here’s Our Brief Busan Experience
Review of Camellia ferry ride to from Fukuoka to Busan
Pro tips on location finding, navigation, and transportation in South Korea
Korean food highlights
Short list of sightseeing, including a hidden secret spot for the best views of Busan