Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Wander.
Welcome to the Island of the Gods
Take my hand; the gods are calling you to the secret and sacred land of Bali. Let the heat of the glorious sun embed into your skin, waking every cell within you with its pure golden radiance, as locals welcome you with open arms and wide smiles. A Balinese local once told me “when in Bali all your troubles melt away.” You are starting to feel this now, as the distant, steady beat of a kemanak finds its rhythm in the wild, mixed in with a chorus of voices entwined together signalling the start of a ceremony. Their words are unfamiliar to you, but contain a beautiful melody that make your hips sway slightly as you take this moment to close your eyes and soak in the magic that has been intricately woven into their repeated chants.
By Annie Lane6 years ago in Wander
Wanderlust
Growing up I’d look up at the stars and ask myself, “Is the world as big as everyone claims it to be?”, my little mind couldn’t comprehend whether it was a bed time story or just actual facts. Reality is something I wasn’t very fund of. I’d find myself spacing off and dreaming of seeing the world for what it was. I'd try to avoid identifying the bad in things as much as possible— hence why I didn't have a good relationship with reality—but I had to come to terms that not everything is sunshine and rainbows.
By 𝐵𝓇𝒾𝓉𝓉𝒶𝓃𝓎 𝑀. 6 years ago in Wander
Bali Lovin’
Bali- the place I want to be. The island to be wild and free. Summer is coming and the perfect destination is none other than Bali, Indonesia. Watching the sunset atop an infinity pool, sipping on a daiquiri. This is what life was meant to be. To float and meditate in peace. Escape from our mundane American metropolitan cities into a world of serenity. Some call it hedonism- I call it enjoyment and expression. Bali is where adventure seekers come together as a collective to find themselves and reflect on life during the day and party and live it up after the sun sets, while situated in the most beautiful landscape. Forget about Monday to Friday is the motto. Skinny dipping, longboarding, kayaking, hiking, shopping, exploring, meditating, learning. Bali is where you can do it all. It's the place that combines relaxation with a bustling urban life. The word for this feeling is - alive. Bali is the place where I can be radically myself, nobody is here to judge, everyone is here to have a good time. Once you step off the plane, the tropical vibes will hit you, and you realize you have arrived in paradise. There was no other vacation destination as ethereal, some parts may be commercialized, but in a charming way. The laidback vibes of a place like Bali cannot be matched anywhere else in the world, it is like no other. Bali may seem imaginary, but dreams do come true. The hotels with infinity pools are gorgeous, the food is heavenly, and the people simply love their lives. There is just something- something special about this place. The adventures to be had are endless, from exploring the wild nature of Ubud, trekking the luscious rice fields, to enjoying the lively beach bars in Kuta, satay skewer and Heineken in hand, vibing to the beat and view of the sunset. Walking on the endless white sands of Seminayak, admiring the historic temples. Grabbing a coconut mango refresher from a beachside vendor and hiking down the limestone staircase to surf on the crystal clear waters of Padang Beach. Cliffside temples. Hidden waterfalls. A traveler's dream come true. So many memorable moments and places. And best of all, winding down each eventful day with a bubble bath in the hotel balcony hot tub. There is just too much to see and do in this magical place called Bali. Waking up at 9 am each day because there is no time to waste to explore this beautiful island. Discovering hidden gems of restaurants every day, with impeccable ambiance, decor and masterful culinary talent is one of the most underrated things to in Bali. As the sun fades out, live music is just a block away and the night dances on. For lovers of music, city life, beaches, nature, great weather, serenity, this is where we learn to live. Bali- more than a breathtaking backdrop of my vacation, Bali isn't paradise; paradise is Bali.
By Victoria Eng6 years ago in Wander
Top places to visit in Shimla
Shimla is one of the most famous places in Himachal Pradesh. Shimla is that the capital of Himachal Pradesh India. The attractive colonial architecture, pedestrian-friendly Mall Road, and delightful churches atttarct the tourists most. Shimla is blessed mountains valleys, natural springs, and crystal clear water rivers. Shimla has become a one-stop destination for every type of tourists.
By Shiv Kumar6 years ago in Wander
Colorado Dreams
I traveled to Denver, Colorado, three months prior to asking for my divorce. I was officially attending a networking event for writers. However, I spent most of the trip wandering around the city, performing some type of walking meditation. With assistance from THC-infused chocolate, I allowed my mind to relax and my perspectives to shift.
By Kelli Lynn Grey6 years ago in Wander
Italy and dolce far niente...
Life in lockdown has a way of allowing your mind to roam free in a space that is different to any you've ever known. It's a space of imagination but this time it has an edge. Never before have we felt this sense of longing for everything and yet nothing, both at the same time.
By George Fairclough6 years ago in Wander
The Passage to India
I grew up in a small town that was the kind of place people stopped off at before they got to where they really wanted to go. It felt like a limbo of some kind, with the residents stupefied by the aromas of the takeaways that lined the high street, grease and ashy paper turning into forlorn mush on the pavement. The church, a supposed ‘pillar of the community’, seemed only to echo the in-between transition of bus stops or train stations, elderly people parking themselves on benches and staring at the headstones as if pondering who would fill the next vacancy, the next patch of fraying grass, before calling their dog and moving on at a speed punctuated by sighs and pauses, hobbling away into the day after, into tomorrow . I resented all of it, feeling trapped in an endless cycle of hazy afternoons and woebegone mornings, and it was only when I traveled that I could really see it in an altogether different light. It was home.
By India Childs6 years ago in Wander
Lust for Wanderlust
I’m a Sagittarius; wanderlust is part of who I am. And if traveling were free, you’d never see me around. What’s funny is, I’m a hardcore homebody (and possibly a part-time hermit?), and being stuck in the house for this long actually hasn’t bothered me that much. But at the same time I also don’t like being stuck in the same place for too long. (I’m like a walking paradox. It’s weird.)
By Jaye Ruggiero-Cash6 years ago in Wander
Honolulu Holiday
Is there a certain place that is on your bucket list for taking a vacation? For me that place is Honolulu. My parents went there to celebrate thirty years of marriage. After hearing all of their stories and seeing pictures of the beautiful ocean, I've wanted to go there myself.
By Eloise Giesbrecht6 years ago in Wander
Where Longing Will Lead To
What is it about lockdown that makes you long for something? Not just the fact that you are limited in what you can do, in where you can go, and who you can see, but being alone with your thoughts, with your memories, and your thoughts of what you want your future to be. Do I dare even think about it, a vacation? A much, much needed vacation in a time where there is no lockdown and no social distancing, no being alone. Just thinking of a vacation away from this "vacation" makes my heart ache.
By Kasey Mirly6 years ago in Wander
