Latest Stories

Most recently published stories in Wander.

Travels with My Parents: Burgundy, France
My parents have always been great travellers, it's one of the gifts that they've given us as a family is a love of travel and the confidence to go out and experience the world.
By Gareth Johnson8 years ago in Wander
Luxury Within Reach
I get asked all the time how I am able to travel as much as I do. By the end of 2017, it will have seen me in Thailand, Washington DC, Atlanta, and Curacao, and possibly one other destination with all the travel reward points I have earned with these trips. Each time the question is asked of me, I answer it the same way. I am very list- and research-orientated and work with a travel agency that understands that and can transform my travel goals into a fun-filled affordable vacation.
By Drew Lewis8 years ago in Wander
Sound Board Slides
Sound Board Sliders perfectly blends into the atmosphere of the 12th Ave South area. Most people do not realize it is anything besides a bike rack until they look close. The black upward poles and the silvery gray of the faders creates a stunning contrast that really makes it pop. The sculpture is rather smooth to the touch and gleams in the sunlight on a bright day. The upward pointing black poles are arranged in parallel lines and separated by a little bit of space. This makes them one sculpture even though there are five non-independent pairs of poles. Since they go upward, it forces your eyes to look up and then back down again to the ground. The black and white element could refer to how long music production has been important in Nashville with a flashback style feel. Some of Duncan’s other work is in color which would suggest that this lack of color was on purpose and possibly means he wants this work to blend into the surrounding architecture.
By So Bored8 years ago in Wander
Worth the Gamble
Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas, Nevada. I zigzag my way through the airport crowd, in between the hundreds of walks of life who came from all over the country and probably even the world to be here. Some traveling for business, others for pleasure—maybe for a little of both. A wild getaway of finer living with a touch of risky behavior and revealing outfits. It is good to be back—and to be of legal drinking and gambling age.
By Jordan Murphy8 years ago in Wander
What Makes Bali the Greatest Destination on Earth?
Take a look into the photo-journal of Daron Bandeira as he ventures into Bali – the greatest destination on Earth. When someone says 'Bali,' what do you see? The Indonesian province has become synonymous with mile-long stretches of white sand, thick hills of lush green jungle, and rugged volcanic hillsides – all together crafting some of the most breathtaking views that the Earth has to offer. With sights like these and a reputation so high, it is easy to understand why Bali walked away as the most popular holiday destination in 2017, and was even crowned the 'greatest destination on Earth' by TripAdvisor.
By Daron Bandeira8 years ago in Wander
Quest of the Phoenix 2017 (3)
The clock in my room had not been adjusted for Daylight Savings Time and I forgot to correct it, so I thought I was getting up at like 6:30 but actually it was 5:30. So when I went out for continental breakfast 15 minutes later (they’d said that breakfast started at 6:30), I was actually 45 minutes early instead of within the proper range. The Spanish speaking guys were hanging around the lobby ignoring me and talking to each other as I wondered why the bread products were still half-frozen and why I could smell eggs but not see any yet. At least I got a bagel and some coffee.
By Nathan Sturm8 years ago in Wander
Two Weeks Relaxing in the Spanish Lake District
We have just returned home from a relaxing two weeks in the Spanish Lake District, feeling refreshed and ready to take on the world again. After working in Iceland (and loving it) we decided that we would like to have some summer sunshine and chose to go back to the place we have spent a lot of time over the past few European winters. We have made some great friends there and we also wanted to see the area in a different season. We went on a number of day trips and wanted to share these experiences with you.
By Ruth Gibson8 years ago in Wander
Senior Single Female Alone in Iceland
My solo travels have mostly taken me throughout North America; but this last trip stretched my independence and my endurance. I was originally intrigued when several months ago I saw an online mention of airfare to Reykjavik from Los Angeles for $200. Wow, I cannot fly anywhere in the US for that price, so I made a mental note. Of course, by the time I had decided that I would venture to Iceland, the price had doubled; but it was still an unbelievable deal. I booked one week in Iceland at the Radisson Blu Saga Hotel including airfare for $1500.
By Maryann Virack8 years ago in Wander
What It Means to be Canadian. Top Story - August 2017.
What do you think makes you a Canadian? Is it about just living in the country? Owning a passport that declares so? Root for the Maple Leaf’s next game? Even being a fan of hockey for that matter? Does embracing the cold weather or surviving it make you any more Canadian than the next guy? How about all those “Eh’s” at the end of each sentence? Or perhaps, it is something much more relevant than some sort of physical or arbitrary element? Truth is, identifying as Canadian means more than those preconceived ideas that one assumes. It is a personal belief defined by your own pride, love, and appreciation of this country’s ethics.
By Jose Gabriel8 years ago in Wander
China's Fourth of July
It is the Fourth of July in Chongqing, China, and I am in a bar with four other Americans and a crowd of Chongqing locals. We are all staring at a beer drinking competition being held for those celebrating Independence Day for a country approximately 7,000 miles away. Many locals participate as well, chugging Tsingtao beer as fast as they can while friends cheer them on — this is not just an “American” pastime in China.
By Ti Ana8 years ago in Wander
Japanese Wonders
Japan is either hot or cold with one comfortable day in between. That is what I've found in my experience of living in Japan so far. About a three-hour bullet train ride north of Tokyo sits the lovely mountain town of Yamagata City situated perfectly within Yamagata Prefecture. When July comes into season in Yamagata it is a time of vibrant activity within the town. July marks the season of the Sakuronbo Cherry and the Hanagasa Festival, which celebrates the harvest and the cherries. The cherries are ripe for the picking at this time and it's quite difficult to not eat them as they are exceedingly delicious. The region is famous for its rich abundance of fruits. The quaint town of Obanazawa lies just to the north and yields watermelons, which cannot be stored in any size refrigerator. Every town celebrates their signature fruits and this naturally creates weekly farmer's markets that celebrate cultural events rather than our American practice of simply providing a space for local vendors to sell their goods.
By Sound And The Messenger8 years ago in Wander
5 Lessons Learned From 5 Months Studying Abroad
It’s hard to put the last five months living abroad into words. I’m keen for my next adventure and I’m still processing my exchange experience and the profound effect it had on my life.
By Kate Korte8 years ago in Wander