Blog Writing Samples
Sample 1: A Weekend Escape to Udaipur, India
Byline: Name + Surname
I did not realize how much I needed a break until I stepped off the train into Udaipur’s
warm, dry air. Known as the City of Lakes, Udaipur has always intrigued me, but I
never made time for it until a spontaneous Friday decision. Forty-eight hours later, I
was sipping masala chai with a view of Lake Pichola, feeling far from everything I had
left behind.
I stayed at a small haveli-style guesthouse tucked in the old city, where every room was
painted with traditional Rajasthani murals. The rooftop overlooked the lake and the
iconic Lake Palace floating like a dream in the distance. The staff were friendly, and
even though the room was simple, it had everything I needed.
Wandering through the narrow lanes of the old city was a sensory feast- bright fabrics
fluttering from shop windows, the scent of incense and street food in the air, and the
constant hum of life. I visited City Palace just after it opened and had large sections of
it to myself. The architecture was a mix of Mughal and Rajput influences, and the views
from the balconies were postcard-perfect.
For lunch, I found a tiny local thali place where the food was spicy, generous, and served
with a smile. Later, I took a boat ride on Lake Pichola at sunset. The golden light on the
water and the mountains in the distance made the whole city look like it belonged in a
storybook.
My last morning was quiet. I climbed the steps to Karni Mata temple early, mostly for
the view. The city slowly lit up as the sun rose, and I sat there for a while, listening to
the birds and the occasional temple bell.
Udaipur surprised me with its charm and calm. It’s not just another tourist city- it has a
soul, and if you’re willing to slow down, it lets you in.
Sample 2: Two Weeks Through Northern Vietnam
Byline: Name + Surname
After years of dreaming, I finally booked that flight to Hanoi. I had two weeks, a rough
itinerary, and an open mind. Northern Vietnam turned out to be more breathtaking and
humbling than I expected.
Hanoi was chaos and charm in equal measure. Motorbikes were everywhere, honking
constantly, but somehow, it all worked. I spent a few days getting lost in the Old
Quarter, eating steaming bowls of pho on tiny plastic stools and watching life unfold on
the sidewalks. The city has its own rhythm—a mix of tradition and fast-paced modern
energy. I visited the Temple of Literature, walked around Hoan Kiem Lake in the early
morning mist, and drank egg coffee at a rooftop café with views over the tangled streets.
From Hanoi, I took a bus to Sa Pa. The journey was long and winding, but arriving at
the sight of terraced rice fields made it worth every turn. I stayed with a Hmong family
in a village just outside the main town. They welcomed me like family, and even though
we barely spoke the same language, we shared meals, laughter, and stories through
gestures and smiles. Trekking through the hills, surrounded by mist and mountains, I
felt like I was in another world.
Next came Ha Long Bay. I joined a small boat tour that included kayaking through
hidden caves and a night spent on the water. The limestone karsts rising out of the sea
were surreal; at night, the sky was so full of stars it did not seem real. Swimming in the
bay at sunrise was easily one of the most peaceful moments of the trip.
I ended my trip in Ninh Binh, sometimes called “Ha Long Bay on land.” It was less
touristy and more intimate. Biking through rice paddies with towering cliffs around me
felt cinematic. I climbed the steps of Hang Mua for panoramic views and spent hours
just sitting near the river, watching goats and locals go about their day.
Vietnam did not just live up to my expectations—it shifted something in me. The
people, the food, the landscape—it all stays with you. I left feeling smaller in the best
possible way, and already planning to return.