For The San Francisco Chronicle Travel Section.

Whether it's winged vampires, flying rodents or Bruce Wayne's alter ego, misrepresentations of these shy, intelligent creatures are plenty. Bats aren't blind, and only three species - none of which live in California - feed on blood. What's best: Bats make up one-quarter of the Earth's mammal species, playing a crucial role in our ecosystem for pest control and pollination.

For Fathomaway.com

I'm currently traveling through France, exploring different ways objects are made. It has helped me find new respect for quality goods. I can see why they are so expensive now: They demand hours upon hours of patience, raw materials of exceptional quality, and an indispensable human touch. These are some of the things I found so far, made with love.

Originally published on National Geographic's The Plate.

Every day, Swarna de Mel is up at 5 a.m., pulling tropical herbs from her garden, harvesting dinosaur-egg-sized jackfruit, and cracking coconuts with a hatchet in preparation for curries, spicy sambols, and mallum salads.

For National Geographic's The Plate.

The smell of incense fills the air and golden marigolds brighten drab tombstones in a cemetery full of the living dead. Faces are decorated like skulls with flowers lining their crowns, and a kaleidoscope of color transforms the monochrome Hollywood Forever Cemetery in Los Angeles.

For National Geographic's The Plate.

Cod, mackerel, and herring are so prevalent in Denmark that, over the centuries, they have become common fare. Since the 19th century, working class folks (and nearly everyone else today) have lunched on smørrebrød, or buttered rye bread, often layered with these fish—either pickled or smoked.

It’s a hot October day in Northern California, and I’m roving a sea of endless green vineyards, which I’m sure haven’t felt much rain this summer. That’s when I notice the irrigation lines for the first time, then begin to see them everywhere. I imagine the wine industry to be a serious drain on California water resources, and wonder how they are navigating the drought.