About Us
ABOUT US
We are best friends and travel junkies who love telling stories and sharing our travel discoveries. We transformed our own lives through the most unforgettable travel experiences. When our world changed in 2020, we realized that everyone should have an opportunity for a wellness break: whether you are looking for a recharge, a kickstart, a full life redesign or just some time out.
Terena
Terena’s path to wellness started when she lived in Tokyo and started practicing Zen Buddhism. She studied Ayurveda in Singapore and follows a daily Kundalini yoga practice at home and while traveling. Healthy nutrition and conscious living is a cornerstone of her wellness philosophy. Global denizen and former runway model, Terena wrote about travel, health and lifestyle for publications like Harper’s Bazaar Singapore, Coast, Elle, Arena, Robb Report, The Sun, Variety and others. She co-founded WANDERMELON back in 2008, and is now excited to evolve what once was an online travel magazine to an experiential retreats agency, dedicated to wellbeing practices to support people on their journey to health, wholeness and peace. Eisner was the Lifestyle Editor of the luxury lifestyle magazine CREAM distributed throughout S.E. Asia. In addition to her writing, she is an active board member of the Eisner Foundation, World Mercury Project and 826LA. When she isn’t traveling, she can often be found on the beach, surfing with her husband, and three kids.
Bucket List Destinations: Bhutan, Machu Picchu, Easter Island
Most Recent Wellness Destination: Sedona
Elina
From CNN International journalist and documentary filmmaker to travel writer and now also a plant-based chef, conscious entrepreneur + author, travel has always been a part of Elina’s life. Born in Moldova and educated both in Russia and in the United States, Elina knew before she was 10 years old that she would spend her life exploring the world. When she went vegan to conquer her breast cancer, Elina changed the way she traveled: hitting the road with packets of miso soup and hazelnuts (and even a blender for longer trips) along with notes of local healthy living hotspots, healers, energy and massage therapists. Once she realized she wasn’t the only one juggling her healthy habits with desire to explore the globe, she teamed up with Terena and Kristina, to help others navigate their travels, and WANDERMELON was born. Elina is Founder + Chef of Soupelina, a vegan healing soup delivery company, she is also the best-selling author of Soupelina’s Soup Cleanse: Plant-Based Soups + Broths to Heal Your Body, Calm Your Mind, and Transform Your Life. Besides CNN, Elina has written for The New York Times, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, InStyle, Departures, Conde Nast Traveler, Modern Luxury, SELF and other publications. A self-described “modern mother” and “wellness warrior,” Elina loves sharing her travel finds with her two adult daughters. Her favorite “giving back” is cooking for cancer patients + survivors at wellness centers across the country.
Travel philosophy: “All journeys have secret destinations of which the traveler is unaware.” – Martin
Bucket List: Gobi Desert in Mongolia, Zighy Bay + Empty Quarter Desert in Oman, COMO Uma Paro in Bhutan, Dar Ahlam in Ouarzazate, Morocco, Fregate in the Seychelles, Gora Kadan in Hakone, Japan, Niyama in the Maldives, Hangaroa Eco Village & Spa, Easter Island, expedition to Antarctica and many more!
Most Recent Wellness Destination: Mediating in the caves of Cappadocia
Kristina
Kristina Foster is a documentarian, content producer, social impact campaign strategist and social entrepreneur. Whilst working as a producer/director on a documentary series she created for Discovery Channel Asia, investigating traditions and beliefs across China, Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand she unearthed a reconnection to the wisdom of ancestors and ancient wellness treatments. Thousands of years ago, our ancestors developed healthy habits and rituals based on their observations of nature. Wellbeing meant a close connection to the earth, staying in tune with the body, and living in harmony with the environment.
Prior to this, Kristina worked in various global marketing roles for multinational consumer goods corporation, P&G for over 10 years, living in Sydney, Bangkok, Tokyo, Singapore and New York.
Travel philosophy: “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts.” ~ Mark Twain
Bucket List: Phum Baitang Cambodia, Udaipur India, Nemrut Dagi Turkey, Blanket Bay NZ, Little Ongava Namibia, Cocoa Island Maldives, Punta De Mita Mexico, Raz’n Retreat Egypt, Canaves Oia Santorini and the new Southern Ocean Lodge Kangaroo Island.
Most Recent Wellness Destination: Body Poetry in Byron Bay
@kristinawongfoster
Eric Hiss
“Writing is not just my profession, it’s my passion. It has allowed me to travel the globe, visiting far-flung locales to interview everyone from billionaires to blow-gun toting tribal chiefs. It’s also given me the opportunity to write about filmmakers in India, the music scene in Iceland, conservation efforts in South America and the best restaurants in Los Angeles.
Here’s a quick summary covering my 20 years in the business where I get to drop some names (and hopefully add yours to the list-see the full list here) Feature Articles (Travel, food, wine & spirits, automotive, consumer technology, design, spa & wellness, film industry) American Way, Condé Nast Traveler, Delta Sky, Los Angeles Times, The New York Times, Sierra magazine, The Hollywood Reporter, Variety and dozens more. Marketing Communications (Branded content, copywriting, custom magazines, press releases, speeches) ASPCA, Art Center College of Design, Biltmore Hotels, Kimpton Hotels, Golin-Harris, Los Angeles Auto Show, Sony, Omnicom, Tommy Bahama, Toyota USA, TBWAChiatDay, Volvo Group North America.”
@erichiss
Ann Wycoff
For the past 20 years, Ann Wycoff has been involved with the media as a freelance writer, staff editor, cover shoot producer, and event director. Presently, she’s the North County editor at San Diego Magazine and editor-at Large for Exquisite Weddings. She’s the Lifestyle Editor of VIV Magazine, the first exclusively-digital lifestyle magazine for women. As the West Coast editor of the Condé Nast publications Mademoiselle,Golf for Women, and Women’s Sports & Fitness, she was a contributing writer, photo shoot producer, and event planner, and she oversaw the celebrity aspects of these publications. After contributing to SPA magazine for seven years, she is now regarded as a spa expert, having visited over 250 spas across the country and abroad. Food writing is another passion; she enjoyed being a food critic for Salt Lake Magazine and, presently she reviews restaurants in San Diego for www.gayot.com.
@annwycoff_
Kate Ayrton
One of wandermelon’s original co-founders, Australian travel writer, photographer, and digital media expert, Kate Ayrton has had her stories and photographs published in magazines such as Condé Nast Traveler, California Home & Garden, Eating, Empire, House & Garden, On Holiday, Qantas, Robb Report, Departures, Vogue, Vogue Living and Vogue Entertaining & Travel. After 20 years of living in New York and Los Angeles, working as a TVC producer, screenwriter and travel writer, Kate returned to her homeland where she continues to work (and now teach) as a digital media consultant. She is currently working on her first novel.