Santiago Atitlan is the largest city on the banks of the famous Lake Atitlan in Western Guatemala. It has a large, thriving Mayan community and is significantly less touristy than most of the other Atitlan villages. However, it is a destination famous for one sight in particular: Maximon. Maximon (pronounced mash-ee-mon) is a truly fascinating Mayan deity. Also known as San Simon or Rilaj Mam, he is a complex balance of benevolence and … [Read more...]
Peru’s Inca Heartland: An Experiential Vacation With Kuoda Travel
I’m in a remote Peruvian village in the Sacred Valley, deep in the heart of the Inca world. Surrounded by mist-shrouded mountains and cobalt blue lakes, agrarian rhythms define life here, just as they have for centuries. I feel as far off the beaten track as I can possibly get. I’m spending the afternoon with the women of the village. Traditionally dressed with their long black hair in precise plaits, it’s as if time has stood still. They … [Read more...]
Santa Fe, New Mexico: Explore The Arts
Santa Fe and art go together like Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. This northern New Mexico town has been attracting artists for decades. Like magnets, they are drawn to the magical light, turquoise sky and starkly stunning landscape. Galleries galore and top-notch museums attract art appreciators like bees to honey. Georgia O’Keeffe was deeply inspired by Santa Fe. At her namesake museum, you’ll find plenty of examples of her sensual, … [Read more...]
Spring Skiing at Valle Nevado in Chile
The Mountain As the ski lift reached the mountain top, I released my white knuckled grip on the J-bar and slid forward toward the majestic snow capped Andean peaks looming large in the distance. It was spring in South America and the backside of the mountain, was nearly empty, inhabited only by myself and the occasional lift operator. The resort was visible as a spec in the distance beyond the lift I had just exited, and a mountain vista of … [Read more...]
A Remington and a Volvo
At 9, I thought it was crazy. My dad was going to squeeze Mom and all six of us kids into a boxy, top heavy, narrow Volvo station wagon, and we were going to drive for three months from our home in Paraguay to Kansas where my father grew up. This trip had been his dream since coming to Paraguay in 1951 to found and manage a Mennonite leprosy mission. “Is there really a road that goes all the way from Paraguay to the States?” I asked. Dad … [Read more...]
Escape Winter: Budget-Friendly Ocean Fishing in Puerto Penasco
Do you find yourself staring out your office window at the snow and gray sky day-dreaming about fishing on the ocean in your flip-flips with a cold beer? Is your dream squashed when your bank account balance doesn’t support pricey winter fishing hot spots like San Diego and Florida? If so, I’ll fill you in on a little secret of mine. 210 miles south of Phoenix is a sleepy little fishing village on the Sea of Cortez called Puerto Penasco or … [Read more...]
Northern Galicia Coast: Rinlo and Cathedral Beach
I ended up visiting Cathedral Beach in Galicia by chance. My boyfriend and I had planned a weekend in Galicia (we're currently living in Madrid short-term for his job, but he's from Galicia) and we decided to simply look for a casa rural (a rurally located Spanish B&B) that was a good price, and that was in a good location. Where, didn't matter all that much. I had wanted to explore Galicia long before I met my boyfriend so when we met, … [Read more...]
Valencia: The BEST Paella
It’s hard for me not to be emotional when writing about my time in Valencia. I’m not sure exactly what is was about the city but it seems to have enchanted me. I was and still am, captivated by all it had to offer. I think naively I’d always seen Spain as a cheap holiday destination rather than somewhere to explore in more depth. I considered places further away more exciting and intriguing but to this day, Valencia remains one of my favourite … [Read more...]
Part Three: Sweet, Sweet Santiago de Cuba
In between our two ports of call, Havana and Santiago de Cuba, we had another day at sea. This is a great opportunity for passengers to relax and reinvigorate for the next port. We participated in an Introduction to Santiago de Cuba seminar. While I didn’t learn that much about the city, I realized there would be plenty of that the following day in Santiago de Cuba, and instead we simply got an overview of what to expect from the day ahead. … [Read more...]
Part Two: Viva Havana!
On day three of the Fathom Impact + Travel cruise on the Adonia, we excitedly woke up to peer outside our portal window and see the vibrant colors of Havana. Once the astonishment of being there finally set in, we boarded our bus and embarked on my first true introduction to the country of Cuba. Our first stop was to Cemetery Colon. The cemetery is named after Christopher Columbus, who ‘discovered’ Cuba, however he is not buried here. The … [Read more...]
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