Urca: The Tranquil Refuge in Rio de Janeiro The Urca neighborhood, one of the oldest in Rio, is where the main house of the film is located, a setting that blends charm and serenity. With tree-lined streets, historic houses, and a stunning view of Sugarloaf Mountain, Urca evokes a sense of warmth that is central to the film's narrative. Take a stroll along the Mureta da Urca, enjoy a pastel with a cold beer, and watch the sunset in one of the … [Read more...]
Ko Lan Getaway: A Weekend of Sun, Sand, and Crowds
Waiting until the last minute and short on some upcoming vacation time, I scored what I thought was a bargain, at a room located next to the beach on Ko Lan. This was the last budget option I saw listed through various booking sites. And only a few other resorts had rooms, all of which were extremely expensive. Satisfied, I pulled a Spy wine cooler out of the fridge, grabbed a book and hit the hammock for the next few hours. The next morning I … [Read more...]
Who Will Accompany You? by Meg Stafford with Kate Stafford and Gale Stafford
Who Will Accompany You? is a a look at two separate international trips simultaneously told through the eyes of Meg (the mother) and her daughters Kate and Gale. Thoughtfully written, this journey follows Meg and Kate to the Himalayas where Kate spends her time meditating at a monastery while Meg hikes in the mountains. The second part of the book is about a trip to Colombia where Meg follows Gale who is part of an organization helping … [Read more...]
Visit Brasil Gallery Arrives in New York City to Celebrate the Nature, Culture, and Gastronomy of the Brazilian Amazon
An initiative by the Brazilian Tourist Board in partnership with Sebrae will offer immersive and multisensory experiences promoting the world's largest biome to international tourism. The lushness of the Brazilian Amazon, a unique place of connection with nature, its colors, flavors, rhythms, culture, and ancestry. The Visit Brasil Gallery - Amazon, an initiative by Brazilian Tourist Board (Embratur/Visit Brasil) in partnership with Brazilian … [Read more...]
Is it Safe to Travel Alone in Central America?
Sometimes I feel like a broken record talking about my recent backpacking trip in Central America and South America, because I’ve written so much about it on my own blog. But here I am on a brand new website, with a brand new audience, and I guess I’d better start from the beginning. I had this grand plan to spend a year backpacking from Mexico City to Santiago de Chile, completely by bus, boat, train, car; anything except from flying. This … [Read more...]
Moments in Santa Fe de Antioquia, Colombia
An old man hunched over with a baseball cap and a small cloth pack hanging from his back, scoots in beside me on a small well worn bench. He quietly calls out to an old woman who has casually wandered over to us carrying a Styrofoam box perched on top of her shoulders . She places the coffee carefully in between the wooden slats on the park bench in between myself and the older gentleman. We sit here in silence, yet surrounded by music … [Read more...]
Thailand Trails: A Road Trip Adventure
Out of the blue, a friend sent me a Whatsapp note asking where I was. Knowing his proclivity for international travels and knowing my schedule, we both could have been just about anywhere on the planet. "Thailand", was my reply. I had recently arrived in the Kingdom, immediately following three months in the Caribbean and Colombia. Remarkably, he said he was in Khorat which was only about 2 hours north of where I staying. It had been years since … [Read more...]
!Salud! Raise a Glass to Aguascalientes
Aguascalientes, Mexico – Mexico may be best known for its spirits like tequila and mezcal, but Mexican wine is one of the fastest-growing industries in the country. Within Mexico are several wine regions, many of which are becoming regular household names. Aguascalientes, while one of the smallest states in Mexico, is the fifth-largest wine-producing region in the country. With an average elevation of more than 6,500 feet above sea level, … [Read more...]
Isla Grande, Colombia – the Island of Total Tranquility
A friend and I discovered a sign indicating 'restaurant' near our eco lodge, a metal shack located behind the owners home. An elderly woman who we call grandmum lives there with her husband and her son. She is a wiry and energetic woman who is always happy to see us; for some reason, there are never any other guests. Sometimes her dog Lola comes running out; she recently suffered an injury, a nasty claw mark down her back resulting from a fight … [Read more...]
Cafe Artisanal Cirpes, Colombia – February 2023
While not native to Colombia, coffee is now an important agricultural crop within the counry. Not on any map, but located about 25 minutes from Guatape, this 4.5 hectare coffee farm is perched on a steep hillside far above the Guatape River. Accessible only by foot or a sturdy Jeep, the road to get here is steep and extremely rocky at times. From the main road, the road leading to the coffee farm is about 1km (almost all downhill going and uphill … [Read more...]
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