After trekking 45 kilometers through the Guatemalan Highlands, Laura and I were ready for a little luxury around Lake Atitlan. Since we both prefer to stay in eco-friendly hotels and hostels, we opted to stay at the Eco Hotel Uxlabil Atitlan in San Juan La Laguna. It was a bit more than we wanted to spend, but the two-night splurge …
The Ultimate Guatemala Highland Trek
“Are we there yet?” I’ve mentally asked myself that a hundred times already over the course of three days. We hadn’t moved far in the last five seconds since I last asked myself that annoying question only five-year-olds ask their parents in the car. Forty-five kilometers is a long friggin’ way. I continued to huff and puff my way up …
Hostel Review: Hostal Antigua
From the infamous party hostel, Jungle Party Hostal, to the eco-friendly, Home Earth Lodge, backpackers have a huge range of hostels to choose from in the colonial city of Antigua, Guatemala. Hostal Antigua is either of those hostels. During my travels through Guatemala during winter 2016, I stayed at two different hostels. I loved my stay at El Hostal and …
8 Things to Do in Antigua, Guatemala
Most backpackers and travelers skip Guatemala City and head straight to the colonial city of Antigua. With its cobblestone streets, colorful and often decaying buildings, leafy plazas, and surrounding volcanos, how can you not spend a few days in Antigua? Whether you only spend 48 hours or several months, there are tons of things to do in Antigua, Guatemala. Located …
My Secret Goal: 30 Countries By 30 Conquered
Today is my birthday. I’m now officially 30 years old. I still can’t believe it. I swear I just graduated high school yesterday. As a child, I remember the summer school holidays lasting for months. But, now as an adult, I blink and a month is gone. My 20s were filled with lots of up and downs, but I can’t …
Hiking Pacaya Volcano in Antigua, Guatemala
Antigua is small Spanish colonial city nestled in southern Guatemala surrounded by active volcanoes. From the top of Cero de la Cruz, the small hill just outside of town, you can see the three main volcanoes looming in the background. The most prominent, Volcan de Agua, rises over 12,000 feet just south of the city. To the west sits Acatenango …
Hostel Review: El Hostal in Antigua, Guatemala
Antigua is a popular tourist destination in Guatemala, so there are plenty of accommodation options ranging from four-star hotels to party hostels. You’ll have no problem finding something in your budget. As a slightly older backpacker, I avoid party hostels at all costs. You won’t find me at Jungle Party Hostal anytime soon! After reading a bunch of reviews and …
Great Escape Month Two Review: February 2016
February brought me from Central America to Maine to Europe to Africa. It was a whirlwind month of travel and fun. Just thinking back on it makes my head spin. I spent time scuba diving in Honduras, trekking the highlands of Guatemala, eating authentic Spanish tapas, and saw African snow in the Atlas Mountains of Morocco. While each experience was …
Sneak Peek: Central America Photos
I have about a zillion photos to edit, especially now that I’m currently in Spain. However, between client work and experiencing the cities that I’m visiting, I don’t have a whole lot of time to edit photos. But, I did manage to upload all of them onto my computer without blowing my hard drive and edited a few of my …
Great Escape Month One Review: January 2016
Finally! January 19, 2016 will be the date I will remember the rest of my life. After years of working multiple jobs, cutting my expenses, and saving every penny that I could, I finally began my Great Escape on January 19, 2016. I packed up my stuff, hugged my dog and my dad goodbye and hopped on the express bus …
I’m Moving to….. The Great Escape 2016
I’ve been waiting to write this post for years now… For the past 2+ years I have been slaving away at various jobs to put myself in a financially stable position to travel for an extended time. I’ve created an emergency fund, paid down a large chunk or my student loan debt, and stashed away thousands of dollars to travel …
Volunteer International Medical Mission Trips: My Experience with International Service Learning
While completing my Masters in Public Health studies I became very interested in international public health. The field of public health is extremely diverse and you can do just about anything from HIV/AIDS awareness campaigns and education to healthcare information technology. Despite what many people think, there is a huge public health gap within the United States. Just look at …