The Nabateans were a Bedouin tribe that emerged as powerful traders around the 4th century BC. Two centuries later, Petra was the capital of their great kingdom. The city and people would be absorbed into the Roman empire by Trajan in 106 AD, but Petra's influence began to wane as trade dominance shifted to Palmyra, along the Silk Road, and sea trade routes expanded elsewhere.
Visit now: https://vagabond-adventure.com/
Travel
Small and Stay Comfortable
You might not be planning to
travel all seven continents, never by jet, like me and Cyndy are, but if you
have any kind of travel in your future, you need the right luggage, clothing,
gear and occasional gadgets to make life easier. After all, it’s the journey
that counts, right, and you can’t enjoy the trip if your gear fails you.
Two
Bags - 7 Continents
Many of you have asked how we’ve
gone about packing our bags before heading around the world the slow way so
we’re here to fill you in. We thought about how to travel small before we left
because we knew we would be galivanting in all climates, all seasons and to
more than 100 countries.
Imagining the trip is easy. And you can have a fine time sitting in bed with your iPad, flying the world on Google Earth. But it's another thing entirely when the journey actually begins. How were we going to pack everything we needed into our bags without getting a hiatal hernia?
We needed to find the right gear
for camping, writing, working, eating and sleeping on the run; keeping track of vaccinations, passports and
international paperwork. And we had to find clothing for every kind of season
and geography, which would have to fit in bags small enough to carry whether we
were on a train, in a car, on our feet, hopping a ferry, ship or saddling up on
a horse or camel.
So far we’ve survived our
odyssey, and our gear has survived us. We’ve covered 19,000 miles, through
eight countries, on three continents, four seasons, at elevations between zero
and 9,500 feet. Maybe the next time you’re making an excursion, a few of the
choices we made will work for you too, even if you aren’t nutty enough to carry
nearly everything on your back across seven continents.
Here’s
how we did it.
We packed everything inside two
small suitcases and one daypack. The first suitcase rolls, the second can be
carried like a backpack or a normal suitcase, and the third, a daypack, can be
emptied and stuffed away until needed. We can pull the rolling bag along with
us as the second one rides on our shoulders to keep our hands free for
ticketing and passports. Within one of these two bags is the third, a tote,
designed to be stashed away until needed for day trips and hikes, picking up
food, carrying water, storing books, journals and computers, but just for the
day. You can be sure that the fit inside
those bags has been snug. (The word snug, by the way, comes from a 16th century
low German or Dutch word that means “shipshape,” compact, ready for trouble.)
The roller bags we bought are manufactured by Briggs and Riley. Cyndy bought one years ago and I bought one more recently. Both have travelled from China to Istanbul and all over Europe, Morocco and as well as the United States and still run like new. They aren’t cheap, but they are granite-tough and carry a lifetime warranty. We’ve never seen even a trace of a zipper blowing out or wobbling wheel. It’s 12 by 21 inches and about a foot deep after packing.
Why
We Bought It
These suitcases are beautifully designed. Our version has gone the way of the dinosaur, but the new version (see below) has improved with an outside carry strap, new pockets on the inside (always useful), an interior strap mechanism for keeping different types of clothing or essentials snug and organized. To roll, just snap up the handle at the top and pull up (two positions) then roll off in any direction. Outside there’s a nice little zipper handy for stashing documents, snacks or vitamins you might need to grab. Another nice feature we found especially useful is a zipper that allows you to expand the bag. Once you have everything inside and zipped, closing this bag compresses the bag even more.
How
Much?
$429.00, but if the bag lasts twenty years (and this
one will last your lifetime because it's guaranteed) the cost comes to just
under $2 a month. Free shipping over $99 to the contiguous states & free
returns. You can buy the bag in four
interest-free payments. Details at Briggs
and Riley’s website.
Where?
You can check any good luggage
store or explore the internet, but here’s the link
to Briggs and Riley, and the bag in question, so you can get a closer look
at the details. Sometimes they have decent sales.
The
Briggs & Riley Small Suitcase
The second bag required some
thought because not only did we need it to strap comfortably on our backs and
sometimes act as a regular carry on, we needed it to be rugged, and outfitted
with lots of easy to reach compartments. Eventually, I found just the thing.
What
It’s called the WITZMAN RETRO
CANVAS TRAVEL DUFFEL BAG and designed to go anywhere and keep your stuff
protected. It’s roughly the same size as the Briggs & Riley. We have really
pounded this bag, stuffed it, shoved it, dropped and dragged it and it’s still
looks nearly as good as the day we bought it. It has a nice touch that enables
you to unzip the back of it, roll it up to reveal the bag’s straps and so you
call pull the bag onto your back. But if you are planning to check it at an
airport and don’t want the conveyors to snag the straps, you can zip it back up
and hide them away. If you’re carrying on, you can pull the strap supplied on
the inside and hook it to each end. Your preference.
Why
It’s made of tough canvas and
leather, loaded with three roomy outside compartments that can handle
computers, iPads, passports, notebooks, books and a variety of other gear. It
holds plenty of clothing (and all of our resistance bands for travel workouts -
more on that in another Dispatch), and inside has another section where you can
put a larger computer, notebooks, pens and business cards. It’s intelligently
designed, especially for our needs. Plus the price is unbeatable…
How
Much
The one we found one that sells
for a remarkable $66 (a 25% discount right now
as of June, 2022). Details below.
Where?
Try here,
but you can also search online for other stores and on eBay. I couldn’t find a
Witzman online luggage store for this bag, but, again, search online and you’ll
find some good deals. Here below is a picture of the tan version.
A
brown and orange Witzman canvas duffel bag with should straps
The
Witzman Retro Canvas Travel Duffel Bag
The third bag we found was one of
the best day packs I’ve ever come across. For it’s size, you can stuff far more
than you’d think inside of it. It will easily get you through a day of hiking
and exploring while you leave your larger bags stowed elsewhere. I’ve put
notepads, snacks, water, jackets and sweaters and a phone, computer or iPad
inside. Since we wanted to stuff this bag within our other bags, but have it
handy to yank out when needed, we were looking for a pack that could also roll
up into almost nothing, while being as tough as a Pittsburgh steamfitter. With
this pack, we found just what we were looking for.
What
REI’s nomenclature for this is
the Flash 22 pack. It’s made of breathable, stretch-mesh with fold-over padding
for the straps. Two great stretchable side pouches for gloves, umbrella, water
bottle or scarves. It weighs nothing and is made of rip-stop material that has
yet to snag or even look worn. There’s a roomy outside pocket where you can
keep things like notebooks, books or electronic gear handy, a top pouch for
snacks, Swiss Army Knife, tissues, and glasses and the main pouch for
everything else. There’s even a place for a camel pack for drinking if you want
to get fancy (inside) and lots of loops for adding other gear, like a hat or
eating utensils (see a future Dispatch on all of that).
Why
It’s hardy and when you stuff it
in another bag, it takes up almost zero room or weight. When you fill it up,
you’re set for the day. It’s indispensable, especially in our situation when we
can’t afford to be lugging everything around all day.
How Much
The version we bought is now
gone, but a new version has been released by REI for the same price: $59.95.
Almost as much as our canvas Witzman bag above, but worth every dime.
Where?
You can get the new versional any
REI store or online here. The
nice thing about REI products is they are eco-friendly and well made, but REI
is also a co-op and so you become an owner of the store if you become a member
(which costs nothing). After a year, you get a gift card based how much you
purchased. Something worth considering.
A
gray REI Flash 22 bag
Do with these recommendations
what you wish. We hope they help. And please feel free to share your ideas and
thoughts about what you find useful in your travels because we are always
learning, and in future Dispatches and posts we’ll share what we find from
other fellow vagabonds. You can also share your comments on this article online
below. Future “Meta-Dispatches” will be coming on other travel related products
- electronic gear, gadgets, clothing etc. So if you’ve signed up for our
Vagabond Adventure Dispatches, you’ll be notified. Look for them soon. If
you’re haven’t signed up, you
can do that here.
Resource: https://vagabond-adventure.com/library/want-to-travel-the-world
Blame it on Bogie and Bergman.
For many, the very mention of Morocco is bound inextricably with Casablanca,
and the excitement and romance of classic Hollywood. And there's doubt the
country offers plenty. Its history, its food, and its people. That was the fate
of American novelist Paul Bowles [The Sheltering Sky], who in the late 1940s
shed his tourist-bound moniker to settle in Tangier for the rest of his
life.
Roughly the size of California,
Morocco falls in the middle of a list of African countries ranked by size. It
packs a remarkable amount of diversity into its borders, much of it due to its
history. The land was once part of ancient Carthage, and later became the
westernmost province
of the Roman Empire. It has been sacked by the Portuguese and Moorish
Spain, and, until 1956, was a French protectorate.
This rich history is evident in
the tongues spoken by its peoples. About two-thirds of the population speaks
Arabic, but Tamazight, the language of the collective indigenous peoples known
as the Imazighen (Berbers) has been an official language since 2011. The tones
of these languages mingle comfortably in the marketplace air with the sounds of
French, Spanish, and, increasingly, English.
Morocco’s geography is similarly
heterogeneous. As the only African country with coasts on both the Atlantic
Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, there is plenty of coastal life to experience.
And, if you yearn for something more adventurous than the beach, you can also
enjoy the high life. Thanks to Morocco’s two mountain ranges, Rif and Atlas,
most of the country is about 2600 feet above sea level. Morocco’s border also
encloses about 3% of the Sahara, Africa’s great desert which feeds the hot and
dusty Sharqi winds that sweep across the land in early summer, influencing the
country’s wildlife, agriculture, and cuisine.
Although taking in Morocco’s
diversity in a few weeks may seem to be overwhelming, we think it's possible to
manage while still absorbing something of its romance, history, and culture.
If you’re interested in the
Vagabond Way, here are 10 experiences (almost) that we count as “can’t miss,”
to get your journey rolling. If you're
adventurous, you can decide which suit you best and pull together your very own
exotic journey based on this article, or work with a travel service that can
help you to navigate cultural waters and language barriers so you'll have more
time to enjoy the trip rather than be frustrated by it. We planned our own
itinerary with a lot of help from Frontiers
Travel and their Moroccan colleagues Cobblestone Private Travel.
More details on that below.
1.
Cross the Straits of Gibraltar
We couldn’t think of a better way to enter Africa than to join millions of our fellow humans (both modern and ancient - the descendants of Neanderthals trekked these straits more than 400,000 years ago) by crossing the 8 or so miles between Europe and Africa. Today ferries shuttle people and freight continuously across the narrow channel.
Homo sapiens have been in northern Morocco more than 125,000 years, while the Rock of Gibraltar itself was very likely Neanderthal’s last outposts. [Read more in Chip’s popular, award-winning book Last Ape Standing, available here, or for free if you’re a member of Kindle Unlimited.] The famous promontory is currently a British Overseas Territory, and home to what are technically the world’s only wild European monkeys: a colony of roughly 300 Barbary Macaques.
But an easier way across the straits is to travel to the Spanish gateway town of Tarifa and board a FRS Direct Ferries ship. It's quick and painless and you'll spend a pleasant hour enjoying the refreshing breezes and coastal views. The ferries provide standard amenities such as a cafeteria and duty-free shop, and cost about $35 to $45 one way depending on the time of year.
V-A Insider Tip: We learned very
quickly that it sometimes pays to carry cash. Read that story and more about
our journey
from Europe into Morocco.
2.
Explore Tangier
Tangier’s name has long been
linked with espionage, thanks to its reputation as a safe haven for spies
during the Cold War, (not to mention being the site of SPECTRE headquarters in
the James Bond universe, and the scene of a wild motorbike chase in The
Bourne Ultimatum.)
We focused our surveillance on
exploring as much of Tangier’s history and culture as possible. Don’t skimp on
your time in this beautiful city. Two full days are recommended to get a proper
taste of all that it has to offer— but if you have the time, spend more.
Whether you plan to have down
time in Tangier or not, you might consider the El Minzah Hotel. We recommend it
if you're looking for old-fashioned Hollywood style and feel. The rich and
famous spent plenty of time here from the 1930s into the 1970s, and its great
rambling grounds and charming architecture provide a touch of old and elegant
Morocco today. History buffs won’t want to miss the Tangier American Legation Institute for Moroccan
Studies, the only U.S. National Historic Landmark in a foreign
country. Not any of its many colorful
souks (markets).
VA Insider Tip: Be sure to visit
a recently created museum dedicated to one history's greatest travelers, Ibn
Battuta who travelled the ancient world for 24 years. Read more about this
kindred vagabond and our other adventures in Tangier. It’s easy to buy your
tickets online.
What if a murdered man could
bring his murderers to justice? In 2024 Elon Musk announced the first
computer-brain implant. In the year 2068 the first mind transplant becomes
possible. Immortality is a reality. Except for Morgan Adams it’s not that
simple.
3.
Visit the Souks of Tétouan
Morocco is home to nine
UNESCO sites. The Medina (ancient city) of Tétouan is one of them. The city
is small, but important in the history of the region and the world. Many of the
people here still speak Spanish because thousands of Iberian Jews migrated to
the city during the Inquisition when Catholic rulers tortured uncounted Jews
and forced them to be baptized or exiled from all lands controlled by Spain.
Tétouan is steeped in ancient
history too, and remains one of the best places to find artifacts of human life
from long ago. The Tétouan
Archaeological Museum has relics that date back to 200 BC. Should you be
more curious about contemporary art, Tétouan is home to one of Morocco’s two
schools of fine art, as well as a modern art museum.
VA Insider Tip: No pictures,
please. Taking pictures is generally discouraged in Tétouan's souks. Generally
throughout Morocco, before you snap, ask permission. If you have a guide, work
with him or her. To see some of the ones we were able to get, read more about
our experience
in Tetouan.
A white stone and red brick arch
at the entrance to the souks of Téotouan. People walk the street of shops with
green doors and awnings
4.
Experience the Beauty of Chefchaouen
There are competing theories as
to why the walls of Morocco’s “Blue Pearl” are shades of vivid blue. Some say
it was a plan to reduce the mosquito population, others think its meant to
remind residents of heaven, and inspire them to lead a spiritual life. Other
locals are more pragmatic, and claim they were painted in the late 1970’s to
attract tourists, which it certainly does. Whatever the reason, the effect is
dazzling, and the city from a distance is reminiscent of a pattern on Delft
pottery.
Another UNESCO site, Chefchaouen
is well traveled by backpackers thanks to its proximity to the cool Rif
Mountains and foothills. The Bouhachem
Regional Nature Reserve and Talassemtane National Park protect the region’s
diverse wildlife, including its fir and pine forests, which are under threat.
We spent only half a day in
Chefchaouen, not nearly enough. (We recommend at least a full day.) The artful
Medina is small, though, and you can do it justice in a day. If you’re planning
on doing some hiking, you can add a second day and stay in a local village gîte
(vacation home).
Like many Moroccan cities,
Chefchaouen boasts a citadel called a Kasbah. The one we visited dates to the
15th century, and functioned as a residence as well as an arsenal and prison.
To see video footage of the inside, visit our Dispatch XXIX - Exploring
Morocco’s Exotic Cities: Tangier, Tétouan and Chefchaouen.
VA Insider Tip: In 2027 the Blue
City will be directly in line with another full solar eclipse. Prepare now to
stay in this charming town when when the sun disappears. Places to stay will be
scarce, but the experience will be life-changing. Again, check with your local tour office or Frontiers Travel (ask for Kim Shumaker
mention Chip and Cyndy) in the US or Cobblestone Private Travel in Morocco to
make arrangements ASAP.
5.
Walk the Timeless Medinas of Fez
The tasseled fez is purported to
have gotten its name from Morocco's second largest city, once the source of the
berries that gave the hat its distinctive red color. Also known as a tarboosh,
its brimless design was developed to allow devout Muslims to press their
foreheads against the ground during prayer. In Western culture, wearing a fez
suggests leisure, ceremony, and pageantry.
The fez is a fitting symbol when
you explore its namesake city. Considered to be the spiritual and cultural
capital of Morocco, Fez sits at the confluence of the Rif and Middle Atlas
Mountains, its bustling urban center dependent on the Fez River (Oued Fes). Its
atmosphere can only be described as electric.
Art is everywhere. In addition to
visiting the Chouara Tanneries - (look for more in Dispatch XXXIII coming
soon!) loaded with handcrafted bags, shoes and every other possible leather
good, and trying our hands at pottery at Art de Poterie, we took in the Nejjarine Museum of
Wooden Arts & Crafts. We suggest three to four days in Fez, though you
could certainly spend more.
VA Insider Tip: Two Wheels or
Less, Please. Yet another UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Medina in Fez does
not permit cars to drive on its streets (not that most alleys are wide enough
to accommodate them.) Pack comfortable shoes (or buy some at the Chouara
Tanneries.) Check out our Fez
adventures in Dispatch XXX including a walk through its Medina.
poster image of saharan dunes Caught these dunes just before sunset. They
rise 100s of feet and evoke David Lean’s stunning scenes in his masterful movie
Lawrence of Arabia. The Sahara- print or digital images available.
6:
Step Back in Time in Volubilis
Morocco’s volatile history is
literally etched in the stone of this powerful city, once the southwest seat of
the Roman Empire, now 30 minutes drive outside of Fez. The ruins at this UNESCO site bear evidence
of 20 centuries of occupation, from prehistory through the 14th century. Time
and an earthquake in 1755
destroyed many of its buildings,
but what remains offers a fascinating glimpse into the lifestyles of multiple
peoples and cultures.
Before the visit we stayed at the
excellent Riad Anata (Book your stay) in Fez and then made the half hour drive
to the ruins courtesy of our guide Youssef and Jabriel, our driver, who worked
with Cobblestone Private Travel.
Once there, we met at the site's modern museum and marveled at bronze and
marble statues and intricate mosaics that lay at the boundary of the old city,
one example after another of mostly Roman art, sculpture and architecture.
Redouane, a museum docent, then
led us outside among the ruins to absorb its acres of history. You can read
more detail about our experience, and view what remains of the partially
reconstructed city. Volubilis - Ancient Rome Speaks.
VA Insider Tip: It can get hot
when visiting Volubilis. Be prepared with SPF 50, water, and a hat. We were
there late morning and temperatures had already hit 100 degrees F in late May.
7:
Watch the Sunset on the Sahara
Earth’s greatest desert is a
place of paradoxes. Its barren landscape feels intimidating but somehow
exhilarating. Temperatures can soar well beyond 100 degrees F then plunge to
points near freezing at night. Its dry sands originated over long epochs,
sometimes verdant, sometimes arid, formed by the erosion of rocks made of
ancient compressed river sediment. Its name, while not exactly a paradox, is at
least a redundant misnomer. Sahara means “desert” in Arabic.
Ismail, our trusted driver and
guide (highly recommended), led us from Fez to the Sahara along roads that
wound us through the Middle Atlas Mountains. We passed a bewildering number of
climates en route, from forests where it sometimes snows, to vineyards and
orchards. We even passed among a troop of Macaque monkeys until finally
watching a caravan of camels lope along the road. See Into the Sahara.
Near the town of Merzouga are
tourist settlements where you can stay in air conditioned comfort and take a
short camel's ride into vast dunes hundreds of feet high that roll to the
horizon. The sunsets are unlike anything you have ever seen. Travel can be
arranged through Cobblestone Private Tours or contact Ismail directly for car
service and other travel arrangements.
What’s it like to ride a
camel? Nothing quite like it. Humans
have been living and working alongside camels for at least 4,000 years. It’s no
wonder — being native to the Arabian peninsula — that they are supremely
adapted to desert conditions. Their gait is much different than that of a
horse, as they tend to pace along moving both front and hind legs on the same
side together in a stride. The result feels a little like riding a great
rocking chair.
Should your adventures take you
to this part of the world, we recommend allowing at least two days, one for
travel, and one for exploration. For details about our Sahara trek (and more on
what it’s like to ride a camel), check out Into
the Sahara.
VA Insider Tip: On the road from
Fez to Merzouga, spend a night or at least a lunch at the L'Ma Lodge (ma means
water in Arabic) which sits in the heart of the Skoura Oasis. Here, in this
ancient river bed, Vanessa and her husband began work 18 years ago to create the
lodge which is nestled among green palms, olive trees, excellent rooms and
restaurant where you can walk among the trees or swing yourself to sleep in a
hammock. La Ma is really an oasis within an oasis, a remnant of the "Green
Sahara" that once spread throughout this arid land.
man holds spiral bound notebook
in his lap Every idea begins in your mind, but to become a reality it must find
its way into the world. Taken an hour before sunset in Merzouga, this a perfect
image to put on a traveler's journal. The Sahara Traveler's Journal.
8:
Marrakesh
Marrakesh (or sometimes
Marrakech) is Morocco's fourth largest city. Its name alone speaks of exotic
locations like Tombouctou, Khartoum, Petra or Kathmandu. Traveling by train,
air or car will get you there, but we prefer the slow way. Long a center of commerce and learning, the
city gained fame as a hippie hangout in the 1960s and 1970s, and inspired the
Beatles, the Rolling Stones, and Led Zeppelin (or they at least had a good time
while they were there). Graham Nash wrote the popular song Marrakesh Express
while he was a member of Crosby, Stills and Nash.
The Djemma el Fnaa [pronounced
Jah-myah el Fah-nah)], the city’s main square, is a sight to behold.
Performance art of all kinds fills this vast marketplace, and has done so for
1000 years. Dancers and snake charmers vie for space and tourist attention
during the day, while, at night, the smells of barbecue, fruits and the sound
of music hang heavy in the air. It is a riot of color, sound and vibrant human
activity.
But this is only part of the old
city where its centuries old labyrinthine Medina winds past hundreds of souks,
riads, mosques and restaurants. Be sure you spend three days here as part of
your Moroccan adventure. We stayed at Riad
Dar Sara and highly recommend it. Book online here.
The sites within this city are
many and varied. You may not be able to visit all of them, but try to explore
Dar El Bacha, built for Pacha Thami El Glaoui, who ruled over Marrakesh from
1912 to 1956. It is one of the Medina's finest examples of Moroccan riad
architecture and features exhibitions focused on Moroccan culture. Or visit the
grand Mnebhi Palace that now houses the Musée de Marrakech. For lunch try
L’Mida, a stylish rooftop restaurant with a pleasant view of the city.
After traveling 122,000 miles (so far) across 7 continents, you tend to run into a traveler or two that have found their way to some extraordinary places on the planet. The people we have come across have floored us with their experience and knowledge. You name the place — Patagonia, Tierra del Fuego, on a ship from Montevideo to Lisbon (21 days), Svalbard in the Arctic Circle at one end of the world and the Peninsula of Antarctica at the other. They come in all varieties and have travelled in every way imaginable. World class kayakers like Bill and Mary Neal; Rick Remmel who recently hiked to Mt. Everest’s base camp; Gaetan and Perrine (who saved us and our broken car in Patagonia) and drove from California to Alaska onto Boston and then started over from the top of South America to its bottom; Mike Hyman who has run amok in 113 countries (at last count) and our old friend Francis Hurteau (sadly, no longer with us) who insisted we must visit Madura, India, “home to the greatest massages in the world, period.” It’s on the list Francis!
Our friend Francis Hurteau.
Having gathered all of this
abundant information, it seems unfair to withhold it from the rest of you. So
here, with some photos and mostly in their own words, are selected recommended
locations from just about everywhere, shared over scores of coffee cups and
wine glasses, meals and miles by the many terrific people we have met who know
a thing or two about hitting the open road. (And there will be more!) Most of
these are locations we have not yet seen or will not be able to share ourselves
because we missed them, or have yet to reach on our world tour. You can’t
see everything after all.
If you have anything you’d like
to share, please do in the comments at the bottom of this article so others can
see your thoughts, or if you have any articles throughout our rapidly expanding
website you’d like comment on, please do. We have hundreds of articles and
recommendations and you can chime at the bottom of any page on the website. Or
simply send me an email. We always want to hear from you.
Columbia,
Bolivia and the Galapagos
Tayrona
National Park, Santa Marta Columbia
We met the Fedele’s, who hail
from Colorado, while were were traveling on the Navimag
Ferry, which travels every week from Puerto Montt to Puerto Natales, Chile
through a thousand miles of the Chilean Archipelago, some of the most remote
locations in the world. You can learn all about our
experience there in our Daily Journal. We loved John and Andrea because
they were up for anything, as you’ll see, along with their two children, Elena
and Dante. These suggestions are only a small sample of their many excursions.
I’m very grateful to them for sharing this information.
“We enjoyed the Caribbean coast
of Colombia. We mostly just relaxed on the beaches/pools. We stayed in Tayrona National Park as well as
a resort east of there in Palomino, Aite.
The beaches were great as was the food.
And we really loved Cartagena and wished we would have spent more time
there in the old town which resembled Cuba.
This was the last stop on our trip.
[NOTE: John and Andrea and their two tween children spend a year
traveling through South America exploring the cultures and learning Spanish.
Andrea is an M.D. and Johns a successful cabinetry business in Colorado.]
We did stay on an island off the
coast that was a lot of fun, Tierra Bomba.
The Blue Apple resort had a great beach, pool, and food. And again we mostly relaxed except mom and daughter
rode horses a couple days and we did a day tour on a boat to the other islands
nearby. You can see their adventure on PolarSteps.
BOLIVIA
Also, we all were really
impressed with Bolivia. And not just
because we settled in for over a month and did not have to pack and unpack
every 2-4 days…The Salt Flats, or Salar De Uyuni, were quite impressive. We also toured the national park just south
of the flats. This was one of our
favorite experiences of the trip. We
basically were off-roading to different sites with a guide who was Quechuan and
spoke no English and poor Spanish, and in an old Land Cruiser, while he chewed
on coca leaves the entire time.
We also went to Lake Titicaca and
stayed on Isla Del Sol which was really cool.
There are Incan ruins on the island and we hiked around and did some
sightseeing. Bolivia was the kids’
favorite place, partly because we met other families and backpackers at the
Spanish school. Not to mention, we
really lucked out with our host family.
They were awesome and had four boys, 7-17 years old. Poor Elena [the Fedele’s daughter] :-). They built a beautiful new house in the heart
of Sucre during Covid. And we had ladies
come every day to cook our meals and clean, yet it was ridiculously cheap. We really got spoiled there.
THE
GALAPAGOS
The Galapagos were kinda like the
grand finale even though we still had a few more weeks to travel around in
Ecuador and Colombia. Everything about
that experience amazed us. The tour
company we hired, Quasar, took care of everything. We flew from Quito to San Cristobal island. From there we boarded the Evolution and began
our adventure. The crew of around 20
took care of the 25 or so guests. The
food was incredible, the three naturalist guides were great, and the whole
experience on the islands and snorkeling was awesome. Each night before dinner, everyone met in the
lounge and a guide would go over the schedule for the next day. The guests were divided in to three groups,
we happened to be the boobies. It took
the kids three days to not crack up every time they said boobies…Even though we
were in groups, everyone made it a point to eat at a different table with
different guests each day. Everyone on
the boat was great, mostly retired American gringos. We were the only ones with kids.
Our days entailed hiking on the
islands, snorkeling once or twice a day, and kayaking/paddleboarding. The wildlife and pristine nature was
incredible. So many species unique to
the Galapagos. We visited the Darwin
center as well and saw the giant tortoises.
Our best day was the one when we snorkeled with sea lions, sharks, sea
turtles, rays, and dolphins. It really
was the highlight of the trip, the dolphins were unexpected bonus. We were heading back to the Evolution and our
guide noticed them out in the open ocean.
So, we raced to them on our panga and all jumped in, it was
awesome! Our trip ended and we flew from
the island of Baltra to Guayaquil. I
would absolutely recommend Quasar Expeditions
[the company that handled the expedition].
They have 8 and 15 night expeditions.
The boat travels at night and you wake up at different island each
morning. It is quite comfortable with
large rooms and AC. And, they often have
deals, 40% off, or if you book last minute they are willing to work with
you. That’s what we did, booked it
within 30 days and got almost 50% off.
We would not have done it otherwise as it is quite expensive.
Resource: https://vagabond-adventure.com/library/the-best-places-to-visit-from-around-the-world-recommendations-from-our-fellow-travelers
In today's interconnected world,
countless people are trying out a digital nomad lifestyle. It’s the kind of
approach that can deliver both freedom and adventure while it also allows you
to make a living. What can be better than working remotely from any part of the
planet while immersing yourself in all the world cultures that can open you up
to one remarkable experience after another. There is a “but,” however. You
can’t to truly thrive in this lifestyle without some careful planning and
strategic foresight. In this article, A
Vagabond Adventure uncovers the essential steps required to become a
successful digital nomad.
Research
Potential Work Opportunities
If you want to succeed at digital
nomading, you’ll have to find a way to make a living. Begin by scouring remote
job listings, freelance platforms, and specialized digital marketplaces
that align with your skill set. Then you’ll want to forge connections within
the digital nomad community and actively participate in industry events that
will unearth hidden prospects and valuable networking opportunities.
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Sharpen
Your Skills Through Education
Elevating your skill set can be a
cornerstone of digital nomad success. If you haven’t already, you might invest
in an online degree or acquire certifications in high-demand fields like
digital marketing, computer science, or web development. Robin and Emily, a
couple we met while hiking in Patagonia (Torres
del Paine), consult on a variety of projects from real estate to online
marketing and have travelled six continents for the better part of eight years.
And Megan, who we met on Navimag
and who grew up in Nebraska, has worked for years as a teacher in countries
from Thailand to China. These are jobs that can allow you to travel and work at
the same time. You
can try this to enhance professional credibility but also amplify your
attractiveness to prospective clients or employers in the remote work
landscape.
Establish
Your Business as an LLC
For many digital nomads, the
decision to formalize their business structure as a limited liability company
(LLC) offers a range of benefits. Beyond providing essential liability
protection (protecting you from lawsuits), an LLC can
provide potential tax advantages and lends a sense of legitimacy to the
enterprise. All of this can ensure professional compliance with relevant
regulations, and that can help position you for long-term success.
Build
a Stellar Portfolio
An important part of your
preparation means builidng an impeccable portfolio, a powerful
tool that can showcase your talents and accomplishments for potential
clients or employers. Clarify your background and thoughtfully curate past
projects, accolades, and client testimonials to effectively communicate your
expertise and reliability. Continuously refine and update the portfolio to
reflect your latest work and achievements. You’ll need it to maintain relevance
and a competitive edge in a marketplace that is both digital and dynamic.
Package
Your Services
Effectively packaging and
presenting your services is indispensable when it comes time to dive into the
digital noise. Delineate offerings, pricing structures, and unique value
propositions to resonate with potential clients. Tailor your service packages
to address specific pain points and requirements within the target markets you
target. That will always elevate your appeal and foster client trust and loyalty.
You have to do your homework if you hope to get the freedom you want in return.
Consider
Travel and Living Expenses
Before hitting the road, don’t
forget travel and living expenses. Make sure to explore destinations
with affordable living standards, and robust internet connectivity (not
always easy). Develop a comprehensive budget encompassing accommodation,
transportation, meals, and incidental expenses. It’ll pay off once you begin
juggling both travel and work.
Secure
Accommodations Ahead of Time
To some planning to outline your
accommodations and other travel. How will you get from place to place? Explore diverse
options like short-term rentals, co-living spaces, or house-sitting
arrangements that can offer flexibility and affordability. Leverage online
platforms and local networks to secure accommodations that will let you focus
on both your work and your explorations.
Embarking on a digital nomad
lifestyle can be life-changing and deliver experiences you never imagined
possible. By diligently researching potential jobs, investing in continuous
education, securing affordable accommodations, and more, you can forge a path
to unparalleled freedom and fulfillment. Go for it!
