T-minus 5 Days Until We’re in Nicaragua!

  It’s that time of year again where we say goodbye to Central Oregon winter and hello to Nicaraguan sunshine. This go around we will be adventuring up around Matagalpa and Esteli before heading down to San Juan del Sur. I promise to take LOTS of pictures… Steve just got me a new camera for Valentine’s Day, so I’m super excited to take it out and play with it. This trip is another half play/ half work trip. We will be checking out Finca Esperanza Verde for a possible future yoga retreat then heading down the coast to check out Aqua Wellness just north of San Juan del Sur. This year I will be hosting my second yoga retreat in Nicaragua at Costa Dulce, which I’m super excited about. I love how it feels like you’re at the edge of the world, just you, a handful of other yogis, and the ocean. It pretty much rocks. I hope to post … Continue reading

Nicaragua Yoga and Surf Retreat

I finally get to combine my favorite activities: yoga, water, travel, hiking and food!!! Steve and I will be hosting an All-Inclusive Yoga and Surf Retreat in San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua February 28- March 7, 2015. We’d like to … Continue reading

Monkey-ing Around At Sepilok

Steve and I spent a night in Sepilok on our way to the Kinabatangan River. And I’m so happy we did. We stayed at Sepilok B&B which was adorable AND it had AC!!! Not a whole lot of food options … Continue reading

Central America Packing List

On of our favorite places to travel to is Central America and fortunately we get to spend time there every couple of years. It is, after all, where Steve and I met. Sometimes our trips are short ten day trips … Continue reading

A Weekend In Bend

So you’re planning a trip to Bend, huh? Maybe you’re coming for the killer mountain biking,  the brewery scene, or maybe just to get some more Vitamin D in your life. Steve and I have been living in Bend for … Continue reading

Steve Is About To Pop His Nica Cherry

Steve and I had been tossing around the idea of a trip to Nicaragua for over a year now!!! We were talking about it while we were still on our Southeast Asia trip!!! Well ticket prices have been down lately, … Continue reading

Finding the Beauty…

If you follow my blog regularly you’d think that I’m always going on perfect hikes with perfect weather and going on amazing trips with perfectly planned itineraries, but that is not the case. Often times we will head out for … Continue reading

T-minus 5 Days Until We’re in Nicaragua!

 

Nicaragua-yoga-retreat-sunset

Every single night we were in Nicaragua last year we were blessed with a beautiful sunset.

It’s that time of year again where we say goodbye to Central Oregon winter and hello to Nicaraguan sunshine. This go around we will be adventuring up around Matagalpa and Esteli before heading down to San Juan del Sur.

I promise to take LOTS of pictures… Steve just got me a new camera for Valentine’s Day, so I’m super excited to take it out and play with it.

This trip is another half play/ half work trip. We will be checking out Finca Esperanza Verde for a possible future yoga retreat then heading down the coast to check out Aqua Wellness just north of San Juan del Sur. This year I will be hosting my second yoga retreat in Nicaragua at Costa Dulce, which I’m super excited about. I love how it feels like you’re at the edge of the world, just you, a handful of other yogis, and the ocean. It pretty much rocks.

I hope to post pictures soon! In the meantime here are a few pics from last years epic yoga and surf retreat.

 

Nicaragua Yoga and Surf Retreat

I finally get to combine my favorite activities: yoga, water, travel, hiking and food!!! Steve and I will be hosting an All-Inclusive Yoga and Surf Retreat in San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua February 28- March 7, 2015. We’d like to extend the invitation to all of our Fat Girl Does the World readers.

We’d love for you to escape the winter blues and join us for our 2015 All-Inclusive Yoga and Surf Retreat in San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua. You will experience secluded beaches, invigorating yoga, epic surf breaks, and the best food in Nicaragua! You’ll step into spring feeling calm, well-balanced, and full of energy when you treat yourself to this amazing all-inclusive yoga retreat.

We are ecstatic to be hosting our All-Inclusive Yoga and Surfing Retreat at Costa Dulce Beach Bungalows in San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua. This all-inclusive eco-retreat will allow you to fully step away from the outside world. Here you will find a beautiful tropical paradise that will rejuvenate your body, mind and spirit. Let all your stress slip away as you enjoy twice daily yoga sessions, delicious healthy meals, and plenty of scheduled downtime to surf, read a good book, soak up the sun, and practice hammock asana.

This 7 night All-Inclusive Yoga and Surf Retreat includes: 7 nights accommodation, meals, beverages, twice daily yoga, a massage, surf lesson, guides and board rental, roundtrip shuttle from Managua (MGA) to the retreat center and a daytrip to Laguna de Apoyo. Pricing begins at $1175 USD.

Check out www.ambujayoga.com or www.nicayogaretreat.com for more details, images, etc. We’d love to have you!

 

Monkey-ing Around At Sepilok

Malaysia-sepilok-orangutan-5

quiet contemplation for this little guy/girl

Steve and I spent a night in Sepilok on our way to the Kinabatangan River. And I’m so happy we did. We stayed at Sepilok B&B which was adorable AND it had AC!!! Not a whole lot of food options around Sepilok, so we just ate at the hotel. One afternoon one of the guests found a black scorpion in their room, so they put it in a container, so we could all safely take a look. In hindsight, we probably should have asked them to let it go. Also, some type of water snake had made it up to the property and there were a handful of kittens around….so there was essentially always something random to keep us entertained.

The Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary is definitely a tourist trap, but it’s probably the best tourist trap I’ve been to. The orangutans aren’t restricted. They are completely free to come and go as they please. The Sanctuary gives them two feedings a day, so they can forage for food, but there will always be a meal for them. And how can you resist all of the monkeys…. I could have watched them for hours….we were definitely some of the last in the park the day that we went. Here are just a few of the hundreds of pics that I took.

Malaysia-sepilok-orangutan-6

Crotch shot and a meal on the run….still pretty cute though

Malaysia_Sepilok_Orangutan-7

This little guy was scoping out the feeding platform before swinging down for lunch

Malaysia-Sepilok_Orangutan-3

He looks like he is completely in love with that piece of fruit

Malaysia_Sepilok_Orangutan-1

This little macaque was a total opportunist. He knew exactly which orangutans would share their food with him

Malaysia_Sepilok_Orangutan-2

CHOW!!!

Malaysia-Sepilok_orangutan-4

Play time…

Central America Packing List

Granada

Granada, Nicaragua

On of our favorite places to travel to is Central America and fortunately we get to spend time there every couple of years. It is, after all, where Steve and I met. Sometimes our trips are short ten day trips and other times they are a month or longer, but what I’ve found is that you don’t need to pack more just because your trip is longer. Just pack smarter!

Our upcoming trip is both business and pleasure, but realistically there will be more business. We’ll be scoping out sites for an upcoming yoga and surf retreat. And we’ll be spending our time connecting with the local yogis and surf instructors, meeting with retreat organizers, and local business owners. So we will need gear for business and fun. I was really hoping to be able to take just a carry on backpack, but I will be taking yoga photos and unfortunately I will have to do my hair at least one day on the trip, so I’m begrudgingly bringing a hairdryer and straightener (which I would honestly never suggest bringing, who wants to blow dry their hair when it’s 90+ degrees out!). This trip I will be lugging around extras like: a yoga mat and yoga clothes, a camera, gorilla pod, laptop, phone…. you get the picture. I will be amazed and ecstatic if I can get it to all fit in a carry on bag. I believe in  MIRACLES!!!!

A waterfall on the Ruta de las Flores in El Salvador

A waterfall on the Ruta de las Flores in El Salvador

So I put together this Central America Packing List partially to help myself when it comes to packing for our trip, but to also help others with packing for their upcoming trips to Central America. This list is more geared toward those who will be backpacking/flashpacking in Central America or who will be going on a yoga/surf holiday.

Organization

First off let’s talk organization. If you can find a way to organize your stuff that makes sense you will spend far less time digging through your luggage and getting frustrated because you can’t find what you’re looking for. When I first started traveling I used ziploc bags, they’re super lightweight and they’re see-through, so you know exactly what’s in them. Now that I’m getting older, I’ll be 30 in just over a month, I’ve upgraded my organization system and I love it!!! Here’s what I use:

Sea to Summit eVent Compression Dry Sack(2)
Eagle Creek Pack-It Half Cube (1) and Pack-It Half Tube Cube(1)
REI small compression sack (1) for dirty clothes
Plan A Backpack: Kelty Redwing 40 Internal Frame Pack
Plan B Backpack:Gregory Women’s Jade 60 Backpack
Plastic folder for important documents, receipts, itineraries, etc. (1)
Crappy canvas beach bag (1)

The Sea to Summit bags kick major ass! They’re heavy duty. They won’t tear and they’ll keep your clothes dry even when the rest of your bag is soaked. In my opinion, they are worth every single cent. They’re a little heavier than some of the other dry bags, but really it’s negligible and they’ll pack your clothes down nice and small. If you’re getting one make sure it’s the right size. I usually use one for tops and one for bottoms. I’ll also be using my Eagle Creek half cube for all of my toiletries, sunscreen, etc. and my half tube for all of my little electronics and miscellaneous cords and chargers. This system worked perfectly for our Southeast Asia trip, so I’m assuming it will work just as well this time around.

Clothing

1 Pair of quick drying socks like Smartwool’s PhD socks
3 pairs of underwear, my faves for traveling are still ExOfficio Women’s Give-N-Go Lacy Low Rise Bikini
Bra (1)
Swimsuits (2)
Sarong (1)
Shorts (2) I’m packing my Roxy Board Shorts and my new Nike Women’s Boyfriend Shorts
Tank tops (3) (cheapies from Target)
Dresses (1-2) (lightweight, wrinkle resistant)
T-shirt (1)(lightweight cotton or wicking)
Long sleeve cardigan or zip-up (1)
Rain jacket/poncho like Patagonia’s Torrentshell (1)
Pants (1)(lightweight, quick drying); I’m loving my prAna Halle Pants

The fun part… deciding what clothes to pack. This is always tough for me because I like options, but then I end up wearing the same thing day after day. 3 pairs of underwear is all you will need for any trip (if there is water available for washing) and I still swear by ExOfficio’s Give and Go panties. They are ridiculously quick drying and they’re virtually stain resistant, which is awesome when you get traveller’s diarrhea… seriously accidents happen. And I still love my Roxy Fold-over Boardies….they’re so comfy…although not exactly practical for surfing…I’m pretty sure they wouldn’t stay on in a big wave. And if you’ve been reading my blog you’ve probably heard me rave about the importance of a sarong and it’s multiple uses: skirt, dress, towel, beach blanket, privacy screen, etc…. you get the picture. Don’t worry if you don’t have one…pretty much any major beach destination will have them for sale. Steve and I will be in Nicaragua during shoulder season, May unfortunately is the first month of their rainy season, so I’ll be lugging a rain jacket with me, although an umbrella would do the trick too. But I’m bringing a jacket in case we get caught in a rainstorm while hiking or something. I’m also packing one pair of pants, hoping that I don’t need to wear them. I’ve been loving my PrAna Halle pants…. they’re water resistant, can be turned into capris, and they don’t look as ridiculous as most “travel” pants.

Shoes

1 pair of trail runners/sneakers (old ones that you’d be okay with leaving behind)
1 pair of flip-flops (like Havaianas), Tevas or Chaco Sandals

I think these are pretty self explanatory: Old sneakers for muddy trails and climbing on rocks and sandals for everything else. The only downside to flip-flops is they’re not so great for climbing over rocks or on muddy paths. If you brought a pair of Tevas/Chacos, you could get away with not even packing sneakers (or socks for that matter). Awesome!

Toiletries

Sunscreen 30 SPF and 15 SPF
Moisturizer/after sun lotion
Shampoo
Ultra-moisturizing conditioner like Alba Botanica Hawaiian Cocoa Butter Conditioner
Minimal make-up (Diorshow Blackout Waterproof Mascara, NARS Duo Eyeshadow, eye lash curler, Burt’s Bees lip balm, Tarte Amazonian Clay Waterproof Concealer, blush) and know that you won’t wear it.
Body wash
Coconut oil for face, skin, and hair
Wide-tooth comb
Razor
Kiss My Face Moisture Shave (3.4 Oz.)
Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Tweezers
Compact mirror
Lunette Menstrual Cup
Alba Botanica Natural 3-in-1 Clean Towellettes or other gentle wipe
Nail clippers
Deodorant
Castille soap
Small first-aid kit
Pain meds (Arnica, Ibuprofen, Blue Magic, and Excedrin)
Bug Repellent
Hair dryer/straightener/curling iron (if you must)

Toiletries always take up more space than you want them to. Alba Botanica’s Cocoa Butter conditioner is AMAZING!!! It’s the only thing that has been able to tame Steve’s crazy frizzy curls. I love it because my hair actually feels moisturized after I rinse it out, silky soft and detangled!!! I don’t think I will even go back to Biolage. I hate wearing makeup in the tropics, so I’m kinda bummed that I will be packing it for this trip, but when I do have to pack it waterproof is definitely the way to go and I swear by the Diorshow Mascara and Tarte concealer…. and Nars always has nice color palettes and they go on so smooth. When I’m at home I use Alba’s pineapple enzyme face wash religiously, but I know that when I travel I can be a bit lazy when it comes to washing my face, so their wipes are the next best thing and they’re a lazy girls best friend. Kiss My Face makes the best shave cream, it’s the smoothest hands down and they make it in a travel size… lucky for us. And finally the Lunette cup…. this was probably my best purchase 0f 2013. I use it every single month now and I only use tampons in an emergency. The Lunette lets you wait up to 12 hours (although I’ve gone longer) before changing it, so it’s perfect for long travel days or even just spending the day at the beach….no more soggy tampons. Seriously get one!!!

Yoga Extras

My trusty million pound Manduka PRO Yoga mat (I might actually take one of my other lighter mats)
Hugger Mugger Eco Bamboo Yoga Towel
booty shorts like my Under Armour HeatGear® Sonic Shorties(2)
Teeki Yoga Pants(1-2)
yoga tanks (2)
sports bras (2)
Calvin Klein Seamless Thong Panty (2)
grapefruit, bergamot, clary sage essential oil blend

I’m torn on whether to pack my Manduka mat or one of my cheapies for this trip. My Manduka is definitely the most comfortable mat I’ve ever practiced yoga on, but I would be pretty bummed if it got lost/stolen…. and it’s pretty heavy. I think it will end up being a last minute decision for me. Between Steve and I we have three of the Hugger Mugger Bamboo towels…. and we need them. We both sweat a ton and they keep our mats from turning into slip and slides…. but they’re kinda bulky, so they may not make it in the bag either. I wonder how my sarong would work as a yoga towel? Under Armour shorties will definitely make it in the bag…. I love them, because they don’t show the cellulite on my butt, they don’t ride up in the front and they pack up nice and small. And I will pack at least one pair of yoga pants, probably my Teeki pants because they also pack up nice and small. And because I’m not quite down with going commando in public I will be packing a couple pairs of seamless thongs, so I won’t have panty lines in yoga class. And I am mildly addicted to my grapefruit, bergamot, clary sage essential oil spray..it’s so lovely and energizing. It’s an instant mood uplifter.

Business Stuff, Electronics, & Miscellaneous

Old Macbook Pro
Old Iphone
Business Cards
Digital Camera (Canon EOS Rebel; Point and shoot)
Kindle
Ipod Mini
Portable Speaker
GoPro
Chargers for all devices
Joby GP3 GorillaPod Tripod
Headlamp
Reusable water bottle
Knife (if I’m checking my bag)

I remember the days of electronics free traveling, but I’ll be working on this trip, so I have the privilege to lug around 20 lbs. of gear… okay, maybe not 20 lbs., but it will seem like it. We will have the cameras, GoPro and Gorilla Pod for yoga and surf photos/video and the Macbook for photo editing and blog/website updating, the Ipod and speakers for yoga music and the old Iphone for phone calls, meetings, reservations, etc. And I’ll be packing my kindle for chill out hammock time. Unfortunately, I think these will all be essential for our trip. Whatever you do don’t forget your headlamp!!! It’s Central America… the power goes out…regularly!!!

Travel Docs

Drivers License
Passport
Flight Itinerary
Hotel Reservations
Extra Credit Card

Copan Honduras

Copan Ruinas, Honduras

 

 

A Weekend In Bend

So you’re planning a trip to Bend, huh? Maybe you’re coming for the killer mountain biking,  the brewery scene, or maybe just to get some more Vitamin D in your life. Steve and I have been living in Bend for 8 months now and we’re loving every minute of it. Need help deciding what to do on  your Bend holiday? Don’t stress… soon enough you’ll be in Bend. Here ya go! And you’re welcome, in advance.

1. Go Mountain Biking!!!

There are so many trails here and a fair number of them link up to each other. Try out the Deschutes River Trail for some easier trails or head over to Phils if you want to get crazy…. or link them up for an epic day of trail riding. Pine Mountain Sports, Bend Cyclery and Cog Wild are great resources for planning your trip.

Deschutes River Trail Lava Island Falls to Aspen

Mountain bike along the Deschutes River.

2. Get out on the Water!!!

Loose your fear of water and sign up for a kayak lesson with Tumalo Creek. Tumalo Creek is in the Old Mill District and literally right on the Deschutes River. Already comfortable on the water? Check out one of the whitewater trips they offer or try out SUP. I cannot wait for the days to be long and hot, so I can head out to Sparks Lake and Devils Lake for a little SUP action. Tumalo Creek also provides SUP lessons.

SUP at Tumalo Creek

SUP at Tumalo Creek

3. Hit the trail with your own two feet.

Try summiting South Sister or hiking into Green Lakes. You’ll have stunning views of Bachelor, Broken Top, and the Sisters. Legs sore from all the mountain biking? Try out the Deschutes River Trail. There are many loop options in town, but there are also options for out and back hikes that are gentle on aching bodies that take in beautiful waterfalls like Benham and Dillon Falls. Have time for a backpacking trip? Try out the Broken Top Loop or hike into Jefferson Park.

South Sister

The trail to South Sister.

4. Take a yoga class.

Yes, you can do yoga anywhere, but after all of the intense exercise your body will need a good stretch. My favorites: Juniper Yoga for hot sweaty yoga or a juicy yin class, The Yoga Lab for detailed instruction, and Groove Yoga for pumping music and a sweaty good time. Or schedule a private yoga session with Ambuja Yoga or Yoga Indigo.

Yoga at Pioneer Park

Yoga at Pioneer Park

5. Drink beer!!!

Okay this one’s a no-brainer. But if you don’t have time visit them all how do you choose? Well, my favorite is Crux Fermentation. They’re just off of Colorado Ave., east of 97. In my opinion they have the best beer in town…and they DEFINITELY have the best view in town. They have a huge patio and grassy lawn in which to hang out and appreciate the mountain views and chill with friends. Next up is Boneyard, in downtown Bend. They don’t serve food, there is nowhere to sit, and they only serve beer tasters and growler fills…. And Wednesday nights the growler fills are only 7 bucks!!!! BOOM!!! My third fave is Good Life, they have a handful of beers on tap and they have a nice big grassy area to chill and play lawn games…. lawn darts anyone? If you’re feeling particularly boozy try out the Ale Trail, just space it out over a couple of days, so you don’t make an ass out of yourself… we see it all too often.

Crux Fermentation

Crux all lit up at night.

6. Have Breakfast at The Victorian Cafe.

Breakfast at the Vic has got to be one of my favorite meals in town. Let’s start with the Proud Mary, a gigantic bloody mary with a grilled skewer of housemade sausage, cherry tomato, red onion and a prawn topped with a chunk of pepper jack cheese. The Proud Mary also has peperoncinis, green olives and a breadstick. Heaven!!! And for breakfast… eggs benedict. They’re the best in town and the specials are to die for… duck, wild boar, lobster….you name it, the Victorian has done a special with it. And don’t forget the french toast!!!! Warning: you may need to clear your schedule for the rest of the day.

Proud Mary at the Victorian Cafe

The Proud Mary….

7. Pre-hike/mountain bike coffee.

There is only one place in town that I visit regularly for a hot cup of joe and that’s Strictly Organic on Bond and Arizona. They usually have 4 different organic drip coffees available on top of all the foofy drinks. I’m partially addicted to their breakfast burritos (get the green salsa) and it’s one of my favorite places to meet friends for coffee or tea. They also have a patio to soak up the morning sun and a drive-up window for people on the go.

Strictly Organic

Strictly Organic’s patio.

I hope this helps you plan your weekend in Bend. If you have any questions send me a message.

Visit Bend‘s website has great info about things to do in town and a calendar of local events too.

Steve Is About To Pop His Nica Cherry

Steve and I had been tossing around the idea of a trip to Nicaragua for over a year now!!! We were talking about it while we were still on our Southeast Asia trip!!! Well ticket prices have been down lately, so we bit the bullet and we will be spending 10 glorious days in Nicaragua. Soaking up the sun and spending our days surfing, practicing yoga and watching the sunset with Flor de Caña in hand…. sounds pretty heavenly to me. We will also be scouting locations for a possible yoga/surf retreat.

It’s been 5 years since I was last in Nicaragua…. I can’t believe it’s been so long and I cannot wait to share it with Steve. When you tell people that you’re going to Nicaragua you’ll get one of two responses: DON’T GO!!! It’s dangerous!!! or OMG!!! I’m so jealous!!! Well, for all the naysayers Nicaragua is probably the safest country in Central America…even safer than Costa Rica. It’s still splendidly cheap!!! It’s absolutely gorgeous and Nicaraguans have hearts of gold (well probably not all of them).

I like to tell people about a little story from my last trip to Nicaragua. My friend Evan, from Two Farts In The Wind, and I were bussing it from Granada to Rivas and on to Isla de Ometepe. Well, at the time, this little jaunt involved a bus switch-a-roo on the side of the highway. We rushed off of our first bus and ran up to our second bus and hopped in the backdoor, only to realize that we had left our backpacks on the roof of the previous bus. Shit!! Shit!!! Shit!!! But to our lovely surprise, we looked out the backdoor of the bus and there were two Nicaraguan guys running down the highway with our bags over their heads. Bringing them to us!!! AMAZING!!! Nicaragua had my heart from that point on.

When Evan and I went to Nicaragua we had only two weeks. We divided our time between Granada (where we took day trips to Laguna de Apoyo (we walked), Volcan Masaya, and the Masaya Handicraft Market), Isla de Ometepe (where we climbed a jungle clad volcano, swam in a spring, and found some howler monkeys), and Little Corn Island (where we snorkeled, went scuba diving, and pooped our brains out). So this trip to Nicaragua Steve and I are heading down south, near the Costa Rican border, to the town of San Juan del Sur. From San Juan we will have access to some of Nicaragua’s most wild coastline, perfect surf breaks and serene yoga spots.

To hold you over, here are a few pics from my 2009 Nicaragua Trip.

Volcan Masaya

Evan, from Two Farts In The Wind, and I at Volcan Masaya.

Volcan Masaya Crater

An epic stinky crater…check out how steep the sides are!!!

VOlcan Masaya

Evan and I at the Volcan Masaya upper viewpoint

Masaya Handicraft Market

The handicraft market in Masaya

Nicaragua Hitchhiking

Hitchhiking in Nica….here’s proof that you can survice

 

Granada

Granada

Isla de Ometepe volcanoes

Isla de Ometepe and it’s volcanoes

Howler monkeys on Ometepe

Howler monkeys on Ometepe

 

Volcan Maderas guide

Hanging out in the cloud forest with our guide on the way to the top of Volcan Maderas

Volcan Maderas group photo

Evan, Anton and I made it to the top…soaked and completely covered in mud

Evan and Anton sink in the mud at Volcan Maderas lake

Evan and Anton sinking in the mud at Volcan Maderas lake

Baseball game at Volcan Maderas

The boys went for a “swim” in the Volcano lake, while I watched a local baseball game.

Muddy shoes

Volcan Maderas made me throw out my shoes…

Post volcano hike dip at Ojos de Agua on Ometepe.

Post volcano hike dip at Ojos de Agua on Ometepe.

Locals fishing on little corn island

Local fisherman and his daughter on Little Corn Island

Nicaragua Little Corn

Paradise….

Nica Little Corn jungle path

The jungle path from Sunset to Sunrise.

Our Rasta digs on Little Corn...not too shabby...okay...kinda shabby.

Our Rasta digs on Little Corn…not too shabby…okay…kinda shabby.

Lights out

Since most of the business run on generators power is only available for a few hours each day…oh well, time to drink more Tona.

Beautiful Beach on Nica Little Corn

One of many small beautiful beaches on Little Corn Island

No shampoo

This is what my hair looked like after two weeks of sweat and salt water with no shampoo.

Group photo on little corn

Evan and I made new friends and met fellow travel blogger Ian who posts a fun travel blog on travelpod

I cannot wait for more Central American Shenanigans!!!!

 

 

 

Finding the Beauty…

If you follow my blog regularly you’d think that I’m always going on perfect hikes with perfect weather and going on amazing trips with perfectly planned itineraries, but that is not the case. Often times we will head out for a hike/snowshoe etc. and are not able to get to the trailhead because of snow (or downed trees) or are not be able to find the trailhead at all… we’ll get lost or maybe even find that the trail is burnt or that the valley is so full of smoke you can’t see the nearby mountains. Our tent has been stolen, we’ve had large animals in camp, we’ve ran out of water with multiple miles still left and we’ve spent entire days walking in the rain. Traveling provides a whole different set of uncomfortable situations: not knowing the language or what you’re eating, getting sick, or perhaps spending hours or even days waiting for that bus or plane.

Kinabatangan Rain Storm

It can and will rain on your birthday…especially if you’re in the Bornean Rainforest…get ready to be soaked… I was happy to be wearing shorts for this boat ride.

These “not so fun,” surely uncomfortable, possibly disappointing, occasionally dangerous experiences are what we learn the most from. We can’t be afraid of the challenge….the only solution is to embrace it. Sometimes embracing the uncomfortable is nearly impossible, especially when you’re frustrated, exhausted and feel like screaming, but if you can do it, if you can stay in the moment, you might find something beautiful, something enjoyable.

Pole Creek Fire B/W2

A burnt forest means tons of wildflowers… well, after awhile anyway.

Pole Creek flower

Hello beautiful… I’m happy you’re here.

Some of my best experiences were born in uncomfortable moments….finding the lone flower in a burned out forest, sharing a meal of horse intestines with new friends, or rerouting a pre-planned itinerary. By embracing the uncomfortable, the disappointing, the challenging I have found freedom. SO let go of your expectations and find the beauty.

Sapa friends

Our friends treated us to a dinner of horse intestine and apricot wine followed by a trip to the love market.

Sapa friends love market

Helped the guys decide on new shirts at the Sapa Love Market.

 

 

Travel Pic of the Week

Cambodia Vietnam Border

Steve was snooping through my photos and came across this gem.

This was our vehicle….our trip started with a dead battery and the breaks going out….and ended with us making our ferry to Phu Quoc with only a minute to spare… literally. This was a seven-seater van,which in Asia equals a 15+ seater van. I was lucky enough to get a seat up front between the driver and a cranky old German… mind you there were no seatbelts and the breaks didn’t exactly work….

Notice the guy wearing the hat, mask, and wielding a meat cleaver…lol…. only in Asia!!!

How to Pack for A Week in an 18L Backpack

So Steve and I did alot of moto trips when we were traveling through Southeast Asia and most of those trips were about a week long. We always left our large packs behind at the guesthouse and then we would take take our small day packs with us. Packing for these week long excursions was always fun, and we definitely had to get creative at times. And honestly we only packed the essentials. People were always amazed by how little we had with us, but it was really liberating. By the end of our 6 months abroad I was ready to completely ditch our big bags and continue with only our little ones.

Bali Waterfall

Rockin’ my pack… Steve and I made a side trip to this little waterfall on our way back toward Canggu.

Next time we go on a long trip I think I’m going to take my 30L Backpack (although it’s not as comfortable as my big pack) and leave my big Gregory Deva 60 Pack at home. My Deva pack is my workhorse, it’s been all over Asia, and on wilderness backpacking trips and it’s always comfortable even when it’s loaded with 18 kilos of stuff (which it’s rarely that full). My little 18L Miwok Backpack is also a Gregory, it’s tiny, I love it because it doesn’t have a frame, so I can roll it up and stuff it into my bigger pack and it doesn’t take up much room. I guess I’m a little partial to Gregory packs….they’re really comfortable and hold up pretty well, even when they are “well loved.”

All of this stuff can fit into the Miwok pack….well, everything except the shoes. So when we were on the bike we always had shoes on, and the flip flops were stuffed in the pack.

Tanah Lot moto trip

Tanah Lot moto trip

1 Week Packing List


Clothing

1 pair of flip-flops
1 pair of hiking shoes/trail runners
1 swimsuit
1 pair of shorts
1 pair of pants
2 tank tops
1 short sleeve
1 long sleeve
1 Patagonia Torrentshell Rain Coat
2 pairs of socks
2 pairs of ExOfficio Low Rise Bikini or other quick drying underwear
1 sarong
1 pair of sunglasses

Hygiene
1 first aid kit
painkiller (ibuprofen or excedrin)
sunscreen
toothbrush and toothpaste
comb
shampoo and conditioner
castille soap (for your body, clothes, water bottles, etc)

Electronics
camera(s) and their chargers
GoPro and charger
Kindle and charger
Headlamp

mae hong son loop stretching

Steve and I did our first moto trip in Thailand where we did the Mae Hong Son Loop. Riding a moto for multiple days means lots of breaks for stretching, beer, coffee, sightseeing…anything is a good reason for a break!!! But here you can see my backpack…that itty bitty blue thing!!!!

Planning a big trip? I have a comprehensive packing list that I put together for our trip to Southeast Asia here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Must Like Stairs: Day 1

Our plans to hike to Everest Base Camp were completely hijacked by fog that had settled into Lukla and the Nepali domestic airport’s complete lack of organization. We spent an entire day sitting in the domestic airport gorging ourselves on Snickers bars and Pringles, while we waited for the airline to decide whether there would be any more flights going out that day. We were even considering canceling our tickets and joining up with some others to charter a helicopter. Thankfully we didn’t go that route!!! But we learned a valuable lesson that day and it is this: If your flight is not the first or second flight of the day it will not go!!! No ifs, ands, or buts about it. Don’t be hopeful, don’t let some stressed out fool try to convince you to pay $400 per person, for a helicopter ride. It’s not going to happen, so book the first flight of the day. End of story!!!!

We luckily had a fairly flexible schedule, with 6 full weeks allotted for Nepal alone, so after a full day of sitting on the concrete floor of the domestic airport, we decided to cancel our flight and rebook it for a few weeks later. We weren’t going to accept anything, but the first flight of the day!!!!

With the Everest Base Camp fiasco solved, we decided to head over to Pokhara and the nearest large town to the trailhead for Annapurna Base Camp. We had been planning on doing the Annapurna Sanctuary trek anyway, so we were perfectly okay with the change of plans.

Pokhara view

The view from the top of our guesthouse in Pokhara.

We gave ourselves 9 days to do the whole trek, 8 would have been plenty, but having the 9th day meant that we could spend an entire day soaking in the hotsprings at Jhinudanda and stuffing our faces with momos.

I had done my research, so I knew there would be LOTS of up and down on this hike. I knew there would be lots of stairs. And I knew that it was going to be exhausting. At the time, this trek was the most days of consecutive hiking I had done EVER!!! We coined three phrases on this trip:

1) “There it ain’t”- referring to the next town, which would always be down the valley and up the other side.

2) “No guide, no porter, no problem”- referring to our lack of a guide/porter

3) “Yak/yeti crossing”- Anytime we passed gas

The views on this trip were seriously epic and totally worth every step….some of the sets of stairs I can still remember every single detail.

Day 1 Phedi to Dhampus to Landruk

Elevation of villages along the way:
Phedi: 1130 m.
Dhampus: 1650 m.
Bhichok (Pitam) Deurali: 2100 m.
Landruk: 1565 m.

Distance between Phedi and Landruk: approx. 12 km

Time: Phedi to Landruk: approx. 6 hrs

The trail begins with a set of stairs. You’ve been warned…. we were warned. There will be lots of stairs and you will learn to love them, actually you’ll probably never love them, but think about all of that booty firming that is going on. But it’s not all stairs (I promise); the trail meanders through farm land, and practically goes through people’s yards as it makes it’s way up the hill.

Nepal ABC Phedi

Looking down the valley from Phedi….the haze was incredibly thick until we got up above Dhampus.

You will have views of the valley and river below, but you won’t be able to see the mountains, well atleast we couldn’t. The valley at this elevation is still very hazy, as are most of the valleys in Nepal. But when you get up high enough, which doesn’t take long, you will be rewarded with view after view of mountains, valleys and farmland.

Nepal Phedi terraces

Terraces everywhere.

Dhampus Himalayas

Our first glimpse of the Himalayas from the roof of one of the restaurants!!!

After an hour or so on the ” stair climber” we reached Dhampus. We totally weren’t expecting to see the Himalayas from Dhampus, but we were pleasantly surprised to Annapurna, Fish Tail and the others. What a reward for tackling the first major hill and set of stairs!!!

Autumn in Dhampus

First set of stairs complete!!!

From Dhampus to Landruk the trail goes over the pass at Bichok (Pitam) Deurali at 2100 m and then descends all the way back down to Landruk at 1565 m., which (you’ll love this) is lower than Dhampus….hah, of course. We also started using the phrase “Nepali flat,” which is never actually flat. To enter the sanctuary you have to get your TIMS card checked in Pothana (maybe 4 km after Dhampus), so make sure you stop. They will check it again at Nayapul on the way out.

Prayer flags

Our first prayer flags…

One of the picturesque villages along the trail

One of the picturesque villages along the trail

traditional home along the trail...

Traditional home along the trail…

Village on the way to Landruk

Village on the way to Landruk

Angie and Autumn... catching our breath

Angie and Autumn… catching our breath

ABC bridge

One of the MANY bridges on this trek

We learned early on that there is a ton of elevation change on every single day of the trek. No matter where you are (except up at the base camps) the trail has continual steep ascents and descents. Thankfully half of the time you’re gawking at the views, so it doesn’t seem quite as treacherous.

Angie and Steve ham it up....

Angie and Steve ham it up….

Goats Annapurna Sanctuary

What’s cuter than a baby goat??? Two baby goats

Goats Annapurna Sanctuary

I’m pretty sure I have atleast twenty pics of these guys, but I’ll only subject you only to these two.

Down the valley up the valley, repeat, repeat, repeat

Down the valley up the valley, repeat, repeat, repeat

Our guesthouse in Landruk for our first night on the trail

Our guesthouse in Landruk for our first night on the trail

We arrived at our guesthouse early afternoon and the clouds had already started to descend into the valley, so we had no idea how majestic the view would be in the morning.   It was warm enough for us to enjoy all of our meals outside on the terrace and enjoy the fresh mountain air. After being stuck in Kathmandu and Pokhara for nearly a week we were loving the smell of the trees and smog-free air.

Totally worth getting out of bed for

Totally worth getting out of bed for

Epic sunrise on Day 2. Hello Himalayas!!! For the next 8 days we hiked up and down and criss-crossed this valley so many times it’s easy to lose track.