Tag Archives: travel bucket list

Where to go? Get inspired by the travel bucket list of the week!

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What’s Travel Bucket List Wednesday about? Click here to learn more!

Woot woot it is #TravelBL Wednesday peeps! Yaaaa, the travel bucket list! Week 8 ova here, inspiring each other to see more of the world and simply take in the beauty of this beautiful planet we were blessed to live in for a couple of decades 🙂 To join is simple: Post your travel bucket list on your blog, , comment below with the link, tweet that post with the #TravelBL tag and cc @latinAbroad (moi!) on it. Then voilá! I retweet + I feature on this post. If not? I just go around the Internet trying to find the best of the best for our travel bucket list and introduce it to you! Plus don’t forget about the Twitter #TravelBL chat every Wednesday at 12 & 6:15 pm (EST)! 😀

thrill travel bucket list

"Wanna race?" -Tourist2Townie

* Thrill junkie travel bucket list item…!

So I don’t even know what’s the name of this thing: Downhill sledding? Just sledding? Huh say what? But I do know it is the *perfect* addition to any thrill junkie’s travel bucket list! I found it inside one of Tourist 2 Townie’s Facebook pagealbums and you can do it in Park City at the Park City Mountain Resorts in Utah, USA. Who’s in!?

travel bucket list, Bahariya Oasis

Bahariya Oasis, Western Desert, Egypt! Visited in 2009 🙂 (Photo: Marine Begault)

* 10 Most Beautiful Oases RTW – Nature lover’s travel bucket list

I have been obsessed with oases ever since I first took a glimpse at one when watching The Mummy Returns as a tween (yes, this movie basically changed my life lol). Then, I had the privilege of seeing the oasis that actually inspired the computerized version of the movie when I lived in Egypt (Western Desert). And then, I stumbled upon this travel bucket list of oases. The amazing photos and locales all over the world simply make you go Ahhhh. Can.Not.Wait!

travel bucket list, Silk Road journeys

the EPIC Silk Road - red for overland routes and blue for sea route. AH-MAZING!

* For the epic journeys travel bucket list – Essential backpacker Trails, LP

Mention any ridiculous, seemingly-impossible-by-Western-standards journey to me and it is a guarantee that I’ll add it to my travel bucket list. There is something about that word, that adjective, epic, that I simply can’t resist! I mean seriously: The Banana Pancake Trail? Count me IN!

travel bucket list, Austria Swavroski

Giant at Swarovski Crystal World, Austria (Photo: EuropeanTravelista.com)

* Bedazzling travel bucket list – The Bizarre World of Swarovski

Ok I must admit – I actually got MAD when I first read this article because I was in Innsbruck, Austria & all over Europe when I was 17 and somehow missed this!!! I actually visited a Sawvroski store but in a different European country. UGH! So now I have a great excuse to go back to the lovely European Alps not only to learn how to skii and snowboard, but also so I can cross the Swarovski Crystal World off my travel bucket list. I mean seriously – a WATERFALL in the form of a FACE with water flowing out of the mouth AND Swarovsky-bedazzled eyes!? WHO wouldn’t want to see THAT!?

travel bucket list, Lord Howe Island

Lord Howe Island, located between Australia and New Zealand on the Tasman Sea

* New on my travel bucket list: Lord Howe Island

Sure, it is Australia. Sure, Lord Howe may seem “just another island” to most. Oh my, but does it call my name. Any island with rugged terrain or oddly-shaped hills and mountains, bathed by lighter-than-the-sky waters, excites me…and arouses my little heart and makes me want to swim right to it. Or arrive on a seaplane. Yes yes…

For more items of my own travel bucket list, you may click here

What are you waiting for?! Write down that travel bucket list, publish it on your blog and then come back here to share it with us. Be part of the epic Travel Bucket List Wednesdays! Oh and I beg you, overuse the hashtag #TravelBL. Include it when you tweet about your travel dreams & cc @latinAbroad – I guarantee an RT!

“So live that your memories will be part of your happiness”
-Unknown

What’s on your travel bucket list?

Travel bucket list inspiration – it’s TravelBL time! Week of Nov 9th

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What’s Travel Bucket List Wednesday about? Click here to learn more!

Happy Travel Bucket List Wednesday y’all! We are celebrating week 7 of this travel inspiration series, sharing travel bucket list items I have found around the web. Remember that yours can be featured here, too! Simply write down your travel bucket list, post the link on a comment below, along with your Twitter if you wish, and DONE! There is no limit: As long as you have new items on your travel bucket list weekly, I can feature it every Wednesday. So get writing, get inspired and inspire others as well! Plus join us on the Twitter #TravelBL chat every Wednesday at 12 & 6:15 pm (EST)! 😀

* Chérie’s travel bucket list, aka the “EpicQuest”

The moment I stumbled upon Miss Chérie’s Twitter account, I was instantly inspired: “I am a Deaf Travel blogger that simply adores Traveling.. My objective is to help other Deaf travelers. Let’s break that language barriers, shall we? :)” Who wouldn’t be?! That made me want to quit my job and go around the world to volunteer right then. Why? Because she reminded me, once again, that we put so many barriers in front of us, so many excuses on why we can’t do what’s right, what’s burning in our hearts at this very moment and keep…waiting…and waiting…or remain in a state of paralysis for years. This girl didn’t even allow one of the senses get in the way. She is out there. She is conquering. And she is one of the most up-beat persons you will ever chat with. I can’t wait to meet her face-to-face one day. Now becoming fluent in sign language is on my travel bucket list as well! Thank you Chérie — keep inspiring us 🙂

treehouse travel bucket list

* Sleep in treehouses around the US – Tripadvisor’s travel bucket list

I am subscribed to Tripadvisor’s newsletter and while most days I only get traditional (aka over-hyped, common) destinations and “lists,” this week they pleasantly surprised me. They sent the top 10 treehouse rentals within the US. While the list only includes Uncle Sam’s territory (read: Great stops for that American road trip of your dreams), my brain automatically thought, hey, they got plenty of those around the world, too! Thus, I also thought to myself, whoa, that would be an awesome, quirky journey and mission: Travel around the world, only sleeping in treehouses. BAM! I’ll do it one day…*writes it down on her epic journeys travel bucket list*

travel bucket list, amazing Blue Lagoon

me at the Blue Lagoon Geothermal Resort, Iceland

* The amazing pools travel bucket list – BootsnAll

Once again, a BootsnAll list makes it to travel bucket list Wednesday. This photo essay includes many amazing pools in properties I would probably never be able to afford on my backpacker budget. However…isn’t dreaming a big part of what travel bucket lists are about, though?! I did splurge once for the Blue Lagoon btw…armed robbery, but glad I did it once! 😀

travel bucket list, nocturnal festivals

* Nocturnal festivals travel bucket list – NatGeo

National Geographic has published a fantastic list of festivals around the world – all which should be in the travel bucket list for the party animal inside of us. And you know, the excuse that it was all done for “the sake of culture” is guaranteed to fly 😉

daredevil travel bucket list

* New on my travel bucket list: Destinations for daredevils

While I’ve heard of many of the destinations listed, I certainly didn’t know of other life-threatening activities I could engage in. This list gave me many new ideas on how to involuntarily attempt suicide – awesome

Video: Underwater Base Jumping

For more items of my own travel bucket list, you may click here

What are you waiting for?! Go run to your site, type down that long travel bucket list of yours and then come back here to share it with us. Be part of the inspiring #TravelBL Wednesdays! And please, overuse the hashtag #TravelBL. Include it when you tweet about your items & cc @latinAbroad – that’ll guarantee an RT from me!

“The normal make a living, the deranged make history”
-Unknown

What’s on your travel bucket list?

#Travel bucket list items, photos, video: #TravelBL week of Nov 2nd!

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What’s Travel Bucket List Wednesdays? Click here to learn more

Wepete! This shall be the 6th weekly Travel Bucket list Wednesday! I’ve decided that the weeks I don’t get many submissions from you, I’ll complement the entry with interesting travel bucket lists I find around the web. Remember: If you wish to be featured next week don’t forget to submit your travel bucket list, links of your travel sites and Twitter handle on a comment below. There is no limit: As long as you post new items on your travel bucket list every week, I will feature you every time! So c’mon, get greedy here. And don’t forget to join us on the Twitter #TravelBL chat every Wednesday at 12 & 6:15 pm (EST)!

NatGeo travel bucket list

One of my favorite things about this travel bucket list is how you can see a bio (and thus later Google stalk) the explorer who gave the Ultimate idea!

* NatGeo’s Ultimate Adventure Bucket List 2012

Quite cocky if you ask me, for NatGeo to use the word ultimate on their 2012 travel bucket list…but they did it because it is. They interviewed 20 of some of the world’s best athletes and explorers and asked them: What travel bucket list items are in your wildest dreams!? Diving frozen waters of Antarctica, kayak circumnavigation of South America and kite skiing in Kamchatka peninsula (northeastern Russia) are some sample items you can find on this extreme travel bucket list. So umm, Ultimate? Absolutely!

travel bucket list, Nile felucca

me taking a nap as the felucca drifted down the Nile - Egypt, 2009

* Lonely Planet’s travel bucket list – 8 Voyages of a Lifetime

Featured on CNN Travel, these voyages take us through some of the world most legendary waters. I myself have drifted down the Nile and I can tell you that the mix of history and relaxation is an undisputed champion. What I love the most about this travel bucket list though is that they made sure they covered almost every continent – so you should definitely be able to cross one of these items off within the next year (or sooner)!

travel bucket list item, Vipassana

Vipassana meditation in one of India's most dangerous prisons (Photo from "Doing Time, Doing Vipassana" documentary, found at Roxie.com)

* World skills’ travel bucket list – BootsnAll

While the article is titled 11 Skills to Learn on Your RTW Trip, the first thing that came to mind when I first got a glimpse of it was “11 skills that should be on my travel bucket list.” As I scrolled down, I was happy to notice I got some of those skills already. However, the list did inspire me and aroused my creativity, making me write down places where I would love to sharpen the skills I’ve already acquired, while going into a boot camp abroad for those I haven’t learned. Indeed, a different kind of travel bucket list you should start today!

travel bucket list: Walking paths

Plitvice Lakes National Park walking path, Croatia

* Hiking travel bucket list – 8 of the Most Unique Walking Paths RTW

I just kept stumbling upon awesome travel bucket list items on BootsnAll this week. I discovered so many places I had never heard about – or amazing attractions I somehow missed out in countries I had already visited. A perfect example is this list, which informed me of the existence of a surreal walking path in Negev, Israel – a country I visited twice, the last time on a 3-week hitchhiking and couchsurfing feast that (I thought) covered every corner of the Holy Land. There was even another awesome walking path in Iceland! Granted, both were pretty impulsive, plan-as-you-go trips. Still, I was heart broken I missed out! *sigh* these were welcomed reality checks though — and another brilliant excuse to go back to Israel, Iceland and visit the other places listed.

New travel bucket list item: Flying trapeze

Flying Caceres, Ringling Bros Circus (Photo: Tammy Biondi, former About.com Guide)

* New item on my own travel bucket list: Flying trapeze

I didn’t even know you could do this unless you were some elastic Asian (or Russian or Eastern European) that had been working for a traveling circus since age 5. But apparently, it is possible for us average Joes! (Note: This isn’t a no-fall guarantee, though). Thank you for the inspiration, Ms Tiffany! Oh, I still gotta ask you how I can cross off this new travel bucket list item of mine, since I only saw the awesome photos you posted on #TravelBL chat this week! 😉

For more items of my own travel bucket list, you may click here

What are you waiting for?! Go run to your blog, put together that awesome travel bucket list of yours and come back here to share it with us. Be part of the new, exciting #TravelBL Wednesdays! And of course, feel free to use hashtag #TravelBL any other time of the week when tweeting your items – you’ll get a guaranteed RT from me!

“LIFE, if well-lived, is long enough”
-Steve Jobs (1955-2011)

What’s on your travel bucket list?

#Travel bucket list items & photos of the week – it’s #TravelBL time!

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What’s Travel Bucket List Wednesdays? Click here to learn more

Epa! This shall be the fifth weekly Travel Bucket list Wednesday! I’ve decided that the weeks I don’t get many submissions from you, I’ll complement the entry with interesting travel bucket list items I find around the web that week. Remember: If you wish to be featured next week don’t forget to submit your travel bucket list, links of your travel sites and Twitter handle on a comment below. There is no limit: As long as you post new items on your travel bucket list every week, I will feature you every time! So c’mon, get greedy here. And don’t forget to join us on the Twitter #TravelBL chat every Wednesday at 12 & 6:15 pm (EST)!

Travel bucket list, St Barts

In Lola's travel bucket list: "New Year’s Eve in St. Barts with Beyonce and Jay Z" (Photo: Tripadvisor.com)

* Lola’s travel bucket list
You’ll be inspired by her list if you’re interested in: Celebrities, parties & sun

travel bucket list: Mount Huashan, China

On any thrill junkie's travel bucket list: "A trek with a difference: At one point one kilometer above the ground, you have to traverse a slim wooden plank stuck to the face of a vertical cliff" -by Ivy Zhang, Jane Leung & Tim Cheung, CNNGo.com

* Trill seeker’s travel bucket list – CNN Go
You’ll be inspired by this list if you like: Heights, magma & dangerous animals

travel bucket list, Barcelona

In any European travel bucket list: Gaudi's Barcelona! (Photo: La Sagrada Familia church, Wiki Commons)

* Spain’s travel bucket list – Global Grasshopper
You’ll be inspired by this list if you’re interested in: Spain’s 10 most beautiful places

travel bucket list: Kamchatka, Russia

A must-add to any outdoors travel bucket list: Helicopter ride over volcanoes & lakes in Kamchatka peninsula, Russia! (Photo: Helen Flamme, sputnik_mania on Flikr)

* “Middle of nowhere” travel bucket list – Lonely Planet
You’ll be inspired by this list if you’re interested in: Beautiful desolation & nature

travel bucket list, Thuringia

Thuringia, Germany: Added to my travel bucket list!

* New item on my own travel bucket list: Thuringia, Germany
Thank you once again, Lonely Planet! I just stumbled upon this destination & got so excited about it. I had never even heard that name before, ever. Officially “The Free State of Thuringia,” it is located in central Germany & is the sixth smallest by area. Also, it happens to be the home of Germany’s most infamous hiking trail: Rennsteig (Wiki). However, what sold me about Thuringia is the spectacular mosaics and architecture of 900-year-old Wartburg Castle. Thank you for the travel bucket list inspiration, Lonely Planet (and photographer Mr Matt Munro)!

travel bucket list: Schmalkalden, Germany

Thuringia town Schmalkalden, as photographed by Matt Munro

For more items of my own travel bucket list, you may click here

What are you waiting for?! Go run to your blog, put together that awesome travel bucket list of yours and come back here to share it with us. Be part of the new, exciting #TravelBL Wednesdays! And of course, feel free to use hashtag #TravelBL any other time of the week when tweeting your items – you’ll get a guaranteed RT from me!

“LIFE, if well-lived, is long enough”
-Steve Jobs (1955-2011)

What’s on your travel bucket list?

Travel bucket list photos & #TravelBL AIR chat recap – Oct. 19th

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To learn more about #TravelBL Wednesdays, click here

Missed #TravelBL aka the Travel Bucket List chat yesterday? No worries! Here’s a recap of what happened on both sessions so you get a taste of the fun. Don’t forget to join us next week at noon and 6:15 pm (EST), using #TravelBL so you can share your travel bucket list items and get inspired by others!

This week’s theme was UP IN THE AIR. Grab a pen and add your favorites to that travel bucket list of yours! **Questions formulated by yours truly, @latinAbroad =)

travel bucket list micro flight

micro flight over the Victoria Falls, Africa (Photo: ospkw.com)

Q1. Most exciting activities you’ve done “up in the air”?

“I did fly in a scary itty bitty plane above the Kenyan valley. Sounds simple, but was scary to me lol” –@CaroBotelho

“Bungee, sky dive etc and I hate heights!” –@timteece

“Helicopter rides over 12 Apostles in Oz and ovr Franz Josef glacier in NZ” –@ilivetotravel

“I’m doing hot air balloon in the Jordan desert next week!” –@gogogasti

“This #travelBL discussion is terrifying. I will stick to roller coasters…” –@sickontheroad

travel bucket list paragliding

paragliding over the Norwegian fjords (Photo: Ben, Flikr)

Q2. What “up in the air” activities are in your travel bucket list?

“Definitely paragliding and hot air ballooning” –@goodtravellife

“Next on list is chopper (helicopter)! sweet! […] (also) would be interesting to bungee jump out of a hot air balloon” –@timteece

“All the hot air balloon answers, make me want to get in one now. 🙂 Would love to go over San Francisco & Napa Valley” –@elatlboy

 “flight over Nazca Lines, Peru. That’s exciting and scary! Wanna do it again!” –@CaroBotelho

travel bucket list first class flight

Emirates airlines' private suite, first class (Photo: Emirates.com)

Q3. Got any airline-related items in your travel bucket list? What would your ideal flight include?

“Definately those cool planes you see with beds- like singapore airlines always look awesome” –@MexicanAtHeartJ

“Would love to fly 1st class one day”  –@sickontheroad

“Basically, I would clone Air Force One. lol” –@latinAbroad

“I’ve been fortunate to do Emirates, Lufthansa, Air Canada Bus.- lie flat with amazing” –@marktravel

travel bucket list flying Bora Bora

flying over Bora Bora, French Polynesia (Photo: Eyelands.blogspot.com)

Q4.  If you had the ability to fly, what would you do?

“Dodge passport and visa checks by flying from one country to another” –@deesomera

“Two words: water balloons. Or charge for rides… ” –@CancunGringa

” I would probably fly through a hole in a mountain like this guy:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6t0xqNln5RU” –@sickontheroad

“Fly around the world in 80 days lol”  –@CaroBotelho

travel bucket list Dave Salmoni

Dave Salmoni: Added to my travel bucket list--among many other "to-do" lists (Davidsdialogue1.blogspot.com-photo)

Q5. If you were Batman, who would be your Robin? Which city would you protect? Why?

“Being Batman is so much pressure… But I’d pick Lady Gaga to be my Robin. She’d distract the evildoers for me” –@ilivetotravel

“Dave Salmoni- the Lion walker, he’s hot! Vancouver- it has mountains, ocean, wildlife, and fabulous food!” –@goodtravellife

“@MalloryOnTravel”  –@roniweiss

“Hey big guy I don’t play Robin to anybody’s Batman, even yours :p good job Batman has many personas” –@MalloryOnTravel

travel bucket list Vancouver Batman

Vancouver calling Batman--really (Neomagic.deviantart.com)

* Submit your travel bucket list, website, and topic suggestions HERE *

Fun, eh? Join the travel bucket list chats!

Wednesdays @ noon and 6:15 pm (EST), only on Twitter #TravelBL

Solo travel (photo essay of my epic adventures)

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Today FriFotos celebrates ONE year – Happy Anniversary Mr Epstein! =) Great concept, I follow it religiously since I discovered it. And so, fitting it is this weeks theme: ONE. It could mean a variety of things, depends on one’s POV, which is why I love it today – such a variety of photos I’ve seen on Twitter! Woman solo travel it is, then 😀

As for me, this FriFotos theme was a perfect “excuse” to make a photo compilation of some of the journeys I’ve embarked on solo – my many experiences as a solo woman traveler. Please note, this is only meant to be a “teaser” or photo summary – full stories of each journey will follow soon! Conversely, if I have already written about a particular topic, click on the in-text link to read the respective post. Hope you enjoy and have a wonderful weekend! =)

Cancun & Chichen Itzá, Mexico – March 2008

I tried to get a group of 16 of my college friends together to head out to Cancun for my last spring break before studying abroad. Didn’t work out, so I said screw this, I’m going solo! And this is what they missed *evil grin*

woman solo travel Cancun

View from my hotel room. 'Cause I'm a baller

I, however, always make friends rather quickly…

woman solo travel Cancun kayak

aaand hijacked a kayak

Aaand wore a *cough* thong *cough*

woman solo travel Cancun beach

"Paparazzi: No photos, please!"

Plus spotted some bad-ass Mayan architecture at Chichen Itzá during a day trip that week

woman solo travel Chichen Itza

What a pyramid!

Washington, DC – June 2008

Shortly after my Spring Break stint, I headed to Washington DC for the Scholarship Convocation of that sweet deal I earned thanks to months of essay-writing and years of good grades . You know, that $20,000 study abroad scholarship to study Arabic in Egypt for a year? Yeah, that one =D Of course, I had to head out to DC solo, got a sweeeet room all for myself right by the Capitol at The Liaison Hotel, and met some wonderful brains in the process. With them I walked around the Mall & marveled at the sights for the first time in my life. Fun times!

woman solo travel Capitol Hill, Washington DC

Me @ Capitol Hill!

woman solo travel Library Of Congress, Washington DC

Library of Congress - with all those amazing books & architecture, truly HEAVEN ON EARTH!

Egypt, Israel, Jordan – August 2008 to July 2009

Just two months after DC, I departed for my greatest solo adventure to this day: Egypt and the Middle East! For a full grand year, I got to enjoy the most stigmatized (imo) region in the world. Furthermore, I was pleasantly surprised to discover that what the Western media says about the fascinating Arab world is quite skewed. Sure, there are problems (aren’t they everywhere tho!?), but I honestly felt more secure walking through the streets of Cairo at 4 AM or the streets of Jordan at 11 PM by myself than doing so in Puerto Rico or Tampa at any time of the day! If you have been avoiding this region because of what the news say, let me give you a news flash myself: JUST TAKE THE PLUNGE ALREADY! It is FASCINATING!

woman solo travel Great Pyramids

me @ the Great Pyramid, Giza, Egypt

I rode camels – several times over…

woman solo travel Great Pyramids camel ride

umm yes, that's me

woman solo travel Ras Abu Gallum

Me (left) on a camel safari to Ras Abu Gallum reserve. About 1.5 hours EACH way from-to Dahab on a camel...hurts...but the views + snorkeling at the reserve were STUNNING

woman solo travel Ras Abu Gallum camel safari

I'm prepping on the left (pink tank top, WHITE camel!)

Wandered through historical, ancient cities & sites

woman solo travel Medinat Habu

Medinat Habu temple, Upper Egypt. Def. my favorite - SO colorful!

woman solo travel Islamic Cairo

me wandering the streets of Islamic Cairo

FriFotos Mohamed Ali Mosque

Mohamed Ali Mosque from Al Azhar park, Cairo (Photo: My friend Marta Carelli)

FriFotos Petra

The Treasury, Petra, Jordan

FriFotos Jerusalem

me in Jerusalem - golden Dome of the Rock and Wailing Wall in the background

Climbed many historical sites, all while mingling with locals (and other world adventurers)

FriFotos Petra Monastery

ME on top of the Petra Monastery - a BEDOUIN made me climb! =D

FriFotos Jordan

Bedouin girl fixing my headscarf. She led the trek that day, amazing!

Witnessed history buried underwater…

FriFotos Wreck diving

Travel bucket list item: Shipwreck diving - CHECK! (Thistlegorm)

even floated on historical waters…

FriFotos Dead Sea

me (far left) and other travelers floating on the Dead Sea (one kind man took photo for me)

…and, as a dramatic farewell, embarked on an epic 5-week solo Middle Eastern road trip, which took me to dozens of cities, spanning 3 countries, hitchhiking and Couchsurfing all the way. AH-MA-ZING!

FriFotos Abu Simbel

Ramses II, your ego is truly heavy (me at Abu Simbel Temple)

FriFotos Aswan

me drifting down the Nile on a felucca - look at those Nubian eyes!

FriFotos Egypt Israel border

by the Egyptian-Israeli border - AMAZING!

“The Transatlantic Tour” NYC, London, Spain – August 2009

The Middle East wasn’t enough to satisfy my wanderlust, oh no – I had to study abroad again in Africa, this time a little west, in Morocco. En-route, I went on what I called “The Transatlantic Tour,” with stops in NYC, London, Spain & 2 cities in Morocco before arriving to Ifrane.

FriFotos NYC

Statue of Liberty, NYC

FriFotos London

Big Ben & me - London

FriFotos Madrid

Me (right, skirt) with some travelers I met up with in Madrid

Morocco – August to December 2009

I briefly visited Casablanca and Fez, but that first day in Moroccan lands was so erratic, I couldn’t really take many pictures (click here to know why).

And so! High in the Atlas mountains, I studied Arabic language, Islamic history and World Religions at Al Akhawayn University for 4 months.

FriFotos Ifrance, Morocco

Library (left) and part of the mosque (right) at AUI. Photo by fellow student Jonathan Jacobs

It wasn’t all books, though – I befriended a great entourage from West Point (yeah, that bad-ass school) and together we took road trips around Morocco and have quite a couple of stories to remember! (to read more, click here)

FriFotos Morocco

secret beaches...

Essaouira, Morocco

...ancient doorways and kids...

Moroccan road trip

...dangerous roads...

Marrakech, Morocco

...and interesting characters! (umm, the COBRA is real, by the way...)

During my Moroccan stint, I even got to go to Europe for a 3rd & 4th time!!

Colosseum, Rome

Party I attended by the Colosseum, org by Couchsurfer I stayed with!

Blue Lagoon

me at Blue Lagoon, Iceland (OK this is cheating, I did have a travel buddy this time, who took the pic)

Panama – March 2010

Ater heading back to the US of A in January 2010,  I realized my last college Spring Break would be 2 months later, and so I planned my next journey: PANAMA! I traveled solo, met some great travelers from all over the world at Aqua lounge Hostel in Bocas del Toro and then heard some interesting stories from US diplomats on a chartered, 8-people, 4-day sailboat trip through the San Blas Islands by the Caribbean coasts of Panama. Yes, epic should be my middle name -I know (because clearly, modesty isn’t. LOL!). For a full trip report of this journey, click here!

View of Aqua Lounge Hostel's "pool" from my bed, I mean HAMMOCK ;)

FriFotos Aqua Lounge Hostel

Aqua Lounge Hostel

From left: American, Puerto Rican (me!), Australian, American, Israeli @ our Panamanian over-water hostel

Panama sailing

The sailboat - Andiamo!

San Blas Islands sailing

view of Kuna Yala from my sailboat cabin (San Blas islands)

And then…I stay put for a while. I haven’t embarked on any crazy solo journey ever since, except for the occasional weekend Couchsurfing in Orlando, FL for some concerts and Miami, FL for Latin spice and extra fun in the sun. Oh, WAIT! There’s ONE MORE!!!

Times Square NYE

Me celebrating New Year's Eve in Times Square, from VIP lane!!! (after midnight, ppl could cross, thats why you see many ppl in the photo)

Ummm, yes, as the photo caption suggests, somehow I flirted my way to the VIP lane and could get first-row-seats (I mean, standing spot) with even a private bathroom at the Ball Drop in Times Square for New Year’s 2011. Probably not too legal, thus the covered NYPD Officer’s face so the poor kind man doesn’t get in trouble! (to read more about this epic Times Square NYE, click here)

And behold, my loyal followers – the next epic adventure is set and the wanderlust shall continue!

SE Asia & Oceania map

Next?

*happy sigh of relief*

What was your definition of ONE for this week’s FriFotos? Share in a comment below!

#TravelBL chat round-up & travel bucket list photos – Oct. 12th

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Missed #TravelBL aka Travel Bucket List chat yesterday? No worries! Here’s a round-up of what happened on both sessions so you get a taste of the fun. Don’t forget to join us next week at noon and 6:15 pm (EST), using #TravelBL so you can share your travel bucket list items and get inspired by others!

This week’s theme was TREKKING/HIKING. Grab a pen and add your favorites to that travel bucket list of yours! **Questions formulated by yours truly, @latinAbroad =)

Travel bucket list Franz Glacier

Hiking Franz Josef Glacier

Q1. The best hikes/treks you’ve done?

“Cares Gorge in the Picos de Europas, Pembrokeshire Coastal Path….isn’t everywhere beautiful?” –@eurapart

“The trek to Franz Glacier in NZ” –@elatlboy

If Petra is considered a “trek” or good hike, then yes! –@latinAbroad

“This is an easy one, as you know. Kili in 2009 with a group of Vision Impaired climbers” –@Mackinnontweets

“Hiking in the Tatra Mountains in Poland. Fantastic views!” –@jettingaround

Travel bucket list Kilimanjaro

Sign at Uhuru Peak, Mt Kilimanjaro, Tanzania, Africa

Q2. Would you rather book through a company or organize the trek yourself?

“I’m DIY all the way!” –@VacationFun

 “Depends on the trek and the difficulty. Unless its a day trek I feel more comfortable with a guide” –@LAbackpackrChik

“I’d rather go by myself – I see more and get lost all the time!” –@SpinAroundWorld

“Book it. Too many unknowns” –@goodtravellife

Travel bucket list Cinque Terre

hiking Vernazza, Cinque Terre, Italy (Photo: Idéfix at nl.wikipedia)

Q3. “Ideal distance” of a trek or hike (to you)?

“A couple of hours would be good before lunch break!” –@LolaDiMarco

“Not sure about distance but a 3 day trek is a nice time average for me”  –@LAbackpackrChik

“We’re more like day-trekkers. Like our 1-day hike through Cinque Terre” –@GQtrippin

” The next trek I want to do is 45 days.. Cho-Oyu in Nepal” –@Mackinnontweets

Travel bucket list Cho Oyu, Nepal

Q4. What makes a trek “top-notch”? What makes it “just average”?

“All I want is views, peace & quiet, no crowds” –@jettingaround

“Miserable if u are not wearing the right shoes…!!!” –@latinAbroad

“The weather can make all the difference. If you are trekking in wet boots, it is not nearly as much fun” –@SpinAroundWorld

“Doing something challenging(ish) in a spot you can’t see every day. Unique experience. Would make it great” –@LolaDiMarco

Travel bucket list Great Ocean Road

Great Ocean Road, Australia (by Jon Hurd, Creative Commons)

Q5. Treks/Hikes on your travel bucket list?

“Great Ocean Road, Tasmania, NZ, Uluru, and of course Machu Picchu” –@emeraldcitytooz

“Would love to do Torres del Paine in Chile. Been there but cldnt do the hike that time” –@ilivetotravel

“Mera Peak, Cho-Oyu, Island Peak, Machu Picchu, Kokoda Trail, The full length of the Great Wall…TBC” –@Mackinnontweets

“The Alps, Yellowstone, Patagonia (this one the sooner, the better =D )” –@jettingaround

 

Travel bucket list Patagonia

Torres del Paine, Patagonia, Chile (Creative Commons)

* Submit your travel bucket list, website, and topic suggestions HERE *

Fun, eh? Join us next Wednesday at noon and 6:15 pm (EST) on Twitter, #TravelBL!

Travel bucket list items of the week – get inspired!

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Alo! This shall be the fourth weekly post including YOUR travel bucket lists, submitted last week on this blog. If you wish to be featured next week don’t forget to submit your travel bucket lists, links of your travel sites and Twitter handles on a comment below. Remember that there is no limit: As long as you post new items on your travel bucket list every week, I will feature you every time! So c’mon, get greedy here. And don’t forget to join us on the Twitter #TravelBL chat every Wednesday at 12 & 6:15 pm (EST)! For this week’s #TravelBL chat round-up, click here

Lastly, an announcement: BRAND-NEW LOOK of LatinAbroad.com going LIVE this weekend! Yay!

Still confused on how Travel Bucket List Wednesdays work? Click here

Travel bucket list world map

Travel bucket list item # 10: “Travel to AND enjoy 100 countries” – Cole & Adela

* Cole and Adela’s travel bucket list
You’ll be inspired by their list if you like: Working abroad, seasonal travel, epic journeys

Travel bucket list, zorbing

Travel bucket list item # 18: “Zorbing” -Rick & Sandi

* Rick and Sandi’s travel bucket list
You’ll be inspired by their list if you like: Extreme sports, epic journeys, celebrity sightings

Travel bucket list, overwater bungalow, Bora Bora

Alexandra’s travel bucket list item: “A night in a bungalow over the water in Bora Bora”

* Alexandra’s travel bucket list
You’ll be inspired by her list if you like: Romance, cultural encounters,

travel bucket list, Bear Grylls

My & Alex’s bucket list item: “Survive” with Bear Grylls (Photo: Kalei Brooks)

* Spend some weeks “surviving” with Bear Grylls

I will give props to Alexandra over there (@Alexandraeh on twitter) for this travel bucket list inspiration last week. Spending some weeks with Bear Grylls “surviving” in the wilderness (and much, much else) would be an adventure of epic proportions (for many R-rated reasons I can’t mention, too). But on to the more PG reasons: Learning how to eat gross animals, build my own shelter, take care of bad wounds with natural sources found who-knows-where-I-was-left-off…all while having such eye candy who can actually take care of me if I mess up at this “being tough” thing…ummm yes, “cast me away” with Mr Grylls, please!

training an otter

Tiffany training an otter – aww! Now on *my* travel bucket list! =)

* Tiffany’s travel bucket list
You’ll be inspired by her list if you like: Animals! Wild encounters! =)

Travel bucket list, NYE Times Square

For more items of my own travel bucket list, you may click here

What are you waiting for?! Go run to your blog, put together that awesome travel bucket list of yours and come back here to share it with us. Be part of the new, exciting #TravelBL Wednesdays! And of course, feel free to use hashtag #TravelBL any other time of the week when tweeting your items – you’ll get a guaranteed RT from me!

“LIFE, if well-lived, is long enough”
-Steve Jobs (1955-2011)