Photo of the Day - Galapagos Islands

Sea Lions resting near the shore. Floreana Island, Galapagos

 

Happy Wednesday! We are half way through the week! Woo hoo! Hope everyone is enjoying the winter weather above the Equator and warm summer below the Equator! :)

 

Love,

 

Reima

Photo of the Day - Honduras

Roatan Island ~ Bay Islands, Honduras

I apologize for the delay in my blogging! This week was important for my Cross Country teams. The league finals were held yesterday and I'm hoping to find out the results today! It's been great coaching my AMAZING high schoolers and I am SO NOT ready to let them go! :-) 

When you need some time for R & R, Roatan is a great island to do so. On the days that the cruise ships are not in port, the beaches are pretty empty and I love my alone time! This island is incredibly beautiful and a great place to just chill. The life there is on 'island time' which is perfect for a relaxing getaway.

Roatan is known as the 'Backpackers Island'. It's pretty affordable for us backpackers and travelers...if you find the right place to stay! I found only one hostel on the island and that is where I stayed. Definitely doable for a few days on the island. 

Roatan is also home to the 2nd largest reef in the world, after Australia's Great Barrier Reef. So this means there are great diving spots around the island if you are into scuba diving and  snorkeling. 

And Roatan is perfect for solo travelers, lovers, families, and friends. :-) Come here and enjoy the island life! 

Photo of the day - Galapagos Islands

Floreana, Galapagos Islands. 

Off the coast of Ecuador are a beautiful set of islands known as the Galapagos. Pristine and calm islands that are almost all untouched. What I mean by that is these aren't like any normal island you can just head to and go wherever you want. The islands are protected. You can't wander wherever you'd like, like you can on most other islands. You must have a guide outside of the normal ports. One touch on an animal, wildlife, or anything of concern on the islands and you may affect the ecological system. Makes you sit back and appreciate your surroundings and life.

Happy Friday!

Photo of the day - Curaçao

Knip Baai, Curaçao (Netherlands Antilles). What a stunning beach it was. Just gorgeous. If you are looking for an island in the Caribbean that not only has incredible beaches but culture, Curaçao is the island for you. Knip Baai is about 1 to 1 1/2 hours from Williamsted. I recommend, though pricy, staying there a couple days and giving into the relaxation. This is one island I would love to return to someday. Definitely not a backpacker-style island but worth saving up for and enjoying once in your life (or five times, according to a couple my friend and I were talking to on the plane!).

Galapagos Islands

To take away the unpleasant taste that I got from the last post about travel safety, I thought I'd make it up to you all by posting Galapagos pictures from the stunning islands.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I feel better already!

Are you really safe with a tour guide?

The other day I posted a picture I took in the Galapagos Islands on Instagram and although it looked very calm and relaxing, which it thankfully was and definitely is, it hid what I went through that whole week in those incredible islands, which I highly recommend you visit one day.

 

Dolphin Beach, Isla Isabela

 

Tortuga Beach, Isla Santa Cruz

 

 

Isla Floreana

 

Now when you go to the Galapagos, you do not need a tour guide to visit the islands and stay in the main ports of each island. BUT you do need a tour guide if you plan on getting out of the main ports. You cannot go off exploring alone. This is their way of protecting the islands, keeping them clean, and for us humans not ruining the wonderful ecosystem. And I respect them for that. I was happy to oblige just to be able to explore this beautiful area of the world.

 

Now before I continue, I just want to be clear with tour guides, which was the first thing that popped up in my head when I posted that Instagram picture.

 

I prefer not to take tours. I think they take a lot of time out of your day, some are overly expensive, and are somewhat rushed. That and I like to be one with the locals, not part of a tour group.

 

But with this said, there are a few points that do make going on a tour worthwhile:

 

When it is cheaper to go somewhere with a group then to go on your own.

• I paid US$10 to climb Chacaltaya and go to the Valley of the Moon in Bolivia. If I went on my own, it would have been double to triple the amount.

When you want to do something adventurous and/or dangerous.

• You can't go zip-lining on your own in Costa Rica, Rappelling in the Andes mountains in Mendoza, Argentina, or Bike on the Worlds Most Dangerous Road in Bolivia. (Oh and you don't really need a tour guide in Machu Picchu. Unless you hike the trail, of course.)

Cooking classes

• The best way to learn how to cook a certain cuisine is to learn from someone who is familiar with this art or make your way into a locals home or restaurant and just ask!

History

• Some people travel to enjoy art, history, museums, and other historical landmarks. The best way to learn is visit the location or go with someone who can teach you something new. 

Safety*

• Maybe there is a place you'd like to go to but not safe to go alone? Or maybe you love to travel and don't mind taking a tour to make you feel safe? Everyone has their own way of travel.

*Are you always going to be safe just because you choose to go on a tour? Read on.

 

Anything you want to add to the list? Let me know!

 

Now where am I going with this? Mainly it's about the last point on the list above. How do you know you can trust your guide and feel safe? What if you are a solo female traveler and you are alone with a guide? Are you really safe?

 

It may be the best experience of your life. Or maybe it is the worst decision you've ever made?

 

I'm not trying to scare you. I'm just trying to make it aware that you still need to have your guard up whether you are on a tour or not, especially as a solo female traveler.

To be fair, I have had many taxi drivers offer to help me out, keep me safe, and drive me around for the same cost as taking a bus or any other transportation. And they were some of the nicest people I've ever met. So kind and helpful. The untrustworthy tour guide scenario is not always common but it can happen. Better to always just be prepared.

 

Nature is beautiful

Friends for life. :-)

 

So to continue with my story...

 

I found a great deal with a tour guide for my week adventure in the Galapagos Islands. I was there in July* of 2010. It was about $550 for a week! That's like 1/4 to 1/2 less than what you'd normally pay for a tour guide there. Amazing deal! It covered my guide, trips, places to stay, boat rides, and any tickets I needed. (I paid the round-trip flights and $100 entrance fee at the airport separate from the guide.)

 

*Water was very rough during this month and you will probably have the worst seasickness of your life. Many boats later after this trip and my body has yet to recover from the rides in the Galapagos!

 

I didn't know if others were going to be there with me or if I was going to be alone. Either way, I was just happy to be there.

 

After I arrived and everything was taken care of, I found my guide, and saw that I wasn't going to be alone. There was a German couple with me, who also booked the same days I did, though leaving a day after me.

 

Everything was great and well-planned. I ended up staying on both Santa Cruz and Isabela Island and spent time on Floreana Island, the oldest island in the Galapagos. Still many islands left to explore which means I need to go back!

 

We went to different restaurants and ate the amazing food, visited the Iguana man, and saw as much nature as we could. Nothing was out of the ordinary.

 

Concha Perla Bay

Playa del Amor

 

Night 1: He was trying to get us to go out and get 'wasted'. The German couple were tired* and went to bed. And I was not going alone with him. Didn't think too much into it.

 

*Time difference: They were tired at night and awake in the morning. I was wide awake at night and could not get up at 6 in the morning (4am Pacific/California time)*

 

Night 2: Guide: Let's go out and drink Coco Locos! The couple went to bed and I took in the beach/ocean on my own to relax.

 

Day 3: We spent time at Playa del Amor. He asked me how many kids I wanted and if I was single. He also said he wouldn't mind having a child with me because our kids would be 'beautiful'.

 

Night 3: Guide to me: Let's go out and have fun! Drink a lot! You are young! And very beautiful. I'll take care of you and make sure you make it to your bed. Can I kiss you? Me: No thank you!

 

- This whole time, I want to make clear the German couple were having fun and we were both doing our own things but they were also noticing what was going on and making sure I was okay. They were great and I still keep in touch with them. -

 

Day 4: At another beautiful beach, one of the island boys was being 'flirtatious' with me. The guide was obviously jealous. His actions showed pretty well. He also told me I didn't need a boy. I needed a man.

 

Night 4: (I was so embarrassed) We wanted to have a big dinner as a group and some others who we met that day at a nice island eatery. The guide had to announce to me loud enough so everyone could hear:

 

"I want to mix my genes with your genes!"

 

WHAT?!?!?

 

I was in complete shock. The German guy whispered in my ear: "I have had enough of this. We are not letting you out of our site and you need to be careful. We don't want anything bad to happen to you. His behavior is not okay and we are going to report* this if able to."

 

*You are allowed and are encouraged to complain about a guide not complying with the rules and/or has poor behavior while in the Galapagos.

 

Night 5: We all went out but the couple weren't feeling well so they left. I went to grab my things and the guide tried to stop me to dance with him. I politely and firmly said I was leaving and no thanks. I left and hurried back to catch up with the couple. The guide stayed out late and returned back to his hotel room in the wee hours of the morning. But before that he was knocking on my door loud to, I'm guessing, 'make sure I made it safely back to my room alone'. I didn't open the door.

 

Day 6 and 7: Because he didn't get what he wanted, he pretty much left us with someone else to fulfill his end of the bargain with our week deal and went back to Ecuador to take care of a tour he had in Banos, Ecuador. I was so relieved!

Isla Santa Cruz

 

This was my first solo adventure. Despite his advances towards me, I was still able to enjoy the trip and the magnificent offerings of the islands. He kept his comments mainly out of all the tours and activities. If I had been alone and the German couple were not around, I most likely would have ate the costs and ditched the guide. My safety, body, and mind are more important to me than money.

 

His name is:

 

Jhover Alvarez
Guia Naturalista 3
Parque Nacional Galapagos

Now you see, just because you are on a tour or with a tour guide, it does not mean you are safe. In some instances, you are better off alone.

 

Whether you are a guy or girl, you still need to be aware of your surroundings and put your safety first - tour or no tour.

 

Have you ever had an unpleasant experience with a tour guide?

Wacky Wednesday!

So I thought I'd pose this question that you've probably been asked before at least once in your life..

 

 

If you were stuck on a deserted island, what 5 things would you have?

 

Think about it carefully before you answer. :)

 

The reason why I'm posing this question is because I'm currently experiencing an 'I don't know what to write' moment and I figured, why not? It's Wacky Wednesday! I like asking random questions that make you think! Maybe I'll do this every Wednesday? 

 

I've been pretty caught up with my current job. My high schoolers are now starting school and now I've been catching up with ordering their uniforms for Cross Country and planning their crazy running schedule! I'm now taking a break from the working world and am LOVING my current job as a High School Boys and Girls Cross Country Coach. Best 'taking a break' job ever! (I was a Pre-Kindergarten Teacher for 8 years and I miss my little ones like crazy!) But I needed more room for travel.

 

Anyway, I'm also posing this question because my friend joked about it the other day and it brought back my memories of being stuck on Yandup Island in San Blas, Panama. It wasn't a joke then! I used to live this question up until I experienced it for myself.

 

This is a true story.

 

Imagine...

 

You're noticing the cloudy weather and the bumpy boat ride to your island destination.

Ah my chubby cheeks! I've leaned out since then!!

Nevertheless, excited to spend time on a beautiful island. A bit cloudy but hoping for the best.

 

 

 

 Then all of a sudden it starts to rain.

 

Relaxing in my rain soaked hammock listening to the sound of the beautiful rain. I am definitely a rain girl. Not a usual 'Southern California' thing. And that's what makes me unique. :)

 

And it got extremely windy. Taking a chance and walking around the island in this weather would mean experiencing flying for the first time!

 

 

Now when I travel, I have my usual deck of cards, word searches, sudoku games, and journal. But one can only play with those for so long before you either: a) get a headache b) get hungry or c) get bored!

 

And knowing me, I have a hard time sitting still! I'm an explorer. I love learning knew things. Experiencing places I've never been before. And I only play with my deck of cards, word searches, and sudoku games when I'm on the airplane!

 

So after a little awhile, I was getting antsy! So I wandered around...

 

I found a coconut! Coconuts + Reima = love. :)

 

I named it 'Wilson'!

 

Well I tried to crack this coconut open for I'd say at least 40 minutes with no tools. I couldn't do it! And gave up.

 

I ended up wandering around but the wind was taking no prisoners. The rain was getting heavier. Although the island was still incredibly beautiful to me, I could no longer walk around. This island is very small and there weren't many other people here so pretty much deserted. The tour guides and people who work on this island live on other islands so no one was really around.

 

Later that night at dinner, they told us unless the weather changes, the flights were going to be cancelled and we'd have to spend another day there. I was only able to stay for one day/night on Yandup, mainly due to funds at the time, so it was not fun having to pay another night when I was already on a tight budget! Fortunately, they gave me a discount.

 

Which I ended up paying because the next day, the plane didn't arrive. Glad this day was a little better. The water calmed down and all us survivors on the island were taken to another island to explore and see some locals and how they live.

Ukupseni Island. These beautiful boys playing my favorite game, soccer, even after the storm.

This was the highlight of my second day on the island and so thankful that we were able to explore another island while the weather was still gloomy.

 

That night, it rained again. This time I was extremely worried because I was actually supposed to be in Bocas del Toro at the time, missed my flight to Bocas del Toro, and the next day I had a flight to Costa Rica to meet up with a friend.

 

Next day came and we went back to Playon Chico in hopes that the plane would come.

 

I needed to explore one more time, so I crossed the bridge that was between Playon Chico and the nearest island.

 

I was about to give up hope and then there was the sound. The sound of a plane flying above! It was here!

 

Grabbed my backpack and hopped onto the plane. I made it! Survived! Before we got back to Panama City, the plane made a stop on another island to pick up some other passengers.

 

It was one of the saddest sites I have ever seen. There were only 3 spots left on this small plane but there were at least 25 people arguing about who would get those three spots. All these people were stuck on their island as well! After some time, they chose the family with two children to get on the plane. I wished the plane had been big enough for everyone.

 

So after this experience, I NEVER joked about being stuck on an island ever again! And I still haven't.

 

I was only stuck for two days.

 

The San Blas islands are a beautiful place and I'm thankful I got to stay there but I'd suggest bringing a friend just in case this happens again! Don't go alone. :) Besides the fact I have more opinions about these islands and the people here. I'll save that for another day.

 

This occurred in the month of December 2011.

 

Now, with all this said and after much thought, I think these are the 5 things I'd have on a deserted island:

(remember, there is NO internet access/technology!)

 

1) Flashlight/Extra batteries

 

2) A knife (for the coconuts and fish/seafood I've caught after fishing!)

 

3) Fire Metal Match Starter

 

4) A journal with plenty of paper/pens

 

5) Marshmallows - My guilty pleasure! 

 

What's on your list?

Photo of the Day - Panama

 

Diadup Island, San Blas Islands, Panama