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April 11, 2014 | in Central & South America, Travel

Exploring the Ruins at Xunantunich

xunantunich belize frieze mayan ruin

Day #11,663, Part Dos (Belize): Although we’d already crossed ‘jungle canoeing’ off the ol’ anniversary list, Mr. M & I were not content to call it a one-adventure sort of day. Having seen the great Mayan ruins of Tikal the day before, we wanted to visit a Mayan ruin on the Belizean side, too. Xunantunich (pronounced […]

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April 8, 2014 | in Central & South America, Travel

Not-Your-Average Anniversary in San Ignacio, Belize

belize macal river canoe

Mr. M & I are not your typical romantics. For Christmas, I got a taxidermied squirrel dressed for a battle at high noon. I fell in love- with both husband and gun-toting squirrel. Day #11,663, Part Uno (Belize): I don’t know how Normal People celebrate 6th wedding anniversaries, but Mr. M & I woke up at […]

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March 28, 2014 | in Central & South America, Travel

Belize Road Trip: Welcome to the Jungle

mystic river resort macal view

Unlike many places, where I have absolutely no idea what to expect once the airplane wheels touch down, I thought I had Belize figured out. Golden sand, scuba gear, honeymoon resorts… I got you, Belize. Right? Day #11,661: The first step in our road trip from the Belize City airport was transportation. As we drove […]

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July 2, 2013 | in Asia, Travel

India in August

I think these kids are telling us we just need to hang on for the ride.

Remember the Seinfeld episode-in-reverse where the gang heads to India for Elaine’s frenemy’s wedding?  I always laugh at that scene where the groom’s (Indian) parents urge Elaine to stay home and just send a present instead.  “India is a dreadful country,” the mother says. “Do you know they still have the plague?” Well, plague be […]

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April 4, 2013 | in Australia & New Zealand, Travel

The Fruit of the Rainforest

cape trib exotic fruit farm australia

Our trip to Australia predated my understanding that “Rainforest” doth not equal “Willy Wonka’s Wonderland of Animals.”  While the rainforest may indeed be jam-packed with wildlife, thou shalt not see any.  That’s so consistently the case across the continents that if I had a Ten Commandments of Adventure Travel, that would make it onto the […]

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February 28, 2013 | in Central & South America, Travel

In Search of Galapagos

wild galapagos tortoise

Lucky Day #10,000 (confetti & balloons!): In the town of Puerto Ayora on the island of Santa Cruz in the Galapagos archipelago lives the Charles Darwin Research Station. The Station is dedicated to conserving the unique marine and terrestrial ecosystems of the Galapagos, and it’s open for the public to learn more about their work. […]

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February 13, 2013 | in Asia, Travel

Bali by Bike

rice harvester bali

The bike is a grievously underrated mode of transportation.  For four years during veterinary school, I used my trusty bike Samson (normal folk name their bikes, right?) as my primary means of getting about town.  While biking everywhere limited my fashion choices (let’s be honest- rectally palpating cows doesn’t necessarily lend itself to super-cute miniskirts […]

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January 31, 2013 | in Central & South America, Travel

Viva Brasil, The Pantanal Part 2: A Caiman Tail… Tale

Caiman Pantanal Brazil

The Pantanal is home to what is thought to be the largest concentration of crocodilians in the world. Day#11,062: Paul determined that our morning held in store a boat ride down the Rio Negro.  Drifting lazily in the summer heat taking in the beauty of the Pantanal sounded pretty darn good. Mr. M, our guide […]

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January 28, 2013 | in Central & South America, Travel

Viva Brasil, The Pantanal Part 1: Appreciating the Unappreciated

tapir pantanal brazil

Some places on this majestically overwhelming planet are grossly under-appreciated.  It’s hard not to include the Usual Suspects in a Bucket List: The Amazon… seeing the Northern Lights in the Arctic Circle… going on an African safari… Of course they’re incredible. But what about the lesser-known, equally impressive natural wonders that are ordained to exist in the […]

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September 7, 2012 | in Central & South America, Travel

Viva Brasil, Amazon Part 4: Sunrise to Sunset

Sunrise, Take 2

Day #11,053: Our alarm went off at the ungodly hour of 5am.  The jungle was still dark, and the first birds were just beginning to shriek when BAM!  Something big hit our roof.  Mr. M & I looked at each other, eyes wide and still foggy with sleep.  Whatever it was scrambled around up there, […]

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