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 […]
The Northeast has a certain high-falutin’ way of naming its suburban wilds that somehow elevates them to the level of Inaccessible. For months I imagined that The Poconos (did I dare breathe its hallowed name?) was an enchanted playground for the rich & famous… not the birthplace of the in-room champagne hot tub. Similarly, I […]
Mr. M, Charlie, & I woke up this Friday morning to thick, fluffy snow swirling round outside our bedroom window. Mr. M, with his sizeable commute and morning errands, was a bit annoyed. Charlie Mae- upon setting one paw in an icy puddle on our stoop and immediately putting her gears in reverse- was horrified […]
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. […]
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 […]
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 […]
As you may or may not know, I’m technically a veterinarian. Growing up- in densely suburban Southern California, I might add- Sister S and I (you remember her!) shared our very small home with raccoons, squirrels, opossums, ferrets, chickens, and even a tarantula. We were that house. The one the neighbors all hated cuz it […]
You can smell Rotorua, a lovely town tucked into the northwest corner of New Zealand’s North Island, long before you can see it. Rotorua is best-known for two things: its crown as the adventure sports capital of New Zealand and its extensive network of hot springs… hence the looming, sulfur stench. Day #10,288: Mr. M […]
Day #11,059: After the stunning views of Iguazu Falls from the Brazilian side, Mr. M & I were pretty pumped to tour the Iguazu National Park in Argentina. Plus, I was secretly coveting another stamp in my passport. In addition to passport stamps, I’m also a sucker for accommodations that include breakfast. The Bourbon Cataratas Hotel […]
Day #11,058: Straight off a wonderful last day in Rio de Janeiro, Mr. M & I landed in Iguazu, the eponymously named gateway to the waterfalls (or ‘cataratas,’ one of my favorite Spanish words because it’s just so fun to say). The 14 mile-long network of ‘cataratas’ making up Iguazu Falls straddle the border of […]