L’Esperance, the hilltop orphanage in Rwanda across an expansive lake from dual Congolese volcanoes.
We began our week of forestry, frolicking with children, and painting with the not-so steady boat ride into the beachfront property of the L’esperance Orphanage. After the 45 minute walk up to the colorful orphanage we arrived to find something of a paradise. Victor, the Guatemalan director of L’Esperance opened his home to us and among… Read More
Blog from Sarah P.
Hello friends and family!
We are now in Rwanda after an amazing few days on a canoe trek around Lake Bunyonyi.
On the canoe trek we spent the first day canoeing and exploring the islands around the lake. It was really beautiful, and nice to be back on the water. We were in dugout canoes that are made by hand by various people around the lake.… Read More
G’Day family and friends of the Carpe Hongi group!
We just arrived back in Alice Springs from an exhausting, yet liberating week in the Australian outback. This week has pushed us in ways we didn’t even know we could be pushed, both emotionally and physically. From a 25 hour train ride all the way to swimming in between million year old rocks.
Our bodies were tired, dripping with sweat and… Read More
I could see the apprehension in Benji’s eyes at the first whispers of a Thanksgiving feast, hours after finishing a four day trek. But once Katrina and I secured a kitchen, the wheels of holiday cheer were in motion and there was no stopping us. Over the next few days, all eight of us brainstormed different dishes to serve and thought up strategies on how to execute an eight-dish meal… Read More
Ever since applying for Carpe India, I’ve been psyched for the four day trek. There’s something extremely satisfying about going from point A to point B using nothing but my two feet (plus 16 mules’ hooves…zero ways I’m dragging a propane tank and a few tents up the mountain). The trek was challenging on some days but we got plenty of breaks and were treated like kings and queens at… Read More
We have been very busy here in India the past several weeks, but a very different kind of busy from the first half of the trip. Instead of running about crowded towns filled with honking horns and cows, we have been enjoying the mountain scenery around the towns of Rishikesh and Dharamshala.
After a short stop in Delhi after an incredible week in Kolkata, we took a train to Rishikesh… Read More
Blog from Lily B.
Walking to the bus station, we learned what the benefits are to backpacking light. We headed off southbound to Mafinga for a brief wait at the bus station for the connection to Mufindi- a site of peculiar people watching and interesting cultural
interactions. Bumping along the roads to Mufindi Chilren’s Village, we saw brilliant green tea fields in all directions. We met with Amari, new college… Read More
Just a quick post to keep everyone updated! We haven’t had time the last week to take care of group things such as the blog because we’ve been staying at the beautiful Phool Chatti ashram in upper Rishikesh. The ashram overlooks the Ganges river from a bluff and has the perfect atmosphere for some serious reflection and spiritual exploration. Our days we’re jam-packed (5:30 am to 9 pm!) with yoga,… Read More
Greetings from Calcutta! I have been given the lofty task of describing my experience here. Honestly, I know that I will probably fail at fully expressing all of the emotions I have pertaining to this amazing place, but I will try my best.
I want to start off by saying that Calcutta was the reason that I chose this program. Yes, I was excited for many other aspects of the… Read More
Blog courtesy of Maddy K. from their safari a couple of weeks ago! Thanks for your patience with the delay on posting this blog as internet can be challenging in Tanzania.
Hello Hello Hello!
I am Maddy Karsten from Grand Rapids, Michigan and this week’s blogger! Since our five days learning Swahili at River Valley Campsite, we have had an unforgettable 5 days. We spent three full days walking around… Read More
On the morning of November 9th, we all said farewell to our wonderful host families as we began our full day journey to Bona Fide Farm on the island of Ometepe. Carrying our backpacks with us, and thankfully not misplacing any of them, we prepared ourselves for two back to back two and a half hour bus rides, 2 taxi rides, and eventually the one hour ferry ride (which was… Read More
This week we headed up the Rio de Madre Dios to El Gato hostel in the Amazon Basin of Peru. We focused on the theme of sustainable living by working with the local nonprofit, Camino Verde, to build a fish pond so they can source their own protein. This organization strives to protect the biodiversity of the beautiful Tambopata river basin by planting endangered tree species. Enjoy the photo highlights… Read More
With very little clean clothes, a few extra bug bites (maybe a few cat bites as well), and slightly clay-stained orange hands, we are finishing up our week here in the jungle. Looking back at our achievements, however, it was all extremely worthwhile. Our main project with Robin was constructing a pond. This pond will provide Robin and the people living with him with a sustainable protein-source instead of fishing… Read More
Hey all! Our group has been all about that swell and barrels as we are digging the surfers vibe in Playa Gigante. Project WOO (Waves of Optimism) has shown us what community projects can do in bringing people together. This was especially true today as we held a community surf day for the kids and their families. It was super fun, just seeing kids enjoying the beach and learning to… Read More
G’day family and friends! So far our stay in Australia has been grand. Our first stop was Adelaide where a member of the group was temporarily lost after falling asleep on the bus. But don’t worry, he made good use of by getting to know the city ahead of time. We spent the next two days exploring Adelaide, then we headed off to the Conservation Volunteers of Australia headquarters where… Read More
Hello Family and Friends!
Another successful week has gone by in the Carpe Diem Hongi group!
As we left Fiji it was hard to say goodbye and many tears were shed when saying goodbye to our home stay families. It felt like a second home in Fiji and is experience we will never forget. That being said, we were looking forward to our next stop in Adelaide, Australia. We stayed… Read More
Hey hey everyone! Indy here. After the hassles we experienced trying to cross the border into Cambodia, I’d say the country has now redeemed itself for me.
After a few days exploring Siem Reap and the magnificent Angkor Wat, we took a what-was-supposed-to-be-a-7-hour-bus-ride-that-I-think-actually-took-nine-because-of-traffic to Phnom Penh, from where we immediately went to New Hope for Cambodian Children, an orphanage and elementary school for kids living with HIV. Unfortunately, as soon… Read More
Hello there friends and family,
This is Hannah here and I am currently in an internet cafe in Njombe, Tanzania and I am loving it! We just got back from Mufindi Children’s Village and my heart feels complete 🙂 With so much love being put into amazing projects no wonder they are being so successful with their work! From doing baby- power hour to working out on the water pumping… Read More
Well it’s been quite a week! We took a bus from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh, a trip which was supposed to take 6 or 7 hours and ended up taking 10. We made it to the New Hope for Cambodian Children orphanage late on Monday night, and quickly passed out in our dorms. Over the next few days we made good use of the bathrooms, as most of us… Read More
Papa Cusco brings hot legit fried eggs to you— that´s how you start a day!
Sexy Spanish teacher says Buenos Dias to you— that´s how you learn knowledge!!
Still warm Pan with leaking chocolate inside from panderia— that´s your afternoon snack!!!
Salsa, Market, Zoo, Cooking class at afternoon— that´s why you can´t stop smiling!!!!
Fantastic dinner with group in cozy hostal— that´s the chill time of your day!!!!!
Pillow talk… Read More
