Blog

A TIMELINE OF OUR JOURNEY…

Archive South Pacific- HONGI
Our journey starts by exchanging smiles with the people of Nananu The beginning of getting to know each other Fijian fashionistas! Goodbye Fiji, Hello New Zealand Auckland Harbour The start of our Coast to Coast walk, long but rewarding Anne’s Farm Our cottage view in Taranaki (The First Day of our Adventure Camp) Before the Mud Run… After the Mud Run… Bike riding the coast Andrew’s Birthday Surprise (He was… Read More

AMRITSAR

Archive India- SHIVA
I am woken from the cold marble floor by a tall, spear-wielding man with a turban reaching to the heavens. “Head”. He pats his hand on his forehead and points to the scarf lying by my side. It is 3 in the morning and I have broken yet another one of the the temples many taboos. Among covering your head at all times, bare-feet are a must and pointing feet… Read More

Photos from the Sacred Valley

Archive South America- INTI
Josh embodying his inner Inca Warrior – about to abandon his post and engage in battle! Austin, Brian, Josh, and Ryan enjoying the sunrise over the Sacred Valley. Austin soaks up the sun and dodges the cat swipes while reading on the grass. Ancient Inca salt pools near Urubamba Josh and Austin getting a bit salty! Brian squeezes into a combi bound for Ollantaytambo Ella and Rhiannon discover cochinilla –… Read More

Gigante happenings

Archive Central America- MAYA
I’m sorry the pictures got out of order!     We climbed El Pie de Gigante during the week, which left us breathless from not only scaling an almost vertical trail but for the amazing sight we found at the top. The sunset pictures are from yesterday and Adrienne, Ally and I went fishing this morning.     Just wanted to share with you all that we are doing well.… Read More
Archive South America- INTI
Well we did it! We successfully finished our student directed travel week, of course not without a few bumps along the road. But before I get into that, I would just like everyone to know that what we thought was impossible, is actually possible! We found bagels in Cusco, Peru! … Along with probably the most beautiful Israli people to ever set food in this world. So we began our… Read More
Archive South America- INTI
This week on our reality tv show: The group explored the ancient ruins at Pisac in the Sacred Valley, a site known as a close second only to Macchu Picchu! Jackie and I made friends with a most interesting Israeli traveler who aided us in bargaining for a ride back to the hostal (the price went from 20 to 2 by the time he was done!) In Urabamba we found… Read More

Tiny Gigante

Archive Central America- MAYA
Here at Playa Gigante we had our last week of Spanish school, while volunteering at their school. We finished painting the kindergarden building while the locals joined in to help. After a hard days work of service we relax on the beautiful beach of Gigante and Amarillo, where the waves knock ya right on your bums. This next week we´ll be learning how to cook the local food, go fishing… Read More

Trek, Kampala and the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary!

Archive East Africa- KIFARU
So after leaving SNEC we were back in Kabale for the night. In the morning we got up bright and early to drive to lake bunyoni to begin our trek! Our first day was mainly canoeing (in dugout canoes!) from island to island in the beatiful and massive Lake Bunyoni. We also hiked across many of the islands and even had the opportunity to visit with a woman named Mamma… Read More

FREE TRAVEL!!

Archive South Pacific- HONGI
Free Travel! Free Travel is a week in which we, the group, get to plan, organize and budget our own adventure. After much research and discussion our group decide to hike the beautiful National Park of Abel Tasman. Abel Tasman is notorious for its clear blue ocean, golden sand beaches, and lush green mountains. We planned a three day hike in which we would kayak the first half of the… Read More

Free Travel & Our Week With CVA

Archive South Pacific- WALKABOUT
Free Travel – Day 1 – April 1st   No pranks this day, unfortunately. I think the 1st snuck up on all of us… In the morning we left Nelson for Takaka. During our drive through the mountains we had some truely amazing views. We got into Takaka in the early afternoon. Our hostel in Takaka was certainly the smallest and I’d say the nicest we’ve stayed at thusfar. That night… Read More

Invasion of pretty good weather, cyclists, tour leaders, peach, pear, apricot blossoms, bugs and cycle-tourism!

Archive Latitudes Year
The last few days have been extremely busy as I have been spending time in and around the tour lead training simulation we are doing over the week. I have been kept busy with paperwork, organizing, cooking, meeting, greeting, cleaning and everything in between amongst the great weather (and even having chances to cycle and take some mechanical training which will come in handy in life or even the future… Read More

From High Tea to OM GANGA MAI

Archive India- SHIVA
A lot has happened over the past two weeks. After the week of trekking to Dzongri, we had two weeks to recover from our aching feet & sore muscles by spending time in Darjeeling & Rishikesh– both in very different ways. DARJEELING: While in Darjeeling, we recouped anyway we saw fit. We all found some much needed rest & relaxation by doing whatever we wanted to do with our three… Read More

Poop and Bugs: The story of Finca Bona Fide

Archive Central America- MAYA
Hello from Playa Gigante! Sorry for the long hiatus between posts. We haven´t had many opportunities for internet in the last couple of weeks. Last week the group worked hard on Finca Bona Fide on Ometepe Island. The farm´s main goal is to promote permaculture, or permenant agricultural, a practice of sustainable farming where the available resources are constantly reused as opposed to being used up as is in most… Read More

Bienvenidos from Colombia!

Archive Latitudes Year
Tom here, writing you from my home here in the beautiful city of Cali, Colombia. The climate is around 80 degrees and perfect,while the wildlife and plantlife erupts from nearly every possible surface. I live with a yoga instructor from Argentina named Pablo, the owner of the house and center named Samantha, and her one and a half year old son Ilan. As if that wasn’t a perfect environment I… Read More

Carpe takes Cusco

Archive South America- INTI
This week was spent running through the rambling streets and alleys of the longest consistently inhabited city in all of South America. Highlights included many amazing meals, a visit to the black market, salsa lessons, and a thundering sunset. Cobblestoned streets lead from plaza to plaza, while fountains and an interesting array of graffiti decorate the walls. Mornings have frequently begun with a quick stop at a nearby bakery for… Read More