Around the World in 717 Days

CHANDLER, ARIZONA – When we left the United States in November of 2011 we were in search of an adventure. We didn’t intend on traveling for any finite period of time. There was no big list of countries that we planned to visit, and we definitely didn’t intend to circumnavigate the world. Every day we made decisions regarding which direction to head or where to spend the next week or month and every day we were surprised by what laid around the corner. The constant discovery and unending challenges and lessons are what made our trip worth continuing. Combined, they are why our journey lasted much longer than either of us (or our family and friends, for that matter) imagined.

Starting with Latin America, we traveled by land between Mexico and Read the rest of this entry »

Snapshot Series: Primates Around the Globe

Photographing wildlife is one of our absolute favorite activities no matter where we are. This post showcases some of the many primates that we snapped pictures of during our travels in Central and South America, Africa, Asia, and the Indian sub-continent. Observing their expressions, mannerisms and behavior up close is astonishing and reveals just how closely related we all really are. We thoroughly enjoyed watching these animals up close and laughing at their human-like behavior – and quite often mis-behavior. 

Angkor Wat, Cambodia: Long-Tailed Macaque

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Snapshot Series: Food Around the Globe

Yes, we need it to survive, but food is also something we live for, searching out specific cuisines and culinary experiences. When traveling food is also a tool for getting to know a country. It is a method to connect with local people. Food is even a source for gaining insights into cultures and their histories. While we may not remember every detail of every meal there are many that stand out; we can easily recollect where we were, who we dined with, the scents whirling around us and even who prepared it and served it to us. Food has a power over us. We travel for the food.

Bosnia and Herzegovina: Cevapi

Grilled minced beef served with cabbage salad and somun (a spongy flat pocked bread) Read the rest of this entry »

Wrapping up Latin America (For Now!)

MEDELLÍN, COLOMBIA- Almost a year ago we left our beautiful life, home and friends in Austin, Texas to depart on a journey that we had dreamt about for almost eight years. We have thus far leisurely, yet deliberately, visited nine different and wonderful countries. Although we have our favorites, each location and person we’ve come in contact with has contributed to creating the eye-opening experience we have had.

We’ve done our best to travel with our goals in the forefront of our minds, volunteering Read the rest of this entry »

Ecuador’s Lively Coast: Blue-Footed Boobies to Ballenas

PUERTO LOPEZ, ECUADOR – We departed Colán early in the morning, heading towards Ecuador, excited to experience the height of whale migration happening there just off the coast. Our first stop along the way was Zorritos, a small beach town just 30 miles south of the Peruvian-Ecuadorian border.

Nearby was the border town of Tumbes, where we planned a daytrip to the Tumbes Mangrove National Sanctuary. We had first heard about Read the rest of this entry »

Peru’s Northern Coast: Volunteering With Peruvian Pups

COLÁN, PERU – We’ve found that one of our biggest passions and reasons why we love traveling so much is the immense variety and beauty in landscapes and wildlife that we see along the way. Perhaps above all, it’s been eye opening to see the vast amounts of dogs in all conditions that park themselves on every street corner throughout Central and South America. When we found out about the San Francisco de Assisi Humanitarian Association, it made sense for us to jump at the chance to spend some time volunteering there with the animals. Rosemary, the 69-year old founder of the association, explained to us that Colán was a great location to spend some time in and enjoy the incredible Pacific sunsets. Most importantly the difference we could make with her association and all of the animals would be well worth the trip.

Since we were excited to help, we quickly made our way back through Colombia, Read the rest of this entry »