La Paz and Todos Santos, Mexico

06 Sep 2018 Leave a comment

by Globe Runner in North America, Photography Tags: , , , , , , , ,

La Paz and Todos Santos: It was our first ever girls-only trip and five of us were determined to go somewhere…anywhere to chill, bond, and be wild. Only one condition, it had to be outside USA. To go easy for the first time, we chose Mexico…a place which was closer to our home and within short distance. After lots of going back and forth, we chose Cabo San Lucas in Mexico. After visiting around 60 countries, this was the single most memorable trip that I’ll always cherish.

A small Mexican village - El Triunfo

A small Mexican village – El Triunfo

We planned ahead for the La Paz and Todos Santos trip to get out of the city life of Cabo. If you have an extra day and are looking for an excursion from Cabo San Lucas, this would be a great option. Both of these small towns are rich in history and culture, but my personal favorite was Todos Santos. The distance from Cabo San Lucas to La Paz is about 264 km and took us about 3 hours by car. But don’t fall asleep…most portion of the journey is very scenic and roads/highways are  surrounded by Sierra Mountains that should not be missed.

Reservation for this trip was made before arriving to Cabo thru Easy Cabo Trip. It was $70 per person and paid partial amount from the total to reserve the day. Originally I chatted with Alex from Easy Cabo Trip to book the trip who was extremely helpful with our needs. Our guide/driver, Eric, was someone who I would recommend highly for anyone. He was knowledgeable, friendly, very nice, dedicated, and spoke pretty good English too. We were picked up from our resort sharp at 8am. It was about 10 hours trip from pick up to drop off. And Eric helped us all the way at every step.

Time of Travel: We were in Cabo San Lucas during the 1st week of December 2017. We kept the first couple days and the last day for Cabo itself. In between, on the 3rd day, we decided to go out of the main tourist spots and enjoy the rural parts of the town. Weather in December in Cabo is usually very pleasant. It was somewhere in the 70s and 80s most of the time.

Our Hotel: We stayed in Marina Fiesta Resort and Spa in Cabo San Lucas. Please check out my page on Cabo right side to know more about the resort.

Eating and Shopping: The morning we went to La Paz, Eric, took us to a small breakfast place because we weren’t able to start our morning without some coffee. I had a freshly made delicious beef empanada while others tried burrito and etc. The place had a small shop attached to it where a lady was selling all sorts of dry fruit pastes, spicy candies, and traditional Mexican snacks. I bought a guava paste bar (my kids loved it) and some tamarind hot candies.

Our breakfast place on our way to La Paz, Mexico

Our breakfast place on our way to La Paz, Mexico

Todos Santos is a fun place to do some souvenir hunting. Hotel California can be slightly pricey but it has some nice selections of trinkets and gift items. I bought few keyrings, a rug, and a mug from here. Other stores here sell similar items, sometimes maybe a bit cheaper than Hotel California. But for my rug, I found that Hotel California was cheaper than other stores and they carry some unique items that other stores didn’t have…but don’t forget to bargain.

Souvenirs inside Hotel California in Todos Santos, Mexico

Souvenirs inside Hotel California in Todos Santos, Mexico

Places We’ve Visited: I wish I knew how beautiful Todos Santos is, I would have planned to go there first and spend more time and then go to La Paz after lunch. We barely got a chance to roam around Todos Santos, because it was already dark when we reached there and everything was getting ready to close.

  1. Tropic of Cancer: This is where we first stopped in the morning. It’s a very simple monument in between San Jose del Cabo and La Paz, where the tropic of cancer crosses. Other than the monument itself, there is a small church and some hand-crafts shops are here too. We spent about 15-20 minutes before heading towards our breakfast venue.

    Monument for Tropic of Cancer near Cabo, Mexico

    Monument for Tropic of Cancer near Cabo, Mexico

  2. Gold and Silver Mine: This is an old and unnamed gold and silver mine. It had no sign and was hidden in the middle of a small hill and bushes. A tiny door leads to the mouth of the mine. We didn’t dare to go inside the mine itself.
  3. Iglesia de El Triunfo: Once a mining urban settlement, El Triunfo is a small town where another silver mine, El Triunfo de la Cruz, is located. In fact, it is this silver mine that gave birth to the town El Triunfo. We didn’t go to the mine here, just saw it from a distance from this church. With the Latin cross floor plan of this building with wooden structured roof, Iglesia de El Triunfo dates back to the second half of the 19th The main altar was designed elaborately in neoclassic style.

    Iglesia de El Triunfo in Cabo, Mexico

    Iglesia de El Triunfo in Cabo, Mexico

  4. Playa Ballandra: Playa Ballandra is a calm beach with a beautiful landscape. We spent about an hour walking along the water and taking pictures. It was not overly crowded but was lively.

    Playa Ballandra in Cabo, Mexico

    Playa Ballandra in Cabo, Mexico

  5. Playa Tecolote: This is where we had our lunch. It’s a small private-like beach, didn’t see anything nearby, except for the restaurant which was almost packed with tourists and locals.

    Playa Tecolote in Cabo, Mexico

    Playa Tecolote in Cabo, Mexico

  6. La Paz Downtown: La Paz is an old Mexican port and still maintains that feel and vibe. The corner stone of Cathedral of La Paz was laid in 1861.

    Cathedral of La Paz

    Cathedral of La Paz

  7. Todos Santos: Located in north of Cabo, Todos Santos is one of the small cities of Baja California on the Pacific side. It took about 1 ½ hours from La Paz to Todos Santos and we got here when it was already dark. It would have been ideal if we came to Todos Santos in the morning and stayed until lunch. We could have spent more time and enjoyed the inspirational characteristic of this Mexican town.

Even if you can’t do La Paz, I would highly recommend taking a day trip to Todos Santos…this is almost a must-see when you are visiting Cabo and makes perfect day trip from Cabo. Its tiny community is filled with old colonial style arts and architecture which take you few centuries back. Here are some places we managed to see in Todos Santos.

  1. Mission of Santa Rosa de Todos Santos: This century old monastery is at the heart of this town. The original building goes back to early 18th We could make it to the cathedral right before its closing and there is no charge to visit. It has a simple interior with elegant altar and grand exterior.
  2. Hotel California: The iconic colonial style red building of Todos Santos is the Hotel California. This is located only 2 minutes’ walk from the cathedral. Inside of the hotel is more beautiful than the outside. So make sure to go inside and check out the hotel lobby, bar, café, and shop.
Inside Hotel California in Todos Santos, Mexico

Inside Hotel California in Todos Santos, Mexico

 

 

Advertisements

7 Mistakes to Avoid When Camping

22 Aug 2018 3 Comments

by Globe Runner in camping, Outdoor, Trips Tags: , , , , , , ,

Camping is one of the most exciting adventures you can have. The word “adventure” always entails things you don’t anticipate like unexpected challenges, explorations of the unknown, or exciting confrontations.  This could put you in situations that might be thrilling, if not dangerous.  This also means you have to be on guard and equipped at all times.

We usually think that once we have our camping gears set, we are ready to hit the road for the camping site.   However, there are several things you need to consider to make your experience not only exciting but also safe.

Here are seven mistakes to avid when camping:

Camping mistake #1: Choosing a campsite solely for the view

Like any other activity, it is always important to plan out your camping trip. Sometimes, we think that choosing a campsite would mean getting the best view, without considering the terrain, the stability of the area, or the dangers that lurk in it.

You should also consider the activities you would be able to do in the area. The site with the best view is not necessarily the best area for activities, especially if it is too remote.  The camping gears you have might just fall short when it comes to the things you want to experience.

To make sure you can keep in touch with civilization, bring your portable solar panels so you can charge your phone if you plan to stay longer.  You may also find other solar panel kits for camping useful.

It is advised that you go to the campsite at an earlier time.  Choose your campsite based on the activities you plan to do.

Camping mistake #2: Relying only on ‘good to go’ food

While it is true that bringing canned goods would make your life easier when preparing your meals, it can also be a lousy way of satisfying your gastronomic expectations.   Treat canned goods as an emergency source of nutrition while camping.

When you are in the wild, there is fresh food available.  Fishing can make your camping experience as exciting as you expect. It can provide you with the freshest catch from the river or creek. Check out which kinds of camping equipment will help you with your fishing activity.

Camping mistake #3: Using your equipment without testing them

Once you have chosen the camping site and are ready with your food supplies, the next things you would normally look into are camping equipment and camping gear. When you have them all in your backpack or car, you think you are all set to go.  Well, a damaged tent cannot protect you from the rain or mosquito in the forest. Check each gear and equipment to ensure they are functioning and can be of use in the wild.

7-Mistakes-to-Avoid-When-Camping

Camping mistake #4: Travelling too light for the campout

Everybody who wants to go camping would always want to travel light. Who would not want to? Just make sure that you are not travelling too light.  Leaving without essential items such as a good-quality sleeping bag would spoil your trip.

One thing you might want to consider is a gear that can serve two or three functions. For example, your smartphone can also serve as a GPS device, a camera, radio, or a flash light, aside from being a phone.  Your backpack can serve as a pillow at night, while a pot can also become a cup.  In addition, a sleeping bag will protect you from mosquitos.

These are just few of the things you can pack.  For a list of essential items for camping, check out some of the 2-in-1 camping equipment you can find online!

Camping mistake #5: Setting up a tiny tent

There are a lot of stores that offer tents for your camping needs. What a lot of campers don’t actually anticipate is the realistic number of people who can fit into one tent. Squeezing two or three persons into a small tent when the rain pours down could be inconvenient.

7-Mistakes-to-Avoid-When-Camping

7-Mistakes-to-Avoid-When-Camping

Always check on the tent size and the style available so you would know how many people it can accommodate, in turn making sure everyone gets a good rest.

Camping mistake #6: Fully relying on the weather forecast

Let’s face it.  One of the most unpredictable phenomena in the world is the weather. Of course, it would be ideal to look into the weather forecast on the day of your campout, but you must remember that weather can change any minute.  It is possible to encounter rain during summer.  If you think that you would need only cotton shirts, sleeveless tops, and shorts for the campout, think again.

Bring camping gear in anticipation of the changing temperature or weather. It will keep you comfy throughout your stay.

Camping mistake #7: Counting on a campfire for cooking food

A campfire ignites the feeling of belongingness and cosiness, especially when all members of the team sits around it at night.  However, campers may be disappointed if they fully rely on the campfire to light up and cook everything.  It is hard to build one, especially when it had just rained.  At the same time, not all natural parks allow campfires.

Be practical. Anyone can use a portable stove if there is a need to cook. You also need to check on the rules within the campsite, as there are places where starting campfires are actually outlawed.

Keep it fun and Exciting

Happiness is a choice. If you choose to have fun on a campout, you need a plan. Going with the plan and bringing all the essential gear could reward you with a thrilling lifetime experience. Looking into the most important camping gear and camping equipment is just as important to guarantee a memorable campout.

Go online and check out Outbaxcamping.com.au for your camping needs!

Why Melbourne Is An Unrivaled City For Event Tourism

31 Jul 2018 2 Comments

by Globe Runner in Australia, Outdoor Tags: , , , , ,

You don’t really need a reason to travel to Australia. For reasons that are just about innumerable, it’s high on a lot of people’s lists, and it’s a country you’ll never forget having had the opportunity to visit. If you are the type to look for specific reasons to travel, however, or at least specific times to do it, Australia – and Melbourne in particular – might become all the more interesting.

This is because Melbourne happens to be one of the best cities in the world for fun and festive events. Any of these events can give you a perfect reason to visit, and a nice excuse to pack up your bags and head to Australia. We couldn’t possibly touch on all of them here, but these are some of the prominent examples you’ll want to keep in mind.

Australian Open

The Australian Open is the first “Grand Slam” tournament for professional tennis, and really signifies the beginning of the annual season to most fans. You can find pros and cons for each of the four Grand Slams around the world (the others being in Paris, London, and New York), but it’s fairly common to see comments suggesting the Aussie Open in Melbourne is the most enjoyable. Granted, it tends to be exceptionally hot when this event is held in late January, but it’s still a fun-filled two-week event and a chance to see world-class tennis.

AustralianOpenMelb_1

Australian Grand Prix

Formula 1 racing travels all over the world and involves a lot of great cities and locations. And sometimes those locations change from one year to the next, so that the calendar is rarely repeated. But the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne is one of the fastest growing races on the circuit, thanks in part to Melbourne’s sports-loving culture. If you’re interested at all in high-speed racing, or if you’re just looking for another terrific sporting event to take in, put it on the list!

AussieGrandPrix_1

Melbourne BeerFest

Held in the spring, Melbourne BeerFest is one of several different food and drink festivals you could pick from throughout the year. Though as its name would imply, it’s certainly one of the signature ones, so to speak. Picture a major outdoor gathering in a pretty spot with craft beer and food available for you to consume to your pleasure, and you’ve pretty much nailed it. There are similar festivals all over the world, but it’s tough to beat the Melbourne setting for it.

MelbBeerfest_1

White Night

White Night festivals happen around the world, and while they vary from place to place the general atmosphere is that of a massive nighttime festival complete with brightly lit attractions and whatever entertainment comes out to play. In Melbourne this is a major event, held in February and bringing out a dazzling number of floats, light shows, and other attractions. It truly is a magical carnival of sorts, and a lovely excuse to spend a whole night out in Melbourne.

White Night 2013

Moomba Festival

Moomba is a little bit difficult to describe, but has been called Australia’s largest free community festival – which is to say it’s sort of a festival for festivity’s sake. It typically takes place on Labour Day weekend, and brings millions of revelers out to the banks of the Yarra River. The celebrations consist of fireworks, parades, watersports in the river, and even an event that sees people diving into said river for charity.

Melbourne Cup

Getting back to another of Melbourne’s celebrated sporting occasions, the Melbourne Cup horse races are perhaps as good as it gets. The event takes place on the first Tuesday of November, which is designated as a national holiday thanks to all of the attention that surrounds the races. The Melbourne Cup grounds are packed with a fun and festive version of the traditional pomp and circumstance that are attached to major horse racing events, and the action on the tracks is always compelling.

MelbCup_2

Earthcore

Earthcore is another event that’s a little bit difficult to describe, but could be unforgettable to experience. Ostensibly a music festival, it basically encompasses all aspects of the arts, and is held for about a week in late November. There isn’t a precise location for the bulk of Earthcore. Rather, the festival takes place at various outdoor venues in and around Melbourne, and even in the Victorian woods.

Earthcore_1

How To Make Moving as Enjoyable as Possible with Family

09 Jul 2018 Leave a comment

by Globe Runner in Off the topic, Photography Tags: , , , ,

Unlike when you’re moving on your own, doing it with your family can require twice as much time and effort from you. For one, you have to entice everyone in the family to help during the move. You have to ensure that their schedule permits it and they actually have the interest to help you. This is especially true for children. Since they’re still innocent, you have to pay attention to everything they’re doing and make sure that their tasks are apt for their skillset. This still doesn’t include the tantrums and misunderstandings you might have to pacify along the way. Fortunately, there are better ways to move from one location to another with your family.

Moving can be tough when you have a big family. More people might mean more helping hands but it can also mean more headaches and stress. If you want your upcoming move to go as smooth as possible, consider making it enjoyable for the family. Doing this might be a struggle but this can change your family’s perception of a move. Tasks can also be completed faster, and your family can be happier. If you want your upcoming move to be as enjoyable as possible, consider the tips below:

  1. Be positive and provide reassurance: If you’ve been living in the same neighborhood for decades, moving can be heartbreaking. You might have already drawn close to everyone living there, treating your neighbors as family members and your children’s friends as your own. This transition can be hard especially for your children. You can turn things around by being positive. Instead of being sad because you’re moving, tell your family that everyone is welcoming an exciting new life. Everyone can start with a clean slate and do whatever they can. Also reassure them that although the location is different, everyone can still make friends with the neighbors. Don’t forget to laugh and joke around during moving day, too. This kind of attitude will influence your family members to do the same.

Photo source: Shutter Stock

  1. Keep communication open: No matter how much you plan for a move, there will always be a few bumps along the way. You might need to move in the next month but your children don’t want to or your family, not like the idea of hiring a moving company. When things don’t go according to plan, always keep communication open. Your sister can’t possibly enjoy the move when she’s uncomfortable moving boxes from your attic to the ground floor, right? Encourage your family to speak out if they have concerns or suggestions. It’ll be easy to provide solutions if you actually know what the problem is.
  1. Translate the move into a game: Instructing children to pack and organize their items during the move can be time-consuming. Constantly looking after them might be an option but with the list of things you have to do for the move, it’s not the best thing to do. Let games help you out with this kind of problem. Before the move, have your children race each other as to who can sort out the most number of items or clean their room the fastest. On the day of the move, the races can involve who can stack the moving boxes neatly or who can carry the most stuff. You can also have fun games during the car ride to the new location. Have your children play Twenty Questions and Bingo.

There are many games which you can use before, during and even after the move. You just have to think out of the box to keep them upbeat! You can also give prizes to the winners as an added bonus.

  1. Create a playlist: Packing items, labeling boxes and moving these from one area to another can become a hassle. When it’s done for days, your family might even be exhausted. To liven things up, prepare a playlist. This can include songs which have a meaning to the family (like the Christmas Carol everyone sang during the holidays or the movie theme song your sister used to sing in her class), your personal favorite or the latest songs being played on the radio. Once your family members hear these songs, they’ll be energized to complete their tasks. You might even hear them singing at the top of their lungs while piling up boxes.
  1. Eat like kings: Food is the best reward you can give to your family after a day of packing, organizing and cleaning. Create a plan of what to serve once your family starts making preparations for the move. If they’re starting to pack their valuables Saturday afternoon, make sure a meal is set for dinner. You can ask them what they want to eat or prepare everyone’s favorite dish as a surprise. During your travel, it’s also important that you pay attention to the food supplies your family has. Bring with you a cooler packed with cold beverages, fruits and nuts. You can even stop for a healthy meal along the way.

Photo source: Shutter Stock

  1. Don’t rush: Being unprepared is one of the reasons why a move can become stressful. You’ll have to rush everyone to finish their tasks as soon as possible, causing them to experience stress too. You can save your family from situations like these by starting early. If you’re planning to live in a new house during the first week of August, you can start packing as early as June. This will give you ample time to sort out all of your items, pack and label them accordingly. When everyone is relaxed and calm during the move, they have more time to have fun.
  1. Meet the children in your new location: When children move to another location, they fear that they’ll be all alone as they don’t have any friends. Most often than not, they would even worry that other children might bully them. Change this kind of perception by meeting the children in your new location. Take time to know them and tell your children about them. You should also teach your children how to introduce themselves so it’ll be easier for them to reach. If possible, create avenues for your children to meet everyone in the neighborhood. Schedule camps in your backyard or have children from your neighborhood visit your house for some snacks.

Change For The Better

Moving from one location to another can be tiring but there are many ways on how you can spice things up. Gradually brush the idea that you’re doing chores during the move; think of them as avenues to have fun and bond with your family. Don’t think that you’ll be leaving your friends in your old neighborhood because you’re actually adding more with the new people you’ll meet. Don’t think lifting heavy boxes is just a boring task but as a medium to have a friendly competition with your siblings. Change your mind set about moving and soon enough, everyone in the family will do the same. It won’t be long before everyone in the family will never look at a move as a burden, but another way to have fun and enjoy!

Author’s Bio:

Dianne has been writing blogs for quite some time now. She is interested in a lot of things which makes it a joy for her to write about different niche. But among all the niches, business and marketing is her favorite. She also gives her audience an idea about hiring a moving company. When she’s not busy writing, Dianne spends her time with her husband Francis and daughter Francinne. This is where she draws inspiration from to continually provide informative blogs to different audience.

 

How to uncover the culture of Africa: 7 tips

29 Jun 2018 1 Comment

by Globe Runner in Africa, Outdoor, Trips Tags: , , , , , , ,

mountain

SOURCE

Traveling to another country isn’t all about spending hours lying in the sun and relaxing; it also offers up the chance to learn about a new culture. Africa is no exception. Thankfully, I have put together seven tips that will help you to uncover the culture of Africa on your next journey.

1. Head out on safari

When thinking about Africa, it can be easy to imagine all the animals living out there in the desert planes. So why not take a chance to experience them for yourself? Many companies offer up package deals that take the stress and worry out of organizing the tour yourself, and you could even learn some local tips and tricks from your local guide. After all, it’s their job to know all about the local area.

2. Take things slowly

It can be easy to get carried away when visiting another country, especially when trying to take in all that is on offer in Africa. Unfortunately, the faster you move, the more you could miss. Rather than scrambling around to see as much as you can before you go home, be sure to take the time to stop and look around, what are the locals doing? How does the wildlife sound? How does the sun feel on your skin? It’s the smaller things that will give you a better understanding of the culture of Africa.

bazar

SOURCE

3. Visit the local bazaars

Over the years, I have been lucky enough to delve headfirst into many markets all around the world. Although many regions have their own take on the trade, Africa has perfected bazaars thanks to the variety of bargains on offer. The Khan-El-Khalili Bazaar in Egypt is one of the many I have got to browse through over the years, and these offer up the perfect way to chat with the locals and see life through their eyes.

4. Talk to the local residents

What better way to learn about the local area than by talking to the people that live there? Nearly everywhere I have been, there has been someone willing to offer up a secret vacation spot or snippet of information about the area that you would never learn unless you lived there. If you’re confused about how something works, be sure to ask. If you want to learn more about the history of the culture, get stuck in with some questions. You might even make some lifelong friends along the way.

5. Get on public transport

If you want to take a step deeper into uncovering the culture of Africa, then be sure to take a ride on their public transport. There are many variations of public transportation in Africa, with mini buses being one of the most popular. However, it might be best to opt for a shared taxi if you want a safer ride on your journey. The drivers of these vehicles tend to take things a little slower than their minibus rivals but will still get you there on time.

cooking-dinner-food

SOURCE

6. Get your fork ready

Did you know that every country in Africa has its own specialty meal? While traveling around, you might come across kitfo in Ethiopia or mandazi in Kenya, and be sure not to let these opportunities pass you by. Enjoying mouthfuls of local offerings is a brilliant way to experience life in the local area as well as giving your taste buds the treat of a lifetime.

7. Learn some phrases

Before you head off on your next journey, do you know how to say “hello” and “goodbye” in the local language? It might be a small touch – and you might find many people speak English – but learning some simple words and phrases will show the locals how you’re willing to embrace their country. Plus, they could be more likely to help you uncover the culture if you’ve already made an effort before your plane lands.

Traveling through Africa is a perfect way to uncover the culture of the continent. However, if you have even more tips on how to learn about their ways of the world then be sure to let me know in the comments.

Previous Older Entries

Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 5,647 other followers

Blog Stats

  • 585,523 hits
%d bloggers like this: