Tag: journey

Prepare for The Jungle in 8 Steps

by Rach Rob, posted in Jungles, South America, Travel Hacks

The idea of visiting a jungle is quite enchanting, isn’t it? But perhaps a rainforest-run is… I don’t know… a bit daunting? Well, it doesn’t have to be.

If you’ve never been on an excursion through the rainforest, the days leading up to your jungle journey can be anxiety-ridden. It’s natural to be nervous before embarking on an experience completely foreign to you. To put your mind at ease, use the days before your trip to prepare. Every trip to the jungle is a different experience and adventure. It is impossible to predict exactly what you will do, see and even need. But if you follow the steps laid out here, you will surely be among the more savvy, ready-for-anything explorers. Continue reading “Prepare for The Jungle in 8 Steps” →

How to Have The Most Meaningful Travel Experiences

by Rach Rob, posted in A Personal Journey, Travel Hacks

You’ve heard the stories, read the memoirs, and seen the movies. They make it look and sound easy to “transcend”. To become enlightened by travel. Let’s be honest, you will still be you upon your return home. With that said, travel can be a transformative experience. But it comes in subtle and unexpected ways. If you are traveling on a journey of personal growth, there are some basic principles you can keep in mind to help gain the meaningful experiences you seek.

Continue reading “How to Have The Most Meaningful Travel Experiences” →

After Ever After

by Rach Rob, posted in A Personal Journey

To all who celebrate, happy Thanksgiving Day. Don’t get me wrong, I will never condone the mass slaughter of turkeys. And I have a hard time standing behind the history from which the tradition was born. But I appreciate this day for its reminder that we should consider and declare what we are grateful for.

For a couple of years, it was really hard for me to do that. But alas, I am feeling gratefulness in my heart yet again. Thank you. Thank you for reading this. Thank you for caring.  Continue reading “After Ever After” →

The Ruins of Cusco & The Sacred Valley – Learn From My Mistakes.

by Rach Rob, posted in Peru, South America

I don’t think I saw this region properly.  I don’t often say that.  But considering that the Inca Ruins were among the places that I was most excited to explore in South America, I have to be honest and say that if I ever do it a second time in life, I will do it differently.  Don’t get me wrong, I had a wonderful time and am thrilled that I finally made it here.  But those of you planning your Cusco trips, please learn from my mistakes! Continue reading “The Ruins of Cusco & The Sacred Valley – Learn From My Mistakes.” →

Cusco, City and Celebration

by Rach Rob, posted in Peru, South America

Having spent a full month just in Cusco, 1 blog post doesn’t seem like fair attention to this fascinating place.  So I am going to break this up into 3 posts.  This post is dedicated to the City of Cusco, as well as the Inti Raymi festival that I was lucky to be able to celebrate there.

When I first set my sights on South America, Machu Picchu felt like the pinnacle that had to be reached.  My initial plan was to start in the South of Patagonia, and finish 4 months later in Cusco, the launching point for visitors from around the globe visiting the wondrous Inca ruins.  That is not what happened.  After 4 months, I hadn’t even reached Peru.  So I returned to South America a second time, this time with 6 months to spare.  The second time around, I still had my heart set on visiting Machu Picchu, but I no longer envisioned it as the climax of my journey.  After being awestruck by so many unexpected things along my way, Machu Picchu became another exciting stop along a journey that would continue well beyond.
Continue reading “Cusco, City and Celebration” →

Arequipa & Colca Canyon, Peru

by Rach Rob, posted in Peru, South America

Arequipa was my “Welcome to Peru” city.  I had heard from repeated backpackers that the city center was really lovely, and that the nearby Colca Canyon was something that shouldn’t be missed on a good tour of Peru.  So of course, I headed straight there. Continue reading “Arequipa & Colca Canyon, Peru” →

Copacabana & Isla Del Sol, Bolivia

by Rach Rob, posted in Bolivia, South America

This was an incredible way to say goodbye to Bolivia after an incredible 3 months (4 if you count last year).  I love this country beyond words! For my the final leg of my Bolivian journey, I visited Copacabana and Isla Del Sol.   Continue reading “Copacabana & Isla Del Sol, Bolivia” →

Rurre, Bolivia – Return to the Jungle

by Rach Rob, posted in Bolivia, South America

When I was preparing for my second big South American adventure, many people asked me if I planned to revisit anywhere I had already been.  For the most part, I was only interested in seeing new things.  But there was one place I  absolutely had my heart set on to revisit: Rurrenabaque, Bolivia.  From the moment I left this town last year, I knew I hadn’t had enough.  I needed more of the charming small town, more of the beautiful local people, and more of the Amazon. Continue reading “Rurre, Bolivia – Return to the Jungle” →

At the Bolivia/Argentina Border, Again.

by Rach Rob, posted in Argentina, Bolivia, South America

La frontera… Otra vez.  So my second “first impression” of Bolivia was equally as strange and frustrating as my first. Continue reading “At the Bolivia/Argentina Border, Again.” →

Iruya, Argentina

by Rach Rob, posted in Argentina, South America

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Iruya, pronounced to us non-Argentinian’s as “eh-roo-sha”, is incredibly beautiful.  In fact, as you can see from my photos, it is damn near impossible to take a bad picture of this little mountain town. Continue reading “Iruya, Argentina” →