While 2017 ended our two-year bicycle journey that began in Oslo, Norway and ended in Medellín, Colombia, it by no means meant the end of our adventures. I try to stress that adventure doesn’t have to mean putting your dog on a plane, flying across the Atlantic, and cycling across 24 countries together. That is …
Ecuador
The novelty of cycle touring has been wearing on me for quite some time. The daily packing and movement to a new location has lost its luster. Our bikes, unfit for gravel surfaces due to the composition of my bike frame, our tires, oh, and our dog, force us to stick to the main roads, like …
I am a chocolate snob. Anything under 60% is just not chocolatey enough and between 70% and 85% is ideal. And don’t even thinking about tainting chocolate with milk. That’s just repulsive. Throughout much of South America, I’ve had a bit of a tough time finding high quality, vegan chocolate. After over a year on …
I am not typically one for visiting mega tourist destinations. The crowds, lines, and all the tourist traps, make me want to bolt as soon as we’ve arrived. It took some convincing from several friends to make me agree to visit Machu Picchu. Don’t get me wrong, I found Machu Picchu beautiful and impressive, and, …
When planning my family visit to Ecuador this Christmas, I asked my trusty college roommate for advice. She had studied abroad there during our last semester of college and her program took her all over the country. “Mindo,” she said. “Don’t miss Mindo.” But we missed Mindo. One of the most biodiverse countries on the …
Not usually a large city fan, especially large polluted Latin American cities, Quito won me over. We had a few friends we already knew in the city, as well as some friends who had lived there previously. We were seeking access to nature and dog-friendly places to walk and run with Sora. Located in a …
Finding dog-friendly jaunts in nature that also include transportation is not always easy, but I emailed a few tour companies to see what they might be able to offer. Arutam Ecotours, emailed me right away and suggested the hike to the Waterfalls of Girón (also called El Chorro) and asked us to swing by the …