Hi Matador!  Here's something I wrote for another blog, but I thought I'd share my two cents.

I've been on the road in Colombia for a month now and, believe me, the thought has crossed my mind to "cheat" a bit and just finish the job in the quickest way possible.   I'm getting paid only...

It was a 6-hour journey made on taxi, bus, and “chalupa” (a canoe with high speed motor).  Alas, my friend Lillian and I have made it to Colombia’s religious mecca, Mompox.  It is hot as balls here.  So hot that, after just one hour of walking by the Magdalena River, Lillian and...

I had no idea I would be coming back so soon, but I couldn't be more delighted!  I met my friend Lillian on the way in Bogotá, and we have been in Cartagena for a few days now, enjoying the very hot weather and the salsa dancing!  :)  I am also supposed to be writing for a travel guide...

As the rest of you are sunning yourselves on some beach in Mexico for spring break, I will be heading down to Colombia to write for a travel guidebook for six weeks.  “You’re not serious,” you might be saying to me.  “What with all the political crises going on?”  And I reply...

This is my house -- a landmark in Honolulu simply termed "The Star House."  And right now I'm finding it appropriately named, as I followed my star and found my way home for the holidays.  

In the last 12 months, I've been traveling (3 months in SE Asia) - home (3 months) -...

What everyone told me about the freezing conditions of overnight bus rides is true. From Santa Marta to Bucaramanga, I endured what has to be the coldest overnight bus ride ever. You really do need to bring earplugs, a warm hat, and sleeping bag--for my tank top under long sleeve shirt under sweater...

Thanks to Lyza's blog and advice, I made my way to Taganga for a day and stayed at La Casa de Felipe. A very small fishing village with an onslaught of tourists looking for scuba/snorkeling opportunities, Taganga is a quiet yet lively little town about 15 minutes from bustling Santa Marta and, just...

I feel like two days were wasted just trying to get to Cartagena…  

Attempt #1 resulted in my arriving at the airport only to discover the flights were full.  Attempt #2 began early yesterday morning at 5 am, when I checked in for my 7 o’clock flight, which was delayed nearly 6 hours; I...

My brief 5-day course in travel writing is complete and I feel I will
be walking away with some really helpful advice and knowledge about the
profession. I will have to wait a while and think some more about
whether this is really a job I could see myself having, for it’s not
the kind of thing...

i have just heard very sad news from the States. during my visit to erromango, i met an exceptional young man by the name of john roberts, who was finishing his two year peace corps service in south river. he was a most inspiring person and so happy to be serving his time with peace corps. soon after...

Aaarrr, matey!  Now me know de life of a pirate!

Lora and I woke early yesterday morning to set sail on the caribbean blue.  Captain Bill met us in Coral Bay and we slowly made our way due west for Hassel Island off the southern coast of St. Thomas.  Unfortunately, no fish were caught from...

I arrived safely in St. John’s Cruz in the afternoon by taking a scenic ferry from St. Thomas.  I met my friend Lora at the Beach Bar just down the street, where we drank expensive spiked milkshakes and ate dinner at a Mexican restaurant.  At that point, weary from travel, we took a taxi...

Before I leave for St. John tonight, I figure I should recap the final leg of my other trip.  

Fiji was a fantastic way to finish my 6 week adventure to the Pacific.  I met my boyfriend in Nadi and we spent the first evening
catching up. The next day was spent driving his rental car...

Has it really been 2 months since my last entry?  Bad, Bren, very very bad.  No, I'm no longer traveling abroad and no, I'm not happy about it.  Yes, I'm behind on blogging and yes, there are plenty of reasons why.  But many of you have been curious about my travels to Vanuatu...

Ah, to be in tropical weather yet again!  I spent a 5 day break from the warm tropics with my friend Brayden in Sydney.  But arriving in Port Vila last night, I am finding the humidity here in Vanuatu
to be excruciating.  It is, however, a welcome change from the cool Sydney...

A sleepless last night on the Mahalo 2 was not what the doctor ordered... I woke from my post-breakfast nap with my left eye swollen, tearing, and barely able to open. My glands were shouting "help me" and my body felt like it had been run over by the boat's engine. Just a quick look at me and I'm...

Bali's been grand! Two days ago, I hitched a ride to Dreamland (famed surf spot on the Bukit peninsula) and also got to see Impossibles, Padang Padang, and Uluwatu--all of them were FIRING--sets visible out to the horizon. Uluwatu temple was also very spectacular as it is situated on the cliff.

Yesterday,...

Today was mostly a waste having spent over 6 hours in the Jakarta airport waiting for my flight to Bali. However, here I am in Kuta which is apparently the surf capital of Indonesia. I walked along the crowded streets in search for a suitable and quiet bungalow. This was clearly a difficult task in...

Here I am in Singapore, having enjoyed a nice long walk down Orchard Street shopping and going out to Clarke Quay dancing to live Carribean music (it's now 2 am). I would write more, but I am TIRED. I bought two pairs of shoes and moved my flight to Indo up one day so I can spend more time traveling...

My student approached me excitedly this morning before class to tell me, “I saw you in Waikiki last night!”

“You did?” I asked, surprised. “When? Where?”

“And you were with a BOY,” she said.

“Oh yeah?” I replied. “Heaven forbid!”

The recent swell has caused every...