Tag: sihpromatum

Colca Canyon Has it All

Wakened by a knock at our door, I leapt from my bed in a frenzy. Grabbing my phone, “What? It’s only 2:50a.m. They’re early!” Shouting through the door, “We’re coming!” We were downstairs within ten minutes, but the bus was gone. Oh no! This was the ONLY chance we […]

Arequipa Peru

Overland travel is always my favourite mode of transport, not only because I hate flying, but because I love to see the countryside. In this case, the downside of Peru was the scenery along the coast. It just wasn’t as captivating as I would’ve hoped and reminded me […]

Aerial View of the Nazca Lines

After a quick stay in Ica we headed southeast to Nazca to see UNESCO’s World Heritage Site Nazca Lines. Once again, the landscape was very desolate. It amazes me how after visiting more than 100 countries, everywhere is different and yet similar. The drive to Nazca reminded me […]

Sand Boarding in Peru

Part 2 – Ica Day Trip Adventures After a wonderful tour of Islas Ballestas AKA Poor Man’s Galapagos in the morning, we returned to our hotel, Villa Jasmin, in Ica and relaxed before our sunset tour of the Huacachina Sand Dunes.    We felt really spoilt with our […]

Retreat to Lima

If we had stuck to my original 6 week Peru/Bolivia itinerary, we would be on a 10 hour bus ride from Cusco to Lake Titicaca (12,555ft), the world’s highest navigable lake. Instead of getting off the plane in Cusco from Puerto Maldonado (main town outside of Tambopata Rainforest), […]

Stunning Rainforest Photography by Peruvian Guide

 Despite only spending 4N/5D in the Tambopata Rainforest with our amazing Rainforest Expeditions guide, Jair, it felt like much longer. The three of us had shared so many laughs, great adventures and meals together. One of the things I admire most about Jair is his continuous love for […]

Peruvian Rainforest: Creatures of the Night

As night fell the cheerful chirps of cicadas (the only insect capable of sweating, and thus the only ones out during the day) turned to croaks and songs of frogs and crickets. After dinner, we departed on our very last activity in the Tambopata Rainforest. Jair took us […]

Heart of the Rainforest

“If I hear the word ‘activity’ one more time, I think I’m going to cry,” Kees said, speaking my mind perfectly. Having risen that morning at 4a.m. for the first activity, we arrived back at the lodge at 10 am, given just a couple hours free time before […]

Piranha Fishing in Peru

The trip to Tres Chimbadas Lake was the first and only activity where we had a few other small groups, including their private guides join the three of us. It was a peaceful 15 minute boat ride on the calm river at 5 o’clock in the morning, watching […]

Medicinal Gardens of the Rainforest

We packed up early, left our bags outside our door to be picked up and taken to the Posada Amazonas lodge by those little fairies again while we went on one last activity around Refugio Lodge.   By motorized canoe we reached the Posada Amazonas lodge, 45 minutes […]

FREE! FREE!! FREE!!!

“I Grew My Boobs in China” ebook is now FREE until September 22nd! Don’t miss this chance to read Volume #1 in the “Sihpromatum” travel memoir series.   If you need a copy in PDF or EPUB format for your Kobo (or eReader other than Kindle) just shoot me a […]

Monkey-Eating Harpy Eagle

A slightly painful 3:30am rise to watch the sunrise over the rainforest left us exhausted. We only had a couple hours to rest after breakfast before our private guide, Jair, was knocking at our door. Because it is so remote and a hotspot for wildlife, it’s not uncommon […]

Happy Birthday Ammon Salmon

Everyone please help me wish my big brother Ammon a wonderful 36th birthday!!! Have I ever told you about this absurdly cool dude? Well, if you don’t know, Ammon rhymes with salmon, and he is one of the big stars of my “Sihpromatum” travel memoir series. Though I […]

Drumming, Fireworks, Cops and a Scorpion

Last week Kees and I accidentally threw a party! Neither of us have ever, ever organized a party, especially not at our house. It was a really exciting experience. I learned so much and can now appreciate (even more!) how much effort goes into planning just a simple […]

Sunrise over the Peruvian Jungle

Nocturnal creatures were still active in their shenanigans as the rest of the world slept on. We peeled ourselves out of bed at 3:30am to meet Jair in Refugio Lodge’s common area. Slipping into our gum boots at the front entrance, too tired to check for nested critters, […]