Above are the main trips that I'm planning on taking throughout 2016. What do you think? Does anyone want to come along?
~burn bright~
Jess
Last weekend I was able to fully put together my trip plans for the rest of 2016! Here are the places on my list- I welcome any tips or tricks from anyone who would like to share: NAMIBIA AND CAPE TOWN Namibian photos from here and here. During my last tour through Southern Africa, I spent most of my time in Botswana and Zimbabwe, with some day trips to Zambia and South Africa. I left in love with the landscapes, people, and culture, and knew that I would be back. Several friends that I had made highly recommended Namibia as a place that had everything - deserts, wildlife, adventure. Their descriptions officially put the country on my list, and I'm incredibly excited to be heading there next! Cape Town photos from here and here. This city has always been a place that I really wanted to experience. It's hard to explain why because it's really just a feeling (the same feeling that prompted me to go to Cartagena). It's a thriving city next to both sea and cliffs, and life there is so vibrant and so cultured...it's one of those places that I think I'll love even without having been there yet! MONTREAL, CANADA I can't believe I haven't been to Canada yet- it's so close! I've met some amazing Canadians in my travels, and they're just the nicest people. Canada has been on my radar for a while, and I'm finally heading up to take a look around. The instigating factor is a Cirque du Soleil show, Luzia, which is currently only has shows available in Montreal. I looooove Cirque du Soleil (I think it's the ultimate experience, with haunting music, stunning acrobatics, unique costume design and makeup, and more), and this show especially appeals to me. It's inspired by Mexico, and its name is a combination of Luz (light) and Lluvia (rain). I really want to see this show, so why not see Montreal at the same time? Very excited! NEW ORLEANS NOLA image credits here, here, here, and here. Ohhhh New Orleans! One of the most unique cities in the United States, with such a rich history as a melting pot of French, African, and American cultures. I think about smooth and funky jazz and live music, fabulous nightlife, and spicy, distinct food. It's probably got some amazing architecture and the most vibrant culture. New Orleans has been on my list forever, and since I've been exploring more opportunities to travel within the states (due to work constraints mostly), I finally get the chance! SAN FRANCISCO A surprisingly large amount of people have told me that they think I'm from California rather than the East Coast. Many have also told me that they think that I would love San Francisco. I think it's finally time to head over there and see what all the hype is about! I'm super excited- I think it will be a fun time. AUSTRALIA I know I've said a lot of places have been on my list for a long time, but Australia has been Number 1 on that list for years. I've been dying to go to the Land Down Under since I first got into marine biology and Jacques Costeau as a kid- I mean the Great Barrier Reef is one of the top places to study biodiversity and marine life! Anyway, I'm a big fan of the Aussie lifestyle. Everyone is so chill and relaxed, and they're some of the nicest people you'll ever meet. My favorite people to hang out with when traveling are Australians and Canadians! I'm really hoping that I get to go to Australia this year...fingers crossed!
Above are the main trips that I'm planning on taking throughout 2016. What do you think? Does anyone want to come along? ~burn bright~ Jess
0 Comments
Here's the information: ABOUT NYTF Look at the schedule to find the events you are interested in. Pink Pangea is offering discounts on tickets, so make sure you email them and receive your code before you buy.
Let me know if you'll be attending! ~burn bright~ Jess This image was featured on National Geographic Travel's Instagram page, and it was so stunning that I had to look up Alison Wright. CNN covers an interview with Wright about her book featuring portraits of people she has come across while traveling across the world. I especially love this quote: I have spent a career traveling to the remotest regions of the globe, documenting the traditions and changes of indigenous cultures and people as well as issues concerning the human condition in all its evolving compassion and chaos. The curiosities of humanity will never cease to engage me, but it’s the emotive beauty and grace of the human face, in all its diversity, that will never cease to inspire me. What I love most about travel is the interaction with people from all over the world. You learn about everyone's stories, which I find incredibly interesting. Traveling exposes you to diverse human thought; learning about different ways of thinking can shape your perspective and offer new insights on global issues, allowing you to have more informed discussions when you return home. All the more reason to travel as much as you can!
~burn bright~ Jess *Note: I was not sponsored by any of these brands to review them; these are items I have used a lot in my travels and that I love so much I want to tell others about them! If you're a light traveler, then every little bit of space counts. When I travel, I never check any baggage (unless I am living abroad for some time, like when I studied abroad in London) because it allows me to board and disembark planes with ease. I love getting off a plane and heading straight for the exit! To be honest, I also don't really trust the checking process either...too many times I've heard stories of airlines losing baggage and of travelers missing items from suitcases. Before my month-long trip wandering through South America, I came across this brand that sells travel clothing with tons of hidden pockets yet is still designed in a slim and well-fitting way. SCOTTeVEST's goal is to help adventurers travel light and hands-free. I thought I would give it a try, and picked up the RFID Travel Vest for Women. This vest functions like another backpack! It holds so much stuff, it's unbelievable. I especially loved wearing it when in transit because I could keep my important items, like my passport, airplane tickets, phone, wallet, and camera, actually on me instead of swinging loose in a bag. The vest became a bit heavy when I filled all the pockets, so I didn't end up using all of them at once; I can't even imagine what the 42-pocket vest would feel like. Even so, I love this vest because it does keep me hands-free and holds quite a bit. I also like that most of the zippers are hidden and that there are seams, giving it a sophisticated and streamlined fit. Visit the SCOTTeVEST website if you want to learn more about the brand and see what other items are sold! For bags, I love love love the Baggallini New Yorker Crossbody handbag. Baggllini is an established travel bag brand- they sell purses that are functional yet stylish. The New Yorker is amazing because it holds so much more stuff than it looks like it can. I can put literally anything inside it, even a water bottle and a pair of flats! It has three zippers in the back and a bunch of little pockets inside the main area to keep your things organized. This bag has been my go-to purse since I first started traveling and now I even use it as my everyday bag. The material is relatively waterproof and is tough enough to take on the wear and tear of daily use. If you're looking for a strong and sturdy purse that holds a lot but still looks nice, definitely check this bag out! I highly recommend it. I'm always on the hunt for travel clothing and accessories that can hold all of my things in an unobtrusive way. If I come across any other brands, I'll definitely post about it here!
~burn bright~ Jess |
About
Experiencing different parts of the world has fundamentally changed me, and travel has become a priority in my life. I love exploring new cultures and engaging in crazy, adrenaline-inducing activities. I would love to share some short stories from my travels (from visual descriptions to thought pieces) and answer any questions from fellow curious souls. Feel free to contact me through the form on the contact page! Archives
May 2016
Categories |