Maya waterfall hike in Chiapas, Mexico
Mayan legend say the God of the Underworld torments those who die tragically by forcing their souls to wander the earth for four years. Each morning, their spirits turn into butterflies and at sundown they return to the Land of the Dead. Rainbows are signs of these lost souls. If that’s true, I’m in big trouble. Hiking a jungle trail, I’ve lost sight of my companions and am alone in the mist. Around me flashes a cloud of butterflies – some canary yellow and others with black polka dots–and rainbows arch from one side of the river to the next. I’m hiking El...
Read MoreStudy Spanish in Antigua, Guatemala
It was after midnight when the plane touched down in Guatemala City. The streets were clear of traffic and the moon had risen high above the jacaranda trees silhouetting Pacaya volcano, with its molten lava spilling out the cone. A short winding ride later, I neared my hotel in Antigua. The streets were empty, the wrought-iron gates of the colonial homes locked up tight and the air chill as the driver jumped out and rang the buzzer. And rang and rang and rang. The sleepy owner finally woke up and led me past a lantern-lit courtyard to my room. It was the doorman’s first day and he...
Read MoreHow to travel safely in Guatemala – 16 expert tips
“Is it safe to travel in Guatemala?” is a question I get asked a lot. Although my Guatemalan mother-in-law gives me lots of advice –such as keep your money in your shoe–I thought it would be worthwhile to ask a pro for some travel tips. So during the t Central America Travel Market , held in Antigua, Guatemala I met with a security expert from the Guatemala Tourism Board (INGUAT). His tips are handy for travel in any country. Here’s what I learned: Day of the Dead celebrations in Sumpango Crime levels increase prior to and during holiday periods so...
Read MoreThe Ultimate Toolkit for Culinary Adventurers
I never knew Bob Blumer, the superstar host of the Food Network’s The Surreal Gourmet and I had much in common (except for my secret musings that he’d have made a good love match for my travel writing friend Wandering Carol ), until I found out that he often travels with a bottle of Tabasco hot sauce. It’s on my packing list too. For me, the best culinary adventures are all about discovery. Whether it’s a bottle of Waupoos apple cider from Prince Edward County, a spicy noodle dish at the night market in Kuala Lumpur or a luscious first-press olive oil in Spain...
Read MoreConfessions of a food smuggler
With the holidays coming up, I decided it was time to clean out my kitchen cupboards. What I found was a culinary snapshot of my year of travels. There was a tin of laver bread (seaweed) from Wales, a jar of smoked mussels from the Magdalen Islands, a chunk of rather scary-looking Cap Rond Jeune cheese from Quebec City and some still-fragrant nutmeg from Grenada. Many people come home from their trips laden with exotic home decor or other souvenir items. Me, I carry home food and booze. When I hit the streets in a foreign country, my itinerary always includes a stop at a local supermarket or...
Read MoreHow to pack for 4 months?
I just finished reading Hiking Boots to High Heels a post on Janice Waugh’s Solo Traveler Blog where she does a great job of explaining how a fashionable woman can squeeze everything she needs for a two-week trip into one carry-on bag. It makes a lot of sense. But so far, I’ve got two suitcases full to the brim for my upcoming trip to Guatemala. And more to go. How does a person pack for an extended trip? Especially if you’re visiting a country where it can be freezing in the mountainous highlands by night and baking in the 40C desert by day? Complicating things is that I...
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Culture Tripper
Nerd's Eye View
The Planet D: Canada's Adventure Couple
Trans-Americas Journey
Traveling Light Blog by Travel Writer Colleen Friesen
Wandering CarolLatest Pins on Pinterest
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Amazing Instagram photo by @sethstafford of Oahu's Sean Moody taking on the Mexican Pipeline
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Mercado Global's innovative approach to fighting poverty and empowering indigenous women in Guatemala’s highlands connects their artisan cooperatives to sales opportunities in the U.S. on an unprecedented scale.
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Beautiful Semuc Champey in Guatemala
In 2003, I left the corporate world to try my hand at travel writing. Now, I travel the world, writing about people, places and cuisine. My writing has appeared in over 100 publications and anthologies. 
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