Field Notes from the Road
Real stories from the road—wins, weird moments, and the “wish-I’d-knowns.” These posts are my unfiltered take on places I’ve actually traveled, with honest opinions and the simple tricks that help solo women feel confident. Expect practical takeaways tucked inside personal tales, from budget blunders to street-food gold. No fluff, no filters—just the truth and a nudge to go.
How to Actually Enjoy Your Trip (Not Just Post It)
It's easy to spend an entire trip chasing landmarks, perfect photos, and packed itineraries. Here are 10 practical ways to slow down, be present, and create travel memories you'll remember long after you've unpacked your suitcase.
Monteverde: Costa Rica's Misty Cloud Forest
After volunteering with sea turtles on Costa Rica's Pacific coast, my journey continued into the misty mountains of Monteverde. Join me as I navigate local buses, explore the famous cloud forest, watch hummingbirds, and search for the iconic red-eyed tree frog.
Three Weeks in Cabuyal: Volunteering with Sea Turtles in Costa Rica
I planned to volunteer with Leatherback Trust in Cabuyal for just one week, but life off the grid, peaceful night patrols, and unforgettable sea turtle encounters convinced me to stay for three. Here's what it was really like volunteering on one of Costa Rica's most remote beaches.
What Travel Looks Like vs. What It Really Feels Like
Travel photos capture the highlights, but they rarely show the ordinary moments that shape us. After travelling to 56 countries over 16 years, here's what travel really felt like - and why I believe you don't find yourself through travel, you build yourself.
Three Days in Tamarindo: Three Hostels, an ATV Tour, and New Beginnings
Three hostels in three nights, an ATV tour with a mind of its own, unforgettable sunsets, and the moment I finally started feeling like myself again. Tamarindo became far more than just another beach town on my Costa Rica adventure.
Is Liberia Worth Visiting? Here's What I Thought
Liberia is often seen as Costa Rica's gateway to Guanacaste, but is it worth more than just a quick stop? After spending several days exploring the city, visiting Rincón de la Vieja National Park, and relaxing at Playa del Coco, here's my honest opinion on whether Liberia deserves a place on your itinerary.
My First Days in Costa Rica
My Costa Rica adventure began with a long immigration line, an unexpected lesson about onward tickets, volcano hikes, waterfalls, local buses, and the laid-back atmosphere that makes this country so memorable.
13 Travel Mistakes I've Made After 16 Years of Solo Travel (And How to Avoid Them)
Travel is the best teacher—sometimes the lessons are just expensive. Here are thirteen travel mistakes I've made over the past 16+ years, from booking the cheapest flight to forgetting offline Google Maps, along with the stories that changed how I travel today.
San Juan del Sur: Nicaragua's Backpacker Party Town
My final stop in Nicaragua took me to San Juan del Sur, the country's famous backpacker party town. Between hiking to Cristo de la Misericordia, relaxing at Playa Hermosa, and finally experiencing the legendary Sunday Funday hostel crawl, it was the perfect mix of adventure, sunsets, and unforgettable memories before crossing into Costa Rica.
Travel Mistakes I’ve Learned After 16 Years of Solo Travel
Popoyo: Doing Absolutely Nothing
After weeks of hiking, getting sick on Ometepe, and constantly moving, Popoyo became the reset I didn't know I needed. Quiet beaches, hostel friendships, fresh fish barbecues, stunning sunsets, and absolutely no pressure to do anything—it ended up being one of my favourite stops in Nicaragua.
Is Rivas Worth Visiting? My Honest Thoughts After Backpacking Through Nicaragua
Rivas isn’t a major tourist destination in Nicaragua — but after getting sick on Ometepe, it became the perfect slow travel reset. Quiet streets, cheap accommodation, local food, and a chance to finally breathe again.
Nicaragua Story #6 — Rivas: Recovery Days & Slow Travel
After a rough week on Ometepe, Rivas became my reset stop — cheap rooms, quiet streets, good food, and the first time I finally felt ready to explore again.
Turning 40: What Changed, What Didn't, and What's Next
As I celebrate my 40th birthday at Machu Picchu, I'm reflecting on two decades of travel, 56 countries, the life I chose, and the adventures that still lie ahead.
Ometepe, Nicaragua: The Island Where Everything Stopped
I came to Ometepe expecting volcano hikes, island life, and an off-grid reset. Instead, I spent New Year’s sick in a jungle hostel, surviving on Gatorade, soup, and sunsets while wondering if I could even continue the trip.
Pride Month, Travel, and Being an Ally on the Road
A personal look at Pride, travel, and what it means to be an LGBTQ+ ally around the world. From Seoul to New York to Thailand, these experiences changed how I see acceptance, privilege, and the importance of speaking up when it matters.
Granada, Nicaragua: The Place Everyone Tells You to Go
I thought Granada would be a quick stop — instead, it became one of the most memorable parts of my trip. From beer pong and unexpected friendships to a brutal hangover, a lazy lake day, and finally seeing real lava glow at night… this is what my time in Granada was really like.
Is Managua Worth Visiting? An Honest Guide to Nicaragua’s Capital
Managua isn’t a typical travel destination — and honestly, it doesn’t try to be. This guide breaks down whether Nicaragua’s capital is worth visiting, what to expect, and why it might just be a practical stop rather than a highlight.
Managua, Nicaragua: I Came Here Just to Watch a Movie
I didn’t come to Managua to explore.
I came to watch a movie — and somehow, that still made it memorable.
Christmas in Las Peñitas: Beach Days, Bonfires & Backpacker Chaos
I spent Christmas on a quiet beach in Nicaragua — no plans, no familiar faces, just a few unexpected moments that turned into something I didn’t know I needed.