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 I Pack Everything Into a 65L Backpack (Without Losing My Mind)
After 16 years of travel, I’ve perfected a system that fits everything into one 65-liter backpack. This step-by-step guide breaks down exactly how I pack — without stress or overthinking.
Beach Hopping in El Salvador: Quiet Mornings, Loud Beaches & Learning When to Move On
A slow, unplanned week along El Salvador’s coast — from quiet beaches and tide pools to loud surf towns — and the lessons that come with knowing when to stay and when to move on.
Lake Coatepeque, El Salvador: Where I Meant to Slow Down (Eventually)
What started as a quiet stop at Lake Coatepeque turned into unexpected boat day, new friendships, and a reminder that slowing down doesn’t always happen on schedule — but sometimes exactly when you need it.
Why I Love Packing
Packing isn’t just about clothes — it’s where every adventure begins. After 15 years of travel and living out of a 65L backpack, I share why packing brings me joy, how it connects me to the journey ahead, and why it’s become part of the magic of travel.
Santa Ana, El Salvador: The Starting Point I Didn’t Overthink
Santa Ana was my quiet entry point into El Salvador — volcanoes, local buses, unexpected connections, and the reminder that not every journey needs a plan to be meaningful.
The Travel Budget Blueprint: How to Plan a Trip Without Going Broke
This is the exact system I’ve used for 15 years to plan trips, save money, and travel without going into debt — even when my bank account was low.
Guatemala Blog #7 — Back to Antigua: Slowing Down, Solo, and Closing the Chapter
After river towns, jungle adventures, and unmet expectations in Livingston, I returned to Antigua alone — this time to slow down, plan ahead, hike one last volcano, and close out my month in Guatemala before crossing into El Salvador.
Blog #6 — Livingston: Expectations, Rainy Days & Finding Calm Back on the River
Livingston wasn’t what I expected. Between long beach walks, rainy days, quiet streets, and a return to Río Dulce, this blog captures the reality of traveling off the beaten path — when the hype doesn’t match the moment, but the experience still matters.
Guatemala Blog #5 — Río Dulce: Kayaks, Canyons & a Very Hot Waterfall
Río Dulce was supposed to be slow and quiet. Instead, it delivered jungle canyons, kayaking mishaps, pirate history, and a hot waterfall that felt unreal. One of the most unexpected highlights of my Guatemala trip.
A Very Unsettled Budget: The Choices That Built My Life of Travel
I wasn’t wealthy or lucky. I just made small choices — skipping nights out, saving half my paycheck abroad, and saying yes to new countries instead of new things.
A Very Unsettled Christmas: Finding Holiday Magic Around the World
Christmas has followed me through hostels, beaches, classrooms, and nightclubs. No two years look the same — but the magic always finds me.
Guatemala Blog #4 — Lake Atitlán: Boats, Bars, Hangry Moments & A Lightning Show Over the Lake
Boats, bars, hangry meltdowns, lightning storms, chicken buses, and one unforgettable goodbye — here’s how Lake Atitlán turned into one of the wildest chapters of my Guatemala trip.
Guatemala Blog #3 — Bryce Arrives: Airport Chaos, “Mommy Is Waiting,” & The Road to Antigua
After five years apart, Bryce finally landed in Guatemala — and our reunion was pure chaos. From holding a ridiculous “Mommy Is Waiting” sign at the airport to rum-and-Gatorade adventures, secret bars, hangover recoveries, wandering through Antigua, and an accidental two-hour walk to a coffee plantation… here’s how our trip together officially began.
How to Go Through Airport Security Like a Pro (First-Time Traveler’s Guide)
If airport security makes you nervous, this guide is for you. I’ll walk you through what to pack, how to organize your bag, and what to expect in the security line so you can breeze through like a pro — even on your very first flight.
Guatemala Blog #2 — Semuc Champey, The Caves, the Chaos & the Road to Guatemala City
After a peaceful stay on Flores Island, I set off for Semuc Champey — the caves, the turquoise pools, and one of the craziest travel days of my Guatemala trip. From climbing rusty ladders underground to tubing through the jungle, cacao tasting, the viewpoint climb, a freezing tarp-covered truck ride, and getting dropped on the wrong side of Guatemala City… this day had everything.
Guatemala Beginnings — From Belize to a Brand-New Adventure
A deserted border crossing, a Hong Kong vaccination card written in Cantonese, a random Flores shuttle van, steak at Los Amigos, dancing to Gasolina, and a golden sunset at Yaxhá — this is how my Guatemala adventure began.
Flights: The Good, The Bad, and The Almost Missed
I’ve never missed a flight — but that doesn’t mean they’ve all gone smoothly. From sprinting through airports in China to watching my luggage take its own trip to Prague, flying has taught me patience, flexibility, and a good sense of humor. After 15 years of travel, I’ve learned that the journey between takeoff and landing is full of lessons — and sometimes, the best stories happen before you even reach your destination.
Wildtracks & Beyond: My Belize Adventure from Manatees to Mayan Ruins
From caring for orphaned manatees to discovering ancient Mayan ruins, my time in Belize showed me that adventure can be both wild and wonderfully quiet.
Healing Hands & Gentle Giants: My Time Rehabilitating Manatees in Belize
From bottle-feeding orphaned manatees to kayaking through Belize’s lagoons, my six weeks at Wildtracks taught me that healing doesn’t just happen in hospitals — it happens in the water too.
Belize Beginnings — From Hong Kong to the Caribbean
From Hong Kong skyscrapers to Belize’s turquoise shores — my Central America adventure begins here. Four flights, one island, and a reminder that adventure starts the moment you land.