Travel

The Quest for Pura Vida in Costa Rica

“Pura Vida” means “Pure Life”. It’s an expression that Costa Ricans use to express the essence of their land and way of living. When I visited Costa Rica in 2006, I heard...

Passport Party Project Hits Austin

Last Saturday, March 3, I was thrilled to be part of a new movement that is gifting girls aged 11 to 15 with their very first passports. The Passport Party...

Laos: It’s Buddha-Licious

Greetings from Laos, the only landlocked country in Southeast Asia, and the most laid-back. There is a reason that this placid, easy-going nation has a reputation as "Laid-back Lao" -...

Beyond the Noodle Shop: Learning Lao Cuisine

I started today at the street market in Luang Prabang, Laos at 8 this morning. Just your typical day, strolling through cobblestone lanes between Buddhist temples, checking out delicacies on...

Bridging the Digital Media Divide Across Continents

If you haven't read my story about CNN Hero Ponheary Ly, perhaps I should suggest that you start there. This amazing woman survived the brutal Khmer Rouge genocide in her...

Wildlife in Peril in Thailand

NOTE: This is Breaking News! A wildlife sanctuary in Thailand has just been raided, and more than 100 animals confiscated by the government. The reason? Because this particular NGO has...

The Indie Travel Manifesto

Are you an Indie Traveler? Independent travel is a departure from routine - an opportunity to learn, have fun and embrace life in novel environments and cultures. We better understand...

A Glow in the Dark Sea Bio-luminescence in Puerto Rico

I am sitting in a tiny airport in Puerto Rico, called Ceiba, awaiting what is to be the shortest flight of my life. The gate agents have recorded all of...

Cooking up Deliciousness

I'm a big fan of some of the cooking shows, especially the challenge ones like Chopped and Master Chef. I love the creativity some of these chefs bring, and I...

A Non-hippie Rain Forest Supervisor

In between my three weeks in Nicaragua last month, and my upcoming trip to Laos, I thought I would share a very interesting place, and person, from a recent visit...

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