One way ticket to Panama (?)
After a lifelong experience as an expat in 11 different countries around the world, I made the decision to move to Panama and embark on a new chapter of my life between the two oceans... or so I thought.
To make the long story short it took me 20 months and traversing through 21 countries to finally reach Panama. To head west, I first had to go east. But before I could even contemplate settling down, I had to meet the Lunch Lady who lived in entirely different part of the world. Intrigued? Confused? Read the entire story here.
But guess what? After finally making it to Panama, I realized I wasn't quite ready to embrace retirement just yet. So, after only 1.5 month off I went on a global escapade in search of my own personal paradise (retirement optional). Who knows? I might even find myself circling back to Panama again soon with a brand new tale to tell/write on that blank sheet of paper.
Flashpacker's Diary
Do you know what or who a flashpacker is? Neither did I. Only a few people do. But as you might have already guessed, a flashpacker is essentially a flashier version of a backpacker, or you can think of them as a (slightly older) backpacker with some means. And hey, that could very well be me.Can a woman who is 60 years old or older, a solo traveler who has never embarked on any backpacking adventures before and doesn't even own a backpack, become a successful flashpacker? Without a doubt, she absolutely can. Not only can she do it, but she is actually doing it right at this very moment.
Email me if you like to meet up along the way
Read about my journey through South East Asia - en route to Panama.
Read about my search for the retirement paradise in Central America
Travel security and sanity a.k.a. accommodation for 60+, full-time solo female travelers
Nothing kills the fun of travel faster than ill-suited accommodation. You can try to accept the inapt residence during short(er) travels, however, you cannot ignore it when traveling long-term. Are you also a female who travels solo (perhaps searching for a retirement paradise) we are no longer talking about fun but…
Playa del Carmen
The Caribbean coastline along Mexican Yucatán Peninsula is home to some of the best beaches in the world known as Riviera Maya. It is the purest, the softest, the whitest sand washed ashore by warm turquoise waters of the ocean that makes that miles and miles long coastline so special and puts…
Chetumal, perfectly dull Mexican boarder city
As usual, the ferry to Chetumal departed right on time. One hour late. Conveniently, all immigration procedures (exit stamp, currency exchange) were conducted in the terminal. Disappointingly, this was the most expensive border crossing in Central America (or perhaps the world?). To exit Belize costs 20 USD paid in either…
San Pedro, La Isla Bonita
“I fell in love with San Pedro … Tropical the island breeze All of nature wild and free This is where I long to be La Isla Bonita And when the samba played The sun would set so high Ring through my ears and sting my eyes Your Spanish lullaby” I did not fall in love…
Caye Caulker, Belize
Flip-flops? Check. Sunglasses? Check. Bathing suit? Nah, not yet. I arrived late afternoon. Warm, but not that warm. Happy hour time. It took almost 9 hours to travel from Flores to Caye Caulker in Belize. First two, three hours on the bus, then at least one Guatemala/Belize border crossing with…
Flores surprise
Flores was my last stopover in Guatemala on the way to Belize. Following the chillingly disastrous stay in Cobán, I didn’t have any expectations or even hope for slightest improvements regarding the town and/or the weather. But, ah, how mistaken I was. To both. After five hours uneventful and boring 12 USD…
Cobán, the bitter chill
Even the good things can at times turn into less good if you get too much of them. Sometimes you need to get a break from things, even nice things like traveling, find a home base somewhere in the world and refocus on regular stuff regular people do at home like laundry…
La Antigua
15 hours on a shuttle, a stopover, and four borders later I finally arrived in Antigua or rather Antigua Guatemala which is the official name of the city that has been my destination ever since Costa Rica. It was in Costa Rica some two months earlier that I met a…
Playa El Tunco in El Salvador
Playa El Tunco is perhaps the most popular destination in El Salvador, a paradise for backpackers and for surfers. It is a small village on the Pacific coast where the waves break the way they must to attract surfers from all over the world. Some come for months (retired surfers), some…
Shuttle across four borders
The shuttle is my preferred means of transportation in Central America. Not because of its comfort but because of the door-to-door service that shuttle companies offer. They pick you up at your hotel (as long as it is in town) and then drop you off at your new destination (as…
... and Who are you?
If you are seeking travel resources, guidebooks, cheap deals, or itinerary suggestions specifically tailored for backpackers, this site may not be the most suitable for you. However, you are still warmly welcomed to stick around. Who knows, you might just find some unexpected inspiration along the way! ;)