Forever we love

If you could possess one super hero power, what would it be? While I have yet to find a way to walk through walls, turn invisible or have the strength to lift a Panzer VIII Maus, I have uncovered a way to fly like a bird above the Costa Rican rain forest for only 45 US dollars! Straddling the Continental Divide at 1440 meters (4662 ft), the Monteverde Cloud Forest area offers one of the most interesting place to visit in Costa Rica. The forest is boosting with over 2,500 species of plants (including 450 kinds of orchids), 450 species of birds and innumerable reptiles and mammals, including: jaguars, tapirs, coatis, toucans, sloths, agoutis, howler monkeys, tarantulas, poison dart frogs and the famous resplendent quetzal. Within the immense flora, and fauna and situated high up in the tree tops, lies an exciting offering where you can fly above the forest and through the clouds on Costa Rica's premiere canopy experience. The adventure begins with the canopy guides harnessing you wit

Whales Fall in Love - Help Put an End to Commercial Whaling!!! In 1986, commerical whaling was banned worldwide. It was thought to be one of the most monumental and iconic conservation victories of the twentith century. Since the moratorium passed, however, Japan, Iceland and Norway have still killed roughly 30,000 whales. They hide the illegality of these killings under the guise of "scientific research." The killings are brutal and unnecessary. And now, on the 22nd of April, the International Whaling Commission has announced a draft proposal that would legalize commerical whaling for the first time in two decades. The proposal will be voted upon in June. What is even more frightening is that the U.S has voiced support for the dangerous new proposal, claiming that it has potential to rein in the annual killings currently defying the international law. Sounds likely doesn't it? May as well build a fortress out of toothpicks and masking tape. Before the illegalizatio

Hi everyone! I wanted to let you know that this blog will be moving. That's right! It will no longer be "hopscotchtheglobe.blogspot.com" but instead it will just be "www.hopscotchtheglobe.com" I have a very cool new layout that I am excited to present to you all. The new site will be live hopefully in the upcoming month. In the meantime, I will continue to post here. The new blog will include videos of my travels including the documentary that my boyfriend Siya and I filmed in Peru a few summers ago. It will also feature travel articles from myself and other travelers alike. I am starting to focus more on the people I have met from my travels who have inspired me in some way. I will also be focusing more unique experience that tie in with culture and adventure. Lastly, I will write about the most amazing accomidations I have had the chance to stay at during my travels. If anyone has any ideas of the types of stories they would like to hear about, don

In the summer of 2008, I traveled to Peru to film an independent documentary that focused on breaking the stereotype of a third world country. I spent two years saving and planning for this project, but could not have anticipated what would come of this adventure. Peru is an exceptionally stunning country with outstanding landscape and beautiful people. I had some pretty wild experiences during the thirty days that I spent traveling throughout the country. I hiked the Lares Trek to Machu Pichu, visited the islands of Lake Titicaca, spent the night with a Quechua tribe, ate guinea pig, spotted pink dolphins in the Amazon river and suffered from gastroenteritis - twice! Yet, these experiences do not compare to the couple of days that my partner Siya and I spent with a very special Peruvian family. Siya and I, had asked a friend if he could introduce us to a Peruvian family that has a story to tell. Our friend told us about a family of eight made up of a mother, father and six children

When I think back to the summer I spent in Ghana, the first memory that comes to mind is of the night I spent at Big Milly's Backyard in the small fishing village of Kokrobite. Started in 1995 by an English woman called Wendy and her Ghanaian partner Seto, Big Milly's a is beach resort that has a good mix of foreigners and locals. As soon as I arrived at Big Milly's, I was welcomed with good vibes and a peaceful atmosphere. The place is home to countless coconut trees among many other exotic plants, animal and bird species. Depending on your budget, or if space permits, there are several rooming options for you to choose from. There are a variety of unique huts and cottages that are each equipped with fans and thatched roofs to keep you cool. Most cottages are self contained while others share toilets and shower facilities. The shower water is used by the plants so should be used wisely. Those with a smaller budget and desire to try a different style of accommodation ca

“Why tell your grandkids you worked 9-5, five days a week for 40 years and quietly sat in traffic jams while people went to war, suffered disease and shot their own classmates? Tell them you refused to live in fear. Tell them you crossed the Amazon, saw the Lost Cities of Gold and met your soul mate in Casablanca. Travel to the ends of the earth. Go now and live adventures that will make your grandkids proud.” (Courtesy of an inspirational postcard Travel Writer and Word Travels Host Julia Dimon found at a dingy backpacker bar in Byron Bay, Australia) ** You can check out Julia's website here: http://www.traveljunkiejulia.com **