Long before I ever booked a flight to Nicaragua, there was one activity I knew I’d be signing up for: volcano boarding. Like partying at Sunday Funday in San Juan del Sur, volcano boarding in León is just one of those things backpackers go, do, and get the t-shirt for — literally. Though you could book…

“Heather. Don’t move. Your leg is covered… in leeches.” Heather let out a guttural cry as I looked down and saw that I, too, was covered in bloodsucking parasites. We frantically picked them off our limbs as our companions, a Thai guide and his Hmong sidekick, just laughed in reply. We were deep in a remote…

Koh Tao has a reputation for being a dive and party island. And while both those things are true — and Koh Tao does them proud — there is so much more to this little baby island than that. We’ve got plenty to landlubbers busy during the day: a trapeze school, Muay Thai gyms, a Thai…

As you may have noted from my Inca Trail facts and figures post, this is not an cheap or easy-to-book route to take to Machu Picchu. Prices are sky-high (or should I say Dead-Woman’s-Pass-altitude-high?), and reservations must be made months in advance. Luckily, there are alternative treks that require much less money and advance planning. When…

When we left off, Dave, Gus, Leah and I were just entering the Colca Canyon. It was 11:30 in the morning — a good four or five hours later than most tour groups start their descent — but we were confident we could make it to Sangalle by sundown. We could see it after all! I…

I’ve had this feeling I just can’t shake since I arrived in Peru, this feeling that I’m playing it too safe. I’ve followed the Gringo Trail with almost laser-like precision, and checked off all the appropriate boxes: Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, check; wore ridiculous outfit on Lake Titicaca, check; complained about Lima weather, check. I’d been…