It had been 10 years since I set foot in eclectic, weird Portland and I have many fond memories of my visits there. However, Portland’s destination image has taken a major hit because of COVID-19, political violence, and public safety concerns over the last few years. This of course made me want to visit it […]
What to expect on a Galapagos Cruise to the Eastern Islands
I stepped from the zodiac raft to the cement jetty on the small Island of Plaza Sur; I had finally made it to the Galapagos Islands. I stood there for a moment soaking it in, looking around at the sea lions and iguanas unphased by my presence. Birds circled us overhead. The sun was low […]
13 Things To Know Before You Book a Galapagos Islands Holiday
Sometimes I think I’ve seen it all when it comes to travel…and then I go to a destination that blows my mind and makes me realize that I have a lot yet to see! My Galapagos Islands holiday was full of learning opportunities, but most of all it was full of awe and joy. How […]
Mashpi Lodge – Ecuador’s Premier Lodge Changing Lives and the Planet
Trees towered above our vehicle in layers upon layers of green, birds swooped around us, and big drops of water fell down on our windshield with a heavy splash. As if someone snapped their fingers…just like that…I was in the middle of a rainforest. Just moments before we were driving through wide-open farm land; it’s […]
Where to Find the Best Cocktails in Quito
Art comes in many forms, but I hadn’t considered one of those forms in a cocktail. And I certainly hadn’t expected to find an accomplished mixology artist in Quito Ecuador. But sometimes the best experiences are when you least expect it. After a long day of touring around Quito, I sat down for a cocktail […]
Going to Ecuador – Why You Shouldn’t Skip Old Town Quito and Casa Gangotena
I get tired of travel planning, searching through endless websites for the best things to do in Quito, and feeling overwhelmed since they are all sort of the same. Then I start questioning whether any of these writers have even set foot in Quito or if they are just lifting all of their knowledge from […]
Best Travel and Outdoor Gear Trends for Adventure Enthusiasts
One of the things that has changed for me since I got a home base is I do much more writing about gear. It’s not that I didn’t want to before, but it was hard to test gear when you don’t have a home! I couldn’t put it anywhere nor did I even have an […]
Neon to Nature – Things to do Outside of Las Vegas
If you think the Vegas area is all gambling, shows, nightclubs, and parties…you are so very wrong! Look out your window of your Vegas hotel…this city is surrounded by mountains. Those mountains and desert are an outdoor playground! There are plenty of things to do outside of Las Vegas that will bring you peace, quiet, […]
Alaska Packing List: How To Avoid Freezing To Death In The Winter
I went to Fairbanks Alaska in the heart of winter and lived to tell the tale. Ok, so maybe it’s not quite that dramatic, but the fact is most people are scared of Alaska in the winter; especially the interior where the temperatures dip below 0 most nights and you have to plug in your […]
Travel With Me to Ireland For a Unique Adventure
Note: This tour for 2022 is currently full. You can join a waitlist here. And join my Ottsworld Tours mailing list here for updates on future Ottsworld Tours. Normally I ask people to ‘travel with me’ figuratively; follow my travels on social media and read my stories in my blog. However, this time when I […]