After the theft of my backpacks and, along with them, my second pair of shoes, I have been wearing the same hiking boots basically every day. They were never premium quality boots to begin with so the wear and tear was beginning to take its toll. After only a month...
Sedate / South America / Tropics
by Jeffrey Kontur · Published March 24, 2018 · Last modified March 19, 2018
Many people are familiar with the London Eye. That giant Ferris wheel that allows tourists a bird’s eye view over the city of London. Well, there is a similar wheel in
The city of Guayaquil, Ecuador is wedged between a bay and a navigable river. On one side lies a malécon (boardwalk) that is wonderful to explore during the daytime. On the other side of the city
Active / Bucket List / Nature / South America / Tropics
by Jeffrey Kontur · Published March 20, 2018 · Last modified March 19, 2018
The expense of visiting the Galápagos aside, it really is quite a unique place and the trip of a lifetime. Being as isolated as it is, 600 miles from the nearest mainland shore, means it has unique flora and fauna that is seen nowhere else on earth. It also means...
Fair warning: the Galápagos is basically Disney for environmentalists. Expect to overpay for everything. Things in Galápagos are not just far more expensive than on the Ecuador mainland, they are even more expensive than most places in the US. Although you can wander around whichever island you are on, if...
Active / Activities / Adventure / Bucket List / Guided Tours / South America / Tropics
by Jeffrey Kontur · Published March 6, 2018 · Last modified March 5, 2018
For those who don’t already know, every year I take my daughter on a trip for her birthday rather than buying her stuff that she doesn’t really need. We have gone to some amazing places together. This year, for her 22nd birthday, I took her to the Galápagos Islands. Simply...
Back in the November issue of Expat Magazine, I was interviewed about my (then-planned) expat journey and the book I wrote to help me decide where to go.
Active / Activities / Bucket List / Logistics / South America / Tropics
by Jeffrey Kontur · Published March 4, 2018 · Last modified February 25, 2018
My daughter and I landed today in the Galápagos Islands. If you didn’t know, every year I take her on a trip for her birthday. Even though her birthday is in December, this year we had to schedule the trip around other commitments we both had. The Galápagos is certainly...
Since even before I officially quit my day job and set out to traipse around the world, I started getting the questions. Once I set out, the queries have only intensified. Especially as my little trip dragged on for months and months. “How can you afford to travel so much?”...
Off-the-cuff / South America / Tropics
by Jeffrey Kontur · Published March 2, 2018 · Last modified March 1, 2018
I had seen this before but now, caught on HD video, a really strange rain phenomenon.