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Six Things I Learned Driving Across South Africa

March 19, 2015 by thetravelsista Leave a Comment

On Christmas day last year, I scored an amazing glitch fare of $278 to Johannesburg, South Africa. Soon after, I started making plans for an extended trip back to the Motherland. I decided to visit South Africa, Lesotho, Namibia and Swaziland. Once I mapped out the places I wanted to go in South Africa and looked at airline schedules for inter-country flights, it quickly became clear that logistical challenges would make the trek easier by car. Now I’m admittedly not a fan of long road trips. Years of airline travel has made me spoiled (why drive 15 hours when I can get there in 2 on a plane) and anything more than 4 hours is sure to bring a frown to my face. So while the initial thought of driving across South Africa was not especially pleasant, after a bit of contemplation I sucked it up and decided to take the plunge.

Last week I took an epic solo road trip across South Africa, driving more than 1,000 miles from Durban to Cape Town. Along the way, I visited the Drakensberg/Sani Pass, Lesotho, Qunu (where Nelson Mandela was raised), Chintsa (on the Wild Coast), and Port Elizabeth (on the Sunshine Coast), before driving the coastal Garden Route down to Cape Town. The trip allowed me to see South Africa in all of its glorious splendor and to see the daily lives of South Africans. I also learned six important truths about the country.

1. South Africa is a vast, diverse country

South Africa is the 9^th largest country in Africa, with a land mass of 471,000 miles. It has vibrant, modern cities with trendy restaurants, casinos, and entertainment. It abounds with beaches, winelands, and wild animals (Can you say the Big 5). It also is largely rural with tons of green rolling hills and majestic mountains sure to captivate any nature lover. In short, there is something to suit everybody. And speaking of diversity, they don’t call South Africa the Rainbow Nation for nothing. The people are just as diverse as the landscape, with 11 official languages and a variety of cultures. You’ll find blacks, whites, coloureds (mixed race in South African parlance), and Indians here, with more concentrations in certain areas (like Indians in Durban, whites in Cape Town, and blacks in Soweto).

2. South Africans drive on the “wrong” side of the road

OK, that’s a joke. Seriously though, while Americans drive left steering wheel vehicles on the right side of the road, South Africans drive right steering wheel vehicles on the left side of the road. Driving was tricky because I had to constantly remember to stay left and think about where to turn, tasks that come instinctively when I’m driving at home. And more than once I walked to the left front side of car forgetting that the driver’s side was on the right.

3. South Africans have a need for speed

I thought Americans were bad when it comes to speeding and risky driving, but I think South Africans win the prize. Speed limits seemed to be optional despite traffic camera signs everywhere and signs warning of high accident zones. Drivers thought nothing of overtaking/passing other cars with limited sight ahead. Even steep mountain curves were no obstacle for these speed demons. I saw several near head-on collisions and even a near vehicle/cow collision (See #4).

4. South African roads and highways are to be shared by cars, people and animals

The highways are not restricted to vehicles, so you may encounter people walking along the narrow shoulder or even cows, goats or sheep crossing the roadway. I quickly learned you must always pay attention to the road because you never know who or what you may encounter. Take your eyes off the road for a second and you could have a major catastrophe on your hands.

5. Hitchhiking is commonplace in South Africa

Many South Africans in villages and rural areas do not have vehicles, so they either catch mini-taxis or thumb a ride with a stranger. While I’d never pick up a hitchhiker at home, I picked up an elderly Xhosa lady in Qunu and gave her a ride from her village to the main road. She offered me R50 (approximately $4.50 USD at time of writing), which I politely declined. Her smile and obvious excitement at scoring a free ride was enough to make my day. Besides, I also believe in karma. I hope someone returns the favor one day if I’m a senior in need of help.

6. Post-apartheid, South Africa still has prevalent poverty and inequality

South Africa has a burgeoning black middle class, but 21 years later the harsh aftermath of apartheid can still be seen in the daily lives of the majority. As I traversed the country, it was hard not to notice the extreme inequality between black and white South Africans. I saw a lot of luxury vehicles (BMW, Mercedes Benz, Range Rover) mostly driven by whites, while most blacks walked to and from work or other activities of daily living. Similarly, I saw beautiful waterfront homes (in mostly white areas), while many blacks lived in townships or rural villages with no indoor plumbing or electricity. The juxtaposition was striking and it was the one down point of my adventure. While I (and many others) had hoped South Africa’s new democracy would usher in a new era of social and economic freedom, in fact, some studies suggest that South Africa is more unequal since the fall of apartheid. I don’t know the answers, but it’s an issue that sorely needs to be addressed. Hopefully with continued progress, South Africa will achieve the true freedom and equality that Nelson Mandela and other freedom fighters fought for.

Have you ever taken a road trip in a foreign country? What did you see and learn? Share your comments below.

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Why You Need to Buy Travel Insurance

January 31, 2015 by thetravelsista Leave a Comment

Why Buy Travel Insurance

If you’re like most people, you plan your perfect trip overseas and go, never thinking about what would happen if you suffered serious injuries far from home. Many naively think their U.S. health insurance policy will cover them anywhere. In reality, only some U.S. policies cover serious injuries abroad and many cover no overseas medical treatment regardless of the nature of the injuries. So unless you have comprehensive travel insurance, you could be stuck with thousands of dollars in overseas medical bills. Even worse you could be trapped in a foreign country, unable to return home unless you can pay tens of thousands of dollars for your evacuation.

Sadly, some members of the Nomadness Travel Tribe suffered this very fate two weeks ago during a trip to Panama. Two travelers were killed and at least 15 others suffered serious injuries in a bus accident in Asturias, Panama. Because some of the travelers did not have travel insurance, fellow travelers and friends had to scramble to raise funds to cover medical evacuations, medical expenses and repatriation of remains for the injured and deceased travelers. (Repatriation of the deceased bodies alone was $10,000 each). Thankfully, they were able to raise in excess of $30,000 to help the families. But it was a stressful and draining experience, particularly since they were in a country where they did not share the same native language. If anything good came from this awful tragedy, it’s that more people now recognize the importance of having travel insurance.

What to Look Out For

My best advice is to thoroughly investigate the alternatives and find a policy that meets your needs (which may not always be the cheapest policy). You should pay special attention to the policy language; many contain limitations or exclusions which may not suit you, such pre-existing conditions, cruises, team sports, extreme or adventure sports (i.e., scuba diving or bungee jumping), and danger zones (disease or civil unrest). Likewise, some travel insurance policies only cover evacuation to the nearest hospital that can provide adequate care. If you’re traveling in a region with poor medical facilities and hospitals, that may be of concern since their definition of “adequate care” may differ from your own. Seek out a plan that covers medical repatriation (i.e., evacuation to a hospital of your choice in your home country). If you’re a frequent traveler, consider a multi-trip or annual plan rather than a single-trip plan; typically, there isn’t much cost difference. Finally, pay attention to the coverage levels. It defeats the purpose of having travel insurance if the coverage isn’t sufficient for a serious injury. Aim for a minimum of $250,000 for combined medical treatment and evacuation.

Your Options

Comprehensive travel insurance covers a variety of travel-related expenses, including medical treatment and medical evacuation, as well as trip interruption or cancellation, baggage delay or loss, and accidental death or dismemberment. Some companies offer single-trip plans, like CSA, Travel Guard, Travelex, Roam Right, and Allianz. Others like World First, Columbia Direct, iNext and GeoBlue offer annual multi-trip plans suitable for frequent travelers; these plans cover each trip you take during the year, up to a specified number of days (typically 30 days, but up to 70 days for GeoBlue). iNext caters to young, overseas travelers and offers a variety of supplemental and comprehensive travel insurance plans, including coverage for recreational, club or intramural sports which are excluded by some travel policies.

Medical transport companies offer annual individual and family membership plans. They provide coverage for domestic and global air medical transport and mortal remains transport, and some also cover security extractions for safety threats. But they don’t cover medical treatment, so if you’re abroad, you will likely need a supplemental travel policy to cover overseas medical expenses. Some prefer these medical transport plans because they will evacuate you to a home hospital of your choice, unlike many travel insurance plans. Popular companies include Medjet Assist, Airmed, On Call International, and Global Rescue.

Lastly, Adventure Sports Insurance plans provide extreme sports and adventure travel insurance for those who like to live on the edge. Divers Alert Network, Adventure Sports Insurance and Sports Cover Direct offer coverage for various adventure and high risk sports. Since these activities are especially subject to policy exclusions and limitations, be sure to read your policy and know what coverage you have beforehand. No one likes to think of the worst, but it is best to be prepared for any situation.

As an aside, once you’ve secured your travel insurance, please complete these 3 equally important tasks: (1). Completely fill out the page in your passport concerning next of kin/contact; (2). Encourage your family members and loved ones to get passports on the off chance that they have to come overseas to get you in case of an emergency; and (3). If you’re a U.S. citizen or resident, sign up for the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (aka S.T.E.P.). This will help the U.S. embassy, as well as family and friends, get in touch with you in an emergency.

Now travel on and enjoy the world!

Do you buy travel insurance for your trips? Have you ever had to use it? Have you ever neglected to buy travel insurance and regretted it? Please share your experiences below.

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Happy New Year

January 1, 2015 by thetravelsista 4 Comments

Happy New Year!! As I reflect back on 2014, I’m happy I was blessed to have another year of amazing travel adventures. In April, I journeyed to the island of Culebra in Puerto Rico. In June, I made my first road trip to Savannah, Georgia and visited the historic First African Baptist Church (one of the first black congregations in North America). In late summer, I trekked to my first Eastern European country – Croatia – and spent my first time on a yacht during The Yacht Week. Also, I finally toured Italy (one of my long desires), seeing all the historical sites of Rome and beautiful panoramic views of the Amalfi Coast. I ended the year enjoying desert mountain vistas and spectacular sunsets in Phoenix, Arizona and Palm Springs, California. It was a wonderful year of fun, good times, and exploration.

Already, 2015 is looking to be another great year. On Christmas I snagged two amazingly cheap airfares on Etihad Airlines, which will allow me to strike off some biggies on my bucket list. In February, I’ll be visiting Dubai with friends (my first foray into Asia and my 5th continent). In March, I’m headed back to South Africa, where I will volunteer for one month (while also taking in the country’s beautiful sights and the Cape Town Jazz Festival). Hopefully, while I’m there I’ll also go white water rafting for the first time. I don’t know yet what the rest of 2015 holds, but I plan to make the best of it. I hope you too have another year of beautiful moments, treasured memories, and all the blessings your heart desires. Cheers!

Where did you go in 2014 and what do you have planned for 2015? Share your comments below.

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What to Pack for The Yacht Week

December 30, 2014 by thetravelsista Leave a Comment

Before The Yacht Week I had never even been on a yacht, much less spent a week on one. If you’re also a first-timer, then you’re probably wondering exactly what you should pack. My best advice is to pack lightly and use a duffel bag or other soft-sided luggage. With limited space on board and an unceasing state of inebriation, the last thing you’ll want to worry about is a heavy, oversize bag. Here’s what you should bring:

• Camera (don’t forget it – you’ll take tons of amazing photos)
• National flag (rep your country flag loud and proud)
• Waterproof Dry bags (to keep your camera, cell phone and/or tablet safe and dry)
• (7) Swimsuits (this will be you main daily attire, so bring one for each day)
• (1) White sundress or pants set (for the White party)
• (3) Sundresses (think dressy casual – no gymshoes, short shorts, tank tops, or mini-skirts are allowed at Hvar, so these will come in handy)
• (3) T-shirts or tank tops
• (3) Shorts
• Hat or visor (to protect your face and body – the sun can be brutal at mid-day)
• Beach towel
• Aqua shoes (for rocky beaches)
• Boat shoes or flip flops (choose one to wear on deck)
• Sandals (flat ones with rubber soles are best – leave the high heels at home)
• Team costume (the crazier, the better)
• Floats (to relax and have fun on the water)
• Props/Gadgets (e.g. blow up dolls, water balloons, super soakers, and solar lights – not required, but helps to make your boat stand out)
• Ear plugs (for light sleepers – expect loud music and talking on most nights)
• Eye mask (again for light sleepers)
• Toiletries (travel size everything, except bring slightly larger shampoo and conditioner – beach hair is the name of the game)
• Make-up (lip gloss, eyeliner and mascara is sufficient – leave the rest at home)
• Sunscreen
• Lip balm
• Dramamine (for sea sickness – you probably won’t need it, but better to have it than not)
• Aloe Vera (in case you get sun burned)
• First Aid kit (for the inevitable scratches, cuts and bruises)
• Music CDs (since most of the boats don’t have Ipod or Iphone connections)
• Electric converter and adapter (needed to switch between U.S. 110 – 120v and Europe 220 – 240v, otherwise you may fry your electronics)
• Cell phone charger

This list includes everything you need for a fun week. Visit The Yacht Week website for more info or feel free to ask me any questions in the comments below.

Visit the Croatia photo gallery to see more pictures.

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Ten Tips to Make the Best of The Yacht Week

December 24, 2014 by thetravelsista 1 Comment

1. Choose the Largest Yacht You Can Afford. Catamarans are a Yacht Week favorite. They’re big and they have lots of lounging space on deck, so they’re best for large groups on The Yacht Week. But, they’re also the priciest. If you can’t get a catamaran, choose the next biggest boat you can afford. Trust me, after a few days you’ll be happy you opted for the extra space.

2. Get a Skipper. The Yacht Week charges an extra fee for a skipper. Unless you’re an avid boater and know how to sail, I highly suggest that you get one. Even if you can sail, I still recommend hiring a skipper. The Yacht Week is all about partying and having fun, and your week will be a lot less enjoyable (and less safe) if you decide to sail without one. The skipper fee is about $1,000 USD (at time of writing), plus your crew has to pay for all of his or her food for the week, but it’s a small price to pay for your safety. (You can also pay extra for a hostess to shop, clean, and cook for you. Unless you just really want to be served, you should pass on that option.)

3. Pack Light. There is very limited space on board, so this is not the time to bring half of your wardrobe. Leave the make-up and hair supplies at home too. You’ll mostly be wearing swimsuits so you only need a few additional outfits. Pack light and limit bags to one per person. Soft duffel bags are best because they’re easier to smash into tight closets. Click here for more details on what to pack.

4. Bring your National Flag. A highlight of The Yacht Week is seeing the various country flags flying on the yachts. Purchase your flag before the trip and don’t forget to bring it with you. If you have people of multiple nationalities on board, you should have a different country flag for each one. As a general rule, the national flag should be about one inch long for each foot of overall boat length. However, we chose a 2′ x 3′ U.S. flag and it worked fine.

5. Choose a Unique Team Costume. On regatta day, all teams dress up in costumes and sail in a race to be first to return to the marina. The team with the most original costume also wins a prize. Some teams wear custom t-shirts with their team name imprinted on them. Others wear character costumes. (My team wore sexy lifeguard costumes). This is your time to shine, so be creative and choose something that will stand out.

6. Bring Music and Floats. Much of your time will be spent on the boat listening to music or swimming in the sea. Buy floats on shore or bring one with you to relax and have fun in the sea “swimming pool”. Also, be sure to bring some CDs of your favorite music since many of the boats don’t have IPod connections.

7. Bring Waterproof Cases. Nothing will spoil your trip quicker than mistakenly dropping your camera, cell phone or Ipad into the water. Make sure to have waterproof cases to protect your electronics.

8. Establish a Kitty for Expenses. There are a variety of extra costs not included in your TYW yacht rental fee, like fuel, port fees, water, groceries, skipper meals, and tips. To lessen the potential for disputes, each crew member should contribute to a kitty which is controlled by one designated person. Plan for approximately $150-200 USD person for the week.

9. Make a Master Grocery List. You’ll need to shop for groceries just before you sail out and also refill at some point during the week. To ensure that everyone on board has food they like and are able to eat due to dietary restrictions, make a master grocery list with food choices from each person. The list should include food items for breakfast and lunch, plus plenty of snacks, fruits, and beer/alcohol. Also, don’t forget water, condiments, toilet tissue, napkins, trash bags, and disposable cups, plates, and silverware. Remember, there is limited space on board and the refrigerator is small, so don’t overbuy especially refrigerated items. Most likely you will eat breakfast and lunch on the yacht and go out for dinner at restaurants on shore.

10. Buy Travel Insurance. Your trip will be paid for months in advance of your departure, so in the event you have to cancel at the last minute, you could be out of a lot of money. A travel insurance policy which covers trip cancellation could reimburse those expenses. But hopefully you’ll actually make it on board the yacht and that won’t be an issue. Just know that a week of drinking, water, and crazy antics (like jumping off 40-foot cliffs) mix to create the potential for accidental injury. Some Yacht Weekers have been known to suffer broken bones or worse. Make sure your travel insurance covers overseas medical treatment and emergency evacuation. As they say, better safe, than sorry. Now go and have fun!

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The Yacht Week: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

December 6, 2014 by thetravelsista Leave a Comment

I’d never heard of The Yacht Week (TYW), but when a friend invited me to join her 6-person crew, of course my ears perked up. How could a week of sun, sailing, and partying be anything but fun. Add to that, I was intrigued by their chosen location of Croatia, which at the time I admittedly couldn’t locate on a map and knew little about. Once I learned that Croatia sits on the Adriatic Sea (directly across from Italy) and is speckled with numerous islands and historic towns which we’d explore, I was ready to go.

Since I had to wait six months until we set sail, in advance of the trip I read numerous articles and blog posts to try to learn what to expect. I didn’t see many people of color so I wondered how we’d be received. But I’m always one for an adventure so I wasn’t deterred. Good thing, because it was an incredible experience I’ll never forget. (Click here to read all about my TYW adventure.)

But despite having read everything I could find about The Yacht Week, there were some things I was not prepared for. I share them below in what I call “The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly”. For those like me, who like to know everything good and bad, hopefully this post will give you a full picture of TYW (warning: “The Ugly” is real talk and may be TMI for some people). I mention any complaints in the interest of full disclosure (not to be a whiner) and any views expressed are mine alone.

The Good

Make no doubt about it, The Yacht Week was amazing and at times I felt like I was in a dream. I met diverse people from all over the world, repping their country’s flag and uniting in the pursuit of fun. I spent seven wonderful days sailing on beautiful, calm, blue waters and reveling in Croatia’s beauty. I partied for seven nights on land and at sea with new and old friends. I swam in the sea in a yacht-formed pool and rode a paddle boat inside the famous blue caves. I ate delicious Mediterranean cuisine and deserts (I highly recommend the lamb peka, Croatia’s national dish, and the gelato) and drank a lot of wine, liquor, and rakija (Croatian herbal brandy). Plus, I was treated to the warm hospitality of the Croatian people. The Yacht Week definitely lived up to its tagline “It’s Nothing Like the Real World”.

By the way, although we chose Croatia, there are a variety of locations and yachts at different price points, so just about everyone can find a deal they can afford. Our crew chose a 50-foot yacht (one of the largest boats) and paid approximately $1,300.00 per person, which included the yacht charter cost, yacht equipment, skipper, TYW wristbands, bank fees, taxes, and cleaning fees. We also paid additional costs of about $200.00 per person for port fees, fuel, water, groceries, skipper meals and tips (not including water taxis or restaurant meals, which we separately paid). Yeah, it was pricey, but overall it was a good value.

The Bad

The first “bad” occurred when we arrived at the Kastela marina in Croatia. We’d been told we’d have to sign paperwork during registration on our Saturday arrival day. What we weren’t told was that there would be several 20+ page contracts with waivers requiring you to absolve The Yacht Week, the skipper, and any related parties of nearly all liability. There was no mention of the waivers on the TYW website (at least not at the time of our booking or sailing). On top of that, there was a $2,000.00 deposit, which luckily was payable by cash or credit card. Personally, I think those contracts should be made available for TYW participants to review at the time of the initial reservation, so they can make a fully informed decision whether to participate. Although everything turned out fine, I was quite annoyed at the time because I felt like we were ambushed. The lawyer in me likes to thoroughly review such contracts before I obligate myself.

Another thing I didn’t like was the inconvenience and cost of the water taxis. On several islands we were unable to dock at the marinas and instead anchored at sea, necessitating the use of water taxis to transport us to and fro. Those costs were in addition to the yacht rental fee and quickly added up after several trips. Plus, there were not enough TYW-sanctioned water taxis to transport everyone at the same time and on several occasions we had long waits. It was frustrating because there were other water taxis available but they wouldn’t take us.

One more gripe was with the obvious discontent between the island of Hvar and TYW participants. Unfortunately, because prior Yacht Weekers misbehaved, the reputation of The Yacht Week has been soured in Hvar. Although it was not the case with everyone, several vendors looked at our TYW wristbands and showed obvious disgust at our presence. The bouncer at one nightclub told us “no Yacht Week” and refused us entry. It’s too bad because Hvar is a lovely place and the poor reception soured the experience. Hopefully, this relationship can be mended in the future.

My biggest gripe was with the music; only house/techno/electro music was played at TYW parties. Although I like electro, it got old after several days. With so many diverse countries represented at The Yacht Week, it would have been cool to hear genres from each country — like some reggae from Jamaica, axé from Brazil, and hip hop from the USA (hint, hint, hint).

The Ugly

After several days, the novelty of living on a boat wears off. Forget about long, hot showers; you must get in and out quickly to preserve the limited water in the on-board tanks, and the water may not always be warm. You’ll treasure the few times when we dock at marinas with on-site showers (though you will also wait in line for a real shower). There will be no flushing toilets on board for a week; toilet waste is emptied using a hand or foot pump. Used tissue and feminine products go into a nearby plastic bag for later disposal at dockside (tissue can’t be flushed due to the marine plumbing system). The cramped quarters and small beds will become uncomfortable (even though you won’t be sleeping much), and if your boat doesn’t have A/C, it may get hot below deck during the day.

By now, you get the point. There’s a trade off to living the good life. Make sure you have a cool group of people on board because you’ll be in close quarters for seven days and nights. But being on the water is wonderful and you’ll have so much fun that it will be all worth it. Anchors away!

Have you been on The Yacht Week? What did you like or dislike? Share your comments below.

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The Yacht Week Croatia 2014 (Part Two)

November 30, 2014 by thetravelsista 2 Comments

Part One of my Yacht Week adventure ended with a Tuesday evening party in the middle of the sea. On Wednesday morning, we set sail for Hvar, also known as the St. Tropez of Croatia. We arrived around noon and docked at the marina in Palmizana, a lush tropical island about 10 minutes by boat from Hvar. We ate lunch overlooking a beautiful turquoise beach, then took advantage of our first real opportunity to relax. Some of us hung out on the beach, while others (myself included) went back to the boat for a short nap.

Beach at Palmizana

I woke up in time to fraternize on the boat and get ready for the private, late afternoon TYW party at Carpe Diem beach. Nestled on a private island, Carpe Diem is a modern outdoor club with cushioned wood beach chairs, parasol umbrellas, and rocky coasts overlooking sparkling blue waters; it is the most beautiful nightclub setting I’ve ever seen. The DJs were cranking out techno music and the drinks were flowing from several bars. People danced and socialized on the island club as the sun set, marking the end of another magical day. As I glanced around at panoramic views at every turn, it almost felt unreal.

Carpe Diem beach

The Carpe Diem party ended around 8:00 p.m. and we returned to Palmizana by water taxi. Our skipper Sanjin, another male roomie, and I ate dinner with two American girls we met on the walk to the restaurant. We had a great conversation about places we’ve visited and our time at The Yacht Week (The talks confirmed that we had the best skipper; more on that later).

Thursday was another relaxing day on Palmizana. After a late breakfast, we hung out on the beach with other Yacht Weekers and tourists. It was a hot day and the cool water was refreshing. Later that afternoon, we took a water taxi to Hvar to attend yet another TYW day party. As we made our approach upon Hvar, it was clear this island was swankier than others we’d visited. There were luxury hillside homes, fancy fortresses, and huge yachts docked along the marina.

Hvar marina

We also saw the wild TYW day party happening right there on the waterfront at Carpe Diem bar (a different club owned by the same owners as Carpe Diem beach). The party was standing room only, with lots of dancing, drinking and other shenanigans; it continued on for several hours.

Party at Carpe Diem bar

After the party ended, a large group of us wandered the town in search of food and libations. We wanted something quick and ended up at Hello 2, a walk-up burger bar with outdoor seating. I had a grilled chicken breast sandwich with fries and beer, all of which was tasty and fresh. We left there and strolled the pier before ending up at the Nautica Bar. It was empty when we arrived, but our group got the party started and it quickly filled up. The DJ spinned hip hop, rock, and old school classics and everybody was dancing, singing and having a blast. We later returned to Palmizana by water taxi and continued the party on our boat.

Hello 2 burger bar

Friday was Regatta Day. Everyone dresses up in costumes and the yachts race back to Split. The first to make it back wins the regatta. The team with the best costumes also wins a prize. Unlike the rest of the week, to join the competition you must actually sail rather than use the motor. As we learned, sailing is hard work.

We woke up early that morning and dressed up in our sexy lifeguard costumes. We were tired but determined to make a good showing in the regatta. Sanjin wasn’t particularly happy about sailing that day, but he was a good sport and obliged us. We started off well in the top 5 yachts, enjoying the sea views while getting our first glance at the other team costumes. Unfortunately, our good luck didn’t last long. About an hour in, as we were adjusting the sail, one of the ropes got stuck and the wind blew us off course. By the time we finally freed the rope and got back on track, nearly 20 boats had passed us and we lost our good standing. As it became more and more clear that we would not catch up, we decided to drop out of the race. Sanjin cranked on the motor and we cruised for the rest of our last day on the water.

We made it back to the Split marina by early evening, just as the sun was starting to go down. It was a beautiful end to a fun and hectic week. The TYW Closing Party was later that night and the winners were announced, but our team was too exhausted to go. Suffice it to say that a full week of partying and sleep deprivation had finally taken its toll.

I woke up early on Saturday morning for my 8:00 a.m. flight. To my surprise, Sanjin also got up to bid me farewell (then went back to bed, lol). A native Croatian, Sanjin was skilled, knowledgeable and fun, and we were blessed to get him as our skipper. We had a blast and he made The Yacht Week even more enjoyable for us. As I flew back to Rome on my way to the USA, I relived the week in my head and was happy I’d decided to expand my horizons. Although it had not been on my radar, Croatia was amazing and The Yacht Week opened my eyes to its natural beauty, its historical treasures, and its huge boating culture. I can’t wait to go back to see more. If you haven’t yet been, I’d definitely recommend a visit to Croatia.

Have you been to Croatia? What did you like or dislike about it? Please share your comments below.

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Happy Thanksgiving

November 27, 2014 by thetravelsista 4 Comments

I’ll make this one short and sweet. This Thanksgiving I’m thankful for great family and friends, good health, freedom, and the ability to travel with my passport. That little blue book has opened up a whole new world for me and exposed me to wonderful people, foods, and sights I never thought I’d see. I thank God for every experience (each of which has enriched my life) and look forward to many more. So as you celebrate on this Thanksgiving Day, I hope you also will make a vow to get out and see more of this beautiful world we live in. To help you out, below I’ve shared three recent posts from fellow bloggers detailing excellent travel deals. I’ve also included a bonus about earning money while traveling the world. Happy Thanksgiving and Enjoy!

1. Mighty Travels – Blog post about extra-cheap Round-the-World tickets. **Check fares ASAP as these are sure to sell out quickly.

2. Flight Club – Blog post about cheap inter-country flights in Asia. **Check fares ASAP as these are sure to sell out quickly.

3. Tatenanje.com – List of affordable housing options around the globe

BONUS:

4. Business Insider – Blog post about one couple earning money while traveling the world

If you luck up on any of these deals, please share below.

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The Yacht Week Croatia 2014 (Part One)

November 14, 2014 by thetravelsista 5 Comments

After months of anticipation, the day finally arrived. At 7:00 am on a Saturday morning, I flew from Rome to Split, Croatia. After exchanging some U.S. dollars to Kuna, the local currency, I took a cab to the Kastela Marina where our yacht was docked. There I met up with the rest of the crew, seven of us in total. We hung out at the marina all day. eating pizza, drinking beer, shopping for groceries, and waiting for the boats to be cleaned from the prior week’s occupants. In late afternoon, we met our skipper Sanjin, signed tons of paperwork, and got our TYW wristbands. It had been sunny all day, but by then clouds were starting to appear. I hoped this wasn’t a bad omen.

Our yacht, the Perna

Our skipper, Sanjin

Around 5:00 p.m., we finally boarded the Perna. No sooner had we loaded on our luggage and groceries and raised our American flag, sure enough the skies opened up and it stormed like cats and dogs. We had to rush to close all the windows on the boat (which quickly became hot and stuffy) and wait for the storm to pass. To bide the time, we played cards, drank shots, and got to know Sanjin (who we nicknamed 007, both for his blue eyes like Daniel Craig and his ability to stealthy disappear unnoticed). The rain stopped about an hour later and we finally set sail around 7:00p.m. We sailed for a little more than two hours (one of which was in the dark) before arriving in Trogir, where we docked for the night. By then we were starving and ready for a real meal. We went to dinner at a restaurant on the marina that looked out onto the water. I ate a “shrimp” dish with rice and red sauce. Although they referred to these crustaceans as shrimp, thanks to my New Orleans roots I know them as crawfish. Either way, they were tasty. After dinner, we split up. Some went to the TYW Welcome Party. Others walked around town to see the historic buildings and search for gelato. I was in the latter group and it was a good end to a long day.

My “shrimp” dish

Me enjoying the views

On Sunday morning, we woke up to bright, sunny skies and were amazed by the beautiful blue waters and mountains at every turn. We sailed for several hours before arriving in Vis in late afternoon. We anchored at sea and started the party early. As is the TYW custom, we climbed from boat to boat to meet fellow Yacht Weekers, while others did the same. Along the way we shared shots, laughs, and a dance or too. One of the coolest aspects of TYW was seeing the diverse country flags flying on every boat. If you were smart enough, you could tell the nationality of everyone on each boat by looking at their flags. If not, it was one of your first questions. We met people from all over the globe, including Jamaica, Australia, Germany, and Ghana, among others. Later, that evening we took water taxis to the Vis marina. At Sanjin’s suggestion, we had dinner at Bocadero, a fancy restaurant in Vis. We were joined by two Australians (Aaron and Tim) from the boat next to us. We had a blast, eating good food, drinking red wine, and laughing and joking for several hours. I had the sea bass cooked in parchment paper with vegetables and olives; it was fresh and delish! After dinner, we went to the TYW White Party at the St. George Fort. The place was packed and the techno music was cranking all night. We partied for several hours before turning in for the evening. We spent the night anchored at sea in Vis.

Sea bass w/ veggies

TYW White Party

On Monday morning, we got up, ate breakfast at Dionis, and bought more food and supplies for the boat. We left Vis around 1:00 p.m. and set sail for the Green Caves. It was too windy to get close, so we briefly looked at the emerald green waters then headed on towards Komiza. We sailed for several hours and arrived in early evening, anchoring at sea just off the marina. Komiza had a lively marina, full of people and restaurants, pizzerias, gelato stands and vendors selling jewelry and souvenirs.

Gelato stand in Komiza

But while other tourists and Yacht Weekers were eating on the waterfront, we were lucky enough to have dinner at a neighborhood restaurant where Sanjin had made reservations for us and pre-ordered Croatia’s national dish, Peka. After a 20 minute ride up the mountain, we finally arrived at restaurant Glob and were warmly welcomed by the family owners. We started off with appetizers of tuna prosciutto, cheese, olives, tomatoes, and a house red wine. Everything was fresh and yummy. About an hour later, the Peka finally arrived at the table. Peka is made with octopus or lamb (we chose the lamb) and cooked in a special clay pot with vegetables, fresh herbs and spices for four hours. All I can say is OMG, it was delicious! The meat was so tender and everything was so perfectly seasoned that it melted in your mouth. It was a pricey meal, but worth every cent. We were quite full after dinner, but we headed to another TYW party.

Lamb peka

We left Komiza on Tuesday morning and sailed to the Blue Caves. We rowed a paddle boat from our yacht to the caves. Initially it was dark, but once we got further inside, a hole in the side of the cave allowed in a ray of sunlight. The water was a sparkling blue hue, which almost appeared fluorescent – it was stunning. Unfortunately, I forgot to bring my camera and missed the shot. We left the caves and sailed for several hours before meeting up with the rest of the Yacht Weekers in the middle of the sea. All of the yachts anchored in a circle formation to create a swimming pool. We swam and relaxed on floats, having a big party at sea until late afternoon. Later that evening, we lined the boats horizontally and spent the night out at sea moored to some large rocks. Everyone partied on their yachts, blasting music while singing, and dancing. All through the night, people climbed from boat to boat, greeting the occupants, and often sharing a drink or two. It was a noisy, fun and late evening.

“Swimming pool” at sea

Up next, Part 2 . . . . when we arrive at Hvar, the St. Tropez of Croatia

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Mexico: A Day in the Land of the Maya

October 29, 2014 by thetravelsista 1 Comment

Fresh off the heels of Italy and Croatia (and still a bit jet lagged), I went to my first travel bloggers conference, TBEX in Cancun, Mexico. As part of the pre-conference activities, I went on a Cultural Mayaville tour sponsored by Alltournative, an operator of eco-archaeological expeditions in Quintana Roo and the Yucatan. My interest in exploring different cultures prompted me to choose this tour among the many activities offered.

Our guide Riaz picked me up from my hotel bright and early at 7:45 am. After collecting two more participants, we headed out for the 1.5 hour ride to the Mayan villages. Over the course of the morning, we visited three. The first was Esmeralda, where were greeted by several villagers and a local Shaman, a religious healer who performed a blessing ceremony for us using copal incense. After the brief ceremony, we walked around the grounds viewing various indigenous plants while Riaz told us about their medicinal and food uses. We then walked down an underground stairway to see a cenote, a natural sinkhole filled with clear, fresh water. I didn’t swim, but I did stick my feet into the warm waters.

Our next stop was Laguna Chabela, where we met the Santos family who has lived in this secluded community for several generations. They welcomed us into their home and introduced us to the mother Aurelia and her daughter-in-law, both of whom were cooking breakfast. As we walked around the property, we learned how they completely live off the land. The grounds were fascinating, with an abundance of lush vegetable, fruit and spice plants. They also had several huge turkeys. Before we left, Aurelia cooked fresh, hand-made corn tortillas for us – they were delicious.

Our last stop was Tres Reyes, where we saw the community church and plaza. There, we were treated to a Mayan lunch buffet of fresh vegetable soup, chicken, rice and beans, pasta, hand-made tortillas, and a desert, the name of which escapes me (it looked and tasted like a granola). To drink, we had a hibiscus tea and a green juice, both of which were delicious. It was cool to learn the food and drinks were prepared with some of the plants we’d seen earlier.

After lunch, we headed to the Mayan ruins of Coba. Located around two lagoons and a jungle, Coba is not as well known as Chichen Itza, the more famous Mayan site recently named as a one of the New Seven World Wonders. However, Coba also has several large pyramid temples, including the main temple, Ixmoja, which brave visitors can still climb (at the time of writing). We started off at the two ballgame courts and a smaller church pyramid near the entrance. Unfortunately, it started pouring rain soon after we arrived and I thought our visit would be ruined.

Luckily, there were scores of rickshaw drivers offering rides to the main pyramid for only 120 pesos. I happily paid and hopped on board the covered seat. As we rode down the long, gravel path we stopped at various structures for me to take photos. After about 10 minutes, we arrived at Ixmoja, the tallest pyramid in the Yucatan standing at 138 feet tall. While there were many brave souls making the 120-step hike to the top, my fear of heights and the slippery conditions made me decline. I hated to miss what I’ve heard are incredible views at the top, but nonetheless it was amazing to see this ancient temple still standing. Interestingly, only 2% of the site has been excavated so one can only imagine what other secrets lie behind the jungle.

After a long and interesting day, we made it back to Cancun around 6:00 p.m. Our guide Riaz was very informative and we had good conversation about a variety of topics, including the history of Alltournative and its mission of providing tourist-based economic sustainable development to the various Mayan communities. I enjoyed being a firsthand witness of their efforts to preserve the environment and support the local people.

Visit the Cancun, Mexico photo gallery to see more pictures

Have you visited any of the Mayan ruins or communities in Mexico? If so, please share your experience below.

** Thank you to Alltournative for providing this tour gratis. According to their website, Alltournative supports three sustainable development projects involving six different communities, turning those areas into protected natural sanctuaries. They offer a variety of eco-tours throughout the State of Quintana Roo.

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