Travels – ⋆ Second Gen Desi ⋆

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I’ve always been a geography girlie. In third grade, my dad challenged me to learn the capitals of all 50 U.S. states. After a perfect recitation, I was rewarded with a $1 scoop of Baskin-Robbins ice cream (back when those $1 scoop Tuesdays still existed…). I even competed in my middle school’s geography bee—and absolutely tortured myself after missing the question, “What is the largest desert in California?”—I knew about the Mojave, unlike most thirteen-year-old Americans I bet, yet somehow still got it wrong and mentally flogged myself for a week.

In adulthood, especially during moments of ennui, I’ve found myself opening Google Maps, zooming into random regions, and lingering there—pondering borders, cities, and landscapes. That habit is how I first became familiar with South America beyond the behemoth that is Brazil.

And as an adult with actual spending money and the ability to explore more of the world, I’m eager to do more than memorize city names or niche fun facts about countries most of the Western world wouldn’t recognize. I find myself yearning to travel to more “exotic” places with whatever time off work I can scrape together. While I’m not pressuring myself to visit every country in the world, I’ve quietly adopted it as an unofficial goal 🙈.

In recent years, I’ve also been lucky enough to make friends who share my travel style—people who are flexible, curious, and excited by destinations that aren’t always top of mind. When you’re the kind of person who just wants to see as much of the world as possible with agreeable company, it helps. So when a friend casually suggests, “Senegal this December, guys?” you don’t hesitate. You jump all in, thrilled to check off your first visit to the African continent—especially when it wasn’t even on your radar for most of the year.

My friend Aneesa (the Expat Panda) was able to loop myself as well as friends P and M into the mix to plan a girls’ trip to both Senegal and The Gambia (Senegambia is also a term used to describe both countries, but Senegambia is not an actual country).

Super zoomed in pic of Senegal and The Gambia, West Africa

Since we would be venturing to West Africa, with none of us speaking fluent French (essential for most countries in West Africa), we were able to work with the Mowoki travel group company to help sort out our itinerary—including accommodations, activities, our driver, airport transfers, most meals, and even visas when necessary. The owner of the company, Jeremies, was even our guide for the entire 10-day trip. During the planning stages, I honestly didn’t know what to expect or how the trip would turn out, but knowing I’d be with friends I trusted eased my nerves in a way going alone wouldn’t have.

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Our trip plans began in August, with the actual trip being in December. My portion as 1/4 of a girls group amounted to around $2,240 USD for all of the essentials mentioned above, organized through Mowoki. Even then, the conversion rate led me to getting about $200 back in local currency when I arrived, which I used towards my Gambian visa (more on that experience later…). With flights, I was lucky that my go-to international airline (United) had a direct flight from IAD to Dakar, Senegal (the capital). Dates and times worked out in my favor, so there was no need to transit through Europe to get to the African continent…

Unfortunately, as of December 2025, United made the decision to cancel the route …the route launched in May 2025, so it barely lasted a year 😪. It is still possible to fly direct trans-Atlantically from JFK or Montreal, but the United decision hurts my heart because that’s one of the current airlines I’m loyal to lol.

The trip was taken in the last half of December, and so it aligned perfectly with days off from work. I flew into IAD from Austin the day before my flight to Dakar, just so I wouldn’t risk missing the flight to Dakar due to delays. I stayed overnight in Alexandria, VA, which was a separate, but cute little experience to have before venturing off to warmer temperatures and more tropical adventures.

Exploring Alexandria a few hours before my trans-Atlantic flight

My experience flying from IAD to Dakar was mostly smooth! I was upgraded to United Premium Economy, and felt comfortable for the 7 hour journey thanks to additional “Saks Fifth Avenue” branded blankets and seats with roomier leg room. We did have a 1.5 hour delay though—with limited flights a week, I guess the crew wanted to make sure EVERYBODY who was supposed to be on the flight and checked-in was on board.

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I landed in Dakar around 8am local time the next day. Walking into the airport, a part of me felt a sense of accomplishment before even stepping outside—I made it to Africa! The only reason I exclaim that so broadly is because it truly was my first time on the continent. But I knew that this trip would only be a sampling of what to expect, and many more trips will need to be planned to further explore this continent!

Immigration was a breeze (no visa needed for stays less than 90 days for US citizens), but waiting for my luggage to arrive was a chore. After about an hour, I was able to meet my driver outside the airport, which was thankfully arranged by Mowoki.

The drive to Dakar city from the airport was also a journey, and nothing too exciting to comment on. In fact, the wide open desert-like terrain reminded me of some parts of West Texas!

Google maps can’t always be trusted here due to the nature of the roads, but it did take around 1.5 hours for me

My destination was our first accommodation for the trip—BOMA Lifestyle Hotel. It was tucked away in the middle of a busy street, and even my driver had to make a long U-turn after missing it the first time. Despite arriving around 10am, I was able to partake in my complimentary breakfast, after checking-in, meeting Jeremies in-person, and catching up with Aneesa and M while P would be joining us later.

Breakfast at BOMA each morning of our stay was substantial! We got to pick a hot beverage, a cold juice, a savory side, a sweet side, and an entree

Knowing that the first day was essentially a travel day for everyone, our plans were minimal. After breakfast, all I remember doing was taking a nap and then having snacks with Aneesa and M before figuring out what our plans for dinner were. We just knew we were having a “welcome dinner”—but where and when? No clue.

Eventually, we did find out where we were going for dinner. It was a venue none of us could have imagined, but it definitely gave us an “exciting” preview of what was to come on our trip in Senegal:

The beach behind Magic Land aka the location of a crazy night

We were seated on the rocks of a beach behind an amusement park known as Magic Land, and attempted to make ourselves comfortable in plastic beach chairs as Jeremies explained what was on tonight’s menu—basically the lifeblood of Senegalese cuisine, fresh fish. I was assured there would be a veggie option for me, and that would be cooked and served in a traditional way as well.

In the meantime, the next couple of hours (yes, you read that right) included some unusual, frightening, and downright hilarious antics. We quickly got used to the persistent solicitation from vendors selling everything from hot tea to books, musicians trying to get us to get up and dance to some Afro drum beats or serenade us with “I love yous”, and even witnessed a fight between two young boys (!!) because one boy thought the other was stealing his customer (this was the frightening one, just because I’m sure one of the boys got hurt falling HARD on the rocks…).

It truly was dinner with a show, yet we were still waiting for the dinner part…

My veggie plate of fried plantains, boiled carrots, potatoes, cucumber and tomatoes, pickled onions (loved this!!), and lettuce

At least it was worth the wait?

My friends somehow managed to tackle two (!!) similarly-sized plates of fish, along with what I had pictured above! Needless to say, we did not finish our meals but we left with our bellies and hearts full. The amount of laughter we had that night was equivalent to a 30-min ab workout!

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The next day was the start of our real adventures for the trip. We began with a half-day excursion to Gorée Island, a UNESCO World Heritage site that once played a central role in the 15th- to 19th-century slave trade. Despite its heavy history, the island is visually stunning, with colonial architecture, soft pastel buildings, and bursts of colorful bougainvillea throughout.

We had a mini tour of the island with a local guide, who was a wealth of knowledge when it came to the history of the island. For the first half of our walk, we saw the “good, innocent” parts of the island—baobabs, sand art, colorful artwork, buildings artistically shaped like ships…

The buildings were indeed picturesque and Instagrammable:

But when we finally reached the House of Slaves, that’s when the truth came to light about what this place really was.

As we walked through the rooms, it was difficult to comprehend that while slave traders lived comfortably on the upper levels, hundreds of enslaved men, women, and children were crammed into spaces no larger than closets. Learning that young girls, in particular, were subjected to abuse and were only spared once they became pregnant was horrifying. The entire experience was deeply unsettling, but confronting this history directly is necessary to prevent the dangerous path of history repeating itself.

On that note, we were grateful to witness one of the most historical sites in Senegal, and it also served as a humbling reminder that sometimes travel brings on discomfort, and that’s when you know the journey that you are on really means something.

After Gorée, we continued on to visit the iconic Mosque of the Divinity (Massalikoul Djinane Mosque)—this stop was much more humorous than expected?

This was my second time visiting a mosque, and my first time with (appropriate) covering. I visited a mosque in Cologne, Germany with a friend once and don’t recall covering my hair (I think I was able to tie it in a ponytail) and I was wearing a long dress but stopped short at my knees. No one was bothered there, and I was probably more self-conscious of not wanting to offend anyone.

Here however, my friends and I were given the VIP treatment. The imam met us in the parking lot—as soon as our van door opened, there he was, with plenty of covering options for us to choose from 😂. From there, we walked through the prayer hall (men’s side) and could not believe how beautiful the interior was:

The amount of detail just had me like 🤩 the entire time. The imam spent the entire time with us, walking us through all the open rooms and again, treating us like VIPs. It seemed…strange?

We would soon find out there was a reason why we were receiving such princess-like treatment. We later learned that our guide had told the imam that the four of us were “well known in the English-speaking community”, and the imam had shared he ran a lively TikTok account for the mosque. The next night, Aneesa and I were curious and did some stalking and found out that we indeed ended up on the mosque’s TikTok! At one point during our visit, the imam popped out his phone to take a video of us, and not knowing how to react, we all blankly stared at the camera and that is what ended up online for his community to see.

I guess you could say we went viral in Senegal?

After the mosque visit, it was finally time to eat! While we were managing throughout the day with snacks, we stopped at Phare des Mamelles for a late lunch since it was supposed to offer scenic views of the city.

While the views were great, the food was not. At least for a vegetarian like me. I’d soon realize that Senegalese cuisine is not the best for vegetarians, and many of my meals outside of the breakfast hour would require some customization. This restaurant did not have a proper vegetarian meal, so I was left picking at a plate of vegetables…I even had to beg for proper sauce. My friends also knew we would need to eat something else later, and fortunately, everyone was excited about the prospect of Indian food since there was a restaurant just outside BOMA.

We did right at Rasoi, where we indulged in spring rolls with sauce, paratha, and delicious hot chai.
To think that I had only been in Senegal for two days at this point and to have seen so much already? I was excited to continue on our adventure, though like with any trip, there were fun, memorable moments and those that felt mentally draining.

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I plan to conclude my recap of the Senegambia trip with a reflection drawn from my personal observations and conversations, as the experience left me thinking about how I might use what I learned to help deepen others’ understanding of this region of the world—more to come!

Have you ever visited West Africa?

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In this blog post, I talk about my experience with a group tour to Guatemala organized by the company Here & Now Travel. This post is a recap of my experience and not sponsored, but if you find yourself inspired to join a future group trip—whether it is in Guatemala or some place else—use code PREE100 for $100 off your first trip with them! You can read Part 1 here.

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Day three of the trip was one I had been especially looking forward to—hiking a volcano! Originally, I had hoped to do an overnight hike to Acatenango with a different tour company when I was planning my trip to Guatemala, but with H&N, the volcano of choice was Pacaya. It was a shorter day hike, but still required a good level of fitness. Even though it wasn’t the overnight adventure I’d imagined, I was still really excited—this time I had proper hiking boots, and I was ready.

We started the day with an earlier-than-usual breakfast before hopping on the bus and heading toward the trailhead. Once there, we met our guide and were told that horses would be available if anyone got too tired or out of breath. Most of us were hesitant/embarrassed about needing to use that option, but thankfully no one in our group needed to use a horse.

The hike was no joke. Because of the high altitude and the steep incline right from the start, I felt out of breath almost immediately. Still, after pushing through the beginning, my body adjusted, and the experience became incredibly fulfilling. After about an hour and a half, we reached the summit, took photos, and soaked in the scenery.

The descent was much easier, and near the lower levels, we passed dogs running around the volcanic soil and natural smoke pits where people were roasting marshmallows—a fun local tradition.

Another hour and a half later, we were back at the base. Thanks to my hiking boots, the trek was much more manageable, and while I felt tired, I was only a little sore the next day.

After the hike, we headed to Rainbow Café for lunch, where we were able to preorder our meals. I chose a falafel plate, and it was incredibly satisfying as a post-hike meal. The café reminded me a lot of Samsara, but this time, I was really glad to partake in a meal that satisfied my cravings while with the group.

After lunch, some of us went on a walking tour of Antigua, while others wandered through the outdoor markets (I was mentally pooped from the hike and opted for the latter). I was thoroughly amused by the abundance of capybara-themed products—it seems the capybara obsession has truly taken flight, and it makes sense because these creatures are the GOAT.

Nothing in particular caught my eye, but I enjoyed tagging along. Eventually, another girl from my group and I stopped for some long-awaited gelato. For only two quetzales, it was incredibly delicious and absolutely worth it.

We spent the rest of the afternoon resting at the hotel before heading out for our last group dinner in Antigua at Hector’s Bistro. The menu had plenty of options, including pizzas and American-style dishes. I ordered sweet potato fries with a vegetable platter, which was both satisfying and flavorful.

After dinner, everyone went their separate ways for the night. I turned in early, ready for the next chapter of the trip.

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The following day, we headed to Lake Atitlán. The drive took most of the morning (about 3 hours), but we arrived to our hotel (Jardines del Lago) just before lunch, giving us time to relax and take in the views.

Lunch was at a very local, hole-in-the-wall spot serving Uruguayan food. The portions were massive, but unfortunately, the food itself was pretty bland. I ate what I could, but it wasn’t my favorite meal of the trip. Still in the mood for something sweet, I treated myself to another scoop of gelato—this time a creamy Nutella flavor—which made everything better.

Soon after, we visited a nearby nature reserve. Some people went zip lining and ended up having a very unexpected, somewhat chaotic experience that led to serious trauma bonding. I was part of the group that chose to hike instead, though not by choice. We were supposedly trying to find a beach, but the trail ended up being longer and more confusing than expected, which made it a bit frustrating. It wasn’t my favorite part of the trip, but it was still an adventure.

Later on, a few of us decided to get massages. I went with my fellow gelato girlie to a local spot that was able to fit us in, while others found appointments at another nearby salon. An hour-long massage only cost around $35 USD! A tip wasn’t required, but I threw one in 🙂

That evening, we had dinner at a fusion Asian restaurant and continued getting acquainted with Lake Atitlán.

Our hotel in Panajachel was more basic compared to the boutique-style hotel in Antigua, but it was clean, well-located, and had beautiful views of the lake. And of course, I ended the night with yet another scoop of gelato.

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Our last full day took us to different parts of the lake for swimming and cultural activities. Breakfast at the hotel was a buffet, but it filled up quickly—if you weren’t there by 7:00 a.m., it was already packed. I was not enthusiastic about the options anyways.

After breakfast, we gathered outside and took a boat to a lookout point (Cerro Tzankujil) where people could jump into the lake, swim, sunbathe, and take photos. It was a relaxing and scenic stop. I took a pic of Panajachel in the morning—a much more quiet view!

At Cerro Tzankujil, I opted to mostly sun bathe as the water was too cold for my liking. I did try to walk around in the water for a bit, but it ended up feeling too boring haha.

Next, we headed to San Juan La Laguna, a colorful lakeside village full of vendors, cafés, and art. At the dock, our guide pointed out Indian Nose, which is another famous hiking destination. It really did look like a nose!

Our first stop was a women’s cooperative focused on traditional weaving and natural dyeing practices.

One of the women walked us through the entire process, and because it’s a co-op, the handmade items are sold directly in their shop. I ended up purchasing a few gifts, happy to support their work.

As a side note, one of the items I purchased made it into a white elephant game at a Christmas party I attended, and the person who ended up with it was absolutely in love!

On each item, the price tag includes a picture of the woman who made the item, and the days it took to make!

Afterwards, we broke into smaller groups to explore the town—wandering through shops, admiring murals, and taking in the vibrant atmosphere.

We regrouped for lunch, which again wasn’t anything spectacular, but it kept us going. Our overall time spent in town was for a shorter duration compared to some of our destinations on the trip. Apparently there were other towns around the lake that had their own personalities—like San Marcos La Laguna, which is supposedly famous for its spiritual vibe, yoga studios, meditation centers, and bohemian atmosphere. I’m sure I would have found delicious vegetarian options there!

By the afternoon, everyone was pretty exhausted, so we returned to the hotel to rest, enjoy the sunset, and take photos by the lake. That evening, we gathered for our farewell dinner. While the food wasn’t particularly memorable, the live music and the shared experience made it special. I didn’t get my nightly scoop of gelato that evening, but I did have ice cream and spent the rest of the night reflecting on the trip and appreciating everything it had been.

The final day was purely a travel day. We woke up early for the long drive back to Guatemala City and the airport, said our goodbyes, and boarded our flights. Even though the trip was only five days long, it felt incredibly meaningful. Experiencing Guatemala alongside like-minded travelers—people who were just as present and appreciative—made the memories even more special.

I’m already planning to join H&N next year for a trip to Belize, and hope to see more of Central and South America with companies like them. It helps when you don’t have to worry about logistics—a vacation can actually feel more like a vacation!

Have you ever visited Guatemala?

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As someone who’s always been type A and loves to travel, I’ve set myself a long-term goal of visiting as many of the 197 (maybe it’s more, some lists include Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao, while I’ve seen some say Curacao is technically part of the Netherlands 🙄…in my book it is its own country, I’m counting it 😝) countries as possible. It’s a big task, but I’m determined to experience the world, one country at a time.

For a while, I focused mostly on Europe because it was easy to plan, affordable, and familiar, but over time, Europe started to feel repetitive and boring. Eastern Europe provides some variation, but even then, it does not feel like an “adventurous” destination to me anymore.

Last year, I was able to begin prioritizing international travel on my side of the globe, like Playa del Carmen and Chichen Itza in Mexico, and the trip to Curacao. After my first trip to Serbia earlier that year, and going on some hiking adventures, I knew I needed to explore more challenging and adventurous destinations.

It made sense to continue down south and look into Central America. Guatemala wasn’t on my radar initially, but after hearing about amazing experiences from two friends who had been in recent times, it started to spark my interest.

I have to be honest and admit that at first, I did have some small reservations—at least with the thought of traveling alone. I know that the news and media outlets like to sensationalize things, and so I appreciated the feedback I got from two friends I trust. I trusted their experiences more over whatever has been shared on the nightly news.

I also realized that there are many group tours to Guatemala, which gave me reassurance that it must be a safe and welcoming place for tourists. After visiting Greece and Bulgaria this summer, my social media algorithm quickly picked up on my travel habits and started bombarding me with ads for group tours, many of them in Guatemala.

Originally, I was planning to go with an all-female solo travelers group, excited for the longer itinerary they offered. Unfortunately, that trip fell through—some of the girls couldn’t commit to the dates I had blocked off. At first, I was disappointed and thought I’d have to cancel everything and look for another trip. But then, I stumbled across a company called Here and Now, which happened to have a tour scheduled on the exact dates I was available. With their trip being shorter, I was thrilled at the prospect of not only getting my Guatemala adventure, but also having a few days to relax at home before jumping back into work. It felt like everything was falling into place!

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Prep and Day 1

I always joke that I love traveling but hate everything leading up to it—especially packing. My work schedule doesn’t leave much room for daydreaming about upcoming trips, so I kept prep simple. The only things I proactively did were buy real hiking boots from REI—because after hiking through Bulgaria in run-down running shoes, I knew that the only way I would ever want to go hiking again is if I get REAL boots! I also stocked up on some of my favorite US snacks a few days before the trip, since I’m the type who gets hangry fast, especially when vegetarian-friendly options are limited.

One nice perk of this trip was flying direct out of IAH airport in Houston. I got to spend Thanksgiving with family (after almost SEVEN years of no Thanksgivings spent at home—because I was traveling or living in Italy, lol), and then head off on my adventure without the stress of multiple connections. The flight itself was smooth, and I landed in Guatemala City around 1 p.m., grabbed my suitcase, breezed through customs, and found my driver.

The drive from Guatemala City to Antigua, though—whew. The winding roads, construction, traffic, and even a couple of car accidents turned it into a full sensory experience. But it also gave me an instant glimpse of local life, like watching my driver and his girlfriend(?) in the passenger seat casually buy snacks from vendors weaving between cars as if it were the most normal thing in the world.

I checked into the Good Hotel in Antigua around 3:30pm, quickly freshened up, and joined a few travelers from my group for a short walk around town before meeting our full group and guide in the lobby for introductions and dinner. The hotel itself was fantastic—clean, minimalist, and thoughtfully designed. There were tiny Guatemalan worry dolls placed on our beds, which was such a charming touch. I did have a roommate for the entire trip, but Here & Now did a great job pairing travelers based on sleep schedules and logistical preferences.

Dinner that night was at El Adobe, which offered a mix of authentic Guatemalan dishes and other options. I ordered a cauliflower dish (advertised as spicy but definitely mild, and a bit cold) along with a steamed veggie platter topped with a creamy lemon drizzle. They also served blue corn tortillas tableside, which were delicious. Guatemalan cuisine is definitely meat-forward, and I knew going in I would face challenges, but the veggie options I did get access to in Antigua were surprisingly good.

Veggie platter and (cold) cauliflower at El Adobe

After dinner, the group wandered into a nearby bar, and after a few minutes my roommate and I called it an early night. Before heading back, our guide helped me withdraw cash—$139 worth—which, combined with a few credit card charges, ended up being the perfect amount for the entire trip.

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Day 2

The next morning, I woke up early in order to do something I had not been planning to during the trip—run! Leading up to the trip, I wasn’t sure if running would be feasible in Guatemala, given concerns about road safety and accessibility. However, upon arriving in Antigua and seeing the quality of the hotel, I felt much more confident. I sought advice from the concierge, who reassured me that running in the city center was perfectly safe in the mornings. They did mention that areas outside the city could be more challenging to navigate, but as long as I stayed within the city, it would be fine.

I decided to follow their recommendation and embarked on a short, 2-mile run. It turned out to be more difficult than I had anticipated, primarily because the roads in Antigua are mostly cobblestone. The sidewalks were either narrow or nonexistent, so I had to remain very cautious while navigating through the streets. Despite the difficulty, the run was invigorating, and I was pleasantly surprised to discover that there was a 5K/10K race taking place that morning. If I had known about the event in advance, I might have considered joining in (lol!).

After my run, I met up with a few of my fellow travelers to head into town. We were planning to visit the “famous arch” (Arco de Santa Catalina) and get some photos in. We gathered in the hotel lobby, and I had just enough time to shower, change, and join the group for the short walk to the arch. Although we left at 7 AM, thinking we would beat the crowds, there were still many people already out and about. Nonetheless, we managed to take some great photos.

Upon our return to the hotel, we were ready for breakfast. The breakfast at the hotel restaurant, Saul, was delightful. The variety of options was impressive, and as part of the trip package, we were entitled to one breakfast item and a hot drink (black coffee or tea). However, I opted to pay a out-of-pocket for a cappuccino, which cost $3.25—a reasonable price considering what one might pay at a US Starbucks! The cappuccino came with a small biscotti, which was a nice touch. I paired it with oatmeal, which had a porridge-like consistency and was topped with fresh berries and nuts. It was light yet filling, and just enough for that morning since we were soon on our way to a Guatemalan cooking class!

Cappuccino with biscotti | Oatmeal topped with fruit and granola

The class was held in the home of a Guatemalan woman named Saira, along with her sister. Their family has a long history in the culinary arts, with family members holding executive culinary positions within the Guatemalan government. It was clear that they were deeply passionate about their country’s food culture, and they were eager to share their knowledge with us.

The class was divided into three groups: one for appetizers, one for the main course, and one for dessert. I placed myself in the dessert group, as the appetizer and main course preparations involved meat, but the hosts kindly made sure there were vegetarian options for me by the time we were ready to eat!

Dobladas, vegetarian “stew”, flan-like dessert with candied fruit

The experience was both enjoyable and informative, offering a unique opportunity to bond with fellow travelers while learning about Guatemalan cuisine and the cultural significance of the dishes we were preparing.

After the Guatemalan cooking class, we had some free time to relax before the next activity of the day: a visit to a local coffee plantation. Around 2:00 p.m., we boarded a bus and headed to San Miguel Escobar, home to a family-run, multigenerational coffee farm. There, we met one of the family members who walked us through the entire coffee-growing process—from crop cultivation and harvesting, to quality control and roasting.

The family shared the historical and cultural significance of their farm, explaining how their long-standing relationships with U.S. partners and exporters have helped support not only their own family, but neighboring families as well. It was eye-opening to see how interconnected community, trade, and sustainability are within their operation.

After touring the plantation and seeing the coffee plants up close, we traveled to the family’s home and processing area. They demonstrated how the beans are husked, processed, and roasted, explaining the differences between light, medium, and dark roasts (including the surprising fact that lighter and medium roasts actually contain more caffeine than dark roasts). We also learned more about how their plantation partners with coffee companies in the U.S. to distribute their beans.

Of course, we got to sample the coffee fresh—and it was incredible. We also had the opportunity to purchase coffee products, including skincare items created in collaboration with another local brand, and each of us received a complimentary bag of coffee to take home. It felt good to directly support a local business while gaining a deeper appreciation for a drink so many of us take for granted.

After the plantation visit, we headed as a group to Antigua Brewing Company for happy hour. With rooftop views, snacks that doubled as dinner for some, and plenty of conversation (plus a few card games), we stayed until nightfall. Fireworks began lighting up the sky, and we learned that in Guatemala, fireworks usually signal a celebration—often a wedding.

After about two hours on the rooftop, we decided it was time for dinner. I was craving a place that catered to vegans and vegetarians, so I ventured out on my own and found Samsara, a small, hole-in-the-wall vegan restaurant. Like many vegan spots around the world, it had that familiar hippie, eco-conscious vibe—but I always love supporting plant-based businesses wherever I travel.

I ordered a tempeh bowl with coconut peanut sauce and rice, paired with a hot tea. It was hearty, comforting, and exactly what I needed. After dinner, I headed back to rest—knowing the next day would bring the volcano hike and that I’d need every bit of energy for what was ahead.

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All in all, my first two days in Guatemala were enriching and filled with memorable moments—whether it was the challenge of running on cobblestone streets, experiencing the bustling atmosphere of Antigua’s iconic arch, or learning about the rich culinary traditions of the country. So far, this was all just a sampling of what was to come—even more exciting adventures were awaiting!

Stick around for Part 2!

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You can also read more about Western Serbia/planning a trip to the region on Aneesa’s blog, Expat Panda.

I hope I don’t jinx myself by saying this, but 2024 has been a fantastic year for travel so far. It started off with Maui, during which I finally felt thrilled to be a solo traveler. Then followed a flurry of work trips, which weren’t as stressful as you’d imagine. All of the trips were domestic, but I can’t deny the fact that I enjoyed adding points and airline miles to my loyalty programs, while being able to carry out my job in places like Washington D.C., San Diego, and Tampa.

Those work trips did eventually get exhausting though, so I was more than ready for some PTO by the time May rolled around. I wasn’t really sure what to expect with Serbia (not Siberia, folks), but I knew it would be nothing short of worthwhile—especially since it was an adventure I’d be sharing with a friend I met through circumstances only a millennial/post-millennial could relate to!

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I first learned about Aneesa’s blog—Expat Panda—when I “left” the Instagram world for about a year. Prior to what ended up being a sabbatical of sorts, I had been active on Instagram as @secondgendesi to promote this blog and to also connect with other expats since I was an expat in Italy at the time.

I left a comment on Aneesa’s blog introducing myself, but since I wasn’t active on Instagram, we didn’t really connect until more than a year later! In that time, I co-started the podcast Pour the Coffee and came back to Instagram with a refreshed (and more detached from the toxicities of it!) attitude. I reached out to Aneesa over the summer of 2023 to see if she would be interested in being a guest on our podcast. I’m glad she said yes, because it led to one of our best episodes yet and it was on a relevant topic too. From there, our virtual friendship grew! You can check out her Pour the Coffee episode here.

At the time of recording, Aneesa was still living in Qatar, but shared with us that she would be relocating to Serbia by the time our episode was planned to go live. Despite having lived in Europe for almost three years by the time this episode was recorded, it never occurred to me that exploring Serbia, and Eastern Europe in general, would be worth considering.

I’m glad I didn’t overlook this country! And I’m excited knowing that I have so much to look forward to within the Balkans!

As I wrapped up trips to Austria and Portugal & Barcelona later that year, my mind was already churning about where to go for 2024. In this post about my Austria trip, I reflected on my new mindset about travel and how I now prefer to prioritize people over location, among other realizations. Before I knew it, I was coordinating a week-long trip to Serbia to see Aneesa and explore a new country.

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There wasn’t too much going on prior to my trip, but Aneesa was instrumental in ironing out the foundational itinerary, especially in regards to our planned group travel to Western Serbia. As a Type-A person who loves seeing my Google Calendar light up with overlapping colors across several weeks, I appreciated Aneesa’s similar mindset towards detail and planning ahead.

You won’t believe how many people I know who revel in doing things at the very last minute—what an anxiety-inducing way to live!

Besides booking my flights, I didn’t do much in regards to prior research before the trip. For me, I was open to anything as long as I with like-minded company. Knowing that a “girls group trip” was part of the plan was what I was looking forward to the most. I was also heavily consumed with work travel, and couldn’t visualize the trip until I got closer to the date of my departure.

Prior to the trip, I also reached out to other friends and acquaintances from my time living in Italy, letting them know I was going to be in Serbia and that if their schedules allowed, it would be great to meet with them as well. Unfortunately, it didn’t work out for anyone I contacted, but my dear friend Glenis (and guest on Episode 11 of Pour the Coffee 😉) put me in touch with two of her friends who would be in Serbia at the time of the trip, and one of them was able to join the group trip we had planned for the weekend I was there. Ultimately, it resulted in an amazing outcome!

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I booked my flights back in January through KLM, my preferred airline for Europe travel since CDG/Paris is an absolute nightmare. I left Houston around 3pm local time, and arrived early in Amsterdam the next day. My attempts to use the one of the lounges backfired, since anyone not in Business or First Class, including those with lounge memberships through other programs (i.e. Priority Pass), had to get on a waitlist no earlier than three hour prior to boarding their next flight. Needless to say, the five hours I was looking forward to killing in the lounge were spent trying to stay awake at crowded seating areas across Schipol’s Terminal 2.

I eventually made it to Belgrade, Serbia’s capital (and once the capital of entire Yugoslavia), and in one piece to Aneesa’s place. After settling in, unpacking, trying not to overwhelm the cutie boy that is Chai (🐱) and being treated to a home-cooked meal, I was able to call it a night and try to curb any sign of jetlag that might be brewing.

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🧳

Day 1

My first full day on the ground was a Friday, and I was able to wake up at a leisurely pace. Since our road trip was planned to start in the afternoon, I was able to spend the morning going for a run and getting a feel for Belgrade by foot.

It started off as a run comprised of steep hills and lush green scenery. I ran a little bit into the city, expecting passersby to be stunned since it had started to lightly rain, but most people seemed preoccupied with their own lives, lol! I managed to find myself in Hajd (Hyde) Park and stopped whenever there was an opportunity to take quirky pics.

Views from my run – someone’s home (??), a monument to one of Serbia’s famous long distance runners, a random head in Hajd Park

However, things took a miserable turn when the light rain turned into a heavy downpour. I also took a wrong turn, so I had to add an extra mile to my run that included a steep climb up all while getting drenched to my bones.

The funny thing was, by the time Aneesa and I left to pick up our rental car for the weekend group trip a few hours later, there was not a single cloud in the sky 🤔. And while this seemed like an anomaly, what we experienced next was something neither of us could have predicted…

While Uber and Lyft are not active in Serbia, the taxi game is still strong. Residents are able to utilize apps to book taxis as well as use public transport to get around. On an otherwise normal Friday afternoon, Aneesa and I got into a taxi with no concerns other than to get to the car rental place on time—but after about 20 minutes on the road in what seemed like the opposite direction, we started to have our doubts.

These doubts began to rise when Boro, our most-likely senile excuse of a taxi driver, wanted to drop us off in a random neighborhood nowhere near our car rental stop, and nowhere near any decipherable English signs that could be used as landmarks for Google maps. Thankfully, Aneesa was able to get a hold of her landlord who speaks Serbian, and we assumed that after words were exchanged over the phone, Boro now knew where to take us (although why he was having issues in the first place is beyond me…).

We were still on edge as we approached the airport of all places. Once I confirmed from the backseat that Boro had put in some random address that would lead us to getting dropped off in two hours, I knew we had to put a stop to this nightmare. Boro also seemed to be confused (but why?? LOL!) and seemed relieved that we wanted to get down at the airport. Thankfully, a second taxi driver got us to where we needed to be (a local Avis for our car rental pic-up). Unfortunately, the drama continued from there.

Aneesa had placed a reservation for a small automatic car (since I can’t drive manual 😔) back in January, and after receiving an email confirmation and having the amount for the rental debited from her card, we naturally assumed our reservation was set. To our shock, the rep at the office said there was no sign of the reservation on their end. When we tried to rationalize with her (big mistake), we were fuming, mostly due to the fact that she tried to turn the blame on us when it was in fact her company at fault for not managing our reservation properly. I mean, the fact that the office didn’t even have a telephone was a huge red flag.

Even though the car rental company was clearly at fault, they did not offer a discount or anything to help remediate the situation. Instead, we had to pay in full for an automatic car that was higher than budgeted for, and top it off with a $1,600 hold in case of damages 😒. Honestly by that point, we were relieved to have a working vehicle and were dying to put an end to the incessant drama.

We were almost two hours delayed in picking up our friends Renata and Pam. Despite Belgrade rush hour traffic and feeling frazzled, our four-person girl group managed to make it out of the city alive and well. Once I was away from the narrow streets of the city and onto wide freeway roads, I also felt more relaxed as the “designated driver” of the group 😉.

This sunset stop on the way to Tara was much needed

After about three hours of driving, we made it to Tara National Park grounds and stayed at the Garni Hotel Vila Drina for the night. Our accommodations were cozy, and we made it just in time to have a decent dinner (and rakia!) as well.

Renata and I *not* particularly enjoying our plum *rakia*. It is the collective term for fruit spirits and is popular across the Balkans.

Despite feeling rattled from the days events, I was able to rest and recuperate and was looking forward to a better weekend after a rough start! For context, our reference point for Western Serbia:

We were actually very close to the Bosnian border!

🧳 Day 2

I woke up a little bit earlier than the other girls to of course get a run in. Somehow, I was determined to get a speed workout in, even though my “race course” would be limited to mini loops through scattered houses, and running up and down the singular main road that cut through the neighborhood we were staying at.

According to Google, we were technically in the small town of Bajina Bašta, and it was definitely giving those small town mountain vibes…

It was also at this time that I realized Serbia really loves their four-legged friends! A tiny, black mountain pup decided to join me for some of my intervals 😄.

Later that morning, another dog helped us find a gorgeous viewpoint at Splavar Cave.

Serbia loves their canines, and I’m all for it.

After getting our initial fill of small town Western Serbia and never-ending waterfalls, we set forth to our next destination—Zelenika Viewpoint. I found the seating areas to be extremely cute, and most definitely designed for photogenic captures.

About an hour later, we arrived safely at the parking point for Zaovine Lake. As our group’s driver, my mind was in hyper-focus mode, making sure each turn I made up a continuous steep incline was not too fast, and hoping any cars going in the opposite direction were hypervigilant in this regard as well. I quickly realized that Serbian drivers have no chill 😬.

The drive up was 100% worth it though, and we got some of our best group pics at this point.

Lunch consisted of road trip snacks as we made our way to Drvengrad, which I can only describe as eccentric with a pinch of cute. Serbia.com describes it as ‘located on Mećavnik hill in Mokra Gora nature park, the meeting point of two beautiful Serbian mountains Tara and Zlatibor, ethno village “Drvengrad” is a product of film director Emir Kusturica’s imagination, and was built for the production of his film “Life is a miracle”.‘

Overall, it was a unique and picturesque place to walk around at, but we all agreed that it was not necessarily a “must-see” destination. The consistent swarm of obnoxious school-children also didn’t help uplift our spirits, LOL. For me, the tight parking situation was a source of anxiety. To be fair, driving an automatic Opel that was on the larger side compared to the average Serbian’s car made me feel some level of anxiety throughout the entire trip, but I was grateful for the experience, as it has added to my driving confidence in foreign countries (the first time I drove in Europe was in Portugal last year, and that had its fair share of drama too).

Our final stop for the day was our accommodation at El Paso City, another quirky find that also probably shouldn’t be your major motivator for exploring West Serbia. If it’s along the way however, you will not regret staying here for a night 😉.

It had a balanced blend of Wild West inspiration, Texas admiration, and cultural appropriation 😬:

And of course, host dogs—Mishkov was the fluffy white boy who scarfed down scraps of meat no one wanted, haha.

🧳 Day 3

Due to the weather, and that running on the only road which was practically a freeway without sidewalks or guardrails would be dangerous, my morning run was a slow, continuous loop around a “bull-riding” machine and ax throwing stalls. Mishkov gave me company for a while, and soon after some of the staff came by to set-up the stalls for the day. I also happened to spot a peacock.

I said this place was quirky.

Breakfast was quirky too—onion rings and a mozzarella stick without a proper cheese filling to go alongside three sunny side eggs, followed by cherry pie. I’m not complaining though! The best part was ordering “domestic coffee” which gave me the option to choose betweeen Greek or Turkish coffee. My cup of Turkish coffee was perfection, and made all the more so with a Turkish Delight on the side. My only regret is not having this be my coffee order every day of my trip!

Our final stop before heading back was Gostilje Waterfalls, which was a naturally calming and picturesque location, but high caution is needed getting here. You won’t believe how many times Google Maps tried to get us to off-road, and how many times I worried about a surprise car swooping around the corner on that all-to-common one-lane road shared by both directions 😬.

But the destination was stunning as well as soothing, no doubt about that. Aneesa also shared her thoughts on this gem of nature on her blog, as well as details for English-speaking readers on how to get there.

The drive back to Belgrade was pretty smooth once we reached “civilization” aka the “Milos the Great” motorway. Driving in Belgrade was another story. Sunday traffic mixed with incompetent drivers (I suppose it is a condition that spans nationalities…) made our final portion of the drive through the city longer than expected and restless for food, but a quick stop at Metro was a worthy distraction.

I can only describe Metro as the Serbian baby of IKEA and Costco. Picture that, and you’ve got it. Aneesa was able to grab some things that smaller grocery stores in her area didn’t have, while I stocked up on a decent amount of sweets and snacks to take home.

🧳 Day 4

Part of me was happy to “check off” the more “adventurous” part of my trip early on, as I expected that would be when I would have the most energy. I made the mistake of going out later for my run, as it was already pretty hot by 8:30am, and I had to deal with passing by a group of fat men smoking their lungs away on cigarettes, one of whom ran alongside me in mimicry for a few seconds to get a laugh out of his buddies. I’m relieved it wasn’t more serious, but it was yet another reminder that women around the world still have to fight for their right to run in peace, in yes, 2024…

Dropping off the rental car was another ordeal, but once I finally convinced the staff at Avis that the car was indeed full of gasoline and that the attendant at the second gas station I went to gave me the weirdest look when I tried to get him to fill up a car that was already full, things got better.

When Aneesa got home from work, we began our descent into the city and had fun exploring some of the major sights of Belgrade:

Monument to Stefan Nemanja

Hotel Moskva

Belgrade Fortress/ Kalemegdan

Within a matter of four hours, we experienced the whole spectrum of the weather system—extreme heat, tornado-like winds, intimidating black-grey rain clouds—who knew Belgrade was literally The Weather Channel??

Despite the bipolar weather conditions, we ate well in-between our stops. Turns out that Belgrade just so happens to be a hot spot for vegetarian Sri Lankan food?!

Sri Lankan food made vegetarian from Curry Souls

And topping it off with a sweet note from Russia was the best way to round it out!

Aneesa and I shared a plate of *Syrniki*, a Russian delicacy which consists of small sweet pancakes stuffed with quark, topped with condensed milk, white chocolate, and blueberries

🧳 Day 5

My second-to-last day was all about rest. After sleeping in for a bit and *skipping* my run, I thought I would venture out for another Turkish coffee, and maybe even find a local nail salon to get my nails done.

In reality, these plans turned out to be spending time at a local bar sipping on a cappuccino, not finding a nail salon despite attempting three locations, and quickly heading back to home base to enjoy a leisurely lunch with Chai (🐱).

Later in the afternoon, I joined Aneesa for a yoga class, during which I was “reprimanded” by the instructor for not be as flexible as I should be 😬. Of course, she expressed her concerns in a thoughtful way, and I told her I knew—there’s only so many hours in a day, and when it comes to exercise, it’s running or death (lol!). Still, I know it’s important to keep those muscles loose and limber, and this class was a nice (Serbian) reminder of that.

To end the day, I stopped at Maxi (another local grocery store chain) for snacks to take home, a new-to-me ice cream, and to (attempt to) pet street cats.

It was minimalistic, but I believe every vacation needs one of these days sprinkled in!

🧳 Day 6

And finally, it was the day of lasts.

My last run through Hajd Park. My last Serbian coffee (just another cappuccino though…). My last ride on bus 44…it was almost my last chance to pick up gifts!

On the way into town, I got into a conversation with a woman who was originally from Macedonia, but who did a foreign exchange stint as a teenager in the early 90s in Oklahoma of all places! When I shared my ties to the state, as well as Texas, she was gleefully sharing her teenage memories of visits to Dallas and San Antonio. Of course the Yugoslavia crisis at the time upended her eventual plans, but she seemed content to now be a denizen of Belgrade, on her way to the city center in search of Nikes for her demanding Gen Z teenage daughter 😅.

I on the other hand popped into Beogradski izlog (Belgrade Window) for a few gifts for friends and family. I learned during my trip that a lot of items sold in the Balkans are made in the Balkans. I was happy to see “Made in Serbia” printed on tags or cardboard boxes of many items I came upon during my trip.

It was also my last afternoon with Aneesa, and the first part of it was spent making custom lipsticks at Lipstick Lab. It was definitely a new-to-me experience, despite our hostess thinking that as an American, I should have participated in a number of make-up themed workshops…she didn’t know that she was talking to one of the few women in the world who sees make-up as the bane of her existence 😉.

That doesn’t mean this lipstick will go to waste however! I don’t mind wearing make-up depending on the occasion, so I see my custom stick lasting a long while, especially since I know that it is free of additives and chemicals that often sneak into US products. Gotta love Europe, lol.

After our workshop, we headed over to Pam’s place since she had bags of coffee to give away—I happily volunteered to take them off her hands!

She also gifted me these adorable pins from a Serbian artist

And finally, we ended the day with dinner at Prana, where I ordered a colorful tofu poke bowl and sipped on one of the best (peach) kombuchas I’ve ever tasted.

Technically, we ended the night with custard buns, coconut bunnies, and pastel de natas from a local Chinese restaurant—needless to say, I had a substantial end-of-trip meal!

🧳 Departure

And after one full and vibrant week, my trip was over. Aneesa helped me to reserve a cab at the crazy time of 3:45am, since my flight out of Belgrade was at 6:00am! A quick transfer in Amsterdam and I was home 10.5 hours later.

In the hours and days that followed, the happiness I felt all week began to dissipate as reality set in. My body was readjusting its circadian rhythm, which didn’t help as I slowly replied to work emails I had flagged for a time only relevant to Pree in the future.

I can honestly say this is the first trip in a long time that I felt at peace, happy with my surroundings, and blessed to have experienced a road trip adventure with three amazing ladies. I’m still in awe about all the events that took place for all of this to even happen. I strongly believe social media has terrorized our society, but it has also given me the opportunity to meet like-minded individuals from all across the globe. Being a former expat has also helped me to not feel shy to reach out and forge connections with other expat women in the same boat.

I also mentioned to Aneesa when I left that she’s the best type of person to travel with. I’m also inspired by her travels and how she’s able to explore places most people (especially in the Western world) fear setting foot in. There are so many more places in the world I need to explore, and knowing that other women have been successful makes me feel empowered and less inhibited.

So, even though Serbia is not Siberia, making this trip has opened so many doors to new adventures. After a fulfilling, nourishing, and fun-fiilled trip to Serbia…Siberia, among a plethora of other exotic locales I never paid much attention to until now, is most certainly on the table 😉.

Are you familiar with the Balkans and Serbia?

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I’ve had a love-hate relationship with solo travel over the years, but after a spontaneous weekend away in Maui back in February, several realizations have occurred to me:

I will forever be a summer baby/beach girl – I tried getting into seasons when I moved to Milan, to the point where I was actually excited to wear a winter coat after 20+ years in California where seasons were practically non-existent. However, my patience wore thin quickly after my first January in Italy. All of this to say that I thrive in environments that hover within the 60-80°F range, and that I prefer warm over cold. Hawaii—especially Maui—absolutely fits the bill.

If you are mentally craving alone time, that’s normal and should be honored – Until recently, I saw my independence/ease with doing things alone as a strength, but also as something I had to do because the people in my circle wouldn’t cooperate with me as much as I with them. In the latter part of my stay in Italy and in the early months of my move to Austin, I was trying (too) hard to avoid being alone, and to make sure I was always doing something with someone, even if it was a one-time meeting and I never heard from the person again (Bumble BFF shenanigans…). But lately? I don’t give a damn. In fact, I’ve been craving alone time, to do anything and everything I want without negotiation or compromise…maybe it is subconscious retaliation after trying so hard to control things that I just will never be able to control (i.e. flaky people 🙄).

The place where you choose to be alone absolutely matters – I got bored easily in Sweden and Vancouver, Canada. Freiburg felt like a relief, but I visited at a time when I was beginning to feel jaded with Europe (similar with Porto and Budapest—these cities were amazing, but the environment wasn’t enough to distract me into having blissful fun). Hawaii however has been a place that has effortlessly transformed my perspective and mood—first in Kauai with my sister, and then in Maui on my own. Maybe it’s the weather, the laid-back attitudes of the locals, the fresh food, the water, the time zone so distant from everyone else on the planet, or all of the above, but Hawaii hands-down is one of the few places I’ve visited on this lonely planet that makes me feel happy no matter what.

I’ll preface this recap to say I was far from feeling happy prior to the trip. I had a rough start to 2024, though not as difficult as prior years had been. Sudden changes at work, feeling misunderstood after events that occurred in late 2023, and the sudden drop in temperatures all contributed to my feeling stressed and angry. Womanly hormones and PMS/PMDD did not help either.

Maui came to mind when my mind harkened back to six months prior, lounging on a Kauai beach with my sister. I figured, why not head out to Hawaii again and why not check out a new island? If I wanted to do it, nothing was stopping me.

And that’s another thing—when you have the privilege of being free (be it in a financial-context, from family commitments, having a flexible work schedule, etc.), it really does feel more exciting to venture out alone. It also helps if the trip serves as a stand-alone adventure, and not necessarily a distraction from life’s challenges.

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Of course, I was busy with work up until the very last minute before my trip, and I had doubts as to why I even planned the trip! I had to time my layover just right to be available for a time-sensitive call on the Friday I was traveling. I was fortunately able to make it work, thanks to the Capital One Lounge at the Denver Airport, where I helped myself to complimentary cappuccinos and churro custard cups before boarding my flight to Maui.

Finally being in a cozy financial situation also makes solo travel more manageable.

When I arrived to Maui seven hours later, I actually didn’t feel too worn out! My Friday immediately became longer, and it’s as if being on island soil was the solution I had needed all along to melt away the stress that had been plaguing me for weeks.

Knowing I wanted to take it easy while away and on my own, I kept my planned itinerary light with just one major thing planned per day. Depending on how I felt, I would decide what I would do for the remainder of the day—if I had a jolt of energy, I’d be down to explore some more, otherwise I had no issues taking it easy and yes, sleep if I wanted to!

Landing at 4pm meant picking up my car (or should I say mini- van…that’s all they had left when I rolled in!) and grabbing dinner since Hawaiian establishments are notorious for closing up “early”. While I wanted to check out a vegan food truck that Google reported was in the area, I ended up with a tray of cheesy fries from a gyro truck because the vegan food truck in question was indeed closed.

Still, I couldn’t complain too much: gobbling up cheesy carbs in 75°F weather with other hungry Hawaiians and tourists on a Friday evening was quite enjoyable.

My guest room in the Airbnb I stayed featured in the top right

Driving over to my Airbnb room rental in the charming village of Paia (Pai-ee-ah) was only made gorgeous by the sunset that was occurring around 7pm. After checking in, I made my way to the small town’s “center”, bought myself a cup of ice cream, and proceeded to walk to the nearby beachfront.

No free falling coconuts. Just a cool ocean breeze and quiet for miles and miles.

I went to sleep soon after, since I had a 7 mile run planned before heading out to volunteer with a local organization the next morning. The run reminded me of my early morning wake-up calls when I lived in LA and Orange County. Somehow I had the stamina to wake up at 5am to squeeze in a 5-7 mile run before showering and going to lab. Now living in Texas, I struggle with having to wake up before 7am—I want to believe it’s my body responding differently in various time zones, but who knows!

After the run which was mostly run in pitch-black darkness, I got myself a coffee and then drove to Lahaina where the volunteering event was taking place. I had the opportunity to volunteer with Maul Cultural Lands, specifically by showing up on the Saturday morning I was in Maui to participate in one of their Maintenance Participation Days in Honokowai Valley.

Back in 1999 (lol), it was found that beneath extensive foliage, there were a vast number of archaeological sites that included homes, farms, trails and places of worship (heiaus) in Honokowai. Honokowai most likely vanished due to a shift of the islands’ economy to sugar plantations, and stream water was diverted for cultivation of sugar crops. Without fresh stream water to sustain the community, the village perished, and families had to abandon the valley. The founder—who I got to meet and work with, Ed Lindsey— founded Maui Cultural Lands to facilitate the restoration of cultural sites including Honokowai. The volunteer program is open to locals and visitors alike, so I met a fair mix of all ages and genders. I even met another female solo traveler visiting from Tampa, Florida!

The ride up to the valley was like being in Jurassic Park—a bunch of us hopped onto the back of a pick-up truck and were literally rolling around because of the unpaved roads covered in boulder-like rocks. It was an adventure for sure!

At the top, we spent the next two and a half hours going over safety protocol and getting to work. After pulling weeds, tagging indigenous plants that the group has been trying to promote the growth of, and getting a nature lesson from Ed, we were treated to lunch. It was a nice moment to relax and chat with everyone who had spent their morning working on a unified goal. My friend from Tampa and I exchanged numbers and were able to meet later that evening, so it was another situation where traveling solo without any pressure led to unexpected company.

Native fruits and potluck-style baked goods for our volunteer community lunch

I left that morning feeling fulfilled and proud that I got to engage with locals in a natural way, while contributing to a great cause. This volunteer activity was one of the anchoring pieces of my solo itinerary. In my opinion, “volunteering on vacation” makes the time away so much more memorable, especially if you are traveling alone. It’s a great way to meet others and bond quickly, since volunteer projects usually bring together open-minded and empathetic individuals. I mean, when’s the last time anyone saw a tech bro helping out at the food kitchen 🤷🏽‍♀️?

You can learn more about Maui Cultural Lands here, and even sign up to volunteer.

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I did spend that evening with my Tampa friend—a fun event in itself as we were trying to catch a hula show not realizing they’ve been cancelled since the fires—and we made the best of the night by walking over to Whaler’s Village which had tons of shops and restaurants. We settled on a poke restaurant (she had never had it before!) and we chatted about our careers, solo traveling, and even astrology on the long drive back to Paia in my soccer momma mini-van 😂.

I appreciated this new-found companionship, but I also relished the time I spent alone earlier in the day post-volunteering. I was able to select a lunch spot of my choosing without having to cater to others’ preferences. So, it was a GO for vegan!

As much as traveling with others provides convenience and some sort of comfort, I will never take for granted being able to type in “vegan near me” in Google anywhere I am traveling solo. It most often leads to delicious, nutritious, and filling veggie bowls with savory proteins, or “knock-off pulled pork” sandwiches made with shredded seitan drenched in BBQ sauce.

Vegan Caesar Bowl with Tempeh from AA Roots

“Pulled Pork” Sandwich from Earth Aloha Eats

I also enjoy sipping on local kombuchas and probiotic sodas. Finding new food and drink brands and having the chance to try them will always keep my the foodie in my heart happy.

If you are someone who lives to eat (like me, lol), I’m sure you can understand the beautiful freedom that comes with being able to pick what you want to eat when going out or traveling, or traveling with others who also agree with your palate. Not having the guilt the accompanies being on the “winning side” of a compromise is such a relief.

The next day brought about another fair mix of solo and group activities, however the latter still ended up feeling like a solo adventure. I first got my long run of 15 miles out of the way, mixing in steep Paia hills as well as beach views. I then made my way to Wailuku for my first snorkeling experience!

The company I picked was the first one that popped up on Google (Maui Snorkeling, lol) and overall, they were efficient from start to finish. It was about a three-hour trip in total: one hour sailing to Molokini Crater, snorkeling at Molokini, and sailing back. In this time, we were educated on safety protocol, got a crash-course in snorkeling, and even had a simple sandwich lunch on the way back.

I didn’t particularly bond with anyone in this group, though there were two other female solo travelers (one was a hippie-like local, lol!). There was a family of four (with two adult children) who were obnoxious beyond belief. Hey, there are some moments during solo travel where it’s best to just stay in your lane and not even try with some people.

I had a sliver of anxiety at the beginning, diving into cold water and figuring out how to breathe with the thingamajig in and around my face, but I eventually found my rhythm. While it’s not something that excites me as much as vegan food, I’m glad I had the chance to try it, and I’m even more glad that it was something I was able to tackle solo.

Of course I ended the evening with vegan food (that “pulled pork” sandwich from above).

My final planned event for my solo trip was a photoshoot with a local photographer. I found Michael on social media, and he was happy to take some fresh photos for my modeling portfolio. He was easy to work with, and not feeling nervous helped with the final product: I ended up with awesome photos to update my comp card with! Traditionally, he does family, couples, and wedding shoots, but Michael’s flexibility in helping me carry out my vision for a solo/modeling-oriented photoshoot made me feel genuine excitement for my solo trip to Maui…something I had never experienced before.

————————————————– 𝕊𝔾𝔻 ————————————————-

Being solo in Maui in February, at a time when the rest of world was in the doldrums, was the best gift I’ve given myself this year. It’s now an example of what I would like my future solo trips to look like, although not everywhere I travel to can have temperate weather, ocean views for miles, and can keep me happy for no apparent reason.

I didn’t feel like this in Sweden or Vancouver, or even Porto, and I think it’s because I allowed myself to have a plan consisting of things I know I’d enjoy, while not fully committing to anything if I didn’t feel like it. I don’t think I have the secret formula for planning the perfect female solo traveler trip, but this one right here is getting me pretty dang close…

New tradition every time I visit Hawaii. I forsee more shave ice with mochi in the future <3

What was your most memorable and fun solo trip?

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That Time in Hawaii I Loved Being Alone: A Guide for Super Solo Fun in Maui