Tag: traveling

Guatemala Safety: Getting to Flores and Tikal

Post author By Anthony Perez
Post date January 23, 2014
No Comments on Guatemala Safety: Getting to Flores and Tikal

Guatemala is an absolutely beautiful country. The terrain is a mixture between coastal pacific, mountainous, to lowlands of a former jungles despite a bad taste of deforestation. The culture is rich with a blend of Spanish, Mayan, and Garifuna. The people are absolutely friendly to foreigners with fluency, intermediacy, and or lack of knowledge of the Spanish language. This land is a transition between Mexican and Central American culture and home to the ancient Mayan world. After all, the country slogan is, “El Corazon Del Mundo Maya”, “The Heart of The Mayan World”.

Despite all the positives mentioned above, there still lies some safety precautions that exists much more than back home in America, the UK or any country considered developed. Guatemala is still a developing country having a rough history and past Guatemalans are not so proud of. Civil war and genocide gave a bad name to this country in much of the second half of the 20th century. With much of that in the past and doing better since, Guatemala still revolves around much corruption, high unemployment, poverty, and high crime rates including homicide and drug trafficking.

Now all these negative factors should never discourage a traveler from visiting a whole country, as like any other 3rd world considered country, extra normal precaution should always be considered. My visit to Guatemala summer of 2013 was an absolutely pleasant experience. Actually, the travel experience was amazing and gave me a new perspective to travel throughout Central America and Latin America as a whole for future travel. But one experience that put me on my toes was transportation in the country.

They say be wary of your ride within just about all of these countries. As you should already know, unless you know a local, you will need to get around via coach bus, chicken bus (Latin America), shuttle bus, and or cab. Prior to my visit, I researched transport across Peten, the northernmost “departamento” of Guatemala from the Belize border to Flores, a former Mayan island turned spanish in the middle of a lake. Petén, unlike much of the rest of Guatemala is still undergoing development far beyond the rest of the country. Petén is like the American west of Guatemala: Great vast land of property which the government makes available for cheap in order to develop this part of the country.

Bandits, as far as I have researched, have much more of an advantage to bribe the law and enjoy a slight taste of lawlessness. Prior to arrival, I read a disturbing thread on TripAdvisor regarding a tour agency providing tours and transportation services to foreigners at cheap cost and far too available in that area. The creator of the thread in short stated that this agency, San Juan tours scams people. In this thread the woman said the bus picked up someone, armed bandits forced the driver into a secluded area off of the main road, robbed everyone, then takes off and leaves them stranded in a way that seems prearranged.

Crossing the border, My step dad and I got stamped and immediately got offered a ride from this bus which already had two foreigners from Germany, a Mexican, and a local Guatemalan riding on it from Belize City. I noticed the sign, San Juan tours before getting stamped. With the intensity of the Spanish language by the persistent ‘cambistas’, or people who exchange money, and the persistence of the San Juan tours employees the pressure was far too much while trying to explain this story to my step dad of why we shouldn’t board. Biting my teeth and clenching my fists while sweat from the heat and fear runs down my bad, I finally gave in, took my chances, and boarded the small white bus.

Although shitting bricks, the ride was very pleasant and the scenery along the way was great. But my paranoia would get the best of me and look out for potential danger on the road, while I snap away my GoPro and Iphone along the way to capture the scenery. Every time we slowed down for a speed bump or large pot hole, I would immediately think about jumping out the window and sprinting like Usain Bolt. Every time I saw a car pull out in front many yards away or the one time I saw 4 motorcycles do so, I would prepare myself to take the wheel and floor that shit. The one time I saw a police check point, I was prepared to pray for my life and let go of my belongings (This we actually slowed and drove right through.)

At the end of this long highway heading west came a cross road: One way heading to Santa Elena where Flores is to the left and to the right, Tikal National Park. Instead of left to go where we are supposed to, we go right, exactly the direction the girl on TripAdvisor went where this bus took them and got robbed. At this point, I am now scared, and preparing myself for this trip to turn awry. In the small lake coastal town of El Remate, we stopped at a “tour guide” agency to pick up a highly suspicious man in a purple shirt with a scar on his face, the same description of the man I saw on this thread. He boarded the bus, pulled out a Nokia-like phone which he constantly used to most likely text his associates about the tourists on board and eventually attempted to sell us “cheap” accommodations to Tikal. Stupid me asked the man where my hostel was, handed him my reservation, and he spend far too long reviewing all my info. Shortly after this, he and the quiet local Guatemalan on the bus were let off somewhere beterrn that intersection and Flores and we continued on. Last odd experience was the fact that we were dumped off into Flores instead of in front of a hostel like we were supposed to and the slight English knowledge the driver had immediately disappeared. The man even played stupid considering my Spanish was utilized with him.

After we arrived at our hostel north of Flores overlooking the island, the owner listened to our story and what I read and sadly all was true. Beyond what I knew, the company has done far worse in recent and far history to the usual armed robbery to raping women. It costed US $10 to get across and I am beyond glad it was that cheap, but paying far more to be safer would have been worth the money. As far as transportation goes to and from Tikal, we payed through our hostel and got to the mayan ruins and back safely. Although they tell you to avoid overnight travel in Latin America, should anyone consider it, Linea Dorada through Andrenaline Tours is absolutely safe. Getting from Flores to Guatemala City en route to Antigua was a relaxing 9 hour ride on a comfortable coach bus.

All of us travelers at some point in our travels go through a rough patch that will make us like “HOLY SHIT, I MADE IT THROUGH THAT”. Some stories being more life threatening then others. Rarely yet truthfully, few end up dead. It’s a rough world out there and it sadly happens. Not only do I not want to become a statistic but I hope that this is the only and or one of very very few scary experiences I will ever experience along my travels and hope that reading this will make awareness to others of what to look out for. Guatemala is beautiful, with so much to do, so much to see, and so much to enjoy. Despite the possible danger involved, any wanderlust and traveler should not cancel travel plans to lovely Guatemala and or any destination worth visiting. Just like most experience travelers would say or any travel site will tell you, take extra precaution like you would in any large city at home and be safe. While doing so, don’t forget to enjoy, capture amazing footage, and leave with amazing memories.

AVOID THE TOUR AGENCY LABELED: SAN JUAN TOURS

Tags backpacker, backpacking, border, bus, flores, money, robberies, robbery, safe, safety, san juan, tikal, tours, travel, traveling

Caribbean Dominican Republic General Puerto Rico Voyage Journal Voyages

Travel Discipline: Why I Never Return Anywhere.

Post author By Anthony Perez
Post date January 17, 2014
No Comments on Travel Discipline: Why I Never Return Anywhere.

Travel is a beautiful thing. It opens up a new mindset and perspective towards just life, period. For different people, it means different things. Some for pleasure while others for business. For travelers like myself and those who travel religiously and long for it constantly, we continuously strive to get out and explore. In short we are “Wanderlusts”. They say “Travel once a year to a new place”. This may seem difficult for many to accomplish as there are many obstacles such as: planning, costs, how safe it will be, ethnic differences, currency, internet service, blah blah. It can boil down to be incredibly intimidating to the average person and they will look away to an the easier trip domestically or an All-Inclusive somewhere. However, although some may have fallen into committed travel on accident, for me and the travelers I have met, it has evolved in some form, short or long term.

419734_10150723726820119_97181424_n — My father on a Palm Tree.

Travel for me has not only changed itself but also changed me as a whole. It had opened up a new positive perspective on things. The simple fact that there is a whole new world out there. America is a vast country, but in comparison to the world it is still a small percentage in regards to culture and landscape. Traveling began in my diaper days when my grandmother hooked the family up with occasionally free or discounted tickets to Puerto Rico, 50% of what I am, Puerto Rican. It was of the norm to have year in advance plans to return for one to up to three weeks in the San Juan beach side. At some point prior to my birth, my family had lived there. During my infanthood and up to my early teens, Puerto Rico was an annual summer destination through a bowling tournament and party of up to 50 people that would go once a year during the summer. Although a commonwealth of the United States with no requirement of passports and documentation, the island has a pretty well preserved latino culture. We usually would stay along the beach in a nice hotel, visit the interior and mountains once each time for a large picnic with salsa music and good food, and visit the colonial San Juan forts.

Forts at San Juan, Puerto Rico	Castillo San Felipe del Morro
Mom and I on the balcony of the San Juan Marriot	Famous Latin music artist, Oscar de Leon

The island of my other half, Dominican Republic is another destination I have been to a number of times. Well, twice to be exact opposed to Puerto Rico. Here host not only my first time abroad but first time into what would be considered 3rd world or simply an impoverished country. In the Dominican Republic, I saw true poverty firsthand with more homeless people I had ever seen. Tin shacks not so neatly set on multiple terrains while we back home complain about room size and space. I’ve seen naked children without shoes roaming the islands backwoods before approaching secluded beaches. Potholes every several feet on the road while Dominicans continue there focused gameplay of Dominoes on the side of the road. Here is also where I’ve gotten the taste of what an all-inclusive resort is all about, the exact opposite of what I just finished explaining.

420933_10150723688620119_158412352_n — Autopista Duarte

431448_10150723713455119_424624892_n — Highway 5. Northern Dominican Republic

432042_10150723689200119_1840881162_n — Amazing billboard

Since my last travels to these island I culturally call home, I have been to various parts of the American west, Canada, Cayman Islands, Mexico, Bermuda, Bahamas, Jamaica, Belize, and Guatemala. Not too far away from home but enough places to get a sense of cultural diversity. This year, my little sister will graduate High School in preparation for college and alike my post college gift of traveling to Miami and the Florida Keys, my family chose to return to the Dominican Republic for the third time to celebrate her successes. As for Puerto Rico, the cost for a trip there is cheap with no international fees, numerous timeshares we own as a family for lodging as well as some family located on the island. I would love to go with my family, spend quality time with them and test my improved Spanish. There are many more places in Puerto Rico I would love to venture off to aside from San Juan and the common places. So why not return? Why don’t I wish to return for a newer travel experience? Due to something I like to call “Travel Discipline”. This is me browsing for my next new destination opposed to returning to a place I’ve already been to such as the Dominican Republic and especially Puerto Rico since it has been so long. It has been 10 plus years since Puerto Rico but even some parts of Jamaica I would love to return to like Negril. It not so much the place but the experience and the newer perspective that makes the trip so different.

Somewhere in the North.	Random Lagoon.
La Entrada Beach	Family fun time at Barcelo Capella All-Inclusive Resort

While most don’t have the fortunes to travel, others have found the way or better off already have the career to travel without barriers such as PTO, time off, and work restrictions. Me, I am fortunate to even have the opportunity to travel about 3.5 weeks out of the year opposed to the average american 2 weeks. Do not get me wrong when I say I am grateful to even have the cash flow to travel. However, there is too much browsing and not enough traveling. I spend countless minutes, hours, and days at an office desk exploring new places via Google Panoramio, Instagram, and Pinterest. But the traveling is at a far too slow rate. A little over a year ago, I craved to visit Aruba and Curacao and I am just now visiting the islands in this coming May. At the time, I was craving a trip to Canada which was this past October but preparing a trip to Bermuda that January and Belize for that May, which I had desired a year prior. While I await my next trip, I crave travel to much of Europe, South East Asia, S. America, and Africa. Confusing but the pattern is pretty obvious. My traveling is not up to par with my rapid urges for travel and I crave for spontaneity over planning.

Working two jobs makes saving so much easier but traveling while doing so is no easy task. Hence why I travel every several months but merely have to beg for it and accrue time off. When I do travel, its painful to meet other travelers from places like The Netherlands, Australia, and Germany who get to travel long term at a little more ease. This is my passion, why continue to suffer all of this and spend 19/20th of my time working hard to get such short amount of time away. This is why I never return anywhere because there is no room for those places. There barely is any for even the new destinations! There are so many people out there jobless as I was about two years ago. Struggling for stability and being able to stand on my feet. Not exactly a place I want to be at again. However, on the opposite side of that spectrum, I find myself waiting for the day I quit my jobs, set off on a long rewarded long term trip, educate myself within our complex world, return a culture rich person and possibly start over the cycle to prepare myself for more global education; that is if I do return.

So as much as I wish to return to some places and relive or recreate old memories, I balance it out and choose a new destination and make quick trips a few times a year. If I could find a way to travel for work or pursue a career that I would enjoy to see this world, I would. If I could spend half the time I use fantasizing the web on destinations being in a relevant career, I’d be on it in a heartbeat. I just don’t know where to start nor what to do. They say you have all the time in the world to travel later one. I tell them the time is now, so do it now. That adventurous energetic youth only happens once for the most part. At some point we all get tired and I do not want it to be “too late”. If I made a way to get on my feet to travel like I have been, I will find a way to make travel a larger part of my life to allow me to not only see the world but recreate great memories lived in places such as Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic.

Tags backpacker, backpacking, beaches, budget travel, destination, dominican republic, island, puerto rico, travel, traveling

Caribbean General Jamaica

Safe Budget Travel Around Jamaica

Post author By Anthony Perez
Post date January 14, 2014
1 Comment on Safe Budget Travel Around Jamaica

Jamaica is a small absolutely wonderful island to travel to. Despite poverty and still a continuously developing island nation, it is very rich in culture and music known to the world, its scenery is magical, and its people are absolutely friendly. If not the biggest, tourism and travel is one of Jamaicans biggest resources for Jamaica with travelers from the US, Europe, Canada, and all over the world. Based on travel stories, YouTube videos, and other internet resources, most people associate or remember Jamaica via Cruise ship stop. Those that fly there, tend to lock themselves away from the island within the boundaries of an all-inclusive resort and tour guides.

I have stayed at an all-inclusive before in the Dominican Republic. It’s a fun amazing vacation experience and certainly a getaway. I respect the many that want to escape life’s everyday realities. But that is exactly what it is, a dream. It is an illusion, at least to me. Everyone deserves a vacation. Even travelers do in ways that do make sense. However for me, nothing excites me more than to surround myself with more reality. The best part of traveling is visiting a foreign land, embracing the culture, and returning home appreciating the things you have that most others don’t.

Not sure how a tab would look like for an all inclusive trip to Jamaica. For me, I left Jamaica with a unique cultural experience that I will never forget. With a price tag next to that, my trip was cheap. Fortunately, I took enough video footage to inspire YouTubers from around the world as well that budget travel, or should I say solo budget travel is possible in Jamaica. If you do consider asking what my tab was, it was approximately $1,100. Broken down that is:

$460 Flight (ATL-MBJ)

$220 Hotel (Ocho Rios)

$25 Cabin (Negril)

$80 Bus Transportation

$85 Dunns River Falls with Mystic Mountain & Bobsled

$60 Taxis (Approximately)

$80 Food (Approximately)

$60 Souvenirs/Money to bring back (Approximately)

= Amazing cultural experience in Jamaica

It certainly took a lot of thorough research through travel forums, Q’s and A’s, and YouTube videos to make my vision of this solo trip possible. Using your typical flight and hotel search engines, I managed to find a safe cheap hotel in Ocho Rios. I also discovered the cheap cost efficiency of hostels, Bed and Breakfasts, and guesthouses by staying in a cabin on Negrils 7 Mile Beach. If had known any better at the time, I would have stayed at a Bed and Breakfast within the Ocho Rios city limits and lowered my costs instead of a hotel. Oh well, It was right on the beach. But any-who, how did I manage to go from Montego Bay to Ocho Rios or Kingston to Negril without a tour accommodation? With a video of my whole trip on YouTube, I am constantly asked how I did it. Even had one person tell me that I had seen more in 5 days than he had in 5 years. When it finally comes down to the main topic of, “Safe travel around Jamaica for cheap”, the answer turned out to be very simple and very useful resource in travel to Jamaica.

“Knutsford Express”

If you are an adventurer like me or simply don’t care for tourist accommodations, ride with the locals in a comfortable, safe, coach bus with local Jamaicans. These buses run daily and frequently around the island in “Style and Comfort” as they put it. They are correct and it was the best low cost investment to make my Jamaica dream possible. They even include a movie to watch during the venture across the island.

Although I may sound like I am advertising a bus company abroad, they truly deserve all my credit and more. My dreams of seeing four major Jamaican cities in less than 5 days were made possible through them. Now, the media displays all acts of violence in Kingston and I’m not denying its existence. However, I would have never known that Jamaica’s capital does have a lot of gorgeous parts and would have never have had that opportunity without this bus company. This is the same for my short yet highly desired one night venture to the rocky cliffs and laid back beaches in Negril.

Now if you are all about the all-inclusive thing and just want to have a nice getaway out of your homeland, you will have no problems doing so and enjoy. But if you want to get off the beaten path and do it YOUR way, whether you are a returning visitor to Jamaica, a new one, or even a native Jamaican going back home after many years, consider getting out of your comfort zone and ride the awesome bus I rode. If you feel even more adventurous, go ride in a traditional Jamaican bus! Get away from the all-inclusive and stay at a guest house or cabin like I did, Jamaica is purely awesome and I guarantee you will return home with great memories, that is if you do decide you return home.

Tags across, airport, alone, backpacker, backpacking, beaches, budget, bus, cheap, getting around, guesthouse, hostel, hotel, jamaica, kingston, montego bay, negril, ocho rios, solo travel, taxi, things to do, travel, traveling, traveling alone

Bermuda General North America

Life Changing Moment in Bermuda

Post author By Anthony Perez
Post date January 4, 2014
No Comments on Life Changing Moment in Bermuda

Everyone has a moment at some point in their life where you sit back, shut everything out, and think your life through as a whole. No judgement, no interruption, no feedback. Just you and your mind. This could be that moment where you grow up or simply become a better person. At first I thought this was silly but realistically this was a life turn around for me. I recently spoke to a good friend about this and he had a very similar experience where he realized key aspects in life by comparing youth wants to future necessities. As a result, on his ride home from a simple city night out, he balled in tears in such a way that was cleansing to him. Until this day, he has become a changed man and has in his words, become a happier and better person.

As for me, ironically and fortunately, I had this very similar life changing moment during one of my travels which I take advantage of every several months. This moment took place on the beautiful, unique, and rocky island of Bermuda. During the turn of the year from 2012 to 2013, I went through a transition from one doctor’s office to transferring to another. First of all, I shall add that I went to school for web design, failed at finding a stable job and moved on to something more, stable. During my transition, my ex-boss found a way to dislike me and work very hard at making me quick and leave. For a field that was supposed to promise decent stability, this was only putting me back in the direction of unemployment which I had started off at in 2012. Fortunate for me, A job transfer went through at the turn of 2013 to a new office. In addition, to expand my social atmosphere in South Carolina, a state I would last consider to live in, a second job opportunity at a gym opened up. In conclusion, I had a lot on my plate to balance out and work out.

Why am I mentioning all this? Because this short trip to took place right in the middle of all of this. I didn’t plan the great timing, it just happened that way. Bermuda, to those who are not geographically inclined, is the Bermuda triangle, or even worse, The Bahamas. Incorrect, It is a British Overseas Territory about 1/10 off the coast of the Carolinas in the United States. It’s geographic location and its existence goes back beyond the dinosaurs. It’s poking out of the Atlantic and rocky coast line make this island absolutely unique and scenic. It’s pink sand beaches, blue water, narrow roads, fauna, and kind people make even the shortest stay very, very memorable.

Although most people I know consider a cruise, As always, I flew. Bermuda is very expensive but worth every dime spent. For the first time, I stayed in a cozy guesthouse and could not have felt any more at home. Everything I had done between fort sight seeing, cave discovering, scooter riding, to lighthouse climbing was by far a one of a kind experience. But nothing beat the sunsets I caught on the rocks at Horseshoe Bay Beach and Cove. Here you will find Bermudas infamous pink sand and rock formations. Here was where my heart desired to be throughout the whole trip and worked extra hard in returning every evening to watch the sun touch the Atlantic Ocean and vanish into the pink sky.

Retuning to that “moment”, despite all the problems I had faced in the past up to that moment. From career struggles, to sour relationships, to loss of friends, and life mistakes, I literally felt like every single negative encounter I experienced in life was lifted from from my mind and soul and carried away in the cool winter Bermudian air. As this moment occurred, I immediately balled into tears and shut everything out. This very moment right here changed me forever as the past remained past and I opened the door to the future to allow more opportunity, more experiences, and more memories to create. I not only left that island prepared for a new year with a new lifestyle, but I left that island a changed man. I left Bermuda a happier person with the positive mindset I have always wished to have. So here I am, one year since that very day I had that moment, looking back smiling twice as happy with a great life in the Carolinas, continuing to pursue my dreams of traveling, with an amazing girlfriend who I little by little show the world of travel to, now closer to my family than ever and last but not least closer in touch with myself as a happier more positive, inspiring person in life as a whole. Cheers to an amazing trip to the island of Bermuda.

Tags abroad, alone, backpacker, backpacking, beaches, belize city, bermuda, bermuda cruise, caribbean, scooter rental, solo traveling, things to do, traveling, traveling alone

Canada General North America Quebec

Quebec, Oh So French!

Normally, I have a perspective or a certain vision about a place before I go to it. I admit, I am always wrong. In Jamaica, my vision said, walk around and be cool. Go to Jamaica and I’m constantly being hustled for a taxi, ganja, and money. Traveling to a new place, I feel re-lost then rediscovered. A fearful, yet amazing feeling in repetition. As for Montreal, I was completely thrown off. My vision said, ” Hey, French part of Canada, It’s still Canada, whatever.” Now, I have never been to France, however, I still felt as if I just wandered into a city in France. Left and right is French and as much as I look like a foreign Latino. I still am getting looks as an outsider (probably because of my rucksack).

I can not speak for all of Canada, but alike the U.S., it is a large country. Out of all that I have experienced, it is surely a beautiful country at least from the far edges of Ontario and Quebec. Canadians take pride in being Canadians. They love there flag, culture, and free way of life Especially differentiating themselves from Americans. One amazing thing I’ve seen for my own eyes is that despite being one nation, the French certainly protected there, well, French. This is what called for a blog post.

French Canada! At least for half of my American friends and acquaintances, they have no clue French is even a part culture and language of Canada. As for me, most of my life, I thought Canada was not a very populated country. That goes to show how much American pride keeps our minds within our US boundaries. Not so much for countries abroad but our neighbors up north tend to get ignored greatly. Unfortunate that doesn’t work the same for Canadians as Americans, according to the Canadians I spoke to, the US gets too much of a spotlight.

Returning to the good old French, despite my lack of knowledge, I had no clue there was still a deep French culture intact up north. In the most recent years I had no clue how French Quebec was up until I arrived via train from Ottawa and Toronto. Arriving in Montreal was beyond a culture shock and was absolutely mind boggling and yes, confusing. Quebec is so French I can see why they wanted to separate from the rest of Canada. First of all, the train car announcement switched from English to French once we crossed into Quebec. All the signs were completely in French, rarely ever seeing English. And last but not least, 90% percent of people I walked past spoke completely in French. In regards to city cleanliness, lets just say that the city reminded me of good old metropolitan New Jersey. Graffiti unlike much of Ontario I traveled to was all over the place. Some graffitti however, was far more artistic than at home.

I’ve always been told “The French are snobs” “If you’re English or American, they will treat you like shit”. Can’t say I can agree with the second just yet, perhaps the second. My first encounter was in Ottawa prior to departing for Montreal. A lady asked me in English if I spoke French. I said, “no” and the woman blew me off in a heartbeat. In Montreal, I asked a man for directions and he could not understand what I was asking for. Not to forget my taxi driver en route to the airport home misunderstood something simple I had asked.

The French surely and truly care about the preservation of there culture. From the pronunciation, to signage, to hockey game announcements. Avoiding sounding at all negative here, the language and culture is still very beautiful. As a Latino still working on Spanish fluency and improving my desired skills in Brazilian Portuguese, French is surely a language I would love to learn next as it is a worldwide language.

Tags backpacker, backpacking, canada, french, quebec, solo travel, travel, traveling, traveling alone

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