Medellin…to some the mere name of it brings a shudder and a stereotypical statement about cocaine, the TV show Narcos, and the notorious drug lord & narcoterrorist, Pablo Escobar. While it’s true, that Medellin was once known as the “murder capital of the world,” in the last 20 years it has undergone a miraculous transformation and is now a must…

Continue ReadingDiscovering Medellín, Colombia: Includes Bello & Jardin Botanico

Two year ago, when we still thought our plan was to open a bed & brewery in Colombia, we researched deeply and narrowed down the top six possible places we wanted to check out as possible locations. Medellín, (the “ll” is pronounced as a j-sound here,) being a popular area for expats, easy living and a year-round perfect climate, made…

Continue ReadingExploring Medellin’s Envigado & Sabaneta, Colombia

We have a lot of hope. For cities that may be falling into a downtrodden path, for countries ripped apart by wars and dictatorships, and for our planet as it continues an uphill battle against climate change. It’s hard not to have hope when you see a neighborhood like Comuna 13. Less than 25 years ago, this sprawling hillside barrio…

Continue ReadingFrom Bullets to Beauty in Medellin’s Comuna 13, Colombia

Santa Fe, founded by the Spanish in 1557, is definitely off the beaten path for most foreign travelers and according to the guidebook, is “like Boquete 20 years ago” (before the white people invasion?) We really enjoyed Santa Fe. For us, it felt like a little slice of the interior of Hawaii… mountainous, exuding lushness, deliciously pure and cool air,…

Continue ReadingSanta Fe, Panama: Into the Mountains

After nine weeks of luxury in a comfy orthopedic bed, stocked kitchen and hot shower, we figured we were due a little roughing it. So, from Bucaro, we had the hosts from our housesit drop us off an hour away at the Isla Cañas dock to head out to a very long ocean spit for a chance to see sea…

Continue ReadingSimplicity and Sea Turtles in Isla Cañas, Panama

Thanks to our nine week housesit near Bucaro, Panama and the fact that it came furnished with a rough and tumble Toyota Helix, we had the opportunity to explore the Azuero Peninsula to our heart's delight. The Azuero Peninsula is located in the center, Pacific side of the country, which is bizarrely the south of the country as the country…

Continue ReadingExploring the Azuero Peninsula, Panama

Six months in Mexico was far from enough. And, it confirmed, no matter where we go and how much we travel, this country will probably always hold a piece of our heart and a coveted top spot in our list of favorite countries. Although we’re still undecided if we’ll buy property one day, here’s the top reasons why we’ll certainly…

Continue Reading20 Reasons We Love Mexico

If you’ve never been to Mexico and want an all-encompassing dose of the culture, Oaxaca is an ideal introductory option. The radiant city of 300,000 has a distinctive fusion of indigenous traditions, pre-Hispanic ruins, colonial architecture, a dynamic color palette, and a bursting food and drink scene, which is arguably one of the most succulent in the country. But, like…

Continue ReadingTasting the Simple Life in Oaxaca, Mexico