A Celebration at 19,340 Feet

The topic Pink Pangea called for was "celebrating your birthday in a foreign country." Since my birthday is in June, I've frequently celebrated abroad, but one celebration tops them all. The madness of climbing Mt Kilimanjaro for my 35th birthday. I'm in India this year for my 40th, so I promise a story just as entertaining.

Click here to read the harrowing story.

Spontaneous Travel vs Planned Travel

My second Pink Pangea Feature Writer story focuses on spontaneous travel versus planned travel.  As I was exploring what I thought was a dichotomy, I realized that the two types of travel are more intertwined than I knew.  The best types of trips offer a little of both, just enough planning to arrive and recover from jetlag safely, yet enough allowance to alter your plans if an interesting opportunity arises.  You can ease into a higher level of discomfort as your experience with travel grows.

Click here to read the full story.  Enjoy and please comment if you'd like.  I love hearing other travellers' stories!

Smart Cook Thai Cookery School in Chiang Mai, Thailand.  My Pad Thai was delicious!

Papaya salad.  I have yet to replicate this recipe, but I do evaluate every Thai restaurant visited in California, with no close comparisons.

My Travel Evolution

My first Pink Pangea Feature Writer story examines the stages through which my travel has transported me.  From childhood travel to college travel to friend travel to tour travel and finally, to solo travel.  Please take some time to examine the current stage of your travel evolution.  If you are not currently travelling, what stage most strongly appeals to you?  Obviously, some stages cannot be relived, but I'm certain friend travel, tour travel, and solo travel will feature prominently for the rest of my life.

Read the story by clicking here.  Never stop exploring!

Tour Travel:  Starting Day 3 of Mt. Kilimanjaro climb with Zara Tours.  Leaving Shira Camp at 12,600 feet.