I had a conversation last week with someone (who, for the record, is definitely not a current boss or coworker), that left me...well, it left me with a bad taste in my mouth. 

I'm totally fine if people have no interest in my travels--I get it, it's not for everyone.  And honestly, at work, I really try to not talk about my trips unless specifically asked.  It's a workplace, and I'd much rather talk about work. My current coworkers and bosses typically ask a few interested questions, I share a few photos, tell them I had a great time, and we leave it at that.  I'm more than happy to answer questions, but I don't just spew information like a volcano. 

But what about people who ask about where you are going next, or where you have been, and then crap all over it? Now that, that gets to me.  I mean, what's the point?  I'm going to continue traveling, so you telling me that everyone in that part of the world is rude or chauvinistic (or uneducated or whatever) really doesn't accomplish anything. In fact, it makes me want to try to prove you wrong even more than before.  

Going to mix it up with a packing post...
 
As only a part-time traveler, I usually go places for between 4 days and 2 weeks.  My destinations really vary, but to give you an idea, recent trips have ranged from Belize, to Cambodia, to Uganda, to Naples, Italy. I've finally developed a solid packing routine, and figured out what I really need and what I should really leave. I always pack only in a carry-on these days--even for the longer trips--so space is at a premium.  Here are the ten things I never pack, regardless if I go to a city, to the beach, to archeological sites, or on safari.
 
But one caveat: these do not apply to destination weddings and big formal events. I'm not that hard-core, and I totally checked a bag to our destination wedding last year.
 
On to the list:
 
1. Cotton sweatshirts/hoodies: Oh, lots of reasons for this one. First, they are bulky and heavy--enough said, particularly for those of us that like to pack in a carry-on only. Second, they are not multi-functional. Can you throw a cotton sweatshirt with your university name on it over that nice sun dress? Well you can, but you shouldn't. Third, they take forever to dry. In a dryer. On high heat. Good luck if you ever get wet in one or need it to dry somewhere cold and humid. I know it's great to roam around your house in one of these puppies and it feels all cozy, but they just aren't practical while traveling. Get a good cardigan in more tech-like material or wool (I have one from Athleta I love), and carry a proper fleece if you need one for real warmth (I'm obsessed with my Patagonia Better Sweater). Or bring a stylish jacket for the city that can be dressed up and down.
 
2. Converter: I've never, ever used one or carried one, so please chime in if you have a device that requires a converter. An adapter is a must--so you can plug in your electronics into the actual socket--but most devices (ipods, ipads) can deal with voltage on their own these days. Thank goodness. This is an extra gadget that most travelers can live without. 

I did quite a bit of research before settling on Matachica for our stay on Ambergris Caye. There were a ton of options, and we were looking for something boutique, relatively luxury, small, with easy access to good snorkeling. It ended up being a great choice for us.
 
Matachica may not be (err...definitely is not) the cheapest place on Ambergris Caye, nor is it for people who really want to be near San Pedro.  It's not really near a lot of anything, except fish, which is just how we wanted it. 

Traveling (and planning travel) with other people is always about compromise (unless you are zombie clones, in which case...awesome...?).
 
A moment of real honesty here: I'm not very good at compromise, at all. Blame it on being an only child, or whatever, I like "my way", and I almost always have clear, articulated reasons for "my way". This isn't to say my reasons are better than someone else's reasons (though they might be..cough), I'm just saying I can present a convincing argument.
 
It's a bit of an uphill battle to convince me to do something I really don't want to do, especially when it comes to travel.  I'm sure Dear Husband (DH) is reading this thinking...that's BS...uphill battle? It's like climbing Everest in swim trunks. 

I really don't know what got into my head, but all of a sudden last fall I really wanted to go to Bhutan.  I wanted to go somewhere I couldn't really see myself, I wanted to go somewhere I wouldn't normally think of going. I couldn't get it out of my head, so I stopped trying....and we made plans to go to Bhutan in September. 

And the more I think about it, the more excited I am.  DH has never been to Asia, and I've only been to Cambodia.  It's something really, extremely, different for both of us (he likes beaches, I like animals), and we're really looking forward to it.  

We're also going to stop in Bangkok on the way there and Chiang Mai on the way back (since we have to fly through Bangkok anyway to get to Bhutan, why not?)  Neither of us have ever been to Thailand, so despite the possibility of crappy weather, we are going to make the most of it.

We unfortunately don't have a ton of time (about 6 days on the ground in Bhutan), and I'm sort of sad we can't explore some of the more remote areas, mainly because I would be thrilled to one day see a red panda in the wild (if you have, tell me all about it!).  But we have plenty of time to explore the areas where we will be (Paro, Thimpu, and Punakha). 

This trip has been in the works for many months, as we were trying to fly mostly on miles (success!), and where we wanted to say (more on that coming soon) already had a great deal of unavailability, even 8 months in advance.  It is the "tourist" season there in September.

Yup, I'm going to be honest, Bhutan is a bit expensive, particularly as we elected to upgrade our hotels from those included in the daily tariff that tourists have to pay (I'm in no way saying those hotels aren't acceptable, mind you).  But it's my birthday...a big birthday...so we decided to splurge. 

Everything is booked. I'm super duper psyched that bulkhead seats opened up on our flight to Bangkok from the United States...phew.  (Though since DH is flying on miles that leg, we flew United, which means no free drinks, even on a 14 hour international flight. To that I say: Really United, REALLY?).  

I digress.

But look for more on Bhutan (and Thailand) in the coming months!

(And because I've fielded many of a "Where is Bhutan?" lately....a map!)

When we went to Uganda and Rwanda last year, I searched high and low for bloggers who had footwear recommendations for gorilla trekking. There were a few good finds, but there wasn't a ton of suggestions other than "hiking boots".
 
Fair enough...but...I don't own hiking boots. I really am not a hiker (and when I do hike, it's in running shoes).  So I was looking for other options, if possible.  Obviously, if I really needed hiking boots, I would have bought them...but did I *really* need them?  Could I buy something that I would wear more frequently when I returned?
 
So here's my ramble on footwear, for all of you who are interested in gorilla trekking and wondering what to wear. It's just my opinion, based on my experiences and what I observed from the others in our group. What I recommend may not work for you, but hopefully there is enough information here that you can make an educated decision about what will.
 
First, as other bloggers note, many of the guides and trackers go in wellies.  I even considered wellies, as I have a weird phobia of jungle fungus (caused by getting my feet wet...I realize this is irrational, thank you).  But I'm glad I didn't.  I don't care how American Ninja Warrior you think you are (unless you really are one), you aren't as nimble or surefooted as the guides and guards (and a few porters) who wear wellies.  They go up almost every single day. Their feet are accustomed to the wear and tear, and lack of support.  Are yours?  My feet get sore walking in my wellies for an hour or two...on the sidewalk.
 
Wellies--out.

Hol Chan and Shark Ray Alley seem to get all the attention for easy and great snorkeling.  On our last day in Belize, we wanted to have another snorkeling outing (we had been kayaking out to the reef and going on our own), and decided on Mexico Rocks.

It was rainy, windy, and rough.  We weren't sure we would be able to go until the last minute.  As the surf picked up, waves kept crashing over the top of our snorkels.  

But the snorkeling? Amazing.  We were also all alone, in part due to the weather; there wasn't a single other boat at the buoy.   

(I really told you all about the weather conditions to provide an excuse for some of the photos being a bit blurry. It's hard to take great underwater shots while you are being rocked around, clearing your snorkel, and swimming nearly all the time to combat the currents.  And....we also just aren't superior underwater photographers, so there is that.)

As I've mentioned, DH and I both work full-time, and we both have some other commitments throughout the year (including our canine). I'm also a planner-type (cough...understatement), so we really like to try to plan ahead as much as possible, at least for the trips that are over about 5 days.
 
So we started talking about 2015.  It's only six months away, you know. I've planned trips a year in advance, so six months is making me antsy.
 
But this time, we are having a unusually hard time figuring out where we want to go.  It seems the more  you travel and the more you know, the more places start to creep higher and higher on your "next destination" list.  In many cases, another blogger, friend, or photo has sparked a new interest in places that weren't on my radar for the immediate future.

I'm not real big on bugs.  Talking biting bugs here, not the random grasshopper or ladybug.  I'm not bug phobic, but I am a bug attract-a-thon.  You want to find the only mosquito in a 5-mile radius? You can rent me for an hour if you'd like, happy to assist.

I really wish I was kidding.  There is a reason we keep bug spray by our door alongside our keys. Right now my ankles look like I've just had chickenpox, because I spent 3 minutes in a yard.  The people I was in the yard with? Nada.

Yea yea, I know this is partly about immune reactions and other mumbo jumbo (not really, I believe in science obvi), but the bottom line is, if I don't want to be a scratchy-welty-mess, I take precautions.

When we decided to go to Belize, we opted (like many who visit) to spend a few days inland and a few days on the beach.  We ended up spending one less day inland than planned when we purchased our tickets/made hotel reservations, thanks to United's splendid flight schedule changes from DCA which meant we arrived at 7pm instead of 11am. Ugh. 

We really only had one particular goal, and that was to see Caracol.  I'm a huge fan of ruins, and Caracol's were definitely worth the diversion from the wonderful marine life on the coast.  

We stayed at Hidden Valley, an adorable lodge set on a beautiful reserve with lots of waterfalls and trails.  We requested a trip to Caracol, with a guide from Hidden Valley.  You can self-drive, but that seemed too stressful for a vacation, and DH and I wisely didn't want to argue over directions when we were lost on dirt roads without signs. 

Some years ago there were problems (robberies, etc) on the road to Caracol, which means that each day, there is a military escort by the Belize Defence Forces which meets all visitors going at a specified point and time, and escorts them to Caracol and back (note: private cars are free to meet at the aforementioned point and go with the rest of the vehicles).