Africa… There’s nowhere like it on the planet for wildlife, wild lands and rich traditions that endure. Prepare to fall in love.
I’ve been to sixty-six countries so far, and I will easily admit that seeing wild animals in their natural habitats has not been common, until I came to Botswana. I’ve seen elephants in Thailand, Sri Lanka, India, South Africa, and recently Namibia, but always either on a reserve or being used by locals for work. As I write this in the front seat of the truck we’re...
When I first decided that I wanted to go volunteer in Africa, I researched a TON of volunteer programs, and finally found one that not only sounded amazing, but affordable and legitimate as well. I had never heard of the town called Muizenberg where the IVHQ volunteer program took place in South Africa, so had to do some research to see where exactly it was, and what...
Traveling to Egypt is a MUST do bucket list item, and I swear you will not regret it once you’ve gone! I traveled solo to Egypt and took a tour that covered all of the most popular highlights in about a week, plus found some hidden gems along the way! Don’t be afraid of what you hear on the news, Egyptians highly value tourism, especially from Americans...
YES, Egypt is SAFE to travel in again! But since so many people still listen to the new, that means you can see Egypt without crowds in as little as a week!
by Alyssa Ramos Before I went to South Africa I not only researched every possible thing about it and what to do, but also found and interviewed local bloggers for their tips as well. I ended up doing a lot of the things they recommended as well as a few other things on my own, and now can say what I thought the best things to do/see were, as well as the things you...
by Alyssa Ramos The Dramatic Departure “Hey so, listen to me OK? I..eh..love you, and…I will miss you, a lot.” Mr. TDH said meaningfully as he hugged me tightly in the cold, misty, dark, early hours of that last Saturday morning in Muizenberg. My response was nonexistent since my face and arms were buried in his chest as I tried to keep warm and...
Naturally, seeing the cute little Boulders Beach penguins was on the top of my list of things to do in South Africa, but between volunteering at school all day and joining in on the other volunteers’ activities, I found myself penguin-less on my last day in Muizenberg. Oh, by the way, there are penguins in South Africa! I had just gotten back from my most...
by Alyssa Ramos Not even a Disney movie could have compared to my perfect day in Camps Bay, so I guess I could say that that day, My Life Was A Disney Movie. I mentioned in my very first blog post about living in Muizenberg, South Africa for the week I volunteered with IVHQ and Dreams to Reality that I realized the first day there that there were a few “trip...
by Alyssa Ramos WEDNESDAY PM Wednesday was my fourth day in Muizenberg, South Africa, and the day that the unthinkable happened. After volunteering at Christian David Primary School, I hopped into Karl’s van along with the rest of the volunteers like usual, except for one that wasn’t usually there. Mr. TDH. He had mentioned that the IVHQ Surf Program...
WEDNESDAY VOLUNTEERING Rainbows are something that I haven’t seen in a while considering that it never rains in California. I had seen them plenty of times in Florida, even a double rainbow once in Greece, but the rainbow that I saw on Wednesday morning in Muizenberg, South Africa on the way to Christian David Primary School was unlike any rainbow I’ve...