andrea

cabochick

andrea

This Canadian girl's passion for travel comes from two very adventurous parents. My brother and I spent most of our youth traveling all over North America in the family campervan, airplane & boat - going as far west as the Hawaiian islands, as far north as Tuktoyaktuk on the Arctic Sea, and as far south as Mexico doing lots of adventurey stuff...canoeing, surfing, fishing, camping, hiking, skiing, exploring, jellyfish poking...it was the best childhood ever!

Nowadays most of my vaycay-time is spent in and around "Los Cabos" on the tip of beautiful Baja California Sur, Mexico. I adore the dry desert of scrubby cacti that cascade into the deep azul seas. It's also the perfect escape from my crazy-ass job in Canada.

But did you know, that after a milestone birthday, the desire to visit one really fabulous locale somewhere else in this beautiful world is beyond irresistible? So off I went.

...oh, and there is no way I can keep it all to myself anymore...I must blog!

I never wanted to travel, and now I’ve been all over the shop, I don’t know if it’s changed me that much, really. I mean when I go home I still like a biscuit and a cup o tea. I’m well happy. Cause, you can be into travelling but the world’s only so big, innit. So, eventually you’re going to run out of places to visit. Where as biscuits, there's loads of them – Karl Pilkington - An Idiot Abroad

My Empire Of Dirt

North America » Canada » British Columbia » Armstrong September 23rd 2020

52 rotations around the sun

cabochick

Hi from Canada. Well THAT was a year wasn't it? I hope this blog finds you all healthy & safe. With the kind of job I have, I spent most of the 2020 pandemic just trying to stay upright. Optimistic me faithfully followed protocol & restrictions with the hopes of some normal future after the vaccine. Pessimistic me ran apocalyptical scenarios while stockpiling canned goods. & toilet paper. I didn't dare dream of any future international travels. It just didn't feel right. Sequestered mainly to day hikes around my hometown of Chilliwack on my days off, I quickly realized that my little “hobby” would become my only saving grace for the Year 2020. I have a vineyard. It’s small. Artisanal, really. I've brag-blogged about it before ...but it's not really “travel-specific” for this TB platform, so... ... read more

Strange Days Indeed

North America » Canada » British Columbia » Chilliwack April 19th 2020

The Sun Will Come Out Tomorrow

cabochick

This has got to be the weirdest situation we’ve ever found ourselves in, eh? As global citizens, we gotta do our part. Stay home. Practice safe distancing. Wash our hands. Remain calm. Be respectful. Help neighbours. For me, it all started when a very stern looking Justin Trudeau stared into the camera and said, "...and to those Canadians abroad, it's time to come home now." Our virile Prime Minister's expression told me he might know something I didn't. But what if you have two official homes? Should I stay or should I go? To be honest Justin, I’d much rather stay in Mexico and wake up to glorious sunshine. Decision: Hunker down, see what happens. A month in and things were good in Cabo. No reported Covid19 cases. Then a plane load of American college students ... read more

Magdalena Bay

North America » Mexico » Baja California Sur December 1st 2019

Hola Ballenas!

cabochick

Since this pandemic has temporarily clipped my travel wings, I found myself reflecting back on some of my adventures around the Baja. I love the Baja. I love writing about the Baja. Someday, I wish to live out my retirement years on the Baja. But for now, I will just blog about the good bits I’ve experienced so far. December 2018 It's been a few years since I've spent a Christmas on the Baja. I'm usually in Canada or traveling elsewhere in the world during the winters. But this year, I found myself back in Los Cabos for a "Feliz Navidad" with my parents, who still overwinter there. After a fabulous stuffing of Turkey, I jumped into Señor Jimmy, my beat up 4x4, and headed north so I could see the grey whales up in Magdalena ... read more

Pop Goes the World

North America » Mexico » Baja California Sur » Los Barriles May 3rd 2019

The Flying Mobulas

cabochick

Wanna go see the Mobula jump? What a silly question. Of course I do. Nothing is more amusing than watching thousands of rays the size of dinner plates hurl themselves out of the sea for a cartwheel and a splat. It's unknown why they do this but several theories abound. Some believe it is some kind of mating ritual. He who smacks the water the loudest gets the most Mobula action? Theory number two, it's a tactic used to scare the shit out of their food. Thirdly, it's to rid themselves of parasites that don't appreciate aerobatic maneuvers. Fourthly, they are trying to outsmart their natural predators. And lastly, they do it for the sheer pleasure of it. I'm going to go with that one.. I swear the Mobula splash down with a sheer glee. Do ... read more

We Only Said Goodbye With Words

Central America Caribbean » Costa Rica December 12th 2018

Pura Vida

cabochick

Oh Dread. Here comes that overwhelming feeling of doom. It can only mean one thing. My travels through Central America are coming to an end. I’ll have to return to my reality in chilly Canada, and I don't like it one bit. Further pressure comes from my Parental Units who are in Mexico at the moment and want me to stop by to have a Feliz Navidad with them. Ok. So that leaves me with only 10 more days in Central America, and three countries more to visit. Like that’s going to happen. If I were to follow my exact trip of Central America 30 years ago, Nicaragua would be the next in line. But my friend from Guatemala I call my “Pair of Brown Eyes” isn’t keen. Nicaragua currently has some gangs looking for foreigners ... read more

Baby, You’re a Firework

Central America Caribbean » El Salvador November 22nd 2018

Men on Fire

cabochick

My first night in El Salvador and I was chased around the cobblestone alleyways by youth wearing fireworks. This is a thing apparently. Luckily, I had a snoot full of rum, and can run fairly efficiently in flip flops. Me and all the townsfolk of Suchitoto were happily terrorized for hours by these teens mimicking Pamplona’s Running of the Bulls with exploding pyrotechnics strapped to their backs as they stampede through the darkened streets. I’ve never laughed so hard and been so confused, in all my life. It just so happens this is the week Suchitoto celebrates their patron saint, the Virgin Lucy. I’ve lucked out again! There are a weeks worth of festivities throughout the town with live music, a carnival, street dances, fireworks, and a beauty contest to crown this year’s Queen of Suchitoto. ... read more

Que Pedo?

Central America Caribbean » Honduras November 1st 2018

Borracho a Honduras

cabochick

Crossing into Honduras from Guatemala was bitter sweet. I had to watch my Pair of Brown Eyes disappear from my peripheral mirror. But the thrill of a new adventure propelled me onward. Things have changed in Honduras since I was here 32 years ago. First off, I don’t remember there being an “official” border crossing at El Florido. Just a little man napping by the side of the road. Now there is a building and a process. The officers from each country sit side by side in their respectable uniforms behind an impossibly tall teller’s counter. I wait for my exit stamp. They are unfriendly and curt. When I shuffle sideways to get my entry stamp, I’m barked at to get back in line. I look around, I’m the only one in the building. But I ... read more

A Pair of Brown Eyes

Central America Caribbean » Guatemala October 15th 2018

A Pair of Brown Eyes

cabochick

I just spent eight weeks traveling all over Central America. My plan was simple. No plan. Back when I was 18, and fearless, I backpacked my way through Central America with my best friend Linda. We were just a couple of inebriated surfer girls living off the kindness of strangers with no inhibitions, no limits, no pesos. I look back at that experience fondly, but also as stupid reckless. If nothing less, it was the perfect set up for one of those cheesy slasher movies. As we hitchhiked our way south from beach to beach, I hardly saw any of Central America. To be fair we were all about thrills, boys, and parties - not culture or history. The trip ended abruptly in Panama City when all my belongings were stolen including the photographic evidence I ... read more

Red Light, Green Light

Europe » Netherlands » North Holland » Amsterdam October 15th 2018

I guess that’s why they call it the blues

cabochick

Traveling is addictive. I know, because I’m willing to spend money I don’t have, dismiss my family and my job to disappear on a whim, and tolerate loads of discomfort and pain just to get my fix. I’m so deep in, there’s no kicking it now. Hello, my name is Andrea, and I’m a travel junkie. According to the cartoons of my childhood, teleporting should be a thing by now. But it’s not. So, layovers have become my essential travel tool. Those long haul 18+ hours flights, seated in coach, are the true definition of hell. But. Can’t stop. Won’t stop. I love Amsterdam and it has become my preferred halfway point for any African or Middle Eastern excursion. Years ago, I loathed this stopover and I simply referred to Schiphol as Shit Hole. Then one ... read more

Barcelona is just a little...Gaudi

Europe » Spain » Catalonia » Barcelona September 23rd 2018

Fire! Run!

cabochick

I turned 50 in Barcelona this year. On purpose. Unbeknownst to me, it was the exact same weekend as the annual La Merce festival. So, my already celebratic milestone was now elevated to a carnival. "Happy Birthday tooooooo meeeeee! Any pre-planning we did for our 5 days in Barcelona went straight out the window. Ah, the joys of travel. We were now at "La Mercy" of the millions of residents and tourists that have crowded the downtown core to participate in over 600 events throughout the city, in just one weekend. I had no idea what La Merce was. I had to look it up. In Catalan, the word "Merce" means service, help, a sense of compassion, and loving mercy. Apparently, this festival has been celebrated since the Middle Ages, when the city of Barcelona was ... read more

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