Don't Squander Wander

12/02/2024

I love to see the random small businesses. This guy had it all.

11/02/2024

As this trip winds down and nears the end I wonder what lies ahead for the next one. Could this be a sign? 😆

About two months ago I dropped something on my toe. As the nail grew out this is the mark that it left. SE Asia has been pulling on my mind hard. I NEED to return but I was thinking Indonesia or the Philippines, perhaps Malaysia. Not a superstitious person or one who believes in signs but...Thailand again? Hmmm.

25/01/2024

No Livestream today. Sorry. I want to show the town of Minca and my camp spot but I have low data. I need to find somewhere to top up. I will let you know beforehand. Here's my view of Santa Marta though.

21/01/2024

There are certain things that are essentials for me when traveling.

Unfortunately, after a lot of use, I had some failures this trip that threatened to affect my trip.

Fortunately, thanks to all the kindness I've received lately, I was able to restock on 3 big items. I haven't been able to camp that much because my sleeping pad started losing air a couple months ago and has progressively gotten worse. I did use it a lot and things are bound to fail I guess. I went with the same brand which I'd recommend. Good quality for such a budget item. Some people are paying $300 for very comparable niche hiking mattresses. This one was $28. I haven't had sunglasses for this whole trip. I never dare to buy glasses abroad. Good ones are very expensive and cheap ones (even if they say they are) are not polarized or UV protective. I also recommend Knockarounds, I've owned many pairs. They're also great value ($35) for quality. Don't get the reflective coated ones though, it wears off. AND my earbuds quit charging recently. Bummer. Stuff like that is expensive when traveling. So this was a much needed purchase. Anker Soundcore P20i's for $28.

Thank you all so much for the coffees which helped make these essential purchases. You're contributions made a big difference. It also allowed me to stay at the hostel for a week while I waited for the package. 👍🏻 If anyone would like to contribute, you can buy a coffee at

https://www.buymeacoffee.com/dontsquanderwander

Much appreciated!

09/01/2024

Barichara is one of those majestic places that captures you from the get go. The views, the fresh air, the charming stone laid streets, adobe made buildings, and the incredible views add up to bring a calming effect once you step foot in this slice of paradise. Along with the visuals, you also come to learn about the history of the place. The indigenous Guane people that once inhabited this plateau and valley. Living and hiding their treasures in the caves to keep them from the Spanish conquistadors that would later dessimate their entire civilization with murder and disease. I walked their paths that still exist today. The miles on miles connecting all the small little villages dispersed throughout the valley. The one's they no doubt were enslaved to hand lay in stone. As I walked those paths and looked at those views I couldn't help feeling a strong connection with them and their lands.

Barichara quickly became one of my favorite places in Colombia. Perhaps THE favorite. Not to mention it is a place where tourists come but the prices remain cheap. For someone with itchy feet like me, it comes as close to a place where I could say I'd settle. I got "stuck" there for a while, as we travelers say. And I dare say the sticky little strands may still be attached even though I am far away.

07/01/2024

Wow! I never expected the amount of support I received after my last post. The amount of generosity is overwhelming. I am hugely grateful and humbled by the kindness of y'all.

Like I stated before, the money will not be squandered. It will go far and spent with appreciation and mindfulness.

I have not posted lately because, unfortunately, about 1.5 of your coffees went to purchase this. I am opposed to taking pharmaceuticals in general, but it seems I've came down with some bacterial sinus infection that dropped into my lungs. I let it go hoping my immune system would kick it's ass but it needed some help apparently. Feeling a bit better after one day on the ole Zithro.

The good thing about traveling to affordable countries without healthcare is that it is still cheaper than even the best of plans in the U.S. and much simpler. In this case, for better or for worse, I walked into the regular ole drugstore. Told the cashier/pharmacist (not sure if he's an actual pharmacist) what I wanted and a few of my symptoms and...Boom...Done! No scheduling a Dr. visit, no waiting around, no traveling a far distance, and no insurance claims. How much did it all cost for essentially a Zpack with no insurance? $4, yes, FOUR DOLLARS.

05/01/2024

Hello everyone! I hope everyone had a fantastic holiday.

I made this page for the people that have expressed an interest in supporting my journey. I am not one to ask for help or money but this is a good way to support if you would like to.

If you "buy me a coffee", it will allow me to extend my travels and continue to make travel related posts. I live cheaply. That is the foundation of my journey of minimalism and budget travel. To try to maximize this life by getting the most out of every dime. So any donations will not be squandered away or taken for granted.

Buy Me A Coffee!

Many people have expressed their wanting to follow and support my journey so I am making this page so that you can

28/12/2023

For the Soup Lovers!

https://www.mycolombianrecipes.com/es/sopa-de-mondongo-colombiano/

19/12/2023

Who needs a beach vacay?

https://maps.app.goo.gl/oMe5ozt5L7tGD7iB6

11/12/2023

Instead of fearing the unknown, maybe we should fear the ones telling us what to know.

11/12/2023

I spent a chill 4 nights camping at this slice of paradise just outside of the beautiful historic town of Barichara, Santander. The view is amazing, overlooking the cliff that Barichara sits on.

It's a good jumping off point for the 1.5 hour hike of the ancient route, camino real, to the small town of Guane. The hike into Barichara is also nice. Only a 45 minutes to the town with great views all the way.

There is a nice balance of silence and nature with all the amenities you would need. A well equipped kitchen area with fridge and good consistent WiFi.

The place is owned by a Dutch couple who have put much thought into the construction. Using natural building principles and permaculture techniques. Including a food forest. If you are visiting the area I definitely recommend staying here, as a backpacker or overlander.

Thanks Joepi and Juulia for creating this place and for the hospitality.

08/12/2023

Society: "You travel a lot, you must have a lot of money".

Me: I travel a lot because I don't have a lot of money.

🤨🤔

07/12/2023

The hike of the Camino Real between Barichara and Guane is truly magical. Following a over 300 year old ancient road. I can just imagine this as the principle route between these two little towns back in the day with donkeys transporting goods from town to town. Or the men that laid each and every stone of the 5 mile road.

The scenery is the most amazing part. Stunning views of the valley and mountains. Santander has quickly rose to the top of my favorite spots in Colombia, giving the coffee region a run for its money. I'm excited to explore more of this amazing country.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C0j4u2uAGjD/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

07/12/2023

"Money is not a problem"

We can enjoy lives in the poverty.

06/12/2023

Make a radical change in your lifestyle and begin to boldly do things which you may previously never have thought of doing, or been too hesitant to attempt. So many people live within unhappy circumstances and yet will not take the initiative to change their situation because they are conditioned to a life of security, conformity, and conservation, all of which may appear to give one peace of mind, but in reality nothing is more damaging to the adventurous spirit within a man than a secure future. The very basic core of a man's living spirit is his passion for adventure. The joy of life comes from our encounters with new experiences, and hence there is no greater joy than to have an endlessly changing horizon, for each day to have a new and different sun. If you want to get more out of life, you must lose your inclination for monotonous security and adopt a helter-skelter style of life that will at first appear to you to be crazy. But once you become accustomed to such a life you will see its full meaning and its incredible beauty.

~Jon Krakauer

05/12/2023

#3

Whether you just don't want a full gut busting meal or you're a cheapskate or both, like me, you can ask for "el medio".

A lot of local restaurants will offer this more affordable option with the same options just a little less. At this place in San Gil, Santander, Colombia, I paid 8,000 ($2) instead of the full meal of 12,000 ($3) that I had the day before. Doesn't sound like much but why get stuffed or waste food when you don't really want/need it. Good for the waistline and the pocketbook.

or

26/11/2023

Another

Not just for anymore.

Whether you don't like to use plastic bottles all the time, don't want to give the corporate masters of our life sustaining earth juice your money, or simply want to hydrate like a bad ass. At the airport, at the hotel, camping, or on a backwoods hiking trail.

A small water filter like the Sawyer Squeeze Mini is perfect to make sure you always have access to safe and free drinking water no matter where you are in the world.

Important Tip: Make sure you bring a reusable bottle 28mm mouth like the bottle. In many countries it is impossible to find this size of bottle.

but hey 👋🏻

is screw

25/11/2023

A great respite from the hustle and bustle of Guadalajara. Only 2 buses, just over an hour, and a buck .25 to get there.

Bosque Primavera has a huge camping area. Pavilions with built in grills and bathrooms too. It's a short walk to the tiny town of La Primavera for all your needs. In the other direction, you can walk or hitch to the river which is like hot bath water (upcoming post). It is popular for horse riding, cycling, and dirt biking.

I spent 3 nights there. Only $2.50/night to camp. It was a holiday weekend so it was super busy the first 2 nights with a concert and Mexican rodeo, called a charrería which I didn't attend. I wanted to see the rodeo but it was along with the concert which was too loud for my old ass ears.

I did enjoy myself and would recommend. During the week would be the best as to avoid other humans.

24/11/2023

Just paid 8 U.S. dollars for unlimited calls and texts, and 60GB of 4G data.
🇨🇴

16/11/2023

I had a great time. For a new visitor to Guadalajara it was easy to get there. Line 3 North to Mercado del Mar. A short walk from there.

Good infographics around the park to keep you attuned to the game. I paid 75 pesos for the left field bleachers but you can move freely around the stands 🤫.

The food vendors are roaming the stands. While there I saw, Little Caesars, Carl's Jr., Boba Tea, Popcorn, BBQ Ribs, Chips, Nachos, and Guasanas (steamed chickpeas in the shell).

I left probably an hour earlier than I could have to be safe but I asked around...if you're taking the tren back you need to leave from the Mercado del Mar station by 1030pm. The metro closes at 1130pm.

I saw some quality play and had a good time. I'd recommend.



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Also on IG https://www.instagram.com/dontsquanderwander/

14/11/2023

So a few days ago I did a thing.

My first REAL solo hitchhiking experience.

After 12 days in the little bohemian beach side tourist town of , the high season came overnight and the prices of accommodation almost doubled all over town. That morning, after taking my free hotel breakfast with me to-go in my container. I spontaneously had the notion to grab some cardboard and a sharpie. I wrote "GUADALAJARA".

I was of course a little nervous. I found those falsities of the mainstream mentality creep in. Then I reflected on all my past travels and decided to throw caution against the wind. Try for myself. Test and trust the humanity that I've found over the last 8 years of travel.

I walked to the main coastal highway about 20 minutes away and was immediately justified. After waiting only 5 minutes, my hitch hero Samuel, pulled his Nissan Versa over. He was actually a taxi driver. So the first words I said was I don't have any money. Turns out he was going 4 hours in my direction to pick a woman and her kid up to bring them back. He wouldn't even le time buy him a bag of chips at the gas station.

150 miles later Samuel dropped me off on the side of the road at a small convenience store called Depósito Hawaii. Where I took an obligatory picture with my Hawaiian shirt coozie and quickly ate my to-go breakfast from the hotel with a couple Modelos.

I grabbed the sign again, waited 10 minutes and had a short ride to the next town of Magdalena, Jalisco. After that another quick hitch to the famous town of Tequila where I grabbed a bus for the last 20 or so miles cause the sun was going down.

I am so glad I had the balls to do it. It was a great experience and I will be doing more of it.

Lessons learned...stay open minded, believe in humanity, trust your instincts, and be positive. It will come back to you.

04/11/2023

Wanderfulhack #1

When your hotel has free breakfast but you don't eat breakfast? Buy a container and take away.

Follow for more

31/10/2023

Went for a walk. Saw some art. Good to be back.

Check those instagram story archives for all the street art.
https://www.instagram.com/dontsquanderwander/

12/04/2023

Hiked to the Pink Pillbox in Ma'ili. Great views of the reef and the amazing turquoise beaches below. What a day!

This pillbox was built in 1942 as a defense against the Japanese ships.

There's even a straight 6 still up there used for the winch system.

03/04/2023

Freedom lies in the accessibility of cheap and efficient public transportation. What a sad state for the richest and "freest" country in the history of the world.

Passenger trains in the United States vs Europe. See more like this at LongIsland.com

01/04/2023

Best meal in Honolulu so far. Kway Teow is one of this Thai dishes that I absolutely crave and it is SO hard to find outside of Thailand.

This restaurant has many authentic Thai dishes as opposed to the classic Thai-American fare. It was a little sweet but nothing some chili vinegar couldn't fix. Also the quintessential chili flake and hot peeper sauce on top to get ya sweatin. I have to say the beef was INCREDIBLE. A mix of sirloin and brisket and tons of it.