• Home
  • U.S. Destinations
    • Midwest
    • Northeast
    • Northwest
    • Southeast
    • Southwest
    • Coastal
  • International Destinations
    • Africa/Middle East
    • Antarctica/Arctic
    • Asia
    • Canada
    • Europe
    • Mexico/Central America/Carribean
    • Oceania
    • South America
  • Food & Drink
    • For the Home
    • On The Town
    • At the Bar
    • Recipes
  • Travel & Lifestyle
    • Getting There
    • Staying There
    • Travel Tips
    • Travel Gear & Gifts
    • People Stories
    • Focus on Photos
  • About
    • Our Site
    • Contributors
    • Write To Us
    • Write For Us
    • Work With Us
    • Disclosure
    • Subscribe
    • Privacy Policy
Confetti Travel Cafe
Celebrate Travel, Culture, Connection
Category:

People Stories

  • Getting ThereInternationalPeople StoriesTravel & LifestyleTravel Tips

    Getting Lost While Traveling: Truly Get to Know a City

    by Karen Gershowitz August 28, 2023
    by Karen Gershowitz August 28, 2023

    As a native New Yorker, I walk, take buses and subways to get around the city.  Similarly, when I’m overseas, I rely on public transportation to get me efficiently and…

  • InternationalInternational DestinationsPeople StoriesTravel & LifestyleTravel Tips

    The Joy of Travel with Volunteering and Service

    by Melanie Hicks May 22, 2023
    by Melanie Hicks May 22, 2023

    The smell of fresh tortillas and homemade refried beans wafted through the air. The scorching sun beat down on us as we made our way to the center of the…

  • NorthwestOutdoorsPeople StoriesTravel & LifestyleTravel Gear & GiftsTravel TipsU.S.U.S. Destinations

    Author Craig Romano: Blending Love of the Outdoors and Writing

    by Nancy Zaffaro December 1, 2021
    by Nancy Zaffaro December 1, 2021

    Author Craig Romano is an award-winning outdoors writer and photographer who has written more than 25 books and articles for more than two dozen publications. He’s been interviewed on television,…

  • Art & CultureFor the HomeGetting TherePeople StoriesStaying ThereTravel & LifestyleTravel Tips

    Top Trends in Travel Blogging

    by Shannon Flynn February 2, 2021
    by Shannon Flynn February 2, 2021

    We’re all happy to say that hindsight really is 2020; putting that entire crazy year in the rear view mirror and looking forward to something bigger and brighter for 2021.…

  • Art & CultureFor the HomePeople StoriesTravel & LifestyleTravel Tips

    Share Your World: Top Travel Instagrammers Build Community

    by Laura McLoughlin January 4, 2021
    by Laura McLoughlin January 4, 2021

    While travel feels impossible now, we can all still dream. Somewhere, somehow, people are still traveling and posting to their community and feeding our desire to see the world. Top…

  • Art & CultureInternationalInternational DestinationsPeople StoriesTravel & LifestyleTravel Gear & GiftsTravel Tips

    Dance Travel: Megan Taylor Morrison Talks Dance Adventure

    by Nancy Zaffaro October 28, 2020
    by Nancy Zaffaro October 28, 2020

    We travel to see new places, new cultures, and to meet new people. But another great reason to travel is to broaden our knowledge and experience with the interests and…

  • Art & CultureAt the BarEuropeFood & DrinkFor the HomeInternational DestinationsOn The TownPeople StoriesStaying ThereTravel & LifestyleTravel Gear & GiftsTravel Tips

    Eleanor Aldridge Shares Contemporary Paris With New Guidebook

    by Nancy Zaffaro October 29, 2019
    by Nancy Zaffaro October 29, 2019

    Journalist and author Eleanor Aldridge’s new book, Paris: A Curious Traveler’s Guide, offers much to both first-time visitors and those who have made many visits to the City of Love.…

  • Africa/Middle EastFor the HomeInternational DestinationsPeople StoriesTravel & LifestyleTravel Gear & Gifts

    Book Review: A Wild and Precious Memoir

    by Brian Fassett September 2, 2019
    by Brian Fassett September 2, 2019

    Susanne Rheault perfectly captures the juxtaposition between life in the United States and life in East Africa in her new book, My Wild and Precious Life. A skilled writer and…

  • Getting TherePeople StoriesTravel & LifestyleTravel Tips

    How To Prepare For Your First Vacation With Your Significant Other

    by Hollie Jones August 26, 2019
    by Hollie Jones August 26, 2019

    Got a cool trip planned with your new partner? Feeling a bit nervous about it? Your first time going away as a couple is really exciting, but it’s also a…

  • Getting TherePeople StoriesTravel & LifestyleTravel Tips

    Travel Tips: Make the Most of Your Trip

    by Kris Trecer June 14, 2019
    by Kris Trecer June 14, 2019

    Traveling is one of the most enjoyable and fulfilling activities you can do in your lifetime. We humans have always had the urge to wander off to places we haven’t…

Newer Posts
Older Posts

Search

Keep in touch

Facebook Twitter Instagram Flickr

On Instagram

Hi all! Well, it’s a hella long flight from #pd Hi all! Well, it’s a hella long flight from  #pdx to #dfw to #eze, but I made it to Buenos Aires and I’ve been having a fabulous time exploring! What a dynamic, beautiful, fascinating city this is! So very rich in energy, art, music, dance, architecture, food, diverse barrios, and all else that makes up a great city to get to know. There is so much to share!
.
#buenosaires #buenosairescity #sudamerica #walkwalkwalk #exploreargentina #visitargentina #citylovers #solotravel #sólo #womentravellers #womentravelsolo
I haven’t been clamming this summer, or the past I haven’t been clamming this summer, or the past few actually. This last beach walk , I watched as all these people made their exodus to the waterfront. Shovels and clam guns and plastic bags and nets, and water boots and hip waders..

.
🌊.
.
#waves  #walkwalkwalk #seaside #seasideoregon #oregoncoast #oregoncoastline #oregoncoastlife #clamming #razerclams #shellfish #getoutside  #foraging  #harvesting
Wonderful beach watching weather, waves and wildli Wonderful beach watching weather, waves and wildlife this entire Thanksgiving weekend. Thanks, Seaside,OR!
.
🌊.
.
#waves  #walkwalkwalk #seaside #seasideoregon #oregoncoast #oregoncoastline #oregoncoastlife
The sun was bright and warm this long weekend; won The sun was bright and warm this long weekend; wonderful for long walks at low tides at the tidal pool, for exploring the estuary, for walking the Promenade, for the many making the pilgrimage out at low tides with clam guns, shovels, bags and buckets.
.
🦀.
.
#seaside  #seasideoregon #clatsopcounty #atthebeach #holidayweekend #longweekends #beachwalks #sunsetcaptures #beachsunsets #walkwalkwalk
We took the road to Hana and made a great day of i We took the road to Hana and made a great day of it. 
.
At the Garden of Eden, a privately owned botanical garden, I fell in love with the variety of bamboo—and the sounds of the bamboo swaying in the breeze.
.
🎋
.
The trip isn’t over, but without a doubt a highlight for us all. 
.
#roadtohana #roadtohanamaui #hawaiianstyle #botanicalgarden #arboretum #hawaiiangardens #gardenofeden #hana #hanahawaii #hanahighway #hanahighwaymaui @mauigardenofeden #arboretum #plantsplantsplants #treesofinstagram #bamboo #bamboobamboo #bamboosounds
Four of us took the road to Hana yesterday and mad Four of us took the road to Hana yesterday and made a great day of it. I’ve been before with my kids when they were quite young. This trip, my wonderful DIL did the driving, for which I’m verrry grateful because that is so not my thing although I’ve taken out of town visitors on enough of our Oregon roads. 
.
We made numerous little park and trail and waterfall stops and visited the Garden of Eden, a privately owned botanical garden my son had heard good things about. 
.
The trip isn’t over, but without a doubt a highlight for us all. 
.
#roadtohana #roadtohanamaui #hawaiianstyle #botanicalgarden #arboretum #hawaiiangardens #gardenofeden #hana #hanahawaii #hanahighway #hanahighwaymaui @mauigardenofeden #arboretum #plantsplantsplants #treesofinstagram
Waterfall action on the Road to Hana! . 🌊. . #w Waterfall action on the Road to Hana!
.
🌊.
.
#waterfalls💦 #hawaiiwaterfalls #hana #hanawaterfalls #roadtohana #roadtohanamaui #familytravels #mygirls💕
Three’s Bar and Grill in Kihei, Hawaii. Fabulous Three’s Bar and Grill in Kihei, Hawaii. Fabulous food and great service. Helped that it’s walking distance from where we’re staying, but we’ll worth a trip either way!
.
🦐.
#seafoodtime #ahi #wasabisauce #portobellomushroom #tropicalcocktails #pokebowl 
.
@threesbarandgrillmaui #mauirestaurants #mauihawaii #mauilife #wheretoeat #kihei #hawaiianfood
Turtles! Big turtles! Aka Honu! . . #turtlesofinst Turtles! Big turtles! Aka Honu!
.
.
#turtlesofinstagram #hawaiilife #wildlifephotography #hawaiistagram #hawaiianlife #hawaiianwildlife #walkwalkwalk #familytravels #familyvacations #honu #hookipa #hookipabeachpark #paia
On to the next adventure! Ten days in Maui with th On to the next adventure! Ten days in Maui with the whole (immediate) fam!
.
#familytravels #hawaiitrip #granddaughters #pdxairport #portlandairport #mauihawaii #kihei #3gen
Yet another batch of photos! This from one of the Yet another batch of photos! This from one of the many parades around Oaxaca last night. 

Also including a few clips and photos from the little event that apparently occurs in the courtyard of my hotel each year. It featured friends and family and guests and a host of musicians and actors. Such wonderful festivities!

Such wonderful traditions. It does make me think of chow my own family visits the cemeteries of family members who have passed. While this is all very much a party, there really is so much more to it than that. Wonderful; very grateful I was able to come!
Dia de Muertos en Oaxaca! Well, it’s actually 1 Dia de Muertos en Oaxaca! Well, it’s actually 1 y 2 Noviembre … But preparations and the celebrations are on!!
.
#oaxaca_bonito #oaxacamexico #oaxacacity #diademuertos #delosmuertos #diadelosmuertos #dayofthedeadmakeup #dayofthedeadmakeup @oaxtravel
Made it to Mont Alban yesterday! This a is must-do Made it to Mont Alban yesterday! This a is must-do visit in Oaxaca. It’s only 30-45 minutes out of town and you can get there by collectivo bus, cab or any number of different tours, private or group. 
.
This site was built more than 2,500 years ago. Apparently it’s an excellent example of early urban planning and of course, was a strong seat of power, trade, politics. It’s perched on top of what the Zapotecs called Dani Baa, or sacred Mountain in Zapotek. The entire Valles Centrales is truly beautiful. 
.
The site was only discovered in the 1930s, as I already said, when I got to see some of the treasures that were found within the buildings. People have been studying it and finding new buildings and areas and yes, treasures, ever since.
.
Hope you enjoy this peek of what I saw!
.
#oaxtravel #oaxacamexico #oaxacatravel #montalban #montalbán #oaxacastate #prehispanic #montealban #zapotec #zapoteca #ancientruins #mexicoruins
One of the most memorable sites will be my visit t One of the most memorable sites will be my visit to Hierve el Agua. I visited with my new friend, Suzen,  and our guide, Eric of Zapotrek Tours. (Zapotrek Oaxaca)

I can’t say enough about Erik!  He primarily leads outdoors tours, but also food tours, and he loves to show people his hometown of Tlacolula. We made a great full day of it. I always admire a good tour guide, and he is truly one of the best. (He’s written up in Moon Guide and his name just kept coming up.)

The site consist of petrified waterfalls and they’ve been developing for millennia.  Apparently, the name translates to the water boils, but these are not Hot Springs. The water that comes up through the springs have high levels of calcium carbonate and other mineral salts. Slowly, slowly slowly, the stalactites formed and continue to form. What you see are huge, frozen water flows that spill down into the valley and is quite a thing to see.

I’m going to show way too many photos and I’m not gonna label them, obviously. But you’ll see where we are first; we’re looking down to the springs, and we hiked from way up here to way down below the springs, then back up the springs in a loop trail. 

Along the way, Erik and our local guide gave us so much fascinating information. There’s a lot more I can say here obviously but after our hike, we spent some time in the water and just sunbathing and relaxing. It was truly a special time. 

This is one of only two petrified waterfalls in the world; the other being in Turkey!!
.
💦
.
@zapotrek #oaxaca #oaxacamexico #oaxacatravel #hierveelagua #hierveelaguaoaxaca #solotraveller #womantraveler #petrifiedwaterfalls #waterfallsofinstagram #takeadip #mothernaturerocks #calciumcarbonate #stalactites #takeahike #walkwalkwalk #hierveelaguaoaxaca #oaxtravel
More exploring Barrio de Jalatlaco. Especially lov More exploring Barrio de Jalatlaco. Especially loved Almaraiz Organico & Artesanal. Fabulous selection of organic and vegan restaurant, groceries (including bulk), beauty products. Grrrreat selection of cacao and chocolate. Fabulous coffee bar. Loved my falafel plate lunch, with a rich hot chocolate con aqua.
.
@almaraizorganicos #almaraizorganicosoaxaca #jalatlaco #jalatlacooaxaca #walkwalkwalk #mexicomagico #solotravel #solotraveller #womantravel #womantraveler #justexplore #organicfoods #falafel #organicandnatural #veganeats #oaxtravel
Early in my trip I made a visit to Cento Culturo d Early in my trip I made a visit to Cento Culturo de Santo Domingo. It’s located near the Iglesia de Santo Domingo, which isn’t at all far from my hotel. Not to be missed on any visit to Oaxaca!!
.
So there’s the church, which you all have seen a bit of when I talked about the wedding procession in the courtyard. But there are actually three museums that are part of the old church monastery and grounds
.
The architecture is 16th century Dominican. There is a Library with a collection of over 23,000 volumes. The architecture is very interesting. I’ll show you more of the botanical garden later.
.
In the museum there is one large section devoted to the artifacts that came out of Mont Alban. This architectural site was discovered and excavated only in the 1930s. 
.
So here’s a bit of what I saw there.
.
#oaxaca #santodomingooaxaca #centroculturasantodomingooaxaca #templodesantodomingo #montalban #montalbán @museodelasculturasoax #museodelasculturasdeoaxaca #visitoaxaca #museos #museums #museosenmexico #travelmexico🇲🇽 #mixteca #oaxtravel
Part 2. . After that hike, we went on to La Cueva Part 2.
.
After that hike, we went on to La Cueva de la Serpiente Oscuro, or cave of the dark serpent. At the mouth of the cave, there were some hard hats for those of us who didn’t have hats and chose to. I def donned one. We all had flashlights. There were rope guide rails as we descended into the somewhat narrow cave. There’s a lovely little spring further in that’s part of one of the legends. Again, it wasn’t a long walk through, but we did get to do the whole shut the lamps off and see the total darkness thing that is always a kick in caves. 
.
Our last stop was to the two waterfalls in the area; Las Cascadas Cola de Serpiente and Cola de Caballo. One of the Falls has an 82 foot drop and the other 262 foot drop. The second, longer one empties into a really lovely emerald green pool. We all had putt suits and towels and most of us went in to take a dip, although the with the cooler temperatures and the cool water, we may not have stayed in as long as we would have. That was great fun; it’s been years and years since I’ve done that!
.
Great group of people travel with!
.

.
#oaxaca_bonito #oaxacamexico #oaxacatravel #apoala #apoalaoaxaca #hikemexico #hiking #hikingculture #walkwalkwalk #mountainhike #solotraveler #solowomantraveler #waterfalls #waterfalls💦 #mexicotravel #oaxtravel
Yesterday I took an all day hiking tour to Apoala, Yesterday I took an all day hiking tour to Apoala, a region to the northwest of Oaxaca, Mexico in the Apoala Valley.
⛰️
The Mixtec people have a very long history in the region. The legends and myths of the people and the spirits abound. We heard about two of them from our local guide and I also read another in my tour book. 
.
The ride out probably took a couple of hours but we started out with a hike at Las Penas Gemelas. Our hike took us past canyon walls dotted heavily with Bromelaids and catcus and other flora. Oak trees had moss hanging from branches everywhere. (Looked like the Spanish moss we see in Louisiana and South Carolina, but can’t be sure if it’s another type.) the Earth is a deep wine red. 
.
Las Penas Gemelas referred to the twin mountain crags that we walked toward. A river flows through it most of the way.
.
#oaxaca_bonito #oaxacamexico #oaxacatravel #apoala #apoalaoaxaca #hikemexico #hiking #hikingculture #walkwalkwalk #mountainhike #solotraveler #solowomantraveler #santiagoapoala #oaxtravel
Shoutout to a most excellent artisan collectivo sh Shoutout to a most excellent artisan collectivo shop, Aripo, Artesanias de Oaxaca. Beautiful work; I picked up a few small gifts.
.
#aripo #aripooaxaca #artisanmade #artisans #artisaniasmexicanas #oaxtravel #alebrijes
A visit to Benito Juárez’s home in Oaxaca. Peop A visit to Benito Juárez’s home in Oaxaca. People in this city and elsewhere in Mexico are very proud of Benito Juárez. He lived from 1806 to 1872 and he was Mexico‘s 26th president. He served from 1858 until his death. He was a Zapotec lawyer and politician and was Mexico’s first indigenous president and also the first indigenous man to lead a postcolonial country in the Americas. You can imagine this was a pretty big deal. He served at some pretty rough times during the country’s history. 
.
His house was interesting to see although the whole house is not open to the public. Unfortunately for me, there were few things to read in English, but the information was readily available on the Internet. 
.
#benitojuárez #benitojuarez #oaxaca #oaxacamexico #oaxacatravel #indigenoushistory #indigenouspeople #mexicanindigenoushistory @benitojuarez #mexicanhistory #aripo #aripooaxaca #artisanmade #artisans #artisaniasmexicanas #oaxtravel

Follow Us

Follow Us

Categories

About Our Editor

About Our Editor

Nancy Zaffaro loves to travel and explore, write and take photos. At home and away, she enjoys hearing people’s stories and feels at home just about anywhere. Learn more about Nancy and the rest of CTC's contributors.

U.S. Destinations

Write For Us

International Destinations

Food & Drink

  • Home
  • Our Site
  • Contributors
  • Write To Us
  • Write For Us
  • Work With Us
  • Disclosure
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Flickr

@ - All Rights Reserved.


Back To Top
Confetti Travel Cafe
  • Home
  • U.S. Destinations
    • Midwest
    • Northeast
    • Northwest
    • Southeast
    • Southwest
    • Coastal
  • International Destinations
    • Africa/Middle East
    • Antarctica/Arctic
    • Asia
    • Canada
    • Europe
    • Mexico/Central America/Carribean
    • Oceania
    • South America
  • Food & Drink
    • For the Home
    • On The Town
    • At the Bar
    • Recipes
  • Travel & Lifestyle
    • Getting There
    • Staying There
    • Travel Tips
    • Travel Gear & Gifts
    • People Stories
    • Focus on Photos
  • About
    • Our Site
    • Contributors
    • Write To Us
    • Write For Us
    • Work With Us
    • Disclosure
    • Subscribe
    • Privacy Policy