UNKNOWN ISLANDS OF THE WORLD

So you think you know all the little islands this planet has to offer? Well, here are 10 that you probably have never heard of. We're not off to the islands of Waikiki, as Nicki Minaj would say, but the secret islands hidden in plain sight.

1. The Azores, Portugal


2. San Andres, Colombia

3. Summer Isles, Scotland

4. Chiloe, Chile

5. Lord Howe Island, Australia


6. Isle au Haut, Maine



7. Ibo Island, Mozambique

8. Juist, East Frisian Islands, Germany

9. The Corn Islands, Nicaragua


10. Koh Rong, Cambodia


Have you ever been to any of these mysterious islands? I know I sure want to go and see what these islands have to offer.

Travel on wanderlusters!

SWIMMING IN THE CLEAR

You know when you are on vacation (or home) and you go to the ocean/sea/lake/other body of water and it's almost like walking into a dark pit of unknown fear. You walk in and start swimming only to feel something slimy on your feet or legs, fish nibbling at your body or a freaky unawareness of just how deep the water is...I don't know about you, but that scares the living shittake mushrooms out of me and I would rather just lay on the beach and become a lobster instead of experience that.

If you hate it too, here's a list of 34 places throughout the world that has clear water (thank you water gods):

1. Linapacan Island, Palawan, Philippines

2. The Maldives

3. Dog Island, San Blas, Panama

4. Cayo Coco, Cuba

5. Cala Macarelleta, Menorca, Spain

6. Sua Trench, Samoa

7. Crater Lake, Oregon, USA

8. Bak Bak Beach, Borneo

9. Jiuzhaigou Valley, Sichuan, China

10. Sabah, Malaysia

11. Jenny Lake, Wyoming, USA

12. Rio Sucuri, Brazil 

13. Calanque de Sormiou, France

14. Panari Island, Okinawa, Japan

15. Puerto Ayora, Galapagos

16. Lake Tahoe, Nevada, USA

17. Cayos Cochinos, Honduras

18. Primosten, Croatia

19. St. George, Bermuda

20. Hanauma Bay, Oahu, Hawaii

21. Pupu Springs, New Zealand

22. Calanque d'En-Vau, France

23. Rio Azul, Argentina

24. Corfu, Greece

25. Aitutaki, Cook Islands

26. Koh Phi Phi Don, Thailand

27. Playa Blanca, Colombia

28. Blue Lake, New Zealand (apparently the clearest water in the world)

29. Konigssee, Germany

30. Valle Verzasca, Switzerland

31. Tioman Island, Malaysia

32. Belo Sur Mer, Madagascar

33. Lake Marjorie, California, USA

34. Bodrum, Turkey

I'm dreaming of basking in these waters, are you?

Travel on wanderlusters!

ECUADOR

Ah, Ecuador, or the Republic of Ecuador, home to almost 15 million people and on the western side of South America. Ecuador borders Colombia, Peru and the Pacific Ocean (canoe from California to Ecuador? Me thinks yes!) The capital is Quito and the national currency is the U.S. dollar. Todo el mundo habla espanol.

 Head to Ecuador's main city, where the excitement is-- Quinto: 

1. Like Prague, Quinto has an Old Town!

2. Spend a few hours in the Museo Guayasamin, Museo del Banco Central or the Museo Etnografico de Artesania de Ecuador (looks extremely interesting- it's about the indigenous peoples of Ecuador). 

3. Munch on some authentic South American cuisine at: La Briciola, Hasta La Vuelta, Cafeteria Fabiolita.  

4. Start the day at one of the many breakfast cafes: Kallari or Magic Bean.

5. Visit the extravagant Basilica del Voto Nacional. 

6. Breathe easy at the Cotopaxi National Park, Parque El Ejido or Parque la Carolina.

7. Visit several of the surrounding volcanoes: Ilalo, Cotopaxi, Atacazo and Rucu Pichincha.

8. Throw your hands up on a roller coaster at Vulqano Park (an amusement park).

9. Wander around Plaza Grande for a while and take some tourist photos.

10. Drink a little, eat a lot and be fabulous in the La Mariscal neighborhood.

11. Spend a few hours gazing at the Colonial Homes.

12. Visit the Mitad del Mundo/Middle of the World Monument...literally, the middle of the world and then see the pretty animals at the Quito Zoo!

Cuenca, the third largest city in Ecuador is located in the Azuay Province:

1. Cave in and let someone guide you around a tour of the Inca Ruins of Ingapirca.

2. Spend a lazy day slowly walking around Museo Pumapungo or the religious museum, Museo de las Conceptas. 

3. Grab some souvenirs for your favorites back home at the Plaza de San Francisco Market. 

4. Snap some photos at Rio Tomebamba & Calle Large.

5. Grab a meal at: El Maiz, La Barraca, Cafe Austria, Tiestos or Moliendo Cafe. 

6. Satisfy your sweet tooth at Tutto Freddo. 

7. Get holy at the New Cathedral of Cuenca and Mirador de Turi...or get holy old-school at the Old Cathedral of Cuenca.

8. Visit the El Cajas- the national park in Cuenca.

9. Wander around Plaza Abdon Calderon. 

10. Smell the South American flowers at Ecuagenera.

Bored of the city scene? Explore the rest of beautiful Ecuador: 

1. Rent a car or take a bus for 3 hours to the Otavalo Market- South America's largest market. 

2. Breathe in the fresh rainforest air for 3 days on an Amazon Rainforest trip- starting at just $100. 

3. Venture for 3 to 4 days on the Quilotoa Loop.

4. Visit the Valley of Longevity and Vilcabamba.

5. Forget land, go to the Galapagos Islands!

6. Go to the middle of the world...literally, the middle of the world: the Equator (Mitad del Mundo). 

I am so excited to be moving to South America (Uruguay) in a year- I will definitely be making a trip over to Ecuador during my stay. The country and it's nature all looks so beautiful and refreshing. It's officially on the list for spring 2014 travels!

The next post will be on: Iceland.

Travel on wanderlusters!

P.S. I came across this article last night and I loved it. I will write a post about my thoughts/experience and opinions on this but here is the article for you to give a read. How beautiful is she? Gorgeous.