Erika Bisbocci
Erika is an avid traveler and explorer of over ninety countries on six different continents. Since 2011, she has spent time studying Arabic in the Middle East, teaching English in Namibia and working as a flight attendant for a major US airline. When not traveling overseas, she loves exploring her own backyard in the beautiful Pacific Northwest.
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Visiting the San Blas Islands in Panama
Imagine a place where palm-fringed islands lie shimmering amongst turquoise waters. A place where gentle waves rise and fall against powdery sands. One where a simpler pace of life prevails. And imagine that this place, devoid of cars and concrete, has remained seemingly untouched by the modern world. As though time stood still in 1491. Though this description may seem like a rendering of paradise, I promise it exists—not merely in my dreams—but also in the remote and paradisiacal San Blas Islands of Panama. THE SAN BLAS ISLANDS (GUNA YALA)…
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The Kuna People in Panama’s San Blas
The Kuna are an ethnic group that inhabits the remote and idyllic San Blas Islands that lie between Panama and Colombia. Known for their colorful embroideries and fiercely independent way of life, the Kuna are a small yet proud community of around 300.000 people. The majority of Panama’s Kuna population resides on the idyllic string of islands that speckles the Caribbean Sea. The islands–also known as the Guna Yala–are a group of over 360 picture-perfect white-sand islands the dot the Caribbean waters along Panama’s coastline. THE SAN BLAS ISLANDS…
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One Day in Panama City Panama
“Oh wow! Have fun in Florida” everyone would say after I told them I had plans to go to Panama for ten days. “I hear the beach is really nice there.” And when I told them no, that I’d be going to the country called Panama rather than the Floridian beach resort, they would often nod their heads in understanding. “Oh yes” they would say. “The Panama Canal.” The Panama Canal. It’s one of the top things to do in Panama, and the country’s claim to fame. It is the only thing…
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Things to do in Bocas del Toro, Panama
Bocas del Toro is a popular backpackers haunt well known for its laid-back vibe, its turquoise waters, its mangrove-covered coves, and its pretty white-sand beaches. The archipelago consists of forested islands, scores of uninhabited islets and the Parque Nacional Marino Isla Bastimentos—Panama’s oldest marine park. With its plentiful attractions and diverse wildlife, Panama’s tourism hub attracts divers and sun-seekers from around the world. The town of Bocas del Toro oozes chill. Known lovingly as Bocas, the jumble of Caribbean-style clapboard houses is the perfect launching-off point for excursions into the…
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The Beautiful Goree Island in Senegal
Wander the sandy streets of tiny Goree Island in Senegal, and you might begin to feel that you were stuck in time. The tiny island off the coast of West Africa is a colonial gem with a relaxed Afro-European vibe. It is a place where sandy streets meander through groves of baobabs, where fishermen set out on vibrantly colored boats to find their fresh catch of the day, and where women walk the streets clothed in traditional batiks. Goree Island is a picturesque place that feels worlds away from the…
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The Blue Lagoon: Visiting Iceland’s Natural Spa on a Layover
Overpriced, overcrowded and overrun with tourists. Iceland’s Blue Lagoon is all these things. But it is also tranquil, therapeutic and overwhelmingly beautiful. I visited the Blue Lagoon on my twenty-four hour Reykjavik layover, after spending the morning meandering along the colorful streets of Iceland’s capital. Since I knew I was going to forego sleeping for a few hours upon my arrival, I figured pairing my fast-paced morning with a relaxing evening would be the perfect way to maximize my layover, while minimizing the exhaustion I often feel when deciding to…
