mytwenty-somethinglife

[mytwenty-somethinglife]

Day 328: What's your favorite hike and why? . Tim and I LOVE hiking. There's bring better than enjoying nature while getting in a workout and quality together time ❤️ . The morning of our midnight flight back to the US from Cape Town, we decided to tackle an impromptu hike up Lion's Head mountain. . This is one of the most popular hikes around Cape Town, thanks to its amazing views and easy accessibility from the city center. . It takes about 3-4 hours up and down again. It's challenging in a fun way - there are even chains and ladders to assist the climb up. If that's not for you, though, there's an alternative route that ascends more gradually. . Once at the top, you get incredible views of Table Mountain (which was amazingly not shrouded in fog this day), the city, and the ocean. . Sadly, at the time of my writing this, Lion's Head is on fire. The dry winds have spread the fire onto Cape Town's doorsteps and firefighters worked through the night to contain it. It's crazy to think a place we were just at is now up in flames. Stay safe, Cape Town. . If you want to see more about the fire, check out the #lionsheadfire or #capetownfire hashtag. . . . . . #southafrica #capetown #cityofcapetown #capetownmag #thisissouthafrica #hike #lovecapetown #meetsouthafrica #instagramcapetown #amazingcapetown #instagram_sa #visitsouthafrica #foreversouthafrica #southafricanskies #instagramsa #travelawesome #fantastic_earth #travelstoke #theglobewanderer #welivetoexplore #exploringtheglobe #traveltheworld #gltlove #relationshipgoals #travelcouple #coupleswhoexplore #coupleslovetravel #hikerchicks (at Lions Head Mountain Capetown) https://www.instagram.com/p/BtLZ4jFlaQY/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1rn24arizk0hx

[mytwenty-somethinglife]

Day 327: You probably shouldn't come here to take photos. . OK, I know it sounds hypocritical because... Obviously. But I hope this photo will get your attention and you'll read what I learned in the iconic Bo Kaap neighborhood in Cape Town. . Bo Kaap is famous for its colored houses. The story behind it is truly inspiring. South Africa has a nasty history when it comes to slavery and racism. In the 1700s, the Dutch colonizers brought slaves from Asia (notably Malaysia) to Cape Town. . When the slaves were emancipated, they moved into rented homes in this neighborhood. While leasing the homes, they had to keep them painted white. . Eventually more people were able to buy their homes. To express their freedom and ownership, they painted their homes in bright colors. . Visiting this neighborhood felt more like visiting an Instagram farm than the important historical and cultural landmark it is. . Every few meters, girls in flowy dresses posed for photos. People blocked traffic, climbed on top of cars, and stood on people's door steps for their shots. . My stomach turned over the spectacle this place had become. These are people's homes, after all. . This is a beautiful area and definitely worth visiting, but we need to do so respectfully. . If you visit Bo Kaap, or literally anywhere in the world, here are some ideas on how to not be a jerk. . ✔️ Don't block traffic for your photos. . ✔️Don't stand on people's private property. I would even make sure house numbers and license plates aren't in your photos. . ✔️ Don't climb on people's cars. Duh. . ✔️Visit the local museum and get your learn on 😎🤓 . ✔️Contribute. Buy something at the local market. . ✔️Don't visit if all you want is a photo. DO visit to celebrate diversity and honor the neighborhood's history. . #southafrica #capetown #travelawesome #traveldeeper #travelstoke #exploringtheglobe #welltravelled #letsgosomewhere #welivetoexplore #tasteintravel #theglobewanderer #africa #welltraveled #dametraveler #worlderlust #darlingescapes #roamtheplanet #thisissouthafrica #iammissadventure #womenwhoexplore #womentravel #theglobewanderer #gltlove #mytinyatlas #southafricaza #sheisnotlost #bokaap (at Bo-Kaap) https://www.instagram.com/p/BtJRqBQlEe7/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1h0gnx0zzxxcb

[mytwenty-somethinglife]

Day 326: If you think African safaris are all about land animals, think again! 🐧🐧 . Just a quick drive from Cape Town, you can visit a colony of endangered South African penguins at Boulders Beach. These little guys look out of place alongside the tropical beach vibes, and that's what makes seeing them so unique! Plus penguins are pretty much the cutest animals in the world to watch. . But wait, there's more! In Hout Bay just an hour away, you can visit a colony of Cape fur seals on the cheapest boat tour you'll ever take (less than $8 USD).⛴️ . Tomorrow I'll share how we designed an awesome itinerary to see these spots and more in just one day from Cape Town. . SWIPE to see more penguin and fur seal cuteness! . 📸 Blunders Beach and Hout Bay, South Africa • • • • • #southafrica #wildlife #capetown #travelawesome #traveldeeper #travelstoke #exploringtheglobe #welltravelled #letsgosomewhere #welivetoexplore #tasteintravel #theglobewanderer #africa #welltraveled #dametraveler #worlderlust #darlingescapes #roamtheplanet #safari #thisissouthafrica #iammissadventure #womenwhoexplore #womentravel #theglobewanderer #penguins #boulderbeach #gltlove #mytinyatlas #southafricaza #sheisnotlost (at Boulders Beach Penguin Colony) https://www.instagram.com/p/BtBK4lXlzVE/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=pxs3xcdpvcty

[mytwenty-somethinglife]

Day 326: Do you prefer solo travel, or joining a group tour? . . . . We like both for different reasons and different circumstances. We loved road tripping around Tasmania, Australia on our own, and bus hopped our way around Indonesia easily. . For our overland journey from Kenya to South Africa, though, we knew that with so many border crossings, long and remote drives, and challenging logistics, a group tour on an overland truck was the best option for us. . We ended up booking with @tucantravel and overall it was great! We had an amazing guide for most of the journey and made great friends along the way. Without having to worry about driving/navigation, we were able to relax more and just enjoy the experience. It also allowed us to cover a lot of ground in just shy of 2 months. . When we arrived to Cape Town and the tour was over, however, Tim and I were excited and ready to explore on our own again. We rented a car for a day and did a mini road trip around the Cape Peninsula, exploring the national parks, coastal views, and small towns along the way. . It was a perfect day, just the two of us on our own again, free to go wherever we chose. ❤️ . 📸Chapman's Peak Drive, South Africa . • • • • • #relationshipgoals #doyoutravel #roadtrip #southafrica #travelawesome #ontheroad #capetown #traveldeeper #couplegoals #travelstoke #exploringtheglobe #welltravelled #letsgosomewhere #mytinyatlas #welivetoexplore #tasteintravel #theglobewanderer #roadtrippin #welltraveled #worlderlust #nakedplanet #thisissouthafrica #meetsouthafrica #visitsouthafrica #capetownmag #instagram_sa #lonelyplanet #coupleswhoexplore #coupleslovetravel #globecouples (at Chapman's Peak) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bs-jwZfF3lE/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=asrafjb4sxp7

[mytwenty-somethinglife]

Day 326: On the edge of Africa. . . . . From August to December, we traveled (mostly) overland from Egypt to South Africa. That's the entire length of Africa. We visited 11 countries, saw all the animals, and brought home about a pound of desert sand in our bags and shoes that we'll probably never be able to get 100% rid of. . It was by far one of the most awe-inspiring continuous trips of my life. I'm so glad we committed to exploring Africa in depth on our 20 month honeymoon. . When we finally arrived in Cape Town, Tim and I rented a car to explore the Cape Peninsula. Sitting at this view point, near the southernmost point of the continent, feeling the cool wind, smelling the salt from the sea, and taking in the expanse of ocean in front of me, I realized how far we'd come. . 📸Cape Peninsula, South Africa • • • • • #roadtrip #femmetravel #instagram_sa #ontheroad #sheisnotlost #southafricaza #southafricanskies #thisissouthafrica #foreversouthafrica #thetravelwomen #girlsborntotravel #igerssouthafrica #meetsouthafrica #visitsouthafrica #ladiesgoneglobal #instagramcapetown #cityofcapetown #girlslovetravel #wearetravelgirls #capetownmag #sidewalkerdaily #gltlove #tablemountainnationalpark #travelblogger #travelgram #instatravel #womentravel #backpackersintheworld #travelgirlsgo #girlaroundworld (at Cape Peninsula Cape Town) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bs8HRSslMQd/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=we8ex0948r8n

[mytwenty-somethinglife]

Day 333: Time to put Namibia behind us! I hope you've enjoyed my posts from this amazingly diverse country. . With almost two weeks in Namibia for our road trip, our time there passed in a slow but pleasant way, like watching fog roll in. Leaving Namibia was as surreal as its landscape itself. Crossing the border felt like stepping out of Narnia through the wardrobe and back into the “real” world, to a place where canyons and lions and dunes and beaches don’t exist alongside each other. . Namibia has a way of bringing things together that normally aren't. The tallest sand dunes in the world tower over the desert, while a mere 350 miles away, the world’s second largest canyon rips through the earth. A quaint German town with Instagram-worthy architecture sits on the steps of one of the world’s great safari destinations. And I haven’t even mentioned the expansive salt flats. How can all of these things exist in one country the size of Texas? . I still can’t figure out how, over the course of a 10 day road trip, I rode a 4×4 over mighty dunes, saw more rhinos than I could keep track of, stood on an ethereal salt flat, ate the best pizza I’ve had all year (in a historically German town), and frolicked at the Atlantic Ocean – all in Namibia. . I just posted my Namibia travelogue to my website. Check it out from the link in my bio to hear more about our time in one of my favorite African destinations! I hope you'll love it as much as I do ❤️ . • • • • • #relationshipgoals #optoutside #namibia #ig_africa #loves_africa #couplegoals #getoutstayout #getoutside #theoutbound #keepitwild #adventureculture #exploremore #thegreatoutdoors #stayandwander #liveoutdoors #hiking #coupleswhoexplore #coupleslovetravel #CoupleGoals #globecouples #Namibiatravel #Namibiatourism #fishrivercanyon #canyon #optoutside #girlslovetravel #passionpassport #tucantravel #teamkaptainkenny #thetravelgirl (at Namibia) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bs5a3O9lKG2/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=3aaoo29yza62

[mytwenty-somethinglife]

Day 323: "Travel makes one modest. You see what a tiny place you occupy in this world." - Gustav Flaubert . . . . Fish River Canyon is the second largest canyon in the world. The Grand Canyon in Arizona is the largest, but it really doesn’t matter. When you’re looking at things THAT BIG, you can’t take it all in anyway. You lose your sense of scale, and that’s part of the magic of it. For the record, though, it’s 160 kilometers (100 miles) long, up to 27 kilometers wide, and almost 550 meters deep. . (By the way - I'm not nearly as close to the edge as this looks. Safety first!) • • • • • #canyon #namibia #canyons #ig_africa #loves_africa #wilderness #outdoors #scenery #hikingadventures #getoutside #instanaturelover #outdoor #optoutside #getoutstayout #keepitwild #adventureculture #exploremore #outdoorwomen #travelstoke #welivetoexplore #girlslovetravel #sheisnotlost #wearetravelgirls #ladiesgoneglobal #thetravelwomen #girlsvsglobe #darlingescapes #girlsborntotravel #fishrivercanyon #Namibiatravel (at Fish River Canyon) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bs3BYI8F4Pq/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1kyyckrso9kw8

[mytwenty-somethinglife]

Day 322: Life's a dance you learn as you go. . . . . When I was a kid my parents would often play music (usually country music or Jimmy Buffett) while making dinner. I would stand on my dad's feet while he held my hands and danced with me around the living room. . I told myself I always wanted to be part of a family that dances. . And here I am decades later, dancing (not well, mind you), laughing, and loving my way through life with the best husband I could have ever dreamed up. (at Sossusvlei) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bsx5YVaF8YC/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=12jgn3yhkru8r

[mytwenty-somethinglife]

Day 322: I love it when you call me Big Papa 🎶 . . . . Oh wait, I meant Big Daddy. . The so-called Big Daddy sand dune is the largest in the Sossusvlei area in Namibia. It stands about 350 meters high. 🏜️ . If you look closely towards the top right, you can see the tiny specks of those who had the time and energy to climb all the way to the top. 🔝💪 . 📸 Sossusvlei, Namibia . . (at Sossusvlei) https://www.instagram.com/p/BsvH3Trl-gu/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=cy37523f4hkn

[mytwenty-somethinglife]

Day 322: Have you ever heard of a star dune before? . . . . That's what Dune 45 in Namibia is. They form in sandy areas with erratic winds. The wind creates 3 or more "arms" of the dune that, when viewed from above, resemble a star shape. . Sitting on top of it watching our very own star rise was a highlight of our time in Namibia. . Tips for visiting Dune 45 for sunrise: . ⭐It's cool in the morning but warms up quickly - wear a jacket or layers! . ⭐The hike up the 170 m (560 ft) tall dune is a bit challenging thanks to the sand that slides you back a bit with every step you take. Expect it to take a half hour (more or less) and for your heart to be pumping when you get to the top! . ⭐If you wear shoes, you'll have sand in them forever. If you go barefoot, your feet might get cold. Neither is terrible, neither is great. . ⭐Don't forget water!!!! 💦💦💦 . 🌟Have some fun running down the side of the down afterwards - you'll feel like you're gliding! . . Swipe for more of my favorite pics from this morning, including one of the waterfall of sand I dumped out of my shoe after! (at Namib Desert) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bssmn5RFKj7/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=11m13m4webglh

[mytwenty-somethinglife]

Day 322: When the desert is so hot and dry, you carry your BIG water bottle! . . . . Just kidding, @gocontigo doesn't make bottles this big. . Aside from contemplating the surreal landscape at Sossusvlei, Namibia, we also spent some time playing with fun perspective shots (swipe for Tim's!). 😂🙈 . In all seriousness though, you really do need to drink a lot of water in the Namib Desert. And reusable water bottles are way cheaper over time and infinitely better for the environment than buying plastic bottles at the store. . What are some things you do to reduce single-use plastic consumption? . 📸 Sossusvlei, Namibia . (at Namibia) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bsp9VMNF54v/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=16obh51q1r63d

[mytwenty-somethinglife]

Day 322: “Love, that is day and night – love, that is sun and moon and stars, Love, that is crimson, sumptuous, sick with perfume, no other words but words of love, no other thought but love.” - Walt Whitman . . . . I have to give my best friend soul mate @timjohnkub a shout out today. Yesterday we arrived in Antigua, Guatemala. I wasn't feeling great (a cold, I think), and while I was in the shower he was busy making Kraft macaroni and cheese for me. I came to the kitchen to find a bowl ready for me and my favorite musical artist playing on Spotify. That's love, my friends. . 📸 Dune 45, Namibia . . . . . #sunrise #relationshipgoals #namibia #morning #relationship #ig_africa #loves_africa #couplegoals #exploringtheglobe #letsgosomewhere #mytinyatlas #welivetoexplore #tasteintravel #theglobewanderer #lonelyplanet #skylovers #tlpicks #bbctravel #welltraveled #darlingescapes #travelstoke #welltravelled #relationshipquotes #lovequotes #marriagegoals #doyoutravel #couples #powercouple #coupleslovetravel #Namibiatravel (at Namib-Naukluft National Park) https://www.instagram.com/p/BsnXW-4lONP/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=2wxmzyy4dthb

[mytwenty-somethinglife]

Day 322: Going for a walk on Mars. . . . . After an epic sunrise, we visited the ethereal Sossusvlei and Deadvlei salt and clay pans, which sit beside "Big Daddy", one of the tallest sand dune in the world at 325 meters. The landscape here looks like something you’d find on Mars. The ground is cracked and white, and petrified trees stand bare and dark against the bright orange backdrop of the surrounding dunes. It is one of the great sites of Namibia. . Taking the time to just appreciate the unique geology behind this place is essential to enjoying it. Thankfully, Tim and I love learning and had done a little research beforehand to help us appreciate the science behind what we were seeing. The entire desert region is about 80 million years old - the oldest in the world. Sossusvlei itself was created by the Tsauchab River. Over time, the Tsauchab River was blocked off by the sand dunes. It no longer flowed to what is now Sossusvlei. The ground dried up, leaving behind the cracked clay and salt surface. . How cool is that!? . Who else geeks out about the science behind places? 🙋‍♀️ . . . . . #darlingescapes #desert #namibia #femmetravel #ig_africa #sheisnotlost #loves_africa #thetravelwomen #girlsborntotravel #dametraveler #exploringtheglobe #welltravelled #desertlife #ladiesgoneglobal #letsgosomewhere #mytinyatlas #welivetoexplore #girlslovetravel #tasteintravel #wearetravelgirls #theglobewanderer #sidewalkerdaily #lonelyplanet #tlpicks #Sossusvlei #deadvlei #Namibiatravel #Namibiatourism #gltlove #travel_wander_dreamer (at Sossusvlei) https://www.instagram.com/p/BslAWv9FR7h/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=erl8uhrkok7u

[mytwenty-somethinglife]

Day 322: Not every morning starts with a rainbow, but every morning should start with love🌈😊 . . . . Tim and I have a morning routine that I swear by. Every morning we wake up together, the first thing we do is hug. We call it a "good morning hug". It starts the day off with love and kindness. It puts us both in a good mindset to begin the day. And it only takes a few seconds. . The few times we've forgotten, we've quickly realized it because one of us is more likely to say something grumpy to the other. Right away, we realize we haven't had our hug yet. . Do you have any morning routines that bring you joy? . 📸 Sunrise at Dune 45, Namibia . . . . . #relationshipgoals #namibia #sunrise #relationship #ig_africa #loves_africa #couplegoals #exploringtheglobe #welltravelled #letsgosomewhere #mytinyatlas #welivetoexplore #tasteintravel #theglobewanderer #lonelyplanet #skylovers #tlpicks #welltraveled #relationshipadvice #hopelessromantic #stayandwander #exploremore #travelandlife #travel_wander_dreamer #Namibiatravel #Namibiatourism #africa #coupleswhoexplore #coupleslovetravel #desertadventures (at Dune 45) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bsf6H7lFlvN/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1599xshqx7w9e

[mytwenty-somethinglife]

Day 322: This is a moment I'll never forget - . . . . Sitting on top of Dune 45 (so-called because it sits at the 45km mark on the road between Sesriem and Soussevlei), my breath heavy from the steep climb up, watching the sun rise over some of the tallest and oldest sand dunes in the world. . . . . . #ig_africa #loves_africa #girlslovetravel #sunrise #desert #africa #namibia #sheisnotlost #morning #safari #wearetravelgirls #ladiesgoneglobal #africanamazing #femmetravel #thetravelwomen #cloudporn #skyporn #skylovers #glt #girlsvsglobe #globelletravels #thisisafrica #desertlife #dunes #darlingescapes #girlswhotravel #girlsborntotravel #sidewalkerdaily #femaletravelbloggers #travel_wander_dreamer (at Dune 45) https://www.instagram.com/p/BsdVqEdFNE0/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1mbjux1fdccwi

[mytwenty-somethinglife]

Day 321: I threw up less than a minute after this photo was taken. TMI? Sorry about that. . Traveling in an overland truck through Africa was not glamorous in any way. Especially being prone to car sickness 🤦‍♀️ . On our way to Sesriem, Namibia, we traversed rough, twisty mountain roads. Eventually we crossed the Tropic of Capricorn, the southernmost latitude where the sun can be directly overhead. Thankfully, this gave us a reason to stop for a photo op...and for me to uhh, settle my stomach. . Do you ever get motion sickness on long drives? I always want to read or play on my phone (I'm still addicted to Candy Crush), but if I look away from the windows for too long, I feel awful!! . . 📸 Tropic of Capricorn, between Swakopmund and Sesriem, Namibia . . #Namibia #Namibiatravel #Namibiatourism #africa #gltlove #femaletravelbloggers #travelblogger #travelgram #instatravel #wanderlust #travel #beautifuldestinations #girlslovetravel #passionpassport #tucantravel #teamkaptainkenny #thetravelgirl #travel_wander_dreamer #worldnomads #lonelyplanet #wearetravelers #coupleswhoexplore #travelcouple #coupleslovetravel #girlaroundworld #womenwhoexplore #globecouples #traveldreamseekers #intravelist #tropicofcapricorn (at Namibia) https://www.instagram.com/p/BsbLlP9FALX/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=i497m6qtrxha

[mytwenty-somethinglife]

I have teamed up with @yoncalodge, @viafairtravel, @fairtravelreps and others to contribute to the promotion of sustainable, ethical & fair tourism. To celebrate this partnership, we are having a huge Turkey Giveaway with 12 winners. . WIN IN 20 SECONDS! Follow these 2 steps: 1) LIKE this post and FOLLOW these 4 accounts: This account @our21stcenturyodyssey, @viafairtravel, @fairtravelreps and @yoncalodge 2) TAG 1 friend per comment below THIS POST. You can enter as MANY COMMENTS as you want. (example: 100 comments with 1 tagged friend = 100 chances to win) not allowed= tagging the same friend more than once. . Prize 1st winner: A full week stay for 2 persons in the beautiful Yonca Eco Lodge in Turkey, in the breath taking Fethiye region. Breakfast included! Prizes 2nd to 6th winners (swipe left): Bespoke Eco Statement T-Shirt by @ecochictribe with YOUR statement of choice. 100% organic and ethical + 20% discount on all accommodation offers of Yonca Eco Lodge Prizes 7th to 12th winners: 20% discount on all accommodation offers of Yonca Eco Lodge . * Open internationally. Ends on 13/01 10 PM. 12 finalists from this account will be randomly picked by a random picker app and will participate in the final draw of the winners, conducted with a random picker app and filmed by @viafairtravel as proof of fair lottery. The winners must be following ALL INDICATED ACCOUNTS and will be published on @viafairtravelgifts on 16/01 15:00 CET. This is in no way sponsored, administered, or associated with Instagram Inc. Entrants confirm that they are 18 years or older, and release Instagram and all brands and participants of all responsibility, and agree to Instagram terms of service. VOID where prohibited. All reservations are subject to the accomodation's availability. Pictures by @yoncalodge . . . #sustainability #ethical #uniqueness #responsibletourism #sustainabletourism #responsibletravel #ecofriendly #wildlife #conservation #ecological #ecohotel #viafairtravel #fairtravelreps #offgrid #sustainable #nature #awayfromtheworld #visitturkey #turkey #traveler #traveling #iamtb #amazingplaces #travelenjoyrespect #fairtrade #yoncalodge #boutiquehotel #ecohotel #fethiye (at Fethiye, Malatya, Turkey) https://www.instagram.com/p/BsYRgkVlipz/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=jxvkryecex4o