Audapting With Audventurism

Updated: Apr 25

Aspire to inspire. Now that I’m awakened and aligned with the universal source, I would like to share the story of my backpacking journey by backtracking to the Summer of June 2019, right after teaching yoga for 3 months at a yoga resort in the Osa Peninsula, Puerto Jimenez, Costa Rica. I’ll start off with a summary of my trip here, and then post about my experience in each place I visited so that you can adapt along with me into Audventurism! Before embarking on this journey, I came up with an itinerary on Google Docs and ever since kept adding to it (shocked there’s not an easier planning system out there, and if you know of one, please do inform me). All I had to go by was a list of places I wanted to visit, along with some research and recommendations about those places. That’s right, I didn’t have anything really “planned” and this was a first for me...as I was used to planning what was to come with my controlled monkey mind and project manager role in me (naturally a type-A mindset). In the beginning, I started to book things far in advance, until I soon realized that was the wrong way to do this “backpacker” life-style. And eventually, along the way, people would provide advice and recommendations about where to go and where to stay, at the exact right time. I didn’t need to “plan” because the universe was guiding me – it had my back, every step of the way. So basically, I started out with an itinerary to visit 10 or so countries along with some suggestions, my large backpack, medium backpack and small backpack...along with a whole lot of fear and excitement inside. Not to mention, I’ve had insomnia problems since college and am naturally an introvert -- talk about conquering your fears!

Below is the original itinerary that I worked off of (dates are not exact, but close). I added along the accommodations (through Booking.com & Airbnb.com) and a short summary about each experience (including a snip from my journal).

ITINERARY

COSTA RICA

Duration: ~6 days

June 14-16 Nosara-Mamma Rosa Aparthotel

June 16-20 Puerto Viejo-Oasis Hostel

Summary: jungle, beach, biodiversity (exotic plants & animals), fresh food, surfing, hiking, happy locals, pura vida.

Journal: Pure/ideal, exotic, I loved the jungle life, beaches, people-lifestyle.

PANAMA

Duration: ~10 days

June 20-22 Bocas Del Toro-Pipa Loca Bay

June 22-24 Bocas Del Toro-Bambuda Lodge

June 24-27 Boquete-Bambuda Castle

*Coffee tour

June 27 Panama City-Zebulo Hostel

June 28-30 Panama City-Hotel Casa Panama

Summary: party/reggae, drugs, touristy, nice but some rude locals (varies), diverse towns from modern/poor parts of the city to rural/indigenous. Vast amounts of green mountains and beautiful sunsets.

Journal: fun, trashy, don't see myself wanting to live there, touristy

COLOMBIA

Duration: ~27 days

June 30-July 3 Cartagena-Maloka

July 3-5 Santa Marta-Masaya & Tayrona Park-camped

July 5-8 Palomino-Palomino Dreamers

July 8-11 Medellín-Los Patios

July 11-13 Jardin-Sergeant Pepper’s

*Coffee tour

July 13-15 Salento-La Terrazas

July 15-17 Popayan-Hotel La Herreria Colonial

July 17 Ipiales-Casa De Peregrinos

Summary: party/salsa/colorful, prostitution, drugs, lots of tourism, diversity throughout the cultures in each town, very nice locals in each town. Didn’t feel as dangerous as expected, very beautiful vast amounts of green mountains and sunsets as well.

Journal: colorful and mountainous, diverse in each area

ECUADOR

Duration: ~10 days

July 18-20 Quito-Friends Hotel & Rooftop

July 20-22 Quilotoa-Maritata’s House Hostel

July 22-24 Banos-Hostal Amazonia y sol

*Waterfall bike tour

July 24-28 Montanita-Casa Del Sol

Summary: very poor, tourism-dependent, buses not so great, beautiful mountains from greenery to glaciers, rude locals except for in rural areas, very cold water and wind chills but very sunny at the same time so hard to know what to wear because the weather changes so drastically.

Journal: very indigenous, kind people, hiking, waterfalls

PERU

Duration: ~20 days

July 28-31 Mancora-Hospedajo El Italiano

Aug 1-3 Lobitos-La Casona de Lobitos

Aug 3-5 Huanchaco-Frogs Chillhouse

Aug 6-7 Huarez-Akilpo

Aug 7-10 Lima-Faraona Grand Hotel

Aug 10-11 Cusco to Aguas Calientes/Machu Picchu-Flowers House

Aug 12-14 Cusco-Hotel Santa Maria

Aug 15 bus to Arequipa

Aug 16-17 Colca Canyon (*2-day tour)

Aug 17 Arequipa-Conde de Lemos

Summary: party/reggae/drugs, tourism in cities, some nice and rude locals, buses very nice, lots of desert and very high snow capped mountains, yummy foods, cold and hot in certain parts.

Journal: switched between poor to wealthy to touristy to party, instruments, surfing, hiking

BOLIVIA

Duration: ~10 days

Aug 18-19 Copacabana

Aug 20-24 La Paz-Loki Hostel

Aug 25-27 Uyuni Salt Desert (*3-day tour)

Aug 28-29 Sucre-El Hotel De Su Merced

Aug 29 flight to Rio

Summary: party/dirty, tourism-dependent, nice and rude locals, colorful by Lake Titicaca with the best stuffed trout I’ve ever had, witch markets, women wrestling, white capital and desert with amazing views and relaxing times.

Journal: beautiful landscapes, poor, thriving on tourism

BRAZIL

Duration: ~7 days

Aug 29-Sept 1 Rio de Janeiro-Ipanema Beach Hostel

Sept 2 head to Sao Paulo

Sept 2-4 Sao Paulo-Oyo San Francisco Plazza hotel

Sept 5 flight to Iguazu Falls

Summary: lots of parties and beach/games/working out by the beach vibes with music playing all the time. First impression was more of an emo-feel at my hostel, but then turned into a rustic fun place. Clean and beautiful with a lot of history and variety of mixed cultures together.

Journal: healthy, modern, fun, music, I could see myself going back here

ARGENTINA

Duration: ~6 days

Sept 5-6 Iguazu Falls-San Martin Resort and Spa

*Speedboat tour

Sept 6 flight to Buenos Aires

Sept 7-11 Buenos Aires-Lopez Hostel

Summary: many green parks and has a European feel with many Asians around as well. Historical neighborhoods with different vibes in each spot from modern to hipster to trashy.

Journal: modern and European feel. I don’t see myself wanting to live here

CHILE

Duration: ~7 days

Sept 11-12 Santiago-Rado Hostel

Sept 13-16 Valparaiso-Hotel Boutique Casa Vander

Sept 17-18 Pichilemu-Patiperro Hostel

Summary: really friendly people with a chill fun vibe. The coast was completely different, a bit dirty/sketchy with a lot of history, steps, graffiti and rural but touristy beach feel. Yummy foods and like to party.

Journal: really enjoyed the people, very nice, welcoming and very helpful and happy, cultural

NEW ZEALAND

Duration: ~14 days

Sept 19-flight to New Zealand

Sept 20-24 Auckland-Airbnb- “Bag End. Wee cottage,tons of cute near everything”, “Private bathroom· Queen bed· Flexible checking-in”, “Central location /Ensuite Bathroom /Cont breakfast”

Sept 25-26 Rotura-Rock Solid Backpackers hostel

*Hobbiton tour

Sept 27 Lake Taupo- Haka Lodge Taupo

Sept 28 *Waitomo Caves tour, head back to Auckland-Jucy Snooze Auckland

Sept 29 flight to South Island

Sept 30-Oct 2-Queenstown-Jucy Snooze Queenstown

Oct 3 Millford Sound/Lake Wanaka-Wanakabakpaka Hostel

Oct 4-5 Franz & Fox Glaciers-Glow Worm Hostel

Oct 6 Lake Pukaki & Tekapo-Tailor Made Lodge

Oct 7-8 Christchurch-Foley Towers Hostel

Oct 9 flight to Australia

Summary: the most stunning landscapes with snow-capped mountains to view every direction and valleys with sheep and cows everywhere, windy roads. Good food, hiking vibes.

Journal: a bit serious but very beautiful and romantic. I would want to have a partner here to explore more

AUSTRALIA

Duration: ~14 days

Oct 9-10 Cairns-Bounce Cairns Hostel

Oct 11 Arlie Beach-Backpackers By the Bay Hostel

Oct 12 *Whitehaven Beach and Island All Inclusive Day Tour - ZigZag Whitsundays

Oct 13 Rockhampton-Southside Holiday Village

Oct 14-15 Noosa & Sunshine Beach-Dolphins Beach House

Oct 16-18 Gold Coast-Backpackers in Paradise

Oct 19 Byron Bay-Byron Bay Beach Hostel

Oct 20 flight to Sydney

Oct 21-23 stayed with family friends

Oct 24 flight to Melbourne

Oct 25-28 Melbourne-Pint On Punt Backpackers Hostel

Summary: a lot of drinking, partying and beautiful beaches, snorkeling, boats, Asian neighborhoods and fish and chips, koalas and kangaroos.

Journal: party yet relaxing, beaches and cities beautiful yet crowded, nice people, many drunks

SINGAPORE

Duration: ~7 days

Oct 27-Nov 2-stayed in a friend’s Airbnb

Nov 3-flight to Indonesia

Summary: humid and sweaty, clean and maintained everywhere with lots of rules, temples and Chinese/Indian/Asian cultures everywhere and tons of small food courts (seafood, rice and meat dishes).

Journal: clean, strict and civilized, only need a short time here

INDONESIA

Duration: ~7 days

Nov 3-4 Uluwatu-Lala Homestay Bingin

Nov 5 Nusa Penida-Deva Devi Beach Inn

Nov 6 Nusa Lembongan-Sea Bridge Villa Ceningan

Nov 7-8 Ubud-Kunang Kunang Guest House

Nov 9-10 Canggu-Serenity Eco Guesthouse

Nov 11 flight to Vietnam

Summary: motorcycles, temples, smoothie bowls, and cafes everywhere. Lots of tourists, beautiful sunsets and very friendly people/locals.

Journal: religious influences, nice people, chaotic, beautiful landscapes and structures

VIETNAM

Duration: ~7 days

Nov 11-12 Saigon/Ho Chi Minh City-Vitamin Smiles Hostel

*Cu Chi Tunnels tour

Nov 13 Phan Thiet-Cô Tư's Homestay

*White Sand Dunes Tour

Nov 14-15 Hanoi-Serenity Diamond Hotel

*Lying Dragon/ Hang Mua tour

Nov 16-18 Cat Ba-LePont Bungalow Hostel

Nov 19 flight to Cambodia

Summary: motorcycles everywhere, traffic jams, markets with hanging meats like duck, chaotic, beautiful islands, boats, yummy foods.

Journal: hectic, fun, beautiful scenery

CAMBODIA

Duration: ~4 days

Nov 19-22 Siem Reap-Onederz Siem Reap Hostel

*Angkor Wat tour

Nov 22 flight to Thailand

Summary: poor/indigenous, ancient ruins, friendly locals, thrives off tourism.

Journal: poor, tourist trap, ancient

THAILAND

Duration: ~14 days

Nov 22-23 Bangkok-Laksameenarai Guesthouse

Nov 24-25 Phuket-Kata Beach-Sleepy Station

Nov 26-27 Phi Phi Islands-Ivory Phi Phi Island Hostel

Nov 28-Dec 2 Chiang Mai-B House Chiang Mai Thailand

*Bamboo Elephant tour

Dec 2 flight to India (Delhi to Rishikesh)

Summary: motorcycles everywhere, nice and rude locals, yummy foods, beautiful beaches and islands.

Journal: touristy, healthy, religious influences, hectic, beautiful landscapes

INDIA

Duration: ~20 days

Dec 2-14 Rishikesh-Om Shanti Om Ashram

Dec 15-18 New Delhi-Moustache Hostel Delhi

Dec 19 Agra-goStops Hostel (Stops Hostel Agra)

Dec 20-21 Jaipur-Moustache Hostel Jaipur

Dec 22-flight to USA

Summary: 3rd world/unreal, chaotic, dirty/polluted, ancient, ayurveda, yummy foods, yoga, cattle, non-stop.

Journal: ancient wisdom, divine truth, ayurveda, yoga, want to go back

LOGISTICS

Total Vaccinations: 4

Tetanus
Hepatitis A
Yellow Fever (didn’t even need it)
Typhoid

In my REI/Big Backpack:

1 pair of long black regular legging
3 pairs of long workout leggings
4 pairs of regular workout leggings
1 pair of jean shorts
1 pair of water shorts
2 pairs of workout shorts
6 pairs of workout shirts
5 pairs of regular tanks
6 pairs of sports bras
5 t-shirts
2 sweatshirts
1 rain jacket (Patagonia Torrentshell)
1 pair of running shoes (Nike )
1 pair of hiking shoes (Altra Superior 4 Trail-Running Shoes)
1 pair of water shoes (Chaco)
1 pair of sandals (Birkenstocks)
1 pair of regular flip flops (Havanas)
1 bag of sunscreen/bug spray, etc
1 small travel towel (Rainleaf Microfiber)

In my Northface/Medium Backpack:

1 bag of medicine (Tylenol, Tums, etc.)
1 bag of toiletries
Laptop, journal, kindle
Chargers

In my REI/Small Backpack (included with the big backpack):

Water bottle (Hydroflask), wallet and random necessities (snacks, lip-balm, etc.)

Health Insurance:

Travelex Insurance: Travel Insurance and Trip Protection
August 2019-December 2019
$552

Budget:

Didn't really have one (since this wasn't planned), but my goal was to spend about $1.5k/month (spent about $15k)

TRANSPORTATION

Total Buses: ~22

Puerto viejo to Bocas Del Toro
Boquete to Panama City
Cartagena to Medellin
Medellin to Jardin
Jardin to Salento
Salento to Popoyan
Popoyan to Ipiales
Ipiales to Quito
Quito to Quilotoa
Quilotoa to Baños
Baños to Montanita
Montanita to Mancora
Mancora to Lobitos
Lobitos to huanchaco
Huanchaco to Huarez
Huarez to Lima
Cusco to Arequipa
Arequipa to puno
Copacabana to la Paz
La Paz to Uyuni
Uyuni to Sucre
Rio to São Paulo

Total Flights: ~12

Panama to Colombia
Chile to New Zealand
New Zealand to Australia
Gold Coast to Sydney
Sydney to Melbourne
Australia to Singapore
Singapore to Bali
Bali to Vietnam
Vietnam to Cambodia
Cambodia to Thailand
Thailand to India
India to America

Total Car Rentals (*through JUCY Rentals): 3

NEW ZEALAND

1.North Island-Auckland back to Auckland-5 days

~NZD $243.05

2. South Island-Queenstown to Christchurch-9 days

~NZD $648.46

AUSTRALIA

3. Cairns to Gold Coast-6 days

~AUD $307.23

ACCOMODATION

Booking.com Reservations: ~60

*Top-Most Recent {Exact Dates, Prices }

INDIA

Moustache Hostel Delhi

Dec 15, 2019 – Dec 18, 2019·New Delhi

$115

Moustache Hostel, Jaipur

Dec 20, 2019 – Dec 21, 2019·Jaipur

$40

THAILAND

Lala Homestay Bingin

Nov 3, 2019 – Nov 5, 2019·Uluwatu

$41

Deva Devi Beach Inn

Nov 5, 2019 – Nov 6, 2019·Nusa Penida

$15

Sea Bridge Villa Ceningan

Nov 6, 2019 – Nov 7, 2019·Nusa Lembongan

$39

Kunang Kunang Guest House

Nov 7, 2019 – Nov 9, 2019·Ubud

$48

Serenity Eco Guesthouse

Nov 9, 2019 – Nov 11, 2019·Canggu

$62

VIETNAM

The Art - Vitamin Smiles Hostel

Nov 11, 2019 – Nov 13, 2019·Ho Chi Minh City

$37

Cô Tư's Homestay

Nov 13, 2019 – Nov 14, 2019·Phan Thiet

Serenity Diamond Hotel

Nov 14, 2019 – Nov 16, 2019·Hanoi

$52

Little Charm Hanoi Hostel

Nov 16, 2019 – Nov 17, 2019·Hanoi

Canceled

$15

LePont Cat Ba Bungalow

Nov 16, 2019 – Nov 19, 2019·Cat Ba

$57

Onederz Siem Reap

Nov 19, 2019 – Nov 22, 2019·Siem Reap

$88.70

THAILAND

Laksameenarai Guesthouse

Nov 22, 2019 – Nov 24, 2019·Bangkok

$58

Sleepy Station

Nov 24, 2019 – Nov 26, 2019·Kata Beach

$72

Ivory Phi Phi Island

Nov 26, 2019 – Nov 28, 2019·Phi Phi Islands

$101

B House Chiang Mai Thailand

Nov 28, 2019 – Dec 2, 2019·Chiang Mai

$82

NEW ZEALAND

Glow Worm Accommodation

Oct 5, 2019 – Oct 6, 2019·Franz Josef

$53

Foley Towers BBH

Oct 7, 2019 – Oct 9, 2019·Christchurch

$117

AUSTRALIA

Bounce Cairns

Oct 9, 2019 – Oct 11, 2019·Cairns

$35

Backpackers By The Bay

Oct 11, 2019 – Oct 13, 2019·Airlie Beach

$104

Southside Holiday Village

Oct 13, 2019 – Oct 14, 2019·Rockhampton

$68

Dolphins Backpackers

Oct 14, 2019 – Oct 16, 2019·Sunshine Beach

$144

Backpackers In Paradise Resort

Oct 16, 2019 – Oct 19, 2019·Gold Coast

$67

The Surf House

Oct 19, 2019 – Oct 21, 2019·Byron Bay

$56

Pint On Punt Backpackers

Oct 24, 2019 – Oct 27, 2019·Melbourne

$134

CHILE

Rado Boutique Hostel

Sept 11, 2019 – Sept 13, 2019·Santiago

$121.50

Hotel Boutique Casa Vander

Sept 13, 2019 – Sept 16, 2019·Valparaíso

$181.23

BOLIVIA

Loki Hostel

Aug 18, 2019 – Aug 20, 2019·La Paz

$63.70

El Hotel de Su Merced

Aug 26, 2019 – Aug 28, 2019·Sucre

$78.38

BRAZIL

Ipanema Beach Hostel

Aug 29, 2019 – Sept 1, 2019·Rio de Janeiro

$125

Ipanema Beach Hostel

Sept 1, 2019 – Sept 2, 2019·Rio de Janeiro

$35

ARGENTINA

LOPEZ Hostel & Suites

Sept 2, 2019 – Sept 5, 2019·Buenos Aires

$97.50

San Francisco Plazza

Sept 2, 2019 – Sept 5, 2019·São Paulo

$59

BOLIVIA

San Martin Cataratas Resort & Spa

Sept 5, 2019 – Sept 7, 2019·Foz do Iguaçu

$102

Loki Hostel

Aug 18, 2019 – Aug 20, 2019·La Paz

$63.70

PANAMA

Bambuda Castle

Jun 24, 2019 – Jun 25, 2019·Boquete

$66.24

Bambuda Castle

Jun 25, 2019 – Jun 26, 2019·Boquete

$66.24

Zebulo Hostel

Jun 26, 2019 – Jun 27, 2019·Panama City

$27

Hotel Casa Panama

Jun 28, 2019 – Jun 30, 2019·Panama City

$146.60

COLOMBIA

Maloka Boutique Hostel

Jun 30, 2019 – Jul 1, 2019·Cartagena de Indias

$40

Masaya Hostel Santa Marta

Jul 3, 2019 – Jul 4, 2019·Santa Marta

$13

Dreamer Palomino

Jul 5, 2019 – Jul 6, 2019·Palomino

$77

Los Patios Hostel

Jul 8, 2019 – Jul 11, 2019·Medellín

$127

Sergeant Pepper's Hostel

Jul 11, 2019 – Jul 12, 2019·Jardin

$17

Terrazas de Salento

Jul 13, 2019 – Jul 15, 2019·Salento

$50

Hotel La Herreria Colonial

Jul 15, 2019 – Jul 17, 2019·Popayan

$50

Hotel Casa de Peregrinos

Jul 17, 2019 – Jul 18, 2019·Ipiales

$21

ECUADOR

Friends Quito

Jul 18, 2019 – Jul 20, 2019·Quito

$48.60

Martita's house hostal

Jul 20, 2019 – Jul 21, 2019·Quilotoa

$55

Hostal Amazonia y sol

Jul 21, 2019 – Jul 23, 2019·Baños

$26.32

Casa del Sol

Jul 24, 2019 – Jul 27, 2019·Montañita

$60.75

PERU

Hospedaje El Italiano

Jul 29, 2019 – Jul 31, 2019·Máncora

$76

La Casona de Lobitos

Jul 31, 2019 – Aug 1, 2019·Lobitos

$11.25

Frogs Chillhouse Hostel

Aug 3, 2019 – Aug 4, 2019·Huanchaco

$12.32

Akilpo

Aug 6, 2019 – Aug 7, 2019·Huaraz

$22.05

Faraona Grand Hotel

Aug 7, 2019 – Aug 10, 2019·Lima

$239.40

Flower's House

Aug 10, 2019 – Aug 11, 2019·Machu Picchu

$59.50

Hotel Santa Maria

Aug 11, 2019 – Aug 12, 2019·Cusco

$47.24

Hotel Santa Maria

Aug 12, 2019 – Aug 14, 2019·Cusco

$86.46

COSTA RICA

Oasis

Jun 16, 2019 – Jun 20, 2019·Puerto Viejo

$49.08

[WHEN MY DAD VISITED]

Hotel Cabinas Murillo

May 20, 2019 – May 21, 2019·2 rooms·Drake

$50

Hotel Villas Rio Mar

May 21, 2019 – May 22, 2019·2 rooms·Dominical

$150

Camino Verde B&B Monteverde Costa Rica

May 22, 2019 – May 23, 2019·2 rooms·Monteverde Costa Rica

$108

Airbnb.com Reservations: ~3

*{Exact Dates, Prices }

NEW ZEALAND

SEP 20 – SEP 23-Your cottage reservation $163.79

37Collingwood Street, Auckland, Auckland 1011, New Zealand

SEP 23 – SEP 24-Your apartment reservation $57.20

37 Symonds Street, Auckland, Auckland 1010, New Zealand

SEP 24 – SEP 25-Your bungalow reservation $63.63

4 Fontenoy Street, Auckland, Auckland 1025, New Zealand

ENTERTAINMENT

Total Tours: ~40

City Free Walking Tours: South America ~15
Coffee Tours: Panama (Boquete), Colombia (Jardin) ~2
Boat Tours: Brazil (Iguazu), Australia (Coral Reefs, Whitesundays) ~3
Biking Tours: Ecuador (Banos), Bolivia (Death Road) ~2
Hostel Tours: Various locations (walking, hiking, hot springs, food, etc.) ~9
Other Tours: Ecuador (Amazon Day Tour), Bolivia (Uyuni Salt Desert), New Zealand (Hobbiton & Glow Worm), Indonesia (Nusa Penida scooter to Kelingking Beach), Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh, Cu Chi Tunnels), Vietnam (Phan Thiet White/Red Sand Dunes), Vietnam (Hanoi, Lying Dragon), Thailand (Chiang Mai Bamboo Elephant) ~9