Bula Suva: A Fijian Sojourn
What I could only remember was the aching. I was fairly new in a country for a job that didn’t agree with my insatiable thirst for creativity. I was with “friends” who didn’t speak my brand of poetry. It would have been okay if I didn’t have much choice. But no. Back in Cebu, I had found my niche: cosmic friends, a hot (long-haired and skinny) boyfriend and a job that paid me to travel and write. Then again, there were... Read More
Purangi Estuary, New Zealand: Serenity and Serendipity
The gravity of travel lies in the reckoning that no matter how much planning and control one pours into the trip, there will always be a thing or two that will deviate from what is expected. That’s how I fell into a life of travel, at the very least. The happy accidents brought about by detours and bumps are what spice up the stories of my journeys. I believe that is mostly true for everyone. The weekend we drove to Whitianga was a rainy one.... Read More
Finding Home: Paia
Hello Go Girls! I’m Megan, and I might as well admit that I’m in a major period of transition. As of now, I don’t have a permanent home base of my own – so I thought I’d focus my writing on Go Girl around finding home – wherever you are. Don’t get me wrong; I’ve got two hometowns and a tight community in at least three places around the world. It’s just that right now my bags are somewhat permanently packed, and my most... Read More
Tastes and Sounds of Myrtle Beach
“In 200 feet, take a right,” my boyfriend, Marvin, dictated to me from the passenger seat. He woke up whenever he heard the GPS give full-volume directions, reciting them back to me in case I didn’t hear. He then dozed off, shielding his eyes. Unfortunately for Marvin, his corrective eye surgery appointment was pushed to two days before my birthday, and a weekend that he, the doting man in my life, had been meticulously planning for the... Read More
Microclimate Madness in Tenerife
White sand beaches courtesy of the Sahara You think Tenerife is all hot and tropical? Think again. It’s an amazing diverse little island with a lot more going on than you might first assume. I headed there for a week of visiting a wonderful friend, Naomi, and got a lot more than just the hot sun and the beach. I also got snow, rain, cities, fishing villages, and volcanoes. Tenerife has multiple microclimates. The number varies depending on who you... Read More
Florida Beach Vacation
After a long, cold winter, all this GoGirl wanted was a little fun in the Florida sun. Backpack ready, I set out with my beau to visit his sister and her boyfriend, who live on Ponce Inlet just south of Daytona Beach. Chicago was threatening rain and frigid cold, which made my new bikini just jump for joy at the thought of beach time and sun tans. We arrived to mid-70 degree weather and sunny skies; it could not have been any more dreamy. Other... Read More
Punta Cana
Frequently when I am on my way to stay at a modestly priced resort hotel, and I see a lavish five star hotel, I jokingly say, “That is where I wanted to stay.” Usually the fancy resorts have a grand entrance and beautiful grounds and you have to drive into and out of the resort. The resort itself is out of the public view. When we last went to Punta Cana, Santo Domingo our small resort (no stars) turned out to be the best choice. Punta Cana... Read More
The Trials and Blister-ations of Turtle Conservation
Wind back two weeks and I would have gladly told you that “volunteering to protect turtles on the beaches of Costa Rica is an incredible way to ensure the future of our planet’s most ancient and mysterious endangered species, whilst experiencing stunning beaches, world-renowned surf (not to mention surfers!) and, of course, topping up that all-important tan”. Of course I would have been right on the mark…but what I didn’t appreciate two... Read More
Brookgreen Garden
Most people do not take a summer vacation in the fall, but that is exactly what I did this October. Our summer escape was to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Luckily, we had four excellent beach days. It was warm enough to swim and the ocean water was refreshingly cool. Myrtle Beach features a surprisingly long coast line that is lined with little beachfront cottages interspersed with tall hotels and condos. Many people fish at the beaches, and... Read More
Belgium with Saarch
Saar is one of the most amazing women I have ever met. She is constantly on the go, traveling to a new corner of the world and dazzling me with her dedication towards the pursuit of her dreams. We took a course together at the universitat while we were both studying abroad in Barcelona, and he was kind enough to study with me and let me borrow her notes. We laughed over pure goofiness while sitting in the park, pretending to review the latest... Read More
