AN OCEAN OF VIOLETS IN BLOOM

My first open water diving experience was tainted by cold weather, choppy water, and poor visibility. The only thing violet about that ocean was my lips. Suffice it to say, my mermaid days were cut short after that. I retired the fins, booties, mask, and snorkel I'd invested a small fortune into just for the training, occasionally taking them out for some silly swimming sessions in the pool. 

Fast forward 11 years and I'm in Koh Tao, the diving center of the world. The ocean is clear and warm, the vibe is super chill and relaxed, everybody is there to get a taste of life underwater and at an affordable rate, no less. I decide it's time to dust off my scuba skills and get back in, BCD, cylinder, and all. Quickly, I realize what I hadn't missed about it - the weight of all the equipment, the vulnerability of having to rely on an apparatus to breathe, and let's not forget the sea sickness. It's quite miserable reviewing all the steps required just to get in the water and then all the steps to safely stay in and get out as well. Inflate, deflate. SPG, BCD. Nitrogen narcosis. Over-expanded lungs.  

Not an ocean person by nature, it took a lot of self-convincing and determination to pursue the advanced certification course. Through it, I found that it is actually quite enjoyable if I remember to stop and view the aquatic life and how amazing it really is to be able to breathe underwater. Dare I envision a diving holiday in Borneo or Bali next?

Outside of doing un-humanly activities, I did a lot of lazing around, developing a deeper appreciation for island life - waking up late, walking aimlessly around town, catching iridescent sunsets, and, of course, crushing on fire ravers.

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TITICACA

Lake Titicaca is a massive body of fresh water that stretches between Peru and Bolivia and that is home to a few thousand people. The ongoing Peruvian joke is that the Titi part resides in Peru and the Caca part in Bolivia. The name itself is said to mean 'puma stone' because, with some creativity, the lake takes after the animal's form.

We made the 12-hour journey by bus from Cuzco to Puno and visited the man-made floating island of Uros the same morning we arrived. Four families, 15 people, live on this island. We found the women to be particularly lovely, dressed in their colorful skirts and vests, their long braided hair adorned with poms, their smiles wide and faces round, tinted by long exposure to the sun. The island is just one of many in the region and is made of a layer of roots measuring one meter in thickness and another layer of reeds in equal proportion. The reeds, along with fish, are a source of sustenance for these families who eat them directly from the lake. Once a month they also make a run into town for goods not as easily accessible. Electricity is solar powered. We didn't think at the time to ask about toilets and showers, though I've been quite curious since.

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PRICKLE ME PINK

Short getaway to Aruba before starting our overland tour of South America was lazy, but altogether relaxing. We rented a car and spent one day beach hopping on the west coast and the next day exploring the east. 

The emerald blue water was a sweet escape from the heat and humidity. We hadn't experienced such weather since leaving Los Angeles. The salt content was high enough to float an anchor. Buoyed, we could have drifted away forever. 

Especially interesting was the abundance of cacti, which, apparently, outnumber palms. Not only did they line the beaches, but as we drove more inland and more southerly, they dominated fields upon fields. I deemed them cactus graveyards, although they thrived. We learned that 'succos' is the Latin word for absorb and that these succulents have well adapted to the dry, arid climate of the desert island. The heavy rainfalls carry with them a lot of salt and these plants retain as much water as possible for times of drought. Who knew? The monsoons and damp air had us fooled.

For those seeking refuge from the cold, Aruba seems an obvious choice, but us, we're looking forward to our next destination: Venezuela. 

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