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Update: Visited 50 Countries!

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Here’s a quick but really big update on my travel goal – I just visited my 50th country!  It’s been quite the adventure! As a quick reminder, I started this site based on my crazy travel goal, to inspire people to visit 50 countries by age 50 (click to learn more about the goal).

Over the past few years I’ve gone swimming in shark infested waters, ziplining in a cloud forest, been just steps away from orangutans in the wild, hiked up a volcano, gone snorkeling with massive whale sharks, hiked to the top of Machu Picchu, had a monkey literally jump on my back, climbed The Great Wall of China, gone volcano boarding, visited the real Tomb Raider locations in Cambodia, eaten brains in a hotpot Chengdu, explored the pyramids in Teotihuacan, and photographed animals in the wild that I had never even heard of (tarsiers?) .

I’m long overdue to post the stories and photos from my last few trips on here – Portugal, Spain, Tulum, and now Iceland. I loved all of them! I’ve been posting on Instagram regularly and will include more extensive posts here.

Below is from the Instagram announcement that I reached my 50th – if you haven’t already, do follow me on IG as well.

visiting Iceland, my 50th country

Many of you know I’ve had this crazy travel goal, to visit 50 countries by age 50. Iceland was my 50th! It’s been quite the adventure!

I’l be putting together a larger full post on Iceland, because it was really amazing, but in the meantime here’s a quick photo from our very first day. We loved it so much!

Visit 50 countries? Done! I visited Iceland my 50th
sneak preview for my upcoming Iceland post

Visiting 50 countries – reflection

When I made the goal, I really didn’t know if I’d ever make it to 50. That number just sounded crazy! I was already 22 years old when I finally got my passport, and at 25 my visit number was still at about 4. It all changed during my Costa Rica trip. That’s when I truly caught the travel bug. I’ll be writing about why that experience had such an impact on me in a future upcoming post.

Now that I’ve visited my 50th, I’ll look back at some of my top experiences, Some of the requests I’ve received to reflect on include my craziest adventures, most beautiful views, best beaches, most delicious foods, scariest moments, travel failures, photography tips, and more!

What would you like me to weigh in on?

I count countries visited, but it’s not about the number. It’s about the experiences!

South America

7 Reasons to Visit Easter Island

Easter Island is a Chilean island in the southeastern Pacific Ocean. It’s most famous for its 887 extant monumental statues, called moai.

Why visit Easter Island?   7 reasons, via this guest post:

Easter Island coastline at beach. credit

  1. To throw claim to the fact that you’ve been to one of the most remote inhabited islands in the world.

Easter Island is part of Chile, but located nearly 2000 miles (3000 km) away from the mainland. It doesn’t get much more remote than this!

Moai at Rano Raraku - Easter Island

2. To watch the sun come up over Ahu Tongariki – breathtaking!

I recommend heading there as early as you’re able to wake up. Rent a car to make the experience truly memorable.  Sunrise Ahu Tongariki Easter Island

3. To climb a real volcano, stand at the top and take in nothing but fresh Pacific Ocean air… and this stunning view!

The photos don’t even do it justice. There are several hiking paths around the crater and a visitors center. Views of Hanga Roa town are also spectacular!

Top of Volcano in Easter Island

4. To wander in the footsteps of the ancient Rapa Nui people through the quarry of Rano Raraku.

Admire the unfinished moai and puzzle over just how these (sometimes huge) sculptures ended up scattered all over the island!

Quarry Easter Island
The statues, called moai, were created by the early Rapa Nui people.

5. To make new friends.

Wild horses and cows frequently appear in the road. They have the freedom to roam as they wish so be sure to move aside if you spot them ahead. Don’t be afraid to stop and snap some photographs; they’re renowned for their quiet temperament.

animals cows in Chili by the blue water

6. To see some incredible wildlife up close and personal.

These beautiful birds of prey were plentiful in number. They were more than happy to sit and pose for photos.

bird landing on a rock in Chile7. To watch the sunset over the statues at Tahai in Easter Island.

Arrive early to set up your spot. Everybody in Easter Island wants that perfect sunset photo. The sky changes color so quickly – enjoy every moment!

Sunset silhouette of moai in Chili

Know before you go

Easter Island is far, hard to get to, and expensive. But it’s special, and very few people get to visit.

Details below:

Getting to Easter Island:

Comprised of three (now extinct) volcanoes, Easter Island is accessible via a daily flight from Santiago (or a weekly flight from Tahiti).

map of South America, including Easter Island

Budget – Easter Island:

If you’re planning your trip, be aware that flights are expensive and hotels aren’t cheap.  Only a handful of people get to visit Easter Island in their lifetime

This was a guest post by Jess, who writes the awesome travel blog Jess is a Wanderer.  Join Jess’ adventures around the globe, to top tourist spots and off the beaten track.

Come wander with us!

Photo credit:  featured photo and 1st photo, and the rest of the photos  were from Jess’s blog.

I’ve been to many remote places, including diving in Sipadan and Mabul

Visit 50 Countries by Age 50