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The Valley on top of Sierra de la Laguna, Baja California Sur
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Hiking up Sierra de la Laguna is, as you may have already noticed through many of my posts, one of my favorite adventures in the world. The landscapes you get to see from the moment you start heading up are marvelous.
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This is a unique area in the state of Baja California Sur, both for the endemic species that call only this place home and because of the contrasting landscapes you’ll find on the ascent. At the base you walk through the desert landscapes we all know and love in Baja, and as you start ascending, you see the changes of vegetation, going through lowland forest first and eventually arriving at the only oak forest in the State.
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Suddenly, after walking through this forest for a while, you stumble upon a glade, a beautiful massive grassland that we call the second valley. It’s incredible to find this place on top of the mountains.
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As you explore it, you might bump into other campers and hikers that took on this pilgrimage, into rancheros who climbed the mountain on their horses and then let them roam free to enjoy the pasture; and you might even find cyclists who carried their bike all the way up to explore the valley on their bike before cycling down the mountain.
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The nature that surrounds this place, with its sounds and colors, makes for a soothing experience that not only helps to disconnect from modern life, but also to clear head and spirit in a way that won’t soon be forgotten.

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Horseback Riding in the Andean Highlands of Hacienda El Porvenir. ⠀
Almost two years ago, the ATTA (@adventure.travel_) took me to my first international travel experience in Ecuador. This country, with all the variety of landscapes and adventures it offers, was an amazing start to get bit by the travel bug.
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Of all the places we visited in this trip, my favorite was by far Hacienda El Porvenir (@tierradelvolcan) in the Ecuadorian Andes. The landscapes are dreamy and beautiful. The Cotopaxi volcano, even when covered in clouds, has an imposing presence that will make your jaw drop. Far above that, the family that owns it and hosted us there are some of the coolest people you’ll ever meet.
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Amongst the many activities they offer, you can do a tour on horseback in the massive fields of the highlands that surround the Hacienda to catch sight of all these amazing views in one relaxing ride. The delicious hot tea they offer during the break is a great plus to warm up in this scenery.
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I’ll be back there sometime soon, Jorge! Climbing Cotopaxi with you is still in my bucket list!

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Gray Whale calf blowing a kiss at Allie.
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A couple of years ago, I got to do my first Adventure Week with @adventure.travel_ in Baja California Sur. The opportunity to travel around my own home state was more rewarding than I expected.
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This was an amazing opportunity to finally experience many of the amazing spots of Baja I had heard so much about but hadn’t given myself the chance to visit yet.
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One of these experiences was whale watching in San Ignacio Lagoon. The moment the baby came next to the boat and curiously inspected who was on it, blowing soft kisses as it approached the gentle hands of the excited, smiling people who caressed them, was really a touching moment (no pun intended). If not everyone, at least most of us thought this was one of the most unforgettable experiences of the journey.
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This trip reminded me that I sometimes take these places for granted and that keeps me from visiting them. It’s funny (and uplifting) how this past year I’ve heard quite a few references of how you need to know a place in order to love it. After this, I definitely returned home with an appreciation and care for this place, my backyard, that allowed me to understand what they mean by that.
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So go! Visit those places you love or have always wanted to visit that are close to you. #Explore to find out what natural wonders, landscapes and #wildlife surround you. These experiences define you. Fall in love with home again!

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Gato, the coconut man in Nosara.
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For me, one of the greatest things about #travel is the opportunity to meet so many different people. I’ve always lived vicariously through other people’s experiences and that has allowed me to learn and grow a lot as a person, but once I started traveling I realized how many stories are out there that I wouldn’t be able to learn from if I never left home.
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Meeting all these new people and hearing their stories and getting to know them a bit, I think it’s a huge part of the famous transformational power of travel. This has helped me value more and learn more from the people I have in my life as I realize their uniqueness; sharing with people who have had extraordinary and powerful experiences has helped me to believe in myself and to value my own experiences as powerful and extraordinary; and it also restores hope in me to see how many people out there actually care about others and about our planet.
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Gato, like just about everyone in #Nosara, is a good example of this. Even after the challenges he has faced in his life, he keeps a great smile on his face and abides by the Nosaran philosophy of treating everyone with the same kindness; and along with his wife, he takes the initiative to process all the waste they produce with their small #coconut business to make sure his activity remains sustainable and positive.
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I encourage you to get out there and talk to the people you cross paths with both at home and abroad. You’ll be surprised of how much you can learn from everyone!
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Thanks to @greenspottravel for putting me in the way of so many amazing people.

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