Tristan's Expeditions

Wildlife Trekking in Costa Rica

I spent 3 weeks in Costa Rica this past January and visited many of country’s national parks (Arenal, Monteverde, Cahuita, etc.) and they were all beautiful. BUT The best experience I had was a 4-day trek with OsaWild through Corcovado N.P.— a national park accessible by tour only. If you do nothing else in Costa…

Making Traditional Chocolate in Costa Rica

I spent this past January in Costa Rica, driving around the country in search of wildlife and indigenous culture. One of the best things I did during my trip was make traditional chocolate– it was so delicious the first time I decided to do it again. So I made chocolate twice– once with members of…

Nicaraguan Food for Vegetarians on a Budget

The most common complaint I heard from travelers in Nicaragua was that they didn’t like the food. Many stuck to overpriced pizza, burritos, and sandwiches, though some of them had never even tried Nica food! DON’T fall into this— You’ll not only blow through your money, but also be missing out on some the cleanest…

Don’t Skip Managua, Nicaragua!

Travelers tend to gloss over capital cities for some reason. Many assume that there’s nothing to see other than government buildings — and who wants to see those anyway? Managua, however, is worth at least one day of your time in Nicaragua. There are plenty of fascinating museums, bustling markets, and unusual churches to keep…

From Sandino to Sandinista: Comparing Nicaraguan Revolutionary Movements

I wrote this during my four-month accidental-study-abroad in Nicaragua. My footnotes won’t transfer, but all my sources are at the bottom. If you have any questions send me an email! From Sandino to Sandinista: Comparing Nicaraguan Revolutionary Movements Introduction The Central American republic of Nicaragua has had a tumultuous history, rife with occupations, revolutions, and…

The Quebec City Winter Carnaval

For some reason, I’ve lived in New York City for 3 years and never visited Canada. Two weeks ago, I decided to change that, and traveled up on a whim for the Quebec City Winter Carnaval. A last-minute $100 overnight greyhound bus ticket took me from Penn Station to the border, then to Montreal, where…

10 Things You Must Do in Myanmar

Myanmar is a largely-undiscoved gem of Southeast Asia, where experiences unlike any other await you. Below are some the best cultural activities to do in Myanmar, some of which are tried-and-true, and the others my personal favorites. (For the classic ‘best of Myanmar’ itinerary click here: 10 Things You Must Do in Myanmar) Motorbike around…

Top Destination of 2020: Myanmar (1 Week Itinerary)

If you’ve never considered visiting Myanmar, perhaps this post will have you putting it on your 2020 calendar! Myanmar opened its doors to tourism in 2011, yet in 2019, it’s easy to find yourself completely alone in its vast networks of temples, bustling markets and rugged countryside. While it’s largely untouched by Western influence, Myanmar…

The Biggest City in the Western Hemisphere

No, it’s not New York City— Mexico City boasts a population of 8.5 million and endless things to do. I spent a week a Mexico City and barely scratched the surface, exploring a few of its many neighborhoods and major sites. Most people skip Mexico City and straight for Cancun— don’t— you’re missing out on…

Taking a Vegan Thai Cooking Class

Thai food is (and I may be a little biased here) definitely one of the most flavorful and delicious cuisines in the world. But did you know it’s actually really simple to prepare? I took a Vegan Thai cooking class at Morning Glory in Chiang Mai and it was one of the best culinary experiences…

Inside Eastern State Penitentiary

It was a dreary April afternoon in Philadelphia when I visited the infamous Eastern State Penitentiary; a rainy, 40-degree day, but it seemed fitting. The prison’s castle-like walls towered over me, and the guard tower was shrouded in mist as I approached. When Eastern State was constructed in 1821, the founders truly hoped that convicts…