Backpacking | Etched In Adventure

My Bacalar Getaway

May 21, 2022 by etchedinadventure

Day 1 in Bacalar, Mexico (2/9/22): -Immigration was the easiest walkthrough. No questions, didn’t ask me for any of my forms. Just got stamped and left.-The water is what you’ve seen in movies. It’s so blue it looks artificial.-Like a lot of Latin America, the majority of tourists are Europeans and Americans who just want to party outside of a typical bar or pub.-Bacalar is a mix between hippies, party tourists, and locals.-There are a lot of stray dogs. I […]

Categories: Backpacking, Latin America, Mexico, North America, Quintana Roo, Travel • Tags: Bacalar, Backpacking, Latin America, Mexico, North America, Quintana Roo, Travel, Travel Tips

Leave a comment

My Tulum Pit Stop

May 19, 2022 by etchedinadventure

Days 1-2 in Tulum, Mexico (4/18/22-4/19/22):-I like blue.-People have this idea that hostels are these rundown, sketchy accommodations and that’s just not the case – the majority of the time.-Palma Central is everything I want in my life and more. Good music, food trucks, and friendly vibes.-I ironically met a couple who said I looked familiar. Turns out they lived in Cuzco when I did back in 2020 and we knew several of the same people. Small world defined. What […]

Categories: Backpacking, Latin America, Mexico, North America, Quintana Roo, Travel • Tags: Backpacking, Latin America, Mexico, North America, Quintana Roo, Travel, Tulum

Leave a comment

My Italy Bucket List

November 18, 2021 by etchedinadventure

Day 1 in Rome, Italy (10/24/21): -Traveling from Egypt to Rome was an absolute nightmare. The spirits were $25USD, the taxi took me to the wrong terminal, and the metro to transfer to my correct terminal 2 miles away was closed so I had to take a second taxi. I checked in online but it wasn’t accepted at passport control so I had to go back and check-in again in-person.-When I got to Rome, the immigration officer tells me that […]

Categories: Backpacking, Europe, Travel • Tags: Backpacking, Ercolano, Europe, Eurotrip, Italy, Naples, Pompeii, Rome

Leave a comment

My Cairo Bucket List

November 17, 2021 by etchedinadventure

Day 1 in Cairo, Egypt (10/13/21): First Impressions:-Cairo is in my top ten for worst traffic. I spent 90 minutes stuck in traffic on what should have been a 40 minute drive on a late Wednesday afternoon. My Uber took a wrong exit so he literally reversed back up the exit to reenter the highway.-Like Turkey, there are hustlers everywhere and the easiest giveaway is that they speak exceptional English. Sometimes, I give them the time of day because they […]

Categories: Africa, Backpacking, Middle East, Travel • Tags: Africa, Backpacking, Cairo, Desert, Egypt, Giza, Giza Pyramids, Middle East, North Africa

My Turkey Bucket List

November 13, 2021 by etchedinadventure

Day 1 in Istanbul, Turkey (10/8/21): -BiTaksi is the Uber of Turkey.-An Istanbulkart card is essential for all public transportation: the tram, bus, metro, and ferry. You need to activate it with your HES code. Your HES code is the number they give you when you register to enter the country.-I don’t care what religion you are, the mosques here, inside and out, are magical. I feel like I’m in Agrabah.-There are stray dogs and especially cats EVERYWHERE. I don’t […]

Categories: Backpacking, Europe, Middle East, Travel • Tags: Alanya, Backpacking, Europe, Istanbul, Middle East, Turkey

Leave a comment

My Tbilisi Bucket List

November 12, 2021 by etchedinadventure

Day 1 in Tbilisi, Georgia (10/4/21): -The rain is steady in Georgia in the fall.-Georgia doesn’t have a curfew but the majority of businesses have to close at 10pm so it pretty much does. Ordering late night food and drinks are an easy option though with apps like Wolt.-I would argue Tbilisi is one of the most beautiful cities I’ve ever seen.-Everytime I play blackjack they switch the dealers on me when I’m up and I tell myself I should […]

Categories: Backpacking, Caucasia, Caucasus, Georgia, Travel • Tags: Backpacking, Caucasia, Caucasus, Georgia, Tbilisi, Travel

Leave a comment

My Armenia Bucket List

November 12, 2021 by etchedinadventure

Day 1 in Yerevan, Armenia (9/28/21): -Tipping around 10% is expected here, mainly in the capital. If you don’t like it, simply don’t visit.-First Impressions: Armenian people are kind as heck.-Armenia is dirt cheap. I ate out, had around ten drinks, and tipped 20% – spent $26 USD.-People here, primarily women, are super fashionable.-The currency is nuts. 50,000 Armenian drum is just over $100 USD – so I’m a billionaire here.-Armenians hate their surrounding neighbors for political reasons.-Like every country […]

Categories: Armenia, Backpacking, Caucasia, Caucasus, Travel • Tags: Armenia, Backpacking, Caucasia, Caucasus, Yerevan

Leave a comment

My Ukraine Bucket List

November 11, 2021 by etchedinadventure

Day 1 & 2 in Kyiv, Ukraine (9/20/21-9/21/21): -There are exchange places all over the city center with much better rates than the airport.-No one yields to pedestrians and I hate it.-Ukrainian banks have PINs for their credit cards. It was an initially awkward, heated conversation explaining to my receptionist that USA credit cards don’t have PINs because he pretty much thought I was stupid.-Ukraine and Estonia are the only countries I’ve been to on this trip that are weirdly […]

Categories: Backpacking, Europe, Travel • Tags: Backpacking, Chernobyl, Chornobyl, Europe, Eurotrip, Kiev, Kyiv, Travel, Travel Tips, Ukraine

Leave a comment

My Tallinn Bucket List

November 11, 2021 by etchedinadventure

Day 1 & 2 in Tallinn, Estonia (9/17/21-9/18/21): -This is my sixth country so far on this trip and I don’t care what anyone says. Everyone worldwide appreciates a good tip.-I tried pig ears. I thought they were only treats for dogs but turns out they aren’t half bad.-Tallinn is beautiful but, so far, seems overrated and is my least favorite of the three Baltics. What little there is to do here can be done in a day or two […]

Categories: Backpacking, Europe, Travel • Tags: Backpacking, Baltics, Estonia, Europe, Eurotrip, Tallinn

Leave a comment

	pam@ichoosethis on My Cairo Bucket List
	thehungrytravellers.… on My Costa Rica Bucket List
	Mark rotondi on About Me
	Ryan Jeanes on Nashville: A Drinking City wit…
	The Best Way to Get… on The Pros and Cons of Teaching…

Etched In Adventure

“At the end of the day it’s not about what you have or even what you’ve accomplished, it’s about who you’ve lifted up, who you’ve made better, it’s about what you’ve given back.”

Category Archives: Backpacking

My Bacalar Getaway

My Tulum Pit Stop

My Italy Bucket List

My Cairo Bucket List

My Turkey Bucket List

My Tbilisi Bucket List

My Armenia Bucket List

My Ukraine Bucket List

My Tallinn Bucket List