Independent traveler : Check out my vacation photo album, Mexico, Honduras and Guatemala

Independent traveler

Love to travel, but hate tours? This blog offers insight on how to go it alone, from safe accommodations to seeing the best, and maybe the worst. After all, independent travel is an adventure. Flexibility and traveling on a budget are critical. No five-stars or all-inclusives. So hop aboard. Learn to enjoy travel at your own pace and price. Meet other adventurers like yourself and mingle with the locals. Remember: You may travel alone, but you wonʼt be lonely. gloria.independenttraveler@gmail.com

Gloria Maschmeyer

I've been a traveler since I can remember. I spread my wings as a flight attendant at age 20, then married a traveling man and we've never stopped. While based in Anchorage, we've ventured to India, Peru, Bali, Morocco, Burma, Tunisia Singapore and Ecuador. I love ferreting out places off the beaten path. And when things don't go quite as planned, that's just part of the adventure.

Gloria's photos

PHOTOS

Gloria's photo gallery

See Gloria's photos from her world travels.

READER-SUBMITTED

Vacation shots

That's a tiny Machu Pichu at left. View more travel shots in our vacation gallery.

Submit a vacation photo

Gloria's videos

Floating England's Llangollen Canal

See a little snippet of floating the Llangollen Canal in Western England in a narrow boat.

Fun with Divot

Divot snorkeling at the confluence of Brook's River.

Fun with Ted and Divot

Divot at the Falls and Ted cavorting at the mouth flowing out to Naknek Lake.

Plan your trip

AIRFARES

www.travelocity.com

www.expedia.com

BEST TIME OF YEAR

www.myforecast.com

Click on "almanac," then on "historical climate" and plug in the city you wish to check.

ELECTRICAL CONVERSIONS

www.travel-images.com/electric-plugs.html

For electrical appliances, it's great to know the voltage used in a country and the types of plugs.

CURRENCY RATES

www.oanda.com

For more information on currency exchanges and helpful hints, read my blogs, "Should I change" and "I've decided to change."

TRAVEL WARNINGS

www.travel.state.gov/travel

This site can help you determine the type of crime that goes on in foreign countries against visitors. It also will tell you areas of the country you should avoid.

WORLD TIMES

www.worldtimeserver.com/

Features the current time anywhere and weather. Helpful when you need to call for reservations or want to call back home while away.

WHAT TRAVELERS SAY

www.tripadvisor.com

A favorite sites to see what other travelers have to say about places to stay and visit worldwide

CAR RENTAL

www.hotwire.com

A good site for finding the best deals on renting cars anywhere in the world

TRAVEL INSURANCE

www.squaremouth.com

Web site that compares costs of travel insurance between companies.

Check out my vacation photo album, Mexico, Honduras and Guatemala

Posted by indietraveler

Posted: March 13, 2010 - 9:58 am

My favorite place, Tikal archaeological site in northern Guatemala.
I just uploaded 18 new photos into my photo gallery from my recent trip.

My seven week trip to Mexico, Honduras and Guatemala had its ups and downs. The highlights were exploring the archaeological ruins of Teotihuacan outside of Mexico City for a week. Normally I only spend a couple of days at any one site and getting to leisurely explore Teotihuacan for a week was a real treat. The sunny skies and warm temps only added to my delight.

Visiting the village of Copan Ruinis outside of the Mayan archaeological ruins of the same name was fantastic as well. Honduras was new territory and a welcome adventure.

The Mayan archaeologica site of Tikal in northern Guatemala was the highlight of my trip. Woven into the jungle surroundings the site is mystical. Hearing Howler Monkeys and seeing a Toucan in the wild added to my experience.

Lake Atilan was a real disappointment. The villages surrounding the Lake are dirty and the Lake itself incredibly polluted. What was once a vibrant local culture has virtually disappeared after having been steeped in foreign influences over the years. Tourists are viewed as walking wallets and there is always someone waving an item in your face to make a sale. It didn't use to be that way.

Guatemala's former capital Antigua, while cleaner and restored to it's former charm, suffers from the malady of vendors swarming tourists like bees on honey. It is very tiresome and takes away from appreciating the local culture.

Would I go back? In a heartbeat I'd return to Mexico, Honduras and Tikal. As for Lake Atitlan and the rest of Guatemala, no. The country is far too dirty, crowded and culturally lacking not to mention overpriced for decent food and accommodations.