by Missie Hills | Sep 17, 2023 | International Adventures, South America
It had been 5 years since we traveled with our dear friends, the Auten Family. Our last escapade to Spain and Morocco had left us with unforgettable memories. So when Adam sent us a casually worded text asking, “Y’all wanna go to Colombia?” we responded with a quick and equally nonchalant “Yep.” And just like that, we found ourselves reuniting in Bogotá, this time with our small posse in tow.
I’ll admit, I didn’t expect to fall in love with Bogotá. Our itinerary allowed for just one day in the city before moving on to what I assumed would be more thrilling adventures. However, Bogotá had a different plan for us, instantly surprising us with its lively atmosphere. Our home base was in Zona Rosa, and it only took a few steps outside our hotel to discover stands brimming with fresh fruit, aromatic coffee, and mouthwatering arepas. It was a delicious introduction to Colombia, courtesy of our breakfast.
Our first Colombian adventure took us to Cerro de Monserrate, an iconic mountain that looms over 10,000 feet above sea level. The majestic mountain is located near the heart of Bogotá. It is one of the most prominent landmarks in the city and holds both cultural and religious significance. Situated in the eastern Andes mountain range, it provides breathtaking views of the entire Bogotá valley and the sprawling city below.
The journey began with what the kiddos would describe as a thrilling ride on the funicular to the summit. The sensation we felt from the altitude was striking, but it also filled us with excitement knowing we were experiencing the grandeur of the Andes. We followed the winding path up to the summit passing the Stations of the Cross and reminding us how sacred the locals hold this pilgrimage. The panoramic views from the summit filled my heart with anticipation, revealing the vastness of Bogotá, a city home to over 7 million people. I’d soon learn that Columbia was much more densely populate then I expected allowing me to see the country in a new light. At the summit, I savored my first beer of the trip, feeling the light-headedness brought on by the high elevation along with the ecstatic feeling of experiencing Columbia in its fullest.
Descending to the base, we couldn’t resist trying some “big ass ants.” Little E sampled one with no hesitation, showcasing his adventurous spirit. As a light drizzle began, we strolled to the nearby La Candelaria district. Here, we spent a couple of hours exploring the Gold Museum and immersing ourselves in Colombia’s vibrant culture, leaving us hungry for more.
The Gold Museum (Museo del Oro) is a treasure trove of history and culture, showcasing the incredible craftsmanship of Colombia’s indigenous peoples and their deep connection to gold. It’s a must-visit destination for anyone interested in archaeology, history, or the cultural heritage of Colombia.
During our trip planning, Adam stumbled upon an intriguing TikTok find – a dinner experience and adult getaway at a place called Frenessi. Promising a wild multisensory adventure, we had high expectations, but what we actually experienced exceeded our imaginations. We ate, we drank, we danced, we drank some more, and we allowed ourselves to relax away the weight of parenthood and responsibility even for just a moment. Frenessi encapsulated the very essence of “unexpected delights,” delivering an experience that I can only truly convey through photos. The evening illuminated the city as vibrant, rich, and brimming with delightful surprises. It left me craving more wondering what else the city had hidden.
As we packed up to continue our journey to Medellín, we couldn’t help but wish we’d allotted more time to explore Bogotá. This city had surprised us in the best possible way, revealing its hidden gems and captivating us with its unique charm. While our adventure continued, Bogotá had already earned a special place in our hearts.
Until next time,
by Missie Hills | Jul 4, 2023 | Central America, International Adventures, Local Adventures, North America
After two thrilling days of exploring Puerto Rico’s old town and jungle, we were due for a relaxing break. I had hoped to find a healing presence on the island to help my intense grief from losing my mother earlier in the year. A local Puerto Rican coworker of mine recommended El Conquistador as a family friendly resort full of luxury. It did disappoint.
This was no average beach resort. It was perched on a steep cliffside overlooking the ocean. It had levels of pools and restaurants accessible by panoramic view elevators and funiculars. We stayed at the lowest level right next to the marina. I never have my hopes up for resort food, but everything we tried was delicious. I fell in love with passion fruit mojitos.
The resort had a water park complete with three large thrilling waterslides and a relaxing lazy river. I thought E might fear the water slides, but nope… he fearlessly conquered each one multiple times. He finally convinced me to try to death drop slide, which I instantly regretted the moment my bottom went over the edge. The lazy river was more my speed. Evey was disappointed he couldn’t ride the big slides, but he loved the toddler slide built just for him.
It is odd having an island resort built on a cliff with no beach access, but this resort thought of everything. Each day, a water taxi ferried guests to their private island just off the coast. The water here boasted a perfect turquoise hue, and the gentle waves allowed us to float effortlessly for hours. The food was amazing, and the drinks kept steadily coming. We did have a small storm hit us on the island, but it was short lived and kept us cooled off. We returned to our resort feeling rejuvenated after a blissful day at the beach.
Leaving the island, we carried a sense of relaxation and excitement in our hearts, ready to embrace the forthcoming summer. We are still grieving. We are still hurting. And at the same time, we are allowing ourselves to feel joy and to love our adventures together… sunburns and all.
Until next time,
by Missie Hills | Jul 4, 2023 | Central America, International Adventures, Local Adventures, North America
Puerto Rico is not a one note island. If you go for only the beaches, you are missing out on a lot of the magic. And after a dark year of losing my mother to a deadly sickness, we needed some magic. So, even though Evey is in a weird age where he is too old to be carried in a hiking backpack and too young to hike much more then a mile, we still reserved one of our weekend days for the Yunque National Park, the only tropical rainforest in our nation.
We left Old San Juan early that morning for a scenic drive eastward, ascending winding roads that led us into the heart of the National Park. We opted for toddler-friendly ways to experience the jungle’s beauty. We stopped at every scenic point we could by car, including the Yokahu observation tower.
The Yunque National Park Visitor Center is a great way to learn about the rainforest. Here, we embarked on a pleasant 1-mile hike and immersed ourselves in informative content tailored to engage young minds. They had an excellent video that showed us the rich history of the park.
We also took a short hike into the jungle to swim in the waterfall. The experience turned slightly nerve-racking as my fearless children dove in without knowing how to swim. A minor hand injury and a surge of caution led me to decide we had our fill of waterfall swimming for the time being. We bribed the boys away with promises of more exploring ahead.
In the foothills of the jungle, we visited the Carabali adventure park. The lunch here was amazing, I really enjoyed the seafood mogonfo. E and I took an hour ride through the jungle on horseback while Jason and Evey enjoyed the park’s cozy bar. Then we all explored the jungle together on a exciting UTV ride winding through the foothills. We stopped at a local hang out spot, one of the many creeks flowing off the jungle mountains. Swimming in this rainwater fed crystal clear creek turned out to be the highlight of the entire trip for everyone.
We were exhausted by the time we made it to our fancy resort, covered head to toe in dirt and grime. The day was so packed with action that it was hard to recognize any other feeling then joy. At the end of the day after a much needed shower and a delicious resort meal, I took a deep breath in and remembered my grief. I pondered on the delicate balance of joy and grief. I let myself feel the bitter-sweetness of both feelings at the same time. And I then I slept… feeling the buzz of the boys’ excitement for the resort days to come.
Until next time,
by Missie Hills | Jul 4, 2023 | Central America, International Adventures, Local Adventures, North America
There is nothing quite like the summertime seen through the eyes of a child. Fond memories of my childhood summers spent on our homestead in Arkansas still bring a warm smile to my face. Sunbathing on our front porch with my sisters, eating watermelon with my dad at dusk, helping my mom make jam and pickles… those carefree days hold a special place in my heart.
This year has been harsh. The loss of my mom, fondly known as the boys’ mema, cast a heavy veil of grief over our family. The grief has been heavy in our family. I wanted to make this summer extra special for them. And for me.
We kicked it off strong. On the last day of school, we whisked E and Evey away and headed to the airport, destined for the breathtaking beauty of Puerto Rico.
We started our extended weekend exploring Old San Juan, a place teeming with history and charm. At an age where they truly appreciate travel, my boys eagerly embraced the opportunity to explore. Our morning began with fancy waffles, which is becoming somewhat of a tradition for our travels ever since we stumbled across Waffle Monkey in Costa Rica. We loaded up on coffee and carbs and then embarked on our adventure.
As we approached Castillo San Felipe del Morro, an enchanting sight greeted our eyes: a dozen colorful kites soaring high in the sky. Our local driver explained the tradition of flying kites in the greenspace. I couldn’t resist. We bought a small kite adorned with a wizard and relaxed in the green grass while the wind did it’s thing. I really enjoy flying kites, and the boys loved helping me.
The castle itself beckoned us with tales of adventure. The boys were captivated by stories of cannons and imagined the thrill of spotting approaching pirates. Their youthful imaginations ran wild within those ancient walls.
We walked the bluestone streets of Old Town all afternoon. We weren’t quite expecting the heat to be as bad as it was, but we managed to stay hydrated. We stopped at a recommended restaurant from a local friend to get our first full meal of Puerto Rican food. By the end of the day, we were exhausted and sun drunk.
The day was long and hot, but our hearts and bellies were full. That night we slept with excitement for what Puerto Rico had in store for us. We had barely scratch the surface.
Until next time,
by Missie Hills | Mar 22, 2023 | Local Adventures, North America
I grew up in Arkansas. I’m intimately familiar with its beauty. But my little Texan babies are not. So, watching them experience the Arkansas country side first hand fills me with nostalgia and love. With spring just barely in the air, we drove deep into the Ozark mountains to the tiny town of Pyatt, where my sister has a hidden cabin tucked away between three lively creeks. It was a chilly visit, but that didn’t stop the little cousins from wading in the creeks as daddy taught them to skip stones.
It was a short trip, but the memories these cousins will share will be huge. Memories like finding the perfect walking stick that also makes a great make believe wizards staff… searching for arrow heads but finding “funny” shaped rocks instead… and trying to pull apart sticky marshmallow covered gloves by the fire…
Until next time,
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