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Volunteering with Sea Turtles in San Pancho, Mexico 🐢✨

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Our travels have taken us to a lot of places, from bustling cities to quiet little corners of the world, but when the chance came up to volunteer at a turtle sanctuary, we didn’t hesitate for even a second. Project Tortuga in San Pancho, Mexico, gave us one of the most memorable and heart-filling experiences of our lives. Not only did it check the “giving back” box, but living at turtle camp and being immersed in the whole process is something we’d recommend to anyone who loves wildlife, sandy beaches, and perhaps enjoys functioning on very little sleep. 😅 So, let’s dive into what it was actually like being turtle volunteers! The Magical Side (and the Sandy Reality) 🌊🐢 Sure, the pictures of baby Olive Ridley hatchlings making their way to the ocean at sunset are magical, and watching mama turtles haul themselves up the sand to lay their eggs feels like you’re witnessing something prehistoric. But behind that magic? Buckets. Lots of buckets. Each nest can hold about 100 eggs, an...
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Protecting Turtles, One Nest at a Time

  Kicking Off Our Volunteering Adventure in San Pancho 🐢✨ We’ve officially begun our volunteering journey in the beautiful coastal town of San Pancho, Mexico , and day one has already been unforgettable! We're working with the incredible team at Grupo Ecológico de la Costa Verde, A.C. , a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting sea turtles, especially the Olive Ridley . Our first assignment? Getting our hands sandy for science and conservation! We started the day by excavating a nest that had hatched three days earlier . Why dig it up, you ask? After a hatch, it's important to collect data on how many eggs were laid, how many successfully hatched, and how many didn't make it. This information helps researchers track trends, measure the health of turtle populations, and refine conservation strategies. It's amazing how much you can learn from a hole in the sand. Then came beach patrol -  a nightly routine here. As we walked along the moonlit beach, we scanned ...
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Train Trip Through Europe: Castles, Cathedrals & More

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After the dusty grandeur of Egypt and a few blissful days in sun-kissed Antalya with our fabulous friends Farah and Chad 🌊🇹🇷 , we flew into Milan where we were treated to a breathtaking aerial view of the snow-capped Swiss Alps - nature’s dramatic welcome to the next leg of our adventure. Milan, Italy – Kicking Off with Football & Fashion We landed right across from San Siro Stadium , and what timing! The city was electric with celebration as AC Milan made it into the championship (though heartbreak followed when they lost 💔⚽ ). Milan loves its football - Crowds were out cheering throughout the day, singing and waving flags as they walked through the streets. Stops along the way: Sforza Castle – Home to dukes, da Vincis, and a whole lot of history. Originally built in the 15th century by Francesco Sforza, Duke of Milan, this fortress has been a military citadel, a royal residence, and now houses several museums and art collections including Michelangelo’s last un...
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Egypt Nile Cruise: Valley of the Kings and Beyond

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  Cruising Through History – The Nile with Mohamed 🚢🌅 As we were planning our Egypt visit, a great friend suggested the Nile cruise, and at the last minute, Eric made the reservation. Before we even stepped onto the boat, we knew we were in good hands. Being the shoulder season, the boat was not crowded, and the service was awesome. When Eric booked the trip, he wanted to ensure our transportation was taken care of, and in doing so selected the one that came with a private Egyptologist for our trip. Our Egyptologist guide, Mohamed , was a walking encyclopedia in sunglasses. Fun fact - his family once had a house in the area of the Valley of the Kings but had to relocate when large-scale excavations ramped up. He grew up playing hide-and-seek among pottery shards, so when it comes to pharaoh gossip, Mohamed’s your guy. Not just a guide but a professor of Egyptology. He provided notes and detailed explanations of every place we visited before leaving the boat. It truly made the ...
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