Wandering Chocobo

05/01/2021

I'm excited to announce it is time to say goodbye to Wandering Chocobo and hello to Curiosity Saves Check out https://curiositysaves.com for more details on Curiosity Saves Travel and Curiosity Saves the Planet. Don’t forget to subscribe for updates and learn how to get involved as a contributing writer.

So, what’s changing? Well, here on Facebook, this Wandering Chocobo account will be archived. But, I look forward to seeing you over at Curiosity Saves for the latest on sustainable travel and environmental topics.

Thanks to all my readers for the last few years, I can’t wait to continue this journey of growth and education with you all! The next chapter will be even better!

Stay curious!

23/04/2020

If you are still looking for some ways to celebrate Earth Week, check out these five tips to get you started on a more sustainable path! The World As I See It travel blog

https://ladystravelblog.com/2016/04/22/5-ways-celebrate-earth-day/

Discover five ways to celebrate Earth Day today and every day. Plus how to be more environmentally-friendly when traveling.

21/04/2020

Happy Earth Week! Earth Day is tomorrow, April 22, and I'm currently busy planning my day and week. There are so many inspiring lectures, events, activities, protests, and educational opportunities that it is hard to pick. But, fear not, as I've selected and narrowed down some of the most impactful ways you can participate in Earth Day and Earth Week.

I got you covered for ways to get in the spirit in the days leading up to Earth Day, including listening music composed based on climate change indicators featuring The ClimateMusic Project along with my favorite podcasts and books relating to climate change. I'll point you in the right direction to brush up on your knowledge, so you can be well informed going into Earth Day with info from United Nations Decade on Biodiversity, Global Goals for Sustainable Development, and IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

This Earth Day will be a bit different than those of the past, but don't worry as there are plenty of ways to celebrate Earth Day from home. You can still make protest signs for your window, virtually explore National Park Service, NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration's Earth Day Toolkit - including downloadable posters, and participate in the digital version of World Cleanup Day. I also point you in the direction of calculating and offsetting your carbon intake from the likes of terrapass and Global Footprint Network.

And for the cherry on top, I've listed some of the best virtual conferences, events, protests, summits, and gatherings from the official Earth Day Network EarthX and the American Museum of Natural History, just to name a few.

That is just scratching the surface, as I have 30+ tips in total to honor Earth Day/Week. How will you be celebrating? Let me know in the comments. And please share to spread the spirit of Earth Day, so we can all come together to make a change!

https://wanderingchocobo.com/how-to-celebrate-earth-day-events/

Our planet is beautiful and giving. Every day of the year, we should bring attention to the causes that fight to protect her, and every day we should honor the colorful biodiversity she offers. But, for at least one day, we come together around the world to learn about Earth, honor our planet, find....

28/01/2020

If you're interested in joining Traverse Journeys on their Ireland trip, check out this guest post I wrote for them about the magical days we spent getting off the beaten path and immersing ourselves in culture and nature along the Wild Atlantic Way.

A carefully planned Ireland road trip full of local insider knowledge, rural hidden gems, awe-inspiring nature, authentic culture, and just the right amount of iconic landmarks to please all types of adventurers.

20/01/2020

Who has always wanted to visit Ireland's Wild Atlantic Way? WARNING: These photos will have you packing your bags and booking a flight, ASAP!

Seeing this truly wild and authentic side of Ireland was definitely a highlight of my 2019. Standing on these rugged coastlines moved me in a way travel hasn't in a long time.

Thanks to Traverse Journeys for inviting me along for the road trip of a lifetime and taking me off-the-beaten-oath with local insider tips, so I could capture these amazing photos.

16/01/2020

❄️Who is brave enough to visit Alaska in the winter?⛄
I always feel like Alaska gets overlooked compared to the Nordic countries, but we have the Northern Lights, glaciers, tons of wildlife, lots of fluffy snow, great skiing, and cozy lodges. I get it though, Alaska is hard to get around in the winter and quite inaccessible.
➡️ My top recommendation for visiting Alaska in the winter? Visit in February, so you can experience Fur Rendezvous in Anchorage for a truly strange Alaskan experience (I’m talking outhouse races, blanket tosses, & snow sculpture contests). If you have time, head down to Seward and book a winter boat tour with to see wildlife and snowy beaches. After that, make a stop in Girdwood to ski in one of the world’s most scenic ski resorts, stop in Arctic Valley for some extreme tubing, and spend a night in Talkeetna drinking craft beer at Denali Brewpub. Then head up to Fairbanks for the World Ice Art Championships, a dip in Chena Hot Springs in -40 degree weather, and to top it off - book a multi-day Aurora adventure at an eco igloo dome lodge just outside of Fairbanks with !
Over 75% of the people that responded to my story survey said they would LOVE to visit Alaska in the winter! However, most people opt to visit in summer. Some Alaskan towns experience over-tourism related to cruise ships in the summer. As soon as the cruise ship season ends companies begin massive layoffs, cutting hours, and some businesses even close up shop. This type of yo-yo tourism means many people are left searching for jobs during the slump of winter. I understand that cruising is the only way many people can see Alaska and it is an important part of our economy (as long as they don’t dump grey water in our National Parks!), but I always recommend independent and adventurous travelers get off the cruise ship and visit Alaska in the winter. This helps promote a healthy economy for locals year round!
So, who is willing to brave the cold for a beautiful winter wonderland?

06/01/2020

I have a challenge for YOU in 2020.
You know what is easy? Sitting on your couch in your PJs between ordering things online from Amazon, and hitting “share” on a disturbing article about the Australia fires, climate change, humanitarian crisis, equality issues… with a little comment such as, “pray for the animals."
You know what is hard? Getting your ass off that couch and doing something proactive while making yourself uncomfortable and inconvenient. It is hard to say no to iced coffee when you forget your reusable cup at home. It is hard to say no to that cheap flight. It is hard to take time off work to vote in even the smallest local election. It might be hard, but it’s not impossible. Sharing a jarring article isn’t going to change the world. Going out and doing something about it is.
⁉️THE CHALLENGE: Every time you post an article about any of the issues we’re facing in 2020, share something you did to make it better. Posting a disgusting video of plastic in the ocean? Share how you reduced your plastic that day. Sharing about the fires in Australia? Share what you did to cut your carbon emissions or how you donated. Sharing about inequality? Share what you did to make the world a little more inclusive.
My husband (who is Australian) just got back from Australia, and he’s been wheezing for weeks from the smoke. Many of our friends have evacuated and are fighting for their homes and the land they love. We’ve donated to a few causes, including WIRES, volunteer firefighter groups, I’m planning significantly fewer flights in 2020, and we’re thinking of ways our education and skills in conservation and tech can help in the future.
🌟 In 2020, let’s get away from couch clicktivism and get into activism, and together we will change the world.

22/11/2019

🎄 It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas! 🎄

Ok, it hasn’t started snowing yet, but the Christmas tree is up at Marienplatz in Munich, and every time I venture out into the city, more Christmas market stands are getting ready for business. Markets open next week!

Christmas in Munich is my absolute favorite time of the year. With nearly 20 Christmas markets ranging from medieval to vegan hippy to traditional it can be hard to know what markets to go to, what to eat, and other wintery things to do between market hopping. I have a whole bunch of posts to help you plan the best winter holiday in Munich including detailed local guide to all the best markets in Munich, a vegan and vegetarian food guide to Munich Christmas markets, 26 additional things to do during winter like the bizarre Krampus run, and a packing list to make sure you stay warm.

➡️If you are planning on visiting Munich this Christmas make sure you check out all my tips http://bit.ly/MunichXMas

My mom will be in town during Christmas, so we are going to check out all the markets in Munich and take some day trips around Bavaria. But, before that, I’ll be heading out on a magical Christmas market tour of the Alsace region in France.

⁉️What Christmas markets are you heading to this year? Or if you don’t celebrate Christmas will you be heading anywhere for Christmas break?

18/11/2019

GIVEAWAY!! Awesome sustainable clothing that is PERFECT for travel! I’m partnering with and to bring you an awesome basic T that is sustainably sourced from reclaimed fabric, and handmade with love and fair labor practices!!
⁉️One lucky winner will win a Dorsu Rolled Sleeve Crew on Nov 20th. Enter from November 14th-19th by heading to my Instagram to enter https://www.instagram.com/p/B426-rRo9vM/

Yes, I have this product and I love it! If you know me, you know I am a huge advocate against fast fashion and for slow mindful fashion. I’ve completely changed the way I shop, the brands I am loyal to, and the types of products I use, which is why I love Dorsu’s motto, “Buy Better, Travel Often, Be You.” I just got my black rolled sleeve crew and let me tell you I am obsessed. This basic is comfy and perfect to wear while traveling - or at home - and it hardly takes up any room in your suitcase. Keep it casual for wearing on your next cross country train ride, or you can dress it up for a night out. If you’ve been wanting to get into the slow sustainable fashion now is your chance and it doesn’t cost you a thing ➡️ Dorsu even has a storefront in Kampot, so if you’re ever traveling through, be sure to stop in and say hello!

14/11/2019

I'm super excited that my good friend over at recommended me to cover a NASA and ESA event tomorrow just outside of Munich. It's a clean room event before the launch, so I get to suit up and head into the cleanroom for interviews and photos.

The Sentinel 6 will be launch with the goal to monitor rising sea levels - among other things.

Let me know if you have any questions about the project, and I'll be sure to add them to my list!

http://www.esa.int/Applications/Observing_the_Earth/Copernicus/Sentinel-6

Records show that, on average, global sea level rose by 3.2 mm a year between 1993 and 2018, but hidden within this average is the fact that the rate of rise has been accelerating over the last few years. Taking measurements of the height of the sea surface is essential to monitoring this worrying t...

14/11/2019

Hundreds of koalas are feared to have died in an Australian bushfire, animal rescuers say.” The blaze burnt through prime koala breeding ground in New South Wales. “Rescuers said the deaths were particularly tragic as the koalas were a diverse breed, with one expert calling it a ‘national tragedy’.” the fires are not expected to be contained for weeks.

No this isn’t a line from my dystopian novel, this is real life. Australia is on fire. While fires are common in Australia this fire season has come early and it is hitting hard. Not only are hundreds and thousands of animals are a risk of losing their home, dying from dehydration, or being swallowed up by the fire, humans are in danger as well. Three people have already died, and hundreds have already lost their homes.
If you've been to Australia and fallen in love with it, you know how special of a place it is and how unique the animals are. You can help, including donating to the Pt. Macquarie Koala Hospital, working on placing hydration stations out for thirsty kolas and provide care for survivors among other wildlife programs you can donate to. There are programs helping those who have lost their homes as well, including donating to Vinnies providing food, care, and clothing to those displaced. You can also donate to the Rural Fire Service to support those on the front lines.

https://www.abc.net.au/triplej/programs/hack/bushfire-donations-heres-how-you-can-help/11696418

While you’re at it, make a small change TODAY to reduce your impact on climate change and make a choice for the planet even if it is a small discomfort to you. Share in the comments what change big or small you made and if you’ve helped with Australia’s wildfires. My husband and I will donate to one of the koala programs, as we are always willing to put our money and actions to help preserve and conserve Australia and Alaska - our two homes that are at the forefront of climate change.

I took this photo of a wild koala just chilling near a campground, it's heartbreaking so many have died.

15/10/2019

I had such an amazing 8 days traveling Wild Atlantic Way on a sustainable road trip with Traverse Journeys experiencing a local authentic side of Ireland.

People who like to travel sustainably and ethically, such as myself, are sometimes a control freak when it comes to travel planning. I obsessively review and check everything to see if I’m supporting local small businesses, that I’m making a positive impact on the destination and not a negative one, that I’m being respectful, and I support businesses striving to be green and eco-friendly. Because of all this, I don’t trust anyone else to be as thorough as me. However, one thing I love about is I can finally relax and let local experts plan itineraries that give back to the people and planet with purpose.

Every step along the way during our Ireland trip I kept saying, “I couldn’t have planned a better itinerary!” “This local farm to table restaurant has some of the best vegetarian food I’ve ever had!” “Wow, the locals are actually excited to see us!” So, thanks Traverse Journeys for having me along for your small group road trip of the Wild Atlantic Way. I hope you’ve enjoyed following along.

Do you have any questions about traveling with a small group, or what Traverse Journeys does to give back to their destinations? Let me know in the comments!

14/10/2019

Some of the tourist highlights are definitely worth seeing, like the Cliffs of Moher.
If you know me, you know I LOVE getting off the beaten path and avoiding tourist traps, which is one of the reasons I love traveling with (sponsored). Their Wild Atlantic Way Itinerary is perfect for discovering an authentic, wild, and local side of Ireland. However, since basically everything in Ireland is drop-dead gorgeous most of their tourist hot spots are totally worth including in their itinerary. I’ll be the first to admit the Cliffs of Moher are definitely worth seeing, especially at sunset, in the shoulder season, when you pretty much have the whole place to yourselves, which is exactly Traverse Journeys style - See the best a country has to offer, but don’t battle large tour busses for it and enjoy the scene with quiet solitude.
This was the perfect view to end a dreamy 8 day Wild Atlantic Way sustainable road trip - if I do say so myself.
⁉️What are some major tourist sights you think are worth visiting, and what is the best way to avoid the crowds?

09/10/2019

This autumn (fall) instead of just going to any old apple orchard, I had the pleasure of visiting Irish Seed Savers Association with Traverse Journeys as part of their mindful and sustainable itinerary of Ireland's Wild Atlantic Way.

Instead of just picking apples and taking photos for Instagram, we learned about the importance of preserving heritage seeds and open-source seeds for anyone to use. Did you know seeds could be patented by large corporations?

As we toured their property, we learned about ways they naturally repel pests, by simply keeping healthy plants able to fight them off, or by using natural liquid seaweed and other ways they simply let nature do its thing to the benefit of humans, flora, and fauna.

They use everything, so as the apples fall off the tree, the seeds are saved, apple juice is made for local families to drink as an alternative to store-bought juice, and the pulp is given to farmers as feed.

5% of every trip you book with Traverse Journeys goes toward a local community partner, like the Irish Seed Savers, and it was pretty cool to see first hand where that money goes.

Does anyone dabble in at home gardening? We keep some herbs on our balcony and I want to get more into growing veggies, so I bought some heritage seeds to see what I can grow naturally.

Ok, ok, I also took some photos for Instagram ;) Happy autumn everyone, it's a great time to enjoy the season and find meaningful ways to give back to your community.

08/10/2019

The entire Wild Atlantic Way is one quintessential Irish view after another.
Driving the Beara Peninsula with ( ) it seemed there was hardly another tourist in sight as we passed through brightly colored towns and sweeping landscapes. We pulled into a remote Buddhist meditation retreat for vegan snacks and coffee and I relaxed in their meditation garden. I found that meditating while traveling is a great way to center yourself and appreciate nature’s noise.
We stopped for lunch at a place called Teddy O Sullivan's where locals came and went to get the latest gossip and news from the two older ladies running the show behind the bar. We instantly became best friends with the entire bar as we drank local beer and swapped stories.
The highlight of the day was when our host, Laura, took us to a hidden park. After living in Ireland for a few years and talking to locals for their best tips, Laura has put together an itinerary with loads of secrets and surprises with local insider knowledge. As we pulled up to the park, my mouth dropped as a massive waterfall plunged down jagged rocks and sheep grazed on lush Irish grass in the foreground. This family-owned park and farm have a handful of walking and hiking trails taking you along a river, through a heritage park, a water garden, and even up and over the waterfall. We paid a small fee to enter and the views were totally worth it.
⁉️Where is your favorite place to get lost in nature?

04/10/2019

Today I had one of those special travel moments where I looked around at magnitude of the nature surrounding me. I felt so privilege and special to witness the waves crashing without a soul in sight. Maybe it's the Irish in my blood, but I felt right at home in a space of calm peacefulness.

Thanks for sharing the local and remote secrets of Ireland with me, it's such a honor! 😍🍀

(Just sharing some honest on the spot word vomit)

02/10/2019

[Sponsored] As we continue our road trip through the Wild Atlantic Way with stopping at some quaint villages along the way I’m so excited to be exploring during the shoulder season to enjoy the sleepy slow pace of life enjoyed by the Irish locals.
While Kinsale might have been sleepy on a Monday in October, it was not lacking color. Every corner we turned bright candy-colored houses stood out against the stark grey clouds. When I think of smaller Irish villages I don’t think of immersive foodie experiences, but Kinsale is on the map with Michelin star restaurants, fish and chips shacks by the sea, and wine bars with a primo wine list. Away from the food, we ducked in and out of local shops selling upcycled handcrafted items, art, sustainable and eco-friendly beauty products, cozy hidden used book stores, and warm cafes. Ireland and Traverse Journeys continue to blow me away with their mindful approach to tourism.
After exploring and dinner, our local guide gave us his top recommendation for a small pub with trad music where the locals hang out. The musicians gathered in the corner with no stage and no fuss to bring the bar to life with music. Any of the local patrons were welcome to step up at any time to sing their favorite tunes.
Despite a late night at the pub, I woke up early for a brisk nature walk along the water’s edge. Many elderly locals were out walking their dogs and struck up a conversation with me.
We were so lucky TJ paired us with such an awesome local guide recommending his favorite spots in Kinsale.
⁉️What bright color would you paint your door?

30/09/2019

[Sponsored] Within two hours of landing in Ireland, we already found some fantastic medieval ruins to explore. This is all part of Traverse Journeys Wild Atlantic Way itinerary exploring the nature and culture of Ireland.
The Rock of Cashel is a lovely ruined medieval church, graveyard, and chapel on a rocky hill. St. Patrick supposedly baptized King Aengus, Irelan’s first Christian King, on this very hill and the land is very important to the Irish people.
I love traveling with Traverse Journeys because each one of their trips has an approachable local guide to ensure we have an authentic experience, learn about the culture from a local, and have someone on hand to answer all our ridiculous questions. Damien, our local guide, picked our small group up from the airport, loaded us into a van, and hit the road. We went straight from Dublin airport to his home town Cork, stopping at Rock of Cashel along the way. Once in Cork, he gave us a walking tour of his home town, the city built on a marsh with a lively pub and art scene. We finished the day at a local brewery and farm to table restaurant that was high-end Irish comfort food and included a delectable vegetarian menu. Who knew I would have some of the best vegetarian food in Cork, Ireland? This country has some amazing sustainable initiatives and paired with the meaningful itinerary of Traverse Journeys; it is making my conscious traveling heart sing!
⁉️Do you enjoy traveling with locals for insider tips and knowledge?

28/09/2019

🍀I leave for Ireland tomorrow with Traverse Journeys. One of the things I am most excited about is heading to pubs in small remote villages to listen to Trad Music!

Every evening, musicians come to Dolan's pub and play traditional music to the customers' delight. If you are in Limerick, you should definitely have a pint ...

26/09/2019

Planning a trip to Uzbekistan was interesting - to say the least. Just about every piece of information we found was outdated so we completely over-prepared. I guess that is better than under-preparing

Just in the last two years, Uzbekistan country has opened its arms and doors to tourism dramatically changing laws that made it difficult to travel. Obtaining a visa used to be a long and difficult process, and once you arrived you were subject to an intense search and filling out a ton of paperwork. However, in 2019, nearly 63 countries are allowed visa-free travel. Ganesh was one of the first few Australians to visit visa-free - which was pretty cool. I had to apply for a visa, but I was able to do so all online. Uzbekistan is becoming more vegetarian-friendly, their customs regulations are changing, infrastructure and sanitation are getting better and the locals are excited to talk to visitors!


Through trial and error and learning on the go, I've compiled my top 65 travel tips you need to know before traveling to Uzbekistan that is up to date for all the recent changes. So, if this amazing country is on your bucket list, make sure to save this guide!

http://bit.ly/WCUzbekKnow

One of our biggest frustrations when traveling in Uzbekistan was all the outdated travel tips we came across. Most of the travel blogs, guides, and other resources tlisting all the things we needed to know before traveling to Uzbekistan had us over-preparing to enter a rigid country, filling out ton...

22/09/2019

Next week I am heading to Ireland with Traverse Journeys. To get ready, I am checking out "Books for the Road: Ireland Edition." Reading about your destination is a great way to get acquainted with culture and history. I'm excited to read "Lost Lives" to learn more about the Northern Ireland troubles, and "A Girls is a Half-Formed Thing" written by Eimear Mcbride a female award-winning Irish author.

Do you like to read books inspired by your next destination or by local authors? Let me know what books in the comments!

https://traversejourneys.com/blog/2019/7/27/books-for-the-road-ireland

Ireland is a place famous for its beautiful green landscapes, never ending coasts, plentiful hiking opportunities, folkloric pubs, and heartwarming locals. Yet with all of it’s beauty and charm, there are also troubled and tragic chapters in it’s past. To understand all the facets of Irish cultu...

20/09/2019

I'm taking the day off work for the

To find a strike near you, go to https://globalclimatestrike.net/



What are you doing for our future?

Our house is on fire — let’s act like it. Join millions of us in the streets this September to demand climate justice for everyone. The climate crisis won't wait, so neither will we. ACT NOW

19/09/2019

What do you think are short flights like this pointless and a waste of carbon or necessary?

EasyJet announced this just as Dutch airline KLM announced it is replacing one of its daily flights between Amsterdam Schiphol airport and Brussels with a high-speed train service. At least there is some good news!

I have to agree with climate scientists on this one. Now is the time to act to reduce our carbon footprint before it is too late. This year I've drastically cut back on the number of flights I took compared to years prior. I've favored the train and less international travel. Even my husband who travels for work often has made efforts to travel less and find ways to do his job regardless.

https://www.independent.co.uk/environment/easyjet-flight-birmingham-edinburgh-flying-environment-carbon-a9110926.html

‘One of the great challenges of this century will be how we allocate that limited carbon budget amongst vitally important industries’

14/09/2019

Watching the sunset with a cocktail in hand with this view was definitely one of the highlights of our trip to Uzbekistan.
As the sun set lower and lower the Kalon Minaret and Mosque got a little bit brighter. The dusty light of dusk made the blues and teals seem to dance. Families started to emerge as the heat of the day finally subsided. We watched as kids rode their bikes around the square, couples went on evening walks hand in hand, and teens perched on the Madrasa laughing into the night.
Once it finally got dark, we ventured into the old town for food and found a restaurant with an open-top terrace. We sat under the stars and ordered a delicious vegetarian meal. It’s funny, I was fully prepared to have eaten an entire horse by the time I left Central Asia because every blog and guide I read said and I quote, “If you’re vegetarian you’re f**ked.” Clearly none of these guides were written by vegetarians because I found (especially in Uzbekistan) most restaurants had pages of vegetarian options on their menus and all our servers were eager to help us find a suitable meal. So, I sat down to write a vegetarian guide to Central Asia focusing on Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan. I will say I did eat horse meat once in remote Kazakhstan and sometimes you just have to go with the flow - something I’ve learned the more I travel.

13/09/2019

One of the reasons I love traveling with Traverse Journeys so much is that they work with community partners at each destination. A portion of your booking goes back to help those partners, and you get to visit them as part of the itinerary, so you know where your money is going.

For my upcoming trip to Ireland, we will be visiting the Irish Seed Savers Association to learn about the wonderful and crucial role they play in preserving Ireland's unique biodiversity.

In New Zealand, we got to go whale watching with Project Jonah New Zealand a group working toward preserving New Zealand whales.

Check out the other community partners Traverse Journeys works with by taking a peek at all their fabulous itineraries in dozens of countries around the world.

Read 9 more reasons why I love traveling with ethical tour company Traverse Journeys and why you should book with them in the future. http://bit.ly/TravJourneysWC

Well, today is the day. The day that I am eating my words that I, Susanna, would never book an organized tour. I'm thankful I tried something new since after exploring New Zealand with Traverse Journeys, a responsible travel company my mind on organized tours has changed. As a tour guide