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THE HOSTEL MOM

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Essays / Virginia

Are you a rover?

Rover Defined Not until writing my blog, did I realize the actual meaning of Rover. Sure it is associated with the Land Rover, a glamorous car for the earth. And the moon Rover, a glamorous car for the moon. It…

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Essays / Virginia

Advanced Caving for a Beginner

Advanced caving adventure from a novice’s perspective

About Me

The Hostel Mom

Travel Blogger

I started my love for travel later in life after all of my self-imposed obligations were satisfied/accomplished (married, raised a child who still likes me, and divorced a man who still likes me).
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THE HOSTEL MOM

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Embracing the winds of serendipity to travel the world

Travesía a Nado Blue Arico El Porís-La Punta de

Travesía a Nado Blue Arico El Porís-La Punta de Abona -1.4 kilómetros swim.

Positives:
€20 entry fee
Made a new friend
Swag: Tshirt AND shorts and a cute tote
I ingested my water quota for the week
2nd place in Veterans category (old people)

Negatives:
I never understood and appreciated how long 1 1/2 kilometers really is
There are 0 (like none) sighting buoys
No wetsuits permitted
The wind is strong and the waves are real.

Great day

A visit to the red pyramid. It is one of the few p

A visit to the red pyramid. It is one of the few pyramids where you can journey deep inside. Not recommended for anyone with claustrophobia.

Doesn’t get any fresher. Dates at a roadside sta

Doesn’t get any fresher. Dates at a roadside stand

Look who I bumped into while in Cairo…Azam and I

Look who I bumped into while in Cairo…Azam and Ian 😊

Out of Africa: warthog edition Serengeti, Ngorong

Out of Africa: warthog edition

Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater and Maasai Mara

The warthog, a distinctive member of the wild pig family, is commonly found in the savannas and grasslands of Tanzania and Kenya.

Warthogs are named for the large, wart-like bumps on their faces, which are actually protective pads of thickened skin. Males have two pairs of these "warts," while females have one pair. These warts protect them during fights, particularly when males clash over territory
Despite their stocky build, warthogs are surprisingly fast runners, capable of reaching speeds up to 55 km/h (34 mph). When threatened, they often flee to their burrows, entering rear-first with their sharp tusks facing outward to ward off predators.

Warthogs are primarily grazers, feeding on grasses, roots, and tubers. Unlike many other grazers, warthogs often kneel on their padded front knees while feeding. This behavior is due to their short necks and legs, making it easier to reach the ground.

Warthogs are known for their use of burrows, which they often take over from aardvarks. They use these burrows for shelter and protection from predators and the harsh midday sun. At night, they retreat into their burrows, sometimes backing in to face any potential threats with their tusks.

Warthogs live in groups called sounders, typically consisting of females and their young. Males are more solitary but will join sounders during the mating season. Females are highly protective of their piglets, which are often hidden in burrows or dense vegetation to protect them from predators.

These fascinating animals are an integral part of the East African ecosystem, known for their resilience and adaptability in the wild.

Out of Africa: Buffalo edition Serengeti, Ngoron

Out of Africa: Buffalo edition

Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater and Maasai Mara

Here are five fun facts about the Buffaloes in Tanzania and Kenya

Here are five fun facts about buffaloes, particularly the African buffalo (Syncerus caffer), commonly found in Tanzania and Kenya:

African buffaloes are known for their strong herd mentality. They live in large groups, sometimes numbering in the hundreds. The herd members protect each other from predators like lions, with the stronger buffaloes forming a protective circle around the young, old, or injured members.

Buffaloes have an exceptional memory and can remember specific locations of water sources or areas where they were previously threatened. They will avoid areas where they had a dangerous encounter, even if it was years ago.

While they may appear calm and slow-moving, buffaloes are incredibly unpredictable and can be quite aggressive when provoked. They are known to be one of the most dangerous animals in Africa, particularly when wounded or protecting their young.

Within a herd, buffaloes form strong bonds, especially among females. These bonds are maintained through grooming and social interactions, which help reduce tension and reinforce the herd's unity.

Buffaloes play a crucial role in their ecosystem. Their grazing patterns help maintain the grassland, and their movements create paths that other animals use. Additionally, their waste provides nutrients to the soil, promoting plant growth and supporting the entire food chain.

Pamukkale its name, meaning “Cotton Castle” in

Pamukkale its name, meaning “Cotton Castle” in Turkish.
It looks cold even when it is 105 degrees

The Kocatepe Mosque in Ankara is one of the larges

The Kocatepe Mosque in Ankara is one of the largest and most iconic mosques in Turkey, symbolizing the country’s architectural and cultural heritage.

An unexpected break (pun intended) from my iPhone… while on the road in Turkey. Thankful that I had a backup to take care of me 😊 so that my journey was not impacted
SO…a lot of catching up:
Ankara castle

The amazing man that was The most important figure

The amazing man that was The most important figure associated with Ankara, Turkey, is Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. He is considered the founding father of the Republic of Turkey and played a pivotal role in the country's history. Atatürk led the Turkish National Movement in the aftermath of World War I, culminating in the establishment of the Republic of Turkey in 1923. He served as the first President of Turkey from 1923 until his death in 1938.

I decided to rent a car and drive around Turkey. A

I decided to rent a car and drive around Turkey. A bit nerve-racking but well worth it. From Istanbul my first stop was at Ankara. This is the capital of Turkey. he is the political center of Turkey and holds a lot of cultural significance.
First stop:Museum of ancient civilizations

ATV ride through the Cappadocia valley

ATV ride through the Cappadocia valley

Sunset on horseback. Not sure it gets much better

Sunset on horseback. Not sure it gets much better

Sunset in the city

Sunset in the city

The Whirling Dervishes are members of the Mevlevi

The Whirling Dervishes are members of the Mevlevi Order, a Sufi Islamic tradition founded by the followers of Rumi in the 13th century. Their mystical dance, or Sema, involves spinning in a trance-like state to seek spiritual ascent and unity with the divine. The ritual symbolizes the soul's journey toward God, with the dervishes' flowing robes and graceful movements creating a mesmerizing, meditative spectacle deeply rooted in Turkish culture.

Took a cruise on a boat down the Bosporus, separat

Took a cruise on a boat down the Bosporus, separating Europe and Asia and connecting the Black Sea to the Sea of Marmara.

The Sultan Ahmed Mosque Complex, also known as the

The Sultan Ahmed Mosque Complex, also known as the Blue Mosque, in Istanbul, Turkey, features stunning Islamic architecture with its six minarets and large courtyard. The complex houses the tombs of Sultan Ahmed I and his family, serving as a significant religious and historical site.

The famous Blue Mosque

The famous Blue Mosque

The New Mosque The Yeni Cami (pronounced Yeni ja

The New Mosque

The Yeni Cami (pronounced Yeni jami), meaning New Mosque; originally named the Valide Sultan Mosque and later New Valide Sultan Mosque after its partial reconstruction and completion between 1660 and 1665; is an Ottoman imperial mosque located in the Eminönü quarter of Istanbul, Turkey. It is situated on the Golden Horn, at the southern end of the Galata Bridge, and is one of the famous architectural landmarks of Istanbul

The FOOD…is amazing

The FOOD…is amazing

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