Mentawai Islands - Sumatra

The Ultimate Diversity Of The Hidden Paradise

For some people you may be thinking, 

"where the heck are the Mentawai Islands" 

and others may know of them well or have personal experience there. 

People have always asked, 

"What do you want to be when you grow up?"

What I have really wanted to say, is...

"When I grow up I want to live on a Pacific Island, run a small guest house, raise an island family and live amongst the tropical forest with the ocean as my horizon."

Yep, that sums it up...

   The Mentawai Islands are just that for me....only now that I am grown up it is very, very hard to leave.....

Yep... something like this is what I envision when I go to my happy place....Togat Nusa Retreat

> Background <

The Mentawai Islands are not terribly far from the mainland of Sumatra but the island and the people have been kept isolated up until the 19th century because of strong winds, unpredictable currents, and razor sharp coral reefs.  It is thought that the archipelago separated from Sumatra about 500,000 years ago, resulting in the very unique flora and fauna that ranks the Mentawai Islands alongside Madagascar in terms of endemic primate population.  For example: the siamang kerdil, a rare species of black and yellow monkey, named simpai Mentawai by the locals.  

How freaking cute!

The largest island, Siberut, is where the majority of Mentawai people call home and is also the most research and protected of all the islands.  About 60% of Siberut is still covered with tropical rainforest which has earned its biological protection from the Unesco biosphere reserve.  The whole western half of the island is protected as the Siberut National Park.  The park is open to visitors, check out their website to learn more. 

If you are a surfer and are in search of the holy grail of waves, Palau Sipora is the spot for the continuous big wave barrels.  While it is the primary drop off point for surfers it is also the seat of regional government.  Surfers comprise the majority of tourism, many of whom rank the Mentawais as the ride of their life.  
  

Further south are the Pulau Pagai Islands - Utara (North) and Selatan (South) which is far less traveled than the other islands.

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There are many different surf breaks among the islands - check out this map and if you already know which break you are interested in this will help you decide which island to go to.

While the Mentawais are primarily a surfing destination do not let that deter you from visiting this fantastic archipelago if you are not a surfer.  
With majority of the waters being a part of the Unesco Heritage Park there are more than enough activities to keep you entertained. 
* Scuba Diving
*Snorkeling
*Underwater Photography 
*Kayaking
*Island hopping
*Boat riding
*Learn to surf

LAND
* Hike through the rainforest
*Relax on the beach and drink fresh coconut water
*Lounge poolside 
*Photograph some of the best wildlife in the entire world
*Mingle with fellow travelers 
*Visit a spa
*Eat, eat and eat some more
*Walk the endless miles of beach
*Yoga

Check out these websites to help plan your trip!
Travel information:
Best Travel Guide

Official Tourism Website

United Military Travel

Ferry Schedule and how to get around

Magic Seaweed Surf Report

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Places to stay:
Mentawai Surf Camp

Macaronis resort - Premiere Family Surf Resort

Aloita Resort - Mentawai's most refined and comfortable resort and spa

Mentawai Surfing Retreat

Awera Island - The Perfect Surf Spot

Kandui Resort

Wave Park - All Inclusive Surf/Family Resort

Togat Nusa Retreat

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Life is too short too not go on adventures

See the world

Step out of your comfort zone

Meet new people

Travel to exotic locations

Never feel guilty about taking a nice vacation

Spoil yourself

Make life everything you want it to be...

Stop being so... n o r m a l ...

Use a travel loan to explore places others only d r e a m of!!!

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Okay, I want you to close your eyes, breathe deep, controlled breaths and envision your happy place...everything about it.

  Is it a deserted beach?  

Are you far atop a mountain in a distant land?  

Maybe a field of endless flowers that opens to crystal clear lake?  

Now, imagine the way it smells, the textures, the horizon, maybe there is a house or cabin there.  Do you share it with anyone or is it all yours?  Can you feel the wind blow through your hair?  

Do all of your worries disappear when you are here? 

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 Open your eyes only when you are ready, stay in your happy place as long as you need.

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Now, with your fresh idea of what your ultimate d r e a m vacation would be, you need to realize that it can be a reality.

The world is full of places that can be your happy place, even if you have to share it with others.  I feel that most people just stick to the "cookie cutter" destinations because they are deemed "safe" and well traveled by others.

Personally, I do not want to visit places that you can find on Trip Advisor unless I have to.  

My happy place is a somewhere you would need a treasure map and a really good GPS tracking device to find me.  And honestly, it is always changing! 

*Sorry, I cannot disclose more but that is why it is mine :) 

With that being said, here are a few destinations that I would travel to to mimic what I wish reality could be like...

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Mu Ku Ang Thong National Park, Thailand

Mu Ko Ang Thong is a beautiful archipelago of about 40 islands in the Gulf of Thailand.  Ang Thong translates as bowl of gold, while Mu Ko simply means group of islands.  Most of the limestone islands, are covered with tropical forest and rise from the sea as rock cliffs and formations.  The best thing to do while there is exploring the white sand beaches and snorkeling the shallow coral gardens.  All of the islands are uninhabited and undeveloped except for Ko Paluay, an island inhabited by sea-gypsies who still earn a living from fishing.

Cocos Island, Costa Rica

  

Cocos Island is located 300 miles off the Pacific coast of Costa Rica.  This jungle covered island is primarily uninhabited.  Tourists are only allowed ashore with permission from the Costa Rican Park Rangers which are the only people allowed to live there.  Cocos Island is popular as a dive destination but people also come here to go treasure hunting.  Several hidden treasures are said to have been buried here by pirates in the 19th century including the Inca gold from Lima that was taken by pirate Benito Bonito.  This is a great destination to spend a week aboard a sail boat or dive boat.

Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia

Visit the world's largest salt flat located in south west Bolvia at 11,995 ft above sea level.  Here you can witness some of the most beautiful clouds you will ever see due to the location being climatological transitional zone and it is also one of the main breeding grounds to the pink flamingos.  It is a remote destination making accommodations few and far between but you do have the option of staying at a hotel built of salt blocks.  

Waitomo Glow Worm Caves, New Zealand

When you see a photo like this do you wonder how it was created and what it really is?  

I do!

Geological and volcanic forces created the 300 known limestone caves in the Waitomo region over the last 30 million years.  It takes a lonngg time for limestone for form and here it started when the land was still under water and then slowly started being compressed and exposed to air.  And the glowing you see are just glow worms that are no more than the size of a mosquito. 

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Now, that is just a small taste of what my happy place would be like.

Now share with me yours!

Get out and L I V E like tomorrow is your last!!

  

Croatia to Madagascar - My Top 8 drool worthy dream vacations

Travel Loans = Windows of Opportunity 

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Ok - So all of my post thus far have been about places I have ALREADY been to.  Well, the wanderlust bug has bitten me and so I need a way to "release" a little bit so I am going to list my top 8 drool worthy vacation destinations.  And since I have champagne taste on a beer budget,  I do believe I see a new travel loan in my future! 

These are in no particular order - I am just picking them as they pop in my head.

1. Croatia - Jewel of the Adriatic

    Time needed: 2 weeks

    Areas to visit: Pakleni Islands for crystal clear sea, hidden beaches, and deserted lagoons.

             Dalmatian Coast to explore Dubrovnik and island hop through the Elefitian Islands.

                           

2.  Indonesia - Bali

     Time needed: 3 weeks

Areas to visit: Bukit Peninsula for world class surfing and beaches, Nusa Penida for the most off-beaten path of Indo as possible.  Then West Bali National Park for hiking, bird watching and diving.

3.  Maldives 

     Time needed: 2 weeks

     Areas to visit: South Male Atoll for surfing, night fishing, excursions to deserted islands.

4.  South Pacific Islands - Tahiti, Fiji, and the Cook Islands

     Time needed: 1 month

     Areas to visit: EVERYWHERE!

5.  Morocco

     Time needed: 2 weeks

     Areas to visit: North Atlantic Coast and South Atlantic Coast for the laid back vibe, and

     Saharan Morocco to ride a camel!

6.  Grecian Isles

     Time needed: 2 weeks

Areas to visit: Mykonos for a more up-beat yet romantic feel then off to Santorini for rest and relaxation.

7.  Arctic Cruise 

     Time needed: 11 days

     Areas to visit: Circumnavigate Iceland

8.  Madagascar - Africa - Dream destination for nature and outdoor lovers

     Time needed: 2 weeks

     Areas to visit: Everywhere but primarily the beaches and rain forests :) 

                           

Nicaragua-not just for backpackers...families too!!!

...Top 15 "Must Dos" in Nicaragua...

When I first traveled to Nicaragua through United Military Travel I was surprised to see not only young travelers but also families.  Taking a family vacation seems to be getting harder and harder these days and so obviously third world countries are becoming more attractive.  Aside from the airfare, the cost of enjoying yourself is extremely less than going to 1st world country and staying in a resort.  The accommodations in Nica, to me and my family, offer more personality, are more genuine, and fun.  And when you pair all that with the assistants of travel loans for a travel now and pay later scheme...taking a vacation is more than doable!  

When someone mentions Nicaragua, what are the first thoughts that come to your head?  Mine would be, "Oh, I love it there!" or "when do you wanna go?"  Not only is Nica a fantastic place for surfers but also nature lovers and families.  It really is such a diverse country that you can find something for everyone!  Check out my family's top 15 recommendations on the "must dos" of Nica.  Also enjoy my friend, Candace, and her families photos of their most recent trip down there!

1. Stay on Ometepe Island
2. Volcano Board
3. Swim in a mineral spring
4. Watch as many sunsets as possible
5. Horse back ride
6. Take a boat tour around Laguna de apoyo
7. Find howler monkeys
8. Visit a sea turtle nesting beach
9. Use Salsa Verde on ALL of your food
10. Eat at the market for breakfast in San Juan Del Sur
11. Surf
12. Experience Granada during the day AND night
13. Stay either in Playa Santana or Playa Popoyo...its life changing
14. Take a 1/2 day fishing charter
15. Don't be afraid of new things

*Candace is a photographer for Brooke Mayo Photography, if you like her work check out their website!  

www.brookemayopblog.com 

Nicaragua - A Diamond in the Ruff

Nicaragua....Truths vs. Misconceptions....

"Far Better To Live Your Life Imperfectly, Than To Live Another's Perfectly"

Nicaragua is not perfect, you will not find perfectly paved roads, manicured hedges, or five star resorts lining the beaches but to me and my husband it is a place of serenity, peacefulness, and happiness.  What you will find is a country that still lives like decades has not passed, a country where working hard is the only way to work, a country that still lives by tradition not the outside world.  

*United Military Travel will only book your trip in safe accommodations that live up to UMT's standards.

Ometepe Island - Playa Santa Martha

Road to town - Playa Santana

If you are an adventurist - book this trip now!

First thing to do upon arriving: head straight to la playa (the beach).  In order to really experience Nica you have to get out of the city.  But first some tips:

• Already have a transfer service arranged for you from your hotel.  Makes life way easier.
• You could rent a car but how are you going to navigate the country roads with no street signs?
• At the airport many men will try to carry your bags to their cars making you use their service if you let them.  Refuse, unless that is what you want.    
• Kids...lots of sweet little kids...trying to sell you chicle (gum), handmade flowers, water, etc.  I usually give them a dollar and do not take their items.  You do not have to...but I am a sucker. 
• Prepare yourself for the car ride to be an adventure in itself.  You can buy yourself a 6 pack of Tona (great local beer), sit back and take in the sights as they wiz past you.  Literally, fly by you because driving down there is no joke.  If you have a weak stomach-sit in the front.  
• Traffic consists of cars, mopeds, cows, chickens, horses, donkeys, and dogs (lots of them).
• Pedestrians do NOT have the right of way - be careful.

Sunset - Playa Santana

Buena Onda Hotel - Playa Santana

You have many choices in accommodations and atmosphere:  beach, lake, island, or city. 

• Beach: Playa Santana, Playa Popoyo, Playa Iguana for surf and remoteness. 
• Accommodations:  Santana - Buena Onda or Rancho Santana.  Popoyo - Popoyo Beach Lodge.  Iguana - Hacienda Iguana.  
• Lake: Lake Nicaragua (Ometepe Island),  Laguna de apoyo
• Accommodations: Lake Nicaragua - Playa Santa Martha.  Laguna de apoyo - Hostel Pardiso.  Or rent your own home on your own island.
• City: Granada, San Juan Del Sur
• Accommodations: Granada - either rent your own home for a few nights at a wonderful rate with privacy and most homes are open air with indoor pools and terraces.  Or stay in Hotel Colon, they book fast so call ahead.  San Juan Del Sur - backpackers paradise.  Pelican Eyes Resort and Spa....hands down the best there!

Playa Maderas

Lake Nicaragua

Pelican Eyes - San Juan Del Sur

Playa Popoyo

Colonial Granada 

Colonial Granada - Rental Home

Ometepe Island

Laguna de apoyo - Rental Home