Ever since applying for Carpe India, I’ve been psyched for the four day trek. There’s something extremely satisfying about going from point A to point B using nothing but my two feet (plus 16 mules’ hooves…zero ways I’m dragging a propane tank and a few tents up the mountain). The trek was challenging on some days but we got plenty of breaks and were treated like kings and queens at… Read More
We have been very busy here in India the past several weeks, but a very different kind of busy from the first half of the trip. Instead of running about crowded towns filled with honking horns and cows, we have been enjoying the mountain scenery around the towns of Rishikesh and Dharamshala.
After a short stop in Delhi after an incredible week in Kolkata, we took a train to Rishikesh… Read More
Blog from Lily B. Walking to the bus station, we learned what the benefits are to backpacking light. We headed off southbound to Mafinga for a brief wait at the bus station for the connection to Mufindi- a site of peculiar people watching and interesting cultural
interactions. Bumping along the roads to Mufindi Chilren’s Village, we saw brilliant green tea fields in all directions. We met with Amari, new college… Read More
Just a quick post to keep everyone updated! We haven’t had time the last week to take care of group things such as the blog because we’ve been staying at the beautiful Phool Chatti ashram in upper Rishikesh. The ashram overlooks the Ganges river from a bluff and has the perfect atmosphere for some serious reflection and spiritual exploration. Our days we’re jam-packed (5:30 am to 9 pm!) with yoga,… Read More
Greetings from Calcutta! I have been given the lofty task of describing my experience here. Honestly, I know that I will probably fail at fully expressing all of the emotions I have pertaining to this amazing place, but I will try my best.
I want to start off by saying that Calcutta was the reason that I chose this program. Yes, I was excited for many other aspects of the… Read More
Blog courtesy of Maddy K. from their safari a couple of weeks ago! Thanks for your patience with the delay on posting this blog as internet can be challenging in Tanzania. Hello Hello Hello!
I am Maddy Karsten from Grand Rapids, Michigan and this week’s blogger! Since our five days learning Swahili at River Valley Campsite, we have had an unforgettable 5 days. We spent three full days walking around… Read More
On the morning of November 9th, we all said farewell to our wonderful host families as we began our full day journey to Bona Fide Farm on the island of Ometepe. Carrying our backpacks with us, and thankfully not misplacing any of them, we prepared ourselves for two back to back two and a half hour bus rides, 2 taxi rides, and eventually the one hour ferry ride (which was… Read More
This week we headed up the Rio de Madre Dios to El Gato hostel in the Amazon Basin of Peru. We focused on the theme of sustainable living by working with the local nonprofit, Camino Verde, to build a fish pond so they can source their own protein. This organization strives to protect the biodiversity of the beautiful Tambopata river basin by planting endangered tree species. Enjoy the photo highlights… Read More
With very little clean clothes, a few extra bug bites (maybe a few cat bites as well), and slightly clay-stained orange hands, we are finishing up our week here in the jungle. Looking back at our achievements, however, it was all extremely worthwhile. Our main project with Robin was constructing a pond. This pond will provide Robin and the people living with him with a sustainable protein-source instead of fishing… Read More
Hey all! Our group has been all about that swell and barrels as we are digging the surfers vibe in Playa Gigante. Project WOO (Waves of Optimism) has shown us what community projects can do in bringing people together. This was especially true today as we held a community surf day for the kids and their families. It was super fun, just seeing kids enjoying the beach and learning to… Read More
G’day family and friends! So far our stay in Australia has been grand. Our first stop was Adelaide where a member of the group was temporarily lost after falling asleep on the bus. But don’t worry, he made good use of by getting to know the city ahead of time. We spent the next two days exploring Adelaide, then we headed off to the Conservation Volunteers of Australia headquarters where… Read More
Hello Family and Friends!
Another successful week has gone by in the Carpe Diem Hongi group!
As we left Fiji it was hard to say goodbye and many tears were shed when saying goodbye to our home stay families. It felt like a second home in Fiji and is experience we will never forget. That being said, we were looking forward to our next stop in Adelaide, Australia. We stayed… Read More
Hey hey everyone! Indy here. After the hassles we experienced trying to cross the border into Cambodia, I’d say the country has now redeemed itself for me.
After a few days exploring Siem Reap and the magnificent Angkor Wat, we took a what-was-supposed-to-be-a-7-hour-bus-ride-that-I-think-actually-took-nine-because-of-traffic to Phnom Penh, from where we immediately went to New Hope for Cambodian Children, an orphanage and elementary school for kids living with HIV. Unfortunately, as soon… Read More
Hello there friends and family,
This is Hannah here and I am currently in an internet cafe in Njombe, Tanzania and I am loving it! We just got back from Mufindi Children’s Village and my heart feels complete 🙂 With so much love being put into amazing projects no wonder they are being so successful with their work! From doing baby- power hour to working out on the water pumping… Read More
Well it’s been quite a week! We took a bus from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh, a trip which was supposed to take 6 or 7 hours and ended up taking 10. We made it to the New Hope for Cambodian Children orphanage late on Monday night, and quickly passed out in our dorms. Over the next few days we made good use of the bathrooms, as most of us… Read More
Papa Cusco brings hot legit fried eggs to you— that´s how you start a day!
Sexy Spanish teacher says Buenos Dias to you— that´s how you learn knowledge!!
Still warm Pan with leaking chocolate inside from panderia— that´s your afternoon snack!!!
Salsa, Market, Zoo, Cooking class at afternoon— that´s why you can´t stop smiling!!!!
Fantastic dinner with group in cozy hostal— that´s the chill time of your day!!!!!
Pillow talk… Read More
A few photos from the past week in Cusco.
La Catedral de Cusco The view of Ausangate peak covered in snow View of Cusco from the rooftop terrace at Mama Cusco hostel Cheridyn teaches the group how to make artisan chocolates. Salsa dance classes at the language school. Full moon over Cusco.… Read More
Blog courtesy of Dayle W. Photos from Natalie B. Hello there! We are now back in the city of Kabale after an enriching
week working with the Edirisa UK Special Needs Education Centre
(SNEC)! Edirisa UK is a charity in the UK with a community based
organization in Uganda. The four main areas they focus development in
are education, clean water, health and sanitation, and sustainable
development. They have many… Read More
I now know why Cusco, Peru is such a tourist attraction. This place, also known as ¨the belly button of the world,¨ is truly wonderful. We arrived here on Sunday, after a 9 hour bus ride, exhausted, yet really excited to explore. The Hostel This week we stayed at a hostel named ¨Mama Cusco.¨ The name is self-explanatory. Papa and Mama Cusco run this cute, little hostel and… Read More
here are some long awaited photos of the amazing Maya group!
Shoutout to Jeb becuase guess what, he already knows all those things.
love, Diandra … Read More
