Off the eastern tip of Puerto Rico lies the Caribbean island of Vieques. In this episode, we trade San Juan’s buzz for beach bars and an unforgettable ride through the brightest bioluminescent bay in the world. Along the way, Laura takes a tiny airplane, sips painkillers under the stars, and pops the question! From glass-bottom kayaks to an island wide power outage, Vieques gave us more adventure—and romance—than we ever expected.

Want to support the podcast? Go to Laura's Patreon site to see photos from the episode, maps of places she talks about and you can become a patron too!

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Buy matcha at: https://mantramatcha.com/  Use Promo code: TRAVELALONG to get 15% off.  

Buy sustainably produced coffee:  https://www.afueracoffee.com/  Enter promo code: TRAVELALONG for 15% off.  (And I'll earn a commission.)

Musical Credits:

Tracks: "The Grind", "Yellowstone 001",  "Rum And Spice"
Music provided by https://slipstreammusic.com
Auld Lang Syne | 2024 Christmas Songs by LOPKERJO is licensed under a Attribution 4.0 International License.

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Join Laura on a flavorful journey through the lush landscapes of Puerto Rico! We’ll explore the famed "ruta de lechon," where succulent pork is roasted to perfection at lechoneras dotting the mountain roads.

Our adventure takes us through the Carite rainforest where you can hike to breathtaking swimming holes and sip holy spring water at a catholic pilgrimage site.  Listen in as our guide, Adrian, shares insights about the island’s history, from the original Taino inhabitants to the vibrant culinary scene that flourishes today. We’ll uncover the significance of plantains, the rhythms of salsa music, and the remarkable wildlife of the rainforest, including the iconic coquí frog.

With a mix of adventure, culture, and culinary delights, this episode is not to be missed!

Want to support the podcast? Go to Laura's Patreon site to see photos from the episode, maps of places she talks about and you can become a patron too!

Follow the show on instagram or facebook.

Buy matcha at: https://mantramatcha.com/  Use Promo code: TRAVELALONG to get 15% off.  

Buy sustainably produced coffee:  https://www.afueracoffee.com/  Enter promo code: TRAVELALONG for 15% off.  (And I'll earn a commission.)

Musical Credits:

Free Guitar Riding Blues (F 014) by Lobo Loco is licensed under a Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

Taino music- track 1 provided by TainoAge.com

Spanish Guitar solo by Sonican, Mabarebare by Kbwabana, holyChorus.wav by BFMGames and Buena Suerte by FJRAV Travel Vlog are available under the Creative Commons Zero license.

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We're heading to the vibrant capital city of San Juan, Puerto Rico! Join Laura as she explores the charming cobblestone streets of Old Town, surrounded by historic castles and forts, before venturing into the modern neighborhood of Santurce. She'll also take you inside the Ron de Barrilito distillery to uncover the secrets behind Puerto Rico’s world-famous rum. Come along as she learns about the complexities of Puerto Rico's status as a U.S. commonwealth and the island’s fascinating cultural mix. Grab your bags, let’s go explore San Juan together! 

Want to support the podcast? Go to Laura's Patreon site to see photos from the episode, maps of places she talks about and you can become a patron too!

Follow the show on instagram or facebook.

Buy matcha at: https://mantramatcha.com/  Use Promo code: TRAVELALONG to get 15% off.  

Buy sustainably produced coffee:  https://www.afueracoffee.com/  Enter promo code: TRAVELALONG for 15% off.  (And I'll earn a commission.)

Music Credits:

Track: "Una Noche" and  "rum night-MM" and  "Fuego" music provided by https://slipstreammusic.com
Gotta Love Me by Kellee Maize is licensed under a Attribution License.  "La Borinquena" performed by the US Navy Band is licensed under public domain.

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In this episode, the whole family goes to a little mountain resort town to stay in a traditional Japanese Ryokan. Listen as they soak their weary feet in an onsen filled by natural volcanic hot springs.  Hear them boldly soar above an active sulfur mine in a cable car.  This place is kinda weird. And cool.

Want to support the podcast? Go to Laura's Patreon site to see photos from the episode, maps of places she talks about and you can become a patron too!

Follow the show on instagram or facebook.

Buy matcha at: https://mantramatcha.com/  Use Promo code: TravelAlong to get 15% off.  (I will earn a commission.)

Music Credits:
Track: "Opening Tokyo"  and Track: "Can'T Stop The Sunset" Music provided by https://slip.stream

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Travel Along with Laura to the lovely city of Kyoto, known for its exquisite temples and traditional wooden houses.  As the former capital, Kyoto offers a unique blend of ancient history and modern life, making it a stop on most travelers first visit to Japan.  Join Laura, Carrie and the kids as they struggle with jet lag, visit a famous Shintu temple and a sake museum, eat everything they see at the Nishiki fish market... and also at 7-11... visit a pig cafe and wander the streets of Gion.

Want to support the podcast? Go to Laura's Patreon site to see photos from the episode, maps of places she talks about and you can become a patron too!

Follow the show on instagram or facebook.

Buy matcha at: https://mantramatcha.com/  Use Promo code: TravelAlong to get 15% off.  (I will earn a commission.)

Music Credits:
Tracks: "Chugging Along", Purrple Cat, "Establishing Tokyo", "Roasted Turnt" and "Walk it Off provided by https://slip.stream
Sense by Sergey Cheremisinov is licensed under a Attribution 4.0 International License.

Track: "Can'T Stop The Sunset" Music provided by https://slip.stream

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The biggest city in the world has just about everything you can imagine! Join Laura, Carrie and the kids as they eat all the food, lose too much money in the claw machines at the arcade, karaoke their little hearts out, tour the fish market and wander through a very impressive interactive light museum.  We'll talk how to get around, what to do in various neighborhoods and more as you experience this incredible city along with Laura!

Want to support the podcast? Go to Laura's Patreon site to see photos from the episode, maps of places she talks about and you can become a patron too!

Follow the show on instagram or facebook.

Buy matcha at: https://mantramatcha.com/  Use Promo code: TravelAlong to get 15% off.  (I will earn a commission.)

Musical credits:
Get A Move On by Jason Shaw is licensed under a Attribution 3.0 United States License.
Track: "Pressing Buttons"
Music provided by https://slip.stream
Download / Stream: https://get.slip.stream/4H2vNQ
Announcement train accelerating Tokyo japan next station Nihombashi  edlarez vsnr.wav by visionear -- https://freesound.org/s/624298/ -- License: Creative Commons 0
Track: "In The Can_Cover"
Music provided by https://slip.stream
Download / Stream: https://get.slip.stream/kG6fUa
Track: "Act Open Hot Stuff"
Music provided by https://slip.stream
Download / Stream: https://get.slip.stream/3Kc9ii
What's Your Favourite Meat, Pete by Dr Sparkles is licensed under a Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike License.  Track: "Can'T Stop The Sunset" Music provided by https://slip.stream

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In this episode, Laura takes you along on what might be her most bizarre adventure yet through a working mine in Potosi, Bolivia. This is a gritty story about a rough place with a terrible history.  Past a smoking shrine to the local god, Tio, down down down into perforated rock with nothing but coca leaves and 192 proof alcohol to quell her fears, a lot happens inside this mountain.  You'll also learn about places to travel within the country as you explore the incredible landscapes of Bolivia, including the Salar de Uyuni salt flats, Lake Titicaca and the cultural centers of Sucre and La Paz.

Want to help the children of Potosi? Please consider donating to the organization Amigos de Postosi.

Want to support the podcast? Go to Laura's Patreon site to see photos from the episode, maps of places she talks about and you can become a patron too!

Follow the show on instagram or facebook.

Audio and Musical Credits:
Snorting cocaine by Breviceps -- https://freesound.org/s/450622/ -- License: Creative Commons 0
Track: "Mellow", Fenixprod  Music provided by https://slip.stream
public transport soliciting passengers.wav by Tito Lahaye -- https://freesound.org/s/78434/ -- License: Attribution NonCommercial 4.0
Piano Singularity by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com
Cycling.m4a by Chilsville -- https://freesound.org/s/574119/ -- License: Creative Commons 0
Wind Chimes (medium, 6 chimes) by iainmccurdy -- https://freesound.org/s/642325/ -- License: Attribution 4.0
Epic Fantasy by Lite Saturation is licensed under a Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
orecart_move_1.wav by Amusquiz99 -- https://freesound.org/s/435711/ -- License: Creative Commons 0
89448__bkamuse__dangerous-mine-shaft_edited.mp3 by pbmzbr -- https://freesound.org/s/625296/ -- License: Creative Commons 0
blast mining edit.wav by WaveAdventurer -- https://freesound.org/s/127952/ -- License: Attribution NonCommercial 4.0
Track: "Triumphant Celebration"
Music provided by https://slip.stream

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Want to support the podcast? Go to Laura's Patreon site to see photos from the episode, maps of places she talks about and you can become a patron too!

Follow the show on instagram or facebook.

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Its time for a good ol' American vacation! Marvel at the magic of Las Vegas and then rent an RV to drive to the Grand Canyon! Its Laura's first time driving an RV and as you seasoned listeners might be able to guess, this family vaycay does not go entirely smoothly. Its not because Laura can't drive the RV, by the way, she really did an incredible job.  In this episode, you'll hear the story as well as some great advice about planning your own trip.

Want to support the podcast? Go to Laura's Patreon site to see photos from the episode, maps of places she talks about and you can become a patron too!

Follow the show on instagram or facebook.

Musical credits: 
Epic by Lite Saturation is licensed under a Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.  Suoni in attesa by Toreroerba is licensed under a Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.   "Juicy Burger Funk" is provided by https://slip.stream.
Outdoors In Summer by Shane Ivers provided by https://www.silvermansound.com.
Horn_fail_wahwah_1.wav by TaranP is available under a creative commons 0 license.

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Travel along with Laura to Tikal.  As one of the most significant Mayan sites, this should definitely be on your lifetime bucket list. Tucked into the jungles of Guatemala, these striking temples rise magnificently above the trees.  The forest is crawling with wildlife as we explore this incredible and expansive place at sunset.

Want to support the podcast? Go to Laura's Patreon site to see photos from the episode, maps of places she talks about and you can become a patron too!

Follow the show on instagram or facebook.

Buy sustainably produced coffee:  https://www.afueracoffee.com/  Enter promo code: TRAVELALONG for 15% off.  (And I'll earn a commission.)

Musical Credits:

Track: "Latin Backer"  Music provided by https://slipstreammusic.com  Track: "Rain Drops" and "Mirrored Heart", by HUKU provided by https://slip.stream
Sun is Calling by DJ Petition x Fachhochschule Dortmund is licensed under a Attribution 4.0 International License.

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