Category Archives: mongolia

15 Fabulous Airplane Shots

airplane shots

I’ve loved to travel for most of my life and in the past few years I’ve made a bit of a job out of it. While it’s not always terribly lucrative, it has been fun. I DO really LOVE to TRAVEL. I like virtually everything about it. BUT I didn’t always love to fly. Now I’ve truly grown to love it. AND, to me, one of the best things are some of the amazing shots I’ve gotten from the window seat of an airplane. I hope you enjoy the view!

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Flying over Miami Beach. One of my favorite views.

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Up in the friendly Thai skies. Aren’t the clouds so gorgeous?

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Catching sunset over the Atlantic Ocean. What a sky!

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Descending over Londontown. Ello River Thames.

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Leaving beautiful Bali. What stunning blue water!

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Sunset somewhere between Mongolia and China.

aerial iceland

The stunning south coast of Iceland.

aerial greenland

Brrr! Greenland below.

aerial jamaica

Coming in for a landing. Welcome to Jamaica, mon.

aerial india

Sunrise goodbye to India.

aerial boston

My pretty hometown of Boston!

aerial english channel

Last bit of land before the English Channel en route to Paris.

aerial harbor island

Pink sand beaches of Harbor Island, Bahamas. Wow!

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Seeing the Midnight Sun in Iceland!

aerial new orleans

Saying goodbye to the mighty Mississippi River in New Orleans.

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Filed under airlines, bahamas, bali, boston, iceland, india, jamaica, london, miami, mongolia, new orleans, travel

Why the Mongol Rally? #LolasMRJourney

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I’m setting off on what is surely the biggest adventure of my life so far. And as excited as I am I’m also nervous. It’s hard to say goodbye to all that you know to go into a world of unknowns. It’s also thrilling. I’m opening myself up to any possibility and letting my story unfold.

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Meeting new people and experiencing new things is one of the most exciting parts of life for me. I know this adventure will change me in ways I don’t even know. It’s partially why I’m doing it. I believe in getting out there and living.

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But I know leaving my life behind, even if only for an extended period, that things will change with that too. But I guess you never grow if you aren’t open to change. My friends say I’m brave. I’m not sure about that. I just need to do what I need to do.

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Someone said recently that I have high hopes and I hear that if you have “low expectations then you’ll be happy” but I respectfully disagree. I think you should live life looking forward to great things. You should have high hopes. For the good that’s out there. For what you are and what you’ll become.

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Living life with low expectations is sad in my opinion. Maybe you don’t get disappointed but you also don’t raise the bar for the world to rise to. Maybe you don’t get hurt by things but you also don’t feel the great potential in it all.

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Besides seeking a life of adventure, I’ll be looking for all the joy in the journey. The little things that give me hope and set my expectations for something greater. The world is too wonderful not to believe in it to its full potential. For me, the Mongol Rally isn’t just about reaching Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. It’s about “the journey is the destination” more than ever.

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I’m going places I never expected to go. I will be meeting people and learning things I never expected to learn. And I feel so lucky! Lucky to explore. Discovery in myself and the outside world has never led me wrong. I hope you enjoy the ride. The insight. The funny moments. The mishaps. The wonder. The reasons to have dreams and high hopes!

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I’ll be posting on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter as often as I can with the hashtag #LolasMRJourney

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Filed under mongol rally, mongolia, travel, united kingdom

10 Tips for Surviving the Mongol Rally

Very excited to have a guest post today from a veteran of the Mongol Rally last year and friend, Britany Robinson, who’s the travel writer behind Stars on the Ceiling – a blog for Millennial travelers and adventurers. She’ll soon be taking off on a 3 month road trip across the United States, putting her Mongol Rally skills to good use in her search for destinations that appeal to the Millennial generation.

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Last year, I participated in the Mongol Rally, and one year later, it remains one of my favorite talking points. This 10,000 mile drive is ridiculous, stressful, overwhelming, and wonderful – and I can’t wait to live vicariously through Team Mongolistic 4 this summer! Mystery and surprise are what make this route so thrilling, so I won’t give too much away, but I do have some practical advice to offer Lola and her team…

McDonald’s are the new Starbucks

Looking for Wi-Fi and a predictable menu? McDonald’s are where it’s at. Even if you’ve sworn off McFoods (like moi), you may reconsider when you see how much nicer McDonald’s are in Europe. There is almost always the McCafe counter with options for the more health conscious. And they ALL have Wi-Fi, which you’re going to crave from the confines of your car.

Find Lodging Before Midnight

In Western Europe, there are plenty of truck stop motels along the major highways, but SURPRISE – truckers fill them up at night and it can be extremely frustrating to find a room, particularly after an exhausting day of driving.

Opt for early nights and early mornings so as to not waste time trying motel after motel.

Once you’re in Eastern Europe and beyond, you’ll likely start camping with more frequency – which is also a tricky (and shady) option come nightfall. Find your campsites well before sundown and give yourselves time to set up and make dinner before it’s dark.

Splurge When You Can

There will be plenty of opportunity for earning your “I roughed it on the Mongol Rally” badges, so don’t push it. Savor the showers and comfortable beds when you have them. Before you know it, they’ll be a distant memory!

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Scarves are invaluable

Scarves were my savior on the road — not only for throwing over a dirty t-shirt and making myself relatively presentable, but also for sudden temperature drops at night, and for covering up in the more modest of countries.

Layer, Layer, Layer

Again with the temperatures – no matter your route, they will likely be all over the place. Mongolia was a particular surprise, as we went from desert surroundings to snow-capped mountains, and with that transition, the temperatures dropped drastically.

I wound up rocking the shell of a teammates winter coat while he wore the lining because I hadn’t thought to bring warmer layers.

Trust me, you’ll need them.

Cherish Your Alone Time

You love your teammates. You want to experience everything with your teammates.

Until, suddenly, you don’t and you’re secretly dying to speed off at the next rest stop while they’re paying for gas.

OK, maybe it won’t be that bad. But no matter how much you love each other at the start, hours on end in a car together will test even the tightest of teams. So enjoy your alone time when you have it. Exploring a city for the day? Take the opportunity to go see something your fellow ralliers might not be interested in.

Once you’re camping in the steppe, your only reprieve will be sleep – and even then you might listen to them snoring from their neighboring tent.

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Go Easy on New Foods

You think a stomach emergency is rough in the shared bathroom of a hostel? Try facing this situation in the flat expanse of the Kazakhstan desert without so much as a healthy bush to hide behind.

Carry the usual stomach meds for emergencies, and err on the side of caution when sampling new cuisines along your route. (There’s a good chance you’ll accidentally eat horse at some point.)

Border Crossings are a Bitch. Brace Yourself.

We were pleasantly surprised by border crossings for most of our Mongol Rally route – until we got to the border of Russia and Mongolia and were held there for five days.

You just never know when some piece of paperwork is going to make your life extremely difficult. Factoring in an extra full day for each border crossing

Capture it all

Nobody wants to be that jerk that keeps the camera rolling when you’ve run out of gas on the side of a dirt road and its 110 degrees out and you’ve got half a bottle of scorching water and no food. Until the rally has concluded and you’re the one with the priceless footage of the most memorable moments. Be that jerk.

No matter what – it will be over too fast. Enjoy it.

There will be many moments where you’ll long for the comforts that await you at the finish line. Just remember that once you’re there, the adventure has concluded. Enjoy every flat tire, mosquito bite, border line, and bad meal. These challenges may feel draining at the time, but they’re what make the memories you’ll hold on to, and they’re what will make this story worth telling.

Good luck Team Mongolistic 4! I know you’re going to rock this rally with style!

Thanks, Britany, for all your advice including all my messages with silly questions. There may still be a few more before July 19th!

xo – Lola

 

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Filed under mongol rally, mongolia, travel, united kingdom

Mongol Rally – a very un-Lola-like adventure

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As some of you may know, in 4 weeks I will be taking off for a summertime adventure. I’m making a pit stop in Iceland (more on that later) on my way to the UK where the journey of a lifetime will kick off. I’ve mentioned the Mongol Rally in passing before but more to do with fashion dilemmas than anything else.

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It’s true, I may not seem like the likeliest of candidates to participate in such an undertaking as the Mongol Rally but that is precisely one of the reasons I’m doing it. I actually have a huge adventurous spirit, bigger than many realize, and this sort of challenge is really going to feed my soul. Yes, I’m doing all my prep work just like my teammates, ie, visas, travel doctor, international license, medical insurance, etc. But these things are just small preparations.

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Here are some of the things that wake me up at night AND conversely, other things I’m NOT concerned about with regard to the Mongol Rally that even surprise me!

Concerns

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Packing in only a backpack for almost 6o days and having clean clothes.

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Bug bites. Mosquitos LOVE me. This may have been my #1 concern before going to Cambodia.

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Shaving my legs or lack there of…when it’s hot and I’m donning shorts, well no one likes fuzzy gams.

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Getting my hair dyed pink and having it stay that way for the entire adventure.

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Finding amazing treasures. In doing some research it appears I’m going to like some of the fashion I find along the way. Currently coveting these from Mongolia.

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Having my border booty confiscated. Not only am I bringing it overseas in a “not on the up and up” kind of way but one of my teammates already got his stolen out of his checked bags. It’s a REAL problem.

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Staying connected via internet access. I’m not one to go long without being in touch. I will probably have a breakdown if I cannot be connected fairly frequently.

Anti-Concerns

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Where are we sleeping every night? I have zero clue and this would not usually be the norm for me.

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The lack of a return plane ticket home. Besides when I moved to NYC with a one-way ticket, I have never traveled without a return ticket or a hard return date. PS – it’s exhilarating. Like a story with no known ending.

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Driving a stick shift on the wrong side of the car. I figure, eh…I will work this out. I drove a stick for 3 years.

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Border crossings & border patrol. There are some tales out there that should concern me. BUT if the border guards look like Mr. Moscow, I’m a happy girl. I don’t know. I’m not a trouble maker in these kinds of situations.

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Immunizations. I try to be prepared and even when the travel doctor suggested I get Hep B vaccinated in case I need a blood transfusion due to an auto accident, I was like, that’s not going to happen. I got the vaccination anyway!

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The fact that my visas will cost me at least 5 times more than my share of my rally car. Car $200 Visas $1000+. Who cares, you only live once and the Mongol Rally is just that kind of adventure.

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Making up bullshit dates and forms in order to secure visas. Hello lying…it seems this is par for the course, so I’m not going to worry. Apparently, Consulates accept false info just fine.

Anyway, it’s sure to be a one-of-a-kind adventure. It will likely turn out that I haven’t even thought of the thing that I should be most concerned about with regard to the Mongol Rally. There is really no preparing for it. Soooo I’m just gonna roll with it!

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Filed under mongol rally, mongolia, travel

It’s #Movember – That Means Mustaches & #ManlyMoments

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BIG SURPRISE that Lola can get behind mustaches… you know my love of wearing faux ones around the world. I’ve even got my friends wearing them because being ‘stachey is FUN!! But in all seriousness, November and #Movember are important! It’s a time where people participate in growing mustaches to raise awareness for testicular and prostate cancer. I rejoice because I feel I’m amongst kindred mustache spirits on top of the good deeds it represents.

My adorable friend Raymond from Man on the Lam is doing a HUGE campaign that is quite enviable if you ask me about #Movember. Thanks to Leah Travels for asking me to participate in making my own #ManlyMoments bucket list to support this worthy cause. So here it goes, some will happen and some will never! I’m ok with that – are you?

1) SWIM THE ENGLISH CHANNEL

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Lola, once upon a time, did a sprint triathlon and thought to myself, wouldn’t be amazing to be so fit you could swim the English Channel. Let me just say, that 1/2 mile swim was the hardest part of my race. I cannot imagine ever being able to do this feat but am super impressed by all those that make this a goal and set out to achieve it. Very manly indeed.

2) ISLAND HOP SAILING THROUGH THE CARIBBEAN

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I wish I could say I can sail. I cannot. I’d like a decent size sailboat along with a handsome crew to do the dirty work for me. I promise to entertain them with my pirate-like antics and rum drinking. I’m buying, so I say let’s taste all the different rums out there in the turquoise Caribbean!

3) COLORADO RIVER RAFTING IN THE GRAND CANYON

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This one I actually think will happen. It’s been on my list for a while and based on what I’ve heard and read, you can have quite the adventurous yet glamorous experience in just a few short days. I like a little action packed activity on my vacays so this sounds really perfect for Lola.

4) PARTICIPATE IN THE MONGOL RALLY

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Happily, I can report this #ManlyMoment will get ticked off Lola’s list this summer. It may seem anti-Lola to want to do the Mongol Rally but I think it sounds like an adventure of a lifetime. Yes, it will be challenging for this poshaholic but I look forward to roughing it. It will make the post-rally rewards that much sweeter. And, that’s the way I roll.

5) DO A CATTLE DRIVE IN WYOMING/MONTANA

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So, as you may know, I’m a Texan. And as a Texan, I love the idea of participating in an organized cattle drive tour. I have 3 pairs of cowboy boots and a belt with a ginormous buckle so I’d say I’m pretty much ready to go. Can’t you just see it now?! Pink cowboy hat and boots…me tossing a lasso and capturing a cowboy err I mean roping a cow. Let a girl dream 😉

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Now for the serious stuff. The goal is to raise awareness of Movember and men’s health issues. Whether you are a blogger or a reader, you can participate in this great cause.

  • Read along as Raymond attempts to complete his Manly Bucket List at MadeMan.com/Movember
  • Follow along on Facebook and Twitter with the hashtags #Movember and #ManlyMoments
  • Go to Movember.com to find out more about men’s health issues, support a Mo Bro or Mo Sistah, or to register to become one yourself.
  • Check out the schedule for the Made Man Movember Mo’asis Bus Tour and come on by if you are in the neighborhood for free shaves and tons of great activities.
  • Last but not least, DONATE!

OR can make your own #ManlyMoments Bucket List! All you need to do is:

  • Choose five activities you’d like to do and create your own #ManlyMoments Bucket List – they can be something you commit to do during Movember, or simply something you’d like to do before you kick the bucket. (Ladies, this is open to you too!)
  • Nominate five bloggers to create their own #ManlyMoments Bucket List.
  • Include a link to Movember to encourage people to register or donate.
  • Tweet and share your posts with the hashtags #Movember and #ManlyMoments

Also, every time you send a tweet, Vine, Instagram, or post to Facebook with your manly photos, or text using the hashtag #ManlyMoments, the folks at Made Man will donate $1 to the Movember cause.  You’ll also be entered into a draw for a Trip for Two to Las Vegas to experience your very own Mancation, which includes the Top Gun Experience from Sky Combat Ace. Sounds good to moi!

I’m tagging a few of my favorites to play along and I know they will come up with clever posts for their #ManlyMoments!!

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Calan from Discovering Your Truth

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Joshua from Engineer on the Road

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Tom from Waegook-Tom

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Yishyene from Small Crazy

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Brian from The Travel Vlogger

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Filed under bucket list, caribbean, mongolia, travel, united kingdom, USA