The Open Road Calls My Name: A Travel Writer’s Tales from the Field

The Open Road Calls My Name: A Travel Writer's Tales from the Field - Chasing the Sunrise to Capture the Perfect Shot

As a travel writer, I'm constantly in search of that perfect shot - the one that truly captures the essence of a destination and transports readers to that location. And to get that shot, I've learned that sometimes you need to chase the sunrise.

There's something magical about the golden hour at dawn. The soft, diffuse light creates a glow that brings out vibrant colors and adds dimension. It bathes landscapes in a warmth that can't be replicated at other times of day.

So when I arrived in Santorini, I set my alarm for 5 AM. I wanted to capture the famous blue-domed churches as the sun crested over the aegean sea. The early wake-up call was worth it. Standing on a cliff overlooking the caldera at Oia, I got the postcard shot I had dreamed of. The candy-colored buildings glowed as if lit from within, while the endless blue of the sea and sky collided on the horizon.

Angkor Wat in Cambodia is another place where timing is everything. Only at sunrise can you get a reflection of the grand temple in the placid pond out front. I remember watching the light slowly illuminate intricate carvings and transform sandstone spires from black silhouettes into monumental structures. Locals stopped to watch too, appreciating the daily wonder.

Sometimes chasing the dawn means sacrificing sleep and comfort. On a trip to photograph the Atacama Desert, I drove 30 miles down a bumpy dirt road in the dark to reach Valle de la Luna. After scrambling to an overlook, the payoff was immense - the sun lit up rainbow-hued rock formations and painted the landscapes in pastels. It was a surreal scene I'll never forget.

Of course, not every early morning excursion goes as planned. Searching for the green flash in Bali, clouds obscured the horizon at the crucial moment. And an attempt to photograph lavender fields in Provence was foiled by fog. But that's the adventure. The magic hour is ephemeral and fleeting. You have to seize it when you can.

What else is in this post?

1. The Open Road Calls My Name: A Travel Writer's Tales from the Field - Chasing the Sunrise to Capture the Perfect Shot
2. The Open Road Calls My Name: A Travel Writer's Tales from the Field - Forgoing Sleep to Trek to Hidden Waterfalls
3. The Open Road Calls My Name: A Travel Writer's Tales from the Field - Sampling Local Cuisines Takes Me Off the Beaten Path
4. The Open Road Calls My Name: A Travel Writer's Tales from the Field - Hitchhiking with Locals Opens Doors to Cultural Immersion

The Open Road Calls My Name: A Travel Writer's Tales from the Field - Forgoing Sleep to Trek to Hidden Waterfalls

As a waterfall chaser, I'm obsessed with tracking down cascades tucked away in remote pockets of nature. And to reach many of these hidden gems, you need to trek deep into forests or up mountainsides far from any trail. The journeys can be grueling, requiring waking before dawn, hiking for miles, and testing your orienteering skills. But gazing upon a waterfall in pristine wilderness that few will ever see makes every scratched limb and lost hour of sleep worthwhile.

One of my most memorable pursuits was to Kubo Falls in the dense jungles of Bolivia. Accessing it required a 4 AM start to reach the river crossing point at first light. What followed was a 7-mile slog up and down muddy banks, using vines as ropes and getting clotheslined by branches. With socked feet and aching legs, I was ready to turn back, but my guide urged us on. Rounding a bend, we were greeted by a powerful 90-foot waterfall crashing into an emerald pool fringed by orchids. We had the falls to ourselves for 2 blissful hours before retracing our steps.

In the Meghalaya region of India, living root bridges allow you to reach waterfalls that would otherwise be inaccessible. To see the famed Nohkalikai Falls, we woke at 3 AM to trek 10 miles crossing rickety bridges made of rubber tree roots. The mesmerizing 1,100-foot multi-tiered cascade, tucked deep in a rainforest gorge, did not disappoint. Watching the water turn glowing amber as the sun rose was ethereal.

The payoff isn't always a towering waterfall. In Tasmania, a 3 AM wakeup had us embarking on an 8-hour roundtrip hike through wilderness to Hartz Lakes. Arriving just after dawn, we were rewarded with the sight of wispy falls cascading down mossy cliffs into glacial lakes. The scene reflected perfectly in the mirror-still waters - a view few get to admire.

Sometimes you don't reach your goal, but the attempt brings its own rewards. In Chilean Patagonia, we hiked 13 hours roundtrip to try and see the elusive San Rafael Glacier. But storm clouds and swollen rivers ultimately blocked the view. Still, we got to traverse hanging bridges, navigate challenging terrain, and soak in the solitude of being deep in nature. I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

The Open Road Calls My Name: A Travel Writer's Tales from the Field - Sampling Local Cuisines Takes Me Off the Beaten Path

As a travel writer and avid foodie, I'm always seeking out opportunities to dive into a region's culinary scene. This quest invariably takes me off the well-worn tourist track and into the back alleys and side streets where locals eat. By sampling authentic dishes at mom-and-pop establishments, I gain insight into an area's heritage and traditions. The tastes transport me to another time and place in a way sterile hotel restaurants simply can't replicate.

In Hanoi, slurping down bun cha with people-watching locals gave me a window into daily Vietnamese life. At the century-old Sacha restaurant in Lima, I savored lomo saltado as waiters in bow ties bustled around me. And in Istanbul, sipping Turkish coffee accompanied by plates of glistening baklava connected me to generations past. At each spot, interactions with owners and chatter with diners allowed me to learn about the cultural significance behind the cuisine.
Food tours and cooking classes geared toward visitors provide another avenue for culinary exploration off the beaten track. In Mumbai, a walking tour took me into tucked-away Parsi cafés to try unique dishes like sali per eedu. A foraging excursion on a First Nations reserve in British Columbia gave me new appreciation for indigenous ingredients. And handmaking pasta with a local nonna in Bologna felt like being invited into her home for a private lesson.
Talking with fellow adventurous eaters you meet along the way provides invaluable tips. A discussion in an Oaxacan food stall pointed me to the town's best mole negro. A friendly argument with two foodies I met over tacos al pastor in CDMX unveiled the city's top lunch spots. Their recommendations took me to eateries I never would have found otherwise.

The Open Road Calls My Name: A Travel Writer's Tales from the Field - Hitchhiking with Locals Opens Doors to Cultural Immersion

As a budget traveler, I'm always looking for ways to pare down costs. Hitchhiking allows me to slash transportation expenses while also providing unparalleled opportunities for cultural exchange. Accepting rides from locals gives access to insider perspectives you'd never uncoverzipping by in a tour bus. From sharing music and stories to being dropped off at hidden gems, hitchhiking fosters genuine human connections.
In New Zealand, I stuck out my thumb to traverse the winding roads of the South Island. After being picked up by a retired couple, we spent hours conversing about politics, rugby and their Maori heritage as the lush landscape rolled by. When they dropped me in Greymouth, we exchanged numbers and met for fish and chips the next day.

Hitchhiking in Jordan led to countless invitations for tea and hospitality. Outside Petra, a minibus stopped for me, and I rode for 30 miles with a family headed to a wedding. Although we spoke no common language, generous smiles and laughter transcended barriers. And thanks to the daughter's translations, I gained insight into Bedouin culture.
Part of the adventure is never knowing who will let you in and where you'll end up. When continually passed up hiking in Chilean Patagonia, two cheering Irishmen finally offered a lift. We swapped stories the whole way to Torres del Paine, and they pointed me to an obscure cave hidden down a gravel road- a place I'd never find on my own.

Hitchhiking opens your mind as drivers share their own perspectives. In Borneo, a palm oil plantation farmer illuminated his struggles between preserving forests and feeding his family. And throughout Central America, illuminating chats with everyone from off-duty police to renewable energy technicians reinforced that people are more nuanced than stereotypes suggest.
Of course, solo female travelers have extra safety considerations when hitchhiking. But wise precautions like only catching rides from women or families, staying on main thoroughfares and trusting instincts go a long way. For Maria Rodriguez, hitchhiking through Turkey led to heartwarming experiences, like being dropped at stunning coastal vistas or getting invited home for a meal by welcoming strangers.

With the collaborative spirit of the open road, you share in unplanned detours and transportation costs while drivers enjoy the company. Paul Harrison relies almost exclusively on hitchhiking while backpacking through Asia. He says it cuts expenses in half while allowing him to connect with people he'd never meet flying from one tourist hub to another.