Cartagena, Colombia and safety in South America
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
Cartagena, Colombia. Today, we're heading to Cartagena, Colombia —a vibrant and touristy Caribbean city bursting with color, music, and history. It's one of the most popular destinations on South America's northern coast — and I'll share my experiences and a few lessons learned for solo travelers like you. Get ready to immerse yourself in a culture that's as lively as it is rich. Let's start with the setting. Cartagena's Walled City — La Ciudad Amurallada — is the heart of it all. I recommend exploring early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid the crowds and the heat. You...
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Lincoln Square, Chicago, using AI on the road and staying healthy tips
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
Where in the world am I? In San Diego, talking about Lincoln Square, Chicago. The FAQ is about using AI while traveling. How do I get the best responses to my prompts when I have a question? Is there a platform you recommend? There are thousands of platforms, and new ones are popping up every day. For travelers seeking the most current answers to their travel questions, you are in luck. You can navigate the territory solo better today than ever because you can ask the right questions. Practice is the best way to use them. 60-second confidence challenge If you like today’s...
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Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Canada
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
Where in the world am I? In San Diego today, talking about Cape Breton, Canada . Hi there. I'm Dr. Mary Travelbest, world traveler, professor, marketing expert, and all-around fun person. And I'm excited to connect with fellow travelers and share our experiences. Quick-fire FAQ: Your mom, grandmother, or even your daughter told you to be careful when traveling solo. But did they ever do it? You are on your way. The question I get asked is: What should I tell someone who discourages me from traveling? Answer: You can turn it around and ask for specific information...
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Machu Picchu, Peru including lessons learned about Step 5 travel
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
Where in the world am I? In San Diego, talking about Machu Picchu Are there any tips to help me avoid being cheated or robbed while traveling? Yes, you can take precautions like removing your expensive jewelry before traveling and not carrying expensive purses or shoes. Don't look like a target. Look like you belong, and try not to stand out from the usual crowd. Check reviews of any Airbnb or turo car rentals you book. Be careful not to walk alone in the dark at night, as much as possible. Think of the odds whenever you go out. Please put them in your favor, not a criminal. If you like...
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Medellin Colombia Part 2
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
Medellin, Colombia.Part 2 Welcome to Dr. Mary Travelbest Guide Quick-Fire FAQ: Drying Out Wet Clothing. How do you do that on the road? How do you dry your wet belongings while traveling, especially when you're solo? Especially in a humid area, it’s hard to get things dry. When you solo travel, you have more control over your time constraints, so plan to let things dry. When it’s damp, the best way to dry your clothes is by maximizing water removal before drying. Try the towel roll trick. First, lay the clothes flat on a towel, roll them up, and twist to ring out...
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Medellin, Colombia Part 1
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
Medellin, Colombia 60-second confidence challenge: The confidence challenge is to meet someone new today. You might stop by the mailbox to say “hi,” or visit a park where people are less in a hurry. Start a conversation with someone new today. If you like, then get their name and phone number and give them a call. If you like today’s Confidence Challenge, Chapters of my book dive deeper into how to build confidence using it—link in description.” See Book A for addressing the challenge of meeting new people Find it on our website at or on...
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Galapagos, Ecuador
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
Here is the episode on Galapagos, Ecuador 60 second confidence challenge Check your passport. Do you have at least six months left until it expires? Do you have at least four blank pages? Then your passport is in good shape. You’re ready to travel, as long as you check for any Visa entries you may need. If you like today’s Confidence Challenge, Chapter 2 of my book dives deeper—link in description.” See Book A for addressing all of these items like preparing for travel. Destination Deep‑Dive Today’s destination is: Galapagos, Ecuador Galapagos means nature to most...
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Haarlem, Netherlands
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
this episode is about Haarlem, Netherlands. See Book A for addressing the challenges of solo travel in your prime. Find it on the website at or on Amazon. It’s a several-part series. Destination: Haarlem, Netherlands. It’s a Dutch city that’s often overshadowed by Amsterdam, but has just as much charm—and far fewer crowds. I’m talking about Haarlem, Netherlands. Haarlem is only 15 minutes by train from Amsterdam, making it an easy and quiet alternative for solo travelers over 50. What you’ll love is its slower pace, historic streets, and safe, flat, walkable...
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Toronto Canada Part 2 of 2
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
This episode is about Toronto, Canada. See Book A for addressing this challenge. Find it on the website at or on Amazon. It’s a several-part series. Toronto is another example of Step 3 travel, advanced solo travel. Other step 3 destinations in my Part B book include Banff, Whistler, and Vancouver. Destination Deep‑Dive Today’s special destination is: Toronto, Canada, part two of two You may arrive at Pearson airport, like I did, which was a lovely airport ranked high among international airports. I had the opportunity to experience the Priority Pass lounge...
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Toronto Canada Part 1
Dr Mary Travelbest Guide
Toronto Part 1 of 2 FAQ: Do you travel on public transport? Let’s explore one city. The FAQ for today is: How would I travel around Toronto on public transport, if needed? Here are a few facts about their public transit. Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) is your central transit system—includes: Subway Streetcars (trams) Buses PRESTO Card is the smart fare card you'll want to use. It gives discounted fares for seniors (65+). Ask ChatGPT about the best travel options for you, whether it's the subway or any other mode of transportation. It will provide detailed information instantly....
info_outlineMekong Delta, Vietnam
Welcome to Dr. Mary Travelbest’s 5 Steps to Solo Travel Guide for women like you who need extra support traveling (slowly) one woman at a time. Please share this podcast with your mom, aunts, and friends. I appreciate your feedback.
I’ve returned from a 90-day trip around the globe to every time zone on the planet. My mission is world peace through cultural exchange. I was sustainable when I could by using local transportation, buses, and trains. I was solo, carrying a small backpack, called a “personal item,” that fit under the seat in front of me on a plane.
In this episode, the FAQ is: What was the most memorable experience on the 90-day trip?
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Today’s Destination is the Mekong Delta, Vietnam
Today’s Mistake- Booking last-minute hotel rooms
Travel Advice: - Have a backup plan, even with Pre-Clearance options, such as in Dublin, Ireland
FAQ: What was the most memorable experience on the 90-day trip?
Answer: One of the most memorable things was going to a community protest movement in Tel Aviv, Israel. The family I was staying with, including a mom and her two children, was planning to attend a protest. She asked me if I would like to come. I said yes, even though I had not been to a protest in decades. It was peaceful. It was attended by about 50 people in front of the Pardes Hanna City Hall. I did not understand the words, the signs, or the full message, but I felt the personal impact that it was important to these people to be heard and seen. See the show notes for details.
Today’s destination: Mekong Delta, Vietnam
Going through 6 countries, the Mekong River flows 3,000 miles from the Tibetan plateau to the South China Sea. It boasts the world's largest inland fishery. It accounts for up to 25 percent of the global freshwater catch and provides livelihoods for millions of people.
You may even see live crocodiles; even though I did not, you can swim in the river.
From the lobby of my HCMC hotel, Me Gusta, I booked a two-day tour for $59 plus $6 for a single room. This was a low-budget tour, but I did not know it then. This tour was to the Mekong Delta, so here are a few highlights of that English-guided tour.
https://localvietnam.com/tours/mekong-delta/
The Mekong Delta in southern Vietnam is a vast maze of rivers, swamps, and islands, home to floating markets, Khmer pagodas, and rice paddies. Boats are the primary means of transportation, and tours of the region often start in nearby Ho Chi Minh City or Can Tho, a bustling town in the heart of the delta.
My tour hotel was two-star. It had cockroaches. Breakfast was two eggs on a plate, and that was it. I asked for more and got one more egg.
Here is where some courage kicked in after breakfast. I was directed to ride on the back of a motorcycle during the morning rush hour to the tour bus in light rain. That was how I got to my bus on day 2. I had no choice, so I agreed. We rode over a bridge that had collapsed in 2007, said my tour driver, Andy, from Sunrise Tours.
Later that day, Andy was the one who arranged my adjusted bus trip, and to get to the public bus instead of going back to Ho Chi Minh City, he got me to Phu Quok. I got picked up at the Farm Place. Before getting on this bus, I had to remove my shoes. That was how they kept the bus clean. We stopped at a gas station to use the restroom, which was filthy.
It took the Futa bus to Can Tho and a van to the bus station. I took the Superdong Ferry to Pho Quok. To get there, I had to get to the Phuong Trang bus station and head to Rach Gia.
The island of Phu Quok, felt like Hawaii to me. Immediately, I felt the tropical breezes and much tension was gone. I got a massage first thing. I needed it, as I had been feeling miserable with a sinus infection for the past two days.
Without a hotel reservation, I walked along the main downtown commercial area with many touristy places strip until I found a nice place with a room. The room was noisy, and construction noise was on the other side of the wall, so I asked to be moved and was. I stayed at a beach bungalow and then rested. Once I felt good, I swam in the ocean at sunset. I slept well, rose early for a 5 a.m. taxi to the airport, and was the first one at the airport for a flight on Vietjet Airlines.
No freeways. 1-2 lanes each way. Motorcycles and lots of noisy horn beeps.
Today’s Mistake-.Booking last-minute hotel rooms
It was a mistake to book last-minute hotel rooms in Vietnam. I should have done my research before and picked some more congenial places. Instead, I got what were leftovers that no one else wanted. I was not sad because I did want to experience what the locals experienced. And I had that. If I were to do it again, I would have planned better and been more sure about what my rooms would be like.
Today’s Travel Advice- Have a backup plan, even with Pre-Clearance options, such as in Dublin, Ireland
Always have a backup plan in case your trip is interrupted. I heard about some passengers who arrived at Dublin Airport expecting to fly home to the USA, but when they arrived, the customs office was closed, so they missed their flights. Instead, they had to pay a lot to book on other airlines. It cost them dearly. If they had a backup plan or had looked into this situation, they could have avoided this issue. The show notes have details on this pre-clearance.
https://www.dublinairport.com/flight-information/travelling-to-usa/faqs
I want to bring meaning to your travels. Send a question or travel tip to info@drmarytravelbest.com. Sign up for the mailing list here. We can connect on my website, Facebook page, group, or Instagram. Subscribe to YouTube, Twitter, or other social channels. Find the 5 Steps to Solo Travel series on Amazon. The show notes have more details for you to connect. Support this podcast with a review, please.
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