Comoros Islands Travel Guide | Everything You Need to Know

COMOROS

A tiny cluster of islands in the Indian Ocean, the Comoros Islands are a unique off-the-beaten-path destination with gorgeous beaches and friendly smiles. Comoros wasn’t really on my radar until my plans to visit Malawi were cancelled and I had to find another destination that Ethiopian Airlines flew to, and was open during this time.

Entry Requirements

• PCR Test Within 72 Hours Of Arrival

• Health Declaration Form

• Visa On Arrival Application

VISA ON ARRIVAL

The VOA application is relatively new at no extra cost; if you’re staying at a local guesthouse this must be filed with a local guide, otherwise if you’re staying at a major hotel like The Golden Tulip there’s no need for this. My guide had to go to immigration with my passport and airline ticket info and file the paperwork. He then sent me the application confirmation signed and stamped. The VOA is 30€/$50. Highly recommended to bring Euros since USD does not exchange well. Also went to four ATMs around Moroni and the only one that worked was Exim Bank.

I spent 3 full days in Grand Comoros; I found it to be quite pricey as a budget traveller so I didn’t go to the other island Moheli unfortunately, but I hear it’s incredible to watch the turtles hatch on the beach and stay at Laka Lodge. There’s 2 main hotels in Grand Comoros, but my guide fixed a guest house for 40€/night near the Golden Tulip. Once I spoke to the guest house owner I realized that my guide was up-charging a lot so it’s a lot cheaper to contact the owner directly. It was perfect to be able to walk over and use the wifi at the Golden Tulip and hang out at their private beach. I also got a Huri sim card for 10€.

When my guide picked me up from the airport, he took me into Moroni to sign my name in to take a PCR test the next morning. Since there’s only 1 place in the whole country to take a PCR, there’s hundreds of people that line up everyday so you need to allot 3 days at least for them to process your test. Luckily the guesthouse owner was able to make some phone calls to get my name at the top of the list. It used to be a lot cheaper but with the huge number of people trying to take PCRs, it’s now 100€ — they put the date of the PCR as the date of your flight so you don’t have to worry about it expiring. My guide told me that he had a guest that only spent 1 day in Comoros and they pretty much spent the full day doing the covid test and having to personally deliver everything to the lab for 250€, but this is not recommended and was nearly impossible to pull off.

The next morning my guide picked me up at 6 AM to take me to the testing center; even though we were there early (it opened at 8 AM) there was already over 100 people lined up. He mentioned that everyone is vaccinated and “there’s no covid anymore,” but a lot of locals are traveling now for work, which is why there’s a huge influx of testing. I was nervous that something would’ve happened and I wouldn’t get to take the test first since I didn’t see my name on the sign-up sheet, but luckily they did call my name! Afterwards he took me around the island for a day-trip and saw all the main sights: the kissing rock, Bouni beach, Lac du sâl, Mitsamouli beach.

On the last day, my guide picked up my PCR test results in Moroni then dropped me off at the airport. I’ll share more soon, but for now, I hope this helps someone looking to visit these gorgeous islands!

The Best Iceland Road Trip Itinerary

Iceland is an incredible all-around destination; whether you’re looking for adventure or luxury, there’s something for everyone! There’s not many places that you can road trip around a country in just ten days and see all sorts of dramatic landscapes, fjords, active volcanoes, glaciers, or maybe even the northern lights — it is called “The Land of Fire & Ice,” after all!

The main road around the country is called Route 1, or the Ring Road, which is 1,322 kilometers or 821 miles around the loop. I highly recommend doing the trip in 7 – 10 days, but feel free to explore at your own pace! It’s an amazing place to explore, and everything is so photogenic.

ICELAND ROAD TRIP ITINERARY

This post is aimed at travelers looking to explore Iceland with their own vehicle or camper van, primarily in the summer or the shoulder season. Having been to Iceland in both the summer and winter, I will touch briefly upon visiting in the latter season, but my personal favorite time of year to travel to Iceland is late July / early August for the wildflowers and beautiful greenery. Iceland is a very easy country to travel around; it’s similar to driving in the US or any other developed western country and everyone speaks good English. Anyways, let’s get started!

DAY 1: KEFLAVIK TO VIK

Since most international flights seem to arrive at the Keflavik Airport (Reykjavik) early in the morning, you’ll grab your rental vehicle and hit the road. Iceland is an expensive country, so if you have your own camper van or just want snacks, I highly recommend stopping at a Kronan grocery store along the way. If you want to plug it into your GPS, check out the one in the city of Selfoss and it’ll have everything you need — snacks, groceries, water, cooking propane, toiletries, etc.

Seljalandfoss

Seljavallalaug Pool

Skogafoss

Dyrholaey

Reynisfjara

Vik

DAY 2: VIK TO HOFN

Today’s a long day of hiking, so start your morning early and grab a cup of joe at Skool Beans! You’ll end the day at Hofn, which is a total of about 3.5 hours of driving. Let’s go!

Fjadrargljufur Canyon

Mulagljufur Canyon

Jokulsarlon Iceberg Lagoon & Diamond Beach

Hofn

DAY 3: HOFN TO SEYDISFJORDUR

VESTAHORN (STOKKSNES)

HENGIFOSS

SEYDISFJORDUR

DAY 4: SEYDISFJORDUR TO HUSAVIK

STUDLAGIL CANYON

VITI CRATER

MYVATN

HUSAVIK

DAY 5: HUSAVIK TO GRUNDARFJORDUR

GODAFOSS

AKUREYRI

KIRKJUFELLSFOSS

GRUNDARFJORDUR

DAY 6: GRUNDARFJORDUR TO REYKJAVIK

SVORTULOFT LIGHTHOUSE

ARNARSTAPI

BUDAKIRKJA (BUDIR)

REYKJAVIK

DAY 7: REYKJAVIK TO KEFLAVIK (AIRPORT)

FAGRADALSFJALL VOLCANO

BLUE LAGOON

GlocalMe: Portable Wifi to take with you anywhere

The first time I heard of a portable “pocket wifi” device I was traveling to Japan in 2018 and was told that it was the best way to be able to get service in a country easily and connect to several devices. Being an avid traveler and working remotely, one of my main concerns when I get to a new country is trying to figure out how to stay connected. Another hassle is not having service to look up vital info immediately when you land, but with GlocalMe you can go to their app and select the country you’re traveling to along with the appropriate data plan. It’s amazing you can stay connected in 144+ destinations without having to search for a SIM card every time!

I’ve been using GlocalMe for three years now and have traveled to over 30 countries using their service. I first bought the G2, which was the perfect device for me at the time; I loved being able to navigate the screen on the device, but I found it to be quite chunky and delicate. I was definitely due for an upgrade so I was excited to have the chance to try the new TriForce, which has more of a rugged slim feel for an avid traveler and a long-lasting battery life, not to mention it also doubles as an external battery. When you’re bouncing from country to country and constantly charging electronics, it helps that you don’t have to charge the device every night!

GlocalMe is a staple to my travel necessities and I can’t recommend them enough. Be sure to check out all their SIM card-free devices to choose what’s right for you on your next adventure!

Favorite Things to do in the Pacific Northwest in Spring

The Best Things to do in the Pacific Northwest in Spring

1. Check out the hot springs: Scenic Hot Spring

2. Visit the tulip farms in the spring: Skagit Tulip Festival

3. Admire the wildflowers in bloom at Sunrise Visitor Center in Mt. Rainier National Park

4. Pick your own lavender at Lavender Valley Farms

Favorite Summer Pacific Northwest Hikes

1. Mount Storm King, Olympic National Park, Washington

2. Cracker Lake, Glacier National Park, Montana

3. Painted Hills National Monument, Oregon

Best Fire Lookout Hikes in Washington

1. Mt. Fremont Fire Tower: This lookout probably has one of my favorite sunsets with all the mountain layers surrounding it, but it gets crazy crowded on the weekends.

2. Mt. Tolmie Fire Tower: This hike is incredible in late July / early August when all the wildflowers are blooming! Not to mention the alpine lake right below the lookout is gorgeous.

3. Park Butte: Another amazing fire lookout view, but this time of Mt. Baker! There’s only one bed available in the fire lookout, and it’s first come, first serve. There’s a sign that says you can’t claim it all for yourself, but there’s a little bit of an unspoken rule that the first ones have dibs. If you want it, you need to reach the lookout well before noon.

Best 5 Day Itinerary for Jordan

JORDAN

Welcome to the majestic country of Jordan, where ancient wonders and awe-inspiring landscapes await you at every turn. Over the course of five days, prepare to embark on an unforgettable adventure that will leave you breathless and mesmerized by the country's rich history, vibrant culture, and breathtaking natural beauty. Looking for the best way to make the most out of your time in Jordan but don’t have a lot of time to spend? Here’s the perfect itinerary for 5 full days in Jordan!

Day 1: Amman, the Heart of Jordan

Arrive to Amman, rent a car, and drive 2 hours to Petra. Renting a car is the best way to see the country; I was surprised because the roads were absolutely fantastic and we didn’t have any problems with crazy drivers! We spent the night at Petra Aretas Hotel, which was walking distance to the ruins! The hotel prepared a box lunch for us so we could take it to-go at sunrise and walk down to avoid paying for parking.

Day 2: The Ancient City of Petra

If you’re looking for the best photos, make sure you arrive right when the park opens. You want to make sure you get your shots before the light starts to stream into the canyon (and avoid the crowds of people)! There’s a lookout right above the Treasury that you can access near the ruins, and you can pay a local guide to take you up. Again, don’t wait until the light streams into the canyon as the lighting becomes too harsh. Work quickly if you want the best photos!

You can also hike up to the Monastery, which is grueling in the heat if you don’t walk up early enough. Afterwards I recommend checking out the other lookout above the Treasury, which is also pretty awful in the heat, but well-worth the trek! A lot of people spend two days here, but since we were the only tourists due to covid, one day was enough to see everything.

Day 3: The Desert Beauty of Wadi Rum

We left really early to drive towards Wadi Rum and stayed at the Zeina Desert Lodge, and they arranged a desert safari for us all day. I really liked their vehicles because they had a covering for the back, unlike most people I saw baking in the sun. They also had a fantastic dinner and shisha.

Day 4: Floating in the Dead Sea

We drove through Aqaba and along the coast to Wadi Mujib to check out the canyon. We didn’t know you had to pay to take a tour (online it just looked like you could walk through this canyon with water), so we politely declined and went on our way. We stayed at a hotel along the Dead Sea and hung out the rest of the afternoon until sunset, when we went to find the perfect spot for photos.

Day 5: BACK TO AMMAN

We headed back to Amman and took a PCR test first thing; there are drive-thru stations where you can just roll down your window, get swabbed, then get the PDF sent to you via whatsapp. We stayed at the Arab Tower Hotel / Burj al Arab, which was really convenient to walk to all the sights, but a little confusing to deal with parking. Luckily the owner showed us a place we could park for $2. We walked around the Roman Amphitheater, King Abdullah I Mosque, and spent the sunset at the Citadel. Make sure you bring your Jordan Pass so you don’t have to pay entry fees at these locations!

Top Things to see in Socotra Island, Yemen

YEMEN

Socotra Island, located off the coast of Yemen, is a hidden gem waiting to be explored by nature enthusiasts. This paradise boasts breathtaking landscapes that seem to belong to another world. Its unique ecosystem is home to a plethora of plants and animals found nowhere else on Earth. From the iconic Dragon's Blood trees, with their distinctive umbrella-like canopies, to the vibrant coral reefs teeming with marine life, Socotra Island offers an immersive experience that is both awe-inspiring and humbling. Its untouched beauty and remoteness make it a true sanctuary for those seeking solace in nature's embrace. Travelers are captivated by its surreal landscapes, turquoise seas, and ever-changing dunes, leaving them with memories that will last a lifetime. Socotra Island is a true testament to the wonders of our natural world, a place where magic and serenity converge in perfect harmony.

In May 2021 I had the opportunity to visit Socotra Island, Yemen! It’s not easy to get here, but let me go over everything you need to know on how to get here and the top things to see.

Where is Socotra Island?

Located in the Arabian Sea, approximately 240 kilometers east of the Horn of Africa, Socotra Island stands as a true testament to the marvels and mysteries of our natural world. This hidden gem, part of the Republic of Yemen, boasts a unique location that sets it apart from any other destination on the planet.

Socotra Island's distinct geological history has contributed to its extraordinary array of flora and fauna that exist nowhere else on Earth. Its isolation from the mainland, coupled with the convergence of subtropical monsoons, has created the perfect breeding ground for a myriad of rare and endemic species to thrive in this exclusive haven. Towering dragon's blood trees, bulbous bottle trees, and velvety frankincense trees punctuate the landscape, while dense forests, freshwater springs, and pristine beaches surround them.

HOW TO GET TO SOCOTRA ISLAND

Getting to Socotra Island isn’t as simple as booking a flight and going; you must go with a tour operator who can set up your visa. These days, most flights to Socotra fly from Abu Dhabi, UAE but you used to also be able to fly from Cairo, Egypt. Of course, your best bet is to speak with your tour operator to figure out what’s best for you.

As for tour operators, check out Crazy Puffin Adventures! I personally love Crazy Puffin and lead expeditions for them; sometimes it’s easier to have everything laid out and get all your questions answered by native English-speakers. But if you’d rather go with a local tour agency to support the community directly check out Socotra Eco-Tours.

When to visit Socotra Island

Tours to Socotra Island only operate for half of the year, from October until early May. After May is monsoon season, so everything closes up until the fall. I went in May at the end of the season, and let me just say this was the worst possible time to visit because the heat was on average 46 degrees Celsius (about 115 Fahrenheit), even at night. The winds would pick up so sand would be blowing constantly, so the weather was not pleasant to say the least. But it was still an incredible trip! I highly recommend going earlier in the season; the best time is between November and February so you get to see the pink blooming flowers on the bottle trees, which are a relative of the baobab tree.

What to pack for socotra Island

Yemen is a Muslim country, but because of the remote feel of Socotra Island, you won’t have to worry about appropriate dress. Most tours are wild camping, plus I wouldn’t recommend doing a tour if you’re not, otherwise you’re really missing out on the whole experience! Of course bring one outfit that’s not too revealing if you’re planning on being in the capital of Hadiboh, but for the most part I was in shorts, tank tops, and a bikini the entire trip. Anyways, here are my must-have’s to pack for Socotra Island:

CLOTHES:

My top recommendation for clothes is lightweight and sweat-wicking since you’ll be camping for a week without a shower.

SPORTS TANK TOP: This is one of my favorite tank tops and have several! It’s my go-to for the gym and hiking, looks cute but keeps you cool and the sweat away from your skin.

LIGHTWEIGHT JOGGER PANTS: I originally bought a pair of these from Target but found these dupes from Amazon and love how they come in way more colors! They are super thin and lightweight so they hardly take up space, not to mention are also great in the heat but can also provide good cover at night in case there’s a breeze. I use these for all my Africa / Middle East trips. Definitely bring shorts though!

QUICK DRY TOWEL: Quick dry towels are a must when camping, but I recently discovered the pocket quick dry towel by Sea to Summit and it’s my new staple. Not only does it do a great job of drying you off unlike some plush microfiber towels, but it also packs up to the size of your index finger.

TEVA SANDALS: A must for hiking in places where you’re going to be in and out of the water! Chacos are great too but I personally think Tevas look better with regular clothes.

SEARCH | Alternatively, check out my Amazon storefront for more recommendations on what I bring on trips.

ELECTRONICS & ACCESSORIES:

EXTERNAL BATTERY: You won’t have much of a way to charge your phone or batteries, so it’s imperative that you bring a good external battery to charge everything! I was able to charge my phone five times, but I also recommend bringing a USB plug with multiple ports for the car’s cigarette lighter so you can top off your electronics on the long drives.

DJI MAVIC MINI 3 PRO: Having a drone in Socotra is a must, but I highly recommend bringing your mini. Unfortunately if it’s a Mavic Air or larger they will confiscate it (I know from experience) so the mini is the perfect size.

CAMERA CLIP FOR BACKPACK: This is one of my favorite photography accessories for hiking with a backpack! It makes it so easy to have your camera within arm’s reach when you see something you want to snap a quick photo of on a hike, versus having to pull it out of your backpack and set it up.

TRAVEL ORGANIZER: As a backpack traveler, I find it so important to stay as organized and compact as possible. This is great for storing all your cables, SD cards, batteries, or whatever other stray accessories you have!

SEARCH | Alternatively, check out my Amazon storefront for more recommendations on what I bring on trips.

what to see in socotra

Sand Dunes of Arher

The sand dunes were our first stop on the trip, and it was stunning seeing where the white sand meets the sea.

2. Homhil Canyon

3. Qalansiya

4. Detwah Lagoon

5. Dragonblood Tree Forest

Top Things to do in Iraqi Kurdistan

In January I had the opportunity to visit Iraqi Kurdistan, an autonomous region in northern Iraq. Because it’s an autonomous region, Americans don’t need a visa to explore this area unlike Iraq proper. Here are my top things to see!

1. Lalish: Lalish is considered a sacred area to the Yazidi people and dates back thousands of years. Most Yazidis make a pilgrimage to Lalish at least once in their lifetime.

2. Amedi: “The City in the Sky” is believed to be the home of the Three Kings that visited Jesus Christ when he was born.

3. Akre: A town built on the side of a mountain range in the year 580 BC by the Kurdish Prince Zand and a beautiful lookout to watch the sunset.

4. Rawanduz Canyon: Close to the borders of Iran and Turkey, this area dates back to the Neo Assyrian Empire as a major trade route.

5. Amna Suraka: Also known as the “Red Prison” in Sulaymaniyah, it’s been turned into a museum to educate how many lives were lost in the Anfal genocide.

6. Erbil: The capital of Kurdistan, this city is a must-see to explore and experience the culture of this region.

How to Travel from Haiti to Dominican Republic

HAITI

During my stay in Cap-Haitien, Haiti, I decided to take a bus over the border to the Dominican Republic. I see a lot of posts about traveling from the DR to Haiti, but not a lot vice-versa.

Where to stay in cap-haitien

First of all, if you’re traveling to Haiti, I recommend staying at Habitation des Lauriers. It’s clean, has great security, the owners take great care of you, and has an incredible view overlooking the city and ocean. Not to mention sunrises are spectacular! I told them I wanted to take the bus over to the DR and they arranged a driver to drop me off at the bus station the next morning at 7 AM. The bus leaves at 8 AM but it’s important to get there early to ensure you get a spot.

The journey to the Dominican Republic

I arrived at the El Caribe bus station and told them I wanted to be dropped off at Santiago since I was going to take a guagua (little bus) to Las Terrenas. Important thing to note: bring US dollars! It’s funny they don’t take Haitian gourdes or Dominican pesos… There were two European guys that had euros, gourdes, and pesos but they wouldn’t accept any of them. Another thing to note, they take your passport once you pay and they give it back to you on the bus. I got anxious because I hate not having my passport with me but I got it back!

Anyways, the border crossing takes about 1 – 2 hours. If you flew into Haiti, make sure you have your exit ticket with you so that you don’t have to pay an extra fee. After being stamped out, we went to the DR side which was a little crazier. You don’t need a PCR test to enter, but they do a bag check and you have to wait for a long time. Everything else was fairly quick but the majority of the 2 hours was spent waiting on that.

I arrived at the bus station in Santiago and needed to find the guagua station to Las Terrenas. Luckily I found a trustworthy taxi driver, Miguel (Whatsapp +18094912013), who took me over to the station and agreed to pick me up when I returned to get a PCR test and take me to the airport. When I got to Las Terrenas, I had a little mishap with a motoconcho driver. Long story short, try to avoid them if you can — I didn’t know this beforehand. They’re motorcycle taxis but are notorious for stealing. So when I pulled money out and didn’t have change, he swiped it from my hand and sped off with it. I was pretty sad.

Honestly, I didn’t have a great time in the DR. Most people go to the touristy areas and stay in an all-inclusive resort but I wanted to try something different and off-the-beaten-path. I think it was tough trying to figure out all the logistics while everything was going wrong, but I know that’s all part of the adventure. On the other hand, I loved figuring out how to cross the border from Haiti to the DR, so I hope my experience can one day help someone have a better time than I did. I also hope to return to the DR one day to gain a different perspective, but for now, I’ll always remember it as a true adventure