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This Week’s Vlog

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TRAVEL, FOOD, CULTURE, CLIMATE
CURRENT SERIES: 🐒 Ecuador! 🇪🇨

This was our second outing with our drone. We don’t have a whole lot of flying experience yet (but we’re both licensed pilots!) so we were reluctant to go too high or too far, especially since it was our first time flying over water. 😬⁠
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When we booked our trip to Ecuador we knew we had to capture some of its beauty from the sky - especially here in the Amazon at our unique ecolodge, @cuyabenodolphinlodge. We’re pretty happy with the results, what do you think?⁠
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For more drone views, fly over to that ➡️ LINK IN BIO ⬅️ to see our FULL Getting to the Amazon vlog!⁠
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And while you’re there, don’t miss our first drone outing in Quito, where we got some beautiful shots of the city from above the Virgin of the Panecillo. 😍⁠
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We’re really excited to take “Drone Jett” out on more of our travels and incorporate more footage into our vlogs! ⁠
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#drone #dronephotography #dronefootage #dronelife #ecuador #amazon #ecuadorianamazon #amazonrainforest #amazonjungle #cuyabenoriver #cuyabeno #dolphinlodge #ecolodge

Stepping out of your comfort zone. ⚠️ One of o

Stepping out of your comfort zone. ⚠️ One of our favorite things about travel is it inspires us to try new things, like canopy zip lining in a cloud forest in Mindo, Ecuador! ⁠
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Before our first Ecuador trip in 2011, Andie already had some zip lining experience, while I'd never even considered it due to my fear of heights. On that trip, knowing it was a unique opportunity, I sucked it up and went for it – and I loved it! Needless to say, when we returned to Ecuador this year there was no doubt we'd do it again. But this time our guide proposed a new challenge – going upside down! After both saying "immediately no!" Andie shocked me by quickly changing her mind and saying "I'm gonna do it - if I fall, what's the difference if I'm upside down?" What a champ!
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We've been trying to really push our limits of "comfort" over these past couple of years and fully participate in every experience, rather than just experience them. I wasn't as brave as Andie this time, but I do somewhat regret not going for it. So, hopefully this inspires you as much as it does me to not wait for “the next time” when opportunity knocks.
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What about you - would you go upside down, or nah? #YOLO⁠
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#inspiration #ecuador #mindo #mindoecuador #ziplining #cloudforest #nofear #southamerica #nature #adventure #goforit

People often ask me: what's the best camera? ⁠
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Did you know Andie studied photography in college, was a professional editorial photographer for more than a decade, and is currently a photo editor for a magazine group including at least one very well known magazine (but actually a few) that you've definitely heard of? The two most frequent questions she gets are:⁠
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Can you teach me how to use my camera?⁠
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What is the best camera?⁠
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To answer the second question, she quotes @ChaseJarvis: "The best camera is the one that's with you." ⁠
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Case in point: this pretty epic photo that Stephen took with his iPhone.

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#horses #horsebackriding #cotopaxinationalpark #cotopaxi #cotopaxivolcano #ecuador #photography #cameragear #wildlifephotography #wildlife #naturephotography

This is @cuyabenodolphinlodge! Enjoy this quick to

This is @cuyabenodolphinlodge! Enjoy this quick tour of our unique “glamping” stay in the Ecuadorian Amazon Rainforest. Have you ever stayed in a completely off-grid ecolodge? Do share!

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#cuyabenodolphinlodge #amazon #amazonrainforest #theamazon #amazonjungle #ecuadorianamazon #ecuador #cuyabeno #cuyabenoriver #cuyabenowildlifereserve #ecolodge #travelvlog #fyp

What happened to Andie’s arm? 😂 Vote now in o

What happened to Andie’s arm? 😂 Vote now in our stories! ⁠
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While in the Amazon, we had experiences we’ll never forget: glamping in the jungle, close encounters with tarantulas, “stinky turkeys,” and “baby” snakes, and visiting a local village and learning about one of the indigenous communities in the region. We also experienced a beautiful rainbow, one of the best sunsets we’ve ever seen, and a night so clear we could see the Milky Way, all while riding in canoes along the river. ⁠
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If you haven't seen the vlog yet, hit that link in bio!

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#amazon #amazonrainforest #amazonjungle #ecuador #ecuadorianamazon #cuyabenoriver #cuyabeno

One of the best parts of travel is getting to meet

One of the best parts of travel is getting to meet cool people who enjoy travel as much as you do! Thank you to Chiara and Henrik (front row) for the photo. They're from Germany, and Henrik is from the town Andie lived in for a few years as a child! Also pictured are Yelle (I really hope I spelled that right) and Stella from the Netherlands, and one of our amazing guides driving the canoe in the back.

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#travelbuddies #friends #amazon #amazonraimforest #amazonjungle #ecuador #ecuadorianamazon #cuyabenoriver #cuyabeno

✨ Ta-dahhhhh! ⁠ ⁠ We made it to a waterfall $✨ Ta-dahhhhh! ⁠ ⁠ We made it to a waterfall - four, in fact! The hike in Mindo was brutal, and we had to stop before reaching the fifth waterfall on the path. But we loved the ones we saw and getting to wade into the cool, refreshing water. Andie didn't even notice until late that night that she had probably fractured her foot along the way. 😳 • • • #mindo #waterfalls #cloudforest #mindoecuador #ecuador$

You never forget your first time. What was your fi

You never forget your first time. What was your first international travel destination?⁠
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Ours (as a couple) was Quito, Ecuador, which is why we were so excited that our 2nd trip there ended up being our first international series for our channel! We got to see the city of Quito and the waterfalls of the Mindo cloud forest again, as well as make trips to the Amazon region and the Galápagos Islands for the first time. We're pretty sure our second time to Ecuador was even more memorable than our first!

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#ecuador #quito #quitoecuador

Socks with sandals… 😎 or 🫣? We never thou

Socks with sandals… 😎 or 🫣?

We never thought of ourselves as socks in sandals people. Heck, we never thought of ourselves as sports sandals people of any kind! But man, they are so comfortable and practical. It just wouldn’t be the same trying to hike in the cloud forest or spend the day on a boat in the Galapagos in our Vans or Doc Martens. Life for us has changed a lot these last couple of years, right down to our footwear.

We often teased Andie’s dad for rocking socks in sandals, but we get it now! Andie sported the look for the first time here while we were in the Amazon. Had to protect her feet from mosquitos, hence the long pants in the heat, as well. Now that we’ve made the leap, we think this look is a keeper! What do you think?

#travelfashion #dontjudgeme #fashionpolice

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Amalfi Coast

purple grapes hanging on the vine, illuminated by the sun

May 24, 2021 2

Food

Le Vigne Di Raito: Organic Winery On The Amalfi Coast

One of the most romantic and memorable travel experiences we’ve had to date was celebrating our wedding anniversary at an organic winery on the Amalfi Coast: Le Vigne Di Raito.…

©2022 Travel Matters by Stephen & Andie