Welcome!
I'm a wanderlust addict always in search of new adventures, tasty food, and culture. Whether the destination is near or far, I jump at the opportunity to experience the world around me. As my list of visited countries and U.S. states grew, I decided to document my first-hand accounts in a creative outlet to assist fellow travelers.
The Spunky Curl is a way for me to share my insights, recommendations, and reviews with others looking for trip inspiration. On this blog you’ll find itineraries covering attractions, restaurants, and accommodations to help you jumpstart the planning process.
My globetrotting style is all about minimalism with a down-to-earth twist. I gear up with only the essentials and a two-week capsule wardrobe in my 40L backpack. If you desire a transparent travel blog with a no-frills attitude, you’ve come to the right place!
Over seven years ago, my husband and I moved from our home state of Wisconsin to Texas in a ten-foot U-Haul. Stepping out of our comfort zone away from family and friends wasn’t easy, but we grew to appreciate our hankering for an unconventional lifestyle. In January 2022, we began a multi-year trip through Mexico, Central America, Southeast Asia, South America, and other bucket list countries!
Offline you can find me birdwatching, binging true crime documentaries with a mug of tea, or wrangling these lawless curls. When I'm not soaking up the sun at the beach, I enjoy working out, experimenting with new recipes, and learning Spanish.
Thank you for visiting and following along our nomadic journey!
Visited Countries
Bucket List
- Hike the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu in Peru
- Ride a camel at the Great Pyramids of Giza - DONE
- Go glacier kayaking in Canada
- Spend a day at the Louvre Museum - DONE
- Take a selfie with the Moai on Easter Island
- Hop around the islands of Thailand - DONE
- Try to spot the Loch Ness Monster in Scotland
- Traverse the countryside of New Zealand
- Climb the steps of the Maya ruins of Tikal - DONE
- Go vodka tasting in Moscow near the Red Square
- Scuba dive in the Galapagos Islands
- Sample gelato in front of the Colosseum in Rome
- Climb the 533 south tower steps of Cologne Cathedral - DONE
- Float in the Dead Sea
- Sip mint tea in the markets of Morocco
- Trek within Torres del Paine National Park in Chile - DONE
- Visit the ruins of Puma Punku in Bolivia
- See wild baby sloths in Costa Rica - DONE
- Admire the cherry blossoms in Japan
- Ride a red double-decker bus in London
- Tour Albrecht Durer’s studio in Nuremberg - DONE
- Visit The Hague to see Girl with a Pearl Earring
- Feel the mist at Iguazu Falls in Brazil - DONE
- Scuba dive in Komodo National Park in Indonesia
- Sip coffee in a Viennese café - DONE
- Explore the temples of Angkor Wat - DONE
- Marvel at the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem
- Soak in the Szechenyi Thermal Baths in Budapest - DONE
- Admire the sandstone sites in Petra
- Say a prayer inside of the Sistine Chapel
- Visit the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum - DONE
- Discover shipwrecks in The Bahamas
- Zipline into a teal cenote in Mexico - DONE
- Take a gondola ride in Venice
- Cross the Drake Passage and set foot on Antarctica
- Go whitewater rafting in Honduras - DONE
- Visit the prehistoric monument of Stonehenge
- Go on a safari in Africa
- Sail along the Nile River and visit ancient Egyptian temples - DONE
- See a wild toco toucan in the Atlantic Forest - DONE
- Visit Dracula’s castle in Transylvania
- Experience a sunrise hot air balloon ride - DONE
- Eat cuisine in the hawker centers of Malaysia - DONE
- Enjoy a picnic in a park nearby the Eiffel Tower
- Go snorkeling with nurse sharks in Belize - DONE
- Explore the ancient Acropolis of Athens
- Walk barefoot on countryside grass in Ireland
- See the Northern Lights
- Find a souvenir at the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul - DONE
- Visit 100 countries (currently at 34)