KIP'S LATEST FOR MEN'S JOURNAL: MOST BEAUTIFUL LAKE ON EARTH

At the luxury boutique hotel Casa Palopo, Todd roughs it as a Men's Journal model. 

A few weeks back, we took a quick detour from El Salvador to visit Guatemala's Lake Atitlan for a story Kip was writing for Men's Journal. 

In addition to checking out the lake, arguably the most beautiful in the world, we also braved a visit to the stunning Casa Palopo, a former villa turned luxury boutique hotel that features some of best views of Atitlan, including the one above, plus an infinity pool and two heliports. Not a bad way to spend an afternoon or two. 

See our Photo Friday of a lightning storm over Lake Atitlan.

Preview to the story is below: 

Men's Journal: The Most Beautiful Lake on Earth

When German explorer Alexander von Humboldt famously called Guatemala's Lake Atitlan "the most beautiful lake in the world," he was just trying to be accurate. Surrounded by the towering volcanoes that helped create it, Lake Atitlan and its cobalt blue waters set a scene that borders on being "too much of a good thing," as English novelist Aldous Huxley later wrote. But the area isn't just for Prussian explorers and British recreational drug enthusiasts: The area around the lake has a sublime hiking, paragliding, climbing, and mountain biking scene.

For starters, visitors can sign up with a machete-toting guide and tackle some of the countless trekking trails that crisscross the hills. Weave through coffee plantations, avocado trees, and corn fields en route to...FULL STORY

PHOTO FRIDAY: SURF AND SUNSETS AT EL TUNCO, EL SALVADOR

A surfer ventures out for a final session before darkness takes over in El Tunco, El Salvador. 

El Tunco's helping turn around tourism in El Salvador. At least, that's what it says in Kip's latest story for Men's Journal--"EL SALVADOR'S NEW BEGINNING"

By the way, we're still a little behind on our posts, but from here on out, we'll be updating from our current location...Central America! We promise to get more up-to-date soon!

KIP'S FIRST MEN'S JOURNAL STORY: STAND UP PADDLING BURMA (SUP MYANMAR)

Some of you might remember the stand up paddling lessons we took in Myanmar, aka Burma, last year. Despite expert teachers, who included the instructor U Paw San's nine-yr-old daughter, we failed quite miserably most of the time. 

On the positive side though, we did get something good out of it--Kip's first piece for Men's Journal, which ran last week. Visit their website, or see intro text below:
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MEN'S JOURNAL: The Original SUP

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The most technically proficient standup paddleboarders in the world may well be a group of fishermen in Myanmar who have never heard of the increasingly popular sport. 

These boatmen, who teach their technique in Inle Lake's reed-choked waters, stand on one leg at the back tip of their canoes while using the calf of their free leg to guide a paddle tucked under their arm for leverage. Locals accomplish this while minding their nets and wearing traditional skirts – all the more reason to embrace local knowledge on the way to better SUP form.

Lessons are taught in hand-hewn dugout canoes, which – due to their round-bottom design – are much less forgiving than the wide, buoyant paddleboards used for traditional standup. Standing still at the back of an empty boat is hard. Standing still at the back of an empty boat on one leg while paddling with the other is harder...READ FULL TEXT HERE.
– Kip Patrick