The Sandy Papers
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Once you realize you can do it alone, you become a Once you realize you can do it alone, you become a very powerful person. x Sandy
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#thesandypapers #travel #travelphotography #travelling #lisbon #lisbonportugal #lisbonlovers #travelblogger #travelgram #beautifuldestinations #traveladdict #travelingram #momentsofmine #darling #darlingescapes #darlingtravels #traveldiaries #traveldiary #aroundtheworld #portugal #travelgoals #travelgirl #travelgirls #travelawesome #womemwhoexplore #womenwhotravel #travelnotebook #inspiration
🔥 ‘Burning of the Ribbons’ (or Queima das F 🔥 ‘Burning of the Ribbons’ (or Queima das Fitas) is an academic event where final-year university students celebrate the end of their studies.  However, ‘Burning of the Ribbons’ isn't just a festival for final-year students anymore but rather for all students, as well as the community as a whole.

🔥 Considered Porto’s largest festival after the St. John's Festivities, celebrations kicked off informally yesterday (30 April) with music and dance events taking place all across the city.

🔥 At precisely midnight on 1 May, official celebrations began with hundreds of students gathering in the city center singing loudly into the wee hours of the morning.  This student is no doubt headed home to get some much needed rest.  Celebrations will continue all week long, including a big parade through town on Tuesday, 3 May.  After two consecutive years of Corona-related cancellations, if you’re lucky enough to be in Portugal this week, congratulations!  You’re in for one hell of a party! 🔥
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#porto #harrypotter #portugal #festival #travelblogger #travelbloggers #travelblog #traveldiaries #traveldiary #traveldiary_aroundtheworld #momentsofmine #travelingram #travelphotography #traveladdict #travelgram #travelgirl #travelgoals #wanderfolk #wanderlusting #travelgirls #aroundtheworld #thesandypapers #tradition #travelguide #lonelyplanet
Picture-perfect Porto is awash with colorful build Picture-perfect Porto is awash with colorful buildings and sumptuous architecture.  Take the imposing Art Nouveau facade of the Marcolino Relojoerio building, for example.  Located in the heart of Porto’s historical district, it recently underwent a major glow up!  Standing tall and proud, the structure sports a daring shade of red, commanding your attention from every angle.  The devil is, of course, in the details and the window frames have also been painstakingly restored and kept intact.

Welcome to Porto, y’all!
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#travelgram #travelphotography #porto #loveportugal #architecture #travelblogger #travelblog #travelbloggers #traveldiaries #momentsofmine #thesandypapers #traveladdict #travelingram #travelpics #travelawesome #portugal #travelguide #traveltheworld #loveportugal #visitportugal
Often called the most beautiful town in Colombia, Often called the most beautiful town in Colombia, Barichara is also one of the best preserved.  Exploring it by tuk-tuk is mandatory.  Dating from the founding of the city of Barichara in 1705, The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception is an extraordinary work of art.  Supported by 10 monolithic columns and crowned by a huge dome, the church stands in perfect harmony with the city’s main square and surrounding buildings.
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#aroundtheworld #colombia #thesandypapers #igtravel #instatraveling #travelphotographer #lovetotravel #barichara #tourism #travel #travelawesome #travelblog #travelbug #traveldeeper #traveldestination #traveldiaries #travelers #travelingram #traveller #travellife #cityphotography #travelphoto #travelpic #travelpics #travels #travelstoke #traveltheworld #worldtraveler #churches #momentsofmine
In 1991, Time Magazine dubbed Medellin “the most In 1991, Time Magazine dubbed Medellin “the most dangerous city on Earth”. On average 16 murders were committed here EVERY day.  Fast forward 30 years.  Now an exciting, vibrant metropolis brimming with law-abiding, entrepreneurial people, Medellin is now one of the great success stories of South America!

Follow along and, together, we’ll discover how Medellin transformed itself from the murder capital of the world to a hipster holiday destination 🚕🇨🇴

#colombia #medellin #medellincolombia #postcardsfromtheworld #travelblogger #travelblog #travelphotography #traveling #travelingram #colombiatravel #wanderfolk #traveladdict #southamerica #momentsofmine #traveldiary #traveldiaries #roadtrip #adventuretime #travelmore #travelmoments #beautifuldestinations #getoutside #travelgoals #explorecolombia #wander #wanderer #cityphotography #wanderlust
🌋 It’s hard to pigeonhole the Mexican capital 🌋 It’s hard to pigeonhole the Mexican capital.  Brash, bold and beautifully boisterous, this sprawling metropolis surrounded by a ring volcanoes is a city literally exploding with contrasts and contradictions.

Once the celebrated heart of the Aztec civilization, today Mexico City is home to some 21 million people and the undisputed business and cultural capital of Latin America.

So, sit back, relax and let me do the driving. Together, we’ll discover where the old meets the new in the oldest capital city in the Americas — not to mention where to find the best damn tacos on the planet! 🌮🌋
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#travelblogger #travelblog #travelgram #traveladdict #mexicocity #mexico #travelmore #travelphotography #moments #momentsofmine #cityphotography #citybreak #thesandypapers #explorepage #exploremore #exploremexico #travelawesome #traveltheworld #travelstoke #travelpics #explorer #wanderlust #wander #wanderer #wanderfolk #beautifuldestinations #getoutside #travellife #travelgoals #roadtrip
Mexico City is having a moment.  And 👏🏻 I 👏🏻 am 👏🏻 here 👏🏻 for 👏🏻 it 👏🏻. So, grab a taco and follow along.  I promise you won’t be disappointed 🌮.
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#mexicocity #streetphotography #mexico #beautifuldestinations #moments #momentsofmine #travelblogger #travelblog #travelbloggerlife #citybreak #traveladdict #wanderlust #wander #wanderer #wanderful #thesandypapers  #trendingnow #traveldeeper #womenwhotravel #explore #exploremore #exploremexico #culture #passportready #nomad #roamtheplanet #postcardsfromtheworld
🗻Sitting alone on the Southern side of the Snae 🗻Sitting alone on the Southern side of the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, you’ll find the Black Church.  Erected in 1703 by Ben Larusson and rebuilt in 1848 by Steinunn Sveinsdottir after the original structure rotted, the church still contains relics from the original building, as well as a historic graveyard on the side.  However, it’s jet black exterior combined with its isolated location are the real attraction. Small and distinct, its charcoal color makes for a stunningly beautiful contrast to the often cloudy mountains surrounding it.

🗻 The Black Church can be seen from far away, making it easy to find.  From Route 54, drive onto Road 578 towards Hellnar. Next, take the road toward Budir and follow it all the way to the end.🔚

🚨 Planning your next trip to Iceland? Check out my blog TheSandyPapers.com! 🚨

#travelblogger #travelblog #travelphotography #traveladdict #iceland #icelandtravel #snaefellsnes #snaefellsnespeninsula #blackchurch #ringroad #womenwhoexplore #explore #womenwhotravel #thesandypapers #momentsofmine #travelpics #traveldiaries #traveldiary #wanderer #womenwhowander #citybreak #traveliceland #icelandroadtrip
  • Home
  • About
  • Destinations
    • Africa
    • Asia
    • Eastern Europe
    • North America
    • Oceania
    • South America
  • Travel Awesome
    • Travel Hacks
      • Travel Tips
    • Travel Style
    • UNESCO
    • Urban Legends
  • Contact
The Sandy Papers

A personal travel blog written by a travel-obsessed girl, featuring tons of tips, stories, guides, videos and photography from around the world. Ninety-four countries and counting. I’m so happy you’re here! Welcome.

The Art of the Stroll: Coyoacan Edition!

May 11, 2022 0 comment

Red Hot, Right Now: Iceland!

January 31, 2022 0 comment

How To Spend a Perfect Day in The Marais

January 30, 2022 0 comment

Done and (Mostly) Dusty: Egypt Edition

November 28, 2021 0 comment

Weird Science: Unwrapping a Mummy

November 24, 2021 0 comment

Gimme Five! Safari by the Numbers.

March 27, 2021 0 comment
AfricaBotswanaEast AfricaKenyaSafariSouth AfricaTanzaniaZimbabwe

Gimme Five! Safari by the Numbers.

by Sandy March 27, 2021
written by Sandy

Safari is a year-round adventure and the planning process is exciting!   Africa is a vast continent and the possibilities for exploring it are endless. From gorilla trekking in Rwanda to Big Five game drives in Tanzania, researching destinations and designing an itinerary with your safari planner occupies a tremendous amount of your free time.   And, of course, deciding what to wear and which camera to bring are all part of the fun, too!

When planning your safari, conversations often center around Africa’s iconic wildlife. Whether you’re a full-fledged Africaphile or just beginning your research, you’ve likely heard the term ‘Big Five’.  For most first-time safari-goers, the Big Five are on the list.  But did you also know there’s the Small

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March 27, 2021 0 comment
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AfricaBreakfastGiraffeKenyaNairobiSafariTravel Style

Giraffe Manor: The Most Incredible Bucket List Breakfast on Earth!

by Sandy March 16, 2021
written by Sandy

A stunningly beautiful 1930s manor house turned all-inclusive boutique hotel, Giraffe Manor is set within an indigenous forest where critically-endangered Rothschild’s giraffes roam freely.  The recipient of countless accolades, Giraffe Manor has enjoyed an avalanche of publicity in recent years, becoming an Instagram icon, so much so that you may recognize the photos before you recognize the name. After all, where else in the world can you eat breakfast with giraffes?

However, staying here does come at a price and the question I am asked most often is, “Is it worth it?”

The answer is a resounding, “Yes, it’s worth every single cent!”

Perhaps the second-most often asked question is, “What’s it like to stay there?”   Simply put, Giraffe Manor …

March 16, 2021 0 comment
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AfricaBalloonEast AfricaKenyaSafariSouth AfricaTanzaniaTravel Style

Five Wild-Ass Facts About Zebras

by Sandy March 14, 2021
written by Sandy

Africa’s answer to the horse, its iconic stripes make the zebra easy to identify. Black, white and adorable all over, zebras are half horse, half donkey and are easily one of my favorite animals to watch while on safari.   But there’s much more to this mesmerizing creature than meets the eye.   Here are just a handful of wild-ass facts about one of Africa’s most beloved beasts.

1.  Zebras have mad self-protection methods!  Vulnerable but powerful, zebras are prey to nearly every four-legged hunter.  Lions, hyenas and even Nile crocodiles hunt these beautiful creatures.  Because they must be on the defensive constantly, zebras have excellent methods of self-protection.  Did you know that zebras sleep while standing up and only in groups?  
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March 14, 2021 0 comment
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BelgiumBrusselsCustoms, Traditions and SuperstitionsTravel TipsWestern Europe

Get Lucky: The Right Way to Rub a Statue

by Sandy October 25, 2020
written by Sandy

People build statues of heroes. The Greeks built statues of Hercules and Adonis.  The British built statues of Nelson and Churchill.  The Egyptians, Colossi of Memnon.  We Americans build statues of our heroes, too.  Like George Washington, Abraham Lincoln and Martin Luther King, Jr.

Heroes usually only get statues when they’re dead.  And, when a person travels hundreds or thousands of miles to see a statue, sometimes looking isn’t enough. Sometimes, he or she wants to touch it.  And it’s always lucky to touch a hero statue.

But should you?

The short answer is most of the time.  As long as you are respectful of local customs and traditions and it’s not prohibited by local law, I say do …

October 25, 2020 0 comment
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DrinkEastern EuropeEatKrakowPoland

The Rise of the Ruin Bar

by Sandy October 14, 2020
written by Sandy

Spend five minutes in any of Eastern Europe’s capital cities and you’re likely to run across a ruin bar. Gloomy but gorgeous, ruin bars are usually found in eclectic, historical buildings that have been recycled into some seriously spectacular spaces.

These slightly spooky-chic establishments are adored by locals and travelers alike. Characterized by funky, non-matching furnishings, these derelict buildings and neglected outdoor spaces have been transformed into cozy, chaotic bars that, oftentimes, are almost exclusively candlelit.

Krakow’s nightlife, in my opinion, is unlike nightlife anywhere else in Europe. While its gorgeous architecture and the glow from Wawel Castle give this city a true fairy-tale feel, the bars in Krakow are anything but textbook. Yes, you can easily find a few …

October 14, 2020 0 comment
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About Me

About Me

Hi!  I’m Sandy, a fierce Virgo with a serious case of wanderlust that is rivaled only by an equally spectacular case of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. I’m Native Texan to the bone, although I was actually born in the Black Forest under a gibbous moon. Speaking of black, I love black licorice, black crystals and black humor.

Recent Posts

  • The Art of the Stroll: Coyoacan Edition!

    May 11, 2022
  • Red Hot, Right Now: Iceland!

    January 31, 2022
  • How To Spend a Perfect Day in The Marais

    January 30, 2022
  • Done and (Mostly) Dusty: Egypt Edition

    November 28, 2021
  • Weird Science: Unwrapping a Mummy

    November 24, 2021
Once you realize you can do it alone, you become a Once you realize you can do it alone, you become a very powerful person. x Sandy
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#thesandypapers #travel #travelphotography #travelling #lisbon #lisbonportugal #lisbonlovers #travelblogger #travelgram #beautifuldestinations #traveladdict #travelingram #momentsofmine #darling #darlingescapes #darlingtravels #traveldiaries #traveldiary #aroundtheworld #portugal #travelgoals #travelgirl #travelgirls #travelawesome #womemwhoexplore #womenwhotravel #travelnotebook #inspiration
🔥 ‘Burning of the Ribbons’ (or Queima das F 🔥 ‘Burning of the Ribbons’ (or Queima das Fitas) is an academic event where final-year university students celebrate the end of their studies.  However, ‘Burning of the Ribbons’ isn't just a festival for final-year students anymore but rather for all students, as well as the community as a whole.

🔥 Considered Porto’s largest festival after the St. John's Festivities, celebrations kicked off informally yesterday (30 April) with music and dance events taking place all across the city.

🔥 At precisely midnight on 1 May, official celebrations began with hundreds of students gathering in the city center singing loudly into the wee hours of the morning.  This student is no doubt headed home to get some much needed rest.  Celebrations will continue all week long, including a big parade through town on Tuesday, 3 May.  After two consecutive years of Corona-related cancellations, if you’re lucky enough to be in Portugal this week, congratulations!  You’re in for one hell of a party! 🔥
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#porto #harrypotter #portugal #festival #travelblogger #travelbloggers #travelblog #traveldiaries #traveldiary #traveldiary_aroundtheworld #momentsofmine #travelingram #travelphotography #traveladdict #travelgram #travelgirl #travelgoals #wanderfolk #wanderlusting #travelgirls #aroundtheworld #thesandypapers #tradition #travelguide #lonelyplanet
Picture-perfect Porto is awash with colorful build Picture-perfect Porto is awash with colorful buildings and sumptuous architecture.  Take the imposing Art Nouveau facade of the Marcolino Relojoerio building, for example.  Located in the heart of Porto’s historical district, it recently underwent a major glow up!  Standing tall and proud, the structure sports a daring shade of red, commanding your attention from every angle.  The devil is, of course, in the details and the window frames have also been painstakingly restored and kept intact.

Welcome to Porto, y’all!
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#travelgram #travelphotography #porto #loveportugal #architecture #travelblogger #travelblog #travelbloggers #traveldiaries #momentsofmine #thesandypapers #traveladdict #travelingram #travelpics #travelawesome #portugal #travelguide #traveltheworld #loveportugal #visitportugal
Often called the most beautiful town in Colombia, Often called the most beautiful town in Colombia, Barichara is also one of the best preserved.  Exploring it by tuk-tuk is mandatory.  Dating from the founding of the city of Barichara in 1705, The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception is an extraordinary work of art.  Supported by 10 monolithic columns and crowned by a huge dome, the church stands in perfect harmony with the city’s main square and surrounding buildings.
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#aroundtheworld #colombia #thesandypapers #igtravel #instatraveling #travelphotographer #lovetotravel #barichara #tourism #travel #travelawesome #travelblog #travelbug #traveldeeper #traveldestination #traveldiaries #travelers #travelingram #traveller #travellife #cityphotography #travelphoto #travelpic #travelpics #travels #travelstoke #traveltheworld #worldtraveler #churches #momentsofmine
In 1991, Time Magazine dubbed Medellin “the most In 1991, Time Magazine dubbed Medellin “the most dangerous city on Earth”. On average 16 murders were committed here EVERY day.  Fast forward 30 years.  Now an exciting, vibrant metropolis brimming with law-abiding, entrepreneurial people, Medellin is now one of the great success stories of South America!

Follow along and, together, we’ll discover how Medellin transformed itself from the murder capital of the world to a hipster holiday destination 🚕🇨🇴

#colombia #medellin #medellincolombia #postcardsfromtheworld #travelblogger #travelblog #travelphotography #traveling #travelingram #colombiatravel #wanderfolk #traveladdict #southamerica #momentsofmine #traveldiary #traveldiaries #roadtrip #adventuretime #travelmore #travelmoments #beautifuldestinations #getoutside #travelgoals #explorecolombia #wander #wanderer #cityphotography #wanderlust
🌋 It’s hard to pigeonhole the Mexican capital 🌋 It’s hard to pigeonhole the Mexican capital.  Brash, bold and beautifully boisterous, this sprawling metropolis surrounded by a ring volcanoes is a city literally exploding with contrasts and contradictions.

Once the celebrated heart of the Aztec civilization, today Mexico City is home to some 21 million people and the undisputed business and cultural capital of Latin America.

So, sit back, relax and let me do the driving. Together, we’ll discover where the old meets the new in the oldest capital city in the Americas — not to mention where to find the best damn tacos on the planet! 🌮🌋
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#travelblogger #travelblog #travelgram #traveladdict #mexicocity #mexico #travelmore #travelphotography #moments #momentsofmine #cityphotography #citybreak #thesandypapers #explorepage #exploremore #exploremexico #travelawesome #traveltheworld #travelstoke #travelpics #explorer #wanderlust #wander #wanderer #wanderfolk #beautifuldestinations #getoutside #travellife #travelgoals #roadtrip
Mexico City is having a moment.  And 👏🏻 I 👏🏻 am 👏🏻 here 👏🏻 for 👏🏻 it 👏🏻. So, grab a taco and follow along.  I promise you won’t be disappointed 🌮.
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#mexicocity #streetphotography #mexico #beautifuldestinations #moments #momentsofmine #travelblogger #travelblog #travelbloggerlife #citybreak #traveladdict #wanderlust #wander #wanderer #wanderful #thesandypapers  #trendingnow #traveldeeper #womenwhotravel #explore #exploremore #exploremexico #culture #passportready #nomad #roamtheplanet #postcardsfromtheworld
🗻Sitting alone on the Southern side of the Snae 🗻Sitting alone on the Southern side of the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, you’ll find the Black Church.  Erected in 1703 by Ben Larusson and rebuilt in 1848 by Steinunn Sveinsdottir after the original structure rotted, the church still contains relics from the original building, as well as a historic graveyard on the side.  However, it’s jet black exterior combined with its isolated location are the real attraction. Small and distinct, its charcoal color makes for a stunningly beautiful contrast to the often cloudy mountains surrounding it.

🗻 The Black Church can be seen from far away, making it easy to find.  From Route 54, drive onto Road 578 towards Hellnar. Next, take the road toward Budir and follow it all the way to the end.🔚

🚨 Planning your next trip to Iceland? Check out my blog TheSandyPapers.com! 🚨

#travelblogger #travelblog #travelphotography #traveladdict #iceland #icelandtravel #snaefellsnes #snaefellsnespeninsula #blackchurch #ringroad #womenwhoexplore #explore #womenwhotravel #thesandypapers #momentsofmine #travelpics #traveldiaries #traveldiary #wanderer #womenwhowander #citybreak #traveliceland #icelandroadtrip
🚨 New Blog Post 🚨 You’re welcome❣️ The 🚨 New Blog Post 🚨 You’re welcome❣️ TheSandyPapers.com 🚨

P.S.  Can you spot Sacre-Coeur in the distance?

#traveladdict #travelblogger #travelingram #traveldeeper #paris #parisfrance #marais #momentsofmine #moments #womenwhoexplore #womenwhotravel #traveldiaries #traveldiary #aroundtheworld #roam #roamtheplanet #globetrotter #travelbloggerlife #travelbloggers #travelblog #travelguide #beautifuldestinations #wonderful_places #thesandypapers #travelgoals #travellife #goexplore #travelawesome #blogger

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