Category: Worldwide

As we Wait: How Hotels Around the World are Making Travel Safe

Post author By Andrea
Post date 12:44 pm
12,825 Comments on As we Wait: How Hotels Around the World are Making Travel Safe

The curious, the adventurous, the roamers and the wanderers are waiting with bated breath for the world to welcome us back. Not all of us will travel as soon as those doors open, but we are waiting, waiting to see what the new normal in the world of hospitality will look like.

In this moment, in these past months, we are truly global. Globally connected by fear, uncertainty, a longing for normalcy and a handful of really great memes.

Countries around the world are moving at a different pace, the pace and each move determined by where they are in this pandemic and, more importantly, by who they are as a society. For some, it’s been two steps forward and one step back. Some have opened, some are preparing to open and some are still in that unknown space of cautious optimism.

I spoke to properties around the world to find out what their opening plans are, what they are doing to keep their employees and guests safe and what a stay with them will look like moving forward. I’ve asked each property a series of the same questions and what I have found is that they have all been fervidly planning, and now implementing, practices and protocols designed to keep their employees and guests safe.

There are multiple protocols that are being implemented across the board such as hand washing stations and/or hand sanitizers located in multiple areas of the properties, extensive cleaning and disinfecting procedures for guest rooms and public areas, staff in PPE, guests required to wear masks in public areas and buffets replaced with à la carte options. What I’ve listed below is what each property is doing in addition to these steps.

All but one of the properties listed below are properties that I have stayed at in the past. I reached out to these specific properties as I believe them to be great options for a social distancing getaway. The one property I have not stayed in is one that I am hoping to stay in this fall. However, as with everything now, there are no guarantees. We are all learning to be a bit more flexible, aren’t we?

Here are approaches that properties around the world are taking:

Africa

Tanzania

Nomad Tanzania

Nomad Tanzania is a collection of intimate safari lodges and camps located across Tanzania. Nomad has long been considered pioneers of the Tanzanian safari.

Here is what Nomad is doing to keep guests and staff safe:

All guests are encouraged to apply for visas pre-travel in order to avoid unnecessary time at the airport.
Upon arrival, guests will have temperatures checked and will be the first to enter their rooms.

Camp crews will be operating in teams who will arrive in two-week isolation rotations. Once they have successfully cleared that isolation period, they will arrive at the camp and have their temperatures taken each day.
All staff have been trained on social distancing measures and safe interaction with guests.

Here’s how your stay may look a little different:

Game drive vehicles will be allocated on a private basis where possible. Otherwise, vehicles will be limited to a maximum of four individuals.
For dining, there will be no buffet set ups and guests will eat at their own separate tables, as opposed to one large communal table.

Lamai Serengeti Nomad — Lamai Serengeti by Nomad

Elephants Tanzania — Beautiful Eles in the Serengeti

Safari Nomad Tanzania — Nomad Tanzania: Life, Love and the Pursuit of Wilderness

I can’t think of any better place than the African bush to socially distance. A safari experience with Nomad is generally quite private and the majority of your time is spent outdoors. Nomad is prepared to safely welcome you.

As of mid-August, all of Nomad’s properties have reopened. They have also frozen their 2020 rates, are offering fantastic off-season rates and have adjusted their cancellation/payment policies for reservations impacted by Covid-19. If you have been considering that once-in-a-lifetime safari, When is Now!

You can find Nomad’s full list of protocols here.

You can read more about our Nomad experience here and here.

We were set to visit two Nomad properties, with ten friends, in June of this year. Thankfully, we were able to postpone to next year.

Zambia

Islands of Siankaba

Floating in the middle of the Zambezi river, Islands of Siankaba is an absolute dream and even more so if you are looking to limit contact with others. This seven-chalet lodge, connected by rope bridges, is just down river from the iconic Victoria Falls and has plenty of activities (or not) that are suited for just you and your plus one.

In addition to thorough sanitation and cleaning procedures, here’s how the team at Islands of Siankaba will keep guests safe:

Guest must produce valid health clearance certificate prior to arrival.
Guest’s temperatures will be taken upon arrival.
Guests will be asked to wear masks in public areas and will be advised to limit touching surfaces in communal areas.

Islands of Siankaba is in the unique situation of being set in the village of Siankaba and staffed by villagers. They are being incredibly cautious to protect the local village.

Here are a few things they are doing to keep staff safe:

Uniforms will be left on-site at the end of each shift to be laundered there.
High risk staff will be assigned to duties that entail minimal interaction with guests and other staff.
Temperatures will be taken and logged each day.
Staff will be regularly tested for Covid-19.

Again, remote lodges like Islands of Siankaba are already “socially distanced”, but here are a few things that will be different with your stay:

Guests will dine at separate tables as opposed to communal dining.
Sundowners on the Zambezi will be separate or appropriately socially distanced.
Pool usage will be limited to different time slots for separate guests.

Because of Islands of Siankaba’s remote location, their staff have not been greatly exposed to the public. At this moment, there have been no confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the area. The team at Islands of Siankaba has worked diligently in educating the villagers about the virus and have supplied masks, soap and hand sanitizers to the village and surrounding community. As a small lodge, they are able to accommodate any special guest requirements.

Islands of Siankaba have also put a contingency plan in place in case one of their guests or staff members become ill.

Islands of Siankaba Chalet on the Zambezi

The lodge is currently open to local guests and hopes to welcome international guests in the early part of next year. You can find out about their current specials through your travel agent or by reaching out to them directly.

You can find a (very old) blog post from my second visit to Islands of Siankaba here. I think it’s time for me to return so I can update this.

Mexico

Puerto Vallarta

Ocho Cascadas

Dangling over the Pacific Ocean, Ocho Cascadas is another property that lends itself to social distancing. Comprised of just nine large, open air and fully serviced villas, you never need to leave the property.

However, they are taking the extra steps necessary to ensure guest safety. Aside from cleaning, sanitizing and making sure staff have PPE, here is what Ocho Cascadas is doing to keep guests and staff safe:

Staff will be provided PPE equipment and their uniforms will be left on-site for laundering at the end of each shift.
During breaks/meal times, staff will be limited to three people per table.
Staff will have their temperature taken and logged upon arrival for their shift.

At the time of writing, no staff member has had the virus.

For guests, things will be slightly different:

Check-in will be “VIP style”. Guests will be directed to their villa where they will find their disinfected villa keys in a sealed bag.
Upon entering their villa, guests will find a welcome kit that will include a face mask, sanitizing hand gel and gloves.
Groceries and other villa deliveries will be disinfected before delivered to guests.
Massage services are suspended for the time being.
The (very loved) weekly cocktail welcome party will be put on hold until further notice.

Ocho Cascadas is open now! However, although they are taking steps designed to keep staff and guests safe, they offer no flexibility for cancellations, postponements or rescheduling due to the pandemic. We were set to bring a group of sixteen people to the property in August. The majority of our group are very uncomfortable traveling right now and some fall in the high risk category. So as a group, we decided to postpone or reschedule the trip until it is safer to travel. Unfortunately, the person in charge of bookings informed me that he will not allow us to do so and that we will not get our deposit back unless they rent our rooms.

We have had to cancel, postpone and reschedule many flights and hotels because of the pandemic and have had no issues at all. This Ocho Cascasdas response is more of an outlier. As such, unless you are willing to travel regardless of what is going on with the pandemic, I highly recommend waiting until the world is a more stable place before booking here.

Either way, I will provide an update on what the final outcome wis with our situation.

Europe

Portugal

Santiago de Alfama

Santiago de Alfama…swoon. Lisbon…swoon. Portugal’s response to Covid-19…swoon.

Santiago de Alfama, located in the historic Alfama district of Lisbon, is a perfectly restored historic building comprised of just nineteen rooms. The owners of this property have poured their hearts and souls into this building and are mind-blowingly creative in all that they do.

Lisbon Views From Santiago de Alfama — View of Lisbon From Santiago de Alfama

Audrey's at Santiago de Alfama — Santiago de Alfama’s “Audrey’s”

Below, are just a few of the steps the charming, family-owned-and-operated Santiago de Alfama is taking to ensure the safety of all staff and guests.

To begin with, Portugal has not been as dramatically affected by Covid-19 as some of their neighbors. Due to contact tracing and acting quickly while their numbers were low, they were able to rein it in quickly.

Only essential staff will be on site and overlap between shift changes has been shortened.
Carpets treated with antiseptic will be placed in entry ways to trap incoming dirt and bugs.
Linens washed at 90 degrees celsius.
Staff leaves uniforms at the property for washing.
All menus have been removed and all hotel and restaurant payments are contactless.
Unique hand washing stations will be set up on-site.
A contingency plan has been developed in case any staff or guests become ill while on property.
Only one guest is allowed in the Beauty Bar at a time and they must have an appointment.

Santiago de Alfama has received the Portuguese Tourist Board’s “Clean and Safe” accreditation. You can find out more about that here. As of August 20th, the UK has lifted quarantine rules for Portugal.

As the team at Santiago de Alfama says: Lisbon is as beautiful and as romantic as ever. Be sure to check their website for their current promotions!

Asia

Sri Lanka

Reveal the Collection

Sri Lanka and is awaiting your visit, and you have some fantastic options for lodging! Reveal the Collection has an assortment of boutique properties, located all over Sri Lanka that are perfect for a social distancing getaway.

Sri Lanka is another country that managed to get Covid-19 under early control.

Here is what Reveal the Collection is doing to keep their staff and guests safe:

Each hotel will have it’s own Health and Safety team.
Once you book any of the Reveal Collection properties, they will reach out to you to share their safety precautions and guidelines.
A completed guest registration form and copy of your passport will be required in advance of your stay.
A list of all previous countries you have visited and Sri Lankan hotels you have stayed in is required in advance of your stay.
Your temperature will be checked upon check-in.
Your luggage will be disinfected upon arrival and your room key will be disinfected in your presence before being handed over to you.

You can read more about Reveal the Collection’s safety measures here.

#SriLankaisalive

Caribbean

Dominica

Secret Bay

Yet another perfect country and perfect property for social distancing is Dominica’s Secret Bay. When it comes to the Caribbean, Dominica is still considered undiscovered. It is raw, wild and full of adventure, and it is home to the incomparable Secret Bay, a six-star rainforest hideaway. Secret Bay is another property where each of its six villas are fully serviced, meaning you have a full kitchen and can have groceries pre-stocked before your arrival, as well as delivered during your stay.

In the team at Secret Bay’s words: “While ‘social distancing’ has become a buzzword, Secret Bay’s guest experience was based on this idea by design. It’s in our DNA! Secret Bay has always been about creating a private and personal experience where guests can have as much or as little interaction with others as they choose.”

Zabuco Villa at Secret Bay Dominica — Zabuco Villa at Secret Bay

Ylang Ylang Villa at Secret Bay Dominica — Ylang Ylang Villa at Secret Bay

Secret Bay is executing and going beyond WHO, PAHO, CDC and local health authorities’ mandates and guidelines. Here are other approaches they are taking to secure the safety of all staff and guests:

Instead of a formal check-in, guests are greeted in their villa.” That means no lobby, no elevator buttons, no lingering in gathering spaces.
Upon arrival, guests will receive a wellness kit that includes branded masks, gloves, sanitizers and wet wipes
Villa kitchens will be equipped with a box of utensils for their exclusive use throughout their stay.
Guests enjoy freestanding accommodations that are spread across acres of rainforest at a density of less than 10%.
A dedicated villa attendant remains with the guest throughout their stay, so guests aren’t seeing a different face every day.
The staff doesn’t require much additional training as much of the new protocols have existed and been enforced here since day-one.

You can read more about Secret Bay’s “Stay Well” program here.

You can read about our incomparable Secret Bay experience here.

Secret Bay is running a couple of specials right now. Ready to get away for an extended “workcation”? Check out a fabulous option here! Want to take your entire crew of family and friends and social distance together? That’s an option, too! Secret Bay will unveil four new villas in November, so the more the merrier!

French Polynesia

Bora Bora

St. Regis Bora Bora

Imagine, your own private over-water villa, removed from crowds and chaos. What better place to socially distance than the St. Regis in Bora Bora?

Canoe Breakfast at St. Regis Bora Bora — Image Courtesy of St. Regis Bora Bora

French Polynesia is currently Covid free and they’d like to keep it that way. However, they also want to welcome you back. The island nation has implemented a system that took effect July 15th designed to do both. It is an evolving process that I hope continues to be successful.

Here is how St. Regis Bora Bora is keeping guests and staff safe in addition to French Polynesia’s measures:

Upon arrival at the Bora Bora airport, a St. Regis airport greeter will invite you to help yourself to a lei and a sanitary welcome kit that includes masks, hand sanitizer and your own pen.
Your temperature will be taken and your luggage will be sprayed with sanitizer.
Before boarding the boat to the resort, you will be asked to use the hand sanitizer and wear your mask. If the boat is shared, each guest will be seated accordingly.
At the resort, you will be assigned your own bicycles and snorkeling equipment to be used during your stay.
All menus for dining outlets and the spa will be replaced with boards and digital versions.
At the spa, facials and head treatments are temporarily unavailable.
The gym will be limited to a certain amount of guests at one time.

You can read more about St. Regis Bora Bora’s safety measures here.

Please keep in mind that French Polynesia’s requirements for entry can (and do) change at any time, so if you are planning a trip there, check here for updates on a regular basis.

The decision on whether or not to travel right now is a personal decision. If it’s an idea you would like to explore more of know that the properties above are committed to keeping you well and safe.

Other than the one property mentioned, all properties have a very flexible cancellation/postponement policy. Please check each property’s website for complete information.

I hope that we are all able to freely explore this beautiful world and do so soon. In the meantime, stay safe, wash your hands, wear your mask, be kind, do your part.

Worldwide

Traveling Triathletes: Interview with Team Zaferes

Post author By Andrea
Post date 11:42 am
31,793 Comments on Traveling Triathletes: Interview with Team Zaferes

I’d like to introduce you to professional vagabond triathletes Katie and Tommy Zaferes. “Professional triathlete” means they swim, bike and run for a living. “Professional vagabond” means they do so all over the world. They are ITU triathletes which means they race on an international circuit against the best triathletes in the world, all who have one goal in mind: secure that coveted spot to the Olympics. In 2016, Katie did just that and, she will spend the next four years relentlessly training, racing and sacrificing in an attempt to return to the Olympic stage. And, currently ranked first American and 3rd in the world, she’s off to a pretty good start.

Katie and Tommy spend nine months out of the year on the road. If they are not racing in one of the countries on the circuit, they are training in France or Spain. Last year, they decided they were tired of being homeless, while back in the States, and built a “tiny house” featured on HGTV’s “Tiny House Nation”.

Oh, and one more thing you should know, Katie and Tommy are two of the nicest people you will ever meet. So let’s talk travel, training, Olympics and tiny house with team Zaferes.

*Unless otherwise noted, all photos are courtesy of Tommy Zaferes.

WIN: First of all, where are you? I can never keep track of you guys!

Katie: Les Angles, France!

WIN: You guys met while training and racing on the road. Where and how did you meet?

Katie: We me in Tiszjuavaros, Hungary. Tiszy for short! We were both competing at a world cup and we started talking after the race and never stopped!

WIN: What does a typical day look like for you, while at training camp?

Katie: A typical day is a swim in the morning. Some days, if we have a double run, we’ll run down to the swim as it is about 6k. Then we’ll have a ride and usually a run in the evening. In between training it’s basically just napping and sleeping. We don’t have internet at the place we are staying, well it’s in the lobby but for us it’s not worth it. So we rely on T-mobile’s universal data to stay updated.

WIN: Do you get much time to explore the areas where you are training?

Katie: Most of the exploring that we do is done via training. So we don’t typically go to many of the tourist spots, but at the same time we get to see a lot!

WIN: Do you have a favorite place in the world you’ve trained?

Katie: For me (Katie) I would say my favorite place to train is either Banyoles, Spain or here in Les Angles, France. Both are similar in that there are trails and a lake and endless miles of roads to ride on. The only reason I think Banyoles might trump Les Angles is because here we have to drive about 20 minutes to get to the grocery store, also my Spanish is a tad more advanced than my French and there’s flat riding options. However, in Les Angles there’s quite a few more running options and the scenery is a lot more dramatic. So tough call!

Tommy’s favorite place to train is actually Santa Cruz, CA. He loves having the ocean, redwood trees and mountains all in one place. There are endless possibilities of training options depending on what you’re looking for. Plus, it helps that the weather is always temperate.

WIN: What about a favorite place to race?

Katie: My favorite place to race is in Cape Town, South Africa. I just love that trip. The landscape is so dramatic and the food is delicious and affordable! Tommy’s favorite is Pacific Grove because it’s close to where he is from and the views are awesome.

WIN: The time around a race is so tense, do you have much time to enjoy the country you are racing in?

Katie: That’s actually something I struggled with last year. My first few years of racing around the world I always took time to appreciate where I was and the cities I got to visit. Last year I made it too much about racing and not enough about the experience. So, I’m back to making sure that each place I go I get to enjoy a bit of the culture and the city. This doesn’t usually mean any extravagant tourism plans but just taking a walk, or trying a new food (post race), or making my ride/run a destination run to some landmark. Really, it’s just being aware of my surroundings and appreciating them.

WIN: During the season, you race in a different country every two weeks. Considering you have to bring a bike, bike gear, run and swim gear, you must be a master packer by now! Can you share some packing tips?

Katie: What I’ve realized (with Tommy’s assistance) is that you really don’t need to pack much more for a 3 month trip than what you would have to pack for a week. The only thing you need to take into consideration is the changing weather patterns and to be prepared for both the cold and the heat. I’ve learned to really slim down on “normal” clothes, as my life basically consists of workout attire. Also, I don’t bring much variety in the sense that I basically bring three of each thing: 3 running shorts, 3 cycling kits, 3 long sleeve tops, 3 short sleeve tops, etc. I do bring a lot of shoes to start and then as they get used I leave them behind. If you want to bring anything special just make sure it’s worth lugging around. Sometimes I’ve brought my TRX or multiple dresses, and then I realize I don’t use them at all so they won’t make the cut the next trip.

WIN: Do you have any other travel hacks/tips you can share?

Katie: First I would say patience. When traveling expect the unexpected. Get places early, but also know that some things are out of your control, the airport’s control and the airline’s control. Sometimes you just get the shaft. Try not to let it effect you too much and just roll with it, knowing all will work out in the end. Also, if something does happen try to think of it as an experience.

American Express/Chase Reserve Cards: We love these cards. They have an annual fee that seems really expensive but if you’re a frequent traveler they’re completely worth it. We have lounge access, $200-$300 annual credit, they provide great insurance coverage and also really nice travel options. Plus they are so easy to work with if you need assistance. For us the lounge access is huge. Because I like getting to the airport excessively early, Tommy and I compromise as, when we get there early, we can go to the lounge before boarding and have whatever meal we are closest too. By the end of the year we’ve probably saved 100’s of dollars by not having to buy stuff at the airports between the two of us.

I pack everything that I know I will need if my bag gets lost in a backpack (for me this is mainly training things like helmet, cycling shoes, extra undies and bra, one extra run outfit, swim cap and goggles) then I keep a drawstring bag full of the things I might want to access on the plane so I can grab it out of my back pack and tuck that under the seat in front of me. Usually that bag has my neck pillow, water bottle, kindle, a pen for customs forms and food.

We also are T-mobile customers which means we have global data everywhere we go. It’s throttled at 2g but has been awesome being able to look up directions or stay in contact.

Tommy bought me this thing called a Scrubba Wash Bag for Christmas, and it has been awesome! We take it when we travel for the places that we don’t have direct access to washers. It’s not very large, but I do believe the clothes come out cleaner than when we put them in.

WIN: I’ve seen some pretty funny posts from you guys on the road, like laundry day in the shower, can you share some more funny moments from traveling?

Katie: After racing Escape from Alcatraz we were catching a plane directly after the race. We had to pack our bikes on the middle of the sidewalk and also change clothes and do a quick baby wipe wipe down as our shower before boarding the plane. Or, when my bag has gotten lost for a few days, but luckily Tommy and I are the same size so I just wore his clothes for like a week. Those scary moments when you misinterpret a foreign road sign or forget which side of the road you are supposed to be on. Trying to communicate when you’re not that great at the local language. Also, getting lost, when we were in Portugal; we left excessively early for the airport, and once I set the GPS on my phone, I asked Tommy if it was ok if I fell asleep. Well, when I woke up and looked at the phone I realized we had missed our turn by like 2 hours or something (and were actually farther from the airport than when we started driving). We actually made our flight on time! I think that was one of those times that Tommy was happy with my time anxiety.

WIN: How about some hurdles while traveling?

Katie: Just not always being able to bring all the comforts of home or forgetting things you would like to have. Currently I forgot to bring my adapter so I can put my headphones in my phone. I also have a watch that is broken and since we are away it takes time to get replacements shipped out. Sometimes the language barrier can be difficult. Just because I feel like I should know the language of each place we go, but I have a hard-enough time learning Spanish. I at least try to pick up how to say hello, thank you, sorry and good bye wherever we are. The differences in eating, especially since nutrition is a big part of our job, and to make sure we are eating right and not just easy because of the area. For instance, at home I eat a lot of smoothies, but when we are on the road I don’t always have a blender and frozen fruit is not so popular.

WIN: What’s the most frightening thing that has happened to you while being in a foreign country and how did you handle it?

Katie: Luckily, I don’t feel like we have had that many scary experiences. We are very mindful of not putting ourselves into scary situations. In some places I won’t train alone, and I’ll make sure that I always have Tommy or someone else with me. Other places I won’t walk after dark alone to get back from somewhere. Sometimes there have been scary situations on the bike with aggressiveness, but luckily nothing has ever escalated.

WIN: What has being on the road all the time and travel in general taught you?

Katie: It’s really taught me to appreciate these experiences. I know I’ve been given a great opportunity to see so much of the world that I may not have crossed paths with otherwise. From the small towns we stay in to train to the cities we race in. I think it’s taught me to really appreciate different cultures and the unique qualities about each.

WIN: Do you tire of the nomadic lifestyle?

Katie: Sometimes. Usually by the end of the year I am ready to go home. But honestly until this past year Tommy and I really didn’t have a home to go back to. I would look forward to going back to just the comfort of the USA. The ease of being back in an English speaking country where I had my own fridge, my own bed, foods and grocery stores I was familiar with and being surrounded by family. However, what’s nice about the way Tommy and I travel, is that we get to do all of this together. If we didn’t get to be together while we were on the road 9 months out of the year I don’t think I would enjoy it nearly as much.

WIN: You recently designed and built a tiny house. Did any of your travels influence the design of it?

Katie: We did! And I would say a bit, we didn’t want our home to scream triathlon, because we kind of wanted a get away from the tri life. However, we did include pictures that Tommy has taken during our travels and have them framed. There’s also a globe 🙂

WIN: Travel, no matter how experienced you are, can get a little stressful. How do you balance that on top of that pre-race anxiety?

Katie: I would say mostly by trying to plan the most I can for the unexpected. I do this by getting to the airport in plenty of time (I’m usually the first in line and have been known to be there before the counters even open). I also travel with everything I would need to race in case my bike or bag got lost. Basically, I have everything except my bike, which I would be confident I could source a loaner in time for the race. Besides that, I think it takes just being relatively laid back and not letting lost luggage, delays or cancellations effect you too much. In addition, I take the time to familiarize myself with the area before actually getting to where I am going. I know the closest grocery store, the closest pool and where I intend on doing most of my training. I use Strava to look up running and cycling routes in new places so that I can see what the best places to train are. That way, once I get there I don’t feel lost from the get go. Mostly I just plan that everything is going to take more time and more energy than expected. And I try to balance that with making it all part of the adventure.

WIN: I bring home a pen or pencil from each place I travel to. Do you guys collect souvenirs?

Katie: Tommy just collects pictures and not much else. I like to send postcards. I usually send 6 postcards home from each place we go and one of them I address to myself and write about how I feel about the place and what has been going on.

WIN: Did you travel a lot while growing up?

Katie: I thought so, until I became a professional triathlete! My family traveled a lot for swim meets and then we would always go on a summer vacation. Usually to the Outer Banks, but also we went out west, and did a few Caribbean cruises. I had never been outside of North America before racing triathlon. Tommy’s family did pretty much the same. They traveled for swim meets and such, as well as took some road trips.

WIN: Tommy- as the team photographer, you shoot a lot of people in motion can you share some photo tips for action shots and capturing people’s personality.

Tommy: Sports photography is all about anticipating the moment. If you know what is about to happen you can get the shot you’re looking for. As an athlete myself, it’s quite a bit easier to anticipate moments. It’s the same when photographing facial expressions during casual conversation or interviews. My advice is practice, practice, practice!

Photo courtesy of: Wybrand Du Toit

WIN: You’re also pretty punny- do you have anything for us?

Tommy: To please the hill rep gods you must sacrifice two calfs.

2000lbs of Chinese dumplings is equivalent to wonton.

WIN: You were in Rio for the 2016 olympics- What was that experience like? Did you have enough time to explore? Or, was it strictly business?

Katie: Rio was a bit disappointing for me, but this had nothing to do with the location or the Olympics. We arrived into Rio on August 15th and my race was August 20. So, up until the race, I was really focused on my competition and making sure I reserved enough energy. The problem with this was when my race was over the Olympics was over. Closing ceremonies was the next evening. I’m sad that I did not take more advantage of the Olympic experience. I was disappointed in my race and though there were certainly amazing parts of it, I think overall I kind of failed myself. I saw the Olympics as too much of a job. I was lucky though as I got to walk in the closing ceremonies which was pretty amazing to be on the stadium floor with all the different athletes from all over the world. In addition, my family and I went out to a Brazilian BBQ after the race which was delicious!

Photo Courtesy of Trimes

WIN: Do you feel the area you were at was adequately prepared for the tourism and Olympics themselves?

Katie: I think Rio did a pretty good job. It was difficult because a lot of the venues were so spread out. So, we (the USA triathletes) actually didn’t stay in the athlete village until after the race. My parents and Tommy, who were not racing and were there for the experience, had a great time though!

WIN: Looking back, would you have ever thought this would be your life…traveling around the world?

Katie: I was planning on being a teacher when I graduated college in 2012. Being able to live this life has been so amazing! I met my husband in Hungary and have gotten to travel the world and meet so many different people while seeing so many new places all as part of my “job”.

WIN: Thanks for your time, Katie and Tommy! It’s always a treat to chat with you!

I highly recommend following along on Katie and Tommy’s adventures! Pick your poison(s):

Blog/website:

Facebook:

Instagram:

Twitter: