Travel Buffs Archives | TRAVELS WITH TAM

Fabulous Photo Friday: Laguna Beach

February 15, 2019 By Tam Warner 16 Comments

The California coastline has been completely developed, and the sheer number of people residing there is astronomical. Houses and apartments and condominiums dot the landscape, and yet the incredible lure of the ocean is almost impossible to resist. Laguna Beach is irrestible. There is something about the way the town sits on the hills looking down at an often rugged coast that catches one’s breath. My favorite walk in Orange County is Heisler Park in Laguna Beach, an ecological reserve with walkways and paths to unbelievable coastal views. When you go to Southern California, make time to visit Heisler Park! There is no prettier view in Laguna Beach.

travels — Heisler Park is my favorite walk in Laguna Beach

travels, midlife adventures — The park is beautiful, and peaceful.

Laguna Beach, midlife adventures — Incredible views

travels, midlife — Sit and relax and watch the ocean.

A Beginner’s Guide to a Safe and Memorable Out-of-the-Country Adventure

October 10, 2018 By Tam Warner 2 Comments

A Beginner’s Guide to a Safe and Memorable Out-of-the-Country Adventure

Traveling is one of the best rewards you can give to yourself. While traveling, you get to try novel things, eat foreign dishes, take in beautiful sights, meet new friends, and experience different cultures. Your new experiences may give you new perspective and allow you to gain better understanding of yourself and the world. In short, traveling gives you the chance to grow as a person.

But traveling also has its dangers. (What doesn’t?) If it’s your first time going out of the country to chase an adventure, there should be few things you have to keep in mind to enjoy a safe and fun travel. Here’s a guide for every beginner traveler. [Read more…] about A Beginner’s Guide to a Safe and Memorable Out-of-the-Country Adventure

Here are 5 Penguin Species You Won’t Want to Miss When You Travel!

August 31, 2017 By Tam Warner 13 Comments

North American Travel Journalist Association has recognized this article in the Annual Travel Writers Awards!

2018 Bronze Award in the category Eco, Environmental, or Volunteer

penguins, africa, antarctica, jackass, chinstrap — With my new friends in South Africa, 2009! They are Jackass Penguins!

Who loves penguins? Everybody! And if someone does not like penguins, I don’t want to know them. Penguins overdose us on cuteness. They are a joy to watch whether they are walking, swimming, nesting, or snoozing. I have been fortunate enough to see 5 Penguin Species eye to eye. They are all completely awesome! [Read more…] about Here are 5 Penguin Species You Won’t Want to Miss When You Travel!

Columbia Deeps and Columbia Shallows are Sensational Dives on Cozumel!

August 3, 2017 By Tam Warner 2 Comments

columbia deeps, columbia shallows, cozumel, dive cozumel — It is so hard to photograph the beauty of these corals and the mountains that hold them!

Columbia Deeps and Columbia Shallows! Cozumel is a well known diving destination. Jacques Cousteau put Cozumel on the map in 1960, and he did a documentary about the mesoamerican reef, of which Cozumel’s reefs are a part. There are many beautiful dive sites on Cozumel, but I have to say that I love diving Columbia Reef. Columbia is quite far south off the island, and therefore it is never loaded with divers the way Palancar often is. The coral mountains of Columbia are breathtaking, and the shallow area is full of life. I think these photos will show you why I love it so much!

Isn’t it amazing to contemplate that we know more about the planets in our galaxy than we do about our own oceans? Our oceans are in terrible danger, and we must start doing more. There is a new documentary out that everyone should watch. I was interviewed for it but didn’t make the final cut. Check out Chasing Coral on Netflix. I have been in many of the places depicted, and I have seen the damage that climate change is doing. Yes, climate change is real. We must start paying attention.

http://www.chasingcoral.com/#film — We are losing, and we must fight back.

Two of the Best Dive Sites in Cozumel are full of Sea Turtles!

July 17, 2017 By Tam Warner 11 Comments

*This post contains affiliate links, which means I will receive a small percentage of sales, at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting me in my travels, and my mission to encourage others to explore this incredible planet, experience other cultures, and make it a better place!

reefs, palancar, cedar pass, cozumel diving — The Palancar Reef System is amazing.

Dive sites on Cozumel often have turtles! I always love diving El Paso de Cedral (Cedar Pass) and the Palancar Reefs. I cannot think of a single trip I have taken to Cozumel when I didn’t dive them more than once. Palancar is beautiful, full of colorful coral and sponges (and turtles!). Palancar Reef is so large it is split into four sections: Palancar Gardens, Palancar Horseshoe, Palancar Caves and Palancar Pinnacles. The mountains and colors of the reef never cease to awe me. Huge pinnacles come up from the depths and take one’s breath away. I wish I had the ability to translate it into images. Cedar Pass, on the other hand, is a basically flat area with no large coral, but it does have a lot of small coral head areas, and under the ledges are some pretty amazing creatures! And I don’t think I’ve ever been on the reef without seeing turtles and a nurse shark or two. These reefs could not be more different, yet each is a fabulous dive site. Take a look!

An incredibly large and old Loggerhead. You don’t see them often on the reef, but they nest on the east side of Cozumel.

The fish are waiting for the goodies the turtle doesn’t eat, they are happy to have crumbs!

cozumel, turtles, diving cozumel, scuba — Turtles always have a clean up crew! In this case, a French Angel and a Yellow Head Wrasse.

reefs, cozumel diving, palancar, cedar pass, cozumel — These Blue Striped Grunts are hanging out in a recessed area on Palancar Gardens

Children of all ages love to look at fish faces! My first book, All Fish Faces, is an introduction to species living all over the planet, and fun facts about them. And of course, cool photos of fish faces! Meeting our fishy friends face to face can only help people understand and love our oceans.<br />

No Matter How far I Roam, I always come Home to Cozumel

June 18, 2017 By Tam Warner 11 Comments

cozumel, scuba, home, dive cozumel, colors of cozumel — The first sunset from the deck.

I have roamed all over our amazing planet, and there is so much more to see! Having walked on seven continents, I have been privileged to see the most beautiful, fantastic, and incredible sights. Every place is so different and so unique, and I have loved all of my travels, and treasure my experiences, both good and bad. Travel is the very best teacher, and for me, a way to learn, humble, and challenge myself at the same time. But…no matter how far I roam, the colors of Cozumel always awe and thrill me. This easy, breezy, non-pretentious island welcomes me home, I am reminded every time I come why I love it so much.

The ocean has many colors of blue, and the diving here is wonderful. I always forget the mountains of colorful corals and the creatures of Cozumel.. I love to dive the multi-faceted reefs here, and now I am trying my hand at macro photography (close up photography as the pictures below) I am discovering new dive sites and meeting new people!

cozumel, cozumel colors — A cushion seastar!

cozumel, diving, home, colors of cozumel — Close up of sea star leg. These podia serve two purposes, for movement and capture of prety.

colors of cozumel — One of the most beautiful sights are these flowing social feather dusters. They are actually worms!

It is a small world, as we all know. My next door neighbor and friend Lyn and I have been coming to Cozumel together for longer than I want to admit! Ten years ago Lyn brought some friends down and one of the women happened to be the mother of a school mate of my daughter’s. A few nights ago, her son had his wedding at Villa Torres, and the ceremony was on my front yard! It was so exciting for me to be able to give them a place for their ceremony! The sunset at the end of the ceremony was so dramatic it must be a good omen for the bride and groom!