I guess I should start by welcoming all the new readers to my blog. My blog has experienced some crazy exposure thanks to a post featured on Mashable “Acrobatic Blogger Puts Your Travel Photos to Shame” and other major publications. So hello there & welcome to Breakaway Backpacker. I just got home from a 2 year backpacking trip around the world and am currently working to save and do it all over again. Even though I am home at the moment I still have a lot of stories to share so will continue to do so. I recently answered some of the most common questions I get in a series of three post: “Random statistics from a 2 year backpacking trip around the world.” – “How much do it cost to travel the world for 2 years?” – “Finally, my answers to all your questions about my RTW trip & random things.“. Be sure to check them out and let me know what you think. If you want to know more about me check my “About Me” page or just browse through the blog, but for now though lets talk “Toe Touches”!!!
I only now just realized that this is the first time I share all my “Toe Touch” photos on my blog. I normally only post them in my “Toe Touch” album on my Facebook Fanpage. You have seen 20 of them on Mashable, but will now see all my “Toe Touch” photos from around the world exclusively on Breakaway Backpacker along with some insight on how it all started and my thoughts.
I vividly remember how it all started. I was only two months in to my travels, on a volcano boarding tour in Nicaragua (where I almost died) and the tour guide stopped us all at the top of the volcano to get a jumping photo. I jumped, but he was not impressed and made me do it again. Still unimpressed, I decided to do a jump he probably hadn’t seen many people do and bam! He caught my 1st toe touch photo. I posted it on my Facebook Fanpage, and everyone loved it! I got such a good response and it looked so great that I knew I’d be doing these toe touches all over the world.
Because much of the time I travel solo, the hardest thing though was getting complete strangers to take the photos for me. They would look at me very puzzled and wonder why on Earth I would do a photo of me doing this. I remember sometimes I would have to ask the stranger to take several shots, because they were not able to get it right. Not only that, but sometimes it was embarrassing to do the “Toe Touch” in front of very iconic locations, because people all around would just stare. I remember a few times having to make space (yes I asked people to move) so that I can do my “Toe Touch” with out hitting anyone. I look through all 52 photos and laugh because I remember every single one of them and they each have a unique story. I have posted all 52 photos along with links to post that I have written that are relevant with the location of the “Toe Touch”.
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1. Volcano Cerro Negro in Leon, Nicaragua
Volcano Boarding in Leon, Nicaragua
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2. Mayan Ruins of Copan Ruinas, Honduras
My 1st ruins… The Copan Ruins!!!
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3. Volcano Pacaya in Guatemala
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4. Mayan Ruins of Palenque, Mexico
Ruins, Rivers & Waterfalls in Palenque!
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5. Mayan Ruins of Tikal, Guatemala
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6. Mayan Ruins of Chichen Itza, Mexico
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7. Top of The Nohoch Mul pyramid at the Mayan ruins of Coba in Mexico.
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8. Mayan ruins of Coba in Mexico.
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9. Akumal Beach in Playa del Carmen, Mexico
My brothers beautiful destination wedding in Playa del Carmen.
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10. La Presidencia of Gral. Teran, Mexico
Visiting a town that is basically run by drug cartels.
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11. Skyline of Houston, TX
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12. Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, France
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13. Arc de Triomphe in Paris, France
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14. Musee du Louvre in Paris, France
I bet they’re all jealous of “Mona Lisa”?
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15. Atomium in Brussels, Belgium
The 2nd time I’ve cried on the road…
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16. Amsterdam, Netherlands
Shrooms, Pride & Good Times in Amsterdam!!!
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17. Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Germany
The hospitality of my readers and how we partied in Hamburg!
Camping in Northern Germany & a quick visit to Denmark!
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18. Charles Bridge (Karluv Most) in Prague, Czech Republic
24hrs in Prague and mission was accomplished!
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19. Covered in Tomatoes after La Tomatina in Bunol, Spain
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20. City of Arts and Sciences in Valencia, Spain
A week in Valencia & we did nothing…
Tapas, Tapas & more Tapas in Spain!!!
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21. Chefchaouen, Morocco
My 1st 48hrs in Africa (Chefchaouen, Morocco).
Chefchaouen, a town with a million shades of blue in photos.
For a minute I was actually going to go home…
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22. Sahara Desert in Merzouga, Morocco
An open letter to the Sahara Desert.
A Sahara Desert expedition in photos.
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23. Es Vedra in Ibiza, Spain
4 for 4 – 4 cities 4 naught encounters!
Corrida de Toros… Spanish tradition or animal cruelty?
It’s 4:38pm… on a Wednesday in Ibiza.
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24. Burano, Italy
Getting lost in Venice in photos.
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25. David in Florence, Italy
The most beautiful nude man in the world.
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26. Leaning Tower of Pisa in Pisa, Italy
Being dirty with the Leaning Tower of Pisa…
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27. Colosseum in Rome, Italy
A tragic yet amazing Thanksgiving in Rome!
Popping my Italian Gelato Cherry!
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28. St. Peters Basilica in Vatican City
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29. The Parthenon in Athens, Greece
What I’ve been up to in Athens.
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30. Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, Turkey
Happy New Years from Istanbul, Turkey!!!
This is how I spent my New Years in Istanbul, Turkey!!!
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31. Library of Celsus in Ephesus, Turkey
A short adventure to Ephesus, Pamukkale & Cappadocia, Turkey in photos.
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32. Hot Springs and Travertines of Pamukkale, Turkey
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33. Cappadocia, Turkey
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34. Sultan Ahmed Mosque (Blue Mosque) in Istanbul, Turkey
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35. Great Pyramids of Giza in Giza, Egypt
Living a childhood dream… visiting the Great Pyramids of Giza!!!
Witnessing history first hand in Egypt.
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36. Sahara Desert in Siwa Oasis, Egypt
A visit to the Sahara Desert again (this time in Egypt) in photos.
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37.Sunset at the Sahara Desert in Siwa Oasis, Egypt
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38. Temple of Ramsess II near Aswan, Egypt
Temples of Abu Simbel & Philae in Photos.
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39.Temple of Nefretiri near Aswan, Egypt
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40.Temple of Philae in Aswan, Egypt
Meet Elephantine Island (my new love) in photos.
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41. Temple of Karnak in Luxor, Egypt
A view of Luxor the Pharaohs didn’t even have.
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42. Deir el Bahari Temple in Luxor, Egypt
A backpacker on a 5 star luxury nile cruise.
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43. Medinet Habu Temple in Luxor, Egypt
Diary of a 2nd class train ride in Egypt.
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44. Tahrir Sq. in Cairo, Egypt
A side of Tahrir Square media/news do not want you to see – in photos.
Cairo, revolution street art in photos.
A Gay date through the streets of Cairo.
60 images from Tahrir Sq. after the historical announcement of Egypt’s new President.
My thoughts on visiting “Garbage City” in Cairo, Egypt!
Photos from Cairo on the 2nd Anniversary of the Egyptian Revolution.
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45. Pyramid of Djoser (Step Pyramid) in the Saqqara Necropolis, Egypt
Why you should visit the “OTHER” pyramids & how.
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46. Bent Pyramid
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47. Bahá’í House of Worship in New Delhi, India
An intense Holi experience in Mathura.
The Sex Temples of Kajuharo in photos.
Diary of a 31 hour train ride from Mumbai to New Delhi.
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48. Taj Mahal in Agra, India
Visiting the one thing I knew was in India the Taj Mahal.
The worst toilet experience of my life (so far)!!!
The Kerala Backwaters by houseboat (an experience no one should miss).
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49. Virupaksha Temple in Hampi, India
My experience volunteering in India.
Oh India I hate you… I hate you not!
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50. Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, Turkey
A 9 day layover in Istanbul in photos.
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51. Sultan Ahmed Mosque (Blue Mosque) in Istanbul, Turkey
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52. Off an Elephant in Chiang Mai, Thailand
15 days in the paradise island of Koh Tao in photos.
My failed attempt at Scuba Diving in Koh Tao, Thailand.
My experience and thoughts on riding elephants in Chiang Mai.
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I have been doing it for over 2 years now just for the sake of my blog, because I knew my fans liked it. I think it’s something very unique and uncommon and also very ‘me’. I plan to continue to do them as I explore more of the world. I hope you enjoyed the shots along with the related posts, I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below. If you would like you can also follow my adventure on Facebook and Twitter where I share even more random thoughts and tidbits of my life. Oh & my love for Kelly Clarkson as well. Be sure to come back on Thursday where I will share photos of what a passport looks like after two years of travel. Thanks again for stopping by and if you have a question please don’t hesitate to ask, I reply to every comment I receive.
I hope you share your thoughts below.
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PREVIOUS IN PHOTOS
- Photos from Cairo on the 2nd Anniversary of the Egyptian Revolution.
- The Killing Fields in photos.
- Exploring the temples of Angkor Wat in Black & White.
- A day in Hue, Vietnam in photos.
- The bright colors of the Minority People of Vietnam in photos.
Amazing. I think I like the one covered in tomatoes the most.
David @ That Gay Backpacker recently posted..An Bang: Hoi An’s lesser known beach
Thanks David! I remember thinking I was going to die that die, because La Tomatina is seriously one of the craziest festivals I have ever attended.
That’s a really nice collection. And I thought I was taking good photos on the road. Good stuff.
Tate recently posted..May 1st is labor day and you should have been off
Thanks so much Tate and I’m sure your travel photos are just as good.
Man you are FIT!!
Zara @ Backpack ME recently posted..Roadrunner.. The Coyote’s After You!
Really!
I dance several hours a week and I’m far from able to do that!
Well you know what they say Sofie… practice makes perfect!!!
Ja Zara, I wish I was. I’ve gained the weight I lost on the road back, now that I am home. The good thing is I can still do my toe touches and will keep doing them.
I am highly impressed by the number of awesome places you have been to! I love travel as well, and I try and go to at least 2 new places a year (which, compared to you, is nothing, I know!)
Looking forward to reading more of your stories from your travels across the world! 🙂
Sanjana recently posted..The Mystical and the Mythical
Thank you so much Sanjana, even if you can travel a bit that is good. It’s a shame a lot of people don’t like to travel, but hey it’s not for everyone. So where you going to next?
Glad you are going to follow along. I have a lot of stories left to tell.
Amazing! Love these shots, and that you’re able to touch your toes while jumping in the air – we could never do that 🙂 Keep the toe touches coming!!
EEEEeeee thanks y’all!!! Looks like I need to get ready for some toe-touches all over NYC when I arrive. Glad I won’t have to ask strangers to take my photos. I will have y’all!!!
So awesome Jaime! I love that I was there for the Valencia one and sort of there for the Tomatina one!
Ali recently posted..Weekly Photo – Carcassonne Castle
Thanks so much Ali, I know crazy that now all those pics are getting recognized. Hope we meet again and are able to take more…lol!!!
Wow. Well done. I like the wrap up of the whole thing, too. Thanks for adding the related posts, too. The looks on some bystanders’ faces are pricless.
Did touching your toes get easier over time?
Carmel recently posted..FINDING MY VOICE
THanks so much Carmel and I’m glad you enjoyed the wrap up! The faces of by standers are priceless in some photos. It’s always been easy for me to do them, but in some place I struggled. Like if I was wearing jeans or it was freezing cold or just couldn’t get the shot with my camera.
Great to see the full set and the related posts! Can’t wait to see more of your toe touches around the world 🙂
Adam recently posted..The Diversity of Spain
Thanks Adam, I hope to share more while I’m visiting Toronto and NYC. I can’t wait to be back on the road full time though… to take many more!
Seriously.. this is so awesome! Normally we’d jump random jumps but I like that you kept it to a specific one. If I scroll down fast enough, it’s like a flip book. LOL. My favorite is la tomatina where you’re covered in tomatoes. lol
Kieu ~ GQ trippin recently posted..An Unexpected Career Path
Thanks Kieu, yeah I always did a toe touch. Oh & if I put the photos I have in sequence you can actually seem jump up and down in front of everything. It’s so cool. I need to work on that. La Tomatina was a crazy experience…lol!
Woooww!!! You did the jump in all the places you went! I actually tried to do the same jump three weeks ago in a botanical garden in the outskirts of Jakarta. But the next morning I found it hard to walk properly. :p Nice shots!
Bama recently posted..The Uneasy History of the Tao
Oh Bama, yes sometimes it hurt me too the next day. Sometimes I wouldn’t stretch before doing it and yeah would be in pain the next day!
ahahahaha amazing! love them all but my favouite is the one with the elephant! 🙂
kle recently posted..Koh Tao: The Amazing sunsets Island!
Jaja of course cus it’s Thailand Kle! Hope all is well for you there.
Awesome photos of your toe touches around the world. I’d have to say I really dig the ones you snapped in Egypt the best 🙂
Thanks for sharing.
Ah yes UM Egypt was the best. Glad you enjoyed them!!!
That is hilarious and so funny! You should’ve put them into video as Matt did and get toe touches around the world on youtube 🙂
Thanks & I have actually thought about putting them in video. I need to go ahead and do that. I’ve just been so damn busy.
Great jump! Just remember not to lean forward too much and to look up and smile! It always cheers up the jump!
Craig L. Phillips recently posted..No last blog posts to return.
jajaja thank you so much Craig for the tips! I am taking that to heart from now on!!!
These photos are amazing! I love the tomato one, and the Blue Mosque. You make it look so effortless, and you’re making me feel like I want to develop some signature move! I wonder what it could be…