Hi Reader!

About 20 years ago, I took a short 4-night trip to Mexico. I went out to dinner the first night and woke up with Montezuma's revenge the next morning.

It ruined the entire trip 🤢

We arrived in Cuenca almost 2 weeks ago and I woke up the first morning with a nasty cold (or maybe the flu). But I'm finally feeling better!

Unlike my quick trip to Mexico, we still have plenty of time left to enjoy this beautiful city thanks to our slow travel lifestyle.

Amelia has been doing a fantastic job managing our first Turtle Leap by herself. The Turtles have been having a wonderful time exploring the city, and the day trip to San Bartolomé, Chordeleg and Gualaceo was a big hit.

My time has felt more like the Alfred Hitchcock movie, "Rear Window" with me playing the part of Jimmy Stewart.

I've been sitting in bed watching the Tomebamba River, hummingbirds, Thrushes, bicycles, walkers, joggers, buses and everything else going about their daily business.

Thankfully, I haven't seen anything suspicious so Alfred wouldn't have much to say about my observations. On the other hand, David Attenborough would love this view!

We announced our Leap to Kuala Lumpur Thursday night and it was sold out by Saturday morning. However, we still have one spot left for our Leap to Bali in January and we're about ready to announce our next Leap for February to one of our absolute most favorite places in the world!

If you would like to join the Turtles in Southeast Asia or Europe next year, join the Turtle Travel Club now so you get notified as soon as we announce the Leaps (you'll also get immediate access to the Xpat Club and the Slow Travel EXPRESS eCourse).

My quarantine ends today and I'm so excited to join the Turtles in land of the living! Woohoo!!! 🥳

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News for Global Citizens

Here's what we learned about the world this week...

Travel News

Devastating Quake Hits Central Philippines

A magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck late Tuesday night off the coast of Cebu, triggering widespread destruction and claiming dozens of lives across the central Philippines. The quake leveled homes, damaged critical infrastructure, and left many trapped under rubble amid landslides. Rescue teams are working against the clock to reach survivors, but their progress is hampered by power outages, aftershocks, and difficult terrain. As communities reel, the nation braces for further dangers amid the search efforts. ​Source​

Speak Like a Local: Apple’s AirPods Just Made That Possible

Imagine ordering your morning coffee in Rome or chatting with a local in Tokyo and having your AirPods translate everything for you in real time. Apple’s Live Translation (already active on iPhone, FaceTime, and Messages) is now extended to AirPods Pro (2nd & 3rd gen) and AirPods 4th gen with Active Noise Cancellation. It captures spoken words, filters background noise, sends them to your iPhone to translate, and plays them back, all in your ear. Currently, it supports English, French, German, Portuguese, and Spanish but more languages are coming soon. For globetrotters, it’s a seriously slick tool to bridge language gaps without skipping a beat. Source​

Delta’s New Routes Take You to Sardinia & Malta

For the first time ever, Delta handed its route map over to the people and it paid off. Nearly 150,000 SkyMiles members and employees voted, and the results were split: members picked Sardinia, the staff picked Malta , so Delta decided to launch both. Starting in summer 2026, you’ll be able to fly nonstop from JFK to Olbia, Sardinia (four times a week), and to Malta (three weekly flights). It opens the door to two Mediterranean gems many Americans have never had easy access to before. Source​

Mexico’s Best Under-the-Radar Beach Towns

Tired of the usual tourist traps? This article spotlights 10 lesser-known Mexican beach towns that deliver all the sun, sea, and serenity without the crowds. From the marine-rich waters of Loreto and Mahahual to the tranquil mangroves of Celestún and the charm of La Manzanilla, each town has its own flavor: diving, wildlife, mellow nightlife, local culture, or pure chill. If you’re craving that perfect balance between beauty and stillness, this list is your manual for Mexico’s best-kept coastal secrets. Source​

Marriott Goes Wild With New Outdoors Platform

Marriott is changing the game for nature lovers. The new Marriott Bonvoy Outdoors platform encourages you to plan trips based on what you want to do, such as skiing, hiking, diving, or biking, rather than just choosing a hotel first. Behind it is the new Outdoor Collection by Marriott Bonvoy, featuring design-forward cabins, boutique wilderness hotels, and immersive stays complete with creature comforts. To celebrate the launch, Marriott teamed up with Dylan Efron for a treasure-hunt-style “Drop Pin Challenge,” hiding 20 map pins across North America worth millions of Bonvoy points. Source​

Expat News

When Europe Doesn’t Feel Like Expat Heaven

You might assume Europe is the gold standard for expat happiness but a recent InterNations-based survey tells a different story: expats in many European countries are among the most dissatisfied in the world. Only Spain cracked the top 10, while six European nations landed in the bottom rankings. The reasons aren’t trivial: administrative hassles, high housing costs, and weak prospects for work and integration are dragging the experience down. If you’re weighing where to live abroad, this report is a useful reminder to look at the full picture before deciding. Source​

What You Must Know Before Retiring Abroad

Thinking of retiring overseas? It’s an enticing vision! Warm climates, lower costs, fresh adventures — but you’ll want to go in eyes wide open. This article breaks down three major hurdles expat retirees commonly face: navigating foreign healthcare systems, staying emotionally and socially connected, and wrestling with complex bureaucratic red tape. With thoughtful preparation and smarter support systems in place, you can smooth your path toward a more fulfilling life abroad. Source​

Spain Still Wins: What Makes It the Top Choice for Expat Life

Spain has once again clinched the top spot for expat quality of life. In a recent InterNations survey, expats praised its sunny climate, vibrant culture, lively nightlife, and surprisingly affordable, high-quality healthcare. Add in excellent public transportation, easy access to nature, and high overall life satisfaction, with 84% of foreigners saying they’d happily stay, and it’s clear why Spain continues to set the standard for life abroad. Source​

Ecuador News

Conaie Holds Firm on Nationwide Strike

Ecuador’s Indigenous rights group CONAIE is pressing ahead with its nationwide strike, which continues to disrupt transportation and spark tensions in some areas of the country. Protesters are demanding the reversal of a diesel subsidy cut, reforms in health and education, and tighter limits on mining projects. The government has so far resisted making concessions, keeping the country in a tense holding pattern as both sides weigh next steps. Source​

Ecuador’s Sales Poised for 2025 Recovery

Ecuador’s projection of stronger sales in 2025 is driven by more than just a rebound, it comes amid a complex backdrop of hardship in 2024. Intense power outages hammered industrial activity and forced companies into costly adaptations, contributing to contraction in sectors like manufacturing and construction. At the same time, agriculture and trade have held up better, thanks to a surge in non-oil exports, especially cacao, bananas, and shrimp, and government liquidity injections to settle overdue obligations. Add in shifting consumer behavior, with people favoring essentials that aren’t taxed heavily, and the stage is set for recovery, though underlying weaknesses and inflation pressures still linger. Source​

Loma Larga: The Mine Project Stirring Tensions in Cuenca

The Loma Larga mining project in Azuay, spearheaded by Canadian firm Dundee Precious Metals, has entered a volatile stage. The company has secured an environmental license and plans to begin construction by late 2025, with investments of around USD 419 million. But the project faces strong pushback: local authorities, water utilities, professional guilds, and community groups have all expressed concern over environmental risks, particularly to Cuenca’s water sources. In response, the national government has ordered a suspension of activities until Dundee publishes a clearer, community-friendly environmental management plan.

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That's all for now! Let us know if you have any questions by replying to this email 👍

JP (Amelia Says Hola)​
​AmeliaAndJP.com​

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