“NOW, MORE THAN ANY OTHER POINT IN HISTORY, we have the distinct opportunity to become both the explorers and the ambassadors of this wondrous, liquid frontier...”
Our oceans need help. But I'm not hear to tell you about the doom and gloom. I'm on a mission to inspire as many people as possible to love the big blue thing that's responsible for the very air that we breathe. How? Through the implementation of practical, simple, day-to-day changes we can make in our lives. This space is for sharing stories and conversations about the environmental issues we're concerned about, the adventures we're living, and the thoughts we're pondering.
My name is Lauren. I work in marine tourism (whale watching and running ethical swim-with-wild-dolphin tours) and write about the conservation issues and environmental concerns that I face on a day-to-day basis to inspire societal change.
What's Happening on the Blog:
Featured
Mindful Travel Series
Taking responsibility for our wanderlust. Learn more:
Inspiration on Insta
What's life as a seasonal guide like? Here's a quick summary of 2017:
This has been a wild year - I've spent 3 tourist seasons on 3 different islands, guiding on snorkel, whale watch, and dolphin swim tours. Maui, I love you. San Juan Island, you feel like home. Kaikoura - you've reinvigorated me. I've never been in so much saltwater, and it feels amazing!
Lauren Fritz is a naturalist, writer, and photographer that tumbled headfirst into a passionate love affair with travel and island living after realizing just how intoxicating this salty and snowy world can be. She's worked as a whale watch, snorkel, and dolphin swim guide in Maui, Hawai’i; the San Juan Islands in Washington State; Kaikoura, New Zealand; and Hervey Bay, Australia. On island, her time is spent teaching visitors about ocean conservation and marine life, but she also maintains a childlike sense of curiosity and wonder and enjoys living life as a permanent student - continuously learning about the ocean, the mountains, and the different cultures that she encounters in her explorations. This blog is an elaboration of her thoughts, musings, and meaningful experiences, with a focus on conservation and mindful living.
Island life - a perfect paradise all to ourselves, crystal clear water steps from our bedrooms, falling asleep and waking up to a light breeze rustling through vibrant green ferns. The sun shimmering through coconut trees that are positively loaded down with sweet young cocos, just waiting for us to crack them open and indulge in their sweet, sweet liquid. Morning coffee sipped with your toes in the sand, watching whales blow in the distance. Every single day like this….right?
Haha! Island life is amazing, but there are definitely little quirks that you don’t immediately think about when you envision what it’s like living tropically. Yes, there are the bright white beaches and beautiful blue waters. But there is also a constant onslaught of mosquitos and flies, along with some very large arachnids that can somehow conjure new webs in what appears to be minutes, right across your normal path to the bathroom.