Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Back in college in Miami, I wore flip-flops almost everywhere. So when I planned a visit to the Caribbean island nation of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, I never even thought to pack a pair of proper hiking shoes. After spending some time exploring the laid-back capital of Kingstown and taking in the island’s lush volcanic scenery, I decided to hike La Soufrière, the active volcano that dominates the island.

Only then did I realize how difficult the trail actually was. Battling strong winds, scrambling over jagged volcanic rock, and trying to keep my footing in a pair of flip-flops, I spent almost as much time slipping as I did hiking. By the time I reached the bottom, I was covered in bruises and wondering what I had been thinking. It was completely ridiculous, but it also gave me one of the funniest travel memories of my entire journey.