Have license, will travel.

• Author: Bayer, Beth
• Position: Finalentry - Interview

You've been spear fishing piranha in Brazil and handled baby gators in the Amazon. What made you into a fearless traveler?

It would he the day I arrived in England in begin a yearlong adventure living and studying abroad while I was in college. I stepped off a red-eye (light in London and was supposed to slay with a friend until my flat was ready in Manchester. Turned out she wasn't home; she wasn't even in London! I felt a knot grow in the pit of my stomach as I dragged my belongings down die street trying lo find a cab. After checking into a hotel I forced myself to make the most of my time there and ended up having a blast. After that, every lime I get off an airplane, a train or a boat in a new city I get a rush of adrenaline from die knot in my stomach and know that this is the feeling just before I have incredible experiences.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Have you had any close calls during your adventures?

One night while I was in the Amazon we were awakened by loud hissing and bushes milling nearby. We peered out from our mosquito nets, but couldn't see anything Our guide told us mil to get our of our hammocks or put our feet on the ground, since that was die sound of a Bushmaster, the longest venomous snake in the world, Unfortunately for us they also travel in pairs, and our guide only identified one snake. No one could go back to sleep as we waited for the next snake lo pass by or die sun to rise so we could see.

What was Machu Picchu like?

It is the most intriguing combination of nature, culture and history. It is mind boiling to think how the Incas constructed it centuries ago! The highlight was hiking to the top of Wayna Picchu, the giant mountain just to the side, which provides amazing views of the whole area! It was well worth the middle of the night wake-up call and freezing temperatures to be up there in time to watch the sun rise over Machu Picchu.

Tell us some other high points of your gallivanting.

A few highlights would be scuba diving in the Great Barrier Reef, elephant trekking in Thailand, zip-lining through the rainforests in Costa Rica, hiking to the top of Mt. Fuji, participating in a Samba Parade during Carnaval in Rio de Janeiro and road-tripping across the USA and visting Mount Rushmore.

Why do you keep your CPA license active as a business and industry professional?

My CPA license has been such an added value to my career. At first I worked in tin accounting department in industry, and keeping my license active...