I hope I don't age gracefully. I hope I have eye wrinkles and cheek wrinkles from laughing too much, and sun spots from spending too much time outside. I hope I need knee replacement because I kept exploring the world. I hope my legs are covered in scars from crawling through bushes and up cliff sides. I hope my forehead is furrowed to show focus and ambition. I hope when I'm old I look weathered and joyful and full of knowledge and experience.
Oregon, U.S.AOregon, U.S.A.
1.) Multnomah Falls- The most iconic and most beautiful waterfall I saw. The drive from the city of Portland to Multnomah Falls is the scenic drive and is very beautiful with lots of mountains and waterfalls along the side. This is a pretty touristy destination so it's relatively packed but not so much in the winter. There was a gift shop with some handmade things and I found a building block set of the waterfall which was very cute that I got for my cousin. 2.) The Carver Cafe- This is the cafe where they filmed the Twilight diner scenes. The food is typical American food but still very good with a fair amount of vegetarian choices. The cafe does have a bit of Twilight acknowledgment but they didn't take it over the top and make Twilight the entire personality of the cafe, which I liked very much. 3.) The Cullen House- This was the house they filmed in Twilight where the Cullen family lived. However when my friend and I tried to go there was a gate with a sign that said no trespassing. Even though my friend and I only wanted to see the outside we could only see a small part of it but at least we saw it. 4.) Mount Hood- On the drive from the Cullen house to Vancouver we could see Mount Hood which was very beautiful with lots of snow in February. 5.) The Yard Milkshake Bar- I got the Cookie Monster milkshake which was absolutely huge but very good. They had so many choices it was hard to pick one. The view from the bar was beautiful. The river and the bridge were very calming and beautiful. The bar also had a place for you to wash the jar that the milkshake came in and take it home. I didn't finish it in one sitting so I ended up cleaning the outside and getting a lid for it. 6.) Silver Falls State Park- It was about an hour and a half drive from Portland to the park but the drive there was very green and beautiful. Warning, the parking machines did not accept cards when I went so make sure to carry cash. Because this is a very big park it did not feel very touristy or packed because people are spaced out on the trail. There were so many waterfalls of all different shapes and sizes. Some of the waterfalls you could even walk behind and the mist of the waterfalls was so intense it made my hair look like I had just taken a shower. All the mossy trees and the sound of the water made it like a fairy tale. There was a small cafe at the end of one of the trails near a gift shop. I got a coffee and a tomato, mozzarella, pesto sandwich. 7.) Don't miss out on the Portland Skyline. All the bridges, lights, river, buildings all together are so beautiful. 8.) Cartopia- If you and your friends can't decide on a restaurant then go to Cartopia. It's a bunch of food trucks all next to each other. If you want Mexican food and your friend wants Greek food you can still sit together. I ended up going with a Mexican food truck and got a cheese quesadilla which came with salsa and lettuce and was very filling. 9.) Keep Portland Weird Sign- It's right next to the Voodoo Donut shop. There's not much to talk about. It's just a sign but it's still cute and I haven't seen many places with this logo. 10.) Eastbank Esplanade-Walk along the river and watch all the bridges and buildings light up at night. 11.) The Portland Sign- You can't miss the iconic Portland Sign. It lights up and twinkles. The Portland sign is right next to the river, however it is located in a rather unsettling part of the city. The sign is right next to 2 different homeless shelters so be prepared and take precautions when going to the sign especially at night. Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico Things to in the Yucatan Peninsula:
1.)Chichen Itza. The famous and most well preserved Mayan pyramid. This is where they said the world would end in 2012. 2.)Visit a Mayan community. I went with Amigo Tours and they teach you so much about the Mayans and there are lots of beautiful souvenir shops and you're supporting the Mayan people. 3.)Sacred Cenote. Absolutely breathtaking. Life jackets are required however the waterfall and the vegetation are beautiful. 4.)Museo Maya de Cancun. The tickets are cheap and this museum has a little bit of everything. Art displays, a Mayan ruin, artifacts, a garden and lots of information. There are iguanas everywhere. 5.)Playa Del Carmen beach. 6.)Cancun Scenic Tower. Tickets are cheap and the ride is short but the view is great. 7.)Tulum Archeologist Zone. I went with a tour group and seeing the ruins with an ocean breeze is nice. It did rain when I went but it was tolerable. Outside of the ruins is a market filled with shops, atms, restaurants, and bars. The sugar skulls and the art they have is gorgeous. 8.)Las Coloradas Pink Lagoon. I went with a tour group and they take you on a boat ride where you can see alligators, pelicans, and all kinds of animals. The pink color is caused by the salt in the lagoon and the shrimp. You're not allowed to get in the pink water but it's still beautiful. The tour also gave us white clay straight from the ground which is good for the skin and it's what the Mayans did. The clay does smell a little bit bad but still a great experience. 9.)Tequila. Tequila originated in Mexico so it makes sense to try it straight out of Mexico. I got a lemon margarita which was very refreshing in the hot weather. Where I Stayed: I stayed at Suites Malecon Cancun. My flight landed late and I found the entrance but there was nobody at the street entrance. However I did talk to the guy working the parking lot and most people enter through the parking lot but you can go in through the street entrance once they give you a card. This hotel is in downtown Cancun and it is right next to a concert hall. The first night I couldn't sleep because the music was so loud. The rest of the nights were tolerable. Bring earplugs if you're sensitive to noise. I got a room with a private hot tub which was nice however it is built more like a bath tub rather than a hot tub. The view from my room was amazing and this hotel is right next to a shopping mall and an Oxxo convenience store is within walking distance. New Orleans, LouisianaThings to do in New Orleans: 1.) The Mardi Gras Museum. Right in the Quarters of New Orleans. You are allowed to touch all the displays. The admission is $10. You even get to dress up with some of the old Mardi Gras costumes after.
2.) Sankofa Wetland Part and Nature Trail. I wanted to explore the nature areas of Louisiana but didn’t feel like getting on a boat tour. Unfortunately I didn’t see alligators but the swamp and the nature was beautiful. 3.) The Vampire Cafe. It is located right in the Quarters of New Orleans.There is also a vampire themed store right next to it. New Orleans is supposedly crawling with vampires. 4.) The Lafayette Cemetery. The vampire show The Originals was filmed here. A scene from the Princess and the Frog movie takes place here. 5.) The Voodoo Museum in New Orleans. Located in the Quarters of New Orleans. A very small museum but very informational. Admission is $15. 6.) The Gumbo Shop. Right in the Quarters of New Orleans. The seafood gumbo. Friendly staff and good food. 7.) Dooky Chase. This is the restaurant that inspired the Princess and the Frog movie. This restaurant also played a part in the civil rights movement. The food itself was great too. 8.) Cafe Beignet Located on Canal Street. Go here instead of Cafe Du Monde. 9.) Bourbon Street. Bourbon street is where all the action is. You should definitely check it out once during the day and once at night. 10.) Crescent Park. This is a place you can go to see the entire New Orleans skyline. 11.) The Bead Tree Street. During the Mardi Gras parade people throw their beads into the trees and the city keeps them there. Where I Stayed: I stayed at the HI hostel on Canal street. Super cheap, super clean, friendly staff, professional setting. Their goal is encourage people to travel for a more tolerant world. I met some very interesting people here. The environment itself felt very modern and upbeat. Chicago, IllinoisThings to do in Chicago:
1.) The Chicago River. Walk along the Chicago River. Or take a boat ride or both. 2.) Cloud Gate (The Bean). I went on a rainy day so there were not a lot of people there. 3.) Willis Tower. Unfortunately I didn't have time to go to Willis tower but many of my friends have said the views are breathtaking. 4.) Giordanos Pizza. I ordered the cheese and spinach pizza. Where I Stayed: I stayed at the Home2 Suites by Hilton Chicago River North. I got a room with a city view. Definitely worth the extra cost. Everything was within walking distance or a 10 minute drive. San Francisco, California Things to do in San Francisco:
1.) The Golden Gate Bridge. You have to walk along the iconic Bridge. Uncle Jesse from Full House drove on this bridge. 2.)Alcatraz. Very informational and if you get the wallow talkie like device or download the app you can do the tour at your our pace as compared to a tour guide. Tickets are about $50. 3.)Clarion Alley Street. So beautiful and informative. Not crowded at all. 4.)Bobs Donut shop. It was fairly busy when I went but definitely get the giant donut. Super fluffy and yummy. 5.)China Beach. Very calm, peaceful, and you can see the bridge. Not crowded at all. |
Northern Half of Costa Rica Costa Rica start to finish.
Day 1: My plane landed in San Jose and I took a bus from San Jose to La Fortuna which was around $5-6 for a 3-4 hour ride. This bus is first come first serve so you cannot buy tickets online you have to go to the 7-10 terminal in San Jose. I stayed at the Arenal Sloth Hostel. Super cheap, clean, with air conditioning and within walking distance to downtown where all the restaurants and shopping centers are. La Fortuna Butterfly Garden- so many beautiful butterflies that will get up close to you. The guide is very informative and makes you smoothies after. Day 2: I took a tour which included the La Fortuna Waterfall, the Arenal hike to the volcano, lunch, a butterfly garden, a frog garden, learning/meeting the Maleku people, coffee, and hot springs. This tour has a lot of hiking so be prepared. Throughout this tour our guide was able to spot sloths, so you do not need to go to the sloth trail to see sloths. This by far was my favorite excursion I did in Costa Rica. Day 3: I took another tour which included transportation from La Fortuna to the Rio Celeste hike, which is about a 1-2 hour drive one way. The guide showed us lizards, snakes, different insects, and he took us to 4 different view points on the hike. The Rio Celeste waterfall was the bluest water I have ever seen. Legend has it after God was done painting the sky he washed off his brush in this water. After the hike they took us to a place where all the locals go swimming in the blue water and they gave us pineapple and lunch was included on this tour. Day 4: I took the Jeep Boat Jeep tour from La Fortuna to Monteverde which was about $25 for a 4 hour trip. You get picked up by a bus then take a boat across a lake then a bus on the other side takes you to your hotel. Ficus La Raiz- This is a free trail open to the public. It's within walking distance from downtown Monteverde and it's not a crowded trail and the tree was incredibly beautiful. You could also see monkeys here. Day 5: I woke up at 4am to take a bus from Monteverde to Puntarenas which was about an hour and a half ride for $7-8. I then took a ferry from Puntarenas to Punta Cuchillos. The ferry ride for a single person is $1-2 one way. I stayed at Donde Familia Manito which was the most expensive I stayed at however they have a pool, a garden, breakfast, and they were within walking distance to the kayaking tours. The bioluminescence kayak tour was beyond magical. Bioluminescence is very hard to get on camera but you can see it with your eyes and that's all that matters. The kayaks give you the ability to get up close with the bioluminescence and you can easily move to a darker location to see them better. Our guide let us go swimming in it and your whole body is covered with them and they glow. When you pull your hand out of the water they will stay glowing for a couple seconds then go away. A magical experience that everyone should see at least once in their life. Day 6: I took the same ferry from Punta Cuchillos to Puntarenas at 5am, it was really nice to watch the sunrise on the ferry. The ferry also has a food stand in case people get hungry. I then took a bus from there to San Jose using the same website linked above. I then took a city bus to the airport for $1-2 then came the end of my Costa Rica adventure. Fairbanks, Alaska Things to in Fairbanks:
1.) Aurora Tour. These can be pricey but for a one time thing it's worth it. To the human eye the lights are not as vibrant as the camera is able to detect. Women and younger people are able to see the color better. In my opinion it looked like concentrated clouds with a green tint. However it was still amazing to watch the aurora dance and swirl in the sky. 2.) Lulu's Bread & Bagels. Wide variety of choices. Super yummy. Open 6:30am-4pm. 3.) The Museum of the North. Native history, settler history, science history, and an amazing view. $16 for a day pass. Open 10am-5pm. 4.) The Cookie Jar. Great breakfast, and super cute on the inside. Open 7 am-7 pm weekdays and 8 am- 3 pm on Sundays. 5.) The Chena Resort. I took a shuttle there with great views. $65 for a one way from Fairbanks to the resort. Book your shuttle ahead of time. I made the mistake of not doing that. The outdoor hot spring is amazing. The smell of sulfur is not distracting. Dip your hair in the water and watch it freeze. A day pass is $20 and $5 for towel rentals. Bring cash for the lockers. 6.) The Ice Museum. This is part of the Chena resort. $20 for a tour. You cannot enter the museum unless it is on a tour. Lots of beautiful displays. 7.) Morris Thompson Cultural & Visitors Center. A free museum with lots of nature displays and sounds. There is a saying that the lights are the spirits of those who have passed. Open 8 am-5 pm. 8.) Moose Antler Arch. This beautiful display is located right next to the Morris Thompson Cultural Center. The gift shop is closed on Sunday but this museum is within walking distance to a lot of souvenir shops. 9.) The Bakery Restaurant. Good food, and a place to get reindeer sausage. There is also a mall nearby however many of the stores are closed on Sunday. The busses in Fairbanks do not run on Saturday and Sunday. Open 6 am-4 pm. Where I Stayed: I stayed at Billies Backpackers Hostel. Super cheap. You get a bed shared with 3-5 others depending on what you book. You share a bathroom and a kitchen with others. Bring your own earplugs in case the others snore. Bring your own towel. Very warm and cozy. The host, Billie, is the sweetest lady. O'ahu, HawaiiThings to do in O’ahu Hawaii:
1.) The Pillbox Hike. Breathtaking views. A pretty intense hike if you’re not used to hiking. 2.) Lanikai Beach. The water is so clear. I saw some rainbow stuff in the sand and I thought it was beach trash, turns out they were flower petals. 3.) Manoa Falls. Less intense then the Pillbox hike. Being in the middle of the nature as compared to on a mountain top is a nice experience. 4.) Poke Bowls. In my opinion it was like sushi but warmed up and in a bowl. 5.) Luau. I had googled luau’s near me and I got to see this show at a mall for free. You only have to pay to watch if you want a table and food. 6.) Waikiki Beach. More touristy then Lanikai but definitely worth checking out. Where I Stayed: I stayed at the Wakiki Beach Hostel. My friend and I got our own room and we shared a bathroom and a kitchen with others. Super cheap. Bring your own towel. They have a nice roof top to relax and a place to keep your luggage and to shower before your flight. Bangkok, ThailandThings to do in Bangkok:
1.) The Grand Palace. The building itself was absolutely beautiful. However it is VERY CROWDED. When I went everyone was walking shoulder to shoulder, and for some who are claustrophobic like me and with the heat it was not a good combination. 2.) Wat Mahathat. Beautiful temple. Make sure to either wear something that goes down to your knees or bring a scarf to cover your legs. It's considered disrespectful to the temple and you are not allowed in unless your knees are covered. 3.) The Floating Market. Don't forget you are allowed to bargain in Thailand. I got a 300 Baht dress for 280 Baht. Don't forget I don't speak Thai. 4.) Samut Prakan Ancient City. Super pretty. You trade in your money for old traditional money and you buy stuff with that. Get the coconut ice cream with peanuts. Where I Stayed: I stayed at the River Kwai Floating Hotel in Kanchanaburi. I loved it, the boat ride there, and the interior design. Although it was on the water it was not wobbly. However there is no electricity or wifi. Make sure to bring a portable charger. Grand Canyon, ArizonaMy Trip to the Grand Canyon:
I didn't do much besides go to the Grand Canyon, take pictures and relax. This is something everyone in America should experience at least once in their life. Where I Stayed: I stayed at the Red Feather Lodge. It is about a mile to the Grand Canyon and there is a nice hot tub. Lots of restaurants and souvenir shops nearby within walking distance. |
Ica and Cusco, PeruIca and Cusco Peru:
My flight was delayed overnight and landed in Lima. From there I took a 3-4 hour bus ride to Ica for $10. The bus was fairly comfortable with a bathroom. ICA, PERU I then stayed in Ica Wasi hostel. They have a nice roof top area to eat and relax with a nice view and hot showers and wifi and the staff was very friendly with great english. Ica is not as touristy as Cusco and the city was beautiful. I went sand boarding in Ica for $25. They pick you up from where you are staying and take you to the meeting place then divide up groups. You then are taken to a dune buggy for a very bumpy yet exciting ride through the desert. If you get car sickness I'd recommend not sitting in the middle. They take you down 3 different dunes. One small, one medium, and one big one. Make sure to use your feet as breaks. I did fall off on the second one, however the sand is soft so there is no issue. After that you relax and watch the sun go down and then get back on the dune buggy for a bumpy, yet exciting ride back. The view of the oasis is surreal. It looks like something you would see in the Disney movie Aladdin. You are then taken back the same way you arrived. I took a bus from Ica to Cusco which was 17-18 hours, however the bus was very comfortable and you are able to get a full night's sleep. The seats go all the way back and you are able to put your feet up so you can lay fully flat. They also have curtains for privacy and movies and charging outlets. The ride itself was very bumpy, however that's understandable when going through the mountains. The bus does make stops and there is a bathroom on the bus. CUSCO, PERU Museo Maximo Laura: This is a beautiful and free museum right in the heart of Cusco. Each tapestry was handmade by one artist. There are two floors and each tapestry has a unique and beautiful meaning behind it. San Pedro Market: Cusco is very touristy, and the San Pedro market has everything you need. Souvenirs, food, drinks, and convenience. Macchu Picchu: I took a day tour to Macchu Picchu. With this tour a driver will pick you up and take you to the bus station super early in the morning. The bus ride is about 2 hours then you take a 1.5 hour train to Aguas Calientes. The train has windows on the ceiling which is very nice, and a bathroom, and they give you coffee and snacks free of charge. From Aguas Calientes I took a 25 minute bus to the entrance of Macchu Picchu. The view from the bus almost reminded me of the setting of the Avatar movie with the shape of the mountains. The Macchu Picchu trail itself was fairly easy. Young children could do it. Our guide was very informative and had great English and was a fantastic photographer. The llamas, wow. They are not scared of humans. The llamas will approach you, I assume they think you have food. Very cute, I recommend petting one if they are close enough to you. After the tour you can take a bus down to the little town at the bottom of Macchu Picchu. Lots of souvenir shops and restaurants. I went to Chef's House. The second floor has live Peruvian music and a nice view of the river and mountains while you eat. The food is good and reasonably priced. I did try guinea pig meat and in my opinion it tasted like the dark meat of chicken but more salty. I got a passion fruit pisco sour which was very sweet and good. After that I went back to my hostel the same way I came. I stayed at the Magicpacker hostel. The location is great, it's a 5 minute walk to the center of the city. However the rooms were very cold especially at night, they do provide heavy blankets but it's still cold. The showers are very bipolar. One minute you'll get hot water and the next you'll get cold water. Humantay Lake: I took a tour and the tour agency should really provide their Whatsapp number because they were 20 minutes late and the pick up location was not clear. However the tour itself started at 4am and they take you to breakfast which was decent. The hike to the lake was extremely difficult for me. I didn't drink much water because there is no bathroom at the top and I did not want to have to use the restroom on the way there. Along with that the steepness and the altitude of the hike was intense. I managed to make it 60% of the way there and the guide was very kind and generous. I eventually gave in and rode a horse the rest of the hike. At the lake itself there is a vendor there with drinks and snacks. The lake and snow covered mountains were beautiful. Looks just like all the pictures. The way back down was no problem. After that the tour agency takes you to lunch and drops you off in the center of Cusco around 6pm. Las Vegas, NevadaThings to in Las Vegas:
1.) Welcome To Las Vegas Sign. You can’t forget the iconic sign. 2.) Gold & Silver Pawn Shop. This where the show Pawn Stars takes place. Lots of interesting stuff. 3.) The Pinball Museum. Lots of pinball machines, claw machines, and arcade games. It feels like you’re back in 80s. 4.) The Neon Museum. Lots of colorful displays. Nice calm environment. Admission is cheap. 5.) Fremont Street. This is where all the street performers are. So much music, dancing, shows and lights. 6.) Seven Magic Mountain. Located about 20 minutes outside of Vegas. It’s one of the largest art displays in America. Where I Stayed: I stayed at the Paris hotel. The one with the fake Eiffel Tower next to the pool. Seattle & Forks, WashingtonThings to do in Seattle:
1.)Kerry Park. You can see the entire Seattle skyline. Make sure to use the restroom before you go. 2.)The Bainbridge Island Ferry. This is the same ferry boat that Derek Shepard loves in Greys Anatomy. Tickets are about $10. 3.)The Space Needle. The view from the space needle is breathtaking. They also have the floor made of glass. You can see the mountain as well as the city. Admission is about $40. Things to do in Forks: For the Twilight fans 1.)The Forks Welcome sign. You can’t forget about the sign Bella sees as she begins her new life in Forks. 2.)Bella’s Truck. Right next to the welcome sign is the truck from the movies and the one from the books. 3.)Native to Twilight. A souvenir shop filled with displays and everything Twilight. 4.)The Vampire Signs. As we were driving to La Push beach we found many signs. Fans had been signing them. Very interesting. 5.) La Push Beach. “The Cullens don’t come here” Right next to it was the Quileute tribe school. Los Angeles, CaliforniaThings to do in Los Angeles: 1.)The Hollywood Sign. “I look to my right and I see the Hollywood sign” -Miley Cyrus sings in “Party In The USA” 2.)Hollywood Walk of Fame. There are so many stars you most likely will be looking for a while before you find the one you’re looking for. 3.)Saddle Ranch Chop House. Apparently a bunch of celebrities dine here. My friend and I even met Lil Xan, the rapper. The food itself was great too. 4.)Elysian Park. You can see the entire LA skyline from here. Parking was hard to find but the park itself was very peaceful. Since I live in Southern California check out my “Mini Adventures” page for more things to do in the SoCal area. Apart from the touristy stuff.
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