Guide: Honolulu, Hawaii - What to do and Where to go on Oahu

Rainbow tower - Hilton hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort in Honolulu, Oahu

What to do (and what not to do) on Oahu

I’ve been to Honolulu a few times! The first time was with my family when my Dad was working on a special for Fox in 2000, which was a Britney Spears concert featuring Destiny’s Child and Joe (sings “I Wanna Know)! Then I also went with Josh, part of our island hopping after we got engaged in Maui in 2013. We also went for Thanksgiving in 2023 with a baby and a toddler. Those were 3 very different trips as you can imagine!

Oahu, the "Gathering Place," isn't just another pretty island; it's a Hawaiian party you’re invited to! Think lush volcanic peaks plunging into turquoise waters, waves that’ll make surfers drool, and enough shave ice to give you a brain freeze (in the best way possible). Want to hang with Mickey Mouse in a Hawaiian shirt? Aulani's your jam. Fancy a wild encounter? The Honolulu Zoo's got you covered (just try not to challenge the monkeys to a staring contest). Prefer underwater adventures? Dive into the Waikiki Aquarium and say "Aloha" to the colorful reef fish. Feeling a bit more historical? Hike Diamond Head for panoramic views or take a poignant trip to Pearl Harbor. And because no Hawaiian adventure is complete without a sweet treat, we'll point you in the direction of some seriously epic ice cream spots (because calories don't count on vacation, right?). So, ditch the mainland worries, grab your flip-flops, and get ready for an Oahu adventure that’s as diverse as it is delightful!

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Where to Stay in Oahu

I’ve stayed at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort a few times now and highly recommend it over other hotels! If you’ve seen the Waikiki skyline, it’s the hotel with the rainbow towers. It was the perfect place for a family, or can be great for couples or parties too, with multiple fun pool areas and located as the name of the resort suggests, right on Waikiki Beach!

Why You Should Shack Up at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort

This isn't just a hotel; it's a village! A sprawling oasis of fun, sun, and all things Hawaiian. Think of it as a mini-city dedicated to relaxation and good vibes, complete with its own lagoon, shops, restaurants, and (most importantly) ice cream opportunities.

Why the Lei-ing Around at the Hilton Hawaiian Village is a Must:

• Location, Location, Aloha-cation! Situated on Waikiki's widest stretch of beach, you're steps away from the sand, surf, and stunning ocean views. It’s like having your own private slice of paradise (with a few thousand of your closest friends).

• More Than Just a Room (It's a Whole Vibe): Forget cramped hotel rooms. The Hilton Hawaiian Village is a sprawling resort with multiple towers, each offering unique views and experiences. You could practically get lost exploring the grounds (in a good way!).

• Activities Galore (You Might Need a Vacation From Your Vacation): From surfing lessons and catamaran cruises to lei making and hula dancing, there’s never a dull moment. You might need to schedule some downtime to recover from all the fun!

• Food, Glorious Food (and Ice Cream!): With over 20 restaurants and bars, you’ll find everything from casual poolside snacks to fine dining experiences. And yes, there are plenty of places to grab a sweet, refreshing scoop of ice cream (more on that later!).

A Few Highlights That'll Make You Say "Aloha Awesome!":

• Duke Kahanamoku Lagoon: This five-acre saltwater lagoon is perfect for swimming, paddleboarding, and kayaking. It’s like having your own private ocean playground (without the waves crashing in your face).

• Paradise Pool: This isn't your average hotel pool. We're talking waterfalls, slides, and plenty of space to lounge and soak up the sun. It's basically a water park within a resort!

• The Beach (Duh!): With Waikiki Beach right at your doorstep, you can spend your days building sandcastles, taking a dip in the ocean, or simply relaxing and watching the surfers catch some waves.

• Shopping, Shopping, Shopping! The resort has its own shopping village with a variety of stores selling everything from souvenirs and beachwear to high-end fashion. So, if you forget your swimsuit (or just want to treat yourself), you’re covered.

• Ice Cream, Glorious Ice Cream! Okay, I promised ice cream, and I deliver! With multiple locations within the village offering a variety of flavors and treats, you can satisfy your sweet tooth anytime. Lappert’s is a MUST!

In a Coconut Shell: The Hilton Hawaiian Village is more than just a place to stay; it's a destination in itself. It’s a place where you can experience the best of Waikiki, relax in style, and create memories that will last a lifetime.

Hilton Hawaiian Village Entrance with traditional dancer statues

When Josh and I went in 2013, we used points and stayed at the Hyatt Place Waikiki Beach. It was nice, but not like a resort. They had a pool, but wasn’t very resort like. You’d probably be better off walking to the beach which was just down the street. The upside was our room was huge and had a view of Diamond Head.

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What to do in Oahu (hey, that rhymes!)

Oahu is a busier island compared to Maui or Kauai and Honolulu is more city like (like a nicer Santa Monica) in respects to restaurants, shops, and hotels. However, I hear the North Shore is where everyone goes to get away from the noise! I haven’t been to the north shore though.

Don’t forget to grab a Crossword Puzzle for beach time! This is our FAVORITE puzzle! Travel terms and countries! https://amzn.to/4lVixuR It keeps my mind working and gives me a list of places to add to our bucket list!

See our shopping list (with some great budget-friendly dresses and tons of Hawaiian outfit ideas) straight from Amazon: Hawaii Packing Essentials

I bumped into my friends Chip and Dale at Aulani!

Day trip in Honolulu: Visit Disney’s Aulani

Aulani is fun whether you’re a Disney fan or not, but let’s face it, I wanted to go check it out because I love Disney! Aulani is where Hawaiian culture meets Disney magic, creating a unique and unforgettable experience. It's like a luau and a Disney movie had a beautiful, tropical baby.

Not interested in staying at the resort and want to just stop by? If you go just past the Aulani resort, there is a public beach and a parking lot that gives you access to this perfect spot to spend the day. We picked up breakfast from Eggs n Things (walking distance from the Aulani resort) and had a beach breakfast, but there is also a Monkeypod Restaurant (with my fave Mai tais), or Black Sheep Cream Co (someone say ice cream?)!

For public parking: Drive down Aliinui Dr, make a right on Kamoana Place, and head to the end of the street into the parking lot 91100 Kamoana Place, Kapolei, HI 96707. There are limited spots so get there before 8a. If you walk through the parking lot towards the ocean, you will be right next to the Aulani resort and in their lagoon area.

Why the Hula-Hoopla about Aulani?

• It's Not Just a Hotel, It's an Immersion: Aulani isn't just a place to sleep; it's a fully immersive experience. From the moment you arrive, you're transported to a world of Hawaiian storytelling, culture, and (of course) Disney enchantment.

• Something for Everyone (Even the Grumpy Gus): Whether you're a thrill-seeker, a relaxation enthusiast, or a die-hard Disney fan, Aulani has something for you. Kids will be in paradise with the pools, water slides, and character meet-and-greets, while adults can unwind at the spa, enjoy fine dining, or sip cocktails by the ocean.

• Hawaiian Culture Woven Throughout: Aulani isn't just about Mickey Mouse; it's deeply rooted in Hawaiian culture. From the architecture and artwork to the activities and storytelling, you'll learn about the rich traditions and history of the islands. It’s educational AND fun – sneaky, Disney, sneaky!

• Character Meet-and-Greets with a Hawaiian Twist: Imagine meeting Mickey Mouse in his Hawaiian shirt or Minnie Mouse in a beautiful floral dress. It's the classic Disney magic you love, with a fun tropical twist. Prepare for some adorable photo ops as I even bumped into Chip and Dale!

Public Beach right next to Disney Aulani in Hawaii

- A Few Reasons Why You'll Be Saying "Aloha Aulani!":

• Waikolohe Valley: This isn't your average hotel pool. We're talking multiple pools, water slides (including the thrilling Volcanic Vertical!), a lazy river, and even a splash zone for the little ones. It's a water wonderland!

• Aunty's Beach House: This supervised kids' club is a dream come true for parents. While the kids are having a blast with games, crafts, and Hawaiian-themed activities, the adults can enjoy some much-needed relaxation time. It's a win-win!

• Laniwai – A Disney Spa: Need some pampering? Laniwai Spa offers a range of relaxing treatments inspired by Hawaiian traditions. It's the perfect place to unwind and rejuvenate after a day of fun in the sun.

• Dining with Character (and Delicious Food): From casual poolside snacks to fine dining experiences, Aulani offers a variety of dining options to satisfy every palate. And yes, you can even dine with some of your favorite Disney characters!

• The Beach!: Let's not forget the beautiful beach right outside the resort. Build sandcastles, take a dip in the ocean, or simply relax and soak up the Hawaiian sun.

In a nutshell: Aulani is more than just a vacation; it's an experience. It's a place where you can create unforgettable memories with your family, immerse yourself in Hawaiian culture, and experience the magic of Disney in a whole new way.

See our shopping list (with some great budget-friendly dresses and tons of Hawaiian outfit ideas) straight from Amazon: Hawaii Packing Essentials

There’s a little town with shopping and restaurants not Disney related across the street!

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Lappert’s has the best flavors in Hawaii!

Why Lappert's Ice Cream in Waikiki is a MUST-TRY (and a few flavors to get you started!)

Okay, listen up, fellow travelers and sweet treat enthusiasts! If you find yourself strolling along the sunny shores of Waikiki, with the warm Hawaiian breeze whispering sweet nothings in your ear, there's one pit stop you absolutely CANNOT miss: Lappert's Ice Cream.

Forget those sad, mass-produced scoops you find at the grocery store. Lappert's is the real deal, a true taste of Aloha in every lick. This isn't just ice cream; it's an experience. It's like a mini-vacation for your taste buds, a tropical party in your mouth!

Why the Hula-Baloo about Lappert's?

• Locally Made with Love: Lappert's isn't some big mainland chain. They're a homegrown Hawaiian gem, crafting their ice cream with the freshest ingredients and a whole lotta aloha spirit. You can taste the difference!

• Flavors That'll Make You Say "Whoa!": Forget boring vanilla (unless it's Tahitian Vanilla, because, well, that's just classy). Lappert's boasts a dazzling array of unique and drool-worthy flavors that'll make your head spin faster than a hula dancer.

• Perfect Waikiki Treat: What's better than strolling along Waikiki Beach with a cone of pure deliciousness in hand? Nothing, that's what. It's the ultimate way to cool down after a day of sun, sand, and surf.

Okay, Okay, I'm Sold! But What Flavors Should I Try?

Alright, here are a few Lappert's flavor suggestions to get your taste buds tingling:

• Kona Coffee: If you're a coffee lover, this is your jam. Rich, creamy, and packed with the bold flavor of Kona coffee, it's like a caffeine kick and a dessert all in one. Perfect for that afternoon pick-me-up!

• Hawaiian Sea Salt Caramel: Sweet, salty, and oh-so-decadent, this flavor is a symphony of contrasting tastes that somehow harmonize perfectly. It's like a caramel hug with a salty kiss.

• Macadamia Nut: You can't go to Hawaii without trying macadamia nuts, and Lappert's Macadamia Nut ice cream is the perfect way to do it. Creamy, nutty, and utterly irresistible.

• Tropical Dreams (like Passion Fruit or Mango): If you're feeling adventurous, dive into one of Lappert's tropical flavors. These vibrant and fruity scoops are like a burst of sunshine in your mouth.

Pro-Tip: Don't be shy about asking for samples! The friendly staff at Lappert's are usually happy to let you try a few flavors before you commit.

I suddenly have a craving for some Kona Coffee ice cream...

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Food and Restaurants on Oahu

Monkeypod (In the Outrigger Reef Resort - 2169 Kālia Rd unit 111, Honolulu, HI 96815 or next to the Aulani resort) ALWAYS go to Monkeypod... Any chance you get. We like to go during Happy Hour for the discounted prices, sunset, and drinks. What could be happier?

See our full review: Monkeypod Kitchen

Food Truck Park (1944 Kalākaua Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815) We found food trucks within walking distance of our hotel with tons of different options of any cuisine you could think of. It was perfect with the little ones because we got out on a walk and then had so many cusines to choose from. Some places had picnic tables but we opted to take food back to our room to enjoy our ocean view. We grabbed burgers, BBQ, Mac n Cheese, shave ice from their respective trucks!

A Few Things to Know About Food Trucks Before You Roll Out:

• Cash is King (Sometimes): While some trucks accept cards, it's always a good idea to have some cash on hand, just in case.

• Embrace the Lines (They're Worth It): Popular trucks can have lines, but trust me, the wait is usually worth the culinary reward. Plus, it's a great opportunity to people-watch and soak up the local vibes.

• BYOB (Bring Your Own… Blanket!): Some parks have seating areas, but it's always a good idea to bring a blanket or towel to spread out and enjoy your feast picnic-style.

• Check Social Media: Many food trucks post their locations and hours on social media, so it's a good idea to check their pages before you head out.

(Note: Food truck lineups can change, so it's always best to check for current vendors.)

A Few Food Truck Must-Trys (Because I Know You're Curious):

• Garlic Shrimp: You can't go to Hawaii without trying garlic shrimp, and many food trucks offer their own delicious versions of this local favorite.

• Plate Lunch: This Hawaiian staple typically includes two scoops of rice, macaroni salad, and a protein like kalua pig, chicken katsu, or teriyaki beef. It's a hearty and satisfying meal.

• Poke Bowls: Fresh, flavorful, and oh-so-Instagrammable, poke bowls are a must-try for any seafood lover.

• Shave Ice (For That Sweet Ending!): No food truck adventure is complete without a refreshing shave ice. Choose from a rainbow of flavors and add some sweet toppings like condensed milk or azuki beans. It's the perfect way to cool down on a hot Hawaiian day. Many food truck gatherings will have a dedicated shave ice vendor. If not, look for a stand nearby!

Don't Forget Dessert! While many food trucks focus on savory dishes, keep your eyes peeled for dessert trucks offering everything from gourmet cookies and brownies to malasadas (Portuguese donuts) and, of course, ice cream! It's the perfect sweet ending to your food truck feast.

Food trucks!

Monkeypod Honolulu

There’s the signature Merriman’s mai tai! Found at Monkeypod.

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Top of Diamond Head views

View of Diamond head from our room

Diamond Head: I'm Not a Hiker, But Even I Conquered This Volcanic Dude (And You Can Too!)

Okay, let's be real. I'm not exactly what you'd call an "avid hiker." My idea of a good workout usually involves a brisk walk to the freezer for ice cream. But even I was captivated by the majestic allure of Diamond Head, that iconic volcanic crater looming over Waikiki. So, if a self-proclaimed non-hiker like me can conquer this Hawaiian landmark, then you absolutely can too!

This isn't just a hike; it's a mini-adventure through history, geology, and some seriously stunning views. So, lace up your (most comfortable) shoes, grab some water, and let's embark on this slightly-sweaty-but-totally-worth-it journey!

A Little History to Get You Geologically Pumped:

• Not Actually a Diamond: Contrary to popular belief, there are no actual diamonds to be found in Diamond Head. The name came from British sailors in the 19th century who mistook calcite crystals for diamonds. Oops!

• A Volcanic Legacy: Diamond Head (or Lēʻahi in Hawaiian) is a tuff cone formed by a volcanic eruption about 300,000 years ago. Talk about ancient history!

• Strategic Military Post: In the early 20th century, the U.S. military built fortifications within the crater to protect Honolulu. You can still see some of these remnants along the trail.

Parking: The Not-So-Fun Part (But We'll Get Through It Together):

• Get There Early (Seriously): Parking at the Diamond Head State Monument is limited, and it fills up fast, especially on weekends and holidays. Aim to arrive as close to opening time (6:00 AM) as possible. Trust me, future-you will thank you.

• Reservation Required: You must have a reservation to visit so book up to 30 days in advance. See the Go State Hawaii Parks site for all the info.

• Don’t Hold It! There are public restrooms available.

• Parking Fees: There is a fee for parking inside the crater. It's best to check the official Hawaii State Parks website for the most up-to-date pricing.

• Alternative Options: If parking inside is full (which it probably will be if you don't arrive at the crack of dawn), you can park outside the crater and walk in. It's a bit of a walk, but it's a good warm-up for the hike. Consider taking the bus or a rideshare if you don't have a car.

The Hike: It's Not as Scary as It Looks (I Promise!):

Views from the top of Diamond Head

• The Trail: The hike is a 1.6-mile roundtrip trail that climbs 560 feet. It's mostly paved, but there are some uneven sections and stairs, including a long, winding staircase inside a tunnel.

• How Long Does It Take? Most people can complete the hike in about 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on their pace and how many photo stops they make (and trust me, you'll be making a lot).

• What to Bring: Water (essential!), sunscreen, a hat, comfortable shoes (no flipflops), and a camera to capture those epic views.

• See our shopping list (with some great budget-friendly dresses and tons of Hawaiian outfit ideas) straight from Amazon: Hawaii Packing Essentials

The View From the Top: Worth Every Step (Even the Sweaty Ones):

• Panoramic Perfection: The view from the summit is absolutely breathtaking. You'll be treated to panoramic views of Waikiki, the Pacific Ocean, and the surrounding mountains. It's like a postcard come to life!

• Photo Ops Galore: Get ready to snap some seriously Instagram-worthy photos. You can see the Waikiki skyline as well as ocean views. There was also a darling lighthouse below the peak, which was built in 1917.

• Bragging Rights: You conquered Diamond Head! Now you can officially brag to all your friends and family (and maybe even get a little bit of hiking street cred).

Hiking Diamond Head is a must-do for any visitor to Oahu, even if you're not a hardcore hiker. It's a relatively short and manageable hike with a huge payoff: stunning views, a dose of history, and the satisfaction of conquering a volcanic crater. So, go for it! You might just surprise yourself (and discover a newfound love for slightly-sweaty outdoor adventures). If you do go, keep in mind, that you deserve a celebratory shave ice after all that "hiking."

THis navigational Lighthouse was built in 1917

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Visit Pearl Harbor

The USS Bowfin Submarine was one of my faves!

Okay, history buffs and curious travelers, gather 'round! We're diving deep (not literally, thankfully) into one of the most significant historical sites in the United States: Pearl Harbor. Now, I know what you might be thinking: "History? That sounds like homework." My poor Dad wanted to go when my sister and I were teens but we couldn’t be bothered with a museum. Sorry Dad! It was enlightening and interesting, and I appreciated much more than my teen self would have.

But trust me on this one, Pearl Harbor is way more than just dates and battleships. It's a powerful and moving experience that will leave a lasting impression.

There are 5 must-sees at Pearl Harbor that you absolutely cannot miss:

1. The USS Arizona Memorial: A Floating Tomb and a Powerful Reminder

This is the centerpiece of the Pearl Harbor experience, and for good reason. The USS Arizona Memorial straddles the sunken remains of the battleship USS Arizona, where over 1,100 sailors and Marines lost their lives. Standing on the memorial, looking down at the rusting hull below, is a truly sobering experience. You can still see oil seeping from the ship, known as the "black tears," a poignant reminder of the lives lost. It's a place for quiet reflection and remembrance. Pro tip: Tickets for the USS Arizona Memorial are free but often book up quickly. Reserve them online in advance to avoid disappointment.

2. The USS Missouri: Where World War II Officially Ended

From the beginning of the war to its very end, Pearl Harbor has a story to tell. After the somber experience at the Arizona, a visit to the USS Missouri offers a different perspective. This mighty battleship was the site of the official surrender of Japan, marking the end of World War II. Walking the deck where the Instrument of Surrender was signed is a truly historic moment. You can practically feel the weight of history in the air. Plus, it's a massive battleship! Who doesn't love exploring a giant ship?

3. The Pacific Aviation Museum Pearl Harbor: Wings Over the Water

Calling all aviation enthusiasts! This museum, located on Ford Island, is a must-see. Housed in historic hangars that survived the attack, the museum showcases a fascinating collection of aircraft from World War II and beyond. You can see bullet holes in the windows and other remnants of the attack, making the experience even more impactful. It's a great way to learn about the crucial role aviation played in the Pacific theater.

4. The USS Oklahoma Memorial: Honoring the Forgotten Ship

While the Arizona is the most well-known casualty of the attack, the USS Oklahoma also suffered devastating losses. This memorial honors the 429 crewmen who perished when the Oklahoma capsized. It's a quieter, more intimate memorial, but no less moving. It's a reminder that every life lost at Pearl Harbor is worthy of remembrance.

5. The Pearl Harbor Visitor Center: Setting the Stage

Before you embark on your Pearl Harbor journey, be sure to spend some time at the Visitor Center. Here, you'll find informative exhibits, historical films, and personal accounts that provide crucial context for the events of December 7, 1941. It's a great way to prepare yourself emotionally and intellectually for the experience.

Pearl Harbor famous statue

A Few Extra Tips for Your Visit:

• Dress respectfully: This is a place of remembrance, so dress appropriately.

• Arrive early: Especially if you don't have advance reservations for the Arizona Memorial.

• Allow ample time: There's a lot to see and absorb, so don't rush your visit.

• Be prepared for emotions: Pearl Harbor is a powerful and moving experience. It's okay to feel a range of emotions during your visit.

Visiting Pearl Harbor is more than just a sightseeing trip; it's a pilgrimage to a place of immense historical significance. It's a chance to honor the lives lost, learn from the past, and reflect on the importance of peace. Aloha!

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Wild Times in Waikiki: 5 Reasons to Go Wild for the Honolulu Zoo & Dive into the Waikiki Aquarium

Honolulu Zoo and Aquarium

When you think of Honolulu, images of sun-kissed beaches, surfing, and maybe a Mai Tai or two probably spring to mind. But nestled amongst the vibrant energy of Waikiki are two fantastic attractions that offer a different kind of island adventure: the Honolulu Zoo and the Waikiki Aquarium. And guess what? I'm here to tell you why you should totally add them to your itinerary!

Honolulu Zoo: Where the Wild Things Roam (Just Steps from the Beach!)

Forget dusty old zoos; the Honolulu Zoo is a tropical oasis teeming with exotic animals and lush greenery, just a stone's throw from the famous Waikiki shoreline. Here are five reasons why it's worth a visit:

1. See Amazing Animals You Won't See at Home (Unless You Live in Africa): From majestic lions and playful orangutans to graceful giraffes and quirky Komodo dragons, the Honolulu Zoo is home to a diverse collection of animals from around the world. It's a fantastic opportunity to see these creatures up close and learn about their unique habitats and behaviors. Plus, they have a fantastic collection of native Hawaiian species!

2. It's a Lush Escape from the City Buzz: Waikiki can be a whirlwind of activity, but the zoo offers a tranquil escape. Stroll through beautifully landscaped gardens, listen to the sounds of nature, and enjoy a peaceful break from the hustle and bustle. It's like stepping into a mini-jungle in the heart of the city.

3. Perfect for Families (and Kids at Heart): Whether you're traveling with little ones or simply embrace your inner child, the Honolulu Zoo is a fun and engaging experience for all ages. There are interactive exhibits, educational programs, and plenty of opportunities to get up close with the animals.

4. Support Conservation Efforts: By visiting the Honolulu Zoo, you're contributing to their important conservation work. They're actively involved in breeding programs for endangered species and educating the public about the importance of protecting wildlife and their habitats.

5. It's Surprisingly Affordable: Compared to other attractions in Waikiki, the Honolulu Zoo offers a great value for your money. It's a fun and enriching experience that won't break the bank.

Bonus Dive: Waikiki Aquarium - Under the Sea, Darling, It's Better Down Where It's Wetter! (couldn’t resist, I love the Little Mermaid)

Just a short walk from the zoo, you can plunge into the underwater world at the Waikiki Aquarium, the second oldest public aquarium in the United States. Here's why you should make a splash:

1. Discover Hawaii's Unique Marine Life: The Waikiki Aquarium focuses on showcasing the incredible diversity of marine life found in Hawaiian waters. From colorful reef fish and majestic sea turtles to fascinating jellyfish and endangered Hawaiian monk seals, you'll get a glimpse into the vibrant underwater ecosystems that surround the islands.

2. Get Up Close and Personal with Coral Reefs: The aquarium has stunning coral reef exhibits that allow you to see these delicate ecosystems up close. Learn about the importance of coral reefs and the threats they face.

3. It's Educational and Engaging: The Waikiki Aquarium offers informative exhibits and programs that are both educational and entertaining. It's a great way to learn about marine conservation and the importance of protecting our oceans.

So, next time you're in Honolulu, don't just stick to the beach (though that's definitely a must-do too!). Take a walk on the wild side at the Honolulu Zoo and dive into the depths of the Waikiki Aquarium. You might just discover a whole new side to the island paradise.

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Though we LOVE Maui, I have enjoyed Oahu, a magical island where you can hike volcanic craters, surf legendary waves, snorkel with sea turtles, stuff your face with plate lunch, and maybe even spot a celebrity or two (just try not to stare at Mickey at Aulani). From the bustling city vibes of Honolulu to the laid-back surf towns of the North Shore, Oahu has something for everyone. Whether you're a thrill-seeking adventurer, a beach-bum extraordinaire, a history buff, or just someone who really, really likes pineapples, you're guaranteed to have a blast. Now go forth, explore, and remember to pack your sunscreen, your sense of adventure, and maybe an extra pair of stretchy pants for all that delicious Hawaiian food. Aloha and happy exploring!

See our shopping list (with some great budget-friendly dresses and tons of Hawaiian outfit ideas) straight from Amazon: Hawaii Packing Essentials

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More Hawaii? Here you go!

A Day with Elephants at Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai, Thailand

Elephant Nature Park

Everything you need to know before heading to Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai, Thailand

ELEPHANT NATURE PARK - 1 Ratmakka Road, Phra Sing, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand

My favorite day in Thailand was New Year’s Eve because not only did we see the sky light up with lanterns at midnight, but we also spent the day with elephants! I had only waited about a year for this day! When we booked our trip to Thailand, the elephant sanctuary was high on my list. I did a ton of research trying to find the best one and an ethical one; all roads lead to Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai! Let me breakdown things you should know…

What is a day at Elephant Nature Park like?

The day goes by so fast and you can expect to feed, pet, and bathe elephants! Elephants have prickly little hairs when you pet them! There was a lot of walking so wear comfy shoes. We’d walk to different areas and meet all the elephants. Our guide knew each elephant’s name, age, and story (Meet the herd). They had elephants ranging from 2 to 100 years old!

Here’s a video commemorating our day (don’t forget to follow us on YouTube):

How much is it and how do you get to the Elephant Nature Park?

There are quite a few options to spend the day with the elephants, but we opted for the single-day ticket which was 2,500฿ per adult (children prices are half off at the moment - Sept 2020). We paid a deposit of 2,000฿ and had a balance of 3,000฿ upon arrival. That said, it was about $80 per person - which included transfers, lunch, and an amazing day with the elephants! Book far in advance to make sure you get a spot! You can even volunteer or spend the night at a great rate.

Pick-up and drop-off were included with the price of our ticket. They have a very nice vehicle complete with leather seats and air conditioning! Definitely better than sitting in the back of a tuk-tuk or truck! They picked us up promptly at 8:30a from our hotel in Chiang Mai (see our review Hotel De Chai The Colonial) and it’s about an hour's drive from there. We made a stop at 7-Eleven for coffee, some breakfast items, and a bathroom then proceeded to the park!

What to wear to an elephant sanctuary

What should you wear and pack for the Elephant Nature Park?

We wore loose workout clothes to keep cool since it was pretty humid and there’s a lot of walking around. We brought a backpack and only packed things we needed for the day. There aren’t lockers or anything, so I wouldn’t bring anything too valuable.

Here’s what you should bring to the elephant park:

• Hat

• Sunscreen

• Bug repellant

• Comfortable shoes and socks

• Sunglasses

• Water and snacks - the sanctuary had water and lunch but we packed them to keep hydrated

• Camera(s) - we took our Sony A7, GoPro, and iPhones (there was wifi but it wasn’t great)

• Tip money for guide(s) - our guide took tons of pictures and videos of us. Tipping is important in Thai society and they will be grateful whether it is 20 baht or 200! We gave 500 baht from each of us.

• Admission fee - check your email for the balance you owe

• Money (Thai baht) for souvenirs

If you’re going to bathe the elephants (water is about knee height) bring the following:

• Towel

• Flipflops

• Wear anything you don’t mind getting a little wet (see the video above on how I got splashed!)

• Back-up clothes - Just in case!

Elephant roaming in the jungle

Are there real ethical elephant sanctuaries in Thailand?

Many ask if is it ethical to go to elephant parks or sanctuaries in Thailand? Here’s the thing, the elephants at Elephant Nature Park have either been injured or were orphans that didn’t have a chance in the wild. This is a rescue and sanctuary to keep them safe.

It is unethical to ride an elephant and that is not offered at Elephant Nature Park. Most of the elephants roam free on the grounds and there is a TON of room for them to feel like they aren’t in a small zoo pen. However, some are in closer quarters if they are dangerous to other elephants or people as they acclimate to the sanctuary.

Elephants treated well at ethical elephant sanctuary

Are the elephants treated well in Thailand?

Yes, the elephants are treated VERY well at Elephant Nature Park. They roam free all day across acres of land, have access to a stream, are well fed, and are safe from predators.

You can also find plenty of cats, dogs, buffalo, and many other rescued species at the park!

Is it worth seeing the elephants?

OF COURSE IT’S WORTH VISITING THE ELEPHANTS IN THAILAND! Elephants are so important to Thai culture, you have to visit these majestic creatures!

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Please note this is not a sponsored post and based on my own personal experience, all thoughts are my own.

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Terrifying Shark Scuba Dive at Stuart's Cove - Nassau, Bahamas | Video Included!

SHARKS?! ARE YOU CRAZY? Yup. It sounded like a good idea when we signed up, well maybe not a GOOD idea, but sounded like fun. Stuart’s Cove is famous for their Shark Dives and they offer a variety of different dives. I had been to the Bahamas before and had admired the sharks in the tanks at the Atlantis resort, but never thought I’d be inches from them!

*SCROLL DOWN FOR THE FULL VIDEO!*

Reef Shark Dive - Bahamas

SHARK DIVE ADVENTURE IN THE BAHAMAS

We went with the Shark Adventure Two-Tank Dive and there was NO CAGE! Stuart Cove’s Shark Adventure takes you deep down to get up close and personal with the Caribbean Reef sharks. We were staying at the Atlantis Resort, which they arranged for pickup as part of the dive package.

See all Stuart Cove dive packages including shark feeding, shark awareness, shark shooting (video), reef dives, and Snuba! Our scuba dive with the sharks in the Bahamas cost $182 for a 2-tank dive, all equipment, and shuttle to the dive shop and back to the hotel! Not a bad deal!

Once we arrived at the dive shop, we suited up and headed for the boat. There were many briefings on how this dive was going to work and that you need to stay calm so the sharks stay calm. The sharks really don’t want to eat you, but if you move your arm real quick they might think it’s a fish. Soooo basically I just didn’t move for 30-40 minutes.

We did a regular free swim dive first to get comfortable seeing sharks but not getting too close. There were a few sunken barges that were cool to check out and could see the sharks from a safe distance.

I don’t see any sharks behind me…

Then it was time for the Shark Dive! The briefing included clear instructions that we would all come down and head to the “Arena” where we would be placed in pairs, creating a semi-circle for the Divemaster to put on his greatest show. We were told to either sit on our knees or lay on your belly. There was a bit of a current, so it was harder to balance on my knees and I ended up slowly moving down to my belly.

The bait box and my new friend

Once you enter the Arena, the Divemaster brings out the bait box and feeds them like pets! Sharks would swim by almost knocking you over with their fins! There were more sharks than I had anticipated but it was pretty cool!

The sharks are so large and scary looking but there was one that looked like he was smiling. Although I think a hook ripped the side of his mouth, so let’s go with smiling. It was terrifying and amazing; I’m so glad we have it on video so we don’t have to do it again (but I highly recommend the experience😉)!

HAPPY SHARK WEEK EVERYONE!

This is my smiling shark friend! Doesn’t he look happy to see me?!

Now for our Shark Dive video!

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Shark Dive Bahamas

Shark Dive Bahamas

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10 FUN things you must do in Wailea - Maui, Hawaii

Top Ten Things to do and See in Wailea, Hawaii

First or sixth trip to Hawaii? Doesn’t matter, check out these fun things to do in Wailea! It’s a pretty coastal drive if you’re staying in Lahaina or a great place to stay for a few nights! We stayed at the Grand Wailea and fell in love with Wailea!

Not sure which area is right for you? Our Ultimate Maui Travel Guide compares Kaanapali, Wailea, and other regions.

Here’s a list of what to do in Wailea, Maui:

1. Go for a Hike in Wailea

   Wailea hikes are the best way to start the day! At the end of Makena Road just past Wailea, there is a trail to hike around old lava fields. We were lucky enough to find a Hawaiian Monk Seal that had just given birth days prior and was on the shore with her pup. We took the Haopili Trail to Hanomanioa Light where at the end of the trail is one of those natural pools that you often see influencers float in on Instagram. If you’re lucky, you’ll come across some black mountain goats along the way!

Hike to the natural pools in Wailea

2. Find a Secret Beach in Wailea

Maybe it’s not such a secret if I’m telling you. Again, At the end of Makena Road just past Wailea, if you’re not in the mood to hike (see #1), there are little beach coves that only fit a few people so you can jump in the water, do yoga, read a book, have a picnic lunch, or take a nap! It’s a private beach all to yourself! Pro Tip: Claim your spot early.

Secret Beaches in Wailea

3. Enjoy a day by the beach!

Beach chairs are provided by most hotels, you just have to get there early to nab one. We stayed at the Grand Wailea and would grab a few chairs around 8am to be in the front row.

4. Snorkel around Turtle Town

Wailea has some great spots for snorkeling, but you have to check out Turtle Town. Turtle Town is where the turtles come to have the cleaner fish pick off the algae and other parasites living on their backs! We also saw quite a few turtles right near our hotel (Grand Wailea).

Related posts: Best Snorkel Spots in Maui and Best Scuba Spots in Maui

Snorkel around Turtle Town in Wailea

5. Visit the Turtles in Wailea

Right off the back of a Makena Landing parking lot (5083 Makena Alanui, Kihei, HI 96753), you’ll often find turtles resting in the sand/rocks. Don’t disturb them, but admire them from the trees! Also, there were tons of chickens chasing each other in the parking lot.

Resting Turtles in Wailea

6. Go Shopping in Wailea!

I always love shopping! The Shops at Wailea have everything you need from high-end stores like Louis Vuitton to the ABC Store! Lappert’s ice cream can be found here and you’ll smell the fresh waffle cones wafting in the air when you get close! Soha Living has the cutest coastal decor, which makes great souvenirs! The Island Gourmet Markets is the best Wailea grocery store and their coffee shop brews a delicious coconut macadamia nut latte!

7. Pineapple Wine Tasting

There is a vineyard on Maui and it’s not far from Wailea! Have a taste of Maui Wine’s famous pineapple wines, exclusive small production estate wines, and sparkling wines.

FUN FACT: The King’s Cottage was originally built in the 1870s to welcome King Kalākaua himself, the last reigning king of Hawai’i. He would come to ‘Ulupalakua to enjoy a little royal vacation time with lavish dinners, dancing, champagne, and celebration. Maui wine continues that celebration today, this time inviting all of you! Complimentary guided tours of the historic estate, production area, and wine cellar.

8. Golf in Wailea

Josh loves to golf and there is a fantastic course (Wailea Golf Club) with gorgeous views in Wailea. The Wailea Gold Course is not only gorgeous but one of the top 100 courses in America!

Wailea Golf Club

9. Restaurants in Wailea

Do some fine dining - you’re on vacation! Monkeypod Kitchen is a MUST, their mai tais are my favorite on the island (food is fantastic too)! We also really liked Lineage (Top Chef, Sheldon Simeon’s restaurant), conveniently located in The Shops at Wailea shopping center.

10. Spa Day in Wailea

You’re at the beach in Hawaii, RELAX! Go for a nice massage and then grab a drink by the pool. Many of the resorts have spas, don’t be afraid to try them. This is the ultimate vacation life!

Grand Wailea Luau - Best in Wailea

BONUS TIP: Don’t miss the Grand Wailea Luau!

If you walk along the pathway at night, you’ll hear the drums and luau music play. You can kinda see what’s happening on the luau stage as you stroll by, but you should experience the show along with a traditional Hawaiian dinner! The Marriott Wailea luau puts on a good show too. Get a great price on luau tickets with Activity Authority!

Maui is part of ListForAll.com’s TOP 25 TROPICAL VACATIONS and I think these are some good reasons for Maui to make that list!

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Things to do in Wailea - Maui, Hawaii

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Best Scuba Dive Sites in Maui, Hawaii - Reviews and video included!

I’ve always loved swimming and have a love for marine creatures. Maybe it was watching the Little Mermaid hundreds of times when I was little! I was so happy when Josh wanted to get scuba certified so we could explore what is really under the sea. 5 years later and with over 35 dives all over the world, we can’t get enough! We go scuba diving every time we visit Maui, and have discovered some great dive sites. We’ve also encountered some great dive shops which make it easy for us to just show up and they bring the gear! We usually bring our own fins and masks so we can also snorkel around the hotel - See BEST SNORKEL SPOTS IN MAUI if you’re interested in snorkeling!

Let’s get into the reviews and don’t miss our video of these sites at the end!

For a complete breakdown of where to eat, stay, and what to do, see our Maui Travel Guide.

Lanai’s First Cathedral

Best Dive Sites in Maui

Maui Reef Fish Guide

The great part about Maui is that you can hop on a boat and get to a great dive site anywhere from 20-45 mins. Some hotels and dive shops will do beach dives where you can walk right into the water and start exploring right off the shore! When traveling to sites by boat, we typically stay on Kaanapali Beach and prefer to depart from Lahaina, but if you stay in Wailea there is another marina that is nearby.

Click HERE to check dive conditions in Maui for the day before you head out. If the visibility is poor and the current is strong, the dive is not pleasant. It’s often warm enough that we can just wear a rash guard and not need a wet suit!

Molokini Dive Sites

Molokini is a small inactive volcano visible from the south end of Maui. There are relatively shallow areas to snorkel as well as deeper areas to dive down to. Here are some great Molokini Snorkel Charters.

Molokini Crater was once used as a practice area for bombing in World War II! Learn more about the crater history and check out their really cool infographic HERE!

On our first trip with Lahaina Divers, we went to dive sites known as Aquarium and Reef’s End. We disembarked from Lahaina and it took us about 45 mins to get there. There were many vibrant colors of coral and fish, including angelfish, butterflyfish, Moorish idol (black and yellow banded fish), Hawaiian Whitespotted Toby, White Spotted Pufferfish, Barred Filefish (‘O’ili), Parrotfish, and a spotted eel. We even saw reef sharks and a barracuda - catch it at the end of the Molokini section of our video below!

On our second trip, we decided to check out the Backwall and had two dives with Maui Diamond Sea Sports. We were staying in Wailea and took off from Maalea Harbor (behind the Aquarium) which took around 25 minutes to get there. Once we jumped in, the water was so clear and so blue! We caught a white-spotted eagle ray swim by, a spotted eel, and many beautiful fish including white-spotted puffer and spotted butterflyfish - both native to the area.

Molokini Backwall - Spotted Eagle Ray

Lanai Dive Sites

From Kaanapali Beach and Lahaina, you look directly across to the island, Lanai, which looks like it is so close! With a quick 20-30 min ride from Lahaina Harbor, there are quite a few dive sites to explore at the south tip of Lanai.

My favorite site is the First Cathedral. Crafted from a lava tube, once you swim through a tunnel there is a large area, about 2 stories high with holes in the back that look like stained glass of a cathedral and a rock in the middle that is known as the alter. Within the “cave,” you will often find lobsters on the sidewalls and pufferfish swimming around.

Wash Rock is also a great site that has gorgeous coral formations and a lava tunnel called the ‘Tunnel of Love.‘ Within the tunnel, we found a sponge crab, as well as sculptured and regal slipper lobsters. Look out for giant moray eels and tiny nudibranch, they’re both in this ecosystem! See all of this in our video below!

Wash Rock - Regal Slipper Lobster

The Secret Cove dive site was buzzing with tons of fish when we visited! Plenty of long nose butterflyfish, yellow are typical, but the all-black long nose butterflyfish are native to the area. We swam around the cove and through it!

Lahaina and Kaanapali Dive Sites

Carthaginian II Shipwreck is a great site to explore! There is a long history to the ship, it was originally built in 1920 in Germany and after a few rebuilds over the years, it was eventually named the Carthaginian and was even featured in the 1966 movie, Hawaii. After filming, Carthaginian was purchased by the non-profit "Lahaina Restoration Foundation" (LRF) and in 1967 was flipped to a whaling ship museum and tourist attraction. However, Carthaginian was destroyed after it ran aground on the Lahaina Reef on Easter Sunday 1973. A replica was made of the Carthaginian from the ship, Komet. After installing 15 short tons (14 t) of cement and steel ballast to balance the rigging, it was renamed Carthaginian II and restored over several years. In 1980, the ship was opened again as a floating whaling museum. However, the addition of ballast allowed moisture to seep into the inside of the steel hull, which rusted to a point where it nearly split in half. As it was too expensive to keep it afloat, the LRF decided to sink it and make it a tourist attraction. On December 13, 2005, the boat was towed and sunk to create an artificial reef in the water at a depth of approximately 97 feet (30 m), 1⁄2 mile (0.80 km) off the coast near Puamana Beach Park. 

When we dove the Carthaginian, we saw an undulated moray eel under the ship, a small white tip reef shark lurking around, butterflyfish, endemic cleaner wrasse, yellow fingeat fish, and Spongebob attached to the side of the ship.

Carthaginian II Shipwreck

We love to stay at the Sheraton Maui beach resort and we’ve heard the night dive is pretty great on Black Rock. We have yet to do it, but we did a night shore dive at the site, Airport Beach, and saw bioluminescence glow at the bottom! Once we went shore diving during the day, Airport had a pretty Hawaiian coral reef, an abundance of fish, and a few eels that we encountered.

Olowalu

Just south of Lahaina is Olowalu and a long stretch of beach. Just off the shore is a great dive site Olowalu Reef, also known as turtle reef, where turtles often come in to have their shells cleaned by other fish. Rumor has it that there is a rare manta ray cleaning station and a blacktip reef shark nursery, but we didn’t see them. We did see a turtle swimming around and precious corals that were very vibrant with plenty of tropical fish to see.

Olowalu Reef Turtle

Best Dive Charters and Shops in Maui

Great dive shops and companies make it easy to just show up to the boat and they provide all of the dive gear along with great dive guides: Extended Horizons, Lahaina Divers, and Maui Diamond Sea Sports.

We’ve had the most dives with Extended Horizons, and we even got our advanced certification on one of our trips! We love their crews and guides! The guides would group us into small groups with those at a similar caliber that can keep up with each other. There are usually 2-3 groups with 3 pairs in each group. Water is provided and a light snack between and after dives. At the end of each trip, they put everything we need for our dive book on a board so we can easily remember and document our dives! If you’re looking for a dive school to get your certification, contact Extended Horizons or click here for more!

Lahaina Divers and Maui Diamond Sea Sports are very similar to Extended Horizons, but their boats are a little bigger and usually have more people. They also provide gear, water, snacks, and have great dive guides.

Extended Horizons always makes it easy to remember our dives!

Whale Watching in Maui

If you dive between November and May, you have a chance of seeing or hearing the blue whales as they migrate past Hawaii. Usually, you can see them spout water then after a few minutes if you’re lucky you can catch them breach or a glimpse of their tail come up and out of the water! If you listen to the beginning of our video below, you can actually hear them in Molokini! We didn’t see them underwater, but they did come up and breach the water a few times when we were on the boat! Book your whale watching tour with one of these tours on Activity Authority - recommended by a local!

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BEST SCUBA DIVE SITES IN MAUI VIDEO

Most of the dive sites and tropical creatures mentioned above can be found in this video:

Scuba Diving Packing Essentials for Maui Divers

Don’t forget to pack the following for your dive:

1. Sunscreen

2. Towel (we take the pool towels from the hotel)

3. GoPro or underwater camera - with batteries

4. Sunglasses

5. Fins

6. Mask - I love the Cressi Pano 3, finally a mask I can see out of and it doesn’t leak for a fairly inexpensive price

7. PADI or dive certification card

8. Dive book

9. Tote to hold all of these things!

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Please note, this is not a sponsored post, and based on my own personal experience, all thoughts are my own.

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HOTEL REVIEW: Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino

Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino

Address: L.G. Smith Blvd 82, Oranjestad, Aruba

Website: Renaissance Aruba Resort and Casino

Flamingo Beach - Renaissance Island

The number one reason to stay here is to visit Flamingo Beach! After we were spoiled staying at the Hyatt Regency Aruba, the Renaissance was nice but we spent more time with my new pink friends than in the room! Read all about our days spent at Aruba’s Renaissance Island - Flamingo Beach . Many ask: Is flamingo island worth it? 1000% YES!

Find the best rate to visit these flamingos by booking your room through Booking.com Not only will you find the best rate out there but by clicking this link and booking a night, I receive a commission at no additional cost to you! PLEASE support our blog and bookmark this link! :-) Thanks! 

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Renaissance Adult Only Hotel in Aruba

There are 2 hotels at the Renaissance property, both right across from each other. The adults-only hotel is more inland but still in the marina. It’s also connected to a very fancy, high-end mall and casino! Check out rates here: booking.com

All-inclusive rooms in Aruba!

All-inclusive room rates at Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino are available. However, these rates tend to be higher because they include onsite food and beverages in the room rate.

How to get to Renaissance Island Aruba with the Flamingo Beach

The Renaissance owns a small island just a quick 10 minute boat ride away that they have named Renaissance Island. Booking your stay at the Renaissance guarantees you access to the island, there is a small chance you can buy a ticket the morning of, but there are very few if the hotel is not sold out. Here, you will find beautiful beaches with lounge chairs, a restaurant, hammocks, and FLAMINGOS. A water taxi stops every 15 mins in the lobby to head to Renaissance Island.

Read more here: Aruba’s Renaissance Island Flamingo Beach

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Things to do at the Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino

1. Go to Renaissance Island for the Flamingo and Iguana beach

2. Rent a cabana on Renaissance Island - The cabana comes with 2 bottles of Voss still water, 2 bottles of Voss sparkling water, bottle of sparkling wine, refreshing food amenity, personalized cabana butler service, towels, 2 water floats, and 2 full face-snorkeling masks. Cabanas at Iguana Beach come with kids snorkels. Cabana 4001 at Iguana Beach has a water slide. Rates start at $300 - BOOK EARLY!

3. Go for a dip in the pool (there is a family pool and adult-only pool)!

4. Get a drink at the lobby bar - it overlooks the pool and ocean!

5. Go shopping! There is a little plaza to shop around for clothes and souvenirs!

6. Have breakfast on Renaissance Island! There is an amazing restaurant, called Papagoyo Bar & Grill, that serves a large breakfast that will fill you up for a day in the sun!

7. Go to the Spa Cove on Renaissance Island! Peaceful and serene, this spa only has ocean views!

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Arrival: Parking, Lobby, and Bar at the Renaissance Aruba

Valet parking is available under the lobby. We took a taxi and didn’t need a car to get around the island. The lobby was open air and the bar was located right next to the pool. Check-in was a breeze. Literally. The staff was really nice and when our room wasn’t ready, they stored our bags and we were allowed to go to the island.

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Renaissance Aruba Guest Rooms

Our room was a decent size. We booked a Guest room, 1 King or 2 Double, Limited view in the Marina Hotel. The design was fairly modern and looked like they had been renovated fairly recently.

Guest Room

The little booth was cute but not very comfortable. Our limited view was an inside view and we were located right above Starbucks. The most exciting thing that happened out the window: watching people board the boats for Renaissance Island.

The closet was small, our suitcases didn’t fit inside. The robes were nice, though!

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Bathroom

The bathroom was on the smaller side compared the Hyatt we had just stayed at, but was perfect for spending 24 hours there. SO many towels.

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Renaissance Aruba Adult Pool

The adult pool was so quiet and relaxing, perfect for honeymooners. With ocean and marina views, why would you ever want to leave!

The lobby bar and the pool bar are one and the same. I love how open and bright the bar area is!

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We basically paid $400 to see Flamingos, but they were worth every penny!

Find the best rate to visit these flamingos by booking your room through Booking.com Not only will you find the best rate out there but by clicking this link and booking a night, I receive a commission at no additional cost to you! PLEASE support our blog and bookmark this link! :-) Thanks! 

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MORE ARUBA!

Expensive Mistakes When Traveling with a Dog

Photo Credit: Pexel

Traveling with your pup can be expensive, here are some do’s and don’t’s!

My friends at OurBestDoggo.com assisted me with this great advice to avoid expensive mistakes for traveling with your pup!

Sometimes in life, it’s time to hit the road with your best friend. When that best friend is a dog, however, there are several important things to consider before you head out. Without proper planning, you can wind up spending a boatload on a trip with your pup.

Leaving them behind, however, isn’t always an option. Doggy boarding or hiring a sitter can be expensive. Plus, most people think of their dogs as family members, and you can’t leave family behind when you head out on vacation. Fortunately, a little forethought is all you really need to save money on a holiday you, your family, and your dog will enjoy. Here’s a look at a few of the pricier mistakes you should avoid when traveling with your dog.

Forgetting Feeding Essentials

When you’re on the go, you can pick up snacks and meals at nearly any destination. However, your pup can’t always enjoy the same on-the-fly access that you can. That’s why it’s important to bring along plenty of food and dog-safe treats and cookies so your pup stays satisfied.

Don’t assume you’ll find the food your dog likes wherever you’re going – since animals’ stomachs don’t adjust easily to new foods, grabbing a new brand may be pricey in more ways than one. Besides, no one wants to face that hotel cleaning bill, especially when you’re on a budget. Plus, if you have your pal’s favorite treats on hand, you can give them something fun to chow down on while you sample the great desserts at your destination.

Moreover, you need to have the right gear so your pup can eat on the go. Collapsible food and water dishes are a must-have for the canine traveler. These allow you to give your dog meals at rest stops, hotels, and anywhere else you might otherwise struggle to feed them. You can save money on these items by searching for special online deals and coupons so your best friend can eat in style no matter where you end up.

Leaving Without Vet Clearance

 Whenever you take your dog on a trip, it’s important to talk to your vet first to make sure they’re healthy enough to go on the road. Moreover, a veterinarian may be able to prescribe you with anti-nausea meds or sedatives than can save your car from a motion sickness disaster. Keeping your pal comfortable and safe on the road is a responsibility you take on as a pet owner.

However, your responsibilities don’t stop there. Depending on where you’re going and how you’re traveling, you may need a note from your vet ensuring your dog is fit for travel. Some states require that you have evidence with you that your pet is up to date on all shots. Travel without them, even if you’re just passing through, and you risk getting hit with a hefty fine.

Going on a Last-Minute Adventure

 Spontaneous vacations can be incredibly fun, but they’re the wrong call with a dog; there are simply too many details to consider when it comes to traveling with a pet. For example, there’s the aforementioned vet visit. Moreover, you need to make sure you’ll be able to find pet-friendly accommodations wherever you end up. Do you know where the nearest emergency vet is to where you’re staying? What about those on the way?

 Not only does heading out without this info put your dog in danger, but it also puts your pocketbook at risk, as well. After all, making a last-minute booking in a pet-friendly room is a surefire way to end up with terrible rates. The hotel knows you don’t have an abundance of options, so they have no real incentive to offer you a good deal. Of course, that’s assuming you’re able to get a pet-friendly room at all.

You need to think ahead when traveling with your dog, both to keep your pal safe and to make sure you’re saving money along the way. Keeping these things in mind will allow you to go on the adventure you and your pup deserve.

Looking for the right food for your 4-legged friend? Check out the best dog food here: How to Choose the Right Food For Your Dog

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How to see 40+ lions and the Big Five in the Maasai Mara, Kenya - Africa

How to find 40+ lions and the Big Five while on safari in the Maasai Mara

Africa was the trip of a lifetime! Seeing all the animals roaming in their natural habitats was so much better than watching animals at a zoo. We found 40+ lions, the Big Five, and more in the Maasai Mara! Here’s how we did it…

Scroll down to watch our video of our trip to the Maasai Mara!

All pictures were taken by us! See our camera gear here: African Safari Packing Essentials

Lion cub found in the Maasai Mara

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Where to stay in the Maasai Mara and find the best guides!

We stayed at the Tangulia Mara Camp where we had the best guides to find all the animals we were dying to see! Benjamin and David greeted us at the airport as soon as we landed on the dirt airstrip and were with us on every game drive after that! They were knowledgable about the animals and their behaviors, knowing where to find them or look for them at any point of the day. I still don’t know how they spotted a leopard from miles away! pun intended.

Leopard in the tree

Our guides were so patient and would go out with us for hours. There was only one other couple staying at the camp while we were there, so we lucked out and had a private car all to ourselves! This is a huge benefit when you find an animal you’re interested in and can sit and watch for hours… like we did with the lions and leopard.

Hyena up close!

We’d usually start out early around 6:30a/7a to see the most action from the animals waking up. Breakfast was packed in the car, so we’d make a stop at some point, which one of the other guides called it going to Starbucks! Haha!

Lioness and her cubs

We’d see lions in prides and sometimes on their own, usually a lioness with the cubs. If we drove around after the sun was fairly high in the sky, we’d find lions together taking a cat nap after their morning breakfast.

A lion we woke up from a nap!

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Animals to find in the Maasai Mara and the Big Five!

We found the Big Five while we were on our safaris, which were originally called this because they were the most difficult and dangerous animals to hunt on foot! We weren’t here to hunt, obviously, just observe. The Big Five include the African elephant, lion, leopard, rhinoceros, and Cape buffalo.

Scroll down to watch our video of our trip to the Maasai Mara!

Leopard in the tree

There were many other animals to see, including:

• Oryx

• Spotted hyena

• Topi antelope

• Thomson Gazelle

• Banded mongoose

• Maasai sheep

• Maasai giraffe

• Hippo

• Cheetahs

• Wildebeest - THOUSANDS of them!

• Baboons

• Crocodiles

• Zebras

• Warthogs - they call them Pumbas!

Cheetahs in the Maasai Mara

Our guides were telling us how there are 5 cheetahs that travel together and are rare to see but are considered celebrities if you see them. About an hour later someone spotted them, and we had to find them! We saw a bunch of other safari vehicles and knew there they were. The cheetahs walked right around our vehicle and would call to one another if one of them were out of sight. We were SO CLOSE to them, it was unbelievable.

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Tangulia Mara Camp Accommodations

The camp was beautiful, overlooking a saltwater lake from a saltwater spring. There was a river behind it but they aren’t connected. Animals often came through for drink from the waterhole, so it was nice to sit in our room or up at the lodge just to watch them come and go.

Tangulia Mara Camp

We had room 1 at the very end of the camp, which was closest to the water and a great place to watch for animals.

They called the area near our room Hippo Highway because the hippos would come up at night to eat the grass! Sometimes they make odd noises that sounded like evil laughs! Kinda creepy at 2am but also very exciting.

Just watching the giraffes from our room in my Lion King socks.

Meals and Food in the Maasai Mara

Meals were provided in the lodge and the food was wonderful! Dishes would come family style, and they would keep coming even when you thought you had enough! Meals included dishes such as chicken, pork, vegetarian lasagna, avocado salad, green salad, fruit salad, delicious bread with an assortment of spreads, and always ended with dessert!

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Sundowner - Doa

We enjoyed having a sundowner, a drink around happy hour as the sun would set. I tried a Doa which had vodka and lemon juice with a sugar rim, both refreshing and sweet!

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Watch our video of our trip to the Maasai Mara:

Overall, we loved our visit to the Maasai Mara! We saw the most animals on our safaris and had amazing guides. I’m glad we spent more time there than our first 2 stops in Saruni.

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Warthog - Locals call them pumbas which means Dumb in Swahili!

To book a trip of a lifetime like this, I highly recommend using the travel agency, Scott Dunn! To speak to a safari expert at Scott Dunn, call 858-523-9000 or visit scottdunn.com/us and tell them Kathleen and Josh Cregg sent you. This is not a sponsored post, all thoughts and considerations are my own.

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Experiencing Saruni Samburu and Seeing the Northern 5 in Kenya - Africa

Our experience at Saruni Samburu was unbelievable! Yes, I know I say this often but I mean it! From the room to the food to the guides, our stay was absolutely perfect and we were sad to leave. We even got up close and personal with the Northern Five native to Northern Kenya!

See my packing list of things you can purchase on Amazon here: Amazon African Safari Packing List

Scroll down later in the post to watch our video of our trip to Saruni Samburu!

Reticulated Giraffe seen while on safari with Saruni Samburu

How to Get to Samburu, Kenya

We stopped in Nairobi and took a smaller plane to Samburu for about an hour's flight. They did weigh our luggage but you give them your bags over a counter so you can kinda hide a camera if you’re worried about the 33 lb weight limit. The coolest part was sitting behind the pilots and landing on a dirt runway!

Our guide met us there and took us to the Saruni Rhino where we spent a few days but the drive from the air strip was about 30-45 minutes from Saruni Samburu.

See more on our trip to Saruni Rhino and how we got up close and personal with a baby rhino here: Rhino Tracking at the Saruni Rhino

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Guest Rooms at Saruni Samburu

Guest Room Bed at Saruni Samburu

I wish we had more time to spend in the room! WHO SAYS THAT?! Well, when you have a room with a second floor and a lovely living room overlooking Kenya, why wouldn’t you?!

As we walked into our room, which was not a suite, this is their standard room, we were blown away by the size of the room and the balcony attached to it!

Panorama of our room

View from our room

We then discovered we had another room upstairs! This room was also large in size set up like a living room, complete with a dining table.

Our living room attached to our bedroom

The bathroom was huge and had a bidet next to the toilet. Not only was there a shower inside the bathroom, but there was also a shower outside overlooking the conservation. I did take a shower outside one morning while watching elephants at the waterhole.

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Safari Time at Saruni Samburu

How do safaris work?

We weren’t sure exactly what to expect for our safaris, but we were very happy with our experience. Everyday you’ll head out in the morning or afternoon for a safari. Depending on what you see and how great your guide is, you’ll drive around for 5-8 hours which sounds crazy but goes by real quick! Our car was completely open and had panels that came down in case it rained.

Elephant Crossing

What should you wear on a safari?

I read a ton of blogs telling me what to pack and that I needed to purchase $100 safari shirts… Let me tell you, I was just fine in my Gap t-shirt and leggings. We did treat our clothes with permethrin, a bug repellent for your clothes. In the morning and late afternoon, I made sure to have a sweatshirt but there were also blankets in the car. Unless you are getting out of the vehicle, which you aren’t supposed to, there’s no reason not to where something comfortable that you can sit in for long periods of time.

Traffic in the conservancy

Our Safari Experience

Joseph was our guide for the time we were at Saruni Samburu as well as Saruni Rhino. Since he is from the local village, he knew the area (and animals) very well and was phenomenal at finding animals far away. Joseph understood various animal behaviors and explained their actions, teaching us fun facts about each animal.

Scroll down later in the post to watch our video of our trip to Saruni Samburu!

Reticulated Giraffe having Breakfast

Here are some of the animals we saw over the course of 3 days:

1. Impalas - we even saw a newborn, birthed seconds before we arrived

2. Batiat foxes 🦊 

3. Beisa Oryx (part of the Northern Five, more on that below)

4. Leopards - mama and cubs

5. Egyptian geese 🦆 

6. Lions 🦁 

7. Elephants

8. Dik-diks - little antelopes about a foot tall

9. Rock hyraxes 

10. Wilds dogs - very rare

11. Somali ostrich (part of the Northern Five, more on that below)

12. Dwarf mongoose

13. Fotery guinea fowl

14. Gerenuk

15. Grant’s Gazelles

16. Grevy’s Zebras 🦓 (part of the Northern Five, more on that below)

17. Nile crocodile 🐊 

18. Cheetah 

19. Reticulated Giraffes (part of the Northern Five, more on that below)

20. Warthogs - Even our guide called them pumbaas (which means dumb in Swahili)! Since they have such a short term memory, they are known to walk by a lion and walk back to the same spot 5 minutes later, forgetting they had passed it.

21. Eastern yellow-billed hornbill - AKA the flying banana or Zazu from the Lion King

22. Baboons

23. Monkeys

Cheetah stalking antelope

We went out in the early morning and late afternoon covering all basis to see as many animals as possible. Every day we saw something different and right when one day couldn’t possibly top the day before, it did! Depending on how long we were going out, we either ate before or after the safari, or they packed us breakfast or lunch.

Can you spot the leopard? pun intended

The topography was very dry and looked like the elephant graveyard in the Lion King. There is a river about an hour away and the closer you get, the more animals you see! Keep your eyes peeled and be patient. Sometimes just sitting and watching the animals for a while is fun to observe their behaviors. You never know what they might do!

Baby baboon by the river

Elephant at the water hole at night

One of our nights, we even went out for a night drive. I was nervous going into the dark at night at first and wondered what animals we’d see but there were so many we came across:

1. Porcupine

2. Owl 🦉 

3. Hawk

4. Hare

5. Jackal

6. Male and female Ostriches

7. Striped hyena - very shy, very rare

8. Family of Elephants

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The Northern Five in Kenya

We were lucky to find the Kenyan Northern Five including the Somali Ostrich, Gerenuk, Grevy’s Zebra, Beisa Oryx, and the Reticulated Giraffe!

Here we go…

1. Somali Ostrich

The Somlai Ostrich differs from most ostriches with a bluish color on their neck and legs, instead of a pink color. The males were beautiful with black and white feathers, while the females had grayish brown feathers.

2. Gerenuk

As part of the antelope family, Gerenuks are also known as giraffe gazelles, appropriately named with their long necks and slender limbs. They’ll even stand erect on their hind legs to reach higher branches. I loved the pattern in their ears!

Gerenuk - Kenyan Northern Five

3. Grevy’s Zebra

In comparison to other zebras, Grevy’s unique characteristics include their taller height, large ears, narrower stripes, and white bellies with no stripes. with their stripes being closer together and thinner, it is easier for them to make a good escape and to hide from predators. Foals are born with brown and white striping which darken as they grow older.

Family of Grevy’s Zebras

4. Beisa Oryx

Also known as the East African Oryx, they are recognized by their long horns and striped markings. Yeah, even though they eat grass, I wouldn’t mess with those horns!

Beisa Oryx

5. Reticulated Giraffe

Also known as the Somali Giraffe and most commonly seen in zoos. Their beautiful coats consists of large, polygonal, liver-colored spots outlined by bright-white lines.

Reticulated Giraffe

Our camera gear used to grab these gorgeous photos:

Watch our video of our trip to Saruni Samburu:

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Food at Saruni Samburu

The owner of the Saruni franchise is Italian and all food was also Italian with a Kenyan flair. There were always 3 courses for every meal and we never left feeling hungry! Dessert was always a must! Alcohol was included which we typically had wine and beer. There was a beverage menu with more options that you could pay for.

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The Grounds at Saruni Samburu

There were 2 gorgeous infinity pools within a short walking distance fo our room. Although they weren’t heated, it was nice to take a dip then sit and enjoy the view.

The main lodge was a nice place to hang out as well. Sometimes before or after a meal we’d hang out and have a drink by the bonfire, or just lounge on the big couches and enjoy the view.

Wifi was only available near the main lodge and it wasn’t very good. Don’t count on working from there, but a few social media posts will go through… eventually.

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Activities to do while at Saruni Samburu

Massages

Our room came with a complimentary massage for 30 mins for one person. After lugging around our heavy bags through airports, I was ready for a back and neck massage!

Bush Walk

We walked around the outskirts of our lodge with our guide and a ranger, and came across a pack of wild dogs! Apparently they are very rare to see. I thought they were hyenas at first, I just loved their big ears!

Wild Dogs - Rare sight!

Star Gazing

At night there was practically no light pollution leaving a sky full of stars! We were able to see the Milky Way and on Josh’s Sony A7, he was able to capture the Milky Way!

Milky Way seen from the balcony of our room

We had a wonderful stay at Saruni Samburu and highly recommend it to anyone booking a future trip to Africa. We booked through Scott Dunn to get the best service and bang for our buck! Please tell them we sent you!

Please note this is not a sponsored post and based on my own personal experience, all thoughts are my own.

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Other posts from Africa (see all Africa posts here)

How to Spend 5 AMAZING Days in Sydney, Australia

Sydney Opera House

What to do for 5 Days in Sydney, Australia

While we were on our 3-week honeymoon, we spent a large chunk of it in Sydney! We had spent New Years in Sydney but left to let the crowds die down a bit and came back on the 3rd of January. Overall, we enjoyed our visit and would definitely go back. Making the long trek from California, we wanted to see all Sydney had to offer and spent about 5 days there.

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Where to Stay in Sydney

We used our Hyatt reward nights, a perk from our Hyatt Credit Card, along with some points, and stayed at the beautiful 5-star Park Hyatt Sydney. It was the perfect location - across from the Opera House, near Circular Quay (where you can jump on a train or ferry and get anywhere in a matter of minutes), and under the Harbor Bridge. 

Park Hyatt Sydney

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Here was our 5-day itinerary for Sydney:

Day 1

Pancakes on the Rocks

MORNING

We started with breakfast at Pancakes on the Rocks. We love pancakes, figured it couldn't be bad with so many great Yelp reviews. The service was a little slow but the food made up for it. I had chocolate chips pancakes, of course, because everything is better with chocolate!

We went down to Circular Quay (pronounced "key") and took the ferry across the harbor to the Taronga Zoo.

There were Koalas, giraffes, kangaroos, everything that can kill you, and my favorite, the penguin exhibit that had Fairy Penguins! 

Top of Taronga Zoo

The zoo is located on a hill with spectacular views of Sydney from all over, so we recommend you start at the top and work your way down.

Penguins in the Taronga Zoo

We took a few animal selfies too! We liked the zoo, but the Featherdale Wild Park was even better (see day 2 below).

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AFTERNOON - Olympic Park

In the afternoon we took the ferry back to Circular Quay and boarded a train taking us out to the Sydney Olympic Park. Josh loves to visit Olympic Parks and this one had a lot to see and it was all outdoors!

The park was built to host the Summer Olympics in 2000. They had the torch, the Olympic Cauldron that looks like a spaceship which was where the flame was lit the duration of the games, markers that noted how high someone jumped, who won each sport, and name of everyone who participated.

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Day 2

Morning - Blue Mountains

We booked a tour with Blue Diamond Tours, which conveniently picked us up from the hotel, and took us to the Blue Mountains National Park. The mountains look blue because the eucalyptus forest disperses droplets of Eucalypt oil into the atmosphere which combines with dust particles and water vapor, scattering refracted rays of light which are largely blue in color. #funfacts

The rock formation located in the Blue Mountains is known as the 3 Sisters, which aboriginals legend told, the 3 daughters from the Katoomba tribe fell in love with 3 brothers from a neighboring tribe, but they were forbidden to get married by tribal laws. The brothers didn't agree with this law and captured the 3 sisters, causing a war outbreak between the tribes and the sisters were turned into stone by a witch doctor to protect them. Unfortunately, the witch doctor died in the war and no one was able to turn them back. 

From Scenic World’s Website

We took the Scenic World Skyway cable car suspended across the Jamison Valley to a park called Scenic World where they had attractions and the best views. You could look through the floor of the car and see the rain forest below.

looking through the floor of the skyway cable car

We also road the Scenic Railway, the world's steepest incline railway, which travels down a cliffside through tunnel and ancient rain forest at a gradient of 62 degrees. At the bottom, you can walk around the rainforest and check out the site of the old coal mine.

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Afternoon - Featherdale Wildlife Park

ARCHER, THE KOALA, at Featherdale Wildlife Park

My favorite part of the day was when we went to see Australia's native animals at Featherdale Wildlife Park. I love animals and this was probably my favorite thing to do in Sydney.

You can get up close and personal with the animals - touch them, hold them, feed them. The ever so adorable Archer, the koala, is best-loved as he is the popular koala. I even had my Mom paint him from a picture I took because I needed to see him every day.

There are many other animals throughout the park such as kangaroos that are literally hanging out and let you pet them! We also saw more fairy penguins, wombats, wallabies, a Cassowary, and a Tasmanian Devil, OH MY!

Evening in Sydney

We came back to the hotel, freshened up and walked around the harbor over to the Opera Bar for dinner. The Opera Bar is located directly under the Opera House. They had a great food selection, we loved their burgers. The restaurant is set up with open seating and you order by the kitchen, get a number and they deliver to your table.

We also enjoyed their dessert (of course) having a crepe with chocolate sauce and vanilla ice cream. I was a perfect ending to our perfect day with a gorgeous pink sunset.

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Day 3

Morning in Manly Beach

We started our day going to Manly Beach! For food, we found this spot called Hemingway's which looked like a library but served food and alcohol. It was early, so we had coffee and breakfast with a slight breeze and gorgeous view of the crystal blue ocean. 

We walked around and did a little shopping, buying souvenirs and gifts for friends and family.

Afternoon - Sea life Sydney Aquarium

PLATYPUS at the Sea Life Sydney Aquarium

We took the bus back and decided it was time for more animals so we paid a visit to the Sea Life Sydney Aquarium and found Nemo, Dory, and lots of sharks. 

We walked through the aquarium and after scuba diving the Great Barrier Reef, it felt like we had seen a lot of these fish before. However, they do have unique creatures that are hard to find in the deep blue and were glad to see them here (love the platypus). If you have kids (or act like a big kid like me) there are interactive pools where you can touch sea cucumbers and starfish.

Also, the high point was the underground glass tunnels where fish and sharks swim around you on all sides and it feels like you're underwater with them.

Happy Hour in Sydney at a Secret Whiskey bar!

BAXTER INN - WHISKEY BAR

It was happy hour and we found a hidden gem! We went to a whiskey speak-easy called the Baxter Inn. It was a little challenging to find but worth it when we got there. You have to head down a nondescript alley on Clarence Street and walk through an unmarked door on your right, down a dark staircase to the basement level. The dim lighting and waiters outfits felt like we had walked into another dimension. They had 360 different whiskeys from around the globe and make their own apple juice for their fine crafted cocktail! 

Baxter Inn Speakeasy Bar - Sydney

Afterward, we went to a casino in The Star hotel. Walking in, there was signage in front explaining the signs which show you might have a gambling problem because of Australia's gambling issue. It was kind of sad, but kind of funny. We played roulette and won! No gambling problem here. 

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Day 4

MORNING - Beach Walk

We took the bus over to Bondi Beach. We then did a 5 mile hike along the coast from Bondi Beach to Coogee Beach. Along the way, we walked through the Tamarama and Bronte beaches. This wasn't an easy hike, there were steep inclines, stairs and sun. Lots of sun. The sun was intense and even after re-applying sunscreen a few times, we burned. It hurt.

AFTERNOON - Luna Park

Luna Park Entrance

We came back cleaned up and took the ferry over to Luna Park, a carnival-like amusement park with a scary entrance. and did a couple of rides, but the highlight was playing on the slides in the funhouse. Josh and I raced for at least 30 minutes. This was definitely made for kids. 

Luna Park Slides

EVENING

Afterward, we had dinner at an Italian restaurant right next to Luna Park, called Ripples Milsons Point. It was right on the water overlooking the harbor and I had the most amazing pumpkin ravioli. 

We came back to the hotel and wanted to grab a few pictures on our last night:

Harbor Bridge at Night

Opera House at Night

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Day 5 

MORNING - Opera House Tour

Our last day in Australia started with breakfast at the Park Hyatt Sydney. We overlooked the harbor directly at the Opera House and started to feel a little sad we were leaving. 

Opera House Tiles Close-up - Chevron Design

We walked over and took a tour of the Opera House. As an iconic staple to the city, We were excited to see this gorgeous building and learn the history behind it. Up close you can see the shaped tiles that are shell-like making a chevron type pattern across the roof. The inside is just as stunning, as there are several venues within the house. The 2 largest concert hall is the largest and has the largest organ with over 10,000 pipes! 

THIS IS KNOWN AS THE OPERA HOUSE CLEAVAGE

AFTERNOON

Since we were leaving that night, we had some time to kill but couldn't go too far. We decided to explore "The Rocks" which was the area right above our hotel. It's great for shopping and restaurants.

We went to Fortune of War (claims it is Sydney's oldest pub, which a lot of bars do) which wasn't anything special but nice to stop for a good cold brew.

Fortune of War - Sydney’s Oldest Pub

It was time to hop in a cab and head to the airport. We were sad to leave Sydney, but we weren't done with our Honeymoon yet, New Zealand and French Polynesia were next!

We would love to go back to Sydney and check off anything we missed! Let us know in the comments below if there is something you recommend! 

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A gorilla pushed us out of the way while Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda!

To kick off our trip to Africa, our first excursion was a trip into the jungles of Rwanda to visit the gorillas! When we booked our trip, I was most excited for this portion of the trip and I was not disappointed. We got so close, we could touch them… well one of them pushed Josh (see full story and video below)! To see them live in their natural habitat was so much better than seeing them behind bars at a zoo! Here’s everything you need to know when venturing on a gorilla trek and helpful packing tips (see the end of the post).

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Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda

Getting There and Gorilla Family Assignment

Planning in advance: We booked our trip through the travel agency, Scott Dunn, about 15 months in advance and it is $1500 per person to go trekking. Save your money, it’s totally worth it!

Day of Adventure: We started our morning bright and early at the Virunga Lodge with a 5:30a wakeup and 6am breakfast. By 6:30a we were in the car and on our way to the base camp to get our gorilla family assignment. Bring a copy of your passport or make sure the hotel/lodge can make a copy for you. You need this for the rangers.

There was an option of an easy, medium, or hard hike and we requested an easy to medium hike. There are 16 families in the Virunga Mountains - Volcanoes National Park and 10 families are visited once per day by 8 people max for one hour. Our driver/guide helped arrange which family we would see and introduced us to the ranger that we would be with for the day. We met with our group and our ranger gave the details of our gorilla family and laid out how our adventure would play out. We lucked out and only had a group of 6 people, which was better to see and gather around the gorillas.

At basecamp getting our gorilla family assignment

We were assigned Titus the silverback and his gorilla family. A group of gorillas is called a band or a troop, or the less common is a “whoop” of gorillas. I like whoop the best so that’s what I’m going with… Within the whoop there were 3 other Silverbacks in which two of them were Titus’ children who were known as the troublemakers.

We learned a lot about the dynamic and behaviors of gorillas. Most whoops have one silverback since their competitive nature for females keep them separated to their own family. Silverbacks keep many females in their groups but don’t like other males doing the “jiggy jiggy” (as our guide put it) with their females. Once male children reach a certain maturity they may run off from the group with one of the females to start their own family or they meet a female from another family.

After we had our briefing, we all jumped in our cars and drove about 30 minutes to our stop closest to where the gorilla family was located.

Hiking to the Gorillas

We parked in a lot amongst some rural farms. We hired a porter there to help carry our bag while we were trekking through the jungle. It was worth the $10 USD for the porter to carry our bag with cameras and water. He would even help me climb up and down areas that were harder to climb. I’m fairly fit but can be very clumsy, so I was happy with having a helping hand.

The jungle front was a few miles away at a slight incline. We were given some walking sticks carved with intricate gorilla designs and set out on our trek to find the gorillas.

Hand carved hiking sticks

We had heard some stories from others at the lodge saying it took 3 hours to hike and find the gorillas the day before, so we were prepared to hike for anywhere from an hour to 3 hours.

Rwanda Rural Farm

We walked about an hour through a farm (in the sun) along a trail up to the gate that led into the jungle. Our ranger told us the family had climbed into the crater and that if we sit and wait, hopefully they’ll come out closer to us. We just sat at the jungle front looking over the valley. After, about 45-60 minutes the gorillas climbed out of the crater and were “close.” We didn’t know what “close” meant but we were excited and entered through the gate to the jungle. Literally, there was a gate to the jungle with a man guarding it.

Gate to the jungle and GORILLAS!

Trekking and Finding the Gorillas

After about 15 minutes, we met with the trackers that were following the family and we were instructed to leave our bags and walking sticks as they are threatening to the gorillas. We took a few steps and instantly saw a sleeping silverback and female right next to him, which we were probably 15 feet from!

We kept walking and found another gorilla enjoying some lunch. We watched him eat for about 5 minutes and couldn’t believe he was right in front of us. We moved on and could hear some gorillas grunting in the bushes but couldn’t see them very well.

Close up with the gorillas

We eventually found Titus, the main silverback of the whoop, and took a picture with him.

Picture with Titus the silverback gorilla

Now this is where it gets crazy. Titus decided he wanted to move but were all in his way. The ranger separated our group to get out of his way but there wasn’t a lot of room to move. Titus then pushed Josh out of the way (gently not forcefully), and leapt onto some trees taking them down so he could go on his way! It was intense and awesome all at the same time!

We moved on and found a few others eating and a 3 month old baby with the craziest hair (or fur). He was so cute, he just wanted to check out what was going on and while people were interrupting his meal.

Gorilla family with 3 month old baby gorilla

As we were walking along, one of the silverbacks was on the move. Again, the rangers tried to move us out of the way and as he pulled me back, I was basically leaning against the hill and Titus came right between Josh and I! He stopped and took a look at Josh, then wandered off. It was exciting, exhilarating, intimidating, and terrifying - all at the same time!

We carried on and came upon a few more gorillas eating and climbing around. At this point, it had been an hour and our time was up. We met back up with the trackers and our porter, reloaded our bags and made our way back to the car.

3 month old baby gorilla hanging on

Once we returned, there was a man selling hand carved walking sticks and little gorilla figurines. I have a collection of animal figurines from around the world and this souvenir was the perfect addition to my collection to commemorate our wonderful day with the gorillas!

my souvenir Gorilla Figurine

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What to Pack and Bring on your Gorilla Trek

You don’t need to bring too much on your trip because you don’t want to carry too many things and most of them won’t be necessary. Plus we were limited to 33 pounds for our smaller flights.

See my packing list of things you can purchase on Amazon here: Amazon African Safari Packing List

What to Wear while Gorilla Trekking

Everything I researched before we left suggested to wear layers which wasn’t helpful because what kind of layers? How many layers are really necessary? I now have those answers! In the morning it is chilly. I wore a short-sleeved t-shirt, a long-sleeved cotton pullover that was treated with bug repellant, along with my lightweight rain jacket on top and it was a perfect temperature. Josh runs a little warmer so he had one of his long sleeved safari Columbia shirts on and was fine. As we started walking and the sun rose a little higher, I peeled off the rain jacket. Wear more neutral colors to blend in and not scare the gorillas away. Do not wear camouflage, it’s illegal.

You’ll want to bring gardening gloves and wear a long sleeved shirt so you don’t get sliced by the branches or long grass like needles. You’ll want to wear good hiking shoes as the jungle floor can be slippery, muddy, thorny, etc. I brought my hat and left it in the car since we were going to be under the jungle canopy most of the time.

Packing List for Gorilla Trekking:

• T-shirt

• Long sleeved shirt - not too heavy, I recommend the Exofficio bug repellant pullover

• Rain Jacket - lightweight and packs into a little pouch

• Hiking Pants - convertible ones are great if its really hot

• Garden Gloves - just to protect your hands, nothing fancy

• Hiking shoes - high tops are better for your ankle but not necessary

• Hiking socks

• Gaiters - so fire ants don’t climb up your pants (our lodge provided them - check with your accommodations beforehand)

• Sunglasses

• Water - we brought 4 bottles for the 2 of us

• Snacks & lunch

• Copy of your passport for the rangers

• Camera Gear

  • Sony a7rii with a 70-300mm lens on it to get close shots

  • Sony 6500 with a 10-18mm lens for wider shots

  • We are obsessed with the DJI Osmo Pocket Camera that has a stabilizing gimbal for amazing 4K footage, panorama shots, and the ability to track what you are shooting! It’s replacing our GoPro. This captured Josh being pushed by a gorilla as Josh was falling and the gorilla was jumping!

Before you leave your lodge/hotel/camp:

1. Apply bug repellent - Ultrathon is a lotion and lasts 12 hours

2. Apply sunscreen to your face and chest - ThinkSport is our fave

3. Pack snacks, water, and a lunch - our lodge provided sandwiches and fruit, we packed those along with some granola bars. You never know how long you’ll be out there!

When you return from your Gorilla Adventure:

1. Return your gaiters

2. Give the lodge your hiking boots to clean them - they can be muddy or dusty

3. Give the lodge your clothes to wash

4. Take a shower, relax and look at your pictures

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Where to Stay in Rwanda - Virunga Lodge

We fell in love with the Virunga Lodge instantly and didn’t want to leave! Located at the top of a mountain, our room (also called a banda) was huge, decorated with vibrant colors, and had spectacular views. The staff was amazing, waiting on you hand and foot. The meals were incredible and included a great variety of food. The rooms didn’t have Wifi but the main lodge did.

Full review on the Virunga Lodge coming soon!

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Rhino Trekking in Kenya, Africa and Lodging with Saruni Rhino

When we were researching where to stay in Kenya, our travel agent from Scott Dunn highly recommended staying at Saruni Rhino and I’m so glad she did. I didn’t realize how the Rhino is hunted for it’s horn and poaching is a severe problem. These magnificent creatures look like dinosaurs and are so exhilarating to see in person.

Scroll down later in the post to watch our video of our trip to Saruni Rhino!

Is there something behind me?

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Where to Stay in Kenya

The Saruni Rhino is an intimate place to stay! There are only 3 rooms (also called Bandas) available, and with the location right along the river bed, you are sure to see animals visit the waterhole at all times during the day or at night. There is even a light by the waterhole at night to see who is visiting while you’re eating dinner in the main lodge.

Our Banda had a bed on a swing out front, which was perfect to relax and watch the animals approach the waterhole.

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Tracking the Rhino in Kenya, Africa

Rhinos would look like rocks with eyes - Moseku the Rhino

Our guide would take us out in the morning or afternoon to go Rhino trekking. The rangers in the conservatory would keep an eye on where the Rhinos are located, knowing their habits and behaviors after years of observation. We’d hop in the car and drive about 30 minutes to the Sera Conservatory front gate, then typically another 30 minutes to the rhinos.

After we’d meet up with the ranger trackers, we’d hop out of the car and walk with them by foot to see the rhino. Typically we would stay pretty far away so that the rhino wouldn’t feel threatened and charge at us. The rhinos seemed more scared of us anyway and would run away if they heard us coming too close. We first found Moseku, a 7-10 year old rhino.

Rhinos can hear and smell very well, but they can’t see very far. Our guide would see which way the wind was blowing by kicking up dirt to see which way it would blow so we could make sure that the rhino(s) couldn’t smell us. As we would get closer, we’d tread carefully and as quietly as possible, which can be very hard when walking on gravel and branches.

Baby Rhino at 3 years old

Our guides would find the rhinos by sound, following footprints, or finding their poop! We walked around for an hour one morning and barely saw a rhino through the bushes. We were lucky enough to find the baby named Lojipu, the 3 year old “baby” rhino. His mother left him after he was a few days old, so the rangers bottle fed him and are hoping to release him back into the wild. He was very playful and acted almost like a dog running around. We weren’t allowed to touch him, but it took everything in me not to run up and hug him.

Scroll down to watch our video of Lojipu!

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Watch our video of our trip to Saruni Rhino:

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What to Pack, Wear and Bring for Rhino Trekking

You never know when you’ll run into elephants,

What to Wear

Since you might be sitting in a vehicle for a while, wear something comfortable. I wore a t-shirt (sprayed with permethrin), bug repellent pants, hiking shoes, a hat, and brought a fleece sweater for the cool mornings and evenings. I am not an outdoorsy girl by any means, and would rather be in a dress and flip flops.

If I had skin showing I wore bug repellent, and I didn’t get one bite! Bugs love to bite me wherever we go and I was deathly afraid I was going to be eaten alive in Africa. I used Ultrathon insect repellent and it worked so well! We sprayed our clothes with Permethrin which lasts for about 7 washes. Some of our clothes were already treated and brands like Exofficio will last for up to 70 washes!


Safari Essentials:

Don’t forget to bring these with you:

1. Camera - have batteries and extra memory cards on hand just in case

2. Binoculars

3. Water (your guide might already have some)

4. Sunscreen

5. Bug repellent

6. Hat

7. Snack - granola bars are easy to bring with you

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I highly recommend this excursion if you’re on your way to Africa! Don’t miss out! We booked our trip with Scott Dunn, tell them you were recommended by Kathleen at the Sweetest Escapes!

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Lake Tahoe Hiking Trails for the Casual Hiker

I love to go hiking but I would not categorize myself as a “hiker.” I like trails with a mild incline, shade, pretty views, and something more strenuous than just a walk outside. Doesn’t everyone? We spent a weekend in Lake Tahoe and tried a different hike each morning. These trails, Eagle Lake & Cascade, came pretty close to my description. Along the trails, we saw many families with small children and lots of people with dogs ranging from all sizes. Almost anyone can enjoy these moderate hikes!

Related Post: Guide to Lake Tahoe Summer Weekend Getaway - Everything you need to know about Tahoe!

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EAGLE LAKE TRAILS

Distance: 1.8 miles (round trip)

Elevation Gain: 433 feet

Time: 2 hours if you want some time to explore around the lake or even jump in for a swim!

Parking: There is a very small parking lot off the trailhead but it fills up quickly! You’re better off parking along the road as soon as you see the sign. Try to get there before 10a for a good spot!

This moderate hike trails from the top road along Emerald Bay through the wilderness to a small lake nestled in the trees. Start at the trailhead and fill out a permit which is just filling out some contact info and holding onto a piece of paper.

Start heading Southwest up the stairs to the bridge and enjoy the waterfall.

We hiked up to a ridge, hugged some trees, had some fun, and took a few pictures!

Emerald Bay

SISTER, STAND RIGHT HERE. JK, I LOVE MY SISTER!

From the ridge, we continued down the trail until we hit a fork in the road and the sign had fallen down. Take a right for the lake, it’s another 5 min downhill.

As we arrived, a group was leaving saying they saw a bear on the opposite side of lake and he jumped in to cool off. They showed us the trail they took so we wandered around the lake and kept our eyes open for the bear across the lake. Unfortunately, we weren’t lucky enough to see the bear but we did have some nice views!

We made some friends too!

After about 15-20 mins sitting on a rock in the serene lake, we decided to head back.

More info:

https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/us/california/eagle-lake-trail

Related Post: Guide to Lake Tahoe Summer Weekend Getaway - Everything you need to know about Tahoe!

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Cascade Falls Trail

Distance: 1.4 miles (round trip)

Elevation Gain: 236 Feet

Time: 1.5-2 hours leaving plenty of time to enjoy the falls and the view

Parking: There is a very small parking lot off the trailhead but it fills up quickly! You’re better off parking along the road as soon as you see the sign. Try to get there before 10a for a good spot! Unless you’re the Mystery Machine! ——>

We parked fairly close to the spot we did the day before for the Eagle Lake Trail. There was a parking area through the campsite but there were limited spots available so we parked on the side of the road.

The trail starts fairly easy, walking among the trees on flat ground until you hit the trail along the mountain which is fairly rocky, make sure you watch your step!

Once you make it through the trail, you’ll find the falls and beautiful views!

Cascade Falls Views

Cascade Falls

Of course we found more friends!

Chipmunks!

Do you see the lizard?

More information:

https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/us/california/cascade-falls

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Related Post: Guide to Lake Tahoe Summer Weekend Getaway - Everything you need to know about Tahoe!

6 Days in Aruba - What to do in Aruba and Full Itinerary Included!

We spent 6 glorious days in Aruba and it didn’t seem like enough! The island is known as “One Happy Island” and it definitely lives up to it’s name! The people are so nice there, it’s very clean, and you feel very safe. The beaches are gorgeous, full of white sand from coral and white rock weathering away onto the shores.

Flamingo Beach on Renaissance Island

There are many activities to do for couples or as families. If you’re bringing kids, teens would enjoy the island more than tiny kids. We were there for 6 days and never bored. Here is all you need to know to plan your perfect trip to Aruba.

UTV Tour - Around Aruba UTV Tours

This blog uses affiliate links. If you’d like to purchase a recommended product, please use the link to support this blog. It doesn’t cost you anything extra, it simply allows me to continue creating these posts. Thank you so much for your love and support!

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DAY 1

Arrival into Aruba

We arrived into Aruba’s Queen Beatrix Airport, right along the water! Arriving was pretty easy, we got off the plane, handed a government agent our declaration card and scanned our passports where our picture was taken by an automated machine. Also, the airport had views of the ocean were gorgeous while walking through!

Pro-tip: Tourism boards are usually parked in the arrivals area with reusable bags filled with coupons and info about Aruba... they are FREE, so take one! We used them all over, around the hotel, threw towels in for our UTV tour, to the beach, etc. 

Taxi Drive views of Downtown from the Aruba Airport

It’s a $25 flat rate to get from the airport to the high rise hotels or $18 to get to the Downtown hotels. Here is a link to handy chart for taxi rates for getting around Aruba: Taxi Fares in Aruba

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Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort, Spa & Casino

Address: Juan E, J.E. Irausquin Blvd #85, Noord, Aruba

Website: Hyatt Regency Aruba

We ALWAYS find THE BEST rates through Booking.com. See deals of up to 50% off! You can save a bunch of money if you book a bundle flight+room+rental car! They even have apartments, lodges, and houses you can rent, just like AirBnB or VRBO! By booking through this link, I receive a commission at no additional cost to you! PLEASE support our blog and bookmark this link!

We stayed at the Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort, Spa & Casino for 4 nights over New Years 2019! Located mid beach of hotel row, it is the perfect place to spend the day at the beach and walking distance to everything!  The rooms were so nice, hard wood floors and super spacious! The pool was huge, complete with a water slide, volleyball net and swim up bar to get your drink on!

My favorite part of walking through the resort was looking for wildlife! Parrots, swans, large iguanas, coi fish, and turtles were all over! 

Read our full HOTEL REVIEW here: Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort, Spa & Casino

We also stayed at the Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino so we could visit the flamingos on Renaissance Island’s Flamingo Beach! Read our full review on the Renaissance Aruba Resort and Casino and Everything you need to know about Flamingo Beach. We’ll get more into that on Day 5 and 6!

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Afternoon Beach Time

After we checked into the Hyatt Regency Aruba, we couldn’t wait to go to the beach and grab a bite to eat! There were a bunch of restaurants inland but we wanted to eat by the water. From our room, I could see a restaurant on Pelican Pier and said we should eat there. Reviews on Yelp and Google Maps said The Pelican Nest Seafood & Grill Bar was good, which was good enough for me!

Pelican Pier in Aruba

Restaurant: The Pelican Nest Seafood & Grill Bar

Address: On Pelican Pier, J.E. Irausquin Blvd 237, Noord, Aruba

Website: pelican-aruba.com

Cuisine type: Caribbean, Seafood |  Price Range: $20 - $30

We sat down in the bar which was open seating, ordered chicken sandwiches and happy hour beverages since we were there between 4-6pm. We sat at the bar along the walkway and weren’t complaining about the oceanfront views.

Pelican Nest Drinks

Chicken Sandwiches at Pelican Nest

After our meal, not sure if it was lunch or dinner, but walked along the beach to catch a beautiful sunset.

Sunset on Aruba Beach

Watch where you step, you never know what you might find!

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Ice Cream in Aruba - Gelatissimo Palm Beach

Address: J.E. Irausquin Blvd 345, Noord, Aruba

Website: Gianni’s Gelatissimo

Pricing: $3-$8

Gelatissimo - Ice Cream in Aruba

We went exploring inland where we saw shops and restaurants on our drive in. Of course we had to find some ice cream and we came across some delicious gelato at Gelatissimo!

I went with a waffle cone trying the Stracciatella (chocolate chip) and Nutella (chocolate hazelnut).

Stracciatella (chocolate chip) and Nutella (chocolate hazelnut)

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New Years in Aruba

New Years Fireworks in Aruba

We asked our cab driver where the place to be is at midnight on New Years Eve, to which he said, “right in front of your hotel!” Perfect. He wasn’t wrong, we had a few drinks at the bar and wandered down to the beach around 11p. Fireworks are legal in Aruba so they were going off all day along with these giant firecrackers that people would set up randomly in the streets. We sat and watched as people set off sparklers and small fireworks around us. As soon as midnight hit, a bunch of barges in the water close to the beach shot off fireworks for a good 20 minutes! It was spectacular, the whole beach was lit up from this amazing display! 

New Years Fireworks in Aruba

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DAY 2

Breakfast in Aruba - Dushi Bagels & Burgers

Address: J. E. Irausquin Blvd #87 Noord, Aruba

Website: http://www.dushibagelsandburgers.com

Cuisine type: Bagels, Breakfast, Burgers, Sandwiches |  Price Range: $7-$12

We decided to try a restaurant recommended by a friend, which was walking distance to our hotel called Dushi Bagels. The price was right for our meals and the service was quick. There was a bit of a wait so we just ate at the bar. They also offer to go options if you’re in a hurry! We enjoyed a breakfast burrito with ham, french toast, and delicious hash browns.

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UTV Tours - Around Aruba Tours 

Website: https://www.aroundarubatours.com/tours-in-aruba/

Or book through Viator tours: Aruba UTV Tour

Booking: We took a 4 hour UTV Tour around the island with Around Aruba Tours. It was $180 for the 2 of us. The Hyatt Regency concierge was able to book the afternoon tour for us. They also offer ATV tours and Jeep tours too! Note: An ATV is for one person, the UTVs hold 2-4 people. The driver should be at least 18 years old with a valid driving license while the minimum age for the passengers is set at 6 years.

What to bring: You will get very dusty, I’d avoid wearing white. You must wear sunglasses or something to protect your eyes. They will provide a souvenir bandana to shield half of your face from the dirt and dust. The tour ends in the Natural Pool, where you can jump in the water if you want to, I’d wear a swimsuit under your clothes because there isn’t a place to change. Also, bring a towel if you’re going in the water! The tour provides small bottles of water that they have in coolers on ice.

Our guide was AB, who was energetic and funny, and he even grew up on the island! He picked us up at our hotel in a school bus around 2pm and took us to Phillip’s Animal Garden to get situated. We paid there (they do take credit cards) and as the tour company was collecting information and payment, we were able to wander and feed the island’s most exotic animals.

Our first stop was the Alto Vista Chapel which was built in 1750. It was renovated in 1950’s and rebuilt by missionaries from Venezuela. It resembles the church in Westworld to me!

Alto Vista Chapel

Alto Vista Chapel

We traveled as a group following single file. Driving from spot to spot was dusty (and very bumpy) but had spectacular views.

Aruba UTV Tour Views

The next stop was the Natural Bridge, where a rock formation created a bridge. Not a whole lot to see but you can walk on top of it (or jump).

Our next stop was the abandoned Bushiribana Gold Mill, which sits on the northern coast. This site once processed ore from mines in the nearby hills during Aruba's gold rush of the nineteenth century. In 1824, gold was found on the island and over 3 million pounds of gold were produced.

Next, we entered the Arikok National Park on Aruba’s east coast. Conchi is a natural ocean pool sheltered by craggy rock formations. Beaches include Boca Prins and Dos Playa, a turtle nesting site.

Some got in the pool while others wandered around. I climbed on rocks and could see crabs and fish in the shallow waters nearby. Josh got in and waved!

Natural Pool

Crabs at the Natural Pool

We were dropped off at our hotel and needed to shower off the dirt! We were starving and wanted to go somewhere close-by that we could walk to…

Dinner at Smokey Joe’s Island Grill

Address: J.E. Irausquin Blvd 87, Noord, Aruba

Website: http://www.smokeyjoesaruba.com/

Cuisine type: American, International  | Price Range: $20 - $30

AB our UTV tour guide recommended Smokey Joe’s and told us they have all you can eat ribs on Tuesday and Thursday claiming they are “the best ribs in the Caribbean.” The ribs were good, and we got some chicken as well. The service was really slow, but we weren’t in a rush, just hungry!

I saw the Pink Iguana drink on the menu and it was everything I wanted. It was like a Miami vice or lava flow, filled with coconut cream, rum and strawberries! For dessert, we HAD to try the Fried Oreos and vanilla ice cream! We didn’t leave anything behind.

We did a quick stroll around the shops to walk off our dinner.

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DAY 3

Breakfast at a Dutch Pancake House - Diana’s Pancake Place

Address: J.E. Irausquin Blvd 370, Noord, Aruba

Website: Facebook Page

Cuisine type: Dutch |  Price Range: under $15

Diana’s Pancake House is located by hotel row and across from the Hyatt, above the I Love Aruba store. Dutch pancakes are served as one pancake on a large plate with whatever ingredients you desire from the menu. The pancakes were bigger than my face! I went with the Hawaiian (ham, cheese, and pineapple) and Josh had the Apple Cinnamon. They were good, but we weren’t planning on going back every morning.

Diving with Aqua Windies

Address: Dr. Horacio E. Oduber blvd 4, Eagle Beach, Aruba

Website: aquawindies.com

We went diving two days in a row with Aqua Windies! Everyone was super nice, we would get picked up and get our gear at the dive shop before continuing on to the boat. On our first day our crew was Sean, Big Rob, Rob, and Dan. We went out with Sean, who was new to them. He was very nice, but wasn’t privy as to where to look for marine life that frequented certain spots.

We drove out past our hotel to a dock with tons of birds and the prettiest aqua waters.

We had two great dives, checking out some sunken ships and the coral reef that has grown on and around them! We even caught a ray passing through!

Dinner at Salt and Pepper

Address: J.E. Irausquin Blvd 370-A, Noord, Aruba

Website: http://www.saltandpepperaruba.com/

Cuisine type: Spanish, Tapas |  Price Range: $10 - $20

Salt and Pepper shakers were everywhere! They had different salt and pepper shakers at every table and the walls inside had shelves and shelves of shakers. They even offer free sangria for those who bring a set for them to keep! After our dives we were so hungry, so we ordered quite a few tapas plates to try:

Meatballs - my fave 

Chicken wings - josh fave

Fried Brie - Yum *drool*

Spicy beef - Great!

Chicken pincho - good sauce 

Grouper - not a huge fish fan, but it was pretty good!

Chorizo sausage - it was good, but everything else as better

We ordered a beers to go, you can walk around with alcohol (just like Vegas)! We walked down through some of the hotels and played in the casinos, while checking out the pools and properties.

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DAY 4

Diving with Aqua Windies - Aruba Scuba Diving

We went out for a second day of diving with Aqua Windies bright and early to check out the airplanes. Our guide’s name was Ed who was from New Jersey and was hilarious! The airplanes were so cool and so large underwater. You could even go right through them! Our second dive was at Harbor Reef where we found lots of giant eels!

One of our favorite dives was the Airplane Wreck (70-90 ft / 24-30 m), a Convair 400 and a Beech craft 18. Both airplanes were sunk on a sloping reef surrounded by soft corals. Check out our Scuba in Aruba video here:

Relaxation

We shared a sandwich at the pool bar and spent the afternoon by the pool and took a long walk along the beach.

Steak Dinner at the Sunset Grille Steakhouse

Address: J.E. Irausquin Blvd 81, Noord, Aruba

Website: Hilton Aruba Resort | Dinner Menu

For our last dinner over by Palm Beach, we decided to be fancy and have a nice steak dinner. We had a reservation at Sunset Grille, located in the Hilton Aruba Resort, which was right next to our hotel and a quick jaunt down the beach.

We sat outside to enjoy the sunset while at the Sunset Grille! I had a mouth watering Filet Mignon and Josh ordered the Cowboy Bone-in Rib Eye. For sides, we tried the Garlic mashed potatoes and Gouda Cheese Croquettes. The croquettes were little balls of cheese and potato heaven. SO GOOD.

For dessert, we had the Chocolate Decadence Cake, rich and sweet, served with fruit on the side. YUM!

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DAY 5

Breakfast at Salt and Pepper

American Breakfast | Price Range: $10 - $20

Even though we had already had dinner here, we loved the service and the breakfast menu looked good! I had and omelet that was overloaded with ham (thats a good thing) with amazing hash browns! Their house coffee was great too, came with free refills!

New Hotel Check-in: Renaissance Aruba Resort and Casino

Address: L.G. Smith Blvd 82, Oranjestad, Aruba

Website: Renaissance Aruba Resort and Casino

Flamingos on Renaissance Island

Find the best rate to visit these flamingos by booking your room through Booking.com 

I had been waiting ALL week to check into this hotel! What I was looking forward to the most for our Aruba trip was meeting the flamingos on Renaissance Island’s Flamingo Beach.

Again, read our full review on the Renaissance Aruba Resort and Casino and Everything you need to know about Flamingo Beach.

Renaissance Adult Only hotel

There are 2 hotels at the Renaissance property, both right across from each other. The adults only hotel is more inland but still in the marina. It’s also connected to a very fancy, high end mall and casino! We tried to check in, but our room wasn’t ready. We were given passes to get to Renaissance Island to go to Flamingo Beach!

More flamingo pictures here: Everything you need to know about Flamingo Beach.

Dinner Downtown at Driftwood Restaurant

Address: Driftwood Building, Klipstraat 12, Oranjestad, Aruba

Website: driftwoodaruba.com

Cuisine type: Aruban, Caribbean, Seafood |  Price Range: $25 - $35

Loved the ambiance! The walls were plastered with driftwood and it felt like a being on a ship with steering wheels as lamps (minus the sea sickness)! Something happened in the kitchen and it took over an hour to get our food. The way they seat you and take orders, we weren’t quite sure who exactly was our waiter. We asked if everything was alright with our order and they apologized for the delay. A round of drinks with mermaid accoutrements came on the house.

I ordered the chicken with tropical citrus sauce and wish I had the recipe for that sauce! Josh tried the Aruban meal - fresh catch of the day with potato and veggies. Although the presentation of the meal was underwhelming, the food quality was spectacular.

For dessert, we ordered the Brownie a la mode and it was perfection!

Brownie a la mode at Driftwood Aruba

After dinner, we walked around the downtown area and played in a few casinos. I was still reeling from my day with the flamingos!

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DAY 6

Renaissance Island’s Flamingo Beach & Breakfast

We had to get up early to go to Flamingo Beach one more time so I could feed them! We tried to hop on the 8am boat but because the tide was low, they were boarding outside so we missed it and waited for the next one. The island wasn’t crowded at all! I was able to feed them and get some great pictures of just us!

One more time, read our full review on the Renaissance Aruba Resort and Casino and Everything you need to know about Flamingo Beach.

Feeding flamingos on Flamingo Beach

We had breakfast over by the Iguana beach and this completed our PERFECT Aruba trip.

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Departing from the Aruba Airport

We were warned by a few people to get to the airport at least 3 hours early if you are traveling back to the United States from Aruba. Not only do you pass through Aruba customs, but you also pass through US customs. The benefit here is that you don’t have to hassle with customs when you get to the US, the bad part is you spend a long time in lines at the airport. There were 7 steps to get to the gate, here is why it takes so long to get through the Aruba airport customs:

Step 1

First you have to check-in and check your baggage, which took about 30 mins to get to the counter.

Step 2

Next, you have to clear customs with Aruba. This line was outside and luckily it was a nice breezy day! It took about 15 mins to get to the front of this line.

Step 3

After, we were to take everything through the TSA metal detectors, all electronics must come out of your bags. This line took another 15 mins or so.

We thought we were done since we entered the terminal with duty free shops, but no, we were not done yet.

Step 4

We kept walking until we entered the US customs area where you have to find your bags that you checked in step 1. Some bags were on the carousels and others were lined up by airport staff. We were not allowed to open our bags.

Step 5 

After gathering our bags, we lined up for the US customs check. The line takes about 30 minutes or Global Entry had no line.

Step 6

Once we were passed the custom agents, we dropped our bags off, again.

Step 7 

Now we had to go through the TSA metal detectors one last time. Luckily there was a separate line for TSA pre-check, but you still have to take your shoes off. This took about 10 minutes.

Finally, we entered the terminal to find our gate! We had time to spare and with our Priority Pass account, we could go into the VIP lounge. It was a small lounge with limited snacks: bagged chips, muffins, sandwiches, and drinks included: wine, rum, whiskey, coffee, beer or soda. We were ok with this, all we wanted to do was sit and grab a bite to eat!

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We were exhausted when we got back home, but were ready to go back right away! Let us know what you thought of the post or if you have any questions in the comments below!

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Find all Aruba Posts Here: ARUBA POSTS

More Aruba Travel Information:

Guide to Aruba: Where to Stay, Where to Eat, Things to Do

How to spend your days on One Happy Island and everything you need to know! This blog uses affiliate links. If you’d like to purchase a recommended product, please use the link to support this blog. It doesn’t cost you anything extra, it simply allows me to continue creating these posts. Thank you so much for your love and support!

Best Hotels in Aruba

There are some great places to stay in Aruba, with the options of hotels in the Downtown area, hotel row along the beach or Airbnb. We decided to stay in hotels but a few friends we met while diving, were loving their Airbnb’s, but they weren’t right on the beach like we were! Hotel row had every hotel you could think of at all price points (Hyatt, Hilton, Ritz Carlton, Marriott, Holiday Inn) located right on the beach.

All of them had casinos and you could walk from one to another. I’m used to Vegas casinos which you cannot compare to Aruba casinos. The casinos played the American dollar with the options of slots in different denominations as well as tables including 3 card poker, black jack, roulette, etc. There wasn’t a fee to enter or anything, and all the casinos seemed to have a players card option. If you play long enough you can get free drinks! On the slots there was an option to order drinks once you hit the threshold. 

Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort

We stayed at the Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort, Spa & Casino! Located mid beach of hotel row, it is the perfect place to spend your days at the beach and is walking distance to almost everything!  The rooms were so nice, hard wood floors and super spacious! The pool was huge, complete with a water slide, volleyball net and swim up bar to get your drink on!

Read our full HOTEL REVIEW here: Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort, Spa & Casino

Renaissance Island - Flamingo Beach

We also stayed at the Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino so we could visit the flamingos on Renaissance Island’s Flamingo Beach! Read our full review on the Renaissance Aruba Resort and Casino and Everything you need to know about Flamingo Beach.

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Getting To and From the Aruba Airport

TAXI DRIVE VIEWS OF DOWNTOWN FROM THE ARUBA AIRPORT

It’s a $25 flat rate to get a taxi from the Aruba airport to the high rise hotels or $18 to get to the Downtown hotels. Here is a link to a handy chart for taxi rates for getting around Aruba: Taxi Fares in Aruba

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Things to do in Aruba

UTV Tour - Around Aruba Tours 

Website: https://www.aroundarubatours.com/tours-in-aruba/

Or book through Viator tours: Aruba UTV Tour

Booking: We took a 4 hour UTV Tour around the island with Around Aruba Tours. It was $180 for the 2 of us. The Hyatt Regency concierge was able to book the afternoon tour for us. They also offer ATV tours and Jeep tours too! Note: An ATV is for one person, the UTVs hold 2-4 people. The driver should be at least 18 years old with a valid driving license while the minimum age for the passengers is set at 6 years.

Scuba Diving with Aqua Windies

Address: Dr. Horacio E. Oduber blvd 4, Eagle Beach, Aruba

Website: aquawindies.com

There is so much to see underwater in Aruba! Not only are there shipwrecks to see, but there are also airplanes below! We went with Aqua Windies Dive Shop, which had very experienced divers giving us a chance to see some fish in the most vibrant coral reefs!

You can always rent a boat from our friends at GetMyBoat.com, it’s like Airbnb for boats!

See our Scuba in Aruba Airplane Wreck dive here:

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Restaurants and Where to Eat in Aruba

BREAKFAST IN ARUBA

Dushi Bagels & Burgers

Address: J. E. Irausquin Blvd #87 Noord, Aruba

Website: http://www.dushibagelsandburgers.com

Cuisine type: Bagels, Breakfast, Burgers, Sandwiches |  Price Range: $7-$12

Looking for the perfect breakfast spot in Aruba? Dushi bagels is your spot! The price was right for our meals and the service was quick. There was a bit of a wait so we just ate at the bar. They also offer to go options if you’re in a hurry! There was an extensive menu of great American breakfast food options, we enjoyed a breakfast burrito with ham, french toast, and delicious hash browns.

Breakfast at a Dutch Pancake House - Diana’s Pancake Place

Address: J.E. Irausquin Blvd 370, Noord, Aruba

Website: Facebook Page

Cuisine type: Dutch  |  Price Range: under $15

Diana’s Pancake House is located by hotel row and across from the Hyatt, above the I Love Aruba store. Dutch pancakes are served as one pancake on a large plate with whatever ingredients you desire from the menu. The pancakes were bigger than my face! I went with the Hawaiian (ham, cheese, and pineapple) and Josh had the Apple Cinnamon. They were good, but we weren’t planning on going back every morning.

LUNCH/DINNER IN ARUBA

The Pelican Nest Seafood & Grill Bar

Address: On Pelican Pier, J.E. Irausquin Blvd 237, Noord, Aruba

Website: pelican-aruba.com

Cuisine type: Caribbean, Seafood, Sandwiches |  Price Range: $20 - $30

The Pelican Nest was built over the water with gorgeous aqua water views one all sides! Most specialty dishes are fish centered. We had a late lunch and had a delicious chicken sandwich and happy hour drinks in the bar!

Smokey Joe’s Island Grill

Address: J.E. Irausquin Blvd 87, Noord, Aruba

Website: http://www.smokeyjoesaruba.com/

Cuisine type: American, International   |   Price Range: $20 - $30

On Tuesday and Thursday you can get all you can eat ribs! They claim they are “the best ribs in the Caribbean.” The ribs were actually really good, and we got some chicken wings as well. The service was really slow, but we weren’t in a rush, just hungry! Most of the food was American cuisine and very filling!

I saw the Pink Iguana drink on the menu and it was everything I wanted. It was like a Miami vice or lava flow, filled with coconut cream, rum and strawberries! For dessert, we tried the OREO SURPRISE with fried oreos and vanilla ice cream. Nothing was left behind.

Salt and Pepper

Address: J.E. Irausquin Blvd 370-A, Noord, Aruba

Website: http://www.saltandpepperaruba.com/

Cuisine type: Spanish, Tapas  |   Price Range: $10 - $20

Salt and Pepper shakers were everywhere! They had different salt and pepper shakers at every table and the walls inside had shelves and shelves of shakers. They even offer free sangria for those who bring a set for them to keep! Spanish tapas were the specialty here, perfect for any amount in your party! We ordered 7 items and ate it all! Our faves: meatballs, chicken wings, fried brie

We also enjoyed a delicious breakfast here with many American breakfast options (coffee was great too).

Sunset Grille at the Hilton Aruba

Address: J.E. Irausquin Blvd 81, Noord, Aruba

Website: Hilton Aruba Resort   |   Dinner Menu

We made a reservation about a month in advance at Sunset Grille, located in the Hilton Aruba Resort among the various hotels along the beach. We sat outside to enjoy the sunset while at the Sunset Grille! I had a mouth watering Filet Mignon and Josh ordered the Cowboy Bone-in Rib Eye. For sides, we tried the Garlic mashed potatoes and Gouda Cheese Croquettes. The croquettes were little balls of cheese and potato heaven. SO GOOD. 

Driftwood Restaurant - Downtown Aruba

Address: Driftwood Building, Klipstraat 12, Oranjestad, Aruba

Website: driftwoodaruba.com

Cuisine type: Aruban, Caribbean, Seafood    |      Price Range: $25 - $35
This place was so charming! The walls were plastered with driftwood and it felt like a being on a ship with steering wheels as lamps (minus the sea sickness)! I ordered the chicken with tropical citrus sauce and wish I had the recipe for that sauce! Josh tried the Aruban meal - fresh catch of the day with potato and veggies. Although the presentation of the meal was underwhelming, the food quality was spectacular. For dessert, we ordered the Brownie a la mode and it was perfection!

Ice Cream in Aruba - Gelatissimo Palm Beach

Address: J.E. Irausquin Blvd 345, Noord, Aruba

Website: Gianni’s Gelatissimo

Pricing: $3-$8

We went exploring inland where we saw shops and restaurants on our drive in. Of course we had to find some ice cream and we came across some delicious gelato at Gelatissimo! They had any flavor of gelato you could imagine. There was something for everyone to enjoy. I went with a waffle cone trying the Stracciatella (chocolate chip) and Nutella (chocolate hazelnut).

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Everything you need to know about visiting Flamingo Beach, Aruba!

Everything you need to know about visiting Renaissance Island’s Flamingo Beach, Aruba (part of the Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino)!

Address: L.G. Smith Blvd 82, Oranjestad, Aruba

Find the best rate to visit these flamingos by booking your room through Booking.com Not only will you find the best rate out there but by clicking this link and booking a night, I receive a commission at no additional cost to you! PLEASE support our blog and bookmark this link! :-) Thanks! 

Flamingos on Flamingo Beach - Renaissance Island

My favorite part of Aruba was definitely hanging out with the gorgeous flamingos living on Renaissance Island’s Flamingo Beach! Just because I’ve posted hundreds of pictures of these pink beauties, doesn’t mean you can find them all over Aruba. They have inhabited the Renaissance Island and you must plan ahead to see them, they are not available to the public. Here’s all you need to know about the island so you don’t miss out on your flamingo selfie.

Let’s flamingle - Flamingo selfie

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Flamingos on Renaissance Island

Pricing and Getting to Renaissance Island

This is a perk for staying at the Renaissance Aruba hotel because it’s free to get in! If you’re looking to spend the day there, it’s $100 a day per person but comes with food and a drink. However, if the hotel is completely booked, they might not offer the pass and you can only purchase tickets the day of, first come, first served.

Find the best rate for the Renaissance Aruba by booking your room through Booking.com!

Renaissance Aruba Lobby - Boat Dock in front of Starbucks

The island is open from 7am to 7pm with boats that come every 15 minutes, picking up in the lobby by Starbucks as well as over by the casino. When the tide is low and the boats can’t make it into the lobby, pick up is in front of Lucy’s right across the street from the Renaissance. You must use your room key or day pass to get on the boat to visit the island.

Aruba Adults Only Hotel and Casino

There are 2 hotels at the Renaissance hotel property, an adults-only hotel and a family hotel, both right across from each other. The adults-only hotel is more inland but still in the marina. It’s also connected to a very fancy, high-end mall and casino! 

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Flamingo Beach on Renaissance Island

These beautiful pink birds hang out at Flamingo Beach all day! Kids are allowed from 9-10am to feed them and take the cutest family photos. Since we stayed at the hotel we ended up going 2 days in a row. We went the first day around 2pm and stayed until 5:30pm. I was immediately glued to the flamingos as soon as we arrived. I probably took 200 pictures/videos!

There were 6 pretty birds and they seemed to all travel as a flock around the beach. It was great people-watching, you could tell who had just arrived for the first time, who was doing it for social media and those who were truly enjoying themselves. And then there was me…

Do the flamingo

Food and drinks served at Mangrove bar until 5pm on Flamingo Beach. I wanted something to match my new pink flamingo friends and went with a strawberry daiquiri.

Drinking with pink sea chickens

We had a burger as a late lunch and ate it on the beach while watching the flamingos roam.

Flamingos starting the conga line

The bartender suggested to leave before 6pm so you didn’t have to wait long for a boat to come. 

We came back the next day and missed the 8:15am boat since they loaded across the street because the tide was low to pick us up in the lobby. We caught the 8:30am which was pretty crowded. It was still nice to get there early and have one on one time with my pink friends! The crystal clear water makes this one of the best beaches in Aruba!

Feed Flamingos

Bring a few US quarters, there’s a gum ball dispenser filled with flamingo food when you walk in! $0.50 is a lot of food to feed them for one person. They’ll either eat it right out of your hand or run from you depending how much they’ve already had to eat.

Flamingo Feed

Feeding Flamingos

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What else is there to do at Flamingo Beach?

Other than watching the silly flamingos, Flamingo Beach is a great beach to take a dip in! The beach is fully equipped with towels, pool chairs, bar, restaurant, bathrooms, floaty rentals, scuba gear, etc. We charged things to our room or you can pay in US dollars or their local currency, Florin. Don’t miss an opportunity to relax in a hammock! Rent floaties for $6 a day or rent a fancy cabana ahead of time. You can even get massages on the island in private rooms!

Hammock life

Don’t forget the essentials!

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Iguana Beach on Renaissance Island

Iguana beach is the family beach and more like a beach! There are plenty of fish to see if you snorkel or you can swim/float/etc.

Breakfast is served from 8a-12p. The menu is limited to a few items for $19.95 USD, you can get a fruit plate, basket of pastries, entrée, and coffee/tea/orange juice. 

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Secret Spot on Renaissance Island

If you head towards the end of Iguana Beach past the restaurant, there is a hidden area where baby flamingos nest!

The babies aren’t as pink as the adults, but they are still so cute!

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It was like a dream! Is this real life!? It sure can be! :) Add Flamingo Beach to your bucket list!

Again, find the best rate for the Renaissance Aruba by booking your room through Booking.com!

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More Island Life:

Things to do in Norway: Whale Watching with Wild Orcas in the Norway Channels

We found Wild Orcas (AKA Killer Whales) in Norway and it was amazing! I had seen them at Sea World so many times, but to see them in their natural habitat was so much better!

See our full itinerary here: NORWAY 5 DAY ITINERARY

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Getting to the Wild Orcas

IMAGE FROM ACINORWAY.COM

It was finally our day to go whale watching and we were so excited! I was a little apprehensive as to how cold it was going to be, with being on the water and rain in our forecast, but they said there were warm waterproof suits to wear. Perfect, now my clothes won't get wet and I'll still be warm! Win, Win.

BTW, see our guide for what to pack for a trip like this: Packing Essentials and Check List for your next Snow Adventure

We arrived at the dock at 8:00am. We booked this excursion through Off the Map Travel and our whale watching company name was ACIN (Arctic Cruise in Norway). With raindrops starting to fall, we boarded the Arctic Princess, a Lagoon 450 Catamaran. We took our boots off and went inside the heated galley for a briefing from the captain. 

Where we were heading to see Killer Whales

RELATED POST: See the Strangest Place to Stay in Norway

After our briefing as to where everything was, we sat in the galley and had coffee and tea while setting sail into the sea. It started to pour down rain, but it was ok, since we had shelter. 

As it got brighter (since we were approaching 10am) and the rain dissipated, we decided to go outside and see the sites. As we walked out, our boots had moved from under the table and over near the tarp that had leaked rain water into our shoes. They were soaked! I was then convinced the trip was ruined because I was going to get frostbite on my toes. We got a bunch of paper towels and started to dry them off and son of a gun, they actually dried rather nicely. It wasn't perfect but the Columbia and Ugg brands were made for weather so all was not lost, although I was still cautious of the frostbite situation.

We put on the weatherproof suit and went out on the front of the catamaran to enjoy the view. We were surrounded by snowy mountains with little houses scattered here and there. How do they get around? Didn't seem like there were any shops nearby some of these places! 

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Catching My First Fish AND Lunch

The time had come to catch lunch. I had never been fishing before (and don't really like to eat fish), so this was going to be quite the experience. Our captain showed us how easy it was by simply dropping the hook in the water, with no bait, and instantly caught a fish. I don't think this is how it usually works but seemed like he knew the right spot! It was my turn along with a few others, so I took a fishing pole and in my hook went.

Everyone caught a fish immediately but me. I think the fish somehow knew I didn't really want catch them. Finally after a few minutes, I felt and tug and had caught my first fish! I started to reel it in, which was taking so long, I was afraid I was turning it the wrong way, but low and behold I could see my hook and a fish was attached.

As it came out of the water, I was excited and sad all at the same time, I exclaimed, "I caught a fish! Sorry fishy!" Right at this moment the rain had picked up and was sleeting so hard, I couldn't open my eyes. The captain came by and took my fish, while I headed for shelter. 

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Killer Whale Sighting

After another hour or so, a fellow tour company had spotted a pod of killer whales and gave a call to our captain. We drove straight towards them and were there in about 10-15 minutes. WOW! There were probably about 10 Orcas in the pod and they would surface now and again where you could see their prominent white spot near there eye. They weren't jumping out of the water like Free Willy or Shamu at Sea World, but it was still mesmerizing to watch these beautiful creatures. 

The whales didn't seemed bothered by the surrounding boats at all, coming fairly close to a couple of them. There was a flock of seagulls trying to get in on the whales feeding situation. We could see where the pod was heading based on where the birds were circling. You could tell when some would surface as they would give a burst through their blow holes.

Killer Whale getting food before the birds steal it!

We watched them for almost an hour it seemed and my feet were so cold, it was to the point where I couldn't really feel them anymore. The fear of frostbite and losing my toes set in, it was time to go inside and warm up and head back to Tromso. 

As we glided back, everyone else came in and lunch was just getting started. We had fish soup with the fish we had caught earlier, along with carrots and potatoes. I just had the carrots and potatoes, fish are friends, not food! 

RELATED POST: See another activity we did: Magical Reindeer Rides

What an unforgettable experience! We were so glad to see the pod of orcas, killer whales, Shamus', Free Willys' or whatever you'd like to call them! 

Don’t forget to pack these guys:

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Things to do in Norway: Reindeer Rides

Reindeer in Norway

What to do in Tromso, Norway: Reindeer Rides

One of our favorite adventures in Norway was a reindeer sleigh ride!  

We booked our entire trip through Off the Map Travel, and they set everything up for us from hotels to activities and getting to and from everything. It was really nice that we didn't have to figure out how to get from the airport or how to get to this random place in the middle of Norway. 

Reindeer in Tromso, Norway

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REINDEER SLEIGH RIDES

Here's how our day went:

From our hotel, we walked over to the Radisson Blu and got on a small bus of about 14 people to the Tromso Lapland. It was a 20-minute drive to the Sami lavvu where we changed into a winter suit and gloves that they provided so our stuff didn’t get wet! BTW, see our guide as to what to pack for a trip like this: Packing Essentials and Check List for your next Snow Adventure

We jumped back on the bus and drove another 20 mins to the reindeer! 

After a small hike uphill, the reindeer were waiting for us by our sleighs. I leaped to them (literally, I was that excited)! Of course, I had to pet them and take tons of pictures, which I'm sure they loved me invading their personal space. It's what I do best. ;-)

Soon after, we were all seated and ready for take off.

Reindeer Rides in Norway

The reindeer don't run quite as fast as the sled dogs, it's a slower paced, more peaceful ride. We did a large lap around the trees through the snow. We were all bundled up so it wasn't too cold! It was nice to take in the sites and experience Norway in such a special way.

White reindeer in Norway

This was a once in a lifetime experience. Not only did we have a reindeer ride, but we also learned of the native Sami culture. The reindeer ride consisted of about 7 or 8 reindeer pulling individual sleds. They are connected buy ropes and then all sleds are connected one by one.

At first, the guide was leading the reindeer up and around the hill and then hopped on the sled and away we went. Our ride lasted about 40 mins total and was very peaceful trekking through the freshly powdered snow.

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FEEDING REINDEER

Feeding Reindeer

After our ride, they tied the reindeer in a more open area, where we were able to feed them! Most of the time they would knock the food out of my hands and almost force me out of the way with their antlers to eat the remains from the snowy ground. I did get to pet them, their fur is coarse and some of them even had fur fuzz on their antlers!

We then moved locations to a traditional Sami Lavvu (it looks like a teepee) where we had reindeer stew for lunch while being told stories of their culture along and even a joik (Sami song) was sung for us. 

It wasn't quite reindeer leading Santa's sleigh, but still had an enjoyable time! 

Related Post: We slept in a teepee in the snow! See why in: Where to Stay in Norway

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10 Things You Must Do in Sydney, Australia

We had a BLAST in Sydney, Australia! See what made our Top 10 list of things to do!

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1. Take a Tour of the Opera House

As an iconic staple to the city, We were excited to see this gorgeous building and learn the history behind it. Up close you can see the shaped tiles that are shell like making a chevron type pattern across the roof. The inside is just as stunning, as there are several venues within the house. The 2 largest concert hall is the largest and has the largest organ with over 10,000 pipes! 

You can even book the tour through Google: CLICK HERE TO GET TICKETS

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2. Get up close and personal with the Animals at Featherdale Wildlife Park  

I love animals and this was probably my favorite day in Sydney. You can get up close and personal with the animals - touch them, hold them, feed them. The ever so adorable Archer, the koala, is best-loved as he is the popular koala in the sanctuary. I even had my Mom paint him from a picture I took because I needed to see him everyday. Also, there are kangaroos that are just hanging out and they'll let you pet them!

Make a day out of it and book the Blue Mountain and Wildlife Tour - More info here - they’ll even pick you up and drop you off!

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3. Take a Beachwalk Along the Australian Coast

We did the 5 mile hike along the coast from Bondi Beach to Coogee Beach. Along the way, we walked through the Tamarama and Bronte beaches. It was a beautiful walk on a summer day! This wasn't an easy hike, there were steep inclines, stairs and sun. Lots of sun. The sun was more intense than California sun and even after re-applying sunscreen a few times, we burned. It hurt. I recommend hats and something to cover your shoulders if you go in January!

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4. Sydney Harbor Bridge

It's especially stunning at New Years with fireworks shooting off of it, but you can also do a bridge climb during the day. Or, you can get on a ferry and go under it, or even walk across it. The possibilities are just endless. The bridge is located directly across from the Opera House.

You have to check it out on New Years Eve!

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5. Sea Life Sydney Aquarium

We walked through the aquarium and after scuba diving the Great Barrier Reef, it felt like we had seen a lot of these fish before. However, they do have unique creatures that are hard to find in the deep blue and were glad to see them here (love the platypus). If you have kids (or act like a big kid like me) there are interactive pools where you can touch sea cucumbers and starfish. Also, the high point were the underground glass tunnels where fish and sharks swim around you on all sides and it feels like you're underwater with them.

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 6. Visit the Blue Mountains and Scenic World

Check out what makes the blue mountains blue and hear the tale of the sisters trapped in the rock formation in this Aboriginal legend. My favorite part was visiting Sceneic World and taking a gondola over the beautiful Eucalyptus forest! We had a blast with our tour that picked us up from the hotel and took us to the mountains, Scenic World and the Wildlife Park to visit the animals up close and personal!

Book your tickets here for the BEST tour on Viator: Blue Mountain and Wildlife Day Tour

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7. Visit the Taronga Zoo and Take in the Views!

The zoo is built into a hill, leaving you with breath taking views of Sydney and lots of fun animals to visit!

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8. Visit Olympic Park

The park was built to host the Summer Olympics in 2000. They had the torch, the Olympic Cauldron that looks like a spaceship which was where the flame was lit the duration of the games, markers that noted how high someone jumped, who won each sport, and name of everyone who participated.

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9. Find the Speakeasy, the Baxter Inn

It was a little challenging to find but worth it when we got there. You have to head down a nondescript alley on Clarence Street and walk through an unmarked door on your right, down a dark staircase to the basement level. The dim lighting and waiters outfits felt like we had walked into another dimension. They had 360 different whiskeys from around the globe and make their own apple juice for their fine crafted cocktail! 

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10. Play in Luna Park

We came back cleaned up and took the ferry over to Luna Park, a carnival like amusement park with a scary entrance and did a couple of rides, but the highlight was playing on the slides in the fun house. Josh and I raced for at least 30 minutes. We were definitely the biggest kids there!

Buy tickets ahead of time here through Google Maps: Luna Park Tickets

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I think it goes without saying, HAVE SOME ICE CREAM!

Messina Ice Cream is my favorite!

Gelato from Gelatissimo is sooo good!

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Little Fairy Penguins Parade in Melbourne, Australia

Penguin Parade

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Address: 1019 Ventnor Rd, Summerlands VIC 3922, Australia

Booked through Viator: Phillip Island Penguin Parade Evening Tour

One of my favorite days in Australia, we observed the Little Fairy Penguins return from fish hunting all day and returning to their burrows to feed their families. These little penguins are the cutest penguins I had EVER seen! They are smaller than most penguins, standing just about a foot tall with beautiful slate-blue coloring. The Australians call them Fairy Penguins, but New Zealand calls them Little Penguins, therefore I am calling them Little Fairy Penguins!

Sunset over Philllip Island, Melbourne, Australia

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BOOKING THE TOUR

We booked our Penguin Parade tour through Viator: Phillip Island Little Penguin Parade Evening Tour to see the fairy penguins (it was about $100 per person)! Although we booked it the night before, we should have booked further in advance!

A bus picked us up near Finders Street Station in Melbourne (just down the street from our hotel) and the drive was just about 2 hours through the countryside outback! Our driver/guide was informative and kept us entertained for the duration of the ride, I just couldn't wait to see these little penguins! 

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FIRST STOP: PHILLIP ISLAND

We stopped at the Phillip Island visitor Center where they had a cafeteria and a gift shop. We grabbed a bite and walked around the grounds where there was a large rock in the water that looked like a little island that was full of barking sea lion.

We boarded the bus again and were on our way to the Penguin Parade. As we were driving our guide spotted wildlife and we saw our first wallaby in the wild!

FIRST WALLABY SIGHTING IN THE WILD!

HAD TO TAKE A WALLABY SELFIE!

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PENGUIN PARADE ARRIVAL

We arrived in the parking lot and saw these cute signs warning to look under your car. Apparently, some of the penguins lose their way, ending up in the parking lot, hiding under cars. When you go, be careful, and triple check under your car before you leave!

We walked into their visitors center where they had another cafeteria and a gift shop. The tour came with a coupon for a free drink so we redeemed our coupon - the cafeteria had sodas and light snacks. I ran into the gift shop and had to get a magnet for our collection on our fridge!

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SEATING FOR THE PENGUIN PARADE

Finally, it was time to get our spot for the parade! There were little pathways built to lead to the bleachers and among the path were some of the burrows of the penguins as well as more wild Wallaby!

The viewing section was set up almost like a football stadium where bleachers were set up facing the ocean, with paths for the penguins to come between. 

WAITING FOR THE PENGUINS TO ARRIVE FROM OUR PENGUIN PLUS VIEWING SECTION

We opted for their upgrade option, the Penguin Plus Viewing Platform. Here, we had a closer observation point, accompanied by a wildlife ranger who helped provide information as the penguins were approaching. The area is limited to 150 people and the penguins come so close.
We got a spot early on to make sure we were a close a possible.

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THE PENGUIN PARADE

THE FIRST FEW START THE PARADE, MAKING THEIR WAY BACK HOME TO THEIR BURROW

After we waited a little while, we started to hear them before we could even see them! As they started to emerge out of the water, you could hear them to call to their families and the baby penguins came out of their burrows to meet their parent (and EAT).

Interestingly enough, the penguins would start to run for the shore in groups. Some would head to shore and make their way home, while others played it safe and would head back into the water in fear a larger bird such as a hawk, would swoop down and grab them. 

What you're hearing is the sound of thousands of fairy penguins coming in from hunting all day, returning to their nests nearby.

We were told not to take pictures, but I had to document the moment. Too many people don't understand how to turn off their flash, therefore ruining the experience for everyone. There were some other tourists in front of us that kept taking pictures and they kept getting yelled at. They ask not to take pictures because the flash can hurt the penguins eyes, leaving them almost blind, unable to find their burrow.

HUNDREDS OF PENGUINS COME BACK LOOKING FOR THEIR FAMILIES

Before we knew it, hundreds of penguins started to flood in, waddling around! 

As we started to walk back along the path the penguins were directly below on the trail next to us. Here, we saw them up closely admiring their cuteness! 

It was hard to leave, but finally got on the bus to head back (we did check to make sure there weren't any little penguins under the bus first). We loved these penguins and were so glad we experienced their nightly parade! 

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