Chilean food is simple, traditional, and delicious. We have had one great meal after the next and today we learned why. It’s all about tradition, culture, and real food. We spent the day with Pablo, one of the chefs from Chilean Cuisine Cooking Classes in Valparaiso, Chile. We came away with a better understanding of […]
About Rhonda Albom
Getting to Isla Damas – Seeing Penguins in Chile
Isla Damas is part of Chile’s Humboldt Penguin National Reserve. The reserve includes three islands, although visitors are only allowed on Isla Damas in limited daily numbers. While getting there seems a bit of a drama, it is well worth the effort. Eighty percent (80%) of the world’s population of Humboldt penguins are found in […]
One Day in Nashville Tennessee – Music City Rocks!
Nashville caught us by surprise. It’s a vibrant, diverse, energetic, and artistic city that welcomes musicians, visitors, and everyone in between. One day in Nashville is simply not enough. Appropriately earning the moniker Music City, it is the birthplace of country music. For us, Nashville was an unscheduled treat. Nature put a hurricane in our original […]
Haunted St Augustine: Ghosts in America’s Oldest City
St Augustine Florida is the oldest continuously inhabited European settlement in the United States. It’s a city filled with old world charm, Spanish influence, plenty of things to do, and ghost stories. Even non-believers (like my scientist husband) are fascinated by the legends and stories of haunted St Augustine. Why is St Augustine haunted? Some […]
Useful Travel Gifts for People Who Travel Light in 2019
Finding the perfect gift is never easy. Ideally, it is practical, lightweight, portable, and easy to use. If your recipient is a traveller like us, it becomes more challenging. I am referring to one who travels light. It changes things a bit. We need useful travel gifts that are super lightweight and functional, or they […]
Kauai Excursions: Highlights of Kauai, Hawaii in a Day
The rain beat down as our ship docked in Kauai, an island that is one of nature’s most exquisite masterpieces regardless of the weather. We were ready to see the highlights of Kauai, and we were not going to let the weather slow us down. The fourth largest (and the oldest) of the eight main Hawaiian […]
Visiting American Samoa: Home to a Tropical US National Park
American Samoa is a tropical paradise waiting to be discovered. Situated in the southern Pacific Ocean just east of the dateline, it’s a small unincorporated US territory that many people don’t even know exists. For me, it is the lush green hills, warm turquoise waters, and a blend of traditional Samoan culture with modern American […]
Birds and Alligators of Wakodahatchee Wetlands
Strolling along the boardwalk at Wakodahatchee Wetlands in Delray Beach Florida, we are surrounded by nature. Wading birds stand tall in the marsh, seemingly unaware as we pass. It’s a brilliant use of former wastewater, now a treatment facility that provides an open sanctuary for wetland birds and other Florida wildlife. Wakodahatchee Wetlands is home to […]
Sheraton’s Cursed Derelict Buildings on Rarotonga
Not your typical tourist attraction, the ruins of the never completed $80 million Sheraton Resort are a series of derelict buildings on the tiny tropical island of Rarotonga in the Cook Islands. While there are plenty of beaches to visit, hiking, watersports and other things to do on the island, we found ourselves strangely drawn […]
Capturing Rarotonga Snorkelling on the Olympus TG-5
Rarotonga snorkelling is like swimming in a crystal clear tepid aquarium. Large and small, the colourful tropical fish glide in and out of coral beds, and sometimes appear to pose for our compact underwater camera. Rarotonga is the largest of the Cook Islands. It’s a tropical paradise surrounded by a reef that creates protected Rarotonga […]
26 Things to Do in Rarotonga Aside from the Beach
Tropical Rarotonga. If you’re from New Zealand you probably already have a vision of this island paradise with its white sandy beaches, and water so crystal clear you have to wonder if it is there until a gentle wave brushes up against your toes. If you’re from North America, you may be about to discover […]
Dive Tatapouri: Wild Stingray Feeding in New Zealand
Standing thigh deep in the ocean, I felt a gentle pressure as the eagle ray brushed my leg. I pressed against my walking stick and held my ground. Just before her second pass, I placed the food in my hand low in the water so she could glide over it. As she did, I felt […]
Waimangu Volcanic Valley: World’s Youngest Geothermal System
Waimangu Volcanic Valley (New Zealand) draws visitors from all corners of the earth. Photographers come for the colours, tourists for the uniqueness, hikers for nature, and scientists to study the world’s youngest geothermal system. It’s a virtually untouched, ever-changing landscape that was created in just four hours in 1886. The eruption of Mt Tarawera created […]
Enjoy an Auckland to Wellington Drive with These Stops
Auckland New Zealand greets nearly 4 million visitors annually. Some stay in the city, but more come to explore the lush green country. It’s this exploration that makes a visit to New Zealand so special. Sure, you can fly to the major cities, but what you miss along the way is the magic. An Auckland to […]
Hamilton Gardens and Rocky Horror: A Contrast in Hamilton NZ
The reality is as much of a contrast as the title. On one end of town, a serene, internationally acclaimed, well-manicured series of themed gardens each telling a story of a different civilization. To be honest, the Hamilton Gardens caught me by surprise, far exceeding my expectations. In sharp contrast stands the Riff-Raff statue where […]
What to Do in Rotorua New Zealand: A First Timer’s Guide
Rotorua is like nowhere else. Situated near the centre of New Zealand’s North Island, it’s a geothermal wonderland, a playground for adventure seekers, an opportunity for cultural understanding, and a place to relax and heal. Our recent visit shattered my misconception of Rotorua as an overpriced tourist town. What I found was a paradise that left me […]
Wai-O-Tapu: A Photo Review of Geothermal Rotorua New Zealand
Wai-O-Tapu translates to sacred waters, and even without knowing any legends or understanding the science, I was captivated. It’s a surreal, mystical place enhanced by rising steam and nature’s dreamlike palette of colours. Check out the photos below and you will know that Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland is a must see if you are visiting geothermal […]
Wellington Activities: 37 Things to Do in the Capital of New Zealand
Wellington, the capital of New Zealand, is often overlooked by visitors as they head straight to the South Island, yet it is one of my favourite getaway cities. The range of Wellington activities makes it a perfect choice for either a romantic escape or a sightseeing visit with family and friends. It is a charming […]
Stonehenge Aotearoa: New Zealand’s Powerful Stone Circle
About 11 kilometres off the main road stands Stonehenge Aotearoa, a stone circle so powerful it calls to nearly everyone. Stone circles date back to the Mesopotamians, nearly 2000 years before Jericho. Stonehenge Aotearoa is New Zealand’s stone circle. A henge is a stone circle with lintels (blocks that are supported by something). Aotearoa is […]
Enjoy Napier Art Deco Buildings with a Walking Tour
It doesn’t take long to appreciate why Napier New Zealand is the Art Deco Capital of the World. Simply taking a walk down the main road, we found ourselves surrounded by fun and funky examples of Art Deco. There are 140 Art Deco buildings, doors, sculptures, and more in this town. Napier is one of a […]
24 Unique and Fun Things to Do in Napier New Zealand
Napier is best known as the Art Deco Capital of the world, but this offbeat New Zealand town has a lot more to offer. From Māori and European history to wine tasting or adventure, there are plenty of novel and fun things to do in Napier and the surrounding Hawke’s Bay region. To understand Napier, you need […]
Highlights of our Great Ocean Road Self Drive in Australia
Billed as one of the world’s most spectacular road trips, the Great Ocean Road runs from Torquay to Allansford along the southern coast of Austraila in the state of Victoria. Despite its name and impressive coastal views, much of the drive is inland through temperate rainforest, offering wildlife spotting opportunities. Unlike many of the long stretches of […]
Karangahake Gorge Walks: Windows out of Old Gold Mines
Karangahake Gorge is an odd mix of remnant goldfields and nature’s majesty. Once the site of New Zealand’s most lucrative gold strike, it is now a recreation and impressive hiking destination. Swing bridges, gold mine shafts, a historic cyanide treatment plant, and lush green forest led us to the gorge, a jaw-droppingly beautiful site. The Karangahake Gorge Historic […]
Tauranga Nightlife: Consider a Kayak Glow Worm Tour
Darkness descended quickly after the sunset. We climbed into sea kayaks and gently slid into the water. A night kayaking glow worm tour wasn’t what I had in mind when I initially thought about Tauranga nightlife. Yet, gazing upon the Lake McClaren glow worms turned out to be a highlight of our time in New Zealand’s […]
25 Fun Things to Do in Tauranga and Mt Maunganui
Home to New Zealand’s top rated beach, the world’s most accessible active marine volcano, kiwifruit, glow worms, street art, and more, the region is aptly named the Bay of Plenty. It is filled with exciting and fun things to do in Tauranga (the largest city), Mount Maunganui (coastal beach town), and the surrounding region. It’s […]
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