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48 Hours in Portland

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]We decided to head to Portland at the end of October. Not exactly prime weather time to go to Portland, but that also meant less tourists and cheaper flights! Since we were only there for a short time we decided to stick to the city – next time I definitely want to rent a car and check out some waterfalls and wineries![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”386″ img_size=”medium” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]We did get our fair share of rainy Portland weather – but that didn’t stop us from eating and drinking our way through the city! Here were our top spots:

Eat!

Clyde Common – I came across this restaurant on another blog. The restaurant describes itself as a tavern with a European flair – it looked yummy and was close to our hotel (downtown). We had an amazing waiter who gave us delicious recommendations and we shared some of their plates. They also had a great selection of cocktails – highly recommend!

Voodoo Doughnuts – another stop on the Portland tourist trail. But, why not? The donuts were crazy, ridiculous and oh-so-sugary good.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”387″ img_size=”300x” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Pok Pok – if you’re planning a trip to Portland someone will probably recommend that you go to Pok Pok. Being that I love Asian food, especially Thai, it seemed like a no-brainer to me. They’ve expanded to other locations and even have some in LA, but we hit up the original. Located in the Division/Clinton area, it’s a cab ride from downtown. We would have loved to check the area out more but the weather wasn’t cooperating with us. They also don’t take reservations unless you’re a party of 6 or more, so instead of chancing a long wait at night, we decided to go for lunch. We shared a handful of things and everything was delicious – make sure you order the wings!!

Departure – this wasn’t a restaurant I was expecting to find in Portland – it felt like kind of a scene and was definitely more dressed up than what I consider the rest of Portland to be (in my 48-hour stay). However, the food was delicious and yes, more Asian cuisine! If you want a dressier night while out in Portland, this isn’t a bad place to go! They also have rooftop patios if you end up there with good weather.

Salt & Straw – on Sunday we made our way to the Alphabet District in Northwest Portland, up the hill from downtown. Wander along 23rd and 21st street for shopping, food, drinks and dessert! I’m not sure if it was time for dessert but we had heard only amazing things about Salt & Straw (that’s ice cream in case you hadn’t hear of it). If you’re in the mood for a cold, sweet street, definitely stop by! This also has apparently made it’s way to LA – so keep that in mind if you’re in the LA area![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”389″ img_size=”500x” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Drink!

Stumptown Coffee – we’ve become a bit of coffee snobs at my office over the past few years, mainly drinking Blue Bottle coffee, grinding our own beans, pour over, hot black coffee. When we made our way into Stumptown I decided I was in the mood for cold brew, despite the cloudy and cool weather outside. Best. Decision. Ever. We all have our own taste but I still think it’s the best cold brew I’ve had to this day. Bonus: you can buy cold brew in milk cartons and cold brew nitro in cans there too.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_media_grid grid_id=”vc_gid:1470237120474-be1ad990-067e-2″ include=”392,390,391″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Deschutes – living in San Diego, now one of the biggest craft brew scenes in the US, I’ve become a beer snob and like to snob it up in other big beer towns. We found ourselves at Deschutes during a torrential down pour and sampled many of their beers. I found it all pretty delicious, and they have some yummy bar snacks as well. The ambiance was warm and cozy which was nice on such a rainy day.

Rogue Ales & Spirits – we then made our way over to Rogue, which had much more of a dive bar feel, but had just as many (if not more) delicious beers to try! Also in the downtown area, an easy stop on a brewery tour if you’re staying or playing downtown.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_media_grid element_width=”6″ grid_id=”vc_gid:1470237120477-09b3448f-c900-1″ include=”395,396″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Taste on 23rd – by the time we made our way to the Alphabet District on Sunday I was ready for some Oregon Pinot Noir. We wandered into Taste on 23rd – while the place itself didn’t seem like anything to write home to me, they had plenty of wines to choose from, plus food and beer!

All in all our Portland trip was a success – but I can’t wait to get back in the summertime and check out more of the outdoor offerings![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

June 12, 2016
Foodie Heaven in Puerto Rico

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Okay, I know, when someone says “let’s go to Puerto Rico” the first things you think about are probably beaches, boats, and fruity rum cocktails. Let’s be clear: all of those things happened on my trip to Puerto Rico, and I have some tips for all of those things, but one of my favorite parts of this trip was the FOOD.

First off, this wasn’t a couples trip, I made the trip to PR for a bachelorette party. All of my suggestions would be completely appropriate whether you’re doing the same or traveling as a couple though.

Where to Stay

We chose to stay at La Concha Renaissance San Juan Resort. It’s a Marriott property for those who like their points. It was in the Condado area (about a 15 minute cab ride from Old San Juan), had numerous pools and was right on the beach. Ticked all of the boxes for a bachelorette party.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”366″ img_size=”500x” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

What to Do (besides eat):

A booze cruise and snorkel trip with Salty Dog. The marina is about an hour away from San Juan, so they can arrange transfer for you, or you can drive yourself if you have a rental car. However, if you plan to take part in the booze part of the cruise, I suggest you just let them arrange transport. You get about 5 hours on the boat and ride out to Icacos Island. (I believe there are other islands you may go to, but we went to Icacos). Unfortunately, as soon as we got there it started to rain, and lightning, and thunder. The lightning and thunder passed quickly but the rain never really let up. Of course, if you’re snorkeling you’re getting wet anyway so it’s not the biggest deal. We were on a catamaran boat that had a bit of shelter and they put up some additional covers and we were fine. They fed us a great lunch, and as many rum drinks as you could have. While I can’t speak for other boat companies, I would highly recommend Salty Dog, they were really laid back and fun.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”367″ img_size=”500x” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Explore Old San Juan. There are lots of cobblestone streets and little shops (many are pure tourist traps) and lots of little bars and restaurants. We ate dinners and went out to the bars at night here as well, but it’s worth a morning or afternoon of wandering around. Very close by your can check out Castillo San Cristobal, a large fort overlooking the water.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”368″ img_size=”500x” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]RELAX! We had a short time in Puerto Rico and wanted to make sure we got some pool and beach time in, so we did! Especially for those who don’t get to live at the beach year round like I do, I think devoting a day to relaxing is perfectly fine![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Finally, the food!

Where to Eat

Marmalade: AH-MA-ZING. We did a tasting menu here the first night and ended up with 14 courses of delicious seafood, meat, pastas, and so on. Perhaps not the best place to go on your first night of a bikini vacation, but we did. Tip: if you make a reservation for 9pm (or later) the tasting menu is a bit cheaper. Marmalade is in Old San Juan so after your 14 courses you can walk around to different bars and walk off some of the food!

Asere Cubano Kitchen: You guessed it, Cuban food! We tried the different Cuban meats and some seafood and everything was delicious! Tip: Asere is located in La Placita, so make reservations for a Friday night – they close down the streets in La Placita and everyone buys drinks from the bars and drinks at tables outside. Here you’ll get a more local feel!

Dragonfly: Back in Old San Juan, but craving something a little different? Dragonfly is Latin Asian Cuisine. I love pretty much all Asian food so I was sold before we sat down. The restaurant looks small when you walk in but there is a large space downstairs filled with tables – I’d still recommend making a reservation though. We had everything from sushi to dumplings to spring rolls and tacos. For the third night in a row I consumed way more food than necessary but… I can’t say I regret a single bite!

Caficultura: on the last day we didn’t have any activities planned and were flying out later in the day so rather than get sandy or sweaty (okay, well, it was pretty humid walking around that day) we went into Old San Juan for the day. If you find yourself there around brunch, I’d highly recommend stopping here. It’s small and there was a little bit of a wait, but my sweet potato crepes filled with chicken sausage and goat cheese hit the spot.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”369″ img_size=”500x” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]One last tip: while there are many bars in Old San Juan (and other neighborhoods in San Juan) La Factoria is a must-visit if you find yourself out in Old San Juan one night. It’s a number of different rooms all with different vibes and music, filled with tourists and locals alike.

Whatever you do, wherever you stay and whatever you eat, I’m sure you’ll have a great time in Puerto Rico – what’s not to love?[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

May 2, 2016
Exploring Phu Quoc Island by Motorbike

When we were planning our two week holiday in Vietnam, I did a lot of reading about traveling south to north, top places to stop and visit, and so on. Phu Quoc didn’t make it onto many travel blogs or lists. It wasn’t until a friend suggested it that we started researching and decided it would make a perfect end to our trip.

Long Beach in Phu Quoc

Phu Quoc is located off the coast of Southern Vietnam and is actually only about 15 miles away from Cambodia. We had both been to islands in Thailand and Indonesia and knew Phu Quoc would be a little more undiscovered.

After 13 days of traveling we collapsed on the beach at our resort (we stayed at Long Beach Resort – I’d certainly recommend it) and barely moved for a couple of days. Here are our recommendations when you can finally get yourself off the sand:

Rent a motorbike.

Sao Beach

After surviving being a pedestrian among the motos in bigger cities, we decided it was time to take one for a spin. We were able to rent one right outside of our hotel and off we want. We had checked out maps and there really aren’t a ton of roads in Phu Quoc, so we set off in the general southeastern direction towards Sao Beach. We had read mixed reviews and we got what we expected. On the eastern side of the island, the beach had a different feel than where we had spent the last couple of days. There weren’t many people, more greenery, and yes, there was some trash. We snacked at Paradiso Beach Club that was full of pumping music with food and drinks. Nearby, there was a swing on a tree that gave tourists the opportunity to take pictures like the one here.

After a couple of hours there it was time to head back. The main “highway” cuts through the middle of the island but I could see on Google Maps there was a road that cut straight across – if we took this we could drive up the coast while the sun was setting. This sounded like a great option until we spent 18 of 21 kilometers on mud and dirt roads filled with giant holes and moguls. We did, however, survive, and got some pretty amazing photos on the way.

A pearl farm in Phu Quoc

Tip: on our dirt road journey we saw huge InterContinental and Novotel properties being built so perhaps when you get out there to visit there will be more paved roads to make your trip a bit easier!

Eat!

A selection of seafood at the night market

Dinh Cau Night Market – while this market has a little bit for everyone – souvenirs and snacks, the main reason to come here is delicious fresh seafood. We spent hours hopping from stall to stall, trying scallops here, a grilled lobster there, all while strolling around sipping on Tiger and Saigon beers. The market is open daily at 5pm, so make sure you check it out at least one night!

Winston’s Burgers and Beers – I know, I know. We are in Vietnam and we are suggesting you go eat a burger. But after two weeks of traveling and one terrible night of food poisoning, a burger was just what we needed. Winston is an ex-pat and the burgers do not disappoint. If you need a short break from the local fare, I’d highly suggest checking this place out!

Itaca lounge art

ITACA Resto Lounge

Drunk’n Monkey

January 17, 2016
Finding Relaxation in a Chaotic Vietnam

Before we went on our trip to Vietnam I did a lot, I mean A LOT of research on the best way to spend one or two weeks in the country – where to go, what not to miss. After all was said and done, here is where we ended up:

Day 1: Saigon

We arrived in Saigon late night. If you do Visa on Arrival be prepared that it could take a little while to actually get your Visa.

Day 2: Saigon

After a lot of travel and a crazy night, we spent our first full day in Saigon at the pool and with massages before going on a motorbike food tour at night (DO IT! I promise it’ll be one of your favorite things you do on your trip!)

Day 3: Saigon

Checked out the War Remnants Museum. We were also lucky enough to have a friend of a friend who was an ex-pat living in Saigon and he spent the afternoon showing us around other parts of Saigon. Of course we just scratched the surface – there are so many things to do and delicious places to eat in Saigon!

Day 4: Hoi An

Fly to Da Nang, taxi to Hoi An. Hoi An was another favorite part of the trip for me. It’s a quaint little town and if you want to get any custom clothes made, well this is where you do it. We spent the afternoon wandering the streets, in and out of tailors until we found Yaly Couture which had been recommended to us.

Day 5: Hoi An

We hired a car and visited the My Son ruins in the morning. Imagine a mini-Angkor Wat meeting Indiana Jones. For a half day trip I’d say it was worth it. We then spent the remainder of the day in and out of Yaly, Toby getting custom suits and shirts while I was fitted for dresses, rompers and shoes.

Day 6: Hoi An & Da Nang

We headed back to Yaly one last time that morning. We had been there enough we were given complimentary (morning) mojitos while we waited. Then we were off to Da Nang for New Years Eve. Da Nang is a bit bigger of a city on the beach but the weather in December on the central coast of Vietnam isn’t necessarily beach weather. I don’t think it’s a necessary stop but I thought a big city would provide more options for New Years Eve.

Day 7: Da Nang & Hue

We checked out the Mother Buddha in the morning – a short drive from downtown Da Nang and then our hired drive came to drive us to Hue. I chose this option instead of flying because of the Hai Van Pass. It was beautiful. However, the roads get pretty windy so if you get carsick at all, or decide to make the drive on New Years Day, you may want to rethink your decision. Luckily, I survived. We spent the rest of the day exploring the Imperial Palace in Hue. It was cool to see but if I had to do things again I would have probably gone straight from Hoi An to Hanoi.

Day 8: Hanoi

We flew to Hanoi and wandered the winding streets in the Old Quarter, getting lost in the chaos. We checked out the Hanoi Hilton where John McCain (and so many others) had been held prisoner of war. And then… the most terrible stomach virus/food poisoning set in and I was out of commission for the rest of the night. Although we didn’t get as much time to sightsee here as we had hoped, here is a list of things to love about Hanoi!

Day 9: Ha Long Bay

After Toby made a trip to the pharmacy and managed to get me all of the antibiotics I needed, I was as ready as I could be to sit in a van for 4 hours to make our way to Ha Long Bay. From there we hopped on our junk boat for the remainder of the day and night. Ha Long Bay was unbelievably beautiful, and peaceful, especially after being in Hanoi. We spent one night there (you can spend two) and I think that was enough for us. Want a more indepth look at Ha Long Bay? Read on here.

Day 10: Ha Long Bay & Hanoi

After lunch on the boat we made the four-hour journey back to Hanoi and checked back into the hotel we had been staying in previously (many hotels are used to this so you can leave a bigger bag with them if you’d like). We walked around Hoan Kiem Lake and then made our way to the beer corner in the Old Quarter for some 15 cent beers on child-sized chairs. At some point in your stay in Hanoi, I’d definitely recommend making your way there – cheap beer, street food and free entertainment!

Day 11: Phu Quoc

After a crazy 10 days (more if you include our time in Tokyo) we were finally on our way to relax. We took a two hour flight from Hanoi to Phu Quoc and had our butts in the ocean by lunchtime.

Day 12: Phu Quoc

A lot of walking from the lounge chair, to the ocean, to the bar. By nighttime we were ready to check out the Dinh Canh Night Market which I highly recommend – especially if you’re a seafood lover!

Day 13: Phu Quoc

We decided we should see a bit more of the island and rented a motorbike for the afternoon and made our way to the east side and Sao Beach. After an adventure to get home we had a nice dinner and got some rest before our long journey home.

Day 14: Saigon

We flew from Phu Quoc back to Saigon in the morning and checked into a hotel for the day, until our flight at 11pm. This time we had chosen a hotel near Pham Ngu Lao Street, famously known as Saigon’s backpacker area. We spent the day getting our last tastes of Vietnamese food and beer before a quick shower and repack of our backpacks and then it was back to Tokyo… then Seoul… then finally Los Angeles.

For more detailed information on what we did, where we stayed and what we ate in Vietnam, check out the rest of our Vietnam posts:

Boats and Clothes in Hoi An

Exploring Phu Quoc by Motorbike

January 15, 2016
Tokyo: The Short Layover Guide
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The title of this post is a bit misleading – while we did make it to Tokyo on our way to Vietnam, our layover on the way home was only about 6 hours. Not long – but enough to get out of the airport if you wish!

We hopped on the train and in about 10 minutes we were in the town of Narita.

What To Do:
Narita Shinshoji Temple
1. Buy custom chopsticks! Okay, this is definitely not a must, and does not have to be done in Narita, but we picked some of these up from one of the stores on the main road.
2. Eat! There are lots of different street vendors or places where you order at the window, take your food and go. We ordered some random things from a window until we eventually found a place serving ramen and beer. I have no idea what the name of the restaurant was that we landed in, but I have to imagine you’ll get some pretty good ramen wherever you stop.
Street food in Narita

And…that was it. While Narita is nothing like Tokyo, if you want to get a tiny taste of Japan outside of the airport walls but don’t have the time to venture all the way into the city, Narita is definitely worth checking out!

Have a longer layover at the Narita Airport? Make sure to read our blog post about actually heading into Tokyo for the night![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
January 9, 2016
Tokyo: The Long Layover Guide

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]When we booked our flights to Vietnam we were lucky enough to build in a 21-hour layover in Tokyo into our itinerary. I quickly started to research what we should do, where we should go, with less than 24 hours in such a large city. Some people recommended just staying in Narita, much closer to the airport, but if you have 21 hours you have PLENTY of time to get yourself into the city, check out a few neighborhoods and eat a bunch of delicious food.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”306″ img_size=”500x” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded” css_animation=”top-to-bottom”][vc_column_text]

Where to Stay

We made the decision to stay in Shinjuku. Why? We could take the Narita Express directly from the airport to Shinjuku Station. We had read that there were lots of restaurants and nightlife, we were a stone’s throw from Golden Gai and a quick train ride to Shibuya.

We used Chase Sapphire Preferred credit card points and stayed at Citadines Central Shinjuku Tokyo. The hotel was nice and clean, included breakfast, and the rooms were tiny, as per Tokyo.

What to Do

1.     Eat! It was dinner time by the time we settled into the hotel (not that our bodies had any idea what time it really was) so we set out in Kabukicho and quickly found some sushi and beer.

2.     Shibuya Crossing – the largest crosswalk in the world, it was a pretty crazy site to see. It also happened to be Christmas Day and there seemed to be some sort of SantaCon going on which made everything that much more entertaining. We wandered around, found Hachikō, checked out the giant Starbucks and then found ourselves a little ramen bar (perfect for 40-degree weather!)[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”302″ img_size=”500x” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded” css_animation=”top-to-bottom”][vc_column_text]3.     Golden Gai – a neighborhood of six alleyways lined with hundreds of tiny bars. Take your pick! Most were full and full of smokers, but a completely different experience nonetheless.

4.     Meiji Shrine – after getting a few hours of sleep we hopped on the train again and got off at Harajuku and walked around the Meiji Shrine, which is actually quite a large area.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”292″ img_size=”large” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded” css_animation=”top-to-bottom”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”293″ img_size=”large” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded” css_animation=”top-to-bottom”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]After spending the morning at the Meiji Shrine we made our way back to the hotel, grabbed our bags, and back to the airport we went. Our next destination, Vietnam.

Have a shorter layover at the Tokyo Narita Airport? Make sure to read our blog post about spending the afternoon in the nearby town of Narita-san![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

December 27, 2015
Antigua on Election Day

4 Days in Guatemala – Part 2

If you’ve read Part 1 of this story, you know we spent our first couple of days in Guatemala relaxing in Lake Atitlan. On the afternoon of Day 3 of our 4-day adventure we arrived in Antigua. Antigua is a small city surrounded by volcanoes about an hour away from Guatemala City. It had been the colonial capital for 200 years before Guatemala City took the title.

Where to Stay

San Rafael Hotel – I felt like we splurged here (in terms of Guatemalan prices) but the hotel was perfect. It was a small, beautiful boutique hotel a stone’s throw from the main road and the famous Santa Catalina Arch.

What To Do & Where To Eat

We spent the afternoon wandering the cobblestone streets and popping in and out of shops until we came upon a sign that read “On Saturday 5th, Sunday 6th, and Monday 7th the sale of alcoholic beverages is prohibited due to elections.” I was in disbelief. Here we were halfway through our vacation and we wouldn’t be able to even enjoy a glass of wine with dinner.

Tip: check and see if the country you’re traveling to is having an election and if that might affect your trip in any way.

Fortunately, that didn’t stop us from enjoying an amazing meal. A good friend suggested Hector’s and it was incredible. If you find yourself in Antigua make sure you stop by there for dinner one night!

Pacaya Volcano

On a positive note, the lack of alcohol made it easy to go to bed early and wake up at sunrise to hike Pacaya Volcano. We went back and forth about the hike knowing that we wouldn’t be witnessing red flowing lava but then decided it would be worth the trip.

It was a pretty good hike (you can ride a donkey up if you’d prefer) full of shade, but also plenty of time to stop and take in the gorgeous views. When we got near the top of the volcano you could start to feel the heat under the volcanic rock and we were able to toast marshmallows! Touristy, I know, but who doesn’t want a sugary reward after hiking up a volcano?

Marshmallows on Pacaya Volcano

After the hike, we had the afternoon to go visit the museum in Casa Santo Domingo. We wandered through courtyards, underground crypts, and throughout the property until the rain started coming down and it was time for lunch. The entire property is made of wood and stone and is relatively dark – the restaurant was no different except that parts of it were open to the outside. We had a delicious (albeit expensive lunch) while torrential rain went on outside (and inside) the restaurant.

As soon as the rain subsided we decided to trek up to Cerro de la Cruz – the large cross on top of a hill overlooking the city. A nice little walk and hike up if you’re looking for a little exercise or cars can drive to the top as well.

Cerro de la Cruz

Once our two hike day was complete, we made our way back to the hotel, stopping by a small store on the way home that let us buy that bottle of wine we had decided we so desperately needed.

And that was that! After a relaxing last night in Guatemala, we were on our way back to LAX refreshed, relaxed and rejuvenated. Maybe not being able to drink part of our vacation was a blessing in disguise!

September 8, 2015
Finding our Zen at Lake Atitlan

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4 Days in Guatemala – Part 1

After giving up my seat on a work trip from Florida and spending the night in Atlanta, I was awarded a $700 credit from Delta – I just had to use it within a year. Knowing I didn’t have a lot of vacation days to play with because I was already taking a week off to go to Iceland, I started looking up short, direct, affordable flights from LAX. We landed on Guatemala.

You may think 4 days in Guatemala is not enough – and trust me, if you want to see all the highlights, it’s not. Guatemala is much bigger than you think and they don’t have the infrastructure like we do in the states. We didn’t make it to Tikal or Semuc Champey, but we did spend 4 wonderful days at Lake Atitlan and in Antigua.

We took a redeye from LAX and as soon as we landed in Guatemala City we hopped in a car and made the three-hour drive to Lake Atitlan.

Tip: hiring a car to get from Guatemala City to Lake Atitlan costs around $100 but I was able to lay down and nap for most of the trip so if the bus schedule doesn’t work with your flight times – it’s pricey but so worth it, especially if you have limited time.

We had booked two nights at Hotel Atitlan. It was perfect for us. Lake Atitlan is made up of 7 villages – all with a slightly different vibe (and size). Panajachel, or Pana, is the main village you arrive at and then you can opt to make a further drive to certain villages or hop in a boat to the village of your choice. We like to have the option to go to different restaurants and check out nightlife so Hotel Atitlan offered us the best of both worlds – a 5-minute ride from the main streets of Pana but in one of the most peaceful settings I had ever been in.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”241″ img_size=”large” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]We spent the afternoon by the pool before getting checked into our room and setting out towards town. We stopped by Crossroads Café to drink and buy some delicious coffee and then ducked into bars as a torrential rain storm passed by.

Tip: If you’re a coffee lover, take a few minutes out of your day and stop by Crossroads for some coffee and friendly conversation.

That night was Toby’s birthday, so after an uneventful dinner, we discovered Circus Bar where I was able to score ice cream with a birthday candle and the live band sang Happy Birthday in English and Spanish.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”224″ img_size=”medium” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”225″ img_size=”medium” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The next day we woke up early, had breakfast, and bargained with some of the men who handled boat trips before deciding we would visit San Juan La Laguna and San Pedro. San Juan is known for their textiles while San Pedro is more of the backpacking town. We wandered up and down their mountainous streets, taking in the scenery, food, and local beers.

Church of St. Peter in San Pedro

By early afternoon, the water was starting to get rough (this is common in the afternoon and was no joke) so we made our way back to our hotel to relax before another night at Circus Bar.

The next day, before our drive to Antigua, we walked over to Atitlan Nature Reserve to check out some animals, butterflies, and a quick morning hike. Not a must-do, but when it was in walking distance from our hotel it seemed like a great way to work off all of the Guatemalan food and beer.

Be sure to check in for part two and find out what a Guatemalan presidential election is like.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

September 8, 2015
Icelandic Adventures

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]When WOW Air started their crazy flight deals from Boston to Reykjavik, I didn’t hesitate. Knowing I would already be in Boston for my brother’s college graduation, it seemed like a simple choice to take the entire week off and spend the first part of the week in Iceland. The flight from Boston to Reykjavik is actually shorter than the flight from San Diego to Boston!

We left Boston around 7am and landed in Iceland around 4am. We were about an hour drive to Reykjavik where we had a hotel waiting for us. Many of the hotels are used to these early arrivals so you can pay a lower rate and check in bright and early.

Where to Stay: We stayed at a hotel called Room With a View. It was a pretty simple hotel but had what we needed and was in a great location.

What to Do: Since we were only in Iceland for a few days we made Reykjavik our home base and did day trips from there.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Wander around Reykjavik. After we woke from our redeye/jetlagged naps we found some lunch and Icelandic beers and then wandered around the city, checking out the windy waterfront, the church Hallgrimskirkja for some great views of the city, and popping into shops full of Icelandic goodies.[/vc_column_text][vc_media_grid grid_id=”vc_gid:1503330549813-05ba0960-c913-0″ include=”353,328,352″][vc_column_text]South Coast Tour – We booked this through IG Tours – it was an all day tour of, you guessed it, the south coast. We stopped at Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss waterfalls, Reynisfjara black sandy beach, the village of Vik (don’t get too excited about what you’ll be eating for lunch here) and Myrdalsjokull, Iceland’s fourth largest glacier. You also have the option to do a glacier hike or snowmobile tour as a combination tour but we did not.[/vc_column_text][vc_media_grid initial_loading_animation=”fadeInDown” grid_id=”vc_gid:1503330549816-aa0e0732-9992-6″ include=”334,333,329″][vc_column_text]Snorkel Silfra & The Golden Circle Tour – We booked this tour through Local Iceland Tours/isango!. While the entire trip was one highlight after another, this was definitely one of our favorite activities. We put on ridiculous dry suits and wandered down to the Silfra Fissure in Thingvellir National Park and hopped in the water. You snorkel through some of the clearest water in the world, in between two tectonic plates – in 32-degree water! Where else are you going to do something like this? The water was SO BLUE. After snorkeling, we made our way to the Geysir geothermal region and Gullfoss waterfall – also pretty cool sights to check out![/vc_column_text][vc_media_grid grid_id=”vc_gid:1503330549824-e1a4529c-2ec1-4″ include=”357,358,356″][vc_column_text]Blue Lagoon – while it’s definitely a tourist hot spot, it seems like a trip to Iceland isn’t complete without a visit to the Blue Lagoon. It’s much closer to the airport than to Reykjavik so you’ll definitely want to try and schedule your time there on your way to or from the airport. We spent about an hour there on our way to the airport and it was really quite amazing. You can book add-on massages but we just enjoyed relaxing in the steamy water.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”359″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Our days were so long and full of activity that the only other thing left to do was EAT!

Where to Eat:
Grillmarkadurinn – A trendy restaurant located right off the main drag. A warm and cozy ambiance, and like many restaurants in Iceland, they featured a lot of seafood, but had a great selection of meat as well.

Fiskfelagid – another trendy restaurant close by, we sat down in the basement level at a bar area and had our fill of delicious seafood recipes.

Bakari Sandholt Reykjavik – This bakery was located down the street from our hotel and was our daily morning stop for breakfast and coffee. If you’re all set with breakfast, I highly recommend stopping in here for a treat later in the afternoon!

While we were only there for a few days, I’ve heard great things about driving the Ring Road, so if you have the time it’s definitely worth considering![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

May 23, 2015
Lions, Ostriches & Bungee Jumping, Oh My!

After getting our bearings in Cape Town for a couple of days, we took a quick flight to George to explore the other side of the Western (and a small part of the Eastern) Cape. We (Toby) cautiously drove on the wrong side of the road to Knsyna, a small town we were calling home base for a couple of days of adventures.

Knysna is a sleepy town with not a lot of nightlife, but has some decent restaurants by the harbor with ridiculously cheap bottles of delicious South African wine.

Harbor in Knysna

From there we set off on three days of adventures.

Adventure #1 – Bungee Jumping off Bloukrans Bridge

I had been bungee jumping in Bali – at a nightclub, at 2am, off a 60 meter ledge over a pool. Bloukrans Bridge is 216 meters high. It’s the highest natural bungee jump in the world. I couldn’t wait. Toby, not so much, but he wasn’t going to say no to an adventure. Once we arrived to Face Adrenalin they weighed us, we signed our lives away and then we could watch the jumpers before us from a distance, or up close on a TV screen in the little café. I felt the anticipation start to build more and more.

Bloukrans Bridge – 216m bungee

Once it was our turn about 20 of us walked out to the middle of the bridge. They have music blasting and the staff is awesome. The jump order went from either heaviest or lightest, alternating between the two until you ended up in the middle of the group. They asked who wanted to go first. I hesitated. The heaviest guy went first which gave me just enough time to really get my heart beating out of my chest.

A few minutes later my ankles were strapped and they were carrying me out to the edge of the ledge. 1, 2, 3…FLY! It was absolutely incredible (except perhaps the biggest wedgie that occurred as they hoisted me back up to the bridge) and I can’t wait to do it again whenever we make it to Queenstown, New Zealand!

Adventure #2 – Oudtshoorn

Cheetah Cubs at Cango Wildlife Reserve

The ostrich capital of the world. Yup. That’s a thing. We had heard about this place from Toby’s friend whose wedding we would be attending later that week. When I found out you could actually ride an ostrich it seemed only natural that we make our way there.

Our first stop was actually the Cango Wildlife Ranch where we were able to play with cheetah cubs. As a lover of all cat-family animals I was in love. The rest of the ranch was set up like a small zoo – with peacocks, meerkats, crocodiles and turtles as a handful of other animals you could check out along the way.

After our cheetah experience we headed over to the Cango Ostrich Farm where I was able to ride an ostrich. They blindfold them to make it easier for you to get on, you hold it by the wings and then it takes off around the corral before I was gently dragged off to safety. To this day I think it is one of the highlights of my trip – for all of my friends and family.

Adventure #3 – Walking with Lions

Before our flight back to Cape Town to kick off wedding festivities, we headed over to Botlierskop Private Game Reserve. We had been going back and forth on whether it was worth the cost to walk with lions – after doing it, in my opinion, it is 100% worth it. We ended up being the only ones on the walk with about 6 staff and our guide. We walked with a younger brother and sister and watched them frolic around the grass, climb trees, and just generally enjoy their walk. After that it was time for our first game drive, which I’d definitely recommend if you don’t have time to make it to Kruger National Park.

Walking with lions Botlierskop

Our time in that part of South Africa was up, but many more adventures awaited us in Week 2 of our journey.

December 5, 2014