Crowded in the back of a forest green jeep with the top down, I was hanging onto the metal bars of the truck. A slight breeze touched my face in the muggy weather when suddenly light droplets began to fall from the sky. Crouching down into the vinyl black seat below the metal racks, I covered my head, iPhone and DSLR camera with my scarf.
Costa Rica is the kind of place where you can commune with nature. It provides the perfect backdrop with its hidden beaches, volcanic mountains, hiking trails, and lush tropical rainforests. In fact, 25% of Costa Rica is dedicated to wildlife and nature, in the form of wildlife preserves and jungles. Making it the perfect place... to retreat to. For many - including me - that
Plopping into my clear plastic tube at Xel Ha, I was ready for cool relief. It had been scorching and sweaty hot, as the temperatures soared to over 100 degrees for the last few days. I had come to the golden lands of a Mexican destination. I was in search of the festivals surrounding the “Dia de Los Muertos” -those lazy days in November where
Truly we all have wondered what it would be like to travel to an Arabian country after watching Disney's Aladdin, a tale from the book One Thousand and One Nights (Arabian Nights, كتاب ألف ليلة وليلة) and the joys of a camel ride in the desert! Indiana Jones also sparked my interest in Indian Jones and the Last Crusade. In his search for the Holy
Trip to Santorini I had dipped my toes in the crisp, cool water and squealed with excitement as the yacht sailed away. I couldn’t believe this moment had finally arrived, a trip to Santorini. It was how I had dreamed about it a thousand times before. This was where I wanted to be on the day I turned a half a century old. In the
He instructed us to turn off our headlamps and lay back with our eyes closed. I felt a chill come over my body as goosebumps began to arise within my dive skin. I did what was instructed, but hesitated for a bit. Lying there in the stillness, I heard a drip, drip, drip in the stillness. With his voice guiding me, I slowly opened my
From volcanoes and endless beaches to rainforests, jungles, national parks, and awe-inspiring wildlife, Costa Rica really does seem to have it all. So you can imagine when I heard about a 110-foot rappel down gorgeous King Louie Waterfall that, of course, I wanted to make that one of my things to do in Costa Rica when I arrived there. Even though I was actually going
I constantly find myself being the planner of things: the family vacation, the food that we eat, and the calendar that we live by. It was crunch time and I was in a spot: Our son was doing a study abroad program in Barcelona and we were going there with him to enjoy the richness of Spain, take in a few sights, and enjoy a
Pulpit Rock, better known to Norwegians as Preikestolen in Norway is a steep cliff that rises almost 2000 feet above Lysefjorden with a flat top viewing platform. It was formed by glaciers more than 10,000 years ago. I am sure you will recognize it by its famous photographs. It attracts thousands of tourists from all over the world, which makes it one of the main
Eclipse Yacht, AdventureSmith Explorations, Photo by PointsandTravel.com The Galapagos Islands Holidays: The Science Behind the Island The Galapagos Islands are located in the Pacific Ocean, approximately 650 miles off the coast of Ecuador in South America. They are isolated from any other land formation or island group. About half the size of New Jersey, you may ask yourself, according to geographical size, why
It is hard to explain, but basically, Xcaret, Mexico is an eco-friendly park in the Yucatan area of Mexico. This is one of my favorite excursions Riviera Maya offers. My family and I had more fun there than we ever dreamed, as we really had no idea what it was, but kept hearing from tourist and locals alike that we shouldn't miss Xcaret Park. And I
Sedona’s cinematic red rocks had been flashing across our windshield for almost an hour. It was hard for the driver to keep her hands on the steering wheel due to the beauty at each turn in the road. My iPhone camera was going off every few minutes, regardless if it was a good shot or not here at Cathedral Rock Sedona. There is no denying that
Indonesia Travel: Raja Ampat Floating up to the stunningly gorgeous jetty at the Raja Ampat Dive Resort on Waigeo Island in West Papua, I knew I was in for a special treat. This was that kind of place, the epitome of a remote, exotic beach vacation. It takes hours and hours to get here, so most people just don’t go. But I was ready for
Travel Bandung, Indonesia Wisata Off-Road Adventure picked us up after lunch from Café Burangrang. We were at the unique leisure park, Dusun Bambu in Northern Bandung, Indonesia, where we had just had a relaxing lunch overlooking an amazing view of boats on a pond with thatched bungalows. Travel Bandung The guides lead us down to the parking circle valet. One by one, we walked past
Tanzania Safari: Seduced by the Serengeti When I sign on for the photo safari of the Serengeti in Tanzania with Popular Photographer's EMentor Series, I picture myself a bit like Meryl Streep in the movie “Out of Africa”, dressed in khaki-colored safari clothing surveying those sweeping plains with lions and leopards roaming in the tall tawny-colored grass. As it turns out, my impressions aren’t too far
Things to do in Park City Park City is an easy ski destination to get to: Arrival into Salt Lake City, Utah comes easy and smooth. For once, you are happy that things are effortless and uncomplicated. The rental SUV is perfect for this family ski trip, as the sleek new Kia Sorento arrives at the airport by Drive STI with ease. Bags are packed
I wanted to let you guys know about some exciting news in my upcoming travels… I will be returning to a place that is near and dear to my heart this month, in fact, I leave in just a few days. I am thrilled to announce that I am returning to the Galapagos Islands. I went last year and I cannot tell you what an
The yelping was so loud, you would have thought something was on fire with all the commotion. As I slipped out of the all-wheel-drive suburban truck, my snow boot landed on the slick white ice in the downpour of snow that had just begun. I stumbled and sort of stammered out of the truck with a “swan dog” yoga pose, throwing my arm over my
One by one, they would climb the 17 dingy white stairs to the tiny crowded, dimly-lit room. They needed to get out of the sweltering heat and were dressed in the brightest blues, vibrant yellows and heart-stopping red colors. Never have I seen such a stunningly beautiful group of women with matching beads and flowers in their hair. The men came too, fewer, but they
By Cacinda Maloney Have you ever dreamed of going on a few Iceland Excursions? Recently I have been thinking seriously about the destinations that I want to see in the upcoming travel year. Having traveled to 17 countries in 2014 and already 16 countries this year, I have narrowed down my searches and for some reason Iceland keeps making its way back to the top
By Cacinda Maloney Marlin Fishing Looking out over the sparking deep blue water, I thought I had seen him far in the distance. He and I had been fighting for a while. Marlin Fishing With every pull and spin my arms were getting tired, yet he did seem to be getting stronger, as he approached the marlin fishing boat. Suddenly, he surged straight
Desert Night Camps - Feynan Ecolodge We were in the van for what seemed like hours. Gazing out the window, I noted how the landscape was changing and soon it felt as if civilization was slowly creeping away on our way to Feynan Ecolodge. Dana Biosphere Reserve in the lands of Jordan's desert was vast and diverse. Occasionally, I would see herds of sheep
What is it really like on an Ecoventura yacht in the Galapagos? By Cacinda Maloney What is it really like on an Ecoventura yacht in the Galapagos? Moist, breezy air flows thru my Michael Kors bathing suit cover-up made of an animal print design, as I am squint my eyes looking at the sky on the yacht’s top deck. I am lying here
By Cacinda Maloney Da-Bach-na-Fahrt Raft Race, going "Wild on the Water!" For Carnival, there is another major event in Schramberg, Germany other than the parade that is not located on the streets, but instead located on the river. It is tub rafting called the Da-Bach-na-Fahrt Raft Race, literally going “wild on water”. Wobbly constructed, homemade rafts maneuver the best way they know how down a tiny waterfall, then
Guide to celebrating Carnival in Schramberg, Germany By Cacinda Maloney The anticipation was thick in the air when we arrived mid morning for our very first peek deep into Germany’s Black Forest where Carnival comes alive! Not the Carnival you may be thinking of with drunkenness and bead throwing like in New Orleans, but a traditional type that has been going for centuries.
By Cacinda Maloney An ancient city in Sri Lanka: Sigiriya Landing in Colombo, I had no idea what riches lie in front of me. Sri Lanka sounded to this American Girl like an exotic, far-off land. This trip for me was intriguing and mysterious all at the same time. Any country’s UNESCO World Heritage sites are always of interest to me, so I was ecstatic to
Spending the day all curled up next to the fireplace and periodically taking a gander out my picture window, I knew I had to finally just bundle up and get out there. I hate how sometimes I just have a hard time getting started. But once I am out there, I do, the hard part for me is just getting going. And here I am
Post Office Bay, Floreana, Galapagos By Cacinda Maloney Post Office Bay, Floreana, Galapagos - Literally hundreds of stories start and end right here at the Galapagos Post Office. Written by those who have experienced the Galapagos Islands, there is a tiny spot on Floreana Island, where since the 19th century, whalers have kept a wooden barrel for mail at Post Office Bay. This
Cancun Diving is a must if you are a certified diver and you in the area since they have more than 30 dive sites in what they call the Cancun National Marine Park. The Cancun reefs often have schools of snappers, barracudas, angelfish, and many other species living in an amazing ecosystem. One of my favorite things to do when I am in Cancun is
Maakalla Island, Finland There was a quiet stillness unlike anything I had experienced before. I knew that Maakalla Island of Western Finland was remote, but the eeriness I felt upon stepping off the boat gave me a bit of a shiver. Stepping onto Maakalla Island, Finland It was mid-August and so the weather was picture-perfect for today, as soon, no
By Cacinda Maloney Vaasa, Finland map Arriving in Vaasa, Finland, I was ready for an adventure and Finland does not disappoint. Vaasa is the gateway to the western side of the country. This is where the narrowest part of the Gulf of Bothnia is connected to Finland by their longest bridge, the Replot, in the Baltic Sea. The Replot Bridge near Vaasa,
By Cacinda Maloney Great news on the blog today, as my travel life is always full of surprises! I never thought I would be heading back to Finland so soon, but I have an amazing adventure coming up soon! I am delighted to be going back to Finland, but this time to the west coast. I will be working with VisitFinland on an upcoming trip
Blue Dive: Chuck & Robbie's Dive Shop - Ambergris Caye, Belize Deep Blue Dive When I was perusing the internet for recommendations for reputable deep blue dive shops in Belize on Ambergris Caye for a few dives for the family while we were there, time and time again, I would read the same thing: “Robbie” “Chuck and Robbie’s" Then: “Robbie is the
By Cacinda Maloney Maya Island Air Heavy with sweat oozing down the back of my neck, I lunged hard to enter the tiny seaplane door, which would be my home for the next 15 minutes. I sat under the wing on the right hand side for a perfect picture-taking opportunity. From the tarmac, my heart was pounding when I actually saw the tiny
Longtail Boat ride out to James Bond Island, Thailand I had been waiting for this day to come and now here it was. Stepping into the color-worn, long-tail boat (Ruea Hang Yao (เรือหางยาว)), I knew this was a trip of a lifetime and today was my lucky day. My milestone birthday had arrived and I needed something BIG to make an impact, and
