Flagstaff Arizona Attractions – Top 11 reasons to use Flagstaff as your base – Part 1

Route 66 Street mural a Flagstaff Arizona AttractionsFlagstaff Arizona attractions were some of the most memorable on our epic 4-month trip to the American Southwest.  Flagstaff Arizona is a gem of a city. What a lovely surprise, from Ponderosa pine forests, outdoor adventure, national monuments to iconic memorabilia! Flagstaff has it all, and it’s close to everything we wanted to see. Continue reading

Santa Fe New Mexico – Should it be on Your Bucket List?

Santa Fe New Mexico –

Why Put it on Your Bucket List?

Sculpture in front of Museum of Indian Art and Culture in Santa Fe New Mexico

Santa Fe New Mexico has it All

Santa Fe New Mexico – Thinking of visiting? Santa Fe New Mexico offers exhilarating and enriching experiences year round. From winter sports and summer hiking to the arts, great food, Native Indian and Spanish culture, to history and geology. A treasure trove of adventures awaits you. Continue reading

NOLA – How to See New Orleans in Style for Less $$

NOLA ornate iron lace porch railingsNOLA (New Orleans) planning was an important part of our 13 state 4 month trip. While planning, I learned that NOLA can be quite expensive. I checked out hotels on Booking.com, Airbnb, and checked RV campground prices (since we now have an RV). Compared to the other cities we visited, New Orleans accommodations looked to be more than twice as expensive. In addition to lodging, there are tours to see everything you can imagine in NOLA; at first glance, it looks like everything one might want to see costs money. While you could spend a fortune, there are many ways to see NOLA without spending a lot. Continue reading

Great Barrier Reef – To Visit or Not?

Great Barrier Reef

Hawksbill turtle image credit Sola HayakawaGreat Barrier Reef (GBR) is touted as a special place, and has been on my bucket list for a long time. The question remains – ‘Is it still the special place it once was, and worth a visit?’

Having been there for 10 days in 2017, I have a strong opinion about whether it is worth spending the time and money, or not. It is not strictly a ‘yes or no answer.’ Check out our experience and my recommendations… Continue reading

Want to See Tasmania’s Coastal Gems, like Freycinet?

Tasmania

Freycinet Tasmania coastal viewWe spent one week in Tasmania where we explored Cradle Mountain, Devonport, Launceston, Freycinet on the east coast, and ended in Hobart. Do you like nature, the ocean, and fresh seafood and produce? We love Tasmania for its wild coastlines, foodie culture with fresh fish and oysters, wineries, locally made cheeses, and organic produce.  Best of all, its Continue reading

Mountain High to Deep Waterways – Lake Taupo New Zealand

Lake Taupo & Around

Tongariro Alpine Crossing - Blue LakeIf you love the outdoors, beautiful scenery, mountains, waterways, history and culture, look no further than the Lake Taupo Area on New Zealand’s North Island. It brims with outdoor activities, from Continue reading

Wellington New Zealand – A Favorite City!

Wellington city overviewOn a recent 7 week visit to New Zealand, my photographer husband and I spent a few days in Wellington, now our favorite city in New Zealand. Learn about the diverse experiences it offers, from wildlife to movie sets.

Why visit Wellington

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Akaroa New Zealand – for beach, wildlife, great seafood

Akaroa New Zealand

Akaroa New Zealand Harbour and cloudy skyWe are wildlife voyeurs and take every opportunity to experience the animals in their natural habitats on all of our travels. When Coast Up Close Wildlife Adventures invited us to join them while we were on New Zealand’s South Island, we planned a couple days in Akaroa New Zealand. So glad we did! See Akaroa with us … Continue reading