Around the World in 100 Countries

Paradise is here. Honeymooners, this is your spot. Imagine Florida with mountains and waterfalls (minus the humidity). There is a right way to do Hawaii – in a cruise. We chose to cruise for the most bang for our buck. We arrived in Honolulu and were able to see all islands. The experience is unequal, so I will highlight what stroke me as the most impressive. Walking on the volcanic national park was amazing. It is a must for visiting. You can literally walk inside the crater of a live volcano. At tour of a Macadamia nut farm provided us a delicious afternoon and highlighted our interest in this local production. Don’t forget to visit wineries (yes, Hawaii has wineries) and local nurseries. I came to like Birds of Paradise as my favorite flower in the world. Hawaii is also a place where you can encounter the creation at the beginning form – besides being astonished by waterfalls everywhere; we could also witness a volcano spilling into the ocean. Nothing can describe that experience.

If you are looking for a great vacation spot, go to Hawaii! Waikiki is a fabulous gathering place for all people! You can visit Duke’s Canoe Club or RumFire to hear some beautiful live music. The Royal Hawaiian Center is the perfect place for dinner, where you can taste exotic foods, and the Waikiki Beach Walk is the spot for shopping to pick up souvenirs. Downtown Honolulu and Chinatown, Oahu are known for their exquisite art galleries, restaurants, and bars. Every First Friday, Chinatown offers open houses for galleries, wonderful entertainment, and a lively nightlife. Waimea Canyon is the largest canyon in the Pacific that you can’t pass up! You can take a downhill bike tour for an exhilarating experience or see the physical marks from volcanic eruptions. If you love national parks, you have to visit Hawaii’s Volcanoes National Parks in Big Island. Its landscape encompasses steaming vents, deep craters, blackened lava fields, and crusty cinder cones. You can even take a helicopter tour to see the extraordinary landscape from the perfect spot: in the air! The special aspect of this national park is that is combines both fire and ice; the snowfields on the Mauna Loa summit and molten rivers of lava from Kilauea combine to put on a once-in-a-lifetime show.

Sources:

http://www.gohawaii.com/statewide/guidebook/hot-spots

http://www.enjoyhawaiivacations.com/PlacestoVisitinHawaii.html
“People travel to faraway places to watch, in fascination, the kind of people they ignore at home.” – Dagobert D. Runes

5. New Zealand

If you ever decide to visit a country that has it all New Zealand is your choice. From tropical forests, to volcanoes and glaciers, New Zealand has it all.

We started our journey in Auckland, and impressive city. There is a hotel downtown, which is the highest structure in the city, where you can have a panoramic view of the city or bungee jump from there (no joke). A tour of city reminds you that this is a volcanic country. Heading north, you can find lush tropical forests with waterfalls and it is great for a walking. On this part of the island, the sand is magnetic, it is a real thrill to pass a magnet and see how much it collects from the sand.

Rotorua is a volcanic area, a city where you can walk around hot lavas and hot vents. They have a great visitor center, which is the most informative. It really felt like being in another planet where the landscape is still forming. Now, a trip to New Zealand is not complete without visiting s sheep farm and a Maori tribe. New Zealand has a population of 40 sheep per person. Visiting a sheep farm is indeed a truly unique experience and most fun. I never knew there were so many types of wool and seeing a New Zealand shepherd dog in action is incredible. We spent a day with the Maoris, visiting their cultural centers and a local village, and watching a cultural show and dinning with them. I was not aware of much of the Maori culture and the visiting was most enlightening. Their civilization covered a vast area, which stimulated us to visit their brothers and sisters in Hawaii and Easter Islands.

Queenstown is a sky resort. We were there in July so the place was packed full of skiers from Australia. It felt like being in Aspen, Colorado or Santiago, Chile. It is on a lake so it is guaranteed to offer activities year round.

Milford sound is an amazing journey. When people ask me how it feels like in New Zealand, I normally answer: put Hawaii and Alaska together. Milford sound is enormous glaciers with pristine clear lakes. It is a photographer’s dream since they can have a perfect reflection on the water of the landscape. A true moment of Zen in to start the journey followed by dolphins and finish greeted by hunchback whales.

If you are looking for action adventure and gorgeous scenery, head over to Queenstown. It is a lake side town that is surrounded by mountains, a great tourist destination. Activities include bungee jumping, jet boating, parapenting, white water rafting, and skiing. Of course, you can also enjoy numerous cafes, restaurants, and shopping locations. The Abel Tasman National Park is New Zealand’s smallest national park, but it is well worth your time. It has the best beaches in the country because it is located in one of New Zealand’s sunniest spots! The sand ranges from gold to white and the waters are clear and beautiful. Out beyond the beaches, the national park is home to a rain forest. The very popular Abel Tasman Walk is a spectacular way to experience all that the park can offer, lasting 3-5 days! Kayaking and resting in a sea taxi are two of the many activities that you can enjoy in this park.

Source: http://www.virtualoceania.net/newzealand/travel/top10.shtml

The sand ranges from gold to white and the waters are clear and beautiful. Out beyond the beaches, the national park is home to a rain forest. The very popular Abel Tasman Walk is a spectacular way to experience all that the park can offer, lasting 3-5 days! Kayaking and resting in a sea taxi are two of the many activities that you can enjoy in this park.

Source: http://www.virtualoceania.net/newzealand/travel/top10.shtml
“A journey is like marriage. The certain way to be wrong is to think you control it.” – John Steinbeck

6. Alaska

If you never left the continental U.S., Alaska should be your first choice. We chose to fly to Anchorage and then rent a car and follow the Alaskan pipeline all the way to Fairbanks. The landscape of that journey is out of this world. The endless tundra contrasting with majestic mountains makes you feel you are in another planet. Fairbanks is a fairly uncomplicated city and it has a wonderful city park. We were there in July, so the place was full with artisans and local craftsmen. Do not miss the riverboat cruise, considered by many experts as the best riverboat cruises in North America. We had the chance to view local villages, sledge dog training and had all the smoked salmon one can eat. It was a truly remarkable afternoon well spent. This is also your best chance to book a short flight to the northernmost city in the U.S., Barrow. We tried to book an airplane to go to there but understandably the locals had priority. They come to Fairbanks for groceries and necessities, and the airplane is also a mail carrier. These are their only supply line. The locals do not recommend driving to Barrow. We did not make the flight so then drove to Denali National Park. We rent cabins right outside of the park; they were cheaper and have all the amenities necessary. Waking up in the morning with moose in front of your cabin was really fun. We booked a full day visit of Denali National Park. It was remarkable. We were able to see at close distance grizzly bears. We took advantage of additional tours and went kayaking and horseback riding. Kayaking in salmon season was really fun, they bang themselves against the kayak and our tour guide just grabbed one and put inside his wet suit. “Dinner”, he said and we all laughed. Another moment of Zen was having bald eagles flying right above us. I never felt so strong the spirit of being American. Once we drove back to Anchorage and visited its parks and museums, we took the tour of Portage glacier. If you don’t have much time left in Alaska, this is a must. It is a short scenic ride from Anchorage. The boat tour gives you a first glimpse of those massive floating diamonds called glaciers. Pristine water, air and a spectacular view will give you an adrenaline rush.

We departed Anchorage on our very first cruise on Holland of America. We felt in love with the cruise. The service was outstanding, the clientele educated, and the cruise was small enough to take us into places that the larger cruise ships can’t go. We visited Sitka, Juneau and Ketchikan. We used Holland of America for our southbound trip. We investigated and found out you see more this way for the ships go through the inside passages. We finished our cruise in Vancouver and extremely satisfied of our first cruise.



Must see Alaska

Glacier Bay National Park, Wilderness and Preserve is a World Heritage Site that leads into the Gulf of Alaska coastline. If you are a wildlife lover, this is the perfect place for you! The water is the home of humpback and killer whales, five species of Pacific salmon, and more. Birds fly over the shoreline while brown and black bears, moose, Sitka deer, wolves, and wolverines live on the land. Kayaking is a favorite activity while hiking is also popular. Water taxis are available to transport kayakers and hikers around the park. Camping is also allowed; be careful and alert though! The Alaska Native Heritage Center in Anchorage gives an educational and cultural experience to everyone. It offers workshops, demonstrations, and guided tours. Here, you can dive deep into the native Alaskan culture. Anyone will enjoy their time at the center.

Sources:

http://www.alaska.com/glacier-bay/

http://500nations.com/Alaska_Places.asp

“No one realizes how beautiful it is to travel until he comes home and rests his head on his old, familiar pillow.” – Lin Yutang

We have done Canada twice and it still on our travel plans. The country is so extensive that we almost need three trips to have a feeling of being there. On our Alaska journey, we finished in Vancouver, which is by far one of the top cities in North America. Picture this: many cities have a park in the center, Vancouver is on the center of a park. Walking through its markets will give you a close encounter with the locals and market flavors. Unforgettable as well was a whale watching experience. This one is a must. We were there in the mating season, and out boat was right in the middle of them. We could almost touch them. The tour was a well-spent afternoon that gave us great memories and a suntan.

On the East coast, we arrived in Canada via Holland of America from Europe. I finished my Masters degree in Spain and we decided to sail back to America. Holland of America has been since one of our favorite cruise lines and the end of the cruise would take us to Canada. Newfoundland and Labrador were our port of call and we were delighted to be able to stroll through the streets and visit the local merchants. We also took a trip to the site that Marconi made his first radio transmition. We on the most northeast point in the America and cold almost hear Ireland from there.



Must see Canada

If you visit Canada, you simply can’t pass up Niagara Falls. Although most of the falls are on U.S. territory, you have to be on the Canadian side to see this wondrous sight. There are many attractions, including the Maid of the Mist boat ride that takes you close to the falls, Journey Behind the Falls (the name says it all), White Water Walk, and Niagara’s Fury, a 4D movie! There are restaurants and shops all around; it is the ultimate tourist destination that is fun for everyone in the family! Vancouver, British Columbia is one of the best places for a great time. You can enjoy the night life, go camping, hiking, or whale-watching, or even ski. An outdoors person would definitely love to go to Vancouver. Also, Banff, Alberta is a place that will take your breath away! Wildlife sightings are guaranteed, whether it be elk, mountain goat, or deer, and the vast expanse of snowfields offer skiing and snowboarding. Check out the outdoor hot-springs while you are there as well! Banff is a very popular place to visit.

Sources:

http://www.niagaraparks.com/attractions/

http://jyledupuis.hubpages.com/hub/Top_Ten_Places_to_Visit_in_Canada

“Your true traveler finds boredom rather agreeable than painful. It is the symbol of his liberty-his excessive freedom. He accepts his boredom, when it comes, not merely philosophically, but almost with pleasure.” – Aldous Huxley

¡Ay Mexico lindo! This is also another country you must visit in steps. I can assure that our two visits to Mexico is one among many more to come. We traveled to Cozumel twice, and both times we enjoyed the many activities the city provides. The experience with dolphins is a must. We were inside a pool with these majestic creatures and felt how smart these creatures are. The other must see is Chichen Itza Pyramids. One might expect to see a Mayan pyramid at this short drive from Cozumel. What we saw instead is a complex of Pyramids. For those who are history enthusiasts like us, this is Disneyworld. This a massive complex of pyramids and you feel like you have been transported to another time. It is pure magic and adrenaline rush. Adding a special touch is the local shamans open the place with a special blessing. It reminded us that this is still a sacred ground for them. The complex is in an immaculate condition; it even has a sports arena where the Mayans played soccer at their own style. Our second time in Cozumel was a stopover and we decided to walk through the city, mingle along the locals, visit the churches and plazas, and have Mexican lunch at a local restaurant. It was an unforgettable day. We even had time left for some souvenir shop.

Mexico City is such a fascinating city. Its Plaza Garibaldi is considered the “Times Square” of Mexico. If you’re an art nut, you can visit Diego River and Frida Kahlo’s studio, or others can explore ancient Aztec canals and pyramids. Mérida is four hours from Cancún, where you can enjoy beaches and learn about its history. The architecture is so amazing, with 17^th century cathedral made from Mayan bricks. You can also eat from the famed taco stands and take a tour that will allow you to see mangroves filled with flamingos. Near the Yucatan Peninsula, the borders of Playa del Carmen house cars, clubs, taco stands, and souvenir shops. It is a hot spot for tourists (especially cruises), but the crystal clear waters on the beaches are to die for! Snorkeling and boat trips are among the many activities that are offered. If you like a more educational experience, make sure to visit Puebla. Its cathedrals and museum give you a direct look at ancient artifacts.

While in the U.S., New York City is the place to visit! It is the home of the Statue of Liberty and is practically awake for 24 hours, buzzing with excitement. If you love theater, check out a show on Broadway! Even if you aren’t a city person, you can take a stroll around Central Park to get a breath of fresh air. New York City cannot be discussed without mentioning its numerous dining places. The Grand Canyon in Arizona is a landmark that is jaw-dropping. Visitors can hike, raft, or just stare at its beauty and great depths. It is interesting to learn about its history and formation as well! New Orleans, Louisiana is a lively and vivid center for music and food. Its culture still exists today, even the famous Cajun food! Even after the devastating Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans continues to be a very popular tourist destination. If you are interested in helping to rebuild the city after the heart wrenching effects of the hurricane, you can participate in voluntourism, a new type of tourism in which visitors can lend a hand. Mardi Gras is a huge festival in New Orleans as well.

Source: http://traveltips.usatoday.com/10-places-visit-united-states-41879.html
“Traveling is a brutality. It forces you to trust strangers and to lose sight of all that familiar comfort of home and friends. You are constantly off balance. Nothing is yours except the essential things – air, sleep, dreams, the sea, the sky – all things tending towards the eternal or what we imagine of it.” – Cesare Pavese

10 Belize (British Honduras):

What a pleasant surprise. Another port of call that created quite an impression on us was Belize. It is the only country in Central America where English is the official language. Belize city is very easy to navigate – a fresh breath of British colonialism in the middle of Central America. We arrived with one thing in mind – nature exploration. We decided to do a boat tour of the city through its river and explore its tropical forest flavors. It was time well spent. We were quite surprised to see that much of lush tropical forest and we were even greeted by hollow monkeys. In addition, this is a bird watch paradise. We also recommend a full day tour to include a visit to the Mayan temple. As the sun set behind us and we returned to our cruise, we understood why so many people call Belize their second home and wandered why it was not more openly advertised in travel magazines.

The Atolls are a very popular destination in Belize. The Half Moon Caye’s turquoise waters and diverse sea life is the perfect place for diving and snorkeling. The land and air animals, such as red-footed booby birds and frigate birds, can also be observed from observation decks. The Cayes are also widely visited. It is calm and serene with a relaxed vibe, like the Caribbean. Fishing, snorkeling, diving, and relaxing on the sand are among popular activities in the Cayes. Scuba diving is another popular activity in the reefs and corals of the sea because scuba divers can see the marine life. Hol Chan Marine Park in the Cayes offer people the opportunity to swim with rays and small nurse sharks or take a boat trip to meet and spend time with manatees.

Source: http://www.audleytravel.com/Destinations/Central-America/Belize/Places-to-Go.aspx
“One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things.” – Henry Miller

11 Costa Rica

There is a reason so many Americans retire in Costa Rica. The country is clean, safe, people are very amicable, the country is very stable, and of course, this is the biggest chunk of tropical forest closest to home. Costa Rica has all the amenities for nature lovers. We arrived on the East Coast of Costa Rica and decided to do a full days tour of San Jose and tropical forests. The feeling you have arriving there is pure energy. The pureness of fresh air and the mystery of the jungle is a guarantee to uplift your spirit. San Jose is a marvelous capital. As a language professor, I do suggest my students to spend some time here. Their Spanish is very clear and concise. Classes are very affordable and the cultural climate is excellent. We visited the Museum of gold. It is amazing how much riches this small country has to provide. On a footnote – one of the former presidents is a Nobel peace prize, the vast majority of the country is a national park, and Costa Rica is the most wired nation in Latin America. We cruised there, but a short flight out of Miami will take you to this lost paradise.

Puerto Limon was the place we arrived. The population is 80% of the West Indies, so English is widely spoken. Costa Rica is flat on the Caribbean side, it has mountains in the middle, and it is flat again on the pacific side. It sits on the pacific tectonic plate and it already showed earthquakes on a 7.5 Ritcher Scale. The wind from the Caribbean side brings sediments forming a massive alluvial area therefore bananas and pineapples plantation flourish. Costa Rica is 10 degrees north of the equator and has only two seasons from May to December. Coffee has always been the main production of the country; it begun with the construction of the railroad connecting inland. Local fruits from the islands (especially Jamaica) were brought to appease laborers of the Panama Canal. Todays, Costa Rica abides to the international treaty of ISO 1444, meanings it has an international seal of approval for environmental practices. Bananas were introduced to feed the locals that were building the railroad to export coffee. Bananas start sprawling in 6 months after 15 bunches. It is cute driving through a banana plantation and seeing them covered with blue plastic bags – this is designed to create a microclimate so that the bananas grow equally. A 12 day trip to US ripens the fruit and you can see the logo on them from Dole products and the Chiquita banana. The second crop is pineapple which is extremely hard to cross polinization.

Costa Rica has a population of 4 million educated citizens, around 200,000 American immigrants but 450,000 other immigrants which poses a major issue since the country only has a police force of 9,000. Its economy is microchip and software (Intel is here), pineapples corporation, banana, coffee and ecotourism. The country has 32% of its territory as a national preserve. San Jose is only the second capital and Costa Rica has more diversity of plants, birds, and mosquitos than the US and Europe combined.

We left the country with great memories of the visit of the central bank and the national museum. The national Museum is an old fort which houses gold and old civilizations remains. If you are vacationing there, remember that the country is divided by the continental divide: the west is dry and the east is wet. A visit to local restaurants will enlighten your palates with tropical flavors and the number one beer is Imperial.