I wanted to give a follow-up to the Making Travel Plans in 2020 post I made in September. Specifically, our trip to Whitefish, Montana by Rail and give some more info while I’m at it.
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Adventure
Making Travel Plans in 2020
With the way 2020 has gone so far, making travel plans in 2020 seems like it may lead to more disappointment as many plans will likely fall through, however, I’m happy to be making new ones again. Yes, everything originally planned for in 2020 was either postponed or canceled, but perhaps these new plans will come through!
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Biking
To Reach the Beach [Canceled]
Update (8/31): Sad to say…but Reach the Beach has been canceled this year. Feel free to read-on though!
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Alaska
Alaska Postponed: Another Trip Bites The Dust
In light of the current situation going on, the trip I was planning for my mom has now been postponed for another day. This just after the trip to Italy was canceled/postponed a week ago (would have been there today if it hadn’t of been – thankfully we didn’t go!). My mom has some health complications that would be at risk with COVID-19 and it just isn’t worth taking the chance just to go on a vacation. Thankfully Alaska Airlines refunded the full fair which will be used another day.
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Europe
Postponing Our Trip To Catania, Italy
With everything going on with regards to the Coronavirus (COVID-19), we have decided on postponing our trip to Catania, Italy. It’s worth saying that I am not afraid of traveling to Italy, in fact, I think it would be a wonderful time of year to go and probably much less crowded than normal (bonus!), however, I am afraid of it spreading further do to my want, not need, to visit a place that has been set to Category 3 by the CDC (Avoid Nonessential Travel). I really wanted to go to Catania and see Sicily, but it just isn’t worth possibly spreading this to my friends and family after I return.
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Adventure
Passport Renewal Time: Remembering the Decade
Today, I say goodbye to one of my most trusted travel companions, my passport for it is passport renewal time!
This passport and I have traveled some long distances to many amazing and beautiful places.
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Europe
How I Scored Portland to Rome For $250!
It all started with a spark of an idea to meet up with some great friends in Europe in March. That spark and an email turned into an interest to attend TBEX Europe 2020 in Catania, Italy around the same time. Early tickets for the conference were on sale and being that I’ve never been to Italy, it seemed like a great reason to make it happen. I asked my girlfriend, Jackie, if she would mind if I went to a conference while we’re on our trip. She asked, “so, you want me to spend a few days in Italy on my own while you go to a conference – yeah, no worries – I’ll be just fine!” I grabbed the conference ticket and began keeping an eye on flights – that’s when I stumbled across an email from ScottsCheapFlights that would lead us to get tickets from Portland to Rome for less than $250 each!
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Asia
Journey To Hong Kong: Part I
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The journey to Hong Kong has begun. I started my journey by meeting Evan, Claire, and their beautiful baby, Luna, at Caper’s Café in the Portland Airport (PDX) for breakfast, complimentary of the Priority Pass Select I received by signing up for the American Express Platinum card.
After breakfast and spending some time playing with Luna, we sent our separate ways: them making the long trek to Ethiopia to visit our friends Kyle and Beckie who moved there last November, and me, headed to San Francisco for the day before making the 14+ hour flight to Hong Kong.
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Adventure
Adventures in Costa Rica and Nicaragua
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This April, I went on an adventure to Costa Rica and Nicaragua with my friend Cristina. I had never been to Nicaragua before so I was quite excited to make the journey happen. Along with going to a new country, I had the chance to visit my friend Brendan down there who had purchased some land in the area and had been living in the country since January. Our plans were quite loose and we just let our trip come together as natural as we could. Here’s a quick rundown of the trip with some pictures. (more…)
Adventure
Coming Soon: Birthdays in Costa Rica & Nicaragua
This Friday, I’m headed out of Portland with my friend Cristina to Liberia, Costa Rica and soon after to the west side of Nicaragua to see my friend Brendan’s property. Brendan has been out there since the middle of January and I figure it is about time to pay a visit and see what this land is all about. I’ve never been to Nicaragua before, so I’m quite excited about seeing a new country. Costa Rica on the other hand happens to be the first trip I ever did solo (2012), which I loved, and am glad to visit once again. Cristina’s birthday is the 17th and my birthday is the 18th, and I’m excited to go to another part of the world to celebrate our birthdays. (more…)
Adventure
3 Days In Belgium
This is part two of a two-week trip to Europe. The first part is here (Netherlands) and the last part is here (Switzerland). This part takes place after leaving Amsterdam and arriving by train to Belgium. (more…)