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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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
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…)
Amsterdam
Netherlands To Switzerland
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If you haven’t heard, the day after Christmas I’m headed off to Europe. This will be my fourth Eurotrip (one, two, and three) and I can’t wait to go explore this amazing part of the world again. This time I’m starting on a direct flight from Portland to Amsterdam that I scored for cheap and reining in the New Year with Melissa, Tomas, Ayleen and more. After the New Year, I’m eventually making my way down to visit my friend Laurent in Lausanne, Switzerland before flying home. My plans are pretty loose, as is the way I usually travel, so I’m excited to see how the trip comes together. With the help of the travel hacking work I’ve done in the past and my friends in Europe, I’m hoping to keep my trip quite low on cost. I’m going to be updating this post with my trip details as best as I can, so bookmark this page and stay updated. Belgium(I ended up splitting off and Switzerland into their own posts.)
Adventure
Blue Lagoon Alternatives: Iceland’s Other Hot Springs
There are well over a million visitors heading to Iceland every year these days and the number one tourist attraction is the Blue Lagoon Geothermal Spa. Known for it’s pearl blue water and beauty, it is also known to be quite packed with people (a reservation is recommend), and also comes at a hefty price tag (starts at around $60!). During my visit to Iceland, I was doing it on a budget, so I didn’t make an appearance at the Blue Lagoon, and instead partook in the numerous other hot springs around the country of Iceland. Here are a number of the ones I went to soak – avoid the crowds and save some cash. (more…)
Festivals
First Time At SXSW
This last week I went to Austin, Texas for work, seeing friends, and SXSW (South by South West). The trip didn’t last as long as I would have liked (like most), but in the time I was there, I had a blast. I’m actually quite exhausted from a week of getting up early to get work done, and stopping in the early afternoon to go out and enjoy what SXSW had to offer until late into the night.
I spent the majority of my time with my friends and hosts, Jake and Maria, whom I met in Puerto Rico last New Year (2014-15). Along with them, I made new friends along the way and caught up with old ones.
I’ll be back in Portland for this weekend before heading out again to San Ramon (3/21-25). You never know about San Ramon, but it should be a decent enough time.
If you want some more details about SXSW or my time in Austin, then keep on reading! (more…)
Adventure
First Taste Of Chile
Wednesday (January 13th) I returned from a fast moving almost-three week trip around the beautiful country of Chile. This was my first taste of Chile, and for that matter, South America. The trip ranged from numerous long flights, beautiful wineries, fireworks on the beaches of Valparaiso, taking it easy enjoying the restaurants, cafes, and parks in Santiago, overnight hiking in Southern Patagonia, and playing with Penguins as far south from home as I’d ever been. Just like any trip, it wasn’t long enough, but I had quite the adventure and am glad to share with you my first taste of Chile. (more…)
California
PDX->SNA (FTU)->SFO (Work)->PDX->SEA->LWS->Home
The title of this post is quite the cluster, but it is what my upcoming week is going to look like. Prior to yesterday, I was going to go to Newport Beach, CA to attend Frequent Travel University (FTU) and then come back to Portland, work here through Thursday, and then fly out to Lewiston, Idaho to visit my grandma. Well, a wrench was throne into the situation and now I’m also going to San Ramon for a four-day deep-dive for my work. Now, I’m hitting the following airports before finally getting back home next Sunday. (more…)
Hikes
Hiking Helens 2015
Last weekend I went hiking to the top of Mt. St. Helens for the 4th time! My friend Ryan and I have been hiking it together since 2013 and though it’s grueling, the view from the top and the glacade down makes it all worthwhile.
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Hikes
Ixa’s Birthday Dog Mountain Hike
This weekend, Ixa turned a year older and to celebrate I took her hiking up Dog Mountain with Ilona, Ryan, his wife and their dog. Ixa is a strong 75 pound pup and even though she was worn out as much as I was when we finished, she was a trooper and kept us going. (more…)