Tag Archives: photography

My Jordan Adventure

Traveling to Amman, Wadi Rum, Petra, the Dead Sea, Madaba and Jerash with Intrepid Travel Jordan was bundled with my Egyptian trip so I flew directly from Cairo International Airport. It’s a proud country with some of the most unique scenery in the world. That being said, Jordan has economic problems, a huge population of […]

Driving on the Right (but Left) Side of the Road in New Zealand

Tips for rental cars and road trips in NZ! New Zealand was my first experience renting a car where residents (and visitors -some of whom don’t know what they are doing!) drive on the left side of the road.  Here’s what I learned: It takes some getting used to. We booked a car on day […]

Packing List for a Summer New Zealand Trip

I packed a carry-on bag and backpack to New Zealand.  Below is what I brought and what I would leave at home if I had a time machine. 2 books because it was a long journey. 1 book would have been fine in retrospect.   The longer flights always have entertainment and it’s best to get some […]

The Best Souvenirs in New Zealand

If you’re visiting New Zealand, below are the most unique gifts or souvenirs to look for on the North and South Island. ROTORUA MUD Mud is perhaps the most basic of all the face masks, dating back to 1200 BC. This mud takes it up a notch. Although there is geothermal activity in several places […]

Epic Two Week New Zealand Itinerary

Total Days: 14 days not including 2+ travel days | Accommodations: Hotels/Hostels | Transportation: Rented a car | Traveled with: A girlfriend | Type of Trip: Focus on nature and scenery, with unique hiking or water-based activities | Highlights: Waiheke Island, Cathedral Cove, Tongariro Crossing, Queenstown scene, Milford Sound overnight cruise, Rippon Vineyards, Hooker Valley […]

New Zealand South Island Itinerary

Total Days: 9 days on the South Island | Accommodations: Hotels/Hostels in central downtown Queenstown, Te Anau, Wanaka, Mount Cook, Tekapo and Christchurch, and one night on a Milford Sound Cruise | Traveled with: A girlfriend | Type of Trip: Focus on mountains, hiking and unique scenery  | Highlights: Queenstown scene, Milford Sound, Rippon Vineyard, […]

New Zealand North Island Itinerary

Total Days: 6 | Accommodations: Hotels/Hostels | Transportation: Aukland is walkable and rented a car for the rest of the trip| Traveled with: A girlfriend | Type of Trip: Focus on beaches and unique scenery  | Highlights: Waiheke Island, Tongariro Crossing Hike, beach walks and kayaking trips There are so many different routes you could […]

New Zealand Travel Tips and Fun Facts

Useful information and tidbits before traveling to NZ! Kiwis (the bird) are nocturnal so don’t expect to see them out and about! We spoke to life-long locals who had never seen a Kiwi in the wild. New Zealand is very clean.  Even the public restrooms are some of the nicest I’ve ever been in. The […]

Why you should go to Doha instead of Dubai!

Doha, the capital of Qatar, is the “little sister” city to Dubai.  While Dubai offers ample accolades and record-breaking landmarks including the best hotel, tallest building and largest mall by total area, visitors in Doha won’t be disappointed with the Arabic-inspired architecture, waterfront sand dunes and authentic Middle-Eastern attractions. Not the largest in the world, […]

5 Days in San Francisco Itinerary for First Time Visitors

Total Days: 5 Days | Accommodations: Recommend the Washington Square Inn or a hotel in Nob Hill | Transportation:  Lots of walking and urban hiking, Uber and a car rental for 36 hours | Traveled With: Sister and brother in law | Type of Trip: A whirlwind of walking to the best landmarks and excellent […]