Notes: Coffee served without sweetener (it was sweet enough without it), American bacon is the winner, sometimes Australians walk in public without shoes, it is pretty safe (even for solo female walking alone at night), huge bar scene, Friday is the main party day because locals are currently in the CBD and go out after work, there are wifi zones in public areas, use google maps to plan out trips with public trans (locals helped me when I was lost and without service though), don't try to walk from Circular Quay rail station to your hotel in The Rocks with luggage like me bc it is close by, and I did not experience any racism Sydney: Modern city with lots of shopping, restaurants, and multicultural influence. Many cute parks to relax at. The coastal walk near Bondi is beautiful. Did a shark dive at the aquarium. The sharks just swam around you like any other fish. Enjoyed the Susannah Place Museum tour. It's 12 AUD and you go on guided tours of old homes. Try the watermelon cake at Black Star Pastry, fish plate at Cidery Bar and Kitchen, and Gelato Messina. Cairns: Hot and humid. Pack some mosquito spray if going on a bush walk. Otherwise, didn't see mosquitoes in town. Large aboriginal presence here. Tjapukai was okay, but I was looking for more of an authentic experience. Cairns Botanical Gardens is free and very beautiful. There is a night markey every night near the esplanade with souvenirs and food. Going to Kuranda is a must. Save your money and go by the TransNorth bus. Be sure to take a pic holding a koala, see the tropical birds at BirdWorld, and visit the Butterfly Sanctuary. The Great Barrier Reef: I have wanted to come here for a long time. Decided it should be sooner than later, due to concerns of bleaching of the corals. Although, there are some spots where coral have died, the color underwater exceeded my expectations. I did 2 days and 1 night here with Reef Encounter. The ride over gave me the worse sea sickness ever, so I snorkeled the first day and did 1 dive the next day. You do see quite a lot from snorkeling though. Try not to smile underwater, unless you want water in your mask (water got in my mask bc it's impossible to not smile seeing the beauty underwater).

Apps to download: .My aurora forecast (northern lights prediction). Green indicates unfavorable conditions. Orange indicates a good probability of seeing them. Higher KP index and lower cloud coverage is preferred. .Vegagerdin (up to date road conditions). .112 Iceland (for emergency assistance). Places we stayed: .Black Beach Suites and Farmhouse Lodge in Vik. .Nordurey Guesthouse in Reykjavik. Places we visited on our own with self drive: Jokulsarlon and Diamond Beach 2hr 30 min from Vik. Seljalandsfoss and Black Sand Beach 2hr 30 min from Reykjavik. Golden Circle: Strokkur geysir, Gulfoss, and Efsti-dalur II ice cream shop about 1hr 40 min from Reykjavik. (FYI: If renting a car, be sure to hold the door when getting out. The winds were so strong that it almost literally took the door off. It was not covered in wind insurance and is considered negligence. Check with your credit card company before the trip for proper guidance.) Activities: .Ice climb and glacier hike for $182 from Arctic Adventures. (FYI: You can explore Sólheimajökull glacier without a tour. Be sure to have crampons though.) .How to become Icelandic in 60 seconds comedy show $42 in Reykjavik. .Blue lagoon comfort package $89 (includes silica mask, towel, and a drink). Pack flip flops. Try not to get the mask in your good hair. Northern lights: Spotted it for the first time on the plane ride to Iceland. It looked like a grey wispy cloud, but was green in photos. Be sure to choose a window seat! We tried every night to hunt the Northern lights on our own. We stayed overnight at Thingvellir National Park, tried spotting it at the Grotta Lighthouse in Reykjavik, and drove around to dark areas in Vik. But no luck. Booked several tours on our last night. It was canceled with TRIPS.is and Reykjavik Excursions, due to low probability of spotting it. We went on a Northern lights minibus tour for $81 with Reykjavik Sightseeing (wifi, hot chocolate, and Icelandic donuts included). Spotted green Northern lights at our 2nd stop (near Vatnsleysustrandarvegur and Jonathan Road). Northern lights photography tips: .Aperture: F. 2 8, 3.5, or 4. Shutter speed: Fast lights 5-7 sec. Slow lights 10-25 sec. ISO: 1600. If not bright enough, increase ISO. .You can capture yourself in the photo by getting someone to shine light at your face and holding still for enough time to snap the photo. I was sooo excited and forgot to keep still, so the picture came out a little blurry. .I was also able to capture photos with my S8 in pro mode ISO 800 and exposure 4 seconds. The guide said there is an app for Iphone users to download in order to capture the photos. Paid $373 RT for ticket from Wow Air. No delays with flight or lost baggage. You pay for everything extra, so bring your own snacks on board. In winter, sunrise is around 11 am and sunset 4 pm. On our first day, the roads were closed due to strong wings >68mph. We stayed at a gas station for 3 to 4 hours waiting for the roads to open. Then the clerk said it probably wont open until 4 pm. This ruined our plans for the day. For this reason, I would recommended adding an extra day or two to your trip in winter months. Decided we had enough time waiting and wanted to get on the road and check into our room before it was dark. At times, the wind was terrifying. My sister drove and I just closed my eyes. I am not an adventurous foodie. I stuck to salmon or arctic char (mix between trout and salmon) dishes, rye bread, apple pie, and hot chocolate. I did try the lamb soup at Cafe Loki and love ball, it was good. My sister and friend tried the sheep head jelly, fermented shark, fish jerky, and smoked sheep. The shark was the only super disgusting thing to them. We didn't get a chance to visit the trap club, Prikid.There was a storm advisory on the day we left. The turbulence was horrible. So if you have anxiety, I would strongly suggest you get something from your doctor just in case. Also, keep in mind that Iceland is expensive, but I would visit again.

Went here 2 times. Stayed 1 night in Condado Wave Hotel. Cute rooms, rooftop hot tubs, close walking distance to beach and restaurants. Great local food at Orozcos. My family rented a house for Thanksgiving. It was a close drive to Luquillo Beach. Went to the beach area at night for dinner. They have multiple food stalls and bars playing music. Went on a mini boat tour from Fajardo to Palomino Island with my sister and nieces. We drove the boats. The waves were big and we enjoyed jumping them. There was good snorkeling as well. Went body rafting, hiking, waterfall jumping in El Yunque with Kalichi Adventures for $175. They do offer discount to emergency staff. Walked around to the waterfalls in El Yunque. Walked around the fort and Old San Juan. Went to lunch at Barrachina's and had their famous piña colada. Went tubing and on a nature walk with Tanama River Adventures. It was fun and very informative. Took a tour to Playa Flamenco and Culebra Island for a beach day. Went snorkeling. Saw turtles and jellyfish. Not that many tropical fishes. The beaches in Condado are pretty.

Went to the sticky waterfall. It doesn't actually feel sticky. The rocks are easier to climb due to the limestone. There was not many tourists there. Took a cooking class at Basil Cookery. It costs $32. You pick 7 dishes that you would like to make. Everything was delicious and the instructor, Dew, takes you to get ingedients at the market and made the class fun. The class area was very hot. The fans didn't do much to cool it. Went fishing for mekong catfish at Bo Sang with Big Game Fishing for $47. Caught a 66 lbs catfish. It took 15 minutes to reel it in and I was TIRED. In the evening, I went on a monk chat at Wat Suan Dok. There is no charge, but they accept donations. Be sure to dress appropriately. You are able to ask the monks questions and they share information about their daily lives. It gives them an opportunity to practice English. Be sure to go to the night markets. Had cheap Thai massages and tried a fish spa pedicure. It was very ticklish. Went to Tiger Kingdom. The aninals were not sedated, walking around the cages freely. I did not see any of them being harmed. Workers said they have the animals there as babies and continue to raise them. Took photos with a white and regular tiger. They do have lions as well. Tried durian because I was curious why this fruit is banned in cars and hotels. It was NASTY. Taste like old onions. If you try it, ask for a freshly cut one because it will taste better. Went on a day trip to Chiang Rai. Visited the blue temple (most beautiful), white temple, and black temple. There is a restaurant walking distance from the black temple that was very good. One of the staff taught me how to make Thai tea and some Thai words. Afterwards, I visited a village with 6 different hill tribes. They have different stations to buy souvenirs to assist with funding to all tribes. Some of them appeared sad.

Stayed at El Arsenal Hostel and El Viajero Hostel. Enjoyed walking around the picturesque streets, buying fresh fruits, eating from street vendors, walking to the squares at night, and looking at graffiti.Took a day trip to Playa Blanca. The water is beautiful and I went jetskiing. There are restaurants. There are people selling things on the beach, which can take away from relaxation. Be sure to bring cash, because the fees for card use was high. Went to Barranquilla's Carnaval for 2 days. I enjoyed seeing the different cultural dances, but I won't go again. From there, I went to the Colombian Amazon in Leticia. The first night, I checked into Hostel Casa de las Palmas. It was a close walk to town. The next morning, I walked around town and bought boat tickets at the malecon to Reserva Natural Natura (a remote eco lodge). Along where the boats depart, there are people lined off selling different goods. Be sure to buy last minute supplies, because you won't be able to get them anywhere else if you're staying in a remote lodge. The grounds at the lodge is beautiful. The rooms have a bed with a mosquito net around it. No television, wifi, or good cell service. The water from the shower initially came out brown, but turned clear. They use rain water collected in a large bin. After I arrived, I rested for a bit. Then a native Ticuna guide took me on a nature walk through the forest. The next day, I went on a small wooden fishing boat. Water was slowly leaking into the boat, and we scooped it out with a soda bottle. With the makeshift fishing rod, I caught 1 catfish. Saw many different birds along the Amazon River and the changing of the colors of the water. Went to isla de los micos. One of the guides gives you a banana, and many small monkeys jump all over you. They were so cute. A curious baby monkey on it's mother back gave me a kiss on the nose. The next day, we went on a larger boat to Puerto Narino. Had lunch there and walked around the town for a little while. From there, went to lagos tarapotos to spot pink dolphins. I did see the pink dolphin several times. The birds here were diverse and beautiful. The ride back was a little terrifying. It was dark, raining, and our boat did not have a light. We hit a few logs thaf I thought would topple the boat over. The sunset from the boat was beautiful. The next day, I went back to the city in Leticia. Stayed at Hotel Utüane. Went on a tuk tuk tour to Tabatinga, Brazil. Bought a few souvenirs, went to a zoo, saw one of Pablo Escobar's old planes, and walked around the market. The next day, I bought boat tickets to Puerto Alegria, Peru. I went there primarily for the animal encounters. I took pictures with a sloth, parrot, anaconda, and prehistoric turtle. I walked around, observed daily life, shopped fir souvenirs, and spoke with a shop owner. Afterwards, one of the guides at the hotel took me on a day hike and I met some members of the Diablo tribe and toured their place. Once back in town, we ate a grilled piranha and went to the ethnographic museum. The people here are very nice and always willing to help a lost tourist. It does help to speak Spanish. I can't wait to return to the Anazonas.

Took a flight from Bogota to Pereira and a cab to Salento. There is 1 main square with shops and restaurants. Stayed in a glamping tent overlooking a valley in La Serrana Hostel. They provide breakfast and have a shower area. Took a coffee fatm tour at Finca El Ocaso. We learned about the coffee process, picked coffee beans, and sampled coffee with different brewing methods. Took a day trip to hike in Cocora Valley. The area is beautiful, with the wax palm trees and cloud forests. You will also see lots of pretty flowers. Went horseback riding in the valley. I got sick (vomiting) here for 1 day. The food was really good. I had steak with potatoes, trout, and a frozen lemonade at La Casona. Took a flight from Pereira to Medellín. Stayed at Hostel Rango Boutique. This is a cute, modern hostel. Good walkability to train station. Went on a tour of Comuna 13. The graffiti was beautiful. You must try the salpicon there with the condensed milk on it. There are street dancers. The guide said not to give the children money, because it keeps them out of school. Went on a street walking tour of Medellín and learned some of the history. The guide pointed out restaurants, areas to shop, and places to enjoy the evening. Went on an Escobar tour. The locals do not like the Escobar tour. They may say something to you about it. The food and atmosphere at Alambique was excellent. Food at 3 Tipicos was good as well. Parque Lleras is full of nightlife and food options. Took a day trip to Guatape (2 hour bus ride from Medellín). Died several times climbing El Peñol. There are beautiful views at the top though.

Stayed at Botanico Hostel. Went on a graffiti art tour. I wouldn't have found some of these places without the tour. The guide gives the meaning behind the art as well. Took the cable cars to Monserrate for beautiful views over Bogota. Ate tamales at La Puerta Falsa. Tried ajiaco (traditional soup) at El Gato Gris. It was good, but a little bland. There is a Colombian fusion restaurant, Sant Just, that has really good food. The plazas are large and did not have much activity in the evening. The area walking to Paloquemao market is not safe. Someone stole my phone on the way there.

Went here in June 2015 with my parents and June 2017 with my sisters and cousins. Drove a rental from San Jose to Arenal. The roads are well paved and GPS takes you to correct places. Stayed at Los Lagos Hotel. They have a beautiful property, with hot springs on site, a butterfly farm, ziplining, and other animal exhibits. There is an option to include buffet breakfast, which was good. The staff is really nice and may invite you out to have fun with the locals. Did ziplining on the property. Visited La Fortuna waterfall. I went waterfall rappelling with Desafio. I booked a group tour, but it turned out to be a private trip. The water was cold. It was fun and a little terrifying at the same time. You get better shots of the volcano in the morning, before the top is covered with clouds. Enjoyed the food at Rana Roja. From there we drove to Playa Carillo. Spent the day at the beach and bike riding. There are wild horses on some beaches. We drove to a secluded spot with pretty blue water. It was too rocky for swimming. Walked to La Selva wildlife refuge to see native animals. In San Jose, I went to mercado central to buy last minute souvenirs. Be sure to buy the chocolate covered pineapple candy by Britt. On the 2nd trip, stayed at the villa at Los Lagos. I went white water rafting class 3/4 rapids with Desafio. This was fun and you get a chance to see birds and butterflies (many blue morphos). I thought I would fall out a few times, but never did. Went on the sky limit ropes course with Sky Adventures. It includes ziplining, rappelling, tarzan swing, hanging bridge, free fall, and hiking. Go pros are available to rent if needed. Visited Don Olivo Chocolate for a chance to kearn how chocolate is made. We made a cup of hot chocolate and sampled a variety of tropical fruit from the vine. Went to a party at La Terraza until late in the morning. There is another club within walking distance with mostly locals that played reggae music. Drove to Manuel Antonio the next day. Rented a house (Moonshine Inn) with infinity pool. Visited Nauyaca waterfall. Paid about $20 for a drive to the waterfall. There is an option to horseback ride here as well. The trail is 12km is mountainous terrain. The views are beautiful along the way. The waterfall emit a lot of mist, so be sure to have a gopro or waterproof case. Afterwards, I went to Raindrop Spa for a massage and body scrub. The rooms are open to nature. I could hear the rain and monkeys playing in the trees outside. It was so peaceful. The next day, I went on an early morning nature walk with a local guide in Manuel Antonio National Park. She had a telescopic lens that we could take pics of the animals (sloth, hummingbird, monkies, flea..) with from our phone. Spent the rest of the day at the beach. Beware of the raccoons and monkeys. They will go to your bag to take things. Ate dinner at El Avion, inside of an old plane. I had such a good time in Costa Rica, can't wait to return.

Went to Freeport and Nassau as a cruise trip in August 2012. Went snorkeling with tropical fishes and sharks, enjoyed the day at Junkanoo beach, shopping, and eating conch fritters. The locals were friendly.

I went to Canada with my parents to visit Niagara Falls in October 2015. We went on a boat tour. Ponchos are provided because you will get sprayed by the mist. Returned in the evening for photos with the falls illuminated. There is a strip with restaurants and shops. I also visited Bird Kingdom. It is a huge facility, with lots of exotic free roaming birds. There is also a chance to feed lorikeets. I also visited Niagara on the Lake. It's a cute area with boutique shops and restaurants. Stopped at a vineyard for ice wine tasting.

Took a roadtrip to Philly for 4th of July. My family and I went to a parade and a saw the liberty bell for free. There was a free concert in the park (Pitbull was there) and a fireworks show. Took an audio guide tour of the state penn ($14) and saw Al Capone's cell. I enjoyed hearing the commentary. Waljed around the downtown area on a self guided graffiti tour. The China Town area had the worst smells. Bought rolled ice cream and a watermelon shake in China Town. Stopped for pics by the LOVE sign. My nieces enjoyed playing in the water fountains. I was able to get nice photos of them there. Went to Genos and Pats. Did not care for either. The good food is located in the reading terminal market. There are multiple shops and restsurants. I tried the cheesecake from Termini Brothers. It was okay. There is a really good soul food restaurant in there. The watermelon sweet tea, yams, cornbread, and chicken was delicious. Afterwards, we went to Hershey Park. It has a waterpark as well. Even though ourside was HOR, the water was COLD. I only went on one water slide, because the water was freezing. The next day, we went to the Hershey factory. We enjoyed making our own candy bar, learning about chocolate making, and the 3D show. I would go back to Hershey in low season. The next day, we went to the Amish Village. We learned about typical Amish life, toured a home, fed farm animals, and went on a tour of the community to observe the Amish. It was very informative and I had a good time.

Went to the aquarium in Denver. They have a beautiful restaurant area to dine with fishes and stingrays in the tanks surrounding you. There are a few shows and an opportunity to go diving. The first time here in 11/2017, I took a shuttle from Denver airport to Breckenridge. Stayed at The Bivvi Hostel, which had an outside hot tub facing the mountain and a good continental breakfast. Walked around at night solo and never felt unsafe. There are free shuttles available also. I did see a fox walking back to the hostel one night, but it ignored me. Paid $60 for 1.5 hrs nordic ski lessons at Breckenridge Nordic Center. I prefer this over downhill skiing. I had a great time and it's more scenic. Afterwards, I went snowshoeing. Paid $125 for ziplining at Top of the Rockies. Ziplining in the winter landscape was beautiful. I also went snowmobiling (unable to recall the company). That was fun, but it was sooo cold. The handle bars are heated, but my hands still felt numb. Each company has equipment available to rent. I went back to Breck in 1/2018. This time, my family rented a truck and a cabin. They did not have any trouble driving in the snow. The roads were well maintained. I enjoyed dogsledding with Good Times Adventures ($90). You have an opportunity to drive the sled and sit on it. The next day, went ice fishing with Big Ed's Fishing ($83). My family and I caught rainbow trout and salmon. It was much harder to catch fishes because of the technique. However, I would try it again. Went nordic skiing at Golden Run Nordic Center and to the ice castles in Dillon. It would be better to experience the ice castles during the day for photo purposes, but they are lighted at night. The food at Empire Burger and The Lost Cajun was good. There is a pastry shop next to the Lost Cajun. Be sure to try their hot chocolate! Even though it was a lot of snow and cold, I feel that that it was not bone piercing cold.

Visited Belize as stop on a cruise with my 9 year old niece. We went ziplining with Explore Belize Caves for $75. The guide was Dennis Perez. He took us to the Belize signs right outside of the cruise terminal and gave cultural information about Belize. We were the only ones ziplining at the time. We went over a river and on a suspension bridge. The views were beautiful. Be sure to take your charged camera. I bought souvenirs from vendors outside of the cruise terminal. The locals were never pushy with selling things and nice.

Visited Little French Keys, Honduras as stop on a cruise with my 9 year old niece. We purchased the VIP package. $199 adult and $99 child. It includes guaranteed swimming with a jaguar (large or small) or black panther (small), horseback riding in the ocean, 6 drinks, lunch, oceanfront massage, VIP area, snorkeling tour, and use of water sports equipment (kayak, SUP, or snorkels). There are beach swings, caged animals, opportunity for photos with a monkey, and free roaming peacocks. I loved it here and will come back on a flight instead, in order to have more time. My niece had a great time playing with animals and the black panther was playful with her. I took the photo with the large jaguar. I had a ponytail and it bit at it like a toy, but I did not get injured. Also, be sure to remove dangling jewelry if you do the big cat encounter. The jaguar scratched one person and they took a 1 hour break. Horseback riding was just enough time for photo opps.

Visited the Cayman Islands as a cruise twice. The first time, I went on an island tour and visited Hell. There is a tree full of iguanas, a local shop to buy souvenirs, and an opportunity to take photos by the lava rocks. In August 2018, I took my niece on a combo tour with snorkeling, stingray city, and starfish point. I just wished that we had more time at each stop. The water here is beautiful. There are tons of tropical fishes and a pretty coral reef. The waves at stingray city were a little strong. You will feel the stingrays swimming past you. There are photo opportunities as well. At starfish point, you will see multiple starfish. You may pick them up, but it is important to keep them underwater. The starfish does not feel slimy and you will feel it's suction to your hand. Along the waterfront where the cruise ships dock, there are multiple shops. Be sure to visit the gelato shop. I bought caymanite jewelry, rum cake, and a pineapple candle in a coconut as a reminder of the vacation.

I rented a car and drove throughout Mexico. Stayed in Downtown Cancun at Oh!Urban Oasis. Pretty hotel, large rooms, and beautiful pool area with multiple private hot tubs. In the afternoon and evening, there is a live band at the pool area. For food, I walked to local restaurants in the area. Went to a local block party with music and food trucks. Playa Delfines is nice and relaxing. Rented a beach bed and went jet skiing. There is a beach bar and restaurant also. Went to one of the mega clubs and had a good time. I did a day trip to Chichen Itza and Cenote Ik Kil. At the ruins, there are guides for hire. The guide was really thorough and shared interesting stories with us about the Mayans. There are vendors on site to purchase souvenirs and drinks.The water was cold at the cenote and there were small fishes in the water. Life jackets and lockers were available to rent. There is a spot for cliff jumping. I also went on a day trip to a pink lagoon late afternoon. It is best to go morning or noon, in order to see the lagoon at it's brightest color. There are guides, but it is easy to find on your own. The surrounding area has a fishing area and farmland. I also took a cooking class in Puerto Morelos. Cooked chicken pibil, handmade tortillas, panuchos (refried beans stuffed tortilla), several salsas, and more. This was a fun class. I would do it again. Puerto Morelos has a cute waterfront area in their central plaza. It's a nice area to people watch, look at local fishermen, and observe birds.

Stayed at Le Pasion Boutique Hotel. Cute hotel, great breakfast, close walk to the main strip snd beach. I went to Xel Ha. A good buffet lunch and lockers are included. There is snorkeling, ziplining in the water, ropes course over the water, cliff jumping/tarzan swing, and other activities that you may pay additional money for. I had a great time. Be sure your GoPro is on tightly. I lost mine here. I did a day trip to Tulum. The ruins are on a picturesque hill by the ocean. It would be good to have a guide or book to know what you are looking at. There is an option to snorkel or swim here. The waves were a little rough in May 2017. When leaving, be sure to stop by the bar with the swings for the best piña colada. During the evening, there are many fun bars in the area playing a variety of music and a salsa club. I would return again!

I went here as part of a cruise 2 times. I went on a party boat snorkeling trip and visited San Gervasio ruins in 2013. There are plaques with explanations at the sites. It was hot, so be sure to take something to drink and a fan. There are iguanas everywhere. In August, I took my niece to a Josefina's cooking school. We walked to the market for fresh ingredients and helped prepare several Mexican dishes (quesadillas, refried beans, guacamole, chicken in mole sauce, cucumber pineapple salad, and more) in the home of a local. She was very nice and everything was delicious. We also went to Discover Mexico Park to make chocolate, learn about Mexican culture, and paint an alebrije. The chocolate making was not worth it, but the alebrije was fun. The cultural explanations were a little too long for my 9 year old niece.

My sister an I won a free trip to Montego Bay for 5 nights. We rented a car. They drive on the opposite side of the road. The first night, we went to Glistening Waters. There is bioluminescent water that turns blue when you move. You are able to stand in the water. The bottom does feel gross, like mud and jelly. Be sure to express to the photographer that you would like good photos. He took goid photos for someone's birthday, but our photos didn't come out well. The next day, I drove to Dunns River falls. Climbing the falls wasn't difficult. You will be able to get good photos on your own. There are vendors at the exit. My sister drove to the Blue Lagoon. I was terrified of driving on small laned roads in the mountains. We got lost wigh the GPS, locals were nice to help us find the way. Once there, you pay for a guided tour of the area. There is an option for a tarzan swing, waterfall jumping, and a mud bath. The next day, we went rafting on the Martha Brae river. The guide let us had a chance of driving the raft. The views were beautiful and we had a chance for a mini photoshoot. People sell things along the river, so be sure to bring cash. The jerk pork and festival at Scotchies was good. If you walk across the highway, there is a beautiful area on the beach to eat the food. The views and food at Pier 1 was good as well. Jamaicans took us to a local restaurant to try a stew conch with okra and carrots, it was my favorite meal. If you walk along the hip strip at night, there are people grilling and selling local food. I also went to a jamaican party and had a good time. I drove through the wealthy and poor parts of town.

Went on a solo trip here in May. Stayed at TRS Turquesa. Beautiful property and excellent food. There was not much entertainment, but it was relaxing and the pool was nearly empty. Most of the workers are flirtatious and will try to get your number. Paid $199 for the royal swim with photo package at dolphin discovery. Went on a half day tour to the countryside and Higuey for $55. Went inside a typical Dominican home and saw their farm (coffee and tobacco). The beach is beautiful and clean. There are shops along the beach if you walk out of the resort area and tour operators. I am not a resort person. If I return, I would stay at a hotel or Airbnb and rent a car to explore the country on my own. The tour packages to visit Montana Redonda and El Limon waterfall were expensive, so I didn't go.

Went to Phuket for 1 week in mid June and stayed at Charms resort. I liked the infinity pool area. It rained a few days while there. On the first night, I went to Simon cabaret show. The ladyboys sing and perform to popular songs. After the show, they have photo opps (they expect a tip). The next day, I went bamboo rafting (you can see snakes in the trees), to a waterfall, to the monkey temple (some monkeys were aggressive, fighting one another, and took things from tourists), and elephant trekking. I also went to the Phuket trickeye museum and Tiger kingdom. Took photos with a white and regular tiger. There is also an option to take photos with a lion. The animals were not sedated. I saw them playing with one another and running around in the enclosures. The workers said, during the evenings, they are most active because that is their normal hunting time. I went on an intro to scuba diving course for nonswimmers with Super Divers Phuket for $137. There was 2 dives to Racha Yai Island. The water was beautiful. There is an option to purchase photos/videos of the experience. Breakfast and lunch was included. I got seasick and medication was offered fot free. I saw tropical fishes and starfishes. IMO, snorkeling in the Caribbean is more beautiful. I had a good time and would like to try it again. The next day, I went to a muslim fishing village for lunch and James Bond island. The water there was muddy. In my opinion, that trip wasn't worth it. I also visited the Big Buddha. Be sure to dress appropriately. They do have free items to wear though. I also went swimming with elephants at the beach. This was so much fun. There was a nice beach swing over the rocks. In the evenings, I ate street food on Bangala Road, went to nightclubs, and had Thai massages. My sisters were curious about the ping pong show, so we went to one. I don't want to give a lot away, but those ladies...smh. They say it's free, but expect you to buy a drink. Be sure to catch the sunset at Patong beach, try the rolled ice cream, and eat a banana pancake. Phuket was fun, but everything is more expensive there compared to the other Thai cities.

Stayed at the Prince Palace Hotel for 3 nights. Purchased tour to Damnoen Saduak floating market from Klook for $21. Went to a coconut farm (the coconut candy was delicious), shopped, ate local food, and took photos with a yellow python and baby lemur. Only had a chance to see the Grand palace. All of the details and colors had me in awe of those buildings. Enjoyed the next day at safari world. Drove through an animal enclosure, saw animals doing tricks, and spent 1 hr feeding birds. During the night, I rode a tuk tuk to Koh San Road. Shopped, ate street food, and tried a scorpion (BBQ seasoning on it and chewy). I needed a few more days in Bangkok.

I did a layover tour to see the Mutianyu section of The Great Wall. There was a scenic ride from the airport, passing numerous fruit farms. I enjoyed learning some history and the scenery. There is a cable car that takes you to the top and an option to take a toboggan back down. It was raining when I went, so I was unable to take the toboggan. Other Asian visitors were friendly and asked to have a photo with me. There were vendors selling things and snacks. I wished that I bought souvenirs from them, since I didn't see any in the airport. There is also a Chinese restaurant and Subway on site. Be sure to try the watermelon shake.

Went here in May 2016 as a solo trip on a long layover. I booked a layover tour with local David Kafari. My favorite neighborhood was Montmartre. It is so cute, peaceful, and has nice views overlooking the city. I visited the Louvre (managed a selfie with Mona Lisa), went to the top of the Eiffel tower, ate Pierre Hermé macarons (not a fan), and did more sightseeing. This trip was a taste of Paris. I would like to return to visit Versailles, take a cooking class, and see the Moulin Rogue.

Went here in May 2016 as a solo trip. Visited Fort of al Fahidi, took a ride on the abra boat, did some shopping at the gold and spice souk. Bought farashas, teas, camel milk chocolate, and dates covered in chocolate. Went sightseeing on Palm Jumeirah, Dubai mall, and top of the Burj Khalifa. Did a day trip to Abu Dhabi, to visit the Sheikh Zayed Grand mosque. Be sure to wear something to cover your shoulders and knees. They do rent out those items if needed. I planned on going skydiving, but the weather conditions weren't great when I went. The Dubai Miracle Garden is a must visit also. I did a dsy trip for a desert safari. Went dune bashing, sandboarding, camel riding, falcon show, and to a dinner show. The sunset from the desert was the best I've seen, because the sun appears much larger and almost like you could touch it. Take a jacket, because the desert gets cold at night. Stated at Movenpick Jumeirah Lakes. They have a good breakfast and dinner buffet, rooftop pool, nice city views, and awesome staff. I would go back here to do everything that I did not get a chance to (Emirates palace, skydive, Ferrari world).

I booked a solo vacation with Memphis Tours in May 2016. Stayed at Le Meridien Pyramids Hotel and Spa. You could see the pyramids from the pool area, there is a nice breakfast buffet, and the spa area is cute. I felt safe here, because there was security checkpoint at the car and xray scanner machines before entering the hotel. Visited the Great Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx, rode a camel, and the Egyptian museum. Half day or full day needs to be dedicated to this museum. I ran out of time marvelling at everything. I also visited the Hanging Church, Ben Ezra synagogue, and Khan el Khalili bazaar. I bought most of my souvenirs here and tried hookah for the first time. I did not run into any problems at the market. Egyptians were thankful for visiting their country. Took a flight from Cairo to Luxor, to visit the Karnak, Luxor temple, Valley of the kings, and more. I was surprised to see hieroglyphics in such a good state, palm trees, and flowering roadways. Went on a Nile river dinner cruise. Went mainly for the entertainment, the food was okay. If you're in a temple and a local starts explaining things OR offers to take your photo... keep in mind that a tip is expected. You will see poverty there as well, with older people crawling in the streets. I would not rent a car here, because the drivers seem to make their own rules. Be sure to take a battery operated fan, because it's hot. This was a trip of a lifetime for me because I enjoyed learning about Egyptian history in school.

I took the train from Rome to Naples. Took a pizza cooking class in Naples, walked along the waterfront, visited Castle Nuovo, and tried sfogliatella. Boarded Circumvesuviana train from Naples to Pompeii. I hired a guide from the train station for a tour of Pompeii. She was very informative and I was suprised of how intact the artifacts were. I took a train from Pompeii to Sorrento and had a driver to Positano. I stayed at B&B Venus Inn in Positano. I walked along the road, because those steps are awful. There is a bus also. I did day trips to Amalfi (must try the lemon sorbet and street food), Ravello (Villa Rufolo has a beautiful garden), and Capri. I did a small portion of the Path of the Gods Hike. The Amalfi coast was beautiful and relaxing.

Rome was my favorite city in Italy. There is a beautiful view over the city at the Orange Garden. Be sure to check out the Aventine keyhole (unique view of St. Peter's basilica), a flew blocks up the street. The Trevi fountain is beautiful. No eating or drinking allowed there. The Trevi police will blow their whistle at you for something. I took the metro to Vatican city. The sistine chapel was closed when I went. The mosaics inside St. Peter's basilica and the views from the top were beautiful. The strawberry tiramisu at Pompii was sooo good. I purchased the audio guide for the Colosseum and walked around the Roman forum. Next time, I would go on a guided tour of the forum. There is an ice bar close to the Colosseum. They give you a jacket and 1 drink is included with the admission ticket.

I wish that I gave myself more time in Florence. Took a cooking class at Mama Florence for $100. All of the dishes were really good and making the pasta was fun. I was supposed to take a vespa tour of Tuscany, but couldn't balance it. Went in a classic fiat with a tour guide (500 touring club). Took pictures of the picturesque hills and olive trees. I walked around exploring Florence and taking pictures. Bought a leather jacket and purse. The Gucci museum was closed when I went there. Be sure to visit Piazza Michelangelo before sunset for beautiful views over the city. Go to the Academy museum early, to avoid long lines. I stayed at Hostel Archi Rossi, which was close to the train station. The locals were nice.

I spent 3 nights in Venice. Stayed at Boutique San Marco Hostel, which was close to everything. Took the Doges Palaces secret itineraries tour. It gave more information about the palace and tge peopke there during that time. Went into Casanova's cell. After leaving the tour, San Marco square was flooded. The street vendors sell waterproof shoe covers. There is jewelry museum with nice pieces as well. I enjoyed walking around exploring the area and shopping. I did get lost many times. The pistachio gelato at Suso was heavenly. I went on a day trip to Murano and Burano, bought lace items and glass jewelry. There is glass blowing demonstrations, so be sure to stop by one. It was nice to visit once.

I spent 4 days in Split. Enjoyed walking to Marjan Hill for views over the city, exploring Diocletian palace, and walking along Riva Promenade. I also took a Game of Thrones tour. I took a day trip to Solta island by ferry just to explore the area. I was supposed to take a bee keeping class, but confused the date. Be sure to go to the morning markets, try the good seafood, and buy the lavender products. I walked around late during the night solo, and felt safe the entire time. There is live music and many bars open during the night. I rented an airbnb about 10 minutes walk from the palace gates. I rented a car from the airport and drove to Krka falls and Plitvice lakes. Krka falls is beautiful and I enjoyed the hikes there. Be sure to get to Plitvice early in the morning to take photos of the scenery without people and to avoid crowds. By the afternoon, the pathways are crowded with people. Croatia is a beautiful country.