Zipping & Dipping in a Land of Stunning Beauty

North Kohala, Hawaii is a land of towering waterfalls and rich, impressive forests. This was the backdrop to our Kohala Zip & Dip adventure with Hawaii Forest & Trail. We joined Mike Pickard, our guide, and four other guests on an exciting and educational adventure in the lands of Hawaii’s first king. We explored the vastly different lands, zipped high above the forest floor, picnicked on the rim of Pololu Volley, and swam under a private waterfall. I’m still in awe of my over-all experience with Hawaii Forest & Trail.

Hawaii Forest & Trail Zip & Dip Drive

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Can Carowinds Amusement Park Be for Parents?

As parents of a toddler, at least I think our 14 month old is considered a toddler, we still Carowinds Amusement Parkwant to experience life to the fullest without being restricted to kiddie rides, swing sets, and play-dates. Not that I mind hanging out with my daughter and taking her to explore new places and things, but we do enjoy adult experiences as well. I spend the better part of my day listening to Toddler Radio on Pandora, teaching Athena the new word of the day, today was “blue”, strolling through the neighborhood, and watching Athena attempt new feats like climbing on the Joovy trike and standing on the seat (I kid you not; that was the challenge of the day). So when an opportunity arises to have an adult day, we take it. Although amusement parks might not be considered “adult”, we couldn’t think of a better way to spend Father’s Day. Darren and I love the rides more than most teens and the whole park is one big adventurous playground with 13 coasters, Drop Tower, and Xtreme Skyflyer. Is it possible, though, to visit an amusement park with a toddler and still have fun? At Carowinds, heck yeah! They have programs in place to make the entire experience more enjoyable. With a Parent Swap Program, a Baby Care Center, plenty of shaded areas, and tons of dining choices, we stayed from open to close and everyone had an enjoyable day. Continue reading

Add it to the List – I “Love” Beach Tennis

While in Aruba, I discovered a new sport that combines everything I love about sports. Aruba Beach TennisTake the fun and fast-paced sport of tennis, add a volleyball court, and a sunny beach setting, and you have the new, exciting sport called beach tennis. It’s like tennis except its played on a regulation beach volleyball court. Two to four players on each team volley back and forth without letting the ball bounce. One hit per team is all that is allowed and points are scored when the ball is hit outside the lines or touches the ground. Beach tennis is played with specially designed paddles and de-pressurized tennis balls that make it easier to keep a rally going. After twenty minutes of instruction, I was ready to test my skills in a match and after two hours, I wanted to add “play beach tennis regularly” to my bucket list. I think I found my new favorite sport. Continue reading

Getting Dirty in Aruba

Whenever I have an opportunity to try something new, I do it. Life is beautiful and full of ATV Adventure, Arubaadventures around every corner so you have to put yourself out there and give everything a go at least once. Something I haven’t done yet was drive an ATV. I know my way around an SUV, a dune buggy, or even a snowmobile (I’m Canadian remember), but surprisingly enough, I’ve never driven an ATV… until yesterday. We explored Aruba’s north coast open air and I learned that I have a new “drive” and it’s called off-road ATVing. I like getting dirty and playing with toys. Give me a field of dirt and a way to truly explore it over make-up and fancy clothes any day. I may not be a “lady” but I know how to have fun.  Continue reading

Whoa Camel

While most people envision a trek through Wadi Rum atop a camel, fearlessly ridingWadi Rum Camel Ride through the desert at high speeds, covering vast distances on the “ship of the desert”, in actuality it can be a lot more difficult than it appears. Wadi Rum… vast, open, and sandy was seemingly endless during our camel riding experience. An ordinary riding camel will normally saunter at about 5 km/hour; perfectly doable, right? But what about when it unexpectedly runs? Could you control it? Could you stay on? Would you know what to do? We were given the opportunity to find out and it wasn’t as joyful as you’d expect.  Continue reading

No End In Sight – Hiking from Wadi Dana to Feynan, Jordan

Vast, echoing mountains, sandstone gorges, an endless, deserted path, and me… (as wellFeynan,-Jordan as other bloggers from Canada, Mexico, and the US, a guide, and two reps from Tourism Jordan, but that doesn’t sound as good). Hiking the 14 km from Wadi Dana to Feynan, Jordan was one of the most difficult treks of my life. It’s not that 14 km is that difficult under normal standards, but I was battling a cold and strep throat. I hadn’t slept in days and coughing through the night was as common as taking a breath. The dry, windy desert played its role like a fiddle too, not to mention the 40 C temperatures. Ashamed and defeated, I did make it to Feynan but it wasn’t without its trials. Would you have missed a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to hike through one of the most beautiful places in the world because you were sick? You might change your mind after I share my story, regardless of your standpoint. Continue reading

Ultimate Life Bucket List

Some people create a bucket list because they are dying; I created one because I Collage Travel
want to live!

What’s on your bucket list? You can submit your bucket list or your bucket list adventures to Bucket List Publications or [email protected] for publication. Share your goals and find inspiration in the accomplishments of others.

The more unrealistic we are with our dreams and goals, the more we’re able to achieve!

My life list is ever-changing, always growing; that’s why I create a yearly list. My 2012 Bucket List included things like fly a jetpack, swim with whale sharks, experience aerobatics in a biplane, and delivery my baby girl.  My 2013 Bucket List is well under way; there are 50 items on this year’s list so I have a fun year ahead.

Overall, these are the things I’d like to accomplish in my life. I usually choose from these each year and add new ones as I see fit.

“The purpose of life, after all, is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experiences.”

– Eleanor Roosevelt Continue reading

2013 Bucket List

Exploring Fiji, piloting a helicopter, airplane, glider, jet pack, and biplane, swimming with beluga whales and whale sharks, planning bucket list adventures for others, reaching 10 million blog views, and delivering a beautiful baby sound like a lifetime of accomplishments  but they were just part of my 2012 Bucket List. The more unrealistic I am with my dreams and goals, the more I am able to achieve so I’ve created another list for 2013 with equally beautiful dreams.  Some people create a bucket list because they are dying; I created one because I want to live.

2013 Bucket List:

1. Go on an African Safari
2. Move into our new home and finish decorating
3. Take Athena to swim with dolphins
4. Visit a new state (USA)
5. Visit Petra
6. Take a helicopter tour over Hawaii
7. Swim in the Dead Sea
8. Be in Ottawa on Canada Day
9. Do a manta ray night snorkel
10. Have an encounter with a new animal Continue reading

Top 5 Adventures in Fiji

Fiji has adventure around every corner. A country blessed with 333 magnificentAdventure Fiji
islands, Fiji is a place where you can do it all or do nothing at all and still have the most amazing experience of your life. After spending 10 days in Fiji, I chose 5 adventures that would delight even the most extreme adventure seeker. After all, you can do it all in Fiji!

Which ones would you consider? Which one sounds the best?

Check out the list here!

Thrill Capital of the Southeast – Carowinds Amusement Park

Extreme adventure = thrill time Carowinds Amusement Park
Skydiving free-fall = roughly 1 minute
Bungee jumping = roughly 10 seconds
Base jumping = roughly 20 seconds
Theme parks = a full day of “peaks”
13 coasters + 1 park + none stop adventure = Carowinds Amusement Park  Continue reading