OBLIGATORY TRAVELER

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Tag: travel

  • Visiting Waimea Valley-Without Swimming in the Waterfall-Oahu-Hawaii

    Visiting Waimea Valley-Without Swimming in the Waterfall-Oahu-Hawaii

    The sun sparkles between openings in the dense trees. The sky is a vibrant blue. Small cloud puffs float lazily across the sky. The vibrant green, Waimea Valley, rises up on all sides. We set out on the main path. Our first goal, visit Waimea Valley’s most touristic feature, the waterfall. Reading reviews pre-trip, I…

  • Matsumoto Shave Ice-Hawaii’s Best Shave Ice-Oahu

    Matsumoto Shave Ice-Hawaii’s Best Shave Ice-Oahu

    Though known for my ice cream enthusiasm, I am also a fan of shave ice. While traveling around Hawaii, our plan, try as many icy treats as possible. As I research, I learn no shave ice tour is complete without visiting Hawaii’s most famous shave ice shop, Matsumoto Shave Ice.  Matsumoto Shave Ice is located…

  • Eating At Giovanni’s Shrimp Truck-North Shore-Oahu, Hawaii

    Eating At Giovanni’s Shrimp Truck-North Shore-Oahu, Hawaii

    We pause. It’s no secret that Giovanni’s Shrimp Truck is popular, but this is the longest line for a food truck we’ve seen. Bodies start at the window, wrap around the tables, and then spread along the parking lot’s perimeter. This is one of the top things-to-do on Oahu’s North Shore, and we are in…

  • Touring the WWII SS Red Oak Victory Ship

    Touring the WWII SS Red Oak Victory Ship

    The Park Ranger and Park volunteer at Rosie The Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park insist that visiting The SS Red Oak Victory ship, is worth the time. The ship is only open to visitors on Sundays, and we are fortunate to be in Richmond, California, on a Sunday. Recognizing how lucky we are,…

  • Visiting Rosie The Riveter National Park Site

    Visiting Rosie The Riveter National Park Site

    The headband speaks out to me from my headband holder. Red with white polka dots. Do I dare? I only need an appropriate shirt, and I could do it. Anticipation of visiting Rosie The Riveter National Park Site is high, but the feelings sky-rocket when I realize for the very first time, I can National…

  • Hiking Diamond Head in Hawaii

    Hiking Diamond Head in Hawaii

    It’s the reward for hiking Diamond Head State Monument. An awe-inspiring view. The blue water stretches to infinity. A woman lines a group of tween boys against the railing. She works to catch her breath as she exclaims, “Wow, what a hike! Are you guys tired?” One of the boy’s eyes sparkling with wonder, replies,…

  • Celebrating Mardi Gras at Universal Orlando

    Celebrating Mardi Gras at Universal Orlando

    Beads, tossed from floats, rain down on parade watchers. Hands stretch to the sky, ready for the clutch. I learn that an 11-year-old will tackle you like you are a quarterback, in order to catch a string of beads, during Mardi Gras at Universal Orlando. Being on the shorter side, I snatch up most of…

  • San Juan Food Tour-Puerto Rico

    San Juan Food Tour-Puerto Rico

    ***This tour was provided courtesy by Spoon-Puerto Rico. All opinions are my own Colors. Vibrant, magnificent, energizing. To help us create more space in our stomachs, our Spoon Puerto Rico, San Juan Food Tour, guide, Pablo, stops at San Juan’s Calle McArthur. Our tour group oohs and ahhs, snapping photos as fast as fingers can…

  • Visiting The Turtle Hospital-Marathon-Florida

    Visiting The Turtle Hospital-Marathon-Florida

    Circled around the largest tank, at The Turtle Hospital, in Marathon, Florida, the tour group stands ready. The guide drops a handful of pellets into our palms. We are instructed to toss a few pellets at a time into the water. The turtles glide over to the pellets. They munch. Watching rescue animals munch, brings…