Mother Nature was showing off. Standing there, gazing over the valley below, splattered like a canvass with Autumn colors of red, orange, and yellow, and gawking breathlessly at the Olympic Mountain Range in the distance, I felt tears of happiness gently slide down my cheeks. The blue sky was a striking contrast to the snow-capped…
I hate to admit it, but here’s a secret. I rarely research a place before I go there. I like to show up without expectations and just enjoy the area for what it is. I don’t normally participate in mainstream tourists activities and I generally avoid big cities. Instead, I try to learn about the…
Walking along the silvery colored sandy beach of Leadbetter Point, while watching my dog run through the shallow waters without a care in the world, I felt captivated by the tranquility of the place. The beauty took my breath away, but it was the silence that struck me most. I couldn’t hear a single car, boat, or airplane. There wasn’t another person in site. The only thing I could hear was a couple of seagulls off in the distance.
Leadbetter Point State Park is located on the northern tip of the Long Beach Peninsula, just northwest of Oysterville. The park is nestled between Willapa Bay on the north and east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. If you’re a nature lover, you’re going to love Leadbetter Point. There are a number of great things to do at the park, including hiking, fishing, bird watching, boating, clamming, and oyster collecting.
Zermatt, Switzerland, reminds me of a combination of Whistler, Canada, and Rohtang Pass. The panoramic views of the Alps, combined with the easy access to world renowned trails for recreational sport, make Zermatt, Switzerland a biker hiker, skiing paradise for tourists from around the globe. And by biker, I mean bicycles, because no gas engines are allowed in the town, nor are any private cars. The taxis and delivery vehicles are all-electric, and residents get around by walking, bicycling, cable car, or train. It leaves the air smelling about as pure as you can find anywhere on the planet.
Getting to Matterhorn Glacier Paradise was expensive, but it was worth every penny. It sits at 12,739 feet, and the view will leave you breathless. It’s about a 45-minute cable car ride to the top. As you enjoy the relative comfort of your cable car, you look down on glaciers, green meadows with pretty wildflowers scattered about, pristine waterfalls, and lots of people hiking and biking the trails. At the top, there is an ice palace full of ice caves and ice sculptures, a restaurant, a café, and a panoramic viewpoint that leaves you breathless in wonder!
If you ever visit the magnificent island of Kauai, make sure that seeing the Ne Pali coast is on your list of things to do. Its sheer splendor will leave a lasting impression.
As I write this, I’m still sore from the boat ride, but boy, was it worth it! Nepali Pirates offers a fun day cruise up the Na Pali coast, full of thrills and spectacular beauty. The trip took about 5 hours and included a bouncy ride on their Zodiac, snorkeling, and snacks.
Many famous films have been shot on the Ne Pali coast, including Jurassic Park and Pirates of the Caribbean. It’s easy to see why. The Ne Pali coast is simply paradise. Lush green valleys and huge waterfalls sit beside gorgeous sandy beaches and incredible coral reefs. Layers of colors fill the landscape, including red rock, shades of green from the massive rain forest, black lava rock, soft beige sand, and clear turquoise sea water.
I’ve have done some pretty incredible things, such as trekking high in the Himalaya Mountains, watching the Seattle Seahawks win the Super Bowl in person, and doing the bungee swing over the Ganga River in India. But the experience I just had getting PADI certified in scuba just might top them all. It truly was a spectacular experience and would not have been possible without the wonderful staff at Kon-Tiki Lanta. Their professionalism and dedication to the sport and their clients made all the difference, and I can’t thank them enough! If you are planning a trip to Thailand to scuba dive, here is a great scuba diving guide that will tell you everything you need to know.
On the first day we were introduced to our instructor, our equipment, and then headed to the swimming pool. I also met the other 3 members of my group. Bea and Jimmy were from Denmark, and my buddy, Chew, was from China. Nick (our amazing instructor who will soon be the topic of one of my Human Connection posts) showed us how to assemble our BCD. The Buoyancy Control Device is the main piece of equipment used in scuba. It helps control your decent and ascent and is connected to the tank and regulator. After that, it was time to get in the pool and take our first breaths under water. Wow! It is such a cool feeling to breath underwater!