Weekend in Walla Walla (May 2023)

Posted on July 6, 2023June 6, 2023 by Amanda Leave a comment

Walla Walla is a city in southeastern Washington along the Washington Oregon border. Walla Walla is known for their agriculture, including Washington apples, Walla Walla sweet onions, and wine grapes, making it a destination for wine tasting. The main goals of this trip were relaxation/soaking in some sunshine; wining; and biking. I would say all goals were met for a successful weekend trip. I also visited during a holiday weekend and it was surprisingly not very busy!

Wine Tasting in Walla Walla

Over the three days, we tasted at 5 different wineries. Our first wine stop was at Alexandria Nicole Cellars at their Prosser tasting room. ANC is an estate winery with vineyards located in the Horse Heaven Hills AVA. A driving break/leg stretch was much needed and supplemented by some tasty wines and a fun house charcuterie board. I’m a club member at Alexandria Nicole, so the tastings were complimentary. I typically frequent the Alexandria Nicole Woodinville tasting rooms, so it was fun to see another tasting room in Washington. The Prosser tasting room has the same cozy energy that the Hollywood Hills location has. We did not have a reservation to walk-in, but we were also able to be seated in the wine member area.

Once in Walla Walla, we visited some tasting rooms in downtown Walla Walla and tasting rooms in south Walla Walla, on the estate vineyards. Our first stop in downtown Walla Walla was at Spring Valley. Spring Valley is also an estate winery, sourcing all of their groups from their vineyard in Walla Walla. The tasting room is two stories and has great light from all the windows. The tasting experience was really lovely, with some crackers, waters, and chocolate truffles included with the tasting. Our server was also amazing to explain the Spring Valley’s history in Walla Walla and the family’s journey with their wines and the farm. We did have reservations, but walk-ins were being accepted!

Next we popped across the street from Spring Valley to Barons Winery. For the holiday, there was a special Rose and Sausages event in which their rose was paired with a special sausage made by the butcher in town where the rose was infused into the sausage. We also had a chocolate truffle here that was paired with another wine. We did have reservations here, but walk-ins were also being accepted. Wines here were very well priced and one bottle waived the tasting fee for both people. Our server here was also great to explain the wines and all the AVAs in which their grapes are sourced from.

My favorite tastings of the trip were those in south Walla Walla at the estate wineries. Summer happens earlier in Walla Walla than in Seattle, so the weather was amazing for outdoor tastings. Views of the rolling hills and endless grape vines were so beautiful. Our first south Walla Walla stop (and my favorite of the entire trip!) was at Kinhaven. We were able to walk in for a tasting and sat on the gorgeous patio. They recently planted new grapes, so only one of their wines at the time was made from their estate grapes. I recommend bringing some snacks here and lounging on the lawn with your wine! They even provide blankets for you to lay on.

Our last wine adventure brought us to Gifford Hirlinger, right on the Washington/Oregon border. The winemaker poured our tastings for us, explained the wines, and answered all the questions we had about owning an estate winery. Walk-in for a tasting was easy and there was no tasting fee as cash donations were being accepted for a local food bank.

Biking in Walla Walla

Walla Walla is so flat compared to Seattle, making biking a breeze. Streets are very wide and many have bike lanes to allow for vehicles to easily pass. If biking to the south Walla Walla wineries, be aware of your surroundings, as agricultural vehicles can approach quickly even though the roads are generally very empty. A roundtrip ride from downtown Walla Walla to the south Walla Walla wineries passed quickly and was around 15 miles total. This was a great reference for deciding our bike path: Walla Walla Valley Road/Hybrid Bike Routes

Restaurants in Walla Walla

I’m a great snacker and snack packers, so there were only a few restaurants that we actually ended up visiting while in the area.

One day’s breakfast ended up being a double header of Colville Street Patisserie and Maple Counter Café. Maple Counter Café had a crazy wait for tables, so we ended up ordering online via their online portal and headed across the street to the bakery for some pastries. Colville St. had such flaky, buttery pastries. I loved their kougin-amann and the savory asparagus bechamel croissant. We picked up a mushroom omelet, side of bacon, and three stack of pancakes with syrup and whipped cream from Maple Counter Café. Weather was lovely so we ended up eating sitting in the bed of the truck.

For dinner one day, I wanted to try Walla Walla Steak Company. There is a location in Woodinville, but it’s named after Walla Walla! Of course we have to try it in Walla Walla. We sat inside, but a more relaxed dinner probably would have been better on their patio. The best thing we had here were the scallops.

For our last night in Walla Walla, we tried Hattaway’s on Alder, southern inspired Pacific Northwest cuisine. The patio had a great view of the sunset and the cocktail menu was so fun. Plates came out well paced and they were so kind to help us split a salad. Our favorite was the smoked oysters and a reservation is definitely highly encouraged if you come here – we heard a group of four had waited over 2 hours to be seated!

Conclusion

Walla Walla is definitely gorgeous and a nice getaway from Seattle if you’re craving summer. Flat open roads make for great biking and adventuring. The food options here (except for those pastries) really pale in comparison to the wines. Woodinville has great tasting rooms, but there’s something about lounging in the vineyards with the warm sun and summer breeze with a glass a wine that hits different.

My last trip: Three Days in New Orleans (March 2023)

Three Days in New Orleans (March 2023)

Posted on April 13, 2023April 10, 2023 by Amanda Leave a comment

I’ve never met a city I didn’t like! New Orleans is so rich in history, culture, food, and…. humidity. It’s always been on the list of places I’ve wanted to visit and I finally did when invited to go to a bachelorette party there.

Traveling to New Orleans

From talking to people living in there area, it seems that more affordable flights to and from the area can be difficult to find. The airport is new and modern, but many don’t think that there are enough flights. Layovers are also very common as there are so few flights that connect directly to the MSY airport.

After arriving, there are a few transit options to the main downtown New Orleans area. The bus system is pretty standard, but the only confusing piece is that there are two different public transit operators. They both have buses out of the airport area to downtown, but bus fares for each service will differ and modes of payment/passes accepted will differ as well.

Food

I had a list of foods I needed to eat when in New Orleans and I’m proud to say that I tried them all!

Beignets have got to be the most iconic food of New Orleans, with the most famous place to get them being Cafe du Monde at the French Market location with the outdoor cafe seating area right on the water. Hot take: better beignets can be found elsewhere. The line at the French Market location Cafe du Monde is overwhelming on a weekend and definitely not worth the wait. If you really want to try Cafe du Monde, I recommend just going to a different location or just have some at the airport when you leave! I thought the best thing to get was the frozen coffee – perfect for a hot & humid day. The best place I think to grab a beignet is at Cafe Beignet in Musical Legends Park. The line is short there are plenty of tables to sit at, and there is always live jazz music! The beignets were also lighter and fluffier (and better) than the ones at Cafe du Monde.

Fried chicken!! We’re in Louisiana so of course we have to visit Popeye’s. The location on St. Charles Ave is the biggest Popeye’s I’ve ever seen, with options to order on tablets or order at the counter. They also had a sign up that they were planning on filming a Popeye’s commercial there later this week. On a late night, we also found some fried chicken at Willie’s Chicken Shack. There are multiple locations throughout New Orleans, with most open until 2 AM. They serve drinks all day and all night, and the chicken comes out fresh and hot!

The other items on my list to try were alligator, crawfish, crab cakes, oysters, jambalaya, and gumbo. Alligator and Louisiana oysters were two things that I hadn’t tried before. Alligator had a flakey, “fish-like” texture, but definitely was not fishy tasting. Louisiana oysters were smooth and not briney at all compared to the oysters I’ve harvest on the shores of the PNW.

Drinks and Bars

The night life in New Orleans really doesn’t compare to anywhere else I’ve ever been. The open container/public consumption can be found in Las Vegas, but the streets of New Orleans are so small and narrow that it’s so much more wild of a party.

There are also so many fun drinks with New Orleans origins to try:

Hurricane: From Pat O’Brien’s, containing a mystery concoction of rum, passionfruit, orange, and more. Grab one and sit in the outdoor courtyard or grab a table at the dueling piano bar!

Hand grenade: One of the strongest drinks I’ve ever had in a yard cup from Tropical Isle. The ingredients are additionally a mystery, but it’s sweet and strong and you can get it frozen or on ice.

Bourbon milk punk: Creamy, sweet and refreshing, this is a perfect drink on a hot and humid day in New Orleans. Find it at Bourbon House!

Sazerac: The Sazerac cocktail, made of whiskey/cognac with absinthe, sugar cube, and Peychaud’s bitters, has origins in New Orleans. You can learn about the history of Sazerac and the Prohibition with free tours at the Sazerac House. The free tour requires reservations and includes free tastings of popular cocktails and a gift shop!

Sights & Museums

If it’s your first time like mine, I would highly recommend a walking tour of the French Quarter. We found our tour via Groupon and it was amazing! Our guide, Moira, was the best. We learned a lot about the history of New Orleans as well as some spooky, scary stories and encounters that have occurred in different areas.

In the French Quarter is the French Market, along the waterfront. Here, you can find some good snacks (including the busiest Cafe du Monde) and vendors selling fun gifts. It’s nice to talk a walk through the shaded markets and see the fun souvenirs to take home.

There are plenty of museums in New Orleans. I visited two of them: the Voodoo Museum and the Museum of Death. The Voodoo Museum was very informational, explaining voodoo origins and its connection to religion & Catholicism. Our bachelorette also got a complimentary palm reading while here! Dragged to the Museum of Death, there was a lot of focus on serial killers and embalming. There were some specimens/skeletons of creatures native to New Orleans, but most items featured here were not directly New Orleans related.

A short trolley ride away from the main downtown area is New Orleans City Park. Exploring the entire park would take a whole day, at least. The space includes a children’s theme park, pedal boats, mini-golf, a sculpture park, and a Cafe du Monde. The park is perfect for strolling with a coffee!

Next Time

New Orleans is definitely a fantastic location for a party – bachelorette, birthday, any celebration! Food and drinks are definitely delicious (and not healthy). In just a few days, I felt as if I really experienced tourism in New Orleans, learning about the history and culture. Next time I’m back, I need to go on a swamp tour and meet a gator.

Last travel: A Weekend in Las Vegas (August 2022)

A Weekend in Las Vegas (August 2022)

Posted on October 6, 2022September 22, 2022 by Amanda Leave a comment

I was fortunate get a trip to Las Vegas for work, so I ended up extending my trip earlier into the weekend so that my friends and family in California and Arizona could meet with me as well. This trip was definitely a family-friendly affair and mostly involved exploration and food.

Friday

I arrived early afternoon and my family picked me up from the airport. We were so hungry that we went straight for lunch/dinner. I had gotten a recommendation from a friend to try The Modern Vegan, an entirely vegan restaurant in between the Las Vegas airport and the Strip. The menu had some very interesting items, but I’d highly recommend the fish and chips and the burger. I was shocked that so many items were actually vegan, even though they definitely did not taste vegan.

We ended up staying at a Marriott just off the Las Vegas Strip. The hotel was booked a little last minute and it was one of the few places left that were able to accommodate a larger group. We went back to the hotel and relaxed while the rest of our guests arrived.

The last of our group arrived at 1 AM and we were off to dinner! We had made reservations at Herbs and Rye, a restaurant off the Strip open well into the morning. At the time we went, there was a late night happy hour in which beers, wines, and well drinks were discounted, and steaks and select items were 50% off too. I had a cocktail and tried their steak, clam linguine, flatbread, and mac and cheese. If you stop in, definitely get a steak and a cocktail from their menu.

Saturday

After such a late dinner, we had a late start to the day. We ended up starting at the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood and walked around window shopping. We stopped and grabbed some cookies from the Nestle Toll House Cafe (hot take: I think my Chocolate Chip Walnut Cookies are better).

From Planet Hollywood, we crossed Las Vegas Boulevard to the Cosmopolitan for lunch at the Block 16 Urban Food Hall. This was a great option for our large group. We ended up sharing so we could try as many items from the different vendors in the area as possible. It would be really great if you’re trying to satisfy palettes in a large group.

After lunch, we continued to the Bellagio. First stop was outside to watch the fountains and then inside to explore the conservatory and botanical gardens. The plants were so beautiful and I was so tempted to take cuttings… but I didn’t. We stopped at the Bellagio Patisserie and admired the world’s largest chocolate fountain for some time, wondering what happened to all the chocolate that flowed through it. We then grabbed some lattes as we were getting so sleepy-full from all the food we had just eaten.

My brother wanted to do a bit of gambling at the Cosmopolitan so we decided to venture on to Caesars Palace. We wandered through the casino floor until we stumbled upon Vanderpump Cocktail Garden, an alluring oasis from the gambling. The cocktails were delicious (and pricey) but it was a nice stop from our exploring.

After an afternoon of walking, eating and drinking, we decided we needed a break to rest. We went back to the hotel for a nap and some rest. Before the trip I had watched so many food YouTube videos on where to eat in Las Vegas and obviously we needed to try a buffet. Many videos later, I had settled on trying the Buffet at the Wynn. The reservation/cut-the-line situation is a little confusing where you can pay to be seated sooner, but we decided to wait in line. We waited about an hour and a half to get a table for 7 people. We were seated about 30 minutes before closing, but there was still plenty of food leftover and plenty of time to eat.

We were so full that we had to end the evening with a walk through the Venetian and the Grand Canal Shoppes to help digest the food.

Sunday

Another late night led to another late morning. We slept in and took our time getting packed up and ready to go as groups would be driving back to California, driving back to Arizona, flying back to Washington while I stayed behind for business. After checking out the hotel, we went straight to Rainbow Kitchen for dimsum.

I was expecting the restaurant to be so busy, but we only had to wait 10 minutes for a table to be ready. We tried nearly everything on the dimsum menu and it was all divine. We were hungry and ended up going a little overboard on the ordering, but that’s what you’re supposed to do when you have dimsum, right?

After our dimsum brunch, we said our farewells. Until next time.

I’m most proud that I didn’t spend a single dime gambling in Las Vegas 🙂

One Week Alaskan Cruise (May 2022)

Posted on June 9, 2022June 10, 2022 by Amanda Leave a comment

Itching to travel, I booked a cruise with my family to Alaska in November 2021. I’ve always wanted to go to Alaska and after doing some research, booking an Alaskan cruise is one of the best ways to do it. If you are going to ever do a cruise at all, Alaska is one of the best destinations. You are able to see southwestern Alaska, an area that is mainly only accessible by boat or plane, and it provides activities for any kind of vacationer. You can have a lounge-y relaxing trip by staying on the boat and just seeing the ports you stop at, or you can find an adventure at each town.

I booked a 7-day cruise out of Seattle with Norwegian Cruise Line. Beware with booking and paying in full! Once you have paid in full, you cannot get any price adjustments on your cruise, even if the price drops later. My cruise price ended up decreasing almost $600 a person, but I was unable to get an adjustment. We were only awarded 50% credit for the next cruise we book, if we book another. We received about $300 travel credit per person.

We traveled on the Norwegian Bliss out of Seattle, WA with stops in Sitka, Juneau, Icy Strait Point/Hoonah, Ketchikan, and Victoria BC.

Food

Honestly, food was not what I was expecting. There is certainly plenty of food available and more than you could possibly consume, but not at the quality I was expecting based on my past cruise experience with Royal Caribbean.

For complimentary dining, you could eat at a few sit-down restaurants or at the buffet. The buffet was always extremely overwhelming and food options weren’t well spread out across all the stations available. There were some items that were only located in the same area, causing long lines that would meander through the dining hall. It was difficult to find tasty, interesting vegetables to eat. There was generally a salad bar but it was difficult to find vegetables prepared in a more enticing way.

For the sit-down restaurants, the reservation system was confusing. If you had a reservation, you would still be asked to wait ~30 minutes before being seated. Fortunately, there were bars in front of all the restaurants, so we were able to get some drinks in while we were waiting. The sit-down restaurants were SLOW! Dinners at the sit-down dining rooms took about 2 hours for our 3 courses.

My favorite place to eat was The Local, a more casual sit-down restaurant, that had more bar-style food. It was always quick to get in, ordering was easy as the menu never changed, and the service was fast. They had the best wings and desserts.

There were also specialty restaurants you could make reservations to eat at as well. These places were smaller and the food was higher quality. You could purchase dining packages for credits to eat at these places or just pay a la carte. Our cruise package came with some specialty dining packages so we were able to experience a sushi restaurant and a teppanyaki restaurant, too!

Room

Depending on what kind of cruiser/vacationer you are, your choice in stateroom booking may differ! We had plans to explore as much of the ship and ports as possible, with minimal downtown in our rooms. We booked an inside stateroom. Inside staterooms have no windows and are completely dark with the lights off, except for some glow from the TV and other electrical devices. If you plan to spend most of your time away from your room, this is the most cost-effective option. It’s comfortable for two adults, but more people would get a little squishy. Children could be manageable, but I’d recommend a bigger room if trying to fit more people in.

If you are on the cruise for 100% cruise experience, I’d recommend getting a room with a balcony! Those are so dreamy and beautiful, but beware that there are minimal hours of darkness on a summer Alaskan cruise… If you’re sensitive to light while sleeping you may regret this choice.

Itinerary

Sitka – the first and oldest city in Alaska

We were in Sitka on Memorial Day so we weren’t able to do everything that we planned to do. Originally, we planned to take the local bus (blue line) to Fortress of the Bear, but the buses were not running on the holiday.

Instead, we decided to go on a hike! Beware – this hike was not easy on the knees. We went for a little walk through a neighborhood and hopped onto the Sitka Cross Trail on Pherson St. It’s quite an incline if you go this way, so it might be easier to get on the trail from the Baranof St./Downtown Sitka entrance. Once we were on the trail, we continued walking to get to the Harbor Mt./Gavan Hill Trail. The trail was marked with plenty of signs, so it was easy to find which way we wanted to go. Most of the trail is very wide, so keep your eyes and ears open for any bikers. Once we started up the Harbor Mt./Gavan Hill Trail, we found that most of the way had been prepared with wooden steps. This made it easy to stay on trail but hard on the knees as we were coming down. We continued up the trail to the lookout point of Sitka. This hike was a lot of work! The trail continues, but hikers we met coming down let us know that there was plenty of snow, requiring microspikes. The lookout is beautiful on a sunny day. Don’t forget your sunscreen and take plenty of pictures!

We made our way down from the lookout and came out at the Baranof St./Downtown Sitka entrance. We walked along the pier and took in beautiful views of the water. There were a few shops in the main city center that we perused and a fry-bread stand and some food trucks.

Juneau – there are no roads that connect Juneau to the rest of Alaska or North America; it is only accessible by plane or boat

One goal we had in Alaska was to see a glacier. As we have all heard, glaciers are melting and water levels are rising. Who knows when all the glaciers will melt? After getting off the ship, we hustled to get onto our bus to Mendenhall Glacier in Tongass National Forest. We bought bus tickets via M & M Tours of Juneau. The Blue Bus ended up being about $50/person after taxes and was very convenient for our purposes. We were picked up from where the cruise shuttle had dropped us off to the parking lot near the visitor center. The drivers were amazing and provided fun facts on the drive. The price of the shuttle also includes your day-pass for visiting the glacier. We walked around the glacier look-out, the photo point, and did the 2 mile round-trip walk to Nugget Falls. Don’t forget to stop inside the Visitor Center too! Plenty of cute souvenirs and a great learning opportunity to understand more about the glacier and how it’s changed over time.

After spending the morning exploring the glacier, we were hungry! We took the Blue Bus back to town and got in line for Tracy’s Crab Shack. Tracy’s sells a few varieties of Alaskan King crab and other types of crab as well. They have their main crab operation outdoors, so you can see them tossing the massive crab legs into their vats of boiling liquid. We had some King and Dungeness crab to share, and it was divine! After stuffing ourselves, we had to take a walk around town. It was a hot day, so we cooled down with some ice cream from the Alaskan Fudge shop.

Icy Strait Point/Hoonah – Icy Strait Point is privately owned by Alaskan Natives with ties to Hoonah

Icy Strait Point and Hoonah didn’t quite have as many accessible trails or activities within walking distance, so we decided to participate in one of the cruise ship’s excursions. Our trip package offered $50 off an excursion, so we booked the backcountry Jeep tour. It gave us a chance to see more of the area than we would have been able to see on our own and was a nice break from two days of lots of walking.
We had booked the excursion prior to the cruise, so the tickets were already waiting for us in our rooms when we had arrived the first day. The tickets were very clear on where and when to meet. We checked in at the meeting point and walked just a short distance to get to the Jeeps. Our group of 8 perfectly split between two Jeeps and we were off! Our guide provided fun facts and information through the radio as we were driving. It was so beautiful seeing the nature and wildlife.

I would recommend booking an excursion or some kind of tour if your ship also plans to stop here. Icy Strait Point was developed to be a tourist destination and there is not much else to do outside of exploring the cannery. The few restaurants and cafes close early or have odd hours in which they are actually open. All the restaurants we tried were already closed or no longer accepting orders at 1 PM.

Ketchikan – home of the highest zip code in the US: 99950

The Misty Fjords, about 40 miles of Ketchikan, is what Bob Ross dreams of. The scenery so incredible that it looks fake when you take a picture of it. I knew this was something I wanted to see with my family, so I researched the best ways to experience it. I booked a seaplane with SeaWind Aviation and we were ready to fly!

SeaWind picked us up right at port, so we didn’t have to bother with getting on the shuttle to get into town. Communication was so prompt and professional. All my questions were answered and our pilot was so experienced that I had no concerns about getting into a tiny aircraft. We opted for a 1.5-hour flight with a landing in the fjords. Once we landed, looking at the surroundings was surreal. This was the highlight of the entire trip. We were able to take in the landscape and see plenty of wildlife like swimming deer and black bears.

After the flight, we were dropped back off in downtown Ketchikan. We spent the rest of the day gushing over the amazing seaplane experience, sampling some smoked salmon, and buying all sorts of souvenirs.

Victoria BC – known as the City of Gardens

Unfortunately, we were only in Victoria for a few hours in the evening. Catching a shuttle to downtown took the most time. This was the only stop on our cruise where there was no complimentary shuttle. When you get off the ship, there are many signs for the shuttle line or to purchase tickets for a different tour. We got on the shuttle to downtown Victoria, costing us about $10/person. It gave us just enough time to walk around the downtown area and see Chinatown, the Empress Hotel, and the Parliament Buildings.

Overall – Alaskan Cruise

This was an amazing experience, and I am so happy I was able to share it with family and close friends. I probably wouldn’t go on a cruise again just because there are still so many other places to explore, but I would highly recommend it for others! I definitely want to return to Alaska to visit the more northern cities and go to the other national parks like Denali or the Kenai Fjords.

Four Days in New York City (March 2022)

Posted on April 21, 2022April 20, 2022 by Amanda Leave a comment

New York City is somewhere I’ve always wanted to visit. It’s always a popular location in movies and television, I had to check it out. Full of history, culture, and delicious food, it’s difficult to pack in the most in only four days, but we did our best. I planned my trip around where we were staying and tried to hit places in an order that made most “geographic” sense.

Accommodations:

Since we booked almost 6 months in advance, we were able to find a really cool place to stay. We found an Airbnb above an off-Broadway theater that was perfect for three people. Coming and going was easy and it was in a great location. There just isn’t really a true kitchen, but that didn’t really matter since we were eating out every meal anyway.

Day 1:

I took a red-eye flight from Seattle to Newark, landing at 6 AM. That early in the morning, it was actually comparable for 3 people to just Uber into the city instead of taking the bus to the Port Authority terminal. We Uber-ed straight to Dominique Ansel Bakery and arrived right at opening at 8 AM. Even on a Thursday there was still a line out the door. Dominique Ansel is famous for introducing the world to the “cronut”. There are a limited number of cronuts sold per day, so you have to get in quite early or be lucky to get on the pre-order to get one. There’s a different flavor each month too! We tried the cronut, the DKA (Dominique’s Kouign Amann), and the banana bread tiramisu. They were divine.

After breakfast, we were able to drop off our items at at the Airbnb a little early since the theater was already open. We walked along the Hudson River Greenway to Little Island, taking in the sights and views of the Hudson River and Jersey.

We then walked back to the SoHo area, did some window shopping, and then ended up doing lunch at Balthazar. I had made reservations about a week in advance. Weekday lunch was also very busy. This restaurant is packed pretty tight. So tight that they actually move your table out of the way so you can squeeze into the bench. After you sit down, they move your table back. If you want to get out, you have to move the entire table.

After lunch we Uber-ed to The Battery, a park on the southern tip of Manhattan for our ferry to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. We booked tickets online and were able to skip quite a bit of the line when going through security. The ferry ride was pretty quick to both islands. Your ticket lets you go to both islands, but different tiers exist for how much of the Statue of Liberty you want to experience. You can just visit the Statue, climb to the pedestal, or climb to the crown.

We took the ferry back to Manhattan and then decided to walk around the Financial District. We saw the famous Charging Bull, walked through Wall Street, and saw the New York Stock Exchange building. There are many small bars and restaurants in the area that were popping for happy hour. We stopped by Luke’s Lobster and had some lobster/shrimp/crab rolls and clam chowder as a little snack. The clam chowder was lovely on a chilly day.

We Uber-ed back to the Airbnb to take a little rest before dinner. We got a restaurant for Madame Vo’s for dinner. Walking through Washington Square Park was lovely in the twilight. The Arch was lit up as the light was dimming.

Day 2:

Bagels are a NY must. We stopped by Brooklyn Bagel Company to really understand what New York bagels have over everyone else. I tried an everything bagel with regular schmear and smoked salmon. The fish was not fish-y smelling at all and the bagels were unbelievably chewy and flavorful. There really is a different in bagels.

After our breakfast, we continued walking north and passed through Madison Square Park, perused the farmer’s market booths, and then made our way to Times Square. We did some browsing and shopping. We stopped for lunch at Ootoya and shared the beef sukiyaki. This place was quite busy for an early lunch and you won’t be seated unless all members of your party are present. Right next door is Uncle Tetsu’s Cheesecake. We picked one up for later.

After lunch, we continued walking north and stopped at the Nordstrom flagship store for multiple levels of shopping. We grabbed a gelato at Venchi and ventured into Central Park and explored all the way to the Met. We took a break from walking, sat on the steps, and watched the people walking by. We took the subway home and grabbed some cookies from Milk Bar for a sweet snack.

For dinner, we tried a couple slices from Joe’s Pizza. Joe’s Pizza is cash only and is open until the wee hours of the night.

Day 3:

With most dimsum restaurants not opening until 10-11 AM, we decided to DIY our dimsum experience… Instead of going to one dimsum restaurant, we decided to try a few items from many different restaurants. We planned our spots based on opening hours and location.

We started at Golden Steamer, opening at 7 AM. Fresh steamed buns are available a la carte and also by in pre-packaged, bulk containers. We tried the BBQ pork bun and salted egg yolk buns. Both were so delicious that we ended up buying pre-packaged boxes of both. We then made our way to the Cheong Fun Cart for some steamed rice rolls. We opted for a container of fresh shrimp and egg with all the fixings and chili paste. These come out so quick and super hot. Next were egg tarts and pineapple buns at Kamboat Bakery. Both pastries just the right amount of sweet and perfect textures. Last, we had the $5 special: roast pork with veggies over rice. Such amazing deal and absolutely worth every penny.

To burn off all the food we had just consumed, we took a stroll across the Brooklyn Bridge from Chinatown to Brooklyn. One-way, the bridge is about a mile long, so it can take about 20-30 minutes to cross. There is a bit of elevation change, so wear some comfy shoes!

When you get to Brooklyn, there are some great spots to stop at, like Main Street Park, Pebble Beach, and the iconic Manhattan Bridge Viewpoint. If you need a little snack or a drink, Time Out Market is full of many options for something to eat or maybe a cocktail or coffee.

After relaxing at the Brooklyn beach, we meandered back to Chinatown to find a refreshing drink since the sun popped out. We grabbed some boba from Tiger Sugar and did some souvenir shopping at the many shops on the way back to the Airbnb.

After taking a little break, we decided to do some more shopping and ventured out to the shops on Spring Street. We stood in line and waited to try the famous Levain cookie to fuel the shopping adventure. The night ended with dinner from Mamoun’s. Crazy inexpensive and cash only! Mamoun’s had the best falafel I’ve ever had.

Day 4:

The end of a New York trip had to include some New York icons! We started the morning with coffees and pastries at Laduree in SoHo. We tried the Saint-Honore, rose croissant, and a few macarons. The pastries were so delicious! The croissant had such wonderfully flakey layers and was not too sweet. There was a small area in the front to sit in if just enjoying items from the bakery and there was a larger restaurant space in the back if joining for lunch or dinner.

To work off our morning sweets, we walked to Katz’s Delicatessen. At around 11 AM, the line was quite long outside. It did move relatively quickly and we were able to get inside by 11:20. Upon entry, you’re provided receipt tickets that you use for the employees to write down what you’ve ordered at each counter. Remember to retain these tickets on your way out! If you lose a ticket, there is a $50 fine. You can pay with card at the back of the restaurant or pay with cash on your way out.

After our meals, we took the subway and walked to the Port Authority bus terminal and caught a bus back to Newark airport. The buses to the airport are stationed outside the terminal, so you don’t need to go inside. There are people hustling (unaffiliated with the transit companies) at the terminal that will help you find the bus if you need to, but they will ask you for a tip after.

New York was a grand time, but I could absolutely never live there. I will come back to eat more food though. 🙂

Need inspiration for somewhere warmer? Try Big Island, Hawaii Vacation Itinerary (November 2021).

Colder? Try An Extended Weekend in Whistler (February 2022).

An Extended Weekend in Whistler (February 2022)

Posted on March 24, 2022March 24, 2022 by Amanda Leave a comment

For the 2021-2022 season, I bought the Epic Local pass. Skiing is a naturally socially distanced sport and would be perfect to keep me entertained through the winter when hiking and other summer activities are less accessible. I typically go to my local mountain, Steven’s Pass, but the local pass also offers 10 days at their sister resort, Whistler-Blackcomb.

This was my first time in Whistler and I would absolutely go back again. You truly get the apres-ski experience. I’m really not sure how people are built for it, but maybe I’ll work my way up to it next time!

Three days before the trip

Since I was crossing the US-Canadian border before Covid restrictions were lifted, I had to get a negative Covid test within 72 hours of crossing the border. This was a little stressful since you had to be tested within 72 hours of crossing the border and have results ready to present. I got my Covid test done at a Curative site in Seattle. Booking was super simple on the website and easy to check in and get tested. I got my Covid results back about 2 days after getting tested.

Check restrictions and requirements here.

Day 1

The drive from Seattle to Whistler is about 4 hours. It’s pretty straightforward and road conditions were good. Driving through Vancouver, of course we had to stop at a Tim Horton’s for some donuts. Full Canadian experience!!

Whistler lifts were open 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM and we weren’t able to check into our accommodations until after 4 PM, so we decided to get some skiing in first. We ended up arriving in the Whistler area around 12:30 PM. We stopped at Whistler Creekside to park in the free ski parking structure to get to the lifts. That late in the ski day, there were plenty of parking spaces available in the garage. It was very easy to get up on the lifts and up the mountain. Depending on mountain conditions, it can be tricky coming down. On a good snow day, definitely just ski all the way down the mountain. On an icier day, I would just recommend riding the gondola back down to the base.

We finished up skiing, packed up, and drove to Whistler Village to check into accommodations. We stayed at the Pangea Pod Hotel. Checking into Pangea with luggage and skis was quite tedious. There is not a lot of space for loading/unloading, so you have to wait for other cars to leave the loading area before you can pull in. Once you unload, you have to carry your items around the building and up a set of stairs to reach the lobby. Once in the lobby, you do a self check-in and get a wristband that is your “key” to getting into the pods. Depending on which pods you are in, you may have to bring your items up another set of stairs. There are lockers and ski/snowboard racks. Pangea had limited parking spaces so we parked off-site at the Whistler Conference Center that cost about $20 CAD per night. You do have to come back and pay for parking each day.

I wasn’t sure what exactly to expect. I had stayed at hostels before in college so I assume it would be similar to that. The pod hotel provided towels, toiletries, lockers, and ski/snowboard racks. The pods look pretty tiny but they are pretty cozy. It was a little difficult to organize our belongings, but I would blame that on the amount of clothes required in the winter. Once inside, there is a fan that makes white noise to help cover any noises in the other pods, but it was relatively quiet all of the nights that we stayed.

For dinner the first night, we went to Crepe Montagne. Very cute French bistro specializing in (you guessed it!) crepes. Expect a wait for larger groups. My group of 2 was seated very quickly. They also do fondue and raclette, perfect for a long day of skiing. We had a could drinks (Bloody Mary & Negroni) and tried the petit raclette, escargot, and strawberry salad. Everything was lovely and service was impeccable. I loved that there were plenty of hooks around each table so people were able to hang up their winter coats.

Day 2

A huge perk of staying at Pangea is the proximity to the gondola on Blackcomb. You don’t have to walk very far and it’s near the hustle and bustle of Whistler Village. You’re not far from any of the restaurants, bars, or shopping.

On the mountain, we stopped by the Crystal Hut because we had heard about the legendary waffles, but unfortunately they were not serving any hot food. Maybe next year! After our day skiing, I went to Hot Buns Bakery across from Pangea for some snacks. I tried their cinnamon bun that they kindly heated up and added icing to. We explored the village and did some shopping too.

For dinner, we ended up at Ohyama Ramen. Its in a little strip connected to Japanese-style convenience store that also sells snacks and meals during the day time and another restaurant, Harajuku Izakaya. I tried the chicken karaage, shio ramen, and chashu donburi. So warm and yummy!

Day 3

I was on the hunt for another cinnamon roll. While on the mountain, I made a point to stop at the Chic Pea and tried their amazing cinnamon roll. This was my favorite of the whole trip. It was so light and fluffy. A huge mound of icing, but not overwhelmingly sweet at all.

Since it was our last night in the village, we decided to make it special. We did the vodka tasting in the Ketel One Vodka room at Bearfoot Bistro. The vodka tasting included shots of 4 vodkas and we added the caviar bump to it. This was definitely a treat and an experience I would probably do only one time since it was so pricey.

After having all that vodka, we did a mini food tour through the village. First, we went to the Dubh Linn Gate Irish Pub for baby Guinness shots and chicken wings. The line was crazy on a Saturday night. Come early if you want a larger table. We were let in immediately and circled the restaurant once before finding a place to sit. After our appetizer, we went to Sachi Sushi and tried a couple rolls and had some sake. Just like Dubh Linn Gate, we were lucky to skip waiting so long since we were a small group. For dessert, we stopped by Peaked Pies for the apple crumble pie.

Day 4

We checked out of the hotel at 9 AM. Checking out of Whistler in the morning can be tricky because just about everyone is checking out at this time too. You’ll have to duel with shuttle buses and other patrons in the loading zones to get a spot to pull off to unload. Checkout was easy – we just left our wristbands at the front desk and brought out items to the car.

We stopped Creekside on the way back to grab some treats from brEd. As a budding sourdough enthusiast, I was so excited to try some of the treats here and get some inspiration for my sourdough adventures. The sourdough sticky bun and “beans on toast” were so dreamy. Parking Creekside early in the morning is definitely a nightmare. Parking spaces fill up quickly, drivers are extremely aggressive, and people park pretty terribly. We were lucky to find a 15 minute space – enough time to pick up our treats and head back to Seattle.

Read about my last adventure: Big Island, Hawaii Vacation Itinerary (November 2021)

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park – Big Island, Hawaii Vacation

Posted on December 31, 2021January 5, 2022 by Amanda 1 Comment

We visited Big Island, Hawaii in November 2021. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is a drive from either Kona or Hilo, but it’s really worth it if you’re staying on the Big Island. This is really one of the most amazing parks I’ve been to – it’s also open 24/7. It was so auspicious to have arrived after a recent eruption. The lava lake was still present at the summit of Kilauea in the Halema’uma’u crater.

If you have time to explore more, there is a lot to do that is accessible/flat. First walk through the Thurston lava tube. It’s really interesting to walk through the tube and imagine how the lava shaped it. Parking can be tricky if it is busy, but most spaces only allow you to park for 30 minutes. If they’re full, swing back around and you’ll likely catch someone leaving. There are lights inside during the day, but they do shut-off at night. There are often tour groups coming through, so if you don’t come with a guide, you’ll hear fun facts anyway!

If you go to the visitor’s center, there’s quite a bit to walk around to see. A trail takes you on a nice walk through some sulfur beds, to some steam vents, and you can even take it to the Kilauea Overlook. From the overlook, you can see some of the steam coming from the lava lake. It is about a 45-minute walk from the visitor’s center to the Kilauea Overlook.

If you want to see the lava lake with the best view, you need to park at Devastation Trail and then hike about a mile to see the lake. The hike is flat and quick. Be prepared for crowds. You may even be directed to park in an area farther away depending on how busy it may be. I highly recommend viewing the lava at night to maximize the experience. Definitely have flashlights or headlamps at the ready! It gets very dark. To get the best pictures at night, remember to turn down your exposure!

Green Sand Beach/Papakōlea – Big Island, Hawaii Vacation

Posted on December 31, 2021January 5, 2022 by Amanda 2 Comments

We visited the Big Island of Hawaii in November 2021. Check out my itinerary here!

My mom loves beaches, so when deciding what we were going to do in Hawaii, I knew we needed to visit as many beaches as possible. I’ve never seen a beach that didn’t have the classic brown sand, so I needed to see what this magic green sand was. From researching, the green sand on the beach was formed from an eruption long ago that spewed olivine-rich lava, leading to the formation of olivine crystals. It’s only one of four green sand beaches existing in the world.

A lot of research I found said that driving to the beach is illegal, but I saw many trucks and vans transporting visitors from the parking area to the top of the cliff where you have to climb down to the beach. None of these trucks or vans sported any tourism group, so I assume it is illegal or frowned upon. I think the best way to respect the land and enjoy the experience is to hike it! Keep in mind that there are no facilities once you pass the parking area.

The hike is relatively flat. I would rate it moderate since it is almost 6 miles round trip. Remember to bring your hiking essentials, but I cannot stress enough the importance of water! We passed many groups that didn’t bring any water at all. I definitely recommend getting there early to beat the rush and the sun.

Most of the hike to the beach is a fine, yellow sand, so be prepared to sink with each step and be absolutely filthy when you come back. There look like there are many trails, but don’t worry. All roads will lead you to the beach. If you’re unsure, stick to the trail closest to the water. You’ll also get the best views this way!

I wore my hiking sandals, Chacos (recent convert from double-strap toe-strap to single-strap no-toe), on the hike and had enough support and traction there and back. There’s a picnic table at the top of the beach that is a nice spot to rest and have a snack before or after you head down to the beach. Waves on the beach can be pretty rough, so beware if you’re going swimming. Don’t forget to take a closer look at the sand when you’re there. You’ll start to see flashes of it as you get closer on the hike.

Big Island, Hawaii Vacation Itinerary (November 2021)

Posted on December 30, 2021January 5, 2022 by Amanda 3 Comments

After almost 2 years of no traveling, we were finally able to book a family vacation to Hawaii. We booked a trip well in advance in April 2021 for travel in November 2021. We used Costco Travel to book one set of travelers from Arizona and then book plane tickets separately for travelers from Washington. Costco was extremely convenient as flights, hotel, and rental car were booked together. There were also additional perks such as gifts at the hotel, waived fees, and free parking. If you like an action packed vacation, try my itinerary and see my related posts!

Day 1 – Arrival Day:

Arrive in Kona

Dinner at Umeke’s Fish House (hot tip: get on the yelp waitlist in advance)

Walk to Keauhou Bay Beach Park