Cherise and Shine, Author at Cherise and Shine

24 Hours in Death Valley National Park

February 16, 2019April 4, 2023 Cherise and Shine

I am so excited to share with you guys about Death Valley, and truly don’t know why it took me so long to finally visit. We were only here for 24 hours, but even so, this strange destination left such an impact on me. Few places have made me feel more like I’m on another planet than this jaw-dropping landscape.

This desert national park located on the border of California and Nevada is truly otherworldly, has become one of my favorite road trips to take from Southern California. The harsh climate and fascinating history from the Native American inhabitants to the craze of the Gold Rush and mining colonies make this land lost in time a fascinating place, and exploring the scattered ghost towns or ruins will cause you to feel like you’re in the Wild West.

Continue reading “24 Hours in Death Valley National Park” →

Lifestyle, South America, Travel

Hotel Review: Skylodge Adventure Suites

February 4, 2019April 4, 2023 Cherise and Shine

If you’ve ever wanted to sleep suspended high up from a cliff in a transparent pod, look no further. Tucked away in the Sacred Valley of Peru and just a couple hours drive away from Cusco, this one-of-a-kind experience will take you cliffside above the Urubamba River.

Chances are you’ve seen this unique hotel somewhere on Facebook, Instagram or Buzzfeed if you enjoy perusing unique travel experiences. I can’t remember the exact platform on which I first saw this hotel, but just a quick video of the world’s first-ever “hanging lodge,” and I was immediately sold. My husband and I decided if we were ever going to Peru, we simply HAD to do this.

So let’s be honest—the experience is not cheap. We paid something like $445 USD per person, plus $85 USD for the photo package. But let’s break down what it includes:

Pickup in Cusco
Transportation to Urubamba’s Sacred Valley
A quick Via Ferrata lesson
Gear/equipment to climb 400 meters up the mountain
A delicious multi-course dinner, complete with wine
Overnight stay
Breakfast with coffee
Ziplining down the mountain
Transportation to wherever you’re going next (most people get driven back to Cusco, but we asked to be transported to the Ollantaytambo train station as we were continuing on to Machu Picchu)

And as far as the photo package is concerned, it’s 100% worth the splurge. Our photographer, Diego, would speedily climb past us and hang off of cliffs to get the photos of us. It’s worth capturing the memories for this once-in-a-lifetime experience, and also a lot safer than (and not nearly as stressful as) trying to take photographs yourself!

There are only three pods (each can hold 2-4 people), so reservations naturally run out quickly for this experience. We booked our sky pod six months in advance of our Peru trip, and already we snagged the last available slots! Each pod has beds, solar-powered lights, a bathroom (with a “dry toilet” system) and a 300 degree view of the valley below.

We got picked up in Cusco’s San Blas district around 2:00pm, and transported to the Sacred Valley. After a quick review of how to do Via Ferrata and getting fitted into our harnesses, we were on our way, climbing up the mountain. Random buses filled with tourists would occasionally stop below us to watch us climb, shouting at us and cheering us on.

At the 300 meter point (almost 1,000 feet!), we hit a suspension “bridge” of tightrope wires. We were told to walk across—and to push AWAY from the wall (toward nothingness) as we crossed the rope. Okay, no big deal. I reached up for the wires and made a comment about possibly being too short. One of our guides then proceeded to tell us that a 6-year-old did this, so we were fine. Alrighty then.

In total, we climbed up 400 meters (1,300+ feet). But the pods that we slept in were a slight decline from the highest point we reached, which meant we slept at 300 meters up. That’s still the equivalent of climbing a 90-story building, though!

We hung up our helmets and gloves, and ate a dinner in the main communal pod that our guides prepared on a stovetop hanging off the rocks in the cliff. A truly unique thing to witness!

The food was prepared from frozen ingredients they carried in their backpacks, and we ate a squash soup, salad, a quinoa/chicken dish and dessert. They even were able to accommodate my allergy restrictions, and had a separate gluten-free banana bread that I could eat for dessert when they gave everyone else brownies! They also gave each couple (there were six of us total) a bottle of wine.

We conversed over our meal as it started to rain. After dinner, we were told we’d need to climb further to get to our rooms, and my husband and I were specifically told ours was the furthest and most difficult to get to. “Be careful, because it’s also dark and very slippery when it rains,” they said. My mind was racing, wondering why I had JUST drank wine. But we made it up to our pod without issue, climbed onto the wooden deck and then down into the room as though descending into a submarine. Our feet hit the bottom of the pod, and we were immediately excited by the adorable setup we saw before us.

It’s hard to get to sleep here, not because it’s uncomfortable (the bed was sooo soft), but because sleep almost feels like a waste of time. Here we were, lying in a bed far above the ground and surrounded by incredible views of the valley below—what were we doing sleeping?! In hindsight, I definitely would’ve set an alarm to wake up more than an hour before breakfast so we could sit on our little patio with the pillows/blankets they provided for us and taken in the breathtaking views.

We ate our breakfast at 7:00am, which was complete with coffee, juice, eggs, granola, fruit, yogurt and luncheon meats/cheese. We then headed back to our individual pods to pack up and take some final photos in the room.

Diego, the photographer, was hanging off the side of a cliff with his camera and snapping shots from the outside looking in at us in the pod. We had a blast during this 20-minute photoshoot, and it definitely wasn’t something we could have done on our own!!!

After this, everyone met up at the top pod (ours) and climbed further up the mountain to find a trail. We wandered down the first of six zipline wires, and began or zigzag descent to the ground. One of the ziplines is even 600 meters (2,000 feet) long!!!

We hit the ground, and suddenly we were back in reality and our night in the clouds was just a precious memory. We continued on our way to Ollantaytambo, and were even given snacks for our journey. All in all, this experience was the highlight of our trip—which is saying something when you consider all the amazing sights that Peru has to offer!

Price per person:

OVERNIGHT
Via Ferrata + Zipline + 1 night –1,475 Soles (approx. $445 USD)
Zipline + 1 night – 1,385 Soles (approx. $417 USD)
Via Ferrata + 1 night – 1,385 Soles (approx. $417 USD)

LUNCH ONLY
Via Ferrata + Zipline + Lunch – 860 Soles (approx. $260 USD)
Via Ferrata + Lunch – 770 Soles (approx. $232 USD)
Zipline + Lunch – 770 Soles (approx. $232 USD)

(We definitely recommend doing the overnight and both the Via Ferrata and Zipline, if you can! It’s two incredible and unique activities that my husband and I both felt made the whole experience complete.)

South America, Travel

The Ultimate Photo Guide to Cusco

January 25, 2019April 4, 2023 Cherise and Shine

If you’re in Peru and heading to Macchu Picchu, Ollantaytambo, Maras Salt Mines, Moray Ruins, Rainbow Mountain (Vinicunca) or Humuntay Lake, chances are you will spend a significant amount of time in Cusco.

Cusco (or Cuzco/Qosqo) was the capital of the Inca Empire from the 13^th until the 16^th century. This “navel of the world” boasts a rich history, and showcases a remarkable clash of cultures from Inca ruins to Spanish churches. At 3,400 meters (11,200 feet) up, you’ll likely stay a few days here to acclimate to the altitude before going on any physically taxing expeditions—and lucky for you, it’s one of the most picturesque and unique cities ever to spend time in! So while you’re in Cusco, here’s what you must see:

PLAZA DE ARMAS

The main square of Cusco is a picturesque plaza surrounded by a mix of churches, tourist shops and fast food chains. (Confession: I did go to the Starbucks…twice.)

Sure, it’s touristy. But also, you must go. In fact, it would be pretty impossible to visit Cusco without passing through here at least once. You can see the beautiful Catedral del Cuzco and the Iglesia de la Compañía de Jesús and get some lovely photos in front of these breathtaking buildings, and also try your luck at some snaps in the gardens or by the fountains. (In hindsight, all churches in Cusco are beautiful and many have an admittance fee, so I’m wishing we had gotten a Cusco Religious Circuit Ticket to combine our visits at a discounted price! But some of these churches will give you an entrance discount if you have a student ID on you.)

Where: PLAZA MAYOR CENTRO DE, Peru

When: If you want to miss crowds, you’ve gotta get there BEFORE Cusco Cathedral’s 6am mass. If this is too early for you (no judgment—it was hard for us, too), just try popping in periodically throughout the day. It’s usually quite busy, but you might get lucky!

SAQSAYWAMAN (or Sacsayhuamán, Sacsahuaman and half a dozen other variations of spelling)

The ruins of this formidable citadel are just north of the city center (and what felt like a million steps up a steep hill from San Blas). This fortress was one of the last strongholds of the Incas against the Spanish Conquistadors, and following the Siege of Cusco, was sadly used as a source for stonework to build Spanish buildings. Now, this site is largely demolished, but even what’s left behind is rich in history and eerily beautiful.

(Side note, Saqsaywaman sits right near a field of alpacas to hang out with! But fair warning, they’re not super friendly. I saw one guy get kicked!)

Cost: There are a variety of tourist tickets you can purchase for Saqsaywaman, and most will include other destinations lumped into the price. We purchased partial tourist tickets (the most affordable option) that included Saqsaywaman, Q’enpo, Puca Pucara and Tambomachay for 70 soles (about $21 USD) each person. We unfortunately only had enough time to visit Saqsaywaman, but would love to visit the other sites someday when we have more time.

Hours: 7am – 5:30pm

When: This site is so large that it’s easy to find a clear photo spot, even if you’re here in the afternoon on a weekend (like us). I would say you should just visit at whatever point is most convenient for you during the day.

MINOR BASILICA DE LA MERCED (CHURCH AND COVENANT OF OUR LADY OF MERCY)

Just a couple blocks down from the famed Plaza de Armas sits this beautiful, quiet monastery. Walking inside will fill you with a sense of wonderment, and we marveled at how empty the inside of the building was. There are no photos allowed inside the art exhibits, but you can take photos inside the beautifully manicured courtyard and feel yourself being transported to Europe.

Cost: 10 soles (roughly $3 USD)

When: We visited in the late morning (around 11am), and found the church empty and quiet, save for two other tourists.

SAN BLAS DISTRICT

We spent our first Cusco evening in this part of the city, and we’re so glad we did because this turned out to be our favorite neighborhood! Boasting charmingly narrow streets, hipster coffee shops, trendy boutiques, old churches, delicious restaurants and amazing views of the city, San Blas is an incredibly unique part of Cusco. I highly recommend that you either stay or explore here.

When: I would advise roaming this area in the early morning. In the late morning to mid afternoon, it gets more crowded with both tourists and taxis. But any time you visit here will still be lovely.

QORIKANCHA (CONVENTO DE SANTO DOMINGO)

Qorikancha was by far the most fascinating stop for us in Cusco. This was once the temple of the sun and the most important religious spot for the Incas, but was built over as the Santo Domingo church and convent for the Spanish. While the majority of this church looks European in design, some of the foundation is still the original Inca stonework.

In addition to the unique juxtaposition of architectural styles, Qorikancha has a beautiful outdoor garden that’s worth a look.

Cost: 15 soles (roughly $5 USD)

Open: 8:30am – 5:30pm

Where: Santo Domingo s/n, Cusco 08000, Peru

When: We went in the late afternoon, but found that they were just about to close and we had to rush through. Early morning would probably be the best time to visit here.

L’ATELIER CAFÉ CONCEPT

This could have been lumped into the general San Blas bullet point as an aforementioned hipster coffee shop, but we went here multiple times and it felt cute enough to get its own paragraph. This café was one of our favorite spots for coffee, juice and snacks! And it has a beautiful view of the streets of San Blas.

Open: 8:15am – 7pm

Where: Atoqsayk’uchi, Cusco 08000, Peru

When: Whenever you’re on the street below, just look up and see whether the most ideal window seat overlooking the streets of San Blas is unoccupied. If nobody’s there, GO FOR IT!

TWELVE ANGLED STONE

This stone is one of the most famous examples of Incan architecture, and is part of the wall for the Archbishop’s Palace in Cusco (a popular Moorish-style museum). Since the stone is on the outer wall, it’s worth walking by on your way from Plaza de Armas to the San Blas district.

twelve-angled-stone-cusco-peru — NOTE: I am not near the actual specific 12-angled stone in this shot. It was too crowded, so I settled for this other wall spot. You know.

Where: Calle Hatunrumiyoc 480, Cusco 08000, Peru

When: As is evidenced by my photo NOT actually with the 12-angled stone, it gets very crowded in this alleyway midday. If you want to get a good look at the stone, I’d suggest early morning.

IGLESIA DE SAN CRISTOBAL

San Cristobal is another church located on a hillside overlooking the main square of Cusco. While it’s quite difficult to make the trek up if you’re not acclimated to the altitude yet, the views are really something spectacular. The bell tower in particular is a great vantage point!

Where: Resbalosa, Cusco 08000, Peru

SAN PEDRO MARKET

This is one of the most vibrant markets in Cusco, and visiting will fill your eyes, ears and nostrils with so many different colors, sounds and smells. This is a fun place to peruse and could even be a one stop shop for food and souvenirs—as long as you have no issues with bartering!

Open: 9am – 6pm

Where: On Calle Santa Clara between Thupaq Amaru & Cascaparo

CRISTO BLANCO

If I’m being honest, the only reason to stop by here is if you’re already headed to Saqsaywaman, since they’re a 5-10 minute walk from each other. The views are lovely looking down on Cusco, and it’s fun to see the 8-meters (26-feet) Cristo Blanco. However, it’s very difficult to take photos with him due to a fence that was put up around him.

(Fun fact—the statue was a gift from Palestinian Christians who sought refuge in Cusco after WWII!)

Cost: Free!

Open: 8am – 7pm (although I’m not sure how they’d moderate this since it’s on an open hilltop!)

South America, Travel

24 Hours in Lima, Peru

January 8, 2019April 4, 2023 Cherise and Shine

Many coming to Peru find themselves in the capital city of Lima as a stopover city on the way to somewhere else–namely Cusco and Machu Picchu–but few see it as much more than that. I’ve been told by some that Lima isn’t worth seeing at all, and to spend as little time here as possible. I would disagree with this outlook, and passionately suggest making the most of every moment you spend in Lima.

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South America, Travel

Hiking Peru’s Rainbow Mountain

December 17, 2018April 4, 2023 Cherise and Shine

Vinicunca, better known to English speakers as Rainbow Mountain, is a beautiful multicolored mountain that gets its patterns from the variance of sediment deposits that have built up over the years. Rainbow Mountain is located high up in the Andes of Peru, 5,200 meters (17,000 feet) above sea level. The colors of this gem make you want to do a double take and quick Google search to confirm that it’s even real. It’s only been on the radar for tourism for a few years, so when photos of this unique spot starting popping up, I decided we had to go whenever we made it to Peru.

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Lifestyle, Travel

Top 10 Australia Instagram Spots

November 26, 2018April 4, 2023 Cherise and Shine

Okay, let me start off by saying I am FULLY aware I haven’t even scratched the surface of this beautiful country. From vibrant, iconic cities and tall mountains to stunning beaches and cascading waterfalls, Australia has something for everyone. And don’t even get me started on their cute, unique animals (quokkas, anyone?)!

I am dying to go back to this gorgeous country and hit all the places we missed, and I know I will have many more spots to add to this list. However, from our whirlwind 10+ cities in just 10 days, these lovely photo spots became my favorites:

Glass House Mountains (Sunshine Coast, Queensland)

The Glass House Mountains are a 1-hour drive north from Brisbane. They are 1,000% worth checking out for an afternoon or even a full day trip. Not only are the mountains beautiful, but they boast rich local legends since they are in the lands of the aboriginal Jinibara and Gubbi Gubbi people. The mountains are supposedly all members of a family: Tibrogargan, Beerwah, Coonowrin, Tunbubudla, Miketeebumulgrai, Ngungun and Elimbah.

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From one tropical destination to another, I am SO excited to be leaving TOMORROW for a romantic weekend getaway with my hubby to the beautiful island of Maui. Believe it or not, I haven’t even really planned an itinerary this time! Can’t remember the last time a trip was completely R&R, and I’m beyond stoked for this. . For my fellow American peeps, how are you spending your Labor Day weekend? . (PS, if you’re ever on the Sunshine Coast, PLEASE go check out the beautiful Glass House mountains! We raced up Mount Ngungun a couple hours before a flight from Brisbane to Cairns to catch this view. Was totally worth it!) . . . . . . . . . . . #mountngungun #sunshinecoast #sunshinecoastdaily #followmeto #wearetravelgirls #girlsthatwander #ladiesgoneglobal #lovelulus #sunsetvibes #beautifuldestinations #femmetravel #teamkaptainkenny #straya #australiagram #glasshousemountains #dametraveler #citizenfemme #travelust #speechlessplaces #sidewalkerdaily #americanstyle #visitsunshinecoast #backpackwithme #travellikeagirl #ladiesgoneglobal #queensland #tropicalqueensland #iamtb #femaletravelbloggers

A post shared by Cherise | Travel Blogger (@chereneo) on Aug 30, 2018 at 6:47pm PDT

PHOTO TIP: My favorite mountain to climb is Ngungun, as the sunset view from here of Coonowrin and Beerwah is something magical. The surreal colors and framing make this spot any photographer’s dream location!

Flinders Street Station (Melbourne, Victoria)

This is a quintessential spot in Melbourne, and is know for having unique architecture compared to the rest of the city (rumor has it, the plans were accidentally switched with the blueprints for Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus in Mumbai).

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She's lost her will, Time is standing still . (Props if you remember this early 2000’s song reference 🙈) . Happy Friday! What are you up to this weekend? I have a ton more Australia pictures to share with you, but I might take a little break and start posting some European summer throwbacks. ❤️ . Also, fun fact: according to my dear Melbourne local, @janelleoh, an urban legend of this iconic building is that the floor plan was switched out somehow and they accidentally built this instead of a design that was meant to be here. Supposedly, that’s why the architecture looks so out of place! 🌃 . . . . . . . . . . #visitmelbourne #melbourne #australia #visitvictoria #visitaustralia #thisisaustralia #focusaustralia #travelaustralia #discoveraustralia #straya #melbournetwist #travelust #loveaustralia #australiagram #prettylittleiinspo #ilovemelbourne #seeaustralia #traveltagged #melbournelocal #melbourne_insta #sheisnotlost #flinders #moodygram #wearetravelgirls #teamkaptainkenny #flindersstreetstation #igarchitecture #exploretocreate

A post shared by Cherise | Travel Blogger (@chereneo) on Jul 27, 2018 at 12:00pm PDT

PHOTO TIP: For that ethereal feel, use a tripod (or, in my case, a VERY still human—thanks, little sister!!) and a slow shutter speed while you (the subject) stay very still in the middle of the street. Bicycles, cars and buses will all look like they’re passing by while you’re standing still in time!

Mossman Gorge (Tropical North Queensland)

Mossman Gorge is a beautiful little slice of the Daintree Rainforest—the oldest continuously surviving rainforest in the world (nope, it’s not the Amazon Rainforest)! Beyond boasting beautiful rivers, fauna and wildlife, it is also home to the indigenous Kuku Yalanji people, who will often share incredible stories about the region.

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Sisters don’t let sisters wade into tropical rivers in the middle of rainstorms…alone. 👯 . Not pictured: my husband telling us there was an eel swimming behind us and my brother getting attacked by a leech 😱😱😱 . Side Note—what camera do you use, and what do you recommend? I’ve had my DSLR (Nikon D3200 Series) since college, and doesn’t always cooperate with us to the point that my poor husband is begging me to look at new options! I’d love to stick with Nikon, and he suggested getting the D5550 or 5600. Any suggestions welcomed!! ❤️ . . . . . . . #tropicalnorthqueensland #queensland #tropicalqueensland #ladiesgoneglobal #travelinladies #wearetravelgirls #girlsthatwander #beautifuldestinations #darlingescapes #travelust #straya #australiagram #femaletravelbloggers #iamtb #tropicalrainforest #lovelulus #backpackwithme #teamkaptainkenny #iloveaustralia #traveldreamseekers #speechlessplaces #girlaroundworld #travellikeagirl #femmetravel #mossmangorge

A post shared by Cherise | Travel Blogger (@chereneo) on Aug 22, 2018 at 9:00am PDT

PHOTO TIP: More of an editing tip, but when you’re working with tropical rainforests and rivers, make sure to reduce your yellows waaayyyyyy down in the photo to make it look more lush and green!

Bondi Icebergs (Sydney, New South Wales)

Did you even go to Sydney if you didn’t get this recognizable Icebergs shot? I didn’t swim in the pool, but even standing above it was a breathtaking experience.

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A winter day in Australia is probably still more beautiful than a summer day almost anywhere else. Still can’t believe I got to see this place with my own eyes! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #prettylittletrips #focusaustralia #beautifuldestinations #speechlessplaces #australiagram #bestplacestogo #bondibeach #bondiicebergs #nomadgirls #teamkaptainkenny #straya #australiashots #visitaustralia #traveldreamseekers #traveltagged #livingdestinations #wanderluster #femaletravelbloggers #summervibes #travelust #passionpassport #femmetravel #best_worldplaces #poolgoals #bondi #sydneylocal #ilovesydney #newsouthwales #visitnsw

A post shared by Cherise | Travel Blogger (@chereneo) on Aug 8, 2018 at 11:57am PDT

PHOTO TIP: Try to time your trip with 1) early morning (for lesser crowds) and 2) high tide (for crashing waves), if possible! While I’m very happy with my shot from here, I wish I had gotten that iconic snap of the waves crashing over the pool!

Cape Byron Bay (Byron Bay, New South Wales)

Beautiful views of Byron Bay, check. Most easterly part of continental Australia, check. What more could you want?

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Be the light. Happy hump day from one of our favorite stops in Byron Bay! . (This is after scrambling out of the car in the pouring rain and rushing to the lighthouse with my sister and husband before it closed while my dad kept the car running and my mom chatted up and stalled the guard getting ready to lock up 🤣 So grateful for my family!!) . . . . . . . . #teamkaptainkenny #travelinladies #byronbay #visitnsw #newsouthwales #visitaustralia #thisisaustralia #focusaustralia #travelaustralia #discoveraustralia #straya #roamtheplanet #byronbaylighthouse #loveaustralia #australiagram #prettylittleiinspo #seeaustralia #traveltagged #womenwhoexplore #thetravelwomen #nomadgirls #wearetravelgirls #sheisnotlost #girlsthatwander #lighthouse_lovers #gypsylife #cntraveler #girlslovetravel @thetravellingnomads @wonderfuldestinations_

A post shared by Cherise | Travel Blogger (@chereneo) on Jul 11, 2018 at 8:58am PDT

PHOTO TIP: Make sure to check the hours when you’re planning your visit here. You can wander up to the lighthouse at any time, but if you are driving, the parking lot closes at 6pm sharp. We tried to go here for sunset and literally had 5 minutes to hurriedly snap some photos while my dad kept the engine running and my mom distracted the guard with some lovely conversation to keep him from closing the gates!

Millaa Millaa Falls (Tropical North Queensland)

Wahhh, how badly I want to return to Tropical North Queensland. I want to go to Paronella Park in daylight, I want to see platypuses (platypi…?) swimming in the creek. I want to spot tree kangaroos and drive the full waterfall circuit and frolic through Nucifora Tea Plantation. But enough about what I didn’t do.

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I may never leave. . Millaa Millaa is one of the most iconic waterfalls of the Tablelands Region in Queensland, Australia. It's a great first stop on the famous waterfall circuit, especially as the waterfall is easily accessible right off the road! . I've been told that the best way to guarantee you get these beautiful falls to yourself is to go very early on a weekday morning. Well, another effective strategy is to go on a weekend afternoon…in the middle of winter while it is raining. We arrived ]just as a van of people were leaving, and had the waterfall all to ourselves for the rest of the time we were there!! Yes, it was a little chilly. But I mean, it's tropical Australia chilly. It's worth it. 😝💁🏻💙 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #queensland #chasingwaterfalls #australia #tropicalnorthqueensland #visitaustralia #thisisaustralia #discoverqueensland #travelaustralia #discoveraustralia #straya #bikinigirl #australiagram #girlslovetravel #ilovequeensland #seeaustralia #traveltagged #millaamillaa #nomadgirls #teamkaptainkenny #millaamillaafalls #dametraveler #tropicalvibes #wearetravelgirls #beautifuldestinations #sheisnotlost #sidewalkerdaily #traveltagged #traveldreamseekers #queensland_captures #tablelands

A post shared by Cherise | Travel Blogger (@chereneo) on Jul 17, 2018 at 11:50am PDT

Millaa Millaa Falls is one of the few places we made it to because it was a priority for me. The iconic symmetry of the waterfall, the ease of approaching this lovely spot that is RIGHT off the road. Definitely go here if you’re in North Queensland, but also try to make sure you have enough time to hit the other waterfalls around it (Zillie, Ellinjaa and Mungalli).

PHOTO TIP: If you want a shot with nobody in it, either go very early morning on a weekday in the summer, or go literally any time of day in the middle of winter. I took my photos around 4pm on a Saturday in June, and nobody was there!

Sydney Opera House (Sydney, New South Wales)

Obviously, this had to make the list. “But what’s this,” I hear you ask, “Sydney Opera House isn’t #1!?!”

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Hello, Australia! It's nice to meet you. . Naturally, my first upload from this beautiful country is from this iconic destination. But capturing this peaceful and empty shot was actually quite a process! . We stayed at @quaywestsuitessydney on The Rocks, a convenient 15-minute walk away from the Sydney Opera House. I convinced my mom, sister and loving husband to wake up at 5am with me and head over for a sunrise photoshoot. It was pitch black and about 42 F (5 C) outside, but we braved the cold and wind to have to the Opera House all to ourselves as the sun came up. Peep my stories for some behind the scenes looks! . (PS, we were shivering and numb by the end of this and casually ducked into a convenience store by the Circular Quay subway stop to warm up. We bought kombucha and were gifted some free mini nutella jars after I joyously exclaimed how cute they were. So all in all, a great morning! 😹) . . . . . . . . . . . . . #visitnsw #sydney #australia #newsouthwales #visitaustralia #thisisaustralia #focusaustralia #travelaustralia #discoveraustralia #straya #roamtheplanet #beautifuldestinations #loveaustralia #australiagram #prettylittleiinspo #ilovesydney #seeaustralia #traveltagged #sydneylocal #womenwhoexplore #sydneyoperahouse #thetravelwomen #nomadgirls #wearetravelgirls #sheisnotlost #girlsthatwander @thetravellingnomads @wonderfuldestinations_

A post shared by Cherise | Travel Blogger (@chereneo) on Jul 9, 2018 at 8:48am PDT

Shocking, I know! I think that the Opera House is, of COURSE, a must. If it’s a one-or-the-other type thing, I would probably suggest hitting Sydney Opera House above any of the next three spots I’ll mention. It’s such a quintessential destination, but because it is so well known, I feel like some of the later spots are more like hidden treasures. That said, you have to go to the Opera House if you are in Australia.

PHOTO TIP: Wake up early (like, REALLY early—we woke up at 4:30am to get there around 6am in the middle of winter) to watch the sunrise at the Opera House. It might be cold, but it will also be entirely worthwhile to have this beautiful place all to yourself! Also, the best photo spot might not even be directly in front of it—take a stroll around the harbor to the Park Hyatt Sydney. The view of the Opera House across the water while the sun sets is PERFECT.

Buderim Forest Park (Sunshine Coast, Queensland)

This might be a surprising thing to rank so high, but it holds a special place in my heart. My husband and I wandered around here in the morning before breakfast, and were amazed to have this beautiful rainforest all to ourselves. Even more amazing—it’s a 5-10 minute drive from Mooloolaba!

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Happy Sunday! Sometimes there’s nothing better than strolling through a tropical rainforest and taking in the the sights and sounds of nature. There’s something truly rejuvenating about spending time in God’s creation—don’t you agree? 🍃🌿🌱 . Travel Tip: If you find yourself on the Sunshine Coast, make the 10-minute drive from Mooloolaba to Buderim Forest Park, where you can explore a beautifully serene forest that leads to a waterfall! Seriously one of my favorite moments from our Australia travels, and we had this patch of heaven all to ourselves! . . . . . . . . #buderim #queensland #tropicalqueensland #ladiesgoneglobal #travelinladies #wearetravelgirls #girlsthatwander #beautifuldestinations #darlingescapes #travelust #straya #australiagram #femaletravelbloggers #iamtb #tropicalrainforest #lovelulus #backpackwithme #teamkaptainkenny #iloveaustralia #traveldreamseekers #speechlessplaces #girlaroundworld #travellikeagirl #femmetravel #sunshinecoastdaily

A post shared by Cherise | Travel Blogger (@chereneo) on Aug 19, 2018 at 4:31pm PDT

There are two access points to Buderim Forest Park. The lower entrance is off Lindsay Road via Harry’s Lane, which is the one we entered from. This direction has a wooden boardwalk for much of the way, but be advised that the boardwalk won’t get you all the way to Serenity Falls (which might be important to know if you have strollers or wheelchairs). The second entry point is via Quorn Close, which runs off Lindsay Road at the top of Buderim. This version is steeper, but takes you right to the waterfall!

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Happy Waterfall Wednesday! . Allow me to introduce you to the Sunshine Coast gem that is Buderim Forest Park. Just a 20-minute drive away from the coast lies this beautiful, hidden rainforest filled with creeks and waterfalls. We strolled around one morning before breakfast, and after a short walk, found ourselves face-to-face with this stunning waterfall! There was even a suspension bridge above us that Michael climbed up to in order to get this fun shot. Who needs a drone, anyway? (JK I still kind of want one…maybe…) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #sunshinecoast #discoveraustralia #beautifuldestinations #wearetravelgirls #buderim #buderimfalls #sunshinecoastdaily #sunshinecoasthinterland #nationalparks #backpackwithme #waterfallwednesday #wanderluster #nomadgirls #sheisnotlost #sidewalkerdaily #bestofaustralia #iloveaustralia #straya #thetravelwomen #teamkaptainkenny #waterfallwednesday #girldiscoverers #finditliveit #darlingescapes

A post shared by Cherise | Travel Blogger (@chereneo) on Jul 25, 2018 at 8:59am PDT

PHOTO TIP: There’s an awesome suspension bridge right above the falls (which was lowered in by a helicopter!), which is perfect for taking photos from for an epic drone-like shot.

Crawley Edge Boatshed (Perth, Western Australia)

Yes, it’s just a boatshed. So what’s the big deal?

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When the floods of life start to drown you, remember that God can carry you above the storm, and dance in the rain. . This was a crazy day in Perth, but possibly my favorite from our entire Australia trip. We had booked a ferry to Rottnest Island, but due to a crazy storm (with sideways rain and everything), all transportation to and from the island was cancelled for the day. Michael and I were determined to make the most of the day, and called an Uber to take us to Crawley Edge Boatshed—an adorable blue house on the water that I had seen on Instagram. . Our Uber driver was the friendliest person ever (like a cool uncle) and one of the highlights of our trip. He offered to turn off the meter at one point and show us around Kings Park and other cool spots! When I mentioned the boat shed, he chuckled and said that he 1) never understood why tourists took pictures here and 2) drove by this morning and saw that it was flooded. FLOODED?! Well, I don't know when we're going to return to Perth, so I cheerily said, "Let's try it, anyway!" . Cut to the boatshed, and indeed, it is flooded. The pathway to the house is submerged in water. Michael and I have a good laugh about it, and I brace myself for ruining my shoes—because of course, I'm not going to come out all this way without walking over! Our Uber driver stood there, watching in total amusement as I splashed around the water here. . Have you ever had your heart set on taking photos somewhere to the point that other people thought you were (endearingly) crazy? . . . . . . . . . #crawleyedgeboatshed #boatshed #perth #perthisok #westernaustralia #beautifuldestinations #speechlessplaces #travelgirlsgo #wearetravelgirls #sheisnotlost #sidewalkerdaily #iamtb #ladiesgoneglobal #femmetravel #bestofaustralia #straya #travelinladies #traveldreamseekers #moodygram #perthiscool #iloveperth #iloveaustralia #femaletravelbloggers #travellikeagirl #darlingescapes

A post shared by Cherise | Travel Blogger (@chereneo) on Aug 13, 2018 at 9:00am PDT

Honestly, maybe this should be lower on the list. But I LOOOVVEE this spot simply from my memory of getting here. We went here with a super friendly local Uber driver on the day of a crazy rainstorm. “I never understand why tourists take pictures here,” he said in amusement. But all the same, he drove us over happily, and even stopped to help us take some pictures!

PHOTO TIP: I’ve only ever seen pictures of this boatshed in low tide (aka when it’s not flooded from a crazy rainstorm), but we came when the boardwalk was actually submerged in water, and it made for some really cool reflection shots!!

Rottnest Island (Western Australia)

Ah, where to begin? Legitimately, this might have been my favorite place in Australia. Just thinking about it puts a smile on my face!

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I've never met a lighthouse I didn't like. Maybe it's because I see them as a beacon of hope, a guide in the dark, a reassurance of better things to come and a promise of your current storm to end. Do you also have a thing for beautiful lighthouses? . Also, you guys! I am BEYOND stoked to share that I'm doing my very first story takeover on @teamkaptainkenny! Head over there to learn more about the beaches, the views, the food, both the wonderful and horrible history, the quirks and, naturally, the QUOKKAS of Rottnest Island. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #rottnestisland #westernaustralia #beautifuldestinations #speechlessplaces #australiagram #bestplacestogo #travelgirlsgo #ladieslovetravel #nomadgirls #teamkaptainkenny #wearetravelgirls #perthisok #straya #beachbabe #letarteluxe #traveldreamseekers #traveltagged #livingdestinations #wanderluster #femaletravelbloggers #summervibes #travelust #passionpassport #womenwhotravel #rotto #bathurstlighthouse

A post shared by Cherise | Travel Blogger (@chereneo) on Aug 9, 2018 at 10:10am PDT

Rottnest Island has a wide variety of photo ops from beautiful, white beaches to charming lighthouses and, of course, QUOKKAS. Just ALL THE QUOKKAS. What could possibly make for a better Instagram post than an adorable quokka selfie?!

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Smile, it's Friday Junior! Happy almost weekend. . . QUOKKA SELFIE TIP: Quokkas are very curious and very hungry little creatures! I would advise that you find a place to lie down on the ground (on your stomach) near some fresh leaves. Chances are someone will be fascinated enough to come say hello, and will stay to chow down on some vegetation! Also, hold your cell phone upside down when you take the selfie (so that the capture button is on top and the camera is on the bottom of the phone). That way, you capture more of the quokka, since they’re so small and low to the ground! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #quokkaselfie #quokkas #quokka #quokkaselfies #rottnestisland #quokkahub #instaquokka #quokkalove #westernaustralia #wa #westernaustraliauncovered #experienceperth #justanotherdayinwa #perthisok #perthlife #australiagram #thetraveltag #focusaustralia #wearetravelgirls #nomadgirls #citizenfemme #igersaustralia #aussie_images #australia_shotz #iamtb #finditliveit #soperth #perthiscool

A post shared by Cherise | Travel Blogger (@chereneo) on Jul 19, 2018 at 10:58am PDT

PHOTO TIP: You should NOT feed or pet the quokkas, but quokkas are super curious and will probably come check you out if you lie flat on your stomach near one and wait for it to scurry on over. Hold your cell phone upside town (camera on the bottom) to capture more of the quokkas cute lil’ bodies! Alternatively, if you’re using a DSLR, hold it out in front of your face the length of your arm and switch to manual focus once it’s focused on you. This way, it won’t accidentally adjust when you’re selfie-ing and blur the adorable moment.

So there you have it! Hope you make it to some of these fun spots, and also let me know YOUR favorite spots that I missed, below (because Australia is AMAZING, and of course I know I missed some great ones)!

Travel

How to Spend 24 Hour in New York City

November 4, 2018April 4, 2023 Cherise and Shine

The Big Apple, the first United States capital (okay, for about a year, but still) and the most densely populated city in the country. I’ll start out by saying that if you can spend more than a day in New York City, you definitely should. But if you’re like us and only have 24 hours in this beautiful place, read on for tips to a whirlwind trip.

(NOTE: If you want to do 24-hours in New York solely to take pictures, I would give you very different recommendations for what to do. For us, we wanted a mix of iconic locations, quintessential NYC culture and delicious foods—so our story is below!)

6:00am – ARRIVE AT JFK

I love taking overnight flights—it’s the easiest way to make sure you don’t miss anything and also get an early start. We opted for a redeye flight that was supposed to get in around 6:00am, but due to an impending storm, didn’t land until 8:00am. No matter. We brushed our teeth in the airport bathrooms and then rushed to Brooklyn, backpacks in tow!

MORNING (7-11am) – BROOKLYN

Brooklyn might be one of my favorite areas of New York. Going in, it was a no-brainer to make this our first stop. Grab a coffee or breakfast at one of the many adorably hipster coffee shops (we stopped at Butler Bakeshop and met some friends), and stroll along the Brooklyn Bridge into Manhattan.

PHOTO SPOT #1: Go to the Washington / Water Cross streets for the iconic street corner shot with the Manhattan Bridge in the background. Word to the wise—Saturday morning is apparently trash day in this part of Brooklyn. Who knew!!

PHOTO SPOT #2: Walk along the Brooklyn Bridge into Manhattan and snap photos all along the way. I would highly recommend getting here early in the morning on a weekday (around 7:00am) if you want photos without crowds of people in them. However, you can also choose the timing we did—a weekend around 11:00am, but in the MIDDLE of a storm with crazy rain and gusts of wind!!! We were very fortunate(?) to be the only ones on the bridge as we struggled from one end to the other.

(ALTERNATIVE MORNING PLAN: If Brooklyn and bridges aren’t for you, then head straight into Manhattan and stroll around Greenwich Village. If you don’t mind extra walking, the famous flatiron building is only a 20-minute walk away from here as well.)

MIDDAY (11am-2pm) – THE OCULUS / CENTRAL PARK

Once you’ve finished your early morning in Brooklyn and crossed the Brooklyn Bridge, you’re only a 10-15 minute walk away from the Oculus (Westfield World Trade Center). Wander on over to this beautifully designed mall and grab a coffee or do some shopping if you’d like. We stopped in for a just a brief moment to get a shot with the fun architecture (easily photographed from the entrance).

After we were satisfied, we hopped on a train to visit Central Park. Central Park may not be the largest urban park in the world (that title belongs to King’s Park in Perth, Australia), but it just might be the most well-known. You’ve likely seen a film or TV show that had a scene or two filmed here.

At 840 acres, Central Park is still a daunting undertaking for anyone in a rush! But the most notable spots you won’t want to miss include the Bethesda Fountain/Terrace, Boat House and the Bow Bridge.

(ALTERNATIVE NOON PLAN: Go up to the Top of the Rock for one of the best views of the Manhattan skyline! I would recommend this over doing the Empire State Building, because if you’re inside the Empire State Building, you won’t see it as you gaze out at the view.)

AFTERNOON (2-5pm) – BROADWAY

From Central Park we rushed over to Broadhurst Theatre to see a 2:00pm matinee performance of “Anastasia,” one of my favorite childhood films turned into a Broadway musical! If you enjoy musical theater (and even if you don’t), a welcomed and relaxing treat for your eyes, ears, heart and feet is to see a show. A must-do in New York! Plus, this puts you right by Times Square, which you of course MUST see if you’re in New York.

EVENING (6-8pm) – DINNER

Honestly, all food in New York is delicious. It’s so difficult to narrow down what you should eat, but we opted for a delicious pizza dinner at Ribalta. Not only is their Napoli pizza authentic and delicious, but they also have a variety of allergy-friendly options! We compared my gluten-free pizza side by side with a regular pizza, and could not tell the difference at all.

LATE EVENING – SLEEP NO MORE

After dinner, we grabbed a third coffee for the day (needed the caffeine to keep going!) and headed over to the McKittrick Hotel in Chelsea for the critically acclaimed and quirky noir interactive theater experience, “Sleep No More.” Based on Macbeth, this interactive experience has you running up and down five stories of hotel into apothecaries, ballrooms, graveyards and more in search of silent actors playing out scenes before your eyes right in front of you.

No pictures are allowed inside this experience (hence the terrible iPhone shot of the bar area outside the experience). I would highly recommend brushing up on your Shakespeare or looking up the storylines online so that you can better follow what’s happening and choose the actors you want to watch!

(ALTERNATIVE LATE EVENING PLAN: Depending on the time of year it is, hit up one of New York’s many famous rooftop bars!)

After our interactive theater experience, we crashed with a friend in Queens and then headed to the airport bright and early the next day—but not without a traditional New York breakfast: bagels (yes, even a gluten-free one for me)!

All in all, we had a blast with our whirlwind New York experience, and I hope you have fun with yours, too.

ADDITIONAL NYC TIPS

Currency: U.S. Dollar

Languages: English

Transportation: Walking, Taxis, Subway, Lyft/Uber, Bus…there are many options!

Food: Everything in New York is delicious, and you won’t go wrong with whatever you choose to eat. You’d be remiss, however, to miss out on bagels or pizza. Both of these can be enjoyed in a variety of allergy-friendly ways, so don’t worry about your restrictions–whether gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, etc.!

Lifestyle, Travel

10 Tips for Driving Maui’s Road to Hana

October 15, 2018April 4, 2023 Cherise and Shine

No trip to Maui is complete without embarking on the iconic drive along the Road to Hana. Boasting 59 bridges and 620 curves in just 42 miles, the Hana Highway is a precarious drive that is not for the fainthearted.

I’m lucky that my husband is an excellent driver and didn’t bat an eye at the turns, crazy parking situations and one-car bridges! We had an amazing time doing the drive on our own, as we could go at our own pace and prioritize what we wanted to see. If you’re willing and eager to plan a DIY drive down this winding wonderland, here are some tips for you!

1. SET OUT EARLY

Even though it’s just about 42 miles (67 km) to Hana Town, it would likely take you 2-4 hours to drive without factoring in stops or your return drive! I would advise setting out as early as possible, both to beat some of the crowds and also ensure you have enough daylight to accomplish your must-do’s. We did this in September (make sure you look up sunrise/sunset times for whatever season you’re there in) and started from Paia Town around 8:00am. By the time we made it to Pipiwai Trail at the end of the day (10 miles south of Hana), we were sprinting up the path to try to get to the bamboo forest before dark…and didn’t succeed.

Plus, if you’re planning on driving back to West Maui at night, these roads are not super fun to drive when it’s pitch black and you’re going down dirt paths along steep cliffs! If we could do it again, we would likely choose to spend the night in Hana.

ALSO, I just want to mention: you might get carsick. This might be obvious, but it was something I didn’t expect and nobody mentioned to me. I got soooo dizzy around so many of the turns!

2. DOWNLOAD MAPS AND RESET YOUR ODOMETER…

You won’t have cell reception for most of the Road to Hana. So if you’re driving yourself, make sure you reset your odometer right at the beginning (there will be a sign indicating where the road starts), and have an idea of what mile markers have interesting things you want to stop at.

3. …BUT IF ALL ELSE FAILS, FOLLOW THE CROWDS!

However, if your odometer gets messed up or you forget to set and don’t know what mile markers to look for, do not fret. If a spot is worth visiting, most likely you’ll see a few cars clustered around. If you’re curious enough, just pull over and check it out—might be a waterfall, a pretty view, a botanical garden, lava tube or something else fun!

4. IF YOU MISS A WATERFALL, DON’T WORRY—THERE WILL BE MORE

This might sound like weird advice, but it’s true. There are sooo many incredible waterfalls along the Hana Highway, and when we first started out, I made my husband stop (and in some cases, dramatically pop a U-turn and backtrack) at every one, but we quickly realized that it wasn’t the end of the world if we missed a couple here or there. Enjoy the journey and stop where you can, but don’t beat yourself up over anything you might miss—the adventure gets better with every mile.

That said, I would like to advocate for my favorite waterfall spot: Upper Waikani Falls (aka “Three Bears Falls”) between Mile Markers 19 and 20. You’ll see them when you’re driving over a bridge, and will find there’s no parking right there—don’t panic, there’s a little dirt area just a minute or two past that you can park at and then walk back down. It’s a bit of a climb to get to them, but absolutely a worthwhile waterfall to chase!

5. BRING A TOWEL, SWIMSUIT, CHANGE OF CLOTHES AND CHANGE OF SHOES/SANDALS

Trust me, you’ll be jumping off of waterfalls and swimming at some of the most beautiful beaches you’ve ever seen, and be in desperate need of a wardrobe change. Also, because it’s so tropical and wet, you’ll be getting muddy as you hike along paths on your stops. I brought sneakers, but never wore them and stuck to my flip flops—but on the other hand, my husband pretty much exclusively wore shoes (until we were splashing around waterfalls!). Regardless, you’d much rather have options and not have to worry about it!

6. STOP AND EAT THE FOOD

While it’s definitely a good idea to bring snacks for the drive, there are so many delicious stops on the Road to Hana that you won’t want to miss. Try banana bread at Aunty Sandy’s (my husband’s fav!) or at Halfway to Hana, and pop into Coconut Glen’s at Mile Marker 27 for some of the tastiest (and allergy-friendly) coconut ice cream you’ve ever had. We’ve also heard there’s an insanely good Thai place somewhere on this road, but we didn’t manage to find it. Ah well, something new for next time!

7. VIEWS, VIEWS, VIEWS

While pretty much ANY place you stop at on the Road to Hana will be breathtaking, this highway has some incredible lookout points that should not be missed. Mile Marker 18.8 has an incredible lookout point with a view of Wailua Valley, and is one of our highlights from this drive.

8. SEE THE BEACHES IN HANA

I’ve heard a lot of people tell me that the Road to Hana is more about the journey and less about Hana itself. While Hana is indeed a sleepy town of 1,200 people, it’s still not to be missed. Besides the delicious food trucks and tropical views, there’s the ever-famous Waianapanapa State Park (Black Sand Beach). And Kaihalulu Bay (Red Sand Beach) is one of the most magical Hawaiian beaches I’ve ever seen. Yes, Kaihalulu is a bit off the beaten path, but it’s 100% worth going to!

9. DON’T BE AFRAID TO GO PAST HANA

Most people will do the drive, arrive in Hana, grab some food and then head back the way they came. I would say if you can, you should keep driving and head back to West Maui the other way—via the back side of Haleakala, which offers you a unique perspective of Maui that very few experience, and which takes you the same amount of time to drive as the Road to Hana. The climate is arid, resembling California in parts. And the starry sky we saw was enough to make us pull over, huddle together and gape in awe at the Milky Way before us. I’ve been in plenty of sparsely populated destinations, from the Sahara Desert to the Marquesas Islands, yet still have never seen as many stars as I did that beautiful night.

I will confess: if the Hana Highway is winding and narrow, these roads are dusty, steep and bumpy. Much of it isn’t even paved. It seems that a lot of rental car companies will have a “your own your own” policy and threaten to “void” your rental car contract if you take this pathway. We had NO idea this was a thing, and merrily took our Hyundai Sonata on this very special drive and returned the car without any problem or additional charge. But I can’t guarantee that this will be everyone’s experience!

10. BUT MOST OF ALL, TAKE IT ALL IN AND HAVE FUN!

Driving the Road to Hana is an experience unlike any other. Being disconnected from the world allows you to take in the grandeur of God’s creation and marvel at the wide variety of beautiful terrains on such a small island. This day fueled my love for waterfalls, introduced me to the glory of red sand beaches, filled my stomach with delicious coconut-y things and brought me closer to my darling husband for all his bravery and skill behind the wheel. It was exhausting, exhilarating, enlightening and ecstatic. And I would do it all over again.

ADDITIONAL ROAD TO HANA TIPS

Currency: U.S. Dollar (make sure to have cash on hand!)

Languages: English (Official), Hawaiian Pidgin, many people can speak Mandarin Chinese and Japanese

Transportation: Public transit is nonexistent; rent a car or hire a van.

Food: Banana bread, anything coconut, Thai, barbecue and Hawaiian-Mexican fusion (we ate at “The Surfing Burro” food truck in Hana and really enjoyed it!).

[googlemaps https://www.google.com/maps/d/embed?mid=1ryWsUq8b4t62XKOWRevSU1OBC_MRWQkm&w=640&h=480]

Travel

Hotel Review: Kimpton Hotel Palomar San Diego

March 10, 2018April 4, 2023 Cherise and Shine

Most of you know that I tend to travel at 100 miles an hour, jumping from place to place and cramming as much into my travels as possible. So when the opportunity came up for me and my husband to actually relax for a weekend and enjoy each other’s company for our one-year wedding anniversary at the Kimpton Hotel Palomar San Diego, we jumped at it!

FIRST IMPRESSION / SERVICE

Upon walking in, we were taken by the beautiful modern décor and Latin influence. When we were greeted at the front desk, we immediately knew we were going to be taken care of. The service is warm and professional, and the hotel is upscale while maintaining a level of boutique charm.

LOCATION

This property is conveniently located in the heart of the historic Gaslamp Quarter of San Diego, which we loved. It was convenient for exploring, and is close to museums, theaters and even the San Diego Convention Center (0.7 miles) and zoo (1.5 miles).

THE ROOM

There are 211 guest rooms at the Kimpton Palomar, and we were fortunate enough to stay on the 20^th floor in a beautiful Skyline Suite with a King Bed and two lovely balconies. Seeing the panoramic views of the Gaslamp and the ocean was truly an incredible and romantic experience, by day or by night!

We also had a flat screen TV in our room and high speed Internet, which meant we could lounge side by side while watching the Oscars and getting some work done (which we did).

The room was modern and comfortable, with books on San Diego’s best beaches and surf-inspired decorations distributed throughout the space. Floor-to-ceiling windows and an L-shaped couch made the atmosphere cheery. White linens on the bed gave it an air of chic sophistication, and the bright interiors made us feel relaxed.

Oh, and the bathroom had the most incredible rain shower, and a variety of deliciously scented luxury shampoos and conditioners with scents from oolong tea and orange blossom to cardamom and eucalyptus!

THE FOOD

We were here during off-season, which meant the Pool Deck & Lounge was closed. However, we had a delicious dinner at Curadero, the charming in-hotel Mexican restaurant that feels like the perfect blend of big city sophistication and small town cantina. They’re also famous for their ceviche bar, and the corn tortillas are made in house.

We chowed down on some delicious Suadero Tacos, Queso Fundido (which we LOVED and got two orders of) and a Carne Asada plate. For drinks, I opted for the El Noble, and Michael nursed a glass of complimentary wine.

THE AMENITIES

In addition to boasting an incredible location, gorgeous rooms and a fabulous restaurant, the Kimpton Palomar Hotel has a beautiful rooftop pool on the fourth floor. It was unusually chilly in San Diego when we went, but because the pool is heated, we were able to take a dip and gaze out at the city skyline without feeling cold! I can’t wait to return here during the summer when the rooftop bar is open as well to enjoy the pool while also snacking on some delicious foods and drinks.

Also, the hotel has a cute Arriba Room filled with vintage arcade games, foosball, pool tables and general fun.

The hotel also has a 24-hour fitness center (we never used this because we were too busy enjoying everything else!) and a Social Hour with complimentary wine from 5-6pm.

Bicycles are available to borrow as well. The hotel is also pet-friendly if you would like to bring your furry friends with you for a weekend getaway!

MEANINGFUL EXTRAS

When we went up to our room after dinner at Curadero, were pleasantly surprised to find a bottle of champagne with a note wishing us a very happy anniversary! It was a nice touch to an already perfect weekend.

CONCLUSION

If you’re ever in San Diego and want to stay in the heart of the city, this is the place for you. The service is incredible, the accommodations are comfortable and they take the extra step to go above and beyond to make you feel at home.

To book a night at the Kimpton Hotel Palomar San Diego, click here!

This review is written in partnership with the Kimpton Hotel Palomar San Diego. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you so much to the wonderful staff at the Kimpton Hotel Palomar for making our one-year anniversary an experience to remember!

Lifestyle, Travel

2.5 Days on the Big Island of Hawai’i

February 26, 2018April 4, 2023 Cherise and Shine

If you live in California, what do you do with a long weekend? Go to Hawai’i, of course!

Jokes, most people in California don’t do this, either. But they should!! We found cheap direct flights to the Big Island from Los Angeles, and we figured, why not? If you keep saying you won’t go somewhere until you have ample time to explore it, you might never go.

So we took a half day from work on a Friday, booked a flight that got us to Hawai’i by 10pm, had two full days and then left on a holiday Monday at 3:30pm to get back by 11:30pm.

Was it a whirlwind? Oh yes. Was it worthwhile? Absolutely!

The Big Island of Hawai’i is, well, much BIGGER than the other islands. So a car is a must. I would suggest booking a rental far in advance. We waited until last-minute, and the car was pretty expensive. But we also heard that certain rental places had run out of cars, so we were among the luckier ones!

WHERE TO STAY

We booked three different accommodations for our three different nights. Where you stay will be dependent on what you want to do. Do you want to see the volcano? Chill at the beaches? Eat local fare in Hilo?

I would recommend doing a mix of everything if you can, because the island of Hawai’i has eight of the world’s 13 climates, and is one of the most ecologically diverse places in the world. Whoever told you that there’s not much to do on the Big Island was very wrong. Sure, it’s much quieter and less populated than the other islands, but where else can you go from tropical humidity to arid desert and snowy mountains to volcanic lava?

The first night, we stayed at Ohi’a Park Estate, a charming Bed & Breakfast 10 minutes from Kona Airport that we really loved. The second night, we stayed at a unique Airbnb treehouse in Volcano Town’s Fern Forest. There are a variety of treehouses on Airbnb that you can find, and I would highly recommend trying it out for a unique jungle experience! After this, our last night was spent at the Inn at Kulaniapia Falls just outside of Hilo, which was such a fun experience because the inn has its own private waterfall!! Would definitely recommend all of our experiences, and it was nice to be convenient to each different part of the island given our activities.

DAY 1 – KAILUA-KONA TO VOLCANO

Our first day, we woke up early (being on “mainland” time) and went down to Kailua-Kona town to explore. We grabbed a coffee at Kona Coffee Café after receiving some free samples and looked at the beautiful Mokuaikaua Church, the oldest Christian Church on the Hawaiian islands established in 1820.

We then headed back to Ohi’a Park Estate for a delicious homemade breakfast by the charming couple who run the B&B.

We then checked out and headed down the coast and stopped at Ali’i Garden Marketplace for “dessert,” some delicious gluten-free crepes at Whale of a Crepe! We got a Mauna Loa crepe, which included Nutella, banana and macadamia nuts.

After this, we drove up toward Captain Cook, where we stopped at The Coffee Shack to enjoy some views and stay dry from the rain.

This was seriously one of my favorite places from our trip. The coffee and smoothies are excellent, and the views are perfect. The portions are also gigantic, and I saved half of my mocha to drink the next morning. Would highly recommend stopping here!

We then drove to the southernmost tip of the Unites States (yep, it really is—look at a map!) and went down to see Papakōlea Green Sand Beach. This is one of only four green sand beaches in the world, the others being Talofofo Beach (Guam), Punta Cormorant (Floreanea Island of the Galapagos) and Hornindalsvatnet (Norway). The green color is from the glassy olivine crystals in the sand.

The beach is about 2.5 miles away from where you must park (tourists are not allowed to drive all the way there), so it’s either a 1-hour hike or a 20-minute ride if you pay a local $15 to take you in the back of their pickup truck. We opted to pay a local to take us there and back as we were short on time, and clung to the sides of the truck next to seven other tourists. It’s definitely a bumpy and unforgettable experience!

We really enjoyed our time at this secluded beach, and while it’s really not quite as green in person as you anticipate it to be, it’s a must-do on the Big Island.

After Green Sand Beach, we drove over to Punalu’u Black Sand Beach, which is far more accessible and a popular spot for sea turtles to bask in the sun. We only stopped briefly on our way to the volcano, and did chance to see three turtles out in the open!

We arrived at Volcano National Park around 4:30pm, and stopped by the Information Center. Silly me, I thought that we could rent bikes from this spot to go to see the lava flow, but we were actually a good hour drive away from the other side of the volcano where you can start the trek to see the lava. It was too late for us to start out for sunset, so I called Kalapana Cultural Tours to reserve us bicycles for 4:30am the next morning for sunrise.

We then checked into our treehouse Airbnb and settled in a bit before heading back to Volcano National Park to see the sunset over the Halema’uma’u crater from Jagger Museum. Watching the color gradually get vibrant and orange as the sun sets is a fun experience.

We then grabbed a dinner at Thai Thai Bistro & Bar around 7pm. We had wanted to check out Ohelo Café for Hawaiian-American-Italian food, but as we did not have a reservation, the wait was going to be about an hour. There is very little to eat in Volcano Town and it will all be overpriced, so just be mindful of this when you go.

After dinner, we went back to our treehouse and slept. Until 3:30am!

DAY 2 – KALAPANA LAVA FLOW TO HILO AND THE NORTHERN VALLEY

At 3:30am the second day, we woke up and started our 1-hour drive to the Kalapana Lava Viewing area to pick up our bikes. We were a bit confused as nobody was there to meet us, and drove in circles until a helpful cop saw us and helped us find our bikes under a tent (they had a tag with our names on them, so…cool!). He then pointed out the path to us (“Go straight until you see the third gate, then leave your bikes and turn right to walk straight until you get to the lava.”)

Riding bikes on a bumpy gravel road in pitch black while it’s raining is a very unique experience! Thankfully Michael brought flashlights, but only one was really working, so we shared this and biked for about 20-30 minutes until we reached what we could only assume was Gate 3. We left our bikes and started our hike toward the streams of molten red lava we saw in the distance—by climbing over sharp black volcanic rock!

The hike took us about an hour and a half. We passed over some volcanic steam vents about halfway through, which initially sent me into a panic (I wondered, “Are they burning hot?” “Will we die from volcanic fumes?” “HOW DO WE GET AROUND THESE?” “I guess we’re walking on top of them OH MY GOODNESS!”). When we finally reached the lava, dawn was just starting to break. You really want to see the lava in the dark because it looks much more impressive, which is why you do this hike either at sunrise or sunset.

While sunset might have given us more time with the lava in the dark, sunrise was a lot of fun because we were literally the only people out there. I changed from my sweats into a dress (no shame) for photos, and set the camera and Joby tripod up on some jagged volcanic rocks, praying it wouldn’t melt.

Thanks to the rain, my DLSR camera was soggy and had water spots all over the lens that I couldn’t wipe off long enough to get a capture. Oh, also, it decided it didn’t want to change settings AT ALL for me and that I was stuck with what I had from taking photos of stars the previous night (couldn’t adjust aperture, focus, etc.).

Thankfully, we managed to get some decent(ish) looking photos, but it was quite the adventure! Just goes to show that travel is unpredictable and chaotic, but utterly amazing.

Being so close to the volcano was an UNFORGETTABLE experience. I still marvel that we were allowed to go all the way out with no cell service, no guide and nobody around for miles. We watched the molten lava bubble and flow, and stood close enough to reach out and touch it (if we were, you know, idiots). The area surrounding the lava was hot and we were sweating. Also, we completely lost the bottom half of our shoes. Do NOT do this hike in sandals!

Once we got back after all was said and done around 9:30am, we happily sat in our car and took a breather before getting ready to drive to Hilo. We took the Kalapana Kopoho Road as a detour, because we had been told that this was one of the most beautiful roads on the Big Island. It did not disappoint! Surrounded by lush jungle, we nearly forgot about the jagged and barren volcanic rock we had just walked across.

When we got to Hilo, we found a nice beach that we laid out at and stared at cute fish and sea anemones until 11am, when Pineapple’s Restaurant in Downtown Hilo opened. We parked and walked by the farmer’s market and cute shops and sat down to our first meal of the day—8+ hours after waking up.

We loved this cute open-air space and were happy to find that they had a gluten-free menu for me. For appetizers, we ordered Cheesy Garlic Fries with sour cream, pineapple salsa, grilled onions and bacon (YUM) and a Big Island Onion Soup for Michael. I got Island Style Tacos for my gluten-free main course, and he got a Teriyaki Flank Steak. Oh, we also got a Mai Tai sampler (mango, lilikai, guava and hibiscus) and their signature Pineapple Pow—a frozen cocktail with Hawaiian moonshine served in a pineapple.

After our meal, we food coma’d and realized how sleepy we were, so we tried to check in early to our hotel at 1pm. We were unfortunately unable to do this, but met the adorable house cat and saw a glimpse of the waterfall. After I drank some of the complimentary Kona coffee and we signed up for waterfall rappelling the following morning (that’s right!), we got back in the car and headed up to Waipi’o Valley.

The drive took about an hour from Hilo. The northern side of the island is beautiful, lush and wet. It’s also not terribly populated, but we did drive through the historic Honokaa downtown, a charming area that almost feels like you’re stepping into an old western. We bought water at a supermarket here, but wish we had more time to explore.

The Waipi’o Valley Lookout is truly something to behold. Once upon a time, it was a home to Hawaiian kings. Today, it is secluded, and while the beautiful black sand beach there is accessible to the public, the valley as a whole is considered private property and off-limits to tourists.

The Waipi’o Valley still grows taro and is home to horses and “a couple of dozen” locals. There are sacred sites and waterfalls that you can see if you book a horseback riding tour with a local guide. Also, Waipi’o Valley is where the final scene of the 1995 film “Waterworld” was shot!

We hiked about 3 miles down (6.5 miles roundtrip) to the beach on the steepest path of its length within the United States! It was a challenge, but completely worth it once we got down to the beautiful beach. We could also see a small portion of the Kaluahine Falls on the right hand side as it had just rained.

After the hike we were meant to get dinner at Merriman’s in Waimea, but were so exhausted that we cancelled our reservation and made it back to Kulaniapia just in time to have a complimentary glass of wine together and then go to sleep around 8:30pm (hey—when you’ve been up since 3:30am!).

DAY 3(ish—2.5?) – KULANIAPIA FALLS TO HILO AND WAIKOLOA BEACH

Our third and last day, we woke up around 6am to explore the grounds and see the waterfall when it was just us. After the hike, we ate a quick breakfast at the inn and got ready for our 8am waterfall rappelling tour! This was a fun and once-in-a-lifetime experience.

After the rappelling, we lounged by the waterfall pond for a bit and waded in the refreshingly cool water.

We then packed up and drove to Hilo town for a quick lunch before our flight—AND WE GOT POKE, of course!

The poke at Suisan Fish Market was so good. SERIOUSLY SO GOOD. The sauces weren’t gluten-free (hello soy sauce), but I took the risk to eat deliciously authentic poke AND IT WAS WORTH IT. We shared one bowl because the portions are GIGANTIC (notice a trend in Hawai’i?). After this, we grabbed coffee at a nearby Starbucks and started our drive back to the other side of the island to catch our flight.

The drive from Hilo to Kailua-Kona is beautiful. We drove down Daniel K. Inouye Highway (fun fact—to date, the late Daniel Inouye held the highest-ranking political office of any Asian American as President pro tempore of the U.S. Senate for Hawai’i from 2010 until his death in 2012), seeing Mauna Kea to our right and Mauna Loa to our left—both covered in snow!

We detoured to drive through Waikoloa Village thinking it might be cute, but realized that it’s really just a golf resort and continued down to Waikoloa Beach where we sat out for a bit enjoying the pretty white sand and palm trees.

We then continued on to the airport, where we arrived with enough time to enjoy mai tais in the airport before catching our flight home at 3:30pm!

ISLAND OF HAWAI’I TRAVEL TIPS

Currency: U.S. Dollar

Languages: English (Official), Hawaiian Pidgin, many people can speak Mandarin Chinese and Japanese

Transportation: Public transit is almost nonexistent here, so renting a car is a necessity. If you do not drive, I would perhaps suggest going with a tour group that will take you around.

Food: Where to begin!! Obviously eat ALL THE POKE, tropical fruits (e.g. pineapple, coconut, papaya, etc.) and shave ice. Also notable is Kahlua pork, other forms of fresh fish, loco moco and try Kona coffee (I honestly wasn’t a super fan of Kona coffee, but you’ve still gotta try it, right?).

Research: Definitely do your research ahead of time to see what areas you want to prioritize and also check what the lava flow looks like. If it’s your first time there and you don’t mind a little physical exertion, I’d say that you MUST see the lava flow. A very helpful website to check out is Love Big Island, which has tips on the volcanos, hiking, areas, foods and more!

Other: This island doesn’t stay open too late, so I would recommend sticking to an earlier schedule to hit all the fun nature things Hawai’i has to offer. There were things we would have loved to do but didn’t have time to, like snorkeling and swimming with manta rays (this is a very popular night time expedition) to taking a helicopter ride over the island and seeing the Hawai’i Tropical Botanical Gardens. All in all, we loved our time here and would definitely return—but think we got a decent amount of things done to tide us over until then!

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