I’ve put off writing a blog post about Shanghai for so long. Not because I haven’t wanted to, but because it’s a place so close to my heart. This city that I’ve lived in throughout high school, the place that I call home. It’s impossible to know where to start or how to scratch the surface on this bustling city of 26 million people—it makes New York City feel like a suburb. More people live in Shanghai than in the ENTIRE COUNTRY of Australia.
As a native Southern Californian whose family trips usually consisted of beach and sand, I’m not sure I would have believed you if you told me that one day I’d consider northern Norway my favorite winter vacation. Yet one week, three aurora sightings, 1,000 km of driving, endless islands scattered with picturesque rorbu fishing houses and countless bowls of fish soup later, here we are. Continue reading “Everything to Know for Arctic Norway”
Both the capital of the United States and a strange district in neither Maryland nor Virginia, Washington, D.C. is the hub where all branches of the federal government operate. This political city center is filled with historically significant sites that are generally free to visit and instill a sense of wonderment in you. However you might feel about the U.S. government, this diversely cultured city rich in history and full of life should definitely be on your bucket list to visit.
I (fittingly) happened to visit this city for the very first time over Presidents’ Day weekend in February, taking a redeye flight on Friday after work to arrive early on Saturday morning and leaving first thing on Monday. Because winter is not peak season for D.C., we found affordable roundtrip tickets and were able to crash with some friends that lived in Virginia (I’ve heard that sakura blossom season is AMAZING, but crowded and expensive!). Here are some of the things we loved seeing during our jam-packed weekend in the nation’s capital!
1. THE MONUMENTS
I’m not even sure where to begin with these. Each one is amazing in its own remarkable way, and they’re all FREE to visit. But let me walk you through all the places we went to:
LINCOLN MEMORAL
The very first thing we did off the plane at 6:30am was hop in our friends’ car and head straight to the Lincoln Memorial. Not only is this national monument an incredible historical location that honors one of the most beloved U.S. presidents and has been the site of many famous speeches (e.g. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech), but this spot is also a BEAUTIFUL place to watch the sunrise. I would highly recommend coming here early in the morning so that you can peacefully take in the sights in all its glory.
PHOTO TIP: The view of the Washington Monument from across the Reflecting Pool is truly something to behold. Another prime photo spot is from inside the memorial looking out at the Washington Monument through the pillars!
JEFFERSON MEMORIAL
I have to say—the Jefferson Memorial moved me far more than I expected it to. I found myself tearing up as I read the excerpts of Jefferson’s writings in the interior of the memorial. I’ve also heard that this spot (sitting just across the water from the Washington Monument) is an incredible place to watch the sunset.
WASHINGTON MONUMENT
This obelisk might be the most quintessential and recognizable D.C. building. Chances are you’ve seen it in some book, film or TV show (we missed HANDMAID’S TALE filming here by just a day). Apart from how notable its structure is, the Washington Monument is obviously a hugely significant historical symbol. The monument is currently closed, but should reopen in Spring 2019.
VIETNAM VETERANS MEMORIAL
This 2-acre memorial honors the service of those who fought in the Vietnam War. There have certainly been some controversies around the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, but it is a beautiful tribute to visit, and really stands out in my memory of places we visited in D.C.
NATIONAL WORLD WAR II MEMORIAL
Usually, this memorial is accompanied by a beautiful fountain. But even in the dead of winter when it’s silent and eerie, the WWII Memorial is still a beautiful and significant site to see and take in somberly.
There are many other incredible monuments we unfortunately did not have time to see (e.g. Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial, Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, Albert Einstein Memorial, Peace Monument, American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial, etc.)
WHAT: National Monuments
WHERE: Scattered around the National Mall and elsewhere
WHEN: Generally open 24 hours
COST: FREE!
2. SMITHSONIAN MUSEUMS
Okay, I will be the first to admit that I did NOT realize that when people said “the Smithsonian,” it wasn’t just ONE museum. The Smithsonian Institution Museums are 19 (YES, 19) museums, galleries, gardens and a ZOO. Two of the museums are in New York, but the others are in D.C.—11 of which are on the National Mall.
(Oh, I also did not realize that when people referred to the “National Mall,” it wasn’t an actual mall. Yes, I know. I’m going to blame it on the fact that I did not grow up in the U.S.)
But, anyway! These museums are incredible, and they are FREE. We barely made a dent (we visited the museums of American History, Air and Space, American Art and the Hirshhorn), but I definitely fell in love with the American History Museum. Seeing the original Star-Spangled Banner that inspired our national anthem was surprisingly moving, and left me in awe. There are some fascinating presidential exhibits here as well.
WHAT: Incredible Museums
WHERE: Scattered around the National Mall
WHEN: Generally open 10:00am – 5:30pm(ish), but check the specific museum’s hours ahead!
COST: FREE!
3. THE NATIONAL ARBORETUM
Admittedly, this spot would be far more beautiful in the spring. Or summer. Or fall. But hey, it’s still a truly breathtaking spot in the winter! The U.S. National Arboretum is a 446-acre wonderland filled with beautiful trails, gardens and even a captivating bonsai museum. But the most magnificent thing here is the National Capitol Columns—22 Corinthian columns that supported the U.S. Capitol building in 1828.
WHAT: Arboretum/Gardens
WHERE: 3501 New York Ave NE, Washington, DC 20002
WHEN: Open 8:00am – 5:00pm (except for Christmas Day)
COST: FREE!
4. CAPITOL BUILDING
I unfortunately don’t have much to say about the Capitol Building except that we came, we saw it and we took photos. We were here for sunset, but I honestly wouldn’t recommend it as a prime sunset-viewing location (as stated earlier, if I could do it over again, I’d probably go to the Jefferson Monument and watch the sunset there). If we were to return, I may make a reservation for a tour—which you can do for free and in advance here.
WHAT: Capitol Building
WHERE: First St SE, Washington, DC 20004
WHEN: 9:00am – 5:00pm
COST: FREE!
5. GEORGETOWN
It’s hard to express in words how much I love this entire area. There are so many adorable shops and facades, it’s impossible to walk around without taking a million pictures. Oh, the university is also pretty cool to check out. But in general, the town part is the cutest. There are also tons of adorable cafes and bakeries (Georgetown Cupcakes and Baked & Wired come to mind!).
6. THE WHARF
Did you know Washington, D.C. is home to the nation’s longest continually operating open-air fish market? …Yeah, I also had no idea until I started writing this. BUT! We stumbled upon this District Wharf after eating lunch at Toastique (which is an AMAZING Australian brunch place and you must go), and we had so much fun wandering around here together. Forgive me for not taking photos of the adorable wharf with its swings and fireplaces, but please accept these delicious toast shots instead.
7. THE BLIND WHINO
This 19th century church is a super colorful, fun building that tends to host rotating exhibits, whether art or hip-hop. But, admittedly…to me, Blind Whino is pretty much just a photo spot. So stop by, snap your photos and then head back to the National Mall!
8. DUPONT CIRCLE
Dupont Circle is a super cute area to walk around with lots of adorable coffee shops, bookstores and bars. Enough said.
PLACES WE DIDN’T GO THAT WE WANTED TO VISIT
I am very proud of all that we visited in our two days, but this list of places we DIDN’T make it to is also rather long. Certainly makes me sad, but also happy because it means that we have many (MANY) reasons to return to D.C. someday:
[googlemaps https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/1/embed?mid=1-N_MRyTfzLqu3-Nu2NvKXxCfugMOIYrE&w=640&h=480]
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.
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:
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.)
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 13th until the 16th 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:
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!
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.
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.
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 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.
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!
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.
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.
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
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
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!)
