by Mary Charleson | Apr 23, 2020 | Travel industry news, When a pandemic strikes
The travel industry has been sucker punched by this global pandemic. With travel restrictions, closed borders, grounded flights, and shuttered tour companies, accommodations and destinations, the whole industry has ground to a halt. Many businesses are on government...
by Mary Charleson | Mar 15, 2020 | Travel industry news, When a pandemic strikes
It seems so recent that we were cruising along at high speed, living life, and traveling afar. And then somebody slammed on the brakes so hard that most of us are still trying to make sense of it all. Instead of booking flights and making plans, we’re hoarding...
by Mary Charleson | Mar 3, 2020 | Hawaii & South Pacific, USA
Uncle Robert’s AWa bar and farmers market We visited Uncle Roberts Awa Bar and Farmers Market, also known as “Uncle Robert’s Night Market” in Pahoa, Wed March 4, 2020. Nobody knew it at the time, but it would be the last public market before...
by Mary Charleson | Mar 2, 2020 | Hawaii & South Pacific, USA
Mauna Kea summit for sunset Is visiting Mauna Kea summit for sunset worth it? You bet! There are charter bus tours from Kalua-Kona to experience sunset atop Mauna Kea, the highest point on Hawaii’s Big Island, but if you’re an independent adventurer, you can arrange...
by Mary Charleson | Mar 1, 2020 | Hawaii & South Pacific, USA
If you want to go as far south as possible without falling off the edge of the US, South Point at the southern tip of Hawaii’s Big Island is the place to go. It is also the access area for a 2.5-mile hike in to Green Sand Beach, one of only four green sandy beaches in...
by Mary Charleson | Feb 28, 2020 | Hawaii & South Pacific, USA
Pololu Valley hike The Kohala and Waimea region in the north offers some terrific hiking and adventure exploring opportunities. The Pololu Valley hike is one of the most memorable. In contrast to the south’s desert climate, North Kohala is lushly otherworldly with...
by Mary Charleson | Feb 27, 2020 | Hawaii & South Pacific, USA
There are countless touristy boat charter trips that will take you snorkeling Kealakekua Bay from Kalua- Kona. But a fun (and much cheaper, as in FREE) way to access the area is by foot. You’ll not only get some great snorkeling in, but also a scenic day hike in and...
by Mary Charleson | Feb 26, 2020 | Hawaii & South Pacific, USA
Hiking the Waipi’o Valley was the second day venturing north to the Kahola and Waimea region. We took the upper highway (Mamalahoa Hwy 190) to Waimea and then Hwy 19 at Waimea out to Honaka’a, instead of Hwy 250 towards Hawi, as we had the previous trip. We...
by Mary Charleson | Feb 13, 2020 | Canada
Ever since seeing the Molson Canadian 2010 Winter Olympic commercial featuring a lone hockey player skating an open frozen lake, with a backdrop of mountains, the camera in pursuit from above as he gained speed chasing a puck, I have fantasized about skating an open...
by Mary Charleson | Jan 26, 2020 | Australia/New Zealand
Rottnest Island (or Rotto as the locals call it) is an island 18km off the coast of Perth, WA, Australia. From Vancouver, Canada where I live, it’s just a short 14.5hr flight to Sydney – pretty much the other side of the world and the opposite hemisphere, then a 5hr...
