The Truth About Traveling : Experiencing a Moment vs. Photos

March 14, 2016

I’ve wanted to see the ever-increasingly famous Antelope Canyon for a long time. It’s been at the top of our travel list for years, so when we finally booked our trip to Sedona and Northern Arizona, we knew it would be our top destination for the trip to see the incredible slot canyon just outside of Page, Arizona. And yes, it was amazing. And yes, it was unforgettable. And yes, it was magical. But… if you’re headed to this amazing place (and others like it), it’s important to stop and remember there is a difference between really seeing it through your own eyes and that of a camera lens.

Let me back up and explain. If you read my post last week about how to visit Antelope Canyon, you’ll know that we booked photographer tours because we had heard good things about that versus just the regular tours. And both of us were required to have a tripod and mirrorless or DSLR cameras for that tour. So when we finally got out of the truck and entered the canyon, our guide was furiously shuffling us around to get us the best photos, the best light, the best views. And he was amazing (Roman from Adventurous Antelope Canyon Tours) and for Nick, this was so great because he was able to get some incredible shots of the canyon that wouldn’t be at all possible in the regular tours. But here’s the thing, after a while of me following the lead with other photographers, I found myself not really enjoying the actual canyon itself, not remarking at how incredible it looked in the different shades of light or how the striations on the side of the walls were incredibly ornate.

So I stopped taking photos. I folded up my tripod and I found myself a spot under the rims of the canyon walls, in the red clay sand, and I just sat down. I forgot about the other photographers shuffling around me and I just looked around me. In the shuffle of it all, I had almost missed what this beautiful and spiritual place was all about. It’s also why I have mixed feelings about this incredible slot canyon becoming so commercialized and highly visited because ultimately it will ruin the allure of what it once was, a place of deep spiritual ties to the Earth.

This entire area of Northern Arizona is incredibly magical and it’s easy to understand why the Navajo (who live in that area) are really spiritual people. But as I sat in my little spot in Antelope Canyon, against the canyon walls, looking straight up as the tiny slivers of light fell into the slot opening, as the walls changed from purple to red to shades of blue. I watched as the tour groups wandered through shouting in all different languages and the photographers snapping away at angle after angle. And I just took it in and I’m so glad I did. As a traveler, I’m completely of the belief that we must “feel” a place, we must sense what’s around us and we must really see what’s in front of our cameras.

So the next time you’re somewhere amazing, when you’re exploring near or far, remember that experiencing a moment vs. photos of that moment are two very different things. Remember that the world is meant to be seen with our own two eyes, without a camera in front of it. And for me, sometimes it takes a little crevice in a slot canyon, sitting in the red sand watching everything go by to understand the meaning of really seeing something.

How to Visit Antelope Canyon

March 11, 2016

Ah, the famous Antelope Canyon. I’d bet that if you’re a blogger, you know of this beautiful place or at least have seen photos. Though I’ve found that most I’ve told about Antelope Canyon that aren’t in the blogging world, haven’t a clue what it is. And for that I’m a bit glad honestly, because I can only imagine what a tourist trap this spot is going to become in the next few years. Isn’t it sad how sometimes by having certain places blow up on the internet, it completely changes them when you visit? Anyways, for now, it’s still somewhat of an unknown spot for the majority of tourists visiting Northern Arizona, but due to how many people were there when we toured this majestic slot canyon in the off season, I can’t even imagine how many must go through in high season.

But long story short, if you want to visit the lovely Antelope Canyon, it’s still somewhat of a process, so here’s everything you need to know for how to visit Antelope Canyon, just outside of Page, Arizona.

1. You must book a tour.

To enter this slot canyon, you have to be guided by a Navajo guide. You can’t just drive up to the canyon, take a look and leave. And all the tours the morning we went were fully booked, so don’t just show up either. We booked through Adventurous Antelope Canyon tours and would highly recommend them. They seemed to be the premier tour group in the area.

Be sure to book a tour before your visit. I would also suggest booking the first tour of the day which is usually around 10am because after we left, entire bus loads of people were being dropped off and you want it to be the least crowded as possible when you visit.

2. When choosing your tour, book a photographer tour (and here’s why)…

When we looked at tours months ago, we decided to pay the extra and go with the photographer tour and the reason is this: the guides on the photographer tours actually coral people away in the canyon so you get it all to yourself. Nick had read about this from a photographer friend of his that did the tour last year and so we knew this going in.

Because we did the photographer tour, we were in parts of the canyon all to ourselves, no other massive groups parading through. Our guide, Roman, who I’d highly recommend as well, would also tell us when the best light was in each part of the canyon, therefore letting us get the best photos. He was knowledgable and great about keeping other tours out of our photos and views.

A couple notes on the photo tours though… first, you have to have a mirrorless or DSLR camera and a tripod. I do have our Lumix mirrorless camera I often use when traveling but I never use a tripod. Luckily Nick had an extra one, so we were fine, but they do ask and check, so be sure to have those items before booking the photography tour. Second, the total is $176 for 2 photographers for this tour which can be a little steep. But in the end, it was entirely worth it to see this incredible place and have it all to ourselves in many instances.

*The tour options have changed since we went to Antelope Canyon, so be sure to do your research for up to date information.

3. Cash is preferred upon arrival.

Long story short, bring cash to pay the tour guides onsite. They charge a pretty hefty fee to use a credit card, so bringing cash is the easiest. I actually didn’t know this upon arrival but luckily we had cash from Vegas the previous day so it worked out, but it’s good to know ahead of time.

4. Photographer Permits are now in effect.

Starting in 2016, the Navajo are now enforcing photographers that intend to sell or publish their photos of Antelope Canyon to buy a photography permit. So if that’s your intent, be aware of that beforehand.

5. It’s not a comfortable ride to the canyon and back.

The actual slot canyon is about 20 minutes drive away from the drop off area. We were jam packed into suburbans and trucks to get us out to the canyon and it’s a very bumpy, not comfortable ride in not comfortable cars to get out there. On the way back, we actually didn’t have enough seats so I ended up having to sit on Nick’s lap in the back seat of the Suburban and crane my neck sideways for 20 minutes. So just be aware of that – it’s not entirely organized with how many people can fit into the necessary vehicles.

6. The Light Shafts are really only visible in Summer.

The famous shafts of light that fall into the canyon that you always see in photos, those are really only visible in the Summer when the Sun is directly overhead. So if that’s what you’re going for, wait until June or July. But the canyon is gorgeous any time of the year and even without those famous shafts of light, it was well worth seeing.

7. Take some time to just take it all in.

I have a whole post about this next week, but one thing I noticed while at Antelope Canyon is that everyone is so busy trying to get the best photo or angle that the novelty of the beauty of the place was somewhat overlooked. So try to take some time during your tour to also just take in the incredible beauty of this unique place.

Landscapes and Rock Formations : Flagstaff + Northern Arizona

March 10, 2016

After arriving in the late afternoon in Sedona after driving in from Las Vegas, we awoke the next morning bright and early. We had a tour of Antelope Canyon at 10:15am and with a 3 hour drive ahead of us, we wanted to be sure and leave early. We were up before sunrise and headed out of Sedona to Flagstaff, where we grabbed breakfast and watched the gorgeous sunrise that morning.

Upon leaving Flagstaff, we noted many times along the drive North how different the landscape of Northern Arizona is than we were expecting. It reminded us a lot of Bend or Central Oregon, here in my home state, and it was quite shocking how it changed into really interesting landscapes and rock formations. We drove through high desert, then through canyons with intensely high rock formations, then with small hilly landscapes that very closely resembled what I envision Mars to look like.

During the drive through Northern Arizona that day, I was constantly in awe of how grand the landscape is in that part of the world. Whether in sheer size or in a grand feeling we got, the land in Northern Arizona is truly unique and such an incredible experience to see. I can’t wait to get back to this area in the future and I’d highly recommend the drive from Sedona to Page to see it in all it’s grandiosity.

Around the Amara Resort in Pins to Kill

March 9, 2016

While in Arizona, we spent most of our trip out exploring areas of the Northern part of the State and while we didn’t get to explore as much of actual Sedona as I had hoped, we did get to relax a bit our last day around the beautiful Amara Resort. The weather was chilly enough to require a sweater, but we headed out of our room to grab breakfast at the wonderful Salt Rock restaurant at the Amara. We enjoyed a quiet and leisurely breakfast with a view out over the incredible Red Rocks of Sedona.

We followed breakfast with a walk around the property, dressed casual in my Pins to Kill leggings, which were so perfect for the weather of Sedona in February. Checking out the pool and enjoying the sun, we grabbed one of the loungers and spent some time just enjoying the fresh air and snapping some photos. When it got a little chilly, for my taste (this is the desert after all and it gets cold at night!), we made our way back to our room and to enjoy our lovely deck with views out over the landscape of Sedona. All in all, our leisurely last morning at the Amara was just what we needed to end our wonderful weekend in Northern Arizona and Sedona.

For more information on Pins to Kill leggings, you can visit their social media channels here:

Instagram | Facebook

Land of Marvels was graciously provided with a pair of Pins to Kill Leggings for this review. If you’re interested in the company, you can visit them here!

Destinations : Santorini

March 4, 2016

Each month we are scouring the globe for travelers near and far and interviewing them here in this monthly series called DESTINATIONS. Here they share their tips for traveling to amazing destinations, how they got there, what to do when there and everything along the way. Follow along as we share interviews with travelers all around the globe!

Where do you blog?

We blog over at A Global Stroll, showing our life in Hawaii and our adventures around the world.

Where can I connect with you?

Instagram | Facebook | Twitter

What destination are you sharing?

The uber romantic, Santorini, Greece!

What made you choose this destination?

While Jarden was deployed, I had the mighty task of solo planning a two-week honeymoon. I tried to think of the most romantic international destination, and Santorini eventually won out as it kept popping up on my radar!

How did you get there?

Already a week into our honeymoon, we left Rome, Italy and jumped on a plane to Athens, Greece. After a couple nights there we took a ferry ride over to Santorini.

Where did you stay?

We stayed in a little bed and breakfast that I found on Trip Advisor, the Villa Rose located in Fira. It was our first bed and breakfast experience so we didn’t know what to expect, but it turned out to be one of the best accommodations we ever stayed at! It was super affordable, clean, and the owner, Maria made us feel like family.

Tips for future travelers to this destination?

1. If you can, rent an ATV and use that as your island transportation! We used an ATV to get around and were able to discover so many amazing spots that weren’t overrun with tourists. It also really added to that island feel; it was so much fun!

2. Definitely dive into the food scene; we had mind-blowing savory crepes, delicious greek yogurt, and even some of the best Italian cuisine we ever tried! (Santorini is also known to have some of the best wine in the world!)

Tips for packing for this destination?

Sunscreen! Light airy clothing, sunglasses, a few swimsuits, and your camera of course!

Must see spots?

Definitely catch the sunset in Oia, you won’t be disappointed! The black and red sand beaches were pretty unique, and of course scout out the best location for those caldera postcard views!

Final Tips for this Destination?

The people are so friendly and laid-back; the island lifestyle reminded us so much of Hawaii! Santorini is a beautiful island with gorgeous views, delicious food, and is such a great place to just chill and relax. Savor every moment!

Want to be featured in our Destinations Series?

Head here to find out more!

Favorite Moments : Las Vegas + Arizona

March 2, 2016

We just got back from our long weekend to Las Vegas and Northern Arizona and after a great weekend of travel, I actually had a hard time narrowing it down to these favorite moments on this trip. I can’t recommend this area highly enough and I know we’ll be back to visit again in the future. But for now, here are my favorite moments from our long weekend in the American South West.

On the way down, we flew in to Las Vegas and spent our first night there. After more times in Vegas than I can count, we were really excited to try out Giada’s new restaurant there. We had a late reservation for dinner Thursday evening and even though it was a lot later than we usually eat, we loved every minute of it. From the table right next to the window overlooking the Strip to the incredible food, we were really impressed and I know we’ll be back!

After arriving in Sedona late in the afternoon on Friday, we got up early Saturday morning to head up to Northern Arizona. We had to be up in Page for Antelope Canyon at 10am so that meant we left Sedona before the sun rose to get on the road. As we were passing through the outskirts of Flagstaff the sunrise was so pure and beautiful we pulled the car over on the empty road and spent a few minutes just taking it in. With no one else on the roads, it was like we had the lovely colored sky all to ourselves.

This was the part of this trip we were most looking forward to and it did not disappoint. Our 10:15am tour of the canyon was perfect and walking through this incredible canyon with our great guide was such an amazing travel memory. The walls of the canyon and the tiny slot openings are truly one of a kind and so breathtakingly beautiful.

While this seems like such a stupid thing to include on a favorite moments list, I had to add it! After our tour of Antelope Canyon, we were starving and headed the 6 minutes into nearby Page, Arizona. We stopped at the first restaurant we saw which happened to be El Tapatio Mexican Restaurant and ended up having the best Mexican food we’ve ever had in our lives. If you’re in this area… Be sure to stop here and be sure to finish your meal off with their incredible fried ice cream!

While Saturday was a long day of driving and seeing sites in Northern Arizona including Antelope Canyon and Horshoe Bend, we ended the day watching the sun set over the Grand Canyon. Seeing the Grand Canyon in person is already an incredible thing – the sheer size of it is truly incredible. But sitting there and watching as the colors spilled across the sky at sunset made it all the more special.

I can’t wait to share more about all the amazing places we saw while in Northern Arizona in the days and weeks to come!

The Truth About Traveling : The Wonders All Around Us

February 29, 2016

Last week, one day I drove Nick to work. On the way, the sunrise was lovely, pastel colors spilling across the sky with Mt. Hood on the horizon, the sun rising behind it. After dropping him off, I took the back way home, through North Portland, instead of the freeway and it was one of those mornings that I really looked around at my city. I really saw what was happening around me in great detail instead of just flying past it, en route to my busy day. I saw parents standing with their kids, ready for school, out on the sidewalks waiting for the bus. I saw people, young and old, biking into the city to their jobs. I saw people admiring the sunrise and I saw markets opening up and the city waking up. And it hit me, this is the way we see places when we travel but not often when we’re home.

When we travel, we slow down, we really see what’s around us. We see those shop keepers opening their stores, we see those kids heading to school. We see it because we’re really looking, we’re interested. We see the stories. And as often is the case, at home, we don’t often see our own cities as destinations like that, we’re too busy running around trying to get everything done with never enough time. But when we’re traveling, when we’re on vacation, those little details like a beautiful sunrise or the ordinary ways of ordinary people are so interesting, so unique.

Sometimes it’s important to take the time, and I mean really take the time, to spend an hour every once in a while to just see what’s around us. To look at our own cities, our own homes as those exotic and interesting places, because at the end of the day, we’re all citizens of this world and all of our stories are interesting. All of our stories are needed to make up the patchwork of the planet. We are the shopkeepers opening up for the day, the woman biking into the city for work, the kids waiting to head to school. Sometimes we need to reverse the roles and take a look around us and enjoy what we have right here in our own backyards. It’s often hard to see our homes as exotic locations, but I urge you, sometime soon, take a look around and really see the wonders that are all around us.

What NOT to Do When it Comes to Travel

February 26, 2016

There is always a long list of things to DO when traveling and the list to prepare for a trip can be endless. But on the other hand, there are also lots of things that you really shouldn’t do when traveling – whether it’s make it safer for you as a traveler or things that just make your life easier when on the road or in the air. So as the opposite to do list for travel, here is what NOT to do when it comes to travel.

Not doing the research.

Some people like to wing it when it comes to travel, I am not one of those people. But whatever group you fall in to, there are often times when doing the research can make or break a trip. At least have a general idea of necessary research before heading off on your travels and it will end up going that much smoother.

Not reading reviews.

I ALWAYS read reviews of hotels and new airlines before traveling somewhere. With a wealth of information from people all over the world with a click of a button, there is really no reason anymore not to read the reviews… it will save you a heartbreak later.

Not having clothes in a carry on.

There is too big of a chance of lost luggage or flights getting canceled and rescheduled, not to pack at least 1 change of clothes in a carry on. Personally I am a big believe in carry on only always, but when that isn’t possible, be sure you have at least one change of clothes and your toiletries with you… ALWAYS!

Using your cell phone with a plan through your carrier.

Thinking you can just jet to Europe, turn your iPhone on and have it work like at home for the same rates? Guess again. I’ve heard horror stories of people getting thousands of dollars in roaming charges without having an International plan – so be safe, add an International phone and data plan when you travel or get a local SIM card and pay as you go.

Not getting cash from your bank before you leave.

I hear travelers all the time that are still getting local currency when they land someone and it’s such a waste of time and money. You’ll always pay fees and probably not get as great as an exchange rate than if you get it from your local bank before you leave home.

Not getting a necessary visa.

There are still lots of countries that require a visa and many still that require you to send in your passports for a month or so to get it. That terrifies me but is often a necessary step. So do your research and know if the place you’re going requires a visa for your nationality – you don’t want to show up at Immigration and be turned away after all that way.

Drinking the water when you’re not supposed to.

If you’re in a country that says not to drink the water, don’t do it anyway thinking it will probably be okay. Even at resorts that filter the water, I always err on the side of caution and drink bottled water. If the locals don’t drink it, you shouldn’t either.

Not having paper copies of reservations.

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been somewhere and when they can’t find my reservation, I can pull out my paper copy to show them a confirmation number or some other piece of information. Don’t travel without printing off all of your reservations and keep them handy while traveling.

Paying foreign transaction fees on your credit card.

With so many credit cards offering chips and no foreign transaction fees now, it’s no question that you don’t pay all those unnecessary fees. Don’t be the one person on the planet without a credit card that doesn’t charge you to travel.

Having too high of expectations.

I’ve done this too many times myself, but don’t make your expectations so high that the destination doesn’t live up to your own hype. Let yourself enjoy the destination without expecting so much of it and your trip will always be that much better.

Not paying for the rental car insurance.

If you aren’t 100% sure that your credit card covers enough rental car insurance for you (some do, others are actually horrible coverage), always buy the insurance. The peace of mind for a little bit extra is well worth it instead of coming home from your trip owning Hertz thousands of dollars.

Expecting it to be like home.

The biggest mistake even the most seasoned travelers can make? Expecting a destination to be like their homes or have the same offerings that their home has. Let the destination be itself without expecting it to be like somewhere else and learn to embrace the differences!

How to Bring Travel into Your Home

February 23, 2016

After recently moving, I found myself starting over in terms of decor and how I wanted our new home to feel. One of the things that was really important to me when thinking about our new decor was obviously bringing a lot from our travels into our home, souvenirs we’ve brought home that evoke memories or photos from our trips that bring us right back to that moment. As I thought about it, being a traveler feels all the better when you can come home and bring little pieces of memories from all over the world. So if you’re looking at how to bring travel into your home and make your space feel like a combination of styles from all over the world, here’s some tips and tricks!

Smaller is often better.

I have found that the smaller souvenirs and items we’ve brought back from travels often pack the biggest punch in home decor. Items like our wooden Buddha from Bali or our Moroccan lantern from Granada, those items aren’t very big but the details in them make their stories seem larger. I like having more small items that mean a lot rather than one or two huge items.

Combine photographs from traveling with art pieces.

One thing that we really wanted to do in our new place was to combine Nick’s beautiful photography with more art pieces that help us relive our travels. We ended up with a really nice mix of framed travel quotes, wall canvases and framed photographs that make our home an eclectic mix of our thoughts on travel and the world.

Don’t be afraid to mix patterns and textures.

I love an eclectic mix of patterns and textures, so in our new home, I mixed different patterned pillows and blankets with other fabrics throughout to give it a sense of a world eclectic mix. This is a great way to bring in patterns from different cultures. I happen to love Moroccan prints so a lot of our prints are derived from that style which mixes nice with other patterns and textures.

Utilize stores like World Market.

One of my favorite stores for home items is Cost Plus World Market which carries furniture and decor items from around the world. So when we moved and I needed items that matched items from our travels but I couldn’t travel back to a country right away to buy something else, I head to World Market. From lanterns to rugs, World Market will give you a really great worldly aesthetic for pieces that you may need.

Which City Should I Travel To?

February 22, 2016

Picking a place to travel is hard enough. And then add on picking a place instead of another, it makes the decision even harder. In fact, there are many cities and destinations around the world that are similar or that people often compare. So if you’re not sure which of those famous spots to visit, I’m happy to help you choose! If you are asking yourself, “which city should I travel to?” – here’s reasons for each of them and really though, you can’t go wrong with any of these great spots around the world. But if you have to choose…

Perhaps the biggest travel choice of anyone headed to Europe… where to go, Paris or London? Both cities are equally amazing and both have everything you could ask for from a major European hub. But if you have to choose:

Pick Paris if… you want romance, long walks along the Seine, croissants for breakfast and macarons for dessert.

Pick London if… you want more of a metropolitan city feel, history galore, and fish and chips for every meal.

Ahh Italy… there is really no place like it. And with a multitude of cities to choose from in the capital of pasta, Milan and Rome generally are known as 2 of the spots to choose from. Both are fascinating and have their own feel but if you have to choose:

Pick Milan if… you want a chic flair, to see The Last Supper painting, and want to shop until you drop at the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II.

Pick Rome if… you want history all around you, to eat pasta to your heart’s content and let lose a little.

If you’re from or live on the West Coast of the US you’ll know this common comparison. It’s always a toss up… should we take the shorter flight to Mexico and vacation on the beach in Los Cabos or take the longer flight and not have to leave the country in Hawaii. Both have their pros and cons, but if you have to choose:

Choose Hawaii if… you want to stay within the US, enjoy the Aloha spirit and hula dance is the islands!

Choose Cabo if… you want a shorter flight, to eat guacamole your whole trip and bring home cheap tequila.

Two European cities that resemble each other in their decorated buildings, their seaside locations and a whimsical flair, both Barcelona and Lisbon have a lot to offer any tourist. But if you have to choose:

Choose Barcelona if… you want incredible Spanish food, to see historic sites like Sagrada Familia and spend your days drinking sangria and Cava.

Choose Lisbon if… you want to save some money, ride cable cars up and down hills and wander along the Sea.

While these two aren’t cities, yet instead whole countries, I find myself hearing them compared quite often these days. With their locations close by each other in SE Asia, they also both offer budget friendly options for Westerners. Both have very unique qualities but if you have to choose:

Choose Cambodia if… you want to travel on the cheap, temple hop in the mornings, sleep in the afternoons and explore markets by night.

Choose Thailand if… you want to visit gold plated temples, enjoy incredible street food and live on Thai Iced Teas.

When it comes to famous US cities, I’m pretty sure New York and LA take the cake. And yet, while completely different, it seems that when looking at options to visit the US, these seem to be compared by travelers the most. Both are a completely different vibe, but if you have to choose:

Choose New York if… you want a huge city feel, to eat pizza for every meal and explore Central Park for hours.

Choose LA if… you want to see where the movie stars live, to spend time by the Pacific Ocean and feel oh so Hollywood.

The Truth About Traveling : Experiencing a Moment vs. Photos