5 Things to do on Oahu that Don’t Involve the Beach

August 28, 2017

Most people are heading to Hawaii for the beaches and Oahu itself has some great ones. But if you’re also looking for scenery and culture and some fun other than laying on the beach, Oahu has that too. For every beach day, you could easily fill another day with so many other things as well. So if you’re headed to Oahu anytime soon, here are 5 things to do on Oahu that don’t involve the beach, well at least just laying on the beach!

1. Shopping at Ala Moana

Honolulu has some of the finest shopping in the world and most of it is all together at the Ala Moana Mall. Here you’ll find everything from Zara to Chanel and believe me, you’ll be able to spend hours here as it’s a huge mall!

2. Eat!

Honolulu has no shortages of places to enjoy eating, from local hole in the wall spots to fine dining. You could spend your days on Oahu just trying out the many restaurants all around the island.

3. Drive up into Manoa.

Manoa is a local area of Honolulu that goes up into the mountains and while it’s super easy and quick to get to from downtown Honolulu, it feels worlds away as you get up into the lush rainy jungle. Drive up into Manoa and explore some of the local neighborhoods.

4. Explore Hawaii Kai.

Hawaii Kai is a local area on the East end of Oahu where man made canals and water passages wind through neighborhoods. It’s well worth a few hours driving around this area and you can stop at the brewery right on the water for an afternoon snack.

5. Drive the Ring Road.

The ring road around Oahu that takes you around pretty much the whole island is well worth an afternoon’s drive. You’ll drive through so many different types of landscapes from seaside cliffs to jungles to open stretches of sandy beaches.

Headed to Hawaii?

Check out our Oahu Travel Guide in the Land of Marvels Shop for only $5!

5 Beaches to Visit on Oahu

August 25, 2017

I travel to Hawaii often and while 90% of my trips there are for work and I sometimes don’t even see the beach during my stay, obviously most people are traveling to Hawaii for the beaches. Oahu has a great selection of beaches and while most tourists will go directly to the famous beaches of Wakiki, there are so many other great, lesser known to tourist spots around the island if you’re looking for somewhere a little different than the norm.

Lanikai

Lanikai Beach Park used to be a well kept local secret though now hords of tourists show up by the busload during the day for this gorgeous stretch of beach on Oahu’s windward side. The trick for enjoying Lanikai the most though, go at sunrise. There will be no one there and watching the sunrise here is one of my favorite things to do on Oahu.

Hilton Hawaiian Village – Waikiki

While most tourists will be congregating towards the main stretch of Waikiki, at the very East end of the Waikiki strip sits the Hilton Hawaii Village hotel which has a corner stretch of beach. I find it’s usually less crowded and offers a great view of the Waikiki strip.

Ala Moana / Magic Island

For a more local environment, the beach right near Ala Moana Mall and right off Magic Island is a great spot. It’s not as scenic as some of the other spots on the island but you’ll get away from the tourists a bit and be in more of a local environment.

Sandy Beach

This is a very local beach spot and will be full of locals on a beautiful Saturday. Be careful here though as the waves are super strong and many people get hurt when trying to swim too far out. Also, since it’s a local spot, be aware of that and be respectful to the local culture.

Kualoa Regional Park

This spot on the Windward side of Oahu is a great spot for a different type of beach view on the island. You’ll see islands off shore and waving palm trees. It’s less of a sandy beach strip and more of an actual beach park with grassy areas too. Parking also isn’t great here, so I actually love this spot at sunrise when not many people are around.

Headed to Hawaii?

Check out our Oahu Travel Guide in the Land of Marvels Shop for only $5!

Where to Stay in European Capitals + Why

August 23, 2017

Europe is a central hub for all sorts of different places to travel to and oftentimes, even if you’re flying to a specialty destination in Europe or even going on to places in the Middle East or Asia from the US, you’ll find yourself going through European capital cities quite often. There are a handful of European cities that serve as hubs to the rest of Europe and beyond and as you go through or stay for a few days or longer, it’s important to have a central area to base yourself. I have found that it’s a good idea to create a “local” spot for yourself in these hubs so that when you go through these cities, you are able to quickly get around and orient yourself. It’s also great to have “regular” places to go back to in certain cities you might go through frequently. For example, we often fly through Paris and London and hence have regular spots we stay so that when we’re only there for maybe a night, we can jump in and out fairly easily. Here are my favorite places for where to stay in European capitals and why each area is perfect for a stopover.

Paris – Le Notre Dame Hotel | Left Bank

If you’re going through Paris and only have a night to stopover, I recommend staying at the Le Notre Dame Hotel on the Left Bank for a few reasons. First, the hotel has incredible views of the Seine and Notre Dame. Second, it’s an amazing location, right on the Seine on the Left Bank, close to all the main sites, 5 minute metro ride from St. Germain or a 10 minute walk from the Luxembourg Garden and directly on the RER line from both Charles de Gaulle Airport and Orly Airport without any line changes.

My Review

London – Ampersand Hotel | Chelsea

We go through London a lot as we have lots of direct flight options from the West Coast and usually like to stay a night to get ourselves oriented on the local time zone. Over the years, we’ve stayed all over London and in the last few years we settled on the Ampersand Hotel in Chelsea for our “regular” spot. The hotel is beautiful and comfortable but the location is really a huge part of it’s charm too. Right across the street from the South Kensington Tube Station, it’s an easy spot to either use the tube or to take taxis and have them drop you off there even if they don’t know the hotel name. From the airports (either Heathrow or Gatwick) you can quite easily take the trains into the city, grab a cab at either station and have them take you to South Kensington in a pretty quick way of getting into central London.

Chelsea is also home to lots of restaurants and the typical London architecture which offers a great central hub of seeing the city for a quick visit.

My Review

Amsterdam – Hotel Pulitzer | Nine Streets

We’ve tried a few different hotels in Amsterdam but after staying at the Hotel Pulitzer on our most recent trip, I know for sure it will be our new go-to spot in the city. Not only is the hotel gorgeous, the location right in the Nine Streets section of the city is perfect. It’s far enough away from the tourist spots to feel quiet but close enough to access whenever you need. It’s also a quick 20 minute cab ride from the airport and near the streetcar/tram lines as well.

My Review

Stockholm – Sheraton Stockholm Hotel | Norrmalm

As a hub in Scandinavia, Stockholm is an amazing city. If you’re traveling to this part of Europe, you’ll probably eventually go through Stockholm. The Sheraton Stockholm Hotel, right on the water across from Gamla Stan, is a great stopover spot for a night or two. It’s an updated design and the location close to Gamla Stan is fantastic. It’s also a quick 5 minute walk from the Central Station where you can take the train to the airport very quickly.

My Review

Rome – Hotel Indigo – St. George | Rione v Ponte

For your hub in Rome, the Hotel Indigo is the place to go. It’s a decently quick cab ride in from the airport and the location can’t be beat – 10 minute walk to the River Tiber, the Piazza Navona or Trastevere, it’s an amazing spot. The hotel is on an old cobblestone street with lots of restaurants nearby and the rooms are pretty spacious for European standards.

My Review

Vienna – Hotel Topazz | Innere Stadt

If you’re headed toward Vienna and want to stay right in the Old Town area of the city, close to all the main squares, restaurants and shopping then the Hotel Topazz is your spot. It’s close to the main train station and the hotel is beautifully designed!

My Review

Barcelona – Room Mate Gerard | Near Las Ramblas

Only a 15 minute walk from La Rambla and the main tourist areas of Barcelona, Room Mate Gerard is my go-to spot in the city. It’s brand new, well designed and offers an amazing location. It’s also only a quick 20 minute cab ride from the airport!

My Review

Reykjavik – Radisson Blu 1919 Hotel | Centre

We have been through Reykjavik yearly for the past five years and each time, no matter where we head on the island of Iceland, we end up staying at least one night in the capital city. We’ve tried a bunch of different hotels and we always end up at the Radisson Blu 1919 hotel in the Centre part of the city. It’s a great location, near a bunch of restaurants and shops and is easy to get to by car.

My Review

6 Places in the US that Look Like Europe

August 22, 2017

I realize that while I do a lot of International travel, many people either can’t at this point in their lives or it’s their prerogative to see more of the USA, which is such a great thing. My own home country has some amazing spots to see and is well worth visiting. But if you’re itching to travel Europe but for whatever reason can’t make it there right now, don’t worry! There are so many places in the US that look like Europe and offer some amazing spots for you to explore.

Glacier National Park, Montana | Austria

The vistas and overlooks in Glacier National Park reminded me of Austria and scenes of Switzerland.

Oregon Coastline | UK Coastlines

The rugged coastlines of the UK are definitely reminiscent of Oregon’s coastline with cliffs and jagged rocks.

Palouse, Washington | Tuscany

If you want to feel like you’ve been transported to the Tuscan countryside, the Palouse area of Eastern Washington State is the spot!

Kenai Peninsula, Alaska | Norway

The fjords of Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula are reminiscent of Scandinavia scenery like Norway.

Alexandria, Virginia | UK

If you want to feel transported to a small UK town, head to historic Alexandria, Virginia.

Leavenworth, Washington | Bavaria

For a taste of Bavaria in Washington State, Leavenworth is the place.

5 of the Most Beautiful Spots in Oregon (that are easy to get to!)

August 21, 2017

My home state of Oregon in the USA is, in my opinion, one of the most beautiful places on the planet. From incredible coastlines to green forests to mountains, we have everything you could think of. And with so many beautiful spots to draw from, it’s often hard to narrow down the really amazing spots that you must see when you visit my home state. So here, in no particular order, are the 5 most beautiful spots in Oregon that are easy to get to!

Cannon Beach

This beautiful stretch of Northern Coastline is marked with giant rocks in the ocean and beautiful beaches. And while it hardly really gets “hot” at the Oregon Coast, it really is gorgeous all times of the year. And only an hour drive from Portland, the Oregon Coast is also super easy to get to.

Bandon

While the Northern stretch of Oregon Coast is beautiful, the Southern sections are truly breathtaking. My favorite area if the Bandon area, where sand dunes meet incredible stretches of beach. And while this area will take longer to drive to, it’s well worth the trek!

Portland

I couldn’t do this list without including my home city of Portland and while I might be slightly biased, Portland really is a beautiful city and one of the best parts of my home state.

Columbia River Gorge

Just East of Portland lies the Columbia River Gorge which is a stunning landscape. The Columbia River cuts through high cliffs on either side of the Washington/Oregon border and creates a dramatic view as you drive East. Also nestled out here are hundreds of waterfalls to stop at!

Central Oregon + Bend

Central Oregon and the Bend area offers an entirely different landscape than that of Western Oregon and as you drive East, the landscape will slowly morph from green forests to high desert. The Central part of Oregon is incredibly unique and beautiful in it’s own unique way.

What to Do in Portland per Season

August 17, 2017

Portland is a great for a city escape any time of the year and while you might hear people droning on about our rainy and cold Winters, honestly I think Portland has something for everybody all year long. As a local, while yes, our Winters are rainy and gray usually, sometimes with snow, the city also has a lot to do indoors too so you really can’t go wrong! Here is everything you need to know and what to do in Portland per season, so that no matter when you visit, you’ll know just what to do!

IN SUMMER

Stroll the Riverfront Park
Day-trip to the Coast
Dine Al Fresco at any number of Portland’s amazing restaurants
Grab ice cream at Cool Moon in the Pearl
Saturday mornings at the Farmers Market
Rent a BikeTown bike to get around the city

IN FALL

Wander the tree-lined streets of NW as the leaves change or Tanner Springs Park in the Pearl
Spend a Saturday morning at the Farmer’s Market rummaging through Pumpkins and Squash
Explore the Japanese Garden and see the Fall colors in full swing
Take a stroll through the South Park Blocks near the Art Museum for Autumn foliage at its peak

IN WINTER

Stroll NW 23rd under the Christmas lights
Check out the giant Christmas tree in Pioneer Square downtown
Sip hot chocolate from Moonstruck or Cacao
Hide from the rain (or snow) in Powell’s Books

IN SPRING

Check out the tree lined streets with pink blossoms in the old neighborhoods off of NW 23rd
Visit the Rose Test Garden to see the roses in bloom
Drive South for the Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival
Take a day to explore the Portland Zoo as baby animals are coming alive
Wander the Riverfront Park as the cherry blossoms are blooming

Headed to my home town of Portland?

See all my posts on Portland here!

A Video Escape to the European Summer

August 11, 2017

There is something magical about Europe anytime of the year, but I’d been dreaming of lavender fields in the Provencal Summer and wandering streets in Spain, stopping for tapas in the Summer evening hours for years. From sipping Rosé wine to café con leche, from churros in a tiny back alley shop in Barcelona to freshly baked croissants warm from the oven in tiny Provencal towns, Europe in the Summer is a mystical experience.

Enjoy this video escape to the European Summer for your own escape!

5 Cities Around the World I Would Move To

August 10, 2017

While I’ve seen a lot of the world, there are actually few spots that I visit that I think to myself, “wow, I could live here!” I actually love my home city of Portland, Oregon so much that not many other places can compete for a spot to live, however some places along my journeys have spoken to me in such a way where I do think I could move there. Some places just “feel” right, like maybe someday you would call that place home. So in no particular order, if the opportunity arose, here are 5 cities around the world I would move to!

Paris

My all time favorite city (next to my beloved Portland of course), Paris is a city I would move to in a heartbeat if the opportunity arose. Strolling the cobblestone streets, apartments overlooking boulangeries, what’s not to love?

London

I have always loved London and while it’s super expensive as a city to live, I would really enjoy living there. I love the feel of London and the energy, both cosmopolitan and very European at the same time.

Vienna

We only spent 24 hours in Vienna but my immediately reaction was, “when can I move here?” I loved the city so much and would love to explore more of it!

Tokyo

For a huge city, Tokyo has such a unique vibe that it makes it a great spot to move! I would love to live in Tokyo, from the amazing food options to the incredible neighborhoods. Bring on the ramen!

Amsterdam

I’ve spent a decent amount of time in Amsterdam over the years, both as a kid and as an adult and it’s a city that always pulls at me. From it’s charming canals to amazing food to friendly people, Amsterdam is a city I would for sure pick up and move to!

To the Parents of Expat Kids

August 9, 2017

I’ve often talked here on Land of Marvels about my childhood growing up in the Middle East as an expat kid. And in the time I’ve written about my experiences here on my blog as an expat and then as a Third Culture Kid, moving back to the States, to a country that didn’t feel like home to me, I’ve had a number of expats (past and present) reach out to me. I love discussing what being an expat means and how we deal with it, but I also think that there are a lot of people out there that are now becoming parents of expat kids, kids like I used to be, growing up in a foreign country, not sure where they belong.

So today, I thought we’d take a different direction. I look back on my years as an expat kid in the Middle East and then my subsequent years in the US after we moved back when I was in Middle School and there is so much I wish I would have known and so much I’d love to tell expat parents now. Being an expat is hard, no matter what age you are, but being an expat kid sometimes can be even harder than adults realize. Here’s my best advice as a former expat kid to all those expats out there raising kids today!

Listen to your kids.

As an expat kid, sometimes it’s hard to come out and say what we feel and it can often be daunting to even express all the feelings going on inside. So when your kids do want to share their feelings or frustrations about their situation, listen to them without judgment.

Offer them resources.

When I moved back to the States, the internet was just becoming usable to average people and AOL instant messaging literally changed my life. I could talk to all my friends from Saudi again instantly no matter where they were in the world. I also started researching the expat lifestyle and later in college, came across the term Third Culture Kid that brought more clarity to my life than I had had in years. It’s really important that kids that grow up abroad are able to have access to resources to help them grow in their expat identities and offer a connection to those former homes that will always be missed when they leave.

Acknowledge that your experience is different than theirs.

I think a huge part of being an expat family is acknowledging that everyone in that family is going to experience expat life completely different. The way my parents experienced our life abroad was completely different than I did. For example, they had a whole life before going abroad and grew up in the US which was a familiar country to them. I was born and grew up abroad, so even through we went back to the US for vacation in the Summer, it wasn’t home to me. The most important part of being an expat parent is realizing that how you feel about being an expat and how your child does, are two completely separate feelings.

Be aware that moving probably is harder on them than you.

Moving from your expat home is always a challenge but it’s important to remember that no matter how stressful and difficult it is for you as a parent, it’s probably harder on your child. I will never forget the vivid memories I have of the day we left Saudi, saying goodbye to my childhood home, the only place I had known, the people I had grown up with, my friends. I remember standing there next to our car waiting to take us to the airport and just crying uncontrollably. For a child that’s never called another place home, it’s incredibly difficult to understand at a young age what saying goodbye means but at the same time knowing you might never see that place again.

I still struggle with this today in fact, knowing that because I grew up in Saudi Arabia and it’s still quite difficult to get into the country with a visa, I might never see my childhood home again or be able to show my husband where I grew up. Leaving your expat life is never easy, but as a kid, it’s even harder.

Celebrate their diversity and give them time.

I struggled a lot the first couple years back in the States. I didn’t feel like I fit in, I didn’t feel like anyone around me understood such a huge part of my identity. And the only way to get through those feelings is time. I finally realized that I should be celebrating my history and my identity instead of trying to hide it because it made other people feel uncomfortable. I’m so grateful that my parents have always celebrated the diversity that our time abroad brought to our lives instead of diminishing or trying to hide it. It’s an amazing thing to call another country home and to keep that as part of your life and identity forever; I’ve learned over many years that while people still often don’t understand my background or how I grew up, it’s made me a better person tenfold.

Interested in reading more about my childhood in Saudi Arabia?

See all of my posts on the country!

What to Wear in Barcelona and France in the Summer

August 7, 2017

More What to Wear posts for more destinations here!

When packing for our quick trip to Provence and Paris, with a stopover in Barcelona on the way, I knew I wanted light and airy clothes for the warm Summer temperatures. And while we got really lucky and temps stayed in the 80’s during our time there, all the items I brought with me ended up being perfect!

What I Wore:

Outfit Details:

Old Madewell top (similar) | J Crew Scarf (similar) | Old Navy Boyfriend Jeans (similar) |

White Converse Low Tops | Old TanCross Body Purse (similar)| Madewell Sunglasses

Outfit Details:

Old J Crew Shorts (sold out) | Madewell White Tee Shirt | White Converse Low Tops |

Old TanCross Body Purse (similar) | Old Jean Jacket (similar)| Madewell Sunglasses

Outfit Details:

Madewell White Tee Shirt | J Crew Skirt (sold out) | Old Boden Sandals (similar) |

Madewell Scarf (similar) | Old TanCross Body Purse (similar) | Madewell Sunglasses

Outfit Details:

Madewell White Tee Shirt | J Crew Skirt (sold out) | Coach Loafers (similar) |

Old Jean Jacket (similar) | Madewell Scarf (similar)| Old TanCross Body Purse (similar) | Madewell Sunglasses

Outfit Details:

Madewell White Tee Shirt | Old Navy Boyfriend Jeans (similar) | Coach Loafers (similar) |

Old TanCross Body Purse (similar) | Madewell Sunglasses

Outfit Details:

Gap Maxi Dress (similar) | Old Boden Sandals (similar)

Traveling to Spain?

See all of my posts on the country!

1. Shopping at Ala Moana

2. Eat!

3. Drive up into Manoa.

4. Explore Hawaii Kai.

5. Drive the Ring Road.

Headed to Hawaii?

Lanikai

Hilton Hawaiian Village – Waikiki

Ala Moana / Magic Island

Sandy Beach

Kualoa Regional Park

Headed to Hawaii?

Paris – Le Notre Dame Hotel | Left Bank

London – Ampersand Hotel | Chelsea

Amsterdam – Hotel Pulitzer | Nine Streets

Stockholm – Sheraton Stockholm Hotel | Norrmalm

Rome – Hotel Indigo – St. George | Rione v Ponte

Vienna – Hotel Topazz | Innere Stadt

Barcelona – Room Mate Gerard | Near Las Ramblas

Reykjavik – Radisson Blu 1919 Hotel | Centre

Glacier National Park, Montana | Austria

Oregon Coastline | UK Coastlines

Palouse, Washington | Tuscany

Kenai Peninsula, Alaska | Norway

Alexandria, Virginia | UK

Leavenworth, Washington | Bavaria

Cannon Beach

Bandon

Portland

Columbia River Gorge

Central Oregon + Bend

IN SUMMER

IN FALL

IN WINTER

IN SPRING

Headed to my home town of Portland?

Paris

London

Vienna

Tokyo

Amsterdam

Listen to your kids.

Offer them resources.

Acknowledge that your experience is different than theirs.

Be aware that moving probably is harder on them than you.

Celebrate their diversity and give them time.

What I Wore:

Outfit Details:

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