Author: christinexploring

My Stay at the Cairo Marriott

christinexploring

I was invited by the Cairo Marriott to experience and share about the hotel for a weekend getaway.

The Cairo Marriott isn’t just a hotel – it’s a historical palace rich in history. The palace, originally called Palace Al Gezira, was built in 1869 to serve as a guest palace during the Suez Canal inaugural celebrations. The palace hosted several noteworthy weddings and other important ceremonies throughout history. The hotel’s meeting rooms were once bedrooms. Much of the furniture and decor has been preserved. You really feel like you are in a palace.

The hotel staff are friendly and accommodating. We are vegan and Saraya Gallery made us a delicious vegan dinner.

DSC_0689DSC_0786

The rooms are spacious and the beds are comfortable. And of course the location is excellent! The hotel is conveniently located near the historic sights around Cairo – including the pyramids, Sphinx, and Nile River. There is a lot to do around Cairo, and the Cairo Marriott is the perfect place to stay to immerse yourself in history.

Finally, for those of you who are worried that Egypt is an unsafe place to visit, it is not. Before visiting Egypt, I was admittedly concerned. Once I arrived, I felt 100% safe. In fact, I felt safer than I do in many European countries. Egyptian people are kind and friendly.

My Stay at Calimera Habiba Beach Resort

christinexploring

I received a complimentary stay in exchange for writing this post. As always, all opinions are my own.

Before I visited Calimera Habiba, I didn’t know that Marsa Alam exists. It’s a small, hidden gem on the Red Sea in Egypt. Marsa Alam isn’t crowded and it’s a divers paradise.

If you find yourself in Marsa Alam, Calimera Habiba is the place to stay! The staff are friendly and attentive. The rooms are spacious. The beach is amazing. And the dive center next door is awesome.

Aside from diving, there is a 4×4 tour company across the street and the desert dunes are so much fun!

The front desk was extremely accommodating and arranged all of our activities for us. We just said what we wanted to do and within an hour, they had it booked. Talk about good service!

We are vegan and the restaurant managers were quick to come up with delicious vegan options for us. After we went to our first meal, every server knew about our dietary restrictions and was prepared to cater to us.

I can’t recommend Calimera Habiba and Marsa Alam enough!!

My Stay at the Inn at Gig Harbor

My Stay at the Inn at Gig Harbor

christinexploring

During my last trip to Washington, I did something new.  In the past, I’ve always stayed in Seattle or ventured off to the national parks.  But there is so much more to see in the area!  This time, I decided to visit a small town called Gig Harbor, on a peninsula right outside of Seattle.  Gig Harbor is close enough to visit for a quick overnight trip from Seattle.  Despite being so close to Seattle, Gig Harbor feels like a different world.  It’s quaint and filled with history and culture.  If you’re looking for a place to get away and relax, I can’t recommend Gig Harbor enough!

Below are some photos from my stay at the Inn at Gig Harbor

How to Get to the Wave in Arizona

christinexploring

After receiving a handful of Instagram messages asking how to get to the Wave, I decided to it would be helpful to write a blog post on it. Going to the Wave requires a permit from the Arizona BLM.  There are 20 persons allowed to visit the Wave per day. There are three ways to get a permit:

  1. Apply for the lottery online four months in advance. 10 permits are available through the online lottery.  The online lottery is the least risky way to try to get a permit for the Wave.  The lottery is done on a monthly basis and is open four months before your desired trip month.  For example, right now (October), the lottery is open for February permits.  The lottery has been open all  month and will close at the end of the month.  Then the lottery will happen and permits will be issued.  You can only submit one application per month and the lottery fee is $5 USD.  It is non-refundable; you don’t get it back if you lose the lottery.  You can select up to three date choices.  Use the this link and the following path to apply for the lottery: Coyote Buttes Permits – Apply for a Coyote Buttes Hiking Permit – Apply for Lottery Here
  2. Check for cancellations. Your chances aren’t good with this option, but on the rare occasion there are cancellations or open dates, you can check the Coyote Buttes North calendar four months in advance.  I’ve never seen a cancelled permit available online, but it’s worth checking.  Check here: Coyote Buttes Permits – Apply for a Coyote Buttes Hiking Permit – Check Calendar
  3. Apply in person the day before your desired trip date.  10 permits are available in person the day before your desired trip.  To apply for a walk-in permit, go to the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument Visitor Center in Kanab, Utah (745 E. Highway 89 in Kanab Utah across from Walkers gas station and Wendy’s restaurant) from 8:30-9 a.m. Mountain Standard Time -Utah- (9am Daylight Savings Time in summer) to submit your application.

Read more about how to get permits at the BLM website here.

Ten Things You Should Know before Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro 

christinexploring

The roof of Africa and the easiest of the seven summits: Mount Kilimanjaro. I quickly realized that Kilimanjaro has a bit of a mixed reputation. Some people will assure you that it it’s no more than an easy hike – everyone’s mountain. Others stress that altitude is altitude and at 19,341 feet, nothing is easy. I guess I fall somewhere in the middle. The first few days were easy – almost too easy. But summit day was tough. Not so much because the hike itself was tough, but because after an hour of sleep, hiking at midnight when you can’t feel your extremities and you’re losing oxygen isn’t fun. Here are ten things I think you should know before climbing Kilimanjaro:

  1. You need a guide. It is a legal requirement to have a guide to climb Kilimanjaro. You don’t have a choice, so prepare to hire a guide. 
  2. Your guide choice matters. I’ve heard horror stories of guides rushing people with altitude sickness up the mountain. Then I saw it. I saw climbers who couldn’t stand on their own being pulled up the mountain by guides. I guess companies want their success rates to be higher. Remember that you lose good judgment when you have altitude sickness, so having a bad guide could literally be life or death. Find someone who you trust will take you down the mountain if you’re feeling sick. I would also recommend going in a private group. It’s a more personalized experience and I think everyone’s needs are catered to better. I went with three friends and we were all very glad we had a private group.  It cost us $1,449 per person with a group of four. We went with Braventure, a local company. We decided to go with a local company because it’s cheaper and supports the local economy more than going with an international guide. We loved our guides and had a great experience.
  3. Slowly is better. Your body needs time to adjust to altitude, and the way you feel can change quickly. Don’t risk it. Climbing Kilimanjaro is expensive. If you’re paying the money, you want to summit. If you don’t know how your body typically reacts to altitude (disclaimer: no one knows what causes altitude sickness and even someone who has never gotten it before can go to altitudes they have previously been to and get it), then choose a longer route. I did the 7 day Machame route. I think that was a good amount of time. It allowed us to adjust to the altitude and have a better chance of summiting.
  4. Mental stamina is key. You should be in shape, but it’s not the toughest hike in the world. Climbing Kilimanjaro is a marathon, not a race. The guides will tell you “pole, pole” meaning “slowly, slowly”. Listen to them. Knowing that the trek was going to be 7 days was tough for me. I hate camping, so I started counting down the nights right away. I was very focused on the end goal and sometimes I just wanted it to be over with. Learn to love the process. That’s something I struggle with, but want to work on. I wasn’t in the best shape when I climbed Kilimanjaro. And that was okay. Most of the hikes were relatively easy. Summit day was tough, but it’s just a day. Having said that, I definitely recommend training before you go, but going on 4-5 mile moderate hikes a couple of times a week for a few months before you leave should be enough in terms of training. If you can get some high elevation hikes in, I highly, highly recommend doing so.
  5. Pack appropriately. You’ll be trekking through quite a few different climates. At the bottom, you’ll be hot and sweaty in a t-shirt. On summit day, you’ll probably be freezing no matter what you’re wearing. Bring clothes for every environment and bring lots of layers. Weather changes quickly. 
  6. You’re going to smell. Horrible. You’re going to smell horrible. And so is everyone else. There are no showers. Do everyone a favor and bring some wipes. 
  7. It gets cold. Especially at night. Yeah, I learned this one the hard way. I wasn’t paying much attention when I packed my sleeping bag and accidentally packed my summer sleeping bag instead of my winter sleeping bag. Big mistake. By the third night, I was freezing and couldn’t sleep. Luckily I learned a few tricks that kept me warm later nights. If you find yourself cold at night, stuff your sleeping bag with clothes. Try to eliminate any air pockets. Bring hand warmers and toe warmers. If you’re really cold, throw a few in your sleeping bag. Ask your guide to fill up a water bottle with boiling water, wrap the bottle in your winter coat, and put it at the feet of your sleeping bag. If you’re really prone to getting cold, bring an emergency outdoor blanket (one of the thin foil ones) and wrap it around your sleeping bag. 
  8. Bringing Diamox doesn’t hurt. I don’t like taking medicine unnecessarily. But I also don’t like dropping $3,000 to not summit a mountain. I got Diamox from my travel doctor and brought it just in case. Someone at the hotel I stayed at before I left told me that people who take Diamox have a 30% better success rate. I felt fine and my oxygen levels were high. But then I thought about how quickly things can change with altitude. I didn’t want to risk not summitting, so I started taking Diamox on our third day. I’m not sure whether I needed it, but I didn’t have any issues with altitude. I’d like to test how I do without Diamox, but not when the success of a $3,000 trip is on the line. 
  9. Injuries and deaths do happen. Yes, deaths. They are relatively rare on Kilimanjaro, but they do happen. I saw a dead person being carried down in a stretcher the day before our summit. I didn’t know he was dead at the time because I was far enough away that I couldn’t tell there was a sleeping bag covering his face. I assumed it was an injury, but later learned it was a death. The man had gotten dizzy, fell, and hit his head on a rock. He died instantly. Remember the risks associated with what you’re doing and take precautions to minimize those risks when you can. Take injuries seriously. Don’t push through injuries that shouldn’t be pushed through – that can lead to more serious problems. You’re at the mercy of the mountain. Remember that. 
  10. Tips are nice. Your guides, cooks, and especially your porters work hard. If you’re satisfied, tip them. Especially your porters. Imagine carrying all of that crap up and down the mountain. It’s tough work. 

My Stay at Serengeti Migration Camp

christinexploring

When I arrived at Serengeti Migration Camp, I was handled a stainless steel water bottle and told where water refill stations are located. The manager explained that the camp is environmentally conscious, and doesn’t want to produce unnecessary plastic waste. I already knew I would love it here. The rooms are run by solar power. I love when places are environmentally friendly, especially when they are so close to nature. It just makes sense.

I forgot to mention that I’m a vegan before I arrived. I wasn’t expecting much in the way of food because of my restrictions and the late notice I gave. However, in the 45 minutes it took me to take a shower and walk to the dinner tent, the chef had already prepared two vegan options to choose from for each course of a three course meal. And they weren’t simple options either. I ended up having sweet potato soup, a curry dish, and banana crepes for dessert. And that banana crepe was quite possibly the best dessert I have ever had. Every meal was carefully prepared and catered to my dietary restrictions. Even my packed lunches were vegan. As a vegan, I’m used to getting bland meals, but my meals at Serengeti Migration Camp were flavorful and unique.

When I got to my room, I almost couldn’t believe my eyes. I knew it was called a luxury tented camp, but I wasn’t expecting this! There was a huge bed, a double sink, a sitting area, and a massive balcony. The decor was elegant but felt natural. I could hear the hippos. It was like all of the good things about camping but without any of the discomfort. Instead, it is luxurious and comfortable.

The customer service at Serengeti Migration Camp was out of this world. Every employee knew my name and was more than willing to help me with anything I wanted. It was a personalized experience that I’ll never forget. When I looked cold, someone always offered to bring me a blanket. If I sat down in the lobby, I had a drink and vegan appetizers to eat within a few minutes. I couldn’t have asked for a better place to stay.

Of course most people who come to Serengeti Migration Camp want to see animals, so I’ll talk about my game drive as well. My guide was friendly, knowledgeable, and flexible. It wasn’t like other safaris I’ve been on when we just stopped to take photos – my guide actually taught me about the animals we saw and the environment. He knew so much information and it was amazing to learn from him. We saw some incredible animals and I’ll never forget the experience.

10 Photos that Prove Glacier National Park Should Be at the Top of Your Bucketlist

christinexploring

People often ask me where my favorite place to travel is. I can’t answer that question – there are just too many beautiful places I’ve been! Another question  I am frequently asked is what my favorite national park is.  Now that I have an answer for…in the US at least.  Glacier National Park has teal blue lakes, hiking trails for every ability level, plenty of mountains to climb or ski, and beautiful wildlife.  Below are 10 photos that prove that you should put Glacier at the top of your bucketlist (if you haven’t already):

  1.  
  2.  
  3.  
  4.  
  5.  
  6.  
  7.  
  8.  
  9.  
  10.  

The Best of Banff

christinexploring

I first visited Banff in October.  It was cold and relatively empty.  It was a stark contrast to my most recent trip in early September when there were crowds everywhere and finding a parking space a popular places was pretty much the equivalent of winning the lottery.  It hasn’t even been a year since my first trip to Banff, but it’s one of those places that keeps calling me back.  Banff is stunningly beautiful and there is something to do in every season.

  1. Visit the teal blue lakes
  2. See the aurora
  3. Climb/scramble a mountain
  4. Watch the sunrise over the mountains
  5. Do a winter sport – ski, snowboard, or ice climb

Touring the Great American Southwest from the Inn at Entrada

christinexploring

I received a complimentary stay from The Inn at Entrada and complimentary tour from ATV & Jeep Adventure Tours in exchange for writing a review.

We spent six nights in southern Utah and I still feel like we haven’t even scratched the surface on seeing this beautiful area, but here is what we did:

 

ATV Tour with ATV &a Jeep Adventure Tours

We started our trip riding ATVs around the desert. The views were gorgeous and our guide was knowledgeable. It was a great introduction to the area.



Zion

Most people think of Zion when Southern Utah comes up – and for good reason. Zion is one of the most beautiful national parks I’ve been to. It’s filled with red rocks, crazy drop offs, and beautiful water. The downside to Zion is that everyone knows how great it is, so it can get really busy. To avoid the crowds, we got permits for a technical canyon. Talk about an amazing adventure! It was a tough 15 miles filled with rappels, downclimbs, and sliding into pools. If you have the technical skills, getting permits for a canyon is a great way to avoid the crowds at Zion. We didn’t see another group all day!

The Wave

The Wave is probably one of the most insta-famous and iconic locations in the world, and we were lucky enough to be one of the 20 people to score a permit one day! For those of you wondering, there are two ways to get a permit for the Wave. The first is to apply online at the BLM website four months in advance. https://www.blm.gov/programs/recreation/permits-and-passes/lotteries-and-permit-systems/arizona/coyote-buttes. The second is to show up to the BLM visitor center in Kanab and enter the drawing for a next-day permit. Either way, your chances of getting a permit are very slim. There are about 2,000 applicants a day for 20 permits. If you do happen to be lucky enough, it’s a fairly easy hike – about 3 miles each way, however the trail is not well marked. Please be careful and study a map beforehand. And don’t forget to bring enough water!



The Inn at Entranada

Last but certainly not least, our beautiful accommodation. We stayed in a casita at the Inn at Entranada in St. George. I cannot recommend this place enough! It’s conveniently located about an hour from Zion and right next to Snow Canyon State Park. The Inn in stunning. The staff are friendly. Every last detail is looked after meticulously. The property blends right in with its surroundings, and you enjoy nature even when you’re inside. If you’re ever in St. George, you know where to stay!

There’s No Place Like Kansas

christinexploring

There’s no place like Kansas. No, really though. When Kansas Tourism invited me to visit, I didn’t know what to expect. I was excited to visit a new state, but I didn’t think there would be much to see. I was wrong. Here are 5 things you probably never knew about Kansas:
-There is a vibrant art scene. From Lucas to Linsdborg to Wichita, I noticed how each town/city had its own slightly different art scene. But they all had one.


-The towns have personality. All of them. No matter how small. And they are proud of it. Talk to any local and they will tell you how great their town is and what it has to offer. It’s always nice to be surrounded by people who genuinely love where they live. People are friendly, too. Lucas is a very quirky little town. And by little, I mean the population is around 400 people. Yet there are quite a few local folk artists, the Garden of Eden with its bizarre history, and the most intricate public bathroom I’ve ever seen.


-The nature is actually quite beautiful. Driving along the Scenic Byway, I found myself turning my head more often than was probably safe. From wide plains to vibrant sunsets to moody storm skies, the views are endless. Bonus: there are waterfalls and hiking in Kansas! I enjoyed a canyon hike at Kanopolis State Park. Oh, and did I mention the dark skies? Kansas has some of the best stargazing I’ve ever experienced.


I hope you all get a chance to make it to Kansas one day! I know I can’t wait to go back. A special thanks to the tourism board and to Charles, Connie, Dave, Amy Kay, and everyone else I met for making my trip so memorable.