Oh, the Places You'll Go!

Hi everyone! I have decided to switch to a new blogging platform to make sure that this one doesn't get deleted with my school account. My new blog link is  whatawonderfulearth.weebly.com , and I'm super excited about it! All of the posts from this blog have already been transferred there, and I will be posting new ones as well. Go check it out! Amanda :)

Hi everybody; welcome back! Instead of visiting just one place this week, I’m going to give you a list of some incredible places that I have always wanted to visit. Chances are, you and your family have already planned your summer trips. However, these destinations should definitely be considered for next year! --- 1 . Australia (Sydney, Australia - Picture via Google Images) I don’t know about you, but Australia has always seemed like one of the most amazing places to visit. The different geographical features - tropical rainforests, glistening beaches, world-renowned snorkeling, vast outbacks, and urban cities - provide so many activities that will suit anyone’s interests. Add in the unique animals, like koalas and kangaroos, and you’ve got a destination that seems almost too good to be true. Of course, because it is in the Southern Hemisphere, Australia’s seasons are completely different from ours. Unfortunately, with the school year’s schedule, our summer vacatio...

Hi everyone, welcome back! I hope that you all had a great spring break and first week back at school. Today, we’re going to spend some more time in Paris. Last week, I talked about the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral, and Louvre. For this post, we’re heading to the Arc de Triomphe and River Seine, and I’m also going to give you some information about river cruises! The Arc de Triomphe is a famous monument and is located in the middle of the Place Charles de Gaulle, at the western end of the Champs-Élysées. It was built in the 1800s after Napoleon I commissioned it to celebrate his military accomplishments. The detail in the arch is absolutely impeccable and seeing it is truly pretty magnificent. You can get to the Arc de Triomphe via an underground tunnel, and this is actually the only way to access it without getting hit by cars. (The Arc is surrounded by a traffic circle and is always extremely busy!) I didn’t go up to the top of it, but I’ve heard that the vie...

Bonjour, welcome back to my travel blog! This week, we’re taking a trip to Paris, France. When you think of Paris, your first thoughts might include the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, the Notre Dame Cathedral (aka Notre Dame de Paris), and the Seine River. Or, maybe you think of macarons, crêpes, and baguettes. Whatever the City of Lights reminds you of, many people agree that Paris is one of the most incredible cities in the world. Over the next couple of weeks, I’ll be sharing some information and tips with you so that your adventures in Paris can be totally unforgettable :) First and foremost, a visit to Paris is not complete without a trip to the Eiffel Tower. The Eiffel Tower is one of the most famous buildings in the world. As one of the most easily recognized buildings, it can be seen from all over the city. The outside is beautiful and even taller than most people imagine. However, seeing the Eiffel Tower from afar is nothing compared to seeing the rest of the city from ins...

Hey there, welcome back! This week we’re taking a trip to the island of Kaua'i, which is also known as “The Garden Isle”. The nickname is extremely fitting for this beautiful island, which is filled with lush valleys, tropical rainforests, ragged mountains, and stunning beaches. In case you haven’t gotten the idea yet, let me just say this: Kaua’i is gorgeous. It’s also the rainiest out of all the Hawaiian islands, so breathtaking rainbows can be seen daily on Kaua’i. One of the most amazing sites in Kaua’i is Waimea Canyon. Located on the western side of Kaua’i, it’s sometimes referred to as “The Grand Canyon of the Pacific”. You can see the canyon from several different viewing points along Waimea Canyon Drive. There are also helicopter tours available, if you’d rather see it from a bird's eye perspective. (Waimea Canyon) Nā Pali Coast State Park is another must-see place. You can hike the Kalalau Trail to see the coast. If you don’t want to hike, thoug...

Hi everyone, welcome back to my travel blog :) I hope you’re all having a great Presidents’ Day Weekend (and yay for four days off of school!) Even though many of you are probably skiing in snowy Tahoe, this week I’m taking you back to the island of Maui. Last week we talked about Maui’s beaches and food. But, there are obviously tons of other fun activities for you to try. Keep reading to find out about some of my recommendations! Haleakala National Park: This scenic national park is a major tourist destination on Maui, but it is also a truly unforgettable experience. “Haleakala” literally means “the house of the sun”. From its name, you might have already guessed this, but Haleakala Crater is an amazing place to watch sunrises or sunsets. Stargazing, hiking, biking, and horseback riding are other popular activities at Haleakala. Click here to learn more, and click here for information about reservations/availability. ( Sunset from Haleakala...wow! - Picture via Go...

Hi there, welcome back! This week, we’re saying goodbye to O’ahu and saying hello to Maui. I’ve only visited Maui twice - once for my cousin’s golf tournament (about 7 years ago) and again last year in January. But, I had an amazing time during both visits, and I’m excited to talk about that :) Just like O’ahu, I’m going to start my post off with some information about the beaches in Maui. Although I’m not as familiar with the beaches here, I know that Maui has some gorgeous beaches. Here are a few you might want to visit: Ka'anapali Beach: Parking isn’t the easiest along Ka’anapali Beach, but the beach itself is really nice. Snorkeling, stand-up paddling, and boogie boarding can all be done at various parts of the beach. Makena State Park: This beach is best for experienced surfers and/or bodyboarders, because the waves can get really big here. Honokalani Black Sand Beach: Yes, you guessed it: this is a black sand beach! It’s located at the Wai'anapanapa State Par...