Deeno
Dinah Joined: April 9th 2007
Logged in: January 18th 2012
Logged in: January 18th 2012
Since I moved out from my childhood home, I traveled for the first time... to Europe on my own for a week - with no help from my family. However, I did receive a little help from my uncle who was stationed at Belgium who paid for half of my plane ticket. I visited them for a few days and went off on my own primarily by train to Switzerland and France. Even though it was a short period of time, I've learned and have grown a lot since then and I finally found my passion - TRAVEL. In just that moment, the world just open it's arms for me - I am free.
Travel Blog Posts
street performances
DAY 2 Dozing off and on, I peaked out of my covered window to see there was rain dew all around and I can start to see light - about 14 hours have probably gone by. It was overcast and realized that we are already ascending up into what was my first glimpse of the Andes. The bus ride up through the narrow and windy road, I couldn't handle the motion sickness so as much as I want to see the mountains, I had to try to sleep. It was just mid afternoon that I finally arrived in Cusco. I checked in to Pariwana Hostel - which is now my favorite hostel by far! It's unique, I loved the design of the place, A-MAZING comforters and quite comfy in the dorms. Nice staff, movie room and ... read more
Surco
I can finally check off South America on my list as a visited continent! I only had 2 weeks of paid vacation and it was a blitzkrieg trip to Peru and Bolivia. Look out for my entries and enjoy! (Pre-)DAY 1 Arrived at 8pm on a Thursday night in Lima airport and had to get to my first couchsurfing host's house. Made my first mistake in the country of paying for the most expensive cab (but certified) service right in the airport. But at least I felt safe enough - I arrived at my host, Marco's apartment in Surco and we talked for hours! DAY 1 Marco was one of the nicest Peruvian I have met and he really does care for everyone who travel abroad to learn his culture. He is proud to represent his ... read more
Mt. Baden Powell
Upon discovering MeetUp Groups, I finally have an outlet to meet like-minded people who are adventurous and loves the outdoors. Over the course of summer I started hiking the local trails more. Though it wasn't all that hard, I gradually push myself to hike easy/moderate 5-8 miles 3 days a week. Then come September, one of the many hiking groups I joined had posted an event to do an overnighter at top of Mt. Baden Powell; located in the San Gabriel Mountains of the LA County. Sierra Singles Orange County group posted this and I thought this would be a great opportunity to push myself a little bit more and to "wet my feet" to what backpacking is all about. DAY 1 At 3pm, the 6 of us at the Vincent Gap parking lot. Mountain Dave ... read more
Photo 3
...but it was one of the best times of my life. After breaking up with the so-called possessive and controlling ex-boyfriend of merely 2 months, it was the perfect time to go on a rafting trip at Kern River. I almost didn't go because the fact it was a good (guy) friend that had asked if I wanted to join the rest of his friends. If you know me, I am the adventurous type and always love trying new things. As soon as that "relationship" was over, I immediately packed my bags and took a road trip with my friend Tan and his friend Seth. DAY 1 First day we arrived and at the campsite to meet up with everyone else. I had no idea how many came but it was tent city that's for sure! ... read more
Photo 2
The last time I've visited here was when I was about 12, maybe 13 years old with my parents and one was in a wheelchair so obviously all I did was hung around the touristy side. Without any conditioning whatsoever, I took the opportunity of a lifetime. My new friend, Shelly who I met through couchsurfing had invited me for a weekend trip down at the bottom in Phantom Ranch on the South Rim. Apparently, she knew someone who worked at the Ranch and hooked us up with a loft to sleep in the employee cabin. She invited another friend of a friend, Brian and his dad. Brian drove and we all stayed in a hotel on a late Thursday night. Early the next morning we drove off to Grand Canyon to catch the bus ride ... read more
Photo 3
DAY 1 Estatic to know that it's only an hour and a half drive to the Rockies from Denver! This is my first time visiting Colorado and re-acquainting with my extended family. In a jammed packed SUV, the 8 of us drove up to Vail...passing many other ski resorts such as Copper Mountain, Brekenridge, and more. Already I know this will be an annual trip to Colorado from now on. No wonder Colorado is voted as the #1 state to be the most fittest! There's just SO MUCH to do all year round! We arrived just in time for our 5pm check-in at Manor Vail lodge. Just like all the other lodges, its just a perfect set up and excellent access to the lifts. My uncle told me that I don't have to worry on paying ... read more
New friend
Couchsurfing. I totally never heard of that concept until just this year when a friend I met through one of my stays in the Chicago Hostels had told me about it. He's from Europe and was going to rent a car and drive down through the USA and couchsurf. It made me curious and I had recently joined the website: www.couchsurfing.org I haven't hosted or surfed yet, but I think it's a brilliant idea. Sure, it may be a very risky commitment to a lot of people especially the Americans who are very closed minded compared to such countries like Canada and very much of Europe. These countries find it as a norm... and I love it! Anyhow, I got invited by a group that is local to me (Orange County) for $1 tacos on Taco ... read more
Photo 2
So... while I'm waiting for my long time friend, Chris who was flying in that morning from Las Vegas, I thought I walk around to the bay area. Alas, I saw the Atlantic Ocean! It was surreal once again; another feeling of accomplishment in visiting from the West to the East coast. Time to pick up my friend at the station and right away dropped our backpacks at a nice centrally located hostel (Hostel International) up on the 4 floor in a co-ed 4 bedroom. I've never really stayed in a co-ed room before... which I thought that was going to be interesting. We wasted no time and strolled along the streets; with no set plans, no reservations. Just simply living the day of where to go next... Along the way, seeing the old buildings of ... read more
Boston Chowda
7am on a Thursday morning, I arrived in Boston airport and was determined to have some of their specialty dish(es) - New England Clam Chowda and Lobsta Roll. YUM! Then hours later I decided that I am going to rent a car and drivE down to Rhode Island since I have never been. Driving down on Interstate 95 never looked so pretty. There were miles and miles of trees on either side of the road with beautiful fall colors that I usually NEVER see back home in sunny Southern California! It took me just about an hour to get to Providence and thought I visit Brown University. It may have been gloomy, but it brought a bit of ambiance to the old victorian/gothic look of each building. Then I thought I could make it to the ... read more
Can't wait! Over the past couple months have been hectic both in work and personal life. I've gone too long for not traveling. So, I decided I take a 4 day weekend trip to Boston, MA. What great timing... I took a couple days off in the middle of our company's most busiest time of the year! I took a red-eyed flight out from Orange County immediatly after work to Boston with a quick layover in San Francisco. its going to be lovely when I arrive at 7:15am with 40 degrees temperature and rain! Seriously, as I was warned that it will be EXTREMELY cold, but that doesn't matter to me. I see it as an opportunity to experience Boston's true weather at this time of year and plus I never gone there before! Being I ... read more
