We all have some kind of fear. Our fears are the thing that often keeps us from pursuing our dreams. Fear of failure. Fear of spiders. Fear of flying. Fear of inadequacies. The first thing to overcome your fear is to acknowledge it. And that is exactly what I did. Because I was, and still am, afraid of flying.
My fear – flying
Travel and Fear
About thirty years ago we had a bad experience on a flight. We lost an engine. We had an emergency landing that involved lots of firetrucks and the plane was doused with flame retardant. Yep…it was frightening and it changed me into a fearful flyer.
Conquering my fear
I worked really hard to overcome this fear…it took me a long time. I was embarrassed about my fear and didn’t want to seem weak. But for me travel was far more important than fear, so I persevered. I studied and found ways to acknowledge and address my fear. The best way I did this was with a book called Flying Without Fear by Duane Brown.
Your fear could be very different than mine, but it still may be the thing that is keeping you from Becoming a Traveler. Finding your fear, and finding a way to fearless travel – conquering your fear – will be different for each person. No matter what your fear is, acknowledging it is your first step to opening yourself up and stepping forward.
Travel With Someone You Trust
Someone to travel with
Once you acknowledge your fear, whether it’s snakes or flying, talking to someone you trust is the next good step. And finding someone who understands your fear who can travel with you is your goal. I am lucky to have my husband who holds my hand during take off. Who might you have who can help you conquer your fear? Your fear might just be the unknown of stepping out of your box. Take a friend, a family member or find a like minded traveler who you can be honest and open with. Together is the best way to exit your comfort zone.
As you step forward towards becoming a traveler, look to destinations that give you peace of mind. You don’t need to go to unusual places…start slow and find places that offer the amenities that make you comfortable. As you grow in your comfort as a traveler you can then grow too, to explore more destinations that reach further from where you began.
Peace of mind
CNN Travel has a great list of destinations for 2023 that would each be a great place to start conquering your travel fears. See it here 23 Places to travel in 2023
Start Slow
Don’t try to do too much – 15 cities in 14 days? Forget about it. Find one destination (or maybe two) where you can settle in and get to know the place. Allow yourself lots of time to sleep and relax because jet lag and travel fatigue can increase your fears. Eat healthy and drink lots of water. Then take your time to explore at a pace that works for you.
Relaxing and not trying to do too much
Travel Fatigue is real – I know! And it can cause you problems whether you are on a short trip or are a full time nomad. Being aware of what it is and how it affects you is an important part of travel. Learn more about it here – Travel Fatigue Explained
Fearless Travel – Conquering Your Fear
With each trip your confidence will build and you will conquer your fear…or at least learn to manage it. That is what I have done with flying. Over the past seven years I have take 172 flights for a total of 253,130 miles flown!
And I’m afraid of flying! If I can do it so can you.
Acknowledge your fear. Find someone to talk to about it. Connect with a travel partner. Go slow and have fun!
It’s not easy. And it’s bit frightening too. But here we go again tackling travel in 2022 starting next week.
Not everyone is ready to travel. But for those of us who are, jumping through the hoops can be stressful and crazy…but also a bit comical too. Keeping it light and realizing it might not always go as planned is how we are approaching travel during the never ending PanDamit.
It’s truly hard to believe we are now two years into this madness. Accepting that this is now the world we live in is difficult for many people. But for myself and my husband, we have accepted that this is life, and will be our life, likely for the rest of our life. The new world.
In 2020, before I ever heard the word Covid, I chose the word “courage” as my word of the year. In 2021 I chose the word “calm”, in an effort to get my Zen on during this insanity. But as we now step into 2022, my 62nd year on this planet, I am choosing the word “cautious”. We have always traveled with caution. But travel in 2022 requires an added level of caution. And so we continue…our cautionary tale will reveal itself as we step carefully forward.
Cautious
I wrote a blog a few months ago when we where headed out in the fall. But even since that time the world has yet changed again, and we have needed to change with it. So, some of the plans I listed in that blog we have now put on the back burner. Meanwhile we move ahead with baby steps, focused on immediate plans and nothing long-term.
Next week we fly to the island of Moorea in French Polynesia where we will be for two months. More and more, travel that puts us in one place for a long period of time is what we love and feel confident with. Becoming engrossed in the local culture is such a rewarding experience, and we are hopeful for that on the tiny island of Moorea. It’s not the smallest island we have ever stayed on, but it’s close. We hope you will follow along as we explore and learn and engage in this, our 111th country.
Meanwhile, next Friday our blog will feature our annual TRAVEL AWARDS FOR 2021. It looks a lot different than our annual Travel Award blogs from years past, and yet, we did have some remarkable travel experiences in 2021, despite the fact we only visited three countries (USA, Iceland, Mexico). I hope you will look for our annual Travel Awards blog next week.
Meanwhile, Here We Go Again Tackling Travel in 2022. This is our story. This is My Fab Fifties Life.
Thank you for your continued interest and support. Happy 2022!
We love it and are so grateful when you pin and share our blog posts. Thank you.
Why Cuba? Why not! We spent ten days in this surprising country, learning about and loving on the people and culture. This was our third time using Intrepid Travel, and I am sure it won’t be our last. Cuba has long been on our bucket list. Many Americans have trepidation about visiting Cuba, generally based on media reports. But guess what? I felt safer in Cuba than I have in any part of Mexico, or in any of the African countries I have visited. Frankly I felt safer than in many American cities, especially lately. Let me tell you about Beautiful Cuba An Amazing Ten Days.
Welcome to Cuba
Almost like a movie set, but it’s real
Support for the Cuban People
As an American, visiting Cuba means declaring your intention for your trip is for Support for the Cuban People. What does this mean? This is an American requirement – one of four reasons you, as a US citizen, can visit Cuba. The others are family visits, educational activities or professional research which includes media. Over the years I have considered using the professional research category as a writer, but decided we would rather do a group tour with a Cuban guide. So that is how we came to book once again with Intrepid Travel. We were not disappointed. Through Intrepid we supported the Cuban people by only staying in privately owned Cuban Guesthouses and only eating at privately owned Cuban restaurants and shopping at privately owned Cuban stores and working with Cuban guides. Beautiful Cuba An Amazing Ten Days
With my Salsa instructor Malinda
Colonialism, Revolution and Today’s Cuba
The history of this island nation is vast and complicated – difficult to cover in a few paragraphs. But here is my synopsis;
Colonialism
From the arrival of Christopher Columbus in 1492, Cuba became a key colony in the Spanish Empire, valued for its strategic location and fertile land. Spanish rule reshaped the island through the near-destruction of Indigenous Taíno populations and the development of plantation agriculture of primarily sugar cane and tobacco. Large numbers of Africans were brought to the island as slaves to work these plantations. Havana grew into a major port linking the Americas and Europe, while wealth and power remained concentrated among colonial elites loyal to Spain. By the nineteenth century, economic dependence on sugar and slavery fueled social tensions and inspired independence movements. Finally formal independence from Spain came in 1898—though only after U.S. military intervention in the Spanish-American War.
Colonial era buildings are crumbling in Havana
Revolution
In the twentieth century, Cuba’s political trajectory was marked by strong U.S. influence, economic inequality, and authoritarian rule under leaders such as Fulgencio Batista. Although Batista began as a revolutionary, he quickly betrayed the people and became a dictator creating hardships for average Cubans, while creating wealth for the Spanish-descended elite and the US Mafia. These conditions led to the Cuban Revolution of 1959, which brought Fidel Castro to power.
Fidel Castro (Wikipedia)
Today
Castro transformed Cuba into a socialist state aligned with the Soviet Union. The revolution dramatically altered Cuban society through land reform, nationalization, and expanded education and healthcare. Though Castro curtailed political freedoms of average Cubans, most Cubans believe his policies of education and healthcare were good for the country. After the Soviet collapse, Cuba endured severe economic hardship yet maintained its socialist system, and today it continues to navigate gradual economic reforms (see below), strained relations with the United States, and ongoing debates about political change and national identity.
Revolution Square and the Presidential Offices
Western Cuba
During my ten day visit we covered a large portion of the western half of the island of Cuba. We did not venture east of Trinidad. See map. Cuba is about the same size of Switzerland and is the largest Caribbean island. Roughly 42,800 square miles, it is comparable in size to U.S. states like Virginia, slightly larger than Tennessee, and a bit bigger than Maine.
The area of Cuba our tour covered
Cuba is only 90 miles from Florida
Things to Know
We traveled in a nice bus (Chinese made) on mostly comfortable roads, although some of the mountain roads were a bit rough. We have seen much worse though in other countries. Four major issues we noticed as visitors;
1. Blackouts due to an aging infrastructure and lack of fuel due to embargoes. Some cities are completely left in the dark, and businesses, including guesthouses we stayed at, must resort to generators and solar but these are expensive and difficult to acquire.
2. Gas shortages – most people don’t own cars, but trucks, buses and cars are all facing a gas shortage which will get much worse with the situation in Venezuela. Cuba relies heavily on oil from Venezuela.
3. Lack of internet in much of the island. Even major cities like Havana have internet service that is plagued with outages and the country has no solutions currently in the works.
4. Finally and the most difficult is all transactions need to be made in cash. No American credit cards are accepted in Cuba. And your American ATM card will not work in Cuba, even if you can find a working ATM. You must bring US Dollars and exchange them in the country for Cuban Pesos. US dollars are accepted in Cuba, but they must be clean bills in perfect condition.
You must be prepared for these issues if you visit this island nation. It was all worth it though to experience Beautiful Cuba An Amazing Ten Days.
One of our favorite guesthouses in Vinales
Barack Obama and the Cuban Thaw
President Barack Obama made a historic visit to Cuba from March 20-22, 2016, becoming the first sitting U.S. president in 88 years to do so. His visit signaled a new era of normalized relations after decades of hostility. Obama’s visit included a visit with Cuban leader like Raul Castro, a televised address to the Cuban people, and a focus on human rights and ending the U.S. embargo. The trip marked the peak of the “Cuban thaw,” leading to increased travel, trade, and diplomatic engagement, though significant differences on human rights persisted. The Cubans have a great fondness for Obama.
Raul Castro and Barack Obama (Wikipedia)
Unfortunately this era did not last, embargoes have been reinstated and relationship between the current US Administration and Cuba are at one of the lowest points in decades. However, since Covid, more Cubans have been allowed to own private small businesses such as guesthouses and restaurants. These businesses are the ones American visitors are allowed to use as part of the Support of the Cuban People program.
Beautiful Cuba An Amazing Ten Days
My husband and I arrived in La Habana (the actual Cuban name of Havana) one day early just as a precaution for any unforeseen travel delays. We were able to book an extra night at the same privately owned guest house that the group would be staying. We enjoyed an amazing dinner with beer that evening for $8 USD.
Ancient fort at the Havana Harbor
Meeting our Intrepid guide the next day (Yummet) and the 12 other Americans on our tour, we knew we were in for a great tour. Our fellow intrepid travelers were fabulous, and as has been our experience with Intrepid in the past, our guide was fun, knowledgeable and on-point.
Most of our amazing group and our guide Yummet
Excellent Travel Partners on our third Intrepid tour
Havana
Highlights of Havana included UNESCO Old Town walking tour, four important squares of the colonial period including the Cathedral Square, Entertainment Square, San Francisco Square and Revolutionary Square. You can’t visit Havana without a driving tour in the beautiful and historic old cars of Havana (learn about these cars here). We toured the Callejon de Hamel where we learned about the local Afro Cuban community and the sub-culture of Santeria. Lunch was incredible at Rum Rum Restaurant – we skipped dinner because we were so full!
Callejon de Hamel
Cathedral Square
Callejon de Hamel
1940’s era Chevrolet
Definitely a show-stopper
Enjoyed our tour in the ’48 Chevy Convertible. Here we are in Revolution Square
Heading West
Into our comfortable bus with guide-extraordinaire Yummet and our incredible driver Marcos we go. Today we head west towards the darling town of Vinales, but first two stops along the way.
Fusterlandia is a tiny bit reminiscent of Park Guell in Barcelona, but not as artistically stunning
Fusterlandia quirky and fun
We made a brief stop at Fusterlandia just outside of Havana. This neighborhood is completely covered in mosaics, a passion project of artist Jose Fuster. Quirky but also fun. Next we drove several hours west to visit Las Terrasas, a UNESCO Biosphere village, built by the Cuban government as a reforestation project, inhabited by local Cubans caring for the land. We enjoyed a wonderful lunch here with a beautiful view.
Las Terrasas
What a view
Vinales
Arriving in Vinales we were enchanted by this cute, sparkling clean and colorful little village. Two nights here. Before dark we took a quick walking tour of the village then headed to Paradise Farm, a privately-owned farm-to-table restaurant where we enjoyed a spectacular dinner with a view.
Sunset at Paradise Farm overlooking the fields of beautiful fresh grown produce
Spectacular meal at Paradise Farm
Next day was a busy and fun one. Starting with a beautiful walk into the astonishing Valle de Vinales National Park with a local guide. Our walk took us to a privately owned coffee plantation where we learned about Cuban coffee then on to a privately owned Tobacco farm where we learned about growing and producing tobacco and the famous Cuban cigars.
Entering the National Park on foot
Of course the coffee was my favorite part
Getting a lesson on local coffee culture
Learning the fine art of Cigar rolling
Arne imbibing in fresh rolled cigar
Back on the bus to Mirador Balcon del Valle where we continued our agricultural theme of this beautiful valley with a cooking class using locally grown produce of sweet potatoes, yucca,cassava, papaya, guava, onion, garlic, and more. It was fresh, healthy and delicious, as was all the food we ate in Cuba. After that big meal we ended our visit to beautiful Vinales learning how to Salsa dance! Hot and sweaty and fun!
Loved our cooking class at Mirador Balcon de Valle
A first for us, Arne and I Salsa together.
Cienfuegos
From Vinales to Cienfuegos was our longest bus ride day. We were kept entertained onboard the bus with an incredible documentary series from Netflix about Cuban history. Fascinating and helpful. In the late afternoon we arrived the famous Bay of Pigs, site of the 1961 failed US invasion. Here we had an opportunity to swim in the Caribbean or just lounge on the beautiful beach before arriving in Cienfuegos and our lovely guest house for one night. In the morning before departing we had a walking tour of the beautiful colonial town of Cienfuegos with free time to shop, see the museum and have some fabulous coffee before departing on to Trinidad.
Bay of Pigs was stunning. I had never imaged it so beautiful.
Bay of Pigs – Beautiful Cuba An Amazing Ten Days
Cienfuegos town square and Cathedral. Beautiful Spanish Colonial town
Trinidad
Driving from Cienfuegos to Trinidad meant going over the Topes de Coyantes mountains, where we encountered the only poor road conditions of our tour. Our driver Marcos was amazing and we barely noticed. High in the mountains we stopped at a tiny privately-owned coffee growing roadside restaurant called Mileidy’s. Here we learned more about how the locals grow and process the local Arabica beans. We also enjoyed possibly the best, yet simple and locally sourced lunch. Adios to our new friends and then on to Trinidad.
From green to bean to coffee dream
Beans drying in the sun
We loved our beautiful privately-owned guesthouse in Trinidad, where we had the best WiFi of the entire trip. Right in the old town area of the beautiful Spanish Colonial town of Trinidad. We took a sunset stroll of the old town before enjoying the famous local drink of Canchanchara (yum) followed by dinner at Los Conspiradores.
Loved the rooftop terraces at our Trinidad Guesthouse
Sunset walk on our first night in Trinidad
Beautiful presentation of drinks and food in Trinidad
Famous Cuban cocktail called Canchanchara
Trinidad Day Two
Next morning our guide took us to two museums where we learned more Spanish Colonial history – the Architecture Museum and the Romantic Museum. We had some free time to shop for the beautiful local traditional Trinidad embroidery. I fell in love with it and bought several items. In the afternoon we headed for swim and sun at Ancon beach which included an incredible catered picnic lunch. That evening we were not hungry, so we watched the sunset from a rooftop bar and then enjoyed an early to bed.
Learning the Spanish Colonial Architecture history
Courtyard in historic colonial homes
The Cuban people are talented and resourceful. This embroidery style began when Sugar Cane plantations were abandoned and slaves needed to earn money
The water was warm and the sun was a nice break from touring
Fabulous catered lunch
Enjoying Sunset on the terrace of Rin Tin Tin Bar
Trinidad Sunset day two
Santa Clara
It’s our last full day in Cuba as we make our way back west towards Havana. We stop in Santa Clara to learn about Che Guevera. Ernesto “Che” Guevera is revered by many Cubans as a true Marxist revolutionary whose life was dedicated to overturning colonial and US intervention in Latin American countries. He was a brilliant but complicated man who is both revered and reviled depending on which camp you sit in. Because he died young at the hands of CIA-sponsored action in Bolivia, he has become a martyr and the Cuban government has built a small museum, which includes a mausoleum and statue in his memory. We visited this place in Santa Clara before continuing on to Havana.
Memorial to Che Guevera
Che Guevera
Farewell
Back in Havana our final night. We have become good friends with the group and our leaders and we are sad to say goodbye. Tonight though we celebrate with a show and dinner with the famous Buena Vista Social Club. Dinner was amazing but the show was the highlight – lively and interesting with lots of audience participation. Unfortunately not many photos of us actually on stage, you will have to take my word for it. 🙂
These two were incredible. I got to dance with this man and he was so amazing. But in case you are wondering…that’s not me dancing in this photo. LOL
Lobster is very common in Cuba, this one I had on our final night.
Buena Vista Social Club
It was midnight before we went to bed, and my alarm went off at 4:30am for our flight to Cancun. It was all worth it though. A remarkable ten days, learning about this country and removing some of the mystery and misconceptions. I loved its colorful culture, began to understand it’s difficult history and most of all learned to respect it’s resilient people. Beautiful Cuba An Amazing Ten Days.
As usual Intrepid Travel only hires the best – our guide Yummet and our Driver Marcos
Yes You Should
Step out of your box and come to Cuba. Intrepid Travel is a great way to experience a place unlike anywhere else I have ever been. And that is saying something. Put aside your fears and preconceived notions, because I can tell you, you will be pleasantly surprised. Educational, entertaining and safe. Delicious, colorful and enlightening. The culture is musical and bright. The people are talented and patriotic. Cuba is welcoming and fascinating. I have absolutely no regrets. Muchos Gracias Cuba. Viva la Cuba!
Havana full of surprises
See last week’s post, our Ninth Annual World Travel Awards 2025 here. I hope you will continue to follow us as we enjoy a month in Mexico with lots more travel blog posts on the way.
We are always grateful when you pin, share and comment on our posts to help us find even more of a audience of travel enthusiasts. Gracias.
Thanks as always for the love you give to this blog, now in it’s 14th year. I feel so blessed by all of you. This past year we have had some posts absolutely hit the record…with more views, reads and comments than ever before. So as I do at the end of each year, here is a list of your favorites – the Top Blog Posts of 2025 for My Fab Fifties Life.
Number One
To my surprise, the most read post of the year was about Cleveland Ohio. This was unexpected to me…I assumed one of my European blogs or Australian posts would have that title. But no, Cleveland Ohio Museums Not to Miss is the winner by a landslide. Loved both on Pinterest and for views and reads on the blog.
Cleveland Ohio Museums Not to Miss
A Very Close Second Place
Coming in second but only by a thread, was my very recent post Time to Plan New England in the Fall. If you have not done a fall color trip yet, use our guide to plan one now. We really enjoyed it, and apparently you enjoyed reading about it.
My Favorite Day Trips from Bordeaux and Bountiful Bordeaux, Eating My Way Through the City
The Great Ocean Road Victoria Australia Our very long stay in Australia resulted in multiple blog posts, but this one in particular really got a lot of love.
Hidden Gems of the Pacific Northwest – Port Angeles and the Olympic National Park
And these two rewrites that were updated and reposted in February also make the list. Both continue to be top performers year after year since they first were written in 2020;
Maui on a Budget It’s clear by the continued traction this post gets how much people are trying to visit Maui without breaking the bank. I’m glad we can help.
And there you have it. Your favorites of the year – Top Blog Posts of 2025.
More Great Posts on the Way
No blog post next Friday but come back after that for a report about our Winter European River Cruise. And in mid-January our annual World Travel Awards for 2025. Thanks for your continued support. We love it when you share our blog posts.
Kia Orana! “Kia Orana” is a Cook Islands greeting that means “may you live long” or “may you have a long and fulfilling life”. It’s more than just a greeting, it’s a wish for a good future and a core part of Cook Islands culture. This is what you will find in this tiny island nation in the middle of the South Pacific. We came with no expectations, and went away blessed by the beauty and kindness that penetrates this island. Kia Orana Rarotonga Cook Islands.
Beautiful Rarotonga
Why Rarotonga?
As we planned our travels for 2025 we knew we wanted to return to Australia – one of our favorite countries in the world. Visiting Australia during their summer, is perfect for leaving behind the dreary Northern hemisphere winters
Beautiful flora
Colorful flowers
So, it was a natural fit to spend some time in Hawaii, and then take the non-stop flight Hawaiian Air offers from Honolulu to Rarotonga every Saturday. Why not? We have the time, the flight is only five hours and though not cheap, it got us closer to Australia. Cook Islands here we come.
So much beauty
Color everywhere
A Few Details
The Cook Islands uses the New Zealand dollar. ATM machines are available all over and most businesses accept credit cards as well. As of this writing the NZ dollar is .57 cents per one US dollar. Very good rate for Americans.
Snorkeling is a very popular activity on Rarotonga
Our cell provider Verizon does not include The Cook Islands in their international plan. Once on the island one option is purchase the Vodaphone hotspot service for WiFi. Most hotels do not offer a separate WiFi service. We paid $35NZ for five days/50G, up to three devices. Another option is to get a Vodaphone SIM or Esim at the airport. We did the Vodaphone hotspot option, which worked pretty well as there are hotspots all around the island. However, during a big storm we had, the Wifi was unavailable.
Lots of sunshine and rain creates a lush island setting
You can rent cars; we did not, and scooter rentals are also popular. We just used the bus. Taxi service is also available but no Uber.
How to get here – Air New Zealand (via Auckland) is an option, but for Americans it’s much easier to fly to Honolulu and then take Hawaiian Air which has a weekly flight on Saturday and a return flight on Sunday evening. JetStar flies direct from Sydney.
We arrived on Hawaiian and departed on JetStar
No Expectations
As we do in much of our travel, we arrived Rarotonga with no expectations. We knew it was a small island but we knew little else. The island is volcanic, with an area of 67.39 km2 (26.02 sq mi), and is home to almost 75% of the country’s population, with 10,898 of a total population of 15,040. On our arrival we found spectacular beauty untainted by mass tourism; friendly, welcoming, and kind local people, tropical weather (both sun and rain), delicious food and a distinct faith-based culture and customs. As we read prior to arrival, the island felt much like Hawaii likely did 50-75 years ago. Kia Orana Rarotonga Cook Islands.
Long white sandy beaches
What to Do?
Don’t come to Rarotonga if you expect to be wined and dined in fancy settings, or stay in large upscale American brand resorts or have world class shopping. It is not that kind of place. There are activities on the island if you are a diver or want to snorkel with turtles and rays and learn about the local sea life. Many whales come here in season. You will also find some hiking options, bird watching and cycling tours. There is a tiny bit of shopping, particularly if you are in the market for the local black pearl. We chose to do a whole lot of nothing, during our one week visit. We can however wholeheartedly recommend the following;
Coffee by the pool at the Palm Grove
Palm Grove Resort – we are so grateful we stumbled into the Palm Grove Resort. Perfect location with beach and pool. Beach-front and pool-front bungalows, as well as some larger options too. We loved our little bungalow poolside. We enjoyed the free snorkel gear and kayaks and dined on absolutely delicious meals and breakfast (included in the price) at the Yellow Hibiscus restaurant. But best of all was the kind staff and excellent service – always with a smile and a Kia Orana. For our poolside Bungalow we paid $165 USD per night.
Our Palm Grove Bungalow
Our bungalow perfect for two people, bigger options available
Cook Islands Bus – on time and comfortable. We used the Cook Islands bus several times during our visit. One bus goes clockwise the other counterclockwise. One price $5NZ no matter how far you are going – unless you buy a ticket packet of ten for $3.50NZ each.
Waiting at the bus stop on a stormy day
Fun Stuff
Hike to Waterfall and Needle – Te Rua Manga or the Needle is a rocky spire in the Rarotonga mountains. It rises to an elevation of 413 metres above sea level. The spire itself is a breccia structure. There is a walking track to the base of the spire. This hike is not for novice hikers, but will certainly give you a 360 degree view. There are guides who can take you. We saw new to us birds and wonderful flora.
Te Rua Manga
Wigmores Waterfall
Screenshot of Cook Island’s Fruit Dove
Screenshot Pacific Imperial- Pigeon
Titikaveka, Rarotonga – Voted as one of the top 25 beaches in the South Pacific by Trip Advisor, Titikaveka features bright turquoise blue water and white sandy beaches shaded by palm trees. We enjoyed the access to this beach from Palm Grove.
Titikaveka
Highland Paradise – at the recommendation of the staff at Palm Grove, we spent an evening with Highland Paradise. We really enjoyed the food and the beautiful grounds, but more than anything we enjoyed learning so much about the local culture, dance, history and people of the Cook Islands. I highly recommend it.
Dancers were so fun at Highland Paradise
Buffet at Highland Paradise
Local Outdoor Markets
Muri Beach Night Market -The Muri night markets in the Muri Beach Village are a great way to curate your own dinner from the various food trucks, stalls and stands all while mixing and mingling with tourists and locals alike. Open Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday evenings from 5pm, the night markets offer a variety of food from local BBQ meals, seafood, fresh drinking coconuts, chicken curries, wok-fried noodles, pizza, desserts and more.
Muri Beach Night Food Market Three nights a week
Punanga Nui Market – The Punanga Nui Market in Avarua, Rarotonga’s main town, offers free entertainment, fresh food stalls, organic coffee, and authentic souvenirs like pearls, artwork, crafts and hats made of coconut frond. While the market is open until midday, early Saturday morning is the best time to go for locally grown fruits and vegetables as well as homemade treats like poke. Also, make sure to head over to the main stage from about 10am to enjoy live music and dancing.
Punanga Nui Market
Learn History
Te Ara Cook Islands Cultural Museum was a great activity on a rainy day. We really enjoyed learning some of the cultural history of the island both from before European’s arrived and everything since. I highly recommend spending an our or so here, and you can’t beat the $5NZ price. A nice little cafe too.
Te Ara Cook Island’s Cultural Museum
Te Ara Cook Island’s Cultural Museum
Where to Eat
Even though our darling bungalow at Palm Grove had a kitchen, and the Palm Grove is conveniently located near one of the larger grocery stores (Wigmores), we decided not to cook our dinners since we were on the island for only a week. Instead we found our way to several popular local eateries including;
The Yellow Hibiscus – Part of the Palm Grove Resort, we ate here three separate nights. On Sunday nights they offer their weekly BBQ for $45NZ. It was an outstanding value. The other dinners we had were delicious, with huge servings and good prices. Friday night is Happy Hour night.
Amazing Salad Buffet at the Sunday BBQ
Gigantic serving of fish and chips
Best Calamari I have ever had
Ahi or steak at the Sunday BBQ
The Tamarind House Restaurant and Ukelele Bar – we took the bus to Avarua just to see the town, which frankly doesn’t have a lot to offer, but we walked around, had a beer at Trader Jack’s, and then headed on to dinner at The Tamarind House. Absolutely beautiful view and we enjoyed our dinner of Ika Mata and Nicoise Salad with fresh Ahi.
Nicoise Salad at the Tamarind House
Beautiful view
Viama a short walk from Palm Grove we enjoyed a lovely dinner on Valentines Day here. With our toes in the sand we enjoyed fresh Ika Mata (also known as Poisson Cru), Fish, Steak and a great Sticky Toffee Pudding for Desert.
Sticky Toffee Pudding
Amazing local John Dory
Dinner with a view
Charlies Bar and Grill – we heard great things about this beach side bar and chose to have lunch here on our final day on the island. Lunch starts at noon, but if you come for dinner call ahead for a reservation. The view is great, portions are huge and the food delicious. Order at the window and they bring the food to you.
Thai Steak Salad at Charlie’s
Charlie’s live music all day
Charlie’s Bar and Grill view
Kia Orana Rarotonga Cook Islands
Come to the Cook Islands to escape the winter weather back home. We met so many Canadians and Europeans in search of sun. Come to the Cook Islands to relax and find a peaceful paradise to read, relax, and swim with a few exhilarating possibilities thrown in. Come to the Cook Islands for amazing seafood, fresh produce and fruit – all served up with a smile. And come to the Cook Islands for Kia Orana – the blessing of the beautiful people and the fascinating culture they hold dear. For all of these reasons and more – come to the Cook Islands. We will be back.
I’ve been to Maui more times than I can count and it is one of my favorite places in the world. But like everything else affected by the PanDamit, Maui lost some restaurants (including one of my favs) while others struggle to keep their doors open. Even worse, the Lahaina fires 18 months ago devastated that historic city and all it’s restaurants in the old town area. And yet still, this island is home to some amazing dining from take-out to romantic and every cuisine you can want. I have not eaten at EVERY Maui restaurant, but I feel qualified to recommend quite a few. So here they are – Maui Best Restaurants 2025 by My Fab Fifties Life.
In No Particular Order
The Sea House – Napili – Beautiful view ocean side at the iconic Napili Kai Resort. Fresh fish and always delicious. One of my top restaurants on the island. Reservations a must.
A ‘a Roots – Napili – Vegan tiny restaurant in Napili Plaza, farm to table, locally sourced and so delicious.
The Sea House
A ‘a Roots
Star Noodle
Star Noodle – Lahaina – One of my top favorite restaurant in Maui. Always perfect, outdoor ocean side dining in an updated location since the fires. Creative menu and excellent service. Reservations recommended.
Mala Ocean Tavern – Lahaina – Great seafood, clever cocktails, ocean side dining. Reservations recommended.
Mama’s Fish House
Mala Ocean Tavern
Star Noodle
The Fish Market – Kaanapali – purchase fresh fish and poke here to take home or order up fresh prepared fish tacos, mahi mahi and so much more. Delicious and worth the wait. Take out.
Monkey Pod Kitchen – Kaanapali and Wailea – by the owners of Merriman’s (see below) a more casual restaurant for salads, burgers, fish and a great Mai Tai.
The Pint & Cork – Wailea – not your usual Maui vibe, this gastropub is a great place if you want a burger and a beer. Great service and reasonable prices.
Moose McGillicuddy’s – Kihei. Sports Bar upstairs with great burgers, fish and chips, salads and more. Also downstairs (same kitchen) is Fred’s Mexican open for breakfast too.
The Fish Market
Monkey Pod
Pint & Cork
Some Casual Options
Paia Fish Market – Paia, Kihei – choose your fish and how you want it prepared. Always fresh but expect a wait.
Sugar Beach Bake Shop – Kihei – come for the malasadas. Hands down the best on the island. Other yummy stuff too.
Cafe O’Lei – Kihei and other locations – a wide variety of family and budget friendly fish, burgers salads and more.
Kihei Cafe – One of Kihei’s most popular breakfast spots now has two locations, expect a wait but not too long, they get people in and out. Try the banana pancakes, loco moco or eggs bene.
Paia Fish Market
Kohola
Sugar Beach Bake Shop
Coconut’s Fish Cafe – Kihei – Fish tacos, salads and more at a reasonable family friendly price. Choose your fish and your preparation preference. Always fresh.
Coconut’s
Maui Brewing
Kohola
Something For Everyone
Three’s Bar and Grill – Kihei – Casual and clever menu with both indoor and outdoor seating and a great Happy Hour menu. Try the brussel sprouts. I’m not kidding, they are amazing.
Maui Brewing – Kihei and Kaanapali- Pizza, fish tacos, burgers and a delicious kale salad…and of course beer.
Roasted Chiles Mexican – Kihei – Only Mexican restaurant I can recommend on Maui…delicious and authentic, locally owned and family run. If you need a taco fix while in Kihei this is the place.
Maui Brewing
Honu Seafood and Pizza
Three’s Bar & Grill
Miso Phat – Kihei and Kaanapali – Delicious sushi and a great variety. Easy to order on line, pick up and enjoy at the beach.
Kula Lodge – Kula – recently purchased by long time Maui restaurateur Simon Vojdani and owners of the 5 Palms Restaurant formerly in Kihei. The 5 Palms is now be part of the beautiful property at the Kula Lodge. We enjoyed the Happy Hour…but dinner is also recommended… you can’t beat the view here!
Ohana Seafood Bar and Grill – Kihei – We went for the sushi but the day we went the Sushi Chef must have been off…bummer. But the menu has many other options from burgers to poke, tacos to calamari. The calamari was delicious..
Manioli Pizza – Wailea – This place has a small menu but a lovely view. Several pizza options and just a couple pasta options but all very good. I really liked my chicken piccata. Budget friendly and family friendly too.
Kohola Brewing – rising from the ashes, Kohola lost everything in the Lahaina fire and yet they are here and so good. Now brewing on the Big Island their new tasting room in Wailea includes a small but excellent food selection. We like it so much we visited twice.
Some of the BEST on the Island
Morimoto – Wailea – the most beautifully presented sushi I have ever had. And the ambiance is amazing at the stunning Andaz Resort in Wailea. For a special occasion or any day, just go. Great to watch the sunset too. We always come back for this one.
Ka’ana Kitchen – Wailea – We had an outstanding meal with a view at Ka’ana. Whatever you do don’t miss the watermelon salad. Everything else is good too. Also located at the Andaz.
Mama’s Fish House
Hali’imaile General Store
Mama’s Fish House
Mama’s Fish House – Paia – Maui’s finest restaurant in food, ambiance and service. Incomparable. Reservations hard to get but give it a try. Time honored and authentic, Mama’s will always fall on my Maui Best Restaurants 2025 list.
Hali’imaile General Store – Upcountry -One of the islands best restaurants located in a historic building in upcountry, the menu is fresh but not pretentious…just delicious and local. This last trip we chose to dine here on our final night as a celebration of Maui Best Restaurants 2025.
Merriman’s – Kapalua One of the best meals I have had in years, the impeccable Merrimans is where we celebrated our wedding anniversary. Amazing Prix Fixe menu for $120 per person was worth every penny. Fantastic and special place when in Maui.
Morimoto
Kula Lodge
Miso Phat
Unpretentious and Deliciouis
Sam Sato – Wailuku – few tourists come here, but locals know about this amazing noodle shop in Wailuku. I love the Dry Noodles and the Chow Fun. Great kimchee too.
The Pour House – Kapalua – no view but the ambiance is lovely and the food is divine. If you want a break from fish and Hawaiian food make a reservation at this phenomenal Italian bistro. Be sure to try the handmade fresh burrata.
Pita Paradise Wailea – A hidden gem in Wailea. This name though…it sounds like a fast food place. It is not. A lovely menu of Mediterranean dishes with daily specials. I loved my local Mong Chong grilled fish with fresh vegetables in an aioli sauce. My husband had delectable lamb gnocchi. Definitely come here. Make a reservation during peak season.
Saigon Cafe Wailuku – This hidden gem has been going strong since 1995…highly unusual in this day and age. But that says something about the food. We hadn’t been here in years, but made our way back up this last visit and I am so glad we did. Authentic and delicious SE Asia cuisine.
The Pour House
Sam Satos
Star Noodle
Take Out and Food Trucks Are Big Biz
There are many food trucks on the island, but I haven’t visited them all. But if you are interested in take out options check the YouTube video we did in 2020 Tasty Tuesday Maui Take Out Food. Our visit in January this year introduced us to a brand new food truck site South Maui Gardens. We really loved it and it’s beautifully hidden gem of a location. Check out their website to learn about live music, hula shows and much more at South Maui Gardens.
South Maui Gardens
South Maui Gardens
Feel free to share in the comments any other Maui restaurants you love. And I’ll take your recommendations and visit those restaurants when I return to Maui in the future. I still have several I need to visit so let me know your favorites!! Mahalo! Thank you for reading my post Maui Best Restaurants 2025.
Maui might be a once in a lifetime trip for you. If it is, you hopefully can afford to do some of the most amazing activities the island offers. But plan well in advance and be ready to spend a pretty penny. It is one of the most expensive destinations in the world. So here are some tips if you want to enjoy Maui on a Budget.
I have been lucky enough to visit Maui many times, and have enjoyed the Luaus, whale watching, snorkeling and some amazing first class meals.
Kamaole Three Beach
But during our most recent visit, we made a big effort to lay-low and spend less. Sticking to our pre-designed budget is important in our travels, otherwise we can not continue to travel as we do. On our recent visit to Maui there were some new activities we considered, from cooking classes to glass blowing to chocolate tours. But, we chose to do Maui on a Budget. And you can too.
It won’t be easy, but there are ways to enjoy Maui on a Budget. And through the years I have discovered several things you can do to save money. Hopefully, some of these suggestions will give you a positive visit to this beautiful island paradise without breaking the bank. So here are our suggestions for Maui on a Budget.
Maui
When to Come
Choose to visit the island during the off-season and absolutely don’t come over the Christmas holidays. June-October is a great time to visit and the island is quieter and you will have a wide choice of accommodations.
Maui
Where to Stay
There are many, many condos available for rent and you will find it less expensive to stay in a condo than in a resort. By renting a condo rather than a hotel you can cook most of your meals and not blow your budget on eating out. Condos usually offer great pools and barbecue area for guest use.
Kamaole Sands was affordable in Kihei
Groceries
If you have a Costco membership use it. Although the Maui Costco can be very busy, you can really save money by shopping there. We did price comparison on cases of beer and it was astonishing. Gas at the Maui Costco is also much less.
We also found prices at Foodland and Times grocery stores were less than Safeway. I always bring a few things from home such as a small amount of spices, coffee, rice. If you have the room, try to bring things that are portable and you know you use regularly.
Maui
Rental Car
It’s pretty hard to visit Maui without a rental car. Unless you are only staying for a couple of days I highly recommend you get a car. But there are several rental agencies on the island renting older model cars for much less. We have used Kihei Rent a Car several times. The cars we have rented are Nissan, about ten years old, run great and get us where we need to be. About $34 a day this last visit as compared to $99 – $149 at the more well-known brand name rental agencies. There are some other budget friendly rental car agencies on the island too. Do your research.
Maui Sunset
Dining Out
Dining out in Maui is pretty expensive. That’s why we mostly cook in our condo. It is less expensive to visit some of the restaurants where the locals go…I recommend Sam Satos and Saigon Cafe. Another really great way to save money dining out while getting to enjoy some of Maui’s best restaurants is to go to Happy Hour. Many restaurants have a daily Happy Hour and you can get a reduced menu but the same great food for much less money. For instance, we enjoy Three’s Bar and Grill in Kihei for their happy hour food menu and their Mai Tai, normally $14 is 6.25 during Happy Hour. You can get a comprehensive list here Maui Happy Hours.
South Maui Gardens
Consider eating at some of the local food truck villages that have popped up around the island over the past few years. Maui has tons of food truck options now including in Kihei, Kaanapali, Wailuku, Kahalui and more. One of my favorite new food truck little gem is South Maui Gardens. Read this for more for ideas.
Food Trucks
Equipment
Before you spend $60 at Costco to buy a beach chair, double check with your condo to see if they have chairs available. Many condos have chairs, snorkel gear and even boogie boards available for their guests.
Keep your eyes out for locals selling used gear along the roadside.
Gently used equipment
Snorkeling
The beaches are free of course (did you know every beach in the state of Hawaii is a public beach) and many beaches are great for snorkeling. You don’t need to pay for an expensive tour to Molokini to see beautiful fish and coral. Check out this list here. Snorkel gear can be a carry on item if you pack it properly, saving you rental fees on the island. Check with your carrier for more information.
Maui
Whale Watching
Now you won’t get up close and personal, but from December – March you can whale watch right from the beach. There are 10,000 humpback whales that visit the waters between Maui, Lanai and Molokai every winter. With so many whales it’s not difficult to see them from the beach or from the look out point located on the Honoapi’ilani highway between Kihei and Lahaina.
Whale watching from the look out at Honoapi’ilani Highway between Kihei and Lahaina
Nature
Be sure to visit two nature preserves in South Maui that are free to visit. The Kealia Pond National Wildlife Refuge offers a walk through brackish area to view many of Maui’s most interesting birds. Access is from the Pi’ilani Highway ( also called the Maui Veterans Highway) and it is free.
Another part of this nature reserve is the Kealia Coastal Boardwalk, access this from the North Kihei Road. This is a great one for kids because it includes colorful and interesting interpretive signage and is an easy walk. Also free.
The ponds at Kealia Pond National Wildlife Refuge
Hiking
Hiking is free and there are some wonderful hikes on Maui. Check out our post Six Great Hikes on the Island of Maui. A Maui hike also affords you the opportunity to bird watch, whale watch and enjoy the local flora of this island. Some hikes also have historic and sacred sites – be culturally aware and respectful and learn about the heritage and history of the Hawaiian people. By the way, if you are a Senior and have an America the Beautiful National Park Pass be sure not to leave it at home. The pass will save you the $30 entry fee into Haleakala National Park.
La Perouse hike South Maui
Hula Shows
Luau’s are expensive, and when you are trying to do Maui on a Budget they are out of the question. But if you want to see a free hula show during your visit, there are several places that offer shows at different times depending on the time of year. Lahaina Cannery Mall, Maui Mall, Whaler’s Village, Four Seasons Resort Wailea and Kaanapali Beach Hotel all have shows sponsored by Hawaiian Airlines. See the schedule here.
If you are in South Maui, the Shops at Wailea do a wonderful free hula show with great live music every Tuesday from 5:30-6:30. This show is popular but there is a large area to sit on the ground or on a few chairs provided. Definitely worth it.
Another option is the Hula show held weekly at South Maui Gardens. This show costs $100 but it is full professional show with music. It does not include the luau food, just the show. It’s very popular and sells out in high-season so reserve ahead of time. Learn more at South Maui Gardens.
Canva
Golf
If you want to golf on Maui but can’t swallow the high prices, check out the Waiehu Municipal Course. Gorgeous views for a fraction of the cost.
Since we always stay in Kihei, we bring our clubs and golf 2-3 times a week at Maui Nui. If you plan to golf more than three times, it pays to buy the Maui Nui Players Program Card. Maui Nui has been extensive improvements over the past few years and we really enjoy it.
Golfing at Maui Nui
Other Cool Stuff
Visit Ho’okipa to watch the surfers….its absolutely remarkable and its free. While you are there you will probably also see turtles. This is the beach you can almost always be guaranteed to see turtles hauled up and sunning themselves on the beach. We have also seen the Hawaiian Monk Seal sleeping on the beach here. A rare treat. Remember…the seal and the turtles are protected…stay back and enjoy from a distance.
Maui
A lot of people try to go to Haleakala for sunrise. I admit it’s a cool thing to do, but reservations are now required. Sunset is easier and free and you can view it from much of the island. There are dozens of places to watch the sunset from Makenna to Kapalua, for free.
Maui
Give Back
Whether you are on a budget or not, consider giving back to the people of Maui. Many people suffered greatly during the recent Lahaina fires, and during Covid prior to that. Every time we visit Maui we make a cash donation to the Maui Food Bank. Thanks for considering it.
Maui on a Budget
Yes you can do Maui on a Budget with a little frugal planning. It’s worth it to enjoy this island paradise, even if you are watching your pennies. Maui No Ka Oi!
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We love to hike and when we are traveling we always set aside at least one day a week to hike and get out into nature. And during our recent visit to Maui we discovered another great hike to add to the many favorites we already have on this beautiful island. So today I thought I would share with you six great hikes on the island of Maui.
West Maui
West Maui
The area known as West Maui is home to Lahaina, Kaanapali, Napili and Kapalua. We spent six weeks exploring this area recently. Here are two of our favorite hikes.
Kapalua Coastal Trail
This trail can be busy but it’s worth it because it is so beautiful and definitely one of the six great hikes on the island of Maui. Parking can be difficult but look for street parking near the Napili Kai Resort, or paid parking at Kapalua Golf Course. Start the hike right at Merriman’s Restaurant where the trail heads north. The trail then winds through spectacular lava flows where you can see crashing waves and nesting shearwaters birds nesting. Follow the trail along the road at the Kapalua Golf Course and out to the Dragons Teeth Labyrinth. Round trip about 4 miles. Learn more here.
Kapalua Coastal Trail
The Village Course and Duck Pond
The Kapalua Golf Club closed one of their three courses in 2007. Today the cart paths of the defunct Village Course are a unique and somewhat eerie (and steep) walk through a golf ghost town. It’s astonishing actually how quickly nature has reclaimed this course, making the fairways essentially unrecognizable only eighteen years later. The walk is about four miles round trip at the top is Duck Pond, a nice stop to rest or picnic before returning down. Learn more here.
The Village Course Trail
South Maui
South Maui is usually defined as Kihei, Wailea and Makena. We have spent a great deal of time in this part of the island and we love it.
South Maui
La Perouse/Hoapili Trail
This is one of my favorites of the six great hikes on the island of Maui, but also a bit rough and difficult. Traversing over sharp lava beds, come prepared with the right shoes. It’s a hot and arid trail but provides some stunning views across to the Big Island of Hawaii. The trail is also a sacred trail for Hawaiians, once part of the King’s Highway that circled the island. Crossing the 300 year old lava field is a unique experience, if you are up for it I recommend it highly. Wear a hat and bring lots of water. Learn more here.
La Perouse Hoapili Trail
Central Maui
The region sometimes referred to as Central Maui is home to the airport in Kahului and the government seat city of Wailuku as well as malls, shopping and industrial areas.
Central Maui
Waihee Ridge
About a 7 mile drive north and west from Wailuku you find the parking area for the Waihee Ridge Trail. We have done this trail several times and had a wide variance in weather each time. Come prepared for rain, wind, fog or clear blue skies…you never know. Arrive early for parking. The trail goes up and up the green and beautiful ridge for about 2.5 miles and if you are lucky the views are phenomenal. Learn more here.
Waihee Ridge
Haleakala
The astonishing volcano Haleakala rises 10,000 feet (3048 meters) out of the island and can be seen from almost anywhere on the island. If you go to do either of these suggested hikes get an early start. Often the volcano is clear in the morning but clouds roll in later in the day. BE PREPARED, Haleakala can be very cold in the morning…cold enough to warrant a stocking cap and warm coat.
Haleakala
Sliding Sands
This is one of my favorite hikes on the island. Starting at the top of the volcano at the Visitor Information Center, Sliding Sands, as it’s name implies, is a red sandy trail that goes down inside the volcano crater. Don’t do more than you are capable of on this eleven mile round trip trail, because you need to come back up! Along this trail you will feel like you are on the moon. It’s beautiful, and you will also see the rare and endangered Silver Sword plant known only to grow in this volcano and the two volcanoes on the Big Island. Learn more here.
Sliding Sands and Haleakala Silver Sword
Halemau’u Trail
Approximately 14.2 miles up Highway 378 but before you reach the summit, you will see the Halemau’u Trail parking on the left side of the road. This trail often starts in the mist and clouds, but don’t despair. As you walk the ridge and then go down the rock face trail into the crater the weather usually warms and clears. There is a picnic area that is a good turn around point. Or you can hike all the way through to Sliding Sands and back up to the Visitor Center. But you will need to either have two cars or someone to bring you back to the Halemau’u parking area. Learn more here.
Halemau’u Trail
Maui Hikes
These are just a few of the many hikes available on the beautiful island of Maui. No matter your hiking skill level you can find a walk or hike on this island. If you are looking for additions to the six great hikes on the island of Maui check this out.
Time to go. After a wonderful (but wet) two and a half months back in the USA with family and friends it’s now time for us to continue year nine of the Grand Adventure. We have enjoyed our time back “home” but we are looking forward to warmer climates, returning to some favorite places as well as some brand new adventures. So for all of you who have been asking, let me tell you – Here We go – The Grand Adventure.
Circumnavigate the Globe
Around the world we go
I don’t think this has ever happened before, but this itinerary has us traveling westbound the entire time. Starting in Seattle January 16 and circling the earth returning to Seattle May 4th. Our westward journey has us visiting seven countries (three brand new to us) over the next four months. Our itinerary is below…I hope you will follow along. Here we Go – The Grand Adventure.
Maui
First stop the island of Maui
Returning to Maui, one of our favorite places in the world, we will spend three weeks relaxing and soaking up the sun in Kihei, Maui, Hawaii USA. We have visited Maui many times, so this time we will focus on golf and hiking. We don’t plan to do much of anything as far as touristy sites. We just love the beauty of Maui, despite how expensive it can be.
Rarotonga, Cook Islands
A new to us country!
A new to us destination, we are looking forward to a week at a resort on the island of Rarotonga. We loved our visit a few years ago to French Polynesia and we thought this time we would try another South Pacific location. It’s very easy to get from Hawaii to the Cook Island, and also easy to continue on from there to our next destination of Australia.
Melbourne, Australia
We fell in love with Melbourne last year
This will be our third visit to Australia, one of our favorite countries in the world. It is a huge and diverse place and our previous experiences have been very positive. This time, we will spend an entire month in the city of Melbourne with a couple road a trips planned from there. It will be summer in Australia – and likely hot – but we are ready to enjoy a longer stay in this beautiful city, the largest city in Australia.
Singapore
A brief visit
Singapore is a international hub, and we have passed through this beautiful city/state twice before. This time we only have two quick nights, but it’s enough to see a couple of sites and eat some of the amazing food before our flight to…
Bhutan
Thrilled to be on my way to Bhutan
Long on my dreaming of places, I am absolutely thrilled to finally be visiting the unique and beautiful country of Bhutan. It’s taken us a while to get to this destination…partly due to it’s remote location and also due to how expensive it can be. But we are ready to tick this long awaited destination off of our wish-list with a private nine day tour.
Bordeaux, France
Lots of wine in my future
We love France but the region of Bordeaux has eluded us on all our previous visits. This time we have rented an Airbnb for an entire month and look forward to getting to know this region well…and of course drink some wine along the way. When we leave Bordeaux we plan to take a train to Paris, with several days along the way in Lyon, Dijon and then finally…
Luxembourg
Somehow I have skipped over Luxembourg in the past
When I look at a map of Western Europe and where I have been there is a little tiny hole…that hole is Luxembourg. Time to tick that one off too. Luxembourg City looks so beautiful, my kind of fairy tale European destination and we have the time so lets see it. Compact and easy to maneuver, it will be a great way to end our trip. But first a stop in the City of Lights.
Paris
Beautiful Paris
Of course we can’t leave France without a couple of days in the beautiful city of Paris. Spring in Paris…what’s not to love? We look forward to visiting the newly reopened Notre Dame, visiting our friends, and of course…eating!! Then we catch a flight from CDG back to Seattle, completing circumnavigating the globe. Westward!
Thanks for reading my post Here We Go – The Grand Adventure. And thanks for all your continued interest in our travel adventures. I am looking forward to this itinerary which offers a lot of relaxation and adventure too. Longer stays than last year’s travel and I like that. Perfect. But, it’s likely I will not have a travel post every Friday…but I will post as often as I can. Meanwhile DO NOT MISS our annual Travel Awards blog post for 2024. You can read it on Friday January 24th. It’s an annual favorite and a must read.
Here we go – The Grand Adventure continues. Buckle up!
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This was my second time visiting the sparkling city of Singapore. Our first visit five years ago was only for a couple of days. So when we had a transiting opportunity to visit again we grabbed it. We spent five nights in Singapore this time, which gave us a perfect opportunity to return to some of our favorites, and discover lots of new things. Let’s talk about Sensational Singapore – A Visit to the Lion City.
Sensational Singapore – A Visit to the Lion City
The Lion City
Officially the Republic of Singapore, this island/nation city/state in it’s present form came to be in 1819. That’s when Stamford Raffles established Singapore as a trading post for the British Empire. But through the centuries prior to that, the region was a maritime stronghold through several empires. Singapore’s perfect location about one degree of latitude (137 kilometres or 85 miles) north of the equator, off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, bordering the Strait of Malacca to the west, the Singapore Strait to the south along with the Riau Islands in Indonesia, the South China Sea to the east, and the Straits of Johor to the north. (Wikipedia)
Singapore gained independence in 1965. Over the past fifty years Singapore has seen rapid growth and expansion as center for international trade and economic globalization. Today it is a sparkling city of high rises, fantastic tourist attractions, exceptional food, beautiful parks and gardens and a varied ethnic base. It also is home to the best airport in the world – Changi – definitely an important part of Sensational Singapore – A Visit to the Lion City.
Where to Stay
Singapore can be very expensive, but we found a really lovely hotel in a perfect location, central to most attractions. Our room at the Oasia Downtown was about $200 a night, more than we pay in most cities but a bargain in Singapore. We declined the $25 per person breakfast and instead easily found breakfast for $3 to $5 at the nearby Hawker Center…more about those in a minute.
Oasia Hotel Downtown
A bit of a view
Our Favorite Things to Do
We re-visited some of our favorite spots from our last visit, and discovered a few new spots as well. We had four full days, but you could easily see the city in less time, so just choose what is most important to you. There are a few things we wanted to do that we did not get to because of a big rain storm…but that leaves us something for next time!
Possibly the most popular thing to do as a visitor to Singapore, the fascinating Gardens by the Bay glowing trees, is a must. Each evening at 7:45 and 8:45 pm the trees perform a beautiful light show choreographed to music. There is also a sky walk, which we did before sunset, that offers great views of Sensational Singapore – A Visit to the Lion City. This is my favorite thing in all of Singapore.
We timed our visit to the Cloud Forest and Flower Dome perfectly, as we woke up to a deluge of a tropical storm. We took a Grab car (one of Singapore’s alternatives to Uber) to the Cloud Forest, and hardly got a rain drop on us, as Singapore has laid out this city with covered walkways to protect pedestrians from both rain and sun. The Cloud Forest is a fascinating domed tropical garden with waterfalls, and thousands of trees and tropical plants
Next door to the Cloud Forest is the colorful and cheerful Flower Dome. I love this place. Christmas decor was still up when we visited in January, but the festive flower displays change seasonally and so you can visit often and see something new each time.
Flower Dome
Flower Dome
Merlion at Marina Bay
The Merlion is the symbol of Singapore, and the statue with the cascading fountain is a gathering place. Each evening at 8:00 pm you can sit at the Merlion and enjoy a light show across the bay looking at the iconic Marina Bay Sands Resort.
Merlion
The lightshow looking across at Marina Bay Sands
Singapore Botanic Gardens
Located in the Tanglin neighborhood of Singapore and easily accessible by Metro (Napier stop), the Singapore Botanic Gardens is a beautiful space to wander with lovely lakes, ponds and plants and flowers. It is also home to the National Orchid Garden.
Lovely art as well as gardens
Singapore Botanic Gardens
Sentosa Island and Cable Car
There is a lot to do on Sentosa Island, including beaches and amusement parks. But we just took a leisurely ride on the cable cars for a wonderful view of the island and the city.
Looking at the city from Sentosa
The beach at Sentosa
China Town
Our hotel was situated on the edge of China Town and we spent some time walking around, looking at shops and the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, which is right across the street from the Maxwell Metro Station.
Budha Tooth Relic Temple
Chinatown
Arab Street
We had not visited Arab Street or the Muslim Temple on our last visit. There are many shops here and a ton of restaurants catering to the tourists. We ate a quick lunch at a Turkish Restaurant and also had quick visit to the Muslim Mosque.
I’m so glad we took time to visit the Peranakan Museum. Housed in a historic building that was formerly a school, the Peranakan Museum explores the culture known locally as Peranakan. The term refers to a person of mixed Chinese and Malay/Indonesian heritage. Many Singapore Peranakans trace their origins to 15th-century Malacca, where their ancestors were thought to be Chinese traders who married local women.
Once stigmatized and looked down on, today Peranakans are proud of the unique heritage and deep roots in Singapore.
Beautiful Building for the Peranakan Museum
Peranakan Museum
Little India
We only had a quick walk through colorful Little India, but it’s worth a visit if you have time. There are lots of restaurants and shops. On our visit locals were preparing for the upcoming Pongol Festival with lots of decorations and flowers being prepared.
Little India
Things We Did Not Do
Bumboat from Clark Quay
I really wanted to take the little Bumboat Tour from Clark Quay down the river to Marina Bay. But the night we planned to do it was too rainy. I’m gonna save it for next time.
On our last visit we went up to the top of Marina Bay Sands and had a drink in the bar. It was the most expensive gin and tonic of my life…but it was worth it for the view. We did not do it again this time, but if its your first visit to Singapore I recommend it.
Shopping
I’m not much of a shopper, but if you are, Singapore is your dream come true. There are many malls as well as sections of the city like Orchard Road, designed for shopping with everything you might need and want.
Where to Eat
Hawkers Centers
We love eating at the Hawkers Centers in Singapore: inexpensive, delicious and a big part of the local culture. We ate nearly all our meals at three different Hawkers Centers; Lau Pa Sat, Maxwell Center and Tanjong Pagar.
Hawker culture started in the 1800’s after Sir Stamford Raffles turned Singapore into a thriving port city. The Street Hawkers where often migrants from China, India, Malaysia, Indonesia and other lands. For them, street hawking was an easy way to earn a living as it required little capital.
Breakfast at Tanjong Pagar
Famous Chicken and Rice dish at Maxwell Center
After WWII and independence in 1965, effort was made to license and oversee the burgeoning hawker culture. In 1986 the government decided to open Hawker Centers, and move the hawkers into collective spaces. Today, the Hawker Centers are not only an inexpensive way to dine and enjoy a wide variety of ethnic foods, but these places are the gathering point for residents and visitors alike. Today Singapore is home to 119 Hawker Centers.
Dumplings at Lau Pa Sat
Satay Street at Lau Pa Sat
Lau Pa Sat is the largest and most well known. Excellent food 24 hours a day. And every night around 7pm (earlier on weekends), Boon Tat street on its SW side closes and becomes Satay Street. An absolute must not just for the food but for the atmosphere!
Kaya Toast
We also ate breakfast one morning at Tong Ah Eating House to try a Singaporean local favorite called Kaya Toast. I had read about this very simple breakfast enjoyed by locals and Tong Ah was an easy walk from our hotel. Kaya Toast is toasted bread with coconut “jam” served with two soft boiled eggs. Simple and delicious.
Kaya Toast
Served with strong and sweet coffee
Peranakan Cuisine
It was really fun to connect finally in person with a social media friend who lives in Singapore. We all enjoyed a wonderful Peranankan dinner at True Blue. The food was interesting and the company divine.
Slow Stewed Meat at True Blue
Dining in the Dark
I read about Nox Dining in the Dark and thought it would be something fun to try. Well, it was unique that’s for sure, but I don’t think I would do it again. You start with an amuse bouche and a drink in a bar with lights on, then you are taken to a completely dark room where you dine. Multiple courses served, some easily identifiable and others plain flabbergasting. Afterwards you guess what you ate and learn if you are right. You understand how much of the enjoyment of food is based on visual input once you don’t have that input!
I don’t remember ever recommending an airport as something to do at a destination before. But Changi Airport is a must. It’s big and beautiful with so many options for dining. If you have a layover, there are places to stay, shower, and play. There are gardens, a pool, a giant slide, arcade, art, butterflies and so much more. Make time for Changi as a layover, or like us, on our departure day we went several hours early. Most airlines offer early bag check to give you hands free time in this beautiful airport.
Changi Airport
Changi Airport
Sensational Singapore – A Visit to the Lion City
As one of the worlds major hubs, many flights make stops in Singapore. You will find connections to all of Asia, Australia, Europe and the USA. So be sure to add a few days in this fascinating, modern yet historic, and culturally enticing city. You’ll be glad you did.
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