Category: Current Discussions

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Current Discussions General

Getting the COVID Vaccine (Moderna)| Reactions & Experience

Aloha everyone! As of last week, I am vaccinated despite having an insane amount of fear, doubt, and uncertainty. At the time I was offered the vaccine, the tier on O’ahu, Hawai’i was at the level where only those 75 and up could get it. Now I said OFFERED. Well, I work at a drug store (CVS) as a front store employee and got lucky enough to get a small batch remaining that were originally designated for Pharmacy techs and pharmacists. The window of opportunity was narrow to near non existent and I snagged an appointment at first opportunity. Mind you, I was still in doubt about getting it and well, I knew I could cancel the appointment at anytime.

However, I still went ahead with it thanks to my nurse mom in persuading me, breaking my own toxic fear, and knowing this will probably be of good use for world travel assuming some countries will require vaccination.

So my reactions and experiences I document in this blog to help reduce and cure any fear you all may have of the vaccine. ****Keep in mind, some will have zero symptoms, some will have similar like me, or have far worse.

Dose 1 – 2/18/21

Reactions

2-3 Hours after shot: Extreme fatigue

4+ hours: fatigue subsided

1-3 days after shot: Painful soreness over injection arm with lump. Red and tender to touch.

3 weeks after shot for a few days: Rash and itchiness over injection site.

Experience

I absolutely dreaded taking the vaccine shot as I thought I’d be completely subdued and unable to function the next day. But the first dose was a walk in the park for me. I felt super tired hours after and did nothing but want to lay down which I did. After a few hours laying down, I ate something and drank some tea and felt fine after. My arm was sore for a couple of days and hurt like hell if I rolled onto the side of the injection. I had whats called “covid arm” which is an unusual lump over injection site which I had for like 2 weeks. All was good until after the third week, my arm itched like hell for two days. After that I was fine and prepping for the dreaded second shot.

@aperezvoyages

My experiences and symptoms of Moderna dose ##1! 💉😅💪🏼 ##covidvaccinesideeffects ##covidvaccine ##covid19 ##vaccinated

♬ Blue Blood – Heinz Kiessling & Various Artists

@aperezvoyages

Dose 2 – 3/20/21

Reactions

2-3 hours after shot: Extreme fatigue. (Subsided after 3 hours)

8am-10am (next day): Disorientation, grogginess, feeling sick, insanely sleepy.

10am – 4:30pm: Went into work

11am – 1:30pm: Chills, fever, body aches, grogginess, fatigue, migraine, & rapid heartbeat.

1:30pm: Took two extra strength Tylenol, all symptoms subsided except migraine.

5-6:30pm: Slight aches and chills came back. Took hot shower & rested.

7pm: All symptoms subsided. Minor headache.

Next Day: Felt fine

1-3 days after shot: Soreness in arm. Small lump.

3 days and beyond: All good baby!

Experience

The second Moderna shot is everything I had anticipated and replicated all I’ve heard, it SUCKS. And that’s what it was for me, and four other colleagues that had the same shot also, it also sucked. Hours after I got the shot, I felt sleepy like the first shot but managed just fine. It was when I woke up the next morning where I felt like complete sh**. It took me 40 minutes to get out of bed and even when I did, I couldn’t comprehend what I needed to do next. I made the mistake of going to work as I felt the worst of my symptoms an hour into working for about 2 – 3 hours. I felt horrible! Had fever, chills, body aches, extreme fatigue, racing heart, dehydration, and worst of all, massive migraine. The hardest reaction to the vaccine was indeed the migraine. Tylenol & Ibuprofen helped everything else just fine but the headache I just couldn’t seem to shake. Even used peppermint essential oils to try and help. If I could say anything is most important, it’s rest. After I got home from work, I went into bed to rest and after I did, I felt so much better.

@aperezvoyages

💉Moderna vaccine dose ##2! Sweet Jesus this one is no joke 😩🤕🤯 ##covidvaccine ##covid19 ##vaccinated 🙌🏼 ##coronavirusvaccine ##covidshotsideffects

♬ Blue Blood – Heinz Kiessling & Various Artists

Special Checklist for Dose #2:

  • Tylenol to reduce fever
  • Ibuprofen for headaches
  • Peppermint Essential Oil to help with Migraine
  • Electrolytes and Lots of Water to Stay Hydrated
  • Rest!
  • Do not go to work like my dumbass did!

3 Reasons Why I CHOSE to Get Vaccinated

The paperwork I received after the shot has a special place stated that indeed, the vaccine isn’t proven to prevent COVID. Basically saying you lower your chances but don’t fully count on these shots bro! So many people can say what they want and make it all political and blah blah blah as there are so many arguments on getting this or not. But despite my fears and doubts, I got the vaccine because:

1: Overcoming Fear: I figured that fear would be more lethal than the vaccine itself.

2: MOM: My nurse mom simply persuaded me, multiple times

3: For World Travel: Vaccination may not be…or may it?….Be of need or use to travel in the near distance days of world travel.

Shakas in New Zealand

Whatever thoughts you may have on this vaccine, well you ended up here I am assuming… because you’re considering getting it, curious, or about to get it and looking into other peoples experiences on it. COVID sucks ass, like it…REALLY sucks according to friends and very close family members of mine. The way I look at it, I’d rather get symptoms of the vaccine and lessen my chances of COVID, then face COVID head on. Wouldn’t you too?

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Current Discussions General Inspiration

Post Pandemic World | 5 Destinations I’d Go For A Reset

Beach in American Samoa
Beach in American Samoa

“I can’t wait to travel when things go back to normal” is what I’ve heard a million times via social media. In my honest opinion, what the hell will normal be after Covid? A different one for sure is all I could say! I can’t wait to travel and hit the open road like I did pre-covid. But to be completely honest, even if vaccines are rolling out tomorrow (totally rolling out right now), it will take a long time for things to go back to how they used to be. What I mean is, having open borders across the board and having that freedom to roam. In my eyes, this next year might allow us to see travel again but not all borders will open up. Which had me question myself, what 5 destinations would I chose to visit IF all 5 fully opened up for travel. What places would I specifically choose to travel to not just for the sake of travel, but for a mental rebalance minus some of the strains of issues you might find in certain places? Like visa issues, scams, robberies, overprices tours. A place where the destination was simply all you needed. I have chosen 5 places, one-offs and short extended trips I would take for that post pandemic mental reset.

Here we go:

Alaska

Credit: thealaskalife.com

I am a little biased in this one as living in Hawai’i gives me a head start on a direct flight from the middle of the Pacific to the top of North America. But aside from my location advantage, there is something so overwhelmingly mysterious about Alaska in general. From it’s vast beautiful wilderness in the interior and islands to the cultures of it’s many tribes. It would not only be a badass place for a road trip in the right weather, but some incredible exploration in those national and state parks.

Bhutan

Credit: Brittanica

Bhutan is interesting as it’s the only country in the world to charge a fee per day to be a tourist in the country. $250USD per day allows you to be in Bhutan, allows you a personal guide, & accommodation. While this doesn’t allow for open ended travel freedom I would want post covid, I think it would still make for a fantastic one-off kind of trip in “the happiest country in the world.” My budget barely would allow for 4-5 days, but still….I would definitely go!

Azores Islands

Credit: Indietraveller

Maybe I have a thing for volcanic islands, let alone islands period. I mean I live in Hawai’i haha. The Azores islands are a volcanic archipelago similar to Hawai’i but part of Portugal. There are a total of 9 major islands and most of which have some incredible hiking trails and beautiful coastal scenery. There is also a strong spirituality I’ve found with volcanic destinations that has personally allowed me to cleanse my soul. So yea, this would be the perfect destination to shed the weight of a tough year and take it all in.

Faroe Islands

Credit: guidetofaroeislands

I hate places overhyped by social media, but if there is any exception to this for me other than Norway & Iceland, it’s the majestic out of this world beauty that the Faroe Islands have to offer. Faroe Islands aren’t very large but seems to be that the major islands are well connected by highways, bridges, and tunnels which make for one incredible road trip in a short period of time. And of course, those out of this world photographic stop offs overlooking jagged cliffs and inlets……😯 !!!!!!

New Zealand

Credit: Trail Explorers

For those who follow me already know that I have lived in New Zealand. And I am not hesitant to say that I am biased in this choice but I am. New Zealand is considered by many in the corner of the world and it is. This corner of the country is filled with endless beauty of high mountains, rolling hills, volcanoes, beaches, fjords, glacier lakes, subtropical rain forests, and Maori tradtion if culture is also your thing. Most importantly, there is so much land to simply enjoy and take in literally everywhere. Department of Conservation campground are nearly everywhere and set up for those avid outdoors people to campout or rv to take in all the nature. New Zealand was one of the best life decisions I’ve ever made, and wouldn’t hesitate to make it again.

To be honest and a tad bit realistic, this list would be much much longer but then that would be more of a discussion over coffee than a blog post. After all, this voyager could talk about the whole world. But for the sake of mental health, psychological balance, and a first step before transitioning RIGHT INTO world travel, I feel like trips like this in places like these would do justice for the soul after a hard year.

Nature of New Zealand
Road to Taranaki, New Zealand

Where would you go post pandemic to reset your travel soul?

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Current Discussions Voyage Journal

Going Home for the Pandemic Does Justice for the Soul

As I typically like to write posts that are aimed to benefit the reader, whether it’s tips, insight, or simply photos of a place or experience, I guess this is more of a long over due journaling sort of a deal. And if any of you out there have been away from home during the pandemic and miss home, this is for you. For those just reading because you enjoy my content, ALOHA. Here it goes…

Covid travel
Frisco Airport..En route to the Carolinas from Honolulu

April 2017, I set off what would be an extended open ended voyage that would bring me to X & Y plus Z ….Z being New Zealand. With the possibility of returning home, the intention was one way with a great chance of not coming back home for a while. I had traveled across the USA by train, hitched Big Island Hawai’i, got injured, stayed here (Hawaii), left for a year in New Zealand, five additional months across the Pacific Islands & at the time of writing, been two years of living in Hawai’i. My intended path beyond that included additional Pacific Islands I haven’t been to yet and Australia with a foggy vision of far Southeast Asian countries of Malaysia, Indonesia, etc etc.

travel map

That path has obviously changed dramatically having falling in love along the way calling Hawai’i home and a resting ground to save funds while also admittingly finding a belonging in the land of Hula. But after a point, I knew there was a time I had to go home to visit. After all in December 2019, it had been two and a half years since I left home and my family.

PANDEMIC STRIKES China that same month, and the months following, pandemic would straddle the globe with tight grips. Borders closed and hopes to travel again went from 10 to 0…FAST! I could have visited home prior to the pandemic but sacrificed that to tap on extra travel funds I needed. But add the stresses and anxieties of the pandemic with lockdowns, negative news, social distancing, quarantine showering on a daily basis, even that hope to see family fell through.

Last month I made the choice to go home not only because I needed to use vacation. And not only to see my family again, but my spirit & soul was longing for it for far too long. Early November, I caught flight from Honolulu-San Francisco-Chicago-Asheville & an hour drive later, I made it home. Nearly four years had gone by and I hadn’t been back. It was like my room was stuck in 2017 and my mind and spirit had experienced 10 years of travel and life in a matter of three and a half years. If that doesn’t make sense, read this quote:

So that you can see the place you came from with new eyes and extra colors. And the people there see you differently, too. Coming back to where you started is not the same as never leaving.

Terry Pratchett

I got to see my family after a year since they came to Hawai’i. But nothing is like being with them within the confined of your home. We have three dogs, two of which i missed insanely, and one I had met for the first time. Two cats I also reconnected with, one of them being my dear Goldi, my cat I rescued 10 years ago in Florida. I walked in the house and before I could call her name, she cried out for me. like not a day went by for three and a half years. We enjoyed outings like a short hike, a couple of restaurant favorites for me to try, a drive up the mountains, and a short getaway to Dollywood in Tennessee. (I’m still shocked we did that with rising COVID cases.)

But it’s not what we did and where we went that I was anticipating the most. It was the Anthony Perez, personal, deep rooted re-centering of self kind of trip I was anticipating and needed for so got damn long. Arriving home the first few days was just weird and obviously felt so out of place. My old car I had sold to my step dad went from 70,000 miles to 125,000. Several lots in the community had been built on or cleared for building. My room had been rearranged and cleared up to make dusting as easy as possible. Having gone through endless bins, drawers, clothes, and shelfs to get rid of shit I really didn’t care to have anymore.

It was this deep cleaning and hard work that really allowed me to go to the core of my very existence. Reminders of myself, why I am here, and what purposes I serve in life. I had gone through so many things I’ve saved in my life, from homework assignments in elementary, Six Flag stuffies, coin collections, books, photos, old harddrives, & my favorite of all, 9 years worth of travel I had brought back home or shipped home to keep. From beer bottles with sand, pamplets, magnets, maps, international currency, you name it. It was these moments scattered across 15 days back home that brought me so much peace during a time of chaos. But even without the Pandemic, sometimes in order to know where we wish to go, we need to look back at where we have been. And this trip defined that on so many levels.

Here are some pics of basically, some of my life.

Some of my early blogging hahaha

I can live anywhere in the world, from Portland, Oregon to the banks of the Nile in Egypt, there truly is nothing like home and not only the peace you can have in a vibrant world, but the re-centering of who you are. Leaving home was hard as saying goodbyes has always been difficult. But overall, I felt some semblance of completion. I have no idea what future travel will look like for me, where and when that will happen. All I know is, is that when that time comes, I will be ready!

Caesars Head South Carolina
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Current Discussions General Hawai'i Oʻahu

3 Ways Pandemic Benefited Hawai’i

hawaiian sea turtle Hawaii coronavirus pandemic

As we are currently (Time of writing Mid-August) dealing with a second coronavirus outbreak and terrifyingly four times worse than our first outbreak, it only bounds me more to write and reflect on the overall experience with Covid in Hawai’i. While it’s a blessing to live amongst community and aloha, these islands are still as vulnerable to negativity, fear, and of course the horrible truth that people’s lives in Hawai’i are being torn apart from the outside in. People have lost their jobs, waiting for unemployment, dealing with the fear of getting sick and the news on COVID, children not being able to socialize and go back to school. I mean just think of our young generation and not enjoying the most important parts of their lives, education & friends. It’s bad enough that tourism is the prime source of revenue for Hawai’i and that has been striped down to nothing.

While this blog post may seem insensitive to the shitty realities this state has faced and is facing, sometimes we just have to look at some of the positive impacts this pandemic has had when lockdown was at its prime. And because it’s likely that we may end up on another lockdown, I anticipate a few things bound to happen just like the first outbreak that have actually been beneficial to life here.

Where’s the traffic?

Credit: Civil Beat

While this may apply mostly to O’ahu, it’s not overselling to say that having zero traffic on the roads was a serious breath of fresh air. I’m not just talking about the ease of driving to work (for some of us who did continue working). I’m pointing out at how much better and cleaner the air quality seemed during that “stay at home” order. No local traffic for the 9-5’s, less buses, no rental cars, and definitely no trolleys and tour guides. Outer islands like Kaua’i, Maui, & Big Island, I’m sure had a break on the roads as well. Living in Honolulu during the pandemic has also been amazingly quiet as noise pollution has been to a bare minimal, reminiscent to what the outer islands are like. That includes far less noise emited from incoming and outgoing airplanes. One thing I had noticed also, was more interesting birds flying around and singing in my backyard and in the street. Honestly, it was pleasant.

A Hawaiians Hawai’i

Locals picking up seaweed and rubbish on a beach near Waimanalo.

Not trying to put myself in the light as a Hawaiian as I am not Kanaka nor was I born here. But looking from the outside in, not only did the ‘aina (land) need a break from tourism, but so did locals. Although so many had lost their jobs, local residents did have the once in a lifetime opportunity to enjoy their local beaches and sites to themselves. Not bashing tourism as I was once a tourist & tourism brings money to these islands. But it was truly amazing to see everyone here enjoying a bit of peace from the stress all to themselves. There are no tour buses, no tour guides with loud speakers, no rental cars and hoards of people racing for selfies. It was everyday people enjoying their beaches, their surfing, their hikes. Even just the knowing that there was no tourism allowed you the chance to realize this/these was our island/islands. The Hawaiian islands honest get pumped with tourism through overcommercialism and this unrealistic idealism that this is a paradise and a place to run away to. But Hawai’i already has it’s own problems and Covid just adds onto it. The people here needed a break from it and they sure got it!

Streetside fruit vender in the North Shore.

Honu Can Breathe

hawaiian sea turtle
Honu swimming along in Maui

Hawai’i is a sad and unfortunate example of over-tourism. If you look at Hanauma Bay as an example, the reef has been damaged due to the amount of visitors it gets daily and that’s not including coral bleaching. Hanauma Bay has also been an example at showing what zero tourism can do to help marine life flourish as shown here on Civil Beat.

hanauma bay beach park tourism
Hanauma Bay on a normal day of tourism
hanauma bay beach coronavirus closed
Hanauma Bay on a Tuesday, the only day of the week the park is closed.

In general, no tourism plus beach and park closures meant that marine life has had a chance to live freely. In Venice, one of the most congested travel destinations, had dolphins swimming in the canals. Hawaiian Monk Seals and Hawaiian Sea Turtles have finally had the chance to live freely undisturbed by any kind of human traffic. That goes the same for beaches in Hawai’i that is frequented by tourism like clockwork. Waikiki is by far one of the most manipulated and destroyed beaches in Hawai’i and often has sand replaces and fixed for tourists to enjoy. But marine and coral off of the beach has also had the chance to regrow and live freely as tourism central has been a ghost town.

waikiki beach sand coronavirus
Example of Waikiki Beach erosion. Credit: Star Advertiser

Today, I went to the beach for a quick de-stressing swim now that beaches and parks are closed and just couldn’t help but take a panorama to compare what it was like during our stay-at-home order in April to our situation now.

Hawai’i beach pandemic
Mid April during statewide quarantine
Hawai’i beach pandemic
Mid August during O’ahu’s island wide shut down of parks and beaches.

The situation here is dire and 10 times worse than the original outbreak which seems to indicate that we might be going back to square one into lockdown. If there is anything more psychologically damaging and stressful, it’s living through this all over again. People are still without jobs and some of us like myself still working are taking a beating with hour cuts yet expenses remain high. So much aloha and a sense of community yet the fear is still high. We all miss a big sense of normalcy but normalcy right now means high risk while this pandemic is still ongoing.

But in the light of all the darkness surrounding us, I guess this allows for more opportunity for these island to have more of a break. Energy use may be up in quarantine but I read that there are opportunities to promote sustainable energy. Traffic will come down to a minimal promoting better air quality. Our beaches will go back to being clean and uncrowded. And our reef and marine life will have much more time to live a more natural quality life. God bless, stay safe, and ALOHA!

kualoa beach park
Relaxing at Kualoa Beach park in between covid outbreaks.
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Current Discussions Inspiration Voyage Journal

Replanning Travels Due to Coronavirus | Self-reflection & Insight

Deadman's Catwalk Oahu Hawaii

A Trip that Could Have Been

July the 8th, 2020 would have been the very day I would have set forth on my next extended voyage for the Pacific Islands bound for Australia. By now (at the time of writing- mid July) I would be exploring Tutuila island or the outer islands in American Samoa with a trajectory onward to Samoa, Tokelau, and a select number of Pacific Islands before heading to Australia for my working holiday visa. But that has changed, thanks to the global pandemic and ongoing resurgence of new infections, travel isn’t happening.

American Samoa has one of the toughest restrictions being closed off from the outside world. But that goes for just about 90% of the world’s countries, territories, and commonwealths. Travel is completely on hold and alike many adventurers out there around the world, no one is going anywhere. Unless it’s within your own country or like Europe’s Shengen Area. Doesn’t matter if you’re confident about traveling or not, it’s just not practical at the moment. Restrictions, quarantine, many businesses being shut down, having to wear a mask and sanitize. Let alone getting scrutinized about traveling period. It’s not the right time!

Credit: KHALED DESOUKI/AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES

In all honesty, I’ve have had hope these coming weeks to make this trip happen even if it meant wearing a mask and having to sanitize. But I just wasn’t realistic with myself: people were still getting sick and dying from a second outbreak, businesses are mostly closed, flights and transport is cut in half to minimal to NONE, and no one feels safe taking in a traveler let alone getting close to one.

Wanna try couchsurfing? I think not.

Hostel? Hell no

As hope diminished by the week leading to the first week of July, I’ve dealt with utter and complete sadness and even depression. I’m being completely honest and transparent! I am no different from Kara & Nate to an average small Youtuber like myself. Kara & Nate may have the following, but I am sure this is affecting them mentally and psychologically as well irregardless to how sustainable they are with their content. It’s affecting all of us!

BUT alike all trials I’ve faced in my travels, there is always a bright side. Hell, ask all well traveled voyagers out there who have experienced strife while traveling, how they managed hard falls on the road. It’s not so much about what happens, but about how you deal with it and find a way to make your situation better which allows for a better path down the line.

Create New Plans to be Excited For

stairway to heaven haiku stairs oahu hawaii hike

Travel within Your Means

While we take for granted what is all around us, this is most important during this time. I live in Hawai’i and while that’s extreme of an example being that this is one of the most beautiful parts of the world, I still found myself in need to take advantage of what surrounds me even more. I went on more hikes, went to the beach more, took a drive around the island, visited my favorite Hawaiian museum, and enjoyed more mini picnics at the park facing the mountains here. Even managed to get my Open Water Scuba Dive certification this past week! Hell of a way to set up for experiences underwater once travel opens back up.

scuba diving hawaii honolulu oahu
In between dives in Honolulu during pandemic.

This is no greater time to truly understand Hawai’i and give back to the culture. I’ve recently pushed a greater priority to learn more about Hawaiian culture, history, and language by taking online Hawaiian lessons at least once a week. I am currently looking into joining a Halau Hula (at the appropriate time) which is a school to learn to dance hula.

@aperezvoyages

I have so much love and respect for everything Hawai’i🌺 Let’s connect! #hawaii #fyp #foryou #hawaiilife #culture #olelohawaii #pacificislands #aloha

♬ Makee ‘Ailana – Dennis Pavao
TikTok I created to connect with locals on Tiktok. Also to show and share purpose living here by giving back.

Travel out of your means (Brainstorming Plan B, C, & D)

Experiences that turned out better due to rapid change in plans. (Left:Tour of Funafuti Lagoon, Tuvalu / Right: Motorbiking South Island of New Zealand)

While travel is a no go at the moment and plans being canceled or postponed, that allows for new and further research on what could be once travel opens back up. With more time to plan, my trip might turn out to be ten times better and I am no stranger to this. Back in 2017, I injured my achilles tendon canceling my first initial Pacific Islands trip to New Zealand. I stayed in Hawai’i for four total months meeting and staying with my current girlfriend before flying straight to New Zealand. By doing so I allowed myself enough funds for my dream motorcycle in New Zealand and the ability to see the country without having to glance at my funds much. This also allowed me to research more about the Pacific Islands giving me much more appreciation and love enough to have 10 times better of a trip than planned. Much more realistic and allowed me the ability to grow enough to have the courage to wing it to the second.

Still waiting on my drone so credit to: https://vimeo.com/160758166

This is exactly what I foresee happening with my next trip. Covid has allowed me to rethink some things about my content. Last week I bought a drone and about to buy a GoPro 8. I am also considering upgrading my video to a DSLR camera for better quality videos. In this time, I’ll be focusing on projects around Hawai’i that will enhance my documenting experience to the next level. I’ve been seeking out ways I can be more sustainable, and this time might be the calling for this to be possible. Who knows…

Possible travel path after exploring Australia with more Pacific Islands

As for the travel path, it looks to remain relatively the same. However, if I grow in the way I wish, I might find that sustainability to have a more continuous travel path beyond the original plan. Traveling to Australia as originally planned but having the ability to work remotely. Continuing on beyond Australia to more Pacific Islands having complete freedom.

Why am I rambling about this?

Because I know whoever is reading this, might be able to relate and had to rethink and replan because of this. I just hope to set some form of an example that despite the sadness and depression of this all, this is nothing but a means to make something good, GREAT! Hell….effing awesome!

Deadman's Catwalk Oahu Hawaii

I pray that you all are doing well and staying positive. I know it’s been a hell of a rough journey both emotionally and psychologically for me as I’m sure it has been for you. I do hope that the imagery, flashbacks, and positive words and energy helps to promote a healthy mindset during this time. Please do feel free to comment below or message me anywhere throughout my social media. I love to connect with all of you and build a community. 🙂

Aloha

A.P.