Categories
General Hawai'i New Zealand New Zealand & The Pacific Voyage Journal

2017: A Year of Perseverance

Roaming the French Quarter
Roaming the French Quarter, New Orleans

2017 was one of the most difficult and life lesson learning kind of years for me. Leaving home early this year had me anticipating an incredible voyage spanning across the United States, Hawaii, & the South Pacific. I met amazing people, reconnected with old friends, connected with family for the first time. Couchsurfed and rode the train across the US and camped and hitchhiked around Hawai’i island.

San Francisco Historic Trolley
San Francisco Historic Trolley
San Francisco Golden Gate Bridge
San Francisco Golden Gate Bridge

Coffee on Amtrak, Houston to LA
Coffee on Amtrak, Houston to LA

Yosemite National Park
Yosemite National Park

Shaka at Makalawena Beach
Shaka at Makalawena Beach

But like life itself, things do arise and things happen. For me, my travels came to a dead halt nearly halfway through the year, rupturing my achilles tendon in a riverbed in Hawai’i, leaving me nearly off my feet for months and needing to have surgery. Recovering in Hawai’i was hard and I reached deep dark emotions nearly bringing me back to a familiar dark time in my life. But being there has allowed me to fall in love and call a beautiful place, home.

Achilles Tendon Post op Day 1
Achilles Tendon Post op Day 1

With my heart in Hawai’i and plans to return, my journey was set to continue in New Zealand once I got back on my two feet. Still in recovery mode, I managed to do what I did best once i arrived,, that is travel by whatever means necessary. I hitchhiked, journeyed with a travel mate via campervan, & finally lived yet another dream by buying a motorcycle. Seeing and enjoying all that New Zealand has to offer and eventually taking a break from the road, finding a job, and reflecting on what an incredibly wild yet amazing year it has been.

Tongariro Alpine Crossing New Zealand
Tongariro Alpine Crossing New Zealand
Te Paki Sand Dunes New Zealand
Te Paki Sand Dunes New Zealand

2017 was surely a year of perseverance! Despite hitting possibly one of the lowest points in my life. It’s this experience that has allowed me to have and enjoy more of the best things of my life. Doing more for me than taking away from me. My surgery allowed me to fully appreciate the little things in life. That is simply having the ability to walk, and move freely, whether its across a room or across a nation. Enjoying the beauty in everyone and everything around me in every way possible. And lastly, exploring areas of my heart I have never explored before.

To conclude, positive or negative experience, the right attitude, respect, kindness, patience, motivation and perseverance can do many wonders, bringing the right energy and people into your life to do wonderful and incredible things you never thought you could do!

Thank you for a wonderful year of growth 2017!

Pali Lookout O'ahu
Pali Lookout O’ahu

Ready for the next year of evolution! More love, more adventure, more cultural experiences, & more dreams to live in this beautiful world.

<3 Hello 2018 <3

Categories
Arizona General USA Utah

Wonders of the American Desert

Ive heard many things about experiencing the Grand Canyon and the surrounding areas and how it will change you. Although there are stressful factors in my life, i feel, how can i say? “pure”. I feel great. The air is so different than the east coast. Certainly nothing like a populated city.

First stop was Phoenix. After flying in from Jacksonville and Houston, my friend and I immediately in great need of food. So the first stop was an In n Out Burger joint in Tempe, Az. Ive had this before back in 05′ but I cant recall the deliciousness of the food. After i dropped of my car in Jax, i forgot my warm gear considering the desert gets down to 30 degrees while phoenix stays warm. My friend and i checked out a few shops. We didnt stay too long since we had a short time limit for our whole trip. From there we quickly drove right into Downtown and right out onto I17 north toward Flagstaff stopping at Montezuma Castle and Sedona for the red rocks scenery.

Downtown Phoenix
Montezuma Castle
Sedona

Next Day we took a long drive through Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado and driving through the Monument Valley in Utah .

Winslow Crater
Petrified Nat’l Park, Holbrook, Az
Driving through New Mexico
Laying on all four states at Four Corners Monument (AZ/CO/NM/UT)
Scenic Route 163 through Monument Valley, Utah
The Mittens and Merrick Butte

And for day three we took a day trip to the south rim of the breathtaking Grand Canyon. Stop at all points east of the main entrance. Yes i sat on the edge several times as much as i told myself i wouldnt. It was necessary. 🙂 Taking the drive toward Cameron and back south to Flagstaff we came across a smaller Canyon area along the way where I was able to yell and hear my echo 5 times over. It was the most amazing experience ever just like in the movies.

On the edge of the south rim
On the edge again
Nice Panoramic off of the Iphone
Having fun with Canyon echoes

Every person should visit the Grand Canyon at least once in there life time, including other desert activities. Overall my Arizona trip was beyond a success and i am glad i had someone with me to enjoy the memorable experience.