In this post, we will review Paradise Cove Luau, and compare it to other luau options in Oahu, Hawaii. We’ll share photos from our experience, discuss whether we think the luau offered good value for money, and provide some other tips and thoughts about attending a ‘traditional’ Hawaiian luau in Oahu. If you’re like us, […]
Lava Viewing at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
/60 Comments/in Reports, Tips & Tricks Hawaii, National Parks /by Tom BrickerRecently, we hiked out to see the “firehose flow” at Kīlauea Volcano’s Kamokuna ocean lava entry in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. This post is about our experience hiking out to the viewing area, along with some photos of the lava entering the ocean. I’ll also provide some lava viewing & photography tips, and recommendations for […]
Paradise Cove Review & Luau Tips
/20 Comments/in Dining, Things to Do Hawaii /by Tom BrickerIn this post, we will review Paradise Cove Luau, and compare it to other luau options in Oahu, Hawaii. We’ll share photos from our experience, discuss whether we think the luau offered good value for money, and provide some other tips and thoughts about attending a ‘traditional’ Hawaiian luau in Oahu. If you’re like us, […]
The Real Highlight of Wailuku River State Park (Hint: It’s Not a Waterfall)
/13 Comments/in Things to Do Hawaii /by Tom BrickerWailuku River State Park on the Big Island of Hawaii is well-known for Waianuenue (Rainbow Falls), a neat waterfall just outside of Hilo. From the parking area at Wailuku State Park, there is an easily-accessible viewing area that gives guests a view of the 80-foot Rainbow Falls, which derives its name from the frequent rainbows […]
Hiking Switzerland: Bachalpsee Lake
/9 Comments/in Reports Switzerland /by Tom BrickerThe hike from First (via Grindelwald) to Bachalpsee Lake in the Jungfrau region of Switzerland is one of the best “value” options for mountain experiences in the Bernese Oberland. It has a mountain lake, glaciers, breathtaking peaks, and even wildflowers. In this post, I’ll share my experience doing this hike, and what led us to […]
Dole Plantation Review & Tips
/26 Comments/in Things to Do Hawaii /by Tom BrickerThe Dole Plantation advertises itself as Hawaii’s preeminent “pineapple experience” and one of the most popular draws on the island of Oahu, welcoming over one million visitors per year. In this post, I’ll share some of my photos from Dole Plantation, thoughts on whether it’s worth your time, and what’s worthwhile here. First, I want […]
Seeing Space Shuttle Endeavour
/9 Comments/in Things to Do California, L.A., SoCal /by Tom BrickerThe Space Shuttle Endeavour Exhibit at the California Science Center is one of the top things to do in Los Angeles, and an experience that I cannot recommend highly enough. In this post, I’ll share some of my photos and thoughts on the emotional (really!) experience of beholding Endeavour in person. Few things capture our […]
Best Places to Eat Near Acadia National Park
/17 Comments/in Dining National Parks /by Tom BrickerIf you like lobster and seafood, you’ll find a lot of great restaurants in Bar Harbor & Mount Desert Island, Maine, all of which are near Acadia National Park. We are big lobster fans, so on our visit to Maine, we made sure to have lobster for every single meal. Literally. Lobster for breakfast, lobster […]
Himeji Castle Review & Tips
/10 Comments/in Things to Do Japan, Kyoto /by Tom BrickerOne of my all-time favorite experiences in Japan was our visit to Himeji Castle during cherry blossom season. In this post, we’ll detail our experience making a day-trip from Osaka to Himeji, as well as review the castle relative to other comparable places in Japan (including whether it’s worth your time if you have to […]
Hogwarts Castle Photo Tour
/7 Comments/in Photo Osaka, Universal Studios, USJ /by Tom BrickerThis post offers a photo tour of Hogwarts Castle at Universal Studios Japan, both inside and outside, to showcase this impressive feat of theme park design. This castle is home to Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey at Universal’s Islands of Adventure, Universal Studios Hollywood, and Universal Studios Japan theme parks. All of the interior […]
Robot Restaurant Redux
/11 Comments/in Things to Do Japan, Tokyo /by Tom BrickerA lot has changed in the 3 years since we first visited the Robot Restaurant. The same week we originally reviewed the Robot Restaurant, Anthony Bourdain profiled it on Parts Unknown. It thereafter received a flurry of media coverage (what can we say–people love dancing robots!) and has even since been featured in commercials for Expedia and a […]