Monterey, California Travel Guide

Sitting on California’s central coastline is the city of Monterey. It is an easy 2-hour drive from San Francisco and a scenic 5-hour drive north from Los Angeles. Perched on the edge of the marine sanctuary, twice the depth of the Grand Canyon and larger than Yellowstone, for a long time the wild majesty of Monterey has humbled those who have walked her shores. This is a place where the upwelling of Pacific currents lifts plenty of mystery and sea life onto the shore. It is also a place where the breath of the sea shapes both wood and stone and has stirred the imaginations of writers and artists like John Steinbeck and Salvador Dali.

In 1846, the flag of the US was raised over the Custom House, marking the end of California’s Mexican and Spanish chapters. Delegates from different parts of California gathered at Colton Hall three years later to draft the first constitution of the state.

Visit the Monterey State Historic Park to continue your journey through the early days of the city. You can also go on a self-guided tour to see how it breathes life into the adobe and brick buildings where the port’s whales once relaxed and lived.

While whale oil fueled the Monterey’s early prosperity, the greatest riches of the city was brought by a smaller sea creature. Wander down Cannery Row to the processing plants that once tinned and steamed billions of sardines every year, earning Monterey the title of the world capital of sardine.

But a new wave of prosperity – hospitality soon replaced this. Today restaurants and gift shops fill the former canneries with the largest of them now home to the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Head down to Old Fisherman’s Wharf when you are ready for your own seafood dinner. You can sign up for a fishing charter and you will soon start filleting your own catch.

This city has a knack for making old things useful again. Walk the Peninsula Recreational Trail from Fisherman’s Wharf. This follows the former tracks of the Southern Pacific Railway. Or head east to the Del Monte Beach graceful arc. Then continue a little further into the floral displays and the ever-shifting sands of the Fort Ord Dunes State Park. The trail also heads north to Pacific Grove from Fisherman’s Wharf.

Enjoy the sheltered and warm sands of Lovers Point Beach or visit the Point Pinos Light, where in 1878 Robert Louis Stevenson was entertained by a lighthouse keeper. There is no doubt that a visit to Monterey and the shores nearby is a lesson in the futility of searching for the perfect adjective – the ideal hashtag.

Three Things That You Should Not Do When Packing a Carry-On Bag

Packing a carry-on bag sounds pretty easy, right? Well, we are sorry to break it down to you like this, but packing a carry-on bag is not as easy as it may sound. In order to do it properly, you need to have the right packing skills. You see, packing a carry-on bag is not just something that you do before hitting the road – it’s an art. A wise traveler will know how to balance the requirements of airlines and airport security, as well as how to keep all the important items easily accessible. And now, here are some of the most common mistakes that travelers from all over the world make when packing a carry-on bag!

Bringing Liquids Larger Than 3.4 Ounces
Don’t bring any liquids or gels that are larger than 3.4 ounces. For example, if you are traveling with a full-size bottle of shampoo, make sure to put it in your checked bag – never put it in your carry-on bag. What this means is that if you are going to pick up a bottle of water for the plane, make sure to do it after you have passed the security check, not before. Keep in mind that there are a few exceptions to this rule, including food for infants, as well as essential medications.

Packing Too Much Stuff
You already know that checked bags are subject to additional fees if they are oversized or overweight, right? But did you know that carry-on bags are not always safe from this either? Well, now you do! Because of that, your best solution is to buy a small luggage scale if you don’t already have one. You can use this scale to weigh your carry-on bag before leaving the home. It is much much easier to discard unnecessary items at your home than at the airport counter, isn’t it?

Bringing a Gun Or Any Other Weapon
Don’t put any prohibited items in your carry-on bag. This includes things such as guns and explosives, as well as any other item that could be used as a weapon. Scissors should be okay as long as the blades are not longer than 4 inches.

How Transformational Travel Affects Your Mind

What is transformational travel? Transformational travel is any travel experience that has the ability to empower you to make at least one meaningful, lasting change in your life. This can sound pretty weird for anyone who is not really familiar with the way transformational travel works, but if you fancy yourself an experienced world traveler, the concept of this type of travel is well worth exploring. Now, we all know that travel in any form can be very meaningful, right? Of course it can, but do you know what the main difference between transformational travel and any other type of travel out there is?

For anyone who is just starting out as a traveler, there doesn’t necessarily have to be any difference at all. However, what makes transformational travel so special and unique is the fact that it is not only about where you go or who you go with, but it is about tapping into the potential of that trip to affect your mind in a positive way that lasts for a very long time. As you can see, the process of this type of travel is about doing something that opens your mind in such a way that it simply refuses to close back up again once you get back to your daily routine. Pushing yourself beyond your comfort zone is one thing, but using that experience to grow as a person is something completely different!

The Benefits of Transformational Travel
There is a number of different advantages to embarking on a transformational travel adventure. The benefits of transformational travel are constantly changing, but what it mostly depends on is what you hope to gain from your trip. Doing things that push you outside of your comfort zone is one of the main parts of transformational travel. Another thing that you need to know about this type of travel is that not only do your surroundings impact you, but you impact them as well. That being said, make sure to impact your surroundings in in a nice, eco-friendly way.

What You Need To Remember
The key to having a successful transformational travel experience lies in your ability to endure any uncomfortable situations that you may have to face during the trip. When on a transformational travel adventure, it is very important for you to grow as a person. With that said, if you have never went on a transformational travel journey in your life, you should definitely do so as soon as possible!

How To Make a Long Road Trip With Kids Fun

More often than not, family vacations involve hitting the road, and the journey is typically just as fun as the destination itself. However, traveling with kids can be a little bit different. Have you ever been told how traveling with kids will be hard once you become a parent? Or maybe you have been told how traveling with kids is not as simple as grabbing a durable backpack and hitting the road?

If you are not a parent yet, it is pretty much safe to say that your life will completely change once you become one. But that doesn’t necessarily mean that you will have to stop traveling. There are many young families, like the owners of Albatross Roofing who own a flat roofing company in Edmonton, who frequently travel with their kids. You will just need to spend a little bit more time on preparing and packing for your trips. That being said, here are some things that you can do to make a long road trip with kids fun!

Take Your Time
It is not easy to have fun when you are in a rush. Enjoying the journey is part of the experience. This is especially the case when you are traveling with kids. There are so many interesting things to see along the way, which is why you should take a break every few hours to explore the area that is in front of you. It can get pretty uncomfortable for kids to be in a car seat for long periods of time, and the main reason why is because most kids are used to running around and playing with their friends rather than just sitting.

Play With Your Kids
If there is no rest area in sight, and the food supply has already been exhausted, grabbing a brand new toy could be just what you need to do to make your kids happy. Toys can keep kids occupied for long periods of time. What you need to do is pick up a brand new toy and give it to your kid once you hit the road.

Pack For Everyone
Make sure to pack a bag for each member of your family that is going to be involved in the trip. Don’t forget anyone! After all, you don’t want to arrive at your destination only to discover that you forgot to pack your kid’s favorite toy, do you?

6 Interesting Things to Do in Cebu

Cebu City is a fast progressive metropolis of the South that is why it is called the Queen City of the South. Its long history dates back further than most cities in the Philippines. It is a delightful mix of the glorious past and the ambitious innovations of the present. Aside from being a gateway to the central and southern part of the country, the city itself has a lot of activities to offer. Here are the things you should do when you’re in Cebu.

CEBU SAFARI AND ADVENTURE PARK

The newest tourist destination and also the biggest safari and adventure park in the Philippines. It is not your typical zoo with cages because what you see are animals roaming almost freely in a makeshift natural environment. It has international standards that are mostly similar to Singapore Zoo with trams that take you from one area to another, restaurants scattered around major parts and free bird show daily. Kids of all ages would surely love a whole day with the animals.

SKY EXPERIENCE ADVENTURE

This skyscraper in the heart of Osmena Boulevard is a must-visit place for the thrill seekers because they offer extreme urban sky adventure. Edge Coaster lets you enjoy the city skyline on the edge of the 38th floor, you can even adjust the degree of tilt of your seat for a more extreme ride. Sky Walk Extreme is basically walking in the sky because you’ll walk outside the 37th floor of the building on a glass walkway but with safety harness intact. Tower Zip is an urban zipline 500-feet up and across two city buildings.

SM SEASIDE CITY CEBU

Shopping in Cebu is an upgraded experience with so many shopping malls but the newest shopping center now is the SM Seaside City. A gigantic shopping mall beside the sea brings a whole new shopping experience to locals and tourists alike. Aside from branded shops, the mall offers the only ice skating rink in Cebu, Director’s Club Cinemas, Centerstage Theater, an 18-lane bowling center, and a rooftop Sky Park where you can dine and enjoy the view of Cebu.

BASILICA MINORE DEL STO NINO DE CEBU

It holds the title of the oldest Roman Catholic Church in the Philippines and stands on the ground where the Santo Nino statuette was found. Everyday hundreds of faithful Catholics and tourists visit the place and every January is the feast of Santo Nino known to the world as Sinulog Festival. The influx of tourists and devotees triple every third week of January to join the festivities and merrymaking.

WHITE SAND BEACHES

You will have a hard time choosing one beach from another because there is just so many beautiful beaches from North to South. The waters are also home to a teeming marine ecosystem which is a good avenue to see underwater creatures. Whale sharks and thresher sharks are just some of the unique fishes you can see in the waters of Cebu.

FOOD

Food is never a problem in the streets of Cebu, you can go food tripping anytime you want because there is always a restaurant somewhere. But this bustling city is famous for their spit-roasted whole pig with crispy pork skin and super tasty pork meat. It is a popular dish served during Filipino fiestas and it is almost everybody’s most-awaited dish in every gathering.