Maroon 5 – Red Pill Blues Tour at Amalie Arena (Tampa, FL)

The last time I went to a Maroon 5 concert was when I was still living in San Diego, CA. Adam Levine and his band played at the Del Mar Fairgrounds as their Songs About Jane album was still on the rise in the Billboard charts. By the end of 2004, the album was Ranked 15 on Billboard 200. Read More

Creating a Miniature Garden Terrarium with Succulents (Plant City, FL)

I wouldn’t call myself a gardener or claim to have a green thumb. I’ve never touched soil in my life. Honestly, I was gifted succulents once before as a house warming gift and unfortunately, they died. One of the plants that needs minimal maintenance died. “Hi, my name is Maya and I have killed succulents…” I imagine saying at an – I Suck at Gardening Group. I spotted an Instagram announcement (@parkesdale) about a Terrarium Workshop. Thought to myself, “This is where the tides change. I will put my best foot forward and give succulents another go.” Read More

Video: Learning to Make Fire for the First Time

Bill found two survival items while cleaning out his office: #1: Magnesium Flint keychain and #2: P38 (emergency can opener). Then, a lightbulb went off in his head. He remember how we experienced an Epic Fail in making fire while on safari in South Africa. It was as good a time as any to learn for future nature and wildlife adventures. See how he did with alittle imagination. Read More

Airbnb: Belle Vista Hotel – John’s Pass (Madeira Beach, Florida)

Friends we made on our recent Caribbean cruise… and whom we adventured together Snorkeling to the Antilla Ghost Shipwreck in Aruba… brought their boat to John’s Pass and extended us an invite. They found a rental property a few steps away from John’s Pass Village and Boardwalk which had its own boat dock (for an extra fee). It’s always great to discover another area only an hour’s drive away from home. If interested in a coastal vacation in the Tampa area, this is a great spot. Read More

Why Visit Lion Country Safari (West Palm Beach, Florida)?

We heard about this Drive-Thru Safari Adventure from our stay at La Quinta Inn where we had stayed prior to our cruise. This morning, we disembarked our 11-night Southern Caribbean Cruise, from Port Everglades, with Royal Caribbean and had this last hurrah in mind instead of a straight ~ 4-hour drive back home. We’ve been to other wildlife parks but we heard that there’s more than just the drive-through safari to enjoy. After the drive, we could exploration other attractions on our two feet like animal feeding experiences, rides, water sprayground, and more. Read More

Aruba Sailing and Snorkeling to the Antilla Ghost Shipwreck

Our port excursion today takes us touring Aruba with Aruba Watersports Center with their Sailing & Snorkel Trip. We made “pending” reservations this very morning as Carol and Robert, friends we made from the cruise, recommended the adventure. Fellow cruisers, Cindy and Michael, also hoped to jump on the same tour so we all disembark together. Read More

A Gradual, Sloping and Uncrowded Descent Dive in Curacao (Willemstad, Curaçao)

Our port excursion today takes us under the sea in Curacao with The Dive Bus as we’ve scheduled a guided, single tank dive at their home reef, “Pierbaai.” This dive was to refresh our skills in scuba as we’d hoped to dive at our next port stop – Aruba – that boasts the largest shipwreck in the Caribbean. Personally, I dived alittle deeper than expected at 22m / 72ft but my dive buddy kept me safe. Enjoy the video!

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Port Excursion: Snorkeling the Shipwrecks (Carlisle Bay, Barbados)

We’re in Barbados for the second time. The first time we conveniently located Barry’s Surf to rent surfboards and check out their beginner break. This time, we were aboard the Royal Caribbean Serenade of the Seas 11-night Southern Caribbean cruise. We wanted to surf in Barbados again but windy weather got in the way. So Plan B and according 9 Best Things to Do in Barbados (by US News & World Report – Carlisle Bay) offers “…six shipwrecks also make this area a great spot for snorkeling…can rent water sports equipment like kayaks and jet skis from local vendors, or arrange for beachside horseback riding. Umbrellas, lounge chairs and towels are available for a fee as well.” We’re in! Read More