WOWed :|: Iceland (Traveling to and From on WOW)

WOWed :|: Iceland (Traveling to and From on WOW)

My Experience in Iceland

A number of people are now thinking about venturing to the mysterious island of Iceland. From a young age, we learned about Iceland because of the comparison between that island and Greenland, however, the tale of this is not quite true despite the fact that Greenland is typically colder than Iceland. The story goes that the Norwegian Erik the Red tried to draw people to the island of Greenland promoting it as a "green" land. There are different accounts of the history of this, however, ultimately, we now find ourselves with an urge to travel to this island of 300,000 people without knowing too much about what we're about to see. Why? Simply, WOW.

Airfares have been lowered significantly for a number of major hubs with flights as low as $200 USD round trip with most flights falling between $300 USD and $400 USD within a certain time frame. It seems like the spring and summer months are priced a bit higher, which might have a lot to do with the amount of daylight and ability to really explore in Iceland for a full day with the longest day falling around June 21. I stayed in Iceland near the shortest day of the year (December 21) where they sun was up for about 3-4 hours. It's surreal getting used to the fact that it is dark until 11am and the sun is already setting around 3pm. 

When I first saw the fares, I thought to myself, this must not be real. Then I thought, it could be real, but I might have a Spirit Air experience. Sure enough, as I read more into it, you pay for a lot, as WOW is really a no-frills airline. However, ultimately, with the right preparation, you can definitely avoid many of the costly mistakes that travelers assuming a normal air experience would face. I first imagined myself riding in a plane that was about to fall apart in midair or worse and it wasn't helped by the fact that an airliner had just crashed shortly before my flight. However, when arriving on the flight, it definitely was not what I expected; surprisingly, it was better. 

I was surprised at the cost for changing my flight as I realized that I needed to come back a day early after booking my flight way in advance. It was actually cheaper than most of the airlines I fly and while it's posted at about $90 for a change, I paid less for my change (I'm not sure how), even though it was fairly close to my flight. Understanding their baggage policy is VERY important. If you are one of those travelers who push the limits on carry-on luggage, this is not the airline to do it with especially from LA. A 42x32x25cm carry-on luggage is included and if it doesn't fit in their measuring unit, then you'll pay and the longer you wait (check-in or gate), the more you pay. It's one of the GOTCHA moments. The one carry-on and one personal item is fairly strict so plan accordingly. Also note that the space for your personal item (in the seat in front of you) is tiny and my backpack that fit in a normal space underneath the seat in front of me, wouldn't. Regardless, if you plan on checking in a bag, pre-pay for it. It is much cheaper! If you're with a group, I would also plan on taking on bag together and putting in all your large coats (if you're traveling in the winter) and hiking boots (unless you wear them on board) in one check in. That way, you split the costs of the check-in luggage and avoid the hassles of the baggage check and check-in.

WOW Baggage Policies and Costs

After dealing with all the hassle, I got on board my flight. I originally tried to pick my seat in advance, but when I saw a $50 charge to do it online, I decided to roll the dice. On the way out, I got an extra leg room seat which was comfortable, on the way back, I got a normal seat,which was not, with no leg room whatsoever. However, I realized it was a no-frills flight, so I dealt with all nine hours of the flight. Also note, that there is a service charge when the flight is over a certain length of time. GOTCHA again. Regardless, the value of the flight versus the conditions was well worth the discomfort. It actually wasn't a huge difference than the conditions in coach in most airlines and is definitely worth the lower costs.

The final travel tip for you is to plan out your meals. On board, you'll be paying for EVERYTHING you get on board. I bought a can of Pepsi for $3 USD and instant noodle for $5 USD. They also have sandwiches and more depending on your flights. If you have to choose between the airport and the plane, there isn't too much difference in the price, but if you bring a sandwich on board like I did, then you save a boatload of money, which you'll need because the food in Iceland is quite expensive. By the way, on the way home, the policies seemed to be a lot lighter, as I checked-in myself, my baggage and cruised through security without any issue. Can't guarantee it will be the same for you, but my time at KEF was great, as the airport is beautiful. 

When arriving in Iceland, you'll probably try to figure out the best way to get from the airport to the city, which ends up being a 45 minute drive. I mistakenly booked my transport for that evening and instead of waiting  another hour for the next shuttle, I booked FlyAway at the airport counter and got a ride to my hotel for about $30 USD (one way). It's an additional $5 USD to get to your hotel. How it works is a larger coach bus takes you to their terminal and from there, you get off and if you paid the extra money, you get on a smaller bus which takes you directly to your hotel. While they did a great job getting me to the hotel, they didn't do a great job with helping me correct an error I made. It was my mistake ORIGINALLY, as I told them the wrong hotel, however, I tried to correct it TWICE and while I was assured both times I would be taken to the correct hotel, I still ended up at the wrong hotel and paid more for a taxi to my right hotel than I did for the my transport to the wrong hotel. Long story short, if you get the hotel info right, it's a great service. I used Airport Direct (orange van) to go from my hotel to the airport. This service runs like a Super Shuttle in the US so you'll book a time and be picked up directly at your hotel and depending on your luck, will travel through the city until all the passengers are picked up. Luckily, I was the last one to get picked up so I didn't stay in the small bus too long. They were also nice enough to refund my money for MY ERROR despite their cancellation policy. I fully expected to not be refunded, but definitely will use their services next time because of their customer service. They pick up near the Hertz Rental Car counter.

On a final note, don't forget to save all of your receipts because at the end of your trip, you can always try to get a tax refund, which you must do before going through security! 

Regardless, if you're thinking of taking WOW and are skeptical of the cheap flights, I would say, go for it because as I think back, there is no way I would find a better value for the cost of this flight. With flight, baggage, food (on flight), and any additional fees, I paid less than $400 and that definitely is something to WOW about. 

What should you do when you get to Iceland? My next blog will cover all of that!

The Beauty of Iceland (Winter)

Despite the Storm, Nothing But Beauty (Winter) :|: Iceland

[Seljalandsfoss on a Winter's Night, Jason Watanabe]

Despite the Storm, Nothing But Beauty (Winter) :|: Iceland

Travel Tips to Iceland on WoW + Airport Transport 

I knew that Iceland would be such a beautiful place, I just never realized how breathtaking it could be, even though I experienced it through a storm. While it was warmer than normal while I was there (5-6C), the weather still was an issue through the trip, with the rain and winds that reached up to 40-50mph. The conditions made me thankful that I didn't decide to drive myself, as I signed up for tours throughout the trip, however, if you're comfortable driving in windy and icy conditions and also am fine dealing with one-way bridges and roundabouts, then you should be fine, just make sure to fill up gas at every opportunity if you're heading across the island, as you could go long stretches without seeing a gas station. As beautiful as this place is, it also is a very expensive place, as I spent a lot of money on food and gifts, so much in these small towns, that the airport almost seemed like a deal. 

Iceland is a waterfall paradise which has a lot to do with the glaciers that cover just over 10% of the landmass. One of the most famous of the waterfalls is Gullfoss, which was references as the Golden Falls as part of the Golden Circle. The waterfall can easily taken you about 45 minutes to an hour to explore as you can see it from every angle and walk almost to water's edge. Of course, you don't want to get to close and especially when icy, crampons would be a good idea as you will not survive if swept up in this waters. Skogafoss is a waterfall you'll definitely be seeing if taking a tour of the south coast of Icleand. You can literally walk up to the base of the waterfall or take a trek up the hillside to see the waterfall from above. Beware that in bad weather, the stairs might be closed and the closer you get, the more wet you'll leave. Of course my favorite was Seljalandsfoss, which can be seen from the road as you drive in south Iceland. One of the coolest things about this waterfall is your ability to hike behind the waterfall and take some awesome pictures. The trail on the right is much easier, but expect to get wet if you are walking close to or behind the waterfall. The left trail provides a higher view of the falls. When seen at night. the falls can provide a spectacular photo op. The spring also provides some beautiful greenery and flowers to add to the spectacular view. If you want to head a bit off the touristy trek, you should venture to Glymur, one of the most spectacular and the former tallest waterfall in Iceland. You can also visit Dynjandi and Haifoss, but you definitely need to read into the trek to these before venture on your way to these beauties.

If you continue on your trek in the south, you're sure to stop by Vik and its beautiful black sand beach Reynisfjara. As a warning, it would be wise to stay away from the shoreline as the waves crash at different levels and once you get swept in, there is little chance you'll be returning to land alive. The waves pound the shoreline and being there with nearly 50mph winds, I was pushed towards the water and pelted with the black sand. However, braving the weather, I got to see the waves go backwards because of the wind and mix in with the black sand that swept along the shoreline; something visually stunning and worth every struggle to experience in. However, if you plan accordingly,  you can probably enjoy the spectacular sight of this beach. There are also two main caves where you can see the beautiful post piles that formed in this mountain side that make for a beautiful spectacle of nature. While it is know as one of the most beautiful beaches in Iceland, I would beg to differ, as Diamond Beach was probably my favorite beach despite the weather conditions. Just on the other side of the bridge from Jokulsarlon (Glacier Lagoon) in Vatnajokull National Park, there is a beach that collects much of the glacier runoff. The result? A beach full of diamonds. Sure, these diamonds won't make you rich, but will leave you with lasting memories of something so incredible as the contrast of the black sand beach to the diamonds that lay all around is stunning. Plus, you even get close to chunks of the glacier Breidamerkurjokull that you cannot access at Jokulsarlon. 

Just up the way at Jokulsarlon, you can see the beautiful glaciers in the lagoon. Despite seeing the lagoon in darkness and rain on both visits, it still is visually stunning and a great walk. I definitely encourage you to dress warmer here as the weather changes, hence the glaciers. From day to day, the views change as the ice breaks off and flows down towards Diamond Beach and beyond. The ever-changing environment makes it a place you can visit over and over. While some wildlife floated around with the ice, the spring would provide a more eventful journey for those looking for wildlife. 

The glaciers of Iceland are also some of the most spectacular sights on the island. Many of these glaciers can be seen while driving from place to place, one of which is the spectacular Eyjafjallajokull which erupted in 2010, causing significant affects to Europe travel. A little farm that sits just below the glacier sits in a picturesque background, but also in a place of extreme danger during the latest volcanic eruption.

At Vatnajokull glacier, you can find the home of the movie Interstellar and show Game of Thrones as you find a landscape that is spectacular and also famous. It also has some of the most spectacular ice caves that are created and can be seen with the right temperatures in the winter months. Some of the most spectacular formations, but also forming some dangerous crevasse as you must walk with caution closely behind your guide, not to forget your crampons and picks. 

Thingvellier National Park and Geysir geothermal area are great stops that are sure to be apart of any Golden Circle tour. At Thingvellir, you'll stop at a UNESCO heritage sight where you get to walk between the Euroasian and American plates, essentially walking between two continents and if you keep walking, you can find Oxararfoss, a waterfall tucked back at the end of a short hike along a wooden trail. Then you can see the spectacular Geysir geothermal area where geysers shoot into the air as you can enjoy the thrill of the unpredictable blast. If that wasn't enough sulfur for you, you can also dip into the Blue Lagoon, one of the most famous spots for tourist, however, making a reservation in advance is wise. Also, don't forget to see the Icelandic horses, which are so stunningly beautiful that you'll definitely want to take one home. 

Of course, many venture to Iceland to see the Northern Lights (aurora borealis), which can be seen from September to April. However, understand that seeing the aurora is not a given and predicting them is even harder. A combination of factors will come into play and should be considered when sitting out for a night to try to catch them. In Iceland, the aurora can be seen in the north at about 2 or 2.5 and in the south at about a 3, however, another factor few consider is that it must be clear! You also have to be in a place with little light pollution as DARKNESS is key to seeing them, which is why the closer to December 21st you are, the greater your chance of seeing it (if the sky is clear), as there is more darkness. Of course if you want to see the spectacular aurora you often see in pictures, you'll want to hope for a 4 or greater. The rating of the aurora is on a scale of 0 to 9 and when it's higher, it has greater visibility. This rating is often projected based on solar activity. I am far from an expert, but when searching for the Northern Lights, I've avoided sitting out for hours by using technology and going out into the cold only when the activity is up. The Aurora Forecast (Europe) will give you VERY accurate predictions up to an hour in advance and I normally placed myself outside 15-20 minutes prior to these peak times. Of course, before you go out, check the cloud coverage too, as that plays a huge role, as the 5+ that I was hoping to see was not visible due to cloud coverage. Iceland (Cloud Coverage) Regardless, with luck on your side and a good DSLR, you'll be able to capture some great photographs. Even with a camera where I could not change my settings, I was able to capture some fairly spectacular views. For settings, you should consider using a wide-angle lens (I rented one online), a low f-stop, an ISO of about 800, and a shutter speed of about 15-30 seconds depending on the surrounding conditions. Don't forget your tripod (preferable able to handle the harsh cold climate) like I did, otherwise, you'll have to play MacGyver and create one out of the clothes and items you have. Also, keep your focus on infinity, as it will be a challenge to try to focus it on your own. The lights capture were between a 3 and 4 with a little bit of cloud coverage. 

The north would provide better viewing opportunities, but you also may be limited on places to stay and how to get there. I will be visiting the north more in a future trip. Other things to look into include bubble viewing (you sit inside a bubble with clear views of the sky) or floating viewing (view from a heated lagoon).

From my experience, I would consider using Guide to Iceland (Tours). I took the 3-day tour which included most of the above and covers what any other Golden Circle tour or South Coast tour would cover. It also allowed for more time and freedom at each location, which was nice for those looking to take photographs. It's a lot of time in the bus, so definitely bring something to do or edit photos while on the road, which is what I did. I also visited during the winter, but during the spring, there should be a bountiful of puffins to see, a bird they are well known for.

Oh yeah, the food. The food and other items are quite expensive. Most places I went had fish and lamb available. My lamb soup at various stops ranged from $10-15 USD per cup. There were some cheaper options such as burgers (regular and lamb) and of course the Icelandic hot dog (hot dog wrapped in bacon), but if you do want to eat more local, be prepared for lamb and fish, including dried fish sold at various stops along the way. It's not a foodie heaven, There are a few location such a Hofn, which are also well know for lobster, where I had delicious lobster tails, lobster spring roll and lobster bisque. Of course like any country, they have there interesting foods as well such as ram testicles, horse, whale, shark, puffin, blood pudding, and more. Many of these are detailed at Guide to Iceland, but not everything on this list is terrible. 

Regardless, Iceland is a beautiful country and worth the visit. It's easy to get around with most speaking both English and Icelandic and if you know the full name of the local person you meet, you already know the name of their mother or father. Icelandic Names It is a country built on tourism, so the people are friendly and nice and it is also considered one of the safest countries to travel to in the world! I would suggest staying near city center as there is a lot more going on, but if taking a tour, any hotel and some guest houses/hostels in the Reykjavik will be serviced. Like any place, there are places to avoid, so be sure to research! By trip's end, however, I am sure you'll be like me and wishing you could go back to explore some more, as it definitely was an exciting place to explore.  

The Sixth :|: Bangkok

The Sixth :|: Bangkok

Somewhere in between the madness of wandering through the grounds of the Grand Palace and catching a glimpse of the Reclining Buddha, I walked past the number of street vendors and into a small alley known as Tha Tien Alley. I had no expectations walking down this street, as I was directed this way and followed my stomach to some place that could satisfy that hunger. The Sixth Crafts & Cafe did just that and a whole lot more.

With a newly opened establishment, Apple and Ant (nicknames) have created something that is a gem in the tourist madness of the Phra Borom Maha Ratchawang area which in near the Grand Palace and just across the street from the Reclining Buddha at Wat Pho. Just before taking the Tha Tien - Wat Arun water shuttle to visit Wat Arun (Temple of the Dawn), I ventured into this place, lured by its array of Thai curries that I was craving on the day. With your choice of protein, The Sixth provided a number of choices even having a few choices aside from simply curries. While the price maybe higher than from a street vendor just outside its doors, it definitely is worth the money, as the ambiance gives it a small cafe feel just a stone throw away from the hustle and bustle of the tourist filled temples and palaces. 

I was comforted by the music and the beautiful wall displays that I did not think of much at the time that I was ordering and receiving my delicious curries, which included panang and massaman. There also was a selection of drinks including colorful sodas and variations of teas made at the small bar just behind the the table for two. I quickly scarfed down the curry with my friend and enjoyed my Thai tea with milk, but it wasn't until after the meal that we really got a feel for what this place was about. You see, this place is not just a small cafe, but also a small little shop.

The jewelry that was displayed along the wall nearest the entrance was various types of jewelry that they made and sold within the shop. The camera chain really caught my eye and while I was intrigued to ask how much, I was too enthralled in taking pictures and continuing the conversation we were having with them. The jewelry was definitely crafted nicely and the entire wall display was beautiful, even though my picture will not do it justice. On the wall in the back of the store, there was a beautiful display of various homemade and packaged products. The designs and execution of the design of the products was definitely on point and could have been a shop in itself, however, it added to the wonderfulness of this little cafe. 

Of course, the most wonderful thing of all about the cafe was Apple and Ant. Apple (pictured on the left) made our drinks and talked to us about how quickly my friend and I scarfed down our food. He also talked to us about the jewelry, which made me realize that they were also selling these beautifully crafted items. It guided us into our conversations about Los Angeles and more. Ant (pictured on the right) came out after I asked if I could take their photo together. She was the cook and the mastermind behind the display of soaps and more! Before coming out for the picture, I did not realize how wonderful of a personality she had and she was so very happy and excited when talking to us. 

Our time was a ticking, so we had to be on our way, but there was something about this place that I didn't want to leave. The food and drinks were delicious, but the ambiance of the place and the beauty of the owners made it a paradise in the middle of this tourist-filled area of Bangkok. 

While the beauty of the Grand Palace and amazingness of all the temples around are definitely sites to see, it's nice to get to escape for all of that and walk into a place that is truly Thai, yet still makes you feel like you've been transported elsewhere. 

The Sixth Crafts & Cafe

No. 6 Soi Tha Tien Maha Rat Road

Phra Borom Maha Ratchawang, Bangkok, Thailand

Located in Tha Tien Alley just across the street from Wat Pho (Reclining Buddha) along the Chao Phraya River. The cafe is newly opened so you are encouraged to visit and support this wonderful couple who I truly enjoyed meetings on this adventure.

Fairbanks (Winter) :|: Alaska

I'm not too sure that Alaska gets enough credit for the amazingness that lies within its borders. While I am sure that a cruise to Alaska may provide you with a taste of what Alaska has to offer, it is when you go deeper into Alaska that you'll find more of the hidden treasures that you may never see from the cruise ship. While I am far from an expert, the days I spent in Alaska were amazing and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

First off, if you decide to go Fairbanks in the winter time, you must be prepared to handle to cold temperatures. You will be quite miserable if you do not have the proper equipment, so it's a must to go over the list of things you may need. I was told it was a mild winter and on our first night, we got some pretty frigid temperatures.

1. FOOTWEAR - You have no idea how important it is to have the proper footwear when the temperature is as cold as it is and you want to go treking around the area. I ended up with DC snow boots and they were spectacular! While "boots" are great to have, if they're not snow boots, they may not cut it and may leave you with some frigid toes or even worse, possibly frostbite.

Waterproof Snow Boot

2. THE IMPORTANT PARTS - Where are the most important areas? Your feet (wool socks), your hands (proper snow gloves), and your head (head gear/face mask). I was able to secure some pricey socks that were the best investment ever. I had a few pairs in case I needed to double them up, but one pair ended up being great even in the coldest of temperatures. The face mask was only necessary when the conditions were windy and when I went sledding, but being able to flip up the bottom of my face mask to only leave my eyes exposed was great!

Micro Fleece Balaclava with Windproof Face Mask
Winter Ear Flap Hat

3. LAYERS - Think about how you can properly layer to stay warm and adapt to the changing temperatures. I ended up with my normal undershirt, layers with Under Amour cold gear, with a Nike wool long sleeve, an zip up layer from REI, topped off with an Asics windproof jacket which sufficed for most of the trip. I ended up using a Ninja hoodie (while part cotton, I used it as an under layer to protect my neck from the wind) as an under layer and also used a snow jacket when I went sledding. For the bottom, I had REI underwear, shorts, Under Amour cold gear, an under layer from REI, and then my jeans. I used a snow pant on the day I went sledding.

4. WARMERS - For those not use to the cold weather, warming packets (toes and hands) are a good accessory to carry around with you to keep you warm despite the cold temperatures.

Obviously, if you plan on camping, then you'll need a lot more than what I mentioned above, but if you're not roughing it, the above should be perfect fine. Just don't be the uninformed tourist who shows up in shorts and a t-shirt that says, I <3 LA.

Also when planning your vacation, you have to consider where you are staying in order to determine whether or not you need a car. The road conditions can be very dangerous and many of the rental cars are not equipped with the tires that you need in order to drive safely in the conditions. If you do drive, proceed with extreme caution when on the roads, especially if you've never driven in the snow or even worse, the ice. Let's just say, if it's sunny outside and the road is clear, it does not mean it's safe; quite the opposite. Sometimes, those can be the worst conditions to drive in. Regardless, being a native-Angelino, I was able to navigate the roads, but I did so with a little bit of caution.

Lodging can be an important choice depending on what you are planning to do. If you're there to enjoy the various tourist attractions the city has to offer and have no vehicle, stay in town near a hotel with good food/shopping options nearby, as it can be tough to get around even if it's across the street. However, for many of the tours offered, there will be transportation that will pick you up from a designated location (or even your hotel) and drop you off. If you are there trying to catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights, you may want to consider something more remote. Since that was my goal, I browsed around on AirBnB and found a beautiful and cozy Alaskan cabin that while a few miles from town, was a perfect place isolated from the light pollution of Fairbanks. Be mindful that in the winter, there will be no running water (we used Wet Wipes to keep us clean) so you have to plan accordingly. However, at the cabin we stayed at, they provided us with a tank of water and we had an outhouse to use for our other duties.

One of the things I loved most about Fairbanks were the people and it began with two of the best hosts, Charlie and Trina. They were so kind and welcoming and did their best to answer any questions that we had. It was a great start to our wonderful journey. We began our first day exploring the beautiful field that was before us right outside the cabin. The sun rose at about 10am and set just around 4pm, so we didn't have the most sunlight, however, it was definitely enough to explore. We ventured out and despite the cold temperatures, enjoyed the surrounding areas around our beautiful cabin.

Of course, we were there for much more. We began by stopping at North Pole, Alaska (how could we not) and explored. While the area is not as spectacular as it sounds, just the mere fact that you've been to Santa Claus' House at North Pole is extraordinary. (Notice I didn't put "the" North Pole.) We ventured around the gift shop and then also saw the beautiful ice sculptures. Just be aware that because of the changing seasons, not everything is open year round so check the calendars before you go. Don't expect to send too much time here though. Of course, just down the street, we were able to get a taste of reindeer sausage.

We then ventured off for a trek to Chena Hot Springs and Ice Museum. Imagine the setting, the middle of a snow covered resort in negative temperatures and you're soaking in water outside. Yes, that's right, it's an outdoor hot spring in Alaska. The drive to Chena is quite a long one, but well worth it. As I mentioned before, drive carefully, but enjoy it as well, as you get a number of beautiful sites on the drive. You can actually stay at the resort and enjoy a number of activities including the hot springs, however, it's close enough to Fairbanks (60 miles) to make it a short trek. One of the best things at the site is the Ice Museum. While you have to take their guided tour, you can venture through a museum from one of the best ice carvers in the world, Steve Brice. The museum houses a small workshop and also many of the pieces they created including a full ice bar that serves Apple Martinis in an ice cup that you get to bring home since they won't reuse it. It's a bit pricey, but can definitely be worth the experience.

Dog sledding is also another amazing adventure that is often connected with Alaska. Every heard of an Alaskan husky? Many of these sled dogs were former race dogs. They are definitely beautiful creatures and you can definitely see the strength that they have in their legs. It's interesting to see the different characteristics of each of the dogs and ultimately who ends up being the lead dog. There are a number of options for sledding in the area and you search around online, you're bound to find the price and trip that is a perfect fit for you. Also, keep in mind that it gets much colder on the ride that when you are standing. Many places will provide you with an extra layer and while I thought I had enough, I am glad I took the extra layer.

Of course, what is a trip to Fairbanks in the winter without a peek to the sky to see the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights). The lights are actually solar flares coming from the sun that hit our magnetic field. Ultimately the collision causes what we see in the sky. With the cold temperatures, it often can be a challenge to capture the aurora, but if you are patient, you will be rewarded. Remember that in the colder temperatures, batteries tend to run out faster, so pack extra batteries and also bring a solid camera, tripod and a remote (not necessary but helpful). I ended up using a Canon 5D Mark II and used a Canon 16-35mm f/2.8 lens. In the end, even with a low rated aurora (1.33), we still were able to capture some decent images of the aurora.

The difficulty in capturing the aurora, especially when it is weak is, you have to choose what you want in the image. Ultimately, the beauty lies in what you create and while you may want to capture the best image possible, remember to enjoy the experience as sometimes it's best to sit and enjoy the experience rather than focus so much on the perfect shot, as it is more incredible to the eye than what you can capture on camera.

Also, sitting out in the cold is a challenge. Use technology to your advantage. While we had the advantage of shooting at a hostel near Two Rivers where there was no light pollution, the best part about being there, was we were able to relax inside the common area of the hostel while it was cold. In the end, I used two sites to determine how long and when we would be outside. One, I used to determine what the expectations for the day would be: University of Alaska Fairbanks Forecast. It did a pretty good job for the daily forecast, however, the hourly did not always update and was not as accurate. When shooting the aurora, I used another site that was able to get us prepared for almost the exact time the aurora began to grow. The Aurora Service was key in helping me stay warm, but also not missing a moment of the aurora. I still checked from time to time so I didn't miss anything, but I went out ten minutes before it was predicted to be at its brightest and the forecast was right.

The aurora is pretty difficult to predict, but it is said that if you are in Fairbanks for three nights, there is a pretty good chance that you will see the aurora. Just remember that it will show up at different times in the night, normally later in the evening.

Overall, while my trip to Fairbanks was short, it gave me a good idea of what I could do in the future. From ice fishing to longer sledding treks to snow machining (snow mobiles) and more, there are still a great number of things that you can do in this wonderful place of Fairbanks where some of the most amazing people around live. Now it's time to visit when the sun never sets.

Coronado Butterfly Preserve :|: Santa Barbara

If you are ever passing through Santa Barbara between November and February, but especially in December or January, you definitely want to try and make a stop at the Coronado Buttery Preserve and the Goleta Butterfly as you can see Monarch Butterflies in a way that you may have never seen them. As you drive in the area, there is a main parking lot you can  use on Hollister which allows you a nice little hike into the grove. Just follow the butterfly signs! 

On my first trip, I went on a weekday and encountered almost no traffic, but when going on a weekend, there was a mix of people who were running and hiking in the area, photographers shooting  family portraits and a handful of people there for the butterflies. When walking into the area, I saw a few butterflies up above and was wondering, what is so special about this place. However, upon closer inspection, you can see thousands of monarchs hanging from the tree, camouflage so that you may never would have noticed that they were there if you were just passing through.

I was so stunned an amazed and was so glad that I had made that stop. After seeing the butterflies, you can plan on a nice walk over to the beautiful coastline and if you wish, a hike down to the beach. Being on the cliffs, you get a nice view of the coastline and also UCSB off in the distance. 

If you visit, please be respectful of the area. As usual, leave the place better than you left it by cleaning up after yourself. Stay on the trails and do not disturb the butterflies! It's definitely a place I want to return to as often as possible and it will only happen if we take care of it. 

Zion National Park :|: Utah

Zion National Park (Last Updated 7/1/15)

Rising to near 8700 feet, Zion National Park (UT) is one of the Might Five that has been referred to in many of the advertisements that been used over the past few years. As time has gone by, the popularity of these parks has grown and slowly but surely, it means that you need to plan well in order to make sure you have a successful trip. It is also a part of the Grand Circle that has a number of fabulous sites within a small area in the Southwest. 

Zion can be seen by driving from one end of the park to the other through windy roads which includes a long narrow tunnel that many drivers may find a little too tight for comfort. However, even in my F-150, I made it through without any issues and I saw others with much larger vehicles that made it through the pass. If the lots are full, you might have to park in Springdale and take the shuttle into the park. Remember, there is a fee to enter the park. Your best bet if you are visiting multiple parks is to purchase the National Park and Federal Recreation Area annual pass.

If you plan on visiting the park, come early, as the parking lots can get fairly crowded especially in the summer from 10pm to 4pm (depending on the time of year). While the main parking lot is a great options since it starts by the visitors center which can provide you with the information you may want, if you know where you are headed, you can venture one stop up to the museum and catch the tram from there but during peak times, it may also mean that you might not make it onto the tram. Remember that many of the hikes are accessed through the use of the tram system. 

Campsites in the park can be secured up to six months prior to your arrival and it is encouraged that you do so as early as possible. Same day site access is probably not likely, so plan accordingly. I ended up staying at Zion Mountain Ranch which was just a few miles outside of the park and a great little place to rest and relax, especially after camping the nights prior. What's so cool about this place? It's located adjacent to a buffalo reserve and when I was there, at just about 3pm, the Buffalo came over the hillside to feed. They also have horses and other animals on site, which made it a great place to rest and relax. Regardless, especially in the summer, make your reservations as early as possible. 

The Narrows is one of the most famous hikes in Zion that spans about 16 miles (however you do not need to go the entire route to enjoy its beauty). In order to hike the entire route of the Narrows, you'll need to secure a permit. Many of the requirements can be found in the Narrows link. Since the Narrows travels through a fair amount of water, having water shoes or boots would be a wise idea! The Emerald Pool hike is also another popular trail because it is accessible and a fairly easy hike for everyone. Depending on the water level, the hike can be even more majestic than it was than when I went. The lower pool is the easiest to access. You can continue up the trail to the middle pool which feeds the waterfall to the lower pool and ultimately can end up to the more secluded upper pool, which has it's own pool that you might just want to wade it. Just be careful as there are a few drop offs in the pool. For those who want something more challenging, Angel's Landing may be the hike for you. If you want something almost as scenic, but a little bit easier, give the Canyon Overlook a try. 

There is a lot more to Zion and you can read about it on the Zion website! Please read the site carefully and use common sense when visiting these areas. Most importantly, leave the park better than you found it so that the experience can last for everyone that visits after you. 

Hiking Trails in Zion