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The Best Outdoor Activities in Wollongong
When most people think of Australia, they think of Sydney, Melbourne, or the Gold Coast. Although these are great spots, sometimes it’s worth checking out less popular places. I had the opportunity to live in Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia for four months. Besides this being a transformative experience, since this was my first time living abroad, it gave me a chance to thoroughly explore the city. Although Wollongong is the third largest city in Australia, it still has a local feel and is much smaller than Sydney. Wollongong is just an hour and a half train ride from Sydney, making it a great day trip to get away from…
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How Studying Abroad in Australia Changed My Life
Studying abroad offers a transformative college experience, as demonstrated by the author's journey to the University of Wollongong, Australia. Despite initial challenges in adapting to a new environment, the author highlights the importance of preparation, socializing, and embracing adventures, resulting in unforgettable memories and personal growth.
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4 Days in West South Dakota: The Best Outdoor Adventures
Hi everyone! I recently got to travel to South Dakota, a less well-known state, but one worth going to. It’s a great place to go if you’re looking to feel more grounded while enjoying some beautiful views. South Dakota is also the perfect place for all you history and nature lovers. I spent four days here and can’t wait to share my itinerary with you! Day 1 After flying into Rapid City Regional Airport, we drove about an hour to Badlands National Park. The Badlands truly looks like another world, and there are a couple different trails you can walk along. Although, the sights themselves are worth the drive over. …
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Five Years of The Aloha Blog
This month The Aloha Blog officially turned five years old. It’s hard to believe how much time has passed since I was 18 starting this blog. I had just returned home from my gap year and decided to start The Aloha Blog for fun to share all my travel recommendations and experiences. What started out as a fun side project has turned into something much more meaningful than I could have imagined. Although this is technically a travel blog, to me, it is so much more. It’s a collection of my favorite travel memories, photos, and stories from incredible women I admire. The Aloha Blog has been a creative outlet…
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Adventures and Eats in Costa Rica: The Ultimate Travel Guide
During a week in Playa Palo Seco, Costa Rica, I enjoyed thrilling activities like zip lining in Manuel Antonio and exploring beautiful beaches such as Palo Seco and Playa Espadilla. I also savored delicious local cuisine at various restaurants, including Bar Restaurante La Canada and Ronny's Place. A memorable trip filled with adventure and great company!
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How to Spend One Day in New Orleans on a Budget
Hi everyone! My sister and I recently took a day trip to New Orleans, Louisiana, and had a ton of fun. We are also both college students, so we were trying to stay on a tight budget for the day. This travel guide will include all of our sightseeing stops, restaurants we ate at, and free activities we did. Without further ado, here is how to spend one day in New Orleans on a budget! Parking Parking can actually be one of the biggest expenses in New Orleans! Thankfully, I did some research beforehand and found a cheap parking lot super close to the French Quarter. It’s called Basin lot,…
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West Side of Puerto Rico: a Complete Travel Guide
Hi everyone! I recently went to Puerto Rico for a girls’ trip with some of my best friends and had an absolute blast. It was my first time in PR, but this place has been on my bucket list for a long time. If you love beautiful beaches and outdoor adventures, this is the perfect travel destination for you. Without further ado, here is the west side of Puerto Rico: a complete travel guide! This guide will cover: Where to Stay Hotels and hostels are far and few between on this side of the island, so I recommend staying in an Airbnb. My group stayed in an Airbnb in Aguadilla,…
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Women Who Wander: Riley McBride
In this blog post, I talk about Riley fulfilling her long-time dream of visiting Hawaii. During her month-long trip, highlights included shark diving and a surfing encounter with a sea turtle. She faced challenges, particularly with time adjustment, but ultimately gained a deeper appreciation for life. Her advice includes saving for travels and unplugging from technology.
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Women Who Wander: Jenea Bell
Hi everyone! Welcome to a new Women Who Wander post! I’m so excited to talk about Jenea and her cross-country road trip. Jenea and I met a few years ago, and she is seriously the sweetest soul. She recently took a road trip with her friend Ana, from Florida to California, and visited some amazing spots along the way. She also got some incredible photos, which you’ll get to see in this blog post! Day 1 On the first day, she drove from Florida to Louisiana. She went to New Orleans and stayed with her aunt and uncle. She and Ana walked around French Quarter Street and Bourbon Street, checked…
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How to Spend One Perfect Day in Lisbon
Hi everyone, welcome to The Aloha Blog! Today I have another very overdue blog post. I was in Lisbon back in 2022, and while I definitely preferred Algarve (you can read my Algarve itinerary here), I still had a lot of fun during my short time in Lisbon. In this blog post, I’ll share a few of my favorite things I did and saw. With that being said, here is how to spend one perfect day in Lisbon. Fabrica da Nata After waking up and getting ready for the day, head over to Fabrica da Nata for coffee and pastel da natas! The pastel da natas here were by far…
