Experiences You Should Have

Experiences You Should Have Podcast Show Notes: Snorkel or Dive the Blue Heron Bridge   Press play and listen to the episode above (or where you listen to podcasts).    Story Behind the Episode A few weeks ago, I headed to the world’s largest podcasting conference in Orlando. I knew that summertime has favorable diving conditions in Florida, so I decided to take a detour and gathered up a group of friends to go diving off of West Palm in Riviera Beach. Our plan was to dive the Blue Heron bridge then go out for a night blackwater drift dive, where you drift in the middle of the night looking for amazing creatures from the deep that rise up every night as part of the diurnal vertical migration.   The usual Florida storms rained out our bridge dive. We had all dove the bridge before and loved it, but our night drift dive was still on and it was amazing!   The next day, I hopped inside to Pura Vida Divers, one of my favorite Florida dive shops and interviewed one of their top instructors on the bridge. E

Experiences You Should Have Podcast Show Notes: Rainbow Serpent Festival in Australia I interviewed a husband and wife from Australia at the Podcast Movement conference in Orlando. When chatting in the hot tub, I asked them what is the one experience you should have in Australia? Immediately they responded with, 'the Rainbow Serpent Festival'. I know you are very capable of reading, but to get the full experience, click play above to hear our interview about the Rainbow Serpent Festival that will take you there. What is the Rainbow Serpent Festival? It is an electronic music festival (edm festival) that happens every January (summer in Australia). It's located in Lexton, Australia, about 2 hours northwest of Melbourne. The Rainbow Serpent festival is a multi-day experience of electronic music, color, and beautiful costumes. The music goes all day and all night. It's a 4-5 day experience of music, dancing, workshops, classes and is the place to hang out and meet beautiful people. The food is fantastic, you c

Experiences You Should Have Podcast Show Notes: The Donna Marathon – Breast Cancer Marathon   I had the opportunity to interview Dana and Aimee from the Run Eat Drink Podcast at the largest podcast conference in the world, Podcast Movement. They travel to races all over and when I turned to them and asked them that one race that you should experience, they both responded with the same answer: DONNA Marathon.   What is the DONNA Marathon and Why Should You Experience it? It’s a race that happens every year near Jacksonville, Florida to help support breast cancer research, survivors and those affected by breast cancer. This is a race for everyone. You don’t need to be an expert runner to participate. This is a special race that the entire community comes together to support and you don’t have to run a marathon to be a part of it. There are many shorter races and you don’t have to run them either.   This event is a true community. This race is for survivors, someone fighting breast cancer, and for family

Swimming with Migrating Flying Rays (Mobula Rays) in the Sea of Cortez, Mexico Experiences You Should Have Podcast Show Notes   Listen above to this podcast episode about swimming with the migrating flying rays (Mobula rays). Mobula Rays are many times known as devil rays, flying rays, or devil fish. I interviewed Jay Clue from Dive Ninjas about this amazing one of a kind bucket list experience to witness thousands of Mobula rays underwater.   The Experience: Swimming with Flying Rays (Mobula Rays) In Baja California (Baja Mexico) there is a large aggregation of flying rays twice a year. It is mind-blowing as they come together to mate and feed every year in Baja. It’s one of those things you could do every day and it would never get old.   You first fly into Cabo and you wake up in the morning to see the sunrise rising over the ocean. You’ll leave your hotel and get on the boat with a small group of people and head out into the Sea of Cortez. As the boat cruises, you’ll finally know you’re in the right

Experiences You Should Have Podcast Show Notes: Traveling to the Osa Peninsula in Costa Rica with Lynn Smith   Interview with Lynn Smith: I interviewed Lynn Smith who is an inspiring adventurer and traveler and I love how she travels! Check out her travel blog for more ideas and also listen to the interview above by pressing the play button or listening wherever you listen to podcasts! Also, check out her post about her trip to the Osa Peninsula here.   Where is the Osa Peninsula and What Makes it So Special? Located in the remote and lush Southern Pacific Coast of Costa Rica, the Osa is approximately 700 square miles, or a bit larger than the city of Houston, TX which is approx 600 square miles. The Osa is bound on the west by the Pacific Ocean, and on the east by the Golfo Dulce (a tropical fiord, over 600 feet deep!) and on the northwest by Drake Bay.  Just a few bullet points on what makes the Osa so amazingly unique: You can encounter all four species of monkeys found in Costa Rica (spider, whi

Peking to Paris Motor Challenge:  Experiences You Should Have Show Notes     Experiences You Should Have Show Notes - Interview with Michelle Jana Chan from Vanity Fair I had the pleasure of interviewing Michelle Jana Chan from Vanity Fair. Please listen to the episode at the top of the screen or wherever you listen to podcasts. She is an award-winning journalist and travel editor of Vanity Fair. She's is also a contributing editor at Condé Nast Traveller, presenter of the BBC’s ‘Global Guide’, a contributor to BBC Radio 4’s From Our Own Correspondent and a writer for The Daily Telegraph. Michelle has been named the Travel Media Awards’ Travel Writer of the Year.       What is Peking to Paris Motor Challenge and How Did it Start? The Peking to Paris Motor Challenge is a very special motor rally that starts in Beijing, China's capital, (formally known as Peking) and ends in Paris. The race began in 1907 as proof that cars could travel long distances. The race has run every three years (and has for the

Experiences You Should Have Podcast Show Notes: Socorro Island Diving (the Revillagigedo Islands) in Mexico I had the pleasure if interviewing Jay Clue from Dive Ninja Expeditions about why others should experience Socorro Island diving. Listen above (or wherever you listen to podcasts). Jay has dove Socorro (Revillagigedo) 20+ times and brings this experience to life.   Taken while scuba diving during the Dive Ninjas Socorro Shark Research trip What and Where are the Revillagigedo Islands (also known as Socorro)? The Revillagigedo Islands are commonly referred to as Socorro or Socorro Islands mainly because it's hard to pronounce Revillagigedo. Socorro is the name of the largest island in this chain. The Revillagigedo Archipelago (Socorro Islands) are sometimes referred to as the Galapagos of North America because of the amount of biodiversity found there. This group of islands is a marine reserve. It's located 390 km (242 miles) south of Baja California. It takes 26-30 hours to get there by boat.  

Experiencing Crater Lake in Oregon: Podcast Show Notes   Welcome to Experiences you should Have. Your how-to guide for amazing experiences. Today we are journeying to a very special place called Crater Lake.     My First Visit to Crater Lake I live in Bend, Oregon, which is in central Oregon and I have made an annual trip to Crater Lake the last 9 years. The first time I went to Crater Lake, I had my friend Ben drive, so I could be the one looking out the window, plus he had seen it before.   It took about 2 hours to get there from Bend (99 miles) and after we checked into the gate (and paid our $10), we drove a little further and then we stopped at a lookout at the top of the hill. I got out of the car and there in front of me was the deepest most amazing blue I have ever seen in my entire life.   The vastness of Crater Lake and the deep blue I saw in front of me took my breath away. The wind started to pick up and then a chipmunk appeared below my feet and started to scurry around looking for food.

Milford Sound Drive & Cruise in New Zealand: Podcast Show Notes   I interviewed Lynn Smith who is an avid traveler; you should check out her website for travel tips!. She blends a love of independent adventure travel, history and the natural world with over 40 years of experience as an award-winning writer, photographer, creative designer, and producer. When I asked her about what is that one experience that others should have, she enthusiastically replied, self-driving the Milford Sound Road and going on the Milford Sound cruise in Fiordland, South Island, NZ.   Why Travel to New Zealand and head to the Milford Sound in Fiordland New Zealand Lynn chose the South Island of New Zealand for the adventure. The Milford Sound Road is one of the top drives you can do in New Zealand and there is beautiful scenery around every corner. It represents untouched, solitude, and peaceful quiet majestic landscapes and is an experience you should have. In Fiordland lies the 'Southern Alps' and these mountains are world f

Hiking to Havasupai (Havasu) Falls with Rizzo: Podcast Show Notes   I Interviewed Rizzo from the famous Travel Instagram page miss_rizzo, about her experience of hiking to Havasupai falls in Arizona. Rizzo is an Arizona native and has been to over 54 countries.  Please listen to the podcast episode above (or wherever you listen to podcasts).   What Is Havasu (Havasupai) Falls and Why Should You Visit? Havasu Falls is also known as Havasupai falls and is located in Havasu Canyon. Havasupai Falls is located in a side canyon of the Grand Canyon and Havasupai means people of blue-green water. Pai means people. Its turquoise waters are absolutely breathtaking and everyone should experience the beautiful color of these falls at least once in their lifetime (if they are physically able to get there). It is a true desert oasis. While Havasupai falls is the most famous in this area, there are 5 other waterfalls fairly nearby: Fifty Foot Falls, Navajo Falls, Havasu Falls, Mooney Falls, and Beaver Falls all worth chec

Experiences You Should Have Show Notes: Biking from Alaska to Argentina with Guests Kristen and Ville Jokinen Ville and Kristen Jokinen did the impossible. They went from Alaska to the tip of Argentina via bike while only spending (on average) $800 a month! This couple lives in Bend, Oregon and they decided they wanted to have an adventure of a lifetime, and boy did they find adventure. Click on the play button to listen to this episode, or listen to this episode wherever you listen to podcasts.   A Little About Ville and Kristen Ville was born in Tampere, Finland. He grew up playing all kinds of sports and in his teenage years, he made the decision to focus on football (soccer). After graduating from high school he tried his wings in professional soccer in Finland and Algeria. After a few years of serious playing and several knee replacement surgeries later, he decided to hang the cleats and go to college. After college, Ville worked for 7 years as a financial analyst for Toyota. In 2008, he decided t

    Appalachian Trail Thru-Hike with Jay Moledzki: Podcast Show Notes   Welcome to Experiences You Should Have; Your how-to guide for amazing experiences. I had the pleasure of interviewing Jay Moledzki, who is a world-renowned skydiver and he hiked the Appalachian Trail. Jay is not your average guy. He is the most decorated competitive skydiving canopy (parachute) pilot in the sport of skydiving to date. He has 7 world championship skydiving titles, over 50 gold medals. He is a goal-oriented guy and someone I have looked up to for many years. Check out his profile on Flight-1.   Jay also hosts a podcast with life coach Melanie Curtis (who I interviewed about going on your first skydive) called Trust The Journey (dot) Today. Trust the Journey.Today podcast is all about living, laughing, loving, and learning together. Also, creating and cultivating conscious connections through the practice of openness, vulnerability, honesty, and trust. Check them out on iTunes, Google Podcasts or wherever you listen to

Explore Sahalie and Koosah Falls in Oregon: Podcast Show Notes Welcome to Experiences You Should Have, your how-to guide for amazing experiences. I’m your host Gail and today we are venturing into the Oregon wilderness to Sahalie and Koosah falls.   Why You Should See Sahalie & Koosah Falls What I love about these waterfalls is that they are very accessible and you can get to them right off of the highway and they are stunning.   If you pull off the road into the Sahalie waterfall parking lot, you will see there is a ramp (or stairs) that will take you to see the falls within a minute of walking. The ramp is also wheelchair accessible in the summer and early fall months.   You’ll soon be staring at Sahalie falls with is about 100 feet tall. There’s a fun trick you can do with your eyes which is follow the water in the waterfall from top to bottom. Do this with your eyes at least 8-10 times in a row, then look off to the land to the left of the falls and you’ll start to see the land move. It’s called th

Visit Yachats, Oregon During Whale Season: Podcast Show Notes Welcome to Experiences You Should Have, your how-to guide for amazing experiences. I’m your host Gail and today we are exploring the Gem of the Oregon Coast, Yachats during whale season. Yachats is one of my favorite towns on the Oregon coast and is nestled between Newport and Florence, Oregon. It currently has a population of 757 people and if you drive too quickly, on highway 101, you might miss it, but you would be doing yourself a disservice if you missed this amazingly quirky town. There’s nothing like checking out top Oregon coast attractions like Thor’s Well and Devil’s Churn in Yachats and also getting a peek of Spouting Horn during high tide. There are pathways leading down to the ocean from the highway, and you really can’t go wrong if you pick one and continue walking through the fairyland forest. The Oregon coast is not like your typical beach. It’s lined with majestic cliffs, rocks, and forest that looks like it came straight o

Live and Travel Like a Local in Rome, Italy: Podcast Show Notes I interviewed Sarah Mikutel from the Postcard Academy Podcast about living like a local in Rome. When we say live like a local, we mean staying in Rome for an extended period, a month or two, or more. I've never been to Italy (it's on my bucket list), but Sarah gave the complete rundown of top places to eat, stay, and culture tips. Listen to the episode above to experience Rome (at least in your headphones). While you're thinking about it, also subscribe to Experiences You Should Have on iTunes, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Get to Know Sarah from Postcard Academy Podcast Sarah hosts the Postcard Academy podcast, a weekly travel show sharing the best food and culture tips from expats living abroad.     She got the travel itch at 18 when she spent a summer in England’s Lake District working as a waitress/chambermaid. She wanted to stay in Europe forever, but it seemed impossible for Americans. Years went by. Fin

Open Ocean Safari Podcast Show Notes I interviewed Byron, the owner of Kona Honu Divers (my favorite dive shop in Hawaii) about a truly unique experience, the Open Ocean Safari. This is a once in a lifetime experience where you can go out on a fast boat that takes you into blue water. You're getting into the open ocean where pelagic (non-reef living) animals pass by. If you have ever wanted to swim with dolphins, sharks, whales, or manta rays, this is a day trip that could make it happen. This is an adventure of a lifetime and not your average snorkeling in the bay experience. Press play above (or listen wherever you listen to podcasts) to learn more. Why Should You Experience an Open Ocean Safari You get to be up and close with wild animals. You might come across a pod of pilot whales, whale sharks, sperm whale, manta rays, sharks, spotted dolphins and more. You probably aren't going to come across a pod of whales in the bay, but if you take a high-speed boat out to the blue water, that's where you can pop

Thai Farm Cooking School in Chiang Mai Show Notes Each podcast episode I dive into a specific experience that can be replicated and then give you a how-to guide to make it happen. Today we are getting our fingers dirty and we are talking about experiencing a Thai Cooking Class in Chiang Mai, Thailand. These are the show notes for the Thai Farm Cooking School in Chiang Mai. Please listen to the episode above or wherever you listen to podcasts. How I found the Thai Farm Cooking School 6 weeks ago when I was leaving Koh Lipe, Thailand (listen to the last episode if you’re interested in Koh Lipe), I met a family at the Elephant Café and they started giving us their tips for visiting Chiang Mai (which is the 2nd largest city in Thailand located in Northern Thailand). They gave us a full itinerary and they recommended a cooking school in Chiang Mai called The Chiang Mai Thai Farm Cooking School. I’ve always been the cook in my family. I read cookbooks for fun, but truly homemade Thai cooking has always intimi

Experiences You Should Have Podcast Show Notes You may have heard about an amazing island called Ko Lipe (or Koh Lipe) in Thailand. This gem of an island is located in the Andaman Sea and the turquoise waters will blow you away. Ko Lipe has even been dubbed the Maldives of Thailand because it is that beautiful there. Yes, Koh Lipe is amazing and beautiful (plus you can find excellent food there), but this episode is about using Ko Lipe as a jumping off point to experience a deserted island in the Andaman Sea. Please press the play button above and listen to this podcast episode with Clare Hartley on how you can experience a deserted island in the Tarutau National Park. Why Should You Go to Koh Lipe & Then to a Deserted Island? We've all seen those movies where those good looking movie stars are on beautiful beaches, surrounded by jungle and it looks and feels like paradise (well maybe before they all die). You can actually get to a deserted island and have your own slice of paradise without being a million

Swim with Humpback Whales: Interview with Susan Bird (Podcast Show Notes) Here in the US, there are strict laws on how close you can get to Humpback whales, which is why whale watching boat tours are offered in Hawaii, California, Alaska, etc. However, there are a few areas in the world where you can swim with humpback whales in the wild and the Dominican Republic is one of the best places to do it.   I interviewed Susan Bird (please listen above), who leads multiple expeditions in the Dominican Republic to swim with Humpback Whales. She is also amazing at energy work, check out her site. Now, these expeditions are not a tourist trap. These expeditions require a permit, a liveaboard boat that may only have 15 guests or so on it. They require a guide and a boat that can read the whales' movements and know when and where to put people in the water.   Photo by Susan Bird The Right Mindset to Swim with Humpback Whales You need to have an open mindset for these experience and patience. There could be bad weath

Image by John Shedick (Creative Commons License) Experiences You Should Have Show Notes: Loi Krathong & Yi Peng Lantern Festival, Interview with Stephanie Perry At age 41, Stephanie Perry quit her job to travel the world. She spent 12 months bathing elephants in Thailand, volunteering on an organic cricket farm in Cambodia and (most uncharacteristically) working as an au pair for a family in Australia. Stephanie started Vaycarious to help other women take off the Superwoman cape and spread their wings on a grown-up gap year. I asked Stephanie Perry about a specific experience in the world that can be replicated that others should experience too, and she immediately responded with 'Loi Krathong and Yi Peng lantern festivals in Chiang Mai, Thailand. It's so easy to look at pretty photos on your computer screensaver or look at vacation photos on Instagram, Pinterest, etc, but it's 2019 now, and it's time to make those amazing photos you've seen across the web a reality. It's also time to start planning your tr