Sweet Home Chicago

Well friends, this is it.  With the summer within reach, we have finally landed at our final destination. And, of course, what would be a better way to wrap things up than in the city I call home, Chicago?

Chicago River and surrounding skyline.  Photo courtesy of HuffingtonPost.com

I could go on for days about things you can do/see in Chicago:

• Shopping?  Hit up Michigan Avenue. 
• Into broadway musicals?  Checkout Broadway in Chicago at the Cadillac Palace Theatre, Chicago Theatre or Bank of America Theatre (just to name a few).
• Enjoy art?  Chicago has several art institutes/museums you can spend a full day at such as The Art Institute of Chicago, Museum of Contemporary Art and DePaul's Art Museum.
• Sports fanatic?  Go to a Chicago Cubs, Chicago Sox, Chicago Blackhawks, Chicago Bears, Chicago Bulls, Chicago Fire or Chicago Sky game and experience it first-hand rather than in front of your television screen.
• None of those options seem interesting to you?  Visit The Bean, Navy Pier, The Museum of Science and Industry, Shedd Aquarium, take a boat ride on the Chicago River, or relax at one of the 18 places to recharge and feel inspired!

These are only a handful of places to see while visiting the City of Chicago.  By now, you know that we don't focus on these places while in our destination's country.  Oh, no, we like to find something different and bring light to it.  That's why today, for our final destination, we are going to focus on the food truck industry of Chicago.

Doughnut Vault

The Vault Truck.  Photo courtesy of wttw.com

The Doughnut Vault truck, referred to as "The Vault" on the streets of Chicago, comes out between 7:30-8:30 a.m. everyday and will "ride 'n' park" until The Vault is empty.  Everyday Doughnut Vault features two-to-three specials.  For instance, according to their Twitter: "@doughnutvault: #Franklin has birthday cake old fashioned on special today! And the jelly is raspberry filled with vanilla glaze." Doughnut Vault tweets and updates Facebook on their every move.  If you're having a hard time finding The Vault, there is a Chicago Food Truck Finder website where every verified Chicago food truck's current location is pinned!

Flirty Cupcakes

Flirty Cupcakes On Wheels and cupcakes.  Photo courtesy of foodsmackdown.com

Flirty Cupcakes not only has Flirty Cupcakes on Wheels, but also two Chicago-based locations.  Offering baking classes, delivery and catering opportunities, Flirty Cupcakes is the perfect shop (or stop) for sweet-lovers.  Flirty Cupcakes on Wheels is said to be on the intersection of "oohh and aahh," but if you cannot find that intersection on Google Maps, their full van stop schedule van be found on their website.

The Corner Pharmacy

The Corner Farmacy's truck.  Photo courtesy of thecornerfarmacy.com

If your taste buds aren't fans of cupcakes or doughnuts, The Corner Farmacy is most likely to be your favorite!  Providing Chicagoans with "fresh eats on the streets," the Corner Farmacy aims to bring together community and local resources.  The menu offers seasonal eats as well as freshly squeezed juices.  A sample menu as well as their daily routes can be found on their homepage!

I've had a blast exploring the world with you, but it is time for you to explore on your own.  I hope that you have enjoyed our destinations and have opened your mind to other cultures throughout our time together.

If nothing else, remember this: 

"The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page."

-St. Augustine

Reservation for Two

Hello friends, and welcome back!  I have a special treat for you this week.  Usually on Hidden Coves, we explore actual destinations; that's so amateur of us!  As somebody who loves to travel, I nearly forgot one of the most important parts of the traveler's checklist: where are we going to stay?

Have no fear!  This week we aren't going to find just another hidden gem.  Instead, we're going to find several hidden gems that allow us to not only see them, but stay in them.  So pack your bag, but not too heavy.  After all, we still have to travel around the world in order to check in to our reservation!

Poseidon Undersea Resort

Poseidon.  Photo courtesy of jebiga.com

First on our list is Poseidon.  Creatively named after the Greek God of the Sea, Poseidon is set to be the first underwater resort in the world.  Now, before you leave my blog (not that you would EVER do that) and try to make reservations, re-read that last sentence: it is set to be the first undersea resort.  

Poseidon's concept is currently being brought to life off of the Fijian coast thanks to US Submarines, Inc.'s President L. Bruce Jones.  It will be located 40-feet under water and accessible by two elevators.  One elevator will lead to a unit including 24 suites, a restaurant and a bar.  The other will lead to a separate unit that includes a library, a spa, a conference room, a theatre and a wedding chapel.

Photos courtesy of lanewstalk.com and gallivant.com 

If you haven't fainted from either your anxiety or excitement yet, I'm sure this will do just the trick: one week's stay at Poseidon will set you back $30,000.  

Now, if you're still with me, check out this official concept video of Poseidon.  I know that most people cannot afford it, but it doesn't hurt to dream.

Kakslauttanen's Glass Igloos 

Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort.  Photo courtesy of weather.com

Moving a little closer to what I would assume is a desired price point, we come to Finland's Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort. With prices averaging about $200 per person per night during the high-season, singles, couples and families can live in a glass-roofed igloo with an unbelievable view of the Northern Lights.

Photo courtesy of tourismontheedge.com

Aside from the view, this resort provides guests with many more amenities than most.  Guests have access to PR events being held at the resort, such as top-of-the-line car launches.  Smoke saunas and ice swimming are also included in your stay; both are believed to relieve physical and spiritual stress.  If that isn't enough, you can always rent equipment and clothing to ski or sled.  Afterwards, try out some of the food at one of the many restaurants on-site.

TreeHouse Point

TreeHouse Point's Binbibi treehouse.  Photo courtesy of treehousepoint.com

Calling all inner-children!  Our final hidden hotel this week is TreeHouse Point located right here in the United States.  TreeHouse Point emphasizes the importance of connecting with nature, and what better way for us to experience total peace and tranquility than living in the forest for a night?  

Because TreeHouse Point is inspired by nature, they offer tours as well as yoga sessions three days a week.   For those that are not afraid of group yoga, a drop-in class is only $15, or you can purchase a 5-class punchcard for $60.  You can also schedule a 60-minute, one-on-one session for $75 or even purchase private group sessions.  Prices vary on the number of guests.

There are endless possibilities to connect with the great outdoors.  Today we only explored three of the countless hotels and resorts where you are face-to-face with nature from the moment you arrive.  That's all for this week, come back in two weeks when we reveal the final hidden cove!

The DR Has It All (Literally)

Hello, and welcome back!  Last week we explored Caminito del Rey, the world's most dangerous hiking trail.  This week, I thought we would change things up just a bit.

Usually on Hidden Coves, we explore all of the beautiful and underrated places our world has to offer.  Unfortunately, we never take time to realize that many hidden gems are located right next to places people would never want to explore.

Neighborhood in a typical Dominican city.

Two years ago, I spent two weeks in Santo Domingo, Republica Dominicana.  To most, this city would be considered anything but paradise: no beaches, no gourmet food, and you couldn't even drink the water!  Unlike in America, it was rare for the children to have two-parent households (or, should I say hut-holds), and it was even rarer to have a parent that wasn't involved in either drugs or prostitution.

Now I know that you may be thinking, "why is Hannah's Hidden Cove this week so depressing?"  Just hang in there!  I promise I have a point.

For 12 of the 14 days I was in the Dominican, I stayed in this city with these kids.  We made crafts and sang together every day.  I played street baseball when I had free time.  I ate food prepared by the locals.  I knew these kids and their stories.  They lived anything but the "American dream" that we all are comfortably living today.

When we think of a third-world country, these are the images that typically come to mind.  We picture children playing on the streets and UNICEF commercials asking us to donate money.  Yet we rarely realize what's happening just down the street from these communities.

Resort in the Dominican Republic.  Photo courtesy of cheapcaribbean.com

For the final two days of my mission trip, we stayed in an all-inclusive resort.  We drove only an hour away from the poverty-stricken community in which we were staying beforehand.  To me, it's absolutely crazy to believe that, after driving only one hour, we were able to switch from a third- to a first-world community.  The Dominican Republic really has it all.  

The resort my mission team stayed in.

So, in today's blog, I'm switching it up.  I believe that the hidden gem in the Dominican Republic isn't the resort which I stayed in.  Although the resort had multiple gourmet buffets, swimming pools with cabanas to swim to and drink, and the Atlantic Ocean as its backyard, that is not what I considered paradise.  To me, paradise was seeing the children smile as they learned the words to a new song and created a new craft.  

So, friends, that is why this week's hidden cove is Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.  I challenge you to find the beauty that is hiding under a coat of dust.  I know that when I found it, it stuck with me much longer than the photographs of a beautiful ocean or castle did.  

That's all I have for you this week.  Remember to come back next week as we reveal another hidden cove!  Have you visited anywhere that stuck out?  Comment below and let me know.  Who knows, maybe your hidden cove will be featured!

(No Longer) The Most Dangerous Trail in the World

It's not every week that I get to share a hidden gem that is what one might consider "newsworthy," but this week is different!  Two days ago, Caminito del Ray, known for being the most dangerous trail in the world, reopened its entry points for tourists.  Grab your hardhat and hang on tight, this week's hidden cove might make your heart skip a beat!

Caminito del Rey, photo courtesy of Reuters. 

Caminito del Rey is a five-mile path along the walls of the El Chorro gorge in Southern Spain.  Originally constructed between 1901-1905, the walkway was used as a connection road between two hydroelectric plants.  It was then named Caminito del Ray, or "King's Little Pathway," by King Alfonso XIII in 1921.  

The pathway was closed for good in 2000 when many tourists fell to their deaths.  The entryways were destroyed; anybody caught trespassing would be fined a minimum of $6,500.  

Photos courtesy of Reuters. 

The trail reopened this week after undergoing a $5.8 million restoration project.  Unfortunately, the trail is no longer considered the most dangerous one in the world, but I think anybody would agree that being a little safer is much more worthwhile than having a catchy title.  

The renovations included rebuilding or reconstructing a majority of the walkways.  Wood and steel walkways now hover just above the original walkways, as seen below.  Before the renovations, handrails did not exist in the park.  

Photo courtesy of Reuters. 

Tourists will still consider this walkway "dangerous" and "risky," for many of the pathways are still very narrow and over 300-feet above the ground.  Luckily, a new protocol for this route is that all hikers must wear a hardhat - provided by the groundskeepers.  There is also now a minimum age requirement for the trail, eight-years-old, as well as restrictions for handicapped tourists.  As they say, it is better to be safe than sorry.

Tickets can be purchased online for tourists preparing to walk the trail.  Groups of 50 depart every 30 minutes, and park officials expect about 600 tourists will complete the trek each day.  Tickets are already booked up until late June.

If you aren't one for experiencing heights, this trek may not be for you.  Hey, that's OK!  We are bound to find another hidden cove that will give you the same sense of adrenaline without the height, narrowness, and spine-chilling sensations that come with the Caminito del Ray package.  

Remember to come back next week as we explore the world and find hidden gems together.  Until then!

To "Ta Prohm"

Known to many travelers as the "Kingdom of Contradictions," the Kingdom of Cambodia is exactly that.  From beauty to neglect, rich to poor, and even new to old, Cambodia is filled with hidden treasures for the curious traveler to uncover.  That's where we head to today, so buckle up; we are about to travel not only across the globe from our last destination, but also back in time: hundreds of years ago!

Ta Prohm Temple in Angkor, Cambodia.  Photo courtesy of visitwonders.com

The Ta Prohm Temple is known by several different names.  Depending on who one is speaking with, this same temple may be referred to as the "temple of Angkor" or "Rajavihara."

Sometime between the 12th and 13th Century, the Ta Prohm Temple was built under the order of Khmer King Jayavarman VII.  The temple was originally built to be a Mahayana Buddhist monastery and university.  It then became a very well-known temple, but as the Khmer Empire fell, Ta Prohm was abandoned.  It went centuries without any visitors.

Roots are seen growing through the temple.  Photo courtesy of WordPress.com

Finally the 21st Century comes around, as do some visitors.  The Ta Prohm finally had somebody wondering about its history and try to restore its natural beauty.  Unfortunately, there is not a single photograph of the original, functioning temple - which makes sense considering that was hundreds of years before the camera was invented - but nevertheless, there is no possible way to fully restore the temple.

In 1992, UNESCO added Ta Prohm to the World Heritage List.

As of 2013, the Archeological Survey of India has maintained most of the temple, making sure that it is safe for visitors to walk into.  Many of the restorations were done by scratch.  The Archeological Survey of India is content with the rehab that was put in, for they wanted to make sure that the temple was safe, yet still showed the neglect it received throughout the centuries.

 

Inside the temple.  Photo courtesy of WTFoto.com and tripideas.org

Legend has it that King Jayavarman VII constructed Ta Prohm in honor of his family.  Details inside the temple are modeled after his mother, father, brother and guru.  Remains of those artifacts still reside inside the temple.

There is much, much more history and beauty than I can put into words in this week's blog post.  If you are interested in learning more about the Ta Prohm Temple, start off with a virtual panoramic tour, provided by Air Pano.

That's all for this week!  Remember to stop by next Wednesday as we reveal the next hidden wonder. Until then!

Say "Neigh!"

Hi friends, welcome back!

Have you ever noticed that many of our destinations are pretty timeless?  That is, most places that we have visited weren't made or created just yesterday.  Today's hidden cove is different; it may have not been created just yesterday, but it was created about one and one-half years ago.  Buckle up and get ready for the ride!

Being only 246 miles away (for us Midwesterners, that's about a six and one-half hour's drive) from last week's destination, today we are visiting The Kelpies in Scotland.  Imagine this: you're driving on a highway, already accompanied by naturally beautiful scenery, when you see two horse heads towering 100 feet above you!  What's that I hear?  You're saying, "neigh, I don't believe you?"  

The Kelpies, photographed by stevehuffphoto.com

Do you believe me now?

In October of 2013, street artist and sculptor Andy Scott completed the sculptures that now mark the beginning of the Forth and Clyde Canal.  The canal was actually extended to accommodate for the Kelpies, which opened to the public in April of 2014.

If you're wondering why Andy Scott created two 100-feet tall horse heads, you probably aren't from Scotland.  You see, these monuments celebrate the history of Scotland and its horse-powered heritage.   The Kelpies' name is also significant, for it reflects the mythological transforming beasts that have the strength of ten horses.  This, then, is comparable with the transformational change and endurance of Scotland's inland waterways.

When asked about the design, Andy Scott stated:

"The original concept of mythical water horses was a valid starting point for the artistic development of the structures ... I took that concept and moved with it towards a more equine and contemporary response, shifting from any mythological references towards a socio-historical monument intended to celebrate the horse's role in industry and agriculture as well as the obvious association with the canals as tow horses."  

Want a three-dimmensional view of this sculpture?  You can get that without traveling to the Kelpies!  Check out this video: 

And as if the sculpture alone isn't enough, the lighting at night time makes it completely awing! 

 

Photo courtesy of dailymail.co.uk and roseparks.co.uk

If you are lucky enough to visit these horses, there is more to do than simply take a selfie.  The Kelpies has its own visitor center, available to provide tourists with tons more information than I have provided here and even guided tours.  

The Kelpies are actually set in a park called The Helix, so once the tour is over and ten selfies are taken, visitors can take part in daily events listed on The Helix's website or simply walk the trails, go cycling, perform some water sports, or even take part in a community volunteer event.

That's all we have for this destination!  Remember to come back next week as we discover another hidden cove.  Have you found any hidden coves while traveling or in your hometown?  Let me know!  Comment below or feel free to e-mail me at hannahtadey@gmail.com. 

Luck of the Irish

Hello, friends!  It has been a while since we last caught up, so let's jump right in.  By the way, happy St. Patrick's Day!  In honor of the holiday, today we are traveling to Ireland.  Buckle up, this is about to be a dazzling ride!

Ireland.  Photo courtesy of www.naturalhistoryonthenet.com 

Today, Ireland is mainly known - and celebrated - for its beer, along with the high alcohol tolerance of the Irish people.  Although St. Paddy's Day is a great reason to grab a beer with some friends, there is much more to this breathtaking country.

Don't believe me?  Well, let's take a quick look some of the places and things Ireland has to offer its 7.3 million yearly tourists:

Guinness

Photo courtesy of Guinness.com

What's a tribute blog to Ireland without their famous Guinness beer?  If, today, you drink some sort of alcohol, make sure it's a Guinness.    After all, the average Irishman drinks 34.6 gallons of beer each year!  According to Ireland Favorites, Guinness has to be poured the proper way in order to have the best taste: "In a clean tulip glass tilt glass at 45 degree angle and fill to 3/4, let the Guinness settle for 90 seconds or so, fill remainder of glass leaving creamy head on top. Admire nicely poured Guinness for a few seconds letting it again settle, take first sip and savor."

Castles

Photo courtesy of untapped cities.com

When looking at a bird's-eye view of Ireland, one would see two main things: greenery and castles.  Castles play a major role in not only the architecture of the land, but also the history.  Now in the 21-century, tourists can go on tours of historic castles, and even rent out rooms in the smaller castles.  When researching some of the castles in Ireland, one smaller one stuck out: Belle Isle Castle.

Belle Isle Castle

Photo courtesy of Belle-Isle.com

The Belle Isle Castle may look mediocre from the outside when compared to other castles.  I mean, look: there's no moat, no high towers for the guards, nothing of that sort.  What this castle does have, however, is Irish charm and character.  The Belle Isle Castle is one that can be rented out to tourists for weddings, parties, or even a couple's getaway.  The rooms are renovated, so they have a more modern charm rather than a "this castle was built in the 1500s and I can tell, but not in a good way" charm.

One can choose to stay directly in the castle or can stay in one of the several cottages on the estate.  If the group has a large number of guests, such as a family, there are newly renovated holiday cottages that can sleep up to eight guests.

When the couple, wedding party, or group of close friends books a stay at the castle, there is much more to do than simply exploring the castle.  With private fishing lakes, shooting ranges and sailboats on the estate, there is more to do than a day's time allows.

That's all I have for you this week!  Have a safe St. Patrick's Day, and remember to join me back here next week when we reveal my next hidden cove!

Green is Good!

Welcome back!

I hope you all have experienced some good luck after eating some paczki last Tuesday.  This week, we are leaving our traditional routes of Europe and America and traveling to the Arabian Peninsula.  The United Arab Emirates, otherwise known as the UAE, is home to 9.2 million people.  Of those people, 7.8 million are expatriates, simply meaning that they are not technically citizens of the UAE, but living in the country, temporarily or permanently, for work.

World map zoomed in on the UAE.  Photo courtesy of ras.ae

The fact that about 85% of the people living in the UAE are there for work is easy to understand.  Think about it, when we usually hear "UAE," we typically picture either the world's tallest skyscraper or the general city of Dubai.

 

Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world, and Dubai at night. Photos courtesy of wnova.com and docusign.com

It goes without saying that the UAE has much more to offer rather than stunning skylines, and that's where we are heading to today.  Today's destination: Safa Park, Dubai.

The city of Dubai can be roughly compared to New York City.  The town is wall-to-wall jam packed with businesses, restaurants and attractions.  Sure, everybody loves the city life.  That's why people go to New York City: to experience the upscale, urban, fast-paced lifestyle. But there's a reason Central Park exists in NYC, people need time to slow it down.  Dubai has its own "Central Park," named Safa Park. 

Aerial view of Safa Park.  Photo courtesy of magic-uae.ru

Safa Park is located on the outskirts of Dubai.  It was created in 1975 by illegal immigrants who resided in makeshift homes where the park is now located.  The Dubai government had the illegal immigrants create the park and then granted them amnesty.  

The park has been through several renovations.  In the 40 years it has existed, the park went from being a simple nature park to the park we see above with recreational and service facilities.  

A waterfall flows to the largest of the three lakes, where tourists can then go on a boat tour. According to WhatsOn.ae, a website based in Dubai and intended to bring tourists to the city, Safa Park is the "vast park... [the] perfect place to get lost at the weekend – literally if you come across the mini maze." They continue to say that in the park, tourists can also stop at the fresh farmer's market or stop in the Archive for some coffee.

Whether you're in NYC or Dubai, The Smoky Mountains or the Tatras Mountains, there is serenity just around the corner.  Come back next week as we reveal yet another hidden cove. 

Being "Buried" Isn't Necessarily A Bad Thing

Hello all!

As you probably know, today is Fat Tuesday; the day we indulge in all of those sweet treats that we promise to give up for these next 40 days of Lent.  Fat Tuesday also means another thing, though.  Today is Paczki Day!

Photo of delicious paczki courtesy of ChicagoNow.com

Paczki are doughnut-like pastries, traditional to Polish cuisine.  The pastries are fried, filled with either creme or jelly, and finally topped with either glaze or powdered sugar.  There goes that New Year's resolution of eating clean, at least for today!

The Poles are six-times as lucky as we Americans that are celebrating this tradition today, though.  As the old tradition goes, the Poles celebrated this Fat Day as, more or less, Fat Week.  The Thursday before Lent begins is Fat Thursday, marking the beginning of a week-long adventure of stuffing your face with greasy, lard-filled foods and washing it all down with vodka.  Although the Poles don't stick to such tradition anymore, they still celebrate Fat Week with Paczki.

Polish tradition holds much more than this sweet treat, though.  Traveling to the boarder of Poland and Slovakia, we find the hidden gem of Zakopane, which literally translates to "buried". 

Zakopane's view from the mountain tops.  Photo courtesy of fotocommunity.com

Buried between the mountains, the 32-square-mile city of Zakopane once served as an underground staging route between Poland and Hungary.  It later became known for its unique architecture, simply known as Zakopane Style.  

Only 250,000 tourists visit Zakopane annually, which is a shame considering what the city has to offer.  Whatever the weather, tourists have enough to keep themselves busy for a long stay.

Mountaineering (Mountain Climbing), Skiing and Snowboarding 

Kasprowy Wierch, photo courtesy of tematy.podroze.gazeta.pl

Zakopane is a dream come true for winter adventure enthusiasts.  The city has hosted the FIS Alpine Skiing World Championships on several occasions.  The city also hosted the 2015 Fadoodalie Winter Olympic Games; it even had a bid on the 2006 Winter Olympics.  Many tourists will ski and snowboard Kasprowy Wierch mountain.  If you're more into mountain climbing, the Mieguszowiecki szcyzyt trail is for you.

Hiking, Climbing and Spelunking

Morskiego Oka, photo courtesy of Tamerlan

Zakopane is the perfect summer destination for mountain hiking and climbing lovers.  Morskiego Oka holds the largest peak in the Polish Tatras Mountains; Rysy is 2,499 meters above the surface.  If you're up for a mysterious adventure, you can always go spelunking (cave exploring) as well.

Experiencing Goral Culture

Kulig, photo courtesy of Robert Wojtowicz

The term "Goral" translates to "mountain" or "hill".  Considering these people live in the valleys of the Polish Tatras Mountains, it is easy to see how they got their name. Goral culture is rich in its unique foods, speech, architecture, music and costume.  If you want to experience this culture at its finest, visit Zakopane around Christmas time.  The Gorals celebrate the holidays with their traditional style, including dances, horse-drawn sleighs (called Kulig), and even roasted lamb. 

Strolling Krupowki Street

Krupowki Street, photo courtesy of yrushka.com

Krupowki Street is the most popular street in Zakopane.  Lined with shops, restaurants, hotels, carnival rides and performers, it is definitely a must-see for tourists.  Krupowki Street is also the perfect destination if you are looking to bring home a traditional souvenir.  Oscypek, a smoked cheese made out of salted sheep milk, is unique to the Tatra Mountain region.  If you aren't a cheese-lover, you can always take home a ciupaga, otherwise called a shepherd's axe. 

That's all I have for you for this hidden gem!  Make sure to go buy a dozen Paczki today so you can experience a bit of Poland with me.  After all, they are said to bring good luck for the year if you eat one on Fat Tuesday!  Come back next week; together we will discover another beautiful hidden cove of the heart. 

"Hello!" From Hidden Hawai'i

Last time we went exploring together, we traveled halfway across the world to Kangaroo Island, Australia.  This time, though, we are traveling somewhere closer to my hometown... Sort of.  We're staying in my country, but we're actually venturing out from the mainland over to the Island of Hawai'i and exploring the Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park.  Let me warn you, this isn't going to be the "beachy," sunny, or sandy Hawaii you expect!

Photo courtesy of GoHawaii.com

Hawai'i is the largest island of the Hawaiian Islands, but, strangely, is not the island of choice for most tourists.  As we've learned through my other posts, this means that there's bound to be a hidden cove to uncover.  

Not far within the Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park lies Nahuku, also known as "Thurston Lava Tube".  The path to Nahuku is a 30 minute descent to "prehistoric times," explains Instant Hawaii.  On the hike down, tall plants will tower over you and your friends; you will quickly begin to smell that "nature in the rain" smell, for the trail becomes dark and moist.  Finally, you arrive at the entrance of Thurston Lava Tube, Nahuku: a 500-year-old lava tube.

Photo courtesy of InstantHawaii.com

These lava tubes, what we mainland Americans would call "caves", were formed hundreds of years ago as volcano magma squeezed through the rocks, leaving caves as their tracks. The dried magma left beautiful, warm colors, which literally surround the tubes.  The ceiling heights vary from 10-feet to as tall as 50-feet.  

There are many tubes breaking off from the main path, but those typically have a dead-end.  Confused?  Picture your veins; there are your main, large veins, which branch off to smaller veins, and then again branch off to smaller veins, and eventually those tiny veins come to a dead-end.  That is exactly how Nahuku is structured.  

 

Photos courtesy of bigislandguru.com

The main path of the cave is already lit, but for you adventurous tourists, there is a completely dark, natural tube right after the lit path ends.  If you plan on venturing on, make sure to bring your own flashlight.  For those who are content with seeing the lit tubes and moving on to other sights of the park, there is an exit right before the unlit tube begins.  

Once you are done hiking through the Nahuku's lava tubes, you will arrive about 100 feet away from where the trail started.  This is definitely an added perk.  Personally, I am always exhausted after I have seen the main attraction, so it's nice that you are only a short walk away from your car.

That's all I have for you this week!  If you would like any additional information on Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, I would recommend visiting GoHawaii.com.  Be sure to return next week as we return to Europe and visit the home of the White Eagle.

Have you visited anywhere unique lately?  Contact me to feature your story!  HannahTadey@gmail.com

Across the Sparkling Sea I See...Kangaroos?

Traveling over 9,500 miles from my last post's location, we arrive in the land of the Aussies.  Now, Aussies tend to live primarily on the Coasts of Australia - especially on the East Coast - in urbanized areas such as Queensland and the Gold Coast.  Unfortunately, many tourists flock to these destinations as well.  Venturing out to other regions, we can find many hidden treasures of the island.

Population map of Australia, 2014.  Courtesy of Reddit.com

For example, on one of Australia's smaller islands south of the mainland is populated by none other than the famous Australian marsupial, the kangaroo.  This island, actually named Kangaroo Island, is home to much more than the kangaroo, though.  According to Australia.com, Kangaroo Island is the home of animals such as sea lions, kangaroos, koalas, wallabies, penguins, echidnas, and a diversity of birds.

The island holds more than this wide array of Aussie wildlife, though.  Tourists can also experience original foods and wines, explore the history and mysteries, swim, surf and snorkel the sparkling waters, or they can simply take in the beauty of the natural land.  Though all of that sounds great, I would like to focus on the beauty and history of the island.  If you're interested in the anything else listed above, definitely visit Australia's official website as well as Kangaroo Island's official website.

Kagaroo Island's history begins with European settlers assuming that the land was uninhabited due to the lack of campfires as well as the wildlife still being, well, wild.  There is no documentation as to what happened to the natives already living on the island, however mainland Aussie natives call the island "Karta," which translates to "land of the dead."

Fastforward to the 19 century, history tells the tales of sailors, soldiers and lighthouse keepers.  While visiting the island, tourists can actually experience these parts of history by doing activities such as:

• Staying in a restored lighthouse and reading the lighthouse keeper's diaries about his day-to-day life,
• Diving the waters and personally seeing shipwrecks as old as the 1800's,
• Climbing over 500 steps to experience the same views as a European explorer did to survey the land in the 1900's, or even
• Visiting the first known mulberry tree.

If you're not into physically going places to experience the history, that's OK!  The island also has a museum full of the island's history.  

Let's get down to this 'roo business!  

While visiting the island, take advantage of the land.  Rent an ATV or a bicycle.  While out on the paths, you are guaranteed to spot several kangaroos - and other wild animals - going about their day.  Locals like to call the island "a zoo without fences," for whichever way you look you are bound to see something.  Feel free to take pictures of these island natives for they are very comfortable with the idea of humans being near.

Once you have gotten over the kangaroo hype and want to continue to see what the land has to offer, start by checking out some of the island's points of interest:

• Surf the sand dunes of Vivonne Bay,
• Go caving in the underground caves of Kelly Hill Conservation Park,
• Follow the Dudley Peninsula to Cape Willoughby,
• Swim and sail the bay, or even
• Water dive - South Australia has the best water temperatures for water diving.

If all of this doesn't have you looking up flights to South Australia, I don't know what will!  This island has it all: history, wildlife, tourism amenities, and of course the coast.  Catch you all next week when we travel back to America for another hidden cove of the heart.