GV Photos

So Many Cardinals

Peter West Carey — Fri, 29 Aug 2025 07:28:00 +0000

The picture is only a solitary cardinal but there more, many, many more around.

Living on the West Coast, I hadn’t seen any cardinals of note in my life. I’m sure they were around, after all I found out, thanks to the book The United Tweets of America, many states have the cardinal as their official bird.

But then I got into birding and traveled a few places where they are all over. And like any good birder, I got sick of them after a while. But then loved them again once I flew home.

1972 Munich Olympics’ Massacre

Gary Arndt — Fri, 29 Aug 2025 05:50:04 +0000

Podcast Transcript In 1972, the Olympics returned to Germany for the first time since being hosted in Berlin in 1936. The Games were intended to present a new image of West Germany, one that would reject the image portrayed at the previous Nazi-hosted Games and showcase a modern, peaceful nation. That didn’t happen. Instead, it ...

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KATHMANDU, NEPAL CUISINE: DAL BHAT

jacquelinemhadel — Thu, 28 Aug 2025 15:11:00 +0000

National Cuisine: Dal bhat is Nepal’s classic comfort food—a simple yet hearty meal of steamed rice (bhat) served with a flavorful lentil soup (dal). Usually accompanied by vegetables, pickles, and sometimes meat, it’s the staple dish that fuels daily life across the country, eaten for both lunch and dinner.

31july2025

Looking For A Path

Peter West Carey — Thu, 28 Aug 2025 14:33:00 +0000

I think we went off to the right side and then back again to the left?

Wayfinding in the High Sierra can be a challenge but often there are cairns, little stacks of stones, to help you find your way.

Starlite: The Miracle That Never Was

Gary Arndt — Thu, 28 Aug 2025 06:38:33 +0000

Podcast Transcript In the 1980s, an Englishman named Maurice Ward developed a material that he claimed could withstand temperatures of thousands of degrees Celsius. Not only could the material withstand high temperatures, but it could also protect anything in proximity from high temperatures. This product didn’t result in a revolution in material science. In fact, ...

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20 Big Travel Project Ideas to Inspire a Lifetime of Adventure

Sherry — Thu, 28 Aug 2025 05:48:31 +0000

Build a personal travel mission that makes every trip more meaningful.

When I took my year career break and traveled around the world for the first time, I spent my time ticking off all the popular places that I wanted to see in the world. I went to Hong Kong, the Great Wall, did a safari, went to Rome, explored the great barrier reef, saw the Taj Mahal, went to New Zealand, viewed the Great pyramids, partied on the islands of Greece, and had memorable nights in Bangkok. After a year or two or traveling to these popular destinations, my travel desires started changing. Ticking places off a generic bucklist was loosing it’s appeal to me. I wanted more.

I started dipping my toe into longer travel journeys and travel goals that had a theme. After all – I LOVE a good theme! I started with learning how to drive a motorbike in Vietnam as I lived in Ho Chi Minh City for a year. I hiked the Camino de Santiago solo. I drove a car from London to Mongolia as part of the Mongol Rally. I drove a Rickshaw across India for 2000 miles. These were all travel projects that drove me and challenged me – but they also introduced me to different part of the world, different cultures, and ultimately I learned a lot about myself during these travel projects!

I like big projects. They consume me and keep me focused on living in the present, rather than just repeating the same old routine day after day. Travel projects have a long-term, purposeful feel, like a bigger mission beyond just “go on a trip.” They make me look at my travels differently than simply roaming around to sights, I travel deeper, slower, and more introspectively when on a travel project.

I like Big Travel Projects

My largest project that I had ever completed lasted for 9 years – it was called the Niece Project. When I stopped buying gifts for my nieces, I didn’t know it would turn into one of the most meaningful travel projects of my life. Instead of more toys and gadgets, I wanted to give them something they’d never outgrow — something that would shape how they see the world.

So I made them a promise: when they turned 16, I would take each of them anywhere they wanted to go. What started as a simple idea became years of dreaming, planning, and unforgettable adventures — for them and for me.

This project didn’t just change their lives. It changed mine too.

With the Niece Project behind me, it didn’t take me too long to come up with yet another travel project – my boldest yet – taking over my dad’s old Capitol to Capitol project – biking to all of the Capitol buildings in the US.

I know I’m not alone when it comes to loving travel projects. After all, there are a number of people who have visited every country in the world.

Why Start a Travel Project?

When you travel with a personal project in mind, every trip becomes part of something bigger — your own story, your own quest. Instead of just ticking places off a list, you build skills, deepen your understanding of the world, and stay motivated even when life gets busy.

The benefits of starting a travel project include:

Staying inspired to travel long-term
Building expertise and confidence
Creating deeper cultural connections
Turning travel memories into a lasting legacy
Fostering curiosity, creativity, and resilience

Travel projects with a long-term, purposeful feel, like a bigger mission beyond just “go on a trip.”

The Happiness of Pursuit

When I was starting to plan my Capitol to Capitol project and make it a reality, I read a book called The Happiness of Pursuit – by Chris Guillebeau. A while back, Chris visited every country and that inspired him to dig further into the anatomy of big personal quests. His book covers all facets of goal planning from the initial step of identifying your big goal (or quest) through its execution. This includes finding support, how much a quest might cost, how to handle misadventures (or failure) and finally, what to do when a quest ends.

In The Happiness of Pursuit, Chris Guillebeau explores how setting a personal quest — whether it’s traveling to every country in the world (which he did), cooking a meal from every nation, or walking across a continent — gives life more structure, purpose, and joy.

“If you’re going to build a quest around travel, it helps to make it specific. Going everywhere is less important than going somewhere—especially somewhere that challenges you or changes your perspective.” — Chris Guillebeau

His research and personal experience reveal that long-term goals aren’t just motivating — they’re deeply transformative. People who take on quests feel more engaged with life, experience greater clarity, and report a stronger sense of identity.

“The pursuit of happiness isn’t about passive contentment — it’s about active engagement.”
Chris Guillebeau

Benefits of Long Term Travel Projects or Quests

Guillebeau found that people who pursue bold, long-term quests — especially ones involving travel — benefit in five key ways:

Renewed Motivation – When you have a meaningful goal, even the planning becomes joyful.
Greater Resilience – Facing challenges while chasing your dream builds confidence and adaptability.
A Sense of Progress – Every trip becomes part of a larger journey, giving you purpose.
Personal Growth – A quest stretches your comfort zone, forcing learning and reinvention.
Deeper Stories – Instead of fragmented memories, you build a cohesive narrative that lasts.

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08/28/2025 07:02 pm GMT

Big Travel Project Ideas For You to Taken on As Your Own

“A quest doesn’t have to be grandiose; it just has to be yours.”

Whether you’re visiting every desert in the world or chasing down the world’s best libraries, your travel project becomes more than a checklist — it becomes a source of joy, identity, and meaning.

Because I’m crazy about having to be different, I wanted to create a list of travel project ideas that are more creative and less obvious than “visit every country.” Here’s what I came up with. Feel free to use any of these ideas for your own travel project!

1. Chasing the Equator

Visit all the countries the Equator runs through (there are 13!). Imagine traveling through Ecuador, Gabon, Indonesia, Kenya, Uganda, and others — and documenting how life along the Equator differs around the world.
Long-term goal: Explore “life at zero degrees” — climate, culture, and biodiversity.

2. Pilgrimage Routes of the World

Instead of just hiking the Camino de Santiago, build a lifetime project to complete famous pilgrimage routes across different faiths and cultures — like Japan’s Kumano Kodo, India’s Char Dham, or Mexico’s pilgrimage to the Basilica of Guadalupe.
Long-term goal: Walk sacred paths around the globe.

Read my article about Thru-hikes around the world: Alternatives to the Camino de Santiago

3. Island Nations Only

Focus on visiting only island countries — from the Maldives to Iceland to Madagascar to Wrangle Island. Document how island life varies across different oceans and cultures.
Long-term goal: Understand isolated ecosystems and unique cultures shaped by the sea.

I love visiting remote islands – read my article about South Pacific Travel: How to Visit 14 of the Most Remote and Culturally Fascinating Islands

4. World’s Best Train Journeys

Create a project to experience the world’s most iconic train rides — the Trans-Siberian Railway, India’s Palace on Wheels, the Rocky Mountaineer, Switzerland’s Glacier Express, Australia’s Ghan, etc.
Long-term goal: See the world from a slow, immersive perspective.

5. Festivals of the World Tour

Plan your travels around attending unique festivals globally — Holi in India, Día de los Muertos in Mexico, the Running of the Bulls in Spain, Lisdoonvarna Matchmaking Festival in Ireland.
Long-term goal: Celebrate humanity’s diverse ways of honoring life, death, seasons, and joy.

6. Ancient Civilizations Trail

Travel to see the ruins and legacies of ancient civilizations — think the Mayans, Greeks, Egyptians, Khmer, Incas, etc. Not just the popular ones, but lesser-known ones too (like the Nabataeans or the Etruscans).
Long-term goal: Piece together humanity’s ancient stories across continents.

7. One River, Many Lives

Follow the course of one major river (the Amazon, Nile, Danube, Mekong, Mississippi) through different countries, studying how the river shapes cultures, economies, and daily life along the way.
Long-term goal: Tell the story of a river through the eyes of those who live by it.

Fisherman’s quarter

8. World Capitals at Night

Visit major world capitals, but focus on exploring and photographing them only at night — seeing how cities transform after dark.
Long-term goal: Create a portfolio or photo series of “the world after sunset.”

9. Border Crossings Project

Travel overland across international borders and document the experiences, especially in unique places where cultures visibly change across an invisible line — like crossing from France to Spain in the Basque Country or from Thailand to Myanmar.
Long-term goal: Explore what borders mean — and how artificial (or real) they feel on the ground.

10. World Libraries or Bookstores Tour

If you’re literary, design a travel project around visiting the most beautiful, historic, or quirky libraries and bookstores around the world — from Livraria Lello in Portugal to the George Peabody Library in Baltimore.
Long-term goal: Celebrate global stories and architecture tied to reading and knowledge.

11. Summit the World’s Iconic Mountains

Climb legendary peaks — Kilimanjaro, Fuji, Mont Blanc, and Table Mountain — whether by technical climb or hiking trail.
Long-term goal: Document your ascents in a personal journal or “Seven Summits” challenge.

12. Experience the World’s Deserts

From the red sands of Namibia’s Sossusvlei to the white dunes of New Mexico, to the rocky Gobi Desert, and the salt flats of Bolivia, immerse yourself in the world’s arid beauty.
Long-term goal: Create a photographic series titled “The Silent Landscapes.”

13. Visit All Continents Before You Turn [Age]

Set a personal milestone to touch all seven continents — yes, even Antarctica — before a specific birthday (30, 40, 50?).
Long-term goal: Complete a personal documentary called “Seven Continents, One Life.”

Different language, different street, but the same weight we all carry when the mind wanders far beyond the moment we stand in.

Kathmandu slows you down in the best ways. A bike, a wall of wild colors, a quiet pause on a narrow street—sometimes the city’s stories are told in stillness, not motion.

Strings of color fluttering above tangled wires and worn streets—

This city doesn’t pose for pictures; it just lives.

31july2025

From Down Deep

Peter West Carey — Wed, 27 Aug 2025 15:06:00 +0000

Maybe the title is scarier than it seems, because you can see the bottom right there in the photo.

And this shark wasn’t any threat to us. The more time I spend around sharks in the wild, the less they all seem like Jaws.

How to Customize Your Ram 2500 for Maximum Performance

johnnyward4321 — Wed, 27 Aug 2025 06:48:46 +0000

The Ram 2500 is already a powerhouse in the heavy-duty truck segment, offering remarkable towing capacity, rugged durability, and a refined interior. However, if you truly want to maximize its performance, customization is key. Whether you’re an off-road enthusiast, a construction professional, or someone who simply wants their truck to stand out on the road, there are countless ways to upgrade your Ram 2500. In this guide, we’ll explore practical strategies and modifications to help you achieve peak performance, ensuring your truck not only looks impressive but performs at its very best. For those considering the latest models, the 2025 ram 2500 provides a perfect platform for customization thanks to its advanced engine options and durable build.

Upgrade the Engine and Exhaust System

One of the most impactful ways to boost your Ram 2500’s performance is by enhancing the engine and exhaust system. A high-performance air intake system can increase airflow to your engine, improving combustion efficiency and generating more horsepower. Pairing this with a performance exhaust system not only enhances engine breathing but also gives your truck a more aggressive sound. Consider options like cat-back exhausts, high-flow catalytic converters, and performance headers, which reduce backpressure and improve throttle response. These modifications are particularly effective for towing or hauling heavy loads, ensuring your truck performs reliably under pressure.

Install a Performance Tuner

To truly extract the full potential from your Ram 2500, a performance tuner is essential. Tuners allow you to adjust engine parameters such as fuel mapping, ignition timing, and transmission settings. By optimizing these settings, you can significantly improve horsepower, torque, and fuel efficiency. Many tuners also provide preloaded performance profiles designed for towing, off-roading, or racing, giving you the flexibility to switch modes depending on your needs. This modification complements other upgrades like intake and exhaust enhancements, maximizing overall engine performance.

Upgrade Suspension for Off-Road Capability

If you plan to take your Ram 2500 off the beaten path, suspension upgrades are a must. Heavy-duty shocks, performance struts, and lift kits can dramatically improve ride quality and handling, especially on rugged terrain. A suspension lift not only increases ground clearance but also allows for larger tires, which improves traction and off-road stability. Consider adding sway bar upgrades and reinforced control arms for enhanced durability. These improvements ensure your truck can handle rough trails, deep mud, and rocky inclines while maintaining a smooth and controlled ride.

Enhance Braking Performance

As your Ram 2500 gains power and carries heavier loads, upgrading the braking system becomes critical. High-performance brake pads, larger rotors, and braided steel brake lines can improve stopping power and reduce brake fade during demanding conditions. For trucks that frequently tow trailers or haul heavy equipment, a brake controller or auxiliary braking system is recommended to ensure safety and consistent performance. Upgrading the brakes not only enhances safety but also complements your engine and suspension modifications for a well-rounded performance package.

Upgrade Tires and Wheels

Tires are where your truck meets the road—or the trail. High-quality performance or all-terrain tires significantly affect traction, handling, and fuel efficiency. Larger, more aggressive tires can improve off-road capability, while lightweight performance wheels can reduce rotational mass, aiding acceleration and braking. Ensure your wheel and tire upgrades are compatible with your suspension lift or leveling kit to avoid clearance issues. Tire selection is also critical for towing, as the right tire can improve load-bearing capacity and maintain stability on highways.

Improve Cooling and Fuel Efficiency

Performance upgrades often put extra stress on your engine, making efficient cooling essential. Upgrading to a high-performance radiator or adding an auxiliary transmission cooler can prevent overheating during towing or extended off-road adventures. Additionally, fuel system enhancements such as high-flow injectors and upgraded fuel pumps can ensure your engine receives the necessary fuel for peak performance. These modifications not only extend the life of your engine but also maintain consistent power delivery under demanding conditions.

Install a Towing Package and Accessories

For owners who use their Ram 2500 for heavy-duty hauling, enhancing towing capabilities is a smart investment. A towing package with upgraded hitch receivers, reinforced suspension, and integrated trailer brake systems can make towing safer and more efficient. Accessories like weight distribution hitches, sway control systems, and auxiliary transmission coolers further optimize your truck for towing large trailers or heavy equipment. Proper towing upgrades ensure your truck maintains stability and performance even under the heaviest loads.

Upgrade Lighting and Electronics

Modernizing your truck’s lighting and electronics can enhance both performance and convenience. LED headlights, fog lights, and off-road light bars improve visibility in low-light or challenging conditions. Additionally, upgrading your truck’s infotainment system with performance monitoring tools can help you track engine health, fuel efficiency, and other critical metrics. Advanced electronics such as aftermarket gauge clusters or performance apps provide real-time feedback, allowing you to fine-tune your truck for maximum efficiency and reliability.

Reinforce the Drivetrain

The drivetrain is a critical component of your Ram 2500’s performance. Upgrading components such as the driveshaft, differential, and axles can increase durability and handling under high-stress conditions. For off-road enthusiasts, locking differentials provide improved traction on slippery or uneven terrain, while performance gear ratios optimize towing and acceleration. Reinforcing the drivetrain ensures your upgrades translate to real-world performance, reducing the risk of wear or failure during heavy-duty use.

Customize the Interior for Comfort and Functionality

While performance often focuses on engines and suspension, a comfortable and functional interior can indirectly improve your driving experience. Upgrading seats, adding custom floor mats, and installing storage solutions ensure you remain comfortable and organized during long trips or heavy-duty work. Performance-oriented accessories like steering wheel upgrades, shift knobs, and pedal kits can enhance control and responsiveness, creating a more engaging driving experience. A well-thought-out interior ensures that your truck is not only powerful but also practical for everyday use.

Fine-Tune Aerodynamics and Exterior Features

Improving aerodynamics may seem minor, but it can have a noticeable impact on fuel efficiency and high-speed stability. Installing bed covers, aerodynamic mirrors, or aftermarket bumpers can reduce drag and improve performance. Additionally, exterior modifications such as winches, skid plates, and rock sliders not only protect your truck during off-road adventures but also enhance its overall functionality. Exterior customization allows you to tailor your Ram 2500 to your specific performance and lifestyle needs.

Conclusion

Customizing your Ram 2500 for maximum performance is about creating a balance between power, durability, and functionality. From engine enhancements and suspension upgrades to braking improvements and interior customization, every modification contributes to a more capable, reliable, and enjoyable truck. Whether you’re towing heavy loads, tackling off-road trails, or simply seeking a more powerful driving experience, these upgrades ensure your Ram 2500 performs at its peak. Starting with the 2025 ram 2500 as your platform provides a solid foundation for any performance enhancement, making it one of the most versatile and customizable trucks on the market today. By thoughtfully upgrading each component, you can transform your Ram 2500 into a true performance machine tailored to your needs.

Read more: How to Customize Your Ram 2500 for Maximum Performance or visit EscapingAbroad.com blog for more travel stories, photos and videos.

53 ft Trailer Dimensions: What You Need to Know Before Buying

johnnyward4321 — Wed, 27 Aug 2025 06:46:20 +0000

If you are planning to buy a semi-trailer, one of the most common choices you will come across is the 53-foot trailer. Before making an investment, it is important to fully understand the 53 ft trailer dimensions and how they affect hauling capacity, road regulations, and compatibility with your truck. Many buyers focus only on length, but there are other measurements that make a huge difference in how a trailer performs. From interior height and width to weight limits and clearance, every detail matters when you are getting ready to purchase or use a 53-foot trailer.

Why 53 Feet is the Standard Size

The 53-foot trailer has become the industry standard in the United States and many other countries for over-the-road freight hauling. This length is seen as the sweet spot because it offers maximum cargo space while staying within legal limits for highways. Logistics companies prefer this size since it allows them to move large shipments without exceeding road restrictions. Shippers, carriers, and retailers have also adapted to this standard, which makes the 53-foot trailer the most common option in freight transport.

Exterior Dimensions

When talking about exterior dimensions, the trailer’s length is 53 feet from nose to tail. The width is typically 102 inches, which equals about 8 feet 6 inches. The height of most trailers is around 13 feet 6 inches, which complies with highway clearance standards in the United States. These dimensions are regulated to ensure the trailer can move safely under bridges, through tunnels, and on public roads. Buyers should confirm that the trailer they are purchasing follows these measurements because small differences in height or width could cause issues in certain states or with specific carriers.

Interior Dimensions

The interior dimensions are just as important as the exterior. Inside a 53-foot trailer, the usable length is usually around 52 feet and a few inches because of wall thickness and door framing. The interior width is approximately 100 inches, and the interior height is around 110 inches depending on the model. These measurements determine how much cargo you can fit inside and whether certain products or pallets can be stacked efficiently. For example, standard pallets measure 48 by 40 inches, so the interior dimensions of a 53-foot trailer are designed to maximize pallet capacity.

Cargo Capacity

A big reason people choose a 53-foot trailer is for its capacity. In terms of floor space, these trailers can hold up to 26 standard pallets single-stacked or 52 pallets double-stacked if height allows. The weight capacity is generally up to 45,000 pounds, but this depends on the truck, axles, and regulations in different states. Understanding both volume and weight capacity is critical. Overloading by weight can result in fines, while improper loading by volume can lead to wasted space and inefficient shipping.

Weight Limits and Axle Spacing

Regulations also control how much weight a trailer can legally carry. In the United States, the gross vehicle weight limit is 80,000 pounds for a tractor-trailer combination, which includes the truck, trailer, and cargo. A typical empty 53-foot trailer weighs between 10,000 and 15,000 pounds, and the tractor adds another 15,000 to 20,000 pounds. This means the cargo itself usually cannot exceed 45,000 pounds. Axle spacing also plays a role in how the weight is distributed. Most 53-foot trailers have tandem axles at the rear, and proper distribution is necessary to stay compliant with federal bridge laws.

Types of 53-Foot Trailers

Not all 53-foot trailers are the same. The most common is the dry van trailer, which is an enclosed box designed to carry general freight. Flatbed trailers also come in 53-foot lengths and are used for hauling oversized loads, machinery, or building materials. Refrigerated trailers, or reefers, maintain temperature-sensitive cargo and are also commonly built in 53-foot dimensions. The type of trailer you choose depends on the kind of freight you plan to haul. Each comes with slightly different dimensions inside, especially reefers, which may have thicker insulated walls that reduce interior width.

Clearance and Road Restrictions

Before buying, it is important to know how trailer height interacts with roads and bridges. Most highways in the United States allow for vehicles up to 13 feet 6 inches tall, which is why most 53-foot trailers are built to that standard. However, older bridges, rural roads, and tunnels may have lower clearances. Buyers who operate in cities or on older infrastructure should check clearance maps to avoid accidents. In addition, some states may restrict trailer length on certain routes, although 53-foot trailers are legal on most interstate highways.

Loading and Unloading Efficiency

The dimensions of a 53-foot trailer also affect how efficiently it can be loaded and unloaded. Since standard trailers are 102 inches wide, they can fit two standard pallets side by side with a little clearance for forklifts. This design speeds up the process at warehouses and shipping docks. The interior height also allows for double stacking of lighter goods. Buyers who plan to use the trailer for commercial freight should confirm that dock facilities are compatible with a 53-foot trailer, as some older warehouses were built for shorter trailers.

Benefits of a 53-Foot Trailer

There are several advantages to choosing this size trailer. First, it provides maximum cargo space while staying within road regulations. This makes it the most versatile option for long-haul trucking. Second, because it is the standard size, it is easier to find replacement parts, service, and compatible loading docks. Third, shippers and freight brokers are often more willing to contract with carriers who use 53-foot trailers because they meet most shipping requirements. For buyers, this means better resale value and more job opportunities.

Drawbacks to Consider

While a 53-foot trailer is popular, it does come with a few downsides. Maneuverability is one of the main challenges. The longer the trailer, the more difficult it is to make sharp turns or back into tight spaces. For drivers who operate in urban areas, this can become a daily struggle. Another drawback is fuel consumption. Longer and heavier trailers create more drag, which increases fuel costs. Lastly, depending on the type of trailer, initial purchase prices can be higher compared to smaller trailers.

Maintenance Needs

Like any large equipment purchase, maintenance is a key factor. A 53-foot trailer requires regular inspections of brakes, tires, lights, and axles to stay compliant with regulations. Because of their size, tire wear can be higher, and axle alignment needs careful monitoring. Trailers with specialized features, such as refrigeration units, require additional upkeep. Buyers should budget for ongoing maintenance because neglecting it can shorten the trailer’s lifespan and increase repair costs.

Tips Before Buying

Before purchasing, evaluate what type of cargo you plan to haul most frequently. Make sure the 53-foot trailer matches your operational needs, whether that is dry goods, refrigerated products, or oversized freight. Check your truck’s towing capacity to ensure it can legally and safely pull a trailer of this size and weight. Consider the routes you will be driving and confirm that they allow 53-foot trailers. Finally, inspect the trailer for condition if buying used. Look for signs of rust, floor damage, or door issues, as these can lead to expensive repairs.

Conclusion

These trailers are the backbone of the freight industry because they strike the right balance between size, capacity, and road compliance. From exterior and interior measurements to weight limits and clearance requirements, every detail plays a role in how the trailer will perform. For many buyers, a 53-foot trailer is the most practical and profitable option, but it is not without its challenges. By carefully considering your hauling needs, truck compatibility, and budget, you can decide if this standard-size trailer is the right investment for you.

Read more: 53 ft Trailer Dimensions: What You Need to Know Before Buying or visit EscapingAbroad.com blog for more travel stories, photos and videos.

6 Coastal Adventures to Experience on Hawaii’s Big Island

johnnyward4321 — Wed, 27 Aug 2025 06:44:50 +0000

There’s nothing wrong with a beach chair and a cold drink, but if you’re the kind of traveler who starts to itch for something more after an hour of lounging, Hawaii’s Big Island might just be your kind of paradise. This isn’t the place for staying put. It’s where the coastline dares you to move through water, over lava rock, into hidden valleys, and under starlit skies.

Here, the ocean isn’t just for gazing, it’s a stage for night swims with manta rays. Trails don’t just meander, they climb past waterfalls and cut across otherworldly lava fields. And even meals feel like mini adventures, whether you’re tracking down garlic shrimp from a food truck or sipping craft beer with a view of the coast.

If you’re ready to swap resort routines for something a little wilder and a lot more memorable, you’re in the right place. Let’s dive into six coastal experiences that bring out the adventurous soul of Hawaii’s Big Island.

Nighttime Encounters with Manta Rays

Floating in a moonlit bay, surrounded by silence except for the soft splash of waves, you’ll watch manta rays the size of dining tables glide just beneath you. Off the Kona coast, guided night snorkels bring you face to face with these graceful giants.

Outfitted with wetsuits and lights, you’ll hover above the reef as plankton are drawn to the glow and the mantas follow, looping and flipping in a slow-motion dance. It’s not just a snorkel trip, it’s the kind of moment that gives you goosebumps and sticks in your memory long after your flight home.

Kayak Tours of Secret Coves

Paddling along the Big Island’s rugged lava cliffs gives you access to places the tour buses can’t reach. Guided kayak excursions take you through narrow sea caves, past volcanic rock walls, and into quiet coves where the water turns a shade of turquoise that doesn’t seem real.

Keep your eyes peeled for honu (green sea turtles) drifting in the shallows and spinner dolphins leaping nearby. Many tours offer snorkel breaks, letting you slip beneath the surface and explore coral gardens teeming with tropical fish.

Staying and Recharging

When your days are packed with sea spray, sunshine, and salt air, you’ll want a base that feels as much like an escape as the adventures themselves. Thankfully, many Kona resorts cater to travelers who want both thrill and comfort. The Outrigger Kona Resort and Spa is a standout option, offering easy access to guided tours, along with amenities that help you unwind between excursions.

Whether you’re starting your day with a hearty local breakfast or learning hula and lei-making in the afternoon, this is the kind of stay that enhances your trip, not just hosts it. In the evenings, you might catch live music by the pool or take in an outdoor movie under the stars. Some resorts also provide snorkel gear, bikes, or hiking maps right on site, saving you a few steps and adding a lot more freedom to explore.

Hiking Lush Valleys and Lava Fields

The Big Island offers trails that are as diverse as its landscapes. In one day, you can hike through misty rainforest valleys where waterfalls tumble over cliffs, and then cross fields of hardened lava that crackle underfoot.

These trails don’t just connect places; they tell the island’s story. Some are steep and wild, others gentle and shaded. But each one reveals another layer of Hawaii’s raw, untamed beauty. Come prepared with good shoes, water, and a willingness to get a little dirty. This is where the adventure earns its name.

Tasting Local Flavours on Foot

You can learn a lot about a place through its food, and on the Big Island, the flavors are bold, fresh, and often served out of the back of a truck. Wander through farmers’ markets where you can sample lilikoʻi (passion fruit), locally grown macadamia nuts, or warm malasadas (Portuguese donuts).

In seaside towns, you’ll find food trucks dishing out everything from garlic shrimp to laulau wrapped in taro leaves. For something a bit slower-paced, pop into a coffee farm or craft brewery for a tasting and a chat with the locals behind the scenes.

Day Trips for Volcano Lovers

Beyond its beaches, the island pulses with volcanic energy. A visit to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park feels like stepping onto another planet. Walk through ancient lava tubes, peer into smoking craters, and trace your fingers across cooled lava flows that once glowed red-hot.

Guided tours are available if you want deeper insight into the island’s geology and native plant life. Be sure to bring layers, as the higher elevations can get surprisingly cool. Before heading back, reward yourself with a slice of warm macadamia nut pie from a nearby café. It’s well-earned.

Conclusion

Travel is more than just seeing new places; it’s about stepping into the unfamiliar and letting it change you. On Hawaii’s Big Island, it’s the quiet thrill of swimming with manta rays, the crunch of lava rock under your boots, the burst of flavor from a fruit you’ve never tried before. These aren’t just activities; they’re stories waiting to be lived. Trade the routine for something a little wilder, and you’ll leave with more than just photos; you’ll take home a new perspective, and maybe a few sand-filled shoes too.

Read more: 6 Coastal Adventures to Experience on Hawaii’s Big Island or visit EscapingAbroad.com blog for more travel stories, photos and videos.

The Unabomber

Gary Arndt — Wed, 27 Aug 2025 06:32:50 +0000

Podcast Transcript Starting in the late 1970s and lasting for seventeen years, a series of bombings terrorized the American public. Primarily targeting technology companies and universities, these attacks befuddled law enforcement officials for almost two decades. The bomber became one of the most wanted criminals in the history of American law enforcement. When he was ...

The post The Unabomber appeared first on Everything Everywhere.

Terning Right At You

Peter West Carey — Tue, 26 Aug 2025 15:42:00 +0000

A flock of Elegant and Royal Terns takes flight and turns right toward the camera. Taken at Ballona Creek in Los Angeles.

KATHMANDU, NEPAL STREET ART: A STORY

jacquelinemhadel — Tue, 26 Aug 2025 15:11:00 +0000

31july25

Francisco Macías Nguema

Gary Arndt — Tue, 26 Aug 2025 06:23:20 +0000

Podcast Transcript In 1968, the colony of Spanish Guinea was granted independence and became the Republic of Equatorial Guinea. In its first open election, which turned out to be its last, it elected as president Francisco Macías Nguema. He very quickly turned out to be a dictator. However, he wasn’t just a dictator. He became ...

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Saskatchewan’s Reesor Ranch an Ideal Way to Experience the Cypress Hills

Robin — Mon, 25 Aug 2025 23:18:58 +0000

The Historic Reesor Ranch nestled in Saskatchewan's Cypress Hills combines history with cowboy heritage, hospitality, and unique prairie landscapes.

Understanding the Basics of Developing a Child’s Reading Skills

Andrea Robinson — Mon, 25 Aug 2025 18:05:51 +0000

Whilst most parents send their children to nursery or kindergarten for childcare, many think further ahead: Nurseries and kindergartens prepare children for school by providing the opportunity to interact with peers and learning through play, developing social, emotional, and cognitive skills. Early reading skills are particularly important and form the foundation of their academic journey. But how do educators teach children to read at such an early age, and how can parents help them? Whether you are a nursery schoolteacher, a parent, or a single parent with little time at their hands, if you want to support your kindergarten students with a literacy program, you need to understand reading skills basics, starting with phonemes, phonics, and sight words:

Phonemic Awareness

A journey to becoming a confident reader starts with phonemic awareness: When planning reading for kindergarten, you can include activities that help students hear, recognize, and use different sounds in spoken words. Individual sounds are nothing but phonemes. If you take a word, such as ‘cat’ or ‘dog,’ each contains three phonemes: ‘c’, ‘a’, ‘t’, and ‘d’, ‘o’, ‘g’, respectively. As soon as kids become familiar with these elements, they can easily learn new words.

Creating phonemic awareness in young children is also essential to help them become good listeners. As their grasp of phonemes increases, their phonemic awareness skills become strengthened. When they learn to combine this knowledge with phonics, it further enhances their vocabulary.

Phonics Skills

School curricula now place more emphasis on the need for young children to learn phonics. After all, the benefits of reading simply cannot be emphasized enough. In the US, the Science of Reading has been the driving force behind the research into the best teaching methods to help children become successful readers, and phonemic awareness and phonics are two of the “5 big ideas” they believe teaching early reading skills should be based on. Interestingly, the development of phonemic awareness and phonics skills is interlinked.

Phonics is a teaching system that explains how written letters represent the sounds in spoken words. The sounds in a word are called phonemes, and the written letters that represent them are called graphemes. During the initial stages of learning to read, children often have difficulty improving their phonics skills. If you don’t engage them in this, they won’t be able to read printed words.

To be precise, phonics instruction is essential for early readers as it helps them decode even unknown words. It also enables them to blend words. The more they practice this, the better they become at this skill. To support them, you can use decodable texts and books. Give them materials that include familiar phonics patterns.

Sight Words

These are among the first words that nursery school kids need to grasp and recall automatically. They are nothing else but high frequency words that children should remember instantly “by sight”. Examples include ‘but’, ‘the’, and ‘is’. Children often face difficulty during this learning phase of reading because such words tend to be phonetically irregular. After all, letters can have different sounds in the English language. As a result, some children may not be able to read or spell them correctly straight away. One way of teaching sight words is to read simple books where these can be learnt through the context in the story.

The Importance of Developing Children’s Reading Skills

Your child’s reading skills lay the foundation for their success in all areas of their life. For single parents it’s often particularly hard to find the time and energy to read with their children after a long day at work. But every minute spent reading together aloud, playing sound and letter games, or helping your children improve their reading skills in other ways is time well spent. Encouraging a love of reading and books can become a wonderful shared lifelong passion.

When children read well, their writing skills improve, they become confident in the way they express themselves, and they are able to tackle other problems with faith in their ability. Reading opens doors as it unlocks access to information and knowledge, enables children to learn and think independently, and, of course, communicate with others. In fact, research shows that reading a lot at a young age, whether for pleasure or study, means higher grades, better social skills, and happy and confident children.

Hence, it’s crucial for teachers and parents to use the right materials and resources to teach reading skills as early as nursery school. By exposing children to phonemes, phonics, and sight words through fun activities, lessons, and games in their early years, they prepare them for a bright future,

The post Understanding the Basics of Developing a Child’s Reading Skills appeared first on SINGLE PARENTS ON HOLIDAY LTD.

KATHMANDU, NEPAL STREET ART: WORLD PEACE

jacquelinemhadel — Mon, 25 Aug 2025 15:11:00 +0000

31july2025

Birding At Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge

Peter West Carey — Mon, 25 Aug 2025 14:51:00 +0000

A throw back to March when I had work to do in New Mexico, but also a little time to go birding.

More info about the Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge can be found here.

Rome’s Best Restaurants: a Food Lover’s Guide for 2025/2026

Amy French the Roaming Historian — Sun, 24 Aug 2025 12:41:07 +0000

Discover the best places to eat in Rome, from creamy gelato to authentic pizza and delectable pasta. Your culinary adventure awaits!

European Exclaves

Gary Arndt — Sun, 24 Aug 2025 07:12:41 +0000

Podcast Transcript We have all looked at a map and seen all of the different countries represented by different colors. A country has some sort of border, and everything inside that border is what makes up the country. However, there are some exceptions. There are exclaves, which are bits of a country that are separated ...

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KATHMANDU, NEPAL STREET ART: STENCIL-NESS

jacquelinemhadel — Sat, 23 Aug 2025 15:11:00 +0000

31july25

The Spanish Inquisition

Gary Arndt — Sat, 23 Aug 2025 05:39:48 +0000

Podcast Transcript At the end of the 15th century, Spain had almost completed the Reconquista and the removal of the Caliphate in the Iberian Peninsula, ending centuries of Islamic rule. One of the first things they did was usher in an attempt to unify and purify the country as a Catholic one, rather than a ...

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Von Schweizern und dem Leben in Oregon

Christian Heeb — Fri, 22 Aug 2025 17:45:22 +0000

Jetzt verstehe ich, was ein richtiger Schweizer ist. Es ist einer aus den Familien, die schon lange hier waren und der geblieben ist. Schweizer leben also in der Schweiz und das schon lange, und sie bleiben da. Ich, ging weg, aber weil meine Familie immer da war, bin ich fast ein richtiger Schweizer. Die Heeb […]

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KATHMANDU, NEPAL STREET ART: SPACE INVADER CREEPIN’

jacquelinemhadel — Fri, 22 Aug 2025 06:01:00 +0000

26july2025

The History of Cyprus

Gary Arndt — Fri, 22 Aug 2025 05:38:47 +0000

Podcast Transcript Strategically located in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea, with access to Europe, Asia, and Africa, is the island of Cyprus. Cyprus has a history that goes back as far as civilization itself, and it has had a history with almost every major civilization and empire around the Mediterranean.. Its history isn’t just a relic ...

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5 Creative Photography Tips to Instantly Improve Your Composition

Lisa Michele Burns — Thu, 21 Aug 2025 06:12:10 +0000

Learn 5 simple photography tips to boost your creativity and improve composition. Easy techniques you can try with any camera or lens. You’ve got a new camera or lens, or maybe you’ve been photographing for a while but feel like your images are starting to look the same. It happens to every photographer. That moment where the excitement fades, and photos start to feel flat or predictable. The good news? Creativity in photography doesn’t come from owning the fanciest gear. It comes from learning how to see differently and finding fresh ways to compose and capture the world around you. Here are five simple approaches you can try on your next adventure to bring new energy into your work. I’ve already found travelling somewhere new helps in expanding my creative process and approach, but these tips will work no matter where you are in the world, close to home, or further afield. Why Creativity Matters More Than Gear New gear is exciting, but it will not automatically make your photos more engaging. A sharper lens might improve detail, but it is your composition skills, how you choose to frame, balance, and light your subject, that creates the real impact. Focusing...

The post 5 Creative Photography Tips to Instantly Improve Your Composition appeared first on Photo Tips, Creative Photography + Travel Guides - The Wandering Lens.

KATHMANDU, NEPAL STREET ART: PASANG LHAMU SHERPA

jacquelinemhadel — Thu, 21 Aug 2025 06:01:00 +0000

The first Nepali woman to climb Mount Everest was Pasang Lhamu Sherpa. She achieved this feat on April 22, 1993. Her achievement is celebrated as a landmark moment for women’s empowerment and a symbol of courage in Nepal.

26july2025

KATHMANDU, NEPAL: STILL ELUDES ME

jacquelinemhadel — Wed, 20 Aug 2025 18:01:00 +0000

I’m already starting to understand the neighborhood—where the shortcut alleys spill out, which shops open early. I know which corners to cut to avoid the worst of the traffic.

There’s a growing familiarity.

There are still moments I take the wrong turn. The map is forming, yes—but the language of the place, the instinct, the full ease of belonging—that still eludes me.

26july2025

The Legend of Rasputin

Gary Arndt — Wed, 20 Aug 2025 05:29:24 +0000

Podcast Transcript In the early 20th century, the Russian Tsar Nicholas II and his wife, the Tsarina Alexandra, welcomed a homeless monk into their home. As this scruff, unkempt-looking man became closer to the royal family, he seemingly performed miracles, predicted the future, and cured illnesses. He starts to gain influence over the Imperial Family…a ...

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