Planning a Trip
I like to do research before a trip and plot out a basic itinerary of what I want to do before I visit an area. I always leave ample space open for rest and the unexpected. Spontaneity is wonderful, but creating a basic plan prevents you from the frustration of spending your adventure time doing research or searching for a place to stay!
I keep a list of the things I wanted to do and the things I ended up doing in my travel journal. I then write a brief review of each experience to help me remember and prepare for the next time. I keep match covers, business cards, and local papers to help remind me what I did. I then make collages with the items latter. I find my best advice comes from the local people that I meet by chance at a park or in the pub. This collection of travel journals led to the idea for Seven Suggestions.
Seven Suggestions is a travel resource for people who follow the Tree Hugger Travel Philosophy. Travelers and locals share valuable, first hand advice about highlights of an area. Submissions are welcome. Let's share stories!
And forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet and the winds long to play with your hair ~ Kahlil Gibran
I like to do research before a trip and plot out a basic itinerary of what I want to do before I visit an area. I always leave ample space open for rest and the unexpected. Spontaneity is wonderful, but creating a basic plan prevents you from the frustration of spending your adventure time doing research or searching for a place to stay!
I keep a list of the things I wanted to do and the things I ended up doing in my travel journal. I then write a brief review of each experience to help me remember and prepare for the next time. I keep match covers, business cards, and local papers to help remind me what I did. I then make collages with the items latter. I find my best advice comes from the local people that I meet by chance at a park or in the pub. This collection of travel journals led to the idea for Seven Suggestions.
Seven Suggestions is a travel resource for people who follow the Tree Hugger Travel Philosophy. Travelers and locals share valuable, first hand advice about highlights of an area. Submissions are welcome. Let's share stories!
And forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet and the winds long to play with your hair ~ Kahlil Gibran
Tree Hugger Travel’s Seven Suggestions Maui, Hawaii
Iao State Park
Iao Valley State Park, located in central Maui is considered sacred and I could feel a sense of history when I visited. Iao means, “Cloud Supreme”. The Park was the site of an ancient Hawaiian Battle. The park is a handsome example of the island, offering a stunning view of central Maui and the Iao Needle. The flourishing Iao River runs throughout the park. The trails are easy to follow and well marked. Just below the park is Kepaniwai Heritage Gardens, a gorgeous place for a picnic and nap. The gardens are a mixture of Hawaiian culture, including traditional huts, a Koi pond, a palm garden and endless amazing flowers, plants and trees.
Paia
Paia is located on Maui’s North Shore and was once known for its sugar cane plantations. I liked Paia immediately because its a cozy beach town filled with locally owned shops and healthy restaurants. Baldwin Beach Park is worth visiting to see the breathtaking White sand beach and dreamy Blue clouds. On our way out of town we stopped at Hookipa Beach Park, which is the windsurfing capitol of the world. If you visit, watch out for singer Willie Nelson, who is a part time resident. Take note, this is the last town you can get gas on your way to Hana. Buy some food and water because the road to Hana does not have many options and what they have is pricey. Plan ahead! I suggest you stop at a roadside stand and buy some Banana Bread, its unforgettable and support the locals!
The Road to Hana
The Road to Hana is a sixty-mile trip down the east side of Maui on Highway 36. I saw the exotic beauty of a rainforest and perhaps 25 waterfalls in one day! There are 617 turns on the road to Hana and you travel over 56 one-lane bridges. (Bring your favorite carsickness remedy, like Ginger soda, candy or tea, because you will need it!) Banana, Mango, Papaya and Coconut trees are far and wide. Roosters rule the roads and roadside restaurants are the place to eat. I was on tour with fellow travelers staying at the Banana Bungalow Hostel. We all come from different countries and different backgrounds but had one thing in come: a love for adventure! Joe our guide is a transplant from Boston. He knew what is worth seeing and how a travelers needs differs from a tourist. We were all happy to let an experienced guide navigate.
Highlights of The Keanae Peninsula on the Road to Hana
A stop at Wai’anapanapa Caves was my first opportunity to swim in a cave and it was exhilarating and a little frightening! The water was brisk but beautifully clear. There were two caves within the cave that you could explore. Then a short walk led us to a Black Sand Beach. The beach was gorgeous and a great place to jump in the water and cool off. What is so exciting is this is just the beginning of the thrills you can experience on the road to Hana.
Road to Hana: Waterfalls, Waterfalls, Waterfalls
Without questions the highlight of my trip to Maui was our visit to Kipahulu Ranger Station, located on the eastern coastal area of Haleakala National Park. The Ranger Station is positioned across from the so-called "Seven Sacred Pools," or the Oheo Gulch, which is a popular tourist site. I hiked deeply into a magical Bamboo Forest; it got deeper and darker the farther we went. There where cows wandering around, massive Banyan trees and unique waterfalls around every corner. We crossed several bridges and walked over rocks and through streams. About 45 minutes into the Bamboo forest a sudden rainstorm cooled us off. Finally at the end of the journey was the biggest waterfall I had seen that day, Waimoku. The magnitude of the waterfall was stirring! The hike took 2 hours round trip. Bring raingear, swim cloths and plenty of water.
The Red Sand Beach “Kaihalulu”
On the way back from Kipahulu Ranger Station we stopped on the far side of Ka’uiki Hill, south of Hana Bay. We relaxed at the Red Sand Beach and had a drink. If you can’t find it, the entrance is located by the Sea Ranch Cottages. Kaihalulu Beach is lovely and secluded but not ideal for swimming. Its rustic with no bathroom or lifeguard and you may find nude sunbathers. I was delighted to see sea turtles swimming around the beach. The combination of the red sand and vivid blue water is truly one of a kind. The red color of the sand comes from Cindercome hill that surrounds the bay. Wear good hiking shoes and walk slowly, the path is covered with cinders and is very slippery.
Haleakala
When visiting Maui plan a morning hike to Haleakala. Haleakala is an inactive volcano and the highest point in Maui. This is a breathtaking experience. I would suggest that you research your options carefully and consider taking a local guide. If you want to sleep at an inactive volcano there is a wilderness camping area, which requires a permit and historic cabins can be reserved. Visit the Haleakala National Park website for more information at, www.nps.gov/hale/index.htm. I learned from the website that a person will “pass through as many ecological zones on a two hour drive to the summit of the mountain in Haleakala National Park as you would on a journey from Mexico to Canada.”
Recomended Reading: Maui Revealed: The Ultimate Guidebook by Andrew Doughty www.wizardpub.com
What I like about this extensive travel guide of Maui is that the authors have great taste. They did everything they write about and the reviews and categories are organized and truly helpful tips. The range of activities varies and not all options are well known to tourists. The website is very informative, make sure to check it out.
Petra Daher Productions,Tree Hugger Travel, Copyright 2009
Seven Suggestions for Sayulita, Nayarit, Mexico
The Festival of Guadalupe
The Festival of Guadalupe is celebrated in Mexico December 1-12. The festival is a mixture of Christian and Pre Columbine traditions. The Virgin of Guadalupe is the female face of the divine. Her shrine in Mexico City receives 20 million visitors per year. In Sayulita the event is celebrated with a parade and dancing every evening. The parades are short but visually spectacular, featuring biblical reenactments, colorful Indian inspired headdresses and costumes, a horn band and cowboys. The final evening of the festival featured canons, religious services, fireworks, a fake bull and dancing into late in the evening.
A taste of Sayulita
Sayulita is located 30 minutes from Puerto Vallarta. Locals claimed Sayulita Fish Taco is the place to get the best fish tacos on the Pacific coast. I ordered the “Baja style” Mahi-Mahi fish tacos with mango salsa and a side of garlic rice and beans with a Pacifico Beer and it cost me six American dollars. The tacos were huge and delicious and the fresh mango salsa was a perfect addition. The restaurant also has vegetarian options and is located off the plaza and offers both indoor and outdoor seating. We ate there during the Festival of Guadalupe and the location offered a perfect view for people watching on the plaza. I ate out every day when I visited Sayulita and did not have a bad experience. The town offers wonderful fruit art, smoothies, and locally made ice cream. Also try the restaurants, La Fiesta and Captain Pablo’s for affordable yet delicious food.
ChocoBanana, the place for coffee
For those who must start the day with a quality cup of coffee, ChocoBanana is the café for you. It is a lively spot with outdoor seating, located directly in front of the Plaza. Indians sell their beaded jewelry and crafts in viewing distance. ChocoBanana serves tasty and affordable American and Mexican food and they brew a mean cup of Espresso. I tried their specialty coffee, which is an iced coffee drink blended with frozen banana and cream and it was a delicious hot weather treat. ChocoBanana is conveniently located about one block from the Surfing Beach.
The Suring Beach
The Surfing Beach is located off the main strip in Sayulita. It is a lively scene filled with tourists, locals, pelicans, cranes, dogs, and vendors selling everything from food to hammocks. The tide is ideal for beginner to intermediate surfers, and yes surfing lessons are available. You can also charter a boat to go fishing, or rent a bogie board for a day of wave hoping. For those folks intent on rest and pampering, rent a comfortable chair and umbrella for the day for five American dollars. Endless drinks are available at an additional fee.
Los Murtos Beach
For people who like to experience where the locals hang out when they travel, go to Los Murtos Beach. Part of the fun is that you have to travel around a twisting road through the local cemetery to get there. The cemetery is small and charming and exemplifies the Mexican burial custom of lavishly decorating a family member’s burial site. The beach is surrounded my gorgeous rock formations and adventurers can head south down the rocky beach to find a good snorkeling area. At night locals have bon fires and play music.
Shopping Sayulita Style
Sayulita is a great place to shop. The main shopping area is downtown around the Plaza. Sayulita has a lively Sunday Market that offers everything from food to folk art. Street vendors with one of a kind handmade jewelry are always plentiful. The Huitchol Indian sells their impressive beadwork around the Plaza. The downtown area is filled with unique shops selling folk art, jewelry, clothes, t-shirts, pottery, textiles and tiles. There are also several cafes, liquor stores and bakeries worth sampling. When I visited there was no money machine, but they now have four. Most businesses will take Mexican or American cash, but not traveler’s checks.
The neighboring Village of San Francisco, better known as San Poncho
If you are looking for an eco – adventure in the area consider volunteering for Project Tortuga. From June till the end of November the beach in the village of San Poncho is home to endangered Olive Ridley and Leatherback Turtles that have selected this spot for their egg-laying. Members and volunteers of a local conservation group protect the area and collect and transport the eggs to a hatchery. In September and October the hatchlings are released and have helped the population to grow. In 17 years the sea turtle population in the area has grown from 72 to 902 nests
To learn more contact:
E-mail: [email protected]
Recommended site: Sayulitalife.com
This is the first trip that I used a website, instead of a book as my main trip planning resource. The site Sayulita Life is easy to use and was the most extensive collection of information about the area that I found on the Internet. Use this site if you would like to learn about the culture, view a calendar of events and activities or reserve a vacation rental while visiting Sayulita.
The Festival of Guadalupe is celebrated in Mexico December 1-12. The festival is a mixture of Christian and Pre Columbine traditions. The Virgin of Guadalupe is the female face of the divine. Her shrine in Mexico City receives 20 million visitors per year. In Sayulita the event is celebrated with a parade and dancing every evening. The parades are short but visually spectacular, featuring biblical reenactments, colorful Indian inspired headdresses and costumes, a horn band and cowboys. The final evening of the festival featured canons, religious services, fireworks, a fake bull and dancing into late in the evening.
A taste of Sayulita
Sayulita is located 30 minutes from Puerto Vallarta. Locals claimed Sayulita Fish Taco is the place to get the best fish tacos on the Pacific coast. I ordered the “Baja style” Mahi-Mahi fish tacos with mango salsa and a side of garlic rice and beans with a Pacifico Beer and it cost me six American dollars. The tacos were huge and delicious and the fresh mango salsa was a perfect addition. The restaurant also has vegetarian options and is located off the plaza and offers both indoor and outdoor seating. We ate there during the Festival of Guadalupe and the location offered a perfect view for people watching on the plaza. I ate out every day when I visited Sayulita and did not have a bad experience. The town offers wonderful fruit art, smoothies, and locally made ice cream. Also try the restaurants, La Fiesta and Captain Pablo’s for affordable yet delicious food.
ChocoBanana, the place for coffee
For those who must start the day with a quality cup of coffee, ChocoBanana is the café for you. It is a lively spot with outdoor seating, located directly in front of the Plaza. Indians sell their beaded jewelry and crafts in viewing distance. ChocoBanana serves tasty and affordable American and Mexican food and they brew a mean cup of Espresso. I tried their specialty coffee, which is an iced coffee drink blended with frozen banana and cream and it was a delicious hot weather treat. ChocoBanana is conveniently located about one block from the Surfing Beach.
The Suring Beach
The Surfing Beach is located off the main strip in Sayulita. It is a lively scene filled with tourists, locals, pelicans, cranes, dogs, and vendors selling everything from food to hammocks. The tide is ideal for beginner to intermediate surfers, and yes surfing lessons are available. You can also charter a boat to go fishing, or rent a bogie board for a day of wave hoping. For those folks intent on rest and pampering, rent a comfortable chair and umbrella for the day for five American dollars. Endless drinks are available at an additional fee.
Los Murtos Beach
For people who like to experience where the locals hang out when they travel, go to Los Murtos Beach. Part of the fun is that you have to travel around a twisting road through the local cemetery to get there. The cemetery is small and charming and exemplifies the Mexican burial custom of lavishly decorating a family member’s burial site. The beach is surrounded my gorgeous rock formations and adventurers can head south down the rocky beach to find a good snorkeling area. At night locals have bon fires and play music.
Shopping Sayulita Style
Sayulita is a great place to shop. The main shopping area is downtown around the Plaza. Sayulita has a lively Sunday Market that offers everything from food to folk art. Street vendors with one of a kind handmade jewelry are always plentiful. The Huitchol Indian sells their impressive beadwork around the Plaza. The downtown area is filled with unique shops selling folk art, jewelry, clothes, t-shirts, pottery, textiles and tiles. There are also several cafes, liquor stores and bakeries worth sampling. When I visited there was no money machine, but they now have four. Most businesses will take Mexican or American cash, but not traveler’s checks.
The neighboring Village of San Francisco, better known as San Poncho
If you are looking for an eco – adventure in the area consider volunteering for Project Tortuga. From June till the end of November the beach in the village of San Poncho is home to endangered Olive Ridley and Leatherback Turtles that have selected this spot for their egg-laying. Members and volunteers of a local conservation group protect the area and collect and transport the eggs to a hatchery. In September and October the hatchlings are released and have helped the population to grow. In 17 years the sea turtle population in the area has grown from 72 to 902 nests
To learn more contact:
E-mail: [email protected]
Recommended site: Sayulitalife.com
This is the first trip that I used a website, instead of a book as my main trip planning resource. The site Sayulita Life is easy to use and was the most extensive collection of information about the area that I found on the Internet. Use this site if you would like to learn about the culture, view a calendar of events and activities or reserve a vacation rental while visiting Sayulita.
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