Best Reptile Heating Pad: Vivosun VS. Fluker’s heat mat

Once you know the importance of heating and maintain a constant temperature for reptiles and amphibians, you will want to get the best reptile heating pad.

Because the heat pad is easy, economical, fairly safe, and for the most part, it is also a reliable way to keep your pet comfortable and healthy in their enclosure.

In order to make sure the environment always stays warm enough for reptiles, there is nothing better than the heat pad. These following are the details of the 2 most popular heating pads: Vivo Sun 16W Under Tank Heater VS. Fluker’s Heat Mat.

#1 The size of heat pad

It is obvious that you have to choose the heat pad that suits your tank size. It is perfect to choose the heat pad that covers 2/3 of your tank bottom. This will create the gradient temperature in the tank with a warmer side and a cooler side. Your pets can be able to choose the temperature that they want.

Vivosun is available in 2 different sizes. 6×8 inches is designed for 10-20 gallons tanks and 8×12 inches suits 30-40 gallons glass terrariums.

The Fluker’s mat is the square with 11×11 inches. This size of heat mad is ideally for small to the medium tank.

 #2 Stick anywhere

The same feature of these two heat pads is that they both do not come with their own adhesive.  With the heat pad include adhesive, it will be stuck permanently to the bottom and once you stuck it, you cannot change the placement again. This also makes you harder when cleaning the tank.

To install them, you can use duct tape or electrical tape. And you can totally roll them up and move them to another place as you see fit.

 #3 Maintain a constant temperature

Fluker’s mat is a low wattage heating pad. This heat mat can reach the temperature of 100F. However, it tends to concentrate heat in the center, so the outer zone the temperature is around 80F.

The advantage of his feature is that you do not have to worry about there being too much heat. It will more suitable for animals that require lower temperatures. They also can use for plastic enclosures without melting plastic.

Vivosun is better tan Fluker to maintain a constant temperature. It can reach to 104F. It contains the nichrome heating agent and an 8-watt appliance. Vivosun is an ideal heat pad for those who are looking for consistency, it produces the same heat all the time but does not go out from safe levels.

What Comes With The Fish Tank Kit?

Once you decide to keep fish, choosing the best tank and set up your tank with the proper environment will determine the success of your aquarium. Your fish will require a complex ecosystem that you have to maintain frequently.

This is not an easy task especially with beginners when it comes to many options to choose from. It is difficult to know where to start. This is the season why you should get fish tank kit.

Many kits available contains all the basic things you will need to set up a fish tank.

When your fish get the perfect environment, it will take less of your effort on maintenance. Moreover, getting a fish tank kit also saves more money than you buy individually things. So what’s in the fish tank kit?

The tank

You have to decide where you place the tank, due to that choosing the tank size that will fit with that place. But there is the basic rule that is larger always better. And one inch of fish should have one gallon of water.

You also have to choose between acrylic and glass tank. Glass is easier to clean, cheaper. But acrylic is more lightweight.

 

Lighting system

The kind of lighting will depend on the type of system you have panned to set up and the type of fish. But for almost the case, the most popular lighting now is LED light. They are not cheap but can use for both freshwater and saltwater.

Filter

There are some different types of filters out there. The external filter will work more powerful but tank lots of space outside the tank. Internal filter is cheaper and space the space outside but it is less effective.

Substrate and decoration

Some kit will come with substrate and decoration, but some are not. You can choose these things due to your preference.

Air pumps

Air pumps will increase the water flow and create oxygen. But it is non-essential equipment if your filter did great the work of circulating the water.

Best greens for bearded dragon: Are greens good for them?

Bearded dragons are known as omnivorous, that means they can eat both plants and meat including insects and fruits. It’s probably because they come from the desert areas where the resource of food is not abundant.

What is the best portion of bearded dragons?

Do you wonder if feeding bearded dragons a lot of greens are good for them or not? It is absolutely yes. Feeding a variety of greens gives them a much amount of nutrients, which they need to keep their bones strong and boost the immune system.

Generally, a bearded dragon’s greens diet will depend on their age, on average about 50% plants and 50% meat. But if you are feeding adult bearded dragons, 75%-80% of their portion should be vegetables.

What are the best greens for bearded dragon?

The recommended is that a variety of dark, leafy are best greens for bearded dragons such as broccoli, turnip greens, clover, cabbage, green beans, bell peppers, kale, mustard greens, kohlrabi, etc. These greens are the supply of vitamins and minerals and should make up a large part of their portion.

Followed yellow, red and orange vegetables also can be fed such as carrots, corn, sweet potato, mushroom, etc. Your bearded dragon should avoid eating light green vegetables, which mainly contain fiber and water but fewer nutrients.

What to do when beaded dragon does not eat these greens?

You can feed them cooked or raw vegetables, but raw is always contain more nutrients. Vegetables should be washed clean and sliced into thin.

Different greens have different certain vitamins and calcium. Some bearded dragons prefer to eat only certain greens and they are picky when you feed them. In this case, you should mix up the greens they like and do not like to eat as a salad; you can ensure their portions are always balanced.

How to choose the best 4 slice toaster 2020?

Beside omelette, sandwiches, bread toast is the versatile and the most consumed dish for breakfast in every family. Due to this, the toaster becomes an absolutely essential device in the model kitchen.

With 2 slice toaster, it will get hard to provide enough toasts in the least amount of time. This why you need to buy a 4 slice toaster which helps you save a lot of time in the morning.

We all know that 4 slice toasters are one of the most popular devices in the kitchen, so what makes the best 4 slice toaster 2020? In this article, we will bring you the guide for choosing the right toaster for you.

#1 Material

The first thing to consider after buying your 4 slice toaster is material. This factor will affect the result and quality of your toaster.

Stainless steel is an idea and high-quality material because it is durable, dirt-resistant easy to clean up. But it tends to scratches, take you more attention when using.

The material must be a non-corrosive substance and do not rust out by time when exposed to air and water. A stainless steel slicer with a cover layer by glossy chrome can do it well.

#2 Extra function

There are many extra functions that could be contained in one device, this may the standard for choosing your best 4 slice toaster.

Some settings such as bagel, defrost, reheat, keep warm will help you solve much trouble in cooking. While functions like accurate timers, working temperature, toasting modes, etc will ensure you will make the perfect toasts.

#3 Easy to clean

You will surely want to keep your toaster clean, the toaster comes with a removable crumb tray will save you a lot of time cleaning instead of turn the toaster upside down.

How Long Does Food Last In The Fridge?

I always have a habit of storing food and leftovers in the fridge to consume for later use. According to my actual experiences, the refrigerator is like the best-storing equipment that every family usually has one. I will not mention the shelf life of common food in your kitchen such as meat, spinach in this article, I want to give some helpful information about that of Tahini and Chinese food – my favorite food recently.

How Long Does Tahini Last in the Fridge?

#1 Unopened Tahini

From when you leave the grocery stores and just use up just 1 jar of tahini, the remaining jars are still sealed and can last for a very long time in the fridge. The shelf life of tahini doesn’t depend on the amount of time you store tahini, it depends on the expiry date printed on the package. It can last up to 3 to 4 weeks even after its sell-by date and up to 6 months after its best-buy date when being kept in the fridge or pantry. For some brands, tahini can last up to 2 years so they might be added some preservatives, check the ingredients list to make sure if they use or not. Generally, one thing you need to consider when buying tahini from the grocery store is notice the expiry date, sell-by date and best-by date to avoid purchasing jars of tahini that are close to the spoiling time.

#2 Opened Tahini

Once your jar of tahini is opened, I’m sure that it cannot last as long as the unopened one, the process of food degradation seems to speed up. If you don’t use the fridge, your tahini can last for about 1 to 2 months in the pantry. But if you choose to store in the refrigerator, the shelf life of tahini can be lengthened up to 6 months. To ensure its shelf life to reach the maximum storing time, you should consider wrapping your tahini in the best airtight container. External factors such as bacteria, the smell of other food in the fridge can affect the quality of opened jars if you don’t use any proper storing method. This can definitely cause spoilage to tahini and also means that your tahini could change to a bitter taste.

How Long does Chinese Food Last in the Fridge?

Chinese food expresses an important image of Chinese culture. It uses a variety of flavors and ingredients in a dozen cooking methods. Normal Chinese food I’ve eaten is from the restaurants so it was fully processed. If I cannot eat all of those delicious dishes, I have let them stored in the fridge for the next meals. I have to put them in the airtight containers or vacuum sealed plastic bag for about 3 to 4 days. With packed Chinese food from grocery stores such as dim sum, you can check the sell-by date and best-by date to decide how long can it be safe to eat. Chinese food can last an additional of about 1 month after its sell-by date and about 4 – 6 months after its best-by date.

THE BEST GUIDE TO CAMPING IN NEW ZEALAND

THE BEST GUIDE TO CAMPING IN NEW ZEALAND

New Zealand is one of the most beautiful countries we’ve ever visited. To fully explore NZ, we had decided long before arriving that we would rent a car, buy a tent, and camp all across the country. We researched a lot before heading out, and there’s a ton of stuff we found out along the way. Whether you are a local Kiwi or visiting from abroad, we’ve compiled what we learned from our bests and our blunders to bring you the best guide to camping in New Zealand.

Camping in New Zealand: When and Where to Start

Although some (not all) campgrounds in New Zealand are open year-round, camping season generally runs from October 1st to April 30th. December, January, and February are the warmest and most popular months, making the new year the ideal time to camp. However, it can still get chilly depending on where you are in the country, especially in the mountains. Spending the night in the area of Milford Sound, for example, can be quite chilly, and the South of the South Island is generally prone to rain.

To avoid crowds, pay attention to the types of campsites you select and make note of New Zealand’s holidays. Campsites near lakes and beaches can be very busy on holidays and weekends and a lot of sites are first-come, first-served (only some need to be booked in advance).

To start planning, check out the Department of Conservation website (DOC) or if you are already in New Zealand, visit the nearest DOC Visitor Centre. These offices have a lot of information on hand, including brochures outlining all of the conservation campsites throughout the country and which campsites are currently closed or inaccessible. This is also where you would purchase permits for select campsites that require them.

Helpful Apps for Camping in New Zealand

Camping is such a huge part of the culture in New Zealand that several camping apps have been made and are available to download. These apps were immensely helpful to us, so try out a few and decide which one works for you. We ended up using a couple different apps because some campsites would appear on one but not the other. These apps may also show free Wifi hotspots across the country, showers, bathrooms, etc. Wifi is not available while you’re driving in the middle of nowhere, so we would start off our day by marking the GPS coordinates of where we were going to end, as well as anywhere we planned on stopping on our way. Some of the maps and their features also work offline.

Our favorite part about the apps were the reviews. Keeping in mind that an individual’s experience of a campsite is subjective, the reviews give campers an opportunity to relay helpful information to others. For example, some reviews may advise against using a certain route to access the site, or avoiding another site because the only toilet is out of order. We once read a review that warned us about the prevalence of sandflies at a campsite. We thought it would be fine because we were only planning on staying one night, but we had to leave within five minutes because a plague attacked us as soon as we got out of the car.

While we were camping in New Zealand, we used these two apps:

 

CAMPING NZ

Download for iOS
Download for Android

 

WIKICAMPS NEW ZEALAND

Download for iOS
Download for Android

 

What to Bring

We planned on preparing a checklist of items and gear you would need to go camping, but that list can be long and vary depending on how you like to camp. If that is what you are looking for, the folks over at Kiwi Holiday Parks have a general but comprehensive camping checklist that you can find here. We can highlight and add some items that we found helpful specifically for camping across DOC sites in New Zealand.

  1. Weatherproofing: Bring a waterproof tent with a rain cover. Make sure the tent bottom is also waterproof. Rain is more of a concern on the South Island, but something to prepare for nonetheless. If you may be camping where the nights are cool, a warm sleeping bag will be very important.
  2. Sun Protection: The sun in New Zealand is no joke. At peak hours during Summer months, the UV index can exceed 12, making sunscreen a must. Bring a hat to protect your head if you are planning on taking some hikes, and don’t forget sun protection for your lips.
  3. Bug Repellant: We would suggest bug spray if you can’t stand even the smallest amount of annoyance, but we didn’t find it necessary. We didn’t use any except for the aforementioned sandfly plague, but even then it was no match against the swarm. Check out Goodbye Sandfly’s NZ Map for an overview of high density sandfly spots across the country. Our sandfly experience occurred in the dense red cluster you can see at the North of the South Island, so we can vouch for the map’s accuracy in that instance.
  4. Gas Camping Stove: There are many camp sites where open fires are prohibited. We had with us a portable burner that worked off of a small, contained wood fire, and even that wasn’t permitted sometimes. Luckily for us, the site office had a gas stove to lend us, so go that route from the beginning and ensure you always have something to cook on.
  5. Flashlight (Torch): At Basic campsites (more on that later), amenities are minimal. The drop toilet can be a walk down the road with no light to guide your way. Having a flashlight will be very handy for those unavoidable nature calls in the middle of the night.
  6. A Pen and Change/Cash: DOC sites run on a semi-honour system. If there is no supervision on a paid site, a payment box is located at the entrance, and site patrollers make intermittent rounds to collect and ensure payment. Use your pen to fill out the form and detach the portion to be placed on your car windshield. Once complete, you can put the form and exact change in the provided ziploc bag and drop it in the payment box.
  7. GPS: Couple a GPS with the use of the apps for camping in New Zealand, and finding your site for the night could not be easier. While on Wifi – or using the offline maps – mark down the GPS coordinates of your chosen site and plug them into your GPS when you are ready to head over.
  8. Food: Stock up on groceries for your trip and make sure you can always go a couple days without restocking. Though you are never too far from civilization while camping in New Zealand, some sites are more remote than others, or you may plan to stay at one site for a few nights in a row.
  9. Something Heavy: Every night we found a new campsite, we had to search around for something we could use to setup our tent. We could have saved some time had we packed a hammer or something to secure the tent pegs into the ground. If you forget to pack something, find a rock that works and hold onto it for the rest of your trip.

Site Types, Prices and Amenities

New Zealand is packed with DOC campsites with a range of amenities. There is everything from free sites with nothing more than a drop toilet, to paid options with hot showers and kitchens. We stayed at Basic and Standard sites for the most part. When we just could not go any longer without a nice, hot shower, we spoiled ourselves and dropped serious coin on a $15 NZD pp Serviced site. The money is worth it for the Serviced site when you need it, but the cheaper options are better for a more rustic, nature-oriented and likely less populated camping experience. Here is an overview of DOC site options:

NZ Camp Grid

Serviced sites and some Standard and Scenic sites require bookings. You can still do like we did and simply show up hoping that there is space. It just means that there’s no guarantee unless you book it in advance. Basic campsites are always first-come, first-served. Use the apps for camping in New Zealand and the DOC website to find out which sites require bookings as you travel. In any case, find out whether the site has access times. The last thing you want to do is drive for an hour only to find out that the entrance gate closed at 8:00 pm.

Budget camping is the focus of this guide, but we should quickly mention that there is the other, the much more expensive option of staying in New Zealand’s Holiday Parks. For more information on Holiday Parks, visit http://www.holidayparks.co.nz/

Ferry and Car Rental

You’ll need a car if your plan is to embark on a cross-country camping road trip. After the plane tickets, the car rental is the first thing we booked. There are many rental options available, especially if you are starting in Auckland. The company we went with and would recommend is Apex Car Rentals, and there’s a very good reason. With certain conditions, Apex includes the Cook Strait Ferry ticket for your car in the rental price. The Cook Strait Ferries (there are several companies) take you from the North Island to the South Island, and vice-versa. Normally, you’re looking at a price of roughly $286 NZD for a small car, and with other rental companies, you would have to pay that.

Here are the details of the Apex Ferry deal, where you can also find the pricing information for the passenger fares (not included, but about $130 NZD return pp). You’ll need to book the ferry tickets ahead of time through Apex, so make sure you have your anticipated crossing dates on hand. If you don’t plan on crossing the strait, then you may find better deals with other companies that don’t include the ferry ticket.

Camping in New Zealand: Do Not Forget

Now that you’re informed and well equipped to experience an incredible camping road trip across New Zealand, here are a few additional basics to keep in mind:

  1. Fires: Many DOC campgrounds prohibit fires while others provide designated fire pits. In any case, be sure to follow the DOC’s regulations. If you are unsure, check with the site’s office or on the DOC website when there is no office. Always remember to soak your fire before leaving or going to bed.
  2. Garbage/Rubbish: Respect the area and don’t leave your trash behind.
  3. Prohibited Camping: There are spaces where camping is expressly prohibited, or limited to certain types of campers. Don’t pitch your tent on a campsite meant exclusively for campervans.
  4. Site fees: After only a few nights of camping in New Zealand’s breathtaking outdoors, you’ll appreciate the extent to which the DOC has made the outdoor experience so accessible. Support their efforts and always pay your nightly site fees.

 

ICELAND RING ROAD TRIP: PART 2

ICELAND RING ROAD TRIP: PART 2

If you’ve already read our Iceland Ring Road Trip Part 1, then you know we left off our story having visited the iceberg lagoon of Jökulsárlón. Continuing East and then Northward, our drive along Highway 1 became a more secluded and sparse experience of Iceland. The further we ventured away from Reykjavik and the Golden Circle, the less populated it became and consequently, the less touristy. This also meant longer drives between points of interest. Luckily for us, what Iceland began to lack in tourist spots, it made up for in breathtaking routes and landscapes.

Iceland Ring Road Trip: Driving Northeast

We had read very briefly about wild reindeer that live and travel in the higher altitudes of East Iceland, but we never imagined we would see any for ourselves. While seemingly in the middle of nowhere, we were lucky enough to encounter a family of Reindeer in the distance, wanting to cross the road ahead of us. After a scramble to grab the camera, we were able to capture a few of them on film.

Continuing our drive up the east coast of Iceland meant we would soon be ascending into the mountains that would then descend down into the Northeastern towns. As the ascent began, the unpredictable nature of Iceland’s weather rang true when a thick fog settled in and cut our speed in half.

Driving slowly and with much caution, we eventually made it through the fog and to the highest elevation. Though the terrain was fully covered in snow, it was by far the warmest weather we had experienced since being in the country. All we were ever told about Iceland is how cold and damp it is. It turns out, the Northeast of Iceland is where the warm weather is at. We parked our campervan, took off our jackets and walked around for a bit.

Our descent took us all the way to the small town of Egilsstaðir. It only has a population of roughly 2,200 people and not so much in the tourist department. But sometimes when you’re consistently on the go, there’s nothing you want more than a simple, calming spot to relax, unwind and take in the views. We parked our van in front of lake Lagarfljót, sat at a nearby picnic table and enjoyed.

Hallormsstaðaskógur

Our next stop was Iceland’s largest forest, located about 25 kilometers from the town of Egilsstaðir. Up until now, most of our hikes had been on land covered in moss with no trees in sight. Needless to say, it was a bizarre experience to suddenly encounter an abundance of trees, not having realized your mind had unconsciously missed them.

There are over forty kilometers of marked trails and footpaths in the Hallormsstaður National Forest, making it a perfect spot to hike and picnic for the day. We walked for a while, enjoying the heat of the sun, then plopped down for lunch with a view of the mountains beyond.

We didn’t end up staying for long but had us more time, we would have looked into renting a campsite for the night and booking one of the horse-riding tours for the following day.

Dettifoss, Selfoss & Goðafoss

Have we talked your ears off about waterfalls yet? It’s funny because when we started our road trip, we were amazed by all of the waterfalls we encountered, stopping at each and every one. After a couple weeks, however, we became a bit more picky about the waterfall detours we would take. These three are worth stopping for, and you can visit our dedicated ‘Iceland Waterfalls Aplenty‘ post to read about them in detail.

Iceland Ring Road Trip: Mývatn Region

Mývatn is the name of the lake situated not far from the Krafla volcano. Created by a large eruption over two thousand years ago, the area is mostly spluttering mudpots, weird lava formations, steaming fumaroles and volcanic craters. The name is nowadays not only used for the lake, but also for the whole inhabited area that surrounds the lake. Having already been to the Blue Lagoon, we opted not to visit the nature baths.

Our first stop in the region was the giant lava field at Dimmuborgir which, according to Icelandic folklore, connects Earth to Hell.

The area is composed of volcanic caves and rock formations, giving it its name which literally translates to ‘The Dark Castles’. You can hike three marked color-coded trails: Church Circle, Small Circle, and Big Circle. Church Circle is 2.25km and takes about an hour, whereas the other two are much shorter at 550m and 800m respectively.

We then visited Hverfell, a crater that came into existence over 2,500 years ago. It rises close to 500m from the ground and stretches for over 1000m. Composed solely of loose gravel, it reminded us of what you see after a dumpster drops gravel at a construction site. You can hike up from the parking lot with a bit of effort.

Höfði Nature Park was our next stop. A private reserve with hiking paths located in the southeastern corner of the region, Höfði is similar to Hallormsstaður in that you will feel like you are in a different country as you walk through the paths surrounded by the small forest. It also has great viewpoints that overlook other volcanic rock formations.

Traveling a bit further, we found the pseudocraters located in the small village of Skútustaðir. These craters, resembling a beginner course in Mario Kart, were formed by trapped subsurface water that came to a boiling point and exploded to the surface. We followed the path up and down, enjoying the wonderful views over the lake and dogging random banana peels along the way. Google an aerial view of this place to see what it really looks like.

Our last stop in the Mývatn region was at the steamy sulfur vents of Krafla. We parked in the lot and immediately after getting out the campervan, Adamo was smacked in the face with the smell. The odor was unlike any we had encountered before. This wasn’t simply the smell of rotten egg: the air was so pungent that it instantly gave him a headache and he found it hard to breathe. We started walking toward the mudpots for Adamo to take some photos, but he only managed a couple before he had to run back to the van. I think he was being dramatic, he thinks I’ve lost my sense of smell.

Akureyri

We also briefly visited the small city of Akureyri. After the capital of Reykjavik, this is the second largest urban area in the country. To be honest, we didn’t do much in Akureyri, using it merely as an opportunity to relax and take in the sun. It was around 21 degrees Celsius when we got here! There was, however, a nice library where we took some time to plan the rest of our route.

Kolugljúfur

After arriving at Kolugljúfur, we instantly knew we would be spending the night there, and it became one of our favorite memories from our trip. Take notes, because you have to experience it the EXACT same way we did. This is where we arrived after spending most of the day experiencing other sites. We had gotten there around dinner time, driving up to this incredible canyon in the middle of nowhere, seeing the houses across the way and realizing we were the only travelers for miles.

Legend has it Kolugljúfur was originally the home of a beautiful troll. She was named Kola and she dug out the canyon to make it her home, hence the reason the canyon and waterfall are named after her. If you look closely, you can even make out her bed as well as her cauldron where she used to cook the salmon that she caught from the river.

We prepared our meal and crossed the bridge overlooking the canyon to make our way to the conveniently located picnic table. Eating there in solitude was unforgettable. Because it’s daylight for most hours of the day, you kind of has to decide for yourself when it’s time for some shut-eye. So shortly after, we hunkered down in our campervan and turned in for the night. Listening to the sound of the waterfall was so relaxing and made for the perfect night’s sleep.

Látrabjarg

The westernmost point in all of Iceland, Látrabjarg is the only spot where we were successful in our quest to see puffins up close and personal. We had been unlucky throughout our entire trip and Látrabjarg was ultimately our last opportunity. It was a long drive that was a significant detour into the Westfjords, but we knew we had to try. And it’s a good thing we did: puffins were everywhere. In fact, millions of birds call the cliffs of Látrabjarg home. If you want to the details about our entire Puffin encounter, visit our ‘A Quest for Puffins‘ post.

Believe it or not, Iceland also has a couple of golden sand beaches: one named Breiðavík and the other named Hvallátur. With turquoise water surrounded by rocky cliffs, it makes them ideal spots for taking a breather and enjoying the views.

You can also make a quick stop in this area to visit the old salvaged fishing boats and aircraft that are on display.

Viðey

After driving throughout the country for over two weeks, our Iceland Ring Road Trip took us back to Reykjavik where we decided to use our last full day to visit the island of Viðey. Just off the coast of the capital, Viðey is situated in Kollfjörður Bay. It was said to contain the best farming land of the country and in the early 20th century, roughly 150 people lived on the island. Currently, however, Viðey is uninhabited.

Visiting the island of Viðey can make for a great half-day trip. The Elding ferry will take you there in 15-30 minutes, depending on your point of departure. It is only $1,200 ISK for a return trip, but free for anyone who purchases the Reykjavik City Card. The island also has several hiking paths. You can explore the paths by foot or, in the Summer, up the ante and rent a bike or horse. We decided to walk as it was a beautiful day and we were planning on being there for several hours. You can also look into combining your trip to Viðey with a whale watching tour, a special offer provided by Elding.

The island is home to Iceland’s oldest stone house (now a restaurant, gallery, and museum), Viðeyjarkirkja church (don’t ask us how to pronounce that), and the John Lennon Imagine Peace Tower (shooting brightly into the sky for two months in the Fall). One thing we really wanted to visit was the Imagine Peace Tower: an outdoor work of art conceptualized by Yoko Ono in memory of her late husband, John Lennon. Annually, the Peace Tower is lit from October 9 until December 8. the former being his birthday and the latter the day of his assassination. The tower’s base is engraved with the words “imagine peace” in 24 different languages.

If you happen to be there in late August, make sure to join the locals to pick caraway seeds that grow on the island. They are supposed to be sweeter and have a more distinctive taste than what we are used to buying and apparently go great with a cup of coffee or hot chocolate.

7 TIPS FOR HIKING CINQUE TERRE

7 TIPS FOR HIKING CINQUE TERRE

You’ve likely heard of Italy’s Cinque Terre: five connected fishing towns located on the beautiful coast of the Italian Riviera. Joined by a hiking trail, these centuries-old villages are a popular destination for tourists looking to inject some adventure into their Italian vacation. If you are heading to Italy and plan on hiking Cinque Terre, we’ve got you covered with these 7 tips to make the most of your trip.

TIP #1: Stay in La Spezia or Levanto

For many reasons, the decision to find accommodation in one of the shoulder towns of La Spezia or Levanto is a smart idea. When we began looking for places to stay, we immediately thought about how great it would be to stay in one of the historic towns of Cinque Terre. That was until we saw the prices. If budget is a concern for you, as it always is for us, then you’ll find the accommodation in Levanto or La Spezia to be more to your liking. Our hostel in La Spezia was centrally located (within walking distance of the train station) and the town was a safe, laid-back alternative.

It’s not always easy to get information online about where the best place to stay would be if you want to be able to access the towns during the day. Once you get there, the interconnections become quite clear and are actually fairly straightforward. There is a train route, operating year-round, that runs back and forth between Levanto and La Spezia. With frequent service, this train also stops at each of the five towns that make up Cinque Terre. Wake up early for breakfast and head to the train station to spend the day hiking from town to town.

If you do stay in La Spezia, head over to the pedestrian walkway an find Mr. Molini to try the unbelievably delicious, melt-in-your-mouth, perfectly salted foccacia. Then head across the street to Gelateria Artigianale to check out the gelato shop run by a sweet elderly couple.

TIP #2: Ditch the Car

If you’ve gone the route of a rental car for your Italian vacation, Cinque Terre is where you’ll find it useless. Access to the towns by car is practically nonexistent. For experienced drivers, there are narrow, winding roads connecting the towns, but those roads stop at carparks at the edge of town. The historical core of the villages is pedestrian only with some congested, narrow hills and stairways to climb.

TIP #3: Buy the Cinque Terre Train Card

Hiking Cinque Terre could not be easier than with the Cinque Terre Train card. At € 16 per person, buying this card gives you access to the hiking trails and unlimited train rides between Levanto and La Spezia for the day. There is another card available for € 7,50 that only grants you access to the trails, but the train card is the smarter option. If you stay in Levanto or La Spezia, you will have to pay once for the train to get to the first town, and again at the end of the day to get back. Because the trail between Manarola and Riomaggiore has been closed for quite some time now, you will have to pay for the train to see both towns. When we were there, the trail between Corniglia and Manarola was also closed, so that would have been another train ticket. Lastly, even if all of the trails are open, hiking Cinque Terre means you may be focusing on completing the trails and not on visiting the towns. If that’s the case, you can prioritize the trails before you run out of energy and use the train access to visit the towns when you’re done.

Cards can be purchased at any of the seven rail stations along the train route. To avoid a long wait, get to the station tourist office when they open. Buying the card first thing at the train station also means you’ll bypass the very long lineup at the beginning of the trail. Regardless which card you ultimately chose, they each include 24-hour Wifi access at the Cinque Terre tourist stops so you can keep your install-game on point.

TIP #4: Avoid Peak Times

We thought we were so smart visiting Cinque Terre in mid-April. Our plan was to saunter onto the hiking trails and have the coastal scenery all to ourselves. Unbeknownst to us, we had scheduled our plans for hiking Cinque Terre during an Italian long weekend. The villages, trails, and lineups were jam-packed. Not once were we alone on the trail, and at times we were even hiking in a lineup. We’ve got photos to prove it.

Don’t get us wrong, we wouldn’t suggest going in the Winter because the hiking paths are often closed. However, Spring and Fall months like April, May, September, and October do have their benefits. Not only will you likely experience a more relaxed Cinque Terre, but accommodation will also be cheaper.

TIP #5: Track the Weather

Our best advice when it comes to hiking Cinque Terre and planning for the weather is to schedule two or three days in the area. Give yourself multiple options for your hiking day. If your first full day is raining, then you can fall back on your second or third day. When we were there, we had scheduled only one full day, and the forecast called for a downpour. We were crossing our fingers, toes, and eyes that it wouldn’t rain. Luckily for us, it only started to rain by the time our day was turning down. But it’s best not to gamble with such an important trip. Of course, following tip #4 and visiting in the shoulder seasons means there is a higher chance of showers, but giving yourself some wiggle room should almost guarantee some perfect hiking weather.

TIP #6: Hiking Cinque Terre… Don’t Kid Yourself

Hiking Cinque Terre isn’t the most difficult thing we’ve done, but it is no leisurely stroll. Via dell Amore – the section between Manarola and Riomaggiore – is said to be incredibly easy but it’s been closed for some time now for repairs. Between Corniglia and Manarola was also closed so we cannot speak to that either. However, we did hike the two most difficult sections and can assure you it’s a good idea to be prepared. Bring enough water, especially on a hot day, and wear sunscreen to be safe. Don’t wear flip-flops and definitely don’t wear heels.

Two people who were hiking ahead of us were complaining the whole time. They expected a simple footpath between villages, but the countless, uphill steps had them considering turning back. They asked us how much longer it would be and we joked that there remained another three hours. One of them almost started crying.

TIP #7: Drink the Lemonade!

Halfway between Vernazza and Corniglia is the tiniest, most strategically placed lemonade and juice shop. The small store has sitting room for approximately 6-8 people with views of the Cinque Terre coastline out the window. The orange juice is prepared as you order it and a container of homemade lemonade stands iced and ready to order by the glass. This is about the point when you’re ready to give up, so they have no problem getting € 3 from passersby for a glass of their main attraction.

 

ROAD TRIP: NEW ZEALAND’S NORTH ISLAND

ROAD TRIP: NEW ZEALAND'S NORTH ISLAND

We had always wanted to visit New Zealand, having heard incredible things about the landscape, the people, and the sights. The most helpful tools we bought for our trip were the NZ Frenzy Guidebooks by Scott Cook. These guidebooks are what you need if you are looking to experience the NZ roads less traveled. They don’t have all the wifi/restaurant/library information that your Lonely Planet guidebook will have, so don’t buy them for that. Instead, Scott put a ton of effort into mapping out all of the natural treasures throughout New Zealand. NZ Frenzy is full of secret lakes, waterfalls, tracks, and coves we would never have found or heard about otherwise. With one book for New Zealand’s North Island and one for the South, Scott breaks up the points of interest by geographical areas and provides detailed directions for finding each and every spot.

Our memory of traveling New Zealand is like the most exciting, cross-country treasure hunt, and that’s because of the NZ Frenzy Guidebooks. If you’re heading to New Zealand, consider buying one or both of these guidebooks through the link below. It doesn’t cost any extra, and a small percentage helps keep The Gays Abroad Travel Blog running!

Arriving in New Zealand

We’re always excited to take the airport transfer into a new city. Outside of the airport, it’s really the first glimpse you have of a new country, and you have no choice but to stare out the windows and take it all in. Conveniently, the bus let us off only a couple blocks from where we met our Couchsurfing host, Seb. He was so kind to meet us early in the day to hand us his keys instead of having us wait with our massive backpacks until he was off work (which would have been understandable, of course). Staying with Seb was an incredible introduction to Auckland New Zealand. We spent a couple days with him, during which time he would come with us on walks around the Auckland, showing us some of the popular spots and telling us all about them.

Piha Beach

We learned very quickly that, when you’re in New Zealand, you’re never far from a beach. On our second day, Seb drove us to Piha Beach, roughly 45 minutes from Auckland on the west coast of New Zealand’s North Island. Piha is at the end of a long and winding road, but this beach is massive and well worth the drive. We bought our first chips, relaxed amidst the views, and climbed up Lion’s Rock. We even took a hike up to Kitekite Falls for a swim in the pools at the top and bottom of the falls. Seb also had lots of knowledge of, and a great appreciation for, Maori culture in New Zealand, including the Maori names of places, their roots, and significance. As Canadians, we thought that we knew quite a bit about First Nations history in Canada, but Seb really put us to shame.

Starting Our Road Trip Across New Zealand’s North Island

To fully explore New Zealand, we had decided long before arriving that we would rent a car, buy a tent, and camp all across the country. NZ is packed with campsites with a range of amenities. There is everything from free sites with nothing more than a toilet, to paid sites with hot showers and kitchens. We created an article specifically about NZ camping, so if you want more details about exploring this beautiful country under the stars, check out The Best Guide to Camping in NZ.

Piroa Falls

Driving North from Auckland, our first stop was a leisurely half-day at Piroa Falls. We found the falls after a short, marked walk from the carpark. We noticed a picnic table nearby and set down our bags along the water’s edge. Our first introduction to the water in New Zealand was frigid, but our bodies eventually acclimatized. Piroa Falls drops into the main basin, then steps down into tiered pools that are easier for swimming than directly under the falls (though not as exciting). Though we didn’t find it ourselves, there should also be an accessible path to climb to the top.

Te Paki

Our next major stop on New Zealand’s North Island was the Te Paki Sand Dunes on the way to Cape Reinga. Our guidebook made note of a secret lake in the middle of the dunes, so we set out to find it. We must have taken a wrong turn because the lake took longer to find than we expected, but we did eventually arrive. It turns out dark water is extremely eerie (who knew!) so after all of that walking, we didn’t jump in. However, it was fun to find and we did learn a valuable lesson: the sun in New Zealand is killer. In the far north of New Zealand’s North Island, the UV index can reach as high as 14. Not having fully prepared for that reality, Adamo experienced some pretty painful burns on both of his legs.

Cape Reinga

The drive to our next stop, Cape Reinga, was a mere fifteen minutes from the Te Paki sand dunes. If you’ve ever seen images of Cape Reinga’s lighthouse and scenery, then you know this spot is well worth the 5.5-hour drive from Auckland. Cape Reinga is often mistaken as the northernmost point on New Zealand’s North Island. Though it’s a close contender, the real reasons we wanted to visit this spot were the relaxing views and incredible landscape. From the viewpoint atop Cape Reinga, we looked out to the water and could see the meeting of the seas. The Tasman and the Pacific meet at Cape Reinga from different directions to form beautiful, crystal collisions.

Te Werahi Beach

We noticed a track at the entrance of Cape Reinga that led to nearby Te Werahi beach. About 30 minutes of downhill trekking along the coast (uphill on the way back) led us to descend upon the absolutely massive, solitary beach of Te Werahi. Apart from a flock of seagulls, we were the only living beings on the entire stretch. We can’t stress enough how ‘worth it’ it is to visit this beach. If you make it to Cape Reinga, take the extra time to enjoy the bliss of Te Werahi.

St Paul’s Rock

We made an equal number of stops on the way back down toward Auckland as we did on our way up. One such stop was at St. Paul’s Rock in the Whangaroa township. It took us some time to find the entrance to the track, but once we did, it wasn’t too difficult to climb up. There are some tricky parts to the climb, but chain links are strategically placed along the way to help you up. Once atop, the 360° views are incredible.

Mahinepua Peninsula

Dozens of incredible photographs strengthened our resolve to get to our next destination: the Mahinepua Peninsula Track. Beginning at Mahinepua Beach, this track takes you on a 2-hour roundtrip from the beach to Trig and back. Along the way, there is a pit stop at a gorgeous bay for swimming and taking shelter from the scorching sun. The weather in New Zealand is so confusing. At one point we would be climbing uphill along the track, sweating profusely under the intense sun. The next moment, the sun would recede behind a cloud and the cool breeze would set in, making us wish the sun would come back out. The track followed successive hills, up and down until we reached the trig at the end. Make no mistake, this is not a brisk walk in the park. The uphill portions can be arduous, but the coastal views along the way make this hike an absolute must-do. Worth noting, however, is that halfway or three-quarters through the track is an option to continue further to the trig or turn back for a shortcut.

Matapouri Mermaid Pools

To get to the mermaid pools, we followed a path at one end of Matapouri beach that took us up and over a hill and through a cluster of palm trees. Descending along the opposite side of the hill, we could see the mermaid pools were within reach. The one thing we wished more than anything that day was for the sun to come out and warm everything up. It was so gloomy that we decided not to swim, and our photos came out quite dull without the sun. We like to avoid using others’ photos on our blog, but we still think you should google these mermaid pools and see how beautiful they can be. Try to plan for a sunny day when you make the trek out to these wonders!

Karangahake Gorge

We arrived in the evening to the campsite near Karangahake Gorge with plans to set out early the next day for a visit. There was an option today hike a trail that starts at the campsite, but because of our time limits, we packed up our tent in the morning and drove directly to the entrance of the gorge. Visiting the gorge is a good half-day adventure full of abandoned railway tracks, tunnels, and walking paths spread along the edges of the mountains. Bring a headlamp if you’d like to venture into some of the dark – albeit shallow – caverns along the walk.

Orokawa Bay

At only a twenty-minute drive from Karangahake Gorge, Orokawa Bay is an absolute must if you’re in the area. First, drive yourself to Waihi Beach and find the walking track to Orokawa. Give yourself roughly forty-five minutes to reach the Bay and enjoy the incredible Pacific views along the way. You’ll get a spectacular view of the Bay as you approach along the track, looking like it could be from one of the fifty seasons of Survivor. Once you arrive, Orokawa Bay makes for the perfect picnic spot with the forest at your back and the clear, blue waves ahead.

Hobbiton Movie Set, Matamata

Even if you didn’t love the LOTR trilogy, who could pass up the opportunity to visit the one and only Hobbiton? What was once a temporary build, the Hobbiton movie set is now a permanent structure sitting only a bus tour away from New Zealand’s Matamata. We bought our tickets ($79NZD/adult) in town at the Matamata site Visitor Centre where a free shuttle took us directly to the site entrance. From there, we were given a forty-five-minute walking tour of the Shire and its hobbit homes, plenty of photo opportunities, a visit to the party tree from the first film, and a complimentary beer (or Ginger Beer!) at the Green Dragon. The tour was pricey, but anything is possible when you convince yourself that you’ll only ever have the opportunity once in your life.

Waikite Valley Hot Pools Eco-trail

We arrived here thinking it was just an eco-trail, but for an extra fee, you can also enjoy the thermal pools for the day. The eco-trail alone is $3NZD/person, and though it’s not the most incredible walk, it is certainly unique. We were engulfed by massive pockets of mist as we made our way along the trail, pushing aside the large, overhanging leaves. We couldn’t help but feel like we were in the middle of the set of Jurrasic Park. There are a few lookouts along the path and several informative signs explaining how the geothermal water is sourced and then cooled for use. This eco-trail isn’t the strongest recommendation from our road trip, but it’s unlike any other trail we had walked.

Otaki Forks

It was a hot and sunny day when we arrived in Otaki Forks. As such, we would highly recommend bringing enough water with you to last a couple of hours. This area includes several tracks ranging from forty minutes to two-hours in length. From these tracks, there are also options to branch off onto longer, multiple-day hikes if that’s your pleasure. Traversing footbridges, suspension bridges, walking up and downhill, these tracks offer a relaxing and adventurous experience with views of the incredible landscape and dissecting river.

Wellington

Wellington is New Zealand’s capital and a beautiful city. Our only day in Wellington was spent foraging through the downtown produce markets, walking up and down the hills throughout town, and strolling along the waterfront to watch beach volleyball tournaments spike their way through the strong (and often relentless) winds. The highlight, however, was the pleasant but arduous walk up to the lookout atop Mount Victoria. You can choose to drive to the top from Wellington center, but either way, the views are exceptional.

From Wellington, we took the Cook Strait Ferry to NZ’s South Island, where we would spend the second half and final two weeks of our one-month trip. We’ve already started the article for our New Zealand Road Trip: South Island, so check back soon for the rest of our itinerary!

WHAT TO DO WITH 2 DAYS IN AMSTERDAM

WHAT TO DO WITH 2 DAYS IN AMSTERDAM

Earlier this year, we spent a short time in Amsterdam and fell in love. Visiting this historic city for the first time meant we arrived wide-eyed and eager to experience as much of the city as possible. If you’re like us and only have a limited time for adventure, you’re likely in the midst of narrowing down the plethora of possibilities for 2 days in Amsterdam. We can help.

Knowing we would write an Amsterdam itinerary, we packed in more sites, shops, and museums than you can probably imagine. We’ve trimmed the fat to bring you a list of our favorite spots, based on what we loved and would love to see again.

2 Days in Amsterdam: I Amsterdam City Card

Before we get into the itinerary, you should make note of the I Amsterdam City Card and consider picking up the 48hr card at the airport. After landing, you’ll find the Holland Tourist Information Centre in Arrivals 2, or you can buy the I Amsterdam City Card online.

Buying the card gives you unlimited travel on Amsterdam city public transit (not including rural buses or the airport tram) and free access to a ton of museums, tours, and sites. The card comes with a city map along with a detailed list of everything you can see for free, as well as locations you can visit with a discount. If you read through our itinerary and feel like substituting one of the activities, there are countless alternate options for you to choose from for your 2 days in Amsterdam.

Day 1 of 2 Days in Amsterdam

Museum Het Grachtenhuis

Start your 2 days in Amsterdam with this interactive, multimedia story of the Amsterdam canals. Walking into this historic home, the tour starts with a guide leading you into the first of five rooms, where a mixed media history of the canals begins to unfold in front of your eyes. Progressing through the rooms, you learn more and more about the reasoning, process, and stages of the canal development, combining illustration, 3D models, animation, projections and audiovisual storytelling. This is one of our top picks and not to be missed. You’ll understand this when you see it, but when you get to the room with the 3D house, find the woman hanging her laundry and try not to burst out laughing.

Open Tuesday -> Sunday 10:00am -> 5:00pm
FREE with the I Amsterdam City Card.

Bloemenmarkt Flower Market

At a roughly 500 meter walk from the canal, the museum is Amsterdam’s famous floating market of flowers. Positioned along a stretch of Amsterdam’s central canal belt, this market operates year-round and is a great stroll full of colorful, fragrant tulips.

Open Monday -> Saturday 9:00am -> 5:30pm, Sundays 11:00am -> 5:30pm

After lunch, explore the city’s canals by foot or by bike. 

Plan for some exploration time in the earlier part of your 2 days in Amsterdam. Before you know it, you may have spent all of your trip running in and out of museums without giving yourself a chance to experience the city streets. It is very easy to rent bikes in Amsterdam and some companies even offer discounts with the I Amsterdam Card. Alternatively, you can choose to explore by foot by way of a free Amsterdam City walking tour.

Verzetsmuseum – Dutch Resistance Museum
After a few hours of exploring the streets and before you sit down for dinner, you’ll be ready to visit the Dutch Resistance Museum. The Netherlands was occupied by Nazi Germany for five years, and this museum does a fantastic job at telling the stories of those who resisted and those who complied with the occupying power. With your free audioguide in hand, you’ll walk through this museum at your own pace, reliving some historic scenes and understanding the various perspectives through thoughtful, tone-setting dramatizations.

Open Tuesday to Friday 10:00am -> 5:00pm,  Saturday and Sunday  11:00am – 5:00pm
FREE with the I Amsterdam City Card.

Have a Stroopwafel
Diets and palates vary greatly, so we won’t even attempt to suggest dinner spots. But regardless where you decide to eat, leave some space for a fresh and hot, traditional Stroopwafel. Step outside and throw a stone in any direction to find the nearest shop selling these gooey goodies. The waffle is baked to order, sliced thinly in half and filled with a caramel-like goodness. You can always pick some up at the airport if you forget, but nothing – NOTHING! – beats them fresh.

Anne Frank House
The famous Anne Frank House is a good option for visiting later in the day because it is one of the few sites that are open late. You must buy tickets online for a specific time slot between 9:00 am and 3:30 pm, but the house is also open from 3:30 pm to 10:00 pm without an online ticket, for those buying a ticket at the entrance. Unfortunately, the I Amsterdam City Card does not cover the cost of the Anne Frank House.

Adults €9, Age 10-17 €4,50, Age 0-9 free

Day 2 of 2 Days in Amsterdam

Zaanse Schans

Start your second day early with a visit to the small town of Zaanse Schans on the outskirts of Amsterdam. In addition to the fresh air and beautiful scenery, this cute and quaint historic Dutch village includes six windmills, a wooden shoe workshop, and a cheese farm. Visiting in the morning is the best idea because the afternoon – especially during high season – can get busy.

The Connexion bus #391 from Centraal Station bus platform will take you there within 30 minutes, and you’ll likely want an hour or two to explore the area. The I Amsterdam City Card gives you access to one of the windmills free of charge. Important to note is that the City Card does not include the rural bus fare from Centraal Station. With the City Card, however, you can purchase a rural transit day pass at a discount. For €10, (instead of €13,50) you get unlimited rides on all of the rural buses for the day.

Hermitage Museum
With portraits, paintings, and featured exhibitions, Amsterdam’s Hermitage Museum is a must for those who enjoy the art and ambiance of a traditional museum. Free audio guides are included with your visit, allowing you to point at signed postings on the walls for language-specific descriptions. Look for the Portrait Gallery of the Golden Age for a unique presentation of some immense group portrait paintings.

Open daily 10:00am -> 5:00pm
FREE with the I Amsterdam City Card.

Fields of Tulips
the-gays-abroad-amsterdam-6
If your 2 days in Amsterdam happen to be during the months of April or May, make sure to go and see the vast and boldly colorful fields of tulips in the Southwest outskirts of the city. Having already purchased the rural transit day pass to visit Zaanse Schans, you can head over to either Leidesplein or Rijksmuseum and hop on bus 197 to the airport. From the airport, take bus 858 directly to Keukenhof. After you’ve arrived, you can buy tickets to access the Keukenhof gardens, or you can rent bikes for a self-guided tour of the farms and fields in the area.

Canal Cruise
The I Amsterdam City Card includes 1 free canal cruise with the operator of your choice. Because the Amsterdam canals look magical at night (and it fits better in our itinerary, let’s be honest), you should use your free tour during the evening with one of the operators that schedule night cruises (either Holland International 100 Highlights Cruiser Lovers Canal Cruises).  Both of these companies offer tours until 10:00 pm during the Summer and until 9:00 pm during the Winter.

FREE with the I Amsterdam City Card.

Traveling with Kids

If you’re traveling with kids and are looking to substitute any of our highlighted attractions, be sure to look into the Nemo Science Museum as well as the National Maritime Museum (specifically, the incredible replica of the 18th-century ship Amsterdam).