Category: Popular Posts

Discovering Magic: Glistening Waters, Jamaica

HIGHLIGHTS Destination: Ocho Rios, Jamaica LOS: 3 days, 2 nights Lodging: Sand Castle Resort Airbnb Attractions: Glistening Waters; Blue Hole; Ocho Rios Bay Car Rental: Avis Having heard about a luminous lagoon in Falmouth, we knew this was an activity that we had to make happen in our short 3-day stay in Jamaica. Nestled along the north coast of Jamaica, lies this natural wonder that is truly captivating: Glistening Waters. Getting there: Driving DirectionsWe rented a car and drove ourselves, it was a straight drive from Ocho Rios to Falmouth, and clocked in at about 1:20. There’s also the option of purchasing through a tour operator, or with Glistening Waters themselves, and they will pick you up at your hotel and drop you back. Cost: 2 adults and 2 kids $75Option to purchase photos after the tour. Once we got there: We arrived and started our adventure as the clock struck 7:30 pm, with sleepy and cranky kids in tow. If you choose to drive there, you can’t miss it, there’s a bright red neon sign that announces you’re at the right place. We pulled in and walked straight up to the booth, purchased tickets which granted us a free drink, and settled in to wait for the next boat. A lively performance instantly lifted our spirits as well as the excitement of another large group that we would become fast friends with. The tour: The insightful guidance of our captain truly enriched our experience. As we boarded the boat, he welcomed us with a smile, his passion for the lagoon’s ecosystem evident in every word he spoke. With expert knowledge, he shared tales of the microscopic organisms known as dinoflagellates, whose bioluminescence creates the mesmerizing glow that illuminates the waters at night. It was fascinating to learn about the delicate balance of factors—such as temperature, salinity, and depth—that contribute to this natural spectacle. As the engines started the waters came alive with an ethereal glow, courtesy of the bioluminescent organisms that call this lagoon home. Our boat gently glided across the surface of the lagoon, and anticipation mounted, the glow in the boat’s wake was mesmerizing. With each movement, ripples of light trailed behind, leaving us spellbound by the beauty of nature’s luminescent display. It felt magical!   You’re able to jump into the lagoon and splash about to see the lights all around you, I was the first one in! Warning the bottom of the lagoon is marshy and feels yucky, so i highly recommend water shoes – not having any, I just doggy-paddled the entire time I was in and wasn’t much bothered by it. Soon enough everyone jumped in and the blue glowing splashes were everywhere!   Our time at Glistening Waters was not just a journey to witness one of nature’s wonders but a reminder of the power of curiosity and exploration, something I was so excited to share with our kids! From the sleepy arrival to the enchanting glow of the lagoon, every moment was filled with wonder and delight. As we bid farewell to this extraordinary place, we carried with us not just photographs but a newfound appreciation for the extraordinary beauty that surrounds us!   Some other places in the world where you’re able to witness the beauty of bioluminescence in its many forms are:

Universal Studio Japan

Universal Studio Japan View this post on Instagram A post shared by Farrah CQ (@farrah.cq) //www.instagram.com/embed.js

3 Days in La Fortuna/ Arenal

When I was preparing for this trip I was overwhelmed with all the tours and things to do in this area, so I hope if you happen upon this blog I can simplify it for you.

One Day in San Jose, Costa Rica

We spent most of our trip to Costa Rica in the La Fortuna/ Arenal area, but we were excited to check out the capital of San Jose for a day!

Searching for Shark Teeth

Searching for Shark Teeth My son has become quite the shark aficionado. At just 3 years old he can name several species of sharks by just looking at their picture in his favorite shark book. I’ve even mixed the pages up and he still gets it right! So what does any enthusiastic parent do? Why yes, nurture this shark phase of course! So when I happened to see a post on a local Mom’s group about shark hunting I knew we had to do it! There were a few locations that were mentioned, Venice Beach and Manasota Key being the best. Since Manasota Key was closest to us, under 2 hours north of us, we decided it would make for a fun spring break day-trip! The water was the bluest blue, it was a tad cold, but enjoyable and refreshing! Almost as if to welcome us, there were a few dolphins playing in the waves as soon as we arrived, it was an absolutely perfect beach-day. There are a few restaurants nearby, but we packed enough food to get us through the day. We did stop at a local restaurant, Lighthouse Grill, for dinner on the way back, it was quite the local spot with live music and good vibes! Manasota Key is a great place to spend a day (or more) if you’re visiting Southwest Florida. We did try to find a place to stay the night, but it was probably late planning on our part, hotels and airbnb’s were hard to find on short notice – so plan ahead! And YES! we found quite a few shark teeth, check out the video for the full day’s adventure, and be sure to take a colander/strainer with you. It’s really a fun activity to do with the kids on a postcard worthy beach. If you’ve been and have some tips for us let me know, I’m sure we’ll make a return trip! Let me know if you visit and loved it as much as we did.

Hi, my name is Farrah

Let’s kick this off by playing a game! Two truths and a lie, let me know in the comments which one is the lie 😉 I went to culinary school I’m a reality TV junkie My dream is to travel to all of the countries of the world     Okay, now here’s a little about moi 🙂 I was born and raised in Trinidad and Tobago. One country, 2 islands. The short version is that I moved to the US for college, had lots of fun in Miami, Fl, ended up meeting my husband there (he also happens to be from Trinidad), we now have 2 kids and a dog and have settled (maybe?) in Naples, Fl. Why a blog? We love to travel and I frequently rely on blogs for information when planning my trips I love to bake and frequently rely on blogs when baking/ cooking The creative process of writing is something I enjoy, let’s call it a hobby I’m a sharer, I just can’t help it Maybe some of the things I share might help someone else that frequently turns to blogs for creative inspiration/ travel tips/ parent hacks/ decorating/ baking, etc. I don’t promise to be consistent, but I promise to show up because this seems as good a therapeutic outlet as any. It’s great to meet you, I hope you’ll comment and get to know me (I would also love to get to know you!) along the way.