Category: Travel

Traveling & Exposure to New Things. Travel boosts your creativity and makes you happier.

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Dive into a Southern Charm: Discovering the Magic of North Carolina

Welcome, my fellow truths! I had the pleasure of heading down to this beautiful, extraordinary state called North Carolina, where barbecue there is like pizza to New York. I embarked on this trip for several reasons: to see friends who have become family, uncover hidden gems such as natural wonders, and visit One Tree Hill. This state has a cultural richness about it that makes it one of the most stunning states. From vibrant cities to breathtaking mountains and serene coastal plains, North Carolina is a treasure trove for those seeking adventure, relaxation, and unforgettable experiences.

My male best friend Sebastian and his lovely wife Sydney decided five years ago, after college, to leave New York and relocate to North Carolina. He had been asking me for years to come see his life out there, but life has a way of being busy at times. After everything I went through last year, this year has really been me living, traveling, and seeing where else I could live besides New York. My best friend and his wife got a beautiful home out there, and it was amazing to see his home, his new life out there, and just the growth of having ownership. Boy, did we have a time there! From bars, to lounges, to adventures, and visiting One Tree Hill I’d say this trip was a great reset on seeing what I want in life and tapping more into my outdoor girly side. Here’s a list of things we did there that I would recommend anyone try and explore. NC did me well, and I will definitely go back!

U.S. National Whitewater Center: The world’s premier outdoor center, featuring 1,300 acres to run, paddle, ride, climb, and more, is located in Charlotte, North Carolina. This was the ultimate highlight of my trip! I have been tapping into my outdoor girly side, and this brought me fully there! From water rafting to rock climbing to mountain biking, zip-lining, and an advanced obstacle course, this was the perfect way to end my trip. I was active the whole day, lmao. It will tire you out. After I rested for the rest of the day, I spent the entire day there until sunset, and it was to die for! I definitely recommend going when you are in North Carolina.

Address: 5000 Whitewater Center Pkwy, Charlotte, NC 28214

Lost & Found : Lose yourself in the music and let loose as we transition from lounge to upbeat dance party in the later evenings at Lost & Found, an elevated neighborhood bar and lounge where you can grab a cocktail or specialty martini after a long day at work, catch a bite with your friends, hear some great live music, get lounge-cozy with a date, or have a great nightlife experience! It was a great way to spend my Saturday night out there. The music was amazing, with an upbeat vibe that got everyone on their toes.

  • Address: 332 W. Bland St., Suite E, Charlotte, NC 28203
  • Early Girl Eatery:A cute little brunch spot located in downtown Charlotte. I saw so many tik-tocks on their mimosa flights, which were amazing—six different flavors and people. I got southern chicken with mashed potatoes and asparagus that had me cheesing from cheek to cheek throughout the airport.
  • Address: 515 S. Tryon St., Suite 104, Charlotte, NC 28203

TRIC Nightclub : Spend some time at the recognizable TRIC Nightclub, which was used during the filming of the beloved series One Tree Hill! You can enter inside and take pictures with replicas from Peyton Sawyer’s bedroom, Red Bedroom Records, Chase’s apartment, and even the original Red Bedroom Records door. At the end of your tour, visit their One Tree Hill souvenir shop to discover unique One Tree Hill merchandise available for purchase. The perfect place for fans to work to keep the Ravens spirit alive:).

House from One Tree Hill: Wilmington, North Carolina, is a coastal city with adorable shops, a small-town charm, and locations from two popular teen dramas: Dawson’s Creek and One Tree Hill. I’m going to provide a self-guided One Tree Hill tour with you so you may explore the places of One Tree Hill while you’re in Wilmington, as many of them are still standing and accessible for photo ops! Once you step into Wilmington, the nostalgia begins, like you just stepped into the One Tree Hill set and saw all your favorite spots. Find out where the infamous bridge of Lucas dribbling basketball and the homes of Brooke, Lucas, Peyton, Haley, and Nathan lived throughout the show. As a female blogger, this was a major inner child moment that I finally reached because I could reminisce on the fun memories of watching the show and now actually place myself there!

**Please respect the privacy of the genuine families who presently reside in these houses by staying off their property. Your companion is the sidewalk in front of these houses.**

Lucas Scott House: 1829 Wrightsville Ave., Wilmington, NC 28403

Lucas Scott’s one and only residence I can’t believe I was standing just outside of their house. I could even make out the side door, which served as the focal point of every scene involving Brooke, Karen, and Peyton. Seeing everyone use the side door to contact Lucas was really breathtaking. This show had enduring appeal and was genuinely innovative.

unfornately these home are occupied with real families so I can’t just go up on the porch the sidewalk is the most possible to do

Peyton’s House: 1901 Market St., Wilmington, NC 28405

It definitely warmed my heart to be able to view Peyton’s home and room because she was one of my favorite characters on the TV show. She had intelligence, edge, and—most importantly—a compassionate heart, which I adored. Because I have also experienced the unmatched pain of losing a parent, I now feel a connection to her narrative. The rest of my life will be spent learning how to cope with it and recover.

Brooke’s House: 2341 Tattersalls Dr., Wilmington, NC 28403

Nathan House: 1621 Country Club Rd., Wilmington, NC 28403

Nathan + Haley” Don’t Say I Never Gave You Anything” Bench: Across the river just out of the picture is the USS Carolina Battleship, which, of course, is where the River Court used to stand. Because our friendship is one based on so much love, I proposed to Mariah (baby/travel buddy) there in honor of Nathan and Haley’s love <3.

Address: Corner of water and market streets, last bench behind the visitor’s desk.

Intro Credits Bridge : The bridge that Lucas is dribbling across during the opening credits. I wish I had a ball so I could experience the energy like Lucas does because this scene from the intro is so well-known. Of course I had to traverse it similarly to how they do on the show!

Address : 694 N 6th St, Wilmington, NC 28401

I had a terrific time, too! I’m glad I visited, explored, and overcame One Tree Hill. Leave a comment about your trip to North Carolina or recommend any new locations I should check out when I go there again!

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Travel

4 Reasons Why You Should Travel to Panama

Photo by Luis Quintero on Pexels.com

Panama is a Central American country that connects Costa Rica to South America via Colombia. It is well-known for attractions such as the Panama Canal, a global trade and transportation hub that connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans via the Caribbean Sea.

I decided to go to Panama right after my trip to Chicago for my birthday twin’s celebration! This was an experience I will never forget! Their tropical rainforest is the world’s most studied. Panama is the only place on the planet where you can see the sun rise on the Pacific and set on the Atlantic.

I arrived in Panama City and then had a 2-hour car ride to my all-inclusive hotel. The hotel was incredible!! My two-bedroom family suite, which I shared with my 2  friends, had a shower, hot tub, liquor bar, stocked fridge with drinks, and two side balconies with another jacuzzi outside. The island breeze, coupled with a stunning view of the beach, stole my heart for good. I would recommend going to Panama for a vacation to anyone. This is definitely a place worth returning to.

Photo by Luis Quintero on Pexels.com

Here are 4 Reasons why you should travel to Panama: 

1.Cost Efficient

One of the main reasons I chose Panama was the low cost of my flight there and back, plus the all-inclusive hotel. We all spent about $562 for my room, which three of us stayed in, and flights. That’s a fantastic catch! The only thing I’d have to pay for would be excursions, which are very inexpensive. I spent less than 1,000 dollars on this entire trip. (Money Pic)

2. Less Tourism

I was able to connect with locals and see their way of life in Panama. Our hotel had guests, but it was not overly touristy; even when we entered town through the hotel, it was much more country-oriented than tourist-oriented. Within town, it is more common to hear their native language than English. When I travel to new places, I prefer to immerse myself in the local culture rather than blend it with more American elements. I travel to get away from the American mindset and see what else the world has to offer. Having the ability to bring the memories, people, and culture with me is another item crossed off the list.

3. The Currency

Another amusing fact Panama was the first Latin American country to adopt the US currency as its own. When visiting another country, currency is usually a factor in determining what the value of a US dollar is. You can therefore use US dollars. This alleviates any stress or concern you may have about converting money. You can now relax and enjoy the vibes.

4. Many Islands

Choosing to stay at the RIU Playa Blanca one of the highlights of my trip was the incredible view of the beach and ocean from my room. Along its coast, Panama has over 1,400 islands. The ocean is as clear as the sky, with a constant blue gleam. They have one of the world’s highest concentrations of bottlenose dolphins. Panama has two volcanoes, but neither of them is active. The first is in Chiriqui, and the second in El Valle de Anton. The one in Chiriqui is called Volcan Baru, and it is surrounded by the towns of Volcan and Boquete. The sand is soft and rich, but some beaches are black because they are volcanic beaches and contain volcanic ash.

Photo by Pok Rie on Pexels.com

See the beautiful Riu Plaza and scenery in our Panama Vlog!

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Travel

Chi city! Chi city!

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CHI-TOWN, a.k.a. Chicago, Illinois, is a culturally and historically significant city. It is one of the biggest cities in the United States and is situated on Lake Michigan.  It’s famous for being the first city to build a contemporary steel-framed skyscraper. The 1,451-foot Willis Tower (originally the Sears Tower), the neo-Gothic Tribune Tower, and the John Hancock Center are the three most recognizable skyscrapers in the area. The city is also renowned for having a strong commitment to the arts and for having bold, eye-catching buildings, such as the Art Institute of Chicago’s notable collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art.

Jen, one of my closest friends from college, just relocated to Illinois. We have been celebrating our birthdays together for the past five years and are both Aries queens. I had a planned weekend trip, but I wasn’t sure if I should go. I’m glad I went, though! My other close college friend, Mariah, joined us, and the two of us had a fantastic time.  View some of the locations we visited!

The hotel we stayed at and the places we visited are listed below.

Eurostars Magnificent Mile

Outside the Eurostars

It was such a lovely hotel, the Eurostars Magnificent Mile. The service was outstanding, and the atmosphere was perfect. The restaurant’s bar and food preparation area were closed because of COVID when we visited in March, which was the only drawback. We had to go outside the hotel to get food. However, there were no microwave in the room, only a lovely refrigerator. The queen beds in the hotel were quite soft and made for incredibly tranquil lying positions. I’d return here without a doubt, and I’d only give them a quick phone to see whether the COVID restrictions had been released.

Millennium Park 

This is one of the main things you need to see for that Chicago experience. It is home to the Cloud Gate statue ( aka ” The Bean”), interactive fountains, exquisite views, and destinations. The Millennium Park Campus is at the heart of Chicago. Locals and visitors love to gather here to picnic in the grass, cool off in the fountain, catch free concerts and movie screenings, and so much more all throughout the year. It definitely needs to be on your list of places to visit in Chicago.

The Cloud Gate statue ( aka ” The Bean”)

For the full Chicago experience, this is one of the key things you must see. There are interactive fountains, stunning views, and destinations there, including the Cloud Gate statue, often known as “The Bean.” Chicago’s downtown is home to the Millennium Park Campus. Locals and guests alike enjoy gathering here for a variety of reasons throughout the year, including picnics on the grass, fountain cooling down sessions, free concerts and movie screenings, and much more. On your list of Chicago attractions, it should without a doubt be included.

Navy Pier

You may find events, free public activities, attractions, culture, food, shopping, and more at Navy Pier in Chicago. Whether you’re a local or a guest, spending time with family or friends, enjoyment abounds there. The People’s PierTM, a nonprofit organization, offers a wide variety of events that will pique your interest, awaken your senses, and lift your spirits. It’s hardly surprising that it’s a location that still arouses curiosity and awe after more than a century. Learn what it can do to motivate you.

Hubbard Inn

Inside first floor of Hubbard Inn; It’s time for brunch and bottomless mimosas.

This location had a great vibe! We knew we were going to appreciate it as soon as we entered. My attention was drawn to the interior design of the building right away. A center island bar is the center piece of the open, versatile room, which is surrounded by warm and comfortable booth seating. A mixture of cream and the building’s original exposed brick walls will be used to create the setting’s modern yet rustic feel. The restaurant will serve sophisticated American cuisine with a world twist for dinner from Wednesday through Sunday and brunch on Saturday and Sunday. This will place a strong emphasis on classic and seasonal specialty drinks. The music was incredible, primarily the rap, hip-hop, and R&B. There will be drinks floating around to keep you moving!

Tao Chicago

Inside Tao Floor

Who doesn’t enjoy delicious, high-end Asian cuisine?

The well-known Tao Downtown in New York served as an inspiration for TAO Chicago. The facility has two levels and four private dining rooms in addition to a big bar. The TAO’s ground and lower level seating are connected by a grand staircase, providing the ideal stage for seeing and being seen. For my twin’s birthday dinner, we had a private room, which was fantastic. She ordered the creation of a special meal. It was interesting for me to venture outside of my comfort zone and try new foods because I’m a really picky eater. The beverages were fantastic, but the tab was pricey. Make sure everyone’s pockets are filled if you’re traveling in a group.

Chicago RiverWalk

Last but not least, my favorite spot thus far.

The Chicago Riverwalk is a multipurpose public area that stretches from Lake Michigan and Lake Shore Drive westward to Lake Street on the south bank of the Chicago River’s main branch in Chicago. The Confluence, The Arcade, The Civic, and The Esplanade are the four unique districts that make up the 1.25-mile walkway, which was built in stages over time. The Chicago Riverwalk makes it simple to reach the Chicago River, a desired natural beauty in the urban canyon of important landmarks. The walkway is open from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. for free to the general public. Even just walking along the waterway, snapping pictures, and taking in the boats and scenery was lovely.

This was a quick in and out trip. I arrived Friday night and left Sunday afternoon. I definitely have a few more places I would like to see there, but for the first time I saw two of the most famous sites in Chicago. Prior to the trip, my interest in interior design and architecture was piqued, and by the end of the trip, I wanted to learn and discover more. I loved it and will definitely be back for sure ! Check out my Chicago vlog on YouTube! The link is below.