California, North America, United States

Sailing at Sunset in Long Beach, California

November 13, 2014 zaagitravel@gmail.com

My very first GoPro-documented adventure!

Ch-ch-ch-ch-ch-ch-check it out!

This is what sailing in Long Beach, California at sunset is all about, y’all!

Soooo…….. awhile back…….. I enjoyed a Groupon excursion with Pacific Sailing.

This is our captain. I wish I could tell you his name.

But I can’t, because I have been the worst slacker EVER……….. this sunset sail occurred seven (gasp) months ago. Horrendous, I know. I’m sorry. I promise the next few months will be better!!!

We bought a deal for a 90-minute sunset sail with a bottle of wine for only $99!!

After buying the Groupon we just contacted the company to set up a date and time. The company was a little difficult to get ahold of at first, took a couple tries on the phone.

But once we had the details down we were all good to go!

On the day we drove to Long Beach’s Shoreline Village — a collection of shops, restaurants, and fun activities (including a carousel, arcade and bike path)!

This is where we parked, just a few steps away from the meeting place down on the marina, where we checked in and waited to set sail.

A couple from Burbank were the only other passengers to join us.

The passengers were allowed to sit back and enjoy the ride while the captain took care of nearly everything. We were only asked to change sides of the boat once to help with positioning the vessel to better turn around.

During the trip around the stunning California coast we learned tips and tricks about sailing, history of the area, etc., all while sipping on a bottle of wine and enjoying the last of the sun’s warmth.

The view of Long Beach was stunning as we exited the harbor.

We could see the famous Queen Mary ship, which always reminds me of Titanic. Yes, I just brought up Titanic in a post about sailing. Get over it.

TIPS

I do have some random general advice for sailing if you don’t have a lot of experience. Some of this may seem obvious, some might not, bare with me.

Out on the ocean, the wind can pick up a bit….. after all, wind IS required to sail.

1) Naturally, I would recommend bringing a coat or light jacket. Even on beautiful days during spring and summer.

Being freezing might ruin the ambiance a little. Be prepared. If you get cold easily, bring a blanket, a scarf, whatever it takes to keep you comfortable.

2) Take your hat off and be careful with your sunglasses. That wind/mildly bumpy ride could cause you to lose loose items fairly easily. And good luck getting them back if they fly off.

3) Ladies… don’t bother styling your hair. If you leave it down it’s going to become a crazy tangled mess. Just bite the bullet and throw it back into a ponytail. You’ll be able to SEE and you’ll save yourself from some nasty split ends. So come prepared with something to tie it back with!

4) Use the restroom before you board the sailboat. 90 minutes is a long time to be wishing you had.

5) Take some pictures!

6) But don’t just be experiencing the view from behind a screen or lens. That’s why I loved bringing my GoPro. Taking pictures with it was discrete and it meant that I was looking at the view with my own two eyes!

7) Enjoy yourself! Because who doesn’t love the ocean?? If you don’t, we can’t be friends. It’s that simple. I’m kidding. Kind of. Not really. Yeah, I’m not kidding.

But seriously… Sailing is incredible way to get back to nature. Relax and leave your troubles on the dock. And when you get back kick those troubles into the water and watch them drift away. Unless your troubles are a person. Then please don’t kick them.

I’ll end this post with ONE OF MY VERY FAVORITE QUOTES EVER by Mark Twain.

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”

Also, before I sign off, you should know that Pacific Sailing also offers sailing lessons — something I’ve been dying to do!

I highly recommend checking the company out — especially if you can get a deal on Groupon — whether it’s for a romantic date night (or anniversary, birthday, graduation celebration and so on), or just to get out and do something new.

*** I did not receive compensation of any kind to write this post. This is my honest opinion and was written purely for your interest/entertainment/knowledge.

New Zealand, Oceania

Land of the Long White Cloud

September 27, 2014 zaagitravel@gmail.com 1 Comment

If you haven’t already heard or read somewhere………..

I’ve booked flights to my 40th and 41st countries (which happen to be apart of my SIXTH continent!)

CAUTION: Major milestones ahead!

So are you wondering where exactly I’ll be traveling to next?

Drum roll, please!!!

…

…….

…………

………………

………………………

……………………………….

In 90 days I will be traveling to New Zealand and Australia for this first time!

Auckland, New Zealand from the summit of Mt. Eden by Harrison Gulliver — Photo by Harrison Gulliver

New Zealand is less commonly referred to as Aotearoa, which in its native Maori language, means ‘land of the long white cloud’, hence the title of this post!

In New Zealand I will be spending time in Auckland, Omaha Beach, the Coromandel Peninsula, Waiheke Island, Rotorua, Taupo, and more!

You will get to meet my James ❤ and get a first hand look at what is considered one of the most beautiful countries on our planet.

I can’t wait to share our upcoming adventures with you!

This is just the beginning……..

British Columbia, Canada, North America

A Spring Afternoon in White Rock, British Columbia, Canada

September 27, 2014 zaagitravel@gmail.com

Soooooooo this post is a bit late, yeah?

I took a major hiatus from blogging this summer. Since starting my job at the online newspaper in April, I’ve had an incredibly hectic schedule, working 50+ hours a week and commuting 15+ more hours.

And now that I spend 9 hour shifts writing articles on a computer, sitting down to type up more text for a blog hasn’t been at the top of my to do list.

BUT… I’ve realized that I really miss it.

So I’m recommitting myself to getting back onboard!

Here goes it………..

In April I visited my cousins in Vancouver, British Columbia.

We went for an afternoon to this little town called White Rock, named after a giant white boulder on the beach.

The town borders Semiahmoo Bay, which is really fun to say. Try it….. See?

Semiahmoo in Salish (the local native tribe) means “half moon”, used to describe the shape of the bay.

Another fun word? Glaciation.

That’s what caused the big white boulder (a glacial erratic in scientific terms) to migrate to it’s current home.

It weighs 486 tons and is quite impressive to look at, to be honest!

We had a blast meandering around the calm coast, jumping in puddles of water with our wellies (or gumboots as my Kiwi would say)…

My little cousin Sidney loved digging around in the wet sand — it’s amazing how the simplest things can often entertain children the most!

Then, we had a blast going on a ‘pretty pebble hunt’, looking for the most interesting and unique rocks we could find.

Ever since I was little, my dad and I would go on scavenger hunts at the beach in Newport or Huntington down where I’m from in Orange County. On each beach trip he would find his favorite little stone and hold on to it, keeping it in his pocket for months or sometimes years at a time.

The stone he currently carries he picked up on one of our walks a few years ago. Its designs remind us of the beautiful ancient cave paintings in Lascaux, France. I love that he carries it with him at all times.

After looking around at the various colors and shapes that riddled the foggy beach, we eventually made our way over to THE namesake rock.

After admiring the massive feature, standing in it’s solitary glory, we walked back towards the long wooden pier.

At the end of the pier is where my cousin Johnny proposed to my now(favorite)cousin Erica.

You could take a tip out of Johnny’s book of romance and dance on the pier in the moonlight… just putting it out there.

While we didn’t stop for any food in White Rock, I spotted numerous fish n chips restaurants and gelato cafes that looked to die for!

If you’re in the area, I highly recommend a stop at this quaint little beach.

Just a hop, skip and a jump over the American-Canadian border and you’re there!

See below, the trees on the opposite side of the bay? That’s Amurica! Told you it was close.

North America, United States, Washington

Seattle Aquarium with Kids

June 2, 2014 zaagitravel@gmail.com

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, “The ocean covers 71 percent of the Earth’s surface and contains 97 percent of the planet’s water, yet more than 95 percent of the underwater world remains unexplored”.

Why not explore what you CAN of this important part of our planet!

In April I visited the Seattle Aquarium with my cousins and their two kids, ages 5 and 1 1/2.

We had a blast checking out the variety of sea animals – from octopus to sea stars to harbor seals to sea otters.

While this blog post will touch on “family travel” don’t think it is just for the kiddos!

At 23 I absolutely loved visiting Seattle’s aquarium!

Located on Pier 59 on the gorgeous Waterfront, the Seattle Aquarium sits in all it’s glory.

Guests can check out the aquatic wildlife 7 days a week from 9:30am to 6:00pm (last entry at 5:00pm).

4-hour metered parking is available outside along Alaskan Way. There are also two parking garages located across the street.

The aquarium’s mission statement, “Inspiring conservation of our marine environment”, is taken very seriously.

They live up to it by offering a wide variety of educational (but still interesting!) resources about the various species residing within their establishment.

Interesting fact: There is a parasite found in cat feces that can be deathly for sea otters if they come in contact with it. So the aquarium recommends throwing away all cat waste and litter as opposed to flushing it.

Exhibits at the aquarium include:

Ocean oddities (unusual creatures of the ocean)

Window on Washington waters (in the entry way of the aquarium)

Birds and shores Coastal animals of the Pacific Northwest

Life on the edge (tide pools — great for all ages)

Searching for Sixgills (sharks!)

Marine mammals (seals and otters)

Underwater dome (wild animals that can be seen through a giant 360 degree glass room)

And more!!

Another memorable section of the aquarium was the area highlighting one of the region’s most prized animals — salmon!

The aquarium showcases each major stage of the salmon’s life (including a ladder for jumping grown salmon which is used seasonally).

The kids really enjoyed the underwater dome, which showcases actual wild sea animals from the Puget Sound.

A diver could be seen from the other side of the window as he waved to the kids that watched him handle an eel.

Seconds later a massive (what I believe to be) halibut swam by shocking (with delight) the little faces that practically had their noses pressed against the glass.

I personally feel that taking kids to an aquarium offers the opportunity to teach about a variety of important subjects – general science, the environment, marine biology, conservation, etc.

Kids have a natural interest and curiosity about the underwater world.

What better way to discover new things than observing and interacting face-to-face with the subjects themselves!

If you can’t make it to the aquarium right away you can check out these lives cams!

Harbor Seal Cam

Otter Cam

Octopus Cam

You can also check out the Google+ hangouts hosted by the Seattle Aquarium.

Students from all over the world can even go on “virtual field trips” to the aquarium!

Those videos can also be seen on their YouTube channel.

While the cost of entry to the aquarium may seem a little high, just remember that you are contributing to the protection of the sea life and improved sustainability efforts made by the aquarium itself!

Entry prices as of June 1, 2014 are…

Adults (ages 13 & over) – $21.95

Youth (ages 4 – 12) – $14.95

Child (ages 3 & under) – FREE

Seniors (65+) – $2 off adult price

Active military and dependents (ID req’d) – $2.95 off

The setting to the aquarium is just beautiful and so classically PNW!

With gorgeous views of the Sound and a thorough look into the creatures that inhabit it, I find it to be a can’t miss in Seattle, Washington!

North America, United States, Washington

5 Highlights of Pike Place Market in Seattle, Washington

May 12, 2014 zaagitravel@gmail.com 1 Comment

Seattle. Land of rain, coffee, grunge, Fortune 500 companies like Microsoft, Costco and Amazon…

Also the closest major American city to my god son’s family.

A Very Brief History Lesson on Pike Place

Located on First Ave and Pike St, Pike Place Market is one of the oldest operating public farmers markets in the entire USA. The market, which opened in August 1907, was built on a steep hill overlooking Elliott Bay with the goal of offering regular consumers the chance to “meet the producer”.

With 10 million visitors a year it is one of the most visited attractions in the Pacific Northwest. It is filled with farmers and craftspeople looking to offer their produce and products to both locals and visitors.

TIP!: The best places to park are Western Ave., 1st Ave., and 2nd Ave.

These are my highlights from our morning at Pike Place Market. Feel free to add YOUR highlights in the comments below! I’d love to hear them!

1. THE ORIGINAL STARBUCKS You can’t start your day at Pike Place Market without first stopping at the original Starbucks.

Being a 23-year-old American female I am basically a religious follower of the coffee brand.

Okay… maybe that’s taking it a little far. But barely.

Starbucks is one of the largest business chains in the world – with nearly 21,000 stores across 64 different countries!

And it all started in Seattle in 1971. The actual very first location, which only sold coffee beans and not fresh brewed drinks, was closed down and then moved to this location in the mid-70s.

Even if you don’t like coffee, this is still a cool place to visit from a entrepreneurial/business frame of mind.

When I landed in Seattle my cousins and I headed from the airport straight to the mecca of caffeine addicts.

Can you tell I was excited?

I was surprised to learn that the original store has been kept in it’s most simple state – only serving certain drinks. And that’s all.

It’s kind of refreshing to enter a vintage version of the mega-coffee-maker. I’m all about bringing things back to basics.
Fun STARBUCKS facts and a tip:

— The brand was first going to be called Pequod, after a whaling ship from the book Moby Dick. Instead, it was named after the chief mate on the Pequod, Starbuck.

— The first Starbucks location outside of the U.S. opened in Tokyo, Japan in 1996.

— If you normally order a latte… stop. Order a cafe misto. It’s very similar to a latte but less expensive (and tastier in my opinion). You can have it plain or add pumps of your favorite flavoring.

2. The Fish Market

The fish guys are world famous for their fish-throwing ways.

It apparently all started when the workers grew tired of walking back and forth to retrieve a fish a customer ordered. They decided to keep a worker in the back with all the fish who would toss the order up to the front, saving time and energy.

I particularly liked this sign – “We sell only wild salmon caught by wild fisherman”.

The other fish and produce market’s around Pike Place are impressive also!

3. Flowers at the market

Thousands of flowers line the hallways of the upper street level. Flowers of every color and shape. The tulips here are some of the most beautiful I’ve seen!

And when do you NOT need flowers in your life?

Flowers are always a good idea.

4. The Market Theater Gum Wall in Post Alley

The infamous gum wall is located in Post Alley, just around the corner from Pike Place Market.

The tradition began back in 1993 when patrons would place coins in blobs of gum and stick them against the alley wall. It caught on, and by 1999 the wall was deemed an official tourist attraction.
My cousins and I couldn’t pass up the chance to make our mark on one of the “germiest” attractions in the world.

We each popped a piece of gum and started chewing away while we scoped out where we wanted to place our sticky artwork. This is me placing my piece of gum on the wall as my little cousin Sidney looks on.

How “Seattle” is this picture? Starbucks in hand, scarf around my neck, placing my gum on the gum wall…. That’s my piece in the very center above. That long stretched-out sort-of white piece. Ain’t she a beaut?

5. Food Highlights

A: The ConfectionalMini peanut butter cheesecake and cheesecake-on-a-stick from The Confectional. No description necessary.

B: Beecher’s Handmade Cheese

I HIGHLY recommend the mac n cheese from Beecher’s! It’s just phenomenal. Big penne-style pasta and creamy flavorful cheese sauce. It’s addicting. I warned you.

C: La Buona Tavola

Leek and potato soup (with a few drops of truffle oil)

So while I didn’t order an entire bowl of this awesomeness, I should have…

The sample I was given was TO DIE FOR – clearly, I downed it all before I could even get a photo. If/when I go back to Seattle I’m coming back here and getting a big steaming bowl of it!

So… those are my Pike Place Market (+ surrounding area) highlights.

What are yours?! Comment below and tell me!

California, North America, United States

Opening Weekend at the Los Angeles Dodgers Baseball Stadium

April 12, 2014 zaagitravel@gmail.com

There’s something so very “American” about baseball. And there’s something so very “Los Angeles” about the Dodgers.

Some of my favorite childhood memories took place at the Dodger Stadium.

The second day of the opening weekend seemed like the perfect occasion to celebrate the beginning of spring with my baseball-loving boyfriend, Ryan.

On the day of the game we stopped by CVS to grab sunscreen (which I highly recommend for day games). Ryan didn’t use any and came home with sunburnt knees which have now turned in to a very interesting tan. Use the sunscreen, people.

We fortunately didn’t hit any traffic (unheard of in L.A.) until we exited the freeway and began the drive up to the stadium parking lot.

TIP: Bring some cash, general parking costs $15.

Since we got to the stadium early we walked around and watched them prepare the field.

It was fun to see the crowd react to Matt Kemp’s return. He has been out for quite awhile due to ankle and shoulder injuries. Needless to say, Matt’s first game back has been long-awaited and anticipated.

The thing I anticipated? DODGER DOGS.

It definitely would not have been an authentic experience without the famous hot dog! Too long to even fit in the bun, piled with ketchup and mustard and onions! Yes, please.

[source: bryce_edwards flickr]

It wasn’t long until game time so we went back to our seats.

We made it back just in time to see Robin Thicke perform a few songs, including “Blurred Lines”, on a roll-out stage out on the field. It was definitely a cool way to start the game. The following day Lupe Fiasco performed. Yay perks of living in L.A.!

Then it was time to watch some ball!

I had originally bought these tickets for Ryan and I for Christmas. Our teams are rivals, and we are both very competitive, so I thought it would be ~~interesting~~ fun to go to one of their first games of the season versus each other.

Even though the Dodgers lost, it was nice to see Ryan’s team win. I’ll always be a Dodger fan though, don’t get me wrong.

If you haven’t been to a baseball game recently (or ever) I highly recommend going to a Dodger game. It’s a great thing to do during the spring or summer with friends and family.

You can get seats from just a few bucks all the way to… uhhh, a lot. Ticket prices depend on location in the stadium, the visiting team and time of year.

If you pack snacks you can probably get away with a day at the baseball field for under $20/person or so.

I had a great time and can’t wait for the next game!

GO DODGERS!

Other, Photography

Photography Shoot: Graduation Portraits

April 6, 2014 zaagitravel@gmail.com 2 Comments

I was super stoked when a friend asked if I could take some photos that will go out with her college graduation announcements.

This isn’t travel-themed at all but I wanted to share it here because it’s somewhat of a portfolio of my photography. I’m no professional but I enjoy doing it!

So, without further ado…

Thank you to my drop-dead-gorgeous friend for being such a great model today.

And thank YOU for taking an interest in my little hobby.

If you like my photos, let me know (it makes me feel special)!

If you have tips, pointers, and/or constructive criticism… I would love for you to leave a comment!

Thanks again, y’all.

California, North America, United States

Carmela Artisanal Ice Cream in Pasadena, California

April 2, 2014 zaagitravel@gmail.com 2 Comments

In Spanish, “Carmela” means garden.

The garden-themed ice cream concept behind Carmela began with co-owner, Jessica Mortarotti, and her childhood memories of cooking with her grandmother, whose name is… you guessed it, Carmela. Ahhh, it’s all making sense now.

Jessica, along with Zachary Cox, began producing Carmela Ice Cream in 2007. They started out at local farmers markets and eventually expanded into two permanent locations —

1) PASADENA: 2495 E Washington Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91104

2) LOS ANGELES: 7920 W. Third Street, Los Angeles, CA 90048

Carmela Ice Cream has now turned into a well-known and well-regarded spot in Los Angeles for a bowl (or cone) of exclusive, seasonal, artisanal frozen flavors — made with organic dairy and farmers market ingredients!

Last week my mom and I decided to go check out what we had been hearing about all across town.

Our rendezvous began with lunch in downtown Pasadena and a short jaunt across to the north side of the 210 freeway to the ice cream shop for dessert.

The shop is in kind of an awkward spot — it’s difficult to find parking, but if you go past it a little bit and turn right there is 20 minute parking just before the residential street. This area was open for us, but I should point out that it was on an overcast Wednesday around noon. I can’t imagine how difficult it would be to find a parking spot on a sunny day or during the weekend!

After entering the shop and waiting our turn, we were helped by Jessica and one of her employees, Kira. I could immediately tell that they both have an obvious passion for their ice cream and for creating the best possible experience for each and every individual that enters their door.

Kira and I enjoyed sharing our love for blogging (she has a fantastic food blog — www.kikicuisine.com — which you should absolutely take a look at!)

I was actually having so much fun chatting with Kira and snapping pictures of the charming interior (the chandeliers are such an adorable touch) that I nearly forgot to order.

Now, on to the good stuff: I sampled “Fresh Mint with Cacao Nibs” and “Lavender Honey”. I ultimately decided on a scoop of “Dark Chocolate with Cacao Nibs” and their best-seller, “Salted Caramel”. I was more than satisfied with my decision! Carmela ice cream is everything I hoped it would be! There’s a reason they have awards and articles on display (they’ve won multiple “best ice cream” accolades in a variety of LA-based publications), they’ve truly earned them. Seen here, here, and here…

The “Dark Chocolate with Cacao Nibs” had an enticing texture — the chocolate flavor was deep and rich; cacao nibs were chopped into tiny pieces and blended throughout, allowing the right amount of crunch in each bite. The “Salted Caramel” was not your average caramel, it was mature and evolved. It had somewhat of a warmth to it that emanated through the frozen confection, in a very very good way. The saltiness made me crave more and more and more. The flavor never got old, every spoonful exploded with flavor.

My mom ordered Brown Sugar Vanilla Bean and added salted caramel sauce on top!

I’ll be honest, I don’t normally choose vanilla. They always seem to taste the same. Not this one! Carmela uses real vanilla beans with absolutely no need for artificial flavoring. By far the best vanilla ice cream I’ve ever had.

Thanks mom, you were a great hand model!

Tell us! What have you ordered (or would you order) at Carmela?

North America, Tennessee, United States

Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams

March 24, 2014 zaagitravel@gmail.com

Menu & cones at Jeni's Ice Creams via ZaagiTravel.com — Modified from source: salisasaki Flickr

While in Music City for the KEEN Digital Summit last year, Kristin Luna and I hit up Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams in East Nashville. This was my first experience with what is often referred to as “artisanal” ice cream.

Two words. Blown away.

The genius behind the delicious, Jeni Britton Bauer, quit school in 1996 to open her first ice cream shop in Columbus, Ohio. She has since been recognized in publications like Time, Cooking Light, Saveur, and Food & Wine.

I was impressed to learn that Jeni’s ice cream begins with grass-grazed Ohio milk and Fair Trade certification. #Winning!

So, as it goes, I sampled many of their flavors. Salty Caramel. Askinosie Dark Milk Chocolate. Brambleberry Crisp. The Milkiest Chocolate in the World — yes, that’s an actual flavor.

The one that stole my heart… the one I literally have dreams about… The Buckeye State.

It is described on their website as “rich and salty peanut butter [that] yields to the crunch of exceptional dark chocolate for perfect balance“.

I can’t say enough about this ice cream. It’s creamy, it’s got fun texture with the tiniest chocolate shavings, it’s lick-the-bowl good. And-then-have-a-temper-tantrum-because-it’s-all-gone good.

If, like me, you don’t live in Ohio, Tennessee, Illinois, or Georgia (where Jeni’s shops are located), you can order online or find pints at a variety of stores, including Whole Foods.

Jeni's Ice Creams via ZaagiTravel.com/House of Hall Flickr — Modified from source: House of Hall Flickr

I really need to get my hands on a pint. And soon! This post definitely didn’t help my insane cravings for a scoop (or two. or three.) of that Buckeye State ice cream!

Have you tried Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams? Which flavor is your favorite?

Semester at Sea

SEMESTER AT SEA Study Abroad: Ship Life

March 8, 2014 zaagitravel@gmail.com 1 Comment

SEMESTER AT SEA SERIES

If you’ve never lived on a ship for nearly four months, you would think I’m crazy when I say I prefer “ship life” to “land life”, but it’s true.

They can’t keep me away. After sailing as a student on the Spring 2011 study abroad academic voyage, I then sailed again on the May 2013 Enrichment Voyage around Northern Europe last year!

I am a Semester at Sea fanatic and my hope is that by sharing my knowledge and experience with SAS, I can convince some of you to sail around the world too.

A big part of the Semester at Sea experience is SHIP LIFE.

The MV Explorer, the current ship in use by the study abroad program known as Semester at Sea, has been transporting students around the world since 2004. The current ship is the fifth floating university since the program first began 50 years ago in 1963.

While the ship is not the most massive cruise ship you’ll ever come across, it is a perfect size for international travel. For example, we were the largest ship ever able to enter the Amazon River, a milestone that occurred for the first time during my Spring 2011 voyage.

The ship is made up of six accessible decks (Deck 2 – Deck 7) with the bottom three decks being strictly residential.

Here is a brief description of Decks 5-7.

Deck 5: Dining room (a large buffet dining setting with inside seating only); Tymitz Square (a good meeting area that is equivalent to a student center — with an activities desk and Purser’s desk); Staff offices (like the Executive and Academic Deans).

Deck 6: Garden Lounge (a casual buffet dining setting with inside and outside seating); Two campus stores (one with SAS-themed attire and the other with school supplies and hygiene products); Library; Computer lounge; Piano lounge (a hang-out spot for students); the Union (a large lecture hall); and a dozen or so classrooms.

Deck 7: Pool and recreation deck; outside fitness center with free weight machines; inside fitness center with treadmills, bikes, and ellipticals; wellness center that offers (for a fee) hair & nail services, massages, waxing, a sauna, and more; Glazer lounge (the faculty lounge off-limits to students during academic voyages).

The ship itself is impeccably clean both inside and out. It is taken care of by the incredible crew, which is managed by V.Ships, the largest supplier of ship management in the world.

I truly have nothing but praise for the endless hard work that is showcased by the MV Explorer’s crew, who are usually seen with a big genuine smile. Shout-out to my favorites — the Jamaicans, Peter and Jerry!

Extracurricular Activities include…

– Intramural sports (like basketball and volleyball)

– Group exercise (like yoga, zumba, P90x, and more)

– Musical groups, dance groups, theater groups

– Spiritual and religious services

– Model UN

– Greek clubs (fraternities and sororities)

– LGBTQA club

– and a LOT more…

Basically if you have a skill or interest you would like to share with others, you can create a club or meeting. For example, Cherie King of the Travel Bee, was a deaf student from Idaho during my voyage and she taught American Sign Language to students interested in learning.

There are always many things going on around the ship. Daily announcements are made by…

“The Voice”: a selected staff-member that reminds the shipboard community of activities and usually with a corny joke thrown in there for good measure. I can’t believe I actually miss being woken up by the ding-ding-ding-ding each morning.

Preport: A meeting held in the Union (and also broadcasted on the TVs in each cabin and some public areas like the Piano Lounge) that covers useful information for each port the evening before arrival. An example of what pre-port covers would include: helpful phrases in the local language, currency exchange, location of highlights to see and explore, cultural norms, history as well as recent news in the country, etc.

Sea Olympics: This fun day takes place during a day-off from classes usually taking place around the time the ship crosses the equator. The residential areas of the ship are split into seas — Aegean Sea (the best), Mediterranean Sea, Baltic Sea, Red Sea, and so on.

A committee, which you can join early on in the semester, organizes the variety of competitions to be held throughout the day. Some students even choose to shave their heads in celebration of crossing the equator, a tradition established by the Navy.

I participated in the Synchronized Swimming event and had a total blast making a fool of myself with 5 of my friends as we choreographed a dance to 90s hits like Britney and N’Sync. Our 6am practice for over a week paid off and we came in 2nd place.

Extended Families: Nearly the entire ship community signs up to be placed into dozens of “families”. The groups organize events like family dinners, in-port activities, after-port reflection and discussion, etc.

I have remained close with my “SAS-mom”, Bonnie. We have gone to see the Backstreet Boys in concert, to Disneyland, to Semester at Sea events toether and more. The Extended Families program introduces you to new shipmates you may have never met otherwise and I definitely appreciate the relationships I formed through participating.

Education: Oh yeah, that thing we all came here for. The academic opportunities offered by Semester at Sea are incomparable. Being that SAS is sponsored by the University of Virginia, the academic aspect is top-knotch.

Classes are intimate, with most containing less than 40 students. Class is only held when the ship is at-sea, never when the ship is in-port. Time in each country is reserved for field-practicum, Semester at Sea trips, and independent travel. You literally never stop learning from the moment you step on the ship.

Highlights of my academic journey…

I experienced an overnight with a South African family in their township home.

I learned about the history of China while standing ON the Great Wall.

One afternoon I stared up in disbelief at the Taj Mahal. The next morning I watched the sun rise from a boat on the Ganges in Varanasi, where I observed Hindu pilgrims bathe themselves in their holy water.

I waved back and forth with tribal locals on the Amazon, rowing in their canoe-like boats while trying to keep up with the speed of the MV.

I held the hands of Ghanian orphans while we taught each other games and songs.

I learned how to barter at Cambodian and Vietnamese markets.

You simply cannot beat the education you will receive on Semester at Sea. It provides knowledge that is just not accessible through a textbook or hour-long PowerPoint in a classroom at your home campus.

Lastly, you need to know the official RULES to being a member of the shipboard community:

1) It’s a VOYAGE, not a cruise.

2) It’s a SHIP, not a boat.

If you’re a Semester at Sea alumni, what was YOUR favorite thing about ship life?

And if you’re a prospective student and have any questions about ship life, feel free to ask them below!

Zaagi Travel

Sailing at Sunset in Long Beach, California

TIPS

Land of the Long White Cloud

A Spring Afternoon in White Rock, British Columbia, Canada

Seattle Aquarium with Kids

5 Highlights of Pike Place Market in Seattle, Washington

Opening Weekend at the Los Angeles Dodgers Baseball Stadium

Photography Shoot: Graduation Portraits

Carmela Artisanal Ice Cream in Pasadena, California

Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams

SEMESTER AT SEA Study Abroad: Ship Life

Unique Insights From One Who Treasures Travel