You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet // The Grand Canyon

The Grand Canyon, what a life changer… 446 km (277 miles) long, up to 29 km (18 miles) wide and a whopping depth of 2 km (6000 feet). 1,218,375 acres of pure and utter beauty.

You’re crazy to go to Las Vegas and not visit the Grand Canyon while you’re in the area. The four hour car trip was worth every second after getting a peep at just a small portion of just one of the world’s wonders. 

Being at the South Rim of the canyon from 3pm until sunset we had timed it just right. Watching the sunbeams setting over the crevice walls enhanced the colours of the canyon. Every time I blinked my eyes the uniquely, engaging view would change, drawing me in further and further into it’s absolute magnificence. 

The Earth, herself, has truly built us a formation that has the power with natures sublime to change your life. Those who have laid their eyes on this creation have seen the most surreal, beautiful structure that lays on the earths surface. Words and photos don’t even come close to doing it justice…

Something so immense and splendour creates you to feel so insignificant while simultaneously dominant with the world around you. Witnessing such a formation envelops you in peacefulness that stays with you for the rest of your life. It is calming and invigorating. 

The Grand Canyon filled me with such awe and nothing can ever compare. This wonder of nature needs to remain as it is. The future cannot improve on it. The generations around me, and those that will come after me deserve to see something so awestruck. 

If there is such a place on this Earth that puts into perspective the majestically sublime of nature, it truly is the Grand Canyon.

If the Grand Canyon is not on your bucket list, I highly suggest whacking it on there!

Escaping to the West Coast // Desert, Canyons, Sin City, the Dam

The more and more I get to explore this phenomenal world, the more I want to immerse myself into its utter beauty. The earth around us has an infinite amount of uniqueness. 

I went from the most southern parts of the United States where I drank sweet tea everyday, to one of the most diverse areas in the world where I ate Mexican food everyday. Southern California. 

It was the end of my foreign exchange program in Alabama and Christine and I flew to LAX in Los Angeles. Our nine day trip on the West coast began. 
Waking up the next morning in San Dimas we were headed on the road to Las Vegas, Nevada. 

I have always been in awe about the immense territories of American desert that span across large areas of the West coast. The trip from Southern California to Las Vegas is four hours long through beautiful terrain of picturesque mountains and hills. Beyond the valleys of hills is the dry, scenic desert that sweeps across for miles until it reaches Sin City. 

Our first stop on the trip was Red Rock Canyon. An extensive territory of gorgeous hills, mountains and rock formations. We completed the 13-mile (21km) scenic drive where you get an up-and-close personal glimpse of the unique surroundings throughout the canyon.

The sandstone rock formations upon the mountains and hills would begin with a touch of rusty, dark red colours and instantly turn into giant yellow, sandy walls. Being within the depths of the canyon itself created a desire within me. My time being plunged into the canyons made me want to explore more deeper into such remarkable formations.

Our next top was the well-known city strip scattered with casinos, entertainment and money money money. Las Vegas. Our accommodation for the night was the Flamingo. Centered right on the strip, across from Caesars Palace and the Bellagio. We had a 180 degree view of the strip itself. Pretty amazing spot, I must admit. Thanks Christine, once again!

Las Vegas, the city in the middle of the desert, is full of so much bright lights and there is so much to do, with or without money. Before Las Vegas, me and a lot of other people from around the world, questioned something… What is there to do for a 16 year old in the most prominent city in the world known for gambling? Well, after my experience, there is actually a lot of things for someone underage in Las Vegas. From my one night in Sin City, just walking up and down the strip among the crowds was enough of an experience for me. There is non-stop entertainment, exquisite restaurants with fine dining, incredible shopping and did I mention any one of any age can walk around the casinos? Yes read that again… For those Aussies reading, to us that sounds utterly bizarre! But, in Las Vegas, any one of any age has the right to wander in and out of casinos. Only those over the age of 21 have the right to touch all those adult toys and games (yes, those so called ‘money machines’ and the poker tables). Walking through the crowded casinos with the sounds of dice hitting green carpeted tables, machines rolling and rolling out money and the occasional 'Woo!’ from someone winning more than $50.

I have come to the conclusion, with all honesty, that Vegas is back on my list of places to re-visit… Just after my 21st birthday that is!

I’ve had a fascination for a few years now of the Hoover Dam! Yes, the one that Chevy Chase from The Griswalds, that gets up to no good at. Being situated on the outskirts of Vegas, we were able to make a quick stop to cross one more thing off my bucket list!

After Hoover Dam, our next destination was The Grand Canyon. It is so GRAND that it is in need of it’s own blog post… Stay tuned for that one.

I’ve left you all hanging in the middle of our road trip on highway 40. The beauty of the road trip has only just began…

French Toast, Ducks and the King / city of Memphis

Another state, another city and more attractions are crossed off the list. Christine and I headed on a 5 hour road trip through Alabama, Mississippi and Tennessee to adventure through the river city of Memphis. We also popped over to Arkansas to grab a fridge magnet, I mean come on, it was just over the river in Memphis. 

While in Memphis we had the intention of exploring a handful of world famous attractions in the heart of the city. Little did we know that not much would go our way on this trip. But, not a drop of rain or a struck of lightening could ever stop us from exploring the world around us two.

Our first stop for a photo op was the house that Elvis Presley was born in at Tupelo, Mississippi.

The house has not been moved since Elvis was born and is situated in an ordinary neighbourhood. The house is as small as it looks!

Memphis was another city I’ve visited with surprising delicious food! We made a pit stop at Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken, it was a hole in the wall, but, oh boy did it live up to its name! Without a doubt it was some of the most mouthwatering, juiciest chicken that I’ve ever eaten! A little on the spicy side, but it’s definitely worth it if you’re passing through the city!

Our location for the night was The Peabody Hotel. The famous hotel that escorts ducks through the lobby twice a day for the guests amusement, it being a tradition since the 1930’s! A ‘duck master’ puts on a 15 or so minute presentation and marches a half a dozen ducks from the lobby fountain and up the elevator. The ducks are swimming in the fountain from 11am until 5pm everyday. World famous people have located here just to witness these ducks waddle along the red carpet! I was a lucky duck to have watched this! Yes, a lucky 'duck’…

On our morning of waking up in Memphis we had debated whether to have breakfast in bed with it being delivered to our room or search on TripAdvisor for a place to eat, just like we normally do! We took on our advice and searched for a place to eat, we had chosen The Arcade. An average sized diner hidden in the streets of the city. The breakfast was phenomenal, tasting the most exquisite french toast! It will definitely be hard to come across another plate of french toast as amazing as this one! We also had a side of bacon, hash brown and egg!

When we see an opportunity, we take it! It was a coincidence that a NBA game was being played on our night in Memphis. We purchased the tickets a couple of days before and went to the game! The Memphis Grizzlies were playing Utah Jazz and it’s most definitely one of the best sports I’ve watched!  The sound of sneakers squeaking against the court, the music in the background and the amazing players sure did put on an amazing show! I wasn’t the only Aussie in the stadium, Joe Ingles #2 for Utah Jazz was running up and down that court like no tomorrow!

I was the only spectator in the crowd sporting off a Utah Jazz jersey, but, I was supporting an Aussie and also a friend back home who adores the boys of Utah Jazz. 

Jazz - 97
Grizzlies - 91

Elvis’ grave site was situated on his property on the side of his house opposite the in-ground pool. Elvis is buried alongside his parents, grandmother and his stillborn twin brother. It was absolutely surreal to be in an atmosphere full of vibes from the most significant cultural icons in history. Not many people I know will get to say they’ve been by the King of Rock and Rolls grave site. Another lucky experience I have to cherish for years to come. 

The Big Easy / New Orleans, Louisiana

Christine, Morris and I had debated whether to drive at our own pace or to stick to a schedule with the train when travelling to NOLA. We decided to board an Amtrack train in Birmingham the day after Thanksgiving (and a night of Black Friday night shopping) and travelled 7 and a half hours down through Mississippi and into the heart of Louisiana. 

The most common shared traits of deep in the French Quarters is the food and music. The food is such an abundance that a whole other blog post could be dedicated to its importance in the streets of New Orleans. So let me begin in regards to the music component of the culture.

Strident Forays of Jazz // Music

The music from the heart of New Orleans sings various styles of music which have grown from earlier traditions. The city of especially known for its strong involvement with jazz music and is globally known to be considered the birthplace of the genre. New Orleans has also been a well known center of the funk genre of music and home to some of the earliest funk bands. The African influence on New Orleans music can backtrack to its roots to Congo Square in New Orleans in 1835, when slaves would gather there to play music and dance on Sundays. Unless you are trapped inside your hotel room or in the residential parts of the city, there is not one step you can take without hearing the loud series of earthy grooves played in swing. 

Haunted History // They Live On

An essential part of New Orleans, particularly the French Quarters, is the deep, eminent haunted stories it holds. Christine and I engaged in a 2 hour long ghost tour walk stopping at big-name haunted destinations. Our tour guide for the night was entertaining, phenomenal and put so much depth into the stories she shared with our group. New Orleans holds such suffering and this was shown through the gratifying stories that floated through the ears of our tour group. I was lucky enough to have encountered the rich stories that I was knowledgeable of before I arrived in America. We were lucky to have learnt numerous of stories, but I want to share just two of my favourites that have made a great impact on me. I happened to come across two girls behind me during the tour, one from Newcastle, Australia and the other from New Zealand… What a small world!

One of my favourite songs, The House of the Rising Sun, was adapted from one of the haunted buildings, Villa Convento, that we ran into during the tour. This building was in fact a brothel. Today it is an intimate hotel in the middle of the French Quarters. We were educated that there is haunting of the door knobs rattling during the night. This is the haunting of the workers in the brothel tugging and rattling the door knobs indicating to the occupants inside that ‘time is up’. I wonder how the couple behind those doors would feel if they knew the meaning behind those rattling noises they heard… Haha! This story from the tour interested me greatly due to me being a big fan of the song. Being able to be in the same atmosphere as the birth place of this song was something that never crossed my mind that I would experience!

Haunted destination number two was even more of a shock to me than the brothel house. This story was full of gore, horror and not for the weak stomach. To my friends or those who are reading this who are familiar of American Horror Story Coven will understand this story in greater depth. This haunted record involves a lot of explaining and has such intensity that it would be almost impossible for me to share through just one blog post, so to be concise here is the story of the LaLaurie House. This story leaves you engrossed and it causes you to contemplate such reasoning to these ladies actions… What this website I’ve shared with you has not said is that those who enter or even touch this building will encounter a haunting that will change their life forever… Another note that this website has left out is that Nicholas Cage once owned and lived in this house. He was uneducated on this legendary house he resided in and when a haunted tour sat outside his newly purchased property he came down to question them. Once he was told, he instantly grabbed his family and belongings and moved. Remember when Nicholas lost his money and went through a period of suffering a few years back? That was the power of LaLaurie. 

Attractions // Bourbon Street 

You’ve all heard of Bourbon Street, right? It would come a shock to me if you hadn’t heard the name at some point. It is the world famous party, vibrant and loud street in the deepest parts of New Orleans. We strolled a bit of the way down to feel the vibe of the night and we ate in at the Hard Rock Restaurant. This street is full of drinking, drinking and more drinking and the constant jazz, party and swing music that rings through your ears, how could you not carry yourself through the crowd with a dance? This street has the atmosphere for the young adult crowd and I have definitely added this back on my bucket list to experience the true vibes when I’m of legal age.

There is a lot to do and see in the city of New Orleans. This one-of-a-kind city can impact each of its visitors in different ways. Every corner, every detail of architecture, every taste and every witty encounter I experienced has influenced me in such a way that it would be impossible to share with you all…

Six Lessons Travel Has Taught Me

1. Being an Observer 

The world is full of precious, unique, beautiful and awe-inspiring treasures. The only thing they depend on is whether we pay attention to them or not. The world craves us to explore and relish in what it has to offer. Some of us are born to feel as though we are a part of nature and that we were put here on earth to appreciate and learn from our surroundings.

Being in the United States has exposed me to surreal sceneries, breathtaking atmospheres and unforgettable attractions. Whether it’s driving from state to state or from home to the store or if I’m strolling through a new area I embrace everything that surrounds me. Observing is never a boredom to me. I don’t find myself scrolling through my Facebook or Instagram feeds wishing I was somewhere else. Instead, my eyes are peeled, glaring at what surrounds me.

2. Appreciation

There is no lie that when I tell people how many times I’ve been on a plane, or how many times I’ve left the country I am frequently met with the comments, “you are so lucky” or “I’m so jealous.” These comments are usually implied with a sneaky hint of, “you must come from a lot of money” or that I have had these opportunities just passed over to me. As a matter of fact, it is quite the opposite. Hard work, determination and persistence have been popular characteristics I have managed to gain from being influenced by my family; and for that reason I do believe I am very, very lucky to be able to follow my dreams.

I am lucky because I was born in a country with possibility and opportunity. Travelling and seeing people in all sorts of cultures with different circumstances creates me to appreciate my freedom my country (also America) offers its citizens. I’m a firm believer that travelling can truly generate a person to appreciate certain things they once never took a second look at. This is where I consider myself lucky… I don’t think I would have come to certain realisations about life without travelling far and wide.

3. Life’s Short

I honestly think we are somewhat trained to NOT think that life is short. We are all focused on a certain path, the path so driven to succeed that we forget that life is a journey and that it moves fast and if you don’t stop and take a second look at what’s around you, it could flash right past you. I think that today the biggest mistake people make nowadays is that they put off their dreams. Giving up the hope of your dreams and trading them into something you think you should be doing and telling yourself you can do it later is the wrong path to follow. What if you don’t get the chance later on? If something makes you happy, do it now. Do it while you can.

4. Travel is the Best Education

I’ve learned lessons while travelling that I don’t think would have taken hold of me if I hadn’t made the decision to experience them overseas. Travel, exploring and immersing myself in different cultures creates me to grow and improve. I truly believe that travel is the best education you can get. It urges you to learn who you are, it will develop skills you didn’t know you had; the satisfaction of hiking that mountain, that fear you conquered and even that meal you were hesitant to try, but ended up loving it. Travel provides you with a source of education that is absolutely impossible to get inside a classroom. Travel education provides us with a true sense of reality.

5. Independence and Growth

Travelling, especially alone, forms a certain level of independence within yourself. You carry personal, rewarding stories you will forever cherish. Sharing stories and your experiences to people are nearly impossible because some things are just left better un said; words and pictures cannot put the actual experience to justice. A sense of maturity grows, knowing you’ve accomplished personal goals and dreams; giving you the determination to achieve even more. Being absent from my loved ones has revealed that I don’t need to be so reliant on the important people in my life, because if I mean as much to people as they say I do, I don’t need to second guess where I stand with them. Having a quality of independence makes me proud; it proves that when I get older I will have the maturity to accomplish certain stages in my life without anyone else’s input.

6. Family Means Most

They all say that absence makes the heart grow fonder. Well, they weren’t wrong on that one… Being absent from my family and friends lives has created me to grow a sense of appreciation towards them. Not being under the same roof as my family, but another family, develops a greater love within me. I instantly feel even more grateful for the family and friends I have, I appear to be becoming fonder of people I once maybe would have taken for granted and the urge to spend time with my family has grown. It’s as though being away from my family has educated me on the meaning of family itself. I’ve always been such a grateful and thankful person towards my family and friends (as they all know) and being absent for a long period of time has grown that part of me even larger than it was. I wouldn’t have come as far as I have at this stage in my life if it wasn’t for my family and friends.