Lifestyle and Travel Assignment Take 1

1.) Five Taglines:

·         I’ve been fortunate enough to travel from a young age. I’ve come to realize that you don’t have to travel outside the country to enjoy different lifestyles and be exposed to different cultures. Just right here in America, the culture is rich and diverse. I’ve eaten spicy crawfish in humid Louisiana and avoided rattlesnakes in the New Mexico desert. I’ve surfed beaches in California and shopped the New Jersey boardwalk. Get out there and explore the beautiful country of America!

·         From east to west America changes drastically, making it such a wonderful place to travel! I remember two or three years ago I took a trip to Louisiana in the summer. Yes, it was extremely hot, but the southern hospitality was truly alive. I ate spicy crawfish in New Orleans as I passed a family in the park. I learned a lot about Louisiana’s rich history and different influences. Seriously, if you can, go deep within the south!

·         As a senior in High School my parents were able to send me on my dream trip: South Korea! With a translation book in tow I spent the next two weeks wandering all around the cities of Seoul and Busan. While wandering around I found a quaint noodle shop deep within a maze of alleyways. It was there that I ate the best noodle dish of my life. I hope to retrace my steps to share this place with another.

·         Growing up, almost every winter vacation my sister and I would visit our grandparents in Malibu. At the age of 4 my grandfather would take me up on his surfboard with him and as the sunset my grandmother would show me wade pools with starfish and other aquatic life. It was these experiences that led me to travel to different places, looking for great surf spots. And through surfing I’ve made countless lifelong friends.

·         Last year I set out to do the impossible. There I was in Nepal at base camp of Mount Everest. I was suited up, with my pack filled with essentials I needed. By my side was a local who said he’d accompany me since I made this trip alone. It was cold obviously but wow was the view beautiful even just a hundred feet up. I never made it to the top but I will never regret my trip.

2.) Five Topic Discussions:

a.) Write a short insider’s guide to New York, NY for a travel site:

Planning a trip to New York City? New York can be a lot to handle, and there is so much to do in so little time. Between catching the latest attraction and finally getting the chance to eat at the restaurant Salvation Taco; New York City will be overwhelming at first. But after you take a quick read through this guide all your worries will vanish. Here’s the inside scoop on what to do on your trip in New York, and how to make sure you don’t miss a thing about this city!

  When you’re hungry take a stop at Estela; it’s not just bar food – its better! If you want a more romantic and elegant meal, then take a stop at Luksus. Luksus is where your taste buds will fall right in love. New York is a place where you want to do a lot of sight-seeing. First day in the city I suggest taking New York on by foot! You want to go north of Harlem and see Central Park, Lincoln Center and Fifth Avenue’s Museum Mile. Then, you want to make your way down to Town Square (it’s fascinating at night) where you get to see the billboards and possibly grab a bite to eat at Bond 45. If you are wanting a bit of fun with the nightlife then I suggest Evelyn. Evelyn is where singles mostly reside, but overall it’ll be the most fun you’d have in a long time! Oh, but don’t forget the shopping. While you’re in New York City make the best out of it, and window shop! You’ll find all your desires at Saks Fifth Avenue. Now, remember to have a great time!

b.)     Explain how to pick a venue for your next big event:

  Planning a wedding is the most stressful part of a woman’s life. Everything has to go according to plan, and in order for that to happen you need a good venue. A venue is supposed to take away the overwhelming feeling that the bride feels. The venue of your choice all depends on your wants and desires. If you want a cabin feel wedding, then you need to find a venue near the mountains like a lodge. The choice of your venue has many factors, and it’s not just about you but also your guests!

  A wedding venue should be decided by what month you’re getting married. Weather takes a big part, and if you are getting married during the winter then I suggest an inside venue. If you are getting married in the summer still do your research so your venue doesn’t get rained on! A venue also depends on how many people are attending. Different venues supply different packages. A package at one place might not be available at another. Look into the pricing, and try to budget! It’s not cheap getting married; especially at a venue. The location determines the price of venues. If you get married dead center of the city, then the price is going to be a lot higher than the venues surrounding the city. The location of the venue also should take place where people can travel. If you are having your venue out of state, a lot of family and friends probably won’t be able to make it.

  There’s a lot of planning for a wedding, but as long as you understand what type of venue you want then things should play out with ease!

c.)      Discuss the best online shopping websites for people who hate shopping:

  Before you enter a mall you endear the agony of finding a parking spot and end up walking a mile to the door. As you enter a mall you endear the squeaking of sneakers scuffing the floor or also maybe the squealing of children. You are tormented with the crowded stores that have the never-ending lines and the stores that only have their best items online. Not to mention the disgusting, over fried, or apparently not fried enough foods that behold you in the food court. It’s safe to say that shopping and I have a love/hate relationship. The discomfort and time consumption that shopping brings is not only unwanted, but also no longer needed.

  You can shop for your favorite items, and for whatever you need in the comforts of your own home. Whatever your heart desires is just a click of a button away! With the creation of stores websites shopping is no longer a dreading hassle. Need groceries? Your local market has a website of its own where you can browse through all kinds of foods and much more! Walmart or Target is a favored website that accommodates all of your needs! It’s quick, easy, and you don’t have to worry about getting dressed to go out. Do you need a dress? How about a new pair of pants? Say no more to that awful mall experience! There’s a site for any occasion; check out Stitch Fix. Type anything you need on the site of Stitch Fix and it’ll be on your doorstep before you know it!

d.)     Provide a few actionable tips for first-time car buyers:

  Being a new vehicle owner can be scary because you don’t know the safety or the knowledge of the vehicle. This stressful moment can cause for you to make a rash decision which can hurt you in the long run. Make sure you gather a ton of information about a vehicle before purchasing. Life doesn’t always go smoothly, but buying your first car can.

  First and for most, you need to be safe in the vehicle you drive. In order to check for safety it’s best to look up the crash test ratings. This shows how well you would be able to hold up in a car wreck. You would also need to inspect the vehicle. By inspecting the vehicle you have to check the looseness in the outer panels and in the inner interior. You will also need to check the placements of airbags for any medical issues. Secondly, you will need to know how long the warranty is and what exactly the warranty is covering. This is needed to know because when your car starts wearing and tearing the dealership will fix any or all problems. If your vehicle is used, then you will need to check the background of the vehicle. A way to check the background of a car is using CarFax. Lastly, you should also figure out how well the car holds its value. You need to figure this out so in the long run when you want to trade your vehicle in for a new one then you can put a down payment with your old one.

  All in all, you need to check if you have a strong, safe and reliable vehicle that will run for a long time and keep you safe.

e.)     What are must do's for new home owners?

  Buying a new home can be complicated and a hassle. The amount of work to do can be overwhelming and possibly lead to confusion on where to start. A new home should be the start of a fresh and exciting life, and your adventure through this shall be made simple.

  There’s a few steps that need to be handled first and for most. You need to begin by meeting with your realtor or lender and get your home warranty. A home warranty is a must because let’s face it; houses wear-and-tear and things go wrong. The next step before the big move is purchasing all needed appliances and getting the utilities turned on. Some homes come without needed accessories, like blinds for example, and you will need to walk through the house to find what items are missing and needed for purchasing. If you already own furniture, then no need to worry about that, all that’s left is the big move! If you don’t own a truck then that’s the next and final step. You need to then arrange for a moving company to move your furniture, or simply rent a truck and do it yourself!

  These easy steps should keep you a little less stressed out about your new house. There is one last thing that you could consider doing; grabbing a bottle of champagne or wine after settling in and cheering to the comforts of your new home.

3.) Five Articles:

·         You Can Taste the Essence of Life from these Enchanted Caves

  Adventuring through mist in the nightfall and smelling the freedom around special landmarks is one of a kind gift. Exploration is a gift that was given to us from the rocky mountain slopes and how you feel each rock crumble beneath your foot. The way the sun disappears after a long hard day at work; how it’s most beautiful lying down for rest. Exploring is about finding what the world has to offer, and making every foot step, leg cramp, sweat dripping, dehydrated feeling and memory making count. Being able to view with your own eyes and witness magic happen is a miracle that nobody should pass up. After the adrenaline rush from beginning to end; sight-seeing makes life well worth it especially being able to view these caves with the naked eye.

  I would like to start off with the Glowworms Cave, New Zealand. This particular cave reminds me of a late night lying underneath the stars and watching each one flicker in and out. This cave resided in New Zealand is the home to a special species – an insect called the glowworm. These insects hang down from the ceiling of the cave, glistening in forms of light, and this is their form to catch prey.

  Another great attraction would be by far my favorite; an ice cave in Russia, near the Mutnovsky Volcano. This cave is formed by glaciers surrounding the volcano which looks magical on the inside. The enchanting colors that the glaciers uphold are formed by vents releasing volcanic heat. This cave is quite a beauty!

  There are plenty more beauties like the cave in New Zealand and Russia. A few more that are worth booking a plan ticket for are Son Doong Cave in Vietnam, Marble Caves in Patagonia, and Phraya Nakhon Cave in Thailand.

·         Crystal Clear Oceans to Wash Ashore Before You Die

  The ocean takes up a vast majority over the world, and over the centuries water has been diminishing from toxic wastes. It might not be long before the whole ocean is covered in tar, but before all of that happens, you can still find yourself the most clearest and relaxing waters to swim in. There are ocean fronts all over the world where you can actually look your way to the very bottom. The water is not only crystal clear, but calming in the way it floats the warmth from the sun.

  Oceans are masses of beauty like the ones that sway from Linapacan Island in the Philippines, all the way to Cayo Coco in Cuba. Another ocean that would be lovely to sink into is Panari Island, Okinawa – Japan. This ocean is actually one of the world’s best diving destinations. Let’s not forget about the Cayos Cochinos Ocean located in Honduras. This ocean is claimed to be the second largest coral reef system which makes it a Marine Protected Area. Then, there is St. George – Bermuda. St. George is flooded with history and was the first permanent English settlement on the Bermuda islands.

  I believe everyone should sink their toes in the warmth of sand and wash your dreams and desires in an ocean so beautiful and relaxing.  Next time you take a trip to an ocean; take a trip in one of these! There’s nothing more scenic than floating through clear waters and watching assorts of fish swim through brightly colored reefs.

·         The World’s Most Gorgeous Villas

A villa is a residence in the country that is rather large (mansion-like) and luxurious. Most of villas reside in the continent Europe, but you can find them just about anywhere! The greatest retirement plan would be living in a villa. No, these places are not cheap, but they are beautiful to visit and explore!

 Some of the most beautiful villas are impressively built and have been around for a long time. Le Rayol is a three story villa set on top of an acre of gardens. It has a pool house with a kitchen, and is only a couple minute walk from the beach line. Paris has an elegant villa which even includes a service for a babysitter! Near Bath, England has a high class villa with an English heritage built with it. You get your tea party along with a lengthy tennis court! The villa in Umbria is a private hilltop housing which consists of a great mountain top view, and wonderful surroundings of wild life. There are a lot of different villas that you can choose from. Whether you want a beach front villa, garden villa, all pink and preppy villa, or a clubhouse villa; there’s one for any specific liking. The services that come along purchasing a stay at a villa seem royalty, and will make you feel like a Queen or King.

A villa might not be the cheapest stay like a hotel, but it’s definitely well worth the money!

·         The Most Unknown Places to the Human Mind but Well Worth the Visit

  There are plenty of unidentified places in the world, and there are also plenty of earthly grounds that are uncharted. There are places in the world that only five to ten percent of the population knows about. Isn’t this interesting? Doesn’t this make your mind wonder? These places are not only wild and possibly spooky; but they are also so unique that it makes them magically beautiful.  History to these places is unknown but that is what makes them so intriguing. Being intrigued by the facts of the void only makes me want to find out more about it, and you have the chance too!

  Exploring and finding a place of the unknown is scary and hard, but at the end of the day it’s well worth it. Just like the hike in Hawaii where the mountain soars through clouds giving it the name, “The Stairway to Heaven”. This mountain literally has actual stairs going straight to the tippy top! There is a river in Mindanao which is a Philippine Island. This river is called the Hinatuan River with water so clear you can see the bottom. This saltwater river is ideal for snorkelers and divers because it has no source from where the river runs. The river running from absolutely no where gave it its name of the “Enchanted River”. This river would definitely be one enchanting river to dive into and explore!

  There are endless amazing cities with places that just seemed to appear. The intriguing places give questions about the landmark but sadly there are hardly ever any answers. You can make your own guess about the spook of the places, or try and visit all of them and see if you can figure out the mystery!

·         Keep Close to the Tent During These Top Camping Spots

  Grab the flashlight because we’re headed towards the woods! Camping is a great way to experience the outdoor wild life. Sure, some spots have wild animals but as long as you don’t leave your food out then they won’t come! Sparking up a fire in the woods during a cold night is not only romantic but makes for great memories too. This is also a great and cheap way to take a trip with the family, and the kids will love it!

  All you will need is a tent, first-aid kit, flashlights, food and drinks with a cooler, and possibly a lighter for lighting the wood.

  There are plenty of great places around the world to camp! One great place to camp is in Utah at Arches National Park. There are over 2,000 natural sandstone arches, and home to wildly colored lizards. Another great camping spot is Miyajima, Japan. Miyajima camping grounds is an island off of Hiroshima and they provide cabins and tents. A cool fact about this camping ground is the extraordinary temples and the friendly deer that sit along the shore.  There is also the Minchin Cove in Newfoundland. The Minchin Cove is a wonderful place to hike and kayak. Not to mention that it’s an abandoned settlement from the Terra Nova National Park.

  No matter the location, any national ground is considered a camping ground! You can pick a camping spot near a lake or all the way up in a mountain surrounded by trees. Whatever it may be; enjoy the stars in the night sky and time with your loved ones. This is a great bonding experience and a better way to make those lifetime memories.  

• Jessica Johnson