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travel big island - voyage big island

Once Upon a Time Travel to Big Island (Hawaii) – A Family Vacation

If you had told me a few years back that I’d travel one day to Hawaii, specifically Big Island, and love it so much that I’d want to go back, I would have said that you had lost your mind.

As the name entails, Big Island is the largest Hawaiian Island and it continues to grow with each volcanic eruption.

Big Island has a very relaxed and laid-back vibe compared to O’ahu.  It is a lot less touristy, especially on the eastern part.

If you are looking for a family vacation in Hawaii that won’t cost you a small fortune, travel to Big Island, sit back and relax.  To save even more on the cost of lodging, for instance, travel to Big Island between September and November as it is considered the low-season.  Don’t worry, it will still be hot there.

family travel big island - voyage en famille big island

Big Island has a lot to offer if you enjoy the beach, tranquility and being in nature.  It is one of the only places in the world where you can explore white, black and green beaches.

We recommend spending at least 4 full days on Big Island if you can in order to let everything sink in.

Our real Hawaiian family experience and travel began when we arrived at Hilo airport on Big Island.  We picked Hilo instead of Kona because of its closeness to the Volcanoes National Park which was on our must-see list.  

How to get to Big Island Hawaii

For a short family vacation, you’ll want to travel by air to Big Island.

There are two airports on Big Island.

To the East you have Hilo International Airport (ITO) and to the West, Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport (KOA).

Hilo’s airport offers minimal service from the mainland and is mostly used for island hopping.  The airport is small and easy to get around.

On the other hand, Kona airport offers non-stop services from most major U.S. west coast airports and access to the Hawaiian islands.

Getting around Big Island Hawaii

If you want to be in control of your family vacation, the easiest option to travel around Big Island is by renting a car.  This is especially true if you are only spending a few days there.  Since we only had 4 days on Big Island, we didn’t want to overdo it but we wanted to make the most of it.

When driving around, be aware of the mongoose that seem to be daredevils as they enjoy crossing right in front of you all the time.

The mongoose were introduced on purpose to the island around 1883 to control the rat problem in the sugarcane fields.  It was an epic fail to say the least as the mongoose population has severely increase since then.  You see, mongoose are more active during the day whereas rats are active at night. The mongoose have virtually no natural predator.

Big Island by bus

However, there is a bus you can take on Big Island, but it’s not as efficient it seems like the ones on O’ahu.

The Hele-on bus is meant to accommodate workers on Big Island to get to and from work. Consequently, most of the bus departure times are early in the morning and late in the afternoon.

Where to stay on Big Island

Pahoa is located close to Hilo.  If you are interested in visiting the Volcanoes National Park, you might want to consider sleeping in that area as it is closer than Kona.  

Also, Hilo has a more chill vibe than its counterpart Kona and is a lot less touristy.  However, one set back is that the Eastern side of the island sees more rain.  Hilo is referred to the wet side.

I have come to the conclusion that all the Haight hippies in San Francisco back in the day (see article Once upon a time in…San Francisco) sold their homes and moved to Pahoa with their kids.  

The end of the road area as the locals like to call it is very bohemian, free-spirited.  It made me smile to see a baby wearing a cloth diaper in the grocery store.  At last, I was in an area free of high end, superficial tourists.  

Our little piece of heaven

We stayed in yet another Airbnb in Pahoa at the Avocado Tree House.

Run on solar power, water collected from rain, bathroom, and shower outside, kitchen separate from the bedroom. It was AMAZING!  

voyage à big island en famille - family travel to big island hawaii

I brushed my teeth while looking at avocados dangling on the branches in front of me. 

The tree house is located on an organic farm on the eastern part of the island. Words nor pictures can express the beauty of the site and the experience we had.

Upon arrival, we were greeted by chickens, roosters, geckos, coqui frogs.  Fresh eggs and fruits awaited us on our outdoor kitchen’s doorstep.  What a beautiful welcome!

Places to visit on the Eastern side of Big Island

As our place in Pahoa wouldn’t be ready until the end of the day, we had a full day to explore our new area with our rental car that we got at the airport.

When you travel to a beach destination, always keep your beach gear in a smaller backpack or day pack to make it easier to use.  That way, you won’t have to go through your suitcase or huge backpack to find your bathing suit, towel, sunscreen etc.  This is particularly true if you have to leave everything in your car when you leave it to go and explore.  The less people see what is in your trunk the safer you’ll be.

Lili’uokalani  Park

travel to big island hawaii - voyage à big island hawaii

From the airport, we headed to Lili’uokalani  Park and Mokuola coconut island.  It is a beautiful place, especially early in the morning, when there aren’t too many people around.  

It has a Japanese garden with a bunch of bridges, impressive trees and a footbridge that takes you to the little island called Coconut Island where you can swim and picnic.  Blondie Bear and I took our first dip of the day there.  The water was a bit chilly but clear.

Access and parking : FREE

Rainbow Falls

voyage en famille à big island hawaii - family vacation on big island hawaii

About 7 minutes away from Hilo, you can visit Rainbow Falls.  It isn’t a must-see although it does attract a bunch of tour buses.  The forest beside it is actually more interesting than the actual falls and still makes it a pleasant pit stop.  It’s also FREE to park and visit.

Onekahakaha Beach Park

One of the highlights of our family vacation on Big Island was at Carlsmith close to Onekahakaha Beach Park in a tide pool (very common in that area).  

The owner of the natural food store in Hilo suggested we go there to see turtles.  Sure enough, we saw one and swam alongside it.  

I never saw Blondie Bear that happy and excited before.  It was the best moment ever!  

The tide pools are cool but best to visit in the morning.  By the end of the day, too much sunscreen makes the water murky.  Also, you have more chances to catch an infection due to bacteria if you have an open wound, so just be careful.  

You can’t really lay around at this tide pool except on the grass.  The water isn’t deep, so you can easily walk around in it, swim or snorkel. 

What to do when you see have a turtle in the water

If you want to see turtles, this would be a good spot. The tide pools are part of the turtle’s feeding grounds and it is a little off the beaten track. Just don’t be stupid and use common sense if you see one especially if you have kids.  

DON’T touch the turtles, DON’T feed them, and LEAVE them room to go about their business.

carlotaswebblog

Please, please, please, do not scream or yell or shout near them. Have some respect!  It’s ok if they touch you but don’t touch them especially if you have oil or sunscreen on.

voyage à big island en famille - family travel to big island hawaii

Lighthouse

We went all the way to the easternmost tip of the island to see Cape Kumukahi Lighthouse.  Although we were not impressed (rather disappointed actually), this was our first glimpse of what lava does.  To access the lighthouse you will have to go through a dirt road. 

For some reason, Blondie Bear thought it was cool.

Isaac Hale County Beach Park

We just drove past Isaac Hale County Beach Park as were heading towards our tree house. However, I thought it was still worth mentioning.  

travel big island - voyage big island

The roads in this area are quite scenic and worth exploring. 

One of the roads runs along the coast through tree tunnels in the lush Puna district, passing by a few beach parks which make great stops to take in the surroundings, and stops at the Isaac Hale beach park.

Lava Tree State Monument

Our Airbnb host had provided us with a specific map of the area around Pahoa.  During our first full day there, we wanted to take it easy as we had gotten up bright and early for the last 2 days.  

We stopped by the Lava Tree State Monument (free). 

It’s about a 30 minutes walk where you get to see trees petrified by lava and what kind of flora can grow over lava.  It isn’t a very exciting place but it makes for a nice stroll.

Kehena Beach

Take the Pohoiki Road along with the Kama’ili Road (scenic routes), grab some sandwiches from Subway, or prepare your own and hit Kehena Beach located at mile marker 19. 

Of course, we missed it the first time around. 

Most places are not identified on Big Island. Use mile markers as a reference instead when possible. Usually, when you see a bunch of cars parked along the road it is generally a good indication that there is something going on.   

The Kehena Beach is a remote, secluded, black sand beach that you can’t see from the road and where clothing is optional.  The black sand is from molten lava that poured into the ocean and cooled rapidly.

Word of advice.  Don’t take back any sand or lava rock with you on purpose.  By doing so, legend has it that you’ll be cursed by the volcano goddess Pele.  For more information about lava, volcanoes, and legends, don’t miss out on the Bishop Museum when visiting O’ahu.

To access it, you have to go down a cliff (it’s not too hard).  It is also dog-friendly, pot-friendly and drum friendly…just letting you know what you would be walking into.  

Blondie Bear wasn’t too shocked but he did let out a “you must be kidding me” when a naked man started doing a handstand by the water..facing him….hahaha.  

The water there is rough, the pebbles can be hard on your feet.  It’s a good place for bodysurfing and sunbathing in the nude but not so much for smooth swimming.  

I would make it a pit stop though, it is worth the sight in all shapes and forms.

Food and Entertainment near Hilo

While we stayed in Hilo, we mostly cooked our own food.  However, the first day we arrived, as we didn’t have access to our Airbnb, we opted to have lunch at Cafe Pesto.  

Blondie Bear and I shared their homemade lemonade (free refills) and it was almost as delicious as the one Junior makes.  This was by far one of the best meals we would have in Hawaii and not too pricy.

An evening in Pahoa

Uncle Roberts or Uncle’s for the locals is located in Kalpana at the end of the red road. 

During our 4 days on Big Island,  the only time we went out in the evening was to this bar and farmer’s market. Wednesday nights, around 5 pm, is when to go.  

I had read about this place while researching for this trip and our host recommended it as well.   It sounded cool and it was.  

Uncle’s is packed and jamming on Wednesday night, mostly with locals, which is always a bonus.  If you want to get a seat at a table, do arrive early.

A ‘hippie’ farmers market takes place selling anything from bar soaps and jewelry along side various street food vendors.  You can also bring in your own food and alcohol if you so wish.  

It is a huge outdoor yet covered place with live Hawaiian entertainment: musicians and hula dancers and has a very laid back vibe.  

We had a great evening and Blondie Bear tried some hula dancing on his own, even trying out some new moves on the dance floor.  

This is also the spot where you can also watch the lava flow into the ocean or book a lava tour.

Big Island Volcanoes National park

Visiting the Volcanoes National Park was at the top of our list of things to see in Hawaii along with Pearl Harbour on O’ahu.

In fact, before leaving for our trip, we went to check out the exhibition on Pompei in Montreal at the Museum of Fine Arts.  I thought that it would be a great way to prepare Blondie Bear for our trip and learn more about volcanoes.  Getting your children involved or interested in your upcoming family vacation is a great way for them to be better prepared and feel comfortable once they arrive at the new destination.  For more tips on how to prepare them, read HERE.

The Volcanoes National Park on Big Island is the #1 reason why people travel to this island.  I mean, where else in Hawaii can you watch lava flow into the ocean? Only on Big Island.

Where to go near Kona on Big Island

As part of our last full day on Big Island, we decided to go to the beach near Kona.  From what I had read, on the western side of the island, you find better beaches.

Kona is a  much more happening place than Hilo.  If you are looking for night life, this is probably the only spot on the island where you can find some.  It is also a totally different vibe and crowd than Pahoa to say the least.

It’s a 2 1/2 hour drive from Hilo which took us almost 4 to accomplish due to traffic and construction.

The route along the coastline was pretty from what I saw as I slept most of the way.  I think if you want to really experience Big Island you need to rent a 4WD car so that you can go to remote beaches which we couldn’t do with our car (budget). We did test it on some dirt roads but didn’t want to abuse it.

 Manini’owali Beach

We settled for Manini’owali Beach (Kua Bay) in Kekaha Hai State Park, just a few miles north of Kona’s airport between marker 88 and 89. It isn’t very big and has a crescent shape.  It can get very crowded on weekends apparently with lots of families.

It’s FREE to park and access.

If you are looking for a simple yet dreamy beach, this one is worth checking out.  We really enjoyed our time there between swimming in turquoise water, laying on soft white sand, and jumping the waves.  You can bodyboard in the afternoon as the waves pick up more then.  

It’s also possible to snorkel there as well and apparently a turtle swam underneath me as I was floating away, darn I missed that!  

This is the beach we liked the most on Big Island and during our trip to Hawaii.

Green Sand Beach

Although we didn’t go there as we didn’t have enough time, nor the proper car, I thought it would be worth mentioning. Actually, I didn’t realize in what located on Big Island until we visited the Bishop Museum on O’ahu.

The green sand beach, also known as Papakolea Beach, is located on the southern tip of Big Island. Once you park, in order to access it, you’ll have to do the rest on foot.  It’s a 2.5 miles hike one way.

This green sand beach is one of the few found around the world.  Its sandy shores are said to be almost the same hue as the surrounding grass due to olivine crystals left behind by the lava.  Legend has it that they are the Goddess Pele’s tears…

Olivine is often referred to as ‘Hawaian Diamond’ and can also be found in O’ahu’s Diamond Head.

Scenic Route

There are many scenic drives to takes throughout Big Island and if you enjoy being in the car, there is no better place to do that than on this island.

To get back from Kona to Pahoa we took Saddle Road, Rte 200. It only took us 2 1/2 hours.  

Gone were the tropical trees and forests with lush colours that we encountered near Pahoa.  Instead, they were replaced by rolling hills of bright green grass growing over old lava fields.  It was pretty mystical.

Saddly, we couldn’t really make any stops to take it all in, as we were exhausted.  If we ever make it back there again, it’s one place we’d like to explore more.

Our top picks on Big Island

To travel to Big Island as a family, is a once in a lifetime experience. For us, Hawaii was truly an AMAZING trip. 

I would definitely love to go back to Big Island and our Avocado Tree House and check out the other islands. Maybe someday.  I think my soul is somewhere in Hawaii.

Blondie Bear’s list:

  • Manini’owali Beach 
  • Black sand beach
  • Walking on a crater
  • Lighthouse
  • Turtle tide pool
  • And to add to this list from my perspective: Uncle’s

Aloha always!

Once Upon a Time Travel to…San Francisco

Travel to San Francisco and feel the city’s past and present history of freedom and futurism.

I traveled to San Francisco in search of my soul with Big Boss and Blondie Bear while Junior was in the middle of nowhere with the Cadets, poor thing. This was my #5 from Turning 40 doing 40 list. As it would turn out, my soul was not in San Francisco but elsewhere. Despite that, I still absolutely loved San Francisco. Luckily, I had been exercising for weeks, or else my back would have never held up from all the walking we did, ouch!

A LITTLE BIT OF HISTORY

San Francisco has a bundle of nicknames; the most notable ones are SF or The City by the Bay.

On June 29th, 1776 the first Spanish settlement was established in San Francisco, and was named Mission San Francisco de Asis.  Today, it is known as Mission Dolores.

In 1846, San Francisco was conquered by the United States followed by an invasion of gold prospectors.  Thus, began in 1848 the period known as The Gold Rush.

Fun fact: In 1849 San Francisco’s harbor was filled with abandoned ships, whose crews had deserted to head for the gold fields. Many of the vessels were used as raw materials for the city’s harborside expansion.

Unfortunately, in 1906, what is known as The Great Earthquake destroyed much of San Francisco due to intense fires.  At the time, most of the housing was made of wood.

During World War II, San Francisco was the main point of embarkation for the Pacific side of the war and the hub for war industries.

travel to san francisco - voyage à san francisco

To this day, San Francisco has maintained its reputation as a center of cultural bohemianism. In the earlier years it had drawn writers from Mark Twain to Jack London, became a center for the 1950s beat poets and for the Haight-Ashbury hippie counterculture that peaked with the 1967 “Summer of Love.”

HOW TO GET THERE & AROUND

To travel to San Francisco from Montreal, we flew. For once, it was a smooth airline ride.  Our flight was not only on time, but we arrived 30 minutes early! Of course, our gate wasn’t ready upon our arrival but hey, we can’t have it all.

We took our first Uber ride to the airport in Montreal and it only cost us $25, AMAZING! The cab fare it costs around $40 + tip.  Luckily, I slept during most of the flight as there was not much of a movie selection. Also, we had gotten up at 5:15 a.m.  I did however get to watch Purple Rain.  Apparently, it’s a “classic movie” alongside black and white films such as Some like it hot with Marilyn Monroe…odd.

By Air

San Francisco is a very big city, hence its international airport. You pretty much can get to it by plane from wherever you live. Other than that, it’s accessible by car or by train.  However, if you are getting there by car, finding parking will be complicated and most likely cost a small fortune.

There is free WIFI at the San Francisco airport which is strange for the U.S. since you pretty much have to pay for everything there.  Big Boss and Blondie Bear thought it would be a good idea to catch Pokemons in the men’s bathroom while Mama Bird waited patiently for them outside! grrr….

travel to san francisco - voyage à san francisco

To get to where we were staying in Berkeley from the airport, we took the Bart.  It’s San Francisco’s public transit name.  The ride from the airport to North Berkeley station was about 1 hour long.  Despite the wagons being a bit old, they were spacious and the seats comfortable. The Bart ride cost us $30, way cheaper than a Uber or a cab.

Getting around

The best way to get around San Francisco city is on foot or by using the Bart.  However, we came to the same conclusion as in NYC. If you can’t read and don’t understand English well, you are kinda screwed.  You really need to pay attention to everything to figure out how to get from point A to point B when you travel to San Francisco.  

It is imperative that you wear really comfortable shoes as you will be doing a lot of walking and San Francisco ain’t all flat.

one day in San Francisco. - une journée à San Francisco
day trip from san francisco - excursion d'une journée de san francisco
travel to San Francisco - voyage à San Francisco

If you are traveling with young kids, a baby wrap and a light stroller will come in really handy. As a general tip, try to focus on one area of the city at a time.  Therefore, it will be a lot less tiresome for everyone.  It’s also a good way to save money on transportation.  By doing it so that way, all you need is a roundtrip ticket for the day. However, if you are a family of 4, riding Uber or Lyft as a roundtrip might cost you less than Bart tickets.

WHERE WE STAYED

It will be hard not to notice when you travel to San Francisco how is expensive it is there.  In fact, San Francisco is one of the wealthiest and most expensive cities to live in America. The high cost of living is due to its booming tech industry and proximity to Silicon Valley.

Therefore, sleeping in San Francisco is extremely expensive.  When you travel to San Francisco, especially for a couple of days, you could consider sleeping outside of the city.  Even though you will lose time commuting, you’ll save money for your lodging.  Also, if traveling with kids, sleeping outside San Francisco might not be a bad thing. It will be quieter, and you’ll discover a new area.

We opted to stay in the area called Northwest Berkeley and rented a little place through Airbnb not too far of a walk from North Berkeley train station.  It was our very first time using the Airbnb platform.

DAY TRIPS OUTSIDE SAN FRANCISCO

When you travel to San Francisco, you’ll be tempted to venture outside the city. It wasn’t too much our case as we were only there for 5 short days during a long layover before heading out to Hawaii.  Believe it or not, it only cost 100$ extra each to be able to do this planned layover.

That being said, we stayed in Berkeley so that got us out of the city every day we were there.  If you don’t want to have to rent a car but still want to do something different when you travel to San Francisco, check out our Day Trip from San Francisco.

SAN FRANCISCO ITINERARIES

When you travel to San Francisco and start walking around, you’ll realize how spread out the city really is. Actually, there are 36 neighborhoods in San Francisco, some of them divided into smaller districts.

If you are spending a few days there, it will be easier if you concentrate on a different area each day.  This way, you won’t wear yourself out too much.  That being said, we still ended up walking 20km on average per day. Call us crazy!

one day in San Francisco. - une journée à San Francisco
three days in san francisco - trois jours à san francisco

San Francisco Tip: If you plan to travel to San Francisco during the Summer and want to visit Alcatraz, you’ll need to book your tickets at least 2 months in advance.  I had looked at the tickets and decided to purchase them 1 month prior to our trip. Unfortunately, everything was booked for the whole 5 days we were there.  You can learn more about where to purchase tickets HERE. Blondie Bear was so disappointed that we couldn’t go to visit it.  However, you can somewhat make up for it.  Find out how in our article Day trip from San Francisco.

If you have three full days in San Francisco, here are some areas that you could check out.

FINAL THOUGHTS ABOUT SAN FRANCISCO

All and all, we really enjoyed our time travel to San Francisco.  It’s a city part retro and part modern.  If you are ever in the U.S, this should definitely be on your travel bucket list.  

San Francisco weather tip:  Plan for every scenario.  There is a microclimate in San Francisco.  The weather can drastically vary from one District to another.  Therefore, pending on the season, always bring an extra layer of clothing with you.

We don’t recommend going there with small kids or if you are ‘elderly’ and unfit. That is if you are like us and like to explore cities by walking and are on a budget. At the time, I had been experiencing back pains. Luckily, I had been doing my back exercises up to the trip.  Three months ago, I would have never been able to walk the 92km that we walked in 5 days.  Sadly, no weight loss to report.

landscape man people woman

ONCE UPON A TIME A CHRISTMAS FAMILY HOLIDAY GUIDE TO PERU

Taking a family holiday during Christmas break in Peru is one you won’t soon forget. Peru is a mystical country to visit. From its sandy beaches on the Pacific coast, through rainbow mountains to luscious valleys below the Andes mountains, there is definitely worth something visiting. Peru is know for its battle with the Conquistadors …

voyage à New York - travel to New York City

TURNING 40 DOING 40

So I’m turning 40 in less than 2 months…..geez whiz time flies! Where did my thirties go? 

I hope my forties will be just as thrilling but not as heartbreaking (no separation, no deaths, no loosing a job, no illnesses…one can wish).

As some of you might remember (probably not) I had said I would read up on Eleanor Roosevelt and I did.  She was an amazing woman.  She didn’t always have the right views in the beginning but turned around and did good (great) deeds.  I also read a book by Noelle Hancock.  When I read the summary I was like, geez that’s what happened to me, that is how I met Eleanor.  I absolutely loved the book My Year with Eleanor. It is definitely a must-read if you are at a standstill in your life and are in need of inspiration/motivation.

You must do the things you think you cannot do. (Eleanor Roosevelt)

So here I am now.  I decided not long ago that I wanted to put a list together of 40 things  I wanted to do/have/see during my 40th year on this planet we call life. Its not exactly like Noelle as I don’t necessarily fear everything but I’d like for once in my life to have a sense of accomplishment and see things through to the end. Some of them are silly and some are not. There is no special order in the list and I hope some of you will take part in it with me.

#1 Trapeze

Juste like Noelle I want to take a trapeze lesson. DONE  We did it at Trapezium in Montreal.

#2 Skydiving

It as long be a long dream of mine to fly on my own. Although I have yet to try it, I did go Paragliding in Medellin while on my honeymoon. Does that count?

#3 Poll Dancing

Take a poll dancing class…some of you remember our late nights in a bar and a column…thought at my age it was time to take up some training.

#4 Travel to Vietnam

Make it to Vietnam which keeps eluding me for some reason. DONE.

I was lucky enough in 2020, thanks to Jacky , to make this dream of mine come true. For some reason, since I was a teenager, I had always been fascinated by Vietnam. It did not disappoint.

travel to Hanoi - voyage à Hanoi
travel to Ninh Binh - visiter ninh binh

#5 Travel to San Francisco

Make it to San Francisco where my soul is. DONE

Although I did not find my soul there, I really LOVED OUR trip to San Francisco.

things to do in San Francisco with kids - choses à faire à San Francisco avec des enfants

#6 Visit Tango

My father (Tango) passed away in 2013. It was during that time that I was traveling to Peru with my kids and my brother. I have yet to go on his grave. DONE

My now-husband, made us all go to Normandy in France so that I could get that done.

#7 Quit smoking

Still not done but on my way. No need to judge me. Unlike you guys, I didn’t quit partying until recently. However, I have severely reduced….

#8 Run a half marathon

As much as I see it as a great challenge, I am nowhere near accomplishing it.

#9 Exercise

Does dancing count as exercising? I need to integrate exercising as part of my daily weekly routine. DONE

Taking Taekwondo classes with Blondie Bear.

#10 Prison Break or Tough Mudder

I’m always up for a challenge. Anyone interested in joining me?

#11 Loose weight

Ideally, I’d love to loose like 15 pounds not just for aesthetics but for health reasons as well (no seriously).

#12 Find my dream place

Find our dream place where Junior can finally have his own room. DONE July 14th, 2017.

We’ve been working on it ever since.

#13 Get engaged

Sign a deal with Big Boss. DONE

We got engaged on January 2nd, 2017 while in Normandy. We got married July 2019.

#14 Coldplay

When Junior was 12, I took him to his first concert. We saw Coldplay. It was awesome and I hope I can do the same with Blondie Bear. DONE

We saw them on August 8th, 2017 in Montreal and it was wonderful.

#15 Health problems

Get my health problems resolved. DONE

Everything is A OK (for now). I’ve had some back problems since 2015. Now in 2018, everything seems to be under control.

#16 Peace

Make peace with Hulk and have a sit down meal with all parties…(tough one). DONE

Surprisingly, we were able to pull that one off in the Fall of 2019! Better late than never.

#17 Vegas baby

Go to Vegas/NYC or Miami with Banana to celebrate our 40th…you all are welcomed to join, the more the merrier.  THAT WILL NEVER HAPPEN

#18 Dexterity

Help Blondie Bear overcome his dexterity problems. Currently working on exercises.

#19 High School Diploma

Help Junior improve his French and have a successful school year which will be decisive for the next two years to come. Getting a math tutor. DONE He passed!

#20 Mayo for me

Quit eating mayo (laugh you will but it is a problem). Haven’t bought any and hasn’t been in my fridge for over 2 weeks now. Old habits however die hard.

#21 Mayo for Junior

Help Junior quit eating mayo. It’s an ongoing process.

#22 Shop Local

Shop more at local markets (I used to love this). DONE

#23 Cooking Classes

Take up a cooking class with Big Boss. DONE

Although we haven’t taken real cooking classes, we have trying out a whole lot of new receipes!

#24 Scuba Diving

I would love to take a scuba diving class with Junior. DONE

Ok, it’s partially done since Junior took the class on his own through the Air Cadets program.

Ok now i’m wondering how i’m supposed to do all this in one year……

prépare un sac de voyage écolo

Probably the happiest period in life most frequently is in middle age, when the eager passions of youth are cooled, and the infirmities of age not yet begun; as we see that the shadows, which are at morning and evening so large, almost entirely disappear at midday. Eleanor Roosevelt

#25 Read books

Start reading my books again….So many are just waiting in my living room to be read and then following up on a small research based on a theme in the book.  I had started doing it and then got lazy or life happened. DONE

I bought a bunch of books and reading the book I bought in SF: Nothing ever dies (Vietnam and the Memory of War), Viet Thanh Nguyen.

#26 Go on an adventure

Noelle went to the Kilimanjaro… I had never really thought about it before than…but if you want to overcome your fears and yourself that would be a good place to do so. However, I don’t think I have neither enough vacation time nor money to take on such an adventure in my 40th year.

#27 Spooning

More spooning with Big Boss. Apparently, we don’t spoon enough according to him and its a problem….DONE

#28 Family from Afar

I would like to figure out a plan on how to see Zazou and Doudou more regularly so our kids can see each other more often as well and be a more united family despite the ocean separating us. DONE

Met in Paris 2016, Reykjavik 2017 , Casablanca 2018, and for my wedding in 2019!

plan day trips from Paris with kids - préparer des excursions de Paris avec des enfants

#29 Paintball

I have alway wanted to try this. How painful can it be? DONE

Let me tell you, it’s really painful when you get hit in the head. But I survived with just one minor bruise to show for it.

paintball mirabel

#30 Canoe Camping

My adventurous soul wants to try canoe-camping. DONE  

That was an adventure. I am not sure if I wanna try it again.

Kayaking on the rivière rouge
Canoeing at Mauricie National Park
Family activity in Canada

#31 Green thumb

After #12 is done, I would like to start growing things.  I need to try myself at gardening again. DONE

Growing tomatoes and herbs.

#32 Dancing

Get Big Boss to start dancing something (HELP!!!!!) in case we do sign a deal (#13)…that is still an ongoing work in progress.

#33 Skiing

Take my kids’ skiing . Slopes aren’t far but I’m just too lazy to go there (plus it is expensive so got to figure out how to make it happen). Booked in February for a weekend. DONE

activité en famille à montréal en janvier

#34 Bicycle

Buy a bike and ride a bike (need #12 again for that to happen…..starting to see a pattern here).

#35 Pray

Learn how to pray so that Donal Trump doesn’t get elected or else you will all be moving to Canada. Ok this one doesn’t count for real. EPIC FAIL!

#36 Happy

Be happy (aka satisfied). DONE

#37 Happy and thankful

Be happy, thankful for what I already have and be loved. It’s an eternal ungoing process isn’t it?

#38 Batting Cages

Always wanted to try this.

#39 Shooting range

Let my dark side come out and blow of steam!

#40 Who knows?

I’m going to leave that one open.

This list isn’t to solve things but to bridge the gap between the past and future and prepare myself for the next half of my life.  Some items on the list will be a one time thing but others are meant to establish grounds for a new behaviour in myself.

Life isn’t meant to be lived with regrets.  It needs to be lived to its fullest and if I want to continue succeeding in doing so, this is what I have to do.  Doing things with and for my kids is part of the plan and also my responsibility. I want to better myself in all shapes and forms. Therefore, I need to be healthier and happier in order to accomplish what I have yet to accomplish in the second half of my life. Who’s with me?

What does turning 40 mean to you? Let me know in the comments below.

The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams. Eleanor Roosevelt

person foot prints on sands photo

TWO KIDS AND ONE MOM -EXHILARATING TRAVEL ADVENTURE TO MANUEL ANTONIO COSTA RICA

Manuel Antonio in Costa Rica is an ideal place to travel to with kids, especially if you are flying solo.  It will be and adventure for sure but one that will leave lasting impressions on your kids.

Costa Rica is a very safe country to travel to as a family and you shouldn’t worry if you are going there alone with no partner in tow. 

During our trip, people were a little surprise to see a woman traveling alone with two kids, but everyone was very nice to us and I felt safe.  At the time of this adventure, my boys were 12 and 4. 

single mom with two kids in Manuel Antonio - Maman avec deux enfants à Manuel Antonio au Costa Rica

Costa Rica is a beautiful country with diverse wildlife, rainforest and white sandy beaches.  There is certainly something to do for everybody.  However, when you have kids that have a good age gap and you are the only adult, it can be challenging.

I settled for one week in Manuel Antonio.  Here are some tips to make your solo mom travel experience the most memorable and affordable one possible.

How to get to Manuel Antonio Costa Rica

We flew from Montreal to San José, Costa Rica with a layover in Miami in the Spring (end of April). The cost of the plane ticket was $780 per person. It was the least expensive flight we could find with only one layover.  Direct flights to Costa Rica still don’t seem to exist from Montreal or if they do, you need to be really flexible with your dates.

Here is a map I found from Costa Rica Guide that you may find useful.

Map of Manuel Antonio Costa Rica

Tip: If you are traveling alone with kids for just one week, pay the extra money so as to only have one layover or a direct flight. The less time you spend getting there and coming back, the easier it will be for you.

Getting to Manuel Antonio from the Airport

Although it’s safe to drive as a foreigner in Costa Rica, I didn’t have the guts to rent a car nor the money as a matter of fact.  The Costa Rican roads can be a little bumpy.  There was no way in hell I would have been able to change a flat tire if that had happened.  Since my kids and I were only staying in Manuel Antonio, there wasn’t much point in renting a car either.  

crocodiles in costa rica

Although it’s feasible and less expensive to just hop on a 3 hour bus ride from San José Airport, it’s not necessarily the safest option, especially if you are travelling alone with kids.  Petty theft is not uncommon at the bus terminal and you have to keep an eye on your bags at all times.

We opted for our hotel’s shuttle.  A driver picked us up at the airport and drove us straight to our hotel in Manuel Antonio. The cost was $180 USD.  We stopped along the way to look at crocodiles in the river or at toucans in the trees on our way back.  Private shuttles do exist and cost around $55 USD per person.

Getting around Manuel Antonio

Unless you are at the beach, the area of Manuel Antonio is not flat. In fact, it’s all hills.  Luckily my kids were of walking age so that’s what we did.  

Street in Manuel Antonio with kids - route à Manuel Antonio avec des enfants
Kids at Costa Verde
Pacific ocean Manuel AntonioCosta Rica

However, taxis are plentiful and a public bus is available at a really low price (around $1 USD) which takes you into town or to the Manuel Antonio National Park.

If you book a tour with a company, they will pick you up at your hotel or close by.

Best place to sleep in Manual Antonio with kids

Since we were only there for 6 nights, we only stayed in one place in Manuel Antonio with a fabulous view over the Pacific Ocean.

I rented a small studio (efficiency) at the Costa Verde with two double beds, a kitchenette and a beautiful balcony with a panoramic ocean view. The balcony was the ideal place to have our morning breakfast.  The interior was made of exotic wood, it was perfect.  

room at costa verde costa rica
Studio Costa Verde in Manuel Antonio

The complex has apartments scattered throughout the tropical forest.  There is also a small pool and paths to go on walks.  The most surprising thing to see though is an airplane in a tree where you can actually sleep if you feel like it; that was not in my budget. Oddly enough, I discovered this place in one of kid’s magazines.

Cost for 6 nights (taxes included): $716.42 USD

Where to eat

The area around Manuel Antonio is very touristic.  Even if we didn’t see many people as we never went down to the city nor was it a busy period, the prices were still high.

Food prices in restaurants can be a little higher than in other parts of the country because the majority of the tourists come from the States. So who says gringos says $$$.  The prices are like in the States (too high) and you have to leave a tip.  Now I know what you are thinking, ah the French…so cheap!  

In any case, know that it’s not necessarily how it works in the rest of the country.  We spent our last night in San Jose (the capital) and had dinner in a local restaurant.  The menu was in Spanish and we were the only foreigners. Since I didn’t know if I was supposed to tip, I asked our waitress.  She made it clear that it wasn’t the custom.  

A short mile from our hotel there was a small supermarket which was convenient enough to shop at for breakfast and simple meals to prepare in our studio. Bring a reusable grocery bag.

We ate dinner at the restaurant twice.  It was a bit pricy but the food was good.

  • El Wagon. Nothing to rave about, but the pizza was good and not overly priced. My youngest fell asleep so I ended up having a date with my eldest son.
  • El Avion. We actually went to this restaurant to watch the sun set over the pacific and enjoy a meal on an outdoor terrace amidst the tropical forest overlooking the coastline.

What makes this place unique and fun to bring kids to is the old cargo plane that has been converted into a pub and restaurant.

visites à la naissance

Otherwise, if eating in a more local restaurant and for a more affordable option, pick the Casado.  It’s a meal with a set price which includes a choice of meat or chicken, salad, rice and beans.  It’s usually tasty, filling and inexpensive.  If you have brought a reusable pouch, you could put your leftovers inside for another meal inside your studio. 

Practical information

One needs to know that the coast isn’t flat in that area.  The area of Manuel Antonio has a tropical coastline. In other words, the forest stops at the ocean.  The roads are swirly, don’t have sidewalks and it extremely hilly.  

  • Strollers will be useful if you stick to the main roads or the main trails in Manuel Antonio National Park.
  • To observe wildlife, you might need binoculars.  We didn’t bring any but did get to see some on our own or with the help of one of our guides.
  • Learn some basic Spanish words.  Not everyone speaks English or French.
  • Talk about the trip with your kids ahead of time.  In fact, have them help you prepare for it.  In case you need some ideas on how to go about that, here is a Guide to preparing kids for a trip.  This is a great way for them to get involved and not feel overwhelmed if it’s their first time travelling abroad.

Weather

Even if you are travelling when it’s warm, bring a rain jacket.  Rain can come and go in the blink of an eye. It’s hot and humid.

  • Shorts and T-shirts are enough as the evenings are warm.
  • You’ll need some sturdy shoes or closed sandals for kids, especially if you decide to go into the forest.
  • It’s really sunny there so bring hats, possibly sunglasses and lots of sunscreen and aftersun cream.  Luckily, I had brought an anti-UV water shirt for my youngest son.
snorkeling with kids in Manuel Antonio - faire de la plongée avec des enfants à Manuel Antonio Costa Rica

Keeping up with kids routines

When traveling with kids of different ages, it can be a little difficult keeping up with their routines, especially if some of them still take naps.

When they are young, try to do half day tours instead of full day. That way, you can maintain somewhat of a routine.  But it will also depend on what kind of tour you are doing.  If it’s a boat tour, for instance, it’s probably possible for your child to take a nap on it.

  • In any case, short tours are easier to handle as a single mom than full day tours.

Always ask if food will be provided during the tour but just in case, bring snacks and water.

  • A stroller might come in handy for the nap or to walk around but remember, Manuel Antonio might have beaches but it has a jungle coastline.

Orientation 

One must have a great sense of orientation especially on foot in Manuel Antonio which I thought was my case; boy was I wrong.  We got lost our first day coming back from the beach.  We thought that the access to the beach on our way there was far and that we had possibly passed it.  It was only supposed to take us 10 minutes but it was much longer than that.

Our little mishap

On the way back from the beach, we walked it until the end.  A kind man gave us directions on how to get back to the road. They seemed odd to me as I thought for sure that the road was close by.  I wasn’t grasping the whole idea of left and right turns and the directions were in Spanish.  Nonetheless we followed what he said.  

We started going up a steep dirt road the three of us.  There weren’t any cars and a few scattered closed up villas. One was playing Bob Marley, but it really wasn’t the time nor the place to unwind.  We felt like cast aways! 

Suddenly, in an upcoming endless turn we heard some strange and very LOUD sounds coming from the trees and down below.  We had no clue what they were: a dog, a donkey, a lion….I admit we were a little frightened.  To make matters worse, at that very moment, it started raining and it was starting to get dark even though it was just past 5pm. 

As we approached the turn and the trees we saw hundreds of Howler Monkeys.  I swear they were giving us the evil eye.  Unfortunately, I couldn’t take pictures nor did I think that would have been a good idea.  They were quite impressive specimens. So we picked up the pace and moved on forward.  

At last we found a paved road, and my awesome sense of orientation finally kicked in. We saw other types of monkeys during that walk but I wouldn’t be able to give you their names.  We saw small redheads walking on telephone lines which we thought were very cute. That was just our first day!

Activities suitable for kids in Manuel Antonio

Of course you could just spend your days by the pool or at the beach.  However, the best beaches are within Manuel Antonio National Park. If anything, you’ll need to go at least there.

Since I can’t just do nothing because I get bored, we did a couple excursions. Many excursions will cost less for kids or even be free pending their age.  They don’t necessarily come cheap but you don’t have to do all of them either.

Boat tour and snorkeling

The boat tour was alright.  We always enjoy going on a boat ride and it was great to be able to see the luscious coastline from the ocean.  However, the snorkeling part was really disappointing as we didn’t see many fishes.  Nonetheless, it was the first time my 4 year old went snorkelling.  He hadn’t done much swimming at that age yet.  So that was an exciting experience.

boat tour manuel antonio
Maman et deux enfants à Manuel Antonio - balade en bateau
mom and kids snorkeling in Manuel Antonio costa rica

A boat ride is an adventure in itself.

Good food and drinks were included in the price.  Even though it was a half day tour,  I managed to get sunburnt and looked like a red lobster the rest of the week.

Manuel Antonio National Park

This National Park is full of beautiful beaches which makes them hard to resist, even with a sunburnt. It’s one of the smallest in Costa Rica and protects the rainforest, beach and mangrove habitats.

We walked all the way to the park from our hotel and got there around 8h30 a.m.  The park opens at 7 a.m and is closed on Tuesdays.  On our way there we found an awesome guide called FERNANDO.  

We had him all to ourselves and it was fantastic.  I paid roughly around $80 USD for the three of us.  We had three hours of undivided guided attention.  The price included the entrance fee to the park.  We stayed an extra two hours afterward to hang out on the beach. Then actual cost to the park is $18 USD per person, 12 years old and up.

Our guide showed us so many things.  If we hadn’t had him, we would have missed out on the fauna and flora. The kids we really pleased and learned a lot. 

  • The kids tasted a plant;
  • We touched a leaf which closes on itself on contact to protect itself;
  • He showed us how to do a leaf tattoo naturally.

Fernando also showed us in the two different types of sloths that exist: two toed and three toed.

It’s a wonderful place to observe wildlife and unwind on the beach.  There are no restaurants on site. The trails are well maintained and are easily accessible.

Since it’s hot and humid, try to bring something to create a canopy with at the beach like a large towel.  There isn’t much shade so make sure to bring a hat for your kids and plenty of water.

Rainmaker Biological Reserve

A canopy tour will give you a bird’s-eye view of the tropical forest. Hanging bridges are a more suitable option when travelling with young kids.  If your kids are of age, you could go for the zip lining option.

Manuel Antonio with kids - avec des enfants

Our private tour with Fernando (again) took us inside the primary forest where we walked on suspended bridges, and took some dips in waterfalls (very refreshing).  We didn’t have a time limit and weren’t rushed either, which was great. There was barely anybody there at the time of our visit which made our visit a lot more appreciative.

Sturdy shoes and a rain jacket (just in case) will be practical.  The path can get slippery if it has just rained or around waterfalls.  Bring your travel towel, bathing suit, water bottle and maybe some easy snacks. A stroller will be useless, bring a baby carrier instead.

There aren’t enough words to describe how amazing it was to be surrounded by such lush untouched colours. 

Learn about this hidden gem HERE. The cost is about $23 USD per person for a self-guided tour.  A delicious lunch can be provided on site which we recommend.

suspension bridge at rainmaker in Manuel Antonio with kids - avec enfants
Primary forest in Manuel Antonio Costa Rica
Rainmaker Manuel Antonio with kids - avec des enfants
Hidden waterfall in a primary forest in Manuel Antonio

Horseback riding

On our last day in Costa Rica, we went horseback riding in the morning before heading back to San José.  We booked the tour through Fernando but he was not part of the tour.  It was fantastic because we had a guide all to ourselves.

We took a three-hour horse ride through the rainforest, crossed a stream and took a short hike (on foot) to a hidden waterfall. The horses looked in good shape and seemed to be well taken care of.

It was such a great way to spend our last day in Manuel Antonio before heading home. A little snack was also provided.

Waterfalls of Manuel Antonio - Cascades avec des enfants à Manuel Antonio Costa Rica
horseback riding with kids in Manuel Antonio - Faire du cheval avec des enfants à Manuel Antonio
Costa Rica

Practical information: Before heading out for our excursion, we dropped off our bags at our hotel’s reception.  Once we got back, our shuttle to San José was waiting for us.

Even though we only caught a glimpse of what Costa Rica has to offer, we hope to go back there some day.  It was such an adventure! I can honestly say that my kids adored their time in Manuel Antonio so much that they want to go back.  I told them to hold their horses because there are other countries to visit! 

Hopefully next time,  two weeks will give us enough time to explore the volcano, other beaches and forests.  Costa Rica is a great country to travel to with kids.