Travel Bug Experiences

Travel Bug Experiences Tickling your travel tastebuds one adventure at a time!

September 22, 2025 — My inner nerd has officially left Middle-earth levels of excited and entered full wizard mode.We fi...
05/24/2026

September 22, 2025 — My inner nerd has officially left Middle-earth levels of excited and entered full wizard mode.

We finally arrived in Auckland, New Zealand and immediately set off on an independent tour to Hobbiton! As if that wasn't exciting enough, it also happened to be Bilbo Baggins' birthday - otherwise known as International Hobbit Day. Clearly, the universe knew exactly what it was doing.

After a scenic one-hour drive, we arrived in the Shire and joined a group of fellow Lord of the Rings and Hobbit fans. Honestly, I have never seen so many grown adults this excited over tiny doors and gardens. And yes... I was absolutely one of them.

This was hands-down one of the BEST tours we have ever done.
Every corner looked like a movie set because, well... it WAS a movie set. I fully expected Gandalf to come rolling down the hill at any moment telling us we were late for an adventure.

For anyone with mobility concerns, there is a golf cart option, but it needs to be booked months ahead because they only have one. If you can walk the tour, you'll get to see all the little hidden details the cart skips. Just be warned: there are lots of steps, hills, uneven paths, and moments where you question your life choices halfway up an incline. I did this tour one month before my hip replacement, so by the end I felt less like an elf and more like Gollum crawling toward Precious. Still completely worth it.

Now we're already planning our return to New Zealand to see more Hobbit and Lord of the Rings filming locations... because apparently one visit to Middle-earth is simply not enough.

Five more sea days until Auckland, New Zealand—and things are getting a little… twilight zone out here.We crossed the In...
04/23/2026

Five more sea days until Auckland, New Zealand—and things are getting a little… twilight zone out here.

We crossed the International Date Line and literally LOST a whole day. One minute it’s one day, the next it’s gone. At this point, we’re just going with “somewhere between yesterday and tomorrow”

Ship life has settled into a fun little rhythm—mornings with coffee and a good book, afternoons filled with cards, and evenings proving we are clearly trivia champions in the making (yes, we’ve actually won a few! 🏆). Who knew random knowledge would finally pay off?!

But the countdown is ON… I cannot wait to get to New Zealand! 🇳🇿

Any Hobbit or Lord of the Rings fans out there? Get ready… next stop might just be the Shire 🧙‍♂️✨ Stay tuned!

September 16 – Moorea, French Polynesia 🌴Now THIS was an excellent tour! If you ever get the chance to visit Moorea, don...
04/14/2026

September 16 – Moorea, French Polynesia 🌴

Now THIS was an excellent tour! If you ever get the chance to visit Moorea, don’t think twice about a 4x4 safari—ours was through Shore Excursion Group and it was easily a highlight of the trip (and no, we didn’t even lose a hat flying out of the jeep…though it felt like a real possibility 😄).

First off, the ride itself was super comfortable. There’s a step up to get in, but nothing dramatic—no Olympic training required—and the cushioned seats and backrests were very appreciated as we bounced our way around the island like happy tourists on a mission.

Our stops included:
* Magic Mountain – and wow, the views absolutely lived up to the name. Pretty sure my camera roll is now 87% this one stop 📸
* A quick (and delicious) stop at the Magic Mountain marmalade shop at the bottom—free samples, which we bravely volunteered to taste 🍍
* Manutea Distillery – three small tastings…just enough to make everyone a little friendlier and the ride a little funnier 😉
* Pineapple Plantation – because apparently pineapples really do taste better when you’re standing in the middle of where they grow
* Belvedere Overlook – another “take 50 photos and none do it justice” moment
* A 400-year-old Polynesian temple – peaceful, beautiful, and a nice reminder that some things have been around a lot longer than our vacation plans

This tour had the perfect mix of scenery, culture, and just enough adventure to make you feel like you earned your next snack. Highly recommend if Moorea is on your itinerary!

Papeete, Tahiti 🇵🇫We arrived in Papeete on Sunday, September 15 and quickly realized Sundays here are for two things: re...
04/08/2026

Papeete, Tahiti 🇵🇫

We arrived in Papeete on Sunday, September 15 and quickly realized Sundays here are for two things: relaxing…and closing every shop in sight 😆 Most places were shut, so we hustled to the market before it closed at 10am. If you’re hoping for souvenirs, just know—you may leave with a snack and a mild sense of confusion instead.

In true “why not?” vacation fashion, we booked a $55 per person island tour right off the street. Because clearly, that always ends well 😂

The tour included:�• Venus Point (gorgeous lighthouse and beach—okay, strong start!)�• A waterfall (aka a surprise leg workout featuring uneven steps and gravel)�• Three waterfalls (less intense, but still a “watch your step” situation)�• Botanical Garden (peaceful, lush, and a chance to pretend we weren’t melting)�• Grotto de Maraa (beautiful and definitely worth the stop!)

Now for the full experience… the bus AC was broken, so we enjoyed a complimentary tropical sauna 🥵 And our guide? Let’s just say they were very committed…to chatting with the driver. The rest of us enjoyed a scenic, self-guided mystery tour 😄

Despite it all, we laughed, saw some amazing sights, and soaked in Tahiti’s natural beauty. Maybe not the best tour—but definitely one we won’t forget!

September 4–14 were all sea days as we made our way across the Pacific. Life onboard quickly settled into a fun routine:...
03/19/2026

September 4–14 were all sea days as we made our way across the Pacific. Life onboard quickly settled into a fun routine: trivia competitions, plenty of reading, a few card games, and of course… lots of eating. 🍽️

One of the highlights was crossing the Equator. How often does your travel let you observe the midline of the planet? We also sailed past the remote and fascinating Easter Island and Pitcairn Island, soaking in the views and researching the history of these far-flung places.

After many relaxing days at sea, we’re excited for our next stop… beautiful Tahiti! 🌺🌴

Sept 3 – Pisco, Peru 🇵🇪Our next stop on the world cruise aboard the Crown Princess brought us to the coastal city of Pis...
03/13/2026

Sept 3 – Pisco, Peru 🇵🇪
Our next stop on the world cruise aboard the Crown Princess brought us to the coastal city of Pisco: the birthplace of Peru’s famous national spirit, Pisco. Naturally, we had to experience The Pisco Route with Princess! 🍇🥂

We traveled about 1.5 hours each way to visit a traditional distillery and learn how this iconic drink is made. One of the most interesting things we discovered is that the fermentation process happens in large clay amphorae instead of oak barrels, which keeps the flavor pure and allows the grape character to shine through. It was fascinating to see such an old-world technique still being used today.
And of course… the best part was tasting it! 😄

If you’d like to bring a little taste of Peru home, here’s the classic Pisco Sour recipe:

🍸 Classic Pisco Sour
* 2 oz Pisco
* 1 oz fresh lime juice
* ¾ oz simple syrup
* 1 egg white
* Ice
* Angostura bitters (for garnish)
Instructions:
1. Add pisco, lime juice, simple syrup, and egg white to a shaker.
2. Shake without ice first (this helps create the frothy foam).
3. Add ice and shake again until well chilled.
4. Strain into a chilled glass.
5. Add a few drops of bitters on top of the foam.
Smooth, citrusy, and refreshing. Now I understand why it’s Peru’s signature cocktail! 🍋

Have you ever tried a Pisco Sour before? Or visited Peru?

Follow along as the adventure continues on the final leg of this world cruise from New York to Sydney! 🌎🚢

Our next stop was September 1 – Lima, Peru 🇵🇪We docked in Callao, which we were told is the most dangerous city in Peru....
03/01/2026

Our next stop was September 1 – Lima, Peru 🇵🇪
We docked in Callao, which we were told is the most dangerous city in Peru. Walking or catching a taxi at the port isn’t allowed, so we had to take a complimentary shuttle about an hour away to the Indian Market in Miraflores.

The Indian Market was our first stop — and yes, you need to bring your own TP and 1 sole to use the restroom! 😅 It was a fun place to browse for local crafts and souvenirs before heading out on our “Original Highlights of Lima” private half-day tour.

We were in great hands with Marco as our guide and Renee as our driver. Marco shared so much history about Lima — it really brought the city to life.

Some highlights from the tour:
• The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
• The beautiful Park of Love, featuring the famous kissing couple statue “El Beso” at Parque del Amor ❤️
• A touching memorial honoring all the doctors who died during COVID

Lima is such a fascinating city, full of history, heart, and resilience. Another unforgettable stop on this journey! ✨

Finally checked off a huge bucket list adventure — sailing through the incredible Panama Canal! We were the very first s...
02/20/2026

Finally checked off a huge bucket list adventure — sailing through the incredible Panama Canal!

We were the very first ship through the locks on our all-day crossing, which made it even more unforgettable. And here’s a wild fact: it cost $1 million for just our ship to make the transit!

Ships are charged based on their tonnage and the number of souls on board. Pretty amazing to think about the logistics (and price tag!) behind one journey through this engineering marvel.

Definitely an experience we’ll never forget.

The next two days were sea days - and wow, were they rough thanks to Tropical Storm Erin! Let's just say we definitely ...
02/16/2026

The next two days were sea days - and wow, were they rough thanks to Tropical Storm Erin! Let's just say we definitely felt the motion of the ocean. But every rocky wave was worth it when we arrived at our next stop: beautiful Cartagena, Colombia.

We booked a private tour of the city and had the best time exploring! We started in the charming Old City, wandering through the tamous flower-covered streets and the colorful umbrella-covered street — absolutely picture perfect around every corner. The history and vibrant energy there are incredible!

From there, we headed to the New City where we visited the Emerald Museum and learned all about Colombia's world-renowned emeralds. After that, we explored areas filled with amazing street art — so much creativity and culture everywhere you look.

And if you prefer to stay close to the ship, the port area has its own little gem - the Port Oasis! There are local birds and monkeys, fun gift shops, and cozy Colombian coffee spots where you can grab a delicious cup before heading back onboard.

Cartagena was colorful, lively, and full of charm - rough seas and all, this stop was definitely a highlight!

Sailing out of NYC and officially on our way south to our first stop: Miami.We’ve been to Miami more times than we can c...
02/09/2026

Sailing out of NYC and officially on our way south to our first stop: Miami.

We’ve been to Miami more times than we can count, so this time we decided to stay onboard and really check out the ship instead. Zero regrets so far. Exploring, settling in, and getting into our sea-day rhythm.

Also—important long-term cruising update — the self-serve laundry facilities are actually pretty decent, which is great news because we’ll be living in them over the next month. Clean clothes = happy sailors.

Next stop: warmth, ocean views, and lots more ship life.

First time in New York... even after 20+ years on the East CoastAfter unpacking, we did the most NYC thing possible-bage...
02/03/2026

First time in New York... even after 20+ years on the East Coast
After unpacking, we did the most NYC thing possible-bagels and cream cheese from Chelsea Bagels. So good, and the cream cheese flavors were next level (yes, bacon!).

Finished the day at the Empire State Building with stops on the 86th and 102nd floors. What an incredible way to take in the New York skyline!

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