Lessons from recent travels

Jun 9, 2018Travel

  • It’s really difficult to live zero waste in the mainland too. I would have thought that a ZW lifestyle would be easier in the US because there are more ZW options like bulk shops and thrift stores and art markets. But with all of the options and variety, it almost made it seem more difficult to be ZW.
  • All inclusive resorts are a whole new world. I haven’t decided yet whether that’s a world I want to return to but it’s surely one I won’t forget.
  • Time spent with family is rejuvenating. Hanging out with my sister and brother, plus my niece and nephew… it reminded me of how far we’ve come from little island runts.
  • I shouldn’t go shopping unless I’ve got a goal, a budget, or a specific item I want to purchase. I used to like shopping too. And I still do sometimes but I’m also constantly trying to get rid of material things from my life.
  • If flying Spirit Air, just know the reputation and plan for it. Pack as light as possible. I saw an elderly woman look so defeated when she found out she couldn’t take her carry on as a personal item, and that she had to pay something like $60 to take it with her. I felt so bad for her,
  • Ignore the jerks of Rincon in the off-season. Puerto Rico, you are an exceptional island! You mainland Americans that bought summer homes there? You’re alright. Stop acting so entitled.
  • Invest in a Belkin power bank. My phone was always juiced up and that made me happy.
  • Always check in extra early for flights. So as to prevent your cute boyfriend from getting anxious. Haha
  • If traveling to Dominican Republic through Punta Cana, they take US dollars in most places. I exchanged my currency to the local pesos and a man laughed when I offered to pay with pesos, because we were in *touristy* Punta Cana and they use USD more frequently.
  • It doesn’t matter if you only have 1 flight, or 13 flights, always look out the window and appreciate where you’ve been and where you’re going.

2 Comments

  1. Denia

    Nice post, Nerelle, I also learned something from this.

    Reply
    • nerelle

      Thank you sis Denia!

      Reply

Leave a Reply

Travel

You Need to visit Ubud Art Market

A trip to Bali is incomplete without a trip to Ubud Art Market. If you like art and markets, go...
Lifestyle Moments

Last night at home for a while

In 24 hours I'll be on a plane... Up up and away from home after 2 years since COVID canceled...
Lifestyle Travel

Ofu: Should I Stay or Should I Go?

That is the question... Ofu deserves more of my time, right? This is my only ‘worry’ of the entire two...
Lifestyle Photo Diaries

Photo documenting the silver linings of my life in the time of COVID

Despite the harsh reality of what's happening around the world, these little snippets are my silver linings that keep me...
Create

How I Package My Sticker Orders

When I first started selling my stickers, it took some trial and error — I handmade envelopes and cards, and...
Travel

The Boat Ride from Ofu to Ta’u, American Samoa

Early morning boat ride from Ofu to Ta'u... the lightening of the sky, soft ripples on the water, and mountains...
Lifestyle

Life Lately: Weekend Blurb

Weekend blurbs and random thoughts... Who sings this? Ian at Rose Atoll. I don't have my camera right now. Midnight...
Moments

Swimming in the rain

A couple of weeks ago, swimming in the rain with Gabby. It was nipply cold!
Moments

Not cute

but this is real life hermit crab homebody vibes in pregnancy. I spent this entire day at home just eating,...
Moments

Morning 1.28.19
Moments

Moving us and our food to the sailboat

The day we packed all our bags and provisionings for move in day to the sailboat. I kept laughing over...
Travel

Snorkeling in chop | French Polynesia sailing blog

Snorkeling in this chop. Photos taken on a Go Pro Hero 3 by Ian and Nerelle. Leeward islands, French Polynesia. Summer...
Create Sustainable Living

Look What I Made: Zero Waste Bifold Card Wallet

So it’s currently midnight and I’d normally be in bed already buuuut I felt the urge to craft and make...
Photo Diaries

Reasons why I need to wake up early more often

Reasons why I need to wake up early more often. The way the mist envelopes Matafao. The reflection of the...
Lifestyle Travel

Scenes around Vaoto Lodge: Ofu Photo Journal

Welcome to a photo journal that depicts my experience at Vaoto Lodge. Between family, friends, and strangers, Vaoto Lodge is...
Moments

Photos by the bestie Alafaga, during a shoot I tagged along on. Also, I made this top just the night...
Moments Sustainable Living

A low impact weekend

Photo journal of the little things that made me happy. Certainly not perfect or 100% zero waste, but a low...
Lifestyle Photo Diaries

Celebrating my birthday in quarantine, social distancing outdoor movie night with friends

I never would've imagined I'd have a social distancing/ pandemic/ quarantine themed birthday but such is life! Outdoor movie night...
Moments

Stay close to the people that feel like sunshine

loved this sunrise shoot with Mareike right before she left for the Azores
Moments Photo Diaries

Nu‘uuli waterfall

Wandered off and hung out the entire afternoon by the waterfall, did an impromptu photo shoot and got Chinese takeout...