49th State - Alaska

 

Alaska

 Day 1

Stay: Talkeetna Hideaway: Address: 21842 S H St, Talkeetna, AK 99676

 

Day 2:

1: Denali National Park (buy the America is beautiful pass)

2: Denali View North

3: Denali View South

Cloudy days blocked our Denali Mountain view. But the park is beautiful. There are several paid bus rides to see the park.  

4: Byers Lake

5: Talkeetna Riverfront Park

6: Horseshow Lake Trail -> 2 miles roundtrip. 300 feet.

https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/alaska/horseshoe-lake-trail

 The hike is easy and beautiful. The view of fast moving river and mountains is worth the effort.

 

Stay: Denali Hostel & Cabins LLC: Address: Denali National Park and Preserve, 224.1 Parks Hwy, Denali National Park and Preserve, AK 99755

Extremely beautiful cabins with shared kitchen and great baths. There is a common firepit by the river which is breathtaking.

Google Maps

 

Day 3: 

1: Hatcher Pass Lodge, Mi 175 & Fishhook Willow Rd, Gold Cord Rd, Palmer, AK 99645

Most scenic drive through the mountains. 

2: Matanuska Glacier Hike : 

Must do while in Alaska. Great experience walking around the glacier. You can collect glacier water and glacier mud which can be used on face as an exfoliator. Bring something to collect water and the mud. 

$125

https://glacier-tours.com/matanuska-glacier-summer-tours/

66500 Glacier Park Rd, Sutton-Alpine, AK 99674

 

 

Stay: BROWN BEAR SALOON

28065 Seward Hwy, Indian, AK   99540

This stay was convenient as it was right next to Seward Highway but may not be recommended for families. Very small rooms and basic amenities. 

Google Maps

 

Day 4

Go through the Whittier Tunnel (the only toll road, can be paid by card) to access the hike and see the town. Please check the timing of the tunnel access in advance to avoid long wait.

1: Portage Pass Trail

https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/alaska/portage-pass

4.2 mi:1,433 ft: Out & back

First 0.6 miles are challenging and then the body gets used to it. The views are gorgeous. We saw a bear far away on the mountain. At the end of the hike you get to see the glacier from across the Portage Lake. Very beautiful view. 

 

2: Whittier Town

3: Check towns on the way to Homer

Stay: Homer

https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/634871736088040141?adults=2&check_in=2022-08-28&check_out=2022-08-29&federated_search_id=c65aa925-c868-4b8a-8f8e-b282e321c9a1&source_impression_id=p3_1659624400_QtqYUcIcV3qjXnvT

60388 Bear Creek Drive
Homer, AK 99603

 

Google Maps

 

Day 5:

1: Kenai Fjords Wildlife Glacier Tour (11:30 AM, arrive by 10:30 AM)

6 hours Tour (must carry some food even though lunch is included)

Free parking with shuttle services is included in the cruise ticket

Check-in Location:

1304 W. Fourth Avenue,

Seward, AK 99664

2: Seward Town 

3: Exit Glacier

Exit Glacier Trailhead, Seward, AK 99664

https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/alaska/exit-glacier-overlook-trail

2.2 mi :308 ft:Loop

At the end of this trail you can climb further up to see the glacier more up close. 

 

Stay: Trail Lake Lodge

·       Mile 29.5 Seward Hwy, Moose Pass, AK, 99631 United States of America

 Google Maps

 

Day 6:

1: Moose Pass, Alaska 99631

2: Byron Glacier Trail

1500 Byron Glacier Rd.

Girdwood, AK 99587

2 miles easy walk

This was the closest we got to a glacier without any paid guided tour. It is extremely beautiful with ice caves and snow. The hike is very easy and scenic.

3: Portage Valley Recreation Area, Girdwood, AK 99587

4: Scenic spot of Portage Glacier, 401 Portage Lake Loop, Girdwood, AK 99587

5: Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, Mile 79, Seward Hwy, Girdwood, AK 99587

https://www.alaskawildlife.org/tours-programs/

Google Maps

 The visit to the wildlife conservation center is a must. We saw some really beautiful animals. The access is either by foot or by car which is very convenient. 

6: Anchorage

Cheap souvenir stores ->

Grizzly's Gifts

Address: 501 W 4th Ave, Anchorage, AK 99501

 

Polar Bear Gifts

Address: 600 W 4th Ave, Anchorage, AK 99501

 

49th State Brewing - Anchorage

Address: 717 W 3rd Ave, Anchorage, AK 99501

 

 

Visiting Colombia and Panama

Colombia Day 1:

Cartagena

1)San Felipe de Barajas Castle

Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas, Cra. 17, Cartagena, Bolívar, Colombia

25,000 pesos/person

Time:  

8:00 am - 6:00 pm

-Go an hour before sunset to avoid heat

-Can view La Popa in distance

2)La Popa Monastery

Convent of Santa Cruz de la Popa, Cl. 37, Cartagena, Bolívar, Colombia

Hours: Daily, 9am-5pm

Admission: Adults 4,500 pesos (<$3 USD), Children 2,500 pesos (<$2 USD)

40,000 taxi ride round trip along with wait time

-Beautiful view of Cartagena

3)Old Walled City (Ciudad amurallada)
Walled city Cartagena, #4- a, Cl. 34 #481, Cartagena, Bolívar, Colombia

-Great for street shopping and street food

-Mochilas are a must buy with price ranging from 45000 peso - 70000 peso

-Bargaining is a must during shopping

-Do visit the street opposite the clock tower for buying local sweets

-Coffee at Juan Valdez is a must buy

-Plenty of fruits and street food to try

-The place is open till late 

Walking tour -> http://www.freewalkingtourcartagena.co/freetourservice

1.5 hour → 10:30 am - 4:30 pm

-Clock Tower

-Casa de la Aduana (Customs House)

-Plaza de Bolivar

- Las Damas Street

-Convento e Iglesia de San Pedro Claver and the cathedral

Colombia Day 2: 
Bogota

1) Mount Monserrate

Carrera 2 E No. 21-48, Bogota, Colombia

5 minute ride to the top.

Teleférico hours (cable car): Monday-Saturday, noon—midnight. Sundays and holidays, 9:00 a.m.—5:00 p.m.

Funicular hours(train): Monday-Saturday, 7:45 a.m.—11:45 a.m. Sundays and holidays, 6:00 a.m.—6:30 p.m.

Round-trip fare: Monday-Saturday (until 5:30 p.m.) and holidays: about $7. Monday-Saturday after 5:30 p.m. (if the teleférico isn’t running): about $8. Sundays: $4.

2) Gold Museum (Museo del Oro)

Address: Carrera 6 No.15-88, Bogota 110321, Colombia

Phone Number: +57 1 3432222

4000 pesos to enter

Tuesday to Saturday 09:00 a.m. to 06:00 p.m. (Last exit at 7:00 p.m.)

3)Plaza de Bolivar – Plaza de Bolivar is the main square in the La Candelaria neighborhood, the heart of the historical and political area of Bogotá, filled with vendors, tourists, and friendly pigeons. The square features the National Capitol building, the city mayor’s office, Palace of Justice and the Cathedral of Bogota. On the square stands a statue of Simón Bolivar. The statue was created in 1846 by Italian Pietro Tenerani. It is the first public monument in Bogota.

4) Casa de Nariño - presidential home (Palacio de Narino)

5) Botero Museum

address: Calle 11 No. 4-41, Bogota, Colombia

Phone Number: +57 1 3431316

9:00 am - 7:00 pm

FREE

6) Laguna de Guatavita

Laguna de Guatavita

Address: Km 15, Via Guatavita-Sesquile, Tierra Negra,Colombia

Laguna de Guatavita

15.000 pesos entrance

-Around 20 minutes hike to see the beautiful lake

Tips -> Calculate the taxi fare by meter. Meter starts at 25, Ask for “la tarifa” to see the meter card.

After 8 pm there is extra charge for taxi

Colombia Day 3:
Playa Blanca

-Free beach
-Calm blue water and ample massages
-Approximately $5 for 30 minutes of massage

Chiva Bus Tour

45,000 peso

http://www.cartagenaconnections.com/chiva-tours.html

-Party tour for clubbing

8.30pm and ends at 12am.

Panama Day 1: 

1) Miraflores Visitor Center (Panama City) Panama Canal

East Side of the Miraflores Locks, Panama City, Panama

http://www.pancanal.com/eng/acp/cvm/
Open from 9AM – 4:30 PM
$15/person entrace

-We reached after hours but were able to see the canal for free from the restaurant inside which overlooks the canal and serves great drinks

2)Casco Viejo

-Full of bars and pubs

-Has a waterfront for the city view

-Plenty of souvenir shops

A weekend in Miami

Day 1:

KEY WEST

-Fruit Stand Homestead
Robert Is here
19200 SW 344th St
Homestead, FL 33034

-Breakfast:
Wooden Spoon, 7007 Overseas Hwy, Marathon, FL 33050
Parking: At least 3/hour and 10/day

-Lunch: Bien (more than 3000 reviews)
http://bienkeywest.com/contact.htm

-Duval Street
Shopping and touristy

-For the best key lime pie -->
Kermit's Key West Key Lime Shoppe
802 Duval Street
Key West, Florida 33040

-Southernmost Point

-Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park
$6/car entry
Has a fort and a beach
great for sunset view by beach

-Mallory square
for restaurants and pubs

-John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park
for paid snorkeling
http://pennekamppark.com/snorkeling-tours/

Day 2:

EVERGLADES
$25/car entrance fee

- Shark Valley Bike tour
http://www.sharkvalleytramtours.com/everglades-bicycle-tours/
3 hours
$9/hour bike rent

-Shark Valley Observation Tower

MIAMI DOWNTOWN
Little Havana(Cuban neighborhood)

Mango's south Beach Night club


Day 3
MIAMI BEACHES

-Miami Beach
-South Beach
- Art District
-Crandon Park Beach (Biscayne Key)
$7/car includes beach fee
http://bienkeywest.com/contact.htm