Uncategorized

I will be backpacking/island hopping in Greece for a month and as much as I want to bring my entire closet, I also don’t want to carry a lot of suicases.
Luckily, I have mastered the art of packing from my trips to 62 countries.

Here are a few packing tips:

1) Count the number of days you’ll be away, then count your outfits. They need to match up.

2) Stay in an airbnb or hotel that has laundry facilities

3) Pick your thinnest, lightest clothes. Do not bring thick jackets or coats. (UniQlo has amazing supplies).

4) Your trip is not a fashion show- you’re not Kylie Jenner. So wear clothes that you can wear over and over – like jeans.

5) No one cares what you wear … you’re not an influencer.

6) Only bring clothes or items that has a purpose.

7) Bring travel size shampoo, toothpaste, soap, etc. Small containers are available at Amazon or CVS.

8.) DO NOT bring a huge suitcase- it is NOT good for your back, not good for uber, not good for the airline, airport crew, hotel doorman, and the environment. Stop being selfish- again, the world does not revolve around you.

9) Buy a soft suitcase. Hard suitcases are tough to carry around and not good for airlines/uber cause it consumes so much space. (If you visit NYC- your suitcase is probably gonna be bigger than your room.)

10) Bring clothes that you can match up. That way you can pair them off and create a new wardrobe.

11) When it comes to picking clothes- it is about quality, not quantity.

12) Only bring 1 extra pair of shoes and make your wardrobe work around that 1 pair.

13) Bring some clothes you dont want to wear anymore. That way, you can throw them after you use them abroad, and you dont have to bring them back home. You can even donate them there! (Thanks Lance Waagner for this tip when we were in Egypt).

14) You’re paranoid you’d run out of clothes to wear? Well- more reasons to go shopping there, right? There is a Zara or H&M in every corner.

15) Compartmentalize! I bought these light packing cases on Amazon ($24). Theyre amazing. Shirts in one container. Shorts and pants in one. Undies and socks in the small container. Plus I have an extra container for dirty laundry and shoes.

16) Make the tough decisions! Deciding which outfit to bring is hard. But make them!!!

17) Don’t bring expensive purses, watch or jewelry. That may only cost you your life. So leave the Louis Vuittons and expensive watch at home.

18) Only bring pants/shorts that you can wear over and over.

If your purpose in over packing is so you can impress your friends- well, you probably shouldnt be traveling with them in the first place! ❤️❤️

Amazing Paros, Greece

Santa Maria Beach, Paros, Greece

Lighthouse, Paros Greece
When your cellphone or computer is stuck- what do you do? You restart it. And then it starts working again. Right?

That is the power of PAUSE! The power of starting over! Your mind and body sometimes need to unplug from your daily life and work and just recharge. And that is what I am doing. It is easier said than done- In fact, it is brave to get away. To leave your home, work, business, family and commitments and just get away—- and pray that things don’t fall apart while youre away.

Don’t wait until you’re too old and weak before you make time for yourself or do the things you love or fulfill your dreams. DO IT NOW! Take that vacation. Enroll in that dance class. Read that book. Learn that new hobby. Pursue your passion!

Because if not now, when?

Klima is the most picturesque fishing village in Milos and is worth seeing. INSANE!!! This beautiful village is situated near Tripiti, on the side of the Gulf of Milos. The scenic beauty of Klima has old fishermen’s houses carved into the rocks and brightly colored wooden doors. The sunset here is an amazing experience. The drive down may be challenging but worth it!

My skin is glowing, right? Hahaha That is sweat right there. Hahaha It is seriously 96 degrees and humid. He wanted to go up soooo badly, and it is our only reason we are back in Athens. So we had to do it.

I was dying because you have to hike up this long windy, path. And you’re sweating soooo badly. Hahaha I hate the heat- but I do have to admit, it was worth it once you get up there. Pretty amazing views and architecture.

Tip for you- bring bottled water with you. Hydrate hyrdrate hyrdate!

I arrived here not knowing what to expect. Honestly, I have been so busy that I had no time to do my research.

However, two months before my trip, I messaged my friend Andy who works for the US Foreign Affairs if it was safe to come to Latvia.

He just rolled his eyes at me. LOL “Yes, why not? It is very safe there! Go!”
The Riga Airport, though small, is very clean, organized, and modern. You even have dozens and dozens of taxis to choose from. (Some are even Mercedes Benz).

I stayed at Wellton Centrum and Spa which is smack in the heart of the city and the Old Town district. This was the best decision ever! The place has adequate rooms, but they’re clean and such great value. Most of all, it is within walking distance to many restaurants, charming coffee shops, tourist attractions and shopping (the mall is just across the street).
I had the perfect timing too- it has been snowing nonstop since I got here. Yup- I love snow! Haha Although locals gave me a weird look when I told them I am here for a vacation, “Latvia in November? Really?” You should have seen their faces. It was though I was crazy.

Don’t you worry, folks, you will see me here again!

Chris Burden’s Metropolis II is an breathtaking kinetic sculpture (If you’re into toys like me, it’s breathtaking!). It is like every young boy’s dream come true.

This sculpture featured at Broad Museum in Los Angeles is modeled after a fast paced, frenetic modern city. Steel beams form an eclectic grid interwoven with an elaborate system of 18 roadways, including one six lane freeway, and HO scale train tracks. Miniature cars speed through the city at 240 scale miles per hour; every hour, the equivalent of approximately 100,000 cars circulate through the dense network of buildings.

A collector bought the installation for “millions” of dollars, but was gracious enough to loan it to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art for display over the next 10 years. Thanks Mr Millionaire. We appreciate it!

If I don’t tell you where this place is, you’d probably think I’m in a remote beach in Ireland, New Zealand or Kauia. But it’s actually just a stone’s throw away from the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco- The Marin Headlands.

Not many people know of this place … tourists cross the Golden Gate Bridge, park their car and stop there to take photos of the bridge. In a way, I am sure locals prefer it this way. I’ve visited San Francisco over 20 times before I discovered this place through my friend Francis Rualo. 

I was featured by TV New Zealand when Lonely Planet picked New Zealand as one of its top destinations in 2015. I really enjoyed my trip to Auckland- seeing myself on TV was icing on the cake.

http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/new-zealand-recommended-gay-and-lesbian-tourists-video-6113375

Thanks TV NZ for the great coverage, and thanks New Zealand for the warm hospitality!

Escaped from the comforts of my hotel in Halfmoon Bay, California to drive north 18 miles to this lighthouse- Pigeon Point Lighthouse. The drive was spectacular. What I estimated as a 20 minute drive took two hours. I just had to stop at every cove to enjoy the view fly my drone (and answer questions from amused tourists about how the drone works).

When I got to the lighthouse, I was determined to get one of those shots that swoop in to the light house. Then I got nervous. But I did it anyway and both the lighthouse and the drone survived. (What a relief!)

Editing this video reminded me of how beautiful the world is. DO SOMETHING AMAZING THIS WEEKEND! I hope you take time to appreciate the beauty around us. HAPPY FRIDAY!

Here in Maui to do a shoot. With its seemingly endless white sand beaches, majestic palm trees, blue skies and perfect weather – everything is just picture perfect! Come join me and see what happens behind the scenes.

https://vimeo.com/123759560