Planning a trip to Alaska

Photo taken from Travel Alaska, check out their website for travel information 

I am planning a trip to Alaska later this year and it looks like it's actually going to happen as I've made a few bookings already! I keep hearing about people who also want to travel to Alaska so I though it might be handy for you if I share some of the information I got so far and a few useful links.

I'll start by saying that I plan a trip on a budget and try to avoid unnecessary costs. What I want to see most in Alaska are northern lights, scenery and wildlife so the trip is planned the way hubby and I will have a good chance to see all of the above. The trip is going to consist of two parts: a cruise along the Inside Passage and then hanging around Fairbanks for the chance to see the northern lights.

Links to check out before planning

• Travel Alaska is the official State of Alaska vacation and travel information website and is a must website to check when planning a trip to Alaska. 
• Alaska Marine Highway System is a backpacker alternative to a cruise so if you're not a tight budget it is a great option.
• Alaska Railroad has different train routs and is a unique way to travel in Alaska and enjoy scenery. The train schedule is very limited from late September to early May so check out the website for days and times. I really want to go but it just doesn't work out for us.      

Cruise

I've never been on a cruise but Alaska seems like a good destination to give it a go. I'll explain my reasons for choosing a cruise and then give a few tips and links that might help you if you want to go on a cruise as well.

Alaska is very spread so if you want to see more than a few places you have to drive a lot or fly a few times. I prefer not too as both options are expensive, time consuming and tiring. On the cruise you get transport, accommodation and meals so you can see places but also enjoy your journey. The prices are very competitive for Alaska considering that almost everything is included.

The cruise ship has a few stops in different ports along the Inside Passage so we're actually going to spend half of the time on land seeing places. In each port we plan on taking 1-2 excursions. We don't have to but I think they are going to help us see more and experience more of Alaska than just wondering around on our own. 

Our ship will also go through the Glacier Bay National Park and College Fjord for for scenic viewing of the glaciers and I think it's gonna be amazing and totally different to anything I've seen so far in my travels. 

Cruise Tips and Links  

• Cruise Critic provides information and reviews on cruising. I found it really helpful as it has detailed reviews of real people on cruises they went on and you can even find reviews on specific rooms!
• Princess Cruises is the company I'm going with. They have very good reviews everywhere I looked and they have terrific customer service.
• The price of the cruise on a specific ship depends on the room you take so if you don't plan on spending too much time in the room and you're not claustrophobic go for the interior room which is the cheapest. They seem to sell out first so don't leave it too late.
• I noticed that a lot of people go on a cruise only and if you are one of these people, consider at least exploring the port cities where you start or/and end the cruise. Yes, you need to take a hotel room but you already pay so much for the flights, you may as well make the most of it, right? 

Excursion Tips and Links

• In every port where the ship stops there are excursions to choose from. The price of the cruise doesn't include excursions which are expensive. With this said, you can still find something to match your interests and budget.
• Excursions aren't compulsory and you DON'T have to book them through the cruise company. I found that the same excursions cost the same whether you book them through the ship or through the excursion provider but you can go to alternative excursion providers which are meant to be cheaper. 
•  Alaska TourSaver is a book of deals which offers coupons of "two for the price of one". The cost of the book in $99.95 but it can save you a lot of money. You can see all the deals they offer on their website and then decide if you want the book or not. I read somewhere that some places accept a limited number of coupons per trip/excursion so make sure to book ahead!
• Dog mushing is a popular activity in Alaska for tourists but to experience it you need to go in winter or in early spring. If you go to Fairbanks, this place seems to provide a good experience for a reasonable price. 

Northern Lights

Displays of the northern lights depend on the solar activity and therefore cannot be predicted. With this said, you can maximise your chances of seeing the northern lights by knowing where and when are the best places and times to go. 

When 

Months: The best months to see the northern lights are March and September because this is when there are frequent displays, longer nights, clear sky and mild whether. The longest nights are in winter though so if you're not scarred of the cold, the winter months are a good option too.   

Time of month: The best time of the month is around the New Moon as those nights are the darkest. Check out this website for moon and sun rise and set times in Fairbanks. 

Best time of the day: "...peak auroral activity is between 10pm and 2am solar time. Solar time is 2.5 hours after clock time during daylight saving time (April through October) and 1.5 hours after during standard daylight time (November through March). That means the best time for seeing the aurora during Alaska’s winter is 11:30pm-3:30 am with the peak at 1:30am. During Alaska’s spring and fall (September and March), the best time to view the aurora is 12:30am-4:30am, with the peak falling at 2:30am." Link to source.


Where

Northern lights can be seen best within the Aurora Oval which covers a fair bit of Alaska so you have a few Alaskan destinations to chose from. Fairbanks, where I am going, is the most popular place for aurora viewing and for a good reason. While it's not at the best position within the Aurora Oval, it's the most accessible destination which also makes it the cheapest. Destinations that are closer to the arctic are better for aurora viewing but are harder to get to so you'll have to fly and since they are so remote there aren't many places to stay at meaning less competition and more $$$ for you to pay. If you have the budget, go for it, I'm sure it will be a very special experience!

Northern lights are seen when it's dark so you need to be away from light pollution. If going to Fairbanks, there are two, well actually three, options for you to consider to get away from the light pollution of the city:

• Staying a distance away from Fairbanks. There are a few lodges and B&B places away from the city lights and are a good option for seeing the northern lights in the comfort of your room. This option is likely to require a rental car, which is not a bad thing. There isn't that much to do and see in Fairbanks so you may want to travel around to places like Denali National Park and 
  Chena River State Recreation Area. A rental is likely to be cheaper and definitely more convenient than worrying and paying for transport. 
• Night tours. There are companies that do organised northern lights viewing tours. They pick you up from a hotel in Fairbanks, take you to a good location for aurora viewing and after a few hours take you back. 
• Go out of town on your own. You can stay in Fairbanks and drive away from the light pollution on your own but I wouldn't recommend this option for all the obvious reasons. 

Northern Lights Tips and Links:

• Aurora forecast from the University of Alaska.
• Trip Advisor is where you can find reviews and rating on accommodation, touristy locations and more. Just go to the search bar and type or paste whatever you're looking for. 
• Aurora Borealis Lodge is one of the popular and recommended placed to stay for northern lights viewing. The main advantage of this place, other than the great location, is the aurora altars. You get a walkie-talkie and they let you know when there is a display. They are very popular so book as early as possible. They also do night tours in you decide to stay in Fairbanks. 
• Northern Sky Lodge is a Bed and Breakfast which has rooms facing the north and are good for aurora viewing. They got great reviews everywhere I looked and the prices are cheap!

Fairbanks

There isn't much to do in Fairbanks so while you might enjoy aurora displays at night, you are risking being very bored during the day. I spent lots of time looking for activities and places to see as there aren't many...

• Fairbanks official website is where you can find events during the time you're visiting Fairbanks. Well, actually they have a fair bit of info on the website but this is what I found it most useful for.
• Chena River State Recreation Area is a park so should be good for hiking, enjoying the scenery, spotting wildlife and just relaxing.
• Chena Hot Springs are located near the Chena River State Recreation Area and I guess you could make a day out of visiting both. The entry to the springs pool is only $10 per person for the whole day but they seem to charge extra for lockers and towels so keep that in mind if traveling on a budget. There is also an Ice Museum but entry is at extra charge, of course...
• Creamer's Refuge is another park not far from Fairbanks. I couldn't find much information about it but if you enjoy outdoors, it seems like a reasonable destination.   
• Markets. There are a few markets in Fairbanks during different days of the week and they might be an interesting way to get a feel for Alaska town life. One is Tanana Valley Farmer’s Market and the other is Downtown Market. 
• Antique Auto Museum has good reviews and seems to be worth the visit if you like cars. I do!
• Museum of the North seems pretty popular and although I don't plan on going there, this is another attraction for you to consider.
• Denali National Park and Preserve is another popular destination about 2.5 hours drive from Fairbanks. If you have the time you might want to stay in a lodge inside or around the park. Here you can see all the available lodges and their operation seasons. Camp Denali & North Face Lodge come very recommended but they have a short operating season so unfortunately we're not going there and will probably only have a day trip to Denali. 

I put a lot of effort and time in writing any kind of guides and tips in my blog so if you have friends who might be interested in any of them, including this guide to planning a trip to Alaska, please share them via Facebook, email etc.

Thanks for reading!

Colorado driver's license

I got my Colorado driver's license earlier this week and the process was quite easy but very time consuming. I'm going to write about my experience for future re-locators to the States and those who are just curious. If you're going to get driver's licence in the US, use this information as tips only and double check everything as your case might vary or the informational might be out of date.

The place to get license in Colorado is a Motor Vehicle Office. There are a few offices around and the best place to find the one near you is on this website for Colorado or you'll have to Google it if you're looking for a different state. Make sure that the office you're going to provides the services you're after. I went mid month and mid week as this supposedly is the least busy time. The waiting line on the day was about 30min.

When we arrived in the morning, about 20 min before opening time, there were already a few cars in the car park but I didn't pay much attention to it. We went to see if the door to the office was open so we could wait inside but it wasn't so we just stayed waiting outside. In a moment everyone in the car park got out of their cars and joined the line behind us! So you can either stay in the car until the office opens and wait in the line for a while or wear something warm, wait outside and be in front of the line.

To apply for Colorado driver's license you will need...

• Passport.
• Proof of residency in the state like a bill, bank statement, lease agreement, etc.
• Social Security Number (SSN) or a letter from the Social Security Administration confirming your ineligibility. 
• Cash or check.
• For some visa's you might need a letter saying that you're not eligible for diplomatic license or whatever. If you don't know that you need the letter, you probably don't so don't worry about it.  

No one asked me for my foreign driver's license so if your license aren't in English don't worry about translations.

Good to know

• They ask for your height and weight so know it in feet and pounds. Aussies, for some reason, still use feet for height so it's easy form you mates, but everyone else, be prepared. 
• You might also want to decide whether you want to be an organ donor as they ask you for a yes or a no. It will appear on your license.
• They take a photo of you for the permit and then for the license. FYI.
• They do eye checks on the spot and your sight is meant to be 20/40 or better. If you wear glasses or contacts make sure to bring/wear them. If you don't pass the eye check you won't be able to proceed so if you know that your eyesight is poor, get glasses. And most of all you shouldn't be driving if you cant see well!

Knowledge Test
So at first I did the knowledge test. It's an American test with 3 answers to choose from. 25 questions from which you can get 5 wrong and still pass. To learn to the test in Colorado read this PDF handbook or get a paper copy from one of the offices. Similar handbooks should be available for other states, just search the web. I had many questions that had little or nothing to do with actual driving skills, so even if you're an experienced driver, familiarise yourself with the local rules and regulations.

After passing the knowledge test you get a piece of paper that allows you to take a driving test. If you are over 21 you can do the driving test the same day. For those under 21 it might be more complicated but I'm not sure.

Driving Test
You have 2 options for the driving test. You can either do it through the Motor Vehicle Office or through a driving school. It is more expensive through a driving school (cost me $50) but much quicker as there are no waiting lists. After I got my permit I made an appointment with a driving school and had my driving test the same day! I went through A+ Driving School and they were great. They were recommended to me and I would definitely recommend them as well!

IMPORTANT: You do the driving test in your own car and you need to have a car insurance and of course a proof of it.

The driving test is very easy, especially if you already have driving license and were driving for a while. With this said, make sure not to fall on "experienced driver mistakes" like stirring with one hand, not stopping completely at a stop sign, etc. Also, you can ask any questions you might have before the test. The driving test takes about 10 minutes and it has no parallel parking, no reverse parking... just turns, lights, stops and changing lanes pretty much. Compare this to a 50min driving test in Canberra...

Funny story, a lady tutted at me when I changed lanes during my driving test. People around here have a problem with anyone changing a lane in front of them and usually speed up behind you or get very annoyed if you manage to squeeze in. Well, this is only one of the problems they have with other drivers. Anyway, as long as you follow the rules, take it easy even if another driver gets pissed off with you during the test.

Getting the License
After you pass your driving test you get a letter from the driving school saying that you actually did pass it. You take that letter back to the Motor Vehicle Office. I went the same day but you don't have to.

To get Colorado driver's license you will need...

• Passport
• The document from the driving school saying that you passed your driving test.
• The permit you received from the Motor Vehicle Office the first time you went there.

After they put all the info into the computer you get temporary license (looks just like the permit you got before... very confusing) which is valid for 30 days. Your permanent license should arrive by mail within that time.

Good luck!

Where to find alternative fashion items?

From Auxiliary Magazine issue April/Mat 2012

In the previous post about alternative fashion I wrote about how you can incorporate alternative items into your outfit and show your personal style without standing out as "different". This time I'll give a few tips on how you can discover alternative brands and where to find them.

I found that the best way to discover alternative fashion brand names is by browsing in alternative stores, physical or online. Once you have one brand name, you type it in Google, find who sells it and see what other brands they sell and this process all over again. This way you also discover stores that stock alternative items so when you find an item you want to buy, you can shop around for the best deal in all those stores.

Of course, you don't have to buy branded alternative items. The reason I prefer to buy brands is because I usually buy alternative items online and once I have one item of a certain brand I know what to expect in terms of quality and sizes. Also, a lot of alternative items are branded but I don't find them to be more expensive then the stuff in chain stores.

Here are a few places you might want to check out for alternative clothing, shoes and accessories:

Local alternative stores. This kind of stores are the hardest to find because they are usually small, privately owned and don't advertise. Your best bet to find out about their existence is through your local friends.

In Denver there are Vixens and Angels on 613 East 13th Avenue 80203 and Raves Oh My Goth on 1516 Emerson St 80218. I haven't been to either of them yet but hope to check them out soon.

In Canberra there are two alternative shoe stores but both are overpriced and you can get most of the stuff for almost half the price online. They are still worth the visit as there are surprises.

• Redpath is located near the Canberra Centre on 6 Garema Place. They have a good variety of alternative shoe brands including Dr Martens and TUK. They are also the only store I know of in Canberra that sells good quality leather shoes.
• Roadhouse is located in DFO Fyshwick. They have a good range of Dr Martens, including new styles, and a few styles of other random brands. They also sell clothes and bags but the range of styles and sizes is limited. Israelis will have to go to Tel Aviv to visit alternative stores.

In Israel all of the stores are in Tel Aviv, I've being only to Tomer.

• Tomer in Dizengoff Centre, first level, near gate 7. They are overpriced in comparison to the prices online and the range isn't great either but if you're in Dizengoff you may as well have a look.
• Nox located not far from Dizengoff Centre on Frishman 48.
• Zipper Market is the place to get accessories and clothes made by local alternative designers. Check out the Zipper-Market Facebook page for dates. 

eBay. eBay has an amazing range of goods and you can start with a broad search narrowing it down as you go using the menu of the left. Start with a broad search like "50s", "pinup", "goth" etc. Then narrow it down by type, price and so on. When you like an item from a particular seller, see what else the seller has to offer. Slowly you'll get familiar with potential sellers you want to buy from and with brands you like.

Always check the sellers feedback, negative and neutral comments on the seller, seller's return policy and shipping costs for the item you want to your country. Also, there are eBay websites from many countries so if you live in Australia try out both ebay.com and ebay.com.au.

• Australians should check out the Atomic Cherry eBay store. They store clothing brands like Hell Bunny and Sourpuss but also have funky accessories, housewares and novelties. Atomic Cherry have high rating of 99.9%, offer a 'no questions asked' refund or exchange policy, have low shipping costs and the item costs are very competitive to overseas sellers. I ordered from them twice and was very happy. 
• Another very popular eBay store which ships to pretty much anywhere is Sinderella's Shrine. They have a great range of dresses both pinup and cocktail. I personally haven't ordered from them as I can usually find the same item cheaper elsewhere but they have a 100% rating so I don't think you can go wrong with them.

Amazon. Amazon have a very good range of alternative shoes at very competitive prices and the shipping is also cheap. If you are looking at buying shoes, check Amazon first. The shoe brands you can find there include TUK, Dr Martens and Iron Fist. Unfortunately Amazon isn't the best place to find clothes. Amazon also has a few websites for different countries so if you're in Australia or Israel visit both amazon.com and amazon.co.uk

Etsy. A website where private designers sell the products they made. Also has generic "made in China" items but most of the stuff is handmade. Great if you want to buy unique designs that you are not likely to find in store or to obtain a one-off item. On Etsy you can find jewelry and accessories, clothes, shoes etc.

Online stores. Aside from eBay and Amazon there are other online store which sell their own alternative brands or sell a range of different brands. The problem with those is that you usually don't know the shipping cost until you proceed to check out, unless you live in the county where they operate. All the websites below ship to most countries. Even if you aren't going to buy from them, it's worth browsing their store as you might discover new brands and products you like. I have bought from only a few and will mention which ones.

• Most of the alternative shoe stores have their own website: TUK, Dr Martens, Iron Fist, Abbey Dawn, Demonia... You can usually find a brand's website by simply searching it in Google. 
• Pamela Mann sell tights, stockings and socks. They have some very cool designs at reasonable prices.
• T-shirts can also be alternative and to find unique designs check out Think Geek and Threadless. Both websites have T-shirts for both men and women. Hubby and I bought from both. Think Geek tees are made of a thicker cotton material than the ones at Threadless but then Threadless offer some tees for $10 or even $5. 
• ModCloth is a pretty popular website for vintage style items and have a wide range of prices although if you're after something cheap, they are not the place. 
• Style Addiction have both clothes and shoes. You have to add the items to the chart to see shipping costs to your country.
• Sourpuss have a website where they sell their own brand but also some other brands. 

Of course there are many more store online but I tried to include the most promising ones that ship Internationally. Also, always remember that while there is a great range online, your local chain stores might hold some great items that will go well with your personal style. Often alternative items become a seasons trend and this is a great opportunity for you to get them. 

Next post will be about some of the alternative items that I owns and brands that I like.

Cheers!

Photos of the house

Thanks everyone who asked for photos of the house! I tidied up the house this week really well so it was time to take some photos for you.

It took me a while to choose and buy a vacuum cleaner. I really wanted a Dyson but they are way too expensive to buy for only 3 years. Also, no one lived in this house for like 6 months before we moved in so you can only imagine how quickly and how dusty everything got! But all good now, got a bagless Eureka, vacuumed and dusted. The house is nice and tidy and feels lovely.

As I mentioned in one of the previous posts, all the furniture is rented and I didn't really see it until it arrived but I am very pleased with everything! The quality is great and the designs and colours are even better than I expected.

Below are the images of the house; those with furniture were taken by me while the empty house ones are the promotion photos they advertised the rental with. I'll mention which photos aren't mine.

Front of the house, promotion photo

Entrance & dining room, promotion photo

Dining room, promotion photo

Dining room with furniture

Some plants by the window at the dining room

Living room, furnished.

Kitchen, promotion photo

Family room on the second floor

Master bedroom

Master bedroom, different angel

Bathroom, promotion picture.
It is totally awesome with 2 sinks, Jacuzzi, shower  and a separate toilet.

One of the spare bedrooms. The other one has very similar furniture.

Hope you enjoyed the tour.

Cheers!

Garden of the Gods and Red Rock Canyon - one day trip

with Chaos & Nyx at the Red Rock Canyon

Yesterday was my first trip outside the city. The whole family of hubby, myself and the dogs went to Colorado Springs for a day trip and we had an amazing time!

Americans aren't huge of Easter and most people don't have Friday or Monday off, unlike Australia where you have a 4 day long weekend. Luckily hubby got the day off and I figured that Monday will be the perfect day to go for a trip as it won't be as busy as going on the weekend. This was the right decision so if you get a day off when most people don't, use it and go for a trip!

We started our trip at the Garden of the Gods, which is only an hour and a bit away from Aurora, where we live. The views there are spectacular with red rocks in different shapes and the snowie Pikes Peak in the background. Garden of the Gods offers hiking trials, rock climbing, cycling and even just by driving through you are sure to enjoy the views. We did one hike starting at Parking Lot 7 and going around, had a snack and then drove to the Red Rock Canyon, which is only about 5-10 minutes drive from Garden of the Gods. 

Entrance to Garden of the Gods with Pikes Peak in the background

Tree growing in the rock

Red Rock Canyon also has magnificent views and great for hiking and cycling. We did one longish hike which surely exhausted myself and the dogs. 

Dogs on a leash are allowed into both attractions, which is fantastic! Chaos and Nyx seemed to enjoy the trip although they were exhausted and slept for the rest of the day after the trip and the whole night!

Red Rock Canyon

All the pictures in this post belong to me so please don't use them without my approval. Thanks!

Alternative fashion

From Auxiliary Magazine

As you probably already know I like alternative fashion. I like to incorporate it in my outfits and I like seen in on other people. And by alternative I mean anything that isn't main stream. Main stream fashion seems to lack individuality and I'm not talking about the unattainable brands that go crazy with designs but the stuff most of us buy and wear. When shops sell the same style items and everyone buys at those same shops, everyone looks just the same. But we are not the same! We have different personalities, different body shapes and different likes and dislikes. For me alternative clothing is about individuality and personal style. It's about being me.

We tend to behave in a way that will make us likable by others and will help us fit in, both on a personal level but also into the society. After leaving in a few countries I can definitely say that there are huge cultural difference that translate into every aspect of life, including fashion. Just google "japanese street fashion" to see how different it is from the Western fashion norms. Some societies are more open than others when in comes to personal style but the bottom line is that there are always restrains. There are restrains in terms of the prejudice that the society has and the norms that exist. Wearing just the same like everyone else seems the easiest solution to fit in and integrate into the society, no surprise that it is so common.

I believe that you don't have to follow trends and wear just what everyone else wears in order to fit in. There is always room for self expression. Here are a few things to consider.

• Combine alternative clothing with main stream clothing. Combinations like these create a balanced look so you fit in just fine but express your individuality at the same time.     
• Alternative shoes can be worn with classical or main stream clothes, so you follow the "dress code" but spice it up. People seem to be more tolerant towards shoes. I guess because firstly, there are so many crazy shoe trends out there anyway and secondly, shoes are at the bottom of your body so they are easier to ignore. 
• Accessories like jewelry, scarfs, belts... Just like shoes, accessories are a great way to express yourself but still fit in. They are small but not invisible so they do the trick perfectly. Also, alternative accessories seem to slowly integrate into the main stream fashion and aren't viewed as the inheritance of the "freaks" anymore.  

In the next few posts I'm going to write about how you can discover alternative brands that you might like and I will share some of the brands that I like and where you can find them.  

Red Lobster - restaurant review

Website:  http://www.redlobster.com/

Address: We went to the one in Southlands. Visit their website for more locations.

My rating:  

Service 5/5

Food 5/5

Value for money 5/5

Service: The service was fantastic. Our waiter was professional and made us feel comfortable throughout the meals.

Food: I had a special meal of Grilled Maine Lobster & Shrimp which was absolutely amazing! The shrimp were the best I’ve ever had and the lobster was delicious. They come with potatoes of your choice, rice, a lemon wedge and melted butter. I didn't have room for rice and didn't use the butter but the shrimp and the lobster were seasoned so I didn't think that you need the butter.

Grilled Maine Lobster & Shrimp, promotion picture from website

I was glad we didn't order any appetisers because while waiting for the main they kept us occupied with some bread and salad. Firstly we had some garlic bread patties, which I wasn't impressed with but making bread isn't Americans’ strong side and it was free anyway. Then we could choose the kind of salad we wanted, which also arrived before the main and wasn't too bad but wasn't what an Aussie or an Israeli would expect a salad to be. I don't take starts off though because it was free and I think it's a nice gesture to bring nibbles while you're waiting for the main. 

Value for money: The special of Grilled Maine Lobster & Shrimp cost us $20.99 which is an amazing value, even without all the appetisers they provide. 

Am I coming back? Yes, I can’t wait to go back!