Living in Another Language

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Campervan Iceland with Happy Campers

Written by: Amanda // Category: Accommodation, Iceland, Location Reviews

Some people may find traveling around an entire country at almost 8 months pregnant to be a bit daunting, but it’s exactly what I wanted to do for our babymoon. The thought of a ten-day road trip with a baby, albeit doable, just made more sense in my head to take with just Derik and I while it’s just the two of us. After tossing around a few countries that would be nice to take an extensive roadtrip though, we settled on Iceland, and the only way that made sense to us  (to see as much of the country as we could in our short amount of time) was to rent a campervan and travel all the way around the Ring Road. I spent several days researching campervan companies and one particular company kept catching my eye: Happy Campers. Not only is ... Read More

A perfect stay at House of Bruges

Written by: Amanda // Category: Accommodation, Belgium, Review

Last month, Derik and I made the spontaneous decision to go to the Beer Festival held in Brugge, Belgium. With over 400 different types of beer made from breweries all over Belgium and Europe, it was hard to say no. I was a bit worried accommodation would be slim-to-none since we literally decided a week before that we were going to go. After a quick online search (o.k. more like a couple hours), I discovered booking.com had the best options, and I reserved a place at House of Bruges. House of Bruges Review To be honest, I’m a little upset I didn’t discover this cute little B&B last time we visited Brugge. I loved our stay at Hotel Marcel, but the value for money, quaintness, and overall private experience House of Bruges gave us, ... Read More

Andronikos Hotel Mykonos

Written by: Amanda // Category: Accommodation, Greece, Review

A couple weeks ago Derik and I finally took a vacation together, and decided we wanted to get a little sun on our faces and wind in our hair, so we went to Greece. We spent a week sailing around the Saronic Islands with Medsailors, and then took a ferry to Mykonos to enjoy a couple days celebrating my birthday ( !!! how’s that for a birthday present). Derik was on the computer for hours looking for a great place to stay, stumbled upon Andronikos Hotel Mykonos online, and booked it right away. Andronikos Hotel Mykonos Review I am writing a review of the Andronikos Hotel not out of obligation (I was not asked in any way to promote their hotel, nor did I mention I had a travel blog to the staff), but because we had such a great stay. The ... Read More

Staycation at Hilton Palacio Del Rio

Written by: Amanda // Category: Accommodation, Review, Texas

I don’t know about you, but I find that sometimes staycations are a bit more glamorous and restful than actual vacations. Is it the fact that you don’t actually have to travel anywhere? Is it the fact that you already know the area and the best location to stay in? Or is it simply the fact that you’re spending time with your loved one and all the hustle and bustle of normal life is set aside and exchanged with relaxation and enjoyment? Whatever the reason, taking a staycation is one of my favorite things and I’m not sure why we don’t do it more often. Hilton Palacio Del Rio Review The last few nights before we moved to Germany, Derik and I decided to take a mini staycation at Hilton Palacio Del Rio to celebrate Derik’s graduation from ... Read More

Glamping Bali with Sandat Tents

Written by: Amanda // Category: Accommodation, Bali, Review

If I had to put one thing, and one thing only, on a bucket list for Bali, Indonesia, it would *hands down* be to go glamping again. Yes, you heard me right, glamping in Bali! There is literally nothing finer in life than staying in one of Southeast Asia’s most luxurious tents. Let me tell you, for all those who have sworn off camping altogether: give glamping a go and I promise you’ll change your mind. Like most travelers researching all the tips, tricks, places, views, eats, etc for "the island of the gods," glamping in Bali wasn’t top of my list, or even at all for that matter, because I had no idea it even existed. As I searched for the less ordinary, more unique lodgings for our most recent trip to Bali, I stumbled upon Sandat ... Read More

Revisiting the Grand Mirage

Written by: Amanda // Category: Accommodation, Bali, Review

One of the most unique things Derik and I have experienced in our travels, was the opportunity to revisit a place we absolutely loved a few years prior. As we were making plans to leave New Zealand last year and looking forward to our travels through Bali, Singapore, and Europe, Grand Mirage All-Inclusive Resort invited us to stay a few days while we were visiting Bali. We had an amazing time at the Grand Mirage in 2012 (how's that for a dated post), and wouldn't dream of declining such a wonderful and welcome invite! The Grand Mirage recently had undergone some management changes, and I was curious how those changes effected our stay, and if we would even notice the difference. Thankfully for us, it was just as we remembered, and we ... Read More

A Luxury Villa Stay in Mallorca, Spain

Written by: Amanda // Category: Accommodation, Review, Spain

Having the opportunity to jet away on vacation is wonderful, but being able to bring family along makes it a million times better! After spending the summer on-the-go, we were ready for a nice seven day getaway with Travelopo.com in a luxury villa (pinch me), where we could spend time with my sister, her adorable family (a great brother-in-law and two nieces under three), and a childhood friend, catching up and enjoying life. Travelopo.com Luxury Villa Review From the second my browser loaded Travelopo's website, I knew we were going to have a good time, regardless of the fact we literally had no clue what our villa was going to look like until two days before we arrived. I mean, GOODNESS, have you seen the rentals on their site? ... Read More

Anniversary Getaway at the Shangri-La Bosphorus, Istanbul

Written by: Amanda // Category: Accommodation, Review, Turkey

This year Derik and I celebrated our fifth year wedding anniversary. For the last four years, Derik has done an amazing job putting together surprises and making our anniversary special, and I wanted to return the favor with planning this year's getaway. I found an amazing deal on a cruise around the Aegean Sea into the Mediterranean (posts about that coming soon), with the departure port leaving from Istanbul, Turkey. I've always wanted to visit Istanbul, and the fact that our cruise left from this cultural and historical city, had me super excited! Derik knew nothing of our cruise plans, or the fact that we were traveling to Istanbul, and I wanted to make sure I added little surprises the entire week. I partnered with Shangri-la ... Read More

A Romantic Stay at The Gangsa Private Villas

Written by: Amanda // Category: Accommodation, Bali, Review

Relaxation, away from the hustle and bustle of life, is sometimes the best gift you can give yourself. Add a little romance and significant other to that equation and you have the perfect couples' getaway. There's nothing more refreshing than a few days relaxing in a private villa…just you, your loved one, the sun and a fruity drink or two. The Gangsa Private Villas Review The Gangsa is one of three private villa resorts owned by Kayumanis, a team of professionals committed to offering some of the most sought after villa retreats in Bali — which I can attest to being true the second we stepped into The Gangsa's grounds. Although the area of Sanur doesn't exactly scream luxury, Kayumanis has done a fantastic job creating an oasis out ... Read More

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Instagram post 2191262001464883691_1586897 We spent Thanksgiving back in North America: Whistler, Canada! A 10 hour flight from Germany , and I can’t say this one was better than the one we took over the summer on our trip to Alaska, but we survived! Entertaining a 11 month old for that long is much harder than a 6 month old, especially when they aren’t into sleeping on the plane AT ALL. 🤪

Whistler was beautiful despite the lack of snow, and we enjoyed our time with family, the delicious food, and as much sightseeing as one could do with a jet-lagged baby. 
This was actually my first trip to Canada ever, (unless you want to count the move my parents took up to Alaska from Arkansas when I was two. 😂🤷‍♀️ ) and I loved it! We would really like to take a big Canadian road trip someday and explore more of the country! 😍😍🇨🇦
Instagram post 2162391766049924598_1586897 Being a mama may mean I don’t always have time to put myself together, but I would rather spend the extra moments making special memories with our daughter that she can cherish forever. I doubt that she will look at this picture and see a tired, messy haired mama that’s barely had time to wash her face nevermind carefully apply makeup, but am hoping she will see a mama that never tires of carrying and cuddling her, or sharing new experiences with her. 💕
Instagram post 2161269753608488280_1586897 Oh Switzerland, you beaut.🇨🇭 We spent a couple days enjoying the beautiful weather in the land of chocolate, cheese, mountains, and cows with bells 😍😍🤩. If you remember, we visited the same area  a month shy of two years ago but but the weather was quite the opposite! I’d have to say though, when you visit such a majestic and beautiful area, it doesn’t matter what the weather is, you’re going to be in awe and love it anyway!
Instagram post 2137973445900634297_1586897 We’re mid-fall festival season here in Germany! Bring on the wine, music, and all the delicious food🤩🤩.
Instagram post 2111707320150069901_1586897 3,285 days of adventure, love, and learning — that’s 9 years I’ve been able to call Derik my husband, and I can truly say it’s only felt like a few years NOT just one year shy of a whole decade. This year has brought so much change with welcoming our daughter into our lives, and through it has only solidified our marriage and how much I am so deeply in love with this man. He’s the best father (as I always knew he would be) and an incredible husband. I am beyond blessed. 
Happy Anniversary and BIRTHDAY my love! 
We need to get more photos of us together, but since having our little one, most of the photos we’ve taken have been just with her! These were taken on our 'babymoon' in Iceland! As I was going through them, I realized I have a ton to share of our trip, so hopefully that’ll come soon!
Instagram post 2104702897498505367_1586897 Summer in Germany. 🌻

This is the fourth one I’ve been through and they’ve all been a bit different: sometimes rainy, sometimes ridiculously hot, sometimes full of bugs, but always beautiful. Flowers, berries, festivals and wine walks in abundance.

The key to successfully living in a new country is to STOP COMPARING and enjoy it for what it is - entirely different than your native country. Embrace the struggle, the experiences, the adventures, the pain, and the beauty or else you’ll tragically lose out what could be one of the most magical times in your life.
Instagram post 2078684799322929913_1586897 Our little girl has officially become a world traveler as of a couple weeks ago! The @condorairlines flight from Germany to Alaska was long, and she only slept 40 minutes out of the 9:10hour trip, but we survived and she still did remarkably well even with being overly-tired.  My hope is our trip back to Germany runs a bit smoother and that she sleeps so mama can sleep too. 😂😬🙏 Prayers welcomed. Between that and the 10 hour time difference, schedules (eating/sleeping) have been thrown way off and I don’t expect them to level out for a few more weeks 😩.
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