Great Barrier Reef: Heron Island

Remember when I visited Australia, got halfway through posting photos, then disappeared for awhile all distracted by my full time job working retail over the holidays?  It’s time to get caught up.  Over the next few weeks, every Friday I’ll be sharing the rest of my travel photos from the epic Australian journey.

Heron Island is actually quite difficult to describe.  It’s one of those surreal Discovery Channel beauty type of places that just saying “It was so beautiful” doesn’t even scratch the surface of how I really felt.  The skies are the purest blue of blues and the ocean looks as if a turquoise diamond has melted over the reefs.  This island is located on the Southern end of the Great Barrier Reef so the coral is mostly browns and neutrals with a few great pops of color.  The bright colorful coral is more North where the water is warmer.

One of the fantastically fun things about Heron Island in particular is that during low tide, you can walk a good mile from shore and only be up to thigh deep water.  It’s such a remarkably unique way to visit the reef!  We were able to spot tons of sea life just during these walks alone.  Bright blue starfish, neon lipped clams, sea cucumbers everywhere, and we were even lucky enough to spot a sea turtle both times we did a reef walk.  You’re literally in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef, surrounded by wildlife.  From birds to sharks, you’ll have some form of wildlife in sight at all times.

This Island is known for its sea turtle activity.  While we visited in October, the sea turtles were in mating season.  We witnessed quite a bit of sea turtle love and saw evidence of the females coming to shore for a little rest.  Apparently, the males practically drown the females while, you know, getting busy so the ladies need a break.  A sea turtle cigarette so to speak.  At other times during the year, visitors can witness the entire sea turtle life cycle.  I would have died to see the baby turtles!  Next time, I suppose.

 

Fun fact: Heron Island was named after these birds above but they’re actually Egrets!

To plan your visit to Heron Island, click here.

I Got To Feed A Buffalo – Olympic Game Farm

For all the years I’ve been heading to Washington to visit family, I can’t believe I (the super duper animal lover) was the  only one in my family not to visit the Olympic Game Farm.  Not only is there a pretty incredible variety of animals in this little park, you can feed them while driving your car through it!  Hello!  This is a Chelsea dream come true!  Have you ever gotten to feed a Yak?  Or a buffalo?  How about a BABY buffalo?!  I knew I was in for a treat when the attendant tells you to “just keep moving” when you get to the Elk/Buffalo enclosure.  And let me tell you, those Elk are just as tall as our Suburban!

I had the pleasure of going in the Spring after all sorts of babies had been born.  I mean, come on!  All baby animals are just plain cute.  A lot of these animals are rescued from bad situations which makes me extra happy to see them roaming this beautiful place.  Many of the bears are retired from show business and will sit back and give you a little wave for their treat too.  Talk about cuteness overload!  If only we could hug them…

For more information on this super fun game farm, head on over to their website here.  My only recommendation is… get a car wash soon after.  Hehehe.

Hungry Deer!

I’ve never had a deer so happy to see me!

Bear Yoga

Baby llama sleeping in the grass

Hungry buffalo!! I couldn’t believe they walked right up to our car!

Uh oh. There’s a yak in the road…

Hungry yak! Look at those teeth! He has a bit of an underbite going on there…

Isn’t this the sweetest face?!

This guy trotted after us as we drove away!

Uh oh. Another yak on the road…

Home on the range. Not a bad place to be living.

 

Merry Christmas, Ya Filthy Animals!

Merry Christmas all you lovelies!  I hope your holidays were spectacular and Santa was good to you this year.  That is if you were good!  I mentioned earlier that my family was doing an ugly Christmas sweater theme for our get together and here’s my contribution.  It makes me giggle… but it was 80 degrees outside so I was over heating a little bit.  It still made for a pretty great family photo.  I can’t wait to get my hands on a copy and share with you on Twitter (@WanderingHeels) and Instagram (@WanderingInHeels).  Thank you so much for reading and I hope you all had the best holidays yet!

My honey got me a banjo! I can’t wait to start my lessons!!

 

 

Sweater: BooHoo, Shoes: Sole Society c/o

Monday Must-Have Lust List: Ugly Christmas Sweater Edition

I love a good ugly Christmas sweater.  I just can’t help but smile!  My family is even wearing them on actual Christmas day!  It’ll make for some pretty awesome family photos, that’s for sure.  It’s fun to hunt the Goodwill for a great unique sweater but they get pretty picked over this time of year.  Luckily, the ugly Christmas sweater theme is really popular so sweaters are available at regular retail locations.  Here are some of my favorite picks from my search this year.

1) Wildfox Baby Christmas Tree Sweater

 2) TopShop Knitted Holly Jumper

3) Ella Cat Christmas Sweater

4) Zoe Karssen Grinch Sweater

5) J.Crew Llama Sweater

6) Ugly Christmas Sweater Kit

7) TopShop Gingerbread Man Sweater

8) Bar III Reindeer Sweater

Clam Digging in Washington

That’s right, my friends.  I went digging for clams in Washington.  Over our Thanksgiving trip, Tyler’s family suggested a camping adventure to Pacific Beach to dig for razor clams.  I’m game to try anything once but got a little freaked out after looking at the weather report.  It kept warning of an “Arctic Invasion” (“Killer Snowflakes!”  My mom exclaimed) and the thought of battling almost freezing temperatures with high winds and rain while clomping through the wave edge looking for razor clam holes was not as appealing as I originally thought.  We totally lucked out though.  When the tide was low, the weather broke and we had an absolutely great time.  I was shocked how fun it really was!  That was until we got to the cleaning the clams part…  I’ll spare you the details.

P.S. – I wore this look when I went to get my clamming license at Sportman’s Warehouse.  I don’t think they believed me that I was actually going to use it…

 

 

I Just Want To Be Comfy

Sometimes your look is literally all about comfort… with a dash of fun of course!  That’s what I was feeling with today’s outfit.  It’s a totally casual look with Kate Spade doughnut flats and a Jennafer Grace striped scarf to add a little spice.  And it wouldn’t be me without a little color so I added my Chanel long sleeve shirt I was so generously gifted a while back.

I’m so loving the cool weather finally arriving in San Diego!  Although, I know a lot of you are experiencing actual real cold so this is nothing!  In a week we will be heading to Washington for Thanksgiving and I’m crossing my fingers for a bit of snow!

Scarf: Jennafer Grace, Shirt: Chanel, Vest: Echo, Jeans: Citizens of Humanity, Shoes: Kate Spade

‘Tis The Season Holiday Shopping Event

For as long as I’ve been in San Diego, I’ve never had the opportunity to visit The University Club, a members-only club at the Symphony Towers in downtown.  So when the invitation came along for me to attend their ‘Tis The Season Shopping event, I jumped at it!  We got to sip champagne and browse vendor booths from Fashion Valley Mall.  The view of downtown from the club is beautiful.  I was there after dark but I would imagine it’s a stunning place for sunset cocktails.  It was a perfect way to get my holiday spirit sparked and get some gift ideas.  I was particularly tempted by some gorgeous Chanel sunglasses but refrained.  Can’t let the champagne do my spending!  😉

 

These boots can convert from booties to knee highs! Genius!

Being silly at the Ugg booth

How do you like my new ‘do?

The view from The University Club is spectacular!

The top pair are the ones I’m lusting over. There are little pearls on the top!!

I’m still swooning over these Chanel sunglasses…

Swimming with Dolphins

During our stay at The Kahala Resort and Spa, I had the pleasure of meeting an Atlantic Bottlenose dolphin named Liko.  For my experience, I so lucked out that I was the only one to sign up for that time slot.  That means I got to paddle around the lagoon with my arm around Liko for about 20 minutes all my myself!!  It was so much fun!!!  I basically turned into a giggling little girl and couldn’t break my giant grin.

The dolphins are so sweet and gentle with their guests.  I even saw a girl no more than 3 years old in the water with them at some point!  They’re like water puppies!  They love rubs, praises, treats, and toys.  So adorable.

You also get to learn some dolphin commands such as holding out both index fingers and lowering them to the water will tell the dolphin to sink down to the bottom of the pool.  They love coming back to get their fresh squid for a job well done.  If you’re ever in Oahu, you must at least swing by The Kahala Resort and Spa to watch these guys at play.  They’re hysterical!

For more info on how you can book your own dolphin experience, click here or call 1-808-739-8918.

Dolphin hugs!

Rental Review: Mika Taki House with Lagoon

This house is almost too spectacular to review.  I kind of want to keep it a secret so it stays our little hidden gem.  I can’t do that to you though!  The whole point of visiting these amazing places it to share them!

This 4 bedroom 4.5 bathroom house is situated just a few blocks from the main Hilo area but is far enough away to feel secluded.  You’re surrounded by lush tropical rainforest that bursts to life every night.  The froggy noises are so loud that light sleepers might have a difficult time sleeping.  It felt really fun for us though since it’s unlike anything I’ve ever experienced.  The home itself is fully stocked with everything you could possibly need on your stay.  Seriously, we didn’t need to buy anything while we were there except bug spray (and food and wine of  course).  With all the rain (Hilo has the highest rainfall in the USA!) comes lots of bugs.  I got about a million mosquito bites on our stay in Hilo.  I’m kind of a target for them though.  I’ll get 12 and my friends will get 1… so unfair.

Another amazing bonus about this place is the private lagoon with waterfall.  It’s spectacular.  You could probably not leave the house for a few days and just lounge by the lagoon, BBQ, and be perfectly content with life.  The lagoon has big tadpoles, prawns, and tons of little fishies that were fun to watch.  It’s a tad on the chilly side but a nice relief from the warm weather and humidity.

We’re talking about renting this place out for our entire family some time soon.  It’s really one of the best rental properties I’ve ever experienced.  Leaving was the only thing I didn’t like about it.

Find out more info or book your stay here!

Tons of tropical fruit trees surround the property

The rainforest view from our bedroom

A cute sitting area overlooking the rainforest

Huge palms trees tower over the property

Loved the secluded lagoon

Stunning lagoon… I couldn’t believe it was our own!

A cute little dock on the lagoon

Boys will be boys…

The steps down to the lagoon

Matsumoto Shave Ice

While visiting Oahu, I think it’s a mandatory stop to pick up some shave ice at the famous Matsumoto Grocery Store.  I’d like to point out that in Hawaii, it’s called Shave Ice not Shaved Ice.  The line was horrendous all the days we were there but we finally decided to brave the masses.  It wasn’t so bad and the line moved really quick since they have a perfect assembly line set up.

I got the Hawaiian flavor (I mean… we’re in Hawaii afterall!) which was 3 flavors of Pineapple, Coconut, and Banana.  Frankly, it’s a little bit too sweet for my taste so I couldn’t finish it.  But for the fun and experience, it was totally worth it! Especially since my giant (truly a size small) was only $2.50!

Top: Matthew Williamson Escape