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The Cabo, Mexico Wabo!!đŸŒŽđŸ»đŸŽž

by Cabo

One of the biggest photo opportunities in Mexico is the arches in Cabo, Mexico.  

It is a quick, inexpensive flight from Phoenix!  Some EXPATs claim that Cabo has the best weather in Mexico year-round.

Less humidity, bugs, and 80F/26C! đŸ˜ŽđŸïž

I took a tourist boat tour to get a closer look from different angles.  It was pretty incredible to see up close, especially on the day I went, as it was very windy, and the water was crashing, making the arches look even better.  

I put my GoPro underwater as part of the boat ride as the captain through bread out to attract the colorful fish.  

I only stayed a few days as there was not much else that interested me. Cabo is known for its sport fishing, arches, and Sammy Hagar’s Cabo Wabo cantina.  I was able to cover all three in one day during my short visit.  I found a great Airbnb that was within walking distance to the Cabo San Lucas marina, which is where all the action is in town. 

I visited Sammy Hagar’s famous Cabo Wabo Cantina, saw the arches up close, and I have already caught a few Marlin in Hawaii.  Those are the biggest reasons to visit Cabo IMHO, other than the great weather year-round, so maybe I will go back one day again.  

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Kona, Hawaii – Island life on the cheap!đŸïž

by kailua-kona, hawaii

Back in late 2022 and early 2023, I worked remotely from Hawaii for four months, which was absolutely awesome.

It was also mildly stressful, considering there’s a three-hour time difference between Hawaii and Phoenix—and my company had no idea I was in Hawaii.

Early mornings? Brutal.
Sunsets on the beach after work? Worth it.

I just adjusted my calendar, smiled on Zoom, and pretended palm trees were a very convincing virtual background. 🌮😎

Remote work hits different when your biggest daily problem is deciding which beach to “work from” next.

Imagine flying from the West Coast to Hawaii for about $100 USD.
Sounds fake. It’s not. I’ve done it several times.

I even grabbed a Hawaiian Airlines Mastercard that basically said, “Congrats, you’re going to Hawaii again.” Four flights for $5.60 each after one purchase? Don’t mind if I irresponsibly do.

35,000 points.
$5.60 out of pocket.
Seattle to Tokyo. 

I have paid more for an airport coffee many times!

Another example of why people think I’m annoyingly cheap. đŸ€‘

I spent the first two months in Kona staying at a concentration camp Airbnb. 

It can only be described as a maximum-security Airbnb.

Seriously—this place had more rules than a parole agreement. I’ve never experienced anything like it. I was stuck, so I adapted
 but wow. The hosts clearly hated each other, and their mood swings directly affected the rulebook. And yes, the rules changed. Daily. Based on vibes.

At one point, there were 28+ rules, which I had to shrink to a microscopic font just to fit on one page. Think less “vacation rental” and more “choose your behavior wisely.”

I made the best of it by treating the place like a charging station:
Work. Sleep. Leave immediately.

If I wasn’t working or unconscious, I was gone.

The second two months were spent in Honolulu on Oahu, which felt like parole had finally been granted. I wrote a separate blog about that stay, which you can read HERE.

Lesson learned:
Not all Airbnbs are created equal.
Some are destinations.
Some are endurance tests.

Despite the Airbnb being one mood swing away from solitary confinement, it worked out great—I met some amazing people who completely saved the experience.

The second two months were spent in amazing Honolulu, Oahu, in a spectacular place that felt like a complete reset. I wrote a separate blog about that chapter, which you can read HERE.

It still worked out great, because along the way I met some incredible people who turned it into a genuinely local experience.

We went deep-sea fishing and caught my dream fish—a marlin over 350 pounds. The captain later invited us to his home to smoke the marlin, which was unreal. The best way I can describe it is fish jerky with the texture of beef jerky, finished with a lightly spicy marinade. Absolutely next-level.

We fished three times during my first two-month stay and returned twice more on later trips. I also wrote a separate post focused entirely on those fishing adventures, which you can read by clicking HERE.

I was working four days a week, which left me with three full days off. Most mornings, I’d walk to the gym, shower there, and then spend the rest of the day bouncing around town using the downtown Kona trolley, which is completely free. That routine introduced me to Kona in a way that felt natural, not touristy.

I’ve now been to Kona four times:

Once at what I now lovingly refer to as Auschwitz Airbnb (details below),

Once at another Airbnb where an earthquake woke me up, and

Twice at the Kona Beach Hostel, run by a Ukrainian woman who somehow always upgraded me for free.

That hostel is now my go-to whenever I’m back to fish.
If you want an introduction, let me know. Thanks, Victoria!

I spent most days riding the bus around the island, visiting Hilo and a bunch of smaller towns—mostly because I was rarely home and had nowhere better to be. The local Kona trolley deserves special recognition though. It’s one of the best free features on the island, running end to end through Kona and stopping at all of my soon-to-be favorite spots.

Including Kona Brewing Company—which we’ve all tried back home, but hits a little different when you’re drinking it where it’s actually made. Fresh, local, and dangerously easy to justify as “cultural research.”

Kona Brewery – we all have tasted it, but I was getting it right from the tit!

O’la Seltzer Brewery – they used all of the island flavors to create seltzer magic that went awesome with poke!!

Willie’s Hot Chicken – the absolute best chicken fingers and live music on the island.

Two-Step diving – Just like the name, there are two steps into the water, and you’re in snorkeling paradise.

Foodland Poke Bar – I would get the absolute best poke lunch and dinner for under $10.

Quinn’s almost by the sea – This was where I found the absolute best one, the absolute best tasting fish. 

Harbor House restaurant – this is where in the marina where we would often go after fishing, as it was in the marina.

The whole time I was in Kona, there was an active volcano.  You could see it across the island, and we even visited to get a closer look a couple of times. 

During my two months there, the active volcano lit up the night sky like something out of a sci-fi movie. The photos above were as close as we could safely get—and of course it was cloudy that day—but the drive home at night was unreal, with an orange glow stretching across the horizon.

I also visited Hawaii Volcanoes National Park before the eruption to see it up close. You could clearly see how the earthquakes had torn up sections of the road, a reminder that the island does whatever it wants, whenever it wants.

Even crazier—you could see the glow from across the island at night, right from my Airbnb. Hawaii doesn’t ease you into moments like that. It just casually drops them into your evening and says, “Yeah
 this happens.”

Hawaii doesn’t ask for your attention—it just reminds you who’s in charge, then goes back to erupting like it’s no big deal.

I’d watch the Edmonton Oilers play hockey while an active volcano lit up the sky outside.

Hard to beat that for an intermission show.

costalifeguard

Costa Rican adventures!đŸ”đŸŠ„đŸŒ§ïžđŸŒŽđŸ©Ž

by Quepos
The first time I traveled to Costa Rica was to Tamarindo and then twice to Jaco on my Volaris, all fly pass. Both cities were amazing for different reasons. 

The closest airport to Tamarindo is Liberia which is about 30 minutes and Tamarindo is accessible by bus. In my opinion, Tamarindo is more of a party town with more nightlife but there is nothing wrong with visiting. 

Jaco is about a two-hour bus ride from the San Jose airport, and it was a lot more my style. 

It is slower-paced, and I found a lot more to do in the area, including Manuel Antonio National Park. The park is located near Quepos, and it can be reached by local bus from Jaco in about an hour. In Quepos and especially the park, you will find tons of monkeys and, with a keen eye or a tour guide, sloths. 

Both monkeys and sloths are synonymous when someone brings up Costa Rica, along with the breathtaking beaches and rainforests.  Both monkeys and sloths are mysterious creatures in many different ways. Monkeys in my opinion as little assholes, I have experienced their antics in Thailand and Costa Rica. They will steal right from your hand, throw their shit at you and howl like crazy giving you the creeps at night. 

I have seen it all happen, which can be maddening if they get your phone, wallet, sunglasses, or nail you with a deuce.  The howling monkeys were next to my Airbnb in Tamarin, which was wild.

These picutres were taken in the city of Quepos and within the Nationaly Park.

Costa Rica is not that expensive if you do it right. I have stayed in the La Hacienda in Jaco twice, and this sweet Airbnb in Tamarindo that had an amazing patio with a hammock. 

I rented a room in both places for about USD 35 a night, but you can get a hostel bed for under $20 a night in Jaco. It is a short walk from the bus stop that drops you off in San Jose, and the bus that takes you to Manuel Antonio Park via Quepos.

I also have had the absolute best hamburger in my life at Ridiculous Burgers and the most amazing Coconut flavored beer and wings at Puddlefish Brewery both times I have visited. You’re missing out if you do not hit all of these places in Jaco! 

The below is the hostel, so amazing to catch the Oilers game from the pool too!

My visit to Tamarindo was awesome and I got to experience the howling monkeys.  This was a park next to my Airbnb first thing in the morning.  They woke me up every morning so I wanted to see if I could catch a glimpse of them.

They were so loud and a bit creepy to see and, especially hear them doing their thing! 

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Vietnam – Pho, coffee, tea and me!🍜

by HCMC / SaigonTravel bucket list

One of the best parts of traveling—anywhere—is street food and trying the local beer.

I don’t care if you’re in your hometown, a different province or state, checking out a new food truck, or traveling internationally and ordering food from a cart that looks like it might be pulled by a donkey. It all counts. And it’s all worth trying at least once.

Street food tells you more about a place than most restaurants ever will. It’s fast, cheap, local, and honest. You’re eating what people who live there actually eat—not a polished version made for tourists.

For me, it all started with Mexico and street tacos. That was the gateway. I still try new taco stands every chance I get, and I’ve got favorites in cities all over the map. The same goes for street noodles, skewers, soups, and whatever else is sizzling on a cart when I walk by.

Pair it with a local beer, stand on the street, watch life go by—that’s the good stuff.

Some people collect souvenirs.
I collect meals.

EDIT: I loved it so much that I’m heading back at the end of 2025 to explore Northern Vietnam in more depth. When a place pulls you back that fast, you listen.

I definitely found my favorites, but I still make it a point to try at least one new spot every day. That’s easy to do when most street food meals cost a few dollars—or less. The risk is low, and the reward is usually high.

On my very first morning, I stumbled into a small neighborhood coffee shop in Hanoi. I’ve gone back every single day since, and today is day five. The owner knows exactly what I like—iced coffee and tea—and keeps refilling them as needed for the same price: 87 cents.

Yesterday, I sat there for three hours, listening to a hockey game and surfing the internet. My total bill?
Under a dollar.

That’s not just cheap—that’s a lifestyle

The cold tea was so addictive!  This was my favorite, lemongrass! It was $1-$2 at a nice cafe, but a lot cheaper at the street vendors.  I enjoyed both!

Below is an outdoor food court with hundreds of choices—rows of stalls cooking everything imaginable, all in one place. You can walk for ten minutes and change your mind 20X on lunch.

This is where indecision becomes part of the experience
 and where pointing at what looks good is often the best strategy.

This place does not mess around—and you can tell immediately from the video and the photos. The scale, the energy, the nonstop cooking
 It’s organized chaos in the best possible way.

If there was ever a place where “just one more bite” turns into a full-blown food crawl, this is it.

 

solana

My Airbnb in Mesa, AZ! đŸŒ„đŸŒ”đŸŒžđŸ˜Ž

by ArizonaMy Airbnb

The heated pool, hot tub, and neighborhood are perfect for snowbirds or those looking to escape the cold! 

The link to my amazing condo:

âžĄïžâžĄïžÂ AirbnbÂ âŹ…ïžâŹ…ïž

Make sure you check out the weekly 10% and monthly 20% discounts.

Gated community living at its finest with two pools (main pool heated), a hot tub, and a business center with a common area for printing or playing pool.

Check out the website for the exact location and more information on the property: 

Click hereâžĄïžÂ : Solana Luxury Condominium Rentals | Apartments in Gilbert, AZ

Perfect for working from home!

Ergonomic sit/stand desk
Ergonomic desk chair.
High-speed internet.
Black and white laser printer, shredder, and water cooler in the office area.

Guest access:

One covered parking spot.
Additional uncovered parking for guests.
Keyless entry to the complex and the condo.

Other things to note:

(Below links are from 85206 zip code)

Walking:
Safeway/Fry’s/Sprouts 10 minutes
Walmart 20 minutes
Restaurants near me – Search
A canal trail system for walking/biking is 5 minutes away – Search

Driving:
Sky Harbor airport: 30 minutes 

Mesa Gateway Airport: 15 minutes

ASU main campus: 30 minutes

Cardinals football: 1 hour+

Suns/Mercury basketball: 30 minutes

Valley light rail station: 15 minutes

Downtown Scottsdale: 30 minutes

Mountain hiking/biking: Hawes’s trail, 20 minutes.

I have stayed in over, click below to read my blog:

âžĄïž100 Airbnb’s around the worldâŹ…ïž

I try to use my experiences to pay it forward with my guests. 

There is no better feeling than ensuring my guests have a great stay!

I pride myself on a five-star rating!  

Here are some recent guest comments:

A happy guest is a potential repeat guest! 

One Of The Best Places For Retirees In 2025 Is A City In Arizona With Unparalleled Hiking And Outdoor Activities

Scottsdale is generally 20-30% higher than Mesa, AZ, for accommodations, so why pay the extra money?

Data provider Niche released its 2025 rankings of top places to retire, with Scottsdale, Arizona, topping the list. Scottsdale earned an A grade for its public schools, benefits to families, and its nightlife. Also, when you consider that Arizona had one of the best economies in 2024, it’s no wonder that the city has a median income that exceeds national rates. Scottsdale boasts a median income of $107,372, whereas, according to data from the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, the national median income was $80,610 as of 2023.

Aside from the economic potential in the city, Niche also points out the bars, restaurants, and outdoor benefits of living in Scottsdale. The city not only provides a good blend of urban and rural offerings, but it also offers beautiful desert views that can add scenery to golfing, hiking, and arts and cultural experiences. As a bonus, per the U.S. Census Bureau, a retired person living in Scottsdale would have a hard time being lonely, considering 26.2% of the population is age 65 and above. With that in mind, there can be some financial considerations to keep in mind.

The cost of living can ultimately be a deterrent for some retirees hoping to move to Scottsdale. Per a Mortgage Bankers Association release, the national median mortgage payment for new buyers in the U.S. was $2,173 per month as of March 2025. And, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, the median sale price for homes in the first quarter of 2025 was $416,900. Meanwhile, the median asking rent in the 50 largest metros in the U.S., per March 2025 data from Realtor.com, was $1,694 per month. In Scottsdale, the median sale price of a home is closer to $941,000, well above the national median for the sale price of a home in the U.S. Meanwhile, according to Zillow, the average rental rate in Scottsdale was a whopping $3,090 — or between $1,800 to $2,500 for a one-bedroom.

According to Arizona-based Berkshire Hathaway realtor Michelle Miller, home values rose 14.4% in 2024. Similarly, she estimates that the average monthly expense for a single person in Scottsdale was around $3,639 in late 2024. Utilities, including internet, cost between $300 to $450 per month, while transportation costs were roughly $200 to $250 with insurance per month. Not to mention, a month of groceries costs between $300 to $400. However, you will avoid the cost of crime that comes with living in some of America’s most dangerous cities, since both violent and property crime in Scottsdale fall below national average rates.

While you will pay more for the benefits of living in Scottsdale, there are many benefits to enjoy. For one thing, it’s sunny almost every day of the year, with temperatures averaging around 69 degrees Fahrenheit in January, with highs of 105 degrees Fahrenheit in warmer months like August. The city also offers many free to attend events, like the Scottsdale location of the Arizona Community Farmers’ Market. 

Meanwhile, you can also take advantage of day trips to nearby Old Creek Canyon, the Grand Canyon, or even the San Francisco Peaks. You can also consider renting a cabin at Kartchner Caverns State Park, with guided tours of nearby caves. The Sonoita/Elgin area is considered Arizona’s wine country, where wineries like Sonoita Vineyards offer regular tours and tastings. These natural amenities make Arizona one of the best budget vacation destinations in the U.S.Â