Author Archives: Karina's Extraordinary Life

Rockin Philly- Keeping Fit On A Road Trip

Another extraordinary film by April Beresford created for http://www.karinasextraordinarylife.com

Throughout our journey we have come across several fellow travelers who have reported that they often gain weight while on road trip. Their report:
“I am sitting in the same position for hours on end.”
“Often I end up snacking on convenience store food all day.”
“I end up being ‘too tired to move’ once I finally reach my destination, so all I want to do is relax.”

News Flash! Stopping to stretch your legs while gassing up the car just isn’t enough to keep you healthy and lean! The best way to stay fit is to work-out WHILE sight-seeing! In this video, Karina and I show you how to do this through our experience ‘being ridiculous and somewhat immature’ in downtown Philadelphia. There is a good chance we COULD HAVE BEEN ARRESTED while making this video, we both STILL feel that the overall message is sound. =)

Watch as Karina and I conquer the iconic Rocky Steps outside the Philadelphia Museum Art. These 72 stone steps were made famous for their appearance in the triple-Oscar-winning film Rocky.
Remember, exercise CAN and SHOULD be fun! You just need to have a creative imagination.

~ April Beresford ~

For more information, check out “Rockin Philly.”

Music by: Jessie J

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The Blue Ridge Parkway – America’s Favourite Drive

Blue Ridge Parkway Overlook, Virginia, USA - Karina Noriega
Blue Ridge Parkway, Virginia, USA - Karina Noriega

Entering the Blue Ridge Parkway, Virginia, USA – Karina Noriega

The Blue Ridge Parkway, voted ‘America’s Favourite Drive’, is a 469 mile track through the Appalachian Highlands connecting Shenandoah National Park (also known as the Skyline Drive) in Virginia to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina.

Blue Ridge Parkway, Virginia, USA - Karina Noriega

At my absolute favourite outlook point, somewhere on the Blue Ridge Parkway, Virginia, USA – Karina Noriega

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New York City for Free – Weekends and Anytime Edition

Part II of New York City for Free – The Weekend and Anytime Edition

Before I delve into more free things to see and do, let us take a moment to acknowledge that not everything in New York can be free. That being said, if you are looking for a good place to spend your hard earned dollars, the list is endless so choose wisely.

My suggestions:

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New York City SightSeeing – A Film

Hands down, brand-new favourite film by April! Longer than previous videos but absolutely packed with high energy clips from our 2 weeks of adventuring and trouble-making (all for only dollars a day of course) throughout the boroughs of New York City. So many good moments: Top of the Rock, the NY Subway, Times Square, eating cheap Chinatown pork buns at Tiffany’s 😛 and so much more.

~ An Extraordinary Story by Karina Noriega ~

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Tweet me @KarinaXLife

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https://www.youtube.com/user/KNExtraordinaryLife/videos

 

Read my guide to seeing it all for next-to-nothing at

Weekdays:

https://karinasextraordinarylife.com/2014/05/24/free-new-york-city-weekdays/

Weekends and Anytime: 

https://karinasextraordinarylife.com/2014/06/09/free-new-york-city-weekends-anytime/

 

Going Nomad – Film

Introducing my talented co-pilot April Beresford.

A brilliant and compassionate soul, she is the greatest friend and travel companion I could ever wish for. I am thrilled to share this journey with her and to see her continue to develop her talents as an amateur filmmaker.

~ Karina ~

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New York City for Free – The Weekday Edition

The extravaganza and glamour of New York City for free? They said it couldn’t be done, but we showed them! This handy guide is my gift to you to experience a full week (or more) of completely free tours, landmarks and attractions in New York City, USA.

FYI: Nearly every activity (but not 100%) on this list has been truthfully tested and joyously experienced by myself and April. We receive no rewards or special treatment for advertising any of these as they are already being given away, literally. It is simply my goal to share and inspire you to do and see more without financial limitations.

Part I of New York City for Free – The Weekday Edition

Monday

Start your New York journey at the same place where this great city was born, now known as Lower Manhattan.

Take the free ferry to Staten Island and back for free! Breathtaking views of the Manhattan skyline, the Brooklyn bridge, the Hudson and East Rivers, Staten Island, New Jersey and of course, the closest you can get to Lady Liberty without shelling out a pretty penny. (http://www.siferry.com)

Manhattan skyline from the Staten Island Ferry, NY, USA – Karina Noriega

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Gotham City Takes A Lifetime

Times Square in the Rain - NYC, USA - Karina Noriega

To tell a tale that hasn’t been told is one of the most challenging aspects of this newcomer travel blog. Token magazines (with their extensive resources & connections) keep finding unexplored, unknown and often more dangerous places to send their brave young journalists. Perhaps (enthusiastically hopeful) that will be me someday, but for now I will happily struggle to interest you with a new version of one of the most written about cities on earth:

New York City!

Brooklyn Bridge at Night – NYC, USA – Karina Noriega
Manhattan skyline from the Staten Island Ferry, NY, USA – Karina Noriega
First day in NYC, USA – Karina Noriega
Hell’s Kitchen, FDNY – Karina Noriega
Soaking up the Rain, NY, USA – Karina Noriega
Central Park Sunsets, Manhattan, NY, USA – Karina Noriega
April and Karina do NYC, USA – Karina Noriega
Times Square in the Rain – Panorama – NYC, USA – Karina Noriega

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Spring Fling

Wide.MennoniteFarm, NY USA - Karina Noriega

The hardest part is over. I can finally sink into the soggy part of the passenger seat and just breath. April is taking first shift. Maybe I will catch a nap. Sleep has been in short supply for over a month.

iheartNY.comSign, NY USA – Karina Noriega
Williamsville Village Hall, NY, USA – Karina Noriega
AllAmerican, NY, USA – Karina Noriega
First US Picninc, Somewhere in NY, USA – Karina Noriega
Amherst Municipal, NY, USA – Karina Noriega
IglooHouse in NY, USA – Karina Norieg
Queenstons-Lewiston, CANADA-USA – Karina Noriega
Wide.MennoniteFarm, NY USA – Karina Noriega

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WELCOME

Monument Valley, Arizona/Utah, USA - Karina Noriega

Welcome to Karina’s Extraordinary Life

I’m so, so, so excited to launch this blog in conjunction with my latest global adventure. It has been an unbelievable learning curve for me as I slowly developed the skills necessary to create what you see here on your screen. Don’t be surprised if you continue to see changes and improvements as I introduce myself into the travel blogging community as well as becoming a social media buff 🙂 (Please share with me if you have suggestion or have noticed anything within the site that is not working.)

So the long and short of it all starts today. I traded my job, home and a possibly successful career as a neuroscientist for the unknown, unstable, unexplored, unsung, uncertain and unpredictable. The last few months have complete evaporated. I swear I just made the decision to spend the first stage of this voyage living out of my truck while traveling across North America. Now the blast off date has come and gone.

Tank- Karina Noriega

My home for the next 4 months, the unstoppable Tank- Karina Noriega

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Rice Terrace Wanderings

Rice Terrace, Northern Vietnam -- Karina Noriega

As if being set in a terrace laced village high in the mountains of Northern Vietnam wasn’t far removed enough already, I venture farther. Beyond the tracks of any road. Beyond the comfortable reach for many of the other daring travellers with whom I made the overnight train trip to the city of Sapa, followed by a long hike into the countryside to find our tribal homestay.

When all paths disappear, I tread carefully between the steep rice paddy staircases. Pigs lay in the mud taking in the warmth of the sun. Water buffalos trim leaves from the tall, thick bamboo brush. Ducklings waggle along afraid to jump in the murky waters that hold rice when the season is in bloom. Villagers pass by me in their traditional H’mong dress and rubber boots. They smile widely, multicoloured teeth gapped here and there. They all say “Hello, where are you from? How old are you?” It doesn’t matter that our communication may be limited. They are warm, friendly and obviously hard working. I am on their lands now.

A wanderer through the paddies, Vietnam — Karina Noriega
H’mong woman and child, Sapa, Vietnam — Karina Noriega
H’mong baby, Northern Vietnam — Karina Noriega
Sapa, Vietnam — Karina Noriega
Leaving Sapa for the countryside, Vietnam — Karina Noriega

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My Extraordinary Guide To Guyana

Kaeiteur Falls, Guyana -- Karina Noriega

My Extraordinary Guide To Guyana

       When research began on the Guyana portion of my South America journey I immediately found information hard to come by. Often there is a complete lack of info, contacts, and the links only led to dead ends. With this in mind, I decided to create my own mini guidebook for travellers’ looking to come to this little tropical haven. 

(Click on any picture to enlarge and scroll through.)

River carves its way through the jungle from Kaeiteur Falls, Guyana — Karina Noriega
Most recommended eatery by locals: Jerries, Georgetown, Guyana — Karina Noriega
Turtle egg, Georgetown, Guyana — Karina Noriega
Starbroek Market Square, Georgetown, Guyana — Karina Noriega
Guarding a gold shop in Georgetown, Guyana — Karina Noriega
Co-pilot duties, Guyana — Karina Noriega
Boat trip down the Essequibo River in Southern, Guyana — Karina Noriega
The most magnificent bird I have ever seen in my life. Unfortunately trapped in a tiny, dumpy cage at a substandard zoo in Georgetown, Guyana — Karina Noriega
Another beautiful jungle creature trapped in a tiny, dumpy cage at a substandard zoo in Georgetown, Guyana — Karina Noriega

All information presented was gathered during my August 2013 visit to the country. 

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Fireworks

AN EXPLOSIVE GUATEMALAN TRADITION

I challenge you to find a more beautiful and exciting Christmas tradition anywhere.

What I just observed is unrivalled by any city in any country in the world! Perched up high above the city lights I witnessed the heavens come to life. When 4 million people simultaneously set off firebombs across the night sky it is a delight for all your senses. The smoky sulfur fills you with joy. The streams of whistles, bangs and every decibel explosions from far and wide rattle you deep in your core. The colours and sparkles spread across the atmosphere eventually mingling with the bright lights from a valley of homes and streets. You feel the tingle of amazement and wonder too know that all the souls in this place are sharing this special moment. From every single level of society, the mansions high above to the slums deep below, everyone; man, woman and child is experiencing this spectacular display just the same. Continue reading →

Freedom Rider

It started like any other day, waking up in a strange world full of opportunity and discovery with no plans or expectations. What it became, a 2 day expedition; just me, my backpack and a shiny new rented Honda I recently learned to ride, into places seemingly unseen by any foreigner or wanderer.

Past the rice paddies, rivers and waterfalls. Past countless villages inhabited by more than 20 different Ethnic tribes, through the NPA; massive jungles tangled high into the mountains of Northern Laos, following exhilarating hair pin bends that swayed my body in a rhythmic motion over the hills and through the valleys. For hours, with the road at my command I went in and out of paths big and small meeting villagers along the way. Continue reading →

Deep Water Tornadoes

Deep Water Tornadoes, Thailand

I haven’t had the chance to do any climbing while here in tiny Ton Sai, a town, no, village, no… a spit of white sand crammed between enormous limestone peaks, jutting out of the earth and ocean. A few bungalows and restaurants have sprung back up since this place was decimated in the 2004 tsunami. There are no roads, and only a few hours a day of electricity. But back to climbing thing, I took a chance today and joined the Deep Water Solo Climbing adventure group. Yesterday’s group returned at 3pm, more than enough time to shower and catch the last boat out to the mainland. 

My favourite spit of land: Ton Sai, Thailand – Karina Noriega
Quetzal tests the warm Andaman Coast water – Karina Noriega
Lunch break from climbing in a hidden beach miles from shore – Karina Noriega
Low Tides create extended periods of time when boats cannot approach Ton Sai – Karina Noriega
High Tide @ Ton Sai – Karina Noriega

My visa expires tomorrow and it would cost me 500 Baht per day for any over time. I need to get to Krabi today so I can take the 6am bus to Satun, where I will then catch an international ferry to Malaysia’s Langkawi. At least, I was supposed to…

So I woke up bright and early today excited for my chance to combine two amazing adrenaline sports over the clearest waters of the Andaman coast: Rock Climbing and Cliff jumping. Basically you get to free climb (no ropes) over the jagged peaks rising out of the warm waters that you will eventually land in when you fall, or more desirably, jump into after conquering your climb. It was a long, hot, awesome, hot, fun, did I mention hot? day. The sun was beaming all day. We climbed, we snorkeled, we ate on a beautiful deserted beach, we kayaked and then climbed some more. Continue reading →