About Jamie A
In addition to writing and taking photos during her trips, Jamie loves to find hidden gems, cheap eats, and kitschy Americana attractions. She hails from Oil City, Pennsylvania, went to college in the Finger Lakes Region of New York, studied abroad in Norwich, England, and moved to Boston in May of 2007. She also enjoys writing poetry and lyric essays, reading lots of books, being a foodie, listening to girl group tunes from the 1960s, crafting, and dinner parties with her friends.
Blog posts written by Jamie A
February 19th, 2008 by jamie a
Journaling in Greece Photo uploaded by
Do you like to write in your journal during your vacations? If so, you’ll love the featured on the The New York Times website.
From a mother and daughter traveling to see their family in Sweden to a tour guide traveling along the Silk Road in China, there are 17 fascinating stories complete with beautiful photography.
Do you have a great story you’d like to tell us about your travels?
Let us know in a comment!
Planning a trip to
Oahu?
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February 15th, 2008 by jamie a
Punchbowl Cemetery Photo uploaded by
Our fellow blogger over at the Fly Away Cafe posted focusing on the National Cemetery of the Pacific.
Mary Jo recently traveled to the island of Oahu, where she visited the Punchbowl Crater overlooking Honolulu. She writes:
In addition to its tremendous views of the city, Waikiki, Diamond Head, and Pearl Harbor, the Punchbowl is the final resting place for veterans of World War I, World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. During holidays, the individual graves are decorated with small flags, making a sobering view.
It is a wonderful way to pay respects to our Veterans, as well as learn about the history of the islands that is frequently overlooked.
There’s even an , complete with stunning photographs and the story behind the Punchbowl.
Planning a trip to
Oahu?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Oahu Card.
February 13th, 2008 by jamie a
Iolani Palace Photo uploaded by
Visit the only official state residence of royalty in the United States at in Honolulu.
Once the official home of Hawaii’s last two monarchs, the palace began to be restored in the 1970s and now welcomes tourists from all over the world. It is considered both a national treasure of Hawaii and a National Historic Landmark.
There’s everything from of the property to guided visits to the galleries along with . If you need a special souvenir for those back home, be sure to check out the .
To learn more about visiting the property and the history of the palace, CNN.com has an in-depth article entitled which is a great read.
Planning a trip to
Oahu?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Oahu Card.
February 12th, 2008 by jamie a
Horse in Oahu Photo uploaded by
For a taste of Hawaiian-style rodeo, head over to the on February 15 and 16!
There will be an amateur competition with cowboys, cowgirls, keiki, and kapuna. Along with all the rodeo fun, there’ll be tons of a local food vendors with delicious snacks to try, as well as entertainment and handmade crafts.
The festival will be running from 12-5 pm on both days and is free to the public.
Planning a trip to
Oahu?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Oahu Card.
February 11th, 2008 by jamie a

Honeymoon in Oahu Photo uploaded by
As if the lush tropical setting and beautiful beaches didn’t already convince you, .
The article outlines the geography and environment of the island, as well as the climate and weather couples can expect for their trip. They have suggestions for activities to try during your stay, including watching the giant waves on the beach and hiking the trails in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
You should also be sure to enjoy a luau, kick back with a few Mai Tais, and spend lots of time relaxing to make the most out of your time together!
Planning a trip to
Oahu?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Oahu Card.
February 8th, 2008 by jamie a
Kahuku Shrimp Truck Photo uploaded by
GoHawaii.com offers in Oahu if you’re up for something unique during your vacation.
From grabbing a bite to eat from a shrimp truck to visiting Oahu’s farmer’s market, there’s plenty of things to see and do. The site even offers a list of the “Top Five Ways to Get Off the Beaten Path in Oahu”, complete with a maps of the destinations when you click on the suggestions on the list.
If you’re longing for local flavor and favorite hangouts, this is the perfect guide to start planning your trip.
Planning a trip to
Oahu?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Oahu Card.
February 4th, 2008 by jamie a
Sawyer’s Shack on LOST Photo uploaded by
If you’re a fan of LOST and would love to meet others to watch the show with, !
For the eight remaining weeks of shows (unless the writer’s strike ends…), get together and share your love of the show with locals and tourists alike. We’d like to thank our friends over at the for posting about this new event.
Planning a trip to
Oahu?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Oahu Card.
January 30th, 2008 by jamie a
Golf Course in Oahu Photo uploaded by
If you’re looking to play a few rounds of golf during your Hawaiian jaunt, .
From the in Waikiki to the on the North Shore, the island offers courses with amazingly sculptured formations along with impeccable greens-keeping. If you’re up for adventure, be sure and check out one of the many courses on the island, many of which have been hosts to the PGA tour and multitudes of professional golfers.
Planning a trip to
Oahu?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Oahu Card.
January 28th, 2008 by jamie a
Waikiki Beach Photo Uploaded by
The How-To Travel Guru Jim Gullo recently posted an article entitled a guide to the conditions and environments on a number of sandy shores.
The winter brings varying conditions to all Hawaii’s beaches, and it’s important to know which ones are safe for the non-experienced beach-goers. Jim says that “North Beach, Pipeline, and other great North Shore beaches are strictly for pros right now…the exception to this is Waimea Bay Beach Park, which has a nice, protected lagoon where kids can safely splash around…”
Before jetting off to the islands, be sure to check out Jim’s article. It’s a great first-hand view for travelers to read, as well as a great resource that explains Hawaii’s beaches during the winter season.
Planning a trip to
Oahu?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Oahu Card.
January 25th, 2008 by jamie a
An Albatross on Oahu Photo uploaded by
Besides the stunning botanical wonders that surround you, Oahu also boasts an extensive population of all kinds of birds. From marine birds to urban dwellers, keep your eyes open for these amazing creatures!
You’ll most likely stumble upon an , soaring above the beach. Whether it be a Laysan, Black-Footed, or Short-Tailed, they’ll be gliding effortlessly through the air with their whistle-like voice.
If you’re traveling to Kilauea Point, you may be lucky enough to see a , diving into the water to catch fish and squid. These birds are hard to spot, so it might be best to bring binoculars. There’s also the Masked , the Red-Footed Booby, and the Brown Booby which also plunge into the water to catch their lunch.
You’ll see birds uncommon to tropical climates like the and , who had the same idea as you by jetting off to the islands for the winter months!
While in the country, try and spot a , the state bird of Hawaii. This medium-sized goose likes to hang around golf courses, grasslands, and lowlands. Its caw is much like the Canada Goose or the ‘moo’ of a cow, surprisingly, so you’ll probably hear one before you see it.
Finally, there’s the , a tiny bright scarlet bird with a salmon-colored curled beak. Its feathers were commonly used in featherwork and it was also sung about in many ancient chants, making the bird a legend of the islands.
Planning a trip to
Oahu?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Oahu Card.