Coasting With Culture: Travel Vlogs

A look at the first hand experiences traveling to various parts of the world! The videos are sorted by when the trip took place, and have links to YouTube through the thumbnails.

A Quick Coaster Riding Escape in 2020

A Much Needed Escape Searching For
Coaster Credits (September 21-23, 2020)
As 2020 has been a rough year for many people including a lack of stability in their employment situation. As one of those whose job situation has changed multiple times, it felt like a good time for a needed break from the chaos of the ever-changing work scenario, and see about checking some needed coaster credits off of the to do list.
The Escape Continues at Silver Dollar City
(September 23-24, 2020)
After spending the past few days driving around for mostly shameless coasters, there was enough time to head to Silver Dollar City for their great coasters while also checking out the Harvest Festival, with tons of pumpkins and specialty crafts.
​
A Pacific Coast Day Trip For a New
Coaster Credit & More (August 23, 2020)
A smaller park in the town of Seaside, Oregon recently opened a coaster they brought over from Pennsylvania, and it was a beautiful day for a day trip with some scenic views, a historic Lewis & Clark location, the park, a local brewery and seeing if a park on the Washington Coast was open.
A Day at Enchanted Forest & How COVID-19 Has Changed Things (​June 28, 2020)
Enchanted Forest recently opened back up, and this smaller park in Turner, Oregon has implemented some changes in response to the COVID-19 Pandemic. We'll take a look at these changes and a few of the park's best attractions.
​
A Day at Enchanted Forest & How COVID-19 Has Changed Things (​May 30, 2020)
Here's a look at the recent opening day of Silverwood Theme Park after delaying opening due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. We'll see what are some of the changes the park has implemented to try and keep guests and staff safe, and a look at some of the best rides in the park as well.

2020 South America Trip - ECUADOR

Part 1: Exploring Quito
​(January 20-22, 2020)
The second country of this South America journey is Ecuador, and it begins with a couple days in Quito for a visit to VulQano Park, Basilica of the National Vow and Quito's Old Town area.
​
Part 2: Beyond Quito
​(January 23-24, 2020)
After explaining the abrupt end to the previous vlog, it's a day trip out to the town of Baños with a scenic bus ride and hopes of finding another coaster credit, followed by a look at how one major problem during the trip is solved by a quick excursion to another country.
Part 3: Exploring Guayaquil
​(January 25, 2020)
Arriving to the other primary city of this visit in Ecuador, the first day is spent exploring Ecuador's most populous city, from the views of Cerro Santa Ana to exploring Malecón 2000 and Malecón del Salado, while also getting to ride a couple coasters at two smaller amusement parks, and seeing the iguanas of Parque Seminaro.
Part 4: The Last of Ecuador
​(January 26-27, 2020)
The last day and a half in Ecuador is spent at a quirky water park with a bunch of random painted cars and sculptures based on various popular shows and movies, then spending an evening back at Malecón 2000, an one final morning and afternoon wondering through the city, with a visit to Parque Centenario.

2020 South America Trip - Colombia

Part 1: Parque Del Café  ​(January 15, 2020)
The first day in Colombia begins with a visit to Parque del Café, an amusement park created by the Colombian Coffee Farmers of the region where they teach visitors about the nation's coffee culture. They also offer some fun coasters as well!​
​
Part 2: Misadventures Flying Around Colombia  ​(January 16-17, 2020)
Plans for the second day of this Colombia visit involved stops in the cities of Cali and Pasto. What was originally meant to be an easy two city, two coaster credit stop day with some culture sprinkled turns into a multi-day attempt at a flight into an airport that can be difficult to land in.
Part 3: A Day in Barranquilla
​(January 18, 2020)
Another day flying to a different Colombian city, this time to Barranquilla with plans to see the Statue of Shakira, and to visit a few different museums including Museo del Carnaval de Barranquilla, where they highlight the city's version of the popular festival.
Part 4: Seeking Coasters in Bogota
​(January 19, 2020)
After city hopping around Colombia, it's time to stick around Bogota, and spend a day visiting their three amusement parks, Multiparque, Salitre Magico and Mundo Aventura. Along the way, there are a couple coasters that used to operate in the US.
Part 5: Exploring Bogota
​(January 20, 2020)
For the last day of this visit in Colombia, It's time to explore La Candelaria and Plaza Bolívar, then take a walk down the main pedestrian avenue of the City Center, before taking a cable car up Monserrate.
​
A South America Trip Preview & The
Journey to Colombia ​(January 13-14, 2020)
​This is a preview of the 2020 South America Trip from earlier this year, sharing some of what will be seeing in future vlogs from this adventure, plus a look at the journey to get to the starting point of the South America Trip, Colombia
​

2019 Hawaii Trip

Part 1: Arriving in Honolulu
(December 5, 2019)
The arrival day for a family visit to the Island of O'ahu in Hawai'i, with a look at the flight to Honolulu, followed by a visit to a local brewery before heading to our Airbnb for the visit.​
Part 2: Exploring O'ahu
(December 6, 2019)
​The first full day on O'ahu with visits to the Makapu'u Lighthouse Trail, Halona Blowhole and walking around Waikiki, ending with the Diamond Head Luau.
​
Part 3: Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day Ceremony
​(December 7, 2019)
​The next video from the Hawaii Trip takes a look at the Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day Ceremony, as well as the personal connection to the attack as it was a primary reason for the trip.
​
Part 4: More of O'ahu
(December 7-9, 2019) 
​The next couple of days would be spent exploring more of O'ahu, including a visit to the Polynesian Cultural Center, and a sunset cruise!​
​
Part 5: Pearl Harbor & a Memorial
​(December 10, 2019)
​​A look at the Pearl Harbor National Historic Site and its features, along with a visit to the National Cemetery of the Pacific for the memorial and interment of George and Rhoda Christian. 
​
Part 6: Last Day in O'ahu
​(December 11, 2019)
​The last day of the Hawai'i Trip included stops at Green World Coffee Farm and the Dole Pineapple Plantation before heading to the airport to fly back home to Seattle.

​

2019 Great Canadian Coaster Run

Part 1: Exploring Winnipeg
(August 24-25, 2019)
The first part of the trip heads to Winnipeg in Manitoba, and scopes out the carnival at the Morden Corn & Apple Festival, then head for Tinkertown and concludes with a stop at The Forks historic district before flying to Toronto. ​
​
Part 2: Seeking Ontario Coasters
(August 26, 2019)
The first day in Ontario is spent driving to smaller parks and attractions for coasters, including the Blue Mountain Ski Resort and Centreville Amusement Park, along with getting some great views from the Toronto Island Ferry.
​
Part 3: Canada's Wonderland
​(August 27, 2019)
A day at the biggest theme park in Canada, taking a ride on some excellent coasters like Leviathan and Yukon Striker, and will this be the day that Gary rides his 1000th coaster?
​
Part 4: Niagara Falls & Marineland
​(August 28, 2019)
The last day of the Ontario part of the Great Canadian Coaster Run includes a stop to see the incredible Niagara Falls from a walkway and decks along the Canadian Side of the Niagara River, and then a stop at the nearby Marineland for seeing Belugas and riding their two coasters.
Part 5: Prince Edward Island
(August 29, 2019)
The next part of this adventure heads to the Canadian Maritimes, starting with Prince Edward Island to visit Sandspit Cavendish and Shining Waters Family Fun Park, as well as exploring Prince Edward Island National Park and Avonlea Village.
Part 6: Exploring Nova Scotia
(August 30, 2019)
The second day in the Canadian Maritimes includes stops in Halifax such as the Titanic Gravesites of Fairview Lawn Cemetery, the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic and walking around Halifax's City Center. From there, it's on to Annapolis Royal for the smaller amusement park, Upper Clements Park.
Part 7: On To Quebec
(August 31, 2019)
​The last province of the Great Canadian Coaster Run is Quebec, and the first day there starts with a stop for the Viking mountain coaster at Mont Saint-Sauveur, followed by a visit for the animals and coaster of Granby Zoo, and a few rides the end the night at La Ronde.
Part 8: The Coaster Run's Finale in Quebec
(September 1-3, 2019)
​The last few days of seeking coasters in Canada, visiting several stops including stops at Pays des Merveilles, Fun Haven and Méga Parc before heading back home after a Great Canadian Adventure!
​

2019 West Canada Road Trip

Part 1: Driving to Revelstoke
(July 7, 2019)
The first part of the trip, we head over to Atlanta and explore the Martin Luther King National Historic Park, and make stops at FunXcess and the North Georgia State Fair for the first roller coasters of the trip.
​
Part 2: Driving to Calgary
​(July 8, 2019)
Continuing from British Columbia into Alberta, passing through Canadian National Parks like Glacier, Yoho and Banff, with incredible mountain views along the way. After that, there's a stop at Calaway Park, just outside of Calgary for some rides.
Part 3: The Calgary Stampede
​(July 9-11, 2019)
The main reason for this Canadian road trip, the Calgary Stampede is one of the largest agricultural events and rodeos in Canada. Here's a look at some of the features of the event from the food to the shows, and of course the search for more coasters!

2019 Midwest Trip

Part 1: Going to Visit Paul Bunyan
​(June 3-4, 2019)
​Gary flies to Minneapolis, Minnesota to head to Paul Bunyan Land in Brainerd in search of coasters and finds the massive Paul Bunyan. This is the beginning of a week-long trip through Minnesota, the Dakotas and Iowa.
​
Part 2: Exploring North Dakota
​(June 4, 2019)
​The next stop for the Midwest is North Dakota, with a visit to the city of Fargo to see the wood chipper from the movie Fargo. Then continuing to Bismarck for Super Slide Amusement Park, home of North Dakota's only roller coaster, and a meal at Blarney Stone Pub.​
Part 3: Exploring South Dakota
​(June 5, 2019)
​A day of driving around South Dakota, with stops at the famous Mt. Rushmore, and the nearby Rushmore Adventure Park, and a visit to Storybook Land in Aberdeen, SD with it's Wizard of Oz Storybook Trail.
​
Part 4: Nickelodeon Universe
​(June 6, 2019)
A look at the Mall of America's Nickelodeon Universe and its attractions as Gary joins his friends JoAnna and Chris to continue through Minnesota and Iowa.

​
Part 5: Iowa Baseball Day
​(June 7, 2019)
The group heads down to Iowa to check out the filming location of the Field of Dreams in Dyersville, then to Davenport for a ballgame at Modern Woodmen Park, which happens to have a coaster.
​
Part 6: Adventureland & Arnolds Park
(June 8, 2019)
​The gang heads to the two main amusement parks of Iowa, starting with the largest park in the state, Adventureland, then to the classic amusement park, Arnolds Park.

​
Part 7: Valleyfair & Como Town
​(June 9-10, 2019)
​The final part of the Midwest Trip, with stops to visit Valleyfair for coasters like Renegade and Wild Thing, and then a quick run to Como Town for one last coaster credit before heading home.
​

2019 Hong Kong Trip Vlogs

Part 1: Exploring Hong Kong
​(March 10, 2019)
​Following a visit to Southeast Asia, it's time to head to Hong Kong, beginning with exploring the city center and sights including the Victoria Harbour Waterfront, the Peak Tram, and Sky Terrace 428.
​
Part 2: A Day on Lantau Island
​(March 11, 2019)
​A day spent exploring Lantau Island, including an alternative mode of transportation due to an attraction's closure, visiting the Tai'o Fishing Village, and going up to Ngong Ping for the Po Lin Monastery and the Tian Tan Buddah.
​
Part 3: Ocean Park
(March 12, 2019)
​Here we take a look at Hong Kong's Ocean Park to check out some of the different rides and coasters of the park as well as some of the animals they have on display, plus see how incredibly scenic the park is!
​
Part 4: Hong Kong Disneyland
​(March 13, 2019)
​With the final day of the Hong Kong Trip, a visit to Hong Kong Disneyland includes the experience of many great attractions! From those based on the classics like it's a small world and the Jungle River Cruise, and more unique attractions such as Big Grizzly Mountain Runaway Mine Cars.

2019 Southeast Asia Trip Vlogs

Part 1: Going East by West
(February 28 - March 2, 2019)
Departing from Seattle to head to Singapore with flights on Alaska Airlines and Japan Airlines, connecting in San Diego and Tokyo.

​
Part 2: Exploring Singapore
​(March 2, 2019)
A day of sightseeing in Singapore with the City Sightseeing Bus Tour, visiting Suntec City with its Fountain of Wealth, and then to the Marina Bay Sands area for the Prudential Marina Bay Carnival and the Gardens by the Bay.
​
Part 3: Universal Studios Singapore
​(March 3, 2019)
A day at the newest Universal Theme Park, Universal Studios Singapore, followed by an evening wondering around the Sentosa Resort.

​
Part 4: Legoland Malaysia & Danga Bay
(March 4, 2019)
First, a visit to Legoland Malaysia with it's Lego models and themed attractions, followed by an evening at Danga Bay, featuring a unique Space Rings ride. 

​
Part 5: Desaru Coast
​(March 5, 2019)
A bus ride to one of Malaysa's newest water parks, Desaru Coast Adventure Water Park, a part of the Desaru Coast resort on the South China Sea.

​
Part 6: Bukit Gambang & Genting Highlands
​(March 6, 2019)
The search for more Malaysian coasters continues going to places where the coasters between Bukit Gambang Resort and Genting Highlands, although things are not looking good to find them on this day.
​
Part 7: Theme Parks of Ipoh
​(March 7, 2019)
A day trip to Ipoh to visit their theme parks, including the Lost World of Tambun, and Movie Animation Park Studios, which offered a neat sight with a coaster in storage.

​
Part 8: Batu Caves & Sunway Lagoon
​(March 8, 2019)
Climbing into the Batu Caves to visit a unique temple built into caves with lots of monkeys, and then a stop at Sunway Lagoon, a large water park and several amusement rides.

​
Part 9: Exploring Kuala Lumpur
​(March 8, 2019)
Walking through Kuala Lumpur in the city center to see the Petronas Towers, and a visit to Berjaya Times Square Theme Park for one of the most unique coasters in the world, Supersonic Odyssey.
​
Part 10: A Day in Brunei
​(March 9, 2019)
A short day trip to Bandar Seri Begawan in Brunei, with visits to the Royal Regalia Museum, the Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque, a boat ride through the Kampong Ayer water village, and a ride on Brunei's only roller coaster in Jerudong Park Playground.
Random Coast Rica Trip
(January 28-30, 2019)
​It's a slow time at work in the winter, and that has inspired this short trip flying standby to Costa Rica! Join Gary as he visits the Costa Rican amusement park Parque Diversiones, and then does a short exploration of the city of San José.​
Part 2: Oktoberfest
​(September 26, 2018)
The duo take a beautiful bus ride to Munich, Germany to attend one of the city's biggest festivals, Oktoberfest! See some of the highlights for Gary and Phillip's evening at the popular beer festival, including wondering through the large beer halls and riding some great traveling roller coasters!
Part 3: An Unexpected London Visit
​(September 27-28, 2019)
As the flights to get back home to the states are looking really full, Gary and Phillip head their separate ways, with Gary's trip taking an unexpected stop in the United Kingdom by way of London. ​
​
Part 1: Exploring Around Atlanta
(September 19-20, 2018)
The first part of the trip, we head over to Atlanta and explore the Martin Luther King National Historic Park, and make stops at FunXcess and the North Georgia State Fair for the first roller coasters of the trip.
​
Part 2: Montgomery and the Gulf Coast
(September 21, 2018)
The Southeast visit heads into a new state, Alabama! Highlights of this day include the Legacy Museum and the Peace and Justice Memorial in Montgomery, which is then followed by a few stops near the Gulf Coast for several roller coasters.
Part 3: More Alabama Coasters
​(September 22, 2018)
The Southeast visit continues in Alabama with the state's newest park, OWA, and then continues with a drive to the North for a stop at Southern Adventures in Huntsville, and a visit to the Morgan County Fair in Decatur.
​
Part 4: Lake Winnepesaukah
​(September 23, 2018)
On the last day of the Southeast visit, a stop is made at one of the most anticipated parks of the trip, Lake Winnepesaukah in Rossville, GA, home to a number of great classic attractions such as the Cannon Ball Wooden Coaster and the old mill style Boat Chute.
Part 5: Fun Spot & Going to Philly
​(September 23-24, 2018)
A look at the end of the Southeast visit with the drive back to Atlanta to visit Fun Spot America - Atlanta, and then it's time to head to the Atlanta airport for the flight to Philadelphia.

​