Combining Theme Park Visits and Roller Coaster Rides with Cultural Experiences Around the World!
Coasting With Culture Video Library:
2019 Vlogs
Random Costa Rica Trip
January 28-30, 2019
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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.
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2019 Southeast Asia Trip
February 28 - March 10, 2019
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Part 1: Going East by West
Begining the next big adventure! Heading to Singapore by way of flights to San Diego and Tokyo between Alaska Airlines and Japan Airlines.
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Part 2: Exploring Singapore
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.
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Part 3: Universal Studios Singapore
A day at the newest Universal Theme Park, Universal Studios Singapore, followed by an evening wondering around the Sentosa Resort.
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Part 4: Legoland Malaysia & Danga Bay
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.
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Part 5: Desaru Coast
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.
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Part 6: Bukit Gambang & Genting Highlands
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.
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Part 7: Theme Parks of Ipoh
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.
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Part 8: Batu Caves & Sunway Lagoon
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.
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Part 9: Exploring Kuala Lumpur
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.
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Part 10: A Day in Brunei
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.
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2019 Hong Kong Trip
March 10-13, 2019
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Part 1: Exploring Hong Kong
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.
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Part 2: A Day on Lantau Island
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.
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Part 3: Ocean Park
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!
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Part 4: Hong Kong Disneyland
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.
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2019 Midwest Trip
June 3-10, 2019
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Part 1: Going to Visit Paul Bunyan
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.
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Part 2: Exploring North Dakota
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.
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Part 3: Exploring South Dakota
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.
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Part 4: Nickelodeon Universe
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.
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Part 5: Iowa Baseball Day
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.
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Part 6: Adventureland & Arnolds Park
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.
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Part 7: Valleyfair & Como Town
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.
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2019 West Canada Road Trip
July 7-11, 2019
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Part 1: Drive to Revelstoke
Departing from home in the Seattle area and beginning the drive through Western Canada by way of British Columbia, passing the town of Hope and stopping in Revelstoke where there's a mountain coaster to ride.
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Part 2: Driving to Calgary
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.
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Part 3: The Calgary Stampede
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!
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2019 Great Canadian Coaster Run
August 23 - September 3, 2019
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Part 1: Exploring Winnipeg
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.
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Part 2: Seeking Ontario Coasters
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.
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Part 3: Canada's Wonderland
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?
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Part 4: Niagara Falls & Marineland
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.
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Part 5: Prince Edward Island
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.
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Part 6: Exploring Nova Scotia
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.
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Part 7: On To Quebec
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.
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Part 8: The Coaster Run's Finale in Quebec
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!
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2019 Hawaii Trip
December 5-11, 2019
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Part 1: Arriving in Honolulu
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.
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Part 2: Exploring O'ahu
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.
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Part 3: Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day Ceremony
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.
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Part 4: More of O'ahu
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!
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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.
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Part 6: Last Day in O'ahu
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.
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