About Matt Long
Who am I? I am a typical Gen-Xer and recovering cubicle-dweller who has a passion for all things travel. My site brings a unique perspective that is hard to find online. I am not a backpacker, nor am I...
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Visiting the UNESCO World Heritage Sites
11 April 2013 11:55 PM | 15 Comments -
20 Things Every Smart Traveler Should Know
11 March 2013 11:55 PM | 33 Comments -
Five Foods You Must Eat in Europe
12 November 2012 8:10 PM | 23 Comments -
Five Reasons to Stop Dreaming and Travel Now
16 April 2012 11:55 PM | 44 Comments -
So What’s Reykjavik Really Like?
28 February 2012 11:55 PM | 30 Comments
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Hawaii Archive
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Travel Obsession: Still Thinking About Paradise and the South Pacific
Posted on May 9, 2013 | 9 CommentsSo a few months ago I wrote about my obsession with the South Pacific and while I’ve never visited, it remains a place I think of often. Well lately it seems as if the universe is conspiring against me and wants to only add fuel... -
Helping Hands in Maui – A Visit to the Boo Boo Zoo
Posted on March 20, 2013 | 4 CommentsI wasn’t sure I was in the right place. I’m not great with directions and as I drove up the wooded drive it didn’t look like what I thought an animal sanctuary should look like. The peacock convinced me otherwise, as did the small army... -
Five of the Least Scary Places in the World
Posted on October 30, 2012 | 8 CommentsThe leaves have turned, there’s a chill in the air and smells of apple pie and fresh cider have filled the kitchens of millions. Fall is here and with it the favorite holiday of many, Halloween. In the past I’ve written about fun places to... -
Sustainable Food: Farm to Farm Eating on Maui
Posted on October 23, 2012 | 1 CommentI wouldn’t say that I’m big into organic or even healthy foods, not normally at least. It wasn’t until I was in college when I first started to appreciate vegetables and even now we have a testy relationship. That’s why even I was surprised when... -
42 Things I Love About Maui
Posted on September 30, 2012 | 5 Comments1. Exploring the many small, private museums preserving the past for future generations 2. Gazing out across miles of sugar cane swaying in the breeze 3. Learning the history and tradition of outrigger canoes in the islands 4. Picking your own lunch at O’o Farms... -
How to Live Like a Rock Star on Maui
Posted on September 27, 2012 | 4 CommentsLet’s face it, Maui is a pretty nice place. From the lush and relaxing highlands to some of the best beaches in the world, it is hardly a chore to vacation on this laid back Hawaiian island. Everything is relative though and even on this... -
How Not to Bike Down a Volcano in Hawaii
Posted on September 11, 2012 | 2 CommentsIt would seem that 2012 is the year of the bicycle, for me at least. After a hiatus of at least twenty-years, I’ve had several travel experiences this year on bikes. In La Rochelle, France I enjoyed a bike tour around town, learning to live... -
Five Must-Try Meals on Maui
Posted on September 2, 2012 | 14 CommentsWhile visiting the popular Hawaiian island of Maui I quickly learned that one of the island’s greatest assets is its food. There are many options on Maui, from the super high-end to good, old-fashioned comfort food. Choosing just five favorite dishes was hard, but here... -
Alone in the Rain – Personal Journey Through a Maui Rainforest
Posted on August 22, 2012 | 3 CommentsAt home I wouldn’t necessarily call myself an outdoorsy person. I’m not awful, I don’t drive to my mailbox or anything, but I also don’t seek out nature per se when in the confines of my comfy, suburban bubble. When I travel though I turn... -
A Short Long Trip to Haleakala Volcano on Maui
Posted on July 30, 2012 | 6 CommentsI guess I’m a person of extremes; people have always said so at least. That personality quirk definitely manifests itself in how I travel, particularly in what I do and see. I love seeing the biggest, tallest and most unusual things. I love getting to... -
Lessons Learned from Twenty Minutes in Lahaina
Posted on July 15, 2012 | 8 CommentsI’d like to think that I’m a well-reasoned, thoughtful traveler and that I give every new destination the time it takes to form an impression before passing judgment. Sometimes though that judgment comes quickly, as it did in the case of Lahaina on the Hawaiian... -
Holistic Luxury in the Tropical Haven of Hana on Maui
Posted on July 12, 2012 | 2 CommentsThe Road to Hana was a little stressful – I won’t lie. Even though it’s only 52 miles from the airport to Hana, the road takes an average of 2 ½ hours to drive in large part due to 59 bridges (46 of which are... -
Photo Tour of the Road to Hana – Maui
Posted on July 1, 2012 | 10 CommentsI had heard of it, I think many of us have: the Road to Hana. Sounds a lot like manna, and so my brain always equated the trek with a visit to paradise. That correlation wasn’t too far from the truth as I found out... -
Discover Maui Travel Itinerary – Follow Me As I Explore the Island
Posted on June 14, 2012 | 7 CommentsI think it’s safe to say that my exploration of the Hawaiian islands has been unusual and haphazard at best. While a long time dream destination for me, my first visit to the enchanting islands was only two years ago and then as a part... -
Looking For Paradise and Pining For The Southern Cross
Posted on March 26, 2012 | 3 CommentsIt probably won’t come as a complete shock that I have always, for as long as I can remember, had a fierce sense of wanderlust. As a young child and well into adulthood, I absorbed anything and everything about foreign cultures and far-flung locales. Instead... -
Four Reasons to Visit Lanai
Posted on January 9, 2012 | 4 Comments1. Luxury – With two of the three hotels on the island belonging to Four Seasons, luxury is no doubt part of the agenda on Lanai. But it’s a different kind of luxury, a more homey, enjoyable Lanai luxury that’s really hard to find. Yes,... -
The Last Post of 2011 Travel Bests and Worsts I Will Ever Write
Posted on January 2, 2012 | 8 CommentsI know what you’re thinking, yet another “Best of 2011″ post? I realize that I did a whole series on the topic as did every mainstream paper, magazine, TV show and of course blogger. That being said, I was tagged by a fellow travel blogger... -
2011 Favorite Travel Person of the Year
Posted on December 26, 2011 | 10 CommentsLast year I did a series of posts highlighting my favorite travel experiences, destinations, foods and people for the previous year and I decided to once again perform this bit of forced reflection. Rather than just serve as a gratuitous way to recognize people and... -
Reflecting on Family and History at Pearl Harbor
Posted on December 6, 2011 | 4 CommentsNot all business trips are great, but the year I had a conference in Honolulu was like winning the lottery of work travel. Not surprisingly, I managed to add some time to the trip after my work was done in order to truly enjoy my... -
Luxury Within Reach on the Tropical Island of Lanai
Posted on November 2, 2011 | 1 CommentHawaii is a place of dreams and expectations. Most people have a mental image of Hawaii whenever the destination comes up in conversation, and for the most part these conceptions are proven true. There is one place though that lives up to the notions of... -
How to Experience the Best of Lanai in a Day
Posted on August 31, 2011 | No CommentsMost people who visit the Hawaiian island of Lanai stay for a few days or even a week or more, taking time to relax and enjoy the unique features that make this tiny island a popular vacation destination. Many more though travel to Lanai from... -
Five Things I Wish I Knew Before Visiting Hawaii
Posted on August 17, 2011 | 10 CommentsI had wanted to visit Hawaii since I was ten years old when I ravenously digested the novel Hawaii by James Michener. There was just some intangible quality about the way in which he brought to life the history and traditions of the islands that... -
Trouble in Paradise – The Great Lanai Windmill Debate
Posted on August 10, 2011 | 3 CommentsI first noticed it on the drive from the airport into town. It was a homemade banner attached to the fence in front of a house and while simple, the message was clear. It was a photo of a windmill with a red line through... -
Shooting My Way Out of Lanai
Posted on August 1, 2011 | No CommentsI’m not a big gun person. I don’t have a problem with people owning them, well in concept, but I just don’t have a lot of experience around them. When I was younger my grandfather and I used to shoot down empty Maxwell coffee cans... -
Travel Spotlight – Koele Ranch Life, Lanai Hawaii
Posted on July 11, 2011 | No CommentsThe paniolo, or cowboy, has a long history in the Hawaiian highlands. Lanai is no stranger to this history, which is still honored today. Unlike many other Hawaiian islands, Lanai did not attract Westerners until relatively late in its modern history. The lack of a... -
Five Strange Things About Honolulu
Posted on April 25, 2011 | 4 CommentsMy first visit to Hawaii last year began as it does for millions, with a stay in Waikiki. This area of tropical perfection has, over the years, grown at an incredible rate and today is an interesting mix of the laid back, Hawaiian spirit of... -
Otherworldly Landscape of the Garden of the Gods in Lanai
Posted on April 24, 2011 | No CommentsWe picked up the Jeep rental early in the morning, stopped by the Blue Ginger Café for breakfast and a picnic lunch, and set out with map in hand to explore the island of Lana’i. Lana’i has a great shuttle system, but it can be... -
Finding an Authentic Experience in Honolulu’s Chinatown
Posted on April 10, 2011 | 2 CommentsThe first-time visitor to Honolulu will almost assuredly be quickly overwhelmed by the constant traffic, high-end stores and island glam of the city within moments of arrival. Hawaii conjures thoughts of quiet beaches, swaying palms and the faint sounds of ukulele in the distance. Arriving... -
Hiking the Koloiki Ridge Trail in Lanai
Posted on April 7, 2011 | 7 CommentsI had several goals while visiting Lana’i as part of the Lana’i Visitor’s Bureau New Media Artist in Residence Program. One of those goals was to find corners of the island that not everyone explores and to see more of the natural beauty that defines... -
Organized Drowning – Hawaiian SNUBA Experience
Posted on March 31, 2011 | 2 CommentsA few weeks before leaving on my trip to Lana’i as a participant in the Lanaʻi Visitor’s Bureau New-Media-Artist-in-Residence Program, I was asked if I wanted to SCUBA dive while on the island. I love any water related activity, but I’m not SCUBA certified, although... -
Ultimate Lanai Restaurants and Dining Guide
Posted on March 27, 2011 | 3 CommentsI am a great fan of all things Lana’i. I have been there twice, once on a personal trip and the second time at the invitation of the Lana’i Visitor’s Bureau as part of their New Media Artist in Residence Program. It may not seem... -
Aloha Friday and How it Changed the World
Posted on March 17, 2011 | 3 CommentsMy first trip to Hawaii last year was the culmination of a lifetime of dreaming. I read Michener’s Hawaii when I was in middle school, and from that moment on the isolated island chain had permanent residence in my travel imagination. Last year, I finally... -
Channeling My Inner Indiana Jones – The Quest for the Lanai Petroglyphs
Posted on March 16, 2011 | 2 CommentsWe turned left at the sign pointing away from Kaunolu Village and towards Kaiolohia, otherwise known as Shipwreck Beach. It was the rainy season in Lana’i, and some of the roads were off limits, even though we had a Jeep. Disappointed that some of the... -
Island of Legends – Sweetheart Rock and the Tale of Pehe’s Hill
Posted on March 10, 2011 | No CommentsLocated within sight of Manele Bay on the island of Lanai, is a breathtaking sea tower known as Sweetheart Rock, or Puupehe, the Hill of Pehe. I had read about this small bit of lava that rests about 150 feet off of the highest cliff... -
Southern Exposure – Taking Things Slow on Lanai
Posted on March 8, 2011 | 4 CommentsI used to love watching the 1990′s TV show, Northern Exposure. There was just something so alluring about the small, quirky town on the edge of the known world that instantly drew me in. That’s why I was thrilled to find a real life... -
Trends in Voluntourism: The Kokua Project – Saving Animals in Hawaii
Posted on March 3, 2011 | 12 CommentsKokua While in Lana’i, as part of the Lana’i Visitor’s Bureau New Media Artist in Residence Program, I had the opportunity to meet a truly exceptional person, Kathy Carroll. I was at a small gathering of Lana’i residents when a woman approached and said... -
In Search of the Mouflon
Posted on February 28, 2011 | 11 CommentsFriday, February 18th at 8:42 AM, that’s when I first learned about the mouflon. We had just picked up our jeep for some off road adventures from the small store in Lanai City, and were heading towards the first trail of the day. As we... -
Stepping Back in Time at the Hotel Lanai
Posted on February 23, 2011 | 2 CommentsHotel Lanai If you a frequent, or even infrequent, reader of this site, then you are no doubt aware that I was recently on the island of Lana’i as part of the Lana’i Visitor’s Bureau New-Media-Artist-in-Residence Program. While there, we had the unique opportunity to... -
Choose Your Own Adventure – Lanai
Posted on February 8, 2011 | 3 CommentsSeveral months ago, I announced that LandLopers had been selected to participate in an innovative new program, the Lana’i Visitor’s Bureau New Media Artist-in-Residence Program. The program includes seven travel bloggers who will each visit the Hawaiian island of Lana’i at different times over a... -
Top Romantic Travel Moments – Valentine’s Day Travel Ideas
Posted on February 6, 2011 | 2 CommentsI have mixed feelings about Valentine’s Day. It has always seemed so contrived and artificial, why do we need a day to tell our significant others that we love them? On a personal level, throughout our nearly decade long relationship, my partner and I... -
Lopers Award for Favorite Person of 2010
Posted on December 27, 2010 | 8 CommentsEvery day this week I will be highlighting a favorite travel experience from 2010 with something I call the Lopers Awards. Today I want to share with you my favorite person I met while traveling. It will come as no great shock to anyone that... -
Favorite 2010 Travel Photos: Day 2 – Pearl Harbor
Posted on December 27, 2010 | No CommentsI actually have two photos to highlight today on my list of 2010 favorites. These were taken in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii at the U.S.S. Arizona Memorial. I knew that a visit to the site of the Japanese 1941 attack would be moving, but I... -
Conversations with a Hawaiian Waterman
Posted on December 17, 2010 | 1 CommentIn September I attended a conference in Waikiki during which I met one of the most unique people that I have ever come across. I was standing in the hotel ballroom, just like any hotel ballroom in the world, listening to the opening remarks... -
Oprah in Australia: Who Really Benefits
Posted on December 14, 2010 | 1 CommentIn October, I discussed the impending Oprah trip to Australia and what it would mean to Australian tourism. I wrote then, and still believe, that while it obviously will be great for generating buzz and is a PR person’s dream come true, I don’t think... -
Budget Travel Case Study: Lana’i
Posted on November 16, 2010 | 5 CommentsLana i At first glance Lana’i may not seem like the ideal budget travel destination, but looks are absolutely deceiving in this case. I’m not going to discuss airfare since it fluctuates wildly depending on where you live. Without a doubt though, our friends... -
Hawaii Helicopter Tour
Posted on November 16, 2010 | 4 CommentsI have always wanted to ride in a helicopter; you might even consider it a bucket list item. I knew that while visiting Hawaii I had to find a way to see Oahu from the air. You haven’t really experienced the beauty of Oahu until... -
LandLopers Selected for Lanaʻi Visitor’s Bureau New-Media-Artist-in-Residence Program
Posted on November 7, 2010 | 14 CommentsLast week I received a rather cryptic note on my Facebook page asking me to contact the sender about a new program she was developing. Little did I realize that this innocent note would lead to my involvement in an exciting and extremely innovative... -
Welcome to Waikiki – Here’s Your Gun
Posted on October 19, 2010 | 5 CommentsWaikiki is a strange place; I think even the Honolulu Visitor’s Bureau will admit to that. But it serves a purpose and isn’t bad, as long as you combine it with something that is NOT Waikiki. Spending a week there, I had many opportunities to... -
Hoof and a Prayer – Koele Stables Horseback Riding, Lanai
Posted on October 11, 2010 | 4 CommentsHis name was Ace and I wasn’t sure how much he liked me. We had just met, but already his attention was waning and it was a challenge to keep him from arguing with his friends. Once I got a feel for the reins... -
Travel Photo: Three Perspectives of the U.S.S. Arizona Memorial, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii
Posted on September 23, 2010 | 8 CommentsVisiting the U.S.S. Arizona Memorial in Hawaii was an incredibly moving and emotional experience; much more so than I had anticipated. Here are three entirely different views of the Memorial which I think capture the spirit of the site. All three photos are striking,...
