Travel & Surf Blog

Hello! My name is Alex and I am a 21 year-old college student looking to encourage others to adventure in this beautiful world we live in! Here are a few of my adventures that I want to share with you. Some people may say that travel is out of their budget, but I am here to show you ways to travel that are within your budget! Please feel free to give feedback or ask any questions you may have. :)

[alexstowell]

Central Coast, New South Wales, Australia 

-> Road trip! This beautiful area, located just a few hours north of Sydney, is a must-go spot if you’re visiting Australia. We found a few great hikes and beaches by simply researching blogs on Tumblr and Pinterest. The hike we enjoyed most was through the Bouddi national park (first image), where they had plenty of fun trails to explore!

-> Driving in Australia calls for a right hand drive, while on the left side of the road. Although it is an adjustment, it is very manageable! We rented using a company called AllBirds. It was as simple as drop off and pickup whenever you please. I highly recommend their services. 

All photos taken on my Nikon D3500

[alexstowell]

Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia 

-> One of my favorite spots we got to explore in Australia. I was fortunate enough to attend one of the most prestigious surf events here, at the infamous snapper rock (last photo). There were so many fun activities to do here, including surfing, hiking, and people watching.

-> The first photo displays this really cool, small Airbnb we stayed in, which just so happened to be a garage remade into a one bedroom live-out. What a great experience we had! I highly recommend it.

[alexstowell]

Bondi Beach, New South Wales, Australia

-> I had the pleasure of studying my semester abroad in this lovely place. One of my favorite places to explore, surf, and become accustom with a familiar but new culture. I highly recommend checking it out! There are many different accommodations you can make. If you want to save money and backpack, there are plenty of hostels to stay in that are actually really nice and clean. If you’d like more privacy, there are many services, such as Airbnb, where you can find great spots for affordable prices. 

[alexstowell]

Crystal Cove, Newport Beach, California 

-> One of my favorite beaches to go for a walk on, or if you’re feeling a little less motivated, a bike will do just fine. 

-> During these tough times we are all living in, it may seem difficult to get outside or go on an adventure. I’m hear to tell you that it’s very much possible. Taking the necessary precautions, you can always find an adventure near you. Even it’s just around the corner!

P.S. my buddy Matt and I stayed 6 feet apart at all times. :)

All photos taken on my Nikon D3500

[alexstowell]

Uluwatu, Bali, Indonesia

Traveling through the jungles of Bali, on these neat little mopeds. 

-> Bali is one of the southernmost islands of Indonesia, and resides in the Indian Ocean. I flew there on Singapore Airlines, making one stop in Singapore. I would highly recommend this airline as it was affordable, comfy, and served very good food! Once you have arrived in Bali it is very affordable to find Airbnb, hostels or hotels through booking sites you would use here in the United States. 

Tip! If you are ever in Uluwatu or Canggu, you have to stop and eat at La Baracca. Some of the best Italian food I’ve ever had!

All photos taken on an Olympus stylus 35MM

[alexstowell]

Boulder, CO Sunrise in Boulder

-> I am fortunate enough to call Boulder my second home. If you are ever in need of a vacation in the mountains, with or without snow, Boulder will always welcome you with open arms. Just come prepared with a snow jacket as well as a t-shirt, as you never know what kind of weather is headed your way. 

Taken on my Iphone 

[alexstowell]

Santa Barbara, CA

One of my favorite surf spots in Hollister Ranch

-> Hollister Ranch is a private cattle ranch just north of Santa Barbara. I always look forward to a good road trip with friends or family, and thankfully this beautiful ranch is just 5 hours north from my home in Orange County. I’m very lucky to have a close friend who gives me access to the ranch, where I can shoot photos, surf and simply enjoy the outdoors! 

Taken on my Nikon D3500

[alexstowell]

European Family Vacation 

In order:

- Amsterdam, Netherlands 

-Positano, Amalfi Coast, Italy 

-Gothenburg, Sweden

-Mykonos, Greece 

-> This vacation was unforgettable. Over 4 weeks we took roughly 5 flights and 6 train rides to explore these beautiful countries. I would highly recommend looking into different modes of transportation when traveling through Europe. Lots of research and planning prior to vacationing in foreign waters can save you a lot of time and money! 

Tip: Driving a car in a foreign country can be tricky and dangerous! Especially if you cannot read the signs and don’t know how to drive stick shift cars on the left side of the road. I recommend finding modes of public transit if you’re not comfortable with this. 

Photos taken on my Iphone

[alexstowell]

Cape Roca, Portugal 

The westernmost edge of continental Europe, Circa 2013.

-> My family and I did some research to find this beautiful spot! I would recommend using travel pages such as tripadvisor and other travel blogs (most are free) to find some cool spots to explore.

[alexstowell]

Aspen, CO

Fishing for Trout in Aspen. 

-> This photo was taken in August (I think). The end of summer and months transitioning into the fall are some of the best times to spend in the mountains. 

-> It’s the little moments like this that I often take for granted. When exploring the outdoors, it is very important to sit back and enjoy the peacefulness of the great outdoors. 

[alexstowell]

Newport Beach, CA

Home :) 

-> I don’t think I will ever get sick of a sunset drive on PCH (pacific coast highway). Nor will I ever forget the rush hour traffic in southern California. :)

-> Make the most of the simple things at home, especially during these though times. A simple car ride along the coast can change your entire attitude.