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Welcome to
Depart Happily
I haven’t been everywhere, but it’s on my list
On this blog you can find posts all about my travel planning process, budgets, past endeavors, and future trips. I seek to review local hotspots to exotic new territory. Come with me on this exciting new journey.






The Spirit of Aloha - 08.07.26
Today started off with Avery going to Urgent Care as he was having incredible ear pain. While he went to seek care with his parents, I made the most of my morning at the resort. I got myself an açai bowl for breakfast from Ulu Cafe and enjoyed it while lounging on a chair with a stunning view of the ocean. Of course, I was worried about my fiancé, but too many people traveling with him would have been a crowd and it was our last full day in paradise. When he came back, he inf

Sarah Rodriguez
7 minutes ago2 min read


Life Finds a Way- 08.06.26
Today was our redo day at Kualoa Ranch from our mishap on Tuesday. Our adventure began with the Ocean Voyage Tour. We sailed Hawaiian waters, spotted marine wildlife, and visited an 800-year-old fishpond. Unfortunately, the catamaran that we were supposed to sail on was inoperable, so the backup plan was to split the tour group in half. For the first half of the tour, half of the group stayed on the beach and the other half went out to sea then the groups switched as the boat

Sarah Rodriguez
6 days ago2 min read


A Day To Remember - 08.05.26
Today Avery and I went with his parents on a bus tour to Pearl Harbor. Pearl Harbor is a lagoon harbor best known as the site of the December 7, 1941, Japanese attack that led the United States to enter World War II. The Imperial Japanese Navy launched a surprise attack with 353 aircrafts from six carriers, targeting the U.S. Pacific Fleet and nearby airfields. The attack sank or damaged multiple battleships, destroyed 188 U.S. aircraft, and caused over 2,400 American deaths.

Sarah Rodriguez
Sep 143 min read


It’s Not Always Rainbows - 08.04.26
Today was my first day as a fiancée, and our first mishap of the trip. Today we had a booked UTV Tour at Kualoa Ranch that we accidentally missed due to a misunderstanding about the arrival time. Kualoa Ranch is a 4,000-acre Private Nature Reserve as well as a working cattle ranch with more than 600 head of cattle, 120 horses, and 200 sheep. The reserve terrain varies from waonahele, dense Hawaiian rainforest, to waokanaka, broad open valleys. It has been the site for over 70

Sarah Rodriguez
Sep 102 min read


The Proposal - 08.03.26
Today was our first day exploring the beautiful island of O'ahu. We kick started the day by hiking Diamond Head. Diamond Head is a volcanic tuff cone and is known by Hawaiians as Lēʻahi. It is Hawaii’s most recognized landmark known for its historic hiking trail, stunning coastal views, and military history. Diamond Head State Monument encompasses over 475 acres, including the interior and outer slopes of the crater. This was my second time hiking this trail and it is challe

Sarah Rodriguez
Sep 84 min read


Cabana for Crawford - 08.02.26
Today was our first full day in paradise and we spent it in luxury. Well… We started our day off by shopping at the infamous Aloha Stadium Swap Meet & Marketplace which may not be luxurious, but we all found some unique treasures. This is Hawaii’s largest open-air market where the locals shop for the best deals in town. There are over 400 vendors, crafters, and artists from all over the world! Admission is cash only, $2 per person for ages 12 and older. Admission is reduced

Sarah Rodriguez
Sep 23 min read


Aloha from Paradise - 08.01.26
Today was the beginning of a trip of a lifetime! I was traveling with my boyfriend and his family to Hawaii. We specifically were traveling to The Island of O’ahu. I am fortunate enough to have visited this Hawaiian Island and Maui before with my family and I was ecstatic to go back! It had been several years since my last visit, and we had a new itinerary to explore. Avery, my boyfriend, and I were up at 3 AM to prepare ourselves for our early 7 AM flight from PHL to PHX the

Sarah Rodriguez
Aug 312 min read


Coast to Coast - 04.25.26-04.26.26
As always, the saying stands last day, best day. Today Alexa and I made the most out of our last hours left on the west coast. Hannah, her husband Shane, Alexa, and I visited two wineries in Temecula with the time that we had left. We first visited Oak Mountain Winery which is home to Southern California's only mined wine caves and offers over 30 award winning wines. If wine isn't your vibe, don't worry because this winery has a speakeasy distillery as well. During our time h

Sarah Rodriguez
May 133 min read


You Can Take the Girls Out of Disney, but You Can't Take Disney Out of the Girls - 04.24.26
Hannah, Alexa, and I went into our short reunion not planning on going to Disneyland as we were just there six months ago. However, we were only fooling ourselves because of course we were going to go to Disney together. Disney is our friendship origin story, and it holds a special place in each of our hearts. En route to Disneyland, we stopped to grab breakfast at Black Bear Diner. I ordered the Breakfast Burrito which I have been dreaming about since my last visit a few yea

Sarah Rodriguez
May 72 min read
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