Where Is Maria Adventure Travel

03/13/2026

🌍 From the Pacific Northwest to the Plains of Kenya: Our Safari Journey Begins

I’ve spent years perfecting the strategy of travel on the water, but this past January, George and I traded the 🛥Tollycraft for a 🚙 4x4 to embark on a 2 week luxury safari through the heart of Kenya.

While many know me for my life on the boat or my nutrition work, Where Is Maria Adventure Travel is about the "strategy" behind these big bucket-list trips—and Africa requires a strategy like no other. From the dust of Amboseli to the rolling greens of the Masai Mara and the pristine wilderness of Lewa, this trip was a masterclass in preparation and presence.

Over the next few weeks, I’ll be sharing the deep dives from this expedition, including:

• The Big Three: My personal highlights from Amboseli (the elephant kingdom), the Masai Mara (known for big cats), and the conservancy magic of Lewa and the almost extinct rhinos.

• The Safari Strategy: What I actually used from my gear lists and what stayed in the bag.

• Life on the Move: Navigating bush planes, luxury tented camps, and the rhythm of the savannah.

Africa changes you. Whether you’re planning your first safari or you're an armchair traveler looking for the best views of Kenya, I can't wait to take you along on this retrospective journey.

🦒Follow the full adventure and shop my vetted Safari Gear. 🔗https://linktr.ee/WhereIsMariaAdventureTravel

03/12/2026

STOP! Read This Before You Buy Jewelry on Your Next Cruise 🚢💎

Is that cruise ship jewelry really a steal, or just "vacation brain" at work? 💎

Before you drop thousands on a diamond at sea, you need to know the truth about duty-free deals and "Manager’s Specials." 🚢✨

Check out my latest tips on how to shop smart, avoid the "duty" trap at customs, and ensure your souvenir is actually worth the price tag! 💎👇

The Reality of Onboard Jewelry

•Is it a Good Deal? Not always. Because duty-free shops (especially in airports and on ships) have high rent and a captive audience, they often raise their base prices. Even without the "duty," the final price might be higher than what you would find at a high-volume retailer or online at home.

• Pricing Strategy: Cruise ships have a captive audience and use high-pressure tactics. While you may see "75% off" signs, those discounts are often taken from an inflated Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) that few people actually pay on land.

• The "Duty-Free" Catch: "Duty-free" only means you aren't paying local taxes in the port of purchase. However, if you spend over $800 (the individual US customs exemption), you are legally required to declare it and pay US import duty when you return.

• Quality and Resale: Appraisals provided on ships are for insurance purposes (replacement value) and are usually much higher than the actual resale value. If you try to sell the piece later, you may only get 10-20% of what you paid.

💲Tips for Smart Shopping
• Do Your Homework: If you have your eye on a specific brand (like Effy or John Hardy), check the prices at a department store or authorized dealer at home first.

• Negotiate: Unlike most ship shops, jewelry boutiques will often negotiate. Don't be afraid to ask for a better price, especially if you are looking at a high-ticket item.

• The "Trinket" Rule: Buying a smaller piece or a fun watch as a souvenir is great. Avoid making major "investment" purchases unless you are an expert in gemstones.

What's the favorite piece of jewelry you've ever picked up on your travels? Tell me in the comments!

✨️ Pack like a Pro ⚓️ https://linktr.ee/WhereIsMariaAdventureTravel

03/07/2026

👗 Santorini Style: The 2026 Head-to-Toe Guide

What to wear in Santorini: The ultimate stylish outfit for your 2026 Mediterranean trip.

My head-to-toe guide for June through September ensures you look perfect for photos at the Oia blue domes while staying cool and secure on the island's steep, slippery marble paths.

This complete look combines breezy fabrics with specialized footwear to handle the volcanic terrain with ease.

🔹️The Outfit: Opt for dresses or matching sets in whites and blues. Linen is the best fabric for the Greek sun as it wicks moisture and keeps you significantly cooler than synthetics.

🔹️The Footwear: The island's marble paths are polished and notoriously slippery. Wear stylish sandals with rubber soles and back straps to stay secure while climbing those Oia stairs.

🔹️The Church Layer: Many of those famous blue-domed spots are active churches. Always carry a lightweight pashmina in your bag to cover your shoulders.

🔹️The Bag: Use a theft-proof crossbody bag with locking zippers. While the island is safe, the narrow, crowded walkways are prime spots for quick-handed pickpockets.

🔹️The Accessories: A wide-brimmed hat and high-UV protection sunglasses are non-negotiable.

📲Shop this entire "Santorini Essentials" collection on my Amazon Storefront to get 2026 ready! Link in bio.

For more expert travel tips, follow Where Is Maria Adventure Travel

03/05/2026

🌅 Santorini Celebrity Xcel Cruise: Don't Miss the Sunset

Looking for the best Celebrity Xcel cruise tips to make the most of your Santorini sunset experience this summer? Discover how this unique Mediterranean cruise itinerary allows for late-night stays in Greece that most travelers completely miss.

If you’ve ever been on a cruise, you know the drill: you’re herded back onboard by 5:00 PM just as the "Golden Hour" is starting. But on the Celebrity Xcel "Greece, Malta & Turkey" routes, you have a major strategic advantage: a late-night stay in Santorini (often until 10:00 PM).

⚓️ The Maria-Approved Adventure Plan:
Skip the Morning Rush: Take your time getting off the ship. Explore the winding streets of Fira while the early crowds are busy.

The Hike: Walk the famous trail from Fira to Oia—6 miles of pure Aegean views and a great way to stay Fit for the Wild.

The Reward: Secure a table at a cliffside taverna for a late dinner. You can watch the sun dip into the caldera without checking your watch.

The Quiet Return: By 9:00 PM, the massive crowds are gone, and you’ll have the starlit paths almost to yourself for the tender boat back.

This kind of timing is rare for a big ship—don't waste it!

👉 Ready to start packing? Since the Xcel is a brand-new ship and the Mediterranean summer is no joke, you’ll want to pack smart. Check out my ultimate Cruise Ship Packing Guide here:
https://www.myactivenutrition.com/blog/elevate-your-cruise-the-overlooked-essentials-you-need-to-pack
so you don't forget the essentials for those cobblestone streets!

Are you a "back on the ship for sail-away" person, or are you staying for the sunset? Let’s hear your Santorini tips below! 👇

03/04/2026

🦁 What to Pack for a Safari: Nutrient-Dense Dining in Amboseli

If you are wondering what to pack for a safari to stay energized and comfortable, look no further than the menu! Lunch at Tawi Lodge was a masterclass in vibrant, balanced, and locally-inspired nutrition—the ultimate "Adventure Fuel."

As an RD, I’m always looking for how different cultures celebrate fresh ingredients. Today’s menu was the perfect "Adventure Fuel":

🥥 Coconut Cream Fish: Healthy fats and high-quality protein paired with peanut noodles.

🥗 Fresh Couscous Salad: A bright antioxidant boost with pomegranate and herbs.

🌶️ Chili Cucumber: A hydrating, cooling side with a metabolic kick.

🌿 Greek Salad: Classic fiber-rich veggies to round it all out.

Eating "the rainbow" is easy when the ingredients are this fresh. It’s the perfect energy for a long afternoon tracking elephants on the dusty plains! 🐘

Pro-Tip: Staying nourished is only half the battle—having the right gear for a safari is the other half.

👇 Planning your own expedition? Click the link in my bio for my Safari Shopping & Packing Lists to see exactly what I bring to stay "Fit for the Wild."

03/04/2026

I’m Maria Faires—Adventure Traveler, Licensed Boat Captain, Registered Dietitian, & Fitness Expert.

If you’ve been following along, you know my heart is rarely in one place. Between navigating the coast as a Boat Captain, trekking through the Safari bush, relaxing on a cruise or provisioning a tiny kitchen for the next RV adventure, I am always on the move.

I’m excited to officially introduce Where Is Maria? — a space where I’m bringing all my worlds together. ⚓🦒🚐🌍

My goal is to help you navigate your next journey with confidence—from the helm to the bush.

🥘 Galley & RV Gourmet: Expert provisioning and healthy, small-space cooking.

🧭 The Captain’s Log: Boat life, safety, and coastal navigation tips and destinations.

🐕 First Mate Dog Life: Life with my new pup (Coming April 2026)

🐋Advocacy: Diving deep into whale conservation.

💪 Fit for the Wild: Workouts and gear to keep you strong for the journey.

🦁 Safari & Expedition Strategy: Professional guides for world-class adventures.

Fueled for adventure, fit for the wild, stylish everywhere.

👇 Get Started:
Click the link in my bio for my shopping guides for Safari, Cruise essentials, and my expert RV/Boat provisioning guides!

12/24/2025

As we celebrate the beauty of the Salish Sea and the coastal lifestyle we love, it’s the perfect time to remember that our holiday spirit can extend beneath the waves.

Following the Be Whale Wise guidelines and maintaining legal distances from orcas and humpbacks ensures they can hunt and rest undisturbed during these colder months.

We are proud to advocate for the shift toward whale-safe fishing gear, such as ropeless technology and low-breaking-strength lines. These innovations are vital in reducing entanglement risks, helping to ensure our local waters remain a safe haven for every fin and fluke.

Maria & George Naumann
Healthy Boat Living

12/17/2025

Vessel Strikes are a Leading Cause of Whale Mortality.

But you have the power to help protect these magnificent giants every time you boat.

Download and use The Whale Alert App that turns your phone into an early warning system.

🐋 How the App Saves Lives:

Real-Time Alerts: Get pop-up notifications based on your GPS when you enter protected speed zones.

Report Sightings: Easily log live, dead, or distressed whales. Your report is instantly shared with maritime authorities and the Whale Report Alert System (WRAS).

Feeds the WRAS: This is the critical step! Your sighting feeds into the secure WRAS, which then sends real-time, high-priority restricted alerts to verified professional mariners (like ferry captains and freighter crews) within a 10-nautical-mile radius. This reduces the risk of collisions where it matters most.

Know the Rules: Access marine rules, speed limits, and regional approach guidelines right in the app to keep your journey safe and compliant.

Citizen Science: Every data point you contribute helps scientists map migration and feeding patterns, leading to more effective conservation policies.

The app displays recent sightings but they are delayed to prevent people rushing to the location.

Don't just watch the whales; protect them.

🐋 Download the free Whale Alert App today and join the worldwide effort to reduce collisions.

12/09/2025

Shhh! Want to know the biggest secret on the Celebrity Xcel? It's called IYKYK (short for "If You Know You Know"). It is more than a bar—it's an exclusive, immersive 1920s speakeasy experience that you need to find. ✨️

🤫 The Secret Tour & Experience
• How to Access: The entrance to IYKYK is discreetly hidden behind a photo booth located in The Club (Deck 4). You need to step inside, take a few pictures, and if the speakeasy is open and there is room, a secret door will open to invite you in.
• The Theme: Once inside, you are transported to a Prohibition-era setting, complete with 1920s Art Deco decor, jazzy music, and entertainers dressed as flappers and mobsters.

🥂 What to Expect:
• Exclusive Cocktails: Creative signature craft cocktails are served.
• Performances: You may see close-up magicians, singers, musicians, dancers, or jugglers.
• Time Limit: Guests are given an hour before they are asked to go back to the future and are ushered out—adding to the fun, secretive atmosphere.
• No Photos/Videos: To maintain the mystery and ensure guests are fully present, photos and videos are strictly prohibited inside the venue.
👀 P.S. I may have posted a reel that subtly hints at this secret speakeasy... but shhh! You have to go find the magic yourself. 😉

➡️ Follow for more cruising and boating adventures with a healthy twist from your favorite Dietitian and Trainer! CLICK HERE ➡️ Healthy Boat Living

12/09/2025

A reminder - they are still here. 🐋 Go slow while boating! The safest speed to travel in a boat to avoid striking humpback whales is 10 knots or less in known whale areas, as studies show this dramatically reduces the probability of a fatal collision.

Whales are often spotted by maintaining vigilance and scanning the water for their telltale blows (spouts of mist) and the characteristic shape of their dorsal fins as they surface to breathe and travel.

Many Humpbacks are still feeding off the coast of BC and have not yet migrated to the warm water breeding grounds of Hawaii, Mexico, or Central America.

Humpbacks do not all migrate at they same time. They have staggered departures and returns. Some leave much later and some return much sooner. As a result, boater vigilance is needed year round.

In fact, the research of McMillan et al (2025) found that there are the MOST Humpbacks in the Salish Sea from October to December. 🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋🐋
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This stunning photo of Ghost (BCX1333), her 2025 calf, and a whale for who we still have to conclude the ID is by MERS.

Ghost is known to migrate to Hawaii thanks to . Of the 4 sightings known for her near Hawaii, the earliest she has been sighted is February 8.
____________

Gift the whales by signing up for MERS free, online, self-paced Whale-Safe Boating course:

🐋 www.WhaleSafeBoating.org

Even if not a boater, by taking the course, you can help educate others about the whales’ behaviour and how to increase safety for marine mammals and vessel operators.
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Research: McMillan CJ, Keppel EA, Spaven LD, Hrushowy SM, Doniol‐Valcroze T. 2025 Aug 27. Seasonal Abundance and Distribution of Cetaceans in a High Traffic Shipping Corridor. Marine Mammal Science. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/mms.70061

11/17/2025

🤩 EXCITING MAGAZINE FEATURE ALERT! 🤩

I am so thrilled to share that I am featured in the latest edition of our local Sammamish Magazine!

I'm excited for everyone to read it!

Here is the link to the full article:

https://www.myactivenutrition.com/blog/sammamish-neighbors-magazine-feature

Follow me: Healthy Boat Living

Follow me: Active Nutrition Fitness and Nutrition Consulting

11/17/2025

🤩 EXCITING MAGAZINE FEATURE ALERT! 🤩

I am so thrilled to share that I am featured in the latest edition of the local Sammamish Magazine!

I'm excited for everyone to read it!

Here is the link to the full article:

⚓️ https://www.myactivenutrition.com/blog/sammamish-neighbors-magazine-feature

Follow me: Healthy Boat Living

Follow me: Active Nutrition Fitness and Nutrition Consulting

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