The sky reflected our moods, and we could see the white-topped peaks just out of our reach, lining the ring around our valley. I convinced my husband to go for a drive "to the top of the hill" just to get a better view. It will get us out of the house. We had been stuck inside for days because of rain. The same rain was making snow just 10 miles north of us. Why not?

My desire to see Bali had been a long-held dream, after studying Indonesian at school and most of my Australian friends making the pilgrimage at least once in their lifetime. So when the stars aligned and I found an opportunity to take a solo trip, I couldn't have jumped faster.

Of all of the adventures anticipated I never expected to be photobombed by bears and eagles in Juneau, Alaska.

We are here to help but giving you a visual tour of visiting Santa Monica Pier and a travel guide with tips and photography.

"My life was being raised in a small town on a farm, and I...