Karilyn Owen, Author at No Back Home

Must Have Travel Accessory

November 12, 2015 by Karilyn Owen

In my post about Hiking the Narrows with Kids, I listed important items to take with you on the hike. One of the things I mentioned was a sarong and how it just might come in handy when someone needs to use the restroom on the river where there is no privacy to be found! Following that post, a fellow traveler and blog reader reached out to introduce me to her line of beautiful silk travel wraps made in India. We quickly bonded over our shared history of India and the fact that she couldn’t get the hilarious image of me using my sarong as a bathroom door out of her head! Anyway, I agreed to check out her travel wrap and even take it with me on my next trip, which was to Fiji.

I know what you are thinking. Why would I need a wrap/shawl on a beach holiday. Well I thought the same. I wasn’t sure how much it was going to come in handy while on a beach, but with some trepidation I left my trusty sarong at home and packed my shiny new silk wrap instead.

Hotel Review: Koro Sun Resort & Rainforest Spa

November 9, 2015 by Karilyn Owen

Fiji is a destination that people dream of visiting, often that dream persists for much of their life mainly due to the perceptions that Fiji is solely a honeymoon destination or one for people who have a lot of money. On the contrary, Fiji can actually be an affordable vacation at anytime during your life and yes, even with children in tow!

On our recent trip to Fiji, one hotel that I pursued on my own to visit was Koro Sun Resort & Rainforest Spa. I had attended a presentation by Tourism Fiji where their representative spoke of the new Floating Bures and the wonderful family friendly vibe of the hotel which included a nanny for children. I was sold and had to see it for myself!

7 Fun Ways to Celebrate Diwali with Kids

August 28, 2019November 5, 2015 by Karilyn Owen

One of our favorite festivals during our time in India was Diwali, known in Sanskrit as Deepavali. It gets its name from the row (avali) of clay lamps (or deepa) that are lit outside of people’s homes. Basically, Diwali celebrates the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil and the beginning of a new year. It is celebrated for 3 to 5 days every year between mid October and mid November, based on the Hindu lunar calendar.

Diyas: 7 ways to celebrate Diwali with Kids — Photo via Flickr

Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights, is one of India’s most popular and important festivals. To an outsider, it looks similar to Christmas and New Year combined. Houses are cleaned, presents are purchased, fairy lights are hung up and fireworks are set off. This is also the time of year (in India) when staff receive yearly bonuses, families buy new clothes and businesses start a new fiscal year.

Even though people from all religions participate to some extent, it is primarily a Hindu holiday which remains as important to Hindus as Christmas is to Christians.

5 Reasons Why You Should Visit Fiji

November 11, 2019October 29, 2015 by Karilyn Owen

We have just returned from a “once in a lifetime” trip to Fiji. I put it in quotes because I really hope that it is not actually just once in my lifetime! I wasn’t sure what to expect other than it looked similar to Hawaii, is known as a honeymoon destination and a getaway for the rich and famous.

Without fail, everyone we talked to about Fiji said it was their dream to go someday. Rightly so, who wouldn’t want to go to an idyllic paradise with beautiful white sand beaches in the middle of crystalline waters? Even with the weather not cooperating for most of our trip, I have to admit that it was still magical, but not for the reasons I had initially thought. Read on for the 5 reasons why you should visit Fiji too.

5 Spectacular Places to Visit in Cambodia: In Photos

March 12, 2021October 26, 2015 by Karilyn Owen

My trip to Cambodia for my 30th birthday, almost 10 years later, still remains one of my favorite holidays. Being in a country with peaceful kind people, monks peeking around corners when you least expect it and striking ancient temples coupled with a brutal history that makes your heart ache took the focus of aging away and let me see what time really does for things – heals and makes them beautiful. I couldn’t think of anywhere better to spend a special moment in time.

As I look ahead to my next milestone birthday, I took a trip down memory lane and wanted to share some of these amazing images with you. Come join me as we tour the best places to visit in Cambodia through photos.

Outdoor Activities for Kids in Los Angeles

October 21, 2015 by Karilyn Owen

A struggle many parents have when living in a large metropolis is getting their kids outdoors more than just at the local playground. We are so blessed in Los Angeles to have beautiful weather most of the year and an abundance of amazing outdoor areas to explore. So really, there is no excuse to not get the kids outdoors. Although, I recognize with shorter daylight hours and how quickly afternoons become filled with extra curricular classes (and homework) that it’s easy to find that weeks have gone by without getting meaningful outdoor time. There are also parents who just aren’t that into exploring the outdoors themselves, but want their kids to have that access. Nature classes and scheduled programs are the answer!

There is a growing movement to get kids back to the basics and outside. With that, comes more options for meaningful outdoor time for the entire family. Below are some of our picks to get your fill of the outdoors every week!

My Top 7 Travel Essentials

October 6, 2015 by Karilyn Owen

As I began packing for my next trip I realized that I have a few essentials that go with me regardless of my destination. Many of these items, in some form, have been coming with me for the last 15 years! If they are this essential to me, perhaps you will also find them useful in your travels.

Ganesh Chaturthi: In Photos

September 17, 2015 by Karilyn Owen

One of my favorite Indian festivals is the celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi. This 11 day festival takes over the city of Mumbai, giving a festive feel to an already bustling city. For more information on the celebrations and tips on how you can experience it, read our post about it here.

While the immersion celebrations are fascinating to watch and participate in, my favorite thing to do during Ganpati was to visit as many of the mandals around town as I could during the 11 day festival. Seeing the Ganesha idols in their temporary homes with local devotees passing out sweets was the best way to experience this popular Hindu festival.

Celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi in Mumbai

August 28, 2019September 15, 2015 by Karilyn Owen

Ganesh Chaturthi is the Hindu festival celebrating the elephant-headed god Ganesh (also called Ganpati or Ganesha). Ganesh is one of India’s most well known gods. He is highly revered as the remover of obstacles, the god of new beginnings and the god of good fortune. Because of this, his image is found everywhere in India and he is invoked before the undertaking of any task.

Ganpati, as the festival is colloquially known, is one of my favorite holidays in India (second only to Holi). It is a long festival that completely takes over the city of Mumbai sweeping everyone up in its delightful chaos. It is also the time of year when my son was born. From a young age my son gravitated towards anything elephant. Maybe his being born on the auspicious final submersion day really did create a connection to Ganesh!

Ganpati is celebrated between August and September, based on the moon cycle. Celebrations last for 11 days ending with a raucous celebration and submersion into a body of water on the last day. While celebrated all over India, the most elaborate celebrations happen in Mumbai and throughout the state of Maharashtra. If you are in India during this time, find your way to Mumbai!

Free Things to Do with the Family in Los Angeles

August 24, 2015 by Karilyn Owen

There are so many free things to do with the family in Los Angeles that it’s hard to keep up with them all. There are plenty of websites outlining free museum days, but I feel I am always missing something when I consult these. Instead, I decided to make my own calendar with reoccurring monthly events and free museum days. Since this is geared specifically for families with small children, I thought some of you might also enjoy checking this out. At the bottom of the post, you will also find a free calendar to download for your fridge!

Places to Visit in Kerala with Kids

August 20, 2015 by Karilyn Owen

India is one of those places that so many people dream of visiting. However, that dream often dies when children come on the scene. Everyone says “NO, you can’t go to India with kids!” Actually, you can. I won’t lie, a trip to India will be challenging, but it will fill your heart and soul like no other place on earth. Kerala, in the South of India, is a wonderful mellow introduction to India for the whole family.

From lazing on beautiful beaches, hiking in mountainous tea plantations to exploring the jungle and cruising the backwaters, a trip to Kerala is a dream for outdoor families. Without massive highways or crowded cities to contend with, a visit to South India can be full of quiet serenity, which is usually not synonymous with travel in India!

Family Day at the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium in San Pedro

August 10, 2015 by Karilyn Owen

My son has been begging to go to the aquarium, but our membership recently expired and I wasn’t ready to commit to another year. To appease him, and my pocket book, I began looking for other aquarium options in the area, when I remembered the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium was on my to do list (along with a super awesome hike to the Sunken City in San Pedro) so we decided to make a day of it and check several things off of our never ending LA bucket list!

Tips on Traveling with Other Families

August 3, 2015 by Karilyn Owen

We recently returned from our yearly joint family summer trip. Three children. Five adults. Three Generations. I have to admit I was a bit nervous about our trip this year. Last year we stayed in the gorgeous Yosemite Valley for 4 days. Short and sweet. It was amazing. Everyone had a blast. We were ready to try another year of co-family travel. This year, however, our trip was slated for 10 days in 3 different places! Pre-trip jitters aside, it turned out amazing. With our positive experiences of co-family travel, I thought I would share some of our lessons learned to inspire you to travel happily with other families.

Inspire Your Inner Artist at Watts Towers

July 30, 2015 by Karilyn Owen

Looking for something new to do? A micro-adventure? Or perhaps you need some artistic inspiration? Head down to one of LA’s finest cultural gems, Watts Towers, for a visual treat. From the massive spiral towers resembling Sagrada Familia in Barcelona to the garden and adorable turtle pond out back, Watts Towers in South Los Angeles is a unique and fascinating outing with much to interest everyone in the family.

What is Watts Towers? It is a beautiful piece of folk art that is the result of one man’s imagination and his persistence of realizing his vision. Watts Towers, designed and built by Simon Rodia (an Italian immigrant), are a collection of 17 interconnected structures made out of rebar, glass bottles, seashells, concrete and broken ceramic tiles. Over a period of 33 years, Rodia designed and built this magnificent structure on his own without machine equipment, scaffolding or drawing board designs. One day, Rodia handed over the deed to his property and walked away, leaving all of his work behind. Neighbors fought the city to save it from being demolished. After 16 years of taking care of it themselves, the neighborhood group donated the towers and art center to the City of Los Angeles.

Camping at Malibu Creek State Park

July 22, 2015 by Karilyn Owen

Malibu Creek State Park is a favorite weekend destination for hikers and bicyclists throughout the Los Angeles area. It also happens to be the closest campground to downtown LA, which makes its a great camping destination for families looking for an adventure without the drive. Upon first glance, it looks a bit bland, especially if you arrive in the parched summer months. Granted, it’s not as glamorous as nearby Leo Carrillo, but it does offer some great trails, guaranteed animal sightings and outdoor adventure for families. There really is much more than meets the eye with camping at Malibu Creek State Park.

Our Epic Utah and Arizona Grand Canyon Road Trip

January 24, 2022July 8, 2015 by Karilyn Owen

Road tripping is the quintessential American summer vacation. We joined the masses this year with a 10 day road trip through Arizona and Utah. Our epic journey took us to 4 national parks as well as some classic American gems –Route 66, the wonders of the Grand Canyon, rafting down the Colorado River and hiking through a … Read more

Exploring the Sunken City of San Pedro

July 6, 2015 by Karilyn Owen

Exploring the ruins of San Pedro’s Sunken City has been on my to do list for a while. I was a bit nervous about doing it on my own with my son, so I had to find a time when the whole family could go. Today was the day!

In 1929, this area of San Pedro began sliding into the ocean below. All that’s left now are ruins of roads and broken pipes covered in beautiful graffiti art. Artists (and visitors of all shapes and sizes) have been illegally entering this no man’s land for years.

Our Mini Spain Road Trip: Madrid to Barcelona the Long Way

June 23, 2015 by Karilyn Owen

Spain is an enchanting country with so much to offer visitors. Most tourists tend to stick to the well beaten paths of Madrid, Barcelona, Seville and Granada. These are amazing destinations, but we wanted a little something different to add to our experience of Spain. Instead of taking the train or driving the long boring stretch of highway between Madrid and Barcelona, we went the long way. Our route off the beaten path took us to a Spanish village set perched on a cliff, an old medieval hilltop town, a long forgotten ghost town from Spain’s civil war and through many more rural villages nestled in between fields of olive and grape plantations, before reaching the bustling and enchanting Barcelona several days later.

Family Camping Packing List

June 18, 2015 by Karilyn Owen

I am the yearly organizer of my son’s class camping trip. I have been organizing our class trips since preschool and have gotten better and better at planning it and packing for it each year! The more you camp with kids, the more you learn. My tips for camping with kids post continues to grow each year!

I love the planning and organizational aspects of my role as camping mom, but I hate when I forget items. For posterity’s sake, I have written out our family camping packing list as a reference for myself for each year, as well as to help anyone else who is planning a camping trip with their little ones.

Read more

Being a Woman in India | Thoughts on Safety

June 11, 2015 by Karilyn Owen

I lived in India for close to a decade. I’m white, blonde haired and blue eyed. The first night I arrived to India, minutes from the airport, I was assaulted in a taxi. During the floods of 2005 in Maharashtra where 1000 people died, I was assaulted while walking home in waist high water. The times of breast and crotch groping are too numerous to list.

Did I feel safe in India, you ask? Yes.

Are all female travelers safe there? No, not at all.