Travel - Stylish Camping

image from raina kattelson

I am camping with friends this weekend. Desperately hoping it will turn out like these lovely images and not something more like this.

above two images from country living

image from wickse, eric, & sharon

Travel - AirBnB

Things have been busy, sorry about the lack of recent posts. Here's a thought provoking post about travel to tide you over - AirBnB. Would you ever stay in a stranger's home while travelling? Would you invite strangers into your own home? I like the premise, most people actually ARE nice, not serial killers. I still think I might be too chicken, though for $190/night, the Pom Pom Beach Villa above might tempt me.

Travel - California Recap

I have finally worked my way through all the shots I took during our trip. Of course, the pictures don't do justice to the beauty of California.

After a very bumpy flight out (WAY out of my comfort zone) we landed in the morning, had a quick lunch and headed leisurely down from San Francisco to Monterey. We followed the coast for a good portion of the drive. Multiple 'state beach this way' signs lured us off the highway. The first was Seacliff State Park, which had a little pier with fisherman and a big shipwreck.

The second was Salinas River State Park, gorgeous, utterly deserted, and a wicked wind that blew sand in our eyes and the cuffs of our pants.

The drive also took us through the heart of artichoke country (hehe). Miles and miles of artichokes growing amid signs that trespassers could be shot, which frankly were the only thing that stopped us from a life of crime as artichoke poachers.

Luckily, there were many roadside establishments where I could legally get an artichoke fix. We didn't get the chance to experience much of the fine dining California offers, but I am so grateful we pulled over to try fried artichokes. Fresh from the fields, strangely creamy, and piping hot, deep fried artichokes are the things dreams are made of.

The next day, since I am a whore for beaches, my aunt drove us down Hwy 1 from Monterey towards Carmel, and indulged me by pulling over several times. We trooped down the craggy rocks and looked at tide pools while the wind frizzed my hair with salt spay and made our noses run.

The beach at Carmel was also gorgeous, wide and sandy. The town was so cute, with a main street lined with boutiques (including a Lush!) and cafes and well-behaved dogs on leashes everywhere.

Unfortunately, when we returned to San Francisco, I remembered that I hate taking pictures in a city because it makes me feel so touristy. But, I did take a few on our trip out to Alcatraz. Yes, that is a super touristy spot, but cool and creepy nonetheless.

On our last day, we drove down an incredibly winding road to Muir Woods to see the enormous redwoods. Many of the tourists did not make it far down the path, so the forest was so peaceful and quiet.

In the afternoon, we drove up for a quick drive-by tour of the wine country. Also, very pretty with beautiful views and quaint towns. We got to try out wines at two vineyards, both tasty, one very friendly and the other not so much. We spent the evening resting and flew home the next morning, glad for making the trip but happy to be headed back east.

Travelling Afar

Beautiful Day at the Golden Gate Bridge - Día bellísimo en el puente de Golden Gate, originally uploaded by worldsurfer.

Headed out of town for a few days tp San Francisco. I am a virgin California traveler and am looking forward to the trip! Be back soon with lots of pics.

Wednesday World Travel - German Christmas Market

image from germany-tourism.com

Now that the holiday season is seriously upon us, I have several themed travel ideas for this month. To start, how about a river cruise through Germany to soak up all the goodness of their traditional Christmas markets? The above picture is from Erfurt, Germany, one of the more famous locations. It's a little winter wonderland straight from a fairy tale!

image from Flickr member tim ellis

I swear, the Christmas spirit must run amock in these places. Look at this whole village made out of gingerbread! Sweet!

image from Flickr member tim ellis

So, while being infected with the holiday spirit, you can also chow down on some serious German food. I'll take 2 bratwursts, please, and a large beer.

image from Flickr member pterodakyl

And did I mention the shopping? The glorious, glorious shopping! Good news is, a lot of cities in the US (especially ones a lot of Germans settled in) have their own Christmas Markets. If money or time gets in the way of travelling to the real thing, check here to find a market a little closer to home.

Wednesday World Travel - The Bellagio at Thanksgiving

image from Flickr member Cynnerz

I spoke with a friend last week who told me he just wanted to hide until the holidays are over. It reminded me that not every family relishes every moment of the holiday season like mine does. So I started thinking of a cool location to spend Thanksgiving if you wanted to be in hiding like my friend. Las Vegas sprang immediately to mine. Luckily, the Bellagio puts on quite a spread for the holiday. Check out the awesome fall-themed decorations below and their website to see the MANY restaurants to feast at. Who would miss aunt edith's special 3 onion stuffing in the midst of Vegas??

Above 4 images from Flickr member jimg994

Wednesday World Travel - Brown Mountain Lights

image from flickr member noahwood

This marathon of super busy weekends has started to take it's toll on the Wednesday World Travel posts. My apologies! So this week, keeping in the theme of haunted travel, it's a short post on the Brown Mountain Lights. They are weird lights over the mountains in Burke County, NC. According to this site, there's a sinister explanation:

"A spooky legend explains the source. This story dates back to a night in 1850 when a woman disappeared in the area. Suspicion fell on the woman's husband, and everyone in the community helped search for her body. During the search, strange lights appeared over Brown Mountain, and many believed they where the spirit of the dead woman, coming back to haunt her killer. The search ended without success—and the lights ended with it. Shortly after, the husband disappeared. A number of years later, a woman's skeleton was found on Brown Mountain and the lights started to appear again."

While there, stay at the Fairway Oaks Bed and Breakfast. They have nicely appointed rooms and a great front porch with rocking chairs.


You can eat at Papa's Bar and Grill down the street from the bed and breakfast for the other meals and then play a round of golf at Silver Creek Plantation golf Course.

Wednesday World Travel - Transylvania Dracula Tour

image from Flickr member Rigamarole

If you hurry, you can still sign up for the most awesome Halloween trip ever: A Dracula tour of Transylvania.

Highlights include the ritual killing of the living dead, sampling vampire treats, and touring Dracula's castle. You'll be guided through it all with your very own English speaking host, Sorin.

Aside from all the vampire related activities, there are lots of sightseeing stops in this lovely portion of Romania. Stops include Peles Castle (haunted), the Bridge of Liars (haunted), and the Turda Salt Mines (haunted).

Above 3 images from Visit Transylvania

As an added bonus, the trip is free if you meet the following requirements:

You don’t have a reflection in the mirror
You decompose when sun light strikes you
You’re over 200 years old
You can use your wings to fly to Transylvania

Wednesday World Travel - Edinburgh, Scotland's Many Ghosts

image from Flickr member Paulus Maximus!

I spent a wonderful week in Edinburgh last year. So far, it is my favorite city. It has a large reputation for being the most haunted city in Europe. We didn't have any supernatural experiences during our stay, but we didn't seek them out either. There are plenty of places to visit in the city to get your fill of spooky stories or occurrences, though.

image from Wikipedia

The first place, and possibly most haunted area of Edinburgh, is Mary King's Close. A close, for us Americans, is like an alley off a main road with houses and businesses. Mary King's Close is famous for supposedly being walled up, with all its inhabitants still alive, in order to stop the spread of plague. Pictures taken in the Close show weird orbs and streaks of light, and people have reported seeing and even feeling all sorts of spirits in the area.

image from my flickr account

Edinburgh Castle is also a very haunted spot. With centuries of history behind it and a dungeon on site, it's had ample opportunity to attract spirits. My favorite story is the ghost of the dog that wanders the grounds. They say he was buried in the on site pet cemetery, which is in a beautiful spot overlooking the city.

image from Flickr member LucaAlbricci

The Last Drop Tavern was the last bar on the way to the old city gallows. Surprisingly, according to here, the tavern's ghost is a little girl.

"The Last Drop Tavern ghost appears as a young lassie who wears medieval clothing. Sightings of her hauntings have been witnessed in the bar and the cellar.

Customers are not left alone in the pub, but staff who are in the bar or cellar alone when drinkers are long gone have noticed that the girl ghost comes out to play! She whispers out the employee name when there is no-one else in the building - well no-one still alive!"

image from The Royal Terrace Hotel

Finally, you can bed down in the haunted rooms of The Royal Terrace Hotel. It's home to a ghostly nurse, several spectral children, and a dead man who still likes to drink at the bar. However, the hotel's sumptuous rooms might make up for the possibility of a supernatural encounter.

Wednesday World Travel - The Stanley Hotel

image from Flickr member wakeley

In the spirit of the season, I'll be focusing on scary travel destinations. For full disclosure, I would NEVER IN A MILLION YEARS actually go to one of these places. I am already a big wussy with an overactive imagination, so going to any of these places would just be asking to have a nervous breakdown. However, you're into that kind of thing, there are tons of cool places to go to have the daylights scared out of you. I could think of no better place to start than the Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colorado.

image from Wikipedia

Located near the gorgeous Rock Mountain National Park, stands the hotel Stephen King based his novel The Shining on. It has plenty of hauntings, including the founder of the hotel, F.O. Stanley, who is said to still roam the billiard room, his favorite place during life.

image from the Stanley Hotel

Perhaps a run in with the ghosts in room 418. It likes to make strange noises, and sleep in the bed when no guests occupy the room.

image from Flickr member alycat

Or you might see the mustached man in the window, looking out at the guests.

image from Flickr member Orbisonitrum

Then, if you need to settle your nerves, have a red-rum cocktail in the Stanley bar.

Wednesday World Travel - Learn French in Guadeloupe

image from Flickr member manuel

Just a quick world travel today. I recently found a great program that lets you study a language while you are in a country that speaks it. I think twice daily French lessons could be more palatable if they took place on the gorgeous islands of Guadeloupe.

image from a Flickr member from eye to pixel

This particular program takes place in Sainte Anna, AND you can choose to add surfing lessons as well! They also offer guided afternoon 'cultural activities' such as a visit to a rum distillery or sugar cane farm.

image from Toubana Hotel

My hotel pick would be Toubana Hotel. Who doesn't want to swim in the shadows of a mountain and palm trees?

image from Toubana Hotel

The hotel's restaurant also looks very promising. After a hard day of studying, this spot would be perfect for relaxing and trying out new language skills to order a drink.

Wednesday World Travel - Rose Hall Resort, Jamaica

Last week, my husband and two of our friends traveled to Jamaica for some much needed rest and relaxation. We'd been watching the weather a little nervously, but no major storms developed to interrupt the trip. After our short flight, we arrived at Rose Hall Resort in Montego Bay. It's a lovely mid-size resort just a short drive from the airport in Montego Bay. Since this is considered the 'off' season, the resort was only about 1/3 full. That meant no scrambling for beach chairs, easy dinner reservations, and no lines for the water slide.

Our room had a great view of the golf course, the ocean, and some ruins.

The room was well-appointed with tile floors, a granite sink, good bathroom lighting, a flat screen TV, and as a really nice touch, a clock radio that included an Ipod dock. It also had the most comfortable hotel bed EVER.

The pool area includes a lazy river, several waterfalls, a set of 3 mini water slides, and a large water slide. It also has a 'beachy' area for the kids and a swim-up bar. Strangely, the children's area and the bar are right next to each other, though.

The beach is quite nice, wide and sandy. It's situated in a little cove, so the waves are gentle with NO seaweed at all. It's separated into 2 areas, one for swimming and one for non-motorized water sports. The husband took out a kayak one day. They also offer snorkel rental, wind-surfing, and small catamarans with free lessons. My only complaint concerning the beach is that the music was so loud one day that I could not even drown it out with my head phones on. It was fixed the second day and returned to a normal level.

The buffet restaurant was only OK during our stay. Breakfast was great (smoked salmon and fresh pineapple every morning!), but the 2 dinners we ate were pretty disastrous. They didn't offer many choices, in fact 2 cooking stations that were open for breakfast were closed for dinner. What was offered tended to be either over-cooked or cold. However, the 2 other dinner restaurants on site almost made up from the buffet dinners. The dinners we had at the Three Palms and Luna Di Mare were by far the best meals I have ever eaten at an all-inclusive resort.

That about wraps it up. We had three full days at the resort, and none of us thought it was enough time. Another day would have been great just to enjoy the resort more, and another day or two for excursions. If you want exciting nightlife or fine dining the entire time, Rose Hall's probably not the resort for you. I'd recommend the resort for any type of family gathering - during our stay, there were 3 reunions, 5 weddings, and a 50th birthday trip. We had a great time, though, and I would LOVE to go back anytime.