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Check out the destinations I have traveled to and gain insight on a place you are interested in visiting!
Hollywood Beach Dec 2015Quick Weekend Getaway 
We snagged SUPER cheap flights on Spirit for a Saturday am to Sunday night trip to Hollywood Beach, FL. Just enough time to soak up some sun before heading back to the cold.
We found an affordable Airbnb right on the beach for under a $100 a night. The listing was removed shortly after our trip, but there are plenty of other options/hotels.
The beauty is in the eye of the beholder--or the London Eye. With views of the entire city, this futuristic ferris wheel is a fun stop to make.
My favorite place to go in London--The British Museum. It is FREE and you get to see the Rosetta Stone! On one of London's many rainy days--this is a great place to spend an afternoon...or your first stop off your red eye.
Here it is in all it's glory--THE ROSETTA STONE. This stone helped us translate ancient cartouche hieroglyphics.
What time is it? The Big Ben can help you with that.
Harrods, the world's most famous department store is always on my list of things to do. The only reason being the food floor.
There are macarons galore... my heaven. And by the looks of it, there are more on the way. YAY.
Yogis in London. We met on our Yoga Teacher Training in Costa Rica, and here we are a couple months later. Soul Sisters!
The Generator Hotel in Russell Square--clean, modern and safe. All the rooms have lock boxes under your bed to store all your stuff. There is a bar/club with a DJ, study room, cafe and bar--it has everything you need--Including free wifi.
We found free Yoga--The Navratri Festival in WAY far out suburbs of England. It was definitely not what we expected, but there were free issues of Yoga Journal and samosas.
On the tube.
Prince Albert in Kensington Gardens.
Planting Trees in London.
I LOVE staying in Russell Square. There is a quant garden square with a coffee shop in the center. It's very relaxing to just sit in the park and enjoy the nature all around you.
The fist Pret I have ever been too. YUM. I must admit, I do love Pret's food--Quick, "healthy" and delicious. When the first US location opened in NYC, I did take a trip there JUST to get Pret... I've since then calmed down.
Trifalger Square, or now Africa on the Square. We ran into this pop up Music Festival on our walking adventure. FUN!
The tube--very easy to navigate and a lot faster than the trains in Boston. If you're waiting more than two minutes for the next train.. you can consider that a delay.
Phone booth Yogi Selfie...minus the stick.
On the train to Gatwick Airport--Gatwick? Until I got here, I thought I was landing in Heathrow. OOPS.
Keep your Oyster card (train pass), you need it to exit the station
Check out the British Museum--it is FREE
Russell Square is an accessible, safe place to stay...with the Generator Hostel just steps away
Bring a lock if you are staying in a hostel
Bring an umbrella.. there is a good chance you will need it
Eat Fish and Chips
Ride a double decker bus around the city
Enjoy some afternoon tea...or at the very least some english breakfast :)
Use your handy Travefy app to stay coordinated throughout planning your trip..it may save you from forgetting what airport you're arriving at.. I wasn't so lucky!
Just as savasana is our final relaxation pose, these scrumptious, gluten-free, vegan cookies will bring you into total relaxation with every bite. Packed with all organic, super nutritious ingredients--these superfood cookies will keep your belly happy so your mind can focus on the present.
Blend all together in food processor until smooth, cookie dough like batter.
Scoop small amount of batter into your hand and roll into a ball, flatten out onto slightly greased baking sheet(you can use coconut oil to grease the pan).
Bake them for 8 minutes at 350 degrees.
Let cool for a couple minutes before lifting as the cookies are fragile when they first come out.
Makes about 12-14 cookies.
Reykjavík
Take two in Iceland! I didn't think it could get any colder than my last visit, but Iceland delivered! I finally made it to the top of HALLGRÍMSKIRKJA CHURCH! You take a very small elevator up to the top that is undoubtedly blasting veggie tale sing alongs.
Its quite windy, but the 360 panoramic views are worth it. The colorful roofs light up the otherwise grey surroundings.
For breakfast saturday morning we stopped at the Laundromat Cafe, yes, you can do your laundry there. This amazing dish of skyrr, pancakes, and the infamous rye bread was accompanied by freshly squeezed orange ginger juice. Needless to say I was full for the day.
The famous hot dog guy is still here.
Although I did not try them, everyone will agree they are the best hot dogs in the world. They are also the most affordable thing to eat in Iceland besides rye bread.
Every year Reykjavik hosts a gay pride parade that 200,000 people attend--that’s almost half the country.
I was very excited to see a yoga handbook at the local bookstore. Joga, anyone?
If youre in Iceland on the weekend--you have to make a stop at the flea market. Loaded with food, used clothes, and knick knacks--you can try a sample of fermented shark and also buy nice wool hat.
We did go out on a romantic date. Ooo lala. Of course the dessert was my favorite. You're looking at strawberry mousse with foamed skyrr and gooseberries. In the back was skyrr mousse cake with blueberry sorbet. OMG. It. was. amazing.
Also, we can't get enough of the fermented shark. JK. It honestly smells like ammonia and you're about to eat jello thats made with bleach-it’s truly the worst thing. At least they gave you wind blown dried fish and sea kelp to help wash it down.
Iceland parties loud and publicly. They tied the soccer game against Kazakhstan and there was a DJ on site ready to get things started.
Along the water is a nice bike/walking trail that runs alongside downtown Reykjavik. There are runners, cute dogs and amazing views to your left.
Half a tree pose on some slippery rocks. Or am I cheering Iceland on in soccer...GOALLLLLL!
My favorite part of the whole trip was going inside a volcano. You hike 45 minutes to base camp wearing long yellow rain coats that protect you against the rain and wind over the lava fields. Once you arrive they give you tea and coffee and go over the safety guidelines.
You get lowered down in a German made window cleaning shaft with six other people. They don't even make you sign a waiver!
The chemicals from the lava melted all over the walls and created an array of colors. Some rocks even looked like gold!
There goes the shaft--dropping 450 feet down into the volcano. This is the only lava chamber in the world that you can descend into as most chambers get destroyed by the eruption. With that being said, they don't know if it is 100% safe--but hey, we have helmets.
One of my favorite pictures from on the way down. You can see how the lava melted the rocks and the eery light shines up from below.
To think we were following the natural flow of lava as it leaves the magna chamber--it's quite a unique feeling.
That tiny opening is the hole the shaft passes through and the same hole the lava flooded through over 4500 years ago.
The view from the ground is unlike anything I have ever seen before. The solitude on the ground was like an ever lasting savasana. The only noise you could hear was the water dripping from the top onto the rocks below--so peaceful.
The grounds around the volcano are just as peaceful. You can almost see little flowers growing on the hill.
The blue lagoon. As sad as it is to leave Iceland--stopping at the blue lagoon is a motivator to pack your bags and head towards the airport. I love the all natural sulfur masks and the healing effects the lagoon has on our bodies.
Takeaways
Dress warm--It always feels like winter
Very very expensive food. A small salad could cost you $20!
The tap water is naturally filtered over hundreds of years through the moss in the lava fields
Hot water smells like sulfur
Check out the famous hotdog stand
Skyrr is everywhere and many desserts are made with it
Rye bread and yummy butter is also everywhere
Iceland is 90% lava and gives the country the black/gray color
It doesn't get much higher than 60--if it does, locals say they run around naked
There is free wifi in almost every store/cafe
If you guessed Coconut, Cherries, Cashews, Cacao, and Chia Seeds--you were right!
Loaded with protein, fiber and healthy fats--these super easy to make truffles provide a slow, sustained energy source and are packed with antioxidants that protect the immune system and help with inflammation.
This makes them a PERFECT go-to snack for the plane (for when the person sitting next to you is sneezing and your feet swell so you can't get your shoes back on). You NEED these!
1 Cup unsweetened tart cherries, pitted and soaked for 30 minutes
1 Cup cashews soaked for 2 hours ( to make blending easier)
1 Tbsp of melted coconut oil
1 Tbsp of chia seeds
1 Tbsp of flax seeds
1 Tbsp unsweetened Cacao powder
1 Tbsp of all natural Peanut Butter ( or almond butter)
1 Tsp of Vanilla extract
1 Cup of unsweetened shredded coconut
You know I love my red eyes--It allows me to spend almost a whole extra day while traveling. Therefore, it's imperative to sleep on the plane--even if the overhead lights are on, I am in the middle seat, and there's a crying baby behind me.
The ostrich pillow helps me catch some ZzzZz's and I look pretty cool--right?!
It acts as a pillow, eye mask, ear plugs, and if needed, hand warmers--making it more functional than a neck pillow. The only thing is, people may look at me funny--but who cares, my eyes are closed and I'm on my way to dreamland. I love how this pillow can bring my awareness inwards and allows me to tune out the distractions all around me.
Grab an ostrich pillow and enjoy a red eye!
Most countries require you to have at least six months validity remaining on your passport--If you don't, it’s time to renew. Be sure to do so at least 2 months before your trip to allow yourself some breathing room.
Get your passport photo taken. Most CVS and Walgreens do them for $10.00. (if you are applying for a visa, be sure to get two extra photos).
Download the renewal form, fill it out and staple your photo in the photo box
Submit along with your most recent passport
Pay the renewal fee to "U.S. Department of State" in the amount of $110 (Yikes)
Mail ( with a tracking number) the old passport, payment, and form to:
National Passport Processing Center
Post Office Box 90155
Philadelphia, PA 19190-0155
***In most cases you can renew easily via US mail, but in some circumstances, like you received your passport under 16 years of age, you must do so in person.
It takes about 4-6 weeks to get your new passport
You will get your old passport back in a separate mailing
Cabuya200HR Yoga Teacher Training
Over 200 hours and three weeks later, I'm officially a Registered Yoga teacher! Yoga Anyone?
I set out on my adventure to The Sanctuary at Two Rivers in Cabuya, Costa Rica. I was totally off the grid and fully immersed in the jungle for three weeks. After flying into San Jose, I walked through a secluded parking lot to Sansa Air. The airport was a small waiting room and a guy holding a clipboard with our names on it! Let’s just say we were up close and personal with the pilots and the only safety overview was to "Buckle Up"!
After landing, I got picked up in a cab for a very turbulent ride to Cabuya. Then I was dropped off at base camp and after a 30 minute hike through rivers and jungle terrain, I MADE IT.
The eco-friendly tree house was simple, modern and you were exposed to all the wonders of nature. I got over my fear of bugs on the first night after seeing a headless cockroach on the ground--it’s head was bitten off by a lizard and a trail of happy ants came to eat the rest of the body. Circle of life at it’s finest!
I would also recommend not bringing your own snacks. My almonds were in a plastic bag, inside a tupperware box--and the ants still won. It took me a few days to remember not to flush the toilet paper down the drain (that's a no-no in Costa Rica). It sometimes resulted in me grabbing sticks from outside and using them as chopsticks to get the paper out. EEESSSHHH. Anything for nature.
There were many starfruit trees (known to be a natural bug repellent) near the hammock gardens. It was beautiful to lay there, bug free, and stare at the sky (instead of a cellphone).
Look at these cuties: Crabs, monkeys, dogs, lizards, and near extinct red river turtles. The howler monkeys would wake me up at 5AM, when the jungle transformed from the night. Trust me, you do not need an alarm!
Each morning we started at 6AM in this open air pagoda for a full day of Yoga, Philosophy, Sanskrit, Ayurveda and Asana Lab--it was challenging, fun, and self transformative.
I thought I was going to go hungry--and I think I gained weight. When it was time to eat--they called us with a conch. All this amazing food was cooked with fresh, local ingredients and made by the kitchen angels--would you guess it is all vegetarian and vegan desserts?? The Sanctuary at Two Rivers should be releasing a cookbook soon, so stay tuned!
Monkey see monkey do. I tried engaging in a few animated conversations with monkeys, which basically lead to me jumping up and down, looking all silly.
I graduated! Giving the amazing Liz Lindh, our fabulous Yoga teacher a giant hug after she handed me my certificate! If you are thinking about attending a YTT, look no further! Being in the jungle for three weeks allowed me to focus and transform into the best version of myself. The staff is so knowledgable and all the people I met were so inspiring. I could go on and on...but check out my awesome yogi mates below :)
Every single person (and dog) was so supportive, motivating and inspiring. I am so fortunate our paths led us here and that we could be on this part of our yoga journey together! Our infamous lions breath and vishnu mudra will always have a special meaning to me, and of course, our favorite chant--Lokah samastah sukhino bhavantu...May all beings everywhere be happy and free.
We only had one day off a week and during week one, we ventured to the surf town of Santa Teresa! It was such a relaxing day of beach bumming and exploring.
The waves were so rough, so I could not go very far into the water without aggressively being pulled in.
Amazing little artsy, hippie, beach town. Everyone is so approachable and down to earth, it is hard not to fall in love with this place. The street is lined with hand crafted art, jewelry and local eats.
Words cannot describe how truly beautiful Tortuga Island is. Butterflies flooded the blue sky which apparently is very common in June and July.
Tortuga is just a 45 minute boat ride from Montezuma on Zuma Tours. They give you drinks, fresh fruit and play music on board. You also get to snorkel and they grill you lunch on the beach. Best $50 I've ever spent.
Paulie want a cracker? The exotic birds were not so friendly, but oh so gorgeous.
They will like you more if you feed them coconut chunks and mangoes.
I was just trying to eat my lunch when I looked down to see this adorable little pig. He was so cute!
Whelp, goodbye for now, Costa Rica! Yes this is the airport. No security at all, but they will weigh you and your bag before you hop aboard the 10 person propeller plane. Everyone lives on tico time--so don't be surprised if the flight is late. Relax,
Pura Vida!
You say Pura Vida, not Hello, to anyone and everyone
Eco Friendly
Nature, nature, nature, no technology to distract you--it’s cleansing and will reset you
Amazing, welcoming people
Hipster, yoga, artist, musician and surfer heaven
Healthy, locally sourced vegetarian foods
Fresh coconut water-YUM
Don't leave food out, even for a second
Don't flush the toilet paper, put it in the trash
You will learn to love bugs--and lizards, birds, monkeys, scorpions, ants, and cockroaches
You won't want to leave--but before you do--maybe take a piece home with you and get a tattoo in Santa Teresa? JK or a T-shirt at ST/CR
I am a Registerd Yoga Teacher!!
Walk as much as possible. You can save SO MUCH by not taking cabs. Plus, it is good exercise and you get a closer look at the culture.
If you can't walk, try taking the trains or a bus.
Choose an accommodation with breakfast included--and eat A LOT. This way a little snack in the afternoon could hold you over until dinner.
Research "free things to do" Ex. London, you could spend an ENTIRE DAY in the British Museum and not get bored.
Limit your souvenirs. The value of pictures and experiences will last longer than keychains.
Stay at a hostel--most are only $15-$30 bucks a night AND include breakfast.
Don't be picky. GO where the deals are. It will only save you money to travel to more places.
Google flights allows you to check out prices for anywhere in the world and shows you the cheapest dates. If the Azores are only $500, why not choose that over $1000 to Italy?
Plan to book your flight 3-4 months in advance of leaving.
Monitor highs and lows of your flight throughout the week. Keep a note of it and book when you feel comfortable that you are receiving the best rate.
Delete your COOKIES (on your computer). If you're continuously looking at the same flight, airlines will know you are interested and you may see the price magically go up.
Praia, Santiago
I love islands and traveling to weird destinations that take you out of your comfort zone, so naturally Cabo Verde, West Africa popped up. I wanted to live like a local and experience the culture, and that is exactly what I got. Welcome to Praia, Santiago, the capital of Cabo Verde. The culture hits you right when you get on the plane, everyone is so friendly and knows one another. We took the red eye, but that did not stop the party on board. There was free wine and a pretty solid meal. If you're lucky, the nice guy sitting next to you will poke you to let you know when the food has arrived.
We stayed at the Pestana Trópico, arriving just in time for a delicious, all inclusive breakfast.
Fresh cheese, bread, and lots of fruit.
I could barely wait to start exploring--our first stop, the Plateau. It’s as high up as it sounds. We hiked up a very long, steep set of stairs onto a street filled with locals and markets galore. We were in for quite an experience. Bright colors lined the street and everyone seemed to be out and about, relaxed on island time.
The market at the plateau had fruit, vegetables and fish. Navigating through the small aisles was both challenging and exciting. The colors were vibrant, the air was filled with aromas of fish and produce, and everyone was eager to help you. We did not speak portuguese, so communicating was mostly nonverbal.
The view from the Plateau was quite spectacular. It looked like differently shaped, colorful legos, that went on for miles.
My favorite place on the Plateau was Art Kafe. I was drawn in by the art, people and music. Local artists sold their work and live bands played weekly. I came here three times during my stay and soaked up the good vibes.
Day 2: We attempted to rent a car and drive around the island--that mission failed very quickly. We got to the center of Praia and could not figure out where we were. We had a compass, a map, and we were at a loss. I know they say not all who wander are lost, but we certainly were. There were no signs, too many rotaries, and no house numbers, at all. We were in the suburbs and had NO IDEA which way to go. I was afraid we may run out of gas, so we stopped being stubborn and found our way back to return the car. This time, better safe than sorry.
After a long day and only filling up on breakfast from the hotel, we stopped at the Restaurant O Poeta to grab some cheese and bread, lots of bread. Wine and beer is also very cheap in Cabo Verde--about three escudos a glass. I ordered two!
Restaurant & Bar O Poeta
A mini vacation, from our vacation. We took a domestic flight to Santa Maria, Sal, for the weekend to celebrate our Two Year Anniversary. When we got there, our reserved "hotel" was under construction.
We got SO lucky and found the Melia, an all inclusive resort, for only $180 a night. I have never stayed anywhere so fancy. I almost felt guilty it was so nice. There was a swim up bar, wine on tap, and an endless supply of food.
The room, or should I say Villa, was completely opposite from Praia. It was a two bedroom, two bath villa with a balcony! It was a nice balance to have both on our vacation. I have never stayed in an all inclusive resort before and never thought I could afford it, but $180 a night for all meals included is an absolute steal.
The Master Bedroom
Master Bath
The villa was a short walk to the gorgeous beach. Black volcanic and hard rock sand filled the shoreline. It was unlike any beach I've ever been to.
Oh and there are sharks at Shark Bay. I was convinced I spotted one, but it turned out to be a scuba diver! Bummer.
Takeaways
If you want an inclusive resort, go to SAL. If you want culture, go to SANTIAGO. If you want both--travel to both islands.
SANTIAGO
Santiago was packed with CULTURE and pushed me out of my comfort zone (in a good way)
The plateau is lined with local shops and restaurants--there are no US chains
Fish and produce markets are a must see
You will enjoy fresh fish, cheese and inexpensive wine (much like the Azores)
Renting a car is very hard--there are no signs, the houses are not numbered, it is near impossible unless you know where you're going
It is not too safe to walk around at night
Locals exercise before sunrise/after sunset to avoid the heat
There are many stray dogs--they may chase you, you may have to run
SAL
We took a propellor plane--only 25 min flight
All inclusive resort-Mostly a European travel destination
No cultural at all--you do not leave the resort
The beaches are beautiful--lined with black volcanic sand
Wine is on tap, everywhere you look. I did not stop drinking or eating. Good thing we were only there for the weekend
Grand Canyon
Adam surprised me with a road trip from Pheonix to the Grand Canyon and Sedona. It’s as big as they say it is and the pictures simply don't do it justice. You have to see it to believe it, just gorges!
We left at 5 o'clock in the morning and were able to catch the beautiful sunrise.
You really can't tell from the pictures how colorful and multi dimensional the Canyon is.
Visiting the canyon will overwhelm your senses. There are so many opportunities to stare off in the distance and just dream, think, be.
Look at that skyline.
Driving along the canyon, there are many pull offs with similar views but different angles.
Takeaways from the Grand Canyon
Go EARLY in the morning before it gets really crowded
It costs about $20 for a standard car
The views and photos you will take are well worth it
It is hard to describe, you really have to see it to believe it
Ojai
If you love yoga, farmers markets, relaxing, and did I mention YOGA? Ojai should be on your travel list. We rented an Airbnb in the center of town and it was the most tranquil, unique home I have ever seen. We enjoyed fresh picked oranges in the al fresco kitchen and got friendly with the cat in the yard, Beale.
Beale the cat
The airbnb was a 5 minute walk into town and there you could find unique shops and tasty restaurants like Bonny Lu's country cafe. We also stopped at Bart's Book Store to take a look around. You can buy books outside of normal business hours. They go by the "honor system" that you will put money in the box.
Every morning I woke up to go to yoga at Lu Lu Bandha's and the people I met were more moving than the vinyasa flow. I had the pleasure of practicing alone with the teacher Julia, and she and I stared at each other while doing Lions' Breath, it was fun, we laughed, and it was a moment I will never forget.
We ventured to Los Padres National Forest and swerved around the mountain side looking at the beautiful scenery that surrounded us.
We enjoyed the freshest of the fresh. Cheese, Lavender, and local fruits and veggies. One woman made lavender essential oils from her french lavender plant in her yard. Very fitting of a such a spiritual, earth friendly place like Ojai. After the farmers market, hiking the meditation mount is a good way to enjoy your essential oils and soak up the relaxing vibes.
Takeaways
If you love yoga, farmers markets, relaxing vibes--Ojai is the place for you.
Fresh farm to table food--we had an orange tree at our Airbnb
Art studios, Al fresco book store, Spiritual and wellness shops
Yoga studios, meditation mounts, and organic grocery stores
Scenic mountain climbing ( or driving)
A lot of people come here to retire, or simply just relax from the hustle of LA
WINE--lots of wine, tastings, vineyards
Ponta Delgada, São Miguel
Lagoa das Sete Cidades—are two lakes situated in a massive volcanic crater--you have to experience for yourself to truly understand the beauty. In the meantime, these pictures will have to hold you over. The Azores are only a five hour flight from Boston and with the four hour time difference, you get to wake up in a magical place. We stayed in Ponta Delgada - walking distance to the water, shops, and restaurants. The hotel included breakfast—a whole lot of it. I had fruit, cheese, yogurt, juice, cereal and was satisfied for the day. I was also able to save money because I was too full for lunch.
Hotel do Colegio made you feel like you were in an ancient castle with the floors and walls lined with back lava stones.
The breakfast room.
This was the rent a car—perfectly sized for the narrow roads, windy mountains and avoiding cows.
The first stop was Villa Franca de Campo to see Ilheu Vila Franca Campo, a crater island only a stones through away from land. If you're wondering why there is a random dog in the picture, I am too.
Sete Cidades was the next stop. Look at that view!
After Sete Cidades, you can drive down into the small village and have a bite to eat. We stopped at a little cafe in the " Centro" of town to grab some cheese and flan—it only costs a few euros.
Next stop, Furnas. They serve cozida, food cooked from the earth for over seven hours. Restaurant Tony's is a must try if you are feeling adventurous.
There are around 22 mineral waters you can try from the earth that are very—well, earthy. As you walk through town, you are surrounded by steam and the smell of sulfur. The sulfur turns the rocks into this green/orange color, but the water below was perfectly safe to drink.
The COOLEST part of Furnas was the hot springs. Nestled in the Terra Nostra Garden was what appeared to be a scene from Jurassic Park. The giant tropical ferns and lush trees made you feel like you were in prehistoric times.
The geothermic pool was so warm and the bottom was VERY slimy from the sulfur sticking to the leaves and moss. The water was a burnt orange color and was so thick and salty—you could barely float or swim. It was more like walking in slow motion. Our skin also turned this funky yellow color and our bathing suits looked like we peed in them.
Off to Mosterios. The "centro" of town was just one cafe and a lot of men smoking cigarettes. The coast was by far the highlight. Turquoise waves crashed onto shore and created a ripple effect of colors and sounds.
Can't you just stare off into the ocean for hours? It was so peaceful and limitless. Although it was worth it, the walk down to the lighthouse was not as peaceful as the view - my calves were BURNING. There is a sign to not drive your car because it is too steep...there should also be a sign about not walking.
Just a normal day in the Azores--cows causing traffic delays.
Capelas—YIKES. This cliffside "road" barely fit the smart car. A SMART CAR. It could not have been more than six feet wide.
One last stop of the day—pineapples! The Azores are known for their sweet pineapples. We visited Faja de Baixo—the pineapple plantation. They let you tour the greenhouses for free. It is interesting to see the different stages of growth and try some of the pineapple liquor.
On our way to Nordeste, we stopped at Lagoa do Fogo, the crater lake with an amazing view. This "restricted" industrial road descended on both sides and had my hands shaking and my ears popping. I honestly thought the smart car was going to blow over. As you can see, we were nearly at the same level as the clouds.
We were able to find someone to take this gorgeous picture. The background looks perfect—I swear we weren't photoshopped in!
We made it to Nordeste—the farthest eastern point on the island. There is a beautiful cobble stone bridge that leads into the Centro of town.
There are just amazing views everywhere you look.
Another free tour. This time, all liquor. You could try any of the flavors they made—passionfruit, banana, and of course, pineapple. It is amazing how all these tours are free here. In Boston, it costs you an arm and a leg to go to the MFA.
Another amazing view. Is it me, or is there a cave looking tunnel on the lower right hand of the cliff?
Back at the pier in Ponta Delgada. The island had ample signs and was fairly simple to navigate around.
This is not a "relaxing beach" trip. The water is very rough. BUT if you like anything below, I definitely recommend visiting the AZORES.
AMAZING panoramic views of the oceans and lakes
Scenery is UNREAL...mountains, cliffs, farms, cows, lava rocks, lush vegetation, craters, sulfur
Food-fresh cheese, octopus, wine, flan, chocolate milk
Free tours of the tea, liquor, and pineapple plantation
Mineral water tastings
Geothermic pools
Small local villages
Easy navigation around the island
Seoul
I stayed in Hongdea at the hostel "Come Inn Korea" in an eight person room. It was only $15 and central to the city. Minus the millions of stairs you climb to make it to the door, the hostel was exceptional. Free toast and eggs, and the front desk guy, Bobby, was SO friendly. The living room, where everyone gathered, was a place where I made friends that I still keep in touch with today.
FOOD. We had Pajeon with octopus and squid. The restaurant was very inexpensive and you have to take your shoes off at the front door. If you have to go to the bathroom, you can slip on the provided sandals in the hallway. We sat indian style on the floor and had a array of octopus, kimchi, and much more--but as a newbie, that is all I could handle for the first time.
There was SO MUCH Hello Kitty. I was besides myself. I even stumbled upon the Hello Kitty Cafe--right next to my hostel. YAY!
Photo booths in Korea are awesome. Free popcorn, endless props, and if you can dream it, you can create it--in the photo booth.
Bongeunsa Buddhist temple was in the center of the busy financial district of Gangnam. To think people can escape the hustle and bustle of the city and meditate in this peaceful temple. The smell of incenses, the lush gardens and the calmness of people meditating was enough to make me cry with happiness.
We traveled south to the suburb of Jinju City, where our friend, Lish, teaches English. It was about a four hour bus ride-- felt like we were driving from Boston to NYC. One of our first stops was obviously, food. We got Dakjjim, some steamed chicken and veggie dish, yum! For dessert we had Bingsoo, its like shaved Ice with red beans and a "surprise" at the bottom. I could eat it every day.
The next day we ventured to the market where there was a huge section of fresh, dried, and mysterious fish--the dried squid is a very popular snack. They even sell it in the local convenient stores!
FOOD-It does seem like we have not stopped eating, but yet I have lost weight here. I think because there is no coffee, chocolate, or diary. OH, and all the stairs, there are SO many stairs. Below is some delicious Dak Galbi--spicy chicken with cabbage, sweet potato, and scallions. It was like eating fire, really delicious fire.
Have you ever had Makgeolli? It is a very tasty alcoholic beverage--and it comes in many flavors like banana and strawberry. BUT when it comes time to break the seal, make sure you carry toilet paper with you--the bathrooms do not have any. Also, you are supposed to put the toliet paper in the trash. OH, you should probably bring your own soap--that is also not provided.
We took a bus to Busan. Then hopped on a train to the cultural village, Gamcheon. It looked like an amazing stack of colorful legos. There were maze like paths with old stone steps, lots of them. It was simply gorgeous. It really felt like a "tropical" island by the water.
We took a taxi to Shinsegae--the largest department store in the world. We took a picture of the mall so we could show the taxi driver because neither of us spoke Korean, except for the necessities-- hello, thank you, and bathroom. We only went to the floor with the food and the options for macarons were plentiful. On our bus back to Jinju there were rice farms, lush trees, and mountains in the distance. I love bus rides, I can relax and not feel guilty.
Takeaways from South Korea
There is octopus in everything
Fruit is very expensive
You should take your shoes off in most restaurants
There are coffee machines in the train station--they are not very good
They are machines with tea in the train station-they are very good
Bingsoo is American Froyo
There are stairs everywhere. Its like climbing a mountain
There are squatters-bring your own toilet paper and soap
Dubai
Amazing view from the plane.
View from the top of the Burj Khalifa--get ready for your ears to pop. I took the tallest service elevator up 2,716.5 feet and arrived at the observation deck of the tallest building in the world. Not going to lie, it was AWESOME. It is really humid up there, but the views are breath taking. I was staring at this man made city surrounded by miles of golden desert sand and I couldn't help but think I was staring at a mirage.
Of course I had to take a selfie on top of the world.
Most people in Dubai take taxis because it is SO HOT. It was 105 degrees at 10:00AM and we decided to walk over a mile to the train to save money. I wore cotton pants and a tshirt because we were headed to the mall-- there are certain dress codes to follow. I was melting, breathing in fire, you get the idea--it’s the desert. I did take a minute to take a picture at the marina.
Luckily, when you get off the train there is an above ground passageway to the mall. It seemed to be about a mile--but at least we were inside. There were signs about proper mall etiquette--no holding hands, no kissing and no provocative clothing. There were mostly high end stores--nothing I could afford! They did have a section on local goods which specialized in gold jewelry. I also found my favorite macaron shop, Laduree, and had to stop for just one. They were not cheap either.
Ok, enough with the mall. My second craving for macarons set in and I was eyeing them at the hotel cafe.
Today is dedicated to just relaxing at the beach and poolside. Only problem--the pool feels like you are walking into a hot tub!
OK, maybe the beach will have a breeze? You seriosuly have to book it to the persian gulf because the sand feels like hot coals. We lasted only two hours at the beach. It had gotten to 110 degrees and I started to feel like I was walking through the desert without any water.
At last, sunset! It cooled down a little bit, it’s probably about 100 degrees now. The sunset was amazing. It felt like we were in an Arabian nights tale.
FOOD. I am stoked to finally have a traditional Arabic dinner. We may have went a little overboard, but it was our last night and we wanted to try everything.
Take aways from Dubai
It is really hot (no one walks around outside)
AMAZING middle eastern cuisine
Emirates Airline was the best
I was on top of the tallest building in the world
I felt very comfortable throughout my whole trip
Malmo
We took a quick train from Copenhagen over to Malmo. It seems like a standard commute for many of the locals.
The Turning Torso Tower is a residential tower in Malmo. Unfortunately, they wouldn't let us up to the top BUT the view from the ground was just as good.
I found the "Raw House" restaurant for a quick lunch. I was pretty excited with all the yummy vegan options.
Walking through the park we came across beautiful statues and trees straight out of Alice and Wonderland.
Swedish strawberries are known to be the best in the world. They are a really big part of the summer culture and are sold at the farmers market.
Continuing on our self guided walking tour--we came across another beautiful piece of architecture, The St. Petri Laroverk.
Takeaways from Sweden
Try the strawberries
Soak in all the beautiful architecture
Walk through the parks and relax
The city is very walkable
Have a traditional Swedish pastry
Copenhagen
View from the plane--so colorful and inviting. I can't wait to land in Denmark!
We stayed at the Generator Hostel conveniently located near the cruise port and Stroget--the shopping street. The hostel was really clean and had plenty of common areas to relax. There was a bar inside, comfy couches to lounge on, and had very modern amenities.
Chilling at the cruise port-- pondering whether I want waffles or ice cream. Decisions, decisions.
The cruise port is beautifully festive and all lit up once the sun goes down. All the restaurants are crowded with customers enjoying a beer and staring at the gorgeous boats in the distance. I love how the restaurants provide blankets on the chairs to keep you warm.
A MUST SEE in Denmak is the Little Mermaid. My favorite Disney movie has always been "The Little Mermaid" so it was only natural I couldn't wait to see the statue. Its beautiful.
On a rainy day, a trip to the museum can be a great use of time. This museum had quite an array of cultural artifacts including he Viking exhibit--sadly I was one day too early.
Tivoli--where do I begin. It is a bit pricey to get in--but you can buy a pass that only grants you access to the park...well worth it. The gardens are breathtaking. The park also holds one of the top ten ice cream shops in the world. OMG--it will make your mouth water. Get the sprinkles!
Bicycles are EVERYWHERE. I think there are more bikes than cars. The advanced traffic system is very similar to that of London and Amsterdam. Maybe one day, Boston.
This gorgeous old red windmill is located in Kastellet, a well preserved star fortress in Copenhagen.
Takeaways from Denmark
Everyone rides bikes to work
Great place to buy a raincoat
The city is very walkable
You can easily take a train to Sweden
Plenty of things to do that are free
