Brilliant!

Like most well-seasoned travelers I know, when traveling for personal purposes, I always find myself staying at the hotels I frequent for business purposes, in order to best utilize my points!  Usually, that keeps us road warriors in the big-names like Hilton, Starwood, or Marriott.  We are chained to these brands and the benefits they provide us, which is actually quite smart on their part!  But the world of the big brands is about to be shaken...

Stash Boutique Hotel Rewards Points has launched!  It's a new program started by a former Expedia executive, who had the balls (excuse me) to bring the boutiques and small hotels together to form a union, of sorts.  Most of the hotels signing up are chic, or historic, all of them providing a much more unique experience.  The program is simple and rewarding.  You earn one free night per five stays and there are no blackout dates!

Want more details? Check out the link below. And if I can lend any well-seasoned advice, hurry up and sign up for it - you could win 100,000 points just for joining!
http://www.stashrewards.com/

Dining for Kings and Queens... Or Goddesses!

There is no doubt when it comes to my love for food.  I live for it, pay a lot for it, and, travel for it.  Whenever I go to a new place, I always spend an hour or two researching the restaurants in the area.  On my Halloween trip to New Orleans, I did the same, and found a few recommendations that I thought sounded like a sweet treat.  But thank goodness I had the tact to listen to my best friend and our guide, the artistic and kind hearted Jamie Jo Frederick, or I would have never discovered the Green Goddess.

The Green Goddess provided me with one of the most unique and enjoyable dining experiences I have ever had.  From the moment we sat outside in the cool air, and the chef in his purple t-shirt, ruffled hair, and pajama pants introduced us to the menu, I knew this would be more interesting than a usual dinner with friends.  We decided on the tasting menu, a thankful choice, and the dishes kept coming, one after the other, each truly innovative and delicious. Some of my favorites included:

1. Banh Xao.  The perfect combination of sweet crabmeat texture, with fresh avacados and a sprinkling of local sprouts, and a spicy chili Vietnamese sauce.  Each ingredient offered the perfect amount of flavor and I couldn't help but be more and more surprised at how much I liked it, after each bite.  Was definitely the favorite amongst our group.

2. Blue Corn Crepes.  I am not a big mushroom or fungus kind of girl, and at first bite, I thought that this crepe with it's corn fungus and mushroom taste might be too much for me. But as I took more of the crepe with each bite, I began to love the dish. Just the right amount of musty flavor with the light sweetness of the crepe.  Like nothing I have ever tried.

3. Pumpkin risotto.  A perfect comfort dish for fall.  The pumpkin was not overpowered by the butternut squash, but it was cooked perfectly and warmed my taste buds.  Delectable.

I must also confessed that, as a Midwest, meat and potatoes girl, I loved the soup (cream of garlic, celery root, parsnips, and arugula), even though the combination of vegetables is not something I would usually dare to try.  And the coffee was outstanding.  What kind of magic do you put in the coffee?!

The Green Goddess is the perfect combination of relaxing atmosphere, good people passionate about their creations, delicious food, innovation, and reasonable prices.  Skip the high-class, famous seafood restaurants in the Quarter and try something truly unique, if you can find it down the small alley where it resides...

In their own terms, "To some people our menu probably reads like a fever dream: loaded with exotic terms and unfamiliar foods from almost every corner of the planet.  Even classic ingredients from Louisiana meet unusual flourishes, as when our crawfish cakes hook up with Spanish romesco sauce, crushed avocado and wasabi tobikko caviar.  To us in the kitchen of The Green Goddess, we simply want you to come along for the ride.  We’ve spent years exploring how to make everything under the stars, and we can hardly wait to share our favorites with our guests."

I could not agree more!

The Girl Who Learned to Snorkel

"Help! Help!"

I barely heard the yelps from under the warm, choppy waves, but I knew I heard something. My head popped up, and even in my foggy snorkeling goggles, I could see Ian. He had drifted about thirty feet behind me since the last time we checked in, and he was bobbing up and down, flailing his arms, signaling the boat about sixty feet behind us.

Well, here goes nothing, I thought. I'm a terrible swimmer. Ever since I started experiencing excruciating ear infections every time I jumped in a pool (or shower), I stopped learning. But I was now throwing my arms into the warm, kicking as hard as I could, fighting the waves pushing me further from my drowning friend.

I reached Ian, and he looked terrified with his flushed face and diluted, bloodshot eyes. I tried to extend the end of my noodle, but in all his fear, he grabbed a hold of me and started pushing me under, trying desperately to keep himself afloat. In my head, I was screaming, No Ian! No Ian! But with the snorkel in my mouth, and the water rushing around me, I couldn't make a sound. Ian's adrenaline had kicked in and all his strength was keeping me below.

Finally, an instructor reached us, and hooked Ian around the life saver, pulling him from his grasp on me and back to the boat. I paused in the water, pulling out my snorkel and gasping with words of comfort, "Ian you're ok! You're ok now!" He couldn't speak between his deep gulps of air and his white knuckled grip on the life saver.

It was only an hour earlier that I was anxious, pulling on my wet suit, shoving little tubes of Styrofoam into my ears. The waves looked dangerous and angry. Why was I doing this to myself? I couldn't swim, I hated water, I knew that there was sharp, piercing pain just around the corner if I jumped in...

Ian pushed me right on in, laughing and shrieking with excitement. I cautiously started to paddle, lightly dipping my face into the water. It took quite a lot of kicking, and struggling against the waves, until I finally saw the first coral ridge. And then... it felt like the angry waves parted so I could drift along the calm seas, breathe coming easy so I could see the wonder below.

I felt like the Little Mermaid, bobbing with my blonde hair curling around me in the ocean water. Fish came up and graced my arms, swam almost between my fingers. The coral was the most beautiful shades of gold, orange, and red, the seaweed waved back and forth welcoming me to this beautiful new world. I saw a giant clam open to reveal a beautiful, soft, iridescent padding and I gasped at it's beauty.

Wait, I thought, panicking for a second. The boat! And Ian!

I pulled myself up out of this mysteriously beautiful world. Looked to my left, to my right, and there was Ian, awkwardly bobbing and adjusting his snorkel, spitting salt water like one of those stone cherubs in Italy. Relieved, I dipped my head back under.

A swarm of beautiful, small, yellow and black fish swam under me. I dove under, disregarding the pressure on my ears, and followed them. They swam slow against the current, and I was able to keep up. I'm not sure how much time had passed, as I swam along, daydreaming and smiling. The water felt amazing as I pushed it away from my arms, and I felt free, weightless. How had I missed this for so long?

That was when I heard the slight, muffled yelps from underneath. What could that be?

Ian and I had been friends for awhile. So far on our Australian excursion, he had been the adventurous one. On the top of the Sydney bridge, I was shaking, hyperventilating, crouched to the steal stairs and squeezing my eyes tight as can be.

He was the one who suggested ziplining, as I was content spending an hour in the massage chair. And here I was swimming like a little fish, while Ian was flailing and scared for life.

That's just how the Great Barrier Reef can change you...

Crock Pots and Rooftops: The Perfect Combination

I must quickly mention that upon stumbling upon this blog, I feel like I've found the holy grail...

http://www.crockpotsandrooftops.com/

Cooking around a huddled kitchen, sharing food and drink on rooftops? Yes please! I will be spending a great deal of time perusing these posts...

New York City: No Touristy Stuff

I recently shared my first visit to New York City with a new travel partner in my life, Scott. His directions about what I could and could not plan were very clear: "No touristy stuff." So I tried to sneak it in where I could... "Oh, you're hungry this late at night? Let's check out the street vendors in Times Square..." "Oh, your friends are at the Natural Museum of History? Let's meet them and walk through Central Park on the way..."

But I have to say, in the end, he was right. For the most significant adventure of the weekend was the day we spent, without any plans, moving from bar to bar, neighborhood to neighborhood, with two of our dear New Yorkers.

We started off at Lombardi's. The margherita pizza was pretty good, cheesy and thin crust and true to Napoli tomato sauce. Then we visited the oldest bar in Little Italy, adorned with sharks and weathered photos of patrons, drinking beers around a barrel... traveled through an Italian festival with canoli's and large, hairy Italian men... on to a cigar bar... wondering around the streets searching for perfume, frustrated with our google maps... marveling at small lockets and well woven scarves along the way... stopped to view a little bit of football... arriving at a dive in Greenwich Village where we met a friendly but diverse group... kicked out of a fine leather store and searching far and wide for the glassiest evil eye... finally ending up at the most lovely Italian dinner I have ever had.

You can see we left few casualties behind...

Fried zucchini flowers? Who knew you could eat such a thing? And after bottles of red wine, espresso, sambuki, tiramasu and lots of laughter... we found ourselves huddled around chalkboard tables, once again, enjoying some beer.

What did I learn about New York City? I learned that you understand more about the people who live there by talking to the waitors and hearing their stories, and poking around in dive bars and hustling through crowded festivals. I learned the food, language, and conversation varies by neighborhood but all seem to be binded together through pride of where they come from and pride for where they are.

I think Scott was right. Going forward, my new mantra is going to be, "No touristy stuff..."

But may I mention that I did really like Times Square and Central Park?

Finding my Niche

I've recently read that the key to being a successful travel writer, is to find your niche. I've been advised that one of the best ways to discover your small pot of gold for writing content is to consider the activities you always engage in, no matter where you travel. Well, I have three, and I'm happy to take your vote!

1. Visit the local market. I am a huge advocate of walking around a city and getting to know the streets, but I also believe the market is one of the best ways to get a quick overview on a country or city's culture. You see the local specialties, and you can converse with the locals who put their sweat, blood, and tears into their home. The people watching is usually fantastic (you'll see I'm a big people watcher) and you can purchase small momentos for family and friends at very reasonable prices.

This is a photo of the fish market in Tokyo. I remember my friend Ali and I woke up before dawn, sleepy eyed, following the men in galoshes from the subway to what looked like a giant warehouse. We were almost run over by zooming carts before we reached the vast variety of fish. It was incredible. From giant tuna (seen here), to bloody eels, I saw an amazing and almost sick display of seafood that I had never had the chance to witness before.

And, related to #3 in this blog entry, the fish market had the most tasty, fresh cut, buttery textured sushi I have ever had in my life. Photo of me next to the menu, extremely puffy eyed and sleepy for a very early morning. But so, so, so worth it!

2. Relax at a beach. The beach is my haven. The sound of the waves, the warmth of the sun, and the peaceful breeze relax me more than hours at a spa ever could. Beach culture always varies from country to country, from the secluded black sand beaches in Mexico to the busy, bustling beaches in Brazil with vendors and unique beach treats.

My favorite beach I found in Brazil, on the island of Ilha Grande. The beach was called Lopes Mendes, and even on a cloudy day, after hiking seven miles to find it, it was breath taking. I think it was the combination of shallow waters over soft, packed sand, gigantic waves, and jungle / rock setting that amazed me. We sat and had a picnic, as it softly rained, and I couldn't even be sad that my chips were soggy. I even jumped in the water, shivering and shaking in the cold winds. It was beautiful.

3. Enjoy a meal. I am a huge fan of food. Usually I go for simple dishes, with lots of seafood, and I love to try local specialties. But, I am also amazed at how a favorite dish of mine in the states can take on a life of it's own with some local spices and love from a local chef.

One of my favorite meals was discovered in Brazil, also in Ilha Grande. The first time the steaming black pot of fish, coconut milk, spices, and rice was placed in front of me, I knew it was love at first site. I believe I ordered the meal three times in a week, each time slurping up every last drop and rolling myself down the small dirt roads home. (In the photo is my travel companion, Cesar, who couldn't touch the stuff!) I dream of one day finding a man who can make this for me here in the midwest, but it's unique blend is almost impossible to recreate without the knowledge of skilled island chefs.

So what will it be... Will I write about the markets I venture into, and the food and crafts I find there? Will I write about the peaceful beaches I find all over the world? Or, will I recount each and every meal, making others salivate over the delicious details?

Can I choose all three?

My Road Warrior Soulmate... Retires

Today is a sad day in my world of planes and miles. Karissa, my road warrior soulmate, has decided to trade in her wings and instead create a new home for herself with her fiance and her puppy in the city of Chicago.

Karissa - I wish you all the best my love. My life on the road will not be the same, but I could not be happier for you! XO

Know Just Enough to be Dangerous...

Friends, family, and followers,

I have decided it is time to focus on my travel writing. I aim to improve, seek, and learn in order to better entertain you and enable my dreams of having my own show on the Travel Channel.... Better watch out now!

To Travel, or Not To Travel...

On July 31st, I had my four year anniversary with my company. It seems almost amazing to me that I have been working and traveling for the same corporation, for such a significant chunk of time. These four years took me from a new, naive twenty something, or an experienced, later twenty something in the business world...

But in the last few months, work has become increasingly stressful. I find myself feeling hopeless and itchy inside the same blue walls without windows, with the same stupid laptop in front of me. My travel soulmate (Karissa) and I chat online all day (love technology) about how we are tired, miserable, want coffee, and want a nap. Our coworkers make us dizzy and confused, and we don't feel motivated to do anything.

My company offers a flexible leave program, where one can take three months off work, unpaid, and return to their job afterwards. The program is meant to compensate for long hours, stressful coworkers, and drain that comes with the job. But it is becoming more and more attractive every day.

I am considering taking this option in January or February 2011, pending some family arrangements. If I were to take it, here is what I would do:

1. Spend the first month sleeping, relaxing, drinking, and cuddling. I think I'd spend the first month traveling from beach to beach. Here are some photos of what I'm imagining:

Bora Bora

Florida Keys

Kauai, Hawaii

Mal Pais, Costa Rica

2. Spend the second month in Asia, visiting my favorite city in the world (Tokyo), and visit bustling new cities like Singapore, Bangkok, Hong Kong, and Hanoi.

3. Spend the last month in Europe, visiting Spain (sangria and art and dancing and tapas), wine tasting in Portugal, and prosecco tasting in Italy.

It's now a matter of saving all my money, convincing my Karissa, and staying alive for the next few stressful months...

It's Not How Long It Takes, It's Who's Taking You - Marilyn

There are several beautiful beaches and relaxing small towns to visit in California. My heart belongs to one, San Diego, and more importantly, to the Hotel Del Coronado.

A few years back, I spent a few days nursing a friend back to life after a very traumatic event that happened in her relationship, and as she is also a Marilyn fan, we spent those few days consuming several bottles of Marilyn Merlot while watching all of her old movies.

And so I fell in love with Some Like It Hot, where clever banter leads to an amusing romance in a beautiful hotel, the Hotel Del Coronado, located on San Diego's beach.

For my 26th birthday, I decided the only way for me to celebrate would be to visit this iconic hotel. As none of my friends had the time or money to visit with me, I invited a sweet gentleman who I was dating, and he was happy to escort me!


I felt like Marilyn, walking into the hotel, with its large wooden lobby and old fashioned elevators. I spent some time walking on the beach, looking out at where crowds of locals once stood to watch Marilyn film her scenes.

I thought about my parents, who had actually visited the hotel on multiple occassions, one of their favorite date spots. It was a beautiful hotel. We were hoping to watch the sun set while having dinner on the patio, but it was a bit chilly and I actually became ill from the dinner!

I look forward to going back again one day. I'd like to have dinner on the patio again and then enjoy drinks in the parlor. I'm going to start my own piggy bank dedicated to renting one of the private villas on the beach with my loved ones, perhaps watching Some Like It Hot on the beach where it began!