To Love Me...

Turks & Caicos

Clear Blue Tranquility - My Island - Pure Fun

After traveling to many...actually most of the Caribbean Islands, I have to say hands down this was my favorite.  Was it an island and was it to be what I expected like all the others... the short answer is NO.  This magical island so full of life had so much more to offer than I had ever expected.  

After many months of going back and forth on Trip Advisor trying to decide where to stay we finally decided on Seven Stars.  I think I stalked the web daily watching prices fluctuate...  I finally booked on Orbitz due to the ability to cancel up to 3 weeks prior to arrival.  I used this free cancel option once and ended up very impressed with SEVEN STARS RESORT.  This moderately priced (moderate for the island - which is high by most standards) hotel was a perfect selection on Grace Bay Beach.  And we may have been drawn to the free breakfast.  Two thumbs up for Seven Stars!

At Seven Stars Beach Bar

Crystal Clear!

Wow - the water - clarity and color are no joke.  I think this was the most beautiful water I have ever ever seen...like ever!  It was sometimes hard to tell the sky from the water...and not to mention the sand was like butter...silky and smooth!  Oh yeah there's no need for water shoes here... you can walk out for yards still feeling the sand between your toes -not to mention seeing your toes too!  

A True Island Experience!

Anyone that knows me knows that I am always up for an adventure...I mean I like to go an really experience everything a place has to offer.  I say you haven't truly traveled to a place unless you have a true experience!  I don't do touristy stuff...But I do love an adventure. 

Island Dancers & Musicians

I had read about a FISH FRY that the island (Provo) has every Thursday night from 5:30-9:30pm...so we ventured out for a night of shenanigans. 

Known as a culinary explosion, this must do takes getting to know the island to a whole-other-level! 

I Heart Rum Punch and the Macarena...

I can't say we took part in the eating but we sure did get down and drink some Rum Punch!   We met two sisters from Minnesota that night and danced the night way.  Ummm yo Elizabeth and sister Betsy...you girls ROCK!  Yet another amaze balls part of traveling - MEETING NEW FRIENDS!

What Did You Say - A Conch Fest?

Once a year Provo locals, hotels and chefs get together for the Conch Festival... Its kinda like Forrest Gump and his shrimp... there was conch prepared every which way you could imagine.  I think I ate conch 15 different ways.  The top hotels and restaurants participate for the win.  

(and what better thing to do when it pours down rain)

Oh and did I forget to mention there was a MAJITO competition?  Troy and I were selected as judges.... maybe we looked like tourist or something.  

Well anyway - I say WIN WIN!  SLURP SLURP! 

Potcake 

No Provo visit is complete without some Potcake Love....  

Potcakes are the dogs of the island... some strays and some owned these doggies capture the hearts of many visitors.  You can even adopt one for the time you are here or even take one home with you permanently.  I met this lil' booger at Sharkbite Bar and Grill - I HIGHLY recommend!  Pop on over this bar and grill for some grub and drinks...located on the marina.  Back to the pup... to learn more about adoption: www.potcakeplace.com 

A Token Snorkel Trip...

But anything but ordinary...

This was an amazing morning - yes it may have rained throughout most of the snorkel but nothing could take away from the beauty. When you go...not if you go - This is a MUST DO!  Island Vibes was our tour company that we booked on site at our hotel.  The guys took great care of us...providing great celeb stories and fresh conch.  

Please do me a favor and add this spectacular island to your bucket/pin your map list.  

"Please be a traveler, not a tourist.  Try new things, meet new people, and look beyond what is right in front of you.  Those are the keys to understanding the amazing world we live in." 

- Andrew Zimmern

The Caribbean

Toes in the Sand...Drinks in your Hand

We recently did a 2 week cruise to the Caribbean stopping in:

San Juan, Puerto Rico

*Explore Old San Juan - I love the cobblestone streets

*Visit the forts - amazing views

*Get out of the city - Great Hiking!

St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands

*Magens Bay is so-so... I suggest exploring other beaches like Koki

*If you like to shop - shop!!

*Very commercialized.... if you are looking for seclusion - go to St. John for the day!

*Go have a drink at Johnny's Bar - he makes a killer Rum Punch!

Tortola, British Virgin Islands

*Have a drink at Village Cay overlooking the marina

*Easy trip to neighboring islands

*Very secluded & laid back

Virgin Gorda

*Use Tortola as your hub to get to Virgin Gorda

*Find a guy named Dion - he will take you to Virgin Gorda for $50 a person

*Go to Virgin Gorda early... we went at 9am and beat all the crowds

*Explore the caves and climb the boulders - AMAZING!

Saint John's, Antigua

*Very underdeveloped roads - but I still recommend renting a car and exploring

*Visit the donkey sanctuary - make a donation - see a famous donkey

*Skip Nelson's Dockyard - not worth it!!

*Visit Devils Bridge

*Have a drink at Harbor View Bar & Cafe and watch the cruise ships (Have a Wadadli - local beer)

Roseau, Dominica

*One of my most favorite places EVER!!!

*Nature Lovers Paradise

*Visit Emerald Pool (go early beat the crowds)

*Titou Gorge is absolutely amazing (a scene from Pirates of the Caribbean 2 was filmed here)

*Trafalgar Falls (as seen below) hot water, cold water and 2 spectacular waterfalls

*Have a Kubuli (Local Beer)

Bridgetown, Barbados

*Go to Blue Monkey Beach - take your snorkel gear with you and you can shore snorkel out to the sea turtles

*Snorkeling with the sea turtles in their natural environment was one of the coolest things I have ever done!  Don't forget a water camera - you won't want to miss these pics!

*Negotiate beach chairs - you shouldn't pay more than $10 for 2 chairs

*Check out Harbor Lights Beach Bar - rent chairs and snorkel with more sea turtles and an awesome ship wreck

St. Maarten

*Topless to the left, Nude to the Right - Very European = Very Nude

*Rent a Jeep

*Go to the Butterfly Farm - it's nice to do things you never get to do - so why not??

www.thebutterflyfarm.com

*Orient Beach - rent beach chairs and sit back for some interesting people watching! - enough said!

*Bring your own water chair and sit back and enjoy view like the one below....

St. Lucia

*Breathtaking! 

*Climb the Gros Piton - a difficult but worthy climb to the top!

*Beware of winding roads - car sickness is not fun!  I know!  Take a boat rather than a van to the Pitons - 1.5 hours away from the cruise ship dock one way.

Greneda

*The island of SPICE!  Don't leave without taking the tastes of the island home with you!

*The beach is close by the cruise ship... Catch a water taxi and enjoy the day!

Kralendijk, Bonaire

*Dive, Snorkel... do either, do both - just do it! 

*I would live here!  This place is gorgeous! 

*Take a water taxi to No Name Beach - take your snorkel gear with you and drift snorkel straight from the shore.  There is NOTHING on this beach - just leave your stuff and walk down the beach and enter the water at one of the entry points. 

*Best Snorkeling EVER!

*Watch the sunset a Karel's Beach Bar - a great place to grab a drink and some food right on the water.

Oranjestad, Aruba

*Rent a four wheeler or motorcycle

*Explore the island from top to bottom - from the lighthouse to the wildlife park, to the caves to Baby Beach... Lots to see and do!

Eat Funchi - a local dish in Aruba - cornmeal fried with melted cheese on top.... Drink Balashi and Balashi Chill... locally brewed beer in Aruba

*The sand bar at Baby Beach is amazing...

I totally recommend this cruise via Princess Cruise Line.  Its 2 weeks of new islands every day and only 2 sea days.  If you want a great way to see as much of the Caribbean as possible in a short period of time...this is for you.  Nothing beats waking up every morning on a different island....going all day... and coming back to the ship a night for great entertainment and an awesome dinner.  We loved our trip and I would be happy to answer any questions on any of these islands...so message me! 

Bon Voyage and keep traveling my friends!!













The Keys.... to a Great Trip! Key West FL!

Ahhh - The Florida Keys! 

What is a trip to Key West without a stop in Key Largo!  And what's a worth the stop in Key Largo... Jimmy Johnson's Big Chill.  This waterfront bar/restaurant is an awesome place to stop for a "Painkiller" and some yummy appetizers.  I was sad I missed Jimmy by one day....He tweeted the next day that he was stopping in.  Bummer! 

Key West! 

One of my most favorite places to go.  I would call Key West a casual/tropical cross between Austin, Texas (Keeping Austin Weird) and New Orleans.  Or maybe it's because you can drink on the streets... I don't know!  I have only ever stayed on the water in Key West and I do believe it is the only way to go.  Waking up to the sounds of water kissing the sides of the boat, seagulls flying above and the crisp morning air greeting you is the best. 

The marinas are top notch -especially Conch Harbor!  With showers, bars and restaurants right at your fingertips, it makes staying on the water very easy.  Regardless of where you stay, an evening sunset stroll through the marina is not to be missed. 

Some of my favorites places to go and eat in Key West:

Bagatelle is a higher end restaurant on Duval Street in Old Key West.  Grab a table on the patio of this old converted home (built in 1884), order a great bottle of wine (they have one of the most extensive fine wine menus in the Keys) and sit back for a very enjoyable evening (watching the parade of people stroll by). 

Santiago's Bodega is absolutely amazing!  This tapas restaurant is not to be missed.  Especially during happy hour from 5-7pm.  $5 tapas and 1/2 price wine - cant beat it.  Reservations are strongly recommended as this hidden gem is growing in popularity.  Not a touristy place and slightly off the beaten path (aka - not on Duval Street).  I loved stepping out of the cab to the sounds of chickens that were residents in the neighborhood. 

A fan favorite - Sloppy Joe's!  We spent every night here dancing the night away... and people watching here was amazing.  There is a reason this place has live web cams!  So if you are in Key West... stop in for a night you will probably forget. 

And for those keeping it not so classy... don't miss Hog's Breath Saloon!  Great bar food, live bands and they have a great BAR!  I mean where else can you find a hog's ass hanging on a a wall???

Be sure to grab a few drinks and make some fun memories here!  I'll drink to that!  Everyone put your glasses up! 

Key West is a place where you can let your hair down, relax and party as little or as much as you want.  What is for sure that this magical place is never short of a good time! 

Kusadasi & Ephesus, Turkey - Fake Watches, Biblical Ruins & A Virgin

The Virgin Mary House

A Christian and Muslim Shrine located on Mt Koressos

Pilgrims visit the house based on the belief that Mary, the mother of Jesus, was taken to this stone house by Saint John and lived there until her Assumption (according to Catholic doctrine), or Dormition (according to Orthodox belief).

We rented a car (as usual) and drove out of town towards Ephesus... We spent about an hour or so at the Virgin Mary house and headed on to Ephesus.  I could have taken or left the Virgin Mary house... a historic and religious place to have seen and been to but really not a lot of pizazz here.  If and when you go out to Turkey - Ephesus is a place to see!  It is HOT there... so plan your day to start here and hit the beaches later. 

A Lot of Rock and a Lot of People! 

Ephesus was an amazing place to visit.... the history of this place is incredible and the mere fact you can stand where Paul spoke is awesome.  Plus Artemis - one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World!  Really an abundance oh history and relevance. 

These are a few pictures of the Library of Celsus... this was my favorite!

Ladies Beach

It wasn't hard getting my hubby to a place called Ladies Beach!  This is the most popular beach in Kusadasi and known as the Turkish Riviera.  It was named ladies beach as back in the day the beaches were segregated by gender.  A great place to spend the afternoon lounging on a beach chair and watching all the people.... definitely not a secluded beach. 

Turkish Bazaar

Now this was FUN!  Strolling the alleys of the Turkish markets was quite fun and amusing.  Hookah shops, handmade Turkish rugs being made and oh the haggling!  My favorite were all the "genuine" fake watches... they had everything in the "genuine" market!  I walked away with some quirky handmade (I think) pottery.  This is the place to go if you love to bargain with the shop owners...

Our Princess Cruise Ship in the background of this amazing shot from a hillside...Gorgeous! 

Ahhh...and what afternoon is complete without Happy Hour on the Turkish Riviera.  Taking in the sights and the sea and ending our day in Turkey.  I am so glad I had the opportunity to visit this diverse country... I still have a lot of exploring to do here but for my first time if was FAB! 

Ill leave you with a Turkish Proverb....

Bir elin nesi var, iki elin sesi var.
    Two heads are better than one.

My Mykonos

Mykonos, Greece

Mykonos was one of my most favorite Greek islands...  Captivated by the whitewashed buildings, the colorful busts of color and the cobblestone streets make this an island you must visit.  We started our day by renting a car and traveling to the famous Windmills.  The windmills are one of Mykonos most recognized landmarks...and of course a must see!

We had a amazing morning strolling through the cobblestone streets.  The best laid plans in Greece are sometimes no plans at all.  Around every corner were little hidden secrets of this amazing town. 

So go get lost in these streets and see what you can find. 

Ahhh....perfection - Handmade Pasta!  Really, I mean really!???  Where can you turn a corner and find something so cool to experience!  I wanted to put this guy in my suitcase and take him home! 

We didn't get a chance to eat here but if we ever go back it is on the list!  Seemed to be a very popular place - probably because the greek man making the pasta on the street.  Fabulous!

Ahhh...and meet my little pelican pal - Petros (well the legend of Petros)!!!! The pelican is known to be the mascot of the island.  There are 3 pelicans that currently reside in Mykonos and they love spending their days drawing attention from passerbyers and lounging around the harbor.  The fishermen feed them the catch of the day.... nom nom nom!  What a life! 

Yet something else I wanted to put in my pocket and take home!  This is NO small animal...yet so cakm and relaxed!  And when one strays too far... they get a chariot ride back to the town!  They are considered royalty.

Little Venice! A Charming Neighborhood with Magnetic Appeal!

Little Venice is one of the most romantic spots in Mykonos. 

The Aegean Sea rolls up to these beautiful and colorful whitewashed buildings.  Further down the way the walkways open in front of the buildings offering up artist galleries, shops, bars and cafes. 

Perfect for an afternoon stroll and if you are lucky the best sunsets on the island!

And We Took to the Beach for Yet Another Afternoon!

Mykonos has fabulous beaches - ah hello...it's a GREEK ISLAND! 

What best to complete a day in Mykonos but visiting a great beach... and bar!

We found this great hotel (Manoulas) that was recommended to us and just down the hill from there we encountered this amazing beach and beach bar.  Feet in the sand and whisky umbrella shades made this my island paradise! 

The beach bar there was Grrrrreeeeaaaatttt! Perfect scenery for a few appetizers and happy hour! 

And while on the subject of Happy Hour... Who can visit Greece without experiencing OUZO!  96% alcohol by volume... It was very much like drinking liquorish.  Strong and not my drink of choice but another "when in Greece moment!"  Again on my soapbox about traveling.... for goodness sake - if you go to these place...please experience them!  Experience everything about them that you can in the time allotted!  Eat like a local, drink like a local and engulf yourself with the wonders around you.  Chances are you wont be back!

We enjoyed traveling here in the month of May and the weather was PERFECT!  Tourist traffic is lower on the edge of the high season which is mid to late May and early June.  Safe travels my fellow globe trotters!

The traveler was active; he went strenuously in search of people, of adventure, of experience.  The tourist is passive; he expects interesting things to happen to him.  He goes "sight-seeing."  ~Daniel J. Boorstin