tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-88947196060790389522024-03-13T04:03:32.278-06:00Travel BoldlyTravel Boldly ... or stay home.
TravelBoldly searches for unique travel experiences whether they are luxury resorts, high adventure or exotic foods, festival or drinks. We are always on the lookout for travel stories with fresh, personal perspectives.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13830623886853610059noreply@blogger.comBlogger140125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8894719606079038952.post-19813383802507178862019-03-12T10:38:00.002-06:002020-04-29T15:23:47.013-06:00Collaboration Fest, Denver's Best Craft Beer Festival<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WcsRrxi0qUk/XIfaWf3PTQI/AAAAAAAACMQ/XE1WZaLiAAQOJJnr4u39CkQH91nVtWTAACLcBGAs/s1600/Collaboration%2BFest%2BDenver%2BColorado%2Bphoto%2Bby%2BJerome%2BShaw%2B-%2BIMG_3637.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Collaboration Fest comes to Denver for the sixth time in March 2019 photo by Jerome Shaw " border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1000" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WcsRrxi0qUk/XIfaWf3PTQI/AAAAAAAACMQ/XE1WZaLiAAQOJJnr4u39CkQH91nVtWTAACLcBGAs/s640/Collaboration%2BFest%2BDenver%2BColorado%2Bphoto%2Bby%2BJerome%2BShaw%2B-%2BIMG_3637.jpeg" title="Collaboration Fest comes to Denver for the sixth time in March 2019 photo by Jerome Shaw " width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Collaboration Fest comes to Denver for the sixth time in March 2019 photo by Jerome Shaw </td></tr>
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Are you looking for one of the best beer festivals in the country? Look in Denver on March 16th from 3-6pm at the downtown Hyatt Regency. <a href="https://www.collaborationfest.com/2019" target="_blank">Collaboration Fest will be back for its sixth year </a>pouring 100 beers brewed from collaborations between 200 breweries.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BuZZU9BfWbE/XIfbFRSE3mI/AAAAAAAACNA/P8Dnib20l_0Ye7-4Rhmrgj7vS0SSIeqwgCEwYBhgL/s1600/Collaboration%2BFest%2BDenver%2BColorado%2Bphoto%2Bby%2BJerome%2BShaw%2B-%2BIMG_E3617.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt=" Cheers to Collaboration Fest - the can't miss beer festival of the year photo by Jerome Shaw " border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="1001" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BuZZU9BfWbE/XIfbFRSE3mI/AAAAAAAACNA/P8Dnib20l_0Ye7-4Rhmrgj7vS0SSIeqwgCEwYBhgL/s640/Collaboration%2BFest%2BDenver%2BColorado%2Bphoto%2Bby%2BJerome%2BShaw%2B-%2BIMG_E3617.jpeg" title=" Cheers to Collaboration Fest - the can't miss beer festival of the year photo by Jerome Shaw " width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cheers to Collaboration Fest - the can't miss beer festival of the year photo by Jerome Shaw </td></tr>
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Collaboration Fest is an intimate craft beer experience much more approachable than larger beer festivals like the Great American Beer Festival (GABF) or even Big Beers, Belgians and Barleywines Festival (BBBBF.) But just like BBBBF there are some incredible big chewy beers for you to sample. If you love Imperial Stouts, Double IPAs and beers that run over 10%ABV you’ll love Collaboration Fest. The tickets https://www.collaborationfest.com/2019-ticketing are priced at $65 for the Collaborator Ticket and $85 for the Connoisseur Ticket (early access at 2 PM)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L2TFNBBuCII/XIfbElwapmI/AAAAAAAACMk/CRaJPdQhNVkpJWKSjz4eDoVvP4LjPSd3gCLcBGAs/s1600/Collaboration%2BFest%2BDenver%2BColorado%2Bphoto%2Bby%2BJerome%2BShaw%2B-%2BIMG_E3615.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Collaboration Fest at the Downtown Denver Hyatt Regency photo by Jerome Shaw " border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L2TFNBBuCII/XIfbElwapmI/AAAAAAAACMk/CRaJPdQhNVkpJWKSjz4eDoVvP4LjPSd3gCLcBGAs/s640/Collaboration%2BFest%2BDenver%2BColorado%2Bphoto%2Bby%2BJerome%2BShaw%2B-%2BIMG_E3615.jpeg" title="Collaboration Fest at the Downtown Denver Hyatt Regency photo by Jerome Shaw " width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Collaboration Fest at the Downtown Denver Hyatt Regency photo by Jerome Shaw</td></tr>
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This festival is a chance to expanse your style-education and pushes the boundaries of what you regularly drink. You’ll find beers that defy classification and beers that expand the definition of beer. There are also beers that bring together two breweries and two beer styles along with what seem to be familiar beers but they often have a bit of a twist.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dlHjdV1uvoI/XIfbFcXgnaI/AAAAAAAACNE/I9rPwtnU-KI9KNRpLPdq1zcb05SMAvfigCEwYBhgL/s1600/Collaboration%2BFest%2BDenver%2BColorado%2Bphoto%2Bby%2BJerome%2BShaw%2B-%2BIMG_E3620.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="The brewers from CO-Brew are just one of 200 brewers to participate in Collaboration Fest photo by Jerome Shaw " border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dlHjdV1uvoI/XIfbFcXgnaI/AAAAAAAACNE/I9rPwtnU-KI9KNRpLPdq1zcb05SMAvfigCEwYBhgL/s640/Collaboration%2BFest%2BDenver%2BColorado%2Bphoto%2Bby%2BJerome%2BShaw%2B-%2BIMG_E3620.jpeg" title="The brewers from CO-Brew are just one of 200 brewers to participate in Collaboration Fest photo by Jerome Shaw " width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The brewers from CO-Brew are just one of 200 brewers to participate in Collaboration Fest photo by Jerome Shaw </td></tr>
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If you make only one beer festival this year make it the Collaboration Fest!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-S9lUj0a3Wqw/XIfbEejE90I/AAAAAAAACM0/R4rukdvPm0wTCjVT9YOmtkidkAqfq5gMACEwYBhgL/s1600/Collaboration%2BFest%2BDenver%2BColorado%2Bphoto%2Bby%2BJerome%2BShaw%2B-%2B%2BIMG_3627.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Collaboration Fest is a chance to try new beers - this is a Grapefruit Gose photo by Jerome Shaw " border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="1001" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-S9lUj0a3Wqw/XIfbEejE90I/AAAAAAAACM0/R4rukdvPm0wTCjVT9YOmtkidkAqfq5gMACEwYBhgL/s640/Collaboration%2BFest%2BDenver%2BColorado%2Bphoto%2Bby%2BJerome%2BShaw%2B-%2B%2BIMG_3627.jpeg" title="Collaboration Fest is a chance to try new beers - this is a Grapefruit Gose photo by Jerome Shaw " width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Collaboration Fest is a chance to try new beers - this is a Grapefruit Gose photo by Jerome Shaw </span></td></tr>
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Here are a few of the collaborations and beers that will be presented:<br />
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Something Brewery & Colorado Plus Brew Pub Avocado Beer<br />
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Little Machine Beer & Joyride Brewing Company Peanut Butter Jelly (Blend) Concept<br />
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4 Hands Brewery & Left Hand Brewing Company Barrel-Aged Imperial Milk Stout with Boysenberry<br />
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Jagged Mountain Craft Brewery & 105 West Brewing Company Rum Barrel Aged Imperial Ice Cream Old Ale<br />
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14er Brewing Company & Eddyline Brewery Hazy IPA<br />
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Odell Brewing - RiNo Brewhouse & Brewability Lab Mango Coconut Gose<br />
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Vail Brewing Company & Lone Pine Brewery Brut IPA<br />
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Liquid Mechanics Brewing & Bottle Logic BA Barleywine<br />
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Tivoli Brewing Company & Grist Brewing Company & Root Shoot Malting Juicy, Hazy, Milkshake Double IPA with Guava<br />
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Crystal Springs Brewing Company & White Labs Brewing Company Kumquat Rye Sour<br />
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Dead Hippie Brewing & Twisted Vine Brewery Barrel-Aged Honey Ale<br />
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300 Suns Brewing & Gemini Beer Company Imperial Brown Ale<br />
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Strange Craft Beer Company & Freetail Brewing Company Ancho Chili, Bitter Orange, and Lemongrass IPA<br />
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Funkwerks & Reuben's Brews Barrel-Aged Brett Saison with Cherries<br />
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Jameson & Revolution Brewing Nitro Vanilla Barrel-Aged Imperial Stout<br />
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El Rancho Brewing Company & Barrier Brewing Pina Colada Milkshake IPA<br />
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Dueces Wild Brewery & Brass Brewing Company & Cerberus Brewing Company Imperial IPL<br />
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<a href="https://www.collaborationfest.com/projects" target="_blank">A full list of beers here.</a><br />
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<a href="https://www.collaborationfest.com/blog" target="_blank">Collaboration Fest PhotoBlog</a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CyWqv7X0bBo/XIfbEZQcPvI/AAAAAAAACMw/7I1XjTd4nV4R48BpT6Ab7zK0CxlBSm25QCEwYBhgL/s1600/Collaboration%2BFest%2BDenver%2BColorado%2Bphoto%2Bby%2BJerome%2BShaw%2B-%2BIMG_3633.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Good food, good beer, and good friends at the Denver Collaboration Fest photo by Jerome Shaw " border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="1000" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CyWqv7X0bBo/XIfbEZQcPvI/AAAAAAAACMw/7I1XjTd4nV4R48BpT6Ab7zK0CxlBSm25QCEwYBhgL/s640/Collaboration%2BFest%2BDenver%2BColorado%2Bphoto%2Bby%2BJerome%2BShaw%2B-%2BIMG_3633.jpeg" title="Good food, good beer, and good friends at the Denver Collaboration Fest photo by Jerome Shaw " width="512" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Good food, good beer, and good friends at the Denver Collaboration Fest photo by Jerome Shaw </td></tr>
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TICKET INFORMATION<br />
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COLLABORATOR TICKET - EARLY BIRD <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>$55.00 +$6.00<br />
LIMITED QUANTITY AVAILABLE<br />
- UNLIMITED BEER TASTINGS<br />
- COMMEMORATIVE GLASS<br />
- NEW: COMMEMORATIVE PIN<br />
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COLLABORATOR TICKET<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>$65.00 +$7.00<br />
- UNLIMITED BEER TASTINGS<br />
- COMMEMORATIVE GLASS<br />
- NEW: COMMEMORATIVE PIN<br />
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CONNOISSEUR TICKET (2PM ACCESS) - EARLY BIRD<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>$80.00 +$8.00<br />
LIMITED QUANTITY AVAILABLE<br />
- 1-HOUR EARLY ACCESS (2 PM)<br />
- UNLIMITED BEER TASTINGS<br />
- COMMEMORATIVE GLASS<br />
- NEW: COMMEMORATIVE PIN<br />
- NEW: BEANIE<br />
- MEAL TICKET VOUCHER<br />
<br />
CONNOISSEUR TICKET (2PM ACCESS)<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>$85.00 +$8.00<br />
- 1-HOUR EARLY ACCESS (2 PM)<br />
- UNLIMITED BEER TASTINGS<br />
- COMMEMORATIVE GLASS<br />
- NEW: COMMEMORATIVE PIN<br />
- NEW: BEANIE<br />
- MEAL TICKET VOUCHER<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mB8BX0MyDhg/XIfbEg3Mk3I/AAAAAAAACM4/PnPuVARlpfscvFWlrTCW2ec9LU_xrBSYQCEwYBhgL/s1600/Collaboration%2BFest%2BDenver%2BColorado%2Bphoto%2Bby%2BJerome%2BShaw%2B-%2BIMG_4934.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Collaboration Fest at the Denver Hyatt Regency Hotel March 16, 2019 photo by Jerome Shaw " border="0" data-original-height="1386" data-original-width="1000" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mB8BX0MyDhg/XIfbEg3Mk3I/AAAAAAAACM4/PnPuVARlpfscvFWlrTCW2ec9LU_xrBSYQCEwYBhgL/s640/Collaboration%2BFest%2BDenver%2BColorado%2Bphoto%2Bby%2BJerome%2BShaw%2B-%2BIMG_4934.jpeg" title="Collaboration Fest at the Denver Hyatt Regency Hotel March 16, 2019 photo by Jerome Shaw " width="461" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Collaboration Fest at the Denver Hyatt Regency Hotel March 16, 2019 photo by Jerome Shaw </td></tr>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/u/2/null"></a><br />Travel Boldlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02297472140061903881noreply@blogger.com0650 15th St, Denver, CO 80202, USA39.7434054 -104.9935598000000115.031766900000001 -146.3021538 64.455043899999993 -63.684965800000015tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8894719606079038952.post-54748519375509029192018-03-05T17:04:00.002-07:002019-03-11T15:32:49.335-06:00EAT KCK - 14 Stops on the Kansas City, Kansas Foodie Trail
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mzDM7LWE_RE/Wp28iodrscI/AAAAAAAACFg/yvn5twPlyuEDR06I6ZVh70eiVBTei6HzgCLcBGAs/s1600/Burnt%2BEnds%2BKCK%2BBBQ%2B-%2BIMG_1076.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Burnt Ends, one of beautifully smoked meats we enjoyed on this food tour of Kansas City, Kansas - Photo by Jerome Shaw for TravelBoldly.com" border="0" data-original-height="1238" data-original-width="1600" height="494" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mzDM7LWE_RE/Wp28iodrscI/AAAAAAAACFg/yvn5twPlyuEDR06I6ZVh70eiVBTei6HzgCLcBGAs/s640/Burnt%2BEnds%2BKCK%2BBBQ%2B-%2BIMG_1076.jpg" title="Burnt Ends, one of beautifully smoked meats we enjoyed on this food tour of Kansas City, Kansas - Photo by Jerome Shaw for TravelBoldly.com" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Burnt Ends, one of beautifully smoked meats we enjoyed on this food tour of Kansas City, Kansas</td></tr>
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<a href="javascript:void((function(){var%20e=document.createElement('script');e.setAttribute('type','text/javascript');e.setAttribute('charset','UTF-8');e.setAttribute('src','http://assets.pinterest.com/js/pinmarklet.js?r='+Math.random()*99999999);document.body.appendChild(e)})());"><img alt="Pin It" class="aligncenter" src="https://www.clickinmoms.com/cmprodaily/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/pinit.jpg"></a><br />
<a href="javascript:void((function(){var%20e=document.createElement('script');e.setAttribute('type','text/javascript');e.setAttribute('charset','UTF-8');e.setAttribute('src','http://assets.pinterest.com/js/pinmarklet.js?r='+Math.random()*99999999);document.body.appendChild(e)})());"><br /></a>Story and photos by <a href="http://jeromeshaw.com/" target="_blank">Jerome Shaw</a><br />
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Mention barbecue and Kansas City is sure to come to mind as one of the locations that is famous for creating this <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbecue_in_the_United_States" target="_blank">American culinary classic</a>. But, which KC are you imagining? Kansas City, Missouri or Kansas City, Kansas, the little brother of KC-MO?<br />
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KCK is no slouch when it comes to BBQ and certainly no one's little brother or sister. KCK can hold its own with KC-MO and any of the other pretenders to the BBQ throne.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbHHOtzMdjZUPXXXj_2Y2neraDEcVloxeSOp_Bi4PV09lj9BUkCxp6T77EMdC2n6mdYuEHuWxuOUweAM-2x_Eq_KVoheU7ZxnSGflWAGFBx84jgzrueOBHvFL8ZBqgT44yrNk5VN2qA3jD/s1600/Fountain+at+Chateau+Avalon+KCK+-+IMG_1415+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbHHOtzMdjZUPXXXj_2Y2neraDEcVloxeSOp_Bi4PV09lj9BUkCxp6T77EMdC2n6mdYuEHuWxuOUweAM-2x_Eq_KVoheU7ZxnSGflWAGFBx84jgzrueOBHvFL8ZBqgT44yrNk5VN2qA3jD/s200/Fountain+at+Chateau+Avalon+KCK+-+IMG_1415+copy.jpg" width="200" /></a>I was recently privileged to eat my way through KCK on a trip hosted by <a href="https://www.visitkansascityks.com/" target="_blank">Visit Kansas City Kansas</a>. I’ll probably be accused of keyword stuffing by Google for the number of times I’ve used “Kansas" in the first 3 paragraphs but I want my readers to know with certainty what KC I'm talking about. It was an intense 48 hours of eating and it started off with a outdoor welcome dinner at the Chateau Avalon Hotel and Spa catered by five of best BBQ restaurants in the city. I have few regrets in life, but this night provided one, in fact this whole trip provided a major regret. I regret most profoundly that I wasn’t able to eat MORE!<br />
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But I am getting ahead of myself.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-14f5ZCEFxPo/Wp3M8zrIR1I/AAAAAAAACF8/_PxhYk762xUJimX3kNuDgGKBlCPHsM7ugCLcBGAs/s1600/Chateau%2BAvalon%2BKCK%2B-%2BNYLoft-IMG_1051%2Bcopy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="900" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-14f5ZCEFxPo/Wp3M8zrIR1I/AAAAAAAACF8/_PxhYk762xUJimX3kNuDgGKBlCPHsM7ugCLcBGAs/s200/Chateau%2BAvalon%2BKCK%2B-%2BNYLoft-IMG_1051%2Bcopy.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="http://chateauavalonhotel.com/" target="_blank">Chateau Avalon Hotel and Spa</a> is a themed accommodation, there are 61 guest rooms with 23 different themes. I checked in and discovered that I was in the New York Penthouse. A great selection considering I always dreamed of living in NYC in loft in Tribeca or another artsy neighborhood. I arrived early in the afternoon so I had time to enjoy my expansive suit. One of the stellar features of the New York Penthouse is a spa tub right in the middle of living room. I could not resist. I ran a tub and had a soak. A nice hot soak. So hot in fact that I was still “glowing” a bit when I arrived in the lobby to meet with the other writers and our hosts from Visit Kansas City, Kansas.<br />
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Expert Tip: Do a little pre-checkin research online to find the theme you’d enjoy. Certain themes are more fun than others. My favorites were the island and Polynesian themed rooms.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7REksvqYsFFggfg7dRTbxEjLQy-EYnyPdAU205FpY3l-EWqtjDhmdGf_F8qkRVXxs4Q2FGLRhD7xySh4l0oVEukgGtkQRALic4o5tqB92GaeRaenJb9qyWOiu9Jh5B9Yk4kTQrRu5DmuS/s1600/Melody+%2526+Jerome+in+D%2527Nile+-+IMG_1069+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7REksvqYsFFggfg7dRTbxEjLQy-EYnyPdAU205FpY3l-EWqtjDhmdGf_F8qkRVXxs4Q2FGLRhD7xySh4l0oVEukgGtkQRALic4o5tqB92GaeRaenJb9qyWOiu9Jh5B9Yk4kTQrRu5DmuS/s200/Melody+%2526+Jerome+in+D%2527Nile+-+IMG_1069+copy.jpg" width="200" /></a>Our host at the Chateau Avalon Hotel and Spa devised a scavenger hunt for us throughout the vacant rooms in the hotel. We were divided into teams and proceeded to “walk quickly” through hotel (running was specifically forbidden.) The scavenger hunt provided both entertainment and a chance to see several of the other themed rooms. These competitive hunts originated when a corporate function was held at the hotel and the staff was asked if they had any “team building” activities. The answer was “certainly” and they put together “The Great Room Race. My team came in second - the name of the first place team shall not be spoken. (Melody Pittman from <a href="http://www.whereverimayroamblog.com/" target="_blank">WhereEverIMayRoamBlog.com</a>)<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CS5XigqaOV8/Wp3NU9ghyHI/AAAAAAAACGE/SbdfJjkwMi4yNdzUuVp_BW2XliQG1VxAgCLcBGAs/s1600/Blue%2BNile%2BCocktail%2Bin%2BD%2527Nile%2BChateau%2BAvalon%2BKCK%2B-%2BIMG_1064%2Bcopy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="900" height="200" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CS5XigqaOV8/Wp3NU9ghyHI/AAAAAAAACGE/SbdfJjkwMi4yNdzUuVp_BW2XliQG1VxAgCLcBGAs/s200/Blue%2BNile%2BCocktail%2Bin%2BD%2527Nile%2BChateau%2BAvalon%2BKCK%2B-%2BIMG_1064%2Bcopy.jpg" width="150" /></a>After racing around the hotel for nigh on 30 minutes we worked up a great thirst and tremendous (but still not large enough) hunger. It was time for the losers to lick their wounds and winners to gloat in the d”Nile Wine Bar . I chose the Blue Nile, a signature cocktail made with <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cura%C3%A7ao_(liqueur)" target="_blank">Blue Curaçao</a> by the able bartender. Although it was a very photogenic drink I probably should have chosen another of their craft cocktails.<br />
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Expert tip: Skip the pretty blue drink and try one of the other vintage cocktails or absinthe serve properly. The scuttlebutt is they make a mean Sazerac.<br />
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It was time for some serious BBQ. We didn’t have to travel far, the BBQ came to us. <a href="http://www.slapsbbqkc.com/" target="_blank">Slap’s BBQ</a>, <a href="https://www.joeskc.com/" target="_blank">Joe’s KC Bar-B-Que</a>, <a href="https://www.arthurbryantsbbq.com/" target="_blank">Arthur Bryant’s’ BBQ</a>, <a href="http://woodyardbbq.com/" target="_blank">Woodyard Bar-B-Que</a> and <a href="https://gatesbbq.com/" target="_blank">Gates Bar-B-Q</a> all set up tables of their BBQ and selected sides. The side dishes were tasty but the meat was the star of the show. I loved the ribs from Slap’s BBQ paired with their warm potato salad. Gates BBQ had one of the most original BBQ variations, Burnt Ends with dill pickle chips. We also got to sample Smoked Turkey (Woodyard) , Brisket (Joe’s) and Pulled Pork (Arthur Bryant’s.) One of the hits of this BBQ Buffet was the Cheesy Corn from Woodyards. Of course each BBQ place showcased their own <a href="http://amzn.to/2oTp7aV" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">BBQ Sauce</a>. Most are available bottled if you like to give them a preliminary taste before you head out to KCK. To top the night off was a platter of fudge in about any flavor you can imagine.<br />
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j_daEcEcxrM/Wp3NbseeufI/AAAAAAAACGM/q92qVWVgeLg6HQFEJlk1i178gkMCIYsiwCLcBGAs/s1600/Fudge%2B-%2BKCK%2B-IMG_1075%2Bcopy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="900" height="200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j_daEcEcxrM/Wp3NbseeufI/AAAAAAAACGM/q92qVWVgeLg6HQFEJlk1i178gkMCIYsiwCLcBGAs/s200/Fudge%2B-%2BKCK%2B-IMG_1075%2Bcopy.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
Expert tip: try fudge with a hoppy beer. The Boulevard IPA, a Kansas City brew, was a good pairing with the sweetness of the fudge. Who knew?<br />
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Out first full day on the KCK Foodie Trail brought us to <a href="http://www.memasbakery.com/" target="_blank">MeMa’s Bakery.</a> It is truly hard to detail all the wonderful things we had a choice of at MeMa’s. I was up to the task and sample most everything. I had apple strudel, carrot cake, cinnamon roll, cherry and lemon danish and a new one on me <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nut_roll" target="_blank">Povitica Bread,</a> a Croatian Layered Bread. Povitica is reason enough to for visit to MeMa’s and KCK.<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-INlSZrtROz4/Wp3NkfTIdnI/AAAAAAAACGQ/rDWUHEyP4WE1epjrrEMilsC6N30UJoxQACLcBGAs/s1600/MeMa%2BBakery%2BWares%2BKCK%2B-%2BIMG_1104%2Bcopy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="900" height="200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-INlSZrtROz4/Wp3NkfTIdnI/AAAAAAAACGQ/rDWUHEyP4WE1epjrrEMilsC6N30UJoxQACLcBGAs/s200/MeMa%2BBakery%2BWares%2BKCK%2B-%2BIMG_1104%2Bcopy.jpg" width="150" /></a>Expert tip: Buy more of MeMa’s bake goods than you think you could possible need. Don’t miss out on the Povitia Bread and get some to go. Take a sampling of their pastries and cakes for the road. If I had been driving back to Denver none of pastries would have crossed the state line.<br />
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Double Expert Super Secret Tip: Buy a few of MeMa’s cinnamon rolls in jar. They have a long shelf life and make excellent & curious gifts.<br />
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Next stop, <a href="http://www.krizmansausage.com/" target="_blank">Krizman’s House of Sausage</a> in the Strawberry Hill neighborhood. After such a sweet-filled start to the day something savory sounded perfect for stop number two of the <a href="https://www.visitkansascityks.com/sp/local_eats/" target="_blank">KCK Foodie Trail</a>. We sampled a variety of Old World Sausages made by Joe Krizman just the way his father made sausages. At Krizman’s we not only got to sample the sausage but also see how it was made and even make a bit of sausage ourselves. The old adage that you should NOT see sausage made if you want to continue enjoying it certainly didn’t apply at Krizman’s.<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RD9Wa6WBwbA/Wp3NsZ6G1rI/AAAAAAAACGY/DvVoKQ9HYuElgWFqWUT2mnMvS9qcuBv_wCLcBGAs/s1600/Making%2BSausage%2BKrizmans%2BHouse%2Bof%2BSausage%2BKCK%2B-.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="150" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RD9Wa6WBwbA/Wp3NsZ6G1rI/AAAAAAAACGY/DvVoKQ9HYuElgWFqWUT2mnMvS9qcuBv_wCLcBGAs/s200/Making%2BSausage%2BKrizmans%2BHouse%2Bof%2BSausage%2BKCK%2B-.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
Expert tip: try their handmade sauerkraut with the Cheddar Jalapeño Sausage.<br />
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Is lunch time yet? No, it barely past mid-morning.<br />
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Must be time for more BBQ.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7hSnPRRrCu-KSZkrsRuaggCHCOFq1XsGt1k20c3FqhMjt_eZTl6rDWHBeVkFfnIvklyELhwFPJ7luH86HX-MmY3sPpq0x_3Wy8yMeT2DvFRB-UEeIZ_EAwVYtJWH5dTnxIfXf6jO6Ak4s/s1600/Slaps+BBQ+KCK+Burnt+Ends+%2526+Turkey+-+IMG_1172+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="900" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7hSnPRRrCu-KSZkrsRuaggCHCOFq1XsGt1k20c3FqhMjt_eZTl6rDWHBeVkFfnIvklyELhwFPJ7luH86HX-MmY3sPpq0x_3Wy8yMeT2DvFRB-UEeIZ_EAwVYtJWH5dTnxIfXf6jO6Ak4s/s200/Slaps+BBQ+KCK+Burnt+Ends+%2526+Turkey+-+IMG_1172+copy.jpg" width="150" /></a>Around the corner to <a href="http://www.slapsbbqkc.com/" target="_blank">Slap’s BBQ</a> we go. Slaps's is another Strawberry Hill success story without quite as much history as The House of Sausage. We get to meet the Big Guy himself and see where those delicious ribs from last night are smoked and sauced. Joe Pearce is the master smoker in charge of bringing out the smoky flavor Slap’s is famous for. He is also a local celebrity for his appearance on the TV’s BBQ Pitmaster. Slap’s (Squeal Like A Pig) is a relative newcomer to KC BBQ scene but with brother’s Mike, Joe competes regularly on the BBQ circuit, which they credit for their innovative cooking style. We got to sample Burnt Ends and Smoked Turkey along with sides of the Warm Potato Salad, Baked Beans, Cole Slaw and Creamed Corn (not be confused with the canned variety.) Both meats were fantastic but Burnt Ends were my favorite along with Creamed Corn and Warm Potato Salad.<br />
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Expert tip: don’t eat for several hours before a visit to Slap’s and then eat everything.<br />
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It is still morning and we’ve got more eating to do. Pace yourself Jerome.<br />
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We enter <a href="https://www.facebook.com/El-Camino-Real-113888215309878/" target="_blank">El Camino Real</a> in central Kansas City, KN and are immediately met by puffs of steam rising, the smell of onions and peppers frying and the staccato clatter of a spatula scraping the sizzling meats on the grill. El Camino has held true to their roots as a food cart, they are now just indoors. The small cafe puts out quite an array of Mexican inspired foods but you can’t call them street tacos, anymore. The is no frufru, quasi Mexican Restaurant. They serve the real deal, platers of tacos, burritos, gorditas and tortas with meat, onions and peppers. Scattered with cilantro and a few wedges of lime and you have El Camino.<br />
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Expert tip: it is not secret but don’t pass up the original fusion food, Tacos al Pastor. If you are a fan of chorizo this is the place to order it.<br />
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Finally it is time for lunch.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf3Wvps2icgNV9xSUHSUuwwc8vbKdm7CiI7Ee2JXvAlJS669hy6fuOfRBMwIxqPYaaj6t8qS7iHI3AmDFQXu7oeuOw5j84kCqifHplLPUGjzxa7s59etdJ3ZhlkqjxFnkgyU6_GidJPd79/s1600/Original+Juan%2527s+Hot+Pepper+Chart+-+IMG_1198+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="900" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf3Wvps2icgNV9xSUHSUuwwc8vbKdm7CiI7Ee2JXvAlJS669hy6fuOfRBMwIxqPYaaj6t8qS7iHI3AmDFQXu7oeuOw5j84kCqifHplLPUGjzxa7s59etdJ3ZhlkqjxFnkgyU6_GidJPd79/s200/Original+Juan%2527s+Hot+Pepper+Chart+-+IMG_1198+copy.jpg" width="150" /></a>For lunch we are off to one of our non eating stops on the KCK Foodie Trail, <a href="http://www.originaljuan.com/" target="_blank">Original Juan’s Specialty Foods</a>. If you think your hot sauce, spaghetti sauce or BBQ sauce should be enjoyed by thousands if not millions this is where you go to get it manufactured, bottled and ready for the grocery shelf. Juan’s bottles more than 1300 sauces so you will have completion. They also house a hot sauce museum with hundreds of sauces on high shelves around the warehouse. You can also taste Da’Bomb’s Final Answer and The Source. They are reported to be the world’s hottest hot sauces at over 7 million <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scoville_scale" target="_blank">Scoville’s</a> (The scale used to rank pepper hotness) but you’ll have to sign a liability waiver first.<br />
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Expert tip: Just because you can does not mean your should. Don’t taste Da’Bomb if you plan to taste anything else on your trip to Kansas City, Kansas. Instead swing by the Juan’s closeout shelf and pickup a bargain on a hot sauce or spaghetti sauce.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ester from <a href="https://www.laughwithusblog.com/" target="_blank">Laugh With Us Blog</a> give her<br />
dough a flip at 1889 Pizza</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
At <a href="https://1889pizza.com/" target="_blank">1889 Pizza Napoletana</a> we are going to get schooled before we eat. Owner’s Kellie and Jason Kolich have set up a pizza making workshop for us. We are going to learn how to turn a small ball of dough into their Signature Margherita pie. The word hand-tossed pizza is about to take on a new meaning as it is going to be our own hands doing the tossing. After we’ve work our ball of dough into a flat, thin mostly circular crust that we’ve flipped into the air with a twist of fists, we are each issued a wooden paddle with a long handle to hold our crust. We ladle on the sauce and spread it almost to the edges of the dough, tear up our ball of fresh mozzarella and scatter the ragged bits around the pizza and place fresh basil leaves between the bits of cheese. Drizzle a few threads of Extra Virgin Olive Oil around the pizza and scatter Parmigiano Reggiano around the pizza.<br />
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But our work is not done. <br />
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We have to cook our masterpiece in Pizza 1889’s wood fired ovens. We are instructed by the resident <br />
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pizza chef a true Italian on how and where to slide our pizza into the oven. It requires a deft hand to deliver the pizza to the back of the oven without sliding into or over another of the other pizzas already in the oven. But with a stroke similar to that of a skilled outdoor shuffleboard player I slide the paddle into the oven and with an abrupt stop of the paddle the pizza skids perfectly next to the fire. The chef monitors my pizza then using a long handled metal paddle he deftly rotates my pizza and tilts it toward the fire and after minute or so places it on a plate. Even though I am not the least bit hungry I eat a couple pieces the pizza I made and sample several of Pizza 1889’s salads and imbibe on a nice red wine.<br />
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Expert tip: Grab a Peach Nehi to go with your pizza. You won’t find Peach flavored Nehi very many places. If your taste run a bit drier try one of their selection of Italian wines on tap.<br />
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We have another non eating stop next, thankfully.<br />
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We take a tour of the famous <a href="https://www.kansascitysteaks.com/" target="_blank">Kansas City Steak Company</a>’s facility. Before there was Amazon, Blue Apron and Plated there was Kansas City Steaks shipping food to your home. This is where they warehouse and ship the wide variety of meats they have on the website. It was absolutely immaculate and bitterly cold. No photos were permitted in the warehouse area but trust me, it is an efficiently run operation and not as automated as I expected. Even though they do employ robotics and lots of high-tech machinery, it is human beings that selects the steaks you ordered.<br />
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Expert tip: Buy a few gift cards to spread around at Christmas. You will be remember fondly by friends and family well into Spring. The steakburgers are an excellent value.<br />
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The final stop this afternoon is at <a href="http://www.roweridge.com/" target="_blank">Rowe Ridge Vineyard and Winery.</a> This was a well place oasis of <br />
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calm on a hill outside KCK. It is a family affair, the grape growing and picking and the wine making. The family home sits beside the trellises of grapes. We took a walk through the vineyard and heard about what grapes grow well in the midwestern climate and what grapes haven’t taken to hills of Eastern Kansas. We also got to see first hand one of the grape presses being disassemble and the skins of the crushed grapes being removed. Making wine can be a messy process but is ultimately rewarding. Our reward came in wine tasting session with one of the owners, Pam Rowe. They offer tasting to the general public on weekends and by appointment.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hhgX4yDHwqw/Wp3XmQTjbHI/AAAAAAAACII/Hz_GSwl2NSMBQNo-Q9BqXIOJVzWTxll6QCEwYBhgL/s1600/Repairing%2Bthe%2Bgrape%2Bpress%2BRowe%2BRidge%2BWinery%2BKCK%2B-%2BIMG_1325%2Bcopy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="150" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hhgX4yDHwqw/Wp3XmQTjbHI/AAAAAAAACII/Hz_GSwl2NSMBQNo-Q9BqXIOJVzWTxll6QCEwYBhgL/s200/Repairing%2Bthe%2Bgrape%2Bpress%2BRowe%2BRidge%2BWinery%2BKCK%2B-%2BIMG_1325%2Bcopy.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
Expert tip: My favorite wines at Rowe were the dry, light bodied but robust 2009 St. Vincent Red and the sweet, thick, boozy Blackberry Wine. These are wines at the opposite end of the spectrum.<br />
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Our KCK Foodie Trail is not yet complete but we take a short respite to relax back at the Chateau - I like saying that. “Back at the Chateau.”<br />
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We still have places to go and food to eat. Our mission is not yet complete.<br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_mYCFvVtC00/Wp3XjX6CNHI/AAAAAAAACH8/oAG6_h3eXJYCX4rpgHx5KNdB5GfDoWaYACEwYBhgL/s1600/Dorothys%2BRuby%2BSlippers%2BFinal%2BCut%2BRestaurant%2BKCK%2B-%2BIMG_1363%2Bcopy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="900" height="200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_mYCFvVtC00/Wp3XjX6CNHI/AAAAAAAACH8/oAG6_h3eXJYCX4rpgHx5KNdB5GfDoWaYACEwYBhgL/s200/Dorothys%2BRuby%2BSlippers%2BFinal%2BCut%2BRestaurant%2BKCK%2B-%2BIMG_1363%2Bcopy.jpg" width="150" /></a>The Hollywood Casino at the Kansas Speedway is our final stop. After we briefly wander through the casino we tour of the Final Cut Restaurant featuring a replica of Dorothy’s blue dress and ruby slippers from the Wizard of Oz and Celine Dion’s nearly transparent dress that she wore to the 1997 Oscars.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJYFBCI6gVdFE-hbcEffasTZP82J9zSNeQ_zrxaMRQdasdZYZRoivnTOIVPwPnAitfizIzK5hcxxeCrEN4hqqdGbfMfdBTwvG7vecnmTOrc7LaoTtwb3Dm4SvJXOyzW18GFgxJtj95w-wI/s1600/Pizza+at+Sunset+at+Turn+2+Sports+Bar+at+Kansas+Speedway+KCK+-+IMG_1393+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJYFBCI6gVdFE-hbcEffasTZP82J9zSNeQ_zrxaMRQdasdZYZRoivnTOIVPwPnAitfizIzK5hcxxeCrEN4hqqdGbfMfdBTwvG7vecnmTOrc7LaoTtwb3Dm4SvJXOyzW18GFgxJtj95w-wI/s200/Pizza+at+Sunset+at+Turn+2+Sports+Bar+at+Kansas+Speedway+KCK+-+IMG_1393+copy.jpg" width="200" /></a>Our final stop was not Final Cut but rather <a href="http://www.hollywoodcasinokansas.com/dining/turn-2-sports-bar" target="_blank">Turn 2 Sports Bar</a>. We are hosted out on the patio overlooking what else but turn two on the Kansas Speedway. The kitchen sent out the whole menu. We chowed down on a glut of pizza, salads, burgers, chicken wings and Catfish Po’ Boys while the sun set over the Speedway. I would dearly love to have one of those Catfish Po’ Boys right now. It was too much food even if we hadn’t already eaten all day long but it made a savory and photogenic end to our day on the Kansas City, Kansas Foodie Trail.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDWS0Cei6K9PkbA8grcrfsPLz1Xb07_w_l5EfanxKHX4Ad-vEspxKwEW0-5j6sJR3vvXSH65nRmeCoLewZvcRM8_VSPd4YL6AQmuSw63TqUI9YCuKpQiWQC9p5m5-RvR_oAlGtgbBtcU3u/s1600/Catfish+Po%2527+Boy+at+Turn+2+Sports+Bar+at+Kansas+Speedway+KCK+-+IMG_1390+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDWS0Cei6K9PkbA8grcrfsPLz1Xb07_w_l5EfanxKHX4Ad-vEspxKwEW0-5j6sJR3vvXSH65nRmeCoLewZvcRM8_VSPd4YL6AQmuSw63TqUI9YCuKpQiWQC9p5m5-RvR_oAlGtgbBtcU3u/s200/Catfish+Po%2527+Boy+at+Turn+2+Sports+Bar+at+Kansas+Speedway+KCK+-+IMG_1390+copy.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XxdNb1gupTY/Wp3Xinh_5ZI/AAAAAAAACIE/nMv9CW-UIBwzv3Q4N-koGUbW5kcBxiQsgCEwYBhgL/s1600/A%2BMountain%2Bof%2BFood%2Bat%2BTurn%2B2%2BSports%2BBar%2Bat%2BKansas%2BSpeeday%2BKCK%2B-%2BIMG_1403%2Bcopy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="150" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XxdNb1gupTY/Wp3Xinh_5ZI/AAAAAAAACIE/nMv9CW-UIBwzv3Q4N-koGUbW5kcBxiQsgCEwYBhgL/s200/A%2BMountain%2Bof%2BFood%2Bat%2BTurn%2B2%2BSports%2BBar%2Bat%2BKansas%2BSpeeday%2BKCK%2B-%2BIMG_1403%2Bcopy.jpg" width="200" /></a>Expert tip: While it may take advance preparations and a large party to have an event out on the terrace you can enjoy a great view of the Speedway through the glass walls that line the bar.<br />
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<br />Travel Boldlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02297472140061903881noreply@blogger.com2Kansas City, KS, USA39.114053 -94.627463638.9169565 -94.9501871 39.3111495 -94.3047401tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8894719606079038952.post-34603134624902708672018-02-19T17:18:00.000-07:002018-02-20T08:52:38.849-07:00Eating Boldly in Lima, Peru<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z1yEOZoZ3tU/WotUpxEzSfI/AAAAAAAACDI/Hu_0Hbgm4bI5eTMGisqHoweANIqzZQPkACLcBGAs/s1600/Meet%2Bthe%2Bmeat.%2B052%2Bcopy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Alpaca carcasses on the butchers counter in Lima, Peru. Photo: Claire Walter for TravelBoldly.com" border="0" data-original-height="411" data-original-width="551" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z1yEOZoZ3tU/WotUpxEzSfI/AAAAAAAACDI/Hu_0Hbgm4bI5eTMGisqHoweANIqzZQPkACLcBGAs/s1600/Meet%2Bthe%2Bmeat.%2B052%2Bcopy.jpg" title="Alpaca carcasses on the butchers counter in Lima, Peru. Photo: Claire Walter for TravelBoldly.com" /></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Alpaca carcasses and Guinea Pig on the butchers counter in Lima, Peru. Photo: Claire Walter</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_aSYXHbNlzQTgSlHhADkQArKaIyiMtQZRBnvYtY0576cgwxVb5x_TFC6pdxdx4cJEd4TvLINiYvyFSdZCNFm4m8RSgUC84_c7uyvtVesG-FyQr24e3ci_-gtVsAv9mjaKeSeT6AJem6Sa/s1600/Not+destined+to+be+a+child%2527s+pet+but+to+appear+as+cuy+on+the+table+014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Guinea Pigs destined for the dinner table as "cuy" not to be a child's pet. Photo Claire Walter for TravelBoldl.com" border="0" data-original-height="377" data-original-width="548" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_aSYXHbNlzQTgSlHhADkQArKaIyiMtQZRBnvYtY0576cgwxVb5x_TFC6pdxdx4cJEd4TvLINiYvyFSdZCNFm4m8RSgUC84_c7uyvtVesG-FyQr24e3ci_-gtVsAv9mjaKeSeT6AJem6Sa/s320/Not+destined+to+be+a+child%2527s+pet+but+to+appear+as+cuy+on+the+table+014.jpg" title="Guinea Pigs destined for the dinner table as "cuy" not to be a child's pet. Photo Claire Walter for TravelBoldl.com" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Guinea Pigs destined for the dinner table as "cuy" <br />
not to be a child's pet. Photo Claire Walter</td></tr>
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Eating Boldly in Lima, Peru.</h3>
Guest post by Claire Walter<br />
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You might mistake the “animals” section of any of Peru’s larger food markets for a pet store. You’ll see cages populated by cute guinea pigs, but they are not destined for a pampered life in some niño’s bedroom but for the family dinner table. Home cooks may purchase the animals live and do the dirty work themselves, or purchase skinned, eviscerated and perhaps boned specimens. This rodent is not everyday fare but is considered a special-occasion dish.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidD8CHO1TfKKvqvVmnaCwie7SNFRKJvuMz9B_ck8OddOKNNOVCnLtEGXJ4rb1w-UQ8w0wEEbrFBA0NTYvE6mY1rsj1-22vTNMULo8KzdiWv3KB30r4_tmcdxB2LPGAd1kjuzssMmv9CPU3/s1600/++Hollowed-out+peppers%252C+ready+to+stuff.+031.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Peppers hollowed out for stuffing but with what? Photo Claire Walter for TravelBoldly.com" border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidD8CHO1TfKKvqvVmnaCwie7SNFRKJvuMz9B_ck8OddOKNNOVCnLtEGXJ4rb1w-UQ8w0wEEbrFBA0NTYvE6mY1rsj1-22vTNMULo8KzdiWv3KB30r4_tmcdxB2LPGAd1kjuzssMmv9CPU3/s320/++Hollowed-out+peppers%252C+ready+to+stuff.+031.jpg" title="Peppers hollowed out for stuffing but with what? Photo Claire Walter for TravelBoldly.com" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peppers hollowed out for stuffing but with what? <br />
Photo Claire Walter</td></tr>
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When guinea pig appears on restaurant menus, it is listed as "cuy." It tastes much like rabbit, though usually somewhat gamier. Depending on the part of country, it might be served in a spicy sauce with potatoes or rice, fried and topped with achiote sauce or baked. I’ve been told that in Cuzco, it is baked whole, as a small suckling pig would be, but with a hot pepper rather than an apple in its mouth. I never saw that, nor did I ever see or taste picuro, a lowland rodent that is also eaten.<br />
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First-time visitors to the Andes are schooled in<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bu3yiJ7oM6s/WotVfVxoUYI/AAAAAAAACDc/Ft6OSghoWNYRDabcdh4Uri3LGFS-VzeHgCEwYBhgL/s1600/Alpaca%2Bon%2Bthe%2Bmenu%2B--%2Btwo%2Bways.103.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt=" Alpaca on the menu prepared two ways. Photo Claire Walter or TravelBoldly.com Alpaca on the menu prepared two ways. Photo Claire Walter or TravelBoldly.com" border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bu3yiJ7oM6s/WotVfVxoUYI/AAAAAAAACDc/Ft6OSghoWNYRDabcdh4Uri3LGFS-VzeHgCEwYBhgL/s320/Alpaca%2Bon%2Bthe%2Bmenu%2B--%2Btwo%2Bways.103.jpg" title=" Alpaca on the menu prepared two ways. Photo Claire Walter or TravelBoldly.com Alpaca on the menu prepared two ways. Photo Claire Walter or TravelBoldly.com" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alpaca on the menu prepared two ways.<br />
<span style="font-size: 12.8px;"> Photo Claire Walter </span></td></tr>
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the differences among the four Andean camelids (llamas, alpacas, guanacos and vicuñas). Llamas and alpacas are domestic livestock, while guanacos and vicuñas are wild. An alpaca might end up on your dinner plate. You probably won’t see a live alpaca being led into a market, but you will see skinned loin quarters in the butcher section. Peruvians also eat pork, goat, mutton and venison. And many are fond of organ meats. Chirimpico is a stew made from a baby goat’s entrails, onions, garlic, hot peppers, cilantro, squash and tender corn.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ax0Bk6BpLh8/WotWEr8eI4I/AAAAAAAACDo/JFV7n4O23xUhPTdZel_1fiUBoHX3QpCcACEwYBhgL/s1600/Corn%2Bthat%2Bisn%2527t%2Bpretty%252C%2Bbut%2Bis%2Bclose%2Bto%2Bthe%2Boriginal.041.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt=" This corn is similar to the ancient maise that powered the rise of the Peruvian culture 5000 years ago Photo Claire Walter for TravelBoldly.com" border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ax0Bk6BpLh8/WotWEr8eI4I/AAAAAAAACDo/JFV7n4O23xUhPTdZel_1fiUBoHX3QpCcACEwYBhgL/s320/Corn%2Bthat%2Bisn%2527t%2Bpretty%252C%2Bbut%2Bis%2Bclose%2Bto%2Bthe%2Boriginal.041.jpg" title=" This corn is similar to the ancient maise that powered the rise of the Peruvian culture 5000 years ago Photo Claire Walter for TravelBoldly.com" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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This corn is similar to the ancient maise that powered the rise<br />
<span style="font-size: 12.8px;"> of the Peruvian culture 5000 years ago.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo Claire Walter</span></td></tr>
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If the meats make you squeamish, know that Peruvian cuisine also features fabulous seafood. The country is, after all, right on the Pacific Ocean where the cool current from Antarctica brings nutrient-rich waters to the Peruvian coast. The result is super-fresh seafood. Peruvians are particularly fond of ceviche, raw fish marinated in lime juice and usually served with raw onions. Sea bass is the favorite fish for ceviche, but other white fish and shrimp are also used. Ceviche is so much a part of Peruvian culinary culture that the country declared June 28 to be Día Nacional del Cebiche in honor of this beloved dish, but it is celebrated mostly in and around Lima.<br />
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The number and variety of vegetables, tubers and grains that originated in Peru will boggle your mind. Potatoes? Corn? Both Peruvian and in a rainbow of colors. So many vegetables, both native and introduced, thrive in the country’s climate zones from sea level to Andean. You’ll find them in markets and on menus.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AJTFQpCtzds/WotcAaqVXXI/AAAAAAAACEU/5TlRd83w99wkBvCXi5uIBOWiesqSjW8CwCLcBGAs/s1600/Picarones-sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Picarones are Peruvian donuts made by deep frying a combination of sweet potato, squash, flour, yeast, sugar and anise. Photo by Carlos Varela for TravelBoldly.com" border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AJTFQpCtzds/WotcAaqVXXI/AAAAAAAACEU/5TlRd83w99wkBvCXi5uIBOWiesqSjW8CwCLcBGAs/s320/Picarones-sm.jpg" title="Picarones are Peruvian donuts made by deep frying a combination of sweet potato, squash, flour, yeast, sugar and anise. Photo by Carlos Varela for TravelBoldly.com" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picarones are Peruvian donuts.<br />
Photo by <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/c32/" target="_blank">Carlos Varela </a></td></tr>
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And what of dessert? Picarones are Peruvian donuts made by deep frying a combination of sweet potato, squash, flour, yeast, sugar and anise. What’s the Spanish word for “addictive”?<br />
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Claire Walter is an award-winning travel and food writer and blogger, and the author, co-.author or contributor to some 20 books. She blogs about travel at <a href="http://travel-babel.com/">http://travel-babel.com</a> and about restaurants and food at<a href="http://culinary-colorado.com/" target="_blank"> http://Culinary-Colorado.com</a><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUk3hiOFGmZsrFiZsdMhwhDowRLZk6kNpmnYnYY9bPwhmxjrcvzwMBX-bCb_1i-Hj6AWwl84K0fwliaNKqWdaUPYVMrI4z34MMSPbTVRYHllfqcQ8KEDlz5o4_yLuMBuRlEjc6Ufzzom10/s1600/++%2522Take+your+baby+to+work+day%2522+for+a+market+vendor.+044.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Take your daughter to work day Peruvian-style Photo Claire Walter for TravelBoldly.com" border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUk3hiOFGmZsrFiZsdMhwhDowRLZk6kNpmnYnYY9bPwhmxjrcvzwMBX-bCb_1i-Hj6AWwl84K0fwliaNKqWdaUPYVMrI4z34MMSPbTVRYHllfqcQ8KEDlz5o4_yLuMBuRlEjc6Ufzzom10/s1600/++%2522Take+your+baby+to+work+day%2522+for+a+market+vendor.+044.jpg" title="Take your daughter to work day Peruvian-style Photo Claire Walter for TravelBoldly.com" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Take your daughter to work day Peruvian-style. Photo Claire Walter</td></tr>
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<b>More post on Peru here on Travel Boldly</b><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.travelboldly.com/2017/05/new-rules-for-visiting-machu-picchu-peru.html" target="_blank">New Rules for Visiting Machu Picchu, Peru</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.travelboldly.com/2014/02/after-slow-travel-in-tanzania-we-went_24.html" target="_blank">After Slow Travel in Tanzania - We Went Poco y Poco in Peru. You are never too old to travel</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.travelboldly.com/2014/02/the-king-of-incas-inti-raymi-festival.html" target="_blank">The King of the Incas. Inti Raymi / The Festival of the Sun at Sacsayhuamán in Cusco, Peru</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.travelboldly.com/2014/02/peru-machu-picchu-iquitos-and-amazon.html" target="_blank">Peru: Machu Picchu, Iquitos and the Amazon River. Unusual choices for a honeymoon? </a><br />
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<a href="http://www.travelboldly.com/2014/02/Peru-Lima-Cusco-Machu-Picchu-Unusual-honeymoon_18.html" target="_blank">Peru: Lima, Cusco and Machu Picchu. Unusual choices for a honeymoon? </a><br />
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<a href="http://www.travelboldly.com/2009/10/inca-princess-cusco-peru.html" target="_blank">Inca Princess - Cusco, Peru </a><br />
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<a href="http://www.travelboldly.com/2009/10/trekking-andes-mountains-peru.html" target="_blank">Trekking Andes Mountains - Urubamba River Valley, Peru </a><br />
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<a href="http://www.travelboldly.com/2009/10/me-and-my-llama-peru.html" target="_blank">Me and My Llama - Peru </a><br />
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<a href="http://www.travelboldly.com/2009/10/happy-guy-wedding-guest-in-urubamaba.html" target="_blank">Happy Guy - Wedding Guest in Urubamaba, Peru </a><br />
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<a href="http://www.travelboldly.com/2009/01/subject-lost-city-of-incas-machu-picchu.html" target="_blank">Trekking to Machu Picchu - Peru </a><br />
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<a href="http://www.travelboldly.com/2009/01/inti-raymi-fireworks-celebration.html" target="_blank">Inti Raymi Fireworks Celebration - Urabamba, Peru </a><br />
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<br />Travel Boldlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02297472140061903881noreply@blogger.com0Lima, Peru-12.0463731 -77.042754-12.5433321 -77.688201 -11.5494141 -76.397307tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8894719606079038952.post-81268985485272707562017-12-12T18:07:00.000-07:002018-03-12T18:13:31.723-06:00Get Primal on the Island of Hawaii - Volcanoes National Park<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jxK7_Tcmvxw/WqcG81SxOSI/AAAAAAAACIg/4mg1KzKmIwUYCAOf-kgCAcSTSnvL46MnACLcBGAs/s1600/Volcanoes%2BNP%2B-%2BHawaii.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="317" data-original-width="853" height="235" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jxK7_Tcmvxw/WqcG81SxOSI/AAAAAAAACIg/4mg1KzKmIwUYCAOf-kgCAcSTSnvL46MnACLcBGAs/s640/Volcanoes%2BNP%2B-%2BHawaii.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Photo and story by Jerome Shaw<br />
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Volcanoes National Park in Hawaii is a primordial place that bring your instincts to the fore and lets your intellect recede. Standing at a crack in earth's crust allows you reach back into time and imagine when all the earth was much different than today. A visit to Volcanoes National park is as close to traveling in time to a time when the our planet was forming.<br />
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Don't miss visiting the Big Island of Hawaii and you definitely should not miss the chance see the spectacle of fire and rock. The Kilauea Visitor’s Center is where your adventure begins at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park (VNP.) It is a good idea to stop in if only to have a chat with park rangers. The landscape at VNP changes frequently. Trails are often closed to visitors because of lava flows or simple trail maintenance. The staff at the visitor's center can point you to the best trails for the time of year and expected whether conditions.<br />
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Expert Tip: Ask about any special offerings on that day's schedule. There maybe a special presentation by one of the Rangers or guided walk to a special area of the park. This is great way to get some in depth information about the park that will enhance your visit or get your questions answered about VNP.<br />
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Most people come to Volcanoes National Park tp see one thing but hope not see another. Everyone would like to see a lava flow but most hope they won't get a front row seat to a full-fledged volcanic eruption. The staff at the visitor's center can point you to the best and safest access points to the lava flows.<br />
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Expert Tip: Ask for a map at the visitors center - you can't always rely on your cell phone map.<br />
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The Kalpana Lava flow offers one of the best and surest points to see the molten rock. The website <a href="http://www.bigislandhikes.com/hike-to-flowing-lava-kalapana/" target="_blank">Big Island Hikes</a> offers detailed information on the route and details about distance, fitness level and what to bring. The National Park service website has page offering <a href="https://www.nps.gov/havo/learn/news/park-offers-route-and-tips-for-viewing-lava-flows.htm" target="_blank">lava flow viewing tips</a>.<br />
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Expert Tip: Your photos of the lava flows will be more dramatic if you can plan your visit when the light levels are low near the end of the day. Combine a lava flow with a sunset for sure fire Instagram hit.<br />
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Another place you should see are the steam vents which are not far from the Kilauea Visitor Center, They are on the left side of the road drive less than a mile from the visitor's center. The cause of the steam is ground water that trickles down through to the heated volcanic rock.<br />
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Expert Tip: The steam vents make an interesting backdrop for photos of people or selfies, but you need not get too close.<br />
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You can also visit the sulphur banks. These are best visited when one of the Park Rangers are giving a walk and talk. The Rangers enhance the sulphur bank experience and often provide information about Hawaiian Folklore. The walk along the <a href="https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/hawaii/sulphur-banks-trail" target="_blank">Sulphur Banks Trail</a> is an easy one and wheelchair accessible.<br />
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I hope you'll visit Volcanoes National Park as part of your Hawaiian Island Adventure. Here is a nice video titled <u>Living in the Moment on the Island of Hawaii</u> to inspire your Hawaiian visit.<br />
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Travel Boldlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02297472140061903881noreply@blogger.com0Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, HI 96718, USA19.4193697 -155.28849690000004-5.2948792999999981 163.40290909999996 44.1336187 -113.97990290000004tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8894719606079038952.post-69570580295081869692017-05-31T11:03:00.001-06:002018-02-20T08:49:31.646-07:00New Rules for visiting Machu Picchu, Peru<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EBYUgNJrxKo/WS7yCpSw14I/AAAAAAAAB7w/o03L7pdkAZANckNsvxGQjjmba9WLaladgCLcB/s1600/MachuPicchuBlackBorrder.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="615" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EBYUgNJrxKo/WS7yCpSw14I/AAAAAAAAB7w/o03L7pdkAZANckNsvxGQjjmba9WLaladgCLcB/s1600/MachuPicchuBlackBorrder.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span class="s1">New Rules for visiting Machu Picchu, Peru.</span><br />
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<span class="s1">We new it was coming. </span><br />
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<span class="s1">In an attempt to limited the impact of daily visitors that number over 5 times more people than every resided in mountain fortress at the height of the Incan civilization. </span><br />
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<span class="s1">The number of daily maximum visitors is being raised to 5,940 people. In establishing the new Machu Picchu visitor numbers the Peruvian government rejected UNESCO’s recommendation of 2,500. Though the new regulations for Machu Picchu will spread visitors out over entire day weather than concentrating visits in early morning hours when light is best for travel photography. The day will be broken into 2 periods 6 AM to noon and noon to 5:30 PM. The park will be cleared at noon of the 3,267 morning visitors allowing the 2,673 afternoon adventures to take over. It is possible to buy tickets for both sessions.</span><br />
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<span class="s1">The new rules will go into effect July 1, 2017 so you still have time to grab a quick flight to Peru for <a href="http://www.travelboldly.com/2014/02/the-king-of-incas-inti-raymi-festival.html" target="_blank">Inti Raymi </a>and a visit to Machu Picchu via the trip from Cusco. If you have already purchased tickets prior to May 2nd these restrictions will not affect you. In addition to the split sessions, guides will now be mandatory and allowed to wrangle a maximum of 16 people. You can be sure that guide rates will rise steadily from this point on.</span><br />
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<span class="s1">Visiting Machu Picchu now is a far cry from when I visited the Incan citadel in June of 1984. We walked into Machu Picchu late in the afternoon via the <a href="http://www.travelboldly.com/2009/10/trekking-andes-mountains-peru.html" target="_blank">Inca Trail </a>and the stone ruins were mostly deserted. We had time to visit the Hotel bar before making our way down to Aguas Calientes campground along the <a href="http://www.travelboldly.com/2009/01/inti-raymi-fireworks-celebration.html" target="_blank">Urubamba River.</a> Early the next morning well before sunrise I set off with two of the porters from tour group to climb the steep trail back to Machu Picchu the in the dark. I had drawn the short straw and missed out on the 3 seats available in a vehicle that was arranged for our film crew by Sobeck / Mountain Travel. I arrived to find the stone walls of Machu Picchu empty. It remained that way for over thirty minutes before a few early visitors began to wander among the Incan ruins. </span></div>
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<span class="s1">These days are long gone.</span></div>
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<span class="s1">At least they have not yet adopted the recommendation to build a funicular to the top of Machu Picchu.</span><br />
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<span class="s1">~Jerome Shaw</span></div>
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<b>More post on Peru here on Travel Boldly</b><br />
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<a href="http://www.travelboldly.com/2018/02/Food-Tourism-Lima-Peru-South-America.html" target="_blank">Eating Boldly in Lima, Peru</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.travelboldly.com/2014/02/after-slow-travel-in-tanzania-we-went_24.html" target="_blank">After Slow Travel in Tanzania - We Went Poco y Poco in Peru. You are never too old to travel. </a><br />
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<a href="http://www.travelboldly.com/2014/02/the-king-of-incas-inti-raymi-festival.html" target="_blank">The King of the Incas. Inti Raymi / The Festival of the Sun at Sacsayhuamán in Cusco, Peru</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.travelboldly.com/2014/02/peru-machu-picchu-iquitos-and-amazon.html" target="_blank">Peru: Machu Picchu, Iquitos and the Amazon River. Unusual choices for a honeymoon? </a><br />
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<a href="http://www.travelboldly.com/2014/02/Peru-Lima-Cusco-Machu-Picchu-Unusual-honeymoon_18.html" target="_blank">Peru: Lima, Cusco and Machu Picchu. Unusual choices for a honeymoon? </a><br />
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<a href="http://www.travelboldly.com/2009/10/inca-princess-cusco-peru.html" target="_blank">Inca Princess - Cusco, Peru </a><br />
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<a href="http://www.travelboldly.com/2009/10/trekking-andes-mountains-peru.html" target="_blank">Trekking Andes Mountains - Urubamba River Valley, Peru </a><br />
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<a href="http://www.travelboldly.com/2009/10/me-and-my-llama-peru.html" target="_blank">Me and My Llama - Peru </a><br />
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<a href="http://www.travelboldly.com/2009/10/happy-guy-wedding-guest-in-urubamaba.html" target="_blank">Happy Guy - Wedding Guest in Urubamaba, Peru </a><br />
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<a href="http://www.travelboldly.com/2009/01/subject-lost-city-of-incas-machu-picchu.html" target="_blank">Trekking to Machu Picchu - Peru </a><br />
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<a href="http://www.travelboldly.com/2009/01/inti-raymi-fireworks-celebration.html" target="_blank">Inti Raymi Fireworks Celebration - Urabamba, Peru </a><br />
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</style>Travel Boldlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02297472140061903881noreply@blogger.com0Peru-13.1631412 -72.544962899999973-37.8773902 -113.85355689999997 11.551107799999999 -31.236368899999974tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8894719606079038952.post-9252589693114608832017-02-07T11:36:00.000-07:002017-02-07T11:36:34.042-07:00Is Travel Is Too Expensive? Out Of Your Reach? Think Travel Scholarships. Explore the World!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvCP2h-rogxB2jeql7d7QelybeQJfyAr71YyyqGVfgc5xj33mHIj1zAWUiVmmafE5kbZ7VxeDssKUHwrXzzqNu66iGTPGLtCEXbF_S-X6vDFa1-31jC6AA0L4yAGAXZmNLsV2bDCunSSd6/s1600/Kids+Cape+Town+South+Africa+w%253A+Tianna+HIUSA+for+Travel+Boldly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Tianna, (left) one of the 2016 Explore the World Travel Scholarships is surrounded by children during her visit to Capte Town, South Africa. HIUSA for Travel Boldly" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvCP2h-rogxB2jeql7d7QelybeQJfyAr71YyyqGVfgc5xj33mHIj1zAWUiVmmafE5kbZ7VxeDssKUHwrXzzqNu66iGTPGLtCEXbF_S-X6vDFa1-31jC6AA0L4yAGAXZmNLsV2bDCunSSd6/s1600/Kids+Cape+Town+South+Africa+w%253A+Tianna+HIUSA+for+Travel+Boldly.jpg" title="Tianna, (left) one of the 2016 Explore the World Travel Scholarships is surrounded by children during her visit to Capte Town, South Africa. HIUSA for Travel Boldly" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Tianna, (left) one of the 2016 Explore the World Travel Scholarships is surrounded by children during her </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">visit </span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">to Capte Town, South Africa.</span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hoBmObg6YEw/WJoOleoCFdI/AAAAAAAAB54/IS8OzhdogxkEf5jg1Rn92rg0gKVVkJJiwCLcB/s1600/Ngozi1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Explore the World Travel Scholarship. HIUSA for Travel Boldly" border="0" height="235" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hoBmObg6YEw/WJoOleoCFdI/AAAAAAAAB54/IS8OzhdogxkEf5jg1Rn92rg0gKVVkJJiwCLcB/s320/Ngozi1.jpg" title="Explore the World Travel Scholarship. HIUSA for Travel Boldly" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="javascript:void((function(){var%20e=document.createElement('script');e.setAttribute('type','text/javascript');e.setAttribute('charset','UTF-8');e.setAttribute('src','http://assets.pinterest.com/js/pinmarklet.js?r='+Math.random()*99999999);document.body.appendChild(e)})());"></a><br />
<a href="javascript:void((function(){var%20e=document.createElement('script');e.setAttribute('type','text/javascript');e.setAttribute('charset','UTF-8');e.setAttribute('src','http://assets.pinterest.com/js/pinmarklet.js?r='+Math.random()*99999999);document.body.appendChild(e)})());"></a>Not everyone dreams of travel but many who do dream of traveling to far away places believe their dreams are out of their reach financially. This is especially true of those in their teens and twenties. For many it is a choice between furthering their education or travel. Not necessarily.<br />
<a href="javascript:void((function(){var%20e=document.createElement('script');e.setAttribute('type','text/javascript');e.setAttribute('charset','UTF-8');e.setAttribute('src','http://assets.pinterest.com/js/pinmarklet.js?r='+Math.random()*99999999);document.body.appendChild(e)})());"></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.hiusa.org/programs/travel-scholarships/explore-the-world" target="_blank">Explore the World Travel Scholarships</a> from HIUSA offer financial assistance to young people from 18-30 to travel and learn at the same time.<br />
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In 2016, 81 scholarships were awarded. In 2017 they have upped the number to 98. (<a href="https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/hiusa" target="_blank">Consider donating to the scholarship fund</a> and help them break 100 make in 2018)<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_znDNOL5y9I/WJoO0-EkagI/AAAAAAAAB58/YO0wXPhTDkgN25Ga8cepHnVXl1tyS8rhgCLcB/s1600/Elephant%2BSouth%2BAfrica%2BTianna%2BHIUSA%2Bfor%2BTravelBoldly%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Tiana during a trip to South Africa made possible by an Explore the World Travel Scholarship. HIUSA for Travel Boldly" border="0" height="234" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_znDNOL5y9I/WJoO0-EkagI/AAAAAAAAB58/YO0wXPhTDkgN25Ga8cepHnVXl1tyS8rhgCLcB/s320/Elephant%2BSouth%2BAfrica%2BTianna%2BHIUSA%2Bfor%2BTravelBoldly%2B.jpg" title="Tiana during a trip to South Africa made possible by an Explore the World Travel Scholarship.HIUSA for Travel Boldly" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Tiana during a trip to South Africa made possible by an </span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12.8px;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Explore the World Travel Scholarship</span></span></div>
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One of the 2016 scholarship recipients was Tianna, a 23-year-old from New York City who traveled abroad for the first time in her life, teaching and volunteering at a daycare center near Cape Town, South Africa, in July 2016.<br />
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“This trip has opened my eyes to how small of a space I occupy in this world. There is so much going on outside of the United States…this experience has taught me how privileged Americans are to have education and all that it comes with.”<br />
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HI USA CEO, Russ Hedge believes in the adage "Travel changes you. You change the world." He has put his company behind making educational travel more accessible for young people. “The Explore the World travel scholarship program is designed to assist young adults in underserved communities in realizing their travel dreams. And it changes the lives of people around the<br />
world.”<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCPWRVlXqH64QpRimZGUhuCvBkuaQDfRu4JVqxdc2mFOMwGokxodqIomKK0qwLs0ZiexMVD4EmYnO0dwkBYNwcjE58fCYJ6bpLjaGnmkryYa3aF5OmDFPRJrbVq09ZupbxQEvoJt98VSqV/s1600/Kiss+Sphynx+Ngozi+HIUSA+for+Travel+Boldly.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Ngozi, on a side trip to Egypt after her Arabic course in Jordan. Explore the World Travel Scholarship. HIUSA for Travel Boldly" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCPWRVlXqH64QpRimZGUhuCvBkuaQDfRu4JVqxdc2mFOMwGokxodqIomKK0qwLs0ZiexMVD4EmYnO0dwkBYNwcjE58fCYJ6bpLjaGnmkryYa3aF5OmDFPRJrbVq09ZupbxQEvoJt98VSqV/s320/Kiss+Sphynx+Ngozi+HIUSA+for+Travel+Boldly.jpeg" title="Ngozi, on a side trip to Egypt after her Arabic course in Jordan. Explore the World Travel Scholarship. HIUSA for Travel Boldly" width="314" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ngozi, on a side trip to Egypt after her Arabic course in Jordan</td></tr>
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Ngozi, a student at Howard University studying Political Science with a minor in Arabic used her scholarship award to travel to Amman, Jordan where she took part in and intensive Arabic course. Her trip brought her knowledge outside the course work, “I was there during Ramadan, the holiest part of the year for a predominantly Muslim country. I really appreciate the experience to see how they worship and how they care about each other. They’re about peace and equality. My quest is to educate people in America about Islamophobia and this misunderstanding.”<br />
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Explore the World is administered by 167 volunteers nationwide who believe in HI USA’s mission and purpose to create a more tolerant world.<br />
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There are some specific <a href="https://www.hiusa.org/programs/travel-scholarships/explore-the-world-program-details#1" target="_blank">eligibility requirements</a> but is worth a look to see if you qualify.<br />
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Eligibility criteria:<br />
· 18 - 30 years old<br />
· Current Pell Grant recipient, former Pell Grant recipient, or have a current income level does not exceed 300% of poverty line<br />
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· Permanent, legal resident of the USA<br />
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· Have a strong desire and motivation to experience other people and cultures through international travel<br />
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· Plans to take a trip outside the US between now and August 31, 2018, that incorporates education, volunteerism or service learning.<br />
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Additionally, candidates must be a resident of or attend school in one of the following 14 metro areas: Austin, Baltimore Boston, Chicago, DC, Houston, LA, Minneapolis, NYC, Portland, Richmond, San Diego, SF, or Seattle.<br />
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<br />Travel Boldlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02297472140061903881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8894719606079038952.post-87097110890300638182016-12-16T12:09:00.000-07:002016-12-17T10:46:27.498-07:00ICE - Family Travel Fun at the Gaylord Texan Resort in Grapevine, Texas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxVaCnyt6xupn6dmOKyyFiDx8_3-L5vh9yV3pwR5D3f0YDmV8F5Rwji26FfiTb3MM5ClR61LUKOd0lrx6sTaMDn4lmMO_GFnT6w7i1PDqz74jblMSPzg8bl1RRSmF7wBUtt7L7M3ZzD4ER/s1600/Gaylord+Texan+Resort+ICE+Nativity+Travel+Boldly-IMG_0430.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="nativity scene carved from ice by the ice carvers of Harbin, China for the Gaylord Texan Resort ICE Festival in Grapevine, Texas.. Travel Boldly" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxVaCnyt6xupn6dmOKyyFiDx8_3-L5vh9yV3pwR5D3f0YDmV8F5Rwji26FfiTb3MM5ClR61LUKOd0lrx6sTaMDn4lmMO_GFnT6w7i1PDqz74jblMSPzg8bl1RRSmF7wBUtt7L7M3ZzD4ER/s640/Gaylord+Texan+Resort+ICE+Nativity+Travel+Boldly-IMG_0430.jpg" title="Nativity scene carved from ice by the ice carvers of Harbin, China for the Gaylord Texan Resort ICE Festival in Grapevine, Texas.. Travel Boldly" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The nativity scene carved from ice by the ice carvers of Harbin, China for the Gaylord, Texan <br />
Resort ICE Festival in Grapevine, Texas. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV8J4I0kyNaMLlZa7hnN9_aH7yx71yIm66xjUGOzy0CA9cqg_zzVUv8WQ1Iorq9ghSNfaFbSRG1qkyF6_UU4lYTO7h4PbuUwXW1EG0I6iXJXLTbLMHIEaIkn1I2KXOIzeZL9PW8_kTMV5f/s1600/Gaylord+Texan+Resort+ICE+Train+Travel+Boldly-IMG_1687+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Santa's Workshop at the Gaylord Texan Resort, Grapevine, Texas. Travel Boldly" border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV8J4I0kyNaMLlZa7hnN9_aH7yx71yIm66xjUGOzy0CA9cqg_zzVUv8WQ1Iorq9ghSNfaFbSRG1qkyF6_UU4lYTO7h4PbuUwXW1EG0I6iXJXLTbLMHIEaIkn1I2KXOIzeZL9PW8_kTMV5f/s200/Gaylord+Texan+Resort+ICE+Train+Travel+Boldly-IMG_1687+copy.jpg" title="Santa's Workshop at the Gaylord Texan Resort, Grapevine, Texas. Travel Boldly" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Santa's Workshop at the<br />
Gaylord Texan Resort</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">by Tannith Bata</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">From the moment you pull in to the <a href="http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/dalgt-gaylord-texan/" target="_blank">Gaylord Texan Resort</a> you know Christmas is here. Lights hang from every tree and line the roads all the way up the drive. The hotel, located in Grapevine, Texas, is a sprawling Christmas masterpiece about 25 miles from downtown Dallas and Fort Worth and 15 minutes from of the DFW airport. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Once inside the hotel Christmas magic continues with an atrium decked out like Santa's workshop. We were lucky enough to be invited guests at the Gaylord Texan Resort and got to experience all the bells and whistles of this truly unique and wondrous exhibit. You can purchase your <a href="https://www.gaylordtexantickets.com/online/default.asp" target="_blank">tickets online</a> in advance or at the Texan. If coming on the weekends during the peak hours of 5pm-10pm it would be best to purchase them ahead of time. There is ample parking that is clearly marked and will run you $15 for your entire stay. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v7424pqb-0I/WFQxxXPdjJI/AAAAAAAAB3A/tWEPMxP9OqEqcBW1IPS5pp0JXfAo5oBPQCEw/s1600/Gaylord%2BTexan%2BResort%2BSanta%2BClaus%2Bis%2BComing%2Bto%2BTown%2BTravel%2BTravel%2BBoldly-IMG_1643%2Bcopy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt=" Santa Claus is Coming to Town is the theme of the 2016 ICE Festival at the Gaylord Texan Resort, Grapevine, Texas. Travel Boldly" border="0" height="200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v7424pqb-0I/WFQxxXPdjJI/AAAAAAAAB3A/tWEPMxP9OqEqcBW1IPS5pp0JXfAo5oBPQCEw/s200/Gaylord%2BTexan%2BResort%2BSanta%2BClaus%2Bis%2BComing%2Bto%2BTown%2BTravel%2BTravel%2BBoldly-IMG_1643%2Bcopy.jpg" title=" Santa Claus is Coming to Town is the theme of the 2016 ICE Festival at the Gaylord Texan Resort, Grapevine, Texas. Travel Boldly" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Santa Claus is Coming to Town<br />
is the theme of the 2016 ICE <br />
Festival at the Gaylord Texan Resort</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As you make your way down to ICE you can slowly feel the temperature drop and you have lots of options for short stops along the way. Whether it's at the wine bar, the toy store or the steakhouse is entirely up to you.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Claus_Is_Comin'_to_Town_(film)" target="_blank"><br /></a></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Claus_Is_Comin'_to_Town_(film)" target="_blank">"Santa Claus is Coming to Town" </a>has long been my favorite of the old Christmas classics. So I was utterly delighted with a whole evening centered on this movie. I was not disappointed. After donning our parkas and having our picture snapped against a green screen we got to journey into the winter wonderland. The 15,000 square foot cold room is kept at chilly 9 degrees Fahrenheit</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> so that the 2 million pounds of ice used to create these sculptures retains its shape and detail. The three ice factories<span style="color: red;"> </span>in Ohio, Georgia and Texas<span style="color: red;"> </span>begin making the ice <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4RJdFjnP_DaPtDuhtQWQ9SGKgnuiZ-3oIajD1BMRziCmPqbn_fRBiBfgXaTwehJdfoVFTkZAeW6o3X-LJyaWT3_i6OLNenwcJXzdbdd6ac5A0DhbCY0kp5Uio1sDWBqbQE6xWSrycVhb1/s1600/Gaylord+Texan+Resort+Santa+Claus+is+Coming+to+Town+Travel+Travel+Boldly-IMG_1644+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Santa Claus & his penguin side-kick Topper. ICE at the Gaylord Texan Resort, Grapevine, Texas. Travel Boldly" border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4RJdFjnP_DaPtDuhtQWQ9SGKgnuiZ-3oIajD1BMRziCmPqbn_fRBiBfgXaTwehJdfoVFTkZAeW6o3X-LJyaWT3_i6OLNenwcJXzdbdd6ac5A0DhbCY0kp5Uio1sDWBqbQE6xWSrycVhb1/s200/Gaylord+Texan+Resort+Santa+Claus+is+Coming+to+Town+Travel+Travel+Boldly-IMG_1644+copy.jpg" title="Santa Claus & his penguin side-kick Topper. ICE at the Gaylord Texan Resort, Grapevine, Texas. Travel Boldly" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Santa Claus & his penguin<br />
side-kick Topper</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
for the exhibit a year in advance. The ice is brought to the Gaylord Texan Resort in 48 semi-tractor-trailers. Which means they are already hard at work for next year. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">While it is chilly inside ICE, you are so caught up in the wonder all around you that you barely notice. T</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">he scenes from this beloved Christmas movie, were carved by 36 </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harbin_International_Ice_and_Snow_Sculpture_Festival" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Harbin ice carvers </a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">that spent a total of 11,160 hours to complete the magical setting. it's hard to believe it's all ice. The sheer size of some of the pieces is jaw dropping. The ice climbs the walls all around you and your fingers</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgxVK9_VaXUaIxgANcDaK70xaOO2ALCkpOrOsdNDZhjqoUkMe7bksr2qvH1LZwUqthX4Tn0lInf_hq16zM6wgXtDDNJdNOjHKMf8elrx9__ZdsbsbDBsozzaeUq8OqMdRLv6l94oCxGwpX/s1600/Gaylord+Texan+Resort+Santa+Claus+is+Coming+to+Town+Travel+Travel+Boldly-IMG_1657+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Santa Claus & the Winter Warlock . ICE at the Gaylord Texan Resort, Grapevine, Texas. Travel Boldly" border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgxVK9_VaXUaIxgANcDaK70xaOO2ALCkpOrOsdNDZhjqoUkMe7bksr2qvH1LZwUqthX4Tn0lInf_hq16zM6wgXtDDNJdNOjHKMf8elrx9__ZdsbsbDBsozzaeUq8OqMdRLv6l94oCxGwpX/s200/Gaylord+Texan+Resort+Santa+Claus+is+Coming+to+Town+Travel+Travel+Boldly-IMG_1657+copy.jpg" title="Santa Claus & the Winter Warlock . ICE at the Gaylord Texan Resort, Grapevine, Texas. Travel Boldly" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Santa Claus & the Winter<br />
Warlock </td></tr>
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quickly wish you'd remembered gloves. (Tip: bring hats and gloves for little ones)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As you wander through all the scenes you will come across On the Blocks ICE! Bar for those 21 and over with an added coupon. For those of all ages there are 5, 2-story ice slides! My 3 year old son couldn't get enough of the very slippery slides and the adults even gave it a go.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d2kyonMbpo8/WFQxwCXZz-I/AAAAAAAAB20/qWpT87JfUBgRKgZ709B_zywAAhZMipbHQCEw/s1600/Gaylord%2BTexan%2BResort%2BICE%2BOn%2Bthe%2BBlocks%2BIce%2521%2BBar%2BTravel%2BBoldly-image1%2Bcopy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="On the Blocks ICE! Bar at the Gaylord Texan Resort, Grapevine, Texas. Travel Boldly" border="0" height="200" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d2kyonMbpo8/WFQxwCXZz-I/AAAAAAAAB20/qWpT87JfUBgRKgZ709B_zywAAhZMipbHQCEw/s200/Gaylord%2BTexan%2BResort%2BICE%2BOn%2Bthe%2BBlocks%2BIce%2521%2BBar%2BTravel%2BBoldly-image1%2Bcopy.jpg" title="On the Blocks ICE! Bar at the Gaylord Texan Resort, Grapevine, Texas. Travel Boldly" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the Blocks ICE! Bar at the<br />
Gaylord Texan Resort</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Just when you think you're finally cold enough that you want to leave you come upon a crystal clear ice nativity scene. It is truly a breathtaking creation, n</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ot a bubble or a cloud is allowed in the ice for the nativity. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Tubbing is an optional add on to your ICE experience or it can be purchased as separate activity. There are multiple activity packages available on <a href="https://www.gaylordtexantickets.com/online/default.asp" target="_blank">the website</a>.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7Ap2Le3L8EM/WFQqhkqwo-I/AAAAAAAAB2Y/b5OuRDfRIrkhEXOEaCs7YGNEEm2uMPKCACEw/s1600/Gaylord%2BTexan%2BResort%2BICE%2BSlide%2BTravel%2BBoldly-IMG_1663.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Kids & adults love the 5 2-story ice slides at ICE at the Gaylord Texan Resort, Grapevine, Texas. Travel Boldly" border="0" height="200" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7Ap2Le3L8EM/WFQqhkqwo-I/AAAAAAAAB2Y/b5OuRDfRIrkhEXOEaCs7YGNEEm2uMPKCACEw/s200/Gaylord%2BTexan%2BResort%2BICE%2BSlide%2BTravel%2BBoldly-IMG_1663.jpg" title="Kids & adults love the 5 2-story ice slides at ICE at the Gaylord Texan Resort, Grapevine, Texas. Travel Boldly" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kids & adults love the 5<br />
2-story ice slides</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When you step out make sure you stop for some hot cocoa and Gigi's cupcakes because they have some of the best frosting I've ever tasted and not to brag but I've tasted a lot. For your final stop pick up a copy of your family photo ($25) or something festive from the gift shop.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We truly enjoyed this outing and couldn't get over the splendor of the hotel at the most wonderful time of the year. Once again thank you to Gaylord Texan Resort for inviting us out to visit.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="javascript:void((function(){var%20e=document.createElement('script');e.setAttribute('type','text/javascript');e.setAttribute('charset','UTF-8');e.setAttribute('src','http://assets.pinterest.com/js/pinmarklet.js?r='+Math.random()*99999999);document.body.appendChild(e)})());"></a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Merry Christmas</span><br />
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~~~<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI98XBak4GP-WsH0BwOQINMrwJtoNjNiOPF5wn7DVbqAYPnOp5fxREyTgTl4oRquVfv6tfBjovaS6T1QQrgT3_Tq2DjJfIQv6_S44MRDWp5htH5p0PJKGOa3panlu20VmUbAZMeIrU9a05/s1600/Gaylord+Texan+Resort+ICE+Family+Travel+Travel+Boldly-IMG_1755+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Tony, GB and Tannith, at ICE at the Gaylord Texan Resort, Grapevine, Texas. Travel Boldly" border="0" height="155" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI98XBak4GP-WsH0BwOQINMrwJtoNjNiOPF5wn7DVbqAYPnOp5fxREyTgTl4oRquVfv6tfBjovaS6T1QQrgT3_Tq2DjJfIQv6_S44MRDWp5htH5p0PJKGOa3panlu20VmUbAZMeIrU9a05/s200/Gaylord+Texan+Resort+ICE+Family+Travel+Travel+Boldly-IMG_1755+copy.jpg" title="Tony, GB and Tannith, at ICE at the Gaylord Texan Resort, Grapevine, Texas. Travel Boldly" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tony, GB and Tannith, at ICE at the<br />
Gaylord Texan Resort</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Tannith is a stay at home mum and wife who enjoys crochet, sarcasm, her family and ingesting </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">copious amounts of coffee. She is and avid baker and enjoys sharing recipes on her blog. You can check out <a href="https://franklytannith.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">her blog</a> or follow her on <a href="https://www.twitter.com/FranklyTannith/" target="_blank">Twitter</a> or <a href="https://www.instagram.com/FranklyTannith/" target="_blank">Instagram</a> @FranklyTannith</span><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Travel Boldly was provided admissions by the Gaylord Texan for the writer and her family for the purpose of reviewing this travel attraction. The opinions expressed are the writer's and were not influenced by this access. </span></i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk4u9CP6FGHUj8Pr2PieXJ6S521T2bbdDBuj5bkPI2MoliC4JSPOaxEybnEzamqi9Zhx2pUryN0uxvHvnkRx9DVO6sUpFMaN0IhS6cfsYWTriruaDOCIfW-QBuSk6HOMXFgb3zlKO3vQN7/s1600/Gaylord+Texan+Resort+ICE+Prices+Travel+Boldly-IMG_1754+copy.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk4u9CP6FGHUj8Pr2PieXJ6S521T2bbdDBuj5bkPI2MoliC4JSPOaxEybnEzamqi9Zhx2pUryN0uxvHvnkRx9DVO6sUpFMaN0IhS6cfsYWTriruaDOCIfW-QBuSk6HOMXFgb3zlKO3vQN7/s320/Gaylord+Texan+Resort+ICE+Prices+Travel+Boldly-IMG_1754+copy.png" width="206" /></a></div>
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i>Travel Boldlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02297472140061903881noreply@blogger.com4Grapevine, TX, USA32.9342919 -97.07806540000001432.827678899999995 -97.239426900000012 33.0409049 -96.916703900000016tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8894719606079038952.post-73192084868001793492016-11-22T15:06:00.000-07:002019-03-23T09:23:41.473-06:00Travel to Cuba Remains Difficult but Rewarding<a href="javascript:void((function(){var%20e=document.createElement('script');e.setAttribute('type','text/javascript');e.setAttribute('charset','UTF-8');e.setAttribute('src','http://assets.pinterest.com/js/pinmarklet.js?r='+Math.random()*99999999);document.body.appendChild(e)})());"></a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IRriDo4_nb8/WDN4FQ6fx1I/AAAAAAAABzU/ALHnqCSLYwYguzTVPWe8Mvhl_TqUP9zPwCLcB/s1600/Vinales%2BValley%2BCuba.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Scenic Finales Valley Cuba - TravelBoldly.com" border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IRriDo4_nb8/WDN4FQ6fx1I/AAAAAAAABzU/ALHnqCSLYwYguzTVPWe8Mvhl_TqUP9zPwCLcB/s640/Vinales%2BValley%2BCuba.jpeg" title="Scenic Finales Valley Cuba - TravelBoldly.com" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The scenic Vinales Valley is known for limestone formations called mogotes and for distinctive waxy palm trees. Photo credit Billy Giles </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Even though travel to Cuba is opening up new opportunities, obstacles remain. Home stays at </span><i style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Casa Particulares</i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">, dining at </span><i style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Paladares </i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">and hiring locals when ever possible made all the difference in Sally McKinney’s travels in Cuba</span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">.</span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> ~ Jerome Shaw, editor Travel Boldly</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Supporting the Cubans, Surprised by the Fun!</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><b>by Sally McKinney </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">All photos credit Sally McKinney unless noted</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Eager to get to Cuba before masses of other Americans arrived, my friend, Billy and I flew to Cancun. We bought airfare to Havana, then tried to find a hotel room. I’d been sweating over the computer for an hour before showing Billy yet another listing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Habana Viejo</i>: <i>Meson de la Flota</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Five guest rooms on upper floor</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">A team of oxen pulls two men in a cart used for hauling.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">Along with occasional motor traffic and men on horseback, </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">the oxen plod along along a paved Vinales street lined </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;">with <i>casas particulares</i>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Spanish décor, antique furniture, ensuite baths</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Ground floor restaurant and bar</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Flamenco performance every night ? ? ?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Billy and I traded quizzical looks. What exactly WAS Flamenco music? Did we even LIKE Flamenco music? What if they played too loud and too late and kept us awake? Aware that other rooms on the list cost even more, I kept on reading.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> “The music stops by 11:00 pm every night.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Click. Click. Click. Reservation confirmed!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">By next evening, we had checked into the <i>Meson de la Flota</i> in Havana’s Old Town and were dining outdoors. Like actors in a movie, we sipped mojitos while people strolled past in the film-set location.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When I walked back into the building, diners were chattering in Spanish around indoor tables. Beyond, on the stage, men in black pants stomped intricate rhythms and women in black boots kicked up red-tiered skirts. Seduced by the scene, I wanted one of those skirts. Soon I was tripping—but not falling—on the uneven floor. After using the room marked “<i>Mujeres</i>”, I went back to our table.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> “Oh, Billy! I LOVE Flamenco music.” </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Next morning, reality hit. Our elegant upstairs room with Spanish décor was twice what we could afford. Worse, we had lost sight of our (self-authorized) purpose: supporting the Cuban people. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We had come to direct travel funds to self-employed Cubans. That meant staying in <i>casas particulares</i> (rooms in licensed homes) and dining in <i>paladares</i> (licensed family-run restaurants). Although we both used computers at home, we were traveling without a laptop, without cellphones, and spoke only “<i>un poquito Espano</i>l” (a little Spanish). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The guidebooks listed <i>casas</i> on San Ignacio street, so we started knocking on doors. When a maid opened up and spoke in Spanish, I got discouraged. Owner not there, manager too busy, maybe tomorrow. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pgPTsMmBRVA/WDOGzhTyzcI/AAAAAAAABz0/SiNerQgXCtopSBB4bmuwVikTX0fSHx5bgCLcB/s1600/Mariela%252C%2Bcasa%2Bhost%2Bat%2BVilla%2BMaikel%2Bin%2BVinales%252C%2BCuba%2B-DSCN2542.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Mariela, casa host at Villa Maikel in Finales, Cuba - TravelBoldly.com" border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pgPTsMmBRVA/WDOGzhTyzcI/AAAAAAAABz0/SiNerQgXCtopSBB4bmuwVikTX0fSHx5bgCLcB/s320/Mariela%252C%2Bcasa%2Bhost%2Bat%2BVilla%2BMaikel%2Bin%2BVinales%252C%2BCuba%2B-DSCN2542.JPG" title="Mariela, casa host at Villa Maikel in Finales, Cuba - TravelBoldly.com" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Mariela, casa host at Villa Maikel in Finales </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">town, smiles for this unexpected photograph.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After that door closed, meeting Silvia at <i>Los Balcones</i> was delightful! For some reason, Silvia, actually liked us! We were never quite sure why. Not only did she have a room, but she also helped us find taxi drivers, tour guides, even <i>casas particulares </i>in other cities.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">At the time of our visit, the typical Cuban was earning between $14. and $20. a month. Deliberately, Billy and I matched services offered by the self-employed to our daily needs. We paid Marisa, for example, to wash, dry and fold our clothes. We hired a strong, young guy with a <i>bici</i>-taxi service to take us around. After dinner at <i>Paladar Los Mercaderes</i>, we left money for the slim, shy (and grateful) waiter.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Each day that Billy and I would go out, hire services of Cubans, then climb back up those stairs, Silvia would greet us with hugs. “Sah-lee!” she’d say. “How are you?” Bee-lee!” Another hug. Whenever we stayed with Silvia, her place was home.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">One day, we took a taxi through the tunnel from Habana Viejo to <i>Castillo de los Tres Reys del Morro.</i> This polygon-shaped. defensive fort was built by slaves centuries ago into a rocky headland. While Billy toured this sprawling complex, I looked for a place for lunch. The bar across from the entrance didn’t serve food, but I could sit there in the shade drinking water. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Outside, in the sunlit corridor, three men were playing <i>Besame Mucho</i>, and I hummed along. Soon, they started a lively “<i>Guantanamera</i>.” Revived by the water, I was ready to dance, eager to rock out and around the corner and see the band. After the band leader himself took my picture, I gladly bought the Andy Soldano de Santiago CD! Playing music was their “day job,” so I bought their CD for $US 10, yet another way to support enterprising Cubans.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz6jSP7PI8WToCA13tPK3USWSP656hBQfgB3kyC_yf1tMymf9rKM8bYyd2FowBol8SPowGWWQj3TrWWedBo6fnuGAXhE_jYWiWG-wI1fDNklz84gGqfZI0mntcs40csRQB-ykwKvy_dGXF/s1600/Dining+Room+at+Finca+Vigia+Cuba+-+DSCN2405.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Dining room at Finca Vigia, Cuba - TravelBoldly.com" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz6jSP7PI8WToCA13tPK3USWSP656hBQfgB3kyC_yf1tMymf9rKM8bYyd2FowBol8SPowGWWQj3TrWWedBo6fnuGAXhE_jYWiWG-wI1fDNklz84gGqfZI0mntcs40csRQB-ykwKvy_dGXF/s320/Dining+Room+at+Finca+Vigia+Cuba+-+DSCN2405.JPG" title="Dining room at Finca Vigia, Cuba - TravelBoldly.com" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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The dining room at Finca Vigia features hand-crafted Cuban</div>
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furniture and trophies from Hemingway’s hunting expeditions.</div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Before we left Havana for Vinales valley, on the west end of Cuba Silvia found us lodging in a <i>casas particulares</i> and arranged for a share-taxi ride. The host of the pretty, pink <i>casa</i>, Villa Maikel, spoke no English. Yet, each of us smiled a lot and I used what Spanish I knew. When she pointed to my wristwatch and said “<i>dasayuno</i>?” (breakfast?) I said, “<i>ocho</i>” (eight). Next morning at eight, breakfast was ready! She also prepared a special dinner for us. At $10 a person, this was one of the best Cuban meals I recall: filet of fresh fish, black beans and rice, sliced beets, fresh fruit, and flan.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Awkwardly, I lacked the lingo to ask about tour guides, so we set off on our own. From the <i>casa</i> to the town center, we could walk one way past an open-air market selling woven hats and tote bags. We could walk another way past oxcarts used for hauling building materials. On the main street, near the plaza, we found snack bars, cafes and tour company offices.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In one office, Billy signed up for a long, guided group hike. Next morning, Billy met with the guide, but no other hikers had signed up. So the guide led Billy on a circuit of Vinales valley, past meadows and tobacco fields. They saw limestone formations called <i>magotes</i> and walked through cool, moist caves. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Along the way, the guide identified two species of birds, a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cuban_tody" target="_blank">Cuban Tody</a> and a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cuban_trogon" target="_blank">Cuban Trogan</a>—both endemic to Cuba. Billy returned, red-faced and sweaty, his clothes splotched with mud. Even so, he was thrilled with all he had seen. Later he claimed this trek in Vinales valley was one of the best things he’d done in Cuba. And the guide was happy, too, with Billy’s “200 % tip.”</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L4bHSXBA2bs/WDOHMOmxrrI/AAAAAAAABz8/qC874NW_58k6S9ZwIXtrGxKmmbToYX4bwCLcB/s1600/Cafe%25CC%2581%2Bnear%2BLa%2BFloridita%2BSpanish%2Bstew%2Bof%2Bsausages%252C%2Bpotatoes%252C%2Btomatoes%2Band%2Bonions.%2BCuba%2B-%2BDSCN2744.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Spanish stew of sausages, potatoes, tomatoes and onions in Cuba - TravelBoldly.com" border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L4bHSXBA2bs/WDOHMOmxrrI/AAAAAAAABz8/qC874NW_58k6S9ZwIXtrGxKmmbToYX4bwCLcB/s320/Cafe%25CC%2581%2Bnear%2BLa%2BFloridita%2BSpanish%2Bstew%2Bof%2Bsausages%252C%2Bpotatoes%252C%2Btomatoes%2Band%2Bonions.%2BCuba%2B-%2BDSCN2744.JPG" title="Spanish stew of sausages, potatoes, tomatoes and onions in Cuba - TravelBoldly.com" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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A café near La Floridita—run by Habanaguex--serves this tasty</div>
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Spanish stew of sausages, potatoes, tomatoes and onions.</div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Later, knowing we had a <i>casa</i> in Cienfuegos and a driver to take us there, I relaxed on the porch. From a chair facing the road, I looked at the flowers and watched horse carts clip-clopping past, even an occasional vintage American car. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Then came an unexpected phone call. Our taxi driver was “very sorry.” He could not take us to Cienfuegos. The car would not start and he could not get repairs. Billy had gone out, so I sat alone--really stressed and depressed--until the host's niece arrived.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“Not to worry,” Diana said. “My husband, he know someone.” When Diana called him, she got only voice mail, so left a message. “He’s out of range,” she explained. Late afternoon, her husband came bursting through the door. Good news! His friend could drive us to Havana in the morning. From there, we could easily to get a taxi to Cienfuegos. Thus, despite limited Spanish, we could appreciate Cuban hospitality. Even better, we were getting to know Cuban people!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We checked into the <i>Hostal Maria Antonia y Napoles</i> in the Punta Gorda section of Cienfuegos. They had an inviting back yard with grass, trees and flowers and two guest chairs facing the calm bay water. An outdoor table, shaded by a lattice frame, would become my new favorite place for breakfast. We could walk to nearby restaurants in the neighborhood and taxi to the city center.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On the first day, while walking around the open-air mall, I had trouble coping with the heat. For a time, I cooled off in the air-conditioned office of a tour agent. Concerned about possible rapid changes if/when the U.S. embargo was lifted, the agent said she’d worked with Americans and knew their tastes. Cuba was not ready for masses of Americans, she believed. Changes in Cuba should take place slowly.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UAoCvgpt4R4/WDOHVYrJGsI/AAAAAAAAB0A/zaFP4kJBjhoYRex8hbhRZWiW17Hok0CPwCLcB/s1600/Septeto%2BBella%2BCosta%252C%2B%2BAfro-Cuban%2Bmusic%2B%2BCuba%2B-%2BDSCN2571.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Music group, Septeto Bella Costa at Palatino in Cienfuegos, Cuba - TravelBoldly.com" border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UAoCvgpt4R4/WDOHVYrJGsI/AAAAAAAAB0A/zaFP4kJBjhoYRex8hbhRZWiW17Hok0CPwCLcB/s320/Septeto%2BBella%2BCosta%252C%2B%2BAfro-Cuban%2Bmusic%2B%2BCuba%2B-%2BDSCN2571.JPG" title="Music group, Septeto Bella Costa at Palatino in Cienfuegos, Cuba - TravelBoldly.com" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the Palatino in Cienfuegos, Septeto Bella Costa <br />has set up equipment and begun to play. Buying their CD<br /> helped provide support for Septeto Bella Costa, <br />while letting visitors enjoy Afro-Cuban music back home.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Unable to find a lunch place, Billy and I found seats at the Palatino, a bar across from <i>Parque</i> Jose Marti. While I watched, an artist made cartoonish sketches of unsuspecting patrons. A five-piece band called <i>Septeto Bella Costa</i> played mambo, rhumba, and son. This midday concert was fun but unexpected; I’d been looking for lunch. Instead, my lunch money went to buy another CD, even more support for Cuban musicians. Billy was surprised when the artist showed him the drawing and paid him $2 to take the drawing home.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Drinking water helped revive me, but—without food—I still felt weak. Reluctantly, we took a taxi back to the <i>Punta Gorda casa</i>. Fighting off nausea, I sprawled on the bed in the hot, stuffy room. Cooled by the sea breeze, Billy sat in a bayside chair, writing in his journal. Later, we paid our <i>casa</i> hosts for a special <i>camarones</i> (shrimp) dinner, but I had little appetite and Billy ate most of my meal.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The next day, I felt only a little bit better and could not do much. That evening, Billy went out to scout around, then came back to surprise me. Curious, I trailed him down the street, around the corner and up two flights of stairs. Our outdoor table at the <i>Pelicano</i> perched high above and overlooked the street. The wait staff brought vegetable soup for my low appetite—and an ample dinner for Billy. The next night, three of the <i>Pelicano</i> wait staff—hanging over the railing of the upstairs deck—saw us walking below. I heard a woman call “How are you feeling?” I looked up to see <i>Pelicano</i> staff waving, so I called back “much better!” In truth, I did not feel better at all. We had done a walking and boat tour of <i>Laguna Guanabacoa</i> and seen beautiful flamingos. Yet, during that excursion, I felt sick and unwell. Yet we traveled on, since we now had reservations in Trinidad and a driver to take us there. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YTOhNShdnJ4/WDOHqugPEUI/AAAAAAAAB0I/C5h68JiCN38-B-9_7Z_kJy00McxnZjd2QCLcB/s1600/Longina%2BMusica%2Bon%2Bbusy%2BObispo%2Bstreet%2Bdisplays%2Bclaves%2BCuba%2B-%2BDSCN2726.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Longina Musica on busy Obispo street Cuba - TravelBoldly.com" border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YTOhNShdnJ4/WDOHqugPEUI/AAAAAAAAB0I/C5h68JiCN38-B-9_7Z_kJy00McxnZjd2QCLcB/s320/Longina%2BMusica%2Bon%2Bbusy%2BObispo%2Bstreet%2Bdisplays%2Bclaves%2BCuba%2B-%2BDSCN2726.JPG" title="Longina Musica on busy Obispo street Cuba - TravelBoldly.com" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Longina Musica on busy Obispo street </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">displays instruments in the stairwell. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">There were more than 20 types of claves.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Trinidad lodging, called <i>Hospedaje Sr. Sara Sanjuan Alvares</i>, was inside a stately colonial home. Our room—and several others—overlooked a courtyard where flowers bloomed beside a fountain. In the morning, the kitchen crew began early, chatting in Spanish while rattling cooking pots. They made a lavish meal, but—embarrassed—I ate only small bites, ate only to keep down the nausea. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After smiling goodbye to the staff, I confided to Billy. “I’m really sick!” Fortunately, I knew about the <i>Servimed</i> clinics for foreigners in Cuba. Carrying the clinic address, Billy and I set off to find it. While Billy forged ahead, I shuffled along the ancient, paved streets, trying not to fall on the uneven sidewalks. Soon we arrived at what looked like a house. Inside the clinic, I waited in a padded, wicker chair, flanked by the green, leafy plants, and inhaled fresh air from the windows.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Dr Maritza and her nurse wanted a urine sample—right away—but I could not produce one. The nurse took me to an airy, white room where I drank water laced with electrolytes, then lay down on a bed. While I was drinking and resting, Billy sat out on the patio, reading about science—and baseball. Aware that Billy prefers being active, I felt even worse about being ill. This was NOT the trip we had planned!</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HVKyn_Snh1I/WDOHhuyc7bI/AAAAAAAAB0E/nO1OyZEjEMQ_l7LBjRPS6d747BBcArpmACLcB/s1600/bookcase%2BFinca%2BVigia%2BCuba%2B-%2BDSCN2422.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="ookcase and Hemingway hunting trophy head Finca Vigia house. Cuba - TravelBoldly.com" border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HVKyn_Snh1I/WDOHhuyc7bI/AAAAAAAAB0E/nO1OyZEjEMQ_l7LBjRPS6d747BBcArpmACLcB/s320/bookcase%2BFinca%2BVigia%2BCuba%2B-%2BDSCN2422.JPG" title="ookcase and Hemingway hunting trophy head Finca Vigia house. Cuba - TravelBoldly.com" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 8px; text-align: left;">
This bookcase and the trophy head decorate </div>
<div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 8px; text-align: left;">
a bedroom in the Finca Vigia house.</div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The doctor’s diagnosis: severe dehydration with a kidney infection. Knowing that Cuba lacks sufficient medicines—an effect of the embargo—I pulled out an antibiotic I’d brought from the States.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“Cipro!” the doctora exclaimed. “Yes! Take Cipro!”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">She also prescribed Arginor. “Take this until your energy returns.” Then she danced around by the desk, showing me the energy I’d have after I got well! The total cost for medical consultation, tests, glass ampules of Arginor, three hours of observation was $115.30, paid in CuC’s (equivalent to US dollars).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Billy and I walked back slowly through Trinidad’s historic streets. Hidden behind closed doors and ornate, white grillwork, Trinidad reveals itself slowly. The next day, unable to visit the history museum (it was closed), we passed a restaurant and a large man called to us, “Come on in!”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Nice place, pretty dishes, bright flowers, but—too early for lunch. Nobody in there! Soon a young man set up a music stand. While Billy downed a cool <i>Tukola</i> (Cuban cola) and I let my hot tea cool, more diners arrived, then more musicians. The band, <i>Son Villalba</i>. was playing, so we stayed for lunch. Happily, I listened to Afro-Cuban rhythms and drank in the harmony of the song, “<i>Yolanda”</i>., with its repetitive refrain at the end of each verse, “te amor! te amor!” Each day, we’d been focused on our purpose: support for the Cuban people. We had rarely been looking for fun, yet fun kept coming around the corner, taking us by surprise! Even easier, now, to pay this band $10. for yet another CD.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yFQ9Utlwvoo/WDOIti5R8XI/AAAAAAAAB0U/ySr4Y7M8hL0Rpb8CeciwnU4OYOSkPI73wCLcB/s1600/Hemmingway%2BStatue%2Bt%2BLa%2BFloridita%2Bin%2BHabana%2BViieja%2BCuba.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Bronze bust of Ernest Hemingway at La Floridita in Habana Viieja. Cuba - TravelBoldly.com" border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yFQ9Utlwvoo/WDOIti5R8XI/AAAAAAAAB0U/ySr4Y7M8hL0Rpb8CeciwnU4OYOSkPI73wCLcB/s320/Hemmingway%2BStatue%2Bt%2BLa%2BFloridita%2Bin%2BHabana%2BViieja%2BCuba.jpeg" title="Bronze bust of Ernest Hemingway at La Floridita in Habana Viieja. Cuba - TravelBoldly.com" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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Bronze bust of Ernest Hemingway seems to</div>
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lean on the bar at La Floridita in Habana Viieja. </div>
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Visitors are inspired to drink daiquiris in his memory. </div>
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Photo credit Billy Giles.</div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In the city of Santa Clara, we stayed close to nearby shops, cafes and a city park. A line of empty bici-taxis awaited outside the door. Inside <i>Casa</i> Mercy, Omelio and his family were a great help to us. At breakfast, he told us stories about his parents during the revolution. Omelio also suggested a <i>paladar</i> for dinner, found us a taxi driver for <i>Remedios</i>, even phoned Havana to re-schedule and re-confirm. So, how would we get back to the capitol? The driver Omelio had chosen would come promptly at ten.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After breakfast, I was dressed and mixing the Arginor when I heard voices downstairs. The driver had come early! But—now stressed—I’d not even finished packing. Then Omelio’s son, Ian, came bounding up the stairs. Twenty-or-so years old, healthy and strong, he grabbed several bags. “Forget my parents, downstairs,” Ian said to us, joking. “I am your baby now!” </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Back in Havana, our casa hosts seemed happy and healthy. They were building on more rooms and eager to host more Americans. Silvia welcomed us warmly to our Havana “home.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On the Fourth of July, we paid tribute to author Ernest Hemingway by drinking daiquiris at <i>La Floridita.</i> While “<i>Cuarteto D’Amore”</i> played for the midday crowd, we shared our table with a young couple from Prague. This was Independence Day back in the States, so the four of us talked history, revolution and freedom.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IPUHC-D9iLs/WDOIaRPSZUI/AAAAAAAAB0M/yQNDWW15FxMevtBbMvLf-ZqD2Riscqf-QCLcB/s1600/%2Bbruschetta%2Bat%2BLa%2BVitrola%2Bcafe%25CC%2581%2Bin%2BPlaza%2BVieja%2B%2528Habana%2BVieja%2529%2Bw%253A%2BAmerican%2Bflag%2B-%2BCuba%2B-DSCN2673.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Bruschetta at La Vitrola café in Plaza Vieja (Habana Vieja), decorated with this American flag. Cuba - TravelBoldly.com" border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IPUHC-D9iLs/WDOIaRPSZUI/AAAAAAAAB0M/yQNDWW15FxMevtBbMvLf-ZqD2Riscqf-QCLcB/s320/%2Bbruschetta%2Bat%2BLa%2BVitrola%2Bcafe%25CC%2581%2Bin%2BPlaza%2BVieja%2B%2528Habana%2BVieja%2529%2Bw%253A%2BAmerican%2Bflag%2B-%2BCuba%2B-DSCN2673.JPG" title="Bruschetta at La Vitrola café in Plaza Vieja (Habana Vieja), decorated with this American flag. Cuba - TravelBoldly.com" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 8px; text-align: left;">
Billy ordered bruschetta at La Vitrola café in Plaza Vieja</div>
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(Habana Vieja), the food was decorated with this American flag.</div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Hemingway, who had lived in and loved Cuba, had been a “bridge between cultures” a Cuban official has said. Later, I recalled a conversation with a museum guard. The young woman in uniform had heard me speaking English and asked </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> “Where are you from?” Her smile grew broader when I said</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> “<i>Estados Unidos</i>!”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> “<i>Prohibacion</i> no good,” she replied.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> “The American people don’t want the embargo either,” I explained.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So the young woman and I had already met on Hemingway’s cross-cultural bridge.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> And we agreed. “We want to be friends.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> ~~~</span></div>
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Sally McKinney lived a normal life before launching her career as a travel journalist in 1985. Born in Valparaiso, Indiana, she moved with everyone else through childhood, high school, and college. Marriage and family. After the marriage ended, her four sons left for Texas and California. Only then could she pack up a notebook and camera and set off to see the world.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BnkqqLuJGeI/WDOGXC3o0MI/AAAAAAAABzs/1ye8MPlLQFAi_NetngHe76tiPUnTXMRnACLcB/s1600/horse%2Bcart%2BVinales%2BCalley%2B-%2BCuba%2B-%2BDSCN2531.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Billly Giles and Sally McKinney ride in a horse cart, a traditional means of transportation in the Vinales valley. Cuba - TravelBoldly.com" border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BnkqqLuJGeI/WDOGXC3o0MI/AAAAAAAABzs/1ye8MPlLQFAi_NetngHe76tiPUnTXMRnACLcB/s320/horse%2Bcart%2BVinales%2BCalley%2B-%2BCuba%2B-%2BDSCN2531.JPG" title="Billly Giles and Sally McKinney ride in a horse cart, a traditional means of transportation in the Vinales valley. Cuba - TravelBoldly.com" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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Billy Giles and Sally McKinney ride in a horse cart,</div>
<div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 8px; text-align: left;">
a traditional means of transportation in the Vinales valley.</div>
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Eager to explore, she trekked through New Zealand rainforest with a Maori-owned tour company. Hired villagers on Viti Levu to build a bamboo raft. Sampled 20-or-more wines in one long day. Cooked fresh seafood on skewers in the Kuala Lumpur market. Dined and then danced to tribal drums one night in Kampala. </div>
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About to retire in 2011, she went to Tanzania for a volunteer program and found a travel companion. Billy had always wanted to see Machu Picchu, so they traveled the next year to Peru. After that came great trips to Panama, Ecuador, and Cuba.</div>
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Sally has already visited 47 countries, yet eager to pack those bags again. Her grandson and fiancée have invited family and friends to their Loire Valley wedding. Guests stay in a chic French hotel within Fontevraud L’Abbey. Already this story has heroes and heroines, a main plot—and sub-plots. Might as well go! </div>
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<h3>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">How to book <i>casas particulares</i> in Cuba</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In the article, Billy and Sally report on the casas partiulares in Cuban homes. Below are the addresses and phone numbers:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">xxx</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">El Meson de la Flota</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Calle Mercaderes #287E</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Habana Vieja, Cuba</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">www.tripadvisor.com</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">xxx</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 8px; min-height: 18px;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Los Balcones Casa Hospedaje</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Silvia y Pepe</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 8px; min-height: 18px;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Calle San Ignacio No. 454</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">e/ Sol y Santa Clara</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Habana Vieja, Cuba</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">(53) 7867-5551</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">xxx</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Villa Maikel</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Calle Rafael Trejo No. 14-B</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Vinales, Pinar de Rio</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Cuba 22400</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">(53) 048-69-67-00</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 8px; min-height: 18px;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">xxx</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Hostal Maria Antonio y Napoles</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Calle 35 #22</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">e/ O y Litoral (La Punta)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Punta Gorda</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Cienfuegos, Cuba</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">(53) 43-513 196</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">xxx</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 8px; min-height: 18px;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Hospedaje Sra Sara Sanjuan Alvares</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Simon Bolivar (Desengano) No 266</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">e/ Jose Marti y Frank Pas (Carmen)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Trinidad</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sancti Spiritus, Cuba</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">(53) 41- 993997</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 8px; min-height: 18px;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">xxx</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 8px; min-height: 18px;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Casa Mercy Hostel</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Omelio Moreno Lorenzo</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">E Machado 4 e/Cuba y Colon</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Santa Clara, VC</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">(53) 42-216941</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Xxx</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">To book rooms in advance from outside the country, use a booking agency. <a href="http://www.tripadvisor.com/" target="_blank">TripAdvisor</a> lists El Meson de la Flota, Casa Mercy, and has many other casa particular listings for Cuba. <a href="http://www.airbnb.com/" target="_blank">AirBnB lists</a> Villa Maikel and lists casas in Vinales and elsewhere. Another site to try is <a href="http://www.cubacasas.net/" target="_blank">CubaCasas.net</a>. After arriving in Cuba, use the telephone or use an Etecsa computer or—perhaps—show up at the casa door.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Special notice to Americans. The official website of the U.S. State Department has much useful travel information. <a href="https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/country/cuba.html">https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/country/cuba.html</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Americans should pay special attention to </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">the latest guidelines from U.S. Treasury Department, Office of Financial Assets Control (OFAC). </span></div>
Travel Boldlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02297472140061903881noreply@blogger.com0Havana, Cuba23.1135925 -82.36659559999998222.646048 -83.012042599999987 23.581137 -81.721148599999978tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8894719606079038952.post-52536795107991319622016-11-17T09:00:00.001-07:002019-03-23T09:13:22.165-06:00The Great Hostel Give Back - Travel - Do Good Things - Save Money<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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The Great Hostel Give Back</h2>
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...or how to stay on the cheap and do good things while you travel. </h3>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_fPbYA6hHY4/VqJ1NiMRUXI/AAAAAAAABSU/CQPn2ZiO7rY/s1600/HI%2BUSA%2Blogo%2Bcopy.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_fPbYA6hHY4/VqJ1NiMRUXI/AAAAAAAABSU/CQPn2ZiO7rY/s400/HI%2BUSA%2Blogo%2Bcopy.png" width="300" /></a></div>
<a href="javascript:void((function(){var%20e=document.createElement('script');e.setAttribute('type','text/javascript');e.setAttribute('charset','UTF-8');e.setAttribute('src','http://assets.pinterest.com/js/pinmarklet.js?r='+Math.random()*99999999);document.body.appendChild(e)})());"><br /></a><a href="https://amateurtraveler.com/air-travel-questions-answered/" target="_blank">Your air travel questions answered >>></a><br />
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Are you looking for a way to get out of town? Money in short supply are friends in the same financial condition so you can't even borrow money from them?<br />
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Travel Boldly to the rescue.<br />
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Here is a bold plan. Round up seven of your friends and participate in the <a href="https://www.hiusa.org/programs/great-hostel-give-back" target="_blank">Great Hostel Give Back</a>. You can get a free overnight stay at participating HI USA hostels across the country. The only catch, and it is not really a catch but a benefit, is that you have to volunteer at least 2 hours per day in the community surrounding the hostel you'll be staying in. Not only will volunteering net you a free night's stay it will give you warm fuzzy feeling that will probably last until next year when you do it all over again. And who knows volunteering might even become a habit. This program is for January and February but get your applications in early.<br />
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HI USA believes "in the power of travel to open minds and the power of community service to open hearts. Above all, we believe that these experiences should be rewarding – not costly." </blockquote>
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"For the ninth consecutive year, HI USA is offering groups across the country free overnight stays at HI USA hostels in January and February through our Great Hostel Give Back (GHGB) program.</blockquote>
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I-eo0XHl9ME/VqJ1OUw94uI/AAAAAAAABSo/oB6Uc80eGBw/s1600/HI%2BHarpers%2BFerry%2Bcopy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="174" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I-eo0XHl9ME/VqJ1OUw94uI/AAAAAAAABSo/oB6Uc80eGBw/s320/HI%2BHarpers%2BFerry%2Bcopy.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
With a little planning, you and your buddies can mount a cross-country volunteering trip and see the USA.<br />
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You now have one less reason to put off traveling. Get out there. Meet new people. Explore new places. Do good for the community. See parts of the USA you have always wanted to visit and make the places you visit better. It is a win-win proposition.</div>
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"HI USA’s lounges, kitchens, and dining rooms ensure plenty of opportunities to connect with other travelers. We invite your group to join in with our free events, tours and activities to meet like-minded travelers and explore the hidden gems of the city."</blockquote>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PzyCEzXjcm8/VqJ1NwXEONI/AAAAAAAABSk/pj1_QhrYiWA/s1600/Alderson-Broaddus%2Bcopy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="198" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PzyCEzXjcm8/VqJ1NwXEONI/AAAAAAAABSk/pj1_QhrYiWA/s320/Alderson-Broaddus%2Bcopy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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You don't have to want the change the world to take advantage of this great offer but you probably will. You can be a selfish vagabond who just wants to travel on the cheap. But who knows, the hours you contribute to the local community may, in fact, have several unintended consequences and might even make you a better person in the process. And if not, you saved some cash.</div>
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<span style="color: #0000ee; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.hiusa.org/programs/great-hostel-give-back-application" target="_blank">Click here to apply now</a></span></div>
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If you do put together a group please let me know via the comments below. Who knows your travels might get featured here on Travel Boldly.<br />
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~~~</div>
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<br /></div>
I was the guest of the HI USA hostel in Washington D.C. as part of the <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2014/12/15/white-house-hosts-travel-blogger-summit-study-abroad-and-global-citizenship" target="_blank">White House Travel Blogger Summit</a>. It was my first stay in a hostel but it won't be my last.<br />
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Travel Boldlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02297472140061903881noreply@blogger.com0United States37.09024 -95.712891000000013-36.4186355 99.052733999999987 90 69.521483999999987tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8894719606079038952.post-55562757741907809192016-04-11T09:40:00.000-06:002016-10-27T16:12:06.826-06:00Climbing Africa's highest mountain, Tanzania's Mount Kilimanjaro<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span class="s1">The summit Kilimanjaro, Africa's highest mountain, from Karanga Camp, the stopping point for the fourth night of the climb. </span></div>
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<h2>
Climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro at Age 66: FITNESS MATTERS!</h2>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">What does it take to stand atop Africa's highest mountain in your seventh decade on the planet? </span><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></b>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Travel Boldly</b> asked Sally McKinney to interview a man that knows. Billy Giles has climbed Tanzania's Mount Kilimanjaro, or "Kili" as it affectionately known, three times since he topped 60 years of age. Billy's feats certainly give me hope of summiting at least one of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seven_Summits" target="_blank">Seven Summits</a> during my seventh decade. Read Billy's interview and get yourself motivated for your own Kilimanjaro climbing adventure. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> Jerome Shaw Publisher of<b> Travel Boldly</b></span></div>
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<h4>
Sally's other inspiring stories of travel for Travel Boldly</h4>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.travelboldly.com/2014/02/after-slow-travel-in-tanzania-we-went_24.html" target="_blank">After Slow Travel in Tanzania - We Went Poco y Poco in Peru. You are never too old to travel.</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.travelboldly.com/2015/08/Adventure-Travel-in-Galapagos-Islands-of-South-America.html" target="_blank">Travel Adventures in the </a>Galápagos Islands</li>
</ul>
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<h3>
<span style="color: orange;">
Questions by Sally McKinney Answers by Billy Giles</span></h3>
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In July, 2014, Billy Giles climbed Africa’s highest mountain. For the third time.<br />
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While Billy walked uphill for days to reach 19, 385 feet, Sally took it easy and read: “Kilimanjaro: A Photographic Journey to the Roof of Africa”.<br />
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After Billy (BEG) came home to Indiana, he answered Sally’s (SMK) many questions:<br />
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All photos by Billy Giles<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rAWSDbQVqbk/VwlDIp_1QmI/AAAAAAAABko/OVxDvBZ4k8YoLrP_C6rK8rBK824ba0vRw/s1600/Climb%2BKilimanjaro%2Bon%2Bthe%2BMachame%2BRoute%2Bmap8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="232" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rAWSDbQVqbk/VwlDIp_1QmI/AAAAAAAABko/OVxDvBZ4k8YoLrP_C6rK8rBK824ba0vRw/s320/Climb%2BKilimanjaro%2Bon%2Bthe%2BMachame%2BRoute%2Bmap8.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: justify;">
Map of climbing Kilimanjaro on the <i>Machame </i>Route, courtesy</div>
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of <a href="http://machame.com/" target="_blank">Machame.com</a></div>
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SMK You’ve done this twice before. What makes climbing Kili so special?<br />
BEG The first time, it was because I thought it was a real adventure and something I could possibly do. It was a reason to go somewhere that was not like anywhere I’d ever been. I could also go with someone from that place. After I went once, I wanted to go back to see more and to see friends I’d made in Tanzania. When friends and family have approached me about climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro, I’ve jumped at the chance. And, at 19,385 feet, Mt. Kilimanjaro is the highest point in Africa.<br />
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SMK Which route did you take?<br />
BEG I took the <i>Machame</i> route for all thee climbs. <i>Marangu</i> route uses huts for sleeping. For <i>Machame</i>, the porters bring tents, so you don’t have to reserve hut space. The weather is said to be better and more scenic on<i> Machame</i>. The <i>Machame </i>route is less direct, so there’s more time to acclimate to altitude, therefore a greater success rate.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gmryOpKz4VY/VwuonqmAJmI/AAAAAAAABmI/MvIAmIvr-lA2rO-BsOa3yfxz4ynHQO3Xg/s1600/Kilimanjaro-Mt.%2BMeru%2BShira%2Bcamp-DSCN1373.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gmryOpKz4VY/VwuonqmAJmI/AAAAAAAABmI/MvIAmIvr-lA2rO-BsOa3yfxz4ynHQO3Xg/s320/Kilimanjaro-Mt.%2BMeru%2BShira%2Bcamp-DSCN1373.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Mt. Meru can be seen in the distance to the west from Shira </span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12.8px;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">camp. </span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">It is the second highest mountain in Tanzania</span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">at just </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">
</span>
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<span style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">under 15,000 feet. </span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">The Shira Cathedral, </span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">one of the three </span></span></div>
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</span>
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<span style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">volcanoes that </span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">make up Kilimanjaro, is on the right.</span></span></div>
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SMK How many miles (kilometers) is your route up-and-down Kili?<br />
BEG One source says from <i>Machame</i> Gate up to <i>Uhuru</i> summit and down to <i>Mweka </i>Gate is 37 miles (62 kilometers). But I have found that different sources give different distances for the trails and different altitudes for the camps on Mt. Kilimanjaro.<br />
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SMK You spent six nights sleeping in tents on the mountain. Tell me more. . .<br />
BEG Walter (a long-time Tanzania friend) and I shared a tent. I had a sleeping pad, a bag and a pillow, but my coat was a pillow most nights. We’d often sleep on a slope, heads up, feet down, so I’d have to pull myself up again--several times a night--whenever I slipped down!<br />
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SMK When you climbed Kili the first and second times. . .how old were you?<br />
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BEG 61 and 63.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k3AtLcPNcz0/Vwun6B211AI/AAAAAAAABls/Z5CAMhbSSzoOEJ5JnpJZbc6riIWcM2xRw/s1600/Kilimanjaro%2BShira%2BCamp%2BShira%2BPlateau-DSCN1381.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k3AtLcPNcz0/Vwun6B211AI/AAAAAAAABls/Z5CAMhbSSzoOEJ5JnpJZbc6riIWcM2xRw/s320/Kilimanjaro%2BShira%2BCamp%2BShira%2BPlateau-DSCN1381.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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<span class="s1">Shira Camp at the eastern edge of the Shira Plateau is the </span></div>
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<span class="s1">stopping </span><span class="s1" style="font-size: 12.8px;">point for the second night. The summit of Kilimanjaro </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">is in the clouds in the background.</span></div>
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SMC How did you get started climbing?<br />
BEG I read Edmund Hillary’s account of the first climb of Mt. Everest in the fifth grade. A few years later, I read a book on the history of climbing Mt. Everest, including George Mallory’s tragic attempt. And I knew that climbing Everest was something I would never do. My first experience in climbing came much later when my cousin, Pete, and I climbed in Rocky Mountain National Park. Then I saw a documentary on PBS about a scientist with a neuromuscular disease who tried to climb Kilimanjaro. After this, climbing Kili seemed like something I could do. In 2004, when I met Walter Miya (former ranger for Tanzania National Park), I knew this could become a reality.<br />
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SMK What made your third climb different?<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eFQ_dxWV_Ag/VwuoE0qCEaI/AAAAAAAABmE/4mNMEAIKX7c9lbO5R5e2nzxDbmHuKoidA/s1600/Kilimanjaro%2BAlpine%2Bchats%2Balong%2BMachame%2Broute%2BDSCN1422.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eFQ_dxWV_Ag/VwuoE0qCEaI/AAAAAAAABmE/4mNMEAIKX7c9lbO5R5e2nzxDbmHuKoidA/s320/Kilimanjaro%2BAlpine%2Bchats%2Balong%2BMachame%2Broute%2BDSCN1422.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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<span class="s1">Alpine chats are common along the middle portion of the </span></div>
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<span class="s1">Machame Route.</span></div>
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BEG Even though I was 66 years old, climbing was easier than when I was younger! I owe it all to working out at the YMCA. This time, I wasn’t the last one to reach camp. I could actually walk around in each camp at the end of the day’s hike and not just collapse into my tent. On summit day, I actually made it to the crater rim before sunrise. I had never made it to the summit of any mountain before sunrise. The porters still called me “<i>Babu</i>” (Swahili for “old man” or “grandfather”).<br />
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SMK What else motivated you?<br />
BEG It was there! It was an adventure! It was a reason to travel!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oTeSsa1aJJ8/VwuouFs8ycI/AAAAAAAABmA/K2tB0kwUN1cquA1Fwqv-22d4yIy5wNH9w/s1600/Kilimanjaro%2Bglaciers%2BIMG_5915.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="201" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oTeSsa1aJJ8/VwuouFs8ycI/AAAAAAAABmA/K2tB0kwUN1cquA1Fwqv-22d4yIy5wNH9w/s320/Kilimanjaro%2Bglaciers%2BIMG_5915.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="p1" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="s1">Looking down on one of the glaciers on the flanks of Kilimanjaro </span></div>
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<span class="s1">f</span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">rom the crater rim. The glaciers look much larger from above than </span></div>
<div class="p1" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">from below.</span></div>
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SMK Tell me more about how you trained for Climb Number Three?<br />
BEG In 2011 during the second climb, I was in bad shape, weighed more than I had ever weighed before and had a very, very difficult time. I swore I’d never climb it again. It was time to take action, to do something about my lack of fitness. For me, joining the YMCA was that action. After joining in January, 2012, I spent 2 ½ years working out on treadmills, stairs, steppers, free weights and resistance machines. The first six months, a personal trainer was very helpful. Every day I was in Bloomington, I tried to work out at the Y. In 2013, I went for a streak of 50 days in a row! Gradually, I’ve gotten in much better shape and feel much better, much healthier. This transformation has been without drastically changing my diet. . .except for drinking less beer.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KnzrfwVPZKM/Vwuon9sXQxI/AAAAAAAABmI/VTYQhRn3bV842nKt6zIV3lBXyjHrS78Pg/s1600/Kilimanjaro%2Bsummit%2Bfrom%2BShira%2BCamp-DSCN1400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KnzrfwVPZKM/Vwuon9sXQxI/AAAAAAAABmI/VTYQhRn3bV842nKt6zIV3lBXyjHrS78Pg/s320/Kilimanjaro%2Bsummit%2Bfrom%2BShira%2BCamp-DSCN1400.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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<span class="s1">The summit of Kilimanjaro from Shira Camp. </span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Small glaciers </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">can be seen on the flanks of the mountain.</span></div>
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SMK What was the weather like?<br />
BEG Weather was good. It rained lightly the first night, then for about an hour into the morning hike. After that, we were above the clouds!<br />
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SMK When I was in Tanzania, we walked around outside Mt. Kilimanjaro National Park. We walked along dirt roads past <i>“shambas” </i>(Swahili for small farms). I saw small block houses, chickens in the yard, banana trees, big family gardens, avocados hanging on branches. What did you find just inside the park?<br />
BEG From<i> Machame </i>gate to <i>Machame </i>camp we walked through montane rainforest. We saw some blue monkeys near the gate, but wildlife is difficult to see in the forest. You can hear birds, like turacos; usually, we only get fleeting glimpses of them.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zlw3aNh5uv8/VwuouI64-0I/AAAAAAAABl8/wjj7dDYQwTs7x8owWDGGYvSF4I-0MN7lw/s1600/Kilimanjaro-White-necked-raven-DSCN1364.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zlw3aNh5uv8/VwuouI64-0I/AAAAAAAABl8/wjj7dDYQwTs7x8owWDGGYvSF4I-0MN7lw/s320/Kilimanjaro-White-necked-raven-DSCN1364.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="p1" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="s1">White-necked ravens are common once you get above the tree line. </span></div>
<div class="p1" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="s1">They are opportunistic and will attempt to pilfer food while you </span></div>
<div class="p1" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="s1">eat your lunch.</span></div>
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SMK The zone from about 9,200 to 15,000 feet has been called heath and moorland zone. What did<br />
you find there?<br />
BEG The second day the trail is much rockier and the vegetation more sparse. The trees become smaller and eventually are no more than shrubs. There are numerous flowering plants, a lot of which are called “everlasting” by the guide. We start to see white-necked ravens and alpine chats. The ravens have very imposing beaks and have been known to take a climber’s chicken-leg out of the lunch box.<br />
<br />
The second night is spent at one of the Shira camps on the eastern edge of the Shira Plateau. From here, if you are above the clouds, you have good views of the summit and good views of Mt. <i>Meru</i> to the west. <i>Shira</i> Camp can be a very windy place and sleeping can be difficult.<br />
<br />
The morning half of the third day we spent climbing from <i>Shira</i> Camp toward the Lava Tower, a landmark on the southwest slope of Kilimanjaro. This time, I climbed up the Lava Tower over a shear, rock face.<br />
<br />
SMK Oh, sounds scary!<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GdBceb9adZY/VwuoBYKIEJI/AAAAAAAABmE/51joTc1EjoEgq24YilamN4haZK3BjL4kQ/s1600/Kilimanjaro%2BLava%2BTower%2BIMG_5865.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GdBceb9adZY/VwuoBYKIEJI/AAAAAAAABmE/51joTc1EjoEgq24YilamN4haZK3BjL4kQ/s320/Kilimanjaro%2BLava%2BTower%2BIMG_5865.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="p1" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="s1">The Lava Tower is a landmark that becomes the highest point </span></div>
<div class="p1" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="s1">on the </span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">third day of the climb.</span></div>
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BEG This is one of the most dangerous things I’ve ever done. If I had known how risky it was, I would not have done it. Climbing along vertical rock surfaces (without technical equipment) is not something 66-year-olds should be doing!<br />
<br />
From the Lava Tower into the <i>Barranco</i> Valley, you walk downhill through s<i>enecio</i> forests. There’s a great view of the summit and some of Kilimanjaro’s glaciers above the <i>Barranco</i> Wall on your left.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-g-as5C-ubzA/VwuoFCmSDPI/AAAAAAAABmE/DQz0BMHMAsQuVoforfGu8WFKTVrwhOlsQ/s1600/Kilimanjaro%2Bclimbers%2Bon%2Bthe%2BLava%2BTower.%2BIMG_5887.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-g-as5C-ubzA/VwuoFCmSDPI/AAAAAAAABmE/DQz0BMHMAsQuVoforfGu8WFKTVrwhOlsQ/s320/Kilimanjaro%2Bclimbers%2Bon%2Bthe%2BLava%2BTower.%2BIMG_5887.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="p1" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="s1">Climbers descending from the summit of the </span></div>
<div class="p1" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="s1">Lava Tower.</span></div>
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SMK How much oxygen is there at 19,385 feet compared to sea level?<br />
BEG The density of air at sea level is about twice what it is at 20,000 feet. So there’s roughly half the oxygen at the Kilimanjaro summit as there is on the Tanzania coast.<br />
<br />
SMK I’ve read it takes twice the energy to do something if you have half the oxygen to breathe. How did you sustain your energy when you climbed?<br />
BEG I would sit on a rock to rest, or just lean on my poles. I didn’t eat much on the mountain. No appetite.<br />
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<br />
SMK Some people who start this climb don’t make the summit. Did you ever consider quitting?<br />
BEG No. Continuing to climb seemed the easier thing to do. On the mountain anyone who quit had to walk down, or be carried on a stretcher—if there were carriers to do this. In a real emergency helicopters could land at some of the camps to evacuate climbers, but I have never seen that happen.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--7nB4WP9Axw/VwuoBTypIWI/AAAAAAAABmE/u9A5m6_nXoAWBgHUoJmCuX-HeYKIqXnjQ/s1600/Kilimanjaro%2BUhuru%2BPeak%252C%2Bthe%2Bsummit%2BDSCN1446.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--7nB4WP9Axw/VwuoBTypIWI/AAAAAAAABmE/u9A5m6_nXoAWBgHUoJmCuX-HeYKIqXnjQ/s320/Kilimanjaro%2BUhuru%2BPeak%252C%2Bthe%2Bsummit%2BDSCN1446.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Uhuru Peak, the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro.</span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">This was <br />a new sign since my last climb </span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">in 2011, </span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">but already <br />well adorned with </span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">commercial messages.</span></div>
</td></tr>
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SMK We were all excited to get your “summit” Email! Later, you wrote that after you came down to Camp, you could not walk.<br />
BEG The descent from the summit to the highest camp, <i>Barafu,</i> left me with very weak and sore legs. <i>Barafu</i> is so rocky, it is difficult to walk at any time, but now my legs were too weak to walk at all. Eventually, I rested in my tent for an hour or two and recovered somewhat.<br />
<br />
SMK How did your third climb end?<br />
BEG On the last day we walked from <i>Mweka</i> Camp to <i>Mweka </i>Gate in 2 ½ hours. This has taken me 4 hours before. Since this was my last time (to climb Kili), I gave my walking poles to the guides. I was not sick after the climb as before, even though it had been a very difficult seven days. We were back at the hotel in Arusha by early afternoon. The water was shut off, so I did not get a shower until next morning.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNkni618ZFnzaiCcNAKhTvL4rNZWt_Oytg_Y38ncg6B_9GAqFziD74vcpyqsNjzwIJjde1ZXGrSo1Z8hGBEVjPkYB75zVfpQ-jO2dL8M5nPGoxdLhWw3fkB4BoiEILb4RnDfsYWgaT76IZ/s1600/Kilimanjaro+climbers%252C+guides+%2526+porters+DSCN1459.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNkni618ZFnzaiCcNAKhTvL4rNZWt_Oytg_Y38ncg6B_9GAqFziD74vcpyqsNjzwIJjde1ZXGrSo1Z8hGBEVjPkYB75zVfpQ-jO2dL8M5nPGoxdLhWw3fkB4BoiEILb4RnDfsYWgaT76IZ/s320/Kilimanjaro+climbers%252C+guides+%2526+porters+DSCN1459.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="p1">
<span class="s1">The climbers, guides and porters celebrating the last day on the mountain.</span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />
SMK What advice would you give about climbing Mt. Kili?<br />
BEG <span style="color: #fff2cc;">You gotta want to do it!</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
~~~</div>
<br />
Sally McKinney has been a travel writer and photographer for 4 decades and has hundreds of travel<br />
stories in magazines and newspapers. She has also written several guide books. You can read another of Sally's travel adventures here on Travel Boldly about her learning how to travel in her 80s in Peru and Tanzania.<br />
<br />
<br />
Sally McKinney on Travel Boldly<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dAiHtCVcYLI/VwuoSf47lPI/AAAAAAAABmI/u9vPMNIiRX0lVqgE_BQQHjDiPKyHt5GDw/s1600/Kilimanjaro%2Bmoon%2Brise%2BDSCN1401.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dAiHtCVcYLI/VwuoSf47lPI/AAAAAAAABmI/u9vPMNIiRX0lVqgE_BQQHjDiPKyHt5GDw/s320/Kilimanjaro%2Bmoon%2Brise%2BDSCN1401.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="p1">
<span class="s1">The moon rising in the east next to Mount Kilimanjaro.</span></div>
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<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.travelboldly.com/2014/02/after-slow-travel-in-tanzania-we-went_24.html" target="_blank">After Slow Travel in Tanzania - We Went Poco y Poco in Peru. You are never too old to travel.</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.travelboldly.com/2015/08/Adventure-Travel-in-Galapagos-Islands-of-South-America.html" target="_blank">Travel Adventures in the Galapagos Islands</a></li>
</ul>
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Travel Boldlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02297472140061903881noreply@blogger.com0Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania-3.0674247 37.355627299999924-28.5894592 -3.9529667000000757 22.4546098 78.664221299999923tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8894719606079038952.post-79220857088521923052016-04-09T11:40:00.000-06:002016-04-09T11:40:28.193-06:00 Patagonia Chile trekking on the W-Circuit in Torres Del Paine & Cerro Paine Grande, in the Cordillera Paine,<div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Xknt2jBC7l0/Vwk3kMTUVUI/AAAAAAAABkI/WDug_dJ-pdEnxiOAczj-MyJqKYBvLZh0w/s1600/Patagonia-Chile-PhotoCredit-Jim-DeLillo-TravelBoldly-Sweetened.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Photo by Jim DeLillo for Travel Boldly Patagonia Chile trekking on the W-Circuit in Torres Del Paine & Cerro Paine Grande, in the Cordillera Paine," border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Xknt2jBC7l0/Vwk3kMTUVUI/AAAAAAAABkI/WDug_dJ-pdEnxiOAczj-MyJqKYBvLZh0w/s640/Patagonia-Chile-PhotoCredit-Jim-DeLillo-TravelBoldly-Sweetened.jpg" title="Photo by Jim DeLillo for Travel Boldly Patagonia Chile trekking on the W-Circuit in Torres Del Paine & Cerro Paine Grande, in the Cordillera Paine," width="425" /></a></div>
<a href="javascript:void((function(){var%20e=document.createElement('script');e.setAttribute('type','text/javascript');e.setAttribute('charset','UTF-8');e.setAttribute('src','http://assets.pinterest.com/js/pinmarklet.js?r='+Math.random()*99999999);document.body.appendChild(e)})());"><img alt="Pin It" class="aligncenter" src="http://www.clickinmoms.com/cmprodaily/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/pinit.jpg" /></a><br />
<a href="javascript:void((function(){var%20e=document.createElement('script');e.setAttribute('type','text/javascript');e.setAttribute('charset','UTF-8');e.setAttribute('src','http://assets.pinterest.com/js/pinmarklet.js?r='+Math.random()*99999999);document.body.appendChild(e)})());"><br /></a>Story & photos by <a href="http://www.delillophoto.com/" target="_blank">Jim DeLillo</a><br />
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<h3>
Patagonia</h3>
<br /><br />
Can a 60-year old hike the Patagonian W-Circuit?<br />
<br />
The short answer is yes. I did it. Let me tell you though, it was challenging. This circuit trip was beautiful, remote, and as difficult as a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thru-hiking" target="_blank">thru-hike</a>.<br />
<br />
I traveled twenty-four hours from the United State, I thought I could go no farther South in the world but I did. I continued on a plane for two more hours and then I rode in a van five hours back North. There is no direct route to the middle of nowhere. But, I am here, and it is worth it. To put it in perspective, I am only one and a half hours by air to Antarctica. Patagonia straddles <a href="https://www.awin1.com/awclick.php?mid=4217&id=221459" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Argentina and Chile</a>. My destination is <i>Torres Del Paine</i> and <i>Cerro Paine Grande,</i> in the<i> Cordillera Paine</i>, a small mountain group in <i>Torres del Paine </i>National Park in Chilean <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=as_li_ss_tl?url=search-alias%3Dsporting&field-keywords=patagonia&sprefix=Pata%2Csporting%2C194&rh=n%3A3375251%2Ck%3Apatagonia&linkCode=ll2&tag=travel0a96-20&linkId=d9627f1b036533378526ceb2f2985f84" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Patagonia</a>.<br />
<br />
I spent my first night at <a href="https://www.awin1.com/awclick.php?mid=5780&id=221459" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Hotel <i>Las Torres</i>.</a> Comfortable and clean, while not five stars by Michelin standards, it is an oasis of pseudo-luxury in this remote wilderness. From here on, I’ll carry what I need on my back. I am thankful for the two porters in my group that carry my excess. Their contribution to my comfort increases as they take more of my belongings as the trip wears on. It is a five-day hike, and we prepare for four seasons of weather. Thankfully the food is provided at each of the <i>refugios</i> and water is abundant along the trail. That means much less to carry.<br />
<br />
The major considerations for me when hiking are heat, hydration, pack-weight, and pace. Usually in that order. Heat can suck the motivation and life-blood right out of me. Fortunately, the days were mild, if not somewhat cloudy and damp making it ideal hiking weather for me. Hydration was not a problem on this trek.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=as_li_ss_tl?url=search-alias%3Dsporting&field-keywords=backpack&sprefix=back%2Csporting%2C184&rh=n%3A3375251%2Ck%3Abackpack&linkCode=ll2&tag=travel0a96-20&linkId=bb9797320020c1e8443b318d7dfdf32c" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pack-weight</a> was mitigated by the use of porters. That only leaves pace. My guides and trail mates accommodated me with a couple of strategies. The first, of course, was to let me go at my pace. That required one guide to be my buddy while the others forged ahead. At times, one of the other hikers would straggle back, as well. I usually arrived about an hour behind the group. The other strategy was for me to start about an hour earlier. This was effective when we had a time constraint like a boat departure.<br />
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The terrain was relatively flat. I am used to hiking in the Catskills and Adirondacks at a similar elevation. The profile was much gentler as we circumnavigated the higher slopes. In the instances where the grade or elevation increased significantly to the higher lookouts I opted to stay behind. Not due to the absolute distance or elevation gain, but because of my slower pace, and the round-trip timing. Since it was partially cloudy I did not miss much of the view and I still got to see and hear the small avalanches off the sides slopes of the mountains.<br />
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The W-Circuit is so named because of the shape it transcribes around the base of <i>Paine Grande.</i> We arrived in the shadows of <i>Los Cuernos</i> "The Horns" for dinner. A pair of multi-colored spires dominated the vertical view. The <i>refugio </i>here had a series of individual cabins situated on the lower slopes. Each cabin had two beds and a very efficient wood stove, which came in handy.<br />
<br />
Dinners were always hearty and started with <i>crudités</i>, salami, and cheese, with mandatory <i>Pisco</i> Sours. <i>Pisco</i> is the native colorless or yellowish-to-amber colored brandy produced by distilling grape wine into high-proof spirits. An after-dinner dip in the hot tub eased my sore muscles. I slept comfortably in the wood-stove heated cabin.<br />
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I was up at dawn capturing photos of the fleeting alpenglow on <i>Los Cuernos</i>. All along we were treated to views of lakes and glaciers, and of course, the <i>Paine Massif</i> itself; as we meandered, serpentine around its base. Waterfalls and constant streams dripping off the glacial slopes provided abundant clear, clean water for drinking. Refilling our <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Nalgene-Wide-Mouth-Water-Bottle/dp/B0048SZ5T6/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&redirect=true&ref_=nav_ya_signin&linkCode=ll1&tag=&linkId=1975a8f4ff1e4ab7953b8cd8720563f2" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Nalgene bottles</a> at will kept us well-hydrated throughout the journey.<br />
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We were comfortably ensconced indoors against the chilly nights. The<i> refugios </i>hosted 4-person bunk rooms, but since we were there early in the season, we slept one or two to a room.<br />
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A special treat was added to our trip...kayaking around the base of Glacier Grey. Slipping into a kayak is relatively easy, getting out, not so much. We pushed off in <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=as_li_ss_tl?url=search-alias%3Dsporting&field-keywords=tandem+kayak&sprefix=tandem+%2Csporting%2C358&rh=n%3A3375251%2Ck%3Atandem+kayak&linkCode=ll2&tag=travel0a96-20&linkId=f1400d93f4aa33243c7f1fedf8052c15" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">tandem kayaks</a> into <i>Lago </i>Grey. Within minutes, we were gliding right up to the cobalt blue icebergs. A soft swish-swish accompanied out paddling as we headed for the base of the glacier. As we neared, the guide shouted warnings to keep our distance. With our paddling stopped, we could hear the creaking and groaning of the massive ice filed. All of a sudden we heard a loud crash. We turned to look just in time to see a small explosion of ice and water at the far edge of the glacier. Close enough to get the adrenaline going, far enough away to be safe. We never even got to feel the wave it produced.<br />
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Our return journey started with a ferry boat reached by<a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=as_li_ss_tl?url=search-alias%3Dsporting&field-keywords=zodiac+inflatable+boat&sprefix=Zodia%2Csporting%2C229&linkCode=ll2&tag=travel0a96-20&linkId=06b98161c8c275267bf0937bb8dc8bda" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Zodiac</a>. The captain expertly guided the boat in and around icebergs, close enough to touch...which we did. Much to the delight of kids and adults alike. The shapes were other-worldly, the color surreal, and the fog along the coastline separated us even more from reality.<br />
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As we moved down the lake, the skies cleared and we welcomed the views of the mountain again. Our guides pointed out wild cows impossibly grazing on the steep slopes. After another short hike and a van ride we were back <a href="https://www.awin1.com/awclick.php?mid=4275&id=221459" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Hotel <i>Las Torres.</i> </a><br />
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Fifty miles and five days later I was well exhausted but the trip was too short.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-voWMQ6rOUCU/Vwk3zVoVv2I/AAAAAAAABkM/d7ycAd8jd8I44DpAHlUwLYicRXNkags7A/s1600/Patagonia%2BWCircuit%2BMap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt=" Map of the W-Circuit Patagonia Chile trekking on the W-Circuit in Torres Del Paine & Cerro Paine Grande, in the Cordillera Paine," border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-voWMQ6rOUCU/Vwk3zVoVv2I/AAAAAAAABkM/d7ycAd8jd8I44DpAHlUwLYicRXNkags7A/s1600/Patagonia%2BWCircuit%2BMap.jpg" title=" Map of the W-Circuit Patagonia Chile trekking on the W-Circuit in Torres Del Paine & Cerro Paine Grande, in the Cordillera Paine," /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">Map of the W-Circuit – We started and ended at Hotel Las Torres.</span></td></tr>
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<h3>
<br />If you go…</h3>
My tour was arranged Fantastico Sur<br />
Reservations: ventas@fantasticosur.com / W trek Programs: reservas@fantasticosur.com<br />
<b>Getting There:</b><br />
US Departure to Santiago, Chile LAN Airlines<br />
Estimated RT airfare from NY is approximate $1,000<br />
Spend a night in Puerto Varas<br />
In-Country Transfers:<br />
Transfer from Santiago, Chile to Puerto Natales, Chile<br />
Can be arranged through Fantastico Sur on LAN Airlines<br />
<b>Fantastico Sur Programs</b><br />
Option 1: SELF – GUIDED Program (Without Guide), Without Meals<br />
Option 2: SELF – GUIDED Program (Without Guide), MEALS Included<br />
Option 3: GUIDED Program, MEALS Included<br />
Total length of the circuit: 5 days / 4 nights.<br />
Total Distance: 71 Km.</div>
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Travel Boldlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02297472140061903881noreply@blogger.com0Torres del Paine, Torres de Paine, Magallanes y la Antártica Chilena Region, Chile-51.259167 -72.345000000000027-76.7812015 -113.65359400000003 -25.737132499999998 -31.036406000000028tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8894719606079038952.post-22998683169273339872016-01-28T16:44:00.000-07:002016-04-16T21:56:53.626-06:00Calf Fry, the 2016 Testicle Festival rides again April 28-30<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gKakagIrZKA/VxK-K0gPCAI/AAAAAAAABm4/RoSCu1hIIl8DbJ73utZ_znF-vGP2yRPKwCLcB/s1600/CalfFry%2BTumbleweed%2BDancehall%2BTravel%2BBoldly%2BJerome%2BShaw%2Bphoto%2B1%2Bcopy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Tumbleweed Dancehall and Concert Arena hosts Calf Fry aka TheTesticle Festival each spring for the last 25 years Photo by Jerome Shaw for Travel Boldly" border="0" height="425" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gKakagIrZKA/VxK-K0gPCAI/AAAAAAAABm4/RoSCu1hIIl8DbJ73utZ_znF-vGP2yRPKwCLcB/s640/CalfFry%2BTumbleweed%2BDancehall%2BTravel%2BBoldly%2BJerome%2BShaw%2Bphoto%2B1%2Bcopy.jpg" title="Tumbleweed Dancehall and Concert Arena hosts Calf Fry aka TheTesticle Festival each spring for the last 25 years Photo by Jerome Shaw for Travel Boldly" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: justify;">Tumbleweed Dancehall and Concert Arena hosts Calf Fry aka TheTesticle Festival each spring for the last 25 years</td></tr>
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Calf Fry, the 2016 Testicle Festival rides again April 28-30</h2>
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Do you have the balls to attend this music festival?</h3>
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Photo and story by <a href="http://www.jeromeshaw.com/" target="_blank">Jerome Shaw</a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E_Pw9o-pHMg/VxLDdFMgxnI/AAAAAAAABnc/hqriMdWaTm4hdDUbIOlRQOHQe6PbH34fQCKgB/s1600/CalfFry%2BTumbleweed%2BDancehall%2BTravel%2BBoldly%2BJerome%2BShaw%2Bphoto%2B5%2Bcopy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Sarah my beertender during Calf Fry aka TheTesticle Festival Photo by Jerome Shaw for Travel Boldly" border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E_Pw9o-pHMg/VxLDdFMgxnI/AAAAAAAABnc/hqriMdWaTm4hdDUbIOlRQOHQe6PbH34fQCKgB/s320/CalfFry%2BTumbleweed%2BDancehall%2BTravel%2BBoldly%2BJerome%2BShaw%2Bphoto%2B5%2Bcopy.jpg" title="Sarah my beertender during Calf Fry aka TheTesticle Festival Photo by Jerome Shaw for Travel Boldly" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: justify;">Sarah was my beertender during Calf Fry</td></tr>
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Stillwater, Oklahoma is home to one of the more colorful music festivals in the country. Though no longer officially called the Testicle Festival, that was the original, politically incorrect name and it is still widely known by this moniker. It is now simply called Calf Fry or more precisely Tumbleweed Calf Fry. Perhaps the festival, featuring the Red Dirt style music, which derives its name from the red colored soil of Oklahoma, simply out grew this more picturesque name. In 25 years Calf Fry has gone from modest little affair a few miles west of Stillwater to a major spring Music Festival destination with more than 30,000 in attendance for the 3-day event at the historic <a href="http://tumbleweedok.com/" target="_blank">Tumbleweed Dance Hall and Concert Arena.</a></div>
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Calf Fry is more than just a music festival though. It ramps up early at 5pm with several musicians filling the undercard. However, the opening acts have to compete with likes of goat roping, mechanical bull riding, trashcan basketball and of course fried calf balls and ice cold beer, Then there are the ever-present pretty young girls dressed in short bouncy skirts and cowboy boots or extremely short cutoff jeans and cowboy boots.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJUGHjXzKPJdpql3DMrp4G2AaTbV74vorgznjmNOnFalvAt_qC_aUid-jRBCxCCQwurxvX2_qoxLgrZp8FOvex_QAyIvID0Hj0fosHJyoW5bnXCDimhq_M2hRANJ9hNqwgxIN50eelkRKY/s1600/CalfFry+Tumbleweed+Dancehall+Travel+Boldly+Jerome+Shaw+photo+4+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Calf fries may get top billing but Red Dirt Music is what draws the crowds Photo by Jerome Shaw for Travel Boldly" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJUGHjXzKPJdpql3DMrp4G2AaTbV74vorgznjmNOnFalvAt_qC_aUid-jRBCxCCQwurxvX2_qoxLgrZp8FOvex_QAyIvID0Hj0fosHJyoW5bnXCDimhq_M2hRANJ9hNqwgxIN50eelkRKY/s320/CalfFry+Tumbleweed+Dancehall+Travel+Boldly+Jerome+Shaw+photo+4+copy.jpg" title="Calf fries may get top billing but Red Dirt Music is what draws the crowds Photo by Jerome Shaw for Travel Boldly" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Calf fries may get top billing but Red Dirt </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Music is what draws the crowds</span></div>
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<span class="s1">They've been frying calf testicles at the Calf Fry for 24 years</span>. The calf testicle must be thinly filleted to create the correct thickness to cook properly after it is dipped in an egg batter and coated with flour admits that deep-fried calf testicles are not to every ones taste. They also serve hamburgers, hot dogs and are most well known for their BBQ brisket.</div>
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Growing up on a farm/ranch in Nebraska I was no stranger to such bucolic goings-on. I still recall my first cattle round up in Hayes Center, Nebraska. I was only about 5 years ofd but memory is burned as indelibly into memory as the <span class="s1">Bar Lazy L</span> brand into the calf's hindquarters. It was not castration that was so off-putting but rather the smell of burning cow hair and hide and the gory dehorning. But that is story for another time.</div>
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I tried the calf fries and found them palatable but not very flavorful. They have a pleasant texture, firm and not not too chewy. They taste mostly of batter and the oil they are cooked in. I prefer turkey fries in taste, texture and size. The places that I have turkey fries in seem to season them much more heartily than the beef fries at Calf Fry. I’d definitely recommend you give them a go when you get Stillwater and the Testicle Festival. Try them with some of the BBQ sauce and for your second course have a BBQ Brisket sandwich and wash it down with a margarita. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wHuTVmMJ-ZA/VxLDdJ0lblI/AAAAAAAABng/40tzvDVanAgCHPDRsF0Hwvk4oCKEiPGngCKgB/s1600/CalfFry%2BTumbleweed%2BDancehall%2BTravel%2BBoldly%2BJerome%2BShaw%2Bphoto%2B8%2Bcopy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="The main stage during the 2015 Calf Fry Music Festival Photo by Jerome Shaw for Travel Boldly" border="0" height="212" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wHuTVmMJ-ZA/VxLDdJ0lblI/AAAAAAAABng/40tzvDVanAgCHPDRsF0Hwvk4oCKEiPGngCKgB/s320/CalfFry%2BTumbleweed%2BDancehall%2BTravel%2BBoldly%2BJerome%2BShaw%2Bphoto%2B8%2Bcopy.jpg" title="The main stage during the 2015 Calf Fry Music Festival Photo by Jerome Shaw for Travel Boldly" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The main stage during the 2015 Calf Fry Music Festival</td></tr>
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While calf testicles have top billing in festival title I think most of locals and those that travel from the far reaches of the country to attend this festival it is the music that commands their attention. The origins of the Red Dirt Style of music are here in Central Oklahoma, specifically a few miles west of Stillwater which is about 70 miles Northeast of Oklahoma City, which is smack in the middle of the main body of Oklahoma. The geographic center of the Red Dirt movement is “The Farm” the former home of Bob Childers, the grandfather of the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Dirt_(music)" target="_blank">Red Dirt movement</a>. I was fortunate enough to get a personal tour of “The Farm” courtesy of Monica Taylor herself a Red Dirt devotee. We took a windy road outside of Stillwater and then turned onto a narrow dirt road though not noticeably red. Red Dirt music grew into a genre from a specific place and this was that place. It was like visiting Haight Ashbury or Liverpool. An old two-story, five-bedroom house became know as ”The Farm" and was where this music movement began and flourish for over two decades.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c2KYxIOdWc8/VxK-Kvzv60I/AAAAAAAABm8/-2RjuWR9WuoH4GYNcdcTsUMywhcUhzQRACKgB/s1600/CalfFry%2BTumbleweed%2BDancehall%2BTravel%2BBoldly%2BJerome%2BShaw%2Bphoto%2B3%2Bcopy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="A good time was had by all at Calf Fry aka The Testicle Festivall Photo by Jerome Shaw for Travel Boldly" border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c2KYxIOdWc8/VxK-Kvzv60I/AAAAAAAABm8/-2RjuWR9WuoH4GYNcdcTsUMywhcUhzQRACKgB/s320/CalfFry%2BTumbleweed%2BDancehall%2BTravel%2BBoldly%2BJerome%2BShaw%2Bphoto%2B3%2Bcopy.jpg" title="A good time was had by all at Calf Fry aka The Testicle Festivall Photo by Jerome Shaw for Travel Boldly" width="204" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">A good time was had by all at Calf Fry </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">aka The Testicle Festival</span></div>
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The house burned down in 2003 but the old weathered garage that was known as the Gypsy Cafe still stands resolutely marking this this place in music history. Monica gave us an impromptu acoustic concert of her recent songs and some from the old days too. She first came here in ???? as a 18 year old hoping to make her way on the music scene. “The Farm” was an inclusive crash pad for wannabe musicians and welcomed her. She shared many personal stories about her memories of the musicians that passed through here. It was a unique time and place in annals of Stillwater and Red Dirt music history.</div>
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But now it was time to head for Calf Fry and get the party started with Casey Donahew Band, Aaron Watson, The Dirty River Boys, Chance Anderson, The Hideouts, and Lower 40. After a few fried testicles, a bit of BBQ, a few tallboy beers and a couple of pathetic attempts at goat roping the sun set and the music began. </div>
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Jerome was a guest of the <a href="http://www.visitstillwater.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Stillwater Convention and Visitor’s Bureau </a>during his culinary and music adventures in Oklahoma.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vMRFDkbFZRo/VxK-KhzscvI/AAAAAAAABm8/FUB9jEqClU8NkSXD0aSC2y-2T_RG4osvgCKgB/s1600/CalfFry%2BTumbleweed%2BDancehall%2BTravel%2BBoldly%2BJerome%2BShaw%2Bphoto%2B2%2Bcopy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="At sunset the party is just getting started at The Testicle Festival Photo by Jerome Shaw for Travel Boldly" border="0" height="212" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vMRFDkbFZRo/VxK-KhzscvI/AAAAAAAABm8/FUB9jEqClU8NkSXD0aSC2y-2T_RG4osvgCKgB/s320/CalfFry%2BTumbleweed%2BDancehall%2BTravel%2BBoldly%2BJerome%2BShaw%2Bphoto%2B2%2Bcopy.jpg" title="At sunset the party is just getting started at The Testicle Festival Photo by Jerome Shaw for Travel Boldly" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At sunset the party is just getting started at The Testicle Festival</td></tr>
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If You Go Section:</h4>
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Calf Fry 2016 is Thursday, April 28 through Saturday, April 30</div>
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Tickets can be purchased online at <a href="http://tumbleweedok.com/">http://tumbleweedok.com/</a> </div>
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The annual Tumbleweed Calf Fry, or "Testicle Festival," features a calf fry and live Red Dirt country music. This unique outdoor music venue is celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2016. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q3ZH6pwMxG8/VxLKlhoMaNI/AAAAAAAABoA/rZ0qORQ7z34dw4AQwendPYSpH51gWhmBQCKgB/s1600/CalfFry%2BTumbleweed%2BDancehall%2BTravel%2BBoldly%2BJerome%2BShaw%2Bphoto%2B7%2Bcopy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Cutoff jeans & short flouncy skirts are most common attire for young women at Calf Fry Photo by Jerome Shaw for Travel Boldly" border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q3ZH6pwMxG8/VxLKlhoMaNI/AAAAAAAABoA/rZ0qORQ7z34dw4AQwendPYSpH51gWhmBQCKgB/s320/CalfFry%2BTumbleweed%2BDancehall%2BTravel%2BBoldly%2BJerome%2BShaw%2Bphoto%2B7%2Bcopy.jpg" title="Cutoff jeans & short flouncy skirts are most common attire for young women at Calf Fry Photo by Jerome Shaw for Travel Boldly" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cutoff jeans & short flouncy skirts are most<br />
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Calf Fry is for adults 18 years of age and older.</div>
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The Tumbleweed Dance Hall is recognized by County Music Weekly as one of the Top 10 Most Historic Country Music Sites in the United States. The 2016 edition of Calf Fry will celebrate 25 years of turning bulls into steers. </div>
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Last year, the event dished up a record 3,000-plus pounds of calf fries to more than 30,000 attendees, and the it was recently estival’s culinary aspect was even featured on the Travel Channel.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taking in the music at Calf Fry</td></tr>
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Get up close and personal with a VIP pass or party like a rockstar or rather a “countrymusicstar” and rent a 10 foot by 10 foot bullpen or party pen for yourself and your friends. You can stretch a day trip into a week-end getaway, by reserving an RV parking spot or bring camping equipment and stay in one of the 30 campsites available - reservations recommended.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cowboy a Calf Fry aka The Testicle Festival</td></tr>
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Travel Boldlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02297472140061903881noreply@blogger.com0Stillwater, OK, USA36.1156071 -97.058368135.9104376 -97.381091599999991 36.320776599999995 -96.7356446tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8894719606079038952.post-58503103379074674702015-11-18T08:38:00.000-07:002015-11-23T08:49:04.312-07:00LuvRitz recipe contest party wrap up <a href="javascript:void((function(){var%20e=document.createElement('script');e.setAttribute('type','text/javascript');e.setAttribute('charset','UTF-8');e.setAttribute('src','http://assets.pinterest.com/js/pinmarklet.js?r='+Math.random()*99999999);document.body.appendChild(e)})());"><img alt="Pin It" class="aligncenter" src="http://www.clickinmoms.com/cmprodaily/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/pinit.jpg" /></a><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">GB eyes our Ritz Cracker Creations during our LuvRitz<br />
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One of things you have to get used to as a travel blogger is a schedule that is in constant flux.<br />
<a href="javascript:void((function(){var%20e=document.createElement('script');e.setAttribute('type','text/javascript');e.setAttribute('charset','UTF-8');e.setAttribute('src','http://assets.pinterest.com/js/pinmarklet.js?r='+Math.random()*99999999);document.body.appendChild(e)})());"><br /></a>
I was supposed to travel to Dallas, Texas for a Texas Tourism project in early November to see a Dallas Cowboys football game and experience some Texas-style entertainment. I planed to be able to spend a bit of time with my daughter and her family while in Texas. She and I have been working on the LuvRtiz / Southwest Airlines social media project together. I thought this would be the perfect time to show off our Ritz Cracker Creation recipes to friends.<br />
<a href="javascript:void((function(){var%20e=document.createElement('script');e.setAttribute('type','text/javascript');e.setAttribute('charset','UTF-8');e.setAttribute('src','http://assets.pinterest.com/js/pinmarklet.js?r='+Math.random()*99999999);document.body.appendChild(e)})());"><br /></a>My trip got cancelled but the party went on without me. <br />
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Here is Tannith's post excerpted here on Travel Boldly from her blog, <a href="https://franklytannith.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">FranklyTannith</a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">LuvRitz recipe contest party wrap up</span></h4>
by <a href="https://twitter.com/franklytannith" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Tannith Bata</a><br />
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So part of the #luvritzsweepstakes that my father (Travel Boldly) and myself are doing is to have some friends over to enjoy these destination themed recipes. Tony and I are super lucky we have great neighbors who have become even better friends. They were kind enough to come over and munch on some tasty ritz cracker recipes.<br />
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It has been very fun to not only work on something with my father again, but to also create some unique recipes. Recipes that I feel are yummy and fun. If you didn’t read my last post, our two recipes were “The Dirty South” which is a bacon ritz cracker topped with pulled pork, coleslaw and a drizzle of BBQ sauce.<br />
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Read the full post and see all the great photos on <a href="https://franklytannith.wordpress.com/2015/11/17/luvritz-recipe-contest-party-wrap-up/" target="_blank">FranklyTannith </a><br />
<br />Travel Boldlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02297472140061903881noreply@blogger.com0Fort Worth, TX, USA32.7554883 -97.330765831.901301300000004 -98.62165929999999 33.609675300000006 -96.0398723tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8894719606079038952.post-36889887587929358282015-11-06T17:53:00.000-07:002015-11-15T21:09:47.293-07:00Denver, Dallas, Southwest Airlines and Ritz Crackers appetizers, a virtual culinary travel experience.<a href="javascript:void((function(){var%20e=document.createElement('script');e.setAttribute('type','text/javascript');e.setAttribute('charset','UTF-8');e.setAttribute('src','http://assets.pinterest.com/js/pinmarklet.js?r='+Math.random()*99999999);document.body.appendChild(e)})());"><img alt="Pin It" class="aligncenter" src="http://www.clickinmoms.com/cmprodaily/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/pinit.jpg" /></a><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jerome at the Stockyards in Fort Worth, Texas.<br />
<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">A grandson and a grand dog make</span><br />
Dallas /Fort Worth a favorite destination.</td></tr>
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Were are doing virtual culinary travel this month. I'm working with my daughter, Tannith on a project creating recipes for Ritz Cracker appetizers based upon my home base and Southwest Airlines destination, Denver, Colorado and my daughter's home city and Southwest Airlines destination Dallas / Fort Worth, Texas.<br />
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Tannith (her blog is <a href="https://franklytannith.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">FranklyTannith</a>) and I collaborated on the creation of the recipes. Well, I should say Tannith created the recipes with just modest input from me.<br />
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It seemed natural to tailor the two recipes to our respective cities since we both love these two travel destinations. I travel from Colorado to Texas several times a year to visit my daughter's family. And, every once in awhile I manage to cajole Tannith into bringing her family back to Colorado.<br />
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We'll be testing out our recipes and having a little party in Texas later this month.<br />
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You can create your cracker creation / travel destination combo.</h4>
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Ritz and Southwest Airlines want to know where you want to go and how you enjoy Ritz Crackers. One lucky winner will win $5,000 in Southwest gift cards! Just Tweet or Instagram your response along with #LuvRitzSweepstakes to be entered. (Example: "I want to go to #Dallas for the holidays and enjoy Ritz Mint Thins #LuvRitzSweepstakes")<br />
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So get on Twitter and/or Instagram and make your entry and please visit<a href="http://luvritz.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> http://luvritz.com/ </a> to vote for "The Roaring Fork" and "The Dirty South." There is a search box to locate them - just enter Dirty or Roaring to locate our cracker creations.<br />
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<b><u>You can vote every 24 hours - so vote early and often!</u></b><br />
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Here are our recipes:<br />
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For Denver, Colorado our cracker creation is called:<br />"The Roaring Fork”</h4>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"The Roaring Fork" our Ritz Cracker appetizer<br />
in honor of the Southwest Airlines destination<br />
Denver, Colorado</td></tr>
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Ingredients:<br />
1 cup shredded chicken (directions for shredded chicken will be below)<br />
1 can diced green chilies<br />
1/4 cup sour cream<br />
1 tablespoon of your favorite hot sauce<br />
1-2 tablespoons milk<br />
Salt and pepper<br />
1 tsp cumin<br />
1 tsp chopped cilantro<br />
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Begin by cooking 1 large chicken breast in 2 cups of chicken stock in a medium sauce pan. Season with half the cumin and salt and pepper.<br />
Boil covered for 20 minutes or until chicken is tender when poked with a fork.<br />
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Move chicken to a bowl and shred. A stand or hand mixer is also a great way to shred your chicken quickly. However if you don't have that available two forks and some determination will get the job done.<br />
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You can purchase prepared shredded chicken at most groceries.<br />
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Add green chilies, salt and pepper and the rest of the cumin. Toss to combine.<br />
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In another bowl combine sour cream, hot sauce and milk. Mix into a nice creamy sauce. Set aside while you chop your cilantro.<br />
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Now it's time to assemble your crackers. Place crackers on a plate and place a small amount of the chicken mixture on to each cracker. Drizzle with sauce and top with a garnish of cilantro.<br />
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Now imagine you're in the Mile High City enjoying a few Roaring Forks with some of Denver’s great craft beers. I highly recommend a couple ales from Avery Brewing’s Barrel-Aged Series: Rumpkin Imperial Pumpkin Ale and 5 Monks, a Belgian-Style Quintupel Ale.<br />
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For Dallas, Texas we created "The Dirty South"</h4>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">"The Dirty South" our Ritz Cracker appetizer </span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">in </span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">honor of the <br />Southwest Airlines destination, </span>Dallas, Texas</td></tr>
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Ingredients:<br />
1 cup farm rich pulled pork (can be purchased at Walmart and most grocery stores.)<br />
1/3 cup BBQ sauce of your choice<br />
1 bag red Cabbage mix<br />
1/3 -1/2 cup Mayonnaise<br />
1 TBSP Vinegar<br />
2 TBSP Sugar<br />
Salt and pepper<br />
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Start by making your coleslaw. Mix the mayo, vinegar, and sugar into a bowl until well combined. Add salt and pepper and mix in shredded cabbage. Set aside.<br />
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Follow package directions for heating pulled pork.<br />
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To assemble set crackers on plate and add a small amount of meat to each cracker. Top with cole slaw and drizzle with BBQ sauce.<br />
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I recommend the Ritz Bacon Crackers for this savory and spicy delight. Serve with a crushingly cold Dr Pepper or a jigger of Deep Eddy Ruby Red Grapefruit Vodka or Deep Eddy Sweet Tea Vodka over cracked ice.<br />
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This post is sponsored by Ritz Crackers and Southwest Airlines.Travel Boldlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02297472140061903881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8894719606079038952.post-76056381291571168632015-08-04T08:54:00.000-06:002015-10-28T12:19:18.419-06:00Travel Adventures in the Galapagos Islands <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y85sj2z3z5U/Vb_nabF-ntI/AAAAAAAAAzk/e7dq3EdSzWI/s1600/Galapagos%2BIslands%2Bgiant%2Btortoise%2BCharles%2BDarwin%2BResearch%2BStation%2BIsla%2BSanta%2BCruz%2BTravel%2BBoldly%2BDSCN1699.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Travel Boldly Galapagos Island - A female and a male giant tortoise approach one another other.(Are they flirting?) They reside inside an enclosure at Charles Darwin Research Station on Isla Santa Cruz." border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y85sj2z3z5U/Vb_nabF-ntI/AAAAAAAAAzk/e7dq3EdSzWI/s640/Galapagos%2BIslands%2Bgiant%2Btortoise%2BCharles%2BDarwin%2BResearch%2BStation%2BIsla%2BSanta%2BCruz%2BTravel%2BBoldly%2BDSCN1699.jpg" title="Travel Boldly Galapagos Island - A female and a male giant tortoise approach one another other.(Are they flirting?) They reside inside an enclosure at Charles Darwin Research Station on Isla Santa Cruz." width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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A female and a male giant tortoise approach one another other.(Are they flirting?) They reside inside an enclosure at Charles Darwin Research Station on Isla Santa Cruz. </div>
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<a href="javascript:void((function(){var%20e=document.createElement('script');e.setAttribute('type','text/javascript');e.setAttribute('charset','UTF-8');e.setAttribute('src','http://assets.pinterest.com/js/pinmarklet.js?r='+Math.random()*99999999);document.body.appendChild(e)})());">The Pace Picks Up in the Galapagos:</a></h3>
How Will I Ever Keep Up?<br />
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by Sally McKinney<br />
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The sun warms my skin during the half-hour boat ride from San Cristobal. Billy and I are both wearing swim suits, even though we’re older than the others, he’s “not a water person” and I’ve not been snorkeling for years.<br />
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Soon Darwin’s Scuba Dive boat drops anchor near rocky Isla Lobos. To me, the water looks dark, deep. . .and scary. Timidly, I pause on the deck, planning my moves. After the others jump in or dive, I’ll sit on the top rung of the ladder, reach out, then roll off into a shallow dive. </div>
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Rudely, someone behind me yells, “Jump!”<br />
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Then I’m assaulted by a louder voice, “Just jump!” Surprisingly, I plunge into deep water and surface<br />
promptly. Through some miracle, my snorkel tube stands above the water and I can breathe air.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PeWYrUa_6NQ/Vb_mL5naE4I/AAAAAAAAAyU/uEUYuabaTKE/s1600/Galapagos%2BIslands%2BGuantanamera%2BYacht%2BGuide%2BJavier%2BCadena%2B%2BIsla%2BBartolome%2BTravel%2BBoldly%2BDSCN1854.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Travel Boldly Galapagos Island - Guide Javier Cadena (right, standing) leads passengers from Guantanamera on a visit to Isla Bartolome." border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PeWYrUa_6NQ/Vb_mL5naE4I/AAAAAAAAAyU/uEUYuabaTKE/s320/Galapagos%2BIslands%2BGuantanamera%2BYacht%2BGuide%2BJavier%2BCadena%2B%2BIsla%2BBartolome%2BTravel%2BBoldly%2BDSCN1854.jpg" title="Travel Boldly Galapagos Island - Guide Javier Cadena (right, standing) leads passengers from Guantanamera on a visit to Isla Bartolome." width="320" /></a>One of the crew swims up to offer a life ring draped with ropes. I’m glad to hold on. My swim buddy leads me along a cliff wall where we move through a school of mauve, yellow-tail surgeon fish. On my right and above me, there’s a gray shape: a young sea lion. Beyond this one, another one, fully grown. Sea lions are often playful in water, but this pair is not. They move steadily away from us, yet I’m excited. We’re the first snorkelers from the boat to see them.<br />
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When my energy starts falling, I paddle back to the boat and pull off the swim fins. Now, the problem. With my legs bent, feet on the lowest rung, I can’t pull myself up.<br />
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“Climb on up” yells a voice from the deck. I pull up again, harder, but still lack the strength. Ready to help, Billy and a boatman both pull my arms from above. Soon I am sprawling across top rung, groping the wet deck, feet in the air. How ridiculous this must look. We’re all laughing.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0IQmLjOhOj0/Vb_mJy-0sEI/AAAAAAAAAyM/QopE6lWqPsM/s1600/Galapagos%2BIslands%2BAuthor%2BSally%2BMcKinney%2Bsnorkels%2BIsla%2BLobos%2BTravel%2BBoldly%2BDSCN0256.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Travel Boldly Galapagos Island - Sally McKinney snorkels near Isla Lobos. A life jacket and ring supplied by the boat help her stay afloat. Photo credit Billy Giles." border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0IQmLjOhOj0/Vb_mJy-0sEI/AAAAAAAAAyM/QopE6lWqPsM/s320/Galapagos%2BIslands%2BAuthor%2BSally%2BMcKinney%2Bsnorkels%2BIsla%2BLobos%2BTravel%2BBoldly%2BDSCN0256.jpg" title="Travel Boldly Galapagos Island - Sally McKinney snorkels near Isla Lobos. A life jacket and ring supplied by the boat help her stay afloat. Photo credit Billy Giles." width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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Billy and I had spent months planning this long trip with two weeks in the Galapagos Islands. Located in the Pacific Ocean about 600 miles (970 kilometers) west of Ecuador, the Galapagos archipelago measures 3,029 square miles (7,844 square kilometers). To stay within budget, we came up with this plan. Fly from Quito to San Cristobal. Stay in town three or four days. Explore on our own, either walking around, with a driver, or on a day tour. Mid-week, travel by ferry from Isla San Cristobal to Isla Santa Cruz. Continue with land-based touring. Meet up with the cruise ship on Isla Baltra. Take a Guantanamera cruise to eight more islands. Then fly from Isla Baltra back to Quito.<br />
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During that first week in the islands, my biggest challenge: to keep up with Billy! Unlike me, a near-sighted book reader, he’s a sharp-eyed outdoorsman. In fact, he’ll return to Tanzania soon after the Ecuador trip to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RdqJKBhc9nM/Vb_meABntEI/AAAAAAAAAyk/7wxcgDNP8iw/s1600/Galapagos%2BIslands%2BIsla%2BSan%2BCristobal%2BCasa%2BBlanca%2BHotel%2BTravel%2BBoldly%2BDSCN0138.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Travel Boldly Galapagos Island - Casa Blanca, at the end of the Malecon and across from the pier, became home base for exploring Isla Can Critobal Credit Billy Giles." border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RdqJKBhc9nM/Vb_meABntEI/AAAAAAAAAyk/7wxcgDNP8iw/s320/Galapagos%2BIslands%2BIsla%2BSan%2BCristobal%2BCasa%2BBlanca%2BHotel%2BTravel%2BBoldly%2BDSCN0138.jpg" title="Travel Boldly Galapagos Island - Casa Blanca, at the end of the Malecon and across from the pier, became home base for exploring Isla Can Critobal Credit Billy Giles." width="320" /></a>On Isla San Cristobal, Billy and I enjoy walking from Casa Blanca to the nearby beach. Even during breakfast on the terrace, we watch magnificent frigatebirds, soaring over the harbor on thermals. From the pier, we photograph sea lions resting on the beach, the pups covered with sand. This coating of sand helps protect their skin from sun. During a day trip, I walk on a rickety bridge to reach a tree house high in a ceiba tree. Later, we hike to a crater rim where frigatebirds wash their wings by diving into the freshwater lake.</div>
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On Santa Cruz, we have an equally good time. From our lodging in Puerto Ayora, we take long walks to the beaches on Tortuga Bay. Along the maze-like paths at Charles Darwin Research Station, we discover giant tortoises behind a fence, napping. Just before we leave, one of the males awakes, lumbers over to a female then climbs on top, attempting to mate. People gather around, murmuring, clicking cameras. After a few minutes, the female moves off, so the male ambles away, soon munches on green grass.</div>
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From our lodging in Puerto Ayora, a long taxi ride followed by a short ferry crossing puts on on Isla Baltra. We meet guide, Javier Cadena and other passengers at the airport, then board the Guantanamera. We’d found the boat through HappyGringo.com . (I was thrilled the boat has a song!)<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lKHKGTH5btY/Vb_mpTH1k6I/AAAAAAAAAy0/Xpnm0N9FU9Q/s1600/Galapagos%2BIslands%2BIsla%2BSanta%2BCruz%2BLos%2BGemelos%2BCrater%2BTravel%2BBoldly%2BIMG_5308.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Travel Boldly Galapagos Island - One of a pair of craters known as Los Gemelos, seen during an upcountry tour on Isla Santa Cruz. Credit Billy Giles." border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lKHKGTH5btY/Vb_mpTH1k6I/AAAAAAAAAy0/Xpnm0N9FU9Q/s320/Galapagos%2BIslands%2BIsla%2BSanta%2BCruz%2BLos%2BGemelos%2BCrater%2BTravel%2BBoldly%2BIMG_5308.jpg" title="Travel Boldly Galapagos Island - One of a pair of craters known as Los Gemelos, seen during an upcountry tour on Isla Santa Cruz. Credit Billy Giles." width="320" /></a></div>
The first night on the boat, during the long cruise to Isla Genovesa, the rolling, bumping and bouncing of the small boat keep me awake, fighting off nausea. The first full day of the cruise, a light rain is falling. After breakfast, I ride with others—people from six different countries—in a panga (inflatable boat) to Isla Genovesa. Somehow, I’ve lost sight of Billy (who probably climbed into the other boat). Unable to find a hand-hold on the panga, I’m afraid I’ll slip off the unstable, rubbery edge.</div>
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After we land on the beach, I wait while the others go snorkeling, then set off on a so-called “easy hike.” The trail, marketed with white stakes, crosses rough, cracked dark lava field. After walking a while, awkward and unbalanced, I need to rest. After the others hike on ahead, I huddle on a rock like a black lump, wrapped in my poncho. During two weeks in these islands, I often pull a fleece over my swim suit, wrap a sarong around my legs (or shoulders), block wind or rain with my poncho, often wipe rain drops off my sunglasses! When Javier and the others come back over the lava, three of the young people, wearing only brief swim suits and flip-flops, look chilled and miserable—yet do not complain.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AlctwCsQ2o8/Vb_mf-eB2GI/AAAAAAAAAys/UO6YR09PWkk/s1600/Galapagos%2BIslands%2BIsla%2BBartolome%2Bboardwalk%2Btrail%2BTravel%2BBoldly%2BDSCN1859.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Travel Boldly Galapagos Island - The trail to the "summit" of Isla Bartolome contains sections of boardwalk and wooden steps." border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AlctwCsQ2o8/Vb_mf-eB2GI/AAAAAAAAAys/UO6YR09PWkk/s320/Galapagos%2BIslands%2BIsla%2BBartolome%2Bboardwalk%2Btrail%2BTravel%2BBoldly%2BDSCN1859.jpg" title="Travel Boldly Galapagos Island - The trail to the "summit" of Isla Bartolome contains sections of boardwalk and wooden steps." width="320" /></a></div>
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Lunch on the boat becomes a welcome break. Afterward, <br />
instead of a nap (there’s no time for a nap?), I stumble back into the panga. We approach a rickety platform built into the face of a cliff. From water level, I notice a series of large boulder blocks above us, worn smooth. Are these supposed to be steps? Beside these blocks, there’s a rough, wooden railing. . .with gaps between the rails.</div>
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“I don’t think I can do this,” I tell Javier. Since we met only yesterday, he may not realize I’m eighty years old. “Oh, yes you can” he replies, while pulling me from the rocking boat. Along with unstable balance, I’m seriously afraid of heights. I land on my feet, upright, but teetering, too close to the edge. Regular dancing twice a week back home should have improved my balance, but—clearly--it has not. So I warn myself, “Do not look down” The next so-called “step” is too high for me, even with my long legs. From behind, someone shoves me. From above, someone else yanks me up. On my left, I hold on to the railing, whenever I can—and keep climbing up.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a9_xLLhh9Xg/Vb_nEH2m3WI/AAAAAAAAAzM/cYaLNNwF2a0/s1600/Galapagos%2BIslands%2Bblue-footed%2Bbooby%2Bwith%2Ban%2Begg%2BIsla%2BLobos%2BTravel%2BBoldly%2BDSCN0225.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Travel Boldly Galapagos Island - A blue-footed booby with an egg on Isla Lobos. Credit Billy Giles." border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a9_xLLhh9Xg/Vb_nEH2m3WI/AAAAAAAAAzM/cYaLNNwF2a0/s320/Galapagos%2BIslands%2Bblue-footed%2Bbooby%2Bwith%2Ban%2Begg%2BIsla%2BLobos%2BTravel%2BBoldly%2BDSCN0225.jpg" title="Travel Boldly Galapagos Island - A blue-footed booby with an egg on Isla Lobos. Credit Billy Giles." width="320" /></a>When I reach the trailhead, the rain has stopped. People from the panga hand me my daypack and a monopod that doubles as a hiking stick. Without help from the others, I would not have made it up those steps.</div>
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The filtered, overcast light transforms the landscape into a dream world. Near the trail, exotic birds, warming their nests, look back at me. Beyond the booby nests, several male great frigate birds, their red gular sacs inflated, are spreading their wings, trying to impress females. During the coming week, I’ll marvel at sea turtles in a mangrove estuary and stroll among red-orange crabs on dark lava rocks. Yet, this scene on Genovesa remains my favorite, worth all the effort.</div>
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After surviving that amazing first day, I stretch out—tired and shaken—on the bunk in Cabin Five. Without help from sure-handed strangers, I could have slipped off those boulders and plunged into the water. Amazing that I made it to the trailhead! So I rest there, thankful for everyone’s help and grateful to be alive.</div>
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Of course, I love walking among unique creatures on these islands. Yet the schedule is “go, go, go” Breakfast at 7:00 am! Climb in and out of the panga. Take a two-hour hike. Then go snorkeling. Pause for lunch, do more hiking, more snorkeling. What am I doing in this watery boot camp? When can we all relax? How can I ever keep up?</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zhufNEguJos/Vb_nXXtY5-I/AAAAAAAAAzg/yIzgJjty5SE/s1600/Galapagos%2BIslands%2Blava%2Btunnel%2B%2BIsla%2BSanta%2BCruz%2B%2BTravel%2BBoldly%2BDSCN1731.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Travel Boldly Galapagos Island - This lava tunnel on Isla Santa Cruz has steps for easy entrance and exit." border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zhufNEguJos/Vb_nXXtY5-I/AAAAAAAAAzg/yIzgJjty5SE/s320/Galapagos%2BIslands%2Blava%2Btunnel%2B%2BIsla%2BSanta%2BCruz%2B%2BTravel%2BBoldly%2BDSCN1731.jpg" title="Travel Boldly Galapagos Island - This lava tunnel on Isla Santa Cruz has steps for easy entrance and exit." width="240" /></a>It does help that Cabin Five is on a level with the dining room, a small bar, and a library/lounge. However, to reach Upper Deck, I climb up step-ladder stairs. Once I climb up, I enjoy seawater views and get to sit in a chair! If I plan ahead, I can enjoy a sunset gin-and-tonic in the chair. After ordering the drink from Senor Kleber, I climb up the ladder. The bartender mixes my G & T, and finds an agile crewman who carries my drink up the ladder.</div>
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Cabin Five, with its carpeted floor and ensuite bath, is the size of a walk-in closet in my former home. Billy and I fill the shelves with stuff, then stash duffels and daypacks in odd corners. Some floor space remains, so Billy and I politely take turns standing in this space.</div>
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Now and then, if he’s left something behind, Billy stands on the deck and calls through the window. </div>
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“Hey, Sally. Can you reach my sunscreen?” From lower bunk, I find whatever he wants, then hand it to him. He smiles through the window, “Thank you!” then closes the curtain.</div>
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As we adjust to daily life on the boat, I realize we’re getting great value from this Tourist Superior Class cruise. Our travel companions come from England, Germany, Switzerland, Australia, Chile and the United States. The meals are tasty, nutritious, filling. The bunks are comfy, the linen changed daily. Most important to us, the experience: walking among wondrous creatures on volcanic islands. </div>
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Yet, during the long, dark bouncy cruises from one island to the next, I have problems with sea sickness. Billy, who wears medicated patches prescribed by his doctor, copes very well. Even though I’ve cruised on various small boats, I have trouble on this boat at night with the roll, pitch and yaw. After that first long, rough night (I’ll spare you the details), I start getting anti-motion sickness pills from the crew.</div>
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During the morning panga ride to Isla Bartolome, the air is fresh, the sunlight cheery. On the way over, I photograph Pinnacle Rock and the great scenery. Yet, when I start walking with the others up the trail, I begin to feel weak, sweaty and aching. Falling behind, I start chiding myself. Why have I not trained for this? During my late sixties, I hiked almost every day to research and write a hiking guide book. Here on Bartolome, the highest point is only 114 meters (374 feet)! The others have all gone ahead, walking steadily, chatting and laughing. </div>
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Could I be dehydrated? Sitting on a step, I gulp all my water and munch stale, salty chips. When I recall that Billy will climb Mt. Kilimanjaro after the Ecuador trip, I feel challenged to start walking again! Surely I can make it to the summit of Bartolome! Eventually, I do join the others, happily smiling in the Guantanamera group picture.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k_YfVZWV74g/VcDM2Z3lW-I/AAAAAAAAA0A/PE0xCtWo3uE/s1600/Galapagos%2BIslands%2Bred-footed%2Bbooby%2BIsla%2BGenovesa%2BTravel%2BBoldly%2BDSCN1838.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Travel Boldly Galapagos Island - A blue-footed booby with an egg on Isla Lobos." border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k_YfVZWV74g/VcDM2Z3lW-I/AAAAAAAAA0A/PE0xCtWo3uE/s320/Galapagos%2BIslands%2Bred-footed%2Bbooby%2BIsla%2BGenovesa%2BTravel%2BBoldly%2BDSCN1838.jpg" title="Travel Boldly Galapagos Island - A blue-footed booby with an egg on Isla Lobos." width="240" /></a></div>
On Itinerary One, the Guantanamera calls at Western Islands, including Isla Isabela. When the boat reaches Urbina Bay, the others jump into pangas to snorkel from the black sand beach. (Even though it’s raining?) Lagging behind on the deck of this floating home, I tell Javier I’ll stay on the boat. Javier’s nature walks and talks are excellent, and I hate to miss any of them. When I cancel, I’m afraid he’ll be upset. Instead, he says “I’ll send a panga for you at 3:30.” By 3:00 o’clock the rain has stopped and my water taxi has arrived. The bouncy little panga rides up over swells and down into troughs. What a thrill.</div>
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“Sit on the rim” the boatman says. Poised on the rounded edge, I pivot, plunge my legs into shallow water, walk onto shore over packed sand. During the hike above Urbina Bay, we find bits of coral and sea shells, remnants from an earlier, uplifted marine reef. To the east, the conical peak of Volcan Alcedo pierces the clouds. Along the trail, a land iguana with rough, textured skin stands in a clearing, as if posing.</div>
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All sixteen of us pile into two pangas to explore a mangrove estuary. Javier points to three species of mangrove: red, black and white. When the boatmen cut the motors, a few Pacific green sea turtles swim past us. Near Isla Marielas, I watch a flightless cormorant, young and inexperienced. I can relate to this, as he struggles in the water, crying “Ah, ah, ah”</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AyfkjuE3KXo/Vb_nZBXi-1I/AAAAAAAAAzY/4g3MmcdE-Ug/s1600/Galapagos%2BIslands%2Bland%2Biguana%2BIsla%2BIsabela%2BTravel%2BBoldly%2B-DSCN1920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Travel Boldly Galapagos Island - his land iguana stands in a clearing on Isla Isabela and moves very slowly, as if posing." border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AyfkjuE3KXo/Vb_nZBXi-1I/AAAAAAAAAzY/4g3MmcdE-Ug/s320/Galapagos%2BIslands%2Bland%2Biguana%2BIsla%2BIsabela%2BTravel%2BBoldly%2B-DSCN1920.jpg" title="Travel Boldly Galapagos Island - his land iguana stands in a clearing on Isla Isabela and moves very slowly, as if posing." width="240" /></a></div>
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“He’s been separated from his group,” Javier explains. The stray bird splashes weakly, swims toward a rocky islet, clambers onto shore. Standing upright, he shakes water from his frayed wings.</div>
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After I adjust to the routine, daily walks among rare, wild creatures feel normal. At Punta Espinoza on Fernandina, I teeter across the raised surface of lava rocks. Reaching out with both arms helps me stay balanced. Masses of marine iguanas thrive here, more than we’ve ever seen. Sally Lightfoot crabs scoot about, then slip into crevices. On this remote island, where no human has ever lived, I<br />
feel fully alive,</div>
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That night, Javier announces a party! The sun has set, the stars sparkle and frothy waves splash on the sides. White tables have been pushed back from the center of Upper Deck. Yet, this is not the usual party scene. Wet clothes dangle from lines above the railing. </div>
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Our new friends occupy a circle of chairs, reluctant to move. Drawing on experience, Senor Kleber sends up pitchers of caipirinhas throughout the evening. Lead by the captain and crew, Javier dances early on, flapping his arms like a great frigatebird. Inspired by the recorded Latin dance rhythms, I can not sit still! By the end of this party, nearly everyone dances.</div>
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Since I’ve known him, Billy has been caring, supportive. Over time, this shy guy has gradually revealed a heroic side. Now he’s facing me on the dance floor. Pumping our arms. Kicking our feet. Tonight, I feel young. We are dancing!</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J0lRtqviuJQ/Vb_m-kwm3iI/AAAAAAAAAzA/b2Xuy0Lqx8U/s1600/Galapagos%2BIslands%2BSea%2Blions%2Band%2Bpups%2BSan%2BCristobal%2BTravel%2BBoldly%2BDSCN1610.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Travel Boldly Galapagos Island - Sea lions and pups inhabit the beach near the passenger pier on San Cristobal. " border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J0lRtqviuJQ/Vb_m-kwm3iI/AAAAAAAAAzA/b2Xuy0Lqx8U/s320/Galapagos%2BIslands%2BSea%2Blions%2Band%2Bpups%2BSan%2BCristobal%2BTravel%2BBoldly%2BDSCN1610.jpg" title="Travel Boldly Galapagos Island - Sea lions and pups inhabit the beach near the passenger pier on San Cristobal. " width="240" /></a>When it’s time to go “home,” Billy and I mock-dance across the floor. From the top step of the ladder, we wave good night to our dancing amigos. Aware of the cachaca still sloshing through my body, I climb down backwards and move very slowly.</div>
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That night, the boat rocks gently on the starlit bay. During the stroll to Cabin Five, we pause to inhale the sea air. After my favorite day, we can relax, pull up the quilts, and sleep, sleep, sleep.</div>
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Sally McKinney has been a travel writer and photographer for 4 decades and has hundreds of travels <br />
stories in magazines and newspapers. She has also written several guide books. You can read another of Sally's travel adventures here on <a href="http://www.travelboldly.com/2014/02/after-slow-travel-in-tanzania-we-went_24.html" target="_blank">Travel Boldly</a> about her learning how to travel in her 80s in <a href="http://www.travelboldly.com/2014/02/after-slow-travel-in-tanzania-we-went_24.html" target="_blank">Peru and Tanzania</a>.<br />
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Here are some of Sally's recommendations for travel in the Galapagos Islands.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgxq8odYO6AaqR_0CHMrpxiINoSauN2P6qngDymYKOIJrxMDOzG1ChIl0s4yo5NZMhKc9rkiKFNw4deDJmLBlasE9ecaSSU3bpHVhAzO2DwKKrv4LZ1HTiDwkPGiZgN8jxaPLPxaDPuIhQ/s1600/Galapagos+Islands+Sally+McKinney+giant+tortoise+sculpture+Puerto+Ayora+Travel+Boldly+DSCN1692.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Travel Boldly Galapagos Island - During a walk to dinner at La Playa, in Puerto Ayora, Sally makes friends with a giant tortoise sculpture." border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgxq8odYO6AaqR_0CHMrpxiINoSauN2P6qngDymYKOIJrxMDOzG1ChIl0s4yo5NZMhKc9rkiKFNw4deDJmLBlasE9ecaSSU3bpHVhAzO2DwKKrv4LZ1HTiDwkPGiZgN8jxaPLPxaDPuIhQ/s320/Galapagos+Islands+Sally+McKinney+giant+tortoise+sculpture+Puerto+Ayora+Travel+Boldly+DSCN1692.jpg" title="Travel Boldly Galapagos Island - During a walk to dinner at La Playa, in Puerto Ayora, Sally makes friends with a giant tortoise sculpture." width="320" /></a>"We really liked the <a href="http://www.happygringo.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.HappyGringo.com</a> tour company. They helped us find an affordable cruise on a clean, small, safe boat. After booking the Guantanamera through Happy Gringo, we met Javier and our new amigos at Baltra airport. This plan let us combine land-based touring with cruising (which is the only way to reach most of the islands). Our enthusiastic companions were a variety of ages and nationalities. Javier Cadena was an outstanding bilingual guide whose skills ranged from first-aid to dancing!"<br />
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"We found most of our lodging (in Galapagos and on the mainland) through <a href="http://www.booking.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.booking.com </a> .<br />
We’ve also used and liked <a href="http://www.hostelworld.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.hostelworld.com</a> ."<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13830623886853610059noreply@blogger.com0Galápagos Islands, Ecuador-0.8292784 -90.982066799999984-4.8908029 -96.145640799999981 3.2322461000000002 -85.818492799999987tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8894719606079038952.post-6176039354643403642015-04-07T10:50:00.000-06:002015-04-08T08:49:16.598-06:00Exploring Vancouver and Whistler British Columbia, Canada with Mike Fisher<a href="javascript:void((function(){var%20e=document.createElement('script');e.setAttribute('type','text/javascript');e.setAttribute('charset','UTF-8');e.setAttribute('src','http://assets.pinterest.com/js/pinmarklet.js?r='+Math.random()*99999999);document.body.appendChild(e)})());"><img alt="Pin It" class="aligncenter" src="http://www.clickinmoms.com/cmprodaily/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/pinit.jpg" /></a><br />
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Winter or summer Nita Lake Lodge in Whistler, British Columbia is a picturesque place to spend some time. </div>
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<h3>
Fate Hands West Coast Explorer Heartening Lesson </h3>
By Mike Fisher<br />
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Injuries can reveal character on the road. More importantly for travelers, they can show establishments’ true colors.<br />
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I explored <a href="http://www.tourismvancouver.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Vancouver</a> and the mountain <a href="http://www.whistler.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">ski town of Whistler</a> with my arm in a sling. As my throbbing shoulder worsened, I became a 5-foot, 5-inch Napoleon hurtling toward my West Coast Waterloo.<br />
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The Vancouver Sea Wall is one of the city’s most popular </div>
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Clumsily poking with a chopstick at artfully seared sushi in Yaletown, one of Vancouver’s hip neighborhoods near the waterfront, I learned adventures often hand you what is buried deepest inside.<br />
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In my case, it was a Napoleonic complex that reached full bloom a few days later when I demanded that the room refrigerator (a welcome touch at luxurious <a href="http://www.nitalakelodge.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Nita Lake Lodge</a> in Whistler) be unplugged. Most people wouldn’t notice the low-hum noise that switched on and off, but I was crazed. As a pleasant hotel maintenance man visited my room, the pain of the rotator cuff injury that had kept me awake spiked and I bared my teeth like a junkyard dog.<br />
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In the end, before admitting defeat by going to the Whistler hospital emergency department, I could only raise my right arm by pushing it up with my left; an angry puppet with a broken string.<br />
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<span style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Grab some graham crackers, </span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;">marshmallows</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">and Lindt chocolate,</span><span style="font-size: x-small;">made available beside the</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">deck chairs.</span><span style="font-size: x-small;">Then make your own s’mores </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">as you </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">overlook lakeside at Nita Lake Lodge.</span></div>
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It’s one thing to travel boldly when well, quite another to flail on the road when injured. If traveling with a bum shoulder brought out the worst in me, here is the beating heart of my tale: it brought out the very best in the hotels, bars, restaurants and their people.<br />
<h4>
Explore Vancouver, Yaletown and the Seawall</h4>
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<a href="http://vancouver.opushotel.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">OPUS Hotel Vancouver</a> (named one of the Top 5 Trendiest Hotels in the World by TripAdvisor) is in the heart of Yaletown, a thriving neighborhood chockablock with pubs, eateries, shops and boutique hotels. It’s just a five-minute walk to one of my favorite Vancouver attractions, the 6-mile (8.8 km) seawall overlooking the Pacific Ocean, where you can run into an electric guitarist playing ambient music at ocean’s edge.<br />
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This hip property rocks in every possible way, aside from being the only Four Star Forbes boutique hotel in Vancouver. <a href="http://www.tourismvancouver.com/vancouver/about-vancouver/vancouvers-neighborhoods/yaletown/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">For eats and drinks, Yaletown</a> is a multifaceted gem, but you don’t even need to go outside OPUS hotel in Vancouver.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IhDrQkomS0Y/VSP6Lni5HBI/AAAAAAAAAls/FneeaQd-ixc/s1600/GuitaristVancouverSeawall-Vancouver-BritishColumbia-Photo-MikeFisher.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Guitarist Peter Jack Rainbird on the Vancouver waterfront - Vancouver, British Columbia - Photo Mike Fisher for Travel Boldly" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IhDrQkomS0Y/VSP6Lni5HBI/AAAAAAAAAls/FneeaQd-ixc/s1600/GuitaristVancouverSeawall-Vancouver-BritishColumbia-Photo-MikeFisher.jpg" height="240" title="Guitarist Peter Jack Rainbird on the Vancouver waterfront - Vancouver, British Columbia - Photo Mike Fisher for Travel Boldly" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small; text-align: start;">Ambient guitarist Peter Jack Rainbird made everyone’s day </span><span style="font-size: xx-small; text-align: start;">as </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">they walked along Vancouver’s seawall. Stepping </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">out onto </span><span style="text-align: start;"></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">some </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">stones, he seemed to float at the ocean’s edge.</span></span></div>
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In the OPUS Bar, revamped in the past few months with Venetian plaster, bass thumped beneath the clank of mixers and shakers, the din of conversation and the clink of glasses. It’s a cool place just to chill. Barry the chief mixologist whipped up a King George cocktail (rye, grapefruit bitters, Campari) and later that night, there was a DJ.<br />
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<a href="http://lapentola.ca/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">La Pentola</a> features Italian family-style, which means heaping plates that come to the table in waves. For dinner, the restaurant was full, patrons passing plates and bantering in a room accented with white tile, dark wooden tables and copper pots on the wall the chef brought back from Italy.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7Mp7_maUz2k/VSP6imyisNI/AAAAAAAAAmE/Gyungwb0-YY/s1600/OPUS-Hotel-Yaletown-Vancouver-BritishColumbia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="OPUS Hotel Yaletown Vancouver British Columbia - Travel Boldly" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7Mp7_maUz2k/VSP6imyisNI/AAAAAAAAAmE/Gyungwb0-YY/s1600/OPUS-Hotel-Yaletown-Vancouver-BritishColumbia.jpg" height="213" title="OPUS Hotel Yaletown Vancouver British Columbia - Travel Boldly" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small; text-align: start;">OPUS Hotel is in the heart of Yaletown, just steps from </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">shops, </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">cafes, restaurants, spas and Vancouver’s waterfront.</span></div>
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Can’t Miss Dish: Sablefish, chanterelles, fennel and grilled scallions. The menu is seasonal so choices are going to change accordingly. Wine lovers will love this place, as the restaurant was the Wine List Award Gold Winner at the Vancouver International Wine Festival in 2014.<br />
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So, yeah, the eats and drinks and boutique charm and even the complimentary in-room iPad at OPUS are a few reasons I love this property. Major plus, I’ve got dogs, too, and it’s <a href="http://vancouver.opushotel.com/specials/pampered-pooch.htm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">pooch friendly.</a><br />
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<h4>
</h4>
<h4>
The People Make the Place</h4>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sV3O0kFtbTc/VSP6yutvOKI/AAAAAAAAAmQ/vN02jU_bTvU/s1600/PamperedPooch-OpusHotel-Yaletown-Vancouver-BritishColumbia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Pampered Pooch OPUS Hotel - Yaletown, Vancouver, British Columbia - Travel Boldly" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sV3O0kFtbTc/VSP6yutvOKI/AAAAAAAAAmQ/vN02jU_bTvU/s1600/PamperedPooch-OpusHotel-Yaletown-Vancouver-BritishColumbia.jpg" height="320" title="Pampered Pooch OPUS Hotel - Yaletown, Vancouver, British Columbia - Travel Boldly" width="228" /></a></td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
Rick the Bulldog is one of many pampered</div>
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pooches who enjoy OPUS Hotel’s boutique </div>
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offerings for canines.</div>
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What really makes OPUS special, though, is the exceptionally attentive staff. Nathan, a former lifeguard, learning that I had shoulder problems, went out of his way to ensure I had bags of ice to cool the inflammation and recommended – this was huge – that I immediately put my arm in a sling. He shared that he had a mountain bike injury in the past, so he’d had experience he could pass onto me.<br />
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Then Patrick drove the property’s new Jaguar to a downtown pharmacy to get an arm sling and much-needed Advil. Every time I left my room, the staff would ask how I was doing, knowing that I was hurting. That kind of help goes a long way with me. If you’re on the road and ailing, it likely will with you, too.<br />
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As my shoulder burned, so did my temper. I asked for a room change when I couldn’t sleep and was accommodated without difficulties. It was all about me, in the worst possible way for those who had to bear it, but OPUS went out of its way to ensure satisfaction.<br />
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<h4>
Poke Around Yaletown</h4>
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There are more than 600 sushi joints in Vancouver (hey, it’s right on the Pacific Ocean). If you are going to discover Yaletown and grab a bite, try <a href="http://www.minamirestaurant.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Minami Restaurant</a>. It has a sake sommelier and specializes in seared sushi. If you want a quick spa break, give <a href="http://skoah.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Skoah</a> a shot.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCEy6exmyKvXj206ZLc7Wi3NfB0dr12AQ5SArWdksrm0LcQ-rcwuFCrewEjujHzSZiHbzVR2Zyhbvh_NRKqBZIwCmlin9BHQoQH4IEqfJ4GdBBaKwYguWWK0EBxho40ReqGCuXBFOfMMVv/s1600/PaperPlaneCoctail-HawksworthResturant-Vancouver-BritishColumbia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Paper Plane Cocktail at -Hawksworth Restaurant Vancouver, British Columbia - Travel Boldly" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCEy6exmyKvXj206ZLc7Wi3NfB0dr12AQ5SArWdksrm0LcQ-rcwuFCrewEjujHzSZiHbzVR2Zyhbvh_NRKqBZIwCmlin9BHQoQH4IEqfJ4GdBBaKwYguWWK0EBxho40ReqGCuXBFOfMMVv/s1600/PaperPlaneCoctail-HawksworthResturant-Vancouver-BritishColumbia.jpg" height="213" title="Paper Plane Cocktail at -Hawksworth Restaurant Vancouver, British Columbia - Travel Boldly" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small; text-align: start;">The temptation will be to slurp back multiple Paper Planes at </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Hawksworth Restaurant and then try to make a safe landing. </span></div>
<span style="text-align: start;"></span><br />
<span style="text-align: start;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"></span></span>
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<span style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">They’re very tasty. Try one in the swanky Hawksworth Cocktail </span></span></div>
<span style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">
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Bar before dinner.</div>
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Go a bit further afield for an upscale dinner and try award-winning <a href="https://hawksworthrestaurant.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Hawksworth Restaurant</a>. I’m a new fan of its Paper Plane (1 oz Bourbon, 1 oz Amaro, 1 oz Aperol, 1 oz fresh lemon juice, SHAKE, double strain, serve up in a chilled coupe). It’s also Chef David Hawksworth’s fave cocktail.<br />
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Can’t Miss Dish: The roast venison strip loin with crispy spatzle, squash, salsify, and sweet and sour nage, was one of those dishes where every bite was wow. The menu is seasonal, but I hope this one has staying power.<br />
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<h4>
Trade Urban Chic for Mountain Retreat: Nita Lake Lodge</h4>
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When I blew off urban chic for a mountain retreat, it was by taking the express bus to Whistler, about a two-hour coach ride from Vancouver. Arriving at Nita Lake Lodge, which sits right on the calming waterfront, is like landing on a tree-buffeted oasis. It’s got old-school mountain charm and a wilderness vibe that you can find throughout British Columbia. <a href="http://www.hellobc.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Hello BC!</a> There is a cozy, stone hearth fireplace where you can curl up almost as soon as entering the lobby. The Cure Lounge, which overlooks the glacier-fed lake, is where I tried to find my own cure, washing down house-marinated olives with beer.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5Y2kokob9h0/VSP6SJGOKEI/AAAAAAAAAmA/0QkzE0SFWlw/s1600/AuraRestaurantWildRiceDish-NitaLakeLodge-WhistlerBritishColumbia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Aura Restaurant Wild Rice Dish at Nita Lake Lodge Whistler, British Columbia - Travel Boldly" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5Y2kokob9h0/VSP6SJGOKEI/AAAAAAAAAmA/0QkzE0SFWlw/s1600/AuraRestaurantWildRiceDish-NitaLakeLodge-WhistlerBritishColumbia.jpg" height="213" title="Aura Restaurant Wild Rice Dish at Nita Lake Lodge Whistler, British Columbia - Travel Boldly" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small; text-align: start;">I didn’t have to be a vegan to enjoy one of the tastiest salads </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">I’ve ever had. </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">The Wild Rice salad at Aura Restaurant in </span></div>
<span style="text-align: start;"></span><br />
<span style="text-align: start;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"></span></span>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Nita Lake Lodge is superb.</span></span></div>
<span style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">
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Aura Restaurant for dinner was mind-blowingly good. Can’t Miss Dish: Among many exceptional dishes, Executive Chef Dean Hossack’s Wild Rice Salad is a tasty vegan dish (and I’m no vegan), served with chilled and warm components. On the base of the dish is herbed cashew spread, flavored with nutritional yeast flakes and fresh lime juice. Wild rice, raisins, diced butternut squash and chives comprise the salad and the dressing, whoa.<br />
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Again, even more than the food, drinks and wilderness retreat vibe, the employees at Nita Lake Lodge really make the place. When there was a wedding at night and a conference during the day, the lodge ensured I was taken care of. Even when I had to go for urgent care because of the pain, the shuttle driver took me there and picked me up.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Rl5UP9kRKNA/VSP60XaR5JI/AAAAAAAAAmY/7ogf5DMSSxs/s1600/NitaLakeLodgeWhistlerBritishColumbiaSummer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Nita Lake Lodge in summer. Whistler, British Columbia - Travel Boldly " border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Rl5UP9kRKNA/VSP60XaR5JI/AAAAAAAAAmY/7ogf5DMSSxs/s1600/NitaLakeLodgeWhistlerBritishColumbiaSummer.jpg" height="320" title="Nita Lake Lodge in summer. Whistler, British Columbia - Travel Boldly " width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: justify;">
Nita Lake Lodge in summer is wonderful </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
place to relax or to get out and for a canoe</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
on the lake or a hike in the mountains.</div>
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Here’s a caveat: I was on a press junket that included both OPUS and Nita Lake Lodge. So was I getting special attention because I was media? Sure, maybe. Though I believe any guest would get the same caring treatment. Both properties are managed and staffed by good people.<br />
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The lesson I learned is that it’s never too late to rely on the kindness of strangers, especially when travelling (even if, yeah, you’re likely paying to stay at their place).<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
~~~</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<br />
Mike Fisher is an award-winning, Calgary-based writer. When he's not travelling throughout North America, Mexico, the Caribbean and elsewhere, he's trying not to injure himself. You can find him on Twitter <a href="http://www.twitter.com/Fishbyter" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">@Fishbyter</a><br />
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<br />Travel Boldlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02297472140061903881noreply@blogger.com0British Columbia, Canada53.7266683 -127.6476205999999834.4108018 -168.95621459999998 73.0425348 -86.339026599999983tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8894719606079038952.post-26443920433723027322015-03-15T16:31:00.000-06:002015-03-15T16:31:42.841-06:00Whitewater Rafting Adventure in Utah Offers Digital Detox<div>
<a href="javascript:void((function(){var%20e=document.createElement('script');e.setAttribute('type','text/javascript');e.setAttribute('charset','UTF-8');e.setAttribute('src','http://assets.pinterest.com/js/pinmarklet.js?r='+Math.random()*99999999);document.body.appendChild(e)})());"><img alt="Pin It" class="aligncenter" src="http://www.clickinmoms.com/cmprodaily/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/pinit.jpg" /></a><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-size: x-small;">Views, views, and more views. The western skyline in the heart of Canyonlands National Park is filled with them. It's important to get up to the canyon rim to fully realize how in the middle of nowhere you are. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-size: x-small;"><b>No cell towers here!</b></span></div>
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<h3>
5 Genuine Benefits to Getting Off the Grid and Onto the River</h3>
by Julie Trevelyan<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mff7gRT4-vA/VQXiCcQBFyI/AAAAAAAAAj0/SN7IdpTLdSk/s1600/Coffeeat%2BSunrise%2B-%2BTravelBoldly%2BWhitewater%2BRafting%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mff7gRT4-vA/VQXiCcQBFyI/AAAAAAAAAj0/SN7IdpTLdSk/s1600/Coffeeat%2BSunrise%2B-%2BTravelBoldly%2BWhitewater%2BRafting%2B.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">You can almost feel the warmth of the cup and </span><span style="font-size: xx-small;">smell the aroma of hot </span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">coffee.</span><span style="font-size: xx-small;">The vast skylines </span><span style="font-size: xx-small;">in the heart of Canyonlands National Park will</span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">melt the everyday worries away leaving you </span><span style="font-size: xx-small;">relaxed and refreshed. </span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-size: xx-small;">Sun up to sun down.</span></div>
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No doubt about it, mind-blowing advances in technology have made life easier for many of us. Instant access to information, knowledge, and one another has had a positive effect on necessities such as communication, wait times, activity planning, and an almost endless host of other essential life activities. But the flip side, as it turned out, can have extremely deleterious effects on people as well. So many options! So much information! Too many IMs, emails, comments, tweets, posts, text messages to respond to in a timely manner! As our contemporary world still seeks to find a deft balance between handling amazing technological innovations while also attending to our basic human need to detach and recharge at regular intervals, many of us tumble into a brutally endless tug-of-war between mental smooth sailing and a chaotic, seemingly bottomless pit of Very Important Things That Must Be Done Right This Instant Or Else. But relinquishing the incessant pressures of daily living, even for a short time, for the easy harmony of a river rafting trip in spectacular, serene wilderness areas can offer such a tremendous amount of self-restoration and rejuvenation that the effects can positively counterbalance significant periods of going full throttle and never taking a break. Here are five reasons why getting off the modern grid of life and onto the river can start to retrain your mind into its more natural rhythms, and help you create a more balanced life again.<br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-size: xx-small;">The Big Drops on the Colorado River through Cataract Canyon are </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">world class </span><span style="font-size: xx-small;">rapids.</span><span style="font-size: xx-small;">You get to experience them in an Oar raft. </span><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Close</span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> to </span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">the water, fully </span><span style="font-size: xx-small;">immersed in the experience. </span><span style="font-size: xx-small;">We take the slow road.</span></span></div>
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1. Quiet your mind while soothing your soul. There are many studies indicating outdoor recreation and enjoyment have markedly positive effects on the mind. In the age of massive amounts of information available only a click away, it isn't surprising that our brains can quickly get overwhelmed and threaten to have a meltdown. River rafting trips launch you into a primal wilderness world in which you can be blissfully disconnected. Removing yourself from the constant chatter of the entire world can also remove the constant chatter of your mind as you ease into your body's instinctive clock and natural ability to just go with the flow on a remote, technology-free, beautiful river.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S4NskXMuYD4/VQXiFpevx1I/AAAAAAAAAkA/iT3V5-lFDkA/s1600/Fort%2BBottom%2BHike%2Bin%2BCanyonlands%2BTravelBoldly%2BWhitewater%2BRafting%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S4NskXMuYD4/VQXiFpevx1I/AAAAAAAAAkA/iT3V5-lFDkA/s1600/Fort%2BBottom%2BHike%2Bin%2BCanyonlands%2BTravelBoldly%2BWhitewater%2BRafting%2B.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: justify;"><div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-size: xx-small;">Getting off the river and onto a trail is high on the priority list for any</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">r</span><span style="font-size: xx-small;">afting</span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span><span style="font-size: xx-small;">trip. </span><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Exploring caves, ruins, rock art and the views. </span><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Gets the </span><span style="font-size: xx-small;">blood</span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">f</span><span style="font-size: xx-small;">lowing </span><span style="font-size: xx-small;">and </span><span style="font-size: xx-small;">the imagination going of what it must have been </span><span style="font-size: xx-small;">like here </span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">in a </span><span style="font-size: xx-small;">different t</span><span style="font-size: xx-small;">ime.</span></span></div>
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2. Banish the stress. Many modern people have incorporated a frantic daily routine of multi-tasking <br />
while running around at work, on errands, or after the kids into a perceived state of normalcy. Getting away from all those demands on your time can impart a sense of almost reckless freedom, then an easy, grateful acceptance of the simple joys of being alive and truly appreciating your days. From the gentle sound of the river's burble waking you in the morning, to the immense solitude and hush of mostly untouched river canyons, to the flicker of campfire flames under a sky so filled with stars that most urban and suburban dwellers never even notice they are up there, a tranquil getaway can almost magically help heal the acknowledged physical, mental, and emotional burdens of stress.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z1EXJKb_5r4/VQXh0Qnd3VI/AAAAAAAAAjQ/wGD4mc7E4uY/s1600/Campfire%2Bin%2BCataract%2BCanyon%2BTravelBoldly%2BWhitewater%2BRafting%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z1EXJKb_5r4/VQXh0Qnd3VI/AAAAAAAAAjQ/wGD4mc7E4uY/s1600/Campfire%2Bin%2BCataract%2BCanyon%2BTravelBoldly%2BWhitewater%2BRafting%2B.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="font-family: Helvetica; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-size: xx-small;">You can see stars forever in the night sky deep in the wilderness of a river </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">canyon. </span><span style="font-size: xx-small;">We'll gather around the campfire to regal the stories of the day. </span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: #666666;">Bring your guitar. </span><span style="color: #444444;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></span></div>
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3. Digital detox. Let's face it, the digital landscape is here to stay. While it can be a wondrous playground of connection and learning and information, it can also be a debilitating black hole of pointless Internet arguments between total strangers who simply must be informed of how wrong they are, link-following that leads you into a three-hour time suck when you only intended to spend ten minutes tops checking your email or social media profiles, and an overall excellent way to spend half your day doing random stuff online, the details of which you likely won't even recall in a week. Shaking off the fascinating yet viselike shackles of the digital universe for a few days or even a week while on a whitewater river adventure can give your mind the refreshing cleanse it needs in order to relax, rejuvenate, and naturally recharge.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xQPU33u-Oxs/VQXiYfffqRI/AAAAAAAAAkw/7T06CW2nj8E/s1600/River%2BCamp%2BLodore%2BCanyon%2BTravelBoldly%2BWhitewater%2BRafting%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xQPU33u-Oxs/VQXiYfffqRI/AAAAAAAAAkw/7T06CW2nj8E/s1600/River%2BCamp%2BLodore%2BCanyon%2BTravelBoldly%2BWhitewater%2BRafting%2B.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="font-family: Helvetica; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-size: xx-small;">A river camp is surprisingly full equipped. Chairs, tables, a library can, </span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-size: xx-small;">portable toilet and one heck of a view. Enjoy a swim or kick back and </span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-size: xx-small;">read a book while appetizers and dinner are being prepared.</span><br />
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4. Increased sense of exhilaration. While relaxing, river time can also offer new experiences that create an reinvigorated excitement for life. Many people will never get the opportunity to spy bighorn sheep quietly grazing by the river's edge as the raft floats by, nor will they chance a glimpse of a golden eagle hitching a ride on the wind currents far above, or be witness the playful silliness of river otters dipping in and out of the water with a sheer exuberance that can be delightfully contagious. Unwinding into the easygoing cadence of days spent on the water, unplugged yet reconnected, does an essential thing for you: it reminds you of how incredible are the hidden creatures, the simplicity of your true needs, and the small yet powerful moments that make up each and every one of your days.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j039RgT9pXw/VQXiR-SOfRI/AAAAAAAAAkg/1PjKMDIOcvc/s1600/Joy%2B%26%2BLaughter%2Bon%2Bthe%2BSan%2BJuan%2BRiver%2BTravelBoldly%2BWhitewater%2BRafting%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j039RgT9pXw/VQXiR-SOfRI/AAAAAAAAAkg/1PjKMDIOcvc/s1600/Joy%2B%26%2BLaughter%2Bon%2Bthe%2BSan%2BJuan%2BRiver%2BTravelBoldly%2BWhitewater%2BRafting%2B.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="font-family: Helvetica; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-size: xx-small;">Relaxed, rejuvenated, belly laughs and good times. In the raft during the </span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">day</span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span><span style="font-size: xx-small;">or in camp at night you can't help but to transform to a lighter </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-size: xx-small;">happier place.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #666666; font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span>
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5. Lasting impact. Re-entry into the frenetic connected world can sometimes feel abrupt after a soothing escape on a river trip. The second you get back into service, you're checking your phone to see what vital messages you missed. The sense of a need to hurry and be productive can grip people when they return to their regular lives. But studies do show that people carry the peaceful sanctity of their time in the great outdoors back with them, particularly if that time was especially long, especially intense, or if they return for repeated wilderness visits to restore and revitalize themselves far from the madding crowds. So go on. Get out there onto the river rafts, into the wild canyons, out under the stars. The dividends you'll get in return are even greater than the sheer fun of whooping and hollering down whitewater waves or floating through calm, lazy waters.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk_Viq9cHe_JKsoi7WeJqp-JwCx7WDnJmIJcuHM0RWAnbwag-IyRKfrdmdr7lJSdb_xtF_B4LuizWnGn4UGQSFa5TrA-NM04smiftPQq546mrKuFEMVUB3IH4cu_XQhmUL0I0SregoTVqC/s1600/Inflatable+Kayaks+on+the+San+Juan+River+TravelBoldly+Whitewater+Rafting+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk_Viq9cHe_JKsoi7WeJqp-JwCx7WDnJmIJcuHM0RWAnbwag-IyRKfrdmdr7lJSdb_xtF_B4LuizWnGn4UGQSFa5TrA-NM04smiftPQq546mrKuFEMVUB3IH4cu_XQhmUL0I0SregoTVqC/s1600/Inflatable+Kayaks+on+the+San+Juan+River+TravelBoldly+Whitewater+Rafting+.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="font-family: Helvetica; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-size: xx-small;">For a rush of excitement, captain your own boat and challenge yourself </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-size: xx-small;">in a single inflatable kayak. Just keep the nose pointing downriver and </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: #666666;">you will break right through the waves.</span><span style="color: #444444;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Julie is a freelance writer, wilderness guide in southern Utah and author of <i>100 Classic Hikes in Utah </i>(The Mountaineers Books, Spring 2016). She especially enjoys books, coffee, yoga, wild country, horses, and dark chocolate. See more of her work at <a href="http://www.bikeraft.com/blog/" target="_blank">Holiday River Expeditions' River Currents Blog</a> or at <a href="http://www.wildgirlwriting.com/" target="_blank">www.wildgirlwriting.com</a> Find her on <a href="http://www.instagram.com/JulieTrevelyan/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Instagram</a> & <a href="http://www.twitter.com/JulieTrevelyan/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Twitter</a> at @JulieTrevelyan</span></div>
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<h4>
If You Go:</h4>
<div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Dq9kWO7RkAI/VQXiTrxBSmI/AAAAAAAAAko/BwKieM9Dhvc/s1600/Paddle%2Bboating%2Bon%2Bthe%2BYampa%2BRiver%2BTravelBoldly%2BWhitewater%2BRafting%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Dq9kWO7RkAI/VQXiTrxBSmI/AAAAAAAAAko/BwKieM9Dhvc/s1600/Paddle%2Bboating%2Bon%2Bthe%2BYampa%2BRiver%2BTravelBoldly%2BWhitewater%2BRafting%2B.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="font-family: Helvetica; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-size: xx-small;">For the active type you'll want to choose a paddle raft. Plenty of exercise,</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-size: xx-small;">splashes and thrills. You'll rest easy at the end of the day, sleep well, </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">get up </span><span style="font-size: xx-small;">and do it all over again.</span></span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://www.bikeraft.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Holiday River Expeditions</a> offers multi-day backcountry rafting and mountain biking trips in Utah, Idaho and Colorado. Trips ranging from 2 to 9 days. Explore rivers and trails in Canyonlands National Park, Dinosaur National Monument, San Rafael Swell and The Frank Church Wilderness of Idaho. Visit their website <a href="http://www.bikeraft.com/">www.bikeraft.com</a> or call their Salt Lake City business office 800-624-6323 to discover for yourself the "Genuine Benefits to Getting Off the Grid and Onto the River."<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u5m1-F7kslc/VQXiLoEgfoI/AAAAAAAAAkQ/jthJeT4HwfM/s1600/Hashbrowns%2Bfor%2Bbreakfast%2BTravelBoldly%2BWhitewater%2BRafting%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u5m1-F7kslc/VQXiLoEgfoI/AAAAAAAAAkQ/jthJeT4HwfM/s1600/Hashbrowns%2Bfor%2Bbreakfast%2BTravelBoldly%2BWhitewater%2BRafting%2B.jpg" height="133" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-size: x-small;">Hashbrowns for breakfast.</span></div>
<div style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XbNoqDgc738/VQXh42CUT4I/AAAAAAAAAjc/-HnNL0CJjII/s1600/Cheers%2Bto%2BDesolation%2BCanyon%2BTravelBoldly%2BWhitewater%2BRafting%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XbNoqDgc738/VQXh42CUT4I/AAAAAAAAAjc/-HnNL0CJjII/s1600/Cheers%2Bto%2BDesolation%2BCanyon%2BTravelBoldly%2BWhitewater%2BRafting%2B.jpg" height="133" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="font-family: Helvetica; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">At the end of an adventure filled day </span><span style="font-size: xx-small;">it's </span><span style="font-size: xx-small;">time</span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">for a toast. Bonds are f</span><span style="font-size: xx-small;">orged with your fellow</span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">river travelers. </span><span style="font-size: xx-small;">A common interest brought to </span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">all t</span><span style="font-size: xx-small;">ogether </span><span style="font-size: xx-small;">and a shared experience keeps </span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: #666666;">you that way.</span></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMgmm81IZABEo6cw1oEV2F7q7UuafTNZ-DJyoq5I3VyuD38RvHU6XserINYixWudpkBVHYYFbokgAzoSs9HTr5niddT_PeGfuUEneu1suCXmmCwY4oVHtdyYsecCzPxlhkN8yoBBv03jj3/s1600/Camp+in+Cataract+Canyon+Travel+Boldly+Whitewater+Rafting+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMgmm81IZABEo6cw1oEV2F7q7UuafTNZ-DJyoq5I3VyuD38RvHU6XserINYixWudpkBVHYYFbokgAzoSs9HTr5niddT_PeGfuUEneu1suCXmmCwY4oVHtdyYsecCzPxlhkN8yoBBv03jj3/s1600/Camp+in+Cataract+Canyon+Travel+Boldly+Whitewater+Rafting+.jpg" height="133" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="font-family: Helvetica; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-size: xx-small;">Each night as you pull off the river and arrive </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">at your home </span><span style="font-size: xx-small;">away from home folks go off </span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">and stake their claim for the </span><span style="font-size: xx-small;">evening. Find a </span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">camp with views of the canyon walls or </span><span style="font-size: xx-small;">close</span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: #666666;">enough to the river to lull yourself to sleep to </span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: #666666;">the </span></span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="color: #666666;">sounds of the rippling water. </span><span style="color: #444444;"> </span></span></div>
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Travel Boldlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02297472140061903881noreply@blogger.com0Utah, USA39.3209801 -111.0937311000000133.0518081 -121.4208796 45.5901521 -100.76658260000002tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8894719606079038952.post-54818756450932998612015-01-23T16:43:00.000-07:002019-03-23T09:23:54.232-06:00Cuba Photo Tour - See Cuba before it changes forever.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvcur3mVfewuvUAHdRakcq-AKsQxPTzlfqMJnra-6KLE46LkAWKRzu_Yomlw_DygvbVsdUlsdGAfChEw2zHTewruE4TBUGEdsJtFyEGKnucMzGrp8nwbGGkypqjPe9AwVqF_VgqEXqg1dB/s1600/Cuba-3093235732_42c3d706bd.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="photo by flippinuyank http://www.flickr.com/photos/26326001@N08/3093235732/" border="0" height="442" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508744030205286530" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvcur3mVfewuvUAHdRakcq-AKsQxPTzlfqMJnra-6KLE46LkAWKRzu_Yomlw_DygvbVsdUlsdGAfChEw2zHTewruE4TBUGEdsJtFyEGKnucMzGrp8nwbGGkypqjPe9AwVqF_VgqEXqg1dB/s640/Cuba-3093235732_42c3d706bd.jpg" style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt;" title="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26326001@N08/3093235732/" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: left;">Take a learning vacation and see Cuba before it changes forever. </span><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26326001@N08/3093235732/" rel="nofollow" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank">photo credit</a></td></tr>
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Dates to be announced<br />
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Read about travel to Cuba and homestays here: <a href="https://www.travelboldly.com/2016/11/travel-in-cuba-homestay-casa-particulares-paladares.html" target="_blank">Travel to Cuba Remains Difficult but Rewarding</a><br />
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Join me for a fun-filled photo tour of Cuba that includes Havana, Cienfuegos, and Trinidad de Cuba. Take a learning vacation and see Cuba before it changes forever. This tour is fully licensed for legal travel by U. S. citizens to Cuba under a people to people cultural and educational license by the U. S. Treasury Department.<br />
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Our price of TBD is for deluxe accommodations at El Presidente Hotel in Havana and equally deluxe accommodations in Cienfuegos and Trinidad. We'll be out shooting in some of the best locations in Havana, Cienfuegos, and Trinidad. We'll also visit historical locations, art and photography galleries and meet with a local photographer and photography teachers. But be assured we'll find time to try plenty of Cuban food and fun too. This is a photo-centric tour and is open to all levels of photographic proficiency and interest. This is a small group tour designed to give you a quality travel experience in Cuba.<br />
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The tour originates and concludes in Havana. All transfers and ground transportation in Cuba are included. Full details on inclusions and exclusions are available from Cuba Tour and Travel. They can also assist you with round trip charter air flights from Miami to Havana.<br />
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Contact me on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/fotoworkshops<br />
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I'm glad to answer your tour and photo related questions.<br />
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Take a learning vacation and see Cuba before it changes forever.<br />
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<a href="http://www.facebook.com/FotoWorkshops" rel="me" target="_blank">Contact Jerome </a> for details about the photo tour or on Twitter at <a href="http://www.twitter.com/JeromeShaw" target="_blank">@JeromeShaw</a><br />
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The tour is fully licensed for legal travel by U. S. citizens<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26326001@N08/3093235732/">photo: flippinyank </a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13830623886853610059noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8894719606079038952.post-75365965907369108992014-12-11T17:22:00.000-07:002015-02-04T17:32:52.652-07:00 The tweet mosaiac from the White-House Travel Blogger Summit for #StudyAbroadBecause<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<div style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; padding: 20px 50px; size: 120%;">
Have you studied abroad? Know someone who has? Why should students study abroad? Chime in and let your voice be heard. Click the <span style="font-weight: bold;">ADD ME</span> button to add yourself to the #StudyAbroadBecause mosaic.</div>
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<div style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10px; height: 10px; margin: 0px 20px; padding: 0px 0px 3px 5px; width: 100%;">
Patent pending, <a href="http://www.hyperactivate.com/" style="color: white; font-face: Verdana; font-size: 10px;">Hyperactivate</a></div>
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<a href="javascript:void((function(){var%20e=document.createElement('script');e.setAttribute('type','text/javascript');e.setAttribute('charset','UTF-8');e.setAttribute('src','http://assets.pinterest.com/js/pinmarklet.js?r='+Math.random()*99999999);document.body.appendChild(e)})());"></a><br />
<script type="text/javascript">window.ampAsyncInit=function(){AMP.init({client_id:"StateGover0ae4fa6c09",dynamic_load:"WhiteHouseTravelBloggerSummitMosaic_5485d9ef4"})},function(){var e=document.createElement("script");e.async=!0,e.src=document.location.protocol+"//hashtagartcdn.s3.amazonaws.com/scripts/prod/v3/amp_api_v3.min.js";var t=document.getElementsByTagName("script")[0];t.parentNode.insertBefore(e,t)}();</script><br />
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<br />
The Mosaic created by the tweets from the hashtag #StudyAbroadBecause part of the White House / State Department initiative to create an office of Study Abroad which was the main thrust of the Travel Blogger Summit that I was invited to earlier this month in Washington, D.C. <br /><br />I am officially one of #WHTravelBlogger's collective - 100 of the top travel influencers from around the world. It was honor to be included among this prestigious group, to be invited to the White House and to next year travel to Turkey for the second meeting of the White House Blogger's Travel Summit.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13830623886853610059noreply@blogger.com0Washington, DC, USA38.9071923 -77.03687070000000938.7094713 -77.3595942 39.1049133 -76.714147200000014tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8894719606079038952.post-15032929967598256072014-12-06T12:35:00.000-07:002015-01-04T14:34:30.068-07:00There’s Something About Penguins – Life and Love amongst Antarctica’s Adelies.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-52mt5kde-5Q/VIIkvd8iVKI/AAAAAAAAAdc/YK0QMEtSxhU/s1600/Travel%2BBoldly%2BPenguin%2B%26%2BSeal%2BAntartica%2BCruise%2BShip%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="A Gentoo Penguin scurries past a sweetly sleeping seal. Photo: Liz Alvey for Travel Boldly" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-52mt5kde-5Q/VIIkvd8iVKI/AAAAAAAAAdc/YK0QMEtSxhU/s1600/Travel%2BBoldly%2BPenguin%2B%26%2BSeal%2BAntartica%2BCruise%2BShip%2B.jpg" height="480" title="A Gentoo Penguin scurries past a sweetly sleeping seal. Photo: Liz Alvey for Travel Boldly" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Gentoo Penguin scurries past a sweetly sleeping seal. One of Liz Alvey's photos from her days of observing penguins and their rituals during her time in Antartica.</td></tr>
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<h3>
There’s Something About Penguins – Life and Love amongst Antarctica’s Adelies.</h3>
by Liz Alvey<br />
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Now I’m an urban type, living by choice in cities since the age of 19. I went to Antarctica for the spectacle, the dramatic landscapes and the adventure (and to get as far away as possible from anyone I knew for my 50th birthday!).<br />
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But I came back with an abiding affection and admiration for penguins. Blessed with the specialist knowledge of an eccentric Uruguayan professor, I acquired just enough insight to interpret some of their behaviour.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRug-KZ9X9UYm1B8Y2gm6Hisgw1-Zk_rEISS8KRwfBYiaSPjUpTO-R2xlx25-CPODZcVPMtFd7OvsJhWjackyoPM4sXbRBZDO9LW732VG_wNI-x8E8bSyq5efo7TmULQGmuOH-IJDkalsp/s1600/Travel+Boldly+Gentoos+Penguins+Antartica+Cruise+Ship+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Penguin watch a cruise ship in Antarctica. Photo: Liz Alvey for Travel Boldly" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRug-KZ9X9UYm1B8Y2gm6Hisgw1-Zk_rEISS8KRwfBYiaSPjUpTO-R2xlx25-CPODZcVPMtFd7OvsJhWjackyoPM4sXbRBZDO9LW732VG_wNI-x8E8bSyq5efo7TmULQGmuOH-IJDkalsp/s1600/Travel+Boldly+Gentoos+Penguins+Antartica+Cruise+Ship+.jpg" height="240" title="Penguin watch a cruise ship in Antarctica. Photo: Liz Alvey for Travel Boldly" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Penguin watch a cruise ship pass in Antarctica. <br />
Photo: Liz Alvey for Travel Boldly</td></tr>
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Of course it’s not all good. I have to tell you, penguins stink. A lot. Especially when you find yourself amongst 100,000 Adelies. Not to put too fine a point on it, they live on their own shit. Which, on the plus side is pink. This is due to their consumption of krill, a small prawn-like sea creature that also provides sustenance for other Antarctica natives like whales and seals.<br />
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Our expedition guides properly impressed upon us the importance of not interfering with penguin lifestyle and routines. This included stepping off the penguin highways (tamped down pathway in the deep snow) if in use and not approaching closer than a couple of metres. However, no one told the penguins. The Adelies in particular appeared to have a bemused curiosity about their temporary visitors, seeming to regard us as larger and more colourful versions of themselves.<br />
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My favorite episode (helpfully interpreted by our onboard expert) was observing a group of juvenile Adelies. Without wanting to be too anthropomorphic, it was like watching a gaggle of teenagers on a suburban street corner.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xokXtqPDypo/VINUaDQGQDI/AAAAAAAAAdw/9IAi-2JDoZg/s1600/Travel%2BBoldly%2BAdelies%2BPenguins%2BObservers%2BAntartica%2BCruise%2BShip%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Penguin observe their observers. Antarctica Photo: Liz Alvey for Travel Boldly" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xokXtqPDypo/VINUaDQGQDI/AAAAAAAAAdw/9IAi-2JDoZg/s1600/Travel%2BBoldly%2BAdelies%2BPenguins%2BObservers%2BAntartica%2BCruise%2BShip%2B.jpg" height="240" title="Penguin observe their observers. Antarctica Photo: Liz Alvey for Travel Boldly" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Penguin gather to observe their observers. Antarctica <br />
Photo: Liz Alvey for Travel Boldly</td></tr>
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Girl penguins huddled together. Boy penguins clustered separately, keeping a covert eye on them. And showing off, trying to attract female attention. Finally one bold character made his move. He approached the object of his affection, who deigned to allow herself to be separated from her cohort. He began to pay court; she responded coyly but with increasing interest until both became fully engaged in the head-bobbing courtship behavior our expert described.<br />
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Thus emboldened, he began to try and move things to the next level. Withdrawing slightly he searched and found a suitable love token for his amour – a pebble, the currency of love amongst penguins. Pebble in beak, he offered it to his lady love. She paused, considered.....took her time then turned her back and returned to her mates. Hopes dashed and feathers ruffled, her rejected suitor was left high and dry, before he too, scuttled back to the safety of his gang. Who probably took the mickey out of him or whatever the penguin equivalent is.<br />
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And there’s a life lesson to be learned by us all – women like stones but they have to be rare and valuable or it’s not going to pique our interest! Even amongst penguins.<br />
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<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><a href="https://twitter.com/LizzieAlvey" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Liz Alvey</a>:</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">Having spent many childhood holidays on the Isle of Wight, Liz has a natural affinity for islands. A trip to Greece almost 20 years ago, sparked a passion for the country and Liz has returned to explore new and favourite places almost every year since. Her most memorable trip outside Greece was to Antarctica - she's currently plotting how to get back there!</span></div>
<a href="javascript:void((function(){var%20e=document.createElement('script');e.setAttribute('type','text/javascript');e.setAttribute('charset','UTF-8');e.setAttribute('src','http://assets.pinterest.com/js/pinmarklet.js?r='+Math.random()*99999999);document.body.appendChild(e)})());"><span style="color: red; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></a></div>
<a href="javascript:void((function(){var%20e=document.createElement('script');e.setAttribute('type','text/javascript');e.setAttribute('charset','UTF-8');e.setAttribute('src','http://assets.pinterest.com/js/pinmarklet.js?r='+Math.random()*99999999);document.body.appendChild(e)})());"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span>Other articles on Travel Boldly by Liz<br /><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></a><br />
<a href="javascript:void((function(){var%20e=document.createElement('script');e.setAttribute('type','text/javascript');e.setAttribute('charset','UTF-8');e.setAttribute('src','http://assets.pinterest.com/js/pinmarklet.js?r='+Math.random()*99999999);document.body.appendChild(e)})());"><br /></a>
<a href="http://www.travelboldly.com/2013/12/greece-kefalonia-love-affair-guest-post.html" target="_blank">Greece: A Kefalonia Love Affair</a><br />
<a href="http://www.travelboldly.com/2014/01/greece-captain-corellis-mandolin.html" target="_blank">Greece: Captain Corelli’s Mandolin</a><br />
<br /></div>
Travel Boldlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02297472140061903881noreply@blogger.com0Antarctica-82.862751899999992 -135-90 59.765625 -31.756140899999991 30.234375tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8894719606079038952.post-47032242346691991162014-10-30T13:14:00.000-06:002015-01-18T22:17:57.757-07:00Photo Storage takes a giant leap forward with the ReadyNAS Personal Cloud.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Kifu1w8dJLc/VLyN1GwHD0I/AAAAAAAABLw/aduSWIuJfH8/s1600/ReadyNAS-photoV2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="ReadyNAS Personal Cloud Storage is a great storage solutions for photographers with thousands of photos to store " border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Kifu1w8dJLc/VLyN1GwHD0I/AAAAAAAABLw/aduSWIuJfH8/s1600/ReadyNAS-photoV2.jpg" title="ReadyNAS Personal Cloud Storage is a great storage solutions for photographers with thousands of photos to store " /></a></div>
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Photographers always needed more storage for their thousands of photographs. As the size of the sensors and file sizes have grown from a lowly 2-4 megabyte files to whopping 25-36 meg files and beyond our old methods of backing up data have become as antiquated as those 2 & 4 meg cameras.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaqkzyh6GqOepYZ2GGGPfLOhazk2194wV_rlMTojr_et2jJCKVlLmiG5Da2fvOtI2XWOjcdNDl7fdI2g8kZ3uaoE4j_pT7Iw-17ZWt01KDHaGCV_wLBdXCtqGwKDAizkFFMLWJIqJ3yXvt/s1600/NetGear102-2T-IMG_1031.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Your personal cloud storage device - ReadyNAS storage system" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaqkzyh6GqOepYZ2GGGPfLOhazk2194wV_rlMTojr_et2jJCKVlLmiG5Da2fvOtI2XWOjcdNDl7fdI2g8kZ3uaoE4j_pT7Iw-17ZWt01KDHaGCV_wLBdXCtqGwKDAizkFFMLWJIqJ3yXvt/s1600/NetGear102-2T-IMG_1031.jpg" height="320" title="Your personal cloud storage device - ReadyNAS storage system" width="233" /></a>You can no longer do much of a backup on writable CDs and backing up on DVDs can require several discs per per project. Even external hard drives fill up quickly for the storage-hungry photographer. I often shoot thousands of images each month on DSLRs, 4/3 cameras, rangefinders and iPhones. My cards were always full of phoptopgraphs, my iphone and laptop bloated with images awaiting backup. Or worse yet I was always having trouble finding the image I wanted to share or use in my next travel post here on <a href="http://www.travelboldly.com/" target="_blank">Travel Boldly</a> after I had cleared my cards and/or removed the images from my iPhone and laptop. Which external hard drive or flash drive were they on?<br />
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Enter personal cloud storage and the ReadyNAS system by NetGear. This is a product that can replace your legions of external hard drives, flash drives, CDs and Dvds and free up your bloated phone, laptop and desktop hard drives.<br />
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ReadyNAS is a private home cloud storage system that can be managed through ReadyCLOUD software by NetGear. This interface allows all the benefits of public cloud storage, but without the monthly or annual subscription costs and the privacy risks of having your data "out there" in the public cloud. You can access, manage and share files stored on your ReadyNAS desktop system from anywhere in the world, from any web browser, using any of your connected devices. You can utilize a single, unified web interface whether you’re at home, at work or traveling. You'll have Google Drive™-style accessibility and Dropbox®-like capabilities such as sharing files with a single click. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JlUjFssFYBA/VLyN0XfZH8I/AAAAAAAABLo/gsILYVIjVa0/s1600/NetGear102-2T-IMG_1037.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="ReadyNAS Personal Cloud Storage is a small desktop size storage solution for data hungry bloggers & photographers" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JlUjFssFYBA/VLyN0XfZH8I/AAAAAAAABLo/gsILYVIjVa0/s1600/NetGear102-2T-IMG_1037.jpg" height="320" title="ReadyNAS Personal Cloud Storage is a small desktop size storage solution for data hungry bloggers & photographers" width="239" /></a></div>
I now have a secure, private, personal cloud from which I can share and utilize my images, videos and content. This is especially important for me as travel blogger. I was always traveling with a ziplock baggy of flash drives and a couple of heavy external drives, For extended trips I would often strip almost every bit of data off my laptop and camera phones so I would not run short of space for the photos I'd be making on my trip. Now I don't have to do that. Though, beginning a trips with cleared cards and camera phones still seems prudent if only for organization purposed it is not something I must do before a trip. I can now if necessary back all my devices while on the road anytime I have fast reliable Internet connection.<br />
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Certainly, I am still getting used to this new system. And while it gives you the space you need to get organized, it does not perform miracles and arrange all of your thousands of uncatalogued images for you. I am still developing my own management systems for managing my images. (If anyone has any recommendations please let me know via the comments.) I can see light at the end of the tunnel. I have a way forward into the future to manage the thousands of digital photographs I create each year.<br />
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I was provided a ReadyNAS model 102 2TB with 2 terabytes of storage for the purpose of this review. One thing to keep in mind is that there is also a model 102 00 diskless system that includes no native storage. Unless you just happen to have a couple of compatible high-speed hard drive disks laying around your place or know where you can pick them up on-the-cheap I recommend ordering the 102 with either 2 - 1 terabyte drives or 2 - 2 terabyte drives. I'd definitely order the 102 with the 4 terabyte capacity given that it is only a few dollars more. Or, I'd step up to the model 314 3 bay 12 terabyte system. While I have not come close to filling up 2 terabytes yet I can see a day when I'll be expanding to 4 terabytes and beyond especially as more and more of my images are RAW files.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0mQ9BXITGCY/VLyN0aWlo9I/AAAAAAAABLk/2s1SySoO89s/s1600/NetGear102-2T-IMG_1033.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="ReadyNAS Personal Cloud Storage is pretty much plug & play storage solutions for photographers." border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0mQ9BXITGCY/VLyN0aWlo9I/AAAAAAAABLk/2s1SySoO89s/s1600/NetGear102-2T-IMG_1033.jpg" height="320" title="ReadyNAS Personal Cloud Storage is pretty much plug & play storage solutions for photographers." width="239" /></a>One other caveat to be aware of is that if you get your Internet through a shared connection such as <br />
wifi provided by your building complex or are using hotspots or satellite Internet services, ReadyNAS is probably not for you. You have to be able to install the system with a direct hardwired ethernet connection to your router. The installation of the software to operate the storage device is mostly painless and accessing the storage remotely is straight forward.<br />
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://ww.jeromeshaw.com/" target="_blank">Jerome Shaw</a> Editor at Travel Boldly. Message him here via comments or on Twitter at <a href="http://www.twitter.com/JeromeShaw" target="_blank">@JeromeShaw</a> or on G+ <a class="g-profile" href="https://plus.google.com/116406089186391839253" target="_blank">+Jerome Shaw Travel</a> </span></i><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13830623886853610059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8894719606079038952.post-88607143797842724432014-10-15T20:30:00.000-06:002015-01-30T14:36:32.773-07:00Cuba Tour and Photography Workshop January 2016 - come photograph in this photo paradise<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Cuba Photo Tour Dates for Winter 2015 - 2016 to be announced.<br />
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Tentative dates January 2016<br />
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Join me for a fun filled 8 day photo tour of Cuba. Take a learning vacation and see Cuba before it changes forever. This tour is fully licensed for legal travel by U. S. citizens to Cuba under a people to people cultural and educational license by the U. S. Treasury Department.<br />
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Deluxe accommodations at El Presidente Hotel in Havana and equally deluxe accommodations in Cienfuegos and Trinidad. We'll be out shooting in some of the best locations in Havana, Cienfuegos and Trinidad. We'll also visit historical locations, art and photography galleries and meet with local photographer and photography teachers. But be assured we'll find time to try plenty of Cuban food and fun too. This is photo-centric tour and is open to all levels of photographic proficiency and interest. This is small group tour designed to give you a quality travel experience in Cuba.<br />
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The tour originates and concludes in Havana. All transfers and ground transportation in Cuba are included. Full details on inclusions and exclusions are available from Cuba Tour and Travel. They can also assist you with round trip charter air flights from Miami to Havana.<br />
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Contact me on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/fotoworkshops" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/fotoworkshops </a><br />
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<a href="https://plus.google.com/117720566271763451532?%20%20%20rel=author" style="font-family: Georgia, Utopia, Charter, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">Jerome on Google+</a><br />
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I'm glad to answer your tour and photo related questions.<br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.travelboldly.com/2014/01/travel-writing-photography-workshop-and.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: yellow;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />Travel Writing & Photography Workshop and Tour</span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span></span></a></blockquote>
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<a href="http://www.travelboldly.com/2014/01/travel-writing-photography-workshop-and.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: yellow;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Santa Fe, NM</span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">May 29 – June 1, 2014</span></span></a></blockquote>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13830623886853610059noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8894719606079038952.post-35973936266962140182014-09-16T17:06:00.000-06:002014-09-16T18:32:41.442-06:00Favela Tourism: visiting Santa Marta in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hTyLLqGxcYU/VBil9htmU-I/AAAAAAAAAbc/ybKT_wcISls/s1600/Prac%CC%A7a%2BCanta%CC%83o%2B(Cantao%2BSquare)%2C%2Bwell-known%2Bfor%2Bits%2Bcolorful%2Bhouses%2Bas%2Bpart%2Bof%2Bthe%2BFavela%2BPainting%2Bproject%2Bof%2BHaas%2B%26%2BHahn%2B7x5-DSC03201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Praça Cantão (Cantao Square), well-known for its colorful houses as part of he Favela Painting Project of Hass and Hahn. Photo copyright Nohelia Sanchez / www.rdj4u.com for www.TravelBoldly.com" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hTyLLqGxcYU/VBil9htmU-I/AAAAAAAAAbc/ybKT_wcISls/s1600/Prac%CC%A7a%2BCanta%CC%83o%2B(Cantao%2BSquare)%2C%2Bwell-known%2Bfor%2Bits%2Bcolorful%2Bhouses%2Bas%2Bpart%2Bof%2Bthe%2BFavela%2BPainting%2Bproject%2Bof%2BHaas%2B%26%2BHahn%2B7x5-DSC03201.jpg" title="Praça Cantão (Cantao Square), well-known for its colorful houses as part of he Favela Painting Project of Hass and Hahn. Photo copyright Nohelia Sanchez / www.rdj4u.com for www.TravelBoldly.com" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Praça Cantão (Cantao Square), well-known for its colorful houses as part of he Favela Painting Project of Hass and Hahn. </span><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Photo copyright Nohelia Sanchez / www.rdj4u.com for www.TravelBoldly.com</span></td></tr>
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<h3>
Visiting the Favela or Shantytown of Santa Marta in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil</h3>
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by Nohelia Sanchez</div>
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I've been to Rio many times, the first time being in 1999, when I was scared at the very thought of entering a favela. However, several years have passed since then, and seen the pacification of many favelas in Rio. I have to confess that even so I was skeptical about taking a<span style="color: red;"> </span><a href="http://www.rdj4u.com/en/city-tours-rio-de-janeiro/favela-tour.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">favela tour</a>. I'm originally from Colombia, a country with no fewer social problems than Brazil, and I was lucky enough to be able contribute to different types of social projects from different perspectives there. I think one has to try some things themselves in order to obtain more knowledge of a particular subject, so I decided to visit Favela Santa Marta and try out a guided tour through a pacified slum in Rio.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-ILiUU06oeOMlJgKy9M2txOwYWGWtpeCPXD2m0YYL0046KED2VmiSJbbiVyd6edj92slBDYmipv80JzO_XJz7ZKPLfG-rZ0le18ecDl8p5FepvHtZqpPZs3ZYsliH6jNKJo3O1Cxc-KMr/s1600/Santa+Marta+favela+has+an+impressive+view+of+the+Corcovado+and+Rio's%2Bexotic%2Bnature%2B-7x5-%2BDSC03188.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Santa Marta favela has an impressive view of the Corcovado and Rio's exotic nature. Photo copyright Nohelia Sanchez / www.rdj4u.com for www.TravelBoldly.com" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-ILiUU06oeOMlJgKy9M2txOwYWGWtpeCPXD2m0YYL0046KED2VmiSJbbiVyd6edj92slBDYmipv80JzO_XJz7ZKPLfG-rZ0le18ecDl8p5FepvHtZqpPZs3ZYsliH6jNKJo3O1Cxc-KMr/s1600/Santa+Marta+favela+has+an+impressive+view+of+the+Corcovado+and+Rio's%2Bexotic%2Bnature%2B-7x5-%2BDSC03188.jpg" height="240" title="Santa Marta favela has an impressive view of the Corcovado and Rio's exotic nature. Photo copyright Nohelia Sanchez / www.rdj4u.com for www.TravelBoldly.com" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11px;">
Santa Marta favela has an impressive view of the Corcovado </div>
<div style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11px;">
and Rio's exotic nature.</div>
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The first thing I learned is that everything depends on the view of the traveler. I saw a lifestyle that has a lot to do with the way Brazilians are, not because of their infrastructure conditions, but because of their personalities: their friendliness, their relaxed style and their happiness despite all their problems. Cariocas are full of kindness and charisma.<br />
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Favela Santa Marta is located on the hills between Botafogo and Laranjeiras, two medium-high class neighboorhoods in the Zona Sul. The favela tour that took us there began with a short trip through Tijuca, Forest, where we had the chance to see wonderful views of Rio. No amount of admiring Rio’s beauty is ever enough.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q6IE4d2YVEI/VBi4k1UvFFI/AAAAAAAAAcY/75eyj2SQoiE/s1600/First%2Bimpressions%2Bof%2BSanta%2BMarta%2Bfavela%2Bin%2BRio%2Bde%2BJaneiro%2C%2BBrazil%2B-%2BDSC03186.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="First impresions of Santa Marta favela in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Photo copyright Nohelia Sanchez / www.rdj4u.com for www.TravelBoldly.com" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q6IE4d2YVEI/VBi4k1UvFFI/AAAAAAAAAcY/75eyj2SQoiE/s1600/First%2Bimpressions%2Bof%2BSanta%2BMarta%2Bfavela%2Bin%2BRio%2Bde%2BJaneiro%2C%2BBrazil%2B-%2BDSC03186.jpg" height="240" title="First impresions of Santa Marta favela in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Photo copyright Nohelia Sanchez / www.rdj4u.com for www.TravelBoldly.com" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11px;">
First impressions of Santa Marta favela in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.</div>
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We started from above, where we had a commanding view over the favela with its little houses, Corcovado and the famous beaches of Copacabana & Ipanema in the Zona Sul. The first thing we noticed were a cable car that had recently been built in order to facilitate transportation within the favela, and a wall with gunshot scar from the time when crime prevailed in the neighborhood. It was in 2008 that the police took control of the favela and placed what is called a Pacified Police Unit there. Still, having such a tangible image of the gunshot scar gave me a sensation of vulnerability mixed with helplessness. I could not fathom what had happened on these streets and knew that it was likely I’d never find out.<br />
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I was very curious about how the inhabitants of the favela would receive the tour especially after<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
<br /></div>
reading all the forum posts about favela tours. I <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f-mxa7bxZ08/VBi2yBusSLI/AAAAAAAAAcQ/z3Ys-4ntUas/s1600/A%2Bcolorful%2Bwall%2Bwith%2Bbullet%2Bholes%2Bwelcomes%2Bvisitors%2Bto%2Bthe%2BSanta%2BMarta%2Bfavela%2Bin%2BRio%2Bde%2BJaneiro%2BBrazil%2B-7x5-%2BDSC03184.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="A colorful wall with bullet holes welcomes visitors to the Santa Marta Favela in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Photo copyright Nohelia Sanchez / www.rdj4u.com for www.TravelBoldly.com" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f-mxa7bxZ08/VBi2yBusSLI/AAAAAAAAAcQ/z3Ys-4ntUas/s1600/A%2Bcolorful%2Bwall%2Bwith%2Bbullet%2Bholes%2Bwelcomes%2Bvisitors%2Bto%2Bthe%2BSanta%2BMarta%2Bfavela%2Bin%2BRio%2Bde%2BJaneiro%2BBrazil%2B-7x5-%2BDSC03184.jpg" height="240" title="A colorful wall with bullet holes welcomes visitors to the Santa Marta Favela in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Photo copyright Nohelia Sanchez / www.rdj4u.com for www.TravelBoldly.com" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A colorful wall with bullet holes welcomes visitors to the<br />
Santa Marta Favela in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.</td></tr>
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believe the resident's of the favelas were just as curious about us as we were about them. Especially the kids, who seemed very used to receiving visitors. I felt almost invisible. We were very respectful and tried not to be too intrusive, after all, it was a walking tour like any other, whereby you visit and admire their way of life, their communal areas, and learn about their customs. Visiting the favela made me admire their strength, and made me realise that those who have so much more appear to do far less with their lives. We visited the community centre and met with some of its leaders. They explained how they work with the community and about the challenges and the accomplishments of those living in this favela. I then realized that no matter how few resources you have, with the right amount of help, effort and positive ambition, you can achieve your goals. <br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G-nFCTtvmRc/VBiy6PjTq9I/AAAAAAAAAcI/lhwrnylu0o4/s1600/Santa%2BMarta%E2%80%99s%2Bnarrow%2Bstreets-%2Bmany%2Bstairs%2Band%2Bsmall%2Bwindows%2Bin%2Bthe%2Bfavela%2B-7x5-%2BDSC03195.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Santa Marta’s narrow streets: many stairs and small windows in the favela. Photo copyright Nohelia Sanchez / www.rdj4u.com for www.TravelBoldly.com" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G-nFCTtvmRc/VBiy6PjTq9I/AAAAAAAAAcI/lhwrnylu0o4/s1600/Santa%2BMarta%E2%80%99s%2Bnarrow%2Bstreets-%2Bmany%2Bstairs%2Band%2Bsmall%2Bwindows%2Bin%2Bthe%2Bfavela%2B-7x5-%2BDSC03195.jpg" height="240" title="Santa Marta’s narrow streets: many stairs and small windows in the favela. Photo copyright Nohelia Sanchez / www.rdj4u.com for www.TravelBoldly.com" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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Santa Marta’s narrow streets: many stairs and </div>
<div style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11px;">
small windows in the favela.</div>
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After this cultural experience I can say that the most exciting moment for me was seeing the wall Michael Jackson signed when he recorded the video for <u><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QNJL6nfu__Q" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">They Don't Care About Us</a></u> and the statue which was put up a year after the singer died. To me this was a sign that Michael was seen as a ‘king’ in Rio too.<br />
<br />
We continued our favela tour through the narrow streets to reach Praça Cantão (Cantao Square), well-known for its colorful houses as part of the <a href="http://www.favelapainting.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Favela Painting project of Haas & Hahn</a>. These two Dutch artists had the idea of creating public works of art in the favelas in Rio. The project was carried out with the participation of the community’s youth. It is now the centre of the social and commercial activity of the favela. We also had the chance to visit also their samba school <a href="http://www.galeriadosamba.com.br/carnavais/mocidade-unida-do-santa-marta/2014/201/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Mocidade Unida do Santa Marta</a>, which is located at the base of the favela.<br />
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With many thoughts in our heads and newly embraced feelings in our hearts our driver picked us up at the entrance of the favela to return us to our our unreal hotel reality in Rio.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZPsruxBkDVg/VBiy2pWP2JI/AAAAAAAAAbs/UNMEqNuUwAE/s1600/Nohelia%2BSanchez%2Bposes%2Bwith%2Ba%2Bstatue%2Bof%2BMichael%2BJackson%2Bin%2BSanta%2BMarta%2BFavela%2Bin%2BRio%2Bde%2BJaneiro%2C%2BBrazil%2BIMG_0415.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Nohelia Sanchez poses with a statue of Michael Jackson in Santa Marta Favela in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Photo copyright Nohelia Sanchez / www.rdj4u.com for www.TravelBoldly.com" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZPsruxBkDVg/VBiy2pWP2JI/AAAAAAAAAbs/UNMEqNuUwAE/s1600/Nohelia%2BSanchez%2Bposes%2Bwith%2Ba%2Bstatue%2Bof%2BMichael%2BJackson%2Bin%2BSanta%2BMarta%2BFavela%2Bin%2BRio%2Bde%2BJaneiro%2C%2BBrazil%2BIMG_0415.jpg" height="320" title="Nohelia Sanchez poses with a statue of Michael Jackson in Santa Marta Favela in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Photo copyright Nohelia Sanchez / www.rdj4u.com for www.TravelBoldly.com" width="234" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nohelia Sanchez poses with a statue of <br />
Michael Jackson in Santa Marta Favela<br />
in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Happy travels!<br />
Nohelia Sanchez / <a href="http://www.rdj4u.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.rdj4u.com</a><br />
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Travel Boldlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02297472140061903881noreply@blogger.com0Rua Santa Marta - Realengo, Rio de Janeiro - Rio de Janeiro, 21755-050, Brazil-22.8843491 -43.423656100000017-22.8861776 -43.426177600000017 -22.882520600000003 -43.421134600000016tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8894719606079038952.post-67806170215364614842014-09-01T20:02:00.000-06:002015-02-14T03:17:44.153-07:00Interview with Travel Photographer Jerome Shaw on Mode - Moderne Journal<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-s_VkbX25J78/VAUoeQIEJqI/AAAAAAAABJo/tA1MlAKsuf8/s1600/MMJ-Interview-JeromeShaw2012-TBlogo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Screen capture from Mode Moderne Journal interview with Travel Writer & Photographer Jerome Shaw" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-s_VkbX25J78/VAUoeQIEJqI/AAAAAAAABJo/tA1MlAKsuf8/s1600/MMJ-Interview-JeromeShaw2012-TBlogo.jpg" height="504" title="Screen capture from Mode Moderne Journal interview with Travel Writer & Photographer Jerome Shaw" width="640" /></a></div>
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<h2 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHER: JEROME SHAW SEEING THE WORLD THROUGH A LENS</span></h2>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Imagine being able to travel the world, exploring exotic destinations, eating the most unique foods, sipping native beverages, while discovering a completely diverse way of life. Travel photographer and writer Jerome Shaw doesn’t have to imagine this scenario, he actually lives it. MMJ. was able to locate Mr. Shaw on the map and he was so kind to share some of his incredible journeys with us.</blockquote>
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<b>KELLY:</b> What sparked your interest to become a travel writer and photographer?<br />
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<b>JEROME:</b> I come from a very small town in Nebraska. Certainly, as a child, my family didn't travel much. A few trips around Nebraska and Kansas with my father (who ran the J.I. Case tractor dealership in our little town), delivering tractors and other farm equipment, were about the extent of my travel experiences growing up. About as far as I ever got from Hayes Center, Nebraska in my first 10 years were our annual summer trips to Colorado.<br />
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After my brother, Jim, brought home a camera with him during his break from college, I became interested in photography (I was 12-years-old). My first paid commercial assignment was photographing for the catalog of an Appaloosa Horse breeder. I’m sure I was very annoying, but my parents humored me. I had a darkroom before I had car.<br />
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After studying Fine Art at the University of Nebraska, I quickly learned that my plan to become a famous “art” photographer, getting a gallery and a book deal and make millions wasn’t going to play-out. I moved to Aspen, Colorado where my brother was managing The Nugget Lodge on Main Street. I’d never been to Aspen, but I was an avid skier (well, as avid as a Nebraska Cornhusker could be). I accepted the job as assistant manager at the Nugget and was seduced by Aspen.<br />
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I wasn’t much cut out for life in the hospitality industry: making beds, cooking breakfast and doing bookkeeping is not for me. I found there was niche for a photographer somewhere between the local portrait shooter and the well-known ski photographers that were based in Aspen. I clawed my way in, went commercial, and postponed my graduate studies.<br />
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It was while I was in Aspen that my brother formed a film production company. I worked on projects with my brother and fellow photographer, Roger Morgan. Pat Griffin often joined our crew and we began making TV commercials, documentary films and eventually ski and adventure travel films.<br />
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I’d have to say that it was working on a television series sponsored by Outside Magazine for the Discovery Channel entitled “Sir Edmund Hillary’s World of Adventure” that cemented my love of travel and provided me with an opportunity to travel widely for the first time.<br />
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<b>KELLY: </b>When traveling, how long are you usually away from home?<br />
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<b>JEROME:</b> I usually have a very defined trip-length planned when I travel. And, for reasons of business and personal preference, I often keep my travels relatively short. For me, 10-14 days is best for business. However, my personal travel style is to go to a single destination and stay for month or two. I like to be in one place for as long as is practical. This way I get to know people, the pace of life and local hangouts. But unfortunately, this method takes a toll on business and personal relationships.<br />
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<b>KELLY:</b> Can you tell us a few of your favorite spots off the beaten path?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx-Htc-jc9C25TQu_5wDA-uGDmHoojWQxuo3MNzX_eNDIfAOYwxKM1rdNv8lzpU3hHm-m0KKignwT3QqrsRJULaAjm9vlTYV6hwmGmrb72xJl8pnxTRKoxncfR0JolY4YBsEJa9UQqXmOz/s1600/MMJ-Interview-JeromeShaw2012-d-TBlogo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Screen capture from Mode Moderne Journal interview with Travel Writer & Photographer Jerome Shaw - The Cliffs of Ua Poa, Marquesas Island, South Pacific." border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx-Htc-jc9C25TQu_5wDA-uGDmHoojWQxuo3MNzX_eNDIfAOYwxKM1rdNv8lzpU3hHm-m0KKignwT3QqrsRJULaAjm9vlTYV6hwmGmrb72xJl8pnxTRKoxncfR0JolY4YBsEJa9UQqXmOz/s1600/MMJ-Interview-JeromeShaw2012-d-TBlogo.jpg" height="217" title="Screen capture from Mode Moderne Journal interview with Travel Writer & Photographer Jerome Shaw - The Cliffs of Ua Poa, Marquesas Island, South Pacific." width="320" /></a><b>JEROME</b>: The Marquesas Islands in French Polynesia cast in a central role by Herman Melville in his book Typee, and it is one of my recent favorites that are off the beaten path - waaaay off the beaten path. The Marquesas Islands are 1000 miles northeast of Tahiti. The main access for this chain of islands with names like Ua Poa, Fatu Hiva and Hiva Oa is aboard the freighter Aranui 3. I took a 14-day trip onboard the Aranui a couple of years ago. It is one of the best trips I have ever been on.<br />
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<b>KELLY:</b> Is there a destination you would want revisit over and over?<br />
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<b>JEROME:</b> New Zealand is one place that I would visit over and over. I lived there for a year and did not see nearly enough of this geographically diverse and visually dense country. Also, Brazil is my current mistress, specifically Rio. If someone calls tomorrow with a trip opportunity, I’ll be on the next plane. There are so many places in Brazil that I want to experience. Russia and Ukraine are places I have visited more than once, but I haven’t been back for many years and would like to return. In the US, Alaska is a place that I could visit once a year and never tire of.<br />
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<b>KELLY:</b> Where have been the easiest places to write and/or photograph?<br />
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<b>JEROME</b>: Peru and Ukraine, because the children are beautiful and the elderly are very photogenic. Alaska, due to its immense size and the landscapes are vast and uncluttered. But Brazil, The Marquesas Islands, and Russia were some of my favorite places to photograph.<br />
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I can’t think of any particular place that is easy to write about – but places where you get totally immersed in the culture and people prove easier to write about than places you have a tepid experience with.<br />
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<b>KELLY:</b> The hardest?<br />
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<b>JEROME:</b> As far photographing people, The British Virgin Islands was the most difficult. The people there often turned away from the camera or wanted money to have their photo taken. Weather often makes a normally photogenic locale difficult. I have had that happen in many places, but the most memorable have been in the Fiji Islands and Rio de Janeiro. Days and days of rain and gloom made getting good shots of exterior locations very tricky.<br />
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Another place that proved very difficult to capture was the lighthouse in Peggy’s Cove in Nova Scotia. They rightly placed a lighthouse on this rocky outcropped. It’s foggy there often, but the best photos of the lighthouse are made when the fog lifts. It took many, many drives out to Peggy’s Cove before I finally was fortunate enough to get that quintessential photo of the lighthouse at sunset.<br />
The most difficult places to write about are places you are indifferent to. Love or hate make for better stories than indifference.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgily2AugKrNPD8YJsW9JFUYZjcunsdQS8BBxpJGDMTNlrdRoBGeSvMkC6rQX2L3g4bR1fJroH09_vYUzJEnREHTEUrJTDiCy1hZDdHa7Ic3OKwgOqDG3MZ-gd33LHLTQjPHlBIAoMPbr6C/s1600/MMJ-Interview-JeromeShaw2012-cb+_TBlogo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Screen capture from Mode Moderne Journal interview with Travel Writer & Photographer Jerome Shaw - Maisa's Lips, Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgily2AugKrNPD8YJsW9JFUYZjcunsdQS8BBxpJGDMTNlrdRoBGeSvMkC6rQX2L3g4bR1fJroH09_vYUzJEnREHTEUrJTDiCy1hZDdHa7Ic3OKwgOqDG3MZ-gd33LHLTQjPHlBIAoMPbr6C/s1600/MMJ-Interview-JeromeShaw2012-cb+_TBlogo.jpg" height="228" title="Screen capture from Mode Moderne Journal interview with Travel Writer & Photographer Jerome Shaw - Maisa's Lips, Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil" width="320" /></a></div>
<b>KELLY:</b> What’s one of your favorite streets in the world?<br />
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<b>JEROME:</b> I’m going to cheat a bit here. I don’t know what the street name is and suspect that it is not even one single street that winds its way up from Rio Centro to the hills of the Santa Teresa district of Rio de Janeiro. But I love this street and the homes and shops that line it.<br />
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I recommend you take the streetcar called bondinho, or the "little tram" (tram leaves from a station at Largo da Carioca) up to Santa Teresa. Part way to the top is a stop with a great little pizza café, and near there - up some stairs - is a wonderful Book Hostel Rua Francisco Muratori, 10 - Santa Teresa, Rio de Janeiro - RJ, 20510-180, Brazil. There are many wonderful B&Bs in Santa Teresa and some are in artist homes.<br />
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If I ever get the opportunity to live in Rio again, you’ll find me wandering the streets of Santa Teresa, whatever their names.<br />
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<b>KELLY:</b> I was surprised to learn you don’t spend as much time behind the camera as one would think a travel photographer would. What takes up the majority of your time?<br />
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<b>JEROME:</b> Marketing and getting the next job take up a lot of my time. The normal every day minutia of operating a business also devours many hours per month. I’m also a writer, so research and writing combine into one of the largest blocks of time I spend away from my cameras.<br />
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And then, there is the management of the photographs I have created. I spend as much time editing, captioning and preparing the images for publication as I do creating them. The fact that digital photography has changed the nature of travel photography won’t surprise anyone. But many people don’t realize how is has impacted the amount of hours photographers spend behind the camera. Many of the services that I once relied on a photographic lab to perform, I now can do myself on the computer. Certainly the computer consumes more of my time than it did 20 years ago.<br />
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<b>KELLY:</b> Where are you off to next and what do you want to accomplish in these travels?<br />
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<b>JEROME: </b>Next up is a trip to Nebraska to go sailing with one of my best friends. I know, ‘sailing and Nebraska’ doesn’t sound like a natural. After that, I’ll spend most of the rest of the summer in Colorado with the possible exception of a trip to Santa Fe, New Mexico. I have trips to Glenwood Springs, Boulder and Aspen on my summer itinerary.<br />
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I have a busy fall travel calendar, with the highlights being The Big Island of Hawaii, Bora Bora and the Riviera Maya in Mexico. I am also planning trips to Mesquite and Las Vegas, Nevada to cover events and Florida.<br />
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Each year I make my Travel Wish List and, amazingly, even with such far-flung, exotic destinations included, I usually manage to score an assignment or invitation to at least one a year. So far, I haven’t had a hit on any of my 2012 list, but Bora Bora will take care of that. Some of my other wishes for 2012 are Bali, Tibet, South Africa, Iceland, Italy and Argentina.<br />
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For more information visit <a href="http://www.jeromeshaw.com/" target="_blank">www.jeromeshaw.com</a><br />
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Kelly Shannon is a native Californian & journalist who believes each of our unique lifestyles creates our very own way of life; from our preferences of art & literature to fashion & music. Deeply intrigued by the creators and innovators of trends, style, and vitality, she is also the Editor in Chief of <a href="http://www.modemodernejournal.com/#!travel-iv/c11l2" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">MMJ.</a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13830623886853610059noreply@blogger.com0Colorado, USA39.5500507 -105.7820674000000233.2362192 -116.10921590000001 45.8638822 -95.454918900000024tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8894719606079038952.post-41458532514912636042014-08-23T09:04:00.000-06:002014-09-01T20:55:48.401-06:00Defying the Sand Thieves or How Not to Get Robbed Photographing on Copacabana Beach, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2FZJRxBuQSo/U_ievaXxUNI/AAAAAAAABHo/SV5GaeljWmc/s1600/MaisaCopacabanaComposite.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="A composite of images of Maisa Soares Silva modeling on Copacabana & Ipanema Beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Photo: copyright Jerome Shaw / http://www.JeromeShaw.com" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2FZJRxBuQSo/U_ievaXxUNI/AAAAAAAABHo/SV5GaeljWmc/s1600/MaisaCopacabanaComposite.jpeg" title="A composite of images of Maisa Soares Silva modeling on Copacabana & Ipanema Beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Photo: copyright Jerome Shaw / http://www.JeromeShaw.com" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A composite of images of Maisa Soares Silva modeling on Copacabana & Ipanema Beach<br />
in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Photo: copyright Jerome Shaw / <a href="http://www.jeromeshaw.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.JeromeShaw.com</a></td></tr>
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A photo composite of some of my favorite images of Maisa on the beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema. She is a very natural model as well as a lovely person. The background image is of the sunrise in a grove of palm trees just off the boardwalk in the center of Copacabana Beach.<br />
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But for the personal relationship we made with one of the beach chair and umbrella vendors this photo shoot might not have turned out so well. As I was making these photographs early one morning I heard Gustavo calling out to me from yards down the beach – he was excitedly waving his arms and gesturing. I thought it a bit odd that he was so friendly at that time of the morning. He surely knew we were not in the market for beach chairs and beer. I put down to him being friendly and went on photographing.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZiUshcO-pGA/U_ifrnhgkpI/AAAAAAAABHw/eWUrbDuNEUQ/s1600/copyright%2BJerome%2BShaw%2B2005%2BMaisa%2Bin%2BIpanema%2B%2B400x600%2B%2BFH040033.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Maisa Soares Silva on Ipanema Beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Photo: copyright Jerome Shaw / http://www.JeromeShaw.com" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZiUshcO-pGA/U_ifrnhgkpI/AAAAAAAABHw/eWUrbDuNEUQ/s1600/copyright%2BJerome%2BShaw%2B2005%2BMaisa%2Bin%2BIpanema%2B%2B400x600%2B%2BFH040033.jpg" title="Maisa Soares Silva on Ipanema Beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Photo: copyright Jerome Shaw / http://www.JeromeShaw.com" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maisa Soares Silva on Ipanema Beach in Rio de Janeiro,<br />
Brazil. Photo: copyright Jerome Shaw / <a href="http://www.jeromeshaw.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.JeromeShaw.com</a></td></tr>
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It was not until some time later when we were in the market for beach chairs that the full scope of the event became apparent to me. Gustavo had spied a group of well known (well known at least to him) “sand thieves” that work Copacabana beach robbing tourists of their possessions. He called out to us not so much to wish us a good morning as to alert the “sand thieves” that we were one of his friends/customers and that he was watching and watching out for us. Unbeknownst to us we were under his protective custody while we were on ‘his’ beach.<br />
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All I can say is – it pays to make friends when you are traveling. I make it a priority to find a coffee shop, a bar, a restaurant, and in this case a beach chair guy when I get to new destination. For the most part I just like developing a familiar place in the midst of so many unfamiliar surroundings. It is nice to see a smile of recognition when you walk into the bakery each morning to buy your coconut bread or in the corner shop when the clerk helps you with the word for pasts (massa) because he remembered that the last time you were in you couldn’t remember it either.<br />
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In this case developing a go to guy on the beach helped me keep my camera equipment.<br />
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These photos was taken with Nikon F100 & FG film cameras using Nikkor lenses from 20mm to 400mm. The film used for this image is Fujicolor Superia 200, the exposures vary. The photos were taken in early morning light.</div>
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