Treasures of Lisbon, Portugal

Posted on March 6, 2012 by Travel Spirit

I absolutely love Lisbon, Portugal! It’s smaller, less crowded and more quaint and the pastel colored homes are darling!

During my visit back in 2010, I spotted a man taking this (half) mannequin into a building…what perfect timing!

I wonder what stories this gentleman could tell us?

One of the reasons I want to travel a lot before I retire is that I can easily walk for miles and find treasures like this tucked away on side streets!

While having lunch at a sidewalk cafe, this young man with an accordion began playing for the guests…so of course I had to dance!

My traveling companion and I met a group of people next to us and as you can see…we hit it off! I forget what we were laughing about…but it makes me laugh again!

I can’t resist taking photographs of animals…

or flowers…

or trees with pretty purple leaves…

and especially young couples in love!

Tomorrow join me in the stunning Sintra, Portugal!

Lisbon – probably the best city in Europe! (theworldinabackpack.wordpress.com)
Set-jetting in Lisbon (brandsandfilms.com)
A Few Days In Lisbon (joebeans2002.wordpress.com)

Look to the Sky in Madrid

Posted on March 5, 2012 by Travel Spirit

One of the many delights of Europe is the architecture and Madrid was no exception! Every where you turn there is a new fountain, statute, or plaza!

I have a split personality…probably because I’m a Gemini. Anyway, I currently live on five acres surrounded by woods, with a 70 foot deck to enjoy it. I love it! But, I would love to have a place in the City. To be in the center of the action and be able to walk to the grocery, etc. For now, I can imagine what it would be like to live in a building like this.

Lovely gardens…

The next destination of my three-week whirlwind European vacation was Lisbon, Portugal. We took the 10:30pm night train and I slept on the top bunk. Although this night train looked much newer than the one I took in Cairo, Egypt, it was much noisier. I didn’t sleep very well! But, who cares about sleep when you’re in Europe.

See you in Lisbon!

Postcard from… Madrid (independent.co.uk)

Enchantment…the Alcazar Castle in Segovia, Spain

Posted on March 4, 2012 by Travel Spirit

The famous Alcazar Castle is located in the enchanted village of Segovia, Spain, which is surrounded by a medieval wall, and the village itself has twisting alleyways and pedestrian streets where cars are banned. Located 22 minutes from Madrid via fast train (which is how we traveled) or just over an hour by regular train, makes it a perfect day trip to include in your itinerary while in Spain!

Originally, I thought the Alcazar Castle was the source of inspiration for Walt Disney when creating Sleeping Beauty’s castle in Disney world. Actually it was the Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany. But, this castle was where Columbus secured the financial backing necessary, from Queen Isabel, to discover America.

I took this photo from within the castle…

The gardens were amazing! This shot was taken from above looking down (obviously).

The world-renowned Roman Aqueduct, the largest and best preserved of its kind anywhere is a massive architectural marvel.

This 16th-century Cathedral, a prominent landmark as one approaches from any direction, was impressive.

I’m not sure what the history of this is…but I like it.

This little girl agreed to be photographed while her Mother stood by.

I hope I’ve convinced you to visit Segovia. You’ll fall in love!

Spanish Memories : Finding Cinderella in Segvoia (thepinkexpat.com)
Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria, Germany (lindermangenealogy.wordpress.com)
Segovia, Spain [travel guide] (hitchhikershandbook.com)
Spain: Segovia (anotherheader.wordpress.com)

Walking Madrid

Posted on March 3, 2012 by Travel Spirit

Madrid was the first of many stops of my whirlwind three-week European vacation, in 2010. I traveled with a woman who I had met through my meetup.com affiliation.

Europe’s small sidewalk cafes are so charming! I love to people watch, drink sangria, and dine on tapas in Madrid! For me, that is what makes Europe such an alluring place to visit or live!

Following the advice of Rick Steves, our hotel made reservations for us to see a traditional Spanish Flamenco dance, at “Corral de la Moreria”. The following evening, we walked the mile or two to see the show and were informed they had a private show that evening. The hotel had mistakenly made our reservation for the previous evening.

Of course we were disappointed, but luckily, one of the dancers was outside and I requested a picture with her. She graciously agreed!

Obviously, I hadn’t learned how to stand for a picture. If you’ll notice, she is standing sidewise…which gives the illusion of a smaller frame. She’s quite beautiful!

This ~~gentleman~~ lady was anxious to pose for my lens!

I’m not sure we’re experiencing the authentic Madrid?

These puppeteers were quite entertaining

More walking…

The Jamones or ham in Spain are very tasty!

We stayed in Madrid for three days, one of which we spent taking a side trip to lovely Segovia…which I’m saving for a later post. We typically walked four to eight miles a day, which is a nice way to acquaint yourself with an area. But, Madrid is one of the larger cities we visited, so I didn’t get to see as much as I would have liked.

Where in Spain Wednesday – Madrid & Spanish Pride (holayessica.com)
Royal Guards The 2nd of May, Day of Madrid, Spain (madridphoto.wordpress.com)
Christmas In Madrid – Photos (madridphoto.wordpress.com)
Beginning of Alcala Street in Madrid (madridphoto.wordpress.com)
Madrid Holidays (ebookers.com)

Haystack Giggles in Vang Vieng, Laos

Posted on March 1, 2012 by Travel Spirit

After traveling seven hours from Luang Prabang…we reached the town of Vang Vieng in Laos. As you can see, the landscape was absolutely breathtaking! One of the women that was traveling with the G Adventures tour that I was on through Thailand, Laos and Vietnam, remarked that there wouldn’t be any night life here. There was one road leading into town and it was quite rural.

With this to gaze at…I didn’t care!

One of these sweet little girls stuck her tongue out at me after I took the photo…because I didn’t give her any money.

Claire and Isabel–two of the ladies on the tour and I rented some rickety bicycles and explored some caves in the countryside. Traversing the bumpy dirt roads made us giggle…the simple things can be so much fun!

Then, when Claire got up on the haystack for a photo…it started collapsing…so we collapsed with laughter! Unfortunately, I don’t have a photo of that.

This photo intrigues me. I wonder what the boy was doing. His dog almost looks like a fox to me and he has a bag by his side. I would have stuck around to find out, but we were on our bicycles, so off we went.

We spent two nights in Vang Vieng and then drove three hours to Vientiane, the capital of Laos. After checking into the hotel, I walked to the market and shopped. Everything was so inexpensive – $3.00 for a purse, $5 for a silk scarf, etc. I couldn’t resist this hand embroidered blouse and splurged on a shampoo and style for $5.00!

Our tour finishes with Hanoi, Vietnam and the stunning Halong Bay tomorrow!

On the Road to Vang Vieng (dwharlow.wordpress.com)
Food Friday – Lao Baguette (thebigmangolife.com)
A Lazy day in Vang Vieng (travellingstrom.com)
The Sober Side of Vang Vieng (dwharlow.wordpress.com)
Falane paradise, Vang Vieng – Vang Vieng, Lao Peoples Dem Rep (travelpod.com)

Chocolate Banana Pancakes in Luang Prabang

Posted on February 29, 2012 by Travel Spirit

If you’re just beginning to read…this was a trip I took through GAP Adventures in 2009 with six people from Canada, US, Germany, and the UK, to Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam.

We spent the night in Pakbeng, on our way to Luang Prabang in Laos, en route from Chiang Mai via Chiang Rai and Chiang Khong. I just had to say that! I was capturing images of the sunrise at the river’s edge and was pleased to see this fisherman beginning his day.

We went as a group that morning to buy 70 notebooks and pens, 8 dozen eggs, and a variety of other things from the local market to give to another group of villagers (I believe more Hmong) that live on the Mekong River. Notice the supplies lying on the ground next to the guy in the red coat, who was our Tour Guide while we were traveling through Laos.

We delivered the school supplies to the children! I could just put that little girl in my suitcase and bring her home…she’s soooo cute!

On our way to the quaint town of Luang Prabang, we stopped at a spiritual cave called “Pak Ou Caves“.

Luang Prabang was everyone’s favorite town…with lots of shopping, good food, nice markets and friendly people.

This seemed very odd…a line of clothes and hunks of meat.

Chocolate Banana Pancakes were on every menu…

One of the women on the trip and I rented a bicycle and explored the town. It’s a great way to see more! I also had another massage by a young girl that had very strong hands.

Life is good!!

Luang Prabang – Laos – Truly delightful (discovertheorient.wordpress.com)
Luang Prabang in my mind (ameramor.com)
Festival season in Luang Prabang (ttrweekly.com)
Gracious Luang Prabang (ngoctrangtn.wordpress.com)
Exploring the Night Markets of Luang Prabang, Laos (landlopers.com)
Gracious Luang Prabang (ngoctrangtn.wordpress.com)
Temples, Buddas, monks and waterfalls. – Luang Prabang, Lao Peoples Dem Rep (travelpod.com)

White Temple in Chiang Rai, Thailand

Posted on February 28, 2012 by Travel Spirit

The Wat Rong Khun temple or “White Temple” is located in Chiang Rai, Thailand and we stopped there while en route from Chiang Mai to Chiang Khong. As you can see it is beautiful and very artistic. It was in fact designed by an artist named Chalermchai Kositpipat.

The hands sculptures were on either side of the walkway at the front entrance!

He had quite an imagination…

At the border of Laos we boarded this slow boat for an eight hour trip on the Mekong River. We had the boat all to ourselves!

We stopped at a village where the Hmong hilltribe people lived in Laos…and a discussion began concerning happiness. One of the women on the trip felt very sorry for these people. They seemed quite happy to me! So long as people have a roof over their head, food to eat, clean water, and medical attention when necessary…especially if that is the life they have always led…then perhaps the simpler life style is less stressful.

The history of Hmong people is very interesting…you should take a look.

Beautiful girls…

Pet monkey on a chain…:)

Next…more of Laos…followed by Vietnam!

Talking Heads (synkroniciti.com)
Hmong talk (ahmongwoman.com)
Beautiful days in Chiang Mai Province Thailand – Part 1 (discovertheorient.wordpress.com)
White Temple of Chiang Rai: Unique and Interesting Contemporary Art (beontheroad.com)
Artist & Temple by Jacky CW (500px.com)

Tambopata Rainforest in the Amazon

Posted on February 27, 2012 by Travel Spirit

The last stop of my three week Peruvian adventure was the Tambopata Rainforest area off the Amazon. After boarding a short flight from Cuzco to Puerto Maldonado, the 11 of us on a GAP Adventures tour, took a motorized canoe to our lodge.

The Lodge was much nicer than I expected!

Continue reading →

Fried Bugs and Elephants in Thailand

Posted on February 27, 2012 by Travel Spirit

If you’ve been reading along…you know that in 2009 I did a lot of travel. It began with Egypt and Jordan in March–followed by Peru for three weeks in May, and now in December, another G Adventures trip to Thailand, Laos and Vietnam.

So…for the story–

After checking into my hotel in Bangkok, Thailand…having just traveled 33 hours from the Midwest, I needed a massage. Although it was 3:30am in the morning, I was able to get a massage in my room for $5.00 (from a girl). It was the first of four massages I would enjoy while in Southeast Asia. After sleeping for a few hours I briefly explored Bangkok prior to attending a “get acquainted” meeting with the other tour attendees, who turned out to be a married couple from England on their honeymoon and four women from Germany, California, England, and Canada.

The following day we took a boat ride on the famous canals aka Klongs of Bangkok and visited a Buddhist Temple…one of many to come!

I took some video footage from my trip and made a few movies (for the first time) with my Mac…so if you’d like to see some very aggressive catfish, watch this.

I loved taking photos of the monks…

I didn’t partake of any fried bugs…but if I hosted a travel show like Andrew Zimmern…I would!

We went to the Wat Pho temple where the largest “reclining buddha” is housed!

Riding in a “tuk-tuk” is a fun experience!

Later that evening we took a night train to Chiang Mai, Thailand, where I rode an elephant the next day…

And took a half-day cooking class…

For Sale: Painting by an Elephant…

more of the World’s beautiful children…

I have a treat for tomorrow…the dazzling White Temple!

Northern Thailand: Loi Krathong Festival in Chiang Mai & Elephant Nature Park (infinitesatori.org)
Carol Stevenson: Photographing Elephants in Thailand (nikonusa.com)
Wildlife Group Wants Thailand to Ban Ivory Trade (abcnews.go.com)
Wildlife Group Wants Thailand to Ban Ivory Trade (irrawaddy.org)
Wildlife Group Pressures Thailand To Ban Ivory Trade (huffingtonpost.com)
Anything Goes In Chiang Mai – Bangkok, Thailand (travelpod.com)

Naked in the Airport!

Posted on February 26, 2012 by Travel Spirit

Upon arrival in Hanoi, Vietnam from Vientiane, Laos, it seemed I had entered an alien land! A city of concrete…jumbled wires…a sea of motor scooters blind to the traffic lights…mass chaos with purpose…face masks creating a barrier from the dusty city…an assault on the senses with smells and colors. Pure insanity!!

The seven of us, on this tour through GAP Adventures, were instructed on how to cross the street. To walk–not run–to keep walking–that the drivers would go around us. I felt like a duck on a shooting range. Luckily, I have a spiritual grounding and realize that there are some things I have very little control over.

After being separated from the group while shopping that evening, there was a moment of sheer panic! I didn’t know the name of our hotel. The Tour Guide had given the information to everyone–when I was in the restroom–so I didn’t receive it. But I found my way to the meetup spot…whew!!

I made arrangements to spend the night on a boat on Halong Bay in the China Sea and said my “goodbyes” to the group!

At $68 for the entire excursion–it was a small price for such serenity and beauty!

I went kayaking…

Had a nice glass of vino!

Although I had a six hour layover in Nagoya, Japan‘s airport, on my way home to Cincinnati, I had plenty to keep myself occupied with there. It was a destination onto itself, with over 60 shops and restaurants and a spa!

Upon arrival at the airport, I met a girl named Andrea who had been teaching English in Hanoi for four months and was so fearful of crossing the street that she decided to move back home to Canada.

We went to the Spa together. The women had their own hot tub, cold dip, sauna, and steam room area with a view of planes landing and taking off. We didn’t have our bathing suits, but the other women were naked so…when in Rome. It makes for a great story…”Naked in the Airport”!

This is Andrea and I at the Airport in Japan.

I returned home on Christmas Eve. I hope you had fun following my adventure!

Hanoi (j8packages.wordpress.com)
Ha Long Bay — in’SPIRE’ing and ‘MIST’ical – Halong Bay, Vietnam (travelpod.com)

Hiking Machu Picchu

Posted on February 26, 2012 by Travel Spirit

Hiking Machu Picchu is one of those “once in a lifetime” experiences and I enjoyed every moment of the three and 1/2 day, 27 mile hike! I was traveling with 10 other fellow adventurers on a G Adventures trip in May of 2009. We had visited the absolutely breathtaking Lake Titicaca and were on an all day public bus ride to the beautiful and vibrant town of Cusco, which is located about thirty minutes by train to the start of the Inca Trail hike. Typically, we traveled by private van, but this trip was an exception.

The road to Cusco from Lake Titicaca is very curvy and mountainous. Unfortunately for the other passengers, I had intestinal problems. The bus was swaying from side to side along the twisting roads and the restroom was small, dark, and void of toilet paper. I couldn’t avoid the imagined glares from passengers as I had to utilize the facilities a few times that day!

For the previous two weeks, we had gradually risen in elevation within Peru, which is a good thing when you’re going to hike the Inca Trail. Altitude sickness can strike young, old, fit or not…so if you can acclimatize…all the better!

Cusco reminded me of Europe. Cobblestones, narrow streets and history everywhere!

Continue reading →

Life on the Water at Lake Titicaca

Posted on February 25, 2012 by Travel Spirit

One of the most unusual ways of life I have encountered so far in my travels, has been the pre-Incan Uros people who live on 42 islands in Lake Titicaca. These islands are man-made out of reeds by the residents. The … Continue reading →

Picking Up Men at Lake Titicaca

Posted on February 24, 2012 by Travel Spirit

The next stop on my three-week tour of Peru through GAP Adventures in 2009 was Lake Titicaca. It is the highest lake in the world–somewhere around 12,500 ft.–and is stunningly gorgeous! It’s the largest lake in South America. This is … Continue reading →

Arequipa, Manchee…the Spitting Llama and Colca Canyon, Peru

Posted on February 23, 2012 by Travel Spirit

Arequipa, Peru is a charming and quaint town! It was one of many areas I became acquainted with during my three week tour of Peru with G Adventures in 2009. This photo was taken there…

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Sandy Sheets in Peru

Posted on February 22, 2012 by Travel Spirit

In 2009 I decided to do some travel. If you’ve been reading along, you knew I went to Egypt and Jordan in early April. Peru was next…so after being home for 10 days, I flew into Lima, Peru by myself and arrived at my hotel about 11:00pm. For the next three weeks I would be exploring with 10 other travelers through GAP Adventures.

To avoid paying the single supplement, GAP will pair you up with a roommate. My roommate was still awake when I arrived. She was a college student from the Northeast area of the U.S. The next morning I met the rest of my fellow travelers…a diverse group from New Zealand, Australia, Morocco, Gibraltar, Germany and two women from California.

We only had a few hours to explore in Lima, so my roommate and I walked around, and got some street food. After the culture shock from Egypt…I was prepared, so Peru seemed tame. Like Egypt, many of the restrooms were simply a hole in the ground, with no toilet paper available, and you had the privilege of paying to use them! Please don’t think I’m complaining. I’m not your “prissy…pampered” type of woman. I love to camp and rough it! I’m just stating the facts.

I loved this bicycle/wagon filled with fruit!

Continue reading →