Travel Girl

2010-05-25T07:45:00.000-07:00

When The Weather Is Nice...

2010-03-18T15:36:00.000-07:00

After months of dull grays and rainy days, the sun has finally reappeared in Boston! Traveling doesn't always have to mean going somewhere far away, so what better way to revive my blog than to simply step outside my door and explore the city? Below are some pictures from my trip to the Waterfront.

All taken by yours truly!

A Dream Becomes Reality

2009-09-11T09:12:00.001-07:00

Photo taken by Becca Mclouth

A couple posts back, I mentioned the relatively new sports activity known as Zorbing. I've dreamed of Zorb ever since I saw it featured on the now-defunct Travel Channel series 5 Takes. After four years of hoping, my wish was finally granted this past weekend! At the Amesbury Sports Park in Amesbury, MA, I rolled down the hilly course in a giant plastic ball for an experience that was as indescribable as it was AWESOME. The "OGO" at Amesbury Sports Park is one of only two locations in the entire United States (the other is located in Nashville, TN), so I'm thrilled that I was lucky enough to access it. Although Zorbing has yet to spread to the American population, I highly recommend it for those who want an exhilarating ride and the bragging rights that follow!

That's me!! Photo taken by Luci Pike

I Can See My House From Here!

2009-07-13T16:18:00.000-07:00

Photo taken by yours truly!

I'll admit it: when it comes to travel, I'm an elitest. No, I don't expect 4-star hotels, exquisite cuisine, or everyone to speak English in the foreign country I'm visiting. I do, however, scoff at the glorified reality that is the "tourist attraction." One mention of the term, and I immediately picture myself squished between people with visors and fanny packs, waiting in a five hour line to hand over piles of money just so I can glimpse the world's largest beer can. Although sights like the Great Wall and Machu Picchu are admittedly breathtaking, they only represent one aspect of cultures that are immensely complex. Are they important? Yes. But where's the travel? When you're visiting a place that most of the world could recognize and hundreds of thousands of people have seen before, where's the excitement?

I have held similar sentiments ever since I realized my inner passion for seeing the world (circa 2000). So of course it makes little sense how on a recent trip to New York City, my friends and I wound up at the Empire State Building. It gets worse. I was the one who suggested we go. Yes, at 11:00 at night, we found ourselves still awake in the City that Never Sleeps, wondering what to do. Suddenly, a vision struck me that was too strong to block out. And as much as I resist becoming a "tourist," I am a sucker for a great view--especially one at nighttime. You know New York too well for this, the Travel Girl part of me whispered. Real New Yorkers don't go to the Empire State Building. But myself didn't listen to me, and before I knew it, there I was at 11:30 pm striding into that famous hallway.

As we walked to get our tickets, part of me was groaning at the prospect of standing in line for hours on end so late at night. To my surprise, however, there were no such lines to be found. We breezed through the ticket booths, practically galloped down the hallway past the maze of velvet ropes, and sauntered right up to the elevators. There were no more than twenty other people, and in less than five minutes, we arrived at the 86th floor.

I will be the first to admit, the view was more than incredible (and well worth my $18). It was as if someone had shifted the night sky and placed it below us, thousands of lights stretching out across the distance. The dark had made all seem quiet, and everyone spoke in whispers and huddled close to fight the nighttime chill. As I marveled at my surroundings, it suddenly made sense. Although we were all aware that millions of people had stood in our places before, on that night, it felt as though we were sharing something secret only to us. Was I suddenly alert to all the mysteries of New York City? No. Not even close. But looking out over the expanse of the city, I felt as though I had glimpsed its essence.

Plenty of people travel to a place, snap some photos to show their friends, and return home without ever appreciating what they have actually seen. I now realize that my aversion to the notion of tourist attractions arose from this fact alone. I didn't want to seem ignorant. But this just isn't true of most travelers. There's a reason why people walk the Great Wall, why they climb the steps of Machu Picchu, why these destinations are even famous in the first place. They're magical. They speak to the history of a place and its people, aging signs of the power of human accomplishment, inspiration, and influence. Nothing but experience will allow you to understand a culture, but for those who appreciate them, tourist attractions can offer a sneak-peak. I didn't see the magic before. Now I do. To Americans, the Empire State Building may not seem as wondrous as the Parthenon. But it's New York's Parthenon, and I can proudly say I've been to the top.

Read All About It

2009-07-08T12:00:00.000-07:00

Courtesy of Revista Tema Livre (please visit here for dozens more amazing photos!)

A quiet visit to the library is just the same in Brazil as it is in your hometown--if your public library looks like a medieval castle, that is. The Real Gabinete Portugues De Leitura (The Portuguese Royal Cabinet of Reading) in Rio De Janiero houses 350,000 volumes by Portugeuse authors, which makes it the second largest collection in the world. Although members of the Royal Office are the only ones allowed to take out books on loan, visitors can view the many works with the help of a research assistant. Can't read Portuguese? You can still marvel at the stunning architecture and prized artwork decorating the library's interior. So grab an old book, pull out a wooden bench, and breathe in the sweet smell of literature.

The inside of the library! Courtesy of the Real Gabinete website

Let's Roll!

2009-06-24T11:40:00.000-07:00

Courtesy of Wikipedia

A prized aspect of traveling is the thrill of taking in your surroundings in a foreign location. So, why not take in as much as you can? At a speed around 30 mph. Rolling downhill. Secured inside a ten-foot plastic sphere. Sound like a scene out of a science fiction novel? Think again. The recreational sport of Zorbing officially originated in New Zealand in 1994 and has since rolled its way into 14 other countries around the world (including the U.S.). The typical Zorbing experience occurs on special tracks made out of metal or designed around natural hills. The rider is seated in a smaller plastic sphere within the larger plastic sphere and then simply pushed down the track. Most Zorb locations offer the option of Zorbing dry for a complete 360-degree, tummy-turning experience, or Zorbing with water for a more stable but wickedly wet descent downwards. Okay, so you really won't get to appreciate the scenery of your trip as you're spiraling right along. But you will be in for a fun-filled experience that physics-lovers and friends alike will certainly envy!

Find out where it all began.

Plus, how does Zorbing really work?

Watch Zorbers in action!

Goin' On Down

2009-04-16T15:07:00.000-07:00

Courtesy of sacredsites.com

When one thinks of where to go next on vacation, Ethiopia is not usually the destination that springs to mind. Yet, despite its lack of tourist appeal, Ethiopia (located here) is one of the world's oldest countries. With an inception dating back to 1000 BC, the African country's vast history means it is rife with sacred sites, most of which are ancient churches carved from solid rockface. Ethiopia's most famous church is the Church of St. George (above), located in the town of Lalibela in the northern part of the country. Carved in the thirteenth century, the Church of St. George is hewn from a single rock and shaped in the form of a cross. To this day, it is not known exactly how early Ethiopians constructed the complex. Ethiopian legend says King Lalibela was poisoned and visited by St. George, who promised to save the king if he built the country's most magnificent churches. Looks like King Lalibela made good on his promise...

Intrigued by Ethiopia's sacred past? Learn more about the country! And more! Here's a little more!

Movin' On Up

2009-04-07T18:25:00.000-07:00

Mount Monadnock

Located in Cheshire County, New Hampshire, Mount Monadnock is the second-most climbed mountain in the world after Mount Fuji in Japan. The mountain reaches a height of 3,165 feet, and offers multiple trails with varying levels of difficulty by which climbers can reach the top. I'll admit it--my trip to Mount Monadnock was less than ideal. I made the mistake of hiking this huge mountain on less than three hours of sleep, scowling at the small children who seemed to be making their way to the top so easily. However, if you are smart about preparation, Monadnock serves as an excellent source of recreational exercise and delivers some truly awesome, 100-mile views. I recommend visiting the mountain in early October (when I visited), because you'll get to see the autumn leaves at their best, and the weather is still nice. Also, dress in layers--all the climbing makes you hot, but as you can probably guess, the top of the mountain is chilly! Climbing to the top of Mount Monadnock takes a couple of hours, so pack a lunch to enjoy atop a scenic rockface during your ascent. Keep in mind that cellphone reception is almost non-existent high up on the mountain, so if you're an inexperienced climber, it's safer to go with a group. Need an ego boost? Climbing Mount Monadnock guarantees to make you feel on top of the world.

Find out more about Mount Monadnock.

View along the way

The top of the mountain!

Grains for Brains

2009-04-07T17:11:00.000-07:00

Courtesy of Keetsa.com

These days, activism is just plain easy! Yesterday, Hail Mary (one of my favorite blogs) mentioned this awesome website, and I just had to share it! Freerice.com is a trivia website established by the United Nations World Food Program . For every correct question answered, the UN donates 10 grains of rice to feed people stricken by hunger around the world. You can play for as long as you like and choose from a variety of quiz topics (my personal favorites are the Geography and English Vocabulary quizzes). Feeding the hungry while simultaneously expanding your knowledge--what's not to love?

Hit the Lights!

2009-04-01T20:18:00.000-07:00

In keeping with environmental activism, the third annual Earth Hour was held this past Sunday. Hopefully you participated in shutting off your lights for an hour and saving energy. If you did, you weren't alone! 88 countries around the world flicked the switch and chose darkness to help save the earth. Check out these awesome before and after pictures from around the world. Although a lighted city skyline is often a beautiful sight, there's something magical about seeing that same city forget the hustle and bustle in serene darkness. Participation increased by ten times from last year's event--let's hope it continues with even greater success!

Horned Helmets Required

2009-04-01T15:12:00.000-07:00

Originally taken by Anne Burgess, courtesy of Wikipedia

Dozens of Vikings parade through town in full regalia, flaming torches in hand. No, this isn't a scene from England circa 1066--it's the annual Up-Helly-Aa Festival of the Shetland Islands. The Shetland Islands are located off the coast of Scotland, and Up-Helly-Aa is celebrated all over the islands, though the main festivities take place at the capital city of Lerwick. Men known as guizers don Viking gear as they march in a procession carrying a Viking longship to the water's edge. The guizers then ignite the boat and send it out to sea, a blazing mass atop the water. Up-Helly-Aa takes place every year in late January, so grab your helmet and venture back a thousand years...

Learn more about Up-Helly-Aa.

Although they are not very well-known, the Shetland Islands are definitely a desirable destination. Even if you're not interested in Up-Helly-Aa, Shetland's vast expanses of green cliffsides, bright blue waters, and quaint cottages make any trip there worthwhile.

If You Don't Know These By Now...(You Will Never-Never-Never Know Them)

2009-03-29T09:01:00.000-07:00

Originally taken by Nancy Beaton, courtesy of Wikipedia

Unless you are one of those people who hop on their private jets to escape for the weekend, traveling somewhere takes a considerable amount of planning. Finding when to go and where to stay can often be an arduous process, but if you know where to look online, it doesn't have to be! Below is a list of websites that I've found to be the most helpful (and the cheapest!) when it comes to making a trip happen.

Best Airfares:

Kayak and Hotwire.

Forget what everyone else has told you about online airfare. These two are unquestionably the best, as they compare airfares from every other online site and narrow them down to give you the least expensive ticket.

Or, if you want your flights to be more personalized, check out airfarewatchdog.

This website allows you to pick the primary airport you use for departures and then constantly updates you about the cheapest flights leaving from that airport.

In college? StudentUniverse offers airfares that are often cheaper than mainstream fares. Take special advantage of this when planning to study abroad, as travel costs often aren't covered by schools. Oh, the perks of higher education...

Hotel Help:

Tripadvisor allows you to search through dozens of hotels/accomodations in your destination city and provides reviews from travelers who have already stayed there. Compare prices and opinions to find the place that's best for you.

Transportation:

A friend recently introduced me to Hopstop, a website that allows you to get subway and bus directions for a handful of major cities. So far, Hopstop's only international city is London, but if you're a city trip in the US to places like New York or Chicago, definitely check out the website.

Other:

Package deals are frequently to good to be true; after you add in all the taxes and extra fees, they cost way more than advertised. But if you want to make life easier for yourself by going on a trip that's already planned out, the best place to look is BudgetTravel. The magazine's website offers a "Real Deals" section, where they list the best trip packages being offered and then tell you why they're a deal. This way, you can easily compare what you'd spend on the package, to what'd you spend if you planned the trip yourself. (*Also, BudgetTravel is my favorite magazine--if you don't have it, get a subscription! The helpful tips and ideas definitely pay off).

Don't want to spend $15 on a travel guide before your next trip? I've scoured all the typical travel guides' website (Frommers, Rick Steves, etc.), and the winner? Lonely Planet gives really useful information on your destination, laid out in a format that's clear and accessible. However, online travel guides in general stick tend to put only general facts on their websites, so if you're looking for a comprehensive study of your destination, don't expect to find one online.

Happy planning!

"Glowing" Reviews

2009-03-28T16:57:00.000-07:00

Aerial view of Vieques from the west--Courtesy of Wikipedia

Question: Where do you go when a simple dip in the ocean just isn't exciting enough?

Answer: Why, to Vieques, Puerto Rico, of course!

Why? Eight miles away from the main island of Puerto Rico, the small island of Vieques is home to the world's most impressive Bioluminescent Bay. Due to the intense concentration of microorganisms called dinoflagellates, people (and other objects) glow vivid blue when swimming in the bay's waters at night. Island Adventures Biobay Eco-tours runs frequent excursions to the bay each month. However, the bay's luminescent quality depends heavily on the phases of the moon, so make sure to check when it's best to visit and plan your trip accordingly. Travelers can reach Vieques by flying from any of the mainland's airports, or by taking a ferry from the city of Fajardo. The ferry trip takes a little over an hour, but if you do plan to travel this way, you will need to stay overnight in Vieques--the last ferry back to the mainland is at only 8 PM.

Times are tough for spending a lot of money of vacations, and Puerto Rico is a great solution if you want a cheaper vacation that's still a getaway. Current airfare to San Juan from New York City is under $250, and there are bunch of hotels in San Juan that are reasonably priced and accomodating. So say goodbye to mundane salt-water swims and get your glow on!

More about getting to Vieques

Travel to Puerto Rico

Feel-good Friday

2009-03-27T14:10:00.000-07:00

As one who wants to travel the globe, being environmentally conscious is very important to me--I want the world to be around long enough for me to see it! Airplane travel contributes heavily to environmental pollution, but if you care enough, there is hope!

Smartertravel.com has ways you can minimize your impact.

Also, a couple weeks ago, I stumbled upon the easiest way to help the environment EVER! The Rainforest Site is sponsored by ads from multiple companies, and all you have to do is click on the large green button on their website to help protect the world's rainforests. Even if you don't plan to visit the rainforest in your travels, rainforests supply nearly a third of all the world's oxygen, which I think we can all agree is pretty darn necessary!

Bookmark the site or add it to your Favorites and click daily; each click saves 11.4 square feet of rainforest. This amount might not seem like a lot at once, but clicking everyday for a year equals 4,161 square feet, the size of a large, six-person home. And if we all clicked everyday--well, you get the idea... Starting clicking and saving NOW!

(Save Me!)

Courtesy of Wikipedia

If you're going to travel, why not help others while you're at it? Cross-Cultural Solutions is non-profit organization that specializes in international volunteer programs based in Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, and Latin America. CCS volunteers focus on providing education and caregiving to the local people on trips that can range from 2-12 weeks. If you're a college student, there is also the possibility of obtaining academic credit for participating in a CCS program. Combining cultural immersion with the gift of helping others=unforgettable, life-changing experience. Interested? Learn more about Cross-Cultural Solutions.

On the same note, this video encompasses what traveling (and traveling to help others) is really all about. Watch it and smile!

Must. Go. Here.

2009-03-26T14:27:00.000-07:00

Courtesy of Wikipedia

Taktshang, more commonly referred to as the Tiger's Nest Monastery, is located in Thimphu, Bhutan and is considered the highly-religious country's most famous monastery. Taktshang perches on the cliffside of the Paro Valley, 10,200 feet from the valley's base, and its construction dates back to 1692. However, entrance to Taktshang is very limited, and special permission must be granted to visit inside the monastery. Bhutan itself is one of the most isolated countries in the world; single travelers are not permitted into the country, and the minimum fee for a required guide is $200 per day. But, if you are able to afford it, you'll get to witness stunningly peaceful scenery in the 8th happiest country in the world. The view from Taktshang alone seems worth the price to me...

Visit Bhutan

Quickfacts and useful info

Ticket to Beantown

2009-03-25T18:38:00.000-07:00

Although I want to focus my blog on travel everywhere around the world, I attend college in Boston, so I'm constantly scouring the city for new finds. I've spent many a weekend walking around until my feet are sore (the good kind of pain), so expect to see weekly updates on what to do/see/eat in good ol' Beantown.

This week's featured item: Beacon Hill

The "Hill"

Beacon Hill is the historic area of Boston, founded around 1795. Today, the quiet, lantern-lit streets house wealthy Bostonians in clustered brick homes, which manage to blockade the hustle and bustle of Boston traffic. The main street in the Beacon Hill area is Charles Street, where visitors will find a handful of antique shops, boutiques, and refined but cozy restaurants to entertain them. If you visit, devote your time to merely meandering through the streets after huffing and puffing your way up the hill (when they say Beacon Hill, they aren't kidding) and admiring the area's quaint but distinct homes. Also check out the Massachusetts State House, where the commonwealth's government convenes. The building's dome is covered in 23 karat-gold leaf!

To get to Beacon Hill, take a Red- or Green-line train to the Park Street T-stop. From there, walk left past the Boston Common until you reach Beacon Street. To learn more about the area, click here.

A cute antique shop

The side of the State House

(They happened to be filming a movie when I was there-- Bruce Willis, I hear...)

(I just thought this door was really cool!)

Have Love, Will Travel

2009-03-25T16:44:00.000-07:00

My favorite quote is one by 6th century philosopher St. Augustine in which he says:

"The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page."

Granted, the world is a pretty big book (perhaps even bigger than that dictionary your great aunt gave you after graduating high school). Yet, as an avid reader, I find myself thinking, "Who starts a book and doesn't want to finish it?" Taking on the world is a massive, perhaps unattainable task. However, all I know is that I possess an inexplicable drive to see as many places as I can in my lifetime. Because what is our world for if we don't make use of it? Yes, travel is expensive, but I firmly believe that if you do your research and plan wisely, you can make any trip happen. Ask anyone who has traveled and they will tell you how their travels changed them. Traveling brings self-enlightenment-- only by talking with other people, by hearing their stories, by learning their cultures, by witnessing their lives, can we truly learn about ourselves. That's why I'm starting this blog. To share my travel experiences and advice with you, and to hear yours in return. Because together our stories might just bring us one page, one chapter closer to reading, "The End."