The Savvy Tourist

Boon Lott's Elephant Sanctuary

 

Deep in the jungle of Thailand lies a magical place filled with love, compassion, and a special understanding for the survival of elephants. Boon Lott's Elephant Sanctuary, or "BLES" for simplicity sake, provides a safe haven for elephants to live out their days in their natural environment. Elephants can come from many different situations in need of a new home. Some of the elephants at the sanctuary have been retired from their work with local villagers, some may have been used to amuse tourists for tips. Sadly though, many have been rescued from being abused and overworked. All the elephants from BLES have been given a second chance no matter what their story.

 

The amazing (and probably a little crazy) person responsible for saving the lives of these amazing creatures is Katherine Connor. I say crazy because without even meeting her I know she created this place with her heart, knowing full well some of the tasks she takes on are virtually impossible. Regardless, she does it anyway! Katherine, a British expat, started BLES in honor and memory of baby elephant Boon Lott, which means survivor in Thai. You can read about Boon Lott's full story on the BLES website.

 

Like I said earlier, because of her heart, Katherine changed her whole life by moving from Britain to

Thailand to establish a safe haven for elephants. Everything she does for them is possible through the endless fundraising that she does. Katherine also depends on a well working team to assist her. She has recruited and educated many locals to help with the handling of the elephants and the chores at BLES. Elephant handlers are referred to as "mahouts". Mahouts feed and care for the elephants all the while establishing a mutual respect between man and this gentle giant.

 

One of the many ways that Katherine has established to raise funds for BLES is to allow people to come stay on site and learn more about what really goes on while rescuing and caring for elephants. It is what you would call a working vacation for those that are interested. There are no fancy frills or crazy rides. It is not an adventure park. There are three guesthouses, all made from sustainable materials collected from the land. They are located in close proximity so as to enjoy the everyday sounds and the lifestyle of the elephants. Guests will have the opportunity to perform chores and interact directly with the mahouts to learn more about the care of the elephants. They will also be able to interact directly with the elephants. 100% of the funds received go directly to the care of the animals.

I was introduced to BLES by my son after he was approached to assist with a fundraiser for them. The more I read about BLES, the more I knew I needed to go see it for myself. So, I plan to join my son in May of this year and travel to this amazing sanctuary. My son will be recording and producing an audio project involving all the inhabitants of BLES. Meanwhile, I will be doing all I can to get to know all the residents and help in anyway I can. I will be photographing and writing about BLES in hopes of creating even more awareness and raise more funds. 

 

There is so much more to learn about BLES and you can do this by visiting their website and meeting their entire family. Don't be surprised to find out that this sanctuary also rescues cats, dogs, goats, tortoises, and just about any animal that needs a new home and a little extra love.

 

I am setting up a donation widget for anyone that wants to assist us by sponsoring our trip and donating to the BLES fund. We will be paying our own airfare so any money raised here will be given directly to BLES. So bookmark this post and share with your friends. Come back and visit us often to check on our progress. 

                                                                                                                                                                

 

 

Have Service Dog Will Travel

There are new things on the horizon here at The Savvy Tourist. The most exciting of which is that Savvy Annie will soon have a travel partner. Meet Dexter, a.k.a. "The Bug".  Dexter has been my very faithful friend and companion now for about 3 1/2 years. We picked each other out of a line up when he was just 11 days old.

This little guy here is the face that I fell in love with and soon grew up to be by my side no matter where I go. Dexter went through some extensive training so that he would be welcome to accompany me in my travels.  He is a fully trained service dog and has literally broadened my horizons and opened up doors to me that I thought would remain closed forever. Although, Dexter was not the only one doing the learning. Us humans are harder to train than most animals, but together we got through it.

Now, The Bug and I are on a mission to learn about traveling together and how to make that an easier process for our fellow service dogs and their accompanying human counterparts.

So, travel on over to our new sister site, Have Service Dog Will Travel and follow us on our journey to make this world a better place for people that can't travel without their loyal canine companion.

 and The Bug!

 

Learn the Lingo, Beware of Dingos

If you’re heading to Australia for the first time, you’ll be delighted and surprised at some of the turns of phrase and slang terms used. Although essentially the same language as the Old World, Australian English has evolved its very own slang vocabulary, recognized across the world as something distinctly Australian. Many of the words and phrases were brought into the global lexicon via the golden era of Australian soap operas in the 80s and 90s. And they all tell us something about the history of this special country. 

Claimed for the British crown in the 18^th Century, eastern Australia was used by the empire primarily as a penal colony for Irish and British convicts, a practice that went on for 80 years, between 1788-1868. Quite a few Aussie slang words hail from this period, and betray their British origins. ‘Creek’, for example, is on old English word meaning a stream or small river. It has fallen out of use in the UK, and now seems a particularly Australian term. Similarly, ‘paddock’ – still used in England to denote a livestock enclosure – simply means any field in Australia. ‘Bush’ and ‘scrub’ refer to what Brits would call the countryside. And of course ‘mate’ is widely used by Antipodeans, passed down and still used by their English cousins, but never in other English-speaking countries like the US or Scotland. 

The origins of some Aussie phrases are a lot less obvious. ‘Fair dinkum’ is used to mean ‘authentic’ or ‘fair enough’, but its history is disputed. Some people believe that ‘dinkum’ originated during the Australian goldrush of the 1850s, and is derived from ‘ding kam’, a Cantonese expression meaning ‘top gold’. Others cite a redundant English dialect from the East Midlands, where the word meant simply ‘hard work’. Interestingly, since the phrase gained notoriety by being used in Neighbours, its usage is now more a self-parody than an authentic way of speaking – so be sure to say it with a smirk! 

Another well-worn Aussie word is ‘sheila’, the somewhat patronizing word for ‘woman’. It evolved in this very macho culture, probably from the Irish name ‘Sile’. ‘Bludger’, a great word to trip off the tongue, denotes a lazy person, and comes from the now-defunct British slang-term for ‘pimp’.

There y’go mate. Just a few Aussie words to help you blend in. To get yourself down under for a real taste of the Oz language, visit DialAFlight and fly to Australia for less than you might expect.

 

 

Disgruntled Passengers vs. Disgruntled Employees

Has everyone watched the new show this season Pan Am? Although not a documentary, it glorifies the flight attendant (or shall I say stewardess) job in a way that makes the general public think there is actually glory to be found in that job. That may have been true back in the days when dinosaurs roamed the earth, but believe me when I say those days are long gone. If some of you may remember, flying as a passenger back then was also glorified. It was a pleasure and a luxury to fly away somewhere headed on an adventure. Flying was actually part of the adventure. Now, flying is the pain you endure trying to get somewhere that you don't have time to drive to.

When people reflect on the changes that have overcome the airline industry in just the last decade, they forget that those changes have affected the flight crews and the customer service (I use this term loosely) agents too. They have actually had a bigger effect on them if you get down to it, which I am going to do.

People are dreadfully aware these days that the level of customer service (again...lightly) and the way in which flight crews interact with them has changed. While I do not condone rude behavior or a crappy attitude while dealing with customers, I think there are times when our human nature can only take so much.

When a passenger has been delayed, re-routed, charged extra for bags, charged for a soda, squished into a seat 2 sizes too small and kicked in the back by an unruly child, he tends to get a little irritable, and it shows, because someone can only take so much. Well, guess what? The flight crews can only take so much too. Now, I know you think "It's their job, they get paid to put up with this". Guess again. Their job is to get you safely to your destination while doing their job the best way possible with the tools they are given by their employer. These flight crews are also human and can only take so much. They too get delayed, re-routed, and squished into a seat 2 sizes too small, but they have to do it for several flights a day, and they are expected to wait on you, the passenger with a smile and a gracious "I'm sorry" when the aircraft is broken or the weather is bad or the food is cold or the guy sitting next to you smells. They also have to adhere to safety standards and regulations and procedures that the general public doesn't even begin to understand. That is their real job. They just listen to your crap and try to make you comfy while they are taking responsibility for your life while on their flight. No one ever thinks of the "behind the scenes" stuff and the extensive training that all flight crews go through before they have the privilege of babysitting people who become automatically helpless the minute they get on an airplane.

If your flight is cancelled for weather it is because the pilot has been trained to know better than to fly around in dangerous conditions and put your life at risk. Maybe you should thank him or her for that instead of complaining about being late. If your baby stroller and your kitchen sink is taken from you on the jetway and put underneath the plane, again, thank them instead of complaining. Now, if the aircraft experiences turbulence the chance of you being killed by a flying baby stroller have been exponentially decreased. If you are told to put away your laptop upon take-off and landing, shut up and do it. And do it the first time you are asked because the flight crew has much more important things to do than keep re-checking to see if you can perform adult tasks.

Something else that you might not know is that these same flight crews are now doing their jobs with only half the pay they used to get prior to 9/11, without their pension plan that they were hired with, and with no guarantee their job will be there for them tomorrow. So next time you fly somewhere, try to do so with a positive attitude and an appreciation for the people that are working hard to get you where you want to be, safe and sound.

The customer service agents and the flight crews are the ones you see on the front line, but they aren't the ones responsible for the problems you encounter while flying these days. Just like the soldiers on the front line of war, they didn't start the war, they are just doing their jobs. The blame starts at the top.

I can rant when someone pushes my buttons!!

The Golden Bee

Just recently I was treated to a night out at "The Bee" by my favorite USAFA kiddo. I was visiting for the weekend and was informed that we would be going out to celebrate a friend's birthday at The Golden Bee at The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs. Unbeknownst to me, this was some kind of torturist birthday ritual started by our extended host family in Colorado Springs. The highlight of the evening is the massive amounts of beer you can drink in one sitting. Your favorite beer is served in "yards" and "half yards" depending upon your ability to pour it into your mouth without drowning or involving the table next to you. Drinking a yard of ale is actually a famous drinking game in pubs in the UK. I must say after watching several hours of this, it does appear to take some actual skill, although I don't expect to see it as an Olympic event any time soon.

 You can all probably guess how the drinking game ended, so I will tell you a little about "The Bee". The Golden Bee is a 19th century pub that was shipped to the US from London in pieces and later purchased  and reassembled at the request of William Thayer Tutt, Chairman of The Broadmoor. Mr. Tutt was looking to offer an authentic "English Pub" experience for his many guests visiting Colorado Springs so he purchased the pub from an English Ale company known as Whitbread.  Whitbread asked, as part of the purchase agreement, that Mr. Tutt serve their ale. And so he did.

In May of 1961, The Golden Bee opened in the lower section of the International Center of The Broadmoor.  They have since served yards and yards and yards of ale and become a favorite for locals and tourists alike. The Bee isn't just about the drinkin' though. The authentic English Pub food is a great compliment to the atmosphere and libations. That night I had the age old English favorite, Fish and Chips. The fish was very moist and flavorful while being served in what looked like an old newspaper, just the way they did it in merry ol' England. The menu also offered other traditional English fare such as Shepherd's Pie and Bangers and Mash.

 What else could you possibly want from an old English pub besides beer and food? Well, how about a fun time singing along to tunes being played by the piano man? That's right, after dinner you get a chance to sing along with the rest of the crowd from The Golden Bee song book. Luckily there are enough to go around for those of us that don't know all the words. There is tons of fun for the whole family at The Bee, but watch out for the bees buzzing about the room, one might land on you.

Unfortunately, The Bee is not very large in size. It is first come, first served and they do not take reservations. So, get there early or you will be one of those people in the lobby looking in and watching the rest of us having a grand ol' time, pub style!! The Golden Bee is located at 1 Lake Avenue in Colorado Springs, CO.

 

Savvy Updates

 
First order of business is tell all my savvy readers that I will be venturing into food and possibly wine in my savvy travel tales. It came to my attention (okay, I know I'm slow) that every time I head off for a new adventure, I usually try to find a great new place to eat (and drink). Sometimes it even seems that my travels actually revolve around all my eating and drinking.

We just had family in town for a week and every day was planned around what and where we were going to eat. That pretty much sealed the deal, so be on the lookout for my savvy adventures with food (and probably wine).

Second order of business is to make sure you check out the latest Orbitz specials and deals in the left sidebar. Great stuff that might make your summer vacation more affordable!

Last...I have updated my Travel Tips page with some wonderful new advice for packing and being safe while traveling.

 

                                                                                                         

Huntington, West Virgina

Huntington is a city in Cabell and Wayne counties in the U.S. state of West Virginia, along the Ohio River. Most of the city is in Cabell County, for which it is the county seat.^[3] A small portion of the city, mainly the neighborhood of Westmoreland, is in Wayne County. Its population was estimated at 49,129 in 2009.^[4] Huntington is a part of the Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH, Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA). As of 2009, the MSA's population was 285,624. Huntington is the largest city within the MSA and the second largest city in West Virginia, behind Charleston. The city is also the home of Marshall University.

The city was named for Collis P. Huntington, who founded Huntington in 1870 as the western terminus for the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway (C&O) on the land west of the mouth of the Guyandotte River at the Ohio River. It was created as a railroad town for the C&O, when it initially stretched from Richmond, Virginia to the Ohio River. The city houses numerous railroad shops which expanded east to Newport News (and coal piers) and west to eventually reach Cincinnati and Chicago in the years after its founding.

Well folks, those are the facts, straight from Wikipedia. Now let me tell you a little about Huntington from my point of view.

You see, I recently had to travel to Huntington for a family funeral. Not exactly a vacation hotspot, but you can't exactly pick where your relatives choose to live and die. I had a picture in my head of what I thought Huntington was from when I was a little girl and visited my grandparents on occasion.

Downtown Huntington was made up of old brick buildings with architectual character that took you back to another era. There was much hustle and bustle from the many shoppers and all the people that worked in the area. There were small diners and small boutique shops and also fancy restaurants and huge department stores. When my grandmother took me shopping at Stone & Thomas, I was enchanted with the fact that every department practically had it's own floor.

Huntington was home to the coal and chemical industries as well as glassworks and steel. Huntington Alloys Corp., known more recently as Special Metals Corp. was begun in 1922 as a processing mill for nickel alloys melted at the Orford Works of the International Nickel Company in Constable Hook (near Bayonne), New Jersey. This company is still today one of Huntington's greatest life supports. The coal industry has lost a lot of it's appeal and many other companies and factories have shut down.

The current economy has taken it's toll on Huntington. The five-story Stone & Thomas building has been vacant for years (since the company went defunct in 1998) as well as many other surrounding buildings. Broken glass and emptiness is what you see downtown as several small specialty shops and a few restaurants struggle to survive.

Huntington is still home to Marshall University, which for some people was unknown until made famous by the movie "We Are Marshall" depicting the town's struggle after the horrible crash on November 14, 1970, of a chartered Southern Airways McDonnell-Douglas DC-9 jet transporting 75 Marshall University football players, coaches, staff, and supporters. Everyone on board was killed.

The Delta Queen Steamboat used to serve the city's downtown port and brought much tourism and gaety to the area with it's music and enthusiasm for the good life. Now, it has sadly become a floating hotel docked in Chattanooga, TN. Huntington has had many things going against it over the years, but it has the potential to thrive again with the help of a new generation. This small West Virgina town affords a comfortable lifestyle, a low cost of living, state-of-the-art health care, modern educational facilities and unrivaled natural beauty.

 

 

Delta Queen Photo Credit: Jon Tschiggfrie

Cheapest Airfare

There are a lot of choices out there for booking airfare online. As a travel agent for many years, I have tried them all! After some good experiences and some not so good experiences, I have to highly recommend OneTravel for all of your flight bookings. They scour the Internet for "up to the minute" lowest airfare prices and they have never let me down. Included in their service is their "Lowest Fare Promise" where if you find a lower price they will pay you $10.00 per traveler. Check out their current airfare deals below.

A few hints while searching for flights:

• Be flexible with your dates and time if at all possible. The lowest fare may not be available on your first choice, but may be available the very next day or possibly hours later.
• Another great idea, depending upon where you live is to also be flexible with your departure and destination airports. There may be an airport just 30 minutes away that offers a better price than the one you originally wanted to travel out of.
• Don't be afraid to mix and match airlines. Sometimes another airline's schedule will fit your schedule better.
• After you book your flights, check out The Savvy Tourist's Travel Links page where you will find tons of useful information for your upcoming trip.

You may want to bookmark The Savvy Tourist's Airfare page for any future travel as they offer many different travel deals that I will keep you updated on. In the meantime, enjoy your experience today knowing you are getting the cheapest flights available.

 

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Turn your move into a vacation

When we take on the daunting task of moving, whether it be just a few hundred miles away or possibly across country, we never think about how relaxing or enjoyable it might be. At least I know I don't and I have done it. The problem with the move I made is that I did it with just the help of my own family. I tried to save money by not hiring a mover. I packed up the house after living in it for over 13 years, so you can imagine the accumulation of "stuff" I had to deal with. Then I rented a truck, hoping it would be big enough. Then I loaded the truck...twice. The first time it wasn't loaded properly and some "stuff" wasn't going to fit. Since I was going across country, I also had to rent a car dolly to pull my car behind the truck.  I don't know about your driving skills, but try backing up a 27 foot moving truck with a car on a pivotal dolly system. Everywhere we went we had to make sure we could pull in, and pull out. No reverse required.

Then, as if that was not enough, since I am a plant hoarder, I loaded my car with all of my house plants so they would be in plain site for the Dept. of Agriculture going across certain state borders. Had I not checked into the agriculture rules for every state ahead of time, my plants would have been confiscated at the border and I would have been heartbroken.

None of this included the fact that I had 1 kid, 1 dog, and 3 cats that also had to move across country. After I got me, the truck, my car, and all my "stuff" where it needed to be, I flew back and packed up the remaining kid, dog and cats! Then we all flew together back to our new home...far, far away. Now, doesn't that sound like fun? I didn't think so.

The point I am getting to is that hiring a mover will save you money, time, aggravation, and possibly your sanity in the long run. Let's say you are planning a move to Arizona from many states away. Who knows more about moving to and living in Arizona than movers in Arizona? They will have all the information you will need to participate in a smooth move, and can also hook you up with realtors, insurance agents, and other local establishments that you will need to start new services with like gas, water, electric, trash removal, etc. I tried doing all this myself too, only to find out that I didn't know there were 2 gas companies, 2 trash companies and other assorted services that I didn't even know I needed. I was coming from rural farm country and moving to suburbia. I had no idea you actually had to pay for water.

Let's say you were moving to Tucson, Tucson moving companies would be able to provide you with local information about your new city like things to do when you get there such as movies, restaurants, museums and local events. Normally this would all be stuff you figure out after you get settled in, if you ever do.

The best part though is that they do all the work!! Let them pack, load, drive, gas up, unload and deal with all the aggravation of moving (and backing up at the gas station). They are paid to take the stress out of moving, therefore leaving you and your family the ability to turn your move into a mini vacation. Load up the family car with kids and dogs and take your time driving. You can stop off and see the World's Largest Ball of String or maybe something better like Mt. Rushmore or The Grand Canyon.

Even if you absolutely have to do this move yourself, there is a great place to visit online for assistance. If you are possibly moving to the Phoenix area, go to Billy.com Phoenix movers and you will be able to access tools to make your move easier such as a moving checklist, moving tips, and useful information on traveling with pets and children. Believe me when I say you do not want to do it the way I did it.

Whatever city is destined to become your next home, check out Billy.com before making the big move.

Let's Pack

By now you should have purchased your new Antler Luggage and are ready to take a trip. So, let's talk about all the great accessories you can pack now that you have that fantastic super lightweight luggage.

The handiest item I have found to assist me in neat and organized packing for a long trip is packing cubes. I was able to get nine days worth of clothes and assorted other things in savvy hubby's suitcase for one of his overseas adventures. Believe me that was not easy as hubbys do not do laundry while away from home. By packing similar items in the individual cubes, you don't always make a huge mess of your suitcase every time you look for something either.

Another great item is the space saving compressible bags that allow you to literally suck the air out of your clothes and pack 10 times as much stuff. I use these mostly for bulky items like sweaters and jackets. Some people may use them to keep dirty clothes separate from clean clothes or wet clothes separate from dry clothes. This works great too if you travel with your own pillow.

A good toiletry kit that doesn't take up too much room and keeps all your liquids and such separate from your clothing is a must have. The one I recommend here will also hang on a hook in the bathroom so you can keep the sink area from being cluttered all the time. This is good when traveling with a companion who also may have a lot of "bathroom stuff". You still have to be aware of the rules if flying and going through security at an airport. Your liquids (no more than 3oz bottles) must be in a quart sized plastic bag and out for inspection. So pack accordingly! If you aren't sure then try this 3-1-1 compliant kit.

There seem to be a lot of luggage limitations these days when traveling in the friendly skies so I try to eliminate the need for a purse (which counts as a carry-on or "personal item"). I have a large stylish bag that I use not only for my laptop or netbook, but I carefully integrate my phone, keys, wallet, business cards, sun glasses, make up, my Kindle, and a bottle of water in there. It tends to get a little heavy but it does keep me organized. Now because of this, I pack in my suitcase a "fanny pak" to use on the other end. I can just fill that with daily needs as opposed to my entire life that I have crammed into my big bag.

Everyone's needs are different and their destinations vast, so no matter what you pack in your suitcase, make sure you secure it with a TSA approved safety lock and a durable luggage tag. For all of your travel accessories, please visit The Savvy Tourist's Travel Store.

If you have any great packing tips to share please comment on this post.

 

 

 

Orbitz Weekly Specials!

Just a quick reminder to check out the Orbitz weekly specials that are posted in the left sidebar. These are some incredible deals and you won't want to miss them. They change all the time and some will be expiring very soon so don't delay.

 

Traveling to the Gulf of Mexico

If I was still an active travel agent, I would have inevitably had all my clients booked for a nice sunny vacation at a resort on the Gulf of Mexico this summer. You see, that is how my luck works and one of the main reasons I got out of the biz.

Charlie, Hazel, Hilda, Debbie, Beulah, Eloise, Gilbert, Keith, Arlene, Roxanne, Emily, Stan, Wilma, Dean and Ida...do you recognize these names? These are the names of the hurricanes that collectively ran me out of the travel agent business. All I have to do is book a client (or better, a large group of clients) to an island resort like Cozumel and it becomes the target for a hurricane or really big tropical storm. This happened a few years in a row and although I am not superstitious, I took it as a sign. I do not know who the poor fool is that jinxed the Gulf with the oil spill, but I am sure they are currently waving their white flag and changing careers as I write this.

Now I ask...who has booked travel to the Gulf this summer? Are you still planning to go or have you rescheduled? Rescheduling travel can be a nightmare. This is another reason you should always use a travel agent for your vacation planning (and I don't mean me). Travel agents will spend endless hours rescheduling your trip for you with the knowledge of what you are eligible for in the way of refunds and later bookings without penalties for changes. Also, if you used a travel agent in the first place, he or she more than likely insisted upon you purchasing insurance for your trip, therefore making all these last minute changes much more affordable.

Having been out of the travel agent business for a few years now I am not as familiar with insurance as I used to be. Now, what I can tell you is that your insurance coverage will be limited and that the Gulf Oil Spill Disaster is a man made event therefore not covered by most insurance. You will have to spend the extra money on a "cancel for any reason" travel policy. For all of your travel insurance questions you can travel on over to The Trip Insurance Store Blog and insurance expert Steve will assist you.

Now for all you savvy travelers that plan to drive into Mexico for your vacation or for any other reason, please realize that Mexican Law does not recognize our insurance purchased in the U.S.

Click on the link below to get a quick and safe policy that will protect you once over the border.

Antler Luggage

Have you ever heard of Antler Luggage? Well, me neither until now. I always hate to admit that considering I am the "Savvy Tourist", but hey, I am here to advise my savvy readers and if I have to be humble to do so well so be it!!

It seems Antler Luggage has actually been around for over 90 years which is longer than all my savvy readers I am guessing. They specialize in light-weight luggage and they have been the #1 brand over seas for many years. They are British by the way!! It seems from my research that luggage in the UK typically weighs less than our American hefty luggage.

Antler has designed yet another class of lightweight luggage that can be lifted with just a finger. IT is called the Size Zero collection.  Now, the whole luggage thing is a case of weight and balance when it comes to stuffing everything you own onto an airplane. Therefore, if you have a lighter suitcase, guess what? More stuff!!!! Yes, you can pack so much more into these suitcases since they are so lightweight. Of course you better be a savvy packer! (That is something we will touch on in a few days after you order you new suitcase.)

Antler Size Zero 24" Medium Super Lightweight Rolling Upright

I cannot wait to share this information with my savvy 'Mum-in-Law" (that's British speak of course) because she loves to travel and she loves to take as much with her as possible.

Oh...and if there are any 90+ year olds out there reading my blog, please write in with some of your travel stories and experiences.

Win a trip to West Sweden

I came across a really cool opportunity that I thought my savvy readers might be interested in... a chance to win a road trip across West Sweden.  Volvo and West Sweden are having a contest where anyone can create their dream road trip around West Sweden and submit their itinerary for a chance to win a trip for two.  Entrants can choose from a variety of different cultural destinations, outdoor adventures, golf courses, and amazing restaurants and hotels in West Sweden and Volvo will provide the car to get you where you want to go.  

Also, you may be interested in Volvo’s Overseas Delivery Program because what could be better than being able to explore the country that your brand new car comes from, for free?  If a savvy Volvo customer buys their new Volvo through the Overseas Delivery Program they get two complimentary round-trip tickets to Gothenburg, Sweden, one free night at a first class hotel in Gothenburg, fifteen days of European Car Insurance coverage and generous savings on the U.S. MSRP.  They fly over, pick up their car at the Volvo factory and get a chance to explore West Sweden off the beaten path.  When they’re done they drop off the car and have it shipped back home for free.

So, if anyone would like the opportunity to be a savvy tourist in Sweden, click here!

Best of luck to anyone who enters and I will be expecting a guest post about your travels if you win. Or you can opt to take me with you...just sayin'!

Train to Santa Barbara

I am the only travel agent in the world that has been aboard a train and never left the station, and roamed the decks of a huge cruise ship but never left port. Until now that is.

I decided on a spur of the moment trip to Santa Barbara with hubby for his birthday, but did not relish the drive through city traffic. Instead I wanted our mini vacation to start as soon as we left the house. So, we opted for the train up the coast. Since this was my first adventure by train I was like a kid in a candy store. We traveled in the middle of the week so the train was practically empty and very quiet. We sat on the top deck so we could see everything there was to see.

We departed from the Oceanside, CA terminal and therefore began our journey with the ocean at our window. We zoomed up the coast speeding past all the cars on the road and watching the surfers ride the waves. I figured we would be there in no time flat at the rate we were traveling.

Well that fun lasted approximately 20 minutes. We slowed down to a crawl upon arriving at the first stop along our route which was San Clemente. We were only there long enough to hurry people on and off which only took a few minutes. At this point I was still pretty excited because I had never visited the San Clemente train station before and it was very old and quaint with lots of flowers. It was a nice first stop.

Unfortunately, the next stop was San Juan Capistrano which you could hit with a stone from San Clemente so needless to say we barely got above a crawl for the next 5 minutes. After that we stopped in Irvine, which was about 13 minutes away, Santa Ana, about 10 more minutes up the track and then Anaheim. This little stretch of travel took almost an hour. I am not sure how, except that we travel very slowly in this area since it is so congested and residential. At one point I thought if I got out and pushed (or at least walked) we might get there sooner.

After Anaheim came Fullerton and then the longest stretch thus far...to Los Angeles Union Station. Let me tell you a little bit about what lives near the tracks between these 3 destinations. This is where many commercial storage yards are located including where old school buses and porta-potties go to die. There are junk yards and scrap yards and lumber yards and storage facilities that appear to be lived in. Let me just say this was not in any way a glamorous journey through the city. I am glad we didn't actually stop at any of these places, but I would have been happier if we had been going faster.

I was so excited about arriving into Union Station that I insisted on getting out to take pictures. I expected to see some really cool architecture and things like you only see in the movies. I had exactly 13 minutes I believe the conductor said. So, I ran off the train and down the corridor into the station with my camera. I didn't really know where I was going, I was just part of the herd. Well, when the herd arrived at an intersection they all split up and went their separate ways, leaving me to wonder which yellow brick road I should take. I couldn't see anything relevant except endless pathways to somewhere and I didn't know how long it would take me to get to where I could take some cool pictures so I just kind of froze and took in the scenery. Everyone seemed to know where they were going except me. I decided that Union Station was no big deal and I made my way back to Platform 9 3/4 and got back on the train. It really was the best decision for all involved.

Leaving Los Angeles I figured it wouldn't be long now. It takes less than an hour by car from here. Wrong again. Next stop was Glendale, about 5 minutes away, then a hop, skip and crawl to Burbank, then Van Nuys, then Chatsworth, then Simi Valley, then Moorpark.
These little towns were actually located in the hills that reminded me of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. We even got to go through a tunnel or 2 or 3. I kind of felt like one of the settlers coming across country by train. Coming out of the mountains we stopped in Camarillo and then finally hit Oxnard which put us back on the coast. Did you know Oxnard was the strawberry capital of the world?  Well, now you do! Any boy were they busy pickin' strawberries!!

After Oxnard, we did finally gain a little speed on our way to Ventura. At least now we were looking at the beautiful Pacific Ocean once again and could even smell that welcoming rotten kelp odor. Yum! (at least it is to a girl raised near the ocean). After Ventura we had what seemed like a never ending 25 minute ride to our next stop which was Carpenteria. I started

 wondering just how many towns they could possibly cram in between Los Angeles and Santa Barbara, when finally...just a mere 4 hours and 45 minutes since we left Oceanside, we arrived in Santa Barbara.

I have to say there was no stress from driving, no high gas prices, no getting lost, no parking to pay for and we could eat and drink to our heart's content. Those are some pretty good benefits as long as you have nothing else to do for that long. If you want to get there in a hurry, you better drive.

I still haven't actually cruised on a ship...do they go faster than a train? And do they make as many stops?

Day Trippin' to Oak Glen

Tucked away in the mountains between Beaumont, CA. and Redlands, CA is a little tiny burb called Oak Glen. I think it is officially located in Yucaipa, CA., but it is not exactly on the beaten path. Years ago, while wining about missing the East Coast and my annual apple pickin' escapades, a friend mentioned to me that I could find some great apple orchards up in Oak Glen. So, while savvy auntie was still visiting we made this one of our day adventures.

It really is like a different world when you get to a mile high in the mountains. The rolling hills and clear blue sky that we discovered up in Oak Glen, along with the apple orchards and working cider mills were enough to take me back in time. There is a scenic route through town that leads you to each and every orchard, farm, market, restaurant and even petting zoo.

Beginning our self-tour was a stop at Riley's Farm where they feature "u-pick" apple orchards, hoedowns, tours and hayrides. They also do a schedule of civil war reenactments. If you are really adventurous they have Primitive Historical Farm Stays by reservation only.

We did not have time to stop at every single establishment, which I am sure offers some sort of unique addition to the area. (I hear the spicy peanut butter is to die for!!) There is enough to keep you busy all day, especially if you are looking for something to do with your kids. Right in the middle of the scenic route sits Oak Glen Village where there is a Curio Shop, Art Gallery, Candy Kitchen, Bakery, Leather Shop, Country Store, and Animal Park.

 

If you want to make a weekend of it, try The Sage Herb Farm where they offer Garden Getaway Weekends, along with herb classes and garden tours. There is also camping and RV accommodations in the area for you savvier tourists.

So, young or old, there is something for everyone. Experience a heart-warming meal and a slice of apple pie, then stop by one of the shops so you can take home fresh apple butter, jams, jellies and candied apples.

Don't forget to check back in the summer months when you can pick fresh raspberries!

Jumbo Hostel

Here is an innovative new concept when it comes to the "all-nighter" on an airplane...the Jumbo Hostel. Now you can sleep in luxurious accommodations on an airplane without ever leaving the ground. You can actually spend the night on board a real jumbo jet and never leave the airport. To some, this may sound like an incredible waste of time, but to others it could be quite the novelty in sleep-overs.

The airplane, a decommissioned model 747-200 jumbo jet was built in 1976 and was last operated by Transjet, a Swedish Airline that went bankrupt in 2002. It was originally built for Singapore Airlines and later flew for Pan Am. The airplane is now located at Arlanda Airport on it's permanent concrete foundation after undergoing a complete conversion. Over 450 seats were removed to make room for what is now a unique sleeping experience for guests. The hostel is built like any house, subject to regulations and standards. It now serves as a spectacular and (not so) original landmark at the Arlanda Airport.

There are 25 rooms on board this newly renovated Jumbo Hostel with a total of 85 beds in all. The rooms are configured with 3 bunk beds in most rooms. There are also quad dorm options, all with separate shared shower and bathroom facilities. There is one luxury suite in the converted cockpit with a panoramic view of the airport.

If sleeping in an airplane (when you don't really have to) is not exactly your cup of tea, well then, you can just stop by for...well, a cup of tea! There is a cafe' where you can purchase breakfast, coffee, cookies and snacks. You can also walk along the left wing observation deck and experience the feeling of standing on top of a real Jumbo Jet's wing.

In the travel industry convenience is a big plus, so if you have an early flight to catch, staying right at the airport (literally) may be the solution for you.

Mt. Palomar Observatory

We live so close to  San Diego that many of our day trips are actually spent down in that area. We have a whole repertoire of activities that we like to do depending upon the weather or perhaps the visiting relative at the time. It just so happens that every time we start to head south we drive right by Mt. Palomar and my mother says "I would really like to see the Mt. Palomar Observatory sometime." Of course, we are already on our way to somewhere else so her wish always goes unfulfilled. Just recently while trying to think of something special for her birthday, we remembered her desire to drive up Mt. Palomar and see the Observatory.

Our day started off unusually warm even for SoCal. It was in the mid 80s with those warm Santa Ana winds blowing. We knew better than to be fooled though. We were planning to trek up over 5000 feet so we knew it would be a little cooler and we remembered to take a few jackets, just in case. We pile in the truck and decided (as we usually do) that we were all hungry. What is it about a road trip that makes people so hungry? There just so happens to be a very small burger stand right off the exit we take to start up the mountain so we thought we would try it. I had heard great things about it, but it  always looked abandoned whenever I drove by. This little stand I refer to is called Nessy Burger. If you follow that link, you will enter a food blog that did a detailed report on the Nessy Burger. I can update a few things like...they are now open on Sundays and the burger is a little more expensive, but other than that, this guy really hits the nail on the head. I thoroughly enjoyed my Nessy Burger, although I could feel my arteries clogging while I ate it. The burger had an awesome flavor and was very juicy and fresh. The dining ambience...well there really isn't one unless you call sitting next to a busy freeway exit on a picnic bench with migrant workers ambience. Then again, that's pretty much authentic SoCal and I like it!

After we finished stuffing ourselves, we headed on up the mountain for our adventure. It turned into quite a pleasant day. The skies were clear which made the views breathtaking. The traffic was minimal and we had several chances to stop and take some pictures. We were able to see the charred reminders from the fires in the last few years. That part was kind of sad, but there were many signs of  new life sprouting up around the dead trees. Of course as we made our trek higher and higher, it started to get considerably colder. When we rounded the corner at the top of the mountain and headed toward the Observatory on the north side, there was snow and lots of it. The roads had been cleared but there was snow piled  up on either side with people who had stopped just to get out and build snowmen and slide down the hills. I took in the beauty of the meadows that were covered by a blanket of undisturbed snow. I did see one guy who was making a snowman in the back of his pick up truck to take home with him. I'm not sure if he thought this all the way through or was perhaps just trying to make his kids happy.

We finally arrived at the Observatory and it was a blustery 41 degrees. It was quite refreshing for a few minutes, then it was just plain cold. The few extra jackets we brought did not begin to keep us warm enough for this weather. I am not complaining though, I really enjoyed seeing the snow and feeling the cold. I surely did not feel as though I was in sunny SoCal and that was okay for a little while.

   

I can actually see the Observatory from my house on a clear day, but I had no idea of it's actual size being as it is so far away. This structure is magnificent, and the size of the telescope inside is unbelievable. It is an awesome site for both young and old. The history behind the Observatory is very interesting in that it took over 40 years to actually be realized, including taking a break for WWII. One of the most interesting parts to me is the transportation of the 200-inch mirror up the mountain. The trip that took us only 1 hour including "Kodak Moment" stops, took 3 trucks 32 hours to arrive safely with this precious 40 ton cargo.    

  

Kindle it...if you can

A little over a year ago I did a post about the Amazon Kindle. My curiosity was peaked backed then and it is again, but for different reasons this time. Santa was generous enough to leave a Kindle under my Christmas tree this year and I just love it. When I started researching the Kindle last year, there was quite a bit of content available to purchase for this electronic handheld reader. I questioned whether or not it was cost worthy considering a lot of the books were rather pricey considering they weren't real books that I could put my hands on. Somehow they just get wisked through the air and appear on the Kindle within seconds at my request. I now know that is not magic but rather Amazon's Whispernet technology. Well, a year later and there is a remarkable amount of material available for the Kindle and so far it is cheaper than buying the real book. It is not limited to books either. You can subscribe to newspapers, magazines, and blogs. One of the first things I did was subscribe to the Reader's Digest on a monthly basis.

Now you might wonder why I think this has anything to do with travel or blogging. Well, since I travel and blog sometimes at the same time, I think I will find the Amazon Kindle quite useful. I like to take more than a few books with me in my luggage and we all know that is almost impossible these days since you have to stuff your life in one bag or be charged out the wazoo by the airlines. I will have my book that I am currently reading for pleasure, (usually a James Patterson murder mystery) and a current newspaper from the hotel, (usually USA Today), several blogging reference books and some travel guides depending upon where I am visiting. That takes up quite a bit of room in my luggage! But now, I can have all those things and more on just one small electronic reading device that stores neatly in my luggage or even my purse.

Another great feature is that if you are thinking about buying a book, but aren't quite sure about it, the Kindle lets you download a portion of the book and read to see if you are interested first. You can also subscribe to magazines and newpapers free for 14 days to make sure that is the best subscription for you before you purchase.

The Kindle is difficult to get, but it sure is worth the wait!

Julian, CA.

When most people think of Southern California, they think beaches and sunshine and probably movie stars. Well, we do have all that, but we have much more. Since I was raised on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, I am more used to seasonal changes and some occasional weather issues like cold temperatures and snow. That is something I kind of miss...maybe just a little. The rest of my family, except for maybe my son, thinks I am a bit mental.

The other day we took a day trip to Julian, CA. to share with my Aunt who was visiting from West Virginia. I like to visit Julian occasionally because there I can experience all four seasons. At just over 4,000 feet elevation, Julian provides a mild Summer for hiking, camping, and fishing, and a colorful backdrop for fun Fall activities.  The Winter brings the perfect wonderland for the holiday season and then Spring produces all the flowers and new nature that warms our hearts after a cold Winter.

Julian, CA. is an historic gold mining town that was founded after the Civil War. Although it is quite popular with tourists, it has remained small in general population and retains it's old world charm. The tiny town has since taken on new found fame as "Pie Town" because of The Julian Pie Company, who ships pies out by the hundreds to all over the country.

There is plenty to do in Julian for the whole family. They have shopping (my favorite), Art Galleries, historic sites, dining, wine tasting, and of course, many types of lodging. A trip to Julian makes a great day trip if you live in the area, but I think I will stay for the weekend next time I go so that I can experience all the dining options. That is very hard to do in just one day, especially when there is pie involved!!

It all started...

About 20 some years ago I did one of those impromptu trips that began by blindly opening up an atlas and pointing to a random spot on the not-so-smartly chosen page. This trip, now that I think of it, was the beginning of many adventures to come...and boy was it an adventure.

Let's just say I was very young and dumb naive at the time. We ( I was traveling with a new friend who quickly became one of those friends that will be there for life because she knows all my secrets and weaknesses) no sooner left the Denver airport after securing a rental car when we heard on the radio that a major airliner had crashed in Denver. How did we miss that? It made us a little nervous knowing how close we were to such a disaster and not being caught up in it. We were leaving the airport while everyone else was arriving for the crash and it's aftermath. It kind of made me feel like I had started my own little chain of unfortunate events. I was leaving a trail of death and destruction behind me. Okay, too dramatic?

Anyway, we continued on our journey to our destination of random choosing, Manitou Springs, CO. It is a small, quaint town about an hour south of Denver and just west of Colorado Springs. One of those places that seems quite removed from the rest of the world. The town is located right at the base of Pike's Peak. It is as though it is being protected on all sides by the strong arms of the mountain.

This was my kind of town. One of those "everyone knows your name" kind of places. The locals had been there their whole life. They thrived on the tourists that came to visit and shop in their unique stores and eat in their homestyle restaurants, and then leave. What they liked best about tourists,is that they are temporary. Even though the natives were friendly, it was their world, not ours. Many people had come to Manitou Springs over the years and decided to make it their home. Mostly because it is known as the healthiest place on earth. The combination of fresh mountain air and mineral spring waters were known to have a special healing power for the sick. Lucky for the folks in Manitou Springs, we were only here for a short time.

 It was a very cold and damp November and I very much enjoyed the crisp air while ducking in and out of the little shops that held the wares of the local artisans. There were so many wonderful things to see, most of which is from the Native American heritage that still holds it's roots in this tiny town. One of my most memorable moments was spent sitting in a little cafe by a window sipping hot apple cider while the snow lightly dusted the sidewalk. Of course, sitting on a bar stool sipping some Irish Cream in the evenings became a fast favorite too!

One thing I did learn about this part of the country is that people are much more prepared and confident in inclement weather conditions. One day we started up Pike's Peak (in our rental car) for a day of Christmas Shopping at The North Pole. I love collecting ornaments for my Christmas tree from different places so that was all I could think about that day...until we realized the roads were a sheet of ice and our little rental car was in no way prepared for this trip.(Did I mention we were young and stupid?) Not only did we stop making any progress up the mountain, we began sliding backwards down the mountain. At this point I was wishing I had purchased the extra insurance, among other things. The car did eventually stop sliding, but that didn't really improve our situation. We were stuck there to die in our rental car on a small mountain road in Colorado where no one would know to look for us. Too dramatic again?  Just as the panic was beginning to set in and we were trying to decide how to bail out of the car and let it slide down the mountain without us, a few strong young guys showed up with chains and rope and brains and walked our car back down the mountain safely. (And to think my therapist doesn't understand my fear of heights.)

I made my way back to the safe comfortable bar stool and stayed there until I thought it was safe again. Well, it turns out that was just the beginning of my harrowing driving experience in the Colorado snow. The very next day, the weather man was talking about a full on blizzard headed our way. Being as we had jobs to get back to, we thought that maybe we should cut our little adventure short and head back to the Denver airport before we couldn't get there at all.

Too late! Did I mention that this quaint little town was surrounded and protected by this nice big mountain? Well, we no sooner got out of town (just a few miles down the road) then the blizzard was already rearing it's ugly head. I started our snowy trek out on the freeway only to realize that there really weren't very many cars on the road. The ones that were out there appeared to be more prepared than I was, again! After what felt like hours of driving at 20 mph, I decided I couldn't trudge through 6 feet of snow with a rental car any longer. I pulled off at the next exit, only to find out I had arrived uninvited at the United States Air Force Academy. Believe me when I say "there are no rooms at the Inn". The guard at the gate was less than delighted with my presence and informed me that I would have to continue back from whence I came and find a hotel. Two hours and two exits later, we came upon a Sheraton and found shelter for the night. The attendant at the reservation desk was very surprised to see us as he informed us they had closed the freeway hours ago. They must have done that while I was making my way somewhere between civilization and the USAFA.

The next day, the freeway was open and the sky was clear so we headed up to Denver, once again. This time, it was so much easier driving in 6 feet of snow, behind 18-wheelers, with the sun shining on the snow and reflecting in my eyes. NOT!!!!

Upon arriving at the Denver Airport, we remembered the tragedy that we had left behind us only days before. The passing blizzard had only made matters worse at the airport and there were people camped out all over the place. Even with all those people spread out everywhere, there was a horrible somber silence due to the crash, and I wasn't sure I was ever getting on an airplane again. Of course my boss, awaiting my arrival on the East Coast had other plans! It is a wonder I ever traveled again.

Not only did I travel again, I find myself going back to Manitou Springs quite frequently these days and sharing it with my family, while one of the kids is actually attending the USAFA nearby. Little did I know back then...

This one is for you Cleo...although still my dear friend, never have I traveled with since.