Travel

All things travel.

The image shows a view from a balcony of a multi-story building. The balcony has metal railings and is part of a series of similar balconies on different floors. The building has large vertical columns supporting the structure. In the background, there are trees and a clear sky with some sunlight. Additionally, there are some buildings and billboards visible in the distance.
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Hotel Reviews – DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Seattle Airport

If you are looking for Don Draper, you just might find him hiding out in the mid-century modern lair that is the DoubleTree byHilton Hotel Seattle Airport. From arrival to departure, I found myself longing for a sweet vintage dress that would do this property justice. No sarcasm intended – read on…. Arrival I arrived…

The image shows a close-up of a person's foot, specifically focusing on the big toe. The big toe appears to be swollen and bruised, with a noticeable purple discoloration, indicating possible injury or infection. The toenail is intact but slightly discolored. The surrounding toes and skin are visible, with a natural skin tone. The background is a white surface, likely a bedsheet or similar fabric.

What Constitutes A Bad Travel Day?

2014 has been one of my rougher travel years. I’ve endured inexplicably lost luggage (that I never wanted to check to begin with), passengers behaving badly or rudely or just unchivalrously.  I’ve had several separate travel days that involved numerous cancellations, shuffling between airlines, or lengthy delays.  I’ve had disappointing hotel stays and times I’ve…

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Travel Bucket List & Cathay Pacific First Class Amenity Kit

Last week, I gave away the first of two Cathay Pacific First Class Amenity Kits from the vintage Ipa-Nema era. This week, I offered up the second one – a gorgeous brown bag with embroidered pink and green flowers. Entrants this week were asked to share somewhere on their 2015 travel bucket list.  I received many…

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Exploring Jakarta with Tours By Locals

Our first port of call on Seabourn Odyssey was Jakarta. I’ve only briefly visited the city previously and had no time to tour so I’d only seen one of their high-end shopping malls. We researched the tours available through the ship and while all were appealing, each had elements of interest. In the end, my…

A small black fabric pouch with an embroidered design of colorful leaves in shades of green, red, and gold. The pouch is placed on a wooden surface.

Last Chance to Win – Vintage Cathay Pacific First Class Amenity Kit

Don’t forget to enter for your chance to win a vintage Cathay Pacific Ipa-Nema amenity kit from first class. The one I’m giving away is a gorgeous brown bag with pink/green embroidery. You can find details here to enter to win, but you must do so before noon central time on Friday, December 5, 2014.  Right…

The image shows an open cardboard box with the word "BIRCHBOX" printed on the inside of the lid. Inside the box, there is a blue card with the text "OPEN FOR Holiday BIRCHBOX" written on it. The box is lined with red tissue paper. The background is a textured, dark-colored surface.
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Birchbox OR Ipsy – November 2014

It’s time for the November battle of the beauty sample subscriptions. Each month, Birchbox goes head to head with Ipsy to see which delivered more value and wow. Both services offer a monthly $10 membership where subscribers receive a selection of beauty product samples that is customized (somewhat) based on personal preferences.  Birchbox comes in its namesake…

The image shows the interior of a large mosque with tall, cylindrical columns and a red carpeted floor. Several people are sitting and lying on the carpet near the base of the columns, some of whom appear to be engaged in conversation or resting. The mosque has high ceilings and large windows that allow natural light to filter in. The overall atmosphere is serene and spacious.
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Mosque Etiquette – Guest Blogger

I’m presently in the middle of my two week trip to Indonesia, the world’s largest Islamic population.  I knew at the onset I’d probably be visiting at least one mosque in my travels.  While I’ve encountered mosques while traveling (particularly in Turkey), I’m always worried that I am not doing things correctly and thus inadvertently…

A chef in a white uniform is cooking on an outdoor deck. He is pouring oil into a pan on an induction cooktop. There are other people in the background, one of whom is taking a photo. The setting appears to be on a ship or a boat, as indicated by the windows and the deck design. The sun is shining, creating a warm and bright atmosphere.

Sunrise Sail In at Jakarta Harbor – A Seabourn Moment

One of the highlights of cruising on Seabourn are what aficionados like to call “Seabourn moments”. While Seabourn is known for her signature events such as Caviar in the Surf or Galley Market Lunches on some cruises, the staff also tries to come up with a variety of smaller occasions to wow their guests during every…

The image shows a close-up view of a stone Buddha statue at the Borobudur Temple in Indonesia. In the background, there are several large, bell-shaped stupas with intricate lattice designs. The sky appears overcast, adding a serene and contemplative atmosphere to the scene.
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Hotel Reviews – Manohara Resort Center of Buddhist Study

Sometimes it becomes necessary to go far from my typical hotel path. A unique visit to Borobudur was one of those occasions. Yogyakarta is the nearest city to the 8th century Buddhist temple site and over an hour away. One of the unique experiences for this UNESCO World Heritage site is to climb up pre-dawn…