Tag Archives: travel

Great Britain and Ireland in 10 days

UK & Ireland in 10 days map of destinations

10 days is hardly enough time to see what these countries have to offer, as I was repeatedly told prior to and during this trip, however when you only have 12 days for holiday/vacation, why not try to make the most of it? As you can see from the map above, 10 days allowed us to see a great deal of this region of Europe, but isn’t it still always the case that vacation is never long enough?

Days 1 & 2 – London

My husband and I made London our first stop specifically to visit friends and absolutely LOVED it! This city is a travelers dream since there is SO much to see, learn, and experience. The only apparent downfall was just the cost of it all, as London is one of the most expensive cities in the world. If you go, don’t bother spending a lot of money on a hotel, chances are you won’t spend much time there, so go cheap and get an affordable room in a small hotel or even an ensuite hostel. We stayed at the Tune hotel which had the smallest rooms you can imagine, but was clean, centrally located next to the Lambeth North Tube stop, and allowed us a good night sleep.

The London Eye

The London Eye is within walking distance of the Tune Hotel, so after my husband and I took the tube from Heathrow airport to our hotel, we changed, grabbed some coffee and walked over to this popular tourist destination to get a first-class view of this spectacular city. Looking back, I can’t think of a better way we could have started our vacation.

A view from the top of the London Eye

Buckingham Palace

The National Gallery

The markets of Camden Town are a major attraction on weekends, selling goods of all types including clothes, books, food, antiques, junk and more bizarre items – such as a store filled with robots and glow in the dark club wear. This industrial/punk area of the city is fun, laid back, and is essentially the neighborhood for the young alternative crowd.

Mind the Gap – Forget the taxis, the London Tube is the best way to get around London

The London Tube – clean, fast, and efficient

The Tower of London and an eerie full moon

London Eye at Night

Day 3 – Windsor Castle (B on Map), Bath (C), and Stonehenge (D)

The most affordable way to see these sites in a single day from London is to purchase a day trip, group tour – we bought ours through Viator and were very pleased with the quality of the tour guide, as well as the sights along the way. Stonehenge really is just a pile of rocks and not as impressive as hoped, however Bath was well worth the trip and so close to Stonehenge that we’re glad we saw it, even if just to knock it off the bucket-list.

The village of Windsor Castle

Windsor Castle was originally built by William the Conqueror in the decade after the Norman conquest of 1066.

The Abbey Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, Bath, commonly known as Bath Abbey

Roman Baths

The first shrine at the site of the only hot springs in the UK was built by Celts, & was dedicated to the goddess Sulis, whom the Romans identified with Minerva. In 836 BC the spring was discovered by the British King Bladud who built the first baths.

Roman Baths from the ground floor

Bath, England

Bath, England, where the buildings share a similar charm since they are all built with the same Bath Stone.

Stonehenge, England

Stonehenge, England

Day 4 – Take a train up to Edinburgh, Scotland (F on Map)

Edinburgh is hands down one of the most beautiful cities in all of Europe. We took a train out of London’s King’s Cross station via East Coast rail for £74.10 for the 2 of us. A flight may have been faster than the 4 1/2 hour ride, but where’s the adventure in that?

London Kings Cross Station is a gorgeous piece of architecture

Kings Cross Station – Slow down and see the countryside by train

Edinburgh, Scotland

The Balmoral Hotel is THE place to stay when visiting Edinburgh

In the heart of Edinburgh

A view of Edinburgh from the top of Edinburgh Castle

Edinburgh Castle

St. Giles Cathedral was founded in the 1120s when the Scottish royal family, the sons of Queen Margaret & King Malcolm Canmore made strenuous efforts to spread Catholic Christian worship throughout the Scottish lowlands.

Day 4 – Edinburgh Scotland to Glasgow Scotland

Glasgow is a gritty and industrial Scottish city, with a unique architectural and artistic twist. For only £7.50 per person, an hour train ride via Cross Country will get you into the heart of Glasgow from Edinburgh Waverly Station.

On the night of our arrival, we ventured out into the city and had a BLAST hanging with locals  who were celebrating the Celtic Football Club win. In the morning, we walked the Mackintosh trail from the Willow Tea Rooms (where we could get a proper Scottish breakfast) to the Glasgow School of Art.

Edinburgh

Take a tour of the Mackintosh exhibit at the Glasgow School of Art while visiting

The architecture in Glasgow is rich with Victorian era heritage

The gritty hills of Glasgow

Day 5: Glasgow Scotland (G on Map) to Belfast Northern Ireland (I on Map)

A flight from Glasgow to Belfast is the preferred method of travel for most locals since it is faster than the 6 hour journey we took via train, bus and ferry, however, hopping the Stena ferry is a first-class way to see the western coast of Scotland and enjoy the sights of the lovely Irish Sea.

A view of the Firth of Clyde from the west coast of Scotland

Three trains a day leave from Glasgow Central get you to Stranraer port in time for the Stena sailings to the Port of Belfast (click here for the timetable). The train and ferry altogether costs only £27 one way and you can buy this ticket right up until the day of departure.

Lighthouse at the Port of Stranraer

Riding the Stena ferry is a fabulous experience and a tremendous deal! The boat feels more like a cruise ship complete with spas, bars, a movie theater  video game room, delicious food, free wifi, comfy couches, and a huge sun deck with which to watch the coastline in style.

On the Stena ferry heading to Belfast

We arrived in Belfast shortly before 6 pm, and after heading to our hotel, the famous Europa Hotel, also known as “The most  bombed hotel in the world”, we went across the street to Northern Ireland’s best known pub, The Crown Bar.

This Victorian Gin Palace was renovated in 1885

Titanic Memorial

Day 6: Belfast Northern Ireland (I on map) to The Mourne Mountains (J) to Kildare, Ireland (K) to Adare, Ireland (N) & Bunratty Castle (M on map)

Our morning in Belfast started with the hiring of a local Black Taxi, the most comfortable and affordable way to see the famous murals and learn of The Troubles which have haunted this beautiful city since the 1960s.

Loyalist / Protestant murals Belfast

An 18-foot-high barrier along Springmartin Road in Belfast is covered in artistic graffiti

Graffiti along Springmartin Road

Belfast Graffiti

On the side of the Sinn Fein offices in the Falls Road area of Belfast

Falls Road Republican Murals

Random Belfast graffiti depicting The Big Lebowski

Belfast is a very beautiful city, with an extensive history that takes time to understand. With a full day ahead of us to see Ireland via rental car, and with left-side-of-the-road-driving being a new experience for my husband and I, we had to leave in the early afternoon to arrive in Adare by sunset.

Belfast City Hall is located in Donegall Square, in the heart of Belfast city center

We rented a car via Auto Europe because, although expensive, we determined driving is the best way to see Ireland. Gas is a steep $7.79 per gallon (1.58 € per liter) which made  4 days of driving around Ireland cost us roughly 140 €, or $178. In order to reserve the car, we had to pay $259 up front since we planned to drop the car off in another country (Dublin airport) and when we picked up the car in Belfast, we paid another $279 directly to Budget Rent-A-Car. Lucky, our credit card company insured us which allowed us to save some money by waiving additional coverage. Click here to read what you should know when renting a car in Ireland.

Driving in Ireland

Crossing the border from Northern Ireland to Ireland was uneventful, in fact we were not even sure when exactly we did since there were no border posts. It was clear almost immediately Ireland is one big scenic country. Driving on the left side of the road took a bit of adjustment, especially since every mile is worth seeing, and the narrow country roads along the western countryside of Ireland were nerve wreaking at times, but overall it was a blast! Read here for tips on driving in Ireland.

Adare, Ireland

We arrived in Adare in the early evening and immediately took to wandering the town. Adare is renowned as one of Ireland’s prettiest villages, and is designated as a Heritage Town by the Irish government.

Holy Trinity Abbey Church Adare Ireland

That evening, we drove 30 minutes north to the nearby Bunratty Castle for the 8:45 pm Medieval Banquet, a fantastic conclusion to our day of travel. Built in the early 1400s, the castle is furnished with a magnificent collection of period paintings, sculptures, furniture and tapestries. Sipping on cups o’meade, we enjoyed live music by Madrigal singers and entertainment from a fun group of performers during a torch-lit medieval-style banquet. We dined on a four course feast at a long communal table among new friends from the world over.

Walking up to Bunratty Castle

Day 7: Dingle Peninsula (O on map) to Killarney National Park (P) to Kinsale (Q)

Don’t let the short distances on the map fool you, once you get out west in Ireland, the roads become increasingly narrow and windy, with many blind curves and the occasional sheep to avoid. There were several roads in Kerry county where we seemed to be driving through a cave of trees, where the side of the road brush and tall trees all became one over-grown tunnel.

Country roads in Ireland – posted from Tumblr

On our way to the fishing town of Dingle, we took the advice of locals and drove The Conor Pass, at roughly 1,300 feet is the highest mountain range in all of Ireland . It’s a tight, precarious road which weaves its way around sharp cliffs and past the high corrie lakes. The drive can be scary at times, but was the highlight of our road trip as the views will not be forgotten.

The Conor Pass, Dingle

A view from The Conor Pass

The unforgettable views of The Conor Pass

The sheep here hang out on even the most precipitous of cliffs

Dingle Peninsula

At the bottom of the mountain, at the end of this scenic ride, is the small fishing and farming town of Dingle. This charming village is definition-ally what you would imagine Ireland to be – full of friendly pubs, Gaelic speaking locals, colorful buildings, and fishermen tending to their boats.

Dingle, Ireland

Dingle, Ireland

The colorful town of Dingle

Dingle fishing boats

After a few hours and a much-needed lunch, we got back on the road to head south to Killarney National Park, where we could walk around the 19th century Muckross House and Gardens and hike the trails. Here, we felt miles away from others in the grandeur of true wilderness. This large park is so beautiful, peaceful and serene, it feels like touring one of those “Sights of Ireland” calendars.

Lakes of Killarney

Killarney National Park Torc waterfall

Around 5 pm we got back on the road and drove another hour south to spend the night in Kinsale, where the food is fantastic and the locals know their craic. We stopped at The Folk House to enjoy foot-tapping Irish music and are still very grateful to the local business owners who bought us Guinness there all night!

Day 8: Kinsale (Q on map) to Blarney Castle (R) , Cork to Dublin (S)

A nod to local tradition in Kinsale, Ireland

Kinsale is a friendly seaport town of about 2,000 set on the southern coast of Ireland, roughly 18 miles south of Cork. Its big harbour is virtually landlocked and surrounded by steep green hills, making it a picturesque joy to visit. There are numerous excellent restaurants, both large and small, making this the unofficial culinary capital of the country.

Kinsale is a fine town for strolling along the cobble stoned streets and nodding a hello to the locals.

Kinsale

Leaving shortly after lunch, we drove roughly 45 minutes northeast to Cork to take part in the most important of all activities: Kissing the Blarney Stone.

My worry in stopping at a place like the 500-year-old Blarney Castle is that it is the ultimate tourist destination – being the most photographed and visited castle in all of Ireland, I was worried it would be overly crowded and equally over-hyped.

T’was neither.

Blarney Castle, Cork Ireland

We clambered up the steep 127 steps, lied on our backs over a sheer drop of 120 feet, and did a slight back-bend to kiss the famous rock which is said to have made its way to the castle in 1314 from Scotland. While obtaining the “gift of gab” (which, arguably, I had in the first place) may have been the goal, the sights of the county Cork from atop the castle are the real prize.

Enjoying the view atop Blarney Castle

After spending several hours walking the castle grounds and checking out the original Druid’s Circle, Witch’s Cave and the Wishing Steps, we hit the winding country roads again to finish our trip in Dublin.

Day 9 and 10: A weekend in Dublin

We arrived at the Shelbourne hotel early Saturday evening with enough time to relax and get ready for a night in Temple Bar. Dublin, much like the rest of Ireland, is a fantastic place to have great conversation with locals and wander where they, and the night, take you.

The Guinness Storehouse, in Dublin Ireland has a great theme and feel about it, making it one of the best brewery tours in the world.

My favorite part of Dublin is the Guinness Storehouse at the St. James Gate. Here, you can learn of the interesting history of one of the world finest beers and get the best view of the city at the Gravity Bar. It was here, during my travels to this city in 2001, where I fell in love with this stout and it’s thick, silky deliciousness which cannot be matched by the lower quality version sold in America.

A large and impressive work of art made for the Guinness Brewery

A view from the Gravity Bar – the finale at the Guinness Brewery

Guinness Storehouse Barrels

Mighty fine day for a Guinness

The tastiest Guinness I’ll ever have

The Most Breathtaking Drive in the States – The Road to Hana in Maui, Hawaii

A view of the ocean from the Road to Hana

I was 17 when I graduated high school and moved into the city from the burbs to attend college. Everyday I would drive north up Lake Shore Drive and enjoy the large pretty lake to my right and the unsurpassed skyline on my left. How lucky I was to see something so pretty everyday. This just HAD to be the most beautiful drive in the country!

Of course, I thought that once, before I had an opportunity to really travel. Sure, I had been across the country in Griswold-style family vacations,

This will make my father smile.

to Niagara Falls, and on a cruise to Cozumel, Mexico, but having been only 16 and 13 respectively during those trips, the experience hardly had any major effect on me. I’m pretty sure Space Camp had a greater impact on me than any of those trips.

Space Camp

NERD ALERT!!! Space Camp Pilot – Atlantis Mission – 1991

Lake Shore Drive is definitely beautiful, but not in the way of Highway 1 in California, or Beartooth Highway in Montana, or Seward Highway in Alaska. I would say it is worth driving up LSD in the summer to go to the beach hidden away between Albion and Northshore Ave. in the Rogers Park neighborhood, but LSD may never make any “Most beautiful drives” lists when there are paths to Eden like the one I took on Leap Year day.

A local’s property and fence made of surfboards – found early along the Road to Hana

The Road to Hana is a narrow corkscrew highway which connects the isolated town of Hana on the east side of Maui to the rest of civilization. Supposedly

Swimming in Maui waterfalls

there are 617 curves and 54 one-lane bridges and dozens of waterfalls, some ideal for swimming. The old cliché, ‘it’s not the destination but the journey that matters’ must be about this drive along the Road to Hana, as you’ll want to go slow and take your sweet time to take in the sights, go swimming, and walk the several hiking trails along the way.

The English language doesn’t have enough words to adequately describe the beauty along this highway.

With every turn, the views more splendid: gorgeous flowers, beautiful rainforests, unique rainbow trees, quirky Hawaiian roadside shops and distracting vistas. The amount of magnificence along one path…my God, the Hawaiians live at the pot of gold at the end of rainbow!

This trip is a MUST if you travel to Maui, either via tour or by driving on your own. Travelling along the Road to Hana is like no other adventure and requires proper preparation and planning. If you drive on your own, you’ll have the freedom to make this trek the way I will recommend below (including the top 10 places to stop and see). Just a warning though: if you are prone to carsickness, don’t even think about taking this long and arduous drive – with all the curves, cliff-sides  and one lane roads this could easily become a horrible day for you without the proper medication. Oh, and be sure to leave as early as possible, before 7:30 am if you can.

This is an all day trip, at minimum 12 hours from leaving the West side of Maui to your return. My recommendation is to plan accordingly and camp, or stay at a Bed & breakfast once you arrive in Hana so that you are able to take your time and really enjoy the views, beaches, and hikes.

Black Sand Beach along the Road to Hana

Camping

Wai’anapanapa State Park

A good place to camp is Wai’anapanapa State Park (and worth stopping at even though I skipped it in my top 10 list), around mile marker 32, is located in Hana off of the Hana Highway at the end of Wai’anapanapa road. It has a perfect black sand beach, lava tube caves, native hala forest, and beautiful natural ocean arches. It’s an amazing place offering an excellent opportunity to view a seabird colony, anchialine pools and the occasional mongoose. There you’ll find a 3 mi. (roundtrip) rugged coastal hiking trail, the Ke Ala Loa O Maui/Piilani. There is no entrance fee, but may require a reservation – visit: http://www.hawaiistateparks.org/parks/maui/index.cfm?park_id=41

Eating

It is best to plan accordingly and bring plenty of water bottles and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches to eat along the way however you will want to stop at the little fruit stands for delicious snacks and locally made food.

Fruit stand along the road to Hana

On the south side of Hana, just past the only gas station on the east side of the island (make sure you have a full tank before leaving  Kahului) at mile marker 35 is Bruddah Hutts BBQ Grill. Here you will get huge portions of the best BBQ on the island served out of a truck by friendly locals. You may have to wait in line and parking is limited, but it will be worth the wait as it is the last place to get a great meal before hitting the rough stretch of road back to civilization.

10 Places to Stop along the Road to Hana, Maui Hawaii

1. Four Waterfalls Hike – Na’ili’ili Stream and Bamboo Forest - 1.6 miles past mile marker 5

There is a dirt pullout on the right hand side of the road, and you’ll have to step over a small fence to locate the trail. Be sure not to attempt this hike in the late afternoon so you can take your time, especially if you are an adventure seeker like me :) If you intend on making the full hike, leave your camera in the car, unless it is waterproof. Walk through the bamboo forest to your way to the stream bed and a string of waterfalls and pools. The first few waterfalls are typically within easy reach of most folks. Many people stop at the 2nd waterfall since it becomes increasingly difficult to hike past that point. To get to the 3rd waterfall, you’ll need to climb a sturdy rope attached to a tree to pull your weight up to the top of the 2nd waterfall. You’ll then go boulder hopping for about 3/4 of a mile until you reach a pool of water. Jump right on in and swim to the 3rd waterfall (which is very small). From there, you’ll climb up the right side of the waterfall and once again boulder hop about 30 feet until you arrive at a 300+ foot waterfall and a fantastic swimming hole. Enjoy and relax because eventually you’ll need to climb back down the way you came which can be much scarier than climbing up it!

2. Rainbow Eucalyptus trees  - At about the 7 or 8 mile marker

Mile 7 marker on the Road to Hana

Brought over to Maui from the Philippines, the unique Rainbow Eucalyptus are beautiful multicolored trees which appear to be painted. Patches of outer bark shed off at different times throughout the year, showing a bright green inner bark. Over time the bark darkens to bright colors such as purple, orange, maroon, blue and green.

These trees are tall, smooth, beautiful and worth stopping to get a closer look.

3. Ho’okipa Beach Park  - Mile 9 marker

The most renowned windsurfing site in the world offers great views and people watching. The waves here are largest during the winter, and break across a system of reefs that extend across the bay.

Curves along the Road to Hana

4. Keanae Park – between mile 16 & 17 markers

This is peaceful stop to relax, eat and watch stray kittens play. Here you’ll find a beautiful lava rock beach, banana bread stand, and restrooms.

Keanae Park lava rock beach

There are legends about bad luck and bad things happening to those who remove lava rocks from the island. I had picked up a couple smooth rocks from Keanae Park, but upon hearing of these stories, I decided it best to return them to their rightful home. My luck has been good ever since :)

This is me returning lava rocks back to the beautiful beach in Maui

5. Keanae Peninsula

The old Hawaiian village of Keanae stands out against the Pacific like a place time forgot. A 1860 stone church stands here among swaying palms and is one of the last coastal enclaves of native Hawaiians.

Keanae Congregational Church

A 1/4 mile farther is the Keanae Congregational Church built in 1860 of lava rocks and coral mortar. The building is impressive, if only because it has withstood the weather over the years. Beside the church is a small beachfront park and trees against a backdrop of black lava and a beautiful turquoise sea (picture above).

If you want to experience untouched Maui, follow the road until it ends. You’ll find a white fence where you can park, and walk along the shoreline for about 5 minutes over the black lava. Following the footpath, you’ll go through tall California grass to the black rocky beach, separating the freshwater stream. This is a perfect place to stop and eat those PB & J sandwiches and take a swim in the stream’s cool waters.

Keanae Congregational Church cemetary

6. Red Sand Beach

Located on the far side of Ka’uiki Hill just south of Hana Bay. Kaihalulu Beach can only be reached via a primitive and slippery path. Perhaps the best part are the nudists and eccentric characters who also frequent this beach. Strike up a conversation! It’s certain to add more color to your experience.

Red Sand Beach Hana

7. Waioka Pond (Venus Pool) – Just past mile 48 marker

Among East Maui’s most spectacular natural pools, situated in rugged and scenic coastline. Here you’ll find a huge waterfall and 50 foot walls to climb and jump.  Park at mile marker 48 before the bridge. On the other side of the fence follow the well-worn footpath that parallels the stream. Turn right toward the stream and take the path down about 2 minutes to the smooth rocks above the stream.

Waioka Pond

8. Hamoa Beach – between mile 50 & 49 marker

This beach has been repeatedly voted the best beach in Hawaii and is personally my favorite of all beaches I have seen. This half-moon-shaped, gray-sand beach is not only beautiful, but the surf is strong and allows for some great body surfing.

Hamoa Beach

9. Seven Sacred Pools – Mile marker 42

You can park for roughly $10 per car. As you can imagine, this is a huge tourist attraction, so there will be many other people here. Pipiwai Trail is a great hike that many do not take as it is quite long. You will see many waterfalls along the way; 2/3 mile into hike is Makahiku Falls (200 ft.) overlook. At the end is the 400 ft. Waimoku Falls.

10.  Palapala  Ho’omau Church – Mile 41 marker

Charles Lindbergh is buried here and the grounds are lovely.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

10 Things To Do in Chicago This Summer

1. Take a riverboat architecture tour

Forget the tour busses and the walking tours of the city, see the true architectural splendor of this great city with a unique perspective by taking an hour-long tour down the 3 branches of the Chicago River. It is inexpensive and departs from Navy Pier, allowing you to spend some time either before, or after, riding on the giant Ferris Wheel or taking in the views of the magnificent skyline. I have gone with the Shoreline Sightseeing tours 3 times and highly recommend them.

Chicago architecture

2. Eat food that you can only REALLY get in Chicago

Chicago has MUCH more than hot dogs and pizza! Travel north from Chicago Ave. to Lawrence along Western Ave. for good, authentic, diverse and unique eats. This is typically where tourists don’t play, simply because they don’t know about it. Go on down to Pilsen (South of the loop at 18th and Racine) for some amazing Mexican food. Any little shop will do, you’ll get delicious and authentic Mexican there.

Of course, I would be remiss if I didn’t at least tell you where to get the best pizza. Lou Malnati’s and Giordano’s  are favorites with locations all over the Chicagoland area, and Pizano’s in the Loop, well, their deep dish is BOSS. For something REALLY unique though, go to the Chicago Pizza and Oven Grinder Co.  Located across the street from the site of the famous 1929 St. Valentine’s Day massacre, only here can you get an upside down pizza that is beyond delicious, and I mean ONLY here, their recipe is patented!

As for a Chicago style hot dog, there are a ton of great places to check out. Don’t fall for the touristy places that everybody tells you to go to. You would be surprised that the littlest hole in the wall places you discover that not only save you money but will give you food you will remember for the rest of your life. The best hot dog place I’ve ever been to is Franks N’ Dawgs, which will give you a savory gourmet hot dog unlike anything you’ve ever tasted.

Want to splurge and have a meal you’ll remember forever? Skip Charlie Trotters and head west to the molecular gastronomy restaurant, Moto, which will give you an amazing culinary experience in the West Loop. Be prepared to spend though, a 10 course dinner for 2 with wine pairings runs over $500.

3. Enjoy all the FREE activities!

There are an overabundance of fun and free things to do in Chicago over the summer: “Movies in the park” starting at sunset in Grant Park surrounds you with the beauty of Chicago, take a bike ride up the Lake Shore Bike Path OR walk along the lakefront from 3500 Recreation south to Navy Pier (It’s a hell of a great walk to see some of the most amazing skyline you have ever seen in your life), free monday night concerts at Millennium Park, Taylor street Italian fest, Division Street street cafes, Lincoln Park Farmer’s Market (or any farmer’s market should do), go north to Albion beach to enjoy some urban quiet. The FREE Lincoln Park Zoo is north of the downtown area..See more fun and free activities listed on the Chicago Summer Calendar I have posted below.  

Want more ideas? Check out the Chicago Summer Calendar and add to your Google calendar simply by clicking the Google+ button on the bottom.

4. See a comedy Show at Second City.

5. Have a drink above it all

Skip the Sears Tower (locals just will not call it the Willis Tower) and the fees of the observatory and go to the 95th floor of the John Hancock building on Michigan Avenue and have a cocktail in the Signature Room. This is a better view of the city and instead of buying a ticket, you can have a drink or appetizer instead. You CAN stay for dinner, however the food isn’t as good as places listed in #2, and is pretty pricey for what you get. If you want a great view outside, go to the Vertigo Skylounge which is at the rooftop of the Dana Hotel and Spa.

6. Catch a Baseball game

Go to a White Sox game! I know Wrigley Field is famous for its age, and its history of suck, but unless you are a 20 something looking to bar hop, Wrigley Field is the last place you want to be. U.S. Cellular Field is nicer, has fantastic stadium food (the smells are ridic!) and a beer garden. You can take the Red Line elevated train (the EL) for only $2.50 directly to the stadium at 35th street-Sox Park . If you drive, come early and TAILGATE in the parking lot. That’s right TAILGATE!

7. At some point, ride the EL

Commuters might disagree with me, but if you don’t live in a big city like Chicago, this is a cool experience. I suggest hopping the Blue Line north from the city to North Ave, or the California stop for some cool hole-in-the-wall places. Or, of course, take the red line to a baseball game.

The Chicago EL train is the best way to get around Chicago

8. Spend a day on the Museum Campus

Go to the Shedd Aquarium, say “Hi!” to the grouper and check out the jellyfish. Walk over to the Planetarium & learn how tiny we are in this vast universe. Stay outside take pictures of the best skyline view you will get of the Windy City. Spend time at the Field Museum checking out all the dinosaurs. Soldier Field is right there too, for all you football fans! If you can time it right, try to see a concert at the Charter One Pavilion at Northerly Island – by far the best venue to see a live show in the whole city.

View from the Adler Planetarium

9. People Watch at the beach

Castaways on North Ave beach is a great place to grab a snack, a drink, and watch some craziness around you. Take a dip in Lake Michigan, play some beach volleyball, or go for a walk down the lakefront path. Keep in mind this is a VERY crowded beach, if you are anything like me and prefer a more quiet and private beach, head north on the Red Line to the Loyola stop, and walk to the Albion street beach.

View from the Lake Shore Drive bike Path – Photo by Mara Borkowski

10. Check out the Chicago music scene

Specifically, the blues. If you can’t go to blues fest, check out Buddy Guy’s Legends, which has live blues 7 nights a week. You can see great live music pretty much any night at a variety of venues, just last week I wandered into Underground Wonder Bar and spent the night dancing away to great tunes with cool, chill, fun people.

Metro Mix provides good information on the music scene in Chicago – from every venue, free or otherwise, to the blow-out Lollapalooza music festival in August.

What are your favorite things to do in Chicago over the summer? Leave a comment about your travel (or local) experience in Chicago.

The Rocking Chair

“Every man dies. Not every man really lives.” ~ William Wallace

Someday, God willing, I’ll grow old.

I wonder what I’ll remember most… What will be something(s) I accomplished that I’ll be proud of? What kind of lasting impact was made on others as a result of my mere existence?

When I retire, sitting in this rocking chair looking out at the beauty of the world, will my reflections of the life passed leave a smile on my face? Will my time on this planet have been lived to its fullest? Will I have loved life (because, after all, what else is there)?

For consideration: http://www.inspirationandchai.com/Regrets-of-the-Dying.html

These rocking chairs are a reminder that life is but a fleeting moment in time. It is worth turning off the TV and the computer and doing something worth remembering.

Go forth and live today with tomorrow in mind.

“To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and to endure the betrayal of false friends. To appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; to know that even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.”  ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

The Moon is Upside Down!

Today the sun crosses the celestial equator meaning IT’S THE FIRST DAY OF SPRING! At least in Chicago this is the case.  For my friends south of the equator, today is the first day of fall. While I get excited for the upcoming days of flowers and sunshine, those in Argentina are getting ready for days that are just a bit shorter and have that crisp air that only seems to come in autumn. I have suffered through another Chicago winter and typically spring is my favorite time of year, but for some reason today I am thinking about my time in Argentina and one particularly fantastic and bewildering thing I saw while there.

When I traveled to Buenos Aires during their summer, one of the most astonishing things I saw was up in the sky. My husband and I were at the Velez Sarsfield stadium watching an Argentine football match between Velez and Caracas. He was chatting it up with our friend, Pablo, and I was staring up at the sky in amazement. I expected to see stars I had never seen, but I never knew that, when in the Southern Hemisphere, the moon appears to be upside down.

I had more fun at this soccer game watching the sky and the people around me than actually watching the match (typical for an American?). Endlessly curious as I am, I pulled out a piece of paper to work this out. To this day, I am certain my husband doesn’t understand why this fascinated me so much.

A rough drawing explaining why the moon appears to be upside down - simply viewing the sky from different angles.

View of the moon from the Northern Hemisphere

Here was my conclusion: when you travel from the Northern Hemisphere to the Southern Hemisphere, you are technically standing upside down from those in your originating city. This is why the Man in the Moon I had gazed at so many times before didn’t seem to be there.

A view of the moon from the southern hemisphere

The moon also appears to MOVE differently. In the North, all heavenly bodies move from left to right across the sky, however in the Southern Hemisphere, just the opposite is true. With the Argentine perspective, the moon, sun and stars travel from right to left. Even the shadow of a sundial will move counterclockwise in the Southern Hemisphere (opposite of that in the North).

This unexpected new view of the heavens above was a highlight of my time in Argentina. Whenever and wherever you travel, look up. You never know what you might discover.

“For my part I know nothing with any certainty, but the sight of the stars makes me dream.”

- Vincent van Gogh

Life’s a beach, I’m just playing in the sand.

Imagine a place where everyone seems to be smiling and at total peace. Where the sun hugs you with every perfect warm breeze, and the stars shine brilliant in the night sky. This place has beguiling gardens, beaches, mountains and hundreds of waterfalls. The smell of spring lingers in the air all year-long, thanks to the millions of plumerias adding color to the already lush garden landscape.

I don't have a picture of the plumeria, however, the hibiscus can be found almost everywhere on the windward side of Maui. The yellow hibiscus, maʻo hau hele, which is native to the islands became the state flower in the '80s. In Hawaiian tradition the hibiscus is a symbol for the old royalty and is a flower that brings, besides great beauty, great power and respect.

I speak of a paradise that will forever be calling me to come back to it.

Mark Twain once said “I went to Maui to stay a week and remained five. I never spent so pleasant a month before, or bade any place goodbye so regretfully. I have not once thought of business, or care or human toil or trouble or sorrow or weariness, and the memory of it will remain with me always.”

Mr. Twain and I have that in common

Maui is a fairly small island, both in size and population (with roughly 160,000 it has fewer people living there than in Lincoln Nebraska), with an over-abundance of things to see and do. It is just the perfect place to visit, a true paradise found at every turn – I fell in love. As one might expect, Maui is surrounded by all kinds of beaches…and I’m just a big kid who never lost her love for the beach.

Hamoa Beach is easily one of the most beautiful beaches in the world.

While I no longer build sandcastles, I still love being knocked over by a big wave. I still get lost when looking out at the endless horizon of the ocean. I’m soothed by the musical rhythm created when waves roll up against the shore.  I feel renewed on the beach as if its nature’s great tranquility spa. When I float off into serenity with the water holding me gently in its grasp, I can only imagine possible ways to be here forever. I still fantasize about living under the water, yes, like Ariel. When you’re in paradise, almost anything seems possible…

Had God created anything better than Maui, he certainly would have kept it for himself. The Hawaiian locals say “Maui no ka oi”, Maui is the best. I wholeheartedly agree…you don’t have to die to go to heaven.

Hamoa Beach is a half-moon-shaped, gray-sand beach (made from a mix of coral and lava) which sits below 30-foot, black-lava sea cliffs.

Get Real or Forfeit Your Place in the Sun

Expanding or moving business operations into Southeast Asia requires a deep understanding of the different emerging economies in the region. Navigating the political system, understanding consumer purchasing patterns, recognizing the dark horse that others overlook for investment, and finding the right local business partners are all important factors, as Chris Bruton, Director for Thailand and Indochina at Dataconsult, shared with us during the last official business meeting of the study abroad program.

Chris from Dataconsult

Of the 10 countries in the Association of Southeast Asian nations, the ASEAN 5 (Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam) currently account for 1/4 of its GDP and roughly 39% of ASEAN’s population. Having seen first hand the rapid growth taking place in Ho Chi Minh City and Siem Reap, and the consumerism rapidly spreading throughout their respective countries, this put in perspective for me the great opportunity present in these developing economies.

Thailand leads, growth and infrastructure-wise, its sister countries in the ASEAN 5. It is considered a manufacturing center, especially for consumer goods, and an air transportation hub (Suvarnabhumi Airport handled 48 million passengers last year, just surpassing Singapore Changi Airport).  The flood, which tragically hit the country in October, actually created a promising infrastructure investment opportunity as $50B in damages presents a chance to build new state-of-the-art plants and facilities. In fact, Habitat for Humanity has been involved in the aid of post-flood rebuilding.

Doing business in Thailand is relatively easy for Americans. The Treaty of Amity and Economic Relations from 1966 allows U.S. and Thai companies’ equal economic access to one another’s markets. Thailand ranked 17th in the World Bank for ease of doing business but lacks adequate education programs to compete on a global scale (ranked 62 in the World Economic Forum, still significantly higher than the ASEAN 4). Thailand also ranks relatively low in political stability because, here, the caste system is still very much in practice. This means that everyone has a distinct place in society – Brahmin social elite, merchant class, peasant & worker class – and it is difficult, if not nearly impossible, to escape their rank. Improved education is the key both to overcoming these challenges and to long-term democracy.  As the boom in internet access spreads through Thailand and the ASEAN 4, knowledge spreads and dissatisfaction grows with current systems, as we’ve recently seen in other regions of the world.

After travelling to 3 of the 5 ASEAN nations, it does appears that Thailand is more “with it” than its neighbors. After learning from Chris for an hour, I would now attribute that to a recent history devoid of war, being more capital-intensive (rather than labor intensive), and possessing the factors which resulted in a higher WEF competitiveness ranking.

The other 4 nations in the ASEAN 5 rank low in ease of doing business (Vietnam ranks 98, Cambodia ranks 138, Laos ranks 165), competitiveness (Vietnam ranks 65, Cambodia ranks 97), and, as we had learned only days before, the education system in Vietnam and Cambodia are quite poor (Vietnam ranks 103, Cambodia ranks 120). Communist authoritarianism in Laos and Vietnam and endemic corruption in the region create substantial challenges for any business to run successfully. As we saw with businesses like Intel, helping the governments with policy formulation and follow through is necessary – these nations have poor records of carrying out newly created policies. My classmates and I learned at Fulbright that, in the case of Vietnam, reform is needed within the banking system as bank insolvency is one of the largest causes of the recent inflation of the dong.

Loyola has an international partnership with Harvard - the mission: to bring U.S. quality university programs to Vietnam.

Mr. Bruton mentioned that Myanmar is a dark horse in the region, showing a lot of potential. Largely ignored because of its relatively ”closed off” history to the rest of the world, it appears to be in a turning point politically. The country has a vast energy, mineral, and agricultural resource base, but like its neighbors, has huge challenges in infrastructure, bureaucracy, financing and labor.

Dr. Shultz thanking Mr. Bruton

During this incredible study abroad program, Dr. Shultz provided us a total immersion in the local customs, a unique exposure  to and perspective of international culture, and lessons of endlessly fantastic opportunity in a truly beautiful part of the world. I am forever grateful to him for the countless lessons he has bestowed upon me.

A Ride down the Chao Phraya River

After touring the Grand Palace, my classmates and I hopped onto a long-boat, crossed the river and had lunch at the amazing water front Supatra River House Restaurant. This was one of those Thai lunches you dream of…the cashew chicken…drool…

View of the Chao Phraya River from Supatra River House Restaurant

As we ate, we were suddenly graced with the presence of an American expat, Jeff, who acted as our “travel agent” of sorts for this trip. He once worked in the travel industry in the states and later started a business in Thailand when he realized that there was a lack of “custom travel agents” in this region of the world. Having the good sense to note that Americans don’t typically like to be herded onto buses and rushed around like many of the local travel and touring companies would have you do, he decided to specialize in creating that one of kind southeast Asia experience, complete with meals at the best restaurants and tours given by award-winning guides. All I know is that he is EXCELLENT at his job and hope I have the good fortune to use his services again.

After lunch, we boarded a river express boat to explore some of the klongs (canals) of the Chao Phraya River. Damage left from the October flooding can still be seen on  many of the wooden river-front houses.

Exploring the canals we saw schools, hospitals, temples, and homes on stilts lining the banks. I even spotted a vine that looked like Jesus!

Hallelujah!

There is an endless variety of things to see along this river – even huge, bread-eating catfish.

Wat Pho? Pho Mo Buddha Smiles!

The first temple our group visited while in Bangkok was Wat Pho (the Temple of the Reclining Buddha… the official name is a mouthful that I can’t even attempt to pronounce – Wat Phra Chetuphon Vimolmangklararm Rajwaramahaviharn).

This Buddhist temple is really quite impressive and is even considered the birthplace of the traditional Thai massage. Everywhere you turn, the buildings sparkle with colorful brilliance under the sun.

While there are over 1,000 images of Buddha here, the largest and most grandiose is a majestic reclining Buddha covered in gold leaf.

Pictures seen here don’t really give a sense of the sheer size and awe of this famous statue – this guy is HUGE at about 160 feet long and 50 feet high. The architecture and decoration within the building are beautiful. I even took a picture of the ceiling I thought it was so pretty :)

Feets!

Symbols include tigers, elephants, flowers and much more

Pretty ceiling

The Buddha’s feet alone are about 10 feet long and exquisitely decorated in mother-of-pearl illustrations of auspicious ‘laksanas’ (characteristics) of the Buddha.

After taking our shoes off at the entrance (and being aware of non-Thai pickpockets), we passed the devout who dropped offerings of Baht (Thai currency, it’s about 30 baht to the USD) into pots lined along the inside perimeter of the building.

My favorite was Buddha’s smile. Meant to depict Buddha at his moment of enlightenment, I just loved the peaceful and serene look on his face.

Cabbages…and Condoms

After a short 50 minute flight from Siem Reap to Bangkok, and riding on a really sweet and spacious bus to the Century Park Hotel to drop off our bags, a group of us headed to an optional dinner at a restaurant called Cabbages and Condoms.

Driving to the Century Park Hotel in Bangkok

Bangkok ended up being everything I expected and nothing I expected all at the same time. This restaurant is a prime example of what I mean by that.

The Population and Community Development Association (PDA), founded in 1974, works to promote family planning in urban and rural areas of Thailand, where knowledge of and access to such services have been scarce. The founder, Mr.Mechai Viravaidya, worked to attract media coverage to aid in changing his society’s values, particularly with respect to taboo subjects such as sex, contraception, and vasectomies.

Condom Santa

He theorized that cabbages are a common food in Thailand, grown in all villages and eaten by most Thais. If he was successful in making condoms as common and cheap as cabbages, then perhaps he could make some of the health problems facing Thailand disappear!

Safety People!

This unique spot at times requires a sense of humor and respect for the mission it serves. Some of the money paid for our meal goes towards supporting the work of the Population and Community Development Association and an on-site clinic even offers vasectomies! As a thank you, condoms are given with the bill instead of after dinner mints.

Condom Man

I anticipated Thailand to be the culinary delight of this trip, and I wasn’t disappointed – the pad see ew I had at Cabbages and Condoms could very well be the best I’ve ever had. And being half-way through my antibiotics, I had to skip the Thai beer, instead drinking a fresh fruit punch which was absolutely delicious.

Our table

The place may look tacky, but the service was fantastic, the food was fabulous and the mission of PDA is respectable. If you ever go to Bangkok, I HIGHLY recommend checking it out.