Archive for the ‘Travel’ Category
Green Maui
In a previous blog, I had mentioned that I was taking a trip to Maui. Well, I’m back from my vacation, living and working and blogging once again. My take on Maui? It was incredible — and exceeded every expectation that I had going into it.
It’s the most naturally beautiful place I’ve ever seen. Not just the gorgeous beaches, but the rainforests, the rocky coastlines, the black sand beaches, the waterfalls and the rainbows (yes, we saw a full-arched rainbow, framed by a picket fence), and the culture…the spirit of aloha. The cows happily grazing on grass, hanging out in their little cow-families on rolling hills. The lavender fields. The shave ice. The Old Lahaina Luau. The Road To Hana. The waterfalls, complete with natural swimming pools beneath them. The way that locals wave at you as your drive by in Hana. The most incredible part of it? Sunrise at the Haleakala Crater. If I can swing it, I’m going to try to go back in winter when the Humpback Whales are there (yes, even whales love Maui).
I was also really impressed with how green Maui is. As Lonely Planet puts it, “Green is also a way of thinking and living on this island, where people spend most of their waking hours outdoors, communing with each other and with nature…nearly everyone on Maui feels a close connection to the land and the sea.”
People from Maui have been locavores for as long as people have lived there, for obvious reasons: Maui is an island. Most of the restaurants specified where the vegetables and meat were from. At Mama’s Fish House, a beautiful seafood restaurant on the North Shore, the menu even specified where the fish was caught, and who caught it (that day, of course).
So, on my continuing quest to eat locally (I’m striving to only eat stuff from California, when I’m here), Maui is an absolute inspiration.
And now, sitting back at my desk at work, I can immediately de-stress by thinking back to that full-arched rainbow, and of course, the beautiful spirit of Maui.
We saw this rainbow in upcountry and were amazed. The picture below is one that I took at the Haleakala Crater at sunrise.
Pets on the go
My dog Teo is, without a doubt, a major source of happiness and stress-release for me. All he wants to do is hang out with me, run around and eat. Such a nice, simple canine life. I’ve dedicated a ‘pet’ section to my blog – like many pet owners, I believe that Teo is a part of a healthy lifestyle because he makes me so happy (and chilled-out).
So, you probably wouldn’t be surprised to learn that Teo’s a frequent flier – I take him to as many places as I can. He’s 10-lbs, so he comes on the plane with me. When I learned about Pet Airways, I found a perfect solution for people who have larger dogs that can’t fly in the main cabin, but don’t want their dogs to fly cargo.
“Pet Airways is the first airline exclusively dedicated to pets – no humans please – and we take the job of providing a comfortable experience for pets very seriously. We’ll do everything in our power to make sure your pets get the best care during their journey because we’re committed to taking care of our pet “pawsengers” as if they were our own.”
Pet airways cities include LA, NY, Denver, DC and some other cities across the country – perfect for those of us who live a bicoastal lifestyle or just love to travel.
I love the idea of everything becoming more pet-friendly. Below is a pic of Teo gearing up for a trip to NY.
Eco-conscious travel
I’m so passionate about travel. My favorite thing to do is to go someplace new, soak in its unique culture, and enjoy the sense of unfamiliarity (which is exactly what I plan to do when I get to Maui in a few weeks). If you offered to give me a ton of cash or travel the world, I’d take the travel (unless, of course, I could take the cash and then travel). My favorite quote: “When in Rome.”
Allright, enough with the philosophical stuff. I’m here to write about a book I discovered by my favorite Travel organization, Lonely Planet, called Code Green: Experiences of a Lifetime.
Here’s the summary in their own words:
“Code Green is all about travel experiences that will challenge, change and inspire you. It’s about making a connection with people who lead very different lives to you, and connecting in a sustainable way, so that the same opportunities will be there for the future. Code Green draws together almost 100 responsible travel experiences from across the planet, all linked by three defining principles; tread lightly on the environment, immerse yourself in the culture and have a positive economic benefit for the local community.”
I already own Lonely Planet’s The Travel Book: A Journey Through Every Country in the World, this one is next on my list.
Staycation ideas
On a typical Saturday, I’ll go for a hike in a state park, which is only 15 minutes away from me. Ahhh, views of the mountains and the ocean. I always feel like I’ve been on a little vacation, all de-stressed and relaxed. No, it’s not Fiji, but who’s got the money and time for that this Summer? Unfortunately, not me. The next best thing is to make the most of what you’ve got.
I found a great article in Budget Travel Magazine, ”One-Tank Escapes For Seven Cities.” Ideas for drivable getaways that are close to major cities. The beautiful pic above is Joshua Tree, only 140 miles from LA! Here are Staycation ideas for other cities, including NY, Boston, and more:
http://www.budgettravel.com/bt-dyn/content/article/2009/05/04/AR2009050401528.html
Lonely Planet
Lonely planet is by far my favorite travel resource, and nothing makes me feel more fulfilled than travel (Turkey is one of my top choices to go next).
As I sit at my desk at work, I often find myself thinking of where I could be, and this site is the best way to humor my day dreams.
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