I arrived in Stockholm without any problems, took the express train into town and got settled in the apartment.  Then all of a sudden, I felt out of my comfort zone.  I didn’t understand why, since I had been to Stockholm numerous times, and at one point had actually lived there.  However, I wasn’t deterred.  I put on something cute and my comfortable, ugly-ass sandals and hit the streets.  However, I had forgotten that on Sundays most stores are closed and the ones that are open, close early.  So, when I found an open grocery store, I stocked up on the essentials I’d need for the week, and went back to the apartment to make a plan for the next day.

See…that’s the secret.  You have to have a plan.  Know what you want to see.  Even if you just want to meander around, know where you want to go.  This will give you a sense of purpose.  So every day, I made a plan to do something.  I visited every site I wanted, without compromise.  I left the apartment when I wanted.  I came back when I wanted.  I toured subway stations, I visited their world heritage site, and it was all on my terms.  It was awesome.

Another trick I did was to not view it as a foreign city.  I viewed it as if I were just hanging out, like I’d do at home.  And, that’s really how we do it.  Most people run their errands around the city they live in, alone, without giving it a second thought.

So, what did I learn about myself during this vacation?  I learned that I stayed in the background a lot when it came to interacting with the locals; if I were unsure, I’d push Roland out front to take care of it.  In “real life” I’m not this person.  I’m outgoing and not afraid of people.  However, I didn’t realize that I actually became shy and somewhat timid when I traveled.  I love that I discovered that, so I could change it. Now, I don’t do that anymore

Even though I prefer to have a partner-in-crime, I’d absolutely do a solo trip again.  In fact, I enjoyed it so much, that what started out as a 10 day vacation turned into a 2 week getaway.

Having Fun During My Solo Trip: Me on Lions In Kungsträdgården

Our impressions of Botswana are almost all positive.  To our surprise the the tap-water was drinkable, the bathrooms were clean and the people loved to sing.  It was not uncommon to see a group of people spontaneously break out in three or four part harmony while dancing to some local song. Quick to return a smile or wish you a good day, the people were just friendly enough.  Unless, of course, they were trying to sell you something, such as at souvenir shops where “friendliness” morphed quickly into intrusiveness.  However even with all this friendliness, it’s not the people that bring in Botswana’s second largest source of revenue, it’s the tourist coming if from all over the world.  With the worlds largest herds of elephants, as well as many other exotic animals easily found in their natural habitat all over northern Botswana it’s easy to see why.

Catering to the most high heeled, some tourist packages in the Okavango Delta include five star camping among these animals for more than $3000 a night!   If you are more like the rest of us and would rather use your money on something other than air conditioned tents and velvet napkins, I would suggest the Chobe Safari Lodge in Kasane, Botswana. At only about $120 a night, one can sleep in a luxurious grass roof hut, along side the Chobe river. The lodge’s restaurant, bar, and all around service was impeccable and the ambiance was perfect with its open air dining around a dimly lit pool overlooking a heavily wooded riverside.  The only annoyance was the mosquitoes. These were remedied with mosquito repellant that the staff quickly provided when they saw us scratching; we hadn’t yet realized small bottles of repellant were also next to our shampoo and conditioner bottles in our bathroom courtesy baskets. Mosquito nets were also provided for our beds, although they weren’t really needed if the door remained closed.  Curiously, all windows were barred but without wire screens, suggesting theft is still more of a threat than mosquitoes. Fortunately our little hut came with full length loosely woven inner curtains that allowed light and air in, while turning away the mosquitoes.

Bungalow at Chobe Safari Lodge

Chobe Safari Lodge

Another convenience of the lodge was that we could arrange all safari activities at the hotel and bill them directly to our room. We chose a fantastic three hour early evening “game drive” in the Chobe National Park, which is chocked full of wild animals living unrestrictedly immediately next to the lodge. Within those three hours we saw elephants, giraffes, impalas, wildebeests, a wild boar, mongoose, painted dogs and even the occasional dung beetle.

Giraffes Eating in Botswana

The next day we went on a day trip to Victoria Falls which was only a few hours away.  This included a border crossing into Zimbabwe and Zambia, and opportunities to bungee jump, swing, or zip line across the gorge  just southeast of the falls. The falls themselves were quite the spectacle to behold to of all the senses as they were not only majestically beautiful and thunderously loud, they were also hard to get anywhere near without getting soaked with the overspray, and there was the delicious smell of continuously watered plant life all along the pathway overlooking the falls.

Victoria Falls

The last morning we arranged a two hour private boat tour along the Chobe river where a very knowledgable tour guide / boat driver showed us more elephants, crocodiles, hippos, and many exotic birds.  I will never forget the sight of a massive elephant swimming just 40 feet in front of us while eight others drank at the water’s edge, and a crocodile sunned himself almost obliviously next to them.

Elephants Bathing in Botswana

Botswana’s population of around two million people in a county roughly the size of Texas, has enjoyed a lot of recent prosperity, but also continues to endure one of the worst percentages of HIV/AIDS in the world.  Unfortunately, this seems to be most prevalent in the universities, targeting an already meager educated work force, and posing possibly the biggest threat to Botswana’s continued success.  But despite its challenges, Botswana still offers, in my opinion, a uniquely charming and unforgettable getaway.

 A Special THANKS for Charlie and Nikki Cliffe for sharing their experience on this recent family vacation to Botswana.  I officially now have to add Botswana to my list of “must go to” places.  

Hwy 19 Along The Hamakua Coast

Scenic Route Coastal Drive

PIck up Hwy 11 (Hawaii Belt Road).  This will take you directly to Hawaii’s Volcanos National Park.  The park alone can be a separate daytrip in itself.  However, depending on the time of year, you can easily spend 2 – 3 hours at the park, and still make it back to your hotel before dark.  Continue on Hwy 11 past the barren lava fields, towards South Kona.  If you’ve got time and it’s still day break you may want to stop at Punalu’u State Beach Park (aka Black Sand Beach).

The Big Island - Scenic Lookout

There are so many scenic stops along the way, and it’s an effortless way to see the island. Stop for a picnic at Kolekole State Park.  And, if you’re lucky, you may see a zebra that is a pet in someone’s backyard garden.

Zebra in Backyard

Leave your mark with Rock Graffiti

As you walk along the beaches in Waikaloa, there are white pieces of coral all along the beach that you can use for your artwork.   Do NOT dive or snorkel for them as this is viewed as tantamount to eco-terrorism.  If you can, I would say start collecting them on the first day, and by your last day you should have enough to do something really fun.

Rock Graffiti Along Queen Ka'ahumanu Hwy

Hawaii Volcano National Park
This is a must do.  The bottom line is this, if you go to an island that has an active volcano, you have to go check it out.   If you can, make this an all day trip.  Spend the day, check out Halema’uma’u Crater; the steam vents (yes, you can see steam venting from the ground reminding you that she’s alive and well); go to Jagger Museum, hike Mauna Loa’s Observatory Trail (there are numerous other trails depending on your level of fitness, some are even wheelchair assessable), see ancient petroglyphs; and walk through Lava tubes.

Steam Vents At Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

The View From Craters Rim

Punalu’u State Beach Park

Famous for its black sand and basking green sea turtles, this is a popular beach with both the tourist and the locals.  It’s not a good beach for swimming, but the park has several picnic pavilions, rest rooms, and drinking water, making it the perfect pit-stop while you’re circumnavigating the island.  There are two exits between mile maker 56 and 57 that will get you there.  And, if you’re lucky, you will see the turtles chillin’ on the beach.  And, remember don’t touch them!

Green Sea Turtle

Get You a Shave Ice
We say “shaved ice”, Hawaiians say “shave ice.”  Either way, this fine cut Hawaiian version of a snow cone is the best ever.  I feels like silky snow on the tongue.  There really is no  better way to cool of while walking the streets of Kailua-Kona than with a shave ice.

Dude Making My Shave Ice

Fly over waterfalls!!  Go Zip Lining!!
Yes!!  I’m saying it again…it’s a must do.    This activity isn’t for everyone, there are age and weight restrictions and certain medical issues (ie back injuries, pregnancy) that one may want to consider prior to participating.  There are several operators on the island.  The Honolii Mountain Outpost boasts the longest zipline in Hawaii with their Umauma Falls Zipline Experience.

The Zipline

Hanging on a Zipline

Prior to leaving for Thailand in 2006 I decided I needed some comfy walking sandals that could also get wet.  Our departure date was creeping closer and closer and I still hadn’t found anything cute that I really liked.  While going through Nordstrom’s for the umpteenth time, I came across a pair of leather Tevas.  They weren’t cute, but when I tried them on; oh-my-gaaawd, they were the most comfortable sandals everrrrr!!  So even though they were $86, which is way too much to pay for an ugly shoe, I took them.  That was almost 6 years ago!!

These shoes go with me everywhere, I never leave home without them.

What is your one “must go with you everywhere” item?

My Ugly Sandals in Lisbon, Portugal 2009

My Ugly Sandals Going the Movies with my Mom in Bangkok 2006

My Ugly Sandals on Margarita Island 2007

My Ugly Sandals in St Vincent 2007

My Ugly Sandals - Today

 

 

There isn’t any particular reason that a photo may become my favorite.  However, I know I like it when (1) I keep looking at it, (2) it evokes pleasant memories and I smile,  (3) it was a shot that I was pleasantly surprised that I liked it, or (4) I end up using it as my desktop photo.

Following are the photos that are my favorites from 2011:

Yellow Flowers at The Flower Fields of Carlsbad

Bi-Plane Over Pacific Ocean; taken at Ocean Beach

Råhuset - Pink Cave and Escalators (Stockholm Metro Station)

Man Pushing Carriage in Humlegården (Stockholm)

Meditation Grove Skogskyrkogården

Ducks on an Ice Bar

Passing Subway in New York

Amsterdam Canal Houses

Manhattan Bridge from Brooklyn Bridge Park

Brooklyn Bridge Cables and Structure

Large Red House on Hill

Central Park and Fall Leaves

Birch Tree Forest (Sweden)

Guys in the Park (I think they've been drinking LOL)

Karlsgatan 2 Leaves On Building (Västerås, Sweden)

DMM > AMS > SEA > SAN > SEA > LAS > SAN > SEA > SAN > LAS > SAN > SEA > STR > KON > LAX > SAN > SEA > AMS > DMM > AMS > ARN > AMS > DMM > AMS > ARN > AMS > DMM > AMS > SEA > SAN > SEA > JFK > SAN > SEA > AMS > DMM

Amsterdam is always a layover stop for me when I travel from Saudi Arabia.   This year, it wins as my most visited city.  Even though I’m only there for 8 hours at a time.  I always go into town for some sightseeing.  When it comes to the layout and the architecture (I love those canal side houses) Amsterdam is one of my favorite cities.

Amsterdam Canal Houses

San Diego is my hometown, born and raised.  I love San Diego.  For me, it’s like that friend who has known you since childhood, and you know them.  However, even with knowing the friend so well… people change; as do cities.    The thing is I have not actually lived in San Diego for any length of time since 1999.  When I come to San Diego, it’s all about family for me, and free room and board.  LOL  My family is pretty much the only thing happening for me in this town.  I have love for my hometown, but as far as cities go I think it’s kinda boring.  The vibe of this town is beach and sun.  Other than that, there isn’t much of a “culture.”  But, that’s okay because I still got love, and I’m proud to call myself a San Diegan.

Mission Beach in San Diego

Seattle is my adopted hometown.  I lived in Seattle from 2000 to 2008.  I LOVE Seattle.  From the time I moved to there the vibe was good, it was easy for me to get in, make friends, and start a life.  I have my favorite neighborhood (West Seattle), my favorite happy hour spots (Bahama Breeze and The Black Bottle), my favorite food spots (Chaco Canyon), along with my favorite grocery stores (Marlene’s Natural Market and Metropolitan Market), and all my favorite friends (who I won’t name ).   I headquarter myself out of San Diego, however, whenever I come back to the States, I always spend time in Seattle.  I fly in and out of the States via SEA.  Besides the fact that it’s cheaper than flying directly into San Diego or Los Angeles, it gives me the opportunity to lay over for a couple of days; which is what I typically will do.  Before I leave to go back to Saudi Arabia, I always spend at least 3 days in Seattle.  If I had a house in Seattle, I would make it my home base.  The only problem I have with Seattle is the weather.  OMG.  The weather sucks!!!  But, you can’t have everything.

Pikes Place Market Sign

Veeeeeeeeeeegaaaaaaaassssssss!!!     I Love Vegas!!!   This year, I went to Las Vegas 3 times. I have totally rediscovered this town.  I went in January for a wedding, then I went back again with a girlfriend in April to check out Janet Jackson at Ceasar’s (she was fabulous), then Rolle and I went back again a month later for the Billboard Music Awards (I love going to award shows!!).  The only gripe I have about Las Vegas is them trying to turn this town into a “family” destination. I view Las Vegas as a playground for adults.

At The Billboard Music Awards

The Wynn Hotel's Room with a View

I made my first solo vacation trip this year.  Even though I’ve traveled alone numerous times, I’ve never traveled to a city and stayed for an extended period of time by myself.  I kinda had to be talked into it, but once I made my decision to go I was excited and nervous.  Stockholm was the perfect city for me to have my first solo experience.  I lived there for a short period (1999/2000), so I knew the city and felt comfortable there.  My intention was to stay for 10 days, I ended up staying for 2 weeks.  Stockholmers can be a little “not friendly,” but the trick is to not try to speak Swedish, don’t expect to make “new friends (or acquaintances), they only speak to people they know (which begs to ask, how do you meet people?) .  If you go in just doing your thing, you’ll do fine in this beautiful, easy to navigate city.

Stockholm - StrandVagen from Water

Along with those oldies, I visited some new cities this year as well.

It started with Santa Rosa, CA.  It’s located smack dab in the middle of Sonoma Valley’s wine country and farm land.  This didn’t do me much good considering that I was there for a 10 day stay at a health retreat.  I did a 7-day water fast.  Yes, people, that means for 7 days I only ingested water.  While at the facility, I was not allowed to leave the grounds as they couldn’t have me passing out on the streets.  LOL.  However, the last 3 days we were able to get out and see a little bit of Santa Rosa.  I actually wish I could have spent more time here but Hawaii was calling.

Landing in Santa Rosa

This wasn’t my first trip to Hawaii, however it was my first time to The Big Island.  We headquartered ourselves out of Waikoloa Beach, but spent most of our time in Kona-Kailua or Hilo.  I blame the fact that I hadn’t eaten in several days as the reason for me booking myself in a planned resort community with a Macy’s across the street (ughhhh).  If I had done the research that I typical do before booking a trip I would have had us staying in Kona.  All and all it didn’t matter; we had a blast.  We discovered our favorite healthy restaurant, we zip lined, we circumnavigated the island, and we witness smoke plumes at National Volcano Park.  What’s not to love about Hawaii?

Halema'uma'u Crater, Hawaii Volcano National Park

Last but certainly not least is, New York Baby!!

OMG  I Love New York.  It appears I love all the cities I went to this year, but seriously I loved none more that New York.  It was nothing like I expected.  I thought it would be overrun, overcrowded, I expected the people to be harsh and rude, and Central park to be a deep dark cavern of a park in which I could get raped, robbed or maimed at any corner.  Well…for once, I’m glad none of my expectations were true.  We had a nice apartment on the Upper West Side, right on 72nd Street.  I felt like a local, and at one point I had someone tell me they thought I was from there.  I considered that a major compliment considering I was trying my best not to look like a tourist, which is hard when you’re carry around a big ass camera, which is why I left it in the apartment 50% of the time.

City View from Empire State Building

Times Square

And, in between all of this were quite a few day trips to Bahrain and to Los Angeles.  What can I say?  2011 has been a fabulous travel year for me, and I’m already looking forward to where I may go in 2012.

Click here to view the embedded video.

I’ve made this trip 7 times in the past 3 years and it hasn’t gotten any easier.  I’ve done the working out when you arrive, the melatonin, the “pushing it through the day” hopped up on double espressos and Red Bull, and I’ve tried doing nothing.  It doesn’t matter.  And, just when I think I’ve gotten it beat, I pass out at 4:30PM and I’m up all night.

So this is what it looks like:

I came from Arabian Standard Time (AST) and I’m now on Pacific Daylight Time (PDT)

I woke up this morning at 11:00AM (9:00PM AST), after going to bed at about 4:30AM (2:30PM AST) that same morning. At 3:30PM PDT (1:30AM AST) I was fighting to stay awake.  On my way home, I stopped at Starbucks and grabbed a tall bold drip with 4 raw sugars, hoping to stay up until at least 9:00PM.  The plan was to edit some photos and work my way through it.

Well…at 9:00PM (7:00AM AST) I woke up.  I don’t know what happened.  It’s like I have narcolepsy.  I have no control.  I don’t even really remember laying down.

So, there I was, fixing a breakfast of hash browns, vegan sausage patties and applesauce and it’s was 12:45AM PDT (10:45AM AST).  Because this thing called jet lag does not only affect your sleep cycle, it affects your food cycle.  I’m hungry when I should be sleeping and I go all day without feeling hungry or wanting to eat.  Of course that always leads to a 5 pound weight gain whenever I go back to the States from this alone.

Well…

It’s now 3:30AM (1:30PM AST).  I know I have about two more hours max, before I’m going to have to make a decision whether to turn the TV off and try to get some sleep, or to say “eff it” and let daybreak hit my eyes.  Either way, my day is screwed.  Screwed in the sense that, regardless if I stay up or go to sleep, today will be a day of not having that “refreshed after a good night’s sleep” feeling.  I am assured that today will be a low energy day, and I’ll be hoping that today will be the day that I turn it around.

A few days back, it was 5:30AM (3:30PM AST), when I headed out for Coronado in the hopes of getting some nice sunrise photos of the Coronado bridge.  Well…it was overcast and foggy, but I got a few decent shots. 

Overcast and Foggy Downtown San Diego at Dawn

Coronado Bridge at Dawn

Early Morning Dawn on Coronado

I like a cruise vacation because you typically will go to ports you might not visit otherwise.  Also, it can be a truly relaxing vacation. I view a cruise vacation as a lazy vacation because if you don’t want to have to think, this is the type of trip for you.  However, I’m not a lazy traveler.    I still research and plan every port of call and search for my best options in regards to tours, places of interest, etc.  I’ve found that you typically get a better deal and experience booking your own tours with local companies versus utilizing the Shore Excursions offered by the cruise line.  For example, on our last cruise around the Mediterranean we had two stops in Italy, one in Pisa and one in Rome.   We used Limo In Rome in both ports.  These are private tours customized for you. The small Mercedes vans they use are roomy and get you right up to the sights you want to see without having to walk great distances.  Compared to the $345 per person for the ships excursion, our tour was 500 Euro for all 4 of us on our private tour.  That was a savings of over $600US.  It’s a guarantee ours was a better experience.

So, cruise travel tip #1 is research for local tour companies for a better experience.  Following are my next Top 6 Cruise Vacation Tips:

2)  Bring a power strip.  It’s a guarantee that the cabin will not have enough outlets for you to charge your phones, camera, laptop, iPad, and whatever else you decide to bring that needs power or has to be charged.  In fact,  I typically carry this when I go on vacation because hotels are guilty of not have enough plugs.  But, to be fair, we bring a lot more “need to be charged” stuff with us these days. Also, make sure to check the ships voltage system, you may need to add a converter to the power strip.

3)  Shoe Bags.  Yes, I consider myself a fashionista, but this is not for shoes.  This is for the bathroom.  Bathrooms on cruises do not have enough counter space for your blow-dryer, curling iron, shaver, hair products, lotions, potions, and etc. so the shoe bag will add convenient storage space.  It will store flat in your luggage and hangs over the door.  This is a must bring for something that is virtually taking up no space in your luggage.

4)  Unpack immediately upon delivery of luggage, regardless of the duration of the cruise.  I prefer cruises that are durations of 10 days or more.  However, I think it doesn’t matter if the cruise is for only 3 days, unpack those bags and set up your surroundings, then shove that luggage under your bed.  You’ll feel more relaxed once you do.

5) Pre-order some celebratory Champagne.  Order it online prior to departure (at least a week out).  It will be waiting in your cabin upon arrival or delivered shortly thereafter.  This is a little splurge that I love.  It’s a way to to celebrate the first day of your cruise.  My first few hours on the ship I’m typically sipping on this champagne, while unpacking my bags, and wallowing in “first day of vacation” bliss.

6) Do the formal night.  It’s just fun!  You don’t have to get over the top done.  You can see from our photos below that I’m technically not formally dressed.  I love it because it’s fun to get dressed up and to see everyone dressed up, taking photos, and enjoying themselves.  The formal nights just have a different vibe to them, it seems to make people are more open, relaxed and in a celebratory mood.  I love the formal nights.

7)  Bring some zip lock bags.  This is for a variety of reasons.  You can use them to organize what you’ve picked up in the various ports.  During my Caribbean cruise, I collected sand from the beach of all 9 islands I visited. I don’t know what I’m gonna do with that sand, but I have it, just in case.  LOL!  One of the best uses for these bags is stashing food.  Let’s say you come into port and you just want to chill at a beach somewhere.  Go to the buffet and load up your plates.  Then sort it out in the zip lock bags and voila’ you’ve got a picnic lunch.

Happy Cruising!!