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APR
2019 17
Travel
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VOLUNTEER AND SEE THE WORLD AT THE SAME TIME

A picture of fishing boats in Alexandria, Egypt
Fishing boats in Alexandria, Egypt.

Traveling and seeing the world is one thing, being able to volunteer to improve the quality of life of others is another. What are the possibilities of combining both and being a voluntourist?

Not only is it cheaper, but the amount of friends made and cultural experiences gained from giving your time to help others is something you can’t pay for on a group tour focused on going to the touristy places and making money.

Since I was a little girl, I have had a fascination with all things Egypt. The pyramids, artifacts, Valley of the Kings, King Tut, Cleopatra, the Nile, I could go on and on.

I still get excited when an announcement is made about a new discovery in the Valley of the Kings.

Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL)

I had become interested in volunteering and wanted to teach English.  While researching certification programs, I came across an organization called TEFL International.

Locations are all over the world including the United States. Lucky for me, they had one in Egypt, the second-largest city of Alexandria (named after and founded by Alexander the Great).

Cost for the courses included seafront accommodations of shared apartments with access to a private beach in al-Agami, a suburb of Alexandria along with transportation to and from the school.

The trainers guide you on the process of planning, preparation, delivery of a lesson to actual students in a classroom setting and one on one. The feedback that was provided was very valuable.

Upon completion of the 4 – week course, I earned a TESOL certification which can be used to apply for entry-level jobs to teach English in a classroom setting or private one on one around the world.

Learning English Changes Lives

Through this experience, I learned the importance of how learning English improves career prospects. During a private lesson, I had one student who was going to school for Egyptology.

In order for her to be able to get a job at one of the archeological sites, she had to know and hold a conversation in English. I walked away knowing the intangible rewards of teaching English as a second language. 

TEFL banner

During my month-long stay in Alexandria, the weekend was spent hanging out with my classmates and sightseeing around Alexandria.

I loved that just a few blocks from my apartment. I could get fresh fruits and vegetables and work on my cooking skills.

Most places are within walking distance and transportation is cheap. My experience allowed me to see many of the tourist attractions.

Do some shopping for some unique souvenirs at the City Center Mall and Souq District.

Places I Recommend Visiting

  • Fort Qaitbey – a 15th-century fortress & naval museum. Viator offers an excellent group tour.
  • The Library of Alexandria – six specialized libraries, four museums, and ongoing exhibitions.
  • Pompey’s Pillar – the biggest memorial column in Egypt.
  • Kom al-Dikka – the only Roman amphitheater found in Egypt and observe ongoing excavations.
  • Corniche of Alexandria – waterfront stroll along the eastern harbor of Alexandria.

During the months of Jan-Mar, the school offers a free trip to Sharm el-Sheikh. Seeing the pyramids, the Sphinx and Egyptian Museum was on my bucket list.

Instead of going to Sharm el-Sheikh, I arranged for a private tour of Alexandria and Cairo. I had a personal tour guide who went with me to the pyramids and the Sphinx.

A picture of the Sphinx and the Pyramids
The Sphinx and the Pyramids in Giza.

He spoke on the history of these wonderful structures. Afterward, I spent some time at the Egyptian Museum where the mask of King Tut is on display along with other collections of pharaonic antiquities before heading back to Alexandria.

Gotta Try The Street Food

Just like in the United States, there is lovely street food to try. Before diving in, I recommend waiting a couple of days for your body to adjust to the environment.

Even though I am not a liver fan, I had the best liver and onion sandwich along with some koshari. 

It consists of rice topped with pasta, lentils, and chickpeas topped with tomato sauce, garlic and a bit of thinly sliced fried onion.

It’s cheap, filling and delicious and was something I ate it pretty much every day and never got sick of it.

Another food to try is rice ice cream. I was a skeptic at first, but by the time I finished my ice cream, I became a believer.

a photo of two females enjoying rice ice cream in Alexandra, Egypt.
Taking a break from a TEFL course to enjoy rice ice cream in Alexandria, Egypt.

Alexandria is the little quieter than Cairo, but I think this city is the best-kept secret of places to visit and her treasures like koshari. Of course, if you feel the need to go to Cairo, there are plenty of tours available to give you time to learn about Egypt’s history and contribute to the economy.

It’s a good idea to have travel insurance in case something goes wrong. You can purchase travel insurance from World Nomads.

World Nomads provides travel insurance to travelers from over 140 countries and is backed by reputable insurers and 24-hour assistance providers.

You can click here to get a quote. Read the policy details to ensure that it’s right for you.

If you enjoyed reading this post, check my post on Amsterdam: Making the Most of an 8-hour Layover and how much fun I had in such a short amount of time before arriving in Egypt.

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APR
2019 17
Travel
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OFF SEASON TRAVEL: ANTIGUA, WEST INDIES PART II

An image of a beach in Antigua Barbuda.

In part I of Off-Season Travel: Antigua, West Indies, You bought the plane ticket to the island, have the paperwork to make going through customs a breeze. Now it is time to have some fun and take in the island life. Time to explore!

Caribbean Sea Side or Atlantic Ocean Side?

The beaches are pristine. If you are trying to decide which hotel and part of the island to stay at, let me provide some information.

On the east side (Atlantic Ocean), it’s quieter with the buses running less frequently as most locals have a car. Currently, there is a seaweed problem with the beaches being covered by it. 

Photo of the rock cliffs overlooking the Pacific ocean in Antigua and Barbuda, West Indies
Overlooking the rocky cliffs of Moon Bay

One beach I recommend is going to is Half Moon Bay. You may not be able to lay on the beach, but the water is warm and inviting.

Walk around the beach and watch the ocean waves crash into the rock formations.

Perfect for taking photos. On the west side (Caribbean Sea), no seaweed, clear and calm turquoise color beaches. If you ask a local, they will say to stick with the Caribbean side.

Public Transportation

Most buses are driven by drivers who purchase their own bus with it coming down to making money versus convenience. At bus stations, drivers don’t depart until the bus is completely full.

I sat on a bus in which we waited 30 minutes to depart. I had time on my hands and didn’t mind. Some of the locals expressed their dissatisfaction with waiting.

I got a kick out of folks looking at me weird. Most westerners ride in taxis with air conditioning. Let me remind you, think 1USD each way compared to 30USD. As long as you have tunes, headphones and a book, it’s worth the wait.

Day 1

Sugar Ridge Resort is located in Jolly Harbor. There is a grocery store called Epicurean Fine Foods within a 6-minute walk of the hotel. The resort is beautiful, with many menu options and activities. Anytime I travel, I always try to eat local food versus what I have at home.

If you want to mix up fine dining and local food, I recommend eating at Carmichael’s at the resort. Along the roads, locals serve local food on the cheap. Fruits and vegetables are more expensive at the grocery store. 

The grocery store contains what you will find back at home. Some of the things you enjoy back at home, you will pay a lot more for them from being imported. There is a deli in which you can purchase hot food like chicken and hamburgers.

Something I found interesting is the use of Thousand Island dressing on burgers and shawarma. It reminded me of the McDonald’s Big Mac a little. Did McDonald’s get their secret sauce from Antigua?

Once settled, time for some sightseeing. The first tour I recommend is the island tour. The cost is 120USD, well worth it. This can be scheduled through the hotel or through the taxi driver you rode with.

An image of a cricket statute in front of a stadium of Sir Viv Richards.
Sir Viv Richards Stadium

This will help you to determine what other tours or places you would like to visit in more detail. 

The island tour I did took me to St. John’s, Freetown, English Harbor, Nelson’s Dockyard, Shirley Heights, Jolly Harbor, and Sir Viv Richards Stadium built-in 2007 for the Cricket World Cup.

In speaking with a local, I expressed noticing what looked like abandoned houses around the island.  He said that locals own their homes. Only-apartments you see are ones that are rented out for tourists. 

You will see houses that look abandoned. Some residents choose to save up for a house. Residents begin construction, stop when funds run out, and start again when more funds are available.

Others may take out a loan from the bank. Don’t forget to schedule that 60 min massage. J Spa along with shops are closed on Sundays, but the taxis and buses are available. 

Day 2

The resort offers a complimentary shuttle to nearby beaches and to St. John’s from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. I went to Turner’s Beach.

There is a local restaurant that serves burgers and seafood. I recommend ordering the catch of the day.

A seafood plate of red snapper.
Eating red snapper at the beach

I ordered the snapper and it was delicious costing me $24.

There is no skimming as you get a whole snapper, rice, vegetables, and salad.

Be adventurous and ask about their popular rum drinks. Try a different drink other than a rum and coke. At the beach, you can rent a jet ski, snorkeling equipment, kayaks, and beach chairs.

Be sure to bring your camera to capture the turquoise colors of the Caribbean Sea. If it’s a clear day, in the distance you can see the island Montserrat. 

Day 3

Since Tuesday was my check out day, I made Monday my spa day to use that $300 gift certificate. The spa has a great listing of services making it difficult to decide on.

I started with a 60-minute beautifying body wrap followed by a 90-minute massage.

The resort has AVEDA products available for purchase with a 40% discount and you earn Pure Privilege points. After my spa day, it was time to take a dip in the pool, relax, and read a book.

Day 4

One good thing about the resort is checking out isn’t until noon. Again you can take a taxi to your next destination or there is a bus stop outside of the hotel.

I decided to continue my journey onto the Five Islands. I found a budget hotel for less than $80 per night called Inn La Galleria.

Breakfast was included and filling. The hotel is within a 5-minute walk to the beach. The place was clean and the breakfast was good.

There is a bus stop a couple of blocks away that takes you back into St. John’s. I decided to check out the capital city.

A picture of Heritage Quay
Heritage Quay

First, stop Heritage Quay for some duty-free shopping and people watching.

This is where cruise ships dock for the day and its tourist central running around.

If you are just in the mood for some food and drinks I recommend chilling at the Beehive or Cheers. Just a couple blocks away are the Antigua and Barbuda Museum. 

Day 5

Walk another 5 minutes and you will be at East Station. Take the 35 bus to the Ferry town and visit Half Moon Beach where it’s known for its pink sand.

Just be forewarned that the 35 bus doesn’t go all the way to the beach and you will have to walk about a mile.

To take the bus back to St. John’s you will need to walk back into the village to a bus stop or call for a taxi.  The water is warm and clear, but you will see piles of seaweed.

If you are into photography, you can walk around the beach to the rocks and take photos of nearby rock formations and watch the waves slam into the rocks. There are a restaurant and a stand that sells beverages.

In my case, I did take a bus and the driver got me as close to the beach as possible.

Picture of Half Moon Bay, Antigua and Barbuda, West Indies
Half Moon Bay

Buses run until 6 p.m., sometimes earlier on the east side of the island. Remember to have a transportation plan or else you may find yourself sleeping on the beach.

Once the sun goes down, St. John’s is night and day. Food places not open during the day open up. The city is bursting with activity. Check out an evening game of cricket and converse with the locals.

Roti is a must-try. Roti King opens at 5 p.m. and is located on St. Mary’s Street. If you are missing something American, there is a Burger King and a Subway.

I was feeling a craving for fries. My fast food of choice was chicken shawarma with fries.  There is a cinema where you can catch a movie. 

Day 6

As I continue around the island, today’s adventure consisted of visiting English Harbor. If you are into some history of Antigua, you should visit Nelson’s Dockyard.

Nelson’s Dockyard is named after Admiral Nelson. Here you can see ships, learn some early history, visit the museum, get some delicious baked goods and do some snorkeling.

Day 7

Skip the taxi to the airport and take the bus. 42 Coolidge will get you close to the airport. The walk to the airport is less than one mile. Cross the street and follow the sidewalk all the way to the airport terminal. 

Not ready to go home? Here is a wild idea. Extend your vacation and flyover to South America.

Snorkel with sea turtles and sea lions on San Cristobal, Galapagos Island, Ecuador.

Check out my blog post, Visit San Cristobal Island on the Cheap. 

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APR
2019 17
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AMSTERDAM: MAKING THE MOST OF AN 8-HOUR LAYOVER

Bike sitting in front of a boat canal in Amsterdam.

Is 8 hours Enough Time To Go Sightseeing?

Who wants to be stuck at the airport waiting for a connecting flight for 8 hours when you get can a brief taste of a city such as Amsterdam? I was asking the same thing when I was booking my plane ticket to Egypt. To save on cost, I decided to do a layover in another country.

As I was looking at the layover options, I saw Amsterdam which I was instantly excited about, but 8 hours? The first question I asked, “is 8 hours enough time to do some sightseeing and how easy is it?” Quite easy indeed. 

The international airport you will fly into in the Netherlands is the Amsterdam Airport Schiphol. Upon arrival, you will clear customs and be on your way. Got luggage? No worries, there is a convenient luggage storage facility. There are many transportation options: direct trains, bus, and taxi service to the center of the city.

I decided to utilize the train from Schiphol International Airport to the Amsterdam Central Station as it was the fastest form of transportation to the city center as trains run every 10 minutes.

Amsterdam is a very walkable city as most sites are in or near the city center. You can rent a bicycle to get from place to place.

Before leaving the airport, be sure to stop over to the tourism desk, grab a couple of maps, buy a one day Amsterdam Card for unlimited travel on public transport and entry into Amsterdam museums and attractions.

It’s a good idea to have travel insurance in case something goes wrong. You can purchase travel insurance from World Nomads. World Nomads provides travel insurance to travelers from over 140 countries and is backed by reputable insurers and 24-hour assistance providers.

You can click here to get a quote. Read the policy details to ensure that it’s right for you.

A picture of bikes overlooking a canal

Some say to truly experience Amsterdam like a true Dutchie is by bike, but I decided to give my legs a bit of a stretch and enjoy the sites on foot. My agenda consisted of a canal cruise, sampling some food, and visiting the Van Gogh Museum.

Upon arrival to the city center, looking at my map, I realized how many attractions were within walking distance. I readjusted my sightseeing plan. This is what I came up with.

5 Hours Of Fun

Understand that you will need to set aside 2-3 hours at the Schiphol International Airport going through customs before checking in and going through security. That leaves you 5 hours of fun which was plenty for me. I started with a 75-minute Amsterdam City Canal Cruise in which we toured iconic canals and learned about Amsterdam’s heritage.

Viator offers a city sightseeing Amsterdam hop-on-hop-off tour with boat option. I like city cruises. It is a great way to see the city, great value for the money and a wonderful way to experience the city. Socializing with locals and tourists is great also. While on the cruise, we passed some Amsterdam landmarks and boathouses.

The Anne Frank House

One of the landmarks we passed, I added to my list of places to see was the Anne Frank House. Growing up, I watched movies on Anne Frank and learned of the story of how she went into hiding during WWII with seven others in an annex for two years to avoid Nazis.

I didn’t fully understand the life of Anne Frank until I toured the Anne Frank Museum. It was a truly touching visit and brought to the surface a reminder to practice compassion for humanity.

Picture of Anne Frank Huis in The Netherlands

After the Anne Frank tour, I decided it was time for some Belgian beers, Dutch pub snacks, and raw herring. You can easily eat hop and eat what you know, but I highly recommend going on an Amsterdam food tour and eat like a local. Due to time constraints, my sightseeing choices became limited to one more site to visit.

Nothing would be complete without visiting Amsterdam’s infamous Red Light District and see actual prostitutes in the windows. Out of respect and to avoid potentially having your camera flung in the canal, avoid taking photographs and filming. 

I made it back just in time to check-in and walk around the airport and purchase some souvenirs without feeling rushed. While I got a brief taste of Amsterdam, I realized 8 hours was not enough.

I will definitely pick Amsterdam as a layover location but will stay for either a couple of days or just make an exclusive trip to Amsterdam and choose a layover somewhere else. Layover possibilities are endless.

My layover in Amsterdam ended up taking me to Alexandria, Egypt. Check out my blog post, Volunteer and See the World at the Same Time to learn how teaching English abroad can impact lives. 

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APR
2019 17
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OFF SEASON TRAVEL: ANTIGUA, WEST INDIES PART I

An image of Antigua harbor

In this two-part, Off-Season Travel: Antigua, West Indies post, I will share what makes the island gem Antigua a must travel to destination.

If your that traveler that likes to play it safe, take a taxi, temporarily live in a fishbowl of false pretenses of white sandy beaches and resorts, typical American cuisine, overly priced tours, and not interested in the good, the bad, and the ugly of Antigua, then you should stop reading this right now.

If you are interested in being adventurous, mingling with the locals, eating local food, see the island for what it is on a budget, then keep reading.

I will be honest, before coming to Antigua, I knew about some of the Caribbean islands like the Virgin Islands, St. Kitts, Barbados but I had never heard of Antigua. I have heard of Antigua Guatemala city. So why did I come here?

How AVEDA Got Me To Antigua

A company called AVEDA sells all-natural beauty products and performs services. Heard of it? They have a program called Pure Privilege.

Here is how the pure privilege loyalty programs work. You purchase AVEDA products just like you normally would and earn points for accessories, products, salon services, and destination spa vacations.

Earn 50,000 points, enjoy a three-night stay for two people including breakfast and two complimentary 60-minute massages at Sugar Ridge Antigua Resort.

An image of a bedroom with flowers on it.
My fab room.

Sounds too good to be true? Well, it’s not. How long did it take me? It took 5 years.

A couple of times a year they offer double points which helped to get to 50,000 points faster which is great because I love their products.

I have no problems stocking up as I love every product I use. The distinct and beautiful aromas separate the brand from many others to include how the company gives back to communities.

For 20,000 points you can redeem a $300 gift certificate for spa services. Why not make one of the days a spa day? 

Antigua and Barbuda is a twin-island country lying between the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. The capital, largest port, and city are St. John’s, on Antigua.

An image of a pool.
My personal pool that included daily viewings of sunrises and sunsets.

This is where the cruise ships dock for the day and where you catch the 90-minute ferry to Barbuda via Barbuda Express.

Tourist season is usually from Nov-Apr with the rest being offseason. This doesn’t mean you will be limited to slim pickings. Personally, I like to travel in the off season. Ditch the crowds, see more, no lines.

It’s a good idea to have travel insurance in case something goes wrong. You can purchase travel insurance from World Nomads.

World Nomads provides travel insurance to travelers from over 140 countries and is backed by reputable insurers and 24-hour assistance providers. You can click here to get a quote. Read the policy details to ensure that it’s right for you.

Getting To Antigua

There are no non-stop flights to Antigua unless you are from Atlanta. To get there, you will have to connect to another airport. I flew from Minnesota and connected to Atlanta. From Atlanta, it is a 4-hour flight which for me went by fast.

During the flight, I was lucky to sit next to a local who lives in Georgia but frequently goes back to Antigua to visit her family. She gave me ideas of things to do there. 

If you get lucky to sit next to a local, don’t be afraid to ask where to go and what to do. I recommend getting a window seat. Have your camera ready for some introductory views.

I was lucky enough to switch with my new friend and take some great photos. I didn’t know at the time, but that sight of pink, that was the seaweed that has taken over the east coast of Antigua coming from Africa.

Immigration/Customs

You will fly into V.C Bird International Airport. The airport is located 5 miles (8 km) northeast of St. John’s, the capital of Antigua and Barbuda.

The international airport is named in honor of Sir Vere Cornwall Bird, the first prime minister of Antigua and Barbuda. Prior to landing arriving passengers will fill out a customs declaration form.

It is a combined Immigration/Customs declaration form. Upon arrival, you go through customs. Depending on how many flights arrive at the same time, you could be in line for 30 minutes or more.

Once you get through customs, you go through another line in which you go through the declare goods line or the non-declare goods line.

Be sure to have your customs declaration form filled out correctly.

A line that should take less than 5 minutes, can take 15-30 minutes as there is one person that checks the forms per hundreds of passengers who may or may not have filled out the form correctly.

Upon going through customs keep the immigration declaration form. You will need to present this before travel back to your destination. 

Get Cash Before Departing The Airport

The majority of taxis and small businesses accept only cash. There is an ATM at the airport where you can get the local currency. The local currency is the Eastern Caribbean Dollar (XCD). However, you can use USD there, but change will be given back in XCD. The current conversion is: 1USD = 2.70 XCD. 

Upon exiting, cross the street and you will see taxis in the form of minivans and stands. You can book your taxi and tours. Taxi fares to hotels are fixed. Official taxi and bus fares can be found here.

If you are in the mood for adventure, you can take a bus for less than 1USD. I read that the bus system wasn’t reliable, and therefore played it safe and took a taxi.

When In Doubt, Ask A Local

However, if you do your homework prior to and map out what buses to take, it is quite easy to get around. Locals are VERY friendly and you can ask them as well. Upon exiting the airport, turn left, you will go past the old airport stay on the sidewalk.

You will pass a parking lot on your right, a cricket field on your left. Once you get to the main road, take a left. You will pass the gas station on your left and there will be a bus stop sign.

Take the #42 Coolridge. All buses go to the West Bus Station in St. John’s.

From there you can take another bus to your hotel destination. If you are staying at a hotel on the east coast you will need to transfer to the East Bus Station.

In part 2 of 2, Off-Season Travel: Antigua, West Indies, I will share with you fun things to do on the island of paradise.

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APR
2019 17
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UNAPOLOGETICALLY COOL: TAKING IRELAND BY STORM PART 2

An image of sheep.

I am an admirer of architecture and the creative imagination of a person to put pen to paper and make a dream a reality.

Every since I learned about the discovery of the Titanic by Robert Ballard and the story of her tragic maiden voyage, I have been fascinated by how a ship that size could sink hitting an iceberg.

I was most excited about going to the Belfast Titanic Museum for a couple of reasons that I didn’t know prior to my visit. Belfast was once known as the shipbuilding city. It’s where the Titanic was built. 

Day 5 – Belfast, Northern Ireland

Belfast Titanic Museum was constructed on the slipways where the ship itself was constructed. There was a great sense of pride in Belfast when Titanic was constructed. Upon hearing the news of the sinking of the Titanic, the people of Belfast fell silent.

Titanic was no longer something to be proud of. With technological advances, the story of what happened to the Titanic has turned a tragedy into a new strong sense of pride and celebrate the engineering and innovative architectural achievement of the Titanic.

As you tour the exhibition, you will go on a journey through nine distinct galleries that set the scene in industrial Belfast and the way to where the Titanic lies today. You will also learn about her sister ships, Britannic and Olympic.

Titanic Museum in Belfast
Titanic Museum in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

Take a break for some tea, sweets and a light meal in the café downstairs. Then head outside to the slipways where the ship itself was constructed. The slipways help you understand the magnitude of her size. You will walk away empowered to think big.

After the exhibition, we decided it was time for a little retail therapy and to do something about my shoe situation. Victoria Square is a short drive from the museum with plenty of parking and is home to over 70 stores, cafes, and restaurants. I found a pair of brown riding boots from ZARA. Still have them to this day.

After 5 days, we decided to make the most of our traveling, split up and continued our travels throughout the United Kingdom and meet back up in Dublin before flying back to America.

Me the solo traveler who had been there done that and visited England and Wales suddenly became interested in visiting Scotland. I couldn’t let it go. So close yet, just a ferry ride from Northern Ireland away.

World Nomads Travel Insurance banner.

Ok, it was because of the movie Braveheart and then there was that actor in the movie 300, and can’t forget about Sean Connery. Enough said.

My friends would continue on to England and Wales and have a blast.

At the end of the day, we would check each other’s FB pages and see what adventures we all had undertaken. 

To save on the cost of tour entrance fees, you can purchase one of two cards that either provide free admission or at a reduced cost at select sites. 

Since there were three of us, it was cheaper to add two adults to my membership instead of us buying ours separately or paying entrance fees. The Heritage Card is valid throughout Ireland. 

The National Trust Membership Card can be used in England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Scotland.  Both websites have a listing of locations and sites where you can use the card.

Day 6 – Dublin, Ireland

Instead of taking the ferry back to Belfast, I decided to fly back to Dublin on Ryanair.  It’s a cheap airline carrier and was actually cheaper and faster than taking a ferry back to Belfast and a bus to Dublin. Be sure to bring your passport. Within the EU, you can travel from country to country with no problems. 

I didn’t go through customs and didn’t need to get my passport stamped. This could change when Brexit occurs. Upon arrival at the airport, I didn’t have to go through customs.  However, when I went to board the airplane, there was a question if I could board the plane. 

An Irish church.
Irish church and cemetery.

I just explained my travel itinerary and was good to go. Upon arrival in Dublin, we bought roundtrip aircoach tickets to Dublin City Centre and back to the Dublin Airport that included a Hop on Hop Off tour.

From there, you guessed it, it was time to make up for that whiskey tour we had to cross off our lists in Bushmills, put that hop on hop off pass to use and visit the Jameson and Guinness factories. 

In the evening we decided to take in some live music with a traditional Irish dance show, Celtic Nights at The Arlington Hotel in Dublin.  You can purchase tickets ahead of time which includes dinner before the show starts.  Here is a sneak peek that you may see on your visit.

We decided to stay at a hostel. Most hostels serve the traditional Irish breakfast. If you haven’t had it before you are in for a treat. Dublin, Ireland.

Day 7 – Dublin, Ireland

You can easily find plenty to see by looking at the route map and not have to take a taxi. We decided to wrap up our visit by visiting a couple of museums before heading to the Dublin airport to marvel in our two-week experiences and plan the next adventure. 

A week in Ireland is not enough. Many times we found ourselves having our evening meetings over pint making tough decisions on what to cross off the list because there wasn’t enough time in the day to do it all and most of all enjoy it all. With so much to see, you could easily spend two weeks in Ireland.

Travel Movies That Inspire Wanderlust

If you are like me, before going to Ireland, there are only a couple of things I knew. The movie, The Quiet Man was filmed in, yup you guessed it, Ireland. Maureen O’Hara, John Wayne’s love interest in the movie, was born in Ireland.

Jameson and Guinness are loved and enjoyed all over the world. If I had my way, I would have an Irish coffee every day before, at lunch, and end with a Guinness after work. 

I learned there is an art to pouring a glass of Guinness and enjoying it.  Lastly, the only traditional Irish dance I was aware of was Riverdance and Lord of the Dance and a dancer named Michael Flatly. One of my favorite bands is U2.

Oh and don’t forget about the Titanic and her sisters Britannic and Olympic.

I could go on and on. And then there are those Gallagher brothers Liam and Noel. Oasis forever! Yes, I know the brothers are never, ever, ever getting back together. At least I got to see them in the 90s.

Reflections Of Ireland

I didn’t know Ireland’s rich history and numerous contributions to global citizens around the world.

I felt like I had already been to the Emerald Isle once before, yet it was my first time visiting this amazing place. Time to recheck that family tree.

Learned a little bit about my family history I didn’t know. I have British and Irish ancestry!

That was a bit of a surprise and quite lovely.

After hopping across the pond (I took a ferry from Belfast), I arrived in Scotland for a couple of fun-filled days of landscape photography and liquid gold.

To read more about my Scottish adventure, check out my blog post, Scotland: Whiskey, the Highlands, and the Breakfast of Champions.

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2019 17
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UNAPOLOGETICALLY COOL: TAKING IRELAND BY STORM

Two sheep running through Irish farmlands.

As a kid growing up, I remember my mom watching nothing but Western movies and being forced to watch them with her. Her favorite actor was John Wayne. I neither had any interest in Western movies or John Wayne.  However, as I grew older, that would change. One day she was watching her favorite movie, The Quiet Man.

A big departure from Westerns and other action-oriented films he was mostly known for. It stars John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara and takes place in Ireland.

If there is one John Wayne movie to watch, this is the one I recommend watching. I am sure the locations that were shot in the film, further helped Ireland to become a tourist attraction. 

As I got older, my opinion of John Wayne and Western movies didn’t change. One day The Quiet Man was on again and my mom made the comment that she would someday like to visit. For her birthday, I decided to surprise her with a 4-day tour to Ireland.

Fast forward several years later, and my friend called and said she wanted to go to Ireland for her 35th birthday. Suddenly Ireland just became cool and I felt the need to go see what my mom saw those years ago.

It Took A Little Work To Get Across the Pond

Three American girls taking Ireland by storm. This could fun or a complete disaster. I didn’t know it was going to be a little work getting there first. 2 lost suitcases, 1 stolen phone charger, and 1 broken boot zipper. Glad I brought a carry-on and didn’t check it in. Check out my 12 Carry-on Bag Essentials for Air Travel to Any Destination blog post.

To my knowledge, there are no non-stop flights to Dublin, Ireland. We connected through Chicago’s O’Hare International airport and of course, our flight was canceled due to a snow storm going through the Midwest and stuck on the east coast. We wouldn’t fly out until the next day.

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All the kiosks and customer service desks were swamped with travelers trying to do the same thing we were trying to do, get out of the airport. Being the worldly traveler I was, there had to be another flight going to Ireland. While standing in line, my friend called the airline and explained the situation. 

The first option we were given was to fly to Newark and then continue on to Dublin. That meant losing two days. Next option was to fly from Chicago to London. The only adjustment we would have had to make was to reverse our travel itinerary.

That might not be so bad. Since the cancellation was no fault of our own, the customer service rep put us on a different airline carrier departing that evening. Ireland, here we come! 

Girl Power Mantra: The Wrong Side Of The Road, The Wrong Side Of The Road

We decided to rent a car to get around. We were all nervous but decided we would all take turns in this driving adventure.

In Ireland, they drive on the left side of the road. Oh and don’t forget about the many roundabouts. We had one minor snafu.

The GPS we were going to use, was in one of the girl’s suitcases which were still in Chicago waiting to depart for Dublin. Upon arrival, the airline is supposed to arrange delivery of the luggage to our accommodations. 

There was only one challenge. We had an aggressive itinerary in which every day we are staying in a different town. Guess we are going to have to go old school and get a map.

Luckily in Ireland, it is quite easy to get around. We all had our assigned roles.

The driver would drive and nothing else except take smoke breaks as needed in order to “keep calm and drive on”. 

The navigator aka backseat driver will read the map. Lastly, the driver’s right-hand girl in the passenger’s seat will help navigate, provide moral support, and not get us killed.

As the driver approached an intersection or roundabout the driver’s right-hand girl will say, “the wrong side of the road, the wrong side of the road.” This would eventually become our daily chant if you will. 

Our trip was scheduled for two weeks, but not all of it would be spent in Ireland. 

Day 1 – Waterford, Ireland

If you aren’t into spending New Year’s Eve in NYC standing outside in the cold all day wearing a diaper in Times Square and waiting for the ball to drop, I recommend adding a guided factory tour at the House of Waterford Crystal to the road trip itinerary.

A image of a man creating a crystal vase.
Master Cutter practicing the ancient craft of mold making.

Getting up a close with a Master Cutter who practices the ancient craft of mold making will make you feel like a VIP as you will learn first hand how those lovely Times Square Ball panels are made in great detail.

With a pub down the street and overnight stay at the Glasha Farmhouse, I felt fantastic. We arrived too late for dinner but were offered slices of toast with Irish butter and a bottle of red wine.

Can we say the best late-night snack ever? Thank goodness Kerrygold Irish butter has invaded every supermarket in the United States.

Waking up to the sound of cows is something I have never experienced before. Kind of therapeutic, yet not a normal occurrence for a city girl. I loved my stay so much that when the time comes to walk down the aisle, it will be in Ireland and hopefully on this property.

A picture of the Glasha farmhoue
The Glasha farmhouse.

Day 2 – Cashel Ireland

On day 2, we toured the iconic Rock of Cashel with an overnight stay at the Spanish Arch Hotel in Galway. If you are looking to be the center of it all and soak up the Irish atmosphere with lots of live music, pubs, shopping, and nearby historic tourist attractions, the Spanish Arch Hotel is for you.

A picture of tombstones at a church graveyard in Cashel, County Tipperary, Ireland
Observing the Irish countryside from the Rock of Cashel.

Situated in the center of Galway’s ‘Latin Quarter’ on Quay Street, the hotel bar serves great food and live music. It’s easy to hop from one pub to another and soak up the Irish atmosphere. Just a word of caution.

It gets a little noisy at night especially around 2 a.m. If you are a person who is a light sleeper, either request a room away from noise or bring your earplugs. 

Day 3 – County Clare, Ireland, and Bushmills, Northern Ireland

Cliffs of Moher is a great site to visit and easily can spend a couple of hours there as we did.  The view of the Atlantic Ocean is breathtaking. You can do some hiking, for a small fee, you can climb O’Brien’s tower. There is a small café to get food. Beware of birds. This is what happens when you feed the birds. It totally looked like something out of Alfred Hitchcock’s, Birds movie.

A picture of birds sitting on a car
Birds taking over.

We stayed overnight at the Ballylinny Holiday Cottages. We went into town to a local grocery store and bought some food. It’s fun visiting a grocery store in another country and trying new things. Since we had a kitchen, we made a wonderful dinner and new discoveries. I have a new love for mushy peas and Irish butter.

Day 4 – Bushmills and Ballymoney, Northern Ireland

On the way to the Dark Hedges, you pass through multiple towns and it’s hard not to pull over and explore. Along the way we stopped and visited a church and cemetery. There was something about the drive that was romantically eerie, beautiful and haunting at the same time.

An image of the Dark Hedges.
The Dark Hedges.

The Giants Causeway had some weird looking man-made structures. To find out 40,000 interlocking basalt columns were created as a result of an ancient volcanic fissure eruption. What wonderful creations Mother Nature makes.

An image the ocean and fissure rock structures.
Giants Causeway

It was starting to get dark and so we didn’t get a chance to see the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, but in talking with the locals, I recommend you try to squeeze it in if you can along with a tour of the Old Bushmills Distillery. I will have to save my whiskey tour for Dublin.

We stayed overnight at Kilronan Castle Estate & Spa.  It was a long day of travel and exploring. By the time we arrived, it was dark and the spa was closed. We made the most of it by going for a swim and enjoyed the sauna. The bar was comfortable in which you could lounge on couches enjoy a pint and some boar stew.

I am sure you are wondering what happened to our luggage. My friend kept calling the airline daily and that morning it had arrived in Dublin. We called our accommodation to let them know it was on its way and around what time we would be arriving. 

Luggage Arrived Just In Time

No sooner than an hour after arrival, the bags arrived.  That was cutting it close. The next day we were continuing on to Northern Ireland and then going our separate ways to Scotland, England and Wales. I am grateful for my carry-on.

I attempted to see if I could salvage my boot with the broken zipper and get it repaired. The staff was so professional in trying to find someone in town, but unfortunately, we had arrived after all the shops had closed. 

Running shoes it remains. Not only were my friends sick of my shoes, but I was sick of them poking fun. Next time I fly internationally, I will wear more comfortable shoes to accommodate my swollen feet so that they can come off and slip back on. In the morning, you can see the great landscape.  I could have used one more overnight to explore.

Read about my day 5-7 of my Irish adventure in Part 2: Unapologetically Cool: Taking Ireland by Storm.

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2019 17
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SCOTLAND: WHISKEY, THE HIGHLANDS, AND THE BREAKFAST OF CHAMPIONS PART 2

A picture of a train traveling through Scotland.

If it wasn’t for a couple of pints, some Irish stew, and a movie, I would have never ventured out of my comfort zone. A movie showing my tv in my hotel room brought me to the Scottish Highlands and more.

Yes, the movie, Braveheart has a few historical inaccuracies, but that got cleared up during the 3-day tour. Movies and folklore have a way of luring curious travelers to places they otherwise would have forgotten about.

Day 3 

I spent the day learning about Scotland’s capital and explore. Doing a bus tour in which I could hop on and off, go sightseeing, get a bite to eat allowed me to see Edinburgh in a day. Tours depart from Waverley Bridge and last approximately an hour.

The good thing about hopping on and off the bus is that you can join the bus tour at any of the bus stops along the route and make a full day of sightseeing.

Since I had arrived late evening the night before, I had time to fully take in the Christmas festival, enjoy the food and engage with the locals. 

An image of a ferris wheel.
Travel foodie on the prowl for new discoveries at the Edinburgh Christmas festival.

The first stop started with visiting Edinburgh’s famous castle on top of a steep slope. After that, it was to visit two distinct areas: the Old Town, dominated by a medieval fortress; and the neoclassical New Town. 

Waverley Bridge tour stop was the perfect spot to get off and walk two minutes back to my accommodation and plan my next tour. England, I will have to catch up with you again for a second round another time.  This is my first time in Scotland and I am going to enjoy it.  

an image of edinburgh city center
View of the city center from Edinburgh Castle

Day 4-6

My second tour consisted of a 3-day tour to the Isle of Skye. Highlights of this tour included visiting Glencoe, Loch Ness, Eilean Donan Castle and the romantic island of Skye. We spent 2 nights in the harbor town of Portree on the Isle of Skye.

We had a choice of accommodations that fit within our budget dispersed around various towns and villages, but not more than a 10-15 minute walk from the center.

An image of the Eilean Donan Castle in the Scottish Highlands.
Eilean Donan Castle in the Scottish Highlands

The tour guide was very clear on drop off and pick up times. Be sure to pack layers as it got chilly at night. I chose to stay at a B&B and enjoyed, you guessed it, a full Scottish Breakfast. Along the way, we stopped at Kilmuir cemetery on the Isle of Skye which had a spectacular view of the ocean

While walking around looking at headstones I came across a memorial headstone marking the final resting place of legendary fashion designer Alexander McQueen.

Throughout the tour, there was plenty of time to take pictures, go for a group hike, explore independently and take in the Scottish countryside and the endless sheep running around free without restrictions.

A picture of a glass of whiskey at Dewar's
Enjoying a sample of Dewar’s whiskey

After researching transportation options back to Ireland, I decided that I didn’t want to be rushed or miss out on the Dublin nightlife. Instead of going back to Edinburgh, I found a cheap flight through Ryanair from Glasgow back to Dublin for less than $20.

There were other coach buses conducting similar tours picking up and dropping off passengers. We made a stop in Glasgow to drop off a couple back to their hotel and I decided to get off in Glasgow and stay overnight. One last adventure in Scotland.

Day 7

My time was short and I wanted to take a quick look at Glasgow before flying out in the afternoon. I enjoyed a city sightseeing hop on and off bus tour. The accommodation I was staying at, arranged for a taxi to take me to the airport. In less than an hour, I was in Dublin, Ireland.

Scotland has a lot to offer for all budgets and interests. Sometimes just showing up without a plan, in return, one can experience the country as a whole and not just what is popular.

If left to my original plan, I would have just kept my visit short to only Edinburgh Castle. My next visit will be all about island hopping around the British Isles and sampling tasty single malt beverages.

My UK adventure didn’t stop here. Ireland is right across the pond. Check out my post, Unapologetically Cool: Taking Ireland by Storm. 

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APR
2019 17
Travel
0

SCOTLAND: WHISKEY, THE HIGHLANDS, AND THE BREAKFAST OF CHAMPIONS

Eilean Donan Castle in the Scottish Highlands.

England or Scotland?

After spending an adventurous week traveling around Ireland, I was at my accommodation reflecting on my recent visit to the Titanic museum in Belfast, Northern Ireland. As I was flipping through my pictures, I decided to watch some television. You wouldn’t guess what movie came on.

I will give you a hint. The movie stars Mel Gibson and he runs around in a kilt kicking butt. At the end of the movie someone in the crowd screams, “I’m debt freeeeee!” You know what happens next.

Having watched the movie Braveheart many times, since I was in the area, I took the hint that I should make a brief detour and go visit Scotland on the way to England. With Scotland being a hop, skip and a less than one hour flight away, I would be crazy to not go.

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The plan was to spend two days in Edinburgh, Scotland, see some castles and then off to England to visit the beautiful city of Bath, the home of one of England’s most famous writers Beatrix Potter in the Lake District, and finally Hadrian’s Wall. That was the plan…so I thought.

Since going to Edinburgh was a spur of the moment decision, taking a ferry from Belfast to Cairnryan seemed the best option. It would give me a couple of hours to book my accommodation and figure out how I was going to get to Edinburgh. Of course, if you are short on time, you could simply book a non-stop flight on from Belfast to Edinburgh for under $100. 

It’s a good idea to have travel insurance in case something goes wrong. You can purchase travel insurance from World Nomads. World Nomads provides travel insurance to travelers from over 140 countries and is backed by reputable insurers and 24-hour assistance providers. You can click here to get a quote. Read the policy details to ensure that it’s right for you.

Day 1

Upon arrival at the Cairnryan ferry port, I took a taxi to the Stranraer railway station. From there I would enjoy hours of scenery on ScotRail until I arrived at my final destination, Edinburgh.

Upon exiting Edinburgh Waverly train station, I was surprised to find myself in the heart of Edinburgh city center and a Christmas festival.

Edinburgh’s Christmas Festival is a six-week season of festive entertainment in the heart of the city. It’s like being at the State Fair. There is music, food, markets, and rides to include a Big Wheel and 60-metre Star Flyer, with breathtaking views over the city.

An image of Christmas festival rides.
Christmas festival in the city center.

To save some money for sightseeing, I decided to stay at the Edinburgh Backpackers. Given I was going to spend more time sightseeing and coming back to sleep, staying at a hostel seemed like a good option.

Edinburgh Backpackers is in the best location in town and the cheapest as the other hotels are quite expensive.

The hostel is located within easy walking distance to all major tourist attractions, restaurants and bars, and wild nightlife. $25 will get you a small, very clean twin private. 

A view of a small bedroom in a hostel.
My lovely room.

For an additional $5, you can get a voucher and experience a fantastic full Scottish Breakfast at the café next door with an endless selection of bars and restaurants a few steps away.

Picture of a traditional Irish breakfast.
This Scottish breakfast will keep me full for the rest of the day.

In the main lobby, there are a plethora of brochures of things to do. The staff at the front desk is very knowledgeable and can tell you the best places to visit to include arranging and booking tours for you. 

This is a very cost effective option if you want to get out of the city, see and experience the highlands and islands of Scotland without a worry in the world about how you are going to get from one destination to another.

The tour company I went with was Rabbie’s. Tours consist of small groups of no more than 16 passengers.

Day 2

After enjoying my full Scottish Breakfast, I was off for my first tour to the Scottish highlands, lochs, and glens and taste Scotland’s national drink at a whiskey distillery. Pick up spot was a short 5-minute walk to a café.

We began the journey through the central highlands, a group walk through the Hermitage forest, a stop at the Queen’s view, lunch and shopping in Pitlochry and experience the stunning splendor of Loch Tay. 

A view of Hermitage forest.
Taking a stroll through the Hermitage forest and River Braan.

Our tour guide was a history teacher and was very knowledgeable who did a good job of balancing the amount of time talking facts, stories and letting us to our own thoughts with Scottish music. The tour wrapped up with a visit to a whiskey distillery for a tour and tasting.

I learned I am a single malt kind of girl. The older the whiskey, the better and quite expensive. I will stick to just sampling thank you until I win the lottery to buy that expensive bottle of liquid gold.

A picture of a glass of whiskey at Dewar's

There is more to share about Scotland in Part 2: Scotland: Whiskey, the Highlands, and the Breakfast of Champions.

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2019 17
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TRAVELING WITH FRIENDS FOR THE FIRST TIME

Two girls laughing while traveling

The four of you were successful with that brief four-day road trip to Chicago. Everyone got along and walked away with fond memories.

Now the four of you are talking about traveling to Europe for up to a month backpacking. Everyone is excited and can’t wait.

For one of the friends, it will be the first time traveling somewhere other than her cabin. The second friend has traveled to China every year with her family ever since she was a kid, but nowhere else.

The third friend has a list of countries longer than her job resume. She has been a solo traveler and loves it.

The fourth friend has traveled the United States going on road trips with her family every summer.

An image of women's feet touching in a circle.

With the diverse mix of traveling experiences, is this adventure a warning of disaster?

No, it doesn’t have to be. The journey of getting there will make the trip memorable.

Scheduling a pre-trip travel meeting over happy hour ensures everyone knows they can freely voice their opinions.

Pre-Trip Questions to Ask

1. What does each person expect to get from this trip together?

2. Is this trip going to be a regimented schedule or a fly by the seat of your pants plan?

3. What are the places that are a MUST see for each person?

4. How will we divide up travel expenses, lodging, and food?

5. Do we want to leave the transportation up to someone else or take turns driving a rental car?

6. Are we ok with splitting up for the day to explore on our own and meet up again?

7. Is there flexibility to make changes to the plan?

8. If there is a disagreement, how is the group going to deal with it?

9. Do we even need to have a conversation about this?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6vsJm-Hm50k

Learning how to travel with friends by understanding everyone’s expectations can avoid unnecessary arguments.

The focus of creating new vacation memories will flourish, guaranteeing there will be many trips to come and stay friends. 

Once travel planning has occurred, next challenge is deciding what to pack.

Check out my post on minimalist packing, 21 Carry-On Bag Essentials for Air Travel to Any Destination.

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APR
2019 04
Travel
0

WELCOME TO MY BLOG JAIEMARE!

An image of a Jaiemare looking at Paris from the Eiffel Tower.
View of Paris from the Eiffel Tower.

How The Travel Bug Bit Me

Lifestyle blog, Jaiemare is about my own experiences. My intent with every post is to share information and experiences as openly and honestly with my readers.

I have been traveling since I was three. My mom would fly with me to Michigan, give me to my grandparents for the summer.

She would fly back to Minnesota and work a second job to earn enough money to pay for my school clothes, supplies, sports, and music activities.

Upon arrival, my grandparents and I would jump in the car. We would drive across the United States to attend church conferences and watch my grandfather preach at other churches.

We made stops along the way to visit and stay with family and try some not so familiar dishes.

Picture of a dinner plate of fish at a restaurant in DC.
Travel foodie in training.

Listening to people talk about the history of a dish fascinated me then as it does now. It is probably the reason I am a food nerd willing to try anything.

One year my grandparents decided to go to New York City. They sent me a postcard of Lady Liberty which I still have to this day.

I told myself when I had the means to travel, Lady Liberty would be the first person I would come to see.

My first visit wasn’t as smooth sailing at the beginning. I needed to learn how to be a local tourist — more about visiting New York City in another post.

What has followed is being curious and a life long learner about all things travel, food, health, and wellness.

What This Blog Isn’t About

While I do extensive research to complement and enhance my travel foodie, health and wellness experiences as a digital nomad, each place visited, food is eaten, alternative treatment tried and tested are based on my personal experiences.

Sharing information about how all of us can show up and become our best selves through travel, food, cultural influences, and holistic health takes priority.

Global Citizenship

I am not in the business of bashing a country, company, a person(s), or talk about politics. Someone else gets paid the big bucks to spread propaganda.

My multi-topic blog is about teachable moments by explaining the pros and cons of the situation or event, offering alternative recommendations, and leaving it up to the reader to make the final decision. 

I do like supporting small businesses and buying local as much as possible and giving back to organizations that support and promote social well-being.

Affiliates And Ads

Alright, let’s talk about affiliates and ads.

Like you, I turn to the internet, blogs, websites, and people for tips and ideas whether it’s on travel, products, better ways of practicing minimalism, eating healthily, taking care of my body so I can take care of others in need.

I don’t pretend to be a know it all, and quite frankly don’t want to be one. Knowledge is a powerful tool that can bring people from around the world together. 

That is the positive side of globalization. 

be it all kind of person and love gaining knowledge and making new discoveries.

I get a solution to a problem, and marketers/influencers/salespeople receive compensation for selling a product or service. To me, that’s fair and a win-win.

Any recommendations I make on products or services, I use personally.

Before I buy, I do my research and read the reviews and so should you. I don’t accept free trips, products, services in exchange for a like or positive review.

However, if I don’t like something about a place I have visited or eaten at, I am not going to ignore the situation or event or sugar coat it. 

One aspect of travel is to not only have fun but learn from mistakes made get tricked into a tourist trap.

Yet, we find we wake to live another day fresh with no mistakes to tell stories of daily encounters and discoveries of a small town not listed in travel books. 

Let me tell you about my travel beginnings, cultural influences, traveling victories, and mishaps. These experiences motivated me to become an explorer.

Let’s begin our journey together to Amsterdam.

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