Category Archives: Road tested, traveler approved

Tried and true travel tips and tricks that I’ve learned from my own experiences and fellow travelers.

Alexandra catches on fire at Las Fallas…(just kidding)

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A few years back, I spent a while living near Valencia, Spain. And of my time in Spain, I have about 3.256 billion (in case you haven’t heard, I have a rather erratic concept of mathematics) vivid memories, including but not limited to, garbage bags full of las naranjas (We (I) were wannabe thieves…and then we (I) found out we were allowed to take as many naranjas as we wanted. Such a waste of a ski mask and war paint.), going on long runs through the countryside, lots and lots (and LOTS) of paella, Flamenco, siestas (of course), and the festivals.

On note of the festivals, I’ve officially unofficially decided that Spain is the place festivals come to die (I mean that in the best of ways). The Spaniards have a festival for everything…and I love it! (Although, Spain, I would like to note that you always seemed to miss the hint of the July 17 Festival. I guess shouting, “My birthday should be a holiday!” and throwing naranjas into the air wasn’t quite enough of a clue?)

Of the million and one Spanish festivals, perhaps my favorite thus far is Las Fallas–a time when it is apparently completely within societal norm to build giant paper mache displays (fallas) of weird things like Pharaoh and his minions peeing all over the place, have a bunch of people walk around and “ooh and aah” at your fallas, and then set them all on fire and cheer as they burn. Oh, and to shoot fire at people like it’s water. Yeah, that’s completely safe.

But why mumble on about peeing Pharaohs and completely (un)safe fire throwing when I can simply show you? So my friends, enjoy a look at Las Fallas “through the lens.” (Which doesn’t nearly do the experience justice, so I still highly recommend you schedule some time in your calendar to get burned next Spring, err, I mean go to Las Fallas.)

¡Disfruta!

Not sure if it's because it's Europe or what, but there were a lot of fat lady fallas, most of whom were scantily dressed or in the process of becoming so.

Oh yeah, and the men were fat and naked too.

And sometimes the women weren't fat, just naked.

And other times the men were half naked and the women were just weird.

Remember how I mentioned Pharaoh and his minions?...

...and how they were peeing on things?

Of course, besides naked women and peeing men, there were also children. In costumes. In a parade.

Oh, and did I mention the fallas were huge? Like as tall as the buildings huge.

...And then it starts to look like a war zone. Except everyone is clapping and cheering for things to burn.

And they even burn the horses! Just kidding. You have to be made of paper to qualify.

And then somewhere in the mix appears a devil/dragon thing. And his back is on fire and he appears to be mad about it.

And as you know, no devil/dragon is really a devil/dragon unless he has demons to help him throw his fire. Cue demons stage left.

Of course there also has to be a showoff demon who puts on a fire throwing machine, otherwise Las Fallas would just be boring.

Surprisingly the devil/dragon and his demons are into sharing. So they even take the time to shoot the fire at you. So sweet of them, I know.

They also hang people in trees. Which isn't weird at all.

…And they do a lot of other crazy things. (If you’re curious, there are more pictures on Flickr.) And it’s fabulous. And I wouldn’t trade in the experience for anything in the world. Not even a million bucks (although if we’re talking 2 million, then we might be able to work something out.).

 **Just FYI, despite fire shooters, devil/dragons, etc., Las Fallas is a very safe festival. You (probably) won’t get burned.

What I’m Lovin’ Wednesday

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I’m a big fan of Wednesdays. I figure that after Wednesday, the week can really only get better (obviously I’m also a big fan of the weekend). And to add to my Wednesday cheer, here are a few things I’m loving this week.

1. Tripbase’s Free Travel Secrets eBooks

I stumbled on this site (yes, like literally StumbledUpon) earlier this week. You can download 7 different eBooks of best-kept travel tips and secrets from well-experienced travelers. Best of all, the downloads are free (my preferred form of currency). The eBooks were actually first posted in 2010 so don’t be alarmed when you see “2010″ in bold across the cover. But even two years old, and many, if not all, of these travel tips are still useful and relevant. (Also, just as a note, the freshwater campaign associated with these eBooks is over but you can still support building freshwater wells by visiting Charity: Water.)

2. Homage to the new Cambodia

Cambodian luxury: Amansara Resort in Siem Reap. Photo Credit: AmanResorts.com

Excuse me as I sound narrow-minded for just a minute, but when I think of Cambodia, “luxury” is not exactly the first word that pops into my head. No, you say “Cambodia,” I say “rice,” err, “lice.”  (Sorry, I should’ve have said narrow-minded and politically incorrect–no offense intended though.) But, rice, lice, and un-PC aside, I read this article the other night on the “luxurious” side of Cambodia and I must say I’m pleasantly surprised.

3. Clever Travel Companion 

I met Johanna Denize at the LA Times Travel Show in January and it turns out that she has this very cool, travel-geared clothing line called Clever Travel Companion. The concept is simple, pick-pocket proof clothing. Basically, it’s clothing with a secret pocket for your money, credit cards, passports, etc. My Clever Travel Companion tank-top arrived over the weekend. I haven’t had a chance to really put it to the test yet, but I must say that I’m diggin’ the comfy fabric and style. …Stay tuned for a full product review in the near future.

4. On the Road, From Now Until Whenever: Jodi Ettenberg on Her Life as a Long-Term Traveler 

I’ve never met her, but I’d like to think that Jodi (aka LegalNomads.com) and I would be great friends. She’s a woman with a serious case of the travel itch and this quick Q&A with her in The New York Times offers a sneak peek into her life-long “trip.”  An enjoyable little read.

And that folks is what I’m loving about this Wednesday. That and the fact that I found a watermelon Jolly Rancher lollipop in my bag just a minute ago. Ah yes, Wednesdays are good…

What I wish someone had told me about a traditional Thai massage

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This is actually a post I wrote a while back for a company’s blog that never ended up launching. But this coming weekend I’m headed to the L.A. Times Travel Show, where I (almost a year ago now, ack!) was invited to go on my first press trip. So in honor of that fond memory from last year, I’m sharing this post now…

A little over a month ago I found myself, rather unexpectedly, in Thailand for a press trip with the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). Before the trip, TAT sent me an itinerary with a list of the activities for our eight-day adventure. While gold-leafed palaces and night markets sounded like fun, I was most excited about what was on the agenda for our very first day, a traditional Thai massage!

After a morning of traipsing through the complex of jeweled buildings that is the Grand Palace, our group arrived at the RarinJinda Spa for our massage. We were greeted by women handing us sweet juice and comfy slippers. Next, they ushered us away to have our feet washed and scrubbed with herb-infused water. Feet cleaned, it was finally time to start the best part.

RarinJinda Spa
My comfy “pad on the floor” and luxurious pillows…which I would later discover were not only meant for my head.

We were each escorted to a room with a thick mattress on the floor and given an outfit of loose pants and shirt. I changed into my absurdly large pants and shirt and plopped myself down on the mattress.  A small older Thai woman began kneading my calves and shins. (For those who have not had their legs, specifically their shins, “kneaded” before, it’s an acquired taste—and one that I have yet to acquire.)  She then moved down to my feet and toes and began doing a strange series of toe-pulls and fist pounding on my feet. (I should also mention here that I’m extremely ticklish. So trying to lay still and not twitch like a dying lizard was nearly impossible for me during this part.)

Because I wasn’t already having a hard enough time relaxing, let alone not laughing/crying, this small Thai woman had me sit up and began straddling my back. From this stance, she started contorting my limbs in positions never, in my opinion, intended for the human body. Then all of the sudden the personal-bubble-invasion-alarm went off in my head as the woman got in front of me. She squished her tiny foot into my groin and pulled on my leg with all of her might. (I’d like to remind you that as I said before, my pants were way too big, which means that as she pulled, my leg wasn’t the only thing that I thought might pop off…)

I endured some additional pulling, pounding, and strange hand clapping on my back before the whole event was over. I walked out of the massage unsure of whether or not I was relaxed or dead. About an hour later though, I realized that I was actually feeling quite refreshed—and thankfully, not dead.

Victory is mine! I just survived my first Thai massage. (Note the insanely large outfit.)

All said and done, it turns out that I came to rather enjoy this bizarre form of relaxation-meets-torture. In fact, over the next eight days, I indulged (and at only $15 for an hour and a half, who wouldn’t?!) in quite a few more Thai massages. But here’s what I wish someone had told me in the beginning: Don’t head to a Thai massage with the expectation of a deep Swedish rub down. Come prepared to be poked and tickled, twisted and pounded—and to have a strangely relaxing Thai experience.

Traveling ghetto style – it’s like the Land Before Time movies, but not

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I by no means consider myself a techie. (Since when did cloud not mean white fluffy thing in the sky?) But then I come across a post or article that rants and raves about the cool new apps that will “revolutionize” my travel experiences or the super duper function you can make Siri do (who by the way, I’m still not totally convinced shouldn’t be more appropriately dubbed “Siri-ously needs to listen more carefully to what I’m saying”…because I’m sure it’s her fault and not mine that she can’t-understand-the-words-that-are-coming-out-of-my-mouth) and I start to think things like, “Woohoo, I’m totally going to download that app right now!” And then I reach over and pick up my phone. ::Insert scream of terror here:: “Someone’s stolen my iPhone!” …Oh wait, I don’t have an iPhone. Or an iPad. Heck, my age-old MacBook doesn’t even know how to compute the words “time machine.” Yep, it’s official, in the world of modern technology, I’ve been warped back in time to the age of paper maps and cameras the size and weight of a mammoth (and obviously that means either my camera is insanely huge or I live in a fantastical world in which mammoths are ridiculously small).

Having recently read quite a few “the best technology for travel”-like posts, I’ve started to wonder if maybe I’m at some sort of a disadvantage by not having these cool tech toys.

But here is what I’ve concluded…

I have yet to never be able to find my way back home just because my map doesn’t talk to me. Actually, by not having a yakking map I’ve had far more opportunities to meet the locals (the French are wonderfully helpful when you’re lost by the way) and have random off-the-map adventures (that’s the nice way of saying I was totally lost and just decided to make the most of the situation).

And so far, I have not had any explosions or limb dismemberment because I use a camera and camera battery as old as the dinosaurs. In fact, my pictures seem to turn out just as snazzy as the guy with that neat little S95. (Haha, just kidding. Let’s not lie, few cameras live up to the awesomeness of Canon’s S95 right now.)

And even though my MacBook looks somewhat like a hillbilly with missing teeth, it hasn’t failed me yet—drops, spills, and round the world ventures, and this lil’ fellow is still going strong.

Now lest I sound like a looney just proudly protesting my ability to not succumb to the draws of the latest and greatest technology, let me say that, would it be awesome to be able to slip a sleek iPad into my bag versus calling in the crane to load my computer? Totally. But are these gadgets, apps, etc. required to travel well? Heck no.

…Wait though, I do have to insert a disclaimer here. I do have a “smart phone.” Mind you, it’s the dumbest of smart phones (never ever get the LG Ally), but it’s technically considered “smart” according to Verizon. And the only reason I have it is because some dumb butt stole my beloved dumb phone–and now I’m stuck with a phone that’s so “smart” that it tells me everyday that it’s “brain” is full and it can’t even send a simple text anymore. Bah!…

There's just something rather exciting about standing in a strange city with a "real" map in your hands. ...Map apps, you'll just have to wait your turn...

But all said and done, I’m a realist. I understand that some of these nifty gadgets might add some convenience to my travels and someday I most certainly plan on investing in a few gizmos of my own. (I mean seriously, those Apple commercials totally have me convinced that the iPad, second to old fashioned donuts, is about the coolest thing ever. Tell me what constellation I’m looking at? Hello?! Yes and please!) But 20-some odd years of traveling and so far my tattered maps and monster of a camera and hick of a computer have never hindered my travel experiences and I don’t foresee that they ever will.

…Plus, on the off chance that the post-apocalyptic movies are right and robots do take over the world and we revert back to a time of mere survival, I’ll still know how to read my own map and get the hell-o out of there instead of relying on a computerized voice yelling at me, “Left! Left! Turn left in 20 meters! Turn left now! You have missed the left turn. Recalculating route.”

Trip Tip Tuesday: 7 easy-to-pack hostess gifts

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I’m no Emily Post but I’d like to think that I have fairly decent manners (compliments of my mother who always warned, “What if someday you eat dinner with the Queen?” P.S. Mom, I’m still waiting on my royal invite). And every time I’m headed to someone’s house for dinner, a holiday, wine hour, whatever, I hear a little voice in my head saying, “Don’t forget a gift.” The trouble is that often these hostess-gift-needed events seem to happen while I’m on the road and relying on the minimal necessities I drag around in my suitcase. So, tired of running around like a crazy kahooney looking for a last-minute gift before dinner, or worse yet, showing up empty handed, I’ve brainstormed some quick, easy, and of course, suitcase-friendly hostess gifts (which all said and done is rather strange, because I’d say that planning ahead is not quite my forte…but thus I digress…).

7 tried and true travel-friendly hostess (a.k.a. “thanks for having me over”) gifts

1. Hot drinks
Gourmet teas, coffee, and hot chocolate packages are light and easy to pack. Tie a bow around it and voila, it’s a gift!

It's hard to go wrong with the gift of a tasty hot drink. Photo credit: FreeRangeStock.com

2. Peanut Brittle
Pros: Delicious (of course), easy to pack (and doesn’t matter if it breaks a bit in transit, just makes it all that much easier to eat), buy it from See’s Candy and it’ll even come pre-wrapped.
Cons: Some people have peanut allergies. Make sure your recipient isn’t allergic to nuts/peanuts…otherwise you’ll be nibbling on that peanut brittle during the ambulance ride to the hospital (killing your host is usually frowned upon).

3. Dried fruits
Your host’s taste buds (and bowels…’cause I know you were curious) will thank you!

4. Spiced nuts
It’s like crack with sugar on it (or at least this is what I’d imagine sugar-covered crack would be like). So deliciously addicting! (And note, the whole don’t accidentally kill your host thing applies here too.)

5. An ornament
I’d recommend you skip the glass balls and other fragile ornaments in this case. Pick out something more durable like metal or wood and ideally make it unique and/or personal. Can we say an adorable wooden shoe ornament from the Netherlands?

A unique ornament is a great little thank you gift that won't hog space in your suitcase. Photo credit: FreeRangeStock.com

6. A treat from the Christmas market
When all else fails, pick up a quick gift while you’re already on the road. The Christmas markets in Europe (*cough cough* Prague and Salzburg) are some of my personal favorite spots to pick up fun and clever little thank you gifts.

7. You
There’s a reason they coined “Your presence is our present.” Stick a bow on your head for an added touch. (But not really, because then you’ll just show up looking like a weirdo with no present and a bow on your head.)

This is a feature of Trip Tip Tuesday. Click here to learn more about Trip Tip Tuesday.

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