Indonesia

December 29, 2018

“Travel makes one modest. You see what a tiny place you occupy in the world.”

— Gustave Flaubert

I’m up on one year ago on my visit to Indonesia the land of ten thousand islands…or maybe more, and I still haven’t posted the photos. Why? According to “Google” the four main reasons for procrastination are:

A Fear of Failure
Excessive Perfectionism
Low Energy Levels
A Lack of Focus

AmazonBasics Carry-On Travel Backpack, Black Buy on Amazon

Is it possible to have all of these at the same time? Yes and Yes. I am here to tell you it can be done. “Sure” you say with the critical voice spewing with sarcasm, but you are writing this blog so no way you are experiencing true procrastination that is true. Points to you for noticing but it did take me almost a year to get back in the swing so there was definitely avoidance on my part. So what’s different about today from Yesterday? Why all of a sudden am I waking up saying maybe I will write my blog on Indonesia today? I asked myself the question: What will it matter?

What if I fail? Who will care besides me?

Why do I need to be perfect? No one else is, last time I checked.

I might be tired but what’s easier…typing on my computer or getting up and running a mile? Hmm in that perspective you see my reasoning don’t you.

Focus…aaah what is focus? I’m not even telling you about Indonesia yet so eventually I will focus. Hope your laughing out loud right now. LOL …By the way heard a funny statement LOL: does not mean Lots of Love when you are writing a sympathy card. Talk about way off focus, but you get my drift.

So Indonesia…in a nutshell or a mangosteen. (see photo below) Loved it. The people,the food, all of it. Highlights not to miss…the elephant sanctuary, the food, Ubud: it is truly as great as the film EAT,LOVE, PRAY and my favorite moment the ability to Procrastinate for three whole weeks, cause after all it’s vacation and your supposed to do that on a vacay!

London

November 14, 2016

“Sir, when a man is tired of London, he is tired of life; for there is in London all that life can afford.”

— Samuel Johnson

Eating in London was phenomenal, why?

Because we did a food tour?

Because traveling makes me hungry?

Because I got to go to NOPI ?

Yep to all of the above. Because that's what foodies like me thrive on.

London has so much to offer. Culture, language, books, and food no wonder this is a reason most people start their European tours in England. And don't forget Red double decker buses and Red telephone booths.

Bacon Sandwich with homemade ketchup from Nose to Tale Restaurant Saint John

Some highlights of our vacay definitely came from the EATLONDON food tour! Starting with bacon 🐷 sandwiches at a nose 🐽to tail 🐖 restaurant made the drooling begin from every part of my tongue. 👅

I swear all five tastes were stimulated and maybe even the sixth...gotta love umami.

A 17th century old restaurant called the English Restaurant (I know inventive, right?) poured out upon us love and sweets in the form of what is known to us in the US as bread pudding. To the English however, this means adding hot sweet liquid. Who knew that bread and butter pudding could evoke memories of cold nights and hot fires in just a ten minute sitting. And what fun filling the required "spoon" hole with a liquid custard cream so thick that you wished you could pour it in your coffee ☕️ every morning. At least I do.😉

Bread and Butter Pudding from the English Restaurant

Alas, the EatLondon tour did not only give us sweets and treats but history and tales to make every American storyteller jealous. Why doesn't the US have such historical bits and bobs? Why does the word potluck come out when fuddle is so much more fun? How do I know what Cockney word is being used? Why does that building have the Jewish calendar and the Julian Calendar? History and Eating go hand in hand and the EatLondon tour took it to a whole new level. Recommended? Yep.

What is it about England that makes me think so fancy? Maybe it's "the Crown. 👑 😉 Yes the Crown Jewels are a must see at the Tower of London. Suggestion go first thing in the morning to the Tower of London and visit the Crown Jewels first so you can miss the rush of people later. Of course photos are prohibited inside but the history of the scepter the weight of the crown and all of those little details you wanted to know are told on the audio tour or you can just talk to the security inside. Most of them seemed happy to oblige with stories to tell, after all watching over crowns all day must go to one's head. (ba dump bump!) I know bad pun but well intended. 😉 Or if you just want to have an overview, Netflix is handing out info in their latest series the "Crown." Addicting to say the least.

Last but not least I suggest grabbing a coffee at the TATE Modern and heading to the top for a fabulous view for Free!

You can of course grab coffee elsewhere before your TATE visit and top of my list was definitely Ozone Coffee. Not near the TATE but well worth a visit on it's own or maybe add a very cool Street Art Tour to your list of Artwork to see on the streets before seeing the famous peeps in the museum. You may be surprised by your view of street art and the accomplishments of those artists making art that is ephemeral. In fact it might even disappear before the guide can give you a chance to view the vision as had this piece upon our guided visit. Thankfully we had seen it the week before during our first night stay at CitizenM an eclectic hotel for the modern hotel goer.

Besides Roasting Beans before your eyes at Ozone their brunch is also very yummy, make sure to nab a seat at the counter facing the kitchen to watch them make your breakfast or lunch if you are a true foodie! And guess what being that they are from New Zealand they have Lamingtons...of course there's always still the "great debate," are Lamingtons from New Zealand or Australia.? I will let you decide, read about it here!

Tips: Eating,Drinking and Shopping

A bit of time in London is well spent and the food is hitting top notch and is truly world renown. Until next time I leave you with these words from my favorite lady authors of London:

“A writer is, after all, only half his book. The other half is the reader and from the reader the writer learns.”

— P.L. Travers

May you share your thoughts with me so I may learn more from you my reader in your comments, stories, and views.

-Happy Travels and Happy Eating!

Source: /home?category=Travel

Orcas Island

July 18, 2016

“As I ate the oysters with their strong taste of the sea and their faint metallic taste that the cold white wine washed away, leaving only the sea taste and the succulent texture, and as I drank their cold liquid from each shell and washed it down with the crisp taste of the wine, I lost the empty feeling and began to be happy and to make plans”

— Ernest Heminway

Oysters shucking credit: the mad genius in the house with the leatherman fixation 😉

What do:

three days off
a ferry ride
a small island
airbnb
hikes
oysters
beer

all have in common? Our trip to Orcas Island.

If you don't live in the Pacific Northwest you might be saying where? It's a small island north of Seattle (that's the basic jaunt) and a ferry ride or plane ride over that is part of the island hopping scene of the San Juan Islands. And to answer your question yes they do have Orca whales🐳 (so Not an orca emoji...gotta work with what I've got)

I am sure the majority of people, judging from the whale watching tour brochures left for us by our kind airbnb host, come to take the tour and see the whales especially in season when they will be plentiful. This however wasn't our first rodeo to the islands so more island exploring of food, sunshine, hiking and rest was what we put on our agenda instead. We slept a lot...stress free from the city and all quiet on the island but we also: