A gracious heart . . . .

Hello friends!  May I share something very special with you? I am so incredibly happy to tell you that I was able to spend an evening with someone that I "met" via blogging 3 years ago. I've been following a lovely blog out of South Africa, that is designed and written by Lana Kenney, called lanaloustyle.com..............

Lana is a Cape Town resident, an amazing photographer, a talented designer, and she has a beautiful blog. She is the reason that I am in Cape Town, South Africa at the moment. Lana blogs about her hometown, and the beautiful surroundings in which she lives. She features and photographs hotels, restaurants, shops and the pure beauty of this area. (As I mentioned, she is also a designer, so you will find plenty of beautiful posts on home decor, fashion & color.) Reading her blog was the very reason that I decided to make it a priority to visit Cape Town. 

It is stunning! Its beauty is breathtaking. The people are incredibly kind. The food is exquisite, ........and last night, I had the honor of spending the evening with Lana. She was so gracious to pick us up at our hotel, then accompany us to 2 fabulous restaurants. We went for a sundowner at The Leopard Bar at The Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa. This place is beautiful and has received endless awards. Afterwards we worked our way to Kitima for dinner .... another restaurant that is draped in awards. It was fabulous as well, but getting to know Lana was the bonus. She is truly one of the sweetest people you could wish to meet. It is obvious that she loves her hometown, and enjoys sharing it with the world. So don't be afraid to reach out! You never know when the person on the other end will respond in such a gracious way. 

We talked afterwards, and both realized that we parted without taking a photo. We were so preoccupied, we completely forgot. (I told her it was a sign of a successful evening.) 

When you get a minute, check out Lana's blog.

"If a woman be gracious and courteous to strangers, it shows she is a citizen of the world, and that her heart is no island cut off from other lands, but a continent that joins them."

-Francis Bacon Sr.

Just a side note.......

Earlier this year, I received an email from Groupon Getaways featuring this trip to Cape Town. I immediately contacted Lana about it because I wanted to make sure it was a worthy one. I emailed her, asking her advice on the activities and the accommodations that were being offered in the package. Her quick response made me realize that this was a trip that I didn't want to miss. So at the moment, I'm half way through the most amazing adventure I could imagine. My friend and I were not sure what to expect, but I have to say that our expectations have been exceeded. Groupon was great to work with, answered questions promptly, and even with a sense of humor. We literally saved thousands of dollars on this trip. Check them out!

And we're off! . . . .

As fun as it is to return to a place that you are familiar with, I am always excited to venture into new territory and explore. And that's exactly what my husband & I plan on doing over the next 10 days. It's time to explore a new place! I'm packing and getting ready to board a plane to Grand Cayman Island, which is located in the western Caribbean Sea.  I have been watching the weather forecast and it's interesting.....the highs are 80-82 and the lows are 79-80, so there is very little temp change between day and night. We have decided to take in several adventures, and make the most of our time there. A few of them include swimming with the dolphins & stingrays, snorkeling, and a possible helicopter tour. And if our internet cooperates, I'm hoping to share some photo's with you while I'm there. If not, then perhaps I'll post a few in the next few weeks. Take a look at that gorgeous turquoise water below! Beauty awaits!

Beautiful Grand Cayman Island

Swim with the Stingrays

....and shopping, of course!

"We may run, walk, stumble, drive or fly,

 but let us never lose sight of 

the reason for the journey, 

or miss a chance to see a rainbow on our way."

Bye-Bye, my friends!

What's your rush? . . . .

Go there! . . . .

Let's just say that you were given the chance to go anywhere in the world, money is not an issue, and you're leaving tomorrow ......... where would you go? If you could throw caution to the wind, would you  jet set to the South of France, Tahiti or Morocco? New York City, Hawaii or Greece? If you're a foodie, maybe it's Rome where you can indulge in fresh-made pasta & sauces, or enjoy amazing pizza. 

Please don't think that these types of vacations only happen to others. Living the life of your dreams is for YOU just as much as it is for the next person! But first you have to stop the negative thoughts such as "It'll never happen." Listen....you can't reach a goal that you don't have! Decide that you can make your dream vacation a reality, and start today. Set the goal and work towards it. I promise, IT CAN HAPPEN FOR YOU! 

• Start by deciding where it is that you'd like to go. Stop by your local bookstore and pick up a travel magazine.
• Cut out pictures of your dream destination.
• Hang this visual image somewhere where you can see it regularly. The simple act of converting your dream to a visual image has a way of stimulating creative thoughts, and that's what will bring you closer to it becoming a reality.
• Share your dream with someone that you know will support & encourage you, not someone who will discredit your thoughts.
• Take action. If it means you have to make small changes in your life to reach your goal, then do it! But think of the process of fulfilling your dream as an adventure, not a chore.
• Be persistent. There are lots of options as to how you might achieve your goal.....if one doesn't work, go to the next one.
• Be patient. Dreams don't just happen overnight. Never give up. 

"Let's go out and let stories happen to us. Let's work them, water them....till they bloom"

-Clarissa Pinkola Estes

Photo by Greg Bajor via flickr

Another wonderful experience. . . .

It feels so good to be home! I've been traveling for the past 12 days and it was heaven to crawl into my own bed last night. Vacations are great, but there's nothing like the comfort of your own space!

Today I would like to share with you a wonderful experience that I had while I was gone. After an incredible 8 days in New York City, I traveled to a friends home in Virginia, just outside Washington D.C.  To my surprise, he asked me to follow him into his garage, opened the door, handed me the key to one of his motorcycles and told me to get on. We weren't just going for a ride, he was going to TEACH ME HOW TO RIDE!! I jumped up and down like a little girl! I have a Vespa 250 scooter, so I've ridden, but c'mon......it's a scooter! There are no gears.... just the accelerator and the brake. This was the real thing, and this was something that I've wanted to do for a long time. When I was 18, I read the book "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance" and I have never forgotten the descriptions in that book of what it is like to ride, and more importantly, what it teaches you about life. It was time I experienced a small portion of that! So there I was on the back roads of Virginia,  experiencing the wonderful feelings that Robert M. Pirsig described in that book. He said, "You see things vacationing on a motorcycle in a way that is completely different from any other. In a car you're always in a compartment, and because you're used to it, you don't realize that through that car window everything you see is just more TV. You're a passive observer and it is all moving by you boringly in a frame. On a cycle the frame is gone. You're completely in contact with it all. You're in the scene, not just watching it anymore, and the sense of presence is overwhelming. That concrete whizzing by five inches below your foot is the real thing, the same stuff you walk on, it's right there, so blurred you can't focus on it, yet you can put your foot down and touch it anytime, and the whole thing, the whole experience, is never removed from immediate consciousness." He was right. I was in the scene. I thoroughly enjoyed my first ride, and even though I most likely won't be running out to buy a motorcycle, I was grateful to have experienced that sense of presence, not to mention another level of self-confidence that I couldn't have gotten without trying it myself. By the way, I now have a real sense of appreciation for motorcyclists. Be aware! Watch for them, and safe travels.

"Unless you're fond of hollering, you don't make great conversations on a running cycle. Instead, you spend your time being aware of things and meditating on them. On sights and sounds, on the mood of the weather and things remembered, on the machine and the countryside you're in, thinking about things at great leisure and length without being hurried and without feeling you're losing time."

-Robert M. Pirsig

What's your hurry? . . . .

I am in New York City at the moment, and after hearing about the  Ace Hotel (29th St. @ Broadway), we popped in for a cocktail to check out the much talked about atmosphere.  We fell in love with the relaxed lobby scene, which immediately invites you in and you realize that this is a place where you can just hang out. It has been described as a "too-cool-for-school bohemian chic." 

There are graphic signs that get your attention such as the one below. I loved how they incorporated their Exit sign with an inspirational thought. Next time you're in New York, check it out. Their website says "our rates are cheap for New York hotels and motels, even if you book at the last minute. They are some of the cheapest NYC rooms you will find. It's like knowing a little secret." 

"There's a trick to the "graceful exit." It begins with the vision to recognize when a job, a life stage, or a relationship is over -- and let it go. It means leaving what's over without denying its validity or its past importance to our lives. It involves a sense of future, a belief that every exit line is an entry, that we are moving up, rather than out."

-Ellen Goodman

Manhattan bound . . . .

Once again, I'm heading to New York this morning for a long weekend and looking forward to enjoying the city during this time of year when the weather is perfect.....sunny & low 70's.  I am not one to head to the city with big plans of taking in several shows or waiting in line for many tourist attractions. I've been there enough to know that I just want to settle in, visit a few of my favorite stores and restaurants, but more importantly, to wander the streets & enjoy the neighborhoods. I especially look forward to snagging a seat at a sidewalk cafe so I can sip a glass of wine, people watch, and take photographs. It truly is one of my favorite things to do. I could table-hop all afternoon at different outdoor cafe's in several different neighborhoods in the city,  just to enjoy the experience itself, the beautiful weather, the fresh air, and the people passing by.

Cheers!

Do you have a favorite outdoor cafe?

The views that kissed my soul . . . .

Myself & my brother, Ken

Thank you Maui for being so kind and so beautiful. I very much look forward to my return so I can further explore this spectacular island. I am finally back on the mainland after hours and hours of travel, but I couldn't leave Maui without one last hurrah. My brother & I took a helicopter tour of Maui & Molokai before we caught our flights. This 65 minute tour was SPECTACULAR! It was definitely the highlight of my trip. Our pilot, Jeannette, had 27 years of flying experience and did a fantastic job as she flew us into the creavasse's of the mountains, and along shorelines. We explored the remote valley and waterfalls of the West Maui Mountains, some of which are only accessible via helicopter. The views were absolutely stunning! We then crossed the Pailolo Channel to see the magnificent sea cliffs, valleys and waterfalls on Molokai's isolated north shore. The north coast of Molokai features the tallest sea cliffs in the world that rise thousands of feet above the Pacific Ocean. What an incredible adventure! (Click photo's for larger image.)

I had the best seat!....next to our pilot!

Where water meets land.

Beautiful shorelines!

Black Rock - Ka'anapali Beach

Where portions of Jurassic Park was filmed.

(This photo taken by Ken.)

Another island in the distance.

Beautiful ridges.

Stunning valleys.

The Ritz Carlton.

"Never lose an opportunity of seeing anything that is beautiful; for beauty is God's handwriting - a wayside sacrament.  Welcome it in every fair face, in every fair sky, in every fair flower, and thank God for it as a cup of blessing." 

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

All photo's by me

except for one noted above.

Another day, another beach . . . .

It's amazing what a little sunshine can do for your soul. It was an absolutely perfect day here in Maui yesterday.... sunny, a little breezy and 83°.  Not to be greedy, Momma Nature, but I'm looking for another one of those today! ..... thank you. 

I spent the morning on beautiful Ka'anapali Beach, walking the paved beach pathway that connects you from the hotels, to the beach, restaurants and shopping. It is known as one of Maui's most beautiful beaches, and I have to agree. I was able to have lunch on the beach at another one of Maui's top 10 restaurants, Lailani's. I ordered the fish taco's and when I asked the waitress what type of fish it was, she said it was "Ono". I mentioned to her that I had never heard of that before, and she said it's also known as Wahoo, but they refer to it as Ono, which means "delicious" in Hawaii. . . . and it was.

Black Rock on Ka'anapali Beach

Those views!

In Monday's post, I mentioned that I was looking for a local grown coffee called Koa that has received rave reviews, and yesterday I found it at Martin & McArthur in Whaler's Village in Ka'anapali. Forbes magazine singled out this coffee as the "best coffee made in America", saying "this stuff is wonderfully smooth and its lack of bitter aftertaste makes you think nothing of having a second cup...or third." Taking some home with me!

So I ended the day with a beautiful 2-hour sunset cruise on board a sailing catamaran called Trilogy. The captain and crew were wonderful, serving up appetizers and drinks, making us laugh and feel comfortable, in addition to instructing us on how to spot the whales. We did spot several "sprays" from whales in the distance, but only caught a minor glimpse of one humpback as she quickly surfaced, then disappeared. A perfect way to end the day!

Trilogy's sailing catamaran

Our beautiful Maui sunset

"That it will never come again

is what makes life so sweet."

-Emily Dickinson

Photo's by me

except sailing catamaran - by Ken Gallagher

Another day in Paradise . . . .

Should I just cut to the chase? ....my dinner last night was fabulous! I had read the reviews of the top 10 restaurants here in Maui, and last night, chose one near my hotel called The Pineapple Grill. To begin with, the view from my seat was spectacular! It overlooks the Kapalua Resort golf course, and sits on the edge of the Pacific Ocean.  Absolutely stunning. So here's what I had........

Fresh catch Mahi Mahi

Their signature dessert...Pineapple upside-down cake
with Roselani Gourmet macadamia nut ice cream

(Yes, I am hitting the fitness room this morning!) 

So, besides my lovely dinner, I took in the sites of a small historic whaling village called Lahaina, that is located on the west side of Maui. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, but the lively Front Street is the place to see, with lots of shops, art galleries, & plenty of places to enjoy food & drink.

Lahaina

Charming little village of Lahaina

Lahaina sits on the west coast of Maui

Whale watching tour boats

Beautiful flowers everywhere

Lahaina shops & restaurants

 Every tourist town has one - t-shirt shops

 Shoreline in Lahaina

Front Street - Lahaina

The Banyon Tree

In the center of the village is Banyon Tree Park, and houses a single Banyon tree that serves as a symbol for the city. The tree was imported from India in 1873 and was only 8 feet tall. It now stands over 60 feet high, has 12 major trunks in addition to a huge core. It stretches over a 200-foot area and shades 2/3 of an acre. It is one of the largest Indian Banyan trees in the world.

After my visit to Lahaina, it was time to relax by the pool. 

....and it's a beautiful one!

 The pool at The Ritz Carlton - Kapalua.

Another view of the pool.

All photo's by me

except for Pineapple Upside-Down cake and first image of Lahaina via Google Images

Life moves pretty fast.  

If you don't stop to look around once in a while 

you could miss it.  

-From the movie Ferris Bueller's Day Off

Aloha Maui. So nice to meet you . . . .

Good morning my friends. I am in Maui this week, enjoying a little R & R. What an absolutely beautiful place! It is my first trip to Hawaii, and I already know it won't be my last. I have tagged along with my brother who is here on business, so I am very much on my own while he is working. How do you feel about traveling solo, and discovering a new place by yourself? Is it something that you would consider, or do you find it too intimidating? I am finding out very quickly that it can be quite enjoyable. Today I am venturing out in my rental car and will drive along the coast in search of a few items that I want to take home with me. I have a couple item requests from my friends that will be fun to search for, and for me, I'm looking for a particular local coffee that I hear is the best. Other than that, I have no plans except to experience the beauty of this island, soak up some sun, and enjoy the local cuisine via some highly recommended restaurants, so I definitely plan on working up an appetite today. I hope to share more with you this week about my ventures, and post photo's as well, so check back!

This was my drive from the airport to the hotel. 

Not a bad start to my vacation!

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do 

than by the ones you did do. 

So throw off the bow lines. 

Sail away from the safe harbor.

Catch the trade winds in your sails.

Explore. Dream. Discover.

- Mark Twain

The Standard Hotel - NYC . . . .

I have been blessed to be able to travel over the past few weeks, enjoying the beautiful weather in Miami, and the comfort of the wonderful spa hotel there called The Standard. This past week I have been at The Standard in New York City, and once again, completely impressed and wanted to share with you. This ultra-hip boutique hotel is smack-dab in the middle of the Meatpacking District of Manhattan just north of The West Village, and is within walking distance of many galleries, restaurants, and one-of-a-kind boutique shops. It has several swanky bars, its own beirgarten, the infamous Boom Boom Room, and a penthouse nightclub called Le Bain where celebrities are regulars, and my son is a bartender. . . . (he is quite possibly the only way I got through the tight door policy the last few nights, although you should definitely give it a shot.) This place is the epitome of a New York night club complete with a huge mirror ball, a fog machine, and a beat that makes it hard to stand still.  It is a 2-story club on both the 18th floor, and the rooftop and has million dollar views of Midtown and Lower Manhattan.

The Standard New York features floor-to-ceiling glass windows, and every room has views of the Hudson River and either Midtown or Lower Manhattan. The rooms are small, no surprise...this is New York after all, but the space manages to hold an extremely comfortable queen bed, and killer bed linens.

This hotel is very hip, and can become quite lively, especially at night as the lobby lights are turned down, and the music is turned up. It is definitely geared toward the young, fashionable,  exclusive in-crowd, so it was definitely high-spirited and was a fantastic spot to people watch.

The lobby

Room with a view

One of the larger rooms with amazing bathrooms

The Standard Grill - bar/cafe'

The Standard Grill - restaurant

Copper penny floor in The Standard Grill restaurant

The rooftop bar

The Boom Boom Room

Even the urinals have views

Hall to the elevators

The Standard New York

848 Washington  (at West 13th St.)

212.645.4646