I landed in Saigon a few minutes past midnight exhausted and wired but excited to be in Vietnam, a country that had occupied my imagination for decades. I’d had just enough time at Narita airport to pick up a liter of Yamazaki Single Malt 12 year old Japanese whiskey, my … Read more
Life in the Key of Largo… Key West’s Little Sister I’ve read all the tantalizing articles on Travel Squire about vacations in the islands and decided that it was definitely time for my husband and me to get the island groove. Immediately we found ourselves humming all those funny island … Read more
My arrival in Greece is somewhat of a blur. First, arriving to the western coast, off a ten hour boat trip from Brindisi. Then, a train ride across the countryside, a short bus ride to our hotel. Athens was…disappointing. Infamously behind in its preparations for the 2004 Olympics, just … Read more
The Maldives. A world away, in the middle of the Indian Ocean, there is no where else like it on the Earth. Specifically it is a chain of atolls, so there are no mountains only reef built isles; they rise from the water just far enough to graze the sky. … Read more
I’m sitting on the terrace of the lodge, and as if by magic the evening’s backdrop draws gracefully towards me. Colored a faint bluish grey, the slanted curtain of water begins with a light tap, tap, tap, then slowly the downpour takes over. It is so naturally orchestrated, like … Read more
We Fell for Iguazu Falls Iguazu Falls has been called one of the greatest natural wonders on earth, and one of the places to visit before you die. Why then, did only one of us know it existed? Do you? And now that you have heard of it…read on … Read more
Few people outside of Honduras are aware that Roatán Island, an exceptional paradise that sits along the edge of the Caribbean Sea, exists. As well, few people know that Roatán Island is part of a small group of Caribbean islands in Central America. I spent New Year’s 2010 on … Read more
Forget Cali. Cancun is officially the new “golden coast” in my book. Today I explored the JW Marriott Cancun Resort and Spa’s luxurious grounds and staked out an ocean-view, poolside lounge chair for most of the afternoon. In fact, the soft Caribbean breeze relaxed me so much that I fell asleep … Read more
This morning I woke up to a knock on the door from room service. My bed was so comfortable that I completely forgot I pre-ordered a bowl of oatmeal and berries the night before. I ate on my balcony that overlooks the ocean, watching the sunrise. A rosy pink glow … Read more
To swim in the cenote, the Mayans only demanded we rinse our bodies before we climbing down into the cave. After a quick outdoor shower, our ten-person tour group followed our guide down a wooden ladder and a curving flight of wooden steps to a platform. We took turns jumping … Read more
Today was a nice change of pace from adventure day. For starters, I enjoyed the hearty breakfast buffet in Sedona Grill at the JW Marriott. I’m really big on breakfast so I indulged in pancakes, French toast, chopped fruit, pastries, eggs, coffee, orange juice, dried fruit, cheese… you name it. … Read more
After my spa treatment I had a half hour of down time where I relaxed pool-side before my scuba lesson. Fernando, employed by the Marriott, introduced himself to me as a certified diving instructor who would teach me how to dive. He explained all of the gear functions, how … Read more
I was dying to do a little shopping at a Mexican market so I asked around and found out that Mercado 28 (Market 28) in downtown Cancunwas the best and the biggest. I took the R2 bus from the hotel strip through downtown (about 30 minutes) and got off near … Read more
My main wish this weekend was that I’d catch a glimpse of a giant sea turtle. I’ve been walking every morning and night on the beach for miles just in case I’d get the lucky chance to come across one. And, surprisingly, my wish came true. Late last … Read more
I don’t want to leave Cancun! It has been such a lovely weekend full of a blend of diverse activities: from zip-lining over the jungle to getting spoiled at the spa, and from diving in the pool to eating in the 5 star restaurants, my experience here has been awesome. … Read more