WAVEJourney.com

Cowgirls at the Rodeo!

2011-11-14T19:25:00.000-08:00

Bull & Bronc Riding & Steer Roping

PRCA Columbia River Circuit Finals Pro Rodeo at Deschutes County Fairground in Redmond, Oregon

November 12, 2011

See the video now.

Central Oregon Restaurant Review: El Jimador Mexican Restaurant

2011-04-24T19:23:00.000-07:00

Central Oregon Restaurant Review: El Jimador Mexican Restaurant

Central Oregon Restaurant Review: Five Fusion & Sushi Bar Happy Hour

2011-04-15T11:08:00.000-07:00

Central Oregon Restaurant Review: Five Fusion & Sushi Bar Happy Hour

Christening of a Super Ship - Uniworld's S.S. Antoinette

2011-03-28T11:48:00.000-07:00

~ Uniworld Christens New Super Ship Antoinette ~
The Most Luxurious River Cruise Ship in the World

Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection christened its new Super Ship S.S. Antoinette, in an inauguration ceremony at the Port of Amsterdam, the Netherlands on March 19, 2011. Attending the intimate ceremony were travel agency owners, local dignitaries, journalists from around the world, and three generations of the Tollman Family (who own and operate Uniworld and its sister companies within the Travel Corporation umbrella) and their friends.

The ceremony opened with Guy Young, President of Uniworld, who welcomed guests and introduced key note speakers: Antoinette Tollman, godmother, namesake, designer, and visionary of the S.S. Antoinette; Patrick Jansen, owner of the shipyard De Hoop where the S.S. Antoinette was built; Janine van Oosten, Chief Harbormaster from the Port of Amsterdam; and Stefan Diender, Chief Executive of Amsterdam Tourism and Convention Board.

Addressing the guests, Young said, “2011 is Uniworld’s most ambitious year to date. We are introducing three new ships: The River Victoria in Russia, the Douro Spirit in Portugal and, of course, the reason we are all here today, the S.S. Antoinette. Additionally, we have rebuilt and remodeled three other ships in Europe. All of these ships reflect the authentic boutique style that has become the hallmark of the Uniworld fleet.”

Paying testimony to owners Mr. Stanley and Mrs. Beatrice Tollman, Young added, “Mr. and Mrs. Tollman bring with them a wealth of experience and a deep rooted history and understanding of the hospitality industry and what it takes to run a luxury boutique operation. Mrs. Tollman in particular, as President and Founder of Red Carnation Hotels, has been instrumental in helping Uniworld achieve the high positioning that we enjoy today. Having passionately and successfully built a collection of five-star luxury boutique hotels and the knowledge that she has acquired have all been hugely important in helping Uniworld establish itself as the leader in luxury river cruising.”

Godmother and namesake of the S.S. Antoinette, Mrs. Antoinette Tollman explained, “The S.S Antoinette has been a true labor of love. It's easy to say you're a five-star boutique cruise line, but it's not easy to deliver it. The S.S. Antoinette is bigger, better, and more luxurious than anything else. And what makes Uniworld different begins with my mother, Beatrice Tollman, who was the inspiration for the décor and the namesake of Uniworld's 2009 launch, River Beatrice, and her commitment to each and every one of us."

Patrick Jansen, owner of De Hoop, a company that has been building ships for over 120 years, stated, “The S.S. Antoinette is a highly customized vessel, more so than any other vessel, and we have used new techniques to optimize it and to make sure that it really is the next generation of vessels for the luxury cruise market. The S.S. Antoinette has impressive green credentials as well with a waste-management system consisting of a food macerator and tank, and glass-crushing and compactor machines. Further, she is powered by a newly developed noise and vibration reduction feature consisting of double-resilient mounted frames for the engine and thruster. And she is designed for the highest degree of safety - beyond existing rules and regulations.”

Janine van Oosten, Chief Harbormaster from the Port of Amsterdam, presented the Captain of the Ship with a traditional plaque and announced, “We are very honored that Uniworld has chosen our port for the inauguration of the S.S. Antoinette. This ship is proof of the new image and era of river cruising.”

Against the backdrop of blue sky and sunshine, Stefan Diender, Chief Executive of Amsterdam Tourism and Convention Board, announced that spring had come two days early in Amsterdam with the launch of the S.S. Antoinette and added, “Uniworld is setting the standard amongst river cruise operators.”

The christening concluded with the customary smashing of a Champagne bottle against the hull. Once the official ceremony was over, the 26-piece Amsterdam Brass entertained guests with such tunes as "Moon River" and the "Love Boat" during a champagne reception onboard, before the ship set sail for the first time across the Ÿssellake Lake to the historic port town, Hoorn, where it docked for the night.

The S.S. Antoinette will set sail from March 27, 2011, through November 13, 2011, on Uniworld’s popular “Castles along the Rhine” Itinerary from Basel to Amsterdam for eight days.

"There is no doubt in my mind that S.S. Antoinette is the most spectacular river cruise ship in Europe. We are very fortunate to have owners who are so invested, personally and financially, in making Uniworld the very best river cruise company," added Young.

For more information please contact your preferred Travel Professional, or call Uniworld at(800) 733-7820 or visit uniworld.com.

WAVEJourney's Top 13 Digs ~ Lodging Picks for 2010

2010-12-16T11:48:00.000-08:00

WAVE Journey's Top 13 Digs ~ Lodging Picks for 2010

Happy Travels!
Viv and Jill
AKA: WJ
www.wavejourney.com

WAVE Journey November Travel Tips Newsletter!

2010-11-30T10:49:00.000-08:00

Did you receive your free copy of WAVEJourney.com's November Travel Tips Newsletter?

Read it here and sign-up for future monthly issues:

http://myemail.constantcontact.com/WAVEJourney-com-November-Travel-Tips.html?soid=1101204092590&aid=KbVSG0fdD7w

Don't forget to enter the free giveaways...

Happy Travels!

Viv and Jill
AKA: WJ

We Would Rather Dine on Guinness Stew!

2010-11-23T19:15:00.000-08:00

WJ brings you a new recipe - Guinness Irish Stew
Simple and delicious, this is the perfect comfort food for a cold winters day.

Guinness Irish Stew - Serves: 4

You will need:
2lb lean stewing beef - slightly marbled is OK - cut into 2" cubes

4 tablespoons olive oil

2 tablespoons flour

pinch paprika or cayenne

pinch of salt

pinch of freshly ground black pepper

1 large white onion - diced

2 large garlic cloves - minced

2 tablespoons tomato paste

14 oz Guinness = 1 can

3 large carrots - sliced 1/2" thick

2 large potatoes - diced 1" thick

sprig fresh thyme

sprig fresh rosemary

Directions:
Toss beef cubes with 1 tablespoon olive oil, to coat.

In a small bowl, mix flour, paprika, salt & pepper. Add dry ingredients to beef and toss to coat.

Heat 3 tablespoons olive oil on high in a large skillet or Dutch oven and brown beef on all sides.

Add onions, garlic and tomato paste to Dutch oven with beef and cover for 5 minutes on low heat.

Remove all ingredients from Dutch oven, then add 1/2 of the Guinness and turn heat to high.

Bring Guinness to a boil and scrape up browned pieces from bottom of Dutch oven - this adds to the flavor.

Return meat, onions and juices to the Dutch oven and add remainder of Guinness, carrots, potatoes, thyme and rosemary.

Bring to a boil on the stovetop.

Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 2.5-3 hours - or, put Dutch oven in a 300 F oven for 2-3 hours.

Meat should be fork tender when completely cooked.

Serve with Irish soda bread for a completely mouth-watering meal.

View more WJ recipes:
http://www.wavejourney.com/recipesindex.html

Enjoy!
Viv and Jill
AKA: WJ

WJ Reviews Apple iPod Touch 32 GB - 4th Generation

2010-11-18T14:22:00.000-08:00

WJ tests Apple iPod Touch 4th Generation - 32GB

Apple's Description:
iPod Touch 4th Generation

iPod touch has an all-new design that makes it the thinnest, lightest, most amazing iPod touch ever. Holding one is all the proof you need. With its curved design, iPod touch is now a mere 7.2 millimeters thin. Its engineered glass front and stainless steel back feel sleek and smooth in your hand. Turn it on, and you're instantly blown away by the brilliant Retina display. iPod touch is the perfect combination of stunning design and revolutionary technology — brilliant from the outside in.

WJ's Review:
The iPod Touch has revolutionized the way we stay connected to the world!

Yes, we use this for business - after all, travel is our biz - but, anyone that wants a mini-computer/camera/video/game player/voice recorder/etc... in their pocket at all times, that is ready to go with the push of a button, needs one of these.

We've been attached to this gadget since the moment we purchased it and can't imagine going anywhere without it in the future. On the last couple of business trips we took, the laptop stayed behind and the iPod Touch was our only method of staying in contact with email, skype, uploading photos and video to Flickr, Facebook and Twitter. It also provided endless hours of entertainment in airports, train stations, on buses and during down times.

It's amazing how many places now have free WIFI available, and that enables us to quickly post to social media and do all the other things we'd typically do with a laptop - except, the iPod Touch fits in the palm of our hand and only weighs about 4 ounces. Our recent trip to Ireland saw us post over 50 photos and videos in real time - everywhere from pubs to museums to restaurants had WIFI available for free use and therefore we were uploading to the web as things happened.

Continue reading this review:
http://www.wavejourney.com/ipodtouch.html

Read more WJ product and gear reviews:
http://www.wavejourney.com/products.html

Happy Travels!
Viv and Jill
AKA: WJ

Win a FREE Trip to the PCA in the Bahamas!

2010-11-10T12:33:00.001-08:00

Win a FREE Trip to the PCA in the Bahamas! - Exclusive for WAVEJourney Women Poker Members

WAVEJourney.com is offering a chance for its readers to win a free trip to the Bahamas to participate in the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure. Its a hot prize package worth $3480 and one lucky female will win it absolutely FREE!

The 2011 Pokerstars Caribbean Adventure is on its way, and you can qualify now! It’s set to be a full festival of poker once again, with tons of side events held at the luxurious Atlantis Resort and Casino in The Bahamas. Last year’s Main Event winner walked away with $2,200,000, and now you can be next. Satellites are running now, giving you the chance to win a prize package worth over $15,000!

The PCA is an annual PokerStars event that takes place January 7-16, 2011, at the world-famous Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island in The Bahamas. This year’s event is a true festival of poker with over 45 poker tournaments spread over 10 days, with millions of dollars up for grabs. The 2010 PCA saw the launch of the $1K Ladies Event, which attracted 91 entries and a prize pool of $88,270, and was won by Vanessa Rousso.

WAVEJourney will be hosting a free ladies tournament with PokerStars on December 12 at 4pm PST.

To take part, you must register with WAVEJourney - we need your full name, email address and PokerStars user ID.

If you don't yet have a PokerStars account, its free to open one. Click here to open PokerStars account - http://www.pokerstars.com/sites/women/

Register for this event now - Contact Jill for more information and to register for the WAVEJourney tournament on PokerStars.

Date: Sunday December 12, 2010 at 4pm PST.

Email: wavejourneypoker (at) yahoo (dot) com

Include: Your name, email address, PokerStars User ID

Shuffle up and deal...

Cheers!
Viv and Jill
AKA: WJ

WAVEJourney.com's Brendan Vacations Ireland Movie

2010-11-09T10:16:00.000-08:00

NOTE: To improve your viewing experience, change to 1080 HD and close the ad box.

In October, WAVEJourney toured Ireland with Brendan Vacations on a preview tour of their 2011 Small Group Discovery Tour of Ireland. This is a terrific way to see the countryside, experience the deluxe hospitality of this super-friendly country and all in the comfort of a luxury motorcoach with a local Irish driver/tour guide. What a great way to travel!

Brendan Vacations:
http://www.brendanvacations.com/Default.aspx

Brendan Vacations Ireland Tours:
http://www.brendanvacations.com/TourSearchResults.aspx?255550

Discover Ireland:
http://www.discoverireland.com/int/

View more WJ videos:
http://www.wavejourney.com/videos.html

Happy Travels!
Viv and Jill
AKA: WJ

WJ Recommends GoLite Footwear Winter Lite Boots!

2010-11-03T13:30:00.000-07:00

Viv tests the GoLite Footwear Winter Lite BootsGoLite Footwear's Description:
Winter Lite
Winter Lite is a wonderfully styled waterproof slip-on boot, with ultra comfortable synthetic Sherling lining.

GoLite Footwear's travel shoes are designed to navigate the terrain in the fringe of wilderness as well as the streets of London.

Available in brown nubuck, black nubuck and black full grain leather.

Viv's Review:
I have been seeking a good winter boot for a few years now, and when these winter boots arrived from GoLite Footwear, I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of workmanship, fact that they're waterproof and go-anywhere styling.

I couldn't wait for the temps to drop and get to the job of testing them out. First off (as it was 90F outside) I took to wearing them around the air-conditioned office with bare feet. Being able to wear a shoe or boot without socks, is for me, the ultimate test to how well a shoe is made. Again, I was surprised and pleased that I didn't find anything that rubbed or blistered my skin. But, I still needed to patiently wait for colder weather before venturing outside - after all they are lined with synthetic Sherling.

Finally the weather that I'd been waiting for arrived and off I ventured into the cold, rain and snow. The comfort, stability, warmth, and styling - along with dry feet - have far exceeded my expectations. I can wear them for many hours at a time while exploring a new trail or shopping at the mall and my feet are still warm, comfortable and fresh.

This is a winter boot that will be part of my travel closet for a long time. Now all I need is one in each color.

Bottom Line:
These boots look great with a pair of jeans or matched up with a nice pair of slacks for a night out. No cold or wet feet this winter for me and I expect to be travelling with them for many more winters to come.

GoLite Footwear Website:
http://www.golite-footwear.com/products/view/53

More WJ product reviews & recommendations:
http://www.wavejourney.com/products.html

Happy Travels!
Viv and Jill
AKA: WJ

Cowgirl Poetry - Tribute to "Klicks for Chicks" at Triple Creek Ranch

2010-11-02T10:28:00.000-07:00

In Darby, Montana, beneath Trapper Peak
Nestles a place that bucket lists seek.

T'was Barbara's inaugural all-women ride,
And, as cowgirls we came from both afar and wide.

Seasoned riders we gathered at Triple Creek Ranch,
Golden with aspen and many a pine branch.

In the Bitteroot Valley with K-1 & K-2,
Wranglers superb, for this all-female crew.

We gussied all up in chaps and new hats ~
We just didn't want our butts to look fat!

Some sun, some rain and yes hail, too...
But even with snow the rainbows came through.

"Dress Me Women"... was the cowgirls' cry,
As we all did our best to stay warm and dry.

Cowgirls, tall in the saddle with lipstick applied
on this "Klicks for Chicks" ~ one heck of a ride!

Written on 31 October 2010
by Jill Hoelting & Vivienne Chapleo
WAVE Journey
www.wavejourney.com
Women's Adventures, Vacations & Experiences ~ Your Journey Starts Here!

Triple Creek Ranch:
www.triplecreekranch.com

Klicks for Chicks:
http://www.triplecreekranch.com/activities/activities_detail.html?id=61

Happy Trails!!!
WJ

Following Obama's Footsteps!

2010-11-01T22:46:00.000-07:00

WAVEJourney.com contributor, Marlene Nadle, shares her recent tales of following Obama's footsteps through Bar Harbor, Maine.

Following Obama's Footsteps ~
Fall was crisping the air and winter wasn't far behind when I finally followed Obama's vacation footsteps to Bar Harbor, Maine, the historic home of Society's 400.

I was still surprised that the former community organizer went there in the summer to bike on carriage roads created by John D. Rockefeller Jr. Of all the places he could have selected, he chose a vacation whizzing around the edges of the old establishment.

He may have picked the place because of one good thing the old guard did. They donated land and created Acadia National Park with its spruce trees and granite mountains running down to the sea. The park was the first stop for Obama, his 30 bicycles, family, secret service men, and staff all peddling past Witch Hole Pond.

To follow his trail I, being a sedentary type, took one of the free propane-driven buses that wind along a 27 mile park loop. It only let me parallel Obama's path with peeks through clearings rather than track him more directly on the broken stone carriage roads. Buses and cars have been forbidden on the carriage roads since they were built by Rockefeller in 1913. He didn't think much of the automobile and, perhaps, of the riffraff starting to drive the newfangled machine.

Other wealthy summer residents led by Harvard President Charles Eliot as early as 1901 began to assemble parcels of land for public use. They wanted to preserve the beautiful natural setting and their playground. They feared developers and loggers would cut a large swath through the trees. As a Maine politician once said, The portable sawmill created Acadia. In 1919 it became the first national park east of the Mississippi. Its size has expanded ever since to its present 47,000 acres.

Continue reading this article:
http://www.wavejourney.com/TaleObamaTrail.html

Read more travel tales on WAVEJourney.com:
http://www.wavejourney.com/travellerstales.html

Happy Travels!
Viv and Jill
AKA: WJ

We Would Rather Eat Irish Soda Bread!

2010-10-27T01:07:00.000-07:00

Enjoy this Irish Soda Bread Recipe from WJ!

Serves: 6-8

You will need:
4 cup all-purpose flour

4 tablespoons white sugar

1 egg

1/2 cup melted unsalted butter

1 - 1/2 cups buttermilk

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 tablespoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions:
Preheat oven to 375F

In a large bowl, sift together flour, sugar, salt, baking soda, baking powder - make sure the soda is distributed evenly.

Whisk egg and add to buttermilk - mix well.

Pour melted butter and buttermilk/egg mixture into dry ingredients and stir well.

Turn dough onto lightly floured surface and knead for about 20 seconds - don't over knead or you'll make the bread tough.

Form dough into a round and place on lightly greased baking sheet - or place on parchment paper lined baking sheet.

Bake for 45 minutes.

Make in advance of when you want to serve it and let it sit covered with foil.

Enjoy the Irish soda bread with Guinness Irish Stew -
Click here for recipe.

More WJ recipes can be found here:
http://www.wavejourney.com/recipesindex.html

Enjoy!
Viv and Jill
AKA: WJ

WJ Recommends Merrell Siren Waterproof Mid Leather Hiker!

2010-10-21T13:08:00.000-07:00

Jill tests Merrell's Siren Waterproof Mid Leather Women's Hiking Boot

Merrell's Description:

Forging creeks, crossing bogs, and scrambling on rocks are no problem with over-the-ankle support and waterproof full grain leather uppers. The stylized leaf patterned side panels set this Siren apart. A slip lasted athletic fit, Ortholite® anatomical footbed and womens-only QForm® footframe make all that scrambling comfortable, and a Vibram® sole makes each step sure and solid.

Jill's Review:
My Merrell Siren Waterproof Mid Leather boots are hard to take off... because I don't want to take them off!

These tough, top-notch performers tackle the great outdoors in stride, keeping my ankles fully supported, providing great traction, and all the while, keeping my feet dry. I've never had a boot fit like a slipper until I slipped into the Merrell Siren.

This boot has proven to be one of my go-to footwear regardless of the adventure, because they are so doggone comfortable. These boots make me feel tough and ready to conquer the trail or simply tackle a day of running errands! For a great form-fitting boot that lets you step up and step out... the Merrell Siren is a sure bet.

Bottom Line:
Another great Merrell footwear product. The styling, comfort and wearability in all conditions keep me coming back for more. I'll be joined at the foot with these boots for many more adventures. Isn't it time to add a pair to your shoe closet?

Merrell's Website:
http://www.merrell.com/US/en-US/Product.mvc.aspx/15491W/0/Womens/Siren-Waterproof-Mid-Leather?dimensions=0

More WJ product recommendations & reviews:
http://www.wavejourney.com/products.html

Happy Travels!
Viv and Jill
AKA: WJ

We Would Rather Be Shopping For Opals!

2010-10-16T01:25:00.000-07:00

WAVEJourney.com contributor, April Christine, shares her travel tale from Sydney, Australia: Indulgence in Sydney - A Hunt for Coffee, Cake, and Opals!

It was a beautiful Saturday morning in Sydney, and I was ready to shop. I knew before ever arriving in Australia that I would be in the market for a black opal. I realize now, in hindsight, that my market and the Sydney market were not compatible. But at the time, waking up on that beautiful morning with no signs of the long-lingering jet lag (finally!), there was hope and promise in the air of a fantastic stone to remind me of our latest adventure, and our most recent home.

Our family of three had been traveling for nearly 8 months. We arrived in Sydney in mid-February, nearing the end of summer, with plans to stay for a month before heading north to Queensland. I will never forget the end of our excruciatingly long flight over the Pacific when the plane banked to the left long enough for me to get good and drunk on the view. It was the Sydney Opera House and I felt like my insides could burst right out of me at that very moment. We had arrived! As we “deplaned”, we were immediately sniffed by cute and cuddly bloodhounds in search of contraband. (Australia takes their importing and exporting very seriously.) But we were thrilled by the chance to explore every part of amazing Sydney, a near impossible task, probably even if you’d lived there for years. We had a list and we had goals. That particular Saturday morning, I intended to put my feet to the pavement.

Continue reading this article:
http://wavejourney.com/TaleSydney.html

More travel tales can be found here:
http://wavejourney.com/travellerstales.html

Happy Travels!
Viv and Jill
AKA: WJ

WJ Recommends GoLite's Journey Lite Travel Shoes!

2010-10-13T09:57:00.000-07:00

Jill tests GoLite Footwear's Journey Lite Travel Shoes
GoLite Footwear's Description:
Journey Lite
Journey Lite is the perfect all-around travel shoes made just for women.

GoLite Footwear's travel shoes are designed to navigate the terrain in the fringe of wilderness as well as the streets of London.

Available in greige and black.

Jill's Review:
I'm in love!

The Journey Lite by GoLite Footwear practically gives me goosebumps ~ this solemate is perfection as my all-purpose travel shoe. From the grocery store to the Cliffs of Moher, this shoe, made just for women, is both stylish and highly functional. From its nubuck leather upper to rugged outsole, I feel embraced by a good looking shoe that provides sure footing wherever I may wander.

Recently, the Journey Lite served as my everything shoe on a trip to Ireland. After two weeks of non-stop exploring in these fit-like-a-glove pavement pounders, I may have been tired, but these shoes promise many more miles of adventure!

Bottom Line:
This is a shoe that works well for travel, hiking and just kicking around town. I won't be leaving home without them on my next trip to the movies or adventures overseas and if you need a great pair of travel shoes, go buy these now!

GoLite Footwear Website:
http://www.golite-footwear.com/products/view/47

View more of WJ's product recommendatations & reviews:
http://www.wavejourney.com/products.html
Happy Travels!
Viv and Jill
AKA: WJ

WJ Recommends GoLite Trail Lite Shoes!

2010-10-07T20:21:00.000-07:00

Viv tests GoLite Footwear Trail Lite Shoes!
GoLite Footwear's Description:
Trail Lite
Trail Lite provides superior performance for light hiking or walking.
Available in four colors.

Viv's Review:
I absolutely fell in love with these shoes from the moment I took them out of the box.

I can ramble on about the snazzy color (I tested the navy blue), the rugged and stable construction of the sole, excellent quality of workmanship and the instructions on how to custom fit these shoes with GoLite's Precise Fit System - but, I won't. To me it's how quickly a shoe breaks-in from wearing that is the most important part of shoe testing. So I immediately removed them from the box, slipped them on and took off for a 5-mile trail walk. WOW! They fit so well that my feet were singing their praises from the very first step. It's as if these shoes were custom made for me.

Typically, I have to use an orthotic to keep my high arches from screaming bloody murder. Well, two months of everyday wear later and the orthotics haven't been required. Also, even when out and about in wet conditions, my feet have stayed nice and dry. During a recent trip to Ireland, the Trail Lite was my only pair of footwear and they looked stylish, felt great all day long and made it possible for me to participate in all modes of our adventure - hiking, biking, city touring, shopping and wining & dining.

Bottom Line:
These shoes are a great testament to the fine workmanship and design that GoLite Footwear represents. They offer great comfort; stability on uneven trails and pavements; waterproof yet breathable in a lightweight shoe. This is a shoe that works well for travel, hiking and just kicking around town. I can dress them up or dress them down, but I certainly won't be leaving home without them!

GoLite Footwear Website:
http://www.golite-footwear.com/products/view/38

More of WJ's product recommendations & reviews:
http://www.wavejourney.com/products.html

Happy Trails!
Viv and Jill
AKA: WJ

October Newsletter From WAVEJourney.com

2010-10-06T11:02:00.000-07:00

Did you get your October newsletter featuring all the latest travel tales, tips, deals & steals from WAVEJourney.com?

October Newsletter from WAVEJourney.com via #constantcontact

Happy Travels!
Viv and Jill
AKA: WJ

WJ Recommends GoLite Footwear Aura Lite!

2010-09-28T13:00:00.000-07:00

WJ tests GoLite Aura Lite Ballet Slip-On Shoes!GoLite Footwear's Description:
Aura Lite
Aura Lite is a ballet slip-on with enough performance features and compatibility to double as a lightweight hiker. Available in greige and black.

WJ's Review:
The Aura Lite by GoLite Footwear is perfect as an all-purpose travel shoe. Wear this ballet slip-on to the grocery store, the city park, or out for a night on the town and you'll feel comfortable, secure and styling. Featuring a well-constructed nubuck leather upper and a rugged outsole, your feet will be surrounded by a good looking shoe that provides sure footing wherever you may wander.

The Journey Lite shoe is ideal for an "everything and everywhere" shoe on trips near and far. The Precise Fits system included with every pair of GoLite shoes helped customize the fit of these shoes. Sizing ran a tad large and suggest a half size smaller when ordering.

Bottom Line:
This is a shoe that works well for travel, hiking and just kicking around town. A great addition to any woman's closet that likes the look of a ballet slip-on and the feel of a light-hiker.

GoLite Footwear Website:
http://www.golite-footwear.com/products/view/45

More WJ product reviews and recommendations:
http://www.wavejourney.com/products.html

Note: This product was tested and reviewed by a WAVE Journey tester.

Happy Travels!
Viv and Jill
AKA: WJ

September Newsletter from WAVEJourney.com

2010-09-18T09:29:00.000-07:00

Get all the latest travel tales, tips, deals & steals from WAVEJourney.com!

September Newsletter from WAVEJourney.com via #constantcontact

Happy Travels!
Viv and Jill
AKA: WJ

WAVEJourney Gets Seduced By A Schooner!

2010-09-17T20:56:00.001-07:00

Seduced By A Schooner ~ A Tall Ship Tale!
In 1902, English poet and writer John Masefield's "Sea Fever" was first published. The lyric poem begins:

I MUST go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and sky,
And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by,
And the wheel's kick and the wind's song and the white sail's shaking,
And a gray mist on the sea's face, and a gray dawn breaking.

This poem has always evoked a yearning within me for a tall ship experience. That dream of mine was realized this summer when I joined the historic tall ship, Schooner Zodiac, on a sailing adventure for women only, dubbed the "Nauti-Girls Cruise". For me, I couldn't find the lonely Masefield referenced, as I found myself among a fabulous group of fun-loving women sailors and adventure-hounds!

First, some details - History:

The Zodiac, the last American pilot schooner, sails out of Fairhaven Cruise Ship Terminal in Bellingham, Washington. This two-masted, gaff-rigged schooner has the largest working mainsail on the west coast. Designed by William H. Hand, Jr. and built for the heirs of the Johnson & Johnson family, she was first launched in 1924. With an overall length of 160ft, a topmast height of 127ft, 7000sf of sail area and at 146 tons, The Schooner Zodiac is a sight to behold!

Continue reading this article:
http://wavejourney.com/TaleZodiac.html

Visit Schooner Zodiac's Website:
www.schoonerzodiac.com

Read more of WJ's travel tales:
www.wavejourney.com

Happy Travels!
Viv and Jill
AKA: WJ

Calling all cowgirls to join the Klicks for Chicks!

2010-09-09T11:46:00.000-07:00

Calling all horse riders... this one's for you! Viv will be participating in the Klicks for Chicks weekend 62 mile ride at Triple Creek Ranch in Montana. So come and join her for a yeehaw good time:

The ride, 100 kilometers (62 miles), an all-woman upgrade of the all-male Los Caballeros and Bohemian Grove endurance rides will be for 'chicks' only. While traveling companions are welcome to the many exciting activities and luxurious accommodations Triple Creek Ranch has to offer; cowgirls will venture into deep canyons, over mountain passes, past crystal clear lakes and through pristine meadows to discover the 'last frontier' and wilds of the Rocky Mountain West. As the adventure progresses, riders return each evening to the ranch where the home fires burn and cocktails, gourmet food and luxury cabins await. Then after a restful night, cowgirls mount up and venture out for another day on the scenic 'Big Sky' frontier.

So, Cowgirl-Up! Be aware that this ride will test the true endurance of each participant, while rekindling the bonds and the spirit of America's strong-willed pioneering women.

A fireside awards ceremony at the home of Triple Creek Ranch's owner, Barbara Barrett, will follow the last day's ride. Included in this adventure is a monogrammed polar fleece vest and stories to re-tell for a lifetime.

Accommodations start at $650* per couple, per night, comprehensive rate.

Find out more about Triple Creek Ranch:
http://www.triplecreekranch.com/

Klicks for Chicks information:
http://www.triplecreekranch.com/activities/activities_detail.html?id=61

Happy Trails!
Viv and Jill
AKA: WJ

Morocco: Experience The Medina of Fez!

2010-09-08T17:42:00.000-07:00

WAVEJourney.com contributor, Kalie Schumacher-Smith, shares her travel tale from a recent visit to Fez, Morocco.

The dictionary defines Morocco as: a kingdom in north-west Africa. It couldn’t be more right. Not only is Morocco a country, but also a kingdom. A kingdom of magnificence, uniqueness, and tradition. A kingdom that flaunts the pristine beauty of Casablanca, the industrialized capital Rabat, and the ancient charisma of Fez. Morocco, in its entirety, is truly a kingdom.

My boyfriend, Sergio, and I decided to take a one-week tour to Morocco using the tour company Luxo Tours. The trip consisted of travelling, by bus to 4 major cities in Morocco: Fez, Marrakech, Casablanca and Rabat. However, for me, no other city of Morocco can compare to that of Fez. There is an old Moroccan proverb that reads: "Among walnuts only the empty one speaks". This proverb perfectly describes Fez, Morocco. Fez is the one corner of the world that preserves the “old city”, the empty walnut. It speaks of simpler times, a time that never changed for Fez.

Continue reading this article:
www.wavejourney.com/TaleFez.html

Read more of Kalie's travel tales:
http://wavejourney.com/ContributorKalie.html

Happy Travels!
Viv and Jill
AKA: WJ

Experience Thai Hospitality In The BC Wilderness!

2010-09-07T11:05:00.001-07:00

Introduction:
There we stood, surrounded by scenic and serene vistas as we soaked up the BC wilderness. We were amidst mountains, trees, the sounds of nature (including the gobble-gobble of a turkey call), beautifully-designed log lodges, and what appeared to be traditional Thai architecture that had miraculously been transported straight from the heart of Thailand. Finally we had arrived at our much anticipated destination, Echo Valley Ranch and Spa near Clinton, British Columbia, Canada.

Now, guest ranches are a favorite of ours. After all, we've saddled-up to a few of them in recent years. These days we'll go most anywhere to haul our (not so agile) bodies
into the saddle at the first opportunity for a ride through the wilderness or along the dusty trails aboard a steady steed. So, when we first learned of Echo Valley Ranch and Spa, it quickly had us jumping into our cowboy boots as we just knew it was somewhere we should visit... and soon.

Continue reading:
www.wavejourney.com/TaleEVR.html

Visit Echo Valley Ranch & Spa's website:
www.evranch.com

Happy Travels!
Viv and Jill
AKA: WJ

Uniworld River Queen: River Cruising At Its Best!

2010-09-02T13:28:00.000-07:00

WAVEJourney.com contributor, Jan Hopkins, shares her tale from her first European river cruise.

Cruising the Rhine, Main and Danube on the Uniworld “River Queen” is a trip you should consider. The rivers, locks and the little towns along the rivers are hard to describe in one article, but considering this was my first river cruise, I couldn’t have picked a better one. The ship and its crew were so gracious and helpful. The Captain made all of us feel very much at home. Our Cruise Director, Bart, even made an extra-special trip to a drug store to get cough medicine for me - I couldn’t ask for better service than that. Bart was a most helpful Cruise Director as he was always available, always happy and always had a funny story to tell about the next destination.

The Rhine River is beautiful in the springtime with lots of green hills and vineyards all through the Rhine Valley. The ship goes through many locks to get up to the Main River and then more locks to join the Danube. The castles on the Rhine keep you busy with your camera or binoculars, as they seem to be around every corner.

Continue reading Jan's article:
http://www.wavejourney.com/TaleQueen.html

Visit WAVEJourney.com for more cruise tales and reviews:
http://www.wavejourney.com/cruises.html

Happy Travels!
Viv and Jill
AKA: WJ

WAVEJourney.com Explores Granada's Alhambra Palace

2010-09-01T11:59:00.000-07:00

WAVEJourney.com explores Granada's Alhambra Palace during a visit to Spain.

View the Alhambra website:
http://www.servicaixa.com/nav/en/index.html

Purchase official Alhambra tickets:
http://www.servicaixa.com/nav/landings/en/mucho_mas/alhambra/alhambra.html

Stay at Hotel Alixares - just outside the gates to the Alhambra:
http://www.granadahotelalixares.com/

More WJ videos:
http://wavejourney.com/videos.html

Visit WAVEJourney.com:
http://wavejourney.com/index.html

Happy Travels!
Viv and Jill
AKA: WJ

A Cost-Saving Guide to Freedom Camping in New Zealand!

2010-08-26T00:28:00.001-07:00

WAVEJourney.com contributor, Alicia Harney, shares her cost-saving guide to freedom camping in New Zealand.

A phenomenon exists in New Zealand that dominates the tourist industry here. Freedom camping is the art of driving around this magnificent country, usually in a camper van, and camping in areas of outstanding natural beauty (or beside smelly long drop toilets depending on the site you end up with!).

As part of a year-long expedition, my boyfriend and I decided to hire a camper and explore alone. After many bus journeys of more than 24 hours in South America we were happy to be in control of our own destiny.

By the time I arrived in New Zealand I had well eaten into my allocated budget. Without wanting to rely on credit cards, I have compiled a list of budget stretching tips to help enhance your freedom camping experience.

The aim of this article is to enrich the knowledge of anyone considering freedom camping, with tips on “off the beaten track” camp spots and ideas for cost free activities.

Go off Peak

Travelling in winter gave us the best bargaining tool when choosing our hire company. Most hire companies we approached had a reduced rate for off peak hire (up to $115/day difference). In the end we set aside nine weeks to explore both the North and South Islands, and managed to bag the camper van with fully covered insurance for less than $2000. This included two drivers and some additional treats thrown in as a bonus!

Continue reading this article:
http://wavejourney.com/TaleCampNZ.html

Looking for more travel inspiration?
http://wavejourney.com/travellerstales.html

Happy Travels!
Viv and Jill
AKA: WJ

We Would Rather Shop In Ann Arbor!

2010-08-23T15:17:00.002-07:00

WAVEJourney.com contributor, Bobbie Hasselbring, shares shopping tips from her trip to Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Who’d think a college town like Ann Arbor, Michigan, known for the University of Michigan Wolverines, would be a terrific Real Shopping destination? But it is.

Ann Arbor is one of those rare towns that retains a vibrant downtown heart. The tree-lined streets are Midwest wide with beautiful, carefully preserved 19th century brick and wood buildings. And the shops are locally owned rather than national chains. Just our kind of town.

A great place to start your shopping tour is on downtown’s Main Street at the Peaceable Kingdom, a gift shop that features high-quality jewelry, folk art, bath and beauty items, and kitsch for the home – many of them animal-oriented. Peaceable Kingdom isn’t some newbie to the Ann Arbor shopping scene. The store has been celebrating our animal friends for 36 years. As I wandered the store, I couldn’t resist purchasing a mother and baby zebra Christmas ornament for a friend who had recently returned from a trip to Africa. And, when you’re there, don’t forget to say hello to Jane Russell, the resident mascot terrier whose greets every customer.

Continue reading this article:
http://www.wavejourney.com/TaleAnnArbor.html

View more travel tales and tips at WAVEJourney.com
http://www.wavejourney.com/index.html

Happy Travels!
Viv and Jill
AKA: WJ

Blue Whales, Humpbacks & Dolphins - Oh My!

2010-08-19T11:06:00.001-07:00

WAVEJourney.com contributor, Jan Hopkins, shares the tale of her recent whale watching outing with the Monterey Bay Whale Watch Center.

Blue Whales, Humpbacks & Dolphins - Oh My!
It was a cold and dreary morning! The kind of morning where you want to snuggle up in bed and dream of tropical islands! But, 6:00 a.m. and we were up and “at em!” The whales were calling and we were getting ready to join the tour from Monterey Bay Whale Watch out to the edge of Monterey Bay.

Preparations
Our directions told us to be at the “MONTEREY BAY WHALE WATCH CENTER” at 8:30 a.m. So, getting all the warm clothing on that we could find (looked like we were heading to the North Pole) and packing a lunch big enough for all day (if we had to stay there that long) took awhile. Plus, having breakfast is highly recommended to forestall seasickness. Also, take Dramamine and be sure to bring plenty of water to drink seeing all that water in the ocean makes you very thirsty!

Parking
Parking is very easy, as Fisherman’s Wharf (Wharf #1) has a large parking lot, payable by the hour and when you exit. Walk down the Wharf with all the restaurants and shops; near the end TURN RIGHT at Isabella’s Restaurant and follow the sign that says “Monterey Bay Whale Watch Center.

Note:
Be sure to check in one-half hour before your departure time.

Continue reading Jan's article:
http://wavejourney.com/TaleMontereyWhales.html

Read more travel tales at WAVEJourney.com:
www.wavejourney.com

Happy Travels!
Viv and Jill
AKA: WJ

WAVEJourney.com - The Spice Box Movie

2010-08-18T23:55:00.000-07:00

WJ enjoyed a delicious meal at The Spice Box - Cuisine of India in Bend, Oregon.

Visit The Spice Box at:
133 SW Century Drive
Bend, OR, USA 97701
Phone: 541-419-2542
Hours: Mon - Fri: 11:00 am - 8:00 pm

You'll be glad you did!

Bon Appetit!
Viv and Jill
AKA: WJ

P.S. View more videos from WJ here:
www.wavejourney.com/videos.html

WAVEJourney.com's Schooner Zodiac Day 2 Movie

2010-08-17T10:07:00.000-07:00

WAVEJourney.com spent a fun-filled weekend aboard Schooner Zodiac sailing Washington States San Juan Islands. This was Schooner Zodiac's Nautigals Sailing weekend and what a weekend of laughter and excitement we had.

Enjoy travelling with WJ through this short movie of day 2 of 3.

www.schoonerzodiac.com

Take a look at more WJ movies:
http://wavejourney.com/videos.html

Happy travels!
Viv and Jill
AKA: WJ

We Would Rather Discover Rhodes!

2010-08-12T14:23:00.000-07:00

WAVEJourney.com contributor, Paul Joseph, shares his account of a recent journey that took him to Rhodes, Greece.

The Hidden Side Of Rhodes
Article by Paul Joseph, photos by Anna Chapman

Despite its generous size, Rhodes is an Island of understated appeal. Ask a neutral to recall a famous Acropolis and the answer will doubtless be Athens. Enquire of a Greek party island and they are likely to respond with Mykonos or Los.

Yet unbeknown to many, Rhodes boasts its own ancient ruins to rival the mainland capital, as well as its own dusk-till-dawn party town. Indeed, the heritage site of Lindos and hedonistic resort of Faliraki represent the versatility of this enjoyable chunk of Greek Isle.

My travelling partner Anna and I were to be based on the south of the island, in the town of Kiotari, making a hire car a necessity if we were to see much beyond our hotel resort.

Read the entire article:
http://wavejourney.com/TaleRhodes.html

Looking for more travel inspiration? Check out these travel tales from around the world:
http://wavejourney.com/travellerstales.html

Happy Travels!
Viv and Jill
AKA: WJ

We Would Rather Be On A Gal-loping Getaway!

2010-08-10T18:44:00.001-07:00

WAVEJourney.com contributor, Jane Cassie, shares her recent travel tale from a trip to Sun Mountain Lodge near Winthrop, Washington.

A Great Gal-loping Getaway

It’s been a few years since I’ve straddled a saddle. And though my plump rump will likely survive the trot, I’m not so sure about the rest of my boomer-aged body. Do I still have enough core power to ride the range? Can I hang on tight when my steed picks up speed? My trepidation mounts (pardon the pun) as the herd of horses is corralled into the ring. With hoofs pounding and mud flying, they stampede through the gate and charge closer to the raised podium where I stand –or shake –in my boots. The only consolation is that the other two women who have joined me on this weekend retreat are shaking even more.

At different stages in our nursing careers –retired, pre-retired and just plain tired, we’ve come to Sun Mountain Lodge to revive, reconnect and reclaim a little western spirit. This getaway gem on the outskirts of Winthrop, Washington promises all of the above and more. Like a diamond in the rough, it glitters from its mountain-top home and provides every nuance of comfort known to man or womankind –posh accommodations, award-winning wine and cuisine, a pampering spa to soothe those saddle sores, and thirty head of horses to create them.

Continue reading Jane's travel tale:
http://wavejourney.com/TaleSunMountain.html

Visit Sun Mountain Lodge's website:
http://www.sunmountainlodge.com/

Happy Trails To You!!!
Viv and Jill
AKA: WJ

For Sale - 2003 Roadtrek 190 Popular

2010-08-02T10:41:00.001-07:00

WAVEJourney.com is selling our much-loved 2003 Roadtrek. After spending the past 6+ years touring Canada and the United States in her, it is now time to part company as our next adventure is to buy a boat in Europe and ply the canals and rivers.

Take a look at what "Trek" has to offer:
2003 Roadtrek 190 Popular Dodge RAM 3500
- only 54,400 miles
- 14,000 miles on Michelin tires
- excellent condition and well maintained
- non-smoker and no pets
- teal and white exterior
- teal interior
- sleeps 3 - rear twin beds also make into a king-size bed
- 2 tables
- nightstand
- closet
- overhead drawer
- loads of storage
- microwave
- refrigerator - runs on propane, AC/DC
- TV and VCP
- 2 burner stove
- sink with liner
- inside and outside showers
- hot water heater
- toilet
- roof-top Fantastic fan
- air conditioning
- furnace
- tow hitch
- awning
- new auxiliary battery
- rear-mounted Continental tire package
- power windows
- power locks
- power mirrors
- cruise control
- AM/FM/CD
- averages 17 miles per gallon
- lots of extras thrown in make it ready to drive away and start exploring
- priced to sell: $36,000
- contact: Jill at 541-318-5732 or jill@wavejourney.com
- Located in Bend, Oregon
- www.wavejourney.com/Roadtrek.html

Happy Travels!
Viv and Jill
AKA: WJ

We Would Rather Be At Big Bar Ranch!

2010-07-28T11:52:00.000-07:00

WAVEJourney.com enjoyed hitting the dusty trails at Big Bar Guest Ranch near Clinton, British Columbia, Canada. Lots of fun activities for all members of the family - horse riding, hiking, canoeing, paddle boats, archery, cowboy poetry, horseshoes, badminton, volleyball, tasty meals, great scenery, friendly staff...

Visit Big Bar Guest Ranches website:
www.bigbarranch.com

Happy travels!
Viv and Jill
AKA: WJ

We Would Rather Be At Echo Valley Ranch & Spa!

2010-07-27T10:58:00.000-07:00

WAVEJourney.com hanging out at Echo Valley Ranch & Spa in British Columbia's Cariboo region. What a great place to horse ride, hike, enjoy Thai spa treatments, relax, rejuvenate and experience great food!

Visit Echo Valley's website:
www.evranch.com

Happy Travels!
Viv and Jill
AKA: WJ

We Would Rather Sail Aboard Schooner Zodiac!

2010-07-25T10:42:00.000-07:00

WAVEJourney.com spent a fun-filled weekend aboard Schooner Zodiac sailing Washington States San Juan Islands. This was Schooner Zodiac's Nautigals Sailing weekend and what a weekend of laughter and excitement we had.

Enjoy travelling with WJ through this short movie of day 1 of 3.

www.schoonerzodiac.com

Happy travels!
Viv and Jill
AKA: WJ

Cruise Ships & The Environment!

2010-07-11T18:20:00.001-07:00

WAVEJourney.com contributor and luxury cruise agent, Betsy Scherr, shares with us her recent report concerning cruise ships and the environment.

This past month I have been investigating the cruise industry and the impact their ships have on the environment. How do these vessels affect the air we breathe, the marine mammals we love and the oceans we share? As they say, “the devil is in the details” and there are a lot of details with regards to this issue!

Let me begin by saying, in the past most cruise lines did a pretty lousy job of protecting the environment, dumping waste water and other chemicals into the oceans without much thought to their harmful effects. But, they have come a long way since the early days and seldom are their good deeds reported across front pages of major newspapers! Some have become stewards of the environment, others have not.

According to CLIA (Cruise Line International Association), over 13.5 million people took a cruise in 2009. The industry was worth $38billion and employed roughly 350,000 United States workers. They are a substantial force in the travel industry and growing bigger every year. On average, a one-week cruise on a large ship is estimated to produce 210,000 gallons of sewage, a million gallons of gray water, 25,000 gallons of oily bilge water, 11,500 gallons of sewage sludge and 130 gallons of hazardous wastes. Where the heck does all that “stuff” go?

Continue reading this article:
http://www.wavejourney.com/TaleCruiseEnviro.html

Happy Travels!
Viv and Jill
AKA: WJ

We Would Rather Stay In Geneva!

2010-07-01T20:31:00.001-07:00

WAVEJourney.com contributor, Lucy Komisar, shares another travel tale and tips from her recent visit to Geneva, Switzerland.
I recently attended a journalists' conference at the Geneva International Conference Center. It's in the north part of town which is home to the
United Nations with its couple of dozen related headquarters, including UNICEF, the Commission on Human Rights, and the World Trade Organization, and a raft of other international centers. Visitors from around the world pass through in large numbers to attend meetings at the UN and the other outfits.

Geneva is a relatively small city and the international sector is pretty important. So the "internationals" make up a substantial part of the neighborhood's hotel clientele. They are repeat visitors, not one-time tourists, and their favorite hotels have been carefully vetted. Here are two that were recommended by the conference organizers. They were good choices.

The Hotel-les-Nations and the Hotel Eden are both family-run hotels. They offer good value, charm, and prices cheaper than hotels in the tourist center, which is an easy half-hour bus or tram ride away.

Hotel-les-Nations is on the rue du Grand-Pré, between the international organizations and the central train station. After a short ride, airport bus 5 let me off a few blocks away. Going by bus downtown to the other side of the Rhône River would take about 25 minutes, letting me off near the walk up the hill to the Old Town.

Continue reading this article:
http://wavejourney.com/TaleGeneva.html

Happy Travels!
Viv and Jill
AKA: WJ

We Would Rather View Leopards At Bushmans Kloof!

2010-06-30T14:57:00.001-07:00

WJ has added this experience to our "bucket list". How about you?

South Africa's Bushmans Kloof rare Cape Leopard and cub photographs

A female Cape Mountain Leopard (Panthera pardus) and her five-or-six-month-old cub were recently captured on camera at Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve and Wellness Retreat. These rare photographs, recorded by the stationary Cape Leopard Trust camera in the kloof some 10kms from the lodge, confirms how effectively the reserve provides invaluable sanctuary to this endangered species.

Bushmans Kloof is dedicated to the preservation and protection of indigenous wildlife on both the reserve and in the surrounding Cederberg Wilderness area. For the past five years Bushmans Kloof has supported The Cape Leopard Trust, the organization dedicated to optimally facilitate conservation of the Cape's predator diversity through simultaneously implementing conservation strategies, research projects and tourism initiatives.

Bushmans Kloof has sponsored ten GPS (Global Positioning Satellite system) collars on Cape Leopards - for a total value of R300 000 - in support of this vital conservation management project, which provides valuable data that aids research of the behaviour of this elusive and enigmatic species. This recent sighting is indeed a testament to such a worthy cause. To date, a total of fourteen leopards have been collared by The Cape Leopard Trust in this region, including two at Bushmans Kloof.

According to Quinton Martins, project manager and one of the principal researchers of the Cape Leopard Project, these pictures (of only the second female to be recorded on camera in the reserve) suggest this new female (named #F12) has territorially displaced #F9 (Amber), who was resident in the area. The camera was subsequently moved to a new site to gain photographic evidence of where Amber might be.

Martins says, "We are very excited by this photograph, as it is rare to capture a female leopard on camera, and even more so, a female with a cub. There are several cameras placed around the Cederberg area. These cameras are set with a time-delay so as not to waste photographs on moving bushes and so on, so often only one of the animal is photographed before the cameras can be reactivated."

There are no great predators at Bushmans Kloof. However the rare and secretive Cape Leopard, on occasion, roams among the most remote mountains within the reserve, as these photographs show. Cape Leopards prefer rocky terrain with plenty of cover. Their natural prey includes the Rock Hyrax (Dassie) and small antelope such as Klipspringer. These highly adaptable wild animals with their distinctively retiring nature are sufficiently rare. Leopard cubs are usually weaned by the age of 6 to 7 months, but can stay with the mother till 12 or 18 months before having to leave the mother's territory. Cub survival for leopards anywhere is low, but is probably even lower in the Cederberg because of the harsh environment. Based on current research, the Cape Mountain leopards are territorial animals that have massive home ranges up to 1000km2.

Bushmans Kloof is custodian to numerous rare or endangered species of birds and mammals, including one of the largest privately owned herds of the Cape Mountain zebra, the Cape clawless otter and the Clanwilliam yellow fish. Renowned for its exceptional environmental and conservation projects, Bushmans Kloof was awarded the Relais & Châteaux Environment Trophy in 2007, as well as the coveted Condé Nast Traveler World Savers Award: Global Winner of Wildlife Conservations Programs (2009).

Readers participating in the 2010 rating of the "World's Best for Service" in the acclaimed and prestigious Travel + Leisure Magazine World's Best Awards have voted Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve and Wellness Retreat:

•Number 1 Hotel in Africa and the Middle East for World's Best Service, achieving a very impressive score of 99.17 points.
•Number 2 among the Top 10 Hotels across the globe for Service Overall.
In 2009 Bushmans Kloof received the ultimate recognition of being hailed as the "Best Hotel in the World 2009" by Travel + Leisure.

Notes:

•About Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve & Wellness Retreat
Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve & Wellness Retreat has since its inception in 1996, shown a rare dedication to conservation and the preservation of its rich cultural heritage. It is renowned for its rock art legacy of more than 130 ancient Bushman rock art sites, which have been documented in the reserve. Offering a unique wilderness experience at the foothills of the Cederberg Mountains (270km from Cape Town), it was named winner of the Relais & Châteaux Environment Trophy in 2007. The renowned property was also awarded Best Hotel in the World in the Travel + Leisure World's Best Awards (2009); and included in the Condé Nast Traveler Gold List Best Hotels in Africa & the Middle East (2009); Forbes Traveler 400 Best Hotels (2008/9); and National Geographic Adventure Magazine Top 50 Eco Lodges (2008). Guided rock art walks, evening nature drives and exhilarating outdoor adventures offset an exceptional wellness experience encompassing an outdoor spa gazebo and spa treatments deeply rooted in nature.
Website: http://www.bushmanskloof.co.za/

•Enjoy one more night with our compliments in the lap of luxury at Bushmans Kloof. Visit www.redcarnationhotels.com/promoza for more details

•About the Cape Leopard Trust
The Cape Leopard Trust aims to optimally facilitate conservation of the Cape's predator diversity through simultaneously implementing conservation strategies, research projects and tourism initiatives.

The current work of the Cape Leopard Trust includes several research projects involving leopards in the Cape and elsewhere in South Africa, including a comprehensive conservation genetics project estimating gene flow, genetic variability and genetic relatedness among South African leopard populations. A key aim of this study is to determine whether the leopards of the Western Cape region should be considered as a unique genetic unit- a group of small leopards weighing up to half that of their northern cousins. For more details visit:
http://www.capeleopard.org.za

•About The Red Carnation Hotel Collection
Red Carnation is an award-winning collection of thirteen five and four star family-run boutique hotels. Each distinguished by an absolute commitment to attentive service and the comfort of every guest, located in some of the world's most popular destinations. Red Carnation Hotels are regarded as some of the world's finest with accolades including "Best Hotel in the British Isles" in the Condé Nast Traveler magazine's 21st Annual Readers' Choice Awards and "Best Hotel in the World" in the 2009 US Travel + Leisure World's Best Awards.

Happy Travels!
Viv and Jill
AKA: WJ

We Would Rather Discover San Diego!

2010-06-28T13:52:00.001-07:00

WAVEJourney.com contributor, Lucy Komisar, shares her recent discoveries while visiting San Diego, California.

Discovering That San Diego Is Small But World Class!

FDR stayed there in 1935 when he was in San Diego for the California Pacific International Exposition. He flew the presidential flag, which made the hotel the official White House. Billy Wilder's 1958 comic farce "Some Like it Hot," with Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon was shot there. So was Steve Martin's "My Blue Heaven." Author L. Frank Baum wrote the follow-ups to his "Wonderful Wizard of Oz" there.

It's the Hotel del Coronado, "the Del" as everyone calls it, which sits on 28 beachfront acres on Glorieta Bay and the Pacific Ocean on the Coronado Peninsula –minutes across the Bay Bridge to downtown. An appropriately fanciful site, its iconic red shingled domes and turrets reminded me of a Victorian castle or a stage set or maybe the topper on a wedding cake. And since it opened in 1888, the largest resort hotel in the world, it has been the place to stay or visit when you come to San Diego, a world class city of just 1.2 million people.

The Del is not just a place to stay, it's a destination, a designated National Historic Landmark. There was no structural steel when the Del was built, and it is one of the few "stick" buildings standing in the country and one of the rare wooden Victorian beach resorts in existence.

It's got a lot of history. It was a grand place for people with grand incomes. It started as a fishing and hunting resort but also offered refined entertainments such as music. The hotel had a rail spur for the private cars of the wealthy who came from the East. In the "Roaring 20s," it was a party hotel for movie people like Charlie Chaplin. It also attracted the Price of Wales and Charles Lindbergh. During World War II, since Coronado was the headquarters for the Pacific fleet, part of the hotel was used for Naval housing. Every U.S. President since Lyndon Johnson (and a few before) has stayed there.

Continue reading this article:
http://wavejourney.com/TaleSanDiego.html

Happy Travels!
Viv and Jill
AKA: WJ

We Would Rather Pair Up With High Sierra's Diplomat!

2010-06-20T10:51:00.000-07:00

WAVEJourney.com's Jill Hoelting reviews the High Sierra Diplomat Lumbar Pack.HSSC describes the Diplomat lumbar pack as:

The road goes on forever with our Diplomat lumbar pack. Ideal for biking and lots of other outdoor activities, Diplomat delivers serious storage and generous hydration without sacrificing comfort. With twin mesh side pockets holding two GE Lexan® shatter-resistant water bottles, tons of cargo space and straps to lash extra gear, plus a hinged front panel to hold your bike helmet, Diplomat helps the miles go by effortlessly.

Jill's Review:
OK... so this serious fanny pack did all of the above and more. As described, this lumbar pack is the definite choice for a day hike or bike ride. By reviewing the pic and description, it is a no-brainer to ascertain that it is a best bet for many outdoor
activities.

But... how about indoor activities? This June WAVE Journey's Jill Hoelting (that would be me) played in two World Series of Poker (WSOP) tournaments in Las Vegas. My High Sierra Diplomat and I were the perfect pair for going heads-up at the WSOP.

Intense, twelve-hour poker-playing sessions require focused attention and plenty of preparation. The preparation I refer to here is: hydration, food, clothing, camera, etc. My High Sierra Diplomat allowed me to be flush with all the paraphernalia I needed for long days at the RIO in Vegas.

The Diplomat with its two 500ml GE Lexan shatter-resistant bottles insured that I had water at the ready throughout the day.

Continue reading Jill's review:
http://wavejourney.com/Diplomat.html

Looking for more gear and travel product reviews?
http://wavejourney.com/products.html

Happy Travels!
Viv and Jill
AKA: WJ

We Would Rather Be Discovering Macau!

2010-06-01T18:46:00.000-07:00

WAVEJourney.com contributor, Gisele Ribeiro, shares the tale of a recent visit to Macau!

By Plane

I confess I was impressed with the amount of entertainment found on the Emirates flight to Hong Kong from New York. Even a flight with stops can feel much shorter. The staff makes sure you are cared for and have all your meals (they give you stickers to mark your seat if you want them to wake you up). The menus are carefully prepared and offer generous variety. I will never forget that delicious chocolate mousse! The food is quite tasty for airplane standards.

Entertainment is the top of the list at Emirates, if you don’t choose to sleep, read or work. Besides selected playlist tunes, there is a huge selection of films, TV-shows and video clips you can choose from numerous channels. Most certainly, you will find something you haven’t seen yet even if you have been up to date with the latest releases. Whole sections on your private screen are filled just with Arabic and Bollywood movies. Subtitles and voice-overs are also available in several languages besides English, including Mandarin, Cantonese, Hindi, Tagalog and Portuguese, among others.

If you are not flying First or Business Class, there is no chance you will feel lonely. The flights seem to be full and there is little chance to find an extra seat for more room. Each airline can carry 350 to almost 500 passengers. Surprisingly, bathrooms continue to be in some decent condition by the end of the flight even in the Economy class.

Gaming Town

After arriving at the International Airport in Hong Kong, our small group headed to Sky Pier where we caught a Turbojet boat at 10 p.m. to Macau Maritime Ferry Terminal. This is the last ferry from the airport to Macau. In case you miss it, you can catch a ferry downtown HK to Macau. It is available 24 hours, running every 15 minutes. It’s a smooth 45-minute trip. And even at that time, there is still chance to get some snacks and drinks on the boat.

Still on the boat, the first welcome to Macau at night is the flashy lights at its various casinos. There is also a guiding lighthouse shining over the city coming from the highest point of the peninsula. This lighthouse was built in 1864 and is the oldest western style on the China Coast.

There are currently 34 casinos in Macau. The forecast is that this number will be much higher by the end of 2010, mainly in the Cotai area. And in 2011, the resort Galaxy Macau is expected to be completely built in 550,000 square meters, including a 5-star hotel, five distinct themed casino experiences and a promised world’s largest sky wave pool. This pool is projected to feature 350-ton white sand beach in a 4,000 square meters, with waves over 1.5 meters in high.

The City of Dreams, with its grandiosity and high ceiling buildings recalling great palaces, has received over 6 million visitors just in the beginning of this year. Besides Asians, the biggest players, you can see people from almost all over the world. You may choose to stay at the stunning hotels Hard Rock and Crown Towers (it has fabulous SPA treatments). It is worth to check the outstanding offers at Horizons, a modern redefinition of steakhouse. Dragons are legendary in Chinese culture and a good way to be in tune with it is to watch the interactive media show Dragon’s Treasure at the Bubble Theater. There you will find 3-D Dragons at your fingertips.

Continue reading this article:
http://wavejourney.com/TaleMacau.html

Happy Travels!
Viv and Jill
AKA: WJ

We Would Rather Cook With The Boreal Gourmet!

2010-05-27T17:42:00.001-07:00

WJ is giving away 2 copies of The Boreal Gourmet - Adventures in Northern Cooking by Michele Genest.

Want a chance to win a free copy of The Boreal Gourmet? Find out more here:
http://wavejourney.com/contests1.html

Find out more about The Boreal Gourmet recipe book here:
www.wavejourney.com/books.html

Visit The Boreal Gourmet website:
http://www.borealgourmet.com/

Bon Appetit!
Viv and Jill
AKA: WJ

We Would Rather Walk On Giants!

2010-05-26T09:30:00.001-07:00

WAVEJourney.com contributor, Alicia Harney, shares her account of a recent Argentinian adventure. Read on to travel with her as she takes a stroll on the Perito Moreno glacier.
Argentina: Walking on Giants ~
A Stroll along Perito Moreno, one of the Biggest Glaciers in the World by Alicia Harney
After travelling for 50 hours on buses from Buenos Aires we have finally made it to the heart of Patagonia. El Calafate is home of the Perito Moreno Glacier, the 3rd biggest glacier from the 3rd biggest ice field in the world. We have come to walk on the giant ice cube and have chosen the "Big Ice" tour. Although it was the most expensive, at about US$170 each it allows for some “picture time” at the lookout points and then a trek on top of the glacier to explore some of the impressive sink holes and waterfalls that lurk just behind the face.

The bus collected us from the hostel shortly after 7 A.M. for the hour bus ride to the Los Glaciares National Park. The views as the bus approached the National Park were incredible, and the guide was very knowledgeable about the area.

We were glued to the window waiting for the first glimpse of the glacier - just fascinating. As it opened up before us the feeling was unreal; a huge block of ice that seems to grow out of the water and dominates everything around.

We spent about an hour at the lookout balconies and to be honest it wasn't enough time. The giant ice cube is beyond words. We just walked around the balconies to look from different angles in awe.

It was fantastic in every way; the fresh smell, the sight of the mountains meeting the glacier, the thundering sound of the glacier moving and crashing into the lake. We were sad to come back to the bus so soon, but we had a boat to catch.

The short boat ride took us across The Rico Arm Lake, which is gray from the glacier sediment, to the camp for the starting point of our expedition. From here we were briefed on what we needed to carry and headed out with another guide to get our gear.

Continue reading the rest of this article:
http://wavejourney.com/TaleArgentina.html

Happy Travels!
Viv and Jill
AKA: WJ

We Would Rather Hike Machu Picchu The Other Way Around!

2010-05-25T18:41:00.000-07:00

WAVEJourney.com contributor, Ethel DeMarr, shares her recent Peruvian adventures. Ethel and her husband, Terry, hiked the less crowded Salkantay Trail to Machu Picchu with tour company Peruvian Odyssey.Machu Picchu: The Other Way Around by Ethel DeMarr.

If you have been discouraged about hiking to Machu Picchu by tales of overcrowding on the Inka Trail, consider hiking the “other way around,” the Salkantay Trail. Acting on the advice from our friends at Peruvian Odyssey ( an experienced Peruvian travel agency,) we chose this alternative route for our trip earlier this year. We were not disappointed. It was a trip of a lifetime!

Named for Mt. Salkantay (20,571 ft.), this route hosts no more than 100 hikers per day rather than the 500 allowed on the classic Inka Trail.

During our four day trek along this route in late April, we saw no more than 20 hikers on any given day and we were alone at our campsites two out of three nights. That will not happen on the classic Inka Trail. On the last day of your hike, you will climb through the lush subtropical forest to Llactapata 8,858 ft. - an Inka site)from where you will get an amazing and rarely seen view of Machu Picchu - from the other side. Every breath you have struggled for over the past three days will be worth it.

Like the more famous trail, the Salkantay route requires a permit and requires traveling with a licensed guide. We choose Peruvian Odyssey with their 26 years of experience, excellent guides, cooks and equipment. They will take care of your every need from the moment you arrive in Lima, to sight-seeing in Cusco and throughout the hike. All you need are your hiking boots and a day pack. At the end of a long day on the trail, you will arrive at your campsite and find your tent erected and the dining tent awaiting you. The meals will surpass your expectations as will the scenery!

Continue reading this article:
http://wavejourney.com/TaleMachuPicchu.html

Happy Travels!
Viv and Jill
AKA: WJ

We Would Rather Explore Venezuela!

2010-05-17T14:47:00.001-07:00

WAVEJourney.com contributor, Alicia Harney, is travelling around South America and blogging along the way. Below she shares her most recent adventures in Venezuela.

Venezuela: An Adventure On The Real Paradise Falls

Arguably Venezuela may not have the historic draw of Peru or the adventurous walks and treks of Patagonia, but the country lets itself down with its lack of touristic invitation. The country has not had any form of tourist campaign in over 20 years. It’s a shame! For this country holds some of the most “out of this world” places on the planet and I was lucky enough to hike up one of those.

The sacred Roraima has recently been used by Disney/Pixar for their new children’s movie "Up!" and once you make it to the top it is not hard to imagine why. The fictional name in the movie is Paradise Falls and as I looked out from the top of the table mountain it is clear how they came up with the name. In fact it is quite unimaginative as this could easily be paradise and the falls that topple off the surrounding mountain tops are as beautiful as any snow capped peak. In addition to this, Roraima is where Arthur Conan Doyle, when he wasn't writing about Sherlock Holmes, placed his 1912 story "The Lost World," about scientists attacked by dinosaurs and ape men in a land cut off from the rest of the world.

This flat-topped mountain, 9,200 feet tall, is encircled by cliffs that shoot straight up 1,300 feet or more. In Doyle's book, nothing can climb to the top, and nothing can climb down (obviously he didn´t have Marisol as a guide).

After three grueling days to get to the top the reward was immediate: a strange, misshapen, eerie world. After only one night’s rest we are taking a walk across the maze of rocks and barren land to find some of the treasures that are hidden in this unique landscape.

The trek to the top runs along a fairly well cut and marked path but once you clamber over the final ridge the landscape becomes something like no other and for that reason all visitors must have an experienced guide.

Continue reading this article:
http://wavejourney.com/TaleVenezuela.html

Visit Alica's blog:
http://www.travelpod.com/members/conorandalicia

Happy Travels!
Viv and Jill
AKA: WJ

We Would Rather Be Staying At Corinthia Hotel Lisbon!

2010-05-11T11:20:00.001-07:00

WJ recommends staying in 5-star luxury at Corinthia Hotel Lisbon during your next trip to Portugal.

Arrival
Within 40 minutes of landing at Lisbon Portela Airport in Portugal we entered the sleek and modern lobby of the 518-room, 5-star Hotel Corinthia Lisbon, in the heart of Lisbon's financial district. After being warmly greeted by the doorman, the front desk attendant quickly checked us in and we were on our way to our executive-level room 2219.
Note: Booking an executive-level room comes with plenty of added benefits including: use of the Executive Club Sky Lounge that offers incredible views of the city; daily newspapers; executive breakfast buffet with live cooking (Chef prepares omelettes to order); coffee (self-serve Nespresso available); tea and soft drinks; snacks available throughout the day; Club bar with selected drinks and canapés; fully-equipped working station with computers; wireless internet; fax; copy machine and printer; Boardroom (free use for 1 hour/day subject to availability).

Guest Room
Our twin-bedded Executive Room on the 22nd floor afforded us amazing city views. The room was designed with soothing earth-tone colors, comfortable and modern furnishings, and enough room for two people to easily relax, work or get away from the hustle of being in a busy city. With luxurious, crisp white bed linens and duvets, the beds were incredibly comfortable and provided a great nights sleep. A work desk provided room to connect to the internet, although for an extra fee. Free WIFI was available in the Executive Club Sky Lounge and lobby. There was also a flat-screen TV with English channels, in-room pant press, in-room safe and mini-bar. Executive rooms come with an in-room amenity - ours was a half bottle of Port, fruit plate, bottled water and local pastries. The spacious and well-lit bathroom provided double sinks, bath tub/shower, bidet, make-up mirror, hair-dryer, robes and featured upscale toiletries by Damana.

Amenities/Services
The hotel is in the heart of Lisbon's financial district, within walking distance of shopping (a new shopping center is right next door with restaurants, cafes, cinemas and fashion shops galore)and public transportation (bus, metro, train) is no more than 50 meters away. English is well spoken by staff, as well as Portuguese, French, German and Spanish. The hotel concierge can provide city maps, transportation schedules, arrange tours, suggest activities for all members of the family and assist with restaurant reservations. The Corinthia Lisbon boasts the biggest spa in Lisbon ~ MALO Spa with treatment rooms to indulge your senses with relaxation, hydrotherapy, well-being and pampering serenity. If you're not staying at the hotel, you are still welcome at the spa. Fitness enthusiasts will be thrilled with the extensive array of gym equipment (treadmills, spin bikes, elliptical machines), or for those that love to swim the indoor pool with retractable roof will make for a great workout. There is also an outside deck for those who wish to laze in the sun and improve their tans. The menu of services offered is extensive and sure to please the most discriminating spa-goer. The hotel boasts two restaurants and a lounge bar, where guests can dine on perfectly-prepared menu items accompanied by fine wines, cocktails and other beverages. For guests that prefer to dine in their room, 24 hour room service is available. This hotel has excellent conference and meeting facilities for those on business.

Recommended Stay
In all our travels we have never experienced a hotel so well maintained as the Hotel Corinthia Lisbon. During a tour of the property with Marketing & Public Relations Manager, Maria Joao Galante, we asked if the hotel had just finished a complete renovation (it was opened under Corinthia's banner in March 2004 and was approximately 20 years old at that time), and were thoroughly amazed the hotel had not been renovated since Corinthia opened the doors back in 2004. Maria praised the performance of the maintenance department that works non-stop to keep this hotel in pristine condition - many of the world's top hotels could certainly learn a thing or two from this property. Hotel Corinthia Lisbon is the perfect place to stay for business or pleasure if seeking a 5-star city hotel and totally exceeded our expectations. We can't wait to return to this hotel on our next visit to Lisbon.

Corinthia Hotel Lisbon Website:
http://www.corinthiahotels.com/home?c=4&l=1

View photos of hotel:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/wavejourney/sets/72157622908891920/detail/

Happy Travels!
Viv and Jill
AKA: WJ

We Would Rather Tour Tasmania!

2010-05-09T12:17:00.001-07:00

WAVEJourney.com contributor, Cherie Thiessen, shares her findings from a recent cycling trip in Tasmania.

Tasmania - Two Wheeled Tourism

The Emmalisa chugged and chucked her way out of the harbour and up the wide mouth of the choppy Derwent River. Only hours before we had flown from Melbourne to Hobart on Qantas Airlines, determined to wring every last drop out of our three weeks in Australia’s southernmost state, Tasmania.

The stately dowager had managed to accommodate its 31 passengers easily and we were already into the wine and chatting with our table companions, Neil and Anna from Brisbane. The dinner cruise was a great way to multi task, combining history, information, scenery, and ambience with dinner. Captain Fells himself was at the wheel, while two unharried staff performed miracles in cooking and serving up three course meals in lumpy conditions, with four choices of ‘mains’, along with dessert and coffee. Captain Fells’s historic ferries have been leaving the dock since 1975, and are very popular with the locals. We can already see why. We’re well into dinner when we slip under the lofty Tasman Bridge and hear the tragic story of the bulk ore carrier, Lake Illawarra. In 1975, it struck the bridge, and was then in turn sunk by the two pylons and three sections of concrete decking falling from the bridge. Seven crewmen died, along with five unfortunate motorists in four cars. The ship’s remains still lie 35 meters below.

The panorama of Hobart’s hills and harbor smudge with dusk, to be replaced by a tiara of lights on the skyline, the magic above in contrast to the wreckage below.

Two and a half hours later, we bid farewell to our new friends and say hello to the next party coming aboard, a private charter. Time to get to our hotel and transfer some clothes from our suitcases to our saddlebags. Tomorrow we begin 12 days of cycle touring.

Continue reading this article:
www.wavejourney.com/TaleTasmania.html

Happy Travels!
Viv and Jill
AKA: WJ

We Would Rather Visit Venice Of The East!

2010-05-08T13:47:00.000-07:00

WAVEJourney.com contributor, Habeeb Salloum shares his travel tales from a recent trip to China:

The Venice of East Central China Lures the Visitors ~ by Habeeb Salloum

Two hours after leaving the booming metropolis of Shanghai, we parked at the entrance of Wuzhen, fondly called by some of its admirers the ’Venice of the East.’ In a few moments, we had climbed into a pole-steered large barge that ploughed the waterways of Wuzhen - the last of China’s ‘water towns’ to be opened to visitors.

The town reminded me of Venice and its canals - only on a smaller scale. To bring the comparison nearer to reality, the time that I sailed the gondolas of Venice was in February and it was biting cold. I travelled to Wuzhen in April and it felt cold, but a little less than Venice.

As we gently moved through the murky waters, shrouded by a heavy-foggy mist, the homes edging the water seemed like ghostly figures coming out of the fog. Soon the mist lifted and one could see creeks flowing into town, spanned by ancient sturdy stone bridges of various design, all oozing with character. The creeks looked like canals and some of these were - the largest being the Beijing-Hangzhou 1,800 km (1,118 mi) Grand Canal, partially silted, that passes through town.

Continue reading this article:
http://www.wavejourney.com/TaleChina.html

Happy Travels!
Viv and Jill
AKA: WJ

WAVEJourney.com Explores San Francisco

2010-04-24T14:36:00.000-07:00

WAVEJourney.com recently enjoyed wandering the streets of San Francisco, California and found plenty of fun activities for all members of the family - cable car rides, San Francisco Bay Cruise with Red & White Fleet, watching "Wicked" at the Orpheum, a thrilling ziptrek across Embarcadero Square, roaming through Chinatown, and much more...

WJ's two favorite hotel picks for a stay in San Francisco are: Hotel Adagio and Huntington Hotel at Nob Hill.

Check out more of WJ's travel videos:
http://wavejourney.com/videos.html

Happy Travels!
Viv and Jill
AKA: WJ

We Would Rather Be In Rio!

2010-04-11T16:34:00.001-07:00

WAVEJourney.com contributor, Lucy Komisar, shares her recent trip report from Rio de Janeiro in Brazil.

Rio de Janeiro - It's colonial, it's modern and it's a visual and sensual delight!

It was night and people were lounging on the Copacabana beach, lit brightly by street lamps planted every few feet. We strolled on the sand to get a bit more whiff of ocean, then turned back across the street to the Sofitel Rio de Janeiro Copacabana where we were staying. Near the entrance, I notice a blue police booth strategically placed under some trees. I'd heard that Río was unsafe, but very strong government security action – bright lights, policing – is turning that around. If you've put off going to Río de Janeiro out of crime fears, think again!

The ocean, the bay, the lagoon: Rio makes good aesthetic use of the water that seems to surround it. From the hotel terrace, I could view the sea, the gray rocks and peaks of mountains. Downstairs, the cobble stone sidewalks of black and white mosaic waves remind one of the Atlantic. Copacabana was a fishermen's village, and there is still a cooperative whose members catch sea bass by hand, not with industrial gear. Out at night and back by 5 am, they are on the beach in the morning selling fish till 9.

Everyone's vision of Río includes Sugar Loaf, the mountain quite near Copacabana at the entrance to Guanabara Bay. It got the name, Pão de Açúcar, because it looked like a Portuguese sugar cone. You go there for the view from nearly 1300 feet. We climbed into an enclosed cable car to get to the first level where there's a picnic area and, I was told, little monkeys with white stars on their faces. I didn't see any! I did see a gaggle of rock climbers on their way to ascend to the next level. But I went up the old-fashioned motorized way! From either level, I could look out and see the ocean beaches: Copacabana, Ipanema, and Leme, back-dropped by white buildings from the 40s, 50s and 60s; then the historical and financial quarter of the city; a residential and industrial sector, and the newest part, with industry and laboratories. Flying around were vultures and frigate birds that looked like seagulls.

Continue reading this article by clicking here.

Happy Travels!
Viv and Jill
AKA: WJ

We Would Rather Cruise Aboard Anjodi!

2010-04-10T11:58:00.000-07:00

WAVEJourney.com fell in love with canal cruising during a 6-night journey aboard European Waterways' luxury barge, Anjodi. Fine food and wine, amazing scenery, historic sites, and a highly-skilled and professional crew all combine to make a canal du midi trip through France something we yearn to repeat.

Visit European Waterways website:
www.gobarging.com

View WJ's Anjodi review:
http://wavejourney.com/Anjodi.html

Happy travels!
Viv and Jill
AKA: WJ

We Would Rather Stay At Real Bellavista!

2010-04-05T12:41:00.001-07:00

Awesome Accommodation on the Algarve!

To the Brits and Europeans, hopping on a short flight for a weekend or week-long getaway on Portugal's sunny southern coast (the Algarve) is second nature, while for us North Americans it is a bit of a long haul. But we shared a common desire to tiptoe along the gold sand beaches and experience the white-washed towns and villages we had heard so much about in this area of Portugal. With this in mind, we chose Albufeira as our base for our three nights on the Algarve; and the 195-room, 4-star Real Bellavista Hotel & Spa turned out to be the perfect fit for our particular stay.

After a 3-hour train journey from Lisbon, we arrived at Albufeira's train station (8 km from the town center). From there a 20-minute bus ride to the bus station put us within .5 km of Real Bellavista Hotel. In fact, we could see the hotel's neon sign as soon as we exited the bus. Rather than hop in a cab for such a short distance (we also love to really test out our luggage wheels) we asked a friendly local to point us in the right direction for walking to the hotel. After a safe and pleasant walk through a residential neighbourhood, we entered the hotel lobby within 12-minutes of setting off from the bus station.

Arrival
Upon entering the bright, marble hotel lobby we encountered two extremely friendly and efficient front desk staff. We were quickly checked-in, offered maps, informed of the shuttle bus schedule to town (about a 20-minute stroll to the old town) and informed of the breakfast buffet hours. Our room keys were presented and we were pointed in the direction of the elevators to take to access our hotel room. We were immediately impressed by the lobby cleanliness and enthusiastic staff - indeed we were off to a good start.

Continue reading this review:
http://www.wavejourney.com/BellavistaReview.html

Visit Real Bellavista website:
http://www.realhotelsgroup.com/RealBellavista/OHotel.aspx?sflang=en

View WJ's photos of this hotel:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/wavejourney/sets/72157623009990591/detail/

Happy Travels!
Viv and Jill
AKA: WJ

We Would Rather Be Chic, Stylish & Secure In The Heart Of Paris!

2010-04-03T16:45:00.001-07:00

Hotel Cambon is WAVEJourney's recommended pick for a stay in Paris, France.

4-Star Boutique Hotel Cambon ~
WJ's Review - Chic, Stylish & Secure in the Heart of Paris

WJ's home-away from home while in Paris is the 4-star luxury boutique Hotel Cambon. Although featuring a swank address (rue Cambon), Hotel Cambon is situated down a quiet side-street in an upscale part (between Concorde, Louvre and Jardin des Tuileries) of this magnificent city. Museums, famous fashion boutiques, antique shops and an array of restaurants and cafes are all within steps of this prestigious address, making it the perfect location for anyone wanting to be in the heart of the best that Paris has to offer. As they say; "Location, location, location" - well, this is the location!

Arrival
Arriving at the hotel was quick and simple. Upon exiting the metro at Concorde, we walked approximately 20 meters to the hotel entrance and were pleasantly and courteously greeted in French, and then English (once we replied in our "best French"), by the bellman and front desk attendant. Our first impression was one of pleasant surprise by the tasteful yet eclectic style of antique and modern art and furnishings. The atmosphere of the hotel is one of charm, warmth and welcome. Within a matter of minutes we were checked-in, provided with a city map, asked if we required any restaurant reservations or recommendations and were escorted to our suite by the friendly bellman. The elevator was a tight fit (as is often the case in Europe), so we were shown to our room first and then the bellman returned a few minutes later with our luggage.

Continue reading this review:
http://wavejourney.com/CambonReview.html

Visit Hotel Cambon's website:
www.cambon-paris-hotel.com

View WJ's photos of Hotel Cambon:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/wavejourney/sets/72157622974051213/detail/

Happy Travels!
Viv and Jill
AKA: WJ

We Would Rather Watch Elephants Play In The Mud!

2010-03-28T09:41:00.001-07:00

Elephants playing in a water hole in Addo Elephant National Park, South Africa.

Website:
http://www.addoelephant.com/parks/addo/

Happy Travels!
Viv and Jill
AKA: WJ

We Would Rather Sail With Uniworld!

2010-03-23T08:29:00.001-07:00

Viv & Jill cruised the Rhone & Saone Rivers aboard Uniworld's luxury river cruise ship, River Royale, during a 2009 visit to France.

Uniworld's River Royale exudes "joie de vivre" as it cruises through Burgundy and Provence on the Saone and Rhone Rivers. Inaugurated in 2006, River Royale, at 361 ft. in length and 37.5 ft. in width, has a 132-passenger capacity creating a most-intimate setting for travelling in comfort and style.

There are 66 staterooms, each with an approximate size of 151 sq. ft., and one suite available with approximately 217 sq. ft. On the Azure Deck of this three-tiered beauty, the cabins are completed with a French balcony. The sun deck affords not only an ideal place to lounge and take in the vistas of the scenic countryside, but also has an over-sized chess board, as well as, a shuffleboard court.

River Royale, much like a boutique hotel except that it floats through French history, presents world-class dining in the stylishly-appointed restaurant. And like any fine boutique hotel, River Royale's full-service bar, opening into the panoramic main lounge, is the place to gather over cocktails or a game of cards. A quiet nook can be secured by cozying up in the library or by hunkering down over the keyboard of one the two computers provided for complimentary internet access. And if there is still shopping on the to-do list after touring villages and markets, the well-stocked boutique gift shop on River Royale will certainly fill-the-bill with regional goods and souvenirs.

Gastronomes and wine connoisseurs will be equally pleased with the discoveries aboard River Royale. Fantastic food and wine are delivered daily by seasoned professionals with fresh faces and ready answers to any and all questions. Adventures abound at each and every town and village visited... all steeped in history, art and architecture. From vineyards to medieval cities to market places, excursions from River Royale delight the senses and pique the curiosity. You'll want to come back for more!

Read WJ's entire River Royale review:
http://www.wavejourney.com/Royale.html

Visit Uniworld's website:
http://www.uniworld.com

Happy Travels!
Viv and Jill
AKA: WJ

We Would Rather Be At Malo Spa In Lisbon!

2010-03-22T10:57:00.001-07:00

WJ enjoyed a stay at the fabulous 5-star Corinthia Hotel Lisbon last October, and although we did not have time to experience a spa treatment, we did interview the Spa Manager and tour the facilities. This is definitely the place to stay and be pampered during a trip to Lisbon and right now they are offering a four-night spa package:

A spa deal not to be missed: luxurious Corinthia Hotel Lisbon offers four-night Malo Spa package in Portugal's vibrant capital

The five-star Corinthia Hotel Lisbon is offering a spa deal “specifically designed for the adventurous traveler.” The package includes a four-night Club Suite stay at the hotel, as well as three “Relaxing” or “Energizing” spa treatments at the prestigious Malo Spa. Also included is an American Buffet Breakfast, dinner in a local Portuguese restaurant, as well as a half-day private tour of Lisbon. The offer, available from now until December 2010, depending on the season, ranges from US$611 to US$667 per person in a twin or double room, all taxes and services included.

The €4 million spa, the largest in any five-star hotel in Lisbon, is operated by the internationally-renowned Malo Clinic Health&Wellness, led by its president Paulo Malo. The Malo Spa is a stand-alone facility, newly-built in the Corinthia Hotel Lisbon. Treatment areas consist of 13 fully-equipped rooms including a number of Spa Suites, where guests enjoy rituals of massage, pampered by the latest health and beauty technologies. These include non-invasive fat-reduction treatments, non-invasive mesotherapy, facial treatments, individual cocoons for weight/volume loss, and anti-ageing treatments.

The wet area, known as acqua in Portugal, is the largest of its kind in Lisbon and offers an interactive pool, hydro massage, Vichy showers, a walking circuit, a Roman spa, aqua beds, Jacuzzis, saunas, and a hammam. A heated pool is available all year round, as well as a natural solarium, a gymnasium, a spinning room, and a hairdressing and beauty lab.

The Malo Spa also has a clinical section, combining traditional spa rituals with integrated health care and cosmetic care services that include nutrition programs, plastic surgery, and physiotherapy consultation.

ABOUT CORINTHIA HOTEL LISBON
The 518-room Corinthia Hotel Lisbon is minutes away from Lisbon’s most important attractions, shopping, and nightlife and offers extensive conference and banqueting facilities and a magnificent Executive Club Sky Lounge for its Executive Club guests - located on the top floor of the hotel, with the city of Lisbon, its 18th Century Aqueduct, and the Monsanto Natural Park as a backdrop. The hotel offers the Típico and Sete Colinas restaurants with traditional and international cuisine. The Tempus Lounge Bar and the beautiful Terrace Garden are perfect places for relaxation. The Corinthia Hotel Lisbon is owned by Malta-based International Hotel Investments p.l.c. (IHI) and operated by CHI Hotels&Resorts, a joint venture between IHI and the Wyndham Hotel Group of the United States. The hotel forms part of the Wyndham Grand Collection.

ABOUT CORINTHIA HOTELS
Corinthia Hotels is an internationally-acclaimed brand of luxury hotels in the Czech Republic, Hungary, Libya, Malta, Portugal, and Russia. Founded by the Pisani family of Malta in the 1960s, the Corinthia brand stands in that proud tradition of Mediterranean hospitality, and its signature services communicate the “Warm smiles, Inspired Flavors and Pleasant Surprises" of its Maltese heritage. All Corinthia hotels feature state-of-the art conference areas, extensive leisure and business traveler facilities, and are each renowned for their uniqueness of character. Corinthia Hotels’ portfolio includes two award-winning properties: The Corinthia Hotel Budapest, Hungary - winner of Europe’s “Best Hotel Architecture Award" and member of “The Most Famous Hotels in the World" and The Corinthia Hotel Prague in the Czech Republic - the first hotel ever to win “Best Gastronomy Concept" in the Czech Republic and a recipient of the “5 stars and 6 stripes" designation from renowned US reviewer Seven Stars and Stripes. The Corinthia Hotels portfolio also features the elegant Corinthia Palace Hotel and Spa and the splendid Corinthia Hotel St. Georges Bay in Malta; the superior five-star Corinthia Hotel Tripoli, Libya; the modern Corinthia Hotel Lisbon in Portugal; and the renowned Corinthia Hotel St. Petersburg, Russia. The Corinthia Hotels brand is associated with the “Wyndham Grand Collection" tier of upscale hotels worldwide.

To book, send an email to: reservations@corinthia.pt
Or call: + 351 21 723 6300
Hotel Website: http://www.corinthiahotels.com/about-lisbon?l=1&c=4
Spa Website: http://www.corinthiahotels.com/spa-and-relaxation?l=1&c=4

Happy Travels!
Viv and Jill
AKA: WJ

We Would Rather Cruise The Thames On Magna Carta!

2010-03-18T10:50:00.000-07:00

WAVEJourney.com experienced the life of luxury during a 3-day River Thames cruise aboard hotel barge, Magna Carta. What a great way to view the English countryside!

Visit Magna Carta's website:
www.magna-carta.co.uk

WJ's Magna Carta review:
http://www.wavejourney.com/MagnaCarta.html

Happy Travels!
Viv and Jill
AKA: WJ

We Would Rather Saddle Up & Put Our Life Jacket On!

2010-03-16T14:00:00.001-07:00

Saddle Up and Put Your Life Jacket On!
Choosing one or the other is exactly what we did, depending on the day, during our week's stay at Twin Peaks Ranch, 18 miles south of Salmon, Idaho. Total immersion in Dude Ranch 101 is just what we wanted and got at this 2900-acre working ranch in the northern Rockies.

This well-appointed dude ranch delivers adrenalin-laced adventure from the saddle to the paddle.

Offering the expected pasture-full of sleek mounts for high country riding, Twin Peaks Ranch also ensures you a wet and woolly river experience either in rafts or duckies (inflatable kayaks), down the rated Salmon River, commonly referred to as "The River of No Return".

Bolstered with some of the most outstanding meals we have ever eaten, we found our inner cowgirl with every new trail discovered. The experienced and jovial staff ensures rides are suitable for the group and always fresh. One day featured a long ride up into the high country of the North Basin for an overnight with cookout at a tent camp. The crisp mountain air and exquisite scenery soothed away the stress of city life, like sun fading an old pair of saddle-chaffed denim jeans.

White water rafting fills the calendar of events on two occasions during the week's stay. From a scenic float to challenging rapids, skills are tested under sunny skies beckoning quick "cool-offs" in the Salmon.

Scenes from old westerns reeled through my mind as we saddled up for the Saturday morning cattle drive. Young and old alike drove those doggies to the pen and shared a sense of satisfaction as we raised our hats to the wind. As if we weren't already winners, team penning and barrel racing filled the rest of the morning. At a dude ranch, a lot is accomplished before noon!

Skeet shooting and target practice, fishing an alpine lake, playing water volleyball in the ever-inviting pool, lassoing a dummy steer, pitching horseshoes, learning line dancing with the local dance group...the activities beg for a longer day and the guests beg for a longer stay.

You will find fantastic food and lodging (room for up to 55 guests), at Twin Peaks Ranch. Go to www.twinpeaksranch.com for packages and availability to book your upcoming dude ranch adventure. A perfect retreat for a couple, a family or even a corporate event.

Note:
Twin Peaks Ranch is located 18 miles south of Salmon, Idaho off Highway 93. A two-mile meandering gravel road through cottonwoods takes you to the doorstep of your cabin and a week of getting your buckaroo on!

Twin Peaks Ranch
P.O. Box 774
Salmon, ID 83467
Toll Free 1-800-659-4899
Phone 208-894-2429
Website: www.twinpeaksranch.com

Happy Trails!
Viv and Jill
AKA: WJ

We Would Rather Cruise In The Lap Of Luxury On The River Thames!

2010-03-15T10:39:00.001-07:00

WJ cruised the river Thames aboard luxury canal barge Magna Carta during
a 2009 visit to England.

An introduction to barge cruising on the River Thames and luxury barge Magna Carta.

The River Thames flows 215 miles (346 km) in southern England from Thames Head in Gloucestershire to the Thames Estuary on the North Sea in Essex. It is the longest river in England and flows through the capital city of London.

As is often the case with waterways, the Thames, which once provided a critical route for trade and commerce, is now regarded as a supreme playground for boating, be it rowing, sailing, canoeing, kayaking, punting, skiffing or as we enjoyed -- barge cruising. The luxury hotel barge, Magna Carta, has been offering the finest of river barge cruising on the River Thames since 2002. The idyllic scenery provided a most enchanting backdrop for a leisurely cruise along this world-famous river for WAVE Journey this past September. We were regaled whilst on our 3 day/ 2 night journey from Henley-on-Thames to Windsor.

The Magna Carta, designed to allow for spacious accommodations, is 117 ft. by 16.5 ft. Four cabins, all averaging 200 sq. ft. with roomy en-suite bathrooms, make for sumptuous surroundings for a maximum of eight guests. The picture-windowed saloon offers sanctuary with a bar, library, leather sofas and a most comfortable dining area. The two-tiered sun deck is fully-outfitted with wood table, chairs, steamer chairs, umbrella and a sunken Jacuzzi.

A week aboard Magna Carta is an all-inclusive voyage. Four crew members consisting of a Captain, Master Chef, hostess and deck hand tend to guests needs. Get ready to revel in an abundance of history on a restful cruise along the River Thames.

Read more about Magna Carta:
http://www.wavejourney.com/MagnaCarta2.html

Visit Magna Carta's website:
http://www.magna-carta.co.uk

Happy Travels!
Viv and Jill
AKA: WJ

We Would Rather Eat Cupcakes!

2010-03-14T14:53:00.001-07:00

And, we did eat cupcakes. Very yummy and moist cupcakes. Perfectly sugar-balanced cupcakes. Unlike some cupcakes we've sampled, these cupcakes were just as good the next day as the day they were baked - most dry out too quickly.

So far we're totally in love with the chocolate cupcake that has chocolate chips in the cake and chocolate frosting. The coconut frosted vanilla cupcake is running a close second. What will be our third choice? Wait and see... maybe the carrot cupcake, or...

These are pretty large cupcakes, so they're good for sharing. Or, try the "kidcakes" that are a smaller size and perfect for one.

Prices:
Gourmet cupcakes - $3.00
Kidcakes - $2.00

In the meantime, if you want to do your own sampling pay a visit to Ida's Cupcake Cafe in Bend, Oregon, USA:
Address:
1314 NW Galvaston, Bend, Oregon, USA
Tel: 541-383-2345

Website:
http://idascupcakecafe.com/cupcakes.html

Tasty Travels!
Viv and Jill
AKA: WJ

We Would Rather Ride High Above The Hedgerows!

2010-03-10T16:52:00.001-08:00

A few lines of the lyrics from the song "Get Happy", made popular by Judy Garland, would play over and over in our heads during our 10-day Scenic England Tour with Trafalgar Tours -- "Forget your troubles, Come on get happy, You better chase all your cares away". OK, so we couldn't remember the rest of the song, but that didn't really matter as those few lines were incredibly appropriate for the journey we were on.

Neither one of us had ever experienced a coach tour and to be quite frank hadn't even considered it until WAVE Journey readers started asking us for details on the various coach tour companies. Aren't coach tours for the old, decrepit and blue-haired group? Aren't they for the unadventurous among us? Or just for those who simply can't figure out travelling from Point A to Point B by themselves? Surely a coach tour wouldn't suit those of us that live for independent adventures in far-flung places. Well, that was our misguided and uninformed impression and one that was to soon be rendered completely and utterly counterfactual.

What we did encounter as we circled England over the course of 8-nights -- while being ushered and guided by a professional and knowledgeable Tour Director, and ever so carefully transported in our motor coach by a well-seasoned professional driver -- was a great camaraderie among a diverse group of 36 well-travelled people from 5 continents, with ages ranging from early-forties to mid-eighties, and all sharing a love of culture, heritage and the zest to experience the new and unknown. On top of all that, we also enjoyed a stress-free, informative, lively, high-spirited, stimulating, convivial and affordable tour.

Out of all 200 of Trafalgar's worldwide itineraries we chose the Scenic England tour for a couple of reasons:
1. Jill previously had not spent any time in England and this would be a great overview for a first-time visit.
2. Viv had lived in England and visited most of the country; so this would be a perfect opportunity to put Trafalgar and the Tour Director to the test.

Well, for both of us it worked out to be the ideal trip ~
- Jill had the opportunity to traverse 1230 miles (1880 km) of England's most scenic and interesting countryside while learning an immense amount of history and folklore.
- Viv tripped down memory lane while continuously being impressed by the daily schedule, quality of accommodations, included attractions, low-priced optional excursions, and loving every minute of not having to wait in long lines to enter popular historic sites... not to mention that the Tour Director certainly DID know his "stuff".

For us, this was a trip that proved to be most memorable. It was a trip that we could recommend. It was with a company that we would travel with again. And, most importantly to us, for what was included, it proved to be tremendous value. What more can we ask for in a vacation?

Price and Value:

We are keen on finding the biggest bang for our buck wherever we are and whatever we're doing. Trafalgar Tours delivered on exceptional value. We covered so much territory, soaked in so many scenic sights, and did it all in comfort with panoramic windows and door-to-door service.

Within a limited window of time, we packed in the ultimate amount of touring and were immersed in an educational and fun learning experience about the country. Short of hitchhiking and backpacking, there isn't a more economical way to travel and see the countryside.

Tripping with Trafalgar saves the environment, too. On a per-passenger basis, travelling by a fuel-efficient motor coach is among the cleanest modes of transportation. Plus, you are almost 1100 times more safe on a motorcoach than in your own vehicle per the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Consider, too, that there is safety in numbers when travelling with a group.

An escorted motor coach tour with Trafalgar requires booking just one trip -- your next Trafalgar Tour. No worries about hotel reservations, toting luggage, coordinating tour attractions -- it is all part of the package. Take care to book your next trip with Trafalgar and they'll take care of you!

Come along with us and discover what Trafalgar's Scenic Tour has to offer by perusing WJ's Review:

http://www.wavejourney.com/Trafalgar.html

Happy Travels!
Viv and Jill
AKA: WJ

We Would Rather Drink Manchuela Wines!

2010-03-08T10:44:00.001-08:00

WAVEJourney.com contributor Lucy Komisar talks about her recent wine-tasting in NYC and discovering the wines of Manchuela.

I was sitting next to Chris Campbell, who described himself as "an Irish Catholic kid from Queens" who learned about Spanish wines working in bars and restaurants in New York for 15 years. He said, "I realized Spanish wine was coming on and that importers were bringing in the safe stuff." He became an importer, and his C&P Wines is bringing in red Bobal from the Manchuela wine region, which you may have never heard of. I met him at a Manchuela wine-tasting at a restaurant in New York, where on his left was Juan Antonio Ponce, whose private winery Bodegas y Viñedos Ponce do Manchuela makes 50,000 bottles of Bobal a year.

Click here to continue the article:
www.wavejourney.com/TaleManchuela.html

Salud!
Viv and Jill
AKA: WJ

We Would Rather NOT Have Dined At Restaurant "X"!

2010-03-06T08:37:00.001-08:00

Sometime ago we had what was to be a celebratory dinner at an upscale Bend, Oregon restaurant. WJ had high hopes for a special evening filled with fabulous food in a warm and charming atmosphere, but it ended up being far less than that. As it was a cold winter's night we dressed warmly, looking ever so sharp in our finest silk blouses, wool pants and jackets. Oh, what a mistake that ended up being. Who knew we'd need to spend a fortune on dry cleaning to remove the stench of kitchen grease that fogged-up the air so badly we could barely breath?

Here's how the evening unfolded:

Service was a little slow and we asked our cool and barely-friendly waiter if there was someone new in the kitchen or were they short-staffed. Guess that rubbed him the wrong way as service became even cooler and slower. When we then asked that the kitchen turn on their exhaust fans as we were about to pass out from the grease fumes, he commented that their fans were not working and the window in the kitchen had to be closed as it was so cold outside.

Our entrees finally arrived and Jill's scallops were looking absolutely delicious and beautifully prepared. She took a bite of the first perfectly-seared jumbo scallop and just about spat it out. "OMG! It's so salty" she cried. "It can't be" said Viv. "Have a sip of wine and try again." The look on Jill's face the second time around was enough to tell the tale that there was a salt-overload going on with the scallops. "OK. Let me try them" declared Viv. "Maybe you're just not into scallops tonight and we can switch entrees." After Viv's first bite there wasn't going to be any entree-swapping going on tonight! Did somebody drop a pound of salt on the plate?

Calling over our less-than-enthusiastic waiter and explaining that the scallops were too salty to consume his response was that nobody else had complained about them. At that point we asked to speak with the owner/manager. Our waiter said that he was in charge that evening. So, at that point we knew our meal was over and it was time to leave and not in the best of moods either. No apology for the stench. No apology for the scallops. Forget about the removal of them from our bill. Not wanting to cause a scene, we paid the bill and left a note with our business card for the real owner/manager, explaining what had transpired and allowing them an opportunity to remedy the situation.

Below is the response we received a week later:

Hi Ladies!
I read your note you left us at Restaurant "X" - just a quick comment, your dinner was on one of the coldest nights of the year when we had to close the kitchen window which is left open the other ~ 360 days a year hence your "grease" smell. This is a very rare occurrence and only when it dips in the teens.

Our distributor Ocean Beauty took back the scallops- we had three other complaints that evening on salt- that was a packaging problem from the distributor and not due to technique.

I enjoyed reading your reviews.

Owner of Restaurant "X"

Restaurant "X" admits there was a grease smell in the air. Restaurant "X" admits the scallops were a problem and their distributor took the product back. Have we returned to Restaurant "X"? Not a chance in hell! We're still irked by the fact that we paid a hefty price for a meal that wasn't palatable and then faced a sizeable dry cleaning bill to remove the intense grease stench from our silk and wool garments.

So, what should the owner have done to ensure we would remain loyal customers and return to their establishment?

How nice that they had their distributor take back the scallops. We didn't get a refund. We didn't get an invitation back with even the offer of a complimentary appetizer or dessert - never mind a replacement entree for the full value of the scallop dish that was so loaded with salt that it wasn't edible.

Is it any wonder why so many restaurants and small businesses go tits-up or struggle to make ends meet. This was such an easy fix and they dropped the ball big time.

Bon Appetit!
Viv and Jill
AKA: WJ

We Would Rather Eat Ginger Chocolate!

2010-03-05T11:41:00.001-08:00

Due to a recent discussion originating on Facebook by our colleague Ann Lombardi, of The Trip Chicks, regarding the many wonderful health benefits of ginger, we developed an uncontrollable craving for ginger dark chocolate. So, with this in mind Jill was dispatched to the nearest Whole Foods Market to see what she could find and here are the results:

From left to right:

Green & Black's Organic 60% Dark Chocolate with Ginger - Intense ginger flavor with small pieces of the crystallized ginger in a smooth and full-bodied dark chocolate. This is definitely a "ginger-forward" version that would suit anyone seeking more ginger presence.

Dagoba Organic 68% Dark Chocolate with Lemon Essence & Crystallized Ginger - First comes the lemon essence, followed by the hint of ginger and rounded off with dark chocolate. Super-subtle lemon and ginger flavors, but they can't be missed and are well-balanced with the chocolate.

Chocolove Crystallized Ginger in 65% Dark Chocolate - Intense dark chocolate flavor that is smooth, full-bodied and lingers longer on the tongue. More well-rounded melding of ginger and chocolate than the other two.

And... the winner is...
For Viv, who wanted more ginger in her chocolate, it was Green & Black's; while Jill, who wanted the intense dark chocolate with just a hint of ginger, was sold on Chocolove.

Regardless of which of these chocolates you choose, all are very good; and just think of the health benefits that come from the antioxidants in both the ginger and dark chocolate. Well, with that in mind, it's off to get another dose of antioxidants!

Bon Appetit!
Viv and Jill
AKA: WJ

We Would Rather Be In Korea!

2010-03-04T11:47:00.001-08:00

WJ contributor Tamara, shares her recent experience in Kayasan, Korea.

This is not the first time I am at Kayasan without a map, having come one day nine years before. Since I did not have a map the first time either it is tempting to go about my visit this time in the same way, simply out of habit. Not wanting a map becomes easy, because the signage around Heinsa is adequate and well written.

Heinsa is famous to travelers in Korea for its set of 81,258 wooden printing blocks that make up the Tripitaka Koreana (a set of Buddhist scriptures.) The printing blocks date from before the times of the Mongol invasions of the peninsula several hundred years ago. Looking around Heinsa’s many brightly painted, tile-roofed buildings one can feel the weight of history, and one can marvel at the thousands of inscribed printing blocks (although one cannot take photographs.) Many of the buildings have engaging scenes from the Buddhist cannon painted on the outside of them, and even mid-week I could see a number of lay adherents and one monk involved in spiritual exercises inside the main hall.

You can continue reading the rest of this article here:
http://www.wavejourney.com/TaleKoreaKayasan.html

Happy Travels!
Viv and Jill
AKA: WJ

We Would Rather Travel With A Tilley Airflo Hat!

2010-03-03T09:21:00.001-08:00

WJ recommends the Tilley Airflo® Hat with tuckaway neck protector and Insect Shield®!

There are so many reasons to love the Tilley Airflo Hat! What with the wide brim that keeps the sun off the face and out of the eyes; the tuckaway neck protector that stops the rays from searing delicate skin; the Insect Shield bug repellent that stops mossies, ticks, no-see-ums and other biting insects from ruining the outdoor experience; the breathable, lightweight (only weighs 4.2 oz) and crushable material that it is made from a mildew resistant form of nylon; along with the wind cord that keeps it in place during windy days and while actively pursuing outdoor adventures of all kinds. This is a hat that should be a part of every outdoor-lovers attire.

WJ has found the Tilley Airflo Hat the perfect companion for numerous adventures, including: a day of canoeing; hiking trips; walking around town; out on safari; river-rafting; hanging out around the campsite; walking or lazing on the beach; spring snow-shoeing on a sunny day; out for a round of golf; working outside; great for travelling the globe.

With the material being so lightweight and crushable, the brim is easy to reshape after the hat has been stuffed into a bag or pack. The only downside we've discovered is that the brim is easily blown up or down with a gust of wind - it either gets in our eyes or if it's blown upwards we look like Art Carney's character, Ed Norton, on The Honeymooners.

Further review of this hat is in the works and we'll pass along our findings as they become available.

View more details of this hat on Tilley's website:
http://tilley.com/detail.asp?gender=w&extractBy=CategoryId&id=1&productNo=LTM6IS

Happy Travels!
Viv and Jill
AKA: WJ

We Would Rather Cruise at Christmas!

2010-03-02T16:08:00.001-08:00

WJ contributor, Jan Hopkins, shares her recent Holland America cruise experience - and has WJ planning our next cruise adventure.

Yes, it is early to talk about Christmas travel plans; but sometimes it is better to be in-the-know ahead of time so you don't miss out on a great adventure!

Holland America has a Christmas cruise along the Mexican Riviera which departs from San Diego on December 18th and returns on December 26th. It is well worth your time to check it out now! It's just eight days and you stop in Mazatlan, Puerto Vallarta, La Paz and Cabo San Lucas.

Having experienced the trip last Christmas, I know firsthand that there are certainly several things almost anyone will enjoy! The port in San Diego is a joy from which to depart and begin your cruise. San Diego is a very interesting city, so if you can, spend some time before or after your cruise to at least explore the harbor area. There are lots of great restaurants and a wonderful talk along the marina with many interesting shops and scenic sights.

Continue reading the article here:
http://www.wavejourney.com/TaleHALCruise.html

Happy Travels!
Viv and Jill
AKA: WJ

We Would Rather Be Seduced by Bakery Nouveau!

2010-03-01T15:27:00.001-08:00

While visiting our good friend Linda Ball (check out her blog: New Girl in Town), who recently moved to West Seattle, she dared to say four of the sexiest words we have ever heard - Twice-Baked Almond Croissant!

The above photo is exactly that (although it doesn't do it justice) and the climactic moment comes with each bite into this powdered sugar-dusted, almond paste-stuffed, crisp yet flaky, mouth-watering delight.

The atmosphere is akin to that of a neighbourhood coffee shop combined with a high-end French patisserie. From the moment we walked through the front door we were greeted by goodies galore, so visually appealing that we had to stop ourselves from asking the wait-staff to box up one of each. That would have been far too indulgent - even for us.

Show cases filled with pastries, croissants, tarts, cakes, sandwiches, chocolates and Parisian macaroons tempt all the senses.

This is Seattle, the coffee capital of North America and the coffee served at Bakery Nouveau will please even the most particular latte drinker. Coffee comes in a couple of sizes and the typical cappuccino, latte, mocha and drip coffee are available. Any espresso aficionado will be pleased with the aroma, body and presentation of the espresso-based drinks.

If something a bit more savory is to your liking, the spinach croissant is delicious and perfect for a lunch or to take for dinner and add a side salad to.

Jill, being the little devil that she is, went for a Double-Baked Chocolate-Almond Croissant - even more decadent.

Who can say no to even one Parisian Macaroon? Not us!

So, if you find yourself in Seattle, take a detour to West Seattle and be seduced by Bakery Nouveau - what a way to start the day!

Bakery Nouveau
4737 California Ave SW
Seattle WA 98116
Tel: 206-923-0534
www.bakerynouveau.com

Bon Appetit!

Viv and Jill
AKA: WJ

WJ Contributor Gives Update from Chile

2010-02-28T08:52:00.001-08:00

One of WAVEJourney.com's contributors sent us a message from Chile. Thankfully, she is OK and safe. This is what she shared with us:

Hello Viv and Jill, can you believe I found myself in the midst of the 8.8 earthquake in Santiago, Chile? At the Crown Plaza on the 13th floor (what luck?). All well, appears the hotel suffered only superficial damage, although it looks worse than it is. Traveling with Grand Circle travel who have been fabulous as was the hotel. Managed to get out by bus crossing the Andes into Argentina where we stayed in Mendoza overnight followed by a flight to Buenas Aires this morning. The entire group is sleep deprived, however we caught a break after 8 days on the road and will actually enjoy a full 8 hours sleep this evening. While I don't return until the 13th, I do plan to write several articles regarding this trip, just no time to do so until I return. Look forward to an exciting article or two then. Sharon

Safe travels Sharon and thanks for the update.
Viv and Jill
AKA: WJ

We Would Rather Travel The World With WJ!

2010-02-27T09:44:00.000-08:00

WAVEJourney's February Newsletter - Get your copy now!

The perfect travel bottle - Hydro Flask.

Travel tale - Thailand: Bangkok, Phuket and Pattaya.

Travel tale - Travelling in Goa, India.

WAVEJourney.com takes in the vibe around Vancouver during 2010 Olympics.

Travel tale - Jewish history and Berlin museums.

These are just a few of the features in WAVEJourney's February Newsletter. Did you receive your free email copy? If not, sign-up here for the free monthly travel newsletter, packed full of interesting and useful tales, tips, suggestions and reviews:

http://www.wavejourney.com/

Happy Travels!
Viv and Jill
AKA: WJ

We Would Rather Be In Krakow, Poland!

2010-02-25T18:35:00.000-08:00

WJ contributor, Lucy Komisar shares her experiences from a recent trip to Krakow, Poland:

Medieval Glories Await in Krakow!
When I arrived in Krakow, I saw the city from the Vistula River, as had many of the founders who used the river for transport. The "founders" takes us back to settlers in the first century, though another millennium would pass before there was much to see that remains on the river banks. Krakow became the capital of the country in the 11th century, which made it a target for conquest, and the Tatars in the 13th century tried three times. From the boat, I could see the remains of Polish defenses, a 700-year old stone fortification wall along the Vistula.

- Read the full article here:
www.wavejourney.com/TaleKrakow.html

Happy Travels!
Viv and Jill
AKA: WJ

We Would Rather Be At 2010 Olympics!

2010-02-23T08:23:00.001-08:00

WJ at NBC's Today Show on Grouse Mountain & taking in the vibe in Vancouver during 2010 Olympic Winter Games.

Happy Travels!
Viv and Jill
AKA: WJ

We Would Rather Be At Vancouver 2010 Olympics!

2010-02-22T21:56:00.000-08:00

WJ spent the day pounding the pavements around Vancouver, taking in the sights and making new friends. Visitors to the city lend a hand with the WAVE Journey.com banner - nice job ladies!

Viv hanging out by the Olympic Cauldron.

Jill gets a fellow Oregonian to help her out.

View all of WJ's photos from a day in Vancouver during the 2010 Olympic Winter Games:
- http://www.flickr.com/photos/wavejourney/sets/72157623366759039/

Email us your favorite photo from the Vancouver 2010 Olympics:
wavejourney (at) ymail (dot) com

Happy Travels!
Viv and Jill
AKA: WJ

We Would Rather Be On NBC's Today Show!

2010-02-19T20:38:00.001-08:00

WAVE Journey at the set of NBC's Today Show - live from Grouse Mountain during Vancouver 2010 Olympics.

Viv and Jill on Grouse Mountain Skyrider - high above Vancouver.

Jill with Olympic gold medal winner Evan Lysacek - winner of men's ice-skating competition.

Jill with Ann Curry of NBC's Today Show.

Jill with Meredith Vieira of NBC's Today Show.

Did you see WAVEJourney.com live at the Today Show? If so, email us and let us know.

Happy Travels!
Viv and Jill
AKA: WJ
www.wavejourney.com

We Would Rather Be Diving With Dive Diva!

2010-02-16T18:19:00.001-08:00

Ronda Furlan, AKA Dive Diva, has returned to Canada from a month-long Micronesia dive trip.
Check out her video of trip highlights:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fcK_6zsEKsI

Dive Diva Website:
www.divediva.ca

Happy Travels!
Viv and Jill
AKA: WJ

We Would Rather Savour Valentine's Day!

2010-02-14T09:37:00.001-08:00

During a recent luxury hotel barge cruise on the Canal-du-Midi in southern France, WJ enjoyed this decedent chocolate mousse. It is so quick and easy you still have time to make it for Valentine's Day!

Thanks to Chef Sarah with European Waterways for the recipe - www.gobarging.com

This recipe is for 8 servings

Ingredients:
- 250g good quality dark chocolate
- 200g marscapone
- 100g icing sugar
- 5cl strong hot coffee
- 200g whipping cream

Preparation:
Prepare items as outlined in ingredient list.

1. Melt chocolate gently in a bainmarie until smooth.
2. In a seperate bowl combine marscapone, icing sugar and coffee; whisk together until smooth.
3. Seperately whisk whipping cream until it is very thick.
4. Combine chocolate and marscapone and mix until smooth.
5. Gently fold in cream.
6. Spoon into cups and leave 4 hours or longer to set.

Enjoy!

www.gobarging.com

Bon Appetit!
Viv and Jill
AKA: WJ

We Would Rather Sip From A Hydro Flask!

2010-02-12T12:28:00.000-08:00

Just like Merlin... it's magic!
Hydro Flask - Is it a water bottle? Is it a thermos? You decide...
WJ was first introduced to Hydro Flask insulated water bottles in August 2009, just in time for a 9 week travel adventure in Europe.

We were immediately impressed by the design and features that inventors, Travis Rosbach and Cindy Morse of Bend, Oregon, USA, had come up with for these liquid-toting cannisters. But, like all products that WJ tells our readers about, these too had to impress us as we rigorously tested them in various capacities.

Hydro Flask features that we give a thumbs-up to:

- Double walled vacuum insulated - Which means no hot hands and the bottle doesn't sweat. This also means that outside temperatures do not affect the inside liquid. If you put hot liquids in they stay hot for up to 12 hours, cold liquids will remain cold for days.

- BPA Free - No chance of contamination with the Hydro Flask. No liner or coating on the stainless steel means they are 100% BPA-Free.

- 18/8 stainless steel - That is the main component used to make the Hydro Flask so they're better for your health than most other bottles. - No odors or retained tastes - As they're made from high quality, nonporous and food-grade stainless steel they won't retain coffee, tea, beer, wine or sports drink flavors.

- Loop lid - Easy to attach a carabiner to it to eliminate loosing it over the side when boating or so it doesn't pop out of the side-pocket on a pack. The lid is also insulated which helps with maintaining the liquid temperature.

- Wide-mouth - Easy to fill it with ice-cubes and easy to fill from a water fountain.

- Recycle - 100% stainless steel means that it is easy to recycle if you ever need to.

- Lightweight - Even though these bottles sport all the above features they still remain amazingly light-weight.

- Warranty - Do you know of any other product that comes with a 100 year warranty? Well, Hydro Flask does!

- Hydro Flask comes in two sizes - 18 oz and 24 oz. Perfect for everyone in the family.

Company Karma:
Hydro Flask gives 5% back to the charity of your choice - more information about that here:
http://www.hydroflask.com/fivepercentback/

More Hydro Flask photos from WJ's Europe 2009 adventure:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/wavejourney/sets/72157622856522550/

Hydro Flask Website:
www.hydroflask.com

Buy Now:
http://www.hydroflask.com/products/

Bottom Line:
Everybody needs a good water bottle. One that will last a long time and be kind to our systems as well as the environment - Hydro Flask delivers on all fronts. These water bottles are now a part of our daily lives. Whether driving around town, going for a hike, sneaking a beer or bottle of wine where we shouldn't, or travelling around the world Hydro Flask does the job and eliminates the stress and mess.

Happy Travels!
Viv and Jill
AKA: WJ
Hydro Flask products were tested and reviewed by Vivienne Chapleo & Jill Hoelting, Co-Founders of WAVEJourney.com

We Would Rather Be On Safari With Tilley!

2010-02-11T17:06:00.000-08:00

Tilley Hats!
WAVEJourney.com contributors, Josefa & Chip LaFurney review the T4IS Tilley Insect Shield Hat.

Dear Tilley,

We were preparing for our upcoming trip to Africa and we still hadn’t gotten our hats. Protection from the sun was first and foremost in our minds. We did what we always do and emailed the travel experts at WAVEJourney.com to get some ideas. They suggested we look at the Tilley website. We did.

WOW! Who knew there could be so many styles and purposes for a hat? It took us awhile to go through the many varieties, but, since we were traveling to Kenya where there is a risk of Malaria, it made sense to choose a hat with “Insect Shield.” We also needed a hat that was crushable since our baggage was somewhat limited, and one with a wider brim for sun protection. We both chose the T4IS Tilley Insect Shield Hat. The fact that all of Tilley’s hats have a UPF of 50 was a huge plus!

Our first opportunity to wear our hats was on Safari in Kenya. We didn’t want to miss anything so we stood in the vehicle with our heads out of the roof most of the time. We wore the back strap when the wind wasn’t up (a nice option to have), and both the back and the chin strap when it was. The hats stayed snug on our heads.

There didn’t seem to be a lot of mosquitoes so it’s hard to really evaluate the Insect Shield. We do know that our travel companions got bit by mosquitoes (one twice) and we didn’t, so we’ve decided our Tilley hats were the reason the little buggers stayed away from us! We did use SPF 70 sunscreen, but for the duration of time we were in the sun it was great having our faces and necks covered. Even though we re-applied sunscreen a few times throughout the day, the places that weren’t covered (our arms, primarily) got red. Our necks and faces came through without flying colors!

We flew from Nairobi to Cape Town and set out on our hike up Table Mountain. The time came to test the “anti-sweat band”! It was a hot day, not a cloud in the sky, and very little breeze. The trail is fairly steep and rocky. We had forgotten to bring the bandanas we normally use to wipe our faces and thought “okay Tilley, do your stuff.”

It sure didn’t take long for us to build up a sweat and, as it turned out, we didn’t need our bandanas! The sweat band was just perfect for keeping the perspiration out of our eyes. We did reverse the hat in the middle of the hike when the front got damp, so that helped us up the rest of the mountain.

At one point we wanted to remove our sunglasses and remembered the grommet holes and the Velcro tab inside. Josefa’s frames were too wide to fit through the grommet holes, and the Velcro strip did not hold Chip’s sunglasses tightly. If he put his head down the glasses would’ve fallen off the hat. Needless to say, that feature didn’t work for us.

We had decided to take the gondola down the mountain with a friend, and bought our tickets at the bottom. The secret little pocket in the crown was the perfect place to stash them! They were “high and dry” when we needed them.

Who knew a hat could do all that? We absolutely love our Tilley’s.

Thank you Tilley! Thank you WAVEJourney.com!

Josefa and Chip LaFurney
Bend, Oregon, USA

Happy Travels!
Viv and Jill
AKA: WJ

Two Thousand Years of Jewish History!

2010-02-09T11:07:00.001-08:00

Two Thousand Years of Jewish History -
Times of success and tragedy come alive in two stunning Berlin museums.
WAVEJourney.com contributor Lucy Komisar writes about her recent trip to Berlin, Germany.

It was just a swatch of cloth, but for some reason a swatch of golden yellow with eight rows of stars stamped in their outlines and waiting to be cut out. The stars were manufactured by the Berlin flag maker, Geitel & Co, and Jews had to pay 10 pfennig to buy them. Jews six and older had to wear them on their clothing.

From the horrifically mundane, to the surreally horrible, the Jewish Museum in Berlin, which opened in 2001, has an astonishing collection of exhibits. I thought I could do my routine two-hour walk-through, but I was so absorbed that I returned a second and third time. It is an extraordinary museum that uses photos, exhibits and audio to tell a fascinating and dramatic history of centuries.

Read the entire article here:
http://www.wavejourney.com/TaleJewishHistory.html

Happy Travels!
Viv and Jill
AKA: WJ

We Would Rather Travel On The Cheap!

2010-02-08T08:35:00.000-08:00

Cruising of any sort is one of WJ's favorite modes of travel, but when taking a cruise on one of the big ships we try to organize the shore excursions ourselves once we hit the port of call.

Why? Take a look at the excursion prices from any of the major cruise lines and they can easily double or triple the cost of the actual cruise fare. What started out as a reasonably priced holiday on the high seas ends up being a larger dent in the bank account than originally bargained or budgeted for.

For example: WJ spent a week with NCL cruising the Mexican Riviera. Price of the cruise? US$549 each (plus gratuities). If we had done only one shore excursion per day (average cost: US$75 pp) through the cruise line, at the end of the week we would have walked away with an additional charge of US$525 each. Not such a cheap vacation after all!

So, what do we do to still see the sights in port without getting charged an arm and leg? Take public transportation or share a taxi with other cruise passengers.

For instance: In Zihuatanejo we decided to find a taxi to take us over to Ixtapa - only about 7 km. The taxis waiting for disembarking cruise passengers wanted US$50 one-way or US$75 return.

Our response? Not a chance in hell! We refuse to be ripped off regardless of where we're travelling! We decided to walk a few minutes further into town and find a taxi that wasn't waiting to gauge cruise passengers. Unfortunately, we couldn't find one, but we did find a local that explained where to catch the bus that makes the 20-minute jaunt and for cheap - about .45 cents each. As we didn't have any pesos, we just gave the bus driver a US$1 bill and he was happy with that for the one-way fare.

Bottom line: instead of paying US$75 for a return taxi ride we spent US$2 and had a much more interesting and cultural experience and didn't leave Zihua feeling ripped-off.

P.S. This isn't just a Mexican tourist trap to gauge cruise ship tourists - we've had similar experiences in other parts of the world too... but that's another story.

Happy Travels!
Viv and Jill
AKA: WJ

We Would Rather Ferry Across The Mersey!

2010-02-05T09:22:00.001-08:00

Royal Iris Mersey Ferry

As a kid growing up in Birkenhead in England, the Mersey River ferry was no big deal. Other than humming the song by Gerry & the Pacemakers, "Ferry Cross The Mersey" as I rode across the river, to me there wasn't much more significance to the Mersey River Ferries than any other mode of public transportation. We often would board one of the ferries at Birkenhead's Woodside Ferry Terminal and cruise across to Liverpool for a day of shopping in the big city. But during a recent trip back to England, Jill and I had the opportunity to ferry across the Mersey and the trip down memory land proved quite different than the one of all those years ago.

Jill aboard Royal Iris Ferry Boat

This time I got to hear and read about the history of these passenger toting ferry boats. It amazed me that there have been ferries of some sort carrying passengers between the Wirral and Liverpool for almost 800 years (row boats for most of that time) and I wasn't aware that the boats Iris and Daffodil were taken out of service during WWI and used as troop ships. Or that after much success on their war mission King George V allowed Iris and Daffodil to use the name "Royal" in their name - we were cruising on Royal Iris. And, those landmarks that I was so familiar with (but for the most part didn't even know their names) were given an identity, purpose and history as we slowly passed by them on this 50-minute narrated journey from Woodside Terminal in Birkenhead and over to Pier Head Terminal in Liverpool and then along to Seacombe Terminal in Wallasey and back.

Liver Building in Liverpool

Today it is still possible to use the ferry for a single or round-trip crossing between Liverpool and Birkenhead, but if time permits spring for the fun and interesting 50-minute loop, listen to the commentary and read all about the history as you "Ferry Cross The Mersey". Oh, and corny as it may seem, it is to be expected that you too will be humming that old and familiar tune...

Mersey River Ferries:
http://www.merseyferries.co.uk/

Happy Travels!
Viv and Jill
AKA: WJ

We Would Rather Visit Thailand!

2010-02-03T08:24:00.001-08:00

Thailand Calling!
WAVEJourney.com contributor Neha Kirpal writes about her recent trip to Bangkok, Pattaya and Phuket.

Phuket is known as the ‘Pearl of the Andaman’. It is Thailand’s third largest island and its smallest province, next wealthiest after Bangkok. Phuket has many fun things to do. The fascinating Big Buddha temple is a fascinating pilgrim site - a huge statue of Buddha made out of stone. Another beautiful site not too far away from here is the View point, which gives one a bird’s eye view of the entire city of Phuket. The Phuket Simon cabaret done by transvestites is a must-do. It’s full of extravagant costumes, glitterati, bright lights and music. Another must-do is the Snake farm where you can see a man kissing the deadly cobra as well as hold a python around your neck! While in Phuket, don’t forget to pick up some cashew nuts and other exotic food items that you can take back home! One of the best places to stay in Phuket is the Le Meriden which has a beach, a huge swimming pool, apart from other in-house sports like golf, an artificial climbing wall and table tennis, making it the perfect family destination.

To continue reading this article click here.

Happy Travels!
Viv and Jill
AKA: WJ

We Would Rather Be In Goa!

2010-02-01T09:57:00.001-08:00

Viva Goa!
WAVEJourney.com contributor Neha Kirpal writes about her recent visit to Goa, India.

The first images you get as soon as you land in Goa make you feel that time has truly stood still here: The sun-kissed beaches and narrow roads with minimal traffic is so refreshing to see. Pretty little homes beckon you, untouched as they are by their pristine charm and beauty. But what I love most about Goa almost instantly, is the smell…it’s the smell of the beach, the coast that surrounds you no matter where you go. What you also take back with you from this place is the ease, the comfort and the friendliness with which people greet and treat each other, as if they have no worries in the world whatsoever. People driving on the roads actually smile at each other, something that you miss seeing in big urban Indian cities. It almost seems that the entire state is on a perpetual 365-day long holiday and every hour is happy hour! Someone rightly commented, ‘Goa isn’t just a state; it’s a state of mind’. It’s the kind of place where you can befriend restaurant owners in a weeks’ time and the party just never seems to end.

To continue reading this article click here.

Happy Travels!
Viv and Jill
AKA: WJ

We Would Rather Be At Sotano De Las Golondrinas!

2010-01-30T08:48:00.001-08:00

A forty-five minute drive in pitch-darkness, up a steep and windy mountain road, dizzy from sucking up diesel fumes while riding in the back of a pick-up truck. That's what it took to get from the sleepy Mexican town of Aquismon, in the Huasteca Potosina area of the state of San Luis Potosi, to the area for hiking to Sotano de las Golondrinas -- cave of the swallows.

Upon arriving at the entrance just after dawn it was time to hike down a steep and slippery stone path. All that can be heard up here is cock-a-doodle-doo and only a few ramshackle houses are to be seen on the hillside. It takes about 30 minutes to walk down the path -- and what goes down must come back up.

Approaching the abyss (one of the deepest in the world), where speleologists think they have died and gone to heaven, there is an amazing amount of squawking coming from the thousands of white-collared swifts that leave the cave at dawn every day -- returning again at dusk.

Visitors from around the world make the early morning trek to the cave -- which has an opening of 60 meters and depth of about 376 meters.

The cave is a popular attraction for bird watchers, hikers, climbers, spelunkers and base jumpers.

There is also a species of parrots called Cotorras de la cueva (cave parrots) that can be seen flying in and out of the cave.

Signs are only written in Spanish and very little English is understood, so it is best to arrange a tour in Ciudad Valles with an English speaking guide.
The ride back down the mountain is just as bumpy as it was on the way up. But, it is well worth the time and effort to be able to experience this unique adventure.

For more information on San Luis Potosi:
http://www.visitasanluispotosi.com/ingles/

Happy Travels!
Viv and Jill
AKA: WJ

We Would Rather Be Eating Fudge!

2010-01-29T09:05:00.001-08:00

Who knew that while on safari in South Africa, WJ would be the ones hiding from a troop of Vervet Monkeys?

While staying at Tshukudu Bush Lodge in Pilanesberg National Park, we spent about an hour trapped inside our suite when approximately 20 vervet monkeys did their very best to get at us.

It all started out so innocently. Jill was lost in the peace, tranquility and sweeping views of the African bush while sipping a beer on the balcony of our hilltop chalet. As the scene all appeared to be so idyllic, Viv decided to join her and stepped outside to scan the horizon for wildlife at the waterhole below the lodge. All was well until Viv decided to open the cellophane wrapper encompassing the piece of fudge left on her pillow the night before.

Big mistake!

At the first cellophane crinkle the cute and cheeky face of one vervet monkey appeared between the railings of the balcony. At the second crinkle that one vervet turned into about twenty and the troop proceeded to approach.

So, picture this: Viv not knowing what to do next launches the cellophane-wrapped fudge into space, and dashes for the door while leaving Jill still sitting with her feet up as the troop swarms the balcony. Jill shouts "Don't leave me out here" and sprints inside the chalet. We are both trapped inside as the monkeys line up outside the glass doors, banging with their fists, clawing at window panes, screeching, hissing and baring their fangs at us.

We had turned into the ones on display in the cage. Moral of the story: No more fudge for Viv!

Tshukudu Bush Lodge Website:
www.tshukudu.co.za

P.S. Share your funny, or not so funny travel moments with WJ.

Happy Travels!
Viv and Jill
AKA: WJ

We Would Rather Travel To Tanzania and Rwanda!

2010-01-28T08:41:00.001-08:00

Enjoy an incredible photo journal through Tanzania and Rwanda with WAVEJourney.com contributor, Ethel DeMarr.

Tanzania and Rwanda: The Magic and the Tragic

My husband and I traveled to Tanzania and Rwanda in December of 2009. We experienced the magic: the Serengeti's Great Migration with the endless herds of zebra and wildebeests, the Great Rift Valley, the amazing human like faces of the mountain gorillas in Rwanda. And we also saw the tragic: the stone age villages of the Maasai people adjacent to luxurious safari camps, the mass graves and the Genocide Museum in Rwanda, the poverty and slums of Nairobi.

We were extremely well cared for by &Beyond in Tanzania and Volcanoes Safaris in Rwanda. We highly recommend both companies. We left with memories for a lifetime and the knowledge that the magic and tragic of Africa would call us back.

Ethel DeMarr

View Ethel's photo journal here:
http://picasaweb.google.com/etheldemarr0/TanzaniaAndRwanda2009?feat=email#

Visit &Beyond's Website:
www.andbeyond.com

Visit Volcanoes Safaris Website:
http://www.volcanoessafaris.com/

Happy Travels!
Viv and Jill
AKA: WJ

We Would Rather Stay In 5-Star Luxury!

2010-01-26T09:19:00.001-08:00

Viv & Jill stayed at Gran Hotel Guadalpin Banus, Marbella during a 2009 visit to Spain.

Upon arrival at Gran Hotel Guadalpin Banus, we were greeted by a small regiment of doormen, bellmen and front desk personnel. This proved to be a harbinger of what to expect at this exclusive 5-star hotel tucked-in along the fabulous Costa del Sol in Puerto Banus, Spain. Service was exemplary with the staff demonstrating high standards of professionalism and attention to detail.

The property with a beachfront location on the Mediterranean Sea is handsomely decorated with lovely suites and to-die-for terraces. Our terrace overlooked the pool with views of the sea... simply outstanding. Many hours were spent either lounging on the terrace or lazing poolside and soaking up the sun.

An easy beach walk leads to the designer boutiques and the cosmopolitan flair of the city center. The marina harbors some fantastic yachts making for a sometimes jaw dropping stroll along these behemoths of the yachting world.

If the south of Spain is on your radar, Gran Hotel Guadalpin Banus would make for a soft and luxurious landing. Wonderful staff, absolutely delicious gastronomical delights, decadent rooms, pools and The Med.... a sure bet for relaxation in style!

Gran Hotel Guadalpin Banus Website:
www.granhotelguadalpin.com/en/banus/index.cfm

To read WJ's entire review:
http://www.wavejourney.com/Guadalpin2.html

To view more photos:
http://wavejourney.com/Guadalpin12.html

Happy Travels!
Viv and Jill
AKA: WJ

We Would Rather Travel Safely!

2010-01-24T09:23:00.001-08:00

Travel Tips For Women

Travelling is a great way to escape from the monotony of the 9-5, expand your mind and gain a sense of adventure. Travelling can be difficult and dangerous at times, especially for women. Women face challenges when travelling which lead many to think it is not safe or worth the risk. However, there are many things you can do to prepare for travelling that will greatly minimise these risks and allow you to travel with confidence.

Firstly, it is important to be vigilant, yet not paranoid. Trust your instincts, if a situation does not feel right, try to get out of it immediately. Try not to sit on your own when you are in public places, always stand or sit close by families or other groups of women. This will help you to feel safer and mean that strangers are less likely to approach you. Make sure you look and act confident and people are less likely to approach you. Hold your head up high and make sure you have good posture.

In many countries it is also advisable to wear a wedding ring. This will convey the message that you are not available to chat up and implies you may have a husband traveller close by. Men are less likely to approach you in a public place if they believe you are already `taken`. You should also avoid prolonged eye contact with men, this may be seen as an invitation to harass you.

If you are in a country where men and women are segregated or religion is followed strictly, do not wear inappropriate clothing as this will attract attention to yourself. Look at how the local women behave and dress and try to take this as a rough guide. Furthermore, if you dress as a rich tourist you are more likely to be the victim of a mugging.

Make sure you prepare for the worst. It is helpful to always have some money kept separate from your purse in case you do get mugged. This way you will never be stranded. You could sew a pocket into your bra and keep enough money in there to at least get a taxi home. Alternatively, sew a pocket into another item of clothing that you feel is most appropriate.

Try not to walk around on your own at night, if you must make sure you carry a torch. This will deter anyone who may follow you and show you as less vulnerable. If you are staying in one area for more than a few days you may want to rent a car to get around in. This saves you from walking around deserted streets and is a safer, more comfortable way to explore the area. You can rent a car as soon as you get into a country by picking one up from an airport. For example, if you are travelling to Italy you can get cheap car hire Milan Airport. You can then safely drive yourself to your hotel at whatever time of day or night and use the car to explore on the rest of your trip.

Happy Travels!
Viv and Jill
AKA: WJ

We Would Rather Canal Cruise With European Waterways!

2010-01-23T11:02:00.001-08:00

Viv and Jill cruised the Canal du Midi on European Waterways luxury canal barge Anjodi during a 2009 visit to France.

In the 17th century in the south of France, Pierre-Paul Riquet created a masterpiece. His canvas stretched from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean Sea... Riquet engineered the Canal du Midi, a 240 km long canal which along with the Canal de Garonne connects the Atlantic to the Mediterranean. The canal is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

What was once a primary waterway for commerce and trade, the Canal du Midi is now a recreational mecca for canal boating and barge cruising. For over thirty years, European Waterways has been fine-tuning its fleet of luxury hotel barges, boasting a resplendent flotilla of some of the finest luxury vessels to ply the canal. This past fall, Wave Journey enjoyed the warm embrace of Anjodi and her crew for an unforgettable journey along the Canal du Midi from Le Somail to Marseillan in the Languedoc region of southern France.

Anjodi, a classic Dutch barge refurbished in African hardwoods, rich handcrafted paneling and brass accents, effuses old-world charm. With four staterooms, allowing for a maximum of eight passengers, this 102' x 16.5' barge provided us with a delightful setting for intimate socializing and grand camaraderie with our fellow passengers. The spacious deck with ample and comfortable seating afforded unbridled views of the fall foliage as we cruised along the plane tree-lined canal. The salon with comfy couches, loads of reading material, games and music made for a perfect respite before easing into the dining area for meal after meal of gastronomic pleasure created primarily from regional delicacies, local produce, cheeses and wines.

Anjodi lends itself to decadence. The feel of luxury abounds. A week on this luxury barge hotel provides ample time to relax, be quiet and contemplative with picture-book surroundings, explore amazingly gorgeous villages, as well as, historical sites and wineries. If a guest is so inclined, a walk or a bike ride on the towpath is easily accomplished just by asking. The slow pace of the barge makes for easy coordinating of exercise along the path. Thank goodness for digital photography, as photo opportunities are endless along the canal. Anjodi is an idyllic getaway for a family or a group of friends. Short of that, count on your fellow passengers becoming friends soon after the champagne welcome!

The Anjodi's crew consists of a Captain/Host, Master Chef, Stewardess and Driver/Tour Guide. Our week on the water introduced us to Captain Julian Allsop, Chef Sarah, Stewardess Lauren and Driver/Tour Guide Laurent. These four people were the epitome of dedication and discipline. This team excelled in providing impeccable service, always delivered with the highest standards in mind.

Each meal onboard Anjodi was met with anticipation of what picture-perfect presentation and delightful flavors would tantilize our tastebuds. Three delicious meals a day (continental breakfast served buffet-style, two-course lunches, four-course dinners) of seasonal and regional delicacies graced the menus and were included in the cruise fare.

For a fabulous European barging experience contact European Waterways:
www.gobarging.com

To read WJ's entire Anjodi review:
www.wavejourney.com/Anjodi.html

To view all of WJ's photos from this trip:
http://wavejourney.com/Anjodi9.html

Happy Travels!
Viv and Jill
AKA: WJ

We Would Rather Stay At Gran Hotel Guadalpin Banus!

2010-01-21T11:26:00.001-08:00

WJ stayed at Gran Hotel Guadalpin Banus, Marbella during a 2009 visit to Spain.

Upon arrival at Gran Hotel Guadalpin Banus, we were greeted by a small regiment of doormen, bellmen and front desk personnel. This proved to be a harbinger of what to expect at this exclusive 5-star hotel tucked-in along the fabulous Costa del Sol in Puerto Banus, Spain. Service was exemplary with the staff demonstrating high standards of professionalism and attention to detail.

The property with a beachfront location on the Mediterranean Sea is handsomely decorated with lovely suites and to-die-for terraces. Our terrace overlooked the pool with views of the sea... simply outstanding. Many hours were spent either lounging on the terrace or lazing poolside and soaking up the sun.

An easy beach walk leads to the designer boutiques and the cosmopolitan flair of the city center. The marina harbors some fantastic yachts making for a sometimes jaw dropping stroll along these behemoths of the yachting world.

If the south of Spain is on your radar, Gran Hotel Guadalpin Banus would make for a soft and luxurious landing. Wonderful staff, absolutely delicious gastronomical delights, decadent rooms, pools and The Med.... a sure bet for relaxation in style!

Note:
The Gran Hotel Guadalpin Banus opened its doors in 2005 and is a 181-room beachfront resort within minutes of Puerto Banus, on Spain's Costa del Sol.

This 5-star hotel is part of Hoteles Guadalpin group, which operates an additional two five-star properties on the Costa del Sol - Gran Hotel & Spa Guadalpin Marbella and Gran Hotel Guadalpin Bybos Spa 5* GL.

Contact Gran Hotel Guadalpin Banus:
Address: C/ Edgar Neville, s/n
29660 Nueva Andalucía, Puerto Banus, Marbella - Spain

Reservations: reservas@guadalpin.com
Reservations: Local cost line from UK: 0044 0870 7350366
Ph: +34 952 89 97 03 / 00
Fax: +34 952 89 97 01

Email: infobanus@guadalpin.com

Website: Click here.

Further Contact Information: Click here.

Read WJ's entire review of this property:
http://www.wavejourney.com/Guadalpin2.html

Happy Travels!
Viv and Jill
AKA: WJ

We Would Rather Eat Les Tielle Sètoises!

2010-01-20T09:18:00.001-08:00

Octopus pies didn't sound all that great to us, but when in Sete do what the locals do and eat Les tielle Sètoises.

Les tielle Sètoises are made of octopus that has been boiled, chopped, then marinated in a spicy tomato sauce, encased in dough and baked until golden brown. They are eaten warm or cold and because they are portable make a great lunch or addition to any picnic.

These tasty little pies (similar idea to a Cornish pasty)are a regional specialty of the Mediterranean port city of Sète (on the Gulfe du Lion), in the Hérault department of the Languedoc, France.

They can be purchased in food markets throughout the region or from boulangeries (bakeries).

So, when in Sete be sure to try les tielle. For some it is an acquired taste while others think they are devine.

Bon Appetit!
Viv and Jill
AKA: WJ

We Would Rather Visit Las Pozas!

2010-01-19T08:17:00.001-08:00

Enter the land of the bizarre and the beautiful. Enter the Garden of Eden as envisioned by the wealthy English poet and artist, Edward James. Enter Las Pozas Sculpture Garden!

Located near the remote village of Xilitla (pronounced Hill-eet-la) in the Mexican state of San Luis Potosi, the creation of Edward James takes visitors inside the place that he chose to indulge his passion for surrealist art and growing orchids - reportedly around 29,000 plants and orchids were being tended at one time. Between 1949 and 1984 James had around 36 concrete sculptures built, giving them bizarre names such as The Staircase to Heaven, The Temple of the Ducks, The House With a Roof Like a Whale and the House on Three Floors Which Will in Fact Have Four or Five or Six.

The eclectic and eccentric structures that are spread out on the 20 acres of lush tropical jungle that James and his companion Plutarco Gastelum built and lavished their efforts on are once again being visited by more than just surrealist art fans. This is a unique place to visit, one that the adventurous at heart should not pass-up seeing.

Official website:
http://www.xilitla.org/

View photos here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/wavejourney/sets/72157623118720511/show/

Happy Travels!
Viv and Jill
AKA: WJ

WAVEJourney.com Celebrates 4TH Anniversary Since Launch!

2010-01-16T08:52:00.001-08:00

WAVEJourney.com is celebrating its 4TH Anniversary since the website launched on January 16, 2006. www.wavejourney.com

Do you want to join in the celebration and continue to help WAVEJourney.com grow? Do you want to receive a WJ goody bag?
Here are the details:

http://www.wavejourney.com/contests1.html

Thanks to your suggestions and inspiration, WJ has travelled to amazing destinations and enjoyed fabulous life-changing experiences.

Here are just a few of our favorite travel moments:

- On safari in South Africa with &Beyond
- Visiting Cape Town - going to the top of Table Mountain and out to Robben Island
- Cruising the Rhine with AMA Waterways
- Staying at Hotel Adlon in Berlin, Germany
- Cruising the Mediterranean, Alaska and Mexican Riviera
- Dude ranching at Twin Peaks Ranch, Idaho, USA
- Visiting the Alhambra in Granada, Spain
- Touring England with Trafalgar Tours
- Cruising the River Thames on Magna Carta
- Touring Johannesburg and Soweto
- Cruising the Rhone with Uniworld
- Zip-line ride in Sun City, South Africa
- Cruising Canal-du-Midi in France with European Waterways
- Exploring Portugal, Spain, England, Netherlands, Germany, Czech Republic, Hungary, Italy, France, Canada, Mexico, United States, Austria, Luxembourg, Tunisia and South Africa

Here, you can take a look at some of the photos from these moments:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/wavejourney/sets/

WJ thanks all of our faithful readers and contributors for supporting us during the last four years - we couldn't keep on growing without you.

Cheers!
Viv and Jill
AKA: WJ
www.wavejourney.com

We Would Rather Be Snacking On Pengenna Pasties!

2010-01-15T09:15:00.001-08:00

Pengenna Pasties are delicious! That's really all you need to know. Well that and the address of their shop for your next visit to the tiny town of Tintagel in Cornwall, England.

Oh, we can hear some of you now, "What the heck is a pasty?". For those not in the know, a pasty is a pastry pocket stuffed full with a mound of delicious ingredients, baked until golden brown and best eaten (in our never to be humble opinion) outdoors in the English countryside.

Pasties originally came about to meet the needs of Cornish tin miners who needed to be able to eat down in the mines without actually touching the food they were about to consume. So, the innards of the pasty were eaten and the pastry was discarded along with the dirt it had accumulated from the miners hands and the environment in which they were eating.

The above photo shows the pastry rolled out and topped with the filling ingredients - in this case they were making a cheese and onion pasty. Other popular fillings include: Traditional - beef, potato, swede (turnip) and onion; Lamb - lamb, potato, onion, peas and mint; Vegetable - potato, swede, onion, peas, carrots, beans, sweetcorn.

Once the filling has been placed on the pastry, the dough is rolled over, folded and crimped. An egg wash follows before they are put in the oven to bake until golden brown.

The finished result is a lunch that will satisfy a hearty appetite. Eat them hot, cold or at room temperature, but enjoy them anyway you eat them.

Website:
http://www.pengennapasties.co.uk/

Address:
Pengenna Pasties
Atlantic Road, Tintagel,
Cornwall, England
Tel: 01840 770223

Bon Appetit!
Viv and Jill
AKA: WJ

We Would Rather Be Hangin' With Divediva!

2010-01-14T10:26:00.001-08:00

Ronda Furlan, AKA Divediva, is an adventurous Canuck (Canadian) with a passion for diving, photography and travel. Right now she is travelling in Micronesia and combining those passions.

Follow Divediva's blog and become inspired to venture overseas and explore far off places:
http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog/divediva/3/tpod.html

Happy Travels!
Viv and Jill
AKA: WJ

We Would Rather Be Eating Tapenade!

2010-01-13T10:28:00.001-08:00

Olives in all shapes, sizes and colors are something WJ loves and this particular black olive tapenade from Moulin du Mas Saint Jean in Provence, France is one of our favorites.

Tapenade is as the label describes, a seasoned olive paste and can be made from green or black olives. Not only is the tapenade from this farm wonderful, but their AOC (Appellation of Controlled Origin) olive oil is some of the best WJ has ever tasted.

Olive oil producer, Moulin du Mas Saint Jean is located close to Les Baux de Provence and is within a 30-minute drive of the city of Arles. There is a boutique (gift shop) where visitors can purchase olive oil, tapenade, souvenirs and gifts made from regional goods. All items are packaged for easy transportation back to other parts of the world, making it a simple decision to purchase your olive oil here and prices are also far better than purchasing the same items in pricey tourist souvenir shops.

Contact the producer for boutique opening times. Mill tours require a minimum of 10 visitors in a group.

Address:
Moulin du Mas Saint Jean
Route de Saint Jean
13990 Fontvieille
Provence, France
Tel: +33 4 9054 7264
Fax: +33 4 9054 6924

Website:
www.moulinstjean.com

Happy Travels!
Viv and Jill
AKA: WJ

We Would Rather Be At Huasteca Secreta!

2010-01-12T09:05:00.000-08:00

In 2009 I travelled to the Mexican state of San Luis Potosi, spending five days exploring the different regions and being thoroughly invigorated by the scenery and varied adventures to be had, while being wowed by the hospitality and friendliness of the locals.

The 38-meter tall El Salto del Meco waterfall in the Huasteca Potosi is a site to be seen and a destination not to be missed. Travellers with basic knowledge of Spanish will enjoy the area immensely, although those who do not have at least the basics down will probably find frustration with the lack of English spoken. Saying that, if you're an adventurer at heart don't be put off by your limited language skills as this is an adventure travellers paradise. El Salto del Meco and the river below are the most vivid turquoise color I have ever seen. The clarity of the water is amazing and the incredible jungle vegetation surrounding the area is spectacular.

The restaurant overlooking El Salto del Meco serves delicious and traditional regional food at reasonable prices. In my mind there is nothing better than a great meal with a fabulous view.
There is even a five star eco hotel - at Huasteca Secreta - with bungalows situated along the river that flows from El Salto del Meco. The two-bedroom bungalows sleep 6-8, have two bathrooms (including outside showers), and are luxuriously outfitted. Whether you laze around the table on the bungalow veranda, nap in a hammock or spend time cooling off in the pool, this peaceful and serene location is perfect for a romantic-getaway or family vacation.

The bungalows are footsteps away from the river and use of small boats is available for guests who want to explore.

The private, spacious and comfortable master bedroom is located on the second floor of the bungalow.

This bedroom can sleep 4-6 and is located on the main floor of the bungalow with doors opening
up to the veranda.

Guests can enjoy the pool and enjoy swimming-up to the pool bar for refreshments.

This is the perfect spot to visit if you are looking for a retreat from North America's winter weather. Packed with culture, adventure, friendly people and wonderful food, this region of Mexico guarantees a vacation you won't soon forget.

View more photos of the resort and waterfalls:
www.flickr.com/photos/wavejourney/sets/72157623196951024/

View Huasteca Secreta website:
www.huastecasecreta.com/english/

Happy Travels!
Viv
AKA: WJ