Just a reminder, you can find me on Twitter @Travelingiraffe
About Me
- Christine Maier
- I'm a 30 something who loves to travel. I have a full time job and enjoy writing (or blogging) about my travels. I've traveled through several countries in Europe as well as Russia and Egypt. I also enjoy domestic travel in the United States, including Disney. My long term travel goal is to do a round the world trip.
Monday, May 23, 2011
Friday, May 20, 2011
Randomly interesting things to me
Contiki has announced South America as a destination. Hmmm, Iguza Falls and Machu Pichu are calling my name. Sadly, I'm turning 35 this year so I don't know if I'll have a chance to take one of these tours, or any more tours with Contiki for that matter :(
The May 1 episode of Amazing Race - how awesome - they got dropped on the Matterhorn and had to either rescue someone by rappelling or dig a dummy out of the snow. Ok, I think it was much more awesome to watch someone do it while laying on my couch then it would be to actually do it. Have I mentioned I don't like the cold?
My Brother-In-Law who doesn't have a clue about travel talks to me about travel as though he knows stuff. The guy couldn't figure out how to get his cruise documents and it was a week before the cruise. Actually, I don't think it even occurred to him that he needed them. But he and my sister did enjoy the cruise, they were on the Norwegian Gem for a 1 night cruise. They said there was every walk of life on the cruise - solo passengers, families with young kids, bachelor and bachelorette parties - you name it, it was there.
Jetblue's website - when you track a flight you can actually pull up a map that shows where the plane is over the United States, I thought that was cool! My other sister thought it was stalkerish.
In Rick Steves' latest podcast (#246) his guest said something interesting. He was discussing the European Union and freedom. He said American's think of "freedom to..." (bare arms, press, speech, etc). Europeans think of "freedom from..." (war, starving, etc). I thought that was an interesting distinction. I'm not sure how true it is, but it does it certainly made me think of what I value and how I view it.
The May 1 episode of Amazing Race - how awesome - they got dropped on the Matterhorn and had to either rescue someone by rappelling or dig a dummy out of the snow. Ok, I think it was much more awesome to watch someone do it while laying on my couch then it would be to actually do it. Have I mentioned I don't like the cold?
My Brother-In-Law who doesn't have a clue about travel talks to me about travel as though he knows stuff. The guy couldn't figure out how to get his cruise documents and it was a week before the cruise. Actually, I don't think it even occurred to him that he needed them. But he and my sister did enjoy the cruise, they were on the Norwegian Gem for a 1 night cruise. They said there was every walk of life on the cruise - solo passengers, families with young kids, bachelor and bachelorette parties - you name it, it was there.
Jetblue's website - when you track a flight you can actually pull up a map that shows where the plane is over the United States, I thought that was cool! My other sister thought it was stalkerish.
In Rick Steves' latest podcast (#246) his guest said something interesting. He was discussing the European Union and freedom. He said American's think of "freedom to..." (bare arms, press, speech, etc). Europeans think of "freedom from..." (war, starving, etc). I thought that was an interesting distinction. I'm not sure how true it is, but it does it certainly made me think of what I value and how I view it.
Monday, May 16, 2011
Friday, May 13, 2011
Giraffe, The Restaurant
About a year before I went to London my friend mentioned that there were "giraffes everywhere" in London - he was referring to the restaurant chain, Giraffe. I was instantly intrigued and quickly fell in love with Giddy the Giraffe. I managed to visit 3 different Giraffe's when I was in London: Southbank Center, Russell Square (which is not called Russell Square but is near there), and Heathrow.
It's a cute little cafe type of restaurant with a long menu of English food - I didn't have any great meals there, the menu had a lot of foods that just didn't appeal to me. The food itself was good, but not great. I also didn't get to see Giddy. But the locations were great - Southbank center is a short walk from the London Eye and in a nice shopping/eating mecca where you could tell it was more of a local place then a tourist place. The one near Russell Square was in a pedestrian mall with other restaurants and shops - another great location that doesn't scream tourist.
But the true highlight was when I was at Heathrow and decided to get a smoothie - it was delicious! I drink a lot of smoothies and this one was really really good. I'm sorry I hadn't gotten one on my previous trips as I probably would have had a better opinion of the restaurant.Overall, I wouldn't suggest anyone run there, I would check out the menu and if you see something that intersts you, then go. If nothing interests you on the menu, go to a pub and get fish and chips. But if you love giraffes, like me, then go, if nothing else the theme is fun.
Monday, May 9, 2011
Monday, May 2, 2011
Friday, April 29, 2011
Random Pre-Cruise Stuff
As I prepare for my cruise I've had a lot of thoughts going through my mind. Things I'm curious about, excited about, and things to do.
I'm trying to work on excursions. I've often done excursions offered by the cruise ships and while I feel like I'm ready to maybe do some independent tours, I'm also not feeling as independent as I want to feel. Traveling alone in countries where English is not the first language makes me a little nervous. What if I miss the ship? All by myself, no ship, and can't speak the language. ACKK! So I believe I will be booking tours through the cruise ship.
So far in Naples I'll be doing the "Exclusive Italian Riviera and Pompeii."
In Florence/Pisa I chose "Pisa and a Taste of Tuscany."
Rome is tough to decide on since I've already been there and do want to do a basic tour, yet even the excursion that just offer transportation to and from the ship costs $100.
About a month and a half before the cruise NCL updated their website so that you can book not only excursions, but also entertainment - dinner and shows. The problem is that I do want to go and book something for Tuesday night and then find out a bunch of solo passengers are going on Thursday night. It's frustrating to my anal planning self!
But never fret, I have found a thread on cruise critic for my cruise, it's only 51 pages. I wonder if I can get through all that before the cruise?
I'm trying to work on excursions. I've often done excursions offered by the cruise ships and while I feel like I'm ready to maybe do some independent tours, I'm also not feeling as independent as I want to feel. Traveling alone in countries where English is not the first language makes me a little nervous. What if I miss the ship? All by myself, no ship, and can't speak the language. ACKK! So I believe I will be booking tours through the cruise ship.
So far in Naples I'll be doing the "Exclusive Italian Riviera and Pompeii."
In Florence/Pisa I chose "Pisa and a Taste of Tuscany."
Rome is tough to decide on since I've already been there and do want to do a basic tour, yet even the excursion that just offer transportation to and from the ship costs $100.
About a month and a half before the cruise NCL updated their website so that you can book not only excursions, but also entertainment - dinner and shows. The problem is that I do want to go and book something for Tuesday night and then find out a bunch of solo passengers are going on Thursday night. It's frustrating to my anal planning self!
But never fret, I have found a thread on cruise critic for my cruise, it's only 51 pages. I wonder if I can get through all that before the cruise?
Monday, April 25, 2011
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