To Travel is To Live

What better way to spend the evening?  Okay, so I didn't just go dancing and have some wine - I found a lovely South American restaurant a couple of blocks from my hotel here in Houston, Texas.  Located in the Uptown area by the Galleria, within walking distance (if you dare) of the DoubleTree Hilton, the Marriot, Aloft and other hotels, is this fantastic restaurant called Tango and Malbec .  Urbanspoon rated this restaurant as one of the best in the area, and it's noted to serve authentic Uruguayan dishes. The menu is rich in veal, beef and seafood options and boasts some mouthwatering pasta dishes as well.  Every Friday and Saturday evenings, Tango and Malbec showcases some form of entertainment, from South American bands to tango dancers.  Unfortunately, I was unable to take either of these shows in on my visit, so I imagine this entertainment begins around 8:00 pm or later.  As a single diner, I was seated in the bar area, but at least I was able to s...

When I left Extreme Swing after dancing my butt of for almost 4 straight hours last June, I was so giddy with happiness and excitement that I decided I couldn't wait until the Dance Stampede to attend another west coast swing event.  I began looking up future dance events to see what might work with my schedule and budget and settled on testing out the Seattle Sea to Sky weekend that occurred earlier this month.  The format of the event was very similar to that of the Dance Stampede so it was super easy for me to figure out which workshops I wanted to attend and determine how to schedule my days.  Since Bryan had come with me (and he doesn't dance) and I had never been to Seattle, I wanted to ensure some of my time was spent exploring with him while also getting my money's worth from the dance event.  My overall impression of this event was that it was pretty well organized but of a much smaller scale than Dance Stampede.  It fell on par with Extreme Swin...

Every motorcycle trip I go on seems to be cursed with bad weather!  Since my previous trips took place late June to mid-July, when rain is typically heavier, this year I opted to go away for a weekend in August.  Unfortunately, it was probably the wettest weekend all summer, to date! But, we had fun.  The trip was certainly an adventure.  I used to be so much better at planning and executing those plans so that I was always ready for anything well in advance.  This isn't really the way I have been acting lately (and maybe Bryan is just rubbing off on me).  But, one week before our trip, I decided I needed a new helmet and a tank bag.  The tank bag I bought turned out to be awesome - I don't know how I survived without one before!  But, as anyone knows who buys a new helmet, it takes some time to work them in.  I had some trouble finding a helmet that fit - my old one whistled like crazy and it squished my cheeks so bad that it gave me a hea...

When I was first told I would be going to Hawaii, the first place that popped into my head was Pearl Harbour.  I had to see this museum and monument and learn more about what happened that fateful day.  The more I learn about the wars that shaped our world, the more aware I feel I become about keeping the peace and what is important.   We chose the Passport ticket option from one website .  For $65, you have access to all four museums on site at the memorial.  The USS Arizona museum is filled with educational and informative tidbits - the audio tour guide is a great way to experience the museum and really feel the emotion and heartbreak that the survivors, to this day, felt.  Not only does the tour give you facts about the events leading up to, and including, the bombing by Japan, but actual stories are told, bringing those few hours to life once again.  Walking through the museum in my own world, listening to the tour, I was overcome by emotions tha...

On the southwest coast of Kauai is the island's "resort town" - Poi'pu.  Approximately 30 minutes by car from Lihue, this town pops up on you as you enter from nearby Koloa.  When I hear "resort town" I expect a particular landscape and atmosphere - tall, skyscraper hotels, each taking up acres of land; insanely busy, tacky tourist-trap shopping sections; and an overly groomed, extensive beach with attendants, chairs, and umbrellas. Poi'pu is none of these things.  In fact, it is actually a town in which locals may want to live!   One long stretch of road (Poipu Road) connects the homes, hotels, and local businesses to each other.  Well-known hotel chains can be found with oceanfront property - Sheraton, Hyatt and Marriott are just some of the examples.  However, dispersed among these are residential sections, with both condo or apartment-style housing as well as small to large vacation homes.  Many of these homes located close to the beaches and sea...

Somewhere throughout my life, I have developed the impression that a luau in Hawaii would be this large group of people mingling on a beach, the centrepiece a huge bonfire.  Hula girls would be dancing and men would be playing ukeleles, with people singing along to traditional Hawaiian music.  I pictured a big party with people dancing and laughing, just enjoying the warm evening air, lounging around on a dark, secluded beach. Kalamaku has the reputation as the best luau on the island of Kauai.  Random people we have met along the way have stated this, as did our personal concierge for the house we are renting.  Driving up to the site, a few of us were clearly a tad disappointed that it wasn't taking place on a beach.  The building is huge, with an open-air architecture.  There were tables set up all around a stage that looked on the small side.  A band plugged into the amps was set off in one corner, and people tried to keep us entertaine...

Since completing my Advanced Open Water three weeks ago, I have been so excited to go on a dive to the depths of the ocean, having the ability to see wrecks and go inside caverns and tunnels, and to just experience so much more than what I could with my Open Water certification.  I spent the days working up to our trip to Kauai nagging Bryan, "which dives do you want to go on?  what days do you want to go"?  Eventually, I had to just say, "let's go!" We didn't book anything in advance, so on our first, long day in Kauai, we found a little booth at the Po'ipu Shopping Village that had people trying to sell tourists day trips and excursions.  The lady we spoke to was extremely nice, and managed to get us a small discount on a dive trip if we agreed to sign up for a 'free' vacation from Diamond Resorts.  Timeshares abound!  Anyway, as we were talking to this lady, she suggested either a 2-tank or a 3-tank dive.  Well, of course the 3-tank dive see...

When I first was asked to join my parents in Kauai, Hawaii for a week to help them celebrate their 40 th  wedding anniversary, I was happy to be going for a vacation but not sure what to expect.   From other people, we had been given varying opinions on what we may see or do – from “there is absolutely nothing to do on Kauai” to “it’s so beautiful, you won’t want to leave”!   I guess it depends on the person giving the advice and on what they enjoy most on vacation.   It’s a small island, quick to get around by car, with winding, narrow roads.   Few people live here, and there aren’t many chain restaurants or stores.   Grocery stores try hard to stock up on locally grown produce and meat, while importing some of the higher quality non-perishables from the mainland.   Houses are often seen with solar panels upon their roofs, and lush, green vegetation is observable for miles.   The beaches are small but sandy and clean; the surf can be quite h...

It's our last full day in San Diego and today marks the reason we came to this city - the San Diego Chargers are playing the Indianapolis Colts later.  Bryan is very excited to see his favorite NFL team play live, and we are meeting up with some fellow Calgarians ahead of the game for some tailgate parties.   This 'photo issue' will round out our 4 nights in San Diego, but I do know someday I will head back here! The prettiest hotel I have ever seen: (The Horton Grand Hotel ) A fun pub beside our hostel, called The New Yorker Pours & Pies: Our hostel (Pacifica Hotel) - great location but very minimalistic.   Dinner from Chianti Restaurante last night (spicy shrimp spaghetti, and surf n' turf): A unique and beautiful building in the Gaslight District: And, a huge, tattered sailboat in the harbour: Go Chargers!!!