Lisa Niver's Blog: We Said Go Travel, page 296

Zipkick Bloggers: Paula McInerney

 

 

 

Zipkick Bloggers: Paula McInerney

Where was the first place that you traveled that made you think WOW—travel is  amazing (think history book come to life or …..)

I traveled to Samoa because I had read a lot of Somerset Maugham and this is the place that I had set my heart on. The rest is history. Like him, I have not stopped.

If you had unlimited resources, where would you go and what would you do?

With unlimited resources I would like to fly first class always so I can sleep in a bed. I would like a Northern Lights expedition and a ski trip in Norway.

What were you afraid to do and how did you find the courage to overcome it?

I am afraid of heights and haven’t really overcome it, though I have got a lot better in that there are more things I will do, that previously would have freaked me out. I guess the courage comes from not wanting to miss out. What apps do you use regularly that make your life easier? My social media ones for sure, I would be lost without them. Shazam to identify songs that I can’t remember the artist. True.

What place do you wish more people have seen?

Everywhere probably, but definitely Nozawa Onsen in Japan. I want everyone to see what a beautiful and traditional village it is, how the onsens are hot, and the powder is deep, and the people are wonderful.

Best advice you have been given and by whom?

It was a line from a movie, Strictly Ballroom. “A life lived in fear is a life half lived” – it made sense.

When were you surprised by the kindness of strangers on a trip?

Constantly. When I fainted at the Sumo and these businessmen looked after me. When a taxi driver in Rome ran up a steep hill yelling and waving my handbag above his head. People are very kind. That is why I love traveling so much.

What inspired you to travel for extended periods of time or live in a new  country?

We live in Australia so anywhere is a long way away. Much as we love our home if we can stay for a long period of time and try to feel like a local, we do. When people start to recognize us, then we know that we are starting to be part of the scenery.

I am a zipkick blogger because….

This is big. We have always advocated bespoke travel planning and this is what Zipkick does; providing personalized travel plans. It syncs perfectly with our philosophy. Also, there are people that I admire greatly who are also zipkick bloggers. I want to be a part of this from the start.

Thank you Paula McInerney for being part of our ZipKick Blogger interview series!
Connect with Paula:

Blog // Twitter // Facebook // Pinterest // Instagram

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En Quito, Ecuador

 

En Quito

Jonathan Litten

In Quito, in that shivery black, sierra dawn, the birds begin their chorus around 5:00 a.m. You awaken, not abruptly from repetitious alarm of the birds at home, but rather in a gentle yawn tickling some sleepy part of the unconscious. Gradually, the complexity of sound creates a desperate curiosity, and you arise in subtle intrigue.  Awareness begins not from outside the sounding birds, but from within, as if you have been listening all night. And in that dark, dawning womb, sound precedes sight—the creative, unconscious mind slips past the tyranny of consciousness.

But sonorous tranquility and spontaneity can only remain so long. Eventually, the becoming day is interrupted by the static and slur of local traffic. Like part of some terrible, primal ritual, man usurps bird and the effortless morning tightens and descends into the unexplainable anxiety of local driving practices.  To Ecuadorians, racing ahead of a slower car to make a heroic pass into oncoming traffic around a winding, half-paved road, is simply part of a greater roadside logic. Along with its erratic movements, the traffic also has a song unto itself. The double-tap horn signifies an oncoming car, whereas the long, drawn-out horn means “get a move on.” 

Be assured that driving in Quito, there is no tolerance for dallying and no room for the meek.  The Galapagos is not the only part of Ecuador that has proven Darwin’s famous theory; the roads themselves are a whole other type of natural selection.  For instance, when approaching a turn or circular roundabout, cars do not choose a lane, they bottleneck towards the turn and jockey like horses for the lead position.  If your cabbie is good, he shifts from first to third, takes the outside, and edges past the lingering cars on the inside lane. After this pass, he actually speeds up and makes a sudden, last minute stop just inches, or in honor of the metric system, centimeters, from the bumper of the car in front. And be warned—this brief stop might be your only chance to collect your stomach from the floorboard.  

Surprisingly, after surviving this ordeal, you see not your life before your eyes but the half-clouded, mysterious peaks of the Andes silhouetted on either side like misty, rolling screens.  The way the peaks reach up, or the way the clouds settle between, gives the mountains a false sense of gentleness, and in their proximity—a feigning restfulness. It’s easy to see how many a gringo is lured and lost by their false welcome. From within the cradle of these vast mountains, there is the knowledge of a strange dichotomy between the pulsing earth and the drumming city. While the mountains contain the passions, and secrets of poets, the city embodies the great anonymity of Neruda—the dying of little deaths.

So too, the days must die. The fading equatorial sun blows away in cool mountain breezes, not setting, but disappearing into the earth and revealing the night like a sudden thief.  The quilted metropolis of the city darkens, then illuminates like fireflies in the flickering cool of a summer night. The city of perpetual beginnings stretches over and over into seamless night, its downcast eyes, woven still and settling quiet.  Though the day began in patient, orchestral wonder, it ends in quickening dusk.

From this settling dusk, the dying embers of the day are burned, beaded and whisked away in rhythmic abandon. In totally separate, yet somehow harmonized percussions, the streets erupt in frenzied kinesis. The night thins and dizzies like some altitudinal hypnosis.  Light comes in flashes and gasps, everything knee fluttered and hip rolling like Spanish “r’s.” But within this undulate chaos emerges an impossible stillness and outstretched hands carving elegant little circles into the dark. 

Then briefly, between the last Dionysian drum pulse and the first bird call, maybe a thought of home or memory of those stretching silences between summer cicada—a vision of the place, sun-shimmering, where the river elbows and shallows just below that old, rambling mill house.  But in the end, a new vision emerges, trickling like a watery metaphor and the day unveils the final tapestry of Quito, humming in sound and pooled in silence. And within the tapestry, a single unspooled thread, taut with the tension of existence, vibrates with the awareness of possibility and unlived moments.   

 

 

Thank you for reading and commenting. Please enter the Independence Travel Writing competition and tell your story.

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The Sparkle of Fewa Lake, Nepal

She smiled happily as she looked at the handsome face across from her.It was so lovely to be on this huge lake. Right now it was quiet, not so many people about. In the distance there was a lone fisherman on his boat, casting his net.What could be more perfect,  than to be in a boat moving along in this shimmering water, surrounded by lush green hills.She took a photograph of the fisherman.

She glanced up at the little white stupa perched on top of the hill, the one they had just visited.The stupa was also known to the locals and to the backpackers as “The Peace Pagoda”.There was a pretty and peaceful spot that they had found, up in the hills after visiting the peace pagoda, just before they headed down. They had rested under a tree whose leaves generously shielded them against the strong rays of the sun. It was nice to sit there, just two people who enjoyed each other’s company in a quiet peaceful place watching two buffaloes munching on the leaves and grass that grew there.

On their way up, they were by- passed by a few other backpackers and a rather large group, a Nepali family who were chatting away excitedly .She noticed a sign which read with an arrow pointing up “This Way To Stupa”. She remembered it because that was where she had stopped to take a rest. It was a rather tiring climb for her.She felt a great sense of achievement when she finally reached the top of the hill. They followed the cemented pathway, climbed up the steps and discovered many other visitors who were already there.On the white steps that led up to the top of the stupa, were about half a dozen people having there photographs taken.

He had enjoyed the climb up. He liked trekking and exercise. He felt cheerful and lucky to be in Pokhara. Glad to be travelling with his friends. Life was so affordable here,unlike his hometown in Sweden. At Lakeside, he rented a house with three other friends, and when none of them wanted to cook, they could choose to eat at  the many cafes that offered delicious food at low prices.

They sat for a while in the boat, not rowing, just soaking up the peace and calm that surrounded them. The lake, the hills and on a clear day, the Annurpuna range could all be seen without the use of any equipment. She looked up and saw an enormous yellow “wing”. It turned out to be a paraglider, a little off course perhaps.The sparkle of the water caught her eye.It was as though there were endless droplets of diamonds dancing around on the lake. It was so spectacular.The glitter and the shimmer of the water made her feel so inspired and grateful.The beauty of the lake,surrounded by nature, a deep feeling of love and appreciation surged inside of her.She felt truly blessed to be alive, to have this moment on the lake, with him.

As the sky turned a gorgeous shade of lavender and pink and the sun was bidding farewell for the day, they picked up their oars and started rowing towards the shore.After several minutes, they noticed that they seemed to be moving very slowly. Then they realized they weren’t even moving at all. They could see a few lights on the shore.At one point it felt like the lights were getting closer.It turned out that their boat was stuck in a fishing net. Rowing hard didn’t help at all. Finally after an exhausting twenty minutes, they managed to get out of the net, the rest was easy rowing.

It was dark as they walked up the slope towards their rented house.Another power cut.They were used to that by now. Three months in Pokhara had slipped by and power cuts, when there was no electricity for several hours a night was a daily occurrence. In the garden at the guest house opposite to their house,a camp fire was lit.They walked towards the group of people gathered round the fire and were greeted with smiles and friendly nods and utterances of welcome and acknowledgement of their presence. She felt warm and joyful as she sat on a log among friends and gazed into the flames of the fire before her.

Thank you for reading and commenting. Please enter the Independence Travel Writing competition and tell your story.

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Langkawi- the island to explore and play!

As a forty-nine year old Asian female of Chinese-Indian heritage, I was the target of curiosity when I backpacked through India and Nepal for two years. Even now well-meaning folk have exclaimed, “You are travelling by yourself…but all alone?”This question was asked while I was on an island hopping tour from the lush tropical island of Langkawi,Malaysia.

On several occasions I have felt insecure.This was when I walked on the shore and bypassed a bunch of friends splashing cheerfully.When I saw a happy family with their child shouting into the wind with glee, and the couple quietly strolling on the beach hand-in hand.

While walking on the long stretch of sand in my frequently worn paisley printed sundress, frolicking in the warm foamy waters and picking sea-shells, it dawned on me, how lucky I am. To be able to travel so freely without any demands or schedules.I have started to truly appreciate all that I have. I experience joy in being surrounded by forests, mountains, lakes and waterfalls.To be in the healing embrace of nature is to be extremely fortunate. Yes, a big contrast to who I was fifteen years ago, living in the city, working so that I could buy more and more, trying to blend in and be socially acceptable. Mesmerized by the power of money and craving fashionable items.

Today while I was buying an assortment of fried snacks and colorful layered cakes sold on the sidewalk , I managed to help out a fellow cake buyer who happened to speak only Hokkien, a Chinese dialect which I know a little of. Something almost insignificant to anyone else, hammered home the message.Gratitude for who I am, even for the mistakes that I’ve made,the “wrong paths” I have taken.With exploration comes greater understanding, empathy and compassion, both for ourselves and others.Independence is about the freedom of choice to do things on my own and also the opportunity to befriend a stranger for a shared journey of experiences.

Langkawi has calm and pretty beaches for meditation, relaxation and watching sunsets. I was enthusiastic about capturing the moments of the sun “going to bed”.The sea, in that light resembled numerous pieces of blue- green ribbons, twisting and turning. Jungle trekking and floating in clear waters with high salinity, off a pristine beach are some of the activities that you can enjoy here.

I had an incredibly fun and creative time taking photographs at the world’s second largest 3D art museum. It my first time with such enticing and interactive art. Akin to the scenery in Langkawi, the lavender woods and the ocean murals were exquisite. I fulfilled many young girls favorite role play of being a mermaid, with a huge yellow tail.Another painting that fascinated me was the one where I could be a wood nymph entering a world filled with magic and lovely pastel hues. My German travel buddies, Marike and Lena whom I was visiting Art in Paradise with,located in the Oriental village,loved it as much as I did!

Thank you for reading and commenting. Please enter the Independence Travel Writing competition and tell your story.

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Zipkick Bloggers: Anne Lowrey

 

 

 

Zipkick Bloggers: Anne Lowrey

Where was the first place that you traveled that made you think WOW—travel is amazing (think history book come to life or …..)

Every place wows me in some way or another. The first place I was ever wowed was Austria (at sixteen,) and the most life-changing was my first solo trip — in Nepal.

If you had unlimited resources, where would you go and what would you do?

I would do an around-the-world trip that combined destinations old and new, and all on the same aircraft. I’m not a luxury traveler per se, but I’m thinking like the Four Seasons jet if we’re really talking unlimited. (A girl can dream!)

What were you afraid to do and how did you find the courage to overcome it?

I was afraid to leave everything in my life behind and travel the world for a year. I overcame the fear by…doing it.
I’m terrified of heights and was afraid to bungy jump in New Zealand. I overcame the fear by…doing it.
I was afraid to travel solo as a woman in India. I overcame the fear by…doing it.

What apps do you use regularly that make your life easier?

I love Trello, Evernote, 30/30, Instagram, Gogobot, and of course, Google Maps.

What place do you wish more people have seen?

Burma.

Best advice you have been given and by whom?

I seek advice and wisdom constantly from the written word, which usually comes in the form of a particularly thought-provoking quote.
There is so much valuable wisdom in the world but for me it always boils down to some form of: “Never settle.” (Which is really, respect yourself and respect others.)

When were you surprised by the kindness of strangers on a trip?

Countless times. I am surprised by the kindness of strangers on every single trip I take. Travel consistently renews my faith in humanity for this reason.

What inspired you to travel for extended periods of time or live in a new country?

Wanting to find my authentic self and wanting to live with no regrets.

I am a zipkick blogger because….

I love being part of a community of like-minded travelers who support one another.


Thank you Anne Lowrey for being part of our ZipKick Blogger interview series!
Connect with Anne:

Part-Time Traveler
Twitter //  Instagram // Facebook // Pinterest // LinkedIn

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And I Carry On in the States

And I Carry On

“It is all right if it goes wrong, just keep calm and carry on.” According to the movie, The Book of Life, I am supposed to carry on. I have no choice to carry on with my life.

I suppose I can emphasize that my life has not always been perfect. I feel confident that I created the life I was supposed to have: A loving marriage and two awesome children who brought me joy every waking moment. Was I a perfect mother? Definitely not. I tried. I tried to create a strong family unit in which my children could grow and excel.

No one told me that one of my children could die. No one let me know that there was a possibility that my unit could be destroyed in a blink of an eye. My son died the day after Thanksgiving in 2012. I cooked the whole day before. The turkey, the dressing, the rich pumpkin pies that he loved so much. Pumpkin pie was his last meal before he died from a massive infection that took him in a blink of an eye. He was a beautiful boy at fourteen. Six foot tall with brilliant red hair and icy blue eyes. He had golden skin which is unusual for a red-head. We took him to the emergency room in the middle of the night. We left the next day without him. I felt certain I would not survive the grief. The grief clutched my throat, and even breathing became a labored chore.

No one told me that my independence would be shattered with the loss of my son. Being alone scared me. Grief counseling barely scratched the surface of my extreme grief. No one told me how to help my grieving daughter—my son and she were the best of friends. No one informed me that my husband and I would grow apart as we dealt with this extreme grief. We depend on each other, yet when we are grieving heavily, we push each other away. No one told me how lonely child loss can be.

As a family, we took many trips to the ocean. I remember the first time I visited a beach after he died. I went to San Diego with my husband in the summer of 2014. We decided to take a quick day trip to Coronado Island. When we arrived, the sounds of the waves crashing flooded my senses with the grief I was trying to suppress. Visiting any beach with my family has always brought peace and joy, but with my son gone, the crashing waves loosened a scab that I worked so hard to keep covered. The sound brought me to my knees. The roaring of the ocean that day was my soul screaming for my son. I swore I would never go back to the ocean after he died, yet, there I was. Walking through the sand and sobbing with each crash of the waves.

After standing in the frigid Pacific water for what seemed like an eternity, I realized that I can survive his death. I will never be the same person that I was before he died, but for one brief moment in time, the ocean reminded me that I am worthy of surviving. I am important. I can be independent again. I am allowed to grieve. I am allowed to be myself.

Thank you for reading and commenting. Please enter the Independence Travel Writing competition and tell your story.

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Yellowstone National Park, Adventure Awaits

The west has some amazing parks and the diversification is mind blowing. In 1872 when Ulysses S Grant declared Yellowstone as America’s first National Park, the nation preserved a treasure. Containing the majority of the world’s geysers, Yellowstone is a massive park and a one stop destination for exploration. Ask potential first time visitors what they are excited for and the response might be, ‘buffalo, grizzly’s, moose, mountains, geysers and hiking.’ I said all of those things too, but what I didn’t realize was just how stunning the geothermal features of the park were. Ever since I was a kid, I knew Old Faithful would be cool to watch explode, but I never knew all the other beautiful geological features I would see. Here is a look at just a sampling of some of the parks natural beauty and unique geologic features.

Known for it’s geothermal activity, Yellowstone has the greatest concentration of geysers in the world.

All the bright colors in the water come from thermophiles which are microorganisms that thrive in hot temperatures. So many individuals are grouped together in the trillions they appear as a mass of color.

 Sitting on the Yellowstone Plateau at approximately 8000 feet above sea level the park is located in three states, Wyoming, Montana and Idaho as well as encompassing two national parks, portions of five national forests, three national wildlife refuges, Bureau of Land Management holdings and private and tribal lands.

Prior to going, I had no idea just how cool Yellowstone was, nor really comprehended how big it is. At approximately 2,219,791 acres the park is one of the largest, nearly intact temperate zone ecosystems on earth.

Yellowstone is like walking on one big volcano and has the three components necessary for geysers and other hydrothermal features.

Magma beneath the surface provides heat, lots of rain and snowfall seep into the ground providing water and cracks and fissures form the plumbing.

Hot water rises through the cracks and all around the park these hydro-thermal features form and display their beauty.

To me all these geothermal features were works of art in themselves.

In the park there are over 10,000 hydrothermal features, around 300 active geysers and about 290 water falls.

I loved being able to hike along this trail and have an inclination of what was coming up but still be surprised.

All this crusty surface that looks like snow was so intriguing to me. Geologists can spend a whole life time studying and talking about all the terms of what you see in the photo above. Here is my less scientific breakdown of how this all happens.

Underneath all this is partially molten magma which releases a tremendous amount of heat.

Cold water from rain and snow melt will eventually make its way through the ground and meets the hot water below. This super heated water can exceeds temperatures of 400 F.

The super heated water makes it’s way back up to the surface through the cracks, or the plumbing as referred to earlier.

Along the way up, some silica will dissolve into the water and at the surface, this forms siliceous sinter.

And this, in case you have been wondering like I did, is what forms the scalloped edges of the hot springs. The siliceous sinter deposits have almost a cauliflower like surface known as geyserite.

Yellowstone was such an awesome park to visit. The amount of geothermal activity to observe just blew my mind. After visiting other parks and areas of the world with geysers, nothing could compare to spending even just a few days in Yellowstone. If you are looking for your next all inclusive park to give you a wildlife, culture, adventure, scenery and watch continuous explosions as you sit on a bench while eating a snack, then make your way to Yellowstone National Park. Your next adventure awaits.

 * * *

If you go:

First point of reference, browse all around the national park page.

DO NOT ignore the animal warnings. DO NOT approach buffalo or leave food out at your camp. Accidents and deaths happen when people think these warnings are just mediocre. If you are not familiar with Leave No Trace principles, ask a ranger or park staff for help. Visitors careless actions can lead to the very wildlife they came to see in the first place getting put down.

Camping facilities are great in the park and a way that we save a lot of money on travel. If you are not sure what gear to get, check out this post.

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Free Yourself in the USA

Free Yourself in the USA

Every now and then, amid the glowing amplifier tubes and resonating floorboards of the stage, the world falls away, and the interlaced instruments pull you onto a higher plane of consciousness. Or unconsciousness… No longer are you selecting notes or willing your fingers across the frets. Chords, scales, and verses meld together and give way to a current of limitless energy. You are only vaguely aware of your surroundings, the faces in the crowd, the sweat pouring from your brow. Time is essential to music, and yet time is of no essence. The waves radiate outward, never to exist tangibly, yet never to cease. A sonic moment in amber, as inifinite as it is invisible. True independence is not discovering yourself, but discovering your lack of self.

It is early, oh so early on a Saturday morning on South Broadway in St. Louis. The lights have dimmed, the amplifiers tubes are cooling. The patio is emptying, along with the adrenaline in my veins. A slow-groaning freight train shuffles over the trestle. Clusters of conversations retreat along the sidewalks, across the street, fading like shadows before the dawn. Another long night of revelry at an end, I am coming back to myself.

“Thank you, you guys were great,” receding smiles echo on the way out the gate. Still reeling from losing myself completely in cascades of rhythym and melody, I mumble thanks in reply, guiltily. I, me, what I am- had only stolen away once again to sneak a glimpse of the infinite. Uncomprehending, renewed with childlike wonder, unable to articulate the thrill, incapable of analyzing or building upon the experience, only waking to the world around me once again.

Music has been rolling through St. Louis along the currents of the rivers for millennia, long before the mounds of Cahokia shook with the drums and rattles. It is a true, if somewhat unheralded, music city, where one can discover live music in dozens of forms and dozens of venues any night of the week. At its core, however, the blues reign supreme. A simple structure with unlimited variations, the soul of St. Louis blues is self-expression and sharing the burdens of every day life with those who can relate, and that’s just about everybody with a heart. Folk music, pure and simple, handed down from generation to generation, distilling sounds and styles that have come together at the confluence of great rivers to become distinct in its own right.

The real beauty of this music is its ability to transcend differences in language, color, class and creed and reach into the soul of the listener. The stages dotting the urban landscape of St. Louis are rallying points, drawing together souls of diverse origins together and literally creating an environment of pure harmony. Just south of Busch Stadium, blocks away from the droves emptying their pockets on millionaires playing baseball and peddling cheap beer, people of separate circumstances but like minds gather for an altogether different experience. It is often referred to as the Bluesiana Triangle (in reference to the three premier St. Louis music venues sharing the same block: BB’s Jazz, Blues & Soups, The Broadway Oyster Bar, and the Beale on Broadway) and it is easy to lose yourself within.

True freedom is casting aside chains that bind, desires that consume, thoughts that confine. Music has the power to make you forget who is watching, forget your worries, and slip outside of the world you have created. Should you stray away from the beaten path, seduced by the sirens’ songs drifting through the night on South Broadway, you may lose yourself as well, and learn the true meaning of independence.

Thank you for reading and commenting. Please enter the Independence Travel Writing competition and tell your story.

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Puerto Rico: A Foodie Paradise

After spending almost two weeks in Puerto Rico with our girls, instead of “visions of sugar plums dancing in their heads,” it was mofongo, tostones and ceviche doing the salsa in their dreams!

Puerto Rico is a foodie’s paradise and that goes for your little foodies, too. Whether it was yummy street eats or exotic gourmet food, we loved it all! Here’s a tasty tour of the 10 best restaurants in Puerto Rico for families, from Dorado to San Juan to Fajardo. Many have menus de niños (kid’s menus) and all are kid-friendly…and kid-approved! Buena comida!

THE 10 BEST PUERTO RICO RESTAURANTS FOR FAMILIES
LA ESTACIÓN

Fajardo, Upscale Puerto Rican Barbecue

OK, first of all…how cool is it to find a chic, enchanting and delicious restaurant that is a re-purposed gas station!?! My kids enjoyed hearing all about it from our super-gracious and exuberant host Idalia. As we dined under stylish outdoor canopies filled with twinkling lights and a festive ambiance at La Estación, we were surrounded by happy eaters and kids allowed to be kids.

And the food? Muy bueno! To start, we sampled the green papaya salad and pinchos (small snacks). We all loved the grilled shrimp and chicken with guava BBQ sauce! Mmmm! Then, we were delighted by the beautifully-served seafood mofongo (mashed fried plantains with grilled seafood). An order of barbecue meats had a true Latin flair. And you should know that while there is no specific menu de niños, La Estación is very accommodating and can prepare typical kid fare such as hotdogs, rice and beans and plain meats.

Oh, and for us “big kids,” the tropical drink menu is outstanding! I loved my pineapple mojito, while my girls gave a thumbs up to their virgin piña coladas. Luckily, we saved just enough room for La Estación’s delicious desserts. We swooned over the bittersweet chocolate cake with candied popcorn and the baby banana empanadilla.

DI YUKAS

Fajardo, Eclectic

Even before we took one bite, we found this restaurant delicioso! Oh, that ocean view! Incredible! With tables indoors or outdoors, Di Yukas is sleek, modern and simple. The focus here is on the food. It was hard to decide what to order among the tempting treats from all over the world — Asian, Peruvian and Latin cuisines. While my hubby, teenager and I loved our shrimp tempura maki, ceviche and local island bacalao (cod) fritters, my youngest absolutely devoured her “hometown” chicken fingers and mac & cheese. Everybody was happy.

Eat at Di Yukas restaurant in Fajardo featuring cuisine from around the world.
KASAVISTA

Fajardo, Carribean Fusion

The night that we were ready to embark on our bio-bay excursion in Fajardo, we discovered Kasavista, located directly across the street from where we needed to meet our tour. Relaxed and open, with both outdoor and indoor seating, this restaurant was a delightful place for a delicious meal. Our whole gang loved the Appetizer Sampler (crispy grouper nuggets, calamari, fried Puerto Rican cheese and sausage) and spicy rice balls. Even though Kasavista specializes in seafood, we couldn’t resist the roast chicken with manchego cheese and Serrano ham. Great dish! Great spot! Great night!

OCEANO

Condado, Carribean Fusion

I scored some major “cool points” with my girls when we showed up at Oceano in Condado Beach. This super chic and clubby spot feels like South Beach. You can dine in the gorgeous main room or on their balmy deck overlooking the beach. And as cool as it is, they were very welcoming to our young foodies.

Now to the food…Amazing! Not just delicious, but creatively innovative as well. It’s Caribbean-Puerto Rican with all sorts of taste-tempting twists. My girls will tell you DO NOT MISS the buttermilk-soaked yucca-crusted calamari! My girls usually have very nice table manners, but we all fought over that last delectable piece! Our other favorites were the ceviche, churrasco steak Latin eggrolls, sweet corn soup and Palermo pork with a guava glaze. We were wowed! Even the kids’ menu is inventive — Oceano’s macaroni and cheese was topped with delicate sprouts. For dessert, we went wild for the key lime pie with a chocolate crust. Stylish design, spectacular food, excellent service. A cool place in a hot spot!

Check out the cool clubby vibe and outstanding food at Oceano restaurant on Condado Beach.
AROMAS

Old San Juan, Breakfast/Lunch

In a beautiful old building with soaring ceilings, Aromas is a convenient and delightful stop when sightseeing in Old San Juan. You know the food is good when the place is filled with locals. The kids felt the highlight was the Mallorca, a grilled ham and cheese sandwich in a sweet roll sprinkled with powdered sugar — lots of smiles. For me, the highlight was the “Best Cup of Joe in Puerto Rico!” The aroma in Aromas comes from the famous 100% Puerto Rican brewed coffee. Really, really good!

And just down the street was another treat for the kids, Señor Paleta, an all-natural ice pop shop with many exotic fruit and other flavors. We all grabbed a pop and headed for a break from the sun across the street in the shaded park where we enjoyed a panoramic view of the San Juan Bay.

Stop in for an amazing cup of 100% Puerto Rican coffee and an unforgettable Mallorca sandwich. Great break from sightseeing in Old San Juan.

LA TERRAZA
Dorado, Puerto Rican

“Luis, fried cheesecake, and the frogs” — that’s what my girls said they remembered most about La Terraza. For me, in addition to the flavorful (complimentary) hummus and chips, chicken mofongo, grilled shrimp and crab cakes, it was unwinding on the outdoor deck surrounded by lush trees.

Now to Luis, the owner — he thoroughly engaged us all with colorful information about the island. The fried cheesecake? Undoubtedly my older daughter’s very favorite dessert in Puerto Rico…or maybe anywhere! And the frogs? The coqui frogs surrounding the deck softly serenaded us into soothing relaxation. And if relaxing isn’t your thing, on Thursday nights La Terraza also offers free salsa dancing lessons for the entire family on the outdoor terrace. Talk about “Dancing with the Stars!”

Enjoy a relaxing outdoor dinner at La Terraza restaurant in Dorado. Sit under the stars listening to the coqui frogs as you dine on gourmet kid-friendly local specialities.
KATRINA’S

Dorado, Casual Puerto Rican

While my family loves going to the hip, fancy restaurants, sometimes the most memorable meals are those shared with the locals. Katrina’s is just such a place. It’s “the real deal!” We didn’t even bother showering off the sun tan lotion…we went right from the beach to this lively local hangout. It didn’t look like much from the outside, but once we joined the scene and grabbed a table where we could feel the cool ocean breezes, we knew we had found someplace special.

Based on our server’s advice, we ordered the menu items made fresh that day in the kitchen. The Sofrito seasonings danced in our mouth as we sampled our appetizers of empanadillas, tostones and rice and beans. They were so addicting we ordered a second round…and made that our dinner. In addition to really enjoying our food, the girls had a lot of fun hearing Katrina’s parrots repeat “HOLA!”

LA GRAPPA

Dorado, Italian

Now, we live by Philly, so we know Italian. And I have to tell you La Grappa was truly a gourmet Italian gem right there on the island! This is a “can’t miss” restaurant with impeccable service, colorful graphic design and food to match. With only 10 intimate tables, make a reservation before you leave home.

We began our feast with some incredible homemade rolls, which the girls and I couldn’t stop popping into our mouths. Standouts included the succulent sepia (cuttlefish served calamari style), delicate eggplant parmigiana and a fabulous pork special. But ask my younger daughter what is a “must try,” and she’ll tell you Grappa’s melt-in-your-mouth chocolate ganache cake. She’s still talking about it!

CARIBAR

San Juan, Rum Bar & Puerto Rican Tapas

This classy spot is one of the restaurants in Caribe Hilton. The newly-opened Caribar offered a romantic setting with top-notch service; yet it’s definitely kid-friendly. Just steps away from the gorgeous pool and beach, it’s right next to a grassy area where the kids are free to play. And we all found the food to be great!

While they were very willing to accommodate the girls with all kinds of kids’ favorites, my little foodies wanted to try various “tapas with a twist.” We ALL shared the flatbread en canasta (with pork belly, caramelized onion and queso blanco), yucca fries, quinoa hummus plate, shrimp cocktail and ropa vieja with corn arepas.

And a special historical gourmet note: Caribe Hilton is the birthplace of the piña colada. We all read through the evolution of this delicious cocktail on the drink menu (and then Mom and Dad continued their “research”). My girls enjoyed sampling the restaurant’s creative “kiddie cocktails.”

CASA CORTES

Old San Juan, Café/Chocolate

How do you top a “foodie Puerto Rican adventure” like this for your kids? We found the way…CHOCOLATE! The Cortes family has been making chocolate for over 80 years. They are the largest chocolate manufacturers in the Caribbean. We felt it was only right in the name of Puerto Rican culture that we visit Casa Cortes. Mmmm…and are we glad we did.

We ate like the locals and dipped a slice of tangy cheddar cheese in the thick hot chocolate. Oh boy! Now that’s historical! And this cheery café doubles as an art gallery, so there are treats for the eyes as well. Casa Cortes also serves breakfast, lunch and tapas. While famous for their chocolate, they could be equally famous for their amazing sweet churros that will send your taste buds on a trip to Spain!

Because you need a place to rest after eating all these delicious dinners, consider booking at one of these two kid-friendly resorts which our family loved: Caribe Hilton in San Juan or El Conquistador in Fajardo. I hope you readers appreciate all the “hard work” my family put in to find you these family-friendly foodie favorites. (By the way, none of us is complaining, just smiling thinking of each of the meals we relished.) Explore more of Puerto Rico at SeePuertoRico.com.

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One Room in the USA

One Room in the USA

I have never left this country. I have not had fun new adventures in exciting faraway lands. I have not been able to tour historical monuments, view fascinating architecture, or visit famous islands. I have not had the privilege of playing the wide eyed foreigner, immersed in an enriching culture that I had previously never been introduced to and yet, I have never felt freer. I have never felt deprived. I have never felt more at home.

My family and I are interdependent of each other and somehow independent at the same time. My mother needs my support as much as I need hers. The sense of belonging to my family and the acceptance from my peers is what enables me to fly. Their love for me gives me the courage to embark on my own path. However, we are all comfortable with doing our own thing and having our own space. There can be such joy in intimacy and at the same time, there can be such freedom in isolation. Everyone needs a place where no mask needs to be put on and no compromises need to be made. Everyone deserves a time that is devoted just to them, a space that only puts them first. No one can know you, feel for you, or understand you more than you. It is one room where I feel I can be my truest self.

In one room, I lost myself and found myself. I learned the power of love and the paralysis of hate. I became enslaved by fear and emboldened by faith. I felt the agony of sorrow and gained perspective for tomorrow.

My room is my safe haven, my sanctuary, my space.

An area where I can go that seems to surpass all time and place.

In some respects, it’s a ghost yard of a beloved home I’ve lost.

Taken from me too quickly because it couldn’t afford the cost.

Two big bookshelves from Borders stand in front of me,

Filled with diaries and novels standing beautiful for all to see!

In my room, I write and I read.

I journal in my diary, and write poetry to pass the time,

To express my thoughts and feelings in prolific prose and rhyme.

My room is also beautiful, big, and bright.

Positive words of encouragement are everywhere in sight,

Decorated with shades of pink, purple, and white!

I go to my room to relax and reflect

Whether I’m giddy with joy and bouncing up the steps

Or trudging with grief until I laid down and wept.

Whether I’m watching funny movies

And shows on my kindle,

Or reading about a princess

And her prick on a spindle,

Or listening to another Deepak and Oprah meditation,

Or creating yet one more artistic presentation,

Or spending time with friends,

Or pondering yet again.

My room allows me to escape the world and for a moment just feel free,

To sit back and take a break and just be comfortable with me.

            My bedroom has witnessed my happiness and heartaches, heard my prayers and poetry, and seen my tears and triumphs. In my room, habits were formed and dreams were born. A mind was lighted and a soul was ignited.

Now, traveling around the world, and being enlightened by the many cultures of the globe that make this planet beautiful, has always been and will continue to be one of my greatest dreams. But, I don’t need to leave my birthplace to find myself. I needed to find myself before I could leave. My home is truly where my heart is. It’s where my family is. It’s in the United States in Maryland suburbia. It’s where my books are stacked and where my canvases lay. It’s where I grew up. It’s where I’ve begun my story.

 About the Author: Radiance Talley is an incoming college freshman at one of the top ten journalism schools in the United States. She has always had a passionate love for the arts and enjoys creative writing in her free time. Radiance hopes to have her first book of poetry published soon.

Thank you for reading and commenting. Please enter the Independence Travel Writing competition and tell your story.

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