Lisa Niver's Blog: We Said Go Travel, page 300
August 15, 2015
With Zion as Inspiration
It probably started out in some ratty composition notebook that was passed around half a dozen people early in high school—pages of lists, gear and destinations, prices and plans. It moved on, made its way through several more notebooks, scrap paper, homework margins, and online documents. It, this plan, it evolved like this until it was whittled down to two girls, me and my best friend, with not that many plans at all—just our camping gear loaded into the back of our minivan and our fingers emphatically pointed only one way: West.
This worked for awhile, this idea that our freedom existed somewhere in the space between a foot on the gas pedal and the coastline, but faded quickly once we reached the dimly lit, bug-infested hostel at the end of a sketchy San Franciscan alleyway. We were pretty much as far west as we could be from our homes in Allentown, PA. And I was scared. Unsure.
The freedom was dizzying, and we didn’t know what to do with it. Thoughts crept into my mind. Where are we going to be tomorrow? For the next two or three weeks? Where are we going to sleep? We tried to recreate those lost plans we had years ago by drawing calendars in the pages of our notebooks while we splayed out on the brown matted carpet of our rented room, surrounded by park guides, road maps, and an ever-growing pile of orange rinds. What we ended up with after hours of deliberation was nearly unintelligible—some semblance of a schedule hidden beneath clusters of arrows used to rearrange our thoughts.
That night I slept uneasily, worried that the people who doubted us were actually right. Maybe we couldn’t handle being out on our own, but for a whole host of different reasons than they had thought. They were afraid that the big, bad world would swallow up two girls, glowing and fresh out of high school. But no, there I was with the big, bad and beautiful world right in front of my face—I yearned to take it by storm— and yet it floated teasingly just beyond my grasp.
But we continued on. Sometimes it seemed like I was trudging through what was supposed to be the best experience of my life.
We visited countless cities and National Parks over the course of the month long journey, and I found that I was always the happiest when I was being trumped in size and strength. Admittedly, this was quite often. Zion National Park had a particularly tremendous effect on me.
We were hiking The Narrows—a nine-mile weaving trek through a shallow stream at the base of a keyhole canyon—when I was hit with the realization. I took a moment to steady my bare feet on the slippery stones and glance around.
Rocks worn down by water and wind surrounded me. The mountains I’d hiked were formed by conflict. Two great forces slamming together. The appeal of the landscapes came from the struggle between elements.
Informed by this, my idea of freedom changed shape. My fear of it dissipated and turned into a respect for its vastness, its power over me, and the way it toyed with my expectations, desires, and anxieties. Freedom is not easy. Knowing what you want amidst all of your other emotions as well as your environment—these are hard thoughts to navigate.
I thought my freedom would hit me as soon as I hit the highway. I thought it would last as long as I could keep the wheels turning. But it wasn’t enough just to leave the place I’d lived all my life—I had to come back to it with what I’d experienced to finally make sense of it. And I had to make the decision to come back all on my own. I did, with both tears and joy.
About the Author: Ali Greenholt is currently a student at the University of Pittsburgh. She is studying English Writing, Gender Studies, and Africana Studies. She is a chair on the Univserity’s Outdoors Club. The next big trip she has planned is hiking the John Muir Trail.
Thank you for reading and commenting. Please enter the Independence Travel Writing competition and tell your story.
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August 14, 2015
My Smiling Feet on a Sunday Morning in The Philippines
I open my eyes. I blink. I check my phone to see what time it is. It’s five minutes before 3AM. I close my eyes as I try to think what day it is and why I am awake at this hour. Then the memories of the past days of this week burst into my brain. It’s Sunday! Before my phone plays the alarm song, my thumb is already waiting for the off button to appear.
“Wake up!” is the default message I send to my running buddy. “Get up, let’s run!”, I call her, if she doesn’t respond right away. I go to the bathroom right after the call and go for a quick shower. My eyes are still adjusting to the lights, yet I’m smiling to myself in the mirror. I then rush back to my room and do my after bath rituals. I then patiently put myself inside my tight and dry-fit running clothes. I wear my yellow socks and paired it with my favorite Asics GT-2000, which colors are grass green with fuchsia pink laces. I eat a banana and drink a glass of water. I’m ready! “I’m going out now. See you in a bit!”, I tell my friend.
Sunday is running day, our favorite day of the week. Because today we run free.
The 7-Eleven store in the corner of Palm Coast Ave and Harbor Drive, in Mall of Asia grounds is our meet-up place. We buy Blue Bolt Gatorade, walk towards Seaside Boulevard, and then wait for our GPS watches to set location. Until the watch gets ready, we begin to run.
While on the road and running, we smell horrible with our sweat but it doesn’t mind. We get tan under the sun yet it sees the beauty. When we get tired, we can walk or stop for a while. The road patiently waits for us to recover. It understands that while we are strong, we still need a break. When we fall down, we can either cry or laugh loudly at ourselves. It acknowledges the fact that we also have weaknesses.
The road is not judging. We can whine about life and it’s just okay. We can be ourselves and be who we want to be. This is a perfect place to speak of what our heart feels. We can talk about our dreams without hearing an annoying laughter from somebody who doesn’t believe in us, that we are capable of climbing the top of our defined success.
Some Sundays, my running buddy is off to a trip. It’s just me and the road. My mind is telling me, “This is tough.”. “Don’t worry, I will look after you. You can do it!”, the road tells me. It did not become easier, but it made me braver. Though my legs are shaking as I got farther, it made me believe in myself. It pushes me to give more. It has seen me many times when I did it. It knows that I am capable of reaching the distance I set for that day. The road believes in me.
This is my special place. It can be anywhere in this world. My running feet and the road speak and understand each other very well, in a language of their own. I am privileged to be given a Sunday to run on it, and let my mind drift freely to everywhere and anything I could wish.
Thank you for reading and commenting. Please enter the Independence Travel Writing competition and tell your story.
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Upscale eats and the writing is on the… tree! St. Kitts Restaurant Week Day 4
View at lunch, Belle Mont Farm, St. KittsFor our fourth day in St. Kitts, we were treated to an incredible meal at the luxurious mountain retreat, Belle Mont Farm. Situated on Kittian Hill, this working farm of 400 acres has stunning views of the Ocean as well Mount Liamuiga, the highest point on the island at 3792 feet.
The property was designed by Bill Bensley, who also created the Four Seasons Tented Camp in Chiang Rai, Thailand. Every detail is perfect and the stone was quarried locally and the team trained local residents to become stone carvers. Community involvement is key whether the people working on site or the guests. Everyone can become a food forager learning about whatever fruit and vegetables are in season as well as picking them and eating them! I want to return for the famous farm dinner, hopefully on a full moon!
Our lunch included farm grown Tomato Salad with coconut mozzarella, Dasheen Risotto and fresh from the sea Mahi Mahi with Lime and coconut foam, and farm chicken jambonette with breadfruit chowder. Not only was it an incredible meal, but we also sat outside which was a gallery of views of the mountain and of Bill Bensley’s paintings.
I loved the pool, the villas and all the amenities. In your upscale villa, you do not have a television but a large screen that drops down movie style and is controlled by your personal iPad. You can choose to completely detach from busy city life and be drawn into the farm. I drew my name on a leaf when I left, when you return they will find your leaf for you!
After our views from Kittian Hill, we were treated to a stunning vista from the seventh floor of the St. Kitts Marriott. I really enjoyed staying at the Marriott with my large balcony facing the three pools and the ocean. For our last night on the island, we returned to Salt Plage to enjoy the music, food and happening vibe. What an amazing first visit to St. Kitts!
Video: St. Kitts Restaurant Week Day 4 Signature Luxury July 25 2015
A photo posted by Lisa Niver (@wesaidgotravel) on Jul 25, 2015 at 12:46pm PDT
Thank you #StKitts @Marriotthotels for a welcoming and wonderful stay #sknrestaurantwk #lgg4 A photo posted by Lisa Niver (@wesaidgotravel) on Jul 26, 2015 at 8:39am PDT
Wow! #StKitts is gorgeous @Marriotthotels view at night #sknrestaurantwk #lgg4
A photo posted by Lisa Niver (@wesaidgotravel) on Jul 26, 2015 at 8:46am PDT
Thx to @breannajwilson for this Repost and amazing company #stkitts ・・・ Toes on toes on toes. #BreLovesStKitts #stkittsnevis #TGSK #stkittsrestaurantweek #toes #pedicure #vacation #honeymoon #shipwreckbeachbar #shipwreck #beachbum #beachbum #islandtime #iphone #igers #ig #travelstkitts #travel #travelgasm #travelgram #travelporn #jetsetter #seetheworld #blacksandbeach A photo posted by Lisa Niver (@wesaidgotravel) on Jul 26, 2015 at 9:56am PDT
Liming around Frigate Bay, #StKitts @vibesbeachbar #sknrestaurantwk #lgg4
A photo posted by Lisa Niver (@wesaidgotravel) on Jul 26, 2015 at 8:53pm PDT
The luxurious @bellemontfarm #StKitts has been open six months. I relaxed by the pool, enjoyed a great meal and wrote my name on a leaf. When I come back, I will go on a food foraging activity on the farm! #sknrestaurantwk #lgg4 #KittitianHill A photo posted by Lisa Niver (@wesaidgotravel) on Jul 27, 2015 at 10:43am PDT
A photo posted by Lisa Niver (@wesaidgotravel) on Jul 27, 2015 at 10:55am PDT
Go to @SaltPlage #StKitts for stunning sunsets, delicious food and Jumbies. #sknrestaurantwk #lgg4 A photo posted by Lisa Niver (@wesaidgotravel) on Jul 27, 2015 at 5:05pm PDT
Moonlight nights @SaltPlage #StKitts Thank you #sknrestaurantwk #lgg4 Dress by #INC @Macys
A photo posted by Lisa Niver (@wesaidgotravel) on Jul 27, 2015 at 5:08pm PDT
The Sky Ultra Lounge #StKitts @Marriotthotels has great music and dancing! #sknrestaurantwk #lgg4 A photo posted by Lisa Niver (@wesaidgotravel) on Jul 27, 2015 at 7:58pm PDT
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August 13, 2015
Bang! Explosives, Alcohol, and Navy Blue in Colombia
American. That’s what it says in the space after “nationality” in my passport. Its navy cover is starting to fray around the edges and the pages are starting to curl at the corners. I guess that’s what happens after being stuffed into my sweaty jean pocket one too many times.
The metal disk bore an unexpected weight in the palm of my hand. It was about the size of a hockey puck, but twice as heavy. My new friend, Carlos, demonstrated his technique by gracefully arcing his disk into a pit of clay several meters ahead. Sparks flew as the metal made contact with an explosive packet.
Bang!
My American passport has allowed me to cross into countries without question. My American passport has brought with it looks of awe and admiration in some countries, and loathing and contempt in others.
My fingers traced the disk’s cool surface, dimpled from being thrown by others before me. I attempted to mimic Carlos. The puck landed with a thud, not even near the clay pit.
My American passport carries with it a promise of irrevocable freedom, for which I am eternally grateful. But that navy blue book comes with another truth of which we don’t often speak. My American passport comes with expectations. Expectations that I, like all others, want the American Dream. The split-level house and yard to go with it. A practical minivan equipped with car seats. And most importantly, a traditional career that I’ll stay in, happily adding to my 401K, until I’m the ripe old age of 65 and ready to retire. Replacement knees and all.
Sometimes people confuse independence and freedom.
This time, I heeded Carlos’s sage advice, “More strong.” I let my arm swing back and felt my weight drive forward as I propelled the disk into the air.
Thump.
It made it into the clay this time, but still no sparks. No bang.
There was no explosion when I quit my job either. Everyone kept on living their lives as normal. I don’t know what I expected. After years of having a clear idea of the path I’m “supposed” to take engrained in my mind, I guess I just didn’t expect it to be so uneventful. My parents didn’t yell or try to convince me to stay. They were supportive in every sense of the word.
No sparks flew when I stuffed my backpack full on a one-way flight to South America. And there wasn’t even a small bang when I moved across the world to teach English in Korea.
I’ll be the first to admit, quitting my job wasn’t perhaps the most responsible thing to do. But responsibility is another word that’s often mistaken for independence. They’re far from the same. Often times one cannot be true if the other is present.
In my mind, a mortgage and a cubicle with my name on it seems responsible, yes, but far from independent.
My idea of independence is playing a game with locals in a Colombian bar where I’m the only gringa. I don’t have to wake up early the next day, and the night is full of possibilities. Independence is forging a new life in a country where I don’t speak the language. Each new word I’m able to read in this language so foreign to me is an accomplishment. Independence is hiking to the top of a mountain and looking down at how far my feet have taken me. I own every step.
Independence is not knowing what the next year will bring, but knowing with all certainty that I have the ability to choose my own path and indulge in new dreams along the way.
I drained the remainder of my warm beer and heaved my last metal puck in the direction of the pit.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
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Runaway to Vancouver
article by Dean Nelson @GayWhistler
Vancouver has a new beat in town with an exciting new concept concert – Urban Forest Concert with a star studded line up including Jon Bon Jovi, Robby Krieger of the DOORS, and Canadian artist Andrew Cole & guests.
Vancouver has long been known as the emerald jewel of Canada’s crown. Breath taking cityscapes, lush green forests and dramatic ocean and mountain views. Local concert producer, Dennis MacDonald of Paper Rain Performances and brain child of the Urban Forest Concerts, is transforming the outdoor concert experience to a brand new elevation.
The concert will take place at Stanley Park with a dramatic backdrop of the downtown city lights and Coal Harbour. Hundreds of live trees are being brought in to dress the stage and will be donated to the city of Vancouver as part of the concert’s environmental giving back commitment in helping to rebuild some of the wind blown damage to the park.
In my quest for seeking an Urban Forest experience I thought I would runaway and see what kind of adventures could be found within Vancouver but beyond Stanley Park. My first stop of inspiration was to MOA – the Museum of Anthropology. Vancouver is founded on the unceded territories of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations. At the iconic MOA building located in the forest at UBC – University of British Columbia, I learned how the First Nations embraced and lived with harmony with their environment. No doubt this is part of the inspiration of the Urban Forest Concerts to celebrate the natural beauty and respect it. My friends and I spent hours taking in all of the First Nation’s treasures and heritage and had a much better understanding of the importance of the cedar tree and the role it played in this culture.
A photo posted by Dean Nelson (@gaywhistler) on Aug 9, 2015 at 11:46am PDT
After wondering the gallery and the outside grounds we made our way down the road to our next stop of inspiration. The Nitobe Japanese Memorial Gardens are truly breath taking. The calmness and tranquility of the garden and the quiet chatter of the babbling brooks. We breathed in the fresh urban forest air with a light hint of cedar and the smell of moss. It was the perfect place to just unwind and regroup from a hectic day in the city. Who knew we had such beautiful spaces within our city to recharge and get back to nature?
A photo posted by Dean Nelson (@gaywhistler) on Aug 9, 2015 at 3:10pm PDT
If you have been thinking about heading to Vancouver, this is a great time to visit. The US Exchange is approximately 30 cents on the US dollar… which means, Canada is essential 30% off (US$1.00 = approx. CDN$1.30). There are many incredible things to see an do in Vancouver including some new attractions such as “Fly Over Canada” at Canada Place / Cruise Ship terminal. This is a five senses virtual flight experience that will have you in total awe. Be a Rock Star! Scenic Crush is a “once in a lifetime” kind of experience where you can drive an exotic car like a Lamborghini Gallardo, Ferrari F430 Spider, Audi R8, Porsche 911 Turbo or a Nissan GT-R on one of the world’s most scenic highways – the Sea To Sky, highway 99 North of Vancouver. My friends at WINQ magazine took one of these beauties out for a spin and had a total rage.
A photo posted by Winq Magazine (@winqmagazine) on May 30, 2015 at 9:47am PDT
Wanting to taste some home grown award-winning culinary delights and spirits? Off the Beaten Track Tours has something just for you. They have some of the best foodie tours in the city where you feel like a VIP and get toured around to some of Vancouver’s hottest spots, hidden gems and the city’s burgeoning distillery scene.
So what are you waiting for? Come Runaway to Vancouver with me!
Resources:
Jon Bon Jovi an Urban Forest Concert visit urbanForest.club
Finding a place to stay? Visit tourismVancouver.com
Looking for ideas for your Rock Star getaway? Visit TourismVancouver.com
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August 12, 2015
The Greatest Gratitude is Family.
“I suppose I should let the cat out of the bag, being that I leave in about 2 1/2 weeks…., I will be teaching English in Beijing, China for an entire year at a learning center. I will miss so many of you dearly, you really don’t actually know. I just started crying a bit just writing this. This past year has been one of growth and development as I climbed from the pits of clinical depression. It made me isolated and people thought I cut ties. I hope I can see as many of you before I go, so definitely let me know if you’re around New Orleans!”
That was the post I finally made public not too long ago, and it was flooded with warm wishes and sincerity. For such a long time I believed not a soul cared whether I was around or not. This became very isolating and I couldn’t help but stay inside day in and day out. I was living in one of the most exciting cities, filled with sunshine and beaches. That city was Los Angeles, but it wasn’t quite the City of Angels. Rather it came to be, for me at the time, a city of Devils disguising themselves in angelic and heavenly glows. I was alone. I had a few friends I could hang with but we were all so busy with work/school/artistic endeavors we hardly found the time. There was no family. Fast forward to this morning as I sip my coffee under the roof of my best friend since I was 5 years old’s house. We used to sit there blowing snot bubbles during kindergarten nap time and laughing uncontrollably for hours. I haven’t had more gratitude towards the people and things in my life since I lived in New Orleans so many years ago (my family evacuated a couple days before Hurricane Katrina and drove to the Boston area where we stayed with family).
I haven’t lived with my brother, two sisters and parents since 2010, a year before my high school graduation. Since then I’ve gone off to college for 4 years, worked countless jobs and traveled around Europe twice. The travels around Europe, however, was what strengthened bonds with people I hold dear to my heart. Whenever we had the chance to skype or talk on WhatsApp my heart was filled to the brim with joy.There were also times I didn’t even have two euro coins to scratch together. But I never let that impede my journey.
For such a long time I let my depression rule my thinking, preventing myself from having the tiniest ounces of happiness. The first time I headed off to Europe, sure, I admit it was a runaway/escape of sorts. I backpacked, worked odd-jobs, hitch hiked and train hopped across 7 different countries and learned to speak French fluently. For this I can’t help but feel grateful toward. My parents were in full support the entire time. And even though they could not support me financially, the emotional and spiritual support was incomparable to monetary need.My gratitude by far goes toward the support and love one receives when being truly open and honest to their dear friends and family.
About the Author: Xave Guidry has been known as a ramblin’, gamblin’, travelin’ man with a penchant for adventure, fueled by an unwavering wanderlust. He has studied Sociology and Occupational Science at the University of Southern California, where he reinvigorated his creative spirit. Since moving to Los Angeles and finally back to New Orleans, he has regained his love for playing music, writing poetry, and snapping the world around him with a film SLR camera. Xave will begin a new adventure to the Far East, as he sets out on a Chinese/Asian adventure for an entire calendar year.
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A taste of history to complement local treats: St. Kitts Restaurant Week Day 3
Our third day of adventures during St. Kitts Restaurant Week included historical sites and revelations. We began our day at the Wingfield Estate which was the first sugar cane planation. Recent excavations uncovered more of the rum processing on the estate. I wonder what else is hiding under the ground?
The Poinciana is the National Tree of St. Kitts and the giant trees with vibrant orange flowers were a favorite of our entire group. Many things grew well on the island including cotton, tobacco and sugar cane which was grown until 2005!
Saint Chrisopher Island now known as St. Kitts was called the “Mother Colony” as this was the first place the British took up residence in the West Indies. In 1623, the Brits settled in Sandy Bay. Samuel Jefferson who was in charge of this estate was Thomas Jefferson’s great great great grandfather and sold the property to the Earl of Romney and know it is known as Romney Manor. We also visited Caribelle Batik, where you can buy batiks made on the island.
Brimstone Hill is a giant fortress 750 feet above sea level. The views at this UNESCO site are truly incredible. It took 107 years to build starting from 1690. I enjoyed wandering around the windy upper levels and wondering what it was like to build and watch for the French from here.
As we drove the gorgeous coastline, we could see where the Caribbean Sea meets the Atlantic Ocean. We stopped at Black rocks to enjoy the views as a preamble to our lunch at Ottley’s Plantation Inn. Select Ottley’s Planation Inn for a relaxing stay at the edge of the rainforest. Our tour showed us the secrets of the fan palms and the rubber tree.
I absolutely loved sunset at Salt Plage! Watching the sun set from this spot was like a wonderful show. The colors, the boats, the music and the drinks were fantastic. I loved the light boxes that changed colors. It was so perfect–we went back again another night!
For our fine dining experience, we ate at Carambola Beach Club and Restaurant on South Friar’s Bay, South East Peninsula, St. Kitts. They can seat 128 and they have sushi as well as international cuisine with a Caribbean flair. Everyone loved their meals and wine here!
Enjoy all my videos from our St. Kitts’ adventures!
VIDEO: Day 3 A taste of history to complement local treats
A photo posted by Lisa Niver (@wesaidgotravel) on Jul 24, 2015 at 11:29am PDT
Brimstone Hill fortress #StKitts from 1690. 107 years to build, 750 feet above sea level #sknrestaurantwk #lgg4 A photo posted by Lisa Niver (@wesaidgotravel) on Jul 24, 2015 at 11:34am PDT
A photo posted by Lisa Niver (@wesaidgotravel) on Jul 24, 2015 at 12:30pm PDT
Sunset @saltplage was stunning. #StKitts signature drink Salt Plage Jumby–“a rum punch meets pina colada” says @breannajwilson #sknrestaurantwk #lgg4 dress by @Guess #Guess A photo posted by Lisa Niver (@wesaidgotravel) on Jul 24, 2015 at 5:07pm PDT
A photo posted by Lisa Niver (@wesaidgotravel) on Jul 24, 2015 at 7:15pm PDT
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August 11, 2015
The Colorless Flag in the USA
I board the plane crisp and respectable and promptly feel myself morph into something retched and inexplicably slimy. Flights do that to a person. But after all the rearranging of doll-house-sized pillows and the moments of fitful sleep, the end is near. I know this because the nice lady just handed me a slip of paper- the entry form.
This is all they want to know about me: Name, Date of Birth, Passport Number, and Reason for Travel. The last one always stumps me. It’s a ‘why’ question and there’s only a couple boxes available to check. There’s definitely not enough room for my answer. I search for something that says, “If you need more space, please attach another sheet’, because this is what I really want to say:
“Dear unsmiling uniformed officer,
No, I am not carrying more than $10,000 in currency, nor do I have any goods to sell, though I heard that blue jeans were a hit in Russia some time ago. And, yes, I have no fruits, seeds, or meat. The truth is, I ate them all on the plane ride, mostly 10 minutes before disembarking, and yes sir, it was a lot of food. For some reason, I always think that an eight-hour plane ride will require the nourishment to sustain a marathon; as if I would starve to death right there in seat 23E and embarrass myself in front of the Window Guy and the Aisle Lady. So, I have just consumed three apples, a banana, a bag of beef jerky, and a pound of pistachios. Yes, the pistachios were the most difficult; with the shells and all. I apologize if I look rather bloated.
But you are obviously busy with very serious business, so let’s get to the point. Once upon a time, I didn’t know what propelled me to keep throwing myself into foreign places. I didn’t know why I wanted to spend my time roaming around some cobbled streets or sitting in an overloaded bus with a chicken as my seatmate. I didn’t know why, when I was wrapping up one trip, the only way to stave off some serious melancholy was to start planning the next adventure. But I did it, over and over and over again.
And it’s not like everything was cake and berries, no, sir. There was the time I got locked in a self-cleaning bathroom in Rome, and the time I got lost in a grizzly bear preserve, and, yeah, the seven horrific food-fails in Asia. Actually, now that I’m thinking about it, all of my trips were fraught with misadventure- delays, missed busses, bad street food, and one too many moments of inadvertent nudity. I got lost, cold, hungry, and embarrassed every single time, but I kept wanting more.
Then one day, I stumbled upon a list. Not any old list, sir, but a list that smacked me hard on the face. It was titled, ‘Common Traits of Americans’ and it scared the sweat out of me. Every single item on that page was something I had assumed, until then, reflected who I was at my very core- my innermost passions, my innate sensibilities, and even my quirky nuances. But my culture defined me and shaped me like a potter sculpting clay. It was so blatant that it was subtle; possibly the greatest magic trick in the book. And really, this is not such a bad thing, but it made me wonder; beneath all the ketchup and mustard, who am I, really?
Travel, it turns out, has a way of stripping us down to our innards; separating us from that ‘list’ and the expectations of our society. People boast of freedom behind the colored and symbolic flags of their nations, but I sir, tend to think that the only true flag of independence is the white one. When we have surrendered all of the things that define us, all that is left is wits and guts. It’s all very Wizard-of-Oz-y: there you are on some cobbled road, a much more potent and colorful version of yourself.
So, who am I? Well, sir, here’s the bad news: I’m still trying to figure that one out. My mountain of travel journals and the well-inked passports may look like just paper and words, but I see them as the remnants of abandoned cocoons. You see, every time I go somewhere, something inside of me is outgrown and something brand new is born. And my question is still unanswered.
And, that, officer, is my ‘Reason for Travel’. I hope this helps explain things and again, sorry if I look so slimy and bloated.”
Thank you for reading and commenting. Please enter the Independence Travel Writing competition and tell your story.
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The joys of a private luxury villa in Maui
When the topic of a family vacation comes up or when friends want to celebrate with an excursion, many places come to mind. Should they go rent out bungalows in the jungle of Costa Rica? Maybe booking a private villa and ski trip to Colorado comes to mind or even visiting a few national parks on a road trip. Another great idea is renting a luxury Maui vacation rental with friends. This is exactly what my group of friends decided to do when my best friend had his wedding and decided to go to Maui. It was one of the most amazing experiences I have ever had and I would recommend anyone contemplating a trip to Hawaii to take into consideration.
A beautiful villa on the island of MauiWhere exactly is Maui? Maui is one of the islands that make up the state of Hawaii. It is just a short plane ride of less than an hour from Honolulu. What exactly does Maui have to offer? This wonderful island has it all. Relaxing on a white-sand beach with a cool cocktail in hand, exploring the dense and lush, pristine jungles and swimming with sea life are all fantastic experiences that can be had on this island.
After deciding that Maui is the best island to visit, the first thing that usually comes up is where to stay. While there, many tourists decide to stay in hotels. While this is a good idea if traveling with only one other person, if you want to go with friends, more than likely the only option with a hotel is to book multiple rooms, which can become expensive and impersonal. One option besides a lonely hotel room that is becoming popular is the option of renting out an entire villa.
A private villa available for rent in MauiRenting out an entire house or villa instead of multiple hotel rooms at a hotel is a fantastic idea because everybody can use the whole house at their convenience instead of staying in cramped hotel rooms. Feel like swimming in your own private pool without the annoying strangers you’ve never seen? Go for it. Want to make plans to visit the beach with your friends? No need to go door to door to get together, just meet up in the living room and make them there!
The joy of having your own personal villa in Maui is an experience that will never be forgotten. When my best friend decided that he wanted to rent out a villa instead of multiple hotel rooms, I thought he was crazy. After returning from our trip, I could not have asked for a better vacation. I would highly recommend anyone planning a trip to Maui to take into consideration before booking anywhere else.
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August 10, 2015
From Singing Railroad to Luxury Harbor: St Kitts Nevis Restaurant Week Day 2
For our second day in St. Kitts, we were treated to a tour around the island by Scenic Railway. This is the last railway in the West Indies. I was surprised that there was an a capella choir on the train! I loved the views and the entertainment. I would like to go back and explore the bat caves and the St. Kitts Eco park which reminds me– the airport on the island is run on solar power!
Definitely plan to stop at Timothy Hill and take in the view–you can see where the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea meet. Afterwards we explored the site for the Park Hyatt, the buildings will be three stories and you enter on level two and go up or down one flight of stairs–no elevator needed. There are many green energy choices being made on St. Kitts.
After arriving into St. Kitts by the YU Lounge, we were aware that this was an island for Signature Luxury Experiences. Christophe Harbour will be home to 24 slips for super yachts. The Pavilion Beach Club is stunning and definitely matches the levels of elegance that we came to expect after the YU Lounge. I think we could have simply decided to never leave! But we managed to leave.
We spent the afternoon snorkeling and swimming at Shipwreck Beach. We watched mongoose and monkeys, ate fresh fish and relaxed. You can also paddleboard here. It was great fun to swim with Kellee, Cathy and Bre and have a Go Pro/LGG4 photo shoot!
Outdoor drinks at Ocean Terrace Inn were superb especially because of the gorgeous Caribbean sky. We loved dining at The Verandah. The Asian fusion cuisine included conch, lobster, shrimp, and beef. Chef Joemar is from the Philippines and he creates a magic chocolate cake that makes wishes come true! We finished our night at Vibes Beach Bar with drinks, dancing and a gathering of new friends.
VIDEO: St. Kitts Day two:
More about the St. Kitts Scenic Railway: “The narrow gauge St. Kitts Scenic Railway is one of the most beautiful train rides in the world. Originally built between 1912 and 1926 to deliver sugar cane from the fields to the sugar mill in Basseterre, the “Last Railway in the West Indies” now provides a fascinating way for visitors to see the island from the comfort of modern passenger train cars and sightseeing buses. The 18 miles by rail and 12 miles by bus make a complete 30-mile circle around the island. Duration: Approximately 2 hours by Rail and 45 minutes by Bus.
Complimentary drinks (rum punch, frozen daiquiris, soft drinks, fruit juices, and bottled water) are served throughout the trip. Guests are treated to a colorful narration of the history of the Caribbean and St. Kitts by the Tour Director, and are entertained by the three–voice a cappella St. Kitts Railway Choir singing Caribbean folk songs, children’s songs, and familiar hymns.”
A photo posted by Lisa Niver (@wesaidgotravel) on Jul 23, 2015 at 3:46pm PDT
I loved the view at Timothy’s Hill #StKitts #lgg4
A photo posted by Lisa Niver (@wesaidgotravel) on Jul 23, 2015 at 3:52pm PDT
A photo posted by Lisa Niver (@wesaidgotravel) on Jul 23, 2015 at 3:57pm PDT
A photo posted by Lisa Niver (@wesaidgotravel) on Jul 23, 2015 at 3:57pm PDT
A photo posted by Lisa Niver (@wesaidgotravel) on Jul 23, 2015 at 6:54pm PDT
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