Destination Dash - Albuquerque, New Mexico

Today's Destination Dash features Albuquerque, New Mexico, a place that always surprises me. It is easy to navigate, has plenty to do for people across all demographics, and features art, history, science, archaeology, and plenty of outdoor opportunities. I've had the chance to visit ABQ (the airport code) for client business many times and have always been lucky to have time to explore. This list represents my 'must-do' activities for those of you who have limited time to visit. All of these could be accomplished in one day, assuming you are full of energy and well-nourished on strong coffee. :)

photo found on the Albuquerque Visitor's Center webpage -Getty Images

Name: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Population: 557,169 (2014 est.)
Flight Time: from LAX, 12 hr 55 minutes
Etymology of the name: Version 1: albus quercus meaning "white oak" in honor of Spanish Duke of Albuquerque. Version 2: the Galician word albaricoque, meaning "apricot". The apricot was brought to New Mexico by Spanish settlers. Supposedly, the original settlement was established near an apricot tree and became known as La Ciudad de Albaricoque. As frontiersmen were unable to correctly pronounce the Galician word, it became corrupted to "Albuquerque.
Special Note: This is where Bugs Bunny should have taken a left turn in 1945. :)

My top 5 things to do in Albuquerque:

1. Visit the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center. Their mission statement says it all: "To preserve and perpetuate Pueblo culture and to advance understanding by presenting with dignity and respect,
the accomplishments and evolving history of the Pueblo people of New Mexico".
Recommended time - 2 hours.

2.  For something completely different....visit the National Museum of Nuclear Science and History. Here you can learn about the Atomic Age and the influence of nuclear energy on the past, present, and future. A perfect place to take those interested in science, aviation, and history. If you have children, check out the kid-specific exhibits.
Recommended time - 2 hours.

3. Albuquerque BioPark Botanic Garden - If you only one day in ABQ, make this one of your destinations! They have a zoo, a botanic garden, a aquarium, and facilities for fishing and boating. Events throughout the year, family-friendly, and easily accessible. If that doesn't convince you, this place was names as one of the top 12 botanic gardens in the country by the Travel Channel!
Recommended time - 2 hours or more.

4. Petroglyph National Monument -  For the outdoorsy among you, this place offers a great place to stretch your legs and see ruins, artifacts, and petroglyphs. It is one of my favorite places in Albuquerque. Start your visit at the Visitor's Center to get an overview of the locale, maps, and plan your day.
Recommended time - at least 2 hours. 

5. Old Town Albuquerque - Beyond the Indian Pueblo center, it is a bit touristy here, but makes for a great place to have a bite to eat, window shop and get a sense of the culture of the area. A highlight for me is the San Felipe de Neri Church, dating back to 1706 (current version built in 1793).
Recommended time - 1 1/2 to 3 hours.

There is so much more to do in ABQ, including hiking the Sandia Peak, taking the tram over the same, the international hot air balloon festival, taking in a minor league baseball game, and more. Hopefully, this will get your planning in motion. Albuquerque makes a great destination for a weekend or longer so consider adding it to your trip list.

 Peace, love, and travel!

The Map Pin Junkies 12 Days of Christmas - Gift Recommendations - Day 12

It's that time of year when we exchange gifts to celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, or just the joy we feel towards friends and family. 

Today, the last day in our 12 Days of Christmas Gift Recommendations, the gift is cash....but not in the 'oops-I-forgot-to-get-you-something' way. This cash gift is for a specific purpose!

Anyone who travels a lot (or even a little) will appreciate the gift of an expedited experience through the airport, right? Right, so give your travel the gift of Global Entry for $100. Of course, you cannot apply for the recipient, but you can creatively package the money in a box wrapped with a world map or tucked inside a globe ornament. There are a lot of creative ways you can designate the cash for the gift of Global Entry. Even cooler, is that approved Trusted Travelers get TSA PreCheck designation included in Global Entry!

To learn more about the program or to show your traveler the great gift he/she just received, click here! Heck, even Santa has Global Entry!

Santa courtesy of http://www.cbp.gov/travel/trusted-traveler-programs/global-entry

 

 

 

Thanks for visiting our 12 Days of Christmas Gift Recommendations. Wishing you and yours a Merry Christmas, health, happiness, and a beautiful New Year.
peace, love, and travel,
The Map Pin Junkie

Guatemala City - Business Travel And Time For A Little Fun!

I've been out of the loop the past couple weeks as I prepared for, and traveled to some client meetings in Guatemala City, Guatemala but am back from a successful week of meetings, albeit a little worn out from 9 crazy days of near-constant work.

I was lucky enough to visit Guatemala before but was limited to the northern part of the country, near Peten and Tikal. So, I was looking forward to seeing the capital city this time and it did not disappoint. I stayed at the Westin Camino Real in Zone 10 and the limited time I did have, I walked around enjoying the architecture and friendly people of the city. Of course, the highlight was getting amazing Guatemalan coffee everywhere I went. So good!

The trip was definitely focused on business, so I didn't get to see as much as I wanted to, but was treated to an evening in Antigua, about an hour from the city center. As always, I took my trusty little micro 4/3 camera and, wow, am I glad I did! Every turn was a photo opportunity in Antigua. I hope I can go back and take 'he who shall not be named' for a week in Antigua to climb La Horqueta (the collection of volcanoes there). Here are a few of my favorite shots from the evening.
Peace, love, and travel!

Beauty shot of Volcan Agua

 
Looking at Volcan Agua from ground level

 

Catedral de San Jose, in the center square of Antigua

Home At Last - 2015 Travel Concluded

2015 was a great year with a lot of travel opportunities for work and for pleasure. Coming back to the States from my last business trip late Friday night, I was once again thankful for all those that helped me get where I wanted to go. So, thank you United Airlines (international business travel), American Airlines (domestic business travel and HUGE mileage to get me to Oz), and Marriott Hotels (domestic stays in high style). Each of you made this year's travel special!

Business Travel - Back in San Antonio

My current project has been in high gear for the past several weeks and I traveled back to San Antonio last weekend. I found myself staying over this weekend so I ventured out to entertain myself this weekend.

I am a sucker for interesting architectural details and the city is full of great examples. From the courtyard at the Menger Hotel to the Mission of San Jose, there is something beautiful around every corner. Here are a few shots for you to enjoy. If you find yourself in San Antonio, take some time to enjoy what this beautiful city has to offer. 

The weather in August is hot and humid but certainly bearable with the right preparations, including sun block, light layers, a hat, and lots of water. Do that and you'll enjoy your visit a lot more.

Until next time,

Peace, love, and travel!

Business Travel - Accentuate the Positives

Wow! I can't believe it's been so long since I posted, but hopefully I can remedy that as my professional life slows down a bit (maybe?).

It's not secret that I love to travel. Whether for business or pleasure, I find it fun to plan, pack, and hit the road....or the air. Lately, though, it's been a bit of a chore. I think that's due to the late Summer heat common to the desert Southwest, an enormous project that consumes all my time, and the frequent travel glitches I've recently encountered.

Late flights, cancelled flights, TSA power-trips, rude seat mates, and a lack of healthy food have made things less than awesome. In fact, last Friday's travel day was so bollocksed-up, my dinner was a large order of fries from McDonald's at 11:00pm with a 4am wake-up call. It was rough going.

To combat the negative spiral that wants to claim me, let me list some great things about business travel.

5. The chance to see someplace new or discover something new in a regular destination. For example, I learned all about the historic Menger Hotel in San Antonio this last trip and had an amazing dinner at the Zinc Wine Bar. 

4. Meeting new people. Weird, unique, intelligent, or amusing - there is always someone interesting to meet, observe, or avoid when traveling. Great fodder for dinner time stories.

3. Sleeping in the middle of fresh white sheets with marshmallow like pillows. While it's tough to be away from family, it can be great to sprawl in the middle of the bed, crank the a/c as cold as you please and sleep like the dead without being tossed like a salad by kids, dogs, or significant others.

2. Frequent flyer miles and all the related mileage programs that feed into the same airline. This helps me feed my pleasure travel habit and gives me something to focus on when I have an arm-rest hogging, man-spreading, mouth-breather sitting next to me on a Canadair Regional Jet 900.

And the number one great thing about business travel is......

1. Coming home and getting a warm welcome. Such a good thing, whether human or animal greeting. Being met with wine and food is even better. 😀

Sigh, that made me feel better. It's always good to focus on the positives. The next trip is booked and coming up soon, so I will post my best travel tips later this week. Thanks for letting me vent!

Peace, love, and travel!

Home away from home? 

Destination Dash - Melbourne, Australia

Destination Dash post features my latest city crush, Melbourne. I was lucky enough to start my Antipodean adventure in this cosmopolitan yet charming city. I spent 4 packed days exploring all parts of the city and fell in love with it. Victorian and Edwardian architecture coexist beautifully with steel and glass structures to create a modernity tempered with antique elegance. The vibe is upscale but not pretentious.

Name: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Population: 4.5 million (2014)
Flight Time: from LAX, US 17 hours non-stop; from London 20+ hours, 1 stop
Get Started:  If you will be coming from the airport while on a layover, take the SkyBus into the city. It's not that expensive and gets you downtown in about 20-25 minutes.

My write-up will not give you a moment-by-moment day, but gives you the highlights I'd recommend seeing while in the city. The list covers indoors and outdoors and provides stimuli for kids and adults, but only you know your physical limitations, tolerance to things, and schedule.

The total time for my recommendations comes in at 11 hours, but remember that is because this is what I like to do. You may want to devote more time to sport venues or get out of town for a fast trip to the Dandenong Ranges (about an hour drive outside the city). If you want to build in time for meals, I recommend choosing two or three things from this list. This is just a guide, so read on an enjoy!


Site recommendations:

1. Queen Victoria Market - on the corner of Victoria and Elizabeth Streets. Crowded with people and an impressive array of produce, groceries, dry goods, souvenirs the market is full of locals and tourists. If you can stand the crush of people, stand quietly and try to count the number of different languages being spoken. My best was 14! Recommended time - 2 hours or more.
2. Melbourne Zoo - Elliott Ave, Parkville. Gorgeously laid out and surprisingly diverse, the zoo is a great way to spend 1 hour or 4 hours. It is located in a quiet part of town and just off the 25 tram stop for Melbourne Zoo/Royal Park. Many travelers think of the Australia Zoo in Brisbane and the go-to zoological experience but Melbourne is equally interesting and entertaining. It makes a great destination on its own or as a companion experience to visiting the Werribee Open Range Zoo. Recommended time - 3 hours.
3. Old Melbourne Gaol - 377 Russell Street. Whether you are a history buff, lover of the macabre, or have a few hours to kill and don't know what to do, make a beeline for the Old Melbourne Gaol. It provides a facsinating glimpse into prison life of the mid-to-late 19th century. Grab a docent and walk the bluestone corridor to learn about such notorious criminals as Frederick Bailey Deeming, Elizabeth Scott, Martha Needle, and folk hero Ned Kelly. The interior harkens the Green Mile or Shawshank, but has a pervasiveness darkness probably made all the more so during the night tours they offer. A thought-provoking look at prison life, the territorial judicial system and impressive collection of death masks. Recommended time - 1 1/2 hours.
4. Royal Botanic Gardens - Birdwood Ave, South Yarra. There is nothing to dislike here. It offers soothing vistas, lush vegetation, and beauty around every turn. Go early morning for a misty stroll through the gardens. It is empty of crowds and full of cockatoos, parrots, magpies, and pukekos. We got there about 45 minutes past sunrise and it was otherworldly. I felt like I'd fallen into a storybook illustration. Recommended time - 2 hours, 3 if you take a picnic.
5. Melbourne Museum - 11 Nicholson St, Carlton. Home to a vast selection of geological, cultural, and anthropological history, this museum is one of the best natural history museums I've visited in my life. It is easy to meander from one hall to another and offers a wide variety of subject matters, enough to keep visitors engaged whether they are 3 or 103. My visit was made even more special due to the WWI Centenary Exhibition, which offers an in-depth and emotional look at WWI and the contributions made by ANZAC forces. Recommended time - 3 hours or more.

 Peace, love, and travel!

*As a reminder, these photos are solely mine and not to be used without prior written permission. Thanks!

Ticking off my 6th continent. Melbourne, by the port.

Downtown split by the Yarra River

Interior of the main cell block.

Interior of a cell.

One of many lovely vistas in the garden.

Laugh Kookaburra, laugh.

Business Travel - How to Get More With Less

 














I am lucky to travel for business which helps facilitate my pleasure travel, so when I come across something that helps both go a bit more smoothly, I am all about sharing.  

Today's gem comes from the Road Warriorette, who writes a blog full of interesting and useful business (mostly) travel advice. Check out her blog here and read on.

Peace, love, and travel!
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Dealing with the business travel “squeeze”
June 25, 2015

Squeeze.  It’s a common theme in business travel.  Ever since the economy tanked in 2008 I’ve really seen an uptick in businesses trying to squeeze as much as they can out of everything they can possibly think of. Air carriers are moving seats as close as they possibly can get together to add more rows to planes. Planes constantly need to be worked on which I can only guess is because the airlines are pushing them to their limits (for example, Duct tape story 1 & Duct tape story 2) .  Loyalty programs are becoming less generous so that more points can get squeezed out of your account. Despite record profits and lower oil costs airfares are going up in price which is squeezing money out of your pockets. Hotels are guilty of the squeeze too by doing things like charging ridiculous rates for Wi-Fi (just look at what Marriott got caught doing) and making reward stays more expensive. Even companies that business travelers work for are squeezing more by micromanaging expenses. To help with all this, here my tips for dealing with the squeeze.

Change airlines. I haven’t made the switch yet to Delta, but I’m really considering it. After a pretty bad streak of delays due to maintenance (not to mention some really awful customer service) with American and Southwest I went looking for answers. I researched the Air Travel Consumer Report released by the DOT and I noticed that overall Delta is consistently performing better than American and Southwest in on time performance, as well as delays caused by the carrier (which includes maintenance delays). These results are giving me incentive to making a change. My loyalty only goes so far.
Don’t hoard miles. Over the years of traveling I built up a decent amount of airline miles through different airlines. I used to.......<<read the full article here>>