Celebrate Around the World - February Festivals!

2016 is off to a rollicking start and February brings us a whole host of event from the four corners of the globe. Here is an overview of the most colorful!

February 8th - Chinese New Year! The annual celebration of Chinese New Year has grown out of this tradition of superstition. For thousands of years since, the Chinese have hung crimson-colored lanterns to scare away the beast, giving the occasion its iconic color. Especially on the first day of the New Year, loud firecrackers, drums, and cymbals echo through the city, while fireworks and burning bamboo sticks keep the sky ablaze—all to keep the mythical Nian at bay. [Photo and text courtesy of Fest3000.com]



February 9th - Mardi Gras in New Orleans. Carnival is celebrated around the world and marks the days leading up to Lent, when Catholics (and some Episcopalians) begin a period of fasting, repentance and denial preceding the Easter season. Meaning French for Fat Tuesday, Mardi Gras is the culmination of 2 weeks of celebration before the solemnity of Ash Wednesday. [Photo courtesy of mardigrasworld.com]



February 13th - Tapati Rapa Nui Festival on Easter Island. A celebration of with traditional displays of athleticism, music, and dance. According to the website www.easterislandspirit.com, the festival is organized by locals for locals but tourists are welcome. Dates change each year and it runs from January 28th to February 13th this year. 
 
 February 20 - Jaisalmer Desert Festival in Rajasthan, India. This is a three-day festival that highlights the culture of the area. It began as a marketing ploy to bring people to the area, it now draws thousands of people from around the world to enjoy the colorful events which include a well-stocked bazaar of jewelry, textiles, and more. Visitors can enjoy contests of turban tying, camel races and mustache robusticity. [Photo courtesy of www.rajastahnvisit.com]
 


February 28 - National Grape Harvest Festival in the Mendoza province, Argentina. In Spanish it is called the Fiesta Nacional de la Vendimia and has roots in religious festivals. This modern day celebration began 1936 wand today features parades, parties, and dancing occurring over three months and across all 18 departments of the province. The Central Festivities are held in the city of Mendoza and include the Central Act as well as events like the Blessing of the Fruit. As if those aren't enough reasons to partake, there is the election of the National Grape Harvest Queen and a dazzling fireworks display. Wine, fireworks, and pageantry? Sounds like my kind of party! [Photo courtesy of MendozaWineToursandTravel.com]



If you are traveling to any of these regions, there is no better way to absorb the culture than to experience one of these festivals. Whether religious, secular, or commercial each has color, culture, and celebration and that is always a good thing!
peace, love, and travel!

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!

Belated Happy New Year! 2016 Travel Goals

Wow, the month of January is almost over and I am just now getting around to my second 2016 blog post? What a sad state of affairs. I'd like to blame it on preparation for far-flung travels or that I won the billion-dollar PowerBall jackpot, but neither is true. I've just been enjoying  life beyond the PC, iPad, cellphone, television, etc.

January is when a lot of people make resolutions. Not me, I make goals. Resolutions are great, but I find that I have a stronger chance of reaching a goal than sticking to a resolution. Goals are fun for me; I make them SMART and then it becomes a game.

Here is my list of 2016 travel-related goals (in no particular order):
1. Do more local travel - in-town, in-state, regional, etc. I find that when I have time to travel, I rarely consider staying local. This is a shame, because while my city is not D.C., NYC, or SF we do have some great museums, restaurants and unique things to do. GOAL: Be a backyard tourist and visit a local destination at least once per quarter.

2. Organize all the travel ephemera gathered over the past 25 years - ticket stubs, maps, currency, etc. I have two boxes full of cool little artifacts that I've tucked between the pages of guidebooks, into camera bags and pockets. It needs to be sorted and presented in a way that lets me enjoy it from time to time and gets it out of the cardboard boxes. I love this idea from Martha Stewart: travel ephemera boxes (photo at top). GOAL: Create two boxes every quarter. That won't get me finished until 2018 but it's a good start.

3. Look to the North - Canada. As someone who has been to 6 continents, it is almost laughable that I've never been to Canada. Sorry, Mississauga, you don't count. As I start to plan short trips for 2016 and 2017, I've started to consider Vancouver, Montreal, and Halifax as jumping-off points for a Canadian adventure. GOAL: Book a long weekend in Vancouver to occur by November 30th, 2016.

4. Print my travel photos - I am woefully behind in printing my photos from Australia and New Zealand, so to add to our gallery wall, I need to get in gear. GOAL: Select the 5 best photos to print and frame by March 1st, 2016.

5. Take the dogs on a road trip - It has been years since we took the dogs on a road trip so before any more time passes, we'll pack the car, load up the pups and hit the road. The last time we went to Bahia Kino and the dogs played in the waves for hours. Perhaps, this time the mountains beckon? GOAL: Plan and execute a road trip with the dogs by September 30, 2016.

That's a pretty good list, I think. What about you? What travel goals do you have for 2016? Share them in the comments.
peace, love, and travel!

#Backyard Tourist - Taking Advantage of Local Sightseeing Opportunities

To start the new year and enjoy the last of my time away from work, we've been doing a lot of hiking and walking the dogs. Today was no exception and we spent time at the San Tan Mountain regional park, which is just a short drive from the house. In fact, the only photo I took today was the shot below which is a view of the San Tan Mountain from just beyond our driveway. On the way home it occurred to me I took no photos and, being such a gorgeous day, I thought that was a travesty. So, we pulled over onto the shoulder of the road, I jumped out of the car, turned around, and took this shot. 

It was a lovely day with warmer temperatures and surprisingly few people. Here is what the Maricopa County website has to say: San Tan Mountain Regional Park consists of over 10,000 acres, the southeast Valley park and is a fine example of the lower Sonoran Desert. The park ranges in elevation from about 1,400 feet to over 2,500 feet. Goldmine Mountain is located in the northern area, with a spectacular San Tan Mountain escarpment in the southern portion of the park. The vegetation changes from creosote flats to dense saguaro forest. Various types of wildlife may be observed, including reptiles, birds, and mammals.

One of my goals for 2016 is to enjoy more local sightseeing opportunities. I love to travel and am quite neglectful about taking advantage of all Arizona has to offer. Today was a step in the right direction!  Two days down, 363 days to go!

Happy New Year!

Dear 2015,
Thank you for the opportunities you presented me, both professionally and personally. While I spent way too much time on airplane for business, you helped me reach a milestone and personal goal of visiting my 6th continent. What a magical adventure! Australia and New Zealand were otherwordly and breathtaking. On the home front, work brought me some great clients, interesting projects, good colleagues, and more travel. It was a great year, filled with health, happiness, and love. I wish you, 2015, good bye. May 2016 be as kind and obliging and bring me more opportunities for travel, continued health and prosperity for me and my loved ones.

My deepest wish is for everyone to have safety, access to healthy food, useful endeavors to occupy the body and mind, and a willingness to accept others. May 2016 shine on all of us with good fortune, tolerance, and wisdom.
peace, love, and travel
the Map Pin Junkie

My 2015 travel recap in a few photos. As a reminder, these images are mine and protected by all applicable copyrights.

Merry, Happy, Good Wishes To All!

Hot chocolate in my reindeer mug (with mini marshmallows aplenty), loved ones near, and my favorite Christmas movies on the dvd, I feel incredibly fortunate to be safe, warm, well-fed, and healthy. I hope the same for you and yours. May goodwill and peace reign in your world, this holiday, and beyond.

Peace, love, and travel!

The Map Pin Junkie

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

The Map Pin Junkies 12 Days of Christmas - Gift Recommendations - Day 11

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

Most travelers I know make a point of keeping a travel journal close at hand during any and all adventures. Day 11 gives you a few journal options to choose from so you can pick the right one for your traveler. With iPads and cell phones available you may wonder why I recommend an analog way of keeping notes. Well, there is nothing like sitting in a far away place surrounded by strange smells, unusual faces, hearing foreign tongues, and writing it all down. The scratch of pencil on paper, the smell of the pages, tucking a train ticket stub between the pages....these are all tactile things you cannot get from an iGadget.

So, consider giving your traveler a beautiful journal. One of my favorites is the leather wrap journal from Leatherology, $85. Available in three colors, it has ivory pages with raw, unfinished edges. You can write in it, affix travel ephemera, or sketch what you see from that cafe chair. When you are finished with the day's thoughts, wrap the leather cord around the cover to keep your memories for another day. 

 

If you don't want to give leather, there are some great options from  Moleskine or just head to your local Barnes and Noble and check out their wall of journals.

Happy Gift Giving!!

The Map Pin Junkies 12 Days of Christmas - Gift Recommendations - Day 10

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

Day 10 is all about the aviation enthusiast on your list. A handy tool for home or the road, today's recommendation is the Pan Am Boeing 707 Bottle opener, $135, on uncommongoods.com. Their copy is better than I could do, so read what they have to say:

Bring a touch of the friendly skies to cocktail hour with this industrial bottle opener, crafted from the fuselage top from an authentic Pan Am Boeing 707. Hand polished to highlight the shimmering aluminum, this opener still features the iconic rivets, integral to the airplane's construction. Handmade in Berkeley, CA. Get it here!

Happy Gift Giving!!
all recommendations are mine alone and I have not received any money, product, or perk from any of the companies listed.

Get Your Yule On!

Today, December 22, marks the winter solstice for 2015. This means it is officially Yuletide, one of the oldest winter celebrations known. In some form or fashion it was celebrated by the Egyptians, the Romans, the Celts, the Vikings and all sorts of other civilizations that were here before us. With the advent of Christianity a lot of that Yule traditions were adopted to make conversion of the pagans a little bit easier for the church.

To celebrate a wonderful end to a good year, we will light up the fire pit this evening and reflect on Christmases past with laughter and love.

So today celebrate Yule with a warm fire or a tabletop log and candles!

The Map Pin Junkies 12 Days of Christmas - Gift Recommendations - Day 9

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

Day 9 features a gift I am giving this year (shhhhh!), a world scratch map from Luckies of London! What's a scratch  map, you ask? It's a map on which you scratch off the places you've been, sort of a travel log. This deluxe version features copper foil against a deep black background. Under the foil are vibrant country colors.

I love this gift because, at $32, it becomes unique and personalized to any recipient! Even better, it comes in a durable cylinder for shipping and easy gift wrapping! It is available on Amazon in time for Christmas delivery, too! Check it out here!

Happy Gift Giving!

all recommendations are mine alone and I have not received any money, product, or perk from any of the companies listed.

The Map Pin Junkies 12 Days of Christmas - Gift Recommendations - Day 8

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

Day 8 of the 12 Days of Christmas is for all the power junkies on your list. Named one of the best chargers around, the Anker Astro E4 13000mAh Classic Portable Charger has a huge capacity and supposedly can deliver five full charges to an iPhone 6. It is small, sleek, and is backed by an 18 month warranty. Even better, it has an LED flashlight, built in! Get it here.

It works on Apple phones and iPads, Android devices, some other brands of tablets and Bluetooth devices. Priced at $30, it weighs less than a pound and with outlets at a premium in most airports, the traveler on your list will thank you! 

Happy Gift Giving!

all recommendations are mine alone and I have not received any money, product, or perk from any of the companies listed.

The Map Pin Junkie's 12 Days of Christmas - Gift Recommendations - Day 7

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

Day 7 of the 12 Days of Christmas is more of a stocking stuffer, but one of my favorites so it still makes the list - a travel candle! For those of us that travel a lot, it can be nice to tuck a bit of home in our bag. The easiest way to do that is with a travel candle, specifically those from Henri Bendel ($15).

Small enough to tuck into your bag but with enough power to scent your hotel room, these charming little finds come in a variety of unique aromas. For winter travel, I love Firewood, but the Peony is great, too. Check them out here: https://www.henribendel.com/candles/travel-candles/

Happy Gift Giving!

all recommendations are mine alone and I have not received any money, product, or perk from any of the companies listed.

The Map Pin Junkie's 12 Days of Christmas - Gift Recommendations - Day 6

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

Day 6 of the 12 Days of Christmas brings you something practical for the frequent flier on your list. The Lucas Under Seat bag! This little gem could be called the TARDIS of luggage....it's bigger on the inside! In fact, I was able to fit 32 days worth of clothing in this bag for an international trip involving time in metropolitan and rural locations (see this post). It weighs 6 pounds empty and measures 15.7" x 15.7" x 9.8" (external).

It does have a clear plastic partition in the main compartment, but it that doesn't work for you, do what I did - carefully slice it out (just needs two cuts) to remove it. This makes the bag incredibly spacious and its compact size makes it adorable and wildly functional. I cannot rave about this bag enough and best yet it is priced at under $50!! Color choices are red, black, and a dark blue.

It has features that make it easy to zip through security lines at the airport and fit it under most airplanes seats (in the US. It does not fit under some European carriers seats). The inline skate wheels keep things rolling along, no matter how fast you are going. 

Give the gift of packing light with the Lucas Wheeled Under the Seat bag!

Happy Gift Giving!

all recommendations are mine alone and  I have not received any money, product, or perk from any of the companies listed.

The Map Pin Junkie's 12 Days of Christmas - Gift Recommendations - Day 5

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

Day 5 of the 12 Days of Christmas features another book. This one is eye candy for those looking to do some map pinning or for the armchair traveler on your list.

Lonely Planet's The Travel Book 2nd edition brings you 229 countries and destinations in full color. I have the 1st edition, but the 2nd edition promises 817 all new images and text. A bestseller, at $24, this is sure to delight any recipient. It is  available from several book sellers and looks great under the tree! Sorry for the poor photo, I took a hasty snap with my phone.

Happy Gift Giving!


all recommendations are mine alone and  I have not received any money, product, or perk from any of the companies listed.

 

The Map Pin Junkie's 12 Days of Christmas - Gift Recommendations - Day 4

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

For Day 4 of the 12 Days of Christmas my gift recommendation makes a great package decoration! A globe ornament is one of the best gifts I've given. When I presented it to 'he who shall not be named' several years ago, I had it tied to a box that contained plane tickets for our next trip. Every year, it gets hung on the tree and we can reminisce about all the trips we've taken solo and together. 

Lots of retailers offer globe ornaments, but I particularly love the antique feel of this Age of Exploration version from 1WorldGlobes.com. At $20, it is a faithful reproduction of a globe designed by Didier R Vaugondy, cartographer to Louis XIV in 1745. Swap out the hanging string with a festive ribbon for even more holiday flair. I used a length of wired green velvet ribbon to give it extra 'zhuzh'.

Give your sweetie the gift of the world with this charming little orb! If you don't hang it on a tree, try hanging it on a door knob or drawer pull to add charm to your surrounds. I can never have too many globes and believe that having globes and maps around keeps world travel vibes in the air so opportunities to travel will come your way. So far, my plan is working! 

Happy Gift Giving!

The Map Pin Junkie's 12 Days of Christmas - Gift Recommendations - Day 3

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

Here we are on Day 3 of the 12 Days of Christmas and today brings us pure luxury in the form of a cashmere wrap from The Travel Wrap Company. 

100% pure cashmere and made in Scotland ($229 US), these sumptuous wraps are the perfect gift for the frequent traveler or the homebody. Imagine snuggling up in this on a cold airplane or zipping through a chilly train station wrapped in elegance! This is the one item on my list I may have to give myself! 

There are lots of colors and looks to choose from, so you are sure to find the hue you want. You'll be hard pressed to find a travel gift that is as versatile as this. Blanket or fashion statement, the cashmere wrap is sublimely useful! If you don't have enough time before Christmas, I am sure an IOU for a cashmere wrap would be just fine. =)
Happy Gift Giving!



all recommendations are mine alone and  I have not received any money, product, or perk from any of the companies listed.

The Map Pin Junkie's 12 Days of Christmas - Gift Recommendations - Day 2

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's recommendation comes from the amazing gang at Moon Guides. 

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to live in another country? Well, Moon Guides aims to prepare you with their Living Abroad In series. The authors of each guide not only 'talk the talk' they have 'walked the walked' of living abroad and provide detailed information on visas, finding work, deciding on housing and more.

One or more of these would be a great gift bundled together for the college graduate with wanderlust, the near-retiree, or anyone with far flung dreams (like me)!

Choose from 19 countries, 2 cities (London and Paris, of course) and get the books in analog (an actual book) $19.99 or digital format $9.99. I can't say enough good things about Moon Guides. There is something about setting off with one of their guides that has always made me feel like an intrepid explorer from the late 1800s, with long skirts, a leather valise, and a parasol. Check out Moon Guides Living Abroad In...and start planning your escape!

 all recommendations are mine alone and  I have not received any money, product, or perk from any of the companies listed.

The Map Pin Junkie's 12 Days of Christmas - Gift Recommendations - Day 1

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

Each of the next 12 days, I will post a gift recommendation targeted to the traveler or travel dreamer on your list.

My list includes items at most price points and most are suited to men or women.  Finally, all recommendations are mine alone and  I have not received any money, product, or perk from any of the companies listed.

Okay, first up, a gift for the iFanatic on your list.

Geared towards travelers, the Zoom Lens for iPhone kit comes with a 12x optical lens , a mounting bracket, a tripod and a drawstring carrying bag.  $22 and available here:Zoom Lens for iPhone

 

Happy gift-giving!

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