I travel a lot, and never liked cleaning my house even before I did, so I've always been looking for easy ways to take chores off my hands. I have an automatic litter box for the cats, automatic feeders for the cats, and am always looking for more time-saving devices like that. Last year, …
Continue reading Don’t like vacuuming? A Tale of Two Robots and Three Cats
Travelers’ Century Club’s official list of countries and territories I've visited or where I already have trips booked - marked with * (some have notes afterward) So far: 52 ** is one I expect to go to in the next two or three years PACIFIC OCEAN (4/39) *Australia (East half, including Kangaroo Island) Bismarck …
Alaska Denali National Park and Preserve Gates of the Arctic National Park Glacier Bay National Park Katmai National Park and Preserve Kenai Fjords National Park Kobuk Valley National Park Lake Clark National Park Wrangell-St. Elias National Park American Samoa National Park of American Samoa Arizona Grand Canyon National Park Petrified Forest National Park Saguaro National …
When I travel, I often find myself attracted to old graveyards and cemeteries. I didn't even realize that those two words referred to different things until on one Graveyard Tour, (which I had joined because I wanted to go to the cemetery) and the tour guide explained that they are different things and we weren't …
Continue reading Stories told by cemeteries – Rosehill Cemetery (Chicago)
A few months ago I was flying back home from visiting family in New Jersey. Despite being pretty early in the morning, the line for TSA precheck was past the stanchions and partway down the hallway. A lot of us were somewhat disappointed by this long line as many of us paid and went through …
This great and unusual attraction is currently closed for renovations, but it was a fun departure from the normal Paris attraction circuit before, and I'm sure it will be again when the renovations are complete. First, there is a museum portion with information from the Roman times to now and explaining how the sewers work, …
Continue reading Musée des Égouts de Paris – the Paris sewers
Lighthouses of Kangaroo Island, Australia Kangaroo Island was my favorite part of Australia. It has everything a person could want all in one place. It has animals like penguins, wallabies, kangaroos, koalas, seals, short-billed geese, and others. It has the best ice cream I've ever had. It has quirky mailboxes. It also has amazing natural …
Continue reading Kangaroo Island, Australia – Three Lighthouses
My tagline is: Collect Experiences, Not Things When I was in Colombia at the Bazurto market, I had the opportunity to have El Runner make me a poster. And that is what I chose to get. One good way to collect experiences is through travel. For example, this research concludes that "And here’s the important …
Batik in Thailand While in Thailand, I discovered Backstreet Academy. They have many affordable classes in arts like glass-blowing, batik making, jewelry making, etc. They offer classes in many Asian cities, not just Chiang Mai. So check them out if you are in any major city in SEA. I signed up for both a batik …
Solo Woman Traveler Part 1: Hotel Safety One thing that I always search for info about when I go to a new place is how safe it is for single women, as I often travel alone. There are many aspects to this. Today, I'll discuss hotel safety. First, if you intend to go out late …
I was recently reminded of this wonderful place while I was in the Caribbean and saw a street named Maduro on one of the "Dutch" Islands. I don't know if it's named after the same guy, but George Maduro was a law student in Curacao who was part of the Dutch resistance to the Nazi …
Continue reading Madurodam – Amsterdam area, the Netherlands
Caves: Underground in the Dominican Republic When you are in the Dominican Republic a fun thing to do is go to the Cuevas de las Maravillas (Cave of Wonders). This attraction is near La Romana, a popular resort area. There is a very steep staircase to get into the caves. The caves are traditional stalagmite …
Continue reading Caves: Underground in the Dominican Republic
Dubrovnik is a beautiful ancient city that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site on the coast of Croatia. The ancient trading port is surrounded by fortified walls that you can walk around completely getting wonderful views of the town. It's obvious why this was chosen for many Game of Thrones' settings. The entrance to the …
Continue reading Dubrovnik City Walls (Croatia) – UNESCO site
Depending on where I travel, I'll take a Chromebook or my newest "computer" which I will describe below. The thing with laptops/Chromebooks/etc. is that they are easy to steal and easy to damage. So when I travel I prefer to have something that won't be horrible if it gets stolen or broken. A Chromebook fits …
Continue reading A cheap “laptop” with backup power for traveling
Geological wonders: Punakaiki Rocks - New Zealand The Punakaiki Rocks are located on the northwest side of the South Island of New Zealand. Punakaiki (Poo-nuh-kI-kee) is the closest the Maori could pronounce Pancake, so that's how their name was born. The rocks themselves are layered limestone that is worn away by the ocean, and left …
Continue reading Geological wonders: Punakaiki Rocks – New Zealand; stone pancake stacks and seals
Travel Around, Experience the World 