local review: milk jar

(Los Angeles, CA).  I had been meaning to try Milk Jar since it opened in the spring of 2013.  I love cookies (especially chocolate chip cookies) and a place that only sells cookies has to have amazing cookies, right?

how to lessen the pain caused by a delayed or missing luggage

Take a picture of your bag
for reference.

Although I am a firm believer in not checking in a bag (due to my founded fear of the airline losing or misplacing it) and not paying a third party to ship it to my destination (because I tend to visit multiple destinations and those fees could get expensive), there have been times when I had to check it in (hiking poles and bottles of wine, apparently, could not be in a carry-on bag). In fact, I’ve had my bag gone AWOL twice. Considering I rarely check bags in, that percentage is high! So, what did I do before the trip that helped lessen the pain of airlines misplacing or losing my bag? 

1.                  I bought travel insurance. If the travel gods decreed that I should part permanently with my bag, I could make a claim and get some kind of compensation from someone.

hotel review: sheraton phoenix downtown

(Phoenix, Arizona).  Another business trip and another business hotel.  Most of the time, these hotels are relatively interchangeable, but I have to admit I was pleasantly surprised by the Sheraton Phoenix Downtown.
 

Sunset from my room.

Upon arrival, it was clear that this was a newer Sheraton - more contemporary and spacious.  The service was very friendly and helpful - especially in the lobby bar which turned out to be a very social and fun hangout for our business offsite.  The whiskey selection was a little limited but overall, the drinks were pretty good.

travel zen on tuesday - san blas islands

What are the San Blas Islands?

restaurant review: miller union in atlanta

The last time Mr. Sazy Rock and I visited Atlanta, Georgia in 2011, we dined at a new-ish restaurant called Miller Union. I enjoyed my meal then. So, on a recent trip back to Atlanta, I was pleased to dine there again.

The decor at Miller Union.

things to do in downtown los angeles

Olvera Street.

For the longest time, downtown Los Angeles was a place no one wanted to be in when office workers went home. Recent developments, however, have revitalized downtown. Now, there are plenty of stuff to do day and night.

In fact, I have spent a few staycations being a tourist in downtown. I found the experience very illuminating and fun. So, if you are visiting downtown, fret not. There are plenty of stuff for you to do. These are my recommendations if you decide to visit:

how to stay in shape while travelling (if you are a little lazy like me)

I know people who are incredibly committed to their workout regimens.  They will wake up early wherever they are and run for miles or go to the hotel gym and put in a full workout.  I with I could be more like them...but, alas, I am aware of my own limitations.  I already dislike running when I'm home, so it's highly unlikely I would do it with any true conviction while on vacation.  If I go to the hotel gym, I'll make a half-hearted attempt to jog a mile or so on the treadmill (so boring!), lift some weights, do some pushups, and then realize it's only been about 20 minutes.

At some point, after years of futile efforts, I decided to just accept me for me.  I don't like to work out.  I do it because I love to eat and I don't want to be fat.  Now when I travel, I do not set unrealistic expectations that I know I will fail.  Why have negativity on my own vacation?  Instead, I set easier goals that I know I can meet, such as:

• Do lots of walking.  I can walk and walk for miles even in flip flops.  Wherever I go, I will study the local map and if I can get to a restaurant or tourist attraction by foot, I will forego taking a taxi or subway.  This way I experience more of the city and squeeze in some exercise. 
•  Stretch in the morning.  I read somewhere that it's healthy to stretch in the morning.  So I just make an effort to stretch out my body, do 10 push ups and 10 situps to start the day!  It only takes 5 minutes, if that.
•  Bring a jump rope.  Not all hotels will have a gym so it's very easy to use that as an excuse not to work out.  An easy fix is to bring a jump rope.  It doesn't take much room in my luggage and I can get in a pretty good workout.  I just do a few minutes of jump rope to get the heart racing.  (If I'm ambitious I'll try double-unders but I sort of suck at them.)  But if I'm concerned that I might be creating too much noise for downstair neighbors, I will opt for something else.
• Fitness videos.  This is a recent discovery, but youtube has great fitness videos for free.  My favorites are the fitnessblender videos, and they range from quick 10 minute to hour long videos.  Super effective and varied enough so I don't get bored.  Most of the routines use your bodyweight so you rarely need any equipment.  I will typically just do the shorter, easier videos.  Hey - some exercise is better than no exercise!

Hope these ideas inspire you to (try) to stay in shape when you travel too!

martinikitty's gelato favorites and (unfavorites) in italy

(Italy).  Gelato (or Italian ice cream) is one of the most popular food experiences for most tourists visiting Italy.  And no, it isn't simply ice cream with different, exotic flavors.  Gelato is indisputably denser and creamier and better.  The flavors are amazingly vibrant and rich.   I'm not sure why gelato always tastes better in Italy than anywhere else, but it simply does.

I've been to Italy three times and have eaten lots and lots of gelato.  I'm by no means a connoisseur but based on my personal experience, I've listed a few of my favorites (and unfavorites), along with an additional list of places I still wish to try.  Let me know what your favorite gelato place is!

travel zen on tuesday - mackinnon pass in new zealand

Where is this place?

how to get around in new zealand

A view from the Mackinnon Pass on the Milford Track.

New Zealand is one of the most beautiful countries I have visited in my recent travels. Views of mountains, waterfalls, glaciers, fjords, beaches and rolling hills unobstructed by man or man-made structures inspired plenty of quiet reflection as well as lively discussions about the wonders of nature. At the same time, the melding of nature and man-made structures, like Hobbiton, stimulated the imagination. Finally, the cities (like Wellington, Queenstown and Christchurch) were full of mostly lovely people willing to assist lost travelers like me and Mr. SR, and in some cases, invite us to their home. All this waxing poetic about New Zealand has a purpose. To get to see all this beauty, one needs to get around. And, how does one get around?

day trip to ravello along the amalfi coast

(Ravello, Italy).  During our drive through the Amalfi Coast, we spent some quality time at the charming hilltop village of Ravello*.  It is home to a lovely pedestrian town (no cars allowed in the village proper, except for exempt vehicles) with quaint shopping (gorgeous ceramics and art) and delicious local restaurants.  It is perhaps most famous for hosting a classical music festival in the summer and Villa Cimbrone* and Villa Rufolo - which were previously private residences but have been converted into tourist attractions to showcase their amazing views.  Villa Cimbrone is actually a hotel now, but its beautiful gardens are available to non-hotel guests for a small fee (around 7 euros per person).

Our driver dropped us off at the beginning of the pedestrian section of the village and we wandered into Ravello on foot.  Like most other charming Italian villages, Ravello looks like a postcard.  There is a main square with a Duomo, flanked by restaurants with outdoor patios and shops.  It's a pretty small square so you can easily and quickly walk around the entire area.  

getting to know the usa: philadelphia, pennsylvania

The Liberty Bell and
Independence Hall in the background.

There were so many wonderful things I did in the process of getting to know Philly. I learned a ton of history (it was a former capital of the US, after all), gawked at plenty of amazing art, and gorged on a lot of delicious food. I really enjoyed this city and can't sing enough of its praises. In fact, other than the brutal winters, I'd consider moving there.

History

First, I tried to get to know Philly through its history. For me, this meant a visit to Independence Hall (a nominal fee to go in certain places but free to roam the grounds and other places). It gave me chills to walk (so to speak) in the footsteps of the founding fathers of the USA. George Washington, James Madison, Ben Franklin, Charles Pinckney (whose paintings I saw when I was getting to know Charleston), and so many more prominent figures in American history hung out there. And, these founders signed the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution there. As an attorney, I nerded out knowing that many legal protections in the US and copied by other countries had their roots in a document (i.e., the US Constitution) written, debated and signed in that area. 

local restaurant review: emc seafood in koreatown

Fresh oysters!

(Los Angeles, CA).  EMC Seafood & Raw Bar is one of many new

hip additions to Koreatown, and is definitely my favorite of them all for its awesome happy hour ($1 oysters!) and consistently delicious food.  To me the food here is hands down better than Beer Belly (another popular trendy pub in Koreatown) which seems to think all food is better if you fry it and smother it in sauce.  EMC does offer creative asian-fusion flavors but ultimately still relies on simple, fresh ingredients.  They also have good cocktails, sakes and a decent wine offering.

Sake flight.

travel zen on tuesday - turks and caicos

I would love to wake up to this every morning!

things to do in fuengirola

Welcome to Fuengirola.

Fuengirola (or Fuengi, as referred to by many English speaking expats who live there) is about 50 minutes by local train from Malaga. It is on the famed Costa del Sol (Sun Coast). Back during the boom days, many British and Northern European retirees decided to move and live in Fuengi (think of it like Americans from the North moving to Florida during the Winter). After the recent global recession hit, many of the expats left and Spanish folks moved in to take over some of the vacated condominiums.

A Fuengirola street looking towards the sea.

Although the coastal streets mostly have plenty of expats milling about, one will see many local Spanish people by just walking a couple of blocks inland. Fuengirola is a nice, quiet town, and a perfect place to spend a few days relaxing and eating well. 

I hope you get the chance to visit this lovely town. If you do, these are my recommendations:

larchmont village - small town feel in the middle of LA

(Los Angeles, CA).  Larchmont Village is a delightful retail/dining area in Hancock Park that is located on Larchmont Boulevard and flanked on the north by Melrose Avenue and on the south by Third Avenue.  It’s a great place to have brunch and shop with friends.  You can find general visitor information here.  

I usually come here for the Sunday Farmer’s Market (every Sunday 9 am – 2 pm), casual brunches and shopping for unique gifts.  But the best thing about visiting this area is letting the day leisurely pass you by while you people watch.  Yes, there are often celebrity sightings (usually TV stars) but the real gem is seeing the locals hanging out here with their cute dogs.  People are always running into old friends or acquaintances and that genuine small town feel is rare in a city as large as Los Angeles.  (Also, I’m horrible at celebrity sightings.  I do have a friend who seems to have eyes in the back of his head – he can sniff out any celebrity and identify them correctly if they are within a ½ mile radius, even if they are walking behind him.  It’s quite a talent.)

Below are a few of my favorite places/things to do in the village:

things to do in malaga

Malaga.

About two and a half hours on the fast train from Madrid is the Andalucian city of Malaga. I enjoy visiting Malaga because not only does it have history, architecture and an eating scene like other popular Spanish cities, but it is also on Costa del Sol (Sun Coast). That means, it tends to be warmer in Malaga than other cities, and it has beaches.

These are my recommendations when visiting this fair city:

hotel review: le sirenuse in positano

View from our room at La Sirenuse.

(Positano, Italy).  Of all the hotels that I booked for our Italian honeymoon, Le Sirenuse in Positano was the one I was most looking forward to because of its stellar reputation and the gorgeous pictures on its website.  It is often described as the best hotel in Positano and it literally sits in the middle of the village with breathtaking views of the bay.  (It was also in the movie Under the Tuscan Sun with Diane Lane and the hot Italian guy.)

Le Sirenuse is at once luxurious and intimate.  In fact, it was a family summer home until it was converted into a boutique hotel in 1951.  It is still a family-run establishment, and it is evident in the careful details permeating throughout the hotel that Le Sirenuse is a source of great family pride. 

The hotel is not cheap.  In fact, it's probably the most I've ever spent on accommodations.  I was concerned that my super high expectations would cause me to be disappointed, but that fear immediately fled my mind the moment we arrived.

positano - highlights, tips and recommendations

(Positano, Italy).  It's hard to imagine how this glamorous and beautiful village was built - literally hanging from a steep wall of rock.  Positano is now viewed as another playground for the rich but it actually has very modest origins - beginning as a fishing village, then rising as a rival to Venice, then falling into hard times, only to be reinvigorated as an exclusive seaside resort.  

I didn't really know much about Positano before I visited. I only knew the pictures I had seen of the picturesque and charming village were amazing.  And I was not disappointed.

travel zen on tuesday - granada

Granada, Nicaragua is a nice, small colonial town. Although there certainly are tourists there, it is not as touristy as other colonial towns in Central America.

what and where to eat in madrid

The Gran Reserva at Joselito's.

I love eating in Spain. Inevitably, the food I've eaten there has ended up in my top 10 for best street food or in my top 10 for best restaurant dishes. It's probably because my Filipino heritage has a 300 year history with Spain, and a lot of the food I grew up eating has its roots in Spanish cuisine. Luckily, Mr. SR also loves eating in Spain, a likely result of his many visits to his family's home in Andalucia. So, whenever we visit, all we do is eat. Often.

While we have eaten very well in every part of the country, I think Madrid holds its own among the other cities. After all, as the capital and the center of Spain, many of the food from around the country end up there. 

For the most part, this post will not discuss specific restaurants because I think Madrid is more than just a few restaurants. There are just so many great areas to explore with lots of eating opportunities. So, what and where should you eat if you visit Madrid?

firenze card - is it worth it?

(Florence, Italy).  The Firenze Card is a 3-day tourist pass which entitles you to:

• Access to the majority of the tourist sites in Florence without reservations;
• Use of buses/trams in the cities; and
• Access to the Firenze WiFi network.

The card costs 72 euros and is valid for 72 hours from its first use.  

You can buy it at most of the major churches and museums in Florence.  We picked our cards up at the Basilica e Museo di S. Maria Novella which is across the street from the train station (Stazione Santa Maria Novella) when we arrived in Florence.  They don't sell out so there's no need to pre-purchase them online.

So, did we find it worth the price?

all about white port

A Quinta do Noval white port with a view of the Douro Valley in Pinhao, Portugal.

I love Sazeracs (so much so that my handle pays homage to the drink). But, I also enjoy a bit of white port.

I must admit that, while I have always enjoyed having a glass of a tawny or ruby port since my cousin introduced this beautiful drink to me when I was in college many decades ago (no worries, I was legal), I never really knew about white port until about a few years ago. That was when Mr. Sazy Rock and I went on a trip deep into the Douro River in Portugal to a small town called Pinhao. (I tagged along with him while he was on a business trip to Quinta do Noval.) We drank not just all sorts of red port, but also a lot of white port.

What is white port?

hotel review: des moines marriott downtown

(Des Moines, Iowa).  I recently stayed at the Marriott in downtown Des Moines for work and it was rather disappointing.  To be honest, I wasn't thrilled to be in Des Moines in the first place.  To make matters worse, do you know there are no direct flights from Los Angeles to Des Moines???  So by the time I arrived after basically an entire day of travel, I simply wanted a comfortable quiet room and a nice dinner.  It really wasn't much to ask, but unfortunately, this Marriott simply did not deliver.

Smelly room....

day trip to capri

Marina Grande

(Capri, Italy).  In ancient times, Capri was a retreat for emperors and intellectuals because of its spectacular views, serenity and beauty.   Today, it is a popular tourist destination and commonly considered a playground for the rich.    We decided to just spend a day there since it was very easy to get there from Sorrento and we were curious as to what the island had to offer.