Out Back

Posted on October 8, 2015 by Agingadventurer

I’m moved again this past weekend as my sister and brother-in-law want their house back. Granny flat, in-law suite, refurbished garage could all describe my new “digs” but my landlady refers to it as  “out back”.

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I was lucky to find a place in my old neighborhood, close to family and dog friendly. While this place is usually inhabited by the owner’s son, he is currently studying out of the city and hopefully for me, enjoying it enough to stay there for at least the school year. It definitely was designed with a young bachelor in mind as it has 2 TV’s, a full-sized refrigerator, a microwave and a small hot-plate. Now I have an excuse not to bake or to have people over for dinner!

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Only problem was that I sprained one of my toes….hopefully it will not hinder my Bhutan trek.

 

 

 

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Different Standards at Same Brand

Posted on September 30, 2015 by Agingadventurer

This past year I stayed at one of the worst motels ever and one of the best….and they were both branded as Howard Johnson’s. The horrific one was during a road trip with my dog so my choices were limited.  The one I found was not even to my dog’s liking.  She sniffed both beds and whined.  The odors of urine and smoke hung like clouds over the room. The linens were stained, worn and stinky.  The night could not have possibly passed quickly enough.

A few months later, while in Shanghai I stayed at a Howard Johnson hotel…perhaps that was the difference: one a motel and one a hotel?  Anyway this one was impeccable, almost luxurious.  Interestingly enough, they were both the same price!

 

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the Five for 2015

Posted on September 24, 2015 by Agingadventurer

It’s getting more difficult to amass 5 new countries each year…it is uncommon now to get more than one in a single trip. This year with tickets purchased already for the remaining months, I will have managed to do it: Lebanon (had I done proper research, might have flown or ferried to Cyprus), Dominican Republic ( in order to fly to Haiti I would have had to fly back to NYC!), Bhutan, Ethiopia and Azerbaijan (could not go through land borders when I was in Georgia or Armenia).

lebanon 043 from phone 558 Armenia and Georgia 102    still to come: Bhutan, Ethiopia and Azerbaijan

 

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Day and Night, Up and Down, Wow and Whew

Posted on September 20, 2015 by Agingadventurer

 

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While not sleeping in tents, it was an adventure trip with few amenities on the trail: loo with a view, eating in the rain under a big pine tree with twenty people, sloshing through mud and snow, digging out rain gear and dry gloves all with a promise of a break in the clouds allowing spectacular lakes and mountains to awe us.  Oh, there was also the promise of the day’s end, arriving at some of Canada’s best hotels with food and wine that would delight any Epicurean.

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The Post Hotel has a wine cellar of about 250,000 bottles and a menu of mouth-watering delights making it difficult to choose until we were told we could have anything we wanted! First night alone: Tartar of Ahi Tuna on Avocado in Ginger Marinade, Baby Romaine with Goat Cheese Dressing , Sautéed Deep Sea Scallops with Chef’s Asian Sauce, Pan-Seared Miso Marinated Fillet of BC Black Cod,  and the Coupe Danemark House-made Vanilla Ice Cream with Hot Chocolate Sauce ….could hardly get my clothes on the next morning!  The next night I stuck to the special “tasting menu” which offered very small portions of many pleasures.

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On the third day, the clouds disappeared, moods lifted, the picnic lunches were enjoyed and we even found some decent outdoor toilets! All in all, a terrific trip to the Canadian Rockies with Backroads.

 

 

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Headed for the Canadian Rockies

Posted on September 15, 2015 by Agingadventurer

Due to unseasonably bad weather (snow and rain) offering limited visibility, the group bonded slowly.  There were only brief glimpses of the mountains on day one and two; so instead of sharing the excitement of beauty and awe, we were trying to enjoy the mud, slush and the fact that we were hiking.

Thankfully on the third afternoon, the skies cleared and we celebrated with laughter, photography and silly antics.

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This was my second Backroads trip and overall it was exceptional.  The guides were incredible, the guests were all interesting and the hotels, food and wine were divine. I would highly recommend it : Hiking in Banff, Kootenay & Yoho National Parks. My only disappointment was in not seeing any animals other than small rodents and a few birds.  The goal of the staff was that we not encounter any bears and they accomplished that…although they did have a guest speaker who was a Grizzley expert!

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With my daughter, Molly on the shores of Lake Louise and up above Emerald Lake.

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Lost Luggage Not an Option

Posted on September 4, 2015 by Agingadventurer

Carry on luggage is a must for me even though the rule of thumb means only one bag plus one small personal item. With some of those small regional jets the airlines are using to get you to the closest hub, that can be a problem, especially if you’re not first to board. (only one side of the plane has room for luggage)

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It is difficult to lose your luggage if you have it with you but I came close a couple of times. Once I accidentally left my bag in an airline lounge during a stop-over and realized it as I arrived at the gate feeling a little light. Another time they made me leave my suitcase by the small plane so they could load it underneath with the promise of me getting it as soon as I deplaned….well they  forgot to load it; however, I was watching out the window and let them know in time!

Many of the European budget airlines limit your carry-on by weight (keep in mind that would be in kilos)so that’s when you wear everything that’s heavy. I once flew an airline that weighed the passengers as well!

 

 

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Ubering

Posted on August 31, 2015 by Agingadventurer

A wedding in Malibu on the last weekend of summer meant heavy traffic and crazy heat. My daughter intended to drive by herself, spend the night and return to San Diego the next morning and had asked me to take care of her dog. I suggested I come along so we could make use of the carpool lane and visit a little. Of course, I was also thinking, air conditioning at the hotel would be a welcome relief from the sweltering beach weather we had experienced all week.

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As it turned out, I drove her car both ways…on the way there she was able to put on make-up, change and be ceremony ready and on the return, she napped.  I didn’t mind as she also has Sirius Radio.  Sunday morning traffic was nothing compared to Saturday’s…3 and 1/2 hours to get there and a little more than 2 to get back.

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Better Late then Never

Posted on August 20, 2015 by Agingadventurer

Just started training for my hiking trip in Banff that starts in a couple of weeks. Unfortunately for me, I’m going with my daughter who trail runs half marathons in 100+ heat for fun! Guess I’m going to be eating someone’s dust.

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A few days ago there was fog or thick cloud cover so I took off for the highest ground around here. I hadn’t worn in my new hiking shoes yet but they are the low ones. I figured they’d be lighter and much more comfortable, but they seemed a little too big so I purchased a second pair 1/2 size smaller. Too bad they don’t make one in between. Hopefully I’ll be successful with different sox. (pic of me and companion at the top)  Seven miles of dirt on the soles!

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Yesterday I went in search of other hills close to the beach. With a sign like this I knew I would be in for a climb! From the top I could see downtown in one direction and all of Ocean Beach in the other.

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Not sure how much this counts as training for the Canadian Rockies but at least I now know of two places to go in case of a tsunami!

 

 

 

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Brazilian Blowouts and Brazilian Wax

Posted on August 16, 2015 by Agingadventurer

But no Brazilian visa anytime soon. I found a great round trip fare from San Diego to Rio and jumped on it; however, upon checking on getting a visa I came up with one road block after another. MyBrazilVisa.com, a great website, laid it all out for me.  Since it was Sunday and I had less than 24 hours left to cancel my flight free of charge, I needed to act quickly. Lucky for me there was an after hours phone number listed, I called and Todd picked up.

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The earliest he was able to aid me in getting a visa was for the day I would arrive home. He suggested I try one of the sites that promised rush delivery for hefty fees and to see about getting an appointment myself at the Los Angeles Consulate.  I struck out as the only place I could apply due to residency was the L.A. office and their first appointment wasn’t until 10 days later than the day Todd promised.

I hope to go to Brazil sometime within a year and will keep in mind a couple of things: my passport will be out of use for at least 3 weeks while they process my visa and once I have it I need to get it stamped within 3 months….found this out the hard way years ago!

If you’re going to the 2016 Olympics be sure to plan ahead.

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Touring the Beautiful River Li with Thousands of Others

Posted on August 12, 2015 by Agingadventurer

Okay I know that there are many people in China and that on a gorgeous hot summer day they might all gravitate toward the water….and I joined right in. The River Li has been listed as one of the most scenic rivers in the world so of course everyone would want to see it, up close and personal on a “bamboo raft”.

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The peaks and rolling hills stood along the banks like parade watchers as the boats floated by. The green emphasized the clear water and while this scenario was created to instill calm and relaxation it was distracting to be sharing the space with so many noisy motors and another raft always photo-bombing your idyllic picture.  I tried finding the scene that is on the 20 note, finally did but by that time had spent the money!

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Not too lucky with the hike either as after a couple hundred yards the path was no longer passable and had to take the main road. Still have the rash from something in the underbrush but all in all, a good time. Another place that I checked off the list!

 

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