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Our Top Travel Destinations . . . So Far

11/29/2014

2 Comments

 
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The picturesque village of Kinderdijk, Netherlands, is just one of many captivating spots throughout the fabulous country.
By John Roberts

Writing about travel and being on adventures so often we always get the same question:

"What's your favorite place?"


A simple question with no easy answer for anyone who loves to travel.

So far, I have a handful of destinations that really stick out. Countries with wonderful people, great climates, awe-inspiring nature and Old World architecture.

Here are seven top spots we have been to (simply ranked alphabetically). This list is by no means exhaustive and leaves out many cool places we have been, but these have stood out for the especially outstanding times we have had during our trips. Of course, I'm partial to warm Caribbean destinations because I especially enjoy water and tropical adventures.

Antigua -- This Caribbean island in the West Indies is a gem. Located just north of the equator, the island gets temps in the mid-70s during winter and mid-80s for summer. The waters are warm and blue and fun to explore by snorkeling. The people also are very friendly. We enjoyed inexpensive delicious food and tasty beers during our lazy afternoons after a morning boating and swimming (below). It's also a treat to wander the markets for crafts such as handmade wooden dolls and clothes made with fabrics bursting with colors -- bright reds and tropical flowers. The laid-back feel and low cost make us consider this as a retirement destination some day.

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Bonaire -- A snorkeling and diving paradise. Bonaire, along with Aruba and Curacao, form the ABC Islands that represent special municipality countries associated with the Netherlands. Bonaire is located off the coast of Venezuela and has about 17,000 residents. Though it enjoys a fantastic tropical climate, Bonaire has few of what you would consider typical beautiful stretches of white Caribbean sandy beaches, such as its neighbor Aruba enjoys. But Bonaire is unique because you can pretty much just step off the shore and be in deep water filled with the most amazing coral reefs and colorful fish, rays and sea turtles.
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The snorkeling in Bonaire is the most amazing I have enjoyed so far.
Curacao -- Another great spot for water sports. We've had wonderful outings snorkeling sites of sunken vessels and hiking to visit unique fort ruins. The capital city of Willemstad is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is easily recognized by the row of colorful colonial buildings lining the harbor in its old town. You'll see a palette of pinks, oranges and blues.  

Costa Rica -- The Central American country is so small yet so ecologically diverse, with wonderful water activities, mountains, jungle, all sorts of wild animals to discover, fresh foods (I sample coconut water below) and friendly people. The country's motto is "Pura Vida," or the pure life and the people are proud to have the oldest and most durable democracy in Central America. The nation abolished its army in 1949 and owns a top-notch reputation for its conservation efforts, creating large areas of protected lands to nurture its wonderful biodiversity and sustain a vital tourism industry.

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A shaman prepares me for my visit to the underground -- swimming in a sacred cenote in Mexico's Yucatan.
Mexico -- With Mexico being a close neighbor, we've been to Cozumel and Cancun several times (among other cities in the country). We've used these locations for home bases and fine launching points for day trips to other villages to seek out adventures. We particularly enjoyed a day in the Yucatan learning about the ruins in Coba, as well as swimming in a cenote (natural underground pit or sinkhole in the limestone). We are inspired by many of our travels to better learn Spanish, and we get plenty of practice and kind assistance from the residents we meet during our trips here. Very fun, indeed.
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The Netherlands -- We have been several times, visiting Volendam, Amsterdam, Kinderdijk (pictured at top of page) and other small towns around the country. The people are unfailingly pleasant, and we enjoyed many nights chatting and laughing over beers and food with natives and fellows travelers. The scenery you witness while moving around the country is just amazing: green farmlands, fields of tulips, canals carving paths along the fields and windmills spinning lazily.

Turkey -- One far-too-brief stop in the country to visit Kusadasi and the tiny village of Sirince (below) has us yearning to return to further explore a nation chock full of history. We made a port stop to see the amazingly preserved ancient Roman ruins at Ephesus, then went to Sirince for lunch. A resident invited us into her home and prepared a meal. After all the wonderful people we met that day and the things we learned about Turkey, we know that we must return. 
Oh man, how could I leave out Tahiti . . . and Ireland . . . and England . . . and Belize . . . and . . .

Sigh!

I told you this was an impossible question to answer.

Let me know some of your favorite destinations!

Thanks for reading, and always travel happy!

JR
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No Gym? No Problem. Alternative Workouts When Traveling.

11/21/2014

 
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Have no gym at your lodging or on your tiny cruise ship? Pack exercise bands. They work well, even in tight spaces.
By John Roberts

Most of the time when I'm traveling, my accommodations -- whether a cruise ship, resort or hotel -- will offer a fitness center so that I can get in a quick daily workout to help get me revved up for another active day.

However, sometimes you might not have access to a gym. For example, I will be going on a Viking Cruises sailing on the Danube river next month, and the ship does not have a fitness center.

Here are a few tips and tricks for how to still get a great workout while traveling if you have no gym to use.

Also read: Best Ways to Stay Fit While Traveling for the Holidays

1. Pack exercise bands and jump rope -- These are light and fit easily into your luggage. A jump rope is great for a cardio workout or warmup. I can take it to the sundeck on the ship in the morning and have plenty of space. The exercise bands offer a bit of added resistance for moves such as squats, shoulder presses and biceps curls.
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The exercise kit I'm packing for my upcoming Viking River Cruise.
2. Try yoga -- Bring a DVD to pop into your laptop or DVD player in your cabin and start the morning with your favorite poses.

3. Do a bodyweight circuit -- Good old fashioned pushups, situps, dips and lunges are among a wide range of exercises that you can perform in the relatively tight quarters of your ship cabin or anywhere outdoors on a pleasant day in port. Check out this chart courtesy of Neila Rey for a full range of great moves to try in your bodyweight circuit.
Share some of the ways you improvise your routine to keep fit when you don't have access to a gym during your travels.

Thanks, and travel happy!

JR

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What to Expect in Bora Bora: Pure Excitement!

11/7/2014

4 Comments

 
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By John Roberts

No overwater bungalow for us on this visit to Bora Bora.

Our two-day stop at the little island in French Polynesia was during a voyage with Paul Gauguin Cruises. 

Bora Bora has about 9,000 residents, with about 5,000 native Bora Borans and the rest foreign workers and residents. 

The natural beauty of the region is on full display here, from the smiling people to the lush hills rising rapidly from the coral-ringed clear-blue bay waters.

Yes, the island is known as one of the birthplaces of overwater bungalows, the luxurious accommodations on many a traveler's bucket list, but we would be sticking to active excursions during our far-too-brief stopover. 

We hooked up with Cy, a friendly, funny and knowledgeable guide with Bora Bora Tupuna Safari, for an off-road tour up to a couple of picturesque high points, as well as a pair of gorgeous snorkel stops.

Mount Otemanu dominates the scenery (pictured at top). The unconquered peak (it has never successfully been climbed) looms over the island at more than 2,700 feet, with its craggy black volcanic rock peak in contrast to the blue water and green jungles below. 

We would scale two different peaks in our Land Rover ride, the first to see two U.S. Army guns and a bunker left behind from World War II, when Americans occupied the island. This stop and another similar climb offered incredible 360-degree views of the island.

U.S. artillery gun from World War II on Bora Bora
One of two big guns located at the top of the mountain. The U.S. installed the guns and a bunker when the military occupied Bora Bora in WWII.
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The ride up in the Land Rover, navigated expertly by Cy, who wasn't always actually in the seat behind the wheel (yes, he hopped out to take a pic and let the vehicle drive itself for about 50 yards in the mud ruts), was filled with bumpy excitement. The truck was filled with shrieks and "you've got to be kidding me" exclamations for nearly the entire route.
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After the off-road adventure, we changed transport, hopping into an outrigger canoe for a ride around the bays and to a couple of prime snorkel spots. We dropped into a lively reef system and saw plenty of colorful fish, cruised around the lagoon and spotted overwater bungalows, of course, before heading back to the ship worn out and buzzing from our awesome excursion.
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Overwater bungalows in Bora Bora
We caught a glimpse of overwater bugalows. Maybe someday we get a look at them from the inside.
There are so many active things to do on the island. We were happy to get as much in as we did in our short visit. 


Now, YOU deserve a trip to Bora Bora, don't you think?


Thanks for reading, and always travel happy!

JR
Subscribe today to get the latest reviews, tips and tricks to help you have your best adventure ever.

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