Who wants to know their status?

I have just returned from a week of HIV/AIDS awareness training in the Gondar region of Northern Ethiopia. We visited health clinics in villages throughout the Simien Mountains and while the other members of my team did eye clinics, I taught about HIV/AIDS. I was surprised at the attentiveness of the people and their genuine interest in learning about ‘the great disease’.

I just wanted to share one very cool moment. After sharing with a crowd of a few hundred people, I asked ‘so who wants to know their status?’ The response was overwhelming! Hands were popping up and people were lining up to get tested. Only 2% were positive! A very good thing!

Pure Poetry!

There are any number of wonderful and unique lodging opportunities in the wine regions of northern California. One of my favorites is The Poetry Inn. The location is perfect and the inn itself is small, intimate and sublime.

‘Perched above the vineyards of the Napa Valley’s Stags Leap District, this luxurious and exclusive inn offers the discerning traveler all of the sensory pleasures of the wine country. Spread over forty acres of pristine hillsides and world-class vineyards, Poetry Inn is a world apart. Guests, those fortunate few, enjoy unparalleled service aimed at creating an atmosphere of rural calm and seductive seclusion.’ – www.thepoetryinn.com

All of the rooms are named after great writers – Walt Whitman, Robert Frost, Emily Dickinson, ee cummings and Robert Louis Stevenson. The bathrooms are particularly nice, with rose limestone and marble finishes, and stunning views from the soaking tubs. The large, grand top-floor suite is pretty special, and commands the best views. The Robert Frost room has a hammock in the outdoor shower area – perfect for lounging on in fluffy bathrobes and enjoying that scenery.

Because of its size and cache, availability is hard to come by, so planning ahead is advisable.

A visit to Napa can be daunting. I suggest you either research your favorite labels and start there and / or I can provide you with an insider’s tour of some of the most exclusive wineries in the valley. Some of my favorites include Storybook Mountain Vineyards, Korbel, and Gargiulo Vineyards for starters.

Faru Faru Away…

…in the wilderness of Africa, I found myself soaking in the most glorious (ie enormous and with this deliciously fragrant oil…) bathtub; watching the colobus monkeys playing in the trees across the riverbed from my villa. For real! The colobus monkey is one of those super rare sightings and so it was almost like having a front row seat at the U2 concert….OK, maybe not THAT cool, but it was pretty cool. The colobus is the most arboreal of all African monkeys and is rarely seen on the ground. It uses branches like trampolines, jumping up and down on them to get liftoff for jumps of up to 50 feet. They leap up and then drop downward, falling with outstretched arms and legs to grab the next branch. Their mantle hair and tails act like a parachute during these long jumps. They are rare because they were (and still are) hunted for their fur for use in tribal rituals and as trim by western furriers.

And so, back to this bathtub with massive picture windows, it can be found at Faru Faru Lodge which is one of the three Singita lodges in its privately owned reserve of 400,000 acres. The reserve, the Grumeti, is in the famed Serengeti and is home to all the things you want to see when going on safari. This is Singita’s ‘chic modern’ lodge with white & beiges giving it a very organic feel. The contrast of natural elements against cutting-edge design and uber-luxurious furnishings is integrated in six open-style suites, each with an outdoor bathing option (some have showers, some have bathtubs outside…mine had the shower). And yes Gabrielle, the other people are 'Faru Faru' away...thanks for the sound bite!

The over-flow slate pool overlooks the watering hole for the elephants, so you can watch the elephants cool off while you take a dip yourself. Or you can lounge on the comfy pillows, read, nap, whatever. The property offers an honor library where you can take a book...and/or leave a book to share with some future traveler.

All three of the Singita properties of the Grumeti share services…so if you want to do a horseback safari, the equestrian center at Sasakwa is at your service! They also offer mountain bikes, a full spa, an impressive wine list, laundry services (loved that!) and they really go above and beyond to make your time with them unforgettable.

Sleeping Among the Wildebeests

My life list includes things like advanced degrees, conquering certain rivers and mountains, a reading list, a world monuments list, etc…you know things that I want to do or experience in my lifetime. I actually wrote the list about 15 years ago and am tracking pretty well. I do occasionally go back to add things that I just didn’t have the wisdom to think of when I was in my 20s. One thing that was NOT on my list that I might just add so I can check it off is sleeping among the Wildebeests during migration in the Serengeti. I would have never thought this to be one of those unforgettable life moments, but it was!! Wildebeests are not that pretty really…everyone dotes over the zebra and the giraffe or the elephant, etc. But the wildebeest gets no appreciation! While enjoying sun-downers one evening, we stood surrounded by thousands of wildebeest. They kept a distance of about 100 yards or so…almost a perfect circle around us. The funny thing is the sound they make… it is a low soft sigh almost. Like on exhale, they just sort of sigh. Standing in the middle of it, the sound was soothing and sweet.

That night we slept in tents in the middle of the plains covered with the wildebeest herds. To be lulled to sleep by their sighs is just one of those life experiences that is truly unforgettable.

Now for the tent in which I enjoyed this experience...Like out of a movie set or a Ralph Lauren add, the Sabora Tented Camp in Tanzania blows the idea of ‘camping’ to the most luxurious extreme!

A full bathroom inside the tent provides all the luxuries one would expect of the finest hotels in the world...with a view and an awesome 'soundtrack'!

Pictures do no justice to the experience...you must add it to YOUR life's list!!

Game Pictures

My camera broke last night, so I have not gotten any pictures today, but these are from the previous day.

Sasakwa Sunset

The overabundance of game in the Grumeti reserve is pretty wow. Last night we drove through heads of wildebeest and zebra. Not 1 or 2 or 3, but herds. A fantastic sight. We also happened on a den of lionesses and more giraffe.

Love at First Site

Well I arrived in Arusha yesterday afternoon and crashed at my hotel following a light dinner. Early to rise this morning for the next round of flights from Arusha to ...this!! We flew on a small airplane and made several stops along the way on grass landing strips - dropping people off and picking people up - to arrive at Singita Sasakway. Our first 'siting' to the left was this lovely giraffe enjoying an afternoon snack!

The lodge is other worldly! My room is a picture of design and African antiquities with a private plunge pool overlooking the Gremetti Reserve. I am on a short break before heading out for our first official game drive. I can't wait!! Following tomorrow morning's drive, we will take out on mountain bikes for a more physical interaction with this amazing land.

A City Break

When you are wanting to get away from routines and do something different, a great American city might do the trick! WE have so many great choices: New York, Chicago, Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, LA, St. Louis, DALLAS, etc… Now if you travel for work, you might think this isn’t such a great idea, but experiencing a city with someone you love vs. on business are two totally different things.

We just spent the weekend in Chicago. The weather was beyond perfection! A great respite from the heat of Dallas. Chicago is an easy town to manage in a weekend…or two… We did not get to it all, but that just means we get to go back some day.

As far as hotels go, the choices are top notch… The Peninsula and Park Hyatt are the usual top picks smack in the middle of Michigan Avenue. The James is a funky modern hotel that has awesome suites at reasonable prices – and great for families! The Four Seasons was recently re-done and is all sparkly and new and is well located just a block off Michigan behind the mall – no matter where, I always love the Four Seasons. W & Westin also offer some great options…

During the summer months, the city puts on a Jazz concert in the park (Millennium Park Bandshell) on Thursday evenings! We went, it was awesome. Great music, great people watching, great weather, great company, all around greatness.

The art in Chicago is world class! We went to the Museum of Contemporary Art for the Olafur Eliasson exhibit. The museum is just a block off of Michigan and is a worthy destination in itself. Great collection! The Art Institute of Chicago also offers a stellar collection and is directly across the street from Millennium Park.

The Frank Lloyd Wright tours are great, the Shedd Aquarium isn’t as good as the Monterrey Bay Aquarium, but is worth the visit. The Field Museum…wow! The Navy Pier – not for me….but apparently it is for a lot of people, because it was jam packed. Baseball, football, theater, etc, etc, etc. Get the picture?

So, make it an ‘Art Weekend’ or ‘Sport Weekend’ or ‘Food Weekend’ etc… Chicago has a lot to offer and is worth going back again and again.

Fantastic Turkish Food

As the intersection between Asia and Europe, Istanbul offers a plethora of world class dining options. There are really a ton of choices, most fantastic, but I am just going to discuss 2 restaurants for now….

Lebiderya is a challenge to find, but well worth the hunt! Tucked down a tiny ally way and on the roof of a 6 (or so) story building, Lebiderya offers a vibrant local hot spot with sweeping views of the old city. Keep in mind that you can still smoke in Turkey and if the weather is not conducive to having the windows open, then it can be a little annoying. While the food is great, it is not extraordinary. It is well priced and a worthy effort for a nice evening with locals and a view. http://www.lebiderya.com/lebiderya/eng/1_2_index.html

You can walk the social district after dinner and enjoy hookah and tea at a café while people watching. Really bad picture, but this is me in front of Lebiderya...a thrill to find!

Amedros Café is on the Sultanahmet side of the city and has FANTASTIC food. If you plan on dinner, then a reservation is strongly recommended, but you can easily pop in for lunch without a wait. It too is a lively atmosphere with primarily travelers eating. It offers very authentic and very delicious Ottoman cuisine. Do make the effort to find it if you are in Istanbul. http://www.amedroscafe.com/

NOW, if you can't make it to Turkey any time soon and need a little Turkish fix, then Cafe Istanbul in Plano really does a great job too!!

Monaco Transfers

Short post...good tip!

When going to Monaco, it is best to use the helicopter transfers from the Nice airport - rather than having a driver take you. It is faster, easier, great views and certainly more glamorous.

Eze

With summer rounding the corner, people are planning for Europe in droves. The Euro & Dollar are doing favorably – for the most part – at 1.29 and there are a lot of great deals to be had! Last year was all about Asia, but this year... the MED is back in vogue!

SO, put the village of Eze on your itinerary. Eze is a quaint medieval village perched on a hill overlooking the Mediterranean just between Nice & Monaco. It makes for a great 1-night stay pre- or post- cruise, but not much more than that really. There are 2 great hotels in Eze: Chateau Eza and Chateau De La Chevre D’Or . I do have a preference between the two, but will leave it for you to decide. They both offer first class hospitality in a spectacular setting.

If you can’t overnight, book a table at Les Ramparts at Chateau De La Chevre D’Or for lunch. The food is extraordinary, but it is the view and the gorgeous Mediterranean sun that make for an unforgettable afternoon.

Lunch with my oldest and dearest friend Stephanie at Les Ramparts.

One of these days...

I will get this:

"The real art of conversation is not only to say the right thing in the right place, but to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment."

— Lady Dorothy Nevill

Love wise words!!

Virtuoso Life

Virtuoso Life decided my picture in China was good enough to publish. Woohoo...my second time in the press....

http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/virtuosolife/20090304/

People & Places Page 24

If you would like a complimentary subscription to the magazine, let me know!

Oh to be there now...

Today I am dreaming of a hammock by the ocean. I don't know why that sounds so GREAT right now, but it just does.



So many people dismiss the Riviera Maya because of the whole Cancun scene - commercial, clubby. I get that, BUT there are so many wonderful wonderful places to walk in the sand and take in the sun and sea that are incredibly sumptuous. The Tides is one of my favorite properties along the Riviera Maya because all of the villas have private pools and hammocks with outdoor showers and all the trimmin's. Very secluded, private and gorgeous.


Down the road a bit, in the Mayakoba area, Mandarin Oriental (one of my absolute favorite brands ever), Rosewood, Banyan Tree, Viceroy and Fairmont have all opened their doors to a whole new world of luxury along the Riviera Maya. These resorts are all built along the mangroves and are very secluded. Each one has its own style, so it just really depends on your preferences as to which one is best suited to you.

The snorkeling in the area is phenomenal, day trips over to Cozumel to dive are easy, and there are tons of great eco-adventures and history with the ruins. So, if I were to get bored with a hammock & a book, I have plenty to choose from. Gosh, I am just digging myself deeper here...sure wish I were there....


http://www.tidesrivieramaya.com/

http://www.banyantreemayakoba.com/

http://www.mandarinoriental.com/rivieramaya/

http://www.rosewoodmayakoba.com/

Chronicles of One Lobster Feast

One of the great American experiences is Maine Lobster!

Succulent, juicy, buttery, mmm mmm good LOBSTER!

I am making a Lobster bisque for dinner tonight…though it will NOT be anywhere near fresh yummy New England Lobster bisque, it reminds me of one of my favorite family dinners… at the Lobster Dock in Boothbay Harbor, Maine.

Interupting the feast for a photo...

My sister-in-law Laura with a bounty of clams!

Michael with his beastly LOBSTER!

Mom & I and....believe or not, Maine Root Beer....

Lobster Bobs.

OHHHHHH what a feast!