Splendid Sognefjord

Standing on the deck of the boat, I am surrounded by three different climates. To my left, the sun is blazing bright in the electric blue sky. To my right, fingers of fog swirl and cloak the mountains. Behind me, heavy mist falls obscuring the wake of the boat. I guess this is springtime in Norway.

Norway may not be known for its grand weather, but it is known for its fjords. The largest and most famous fjord in Norway is the Sognefjord. The Sognefjord is also the world’s second longest fjord at approximately 127 miles. Too often travelers only experience the Sognefjord by boat as they travel from Bergen to Flam (or Flam to Bergen) as part of a tour called Norway in a Nutshell. While the scenery from the ferry is spectacular, you miss out exploring the treasures of the fjord villages along the way.

This was my first trip to Norway and my goal was to hike in the sparkling mountains of Balestrand and visit the historic churches of Vik before heading to Oslo.

The Best Watering Holes in New Orleans

One of my favorite things to do, when visiting a new city, is to explore the local drinking establishments. To me, bars are the ideal place to people watch, taste local libations, and get a small glimpse into the local culture. In a city known for its love of revelry and debauchery, New Orleans was an optimal choice for my pub crawl tour. My agenda was to get to know the city through its bars and go beyond Bourbon Street.

In the name of research (of course!), I explored 20 different bars in the French Quarter and the Garden District over a three-day period. As with most things in life, there were some winners and a few bars that didn’t leave much of an impression. Overall, the outcome was a resounding success. I found many local gems, was greeted with overwhelming hospitality, and indulged in many local beers.

Here are the top ten winners of my trip:

Cities of the Dead

Who finds the idea of visiting a cemetery an odd activity when exploring a new city?

Not me.

But based on reactions I received recently when I did just that, I get the impression that it isn’t for everyone.

“You went to a cemetery when you were in New Orleans? Why?” friend after friend inquired perplexed by this event.

Why indeed. Truth be told, I have a fascination with 18th and 19th century cemeteries. In particular, ones that have grand ornate above ground tombs, the more elaborate the better. I love strolling along the paths admiring the architecture and the stillness of these miniature cities. The unexpected beauty and serenity of these ancient burial grounds create an ideal atmosphere to reflect on life and clear my head. Cemeteries from this time also provide intriguing insight into the history of the city.

Here are three cemeteries that I recommend exploring.

Amazing Italian Race

As I closed the heavy wooden door behind me and turned the stone corner of the building, I stopped suddenly as if I had encountered a glass partition. In the gravel courtyard below, my rental car was snugly nestled in by a car I did not recognize.

It was the morning after the wedding of two dear friends in Tuscany, and I woke up feeling a little rough around the edges. When I was planning the details of the trip, the idea of heading to Munich the day after the wedding seemed like a reasonable itinerary; except for the minor detail that the train to Munich left at 10am from Florence. And I was staying outside Siena, 90 miles away.

During the week-long wedding festivities, I had made friends with an English couple and offered to give them a ride to Florence that day since I had a car.

At 7:30 that morning I met Ruth and Gareth outside the Tuscan villa, where all the wedding guests were staying, and an unexpected sight greeted me. My car was completely blocked in by a car that I did not recognize. As the shock of the situation quickly sunk in, we began to formulate a plan.

Weekend Oasis

I was desperate to get out of town. Over the last few weeks, the incessant traffic and concrete fortress of my urban neighborhood was threatening to swallow me whole. I longed to be somewhere where I could hear the birds sing, see the stars dance at night, and most importantly, be able to ramble aimlessly up a mountainside. On the advice of some friends, I decided to explore Anza –Borrego Springs Desert State Park for the first time on a recent weekend.

The town of Borrego Springs is only a two hour drive from San Diego and was an easy journey at the end of the work week. My goal for the weekend was to explore the desert, hike, and enjoy the desert evenings.

The first morning, I woke up shortly after sunrise due to the chatty birds conversing loudly in the early morning sun. With a spring in my step, I quickly got ready for the day of hiking and enjoyed a cup of fresh coffee in the crisp morning desert air. Having arrived after dark the previous night, I wasn’t prepared for the spectacular stark desert scenery that stretched out before me. It was hard to absorb the endless shades of brown and grey of the desert hills, the crisp brilliant blue of the cloudless sky, and the sun glowing in the morning air. Perfect. I could feel the stress of the city already easing from my shoulders.