Maldives for the holidays!

I visited the Maldives and stayed about ten days or so. I didn't want to leave. The island was beautiful with crystal clear blue water. I had a great beachfront bungalow and got up each morning to watch the sunrise. Such a relaxing and serene place. The food was delicious, the people kind and friendly. They had many activities on and off the island. I did whale watching, along with the sunset cruise. the rest of my time I walked the perimeter of the island after each meal,visited the spa, slept in a hammock, read and relaxed, swam, people watched, and talked to the locals. The Maldives have over 200  islands that are habitable.  I will return!
  

Working, planning, and saving for travel

With my priorities in place, I began to research costs of flights, hotels, food and drink, and extra costs while traveling to a variety of destinations around the world. I created these two savings bottles after I saw a friend create a different one for herself. I put coins in the larger jug and bills in the smaller one. I had to do this because the coins will tear up the bills otherwise. Now I plot my course and put all change and small bills away for future trips. I have emptied these bottles many times and small coins add up to bills.

The Land Down Under

Never in a million years, did I think I would ever visit Australia. So far away from home, family, and friends. But I did it! I applied for a visa and received it electronically, while I was on vacation in Italy..Good thing I  had packed before I left on my first trip that summer. Arriving in Sydney, I was  detained in customs for two plus hours. I was grilled like I was a criminal, an illegal alien or something. They took all my belongings out of my bags, swabbed them for drugs, explosives, or firearms, and questioned me like I had stolen their country/continent. I took offense, but what could a sistah do when two guards stood by with rifles and guns? I was the only AA in the darn airport. They even took my phone. But after that, I had a good time with people I met online who lived there and some new people I met on my many tours. I visited the Sydney Opera House and did a backstage tour and got a special treat when the cast members were there practicing. the singing was beautiful.
It was cold but sunny while I was there. I visited Bondi Beach, took several bus tours, went to the zoo, whale watching, shopping, ate lots of fish and chips, was invited to lunch and even went to a birthday dinner.

Italy is Awesome!

I spent about ten days in Italy touring around several cities. I wished I had had more time, but I will return one day and stay awhile. Rome, Milan, Pisa, Florence, Nice, the Vatican City, and Venice. The cities are historical and have great architectural designed buildings. So much history that I had read about for years. I ate a lot of pizza, pasta, and gelato! And I gained a few pounds to prove it. My favorite times were riding in a gondola in Venice, seeing the Colosseum and making a wish at the Trevi Fountain.in Rome, the cathedral in Florence, and the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

 

Seychelles is sensational!

Seychelles, Africa is a beautiful place to visit. The water is beautiful  in varying colors of blue and turquoise, the weather was wonderful and the people are so nice and friendly. I spent four days touring the island. I loved visiting the tea factory, the tea farm, the turtle farm, the botanical gardens, and so many other places. I didn't island hop, but stayed on the mainland. I would love to go back and stay at a different hotel with a beachfront or go to another island like Praslin. But I will return someday!

Beach Life Please

Throughout my travels, I love to visit countries for their history, museums, architecture, and other great places to see, learn, and do things. But ultimately, I have come to love visiting beaches and laying about, relaxing, reading, eating, drinking, and people watching. Sitting in front of a large expanse of water just puts me in another zone. I would love to live by the water one day. But for now, I will visit as many places with beachfront property as possible. I will always need vitamin sea!

I love wild cats!

My trip to Thailand was eye-opening and enlightening. I visited Bangkok and Phuket., Phi Phi Island, James Bond Island,  and a few other islands as well. I enjoyed my time there, but thought Bangkok is overcrowded and dirty to me. Yes, it is cheap, but it is overwhelming, at least to me. I enjoyed myself in Phuket and island hopping. My best time was to visit Tiger Island and get to feed the baby tigers. Some people said the animals were drugged, but I didn't think so, because the twin tiger siblings, ran around chasing one another and one jumped up on a man. He didn't hurt him though. he just wanted to play. Then their big brother next door jumped over the gate to chase the  twin cubs around. The cubs ran and mew led with excitement. 

Concerts across the world

I love listening to music! it soothes me, relaxes me, and even invigorates me when needed. So a wish for me was to go somewhere internationally and see a major entertainer/singer/band perform. I finally got my wish. One of my favorite male singers, John Legend performed with Esperanza Spalding live in concert at the outdoor Dubai Jazz Festival! I couldn't contain my excitement! Oh my! That boy can sang! Even with the wind and cold night, (surprising right?) he did his job!

Masquerade Parties

I have been to two masquerade parties where I really enjoyed myself! The masks were colorful and varied. The people were dressed eclectic. The music was great and the food delicious. Hopefully, I will attend more masquerade balls in the future.

Travel is my passion

I have wanted to travel and visit different places since I was a young girl and my mother and brother would travel for business and family reasons. Whenever they would leave, i would get sad and sometimes cry. they would say, You are too little.: I would think to myself, "When I get grown, I am going to travel all the time". Well, I am grown now and I love going to new and interesting places, that I have read and dreamed about all my life.! Yea for me!!!!