Travel stories made for sharing

There is nothing more magical than visiting Disney's Magic Kingdom, or at least that was what I thought for many years. Then I took my family there for the holiday season and I truly saw what magic was.

During this wonderful time of the year, you can purchase special nighttime tickets that get you into the park in the late afternoon and allow you to stay until midnight! Seeing all the rides and attractions lit up and riding Aladdin's Magic Carpet and the Pirates of the Caribbean in the dark was amazing!

My kids had never been to Disney prior to this trip, and I had only been once myself. Of course, my first visit was a 'do all three parks in one day' rush job, so it didn't really compare!

We saw so many Disney characters, but we didn't want to take the time to stand in line to meet them all. Instead, we quickly waved, captured a few pictures, and continued on our way to the next attraction on our list.

We went on many of the rides...Who knew my mom could survive Space Mountain with two of her grandkids so many times??!!!!! My favorite was It's a Small World, although it took FOREVER to get the song out of my head after that!

At the end of the night, we lined up to watch the parade and danced along, before grabbing a snack and watching the fireworks. As we walked down Main Street one last time, the snow came down to blanket us in a wintery wonderland. It was the perfect way to end a perfect night.

Well, that and the fact that I had some exhausted kiddos that slept really well when we returned to the hotel!

If you have never been to any of the Disney parks or Universal Studios during the holiday season, you don't know what you are missing! I highly recommend that you take the time this year and spend some time with the holiday magic that quickly appears each year. It is amazing what the employees do to transform each one of the parks and you will not be disappointed with any of your experiences.

Songkran is Thailands’ New Year and each year the festivities usually involve a nationwide water fight. In Bangkok, the streets are closed and everyone is armed with a water gun or two or just a big bucket of water.

It’s imperative that all of your belongings are safe inside a water proof case or better yet, left at home. I was with a few friends in Bangkok during Songkran; armed to the teeth with water guns, water balloons and a waterproof bag. I didn’t want to be carrying my weapons all day; I wanted to drink beer at some point too.

We hopped into a tuk-tuk and started targeting random strangers who were unarmed and unaware that is was Songkran. If you don’t have a water gun then you are in trouble. A group of girls waited by a corner, immediately we squirted them with water and it was hilarious watching them trying to run in their flip-flops.

Around the middle of the afternoon, we headed towards Sukhumvit where massive water cannons were shooting into the crowd like a friendly riot. It was hard to get around because it was so crowded however a little squirt from my water gun helped create a path like Moses separating the sea.

My friends and I then decided that we needed to rest and recover and headed to our friends apartment to get dry and have a chance to check notifications on our phones safely and securely.

Once dry again, we headed back into the city though the party was dying down and most families would be heading home which is partly why went back in. This time, we went to a few outdoor bars to watch locals throwing buckets of water over each other with some girls even getting into the buckets too.

All in all, it was a spectacular but also crazy day but that’s what you would expect in a city like Bangkok.

It doesn't take very long for a traveller to form observations about the people and destination they're visiting. These are generalizations based on tiny sample sizes and are often incorrect, but always amusing.

It's the end of our 2nd day in Baden-Baden, Germany, and here are my observations so far. Let me know what you think!

People follow the rules. Everything from crossing streets to following signs and following policies. They are not unsympathetic of course (our hotel was kind enough to allow us to check in at 11am even though check-in time technically isn't until 4pm).

Germany is very progressive and people are not uptight. Saw a breastfeeding mother top down feeding her infant. Talk about empowerment! You go girl!

Now finally, water. Yes, I'm going to spend the remainder of this post talking about WATER! Tap water in Germany is perfectly safe to drink (in fact quite delicious), but Germans do not drink it. You also CANNOT ask for tap water in a restaurant. They will only serve you bottled water. Something about tap water being associated with plumbing water meant for washing.

People drink a lot of sparkling bottled water. It was actually difficult to find non-sparkling bottled water in the supermarket. It is also fairly expensive in a cafe or restaurant -- about €3, whereas beer was typically €4,20. I chose beer every time! :-D

My assumption is the price has to do with the Pfand, where you essentially pay €0,25 deposit for every bottle upfront and then get it back when you return the bottle to machines that are practically everywhere. Back home, you get $0.10 back for a beer can or bottle and most people can't be bothered, but €0,25 is just too much not to return. Plus it's fun! I bought a 6 pack of water the first day and proudly returned my bottles today like a local German. It was a great experience. There's always a first time for everything!

I’ve hiked down in the Grand Canyon twice already so when I took my friends there during another amazing USA Roadtrip, I blindfolded them, lead them to the edge so I could watch them cast their eyes onto the breath-taking views with build-up anticipation! They were completely dumbfounded. If you’ve ever been to the GC, you will understand that blown-away feeling of seeing something so beautiful…

As we started to hike, little did we know that the God of Storm had some serious plans up his sleeve. The weather on the way down was perfect for hiking – dry, sunny and not too hot with the occasional breeze. However as we reached our destination, it started to turn very dark and our hair started to stand on edge which meant strong electricity in the air. Right on cue, thunder crashed and the lightening bolts lit up the sky so we sought shelter under a rock whilst we revelled in the bolts leaping across the canyon. It was pretty darn cool even though we were alone and at risk of getting killed by these pretty bolts… The hike back up was done with a purpose. The storms continued on but unfortunately so did time so we had to take the risk and start hiking back up the canyon. The hike back up was gruelling and painful. And with lightening bolts bouncing all around us, it felt like we were walking through a minefield. One wrong turn or step could have serious consequences. After 12 hours of hiking, we finally made it to the top and collapsed on the grass unable to move out of exhaustion and fear!

I think there is less effort walking around on a beach with a metal detector after a crowded weekend. And my hobby is exactly that.

I never made less than $20. I once found a $15,000 wedding ring but it was quite unique and I felt I could feel richer if I were to advertise and perhaps find the owner, and I did. It was a great story and wonderful day and I was very proud to be part of it. In the end, when it was all over, I made some friends. In fact, the very wealthy husband inquired about my metal detector. I told him is was a cheap one and that I wanted to get a better one. He asked me about it? I showed him on Amazon. A week later it shows up at my front door along with a $500 Amazon gift certificate and a note. It said that his wife was being treated for depression after she lost that ring.

One beep from my instrument was instrumental in removing that depression.

Sometimes it’s a smell that stops me suddenly, like a spicy curry transporting me back in time to a meal I had with friends in Mumbai many years ago, or a sound that startles me, like the sound of bagpipes that magically remind me of the time I visited the castles of Scotland with the man I would marry three months later. But most often, it’s the vivid shade of red that carries me away from whatever I’m doing by flooding me with memories from journeys I’ve taken around the world.

The bright, candy apple color reminds me of a telephone booth or the double-decker bus that my friends Johan and Tanya and I took to his favorite thrift shops in London. And the costumes my friends and I wore to various Renaissance Faires when we took road trips to upstate NY and Pennsylvania. And the stunning wedding outfits I’ve seen on couples in India and other countries. And the fresh fruit from juice vendors at Jemma el’ Fna Square in Marrakech.

I long to see my friends and to visit these places again. But until I do, I have the vibrant shades of red to remind me of the magical times we shared together.

These are my red journeys.

https://www.lovelustorbust.com/red-journeys/

Maine had been on my bucket list for some time. I am not sure why I wanted to see this beautiful area of the country, but I do know that I was looking forward to spotting a few moose during my travels!

When I arrived in Bethel, I was shocked at the size of the town. It is quite tiny, and you can walk the entire Main Street in less than five minutes. Despite the size, I managed to fall in love with this little place of paradise.

Mornings were spent sipping coffee and eating pastries at DiCocoa's Market and Bakery, and afternoons were used for exploring miles of all the nearby hiking trails.

I managed to hike hundreds of miles during the week that I spent in the little town of Bethel, and it is the most magical place in the world. I can't think of anywhere else I have been where I have been able to see one waterfall after another, while learning about local legends and folklore at the same time.

The sights of Step Falls, Mother Walker Falls, Screw Auger Falls, and Moose Cave were breathtaking, although my heart ached when I read the story of how Moose Cave was named.

According to the legend, a moose fell into the forty-five foot gorge one rainy night and got stuck. His cries could be heard for miles and visitors say that they can still hear the moose crying out to this day. I didn't hear him during my visit, but that doesn't mean that others haven't.

My favorite hike, Mount Will Trail, was the last one that I did, and it was the most beautiful day out of the entire week. It took me a while to go the entire three miles of the trail, I was tired of walking at that point, but the views from the top were phenomenal.

Another absolutely stunning trail you must visit in Maine is the Ocean Path Trail in Acadia National Park.

I loved my time exploring Maine, but I never did see any moose when I was there!

In the early spring of 2017, I found myself alone in Tbilisi Georgia.

I had already been there for over 2 months, and I had just moved to a new AirBnB apartment in another part of town. The new area was Abanotubani, the Old Town quarter, with the sulphur baths in the centre of the city.

I was working on my online teaching and writing all day, and didn't have much time for socialising.

The thing that I really liked about this new apartment, apart from the fact that it was the centre of the Old Town, was that I lived right above a traditional style bakery. The baker, George, made Georgian bread, puri, using a traditional well style oven.

I was buying fresh bread from him every day, and we started to chat more and more. He couldn't speak any English, and I couldn't speak any Georgian. But somehow we managed to communicate in Russian, even though neither of us spoke that language very well either.

After a few weeks, George and I became good friends. Actually, he was my best friend in Georgia.

One day, I asked him if I could watch him make bread because the way they do it is so interesting.

First, he mixed the dough in a big bucket. He poured in huge sacks of flour, and buckets full of water collected from the spring just outside.

Then he shaped it using a mould. All of the puri are more or less identical in shape and size.

When the puri was ready, he stuck it on to the brick wall on the inside of the well-shaped oven.

The puri are quite thin, so they only need around 10 minutes to bake. We waited while entertaining ourselves with shots of chacha and more bad Russian. Then when the puri was ready, he pulled it off the inside of the oven using a hook and offered it straight to me.

The bread was piping hot, but I wanted to eat it straight away because it smelled so good. It was crunchy and delicious, and it's one of the things that I really miss about Georgia.

Bread, and my friend George.

I have walked The Strip in Las Vegas dozens of times, including the time when I was still healing from breaking my foot. Let me tell you, there is nothing better than having everyone staring at you because you have a walking boot on and are using crutches. And yet, I have seen many other stranger things on that long street!

Anyway, during my second trip to Las Vegas, I finally discovered the best time to walk along The Strip and you are going to be amazed at this little secret. My schedule is always a little off, because of the time difference and I end up waking up between 4 and 5 in the morning.

If you have never been outside of your hotel room at this hour, you must try it the next time you are in Vegas! Watching the sun rise over the statues and fountains in front of Caesar's Palace is the most breathtaking sight I have ever seen!

My husband and I actually sat out there for quite some time as we watched the soft glow turn brighter until the sun was completely up. Of course, at that point I was starving, so it was time to venture somewhere for a bite to eat. I was torn, because I didn't want to leave the little place of paradise that I had found. After all, there are not many times when the streets in Las Vegas are so quiet and empty! It was such a tranquil and serene setting that I can only seem to find at those early hours of the morning.

However, the Snickers pancakes and freshly squeezed orange juice from Hash House a Go Go were calling my name!

The next time you are in Vegas, stay up late and get up early. Imagine all those crowded sidewalks without a single person on them and no cars on the street. I bet you can't even imagine that scenario, because it is completely different than the Vegas you have come to love.

I'm telling you, you won't regret experiencing the difference on the streets, especially if you stop for a delectable breakfast afterwards!

South Africa is a beautiful country, with many different landscapes. From open, dry Karoo land to the green, lush Drakensberg mountains. Whether you’re looking for the busy city streets or a quiet beach to laze on, South Africa has something for everyone.

I myself have done it a few ways. My first move across the country was a car trip with my family as a child. We drove from the Western Cape, through the Garden route all the way to a farm in Kwazulu Natal. We did, however, manage to stop overnight at a cute little BnB in Gonubie.

Next, as an adult, I decided to move across the country, from Durban on the East coast to Cape Town on the West coast. I took a bus through and that was an interesting 25 hours. Aside from the cramped leg space, my cell phone battery dying half way and the most unhygienic toilet options along the way, it was a great way to do the trip with views of the country. It is also more affordable than flying, but you won’t arrive at your destination in a rush. You can book tickets easily online https://www.computickettravel.com/busses

Of all the ways to get across South Africa, though, I’d take flying over anything. Our airports are clean and functional, there are always taxis waiting to get you from the airport to your home or hotel without you needing to call. There are clean and fully operational toilet facilities both on the aeroplanes and at the airports, and a plane ride is only around 2 hours from one side of South Africa to the next. Additionally, you can easily check out the latest sales and specials for flights, and get a great deal without needing to spend your life’s savings on a plane ticket. I've been finding some great prices here https://www.sa-airlines.co.za/Booking-FlySafair-Flights.html