• Europe,  Malta

    50 Shades of Blue: The love story of Malta and the Sea

    “Ha, it’s like 50 shades of  blue, get it?” he snorted laughing to himself he pointed to me as he snapped my picture and handed back my camera.  I looked down to realize I have a blue shirt and blue shorts on in front of the clear blue sea and this poor guy is trying to make a joke. “Yep” I answered with a forced chuckled then a few minutes later while peering into the water I thought, “Damn it, he’s right, there’s blue everywhere you look.” The island is small so for a lover of the sea it is a perfect place to spend the late summer months, you…

  • A perfect day trip from Dublin Ireland, what to do in Howth
    Ireland,  Snapshot Sunday

    Sunny Seaside Afternoon: Things to Do in Howth Ireland

    While visitors may want to spend all their time in Ireland’s capital, there are so many phenomenal day trips from Dublin. Just a half hour from the city is a beautiful seaside village that can make for a memorable day along the Irish seaside. There are enough things to do in Howth and then some to add to your Ireland itinerary. Things to do in Howth I mentioned that Howth is a picturesque seaside town and the perfect place to spend a sunny afternoon. Where to Eat in Howth There are several options for hearty, delicious meals in Howth. While visiting Howth, the first choice would be the local fresh…

  • Canada,  North America

    Abbie of Green Gables: My summer trip to PEI

    With the last string of rainy days I’ve found myself daydreaming of my past summer trips, more specifically my time in Prince Edward Island, which had all the ingredients a good vacation consists of: childhood nostalgia, insanely delicious ice cream, the beach and moonshine. Any girl who had a worthwhile childhood knows of Anne of Green Gables.  You read the books or watched the movies and immediately related to Lucy Maud Montgomery’s precocious red headed main character, Anne Shirley.  It was because of those movies that my sister and I became obsessed with Anne and the stories following the characters of Green Gables. The books are set in Prince Edward Island,…

  • Langkawi Island Hopping
    Asia,  Malaysia

    The Jewel of Kedah: Langkawi Island Hopping

    I’ve got 99 islets…  Nestled in the Andaman Sea not far from the Thai border, the island of Langkawi is a Malaysian paradise. The area has so much to offer, from UNESCO world geopark sites, sailing, and duty free shopping. From mangrove forests to scenic views and unique wildlife, Langkawi island hopping is the best way to experience everything the region has to offer. One of the more serene beaches is Baras Basah which you can get to by boat. A white sand beach with beautiful clear water, with a dense forest in the background it is a great spot to relax in the afternoon. There isn’t much on the…

  • Asia,  Thailand

    Don’t Worry Be Krabi

    I ventured from the Gulf of Thailand to the Andaman Sea to check out Krabi, a province in the southwest of the country.  Most of the region is devoted to tourism so there has been an influx of visitors to their beaches and national parks in recent years. Get out your geography books boys and girls!  I’m constantly getting to brush up on my knowledge of land masses and this is no exception because Krabi is an archipelago.  An archipelago, if you remember, is a group or chain of islands and the word is a mix of Latin and Greek translating to “chief sea”. Ao Nang I used Ao Nang…

  • Florida,  US

    Winter Delirium: my sunny Florida daydream

    It’s cold and I have a cold. I’m bundled up on the couch looking out the window as flakes gently fall on the snow covered ground. My head is pounding and I’ve been sneezing so much that I’m giving Rudolph a run for his money in the red nose department. In my fever induced hallucinations I’m seeing a sterotypical mirage full of palm trees swaying in the breeze, a cool mist floating over the clear water.  It’s a Christmas miracle! Then I realize I fell asleep and my computer was playing a slide show of my most recent trip to Florida, the steam from my tea wafting across the screen,…

  • Maine,  North America

    Tour of the Capes: Road Tripping Part Deux

    So I made it to Maine!  Late summer in New England is really everything you romanticize about.  Cool breezes greeting you on a warm afternoon with beautiful ocean views, families and friends gathering together at the beach for a last summer vacation or rendez-vous, that last little bit of feeling of freedom before autumn rolls in.  And let’s not forget about the seafood, oh the seafood. Cape Porpoise  As I continued up the coastline I had the opportunity to stop in Kennebunkport, the iconic presidential vacation spot.  This small beach community is out of a movie set.  Boutique shops and quaint restaurants line the main road, as you drive closer…

  • Massachusetts,  North America,  Rhode Island

    New England Road Trip: Touring the Capes

    A New England Road Trip “So what brings you to Maine?” people asked when I was driving up the coast and the answer is silly, because this New England road trip started out basically for one thing. The Lobster. When I have a wedding in Massachusetts to go to my mind automatically thinks, “I’m already in New England, I may as well drive up to Maine and get some end of summer lobster dishes.”  Then, logically, my next thought is, “Well if I’m that far north I should just drive the rest of the way and see Prince Edward Island and if I’m there, I may as well visit Nova…