travel – Page 55 – Snapping The Globe

Lovely Lima

On my quest to check off as many countries as possible from my bucket list, I try to get many done on my company’s clock. Of course, I love to travel on my own time, but there’s nothing like getting paid to see another area of our globe while making a buck or two.

Recently, I found my schedule short a few hours. Since I work my schedule around my husband’s, I usually work weekends. Not seeing any trips to pick up that fit the bill, I decided to check other base’s swap boards to see if there was anything that I might like. My base, NYC, only flies to the South American cities of Sao Paulo and Bogota, so it’s wonderful when the Atlanta base has some South American trips available. A couple of years ago, I was able to work trips to Buenos Aires, Argentina and Santiago, Chile and really loved what these cities had to offer. Lima had been on my to-do list, but I just had not seemed to have the space on my schedule…until now. As I checked the swap board, there it was…available for out-of-base pickup and on the exact day that I needed it!

Always suffering a bit of anxiety before I go anywhere new, I did quite a bit of research before the day of departure arrived. There was not one thing that I wanted to miss out on!

Arriving at the hotel after midnight, there wasn’t a concierge on duty to assist me. I knew from my research that there was a double-decker tour bus that departed from the nearby Parque Kennedy at 9:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. with the tour lasting 3 1/2 hours. Aware that it ran through the Plaza de Armas and visited the Cathedral on the morning tour and the Catacombs during the afternoon tour, it seemed like a good option, but the problem was that I did not want to just ride on a bus and see things. I wanted to have time to walk around and see each building and more importantly, I wanted to see BOTH, the Cathedral and the Catacombs. One of the front desk employees suggested a private tour company, but, after a bit of questioning, I found that other tourists would be on the tour as well. I really did not want to be on anyone’s schedule but my own.

Finally, I decided that although my Spanish is quite rusty…actually, almost non-existent…I was going to take a cab. Getting the cab to the city center from my hotel wouldn’t be a problem…getting one back to the hotel, might be though, if I wasn’t able to communicate properly. Well, I finally decided that I would give it a try. Certainly, I figured, I should be able to find a hotel and enlist their assistance.

The next morning, I was up early and ready to tackle this new adventure. After a delicious breakfast, I had one of the hotel clerks call the cab for me. Before long, I was ensconced in a decent cab with the driver having been instructed to bring me to Plaza de Armas. From our hotel in Miraflores, it was about a 30 minute somewhat scenic ride ride in which I entertained myself with a bit of people watching.

Before long, I was deposited at the foot of the Cathedral of Lima looking out on the beautiful Plaza de Armas or Plaza Mayor. Plaza de Armas, is the name for the main square in many Hispanic American cities. While some large cities have both a Plaza de Armas and a Plaza Mayor, in most cities those are two names for the same place. Here in Lima, both names are used for this locale, the birthplace of Lima. The square is flanked by the Presidential Palace, the Cathedral of Lima, the Archbishop’s Palace of Lima, the Municpal Palace and the Palace of the Union.

Leaving the square, I headed toward the Peruvian House of Literature, which is Lima’s old train station. Restored by the government, in 2009, it was turned into a reading room of Peruvian works and it open to the public. As picturesque as it was, and as tempting to visit, I had another destination in mind.

Turning right, I headed over to the baroque-style Church of San Francisco. The tours of the catacombs begin on the hour, so I decided to wisely make use of my time and visit the church prior to joining the tour.

After my visit to San Francisco Church and Catacombs was complete, I wandered through a few of the souvenir shops while making my way back to the Plaza de Armas. The sound of music greeted me as I made my way into the Plaza and I noticed a crowd gathered in front of the Presidential Palace, the official residence and office of Peru’s president. Sitting on the banks of the Rimac River, the French-inspired mansion, constructed in the 1930’s, showcases the changing of the guard ceremony every day at noon. Since the crowd was not extremely large, I was able to make my way to the front of the pack…great brass band, beautiful uniforms, lots of pomp and circumstance…not to be missed!

Next on my agenda was the Cathedral of Lima. Dedicated to St. John, Apostle and Evangelist, it is also home to the tomb of Francisco Pizarro. The cathedral is quite impressive with its many chapels. The old sacristy and the adjoining rooms house the Religious Art Museum of the Cathedral of Lima. The museum displays religious paintings, sculptures and countless liturgical objects and is fascinating to visit.

Departing the Plaza de Armas, I made my way down to Plaza San Martín, which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988. Located within the Historic Centre of Lima, it is one of the most representative public spaces of Lima and the meeting place of many Peruvians. A wonderful place to observe the local residents relaxing and traversing the plaza, time should also be take to absorb the impressive architecture. Surrounding the plaza, the many historic buildings…the Colón Theater, The Hotel Bolivar, The Zela and Pumacahua arcades, Club Nacional, the Cine Metro, Fénix, Boza and Sudamérica buildings, were built in the Neocolonial style. There are four water fountains, bronze streetlamps and flower-filled gardens and the central monument pays homage to Peru’s liberator, Jose de San Martín.

Finally, the time had come to arrange for my transportation back to my hotel in Miraflores. Despite my unfortunate Spanish language skills. I was lucky enough to find a cabbie that spoke a bit of English. My ride to Plaza de Armas had only cost 20 sols (about $6) and I had given the driver a 10 sols tip ($3) because I did not have any change. Expecting the same fare, I was shocked when the cabbie that I approached, looked at the business card from my hotel and offered $50 sols! He spoke a bit of English and tried to explain that it was very far. I stood my ground and finally got him to agree to 30 sols. Success! Happy that I overcame the hurdle to return to my part of town, I was soon on my way!

My plan for the afternoon was to explore the area near my hotel. Hearing of wonderful shopping at Polvos Azules (Blue Market), I had hoped to visit, however, other shopping near the hotel caught my attention. The pilots on my crew informed me that a store near our hotel offered a brand of clothing that my children were particularly impressed with…at an extremely good price. Wandering the streets for a while, I thought that I had been misdirected. Up Avenida Larco and down again, over to the next street and back down…maybe because I wasn’t sure of what I was looking for, I must have passed by the store I was looking for a few times. Finally…I found it. Tables everywhere were piled with clothes…I finally completely understood why my crew members nicknamed it “The Dig”. As I glanced around at the chaos that was LaQuinta, I thought that I would never find what I was looking for. Thankfully, I had had the hindsight to save a picture of one of the shirts from the brand I was looking for. When I showed it to one of the clerks, she took me straight to a table, teeming with piles of shirts, so nicely folded and divided by size. I thought I was in heaven! After selecting and purchasing so many pieces, it was time to stop at Manolo’s for a snack…Churro filled with dulce-de-leche…head back to the hotel to deposit my wares and make my way over to the Indian Market.

Located one block from the roundabout near Parque Kennedy is Avenue Petit Thouars. The market contains many artisan markets selling everything Peruvian craftsmanship has to offer. Beautiful jewelry, silverware, artisan craftworks, clothing made from alpaca wool, pottery, paintings and more, from all over Peru, are offered for sale. After doing some heavy duty negotiating and finally securing a couple pieces of jewelry, an Incan mask and an Incan chess set for my son, I was ready to sample some local fare for my dinner and head back to somehow find space in my suitcase for my many purchases!

Lima was an incredible place…one that I will return to in the near future. Maybe I will let my company pay my way once again, but most definitely, I will return on my own time so that I can explore…maybe solo…maybe with my family…on my own schedule.

Check out more pictures of Lima on my Facebook page, Snapping the Globe and on Instagram, @snappingtheglobe.

Church, Museum and Catacombs of San Francisco

Address: Jirón Lampa y Ancash, Lima, Peru
Admission: Church, free admission
Admission: Museum and Catacombs, 10 sols (about $3)
Hours: Church, daily 7:00-11:00 and 16:00-20:00
Hours: Museum and Catacombs, daily 9:00-20:15

Cathedral of Lima

Address: Jirón Carabaya, Lima 15001, Peru
Admission: 10 sols (about $3) includes admission to cathedral and museum. Combination ticket of 30 sols (about $9) includes the Archbishops Palace and the Cathedral, including museum
Hours: Monday-Friday 9:00-17:00, Saturday, 10:00-13:00, Sunday, 13:00-17:00

Indian Market

Address: Petit Thouars 5321, Lima, Peru
Hours: daily 10:00-19:00
Prices negotiable

Manolo’s-Churreria, Cafeteria, Heladeria, Snack Bar, Restaurante

Address: Av Jose Larco 608, Miraflores Lima 18, Peru
Hours: Monday-Thursday 07:00-01:00, Friday, 07:15-02:00, Saturday, 08:15-02:00, Sunday, 08:15-01:00
Try the dulce-de-leche or chocolate filled churros! 5 sols each (about $1.50) Delicious!

Noord Nourishment

When in Amsterdam, everyone seems to gravitate towards Thai food…maybe because there is a Thai restaurant near our hotel, but also because there are a lot of Thai options in Amsterdam. Occasionally, I like to indulge my Thai taste buds, but more often than not, I like to try other things.

Remembering the first time I went to the Eetcafe Mosveld (not to be confused with Eetcafe Number One, also in this area), I was officially hooked. Chicken schnitzel is what they are known for and with extremely good reason. It is truly divine and probably the best that I have had outside of Germany. The accompanying sauces are outstanding and the home-churned seasoned butter placed on the table with the freshly baked bread has caused me to break my diet more than once. Other dishes are offered as well, as nightly specials, such as fresh grilled fish and occasionally stuffed potatoes as an option other than French fries.

And then, there is the fabulous service! The owner is aware that many crew members frequent his establishment and we are treated very well, though I have always seen his hospitality extended towards all patrons. At the end of our meal, we are always treated to an after-dinner drink. The thing that has most made an impact on me, though, is that I have only eaten here about six or seven times over the last three or four years, but the owner remembers what I like and what sauce I usually order.

Another thing that we adore about this place, is that as a group, sometimes it becomes a little difficult trying to remember “who had what” and trying to split the bill, especially after a few beers are involved. No heavy duty math skills are involved, as we each go up to the bar and the owner charges us individually for what we owe. Come prepared with cash, however, no credit cards are accepted.

Last year, when my family spent spring break in Amsterdam, with all of the options available to us in the city center, we made the trek across the river, to Amsterdam Noord, just to eat here at my recommendation. Yes, I heard many gripes about why we had to go so far when there were so many other places to dine, but after our meal was complete, not one complaint was heard from my picky eaters. In fact, my family still talks about this restaurant today and the owner still asks about my family! Now, that’s the kind of place I like to give my business to!

Night view…you’ll know it by the twinkling lights on the ceiling inside!

Check out more pictures on Facebook, Snapping the Globe and Instagram, @snappingtheglobe.

Eetcafe Mosveld

Mosveld 47, 1031 AC Amsterdam, Netherlands
Hours: 10:00-01:00 Sat, 15:00-1200 Sun, 10:00-1200 Wed, 03:00-12:00 Thu, 11:00-0100 Fri, Closed Monday and Tuesday
Phone: +31 20 632 7348

Wynand Fockink

Wynand What? Many have never heard of this place nor know exactly how to pronounce it, but there is a wonderful little surprise that hides behind the NH Krasnopolsky Hotel in Dam Square. Built in 1679, the Wynand Fockink Proeflokaal (Dutch for tasting tavern) and liquor store resides in the adjacent alley.

Beginning as a liqueur distillery, a Proeflokaal was added where customers could taste and buy the products. Today, you can still visit the tasting room, using the time honored way of bowing to the drink and slurping the first sip from a traditional tulip glass. There are many liqueurs to sample in many flavors, such as butterscotch, lemon and creme brulee as well as genevers, brandies and draft beers.

Space here is limited but always interesting and I always get very excited when I find out that someone I am with has never been here. It’s a “must do” on anyone’s visit to Amsterdam! Ask the bartender to surprise you with something unique…and if you love it, you can wander over to the adjoining store and purchase a bottle to take home!

Check out more pictures on Facebook,Snapping the Globe and Instagram, @snappingtheglobe.

Wynand Fockink

http://wynand-fockink.nl/nl
Address: Pijlsteeg 31, 1012 HH Amsterdam, Netherlands
Hours: Daily, 15:00-21:00

A Utrecht Stopover

After our visit to the opulent De Haar Castle, the return to Amsterdam was taking us back again through Utrecht. Seeing an opportunity to circumnavigate the ancient city center, albeit quickly, we decided to hop off of the train and make quick work of seeing a few landmarks.

Finally exiting the train station, after wandering aimlessly through the adjacent shopping center, a quick stop was made for soup and a sandwich. Realizing that the day was drawing to a close, I wanted to show my friend, Leianne, a few of the things that I had appreciated on a prior visit.

While at the castle, we had learned of the destruction that had been caused by a hurricane in 1674. The same storm had torn through the city and destroyed the nave of St. Martin’s Cathedral, or the Dom Church as it is more commonly known. The Church and the Dom Tower still stand separated by the non-existent nave, now the Domplein, a square with trees. Once the Netherlands’ largest church, dedicated to St. Martin of Tours, it was also the cathedral of the Diocese of Utrecht during the Middle Ages. The tower, the hallmark of the city, is the tallest church tower in the Netherlands. Standing at 367 feet high, it is on the spot where the city of Utrecht originated almost 2,000 years ago.

As we walked up the street toward these two magnificent structures we passed underneath the Dom Tower. Exiting on the church side, it was easy to imagine the hurricane force winds that caused the destruction many years ago. The wind was blowing so hard that we were almost unable to put one foot in front of the other.

Although we did not have time to do so on this day, climbing the Dom Tower can be a wonderful opportunity to see Utrecht from a higher vantage point. On a prior trip, I climbed the 465 steps to the top, stopping halfway to view the historic bells and the 17th century Hemony carillon.

Once we completed our visit of St. Martin’s Cathedral, we ducked into the Pandhof (courtyard) which is located between St. Martin’s Cathedral and the University Hall at Domplein. The Pandhof is a peaceful and picturesque monastery garden, where ornamental plants and herbs bloom. In the center of the garden is a fountain with a bronze statue of the 14th century priest Hugo Wstinc. One of the most beautiful enclosed gardens in Holland, it is worthy of a few minutes to step inside…and if you are lucky, there will be someone utilizing the magnificent acoustics and playing music for your enjoyment (or for a euro or two!)

Musician utilizing the acoustics at Pandhof

As the day ended, we walked around a bit more, just checking out the beautiful architecture and relaxed atmosphere that Utrecht has to offer, before making our return to Amsterdam. Having previously visited Utrecht, I know all that the city extends to visitors. Hopefully, despite the short time here, my friend gained some insight in to what a great place it is to spend time and she will return to inspect it further!

Check out more pictures on Facebook, Snapping the Globe and Instagram, @snappingtheglobe.

Utrecht

Getting there: Amsterdam Central to Utrecht, approximately 25 minutes, 5-6 departures per hour, approximtely 17€ roundtrip

Dom Tower

http://www.domtoren.nl/en
Hours: Tuesday through Saturday, 10:00-17:00, Sunday and Monday, 12:00-17:00
Admission: Adults, 9€, Children (ages 4-12) 5€, Students/+65, 7,50€

St. Martin’s Cathedral

http://www.domkerk.nl/
Admission: Donations accepted
Daily, May-September 10:00-17:00, October-April 11:00-16:00, Saturday 10:00/11:00-15:30, Sunday 12:30-16:00

Divine De Haar

Located in the center of the Netherlands near Utrecht, De Haar Castle, is a medieval fortress complete with towers, ramparts, canals, gates and drawbridges. Entirely restored and partially rebuilt in the 19th century, it is a sight to behold and quite unlike anything you would expect from the less than flamboyant Dutch.

Getting to De Haar Castle was so much easier than I ever thought. Worried about changing trains in Utrecht and then to a bus in Vleuten, I had put off visiting De Haar Castle for quite some time. Laying in my bed the night before, trying to decide what to do the next day and knowing that the weather was not going to be optimum, I decided that in the very least, it was something to do that was indoors and probably worth the trip.

The agents in the Amsterdam train station were extremely helpful when purchasing our tickets. While checking train schedules, I knew that there were certain trains that provided a better connection in Utrecht, however, connect time was only about eleven minutes. The agent informed us which Utrecht train to take for the better connection, but gave us a choice…wait in Amsterdam Central a little longer for that train or go to Utrecht on a train leaving sooner and have more time for the connecting train in Utrecht. We decided on the first train, in the event that the other might be running behind…better to wait in Utrecht!

Travel to Utrecht is a quick twenty-six minutes. The station is not very large and finding the platform for the Vleuten train was brief and uncomplicated. The journey from Utrecht to Vleuten is only ten minutes. Walking down from the platform, take a left, under the tracks and you will see the bus stop straight ahead on the left. The #111 bus to De Haar Castle (on certain days) runs approximately every thirty minutes and drops off right in front of the castle.

The ride to the castle is quite short, through the beautiful countryside. Before we realized, the bus was coming to a stop and we had our first glimpse of the castle’s outer walls. A short walk led us to the gatehouse, the courtyard and the ticket office. Walking toward the impressive castle through the front gardens, one can imagine how lovely it would be during the spring and summer months when everything is in bloom.

Tours begin on the top of the hour so there was some time to walk around and take pictures of the beautiful grounds and the castle’s exterior. After finally entering the castle, we found a coat check room and lockers for our belongings. We also found a sign stating that no pictures are allowed…very disappointing for this photography lover!

The hour long tour take you through different parts of the grand home, from the kitchen to the guestrooms and touches on the history of the castle. In 1890, De Haar was inherited by Baron Etienne van Zuylen who was wed to Baroness Helene de Rothschild. Plans were made to rebuild the castle which was in disrepair, with architect Pierre Cuypers in 1892, a project that took 20 years to complete. The castle has 200 rooms and 30 bathrooms, of which only about 10 are shown on the tour.

Interior photos (of course, we sneaked a few)

Surrounding the castle are magnificent gardens designed by Hendrik Copijn. Many waterworks can be found throughout as well as a formal garden modeled after those of Versailles. The village of Haarzuilens, formerly located where the park was to be built, was demolished for construction of the gardens, with the exception of the town church, and moved further up the valley, where it can be visited today. Most of the buildings were designed by Pierre Cuypers and his son Joseph. The coat of arms does not only live on in the colors of the castle, but also in nearly all of the houses in Haarzuilens.

Upon completion of our tour, we once again returned to the grounds, fighting the wind and drizzle, finding the chapel, which we had hoped to visit, closed. It was easy to imagine how returning during the warmer months would be extremely enjoyable, venturing out into the sunshine to encounter the Rose Garden, the Roman Garden, ponds, canals, bridges, vistas and impressive avenues. Reading somewhere that each season at the castle has its own charm, I can promise you that due to the ornery weather, winter’s charm was not going to be experienced during our visit…only winter’s misery!

Catching the bus at the same location, we returned to the Vleuten train station for the brief journey to Utrecht and Amsterdam.

One would expect a castle of this caliber to be found throughout other parts of Europe, not the Netherlands. Thanks to the Van Zuylen family, however, it is one that you can experience on a trip to the country most known for its windmills and cheese. If you are in search of history and architecture, then, De Haar Castle is worth the effort.

For more pictures, check out Facebook, Snapping the Globe and Instagram, @snappingtheglobe.

De Haar Castle

http://www.kasteeldehaar.nl/english-version/
Opening Hours: January 4-March 13, daily, 11:00-17:00. March 14-June 30, daily, 10:00-17:00. Tours depart on the hour, last tour 16:00.
Admission: Castle entrance and all day park access, Adults, 14,00€, Children (ages 4-12), 9,00€, Children (under 4), free
Admission: Park entrance only, Adults 4,00€, Children (ages 4-12), 3€, Children (under 4), free
Getting there: Trains depart for Utrecht from Amsterdam Central station regularly. From Utrecht Central Station take the train to Vleuten (train destination: Den Haag Centraal, not the intercity, but the sprinter). At Vleuten station, go down the stairs and turn left to the bus station. Take bus #111 on Wednesday, weekends and special holidays. Bus will drop you right next to the castle. For other days, take bus #127 to Breukelen and get off at the “Kasteel” bus stop at Haarzuilens. From here, it’s a 15 minute walk to the castle.
Additional option: On a nice day, rent a bike in Utrecht and ride to the castle, about one hour and 15 minutes.

Let Me Tell You About Tel Aviv

One of the biggest surprises in my life was visiting Tel Aviv.

Knowing virtually nothing about the country of Israel at the time, I swapped onto a Tel Aviv trip thinking that it was another, Istanbul, since the rotation numbers were very similar. My husband, under the impression that it was unsafe to travel there, had previously warned me about bidding or swapping onto the trip, so, when I realized my mistake, I flew into a panic.

Secretly, I really wanted to go there, but I was in turmoil as to how I should I handle it? Should I lie to my husband and tell him I was traveling elsewhere? Should I honor his wishes and re-swap the trip for another? Should I tell him about it?

Finally, I decided to come clean. Admitting my mistake, I expressed my wish to keep the trip. I certainly did not want something to happen to me and have him find out I was there in that fashion.

Years after flying that trip and visiting Tel Aviv and Jerusalem for the first time, I still think about that experience; how I almost gave up one of the most amazing experiences for the unfounded wishes of another.

Today, I still enjoy visiting Tel Aviv as much as those first few times. Back then, it was still so new and exciting to tell people that I was visiting a place that few people I knew would ever go. Now, I enjoy visiting because it’s so familiar; my favorite restaurants, bars, nightclubs, markets, tours, beaches.

My husband still gives me a hard time.

This past weekend, I went to Tel Aviv for the first time in two years. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to visit…recently, when I had been awarded the trip, I needed time off or had something else that needed taking care of. It’s also a hard trip to work…long flight hours, two all-nighter flights and a sometimes demanding clientele.

We arrive late in the afternoon, and after working more than 11 hours, we are quite exhausted. The trick to this late arrival is to keep on going. So, after a quick shower and change, we meet up for happy hour and a nice dinner…and sometimes dancing! Yes, the nightlife here is amazing with some outstanding bars and clubs.

Having a strong desire to see what the country of Israel has to offer, I usually book a tour for the next day, even knowing how tired I will be after touring all day and then having to work a 12 hour flight home. I have visited the cities of Caesarea, Acre, Megiddo, Haifa, Galilee, Nazareth, Jerusalem, Masada and swam in the Dead Sea…sometimes on more than one occasion. Visiting the many historical and biblical sights, one realizes why so many Christians make the pilgrimage to this country.

One city, that I had never had the opportunity to visit, was Bethlehem. A tour of the birthplace of Jesus had been on my agenda for this layover, but realizing that there were many things that needed accomplishing, I decided that postponing the tour until another time would be best.

Catching up on my sleep, I got a somewhat late start to my day. After finally opening my balcony window and seeing the oceanfront view and the beautiful sunny weather awaiting me, however, I quickly got a move on.

Wandering over to my favorite falafel place, Yashka Shawarma and Grill, I found that they had done a bit of remodeling, but the falafel pita was still as good as I remembered. I also love the wide array of salads available with your food! Cabbage and beets? Never was a fan until I came to Israel!

Walking down, Dizengoff Street, I discovered a unique and colorful fountain, which I had never seen before. I stopped to appreciate the dancing water and accompanying music for a few minutes. Located on a pedestrian bridge, many people seem to congregate here to enjoy the view.

My next stop was the Dizengoff Shopping Center to purchase a bracelet charm. Having to wait in line at the mall entrance and then have your bags searched, really makes one appreciate the freedom that we enjoy in our own countries. Knowing that this is for everyone’s safety, the locals seem to take it all in stride and patiently wait their turn.

Making my way down King George street, I soon found myself at my final destination; the Carmel market.

The Carmel market is an amazing assault on your senses and pocketbook. There are clothes, purses and jewelry to buy on one end and tons of fresh vegetables, desserts, juices, fresh fish and other food items on the other. You can get a suitcase or skincare products…you name it…it’s there. After saying hello to my friend, Leon, who sells Dead Sea skin products, I set about finding the olive oil that I had come searching for. Three bottles later, my purse was so heavy, I decided that a detour to the hotel would be in order.

Not quite ready to call it a day, I dropped my purchases in my room and headed out toward the beach area. My favorite bike rental place, Pinky’s, closed a few years ago, so for the first time, I used the Tel-O-Fun bike rental kiosk, closest to my hotel, to rent one of the bikes available throughout the area. The bikes are rented thru a credit card swipe and rates vary according to time used.

Riding down the promenade toward Jaffa, the walkway was crowded with both Israelis and tourists, enjoying the 70 degree weather, clear skies and ocean view. Soon arriving in the old port city, I stopped to admire the sweeping view of the city of Tel Aviv and the occasional fisherman hoping to secure dinner.

Having visited Jaffa many times, I decided to ride along the waterfront to the port located at the rear of the city, stopping occasionally for the many pictures that present themselves along the way. The numerous restaurants, here on the waterfront, were bustling with patrons enjoying fresh seafood and Mediterranean fare and the art galleries were teeming with customers.

After retracing my steps, I walked my bicycle to the main street. Here you will find the Jaffa flea market, home to a treasure trove of antiques and handmade and secondhand items. Take the time to explore the many alleyways, covered walkways and outdoor verandas that have been operating for more than 100 years. There are many souvenir shops and clothing stores to satisfy the most discerning shopper and many restaurants to satisfy any foodie’s cravings.

Here on the main street, one can also gaze upon the clock tower that greets visitors at the entrance to Jaffa. The clock tower is one of seven built in Palestine during the Ottoman period. The others are located in Safed, Acre, Nazaret, Haifa, Nabius (West Bank) and Jerusalem, the last being the only that has not survived. The tower stands in the middle of Yefet street at the northern entrance to Jaffa. Made of limestone, it incorporates two clocks and a plaque commemorating the Israelis killed in the battle for the town in the 1948 Arab-Israeli War.

Finally, as the afternoon was drawing to a close, I began to make my way back down the beach toward my hotel. Knowing that my time in Tel Aviv was ending, I stopped many times to watch the glowing sun as it dipped into the sea.

Later that evening, as we headed to the airport for the long return home, I realized how grateful I was that I, once again, have had the opportunity to return to this intriguing country.
For more pictures of Tel Aviv and Jaffa, please check out my Facebook page, Snapping the Globe and Instagram, Snapping the Globe.

Yashka Shawarma and Grill
Dizengoff Street, 105 (corner of Frishman and Dizengoff)
Try the falafel pita

Carmel Market
Location: Extends the length of HaCarmel Street, from Magen David Square to the end of Carm lit, and across the nearby streets of the Keren Ha Teimanim neighborhood and Nahalan Binyamin pedestrian mall.
Hours: Sunday to Thursday from 8 am until sundown and Friday from 8 am until 2 pm.
Transportation: From the New Central Bus Station: Dan Bus lines 4 or 205. Public taxi minibuses 4 or 5 to Allenby Street. From Central Train Station: Dan Bus lines 18, 61 or 82. From University Train Station: Dan Bus lines 24 or 25.
Parking: Ahuzat HaHof Carmel-Kalisher Street, corner with HaCarmel Street. Pay lot with 313 spaces.
ATMs and public restrooms available.

Tel-O-Fun Bikes https://www.tel-o-fun.co.il/en/
Cost: Access Fee plus Hourly rental
Daily Access Fee 17 ILS
Daily Access Fee-Saturdays and Public Holidays 23 ILS
Weekly Access Fee 70 ILS
Annual Access Fee 280 ILS
Cumulative time from rental beginning:
Up to 30 minutes 0 ILS
Up to 60 minutes 6 ILS
Up to 90 minutes 12 ILS
Up to 150 minutes 32 ILS
Up to 210 minutes 72 ILS
Up to 270 mintes 153 ILS
Please note: Allow time to watch the video for instructions on returning the bike and allow time to find an alternate location for bike return. When arriving at my original location, I watched the video but did not realize that the rod that is to be inserted into the bike to lock it, was not working (wire tie prevents it from being inserted all the way in). I had already pressed the button to return the bike, so the bike could not be returned to a different stall or a different location. Thankfully, a gentleman and his wife came to my assistance, calling the Tel-O-Fun office for me. A code was given to unlock the bike, allowing the proper return procedures.

Jaffa Flea Market
Hours: Open 6 days a week, from Sunday through Friday, from morning through early evening hours.

A Nice Weekend

France for the weekend? Yes, let’s go!

Working for an airline most definitely has many upsides and downsides. Being on the front lines, flight attendants sometimes endure our passenger’s cordiality and sometimes their wrath. There have been days that I have returned from my trips vowing to my husband that I was quitting my job. Why didn’t I, you ask? Simply put…I enjoy seeing the world.

Ever hear the phrase, “Marry me, fly free”? Well, it’s true…or almost true.

Each airline policy regarding employee travel varies. My airline, for example, offers free travel to employees and their families from the very beginning of their career. Domestic travel incurs no charge; however, taxes are paid for international travel, for the specific city. Italy’s taxes tend to be the cheapest, while England’s are some of the most expensive…about $160 difference between the two. That being said, paying the taxes versus buying an international ticket is definitely a plus! Travel, however, is not confirmed. Employees check flights for available seats and place themselves on an employee standby list for that flight. The employees are assigned seats just before departure in order of seniority. No available seats? No go! So, employees definitely must have flexible travel plans and travel in off peak time periods. But, having that ability offers us the chance to go to places on a whim that most people spend months planning.

Travel benefits are also extended to our immediate family. Again, while policies vary between airlines, my husband, parents and children are also offered benefits. Over the years, we have taken many wonderful vacations…some we could have never afforded if we had had to purchase five tickets. Unfortunately, as my children grow older, I realize that this will eventually come to an end. Our benefits are extended to our children until the age of 26, if they are actively enrolled students or in the military. If they graduate at 22 or 23 and do not seek advanced education, they will no longer be covered by my travel benefits. It is no wonder that many airline employees’ children seek airline employment later in life.

When the children were younger, it was much easier to travel when school wasn’t as much of an issue. On many occasions, we packed up on a Thursday night and went to Grand Cayman or some other exotic locale for the weekend. I remember the preschool teachers thinking that our children were making up stories about their travels. Not many people can travel to far flung destinations, just for a weekend.

Last week, my oldest son turned 19. He is currently in college and his benefits will run out in about three and half years, unless he opts to pay for continuing education. Trying to take advantage of his school break, I decided that he and I should try and travel somewhere that he has never been. Checking flight availability, I noticed that the flight to Nice, France had a large number of seats open on Friday and a large number of seats open three days later, returning from Nice. Standing in the doorway of his room, I offered to take him to Nice for the weekend. We would only be there for half a day on Saturday, the whole day on Sunday and would be returning on Monday. Take it from a flight attendant; you can most certainly squeeze in a lot of sightseeing in that time frame. I was shocked when he declined my offer, stating that he had plans with friends.

Nothing I said would change his mind. “You do realize you will lose your benefits in three and a half years?” “Don’t base your decisions in life on others.” “This is your birthday present!” and all the “Mom” things I could muster. His friends said, “Wow, I’d go to France in a heartbeat, if I were you!”

Still, nothing would persuade him.

Frustrated, I realized that an opportunity could pass by. Having been to Nice many times myself, my husband and younger sons had never been. Why couldn’t the four of us go without my oldest son? Secretly though, I was assuming that if my oldest son saw that we were going to go without him, he would alter his plans and come with us after all.

Securing hotel rooms, plans were quickly put into place. We decided to leave on Friday afternoon and travel to New York. Our flight would depart at 9:20 pm and we would be arriving in Nice at 11:10 am the next morning. My oldest, sadly, still refused to travel with us.

After departing New York’s JFK airport and a seven hour flight, we were soon standing outside of Terminal 2 and boarding a bus enroute to Gare de Nice-Ville train station. Arriving a quick 20 minutes later, the walk to our hotel was a quick five minutes.

Having only opened last July, our hotel was modern, clean and perfect for our short stay. The hotel presented us with adjacent rooms and was very helpful in providing us with information on local activities.

After quickly getting settled, we were on our way to explore Nice, Monaco and St. Paul de Vence.

Although, it was a quick weekend, I was so thankful to be able to give the gift of seeing a different city to, at least, most of my family. All too soon we were back on the bus, returning to the airport for our return trip to New York and Richmond.

My oldest held down the fort while we were gone, taking care of the dog and the laundry. He inquired about our trip when we arrived. He even asked to see the pictures from the trip. I thought that maybe he would have regretted his decision a bit and maybe he did…but we will never know. I just hope that he realizes what an amazing opportunity he passed on and doesn’t continue to do so in the future. It would be a terrible shame to be further in life and look back with remorse stating, “I wish I would have taken the opportunity to travel when I had it.”

My two younger boys, however, enjoyed the fact that they benefited from his passing on the trip. They posted pictures of their adventure on Facebook. They had a wonderful time and were eager to share their exploits with their friends. For them, it is thrilling to know that they have been somewhere where many of their friends have not. To quote a friend of theirs, “You went to Nice for the weekend? Who DOES that?”

We do!!!

Group Shot SPDV — Me and my family in St. Paul de Vence.

Delta Airlines provides service to Nice three to four times a week during winter months and daily during the rest of the year.

http://www.delta.com

Transportation from Nice to City Center

Bus 99 departs Terminals 1 and 2 every half hour and travels directly to Gare de Nice-Ville
For other transportation information: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g187234-s301/Nice:France:Arriving.And.Departing.html

Ibis Styles Center Gare Hotel information

Rates vary from high season to low season
Located 4 minute walk from the Gare de Nice-Ville
15 minute walk to Old Town.
10 minute walk to Promenade Anglais and beach area
Brand new hotel offering modern, stylish accomodations
http://www.ibis.com/gb/hotel-9907-ibis-styles-nice-centre-gare/index.shtml

Check out additional pictures on Facebook, Snapping the Globe and on Instagram, Snapping the Globe.

Oh…Koh Samui

Since our next day was a travel day, we were up early and out the door, heading for Don Mueang airport.

Although we were only in Bangkok for two “half” nights (arrival after midnight and leaving hotel at 3:30 AM) I was sad to leave the Ibis Nana hotel. Last time I was in Bangkok, I stayed at the Mercure at the Skytrain Stadium stop. It was an extremely nice hotel that I booked thru Delta Perks, a site that offers us airline discounts with certain hotel chains. I absolutely loved this hotel and its location! This time, I decided to try another Accor hotel, the Ibis Nana. The Ibis offers clean, Scandinavian style rooms. Our price was around 30 dollars per night, more than half of the Mercure’s price. Since our stay was short, this seemed like a more reasonable choice.

What I liked most about this hotel is that there are lots of restaurants and bars in the area, so after a long day of sightseeing, you can go back to your room, freshen up and then you don’t have to go very far for a good meal or for nightlife.

Our flight from Bangkok to Surat Thani was booked with Nok Air. There are many discount airlines to choose from and most operate from Don Mueang airport which is closer to the city of Bangkok. Our flight was a steal at $67.
The good thing about booking a flight that departs at 6:10 AM is that there is no traffic at that time of the morning. Our cab driver was not happy when we had him turn on the meter…I suspect that he hoped to charge us a much higher fare than the 300 baht that was showing on the meter when we arrived.

Nok Air does not allow you to carry on your rollaboards, however, they do not require you to pay to check your luggage. The excellent thing about this is that with hardly any luggage being brought on board, the boarding process takes hardly any time at all.
The plane was impeccable and the bathrooms were immaculately clean.
On this short flight (1 hour) the flight attendants served a small breakfast snack, did a coffee service and even sold Nok Air products. Grant it, we were not full, maybe 2/3, but they were amazingly quick and efficient.

When we arrived, our bags were quickly delivered to the baggage claim.
We had booked the plane-bus-ferry option. It wasn’t long before we were loaded onto our bus and driving towards the Lomprayah ferry.

At the Lomprayah ferry terminal, we purchased the transfer option (150 baht) to take us from the arrival ferry pier to our hotel. The ferry was very nice and there was s snack bar for purchasing food, drinks and food.

After our docking in Koh Samui, we were met by the Lomprayah agents and escorted to our bus. 30 minutes later, we arrived at our hotel, Montien House.

We were told that our rooms would be another hour, so we went off to have lunch. Before long, we were checked into our rooms. I had specifically requested a room near my friend’s and facing the beach side of the property however, neither request had been met. In addition, someone had spilled something all over one of the walls and the room generally did not seem clean.
I went downstairs and explained what had happened. Thankfully, they were able to move me to the room across from my friend’s room, although it wasn’t beach facing.
Although I was unsure about the hotel at first, it quickly grew on me and I came to love the staff. Every day, they wanted to know my plans and when I came in, they wanted to know how my day was. The room was always cleaned very well and if there was something I needed, it was quickly taken care of.
The hotel was conveniently located near many shops, restaurants and nightlife.

On my last night, I went downstairs to go to the beach to release my lucky lantern. I was alone and the front desk was occupied by one of the young men who worked at the hotel. He saw my lantern and asked if I needed help with it. I asked him to show me what to do. He explained that it was easier if there were two people. I responded that my friends were not there to help me. What he said to me, was very touching, especially since I had had such a trying day. “The staff here can help you. We are your friends too!”

Maybe it wasn’t the most luxurious hotel, but little things like that mean so much to a customer!

Ibis Nana

www. accorhotels.com

Nok Air

www.nokair.com

Montien House

www.montienhouse.com

Settling In

After clearing customs, getting SIM cards for our phones and taking a taxi over to our hotel, you would think that we would have just been ready to collapse.
No…we were hungry. At 12:30 in the morning…those small gnawing hunger pains that you know will not go away in the middle of the night, unless you take care of the situation. Now mind you, we had just eaten on the plane not very long before. But, of course, it was 1:30 in the afternoon, back home and no one had informed our stomachs that we were 13 time zones away!
After settling into our rooms at the Ibis Nana and freshening up a bit, we headed out to get some food…pad Thai, for me…and good ole Chang beer!

Now that’s what I am talking about…delicious Thai food! It’s what I had been dreaming about ever since I returned last year.
You don’t need a fancy restaurant…just a little family run place!

Good food, good beer, and good friends!

Wandering…

Wandering is one of my favorite things to do while in many cities. Setting out with a map in my bag, is a necessity only if I am truly lost or just need a little guidance. I love going out with only a general plan in mind. Sometimes you never know what you will find!
Last week, I was in Zurich, Switzerland. Zurich is a very pristine and charming city and I love walking along the river in the Old Town area and along the northern shore of Lake Zurich. The last few times I have been to Zurich, it seems that I have only been there on Sundays. Most shops are closed and the streets are very quiet.
Taking the train into the city center, my goal was to find the free bike rental location. Years ago, I rented a bike from one of these free rental locations and rode along the river with a few of my coworkers. This time, I was alone and decided that I would use my bike to further my wandering.
Finding the bike rental location was a bit challenging and I thought that I would have to abandon my plans, but soon enough, I managed to stumble upon the area in which it was located.

https://www.zuerich.com/en/visit/sport/zurich-on-wheels
Many years ago, Züri Rollt Free Bike Rental secured the rental with a driver’s license or identification card, meaning they kept it until you returned the bike. They have now changed the process. They still require an identification card or passport. Your information is recorded and you are given a copy of the form, however, you now keep your means identification. You are also required to pay a $20 Swiss Franc deposit. When returning the bicycle, you give back the copy of the form and your $20 Swiss Franc deposit is returned.
After the formalities, I was finally on my way. Since it was Sunday and there wasn’t much traffic, I found it quite easy to navigate the streets on my way to the lakefront.
With an admiring glance out towards the Alps, I decided to head to the right of the lake. There are many bike and pedestrian pathways along the lake.
After riding for a while, I saw the bike rider in front of me take a left turn. I looked down the alleyway in which she had turned and noticed lots of graffiti. Now, I am a sucker for good graffiti, so I had no choice but to check it out. There was an entryway of sorts and the walls were lined with amazing graffiti. I walked with my bike throughout the area and down along the lakefront. I had no idea what this area was until I asked a local Swiss woman who was walking through the area. She informed me that it was called Rote Fabrik.
Rote Fabrik, or Red Factory, is a former factory in Zurich, which is now used as a music venue and cultural center. It is so named because the buildings are made of red brick, but also because left-wing parties were part of the campaign to turn the location into a cultural center.

After snapping many photos, I decided to head back to the city, return the bike and wander on foot.
Venturing through Old Town, I passed the Grossmunster and the Church of Our Lady (Fraumunster). Neither were open, but they offer themselves up for many a beautiful photograph. Along the Fraumunster, I spent about 15 minutes photographing the carvings on the side walls.

Finally, all that cycling had worked up a mighty appetite. Now, if you’ve ever been to Zurich, then you will know how expensive it is. Meals can run, on average $35-40 US (no drinks included). The last time I was in Zurich, we found a cute little place called Thai Bamboo right near the river on a side street. Address: Schoffelgasse 3, Zurich, Switzerland. Previously, I had the Pad Thai, which was good. Compared to other Pad Thai I have had before, I can say that I have had better. This time, however, I decided to try the Red Curry. Oh my goodness! I have been to Thailand and I can tell you that this ranks up there with any Red Curry that I have ever had in that country. The best part was that my Red Curry and two beers came to a grand total of $25! That’s a steal for
Zurich! Now mind you, it’s not a five-star restaurant…you select your meal from a counter-style serving area. You grab your drink from the refrigerated cooler and you seat yourself. But, I will trade all that for a very good meal served at the right price.

http://www.yelp.com/biz/thai-bamboo-z%C3%BCrich-2

Check out my Facebook page, Snapping the Globe, for more pictures!