Amazing Places...

"To move, to breathe, to fly, to float, To gain all while you give, To roam the roads of lands remote: To travel is to live." -Hans Christian Andersen

Meteora, Thessaly, Greece

 Snow Cathedral, Norway    

Sagrado Cenote Azul, Cancun  

    

     Interlaken, Switzerland

Korakaram Highway, Pakistan

Milan, Italy

Boat Hotel, Cocoa Island, The Maldives Islands

Bridge Tea Rooms, Bradford-Upon-Avon, England



Tree Tunnel, Belgium

Takachiho Gorge, Miyasaki, Japan

Greece (Mykonos)

Paris, France on New Years Eve

Rio Celeste, Costa Rica

Sun Island, South Ari Atoll, Maldives

Balaa waterfall - Chatine, Lebanon

 

 

Skaftafell, Iceland

Terraced Rice Field, China

Cave of Crystals, Mexico

Innsbruck, Austria

Antwerp, Belgium

Pictures: 1-20

A Pat Surprise and Jump Rock

Our friend Patrick flew down from Oregon on Friday night just to come to our neighborhood Halloween party on Saturday! What a surprise! Danny and I wanted to show him around before he took-off Sunday morning. We thought it would be fun to take him for a boat ride and swim out to Jump Rock. Here are some pictures from Saturday morning. Fun stuff!

Shanny on the dock.

Boyzzz. Aaahummm... I mean MEN.

Danny and Pat.

I'm diggin the suspenders Patty! 

The gang.

We had to fill-up the boat before we made our way to Jump Rock

Shanny and I hopped off the dock and got some fruit for the ride. I love this little stand -- so cute. Danny and I walk past it when we take evening strolls around Balboa Island.

We made it to Jump Rock and dropped the anchor about 300 feet away. The swim was the only hard part...it's a bit cold in October and we "trunked it" in Daniel's terms (meaning, without a wetsuit). Pat didn't bring trunks so he decided to swim in his jeans and suspenders. Ha-ha he's hilarious! What a good sport. Once we reached the rock, we climbed up the back side and jumped off!

It's such a rush! I love it!

You can only climb the back side on calm days, otherwise the waves will smash you against the barnacle rocks. Some people prefer to climb the front of the cliff if they are swimming from the beach.

Here are some great videos put together by fellow jumpers. If you're ever in town, you've got to try it! The rock is about 25-30 feet high. It's surrounded by kelp beds and beautiful Garibaldi fish. Just make sure you bring someone that knows the area and can show you how to jump safely. 

So much FUN! 

Hotels for Adventure Seekers

Wild Canopy Reserve Hotel 

This Canopy Reserve Hotel, located in south India reminds me of the Swiss Family Robinson tree house! My 8 year old self would kill for this -- monkey butler and all. I even remember writing in my voice activated diary about how I wanted to live in a tree house of my own. Funny thing is...I still would if I could.

(pictures from busyboo)

Mirror Cube

The Treehotel is a new hotel in northern Sweden consisting of multiple tree houses designed by different architects. This Mirror cube allows you to enjoy nature from a bird's eye view. The refection of the forest gives you the perfect camouflage. The interior of the cube is simple and sweet -- you even have a little look-out deck on top.

(Pictures from Gizmodo)

 Ice Hotel

Situated in village Jukkasjärvi, 200 kilometers north of the Arctic Circle in Sweden, this little gem turns a quaint arctic town into a world-renowned attraction. The whole hotel is carved out of ICE! With rates as high as $800 a night, you can stay in an artist suite complete with an  ice bed, hand carved ice sculptures and sparkling ice chandeliers. They even have their own ice Chapel and Absolute Ice Bar, offering a massive array of flavored vodka in glasses made of, yup you guessed it, ice. Guests sleep in thermal sleeping bag atop reindeer skin and are awaken in the morning with a cup of hot lingonberry juice by their bedside. How fun! Count me in!

(Pictures from Thisisliv)

Yunak Evleri

Yunak Evleri of Cappadocia has been dogeared in my travel file for a long time. This place is definitely on my list! Yunak Evleri has a combination of six cave houses with a total of 30 private cave rooms dating back to the 5th and 6th centuries and a 19th century Greek Mansion. I can see myself now...walking through a labyrinth of narrow passageways and lounging on the rooftop terrace with my mint tea in hand. YES PLEASE! 
 

(Pictures from Yunak)

The Giraffe Manor

            Knock  Knock  -- Good morning, may I come in?

  

Giraffe Manor is set in 12 acres of private land within 140 acres of indigenous forest and is only 20 kilometers from Nairobi city centre. Built in the 1930s, this luxury boutique hotel has maintained all the charm of the era and is now famous for its resident herd of Rothschild Giraffe. Giraffe Manor offers you an unparalleled experience of the giraffes, with them vying for your attention at the breakfast table, the front door and even your bedroom window. I love it! I've always wanted to eat breakfast with a giraffe!

P.S. I've been to Kenya -- it's phenomenal (I will post on adventures from Kenya soon)!

(Pictures from Giraffe Manor)

Kakslauttanen

It’s hard enough to pronounce “Kakslauttanen” while sober—don’t even think about attempting it after a drink from their ice bar.  Kakslauttanen is a Finnish resort near the North Pole, popular for its glass igloos. These cute little igloos provide a one of a kind opportunity to admire the northern lights and millions of stars.  Each igloo is built from a special thermal glass so you won't freeze your toosh off.  Every igloo is equipped with a bathroom and luxury beds. Kakslauttanen has a variety of  log cabins, snow igloos, glass igloos and large log cabins to choose from. Too cute to boot! I want to cozy-up in that rocking chair with some hot cocoa and enjoy that stone fire place. Mmmm Heaven.

(Pictures from kakslauttanen)

 

Palacio de Sal

If you’re one of those people who believes you can never have too much salt, then this is the place for you. From floor to ceiling, including the walls, beds, and chairs, it’s all salt! This 16-room Salt Palace is located on Bolivia’s vast salt flats.

(Pictures from Tripadvisor)

Free Spirit Spheres, Vancouver Island, Canada

These Free Spirit Spheres are set among the tall trees of the west coast rainforest of Vancouver Island, Canada. The five-acre property is an old-growth forest with three pods (made of cedar, spruce, or fiberglass, respectively) suspended 10 to 15 feet in the air and accessed by staircases that wind around the trees. In addition to overnight stays, Free Spirits will also sell you your own premade sphere! Are you thinking what I'm thinking? Ewok village!

(Pictures from Freespiritsphere)

-B