Best of 2009

This is in response to a blog challenge 2009. I am a few days behind (it started on Dec 1st) but I also will skip days because there are certain things I just didn't do.

Best Trip of 2009:
This is my favorite question but I am also not sure how to choose the best one. I have done logged so many miles this year that no other year could possibly keep up (unless I somehow miraculously win the lottery and spend the rest of my days wandering). Travel, this year, meant more than seeing new places, it also meant taking a huge leap of faith & the opportunity to start over.

March: Montreal, Quebec. Flight into Vermont (Burlington, a town that must be explored more), a few days in Montreal with the opportunity to speak French and failing miserably in the confidence department and then a great breakfast in New Hampshire. Also my first ever glimpse of NYC and being totally in awe of that massive city.

April: San Francisco, California. The trip that opened my eyes to my favorite American city. The people were so friendly. Everyone I met was friendly and open and unique. I loved the bridge. And I loved each of the neighborhoods, their unique personality showcased in every shop and restaurant. Fell in love with North Beach Italian waiters. Loved the history steeped in City Light Books. Some of my favorite Beat writers graced that shop with their amazing adventures (in print and in person). Even loved Chinatown with the shop windows of fowl and bins of fish and vegetables. And loved the old Chinese man in one of the last real fortune cookies shops (where it is done by hand). Loved the trolley ride and my stroll through Presidio Park and my first real glimpse of the Golden Gate Bridge. (I love bridges!) And also my first taste of that ambrosia called gelato. Think I ate it every day. And am still searching for a place that makes it as well.

In July, I took my biggest leap of faith to date and left my perfectly good job to move to the west coast, leaving my southern home and friends behind. Driving 3000 miles through Nashville, Oklahoma City, Denver, Idaho Falls and finally Seattle. Saw places I want to explore more - Wyoming, Colorado, Oklahoma City (who would have thought?), crossed the 42.5 latitude (halfway between the North Pole and the Equator).

In September, traveled to the southern most country and spent two weeks on the North & South Island of New Zealand. fell in love w/ how friendly Kiwis are and how creative and inventive. And proud. their country is one of absolute beauty. Great weather welcoming us to spring. The landscape was breathtaking and have declared a full month to discover every part of the country and do everything I want to do. Also passed 42.5 latitude - halfway between the Equator and the South Pole. This trip also kick started a wanderlust that I have kept locked up for years.

November, I found myself exploring Portland, Oregon with my best friend. We ate a lot, we walked a lot, and it made me realize a few things about how I want to incorporate travel into a career. And the rest of my life.

To choose one is really hard because each trip brought something new to my table. But under duress (and probably not), San Francisco was the trip that left somehting in my belly that could not be ignored. Spending time with my best friend and exploring a city I want to call home one day. It is one of the main reasons behind the long drive cross country. I never thought I could relate to a city so intensely. And yet it still shines like a beacon...San Francisco, is always on my mind...

a lil blu break...

Lake Rotorua, New Zealand

this is what happens when you feed Kels dark beer...oh the joy

the Challenge: seven (yes, seven) New Zealand beers

After 'sipping' a dark beer...

"really, I can't believe I tried that."

"i think i ruined my appetite."

the winner: dark beer x two

two days in auckland

A random placement of photos...

wedges: an almost daily food staple in NZ

from the very English Shakespear Tavern & Brewery

a beer and a book for lunch...life is good

a lover of sailboats plus being in the City of Sails


my 1st NZ photo...totally groovy music store

auckland

Notes from the past 48 hours:

• loved air new zealand. Incredibly friendly. complimentary wine w/ meals. my own tv screen with over 75 movies, 258 musical artists, and numerous tv shows to view at my leisure. (My Life in Ruins, Ghosts of Girlfriends Past, State of Play, The Proposal and I think one more...??.) Also loved that I could view the planes progress and all landmasses we may pass. (okay, so not that interesting...)
• feel like maybe i was being snotty to the hotel front desk yesterday morning. I was mostly just tired and also incredibly thankful they put a rush on our room. also thankful, they stored our backpacks while we trapsed down Queen Street for breakfast. Also amazed I was able to sleep for 18 hours plus. When does that ever happen?
• McD's...not so good for breakfast.
• am intrigued that all my drinks have had ice in them. Maybe its the american accent???
• am a lil sad that blu has taken to looking out the window for me and slept in my room last night when she could have slept in my parents room. she really does love me. (yes, sometimes, I wonder...she howls for everyone else BUT me, unless she is unhappy about something.)
• have eaten a ton today already: bacon & egg pie (not so good), gelato - licorce & separately dark chocolate (total yum) and a burger w/brie (ok...think the aioli was the problem). Tonight, maybe Mexican.
• really wish I could upload photos. Have some killer photos of Kelsey and yucky faces over the dark beers in her flight. Priceless!!
• Also, stole a photo of some old dude in the bar who was reading a book... minus the reading, it looks almost identical to one I took in Chinatown (SFO) at the bubble drink place.

Tomorrow, we are off early to take the bus to Rotorua where we will experience a hangi and haka for dinner. Then hopefully some black water rafting the following day. Only 3 more days on the North Island.

end of summer treat

Add dry white wine to sliced firm, meaty peaches.

Marinate in the refridgerator for at least 1/2 day.

Recommended to marinate for one day for the best results.

a dish of total yum.