Travelogue 2011

In 2011, we stayed close to home as we knew that we were going to make some big changes in our lives (moving to Seattle).  Travel was not a priority though we were able to get a few fun trips into our schedules for some fun time.  

We're hoping to get in a few more fun trips in 2012 including Vancouver, WA and hopefully an overseas trip since we didn't go anywhere overseas in 2011 (a first for both of us in a long time).

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January

Los Angeles

February

Sonoma, CA

New Orleans, LA (business)

April

Washington, DC

June/July

Kauai, Hawaii

September

Reno, NV

Seattle, WA

Road trip from San Francisco to Seattle via Oregon

October/November

Chicago, IL

Did you go anywhere fun this year?  What was your favorite trip?

One Year Wedding Anniversary Trip

The traditional one year wedding anniversary gift is something made of paper.  So, at the end of June, Mark and I celebrated our one year wedding anniversary a little early with the purchase of plane tickets to Kauai, Hawaii.

On our honeymoon, we spent much of it exploring Europe with a few days at the end relaxing on the Cote d'Azur (France) and Lake Como (Italy).  We realized that as much as we love exploring, there is something to be said about relaxing and just doing "nothing."

A secret beach near Princeville - we never found the real name of that beach

Nearly, immediately, we knew that we wanted to plan a trip for our first anniversary.  And, we knew that it would be spent relaxing on a beach somewhere.  As March and April came around, we started to explore our options and came down to two potential destinations: French Polynesia and Hawaii.  Ultimately, we chose Kauai because of how close it is to San Francisco and the cost.  A trip to French Polynesia is still on our list.  We'll take that trip another time in an "off-season."

Drinks at sunset at the St. Regis, Princeville

This trip was exactly what we were looking for on a relaxing vacation.  We spent hours at the pool and on the beach.  We snorkeled nearly every day.  Our favorite place was Tunnels Beach (one of the best places to snorkel), where we saw tons of tropical fish and a few sea turtles.  We hiked the Waimea Canyon and kayaked the Wailua River.  We picnicked by a waterfall.  All in all, it was the perfect anniversary trip full of adventure and fun - which reflects our life together nicely.

Snorkeling at Poipu Beach

 I can't wait to see what adventure we'll take next!

*All photos taken with our camera by one of us or by a kind stranger.

Happy Birthday to Mark!

Happy birthday to my sweet husband!  May the next year be filled with dreams come true and lots of adventure...All of my love.

One year ago, we celebrated M's birthday in Austria

Homebody

As much as I love to travel and explore other countries, cities and cultures, when I'm at home in San Francisco, I am a homebody.  Literally.  I love to be at home.  I am a nester.  I love putzing around our apartment, organizing, cleaning, trying out new recipes, doing things around our house.

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It doesn't take much for me to get outside especially when I know it is sunny and warm.  I'm eager to go hiking, go for a walk along Crissy Field or in the Marin headlands, see an exhibit at the museum but I really love being at home.  Living in California, there are a LOT of sunny days and so I'm always secretly excited for a rainy, yucky day so we can stay in.

It could be an effect of having traveled so much for work in the past.  There was a time when I literally lived out of my suitcase.  I'd travel for a few days, come home for a day or two and then hit the road again.  I didn't unpack my suitcase.  I'd take out the dirty clothes, do laundry and then put them back in again.  I never unpacked my toiletry/make-up bag because there was no point.  I wasn't able to cook because any food leftover would go bad in my fridge.  I'm so grateful not to live that kind of lifestyle.  I vow not to do it again.

Anyone else a homebody?

Memories: Favorite Childhood Summer Vacation

I was and still am lucky to have a dad who was born in Austria.  Growing up, my father's company would give him and our family "home leave" every other year.  Home leave was time off about four weeks to go back to Austria.  So, we would spend about a month in Europe - mostly in Austria to visit with my grandparents.

I love Austria and always have.  Most likely because of spending so much time there when I was little.  I loved spending time with my grandparents - who I couldn't communicate with too well because I didn't speak German and they didn't speak English too well.  Regardless, I loved being with them and my family there.

Often, we would hop into the car or onto the train and head out of Vienna, where they lived (and where my parents currently live).  We would head up into the mountains for hiking or to one of the many lakes for boating and fishing.  Wherever we went the air was guaranteed to be fresh, the water either in the lake or flowing down the mountain from the snow melting was guaranteed to be cold and the food was guaranteed to be amazing.

These three main reasons were some of the deciding factor for me to push for Mark and I to get married in Austria and they came through!

When I was little, I really loved my stuffed dog, Doggie (who I still have).  I would take him everywhere with me.  I would put him in my backpack with his head sticking out so he could see where he was going.  There are pictures of me hiking in the Alps at age 4/5 without my shirt on with my backpack on my back and Doggie's head sticking out.  I still remember it!  I have a photo that I'll share one day if I can figure out how to scan it.

The food was amazing.  I fell in love with Orange Fanta (summer was the only time we were allowed to drink sodas), Austrian soup (goulash and rindsuppe - a beef broth with various fillings like noodles, etc.), wiener schnitzel, etc.  I adored the ice cream and the little wafer cookies served with them.  I honestly could eat Austrian food all the time.  I love it so much.

I also love being outdoors in the Austrian Alps.  The air, the sun, the hiking and other adventures.  My dad grew up doing all of those same outdoor activities and I am so glad that he introduced those to us.  My love for hiking in the Alps came from him and will always be because of him.

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I'm incredibly fortunate to have the childhood vacations that I did.  When we got a little older, we rented sailboats and sailed on the Adriatic Sea and in the Mediterranean.  As much as I love those sailing memories, the memories of hiking with my parents, siblings and grandparents in the Austrian Alps hold a VERY special place in my heart.  I can't wait to take my own children to Austria during the summer and show them what I did growing up.

What is your favorite childhood summer vacation memory?

My Plan for World Domination

Last week there was an article on CNN.com about how America is the "no-vacation nation."  The article talks about how countries outside of the U.S. give employees many more than 2-3 weeks of vacation a year - and that time is happily given and approved without strings attached.  Having an Austrian father, who worked for a U.N. organization, I grew up having family vacations where we took 3-4 weeks off each summer to travel, often to Europe, plus at least a week over Christmas, etc.  My siblings and I were lucky.  As an adult, I wish that Mark and I had those types of vacation benefits.

During a walk along Crissy Field on Monday afternoon, I decided that I needed to come up with a plan for world domination so that I can implement a global vacation plan that works for everyone.

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Wouldn't it be great if the entire globe took the month of August away from work and we all went on vacation?  Of course, it would require anyone working in the hospitality industry to show up for their jobs in order for my plan to work so I guess my plan really only benefits those in white collar jobs but this is my fantasy so it's OK.

My theory is that if EVERYONE took the month of August as a holiday than the global economy - other than tourism and hospitality - would be suspended and no one would be concerned about lost revenue, production, etc.  Why can't we implement this system?  (That's a rhetorical question...FYI).  Wouldn't it be great?!

Now, if only I can figure out how to take over the world...I think I need Lex Luther (but a super hero version not super villain version) on my side.

What would you do if you had world domination?