Leaving on a Jet Plane...

I am off to Israel for some adventures in nanny-ing! The family I work for has asked me to join them on an amazing trip! Fun huh!? I'll be back April 19th! Love you Dan, I already miss you tons.

 

P.S. This guy (Felgar) decided to hitch a ride ;)

Jalama Trip

Here are some pictures from our trip to Jalama Beach. It was a fun weekend. We were glad to get away for just a few short days; to take a break from work and wedding planning. It's nice to clear your head once in awhile. Funny thing though... we hit a huge rain storm and 40mph winds! We spent most of the time inside the Winnebago with our friends, but any time spent with friends is time well spent! The weather wasn't on our side, but the waves sure were!

Dany T. and I did some water painting

Here is a picture of our camp, during a spot of sunshine...the poles we used to hold up the awning were bent in half by morning time (the wind was that STRONG). How exciting!

David and Danny Z.

Dany T. (one of my lovely bridesmaids) and I were the only ladies on the trip. Making dinner for a bunch of hungry guys is quite a task. They've got it too good.

Chicken kebabs.

The Beach

 The Boyz

Our Weekend Trip to Catalina Island

On our way! Mmmm gold fish.

We took the Flyer from Newport at 8:00 and arrived in Avalon 2 hours later.

The Catalina Island Casino Ballroom opened to the public in 1929. The entire top floor of the grand casino has the largest circular wooden dance floor in the world.

 Dany, Evan and Daniel

Avalon is a car free city...golf carts rule the streets. Specially licensed vehicles are allowed to travel the interior of the island, where 200 buffalo roam. Too cool.

Even big company's have to downsize on the island. I think they're cute.

Good morning!

Nice Tinkerbell towel Dan. It looks good on you.

Catalina Island

Evan, Dany, Daniel and I are going to Catalina Island for the weekend! Yay mini vacation!

 In the 1930s, Catalina Island was a favored getaway destination for Hollywood stars such as Clark Gable and Charlie Chaplin. The island also served as a filming location for dozens of movies

Catalina back in the day...

 I'll tell you all about it when we get home.

Have a great weekend my friends!

Pictures:1,2,3,4,5,6,7



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 center. Built in the 1930's, 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)