BUCKET LIST TRAVEL

The trip to Odense was a long one; jet lag, time change, a crowded train, and missed meals.  At 16:00 on a Saturday the fairy-tale began. My friend and I arrived at the Odense train station from Malmo, Sweden with our luggage and no room reservations. Thank goodness for WI FI. We sat in a cafe at the train station with a cup of cappuccino and checked the lodging options on our phones. One hotel espeically caught our eyes, the quaint"Hotel Windsor" just a short walk from the train station. A Danish couple guided us to the"Hotel Windsor."We got a comfortable room overlooking a quiet street. While my friend Frank was taking a short nap I went downstairs to the cozy dining room and enjoyed the complimentary snacks of carrots, celery, coconut cake and authentic danish pastries (wienerbrod). After a long journey it felt so wonderful to be in a friendly hotel that felt like a home away from home. We were in the land of Hans Christian Andersen. For i...

                                                        Reindeer in Oymyakon My mother who has Alzheimer's keeps asking why the northern Michigan city she lives in won't close down for the winter. "It's like Siberia" she often says. Well she's not completely accurate although this evening I went cross country skiing for only 20 minutes and when I returned to my tiny studio condo it took me almost an hour to de-thaw from the freezing temperatures oudoors. My mother and I have nothing to complain about especially when the 500 residents of the coldest place on earth deal with frigid temperatures. Where's this coldest place on earth where temperatures dip to an unbelievable -57 degrees? It's  OYMYAKON, SIBERIA. January in certain parts of the world is a cold month but nothing beats the January temperatures of Oymyakon. With my fingers thaw...

I've been enchanted with Sweden for many years so my dream came true when earlier this month I spent a few days in beautiful southern Sweden. My journey through Scandinavia was one of much sightseeing and walking.  I rarely gave myself time to take a breather until I checked into an Airbnb in Malmo. The small and charming Swedish cottage that I rented was the perfect place for a mini spa getaway. Inside the cottage was an equipped kitchen to prepare simple healthy meals, candles for burning since the days were so short in mid November and a traditional Swedish sauna next to the bathroom. A short walk away was  Ribersborgs Kallbadhus, Malmo's best spa located on the sea.  I admire the Scandinavians love for the sauna and wish more countries around the world knew just how beneficial a hot sauna is.  Exposure to dry heat in the controlled environment of a sauna for a limited period of time 1) increases circulation 2) reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease 3) hel...

Sivananda Ashram Yoga Retreat is located across the bay from Nassau! One of the best vacations you can take is at SIVANANDA ASHRAM YOGA RETREAT on Paradise Island, Bahamas because it will melt your stresses away and provide renewal.  I wish I could be there this very moment. There's simplicity here and it draws people constantly. Paradise Island has its share of luxurious lodging like the royal 4 star Atlantis Hotel but if you're yearning for tranquility and spirituality  then the Sivananda Ashram Yoga Retreat is a must. This ashram situated on turquoise Atlantic waters and  surrounded by tropical gardens offers concerts, lectures,  teacher's training, and workhops throughout the year and one o f their most popular programs is the YOGA VACATION PROGRAM. You arrive at the ashram and immediately experience bliss and calmness Accommodations  are plentiful. There are beachfront deluxe suites, beach huts, a dormitary, garden rooms, tent huts, tent ...

If you live on the western side of the state of Michigan and need a quick getaway consider the trio cities of Grand Haven, Grand Rapids, and Holland; big city meets Dutchland, and a coastal town like none other. A carefree summer with lots of travel? Not this summer. In fact this entire year I've failed to even leave the state with the exception of a few days in versatile Canada. Frustrated? Oh yes, I'm a traveler by trade so not being able to travel this year has been quite frustrating. Sometimes we have to create a trip not far from our own backyard just like George Bailey did in the iconic film "It's a Wonderful Life." With summer flying by as fast as an airplane I dreamed of a getaway. I interrupted my overwhelmed boss one afternoon and asked if I could have two consecutive days off in late August. She honored my request and I created an itinerary for my boyfriend and myself which took us on a journey to Grand Haven, Holland, and Grand Rapids. Grand Have...

Mackinac Island is famous for fudge and no trip to this lovely,magical island is complete without sampling and purchasing some fudge. I only live a couple of hours from Mackinac Island so naturally it's not difficiult for me to visit from time to time.On my last visit I was so  impressed to see that fudge shops are now making vegan fudge that I decided to start making my own vegan fudge.  Craving fudge? This recipe is so easy to make that your family and friends will think this fudge came right from beautiful Mackinac Island. Vegan Chocolate Fudge:                       1 can of coconut milk (13.5 ounces) 1/2 cup confectioner's sugar 3 cups of quality dark dairy free chocolate chips 1 cup of pecans or walnuts (optional) 1. Line a 8 by 8 inch square pan with parchment paper with an overhang on all sides. 2. Place the can of coconut milk in a sauce pan (If there's too much liquid be certain to drain some ...

Walking through the woods on a sunny August afternoon, I met an empty hammock hanging on two trees. Do I dare get on the hammock? Why not? The allure of traveling is that you never know who or what you'll encounter.  For two hours I rested on the hammock, with the lush trees above and beside me. A view of a sparkling lake just a few yards away and nobody in sight except for me and the hammock. Alas, two hours later a few people passed me by and I asked one of them to take a picture so that I could hold a vivid memory of those carefree and relaxing two hours on a hammock that was left alone in the woods for me to enjoy. Travelling can be exhausting; so go ahead and rest on a hammock. HAMMOCK HISTORY: It began about 1,000 years ago in Central America by the Mayan Indians. They used their extraordinary skills and designed a hammock. Original hammocks were woven from the bark of the Hamak tree. The Indian nations of Central and South America had an extenstive trade route and wo...