Caribbean Islands & Hurricane Season 101

by Adrienne Wilson on

With storms brewing and the weather being all out-of-wack these days, it’s easy for a traveler eyeing the Caribbean to look the other way. I myself have been guilty at one point in assuming all the islands were doomed during the months long season of torrential rains, lightning and overall horrific T-storms, but such is not always the case. The Miami Herald has a nice little write-up on the Dutch-flavored Caribbean island of Curacao, which hasn’t been hit head-on by a hurricane since 1877. While Curacao is the featured island of the piece there are two others, Aruba & Bonaire, that clump the three into what can be called the ABC’s of hurricane season since ill-winds rarely grace any of them during the time.

For Curacao, there are many reasons to visit aside from escaping the storms that plague other nearby islands. Beaches are almost a given and there is tons of diving for the underwater fanatic. The author of the piece also explores the hip side of Curacao and describes the Museum Kura Hulanda in downtown Willemstad, the Mikve Israel-Emanuel Synagogue, and a classy outdoor music venue at the Avila Beach Hotel.

Sounds like a good place to go to me. Avoid the rain-pelted beaches by traveling to Curacao this season! I wish I could. Um, yeah!

Ceviche Peruvian Style

by Adrienne Wilson on

Ceviche, I’m beginning to find is a lot like Caribbean & Latin American Carnivals. Everyone says theirs is the best and if it’s good ceviche it feels a lot like a carnival on your taste buds. I’ve had Peruvian style ceviche before and will admit it gives the others a run for the money. I know I’m no where near ready to head into a kitchen to try to prepare this fabulous dish, but if you’re up for a small challenge I hand this one off to you. Lima Delhi on blogspot cooks up pieces from Peru and India. In this particular blurb they give a round of sound for Peruvian Independence day and the secret recipe for ceviche! Contain your excitement and get into the kitchen!

y feliz independence dia! (Mi espanol es muy malo. Don’t laugh.)

Survey Says! A Kick in the Groin!

by Erik Olsen on

For years and years it was thought that the Japanese were far ahead of us in terms of technology and even aspects of culture (couldn’t we use a dose of Japanese politeness?). I never placed much credibility in that that until I came across this video that convinced me that the Japanese are, in fact a superior culture.

The game show in this video features contestants, males exclusively, who compete in a game of knowledge. The questions are hard…well, I actually have no idea if they are hard or not, but for the sake of argument let’s say they are. All fine and dandy, and no different than the myriad trivia shows we all know and love. What’s so lovely and different is that when a contestant gets a question wrong, he is summarily kicked in the balls. Brilliant, eh? It got me thinking about all sorts of fine ways to improve everything from Jeopardy to American Idol to the Presidential Debates.

GADLING’S TAKE FIVE: Week of July 23

by Adrienne Wilson on

Have we got some tasty travel bits for you! You may have missed them before, but we’re giving you the delicious dibs on them once more. Don’t miss them this time. Salut!

5. Balkan Odyssey Part 8: Berat, City of a Thousand Eyes:
Wow! Talk about an amazing set of photos from this ancient Albanian town of Berat. While I’m enjoying all of Neil’s travel pieces, I might say I’m really taken by the first shot of ottoman houses and buildings with red tiled roofs that seem as if they are stacked up on one another. The many windows of all these structures is what gives the city its nickname. Just awesome! GO NOW!

4. SmarterTravel: Best & Worst Travel Destinations for Women:
Ladies take note – If you dislike the hoot’n and hollerin’ of the boys down in your own neck of the woods you’ll certainly want to know where the cat calls might be worse. SmarterTravel has a nifty piece for solo ladies planning trips abroad. Check out their best and worst suggestions.

3. Plane Ticket Price Forecasting:
When this search tool becomes available for all markets I’m sure the number of users will sky rocket out of the blogosphere, www, and all information highways. Farecast is said to forecast when the best time will be to purchase those plane tickets to Seattle, Boston or maybe even Lisbon! You’ll have to keep watch to see when this Farecast will be available for you.

2. Gadling Audio Slideshow: Newfoundland Part I:
He’s back! Yup, Erik has finally made it home and out of the terrible Continental airlines hold-up in Newfoundland. He’s got stories to tell and lots of pictures to show from his great Newfoundland adventure. I could babble about how great it is or you can take a look for yourself. I reckon the second option to be the better decision.

1. Gadling Audio Slideshow: Newfoundland Part II:
First there was part one and now there is two. If you were really starting to get into the Newfoundland swing of things with Erik’s first piece go to the second for more! He’s even worked out some of the bugs and made for a very impressive, fine piece of well, slideshow.

B.E.D., Miami

by Adrienne Wilson on

Tonight, things are quiet here in Tampa. Just the clicking from my computer keyboard and some light music plays, but in the distance, some 300 miles away, I hear reggaeton, salsa, hip-hop and feel the pulse of Miami. It rests in my thoughts and tomorrow night I will do it BIG! I’ll take to the streets like the most untamed tourist, belting out lyrics from classic G. Estefan songs and when I’ve exhausted myself I’ll tuck myself in for B.E.D.

That’s right I’m going to B.E.D. for the first time ever. Should I be excited? I don’t know. Going to B.E.D. in Miami wasn’t part of my original plans which were basically no plans other than a wedding I must attend, but I’m game for the concept restaurant where the dinner, dessert and drinks are all served in beds throughout the establishment. Located in the heart of South Beach at 929 Washington Ave, Miami Beach, FL, B.E.D. has been known to attract a slew of celebrities and aspiring young, beautiful people from around the globe. Certainly sounds a little high-profile for a sheepish blogger like myself. Perhaps I should just stay in my hotel bed, eh?

So what do you say? To go to B.E.D. or not to? That is the question? (If not, feel free to toss out some rec’s please.)