Thursday, May 14, 2009

OH...

Sometimes you just can't win.

Come sail away...

Along the Nile with me aboard the Assouan. Christine sent me an article from Marie Claire Maison on this fantasy travel excursion and I have been dreaming about it ever since.


The text from the NourElNil website does little to stifle my passion to sail:

Surely you have dreamed of sailing the Nile like the nineteenth century travelers Flaubert, Amelia Edwards, Pierre Loti, Nerval and so many others.

We provide you with this extraordinary opportunity to explore the river of myth and legend aboard our dahabiyah, the Assouan.

Propelled by the gentle Nile winds, you will discover the many archaeological treasures, magnificent deserts and breathtaking vistas Egypt has to offer.

Removed from the rush and crowds of typical Egyptian tours, you will find yourself traveling to Egypt's finest destinations at your own leisurely pace, while we provide you with all the comforts and amenities other Nile tours can only claim to offer.

Come join us--a wonderful journey awaits you...




I'm on my way!


Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Friday, May 8, 2009

Pura Vida!

We recently returned from Quepos/Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica, the location of Wayne & Mel's wedding. And while our reason for traveling to Central America was certainly to witness the union of the HillegAstrups, we found ourselves savoring the land, the water, the food, our plane and our friends even more.
The sweet Suite 727, Costa Verde
View onto wing balcony, Karen & Dennis' suite, our bathroom cockpit
,

C dancing in the kitchen


View from Wing Balcony


Rummy & Makers


The best morning


ATV Tour & Jungle Trek
This journey started off slow and then turned potentially dangerous when Karen & Dennis flipped their ATV going through a river. Fortunately, everyone was safe and we trekked on...


We climbed waterfalls, meandered up and across bridges and even leapt from a few.



Thanks to our friend, Roberto and his crazy hiking dog, Botas for a day that still has us grinning!


Pool time
What's better than beach time all day and pool time at night!?



In between our adventures, we set aside time to dine out and cook in.

Breakfast at Costa Verde's Anaconda


Pescado con salsa limon, Cafe Del Mar
(It looks frightening but was absolutley delicious. The Costa Rican tacos are a must too!)



Tom's breakfast scramble and the largest prawns I've ever seen. (Prawns courtesy of La Hacienda)

Chef love

The Wedding

While it poured on the wedding, we all managed to have a blast!



Big thanks go out to my Costa Verde crew: Tom, Christine, Karen, Dennis, Rak, Sheila, Debbie & Paco. You totally made this trip the ever-lasting memory it is.



And big ups to Fresno! We miss you buddy!