The Maddox Travel Blog

Welcome to our Travel Blog!

2009-12-19T20:30:00.000-08:00

We love to travel and because we don't have any money, we are always looking for travel and things to do that are cheap, free, or just a great deal. If you don't have a bunch of money, but you love adventure, check here for our travel deals and travel secrets.We hope you enjoy it. Feel free to leave comments and to browse our posts.

Thunder Down Under

2009-08-06T10:26:00.000-07:00

Our latest trip to Sydney! We rented a vacation apartment at Manly Beach, which was both cheaper than a hotel and, we had all the comforts of a home. Plus, we learned that Manly was relaxed and fun, but only a short (and inexpensive) ferry ride away from the center of Sydney.

Next Trip: Disneyland

2008-09-22T15:00:00.000-07:00

Our next trip will be March 2009 to Disneyland to celebrate Tanita's 30th Birthday!

Click here to check out our trip plans.

Check out Pictures from our Trip!

2008-03-19T17:56:00.000-07:00

Here are our pics from our 2008 quick trip to London!

Ashley and I were looking for something to do our first night in London to keep us from getting to bed too early (so we could adjust to the time change). The National Gallery is open late one night a week, so we headed there after dinner.

Here's the view of Trafalgar Square from the front of the National Gallery. Starting our day off right--with a shot of espresso and a cup of tea.

There is one place in London that Ashley has to go because they have the best fish & chips!

Going to Dublin on St. Patrick's Day!

2008-02-08T09:21:00.000-08:00

When I found out we were going to be in the UK for St. Patrick's day, we bought tickets on RyanAir to fly into Dublin just for the day! (p.s. If you ever book with Ryan Air, read the fine print before you click through because there are a load of hidden fees you can avoid if you pay attention!) It was one of the sickest things I have done in my life!

There are a few things we did to make sure we were prepared for this experience so that we can be safe and get the most out our trip...

Plan to get mugged--I know this sounds unsettling, but we will be in a crowded area and need to assume that petty theft will be an issue so we can be prepared:

Check bags at a luggage storage area at the airport for a small fee (€4.75 for a medium bag).

Wear a money belt under our clothes that has our passports, credit cards, and cash. Don't carry your important items in a purse! I carried a virtually empty purse so that we could put souvenirs in it as we shopped.

Do the research--I want to see the parade and Ashley would like to go to Trinity College. On a special holiday like St. Patrick's Day, sights might have special hours or not be open at all. But we did the research and found that the parade route goes by Trinity College, but the hours for viewing the Book of Kells at Trinity college are during the parade, so we will slip out of the parade early! Turns out, you can view the Book of Kells for free on St. Paddy's Day! (Otherwise, it's €8/person)

Check out our pictures & videos!

The St. Patrick's Day Parade

Here are some photos of us at the St. Patrick's Day Parade! It was crazy awesome! Lots of people, lots of families, and everyone young and old had their St. Paddy's Day green on!

The parade was awesome! We got there an hour before it started and were able to find a great spot easily, but it filled up fast!

After the parade, we headed to Trinity College, founded in 1592, to see the Book of Kells, and then made a trip over to St. Patrick's Cathedral.

Then, we decided to hit the Temple Bar district for some good traditional music, but got sidetracked when we saw a huge line outside of a hole-in-the-wall fish and chips joint! So we had to stop. Turns out, it was a local favorite and folks, such as, U2, Liam Neeson, and the cast of P.S. I Love You are rumored to have eaten there.

Behind us in line was lifelong Dubliner, who told us this was the best fish and chips joint. The secret here is to travel with your eyes open and looking around (and not with your nose so deep in a travel book that you can't see new adventures around you).

Edinburgh, Scotland

2008-02-07T10:59:00.000-08:00

Adventures in Edinburgh, Scotland!

Scotland is an amazing country. If you are interested more in local culture than just great sights (though Scotland does have GREAT sights), Scotland is a must-see travel spot.

The culture is my favorite part of this country, so here is how we recommend doing Scotland:

Adventure#1: Find a local Bed & Break fast to stay in. Do not stay in a big hotel--they mostly just keep you isolated from the local flavor. When I visited in 2001, my friends and I stayed at Rimswell House Hotel, which comes with a full Scottish breakfast and costs about £25/person; I remember it being a fun place to stay, but again, that was seven years ago, and recent reviews of the place were inconsistent, so you can stay there at your own risk.

This time we stayed at Preistville Guest House; which was clean and comfortable and run by a friendly couple, Colin & Trina Warwick, who helped us navigate Edinburgh, greeted us every night when we returned, and made us feel at home. Colin also gave us our first taste of haggis.

Your stay comes with a full breakfast and good conversation with other guests. We actually joined some other guests for a morning trip to church.

Ashley and I would stay there again in a heartbeat!

Adventure#2: Visit the Edinburgh Castle. It is well worth the £11 entry fee. This is a great castle experience! We caught the 30-minute introductory tour and bought the audio guide (£3--and when you buy the guide you get a £1 discount on your entry fee). Highlights include: St. Margaret's chapel, the WWI memorial, the crown jewels, and all the history that exits there. Plus, you can't beat the view!

Adventure #3: Go on the Edinburgh Literary Pub Tour! By tickets online and save £1. We got to spend the evening with 2 actors argue about what truly inspired Scottish writers as well as hang out in pubs that were older than our country! It was a great experience that got us up close and personal with some Scottish culture.

Adventure #4: Grab some lunch on the Royal Mile

Adventure #5: Don't forget to hang out at the local pub!

Here are some of our pictures from our trip to Edinburgh!

England, Scotland,and Ireland in March

2008-01-20T09:03:00.000-08:00

Ashley and I are getting ready for another trip to the UK! We were patient and waited for a great deal from British Airways and got it! Round trip for two from Tucson, AZ and two free nights in a hotel in London, and, in the end, with taxes, etc. it cost us $1500.00 total. A screaming deal for us! Especially since we get to fly out of Tucson and not make the 2-hour drive to Phoenix to catch our flight!

To get updates on those deals, sign up on the British Airways website to get emails...it is worth it! Twice a year, they have rock bottom prices! And even if you aren't interested in London, once you get there, you can use a cheap, local airline like Ryan Air or Easy Jet to get anywhere in the region easily and cheaper than flying directly to those cities from the United States.

In fact, Ashley and I are using Ryan Air to fly to Dublin for the day! But not any day, St. Patrick's Day!

Check how we prepare for a trip like this!

Preparing for England, Scotland, and Ireland

2008-01-05T09:12:00.000-08:00

Checking the weather report!---Turns out it is going to be cold when we are heading out to the UK. Knowing what we need to pack for helps us pack light even for the cold!
Shopping for the essentials--We had to get some thermal/long johns to wear under our clothes in order to prepare for the cold. Also, wool coats are warm and stylish for traveling around the UK. Ashley has a wool peacoat, but I found one on Ebay for $15! We are also planning on bringing our fuzzy crocs, "mammoth" crocs, which are comfortable and keep our feet nice and toasty!
Buying a travel book---We are catching up on our Rick Steves videos and also grabbed one of his books

Going to Orlando!

2008-01-01T19:10:00.001-08:00

We are heading to Orlando for the Young Life All-Staff Conference! And as it creeps closer, there a things I keep in mind. The first and most stressful thing for me is PACKING! So here is how we do it in the Maddox home:

Don't Check Luggage--Lost luggage by airlines has increased this year! With 5,000 Young Lifers traveling to Orlando, there is bound to be lost luggage by airlines, and not a lot folks to give you that special attention to get your belongings back in your hand. So, my advice...carry-on!

Pack light (and do a load of laundry)--I called ahead to the Marriott to find out if they have laundry facilities and the price for them. It is $1.25 to wash and $1.25 to dry. Seems cheap enough, but where they get you is the laundry detergent you have to buy from the hotel. So, I stopped at Target and picked up a travel-friendly container of All for $.97.

If you just can't get it all in your carry on and need to check your luggage, make sure you pack a survival kit in your carry on (just in case your luggage doesn't arrive with you) that includes: clean underwear, clean shirt, pajama pants, toothbrush/toothpaste, deoderant, and a couple makeup items that will cover you until your luggage is found. (e.g. eyeliner & lip gloss)

Wear your bulky stuff on the plane--A sweatshirt, tennis shoes, pillow, etc. all take up a lot of room in your carry-on luggage, so I wear them on the plane to save room.

Check the weather--I use the weather channel to check the local forecast for Orlando, FL.

Think about what the hotel provides--this way you can travel light and leave some items at home. Each Marriott hotel room includes: a variety of small soaps, shampoo, conditioner and lotions, iron, and hair dryer.

Dolomites, Italy

2007-12-28T14:44:00.000-08:00

If you need to slow down, the Dolomites is where to go!

The Dolomites (Dolomiti) are the Alps located in Northern Italy, near Austria. The only way really to get around is to rent a car. The area is beautiful and is great ski country...of course we were there in the summer, which meant some great hiking. One quirky thing about this area of Italy is that it has heavy influence from Austria. Menus were often in German, and I, unlike my mom, do not understand any German. Italian, I can fake, but German, nope. The first night we arrived in Folgarida, the only thing I recognized on the menu was wienerschnitzel, so I ordered that and waited for my hot dog. Little did I know, that a breaded veal cutlet was what came on my plate...with fries.

We really got to experience the life and culture in the Dolomites. It's not overrun with tourists in the summer, so it is not an open 24-7 area.
Don't bother getting up too early...nothing will be open! Life revolves around food & rest in the summer!
The town shuts down for meals and allows about three hours.
This means, you have time to eat, hike, and take a nap before any shops open in the afternoon.

It is at least 20degrees cooler than Venice or Rome in the summer and cold at night. So, we enjoyed the great outdoors, the quiet, and we allowed ourselves to get bored. We may have even watched Disney's classic Bedknobs and Broomsticks in German (the only channel in English was CNN...and there is only so much of that we can take!). We keep our eyes peeled for open-air markets--our favorite place to shop in Europe! You can always make a deal and find the most unique stuff from locals.

You can't be here without hiking. Wherever there are ski resorts, there are hiking trails. Look for signs, or pop into a resort and ask the concierge where the trail heads are. The trails are well-maintained and can easily be done in a pair of running shoes.

However, that doesn't mean you aren't going to get out of breath! And bring lots and lots of water--it gets warm fast, and there aren't drinking fountains on the road.

One of our favorite adventures was we had been hiking for about an hour when we heard this strange noise in the distance that sounded like hundreds of wind chimes. We hiked for another 30 minutes and the sound got louder, but there was no sign of where it was coming from!

I had convinced myself we were in the middle of the Blair Witch Project and there was some freaky witch that lived in the woods, like the witch in Hansel & Gretel. Ashley thought it was a village of gnomes that make ceramic gnomes. Finally, we reached the end of the trail and saw dozens of cows with bells around their necks! It was just cows!

The Dolomites are full of little towns nestled in the mountains 5-10minutes away from the next small town. This is why you need a car--there is only so much time you can spend in one tiny town and we had a week in the Dolomites. We hopped in the car and just started driving down the road, stopping at little towns. There are all sorts of stands on the side of the road that sell different foods and crafts. Plus, you can pull over to the side and get pictures next to the most beautiful views! One of our favorite spots was a little town called Male. We frequented a little pizzeria restaurante in Male. The staff spoke little-to-no English; though, they did ask if we spoke German. It didn't matter, the food was soooooo good!

There is an open-air market that sells fresh cheese! We bought a hunk of Brie and ate it as we continued to shop through the town.

Male was also home to a miniature golf park. After finding it, we opted not to golf. Madonna di Campiglio is another ski town that looks more Austrian or German than Italian. It is the bigger of the towns that we went to, but was mostly good for shopping. The food was cheaper and better in the smaller towns.

Maddox Travel Deal Finds!

2007-12-20T15:22:00.000-08:00

Here are some travel deals we found!

Hawaii -- Departing from Phoenix, flight + 4 nights in Hawaii $549. Must book trip by March 31, 2008 and depart January 1-March 31, 2008.
And speaking of Hawaii--staying in a hotel always keeps you isolated from experiencing the true culture that surrounds you! Instead, immerse yourself in Hawaii and stay in a rental house like Hale Ohana, located in Oahu. This way, you can also cut the cost by bringing some traveling partners.

Sale on plane tickets! Check out these deals

Verona, Italy

2007-12-19T13:31:00.000-08:00

Verona is fun afternoon trip located outside of Venice, Italy and the home to Shakespeare's Juliet. You can get to Verona by train from Venice, getting off at Verona's Porta Nuova. The walk to the Piazza Bra is about 15 minutes, but is on a busy street, so you can grab a bus or taxi into Piazza Bra.

Ashley and I braved the rental car and had a difficult time finding a place to park. You have to pay for parking everywhere you go. Just look for the parking attendant who walks around the parking lot. You have to wave him down to pay for parking (approx 1 Euro/hour).

You definitely want to have some cool walking shoes to hang out in Verona! After walking around Venice, with everything close together, walking around Verona will seem like you are walking miles and miles.

We were there in early August and it was hot, hot, hot! With all the concrete around, it felt even hotter! I was glad to be in a shorts, crocs, and pigtails! We also scored some gelato in the Piazza Bra to keep us cooled off!

When in Verona, you have to visit the Roman Arena. The cost to get in is around 4Euro/person (Opening Hours: 9.00am-7.00pm Tue-Sun, 1.45-7.30pm Mon). It is a cheap and less busy option to check out Roman ruins. The arena dates from first century B.C. and is still in use! You can catch a play or opera in this old arena.

You can also opt to go to the House of Juliet, located one block off Piazza Erbe. The cost to get in is 3-4 Euro (I'd rather get more gelato). There is a bronze statue of Juliet that tourists rub the breast for a better love life. Ashley and I did not go to see a fake landmark of a fictional character.

We drove to Dimaro, just outside of Verona. We grabbed some lunch in the shade at a little place called Antica Cantina. The menu had tasty pizzas, and some crazy pizzas, like eggs & bacon pizza. I had artichoke pizza. There is nothing in Dimaro, as it is a town of 1200 people, but we stopped for some lunch on our road trip through northern Italy.

San Francisco!

2007-12-17T21:36:00.000-08:00

After our trip to Cambodia we needed a vacation! We searched online for a travel package within our means, and stumbled upon a trip to San Francisco, CA. You can try Expedia any airline website and look for vacation packages; these usually bundle airfare and hotel into a great price.

With the help of Ashley's sisters and mom, we learned some of the great secret ins and outs of San Francisco!

For $5.15, the BART, a public transit, will take you from the San Francisco International Airport (SFO) straight to Nordstrom

Nordstrom--where you can check your luggage for free at the concierge! This is a great travel tip from Ashley's mom and we checked our luggage upon arrival to San Francisco and on our way out. The will also give you a complimentary ride to your hotel!

In Chinatown, San Francisco, there are a number of little tea places that let you sit and taste tea for free. We found this little place on Grant Avenue. We learned about tea and even took a bunch of tea home. So if you have dinner with us, we have an Asian green tea that will help with your digestion--I guess, I can't really tell the difference. You can also check out the Vital Tea Leaf on Grant Avenue for free tea tasting.
And speaking of tea, the Japanese Tea Garden in Golden Gate Park was really cool. It's a peaceful walk, and I would recommend bringing a book and sitting in the beautiful garden. You can sit and order tea (that is, if you didn't want it for free in Chinatown). It costs a few bucks to get in, but there are hours you can get in for free in the morning! What a way to start your day.
You may not know this, but San Francisco has some of the best coffee roasters! If you know Ashley, you know that he is on a constant espresso drip. We went to a coffee shop here in San Francisco and couldn't help but laugh about their logo! The best coffee was a small kiosk down an alley on Linden Street in Hayes Valley called Blue Bottle Coffee. You must go, get some coffee, and walk through Hayes Valley--such a cool part of San Francisco.

The most important meal of the day...BREAKFAST! San Francisco's best kept secret is a little coffee shop knows as "Cafe Bean". Cafe Bean is a family run shop that does coffee right. They also have one of greatest breakfast menus know-to-man including a dish called Pancake Spek, a dutch pancake topped with bacon and eggs--Unbelievable! Cafe Bean is much better than the over-hyped "Sears Fine Foods," famous for their 18 Swedish Pancake breakfast. Sears Fine Foods is a tourist stop, so if you want to get in and get breakfast, and not wait in line for hours, show up by 7:30am.

We had some great brunch on the back patio of a French Bistro called Le Zinc. Amazing food, great atmosphere, and perfect for a lazy Sunday morning.

Phnom Phen, Cambodia

2007-12-16T21:49:00.000-08:00

We traveled this summer to Cambodia with Youth Evangelism Explosion. This is the first time that I had been in the heart of a third-world country, and I learned a lot about traveling in this part of the world. I also was recovering from a crazy mountain bike accident, but I survived Cambodia with an open wound! See our daily posts at irockyouth.com/youthee

Here are some travel tips for heading to Phnom Phen, or any location like it:

Bring a set of sheets from home-it's like the days of staying hostels. Ashley and I were so glad to bring our own sheets that we could use to create a sort of cocoon in our bed. We packed sheets because they don't take up much room, and with the warm climate of Cambodia in July, a sleeping bag would be too warm to sleep in.

Invest in a pair of Crocs-Crocs are wonderful shoes that are waterproof, comfortable, and keep your feet cool. They make great shoes to take outside and wear in the shower.

Expect to get sick-There are a lot of different foods and ways of preparing food that your body is just not accustomed to. You might not get sick, but if you go in expecting to get sick, then you won't be upset when it happens, and if you don't get sick, it's a nice surprise. *FYI Ashley gets sick on about every third trip to Asia.

Know how to spot a tourist-Not that we blend in Asia, but I can tell you that we could spot the tourists...they were the men wearing shorts (not long pants) and women wearing tank tops and t-shirts. Respect the local attire by dressing as such. Collared shirts and long pants were worn by locals.
Take off your sunglasses-when you are speaking to someone. It is a sign of snobbery and deliberate disrespect if you keep your sunglasses on while speaking to someone else.

Don't just give money away-Poverty surrounds you and "tourist" means "source of money" in areas like this. The most helpful thing is to ask a trusted local what is the tradition for giving money to beggars. The tradition in Phnom Phen is to give money to the elderly (because they have no viability to make their own money) and not to give money to children (so as not to teach them to panhandle as their livelihood). The best use of your money is to research what legitimate organizations are working with the poor in those areas of the world and give your money to that organization.

Venice, Italy

2007-12-12T21:45:00.000-08:00

We stayed at the Antica Locanda Sturion-a hotel located on the Grand Canal, a stone's throw from the Rialto bridge. It's a bit pricy--though one of the lower cost options for a hotel on the Grand Canal, but we decided to splurge since we were coming from Sydney, Australia, and thought we needed the comfort. There are cheaper options for lodging in Venice.

Check out their live web cam of the Rialto Bridge! There is a fantastic continental breakfast included with your stay. This is no average continental breakfast; they served brei cheese, fresh fruit, yogurt and granola, and they serve a variety of tea and coffee.

However, you shoudl be warned that there are 4 flights of stairs that greet you as you enter the Antica Locanda Sturion.

St. Mark's Square (a.k.a. Piazza San Marco)

You can't go to Venice with out heading to St. Mark's Square! Here are a couple of our favorite things about Piazza San Marco:

Caffe Florian--We enjoyed coffee at one of the oldest cafe's in Italy. Legend has it that the first cappuccino was served here. Ashley Ordered one for 7$! It had better be good! That's like 3 Cutters Point Cappuccinos!

St. Mark's Basilica--It is free to get into the church, but there are a couple tricks to this amazing site! Thanks to our Rick Steves guide to Italy, we were able to bypass the 2-hour long line to get into the Basilica. Here is the secret:
Backpacks are not allowed in the Basilica, so you can skip the line and check your backpack for FREE at the nearby Ateneo S. Basso (0pen Mon-Sat 9:30am-5:20pm; Sun 2:00pm-4:00pm)...Here is how you do it: From Piazetta dei Leoncini (to the left of the Basilica), head down Calle S. Basso, 2nd door on your right
Leave your bag and pick up a tag; 2 people per tag are allowed into the basilica; just go to the front of the line to the gatekeeper and show them your tag.
Shoulders must be covered! But ladies, if you are in Venice during a hot time of year, and want to wear a tank top, bring a pagmina or shawl with you to throw over your shoulders.

Frari Church --This is a great place to see some amazing art, including Renaissance artists: Donatello, Titian, and Bellini. Plus, it is a cheap alternative to a museum with an entry fee of only 2.50Euro.

Don't pay for an audio guide, but do eavesdrop on guided tours for some great information about these works of art.
You must cover your shoulders when inside the church.
It is one of the few places you can take pictures inside!

But we didn't just stop at the limits of Venice! We hopped in a rental car, not just any car, a Smart Car (to truly understand, you will have to click on the link to Smart Car and see the picture). We started to head west...

Padua (Padova)
Padua is near Venice and a fun stop for one night. You can visit St. Anthony's Basilica and see his 800-year-old tongue on display. St. Anthony is the patron saint of donkeys, pregnant women, and amputees among other things.One of our favorite activities in all of Italy was to eat pizza.

Verona- Home of Juliet (of Romeo and Juliet). This is not a town that is built for pedestrians. It is a long walk to get most places, but there is a wonderful clash of the old and new in the middle of Verona. We even got to check out out some ruins. Verona is a one-day stop (maybe just one afternoon).

Sydney, Australia

2007-12-11T20:26:00.000-08:00

We headed down to Sydney in July 2006. We flew in a United plane that was circa 1973 with the big pulldown movie screen in the front of the plane showing a discolored version of Ice Age...twice. Not the best way to go.

Sydney is Ashley's favorite city! It is a city that just suits his personality: it has adventure, it is laid back, and everyone is your friend.

Taronga Zoo-I love the zoo! Any zoo in any part of the world! The Taronga Zoo overlooks the Sydney Harbour and has a view of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge. At least, the zebras have that view! And in this zoo, I got to walk through an area with roaming wallabees, pet a snake, and watch Koala bears sleep. You can actually pay around $20 to hang out with the Koalas and feed them, but we passed on that!
The Rocks- The Rocks is my favorite part of Sydney.

The Rocks nestles right up to the western part of the Sydney cove. It is a great place to eat, shop, and walk around. There are various street performers and artists. It has one of the best outdoor markets I have ever been to! Australia is famous for its pearls and opals, so plan to bring some extra cash and bargain with a dealer in the market for some fun jewelry!

And, there is live music in a bunch of the pubs and restaurants, you can't help but peek in and take a listen.

We were lucky enough to be in Sydney for The Rocks Aroma Coffee Festival. Ashley was in heaven! There is always a great festival to check out and you should always check the schedule of festivals in Sydney to check out some adventures! Most festivals are FREE to attend.

Didjeridoo's-An instrument native to Australia. It is one of Ashley's favorite musical instruments and a trip to Sydney is not complete without a trip to Didj Beat Didjeridoo's. You can get your very own private lesson in how to play a didjeridoo, or "didj" for short. They are pretty amazing, and it's a fun activity you can do for FREE...that is until you buy a didjeridoo. We have two, so you can come practice your didj playing when you come over to our house. I think Ashley might want to start a Didj band...

Darling Harbour-

Snore...boring. Darling Harbour wasn't worth the bus trip across Sydney to check it out. There is a Chinatown with a huge shopping area where you can by a lot of cheap junk.

Gelato-We've been to Italy, but the gelato we had in Sydney was the best we have ever tasted!

Dinner by the Harbour--

When you are NOT hungry, take a walk by the various restaurants that line the shore of Sydney. Check out the menus and prices. It is easy to get dinner at a reasonable price if you have the time to look over the menus and settle on the best deal. Check the sunset schedule for Sydney, and you can have yourself a romantic, not-expensive dinner on the Sydney Harbour.

Maddox Anniversary Log

2007-12-10T21:35:00.000-08:00

0-Year: We started our life together the way that we live, traveling! We took a road trip from Tucson, AZ to La Jolla, CA with 45 family and friends and got hitched overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

1-Year Anniversary: Ashley, a native of Arizona, had never been to the Grand Canyon. So, I took the day off of my assignment at Young Life's Lost Canyon, and we took a little trip to see the big hole in the ground. We stayed in a fun, though pricy, bed & breakfast in Williams, AZ (Legacies Bed & Breakfast) owned by a sweet couple who definitely treat their guests well! And, they have a killer breakfast included! For a less expensive stay, and a barely continental breakfast, the Canyon Country Inn is a charming, clean, and comfortable bed & breakfast.

2-Year Anniversary: We celebrated two years of marriage in a coffee shop in the Singapore airport en route to Penang, Malaysia. Yup that's right! We spent our anniversary in Singapore (not that we ever left the airport). Poor Tanita was still healing from her mountain bike crash at a Young Life camp a week before! It's no fun to travel with an open wound. Luckily she was pretty cheerful seeing it was our 2 year anniversary.

3-Year Anniversary: We were back at Young Life's Lost Canyon serving together on assignment. The day of our anniversary, 400 high school students and volunteer leaders poured into camp for outreach camp.

My Favorite City: LONDON!

2007-12-09T18:28:00.000-08:00

London, England is just my favorite city in the world so far. It could be my love Jane Austen and William Shakespeare, or my fascination with England's long history. Perhaps, I just appreciate that they speak the same language (though any respectable Englishman would disagree), but I think that London, England is a great place to visit on holiday!

London Travel Secret #1: Join the Club.

British Airways has great deals to London two or three times a year. I recommend that you join the British Airways Executive Club. You can do this by going to the British Airways website. They will send you periodic updates of deals on airfare and hotel stays. British Airways is a great airline to fly into London and if you can wait for those deals to roll around, you will be able to save more than $800 per person.

London Travel Secret #2: The London Eye is a waste of time and money

There are times that you need to rest your feet and take in the view, but paying £33.00 per adult is not the way to go. Don't forget the exchange rate, so the price to sit in a glorified, enclosed ferris wheel that moves at the speed of sap will cost you approximately $66.00. However, if you enjoy knitting, maybe you will love the slow pace and the panoramic view that the British Airway's London Eye offers. And yes, I rode the London Eye with my dear mom--and it was too slow for her.

However, for a cool £299.00, couples can be in their own capsule, "sipping Laurent-Perrier champagne and enjoying Charbonnel et Walker pink champagne truffles served by a London Eye host in the luxury of a Private Capsule." Private? what about the London Eye host that is watching you?

London Travel Secret #3: Covent Garden

When you are done doing all the touristy things you thought you wanted to do in London, you need to visit an area of London known as Covent Garden. It is my favorite bit of London. There is some great open-air market shopping, street performers, and cafe tables where you can sip your coffee and enjoy the show.

London Travel Secret #4: Half-price tickets at Leicester Square

If you would like to experience the London theatres, head over to the Half-Price Ticket Booth at Leicester Square (located at the south entrance to the gardens). First and formost, remember that Leicester Square is pronounced as LESTER Square. There you will find discounted tickets for shows for that day. I've had the chance to see The King and I and My Fair Lady for half price, and since same-day tickets are popular, it's okay for you to show up in your jeans for the evening shows.

Important info: The Ticket Booth at Leicester Sauare is open Monday to Saturday 2.30 - 6.30 pm for evening performances; tickets are sold on a first come first served basis and there is a limit of four tickets per customer. Payment must be by cash.

London Travel Secret #5: The Big Bus Company

Don't be afraid of buying a ticket to the Big Bus Company tour. Tickets are hop-on/hop-off, meaning you can get on and step off as you like. The tour points out different attactions in London, and gave us new ideas of places to see in London. We got the tickets by accident, but ended up enjoying it and checking out new parts of London like Carnaby Street.

Tickets are valid, on average for 24 hours (though from from now through February 29, 2008, tickets are valid for 48 hours). We recommend touring 12noon-12noon so that you can get two days worth of rides and ideas.

London Travel Secret #6: The Tower of London (okay, it's not a secret...but it is worth it!)

Visiting the Tower of London is a must! But don't just wander around, catch a tour with one of the Beefeaters and you will get a snapshot of the gruesome history of the Tower of London and a look inside the history of the royals. Plus, the Beefeaters have some great stories that you won't want to miss!

London Travel Secret #7: Most museums are free!

Yes, London is an expensive city, but one way you can enjoy London on a small budget is to enjoy its many museums that are free to get into. Among these free museums are: Victoria and Albert Museum, British Museum, and Natural History Museum. There is too much to see in these museums for you to see in one trip to London. On our last trip, Ashley and I went to the British Museum, where he learned that you are not supposed to take pictures of the art! We also when to the Natural History Museum, where you can take as many pictures as you want! This is a pretty cool museum too!

However, there are museums that charge to get in, so do you research before you go. I've been to Madame Tussauds, which is 12.50Pounds to enter and is well worth the fun and pictures you will get! Ashley and our love for coffee and tea took us trekking across London in search for the Bramah Coffee and Tea Museum....here is our reaction:

If you come to London...
Take a few side trips to Windsor, Stratford-upon-Avon, and Stonehenge

Carry-On Mistakes

2007-12-01T09:21:00.000-08:00

More and more, I try to avoid checking luggage, but in any case, we are carrying on baggage. Here are some of the mistakes that Ashley and I have learned from when it comes to carry-on luggage:

Mistake #1: Actually Carrying-On...you need to Roll-On.

Ashley is not a massage therapist, and my back gets wrecked from just sitting in the airplane for hours, so why torture it more by lugging around a shoulder bag or backpack around the airport? If you really feel the need to carry a purse, you can attach it to your rolling bag. BE CAREFUL...I had to check the TSA guidelines for carry-on roller bags before buying one.

Mistake #2: Not checking latest TSA guidelines

The TSA is always up to something new. We have made the mistake of buy 4oz. containers for our shampoo, lotion, etc. only to get to the airport and find out the limit is 3oz. I also neglected putting my items in the regulation-size plastic baggy...what a travel fopah.

Mistake #3: Thinking Your Luggage will be at your Destination.

You don't want to be "that" person who is stuck in 2-day old underwear because your luggage didn't show up. Always pack a freezer bag in your carry-on that contains some clean items: 1 pair of underwear, 1 pair of socks, and 1 shirt/top. I also pack a pair of lightweight pajama pants so that I'm not stuck sleeping in jeans.

Mistake #4: Forgetting to pack a Fleece

I don't know why every airplane is air-conditioned to 20-degrees below zero, but apparently airlines think we will enjoy our ride if hypothermia is induced. Sweatshirts are bulky and blankets take up a bunch a room.

Mistake #5: Packing All of Your Toiletries.

Think about where you are staying. Hotels provide shampoo, conditioner, and a number of toiletries by request. I pack those toiletries that are specific to me: like I need a specific brand of deoderant, dermatologist-recommended lotion, Sensodyne toothpaste, and, of course, my toothbrush.

Surviving an Overseas Flight

2007-06-10T19:37:00.000-07:00

I am not a great flyer. I don't enjoy sitting in an airplane. I have a tendency to get airsick.

So, if anyone knows how to survive...it's me. Truly, Ashley has taught me how to travel better. Here are our tricks and tips on how to survive the long overseas flight:

Drink water every chance you get. Every time you're in the airport grabbing a meal or being offered a drink in the airplane, ASK FOR WATER in addition to whatever else you are drinking. It is common for overseas travelers to get severly dehydrated, so drink lots and lots of water.

Pack your carry-on survival kit. This includes clothing items to change into once the airplane has reached a cruising altitude (i.e. pajama pants, compression socks, a fleece). And don't forget to have a freezer bag with the clothing items you will want as soon as you land (i.e. clean underwear, clean socks, clean shirt) so that you don't feel like you are wearing the airplane.

Sleep doesn't just happen. First, look at what time of day you are landing and plan your sleep on the airplane so that you can, as best as you can, adjust to the new time zone. Pack a sandwich bag in your carry-on that has: earplugs, headphones, a sleep mask. Ashley and I also include a sleep aid in that kit, such as Tylenol PM or Ambien--Check with your doctor before just taking either.

IBuprofen is my lifesaver. It serves three purposes: 1) IBuprofen is an anti-inflammatory and helps keep the swelling in my feet down, 2) IBuprofen is a blood-thinner and helps prevent clots from forming while sitting for an extended period of time, and 3) IBuprofen helps relieve the pain in my neck and back from sitting in the plane. **Do not take IBuprofen with an empty or upset stomach and ask your doctor before taking any medication.

Keep the blood moving. Traveling is hard on the body. I can be sore all over my body for a couple days after landing. It is less likely that you will be sore if you keep the blood moving by periodically getting up and walking around the plane and doing plane exercises in your seat.

Consider packing some snacks like trail mix, a Snickers bar, or granola bars. If you, like me, get nauseated at the smell of airplane food, snacks are necessary. Like I said, my tummy gets uneasy, so I bring a sleeve of Saltine crackers. They help to settle my stomach and are a great snack to tie me over.

Padua, Italy

2006-12-27T14:24:00.000-08:00

Padua (Padova) is 30 minutes from Venice, Italy. We stayed for a couple days and really enjoyed this piece of Italy that had much fewer tourists than Venice.

There are great places to stay all over Padua for cheap prices--it is smart to ask your hotel if they have safe parking for a reasonable price. We were able to park our car at our hotel for 5Euro/day. Padua is small enough to walk around, so we felt safe leaving our rental car at the hotel.

We stayed right across from St. Anthony's Basilica! We stayed at the Hotel Casa Del Pellegrino and decided to pay for the breakfast. You can get an even cheaper price if you do not want a private shower and toilet.

But the big problem were the mosquitoes in our room. I had to sleep with the sheet over my head. For about 10-15 more Euro, check out Hotel al Fagiano or Hotel al Santo for possibly less mosquitoes.

St. Anthony's Basilica--This is a beautiful landmark that is free to get into! The church is currently still in use and is full of Donatello's work.
You get the chance to walk by St. Anthony's tomb while looking at marble-carved scenes from St. Anthony's life.
Pilgrims leave pictures and letters to St. Anthony, asking for his intercession on their behalf.
This is one of the few places where you can also view relics for free. Among the display is St. Anthony's tongue, jawbone, and vocal chords because he couldn't stop spreading the Gospel.
Market Squares (Piazza delle Erbe & Piazza della Frutta)--These markets sit adjacent to each other. They have food, home goods, clothes, and more.
Ask the locals what fruit is in season and buy some to snack on as you walk and shop!
This is the goods for cheaper than tourist-filled Venice or the remote areas in the mountains. So save your shopping for Padua!

When walking around Padua, we saw fliers for different events, including an evening jazz concert in the park. We took the flier down and brought it to the concierge at our hotel to get directions to the park. The pathway through the park to the concert was lit with candles and led us to the middle of the park. It was one of the most romantic experiences ever!