Category Archives: Cruise

  • Do What You Love!

    August 26, 2012

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    Ionian Sea…after setting sail from Italy, we had a lovely yet hot day at sea as we headed towards our first stop in Mykonos…a great way to start the cruise just lazying poolside all day and then dancing all night!

    The Atlantis team have arranged for some unique entertainment for us while on board. One of the first entertainers from England amazed me; his ability to morph into different voices and impersonations were very well done, but it was his utter love for what he did that struck me! He spoke of how he has been mesmerized by music and divas his whole life and knew singing was his calling since his mother bought him used albums when he was a child. He just seemed to live for it, his genuine appreciation for our applause was palpable! He spoke of his gratitude that at the age of 44 he is able to do what he loves for so many people.

    For some reason, his words and actions affected me; how this man created a one of a kind and compelling act all based on his passion! Because he loves it, he has succeeded in so many ways…he may not be a super star, but his unconventional act allows him to live his dream every day!

    He just kept soaking up the crowds adoration and performed his heart out…I walked out of the theatre realizing the power of doing what you love! I am lucky enough to live that life as well, but I realize I need to mold my passion to truly feed my talents to new levels of success!

    Listen, watch, and feel every moment and messages just come to you…my journey is still telling me so much!

  • Cruising in a New Way!

    August 24, 2012

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    Civitavecchia, Italy…today I boarded the Celebrity Equinox…this is my first time aboard a Celebrity ship. This Solstice class of ships by Celebrity set a new standard in mainstream cruising with a totally modern vibe when they were first introduced.

    The ship is surprising chic for a boat of this size. Cool futuristic details such as an Ice Bar with molecular drinks, a spaceship looking dining room, and of course the signature lawn on the top deck.

    Walking around, I feel as if I walked into a South Beach nightclub or an interior design editorial from Wallpaper magazine! Multiple restaurants, indoor and outdoor pools, bars galore, cutting edge art collection, and many entertainment venues will keep me busy for the duration of this cruise…

    I look forward to the next 10 nights in my lux digs at sea…setting sail from deck 14 on the m/s Equinox! 20120824-163949.jpg20120824-163904.jpg20120824-164028.jpg20120824-164451.jpg

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  • Out to Sea!

    August 24, 2012

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    Civitavecchia, Italy…an hour long train ride from central Rome, this port town is the gateway to the Celebrity Equinox and my next cruise!

    The train ride wasn’t ideal, air conditioning failed in first class and deodorant was lacking on the part of several local passengers! But the mood was lively with hordes of gay travelers crowding the train in order to get to port. The train turned into a big party, albeit a sweaty one!

    My friend Jeff is joining me on this all gay Atlantis charter…Jeff and I have been friends since our sophomore year of high school! Decades later, we still find time to travel together and channel our inner adolescents…I am ready to party, dance, and let loose on this 10 night Mediterranean cruise after the seriousness of my Eastern European travels!

    Dame Edna is tonight’s entertainment and Atlantis promises us major surprises as the cruise progresses!

    Arrividerci, Roma for now…Greece and Turkey here we come!

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  • Final Bon Voyage!

    July 27, 2012

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    Nafplion, Greece (Nafplio)…before leaving this town for my last night on board my yacht home of the last two weeks, Seabourn Odyssey, I tried to extend my day hanging out in Old Town Nafplio. I wanted to procrastinate packing and facing the reality that this part of my journey was coming to an end and my friend, Nichole was leaving me to go back to reality while I continued on my exploration of the world!

    We shared a great two weeks sailing this magical part of the Mediterranean. I have explored with and without her and she has relished time without her usual deadlines or to-do lists! I have ate way too much and drank myself beyond my usual limits!

    Seabourn provided a beautiful accommodation and worry free yet luxurious way to see places I never would have gotten to on my own.

    Back in town, hanging bougainvillea is draped across the walkways of Nafplio and swung from balcony to balcony…it is a beautiful contrast in comparison to the unusually painted buildings of the old town. Not the usual blue & white I have seen allover Greece, this town challenged conventional beachside color stories with burgundies, russet browns, deep turqs, and ochre yellows and mustards.

    I spent some time talking to a local cobbler and was fascinated by his collection of lasses and forms..I wish I found him earlier in the day so I coulda had a chic pair of Greek custom sandals crafted for me!

    I am not leaving Greece behind yet…tomorrow is hello Mykonos and goodbye to my yacht for now!
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  • Sporty Fun!?!

    July 25, 2012

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    Ionian Sea, Greece…Water-sports afternoon! The ship’s water-sport marina opened today for some adrenaline charged fun…

    I know this is probably a bad idea! When did I become sporty? I am in Greece, so this is my ode to the Olympics! I just had to partake… So, I signed my life away and got my neon bracelet signaling I was allowed to indulge in the fun.

    Canoe? No! Wind sail? No! Paddleboat? No! Banana boat? No! Today’s stupid move is me (uncoordinated fashion designer and city boy) donut tube riding on the choppy open seas! We will refer to these moments as temporary insanity…

    I got nervous on the boat ride out to sea and I wasn’t even in the tube yet! I had been stripped of my glasses, my hat, my fashion accessories prior to getting on board this dingy! They strapped me in a fat life vest just to make me look extra cute…

    Luckily, I was second to go, my fellow passenger was up first! He clumsily got in the tube and then I watched him get thrown about like a rag doll! I keep telling myself that I am not chickening out! My turn comes and I sit in the tube and I felt secure as my ass was wedged into that thing…off we went and my legs went straight up in the air and I rode the whole way squealing with head in the water and feet in air clenching the handles thinking any minute I was flipping off!

    I made it!!! I stayed on!!! But my wrists are killing me!!! This coulda turned out very differently but I persevered and I did it!

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  • The Accidental Tourist!

    July 24, 2012

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    Corfu, Greece…I was ready for a calm beach day at one of Corfu’s fabled beaches…the sky was a mix of sun & clouds, but the temp was a comfy 84 degrees and I hoped that rain would stay away for the afternoon.

    I made a deal with a local taxi driver to chauffeur us to an amazing beach for an afternoon of swimming and eating. I knew I had to be clear what I expected…NO TOURIST TRAPS! Well he emphatically suggested Paleokastritsa. Ok, we made the trek…pulling up to the beach, I see hordes of swimmers and a sandy stretch that was plastered with sunbathers and I knew I got EXACTLY what I DID NOT want! I protest and this charming Greek man assures us he has the perfect taverna for lunch….we arrive and I see a row of TOUR BUSES! OH NO! I turn into a bratty whiner and say I need him to take us elsewhere, I knew this was a place he probably gets a kick-back for bringing unsuspecting tourists! I was not about to be branded a willing participant to this game!

    Off to Glifada we go…winding thru the mountainside, he makes one hair pin turn after another. As soon as we start the corkscrew final descent to the beach I am green with motion sickness and start dry heaving in despair! Was this his way of getting back to me for being so difficult and spoiling his plans? Just as I think I am gonna loose it, we arrive and I sprint to the bathroom.

    Well this locale is a much nicer long stretch of sand beach dotted with umbrellas and snack spots. Feeling better, we settle at a local no-frills Taverna beachside and feast on a delicious homemade Greek lunch! Greek salad, Tzatziki, Pastichio, and Spinach pie is laid out on the cheesy “Welcome to Corfu” tablecloth. There is nothing like fresh Feta or the ever present taste of nutmeg in Greece! Total Bliss!

    Another reminder that the success of any excursion lies in you remaining in control of your own destiny…going with the flow is good but don’t be trapped by tourist ploys! Always strive for extraordinary adventures!20120724-145705.jpg20120724-145741.jpg20120724-145810.jpg20120724-145901.jpg

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  • Don’t mess with Mother Nature!

    July 24, 2012

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    Nature can be so mysterious & magical…thunder, lightening, threatening skies force you to appreciate the beauty and enormity of the environment around us!

    As evening came, we were sailing towards Greece and right through the most amazing electrical storms raining down from the heavens. Nature’s fireworks were on full display…the sky parted and streaks of light filled the horizon as we went from day to night. The seas remained calm as the clouds clamored with the loud thumps of thunder and lit up with an electric show of epic proportions. This was better than any special effects Hollywood can manufacture, this was an Oscar award worthy performance that came from a higher power!

    Storms can be menacing, but I couldn’t stop from staring at Mother Nature’s triumphant display on the open waters of the Adriatic! As the seas gently rocked me to sleep, I had a greater respect for what she can create and at the same time remained in awe of her brilliance!

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  • Going to Great Heights!

    July 23, 2012

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    Kotor, Montenegro…I am captivated by the setting of this place. It feels like it was carved out between limestone cliffs and mountain peaks. The hills rising above it are laden with lush greenery and ancient fortresses.

    Another walled city with Renaissance and Baroque influences, Old town Kotor is a perfect setting for the many cafes that line its streets…Huge umbrellas, misting fans, and comfortable loungers abound and the waiters are happy to let you spend the whole day relaxing and observing the many that come and go through the city gates. No pressure, just milk a drink slowly for hours, while staring out on the old stone buildings covered with shutters set against the rugged mountainside behind them. I loved all the Juliet balconies covered with plants, but one stood out with its cluster of hanging succulents. I am admire succulents and have many in my apartment, but I had no idea they could look so lush and hang so nicely…just another lightbulb moment!

    Outside the city walls, Yachts of all sizes come and go all day in and out of Kotor Bay. The bay is sheltered amongst the mammoth hillside and the deep dark blue color of the water is very different from what I have seen in it’s neighbors, Croatia or Greece!

    Even though many islands can be easily visited from here, my afternoon is happily spent planted cozily at a cafe. Just for this moment, I sat there feeling that time was just standing still and it felt so great!

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  • Power Shopper!

    July 23, 2012

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    Kotor, Montenegro…sunny skies greeted our early arrival today into this picturesque town nestled in the base of a gorgeous mountainside.

    I love getting inside perspectives of places from those in the know, so when the opportunity to set out with the ship’s chef into the local market presented itself, I thought this would be a fun intro into today’s port and it’s culture! Unfortunately, the early bird gets the worm and in order to have our pick of the liter, we had to set off very early on our expedition.

    Fresh tiny blueberries picked this morning on nearby hillsides, wild raspberries & plump blackberries in abundance…exceptional homemade olive oils being peddled by the woman who bottled them…robust fruit & veggies straight from remote village farms…cured meats with the animal’s hoof still attached all made for a taste of local flavor!

    Our South African chef assessed it all and bargained with the vendors as a crowd grew around him. It seemed the whole waterfront market was abuzz trying to get him to select their goods. We walked away with kilos of berries, some homemade cheese, and a type of local prosciutto that will all find their way into our lunch and dinner tonight! I always love a market, but getting to do it with an expert came with the added perk of a lot of taste testing of the fare on display. Yum!

    Now that’s called working for your dinner!

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  • The Climb to the Top!

    July 22, 2012

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    Sibenik, Croatia…the weather is not cooperating again today…a cloudy sky greeted our arrival into this spot on the Dalmatian Coast. I wasn’t sure what to expect and I knew there was no way that Croatia could top last week’s visit to stunning Hvar,which I am still enamored with and must plan a return to soon!

    This is a walled city built upwards toward a fortress high above its harbor. The old town was another stone maze, but this time winding upwards with a series of exhausting slippery stone steps! I wasn’t ready for a major climb but I took on a mini challenge and managed to navigate a bit of the way up through the old city.

    The centerpiece of town is the Cathedral of St James, a UNESCO world heritage site. Built entirely of marble slabs minus any mortar, this church built in the 15th century defies architectural logic.

    I am not a die hard sight-seer or typical tourist, I much rather soak up the vibe of a locale. Being Sunday, much was closed and there wasn’t a lot to do but it was not a “chill at the beach” kind of day! Most of the seaside swimming spots are located a short drive outside of Sibenik and the national park Krka with its waterfalls are about 20km away…

    So like the hundreds of cats that I witnessed wandering these cavernous passageways, I too spent the afternoon roaming aimlessly all the while embracing the simplicity of life in a spot I doubt I will ever revisit!

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