Travel experiences: Florence, Italy

Florence – Michelangelo, Donatello and Much More

Florence has much to recommend it including some of the finest renaissance architecture in the world. Pisa and its famous leaning tower is just a short train ride away.

Florence is the capital of Tuscany and is thought by many to be one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

There is so much to see in Florence that the city can seem daunting on arrival. So it is essential to buy a good guidebook so that a visit can be planned to take in all of the major attractions. These are the key attractions that are not to be missed. The Uffizi Gallery (tickets must be pre-booked)The Museo de BargelloThe DuomoThe Ponte VecchioThe” Museo de Bargello is probably the best attraction that Florence has to offer, being crammed full of many famous works of art from the likes of Michelangelo, Donatello and Verrocchio.

For those that tire of too much history and culture then there is the colourful San Lorenzo market to enjoy. It sells a huge range of local produce including high quality leather goods at reasonable prices. It is also a good place to find inexpensive snack bars and restaurants. The Nerbone snack bar is just inside the market entrance and has a good choice of typical Tuscan fare and has been frequented by locals since 1872.

Florence is an expensive, and busy, city but rewards the tourist with a breathtaking number of stunning buildings and a real sense of history.

Pisa and the Leaning Tower

It is a good idea to visit Pisa first as flights into this part of Tuscany mainly arrive at Pisa airport, which is just a short hop from the city centre. Pisa is the capital city of the province of the same name and sits on the Arno River.

The leaning tower is in the Piazza dei Miracoli or “Square of Miracles”, which also contains Duomo (the Cathedral), the Baptistry and the Camposanto (the monumental cemetery).

The tower took about two hundred years to complete and, of course, was not originally meant to lean. However, bearing in mind the nature of the ground that it was built on it is not surprising that it did. After a seemingly endless period of restoration, the Tower was opened again to the public in 2001 and remains so to date. Tickets should be reserved in advance and visitors can expect to wait for up to two hours to climb to the top at busy times.

Getting there Ryanair flies into Pisa from a large number of European cities. The best way to travel from Pisa to Florence is by train from the Central station. The fares are very cheap (about 5 euros for a single adult journey at the time of writing) but the train is very slow taking about 75 minutes to cover the 85 kms to Florence as it ambles through the rolling Tuscan countryside.

Accommodation In Pisa there is a limited range of tourist hotels. It is advisable to stay near the central station (the Hotel Terminus and Plaza is a safe bet) so as to be convenient for the train journey to Florence. In the Florence there are numerous options. Although most hotels are relatively expensive the Hotel Argentina is in a good position and is well priced.

Getting around – Pisa itself is a small city and there are plenty of buses that whisk tourists around the city. Florence is best tackled on foot as the traffic in the city is horrendous.

Eating Out The ubiquitous pizza and pasta restaurant dominates both cities but finding a good one is difficult as most seem to cater for tourists rather than locals. Eating in Florence can be very expensive but there are good local restaurants that serve basic fare at a reasonable price. It is advisable to check what the guidebooks recommend.

The Advantages of Using a Travel Agency on Holiday

There are quite a few advantages to using a travel agent whilst on holiday – but many of them aren’t recognized. A lot of people seem to think travel agencies are a rip-off, and that people can do it all themselves. You’re right, you probably can. But I know someone who tried to go to Peru – got a quote from a travel agency and didn’t like it. He then organized the trip himself. His flight was delayed by 2 days on the way there because he chose a bad company. He got there, and found out he could no longer rent a car because he came too late. His suitcase was damaged, and he ended up ruining what could have been the trip of a lifetime.

How could a travel agency have helped? They can get you a decent quality airline for a cheao price, to start. This is because they bulk buy, and get a discount. Secondly, if you arrive late and find that you can’t rent a car anymore, then you can’t do anything. But if the travel agency were to book the rental company – then they probably use that company every time someone wants to go to Peru. The rental company don’t care about losing 1 customer – but if the travel agency are not treated nicely the company could lose a huge amount of customers so they’ll probably arrange something for you. It’s the same for if you miss a flight and you are late for you hotel booking – they will compromise because you are with an agency. In essence, if you run into trouble, all you have to do is pick up the phone.

But what about the cost? Well, you will have paid the agency a certain amount, and probably saved at least that if not more. And that’s only talking about money, don’t forget that they’ll have saved you a lot of money. And everyone knows that time IS money. Travel agnecies get good deals, so you’ll either end up paying the same amount of money overall that you wouldve done without travel agency and get a better standard – or pay less and get the same standard. Just outline what you want from the trip and what your budget is. And don’t forget that travel agency’s have experience. They’ve organised safari holidays where animals have gone wild, they’ve organised hiking holidays where someone has been injured. Just pick up the phone, and they can give you details of the nearest hospital or put you through to the emergency services, like a 24 hour personal assistant. So if you wan’t to get value for money, I recommend travel agencies – even if they cost you a little to hire.

I’m not saying that you should use a travel agent all the time, but it’s worth checking out if you’re going on a long trip, far away – or a trip that could be extreme. Travel agencies can save you money and time – and provide you with a service.

 

What is your favorite ethnic style of food and why?

PERUVIAN CUISINE, THAT WONDERFUL STRANGER

Historical evidence indicates that Peruvian Cuisine -a culinary tradition of astonishing diversity- traces back to the time when the inhabitants of the Andean regions of Western South America started the domestication and breeding of animals and hundreds of plant species to incorporate into their diet. The ancient Peruvians scoured the Pacific Ocean with its cold currents, the Coastal deserts, the high plateaus and mountains of the Andes and the Amazon basin, searching for new edible elements. Undisturbed for thousands of years, Pre-Hispanic Peruvians created a cuisine that was uncomplicated but rich in variety of ingredients, one of bold almost insolent- flavors, and even more daring textures. With the arrival of the Spanish, in the 15th Century, influences of Mediterranean, Arabic and Black African origin were grafted, as it were, on the main stock of Andean culinary habits. Since then, this enrichment has continued, with successive waves of immigrants from Italy, China, Central Europe, Japan, and most recently, Pakistan. Present-day Peruvians, the offspring of that diverse mosaic of immigration, have adopted the best ingredients that Peru’s eighty-four life zones (there are 108 such zones on earth)* have to offer. They have borrowed techniques from each other; they have experimented with fusion and have conducted historical research to resuscitate forgotten recipes and lost Andean crops. The result is of planetary transcendence. Not only for the incredible variety and number of dishes that have been created, or for the display of ingenuity in the elaboration of these recipes, nor for the sheer volume of “new” flavors the world’s palates did not even dream could exist. The most extraordinary aspect of the reality of Peruvian Cuisine is that it is almost completely off the radar for the majority of the world’s consumers. East Indian, French, Italian, Mexican to cite a few- culinary traditions have justly won a place on the global table. Peruvian Food is yet to come of age. As if watching an iceberg, travelers and food aficionados have only started to fathom the depth of this cultural mystery, judging it merely by its visible tip. Peruvian Cuisine has the telluric force of a volcano, one that has been asleep for long, and it has recently been awakened. World class cities are witnessing the apparition of restaurants serving Peruvian fare, and its citizens are marveling at the newcomer. A new generation of Peruvians, young people who are very proud of their cultural heritage, have taken to heart the task of making their tradition acknowledged in the world. Becoming a chef or a cook, professions that were traditionally looked down by seoritos -middle and high class males- is now thought to be a mark of prestige, an exciting career. Drawing from their overseas training and from their exposure to modern cooking trends, these young men and women are adding yet another layer to an already complex structure. They are blending Inca lost crops, little known tubers, grains and spices, with techniques and styles that come from all corners of the world, nevertheless retaining the quintessential Peruvian flavor. These people are reaching back to five thousand years of culinary tradition to bring it to the world. The time is ripe to welcome the newcomer to the global table.

Spanish schools in South America are of great value.

Spanish is one of the two most popular languages in South America, the other being Portuguese. Almost 90% of South American population speaks Spanish and it is the official language of many South American countries. Spanish is a popular language mostly because of South America’s historic connection with Spain. Besides South America, Spanish is spoken in all the leading continents. It is also spoken in Philippines in Asia, in Africa and of course in Europe.

The Spanish language is one of the most popular and simple foreign languages for those who already know English. The phonetics of the Spanish language is same as English, which makes it comparatively simpler to learn. With economic growth and expansion of South American countries, Spanish language schools are becoming increasingly popular. Enrolment in Spanish language schools increased with many South American countries signing the North America Free Trade Economy (NAFTA). The signing of this treaty leads to better trade relations between these countries and the Spanish language schools have thus become very important to the business world.

Knowing a foreign language can give people an edge over their peers in the work place and people realise that learning Spanish can be of great advantage in their professions. People are queuing up for Spanish schools in their own countries but the best way to learn this language would be by enrolling in Spanish language schools situated in a Spanish speaking country. One can learn Spanish in South American countries like Argentina, Peru, Chile or Patagonia through the Spanish school ‘Latin Immersion’. Latin Immersion is a Spanish language school that provides you with the opportunity to study Spanish while experiencing the South American culture.

The initial eight levels concentrate on the basic elements of the Spanish language like vocabulary, pronunciation, conversation skills and grammar. These eight levels can teach you adequate Spanish for practical purpose. The next four levels concentrate on advanced reading, conversation and writing. One must pass a written test to attend the next level.

Unlike other Spanish schools, this school also provides the facility of individual instruction for a student if they so desire. Classes are held in two batches, morning and afternoon, and a person may join any of them. At times people need to learn Spanish for their specific profession. For instance, a doctor who wants to practise in a Spanish speaking country must know more about medical terms. This Spanish language school provides special courses for their students with specific interests. Private courses are offered in law, business, social services, and other fields.

A single course consists of 20 hours of class time, which provides one with enough lessons and at the same time leaves enough time for practice. Since, you will be in a Spanish speaking country you can practise your language skills with the local people. Communicating with the local people in cafes, shops and restaurants can help you improve your spoken Spanish as well as your Spanish listening and understanding skills. Studying at this Spanish language school will result in a wholesome learning of the language.

Spanish is spoken with different accents in different places if you choose the Argentina-Chile combination special Spanish learning programme, you can study in Buenos Aires as well as Santiago. You can experience different cultures and accents through the change of place but your studies shall not be affected. You can also choose to study in Chile, Peru and Argentina together if you enjoy travelling and want to experience a wide variety of cultures along with studying Spanish.

Latin Immersion has many activities planned for their students, which result in a rich Latin American experience. It would be unfortunate for a person to travel all the way to Latin America and not experience their culture. There are varieties of experiences one can enjoy while studying in South America like white-water rafting, salsa, festivals and many more such events. It would be a pity if a student studying in Buenos Aires left without watching their amazing theatres. Most Spanish schools do not plan outings and social events for their students but Latin Immersion does.

Latin Immersion makes your visit to South America worthwhile by taking responsibility of coordinating various activities and social events. They organise a great variety of outings like football matches in Argentina, Pablo Neruda’s house in Chile, Tango shows in Buenos Aires, Vineyard tours in Santiago, Salsa practice and regional cooking lessons. Weekend excursions to villages and coasts help the students in understanding and gaining knowledge on South American lifestyle. It is also very easy to improve fluency in Spanish while travelling. Travelling is a better way to improve fluency as compared to classroom lessons in Spanish language schools.

Food & wine: How to pair the right wine with your meal

If you have visited your local wine store recently, you may have noticed the numerous types of wines. These wine selections come from a variety of locations as well; some are made in the United States and others wines are from Canada, New Mexico, South America, Chile, Argentina and several European Countries. Certain countries are better known for their wines than others, but French wines are considered some of the best in the world. There are many types and varieties of wine throughout the world and some wines simply blend better with certain types of foods than others. For wine enthusiast, it is an exciting adventure trying and tasting many different types of wines from various places and with many different types of food.

At one time it was common for most people to drink a white wine with light meat and a red wine with a dark meat; however, it has become more and more acceptable to have either regardless of the color of meat. Beef dishes got well with any type of medium, medium-full or a full body red wine or perhaps a rich flavored full bodied white wine. Poultry, veal and pork are complimented a full bodied dry or off dry white wines and even some light red wines. For any game entres a full bodied Bordeaux or Burgundy will nicely complement your meal. A nice sparkling white wine is suggested to be one of the better choices when choosing a ham and bacon type meal. And finally for the fish lovers, most fish and shellfish go nicely with any dry white wines and sometimes a sparkling, red rose and sweet wines are a nice suggestion depending on the type of fish being served.

If you are visiting your favorite Italian restaurant, many wine options are available to compliment any of your favorite Italian food items. Some common recommendations are: Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Chianti, Sangiovese, and Nero DAvola. When deciding which wine would go better with your favorite meal, remember there are no specific rules when coupling an entre and a specific wine. You may be surprised to discover what flavors complement each other. Don’t be afraid to experiment different flavors and a basic rule of thumb may be matching textures. If your food is salty or a tad on the sour side, this food will make your wine taste slightly more mild and savory flavors as well as sweet will promote a stronger taste with your wine. Whenever dining in your favorite restaurant or experiment with your own favorite meals read the label and see what foods the labels recommend to compliment each other

The most beautiful places youve traveled to

We left the Sun Gate ahead of the masses – one of the benefits of being a small group – just as the mist cleared to give us the first proper view of Machu Picchu. Two months ago the most famous thing I knew about Peru was Paddington Bear. I’d heard of Machu Picchu of course, but had no real idea what it was, but having walked the walk and learning the history it was really a thrill to finally get there.

Machu Picchu was built by the Incas in the 1460s and is thought by many to be a sacred sight because of it’s remote location. When Francisco Pizarro and the Spaniards arrived in Peru in the 1530s looking for gold and treasure the Incas destroyed much of the Inca Trail leading to the citadel in order to protect it from being destroyed. It worked, as following the end of the Inca civilization Machu Picchu remained hidden high in the Andes for nearly 400 years until American explorer Hiram Bingham discovered the immaculate ruins in 1911, most of which was overrun by the jungle. It is the incredible stonework and the spectacular setting of this ‘Lost City’ that people flock to Peru – and Cusco – to see, and for us it was the final destination of our three day trek (thank God!).

After stopping for the obligatory photo-op overlooking the site, Ivan led us on a 2 hour tour of the main ruins, including the incredibly intricate stonework of the Sun Temple. Huge granite boulders were cut and placed together like a jigsaw puzzle, with no cement or mortar. The Incas didn’t even have a written language, and how they managed to cut and fit the stones so perfectly together – let alone move them – remains a mystery to this day adding to Machu Picchu’s mythical aura. I think I would have been far too lazy to have been a productive Inca, and as the clouds wispily drifted by revealing the Urubamba River thousands of feet below, I decided I was definitely too lazy. Hell, I’m not even a productive Englishman.

Ivan left us alone to wander around the ruins which were still fairly empty as the train full of day-trippers doesn’t arrive until about 10:30. By this time we had met up with pill-poppin’-Pat again and together with Tim we inexplicably decided to climb yet another mountain in order to get a hummingbird’s view of Machu Picchu – but I don’t think hummingbirds are daft enough to fly that high. Huayna Picchu is the steep-sided peak in the background of all the classic Machu Picchu postcard views and, believe it or not, those crazy Incans managed to build some things up

Vegetables Or Cows – Eating Vegetarian In Argentina

Argentina: meat central, right? This is not necessarily so anymore. As a committed vegetarian (that means I do eat dairy products) unlike vegans (no dairy or eggs) I feared moving to Argentina and being deprived of vegetarian options. I would be in carnivore heaven and starve, well maybe not. What could I eat except for deep fried cheese, pizza and be completely deprived of nutrients. (and about 25 pounds heavier)

I was surprised! There are many vegetarians in Buenos Aires (compared to the USA its not that high) and numerous vegetarian dining and cooking options.

My top restaurants for a guaranteed healthy and tasty meal include:

Pura Vida Restaurant on Uriburu 1489 and Pena (look for the bright orange awning). This is a juice bar that also serves soup, sandwiches and salads. It has been open less then a year ago by two expats from the United States. One owner is a strict “raw foodist” (nothing baked) and the other is a vegan. At Pura Vida you will have delicious liquados (smoothies) or jugos (juices). My favorite smoothie is the “Strawberry Fields Forever” which has banana, blueberry, raspberry, apple juice and I request spirulina to be added.

The other option although not solely vegetarian but carnivore friendly is California Burrito Company in Microcentro on Lavalle 441 and San Martin (4328-3056). This restaurant was also opened by three expats from the United States. This restaurant has an assembly line system to ordering your meal. They claim 15,000 variations can be created for a fajita, burritio or taco. As a vegetarian, you choose from either pinto or black beans, various salsas, spicy mole, guacamole, sour cream (non-vegan), and vegetables. The burrito also includes a beverage of your choice all for under the price of $20 AR.

In the Collegiales neighborhood, you will find Verde Llama on Jorge Newbery 3623 (4554-7467). This is a raw foods restaurant run by Diego, an Argentine and staunch believer of the “life foods philosophy.” If vegetarianism is radical in Argentina then raw foodism is sacrelegous. At Verde Llama nothing is cooked. The base of the foods is made from cracker like food made from sprouts processed in a “dehydrator.”

The menu includes salads, lasagna, coconut curry, and an extensive juice and wine list. They also have a mate mousse for dessert. Diego is very passionate about “life foods” and gives classes at the restaurants on preparing raw food dishes at home. One of the chefs at Verde Llama is also a baker and sells his wares for $10 AR at the restaurant along with some other ready made products.

As a vegetarian, its easier to prepare meals from home then scout out what I can and cannot eat from a menu. (Its also more cost effective to eat in!) The supermarket chain, Jumbo in Palermo (near the mosque) is a good resource for buying vegetables, soy sauce and some other staples. For more extensive shopping its worth a trip to Barrio Chino in Belgrano.

Barrio Chino is made up of about 2 or 3 blocks and there are many restaurants (some vegetarian) and shops crammed into this little area. You can always find soy milk in Barrio Chino. At Asia Oriental Market on Arribenos you will find an extensive supply of baked tofu, silken tofu,prepared foods such as vegetarian sushi, vegetables and fruits.

I have seen on expatriate websites in Buenos Aires people searchin for coconut oil, sesame milk and other items easily found at The Whole Foods market chain in the USA. However, these products are not easy to find here. The solution? People are learning to make their own almond, and sesame milk. There is clearly a market for a Whole Foods market here in Buenos Aires. There is a growing market to accommodate vegetarians and with all of these people opening up restaurants and markets the demand will increase. Perhaps, Argentina land of carnivores will become famous for vegetarian living too!

Tips on how to get your teen off the couch this summer

Teens have tons of energy. They’re born idealists. They’re altruistic. And they have lots of free time. Summer is a golden opportunity for them to devote several weeks to serious volunteer work, and make the world a better place.

Enter the new “experiential” breed of summer camp: Community service and volunteer work, combined with local or international travel, culture and language immersion.

Top teen camps are costly – typically $150 to $200 a day, the same as some luxury hotels in a high priced resort. Trust me, these are not teen tours in cushy hotspots. Teenage boys and girls can rough it in youth hostels, campgrounds, home stays or basic quarters for Third World volunteers. Send your child off to one of these intense experiences, and you’ll never hear the words again, “Mommy, are we poor?”

In the “Live Free Or Die” state, “Windsor Mountain International Summer Camp began in the 1960s as an experiment for the United Nations. Now the New Hampshire sleepaway camp hosts children from all over the world; American children who have completed 2nd grade are eligible to join the program, which offers such progressive concepts as immersion camping with deaf children and an Oxfam Dinner to drive home the message of World Hunger.

Older Windsor campers travel stateside, living with Native Americans in the Midwest at Reservations, studying the ecology of Hawaii, or traveling as singers, actors and musicians around New England. Trips become more strenuous for teenagers. Middle Schoolers backpack around Puerto Rico or the Caribbean and practice French or Spanish during family homestays, then work on “service projects” at a rainforest ecology center or other demanding tasks around the Caribbean islands. Older teens travel to China to work at orphanages in some of the poorer villages and teach English to children of migrant workers in the dusty, undeveloped inland regions. Others build “door gardens” in South African communities for families with AIDS, or do other charity work at posts in the countrysides of Zimbabwe, Peru, Mexico and Russia. Careful screening ensures that applicants can handle the culture shock.

Broadreach AdventureCamp (www.gobroadreach.com/programs /gl/uwd_gl.asp) offers SCUBA and yachting treks all over the globe. But they also send kids to the far corners of Peru, South Africa and Panama where they can save endangered Spider Monkeys from extinction or work alongside Peace Corps volunteers in Peruvian mountain

The Best Facilities In Hoteles En Peru

Lima, Peru’s capital is located in front of Pacific Ocean and has the only international airport in the country. Therefore, if you arrive to Peru by airplane, you will go to Lima first. It is good too because Lima many things to offer, for example its beautiful beaches, colonial constructions, typical restaurants and excellent Hoteles en Peru. Prepare your luggage and take the next flight to Peru.





It is always important to know some basic information about the country that you visit. Spanish is the official language in Peru but in some places people also speak Quecchua, the Inca’s ancient language. In relation with the currency, Nuevo Sol is the local coin. However, dollars have a high demand too. Euros is not very common, don’t forget to do a currency exchange. Several Hoteles en Peru also accept dollars.





Peru has an excellent reputation thanks to its gastronomy. Many Peruvian Chefs work in the most important restaurants in the world. This is very important because thanks to these new chefs the Peruvian cuisine is being disseminated around the globe. Gaston Acurio is probably the most popular exponent in this delicious art. Miraflores and Barranco are traditional neighborhoods with recognized restaurants of typical dishes such as ceviche, arroz con pollo, tiradito, papa a la huancaina, lomo saltado and aji de gallina.





During summer months (January to March), Lima receives a lot of visitors, foreign and local. They seek sunny days in Lima’s beaches. Lima south is the preferred destination for beach’s lovers. Take this advice in consideration. Lima downtown is another place that deserves your visit. In this zone, you will see the Cathedral, Palace Government, Main Square and numerous colonial buildings.





This traditional area is full of Hoteles en Peru. If you book a room in these lodgings, you’ll save money in transport.

Hike Bike Kayak San Diego

Hike Bike Kayak San Diego
Read Jetsetters Magazine at www.jetsettersmagazine.com
Read this entire feature with photos at:
http://www.jetsettersmagazine.com/archive/jetezine/sports02/kayak/calif/hbk/hbk.html

Hike Bike Kayak, Inc. was founded in 2000 by Amy Kangleon. The company offers multisports adventures and fitness classes for those visiting San Diego or for the locals. Hike Bike Kayak (HBK) covers just about everything for those who want to get outdoors and check out the natural sights or to experience a hardcore workout.

HBK offers surfing lessons, hikes, biking tours, rentals, beach workouts (such as Boot Camp), spinning classes, walking tours, team building events, and a Girls Scouts badge program.

My daughter Candy and I opt for the all day package where we participate in hiking, biking, and kayaking. Nadine is the Team Building Activities Leader who greets us with a big smile and an English accent. She was born and raised in England and has a degree in Travel and Tourism Management. She has traveled to New Zealand, China, Australia, South Africa, Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, and Argentina. Nadine makes sure that all the necessary forms are filled out, gathers the proper equipment, and takes care of our lunches, showing us where the snacks are and she takes care of our lunches.

Eli, a buff and totally California kind of guy, is our guide. He has also traveled to many exotic locations. As a Personal Trainer and Fitness Instructor, there aren’t many people who can give me a good challenge, but Eli definitely exemplifies the California lifestyle with his love of San Diego, knowledge of the activities, and great character. Buff enough to challenge those who want a great adventure yet compassionate enough to check on “yours truly” to make sure I was keeping up on the bike ride through the streets of La Jolla. (Okay, so I’m not used to riding my bike in traffic. Even my daughter passed me on her bike!)

After picking out our bikes, they are loaded into HBK’s truck and we drive to the top of a “hill”. Californians overall have a much more active lifestyle than we have in Kansas City so if they call it a “hill”, you can count on it to be a mountain for us normal folks.

At the top of the hill, you can see all of San Diego. Absolutely breathtaking! I want to stay there for another week or so. My thoughts drift over the sights then straight to the ocean!.Oh yeah, why did my daughter Candy disturb my trance and remind of the bike riding adventure. Yeah that. Why couldn’t I just stay there and paint and write and dream?

We take off on these awesome bikes (I wish I could take one home with me, but how to sneak a mountain bike into your suitcase!) and we ride through La Jolla. I am not used to riding in traffic just on trails so I stay at the end. Eli keeps looking back to see if I am still hanging on.

I love California for its quaint little cafAs and bistro’s, unique restaurants and businesses; an elegant yet casual atmosphere that stirs up the artist and writer in me. And of course, the fitness and nature lover in me savors it all while cycling.

The ride along the coast is even more scenic. The Pacific is a dark powdery blue. We continue to the Boardwalk on Mission Beach to catch our breaths and to grab a nutrition bar and a drink. Then we take the somewhat hilly trip back. With gorgeous flowers, palm trees, and never-ending scenery I stay entertained. It isn’t hard to get into shape around here!

Lunch consists of a giant sub sandwich of your choice and snacks to go with it: pretzels, chips, fruit, energy bars, cookies, and a variety of drinks. Enough to satisfy any taste.

The next event is ocean kayaking. I’ve kayaked in the Caribbean and other places with few waves. I am awed with the surfer-challenging waves.

We don wet suits and vests then walk to the nearby La Jolla Beach. After instructing us on what to do, Eli jumps into the water, launching us out to sea.

The waves are not intimidating but exhilarating!

Read this entire feature with photos at:
http://www.jetsettersmagazine.com/archive/jetezine/sports02/kayak/calif/hbk/hbk.html

By Lena Hunt Mabra, Cozumel Correspondent, Jetsetters Magazine at www.jetsettersmagazine.com

About the Author

Lena Hunt Mabra, Cozumel Correspondent, Jetsetters Magazine. Join the Travel Writers Network in the logo at www.jetsettersmagazine.com

Next Page »