Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Little Lifesavers

I bought the Apple iPad Camera Connecter Kit thinking that it would be convenient to upload pictures to the iPad for viewing. It's been more than just convenient to upload photos, but actually a life saver. While traveling through Southeast Asia, 8gb of memory in my SLR proved to be insufficient. I didn't want to panic, but Sanur (Bali) did not leave me with many options to purchase additional memory cards and I hate the feeling of being unprepared during a trip. In came the Camera Connector Kit to the rescue! I uploaded a few hundred photos to my iPad and cleared out 3gb on my memory card. It saved me from having to delete photos or have to reconsider every shot. I don't think it's ever possible to just take one shot of the perfect picture. That's $29 well spent!
Pin It Now!

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Pebbly Beach





While driving through New South Wales, Australia, I was lucky enough to spend one glorious afternoon at Pebbly Beach. This isn't your typical beach. The beach is located in a national park (Murramarang National Park) and the lush foliage from the forests serves as the backdrop to this beautiful beach. The best part is, the beach is known for kangaroos!! Unlike horses, they don't bite!

Travel deets: 3 1/2 hours driving from Sydney or 2 hours from Canberra
Pin It Now!

Monday, September 17, 2012

Chand Baori

                 One of the coolest sights in India. Thanks Praveen!


Deepest stairwell in the world located in Rajasthan, India.
Pin It Now!

Sunday, September 16, 2012

Kale Chips

                                        No brown leaves!

After numerous attempts at perfecting kale chips, I think I've got it. I start by marinading the kale in the olive oil for at least 20 minutes. By doing so, I have noticed that the chips turn out to be less oily. I bake my kale in a convection oven at 300degrees F. for 15 minutes or so but after the first 5 minutes I toss my kale constantly (meaning every 2-3 minutes). Unless your kale leaves are identically sized, chances are you are going to have to toss your kale. Add salt to taste once your kale crisps up. Enjoy!
Pin It Now!

Jump Shots


From top left to right: Fatehpur Sikri, India; Krabi Bay, Thailand; Bocas del Toro, Panama; on the way to Mar del Plata, Argentina
Pin It Now!

Travel Essentials

Every person has his or her travel essentials. Mine is dedicated to those long 12+ hour flights.

Here's the list:
-Travel pillow- You can get one of these anywhere, I actually got mine at Century 21. This is truly an essential item to have on the plane because some airlines just don't provide you with enough pillows or cushion on the seats (Air India!).
-Slippers- Some people just use flip flops, but I find that ballet flats work best because we all know how cold it gets on a plane.
-Facial Spray- I've tried countless hydrating mists (Evian, Avene, La-Roche Posay...) and the only one I find myself using over and over again is Clinique Moisture Surge Face Spray. To bring it on the plane, I put the spray in a Muji travel bottle. They make the best travel containers by far!
-Moisturizer- I'm dedicated to using La Mer forever, so I bring it with me everywhere. Of course on the plane you can't bring anything over 3oz, so I bring the petite version.
-Facial Towelettes- I like the Yes to Carrots towelettes in Cucumber. You can get these at Target.
-Emergen-C- The air quality on the plane is horrible and the last thing you want to happen is get sick on the plane cause someone is polluting the air with their germs. There's no guarantee fix to this problem, but you can try your best to defend those germ by drinking a few packets of Emergen-C while on the plane.
-Water Bottle- The water bottle pictured above is by Platypus and it's from REI Sporting Goods. I find it very convenient to travel with a soft bottle cause that means less weight. On long flights it can be bothersome to ask the flight attendant for water every 10 minutes, so I try to carry a water bottle on the plane and have them fill it up for me.
-Playing Cards- N/A to those traveling alone. Pictured above are playing cards made by Chumbak from India.
-Nutrition Bars- Luna Bars or Clif Bars, whichever you prefer. I actually didn't like the Vanilla Almond flavor (pictured above). Since I sleep A LOT on the plane, I might miss a meal or two and wake up hungry so these come in handy.
-My Iphone- I need music! Plus, you need to drown out those crying babies and annoying kids!!


Pin It Now!

Saturday, September 15, 2012

Upcoming Trips



Can't wait to spend my birthday in Vienna this year. My last trip to Australia only covered New South Wales  (Sydney) and Victoria (Melbourne). I'm heading back in March to Brisbane and the Reef! 
Pin It Now!

I missed you....




After non-stop Indian food for almost two weeks, I couldn't wait to get back and eat some of my favorite food. On the top of my list of cravings was....a salad! Not a usual craving of mine, but I missed having something fresh. My favorite salad consists of beets, goat cheese, candied walnuts (or pecans), and some baby greens. Delicious!! And of course I didn't forget my sweet tooth, BANANA CREAM PIE!!!! from Hill Country Fried Chicken. Hands down best Banana Cream Pie in NYC. 
Pin It Now!

India Travel Diary: Part Three

The end of the 'Golden Triangle'- Jaipur.

                                      Jaipur City Palace
            Heading up Amber Fort via elephants. The guide didn't look so happy :(
                                           Ganesh Gate
                                    View from the top of Amber Fort
Streets of Jaipur. You can do all the shopping you want here. 
    Cows chillin in the middle of traffic. It's not just Jaipur, but all over India. This was the best pic I could find cause the cows were so nonchalant!

This was probably my favorite city out of the three. Unlike anywhere else I've been, the city has a beautiful pink hue to all the buildings, hence its nickname "Pink City". I would advise to control your urge to shop until you get to Jaipur. The streets are filled with stalls selling textiles, crafts, shoes, and spices. I bought a beautiful floral quilt and only paid $30! Anthropologie sells the same quilt (Made in India) for $300!
Pin It Now!

India Travel Diary: Part Two

On to the Taj Mahal.....


       I think the utmost remarkable feat is how beautifully symmetrical the mausoleum is.                             (Took this photo with my iPhone, no photoshop!)
           
                         Beautiful flower motifs all over The Taj Mahal
        The ancient art of Pietra Dura. An inlay technique using gemstones to create images.
        These flowers and just about any other flower you can imagine adorn every nook and
        cranny of The Taj Mahal.
              Marble latticed screens. Look at the details! and me looking in!
                                          Agra Fort
        I was upset at first when I saw the woman in the photo, but than I realized how
        much she complements the photo. Thanks lady!!
                             Tomb of I'timād-ud-Daulah (Baby Taj)


Pin It Now!

India Travel Diary

                                     Jama Masjid (Delhi)
                      Rickshaw ride around Chandni Chowk (Old Delhi)
                  Chole Bhature (Spicy Chickpeas with Fried Bread)-Really Spicy!!

                             Qutab Minar-UNESCO World Heritage
                       Bahá'í House of Worship (Lotus Temple) 



As this was my first trip to India, I don't think there's a better introduction than the 'Golden Triangle' (Delhi/Agra/Jaipur). Here are some shots that you would probably cover on this tour. The pictures are also a reflection of the religions that make up this country; Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism. Below is a list of my favorite attractions and must do's in each city.

Delhi: (Old and New Delhi)
-Gandhi memorial
-Taking a rickshaw ride around Chandni Chowk
-Grabbing a meal at Haldiram (well known local fast food joint around India-trust me it's clean!)
-Qutab Minar
-Lotus Temple

Agra:
-Taj Mahal (that's a given!)
-Agra Fort
-Itmad-Ud-Daulah aka 'Baby Taj'
-Fatehpur Sikri

Jaipur:
-Elephant ride at Amber Fort
-Jaipur City Palace
-SHOPPING SHOPPING SHOPPING!!!!

Photos taken with my Leica D-Lux 5
Pin It Now!