30 Second Escape – Sacre Coeur, Paris

Sacre Coeur Basilica (Basilica of the Sacred Heart) sits atop Montmartre hill with a view of the Paris skyline that has inspired writers and artists since its completion in the late 1800s. Montmartre holds the heart and soul of the Paris experience.

At the highest point in the city, the site where the basilica sits is where tradition tells of the beheading of the city’s patron saint, Saint Denis, in the 3rd century.

Sacre Coeur retains its pure white color from the travertine stones which excrete a substance acting as a bleaching agent after the rains.

ESCAPE DRINK OF THE DAY: A glass of Château Margaux (Margaux, Bordeaux) sitting at the foot of Montmartre hill.

30 Second Escape – Great Wall of China

Spanning over 5,500 miles through the Chinese countryside, The Great Wall is also listed as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. An architectural masterpiece as well as a great hike, an afternoon on “The Wall” provides amazing views for miles. Standing atop so much incredible history is humbling. Climbing up those steep steps is tiring! Bring lots of water for the trek.

ESCAPE DRINK OF THE DAY: Enjoy a cold Tsingtao Beer after the climb!

30 Second Escape – Gili “T”, Indonesia

Just about as close to paradise as you can imagine. A tiny island off the coast of Lombok, Indonesia; Gili Trawangan (or Gili “T” for short) is a place to soak up the incredible beauty of the sea. SCUBA diving, snorkeling and sun bathing are the order of the day.

The only means of transport are horse drawn carriages (cidomos) and bicycles. Each night of the week, one of the popular bars has a Party Night where it’s possible to dance on the beach until dawn.

ESCAPE DRINK OF THE DAY: Bintang Beer

30 Second Escape – Paxos, Greece

This tiny Greek Island, with a population of just 2500, is truly a jewel set in the blue Ionian Sea. Greek mythology tells us Paxos was the secret hideaway for Poseidon, formed when the island of Corfu was struck with his trident. Fragrant lemon trees and olive groves line the hillsides and secluded coves provide privacy for an afternoon at the beach. Colorful fishing boats tie up at the harbor, a perfect place for sampling Greek specialties and watching the people go by.

ESCAPE DRINK OF THE DAY: Mythos Beer!

30 Second Escape – Petra, Jordan

Treasury at Petra

As one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, the ancient city of Petra in Jordan is an archeological marvel. Constructed around 100 BC, but not discovered until 1821, this phenomenal city provides a unique opportunity to explore. A narrow gorge of high, red sandstone, called the Siq (or shaft) leads to Petra’s most jaw-dropping find, Al Khazneh (or The Treasury).

Take a step back in time as you wander through ancient history in Jordan’s Petra.

ESCAPE DRINK OF THE DAY: Petra Beer, of course!

30 Second Escape – New Orleans

Jackson Square

Where else in the world would a city’s “excess and eccentricity” be considered such a source of pride? Why in New Orleans, of course!

A visit to historic Jackson Square wouldn’t be complete without a stop at the famous Cafe Du Monde for a plateful of doughy, delightful, powdered sugar beignets.

The city has a charm and grace carefully cultivated in it’s people, gardens, and magnificent balconies. And for those who enjoy savoring the culinary pleasures in life, New Orleans has honed eating and drinking to a fine art form.

One visit to this charismatic city and you’ll be hooked. New Orleans,”The City That Care Forgot”, is definitely a state of mind!

ESCAPE DRINK OF THE DAY: Absinthe at Tujague’s original stand-up bar

30 Second Escape – South Africa, Karongwe Reserve

When the workday pressure gets to be too much…

When it’s safer to click on a link than to head to the vending machine…

Take 30 seconds and ESCAPE!

Karonge Reserve, South Africa

Baby Cheetah

Going on an African safari is a dream for many people. Getting up close, like we were able to do with this little furball, is a priceless gift.

A typical day begins at 4:30 am for volunteers on the Karongwe Game Reserve. Working with Global Vision International, we enjoyed a chance to see and interact with the animals in ways not always possible on a regular safari.

Africa is an amazing place. It becomes a part of you, even long after you’ve come back home.

ESCAPE DRINK OF THE DAY:
Armarula on the rocks

Enjoy and safe travels!

Voyeurism 101

I have a secret I’m ashamed to admit. Having never lived in a high-rise with a view before, I’m finding daily life “on the outside” to be much more exciting than ever before. I think I might be a voyeur!

So many interesting things are going on right in front of me and I can watch it all from my window in my pj’s – with binoculars and a hi-zoom camera lens, of course.

The dawn patrol surfers are out on the water before my eyes are even open yet, crazy people, that water is chilly! Avid tennis players run back and forth across the courts, chasing fuzzy yellow balls. Paddlers ply the lagoon on their stand-up boards while swimmers try not to get run over mid-stroke.

The family of three who live under a blue tarp in the park gives me a chance to say a prayer of thanks every morning when I look to be sure they made it through the night.

I can see it all from here and I’m enjoying it way too much. Even what’s going on in the channel is interesting. Every am, like clockwork, the Atlantis Submarines are towed toward Waikiki Beach. Battleships and Coast Guard cutters perform routine maneuvers from the nearby bases. Parasail speeders and dive boats vie for perfect position in the morning hours, while the afternoon is filled with colorful spinnaker sails.

I can’t walk through the door without running to the window and grabbing the binoculars. “Look! Those people are grilling a whole pig in the park. Let’s go make friends with them.” I understand voyeurism is a disease and the first step is admitting you have a problem. I admit it – my problem is that the binoculars I have aren’t nearly strong enough.