Of all the times I’ve driven through Oregon, not once until now did I stop to discover the vibrant little town of Ashland. Especially since it happens to be my kind of town with shades of Niagara-on-the-Lake. But that may be because normally we drive to the coast and Ashland is located off I-5 at the south end of the Rogue Valley and about 20 miles from the California border – our main destination.
Rogue Valley vineyards near Ashland in the fall
Surrounded by breathtaking scenery, majestic mountains, rushing rivers, rolling foothills and dramatic landscapes, Ashland is a gorgeous little city with an arts scene as appealing as its setting.
Shakespeare Festival
Ashland hosts Christmas celebrations and the Oregon Shakespeare Festival (one of the largest and oldest regional theatres in the country) in winter, a film festival in the spring, classical music festival in summer and wine tasting celebrations in the autumn.
Not to be outdone by the festivals, is the food which seems to be right up there along with the quality of the art and wine scene. A local gave my travelling companions and I some recommendations of places to eat. They did not disappoint.
We had a very nice dinner at LarksWe had brunch at Morning Glory
We had dinner and cocktails at Larks (located in the historic Ashland Springs hotel) and for breakfast we went to Morning Glory (located in a heritage house) – photo below.
We were met there by the woman who made the recommendations – an interesting person who is the godmother of a mutual friend. Her father and grandmother are subjects of an oil on canvas painting by none other than Renoir which hangs at the Musée d’Orsay in Paris. *Her story is worthy of a blog post of its own. Ashland is worth the visit and I will plan to spend a bit more time there on my next trip.
The Oregon Coastwelcomes you with its wild and moody rugged openness. A place to discover and enjoy.
Cannon Beach
THE HUMAN SPIRIT NEEDS PLACES WHERE NATURE HAS NOT BEEN REARRANGED BY THE HANDS OF MAN and where certain dogs love to wet their paws and can run for miles along the sandy beaches.
A great camping destination (weather permitting), if I may say so myself. Especially if you pick up some tantalizing Willamette Valley pinot noirs. Have you been?
PETRA might be thousands of years old but it was recently selected as one of the “New 7 Wonders of the World”! A well deserved honour.
If the photograph looks familiar it’s because you’ve seen it before in the last scenes of Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. The “treasury” serves as a secret temple lost for hundreds of years. In the film’s climactic final scenes, actors Harrison Ford and Sean Connery burst forth from the Siq (the narrow gorge passageway leading in) and walk deep into the labyrinths of the Treasury in their quest to find the Holy Grail. But, as usual, archaeological fact bowed to Hollywood fiction when Indy came to Petra.
Photo: d. king
Making the trek to Petra infact feels like you could be in an Indiana Jones movie as the lead up is mysterious but once you’re there it is truly an amazing sight to behold. Hidden deep in the mountains, one has to be there in person to really witness it as the ancient place is impossible to capture in normal still photographs. Literally carved directly into vibrant red, white, pink, and sandstone cliff faces, the prehistoric Jordanian city of Petra was “lost” to the Western world. The City was rediscovered by a young Swiss explorer by the name of Johan Ludwig Burckhardt in 1812.
I made the trek crossing over from the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt (where I was staying) to Eilat in Israel and then over to Petra, in Jordan. The borders are actually fairly close to each other so it didn’t take as long as it seems – maybe 3 hours. From Ammn in Jordon we took a bus ride for about two hours along nothing but sand tracks in the desert. Then the fun began; we rode on horseback until we reached the ancient red city carved in rock. We left our horses there and entered through the very narrow gorge (the Siq, shown in photo above) with a breathtaking view of the building called the “Treasury”.
It is called the “rose red city” for a good reason. Temples, tombs and other buildings are all carved out of the red sandstone cliffs. I’ve never seen anything like it before or since.
At its peak the city of Petra was home to some 20,000 Nabataeans who, in the midst of the desert, built an ingenious system of waterways to provide their city with the precious liquid.
Since the early 1800s, when it was “rediscovered,” clues to daily life in this “lost city of stone” are being unearthed and today we are beginning to see once again what Petra looked like 2,000 years ago.
Situated between the Red Sea and the Dead Sea, Petra was an important crossroads between Arabia, Egypt and Syria-Phoenicia. Petra is half-built, half-carved into the rock, and is surrounded by mountains riddled with passages and gorges. It is one of the world’s most famous archaeological sites, where ancient Eastern traditions blend with Hellenistic architecture.
I feel incredibly lucky that I had the opportunity to make this trek and witness in person the physical splendour of this ancient city.
Whenever traveling to a new place I always look for the marketsto see the variety of foodstuff they offer and what kind of handiwork they produce. As you can see from these photos there was no shortage of either in Oaxaca.
Making the Zapotec Rug is a long process.
On one trip to Arizona I came home with six Zapotec rugs not realizing that I would be in the birthplace of the Zapotec here in Oaxaca.Making black pottery at San Bartolo Coyotepec.To produce these lovely vases among various other things. You cannot carry these on board.women weaving on back strap looms
To produce these beautiful shawls and runners.The making of Alebrijes (hand made wooden figues) in Arrazola.One example of a finished Alebrije.
I’ve visited a variety of places from bustling and busy Tijuana to what used to be known as the sleepy fishing village of Barra de Navidad to the resort towns of Cancun & Playa del Carmen. I worked at one of the Club Meds in Mexico years ago. Never had a bad time or gotten sick.
A restaurant in al centro
Last week I returned from spending ten days in what is considered to be “the most diverse” state in all of Mexico. Ten days in vibrant Oaxaca (pronounced wah-hah-ka) is definitely not enough time, but it is just enough time to know that I want to go back. It was wonderful.
A typical stroll into town
A friend was house sitting another friends spectacular house high up on a hill with a 180 degree view and invited me to stay. At the time she told me about it I was considering going to Las Vegas to run a half marathon along the strip at night while listening to rock bands (for something different) but I made the wiser choice.
Many, many of these arches (arquitos)
Before I came to Oaxaca (a UNESCO world heritage site) I thought I knew everything a lot about Mexico. I was expecting to hear mariachis everywhere and get a plate of chips & salsa delivered to our table as soon as we sat down at any restaurant. Not so…although you can. Instead we listened to a combination of Cuban, Jazz, Salsa, Argentine Tango, Classical and a 12-piece brass orchestra visiting from Belgium which took place in the dazzling Macedonio Alcala theatre – all gratis. Every night there is something different to take in and lots of puppetry, fireworks and dancing.
Monte Albán, built by the Zapotecs, is one of the country’s most important ruins.
So much activity goes on in the town centre amidst local artisans selling their wares, craft shops and street markets. All the cuisine we had was unbelievably top-notch. I heard this to be true but had to find out for myself. The only thing I did not sample were the worms and grasshoppers that are considered delicacies there (I’ll leave that for the locals and was not so brave even to try the crunchy ones). I might need a whole bottle of Mexcal before doing so.
The inspiring rock formations of a petrified waterfall at Hierve el Aqua.
Here is what else I found besides an amazingly wide variety of food – stunning architecture, rich cultural traditions, important ruins, a great little *Spanish language school where you can sit outside in a garden setting for your lessons, a soft temperate climate (which allows you to sit outside) and Oaxaca’s specialty spirit, mezcal,
I’m not sure I can do thisMany little tasting spots (mezcalerilas)around town
which is made from dozens of types of agave (unlike tequila, which is made exclusively from blue agave). Another thing is that you don’t want to have too much of that. Don’t ask me how I know that…somebody told me. I think it can make you hallucinate.
So I don’t know everything about Mexico but I’m willing to learn. This is a place I’d like to further explore with a side trip to Huatulco. Not to mention brush up on my Español . Hasta la próxima vez!
Have you been?
Photos: d. king (double click to enlarge)
*School – Oaxaca Spanish Magic
Link to my Oaxaca board for more photos on PINTEREST (which I will keep adding to):
I’m not usually into all-inclusive vacations but I think I can resort to this. My brother and his girlfriend just got back from Le blanc spa resort in Cancun and by what they described and by the looks of these photos it makes me want to jump on a plane right now. In actuality I will be heading on a plane soon enough to go to a different part of Mexico but I know I won’t be getting my own private butler there. More on this later.
Le blanc spa resort is aluxurious environment with an all white décor to match the all white sandy beaches. It is an adults-only all-inclusive nestled along the sparkling blue waters of the Caribbean. It is apparently a world onto itself.
The staff is trained to serve you and make you feel that this is not your typical resort. Service is professional, prompt and polite. The staff looks as good as they are (I read this) and the private butler is a real plus! The dining is fine world class. The rooms are clean with private Jacuzzi and French balcony with views of lagoon and resort or common areas. The spa is a sanctuary. They have an amazing fitness facility which also offers yoga & pilates.
It comes highly recommended by some very picky people. It seems like a dream vacation. And what about that butler?
Here are two miracles of nature that I highly recommend visiting not only for the breathless beauty of their rugged landscapes which makes for great hiking, but for the spiritual connection.
Arches National Park, Utah
300 million years of patient erosion has resulted in unbelievably dramatic landscapes. Here you will find the world’s largest concentration of natural stone arches. This National Park is a red, arid desert, punctuated with oddly eroded sandstone forms, balanced rocks, and arches. The 73,000-acre region has over 2,000 of these “miracles of nature.”
Monument Valley, Arizona.
Look familiar? You’ve seen it many times in many westerns (John Wayne spent a lot of time filming here).
Monument Valley provides perhaps the most enduring and definitive images of the American West.
from photo shoot Bazaar Magazine
One of the grandest – and most photographed landmarks (just look at these two magazine pages) in the United States, Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park is a sprawling, sandy preserve that spans the border between Arizona and Utah, bathing the region in rich red hues.
Dominated by crimson mesas and surreal sandstone towers – some as tall as 1,000 feet – the area is also known for dramatic, mesmerizing lighting, with the sun illuminating the towers and casting long shadows on the valley floor.
Bazaar Magazine
Alamo, *San Antonio, Texas
Located in the heart of one of the Nations top 10 largest cities, the Alamo is a must-see. In 1960, the story of the Alamo became bigger than life when John Wayne starred as Davy Crockett in a movie about the battle.
The History of the Alamo – a timeline:
The March 6, 1836 Battle of the Alamo was preceded by many battles between the newly arrived Texas colonists, called Texians, and the Mexican military. Texas was Mexican territory, following Mexico’s independence from Spain in 1821, and the settlers arriving from the United States wanted their independence from Mexico. But the story of the Alamo itself began more than 100 years earlier. Find out more at:http://visitsanantonio.com/english/Explore-San-Antonio/
*San Antonio has a lot of other things going for it besides “the Alamo.” It has a happening music scene, art museum and the beautiful River Walk with a host of attractions like restaurants, shops and hotels.
“Some birds are not meant to be caged, that’s all. Their feathers are too bright, their songs too sweet and wild.
So you let them go, or when you open the cage to feed them they somehow fly out past you. And the part of you that knows it was wrong to imprison them in the first place rejoices, but still, the place where you live is that much more drab and empty for their departure.”
– Stephen King, Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption: A Story from Different Seasons.
Photos: d. king
“In order to see birds it is necessary to become part of the silence” – Robert Lynd
Well said – that is even more true for photographing them.
When you just want to RELAX with no outside interruptions – the very essence of a perfect vacation…you might want to go to Jake’s Treasure Beach, Jamaica.
Jamaica is a great place to unwind but when you think of places to travel in Jamaica what usually comes to mind? Is it fast paced and touristy Montego Bay, Ocho Rios for newlyweds and honeymooners or Negril for miles and miles of white sand beach and many all-inclusives?
When I travel I love to explore places off the beaten path and find little hidden treasures. If you drive for one hour outside Montego Bay you will find a beautiful tropical countryside with breathtaking views of fishing villages, beaches, centuries old great houses, natural waterfalls and wetlands. You’ll find the South Coast of Jamaica.
Stumbled upon this stylishly funky hotel/spa by accident while driving along the South Coast. It’s a world away from the island’s high-pressure resort towns. A welcome opposite of Ocho Rios while still maintaining tropical charm with a beautiful low-key seafront setting and lovely gardens. The brightly painted cottages stretch along the water’s edge, in the sleepy settlement of Treasure Beach in south-west Jamaica. Centred on a lovely open-air dining ‘room’, the pool and Dougie’s bar, Jakes has really lovely, raffish Jamaican charm.
The Bar
The PROS:
Friendly staffers who know every guest by name
On-site art classes for everyone, all ages
Daily yoga and Pilates workshops
One of Jamaica’s best spas
Excellent restaurant with fresh, locally produced Jamaican fare.
No nearby tourist attractions or nightlife
THE CONS: Remote location on the South Coast No nearby tourist attractions No nightlife Coarse black-sand beaches less desirable for swimming A hike – two hour drive ($120 by taxicab) from Montego Bay’s airport No in-room TV, phone, or Internet
In a NUTSHELL:
With just 30 hippy-chic cottages in secluded Treasure Beach, Jake’s is a member of Bespoke Hotels, a trendy, luxury hotel group. Guests come to unplug — there’s no phone, Internet, or TV in the cottages (but there are CD players and CD’s in each room with an extensive CD library). The black-sand beaches aren’t Jamaica’s most impressive, but the Driftwood Spa, on-site painting classes for all and yoga/pilates workshops, and excellent locally prepared food make this a particular favorite.And that is exactly why I recommend Jake’s.
And if you’re lucky there may be some other hidden treasures…but we can’t discuss them here. If you catch my drift wood.
It’s pretty straightforward. I want to live like an Italian.
There are too many likes. From the Renaissance paintings and sculptures of artists like Michaelangelo and Botticelli in Florence, to medieval villages, historical towns, castles and country churches scattered all over a vast territory of rolling hills. Romantic architecture abounds.
the house that was used to film “Under the Tuscan Sun”
Simply prepared delicious food: lunch on the terrace overlooking ancient vines and olive groves, wine, olive oil, Parmigiano-Reggiano, Aceto Balsamicos, and Gelatos.
Vespas and fast luxury cars like Ferrari, Lamborghini, Pagani & Maserati.
Style in general which includes a well-tailored desire to look alla moda.
I want to live like an Italian.
I’m sure I missed a few things but this pretty much sums it up.
Girl Who Would be KING on Life, Style and INSPIRATION. 
You must be logged in to post a comment.