Travel Thursday - Lili on the Loose

5 05, 2016

Springtime at Bellagio’s Botanical Garden

By Lili|May 5th, 2016|Categories: Attractions & Sights, Photography, Travel|Tags: 2016, Bellagio, Bellagio Gardens, Free, Las Vegas, Nevada, North America, spring, Travel Thursday, USA, Vegas Checklist|0 Comments

The Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Garden is transformed each season with a different theme. I happened to visit one midnight evening when the gardens were closed off from the public so that they could take photos. This actually was spectral as from the edges I was able to get my own perfect images! This is 2016's Spring design, with lots of pink flowers, birds, and an Japanese theme. Made with over 82 thousand flowers including cherry blossom trees it is on display until May 14 when this will be changed out for the Summer season. Be sure to check it out, it

28 04, 2016

Las Vegas Bucketlist

By Lili|April 28th, 2016|Categories: Travel, Travel Planning|Tags: 2016, bucketlist, checklist, Las Vegas, Nevada, North America, Travel Thursday, USA, Vegas Checklist|0 Comments

I recently came back from my 6th trip to Las Vegas. There is so much to do in Las Vegas and I feel like there is still so much I would like to do. As a reminder to myself, here are some of the items I'd like to try on my next trip there: See a Cirque du Soleil show Go to the top of the faux-Eiffel Tower See the Grand Canyon Spend more time in Red Rock Canyon Visit M&M / Coke World See the Flamingos at The Flamingo Helcoptor Ride Mob Museum Natural History Museum Neon Museum at Night

21 04, 2016

Horseback Riding Red Rock Canyon, Nevada

By Lili|April 21st, 2016|Categories: Activities, Travel|Tags: 2016, bbq, Colorado Springs, Flying W Ranch, horseback, horseback riding, horses, Las Vegas, marshmallows, mule, Nevada, North America, riding, smores, Travel Thursday, USA, Vegas Checklist|0 Comments

I had been to Vegas five previous times before my latest trip. As I'd be alone, I wasn't going to be gambling or drinking. Instead I wanted to try different things in Las Vegas, as well as a trip outside the Strip. I first looked at Grand Canyon trips, but realized that I didn't want to do that alone. So when I saw options for horseback riding just outside Las Vegas, I was intrigued. I looked into a variety of options, but decided on a sunset BBQ dinner ride. Mostly because it reminded me of the Flying W Ranch in

7 04, 2016

Gondola Ride in Venice, Italy

By Lili|April 7th, 2016|Categories: Activities, Travel|Tags: 2006, All in the family 2005/2006, All in the family Italy 2005/2006, Christmas, door, Europe, Gondola, Gondola Ride, gondolier, Italy, New Year's Day, New Years Eve, Photo Essay, ride, Travel Thursday, UNESCO, UNESCO World Heritage Site, Venice, Venice Lagoon|1 Comment

On a cold rainy (and a little snowy) New Years Day I found myself in a actual Venetian Gondola. I was being serenaded by a man with an accordion. And while it was rainy, it was also magical. We were the only boats out that morning, and due to the cold the typical "smelly water" was nowhere to be smelled. It was amazing gliding through the side canals, under bridges. The few other tourists we saw took our photos like they were the paparazzi. If you make it to Venice you must take a ride in a gondola, no matter the

24 03, 2016

Alfombras during Semana Santa in Antigua, Guatemala

By Lili|March 24th, 2016|Categories: Events, Travel|Tags: 2013, Alfombras, Ancient, Antigua, Antigua Guatemala Cathedral, Catedral de San José, Central America, church, earthquakes, Easter, Guatemala, Holy Week, Mayan, Mayan Encounter 2013, Roman Catholic, ruins, Santiago Cathedral, Semana Santa, Travel Thursday, UNESCO, UNESCO World Heritage Site|0 Comments

Visiting Antigua, Guatemala right before Semana Santa (Easter Holy Week) was great. I got to see the floats being made, as well as the unique tradition of Alfombras, colored sawdust carpets! These are made on the streets and pathways that will be taken when the models of Jesus and the stations of the cross are performed.This one was in the main Antigua Guatemala Cathedral and featured a beautiful fuchsia sawdust Alfombras in front of a statue of Jesus. In addition offerings of mangos, cantaloupe, corn, oranges, and pineapple helped to complete the display. And then fresh flowers lined the walkway. Some will be made

17 03, 2016

Ireland: Land of Sheep, Pubs, & Churches

By Lili|March 17th, 2016|Categories: Photography, Travel|Tags: 2009, at the heart of it Ireland 2009, Celtic Cross, Clonmacnoise, County Offaly, Dublin, Europe, graveyard, High Cross, Ireland, pubs, sheep, Temple Bar, Travel Thursday|0 Comments

When I went to Ireland a few years ago on a bus tour, I liked to joke that the only things we saw were Sheep, Pubs, and Churches...in that order. So in honor of St. Patty's Day, here they are: Ireland is truly as green (and wet) as they say it is. Which brings views like this one where fields contain slow moving sheep grazing and lazying. In Dublin, tourists flock to Temple Bar which is lined with numerous pubs. The most famous is this one, Temple Bar, which also gives this area its nickname. And then there are the

10 03, 2016

Writer’s Block Prompts: Travel Dates & Holidays for Travel Bloggers

By Lili|March 10th, 2016|Categories: Blogging, Events, Travel|Tags: blogging, calendar, dates, holidays, travel blogger, travel blogging, travel calendar, travel dates, travel holidays, Travel Thursday, writer's block, writing, Writing Prompts|0 Comments

We've all been there. You are looking at your blog, trying desperately to find some inspiration. Maybe you googled "Travel Blog Post Ideas" and still came up short. Or you want to put a spin on something new for your readers. So to help my fellow travel bloggers, here is your Writer's Block Calendar for key Travel Blogging Dates to help get the ideas flowing. Try one of these as your next writing prompt! January Hot Tea Month Oatmeal Month National Mentoring Month (USA) National Soup Month International Creativity Month January 1 New Years Day January 4 Trivia Day January 5

25 02, 2016

Antigua, Guatemala: Santa Catalina Arch

By Lili|February 25th, 2016|Categories: Attractions & Sights, Travel|Tags: 2013, Antigua, Arch, Arch of Santa Catalina, Central America, clocktower, convent, Guatemala, La Merced Church, Mayan Encounter 2013, Nuns, Pacaya Volcano, ruins, Santa Catalina Arch, Travel Thursday, UNESCO, UNESCO World Heritage Site, volcano|0 Comments

Santa Catalina Arch One of the most recognizable sights in Antigua, Guatemala is the Arch of Santa Catalina. This yellow-orange clocktower was built in the 17th century and connected the convent of Santa Catalina to a school, allowing nuns to pass from one build to another without leaving the confines of their convent. In the 1830’s the clocktower was added to the arch. You can find it on 5th Avenue North, and is free to see. If you are on your way to/from La Merced Church, you'll pass right underneath the arch. And

11 02, 2016

Night Train to Aswan

By Lili|February 11th, 2016|Categories: Travel, Travel Memories, Travel Tips|Tags: 2015, Africa, Aswan, Asyut, Cairo, Dream of Egypt, Edfu, Egypt, Esna, Giza, Kom Ombo, Luxor, Middle East, night train, Qena, train, train travel, Travel Thursday|0 Comments

Farmland out the window. On my trip to Egypt, I spent one night on the sleeper train from Cairo to Aswan. The train from Cairo to Aswan for tourists only runs at night, so you must take the night train. It took about 13 hours. Here are my thoughts on the experience. The Station I boarded at the Giza Station. I was a bit sad as I was hoping to see the famed Ramses Station and its beautiful architecture, but we were on the Giza side of Cairo and it didn't sense to fight traffic back into town. The station is

28 01, 2016

Breathtaking Crystal Maiden at Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) Cave

By Lili|January 28th, 2016|Categories: Attractions & Sights, Travel|Tags: 2013, Actun Tunichil Muknal, ATM Cave, Belize, Cave, Cave of the Crystal Sepulcher, Caves, Central America, climb, Crystal Maiden, dark, hike, Mayan, Mayan Encounter 2013, Mayan Sacrifice, Mayans, pottery, San Ignacio, Stone Sepulcher, Travel Thursday, Xibalba|0 Comments

One of the most breathtaking experiences I have ever had while traveling was when I visited Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM). The name means “Cave of the Crystal Sepulcher” but it could be more accurately described as the physical embodiment of Xibalba, the Mayan underworld. This is a cave system in Belize, where you can see actual Mayan sacrifices and offerings to the gods. It is believed the Mayans first found the cave around 300-600 AD, but didn’t move into the further reaches until 700-900 AD. Beyond seeing ceramic or stone pots and plates you will also see skeletons. They are