Dusk & Rubies: Endless Escapades

Showing posts with label Endless Escapades. Show all posts

8/12/13

Grenada: 1 Country 5 Ways

Hello lovelies! Long time no post, but don't you start worrying about me. I have been in the beautiful, breathtaking country of Grenada. I am newly sun kissed, well fed, and still high off my last trip. Now, don't you feel silly for worrying? Speaking of my newest adventure, I am here to give you all the details on how you can make the most of your vacation if you ever choose to visit the friendly peoples of Grenada. Are you ready? Ready, Set....Let's Jet!

1. For the Fittie:

Where to stay: The Grenadian Rex Resorts. Wake up for your pre-morning workout either: yoga on Magazine or Pink Gin private beaches, laps in the pool, or a run on the treadmill. Then, it is off to the Cinnamon Café for an all you can eat papaya and granola at their delicious breakfast buffet. Mmmm!

Mid-Morning: Catch some rays down on the beach by kayaking or taking a sailing lesson! There is nothing like toning your arms and core while basking in some tropical sunlight!

Afternoon: Head up to the pool restaurant where lunch is served buffet style with delicious salads and toppers like corn, king fish, sword fish, egg plant, carrots, and onions! Then it is time for a game of tennis! Go head girl grab your racket, can of Wilsons and you're ready to play that 10 game pro!

Dinner: The Oriental Room has elegance and a carving station every night! Have your protein plated expertly, you're going to need it when tomorrow comes and consists of the same fit-life!

2. For The Tourist:

If you're camera doesn't stop clicking, and a good day is based on the amount of shots you've got in, then you are by our definition a tourey.

Morning: Go down to the beach front rooms and walk along the shore for some superb sites.

Afternoon: Take a taxi to Grand Anse beach, and soak in the culture, and yet another vision of limitless blue. Bask in the green foliage of plant life, and take some artsy photos!

Early Evening: Watch the sun set on Prickley Bay. There is no shot quite like the numerous white sail boats docked in the bay against a myriad of tropical colors!

3. For The Aristocrat:

Only the best of the best for you? Where to stay: The Coyaba or Maca Bana. (Is this a couples getaway? Then, we suggest Maca Bana where you and your significant other will have a cabin on a cliff overlooking a beautiful beach all to yourself. Want to know how to top that? Hot tub with a view...boom!...we just did it, didn't we?) The Coyaba is situated on Grand Anse Beach with a private area just for you and your boo!

Midday: Grab some culinary perfection at Aquarium (the restaurant is situated below the cabanas at Maca Bana), or swim up to the pool bar at Coyaba.

Night: Relax in the hot tub next to your cabana on top of a cliff overlooking the ocean, head over to Umbrellas a restaurant next to Coyaba, and top your night off by ordering a massage. C'est magnifique!

4. For the Beach Bum:

Morning: Slather on some SPF and grab a fresh towel you're heading to the beach! But, you need to grab some sustenance to snack on while there, and a good book to read. Why not read what I read while on vaca? May I suggest Jemima J by Jane Green.

Midday: Saddle up to the pool bar just a couple feet away and grab yourself something light like their local beer called Carib. Absolutely refreshing, and now I think it is time for you to turn over. You want to get an even tan.

Night: the sun sets at 6:30 pm here, so by 5 it is time to wade into the nearby water to not only cool off but bring out your hard day's work. Oh the life of a beach bum!

5. For the Adventurer:

Morning: Grenada is known for its spices, so it is only natural that Grenada would offer the adventurous a spice and nut tour! Your hotel should offer information but if you want the details now here they are:

"On this 4.5-hour tour, discover why Grenada is known as the ‘Island of Spice!’ Visit three picturesque Grenada spice gardens: the private Sunnyside Garden; De La Grenade's Spice Garden Trail, where you'll taste local jams and jellies; and Smithy's Garden, where you'll enjoy its 'jungle' atmosphere. See what makes Grenada’s nutmeg the best around as you learn about the process of producing nutmeg, along with other spices, from your expert guide."

Pricing: One website quoted around $70 dollars.

Afternoon: If you love hiking and secret waterfalls then I completely suggest doing the Waterfall Hike. This was also offered through our hotel The Grenadian A Rex Resort. I found this information located on Viator:

"Hike through a tropical rainforest in Grenada on this 4.5-hour small-group hiking tour Visit Grand Etang National Park and enjoy a moderate hike through the lush, scenic rainforest. Your knowledgeable guide will point out various spice trees, root crops and vegetables that line the walking path. See beautiful waterfalls; spot various wildlife including monkeys and armadillos; and take a refreshing swim in a natural pool."

Pricing: This website quoted $60.00

Evening: The Owl Restaurant and Bar has crab races, and dancing! But have you ever watched a crab race over some Grenadian Rum? Yes, this is a once in a life time event. Check out there webpage here.

Stay right here with me as I continue to give you the info, photos, and talk Grenadian lifestyle with all of you lovelies!

Have you ever been to Grenada send us your photos, suggestions, and stories at our e-mail: duskandrubies@gmail.com. We would love to hear from you!

Stay Lovely,

D.R

Editor and Curator of

Dusk & Rubies

4/22/13

Endless Escapades: Staying True to Yourself Abroad

While abroad this semester I have experienced new cultures, people, and friends. I have traveled to Amsterdam, Brussels, Budapest, Paris, Venice, and Malta; taken more modes of transportation than I know what to do with and tried so many different kinds of cheeses and foreign meats. I have laid on the floor talking with friends and as of a few days ago I have fallen off of a city wall. On the riskier side, I have experienced, first-hand, what it is like to have friends who are involved in drug culture. Never before have I experienced this—not in high school or college. To each her own, of course, but hard drugs are a whole new thing for my eyes to lay witness to. How do you handle things like this? My friends are my friends no matter what, but seeing them engage in risky behaviors sometimes makes it hard. In times like these, it is important to remember to absolutely stay 100% true to who you are. How to do this?

1. Don’t worry that people won’t like you if you do your own thing. They will, I promise. Just do you.

2. No matter what it is, not everyone is doing it…promise.

3. Keep in touch with friends from home…it will make things a lot easier

4. Call your parents, sister, brother-family often, or skype/e-mail them when you can

5. Give yourself a little “me time”

6. Write about how you feel!

7. Never try too hard. You are more than enough already.

8. Stay as positive as you can!

9. Be yourself.

Do you have any other advice for people living away from home who may have a hard time settling in, or want to figure out how to stay true to who they are while so many other things are going on around you?

4/6/13

Endless Escapades Budapest!

When you are abroad, the final week of classes does not necessarily mean it is time to buckle down but rather, IT’S TIME TO TRAVEL! My school in the Netherlands, UCM, does finals week a bit differently than HWS does. At HWS we take four or five courses per semester and spend the last week of classes giving final bits of feedback to our professors, asking questions about our exam, and filling out course surveys. At UCM, though, we only take two or three courses for each half of the semester and so we are currently finishing period four. I am taking two classes, but spend a total of 12 hours a week in a classroom, plus countless study hours. Here, the last week is probably one of the most intense, as finals may be taking place or else starting immediately after…with only a week before our next two courses begin. Our semester is not really over, but only near to halfway done.

And guess what I did to prepare myself for the end of classes and finals week? Took a four day trip to Budapest. Surprise! Let me tell you, Budapest is the most amazing place I have ever been. If I could, I would go back in a heartbeat.

Budapest is:

· Inspirational

· Historical

· Lovely

· Beautiful

· Ancient

· New

· Timid

· Spiritual

· Delicious.

Words cannot adequately describe what kind of time I had around the Danube River. Before and after our inspirational walking tour, we visited and experienced:

· Ryan Air songs

· The Szechenyi bathhouses

· Pest’s subway system

· Hungarian hot pretzels

· Goulash

· The Grand Market

· The Opera House

· My friends being strip-searched in the airport

· Parliament

· The Herzl Tivadar Synagogue

· The Cave Church

· Hungarian cabs

· St. Stephen’s Basilica

· The bridge over the Danube River

· The changing of the guards

· The House of Terror

· Apple Cider Beer

· Getting kicked out of a Hungarian club

· Wizz Air …and so much more!

I wish I could bring you all there with me the next time I go, but I am not sure I can afford it. Here are some pictures of the trip to give you a bit more insight. Enjoy!