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Travel is my favorite kind of bug.

Welcome to my travel blog!  I quit my job in NYC to go on a 100-day travel adventure, and I will be documenting, inspiring and sharing as I go.

Today I am in:  New York City

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DAY 93:  GOODBYES ARE NEVER EASY

8/1/2014

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Wednesday, July 16 (Drogheda & Dublin, Ireland) – Somehow the day has arrived – the last day of my first edition of Stacy Takes Flight.  I can't believe I have to go back to New York today.  But honestly, it almost feels like any other day where I’m heading to the airport to embark on my next adventure (as this is going to be my 17th flight!), but in the back of my mind I know the flight will be longer than the rest and when the doors open, the familiar JetBlue terminal at JFK will welcome me home (Aer Lingus has a partnership with JetBlue).

I was lucky to be able to spend my final 24 hours with some of the people who helped shape me as a person while growing up.  I stayed with my childhood babysitter, Lucy, and her family.  I had seen them for a quick coffee when I first arrived in Dublin three months ago, which was our first meeting in close to 20 years, but this time I was able to stay with them!  It meant so much to spend my last night with them, reminisce about the past but also share highlights of my entire trip with them before anyone else.

They live in Drogheda which is a suburb of Dublin.  We spent most of our time together just hanging out and chatting, but this morning we did a bit of touring in the town, mainly because the town is known for something completely random that I have not seen anywhere else in my travels:  a preserved head.  Saint Oliver Plunkett was decapitated after being hanged in 1681, and after different body parts have made their way around the world, his head has been preserved and put on display at the (beautiful) local Saint Peter's Church.  It is pretty creepy, and kind of gross, but it was cool to see!

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Saint Oliver's head
Then we went to a modern art gallery in a space that used to be another church.  The art was extremely modern and (no offense, art enthusiasts) brought us all closer together through laughing – especially their youngest, shyest daughter Mary.
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Remains of a modern performance piece of art
After absorbing a bit of culture and grabbing a bite to eat, it was time to go to the airport.  It was such a strange feeling being in the car with people who made such an impact on my life, people I care about so much, people who were an important part of this trip, but also people who I honestly may never see again – or at least not for a long time. 

I believe people come in and out of your life for a reason and in addition to Lucy, Patrick and their family, I met so many incredible people along this journey who helped shape my experience one way or another – as I did for them as well.  
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Dolly wants to come with us to the airport!
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Final photo - saying goodbye curbside with Patrick, Mary and Lucy
As we said our goodbyes at the airport, I had to fight to hold back tears – partly at saying goodbye to Lucy, and partly at saying goodbye to my trip.  I can’t begin to explain the mixture of feelings all hitting me at the same time, and I’m sure it is just the beginning of what will be an interesting transition back into ‘real life’.  I will continue to post after this trip – but not quite as frequently.  So for now… thanks for reading and see you in the States!
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DAY 92:  HIGHLIGHTS OF NORTHERN IRELAND (BEYOND BELFAST)

7/24/2014

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Tuesday, July 15 (Northern Ireland) – The northernmost tip of Northern Ireland offers an entire day's worth of activities.  I was all set to go to Giant's Causeway - the area filled with hexagonal basalt columns and formations, caused by a volcanic eruption - when my friend Helen suggested we tack on a trip across the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge and sip some whiskey at the Bushmills distillery, all within a few minutes drive from each other.  So we did, and this ended up being one of the best days and a great way to come to the end of my trip!

Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge

The current carrick-a-rede bridge is a lot more secure than the rickety rope bridge that once stood in its place.  Originally built by salmon fisherman who wanted to catch salmon on their migration from the rocky island, the bridge allowed for a safe crossing from the mainland.  But after becoming more of a tourist attraction, the bridge has been renovated for safety and isn't much of a fete to cross.

For me, the best part was the scenery.  Views along the hike to the bridge as well as from the island itself are incredible.  Most people don't just cross the bridge and go back, they spend time exploring the island and taking photos of the natural beauty around them.
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Giant's Causeway

Ireland is filled with beautiful natural wonders, but I highly recommend a trip to Northern Ireland to see something very special:  Giant's Causeway.  The shape of the rocks in this area is so unique and it's amazing to think these rocks are the result of an ancient volcano that erupted millions of years ago.  If you listen to the audio guide that is included with the price of admission, you will learn about the legend of the area which makes it fun for kids as well as adults.  But to be honest, I was too excited to see these stones and pillars to listen to the full audio guide!

TIP:  Bring your good camera, good walking / climbing shoes and art supplies if you are a creative type - the imagery is so inspiring!
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Bushmills Distillery

I love whiskey, but I've never really had Bushmills before, so I was excited to get a taste.  We signed up for a tour of the distillery even though it happened to be their 'silent season' where the factory workers are on holiday and there is no actual whiskey being produced.  I didn't mind because I could still see where the whiskey is made and learn about the process, but as an added bonus, the distillery offered an apology in the form of an airport-sized bottle of their newest honey whiskey!

I've been on a distillery tour before, but it was a couple of years back so I was happy to go through the tour to be re-educated.  Our tour guide was enthusiastic and knowledgeable and made the 40-minute tour fly by.  I wasn't allowed to take photos, but we saw the rooms where the different stages of creating the whiskey take place from mashing to bottling.  Then, we were led into the tasting room (aka the best part).  I tried the 10-year single malt which I really liked and the distillery reserve which I didn't like - it wasn't smooth enough for me.
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DAY 91:  WORLD CUP FINALS & BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND

7/23/2014

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Monday, July 14 (Belfast, Northern Ireland) – From one set of friends from my Morocco trip to another! Yesterday I flew from England to Belfast in Northern Ireland to spend two of my final three days with Helen and Justin, another great couple I met on my Moroccan tour.  I had wanted to visit Giant’s Causeway and was bummed I didn’t get a chance on my first stint in Ireland, so the stars aligned when I realized I would have the chance again.
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Justin & Helen in Morocco, where I first met them
After watching three World Cup games in the country of the team playing (Switzerland, Germany and Portugal), I knew I had to watch the final in good company.  So I was thrilled to hear that Justin wanted to watch at a local pub with a bunch of football fanatics.

The pub we went to is the pub in town, clearly filled with locals.  In fact, when one of them (holding a beer in each hand) asked me a question twice and I did nothing but stare at him blankly because I couldn't understand his accent at all!  (I still have no idea what he actually said to me.)  It is so interesting how some accents in Northern Ireland sound like a completely different language.  

Here is a bit of a dictionary for anyone who may be journeying to Northern Ireland in the near future:
  • Aye (pronounced "I") = Yes
  • Bake = face / mouth
  • Craic (pronounced "crack") = fun, a good time
  • Dead on = alright, no problem, good
  • Mucker = friend, mate
  • Wee = small (used ALL the time)
  • Keep her country = keep things simple, don't overcomplicate matters

Highlights of Belfast, Northern Ireland

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Sawers Belfast

One of the best gourmet food stores I have come across, Sawers is in the heart of Belfast and features a variety of packaged and prepared food.  They have a lot of local goods like jams and chutneys, but they also have specialty goods from around the world, including some I have enjoyed on this trip (e.g. Turkish delights, paella ingredients and kits, my favorite Turkish apple tea, etc.)!

This is a great place to stop off to get some snacks, buy gifts or just poke around.
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Titanic Museum

The famous Titanic was built in Belfast, so this is the city with the largest and most elaborate dedication to the ship.  The museum is relatively new, nine-gallery exhibition that covers the ins and outs of the Titanic, its creation, its passengers, and more.  

The museum clearly took a lot of thought, time and money to build, but it falls a bit short in certain areas.  For an entire museum dedicated to the Titanic, there are surprisingly few actual artifacts or photographs of the ship.  Also, the 'ride' is an extremely poor attempt at showcasing how the ship was built.  The 'factory' sounds in the background overpower the explanations in the speakers overheard, so it is impossible to know what you are looking at.  I definitely recommend going even with the above in mind.  There is a lot to see in the nine different galleries, but there's a great museum cafeteria for a snack when you are done!
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Crown Liquor Saloon

The Crown Liquor Saloon is one of the most notable pubs in Northern Ireland.  It has a long history of being a public house and was officially renovated and renamed in 1885.  The pub is known for its intricate Victorian design including stained glass, individual private booths and mosaics.

While the service left much to be desired, the clientele, decor and clover atop my Guinness made this pub a must-see!  Plus, it is across the street from the train station so it couldn't be more convenient to travelers.
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The detailed exterior matches the intricate interior of the Crown Liquor Saloon
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Private booths in the Crown Liquor Saloon
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DAY 51 - HALFWAY DONE WITH MY TRAVELS!?

6/9/2014

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Wednesday, June 4 (Rome & Istanbul) - Somehow my '100 days of travel' posts got a little messed up over the weeks, so today is actually day 51 (even though my last numbered post was 48!).  That means I am more than halfway finished with my 100 Days of Travel!  It is a bit crazy to think that I have been on the go for so long, without staying in any one place more than a few nights.

I have definitely learned a lot - about myself, about traveling and about the world - and I thought I'd share some random thoughts, lessons and highlights from the last 50 days.

Highlights of the first 50 days of travel

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Cross-country riding clinic in Ireland
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Hiking the Cinque Terre with my mom
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Feria de Abril in Sevilla
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Celebrating the Europe League champions, Sevilla
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Riding a camel and camping in the Sahara Desert

Thoughts, observations & lessons learned

  • After a journey, you take two things with you:  the memory and the photographs.  Make sure you stay in the moment and don't experience the world only through a lens.

  • There's more to local food than eating in a restaurant in another country.  Try actual dishes that are from the region, sip local beer, wine or cocktails, and explore side streets and non-touristy restaurants.  A crowd of locals generally means the place is good, so don't be as concerned with what the decor looks like.  

  • People are generally proud of their hometown and want to make sure you see it in the best light possible.  So talk to strangers and don't be afraid to ask for advice or a local recommendation.

  • With so many places in the world, there is a good chance you will never be in the same place again.  So make the most of it, turn down every street that looks interesting, and don't leave behind a gallery, shop, or ice cream store that intrigues you because you may never see it again.  Similarly, take risks and step out of your comfort zone whether that is trying a new food or going 800 meters high in a hot air balloon.
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THE PERFECT DAY IN GALWAY, IRELAND

5/1/2014

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Stace's Places:  Galway, Ireland

April 21, 2014 - Galway is a great little city on the western coast of Ireland.  The accents are a bit tougher to understand, and many locals actually speak Irish ("Gaelic" in Irish).  There is a good mix of locals and tourists on the main pub/restaurant streets and you can really get a feel for local life when you take a wander beyond the city center.

Upon arriving in the afternoon, I took a long walk around Galway to get a sense of the atmosphere.  I walked through a small park / square "Eyre Square" which designated the center of the city and was inhabited by young people relaxing and enjoying a bite to eat on the unseasonably warm day.

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Eyre Square in Galway

Shopping in Galway

I love walking into stores we don't have at home to get a sense of local styles and prices.  In Galway, there are a lot of shops to explore including Dunnes and Penney's - two lower-end department stores which are abundant in this country and a good place to go if you need to pick up essentials on the road.

I wandered into one Dunnes store and ended up leaving through an exit that entered me into a shopping mall.... built out of a castle!  There are castles everywhere in Ireland - kind of like temples in Thailand - but this was a pretty interesting one!
My favorite shop in Galway was a second-hand store close to the harbor called Portobello that had a lot of unique pieces of clothes and accessories from different notable brands.  I didn't buy anything but I was certainly tempted!
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Eating in Galway

The restaurants can be a bit pricy in Galway as they cater to a lot of tourists.  But our tour guide Val gave us a great idea of having fish and chips at a place called McDonagh's.  If you go on the take-away (takeout) line, you can get your food, sit down and enjoy for nearly half the price of the same food if you sit on the restaurant side of the establishment!  This place had so many different options for the type of fish, but I went with the fresh cod.  Greasy and delicious!

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Drinking in Galway

Like everywhere else in Ireland, pubs are plentiful and likely to have a friendly bartender and at least one or two locals at the bar.  But I came across two pubs that stood out - one for its unique history and one for its live music and vibe.

The story behind The King's Head is basically a man from Galway chopped the head of King Charles the II (ordered by Cromwell), and in return for his good deed (or bad deed, whichever way you look at it), he received a house which later became the bar appropriately called The King's Head.
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The King's Head pub in Galway
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Reenacting the execution of the king
Taaffes is another pub in the main center of town (the Latin Quarter) where we luckily grabbed seats early so we could sit and enjoy the live Irish music before the crowds.  My favorite kind of crowd - in-the-know tourists and locals - were all hanging out together (and we happened to run into two of them in a completely different part of Ireland two days later!).  Really fun time, highly recommended. 
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Taaffes pub - great Irish music
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THE BEST CASTLES TO VISIT IN IRELAND

4/30/2014

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ASHFORD CASTLE
Ashford Castle is now used as a five-star hotel and only paying guests are allowed inside.  But the outside is beautiful (there is a lake for fishing and a golf course on the castle grounds), and I definitely have ‘sleeping in a castle’ on my bucket list now!    
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BLARNEY CASTLE
Blarney – the castle and the stone – is a must-see for any tourist in Ireland.  The story of the Blarney Stone is debated, but the outcome is the same.  Upon kissing the stone (really a piece of the castle wall), you are given the gift of gab / the ability to have enlightened conversation.  Blarney Castle also has beautiful gardens including a poison garden that has some of the world’s deadliest plants.    
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DUNGUAIRE CASTLE
This was just a quick stop during one of our drives on my three-day tour because it is so well preserved.  The castle itself isn’t open to the public unless you have a dinner reservation for one of their Celtic Feasts.  The fun fact about this castle is that if you walk backwards around the perimeter of the castle three times, you are supposed to regain your virginity.

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ROCK OF DUNMASE
Only ruins remain of what must have been a giant castle.  While there isn’t much to see, this was actually my favorite castle because the partially-intact ruins leave much to the imagination – and they are fun to climb on!

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DUBLIN CASTLE
Located right in the heart of the city center, Dublin Castle is an easy and interesting way to spend 1-2 hours while exploring Dublin.    Built in the early 13th century, Dublin Castle was originally the center of British rule in Ireland, but now the space is used for the Irish government.  
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HOW TO POUR THE PERFECT PINT OF GUINNESS

4/30/2014

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What I learned in Guinness Academy

Part One:
  1. Hold a Guinness pint glass under the tap at a 45-degree angle, with the Guinness logo facing away from you
  2. Pull the handle of the tap towards you so that the beer aims directly for the image of the harp on the Guinness logo.
  3. As the beer reaches the word “Guinness” on the glass, start straightening the glass and then stop the tap when the beer reaches the harp.
  4. Let the beer sit for two minutes to settle
Part Two:
  1. Holding the glass straight, push the tap forward to top off the glass until there is a small foamy head just over the top of the glass – but not enough to drip down the sides
  2. Drink!
TIP:  For those of us who don’t have access to getting behind a bar and pouring the perfect pint, you can still get the right pour from a can::  To pour the perfect pint from a can of Guinness, open the can and place the pint glass on top.  Then, flip upside down and slowly remove the can as the beer fills the glass
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THE CUTEST TOWN IN IRELAND:  COBH

4/27/2014

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Stace's Places:  Cobh, Ireland

There’s a place in Ireland that escapes many tour books – perhaps to preserve its authenticity, perhaps because the draw of places like Galway and the Cliffs of Moher are known attractions.  The town is called Cobh (pronounced “Cove”) and it is the most picturesque and quaint place I visited in Ireland.  To be fair, there are some cruise ships that stop in Cobh, but it isn’t the type of place that is inundated with tourists on a daily basis.

Cobh is known for being the last port the Titanic visited before its tragic demise, and there is a small Titanic museum commemorating it.  But other than that, it is a pretty non-touristy destination filled with pubs, ice cream shops and restaurants.

The highlights of Cobh:

1)  Quaint, storybook shops and pubs along the main streets make you feel like you’re in a fairy tale
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The town of Cobh
2)  The magnificent St. Colman’s Cathedral on a hill overlooking the town that is enormous, especially compared to the small size of Cobh
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St. Colman's Cathedral overlooking Cobh
3)  Ireland’s version of Alcatraz is Spike Island, just off the coast of Cobh.  Unfortunately there were no tours while I was there, but it would have been very cool to see.
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The place where you can get tours of the Spike Island jail in season
4)  The apparent love for Cobh’s local celebrity Jamie Stanton, a contestant on Ireland’s version of “The Voice”
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Vote for Jamie Stanton!
5)  The Titanic Memorial Museum ("Titanic Experience Cobh) commemorating the last port the ship made before disaster struck which is located in the original White Star Line ticket office
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6)  The colorful homes dotted up and down the hilly streets
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The neighborhood of Cobh
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2-DAY DUBLIN ITINERARY FOR THE ACTIVE TRAVELER

4/26/2014

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Day 1 in Dublin:  Morning

queen_of_tarts_sweetsSweets and pastries at the front of Queen of Tarts
Breakfast at Queen of Tarts – try the smoked Irish salmon with scrambled eggs.  It comes with homemade toasted soda bread and delicious red pepper jelly on the side.  The food is delicious - and on the healthier side, the service is great, and the cozy, homey décor is a nice way to ease into a day of touring and exploring.  30-45 minutes

Day 1 in Dublin:  Late Morning / Early Afternoon

PictureDublin Castle
Cross the street from Queen of Tarts and visit the Dublin Castle.  For 4.5 Euros, you can explore the grounds on your own or take an hour-long guided tour which will provide context to the rooms you walk through and give access to the undercroft – the subterranean chamber from the original Viking castle in the 10th century!  I think the tour is worth it, and you can always break off and wander on your own.  1-1.5 hours

Right next to the castle is the Chester Beatty Library, a museum dedicated to human creative expression that showcases the texts, rare books, paintings, and more from the personal collection of Sir Chester Beatty, a native New Yorker (born in 1875) who loved to travel and collect art and books from around the world, ultimately settling in Ireland and building his own library.  Entry is free and I enjoyed the current exhibits (Arts of the Book and Sacred Traditions) as well as the beautiful garden out front.  1 hour or less

Day 1 in Dublin:  Afternoon

PictureTiger: the quirky & fun shop
I thought there were a lot of coffee shops in New York, but after a day in Dublin, I may have to reconsider.  I passed blocks with three, even four different coffee spots to choose from.  So my recommendation for the afternoon is to pick one, grab a coffee and then walk through the Trinity College campus and/or go fo.  

After being re-energized by the coffee, take a stroll along Grafton street for [window] shopping and people watching.  Some stores I recommend on or around Grafton Street:  
  • Sporting goods: Elverys Sports which carries local and imported brands at fair prices and has very good service.  
  • Clothing:  River Island is what I consider a nicer H&M or similar to Zara - good quality, less expensive fashion (men and women)
  • Quirky and fun gifts:  Tiger is a store that you can't quite put your finger on.  They sell everything from craft materials to gag gifts to candy and kitchen supplies.  Definitely worth stopping in!  (Some of my favorites below)

Day 1 in Dublin:  Evening

PictureIrish beef with Guinness stew at O'Neill's
For a low-key, more casual evening, try dinner at O’Neill’s for traditional Irish stew, live Irish music and a mix of expats, locals and tourists.  Walk through Temple Bar, the famous nightlife district, point and laugh at the hen and stag parties dressed in ridiculous costumes, but unless you want to be one of 1,000 tourists in a bar, I would recommend moving on to find a bar.

Depending on what part of the city you are staying in, some bars to check out include Cassidy’s (north of the Liffey, a bit hipster, they have board games to play and encourage writing on the walls and bar), O’Donoghues on Baggot street (I only had a chance to walk by but it has the outdoor atmosphere of a German beer garden and looked like a lot of fun) or the Porterhouse by Grafton Street (they have bottles from all over the world as well as multiple local beers on tap... I liked the Chiller, the local light lager).

Day 2 in Dublin:  Morning

PictureMain hall at Kilmainham Gaol
Start at Kilmainham Gaol, the former jail, which opens at 9:30 on a weekday.  For the active traveler, walk there from the city center which will take you about 45 minutes to an hour, depending on how lost you get (it’s pretty simple).  Sign up for a tour, which will take you inside the jail for about an hour.  1 hour

Day 2 in Dublin:  Late Morning / Early Afternoon

PictureGuinness-pouring school
Make a right when exiting the jail and cross the street to grab lunch at the pub.  They have good food and good prices!  Then take a 10-minute walk over to the Guinness Storehouse where you will spend the next two-hours learning how to make, pour and drink the dark stuff that flows through the blood of the Irish.  2-3 hours

Day 2 in Dublin:  Afternoon

PictureThe interior of the funky Foam coffee shop
After the Guinness Storehouse, hop on the city bus to rest your legs a bit while you head back into the city center.  Swing by Foam (north of the River Liffey) for fresh coffee and pastries in a quirky, colorful café.  Then walk north to Henry street and stroll through my favorite shopping street in Dublin which has a range of stores from Dunnes and Penneys to Arnotts and Zara.  Stop for a gelato at Gino’s or buy some fruit off the street if you are in the mood for (another) snack.

Day 2 in Dublin:  Evening

PictureThe Bank on College Green (photo cred: their website)
For a nicer, more fancy night out, start at The Bank on College Green for a cocktail in a former bank with a beautiful interior.  Then take a stroll over to Dawson Street for dinner where you will find people a little bit more dressed up.  While on Dawson, walk into The Dawson Lounge, which claims it could be the smallest bar in the world.  I don’t necessarily think that’s true, but it did make me a bit claustrophobic and I walked in to take a photo and walked out.

Alternative things to do in Dublin

If you want to swap out any of my suggestions or have another day in Dublin, these are my recommendations / things on my list that I didn’t have a chance to do…yet:

Jameson Distillery – Jameson is one of the most popular Irish whiskies and the distillery offers tours to learn more about how Jameson is made.  I heard that a few lucky people on each tour get selected to do a taste test of multiple Irish whiskies to share their favorites and guess which is which.

Experience Gaelic Games – a program that introduces people to the traditional Gaelic sports of hurling and Gaelic football and then lets you get out and play!

Croke Park – stadium where rugby, concerts and events take place.  It is supposed to be really nice and if there is something going on while you are in town, get tickets!  Otherwise, you can go on a tour to see the ins and outs of the stadium.

Day trip to Belfast – about a 2-2.5 hour journey each way, Belfast can be a good day trip for those looking to see another city in Ireland.  With rich history and a brand new Titanic exhibit, there is a lot to do to fill up a day.  Tours are offered by most tour companies, but you can also just buy round trip tickets on the train and have a black cab take you around for a short tour while you are there for about 7 or 8 Euros.  

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DAY 11:  HOW TO BE ACTIVE IN DUBLIN

4/25/2014

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Boxing / Boot Camp

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I am a big fan of boxing, having picked it up in the last year.  For me, it is a killer workout, always something different and a lot of fun.  So, similar to how I try to find somewhere to go horseback riding whenever I travel, I thought I would try to find a place to do a little boxing while on the road.

After searching a bit on the Web, I found Spartan Fitness, a company started by a local guy named Simon Dalton.  He offers 10-week boxing bootcamp courses that meet two times per week and include boxing, high intensity interval training and conditioning.  Based on the type of classes I take at home, I thought this would be a great fit and he let me pay for a drop in!  Unfortunately the day I went was a purely conditioning (no boxing) day because the group had done boxing the past few sessions.  But seeing my disappointment, Simon gave me a mini training session for about 15 minutes as the rest of the class rolled in.  We did a few rounds of mitts and it felt great to know what I was doing and not feel like I forgot what I’ve learned!  Simon is excellent on the mitts and highly recommended for anyone who wants to train while in Dublin!  The class itself was fun, although those 15 minutes were more intense of a workout than the entire 60-minute class for me.

Sporting Goods Store

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If you weren’t planning on working out, or you forgot your spandex, head over to Elverys Sports, a sporting goods chain that has a great selection and decent prices.  It was also interesting to walk through the store and check out equipment for sports that are completely foreign to me like hurling and rugby.

Running / Jogging

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There are quite a few parks and green spaces in Dublin, but for me there is one that is rather small but quiet and beautiful and perfect for a light jog.  Merrion Square Park is located in the south side of the Dublin city center, and I’d compare it to Madison Square Park in NYC in terms of size and green space.  It’s a bit more private though, and you can easily find a nook to do some push ups and dips on a park bench after jogging around.

Play Local Sports

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Photo cred: gaa.ie
I am pretty bummed that I wasn’t able to fit this into my trip as it was very high on my list, but I’m still hoping to get here one day.  I’m talking about “Experience Gaelic Games”, a company that teaches foreigners the history and rules of traditional Irish sports (hurling and Gaelic football – both still played today in Ireland) and then gets you out on the pitch (or field) to play!  There is also an option to have lunch included and make a day of it.  To me, this is the perfect way to take in the local culture while being active.
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    Hi! I'm Stacy, a 28 year old Manhattanite who quit her job to go on a 100-day journey across the world.  Follow me as I hot air balloon in Turkey, hike the Todra Gorge in Morocco, horseback ride across Ireland, and take part in all the other active adventures I can find!

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