Flashback Friday: London, UK

My sister and I visited London after I graduated college 2 years ago. We stayed for two weeks and still didn't see everything we could have!

We sort of stumbled upon the Royal Mews. We hadn't looked into it before we got to London and it ended up being one of my favorite parts of the trip. The Royal Mews at Buckingham Palace is home to the Windsor Grey horses that pull royal carriages for events. It's also home to the coaches and carriages themselves, including the Gold State Coach used for coronations. The Mews also include the Bentlys and Rolls Royce Phantoms when the Royal Family chooses cars over carriages.

Windsor Grey

Gold State Coach

Destination:  London, Great Britain

Date of Trip:  May 2012

Purpose of Trip:  Sister vacation

Things To Do:  Royal Mews

Tips:  A guided tour of the Mews is free...and recommended!

Flashback Friday: Niagara Falls

During the summer I interned in Iowa, I met another plant intern, Blaine, during our corporate sessions in Omaha.  Blaine and I have kept in touch, and once we found out the other was a hockey fan, we decided to take a weekend trip to see the Blackhawks play in Toronto.

We flew into Buffalo, NY to save money on flights and to see the Falls on the way to Canada.  Unluckily for us, Buffalo got hit with a winter storm before our arrival.  Temperatures hovered around 10 degrees Fahrenheit, with wind chill going well below 0.  I don't think I have ever been that cold in my entire life.  (Note:  3 days after our visit, the Falls froze over.)  We had planned to see Niagara Falls from both the US and Canada but we felt on the verge of frostbite and wanted to eat and get to Toronto before another wave of snow came through.  Plus, because the Falls hadn't frozen, it was difficult to see since the mist froze solid in midair.

 

Niagara Falls from the Observation Deck

Goat Island

Blaine & Me (the poor guy we asked to take the photo was NOT happy)

Destination:  Niagara Falls (USA)

Date of Trip:  December 13, 2013

Purpose of Trip:  Hockey weekend in Toronto

Things To Do:  Niagara Falls State Park (more attractions open in summer)

Tips:  If you visit in winter, BUNDLE UP!

Flashback Friday: Capri, Italy

All of the exploring I'm doing in Paris is making me reminisce about my past travels.  I hope to post some photos from most of the places shown on my map.  This week, I'm starting with...

Capri, Italy

Capri is still one my favorite places that I've been.  It's beautiful and romantic and I wish I'd had the opportunity to explore more.  If (when) I go back, I'm going to snorkel the blue and green grottos.

Marina Grande

Picture taken from the Augustus Gardens

Grotta Verde 

Lighthouse of Punta Carena

Destination:  Capri, Italy

Date of Trip:  March 2007

Purpose of Trip:  High School Latin Class Trip

Things To Do:  Take a boat tour around the island!  Stop by the Carthusia Perfume Factory for a small bottle to remember the scents of Capri.
Tips:  Save money by staying in Sorrento (mainland) and taking a boat to Capri instead of staying on the island.