JOURNEY BAHG
Review - First Time Visit to this Caribbean Country
I’ve traveled many places! Travel is just what I do! This year I finally traveled to a place I had been trying to get to for a while. Checkout the blog!
Location:
It’s a Caribbean country, that is an island in the West Indies.
Climate:
Humid and tropical. Dry season from January to May. Rainy season from June to December.
Time Zone:
Atlantic Time Zone which is 1 hour ahead of Eastern Standard Time.
Terrain:
A rugged interior and a coastal area. The terrain is a result of its’ volcanic origins. Consists of mountains, valleys, crater lakes, coastal plains and mangroves.
Airport:
Maurice Bishop...
Hawaii - Family Friendly Destination
As a family, have you ever considered Hawaii? Hawaii is an excellent travel destination for families or groups that include individuals with varying interests, taste in food and/or budgets. Read on to see just a brief overview of why Hawaii is an excellent family/group destination.Reasons to Travel to Hawaii:PROS :If you are a US citizen, a passport is not required.A plethora of lodging options. From super luxurious to budget friendly.A large number of food options. From burgers to local Hawaiian fare.A diverse collection of restaurants. From McDonalds to Michelin star establishments.Walkable destination. Lots of activities and things to see for all ages.Zoo
Shopping galore
Restaurant Review - Kinfolk
Kinfolk Southern Kitchen
Location - 685 Wharf St SW, Washington, DC
Website - https://kinfolk-dc.com/
Food Category - Halal BBQ meets Southern Cuisine
Parking - Available - Different prices based on timeframe. On average you will spend ~ $30
Public Transportation - Two metro stations are within walking distance
Service Schedule - Serves brunch (weekends), lunch and dinner (reference the website link for specific hours)
Atmosphere - Casual to Business Casual
My Thoughts:
Background Info:
One thing to note, this restaurant is NOT black owned. The name may cause some to think that is the case. So if you are going...
Restaurant Review - Ometeo
Ometeo Mexican Restaurant
Location - 1640 Capital One Drive North, Tysons, VA
Website - https://www.ometeotexmex.com/
Food Category - Tex Mex cuisine
Parking - Available - 0-2 hours free, 2-3 hours $6, 3-4 hours $8
Public Transportation - Conviently located near the Mclean Metro Station which is serviced by the silver line
Service Schedule - Serves lunch and dinner (reference the website link for specific hours)
Atmosphere - Casual to Business Casual
My Thoughts:
I’m always in search of gooooooood mexican food! I was attending a show at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC and decided to grab a bite to eat before the show.
Why I Don’t Stay at a Hotel/Resort More Than Once
One and Done
In all my years of traveling, I have only returned to a hotel/resort once. I regret returning to that resort for a second visit still today! For me when traveling, where I lay my head is serious business. If I can’t get a good nights rest my whole entire day will be ruined.There are a plethora of hotels and resorts. So many, that there really isn’t a need to return to one. For some individuals, finding a single hotel/resort that they love in each destination they travel to is their preference. These individuals are typically creatures of habit and not very adventurous. I am the adventurous type!Reasons for Never Returning:The greater the number of hotels/resorts...
Private/Semi-Private Pools - How to Score a Room with One
While the purpose of this website is to encourage people to travel, another purpose is to also encourage individuals to take it a step further from time to time and treat yourself to something special. You deserve it! One of the special things I enjoy when I travel, is reserving a room with a private/semi-private pool. This is something I’ve being doing for quite a while, however, because of the known presence of COVID-19 a private/semi-private pool has become a necessity for me.What is the difference between a private pool and a semi-private pool?Private Pool:A separate pool situated in a way where only the occupants residing in the room attached to the pool are able to access...
Developed, Moderately Developed, Developing Countries. What’s the difference?
Why is this important when considering travel destinations?In the past countries were classified as First World, Second World or Third World countries. Some resources take it further but for this post we will focus on these three classifications.In recent times, the classifications have changed to Developed, Moderately Developed and Developing countries.
How is it determined which countries are placed in which categories? The following classifications are generally determined by the following:Human Development Index (HDI) - combination of life expectancy, level of education and standard of living
Per Capita Gross Domestic Product (GDP) - average economic output...
Traveling With Kids - Getting Started
Do you have kids? Do you think that traveling is out of the question (budget) because you have kids? This blog post is for you.
Why should you travel with kids?
Traveling with kids makes the world go around! One day the kids of today will be the adults of tomorrow. Travel allows kids to become empathetic & grateful beings. Some kids are less fortunate and don’t have access to the things that other kids have access to.Travel allows kids to become more educated. Life in a kids home country can be very dissimilar to kids lives in other countries. While your kid may enjoy the comfort of a nice home and organic vegetables., other kids may live in a shack and are...
Trip Review - Tokyo, Japan
August 2023 I visited Tokyo, Japan. It had not been my first trip to Tokyo, however my last trip to Japan had been ~ 15 years ago! I had hoped to return sooner but COVID restrictiions got in the way. In October 2022, Japan reopened to visa and agent-free foreign tourism! I immediately started planning a trip for the following year. In this review I will share the important details as it relates to the trip as well as offer suggestions for planning your own trip to Japan.
Flights:
The cost of flights to Japan have increased significantly since my last visit. The cost was about triple what it was for my prior trip. For me the increased cost wasn’t a deterrent...
Review: Nobu Washington, DC
Recently I visited the Washington, DC location of Nobu. I’d been meaning to visit a Nobu location for quite some time and just hadn’t taken the time to do it. I had a special occasion coming up so I thought, no better time than the present.
Location (score 10/10):
2525 M St. NW Washington, DC 20037 - For reference it is close to the Georgetown area.
Parking (score 10/10):
There are lots of parking garages in the area. Additionally, the restaurant offers valet parking. I chose the valet parking option which cost ~$20.00. The attendant was pleasant, attentive and prompt.
Dress Code (score 8/10):
I didn’t see a dress code posted...
Travel Seasons
Have you heard the terms OFF SEASON & PEAK SEASON as it relates to travel? If you are interested in traveling these are two terms that you need to familiarize yourself with.
PEAK SEASON
Is the time of year that travelers typically travel to a destination.
Example: You would like to witness the wildlife phenomenon where wildebeest, zebra, gazelle and other animals go in search of food and water. The journey starts from south of Tanzania and the Serengeti, through the Serengeti, through Kenya crossing the Masai Mara in Kenya, returning to the original destination. This only happens the same time of year, once per year.
The best time to witness this naturally...
Travel Reviews
Before you solidify your travel plans, be sure to reference traveler reviews and take notes. As a potential traveler you can gain a lot of insight from reviews. Of course some reviews should be taken with a grain of salt, but for the most part you will find that reviews are very helpful.
Things you should look for in traveler reviews:
Transport accommodations
Destination distance to and from the airport
Cleanliness of a resort and/or hotel
Comfortability of a resort and/or hotel
ADA accessibility
Food & drink quality
Suitability for families, couples, seniors, etc.
Resort and/or hotel vibes
Security presence and/or safety concerns
Hotel & Resort Pools
Pools, pools, pools
If you are like me, you appreciate an amazing pool at a hotel or resort that you may be staying at.
I often choose to book a swimout suite or a suite that has its’ own private pool for an additional level of luxury.
Did you know that depending on geographic location, pools may or may not be heated during times of the year when the weather is cooler.
Swimming in ice cold water is not an ideal situation in my opinion.
For example if you travel to the Dominican Republic in November, the pools will be very cold and they won’t be heated. On the other hand if you travel to Mexico at the same time of year, all hotel & resort pools...
Watch Out for Those Resort Fees
Thinking about going on a trip relatively close? Somewhere tropical possibly where a passport is not required? PROCEED WITH CAUTION. While the idea looks good in your mind, it might not look as good on paper after everything associated with the trip has been documented and calculated. One of the main things to keep an eye on are associated resort fees. You heard right, RESORT FEES!
Just about every hotel and resort charges resort fees. You might find that for non-international destinations (depending on where you live in the world), is that the resort fees are much higher. I recently considered taking a quick trip to Puerto Rico or the Virgin Islands. What was interesting,...
Passports, Passports, Passports
I know you have all heard it in the news, on social media, from others, etc., etc. that you should apply for U.S. passport renewal as soon as possible. From personal experience I can tell you to not ignore the warnings.
Passport renewals are taking much longer than in years prior. On average it is taking 10-13 weeks. Playing the waiting game is nerve racking enough.
Save yourself additional stress and get those passport renewals in months ahead of the actual expiration date. You will thank me later.
More Info here
Trip Moods
Different Moods for Different Trips:
Sometimes when traveling all you want is TRANQUILITY, PEACE & RELAXATION!
If this is true, be sure to take this into consideration when booking your trip.
REMEMBER, all destinations are NOT created equal. All resorts/hotels are NOT created equal.
The least expensive choice is not always the best option2
The location with the best beach is not always the best option
A specific brand is not always the best option
Take the time to determine what sort of trip will meet your expectations and set the mood for an awesome trip! Travel with purpose (TWP)!
Getting Started With Travel
You only live one life. In so doing make the most of it. Travel and activities don’t always have to be something extravagant. Begin with things related to your passions and move forward from there.
Do you enjoy SPORTS?
Do you enjoy THEATER?
Do you enjoy READING?
Do you enjoy LEARNING ABOUT OTHERS CULTURES?
Have an APPRECIATION OF GOOD FOOD & GOOD WINE?
Do you enjoy SHOPPING?
Is PHOTOGTAPHY your thing?
Can’t live without MUSIC?
Fond of WILD LIFE & NATURE?
The list goes on and on! Take a moment to sit, think and discover your passion(s)! We’ll help you get started. Let’s go!