Month: November 2020

Happy Thanksgiving to my family, friends and clients! I am thankful for you, not just on Thanksgiving Day!

It has been a whirlwind of a month.  I can’t be more excited to share about our adventure to Uganda. It was so nice to be traveling again…and internationally!

With over a year of preparation, and the uncertainty of the pandemic, we were thrilled to hear that Uganda opened its borders on October 1st. And with a great deal of perseverance, the organizers worked tirelessly to make this happen…kicking it into high gear when we received the message that Uganda is welcoming travelers. Yep, we were surprised. But they made sure we were fully prepared with all the safety and health protocols in place. And guess what? We did it!!

Uganda…the Pearl of Africa!

With a tapestry of landscapes, excellent wildlife watching and welcoming locals, Uganda packs a lot into one small country. It’s home to Africa’s tallest mountain range, (the Rwenzoris), the source of the Nile, the world’s longest river and the continent’s largest lake. The country’s most iconic experience is tracking mountain gorillas in their misty habitat. And when viewing the Big Five, you’ll see that nature – diverse and resplendent – looms large here.

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“Life is meant for spectacular adventures.  Let your feet wander, your eyes marvel and your soul ignite.”

Uganda…it has been a few years since I stepped onto your soil and I am thrilled to be back! To me…it’s the happiest place on Earth! From the people to the culture to the smiles, the cuisine, the music, the generosity of everyone…it was good to be back!

The first time I visited your beautiful country, I was with 3 friends as a part of “Acres of Hope” and we worked together to teach 30 house moms entrepreneurship skills. This adventure is one of the highlights of my many international journeys and it brings a smile to my face and warms my heart every time I think of “Acres of Hope”.

Uganda…the happiest place on Earth!

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This adventure was a little bit different than my first trip to Uganda.  I loved exploring the National Parks, trekking to the big guys…gorillas and chimpanzees, visiting animal sanctuaries and looking for the Big 5.  It was fun traveling with other advisors from my host agency, Gifted Travel Network, and our spouses and friends!

What’s it like to travel internationally now?

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Uganda requires 2 negative Covid-19 Tests (PCR) results.  The first one is required within 72 hours of arrival and then the second one is administered 72 hours before you depart the country.  You’ll need to wear a mask, wash your hands with soap and water frequently and use hand sanitizer as well. We took every precaution and felt very safe on our trip over.

We loved flying Qatar!

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Since Qatar Airways is a ONE WORLD Alliance partner, we opted to fly them from DC to Entebbe.  From day one of Covid, Qatar was determined to continue flying throughout 2020 as long as country by country regulations allowed. 

They have strict on-board safety protocols for passengers and crew members.  They wear white gowns, goggles, gloves and face masks.  Every passenger had their temperature taken during check in. Plus, we were required to wear a face mask and a shield when boarding and deplaning.

On Board Experience

Once we were settled in our seats, it didn’t take long to notice that there were very few passengers onboard.  The flight attendant told me that 21/36 seats were occupied in business class and 80/236 for the rest of the plane.

Cleanliness was top of mind for the crew as I noticed them wiping down surfaces both in the cabin and the lavatories often! To be honest, we had a great experience and felt very safe flying on Qatar!

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You are most welcome here!

Uganda is an amazingly beautiful country with very warm and friendly people. Quite often we heard them say, “You are most welcome here!” and they meant it.  They have not seen visitors since March and were thrilled to have us on their soil. 

Over the next few weeks, I will highlight my favorite parts from our journey through many pictures and stories….from the inspirational people to the beautiful landscape to the mighty animals that we encountered!

Many of you know I have a passion for photography and you’ll really see it from my journey.

Click below to follow along on this amazing journey.

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I wish you a wonderful holiday filled with joy, peace, love and great health!

If you want your 2020 “Vacation Do Over”, let’s start planning your next adventure now!

WOW! What a presentation and a whirlwind tour through the Scandinavian countries! Thank you for joining me on this virtual experience. Agueda, from Delta of Scandinavia, came to us LIVE from Copenhagen to share all the goodness that these countries have to offer! Could you feel and hear her enthusiasm as she brought these countries alive?

Just think…endless days, perpetual nights, rocking festivals, Aurora Borealis, chic cities, wilderness hikers, remote forests, locally immersive experiences, fabulous cuisine, craft beer, and snow, snow and MORE snow!! Did you know that Scandinavia is a year-round destination and one where beauty abounds?  As you can imagine, the scenery is quite different in every season!

By the way, which country was the most fascinating to you…you know…the one that made you think…I need to visit there to see it with my very own eyes?

I had plans to visit the Scandinavian countries in June 2020 but due to the pandemic it was cancelled. It is now back on my “bucket list”. Is it on your list? If so, let’s partner together to make it happen. Better yet…let’s plan a trip for 2022. Who is ready??

Are you ready for some fun facts about Denmark?

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I’ve got that Hygge feeling!

FUN FACT #1

How about some coziness? The Danes have a word for that cozy feeling of togetherness.  Hygge’ (pronounced as hoo-guh) is about creating cozy social gatherings and intimate get-togethers with family and friends. It’s the feeling of wellbeing and warm atmospheres. You can also feel this notion of hygge when you stroll through the narrow, cobbled streets of Copenhagen.  You will feel the warmth and togetherness as you pass by the vintage boutiques, coffee shops and many colorful houses.

Kanelsnegle or Wienerbrød

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FUN FACT #2

Now this one caught me by surprise…

In the 1840’s bakers from Austria settled in Denmark and brought along their famous recipes for pastries.  Danish pastries are called “wienerbrød” or “Viennese bread” in Denmark.

Wienerbrød is a pastry made of yeast-leavened dough which is folded 27 times over. These delights are still the locals’ favorite. You’ll find them in different sizes and with various fillings such as cream or jam.

Kanelsnegle or cinnamon rolls are among the most popular pastries in Denmark. Danes prepare them with a slightly different dough that is quite similar to the one used for croissants. The result is a flaky and light cinnamon bun full in flavor.  I can’t wait to visit a bakery in Denmark to try the cinnamon buns!!  So yummy!

It’s not uncommon for visitors like you and me to have a hard time deciding between trying a Wienerbrød, a piece of Dream Cake or a Kanelsnegle.

Which would you like to taste?

Ain’t No Mountain High Enough

FUN FACT #3

Denmark is for bikers! One thing you will notice when traveling by train or car, is that Denmark is extremely flat. There are no mountains, only a few hills. The only klipper (rocks) are located on the island of Bornholm, between Sweden and Poland. The rest of Denmark is fladt som en pandekage (flat as a pancake). Who knew?

There are also more than 12,000km of cycle tracks and lanes throughout the country which makes biking in Denmark a safe and respected way to travel.  About 50% of Copenhageners cycle to and from work every day. And guess what? They love biking so much that about 75% of them like to bike in the winter months too!

Tivoli Gardens & Bakken

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FUN FACT #4

Denmark is home to the two oldest amusement parks in the world…Tivoli Gardens and Bakken.  Tivoli Gardens is an amusement park and pleasure garden that opened in 1843 in Copenhagen. The park is best known for its wooden roller coaster Rutschebanen or Mountain Coaster.  There are a variety of attractions, restaurants, gardens, theaters and a scenic railway. This is a must-see when visiting Copenhagen.

Bakken (Dyrehavsbakken), which is located about 10 minutes north of Copenhagen, dates back to 1583 when it was first discovered as a natural spring.  Residents of Copenhagen were attracted to the springs due to the poor quality of water in their city. Many people believed the natural spring had curative properties, so they flocked to the area. The large crowds attracted entertainers and hawkers and was developed into an amusement park. Bakken’s longest-standing visitor is, however, Pierrot, a well-known white-faced clown.  He’s been a hit with the youngest guests for more than 200 years. Still, the main attraction for most is the park’s many fun rides, including an 82-year-old wooden rollercoaster.

Æ, Ø, and Å

FUN FACT #5

Did you know the Danish alphabet has 29 letters?  Yep…let me introduce you to three letters you won’t come across in the English alphabet: Æ, Ø and Å.  The Danish language is said to be one of the most difficult ones to learn due to a bunch of silent letters and complex pronunciation.

DENMARK

Denmark is one of the most beautiful countries in the world. It’s small, compact, and a convenient country to visit. This amazing Nordic gem is known for its engineering, architecture, food, fashion, art galleries & museums, castles & palaces, and truly world class cities.

Let’s plan to explore this Nordic beauty together in 2022!

Where are we heading next?

Our next virtual tour will be to Slovenia, then to Peru and back to Iceland. I will keep you posted on the dates and times. It will more than likely be mid-December or the beginning of January before I begin the next series. Stay tuned for those details.