Costa Rica

We started our travels as we always do, the night before, with all the rituals of departure- packing, chatting about what to bring, making sure of medications and supplies, and cleaning house. We both love coming back to a clean space and a bottle of cold champagne, so the floors were cleaned, the dishes washed,Continue reading “Costa Rica”

The Fast and the Ticketed

We awoke again in a foreign land, utterly refreshed after a night in the Waldorf’s excellent bed, to the sounds of very little- it was still dark outside, but we were AWAKE! Nothing seemed amiss as we called for a new coffee maker, as ours wasn’t working properly. The staff of the hotel showed upContinue reading “The Fast and the Ticketed”

On The Palm

One of the best things about a trip to Dubai is the ability to have both city and beach experiences, all for the cost of one plane ride. In the morning, we said goodbye to the gorgeous hotel Oberoi and jumped into a taxi for the 20 minute ride south to The Palm Jumeriah. TheContinue reading “On The Palm”

City and Sand

Spring in Dubai is warm but not hot, so after the movie we went outside and walked along the enormous fountain pool in the center of the Mall complex. Nothing quite says money like a decorative display of water in a desert, and this fountain is extravagant!  Yet, it pales in the shadow of theContinue reading “City and Sand”

A Luxurious First Day in Dubai

Our first night was comfortable, although a little restless, as we were halfway around the globe and in the exact opposite time zone than the one from which we left. The Oberoi’s comfortable bed and soft linens coaxed us back to sleep despite the urge to get up at 3:00 in the morning. By 5:00Continue reading “A Luxurious First Day in Dubai”

Over the Pole

I, for one, am normally of the opinion that the less said about an international flight, the better. They’re generally more grueling than sitting in a chair ought to be, a long, uncomfortable slog in tight proximity to 300 other people. But a couple of things made this direct Emirates flight from Seattle to DubaiContinue reading “Over the Pole”