TRAVEL SUMMIT -- SHARING WHAT I LEARNED

When someone with a successful blog recommended attending the Women in Travel Summit  2016 (#WITS16) -- geared for travel bloggers and entrepreneurs -- it was pretty much a no brainer for me to sign up.   This was a local event and presented an opportunity for my first "formal" look-see into this field in which I have been actively participating for more than four years. Up to now, I have been guided by reader feedback, content I think is worthy of sharing and, obviously, my travels.  But maybe there's more ...   The city of Irvine, CA, is a mere (optimistically) hour drive so the commitment of all day Saturday with overnight stay was easy.   Those coming in from out of town/state could opt for many special events offered from Friday to Monday. This is the third year for the summit, organized by Beth Santos -- the founder of Wanderful.   This organization bills itself as a network/sisterhood for women who travel, who blog and who want to connect.  For me, the part about it being women-specific is probably the least compelling reason to attend.  I just wanted to see what I might be missing and what I can learn about this process to make it better -- you know, for you my readers!   Of particular appeal was being able to narrow my session choices to the "Blogger" track.  Other track choices included "Entrepreneur," "Traveler" and "Just for Fun and Networking" -- even "How to Monetize your Blog (Without Feeling Scammy)."  That was clearly my favorite as was the presenter Brooke Roberts (@TheNewDorothy).  I'm pretty sure we'll be fast friends -- at least online -- for I had her at "Rock Chalk," my greeting to her.  Hint, you need to be a KU fan to understand.  Why was hers my favorite?  Because Brooke's presentation was articulate (nary a "you guys" when speaking to the audience), concise, personal and full of take-away's.  I look forward to utilizing my notes and her slides for further fine-tuning this process. A few of the sessions dug deep into social media -- getting followers, Google analytic stuff (important if one wants sponsors but may as well be Greek to me), finding the right social media platform and sticking to it, plus more.  Many of the attendees I encountered expressed frustration with not being able to figure out how to monetize their knowledge.  They indicated their contacts are always coming to them for travel tips and information -- for free, of course.  And it is true:  when one is a perceived "expert" in a given field, it usually follows that they will be asked questions about something. The hubby can certainly attest to this (as a CPA) -- not only during tax season but pretty much year around --as well as any physician with the misfortune of being seated next to me (orthopedists and plastic surgeons beware). Takeaways from the sojourn:  I was pleasantly surprised by many of the aspects the Hotel Irvine. Not top of the line, but impressive service, bedding, beds, towels, room size and event staff, and being well-located right off the freeway. Not so good -- water pressure and bathroom lighting (pet peeves of mine).  The nearby restaurant Bistango has been around for 25 years but this was my first visit (with O.C. family).  This is a big space -- bar area, live music/dancing, large tables -- but we had a cozy booth for much of the night, with a very enjoyable meal and good service.   Above:  photo of a typical room at the hotel.  Right are photos from Bistango's website.    Lastly, many conversations with fellow attendees reminded me of how fortunate I am to be able to travel the world in an upscale manner.  Not so for many at this summit who can only dream about some of my experiences.  The question is, what can I do for you to make your travel dreams a reality??? Copyright © 2015. All Rights Reserved.

SPRINGING FORWARD

If you pay attention at all to the calendar, you are probably aware that on March 13 we turn the clocks forward to allow for progressively longer days and more sunlight.  We "lose" an hour initially and many of us will be waking up to darkness, but then many are able to make their evening commute with more light.   Those interested in the history of Daylight Savings Time should click here -- lots of fun facts and controversies as well. Patio tomatoes from seed are starting to pop indoors For this "Gardener Girl" (the hubby's term of endearment), this time of year signals abundance and a promise of things to come.  While thus far, the enormous El Nino has not fully materialized, we southern (and northern) Californians have still enjoyed the most rain of the past 4-5 years so "spring is busting out all over" as the saying goes. Roses and daisies -- first blooms are a bit early this year from our warm February This is year two of my produce garden and I am delighted to report that all of my fruit trees have prolific blooms! The berry vines are spreading out, the flat of celery (I was already home when I realized I hadn't bought italian parsley, to be honest) is growing like gangbusters, carrots are progressing and there are tons of daisies.  The roses have started to come out and my incredibly reliable cymbidium orchid has many spikes.  The indoor phalaenopsis orchids growing in my kitchen window have many plants with spikes and a couple have bloomed.   All in all, I am uplifted by the beauty of it all! Indoor phalaenopsis orchids rebloomed, and my stalwart cymbidium comes back yearly This tray with pea gravel is above the kitchen sink, where it loves the light and humidity A bunch more, all with spikes Goldmine Nectarine, Santa Rosa Plum, Babcock Peach and Fuji Apples -- all with tons of blooms.  Not shown:  Golden Amber Apricot Berry plant left; celery right -- good thing I like it! I always try to give credit where credit is due -- mostly to my maternal grandmother (Nana), who was a prolific rosarian, and to my mom who babied her plants for many years ... thanks for the inspiration!

TRAVELING AROUND WITH NEW "WHEELS"

Most people who know me well will vouch for the fact that I have had quite a few surgeries in my life … fortunately all of the orthopedic variety (as opposed to illness): new knees, two back surgeries, wrists, thumbs, feet, etc – about 15 in all. In fact, if I see a new doctor and there is a place on the form to list prior surgeries, I ask for a second sheet of paper.  I have adopted the saying from Dennis Prager (radio host/author/friend) who said “God didn’t want me to have a perfect life, so he gave me … (fill in the blank).”  In my case it is lousy joints. 

I am not interested in letting go of my passions any time soon – “aggressive” travel meaning driving in foreign countries and moving quickly from place to place, gardening, exercise and generally leading a pretty active life.  Therefore, if I have a degenerating/painful something or other and the doc convinces me it is repairable with not a great deal of risk, I am going for it.  I know I recover well and am committed to whatever therapy is advised. 

So it is with that preamble that I present my current mode of transportation, which duration is roughly six weeks ... but mine has the cool fluffy pad for extra knee comfort on the seat.  Below is the Knee Rover. Don't you just love the basket addition for all of the necessities?? Instead of renting I purchased mine on Amazon; afterward I will donate it to somewhere that accepts used medical devices.

Pre-assembly

One of our dogs Maisie in the foreground providing comfort

Why do I think this deserves writing about?  Merely in order to convey what the experience is like for those who have somehow gotten through life unscathed in this way.  I have put off this particular foot surgery for years, having taken the doc's advice:  If you are not in chronic pain, then don't do it. Alas the time has come to address this issue, so I carved out a period where I knew I could recover in in advance of this April's big trip to Africa. 

Hovering over the poor checker

Silver lining(s):  this is my left foot and only the right is needed for driving my car!  So that's not a problem.  Our home is one story so that's not an issue. Go to the market? Pity the poor checkers at Gelson's, where I had no choice but to involve the hubby, shown above.  He's tried out his lines of "I've been shopping here for 45 years" and "don't go over $50" on nearly every one of them. Best that they don't pay him any attention, but they feel compelled to listen to the customer.  Thank goodness for whoever came up with www.instacart.com for home delivery!  

First delivery via Instacart ... amazing system where my order is placed online and the shopper texts me if a product is unavailable so I may approve a substitute.  My shopper Nicole even sent photos via text of what she was purchasing.  So genius ... 

Utilizing every square inch of the basket to carry stuff!

It was unclear who was more fascinated by
the rover -- my great niece Doron or my
sister's dog!

ANNUAL SPA WEEKEND FOR WOMEN EXECUTIVES

One would be hard pressed to suggest that a unique group of women executives do not have their priorities straight: work hard; accomplish as much as you can; then reward yourself with a weekend in beautiful surroundings with lots of pampering. That's exactly how it is every year, the first weekend in February, for the Organization of Women Executives where I have been an active member (including past president) for more than 10 years.

A major guessing game takes place each fall when members start wondering where Spa Weekend will take place.  After the last four years at Terranea, this year's weekend took us for the first time to the Ritz Carlton in Laguna Niguel.  Everyone was greeted with a glass of champagne, but it pays to room with the board chair as we had additional amenities in our room including wonderful cookies and a candle ... 

View from the room ...

Our brilliant spa chair

The task of recommending where we go -- based on rates and many other factors -- belongs to the board member who will assume the presidency in the following term.  In many ways chairing Spa Weekend can be a more daunting responsibility than the one ultimately assumed. Our president appoints her board to find our speakers, chair special events, recruit new members, etc. After the intense year of overseeing spa weekend, the next year is more about oversight.  It's an excellent system that has served well.   Kudos to this year's chair Lisa for doing an fabulous job!

Clockwise from upper left:  Lunch on the terrace at 180 Blu
with a visitor; in-room breakfast; view from the gym makes
a work-out ever more pleasant!

While the official event is from Saturday lunch through Sunday brunch, 80% of our members now include Friday as well ...  I was fortunate to arrive mid-day on Friday which means I could enjoy my spa appointment that day and have Saturday more unstructured until the beautiful dinner that evening.

We gathered in small groups for dinner Friday night at either Raya (above), featuring Pan-Latin cuisine, or enoSTEAK

A huge hit this year was our hospitality suite, where we had more spirits to enjoy and all
the fixins' to make S'mores over the outdoor fire pits!

My deep-tissue massage from a big guy named Ed was absolutely out of this world. No question it is a luxury to enjoy treatments at a high-end spa, but this one was just amazing from start to finish.  A lot of group interaction takes place as members are coming and going in the spa, plus special events offered: wine tasting, tide pool exploration, new members get-together and the like.

Lunch on the terrace featured an omelette bar

Dinner began with a beautiful composed salad; followed by either salmon or beef; and
then a duo of desserts

Suffice to say, the hotel could not have anticipated how hard we party ... the outstanding Adam Jackson trio provided music that was irresistible.   We likely recruited some new members -- women passing through the lobby danced along with our group! 

The first time I attended spa weekend years ago, the hubby asked me to describe my day.  I told him lunch, spa, work-out, dinner and wine in a beautiful setting, etc. "So what's the agenda?" he inquired.  That IS the agenda! And a great one it is.  I adore this group; more importantly, I both learn from and respect the women in this group.  How great to be a part of something both fun and rewarding ..

NYC: GOING WITH THE FLOW IN THE SNOW!

Lucky me -- back to the Big Apple again after last October's visit (see previous post).  This time the hubby is in tow as the principal reason is a bat mitzvah celebration on his family's side.  Of course I took the opportunity to schedule in a few fabulous meals and two Broadway shows plus an exhibit at the Met, all crammed in to four nights/three full days of non-stop action. Never were the words "man plans and God laughs" more fitting than experiencing NYC's second largest recorded snowfall, beginning the night before the event.  For much of the eastern seaboard, it became a series of plans changed, plans canceled, plans uncertain until the last minute, and everyone going with the flow.   Our original plan stayed in place for the first 24 hours: we checked into our hotel -- The London on W. 54th.  A benefit of traveling to snowy cities are the reduced rates, plus this hotel's location is superb for access to pretty much everything. We landed in time to have dinner at the exquisite Le Bernardin, the flagship restaurant of Eric Ripert, garnering three Michelin stars, the 18th spot on the World's Best List, and pretty much every other accolade out there.  The dining room is one of the most beautiful I have ever seen.  Service was impeccable but never snobby, even when I altered the chef's recommended preparation of a dish. The four-course tasting menu is practically a bargain compared with others in this caliber .. Per Se (east coast sister to The French Laundry) used to be there but has apparently slipped (see review) and is more than twice the cost. The nearly all-female sommelier staff (6 in all) were very knowledgeable with a neatly-edited list focused on certain varieties -- heavy on white and red burgundies.  I asked what percentage of patrons bring in their own wine and the answer was: "None.  It is not allowed."  It was a spectacular meal in all aspects.  No wonder it is the toughest reservation around.  Hamachi sushi   Seafood pasta with shaved truffles  Beautiful salad with apple Amazing white tuna and waygu beef Black walnut dessert   The all-white blossoms towered in the center of the room   The Met visit included taking in the Costume Institute's exhibit featuring international style/fashion icon Jacqueline de Ribes.  The hubby was about as interested in this as having a tooth extraction, but he makes an effort to be a willing participant for which I am grateful. What's unique and special about this woman is her attention to detail -- a dying art. Few women have the time, means and interest to concern themselves with always appearing "just so." We live in an era of people getting on airplanes in flip-flops and tank tops. It's not so much about the designer clothing, but rather the caring about one's appearance which seems to be sadly diminished.  Enough said ...      The gowns are timeless and look fresh today as they did 30 years ago The gown which she is shown wearing to a costume ball was on display Not part of the exhibit but I was inspired to shoe shop after ... Bergdorf's still had their post-Christmas sale going on! Friday afternoon was when the plans for Saturday and Sunday began to change so rapidly it was hard to keep up.  The bat mitzvah scheduled for Saturday late afternoon with evening party got moved to Sunday.   We made a beeline for the box office at Lincoln Center to change our Sunday matinée tickets (The King and I) to Saturday evening, plus change our nearby dinner reservation as well. So far, so good.  We informed the hotel we would be staying through Sunday instead of spending one night in Westchester and coming back to the city for a night.  No problem there. We LOVED the hilarious Something Rotten  (second time for me) and departed the theater to a light dusting of snow as predicted late Friday evening.  Saturday morning was something entirely different as the snow was really coming down.  Nonetheless, the hubby hightailed it down to the box office to get matinée tickets (phenomenal seats!) for The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime (again a repeat for me) --  as even in a snowstorm Hamilton is impossible.  Not 90 minutes later as we showed up at the theater we were informed our show -- and all of Broadway -- was cancelled due to the weather. In fact, the entire city was shutting down save for the hotels and the restaurants within the hotels.  Hello Jonas, the blizzard of 2016.  Frankly I don't see why so many folks had to be hugely disappointed. In some cases the tickets are next to impossible to get; people traveled long distances for special occasions that they may never have again.  The actors were already in place; you could hear people cheering as they exited the stage doors to go home. Couldn't the productions just have a big slumber party if folks connected with the shows couldn't access their normal means for getting home???  Snow piled up in Times Square with the  die-hards still trying to get tix before alerted to the closings Why the smirk?  Because in the hubby's  native Ohio, two feet of snow is called "spring."

Fortunately our dinner that evening at Nougatine was spared (cannot say the same for the hotel's umbrella which the wind literally dismantled). This is the more casual companion eatery to Jean-Georges at Columbus Circle.  Even that was all upside down as the casual side was overwhelmed in order to accommodate hotel guests (the restaurant is in Trump International Hotel, but you-know-who had nothing to do with this!) so we were seated in the formal dining room with our choice of menus. Anything goes in the face of a blizzard..

One of my favorite shots ... perhaps the  driver needed to make a hasty retreat. Below as we're walking down Central Park South back to the hotel.  I would have killed for those cross-country skis.

we had a great time with the hubby's family, most of whom live in the northeast or Florida so these visits are regrettably less frequent. Congrats to Lauren, the bat mitvah girl, and her family. It's not easy undoing and redoing an event for which the planning begins more than a year in advance.  

With the hubby's cousins Andrew, Nancy (mom of Lauren) and David Stone. Below are the beautiful grounds of Elmwood Country Club in Westchester County

As for the experience of being in the "center of the storm," we actually thought it was quite an adventure ... Shout out to JetBlue for getting us home on time Monday even with all the clean up!