Category Archives: Travel

Travel: Peru- Lima Highlights (Fun Facts, Hot Spots and Restaurants)

by in category Food, International Travel, Restaurants, Travel
Feb
21
2012
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Sorry I’ve been MIA for a few days, I just got back from Peru. Before the trip I didn’t know much about the country except for Machu Picchu of course, but now I have a better understanding of the country, it’s food, and it’s people.  This week I want to share with you a 3  part series-Highlights from Lima, Peruvian Gastronomy (the food was amazing), and The Journey to Manchu Picchu. I hope whether or not you have a chance to visit, you will enjoy learning a bit about Peru.

Lima Highlights

We started our trip in Lima which many tour books say get in and get out on your way to Machu Picchu, so I wasn’t expecting much, but I really enjoyed it, especially the flavorful and inventive food.  You have to be a little adventurous though.   From Cebiche, Pisco Sours, and all kinds of jungle fruit I’ve never seen before, we ate our way through town before heading out on our journey to Machu Picchu.

Cebiche at Alfresco-best I’ve ever had! Fresh and sweet not too much lime!Along the way we accidentally walked in on a David Rockfeller private dinner (so we were told later) at Maras Restaurant and experienced an earthquake on our last night, (not major, but still a little scary even for a Californian).

Some of the neighborhoods can be a bit dicey they say especially at night, but most tourists hang out in San Isidro where we stayed, Miraflores right by the water (reminded me a lot of PCH in Santa Monica) or Barranca which is a bit younger. I felt very safe, but we only stayed in these areas.

In Miraflores at Sunset

Some Fun Facts

-Dozens Casinos in Lima. Seems like one on every other corner. What?

-95% Catholic, 2 to 3 year wait for a church wedding

-There is a large Chinese population.  Chinese restaurants are called Chifas (which comes from the Mandarin word-”to eat rice/dinner”.

-This is the City Center (Plaza de Armas) see the fountain on the left in July in celebration of Peruvian Independence Day they fill it with Pisco and it becomes a free giant bar for the city for one day!

Here’s a view from the Westin Lima Hotel and Convention Center-one of the best hotels in the city with great service. Tallest building in Peru at 30 stories, just built in 2011, largest spa in the city.

This is a “Suspiro A La Limena” Popular Dessert-Breath Of Lima-basically a carmel like custard with meringue.  You can see the traffic in the distance. Driving in Lima can get a bit crazy I wouldn’t recommend it.

Magical Circuit of Water

-A beautiful park with 6 amazing water fountains from Magic-the tallest fountain in the park which shoots up 262 feet in the air to Fantasia complete with a laser light show choreographed to music.

 Surprise which you can walk through, but you may get a little wet to Labryrith where locals basically use it as a water park.

It only costs about $2 to get in, but since it’s not in a great walking neighborhood, it’s probably better to go with a tour (for about  $30 each) so you bypass the long line and get a ride there and back to your hotel.It can get really crowded, but worth the trip.

Parque Del Amor-Park of Love-Miraflores

Great for sunset on the cliffs above the ocean.  Reminded me of Malibu.   About 15 minute walk is Larcomar a popular shopping entertainment center overlooking the ocean-which I was excited to see, but turned out to be just like any other mall in the US especially when the hotspots were Chilis and TGI Fridays.

The Restaurants we did enjoy were Brujas de Cachiche (great for traditional food),

Astrid & Gaston (Voted as one of the World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2011)Chef Gaston Acurio star of international gastronomy.

Food inventive and artistic-great for foodies, but what I loved was for the 14 soles cover charge which is about $6 each you get 7 breads, 3 sauces, 3 appetizers, and 6 sweets before you even order an entree.

It was amazing trip without the kids.  If you were wondering how we managed to pull that off?  Lots of help from Grandma and friends and daily use of Skype and Facetime.  (much more economical than calling) Travel Tip: When leaving the country make sure you turn your cellular data off so you don’t get roaming charges when you land in case you get a text, call etc.  You can leave wifi access on to stay connected and just pay the hotel fee instead.

In my next post I’ll show you how they make cebiche, the secret to Pisco Sours and show you the inside of some crazy fruit and what a coca leaf looks like. (yes, it’s what they make cocaine out of!)

 

 

 

Date night: Cinepolis Del Mar-Movie, Martinis and Cheesecake!

by in category Food, Travel
Aug
19
2011
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Are you ready for the weekend?  I know it’s not always easy to get a “date night” when you have kids, but I think it’s important to keep your “zen”.  When I get busy I always try to convince myself that hanging out at home watching a movie is just as good.  But admit it, dressing up and going out as a couple like you did before kids is fun!

On this Friday I wanted to show you a cool new movie theatre in San Diego (Del Mar).  It’s called Cinepolis-it’s their first one in the US.  Imagine this-a theatre where they serve you martinis, dinner and dessert in your reclining leather seats. I always hate choosing between going to dinner or a movie, this time we could do both.   It feels like your in someone’s private screening room and the arm even goes up in the middle.

Everyone was laughing like little kids feeling a little awkward to kick up their feet, but hey it was fun!  We watched Horrible Bosses, a little raunchy, but funny.2 of the 8 auditoriums serve alcohol.  Check out my mango martini ($12) and raspberry swirl cheesecake ($9).  Yum.  There’s a service button next to the seat, you order from a waiter and they try to get you served before the movie starts. Here’s a look at the other desserts.I didn’t have any, but the gourmet popcorn looked fun, especially the Zebra (Black and White Chocolate).Here’s the vibe at the restaurant and bar. It’s a little pricey at around $20 a ticket, but it was worth it.    If you live in So Cal they are building another in La Costa, Laguna Niguel is next and they may open 7 more in California.   Is there anything like this near you?

What do you like to do for date night to keep the “zen” alive?

Zenspiration: What I Learned Traveling With 2 Kids!

by in category Air Travel, Travel Tips, Zenspiration
Jun
22
2011
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“Traveling with kids is a lot like life- it may not always be easy getting where you want to go, but what really matters is what you do when you do when you get there!”  -TheZenMom

Traveling with children is not always a very zen experience, but what you and your family get out of it may be.  Our cross country trip to visit family in Ithaca ended with a 3 hour flight delay, a missed connection in Newark, an overtired crying 3 year old, a 17 month old that threw up on me just as I finished strapping her to me in the Baby Bjorn as we were disembarking, and lost luggage.  There were more crazy travel tales,  but what I’d like to share with you is what I learned from our family vacation.

No matter how light you plan to travel there’s always too much stuff!

    

After a red-eye a luggage cart doubles as a bed! :)
Even if your daughter looked like this just seconds before, she can still throw up on you!

Here’s some useful information:
-If you have a toddler, bring a DVD player
-Always bring a baby carrier so you can have as many hands free as possible.
-Bring small toys and to make the “wow” factor last longer, wrap them up so it takes them longer to open it.
-Bring a change of clothes for the kids and for you.  I’m glad I had one or I would have smelled like throw up.  If your child is potty trained bring even more underwear and bottoms.
-If you bring a carry-on, also carry a foldable bag with it so you take all your must have’s out if they make you check your bag.
-Always have food, but don’t feed them too much or it may backfire.

Now for the Zen part.
Once the travel day passed and we were able to be with family, I learned it’s good to get out of the routine and for me and my kids to experience new places, new people, even if it means having to shlep them and all our stuff cross country and that they didn’t sleep on the red-eye.

We went to Eco Village Ithaca for my sister in law’s high school graduation and brother in law’s coming of age ceremony.  Upstate New York is very different than California and it was great to see my kids play in a community where toys are shared right outside your front door,  where there are waterfalls nearby and where my son can pick strawberries from an organic garden.
                                       

Most importantly, always appreciate the moment.  With all the packing, nap schedules, etc.  I forgot why we were there in the first place to be with family.

But one of the most important lessons I didn’t learn until I returned home, it was the wisdom that came from my 15 year old brother in law’s coming of age ceremony.   I was too busy juggling the two kids at the time to notice what he had written down as his values and beliefs.

It is today’s zenspiration and I’d like to share it with you.

Be honest, no matter how difficult it may be, and no matter how much discomfort or consequences it may bring to you.

Be fair to all people and living things.

Respect all living things in order to be more respected, avoid creating enemies, help others feel valued, and set an example for others.

Be thoughtful of what you say. Your words can be a force for good or for creating harm.

Be confident in yourself, and show your confidence in others.

Be loyal to the people you love.

Know your goals and make them come true. Be aware of what’s motivating you.

Be strong in your loving; don’t let fear guide you.

Be awake to life in the present moment. Appreciate the process as much as the goal. Enjoy the little things. Be aware of what you’re thinking and feeling.

Live your life in harmony with all of these values and beliefs.

What are your values and beliefs?  With our busy lives, it’s so hard to even finish a thought sometimes. Take some time and and write yours down.  In the meantime,  happy travels this summer.

Baby’s First Trip

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The first year of your baby’s life is filled with firsts, but when is the best time to go on your first trip?  Doctors say newborns can fly anytime after two weeks, but many moms prefer to wait, unless they … Continue reading →

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