Detroit is on the rise, and there are plenty of exciting reasons to visit now. (Photo: Catch Carri) By Carri Wilbanks / Catch Carri It’s hard to think “Detroit” and picture green urban spaces, organic coffee shops, and gourmet restaurants, but the Motor City is undergoing a revitalization that could put it on the map as a hip city to visit this year. Though the city has suffered culturally and financially through the years, entrepreneurs and young professionals are slowly moving back and sparking positive change in the community. Here are ten reasons to put Detroit on your travel list right now: 1. The coffee scene could soon rival Portland’s. Great Lakes Coffee Roasting Company has been pouring organic, small-batch joe since 1999. (Photo: Catch Carri) Coffee lovers can get their fix at Great Lakes Coffee Roasting Company, an organic, small-batch coffee company located in a Midtown building that’s constructed mostly out of materials reclaimed from a demolished East Side Detroit home. A rotating menu of freshly roasted micro-lot, single-origin coffees are served throughout the week, but Great Lakes’ commitment to quality never changes — the business philosophy focuses on small-scale production, traditional techniques, and quality taste. Insider tip: try the cold-brewed coffee on draft. Located right across from Campus Martius Park, Roasting Plant is further evidence that good coffee might be fueling Detroit’s renaissance. The modern shop takes the science of coffee seriously, and beans are roasted fresh in-house every day. While there’s no denying that the coffee is strong and delicious, the real reason people keep coming back is probably the novelty ordering process. Once you pick which coffee you want, the beans are vacuum pumped through clear tubes, shooting right from the roaster to the brewer. It gives the place an industrial mad-scientist vibe and draws coffee connoisseurs back again and again. Related: 10 Best U.S. Cities to Visit with the Kids When you order at Roasting Plant, you’ll watch your beans shoot from their containers into the roaster. (Photo: Catch Carri) 2. The food is delicious. Serving arguably the best breakfast in Detroit, The Hudson Café opened in 2011 when owners Tom Teknos and Stavros Adamapoulos saw the city revitalizing. Their prediction paid off. Today, hungry patrons typically have to wait for a table on weekend mornings, though most agree: It’s worth the extra time just to get a bite of the spot’s famous red velvet pancakes ($9), which are drizzled with cream cheese and dusted with cocoa powder. Other popular items on the menu include the Very Berry Stuffed French Toast ($9.50) stuffed with banana cream cheese and topped with fresh berries, and the Voodoo Eggs Benedict ($9.50) made with corn cake, chorizo, cheddar, and a special house ranchero sauce that takes three hours to make. Vinsetta Garage is the oldest garage east of the Mississippi — today it dispenses comfort food instead of tune-ups. (Photo: Catch Carri) After 91 years as an auto repair shop and hot rod hangout, the well-known Vinsetta Garage on Woodward Avenue was overhauled in 2011 by investors who converted the building into a destination restaurant. While it looks mostly the same on the outside, complete with gas pumps and garage doors, the interior is now a very cool dining scene where patrons enjoy comfort foods like disco fries ($6.95), coal-fired bread sticks ($5.95) and hearty burgers ($12.95–$14.95). In the early 1900s, Greektown, located northeast of downtown along Monroe Avenue, was home to a large population of Greek immigrants and today the neighborhood is still known for its plethora of Greek restaurants, a few of which are still Greek-owned. The area has become a popular district for tourists and city residents alike, thanks to a casino, buildings modeled after Greek architectural icons like the Parthenon, and live music on summer nights. For cheap Greek eats, try Plaka Cafe, a diner-style restaurant serving Mediterranean dishes such as gyros and kebobs alongside American staples like burgers and French toast. Related: Foodie Bucket List: 12 Iconic Restaurants Worth Traveling for 3. Downtown is thriving. In the summer, Camp Martius Park is an urban beach; in the winter, it’s an ice-skating rink. (Photo: Catch Carri) Located smack dab in the middle of downtown Detroit, Campus Martius Park is a small but bustling public oasis that, since opening in 2004, has brought much-needed greenery and pedestrian traffic to the area. Today there’s always something going on: performances, a bar, yard games in the summer, an ice rink in the winter. The park, which was a drill ground for the militia in the 1700s, has become a favorite hangout for nearby office workers at lunchtime. In fact, the park itself has served as a catalyst for new construction — condominiums and new office spaces have sprung up here over the past few years. 4. The art scene has history, and a future. Tyree Guyton started turning junk into art back in 1986. Now his two-block installation is a popular tourist spot. (Photo: Catch Carri) The Heidelberg Project is an outdoor art project that began in 1986 when artist Tyree Guyton returned to Heidelberg, the street where he grew up on Detroit’s East Side, and found vacant lots filled with trash, abandoned cars, and homes in shambles. Hoping to transform the neighborhood and improve the community through art, Guyton began collecting the debris and turning trash into wacky and wonderful art projects. Today, the neighborhood, which is one of the most economically depressed in the country with unemployment rates of 75 percent, receives 275,000 annual visitors interested in checking out Guyton’s creations, like a colorful polka dot house and controversial pieces protesting everything from radiation to the tobacco industry and even Santa. Guyton’s quirky project is just one aspect of Detroit’s growing art scene. Artists from all over the country have been migrating here over the past few years, taking advantage of raw space, cheap rent, and the lure of a city on the cusp. In one notable example, Brooklyn’s Galapagos Art Space — which had moved into that city’s up-and-coming Williamsburg neighborhood 20 years ago — made news when its owner decided to relocate to Detroit. And why not? Detroit boasts two top-notch art schools, Cranbrook Academy of Art and College for Creative Studies and is home to one of the most underrated museums, the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit. It’s an art mecca waiting to happen. Related: The 10 Best Museums in the World on TripAdvisor The Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory on Belle Isle opened in 1904; it houses a collection of orchids and other plants. (Photo: Catch Carri) 5. There’s a green oasis in the middle of the river. For Detroiters seeking a bit of natural beauty, Belle Isle is a 987-acre island park in the middle of the Detroit River, complete with three lakes, a wooded area, and beautiful views of the skyline. Inside, find a zoo, conservatory, golf practice facility, aquarium, and maritime museum. On a nice weather day, families can escape the urban environment and enjoy a picnic on Detroit’s only public beach followed by a ride down a giant slide, which certainly isn’t for kids only. The Depot Museum is located in the actual depot where Thomas Edison worked as a news reporter from 1859 to 1863. (Photo: Catch Carri) 6. The city’s history (and soundtrack) is fascinating. Thomas Edison’s childhood home was in Port Huron, Michigan, and now the Thomas Edison Depot Museum tells his life story through exhibits, live presentations, and hands-on interactive experiences. The museum is inside the historic Fort Gratiot depot, which was built in 1858 and once served as a connection for trains carrying people and freight between Port Huron and Detroit — it was also the office where the young Edison worked as a news reporter. A restored baggage car rests on a track outside the depot, where visitors can see a re-creation of young Edison’s mobile chemistry lab and print shop. The three-story Detroit Historical Museum is the perfect place to immerse yourself in the history of the Motor City. The first level represents what the city’s streets have looked like over time, while on the second level visitors can see part of an automobile assembly line in action and even sit in a Model T. The museum’s exhibits also cover Detroit’s contributions to WWII, and the city’s period of innovation following the war that gave way to many of the modern items we use every day. It’s free to enter and provides interesting historical context for many of the other sights visitors will see in Detroit. And of course, Detroit is where Motown began, so you’ll find a ton of historic music venues here, several of which have hosted many a famous name throughout the years, from jazz and blues to hip-hop. Eminem got his start at The Shelter, and Ella Fitzgerald, Miles Davis, and Louis Armstrong all played at Baker’s Keyboard Lounge. There are many more live-music spots to choose from, but a good place to start is at the Motown Museum, where you can stand in Studio A and relive the moments that made Detroit the home of Hitsville USA. WATCH: 10 Years Post Katrina, NOLA’s House of Dance & Feathers Dances Back to Life Let Yahoo Travel inspire you every day. 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Getting up close and personal with an Alaskan glacier is a common bucket list adventure. (Photo: The Open Suitcase LLC) By Cathy Bennett Kopf/The Open Suitcase What’s more likely to happen? Completing your bucket list or competing on Dancing With The Stars? I think I can guess. If you’re like me, you completed the first draft of your bucket list and figured you’d check those trips off quickly. But life keeps putting up road blocks. And unless you’ve got a trust fund and don’t need to work, money and vacation time are in short supply. Related: 10 Ways to Actually Stick to Your Travel Budget One solution to these problems is winning the Mega Millions jackpot. I’ve got another way for you to take a bucket list adventure today and all you need is your library card. To help you plan your virtual trip of a lifetime, I consulted with Joy Weese Moll, a librarian who blogs about books, as well as travel. Boomers and millennials are beginning to panic about their bucket lists. With limited time and money for travel, is it possible to complete a virtual trip of a lifetime at your local library? Of course! Armchair travel is a long and grand tradition, presumably going back to a time when ramblers shared their adventures beside a campfire in front of a cave dwelling. In modern times, we can make virtual trips using stories, photographs, music, and film from the library. Tell me more about the resources you can find at the library to create a virtual bucket list adventure. Look for coffee table books with large-scale photographs, nonfiction books (I especially like books written by journalists or historians), and novels set in that virtual destination. Many libraries have books in multiple formats these days — print, large print, audio, e-book, and e-audio book. Choose your favorite. Besides books, many libraries have substantial video collections that include documentaries and foreign films. Libraries also provide CDs so your reading can be accompanied by music of the region. Take a look at the databases and software offered on your library’s website. You can collect magazine articles about your destination, explore interactive and multimedia encyclopedia entries, and maybe even learn a new language. Related: The Greatest Travel Stories Ever Told I’ve taken a couple of big, bucket list trips and was overwhelmed. Would a virtual adventure help me develop any skills I could use to ease my planning anxiety? I can think of three areas where a virtual trip can provide confidence for a real one: •Packing. The more you know of a place, the better you’re able to make decisions about what to take and what to leave behind. Even fiction can help here. If a character is constantly running in and out of a pharmacy, then I know I don’t have to pack my whole medicine cabinet just in case of a minor medical emergency. •Place-finding. By reading a book with a map in hand (or on the computer), I familiarize myself with the landscape. My ability to use that map is improved — and, also, my ability to find my way based on the map in my head. This mustard shop in Ghent, Belgium, was set up like an old-fashioned apothecary. Each jar was filled by hand and then wrapped in decorative paper. (Photo: The Open Suitcase LLC) •Communicating. Travel, whether virtual or real-life, exposes us to new cultures. The more we understand different cultures, the better we can communicate with others, even across language barriers. French movies, for example, show all the steps of a polite interchange with a Parisian shopkeeper — several steps more than we typically take in the U.S. I’m ready to go! Can you give me some itineraries for virtual bucket list adventures? Sure! How about a visit to the Galapagos Islands? You’ll want to read The Origin of Species by Charles Darwin — I promise it’s not as intimidating as it sounds. The Galápagos: Exploring Darwin’s Tapestry by John Hess, a stunning coffee table book with excellent scientific explanations, is a helpful companion to Darwin’s own words. For something a little different, try Kurt Vonnegut’s novel Galápagos, where a vacation cruise becomes the apocalyptic event for a new turn in human evolution. Film documentaries on the Galapagos are readily available — check out Galápagos: The Islands That Changed the World, distributed by BBC World. Related: A Bucket-List Guide to Seeing the Galapagos Alternatively, let’s take an exotic journey along Asia’s Silk Road. Let’s start with a musical soundtrack for this one — Silk Road Journeys: When Strangers Meet by Yo-Yo Ma. Add a classic poem, “Kubla Khan” by Samuel Coleridge. Now let’s put a little realism onto our dream; two books I’d recommend are Marco Polo: The Journey That Changed the World by John Man and On the Noodle Road: From Beijing to Rome, with Love and Pasta by Jen Lin-Liu. Now, we’ve got all the atmosphere of traveling the Silk Road, complete with food! It seems too easy. No packing. Your vacation days remain intact. And it’s free. Well, almost. You may have to resolve some overdue library fines. What’s the most inspiring travel book you’ve read?

With no forms of modern entertainment, the Dukha people live a life of simplicity and necessity. For this three-year-old girl, riding a reindeer is not only fun, but also an important skill to learn. (Photo: Jarryd Salem/NOMADasaurus) By Jarryd Salem and Alesha Bradford / NOMADasaurus In an isolated corner of northern Mongolia, straddling the border of Russian Siberia, a small but remarkable community makes it home on the sprawling tundra. The Dukha people, who number around 500, live a remote nomadic life, migrating from place to place in search of valuable resources. They are notably different from other nomadic tribes because of the livestock they keep: not yaks, camels, goats or horses, but reindeer. Also known as the Tsaatan people, these reindeer herders have been attracting international attention over the past few years for their unique and unchanged way of life. On our recent trip to Mongolia, we traveled north from the town of Moron by van to meet up with a nomadic family. We rented their horses and took a two-day trek to reach the distant taiga, camping along the way. Once we arrived we stayed with Magsar, Amgaa, and their family of three. We spent three nights learning about their culture, helping with daily chores, herding the reindeer, and simply experiencing how life goes on in the taiga. While not everything went smoothly, it was by far the most rewarding and memorable time of our travels. This is our photo journey to the Tsaatan reindeer herders. The stampede The reindeer roam free during the day. (Photo: Alesha Bradford / NOMADasaurus) Sunset on the horse line We began our journey with a ten-hour car ride to a tiny nomadic ger camp outside the village of Ulaan Uul. We arrived just in time to watch the sunset, and then fell asleep on the floor of the ger surrounded by the family. (Photo: Alesha Bradford / NOMADasaurus) Rest and recuperation The first day’s horse trek was exhausting and far from ideal. We followed a road through infinite steppe for more than eight hours. Underneath a pounding sun, with an inadequate water supply, we were forced to stop for countless rest breaks. Later we found out that our horse guides had taken us the wrong direction, therefore exposing us to unnecessary hours of trekking. (Photo: Alesha Bradford / NOMADasaurus) Finding the way through the forest On the second day we finally reached the pine forests (which, we were told, we should have been horse trekking through the entire time). Our friends had turned back due to a pre-exisiting injury, leaving just the two of us to continue on toward the taiga. Once we had left the steppe the scenery, and our moods, improved dramatically. (Photo: Jarryd Salem / NOMADasaurus) Climbing the mountain pass We rode through an intense storm which left the ground saturated and perilously muddy. Near the end of seven hours wandering, we reached the final hill to climb before we would arrive at the fabled taiga. (Photo: Alesha Bradford / NOMADasaurus) A welcome sight The first time we rode into the camp of Magsar, Amgaa and their family, we were confronted with a herd of reindeer relaxing at dusk. It’s a sight that will stay with us forever. (Photo: Alesha Bradford / NOMADasaurus) Where the reindeer roam We were given an option of pitching our tent for free or staying in a spare teepee, known as an ortz, for $10 a night. We were more than happy to help contribute some money directly to the family and chose the teepee. Completely surreal. (Photo: Jarryd Salem / NOMADasaurus) Pets or livestock? The Tsaatan people treat their reindeer like members of the family, as they are their primary source of food, milk, tools (made from their antlers), and transport. They very rarely eat reindeer meat — the animals are more valuable to them alive than dead. Surprisingly the reindeer are completely tame, and used to human interaction. (Photo: Jarryd Salem / NOMADasaurus) The future reindeer queen We awoke on our first morning and saw that the neighbors were packing up their camp. We wandered over to say hi and met this gorgeous three-year-old girl riding her white reindeer. We chatted to her mother with sign language and hand signals, and found out she had been riding independently from the age of one. (Photo: Jarryd Salem / NOMADasaurus) Such the poser The girl was so photogenic. When we tried to photograph another reindeer she hopped off of hers and ran over to pose for the shot. (Photo: Jarryd Salem / NOMADasaurus) Packing up camp Living as truly nomadic people, the Tsaatans pack their camps up and move from place to place searching for the special kind of lichen that their reindeer feed on. Their main method for transport is reindeer, of course. (Photo: Alesha Bradford / NOMADasaurus) Leading the herd A day in the life of the Tsaatan community is unique to anything you could experience elsewhere. In the morning the reindeer are milked and then set free to wander the taiga. They show up periodically during the day and the herders tend to them as needed. (Photo: Alesha Bradford / NOMADasaurus) No fancy fishing gear required The diet of the Tsaatan people consists primarily of dairy products made from reindeer milk, reindeer meat, berries, and bread. Another welcome staple is fish, which the men catch with their bare hands. Here you can see the two sons of the family trying their luck at catching dinner. (Photo: Jarryd Salem / NOMADasaurus) Teach a man to fish… Magsar proudly showing off his daily catch. Dinner was delicious that night. (Photo: Jarryd Salem / NOMADasaurus) Food preparation, Tsaatan style The people here are always busy. The women are constantly cooking and caring for the children, or running around with the reindeer. Here Amgaa is making fresh reindeer cheese and butter over a wood fire stove. With only one stove for cooking and providing heat, this is in constant use. (Photo: Alesha Bradford / NOMADasaurus) Man’s best friend Dog and reindeer coexist in harmony up in the taiga. (Photo: Alesha Bradford / NOMADasaurus) True happiness In the evenings the reindeer come trotting back to their home like clockwork. The family then collects the reindeer and ties them to stakes in the ground for the night. We were put to work by the kids, and were happy to help. The reindeer were not shy, and would nuzzle us with their furry antlers while licking us all over. Lesh lost it laughing as this one kept nibbling on her arm. (Photo: Jarryd Salem / NOMADasaurus) Meeting of the men Just before the sun set, Magsar and the boys would come into our ortz and light a fire for us. The nights were incredibly cold up in the taiga, and Magsar ensured we had enough wood to keep us going through most of the night. Once the fire was lit we would always sit and joke around, despite us not being able to speak to the same language. (Photo: Alesha Bradford / NOMADasaurus) Teepee sunset The sky turns crimson as night falls over the taiga. (Photo: Alesha Bradford / NOMADasaurus) Stars of the taiga A reindeer-inspired sunset shot on our final evening. (Photo: Jarryd Salem / NOMADasaurus) Racing to the finish line On our last night all the reindeer were tied up and everyone was getting ready for bed. Magsar then walked up to his largest and strongest reindeer and untied it. I said to him, “Wow Magsar, that one is big”, and he simply smiled. He slapped it on the back, looked at me and motioned to get on. Grabbing the rope I swung my legs over and Magsar gave the reindeer a slap on the butt. As it galloped off with me bouncing on top I could hear Magsar laughing hysterically. A moment I will never forget. (Photo: Alesha Bradford / NOMADasaurus) Brotherly love While riding a reindeer was a novelty for me, it is standard practice for the Tsaatan people. (Photo: Alesha Bradford / NOMADasaurus) Snow white The reindeer do not resist when you tie them up at night. They know they are protected and have no reason to run. (Photo: Alesha Bradford / NOMADasaurus) Ride for a reason A young boy from another camp that we visited, happily posed for shots. His clothes and hat were his everyday wear. (Photo: Alesha Bradford / NOMADasaurus) The bull Every winter the antlers fall off of the reindeer, and grow back larger every summer. Full adult males look quite imposing with their branch-like horns, and it is not uncommon to meet many reindeer that have had their antlers broken from fighting. (Photo: Alesha Bradford / NOMADasaurus) Master of his domain Magsar poses with his favorite reindeer. (Photo: Jarryd Salem / NOMADasaurus) New friends On our last day Magsar and I were chatting. He said in broken English, “Next year, come back.” When I told him that we could not, he nodded. “Okay, two years come back. With baby.” (Photo: Alesha Bradford / NOMADasaurus) WATCH: How to Be a True Nomad: Milking Camels in Mongolia Let Yahoo Travel inspire you every day. Hang out with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest. Check out our original adventure travel series A Broad Abroad.

Photos courtesy of Jessica Festa Whenever mentioning Red Hook – a Brooklyn neighborhood I’d never visited until now – I was always told it was “industrial and cool” but “way too difficult to get to.” After making the trip from Bushwick myself, I now realize my friends are really, really lazy. Okay, taking a bus or walking a mile from the subway isn’t ideal but…really? The way people talk they make it sound like a journey to the Arctic. My trip was simple: take the G-Train toward Church Street, exit at the Smith-9th Station and walk approximately one mile through the Carroll Gardens neighborhood to reach Red Hook, an up-and-coming neighborhood with so much to offer, especially in terms of views, art and, the best part, food and drink. Here’s how I spent an awesome day getting drunk and fat in Red Hook, an itinerary I hope you’ll copy during your trip to NYC. Tip: Need a NYC tour guide? Check out Jessie on a Journey custom tours and photo safaris for your next trip and see New York through the eyes of a local. A Mapqest map of my walking route from the subway station to Fairway History Let’s start with a little history lesson of Red Hook, named for its shape (“hoek” means “point” in Dutch) and red clay soil, as the neighborhood has plenty of it. There was a time when the cobbled streets we see today were mainly swampland known as Cypress Tree Island. As the area was relatively high in elevation – 40 to 50 feet – George Washington ordered Fort Defiance to be built here, outfitted with four cannons in an effort to dismay British troops during the American Revolution. This is why you’ll find many Red Hook streets named after Revolutionary War generals, as well as information displays around the neighborhood. For more information, check out Red Hook History, Red Hook Justice and Red Hook, Brooklyn: A rich seafaring history, organized crime and the isolation of a beleaguered neighborhood. Now, on to the eats! A Gourmet Supermarket Meal Confession: I’ve never been to Whole Foods (the horror!). I go to Mr. Kiwi, the Bushwick version of an organic grocery with about 1% of the selection – and 1% of the price — of Whole Foods. So I don’t know if I’m just clueless, but Red Hook’s Fairway Market is pretty damn awesome. Fairway Market. Photo courtesy of Jessica Festa. They’ve got a chopped salad station, a hot and cold buffet, tons of local purveyor products, a wood fire-oven pizza station, their own in-house coffee roaster and a dizzying array of bean choices from around the world, plus normal supermarket fare. Best of all, in the back there’s an indoor/outdoor patio on the water with shaded picnic tables where you can eat your gourmet supermarket meal while watching the New York Water Taxi sail away to the neighboring IKEA. There are even gardens lining the patio and tons of small birds. It’s urban au naturale at it’s finest. Despite adorable nearby restaurants like The Good Fork (they serve bibimbop, my favorite!), Brooklyn Crab and Hometown BBQ I decided to start with a Fairway meal on the water. Hey, some of us have a $7,000-out-of-pocket surgery to pay for next week. Adorable restaurants around Red Hook. Photo courtesy of Jessica Festa. I actually ended up spending a bit more than I was hoping for a grocery store meal, but that’s because I opted for the dangerous $7.99/pound buffet. My total for the below came to $9.50, although I didn’t have to tip which was nice. There are cheaper Fairway options though if you’re not craving chicken Marsala and tomato mozzarella. My food and the view from my Fairway table. Photos courtesy of Jessica Festa. A Parking Lot With A View Red Hook isn’t just known for its supermarkets, but also it’s parking lots. No joke. Next to Fairway the parking lot is attached to a tiny park with a stellar view of the Statue of Liberty on the horizon. It’s definitely a great photo opp! A panorama of my parking lot view. Photo courtesy of Jessica Festa. Moreover, the park links up with a path that takes you straight to one of the boozy stops on this tour: Brooklyn Wine Gets Weird While I’d never been, I knew of Red Hook Winery as id done a story on one of the former staff members, who recently opened the world’s first commercially viable rooftop vineyard. I was excited to try the wines coming from the establishment molding such forward-thinking minds. So Red Hook Winery is super not easy to find. You that path coming from the parking lot park I mentioned above? I didn’t know about it until after the fact. Even if you take the street paths it’s not far at all; however, the route isn’t obvious. After getting lost numerous times I called, and realized that while Yelp tells you it’s on Van Dyke it’s actually on a pier off Van Dyke, which you can access by making a right off Van Dyke onto Barnell and following the tasting room signs. Industrial-meets-countryside at Red Hook Winery I’m glad I finally found it, as my experience was awesome. I opted for a three 1-ounce tastings for $8, letting my server surprise me with the selections. While I probably wouldn’t purchase what he chose, each was very interesting, made with only New York grapes, produced and bottled at the winery, and unlike any wines I’d ever tasted. This is because the three wine-makers all have completely different styles, allowing for fun collaboration for tasting room creations. The first was a “Nereides of the East,” a uber complex blend of Chenin Blanc and Chardonnay, spontaneously fermented with wild yeast in neutral oak. Red Hook Winery. Photo courtesy of Jessica Festa. Next I had a Macari “Die Welt des Mondes,” a skin-fermented orange wine with toffee on the nose but dry as a bone. Not my typical style, but I was feeling adventurous. I’d definitely recommend for the venturesome palate. Planting outside Red Hook Winery. Photo courtesy of Jessica Festa. I finish with what becomes my favorite of the day, a full-bodied Cabernet-Merlot blend called Twenty One: Twenty Four, named after the military time of the moment Superstorm Sandy wiped out Red Hook Winery and the rest of Pier 41, 9:24pm. Twenty One: Twenty Four as well as League of the Storm were two wines bottled after Sandy using the small amount of wine that wasn’t destroyed and very limited resources. Can you imagine making wine without electricity using buckets and headlamps?! What’s really fun is their wine-choosing process, beginning with an informal interview of sorts to understand your palate and then tailoring to that, but also challenging you. I also met some cool acquaintances at the bar, reminding me why I love Brooklyn so much – many people here are actually friendly! A Swingle With Lady Liberty Afterward it was time to satiate my sweet tooth at Steve’s Authentic Key Lime Pies, located in a street art-covered warehouse on the water. Although there are colorful picnic tables out front, I fill my water bottle – they fill them for free – order my Swingle and head to the adjacent Louis Valentino Junior Park, where I gaze out over Lady Liberty among kayakers and fishermen. Wait, what the heck is a Swingle? A Swingle and a Statue. What a pairing!. Photo courtesy of Jessica Festa. Looking back from the park at Steve’s Authentic Key Lime Pies. Photo courtesy of Jessica Festa. I’m glad you asked! The short version: heaven on a stick for just $6.50. The long version: a key lime pie made with homegrown key limes – you can see them growing out front – hand-dipped in chocolate and frozen. It’s even bit as tangy and sweet as it sounds. If I could describe my perfect day, it would be sucking on a Swingle and gazing out at Lady Liberty across the East River. Sigh. Where Chocolate Meets Booze I couldn’t relax too long, though, as I had more chocolate and booze to inhale at Cacao Prieto, 100% worth the sugar coma I was inducing into my body. But there is a healthy twist, here, at least I like to tell myself that. Here, single origin Dominican cacao and antioxidant-rich spirits are served side-by-side and sometimes intermixed. Cacao Prieto. Photos courtesy of Jessica Festa. As the name states, cacao — the main ingredient of chocolate — is a major focus of Cacao Prieto. Their chocolate is 72% Dark, which is surprisingly not bitter due to their Vortex Winnower, a machine developed by Aerospace Engineer owner Daniel Prieto Preston to better separate sweet nibs from bitter shells. Additionally, because the beans aren’t fumigated the chocolate is one of the only 100% Pesticide-free chocolate bars on the market. While you may have heard dark chocolate has certain health benefits — like being good for your heart, improving cognitive function and being full of free radical-fight antioxidants — these advantages are also present in Cacao Prieto’s liquors. This is because their distilling process is unique in that it incorporates the antioxidants from their raw organic cacao. Sample their Don Rafael Cacao Rum made with delicious flavors of pure chocolate and coffee, or their Don Estaban Cacao Liqueur featuring tastes of dark chocolate, toffee, vanilla bean, toasted marshmallow and pepper. And of course, a tour of the facilities can really bring all the information – and deliciousness – to life. Have you visited Red Hook, Brooklyn? What would you add to the above itinerary? Please share in the comments below. *This post originally appeared on Jessie on a Journey Also Check Out: An Unforgettable Guide To My Favorite Brooklyn Neighborhoods Not For Tourists Guide to Brooklyn 2015 by Not For Tourists Girl Meets Voyage Travel Wallet

by Meagen Collins & Tom Williams / Travel Freedom Podcast Life is like a camel. You can make it do anything - except back up. I remember how excited I was. It was March (2015) and we had just confirmed our 2 day camel trek to the Sahara desert. What a massive bucket list item to check off your list - right? Lets just say yes and no…. Was it an amazing, incredible, life changing experience - Yes. A thousand times Yes! Did we realise at the time how incredibly uncomfortable, painful and all round grumpy pains in the butt camels are? Nope - we had no idea. Boy were we in for a lesson learned, the hard way. We had teamed up with a local tour company for our journey, and upon meeting the owner Mohamed, he warned us that people who book the 2 night camel tour usually come home early. We were shocked - how could anyone quit and come back early from the Sahara Desert? Are they mad??? Nope - it just turns out that: 1. It’s pretty freakin’ hot out there during the day (it is a desert after all) 2. The serious amounts of bum ouchies you will endure riding a camel, is enough for anyone to quit half way through and say “that’s it, I’m out, send out the rescue team now please!” Ok fair enough, it was only really bad on the last leg back to the home base in the town of Merzouga. But seriously, it was ouchie!!! Even with the sore butts we are proud to say we did survive the entire trip - and it was one that we will remember for the rest of our lives. Why? Well I could ramble on here for ages, but instead of telling you - let me show you. 15 Photos to Inspire You to Experience Camel Riding in The Sahara Desert Morocco Day One - look how happy we look to be on top of our camels Jimmy Hendrix and Omar Sharif - Just loving it! This is before any of the serious ouchies had set in . We had to wait until late afternoon before we could set off with our guide Mohamed (a different Mohamed to before - not surprisingly there’s a lot of Mohamed’s in Morocco) towards our campsite. This meant it was cooler, and we would arrive just in time to capture some afternoon sunset shots. Sadly for us it was cloudy and a bit crappy weather wise. But it’s the Sahara Desert - I don’t think it’s possible to take a bad photo out here! At the camp site we were seriously expecting to have a couple of mats rolled out on the floor for us, but we were surprised to find our tent fully decked out with a bed and linen. And we have to admit that the view from our door was not one that you get to experience every day…. Day 2 - and we knew that we were off to local berber home ( to escape the heat of the day. Berbers are the traditionally nomadic people of the land who descend from the pre - Arab inhabitants of North Africa. So, climbing back onto our trusty steeds (the burping, farting, crapping camels) we set off, so we could relax under the branches of one of the only shady trees in the area. Not only had we been told were were going to be treated to Berber pizza (Pizza, Yay!) but this day we were excited as the weather had cleared to near perfection. Not knowing if the weather was going to turn hazy again, we knew that this was the opportunity to grab some stunning photos. Our guide Mohamed was awesome and helped us get some incredibly beautiful shots. For those wondering, yes all food and water is included in the tour package. Muhammad cooked us breakfast and dinner and we were actually really impressed. It was certainly one of the better tagines we had had in Morocco. And of course - there was the Berber pizza…. Sadly lacking my favourite part of pizza - cheese. But it was still super tasty with a few choice moroccan spices It was while we were here that the original Mohammad turned up on quad bike to deliver us a couple of frozen bottles of water - what a LEGEND! It’s amazing when you are out in the desert how much a frozen bottle of water becomes your new best friend and snuggle buddy. Oh I wrapped it up in my arms like a teddy bear and soaked up its cool. Once the hottest part of the day faded, it was back on the camels and back to our campsite for an early night as tomorrow it was time for the sunrise shots. Now if you’ve read our blog before you might know that we hate getting up early, and our track records with sunrises have not been great. Ankor Wat….hazy. Bagan in Myanmar…meh. We didn’t have high hopes for the Sahara sunrise to be honest. As I said before it had previously been incredibly hazy, and even though we had had one good day - we had no idea how the weather would turn. Dragging ourselves out of bed in the pre dawn darkness we knew we had a bit of time to grab some breakfast before we had to haul ourselves up a huge sand dune, and hope that we would get a good sunrise show. Ladies & Gentleman my faith in sunrises has been restored! We were treated to the most spectacular sunrise I have ever seen. And as the sand changed colour and the shadows changed before our eyes, we sat in awe of the beauty of The Sahara Desert. To say we were on a high after that sunrise is an understatement. Mohammad pretty much had to come and drag us back down the sand dune, as we wanted to stay and take photos - but he wanted to leave and head back to Merzouga before the day got too hot. I also may have been putting off climbing back onto my camel Jimmy Hendrix as by this time I was feeling pretty battered and bruised from the previous rides. Serious Glutimus-Painimus! But even though I was dreading that ride back, did I regret going on a 2 night camel trek in the Sahara Desert? Not a chance - and I’d do it again. You can go out in 4WD or on quad bikes or dirt bikes, but the scenery just flies by. If you want to truly soak in your surroundings, the only way to get a true Sahara Desert experience is on the back of a grumpy farting, uncomfortable camel. You’ve just gotta do it.

Dandelion, Red Violet, or Yellow Green? Decisions, decisions; Dandelion wins out. It’s a color and a flower that gets little respect in life, so I might as well use it. This is what my day has been reduced to when on an unplugged vacation – coloring. And I’m pretty damn happy with it. After all, coloring takes you back to your childhood roots; a time when things were simple and days were full of fun, smiles, and laughs. It’s been so long that I’ve used crayons that I didn’t even know they had become worldly! Coloring is now multilingual. Next to Dandelion on the crayon was written diente de leon & pissen lit, Red Violet was violeta rojizo & violet-rouge, and Yellow Green was followed by verde amarillo & vert-jaune. I was pleasantly surprised and equally intrigued with this new international Crayola! I wondered to myself if I would have taken French more seriously in high school had I been exposed to it on crayons when a toddler. Coloring off the grid In addition to pondering crayons and language, I had ample time to ponder life in general at 9,700 feet. I was staying at Harry Gates Hut in the Colorado Rockies just outside of Aspen. The hut was part of the 10th Mountain Division Hut to Hut system that runs from Aspen to Eagle or Aspen to Vail. It’s a series of 20 to 30 Colorado mountain cabins that are strategically placed approximately 6 miles apart so that it’s possible to traverse the area on foot or via backcountry skiing in the winter from hut to hut. The huts are quite basic facilities, there’s no plumbing (outhouse toilets only), they are heated by stoves, and most all of them are off the grid so leave the cell phones at home! Each hut has 15 to 20 beds that can be reserved for a night or multiple nights for $35 a night per bed. You share the kitchen facilities with others staying in the hut, but can cook your own meals. Clean up after yourself, and share in the responsibilities of mountain cabin living with the other people who have rented beds. Get to know your cabin mates in shared areas of the cabin Hut Makeover Just like ‘real people’ in the pages of a magazine, these basic and rustically beautiful huts can be made over into luxury stays quite easily. Instead of a makeup and hair artist, all you need are the Aspen Alpine Guides who will happily let you lux up your hut experience to your taste. I was traveling with a number of writers and we were treated to the deluxe makeover. Steve from Aspen Alpine guides organized everything and provided all gear including toasty warm sleeping bags. They rented the entire hut for two days, invited a local chef, a masseuse, a yoga teacher, and a number of hiking guides to accompany us…and SHAZAM…we had a luxury mountain cabin experience despite no running water and an outhouse! Get your mountain zen doing a little outdoor yoga Hiking, Huffing, Puffing, and Chanting The landscape in Colorado beckons you – it didn’t take us long to get out hiking. Under the guidance of the Aspen Guides we took off for the waterfall through the green rolling valleys that surrounded us. It was super to not have to think about what trail to take or where to go, I could just turn my brain off and follow for a while. After the waterfall we broke into smaller groups to go different routes and I hiked with Avery, a Coloradan, and our guide Heidi, a professional climber. Who needs a cell phone or internet when you have this? I start to fall behind Heidi and Avery’s pace; breathing heavy trying to find oxygen at 9,000 to 10,000 ft. With every step and every breath I realize there’s not enough oxygen for me to keep up this pace with the two Colorado women, so I happily fall behind and go slower giving me a chance to take in the scenery and think. The valley is green and filled with yellow wildflowers. The sun continues to dance in and out of the clouds in a complex tango. I like being behind, going at a slower pace, being an observer. Suddenly Heidi and Avery stop and wait for me to catch up. I greet their grins with heavy breathing. “We have an idea, “ Heidi says excitedly, “but we don’t know if you are going to like it.” I’m a bit nervous, but intrigued as I love trying new things. “I’m game for anything,” I reply. “Do you know about chanting?” she asks. Soon I find myself sitting cross-legged in a meadow surrounded by daisies moving my hands in an upward prayer positions and then diving downwards chanting words/sounds that I knew nothing about. “It’ll last 11 minutes and it’s supposed to help clear your mind, “ Avery explained when I asked the inevitable question of “why?” As I’m chanting I’m thinking about the 11 minutes, I’m thinking about how the area between my shoulder blades hurt, my apple in my bag, I wonder what the words mean, I think about what I have to pack for my next trip; I’m clearly not clearing my mind. Yet for a short moment I got lost in it, sort of as if I was sleepy and nodding off. Yet the words were still coming out and my arms were still moving. Suddenly it was done and the sounds still rang through my head as we got up, put back on our packs and kept going. It was like a little half-time show in the middle of our hike. These Colorado women were intriguing; “I like people who push my boundaries” I think as I continue to fall behind them again on the trail. Hut Chic Vietnamese Banh Mi - not your typical camping food! You’ve heard of Shabby Chic decor, the mix of old shabby pieces made to look hip; we had our own version of Hut Chic going on with a chef cooking up gourmet food in a rustic hut environment. Chef Barclay Dodge doesn’t need running water or electricity to cook up an amazing feast for hungry hikers, all he needs are locally sourced ingredients from the Roaring Fork Valley and a little pre-planning. As we came back from our hike Chef Barclay (who looked like Dennis Quaid) was putting his final touches on a feast of Vietnamese Banh Mi sandwiches, deviled eggs, homemade potato chips, and fresh fruit salad. In a hut chic way it was a menu with the perfect mix of wilderness hut and ethnic gourmet. Before we dug into his masterpiece, he explained that all of the ingredients were locally grown or produced. Chef Barclay even made the pate for the Banh Mi sandwiches himself. Like any good camp menu, he had simply prepared a menu ahead that was 75% completed and all he had to do was put the items together once in the hut or cook them up. Chef Barclay at work The food orgy didn’t stop there, later that day we continued with the local theme; happy hour drinks with Colorado craft beer and distilled spirits from Woody Creek Distillery near Aspen. And Chef Barclay went complete chic gourmet with a dinner of grilled asparagus with lemon dressing & shallots, sugar snap pea risotto, and marinated & grilled pork loin. Then we all went out to gaze at the night sky with more after dinner drinks by the campfire before returning to our sleeping bags and bunks. The hut to hut system in Colorado can provide any level of comfort you desire, and it will most definitely get you closer to nature and the opportunity to get to the backcountry of Colorado. And no matter what level of comfort you choose for your hut experience – independent, guided, or the lux hut makeover, you will get some much needed time off the grid to soak up nature, do a little yoga, try some chanting, and sit around the campfire doing nothing. I love days when my biggest decision I have to make is what color should I use… Dandelion, Red Violet, or Yellow Green? After all, it is Color-ado. How You Can Recreate My Trip Hut rental with 10th Division Hut Association Stay in the hut we stayed in – Harry Gates Hut Lux it up with Aspen Alpine Guides

Dawn Patrol in the early morning at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta (Photo: Christian Carollo/Say Hello to America) By Christian Carollo/Say Hello to America The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta kicks off this weekend in New Mexico, and will continue through October 11. This is the most photographed event in the world —and one of the largest ballooning festivals — with more than 700 specimens launching over Balloon Fiesta Park. It can be a little intimidating figuring out how to best experience such a huge festival —and you should definitely experience it. To help maximize your time and explain the awesomeness in store, I’ve collected some insider tips from my own experience and others’. 4:15 a.m. – Rise & Shine! Getting up this early may sound rough, but trust me, it will all be worth it. The first order of business after waking up is to check the weather report. The conditions for a balloon launch have to be near perfect, so unfortunately a lot of the events run the risk of being cancelled. You can find updates and cancellations on the Balloon Fiesta website, on Twitter, or on any local news station. Once you confirm the morning events are still taking place, quickly get ready, making sure to dress in layers as it can be very chilly with temperatures in the 40-degree range. Try to be on 25 North out of Albuquerque by 4:45 a.m., to avoid as much traffic as possible going into Balloon Fiesta Park. From my experience, it was best to take the Alameda Exit (#233), then San Mateo Boulevard to the Park entrance. You should be parked and out of your car by no later than 5:30, if all goes well. Keep in mind: parking is $10 and admission is $8. Morning Glow in the early morning hours at Balloon Fiesta Park (Photo: Christian Carollo/Say Hello to America) 6 a.m. – Dawn Patrol & Morning Glow Remember when I said getting up early would be worth it? Well, this is when that statement starts to become a reality. Just picture a choreographed scene of a dozen balloons inflating and launching to music in total darkness; the glow from the balloons’ burners paints a brilliant tapestry of color against the black sky. I have to admit that the sound of the inflating balloons and bright glow of the burners is pretty spectacular to see for the first time, especially since you can be standing right among the balloons. The other pilots are thankful for this early morning launch because it gives them a good indication of the wind speeds and directions. Related: Let’s Get (Really) High: World’s Best Hot Air Ballooning Spots 7 a.m. – Mass Ascension Mass Ascension is the reason why you’re here! Around this time, crews will begin preparing the balloons for launch. One of the coolest aspects of the Balloon Fiesta is that you are able to walk among the balloons and talk to the pilots. It’s quite an experience to be surrounded by hundreds of balloons as they inflate before your eyes and lift off into the sky. There are two waves of launches, led by a single balloon flying the American flag to the tune of “The Star Spangled Banner.” There are three ways to experience Mass Ascension: wander among the balloons in the launch field, view all 700-plus balloons from a hill at the north end of Balloon Fiesta Park, or bring a lawn chair and watch the festivities from the edge of the field. If you can only be there for one day, my recommendation is to start by viewing from the hill and then make your way down to the launch field. The Main Event: Mass Ascension (Photo: Christian Carollo/Say Hello to America) To start the day’s festivities, a balloon raises the flag while the national anthem plays. (Photo: Christian Carollo/Say Hello to America) 10 a.m. – Wander & Explore Most of the balloons have launched and are now floating over the Albuquerque landscape, so this would be a good time to check out the merchandise tents or grab one of the popular breakfast burritos from the many food concessions that are lined up along “Main Street.” Related: 10 Strange Facts About Hot Air Balloons Two other options for you to consider: 1) The Balloon Discovery Center at the north end of Main Street, where you can learn all about the sport of ballooning. Hours are 6–11 a.m. and 3:30–7p.m, and admission is free with a general admission ticket to the festival ($8, children under 12 free). 2) The Anderson Abruzzo International Balloon Museum at the south end of the park. Admission is $4. If neither of these interest you, then head back to explore Albuquerque! You’ll have quite a spectacle as you drive south on the highway, as many of the balloons are still floating or beginning to descend all around you. One of the many unique shaped balloons. (Photo: Christian Carollo/Say Hello to America) This is one of the few balloon festivals that allows you to walk among the balloons. (Photo: Christian Carollo/Say Hello to America) 4 p.m. – Evening Session Head back to Balloon Fiesta Park to make sure you’re parked and on time for the Balloon Glow. You should have some time before the Glow begins, so grab some dinner at one of the food vendors along Main Street, where you have options of BBQ, Mexican, turkey legs, and the standard hot dogs, hamburgers, and pizza. 6 p.m. – Balloon Glow The Mass Ascension is an incredible sight to behold, but the Balloon Glow might be the best event at the Balloon Fiesta. Hundreds of balloons inflate and, at the end of a countdown, all of the pilots ignite their burners at the same time. It really is breathtaking to see the entire field flickering with color! For this event, you must claim a spot at the top of the hill. Be sure to get up there early because all of the best viewing spots will fill up very quickly. Related: Cappadocia Dreaming: Turkey’s Hot Air Balloon Adventures Balloon Glow is the best part of the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. (Photo: Christian Carollo/Say Hello to America) 8 p.m. – AfterGlow Fireworks Show A lot of people try to beat the traffic by leaving right before the fireworks show. It seemed like a good idea so I followed their lead, but I could not have been more wrong. I didn’t manage to avoid the traffic and what I viewed from my car was one of the best fireworks shows I have ever seen. I can’t stress enough: Stay for the fireworks!

By Lindsay Taub, Voyage Vixens We had just arrived at a tiny dirt path runway somewhere in the middle of Tanzania near the Serengeti for a flight that would take us to Kitchwa Tembo, Kenya. There, we would finish out our safari adventures in the Masai Mara before heading back to Nairobi and ultimately home. We’d been in Africa for about 12 days at this point. At each airport stop, we took photos to memorialize the moment. This one was no different. I got out my camera, went to snap a shot of the little 4-seater plane that was arriving, and “beep, beep, beep!” No SD card. My heart started to race. Where did it go? Had I forgotten that I’d removed it? Had I already downloaded the photos? And then I remembered. I had put it in my pants pocket the night before because I had been planning to upload them onto my laptop, but then we were enjoying the fire and dancing and conversation so much, that the only thing I took my computer out for was to play “Where the Lion Sleeps Tonight” for our new Masaai friends. It must still be in my pocket, I thought. I dug through my tiny bag (on safari your luggage must weigh less than 30 pounds), so there weren’t a lot of places it could go. I went through the pockets of the pants I’d worn the night before. I tried the pockets of my sweatshirt. No luck. I unpacked the entire bag, khaki pants and insect shield shirts splayed all over the Land Rover for all to see me in my now-state-of-panic. IT’S NOT HERE. Tears began welling up. It was the moment all travelers and photographers dread. The last two days of photos while on safari in the Serengeti - during the Great Migration - were gone. The morning had begun like every other while at AndBeyond’s Serengeti Under Canvas camp. Mauran, our handsome and soft-spoken Maasai warrior woke us with coffee and a quiet “good morning.” We enjoyed some final moments with the warm staff at the camp and got ready to leave the serenity of the Serengeti to continue our journey. Bouncing up and down and all around on the dirt roads to the airport, I left my camera and video equipment in my bag. I’d been shooting so much, I just wanted to enjoy the moment, breathe in the air, and remember everything about the experience. That is, until we got to the airport and I wanted a shot of us leaving the Serengeti. The physical pain I felt while I started thinking about everything we’d seen the last two days that was on that SD card – the cheetah on the hunt, the leaping wildebeest as they crossed the Mara, the lions feasting on their prey – was something of the sort that can only be compared to heartbreak and missed opportunity. I was absolutely crushed. These were the moments I had dreamed of for years, and years, and years, and years. We had planned our entire trip around being in the Serengeti to witness the Migration. And we saw it!!! We waited and waited for hours, going back and forth along to river, to actually see the very moment when the wildebeests took the plunge and went for it. Some survived. Some didn’t. And I had captured it all. I told myself that the memories alone would have to suffice. “I’m sure you have it somewhere,” Lanee assured me. “It’s so unlike you to lose something like that!” I knew though. It was gone. Because I am so careful with things like cameras and SD cards, there was only one or two places it could be and I’d checked them all. I gave myself a good dose of self-shaming for putting a tiny SD card in my pocket. What was I thinking?!?! Our driver from andBeyond tried to console me, too. “I called the camp,” he said. “They’ll look for it.” I appreciate that, I said, knowing that the chances of them finding it were less likely than spotting a tree full of leopards. We left the Serengeti and head on to Bateleur Camp in the Masai Mara, another beyond-my-wildest-dreams property that had us doing walking safaris to hippo land, seeing hippos in action (literally – I cannot believe how long they stay under water to mate – seriously disturbing ritual…). While we were there, the magic of the wildlife and scenery and new photos taken was almost, almost, enough to let go of the lost SD card. We arrived at dinner the final night and the manager of the camp said he’d received a call from the Serengeti Under Canvas Camp, “They found your photos,” he said nonchalantly. “My photos?!” I was so distracted by the Dawa cocktail in my hand and the giraffe and elephants in the distance that I didn’t put two and two together to immediately understand what he meant. “OH MY GOD! You mean they found the SD Card?!!!” I squealed. “They said they are going to try to get it here, but we only have two guests coming here in a couple days, and they are going to Arusha first, but the card will come with them.” You must be joking, I thought. My photo memory card is going to travel with another set of guests to Arusha and then make it to the Masai Mara with them. Talk about “and beyond” service! I didn’t care how it was going to make its was to me; I was just beyond ecstatic that the tiny little sacred plastic chip of priceless memories was even found! “Did they say where they found it?” I asked. “Your butler was cleaning the tent and found it. That’s all,” he said. I bet it was Mauran, the Maasai with the million dollar smile… Three days later. The card hadn’t arrived and we were packing up our things to get ready for an early departure back to Nairobi, where we were spending a few hours back at our original hotel until we had to leave for our flight home in the middle of the night. I thought it was too good to be true, and now it seemed it was. Before we left, the manager said that the new guests had arrived but the package hadn’t come with them from Arusha. “One of the rangers brought it to Arusha and then she handed it off to another one who was driving guests this way, and now we can’t reach the last person who had it,” he said. “It’s okay,” I said. “I really appreciate all the effort, and if it ever turns up, here’s my address to send it.” It was an exercise in letting go and being in the moment, appreciating travel for what travel is supposed to be about – the experience. It was about relishing in the memories you carry with you in your heart, not the envy-inducing ones you share on Facebook or instagram for bragging rights or superficial kicks. We left the Mara with happy hearts, knowing that the trip-of-a-lifetime exceeded expectations in every possible way. I shed a tear leaving in a tiny prop plane, hoping that I’d be back again one day soon. East Africa captured a part of my heart that no photo could possibly ever capture in visuals. We arrived back at Tribe Hotel in Nairobi where the journey began. A doorman took our bags and handed us the other bags we had kept there for storage while on safari, and then handed me a package. “This just arrived for you,” he said. Every cell in my body froze. It was a large brown bag wrapped package with tape all over it. It said my name. It said the name of the camp we had just been at and other names that were crossed out and scribbles all over, dirty and smudged. I shredded it open. Inside was another brown wrapping and an envelope that said my name and “Arusha” among other names and scribbles and dirt. Inside that was yet another envelope. It was like opening one of those Russian dolls that keeps getting smaller and smaller, or a Christmas present that is boxes wrapped within smaller and smaller boxes to keep the anticipating high and the payoff large. My SD Card. It was there! Five days and a couple hours later, it had traveled from the Serengeti to Kilimanjaro to Arusha to the Masai Mara to Nairobi, on a safari of its own. I could not believe - still can’t - the lengths to which the andBeyond team went to get me my memory card back. Everything about it, however, from losing it to getting it back, was a lesson in and of itself – it was never about the photos but the memories that I thought would be lost. And surprisingly, as a result of thinking I’d lost the SD card, Lanee and I talked for hours about what we’d seen and felt so we wouldn’t forget. Too often we rely on photos to remind us of special moments… Instead, I wrote notes in my journal during those days with the kind of detail and reflection that I hadn’t done in years, not since I actually kept a journal. For that, I’m so grateful, because now looking at the photos, there were other more important reflections and journeys happening at the same time; things that no photo could tell, but which my written travel journal now holds. That said, I’m still really happy to have those photos too! Here are a couple of my favorites from SD Card that went on safari. More on Africa from Voyage Vixens: Exploring Nairobi (Video) Preparing for Africa: Visas and Vaccines Hotel Review: Hemingways Nairobi Glamping in Kenya’s Masai Mara

A gorgeous view of Table Mountain from the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront in Cape Town, South Africa. (Photo: Tausha Cowan/The Globe Getter) By Tausha Cowan / The Globe Getter Cape Town, South Africa, is a very intriguing place. For starters, it’s one of the most stunning cities in the world, with an intoxicating combination of coastlines, mountain ranges, beaches, city streets, and nearby wineries. It’s a place that, at times, can be so beautiful it almost seems fake. And then you have Cape Town’s history. From its establishment as the first permanent European settlement in South Africa to the days of apartheid and the anti-apartheid movement, Cape Town is the culmination of its past: the good, the bad, and the ugly. It is all there to experience. For anyone visiting Cape Town, there are several things you should do, places you should visit, and delicious foods you should eat during your stay. Here is a list to get you started: Things to Do Enjoy the outdoors: Cape Town is an outdoor enthusiast’s dream. From surfing to hiking to biking to strolling through gardens, this city is meant to be appreciated outside. Hang with penguins at Boulder’s Beach: How many beaches do you know of that serve as the home of a colony of African penguins? Not too many, I would guess. Pay your respects at Robben Island: The place where Nelson Mandela spent 18 of his 27 years of imprisonment is powerful, enlightening, educational and incredibly thought-provoking. Reflect at a museum: Explore the city’s history through its museums. One of the most well known, the District Six Museum, memorializes the forced removal of the District Six community during apartheid. Take a cooking class: Learn more about Cape Town’s gastronomic history through a cooking class. You will leave well fed and more knowledgeable about a culture. Shop & snack at the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront: The V&A Waterfront is one of the premier places to go for shopping, dining and enjoying the harbor. Visit the winelands: Head to Constantia, Stellenbosch, Franschhoek or any of the surrounding wine regions to visit the area’s numerous wine farms and savor the stunning scenery. Related: Man Versus Sea: South Africa’s Shark Spotters The scenery along Chapman Peak’s Drive in South Africa — it’s stunning. (Photo: Tausha Cowan/The Globe Getter) Wine tasting with a view in Stellenbosch, South Africa. (Photo: Tausha Cowan/The Globe Getter) Sights to See Table Mountain: It’s hard to miss Table Mountain, as it’s the city’s centerpiece, one that should be viewed from as many different angles as possible. There’s also a cable car to the top. Cape of Good Hope: A trek to the most southwestern point of the African continent involves a gorgeous drive along the coast and possibly a few ostrich sightings. Chapman’s Peak Drive: This scenic 9km stretch along the coast of the Cape Province is an absolute must. Just make sure to bring your camera and your sense of awe. Related: Your Ultimate (Human) Guides to South Africa A colony of penguins enjoy the sunshine at Boulders Beach. (Photo: Tausha Cowan/The Globe Getter) A prime viewing spot of Cape Town’s centerpiece, Table Mountain. (Photo: Tausha Cowan/The Globe Getter) Foods to eat Braai: A braai is essentially a South African barbecue, a really delicious barbecue. One of the most famous places in Cape Town for a good braai is Mzoli’s Place in the township of Gugulethu. Seafood: Due to its proximity to the water, Cape Town has unbelievably amazing seafood. Head to The Codfather in Camps Bay and get ready to make your taste buds deliriously happy. Cape Malay cuisine: From bobotie to dhaltjies to curry and roti, Cape Malay cuisine is spicy, flavorful, and just flat out delicious. Swing by the colorful neighborhood of Bo-Kaap to get your Cape Malay fix. Market snacks: Neighbourgoods Market at the Old Biscuit Mill has become somewhat of a Saturday institution in Cape Town. Bring your appetite and try the seemingly endless array of foods from local vendors. Fine dining: If you’re looking to splurge, Cape Town is the place to do it. From The Test Kitchen and its sister restaurant The Pot Luck Club to many of the award-winning restaurants in the region, you will eat like royalty. Related: Foodie Bucket List: 12 Iconic Restaurants Worth Traveling for Enjoying freshly made Cape Malay roti in Bo-Kaap, Cape Town. (Photo: Tausha Cowan/The Globe Getter) One of the delicious tapas served at The Pot Luck Club. (Photo: Tausha Cowan/The Globe Getter) With these recommendations, your stay in Cape Town is bound to be an amazing experience! WATCH: Meet South Africa’s Shebeen Queens Let Yahoo Travel inspire you every day. Hang out with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest. Check out our original adventure travel series A Broad Abroad.