I love traveling during the fall season for many reasons.  The air feels cool and crisp.  Perfect all day walking, stomping and exploring weather.  The change in colors gives depth to the visual palette.   And the anticipation of setting a date so far out in the year, and the delicious feeling when you finally take that trip.   I savor those moments.

It’s been three and a half years since our last New York vacation.  Been all around the world since.   And in deciding this year’s annual trip…. we both looked at each other and agreed it was time to visit New York again.

Central Park was where we started and ended our days.  We’d wake up in our quaint railroad style B&B in Spanish Harlem, drink our coffee and head out through the Park.   I enjoyed those quiet mornings when it seemed we had the park to ourselves while everyone else was at work.  We’d sip our coffee and chat about the adventures ahead.  Always kept a loose agenda and let our feet, nose and eyes lead the way.

Here’s a few photos of those morning walks.

We'd walk for miles in the morning

Central Park, Great Mall

I had always dreamed of walking here.

And so we lingered a while.

We actually never crossed that bridge... maybe next time?

I can see we're close to the edge of the Park. Not quite ready to leave yet.

Let's hold on to this quiet time a little while longer.

ok... so we're a little hungry. Time for a donut!

Magically Delicious Travel - Sharing my travel photos and stories., Remembering Central Park In The Fall

It’s my favorite song. And that is why for years I never ever questioned that the famous “Hotel California” in Todos Santos was in fact the very same one that the Eagles made famous.

And after 14 years of visiting Cabo…I finally made the…errr… pilgrimage to this famous hotel in the middle of the Baja Desert.

I found myself in the car with my friend…and my conservative self was asking…was this a good idea to be driving out to the middle of nowhere? Between my “hola” and her “como estas” I figured we knew enough Spanish to get by.

So off we went, cameras in tow into the car we went an hour through the surprisingly (desert) lush country. Sand on the left. Dirt and cactus on the right. My eyes firmly on the windy yet very well paved road below. I kind of felt like a race car driver until I got reminded I didn’t want to get a ticket on this deserted road.

We arrived at the hotel, small and plain looking at first glance. It reminded me of old photos I had seen. I’ve since done my research and learned that the hotel has had different names. Don Antonio Wong Tobasco and his wife, Sra. Trinidad Castillo de Tabasco, began construction on the hotel in 1947 and named it Hotel California. In the 70′s to early 80′s it was known as the Hotel Mission Todos Santos and then it became the Hotel California once again.

Now… keep in mind that this small little town is … in the middle of the desert in an unknown part of the Baja peninsula. As the story goes, a real estate mystery man started a rumor in the 80”s to create excitement about the area. Call him a marketer beyond his time and one that liked to bend the truth… he started to tell everyone that listened that the very hotel was where Don Henley stayed for $2 per night and that’s where he wrote that song. By the way – he slept on a hammock. No turn down service for him.

Todos Santos grew. A fine Italian restaurant opened and attracted further attention. Journalists, tourists, and groupies (ahem) have flocked since. All while humming the song in the car on the drive there.

In 1997, a journalist by the name of Joe Cummings wrote Don Henley to verify the legend. Don Henley immediately replied by fax (there was no emails, texts or such back then), “I can tell you unequivocally that neither myself nor any of the other band members have had any sort of association – business or pleasure – with that establishment.”

Oh SIGH!

Of course – I only found this out after my visit.

Nevertheless.

It was a fine boutique hotel. Extremely colorful lobby. Charming gift shop, bar, and courtyards. The colors were from the very warm and vibrant palette only found in Mexico.

It was about 4pm and there was impromptu tango in the hotel lobby. Everyone was having fun. And who care’s that Don Henley hadn’t been there. It’s still a worthwhile place to visit while you’re in Cabo.

I wonder how many women he's delighted and danced with?

A painter spilled all his paint and used broad strokes to turn it into art

Intricate door in Hotel California courtyard

Magically Delicious Travel - Sharing my travel photos and stories., Don Henley stayed at the Hotel California = Urban Legend

During our vacation in the Philippines, we had the opportunity to check out Dapitan, which is just on the other island next to Dipolog.  Dapitan is a sleepy fishing town famous for having been where Filipino national hero – Jose Rizal spent four years in exhile.

We were meeting my cousins for lunch – and passed the time away watching life pass us by.

Filipino's prefer these to limos

This is a filipino stroller

Filipino SUV

Ocean front dining

Magically Delicious Travel - Sharing my travel photos and stories., Dapitan, Philippines

I have just returned from 10 days and 9 nights in Hawaii.  Three islands, Maui, Kauai and Kona.  Each are very special in their own way.   I did it all.  Saw the sunrise over Haleakala.  Smelled a Silversword flower (blooms around year 50 and dies); Swam with Manta Rays; Helicopter tour over Lava; Snorkeling in the best beaches; Hilo Icecream; Rope swing geronimo with some Islanders; Chaise Lounging with old and new friends; Drum circle at Little Beach; Hana Highway sightseeing; Napali Coast; Waterfall Swimming; and beach naps.   The best of it all… the highlight of my trip was Kalalau Trail hiking in Kauai.

Getting there was easy.  Take the highway as far north and then west as you can go.  It ends at Ke’e Beach.

Before you go: 1)  Wear hiking or tennis shoes.  No exceptions.  2) Bring as much water as you can comfortably carry  3) Bring a power bar.  4) Throw in a towel in the back pack and wear your swim suit under whatever you’re wearing.

Kalalau Trail Peekaboo Ocean and Secret Beach Views

After viewing the sign at the trail head, we decided to do the 2 mile hike.  We headed out about 11am which was perfect as it had been raining quite hard during our breakfast in Hanalei.

The trail takes you along the lush coast offering peekaboo views of the various beaches below.  As we walked through the lush rainforest trail we felt the cool breeze envelope and caress us. The hike took about 90 minutes as we took our time, chatting and admiring the view.   We crossed streams, and went through various micro climates of misty showers and sunshine.

Kalalau Trail - the Beach at 2 miles

At two miles we crossed a small stream and were awarded with a tropical oasis and beach.

Here we relaxed and played.

Beach at 2 miles at Kalalau Trail

Reluctantly after a while, we decided to head back.  It took us another 90 minutes.  And satisfying in a different way.  This time we were the ones with goofy satisfied grins taking our time.  While we were greeted with eager excited hikers heading to where we had just come from.

I will say everyone in Hawaii is on some sort of goofy gas giving goofy permagrins.  We all said Aloha as we passed.  Softly smiling at each other.

Kalalau Trail Tropical Rain Forest Views

About three quarters of the way through we ran into three Hawaiian men carrying harpoons and big loads on their back.   It was during a small incline (for them) that we paused to chat.  They welcomed the break to acquaint and catch their breath.

We found out, they were headed to the beach to do some harpoon fishing.  To which I replied  “Looks like fun!”

The crusty man replied as he bent over trying to catch his breath “Does it look like I’m having fun?”

His friend laughed and egged him to push forward.

But Crusty wasn’t done.  He retorted “It’s easier to go to the store and buy the damn fish”.

We stood aside as they passed.  We met more hikers along the way that afternoon.  We even helped out a man was winded on the side of the trail.  As we passed we asked if they were ok to which he said – yes… my son’s just gone to get me some Gatorade.  To which we replied – oh – we have some.  And so we  gave him our Gatorade.

We continued our hike and admired the views from this new direction.  When we were almost at the beginning of the trail, we could seek Ke’e Beach.  We picked up our pace knowing that a cool dip would be at the end of the hike.

The water was cool to our hot skin.  But really it was as warm as bath water.  The clarity was amazing like swimming in an aquarium.

This hike was definitely a highlight.  I would go back to Kauai and that next time, we would bring some friends to join us in the 11 mile hike.  Camping required =)

Make sure you bring your snorkeling gear

Magically Delicious Travel - Sharing my travel photos and stories., Hiking in Kauai – the Kalalau Trail

5 reasons why we went to Old Town Square every day we were in Prague.

5 – It was close to our hotel.
4 – There was a lot of sights to see.
3 – They had the best vendor food right in the middle of the square.  Bacon and potatos, sausages, potato pancakes..and ham sandwiches.
2 – There was always a gelato stand somewhere nearby.
1 – Beer was only 35 Czech crown vs. 45 Czech crown for a soda or a water.

The Kinksky Palace behind me - and next to it Church of Our Lady Before Tyn

Every Hour the Astronomical Clock puts on a show

Magically Delicious Travel - Sharing my travel photos and stories., Prague Old Town Square