Friday, January 3, 2014
Thursday, January 2, 2014
No wonder sally loved katz! New York City
The line ups were crazy but we had heard how great the sandwiches were! Hence we braved the crowds and picked up our yellow tickets that we were told not to lose since it is what was used to pay our bill. We opted not to wait for a reserved table and luckily managed to grab a seat once we got our food. We smiled gave a tip and got extra meat to taste ;)) yum!!
Ordering the beef pastrami sandwich was amazzzzing. Never had meat just melt in my mouth like that in a deli sandwich. It was just a fun experience thinking that harry met sally was filmed at Katz delicatessen.
If you are thinking about it....just do it!
Visited in October 2013
Grace Bay Providenciales, Turks and Caicos
Wow. What a wonderful excursion to the Turks and Caicos. A dream I never expected that I would ever get to achieve, but I feel so at peace, happy and joyful. The beauty of Providenciales is absolutely gorgeous. The waters are turquoise see-through and the sands are powdery soft! Truly a paradise.
Alexandra Resort
This was a great place to stay. I was in a studio. Perfect for one person with a kitchenette (including ample glassware, cups, plates, bowls, silverware, bottle opener, can opener, a blender!, toaster, microwave and small fridge)
The beds were super comfy and air conditioning was welcome after the warmth outside. Grace bay beach is right there and completely gorgeous. Never had a problem finding a chair to sit. They gave me 4 towels for the beach. There are snorkels that you can use free of charge. About a 10-15 minutes to the left towards Bight Reef you can see fishies! I would recommend bringing your own snorkel equipment if you do have any, since the ones here seem to leak a lot and also have some soap so it doesnt fog up the lenses. There are also kayaks, paddleboards, floaties to take out without any cost.
On my first day when I arrived, i used the one free pass (otherwise $9 return) to the Graceway Gourmet grocery shop and stocked up on enough for breakfasts and lunches and snacks. The grocery store (Gourmet) is pricey but better than eating out all the time. (example: avocado = $2,75 bag of grapes is about 9 or 10$, can of tuna is about 2-3$)
I took the free bicycle (which squeaked) but did the job into town and it's about 10-15 min easy ride. Remember folks drive on the left side of the road! so if you wanted to go to the grocery store it would be easy. the bicycles have a basket in front, or bring a backpack with you for easy transit of your food :P
The ppl are pretty friendly here, always saying hello. The ladies who cleaned my room even did the dishes that were in the sink and there is a washer and dryer in the room which came in handy. (bring your own detergent). There was also enough soap, shampoo, conditioner and hairdryer in the room as well.
I didn't use the pool since i loved just soaking up in the waters on the beach but it looked very nice as well. I ate at mango reef a few times and always yummy with pretty big portions!
Here is a picture of the beach at sunset just outside of the Alexandra Resort
I also ate at the Mango Reef restaurant which is part of the Alexandra and it was yummy! I had the lobster ravioli the first night (Delish!) and then I had the seafood pasta twice! Absolutely yummy and yes a little on the rich creamy side.
Here is a picture on my last day here with the view of the beach eating my pasta:
The highlight of the trips were the excursions that I went on:
________________
Paradise Scooters
This was the most amazing experience ever. Rosa the tour guide is a very personable young lady with a zest and passion for life and it shows. She started all 3 of us (we had a small group) together with Larry on electric bicycles and then moved us up to the Vespa. I was pretty nervous, but she helped calm me down and it was actually easier than I thought and quite awesome to try something I never thought I would :P
We were taken around the island on every paved road and saw some amazing sights. Rosa has a lot of knowledge about the history of the island and it was great to hear the different stories. When we were on the tour we got to see Blue Haven on the north side, and then drove to the conch farm which was beautiful and interesting, we also went to Boogaloos for lunch and I had the conch platter - DELICIOUS!!! and it is on one of the prettiest beaches i have seen. We then went on to Long beach where there are miles of water that is only waist deep and i saw kiteboarding. That spurred me on to want to try it out the very next day (more on that later)
Honestly, riding the vespa was a really freeing experience. I was still nervous, driving on the left side of the road and sometimes having some cars passing by, but Rosa was really good, gave great instructions and the worries disappear. You get to see more of the island than you otherwise would have. I think the wind was the thing that struck me as we started going a bit faster. The fastest we went was 60km/h, but no worries at the beginning we go through slower roads so we get used to riding the vespa first and take our first few turns on the turning cycles. After that it's pretty easy. Just be alert and smart :P
I will never forget that feeling of just riding a long, wind in your face (Make sure to bring sunglasses!) and just seeing beautiful beaches, trees, the oceans and different housese all around. What a breathetaking experience!!
View at the conch farm:
Yummy lunch at Boogaloos:
TCK Kiteboarding on Long Beach
I never even thought about kiteboarding...EVER in my life, but when I saw the beautiful beach and ppl learning how to do it on the beach where the water is only ever waist high for miles and miles, I became intrigued. Then i called the number and Wayne picked up and asured me it wouldn't be too strenuous and i did the 3.5 hour lesson which starts you off on the beach with a small kite where you learn about the wind window and power zone etc and then slowly you move to the bigger kite and then into the water!
Alex was my instructor from Barcelona and had been kiteboarding for a really long time. He just moved to the Turks from Canary Islands. He was a really good instructure and even if his english is still getting better, it was pretty darn awesome. He was patient and showed me really good techniques, going after emergency safety and then just taking me out to have fun.
I think i had the most fun when catching the wind in the kite and body surfing. I managed to get up on the board a few times but only for two seconds...and about 2 meters...but i got up! I just have to remember not to pull back when i stand up :P
Ahhhhh such is life. It looks like i will need more practice and will have to perhaps one day try it again! If you are thinking about it. I would say do it! who knows when you will get an opportunity like this to learn where the wind is not too strong, the water is only waste deep so if you fall in you can just stand up :)
Totally AWESOME!
Caicos Dream Tours
This was the first tour that I did...and it was pretty windy when we went out for the first part of the excursion but the tour guides were so friendly and fun! I'm so glad I remembered to bring a couple of towels to wrap around me and some healthy fruit snacks as well :) They did offer water, juice rum, chips! The first stop was on the north side of the island and the waves were really high - so at no fault of the operator, the weather just wasn't that great. I did manage to see a few fish and get a lot of exercise getting in and out of the boat. I would say that if you have your own snorkel equipment to bring your own mask since mine kept leaking water which was a little bothersome.
However, the highlight was the south side of the island "Iguana island" it was totally awesome!!! I loved just swimming in the calm water and searching for a conch. which i eventually found with the help of the captain! Yay!! :) They also made a conch ceviche salad which I quite enjoyed. (Yes, please don't get too attached to your conch or name it because it will become your food quite shortly) I never knew what conch looked like. Now I know it looks like a big SNAIL! haha
We did have time to walk around iguana island. I did not see any iguanas but there was a gorgeous beach to walk along. Later on we stopped on the waters for folks to jump off the top of the boat. One jump was enough for me!! the rest of the time i just hung out in the water until it was time to go :)
A picture of my conch shell from the side of the boat. If you look closely you can see the conch hiding in it's shell (Looks like a shadow on the inside)
Poor conch out of the shell: Shame it is about to get skinned and then eaten!
All in all, this was one of my most memorable trips and completely beautiful. God's creation all around and His love grew in my heart more and more. I thank Jesus for the wonderful beauty and blessings to be able to visit such a beautiful paradise.
Alexandra Resort
This was a great place to stay. I was in a studio. Perfect for one person with a kitchenette (including ample glassware, cups, plates, bowls, silverware, bottle opener, can opener, a blender!, toaster, microwave and small fridge)
The beds were super comfy and air conditioning was welcome after the warmth outside. Grace bay beach is right there and completely gorgeous. Never had a problem finding a chair to sit. They gave me 4 towels for the beach. There are snorkels that you can use free of charge. About a 10-15 minutes to the left towards Bight Reef you can see fishies! I would recommend bringing your own snorkel equipment if you do have any, since the ones here seem to leak a lot and also have some soap so it doesnt fog up the lenses. There are also kayaks, paddleboards, floaties to take out without any cost.
On my first day when I arrived, i used the one free pass (otherwise $9 return) to the Graceway Gourmet grocery shop and stocked up on enough for breakfasts and lunches and snacks. The grocery store (Gourmet) is pricey but better than eating out all the time. (example: avocado = $2,75 bag of grapes is about 9 or 10$, can of tuna is about 2-3$)
I took the free bicycle (which squeaked) but did the job into town and it's about 10-15 min easy ride. Remember folks drive on the left side of the road! so if you wanted to go to the grocery store it would be easy. the bicycles have a basket in front, or bring a backpack with you for easy transit of your food :P
The ppl are pretty friendly here, always saying hello. The ladies who cleaned my room even did the dishes that were in the sink and there is a washer and dryer in the room which came in handy. (bring your own detergent). There was also enough soap, shampoo, conditioner and hairdryer in the room as well.
I didn't use the pool since i loved just soaking up in the waters on the beach but it looked very nice as well. I ate at mango reef a few times and always yummy with pretty big portions!
Here is a picture of the beach at sunset just outside of the Alexandra Resort
I also ate at the Mango Reef restaurant which is part of the Alexandra and it was yummy! I had the lobster ravioli the first night (Delish!) and then I had the seafood pasta twice! Absolutely yummy and yes a little on the rich creamy side.
Here is a picture on my last day here with the view of the beach eating my pasta:
The highlight of the trips were the excursions that I went on:
________________
Paradise Scooters
This was the most amazing experience ever. Rosa the tour guide is a very personable young lady with a zest and passion for life and it shows. She started all 3 of us (we had a small group) together with Larry on electric bicycles and then moved us up to the Vespa. I was pretty nervous, but she helped calm me down and it was actually easier than I thought and quite awesome to try something I never thought I would :P
We were taken around the island on every paved road and saw some amazing sights. Rosa has a lot of knowledge about the history of the island and it was great to hear the different stories. When we were on the tour we got to see Blue Haven on the north side, and then drove to the conch farm which was beautiful and interesting, we also went to Boogaloos for lunch and I had the conch platter - DELICIOUS!!! and it is on one of the prettiest beaches i have seen. We then went on to Long beach where there are miles of water that is only waist deep and i saw kiteboarding. That spurred me on to want to try it out the very next day (more on that later)
Honestly, riding the vespa was a really freeing experience. I was still nervous, driving on the left side of the road and sometimes having some cars passing by, but Rosa was really good, gave great instructions and the worries disappear. You get to see more of the island than you otherwise would have. I think the wind was the thing that struck me as we started going a bit faster. The fastest we went was 60km/h, but no worries at the beginning we go through slower roads so we get used to riding the vespa first and take our first few turns on the turning cycles. After that it's pretty easy. Just be alert and smart :P
I will never forget that feeling of just riding a long, wind in your face (Make sure to bring sunglasses!) and just seeing beautiful beaches, trees, the oceans and different housese all around. What a breathetaking experience!!
View at the conch farm:
Yummy lunch at Boogaloos:
TCK Kiteboarding on Long Beach
I never even thought about kiteboarding...EVER in my life, but when I saw the beautiful beach and ppl learning how to do it on the beach where the water is only ever waist high for miles and miles, I became intrigued. Then i called the number and Wayne picked up and asured me it wouldn't be too strenuous and i did the 3.5 hour lesson which starts you off on the beach with a small kite where you learn about the wind window and power zone etc and then slowly you move to the bigger kite and then into the water!
Alex was my instructor from Barcelona and had been kiteboarding for a really long time. He just moved to the Turks from Canary Islands. He was a really good instructure and even if his english is still getting better, it was pretty darn awesome. He was patient and showed me really good techniques, going after emergency safety and then just taking me out to have fun.
I think i had the most fun when catching the wind in the kite and body surfing. I managed to get up on the board a few times but only for two seconds...and about 2 meters...but i got up! I just have to remember not to pull back when i stand up :P
Ahhhhh such is life. It looks like i will need more practice and will have to perhaps one day try it again! If you are thinking about it. I would say do it! who knows when you will get an opportunity like this to learn where the wind is not too strong, the water is only waste deep so if you fall in you can just stand up :)
Totally AWESOME!
Caicos Dream Tours
This was the first tour that I did...and it was pretty windy when we went out for the first part of the excursion but the tour guides were so friendly and fun! I'm so glad I remembered to bring a couple of towels to wrap around me and some healthy fruit snacks as well :) They did offer water, juice rum, chips! The first stop was on the north side of the island and the waves were really high - so at no fault of the operator, the weather just wasn't that great. I did manage to see a few fish and get a lot of exercise getting in and out of the boat. I would say that if you have your own snorkel equipment to bring your own mask since mine kept leaking water which was a little bothersome.
However, the highlight was the south side of the island "Iguana island" it was totally awesome!!! I loved just swimming in the calm water and searching for a conch. which i eventually found with the help of the captain! Yay!! :) They also made a conch ceviche salad which I quite enjoyed. (Yes, please don't get too attached to your conch or name it because it will become your food quite shortly) I never knew what conch looked like. Now I know it looks like a big SNAIL! haha
We did have time to walk around iguana island. I did not see any iguanas but there was a gorgeous beach to walk along. Later on we stopped on the waters for folks to jump off the top of the boat. One jump was enough for me!! the rest of the time i just hung out in the water until it was time to go :)
A picture of my conch shell from the side of the boat. If you look closely you can see the conch hiding in it's shell (Looks like a shadow on the inside)
Poor conch out of the shell: Shame it is about to get skinned and then eaten!
All in all, this was one of my most memorable trips and completely beautiful. God's creation all around and His love grew in my heart more and more. I thank Jesus for the wonderful beauty and blessings to be able to visit such a beautiful paradise.
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Izulu orphan party
Have you ever been in the situtation where you feel truly honored to just be there to witness and see?
Well, that is what the izulu orphan christmas party was like. I was overwhelmed...it seemed almost surreal that all these little children were orphaned, and that this was the most exciting day of the year where they would receive a present each, something to eat and drink and to have some fun with balloons and face painting.
There was close to a thousand children with their go-gos (care takers) there (each day, as this was on both a saturday and a sunday)...waiting their turn to be escorted to get their gifts and to ensure they are registered and their school results recorded.
There were songs being sung in Zulu. We had a grand time, jumping and clapping with the kids and seeing the smiles on their faces and taking some beautiful pictures of them.
They were so fascinated to see the pictures of themsleves after you had taken them of them. I am still at a loss of what to say. To express what an honor it has been to even meet them. To say thank you for still striving each day to live life to the fullest. I pray so much that they will get the support they need to live a good life. To get an education. If one of these children does not have a uniform, they don't get to go to school. They don't have so many of the privileges that we have in North America.
Some of them have over 12 children in one small place where they live together with their go-go.
When i was there, I was exhausted with very little sleep, and volunteering the whole day (on both days)...but I wouldn't have wanted to be any other place...because it really makes you realize how important human life is and that we shouldn't take it for granted.
Please take a moment and say a prayer for them. And in some small way...if you can make a difference in someone's life take that time to reach out. Say hello. Donate. Just do something that will make a difference and brighten up their day.
Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.5
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
True Heroes - The lovely staff of ikhaya
After meeting with the wonderful staff of Ikhaya (Tholie, Patience, Happy, Thembi, Glory), it made me think truly of who those heroes we have in our lives. These women are exactly that...ones with servant hearts to work with the orphans at Ikhaya, and are my heroes.
They may not know it, but they are so very special and do amazing work with the children. At the staff party that Wendy, Janet and Debbie arranged...it was so heart warming when they broke out in song and sang "Thank you Jesus"
Their voices came from deep within their hearts...lilting in the air with such sweetness, humbleness and beauty. It was such a moving moment...and I was so honored to be there to witness it. Their gratefulness for a simple Christmas staff lunch. For their smiles. For their gentleness and humbleness.
I was so honored to be at their table and to serve in some small way. To see the glory of God through these amazing women. May God increase His love in them bountifully.
Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.5
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)