STM Impulse Laptop Backpack Product: STM Impulse Medium Laptop Backpack MJ Rating: Features: Designed to fit most 15-inch laptops, this STM bag has a main compartment to protect your laptop and tablet and a secondary pocket for files, paperwork or books. And external front pocket contains organization pockets for keys, wallet, pens, etc. There are small external pockets on each side, perfect for an umbrella, water bottle, or, as I used it, to keep my point and shoot camera easily available. At the front bottom of the backpack is a lower storage pocket; I kept my charging cables, a/c adapter, and power converters. On my trip to Asia, I used that compartment for my bag of 3-1-1 liquids. There’s a pass-through strap so you can thread it over the handle of you roller luggage and stack it on top […]
Read MoreProduct Review: Nuu-Muu for Travel Comfort
Nuu-Muu Product: Nuu-Muu exercise-and-everything-else dress MJ Rating: (of three) Features: The Nuu-Muu is an easy care multi-purpose garment than can be worn for a variety of purposes. There are basically two styles – one with pockets, one without. What I thought: I’m always looking for clothing choices that are easy to pack, yet stylish enough to do double (or triple) duty while on the road. After all, there’s a fine line between practical comfort and looking frumpy. Need I explain which one is the better option?! I was interested in the Nuu-Muu exercise-and-everything-else dress because it seem designed to flatter real women’s bodies – you know, with all those little imperfections – and it looked perfect for exercise, travel, and as a beach cover up. The Nuu-Muu can be worn over bike shorts, running tights, yoga pants, swimsuits, jeans, leggings, pretty much […]
Read MoreTalking About Belfast on The Amateur Traveler
I love talking about travel with friends, and recently Chris Christensen gave me the opportunity to talk about my trip to Belfast, Northern Ireland, with a lot of people as a guest on his podcast, Amateur Traveler. Take a listen. Amateur Traveler Episode 396 – Travel to Belfast, Northern Ireland Now, head on over to subscribe to the Amateur Traveler so you won’t miss any of the great guests and topics Chris features on his show. I subscribe by iTunes and get automatic updates of new shows, but there are plenty of options for you to choose from.
Read MoreTraveling with MJ November Travel Link Up: Thankful
Last month the monthly themed travel round up focused on Museums. I enjoyed reading about so many different types of museums, from the serious and important to the quirky. My favorite of the linked up museum posts was from Henry Lee at Fotoeins Fotopress. His story, Shalechet (Fallen Leaves), Jewish Museum Berlin, was heart wrenching and painful to read. I wasn’t aware of this museum when I was in Berlin earlier this year, but it’s on my list for a return visit. If you missed it, go take a read right now. So What’s Up This Month? This month I want to know a little more about why you’re thankful to be able to travel. Maybe you’ve been somewhere that was a moving experience, maybe you’ve seen a sunset somewhere that stirred your soul, or maybe you’ve had a travel opportunity […]
Read MorePostcard from Kuala Lumpur
The Petronas Twin Towers are the tallest in the world and dominate the skyline in Kuala Lumpur — by day they are a shiny focal point, and a night they seem to glow and light up the sky. They contain offices for Petronas and other tenants. If you seen a movie or photo of Kuala Lumpur, you’ve likely caught a glimpse of these towers.
Read MorePostcard from Ipoh, Malaysia
I had never heard of Ipoh before this trip to Malaysia. The town once known for its thriving tin mining industry is now staking its claim in other ways, including spa and wellness tourism. This water lily was in the gardens at The Banjaran, Malaysia’s first natural hot springs wellness retreat, providing peaceful bliss after a week on the road.
Read MorePostcard from The Blue Mansion, Penang
The Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion, also called the Blue Mansion, dates back to the 1880s and is a private residence as well as a 16-room guesthouse. It gets its distinctive blue color from mixing lime with a natural blue dye made from the indigo plant. Tours are offered, giving visitors the chance to peek behind the scenes and take a look at how the wealthy lived.
Read MorePostcard from James Bond Island, Thailand
James Bond Island is officially known as Khao Phing Kan, and is a part of Ao Phang Nga National Park just off of Phuket, Thailand. It would most likely have remained an obscure area were it not for the James Bond film, The Man with the Golden Gun, where it was Scaramonga’s island. Do you recognize it?
Read MoreNorthern Ireland: Malmaison Belfast Hotel
Malmaison Belfast Address: 34-38 Victoria Street, Belfast, Northern Ireland Rating: Features: Located in two old seed warehouses, the Malmaison Belfast has retained some of the original features, including iron pillars, beams, and carved stone gargoyles. The boutique hotel has 64 luxury rooms and two suites. The rooms feature mood lighting, flat screen plasma televisions, upscale toiletries in generous sizes (you’re encouraged to take them with you), and FREE wifi. Giving a hat tip to Belfast’s maritime connection, the Malmaison Belfast features subtle shipbuilding décor features in its common areas. The hotel has a restaurant (Brasserie) and bar (MALBAR) on site. Price Range: Typical boutiques rates here, and with the dollar to pound exchange rate, it can add up fast. The best price we found was by taking advantage of one of their several promotional packages, resulting in a pre-paid […]
Read MorePostcard from Bangkok
It took me over 24 hours to get to Thailand and my first day was full of delicious food. Like this classic , and delicious dessert of sticky rice, coconut milk (to pour over it ), and mango. Lunch at Sala Rattanakosin in Bangkok.
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