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Today's post is by Linda of IslandMomma: Life on a Small Island and Beyond. It showcases one of the best things about travel: taking the road less traveled.
In the spirit of TourAbsurd I have to tell you that Katrina would have loved the unexpected turn my day took last spring. Brought a smile to her face it would have!
My friend, Maria, and I had gotten ourselves out of bed early to catch the light, and it turned out to be one of those crystal clear days which make you glad you made the effort. We live on Tenerife in the Canary Islands, and we'd made our way up from the coast to the village of Granadilla de Abona. Leaving the tourist fleshpots behind we spent an almost lazy morning, photographing some floral art from a recent local festival. It was Saturday-morning quiet in the little village, and we enjoyed it a lot.
A few days previously I'd driven over the bridge which spans the spectacular Barranco Orchilla, and I wanted to go take a closer look. So we took the high road, the one which curves around the south's hillsides instead of blasting through them as the autopista does, and began to return south.
Continue reading “Tenerife and the Secret Road to Cheese” →
Rome, Italy
After returning from the lovely and waistline-expanding trip to Catalonia, things went a bit loco. First computer problems abounded. Then, just as that was getting sorted, it was time to head to Naples for a few days to visit friends and family, and to meet Sherry Ott for a tour of Pompeii. Then Sherry invited us to come stay in her spacious apartment in Venice - well, how could we say no? – so we quickly switched out dirty laundry for clean in our backpacks and hopped on a train heading north.
All in all, lots o' fun (except for the computer bits), but rather exhausting!
(clicky for big 'n sharp photo)
![[insert funny alt text here] ...sorry, too knackered!](http://www.tourabsurd.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/IMG_3147-crop-tweak-copyright-550x256.jpg "Cap de Creus")
Cap de Creus, Costa Brava, Spain
Continue reading “Breaking equipment creates zombies” →
Outside of the US
Dear Universe,
Sometimes I need to know that the door which just closed did so because another, much better one, is opening.
You have my number. Thanks.
Sincerely,
Rantypants
Every bed of roses has its thorn. That smells. Or something.
Usually my blog is my happy place. Aside from my occasional tantrums about how the wheat bread has gone missing AGAIN, or the blind rage that comes over me when I hear about animal abuse, it's a reasonable reflection of my outlook and philosophy. (Actually, I'm pretty tree-huggy and new agey, too, but I try to keep that on the down-low in blogland.) And yet sometimes the yin comes right outta nowhere and whops you on the yang. Balance, people, it's all about balance… (Shush, new agey voice.)
Continue reading “Rantypants: working overseas” →
Barcelona, Spain
Diving headlong into local dining experiences is one of the preferred activities of many travelers. The same is true for me and Dario. However, we don't limit ourselves to local cuisine, as we have several favorites in which we cannot always indulge depending on our living and travel situation. We may have gone a bit overboard with this gastronomical undertaking, however. We knew we'd be eating well on the official part of the blog trip, so we should have slowed down a bit, right?
…Nawww – you only live once!
Cream-filled churros in Barcelona. Can't get those in Ireland or Italy!
Continue reading “Face-stuffing in Barcelona” →
Besalú, Catalonia, Spain
Hola from Besalú! Dario and I, and several other travel bloggers, are here in Catalonia, Spain, exploring the area, eating the food, drinking the wine, and staying at amazing luxury villas (srsly, they are suh-weet!). Grab yourself an eyeful of the view we had this morning!
To infinity and beyond!
The above photo was taken near Cadaqués this morning at Sa Vista, one of the most amazing properties I've ever seen. It's a place that I immediately pictured hosting celebrities and their entourage (or posse, as the case may be). For some reason, I kept thinking of Lady Gaga, but it probably doesn't have enough disturbingly shaped body parts or sequins for her taste.
Continue reading “Whining and dining in Besalú, Spain” →
Rome, Italy
Dario and I decided to spend some time with the family back in Italy, both for the pleasure of being together for the holidays and to skip out on some of the cold, dark, Irish winter. Unfortunately, we seem to have brought the weather with us!
(Click to enlarge.)
On a clear day, you can see the Pope's house from here.
Last weekend Rome and many other parts of Italy got hit with a tremendous snowstorm. We were excited since it's an unusual event, we have plenty of firewood, and our electricity (and internet, thank the gods!) stayed functional. Not everyone was so fortunate. There is another storm that is supposedly headed this way again even now. I hope it clears up in enough time that we can head to Fiumicino on Monday for our flight to Spain. We've been looking forward to the trip for months!
I've managed to acquire a few stamps from Spain in my passport, but I've never been to Barcelona or Madrid. Our trip to Girona looked like a perfect time to sneak in a side trip to The Big B. Over on Ye Olde Facebooke Page, some of the lovely folks I'll be meeting in Girona are handing out the tips, fast and furious. I want your feedback, too!
Oh, luxurious villas, how I'm looking forward to meeting you!
Continue reading “Meanwhile, in Spain…” →
Tenerife, Spain
There is so much to like about travel to a volcanic island that it's really hard for me to narrow it down. I mean it's: 1) travel, 2) a volcano, and 3) an island — with beaches! Three of my favorite things! And that's not even taking into account the people and new friendships one can develop along the way.
As previously mentioned, when Linda of Islandmomma graciously offered to show me the sights, tastes, and general wonders of Tenerife, I was ecstatic. Fortunately for me, she likes a lot of the same kinds of outings that I do. I love outdoor scenery that is begging to be photographed; can't resist a dip in the water (if it's warm enough!); I'm a bit of a foodie; and I am a sponge for history and culture.
Continue reading “Beautiful Activities on Tenerife” →
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![[insert funny alt text here] ...sorry, too knackered!](http://www.tourabsurd.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/IMG_3147-crop-tweak-copyright.jpg "Cap de Creus")
