Author: Mariel

This author has written 75 articles
Read more about the article Chengdu: under the Panda’s ass
Cities / The Outdoors

Chengdu: under the Panda’s ass

When a work-offsite was scheduled in Chengdu, I knew this was an opportunity to be able to do another thing on my bucket list. Because Chengdu is most known for their giant pandas and I have always wanted to see them. I once in Hong Kong saw 2 in Ocean Park Zoo, but that does not really count. Sichuan Province is their home, their natural habitat. Besides enjoying a visit with the pandas, both giant and red, I discovered Chengdu has much more to offer. Great food, hiking options and shopping.

(more…)

0 Comments
April 18, 2025
Read more about the article A lunch in Porto to remember
Cities / Foodies

A lunch in Porto to remember

It is mid October and the last day of our trip to Northern Portugal. We spent a few wonderful days in Porto followed by a another few in the Duoro wine region, where we had lot of great food and wine. This morning we drive from our fantastic house in Santa Marinho do Zezere back to Porto. For the final day, I have booked a special restaurant: Casa De Cha Da Boa Nova. A famous 2 Michelin star restaurant: we are in for a lunch in Porto to remember.

(more…)

0 Comments
December 1, 2024
Read more about the article 3 days in Magical Olympic
Foodies / The Outdoors

3 days in Magical Olympic

I have been going to Seattle regularly for work for over seven years, however I had still not taken the chance to combine a work trip with a trip to Olympic National Park. Until now….I have to be in Seattle in the middle of July, the perfect time to extend my stay and make it out to the Olympic Peninsula for 3 days in magical Olympic. Olympic National Park has it all: a glacier, a rain forest, waterfalls, mountains, lakes and a beautiful rocky coastline.

(more…)

0 Comments
July 30, 2024
Read more about the article Bruges where Beer and Chocolate awaits
Cities / Foodies

Bruges where Beer and Chocolate awaits

Bruges is one of Europe’s historical gems and only a 2 ½ hours drive from where I grew up and yet I had never been. I read a lot about it; I watched several movies that were filmed there, but somehow, I never made it there. But finally, this year, the stars align when my friend Michelle has to go to Europe for work around the same time I am visiting mom in the Netherlands for her birthday. The perfect occasion to plan a weekend to explore this city together. So, on Friday at the end of May, Michelle is taking the train from Luxembourg, and I am driving to Bruges, where beer and chocolate awaits.

(more…)

1 Comment
June 7, 2024
Read more about the article Chasing Waterfalls in Yosemite
hiking / The Outdoors

Chasing Waterfalls in Yosemite

Mandi got us a permit for Yosemite this year. I have been coming to Yosemite for many, many years and in every season. It is mid-May, and they had the biggest snowstorm of the year only two weekends ago. I have never seen the waterfalls this big. We have two and half days, from Friday through Sunday and we want to maximize our time and do as much as we can. So, on Friday, we drive straight into the park via HWY 120, destination Hetch Hetchy. We do a 7-mile hike to the Wapama falls. After, we drive to the Valley and have dinner at the historic Ahwanee hotel. On Saturday, first thing is driving up to Glacier Point and from there, down to the Valley floor, where we park at the Yosemite Valley Lodge. From here, we spend the day exploring the Valley. On Sunday, we drive from our hotel in Yosemite West, to Wawona followed by a hike to the Mariposa Grove to see the big Redwood trees, before returning home. A perfect weekend trip chasing waterfalls in Yosemite.

(more…)

0 Comments
May 30, 2024
Read more about the article Hiking for Wine: Mendocino
Foodies / hiking / The Outdoors

Hiking for Wine: Mendocino

Seema and I decided at the spur of the moment to go on a little road trip. We wanted to hike, go winetasting and have good food. After some research, we picked Mendocino as our destination. Only a couple of hours up the coast from the Bay area, we had both not been there. It was also an opportunity to visit the wineries of the Anderson Valley. So, on a sunny Monday morning in February, we were on our way for a hiking for wine Mendocino Road Trip.

(more…)

0 Comments
February 16, 2024
Read more about the article Hiking TMB: Trient to Argentiere
Foodies / hiking / Tour de Mont Blanc

Hiking TMB: Trient to Argentiere

In January, six of us decided to hike the famous Tour de Mont Blanc trail in the Alpes. After research and discussions with Alpine Exploratory, our travel agent, we decided to only hike the northern section.  Seven days, around seventy miles, from Courmayeur in Italy to Chamonix in France. August 3 was our fifth day of hiking TMB: Trient to Argentiere. 9.9 miles, 3,740 feet elevation.

(more…)

0 Comments
October 21, 2023