The Lost Girls

Bring Me That Horizon

noreply@blogger.com (The Lost Girls) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 13:00:00 +0000

by Jessica Goldstein
LG Adventure Editor

Here is something you may have noticed: It’s a big, big world out there. Shining, shimmering, splendid, etc. There’s home, and then there’s everywhere else. What is it exactly that makes us want to bolt from our roots and go someplace completely foreign?

I am a traveling junky and I blame Oregon Trail. For those of you who weren’t born into that late ‘80s, too-young-for-Cabbage-Patch-Dolls-and-a-little-too-old-for-Beanie-Babies generation, Oregon Trail was a computer game for elementary school kids about the great American road trip circa 1848: a Conestoga wagon trek from Independence, Missouri to — you guessed it — Oregon. My childhood dreams of reaching Willamette Valley were always thwarted; every time I tried to ford the river, my oxen died (I died shortly thereafter from dysentery, naturally). I never reached that glorious pixilated destination and I guess I never got over it. Reading lots of Kerouac and watching all those Mary Kate and Ashley travel around the globe movies as an adolescent probably did not help.

That’s just my story, but the truth is it’s not shocking I caught adventure fever. That’s what Americans do: we move. We couldn’t wait to jump on ships to get here, and ever since we arrived, we’ve been fixated on getting someplace else. We ventured west into the wilderness until we hit water and then, still unsatisfied, switched gears and rocketed off to the moon. The surprising thing would be if we all decided to stay put.

And now, London! I’ve been here a month, which feels like so much time and also no time at all. For my semester abroad, I’m studying English (England seemed like a good place to do that), exploring the city and using the UK as a launching pad for other European misadventures.

Expat Guides, Vol. 1: Getting around

For the first four days, I got lost everywhere I went. Imagine a drunk toddler. Give said toddler a crayon. Ask him to draw straight lines on a piece of paper. Then imagine the City Planner of London seeing those squiggles and saying, “These would make PERFECT roads!” Assign someone with a cruel sense of humor to name these streets. Roads here are anything but gridlike, and they often change names for no reason at all. So if you come here, buy a London A-Z and never go outside without it. And when in doubt, take the Tube, which is actually as pretty and easy to use as they say. It’s not lick-the-floor clean or anything, but we’re talking a giant stride forward from the touching-anything-might-give-you-tetanus feel of the New York subway.

MORE TO COME. Get excited…

****

Sydney Series: My Wine Odyssey in Oz

noreply@blogger.com (The Lost Girls) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:50:00 +0000

Sydney was our last stop on our round-the-world trip, and we have plenty of amazing memories from living "Down Under." Now 'til mid-November, we're going to be recalling our favorite Sydney moments. At the end of each post, you'll find out how to get the chance to make your own memories in Oz by entering to win a trip to Sydney (the organizers extended the deadline for entry!)

*****
ADP: I can't believe that I'm admitting this now, but I wasn't much of a wine drinker before Holly, Jen and I did our yearlong adventure around the world. In fact, I hardly drank the stuff at all, unless it was the only thing being offered at a wedding or forced upon me at a fancy dinner. I just couldn't understand what all the fuss was about--I mean, wasn't wine just an alcoholic version of grape juice?

I officially saw the light of day—and truly experienced an awakening of the taste buds—when my fellow LGs and I began touring the wineries in New Zealand's Marlborough region and Australia's Hunter Valley. As experienced guides took us through vineyards located in impossibly beautiful settings, showed us the vast, spotless warehouses where the grapes are crushed and then led us to the tasting rooms, I found myself enchanted with the whole process of coaxing a delicious but often temperamental fruit into the jewel toned liquid swirling at the bottom of my glass.

For the first time, as the winemakers clued me in to the various scents and notes and flavors of the wine, I actually began to taste the distinctions and developed a near instant connection to certain varietals. And as we traveled from one winery to the next, I suddenly realized: I actually liked wine. No, I loved it!

I couldn't be sure, of course, until I departed from those enchanted valleys and went back to my regularly scheduled life. But, to my happy surprise, I found myself missing those Australian wines almost the second I returned to the US—and determined to keep tasting glasses from all over to find varietals and vineyards I liked just as much.

Earlier this year, I got the incredible opportunity to visit New South Wales again to report on the Vivid Sydney festival for National Geographic Traveler and PeterGreenberg.com. While I wasn't able to get back to the Hunter Valley, I discovered an incredible new wine bar and restaurant called Wine Odyssey during my return to Sydney.

Located in a gorgeously restored historic building in The Rocks neighborhood (the oldest part of the city) Wine Odyssey offers guests a chance to sample as little as much as they'd like from a selection of more than 40 Australian wines. Rather than served in bottles, the wines are housed in an innovative Italian-developed vending station that dispenses either a taste (25 mL), a half glasss (75 mL) or a full glass (150 mL), each kept fresh via temperature control and nifty decanting devices, according to the Sydney Morning Herald. When you arrive, you simple load up the amount you'd like to spend on a plastic "smart card," insert it into the machine and get tasting.

Once you've got your filled glass in hand, you can either get cozy in one of plushly decorated, vintage style drawing rooms or head upstairs to the aroma room and tasting theater, where you'll be virtually versed in what you're sipping.

I've been waiting for such a mecca of vino to appear here in New York City, but thus far, I've only experienced a true Wine Odyssey in Sydney. Rather than wait 'til the powers that be install one in my city, I might just have to return to Oz.

Wine Odyssey
39-43 Argyle Street, The Rocks, 1300 136 498
http://www.wineodyssey.com.au/

*****
Want to join us in Australia? The folks at Tourism New South Wales are offering two winners a trip to Sydney for themselves and a friend including airfare on V Australia, seven nights accommodation and an exclusive ticket to experience at least five of the most “life enhancing” activities that the city has to offer, such as:

• Learning to Surf at Bondi Beach
• Climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge
• Sailing on Sydney Harbour
• Going behind the scenes at Sydney Opera House

To enter, simply click here or go to http://www.facebook.com/seesydney?v=app_17037175766 and follow these steps:

1. Click on the "Win a Dream Sydney Vacation" button
2. Enter your contact info
3. Become a fan of Sydney, Australia on Facebook
4. On the Sydney, Australia Facebook Wall write in 30 words or less about a Sydney experience you've had, or would want to have.

The organizers have extended the deadline and the contest will now be running from now through November 15th! Get your entries in now, and we'll see you Down Under!

The LG Weekly News Roundup: 11.5.09

noreply@blogger.com (The Lost Girls) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 11:00:00 +0000

by Molly Fergus
LG Travel News Editor

Missed the big travel stories of the week? And the weird, wacky and insignificant ones? We've got your round-up right here....

******************************************

Smokes on the Plane
We like to call this the Mad Men trend gone too far. Ryan Air, the dirt-cheap European budget airline, will start allowing smoking on its planes — as long as customers purchase the house brand. Ryan Air’s smokeless cigs will cost about $9, supposedly don’t contain any toxins, and are harmless to other passengers. This transparent money-making scheme might seem surprising if it weren’t for the company’s other absurd fees, like a mandatory online check-in charge and a potential pay-to-pee policy.
Source: Jaunted.com

Round-the-world wellness
One more reason to visit the doc before hitting the road: a new study by the GeoSentinel Surveillance Network says that long-term travelers are at risk for different maladies than vacationers. Nomads who set out for at least six months are more likely to pick up parasites — including the buggers that cause diarrhea or irritable bowel syndrome. They’re also more prone to chronic fatigue. Sounds like we already knew this, so pack some Cipro and bring a pillow!
Source: Reuters

Glimpse your next byline
Want to write for National Geographic? The Glimpse Program, managed by the legendary travel publication, is now accepting applications from 18-34 year olds who are living abroad for at least 10 weeks. Winning correspondents will write and take photos of their experiences abroad, take home a $600 stipend and land a chance to be featured in an issue of the magazine. Send off two references and a writing sample by Nov. 8 to score the gig.
Source: Gadling

That’s not your name
It might be time to schedule a DMV visit. A new federal policy called Secure Flight requires that names on plane tickets and identification match exactly. That means, if “Jane H. Brown” booked a flight to Buenos Aires but her passport lists her as “Jane Brown,” she can say adios to that Malbec and parillada dinner. Just try to avoid any Kayak typos.
Source: New York Times

Lost in Spain: Best Tapas in Madrid

noreply@blogger.com (The Lost Girls) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:00:00 +0000

By Molly Gallagher

LG International Correspondent

At any time of the day in Madrid you can find cafes, restaurants and bars open and serving tapas. Madrilenos (people of Madrid) have a schedule unlike anything I have ever experienced. The nightlife goes on until six, seven, even eight in the morning. Lunch is usually between two and four and dinner can be as late as ten. In fact, most restaurants do not even open for dinner until ten. Tapas fit in perfectly with this lifestyle. Tapas are small dishes that are shared. These allow Madrilenos to eat smaller portions throughout the day or have a bite to eat between the long periods of time between meals. Bars will also often give you a small tapa when you order a drink and some will give you lots of tapas. A side note, Ham is a HUGE part of Spanish food, so expect lots of it. Here are some of my favorite tapas and some suggestions on where to eat if you are planning a trip to Madrid.

Salmorejo- This dish originated in Córdoba, a city in Southern Spain. It is similar to gazpacho, but a much creamier, tomato based dip. It is usually made with pieces boiled egg and ham. It is delicious to dip bread into.

Patatas Bravas- These are potatoes, similar to home fries. Bravas sauce is a spicy tomato sauce, like hot sauce.

Huevos Rueveltos- Is an egg dish that is prepared many ways. This literal translation is scrambled eggs. It is often made with potatos or French fries and Chorizo (sausage) or bacon and sometimes vegetables.

Chorizo- This is pork sausage. It is very different from the sausage we are used to in the States. Chorizo is spicier and tastes more like salami. It is most commonly eaten with bread.

Jamón Serrano- Is dry cured ham. It is most similar to Italian prosciutto. It is served with melon (like prosciutto), on a plate, or with bread.

Croquetas- These are small fried balls filled with a ham, oil, cheese and egg mixture. While they may not sound delicious…they are. Try them at El Tigre.

Tortilla Española- This is a Spanish Omlette. It is made with potatoes and eggs. It is usually served as a pincho, or piece either hot or cold. Many Spaniards eat this dish in the morning.

My Three Favorite Places to Get Tapas

The best area to go for tapas is in La Latina. This area is right near Sol (the center of Madrid). If you walk down Cava Baja Alta, you will find over 30 tapas bars.

La Rosa- My cousin who lived in Madrid for three years introduced to this tapas bar. They have traditional Spanish tapas like, Salmorejo, but you can also get salads, chicken dishes, and more interesting tapas. Calle de Oriente, 4.

El Tigre- This bar is ALWAYS packed. Why? Because when you buy one caña (a small beer) for €1.50 you get a free plate of tapas filled with patatas bravas, croquetas, tortilla Española, and Jamón (Ham). When you get a more expensive drink, for example their €6 mojito, which comes in a large plastic cups, you get two free plates of food. This is the best bargain, especially when you are on a budget. Go around 9:00 p.m. and by the time you make your way to the bar it will be time for dinner. Calle de las Infantas, 30.

New Hiring: An LG Public Relations Intern

noreply@blogger.com (The Lost Girls) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 20:23:00 +0000

Are you a social networking guru? Spend more time chatting with your friends on Facebook then you do in person? Then we have the internship for you!

We're on the hunt for a fabulous online PR and marketing intern for the remainder of Fall 2009 through Spring 2010 semester. The ideal candidate will be a detail oriented, web-savvy self-starter who can commit 5 to 10 hours per week to the position. While prior PR or office experience isn’t required, work with magazines or websites is a plus. We’re looking for someone who’s a whiz at spreadsheets (and loves them!), has excellent writing skills and a love of all things travel.

Check out the rest of this site before you apply to get a sense of what we’re all about, then drop us a line at lostgirlsworld@gmail.com. Please put “PR Internship” in the subject line and send us any writing samples or attachments you think will be helpful for us when making a decision. Oh, and if you;re past the days of interning, feel free to forward this to any young whippersnappers who might be interested. Thanks!

Lost Girls Spa Review: Skana

noreply@blogger.com (The Lost Girls) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 15:13:00 +0000

HCC: I usually equate casinos more with the smell of cigarettes and flashing lights than with the smell of sage and bubbling mineral baths, but I experienced both at the Turning Stone Resort & Casino in Verona, New York. Run by the Oneida Indian Nation, their spa named Skana (which is the Oneida word for "peace"), offers the total experience: sauna, steam room, jacuzzi, mineral bath, and treatments that use natural elements such as the Sage and White Pine Hot Towel Massage. Another thing that sets them apart from other spas is their sweat lodge built with willow and draped with buffalo hides. Sweat lodges have long been used as a way to detox the body and purify the spirit.

I didn't try the sweat lodge, and my favorite thing about the spa wasn't actually the treatments, but the relaxation area. Anyone who books a treatment gets to use it for the entire day, and can try the DIY "Balancing Waters Ritual." This basically means jumping in and out of cool and hot water, as well as the steam room and sauna, to boost your circulatory and nervous systems.

First, you sit in the steam room for five to 1o minutes to help sweat out toxins. Then you jump in a cool shower for one minute to increase your circualtion (this is not comfortable, but it feels refreshing in the end). Then you hop into the sauna for another five to 10 minutes to clear out your sinuses and relax your muscles. After that, it's a cold shower again before soaking in the luke-warm mineral pool (the 18-plus different kinds of minerals are said to be restorative). When you're all done, you can lounge in the low-lit relaxation area with fruit water to wait for your therapist. It's believed that getting rid of stress and increasing circulation like this before a treatment preps your body to better receive the benefits of your massage or facial. All I know is that my body felt so relaxed from doing this, I felt like I had a treatment even before I went in for my facial. That all ended, of course, when I met my grandmother in the casino connected to the spa's lodge, and lost all my money with her playing Bingo.

Book Review: Title: The New Age of Adventure: Ten Years of Great Writing

noreply@blogger.com (The Lost Girls) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 11:00:00 +0000

by Lisa Katzenberger
Special to Lost Girls World

National Geographic Adventure is the magazine for readers who prefer to climb around the wild outdoors versus just glance at the pictures from the safety of their couch. Their new anthology, The New Age of Adventure: Ten Years of Great Writing, strikes the same chord as their down-in-the-dirt-details magazine.

Sure, they may sound a little confident with their claim of “ten years of great writing,” but the book really delivers. The anthology is filled with flawless writing and stunning stories pulled from the award-winning magazine’s ten-year life. Story after story reels you in and instantly transports you through lush language to another part of the world.

The anthology breaks the stories up into four sections. "Reporting From the Edge" provides a journalistic approach to discovering different cultures of the world. The section starts off with Sebastian Junger’s “The Lion in Winter,” a startling look at Afghanistan guerrilla war warrior Ahmad Shah Massoud that was originally published in the spring of 2001. And in “Off the Face of the Earth” Peter Lane Taylor crawls around a complex system of underground caves where the Stermers family hid from the Nazis for nearly a full year in 1942. He shares details of how the surviving members of the family – young children at the time – look back on this experience with heart-breaking strength.

"Sexy Beasts" covers stories about how our animal friends survive in this world. In “Place of Darkness,” Kira Salak shares her encounters with mountain gorillas trying to survive the war in Congo and contemplates who the more humane animal is: man or gorilla. “Stomping Grounds” by Paul Kvinta investigates the culture of “human-elephant conflict” where elephant stampedes in India have caused deaths in the thousands over the past two decades.

"Personal Journeys" includes personal narratives, such as friends surviving a 21-day kayaking through the Aleutian Islands, and a Vietnam vet surviving his emotional journey back to the ghost-filled battlefields of his youth. In "The Outer Limits" writers venture to the farthest reaches of the world – from travelling alongside Siberian reindeer farmers to exploring the blank Sahara where the even the map labels the area as “nothing” – Tenere.

Every story in The New Age of Adventure carries the potential for self-discovery. How does your life feel when you examine it from inside the still void of Siberia’s Tenere? What do you do when, in the middle of a 22-day canoe trip in the Grand Canyon, where contact with others is rare and random, you place a call home from a pay phone on September 11, 2001? Do you continue on your scheduled trip, and hang out among America’s nooks and crannies or head home to hunker down in front of its 24-hour ticker-filled news channels? The story of elephants finding a place to call home among India’s skyrocketing population begs the question: who’s closing in on whose turf? These stories share the underlying theme that seeing the world is also about seeing ourselves and learning more about the human race in the name of adventure.

Overall, the stories are moving and inspiring and stirring, although The Sexy Beasts section wasn’t as immediately engaging as others. And, Lost Girls readers, it’s worth pointing out to this crowd that out of twenty-five beautiful travel stories only three were authored by women. (Kira Salak also has “Hell and Back” and Gretel Ehrlich’s contributes “The Vanishing Breed.”)

The stories in The New Age of Adventure pull you along like a quick and smooth zip line tour. Happy to watch the world move by, to observe it from a different perspective, not really noticing time pass, not really wanting the journey to end. And then the instant you complete one story, breathless, pondering what you just experienced, you’re anxious to clip on to the next line, to jump into the next story, and discover what lies ahead.

The New Age of Adventure: Ten Years of Great Writing
Publisher: National Geographic Society
Release Date: Now available (released September 15, 2009)
$16.95
LG Rating: * * * * (out of 5)

******************************
Lisa Katzenberger lives in Chicago and is working on her second novel. Her short stories have appeared or are forthcoming in Quality Women's Fiction, Foliate Oak, Cooler by the Lake, and PoemMemoirStory. She blogs about writing at Fictioncity.blogspot.com.

Are You From Bali? Volunteer Readers Needed for The Lost Girls' Book

noreply@blogger.com (The Lost Girls) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 21:03:00 +0000

Hey everyone! The Lost Girls book has been copy-edited and is about to go to press to hit shelves this spring. We have one week to read it over before it does, and would love to have someone from Bali read about the island to get your thoughts. If you were born in Bali or have family from Bali, are familiar with Balinese culture, and would like to read a sample chapter, please email us at LostGirlsWorld@gmail.com. Thanks for your help!

The World Cup: How Sports Unites Cultures

noreply@blogger.com (The Lost Girls) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 10:00:00 +0000

Today we have a guest post from sports travel guru Robert Tuchman, author of the new book, The 100 Sporting Events You Must See Live. He lives in New York City, where he is president of Premiere Corporate, a division of Premiere Global Sports, and a contributing writer for ESPN.com. He's been featured in The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, The New York Times, and Your World with Neil Cavuto. Robert is also the author of Young Guns, The Fearless Entrepreneurs Guide to Chasing Your Dreams and Breaking Out on Your Own.
*****
If the results of the 2009 Confederations Cup soccer tournament this summer are any indication of what the World Cup has in store in 2010, American soccer fans have something to be excited about. Losing by the narrow margin of 3-2 to world power Brazil, the United States team showed its ability to compete with the big boys, and shows promise for a deep run for the FIFA World Cup trophy this summer.

Summer may be a misleading word in this situation, given that, while it will be summer in the US while the World Cup is going on, winter will be in full-effect in South Africa, the host country of the tournament. For those visiting South Africa for the Confederations Cup last “summer”, the ability to see your own breath (at night games, where the low typically reached 40˚F) was a bit startling at first, but nothing a few extra layers couldn’t help (don’t let this turn you off, because the days are warm in the 60’s and 70’s)!

The weather is the least of one’s worries when visiting a foreign country for the first time. It is a variable outside of human control that can only be dealt with by preparing for it or avoiding it. The culture clash, however, no matter how much you think you’ve prepared for it, will always catch you off-guard.

Right when you get off the plane, train, bus, car, or boat that you take to your destination, you're almost always immediately greeted by a local in their native tongue; this is your “we’re not in Kansas anymore” moment. Perhaps you’ve brushed up on your local lingo and can respond, sometimes comfortably, sometimes…not so much. Regardless, from that moment on, communication with the locals, depending on how much of your language they know, can only become more difficult. One thing that sporting events provide as a benefit in this type of situation is that, although there are people visiting from all over the world (especially at events like the World Cup), you all share a common interest in the event you are there to share. Having a common ground like sports with someone from Japan, Argentina, Switzerland, or Australia, without ever meeting or speaking with them before, can almost always help break down that culture barrier.

Columnist and novelist Fanny Fern once wrote, “The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach”, and there is certainly no exception here! Traveling to sporting events around the globe gives many opportunities to try local foods both in and out of sporting venues. Whether its sampling tapas in Spain, tasting beers in Germany, or sitting down for full-course meals like fresh seafood from the coast of South Africa or pasta dishes in Italy where the noodles are pressed right in front of you, each country—and within it each city, town, and village—has their own delicacies that you may only have one opportunity in your lifetime to experience; and you shouldn’t let one pass you by.

Sports give fans moments that they would have never otherwise had, and these are the moments I live for.

LG Sydney Series: Hunter Valley Wine Country

noreply@blogger.com (The Lost Girls) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 13:00:00 +0000

Sydney was our last stop on our round-the-world trip, and we have plenty of amazing memories from living "Down Under." Now 'til the end of October, we're going to be recalling our favorite Sydney moments. At the end of each post, you'll find out how to get the chance to make your own memories in Oz by entering to win a trip to Sydney.

*****
HCC: There’s a lot more to Oz than the sunburned outback and endless beaches. When my fellow Lost Girls and I heard about the rolling vineyards, gourmet restaurants and relaxing spas that were to be found in Hunter Valley, we refilled the oil in our camper van (we learned our lesson!) and hit the road. Located just about three hours from Sydney, Hunter Valley sounded like the perfect place to recharge without having to waste too much of our dwindling vacation time behind the wheel.

It turned out to be a pretty big region encompassing lots of towns, so we decided to stop in Singleton for the night because it had a campground with powered sites. It was here that I met Makalah, a permanent trailer park resident who introduced herself to me in the bathroom. When I mentioned that we were on our way to visit the Singleton Information Center to figure out which wineries to visit, she laughed out loud. “The Information Center is about as useful as tits on a bull!” I felt like a silly tourist, which, of course, I am. But we decided to hit up the bigger Hunter Valley Information Center anyway, which was only a twenty-minute drive.

I can’t speak for the Singleton Tourist Information Center, but most of the ones we’ve visited in Oz have been lifesavers. The large one in Hunter Valley was stocked with maps and the staff even guided us in drafting an itinerary for the next four days, including wine school, food tastings and hot air balloon rides. Information is more than power—having it on a road trip makes everything more manageable.

It’s no secret that The Lost Girls live to eat, and Hunter Valley turned out to be a foodie haven. We were overwhelmed with the possibilities: There was the Hunter Valley Smelly Cheese Factory, Hunter Valley Olive Centre and Hunter Valley Coffee School. Worried that our tummies wouldn’t be able to handle all these yummy delights, we opted to simply satisfy our sweet tooth and drove over to the Hunter Valley Chocolate Factory.

I witnessed the girls’ eyes light up and then glaze over in anticipation as we examined the endless mounds of confectionary creations arranged in neat piles behind the glass display cases. I sampled chocolate-covered caramel frogs, rocky-road fudge and chocolate-dipped marshmallows. Then I tasted Jen’s toffee-filled treats and Amanda’s mango-mousse covered chocolate. Dieters beware: This is not a place to come if you’re counting calories, so it’s best to give yourself a break. I’m over dieting because it makes me bitchy. Chocolate, on the other hand, makes me very, very happy.

Rising before dawn, on the other hand, does not make us happy. But the next morning we did just that because we had the chance of a lifetime: To get a bird’s eye view of the sunrise over the valley. We signed up for a hot air balloon ride at Balloon Aloft that required us to meet our group at 5:30 a.m.

When we arrived, we were asked to fill out the mandatory safety forms and then sat around sipping steamy coffee and watching kangaroos have a boxing match in the grassy field that stretched out in front of us. By 7:30 a.m., the sun had risen, but our hot air balloon had not. Our guide ended up canceling the ride due to windy weather. We were bummed, but figured it was better to be safe than sorry (we made it this far around the world and would rather not have to report to our parents that we’d been involved in a hot air balloon crash).

We had the whole day ahead of us and made our next stop the Hunter Valley Wine School. Yes, they are opened for wine tasting at the ripe hour of 9:30 a.m. The Lost Girls became wine connoisseurs! Well, not really, but we graduated and each got our own certificate. Our teacher instructed us to wear these hardhats (even though we’re hardheaded enough) for a tour of the winery to watch just how vino is made. Then we sat down inside the wine bar and got to sample the goods.

Hunter Valley is known for four types of wine: Semillon (a light, dry white), Verdelho (a fruity white), Chardonnay (a full-bodied white that can be tart) and Shiraz (a spicy red). Though there are around 140 boutique wineries in Hunter Valley, we were disappointed to learn that we couldn’t buy many of the bottles in the States since the smaller ones don’t produce enough wine to export.

We walked out of there giggling like little schoolgirls. Seriously, how the heck did we get so lucky as to be able to spend our days tasting chocolate, sipping wine and watching kangaroos at sunrise?!

*****
The folks at Tourism New South Wales are offering two winners a trip to Sydney for themselves and a friend including airfare on V Australia, seven nights accommodation and an exclusive ticket to experience at least five of the most “life enhancing” activities that the city has to offer, such as:

• Learning to Surf at Bondi Beach
• Climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge
• Sailing on Sydney Harbour
• Going behind the scenes at Sydney Opera House

To enter, simply click here or go to http://www.facebook.com/seesydney?v=app_17037175766 and follow these steps:

1. Click on the "Win a Dream Sydney Vacation" button
2. Enter your contact info
3. Become a fan of Sydney, Australia on Facebook
4. On the Sydney, Australia Facebook Wall write in 30 words or less about a Sydney experience you've had, or would want to have.

Foodie travel: NYC’s Great Gathering of the Chefs

noreply@blogger.com (The Lost Girls) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 10:00:00 +0000

by Molly Fergus
LG Travel News Editor

Anyone who plans vacations around food must consider booking a trip to NYC for the 2010 “Great Gathering of the Chefs,” an annual charity event that easily offers the best bang for your time when it comes to sampling the city’s top eats.

I eagerly accepted a media invite to the fifth annual event last week, where 20 local restaurants set up stands with small bites of signature items. The food ranged from Blue Smoke’s quirky peanut butter, jalapeño and braised pork belly sandwich to the Russian Team Room’s decadent lobster bisque and caviar.

Red and white wine pairings peppered the table, and dessert stretched across a third of the room. Kyotofu served its award-winning miso brownie, Ricard Chocolat offered a fresh mint infused ganache, and Dovetail concocted a peanut butter and jelly bread pudding. For me, a carrot cake macaroon with a cream cheese filling from Aureole easily, well, took the cake.

Still, the event’s undertone was bittersweet. The event honored Gourmet magazine, the nearly 60-year-old culinary publication that Condé Nast shuttered this month as part of company-wide cuts. Three former staffers attended the event to accept the Golden Fork Award, a plaque honoring the magazine for its contributions to the culinary field.

If you’re interested in attending the event next year, start planning now. A limited number of tickets go on sale for the tasting, which cost $150 this year, and all proceeds went to charity. Just one word of advice: Schedule some food-coma recovery time into your trip!

New Travel Movie: Up in the Air

noreply@blogger.com (The Lost Girls) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 19:00:00 +0000

by Sarah Amandolare

LG Entertainment Editor

George Clooney is known for many things: Salt and pepper hair, his role on the original doctor drama ER and a playboy lifestyle, complete with a villa on Italy’s celebrity-soaked Lake Como. His recent commitment to improving conditions in Darfur may have given Clooney a more serious image, but it’s the actor’s work-hard-play-hard lifestyle that seems to entice audiences most. When asked whether he’d consider running for political office, Clooney famously said, "No. I've slept with too many women, I've done too many drugs and I've been to too many parties.”

Enter Up in the Air. The film hits North American theaters December 4 and features Clooney as Ryan Bingham, “a corporate downsizing expert” who fires people for a living. Directed by Jason Reitman, of Juno fame, Up in the Air focuses on Bingham and his fast-paced life on the road. He travels from city to city avoiding anything that requires too much thought or feeling, giving workers the proverbial boot without a shred of guilt. “I’m like my mom. I stereotype. It’s faster,” he quips in the trailer.

If audiences find it hard to relate to Clooney’s lifestyle, many of us may discover a kindred spirit in Ryan Bingham. “All the things you probably hate about traveling are warm reminders that I am home,” he says. The appearance of a plucky young assistant, who puts her Yale degree to good use by tagging along with Bingham, seems to bring about a shift. “You have set up a life that basically makes it impossible for you to have any kind of human connection,” she berates Bingham at one point. Oh, the trials of long-term travel.

Luckily, there’s a travel-related contest connected with the film. American Airlines is giving away two tickets to the premiere and an entire year’s worth of First Class air travel to any destination in the U.S. or Canada. Movie posters and the soundtrack to the film will be handed out to 20 other First Prize winners. The catch? You’ll have to purchase a flight on AA.com by October 31. Full information and registration details are available here from American Airlines.

All previews can be viewed on the official Web site of “Up in the Air”

Read more from Sarah on her blog at
http://writersandcooks.wordpress.com/

Follow Sarah on Twitter at
http://twitter.com/Samando

LG Sydney Series: A Fine Day at the Operahouse

noreply@blogger.com (The Lost Girls) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 15:02:00 +0000

Sydney was our last stop on our round-the-world trip, and we have plenty of amazing memories from living "Down Under." Now 'til the end of October, we're going to be recalling our favorite Sydney moments. At the end of each post, you'll find out how to get the chance to make your own memories in Oz by entering to win a trip to Sydney.

*************
ADP: In 2007, the Sydney Opera House received official recognition as one of the most fabulous places on the planet, earning a coveted spot on the UNESCO World Heritage List (an honor it shares with such international treasures as the Taj Mahal, the Egyptian Pyramids and the Great Wall of China). Not bad for a building conceived just 50 years ago by Danish architect Jørn Utzon and finished in 1973…it's the youngest cultural site ever to be included on the World Heritage List.

As must-see, culturally important destinations go, this one certainly lives up to all the hype—few manmade structures thrill the soul quite the Sydney Opera House. I challenge anyone to stand along the waterfront at Circular Quay, spot the gravity-defying white “sails” billowing against a cloudless blue sky and not feel at least a little moved. It might have cost the city $102 million dollars to build (money they originally tried to re-coup by selling kisses with singers on the Opera House steps!) but the end result was—and still is—spectacular.

I must admit, Jen, Holly and I felt pretty jazzed when we received an invitation to visit the Opera House and learn more about its soon-to-be launched "Essential Tour." Trying not to sound too excited about having an excuse to dress up and act civilized, we responded “yes,” and started planning which martinis we’d order at the al fresco Opera Bar later that afternoon.

Splurging on a cab down to the harbor, we headed past the box office to meet up with Steven and Megan, our dedicated guides for the one-hour tour.

Once we’d all made introductions, our little quintet set off on a journey underneath the Opera House, passing through the quiet subterranean corridors that lead to each of the different dramatic venues. Each year, we learned, 1.5 million patrons catch 1,500 different shows on those five unique stages--making the Opera House one of the most active performing arts venues in the world.

Our first stop was the experimental theater known as The Studio, an abstract venue where you can check out that sort of edgy, avant-garde stuff that’s so weird and disconcerting, its entertaining. Tickets to most shows are only about $20, so it’s a great way for the young and the budget-conscious to “go to the Opera” without going broke.

Next, we took a peek at The Playhouse, a cozy 398-seat theater venue originally used for screening popular surfing movies (how very Aussie!) and now the backdrop for an eclectic menagerie of dance, comedy and classical theater performances.

From there our group moved onto the midsized Drama Theater, where Megan let us sit down so she could share a bit of the history behind the Opera House. She explained that in the 1950s, the city of Sydney held an open competition for the design of a new concert hall and opera theater. After much deliberation, Jørn Utzon’s revolutionary concept was plucked from the reject pile and it went on to win the competition. The finished performance venue took 14 years to build (and went over its allotted budget by 95 million dollars!) but it was definitely worth the cash—and the wait!

When most people think of attending a fabulous performance at the Sydney Opera House, they’re probably imagining a night in the 1,500-seat Opera Theatre—it’s the venue that The Australian Ballet, The Sydney Dance Company and Opera Australia all call home. Compared to the ultra-ornate Teatro Colon in Buenos Aires or the Paris Opera House, the Opera Theater is streamlined and spartan. But don’t confuse that with boring: the understated simplicity places the focus where is should be—on the performers.

But the real jewel in the Opera House crown has to be the voluminous 2,679-seat Concert Hall, a gorgeous rose and cream-shaded space that somehow made me feel that I was sitting inside an enormous conch shell….and what a finely tuned shell it is. Since there’s no place to hide theatrical sets or for actors to run off to change, the venue is used almost exclusively for musical performances and concerts by the Sydney Symphony, Australian Chamber Orchestra and the Sydney Philharmonia Choirs, among others.

But before I could give the Concert Hall too much respect as a sacred musical space, Megan informed us that it was on this very stage that Arnold Schwarzenegger won his final Mr. Olympia body building title in 1980, and where the most recent Australian Idol was announced. Nice.

Our tour wrapped up with a quick spin around the exterior of the building, where Steven shared that not only were the sparkling white roof tiles self cleaning, but one could, theoretically, park eight Boeing 747s, wing to wing on the Opera House site. He seemed to be such a wealth of knowledge that I asked him exactly how many of those self-cleaning tiles were on the roof of the building.

Ummm…..

(The answer, retrieved later from the Opera House press packet): 1,056,006

We decided to cut Steven a little slack because he was cute...and he promised to hook us up with tickets to a show before we left Sydney. :-)

Earlier this year, I had the thrill of returning to Australia for the Vivid Sydney festival. There, I got to witness a spectacular lighting ceremony, where Jørn Utzon's masterpiece was transformed into another artist's living canvas. As you can see here, the effect was magical--an image Sydneysiders (and tourists like me!) won't soon forget.

To learn more about the Opera House or to book a space on one of its tours, visit www.sydneyoperahouse.com.

******************

The folks at Tourism New South Wales are offering two winners a trip to Sydney for themselves and a friend including airfare on V Australia, seven nights accommodation and an exclusive ticket to experience at least five of the most “life enhancing” activities that the city has to offer, such as:

• Learning to Surf at Bondi Beach
• Climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge
• Sailing on Sydney Harbour
• Going behind the scenes at Sydney Opera House

To enter, simply click here and follow these steps:

1. Click on the "Win a Dream Sydney Vacation" button
2. Enter your contact info
3. Become a fan of Sydney, Australia on Facebook
4. On the Sydney, Australia Facebook Wall write in 30 words or less about a Sydney experience you've had, or would want to have.

The LG Weekly News Roundup: 10.27.09

noreply@blogger.com (The Lost Girls) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 21:48:00 +0000

by Molly Fergus
LG Travel News Editor

Missed the big travel stories of the week? And the weird, wacky and under-the-radar ones? We've got your round-up right here....
*******
Stateside Steals
Europe’s not the only continent hustling to fill its hotels. American hoteliers posted room rate averages 30 percent lower in some of the country’s most expensive markets, including Las Vegas and New York. Case in point: A seven-night stay at New York’s Hotel on Rivington evens out to just $73/night. Maybe it’s time for that cross-country road trip.
Source: TimesOnline

Win! Free nights anywhere
Even better than cheap domestic hotels: Free international beds. Sign up for our blogger friend Nomadic Matt’s RSS feed or e-newsletter to win three free nights at a hostel. Can’t afford a vacay, even with gratis lodging? Join as one of Matt’s e-book affiliates to win an iPod touch. Whoever draws the most traffic to the book wins the gadget — and everyone else still gets 50 percent of the sales! More info on Matt’s site.
Source: Nomadic Matt

Epcot’s newest equation
Talk about foresight. “Sum of all Thrills,” Disney’s newest addition to the Epcot Innoventions pavilion, lets kids design their own virtual ride – and sponsor Raytheon hopes those same amateur engineers will return to the industry after college. The high-tech defense contractor – recruiting for the wide-open engineering field – wants the attraction to prove that math is more than multiplication tables, and that there isn’t always one right answer. Can grown-ups play, too?
Source: Chicago Tribune

Everything in moderation
Turn that smile upside down: Catalonian officials have banned happy hour promotions to cut down on binge drinking in the northern region of Spain. Barcelona, the capital of the area, has a hard-won reputation as a party town that regularly hosts British hen parties and rowdy backpackers. Violators – that is, any bar offering a two-for-one special or open bar tickets – will face fines as high as $9,000.
Source: BBC

Introducing our New Travel Lifestyle Section

noreply@blogger.com (The Lost Girls) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 19:00:00 +0000

by Patty Hodapp
LG Travel Lifestyle Editor

When I was researching for my summer trip around the Mediterranean, I scoured the pages of guidebooks, scanned travel blogs and read every article I could get my hands on. Google became my travel agent, my front desk clerk, my librarian. Through these sources, plus a few others, I found an almost overwhelming amount of information—I got the scoop on everything from cheap flights to museum hours, ferry schedules to restaurant reviews. By the time my trip arrived—I'd planned six weeks in Italy followed by two weeks of solo travel—I felt confident and well-prepared for the journey ahead.

Once I hit the road, however, I realized that I still had so very much to learn. In spite of my intense researching, the guidebooks, travel mags and even Google still hadn't provided me with the truly critical travel information. For example, how to deflect unwanted attention from foreign men. What gear would be wasted space in my backpack. How to contact my parents from a rural Greek island with one broken payphone. I mean, where was the article instructing me on how to convince a cabdriver to commit a thousand traffic violations so I’d make my flight from the Athens airport?

One thing I wish I'd known before I took off for Europe: 99 percent of my travel-challenges would have nothing to do with booking tickets or reading maps, and everything to do with adapting to an unfamiliar environment with a culture and customs different from my own.

Because I'd never backpacked solo before—and hadn't spoken beforehand to other travelers who had—the success of my trip was based largely on my instincts, plus a lot of trial and error. I learned the most through making mistakes, meeting locals, getting advice from fellow travelers, and just living the experience. Still it would have been great to read up on some of this info before I'd hit the ground.

While it's all but impossible to prepare completely for what you might encounter on the road—nothing can replace the experience of just getting out and getting lost—I found that getting the inside scoop from another traveler who's been there can save you a ton of time, money and make your trip endlessly more enjoyable.

That's why we decided to create the Lost Girls Travel Lifestyle Section. In the coming months, we want to explore topics you don't often encounter in glossy travel mags, from dealing with a surly travel buddy to making your long-distance relationship work to fitting a three-month getaway into your career plans. Sure, you'll still hit countless road bumps along the way, but TL will try to cushion the ride with sections covering everything from travel how-to’s—and what-not-to-do’s.

In addition, we'll be giving you our take (plus some expert opinions) on the nuts and bolts of travel, everything from avoiding gut-twisting backpacker bugs to reading between the lines of online hostel reviews. Below, you'll find a breakdown of our sections and a few sneak-peaks of topics we're planning for the months ahead. If you've got a tip, or are interested in penning one of these articles yourself, feel free to email me at our Lost Girls World address.

Coming Soon In the TL Section…

Travel Shrink: The psychological, the emotional and stuff you didn’t think about
How to leave your job to travel**How to avoid killing your travel partner **How to avoid post-travel blues ** How to make travel work on your resume

Sticky Situations: All the snafus you can get into on the road—and how to avoid them
10 Common Mistakes Backpackers Make ** Re-budget on the road without starving ** Avoiding sticky situations with foreign men ** So you missed your train…What next?

City Guides: Features and reviews of cities, nightclubs, restaurants and hostels
5 Must-Visit South American cities ** Best Nightclubs in Barcelona ** Cheap Sleep in Sydney

Travel Doc: Keeping your health in check on the road
What to do if you run out of your prescription ** Vaccination rules and getting your shots ** Essentials for a first aid kit ** Stay fit: 20 minute yoga sessions for the road

Are We There Yet? Specifics of travel—before, during and after your trip
Buy a backpack that’s right for you ** Packing tips when your suitcase is too full ** How to deal with unreliable European transportation ** Plane, train or bus—buying tickets on a budget

Fresh Air Our forum for spouting your opinion on any and all travel topics, from the controversial (ie, extra fees of heavier airline passengers) to the annoying (lost luggage, stupid rental car policies, etc).

The Gili Islands: Indonesia's Idyllic Beach Getaway

noreply@blogger.com (The Lost Girls) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 10:00:00 +0000

by Jodi Ettenberg

Special to The Lost Girls

A long-term traveler's "island life" is imbued with a deeply decadent routine, one you could never justifiably adopt on a two-week holiday. The guilt associated with spending a full day reading on a soft ribbon of white sand, or sitting and hearing stories about the island from its inhabitants for an entire afternoon all but disappears. The pressure slips away, and you succumb to an almost bovine placidity. You spend your hours as you feel like spending them, without the looming thundercloud of your time in paradise coming to a close.

After a fantastic four months in the Philippines, I made my way to Indonesia to meet a friend on a two week vacation. I choose the Gili Islands, hoping that it would be a nice bridge between our respective travel schedules, and my hunch was correct. The Gilis are a perfect place to relax if you only have a few weeks to spare, but also provide a playground of activities so that long-term travelers have plenty to keep them busy during their time on the islands.

The Gilis are actually made up of three separate islands of descending size. Bridging the waters between Bali and the massive island of Lombok, Gili Trawangan, the biggest at 3 km long and 2km wide, is the most popular and has a reputation for excellent diving, long stretches of white sand and the most lively party scene of the group. Gili Meno is a couples' paradise, with thoughtful, airy bungalows and quiet sandy paths, as well as a small turtle sanctuary and a bird park. Gili Air lies in between, both in attitude and geography: it has several bars and dive shops to choose from, but is far more secluded and less trafficked than Gili Trawangan. For those looking for a lively time, Gili Trawangan is your best bet, and it was where we ended up.

All three islands share the same animal-transportation rule: no dogs, no cars and no motorcycles. This rule means that the Gilis are populated by a disturbing amount of cats, goats, cows and chickens, and transportation is limited to bicycles and horse-driven carriages called cidomo. With no dogs to chase them away (and no cars to scare them into submission) most of the Gili animals are brazenly unafraid of tourists, locals or horses, darting out of the way at the last second when an approaching carriage gallops by and populating every alleyway and path. There were strange mini-chickens, squat and almost legless, clucking around the warung across from my hotel, and goats roaming up and down the streets, chewing everything they could. [Note: this might include you – I was chased up the street by a pregnant goat myself!] Cats were also omnipresent, and you will find yourself pulling out a chair to sit down for a meal only to find it occupied by something furry and asleep.

Gili Trawangan has a lingering reputation for being a haven for magic mushrooms and a good party. The islands have no official police force and complaints must be formally lodged with the local council for the appropriate island - or you can head over to Lombok and bus it to Mataram to make a proper police report. As a result, streams of tourists make their way to the Gilis on the hunt for substances that are customarily dangerous to possess on mainland Indonesia without risking a 20-year prison sentence. Notwithstanding a few bars with signs that read “We will make your evening magic!” or the less subtle “Ask for magic mushrooms inside!”, I didn't find Gili T. deserving of its salacious reputation. That said, there were parties on the island. Three times a week, different bars play host to tourists and locals alike, with happy hour starting at 7pm and drinks flowing throughout the night. I’m not kidding about the “through the night” part, either: I was guilty of making it back to my hotel as the mosque began its call to prayer at 5am. On Monday, festivities were at Blue Marlin Bar, where the drinks were weak and the staff unfriendly. Wednesday: party at Tir Na Nog, the local Irish pub, where the drinks were strong and the party everlasting. And on Friday, party at Rudy's bar, where the venue was packed and I got a drink spilled on me 3 times in one night. My vote goes to Tir Na Nog.

My days were spent relaxing on the beautiful beaches, with public boats hopping between the islands all day long, or exploring the dense inner patches of forest at the heart of Gili Trawangan. Most of the restaurants lining the beach also have small thatched huts with cushions piled high and a personal TV/DVD player, perfect for any rainy days or quiet nights. All said, there was plenty to do on the Gilis and it made for a wonderful beach vacation.

Gili Trawangan Wrap Up

Where to Stay: Pondok Sederhana, Rumah Guest House or Lisa's Homestay. While the beachside places are beautiful, you get no authentically local experience in staying there. Prices tend to vary throughout the day, with highest prices at night when the owners know that most of the island's hotels are full. If you get there in the morning, expect to pay 150,000-200,000 Rp ($15-$20) for a double room, including banana pancakes for breakfast. Sleeping in the village proper, with all its animals, friendly locals and charm, was well worth it. Ladies: don't forget to bring your sarong to cover your shoulders. Bring your moisturizer too: none of the cheaper accommodation has freshwater showers, and the constant salt water will dry up your skin in no time.

Where to Eat: Borobadur 2, Ru'ude Maken and Kiki's Warung all have great 10,000 Rp – 15,000 Rp ($1 – $1.5) heaping plates of selling nasi campur. Tir Na Nog's pizza was also thin-crusted, crunchy and delicious. The Soup Lady in the Public Harbor makes a great soto ayam (chicken soup with noodles and meatballs) for 6,000 Rp (60 cents) and across the street from her is another lady selling nasi campur for the same price.

Where to Drink: Tir Na Nog for happy hour, Coco's Cafe for freshly brewed Illy coffee and a great view of the public harbor, or on the porch of your bungalow, watching the world go by.

What to Do: Rent a bike and cycle the perimeter of Gili Trawangan, take a public boat (20,000 Rp ($2) each way) to Gili Meno for the day and visit the turtle sanctuary and quiet beaches, do a diving course with Manta Dive or Blue Marlin Dive, take a glass-bottom boat and snorkel to your heart's content, watch the stunning sunset from the northernmost tip of Gili T. or the lookout point in the centre of the island.

*********
Born in Montreal, Canada, Jodi Ettenberg is a former new media and technology lawyer who quit her job after to chase her dream of travelling around the world. Starting in April 2008, Jodi has traipsed through South America, Russia and Mongolia, China and a good part of South East Asia, blogging the whole way. You can follow her on Twitter at @legalnomads or on her blog www.legalnomads.blogspot.com.

Vote for the Best Travel Photography

noreply@blogger.com (The Lost Girls) — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 13:47:00 +0000

A picture can help inspire your next trip, fuel your imagination, make you feel more relaxed...and win you a trip to Dominica. Check out Matador's Discover Dominica Photo Contest to see the 25 finalists and vote for your favorite—the winner gets a paid trip for two to the Caribbean. Looking at photos is a better de-stressor for a Friday than hitting the doughnut cart, and you can start your own contest in the office by betting co-workers where each picture was taken. The weekend is only a few short hours away, and we hope it'll motivate you to get on the road and go explore.

LG Sydney Series: Harbor Bridge Climb

noreply@blogger.com (The Lost Girls) — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 15:00:00 +0000

Sydney was our last stop on our round-the-world trip, and we have plenty of amazing memories from living "Down Under." Now 'til the end of October, we're going to be recalling our favorite Sydney moments. At the end of each post, you'll find out how to get the chance to make your own memories in Oz by entering to win a trip to Sydney.

*****

Jen: With our carefree days living in Sydney drawing to a close, Amanda, Holly and I decided it was now or never to experience one of the most iconic and thrilling adventures the city had to offer: The Harbor Bridge Climb.

After a few wrong turns and one frantic phone call to revise our scheduled departure time, we arrived at the visitor center excited to get our climbing party started. Waiting in the lobby for instructions, Holly, Amanda and I browsed the extensive Wall of Fame featuring snapshots of such notable faces as Nicole Kidman, Will Smith, Jodi Foster, Hugh Jackson, the Olson Twins and Brendan Fraser, before a climb coordinator directed us to a back room to get suited up for our big ascent. But a funny thing happened on the way to the equipment station. We were “pulled over” by an employee and asked to submit to a breathalyzer test to make sure we weren’t planning to climb under the influence. As I pursed my lips for the requisite puff, I could only hope that our happy hour at the Establishment bar the night before wouldn't come back to haunt us. Luckily, we registered 0.0% (anything under 0.05% is passing) and were approved to proceed to our wardrobe fittings.

After slipping into a sexy one-piece jumpsuit that any self respecting Trekkie would travel light years to get their split-fingered hands on, we were issued a fuzzy fleece for cold and windy conditions, a baseball cap to keep the harbor sun out of our eyes, a cord to keep our sunglasses from blowing off the bridge and even a handkerchief to tuck into our sleeves for, well, you know. We politely refused the thick gray scrunchies provided to keep our hair back, cause, hey, even donned in space suits, a Lost Girl’s gotta draw the line somewhere. After a quick equipment check and safety review with our guide, Mike, we made our way outside and down the sidewalk, past snickering tourists to the base of the bridge. With a quick glance upward, we took the first of many steps leading us closer to Sydney’s powder blue sky.

Rather than take the traditional route, the girls and I decided to give the newer, and apparently more adventurous, Discovery Climb a shot. Instead of journeying over the top of the bridge to the summit, we were going to cut straight through the heart of the structure, wind through mazes of metal across suspended catwalks, and snake over massive steel beams punctured with rivets before emerging at the top. Now when the girls and I first heard about the bridge climb, we envisioned ourselves dangling precariously over the water, lashed to the bridge with carabineers and forced to scale the walls like Spiderman. Needless to say, we were dramatizing the situation just a teeny bit, as so far, the seemingly death-defying act of climbing the bridge was more like a gentle stroll.

Secured to the side with a special harness linked to a static line, we walked gracefully up a series of iron planks and staircases as Mike enlightened us with a detailed history of the bridge and prominent Sydney sites. We took in the passing cars and crowds of tourist below, while getting a sneak peek at some of the surrounding landmarks like the Opera House, Darling Harbor, Manley Ferry, Luna Park and (then) Prime Minister John Howard’s house. And while the climb was an exciting experience in and of itself, the real reward came at the top. As our heads popped up from beneath the center of the bridge, we couldn’t help but marvel at the spectacular bird’s eye view we had of the glistening harbor and vast cityscape that stretched endlessly below. We took our time navigating the steal summit, posing for the guide’s camera as he snapped dozens of photos of us at every turn and prominent look out point. As we noticed more groups rising above the beams behind us, we realized our time was up, so we slowly began to make our way back down to the base.

A mere 3 1/2 hours, dozens of staircases and thousands of steps later, our feet finally hit solid ground. Happy, exhilarated and only a tad wind blown, we headed to the office to take a look at our photos and get the skinny from the staff on where to go for a celebratory beer in the neighborhood (They suggested we hit The Australian for a frosty Victoria Bitters and deep dish pizza topped with kangaroo, crocodile or emu). So, was the Harbor Bridge Climb all we expected and more, you ask? I mean, should scrunchies have remained in the 80s? Of course! Not only did we get to experience one of Sydney’s most signature activities, we had dozens of pictures showcasing The Lost Girls’ silliest grins to show for it. Bridge Climb Wall of Fame here we come! And in a nod to the company’s tagline, we did in fact, have the climb of our lives!

*****
The folks at Tourism New South Wales are offering two winners a trip to Sydney for themselves and a friend including airfare on V Australia, seven nights accommodation and an exclusive ticket to experience at least five of the most “life enhancing” activities that the city has to offer, such as:

• Learning to Surf at Bondi Beach
• Climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge
• Sailing on Sydney Harbour
• Going behind the scenes at Sydney Opera House

To enter, simply click here or go to http://www.facebook.com/seesydney?v=app_17037175766 and follow these steps:

1. Click on the "Win a Dream Sydney Vacation" button
2. Enter your contact info
3. Become a fan of Sydney, Australia on Facebook
4. On the Sydney, Australia Facebook Wall write in 30 words or less about a Sydney experience you've had, or would want to have.

LG Sydney Series: Blue Mountains

noreply@blogger.com (The Lost Girls) — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 14:16:00 +0000

Learning to Surf at Bondi Beach
Climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge
Sailing on Sydney Harbour
Going behind the scenes at Sydney Opera House

To enter, simply click here or go to http://www.facebook.com/seesydney?v=app_17037175766 and follow these steps:

Click on the "Win a Dream Sydney Vacation" button
Enter your contact info
Become a fan of Sydney, Australia on Facebook
On the Sydney, Australia Facebook Wall write in 30 words or less about a Sydney experience you've had, or would want to have.

The Lost Coast: Northern California's Untamed Waterfront

noreply@blogger.com (The Lost Girls) — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 10:00:00 +0000

by Jessica Goldstein
LG Adventure Editor

Before I went to the Lost Coast in Northern California, I’d been to the beach— at least, I’d been down the shore (pronounced “sho-wuh”). The waterfront as I knew it tasted like funnel cake washed down with beer and sounded like Bon Jovi. It was a sticky, sweaty, tanned and tattooed pulsing throng of people. Naturally the masses were the main attraction. You went down the shore to see and be seen. The ocean, arguably why you braved the Turnpike traffic in the first place, was something of an afterthought.

In defense of the great Garden State, I don’t think we’re unique in our perception of what a beach getaway entails. We get away from one crowd to disappear into another, and I doubt that many people know what the shoreline looked like before we got there.

The Lost Coast, located along a section of Northern California waterfront, is to every beach you’ve ever seen what a live acoustic performance is to the auto-tuned songs you hear on the radio. It’s rough and it’s raw, and there’s nothing to distract you from what’s right in front of your face. When you’re there, you forget about being seen because there’s no one there to watch you. It’s you, sand, sea, sky, and absolutely nothing else.

Just getting to the Lost Coast is a Kerouac kind of adventure. Start in San Francisco, drive north on the 101 for 230 miles until all you see are redwoods. From the end of the highway you can choose one of four winding, near-vertical roads, only two of which are paved. What you’ll reach is a stretch of California coastline 80 miles long, rising and falling 2000 feet as it goes. Over twenty small rivers run through it, cutting through canyons all year round. It’s not the California of the movies — flashy, electric, perpetually teenage — it’s an older California, rugged and untamed. Everything about the scene fits the name: a mysterious, romantic elsewhere that looks like the edge of the world.

For hiking information, check out Sinkyone Wilderness and the King Range National Conservation Area. King Range is longer (25 miles) and takes you along the water to Black Sands Beach. For a shorter hike peppered with free campsites, Sinkyone is a better fit.

If you want a surfing guide, there isn’t one. Searches will produce names like “Ghost Point”, aptly monikered for the religious reverence those who found it have for the unmappable sweet surf spot. Pinning down the coordinates of the legendary breaks is like trying to nail a cube of Jell-o to the wall. Click here to read about one man’s search for the perfect wave.

When visiting on the Lost Coast, don't forget to...

Pack several extra pairs of socks as yours will inevitably get soaking wet and then, somehow, never dry.

Study a tide chart and plan accordingly, unless you want to swim huge lengths of the trail during high tide.

Look out for snakes of both the rattle and garter variety, and leave both of them alone (true story: I know a girl who got bitten by a garter snake on the Lost Coast. Famous last words: “Look! It’s a garter snake! It’s cool, they don’t bite.”

Stay out of the water during the fall, which is great white shark season (true story: I don’t actually know anyone who got bitten by a great white shark on the Lost Coast, but I wouldn’t chance it if I were you.)

Bring bear canisters if you’re camping on the beach.

Camp on the beach. Sand, sea, sky, you. The best night’s sleep you’ll ever have.

LG Sydney Series: Bronte Beach Walk

noreply@blogger.com (The Lost Girls) — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 14:22:00 +0000

Learning to Surf at Bondi Beach
Climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge
Sailing on Sydney Harbour
Going behind the scenes at Sydney Opera House

To enter, simply click here or go to http://www.facebook.com/seesydney?v=app_17037175766 and follow these steps:

Click on the "Win a Dream Sydney Vacation" button
Enter your contact info
Become a fan of Sydney, Australia on Facebook
On the Sydney, Australia Facebook Wall write in 30 words or less about a Sydney experience you've had, or would want to have.

Lost in Spain: Molly Gallagher Lands in Madrid

noreply@blogger.com (The Lost Girls) — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 19:00:00 +0000

Molly Gallagher: As I sit in Newark International airport and a Continental employee announces that she will now board rows 31-25 for the 10:00 p.m. flight departing to Madrid. Then proceeds to say, “Ahora yo invito asientos de pasillos treinta y uno a veinte y cinco.” I think, “What am I getting myself into?” The first time I got on a plane I was eight months old. I am not scared of planes. I’ll eat anything you put in front of me and I absolutely love to travel. Check. However, leaving for my semester abroad in Madrid was harder than preparing for any other trip. The ranges of emotions are endless: new language, living in a new city, living in a new house, living with a host family, new food, new time to eat food, new school, classes in a another country, classes in a another language, and of course packing my life into two suitcases (not an easy task for someone who takes care of her clothes as if they were her own children). For the first two weeks I traveled around Southern Spain in the Andalucía region to: Toledo, Cordoba, Sevilla and Granada. It was what I like to call a travel high. When I arrived in Madrid two weeks ago I went into complete culture shock.

On the first day in Madrid I met my señora, Manuela. After talking to her and unpacking, I asked her, in Spanish of course, if I could leave my shampoo and toothbrush in the bathroom. I assumed it would not be a problem, but she proceeded to show me a shelf in my room where she wanted me to keep my toiletries. I spent the next three nights crying on Skype with my mom. The next problem occurred at dinner. Andrea, my roommate, and I sat down to eat our first home-cooked Spanish meal. Two minutes into chowing down on our tortilla Espanola, a traditional Spanish dish, which consists of potatoes and eggs, we learned that Manuela likes to watch TV, while we eat dinner. During our pre-trip we learned that a huge part of Spanish culture is, sobre mesa, or a discussion at the table. I thought I was already missing out on a part of Spanish culture. As days passed we started to talk to Manuela more. She slowly learned that we liked talking during and after dinner. She now turns off the TV, while we eat and sits with us. Manuela showed us drawers in the bathroom and a spot in the shower where we could store our toiletries. She calls us her, “ninas.” Which means, little girls and makes sure we know that our problems are her problems. Our class schedules and calendars are perfectly situated on her refrigerator and I am starting to feel at home in this new home…with plenty of sobre mesa.

The LG Weekly Travel News Roundup: 10.15.2009

noreply@blogger.com (The Lost Girls) — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 10:00:00 +0000

by Molly Fergus
LG Travel News Editor

Missed the big travel stories of the week? And the weird, wacky and insignificant ones? We've got your round-up right here....

**************************

New side of the tracks
A sour economy isn’t all doom-and-gloom for the travel industry. Thanks to renewed interest in bike and walking paths nationwide, budget-minded vacationers are hitting the trails – and fueling small-town economies while they’re at it. America’s most popular route, the Great Allegheny Passage, follows abandoned rail tracks for 136 traffic-free miles. Business owners in the small industrial cities along the path say cyclists have re-energized their communities without sacrificing authenticity. Cheers to that!
Source: USA Today

Under the sea
Finally, scuba diving for people who don’t like fish! In November, Mexico unveils – or rather, submerges – the world’s largest underwater museum. Artist Jason de Caires Taylor will sink the exhibit’s first four statues off the coast of Cancun next month, but plans include boosting that number to 400 human-shaped figures. The eeriness isn’t just for show, though. Mexican officials hope the exhibit will deter coral-reef peepers and protect the region’s natural resources.
Source: Budget Travel

Sláinte, on the cheap
We never thought we’d see the day. A slumped travel market and an even slouchier economy have hotels in France and Britain giving away free rooms. With visitor numbers down across the continent, hoteliers and tourism companies are slashing prices on everything from seven-day Ireland tours ($659, including flight, from NYC) to rooms in Paris. Time to book that Grand Tour!
Source: New York Times

Wandering geniuses
One more reason to hit the road: traveling makes you smarter. A study at the University of California-Santa Barbara found that people who regularly cope with disorientation – like habitual travelers – sharpen their abilities to find patterns and logic in nonsense. Translation: When you’re playing napkin Pictionary with a waiter in Morocco, you’re actually learning and growing from the process. Well, duh.
Source: New York Times

Win a zillion frequent fliers miles on American Airlines
To celebrate it's featured role in the upcoming Paramount Pictures film "Up in the Air" (the new George Clooney flick about a business traveler whose "life on the road is threatened just as he's on the cusp of reaching 10 million frequent-flyer miles"), American Airlines has introduced a new sweepstakes, “A Year in the Air.” The sweepstakes offers a chance to win a sick, one-of-a-kind prize:

700,000 AAdvantage® miles–enough for 12 First Class, round-trip tickets in the Continental United States or Canada
Two Economy Class, round-trip award tickets to travel to Los Angeles as special guests of American Airlines to attend the “Up in the Air” movie premiere
A $300 gift card to use for hotel or spending money while there

The sweepstakes runs now through Oct. 31, 2009. To enter, register at www.aa.com/upintheair and purchase a flight on AA.com during the promotional period. To enter without making a purchase visit www.aa.com/upintheairamoe. The maximum number of entries allowed per person is four.

Molly Gallagher: New LG Travel Correspondent!!

noreply@blogger.com (The Lost Girls) — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 16:55:00 +0000

The Lost Girls are thrilled to welcome Molly Gallagher to our team of international reporters. Read all about how Molly first caught the travel bug, her consummate love affair with Spain and her latest adventures abroad. Then stay tuned for her first dispatch from the road tomorrow afternoon!

*****

Hi Lost Girls readers! My name is Molly Gallagher and I’m a junior, magazine journalism major at Syracuse University. I live outside of Philadelphia, in Bucks County, PA. I grew up traveling. Every summer my Papa, Grandma, parents, brother and I would jet off in early June. My mother and grandma should really open a travel agency, because of their expertise in planning trips. By the age of 17 I had (very luckily) already traveled to Ireland, England, Italy, France, Greece. I always told my parents I couldn’t entirely remember all of these countries, probably because most of these were between the ages of 5-11. They always told me I had plenty of time to go back. Last year my grandma, parents and I set out on a two-week trip to Spain. Our first stop was Barcelona. We spent the next week driving along the Northern coast of Spain and stopping in: Bilbao, Santillana del Mar, León, Salamanca, and Santiago de Compostela. From Santiago we flew to Madrid. After arriving at the hotel we stepped out onto Calle de Arenal, which is a street off of Plaza del sol, one of the busiest, most crowded, bustling streets in the city. All around me there were groups of men playing guitars, street performers, cafes, jewelry stands, and hundreds of people walking. I turned to my mom and said, “I’m studying abroad here.”

After a month of living in London during high school I always thought I would go back to study abroad there in college. In a single week during my stay in London the city won the Olympic bid and on the next day experienced the terrorist attacks of July 7th, 2007. I saw how the citizens of London came together during this time. It seemed simple: the journalism professors at Syracuse encourage us to study in London, because there are more media opportunities and more communication classes offered.

However, Spain was like nothing I had ever experienced. My cousin, Julie, lived in Madrid for almost three years and taught English there. She and her boyfriend were our personal tour guides while we stayed in Madrid. I never saw her so happy as I did while she was living in Spain. During the day we visited the Prado Museum, the Reina Sofia modern art museum, Retiro Park, had breakfast at a famous chocolate churros café—Choclatería San Ginés, shopping in Gran Via and walking around the Royal Palace. We spent the nights having cheese and wine before my cousin took us to different Spanish restaurants. There was something about the city that I sensed right away—there was always something to do and when it was time to leave I knew I was not done exploring Madrid.

In August I gave up the desire to have a double major in Political Science and opted for a semester in Madrid where I will spend my time reading Hemingway, helping out local public schools teaching English, learning Spanish, spending countless hours in the Prado museum, traveling across Spain and Europe, eating plenty of Spanish food, finding my own local cafes, bars, shops, and hopefully feeling at home in this country. Until then, adios y pásatelo bien (goodbye and enjoy yourself)!

Six Things To Do in Johannesburg

noreply@blogger.com (The Lost Girls) — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 14:21:00 +0000

All this semester, LG intern Courtney Brooks will be sending us reports from the field in Johannesburg, South Africa. Got a question about what it's like to live and work in Jo'burg—a city with one of the highest crime rates in the world? Send us an email at lostgirlsworld@gmail.com.

Top six cultural things to do in Jo'Burg, in no particular order:

1. Take a Township Tour and see the Hector Pieterson memorial

I have mixed feelings about township tours, but the most important thing is to make sure you find some way to see how the majority of people in South Africa live. The only one I have been on was a free perk of a press conference I flew to Johannesburg for last year, and consisted of 25 people sitting on a bus and snapping pictures of locals and shacks in Soweto while I slunk down in my seat and tried not to look like I was at a zoo. I decided to do it both because I wanted to see what a township tour was like and because I didn't think I would have another chance to see Soweto. A township tour run by a local will bring you to local spots such as a "shebeen" for a drink and a "braai" (the Afrikaans word for barbecue) to sample (very) local cuisine including - for the brave - a grilled sheep's head, otherwise known as a "smiley". Trust me, you don't want to know why. Many tour guides will also take you to a traditional healer and their home to meet their family as well. In my opinion, the best way to see the townships is through a local friend. Second best is on a good tour with a local South African, which any guidebook will have a list of. I would definitely not suggest the kind of tour that throws you on a bus and drives you around. You won't learn as much and, if you are like me, will probably feel like kind of a jerk.

The Hector Pieterson memorial and museum is one of the most heart-wrenching places I have ever been, but in a good way. When I go to huge museums - like the apartheid museum - all the information can sometimes just leave me feeling overwhelmed and drained. The Hector Pieterson museum, which is in Soweto, focuses solely on the township uprising of 1976 (which is now marked by National Youth Day) in which young South Africans protested against the government forcing them to speak Afrikaans in school. Police opened fire on the protesting school children and 12-year-old Hector was one of the first killed. The memorial is a beautiful representation of the spirit and bravery of the children in protecting their own culture and protesting apartheid.

2. Apartheid Museum

The Apartheid Museum is one of the most powerful museums I have ever been to. It is designed to feel like a prison, and as you enter you are given a card marked either “white” or “non-white” and walk through the corresponding door. It takes about two hours to see the whole museum. The journey includes graphic footage of protests in the townships, blown up passbooks and identity cards indicating race, nooses representing political prisoners that were hung and cages full of weapons used by security forces. At the end, just when you feel like you can’t take anymore, you walk into a quiet, peaceful space with South Africa’s new constitution in a glass case and videos of Nelson Mandela’s release from prison and inauguration as the first black president playing. It is a very intense experience, and a great education on the country's tragic and amazing history.

3. Gold Reef City

Right next to the apartheid museum is gold reef city. The complex has an awesome amusement park and casino, but the really interesting part about the park is that it is built on an old gold mine, with the one of the ancient-looking wooden mining shafts turned into a tower of terror-esque ride, dropping you from the top below ground level down into the shaft. Joburg became what it is today because of the discovery of gold in the late 1880’s, which brought people from all over the country there in the search of riches.

4. Constitution Hill

The new Constitutional Court building was built on the site of a 100-year-old prison complex where liberation leaders, including Nelson Mandela and Gandhi, were detained. Sections of the prison were destroyed to make way for the court and other sections, such as the Old Fort and one of the more notorious sections of cells, were left intact. There is an art gallery, coffee shop and guided tours of the complex. It is a great example of something South Africa is so good at – turning a symbol of its brutal past into a place of reconciliation and justice.

5. Shop at an African market

Johannesburg has about a million African markets, ranging from tiny strips with about 10 stalls to massive markets that would take you days to get through. One of the easiest ones to get to and navigate is located in the suburbs in the Rosebank mall every Sunday, and is huge. A bonus to this one is it is in a super safe area and you don’t have to worry about not knowing the neighborhood. My favorite place to go was Newtown, located the city center. It’s best to go there with someone and early in the day, but there are very cool stands and amazing jewelry. Newtown is also a up and coming neighborhood with great restaurants, museums and shopping, and feels much more authentic than going to a market in a mall. There are other markets scattered throughout the city, some of which are open only on the weekends and others which are open everyday except Monday.

6. Joburg Zoo

I typically hate zoos. They depress me. For what it’s worth, the Joburg zoo did not depress me. I actually went there while doing a feature story on the volunteers taking care of animals during a municipal workers strike, and accidentally wandered into the rhino pit because it was 7am and I was half-asleep. So minus their tendency to leave the rhino pit gate open before opening hours, it is great. They have tons of African animals that are really well taken care of, and they have lots of rules such as that the animals have to live on grass instead of concrete and the enclosures have to be a certain size. I took the rest of the morning off after I finished reporting so I could see the whole place, and I would definitely recommend it. For the record, never go to a zoo in Cuba.