Journey Juju

One Perfect Taste: Choc-O-Lait Hot Chocolate

2010-03-11T09:53:19-07:00

One of my favorite creative travel keys invites you to savor one perfect sip or bite. You know when you've come across a food that you want to last in your mouth forever.

When this happens, slow way down and savor that one perfect bite or sip.

One day in Amsterdam, I savored a perfect sip of the most delicious hot chocolate in the world...

The chocolate is a cube on a stick that you dip in hot milk...

Of course, it's recommended to lick the cube while it's all hot and milky...

then top with accompanying whipped cream for the perfect Amster-treat.

I wanted to bring a case back but settled for a few of these Choc-O-Lait hot chocolates.

mmmmmmm..........

What's one perfect taste that you've experienced on the road or at home? What one perfect taste will you savor today?

Winner of the Dream Trip Giveaway

2010-03-01T09:29:17-07:00

Thanks to all who commented on my post, Dream Trip Giveaway. It was delightful to hear about everyone's dream trips!

I drew a winner at random and it's Clara, whose dream trip is to Argentina. Thanks for sharing your tango story with us!

Clara, please contact me with your email address so I can send you copies of the Creative Travel Toolkit and The Graceful Return.

Thanks to those who guessed the location of the photos. The first photo is at Chenonceau, a chateau in the Loire Valley in France. The other is in San Francisco. No one guessed the exact location of the first French photo, but thanks for playing along!

Dream Trip Giveaway

2010-02-23T14:37:34-07:00

It may be known that I don't like February so much - winter bleakness bums me out! - so it's a time rife with fantasy.

I block weeks out of my calendar with things like "Go to California" when I haven't booked a ticket or made real plans.

I ask myself things like, "If you could go anywhere next month, if money and time were not obstacles, where would you go and why?"

Then I answer.

I'd go to Bali. I'd go there because I hear it is beautiful, colorful and sacred, and when the winter blahs come after me, I need those precious things.

I also go around asking others that same question. Hearing about others' dream trips gives me a little boost of excitement. Plus it helps me know them better.

So, to you, I ask this question.

"If you could go anywhere next month, if money and time were not obstacles, where would you go and why?"

Answer in a comment here on the Journey Juju blog and you'll be entered into a drawing for copies of my e-books, The Creative Toolkit for Travelers and The Graceful Return: Relish Your Adventure After You've Come Home.

By the way, after I declared that I wanted to go to Bali, I was invited to go speak at a writing workshop there. Unfortunately I'll be in Rome in October, but I can't help thinking it was a bit of journey juju, n'est-ce pas?

Share your dream trip here so you can enjoy your dream and real trips even more. And maybe invoke some of your own journey juju!

One winner will be drawn at random from comments left here before March 1st, 2010. Tell your friends - help everyone defeat winter blahs with luscious travel fantasies!

Bonus giveaway! Name the locations of the first two photos above and I'll give you a copy of The Creative Toolkit for Travelers for being extra clever. The last photo was taken in Portugal, near Sintra.

Curious Amsterdam Information Gathering

2010-02-17T03:59:00-07:00

Curious about my upcoming Curious Amsterdam Excursion?

Please join me for a telephone call to quench your curiosity about this unique creativity workshop.

The free call will take place on Wednesday, February 24th at 9:00 am MST (8 PST, 10 CST, 11 EST, 5 pm in Amsterdam). I will record and publish the recording so you can listen if you cannot come on Wednesday.

Call this number 1-218-936-4700. When prompted, enter this secret code: 194333.

There's a lot to talk about so please send me your questions in advance. Or just show up curious.

E-mail me your questions or leave them in a comment below. I look forward to sharing my excitement with you about this excursion.

Curious Amsterdam: Tap Your Creative Juju June 13 - 19th, 2010. Early registration discount ends February 28th.

All the details are here.

Curious questions answered here.

Stay tuned for more information about Amsterdam for creative travelers, including my biking tips, market recommendations and shopping gems.

Renting and Riding Bikes in Amsterdam

2010-02-15T02:58:00-07:00

I don’t own a car, and I thrive on bicycling, walking and public transportation as my means of travel. It keeps me fit and in touch with my surroundings much more than if I were in a car.

I tell you this because it means I’m comfortable either biking or walking in cities. If you do not bicycle regularly, I recommend doing some pre-excursion biking.

Amsterdam isn’t a small city but having a bike makes is super easy to navigate and change your mind any time. You can hook onto a canal-side street and go from one end of the city to the other on bike in under 30 minutes, enjoying the city as you float past.

If you’re new to biking, don’t let that stop you from joining the locals in the pleasurable bike lane. Just practice being comfortable on bike for a couple of months.

Please pay attention when the person renting you the bike gives you the lecture of how to lock the bike. Your bike will be stolen if you do not do the double lock method.   To make things easier for you, I’ve made a short film of an Amsterdammer demonstrating how to lock the bike properly.

Renting a Bike in Amsterdam

My top choice for getting around the city is to rent a bike. I also buy a several-ride pass for the tram, for when I arrive and depart the city, and for the rare non-bike excursion.

I rent from De Baron Feitsen at Overtoom 45. They’re great and I’ve never had a problem.

The bikes are bright orange but I didn’t mind that. A companion of mine rejected the bike that screamed ‘tourist!’ He got a much less conspicuous bike and was happier with that.

I think it’s a good thing that people see you coming from afar. It’s useful to give others fair warning that you may not know all the rules of the biking road.

Check out this listing to find a bike rental shop near your lodging.

Safety and biking

I have had fabulous juju while biking in Amsterdam. Part of that may be that I feel most at home on a bike or in bed. It’s in my nature to ride and I pay attention to the world around me enough to not crash.

Have notebook, pen, must bike!

I have learned how to flow with the rhythm in Amsterdam but rather than write an article about how to be safe in Amsterdam on bike, I’ll refer you to this wonderful About.com article on Amsterdam bicycle safety.