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While my American friends were celebrating a peaceful Thanksgiving in the US, I’ve decided to sign up for “Dart River Cruise.” I thought- “Wow, how relaxing.” Little did I know that this is what Dart River Cruise is.

The ride lasts for about an hour and 15 minutes at a speed of 50 miles per hour (I’m pretty sure it can go even faster). The river is quite shallow and has lots of twists and turns, with massive boulders at each turn. Dart River is in a very windy valley, and the boat has no protective glass or seatbelt.  As you can see, I was very calm. (NOT!)

To experience this, visit www.dartriver.co.nz/ and live on the edge.

I was walking across a bridge in Frankfurt so I can photograph the financial district of the city when I started noticing that the tourists were taking photos of the bridge railing instead of the city skyline.

There were thousands of padlocks all along the bridge from people all over the world telling their story of why they were there; to announce an engagement, profess their love, celebrate an anniversary, announce the birth of a child, or to remember a loved one. Eiserner Steg have become a symbol of ever lasting love for romantic couples.

The bridge also offers amazing views of the city’s skyscrapers on one side and historic buildings on other side.

Someday I will profess my love to my future husband on this bridge … after all, fairy tales do come true (And it can happen to me!).

Sound of Music is our family’s favorite movie. We love it so much that during my first trip to Salzburg, Austria a few years ago, I researched all the important addresses used in the movie and drove to a few of them. The trip took a scary turn when I ended up in the wrong part of town and my car got stuck in a small, deserted, muddy road and it started getting dark and cold.

So when my family and I visited Salzburg for the holidays recently, they suggested we take the official Sound of Music City tours run by the Salzburg City Tours (http://www.salzburgcitytours.com). The tour, which has been Salzburg’s most popular tour for over 35 years, lasted about 4 hours at only 40 euros per person. It was worth every penny! We all had an amazing time, and we learned a lot of facts about the movie that were not available online. The guides were very funny, helpful, enthusiastic and knowledgeable (and we even sang songs from the movie on the drive to the different locations.)

Chris Burden’s Metropolis II is an breathtaking kinetic sculpture (If you’re into toys like me, it’s breathtaking!). It is like every young boy’s dream come true.

This sculpture featured at Broad Museum in Los Angeles is modeled after a fast paced, frenetic modern city. Steel beams form an eclectic grid interwoven with an elaborate system of 18 roadways, including one six lane freeway, and HO scale train tracks. Miniature cars speed through the city at 240 scale miles per hour; every hour, the equivalent of approximately 100,000 cars circulate through the dense network of buildings.

A collector bought the installation for “millions” of dollars, but was gracious enough to loan it to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art for display over the next 10 years. Thanks Mr Millionaire. We appreciate it!

If I don’t tell you where this place is, you’d probably think I’m in a remote beach in Ireland, New Zealand or Kauia. But it’s actually just a stone’s throw away from the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco- The Marin Headlands.

Not many people know of this place … tourists cross the Golden Gate Bridge, park their car and stop there to take photos of the bridge. In a way, I am sure locals prefer it this way. I’ve visited San Francisco over 20 times before I discovered this place through my friend Francis Rualo. 

I was featured by TV New Zealand when Lonely Planet picked New Zealand as one of its top destinations in 2015. I really enjoyed my trip to Auckland- seeing myself on TV was icing on the cake.

http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/new-zealand-recommended-gay-and-lesbian-tourists-video-6113375

Thanks TV NZ for the great coverage, and thanks New Zealand for the warm hospitality!

Escaped from the comforts of my hotel in Halfmoon Bay, California to drive north 18 miles to this lighthouse- Pigeon Point Lighthouse. The drive was spectacular. What I estimated as a 20 minute drive took two hours. I just had to stop at every cove to enjoy the view fly my drone (and answer questions from amused tourists about how the drone works).

When I got to the lighthouse, I was determined to get one of those shots that swoop in to the light house. Then I got nervous. But I did it anyway and both the lighthouse and the drone survived. (What a relief!)

Editing this video reminded me of how beautiful the world is. DO SOMETHING AMAZING THIS WEEKEND! I hope you take time to appreciate the beauty around us. HAPPY FRIDAY!

Here in Maui to do a shoot. With its seemingly endless white sand beaches, majestic palm trees, blue skies and perfect weather – everything is just picture perfect! Come join me and see what happens behind the scenes.

https://vimeo.com/123759560

The Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay: The Standard of Luxury

When it was built over a decade ago, it set a new standard for casual sophistication and service in a state renowned for its world-class resorts. The hotel is dramatically set upon a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean and the only golf course by the sea in the Bay Area. The architecture can best be described as an oversized beach house in the Hamptons. It’s very understated and casual but elegant.

If you get a chance … stay for a few nights. It would be a vacation of a lifetime!

For more details: http://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/hotels/california/half-moon-bay

I met a guy at our hotel who suggested I visit Makena Beach. “Let’s put it this way,” he said, “I’ve been on Maui for 20 days and have spent time on this beach almost every single day.” With an endorsement like that, I had to see it for myself.

Having been around the entire island of Maui, I have to say that I agree with him. It’s become my favorite beach as well.

The sand is so pure, you sink as you walk through it.

The beach is very easy to find. Once you park, you will walk through a nice wooded area for about a third of a mile to get to the beach. From the woods, your first sight of the blue waters is stunning. This is what locals refer to as “The Big Beach” and it is about a mile long and has pure golden-white sand. In this area, there are several huge trees that you can use as shelter from the sun if you need a refuge. Because of the massive waves, there is a lifeguard on duty. This beach is not ideal if you want to snorkel or if you’re with small children – the waves are too unpredictable.

At the end of the north side of the beach is big lava rock that is ideal for taking photos. For the adventurous, there’s a path that goes over to the other side that will lead you to “The Little Beach.” This section of the beach is clothing optional. And if you walk further, you can get away from the crowd and discover a hiking path that leads to a rocky beach and a dramatic cliff. (Sorry folks, but no photography allowed!)

While this may not be the best “swimming” beach on Maui, it is definitely the best walking, lounging and hiking beach on the island. Come see for yourself!

The walk through the wooded area can be a refreshing break from the heat

It’s quite easy making friends with the locals

Your first sight of the ocean

Making my mark on the beach

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