While trekking around Angkor Wat, many children spend their afternoons watching the tourists walk by. This little girl was swinging on a nearby vine and proved to be just as picturesque as the ancient ruins surrounding her.

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Chiselhurst caves

THIS IS A GUEST POST from Charlotte Kay over at Holiday Extras. Because the only place in the UK that I’ve been to is Northern Ireland, I thought it appropriate to populate this blog with a little bit of Brit. And of course, because I’m all about going “Off the Path…” Charlie (as she’s called) has provided us with some perhaps unexpected suggestions for how to spend your vacay in the UK.

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Many travellers have a view of traveling to the United Kingdom that only involves cream teas, and stiff upper lips – a view that couldn’t be farther from the truth. Once you find your car at Heathrow Airport Parking and dropped your luggage off at one of the nearby Airport Hotels , step outside and prepare yourself for the strangest, weirdest, spookiest travel experience ever.

In the Cotswolds there is a little village whose residents partake in fully clothed football games in the river… this may be a fun start to a trip… or maybe you would prefer to visit Gloucstershire for their cheese rolling competition?

If you plan to stay just in the London area, be sure to visit Churchhill’s war rooms; full of interesting facts, stories and arifacts. For the macabre, alongside Guy’s Hospital near London Bridge, one can visit the Old Operating Theatre – an unusual museum that hosts a wide variety of items including an amputation table.

If you’re on the hunt for ghosts, be sure to visit The Viaduct Tavern which is one of London’s spookiest haunts. Call ahead if you want a tour of the cellar, which is the most haunted spot in the pub. The Tavern was built over parts of Newgate Prison which adds an extra edge to the experience; it’s a traveler destination that will not soon be forgotten. Check out this video to see more about the spooks (and AWESOME accents):

If you’re looking for something slightly more picturesque but want to maintain a spooky feel then Ham House by the River Thames is the place for you. For less haunted and more historical adventurers, be sure to go to Chiselhurst Caves – an easy trip by train. Originally used in World War II for air raid shelters, the caves can feel fairly haunting. Be sure to take advantage of the offered guided tours as this adds extra debth to these shadowy caves.

There are also a load of guided free and paid walks around the various areas of London for history buffs and paranormal enthusiasts who love the weird and haunted. There is a “Jack the Ripper” walk that follows his steps through London’s darker, seedier streets. If Jack the Ripper isn’t really your scene you can opt for a more light-hearted trek and try out the Theatreland Walking Tour that takes you through all the historical theatre locales in the city. If after all the partying and the macabre you feel the need for a little spiritual lightness, be sure to visit the many, many Cathedrals throughout the city.

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The year I turned 25, I thought I had it all figured out. I was saving for a down payment on my first apartment, working as a paralegal in Honolulu, and training to run my first marathon. I was full of rosy optimism and grand plans for the future. Being the type-A person that I am, I decided to start a list of “30 things to do before I turn 30″ which included big things like buying that apartment and finishing the marathon. I also had a few “random” items thrown in, like trying out a local shrimp truck, taking piano lessons, and doing a hike under a full moon. But far and away the largest part of my list was travel-related items. Oh, how I love to travel. My list included things like “share a romantic kiss in Paris” and “hug a koala bear in Australia” and I figured that 5 years would give me enough time for a few trips to the various continents in order to check everything off.

At 28, I was slowly letting go of the dream of owning an apartment, due to the ridiculous prices in the housing market it Honolulu. So I cashed out my IRA, sold everything I owned except what would fit in my Toyota Camry, and set out with a friend for a six month trip to Southeast Asia and the South Pacific. When we landed in Australia, my first plan was how we’d make it to the zoo to pet a koala. Yet I kept being thwarted! On our first attempt, we arrived an hour after the feeding time so the koalas were asleep (who knew they sleep something like 18 hours a day!) and then two days into our stay, I got violently ill and spent most of the week stuck in our hostel. On a last ditch effort on our very last day in Sydney, the koalas had been removed to a separate exhibit so my friend, trying to cheer me up, surrounded me with plush koala bear dolls in the gift shop. It just wasn’t the same.

My six month trip eventually turned into nine when I added a solo trip to Paris for a month-long writing workshop and took my time in Europe before returning home to reality. So did I get that romantic kiss after all? Nope! It was slowly becoming apparent to me that I was not going to check off a majority of the travel items on my list. I also came back in the fall of 2008, just as the mortgage crisis was pulling the entire country into a recession. Suddenly, I couldn’t find a job and my savings were completely depleted. With seven months and counting til my 30th birthday, I was starting to feel really disappointed in myself and the fact that I wasn’t going to finish something that I’d set out to do. I’m not the kind of person who takes these things lightly. I could feel the negativity creeping in and realized that I needed to make a change.

Then suddenly one day I woke up and that proverbial light bulb went on. Was I crazy? Here I am disappointed that I didn’t get to see the pyramids before I turned 30. Boo hoo! I’d been to 18 countries in less than a year, filled up an entire passport, and had eaten my way through most of Southeast Asia. I was living my dream of traveling and writing about it. I had wonderful friends, family, and my health. What was there to be down about?

After an attitude adjustment, I took up the task of editing my list. Instead of unrealistic travel destinations, I added in things that challenged my comfort zone here at home, like skydiving and posing nude for an art class. (Guess which was scarier?) I paid for a meal for the person behind me in a drive thru. I finally took that midnight hike.

By the time the big 3-0 rolled around, I had finished all but two items from my list. My 25 year-old self would have disapproved of coming so close and not finishing. But my 30 year old self knew better. Those two items? They got moved to the “35 before 35″ along with that romantic kiss in Paris. Although I learned to be flexible and to see things in a positive light, I still believe in having goals!

So what’s on your list? Leave a comment below.

Bio:
Malia Yoshioka is the resident Hawaii expert over at WhyGo Hawaii where she dishes out tips on where to stay, where to play, and what to eat on your trip to Hawaii. She’s currently working on her 35 before 35, getting that romantic kiss (if it kills her!) and hugging those pesky koalas.

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This was one of those moments where I was so happy that I brought my Canon G12 with me as I was walking around Waikiki. With a free public hula show on the beach nightly at sunset, it’s clear that the Hawaiian Tourism Authority knows what it’s doing. I happened to catch the dancer and musician in silhouette, but couldn’t be more thrilled with the halo around the sunset and the added mystique of the glowing outdoor spotlights. The clouds and palm trees played their parts beautifully in this composition. To see more photos from my trip to Hawaii, CLICK HERE.

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It was amazing to sit through the agonizing process of getting feedback. It felt like opening up my artistic heart, putting it on a chopping block, and handing everyone forks and saying “Dig In.” And boy, did they! The feedback was immensely appreciated- both positive and constructive. Our film will be the better for it and I’ll never forget it.

If you’d like to watch a funny video that shows me introducing the film, check this out:

Stay tuned for “A Perfect Ending” out in the 2012 festival circuit.

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First and foremost, you should know that in Hawaiian culture, the men and women are large and in charge for a reason. They fry anything they can, add butter like it was calorie-free, and slop mayo and other indistinguishable sauces on everything. The bad news is, it’s not helpful if you’re attempting to avoid cardiac arrest. The good news is, it tastes good.

Hawaii has multiple islands and many cultures represented, so a full culinary quest is something you need to experience yourself in order to understand the value of these islands’ diversity. Fine dining and exquisite cuisine is available at every price point. For the purposes of brevity and giving you a simple guide, there are three types of food I am going to review in this article:

1. Fast Food/Drive In
2. “Raw stuff” & seafood
3. Desserts

DRIVE IN STYLE DINING

photo courtesy of weddingspree.com

There are two main “drive in” style restaurants that you must visit, especially if you’re staying anywhere near Waikiki. One chain that you will see all over the island of Oahu is “Zippy’s.” You can dine in the restaurant, but most locals grab a plate to go. They are famous for their vegetarian chili which young islanders sell frozen and in bulk for school fundraisers. They’ve also got fantastic and convenient “zip pacs” which feature multiple protein options on a bed of rice. Cheap and extremely portable, you’ll see these restaurants every couple of blocks.

Another popular stop is “Rainbow Drive In.” The line is always long and there is a reason- they have fresh bbq meat, rice, and potato mac salad that the locals compete to eat just as much as the tourists. The parking lot is a mess, and the small seating area is a war zone. Bring your patience and a hefty appetite, the serving size is not small. Neither is the calorie count. I promise you though, the flavor, substantial portion size, and affordability makes this a stop worth every trip to the gym you need afterwards to maintain your girlish figure.

“RAW STUFF”/ SEAFOOD

Hawaiian culture is undeniably associated with the gifts from the sea. Islanders seemingly throw out a fishing line wherever they please and local sea cuisine is no joke.

Made of raw seafood marinated and seasoned, one thing that you absolutely must try before leaving the islands is “poke.” The most common varieties feature Ahi tuna or octopus- called “tako.” You should know that if you want to sound like a local, you’ll say “poh-kee,” but if you want to be true to the language, you’ll pronounce it “poh-keh.” No matter how you pronounce it, you’ll be enjoying something that is in every family’s refrigerator (which they call an icebox).

One must-stop shop is actually a hollowed out station wagon near the historic town of Haleiwa on the way to Northshore, Oahu. Ask anyone on the island and they will agree that “Giovanni’s Shrimp Truck” is the best. They’ve only got three items on their menu- all various preparations of huge shrimp served in the shell with legs attached. With two scoops of rice and a healthy helping of napkins- stick to the #1 (Scampi) and get your fingers dirty. The line is long and the price for a regular plate is $13. One of the more expensive stops you’ll ever make at a food truck, but one that you will never regret. www.giovannisshrimptruck.com

DESSERTS

An exhaustive list of Hawaiian desserts exists somewhere on the internet, I’m sure. For now- let me direct you to the important parts. Once again- diets are not part of these recommendations.

Malasadas are a Portuguese-style donut, often filled with yummy concoctions ranging from “dobash” (chocolate) to “haupia” (coconut creme). The best place to get them is Leonard’s in Waikiki, and the line proves it. There is no sugar limitation in these recipes so get ready for some sweetness. If you just want a sample, bring cash because there is a $5 minimum charge and you’d be surprised at how many malasadas that will get you.

Another creme-filled sweet you’ll want to try is a “coco puff” from Liliha Bakery. These chocolate filled puffs are iced with chantilly and even green tea flavors. Per their website, “there is a reason we sell between 4,800 and 7,200 every day.” You can also stay for a scrumptious fresh breakfast, but you’ll have to wait in line for that. The packed bakery serves other great baked goods and coco puffs are also available by the frozen dozen. Use your GPS to find this spot near downtown Honolulu (on Liliha street off the H1 freeway).

Last but certainly not least is Hawaiian shaved ice. If you’re staying in Waikiki, you should stop at Waiola shaved ice. They shave the ice so finely that it actually has the same consistency as icecream. If you want to do as the Obamas do, you’ll stop at Matsumoto’s in historic Haleiwa town on the way to the Northshore. Either location, you should try it covered with condensed milk and with a scoop of vanilla icecream. It’s a heavenly treat when combating the island heat.

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If you receive an error message, click HERE to view on my Flickr Photostream.

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Dead Sea Mud & Fun in the Sun

One of the most popular and unique stops that you can make while visiting Israel is the Dead Sea. Literally the lowest point on Earth, this natural body of extremely salty water is below sea level.

While a dunk in extremely salty water may not sound exciting to you, what you may be surprised by is how good the mineral-rich water and sand is for your skin. If you’ve ever heard of the beauty supply brand Ahava, you’ve heard of these powerful minerals.

Dermatologists recommend visiting this site regularly to clients who have skin conditions. I myself suffer from dry, bumpy skin, and left the water truly feeling smoother than I could ever remember. The most luxurious option is to follow this path:

1. Purchase a packet of “Dead Sea Mud” (all shore-adjoining stores sell this) for about 15 shekels (US$5)
2. Cover all exposed portions of your skin with mud (not your face!)
3. Take adorable pictures of yourselves and friends looking like sea creatures while letting the mud dry
4. Enter the water fully covered, and slowly rub the mud away while submerged.

Janelle truly "Floats"

Another fun part of this visit is “floating” in the water. Because the density of the water is so great with the high-salt content, human beings float effortlessly in the water. You can lay back as if lying on a bed and it will require no effort for you to stay at the surface.

Important BEST PRACTICES:

1. Do not place your head under water- getting salt in your eyes hurts more than you can imagine (believe me!)
2. Do not shave for at least 24 hours in advance of submersion
3. Immediately wash yourself off upon exiting the water at one of the many on-shore showers (otherwise you’ll be itchy all day)

One of the Israeli Soldiers traveling with our group gave me a profound suggestion that I offer to you with the disclaimer that it was painful, but worth it. He suggested I float out away from the crowd and fully lay back in the water (remember that because you float, it’s similar to laying back on a water bed). Avoiding getting salt water in your eyes, he suggested I lay back far enough that my ears were submerged. The lack of sound waves (once again because of the water’s extreme density) was unlike any silence I’ve ever heard. The only sounds I could hear were the inhale and exhale of my lungs. Coupled with the effortless floating and sun’s warmth- it was one of the most relaxing “breaks” I’ve ever taken from the world.

Salt lick, anyone?

HOWEVER, upon lifting my head out of the water, some sea water got into my eyes and I literally had to be escorted from water to shower completely blind because I was incapable of opening my eyes. It was painful. Totally worth it, but sincerely excruciating. Be more careful than me. Similarly, it is not uncommon for both men and women to feel sensitivity around open sores or orifices. Usually the tingle turns to a burn after about 15 minutes in the water. Go directly to the shower and wash off all your nether-regions and the pain will go away.

Other than the itchy tingle (it’s really not bad), this is a great place to spend a few hours while on a tour of the country. You’ll feel luxurious and powerful after you emerge. Promise.

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I myself have written about sunrises in the past, most recently when I was in Cambodia. Recently, I returned to a place where I’ve seen the sun rise before: Masada in the land of Israel. Directly from Wikipedia, we read:

Masada is the name for a site of ancient palaces and fortifications in the South District of Israel on top of an isolated rock plateau, or horst, on the eastern edge of the Judean Desert overlooking the Dead Sea.

Though I’d been there before (more than a decade ago), I did not remember that the sun creeped up and reflected elegantly over the waters of the Dead Sea. I didn’t remember that it was warm outside in the middle of the desert at 4am, causing hikers to feel an unusual heat without light. Mostly, I just didn’t remember how beautiful the sunrise truly was. It is definitely the best time of day to ascend- you avoid the heat and can be back down and on the shores of the Dead Sea before breakfast.

Masada, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was used by ancient Kings as their summer getaway. The ruins preserved there are in great condition and the mutual respect that many of the travelers have who visit this sacred place has led to this being a popular but not claustrophobic must-see during a tour of Israel. You can ascend via cable car (easiest), via a short and sweet climb that takes an average hiker about 25 minutes, or via the treacherous Snake Path which winds up one of the steepest edges of the plateau.

There is rich history to be learned while visiting, so it is recommended to hire a guide, bring a travel book, or visit the nearby Museum in order to get a full understanding of this fantastic location. Nearby attractions include the Dead Sea and options to stay overnight at a Bedouin camp.

Bring a camera. Bring lots of water. Bring a hat. Absolutely set your alarm and you’ll agree with me, it was absolutely worth it.

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Janelle is Israel, Summer 2011

Part of the goal in creating my “Life To Do List,” was to manifest certain dreams into achievable, tangible existence. There are lofty goals included on the list, some of them requiring great funds, great bravery, and great luck. Crossing off #70 from the list (Revisit Israel) was purely the latter option.

Being Jewish is something that I’m openly proud of. I am active in the Jewish community of Los Angeles, and am even a featured writer for “Oy Gay,” a blog in the Jewish Journal in which I speak about the cross section of my identities. One of the greatest hopes that many a Jew can have is a chance to visit the land of Israel.

Janelle & Friends in Israel, Summer 1999

I visited Israel when I was 14 years old with a group of 118 of my peers from the San Francisco Bay Area. We spent six weeks gallivanting about the country (which is the same size as the state of New Jersey). I snorkeled in the Red Sea, floated in the Dead Sea, spent a week training with the Israeli Army, and made memories that have stayed with me for over a decade.

Longing to return to the country that has changed so much in the 12 years since I was last there, I never dreamed I’d get to travel for free when I added this item to my Life To Do List almost three years ago. You can imagine my surprise and gratitude when I was asked to bring 40 young Jews to Israel with me on a Birthright trip. This amazing organization sends Jews to Israel in order to inspire and connect them to their heritage. Did I mention everyone travels for free? My passion for Judaism and inclusion could not have made me a more willing staff member.

I can’t explain the joy that I felt during the 10 days that I traveled in Israel this month. I can’t explain how all of the pieces seemed to come together to make an unimaginably supportive environment: open minded travelers, passionate guides, giving soldiers, and devoted staff. We got the whole kitten caboodle on our trip and the beauty of the country was the icing on the cake.

I will be writing multiple posts about Israel in the coming weeks, but for now, feast your eyes on the best of the best in photography from my recent trip. And thank you so much to Birthright for asking me to be a part of something so amazing.

If you are a Jew between the ages of 18-26 and want to visit Israel for free, visit Birthright and register for the trip at:

http://www.birthrightisrael.com

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