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Me and He Travel

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Me and He Travel

Monthly Archives: January 2014

Sofitel – London Heathrow

27 Monday Jan 2014

Posted by meandhetravel in GOOD THINGS, London, United Kingdom

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#London, Heathrow Airport, United Kingdom

SOFITEL.docx“What did we do before Heathrow’s Sofitel? How many times have we stayed there now?” He asked. “Well, I look back on it as the Barbarian Age – before being able to stay overnight for a connecting flight the next day with a comfy bed, excellent room service, great shower and wonderful breakfast.”

“It’s an added expense,” He said.  “True, Me replied, “But so much better than putting up with me on no sleep and a big dose of jet lag cranky.” “So true,” He replied.  “If only people knew.  It’s taken the sting out of Heathrow.”  “I don’t need convincing,” Me said. “Just make the reservation.”

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My King Kong – Berlin Zoo

27 Monday Jan 2014

Posted by meandhetravel in Berlin, COUPLEDOM, Germany

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Berlin, Germany, Gorilla, Zoo

GORILLA“I love gorillas,” Me said.  “I know you do, He replied. The Ape House at the Berlin Zoo boasts, among other things an interior glass enclosure that brings you face to face with their remarkable residents. The orangatans tumbled, swung and gestured for their own amusement, wrapping themselves in burlap sacks, peeking out from their shawls to see who might be watching.

The great apes languidly inspected their toys, a variety of hanging and walking ropes, and each other with only an occasional glance at the two of us through the expansive panes of glass. Inexplicably there were more of them than people that day. We had the place to ourselves. “They’re beautiful,” He whispered.

The magnificent silverback moved slowly, gently, gracefully to the glass directly in front of me. He sat down. “I wonder if he can hear my heart beating?” Me asked.  “I can,” He said as he put an arm around my shoulders.

Face to face, our eyes met and the largest gorilla I’d ever seen puckered his lips and laid on his back without breaking our gaze. “He’s enormous,” Me whispered. Without thinking, I pressed my left hand to the glass. And then my gorilla, my King Kong, raised his right hand and spread his giant fingers against my own.

“I wonder what he’s thinking. He just keeps looking.” Me said.  “Maybe he’s never seen someone cry before,” He said, “This could take a while. I’m going to take a walk around and I’ll meet you back here.”

So there we stayed my Kong and I, hand to hand, without looking away, for a very long time. Suddenly the entire gorilla family was on the move, across the enclosure, down the ropes moving toward the back. I expect there was food involved. His hand was gone. He ambled away. He did not look back.

“Are you sure you’re ready to go?” He asked as I found him at the door to the Ape House.  “He left,” Me said, “They all left. I think it was feeding time.” “Ah, so he was smart and handsome,” He teased. “Not that smart,” Me said, “He didn’t offer to take me to lunch.”

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Sun Trails – Morocco

21 Tuesday Jan 2014

Posted by meandhetravel in GOOD THINGS, Marrakech, Morocco

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Marrakesh, Morocco, Sun Trails, Travel

“Do you really think we’re going to need help in Morocco?” He asked.  As experienced independent travelers his surprise was understandable.  “NEED, probably not.  But WANT?  Yes, I think we’re going to want some help our first time in Morocco.”

Marrakech May 2012 081“Having done a lot of looking on line and sent too few emails back and forth to too many companies, I’ve narrowed it down to Sun-Trails,” Me said.  “Even though they do complete vacations for couples, groups, or anything you could think of, they were the only company that seemed genuinely enthusiastic about handling the day trips we want to do from Marrakech.”  (We had already booked our air and riad ourselves.)  What impressed me most was their owner’s responsiveness, attention to detail, helpful suggestions and willingness to accommodate our preferences.

Marrakech May 2012 096Our guide and driver, Boujemah, was the perfect ambassador for our introduction to Morocco.  His knowledge, professionalism and kindness exceeded any possible expectation and his good company has kept our memories vibrant and alive. Having been to Morocco twice in one year (yes, we liked it that much), there is no doubt we will call upon Sun-Trails  when we next return for a more extensive countrywide itinerary.  We haven’t been able to think of a thing that we wished had gone differently or better. In fact Sun-Trails is everything you want a tour company to be, which is why we added them to our GOOD THINGS we’d like you to know about!

Marrakech May 2012 188Marrakech May 2012 194

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Local in Venice

20 Monday Jan 2014

Posted by meandhetravel in COUPLEDOM, Italy, Venice

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#Italy, #Venice, Espresso, Love, Travel

COFFEEOur last morning in Venice! Each day had started out in Campo Stefano with endless cups of double espresso and tiny pastries we never learned the name of. Our waiter smiled and asked, “so you will go home without getting lost in Venice?” We laughed because it seemed impossible to ever know  exactly where you were but we hadn’t gotten “lost” despite day long walks through the twisting, colorful streets, covered stone paths, bridges and alley ways. Blind Man’s Bluff without the blind fold, spun round and round, lazily breathless and happily dizzy. Suddenly, around the corner, over the bridge, a left, a right, turned around and eight paces that way, you were exactly where you wanted to be. It was fun.

We had rented what had once been the gardener’s cottage of a grand palazzo. It was a little two story house surrounded by a flowering walled garden with lemon trees and grand ancient  iron gates. A romantic idyll in one of the most romantic cities in the world. Locking the doors behind us we were Venetian or at least able to sustain the fantasy.

iRED WITH BLUE BOAT“I’d like to go for a walk by myself today,” Me said. “Really?” He asked, dropping his pastry. “Yes,” Me said “I have to believe that after eight days, I’ve learned something. I’m practically a local. I can do this.”  Our waiter smiled sympathetically at my husband.  (The waiter always smiled, probably raised from childhood on  incredible nameless  pastries.) “Signora, people live in Venice all their lives and sometimes even they can get lost.” “Well I’m not going to,” Me said. More sympathy, more smiles and He handed over the key to Me. “I’ll meet you back at the Palazzo in one hour,” He said with obvious reluctance, “One hour.”

CURVE STREETI walked without purpose to the next campo, turning left, perhaps toward the Rialto Bridge (or not), past the pink house with the white cat in the window, right at the blue shutters, straight past the window boxes with purple flowers. I wasn’t sure where I was but guessed that five winding turns in any direction could be someplace I’d recognize. With eight short minutes left on the agreed upon hour, I stopped trying to puzzle out “the best way back.”

A businessman in a apparent hurry was about to fly by me when he suddenly stopped and spoke to me in agitated in Italian. No idea what he was saying, I suddenly realized he was lost! Even better, he thought I was local! Unaccountably thrilled and empowered, I was able to decipher where he wanted to go. Somehow I was certain it was “the other way.”

alley houseThe heavy iron key to our front gates was the size of a carrot and I waved it enthusiastically at him for credibility. Before he could walk away, I took his elbow and started to walk him in the “right” direction.  A few minutes later, grateful that the white cat had not left the window in pink house, I was certain that he was only minutes away from his destination and our iron gates were a few short streets to the right. I walked him to the corner where he spotted someone in an outdoor cafe who waved at him.

“You leef here?” my businessman asked. “Yes,” Me replied, “for today, I do.”

bridge

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Kasbah Tamadot – Morocco

19 Sunday Jan 2014

Posted by meandhetravel in Marrakech, Morocco, RESTAURANTS

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Kasbah Tamadot, Marrakech, Morocco, Richard Branson, Sun Trails, Tagines, Travel

He said, “I know he seeks out exotic locations, but where is this place?” We were on our way to lunch at Richard Branson’s elegant Moroccan retreat, Kasbah Tamdot. Driving for about an hour from Marrakech, we had been twisting our way up into the mountains into seemingly nowhere.  Boujemah, our expert guide and driver from Sun Trails said, “It’s not much farther.”   The road became yet steeper and more narrow but, as we came around yet another bend, there it was.  “Not much to look at,” He said as we parked outside the gates.  “Just wait,” Me replied as we headed for the entrance.

Kasbah TamadotMagical Kasbah Tamadot can rightfully boast some of the most elegant delicious cuisine in Morocco.   “You know I don’t like olives,” He said. “but this dish is beyond description.  Here, taste!” Chicken Tagine: Saffron Perfumed Free Range Chicken, Green Olives and Preserved Lemon. “So do you like olives now?” Me asked.  “Maybe not,” He replied, “but I love these olives. While He focused his entire attention on the plate in front of him, Boujemah and I enjoyed our meals and were still able to take in the magnificent views of Toubkai National Park and the  lavish gardens and setting of Kasbah Tamadot.

Kasbah Tamadot 2“Next time”, He said waving a happy fork in the air,  “when we come back to Morocco we will spend an entire month here, wandering through the mountains, or  laying by pool, and I will have this dish every day.”  “Of course!” Me smiled, thinking that to be highly unlikely, but yet a very worthy dream.

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Marcony – Murray Hill NYC

16 Thursday Jan 2014

Posted by meandhetravel in New York City, RESTAURANTS

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Italian Food, Murray Hill, New York City

marcony

“You’re going to love their food,” Me said.  “Marcony?” He asked.  “Absolutely”  Me said. Having been there for the first time last night, it was impossible not to be impressed with the specials we ordered  and the freshness and flavors of everything brought to the table.  The big surprise?  The eggplant mousse starter.  Would not have ordered it without the encouragement of my dinner partner, a steadfast  regular and Marcony fan.  It was exceptional in every way.

EGGPLANT MOUSSE MARCONY

So too, was the lobster risotto and Dover sole.  Marco Pipolo is the owner and visionary behind Marcony and his talents and passion are reflected in a lovely dining room, excellent service and elegant yet unpretentious cuisine.  The wine list is, yes, Italian and the choices ably support the menu.

“Really”, Me said, “you would have had a hard time choosing what to order.” “When are we going?” He pressed “I’m ready.”  “You always are,” Me replied.  (I’m thinking this weekend.)

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Loving Luxury Link

14 Tuesday Jan 2014

Posted by meandhetravel in GOOD THINGS

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#London, Barcelona, Cabo San Lucas, Luxury Link, Madrid, Mallorca, Provence, Rome, Scotland, Taormina

LUXURY LINK

“Don’t you think everyone knows about Luxury Link already?” He asked.  “Well, I don’t know,” Me replied “but if they don’t they really should.”  Traveling is expensive. Staying at a great hotel is expensive. Staying at a great hotel at a greatly reduced rate makes traveling more possible and more enjoyable. What’s better than getting what you want and saving money?  “It isn’t saving money if you wouldn’t have spent it in the first place” He winked.  I’m not sure I agree.

Luxury Link has given us the opportunity to stay at amazing hotels in Madrid, Rome, London (three times), Cabo San Lucas, Scotland, Barcelona, Taormina, Provence and Mallorca. The value has been amazing and we’ve never had a disappointing experience. We’ve bought some hotel stays on “Auctions” at tremendous savings and others on “Buy Now” offers at discounted rates, but its always been easy to do.

We aren’t associated with Luxury Link in any way except as satisfied customers, but its good to share a good thing with good people.  Get packing!

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Boqueira – Flatiron NYC

12 Sunday Jan 2014

Posted by meandhetravel in New York City, RESTAURANTS

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New York City, Restaurants, Spanish Food, Tapas

The first sip of the Muga Reserva 2008 elevated our already high spirits anticipating another tapas-like-you’re-in-Barcelona meal. “Sooner or later,” He said “we’ll order something we don’t like.”  Perched on the high stool banquette watching a swirl of tantalizing plates dance around us, Me said, “I’m not so sure.”

ImageThe one thing we haven’t done at Boqueria’s Flatiron location is sit at the counter right inside the door, which would give us immediate access to their Tortilla Espanola kept at the bar.  There are as many versions of this tapas classic as the number of people who make it. Hot, cold, room temperature, egg-centric, potato-centric, onion-laden, filled with one or more ingredients not included in the “basic” recipe, sophisticated, rudimentary, but never inedible.  Boqueria’s version is room temperature and superb.

I’ve never met a croquettas I didn’t love,” Me purred, “these are incredible!”  The Croquettas Cremas at Boqueira are velvety, delicious and always seem to arrive at the table at the perfect moment. The Txipirones are a particular favorite of ours – always perfectly cooked, seasoned and undeniably fresh.

Looking too hard for something to criticize, He said, “This wine list is a problem. Too many great choices. I want everything.”  “Well, yes,” Me sighed, “Life is hard.”

Boqueira is an edible travel brochure for Barcelona. It will make you want to book a trip if you’ve never been and you should absolutely go to this energetic, beautiful city!  But as for eating “the real thing” – you will find it here at Boqueira.

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Heist at Harrod’s

10 Friday Jan 2014

Posted by meandhetravel in COUPLEDOM, London, United Kingdom

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#London, Harrod's

Harrod's Sunglasses“But do you think they’re very special?” Me asked “because in the world of sunglasses I think they are amazing!”  “I think you’re special,” He replied, “but do you really need another pair of sunglasses?” Hmm, he was just being silly. Does anyone need another spoon of caviar or more truffles? We were standing in Harrod’s with too many pairs of sunglasses put out on the counter for my perusal but I did fancy these.  We would be in London for the week. I could come back. Given the grey rainy day and the three pairs of sunglasses I had packed for this December trip, perhaps I was being silly.

The next morning, He in the shower and Me curling the hair and painting the face, a news item on the telly caught my attention. Apparently, the dramatic rise in tourist shoplifting was being met with stringent arrest policies, no exceptions made.  “Did you hear that?” Me asked.  “Tourists are stealing and being arrested!”  “Can’t hear you!”,  He replied.  He always says that when he’s in the shower.  “Terrible!” Me said, “who would do that?”  “Can’t hear you!” He replied.

Hair done, primping complete, I rooted through my handbag for I-don’t-know-what and found a beautiful sunglass case very clearly not mine. Inside, the “special” sunglasses from Harrod’s. “Oh my God!” Me cried.  “What’s up,” He said, all pink, damp and adorably toweled.  “I must have stolen them!” Me wailed, crying very real tears.  “I could have been arrested! And I’ve never stolen anything in my life!  How could that have happened?”  “When I went out for that walk yesterday I went back and bought them,” He said “As a surprise.”  It was a bright sunny morning in London and I was no longer wanted by the police.  “You’re very special,” Me said.

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El Centro – Espanol Praga

09 Thursday Jan 2014

Posted by meandhetravel in Czech Republic, Prague

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Czech Republic, Prague, Restaurants

el centro“Your logic defies me, but we’ve been in Prague for less than two hours and our first meal is going to be in a Spanish restaurant?” He asked.  “And why not?” Me replied.

Notwithstanding the uneven cobblestones and traffic, we were essentially a hop-skip-and-a-jump from our hotel, jet lagged-hungry and some tapas and sangria seemed like just the thing.

With four more nights ahead of us to explore more traditional cuisine, the brightly colored entrance to El Centro beckoned and the smiling young gent at the door was all the assurance we needed that we were headed in a good direction.

As our time in Prague went on it became apparent just how many young men from around the world had fallen in love and married a beautiful Czech girl. As they planned to start families and these young men found themselves following their loves home to her native country to be surrounded by her family and friends. Ergo and happily, Prague has become a city of ever growing international cuisines.

El Centro is welcoming, earnest and a good choice for Espanol Praga.  With a location equally accessible between the old and new towns, stop by, sit down and enjoy!

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