Zip Lining in Costa Rica

While visiting Costa Rica, I went zip lining in the rainforest on "The Original Canopy Tour," where the first ever zipline activity was created, thus the name.



Here I am being Tarzan, can you spot me?



It was a lot of fun gliding through the trees, but since I was lighter than the men in the group, I kept twirling around on the line while zipping and I'd sometimes come in backwards to each platform. It was bit scary, as the occasional palm would hit me. My real fear though was hitting one of the many termite hives that were in the trees, like this scary looking one:



The tiny platforms that wrapped around the trees were far from roomy and I'm not afraid of heights, but the one below was really high and had me a little dizzy when I looked down over a little stream.



We also heard Monkey's calling in the distance, but never saw any :( I did spot one of the area's popular beautiful blue butterflies though.

Read More »

Mas Malo in Downtown LA es mas bueno

Mas Malo, which has only been open 10 days, is conveniently located just three blocks away from my building and I predict I'll be going there a lot.

The original Malo Restaurant is already a popular Mexican kitchen in Silver Lake, but their new location is larger yet still serves up the same yummy Mexican comfort food with a twist.

Last night, I dined in the busy restaurant and ordered their most popular dishes - Carnitas marinated with Orange Juice and Cola (you can taste the citrus, but not the soda though), and an order of their shrimp and bacon hard shelled tacos and beef tacos with pickles, which were slightly spicy and both sweet and salty. All of our dishes were yummy, greasy and tasty.

For drinks, I hope you like Tequila, because they have over 150 kinds and it's the main ingredient in all of their specialty cocktails, but there is also a full bar available. We ordered the Angelina (Gran Centenario Rosangel Tequila, Hibiscus) and a Kahlua and horchata drink - both were quite strong, but flavorful.

Pros: The food & atmosphere, quick service and our Danish waiter Tobias.

Cons: Uncomfortable arm rests on the seats (I know this sounds nit-picky, but I kept hitting my funny bone on them and so did Raphael) and if your table is near the front, you're likely to smell cigarette smoke wafting in each time people walk in and out.

Tips: Make a reservation or eat at the bar if you'd rather not wait for a table. Also, do check out their two hidden bars open on the weekends or Seven Grand upstairs for some Whiskey.

Mas Malo
515 W 7th St
Los Angeles, CA 90014

Read More »

30% off at Alexander's for Hair in LA

I recently attended the grand opening celebration of Alexander's for Hair (11515 W. Pico Blvd) in West LA, where I got to try a hot stone massage for the first time (awesome, ask for Barbara) and a skin analysis by GRAM Skincare founder, Dr. Bernard Gramlich utilizing the Reveal Imager, which takes in-depth photos of your skin to reveal inflammation and other skin conditions so you can take action.

Despite the male name of the shop, it is actually run by a mother and daughter duo that tries to incorporate planet friendly practices in their salon, which does everything from barbering, hair styling, color, nails, waxing, skin care and massage. Owner Jeanne Phares says that they "provide five star services for men and women at a three star price."

The shop is also providing all of my SoCal readers with a 30% discount for all products and services at Alexander's for Hair now through February 28. Just mention the special code: AFHGO. Their current January special is a cut and highlights for only $95. Do take advantage of this savings if you can, enjoy!

Read More »

Wordless Wednesday: Take that camera

My kitty Bandit falling asleep with her tongue out again, lol.

Read More »

Wordless Wednesday: Everything is blog

You know you have an online addiction, when you visit the Botanical Huntington Gardens plant bog and see the word blog on the door instead.

Read More »

Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf Holiday Giveaway

I'm very picky about my tea and usually have at least one cup a day from my collection of loose-leaf teas, which is why I dread having tea at Starbucks when traveling or other places that have boring overly pressed teabags. However, when I moved out to the West Coast I was pleased to discover The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, which has loose leaf tea bags and more than just the basic selection of teas. In fact, they often have new flavors each time. Right now, they are carrying their holiday blends of Winter Dream Tea, Pomegranate Vanilla, Sugar Plum Tea, Candy Cane Tea, Orange Spice and Cranberry Spice.

To celebrate their limited edition flavored teas, I'm giving away a Mini Tea Tin of the Winter Dream Tea® -characteristically creamy rooibos and delicate black tea are highlighted by the festive flavor of mulling spices and a BPA free stainless steel holiday dove tumbler.

To enter simply visit their holiday teas and gift items page and comment back here about which item you'd most like to try or buy (it doesn't have to be a tea ;). Please don't forget to leave your email address in the body of your comment or link back to a blogger profile or website that actually has your email address on it. For extra entries tweet this giveaway and post a new entry with a link to your tweet or saying that you tweeted. Ends Sunday, Jan. 16. Good luck! Update: Congrats to Dancinghotdogs!

Read More »

Ships Ahoy on Princess Cruises

By the time you read this blog, I'll be gone...

On vacation that is.

Raphael and I are taking a 15 day Princess Cruise to Central & South America through the Panama Canal and stopping in Mexico, Panama, Costa Rica, Columbia, Aruba and up to Florida. I booked a bunch of adventurous land excursions too from zip lining to hiking in the rainforest to sailing and snorkeling above a shipwreck. I can't wait!!

If you are going sailing, choose good sailing equipment, such as sailing bags.

This is our fifth cruise together. Yes, we are cruise people. I grew up going on cruise vacations with just my father during spring breaks, I then got Raphael into it when we were dating and went on an Alaskan cruise. I'm sure it helped that we got engaged on that particular trip, but we both love that transportation, room and meals are all included and that you can visit other cities and countries easily without having to pack and unpack and head to the airport again. This was especially advantageous when we went on Princess' Scandinavian cruise and visited 7 countries in 10 days with two nights in St. Petersburg, Russia. (You can read about my past cruise adventure and see video from: Russia and Estonia) Cruising is also very indulgent and with Princess Cruises it isn't a tacky booze cruise either.

While I'm away I'll try and post from an internet cafe if possible, otherwise I did schedule a couple of posts to go up while at sea even a giveaway that is scheduled to run tomorrow. So, please please come and check back later so my website traffic doesn't completely disappear for the month of January and ruin my nice statistics.

Read More »