The Snowlady Chronicles: August 2018

August 12, 2018

San Pedro de Atacama

July 22, 2018

Calama and San Pedro de Atacama, Chile

Cool (as it is winter there!)

My BFF and travel buddy Sandra has a special birthday this year, so we took a very special trip to Atacama and Bolivia. Our first stop is Atacama - one of the driest spots on earth at about 7000 feet as it is in the Andes. Although I arrived without any problems, Sandra's flight from LA was delayed AND they lost her luggage so not only was she delayed in arriving but had NO luggage. Fortunately, we are staying at the posh Awasi Resort (which we highly recommend) and they took it on themselves to help track her luggage.

So on this first day, we didn't do much but enjoy the landscape as we drove the 100 kilometers from the airport in Calama to Atacama. Big Skies and snow capped mountains - quite a spectacular introduction to Atacama. We also explored the "shopping" district which consisted of cute shops on a dirt road.

At the Awasi, 2 four hour tours a day and all meals, house wine and cocktails are included. So on the first night we had a gourmet meal and as a surprise, a birthday cake for Sandra which eased the stress of not having luggage. We had an early night, as we were both tired from the travel and on the next day we have a full schedule so needed to rest up.

Posted at 02:05 PM in Chile, Travel | Permalink | Comments (1)

Munich with Jackson - June23-June26

Saturday August 11, 2018

New York, NY

Thunderstorms

For my nephew Jackson's high school graduation gift, he wanted funds from the family to travel to Europe. And he asked me if I can do the first leg with him to get started, to which I replied YES!! It was one of the best two weeks of my life. For the first week, he visited me in NYC, where for the first time he took a plane by himself. We did a lot of fun things in New York, including watching Hamilton the play - Jackson' s first broadway show, ate ramen, NYC steak, Indian food, sushi at Sushi of Gari, and Yakitori at Torishin. Yes with me, it was all about eating. However, while I was at work Jackson explored NYC by using the subway and went to Top of the Rock and the 911 Memorial. And before you know it, it was time for our first vacation together.

And is started with a problem. Originally, we were to fly KLM to Munich via Amsterdam. Well, early morning, I got notification that our KLM flight was cancelled due to "mechanical issues". But Delta was able to get us on an Air France flight connecting to Munich via Paris. Only issue is we will arrive about 4 hours later than expected in Munich. Anyhow, the good news is we got on another flight. Unfortunately though, Jackson and I could not sit together and the huge double decker Airbus so we were separated and did not meet again until in Paris. From Paris to Munich it was easy going.

Once we arrived in Munich and our hotel, we decided to go out for an early dinner given we both did not sleep on the plane (it was an overnight flight). So, we went to the infamous Hofbrau House - famous for the crazy beer parties during Octoberfest. Jackson had his first legal beer at Hofbrau House! How cool is that!

After a good nights sleep, and fabulous breakfast (Hilton got me upgraded so we could use the executive lounge and have a free buffet breakfast), it was time for our private walking tour of Munich. This is the 5th time I've been to Munich but the first time I'm seeing Munich as all the previous visits have been for business.

So we walked around the old town with our fabulous guide Elizabeth who pointed us out to things we would have never noticed on our own. Of course, we saw the famous Munich clocktower (although it was cloudy and rainy so the photo isn't great) and the famous Rathaus which was fab, but take a look at the photos of some other things we saw. We ended the day at a restaurant serving Augustine beer and more Weiner Schnitzel which is one of Jackson's favorite dishes. Great first day to start our trip!