London

2 days in London and we (christy & I) have taken the wrong tube too many times to count (granted this was on an underground line with multiple ending points but with the same name) tried to pay for a ticket using euros instead of pounds, forgot to bring directions to the hotel (never been so happy to see the Golden Arches with free wifi) and we're having a blast.

Here are just a few highlights from day one because on day 2 my camera battery died).

Lauduree macaroons from Harrods. Not sure which I like more the macaroons or the hot guy in the background.

Westminster Abbey

Big Ben at the stroke of 6:00 sounds just like it does on Peter Pan.

Now, name that movie?

Miscellaneous land

It's all random stuff today because I leave in TWO DAYS! Welcome to my brain as I work through the chaos.

I'm not a fan of a certain store starting with "w" but I was very excited to find a last minute duffle bag  at "w" for $7. You know, to pack those emergency souvenirs.

I received all my phone/camera goodies: case is cute, strap fits and matches, but...the interchangeable lenses don't fit with the case on (and the case has a pretty sizable lense opening). So I will be making the most of the iPhone camera as is.

Yesterday an ATM machine ate my Visa card. That's right. 3 days before leaving. And when the owner of vicious ATM machine said they wouldn't be able to pry the card from the ATM claws until Tuesday--I leave Monday by the way--I almost took a hatchet to the thing myself. Fortunately, after expressing my panicked concern, I should be able to pick up my card today. This is supposed to be fun right.

Did I mention I leave in 2 days. You would think after 46 days without a job I would be meticulously organized and have at least basic phrases memorized for each country I'm planning to visit. Not the case. Instead I've become a Tinkerbell expert. Did you know fairies are born when a baby first laughs and that Tinkerbell has a sister?

Just heard a little knock at my door and a voice saying "licola licola". Sounds like I'm about to get another dose of fairy dust. Not such a bad way to spend my last Saturday morning in the states.

Option M (at least)

Remember that first itinerary I posted: Option A, as predicted it has changed. A lot. Imagine putting all the destinations in a box, adding a few more, shaking it real good and dumping it out. That's pretty much what it feels like and I couldn't be happier. I will continue to post changes to the itinerary page here. So with 4 more days to go here's the plan:

February

Utah
London England - new
Paris France - new
Oslo Norway - new

original itinerary: Portugal Spain Italy Switzerland

March

Norway - new
Sweden -new
Denmark -new
Germany 
Prague Czech Republic
Vienna Austria -new
Hungary
Croatia

original itinerary: Croatia Hungary Czech Republic Scotland

April

Italy 
?
?
Amsterdam Netherlands
Guernsey

original itinerary: Ireland Guernsey France Netherlands                                                                          

May

Lake District England 
Scotland
Ireland (or June)
Central Asia

 original itinerary: Denmark Germany Central Asia (a "stan" or 2)

June

Ireland
A couple stops in the US

Pinky Finger Excercises

our finger sandwiches at The Grand America Hotel-photos by Christy

I enjoy a lovely Tea and when a trip to England just isn't possible to satisfy a longing for scones and clotted cream I go here

The Grand America Hotel 
Salt Lake City, Utah 
The Afternoon Tea includes: 
a blossoming tea flower and a tower of
finger sandwiches,
scones, jam, clotted cream,
pastries and pate fruit 

Two a Tea 
Glendora, California 
The Royal High Tea and The Queen's Tea are served course by course including a spoon sized sphere of sorbet as a palate cleanser. The strawberry herbal tea is still one of my favorites.

Tea flower at The Grand America Hotel

The Rose Garden Team Room at the Huntingon Library
San Marino, California
Here everything is served buffet style so if your favorite tea sandwich is salmon and dill you can have 1 or 4 more.



Reservations are required for all three of these tea services. And they are all worth the wait.

A Camera Quandry

Since owning an iPhone I've completely stopped using a separate camera.  *before reading further please note I am no photography or tech buff

Sometimes the pictures turn out great, sometimes not so good, zooming compromises the quality, but photos are easily accessible to share or upload to a blog. So, deciding to continue with the iPhone as my multipurpose device for this trip I've been on the hunt for a few gadgets:

• a cute case of course -- I just HAD to upgrade to an iPhone 5 because it is unlocked for international travel, which means I HAVE to get a new case
• a case with a strap for security -- that doesn't look like I'm holding a wallet up to my head or talking into a handbag, even James Bond doesn't get away with that
• accessories to "up" the wide angle and zoom functionality

I'm pleased to announce I've found all three two FINALLY

To keep it girly I ordered this case from The Joy Merryman store on Etsy. 

Then I found these on Photojojo! an online store with all kinds of photography gadgets.

That's right, a separate strap that fits with most cases! I went with the tan. 

And this lense set: fisheye, wide/macro and telephoto lenses that attach magnetically once you've installed the small metal ring to the back. All combined I could have bought a completely new camera, but I'm really happy to get everything in one, in a format that fits for me. Keeping my fingers crossed that it works as well as it sounds.

UPDATE: I received all my phone/camera goodies: case is cute, strap fits and matches, but...the interchangeable lenses don't fit with the case on (and the case has a pretty sizable lense opening). So I will be making the most of the iPhone camera as is.

 Now here's the awesome news . . . 

YOU get $5 off your first order

when you use this link

http://photojojo.com/r/a7mz

Visions of Sea Urchin Toast

I am really hoping that the grace of the foodie gods will shine down on me and grant me this wish: to dine at Noma. I just added my name to the reservation waitlist (like 6 times).

It has been named by many food critics as the best in the world, been on the list of The World's 50 Best Restaurants for 7 years, named The Best in 2012, and in Where Chefs Eat it is recommended by 31 chefs (most restaurants made it into the book with 1 recommendation).

Courses in a meal are in the double digits, locally sourced regional food with a modern twist. And for those who prefer non-alcoholic beverages you can select a juice menu rather than a wine pairing. We're not talking about juice of the generic orange, apple or grape variety. These are made in house and include flavors such as sea buckthorn, lingonberry, pine, elderflower, and pear-verbena.

Oh please, please, please Mr. Reservation Filler let me in . . . a girl like me doesn't make it to Denmark very often.

Strandgade 93 Copenhagen Denmark

14 Days

to go and 14 heart palpitations down before hitting the ground in Europe.

Purchasing a Eurail Pass should come with a warning label: side effects may include irregular heartbeat, catatonic stares, and momentary fits of "what in the world am I doing".  But I did it and I, as well as my bank account, survived. And now that the shock to my system has dulled a bit I'm back to planning and I've added a new leg; I'm fjord bound!


Now for my first destination (thanks to all those who cast guesses). It is . . .

London

then to Paris by way of the Chunnel!

If you're looking for ideas for festivities a little closer to home, why not throw a Chinese New Year Party. My sister, Christy celebrates with her family every year and just posted about her preparations here: House of Normandy