I was torn between traveling to other areas in Spain or simply staying in Barcelona for the week I was there. Ultimately, I decided to just stay put in Barcelona. One week really isn’t that long and there was plenty that I wanted to do. Normally, I travel with one other person, but unfortunately my travel buddy was not available for this one, so I was on my own.

This isn’t the first time that I have traveled alone, but it certainly has been awhile. While having a travel companion is definitely a lot of fun purely for the, well, companionship, there’s something to be said about traveling alone. I’m not beholden to some one else’s time table and I can pretty much do whatever I want. That being said, I’m not great at creating itineraries, but I forced myself to make one mainly so that I would have directions to all the places I wanted to visit and for my fiancee’s benefit as well. Even with the directions I walked around in circles a handful of times and got a bit lost, but I luckily had my trusty compass ready. If you’re traveling alone, don’t leave home without a compass.

One of the main things you’ll read about Barcelona is how prolific pickpockets are. Upon reading this, I purchased  myself a neck pouch from Amazon, but honestly I probably didn’t even need it. Pickpocketing is not really unusual in any large city that you go to, the trick is to make sure that you have secured your belongings somewhere safe and that you keep an eye out for suspicious acting people. It might get a bit trickier in more packed areas like Las Rambla and the famous Boqueria Market, but again. It’s all about being a savvy traveller.

The famous Gothic Quarter

As a tourist, I definitely made sure to hit all the tourist spots:

• Gothic Quarter
• Las Rambla
• Flamenco at Tablao de Carmen
• Poble Espanyol
• Mont Tibidabo
• Montserrat
• Montjuic Castle and the Olympic Stadium
• Roserar de Cervantes

Word to the wise: remember that in Spain the people observe siesta so there will be a point some time when a lot of the shops will be closed, generally around 3pm. Also note that a lot of restaurants will not be open for dinner on Sundays or Mondays. I learned this the hard way. The next time I make an itinerary, I’ll be sure to check the hours of operation. I was a bit sad though with the quality of food I experienced. Traveling alone I couldn’t really enjoy the tapas as much as with another person. The dishes are rather large for one person so I was really only able to sample 1-2 different tapas dishes. The other restaurants I went to were a bit bland for the price that I was paying. One restaurant even had the gall to have a completely different, and overpriced might I add, english menu. There was maybe only one place that made me happy, Maitea Taberna which had Pintxos, but more on that in my Foodie Alert section.

Spray-paint Don Quixote performer

Despite the so-so food, Barcelona provided a lot of opportunities to see a lot of great architecture, learn some interesting history and folklore and, most of all, experience a new city. I stayed at NH Numancia which, while not right near the Gothic Quarter or Las Rambla is just a quick train ride away. The rooms themselves are barebones, but perfect for what I needed. Unfortunately they are in serious need of soundproof walls because I could hear EVERYTHING going on in the halls, next door and even a couple doors down. For people like me who do not drive, Barcelona is a perfect city because you can pretty much go anywhere you want by walking or taking the train. I’m pretty sure I lost a couple pounds on my vacation just from all the walking and hiking I did. It was a little tiring at times, but I definitely wouldn’t change anything about the trip.

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Of course, since this is supposed to have the best chowder, I had to try it. And it was quite good. It was just the right amount of creamy and well seasoned. I kind of wish there were more chunks of clam in there, but hey, the flavor of clam permeated each bite that I took. It also wasn’t served too hot, so I got to dig in right away. For those that know me, I tend to just dig in to any food I get immediately. This generally results in a burnt tongue. I then tried the Sauteed Shrimp and Scallop entree. The shrimp and scallops were cooked to perfection and were quite fresh. It’s been a while since I’ve had such tender and sweet scallops. Unfortunately the sundried tomato cream sauce was almost too creamy. I actually would have preferred it a little thinner because the cream taste overpowered the sundried tomato taste. Still, it was quite tasty and I ended up finishing everything on my plate. I was pretty stuffed after the chowder and meal, so I didn’t get a chance to eat dessert. But I imagine it is delicious.

Since the Union Oyster House is the oldest restaurant in the US, it definitely draws quite a crowd. We probably waited about an hour for our table. Luckily, there were seats at the bar so I was able to casually drink my Bushmill’s on the rocks and eat my chowder comfortably. The waitress was also super friendly and reminded me of a friendly Chinese grandma. I wish I could have taken her home so that she could cook for me.

If you are ever in Boston, check out Union Oyster House. It’s delicious though you’ll certainly have to pay a pretty penny for your meal, it’s totally worth it.

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One of the first things I did was test out a bunch of games I’ve been hearing about like Marvel Heroes, Elder Scrolls Online and Gears of War 4. I also came across a couple other games I’d never heard of, like WildStar. Now, I can’t wait until I get to Beta test WildStar. If you haven’t heard of it, it’s an MMO by Carbine Studios where you get to play as one of the two factions. There’s dynamic combat, world events, gameplay style paths you can choose and interesting PvP battles. For the most part I tailed the CEO and COO of Borderland Media group and was able to work my way into some press conferences and panels. Overall, I would say the conference was a success for the group. We got a ton of Beta Keys and I got to speak with the creative mind behind WildStar, Neverwinter Online and the community manager for Capcom. Yeah, that Capcom.

Now, I’m not a super serious gamer, in fact I would probably list myself under pretty casual. But even I was geeking out over meeting some of the big names in game development. I wish that I could have spoken with some one at Blizzard, but alas, I’m not from IGN. Of course, no convention is complete without some awesome cosplay. I was able to snap a picture of this great Bumblebee cosplayer, but there were so many more swarming around that I didn’t have a chance to take a picture of all of them. Where else, aside from Halloween in NYC, can you find people dressing in outrageous costumes?

The convention is a lot of fun, but I’m glad it only lasts a handful of days. By the time I got home I was wiped out. It might have something to do with the fact that I was on my feet from the 9 hours of the conference, or maybe that I didn’t get more than 5 hours of during the whole trip, but hey, that’s what it’s all about.

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Travel Tip #1: Travel Off Peak

Airfare is expensive nowadays even within the US, so it can be hard to find good rates. While it might be time-consuming, the best way is to go to sites like kayak.com and check up on the rates daily.

Choose 5-6 destinations that interest you and look through the different months for the lowest fare. Set a budget on how much you are willing to spend on a roundtrip ticket as well as the amount of transfers you are willing to take. If you want non-stop, you better be prepared to spend a little extra money than if you chose flights that offer multiple stops. The best time to travel is during the off-peak season. Hotels and flights will be much cheaper, though you’ll have to prepare for the off-peak season. For some areas, you’ll have to deal with the cold, for others, it’ll be heavy rains. Regardless of the reason, make sure that you read up on the regular weather situation for the month that you are travelling to get a good idea of what you should pack.

Travel Tip #2: Plan Your Trip

Once you’ve purchased the plane ticket, you can then plan on the activities that you want to do for the couple days you are visiting. Find things to do on each day that are relatively close together so you don’t have to feel like you are rushing. Almost every place you visit will have free things to do from concerts to museums. Look up activities and points of interest that sound intriguing. Make sure that you know how to get there.

Travel Tip #3: Don’t Plan Everything

image via secroit.deviantart.com/

One of the best things about traveling is discovering off-the-beaten-path. Talk to a local and see if there’s any interesting places or events going on during your trip. They might direct you to the local watering hole or to a live music venue. The possibilities are endless! Even if you don’t find a cool place to go, you will have met some one new, which is exciting in and of itself.

Travel Tip #4: Eat Cheap

There are plenty of delicious places to eat all over the US and world. While you might want to splurge on one good meal, keep the others to cheaper meals. Cheaper doesn’t mean lower quality, and often they might sometimes be better than the more expensive restaurants. Plus, cheaper mainstays are generally a great place to rub elbows with the locals and get information on what’s happening in town.

Most importantly, relax and enjoy yourself! Don’t worry if you get a little off schedule or if you don’t get to see a specific exhibit. You’re there to have fun, not be stressed out. So the next time that the travel bug bites you, look to places locally. There are probably numerous towns and cities that you have yet to explore that might offer some amazing memories.

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Lindquist Beach

This is, by far, the prettiest beach on St. Thomas. Prettier than Magen’s and Sapphire combined. The water just looks prettier. Maybe it’s because of the soft, white sand or maybe it’s the fact that the waves don’t crash that hard on the beach. Either way, it’s incredibly relaxing. They actually filmed a couple Corona commercials at this location, so you can imagine just how scenic it is. There is a small fee, but you get lockers, a shower and life guards. It’s a hidden gem of a beach. If you’re looking for it, look for a sign that points to Smith Bay.

Ram’s Head Trail

If you don’t mind a hot, steep climb, the Ram’s Head trail will reward you with amazing views of the islands. You’ll also feel a sense of accomplishment after reaching the top. Try to do this hike earlier in the morning as there is hardly any shade protection. You can climb at night, but there are some rather steep steps, so you’ll have to watch your feet. I can’t imagine star-gazing up there, it’s probably super awesome. On the way to the top you’ll get to see the Salt Pond and the blue cobblestone beach.

Reef Bay Trail

Reef Bay Trail is the longest trail on St. John, but it’s also one of the more rewarding. I suggest doing this early in the morning because the walk back from the bottom might be excruciating later on in the day. You get to see several different abandoned sugar plantations, rest at the reflecting pool while gazing at the petroglyphs and dragonflies and relax at the beach at the end of the trail. Both ways, the trail will end up being 6 miles so be sure to pack water and some snacks.

Waterlemon Cay

No, not watermelon. Waterlemon Cay is off of Leinster Bay and gives you some of the best snorkeling on the island. There’s a rich coral reef right around the cay and you might be lucky enough to see a sea turtle or sting ray. It’s not easy. You’ll have to hike along the Leinster Bay trail for about a mile or so until you reach the end of the trail. From there the quickest way to the cay is from a rather rocky takeoff point. It’s about a 0.2 mile swim, but it does get difficult as you try to round the cay. Take it slowly and don’t panic. When going back to the landing point, be sure to look out for urchins.

Trunk Bay

Another great snorkel spot that is beginner friendly. You can also rent snorkel equipment from here as well. The snorkeling is far easier at Trunk Bay and while not nearly as exciting, you can still see plenty of interesting tropical fish. There’s an underwater trail marked by buoys that you follow that marks certain landmarks and also points out specific fish.

Moutain Top

At the highest point of St. Thomas is Mountaintop home of the prettiest view of the Caribbean as well as the Banana Daiquiri. There’s a huge tourist shop at the top, which makes sense, but the view is definitely breathtaking. You can see Tortola, St. John’s, Little Tobago and other islands. It’s a spectacular view and the banana daiquiris are all right.

Agree? Disagree? Leave your comments below.

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Skinny Legs is set up in a fairly interesting manner. In the front is the souvenir shop with shirts, cups and the standard nonsense. In the back is a bar/restaurant. Seems like there are plenty of locals and tourists that stop by to grab a cold one and a quick lunch. The minute we sat down, the bartender greeted us with a smile and the menu. The first thing I ordered? A bottle of Corona. Sure, I know it’s not local, but man, Coronas taste the best in a tropical environment. While I’m not a huge fan of girly mixed drinks, the Pink Razz Lemonade was delicious. Tasted just the way I expected and the sweetness hid the alcohol quite well. Dangerously well, in fact. I ordered a burger and soon after began chatting with the couple next to us. They were visiting for the week from Vermont, same as us, and were trying to get us to join them on a sailboat around the area. A man at the end of the bar owned a sailboat and was offering rides for $50/person, certainly not the most expensive offer I’d seen. But, unfortunately, we were on a tight schedule as we were planning to hike the Ram’s Head trail and needed to catch the last boat back to St. Thomas. It was definitely a tempting offer though as I wasn’t particularly looking forward to another long and hot hike.

Once the burger came out though, my mouth started salivating immediately. Sure, this could have been that I was simply really hungry after hiking 6 miles, but the smell was just divine. It was a 1/2 pound of delicious beef shaped molded into perfect little patties. I drowned out all other idle chit-chat directed at me. My focus was on the burger. Would it be the correct temperature, would the meat be too singed on the outside? All my questions were answered after that first bite. OH GOD. It was probably the best burger I’d have in, well, forever. Believe me, I’ve had my fair share. The burger was cooked to a perfect medium-well without losing any of it’s juiciness. The outside was perfectly grilled with just the slightest hint of char. And the bread. Super soft, slightly chewy and homemade. I savored that first bite, letting the various flavors of the meat, tomato, onion and lettuce mingle on my tongue. There wasn’t a lot of seasoning, but it didn’t need it. It’s not a fancy burger, it’s just a damn good one. Add onto that the friendly locals and tourists and excellent dockside view, Skinny Legs is just a great hangout spot. I can completely understand why the locals hang out here.

It didn’t take long for me to finish my burger and I was contemplating ordering another one, but remembered that I still had a long hike ahead of me. My belly was full and I was slightly tipsy from my Corona. At that moment, all was right in the world. It’s amazing what a good burger can do for you.

Skinny Legs Bar & Grill

Rte. 10

St John’s, USVI

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“Let’s take the  6.30am car barge to St. John so that we can get to the Reef Bay Trail.”

“Uh…so that means we have to wake up at 5am?”

“Pretty much.”

“…Ok.”

I dragged myself out of bed at 5am, the sun wasn’t even out yet when we started our drive to Red Hook. We actually were able to take the 6.15am car barge. While I was pretty exhausted, I have to say that it was a good choice to leave so early in the morning. Less than half an hour later we were on St. John with full sunlight upon us. There were hardly any cars on the road, making the trip out to the trail much easier as we didn’t need to worry about anyone behind us or coming around the incredibly sharp turns.

Reef Bay Trail St. John

We arrived at the trail after a couple wrong turns and potentially facing another incorrect one, until we found the sign for the Reef Bay Trail. There are guided ranger tours that explain the various wildlife in the forest and take visitors back to Cruz Bay after arriving at the beach at the end, but it started much later, and we were two women on a mission. It’s a hard climb back up, but it was definitely worth going a lot earlier. Even at 8am it was already very humid and hot. On top of that I was wearing my jeans and sneakers, good for hiking, bad for 86 degree hiking. That being said, I was glad that I was wearing sneakers as the trail was very rocky and slippery. The entire hike back and forth is something like 6 miles. I was glad that we packed a large bottle of water and two smaller bottles of water along with some snacks. It took us around 2 hours to walk down (taking pictures of course) and 1 hours speed walking back. The climb back up the same way we came was a bit brutal, but the hike itself was gorgeous.

One of the things that really makes the Reef Bay Trail beautiful, aside from all the flora, is the various ruins dotted throughout the trail. Partway through the trail we saw a long abandoned sugar mill that the forest had begun reclaiming. All that was left were the stone rubble of what once was probably a large sugar mill. These buildings couldn’t have been older than century, but nature took the land back as she so often does. It won’t be too long until the ruins are completely absorbed into the forest.

Petroglyphs

The marks that stay are the ones left much earlier than those that built on the land. Rather, the pre-Columbian natives of the islands, known as Taino, used nature to make their mark. Down the trail, about halfway through the trail, is a freshwater pool with petroglyphs carved in the rocks right above the pool of water. The pool is incredibly still and reflects the petroglyphs beautifully. It was an excellent place to relax, drink some water, watch dragonflies and partake in some snacks. The stillness of the water combined with the constant motion of the dragonflies was captivating. Plus the break helped rest our weary feet.

Sugar Mill Ruins at Reef Bay Trail, St. John

We were halfway done with the trail, and for almost the entire hike, I was struck by how quiet the forest was. I was expecting more of a rain forest where I would be hearing various bird calls or maybe even monkeys, but the forest was still. Most of what I heard were lizards scurrying away from my feet and hermit crabs scrambling over the dead leaves on the forest floor. As we moved closer to the beach, the amount of hermit crabs increased dramatically. So much so that the sound of them crunching over the leaves almost overwhelmed the sound of the ocean. And we figured out where they were heading as well. The end of the trail led to an old Sugar Mill with old reservoirs and other items that collected fresh water. The area was literally covered in hermit crabs, and it makes sense. It’s one of the few places that have fresh water. The sugar mill itself, unlike the one in the forest, was still in tact and retained much of its former shape. We could see the various cogs and wheels that kept the mill running. And of course see where the made the rum. It’s interesting how many plantations and mills were abandoned in the area considering that rum is still a major export of the islands.

Reef Bay Trail Beach St. John

The end of the trail rewarded all of our sweaty work with a beautiful beach. At the time we went, it was completely empty. I was tempted to simply jump in with all of my clothes on, but remembered that I had to walk back. There’s nothing worse than walking in the humidity with wet clothing. Instead I dipped my feet in the refreshingly cool water and enjoyed the view. I’ve always loved the smell of the ocean and to smell it and feel the breeze on my face brought a smile to my face. The waters were an amazing turquoise and when looking out at the horizon, it was hard to know where the ocean ended and the sky began.

If you plan on going to the Reef Bay Trail, here are some tips:

1. Stay hydrated. It’s a long hike and it’s very hot and humid on the islands
2. Wear sneakers or hiking shoes. The trails are rocky and, if wet, very slippery.
3. Bring snacks. Again, since it’s a 3 mile hike one way, you’ll definitely want to load up on some sugar and protein.
4. The hike back up is rough. Be sure to take breaks if you get light-headed.
5. STAY HYDRATED

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View from the Inn at Blackbeard’s Castle

The warm breeze hits me and that’s when I know, I’m in the Caribbean. This is no place for my sweater. Even in the middle of November the weather is perfect 83 degrees. Paradise? Yes. Everything is like a scene out of a movie. Even the airport is scenic. And of course, the main thing to remember about being on an island, everything moves a little slower. Everyone is on island-time.

After getting our rental Jeep, we soon realized that getting around the island wasn’t as easy as we were expecting. Streets were not labeled and roads that were supposed to connect with each other led to a dead end. We circled around the same way at least ten times before deciding to commit to a route. Eventually, we found our hotel, The Inn at Blackbeard’s Castle. We were greeted by several nudists (we were warned beforehand that there was a nudist party) and led to our room. For $90/night, the room had all the necessities: two beds, air conditioner, shower and toilet. It wasn’t the  most luxurious, but it certainly did the trick. On premise there were also three pools, a bar and also several different sites that we were able to go to for free since we were staying at the hotel: Blackbeard’s castle, 99 steps, Rum Factory, The Amber Museum and more. They’re all fairly close to each other and eventually lead down to Charlotte Amalie for some excellent Duty-Free shopping.

Ram Head Trail

Most of our time in the US Virgin Islands, however, was spent on St. John’s. 60 percent of its lands is preserved as a national park and there are plenty of trails for hiking enthusiasts. Most of the trails also lead to beaches, so after sweating a bit you can cool off in the gorgeous waters. We spent our first day hiking the Reef Bay Trail and the Ram Head Trail. Quick note: if you want a relaxing stay on the islands, don’t do two trails on the same day. Especially those two. The Reef Bay trail is pretty long, around 3 miles and if you don’t take the ranger guided tour, you’ll have to walk back up to the start. At the end of the trail is an abandoned sugar mill now inhabited by hundreds of hermit crabs and a beautiful beach. We took a break at around 1pm after our Reef Bay Trail to eat at Skinny Legs and were propositioned by a local sailor and Vermont couple to join them on a sail around the island. I  have to say, it was pretty tempting, but alas we had another trail to go to and the last car barge was at 6pm. The Ram Head trail isn’t as long as the Reef Bay Trail, but it’s a much steeper hike in an area with little shade. I was glad that we had the foresight to pack a large bottle of water and two smaller bottles, because it was HOT. Granted we did the hike at around 2pm, the hottest time of day. With little protection from the sun, the 1 mile trail felt more like 5 miles. It was definitely worth it though as the view was spectacular. The beach at the start of the trail is very nice and was fairly empty. There’s also the pretty blue cobblestone beaches on the trail that are littered with dead coral. It’s quite a sight to behold and I was entranced by the look and sound of the water passing through the rocks.

Aside from hiking, one of the activities I wanted to do while in the Virgin Islands was snorkel. You can snorkel pretty much anywhere and see some tropical fish and reefs, but the best place to go is Waterlemon Cay of Leinster Bay. It’s a tough swim out to the cay but it’s definitely worth it.  The easiest way to get to the cay is to walk the distance of the Leinster Bay trail until you reach the first fork in the trail. After that bear left and continue walking along the shore. Normally the distance from the beach to the cay is around 0.2 miles, however by walking to the rocky takeoff point, you can decrease it 0.1 miles.  I was a bit hesitant to takeoff at the point since it is rocky and there could potentially be urchins around the area, but, hey, carpe diem! Luckily, the takeoff was relatively easy and we were able to see a sea turtle, parrot fish, blue tangs and corals. The current around the cay was quite strong, we weren’t able to swim all the way around it. Getting to the cay was not too bad, but coming back to shore was another matter. I was a little afraid a couple times that I wasn’t going to make it. The trick is to remain calm and just swim at your own pace. It might feel as though you’re not going anywhere with the current, but eventually you’ll make it to land.For an easier snorkel, Trunk Bay is also nice as points of interests are marked with buoys and the waters are far calmer.

Lindquist Beach

But of course being on the islands is all about being on the beach and relaxing! There are plenty of beaches to choose from on St. John’s and St. Thomas. Conde Nast and National Geographic name Magen’s Beach and Trunk Bay the prettiest beaches in the US Virgin Islands, but I’d have to say that Lindquist was by far my favorite. The sand had been broken down to such fine particles that they lost all of their abrasiveness. The water was simply gorgeous and the beach itself was more or less empty. Sure, we paid $3 to enter, but it was worth the fee. And, a fun tidbit, Corona shot one of their commercials at the beach!

I only was able to spend 4 days in the Virgin Islands, but I’m definitely interested in returning to really explore other beaches and the other trails. St. Thomas and St. John’s certainly aren’t large, but they offer so many different scenes from beaches to forests. While we packed our days with activities, there’s no reason why you would have to follow suit. Relax and enjoy the island’s at your own pace. The islands offer unparalleled scenery and they also have some pretty darn good food. I definitely enjoyed my stay there, as hectic as it was, though next time I would definitely take a little more time to relax.

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If it hadn’t been for Jill, I most likely never would have gone down to Lexington, KY. I’m glad I did despite the travel mishaps. There was a lot to see and plenty of cool places to go. Besides that, it was also an incredibly scenic place complete with a cute city and gorgeous, wide-open plots of land. It’s such an interesting mix of landscapes and fun people (especially that chick in the superhero outfit), I couldn’t help but like it.

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