Prepping for Africa - Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe March/April 2017

I can hardly believe that it has already been two years since my first trip to Africa. In 2015 I went to Africa with three girlfriends. We flew from JFK (New York City) to Johannesburg where we caught a flight to Maun, Botswana. Chris, from Machaba Camp (and also a friend), picked us up and drove us in the jeep to camp. It was raining when we got there and I was terrified that we were about to spend the entire trip soaked. 

During approx. two hour drive from Maun to camp we saw hippopotamus, giraffe, and zebra! We weren't even technically ON safari yet (in my mind). I was so excited and found myself starring into the bush and straining my eyes trying to will a animal to come into focus!

Last trip we stayed at Machaba camp the entire safari portion of our trip (here is also their Facebook page). This camp and the staff are amazing. So much so, we are headed back in our upcoming trip. We'll be splitting our time this trip between Machaba camp and Meno camp (we have not visited this one before - here's their FB page) - both located in the Okavango Delta. 

I am so fortunate to be sharing this experience with my Momma this year. She really wants to visit an authentic village African village. I know that Chris and his Machaba team will be able to accommodate.

After our time in Botswana we're headed to Victoria Falls in Zambia/Zimbabwe (last trip to Africa we went to Cape Town - separate blog entry, coming soon). This will be the first time either of us visit Victoria Falls, and I can't be more excited. We have a packed itinerary, including: dinner cruise, walk with Lions safari, Rhino safari, Victoria Falls giant freefall and swing, and more! 

I am looking forward to sharing this experience with all of you! I'll be taking several photos and videos while we're there. Follow my Instagram (@Clt_queencity) for live photo updates as I can make them.

Have suggestions or questions about my upcoming trip to Africa?! I'd love to hear them!

Girls Trip! Playa Del Carmen, Mexico - May 2016

Sometimes, there's nothing better than getting a group of friends and heading to the beach for some relaxation. And by relaxation, I mean...starting the day with a walk around the local area, before the shops even open to get morning coffee, walking along the beach to the beach cafe down from our villa and starting the day with mimosa's, and floating in the warm water without watching the clock for your next meeting - no plans, no itinerary. A dream. :) 

We had 10 girls for a friend's birthday celebration and shared two condos right on the beach in the heart of Playa Del Carmen - we could walk most places. We didn't go through a resort or travel agent for our booking...you can find some great options on sites like VRBO.com.

This is the view from the patio of our condo. 

The picture above is the view from our condo patio. We were located right on the beach and we had a team of locals that would come and set up their massage tent each day. We took full advantage of their location! They gave great massages and they were very inexpensive! 

Beyond the massage tents is the ocean. It was amazing to wake up and have coffee on the patio with the site, smell and sound of the ocean to welcome your day. The water was warm and welcoming, but very salty (making it easy to float).

The majority of our days were spent just down the beach at one of the resort/restaurants that host a bounty of lounge chairs and umbrellas. Fair warning - most of them don't open until around noon (even though they have breakfast on their menu). We typically got there before they opened and counted down until we could order food and our daily dose of champagne!

Playa has some great food options. We loved being in walking distance to so many. We had a great time at Ula Gula. The server was very attentive and fun, and they had a DJ by the time we were leaving, who was also a lot of fun. The food was pretty good, but atmosphere is what you go for. Make sure you get a table on the patio so you can sit in the open air and people watch as the crowds walk by. We also went to Aldea Corazon, and although the place was beautiful (we ate in a beautiful jungle courtyard), the food alright and the service didn't compare to Ula Gula. One restaurant we had to drive to and I have mixed reviews - Alux. It's in a cave. I think you have to experience it if you go to Playa, but I would go there patient. The food was good, not great. The service was okay...a bit slow and not as attentive as some of the others we had been to already. However, the restaurant itself and the fact that you're in a cave is all very cool. My favorite restaurant of the trip, I'm looking for the name and will have to add it as an update later. :) 

What else do you do when you're in paradise besides go to the beach and great restaurants at night? You have to enjoy the water activities, and check out some nightlife!

I was set on getting over to Akumal Bay to swim with the sea turtles. A few of the girls decided that it was something they wanted to do as well, so we went for it. We hired a taxi by popping into one of the local hotels. The taxi driver was really great and he gave recommendations on what else we should do if we were already going out to Akumal. We decided to hire him for the day and he would take us to swim with the sea turtles and then we'd go check out the Mayan Ruins of Tulum. I was so happy that we made that decision and this was definitely one of the best days we had while in Playa Del Carmen (in my opinion). 

HAHA! Trying to get a selfie with this many people is an art...and we do not have it! 

In terms of nightlife, there is plenty. There are open air clubs all over the place! They don't really get busy until later in the evening. The clubs are really not our speed any longer (we'd prefer a nice 3-4 hour dinner with drinks and then home), but we did check out the clubs near our condo one night because a few of us wanted to dance!

My group did not do Xterra or any of the adventure parks, but I'd definitely like to do that the next time I go. This trip was all about relaxation and no stress. We had a lot of fun and I'd love to be back on that beach with a coconut drink in hand right now!

Ocean City, Maryland in August 2016

I am late posting about my trip to Ocean City, Maryland. There's nothing like powerful events happening in your life to get your mind going and looking for ways to release emotions and memories. I recently lost my Grandmother, "Nanny". She is now back with her love, my Grandfather, "Pop-pop" or "Pops" (as I called him in my adult years). It was their house in Berlin, across the bay from Ocean City, Maryland that I first think of whenever I think of Ocean City. 

Ocean City is a vault of wonderful memories of both my grandparents, my siblings, my cousins. Due to the amount we moved (military family), it is the only place that I have memories from each stage of my life. It is where, when I close my eyes, I can see in perfect detail. I can hear the lapping of the water against the dock or the birds as they fly over the water back to the trees on land at sunset. I swear I can even smell the salt air.

I will always hold a special place in my heart for our house on Wood Duck Drive and the memories we had there. Rest in peace, my sweet Nanny and our Lucky Buck (Pops).

View from our backyard in Berlin, looking across the bay at Ocean City.

Ocean City in August is hot! I flew on a direct flight from Charlotte Douglas International on a two prop (yes, they are still around) puddle jumper to Salisbury-Ocean City Wicomico Regional Airport. It's a super small, yet easy airport. They even still allow folks to park right out front! Ocean City is about a 30 min drive from the Salisbury airport. They do have Uber in the area now, if you're not interested in renting a car.

Ocean City has done a lot of updating in the last several years. It's really cleaned up and is a beautiful beach community. There are still too many putt-putt places as you drive down the strip, however people can only have so many beach days while on vacation so it's a great thing for families looking for something else to do.

My favorite area is down, closer to the inlet. There are plenty of things to do, and most are in walking distance. In the morning, before 11 AM, you can rent bikes (or bring your own) and ride them along the boards. Go early because it gets pretty crowded! It's also really nice just to walk the boards. There are lots of little shops to pop into and food options. If families are looking for other things to do off the beach, there is also a Ripley's Believe it or Not, Trimper's and Jolly Roger's rides.

We're walking the boards in Ocean City, Maryland in front of Ripley's Believe it or Not!

We had a great day on the boards and riding the rides! Check out our video!

One of the reasons we like to go to Ocean City in August is because the annual White Marlin Open Tournament (large fishing tournament - think Shark, White and Blue Marlin, etc). It is the first week of August and it is always a great time watching the boats (of all sizes) heading out in the early morning, or coming in at sunset. You can go over to Harbour Island (14th Street and the Bay) and watch the boats as they back up to the scale to weigh-in their catch. It's a lot of fun to see the fish up close, but you need to get there very early to claim a spot close to the scale if you want to be able to see anything...or, if you're a big fan, rent a condo right in the marina if you can find one!

If you don't care so much about seeing the weigh-in but love to watch the boats...the best location (in my opinion) is on the inlet! The boats fly the flag of the type of fish they have caught on their way to the weigh-in. Tip: get a reservation on the windows at Harrison's Harbor Watch restaurant. It over looks the inlet, so you have a great view of the parade of boats as they come through! They also have cards on their tables that tell you what each of the flags are, and always have great fresh fish options. Tell Lori Kelly or Reagan at the Raw Bar I sent you and have them make you some Oyster Stew before you head to your table! 

After you're done with dinner, there are plenty of dive bars along the boardwalk...there are actually multiple bars on every corner! It's a great time to walk off the great meal you just had at Harrison's and check out multiple spots - Cork Bar, The Bearded Clam, Purple Moose...just pop your head in and eventually you'll find a few that suite you.

You can't go to Ocean City without stopping at a beach bar. Two of our favorites are de Lazy Lizard and Fish Tales. We like them because you still have the beach bar feel, but it is much less crowded (typically) than the mega beach bar, I'll talk about next. You can take your boat over, however they have limited docking, so you need to make sure you time your visit just right if you're planning on boating over. You can drive as well, they both have a decent size parking lot. 

The next spot is a must hit. If people have been to Ocean City before, they know it well. Seacrets - Jamaica USA. Their tag line is "find us and get lost"...and that is exactly what you might do in this mega beach bar. You can also arrive by boat to Seacrets - which, I highly recommend if you can, especially during busy hours. The line to get in can stretch around the block if you're in high season. This bar is right on the bay and transports you to Jamaica, without leaving the US. It is all sandy beaches, palm trees, reggae music, Red Stripe beer and loads of frozen drink options. Our standard when visiting is the Pain in de Ass. It's basically Rum Runner and Pina Colada layered and is oh so good...but watch out...they sneak up on you!

In addition to all of the great restaurants and bars, Ocean City has some other great activities. There are loads of jetski and boat rental options. There are also large touring jet boats that take you out to the ocean. It's a great chance that you'll spot some wildlife - wild ponies at Assateague Island as you leave the Inlet, and dolphin love to jump in the waves and boat wake.

Have you been to Ocean City? What are your favorite things to do and/or places to go while you're there?