February 28, 2010

El Fuerte, Mexico: Hotel Posada del Hidalgo; hotel review

courtyard at Hotel Posada del Hidalgo in El Fuerte, Mexico

Hotel Posada del Hidalgo  

54 rooms. Pool; hot tub. Restaurant.

Don Rafael Almada--a wealthy and influential town mayor--spent 5 years and 100,000 gold pesos building this traditional colonial mansion in 1890. With wood trim made from 285 Canadian red pine beams and four layers of brick and adobe construction, it was once the largest and most beautiful in town. The iron work was brought in from Mazatlan. The colonial "Casa Vieja" section of Hotel Posada del Hidalgo has attractive rooms with modern amenities and a lovely central courtyard, and it is claimed to be the original site of Zorro's (Don Diego de la Vega) house. The section's Zorro Suite is equipped with a whip, a mask, and a sword. Newer rooms face another spacious garden.




February 26, 2010

The Future of Air Travel


The Future of Air Travel

Fortunately, this video is funny to watch. Unfortunately, it is painful to contemplate.
And fortunately again, it brings to mind Mr. Bean.

The Future of Air Travel


More ideas for travel adventures in California and the U.S. and around the world.

February 24, 2010

Palm Springs: Frey House II; things to do



Christopher P. Baker, author of “Palm Springs & Desert Resorts: A Complete Guide,” leads a video tour of the iconic Frey House II, built in 1963 by eccentric Swiss architect Albert Frey.








February 22, 2010

Mazatlan, Mexico: Angela Peralta Opera House; things to do

Angela Peralta Opera House  

On Carnaval St., in Machado Park, 982-4446.

Named in honor of the famous Mexican opera singer known as “The Nightingale of Mexico,” who died in town of yellow fever before she could perform here, this circa-1860s European-style classical opera house is the oldest theater in Mazatlan. The Angela Peralta Opera House cost at construction was 80 pesos! Tours are available, and concerts are often scheduled. A collection of beautiful vintage black-and-white photographs is displayed, and a fashionable neighborhood filled with boutiques, cafes, and bars surrounds.


February 21, 2010

Let's fly No Frills Airline with Tim Conway, Harvey Korman, and Carol Burnett



Let's fly No Frills Airline with Tim Conway, Harvey Korman, and Carol Burnett

This hilarious skit starring Tim Conway, Harvey Korman, and Carol Burnett will make you scream, "On second thought, I think I WILL buy that upgrade."


More ideas for travel adventures in California and the U.S. and around the world.

YouTube no longer shows "No-Frills Airline" so here you go with "Airline Security."


February 18, 2010

Mazatlan, Mexico: Casa de Leyendas Bed & Breakfast; hotel review

guest room at the Casa de Leyendas Bed & Breakfast in Mazatlan, Mexico

Casa de Leyendas Bed & Breakfast  

Venustiano Carranza #4, Centro Historico, 011-52-669-981-6180, in U.S. 602-445-6192. 2 stories; 6 rooms; $89-$125/2. Full breakfast. Hot tub. Ceiling fan and air conditioning. Free internet and phone calls to the U.S.

Located across the street from the Art Museum and just 200 feet from Olas Altas beach, the colorfully repurposed hacienda-style house that is the Casa de Leyendas Bed & Breakfast has a colorful interior courtyard with fountain and hot tub. The live-in owners are American, and even if you don’t stay here you are welcome to stop in for a tour.




February 12, 2010

ARTWALK in Mazatlan, Mexico--part 2; things to do

ARTWALK in Mazatlan, Mexico


ARTWALK IN MAZATLAN,
PT. 2








If you are fortunate enough to be in Mazatlan on a first Friday, you can participate in ARTWALK.
See my first blog post about this.

At other times, you can just wander the area’s streets, looking for open venues. Some that are usually open include:

Glen Rogers studio  

Baltazar Izaguirre #23, 176-5266. Open most days. Artists Glen Rogers (American) and partner Trevor Bennett (Australian) live and work here. She specializes in paintings, prints, and public sculpture, and he in realistic acrylic paintings. Glen also teaches monotype workshops in her studio.


Casa Etnika  

Sixto Osuna #50, 136-0139. M-Sat 9am-7pm. This enclave includes a small cafe where you can relax and refresh with a coffee drink and cookie. Several rooms purvey crafts, jewelry, and fine art--most made by the owner family and friends.


Loretta Shores-Gallacci studio  

Ninos Heroes #1406, Apt. 3, 982-3036. By appointment. Self-taught artist Loretta Shores-Gallacci, who specializes in realistic oil paintings and colored pencils, works and lives here. She also runs a sort of kitty orphanage on her roof. She says, “I beg, plead, advertise, and work on guilt to get them adopted.”


Nautilus Galeria  

 Constitucion #77, 127-0221. Open daily 10am-2pm and 4 to 10pm. Blas Nayar has been painting since he was 8 years old and now specializes in colorful, fanciful, nature-based acrylics. In order to earn money so that he can continue painting, he fashions unique pieces of jewelry using wood, turquoise, and local seeds.
Nicaragua #7, 981-0349, from U.S. 530-402-9648. By appointment. Fiber artist Mary Ruzich dyes and designs all of her fabric creations. She also teaches classes in quilting and dyeing.



ARTWALK part 1.

 
image c2009 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

February 9, 2010

7 trips you should never book online


7 trips you should never book online

"Carolyn Fletcher’s honeymoon started heading south the moment she and her husband landed in Cancun. No one was there to pick up the newlyweds. . ."



More ideas for travel adventures in California and the U.S. and around the world.

"Hotel Hell Vacation" video starring Chevy Chase


Don't miss this very funny sequel to "Vacation"--"Hotel Hell Vacation," starring Chevy Chase.  What is a "wall tax"!?!


More ideas for travel adventures in California and the U.S. and around the world.

February 4, 2010

Cherrapunji, India: Living root bridges; things to do


Living root bridges


Let's hope these root bridges hold better than similar ones we've seen in Indiana Jones adventures.


More ideas for exploring Asia and the South Pacific.

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