San Felipe, Baja California, Mexico

© Ellen Barone. Low Tide at San Felipe beach.

Through the good fortune of travel and the generosity of friends made on the road, my husband, Hank, and I find ourselves enjoyng a quiet three weeks housesitting in San Felipe, Baja California, Mexico.

Who knew when I met Bob & Lyn Sheedy (http://www.planetbob.com) on a flight to Barbados in 2003 that five years later they’d find my business card tucked into a suitcase and reconnect. Who knew that they’d end up spending three months in our casita in Ajijic, Jalisco, Mexico, or that we’d end up keeping their cat, Meow-Meow, and bird, Bud, company in their desert home in Baja.

For those of us who travel, chance encounters that transform into lifelong friendships, are never a surprise, and in fact, one of the nicest perks. Not to mention, a trip to the beach!

Have a similar story? Share it here! I’d love to hear it.

Life is good,

Ellen

Old Mesilla, New Mexico

©Ellen Barone. Patio view at Josefina’s Old Gate Café and Inn, Mesilla, New Mexico.When I’m cravin’ an Old Mexico fix in New Mexico, I head straight for the lively little village of Old Mesilla near Las Cruces. Dating from 1849, the village of about 2,000 boasts one of the Southwest’s most charming historic plazas. First stop is usually Josefina’s Old Gate Cafe, a homey little cafe where I load up on homemade quiche and fresh-baked croissants. Next, it’s off to The Potteries to see what new and irresitable ceramics potters Janice Cook, Bill Cook, and Jeanne Rundell have on the shelves to tempt me. And finally, there’s people watching, a green chile cheeseburger and a margarita (or 3) to be had at the Double Eagle.

Curaçao

© Ellen Barone. Harborfront Buildings of Punda, Willemstad, Curacao, Netherlands Antilles, Caribbean

How can you not love a place that paints the town the colors of the rainbow? You just gotta smile. And, smile is just about all I did during a memorable girls getaway to Curaçao. Based in a rented villa, I joined five friends for a laid-back week on the island. Our mission: To hang where the locals hang, eat at the local hot spots, and, in general, do the things that any Curaçaoan might do.

Get the full scoop on where to stay + play in my destination guide “Back Stage Curaçao” published online at TripConnect.com.

To plot your own adventure visit http://www.curacao.com the official source for Curaçao tourism and vacation information.

Sea of Cortez, Mexico

© Hank Barone. 

My husband, Hank, captured this photograph as we paddled back to our floating base camp - the luxury yacht, Safari Quest, you see in the distance.  As I look at this picture now, nearly a year later, it summons up a rush of sensory memories from the voyage - the sound of our paddles as they dipped in-and-out of the water, the fresh smell of salt and sea, the exhilaration of exploration and present moment awareness of Universal connection.

This is the picture I go to when I need a mental image of contentment. This is the image I remember when I’m filled with gratitude and appreciation.

Grand Teton National Park

©Ellen Barone. Bull moose in autumn snowfall, Grand Teton National Park, near Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

Any opportunity to observe wildlife in its natural habitat is a huge thrill for me. So, imagine my excitement when this bull moose practically walked in front of my lens during a recent visit to Grand Teton National Park. But, apparently, it wasn’t just good luck. Grand Teton National Park ranks as one of the nation’s top hotspot for wildlife viewing.

To read my article ‘The Suite Life in Teton Valley, Idaho’, and see more photography from my recent stay at the elegant Teton Valley Lodge & Spa , click here.

Ajijic, Jalisco, Mexico

© Ellen Barone. Colorful Mexican Weavings, Ajijic, Jalisco, Mexico

Mexico is on my mind today. I first fell in love with life south-of-the-border during a yearlong road trip with my husband in the mid nineties. Since then, the infectious allure of Mexico’s people, colors, cultural traditions and way of life has drawn me back repeatedly to travel, work and live.

It’s been nine months since my last visit, and I find myself homesick for its vivid colors, raucous sounds, shimmering sunlight, friendly smiles and boisterous exuberance. And, truth told, I wouldn’t mind a freshly made margarita right about now.

Vamanos!

Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona USA

© Ellen Barone. 

Most people know the Grand Canyon as America’s most scenic hole in the ground. But few know that deep in the heart of the gigantic slash there exists a primeval world of heaving and boiling white-water rapids, plummeting waterfalls, emerald pools, graceful ferns, cherry-red monkeyflowers, sandy beaches and billion-year-old rocks.

A six-day rafting vacation with Western River Expeditions  ranks as one of our most memorable adventures. A once-in-a-lifetime must-do for travelers seeking unparalleled whitewater excitement and scenic wonder.

View my video slideshow of the voyage > CLICK HERE

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

©2008 Ellen Barone. Milwaukee Art Museum

I went to Milwaukee expecting to return home with photos of Harley-Davidsons and beer. But, like many first-time visitors, I was pleased to discover a wealth of urban pleasures in this delightful Great Lake city. For instance, the spectacular Milwaukee Art Museum designed by famed Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava. Perched at the water’s edge, this is a must-stop for visiting shutterbugs - inside and out.  And, after you’ve filled a memory card - or two - there’s Harley’s and beer!

Inside Passage, Alaska

©Ellen Barone. Humpback Whale Tail, Inside Passage, Alaska.

Our second voyage through Alaska’s Inside Passage with American Safari Cruises did not disappoint. Aboard their new flagship vessel, Safari Explorer, the luxury expedition-style yacht cruise served up plenty of opportunities for up-close-and-personal wildlife viewing, gentle kayak explorations in remote bays, gourmet dining and the pleasure of traveling with interesting and inquisitive ship mates.

Click here to view a full gallery of images produced on the voyage!

Provence, France

©Ellen Barone. Poppies paint the Provençal landscape near Lacoste, France. 

I’ve just returned from the sensory high of a Provençal walking vacation with The Wayfarers. If you’re picturing a forced march weighted down by heavy backpacks and hostel-style lodging. Think again. A walk with The Wayfarers falls into a travel category “luxury adventure.” Which is to say, after a day of rambling through the luminous hues of the Provençal landscape and lingering over café lunches in pretty villages tumbling down hillsides, you get to  take a long bath, eat a gourmet dinner, drink fine French wine and sleep in the comfort of luxury hotel. Myself, I can’t imagine any other way to discover the flavors, fragrances, scenery, food and joie de vivre of Provence.

Click here to view my photos of the trip.

Sydney, Australia

©Ellen Barone. Sydney Harbour Bridge as viewed at night from Circular Quay, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.

Circular Quay is the hub of Sydney Harbour, situated at a small inlet called Sydney Cove, the founding site for Sydney and Australia. It is a stepping-off point for most attractions based around the harbour and an exciting place to be day and night.

On the southern side of Circular Quay is a walkway that leads to the Sydney Opera House and Royal Botanical Gardens; while on the northern side, a short walk along lovely landscaped walkways takes you to the Harbour Bridge and The Rocks, one of the oldest, most attractive and most interesting parts of Sydney. 

The quay is a vibrant, bustling place with ferries leaving every few minutes to different parts of the harbour. Alongside the ferry terminals are a number of small outdoor cafes and the area is a magnet for buskers of every description.

 
To learn more about Sydney, one of the world’s most popular travel destinations, click here.
 

Maui, Hawaii, USA

© Ellen Barone. Tropical fruits, Ono Organic Farms,

Hawaii has long been known for its agricultural staples such as sugar and pineapple. But on rural East Maui, the tropical climate and fertile volcanic soil  sustains a number of family organic farms growing all manner of exotic fruits. On an afternoon tour at Ono Organic Farms in Kipahulu outside Hana I was knocked out by the freshness and flavor of the tropical fruits grown there. Never had I tasted fruit so pure in flavor.

When Charles “Chuck” Boerner was born on the island of Oahu in 1945, his paternal grandfather purchased land in Hana, Maui, and began what is now a four generation Boerner tradition - organic family farming in Hawaii. Established more than 30 years ago, ONO Organic Farms, Inc. is a 30-acre, certified organic, exotic, tropical fruit, coffee, and chocolate farm in Hana, Maui, Hawaii on the southern slopes of Haleakala volcano.

Owned and operated by Chuck and Lily Boerner and their children, ONO Organic Farms produces thousands of pounds of papaya, banana, avocado, and other tropical fruit every week. These products and others are distributed by ONO Organic Farms to local health food stores, supermarkets, hotels, restaurants, individual households, and farmers markets throughout the islands of Hawaii.

On Maui, you can purchase products and produce from ONO Organic Farms on Monday and Thursday from 11 AM to 5 PM at their roadside market in Hana Town, and on Saturday morning in their big booth at the Swap Meet in Kahului (next to the post office) from 7 AM to 1 PM.

Meet the Boerner family for a tour and fruit tastings held by appointment every Monday and Thursday afternoon.  Call 808-248-7779 or visit Ono Organic Farms for reservations.  

San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua

© Ellen Barone.

Resort guests cross a suspension bridge high above a lush jungle canopy  at Morgan’s Rock Hacienda & Eco-lodge, near San Juan del Sur, Pacific coast, Nicaragua.

It’s Central America as you may never imagined - miles of pristine beaches, rainforest running down to the sea, spectacular wildlife and a sumptuous planet-friendly home base to enjoy it all in style.

Singapore, Southeast Asia

© Ellen Barone.

Travelers who love to experience the world food-first won’t want to miss the month-long Singapore Food Festival, an annual culinary celebration held each July throughout the island-nation. As part of the festivities, the ladies from Urasenke Singapore Association educate visitors in the art of serving a traditional Japanese tea ceremony at the Senbazuru Restaurant in Hotel New Otani in Singapore.

Buenos Aires, Argentina

© Ellen Barone. 

 
They’ve been dancing tango for more than 40 years at Bar Sur, an intimate European-style café in the culturally-rich neighborhood of San Telmo, Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Atlantis, Paradise Island, Bahamas

©Ellen Barone.

The Dig, a maze of underwater/ground passageways and tunnels, offers an otherwordly view of sea creatures at the Atlantis resort, Paradise Island, Bahamas.

Kenya, Africa

©Ellen Barone. Lone acacia tree, Serengeti Plain, Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya, East Africa

 
Following the widespread post-election violence across Kenya, like much of the world, I have watched, first with dismay, and then, with hope, as ongoing peace talks attempt to save the beautiful country from self-destruction. Let’s hope that the recent power-sharing agreement will allow the country to recover from the trauma and civil unrest and restore the country’s optimism for a return to peace.

Wondering if you should go? 

Updated information on travel and security in Kenya may be obtained from the Department of State by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the United States and Canada, or for callers outside the United States and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444.  For further information consult the Country Specific Information for Kenya and the Worldwide Caution Travel Alert, which are available on the Bureau of Consular Affairs Internet website at http://travel.state.gov.

Taos, New Mexico, USA

© Ellen Barone.

The luminous hues of New Mexico, and Taos in particular, have long inspired painters and photographers. Its colorful tapestry of banded cliffs, water sculpted arroyos and high desert mountain wilderness seem ready-made for artists. Georgia O’Keeffe once said, “If you go to New Mexico, it’ll itch you for the rest of your life.” It’s true. I came to New Mexico for a week more than a decade ago and returned 14-months later to stay a lifetime. I am at home here in a way I never felt back East, my ‘home’ for some 30 years.

 
Last weekend during a relaxing wintertime escape to the legendary artist colony we were driving back from dinner when this scene lit up before us. Pulling the car over to catch the momentary flash of shimmering pre-sunset light I managed to capture just this one image before the sun dipped below the mesa. The photo stirs up such pleasant memories of the moment that I think I’ll use our new online fine art gallery to order a giclée canvas print for the house.

* You may recall another Taos favorite was featured as photo-of-the-week on May 25, 2007.