Barbados Fever (Part IV) Blue is the Warmest Colour

Reason 4,893 why my vacation was better then yours. Haha, only kidding! ...Sort of.

Nature, TravelsStephanie BraconnierMay 30, 2014Crane Beach, Beaches of Barbados, Barbados, Ginger Bay, Sam Lord's Castle, Deserted Beaches, Silver Sands, Maxwell Beach Comments

Barbados Barbados (Part III) - The Wild Wild East

If you think that Barbados is all lazy beach time and leisurely strolls in the sunset, think again. This island has a wild side, and it's gorgeous.

Nature, TravelsStephanie BraconnierMay 25, 2014Atlantic Ocean, Beaches of Barbados, Bathsheba, Cattlewash, The Soup Bowl, St. Nicholas Abbey, Barbados Interior, North Point, Cove Bay, Bottom Bay, Ragged Point, Cherry Tree Hill, Little Bay, BarbadosComment

Caribbean Paradise (PART II) - Beaches of South-West Barbados

In fervid pursuit of the ideal place to achieve maximum relaxation, I exhaustively reviewed the beaches of South-West Barbados for your benefit.

Travels, NatureStephanie BraconnierMay 24, 2014Barbados, Miami Beach, Little Arches, Dover Beach, Maxwell Beach, Worthing Beach, Carib Beach Bar, Sunsets, Beaches of BarbadosComment

Ultimate Paradise Getaway (Part I) The Incredible Island of Barbados

When life hands you lemons, board a plane to Barbados and drink rum until your sads go away.

TravelsStephanie BraconnierMay 23, 2014Barbados, Seawinds, Silver Sands, Accra Beach, Route Taxi, Z-Taxi, Cuz's Fish ShackComment

Faro & Almancil

When the days are grey and fading, you can still find some lovely places to visit. Interspersing your sight-seeing time with frequent visits to the pastelería for a tasty Portuguese pastry will help lift the mood.

TravelsStephanie BraconnierMay 5, 2014FaroPortugal, Almancil, Faro, BeachComment

To the Algarve - Olhao & Tavira

One gorgeous place after another, from Lisbon to the Algarve.

TravelsStephanie BraconnierMay 4, 2014OlhaoAlgarve, Portugal, Olhao, Tavira, Silves, SightseeingComment

Lisbon in Winter

If you think Lisbon in summer is nice, just wait until you see it in the full glory of a rainy winter. I guarantee you will have no problem finding a place to sit and cram either sardines or jam cookies into your mouth. Sometimes both at the same time. Hey - winter drives us to do crazy things.

Eating & Drinking, TravelsStephanie BraconnierMarch 13, 2014Lisbon, Christmas, Sardines, Aga Khan Development Network, Centro de Arte Moderna, PortugalComment

Isla Culatra

Isla Culatra, just off the coast of the Algarve, is a small island with no roads; interconnected by a network of wooden paths.

PortugalStephanie BraconnierFebruary 22, 2014Isla Culatra, AlgarveComment

Rocks of the Algarve: The rugged south coast

Places to go if you like rocks and heights.

Portugal, TravelsStephanie BraconnierFebruary 15, 2014Cape St. Vincent, Cabo de Sao Vincente, Praia do Beliche, Beliche Beach, Algarve, Portugal, Rock Formations, Ponta da Piedade, Sagres Fortress, Sagres, CliffsComment

Xmas in Portugal: Sintra

Thanks to the happy circumstance of Jed's parents living in Nairobi, Portugal happens to be somewhere in the realm of 'middle distance' for both of us to visit. It could be much worse.

Travels, Portugal, Architecture & DesignStephanie BraconnierFebruary 14, 2014Sintra National Palace, Pena National Palace, Sintra, Qinta de Regaleira, Romantic Gardens, ParksComment

New York Weekend: Parks, Gardens, and Public Space

If you think New York is just about magnificent buildings, think again. New York is filled to the brim with high quality public space where you can eat memorable hotdogs, ice cream, and pizza while basking in the warm glow of a parks maintenance budget that exceeds the GDP of Canada.

Metropol Parasol & Rural Solei

One thing I was really pushing to see before we left Sevilla was the Metropol Parasol by Jürgen Mayer-Hermann.

Landscape & Urban Design, Spain, Portugal, TravelsStephanie BraconnierFebruary 8, 2014SevilleSeville, Spain, Portugal, Vila Real de Santo Antonio, PS10 Solar Power, Metropol Parasol, J. Mayer H, Public RealmComment

Olhão to Sevilla

The continued travels in Portugal merge over into Spain... with dramatically satisfying results!

Eating & Drinking, Portugal, Travels, SpainStephanie BraconnierFebruary 1, 2014SevilleOlhao, Seville, Spain, Alcazar, Wonkandy, Plaza de Espana, La Carboneria, Flamenco, Contenador, Storks, PortugalComment

New York Weekend: Architecture

Architecture & Design, TravelsStephanie BraconnierDecember 20, 2013Guggenheim Museum, Lincoln Centre, Metropolitan Opera House, Rockefeller Centre, New York CityComment

Vancouver Island vol. 1

This post, like our trip to Vancouver Island, is epic. I highly suggest curling up with a hot-water bottle and something belly-warmingly alcoholic before embarking on this post.

Travels, NatureStephanie BraconnierSeptember 25, 2013UclueletVancouver Island, Pacific Rim National Park, British Columbia, Summer, Wya Point, Camping, Outdoors, Adventure, Hiking, Coast, West Coast, SummerRugged Comments

Kenya Diaries Finale: Mara River, Cheetahs & Bush Planes

DECEMBER 29

Today is our last day on this wonderful trip, and appropriately we are going on an all day safari - we're driving out to the mara river to see crocodiles and hippos. The day started out beautiful and we saw so much in just a short time! Elephants, ostriches, cheetahs (with very young cubs, and also a pair of males)...

Kenya Diaries, TravelStephanie BraconnierMarch 6, 2013Rural Kenya, Maasai Mara, Safari Comments

Kenya Diaries Part X - Maasai Mara

DECEMBER 28

Question which I would really rather stay unanswered, as I prefer the mysterious ponderings of my mind to real life: WHAT IS INSIDE THE SAUSAGES ON A SAUSAGE TREE? If you know the answer, please do not share.

Kenya Diaries, TravelStephanie BraconnierFebruary 12, 2013Maasai Mara, Safari, KenyaComment

Kenya Diaries Part IX - To Maasai Mara

DECEMBER 27

We woke up early this morning to pack and get ready to leave. The last couple of nights it has rained and as comfortable as the camp is, I am pretty excited at the prospect of a bed that has space for two people and where I have room to simultaneously open my suitcase and get dressed at the same time without defenestrating Jed.

Kenya Diaries, TravelStephanie BraconnierFebruary 11, 2013Maasai Mara, Safari, KenyaComment

Kenya Diaries Part VIII - Nature Safari in the Loita Plains

DECEMBER 26

So earlier I commented on how well behaved the kids are here. It makes sense - they have a very strong structure for different roles amongst the age groups. But even more effective - and some people might disagree - is straight up hitting people with sticks.

I am a HUGE proponent of hitting people with sticks.