Annual Birthday Trip: Maui

Every year, I travel for my birthday. I started this tradition in 2018 because I just didn’t feel like hosting dinners anymore. Not that there’s anything wrong with hosting dinners, but it was starting to feel awkward as I got older because of combining different friend groups who don’t really mesh and not wanting to leave anyone out. In those situations, it’s difficult as a guest to mingle when you’re seated at a big table, stuck talking to the stranger sitting next to you. I always feel weird having my friends pay for me. My new tradition has been more fun because I get to pick a different destination every year. I’ve done a few yoga retreats on my birthday, and some of those have been enjoyable, but those are a week long and don’t give you as much flexibility for exploring, so I’ve stopped doing them. Sometimes friends have joined me on my trips, sometimes I’m solo. Either way, I’m exploring somewhere new and that’s always a great way to spend a birthday. This year, I chose Maui.

In the past, my birthday trips have been a week long. But I had just come back from traveling to Europe in Sept for a week, and didn’t feel like another week long commitment. I wanted a short relaxing escape. I decided on Maui because it’s not too far from LA. I could do a short, easy, low-planning 3-day trip. Plus, I had been before and had done all the touristy things. This time, I wouldn’t feel the pressure to see the whole island. I could spend more time relaxing. I knew that I wanted to base myself in Wailea this time because I hadn’t really explored that area before. It’s known for it’s luxury resorts. I am always hesitant to commit to a locations or hotel I’m unfamiliar with. Usually, when I travel, I’ll split my stay up at one budget-friendly area and then splurge on a nicer hotel. It makes staying at the nicer hotel that much sweeter.

For my first 2 nights, I stayed at Maui Coast Hotel in S. Kihei, which neighbors Wailea. This area is the more budget friendly for those who want to spend time in Wailea. It was decently priced and spacious. They have a pool, but I didn’t use it at all because I was out exploring. The room was the first one closest to the entrance on the first floor, so it was a bit loud. The back patio was a view of the parking lot. Not the best room! But I guess, you get what you pay for! Make sure you request an upper floor that doesn’t have a view of the parking lot or pay a little more for a better room. The receptionist made it sound like she gave me a complimentary upgrade because I was in the newer building, but the room location did not feel like an upgrade at all. However, this would not deter me from staying here again. Overall, the room was nice, clean, spacious, and comfortable. The room also had a fridge and a microwave. The hotel is located across the street from the beach and within walking distance of local restaurants. In addition, they offer free shuttle service and pick up within a 5 mile radius of the hotel. That was a nice benefit that I took full advantage of because I went to Wailea everyday. I didn’t spend much time at the hotel, which is why I’m glad I chose to stay at a budget friendly spot for the first two nights.

Straight from the airport, I headed to Sugar Beach Bake Shop because I wanted to try their famous malasadas, particularly the ube and coconut filled ones. Sadly, they sold out by the time I got there around 12:30pm. They say that I need to come before 10am, but I didn’t want to Uber/Lyft specifically there for a donut later because the donut would end up costing $30-$40 with the roundtrip car ride. The reason I had chosen to go straight from the airport was because it was on the way to the hotel, but too far out of the shuttle radius to go from the hotel on another day. I was disappointed, and instead went next door to the famous Ululani’s Hawaiian Shaved Ice and it was fantastic. I now get the hype of shaved ice. I didn’t understand what was so exciting about ice before. It’s so finely shaved that it tastes like ice cream with the house-made flavoring/syrup! I like the coconut and mango flavors with the snow cap (condensed milk) and mochi topping.

After checking into Maui Coast Hotel and freshening up, I took their shuttle to South Maui Gardens. I had never been before, but saw images of it on Tiktok and really wanted to try it out. It’s so cute! A zen garden with lots of buddha statues, giant life-size games, a tortoise sanctuary, live entertainment (including hula shows), picnic tables, play area, and a variety of food trucks. I specifically wanted to try Kitoko’s because of the images I had seen on Instagram and it did not disappoint! It’s a fancy food truck with creative flavors and beautiful presentation. I enjoyed their crispy pork belly with Japanese sweet potato gnocchi and their grilled shrimp with papaya salad. I wish I could have tried more of their menu because everything sounded appetizing and interesting. I loved the garden seating. It was such a relaxing and peaceful vibe. I definitely recommend checking out South Maui Gardens. Because they have hula shows and live entertainment, I think it’s a great affordable alternative to going to a luau.

Next, I decided to have drinks at The Andaz Hotel. I had read that it has a great view from their Lehua Lounge. While it does have a great view, Lehua Lounge is just a poolside bar. Very casual and very average drinks. Great unobstructed panoramic view though! You could also get a great view from Miromoto’s at The Andaz if you dined there and got a table outside. But I didn’t want to eat there and the bar area of the restaurant does not face the view. Instead, I decided to go to Monkeypod for dinner and sat at the bar, and wow, was it packed and lively at 6:30pm! It was so fun though! A man sitting next to me was celebrating his birthday solo that night so we bonded over our shared November birthday week and both got free pie for dessert. I would recommend Monkeypod for dinner one night and skip out on Lehua Lounge. Monkeypod doesn’t have a view though, but it would be a fun casual dinner spot for after sunset. The food and cocktails were pretty good.

On day two, I woke up early and took the shuttle to Island Gourmet Market at The Shops at Wailea. It’s right behind The Marriott hotel. Picked up an iced matcha latte and walked the Wailea Beach coastal path by cutting through The Marriott Hotel. It’s such a beautiful walk and you pass by all the luxury resorts. I walked through some of the hotels and they are quite overwhelming. You could get lost in them! Wailea beach was so nice and the water was so warm and calming. I live in Los Angeles, but I never go to the beach. I don’t consider myself a beach person, but a beach on vacay just hits differently, ya know? I didn’t think about work once. I didn’t think about anything stressful. I felt so at peace. Afterwards, I walked back to The Shops at Wailea. I wanted to get another iced matcha at the Maui Matcha stand, but didn’t feel like waiting in line. I had expected more places to carry good matcha options because Hawaii is closer to Japan, but it wasn’t on a lot of menus. I went back to Island Gourmet Market because my sister wanted me to pick up Piaca Pineapple Shortbread Cookie with fruit filling. I love grocery stores and this place has so many goodies! You can pick up pre-made packaged food (salads, sushi, rice bowls) or made-to-order food, as well as charcuterie and fresh fruit for a picnic on the beach or to bring back to your hotel. They also carry souvenirs and alcohol.

That second night, I went on the most magical Sunset Dinner Cruise with Kai Kanani Sailing. They do hotel pick up from most hotels in Wailea or can pick you up from their office in Wailea. This tour group is a great option for those staying in Wailea. If you’re staying in West Maui, it’s better to look for a different tour group so you don’t have to drive far. Kai Kanani provides van transportation for everyone to Maluaka Beach close by, where we board a catamaran. It’s a 2 hour cruise where they serve you cocktails and dinner. On our cruise, we were surrounded by at least a dozen whales swimming around us. It was a bit early for whale season and this wasn’t even a whale watching tour, so this was the best surprise! On the last supermoon of the year too! I don’t think I’ve ever been a whale person, but I was probably the most excited person on the boat! It was so beautiful to see these large creatures swimming as the sun was setting over the water. What an unforgettable experience! You’ll have to watch my videos on Instagram of the whales and of my whole trip. I have a dedicated highlight for Maui in my Instagram bio.

After the cruise, I stopped at The Birdcage for drinks. It’s located in Hotel Wailea and is basically their lobby lounge. It is shaped as a birdcage and lovebirds (actual birds) do come into the open-air bar and sing. But since I got there closer to 6:30pm after the sun had just set, most of them had gone to bed. This bar would have been the perfect option to watch the sunset. The view is not as unobstructed as The Andaz, but definitely a better vibe with better cocktails. I just loved the idea of sitting with lovebirds singing around you as you watch the sunset.

On my 3rd day, my last day and my birthday, I treated myself to a stay at The Four Seasons Hotel. Because I’ve heard of so many people going to Maui and staying at The Four Seasons, I had to try it for myself. They offer complimentary activities and shuttle service as well. I intentionally checked into the hotel super early at 7:30am so that I could join their beach yoga class. My room wasn’t ready, but that was okay because I wanted to take full advantage of their amenities. I got lei-d as soon as I arrived. After yoga, I changed into my swimsuit, picked up an iced matcha latte, and headed back to the beach. The Four Seasons offer beach chairs to their guests. Though I didn’t really need a chair because I spent the entire time in the ocean! It was so lovely! Then at the last minute, there was a cancellation for their last outrigger canoe tour of the day. I just happened to run into them getting ready to embark. This complimentary activity was listed on their schedule, but it mistakenly said Mon-Fri only. I was lucky to catch them when I did! It was so fun! We rowed around the coast, saw some sea turtles swim by us, and then stopped to snorkel. One of the guides, played ukulele and sang to us. I love ukulele. It’s so romantic.

My room was still not ready by noon, so I got a cabana by the pool and ordered lunch. My server was so wonderful and accommodating. I wanted to try everything, but it would be too much food. So he got me half portions. I wanted wings and their signature salad, but was also pondering their Wagyu Yasoba noodles with bok choy and shiitake mushrooms. My server said he can make anything half portion for me to try and he comped my whole meal because it was my birthday! I thought he meant he was going to comp one cocktail, but he comped the entire bill! What a sweetie! And there I was eating buffalo wings with my hands—probably the most unrefined thing to eat at a luxury resort! But that was what my belly wanted on my birthday: good bad food, if that makes any sense. With pina coladas, which were amazing! I was living the life! I have never been a resort girl, but staying at The Four Seasons resort in Maui is an entirely different experience. Although I’m sure it’s on par with it’s neighbors like The Andaz, The Grand Wailea, and The Fairmont, but I felt it was more manageable and not as overwhelmingly huge. That day, I decided I do like resorts and I love when cute men wait on me, ready to accommodate my every need. I could do this more often. I should do this more often. Side note: The Four Seasons has only 2 pools and the adult pool fills up fast. You need to reserve beds with shade in advance via a waitlist, otherwise there won’t be space. It was fully packed when I got there around 11:30am so I stayed in the main pool area where there were some kids. Not a big deal, but the adult pool had swim up bars and a view. I heard the Andaz has multiple infinity style pool options.

My room was not ready until 2pm, and by then, I was so exhausted from, you know, relaxing all morning. I just wanted to shower and curl up in bed. The Four Seasons gave me a complimentary upgrade from their Mountainside room to their Deluxe Garden-view. There was Hawaiian music playing in the bathroom when I entered. The room was spacious with a couch area and a balcony. I wish I could have stayed in the room longer, lounging in my robe, sitting on the balcony, but I only had enough time to shower and then had to get ready for a sunset cocktail pre-dinner.

I ordered an espresso martini at the bar at Ferraro’s (on their lower floor, closer to the beach) and it was probably one of the best I’ve had! I think because they topped it with cinnamon. I loved that they served olives and crispy chickpeas with their cocktails. The bar is facing away from the beach, so you have to turn to watch the sunset or eat dinner on their patio. I had debated having my birthday dinner at Ferraro’s, but had decided on Spago’s instead because I have enjoyed Wolfgang Puck’s other restaurants. I’m sure Ferraro’s is good, but I’m so particular about Italian food and I didn’t see anything on the menu that I felt drawn to. But I enjoyed my cocktail, snacks, and the vibe so much that it made me second-guess my decision.

Spago’s is located on their lobby level, which is technically their 2nd floor up from the beach. The bar area does not have a view. I think there could be a nice view at sunset if you dine al fresco and are seated on the beach-facing side of the restaurant. But the sun sets so early now at 5pm-5:30pm that it’s really hard to catch the sunset without eating dinner early because most bars are indoors and not facing the view. You can only get a good view if you are seated at a dinner table. My dinner resy was way after sunset and they sat me at a table on the side of the patio that faces the pool. The vibe didn’t feel as social as Ferraro’s. At Ferraro’s, as soon as you walk into the outdoor space, the lively bar is right there, upfront. At Spago’s, the bar area is sort of to the left and hidden. You bypass it entirely when you walk into the restaurant. The layout did not feel as cohesive or welcoming. I got a lychee martini and the martini didn’t even have a lychee in it! I was bit disappointed by the cocktail. I got a Lobster Ceviche with papaya salad, ahi tuna cones, and tagliatelle with local mushrooms. The lobster dish was my favorite. The cones were a bit sweet and the tagliatelle could have used more salt. It was good and I enjoyed my meal, but it wasn’t amazing. I prefer Wolfgang’s Merois in Los Angeles. I think that Ferraro’s would have been a more fun choice. Next time!

On my last morning in Maui, I woke up early to take full advantage of the beach. I wanted to get my toes wet and walk on the sand one last time. I had breakfast at Duo’s, which is a seafood and steakhouse at The Four Seasons. They offer a breakfast buffet for $57, but I ordered a la carte. It’s worth it to do buffet if you want to order coffee, juice, or pastries because one entree is already $34 before you add on extras so you might as well pay $57 and get everything. I am not really a breakfast girl, but because I was flying out that afternoon, I needed to eat before heading to the airport. FYI. Maui airport is small and there’s no Delta Sky Club Lounge, so do not get there earlier than an hour. My flight was at 1:30pm and I got to the airport before 12pm and it felt like I was too early. Spend every last minute soaking in the beach vibes before you leave! Also, I want to note that Duo’s does not have a good bar area either. It’s a bit disappointing that The Four Season’s doesn’t have many fun bar area options on-site in Wailea, except for Ferraro’s, but that’s not enough space for a hotel of their size. They have the lobby lounge, but it’s usually busy and packed and you need to get on a waitlist.

I think a short trip to Maui is a great weekend escape. However, if you’ve never been before, you’d probably want to spend at least 5 days there, rent a car, and book an AirBnB. It can be a lot of driving, but there is so much beauty on the island. You’d want to dedicate a day to driving the road to Hana yourself or doing a tour, stopping at the bamboo forest, black sanded beach, and waterfalls along the way. I would also recommend going on a boat tour, either a day snorkeling tour or a sunset tour. Some people drive to the top of the volcano to watch the sunset, but it is a bit of an early drive so I have yet to experience it. Another day option would be to explore Paia town and beach. I remember it being beautiful because of it’s white sand, but the waves were strong and there was a dip from the sand into the water. It was quiet though and not as touristy, which was nice. I think experiencing a traditional luau is a must. It’s a little pricey, but it is a lovely Hawaiian experience with a buffet dinner, roasted pig, hula show, live music, and dancing. The one I attended years ago seated you at communal tables with strangers. As I mentioned earlier, South Maui Gardens is a great (budget friendly and commitment friendly) alternative to a luau because you can dine at the food trucks and still get a show.

I really loved my Maui trip. It was such a nice treat to give myself. Wish I could have stayed their longer. It was such a nice indulgence! Now, where should I go next?

Food Tour: San Sebastian & Porto

I know it has been almost a year since I’ve written. It has been weighing heavily on me and I had been mentally beating myself up for having taken this long to write again. I got a new contract/work client and that has consumed most of my year, and sadly, it has taken me away from my passion project. Such is life. Gotta make money to live. But also, I really needed to take a mental health break and do some internal healing.

Anyways, ever since last year’s Euro trips, I had been craving another adventure. Decided to take a much needed vacay and ended up in San Sebastian, Spain and Porto, Portugal. I fell in love with Portugal last year because of my visit to Lisbon. During that trip, I also visited Lagos, but was unable to fit in Porto and it had been on my mind ever since. Then I was inspired by my boss to order a glass of port wine for dessert when we were out at a team dinner back in May. Having that glass of port that night was such a lovely way to end dinner. That moment really solidified my decision to choose Porto as part of my next trip. I mean, I was looking for an excuse to return to Portugal anyway and I had to have port directly from where it came from! Then the reason I decided to add San Sebastian to the trip was because I went on a date to Wolfgang Puck’s Merois in The Pendry Hotel on Sunset and had the most delicious Ube Basque Cheesecake (sidenote: Merois also has a really delicious chocolate vanilla pop on their poolside menu). That cheesecake stayed on my mind for days afterwards. I had to return to Merois three additional times to have more. So of course, that meant I had to travel to the Basque region of Spain to have the original burnt Basque cheesecake! Plus, San Sebastian is known for its concentration of Michelin star restaurants and pintxos (tapas), which is perfect for a food lover like myself.

And now here I am. Back in Los Angeles with post-vacay blues. It was really fun, but it wasn’t easy to coordinate the two cities together. I flew into Paris for a layover, hopped onto another plane to Bilbao, and then took a 1.5 hour bus ride to San Sebastian. To get to Porto, I took a 1.5 hour bus ride back to Bilbao and flew to Madrid for a layover before finally arriving in Porto. It took me awhile to commit to this trip mainly because of the layovers and buses involved. I prefer direct flights to destinations. I didn’t want to deal with the hassle. But a lot of places worth visiting are not the easiest to get to.

San Sebastian was really charming. I stayed at two different hotels. I like to experience different neighborhoods and I also like to break up the cost of accommodations by staying at a really nice place and then somewhere a bit more budget friendly. I stayed at Sansebay and Lasala Plaza Hotel. Both were great locations by the wharf, but of course, Lasala was the better stay. This luxury boutique hotel has a rooftop pool and my room had a balcony with a beautiful view of the port and the beach. Staff was so friendly and helpful. I didn’t like the narrow pillows though and I would recommend you ask to switch it out.

What I loved most about San Sebastian was going pintxos bar-hopping! Some of the restaurants were a little chaotic though, so I would recommend going on the earlier end. These light bites were so affordable. What was even more shocking is that wine is only about $3 euros! Cheaper than ordering water! My pintxos meals with wine were sometimes only $16 euros total. Pintxos were generally $2-$6 each. Larger plates were relatively more expensive like $14-$20 euros each. I really enjoyed Ganbara (an Anthony Bourdain recommendation) and Sirimiri for pintxos. I stopped by La Vina, where the original burnt Basque cheesecake was invented, and I didn’t really love it. It was a bit too creamy for me. So maybe I prefer the updated variations of it more than the original.

I also wanted to take advantage of trying a Michelin star restaurant in San Sebastian because it’s so much less expensive in Europe than in the USA. I tried my first 2-star Michelin restaurant Amelia and it was definitely an experience. People were presenting me with dishes and talking me through each one in length, serving me, and approaching me from all angles. Out of nowhere, someone would appear from behind me and in front of me at the same time to switch out utensils and plating or to ask me something. This made it very difficult to take all my photos and videos in peace lol. It was a little too much attention for me, personally. In terms of the food, I must admit, I didn’t enjoy it. I had high expectations because it was supposedly seafood focused with Italian and Japanese influences, cuisines that I love. While there was definitely a lot of fresh seafood, it wasn’t served with flavors that matched my preference. The only Italian dish was the cheese ravioli with chunks of chopped oysters in the sauce, which to me is such an odd pairing. Their lobster dish had very generous portions and I usually love lobster, but it tasted like raw poached lobster without much flavor even though it was served in a sauce. Perhaps the flavors were too delicate and subtle for my palate. I really enjoyed the champagne and dessert though, but there wasn’t a dish that really stood out to me. They kept offering me additional items verbally without showing me a menu so I had mistakenly thought these additional items were included, but they were all extra charges. So be careful. This was a pretty expensive 16-course meal. I went for lunch and couldn’t eat again until the next day. I was uncomfortably too full!

My favorite meal in San Sebastian was at Old Town Coffee House. This may sound odd, but I LOVED their breakfast toast called The Lot. It had avocado, crushed tomato, Iberian ham, black sesame, touch of lime, olive oil, with garlic-parsley sauce on sourdough bread. I’m not usually a bread person, but I enjoyed all the bread I had in San Sebastian. Their tomatoes are so flavorful. In the U.S., I feel like a lot of tomatoes are bland. Plus, the Iberian ham! So good! I didn’t know the difference between Iberian ham, prosciutto, and Serrano ham, but now I do. You know Iberian ham in the U.S. is $150/lb?!?! Insane. I loved the toast so much that I came back the next day for more and it was still just as good.

On my last night, I stopped by The Blind Pig for a cocktail. Loved the charming vibe of this speakeasy. Beautiful cocktails served with wasabi seaweed chips. I really liked these chips and I need to find them here!

All in all, I thought San Sebastian was charming and cute. Pintxos bar hopping was really fun. The bay is beautiful, but I wouldn’t come here for the beach. The beach is just surrounded by tourists, boats, and buildings. It felt like a beach in the city. San Sebastian is small and there’s not a ton to do. I stayed 3 nights and that might have been too much, but I just felt since it was annoying to get to, might as well stay longer to relax and not have to bop around. I think if you traveled to the surrounding countryside or to Rioja valley for wine tasting, it might be worth it to stay longer. While food was fairly inexpensive, I found that the nicer hotels were more expensive here because it’s a beach-type destination. In addition, I must mention that they have a really good 2-floor Zara, which is 40% cheaper than in the U.S.A. My visit also unintentionally coincided with their regatta celebrations, so old town became like a huge, dirty frat party on my last day with broken bottles and trash everywhere.

Next stop: Porto. I didn’t know what to expect with Porto because I loved Lisbon so much last year. I wasn’t sure it could top Lisbon. From all my research, it seems like there is a rivalry between Lisbon and Porto much like San Francisco and Los Angeles and I think that’s part of the reason it took awhile before I decided it was worth taking a trip to Porto. Again, I stayed at two different hotels—Hotel Moon & Sun and Portobay Flores. Portobay Flores was my splurge (and it was nicer and less expensive than my luxury hotel in San Sebastian although San Sebastian had the better view) and it was fantastic. It’s located in an old historic building (felt like an old castle) that use to belong to a wealthy Portuguese family. It’s based on Rua das Flores shopping street, not far from Ribeira and the bridge. The staff was so attentive and helpful. The hotel scent was seductive. My room had black out curtains, which allowed for the best sleep. The chocolate they left on my bedside during turndown service was delish. I ate the entire jar of complimentary sugar cookies that was on my reading table. I was welcomed with a very generous pour of my choice of welcome drink.

To my surprise, Porto was very congested. So many tourists. There was construction all over the city, which is a huge eye sore at every turn. However, Porto had the most beautiful sunset over the river with a great view from the Ponte Luis bridge and Jardim do Morro. The park was filled with people lounging, picnicking, and enjoying the live music while watching the sunset. That was probably my favorite part of Porto proper. That and probably all the pasteis de natas I ate at Manteigaria. Manteigaria has a few locations. I liked the one at Delta Coffee House by Bolhao Market. You can get some pasteis de natas with a coffee (or my preference, a matcha) with other light breakfast options. I visited the Sao Bento Station (quick walk and visit from the hotel) which also has a Time Out market, stopped by the Bolhao Market (the concierge at Portobay Flores did not recommend I eat there even though some blogs encourage it), visited the Chapel of Souls, shopped on Rua das Flores (there’s a Portuguese tshirt shop called Typographia that I liked along with some great port wine shops) and Rua Santa Catarina, and walked along the touristy Ribeira by the water. I ate at Flow (fun, lively, big), Boa Bao (Asian fusion), Alibi by Yours Porto (small and charming wine bar), Cantina 32 (lively modern boho, across from Portobay Flores), and Elemento (upscale) restaurants. All very good. The Michelin recommended Elemento was a special treat on my last night and it was so delicious. I was impressed. Every dish resonated with my palate and it made me happy. Some other places I would have loved to try are Gruto (Michelin recommended, women run), Mistu, and Say Cheesecake! & Co (for brunch). I went to the highly reviewed and popular Zenith for breakfast one day, but I didn’t really like it. I would have preferred a casual morning bite at Delta Coffee House or the busy cafe near the hotel called Floresta Cafe by the Hungry Biker.

My favorite part of my Porto trip was my day trip to Duoro Valley for wine tasting via BL Heritage tours. BL Heritage tours was a little pricier than the other group tours you would find on Viator or Get Your Guide, but I think it was worth it because it was more intimate. Instead of a big bus group of 20-40 people, it hosted small groups of about 8 people in a luxury van. At some points of the tour, we joined a couple of their other small groups, but for the majority of the day, it was just the seven of us plus the tour guide. The 1.5 hour drive was beautiful. They offered us water bottles. Our tour started with a 1 hour boat ride along the Duoro River. On the boat, we were served a port wine spritz with snacks while being given a history lesson on the origins of port wine. Then we continued onto a beautiful vista point (Casal Deloivos). Our guide gave us pasteis de natas to munch on while we took in the gorgeous views of the valley and posed for pictures. From there we visited our first vineyard Quinta da Foz, where we got a tour of their property along with an outdoor wine tasting. Next, we had lunch at Quinta do Buchiero vineyard and were served a traditional Portuguese meal along with a wine pairing. It was the most beautiful day with the best tour guide and company.

As always, check out my Instagram @loveinmybelly for food pics. Now back to reality and back to work. Where should I go next?

Fall in Paris

France has been a huge part of my life. I studied abroad in the French countryside when I was 19. I visited my French cousins who grew up there. My first job in fashion sent me to France and other parts of Europe. After my mother’s marriage to my stepfather, I also gained three French stepbrothers who grew up in France. But it has been awhile since I’ve visited. I haven’t been back to Paris since my eldest stepbrother’s wedding in 2018. Then pandemic happened and I was weary about traveling so far abroad up until this year when I traveled to Italy and Portugal in April and decided I felt comfortable traveling again. One of my stepbrothers had a baby last month and my parents planned to visit. At the last minute, I decided to join them briefly so that I could see my French family and take my parents out to a Michelin-star dinner in Paris. They deserved it. Plus, how often do you get to take your parents out to dinner in Paris?

Prior to going to Paris, there were a lot of articles circulating about bed bugs in the city of love. This made me nervous because I booked a budget hotel in the 5th district to save money. It turned out to be basic and clean, but too small. I had a single bed and had to walk around it to get from my suitcase to the bathroom. The walls were thin and I could hear so much noise starting at 6am, the time that I would start to fall back asleep because of my jet-lag. I could never get comfortable with the thought of bed bugs in my mind. As a result, my sleep was horrible the entire trip. I was so tired and sleep-deprived, especially after walking 5-7 miles a day. I didn’t intend to walk that much. It just happened. I Ubered when I needed to, but there was so much traffic that it took forever to get anywhere.

On a positive note, I loved not having a real schedule or itinerary for this trip. I have visited Paris many times before, so there weren’t any must-see sights for me. Usually, I’m an extreme planner when traveling. This time, the only things on my list was to take my parents to Michelin-star restaurant Frenchie and to see my French stepbrothers. It was nice to have time to leisurely stroll through the city, peruse the markets, and shop. I never have time to shop when I travel! I took breaks during my long walks to stop for champagne and a snack or tea and Nutella crepes. It was lovely. However, I did not enjoy the temperature dropping after my first two days there. I am not made for cold weather.

On my first night in Paris, I decided to roam around the city and then grab drinks and dinner in the 11th district. I was hoping to wait in line for dinner at Clamato, sister restaurant of Michelin-star restaurant Septime. I had originally tried to get reservations for Septime, but it was impossible. As I waited for Clamato to open, I got drinks at Septime La Cave, their wine bar. I met an American expat who had a hookup at Septime and was able to get me a seat for dinner that night. Because I was curious about all the hype surrounding this restaurant, I immediately took him up on his offer. I was so jet-lagged though and was falling asleep at dinner. Seven courses is a lot of dishes to sit through when you’re tired. Septime had a lovely vibe, but I must say, I think it is completely overrated. The dishes were very veggie-forward, which is great, I love veggies. But I didn’t think it was worth the price tag, impossible reservations, and hype. The next night, I took my parents to the Michelin-star restaurant Frenchie. My parents and I enjoyed it very much! It was supposed to be five courses, but with all the little extras, it turned out to be twelve! The plating and presentation was beautiful. A lot more intricate than Septime. The dishes felt more elevated with a mixture of seafood, including lobster tail, duck, sauces, and multiple parts to each course. I highly recommend Frenchie over Septime.

I visited La Grande Epicurie in Saint Germain district. It’s a five floor gourmet market with artisanal food items, produce, seafood, butcher shop, wine shop, and kitchenware. It was heaven. So many goodies! I love how Europe has so many mini bottles and jars of everything. So cute! I wanted to buy everything. Definitely a must-do for foodies visiting Paris. I walked by Bread & Roses, a charming bakery/cafe, and wanted to stop there but didn’t get a chance. I would add this to my list for next time.

My youngest stepbrother hosted Sunday brunch. His wife made a feast for us. Cooking and an appreciation for food runs in our family. She loves to cook and is also a very skilled baker. She made everything from scratch. That same stepbrother and his wife also took me and my parents out to lunch at a Chinese restaurant called La Taverne de Zhao Opera that I really liked. They had great dumplings and noodles.

I can’t go too long without Asian food so I found myself seeking Asian food after only two days in Paris. There is such a thing as overindulgence and I felt that after my first two nights of Michelin-star dinners. My stomach was tired of eating and I just wanted comfort food, which for me is rice, soup, or noodles. I’m not that into bread and there are only so much tartines, croissants, and pastries that I could eat. I stopped at The Hood for Hainanese chicken and rice and Mirama for a bowl of Chinese wonton noodle soup. Mmmhmm. Just what my belly craved.

When I originally booked the trip, I felt guilty. I had already been to Europe earlier this year and I have my birthday trip planned for next month. But I had the time and time is currency you can’t get back. I’m happy that I took the opportunity to visit my family in Paris and spend more time with my parents because those experiences are priceless.

Road Trip to Montreal

Ever since my mother’s brain injury last year, I’ve been visiting Boston more often to check in on her. Things are different and will never be the same. A fact of life I have to accept. Life is short and I want to take advantage of the time I have with my mother. I thought it would be nice to take her and my stepdad on a road trip, to change up their environment and do something new, especially since the last year has been challenging for them. For all of us really. A couple years prior, I took them on a road trip up the coast of Maine to Acadia National Park. This time, I contemplated where we should go next—Cape Cod, Rhode Island, Vermont? But my mother is not a nature or beach person. Then my stepdad mentioned Montreal and immediately, I thought YES YES YES.

My stepdad is from France and he speaks French. He had been talking about Montreal for awhile now and it totally slipped my mind. I had been a couple times in my early twenties, decades ago, but had only been in the winter. I had never been during warm, summer weather. Only a 5 hour drive from Boston, Montreal was a great choice. So of course after he suggested it, my Type A side went straight into planning mode.

We spent 3 nights at the Hotel Place D’Arms in old town, located diagonally across from the Notre Dame Basilica. This hotel was in a great location within walking distance of some great restaurants and historic sights. We arrived late afternoon and started our trip with cocktails on their Terrasse Rooftop. Then we walked to dinner in the downtown area at the most special spot, a restaurant named Toque. Twenty years ago, I first dined at Toque. This restaurant has survived over two decades, which includes a pandemic. I remember it being quite fancy and impressive even when I was young. It was nostalgic to get the opportunity to revisit so many years later with my parents. Even my younger sister dined there once before upon my suggestion years ago. I have a more refined palate now and also higher expectations. Did my 20 year old self know good food back then? Apparently, YES. Lol. Toque is French fine dining with excellent service, excellent cocktails, and excellent dishes that were delicate, indulgent, and beautifully plated. As an adult with my parents, I got the chance to order a variety of cocktails, appetizers, entrees, and dessert to share. When I was in my early twenties, I went with friends and I think we only ordered one main dish each. We were simple. Even though we didn’t get to sample very much back then, I still remember being impressed. I’m still impressed. My parents were impressed. It was the best way to celebrate our first night in Montreal.

On our second day, we walked through Rue St. Paul in old town near the port, which is basically a cute cobblestone street with souvenir shops and restaurants, and across Place Jacques Cartier where there are street performers and more shops. We had lunch in Chinatown, visited Atwater Marche, saw the canal, stopped at Rue Wellington. So many blog posts were suggesting Rue Wellington, including TimeOut Mag, which stated that Rue Wellington was one of the best streets in the world. I have to STRONGLY disagree. Rue Wellington is lame. Not worth your time. It’s a promenade of outdated stores, vintage shops (but not the cool kind), what looked like old furniture stores or shops from the 50s. There may be some cool resto bars but I was not impressed at all. I also was disappointed by the canals. When I talked to a local, he said that there are parts of the canals that look dingey but other areas that are nicer. However you really have to walk awhile to find the nicer spots. But it was too hot and we didn’t have the energy to do that. Atwater market was lovely though. Lots of fresh flowers, as well as produce, and little shops selling artisanal food products. I regret that I didn’t use this day to visit Mile End and Marche Jean Talon instead. Maybe that area would have been cooler than Rue Wellington, the canals, and Atwater Marche.

At night, we dined at Iberico Taverne e Tapas Espagnole in Mont Royal. Mont Royal was really cute. Another promenade but much better than Rue Wellington. Mont Royal was lively. Lots of people. Ice cream shops, restaurants, boutiques. Plus Ibericos was so delightful. Charming little Spanish tapas bar. All of the tapas were delish. I was disappointed with the seafood paella though. I didn’t think it was that good, but I enjoyed all the other dishes.

On our 3rd day, we visited the Botanical Gardens. It was about $15 USD for a ticket to get in. It was such a beautiful and peaceful way to spend a couple hours strolling. I loved the rose garden, the Chinese garden, and the Lily pad pond. They also have an herb and vegetable garden. Great area for photos too.

For lunch, we returned to Mont Royal and ate at L’Avenue. This came highly recommended on Tripadvisor though I’m not sure why. It played loud club music. We had to wait in line for almost 30 minutes. The dishes were gigantic and just a lot of food with not much flavor. I would not recommend this place either.

On our last night in Montreal, we dined at Monarque, within walking distance from our hotel. I believe it’s a newish French restaurant that has been open for less than a couple years. It has a fun, trendy vibe in the brasserie and a more formal dining room in the back. We enjoyed our appetizers and dessert. Our main dishes were good too but not the amazing-I-want-to-lick-my-plate type good. But in general, we enjoyed the food and the experience.

All in all, we had a great time in Montreal. Prior to going, I did so much research. But it still can be hard to decide what to do and where to dine when you visit a new city because articles and blogs all come from the experience of people who may not have your same preferences. I also read so much conflicting opinions in group forums and on TripAdvisor. For myself, I think I chose a couple bad options for lunch and day activities (Rue Wellington + L’Avenue). But you just never really know sometimes no matter how much research and planning you do. But I must say, all of our dinners were excellent, especially Toque.

So glad I got a chance to take my parents on a road-trip to Montreal. They would not have done it on their own otherwise. If you want to see all the yummy food I ate, you’ll have to check out my Instagram because there are too many to post here.

November Birthday in Oaxaca!

Each year, I try to plan a new adventure for my birthday. Usually international with the exception of last year, pre-vaccine. It softens the blow of getting older and helps me reframe the occasion to be a more joyous one. Once September hits, I get that back-to-school fall feeling even though I have not been in school in years. That nervousness of starting a new chapter, not knowing what to expect. That anticipation of the cold and dark winter coming. And that looming birthday, which marks the end of my personal year and forces me reaccess my life. Travel (and vacation) gives me something to look forward to and helps me get my mind off the stresses of adulthood. After such an amazing road trip to Valle de Guadalupe this past June, I decided to return to Mexico and explore Oaxaca. Many Californians like to visit Cabo, Playa del Carmen, and Puerto Vallarta, but I’m not really a beach resort type girl and I’m not a fan of the super touristy spots. I love quaint little towns, countrysides, nature, small little beach destinations, and boutique or unique accommodations.

My friend in Missouri joined me on my annual birthday adventure and we met up in Mexico City. If you’re meeting your friend at the airport in Mexico City, make sure you know your arrival terminal. We arrived at different terminals and it took us awhile to find each other. She had to take the tram from Terminal 1 to meet me in Terminal 2 and it took an hour to wait in line for a taxi. Make sure you purchase a taxi ticket and wait in line first thing. Traffic in Mexico City is pretty bad. Also, another tip. If you travel to Mexico in November, it’s super cold at night! Pack warm clothes. Except for a couple hours in the afternoon, most of the time, we were freezing! I packed mostly dresses! It felt colder than what the temperatures showed.

We only had a couple days in the city so I can’t say we had that much time to really explore the city other than visit some delicious restaurants—Cha Cha Terraza, Contramar, Quintonil, and Gin Gin—and take a boat ride at the Xochimilco canals. Cha Cha Terraza had a fun lively vibe for dinner and drinks on their upstairs terrace. Contramar had great seafood. Gin Gin is a great bar/lounge down the street from Contramar and has really good cocktails and music. Quintonil is super upscale with an option for a tasting menu. Even though Quintonil is a special culinary experience, it was a little stuffy. Indoors. No vibe. No ambiance. It was also expensive for Mexico standards. You could get an amazing meal at a more fun restaurant for half the price or less. We also stopped at Cafe Toscana next door to Buna cafe in Roma North for a snack and glass of wine mid-afternoon one day and both places were really cute.

In Mexico City, we first stayed at the Sofitel in Cuauhtémoc, which felt like downtown. Even though the area is close to Condesa and Roma North, it was very busy and not as nice. We also stayed at The Orchid House Hotel in Polanco, which I loved because it’s small and boutique. Polanco is Mexico City’s upscale neighborhood. It’s quaint, charming, and walkable. I would definitely stay here again. I had previously wanted to stay at Brick Hotel in Roma North, which is also a cute area, but the rooms were all booked. If you prefer the big hotels, but want to stay in Polanco, you could do The W or The Intercontinenal.

From Mexico City, we flew to Oaxaca. It is a short 1 hour flight. And just as I imagined, Oaxaca was amazing! So quaint and charming! Arts and crafts sold by street vendors. Markets with an array of textile, leather handbags, hats, and jewelry. Cobblestone roads. Decorative flags lined the street. Colorful buildings with beautiful exterior artwork. Old churches. Boutique hotels, delicious food, and great cocktails. Every meal we had was better than the last. I was in heaven!

One thing to note is that I made the majority of the restaurant reservations about two months in advance. Thinking that it would be warmer in Oaxaca, I chose many outdoor rooftop venues for dinner. While Oaxaca was hot during the day, it was even colder than Mexico City at night. Some of the places had heat lamps but they weren’t always working. On two different nights, a couple restaurants mentioned that they ran out of gas for the lamps, which made eating very uncomfortable. I would recommend dressing very warm or doing the rooftop spots during the day for lunch to enjoy the view.

We dined at Los Danzantes, Tierra del Sol, Casa Oaxaca, Criollo, and The Terrace on top of Hotel Los Amantes. While the food was good at all the restaurants, my favorites were Casa Oaxaca and Criollo. Criollo was where I had my birthday dinner and it was super special! The chef from Mexico City’s world renowned Pujol is part of the Criollo team. The only option at this restaurant is to enjoy their 6 course surprise tasting menu, which included a variety of Oaxacan dishes. Each plate was artfully presented and delicious! Casa Oaxaca was a pleasant surprise for lunch. They have rooftop dining. I loved the fresh table-side salsa, the sweet potato wrapped squash blossoms, the agua chile, and their corn-flan dessert. I had never had a CORN flan dessert before and I loved it! Tierra del Sol has a nice rooftop terrace view. They had really good tacos de lechon with chicharron wrapped up in what looked like a banana leaf. It was so good that we came back the next day on my birthday for lunch! The other dishes weren’t as good but we could have ordered the wrong items since they didn’t have an English menu. One thing I learned on this trip is that I love chicharron on everything! I ordered soup several times while in Oaxaca and it often included chicharron in the soup with Oaxacan string cheese, which is also very delicious. Downstairs in the same building of Tierra del Sol, there’s a little cafe that sells Atole, which is a soothing hot corn and masa based beverage that Oaxacans often drink for breakfast or at night. It comes in different flavors. Try it! It’s interesting and different. I liked it. Los Danzantes also served really good food. That’s where we dined on our first night in Oaxaca. But that Sunday night, it was really quiet. We had tortilla soup, mahi mahi and fresh garden tomato ceviche, and fresh short rib pasta.

Upstairs from Los Danzantes is their partner speakeasy bar called Selva. There’s no sign. The entrance is roped off with a man guarding the doorway. The bar is super charming with prohibition era vibes. Cocktails were pretty and carefully curated. Another bar we enjoyed was Sabina Sabe, which is a lot more casual but has great music and good cocktails. They serve food as well but we didn’t get a chance to try any. The rooftop at Hotel Los Amantes has great views for a sunset drink. They have a small bar downstairs that we liked as well. I think I ordered a mezcal cocktail with pineapple everyday in Oaxaca.

Aside from eating really well, I did a group tour to Hierve el Agua. Helpful tip: exchange your dollars for pesos. You will need it for the entrance fee, for the group buffet lunch, and also for mezcal purchases at the distillery (they have a high minimum for credit card purchases). The tour lasted all day because they include a few stops including a mezcal tasting, which I thoroughly enjoyed. Because of land disputes, we had to take the unpaved, bumpy road up the mountain to get to the pools. Once you get to the entrance/parking lot, you have the option of hiking 45 minutes down to see the petrified waterfalls or just going straight to the pools. Going down was not a huge problem but it was a little exhausting coming back up because of all the steps. It definitely gets you all heated up and ready to jump in the pools. But if you just want to take cute pictures and relax, skip the hike and just go straight to the pools and then you won’t have to worry about packing hiking clothes and sneakers along with your bathing suit and towel. The view was beautiful. Bonus: I made a few new friends on the tour because I went solo. My friend didn’t want to wake up at 7am to join the tour.

My friend and I stayed in 2 different hotels during our time in Oaxaca. The first few nights we stayed at Grana B&B, which is very quaint and quiet and the staff is so accommodating. We had a suite with 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, which was nice. Breakfast was included and is made to order and it was delicious. I don’t normally love yogurt but the yogurt was really good! Yogurt anywhere outside of the U.S. is really good, in my opinion. The location was central. We also stayed one night at Hotel Los Amantes, which has the most beautiful rooftop views. Great for sunset drinks and the food was pretty good as well. It’s made up of 2 buildings across from eachother in a central location not far from Grana B&B, with 2 rooftop restaurants, and a small bar downstairs. We stayed in the Cuishe room with 2 queen beds. While the room was nice, the hotel in general is a little loud because of the atrium and rooftop restaurants. But it was convenient to be able to just run upstairs for a cocktail or snack. Breakfast was included there as well and it was pretty good also.

The people of Oaxaca were so welcoming, nice, and helpful. The tourists we befriended were also so friendly. I loved Oaxaca and would definitely visit again! They have direct flights from Los Angeles to Oaxaca on Mexican airlines. I have to say that the best part for me was the food because as you know, I love food! They use grasshopper in a lot of dishes but it’s unrecognizeable. I’m not a huge fan of mole even though it’s a popular dish in this region. Though I did discover that I am a huge fan of chicharron, Oaxacan cheese, and mezcal cocktails. I love their fresh corn tortilla and chips and salsa. I regret that I didn’t get a chance to have churros or hot chocolate while I was in Oaxaca and Mexico City. Check out my Instagram to see all the yummy food I ate!

I can’t wait to see more of Mexico. I want to visit Guadalajara, the town of Tequila, San Miguel, Matzalan, and maybe Puerto Escondido next. This vacation was such a nice reset. I felt like I was fully able to unplug from work and the stresses of life. It has been such a long time since I’ve been on a week long trip that did not involve any sort of work. Weekend road trips don’t count because you get those days off anyways. I’m already looking forward to another vacay. It has been hard for me to focus on work after returning from such a good trip. Plus, we’re right smack in the middle of the holidays. All I want to do is curl up on the couch and watch Christmas movies. This year is flying by too fast. And my post-vacay blues are setting in. I need to plan my next adventure soon. What’s next on your travel list?

Escape to Valle de Guadalupe

I love road trip adventures and Valle de Guadalupe has been on my list for awhile. But then, you know, pandemic happened. And crossing the Mexican border by car felt a little daunting. I’ve never done it before and didn’t know how it worked. To my surprise, it wasn’t as complicated as I had anticipated and I had the most amazing time! I loved Valle de Guadalupe!

My friend drove her SUV and added Mexico coverage onto her car insurance for an additional $70. From Los Angeles, it took only 2.5 hours to get to the San Ysidro border on a Thursday morning. Prior to crossing the border, we made sure to stop in Chula Vista to fill up on gas and use the restrooms in case there would be any delays at the border. The border crossing was pretty simple and seamless. No one even checked our passports. We drove through easily and quickly.

We took the more common coastal route through Mexico. We passed through 2 toll stations that are $2 usd each, so it was helpful that we brought small usd bills. About 30 minutes from the border is Puerto Nuevo, where we stopped for a seafood lunch oceanside at Villa Ortega. My friend and I shared one combo dish with 2 lobster tails, shrimp scampi, rice, beans, veggies, and tortilla and it cost us $16 usd each. Pretty good deal for lobster by the sea! They served us the freshest, softest giant tortilla ever! It was soooo good! This giant tortilla is still on my mind and I don’t even normally eat tortilla. You can also really taste the corn in the tortilla chips they serve you first. A pit stop for lunch here is a must so definitely make sure you schedule that in!

From Puerto Nuevo, Valle de Guadalupe is about an easy hour drive along the coast and then through mountainsides (not scary though). Once you arrive in Valle, some of the roads are bumpy with potholes and some roads are completely unpaved. The area is still newish and developing but there is still so much beauty. There are many amazing wineries, restaurants, and hotels that are not visible from the main road. Some initially appear obscure off a dirt path, but then behind the trees or gate is an enchanting resort or a luxury glamping site on the other side. There are so many unexpected little treasures like that in Valle. With the exception of the vineyards, resorts, and select areas, the landscape in general was very dry, with cacti and mounds of rocks.

To me, Valle de Guadalupe is a perfect combination of Joshua Tree desert vibes merged with Santa Barbara or Napa Valley Wine country, but even cooler. I am a huge fan of Joshua Tree and deserts in general so this merging of the two vibes really appealed to me. Restaurants and hotels overlook the vineyards with the mountains in the backdrop. Everywhere you went, there was a beautiful view. In California wine country, there are scenic views as well but usually the restaurants and hotels are located in town several miles away from the vineyards and views. In order to enjoy the backdrop of the vineyards in California, you have to be wine tasting and picnicking. But in Valle de Guadalupe, you can enjoy them all day, everywhere you go.

We booked our trip only a week in advance and stayed in the last available exclusive suite at Hotel Boutique Valle de Guadalulpe. The room was nice, clean, and simple. It would have been better if we had a room with a balcony or patio or a direct view of the vineyards but you have to pay extra for that. This resort was lovely and the staff was super friendly. The pina coladas were so delicious. There is a separately operated spa on the property grounds, which has a pool with a direct view of the vineyard but you have to pay for access to it. Our pool was nice but it was centered on the property where the vineyards were not visible. We wanted to get massages at the spa but it was $120 usd, which is about the same price as in California, and the spa day pass was $75. There were a couple other options for massages offsite that were a little less expensive but not necessarily that much cheaper than the U.S. so we decided to forego it all together. The spa on the property does offer yoga classes on the weekends though at a discounted rate of $15 for hotel guests if you want to experience the spa and get a light work out in.

Now, onto the best part of Valle de Guadalupe—the food! You definitely need to make reservations in advance. It seems that people generally eat early. Restaurants are not open that late. Wine country is more of a relaxed and sleepy vibe. All the food in Guadalupe is amazing and definitely a lot less expensive than the U.S. for delicious, elevated seafood meals with wine. Plus, you get large portions for the cost, which was a lot of food for two petite women.

For dinner our first night, we visited Finco Altazano, located off a dirt road behind a guarded gated entry. This large open-air restaurant overlooks the vineyards and has a stable for goats on the property. They have giant life-size wine barrels made for guests to climb up, hang out on, sip wine, and enjoy the views. There is also a huge plot of land next to the restaurant with an arch that looks perfect for a wedding venue. The restaurant served elevated food, fairly reasonable sized plates, with a variety of options in a relaxed, casual, farm-style atmosphere. We ordered all seafood and it was delish and the wine was amazing too. We had their tuna tostada, their grilled octopus in a light sauce, and their catch of the day served with greens. For dessert, we ordered their panna cotta and their basque cheesecake. Everything was delicious but my favorite was their lavender white chocolate panna cotta! It was the most amazing panna cotta I’ve ever had! It is still on my mind and I wish I could have more. Everything about Finco Altazano was so charming and I would definitely visit again. It was my favorite restaurant from the trip.

On our second day, we visited the popular local farmhouse La Cocina Don de Esthela. It’s indoors, cash only, with no air conditioning, and located up a hill off a dirt road. We arrived at 11:30am on Friday and thought we were early for lunch but apparently not. We had to wait an 1 hour and 15 minutes for a table. The host initially quoted 40 minutes, which didn’t sound that bad. But over an hour is ridiculous! The meal was local and very good though. The menu was all in Spanish so we sort of guessed what to order. We got a half portion of the popular plate of the Borrego Tastemado, which I think is a slow cooked shredded beef or lamb dish that comes with tortilla and a side of consomme. The meat was juicy and moist and the consomme was really flavorful. We also ordered a quasotaco with chicharron but the chicharron was too hard for me to chew and I didn’t want to crack my teeth! It was a lot of food and only cost $9 each. While the meal was delicious and inexpensive, I do not think it was worth waiting over an hour for.

After that long lunch, we went to Decantos Vinecola for wine tasting. It was not too far from our hotel and located at the end of a dirt road after Baron Balche winery. We wanted to visit both but our lunch took up too much time. Decantos is a large winery with great outdoor space and unobstructed vineyard views. They did not require a reservation in advance but most of the other vineyards do, especially the larger ones. Wine tasting was less than $12 for 3 wine tastings, which you can enjoy on their lawn. They serve cocktails and food here too but we didn’t get a chance to try any of it because there was only so much we could eat and drink in one day. I enjoyed all of the wine I tasted here.It was easy to visit and not crowded at all.

Dinner on our 2nd and last night was at Fauna, located a litte further away at Bruma hotel and winery. The road getting to the restaurant is a dirt road that will bring you to a guarded gate, then you drive along a manicured tree-lined path that leads you to the restaurant set on a small hill above the vineyards. Bruma is upscale and sophisticated and the property feels very exclusive. Fauna was definitely a different experience than Finca the first night. The restaurant itself was smaller. It has shared communal tables and was very lively and packed with loud music. They have indoor seating, patio seating, outdoor seating and bar area seating in the back. It would be a fun destination for a larger group.

The menu options at Fauna were very limited and not descriptive so we weren’t sure what to expect when the dishes came out. There was only one wine option for red, white, and rose but I didn’t really like the one white wine they had. The tiki cocktail I ordered next was simple and a little disappointing as well. We ordered the ceviche, the clams, grilled lettuce, shredded lamb, and the churros. My friend and I were dying for fresh greens because we ate so much meat and seafood but they didn’t have any raw green choices. Even the lettuce we ordered was grilled. The dishes were good and well made but quite large and very hearty, rich, and heavy. Although I enjoyed the meal, nothing really stood out to me. The ambiance was fun but a bit too loud. I’m not sure I would visit this particular restaurant again but I did love the property. As we drove out, we noticed that there was another restaurant on the property underneath the trees called Casa Ocho Wine Garden. I couldn’t find a link for this and I don’t think you need a reservation. We drove up to it and the guard invited us to go take a look but we didn’t because we were too tired and full from dinner. From the outside, it looked really charming with its open-air concept, outdoor tables located underneath the trees, outdoor string lights, and an open grill kitchen. Definitely on my list for next time!

On our last day, Saturday, we dined at Casa Frida for lunch. It is located off the main road. It has multiple restaurants (including an oyster bar), rooftop bar, vineyard, winery, and Airbnb all on its large property. It’s casual but also lively and fun. Apparently, Frida is a popular spot for weekend nights but I’ve heard it might be a long wait to pull into the parking lot to get in. We enjoyed good wine and some great bites for lunch. We ordered a shrimp aquachile in a black sauce (similar to ceviche), tuna crudo, duck quasadillas, and coconut panna cotta. It was a lovely last meal in Guadalupe.

Crossing over the border and coming back to the U.S. was a little more complicated. The traffic was insane near that area. Finding the right lane was so confusing. There is a general lane, ready lane, and sentri (global entry) lane. The roads leading to the border crossing included massive rotaries and loops that made getting to the border a little intimidating. But we survived. Once we made our way to the right lane (which took about 20 min), then it was about a 30 minute wait to get through the border. They checked our passports and we breezed right through. No fees, car check, or questions asked.

I absolutely loved Valle de Guadalupe! More than I thought I would. I did not anticipate it being a blend of Joshua Tree and California wine country and I loved that it was! The unique variety of accommodations, the glamping, the architecture, the design, the views, and the landscape all had so much character and charm. The food was amazing, which is important to me everywhere I travel. I didn’t expect Guadalupe to have such a delicious offering of seafood dishes. The area is still being developed and I think it will blow up in the next few years. Now is definitely the time to visit. It’s closer to Los Angeles than Napa. It’s only an hour further from Los Angeles than Santa Barbara wine country. And it’s more affordable than both those destinations. It was exactly what my soul craved—a getaway, a chance to relax, be present, and recharge. I was so impressed by everything during the entire trip that I felt fully present and in the moment, as I enjoyed every sip of wine, every single bite I tasted, all the vineyards, the breathtaking sunset views, and the moments by the pool drinking pina coladas.

If you plan to visit, here are a few tips. Leave on off days like Thurs-Sat to avoid traffic if you can. It also helps with getting cheaper and available accommodations, as hotels tend to book up fast since it’s not a large area. Add on Mexico coverage through your car insurance. Download an offline google map in case you don’t have Mexico phone coverage or if connection is bad. Get gas and use the restroom before you cross the U.S. border into Mexico. Conversely, use restrooms and don’t drink a lot of water when you approach the border leaving Mexico because you don’t know how long you will have to wait in line to cross over. There will be rest stops between Valle and the border, after Puerto Nuevo. Pack closed-toe shoes such as booties or wedges because you will be walking along dirt paths and your feet will be filthy and probably uncomfortable. I brought flip flops, converses, flat open toe sandals (because they worked with my outfit more but I kind of regretted it), and booties. Bring a hat because the sun is strong and it does get hot. Carry some cash for tolls, tips, and local eateries. Make reservations in advance for restaurants and wineries. Keep in mind that some restaurants and wineries require a deposit online when making reservations. Don’t order too much because some of the portions are large. Give yourself the opportunity to try food at multiple places including the wineries. Research restaurants and winery locations in advance so that you can plan your day out smoothly and not have to drive to opposite ends of the region to visit each place.

Three days and two nights was the perfect amount of time for the trip and I probably could have stayed another night. There are still so many restaurants and wineries on my list that I want to try. I took note of places we drove by that looked really cool. Here is a list of some places I’d like to do more research on and possibly explore next time I visit:

RESTAURANTS:

Casa Ocho Wine Garden in Bruma Hotel - casual outdoor restaurant under the trees

Deckman’s

Animalon - upscale restaurant, requires a deposit when making a reservation

Latitud 32 restaurant - located in El Cielo winery

Adobe Food Truck - casual tapas and wine with outdoor seating

WINERIES:

El Cielo -requires prepayment when making a reservation

Monte Xanic

Xecue Vinecola

ACCOMMODATIONS: (I haven’t researched these so they may be high-end and not budget friendly but definitely worth looking into)

Bruma Hotel

Oeno Hotel

Encuentro Guadalupe Hotel

Lumi Hotel

La Cima del Valle Hotel

For more photos, food pics, and videos from Valle de Gaudalupe, visit me on Instagram. There is a Highlight Reel in my profile of all my Insta stories from the trip. Check it out! I will also be working on a Valle de Guadalupe Reel and will be posting that soon so follow me and be on the look out for it! When you do, please share, like, comment, and support. And subscribe to my blog. I hope my trip inspires you to visit Valle de Guadalupe yourself or to plan your next adventure!

East Coast Adventure

Due to the pandemic, it has been two years since I have last seen my parents. Now that we are all fully vaccinated, I was finally able to make the trip out to Boston to see them again and it was bittersweet! It felt like no time has passed at all due to the benefits of Facetime and the unchanging dynamics and quirks of a mother-daughter relationship. With my flexible schedule, I bought a one-way flight and decided that I would figure out my return while in Boston.

In the past year of the pandemic, I have grown so much because I was forced to do a lot of introspection and self-reflection in quarantine. I continued therapy during the pandemic consistently, which I had not done since I was in my twenties. Turns out, I still had a lot to learn. Therapy is not a one-time class and there is no cap on growth. Had my mother noticed while I visited? Maybe. Maybe not. Did it matter? Not really because all of that self-work was done for me. Although I do think it benefits everyone around me.

During my visit, we ate so much good food! My mother and I both cooked different dishes for each other to try. We had wine and dessert every night. I hosted at-home happy hours with charcuterie boards and cocktails. I made a surf and turf al fresco lunch for my parents and my sister on Mother’s Day. I planned a road trip with my parents up the coast of Maine to visit Acadia National Park. We stopped in Portland on the way there and had lunch at Eventide Oysters, which was amazing. We stayed overnight in Rockland and enjoyed a lovely farm-to-table dinner at Primo. Maine was a fun weekend adventure and I’m grateful I had the opportunity to experience it with my parents because they would not have done a road trip on their own.

For a brand collaboration, I stayed in The South End in Boston for a couple nights at Stay Pineapple Boutique Hotel. It was a nice break from staying at my parents’ and it felt good to have my own space again. While staying in the city, I went on a solo date at Barcelona Wine Bar, ordered everything, and had a wonderful time with myself. I also dined at Toro, Ostra, and Row 34 during my visit and all of them were delish. I love seafood and ordered crudo at every restaurant. It was so fun to be a tourist in my own city. I am convinced that the northeast has the best food.

Even though I had a great trip, I physically struggled everyday throughout my visit because of the pollen dust storms. My allergies totally kicked my butt. My allergist has once told me that I’m the worst he’s ever seen, and pills don’t help. Every day, I was drained and exhausted from just being outside for an hour or two and would feel compelled to nap afterwards. In addition to sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes, itchy face, and itchy internal body, allergies also give me brain fog and extreme fatigue. I really could not function. I’m envious of people who don’t suffer from allergies!

After almost three weeks away, I am finally back home. My body feels better and lighter. I am starting to feel like myself again. Back in my personal space with all my comforts and routine. It was a great trip and fun little adventure, but three weeks was a long time to be away especially after over one year of quarantine. I’m still adjusting to life, normalcy, and reemergence into society, which can be draining. Everything just feels extra nowadays. So I am going to listen to my body and give myself the rest of the week to recover.

Road Trip!

Endings always make me feel sad and nostalgic for what was or used to be. Even if ending something felt right and is the best thing to do. Yes, beginnings can be exciting too but beginnings are unknown and uncertain and always give me a little bit of anxiety.

That is how the end of the year always feels for me. And that feeling usually starts around fall, as we approach my birthday in November which is the end of MY year, and continues into the holidays, and then into New Years—the end of everyone’s year.

In addition to these calendar endings, I am experiencing other endings in my life as well. My year long project with a client has come to an end. Two of my good friends decided to move out of Los Angeles with their families to more affordable cities so that they can save money while working from home during the pandemic. I closed the door on a new and meaningful relationship that started during the pandemic (imagine that!) and initially had so much potential. My therapist is no longer able to accept my health insurance after this month (don’t even get me started on how difficult it is to even find a NEW therapist who accepts your insurance and is accepting new patients).

All of these endings are just too much for my little heart to handle! It’s a lot of change and transition. It hurts. And it’s uncomfortable. And I’m just tired. Tired of it all.

With these endings, I decided to embark on a solo road trip to clear my head. Traveling is usually my go-to for recharging my soul. I do it every November so that I don’t get sad on my birthday. But this year is different. We are in a pandemic and traveling via plane and/or abroad is highly discouraged. My next best option is a road trip. I like road trips but they are definitely more enjoyable with someone. As much traveling as I have done solo, I would much prefer to share all of these experiences. But also, I don’t want to let not having a partner discourage me from exploring the world.

I decided to go to The Grand Canyon. It has been on my list for a long time and I had been waiting to go with someone but I didn’t want to wait anymore. It’s a long drive from Los Angeles, so I broke up the trip by stopping in Vegas on the way there and back. I also stopped at The Valley of Fire, an hour east of Vegas. Both Vegas and Valley of Fire were a lot of fun. It’s easy to distract yourself with a nice bath, cocktails, and room service. I also really enjoyed exploring The Valley of Fire. As a state park, it was much more manageable and not as overwhelming as a national park.

Afterwards, I headed down to The Grand Canyon and I was amazed by the spectacular view. The Grand Canyon is massive but it left me feeling really small and a little sad and alone. There wasn’t as much distraction as there was in Vegas, as the food and accommodations there were pretty basic. My hotel room was freezing. The restaurant nearby where I had to pick up food wasn’t very good and they messed up my order twice so I never got what I ordered and paid for.

I found myself wanting to leave immediately. I felt anxious to get back to Vegas and to return home. I felt uncomfortable. Uncomfortable with all of the changes in my life. Uncomfortable with this fucking year of 2020. Running off to Vegas and Arizona did not solve my problems. Not that I thought it would. But I thought it would maybe do something to ease my mind and heart. And I’m not sure that it did. I was anxious the entire time and did not sleep well at all. But I did check two new places off my list and that’s pretty incredible. I did a long road trip by myself through three states and that’s pretty impressive.

Then I remembered that it is in your discomfort and pain that you grow and find a deeper connection to who you are and your purpose. This is something I must have loosely heard or read from Oprah or another motivational speaker in some format. While driving back to my hotel room from The Grand Canyon on my last night after watching the sunset, I thought, maybe I just need to sit in this discomfort and surrender to the pain and see what happens versus trying to control it, manage it, change it, or distract myself from it. Just let the pain sit there and pass through. I can handle it, right? I’ve been through these things before. But it never gets any easier.

Maybe that was the sole purpose of this road trip for me. Not to ease my mind and heart, but to learn how to surrender to the discomfort and pain. Observe my feelings and thoughts. Find inspiration for change. Learn and grow from these uncomfortable feelings. This doesn’t mean wallow in my sadness and stop doing things to feed my heart and soul (well, maybe just for a day or two or even a week). It just means stop placing all my focus on the pain and confusion by trying to find immediate solutions in order to rush through it or resist or avoid feeling it. And just maybe then, the pain will pass through quicker and answers will organically appear to me sooner. This is all just part of the process. You can’t have the good without the bad. The depth and understanding without the hardship. So here it goes, again.