Bula Bula!

Time to check another state off the list: South Dakota. Flew in for a conference and the first night it snowed! And then we lost power at the lodge. Very exciting first night. I stayed at the Game State Lodge in Custer. This was the “Summer White House” for President Coolidge. It was really cozy and nice. I was there for a conference where I had to speak on a panel and also met up with my old coworker Nancy. And today I went on a Buffalo Safari!! My first safari.. well I guess technically my first was at Animal Kingdom. But first ‘real’ one. And yes, I have worked at the sister company of a safari operator for 15 years but no, I have never been to Tanzania or any safari. So this is exciting. We rode through the park off-roading in open air Jeeps. (It was definitely cold so pack accordingly if you ever do this - even in September). And the buffalo - they are massive! HUGE. Over 1,400 currently living in Custer State Park. We also visited Mt. Rushmore National Memorial...

Since I was going to a conference in Gothenburg, Sweden I decided to add a few extra days and do some exploring. It worked best to fly into Copenhagen, Denmark for 2 nights and then take a train to Sweden. The train could not have been easier and the station was literally at the hotel were the conference was being held. Copenhagen was a great choice! It is a vibrant city. So clean and active. The people just felt so healthy and alive - not to mention beautiful. I was staying at the Admiral Hotel and took the metro from the airport to Kongens Nytorv station. From here it was a short walk to the hotel. And I literally stumbled into the Copenhagen Tweed Ride bicycle event on my way. So much fun to watch! After checking in and dropping bags I set off to explore. Kongens Nytorv is the central square of the city and a good place to start out. It is at the start of a main shopping street - Stroget pedestrian street. I came across the Round Tower - built in the 17th century. Ente...

Greece is one of the essential bucket list destinations. It really has everything. History, beaches, temples, islands, and the FOOD! This trip was my first time in Greece but it will not be my last. I did my typical 'whirlwind see as much as possible in as little time' itinerary and so I did get around the country a little. It started off in Athens where you are surrounded by history everywhere you look. I stayed in the Plaka nieghborhood, which is walking distance from the Acropolis and enjoyed a rooftop dinner in the hotel taking in the view. First full day I went first to the Acropolis hoping to beat the crowds. It was early May and so tecnically not high season but still pretty packed. The goal was to get in before the cruise ships arrive so it was a success. I can only imagine how miserable it must be to see it on one of those crowded tours! After I went to the Acropolis Museum - conveniently located just across the road. The next destination was Nafplio. The drive was...

The people of Vietnam make this beautiful country so special. Most of my trip I was traveling with a local guide (Vu in the south and Tango in the north - two of the best guides I have encountered globally) which makes interactions easy. But even when I was on my own communicating with no shared language the people were incredibly kind, helpful, and often smiling. I started right off with touring in Saigon visiting the Reunification Palace, War Remnants Museum and Saigon Central Post Office. And in half a day I learned more about the Vietnam War (or the “American War” as it is referred to there for obvious reasons) than I have learned in my entire life to this point. The palace is like going back in time. It was the home of the president in 1975 when it was stormed by North Vietnamese who drove tanks into the glass. And everything inside looks as it did then. The War Remnants Museum is difficult to walk through but also important. There are three floors of photographs and artifacts....