WORLDROMPER

"Life is either a daring adventure or nothing." Helen Keller


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Your Dream Trip: Make It Happen

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We all know the girl who spent a summer studying in France, the couple who backpacked across Australia last year, or the group of friends who celebrated New Year’s Eve in New York City.  You may hear of these people and think, “LUCKY!”

But in reality, anyone can travel anywhere they want to, even you. It is simply a matter of priorities, preparation and planning. Do you want to drive nice car, or spend a month in Thailand? Would you rather buy cute new clothes every month, or swim with sharks off the coast of Africa? Is eating peanut butter and jelly for lunch every day worth a week in Hawaii? Yes. Yes, yes, yes! Material things do not fulfill us as human beings. Experiences, on the other hand, become part of our identities and contribute to the very fabric of our existence for the rest of our lives. Those stylish clothes will be old news next September, but the fact that you swam with sharks will inspire you forever. Continue reading →


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Sydney Bridge Birthday Party

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“Happy birthday dear Shilo, happy birthdaaay…toooooo….yooouuuuu.”

I am on top of the world as the familiar song wraps up. Well, okay, on top of Sydney, Australia. At my fingertips are the glistening skyscrapers and the old rock buildings; the high flying opera house and the sprawling, boat-filled harbor she overlooks.  I have just climbed up the Sydney Harbor Bridge past zooming traffic and commuter trains, over decades-old pylons, sailboats and ferries, and now stand overlooking one of the most beautiful and thriving cities in the world.  Of course I had my pick of Sydney birthday experiences to choose from- surfer ogling and fish and chips at Manly Beach, a Bach Symphony in the wooden concert hall of the Sydney Opera House, a morning of shopping at the Rocks market followed by a meal of kangaroo and pavlova, an afternoon with the koalas and meerkats at the Tuaranga Zoo, or maybe surfer ogling and ice cream cones at Bondi Beach…

The options are numerous but what can I say? Every place I visit I have the inexplicable urge to get to the highest point, and soon upon arrival I find myself on top of the Space Needle, the ocean-side cliff, the Eiffel Tower, the London Eye, the cathedral’s north bell tower, the roof of my hotel, or wherever I can best fill my eyes of amazing new vistas.  As much as some people are afraid of heights, I am drawn to them, addicted some might say.  So for me the choice is easy, and an afternoon spent crawling and climbing up one of the world’s most famous bridges and the pride of Sydney turns into my best birthday ever.

The final notes of my birthday song float along the warm South Pacific breeze and down across the amazing city, and soon I too descend back to the streets to see what the rest of the day has in store for me…there’s a little party called Mardi Gras tonight I want to check out.

Best. Birthday. Ever.


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Parisians Are Too Nice

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“Parisians are just TOO NICE!” my boyfriend exclaimed, and I had to agree, as we once again managed to pull ourselves away from the garrulous Francophones and return to our daily quest for fresh provisions. Living on a tiny pedestrianized street on the left bank was exciting, moving, and… slow going. Every time I left my half-a-shoebox apartment I conversed with Francois, the waiter next door who seemed to live at his cafe. A few steps down I would “bonjour messieurs” with the staff of the Indian restaurant, inquiring about today’s football game. Continue reading →


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The Best Pools in Los Angeles

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(Not this one)

So Cal is the land of sunshine and blue skies, so it makes sense that Los Angeles boasts some of the very best pools in the nation. While some pools require a hotel stay (or a borrowed key) to experience, some are open to all and host regular parties throughout the summer months.

Which Los Angeles pool fits your summer style? Here are some of the best places in the city to dip, sip, splash, sun and swim. Continue reading →