ALGERIA

In North Africa along the Mediterranean coast, between Morocco, Tunisia, Libya and above Mauritania, Mali and Niger lies Algeria. The capital being Algiers and official language Arabic.













Several MUST SEE places in Algeria include:
1. The capital, of course, Algiers

2. Ain Sefra

3. Batna

4. Ghardaia

5. Oran

6. Touggourt

When in Algiers,
1. Check out some of the museums/galleries:

• Musee National du Moudjahid
• Bardo Museum of Prehistory & Ethnography 
• Palais de Rais
• Musee des Beaux Arts
• Museum of Popular Arts & Traditions

2. Snap some Instagram worthy pictures of the many monuments and historical landmarks:

• Dar Hassan Pacha
• Citadel
• Makam Echabid
• Grande Poste
• Ville Nouvelle
• 
  

3. Get holy at the Notre Dame d'Afrique, Djemaa el-Djedid or the Djemaa el-Kebir.

4. Feast away at the many restaurants: 

• La Maison de Couscous (Algerian cuisine)
• La Vague Bleu (seafood)
• Tontonville Cafe 
• Brasserie des Facultes (Algerian cuisine)
• Le Magelan (seafood)
• L'Arc en Ciel (Algerian cuisine)
• Le Brussels
• Restaurant le Faubourg (Algerian cuisine)
• Le Dauphin (seafood)
• Big Blue (burgers, french fries, etc.)
• Milk Bar (cafe)
• Auberge du Molin (Algerian cuisine)
• Les Puits d'Amour (French pastries)

5. Take a few shots, loosen up and mingle with the locals or other tourists!

• Bar Dey
• Le Racym's
• Riadh el-Feth
• Pasha (club)
• Alger Bar
• Taverne du Parc

6. For some good ole fashioned entertainment, check out: 

• Palais de la Culture 
• Goethe Instit
• Theatre National Algerien
• Cinema Algeria

The next post will be on: Uruguay (in South America)

Travel on wanderlusters!

'10 ULTIMATE TRIPS OF A LIFETIME'

Cue my cup of coffee and sitting in front of the TV...wait, I've done that everyday this summer already. Oops.

Upon my morning ritual of stalking Yahoo!, checking emails and reading various articles that catch my eye, I came across the '10 Ultimate Trips of a Lifetime'.

1. Great Wall of China (Beijing) to Gorky Park (Moscow) via Trans-Siberian Railroad.
2. Bhutan...also known as the happiest place on Earth.
3. India...tiger safaris and saris
4. Tokyo (Japan) to Jigokudani Valley.
5. California...road-trip style.
6. Antarctica.
7. Galapagos.
8. Jordan.
9. Seychelles.
10.  Guyan...also known as no-man's land.

I know I will definitely be going to these places, some before others but I will make it to all of them someday and hopefully can still tell all of you how they went!

Travel on wanderlusters!

GUAM

What's Guam? Where's Guam?
Guam? Huh?

This is the typical response from someone who has not idea that Guam even existed! This little island is considered a part of the United States of America but is a teeny tiny island in the middle, of well, the Pacific Ocean. Since it is technically a part of the USA, the currency is the U.S. dollar.

As said before, Guam is part of the United States, so the national language is English but the second national language, mainly of the natives, is called Chamorro.
The capital is Hagåtña (Agana), which is the island's second smallest village, and there are about 183,000 throughout Guam.

Before I tell you some things to do in the capital, I will first give you guys a several places known for attracting tourists: 

1. Cocos Island

2. Mount Lamlam

3. Ritidian Point

4. Chief Quipuha Park

5. Underwater World Guam

6. Dulce Nombre de Maria Cathedral Basilica 

7. Chamorro Village
8. Spend a few hours with the locals in small villages
9. Apra Harbor
10. Talofofo Falls

Here's what you can do all throughout the island: 

1. Learn the Chamorro language (or just a few phrases).

2. Save a horse and ride a caraboa.

3. Climb Mount Lamlam, also known as one of the world's tallest mountains. 

4. Explore hidden wonders by hiking.

5. Scuba dive back in time in an area where two ships have sunk during WWI and WWII. 

6. Get crabby with a coconut crab...do they taste like coconuts AND crab?!
7. Swim with the little fishies while scuba diving.
8. Learn how to do a dolphin call while you go dolphin watching.
9. Miss a hole while golfing because of the beautiful views.
10. Go on an 'eco tour'. 

Hagåtña (Agana)

1. Spend some dollars at the Agana Shopping Center (tax-free shopping my fellow shopaholics)

2. Celebrate Liberation Day in July by going to a week-long carnival (they have feasts as well!)

3. Visit the Guam Pacific War Museum

4. Take a stroll through South Pacific Memorial Park

5. Don't like that park? Take a stroll through Latte Stone Park

6. Get holy at the Dulce Nombre de Maria Cathedral Basilica

7. Go back in history at Fort Apugan. 

8. Take after the locals and fish at the Lost Pond

9. New to the whole Guam thing and want to learn more? Check out the Guam Museum. 

10. Take some great pictures at the Latte of Freedom. 

If you get bored, rent a car or take a bus over to Tumon (where the only Kmart on the island is) or Barrigada, the two other well-known cities on the island. 

I found this little blog about a woman who 'quit her job and moved to Guam', so if you want insight from someone who actually lives in Guam, go over and get lost in her posts!

The next post will be on: Algeria!

Travel on wanderlusters!

ARGENTINA

Argeeeeentinaaaaa, the land of beautiful mountains, nature, steak, leather, tango dancing and well, just about everything great! This South American country's capital is Buenos Aires...wow, I sound like I'm trying to sell you guys Argentina, sorry! Too much excitement for this place. Patagonia is one of my favorite backgrounds on my computer, so to be doing a post on the country Patagonia is shared with (it is also shared with Chile), is exciting! 

Anywho, Spanish is the main spoken language (obviously) and there are almost 41 million people living in this country. With Argentina being at the very end of South America, it neighbours with Chile, Antarctica, Uruguay (where I will be living in a year from now) and Paraguay. 

1. Buenos Aires
2. El Calafate & The Perito Moreno Glacier
3. Iguazu Falls (one of the new Seven Natural Wonders of the World)
4. Valdez Peninsula
5. Bariloche & The Seven Lakes Region
6. Quebrada de Humahuaca
7. Valle de la Luna & Talampaya
8. El Chaltén
9. Ushuaia & Beagle Canal
10. Antarctica

According to www.argentinastravel.com, these are the top 10 places to go when visiting Argentina. Buenos Aires is considered to be one of the world's largest cities and South America deems Argentina to have the best quality of life. Hmmm, sounds like a pretty good deal to me, it's kind of hard not to think that instantly when you see those awesome photos. Buenos Aires boasts European styled architecture, fantastic culture and a mass amount of theatres. Vivaa la noche, viva la vida loca en Buenos Aires!

The website TimeOut.com helped with me with the top 20 things to do when in Buenos Aires, I cringed a little at number 2 on the list though:  
1. Become a Boca fan
2. Eat intestines and even more glands
3. Frolic in a love hotel
4. Tour the eye of the Tigre 
5. Witness the social coming of Christ
6. Get lost among the dead
7. Dine in style
8. Mind your toes at a milonga
9. Snack on coffee and medialuna
10. Drink until the early hours (but that's everywhere else in the world too...)
11. Have a picnic and go bird watching
12. Visit Malba: Colección Costantini
13. D is for dulce de leche (YUMMM)
14. Pay homage to Evita
15. Go relic hunting in San Telmo (I do this in Sims 3 World Adventures...I'm guilty, I'm guilty, ok?)
16. Pick up classic souvenirs
17. See a polo match in Palermo (Olivia Palermo is my favorite style icon! No connection, I know)
18. TANGO
19. Groove to South America's best DJs
20. Turn fashion conscious at Palermo Viejo (hmm, maybe this is where Olivia Palermo really got it from...)

Now, let's talk about Patagonia...yay! This place is beyond beautiful, at least from the pictures I have seen because I have not been there yet. I am hoping though that in the next year I can say I have visited. Skiing, trekking, glacier trekking, fishing and whale watching are just some of the activities to do there...sounds like the perfect combination!

Now, I'm not necessarily a big fan of snow and cold but I would conquer the coldness to do these things in Patagonia. I'll definitely be putting on my big girl pants on when the time comes to visit Patagonia.

Patagonia and Buenos Aires are considered to be the most expensive part of Argentina, but you could most definitely find cheap accommodation throughout Buenos Aires and near Patagonia. If you know the travel guides/books and website Lonely Planet, you already know the excellent travel advice they give. I got some fantastic information from their Argentina page, including an upcoming festival in May: Día de Virgen de Luján on May 8th- a day where believers set foot on a 65 km pilgrimage to Luján to honor the Virgin Mary. Are any of you wanderlusters going to this festival or have ever taken part in this festival? The best time to visit is in their spring months, which is September to November, Buenos Aires that is. The best time to visit Patagonia for the non-cold lovers, like myself, is during their summer months, December through February. Sheesh, if only they knew what December-April was like in Eastern Europe!

Have yourself a lovely Easter Monday (for those who celebrate) or otherwise a lovely start of the week and of course, travel on wanderlusters!

The next post will be on: Democratic Republic of the Congo in Western Africa.

P.S. I came across this today, pretty interesting/cool. Who would've thunk it?! http://www.cracktwo.com/2011/04/25-abandoned-soviet-monuments-that-look.html

SEYCHELLES

So, now begins the world project on various countries throughout the world, which will eventually cover every country. Some I have been to, some I have not, but I definitely plan on visiting a majority of these. The first country is Seychelles. 

Beautiful beaches, Creole styled homes, artist studios and French culture, Seychelles is a little known island off the coast of Kenya and northeast of Madagascar. That sounds like wanderlust heaven to me...

The capital is Victoria and there are several languages that are spoken there: French, English and Seselwa Creole French. 

Seychelles consists of many islands- about 115- but the Constitution of the Republic of Seychelles gives a list containing approximately 155. Sweet baby Jesus that's alot...and it seems so small on Google Maps...

There are about 42 'granitic' islands: Mahé, Praslin, Silhouette Island,La Digue, Curieuse, Felicite, Frégate, Ste-Anne, North, Cerf, Marianne, Grand Sœur, Thérèse, Aride, Conception, Petite Sœur, Cousin, Cousine, Long, Récif, Round (Praslin), Anonyme, Mamelles, Moyenne, Île aux Vaches Marines, L'Islette, Beacon (Île Sèche), Cachée, Cocos, Round (Mahé), L'Ilot Frégate, Booby, Chauve Souris (Mahé), Chauve Souris (Praslin), Île La Fouche, Hodoul, L'Ilot, Rat, Souris, St. Pierre (Praslin), Zavé, Harrison Rocks (Grand Rocher).

On the island of Mahe, the annual temperatures range from about 24 to 30 °C or 75 to 86 °F. The coolest of months are between July and August where the lowest temperature is about 75 °F. The hottest months are between December and April, with high temperatures and generally about 80% humidity...not my cup of tea, I am not a big fan of humidity...

For the ladies and especially the feminists out there, Seychelles is matriarchal, meaning the women dominate the house and make the decisions. It is a societal norm for women to be unwed and fathers of children must support their children (financially).

Many of the residents and visitors claim the island(s) have maintained a French inspired culture and a majority of the population derives a French family name. 

So now for the fun stuff...six things you have to do as a wanderluster in Seychelles as according to the UK DailyMail:
1. Bag your own beach
2. Take a hike
3. Birds of Paradise
4. Victoria's secrets
5. A Cadbury treat
6. Sunset strolling

According to The Travel World, the six things you have to do in Seychelles: 
1. Victoria
2. Island Hopping
3. Botanical Garden in Mahe
4. Shark Bank
5. Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve
6. Kopolia Peak

Now, if those 12 are just not enough...Virtual Tourist offers you not six but TWOHUNDREDTHIRTYSEVEN thing you HAVE to do in Seychelles. Better get started now!

Now for the food...on the island of Mahe, several of the best restaurants are: Al Mare, La Plaine St. Andrews, Pirates Arms Restaurant, Baobab Pizza, Boat House, Chez Plume and Jardin du Roi Spice Garden.

That concludes post #1 of the new project...enjoy and if any of you wanderlusters have traveled to Seychelles, I would love to hear about it! Happy traveling...or reminiscing! 

The next country will be Laos in southern Asia!

WHERE THE WIND HAS TAKEN ME

Here's the list...starting with America:

• Maryland
• Virginia
• West Virginia
• South Carolina
• North Carolina
• Florida
• Texas
• New York
• Delaware
• New Jersey
• Massachusetts
• Colorado
• Washington
• Idaho
• Montana
• Arizona
• Oregon
• California
• Canada
• Alaska
• Mexico
• Tunisia
• Croatia
• Greece
• Italy
• Czech Republic
• Poland
• Slovakia
• Austria
• Hungary
• France
• England
• Wales
• Ireland

and many more to come! Once I get a hold of some of these pictures, I will post about each trip individually. 

Travel on wanderlusters! 

P.S. For those of you dedicated Gossip Girl fans, like myself, check out my latest article on College Fashionista...inspired by Blair Waldorf! 

Spotted: Tom Cruise

On the Charles Bridge yesterday afternoon! Now where is little Suri?!

Today, on the walk to the National Library, we were stopped in our tracks when we saw they were filming a movie right outside of the library. So, of course we stopped and stared, waiting patiently for some A-list celebrity to come running in the scene. We left minutes after to the Christmas market then came back and right when we came back they were filming a scene...couldn't tell if it was Tom Cruise but it sure looked A LOT like him.

Whatever movie they are filming, they are trying to portray it being in the Netherlands, nope, it's in Prague. The fake street signs and Netherlands license plates were added to make it seem like it was in the Netherlands.

It's beaaaautiful and sunny today but I get to spend the entire, FREEZING, afternoon in the library studying for finals next week. I just looked up from typing this and realized an extremely creepy lady with a "I'm going to steal you and throw you in a cave" grin was staring at me from across the library. Okay, then.

Travel on wanderlusters!

Lazy Fridays...Love 'Em

You want to know what I did today? Do you really, really, REALLY want to know?

I did three things and three things only: drink hot wine, eat tons and tons of carbs and sleep, er, nap...

My beautiful Colombian friend is here in Prague for the weekend so we started out early this morning, stopping to get hot red wine at a Christmas market by my house, then proceeding to Bohemia Bagel and then the Old Town Square Christmas market. Half way through, I bailed to go home and study, which turned into a 4 hour nap. Yeah, it was one of those days.

Did I ever mention that whenever I get hot wine, it ALWAYS spills everywhere on me? After the first sip, it's downhill from there. It's 10AM and I'm treating myself to a cup from the gods and BAM! burning screaming skin and wine stains in my white wallet and leggings. Also, when I was making sweet, sweet love to my nutella crepe today, everyone was watching. Strangest thing ever. People would stop in their tracks and crane their necks around to see what I was eating, people would walk by and make comments or noises...jeeze people have you ever seen a chocolate crepe before?! If not, get yourself educated to chocolate crepe-logy.

Then I proceeded to come home and pass out for several hours, waking up extremely disorientated.

Off to show my lovely the Golden City at night.

Travel on wanderlusters!

December 21st...

For those of you still anticipating 'doomsday' or the end of the world on December 21st...you can come out of your deep protection holes in the ground (yes, people really have those), sit back and relax because it's NOT happening. The face on the calendar is still kind of creepy though...

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/lookout/government-promises-world-won-t-end-dec-21-192819519.html#more-id

Breath easy and travel on wanderlusters!

P.S. get ready for Christmas market pictures tomorrow!