As the days here in Melbourne turn grey and the skies pours leading me to the question if I should be building an ark. Instead I am dreaming of a far off place where the skies are reminiscent of a tropical paradise… but my tropical paradise involves sangria stained white clothes, hanging out in a prison, and throw snowballs at friends on top of a mountain in the middle of summer.
Goodbye exams, hello trams and lots of sand
After a short pitstop back in Melbourne to take my final exam for the semester I will be bound on a plane back to Hong Kong for a spot of lens shopping before having to get on a second flight to a new city that I have been eager to visit for years – San Francisco.
I’ve left my itinerary completely open as I wait to see where I will end up. The only sure things I want to do are to take a tram down a super hilly street, visit Alcatraz, and see the Golden Gate Bridge as it celebrates its 75th birthday this week!
From San Frans I’m taking a short flight across to Las Vegas, Nevada to spend some time with the Victoria from Pommie Travels as we relax and seek to discover that there is more to sin city than sand, sex, and slots before ending up in Denver, Colorado.
Travel blogging is like any other industry and we have conferences as well and this year the TBEX conference will be help in Keystone, Colorado. But before heading up the mountain Visit Denver will be helping us to explore the city through a series of fun activities (Amazing Race style road rally here I come!!), and of course some mandatory beer tasting.
When life gives you lemons use them to make Sangria
If you follow me on Twitter or Facebook you may have seen that I have been getting a little over excited about a project I’ve been working on with four other fabulous female travel bloggers.
In July 2012 five female travel bloggers are going to descent on Pamplona, Spain and take part in San Fermin, better known as the Running of the Bulls – a festival typically dictated to men. We will be setting about to prove to you that females can run with the bulls and provide you with all the information on how to do it.
The girls I’m running with include;
- Jeannie from Nomadic Chick
- Lois from We are Sole Sisters
- Nicole from Nicole is the New Black
- Oneika from Oneika the Traveller
And yes, there are two Nicole’s so Pamplona better watch out for double trouble!
A few blog posts will be coming out soon with more details about San Fermin and introducing our fabulous sponsors (Roomorama, Hostelbookers, and Eurail!) To read more about the girls running and our preparation have a look at Girls Running with Bulls on our seperate custom site which will have tips and posts from all of the girls involved.
Honourable Mention to Destination NSW
As the month comes to a close an honourable mention must go out to Destination NSW who have arranged for me to visit Sydney this weekend to experience Vivid Sydney – a yearly light show which takes around the city and includes lighting up the Sydney Opera House.
Plenty will be happening on the ground so if you’re in or around Sydney come and watch the city be lit up tomorrow (25/05/12) night but you won’t find me on the ground. No, I will be climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge to watch the lighting ceremony from the top – lets hope it doesn’t rain!
Ant and Elise from Positive World Travel will also be out exploring Sydney so look out for tweets from us (#Sydney) or follow our adventures on Facebook!
What are you summer (or winter!) plans?
Photo credit: Bull Fighter / Vivid Sydney Opera House photo / Golden Gate Bridge photo
14 Comments
Rebecca
May 25, 2012 at 4:53 amJust a small correction…The Golden Gate Bridge is only turning 75 years young (not 150!! California has barely been a state that long!!!)
Jealous of SF! So many people there lately, I love it so much. Have a great time!!
Nicole
May 25, 2012 at 4:59 amThanks for correcting me Rebecca. Pressed the button a wee bit early on this one. *head desk*
Have any suggestions from what I should do in SF? I have no clue!
Rebecca
May 25, 2012 at 8:44 amOhmy, so much good stuff! My sister lives there so I visit at least twice a year and these are some of my favorite (local and touristy) things to do:
My vote for a bar with a view – View at the Marriott Marquis on 4th between Market/Mission
Sports bar – Public House, which is attached to AT&T Park. You don’t even need to go to a baseball game to enjoy the atmosphere of this place.
Burgers – Forget Umami, they have locations everywhere. Hit up Roam in the Marina. Cute shops line the street as well!
Tourist item most people forget about – Coit Tower
Well deserved over-hyped tourist item – Alcatraz. Night or day, either is great. Night tour is better, but if the weather is good, you can’t go wrong with the views of the GG Bridge during the day.
Golden Gate Bridge – Walk or bike, either is great!
Best local out of town minibreak – Hop on a ferry and head of Sausalito and get sauced! (haha). On a great day, views are fantastic!
Have a great time!
Nomadic Chick
May 25, 2012 at 2:15 pmOMG – the other trips you’re up to sound just as exciting! Can’t wait to hang again. 🙂
D.J. - The World of Deej
May 25, 2012 at 9:40 pmSounds like a great summer! We are making our first trip to SF in July also. Looking forward to biking across the Golden Gate, and to a few martinis at Top of the Mark.
And yes, there is more to Vegas than sand, sex, and slots, though none of those are in short supply…
Nicole
June 3, 2012 at 5:43 pmSounds like you have a great summer lined up to D.J!
I just googled Top of the Mark – looks just a little bit swish. Hope you enjoy it!
Kieron
May 25, 2012 at 10:37 pmHave fun – we’re so jealous! Wish we could join you on all of these adventures… hell, even just one of them would be good! 😉
Nicole
June 3, 2012 at 5:44 pmHey, you’ll be off on another whirl wind adventure soon Kieron!
Just don’t freeze in this horrible Melbourne weather. 😛
Wez
May 28, 2012 at 12:21 pmSounds like a good and fun line-up you have there Nicole. I’ve been following and waiting for you girls to get to Spain, should be interesting. And good luck with it 🙂
Nicole
June 3, 2012 at 5:44 pmYou’ll be in Spain as well?
Thanks Wez! Hope you stay warm this winter. 🙂
Running with the Bulls – Introducing Roomorama
May 31, 2012 at 5:57 pm[…] last week I announced that I am Running with the Bulls in Pamplona, Spain in July but I can’t do it alone. Not only are four of the feistiest […]
Arianwen
June 19, 2012 at 7:33 amI was talking to Oneika about this at Travel Massive. Didn’t realise you were going too! For God’s sake stay safe! :o)
Running with the Bulls – Introducing: Eurail
July 1, 2012 at 1:20 pm[…] few weeks ago I announced that I am Running with the Bulls in Pamplona, Spain in July but I can’t do it alone. Not only are four of the feistiest female […]
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July 15, 2012 at 3:16 am[…] few weeks ago I announced that I am Running with the Bulls in Pamplona, Spain in July but I can’t do it alone. Not only are four of the […]