King Tut exhibit opens today in Denver

The debut of one of the biggest exhibits in Denver history is TODAY -- King Tut has arrived! That's right walk like an Egyptian and get thee to the King Tut Exhibit at Denver Art Musueum, starting today June 29 through January 9, 2011. (Childen 5 and under are FREE!)

Colorful, interesting with tiny glimpses inside the world of Tutankhamun: The Golden King and the Great Pharaohs, featuring striking objects from
some of the most important rulers throughout 2,000 years of ancient Egyptian history, from the 4th Dynasty into the Late Period (about 2,600 B.C. to 660 B.C.). The artifacts are from a variety of temples and royal and private tombs, and many of these items have never before visited the United States prior to this exhibition tour.

On Friday, I was fortunate enough to be given a preview* of this ancient Egyptian exhibit that highlights young King Tut and the artifacts in his tomb, from his tiny chair/throne to his golden sandals. (*Courtesy of Denver Art Museum, VISIT DENVER and Hyatt folks!)

The exhibit begins, in a dark tomb-like gallery with a film overview of the great Pharaohs, narrated by Harrison Ford. Your movements flow through galleries, almost eerie in its low lighting with the Egyptian music playing in the background to set the tone, while listening to the audio guide of the artifacts. (NOTE: Make sure you spend the extra $5 to add the audio and 3D film -- it's worth its price in gold!)

Whatever the reason, the curator and/or design team of this exhibit makes the visitor feel like she is right there, discovering the ancient tombs.  You will walk through spaces exploring some of the most important pharaohs in Egyptian history, before ending with the discovery of the tomb of King Tut, and you'll share the the excitement British explorer Howard Cater must have felt in 1922 when his water boy discovered the entrance to King Tut's tomb.

Book your ticket now. Better yet, skip the lines and be a King Tut VIP! Stay downtown and purchase one of several Tut packages at participating hotels, such as the Grand Hyatt Denver or Hyatt Regency at Colorado Convention Center! Read more about the King Tut exhibit here.

I'd love to hear about your King Tut experience. Share your comments below.

Until next time, Diana 
Photos © 2010 Diana Rowe All rights reserved

Walk like an Egyptian when King Tut exhibit comes to Denver

It might not be the exotic destination of Egypt, but for the next 6-ish months, Denver will offer visitors the opportunity to walk like an Egyptian, or at least see how they lived. I'm excited to get the opportunity of a sneak media preview tomorrow of Tutankhamun: The Golden King and the Great Pharaohs.

The widely acclaimed and record-breaking King Tut exhibition is featured at the Denver Art Museum. Dates for the King Tut exhibit have already been extended from June 29, 2010 through January 9, 2011. Revel in the splendor of ancient Egypt as you view a dazzling array of more than 130 treasures spanning over 2,000 years of ancient Egyptian history, including 50 artifacts from the tomb of King Tut. This will be the only Rocky Mountain appearance before the boy king's treasures return to Cairo.

I'll be (hopefully) overnighting at the Hyatt Regency Denver at Colorado Convention Center, one of many downtown Denver hotels offering Egyptian-themed packages. The Hyatt Regency is featuring 45-minute Egyptian Aroma Therapy Body Wrap treatments -- I guess so you can feel wrapped like an Egyptian?  I'll try it out and let you know how it feels!


Photo (above) Tutankhamun canopic coffinette. 15.4 in Photo Courtesy © Sandro Vannini


Click here to read more about Denver events themed around the King Tut exhibit

Bahamas mama adventure begins -- again!

*UPDATE: August 18, 2010  Bahamas mama adventure returns. I fly out on Friday with my girlfriend aka BFF and her husband. Updates a-coming.

*UPDATE June 21, 2010 : Unfortunately, I had to cancel this trip at the last minute due to a family emergency, but I'll reschedule later in the summer !
This mama is packing up to fly to the Bahamas tomorrow morning. It's my first visit to this part of the Caribbean. Although I'm not sure what adventures to expect, I am looking forward to the beaches and tropical weather -- flip-flops at the ready. My visit is courtesy of the Riu Palace Paradise Island which re-opened in November after extensive renovations. (See resort picture below, courtesy of Riu).

My all-inclusive Paradise Island hotel includes all the must-haves: idyllic beaches and a lively nightlife. Plus it includes a few extras as its the largest leisure centre in the Caribbean, with a casino, aqua park and aquarium. I'm told that a bridge separates it from the town of Nassau which, as well as picturesque colonial buildings, offers the best restaurants and duty free shopping in the Bahamas. (What girl doesn't love shopping?)

I'm already a fan of Riu Resorts, as I've stayed at two other properties: Hotel Riu Palace Pacifico, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico and Hotel Riu Guanacaste, Costa Rica.


Riu offers free wireless Internet, so I hope to blog and post pictures along the way! Check back often.

Review Sandbaggers golf shoes for women

I love shoes. I hesitate to tell you how much, as evidenced by my dozens and dozens of pairs scattered throughout my walk-in closet. That's why I didn't hesitate when asked to review a new pair of Sandbaggers Golf Shoes and burned cyberspace to respond with a resounding yes!

As I waited for my complimentary shoes to arrive, I tallied the number of years I had worn my current pair of golf shoes (Nike), I am embarrassed to say more than 10 years. It was long past time to retire these trusty old pair of golf shoes. To be honest, until the last few years, lady golfers really haven't had a lot of colorful -- or comfortable -- choices; thus why I'd kept my old pair for so long.
As the Sandbaggers website says: "As more and more women pick up the game of golf, they are always looking for new ways to stay fashionable while on the greens. Sandbaggers shoes, are a great product, made specifically with the female golfer in mind. Golf shirts can be fashionable, so can skirts and shorts—but those shoes have traditionally been an issue. Not anymore thanks to the great people behind Sandbaggers. The shoes not only provide style and fashion for the links, they are also very comfortable and are made to fit every kind of foot. That means there’s no longer an excuse to miss that next game!"

I agree. I packed my new Sasha Sorbet style (love the pink!) golf shoes for a recent golf trip to the Innisbrook Resort & Golf Club, and I also packed my old pair, just in case. Usually it takes a few wears to get any pair of shoes, especially golf, to be comfortable, so I wanted a back up.

Once I put my new golf shoes on for the first round at the Island Course at Innisbrook, my feet said "ah" -- and I never had to pull out the old ones. No blister on the heel, not too tight in the toes, they were perfect!

The next day I played another 18 holes at Innisbrook's championship Copperhead Course -- and again, the shoes were comfortable from the beginning to end.

Not only are these Sandbagger shoes beautiful and stylish, but they're also comfortable and made for walking the golf courses. You don't have to sacrifice foot comfort when TravelingInHeels! Take another look at their website, and order yourself a pair.

Read more about my travels, golf and other adventures, as Traveling Grandmom

Motorcycle chicks in Telluride

Telluride was in for a treat, when two of my best (and hottest!) biker mamas agreed to join me and my man for a road trip from Denver to southwest Colorado. (Picture taken on Monarch Pass, between Salida and Gunnison, L to R: Gail, Diana (me) and Vicki).

For our 4-day road trip, the June weather couldn't have been more perfect, high 90s in Denver 70s in the San Juan Mountains. Telluride sits at 8,750 feet above sea level, and the entire town is designated a National Historic Landmark. Even though we're from the Mile High City (Denver), the uphill walks reminded us that the air is thinner here.

We were lucky to stay in Lumiere, (pictured right) a boutique luxury hotel, located above Telluride in its sister town, Mountain Village.

We all agreed -- summer in Telluride is one of our favorite rides.
Read more about my Telluride adventures from fly fishing to motorcycling on this blog, as Traveling Grandmom at TravelingMom.com blogger, and as Denver Travel Examiner.

P.S. Vicki even bought a new pair of biker boots!
Until next time, Diana