The Left Side of a Road Trip

SHOES: Traveling shoes -- broken in tennis shoes or quasi-clompers.

Hello world!
My recent travels took me to the "wrong" side of the road, the left, in Ireland. Yes, it was weird to get into the car on the right side, put your hands on the steering wheel and repeat the mantra, "stay to the left." But I did it.

After SATW's annual convention in Manchester and a quick trip to London, my friend Gaylene Ore and I flew into Dublin, spent two days (more later), and then headed west to Galway on the train. (Don't you just love the train systems in Europe and U.K.???) Our final destination was the historic and luxurious Ashford Castle.

Once we stepped off the train, we hailed a taxi. The driver had just returned from the U.S., and we happened to comment on "it'll be weird to drive on the left side." He agreed, saying he felt at odds when driving in the U.S. Gaylene had already nominated me to the be the driver, and she'd be the navigator. I told the taxi driver that I'm going to give it a try (driving), and he replied, "All God wants you to do is try."

Flannery's Garage on Headford Road was a gas station, car wash, garage and car rental all rolled into one, not unlike the one-stop garages from my childhood in Iowa. There was a gaggle of four men in their 60's, sitting around the shop drinking coffee and chit-chatting. When we pulled up, all four stepped out to watch us unload our suitcases (two for me, one for Gaylene who is a much better packer) and directed me (the driver) into the inner office to sign a contract for the rental car. I arranged to leave the car near the train station on Monday with the keys under the seat.

With map in hand and directions to stay on Headford Road to Cross, turn left at the big church, I proceeded to fold myself into the small car on the right side. It was definitely weird. As I adjusted my seat and mirror, there was a tap on my window. The rental agent's parting words to me, "If you get a ticket, just stuff it under the seat with the keys."

We fixed our eyes toward Ashford Castle and I rolled out into Headford. Driving on the left side simply feels wrong, but we had no mishaps. The closest call we had was the tight squeeze on the narrow country road near Ashford. But no ticket and no missing rear view windows.

Manzanillo, Mexico & Barcelo Resorts

SHOES: Flip-flops all the way! But if you head out of the resort, I'd recommend closed toe shoes, because some areas aren't so clean (like downtown).

A couple of weeks ago, I was on assignment in Mexico, with multiple connections from Manzanillo. at Barcelo's Karmina Palace, Manzanillo is located in the State of Colima on the Pacific Coast of Mexico, south of Puerto Vallarto. Beautiful golden beaches, lush green valleys, majestic mountains, with banana plantations lining the valleys and mountains.

Manzanillo is the the sailfish capital of the world, and this is the best place for deep sea fishing enthusiasts. Besides sailfish, other varieties caught include tuna, marlin, and dorado. This small fishing village admittedly needs some cleaning up, but their downtown is doing just that in preparation for their cruise ship traffic as a major port for cruise lines.

I stayed at my favorite Mexico all-inclusive chain: Barcelo's Karmina Palace. Several years ago, I visited Karmina before it was purchased by Barcelo, and the changes are subtle but noticeable. Service is definitely at a higher level. For an all-inclusive, the food is decent, and the breakfast buffet includes made to order omeletes and eggs. Other meal options included a fine dining restaurant "Carioca" as well as several other buffet, less formal meal spots, and a nightly show.

Other upscale amenties at Karmina Palace: oceanfront with white beaches, interconnected cascading swimming pools, two secluded adults-only areas, attentive staff - need I say more?

Shoes: optional. :-) but bring along your comfortable flip-flops for walking.

Next up -- the glitzy Acapulco and the Fairmont Acapulco Princess & Pierre Marques.

Your TravelingInHeels.com Host: Diana

I'm back...

Okay, maybe I was barely here to begin with, but life has gotten in the way. Not of my travels, but with blogging. So today is my attempt to get back on track. I promise to start with tips on the shoes to wear, because, chica, we all know how important the right shoes (aka heels!) are to a trip.

Since my last confession, er blog, I've traveled all across the world. I've been to Mexico: Cancun, Riviera Maya, Los Cabos, Laz Paz (Yacht Cruise), Acapulco (COMING SOON!), Manzanillo, and mad dash through Mexico City's airport (another topic on its own). I've also stayed around my home state of Colorado, visiting The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, Aspen and Snowmass. Other adventures include Las Vegas, Palm Desert/Palm Springs, California, Montreal (Canada), Hawaii (Honolulu and Malakai), Panama (COMING SOON!), and ...I'm sure I'm missing other places I've visited.
In two weeks, I'm heading to England, Wales and Ireland, so I'll be sure to update you on that. For now, I'm just checking in, letting you know what's going on and where to check for stories. I'll blog on some of this adventures -- more coming soon! Really....
Until then, pack your bags, and don't forget the right pair of shoes...Diana ;-)

Hello World!!

Welcome to my blog of sorts, Traveling In Heels, written by a not-so-well-traveled, 40-ish something chica. Sometimes I put on my heels for the nightlife in Las Vegas. Sometimes I put on my snowshoes to explore the state I live in Colorado. Other times I run barefoot on my favorite beaches in Mexico.

No matter where my travels land me, I'm here to share my adventures -- and misadventures -- via this blog, Traveling In Heels. I invite you to discover this world through rose-colored glasses of a not-so-well-traveled explorer, who loves to laugh as much as I love to travel.

Come take the journey. Come find your soul.