The Top 10 Things I Am Most Excited About In 2013

January 17th, 2013

It's been a crazy year thus far, and I have gone full swing on planning for my Middle East and European Vacation that I am taking from March to May.  You know how much additional planning and prep there is to leave for such an extended period of time?  I have to make sure my taxes are done, I have to take a medical certification class a month early because it expires during my trip, I have to make sure all my bills are set up to be paid, and not to mention notifying banks and credit cards that I will be out of the country.   

Thankfully I have an awesome roommate, my brother, who can take care of my house while I am gone, like making sure the mail is checked, saving my most loved valuables in case a tsunami hits, and that my plants are watered.  You know, the usual house sitting duties.

I started off 2013 in San Francisco....

.....where I was arrested for being too awesome.  Actually the pic was taken in San Francisco.... in a porn studio...where I was a broadcasted live on a porn website.  My parents are so proud of me.   Actually they don't know about my porn site debut yet, I will save that for my upcoming appearance on Maury Povich.  Actually, if you believe that last bit then you don't know me well at all.  Actually, wow, I love saying actually. 

I will have to save that story for another rainy sunny (Southern California) day.

But really, 2013 is going to be great.  2012 was filled to the max with so many losses.  I think I wrote more bereavement cards and attended more funerals in 2012 than I did in all my previous years COMBINED!  Not to mention my little bout with cancer....2012 really entered the hall of fame as the suckiest year evaaaaar!

I have so many things to look forward to in 2013, and here are ten of my favorites...

1. Experience Mardi Gras

 (from the berry)

I scored a free flight with my miles to visit New Orleans for Mardi Gras!  They had to modify the Mardi Gras dates this year because of the Super Bowl, so thanks to the Super Bowl I am going to Mardi Gras for FREE! 

"Hey CeCe, you just didn't win the Super Bowl, what are you going to do next?"  Go to Mardi Gras BITCHES!!!!!!

2.  Visit the Pyramids

I am going to bloody Egypt, and I am going regardless what the media says!  I think Egypt gets a bad reputation, but I have done lots of reading on other travel blogs and they all say it's safe.  I'm riding a camel, kissing the Sphinx, going on a hot air balloon ride over the dessert, and taking a felucca ride along the Nile River.

3.  Visit Petra

 (from The Planet D)

Located in Jordan, it is not only a archaeological marvel, but also one of the Seven Wonders of the World!  Also if you're a movie buff, then you might also recognize it from Indiana Jones.  I am also looking forward to floating in the dead sea ALIVE and staying at a Bedouin Camp in Wadi Rum.

4.  Go on a Hot Air Balloon ride over the fairy chimneys of Cappadocia

The minute I first saw a photo of Cappadocia I immediately placed it onto my life list.  While planning my trip to Turkey I begged my friends that Cappadocia had to be one of our stops, and I must be very convincing because I am going!  As an added bonus, our lodging will be inside a cave that Cappadocia is also popular for!  I hope to see Fred, Wilma and Pebbles while in the caves too.

5.  Go Sky Diving

I am conquering great heights this year!  This is something I should have done two years ago.  I have seen several sky diving deals in San Diego, but I really wanted to do it somewhere extra beautiful.  My best friend is getting married in Maui, and what better way to make the trip extra memorable but jumping out of a plane in Hawaii! 

6.  Hike to Neuschwanstein Castle

I have no idea why it has taken my THIRD visit to Germany to finally make it to this castle.  This castle was the inspiration to Sleeping Beauty's castle.  I found a day trip from Munich that takes you on a hike to the castle while hiking through waterfalls, and picturesque landscapes.  I'm seriously contemplating listening to every Disney Princess song on the way up. 

7.  Relax in Santorini

When my friend and I visited Greece in 2007, Santorini was one of those places that we shook our heads and put on our "What we didn't do but should have done list."  So for 2013 we are putting it on our WE EFFING DID IT(!!) list.  

8.  Visit where the hills are alive with the Sound of Music in Salzburg, Austria

(from Isabelle's Travel Guide)

Similar to Neuschwanstein Castle, it has taken my THIRD visit to Austria to finally make it to Salzburg.  I absolutely adore the Sound of Music, so I can't wait to visit this little piece of movie history.  I am already planning on singing, dancing and skipping around the grounds.  I have no shame, remember?

9.  Visit Istanbul

Istanbul is filled with list items, like shopping at the Grand Bazaar, visiting the Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque, and enjoying Turkish Delights.  I am pretty stoked that this is not my last stop, otherwise I would be taking a huge Turkish rug home with me!

10.  Drive the Road to Hana

Near the end of 2013 I will be enjoying two weeks in Hawaii.  One of things I am most excited to do is renting a car and taking the Road to Hana drive.  It is 60 miles of highway in Maui that is literally carved into the cliff.  During the drive it is highly recommended to make frequent stops to enjoy waterfalls, beaches, and lush forests. 

Honorable Mentions:  Visit Luxembourg (my 49th country!), revisit the beer halls of Munich, travel to North Carolina for a friends backyard wedding,  revisit the Acropolis in Greece, visit a friend in Cologne, Germany, and Visit Ephesus in Turkey.

Wowweee.  I'm exhausted just looking at it all!  

So Cheers....here's to a fabulous 2013!!

Also...like me on my new facebook page...pretty please?

(shameless plug over!)

Hike Diamond Head In Hawaii

The Start of our Hike

Hawaii is without a doubt a beautiful place.  One of the most famous hikes around Hawaii is the hike up to Diamond Head.   Diamond Head is a volcanic crater that provides an amazing panoramic view of Waikiki for simply a bit of effort. The trail is roughly a 1.6 mile hike round trip.  My friends and I started the hike in the morning with our hiking shoes on, and a large bottle of water.

 Halfway There!

The first half of the hike was a piece of cake, and consisted of a dirt and rock trail.  After the lookout, it required a tad more effort by climbing a 74 step staircase before heading into a 225 foot tunnel.  After the tunnel was another 99 steps up.  Then you proceed down a short tunnel, and go up three floors around a spiral staircase.  Once you exit the Fire Control Station Lookout, then you know you are almost there!  Just 54 more steps...and you see views like this......

View of Waikiki from Diamond Head

 Wow...I did a pretty good job drinking my water

Such a beautiful hike!  Mahalo!

Date Accomplished:  April 23rd, 2006

Chase Rainbows In Hawaii

Before you start reading, to get you in the rainbow mood, grab your iPod and listen to "Over The Rainbow" by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole (brownie points if you can say his name 5x really fast). 

Since a kid, I've loved spotting rainbows in the sky.  I think it's one of the prettiest things that Mother Nature offers us.  Hawaii is known for its rainbows, so much so that they have an image of a rainbow on their license plates.  I wish California plates could be as pretty.

During my last full day in Hawaii, my attempt to see a rainbow was seeming out of reach.  As we were heading back to our hotel room to get ready for dinner it started sprinkling.  When I got into our room, I looked out the balcony and spotted a rainbow.  "It's a rainbow!!!!" I screamed.  My friends weren't as thrilled.

So I stood out on the balcony by myself marveling at its beauty.  I was in Hawaii.  Life was Beautiful.

Date Accomplished:  April 25th, 2006

Smoke A Cigar

I'm not a smoker, but I have always wanted to smoke a cigar during a special occasion just like they  do in movies.

I wasn't planning on trying to blow smoke rings, or look cool doing it.  I hardly think anyone's first time smoking could ever look cool.   It looks more like people are suffering from an infectious deadly cough.

During our first day in Hawaii we had walked by a few cigar shops.  Both my friends are also non-smokers, but we toyed with the idea of getting a pack to celebrate our time in Hawaii.

Everyday after that we walked by more cigar shops, always mentioning how we wanted to try smoking a cigar.

On our last full day in Hawaii we walked towards Waikiki Beach.  We passed by another cigar shop, this time we stopped in front of the door and my friend said, "Okay, it's our last day here, should we finally buy a pack?"  I said, "Let's do it!"  We bought a pack, walked to the beach and found a table overlooking the ocean to smoke our first cigars.

We reminisced about the fabulous trip we just had, and we didn't hack a lung while doing it.  I didn't smoke my entire cigar, but I was surprised that I only had one small coughing spell.  I guess I may have looked cooler than I initially thought!

A few months later while in Las Vegas my friend bought a pack of chocolate flavored cigars.  After an evening of drinking we sat in front of a bar and I smoked my first flavored cigar!  I enjoyed it a lot more than the one in Hawaii.  It must have been the "chocolate."

I have no intention of making smoking cigars a habit, but I wouldn't mind doing it again when it seems appropriate, like when traveling in Cuba!

Date Accomplished:  April 25th, 2006

Get Lei'd In Hawaii

I'm sorry if you clicked this hoping that I got laid in Hawaii, no, but I did get lei'd.

Lei's are commonly given in Hawaii when arriving to an event, for a celebration or sign of affection. 

The most popular type of lei are the orchid lei's.   I have watched enough movies filmed in Hawaii to know that most leis in films are given when arriving at the airport or at a hotel.   Neither of that happened to me, and I was a tad sad. 

I'm not gonna get lei'd.  (sad face)

When I went to the Polynesian Cultural Center I began to look around and swoon in jealousy at the people who had lei's around their necks.  I was green with envy, and wished someone got me one.

I lined up to enter the luau, and as I entered I was welcomed by two Hawaiian gals with lei's wrapped around their arms welcoming me to the luau.   Yay, I got lei'd!  Finally!  I proudly wore my lei for the remainder of the day, and carefully brought it back to our hotel so I could admire it the following morning.   It's amazing what a flower garland can do to your mood! 

Date Accomplished:  April 24th, 2006