Travel & Culture

Photos: Greek Coffee on Greek Isles

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You learn a lot about travel companions while on the road. Even travel companions you lived with for 16 and 13 years, and who share DNA similar to your own.

During the summer of 2012, my sister, brother and I traveled to Spain, Italy & Greece. The tale of this journey could be told in multiple posts, but I’ll start with this one: Images of Greece.

I was reluctant to visit this country, which was my brother’s choice. But rarely a week goes by without my mind drifting to Hydra–an island not far from Athens. This is a beautiful country, and I hope my photos can share even a tiny bit of its awesomeness with you.

Journey to Japan: Photos

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My grandmother is Japanese. After 27 years of thinking I understood this part of my identity, I finally journeyed to Japan. I had no idea just how mind-blowing this experience would be. My grandmother led the expedition that included myself, my mom, and my sister. I’ll write more about this adventure later, but for now I’ll simply share some photos.

Click an image to start the slideshow!

(Not Pictured) GIANT SPIDERS all over this ski lift.
A Shinto cemetery.
A violent version of paper, rock scissors that involved hitting and slapping.
A lake view.
Another Pagoda. They LOVE these things in Japan.
Can someone tell me what these are called? I could not get enough of them while in Narita.
Confused by the Hot Dog reference. Does Hot Dog mean dragon in Japanese?
He’s waving at me, guys.
The world’s largest bronze statue of the Buddha Vairocana.
Did you know that deer purr like cats when you pet them? That’s actually a lie…
Fishes inside a fish. What a wild and crazy idea!
Hiding from the paparazzi. She’s huge in Japan.
I became obsessed with Mr. Donut while in Japan.
I ordered this kitsune udon from a 24 hour automated machine. It happened. And it was good.
I tried my hand at the ancient art of Japanese calligraphy.
I was amazed to learn that Japan is just COVERED in picturesque bridges.
In case you were curious, here is an alternative view of the Golden Pavilion.
In Japan, green ice cream is mostly likely green tea-flavored. But it could just as easily be seaweed-flavored. YUM!
Jamie, messing with reality.
Japan’s national pasttimes: Koto playing and being ninjas.
Just strolling on a 3 mile long sand bar. WHAT UP!?
Bangin’ rock garden in Kyoto.
Kennin-ji. A sure fire way to feel zen is watch a Japense caretaker rake a zen garden… then STOMP ALL OVER IT… just leaves me feeling so centered.
Kim and Kanye’s house.
Stairs to a pagoda.
Meikosan at the Niomon.
Mina, up close and personal.
Moments before the mosh pit broke out.
More Japanese stuff.
My future mental well being depends on having a garden like this.
My g’ma and her sister visiting my great grandfather’s grave.
My Japanese best friend.
Narita-san (1)
mini.
One last view of the Golden Pavilion, guys. No, stop asking! I know you just LOOOOOVVEEE looking at the same shrine from various angles, but COME ON!
One of my top 3 favorite stops in Kyoto.
One of the few photographs I took in Tokyo. My feet deserve some attention.
One of the smellier places I visited in Kyoto.
Dotonbori district.
So. Many. Pagoda. Photos. Sick of them yet?
Looks pretty Japanese, eh?
Rocking out to some koto music.
She told me it was shrimp. Part of it might have once been shrimp, but it was mostly deep-friend, shrimp-flavored sponge. Yum!
She wants all the deer cookies to herself. SELFISH!
So. Many. Shrines. Sick of them yet?
Some rocks in Narita.
Somewhere over Yukon. I’m in love with Canada.
still not positive what the bibs mean. Any insight?
Strolling in Kyoto. On the lookout for Geisha. WHAT ELSE???
Sun through the trees, Japanese style.
Taken immediately before I witnessed someone get mugged from the back of a motorbike.
The future color scheme of my house. Including the dragon heads.
The Golden Pavilion. A Zen Buddhist temple in Kyoto, Japan. When I saw it I was all like, “whaaaa!!! IS THIS THING FOR REAL!?!?”
The royal pond where the Emperor’s royal fish swam.
This photo was taken immediately before Jamie kissed this deer… on its deer face!! GROSS, JAMIE?!
Todai-ji. The largest wooden structure in the world. Built by the world’s largest wooden man. It’s actually a sad story…
We celebrated Japanese religion by throwing money at it.
We’re just wild about koto music.
When I asked my grandma what she was doing, she said, “Giving him a drink.”
Winding streets of Narita.
You can hardly see him, but there was a fisher guy way out in the water.

HEALTHY AND ORGANIC WINE, FOOD AND FUN IN CALIFORNIA’S WINE COUNTRY for WODLounge.com

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A trip to Northern California’s Wine Country isn’t all swirling, sniffing, and sipping wine. Look past your Merlot-filled wine glass to see a wealth of healthy, green and fun activities in Napa and Sonoma Counties. Kick off your tour with a stop at Ehlers Estate, which has been cultivating grapes since 1886 and pouring certified organic wine since 2008. Resist the temptation to fill up on handcrafted chocolates at Ehlers Estate, because you’re headed to Oenotri Restaurant in Napa for dinner. This Italian eatery embodies the farm-to-table ethos—Oenotri sources ingredients from local growers and even has its own garden on site. Learn to prepare farm-fresh food at Long Meadow Ranch’s Kitchen Workshop series. Get your hands dirty in the garden with local educators, then head to the kitchen where chefs guide you through preparing mouth-watering masterpieces.

But enough with the food! Put down the cheese platter and head out into the fresh air with Velo Vino cycling tours. Peddle your way through scenic Napa Valley before ending your bicycle tour with a wine and food pairing at Clif Family Winery. And don’t miss a step in your training at Wine Country CrossFit in Napa—just one of more than a half dozen CrossFit affiliate gyms dotting Wine Country. Now, we can raise a glass to that. Cheers!

Wine-Country-Image

 

Originally Posted to http://www.wodlounge.com/healthy-organic-wine-food-fun-californias-wine-country/

California Wine Country Hot Spots: Organic Wine via Ehler Estate | Pizza with Garlic Cream and Nettles via Oenotri; image via Food & Wine | Kitchen Workshops via Long Meadow Ranch | Cycling Winery Tours via Velo Vino | Wine Country CrossFit in Napa, CA

VERSATILE STYLE FOR YOUR MANCATION: FROM AIRPORT TO LAKE TAHOE IN ONE LOOK for WODLounge.com

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It’s official: The word “Mancation” has its own Wikipedia page, bringing authenticity to this bro-y word. A mancation is any “guys only” excursion taken by male friends, and what guy doesn’t like a chance to kick up his feet and relax for a long weekend?

While on mancation in Lake Tahoe this summer, any mancationer worth his salt knows the importance of packing light and sporting versatile clothes. This ensemble (pictured here) takes you straight off the airplane to Lake Tahoe’s pristine hiking trails. Rep your hometown with City Sports’ Pedal Pusher Philly tee and keep warm on those chilly flights with an ultra-soft jersey hoodie. J. Crew’s Stanton shorts look great, are cozy enough to encourage a mid-flight nap, and hold up while traversing boulders out on the trails. And don’t miss the finishing touches! Killer shades might get you mistaken for a celebrity at baggage claim, and Danner’s hiking boots are a pain to kick off at airport security, but you’ll be thanking your lucky stars you have them once you set off around the lake.

You now have zero excuses to look anything but awesome on your next mancation!

Mancation Fashion Image

Originally Posted to http://www.wodlounge.com/versatile-style-mancation-airport-lake-tahoe/

Mancation Fashion Features: James Perse Lightweight Jersey Hoodie via Mr. Porter | Philly Pedal Pusher T-Shirt via City Sports | Stanton Short Cotton-Twill Shorts via J. Crew | Cromwell Sunglasses via Warby Parker| Danner Light II GTX Hiking Boots via REI |