#a 4 hr flight and a 2 hour drive…

[outofcontextdiscord]

Hey all, I’m going on a pretty long trip tomorrow and will be unable to work on the blog for a bit. I should be able to get back to queueing posts in a few days, but I don’t want to risk it.

I want to make sure the queue stays going, so if y’all could submit some more posts, I’d really appreciate it.

Thanks!

Admin Boa

[eileennatural]

my body loves getting its period right before a day of absolutely hellish travel

[odyver]

taking amtrak long distance (CT to Pittsburgh) for the first time right now and im gonna put the pros and cons of long distance train travel here for those considering this compared to flying or driving:

pros:

- to talk about the part before boarding, this is soooo much less stressful and much easier than the airport. airports are sprawling labyrinths with a lot of people. i started in a smaller station, not one of the big hubs, so there weren't a lot of people to begin with. And it was literally, walk to the station, take an elevator up to the platform, and sit and wait.

- there were not long lines - you don't have to deal with boarding groups, or missing an announcement or terminal changes. you just get on the train when it pulls up, the cars are labeled on the outside of the car so you know whether you're entering a coach or business class car

- you don't have to worry about the security process like you do at airports, no standing in line, no having to remove shoes and belts. you can pack liquids, foods, medicines, and anything you need in your carry-on (of course as long as it's nothing illegal)

- i started in coach for the first leg, and am in business class for the second longer leg of the trip. leg room in both classes was wayyy more than you'll get on a plane

- both have been almost empty (I'm assuming weekend travel would be more crowded) I have had the whole row to myself, except for the last 15 minutes when a larger group was picked up at the 2nd to last station (and I just got unlucky that someone chose to sit next to ME, 30% of the seats were still empty in the car)

I have room to sprawl out and work on my knitting without being bothered

- there is the option of traveling on a "quiet car" which guarantees talking and other noise will be kept to a minimum - I don't believe this is an extra cost at all, it's still considered coach

- the train car feels so much less cramped, there's standing space for people up to up to 7' tall (in the aisle), you don't have to be strapped in, the windows are larger, and big bonus is being able to freely walk around

- there is a cafe car, where you can get food and drinks, with little 2-4 person seating tables to use while eating

- getting to watch the world go by is really cool. spent a cool 3 hours at the start of my trip just staring out the window

- when you have layovers, because the hubs are going to be right in the middle of larger cities, you can go explore during the layover. I had a 2.5 hr layover in new york city, and got to grab a bagel, walk the high line, and visit the large pigeon statue. if you're not feeling like wandering around, the hubs are like small airports with lounges and charging stations + malls and food options

- cheaper than flying (at least this time of year). round trip was $297, whereas flights were $400-$600 round trip

- better for the environment!

cons:

- longer total travel time than other methods

My usual driving time from CT to PGH is 7-8 hours, 9 hours if NYC traffic is bad

Air travel for that route is ~1.5 hrs in the air + 3 hrs on either end for getting to and from the airport, security, and taxiing (total of 7.5 hrs)

This trip started at 6:15am and i'll be arriving at 8:00pm, with the 2.5 hr layover (total of 14 hrs: first leg was 1.5 hrs, second leg is 10 hrs)

- more expensive than driving (this depends on your car's efficiency and tank size)

- it feels like your hand isn't "held as much" compared to the airport experience. like there is basically no way of boarding the wrong flight since they check your tickets before boarding. for the train, it's a much more independent travel experience, and you need to pay attention to the number of the train you're boarding. there's multiple announcements before departure of "please please please check your ticket and make sure you're in the train! :)))" this is not as much of a con as long as you're organized and paying attention

so I find the train incredibly worthwhile - sure it's more travel time, but I'm lucky enough to have the time to spend on this. and the trade off is being able to read, work on projects, sleep, etc. during the travel

hope this helps someone who might be apprehensive about booking a train ticket because of the ✨️ unknown ✨️

[yesloulou]

I don’t think he drove 5 hours. I think he did Death Valley to vegas which is 2 hours. It’s still a lot but I don’t think he would’ve driven that long

Also think he went from Brazil to MK to LA for the week. He had Jimmy Kimmel and that before he headed to vegas.

will incorporate some of this but also 1. death valley to lv is 2 hours IF you go the shortest route ie suggestion via google map but according to rb's website the last leg would've taken 3.25 hours and in reality he did not arrive at wynn on time. that plus the fact that he was spotted in death valley beofre the actual driving i'd say he was at work for 4~5 hours before he got to the opening ceremony (not all driving obvs) 2. he flew from sao paulo to mk on sunday and then was in la for the jimmy kimmel show by friday. that's two 10+ hr flights in less than 5 days. idk about you but that's a lot to me

[likeadevils]

2006 Lover Diaries Transcripts

May 27, 2006- Las Vegas, NV

This morning me and Mom got up (we’re in Vegas staying at the MGM Grand) and I got dressed in that light green strapless butterfly dress and boots and went to do a radio interview and it was fun. Then I went down to the radio remote where all the artists and radio people are and did about a hundred interviews. It’s cool. John Rich came up to me and made me tell him who I was. And Dierks Bentley introduced himself to me. I felt awesome. Then we were walking out and all these fans wanted their pictures with me and were calling out my name and stuff and I loved it. now I’m about to go out and do another show. Taylor Swift

Jun 3, 2006- Nashville, TN

weather: stormy on the radio today: ME what’s going on? I’ve been on WSIX 98 SO much lately and it’s unbelievable. I am excited about: Being on the radio! I’ve been winning song challenges across the country my concerns: Dude. I just want things to keep being amazing. I feel: Great. Feel like all the work is finally paying off. Tomorrow: Lunch w/ Abigail Monday: Phoenix, open for Hootie + The Blowfish at a huge radio event. Oh Gosh. Today was great. I got up early and went to Love Shack, a studio downtown with mom. There I had an ISDN phone interview for Westwood One radio. Then one for NASCAR radio. Then we broke for lunch. Then went to Sirius Radio and that went amazing. Then an interview at CMT radio. Then went to the label to label envelopes of singles. Then went home and me and Abigail watched GAC Nights. Then went to the v-ball courts. Then answered like 100 emails over myspace. Then my friend called me and said they heard “Tim McGraw” on the radio! And I couldn’t believe it! I’m so excited. This is such an unbelievable life. I’m so happy. God I’m so lucky to be doing this. I really just hope things keep going great, and OH MY GOD This is all I’ve been waiting for! Taylor Swift

Oct 12, 2006

Come In With The Rain lyrics

Oct 19, 2006

Mediabase: 14 Billboard: 17 OH MY GOD I am on the RASCAL FLATTS TOUR. I got the call yesterday and screamed louder than i can ever remember screaming before. I'm opening up for the last nine dates of their tour. I'm SO excited. My first Rascal show is tomorrow night in Omaha, Nebraska. I am SO excited. Taylor Swift

Nov 29, 2006- Nashville, TN

Mediabase: 9 BB: 11 Hey, So I just got in from Idaho Falls, I did a sold out show in Ogden, UT ?? 2 nights ago and then another in Idaho Falls last night. It was snowing in both places and FREAKING cold. MAN it was cold. So today we all piled in this huge van and drove to the airport in Salt Lake City (4 hr. drive) and ??? ?? me and mom were supposed to be flying to St. Louis for WIL JingleFest, and but Scot called me at the airport and said "St. Louis is supposed to get 15 inches of snow, they're cancelling the show. You have a day off." SO we hopped on a flight to Vegas, and we're supposed to have a 4 hour layover, but we found a flight that was just about to leave for Nashville, and it was barely full ?? so we ran and caught that one and here I am in my own comfy bed. I have tomorrow off so I'm gonna go out to eat with Abigail. Oh and I'm dieting again. Over the holidays I didn't watch what I ate and man its so weird how fast I can gain or lose weight... It's crazy. So I'm going to lose some now. <3 Taylor

Dec 2006

White Horse lyrics

Dec 27, 2006- Hendersonville, TN

So I got to check off my first life goal today. My album sold 61,000 copies last week!!! My goal was to sell 50,000 in one week. We flew by that. How CRAZY is that? How crazy is this, I'm playing the Wild Horse Saloon tomorrow night and I'm SO excited. All of my friends are coming. Cannot WAIT. It's gonna be a fun show. So I've been home since Christmas. Let's see, life is pretty good. I'm now obsessed with Law + Order. Completely obsessed. And my albums about to go gold. Havent kissed a boy in 209 days. <3 Taylor

(2003 • 2004 • 2005 • 2006 • 2007 & 2008 • 2009 • 2010 • 2011 • 2012 • 2013 • 2014 • 2015 • 2016 & 2017)

[lifeafterpsychiatry]

Hey kat,

I've never sent in an ask before but I've seen others do it so I thought you might be able to help me justify a decision, or give your thoughts about it.

I'm in an internship and I was supposed to go on a weekend trip in less than 24 hours. The program paid for my flight. It's a 1.5 hr drive to airport then boarding, 2 hr flight, then 2.5 hour drive to site where we immediately start doing tasks. Then repeat same process on final day.

I have GERD and have had severe flare-ups this week. Sunday and Monday my stomach was burning so bad and I had to take 4 antacids for relief.

Then Tuesday I ate too much and was sick and bloated nauseous over 12 hours.

Wednesday I was ok until i got a migraine Wednesday night. I ate then got bad heartburn burning my chest with my head hurting like hell.

Thursday morning I tried to eat but then I felt full after two pieces of toast and stopped.

I saw my doctor Thursday afternoon to get a doctor note for the trip in case i couldn't go and more refills for the prescription I was on for my stomach. It helped a lot but i stopped it early because the doctor said don't be on it long term so i panicked.. but I've been more miserable off the medication then when I was on it

So rest of Thursday was ok and I'm writing this 1 am Friday, and I have to leave house for my flight in <24 hours. After this hell of a week I don't think I can go. I have major anxiety with long car rides and how I've felt all week I'm terrified I'm going to get a bad flare-up on this trip.

The program paid $600 for my ticket and one of the people in charge was going to carpool me the 2.5 hours to the place. I feel so terribly guilty that I'm making the wrong decision and wasting their money and time but at the same time this week is one of the worst I've had in a while in terms of my gut health.

What do you think of my decision? So sorry this is so long and I hope you're doing well too

I fully support your decision! No one should feel obligated to do something that demanding on top of such a week. So I hope you allow yourself to say no and rest!

[john-barkston]

looool were finally in vegas at 4 am our time cause our flight got delayed 2 hrs and not just oh 2 extra hours in the terminal, 2 extra hours of driving to the runway as slow as possible while discovering someone had a medical emergency, turning around going back to the gate and then having to wait for fuel because we burned so much fucking around on the runwayLMAO

my body is killing meeeee

but we drove pastrhe convention center and saw the fanfest banners!! so worth it

[srinagarpackagetour]

Wonderful Kashmir Package

Overview

Experience Kashmir Like Never Before.

Tired of the usual tourist spots? Here’s a unique Kashmir experience just for you by Srinagar Package

Stay in a traditional houseboat on Dal Lake & wake up to floating markets Hike to hidden meadows like Doodhpathri & Yusmarg – untouched beauty! Savor authentic Wazwan cuisine with local chefs

Live the Kashmiri culture—wear a Pheran, sip Kahwa & visit artisan villages

Exclusive: Personalized itineraries & local homestays! DM us to plan your dream Kashmir trip.

Itinerary

DAY 1 : Arrive at Srinagar (Height 1,585 m) Welcome to the magical Srinagar! Our representative will meet you at the airport to escort you to the houseboat. Check-in at the houseboat. Relax and refresh! Post this, walk out to take a look at the city. You can also walk on Boulevard Road offering views of Zabarwan Mountain Ranges. Now we will take you for a delightful Shikara Ride on Dal Lake (1-hour ride). After this, if time allows, go shopping in Srinagar and collect some amazing souvenirs like pashmina shawls, saffron, walnut wood items, embroidered sari, etc. As the day draws closer, come back to the houseboat and enjoy a great night on it.

Day 02. In Srinagar | Day Excursion to Sonmarg (80 kms / approx. 2 hour drive) Full day excursion to Sonamarg (Meadow of Gold) the distance of about 83 kms will be covered in 2-1/2 hrs. Sonamarg lies in Sindh valley stream with flowers and surrounded by mountains. Sonamarg is also the base for some interesting treks to the high altitude of Himalayan lakes. Enjoy horse riding up to Thajwas glacier and sledge riding on snow. Late afternoon drive back to Srinagar.

Day 3 Gulmarg - Srinagar Full Day return excursion to Gulmarg, called as “Meadow of Flowers” Gulmarg is 53 Kms from Srinagar at an altitude of 8700-ft. Gulmarg also referred as Meadow of Flowers is a famous Ski Resort & the world’s highest 18 hole Golf Course. The place was prominent during the British time. Enjoy the scenic view of Kongdori on a Cable Car Ride – OPTIONAL (Gondola) Return to Srinagar for a Dinner & Overnight at the Hotel.

Day 4: Travel to Pahalgam Scenic Drive: Travel to the picturesque town of Pahalgam, where lush greenery meets crystal-clear rivers.

Betaab Valley Visit: Visit the famous Betaab Valley, where Bollywood classics were filmed, and immerse yourself in the breathtaking scenery. Overnight Stay: Spend the night in Pahalgam, surrounded by the tranquility of nature.

Day 5: Departure After breakfast, pack your bags & check out from the hotel. We will drive to the airport for your flight home.

Inclusions

Economy Class Return Airfare (Amritsar - Srinagar - Amritsar)

4 Nights Accommodation (on twin sharing basis)

4 Buffet Breakfast (Kindly check the Timings & Venue from the Hotel)

Sightseeing tours (as mentioned in the itinerary)

Airport transfers

All tours & transfers by Non AC Vehicle on Seat in Coach (Shared) basis

All presently applicable Hot

Airline taxes Should there be any further levy of Govt. / statutory taxes or charges, the same shall be chargeable extra as and when applicable

Exclusions

Entrance Fee, Camera Fee, Guide charges, etc. to be Paid directly by the Guest during sightseeing

Items of personal nature like laundry, telephone calls, room service charges, soft drinks and hard drink charges, etc.

Any Service not mentioned in Inclusions The payments for additional services taken at the hotel are to be settled directly at the hotel Any expenses incurred due to Medical emergencies, Cancellation of flights, Changes in flight timings, unexpected lockdown, Natural calamity, Civil unrest, etc.

Surcharges Extra (if applicable) on Long Weekends & Holidays

Discover a side of Kashmir beyond the usual tourist trails! Stay in a traditional houseboat on Dal Lake, waking up to the sight of floating markets and misty waters. Hike through hidden meadows like Doodhpathri and Yusmarg, where nature remains untouched and breathtaking. Indulge in the rich flavors of authentic cuisine, prepared by local chefs for an unforgettable culinary journey. Immerse yourself in Kashmiri culture—wear a Pheran, sip aromatic Kahwa, and explore artisan villages where skilled craftsmen bring centuries-old traditions to life.

For a truly unique experience, we offer personalized itineraries, local homestays, and offbeat adventures curated just for you. DM us now to plan your dream Kashmir getaway.

[tirupatitourpackages]

How to Reach Tirupati from Major Cities – A Complete Guide

Tirupati, one of India’s most sacred pilgrimage destinations, attracts millions of devotees every year. Whether you're visiting for spiritual reasons or exploring nearby attractions, knowing the best travel options to Tirupati can make your journey smooth and hassle-free. In this guide, we cover the different ways to reach Tirupati from major cities like Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata.

For a hassle-free Tirupati darshan experience, you can book customized tour packages from Tirupati Balaji Package, which offers bus, train, and car packages from Bangalore, Chennai, and Hyderabad.

1. How to Reach Tirupati by Air

Tirupati has its own airport, Tirupati International Airport (TIR), located 15 km from the city center. The airport has direct and connecting flights from various Indian cities:

Chennai → Tirupati – 1 hour (Direct)

Bangalore → Tirupati – 1 hour (Direct)

Hyderabad → Tirupati – 1 hour 15 mins (Direct)

Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata → Tirupati – Connecting flights via Hyderabad/Chennai

From Airport to Tirumala

Once you land at Tirupati Airport, you can take: ✅ Prepaid taxis & cabs (₹500 – ₹1000) ✅ APSRTC buses to Tirupati city (₹100 – ₹200)

For a seamless airport-to-Tirumala transfer, book a customized Tirupati travel package with Tirupati Balaji Package.

2. How to Reach Tirupati by Train

Tirupati has two major railway stations: ✅ Tirupati Railway Station (TPTY) – Main station in the city ✅ Renigunta Junction (RU) – 10 km from Tirupati, connects long-distance trains

Popular Trains to Tirupati

FromTrain NameDurationChennaiSapthagiri Express (16057)2.5 hrsBangaloreKSR Bengaluru-Tirupati Express (22617)5 hrsHyderabadVenkatadri Express (12797)10 hrsDelhiAndhra Pradesh Express (20805)35 hrsMumbaiMumbai Express (16340)24 hrsKolkataHowrah-Tirupati Express (18637)28 hrs

🔹 Book train tickets well in advance, especially during festival seasons and weekends. 🔹 You can also book a Tirupati Balaji Darshan Package by train from Tirupati Balaji Package for a seamless temple visit.

3. How to Reach Tirupati by Road

Tirupati is well-connected by National Highways (NH71 & NH716), making it easily accessible by bus, car, or taxi.

By APSRTC & Private Buses

FromDistanceTravel TimeBus OptionsChennai135 km3.5 hrsAPSRTC, KSRTC, PrivateBangalore250 km5 hrsAC/Non-AC, Sleeper, LuxuryHyderabad560 km10 hrsVolvo, Multi-axleVijayawada410 km6 hrsSuper Luxury, Express

🚍 Best Option: Book a Bangalore to Tirupati Bus Package at Tirupati Balaji Package and get confirmed darshan tickets, AC bus travel, and sightseeing.

By Car / Self-Drive

RouteBest HighwayDrive TimeChennai to TirupatiNH7163 hrsBangalore to TirupatiNH75 & NH695 hrsHyderabad to TirupatiNH44 & NH719-10 hrs

🚖 Best Option: Book a Tirupati Car Package from Bangalore, Chennai, or Hyderabad via Tirupati Balaji Package for a comfortable journey.

4. How to Reach Tirumala from Tirupati

Once you reach Tirupati, Tirumala Temple is 22 km away. You can travel via:

✅ APSRTC Bus – ₹100 per person (Every 15 minutes) ✅ Private Taxi / Jeep – ₹400 - ₹600 per ride ✅ Walking (Pilgrimage Route) – Alipiri Mettu (9 km, 4-5 hrs) or Srivari Mettu (2.1 km, 2 hrs)

💡 If you wish to walk to Tirumala, opt for Tirupati Balaji Package’s Walking Pilgrimage Tour for guided assistance.

Which Travel Option is Best for You?

ModeBest forDurationCost (Approx.)FlightQuick travel1 hour₹3,000 - ₹7,000TrainBudget travelers3-35 hours₹300 - ₹2,000BusConvenient for nearby cities3-10 hours₹400 - ₹1,500CarFlexible & comfortable3-10 hours₹2,000 - ₹6,000

Final Travel Tips for a Hassle-Free Tirupati Visit

✔️ Book darshan tickets in advance – Tirupati sees heavy crowds, so pre-book Special Entry Darshan (₹300) or VIP tickets. ✔️ Pack light & dress appropriately – Follow the Tirupati temple dress code (traditional attire only). ✔️ Choose the right package – Save time by booking a complete Tirupati package from Bangalore, Chennai, or Hyderabad at Tirupati Balaji Package.

📌 Ready for Your Tirupati Journey?

For a stress-free Tirupati trip with confirmed darshan tickets, comfortable travel, and guided assistance, book your package now at Tirupati Balaji Package!

[duncantraveldiary]

We made it on Tuesday evening to our hotel in Paraty. It was a long trip from Salvador: a 2 hr flight and a 4 hour drive. Paraty is on the coast halfway between Rio and São Paulo. Beautifully preserved colonial era village surrounded by tropical Atlantic forest.

[mountainrocktrek-blog]

Phaplu to Everest Base camp trek both way drive - No Flight

Phaplu, nestled in the mountains of northeast Nepal, is the starting point for the adventurous journey to Everest Base Camp. While slightly longer than the traditional route, the Phaplu Everest Base Camp Trek offers a safe and captivating alternative. Trekkers are drawn to its scenic beauty and tranquil surroundings, making it an increasingly popular choice for those seeking a unique experience in the Himalayas.

➡️ Trip Starts and Ends at Kathmandu

Bookings Open for Spring (March, April, May) 2024

📅 Outline Itinerary:

Day 1:Drive by jeep to Phaplu(1345m) from Kathmandu, which will take about 10 hours.

Day 2:Trek from Nunthala 2200m

Day 3:Trek from Bupsa 2350m

Day 4: Trek to Phakding, 2610m, about 5 hours of hiking.

Day 5: Trekk from Phakding 2610 to Namche Bazaar 3443m, about 5 hours of hiking.

Day 6: Acclimatization day in Namche.

Day 7: Trek from Namche Bazaar to Tengboche 3875m, about 5 hrs trek.

Day 8: Trek from Tengboche to Dingboche, 4410m, around 5 hours of hiking.

Day 9: Acclimatization day in Dingboche.

Day 10: Trek from Dingboche to Lobuche 4910m, about 5 - 6 hours of hiking.

Day 11: Trek from Lobuche to Everest Base Camp 5364 meters via Gorakshep 5180m.

Day 12: Trek from Gorakshep to Kala Patthar 5555 meters and then to Pheriche4220 meters.

Day 13: Trek from Pheriche to Namche, 3443 meters, about 7 hrs hike.

Day 14: Trek from Namche Bazaar to Lukla 2850m

Day 15: Lukla to tham danda and drive to salleri

Day 16: Drive back to Kathmandu

We are pleased to offer the flexibility of tailoring your journey to your desired duration and place.

For detailed information and bookings, visit our website:

Address- Z Street - Thamel, Kathmandu, Nepal

Phone- +977 1 4701233

Mobile, WhatsApp & Viber- +977 9849023179 (Dipak Pande)

Email- info@mountainrocktreks.com

Website- www.mountainrocktreks.com

#PhapluTrek #EverestBaseCamp #NepalAdventure #HimalayanTrekking #MountainJourney #TrekkingInNepal #ExploreTheHimalayas #BucketListAdventure #ScenicTrek #AdventureTravel #MRT2024 #Thamel #Moonlighthotel #ramadaencore #paknajol #zstreet #hotelmoonlightthamel

[theopenrhode]

Patagonia Chile Travel Guide: Stay in Torres Del Paine Park

Patagonia Chile Travel Guide: Stay in Torres Del Paine Park Do you want to hike the W circuit but still stay in luxury when visiting Patagonia, Chile? Is it possible to ride a horse with a gaucho across the pampas? Can you sip champagne in a hot tub located at the foot of a glacier fed lake? The answer to all 3 is YES! Read our article about how to stay at the luxurious Explora hotel located inside Torres Del Paine National Park. https://www.theopenrhode.com/patagonia-another-world-2/ #Explora #Hiking #Luxury #patagoniachile

Patagonia Chile Travel Guide

Most adventurers have some gear or clothing emblazoned with the ubiquitous Patagonia brand name and we finally had the opportunity to travel to the land that inspired it all! Just google Patagonia and ALL that will return is the brand and where to buy it. However, Patagonia itself is a sprawling, vast region covering the southern tip of South America divided between Chile and Argentina with the Andes mountain range as a divider. It includes two World Heritage Parks, Los Glaciares National Park in Argentina and Torres Del Paine National Park in Chile, and the Southern Patagonian Ice Field.

Endless Exploration

We chose to explore the Chilean side of Patagonia and the famously photographed Torres del Paine, which are 3 towering granite peaks of the Paine mountain range. Other highlights include renowned glaciers of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field, Grey, Pingo, and Tyndall and the well-known lakes including Grey, Pehoe (on which we stayed), Nordenslold, and Sarmiento. The park has over 900 square miles and hiking is abundant. The two most famous circuits are the "O" and the "W." The W Circuit is arguably the most popular and you could do a 5 day trek of just this circuit alone Trip Travel Details

From Boston To Patagonia Chile

It is quite the flight from the East Coast to Patagonia with most flights connecting through Santiago and then another 3-4 hour flight to Patagonia Stay Duration in Patagonia 6 Days & 5 Nights Total Flight Time 13 Hours Drive Time To Explora Patagonia From Punta Arenas 4 hr 30 mins There are many different bases from which to explore. The closest airport is Puerto Natales located approximately 2 hours from the park. Many travelers choose to stay here and embark on day trips. There are also a limited number of options located within the park including camping, refuges, and deluxe lodging. Note that the Puerto Natales airport only offers flights during the high season, so that leaves Puntas Arenas airport, an approximately 4 hour ride from the park. We chose the luxurious Explora Patagonia for our base camp (read more below on this splurge) and couldn't have been happier. From their coveted location in the park, you can essentially hike the entire W circuit in a series of day hikes, horseback ride along sweeping vistas, and take short van rides to see more sites and try to spy the elusive puma. Furthermore, their van picks you up in Puntas Arenas and escorts you to their lodge and takes care of virtually everything from the time you enter their van. We don't have much to report from our travels before arriving at Explora as we arrived very late after a flight delay and lost luggage. However, once in the confines of the Explora van, the exploration truly began. I must also say the van driver kindly stopped for every wildlife encounter..flamingos, condors, foxes and patiently waited while we began the onslaught of photography. 4 hours didn't seem unnecessarily burdensome as the mountain vistas were breathtaking and we stopped at the midway point for lunch at Hotel Posada, Rio Rubens where we had a light lunch and some Magellan beers!

Edit gallery Our arrival to Explora was met with awe. They have a stunning location where their white lodge sits atop a ledge overlooking the turquoise waters of Lake Pehoe. The style is very modern and sleek and we were greeted with a refreshing beverage while we got our overview. If possible, get an upgrade to the Cordillera Paine rooms which look out on the 3 massive granite spires. The room has a large bed with hints of turquoise to mirror the lake and plenty of cubbies and hooks for gear. The bathroom is large with a drying rack and ample toiletries made using local ingredients. We loved the lip balm which was great for fortifying those Patagonian wind chapped lips. The lodge itself is surrounded by catwalks for strolling down to the lake or waterfall or up toward the mountains to get better views of the Torres. They have one ample dining room with walls of windows so you can look across the lake. The lodge only holds about 100 guests so dining and other experiences feel intimate and thoughtful. The dining experience was fantastic. Breakfasts are buffet style and dinners are 3 course masterpieces. All alcohol is included and they have a great bartender/mixologist who concocts a new delicious cocktail each day. I eat mostly a vegetarian palate with some chicken and they had plenty of options for me. Meanwhile, my husband ate virtually everything, including guanaco. Most days you’ve hiked at least 10 miles, so get that dessert too! Finally, they have an indoor pool and 3 outdoor hot tubs which sit on the glacial lake which feel blissful after long days of hiking.

The essence of Explora though is their excursions. Keep this in mind when you are weighing if the cost is worthwhile. You get a guide for a very small group each day (and one day it was just my husband and me) and I think this significant helps justify the cost. Each night you meet in the common spaces outside of the dining room and have a meeting with a guide to go over the options for the next day’s activities. While you warm in front of a crackling fire with a Pisco Sour in hand, you are presented with both full or half day options. Full day options usually involve a longer hike (we chose our full days to essentially complete the W circuit) and you choose your lunch. They offer sandwiches or metal canisters made of quinoa dishes or salad options. The canisters are incredibly filling and much better than the sandwiches in my opinion. Snacks are EVERYwhere and you can load up and refill your reusable water bottle before each trip. Half day trips consist of shorter hikes or horseback rides returning to the lodge to enjoy lunch in the dining room. This experience was also nice as the dining room was usually pretty empty during the day and having a wine after finishing a hike feels pretty indulgent. They do a good job of learning your ability levels and are fairly successful at pairing you with hikers of similar skills/endurance.

Base of the Torres Hike

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a data-image-id="1642" data-elementor-open-lightbox="no" rel="jtg-3656" data-caption="" aria-label="Open image in lightbox"/a img data-valign="middle" data-halign="center" alt="must visit patagonia" data-full="https://www.theopenrhode.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/fullsizeoutput_65b4-scaled.jpeg" title="" src="https://www.theopenrhode.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/fullsizeoutput_65b4-scaled.jpeg" data-src="https://www.theopenrhode.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/fullsizeoutput_65b4-scaled.jpeg" data-caption="" srcset="https://www.theopenrhode.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/fullsizeoutput_65b4-scaled.jpeg 2560w, https://www.theopenrhode.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/fullsizeoutput_65b4-scaled-600x400.jpeg 600w, https://www.theopenrhode.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/fullsizeoutput_65b4-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://www.theopenrhode.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/fullsizeoutput_65b4-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://www.theopenrhode.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/fullsizeoutput_65b4-2048x1366.jpeg 2048w, https://www.theopenrhode.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/fullsizeoutput_65b4-585x390.jpeg 585w, https://www.theopenrhode.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/fullsizeoutput_65b4-272x182.jpeg 272w" sizes="(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px" "="">

a data-image-id="1645" data-elementor-open-lightbox="no" rel="jtg-3656" data-caption="" aria-label="Open image in lightbox"/a img data-valign="middle" data-halign="center" alt="visit patagonia in winter" data-full="https://www.theopenrhode.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/fullsizeoutput_65eb-scaled.jpeg" title="" src="https://www.theopenrhode.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/fullsizeoutput_65eb-scaled.jpeg" data-src="https://www.theopenrhode.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/fullsizeoutput_65eb-scaled.jpeg" data-caption="" srcset="https://www.theopenrhode.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/fullsizeoutput_65eb-scaled.jpeg 2560w, https://www.theopenrhode.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/fullsizeoutput_65eb-scaled-600x400.jpeg 600w, https://www.theopenrhode.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/fullsizeoutput_65eb-768x512.jpeg 768w, https://www.theopenrhode.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/fullsizeoutput_65eb-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https://www.theopenrhode.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/fullsizeoutput_65eb-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w, https://www.theopenrhode.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/fullsizeoutput_65eb-585x390.jpeg 585w, https://www.theopenrhode.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/fullsizeoutput_65eb-272x182.jpeg 272w" sizes="(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px" "=""> Read the full article

[sad--tree]

air canadaaaaaaa why do u hate meeeeee :(

[karatam]

randomly remembering the time I totally slept through the departure time of my flight to Poland, missing it entirely

I had taken a delayed red eye home from Las Vegas and had to go back to my apartment to repack my suitcase bc I was then immediately going on a 2 week work trip to Europe/Asia, starting in Poland on a flight leaving in like 4 hours. I was initially supposed to have a full day at home, but the Las Vegas trip got delayed

so I had a 6 hour window at my apartment and I hadn't slept on the plane so I hadn't slept in about 24 hours

and I sat down in my desk chair after packing and immediately fell asleep

woke up 5 hours later at 5pm as my flight to Poland was about to take off (I lived a 40min drive from the airport). I'm a person who always gets to the airport 3 hours early despite having basically a fast pass through any Canadian airport. this had never happened before

had to call my boss (she was like "honestly with your travel schedule, I'm surprised this hasn't happened before. you're fine, buy a new ticket" as at the time I was flying out at least once a week, often twice).

then the airline website wouldn't let me buy a ticket on the flight leaving at 9pm so I had to call them to book it. shout out to that lady who actually managed to get all my taxes and fees refunded for the flight I missed. it had an unfortunately short layover time in Frankfurt, where security and customs was super backed up that day, but I got through just under the wire

that one-way ticket to Poland ended up being as expensive as all the other tickets in the trip (to three different asian countries) combined, even though it was in economy (though I guess all my tickets were in economy)

and then it used to take my company like a month or two to reimburse me (I'd pay for things and submit an expense report and they'd reimburse me later), so there was a point in time during all this (and another like 6 trips in that month span) where they owed me like $20k in flight and hotel fees

that was a stressful 24 hrs

[bsbloglife]

September 23, 2021…tomorrow I leave my family for 3 weeks, to care for my parents back home. I’m nervous, scared, excited, sad, relieved, and so many other emotions that I cannot begin to name off because my mind is a jumbled mess. I’m looking forward to finally seeing my parents after a little over two years, but so heartbroken to leave my children and husband behind. I do have a sense of relief that now I’ll finally be able to take care of the issues regarding my parents’ needs.

I take off from Orlando in the early afternoon, to arrive in Toronto a few hours later, only to wait for 3+ hrs before my flight to Montreal. My sister-in-law will be coming to the airport to pick me up, then we’ll be heading over to the hotel where my parents have been holed up for over 4 and a half months. My parents don’t know I’ll be arriving tomorrow, but the caregiver is aware. She’ll be waiting for my call to say that I’ve arrived and that I’m on the way. In fact, I’ll be the one caring for my parents the first weekend that I arrive. My father is the one who needs the most help, hopefully he’ll be ok with me cleaning him up when he needs it. This will be interesting! Maybe he won’t recognize me and think that I’m another caregiver. I’m laughing at the thought, but it’s painful to think he won’t remember me. We’ll soon find out. Tomorrow this time I’ll be at the hotel with my parents.

In fact, tomorrow almost didn’t happen. I received a call today from my son’s middle school and as soon as I saw that name pop up on my phone at 1:15pm, I knew it wasn’t going to be a good call. When I answered the phone I waited a few seconds, hoping that maybe it was one of those automated calls from the principal. After a few seconds when I didn’t hear that automated voice come on, I knew something was wrong, so I said ��hello?”, to which the school nurse proceeded to tell me her name and that she was calling about my son. I’m sure my response, “oh no, this is not good”, confused her a little bit, which I sensed from her hesitation to continue on. I said that for a few reasons; 1 - she’d only be calling me if something bad happened, 2 - I was leaving for Canada the next day, this seriously cannot be happening, and 3 - what if he has Covid?? I would have to reschedule my trip. I think other things popped in my mind, but right now I can’t remember what they were. She then said he was not feeling well; sore throat, chills, headache, but no fever. I told her I’d be there within 10 minutes. When I got to the school he looked ill, with those glassy eyes and sad face, trying to pull his arms into his shirt because he was getting chilly. I carried his bag and we headed to the car. He told me that he was sorry to put pressure on me because he knew that I had to leave tomorrow. I told him that I believed everything happened for a reason and maybe it wasn’t meant for me to go. My first thought was having to reschedule my trip, because if he had Covid I didn’t want to bring it home to my parents. Then I thought that I would need to get him tested, just to be sure. If he was positive, then I would reschedule the trip. If he was negative, then I would continue as planned. Stupid me, I thought that picking up a Covid Home testing kit would be easy. Just go to the closest pharmacy. Little did I know that these testing kits were like hot cakes and everybody wanted them! There were no Covid testing kits to be found…anywhere!!! My very good friend Bri helped me find one of the last remaining kits in town, after she searched and searched and searched, even going to the closest Walmart by her place to pick up a kit which was supposedly in stock. Only to find out that she missed the last kit by a few minutes! She drove with me to the only pharmacy in town with a kit. You know, that’s a real friend. You find out who your real friends are when they inconvenience themselves to help you, but they truly don’t think they are going out of their way. They are helping you because they genuinely care, when anyone else would be telling you, “good luck finding a kit”, instead she said, “let me get dressed and go to my Walmart that says they have them in stock. I’ll pick it up for you then meet you.” I mean, seriously?!?! Then she drove across town with me to get that last remaining kit, which she found after calling several pharmacies in town, and then begging them to hold it for her. I’ll never forget her kindness. I’m sure she had other things to do than to spend hours searching for a rapid Covid testing kit for my son. What was really beautiful, was that she never made it seem like a hassle. She made it seem that she actually enjoyed helping me. I cherish this girl! (Btw, my son was negative, thankfully!!)

Speaking of kindness, when I texted my cousins back home to tell them that I was coming, they offered me their homes to stay in, they offered me cars to drive, they offered me support in any way that I needed it. My one cousin offered me his daughter’s car, only with her permission of course. I told him that I didn’t mind driving his Maserati, just in case she didn’t want me to drive her Mini Cooper. I still haven’t heard back from him regarding this…. Walter? Hello?? My cousin Nadia was there for me that weekend when I decided to resign, because I needed to talk to someone about my decision to leave my career to care for my parents. She understood my pain. She too worked very hard for her career. She listened, offered her advice and helped me decide that the right thing to do would be to follow my heart. My heart wanted to be there for my parents. If I didn’t follow my heart, my conscience would never be clear and I would be useless to my family. I’ll never forget my cousin Alain and how he took care of my parents needs the day after the fire. He went to the house and dealt with the insurance people and helped my parents navigate the first few days of this terrible event. He was my savior, and theirs too. These kindnesses will never be forgotten.

My best friends back home Tina and Karen, offering me clothing, food, a place to stay. Even offering me their time when painting, decluttering and whatever else I’ll need to get done at the house. I cannot do anything without their support…without all of my friends and families support. My sister-in-law Anna will be there for me when I first arrive and each and every day that I am there. She lives just down the street from my parents place and has often been the one that my mom has called when they needed help. I cannot repay any of these people for their goodness, kindness, love and support. I can only hope that someday I am able to provide them with the same.

Here at home, one of my best friend’s has changed her whole schedule at work to accommodate taking care of my son every morning while I’m away. She rearranged her life for mine. She has literally become the family that I don’t have that lives just down the street. You know what I mean, that family member that lives close by that cares for your kids because you don’t have anyone else?? She literally rearranged her entire life to help me. I cannot thank Lisa and her son CJ enough for caring for my son like he is their family. She spoils him like she does her own sons. I told her to back off a little, because I didn’t want my son to like her more than her likes me. She laughed and said that wasn’t possible, because all my son did was talk about me. He better, good boy!

Speaking of family, tomorrow morning our friends, who we call family and in fact made them godparents to our son, will be driving me to the airport. I feel bad for Pat and Kelly, because they’ll be hearing me cry as we drive away after I say goodbye to my husband and children. I know those painful cries won’t be easy to handle. They’ll be seeing me off at the airport, which I know won’t be easy, because this will mean that I’m really leaving.

Honestly though, I really couldn’t do any of this without my family’s support, especially my husband. If he didn’t have my back, supporting my decision, and taking on most of the responsibilities with me gone for three weeks, then none of this would be possible. He has supported me financially, emotionally and spiritually. Without him I couldn’t do this. Without my children helping me by not begging me to stay, I am able to go. They have cried, they have told me they didn’t want me to go, but they haven’t forced me in a corner where the guilt of their pain would make me stay. I couldn’t do it without their support. My daughter stepping up to the plate by being me for the next three weeks, picking up my son from school, making sure he gets fed and taken to his activities.

Part of me thinks that I’m being such a big baby about this. I should just shut my mouth, stop the crying and just face this head on without fear. I want to, I really do. I feel ashamed that I can’t handle this with the grace and dignity that I know most people in my position would have. I try to have the courage and strength that I need to go forward, but the fear of the unknown has me scared. I’m afraid of leaving my family, what if something happens. It won’t be easy for me to come back home. I have to get a flight. I have to get Covid tested, which takes a day or two. I can’t just jump on a plane and come back. I’m scared I won’t be here if I’m needed. I try to get those things out of my head. I try to have relief knowing that I cannot control things out of my control, I have to let whatever may be just be. Then go from there. I know that this needs to be done and now I’ll finally be doing what I set out to do when I resigned from my career. This is the decision I made, now I will continue on with this journey.

Onward and upward!

[industryhearts]

I just think about how close they are when each are in their hometowns.

"The flight time from Nashville to St. Louis is 1 hour, 2 minutes. The time spent in the air is 48 minutes."

...and a "4 hr 40 min (309.1 mi)" drive.

I mean. That's NO time. Spending time on the lowkey in Nashville or St. Louis is a smart choice tbh. No 9ne would ever know—especially if they took a road trip. You don't even have to stop for gas in that amount of time.

Anyway. I was just thinking outloud...

🚙✈

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