2012 Holidays, Travel Escapades and 2013 Travel Bucket List

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

That's what my living room looked like on Christmas Eve. Too bad I wasn't able to enjoy this much since I spent very little time at home. I was busy working the entire holiday season. Plus I was too sick. =( 

It was really disappointing because I get sick only once a year and it had to be on Christmas. Aside from choosing to stay miserably sober on Christmas parties, I had to work all the time which just made me feel ten times worse. The highlight of my Christmas was opening my Christmas presents under the tree two days after Christmas because that's when I had the time. Most of the gifts came from myself, which was pathetic by the way. 

Anyways, I had my share of fun times before I got sick. I went to Chicago with three of my girlfriends to celebrate Katrina's birthday. 

And partied with the Karoo girls in Jonathan's surprise birthday party.

I was feeling a little bit better on New Year's Eve so I hosted a mini pre-NYE party at my house.

All dolled up and ready to party!

This was the one and only decent picture that night. I didn't bring a camera in WETT because I forgot my camera the last time after too many shots.

It's now 2013 and I'm looking forward to a better and a more productive year. I set a lot of big goals this year and I hope and pray that I'll be able to make it happen. 

One of the many things I'm looking forward to is traveling. Unlike most people my age, My biggest expense is not mortgage, not car payments nor shoes and bags. My biggest expense goes to my travel fund. 

I've been to a lot of places in 2012 and I'm so thankful for it. I've been to New Orleans during the Mardi Gras festival. I had more fun in Bourbon street than in Vegas. True story. 

I also went to Niagara Falls and New York City. It cost me a fortune but its totally worth it. 

And just before Thanksgiving, I went to Florida. (I'll share a more detailed account on my upcoming posts)

mojitos, Ocean Drive, South Beach and palm trees. A piece of heaven on earth. =)

with a quick stopover in St. Louis Missouri 

midnight walk in downtown (which is not advisable by the way)

and Nashville Tennessee.

almost bought a pair. Seriously. It's too tempting. 

This year, I have two ambitious trips on my travel list. First one would be a western road trip that looks like this.

  

I am going to need a lot of time and moolah for this trip. But I am determined to make this thing happen. I have delayed this trip so many times. This year, it'll be a dream fulfilled. I'll check out all the National Parks along the way. Live young, wild and free in Vegas. Drive along the Pacific Coast Highway 1. Eat all I can in San Francisco. Explore Seattle. I have this big smile on my face while typing this. I'm so excited! 6,000 miles of pure fun!

Next destination on my list is a long shot. I want to spend my next Christmas in Manila. Yes. That's right. I pray for this everyday. I miss this city so much I'm dying to visit. I miss my family, my friends, the Christmas traditions and the weather. Oh Manila! 

I miss you everyday.

So there. My travel plans for 2013. I will have more travel post coming soon. I think that's what I'll be doing while waiting for this gruesome winter to pass. 

Do you have any travel plans yet for 2013? 

Fashion Must-Haves in Mardi Gras

Fabulous Costumes

 Masks and colorful headpieces

Blings

Feather boas

Body Paints

If you get confused because of too many choices, you can also mix and match.

Be whoever you want to be.

It doesn't even matter how old you are.

Dare to stand out. Don't worry about the morning after coz nobody remembers. 

Top 5 things to do in New Orleans during Mardi Gras

A quick must do list for those who haven't been in New Orleans.

1. Walk around French Quarter and savor its architectural magnificence.

St. Louis Cathedral, built in 1718. It is the oldest cathedral in US

quaint Spanish inspired ironwork balconies and Creole townhouses

Every angle and every street in French Quarter looks like a postcard. Spanish inspired townhouses, old fashioned courtyards, cast iron balconies and carriageways brings you back in time and makes you feel that you've time traveled in the 17th century. Everything is authentic. Worn out buildings and brickhouses looks so amazingly beautiful. It proves to show that imperfections make things beautiful. 

2. Dress/Undress to impress. (The choice is yours!)

Pink all the way

A body paint and gold bikini ensemble on a 10C/50F weather. I hope this nice lady is already recovering from pneumonia.

Overdress is a foreign word in New Orleans especially during Mardi Gras. Feather boas, tons of bead necklaces, furs, colorful masks and ridiculous headpieces are normal sightings in Bourbon street and all around French Quarter. 

3. Watch the Mardi Gras parade.

Join the excited crowd in Canal Street as they watch all the colorful floats go by. Oh and grab your favorite drink on the way since the parade can lasts for hours.

4. Eat, drink and be merry.

Hickory Grilled Redfish with tasso and wild mushroom Pontalba potatoes, topped with sauteed Louisiana jumbo lump crabmeat and lemon butter sauce from Red Fish Grill

world famous beignets and cafe au lait from Cafe du Monde. We waited in line for 45 minutes (2 hours for full service) to get a taste of these!

Sizzling oysters from GW Fins. The best thing on earth. Let it swim in butter for an added ecstasy!

New Orleans is known for its outstanding cuisine. Skip red meats because their seafood selection is to die for.  Don't hesitate to indulge on local and popular dishes such as sizzling oysters, (a must! If you can just eat one thing in New Orleans, go straight to GW Fins and get 5 portions of it) gumbo shrimps, jambalaya, beignets and cafe au lait. Restaurant reservations during dinner time is necessary or you'll either wait 45 minutes to an hour to get a table.

Booze is available in every corner of French Quarter especially in Bourbon St. You can drink on the street all day and all night since there is no bar time in New Orleans. [This information is based on three locals I talked to. The 'no bar time rule' is not just during Mardi Gras. It's all year round] So drink and be merry! Just don't pass out on the streets and leave your valuables tucked safely in your hotel room's safe. 

5.  Join the jazz festivities in Frenchmen St. and party in Bourbon St. like there's no tomorrow. 

Blue Nile Jazz Nightclub along Frenchmen St. This band did their own rendition of 'Rolling in the Deep'.

Bourbon Street at 2 am

Frenchmen Street is a long strip of jazz clubs frequented mostly by locals, hippies, poets and artists. Bourbon street is more popular among the tourist as it is always featured in travel programs. There's a long line of strip clubs and people in balconies throw beaded necklaces for people willing to show their tits. If you're not comfortable showing yours, it's OK. They will not condemn you for it.  Bourbon is more crowded and crazy. Check out both streets. Party all you can!

Even though my trip to New Orleans was very brief, I'm so ecstatic that it happened. Aside from the fact that I was able to cross it off my bucket list for 2012, I honestly think that it was one of the most beautiful city in America. I'm dead serious about this. I never thought that it would be this AMAZING! If you think you've already seen the best parties because you've been to New York, Miami, Chicago and Las Vegas, you are absolutely wrong. New Orleans has a lot to offer. Authentic old world feel, amazing food, incredible party scene and an over all unique experience, you'll never run out of things to do.

All set for Mardi Gras

I'm all set for my road trip to New Orleans! I feel so excited since it's been a while since I last traveled. Peter and I will attend the Mardi Gras festival in Louisiana on February 19-21. As far as I know, the Mardi Gras in Louisiana is one of the biggest carnival celebration in the United States. 

Photo credit: Limolivery website

We had a hard time finding a good hotel deal since a lot of hotels were already booked up for the Mardi Gras weekend as early as December. We didn't have a choice but to pay premium rates in our hotel. 

Anyway, I can't wait to go since I've heard so many nice things about New Orleans. I've been watching different clips from Travel Channel about the place. I have already started planning our itinerary for the entire trip. 

Here are some of my to do and to go list:

Wander around French Quarter and just appreciate the unique architectural styles that reflects the city's rich history and multicultural heritage.

Party in Bourbon Street. Bourbon St. is probably one of the most popular place in New Orleans for its notorious nightlife. Since Peter likes jazz music, we'll probably spend some time in jazz nightclubs along Bourbon. 

I certainly have to try the famous 250-calorie-per-piece beignets paired with cafe au lait of the iconic Cafe du Monde.

Photo credit: Flickr

Savor Louisiana's Creole cuisine in Antoine's, the oldest restaurant located in the heart of French Quarter.

Visit Blaine Kern's Mardi Gras World to check out sculptures and floats used in previous Mardi Gras festivals. Maybe we'll visit the Warehouse District [Art District] too to check out their art galleries and world class museums. 

Photo credit: elvis.com

And on the way back, we'll make a quick stop over in Memphis to visit Graceland, a 13 acre mansion of Elvis Presley. 

Anyway, I'm also thrilled because this is my first major road trip. Peter have been into so many that he can't stop raving about it. It's time for me to try it. I can't wait.

Have you been to New Orleans? Are there any other places worth checking out in NOLA? Give me some suggestions!