Montage Monday: It's Gettin' Hot in HERRR

Yes, summer is definitely upon us and being a true California girl, I love the hot days and long nights that summer brings each year. One thing about recent summers that I do NOT like: humidity. Growing up in California's dry heat, I never had the misfortune of experiencing humidity until I moved to New York City in 2005 and I have never experienced more humidity than in the last year and a half as I traveled my way across Asia.

As I try to do my best to cope with my overactive sweat glands here in Hong Kong, join me as I look back on my HOTTEST memorable summer moments!

Getting good and muddy with friends in Jordan's Dead Sea in 2009. It was easily over 100 degrees (40 Celcius) with very little wind when we made the hour-long journey from Amman. Whatever possessed us to slather hot, stinky mud all over ourselves is beyond me though I will admit, once you washed it off, your skin did look and feel incredible. That Dead Sea mud really does work!

Summer in New York City can't get any better than a nice cold scoop of delicious ice cream from the Chinatown Ice Cream Factory with friends. The unique and refreshing flavors of green tea, almond cookie, red bean and sesame seed are all so yummy! I bet you can't visit the Chinatown Ice Cream Factory just once! I know I couldn't!

The gorgeous blue waters of Granada in the Caribbean in 2007 was were my love of scuba diving began. I got my Open Water certification during the week that I went to visit my high school best friend. It's so awesome when friends live in beautiful places because you have more reason to go!

Kayaking in Pokhara, Nepal with Matt in 2010 was a really fun day and an excellent way to cool off from the heat. Unfortunately, I couldn't really get into the swing of things and ended up going in circles most of the afternoon. I wasn't too fussed, it was a gorgeous setting to be in nonetheless. Besides, Matt capsized in his kayak and that was hilarious!

What's YOUR hottest memory?

© Connie Hum 2011

KamoN H&S Hair Salon

My hair has taken its fair share of a beating in the last year or so. It's suffered through endless humidity, grimy buildup during long overnight (and sometimes even multiple day) journeys in extreme conditions, overexposure to salt water and sun from days (okay, weeks...OKAY, months) of being a beach bum, several highly suspicious bottles of Indian shampoo (at least I hope it was shampoo), unimaginable amounts of sweat and general laziness on my part. Something had to be done!

The terrible 3 Ds of hair: dry, damaged and dirty

Enter KamoN H&S Hair Salon, a relatively new and intimate Japanese-style hair salon located in the heart of Causeway Bay in Hong Kong. I went in for a luxurious head spa treatment, a signature treatment at KamoN, and the results nearly left me speechless!

My glorious hair after my KamoN head spa treatment

Each treatment at KamoN H&S is specially designed for your own hair type and unique hair needs.  The owner and head stylist, Sugi, begins each hair session with a personalized consultation to ensure that your hair gets the exact treatment to rejuvenate your scalp and hair.

Sugi gives each client complete attention

The rigorous, yet completely relaxing head spa treatment left my hair unbelievably smooth, shiny and healthy after an hour of scalp cleansing, massaging, moisturizing and steam treatment. While Sugi worked his magic on my hair, I was transported from the daily chaos of Hong Kong to a sublime state of mind. Pure relaxation! I honestly couldn't get enough of the head massage!

KamoN H&S' core belief is that the health of your hair is of the utmost importance. The products used and sold at KamoN H&S are designed to enrich hair and protect from daily damage. The Japanese products also contain fewer chemicals than traditional salon products to help maintain hair health. And the best part is that the products make your hair smell absolutely amazing!

Special Japanese hair products to promote healthy hair

Although I'm pretty lazy when it comes to my hair, I have to admit, KamoN H&S' head spa treatment really won me over. The daily stresses and exhaustion of Hong Kong has been taken a toll on both me and my hair. With KamoN's head spa treatment, I get to temporarily escape to a private sanctuary and my hair comes out stunning. It's a win-win that I'm more than happy to partake in more often!

And just because I can't get enough of how gorgeous my hair looked after my head spa treatment, here's another photo of my beautiful hair!

Loving my head spa treatment from KamoN H&S!

**KamoN H&S is located on the 7th floor of the Coasia Building at 496-498 Lockhart Road in Causeway Bay, Hong Kong. A website is in the works, but for now, you can make reservations by calling +852 2890 1861**

A special "thank you" to HK Fashion Geek for the opportunity to try out KamoN H&S' head spa treatment! Of course, thanks to Sugi and the rest of the KamoN staff for the wonderful experience!

© Connie Hum 2011

#TTOT Roundup: Luxury Travel

Every Tuesday it's Travel Talk on Twitter! Follow the #TTOT tag to see what all the commotion and Tweets are about! There are two sessions to join, one at 9:30am GMT and the other at 9:30pm GMT.

Here's the round-up of this week's #TTOT: 

Q1 via TheAlexLop: Where was your finest Luxury Travel experience and why?

• claudiabia: Upgrade at Marriot at County Hall in London.. It was awesome with the access to club lounge, views of big Ben.. Awesome room! 
• jeremybelcher: The Rovos Rail from South Africa to Victoria Falls - a fully restored luxury train. Caboose had a bar with a balcony 
  
• RunawayBrit: I cant afford luxury travel but paying a bit extra for a/c or a pool is luxurious
• fodorstravel: Some of our editors have been amazed by high end safaris staying at places like Governors' Camp. Such luxury in the wild!
• WillJackJones: Diving into the turquoise Indian Ocean after 4 weeks in Australia's central deserts - it was beyond luxury, it was utopian
• edsetiadi: Travelled with BA and got upgraded to one of those capsule business class seats. 12 hours flight at that!
  
  

My life can't get any more luxurious than a private yacht on the Mediterranean in Turkey

Q2 via LifeOutofaSuitc: What is your #1 travel luxury item?  

• QunoSpotter: Twinings English Breakfast Tea bags
• beforeiam35: I bring Swedish candy everywhere. My own personal luxury
• anyaosk: A pair of chic stilettos for crazy nights out!
• katyabroad: Makeup, teabags, my ipad. Got some actual milk today so that I don't have to have evaporated milk in my drinks. That´s a luxury! 
• directflights1: My cashmere poncho....which double as a cozy inflight blanket 
• chic_travel: My "luxury" item is the 1 thing I buy from each destination: a scarf. Every time I look at 1, it reminds me of my travels
• gwnunnadventure: My french press and fresh roasted coffee
• PicsLyrics: I cannot travel without my Nikon digital SRL!
  
  

  

  Digital SLRs are one of my travel luxuries as well

Q3 via Roopunzel: If money was no object I'd travel to...

• TravelOutbackOz: All the 'Stans and do the whole Silk Road by bicycle 
  
• journeyjottings: Antarctica
• roniweiss: Galapagos. Hit me up some big tortoise action
• tinniewanders: Pin world map on wall and use darts to decide which place I will visit next!
• Eshe: TURTLE ISLAND in Fiji
• connvoyage: I'd hire a private plane and take my all my friends on a trip around the world!
• thismyhappiness: I'd stay in really nice places right in the city center in my favorite European cities, then do the same in SE Asia
• MyHotelGuy: I'd stay at all of hotels and resorts on the Conde Nast Traveler Gold List and Travel and Leisure Hot List

Q4 via TheAlexLop: How can you make Luxury Travel affordable? 

• traveldudes: Become a popular luxury travel blogger!
• twitchART: Travel with friends who accumulated mega points and stay with them at their posh hotel resorts
• dhezaguilar: Discounts and promos!
• cabopro: Travel on the low season! 
• amzkiz: If you're game, you could always sneak into the lounge facilities of a 5-star hotel
• driftingfocus: Go to places where your money will go further
• AlexBerger: Another is leveraging student/youth discounts when available 
• MalloryOnTravel: Marry very wealthy! 

Q5 via mobilelawyer: Even on a budget, we all want occasional "luxury" splurge items... what is yours?

• LuxeTiffany: I love local jewelry designs when traveling
• prime_sarmiento: A good cup of brewed coffee and yummy slice of carrot cake or lime pie in a nice cafe
• Roopunzel: Gotta buy that nice bottle of scotch in Duty free
• rickgriffin: Excursions - food & wine don't last, clothes go out of style but memories last forever
• inbalhotel: Exec lounge access is always a winner
• chadner: If traveling for over a week, I'll spend the last 2 nights in a boutique hotel for some peace and quiet
• heatherkendall: Every once in a while I like to stay at a place with a fluffy pillow
• RunawayJuno: I got to say "FOOD". I can trade food for comfy bed, easily!! 
  
  

  

  Food and desserts ALWAYS deserve to be splurged on, in my opinion!

And there you have it, "Luxury Travel"!

Next week's #TTOT topic is: "Travel Technology" submitted by johnonolan. Submit your questions HERE! And don't forget to tune follow the #TTOT every Tuesday at 9:30am and 9:30pm GMT!

As always, a HUGE travel community thank you to our #TTOT hosts and organizers: traveldudes, roniweiss, toddwassel, traveldesigned, insidetravellab, WildJunket, tbloggersunite and mobilelawyer!

Have YOU got anything to add to the Luxury Travel discussion? 

© Connie Hum 2011

Montage Monday: Cardiff, Wales

Today I watched the movie "Submarine," a quirky film about young love, infidelity, spying on your parents and avoiding change. The movie was beautifully shot in Wales, which reminded me of the few days I had spent in Cardiff. I regret that I didn't have more time in Wales and watching "Submarine" only makes me want to go back and explore. Here are my favorite three photos from Cardiff!

 

Which film has made YOU want to travel again?

© Connie Hum 2011

The Great Snack Exchange

I'm a firm believer that local snacks can tell you a lot about a country, especially what flavors are popular with the masses. What country is a fan of spicy flavors? Sweet and sour? Dried fish??? Take a look at the snack aisle at the local market and you'll find out what tastes you can expect from the local cuisine.

You can discover that Turks love nuts in Istanbul markets

Several weeks ago, I got into a Twitter chat (a "twat" if you will, haha) with Tobias (or beforeiam35, as he's known on Twitter), a fellow travel lover from Sweden. We started talking about Swedish candy, which led to talk of snacks in general, before we decided to do a snack exchange.

Tobias eagerly awaits in Sweden for his Hong Kong treats

I happily went shopping for Hong Kong specific candy and snacks, no easy feat in an ever-increasing global world. Finally, I had a box full of goodies ready to send to Tobias!

Sending my Hong Kong goodies to Tobias in Sweden

Here's what Tobias had to say about Hong Kong snacks:

The package contained a variety of of stuff, each looking a little crazier than the next one. I was especially intrigued by a red package containing prawn crackers.  "Crackers, I like that. Prawns, I like that too. What kind of wonderful sorcery is this?!"




I started with the small candies called White Rabbit. I unwrapped one, started chewing and soon discovered it was like a type of Swedish candy. Unfortunately, not the good kind. The taste is hard to describe, but to me it just tastes like egg and cream. I wish I had started with something else...





I proceeded to a rather interesting blue box containing  "Dragon's Beard Candy". This stuff was very well packaged, and it took a while to get into the vacuum sealed packaging. It was well worth the struggle though. This sugary treat with nuts was great. It has a very nice spun sugar texture and the nuts compliment this so well. One of the best candies in the package!

Since opening the package, the inner me had feared the next snack quite a bit: dried fish. I opened the packaging and the strong smell of the sea hit me right away. I had promised myself not to chicken out, but I was pretty close on this one. Deep breathe, and back at it. The texture is what I really couldn't take. It's chewy and I felt like I was eating a fish flavored rubber band. I had to cut the snacking session short. 

The next day, refusing to get defeated by some rubbery dried fish, I had decided to have another go at it, hoping that somehow my tastes had changed over night. Nope, still not my thing. I declared defeat and moved on to the next snack.

Up next was a package of black cookies, with only Chinese writing on the label. I had no idea what this was. The funny thing is I still don't know what these cookies are made of. I'm guessing black sesame and peanuts, but I'm not sure. Either way, I really liked the taste and the way it crackled in my mouth.

So what about the prawn crackers? Well, they were really good. They didn't taste as much like prawn as I had hoped, but they were still among the best snacks of the package. The small bag was emptied in a very hasty manner, and I'm gonna have to look for it in the local Asian super markets.

With that said, I would like to thank Connie for putting together a well mixed package of stuff and I really enjoyed tasting it all, even if some of the snacks did not appeal to my taste buds.  

***

Wow! First off, I must say I'm really PROUD of Tobias for pushing through and eating all the weird and strange snacks I sent him from Hong Kong!  Even I have a hard time with the fishy ones! But that just goes to show you, Hong Kong likes dried fish in their food so much, they even put it in their snacks!

Read more from Tobias and his struggle to check off his his bucket list at www.beforeiam35.com

What's the STRANGEST foreign snack you've ever tasted?

© Connie Hum 2011

#TTOT Roundup: Epic Journeys

 Every Tuesday it's Travel Talk on Twitter! Follow the #TTOT tag to see what all the commotion and Tweets are about! There are two sessions to join, one at 9:30am GMT and the other at 9:30pm GMT.

Here's the round-up of this week's #TTOT: 

Q1 via travel_edits: Which journey made you feel SMALL within the planet?

• tranquilotravel: Hiking in the Rocky Mountains
• AdventureJo: Joining the travel community on Twitter. You guys have seen so much!
• velvetescape: Patagonia for sure!
• TravelBlggr: Laying on the beach in Mexico and looking at the stars ... there was a ba-gill-ion of them!
• mobilelawyer: Crossing the Pacific by cargo freighter. 18 days of nonstop movement to get across. Massive ocean. Tiny people
• Drafted_Boy: Physically the Great Wall of China - imagining that it was built by hand was mind boggling 

Q2 via mobilelawyer: Ever taken a religious pilgrimage or had a visit to a religious/spiritual site move your soul? 

• RayJGordon: Many temples in Kyoto
• TippettPR: Visited Assisi and Chapel of St.Francis. Peaceful, beautiful, humbling in it's simplicity 
  
• DoSomethingCool: The amazing churches in Granda, Nicaragua moved me. You can't walk ten feet without running into a jaw dropping one there 
  
• TravelProducer: The Wailing Wall in Israel, Tabgha in Galilee Region, and Sierra Blanca in New Mexico. Total Spiritual Awakenings! 
  
• TheAlexLop: Haven't been yet, but I'm sure Machu Picchu is going to make me sob like a baby

Machu Picchu, Peru

Q3 via IPrefer: What is your perfect soundtrack for an epic journey?

• amilyd: Have to go with anything Muse. Epic ballads for an epic journey
• smileysnj: Silence
  
• TimetogoNance: I like Lost Highway by Bon Jovi..."I'm busting loose....I'm letting go...out on this open road..."
• sinefm: Pet Sounds by the Beach Boys or Legend by Bob Marley and the Wailers 
  
• TendToTravel: Never bring music when travelling. Just soak in as much culture as possible. Its more engaging I think
• connvoyage: Listened to Sigur Ros the whole time I drove the ring road in Iceland! 

Driving Iceland's majestic Ring Road

Q4 via pamheld: What took your breath away?

• Kim_Wildman: Watching the sunset over the Serengeti – MAGIC!
• solotraveler: Snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef
• jeremybelcher: Iguazu Falls. Absolutely spectacular. 
  
• sebaboerner: A humpback whale lifting my kayak in Byron Bay, Australia
• travelettes: I'd say the energy of new york, the architecture of paris and the wild beauty of the amazon jungle

Times Square, New York City

Q5 via mobilelawyer: Tell us about the epic journey you have not yet done, but you will before you die.

• cougjosh: Roadtrip around New Zealand. This must be done. and soon. 
• alannafree: Got the rest of my life and a lot of the gobe to travel...pretty epic. Til then there's this journey to work... 
• glampacker: I'm going to walk the Camino de Santiago, maybe even next year... 
• KnowThePlace: I'll re-trace my mother's journey from Vietnam to the US: the high seas, Malaysia, Ford Chaffee in Ark, the Midwest, NorCal, SoCal 
• MiddleSeatView: Wadi Rum & Petra. Bucket list, hopefully to be crossed off soon (maybe b/f the end of the year!)

The Treasury, Petra, Jordan

 
And there you have it, "Epic Journeys"!

Next week's #TTOT topic is: "Luxury Travel" submitted by roopunzel. Submit your questions HERE! And don't forget to tune follow the #TTOT every Tuesday at 9:30am and 9:30pm GMT!

As always, a HUGE travel community thank you to our #TTOT hosts and organizers: traveldudes, roniweiss, toddwassel, traveldesigned, insidetravellab, WildJunket, tbloggersunite and mobilelawyer!

Have YOU got anything to add to the Overnight Travel discussion? 

© Connie Hum 2011

Montage Monday: Summer Lovin'

Can you believe it's already June? JUNE! 

Don't get me wrong. I'm not complaining that summer is upon us. I dare say summer is one of my favorite seasons, though it's in close competition with autumn, oh! and also with winter, though spring is pretty nice too... In any case, I love summer and here are some reasons why I love it so much!

The #1 reason why I love summer so much: beach days! Lazying on the sand, splashing in the cool ocean waves, playing a game of beach volleyball, what's there to NOT love about a day at the beach? In the photo, Matt's making new friends with a couple of kids on the Nai Yang Beach in Phuket, Thailand. I managed to convince the kids that it would be fun to bury Matt in the sand. We all laughed and got to work. After Matt was thoroughly buried, the kids and I ran off to hide!

Sure, you can get ice cream and delicious desserts year-round. But when, other than in the summertime, can you eat serving after serving, buckets after bucket of ice cream without having to explain yourself? Summer, that's when! And when the weather's hot and steamy, nothing else beats the heat than a cold, creamy scoop of ice cream. This inviting dessert was found (and immensely enjoyed) at Siem Reap, Cambodia's The Blue Pumpkin one hot afternoon. The chocolate cake was oh-so ooey and gooey, but the scoop of ice cream, that sure hit the spot.

Hammocks are funny things aren't they? Take them out of a place anywhere near to a beach and they just seem to serve no function. On holiday, hammocks just make sense and you wonder how you ever lived so long without one. In Costa Rica, I practically lived in mine! This little boy became my little shadow while I was staying at his family's little beach resort in Puerto Jimenez and every morning, he would be waiting for me by our hammocks. So cute!

Since the most recent places I've called home have been New York City, Istanbul and Hong Kong, biking isn't a frequent activity of mine. Put me on a bicycle however, and I'm whisked back to my California childhood where every day seemed like summer to me. My friends, Kristin and Kristina, and I went bike riding in New York City's Governor Island where we spent the days giggling and cycling as carefree as when we were eight years old.

Watermelons. They are only in season in the summer. Watermelons!!!

What do YOU love most about summer?

© Connie Hum 2011

Where Has Anal Girl Gone?

"They used to call me Anal Girl. Because I was neat and organized."  

Yes, I used to be neat and organized just like Zooey Deschanel's title character in "500 Days of Summer" (a GREAT film if you haven't already seen it). Back in New York, my desk at work was always strategically filed (chronologically and then alphabetically), dirty dishes in the dishwasher were always stacked in tight near-military formation, my dresses hung in my closet by order of sleeve length followed by skirt length.

However, since moving to Hong Kong and starting full-time work again, I can't find the time to make my bed, I can't piece together words often enough to continue blogging at my regular rate, I can't even balance my checkbook! This is a pretty HUGE failing coming from me, the girl that keeps an Excel spreadsheet (a very detailed one at that!) of her DAILY travel spendings. Daily. For over a year!

A snapshot of my expense spreadsheet. Click to see just how anal I was!

Anal Girl, that's who I used to be.  

What in the world happened???

Over two years of not working a full time job? Long afternoons spent drinking Turkish tea in the streets of Istanbul, head buried in a good book? Meandering across Southeast Asia with a carefree attitude for over a year?

Most likely all of the above!

But in reality, it's because I'm no longer "just a traveler."

I'm in the midst of shifting into expat mode and free time is no longer my constant companion.

I honestly don't know how expats all over the world do it!

Hong Kong is supposed to be easy! I'm half Chinese so I'm familiar with the food and culture here in Hong Kong. I can speak intermediate Cantonese so I can communicate with just about everyone I run into. Hong Kong's British influence makes it one of the easiest cities for a Westerner to adjust to in terms of language and street signs, but yet, even after six months (yes, it's already been six months!), I am still floundering to find my place here.

Don't get me wrong, I LOVE living in Hong Kong, but there are moments where I just want to stop in the middle of the street somewhere among the crowd and scream at the top of my lungs, "WHAT IS THE MATTER WITH ALL YOU PEOPLE??!!??" I'm about thisclose to going on a murderous rampage every day when I walk to work. 

Try to navigate YOUR way through this without murderous thoughts

Every expat has these same feelings right? RIGHT???

I already know my life in Hong Kong isn't a permanent one and that one day, not too far in the future, I'll be back in my element as a traveler again, but for the time being, I am determined to make the most out of my life here. And I'm not going to let anyone or anything, even Hong Kong, get in the way of that!

Could this just be Hong Kong's way of ripping me another one? After all, I did used to be Anal Girl and maybe, as a Hong Kong expat, I just need to loosen up? 

Now it's YOUR turn to rip me another one! What's YOUR best expat advice for me to loosen up?

© Connie Hum 2011

#TTOT Roundup: Overnight Travel

Every Tuesday it's Travel Talk on Twitter! Follow the #TTOT tag to see what all the commotion and Tweets are about! There are two sessions to join, one at 9:30am GMT and the other at 9:30pm GMT.

Here's the round-up of this week's #TTOT: 

Q1 via malloryontravel: What destination has been your best stopover during night travel?

• Liligo_UK: Fell asleep in car Berlin-Budapest, woke up lost in Prague city centre. Most beautiful unintentional stopover
• BlkChickOnTour: Bangkok. Got a room, an excellent foot massage, wonderful Indian Food (The Dosa House), and much needed rest
• giuliaccia: In Alexandria, Egypt - one night waiting for the train = many new friends! 
• eurapart:  Arriving in Istanbul... Going to sleep for 30 mins only to be awoken by calls to prayer
• thealexlop: One word, three syllables: AM-STER-DAM

Q2 via hjortur: What is the most adventurous overnight travel you've had?

• redheadedtravel: On a bus in Bolivia trapped between two flash flooding rivers, waiting for bulldozer to drag us thru the flood
• journeytom: Attempted a 17hr overnight coach journey after drinking a bottle of southern comfort, the trip was not comfortable
  
• emirhartato: I've been in a night bus where everyone weren't sleep..They were doing karaoke! 
• diidiiana: Driving along gorge-du-tarn in winter and got stuck in thick snow. spending the night in a cave next to frozen river 
  
• chippy2u: Climbing Mt Fuji in Japan overnight to be at the top when the sun rises Awesome!
• Roopunzel: Tents in the Israeli desert - never heard so many Hyenas before
• mobilelawyer: Waking up at midnight (after about 10 minutes of sleep) to summit Kilimanjaro

Q3 via elleandi: Aside from earplugs and face mask what is you overnight travel must have? 

• krisolarte: Toothbrush and neck pillow!
• travel_edits: A warm jacket/hoody. Air-conditioning is a killer on overnight buses! 
• andrearataj: Don't make fun, but I always travel with a small quilt that my sister made me
• defunct1: A bottle of water. Good for drinking, patting on face or washing under armpits 
• sid_90: Pajamas!
• emirhartato: Pillow and blanket
• wanderingzito: Tylenol pm
  

Q4 via TravelBlggr: What's the most unusual place you've stayed overnight?

• lilmissplanet: Atop Cerro Negro in Nicagarua, sleeping in a volcanic crater watching the lunar eclipse 
• toniwonitravels: A trapeze net. Let's just say that me & my company had a little extra bounce that night
  
• tripofourlife: A wooden plank, 5000 metres above sea level in Tibet. With 5 strangers...
• habolang: In a small mosque in center of rain forest at Java Island, Indonesia
  
• TinyTravelLady: Inside the plastic tube of a slide in a playground 
• alexandraeh: It's tie between a tree house in Peru and a tent on the Masai Mara in Kenya
• agentcikay: Inside rented car!
  
• radioceleste: Camping in a beach cave on Tahiti where I was awoken to a view of frolicking dolphins
• driftingkiwi: A crappy bus in Laos cuddled up with a very large German guy

Q5 via travelbite: What is the worst overnight journey you have had to go through?

• Ebriel: 30+ trips to the toilet during a bout with food poisoning in Yangon
  
• WriterChick47: Two large people trying to sleep in the cab of a pickup truck after one of them had several bean burritos
• TravelOpine: On a cargo boat Pacific coast of Colombia. Everyone but us vomiting
• TravelingEditor: Coming out of my mother's womb
• KelseyIvey: Forced to watch Momma Mia twice (I can't sleep on planes) b/c the guy next to me fell asleep on my remote (Cape Town to JFK) 
• Xplore724: Working as a crew on sailing yacht, going from Newport , R.I. to Caribbean in Dec; 50 knot wind gusts, 20 foot seas, wet and cold
• crozul: Hong Kong-NYC flight waking up 2 stranger's old, yellowed, BARE FEET across my lap
  

And there you have it, "Overnight Travel"!

Next week's #TTOT topic is: "Epic Journeys" submitted by Insidetravellab. Submit your questions HERE! And don't forget to tune follow the #TTOT every Tuesday at 9:30am and 9:30pm GMT!

As always, a HUGE travel community thank you to our #TTOT hosts and organizers: traveldudes, roniweiss, toddwassel, traveldesigned, insidetravellab, WildJunket, tbloggersunite and mobilelawyer!

Sounds like some of these answers need explanations... =) 

Have YOU got anything to add to the Overnight Travel discussion? 

© Connie Hum 2011

#TTOT Roundup: Romance Travel

Every Tuesday it's Travel Talk on Twitter! Follow the #TTOT tag to see what all the commotion and Tweets are about! There are two sessions to join, one at 9:30am GMT and the other at 9:30pm GMT.

Here's the round-up of this week's #TTOT: 

Q1 via marksmayo What would you consider to be the most romantic place to travel?

• poshbrood: Prague: very romantic w/beautiful architecture, bridges, river, luxe hotels, free concerts, great restos & museums 
• AtHomeAway: I also thought Bruges, Belgium was romantic in that charming wanna-put-it-in-my-pocket-and-take-it-home sort of way
  
• gr8ful4dmb: 1st thought is Paris; art, architecture, food and ambience
• travelightly: Buenos Aires - great music, dancing, wine, and men, what more could I ask for!
• TheKarenHawkins: One of the most romantic places I've been is Istanbul. Not Constantinople  

Magical Istanbul

Q2 via jayneytravels What nations makes the best lovers - and why? (dish the dirt!)

• ofrevolt: Gotta be honest - as LUVAHS - love French, love the Brits, but my fellow Americans - I salute you! 
• TippettPR: The Irish. In the eyes, In the charm, in the craic and in the fab walks across Wicklow
• mygo2it: The Philippines put the 'P' in passion!
• alexandraeh: A bit cliche, but Brazilians and French. They both kiss like nobody's business! ...and that's a tried-and-true opinion
  
• Ashley_Tinnon: Italians. I can personally vouch for that one

Q3 via marksmayo What is the *least* romantic place on earth?

• travelightly: Las Vegas in the middle of July
• FlyingTalk : Cairo.. definitely Cairo
• insidetravellab: GUM/STD clinics worldwide...
• elleswim: North Korea
• travelmammal: It's a tie: Cleveland and Detroit. Sorry Cleveland and sorry Detroit
• traveldudes: Bucharest...
• easytoursofasia: Anywhere with bugs, terrorists, or children
• TimmyTabasco: New Dehli?
• packDsuitcase: B&Bs are not worth the hype. Why? They often have thin walls, and you eat breakfast together the next morning. Awkward... 

Q4 via myGo2it Have you ever found romance while traveling? If so, how and where? 

• InroadsIreland: Met great Irish tour guide backpacker tour got married later now we run our own tour biz! 
• CorneliusAesop: Buzios Brazil. She was from the amazon and worked at a favorite bar of mine
• TheLondonJob: Barcelona. If you are a little lost tourist girl ...there are strong men helping you out... 
  
• missemalise: I was proposed to by a drunk Scottish man my first time alone in Amsterdam. In broad daylight. In the middle of the street
• Psychedgirl: American Summer camps. Never lasted beyond the summer though. Fell in love with a few countries though...
• tbloggersunite: Baltimore (no really!), San Diego, Ibiza, Mallorca, Menorca, Sweden, is that bad? 
• RainyDayTravelr: Hmm, while studying in Spain...ay mi! 

Q5 via ofrevolt Which famously *romantic* place was all hype? 

• driftingfocus: "Love Land" on Jeju Island, South Korea - a sex-themed park. Hilarious, yes. Sexy? No
  
• travelettes: Venice - so touristy, so overpriced, so much pigeon poo - no romantic mood in sight 
• BespokeTravels: The Eiffel Tower
• findmeetgo: Canadian side of Niagara Falls
• travelmammal: Truth...Bahamas. Just didn't do it for me or my girl

And there you have it, "Romance Travel"!

Next week's #TTOT topic is: "Overnight Travel" submitted by TravelThirst. Submit your questions HERE! And don't forget to tune follow the #TTOT every Tuesday at 9:30am and 9:30pm GMT!

As always, a HUGE travel community thank you to our #TTOT hosts and organizers: traveldudes, roniweiss, toddwassel, traveldesigned, insidetravellab, WildJunket, tbloggersunite and mobilelawyer!

Have you got anything to add to the Romance Travel discussion? 

© Connie Hum 2011