Travel in Internet Land

Christmas always makes me nostalgic for other places and other chapters of my life. Each ornament that I hung on the tree was like opening up a chapter from my book. So when everyone was asleep, I sat down at the computer and went back to places I love. I have always had a bit of wanderlust within. Even moving from Long Island to Manhattan was deemed brave from towny friends from back home. When I moved to Princeton, New Jersey I didn’t know a single person, but to me it made the adventure of it all seem so exciting. When my husband came home one day and announced that he had been offered a job in Hong Kong I felt that the exotic move even a bit much for me. Yet we did move our family there and lived happily for five years. Then onto Canada and we lived there for five years. Toronto has to be one of my favorite cities and the influence is still very much part of my heart. I met incredible artists in a little village of Toronto called the Beaches. I love traveling and visiting Australia and Thailand while living in Asia, and more recently a trip to London truly gave me the thrill of a lifetime.

Yet wanderlust doesn’t have to be satisfied by getting on an airplane and traveling hours to reach a foreign destination. The excitement of travel takes on new meaning when you travel through the likes of the Internet. People and places that once were distant are now a simple address on your browser and click...you are across the globe learning about different lands and cultures. Whenever I get homesick or want to travel back to a place I used to know, I visit a web site. I thought I would share some of them with you.


I learned so many wonderful things while I lived in Hong Kong. New cultures introduced me to wonderful artists. Standing in the Hong Kong Museum of Art on the second floor I had my three year old daughter Ashley’s hand while I escorted my five year old, Sarah to the seats overlooking Victoria Harbor.


The scene always took my breath away, but I remember on that particular day I told the girls to memorize that moment. I explained to them how special it was to be living in Hong Kong during that period in time seeing such magnificent sights. We sat for quite a while watching the boats go back and forth and then we toured the incredible art museum. The architecture of the building is equally as impressive and if you stop by their web site you will not be disappointed.

Artists in Asia offer a different perspective than our Western view. So, I thought I would introduce you to Nancy Tichborne who lives in New Zealand and is one of the most talented watercolor artists that I have encountered. Nancy Tichborn creates a wonderful calendar each year and her watercolor paintings are absolutely gorgeous. If you would like to visit New Zealand today, just visit her beautiful gardens and enjoy viewing her award-winning art.


I spent many days in Toronto visiting The Beaches, and walking along Queen Street which is home to the most wonderful Vintage and decorator shops. While living in Toronto I discovered this incredible Paper store called The Paper Place. They have a selection of paper that would make any collage or mixed media artist’s head spin. Their Japanese papers are totally unique and beautifully crafted. Their web site really gives you a feel of the products that they offer.


Do you love the romance of a castle and wished that you could visit one today? Well Casa Loma in Toronto has the most wonderful web site. If you visit their site, make sure you visit their gift shop. On page one of their site it is written, “Visit Canada's Majestic Castle, Casa Loma and step back in time to a period of European elegance and splendour. A self-guided digital audio tour in 8 languages (English, French, Japanese, German, Italian, Spanish, Mandarin and Korean) is available.”


While in London my daughter Ashley and I visited the National Portrait Gallery. OMG this is the most unbelievable museum that I have ever visited. I love portraits so I was thrilled to see the most incredible variety of exhibits under one historical roof. There is a wonderful place to have a spot of tea and glorious scones on the top floor. The best part of the restaurant is that you view the rooftops of London and if you look closely you might even spot Mary Poppins dancing with the chimney sweepers alongside Dick Van Dyke.


The best part about living or visiting Manhattan, as far as I am concerned is a trip to The Metropolitan Museum of art. Their web site is so full of resources and adventure. What a beautiful web site they have, making you feel that you are there in person. If you are planning a visit to New York there is a wonderful web site called New York.com.

I have found some wonderful blogs and listed them under Travel and Cooking on my sidebar if you would like to travel a bit more.

A walk through a museum, a look at wonderful artists, and traveling abroad to learn about the history or shop in your pj’s with a cup of tea has become my favorite cup of tea. Besides all the wonderful women I have met from different countries in Blogland, touring the courtryside, cityscapes or the art museums and resources is a fulfilling day made for anyone who has the wanderlust spirit.

The song for this post is Craving For Travel.