Travel – Page 19 – Sydney Aaliyah Michelle

Budget Hacks: Traveling in the Deep South for Cheap

Published on October 14, 2015October 21, 2015 by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle2 Comments

Since my travel bug is well, bugging me, I need a vacation. I have had the privilege of traveling the world, expensed to others, but since I am on my own, I need to figure out how to feed this need on a budget. Since I live in Texas, I think a road trip in the Deep South is the answer.

Birmingham, Alabama

Strolling through the streets of Birmingham, Alabama gives me the feeling of walking through history. The city has joined modern conveniences — Thank God for Starbucks — while embracing the history of the region. The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute chronicles the civil rights movement in Alabama. An all-day pass cost $12 and offers a poignant and emotional journal of a time in our history that shaped this nation.

Columbia, South Carolina

I am not an animal person, but love flowers. Riverbanks Zoo and Botanical Garden is the number one must see in Columbia, South Carolina. The museum offers activities for adventurous types, as well. Get up close and personal with a giraffe or pet a kangaroo. There is a rock-climbing wall and a Sky High Safari rope course. Tickets for a day pass to the zoo are $13.95, but some of the other activities are extra. fixedw_large_4x

Photo by Noble Nolen via Trover.com

Marietta, Georgia

The southern charm of Marietta, Georgia oozes out of its pores. It’s the home of the museum that celebrates the movie that personified the south, “Gone With the Wind.” The Gone with the Wind Museum features exhibits and collectibles from the movie set: Scarlett’s clothing, personal journals from the author, Margaret Mitchell, and props from the movie set. Admission to the museum is reasonable, but be careful you don’t blow your budget in the gift shop.

Bossier City, Louisiana

When you think of budget traveling, casinos might not come to mind, but the casinos in Bossier City, Louisiana will fit anyone’s budget. Casinos aren’t just for gambling. Bossier City is like a smaller, cheaper version of Las Vegas, with fewer showgirls. Margaritaville Resort Casino, owned by island crooner, Jimmy Buffett, is a tropical oasis in northern Louisiana. Stick with the breakfast and lunch buffet at the World Tour Buffet for the best prices. If you can’t resist the allure of the casino, play the penny slots. There is less pay out, but the same thrill and a penny goes a long way.

Robinsonville, Mississippi

Robinsonville, Mississippi is a small hamlet in northern Mississippi with nine casinos, but schedule your visit in October to attend the Mid-South Fair. This fair started in 1856. It includes activities and events for all ages: musical performances, livestock shows, talent shows, and rodeo. The fair also features some unique food choices. I love the idea of being at such a historically significance event. The entire region of Southern Tennessee and Northern Mississippi come out to the fair. Admission to the fair costs $25, but you are able to take in the sights and sounds of a tradition that has been around for over one hundred years.

7 Destinations for Adrenaline Junkies

Published on October 13, 2015October 13, 2015 by Sydney Aaliyah MichelleLeave a comment

This post was posted by thehipmunk on Hipmunk’s Tailwind blog on October 7, 2015.

If your idea of thrilling travel has more to do with pumping adrenaline than restaurants and shopping, here are some of the best places on the planet to get your fill of excitement.

1. Interlaken, Switzerland

Interlaken is famous for its adventure sports and ability to set the pulse racing, and it’s not hard to see why. However you want to set your pulse racing, this town delivers. Interlaken offers white river rafting or canyoning, mountain biking or lake swimming, skydiving, Nordic walking, or paragliding! River rafting, horse riding and climbing are also on offer – and if you prefer something a little more sedate, there’s always mini-golf.

2. New Zealand

Well-known globally as a superb place for those who love nothing more than an adrenaline rush, New Zealand is the go-to country for skydiving, white-water rafting, mountain biking and a lot more. This nation also boasts the site of the world’s first bungee jumping location, Kawaru Bridge. Or try the Nevis swing, the world’s highest. And if you thought New Zealand had to mean backpacking and hostels, think again. There are plenty of comfortable but cheap hotels in Wellington, for example.

3. Toronto, Canada

Thrill seeking in this Canadian city? Do the EdgeWalk on Toronto’s CN Tower, the highest hands-free, full circle walk on the planet. Hundreds of feet above the city’s streets, your life is totally dependent on a safety harness. For something a little less intense, eat dinner in the dark or try the thrills of the roller coasters at Canada’s Wonderland. Who said Canada was boring? And you can enjoy it all affordably if you stay in one of the many cost-conscious Toronto hotels that this outstanding city has to offer.

4. San Francisco, California

If you’re staying in one of the many San Francisco hotels that dot the city, you can get your adrenaline buzz here too. Zoom way out over the city on a 10-metre rope swing at Billy Goat Hill, which hangs from a single eucalyptus tree in Glen Park, and get a stunning panoramic view as the land falls away. Meanwhile, Fort Funston is a top hang-gliding destination, and the San Francisco Bay is always full of kite surfers. There’s more to San Francisco than Fisherman’s Wharf!

5. Dubai, UAE

While you may have associated the Emirates with beaches and high-rise hotels in Dubai, this destination actually has a lot more to offer. Go bungee jumping, drive a racing car, drop into a shark tank, or try your hand at fly boarding or kite surfing. Even the water slides in Dubai, like the one at Wild Wadi Water Park, are more thrilling than average!

A to Z Challenge Interview

Published on November 28, 2012 by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle2 Comments

Hello Everybody,

Not quite back, yet. I’ll resume full blog duties tomorrow, but had to share with you this interview I did for the A to Z Challenge website. Ninja Captain Alex interviewed me about my A to Z Challenge last year. My theme was Australia.

Please check out the interview and let me know you think.

And, start thinking about your theme for next years A to Z Challenge.

A to Z Badge 2012 (1) — What will your theme be for 2013?

My Weekly Update – Future, Present and Return to the Past

Published on August 12, 2012August 12, 2012 by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle15 Comments

Future

A wise friend once told me not to make promises I can’t keep, not even to myself. I made some goals for myself at the beginning of the summer. And, I did pretty good until August hit and then my life seemed to get caught in a tail spin. Nothing tragic or anything, just out of my control. I think I need to change my tactics. So, here are my goals until my trip home on December 6th.

Write for 2 hours per day. Win Campnano.
Sweat for 1 hour per day. Exercise in any form.
Post on my blog 4 times per week. Quality post, no fluff.
Stop buying books until I read the ones I have.
Pay off my credit card (3,012.05 down from 10,000.00 at the beginning of the year). Which means stop spending money. Which means, when I am bored, see 1-4. (READ, WRITE or SWEAT).

What do you do when you feel your life is going off track?

Present

The move to Shanghai is under way and I figured if I was going to be living in a new city, I should learn a little about it. Five facts about my new home town:

There are 23 million people in Shanghai. That’s a lot of people.
20,000 jews fled to Shanghai to escape the Nazis. I didn’t not know that.
Parents still gather at the Shanghai Market with the resume of their unwed children in the hope of finding them a spouse. I need to tell my mother.
KFC showed up in Shanghai 5 years before McDonalds. I wonder if it’s real chicken.
There are 2.5 female toilets for every 1 male toilet and about 80% of public toilets are ‘squatters’. If you have never had to squat to pee, count yourself lucky.

Bonus: I think I mentioned it before, but it’s worth repeating. My new home is a high rise apartment on top of a mall with a movie theater. Sydney Quotes the Movies will get a boost in frequency.

Return to the Past – Blog Love Returns

Daddyknowsless.org – The adventures of a single father and his 8 year old son and other really funny/amusing/sad/sexy stuff.

torcivia.com – Author Phil Torcivia – “I’m one relationship disaster away from my third cat.” Another male blogger who writes about relationships and life and calls people on their stuff. Really good writing.

Sevastian Winters – “Blue Print for Building a Better me” – Great lessons in this post.

Mikereverb.wordpress.com – “F-ck It” or A Treastise on Procrastination – I can procrastinate with the best of them, so Mike told me I needed to get to that point where I say “F-ck it” and get to writing.

Michaeljholley.com – Great post on “Why a Daily Routine is so important.”

Amschultz.com – I know you are probably thinking by now “Why does AM seem to have a mention every Sunday”, but what I can say, he writes quality. I am all about quality. ‘Wired Writers: Why do Writers Drink so much Coffee?’ – No need to wonder any longer. AM breaks it down.

Look at the guys representing.

New Followers

Next Week’s Schedule

Monday – Guest Post on Tossing it Out – super excited about this.

Tuesday – Tattoo Tuesday

Friday – Blog Post

Sunday – My Weekly Update

Y – Yilpi Marks

Published on April 29, 2012April 29, 2012 by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle5 Comments

A trip to Australia would not be complete without learning about the aboriginal people and aboriginal art. You can find examples of the art on every cup, bag, pencil, and t-shirt in every souvenir shop in Sydney.

I knew very little of the culture and the struggles of the aboriginal people before I went to Sydney. To be honest, the reason I even paid attention while there was because I was looking for some inspiration for my next tattoo and the designs and colors of aboriginal art is amazing.

But, I decided once I returned I would read about why their art is so prevalent in the modern society of Australia.

I came across Yilpi Marks and her art while doing some research. I saw her art and was instantly hypnotizing by the color and movement.

Like most aboriginal artist, Yilpi learned about the Aboriginal Dreamtime Stories which is reflected in her art by her parents and grandparents. Dreamtime Stories is a creation mythology reflecting the Aboriginal hunter-gather lifestyle. It tells the stories of their ancestors.

It is inspiring how this art has giving the aboriginal people the opportunity to preserve their heritage and cement their legacy as a significant part of Australian Culture.

Thanks to www.aboriginalartstore.com.au for the great information.