aspen princess wide open

Ironic that as soon as I created the travel photo gallery, I stopped traveling. Maybe I'll just rename it photo gallery. Here are some of my adventures from 2009 so far. When your life is a vacation, you really don't need to look far for a little fun.

By the grace of god (or a supa cool chick named Silvie Snow-Thomas), I had the opportunity to attend the Cayman Cookoff, a three-day food and wine festival hosted by Chef Eric Ripert and the Ritz-Carlton hotel. As if lounging around the Caribbean in deluxe accommodations wasn't enough, I got to nosh on nibbles created by some of the (literal, not virtual) top chefs from around the world. Now that's what I call whetting the Princess's Palate!

In mid-December I had the chance to rally up to JH for the opening of the new tram. Jackson's always looking for an excuse to throw a party, and the return of Big Red was no exception. But the new tram exceeded everyone's expectations and it truly was a history-making event.

"Pura vida, mai!" my brother says to his Tico friends after a sweet session at Guiones Beach. In November, the winds blow offshore all day long to create those big, rippable open-faced waves this region is known for. Pura Vida means pure life, and it is the way most Ticos greet each other whether they are meeting for the first time or saying what's up to an old friend. ("Mai" means dude, but it's local surfer slang so don't go throwing it around in the big city, yo). My brother Dan has lived in Nosara for the last four years and I've been so lucky to get to know this peaceful beautiful country well enough to think of it as home.

Far from the topless beaches of Rio de Janiero and the hubbub of Sao Paolo, lies a region of northern Brazil that is untainted by tourists and developments. Discover empty beaches, perfect temperatures, savory food, and a unique culture rich in African/Portuguese roots where the people are as beautiful as the scenery. Brazil has a sexually charged energy. People dance in the streets and play soccer on the beach, and yes, wear some of the smallest bikinis in the world. I traveled to a tiny fishing village called Sitio do Conde for Catherine Lutz and Micheal Sladdin's wedding. No they are not Brazilian, but they fell in love with this area where they were engaged and decided to share it with family and friends a year later. This gift is more precious than anything I could have given them and for that, I am eternally grateful.