Bye Bye Birdees Travel Blog

In practicing Sustainable Travel, the questions arises: "What is Sustainable Travel?" & " How can you travel more responsibly?" The answer is on balancing ones own needs and desires with the needs and desires of the local residents and future generations.  Consider the tourist as they enter the destinations.  In many ways we have already seen the impact in places domestically. A theme park is filled with 1000's of visitors in one visit.  A Fourth of July celebration attracts the attendees for the firework display.  Translate how we appear to a foreign country.  Place yourself in the locals eyesight: Tourists comes in droves, and points cameras at your children.  As you set out your services and products, they will haggle you for the lowest price.  Perhaps in ignorance of your local customs and traditions dress inappropriately. Sustainable Travel demonstrates: Understanding Asks Permission Pays a fair price Speaks a few words of th...

"Celebrate in a Destination": Travel Photography: Create Better Pictures for you... : Some people are just born with the gift of a good eye. Even though it does help to have natural ability not everyone needs to be a professi...

Some people are just born with the gift of a good eye.  Even though it does help to have natural ability not everyone needs to be a professional photographer or even an amateur photographer to have great travel pictures.  Whether you choose a simple point and shoot camera or a digital single lens reflex,  you can take advantage of as much photo opportunities as possible. Let's start with a few simple tips and suggestions for creating better pictures.  Before taking your next trip, remember than when you return that your photography will reflect the story of your adventure.   For every story, there is an introduction, a  middle and an end.   As you get ready to travel, prepare by researching your destinatoin.  Some easy planning tools to establish your shots: Research Fodors Lonely Planet Travel Sites Road Trip Sites Triple AAA All these will give you ideas of what types of shots you would like to have and where you would l...

"Celebrate in a Destination": Ukiah-Vichy Springs our visit July 2011 : The Vichy Springs Resort is located in Ukiah, Calfornia suitably named and reminiscent of the Vichy, France. It is most famously known as...

The Vichy Springs Resort is located in Ukiah, Calfornia suitably named and reminiscent of the Vichy, France.   It is most famously known as the "Champagne Baths."   The Vichy Springs Resort is a tiny resort featuring only 26 rooms and cottages in a lovely park setting amidst the natural setting of the Mendocino County.  The resort is 150 years old, having hosted proudly the Ghiradelli family,Ghiradelli family, Presidents Ulysses S. Grant and William Harrison, Teddy Roosevelt and daughter Alice, Mark Twain, Jack London, Robert Louis Stevenson, Jim Corbett and John L. Sullivan. The attraction of the resort was and continues to be the the naturally carbonated hot springs.  Visitors soak in the warm, bubbling waters and emerge relaxed, rejuvenated and restored.  The carbonated waters are rare.  The invisible carbon dioxide gas result in an increase in blood circulation which provides real health benefits.  The carbon dioxide gas he...

We often take the The San Joaquin to the LA Union Station from the Bay Area. The route is easy, affordable, and safe. Sporting only an hour more than driving to Los Angeles on the interstate 5 at roughly 7 hours. As an alternative, and leisurely ride home the Coast Starlight offers a diverse and scenic view of the Pacific Coast. The train is over 1000 feet long, featuring coach class, a Dining Car, Pacific Parlour Car, and the Lounge Car. The Parlour Car is the Signature First Class Lounge car that offers Sleeping Car Passengers exclusive use. First Class Passengers benefit from the daily activities such as wine tasting,meal service, theater. The Coast Starlight even has a small arcade, board games, coffee and bar service. The sightseer lounge allows comfortable views of the coastline, nature, and passing towns. When taking the Coast Starlight consider choosing the sleeping car versus the regular coach for the full experience. You will be greeted by a personal sleep car atte...

About a year ago, I received an email message regarding murder mysteries at "Sea."  I almost deleted the message but I was curious.  Jay Joseph is Murder Mystery writer located in Las Vegas. Originally, he put shows on 7 Royal Caribbean Cruise Ships from the years 2002-2004 .  The concept was such as success that the cruise lines adapted the idea still offering "Mystery Cruises" .  Passengers who participated, received a Murder Mystery Dinner for 2+ Hours in one of the Specialty Restaurants. Jay is a  "Creative" and customizes his stories for each event.  More recently, he created story around Chocolate.  Featuring a Chocolate Cuisine Taste Test on board the NCL's Norwegian Star. Located in Las Vegas he is a regular at Lawry's Restaurant.  His creativity extends to Custom Written Murder Mysteries, for Entertainment, Corporate, Convention, Casino Events, Mystery Cruises, and Private Parties. More recently, Jay has added Weddi...