My 5 Essentials for Traveling Internationally

May 8, 2018 by 30 Comments

It's that time of year when a lot of us are thinking more about vacation and travel. Recently, a friend and I scheduled a trip for fall. (Read more about that here: Pyramids, Mummies and Cruising the Nile.) When I travel, sometimes there's very little time to prepare if I've jumped on one of the "last-minute-travel-deals" that some travel companies offer, but in the case of the fall trip, there's plenty … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Africa, Best Travel Deals, Egypt, Germany, Holland & Belgium, Ireland, Italy, Kenya, Mexico, Morocco, Travel Tagged With: ,



The One Part of Travel I Always Dread and a New Tactic for Managing It

March 4, 2017 by 47 Comments

Email Update: I just noticed today that the company I use to send out emails for BNOTP, has been using the wrong return email address. It's been changed to the correct one which is [email protected] . So please add that address to your "approved contacts" or your email addresses. That will help to ensure that you'll receive email updates when a new post is up here on the blog. If you're one … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Africa, Gift Ideas & Awesome Finds, Holland & Belgium, Italy, Kenya, Mexico, Travel, United States Tagged With: , , , ,



When You’re on Safari, It’s All About the Animals: Part II

February 28, 2017 by 51 Comments

Thanks so much for all the comments on Sunday's post where I shared many of the animals we saw during our safaris out into the Kenyan bush on a trip to Africa in fall, 2015. In this second post, I'm sharing a few more of the beautiful and amazing creatures we saw during our many game drives. We came across so many groups/families of elephants while out on safari. There were always babies around so we … [Read more...]

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When You’re On Safari, It’s All About the Animals: Part I

February 26, 2017 by 44 Comments

In September 2015, I took a six-day trip to Kenya. While there I stayed at the beautiful safari camp, Mahali Mzuri, where we took two game drives each day, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. That trip was the first time I had ever traveled to another country and though it was brief, every single moment was filled with wonder and enchantment. It's All About the Animals I've blogged and shared … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Africa, Kenya, Travel Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,



How I Got Approved For Global Entry in 20 Days

January 24, 2017 by 49 Comments

When I booked a trip to Morocco recently, the agent who helped me asked if I had already applied for Global Entry. She was the second person to mention Global Entry to me that week. I took that has a sign and decided to apply.   I completed the application online on January 4, 2017 and today, just twenty days later, I received Global Entry Approval and a Global Entry number, aka, Known … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Africa, Best Travel Deals, Holland & Belgium, Italy, Kenya, Mexico, Morocco, Travel Tagged With: , ,



A Tour of Daisy Room at Giraffe Manor & A Visitor to my Balcony

September 28, 2016 by 42 Comments

I'm finally going through all the photos I took on my visit to Giraffe Manor and I realized today that I had never given you a full tour of the beautiful room I stayed in while visiting the manor. This post has 20 photos in it that I've never shared from my visit. Each of the rooms in the manor is named after one of the Rothschild Giraffe who have either lived or are currently living on the property. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Africa, Kenya, Travel Tagged With: , , , , , , ,



Dining at Mahali Mzuri and Giraffe Manor, One Could Get Used to This!

September 22, 2016 by 40 Comments

Welcome to the 418th Tablescape Thursday! I have a lovely friend coming to visit real soon who is super crafty. She creates beautiful cards and the most amazing scrapbooks/photo albums! You can see her beautiful work in these delightful, 3-D, handmade cards I've received this past year. Aren't they wonderful?! Each is such a treasure, I could never part with them!   This dear friend … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Africa, Kenya, Tablescape Thursday, Travel Tagged With: , , , , ,



Video Walk Around Mahali Mzuri, Richard Branson’s Safari Camp in Kenya

August 16, 2016 by 26 Comments

Last fall when I was on safari in Kenya, I stayed in Richard Branson's safari camp, Mahali Mzuri. One afternoon after returning from a morning safari, I grabbed my camera and filmed a quick walkabout for you. I wanted to take you around the camp so you could get a feel for it, instead of just seeing it in photos. I don't know why it's taken me so long to get it uploaded, but I finally got that done … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Africa, Kenya, Travel Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,



On Safari: An African Safari-Themed Tablescape

May 12, 2016 by 55 Comments

Welcome to the 399th Tablescape Thursday! When I was on safari in Kenya last September, I stayed in romantic Giraffe Manor for one of  the nights I was there. Giraffe Manor, built in 1938 in the style of a Scottish Hunting Lodge, is truly like something out of a storybook. The Rothschild Giraffe is endangered and the good folks at Giraffe Manor are doing what they can to increase the population. Did … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Africa, Fall Tablescapes, Kenya, Safari Tablescapes, Tablescape Thursday, Travel Tagged With: ,



A Metamorphosis of the Animal Kind: Baby Elephants Playing and Feeding

January 11, 2016 by 39 Comments

Welcome to the 363rd Metamorphosis Monday! My metamorphosis this week is an unusual one, one of the animal kind. During my week long visit to Africa back in September for a photographic safari, on my last day there before my flight late that night, a guide took me to several fascinating places. I visited a bead factory where I didn't buy anything but was super tempted.   I toured the home … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Africa, Before & After, Kenya, Travel Tagged With: ,



Dinner Under The Stars With a Spirited Performance By Maasai Warriors

October 1, 2015 by 60 Comments

Welcome to the 367th Tablescape Thursday! One afternoon while relaxing on the deck of my tent during my trip to Kenya...   ...this invitation was hand-delivered to my door. Ummm, what have they planned for us now?   Promptly at 19:00 hours, I made my way to the main tent where the Mahaliz Mzuri bar is located. Since it was now dark, I had to be escorted by one of the Maasai … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Africa, Kenya, Romantic Tablescapes, Safari Tablescapes, Tablescape Thursday, Travel Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,



Answering Your Safari Travel Questions & What I Brought Back From Kenya

September 29, 2015 by 80 Comments

I've received a lot of questions via email and comments about the recent trip I took to Africa. Today, I thought I'd take time to answer some of those and to make this post a bit more fun so it's not just a bunch of words, I'm including pictures of the souvenirs I brought back, along with some of the little gifts I received during my stay at Mahali Mzuri and Giraffe Manor. Please Note: The captions under … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Africa, Gift Ideas & Awesome Finds, Kenya, Travel



Mahali Mzuri: An Unforgettable Stay at Sir Richard Branson’s Safari Camp in Kenya

September 28, 2015 by 79 Comments

Welcome to the 348th Metamorphosis Monday! What comes to mind when you hear the phrase, "Going on safari?" For the next few minutes, erase all the pre-existing ideas, thoughts, and concepts you have about what it's like to go on safari. If there's anything I've learned from my recent trip to Africa, it's that safari camps and safari experiences can all be completely different. No two safari camps or safari … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Africa, Kenya, Travel



What Worked & What Didn’t On My First Trip Abroad

September 25, 2015 by 46 Comments

I've had so much fun sharing Kenya with you over this past week. Did you get a chance to see the 30+ pictures I shared on Instagram? Once I get a chance to go through all my photos, I'll create one big post sharing all the animals we saw on safari. I also have some additional video to share that I think you'll enjoy. We were very fortunate to catch the Wilderbeest and Zebra migration across the Mara River … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Africa, Kenya, Travel



Dining by Candlelight in Giraffe Manor

September 24, 2015 by 45 Comments

Welcome to the 366th Tablescape Thursday! Shortly after arriving at Giraffe Manor, a beautiful manor home built in 1932 in the style of a wonderful old Scottish hunting lodge...   ...I walked through the downstairs rooms taking a few pictures to share with you upon my return. This is how the dining room looked during the daytime.   Come evening, lit by candlelight, it takes … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Africa, Kenya, Romantic Tablescapes, Safari Tablescapes, Tablescape Thursday, Travel



Breakfast with Daisy and Giraffe Kisses

September 23, 2015 by 70 Comments

Greetings, dear Friends! I'm back home from a fun, exciting week in Kenya. It will take me a while to get through all the photos I took, but I can't wait to share them with you. I caught some exciting footage of the migration and I'll be sharing it soon. In the meantime I've uploaded a couple of more videos that were shot while I was staying at Giraffe Manor.   In the first video below, … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Africa, Kenya, Travel



A Romantic Bedtime Makeover

September 21, 2015 by 52 Comments

Welcome to the 347th Metamorphosis Monday! Today I left Mahali Mzuri and headed off to Giraffe Manor. Visiting Giraffe Manor is such a great way to end this African safari adventure.   I was booked for the "Daisy" room. All the rooms are named after much-loved giraffes that have called Giraffe Manor home at some point.     When I arrived the beds looked like … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Africa, Kenya, Travel



On Safari in Kenya with Lions and Giraffe: 2 Videos

September 18, 2015 by 60 Comments

How's your Friday going? Mine is going great as I continue on safari here in Kenya. I've been sharing photos today on Instagram, hope you're enjoying those! If you're not yet following BNOTP on Instagram, you'll find the link on the sidebar or click here: BNOTP on Instagram. It's going to take me quite a while to go through all the pictures I've taken, so I thought I'd share a couple of short videos, … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Africa, Kenya, Travel Tagged With: , , ,



A Dry Run

September 2, 2015 by 95 Comments

Yesterday morning I took photos for the post I planned to publish, then I headed off to an eye-appointment. It's been a while since I've been to the eye doctor and I had totally forgotten that they dilate your eyes. Unfortunately, there was to be no picture sorting or post writing after that. Vaccines...My Experience Before getting into today's post, several folks have asked about the vaccines I had … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Africa, Fashion & Beauty, Favorite Fashions & Home Goods, Kenya, Travel



Packing For An African Safari

August 24, 2015 by 68 Comments

Welcome to the 343rd Metamorphosis Monday! This isn't exactly a metamorphosis but in a way it is since it's a drastic change from how I would normally pack for vacation or a trip. I guess you can call it a luggage metamorphosis. When I travel to Africa in a few weeks, I'll be traveling via "light aircraft" on two different occasions. On the smaller planes, suitcases with pull-handles and wheels are … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Africa, Before & After, Kenya, Travel Tagged With: , , , , , , ,



Africa Bound: A Visit To Mahali Mzuri and Giraffe Manor

August 21, 2015 by 68 Comments

In December of last year, I posted about a magical place called Giraffe Manor. Ever since then I've been obsessed with the idea of one day visiting the manor and seeing the endangered Rothschild giraffes in person.   How much fun would it be to breakfast with giraffes! I've actually thought about it so much, I've started dreaming about it! Have you ever thought about a place so much you, you … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Africa, Kenya, Travel Tagged With: , , ,