TRAVEL Archives | TRAVELS WITH TAM

How to Destroy those Nasty Germs While You Are Traveling!

April 3, 2016 By Tam Warner 23 Comments

destroy those nasty germs, how to destroy germs while traveling, antibacterial wipes, destroy germs, traveling

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Destroy those Nasty Germs while you are traveling! I hate getting sick while I’m on a trip. Do you get sick when you travel? I used to. Almost every single time. I’d come to think of it as just an unhappy consequence of traveling, but after my husband, Randy, had to have a double lung transplant (a very unexpected journey) five years ago I started to look at it differently. Viruses and infections are extremely hazardous to anyone with a suppressed immune system, to everyone, so every precaution has to be taken. We must destroy those nasty germs while traveling!

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15 Photos to Make You Want to go to Cozumel!

March 28, 2016 By Tam Warner 4 Comments

The Mexican Caribbean is stunningly beautiful, and nowhere will you find more colors of blue than Cozumel! Cozumel’s blue waters are often referred to as the seven colors, or Cozumel de Siete Colores. I find the blues and greens on the island to be mesmerizing. Check out these photos and you will be ready to make a reservation!

Cozumel, Villa — Hammocks on the roof of Villa Coronado, our vacation home on Cozumel. The view of the blue waters and skies is incredible. Click Here for Availability!

Cozumel, Cozumel Blue — Cozumel Blue. Looking up at a snorkeler while on a dive.

cozumel, diving — The diving is fantastic.

cozumel, east side — Cozumel has different ecosystems…the East Side of the Island is beautiful with strong waves, blow holes, and sandy beaches.

Cozumel, snorkeling — Cushion Sea Stars abound at Cielo, a favorite snorkeling spot toward the southern point.

Cozumel, queen angel — The Queen Angelfish on Paradise Reef, Cozumel

cozumel, cozumel diving — Cozumel’s dive spots have mountains of coral structures and walls.

15 tam and margarita — The margaritas are available everywhere!

cozumel, la cocay restaurant — Of course, Cozumel has world class dining as well!

cozumel, la cocay — My favorite Chocolate Torte at La Cocay. Each plate is a different piece of art!

15 sunset stunning — Cozumel’s sunsets have to be seen to be believed. I took this photo while I was snorkeling.

2015 sunset at Villa coronado — Villa Coronado is an amazing spot to watch sunsets! I took this photo from the pool deck.

So…ready to make your reservation? Head on over to Skyscanner and check airfares! Skyscanner is a great tool to use to find the best fares! See you there!

You Will Find that the OC is Spectacular!

March 27, 2016 By Tam Warner 21 Comments

laguna, theoc, california — Laguna Beach from Heisler Park

I spent last week in theoc. What is theoc? Orange County California! Newport Beach, Laguna Beach, Laguna Niguel, Crystal Cove, Balboa Island, Irvine, Orange, Anaheim…so much to see and do! Shopping, beaching, whale watching, eating, kayaking, paddleboarding, and a million other activities await you in Orange County. There is something for everyone.

Staying at the Hyatt Regency Newport Beach was a good decision, not only did I love everything about the iconic hotel, but the location was perfect. On my first day I headed over to Balboa Island (it is walking distance from the Hyatt) and decided to either paddle board or kayak. I chose a sit on top kayak at Island Paddleboard for a specific reason. Next January I am headed to Antarctica, and there will be a lot of kayaking and walking. My spine, which is fused from L-2 through the sacrum complete with titanium rods and eight pedicle screws, does not like kayaks very much, so I have to get comfortable with kayaking prior to my trip. The sweet folks at Island Paddleboard set me up and set me loose. I wish I had seen a sea lion, but alas, they just weren’t around that day. I spent two hours paddling around the island, and enjoyed every moment of it. I did have to lie back once in a while, and switch leg positions, but all in all it went very well. I paddled against the wind for ninety minutes, so I certainly had a great workout.

paddle, theoc, Balboa Island — Trying to paddle and take photos or movies did not work out too well!

kayaking, balboa island, theoc — My selfie with my gopro stick. Check out my muscles, thanks to Pilates!

The next morning I was up bright and early to go Whale Watching with Captain Dave’s Dana Point Whale Watching. When you are in California, you have to go whale watching. I went on the early morning cruise, hoping to see the animals active. I was not disappointed. Gray Whales were in season, and these animals very rarely breach. We saw two breaches from a momma Gray Whale! There were many bottlenose and common dolphins along with sea lions and plenty of birds. The most exciting animal was a Fin Whale! Fin Whales are baleen whales, and are second in size only to the Blue Whale. They can grow up to 90 ft in length…a huge animal. It came close to the boat, but did not breach (I’m not sure it could it is so huge!). The Fin was an amazing sight.

whale watching, sea lion, california — Sea Lions were out and active

gray whale, breach, whale watching — The Gray Whale breaching!

gray whale, whale watching, captain dave's Dana Point Whale Watching — They make a large splash!

16 lb heli — Helicopters were overhead, an exercise! Camp Pendleton isn’t far away.

These two days, spent in Orange County, were incredibly fun. As everyone knows by now, I love water, so two days spent on the ocean was marvelous, and I thoroughly enjoyed myself. I highly recommend the tour companies mentioned, and of course, the wonderful Hyatt Regency Newport Beach!

Have you ever been to Orange County, California? What activities did you enjoy?

Fabulous Photos Friday: The Best of the Revillagigedos Archipelago

March 24, 2016 By Tam Warner 10 Comments

As I have said before, the Revillagigedos Archipelago is (so far!) the most exciting place I have ever dived. The big pelagic life is not only thrilling to see, but it is the only place I know of where Giant Mantas and Dolphins actually seek out humans for play. Mantas love diver’s bubbles, and dolphins like the camera flashes and the movement, they love games. I’ve been to this dive destination twice now, and I can honestly say I will go back. Here are the highlights of a great trip, taken with fun and engaging divers who are no longer strangers, on the Somar V, with the best crew and staff in Mexico!

diving, travel, scuba — The lobsters are beautiful with their blue colors.

socorro, scuba, diving — Adil taking a photo of me while I take a photo of him.

San Benedicto, diving, mantas — The Mantas in the Revillagigedo Islands are all Giant Mantas, or Manta Birostris. Their wing spans can grow up to 22 ft or more!

diving, travels with tam — Shoal of Creolefish close to the boat

travels with tam, san benedicto — Amberjack and Creole

We wre mesmerized by the thousands of fish, and the sharks circling.

scuba, diving, socorro — These Guinea Fowl puffers are so shy, but they are adorable!

diving, Revillagigadoes, travel — Beautiful Silkie Shark! Photo by Bob Kaltreider

diving, roca partida, travels with tam — The eyes of a manta and its guest, the Remora.

manta ray, scuba, diving — Black Manta, or Melanistic Manta.

diving, mexico — Our group had Nacho as a divemaster so I called us Team Nacho!

Fab Photos Friday: Hyatt Newport Beach in the Fabulous OC

March 17, 2016 By Tam Warner 2 Comments

theoc, travelswithtam, hyatt newport beach — 1 of 3 pools at the Hyatt Regency Newport Beach. Sooo relaxing!

Where in the world is Tam? I am currently in “the OC”. THEOC is Orange County, California. The county has Laguna Beach, Newport Beach, Huntington Beach, Irvine, Orange, Disneyland, and Anaheim within its borders. These are all attractions of one sort or another, so the county is full of incredible vacation spots. I am here for Wanderful’s Women in Travel Summit, which starts officially Friday evening. Arriving last Sunday, I thought I would spend some time enjoying the sights and activities of the OC.

I stayed at the Hyatt Regency Newport Beach, a wonderful, iconic Southern California luxury resort. It is at once elegant and casual, luxurious yet authentic. The resort was large, and had several wonderful features. The restaurant, SHOR, is quintessential California cuisine. Delicious! I love eating California style…outside in the cool evening, kept warm by heaters and braziers. Fantastic.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src='data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=%22http://www.w3.org/2000/svg%22%20viewBox=%220%200%20489%20652%22%3E%3C/svg%3E' data-src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/mh179BZR_20" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> — The property was charming at night,.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src='data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=%22http://www.w3.org/2000/svg%22%20viewBox=%220%200%20731%20548%22%3E%3C/svg%3E' data-src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/mh179BZR_20" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> — My desk overlooking a tumbling fountain. The sound lulled me to sleep at night.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src='data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=%22http://www.w3.org/2000/svg%22%20viewBox=%220%200%20756%20567%22%3E%3C/svg%3E' data-src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/mh179BZR_20" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> — The drive up has tremendous appeal at the Hyatt Regency Newport Beach.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src='data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=%22http://www.w3.org/2000/svg%22%20viewBox=%220%200%20816%20612%22%3E%3C/svg%3E' data-src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/mh179BZR_20" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> — When it cooled in the evenings, the fires were lit.

Do I recommend the Hyatt Regency Newport Beach? Absolutely. I loved everything about it. The rooms were bright and clean, the balcony was nice in the evenings, the staff was extraordinarily obliging, and the entire atmosphere said, “RELAX. ENJOY.” So I did, and I’m sure you would too!

Diving the Revillagigedo Archipelago: Roca Partida!

March 10, 2016 By Tam Warner 11 Comments

Roca Partida is the most happening place in the islands. Roca Partida is a rock covered with birds and their guana, sticking up in the middle of the ocean. Beneath the sea are mantas, sharks, sharks and mantas. Oh, and dolphins. And fish. It is amazing. Since it is Friday, this will be a photo blog, mostly. Enjoy Roca Partida! The action was so incredible we stayed for 3 days!

Roca Partida is the most happening place in the islands. Roca Partida is a rock covered with birds and their guana, sticking up in the middle of the ocean. — Getting the bubble treatment! Photo by Bob Kaltreider

Hammerheads are so shy! The shoaling Hammerheads were 20-30 feet away, but when you take a photograph, they almost disappear!

Sorry about the lousy quality of some of my photos…very difficult to get good shots in the blue. I’m hoping some of the other divers got better photos of the hammerheads and dolphins than I did. Thanks to Bob Kaltreider and Marie-Elizabeth Mali for sharing.

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