TRAVEL Archives | TRAVELS WITH TAM

Fab Photos Friday: Big Cats on Safari!

January 29, 2015 By Tam Warner 3 Comments

There is nothing as exciting as an African Safari. The thrill of seeing these animals (so many of which are endangered) in the wild cannot be overstated. How much longer will we be able to see them? African Lions have been losing numbers rapidly…in the last two decades alone 30-50% of them have disappeared. How many are left? A mere 47,000. They are vulnerable to extinction. Only 12,000 or so Cheetahs are left on the continent of Africa which leaves them very vulnerable as well. So many of our iconic African species are threatened with extinction…going on an African safari sooner rather than later is highly recommended. And oh, the cats! They are so beautiful, so exotic, and yet so familiar! Let us enjoy these cats, from South Africa, Tanzania, Chobe, and Zimbabwe…while we still can.

The King at night in Sabi Sands. Photo Credit to Alexandra Minton, The Purple Pebble Photography.

ran sabi 1st day 09 lion yawns — A big yawn and a lazy cat!

The King of the Jungle napping in Sabi Sands.

ally safari photos at sabi sabi 273 — A beautiful female in Sabi Sands, Photo Credit Alexandra Minton of The Purple Pebble Photography.

Gorgeous male, basking in the sun. Sabi Sands, South Africa. Photo credit to Alexandra Minton at The Purple Pebble Photography.

Photo credit to Alexandra Minton at The Purple Pebble Photography.

Beautiful young female, guarding her kill. Photo Credit Alexandra Minton of The Purple Pebble Photography.

lion encounter 09 lions 2 — 15 month old Lion Cubs, Zimbabwe. Photo Credit Alexandra Minton of The Purple Pebble Photography.

Pretty Kitty, Zimbabwe. Photo Credit Alexandra Minton of The Purple Pebble Photography.

tan 12 lion baring teeth or yawning — Kitty yawning in Lake Manyara, Tanzania. Photo credit Randy Minton.

tan 12 sg cheetah chewing — Cheetah brothers and their Wildebeest Kill in Serengeti, Tanzania. Photo credit Randy Minton.

tan 12 sg cheetah fresh kill — The brothers took turns with the kill, eating as quickly as possible, knowing a lion would likely turn up to steal it. Photo credit Randy Minton.

tan 12 sg lion hunt98 — Lioness on a hunt in the Serengeti. Photo credit Randy Minton.

Serengeti, Tanzania, scenting. Photo credit to Randy Minton.

tan 12 sg lion on tree fat belly — No, not pregnant! This lion is simply full from eating during the Great Migration. Photo credit Randy Minton.

tan 12 sg lion on tree — A rare sight…a male hanging out in a tree. Serengeti. Photo credit Randy Minton.

tan 12 sg lion pride 3 of them — We came upon a pride near a stream. Serengeti. Photo credit Randy Minton.

tan 12 sg lion pride drinking — Time for a drink. Serengeti. Photo credit Randy Minton.

tan 12 sg lion pride members — Photo credit Randy Minton.

tan 12 sg lion pride5 — Photo credit Randy Minton.

tan 12 sg lioness and cubs on branches — Mama and her cubs. Serengeti. Photo credit Randy Minton.

tan 12 sg lions at car — Unconcerned with the humans in Ngorogoro Crater. Photo credit Randy Minton.

tan 12 cr lion2 — Photo credit Randy Minton.

5 Reasons to Vacation in Cozumel, Mexico!

January 27, 2015 By Tam Warner 31 Comments

November 12, 2020. Cozumel is a great option during the pandemic. There is a mask mandate on the island, temperature checking, a lot of hand sanitizer, and a feeling of safety.

If you are looking to vacation in the Caribbean, there are many destinations to choose from. Most have beautiful beaches, clear water, and plenty of sunshine, so how do you choose? Islands are like people, and they all have different personalities. What makes Cozumel so special? Well, let me tell you all about it! [Read more…] about 5 Reasons to Vacation in Cozumel, Mexico!

Fab Photos Friday: Fine Dining in Cozumel!

January 23, 2015 By Tam Warner 17 Comments

I first went to Cozumel in 1986 (when I was 10 years old…ha!). It was a very small place with just a couple of places to eat, and very little shopping. As a diving mecca, it had never really occurred to me that Cozumel would ever become a “foodie” travel spot…but I can tell you that it is definitely becoming one.

La Cocay's Garden Seating — La Cocay’s Garden Seating

I have written before about La Cocay, a fabulous restaurant in town on Calle 8, and how much our family loves it. We have celebrated so many events there…birthdays, anniversaries, great dives. Totally addicted to their Chocolate Torte (order when ordering dinner!), I rarely get to have an entree. An appetizer and one of their incredible salads is enough for me until voila, my Torte arrives! Last week, my friends and I ate there twice. Yum.

A 2011 birthday celebration at La Cocay.

They are such artists in their presentation, don't you agree? — They are such artists in their presentation, don’t you agree?

Bacon wrapped Filet Mignon with scalloped potatoes and veggies.

Our favorite places have been established for years, and I admit we rarely try anything new. Fortunately enough, a friend recommended Buccano’s at Night so highly that we had to go try it out. We were lucky to get reservations….Buccanos is always fully booked. What a delightful surprise the restaurant was! Located on the north side of the island (our home is on the south end), Buccano’s is a beach club by day, serving dinner only on Friday and Saturday nights. It’s beautiful decor astounded me. I loved every sconce and finish…I wanted to transport the whole place to my own home!

And the food? Beyond our expectations.

Another wonderful appetizer, fried poached egg on Crostini. Heavenly!

Lobster Tempura is an appetizer....but it served as my entree. Delicious! — Lobster Tempura is an appetizer….but it served as my entree. Delicious!

We are thrilled to add another “favorite” to our list of Cozumel Restaurants. We will be going back to Buccano’s at Night!

Check out LaCocay’s website and menu, and Buccanos website and menu. You’ll have to try both, it would be impossible to choose!

Fab Photos Friday: Amazing Cozumel Diving

January 15, 2015 By Tam Warner 14 Comments

Cozumel diving is always fabulous, but it has been exceptional this past week! Let me share the incredible experience with you!

Blue eyed beauty...Green Moray eel! — Blue eyed beauty…Green Moray eel!

Splendid Toadfish is only found in Cozumel waters.

Hanging out in my back yard, snorkeling.

Beautiful lobsters and corals and sponges

I had the most amazing encounter with an Eagle Ray! Usually they want nothing to do with divers, but since there were two of us only, she kept circling around and allowed me to get just a foot from her! Lucky I had a wide angle lens on my housing!

2015 cz col shallows eagle ray close up best — Gorgeous and friendly Eagle Ray!

Incredibly enough, this exciting encounter was followed by another close encounter…with a Southern Stingray!

2015 cz southern ray front closeup — Beautiful Southern Ray let me come up close and personal!

2015 cz south ray5 — This is how they find food, by stirring everything up

A deadly beauty...the Lionfish has no predators but humans in the Caribbean and Atlantic. — A deadly beauty…the Lionfish has no predators but humans in the Caribbean and Atlantic.

Dive or Snorkel? There is no place like Cozumel.

A Path through Rome, a Travel Treasure Hunt for Your Family!

January 8, 2015 By Tam Warner 12 Comments

treasure hunt, marcus aurelius, rome, a path through rome, — Based on the novel **Angels and Demons** by Dan Brown.

A Path through Rome, a Travel Treasure Hunt for Your Family! Several years ago, it must be over ten years now, (can that be possible)….??? Anyway, Randy and I took our teenage children on their first trip to Rome. Dan Brown’s novel Angels and Demons (he is famous for the Da Vinci Code) was a favorite book of mine at the time, and my son also loved it. The history, the symbology, secret societies…Dan Brown does it well, and my son and I love our fiction mixed with history, truth and a little mysticism. I decided that Wesley, my son, would lead us on our path around the Eternal City. If you are not familiar with Angels and Demons, it is predicated on the ancient secret society, The Illuminati, and their secret great artist who created the Illuminati Ambigrams with the scientific elements embossed upon them. In the book, Bernini was the secret artist. [Read more…] about A Path through Rome, a Travel Treasure Hunt for Your Family!

Randy’s first trip to Cozumel since his transplant!

January 6, 2015 By Tam Warner 14 Comments

Randy and I getting ready to swim with the whale sharks! See it just behind me?

Yes, Randy has been given the OK to travel to Cozumel and to scuba dive! We have planned a two week trip to Cozumel, one week with friends, and one week just the two of us. I have been so excited….but now, I’m feeling a bit nervous. I suppose it is natural to feel this way…with everything we’ve been through, every trip seems risky. However, this is Mexico, and there are many who have advised Randy not to go (family members). The transplant team has given their blessing, and the transplant coordinator even suggested she come along to make sure Randy is well. Of course, she was joking.

Mexico has its risks, but we’ve been going to Cozumel for almost 30 years. Our house has filtered water, air conditioning, and is not in town, but on the water. People still picture Mexico as third world, and in most places it is. Cozumel’s amenities have improved so dramatically that it is nearly as comfortable as our house here. Nearly.

I’ve gone out and bought him a brand new regulator, new booties, new snorkel and new mask. I just think it best if he has new, clean items. I have citronella and sunscreen (biodegradable of course). January is the dry season, but mosquitoes might still be around, so he should be wearing insect repellent. As you can probably tell, I’m a little nervous.

Being a bit nervous should help keep him well, though. I’ll certainly be vigilant about the food we buy and eat. We know well the restaurants that are absolutely no problem. Actually, Cozumel is not known for tourista these days, it has become more and more careful about food, water and service due to its dependence on tourism.

Dinner out with the "kids" — Dinner out with the “kids”

So, we will be off to Cozumel in 5 days, and Randy is very much looking forward to it. Our home there has played a very large role in our lives, and in the lives of our children and their friends. Since he’s been ill I’ve had the house painted and leaks repaired, and new furniture put into place. I am hoping very much he likes all the changes, but most of all I hope for a quiet, lovely, healing time for him, and for us.

5 days!

Oh, and we also lease/rent our home! Check it out at www.vrbo.com/368692!

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