Blog — Camels & Chocolate: Tales from a Travel Addict

How to Cross the Street in Vietnam

April 18, 2012 By Kristin 45 Comments

One of the wackiest places I have ever been is Saigon, not for any reason other than the downright insane traffic situation. I mean, I did live in California for four years—I didn’t think anywhere could have more chaotic roads than Los Angeles and San Francisco. And then I went to Vietnam on Semester at Sea [...]

Filed Under: Asia, Semester at Sea, Slideshow, Study Abroad, The Travel Bug, Vietnam

City Dog (Goes Country): Vol. XI

April 16, 2012 By Ella 20 Comments

Remember me? Ella here. It’s been so long since I was allowed asked to blog that I nearly forgot how to type! Luckily, my paws remember the motions. Fear not, faithful followers, I’m still here…and cuter than ever, I might add. I’ve just been super busy doing my thing and enjoying being around my birth [...]

Filed Under: Puppies, Slideshow, The Travel Bug

Little Monsters

April 15, 2012 By Kristin 28 Comments

Some of my favorite memories from Semester at Sea weren’t necessarily the time spent in countries, but rather the fun had aboard ship: Sea Olympics, intramurals, Halloween, Neptune Day…and the talent show. Oh wait, I neglected to tell you that we entered the talent show? But of course we did. The Field and Admin Offices [...]

Filed Under: Semester at Sea, Slideshow, Study Abroad, The Travel Bug

Photo Friday: New York, New York

April 13, 2012 By Kristin 51 Comments

When I went to New York City this past weekend, I traveled light: no laptop, no photography gear, just my tiny rolling suitcase and me. Thus, this is the first Photo Friday shot exclusively with my iPhone (using either the regular ol’ camera app or Pro HDR). It’s hard waking up on a sunny day [...]

Filed Under: New York, North America, Photo Friday, The Travel Bug, USA

The Inside Scoop on Savannah

April 11, 2012 By Kristin 56 Comments

Prior to my trip down to Savannah last month, I’d only ever passed through for a brief stop to cool down with ice cream at Leopold’s. It’s one of the city’s most famous—not to mention, delicious—institutions, and while it’s an obvious part of the whole “tourist experience,” it’s one tourist attraction you definitely shouldn’t miss, [...]

Filed Under: Georgia, North America, Slideshow, The Travel Bug, USA

Surprise! I Went to New York

April 9, 2012 By Kristin 45 Comments

I’ve stopped announcing my visits to New York City in advance. The problem with having lived somewhere—plus, working primarily for New York-based companies—is that it’s impossible to see everyone when you’re in town, particularly when your visits are limited to 72 hours over a holiday weekend. I’d much rather get to spend quality time with [...]

Filed Under: New York, North America, Slideshow, The Travel Bug, USA

Photo Friday: Grayton Beach, Florida

April 6, 2012 By Kristin 33 Comments

I’ve been decidedly vague about where exactly we stayed while in Florida on Spring Break last month. Sometimes, you just want to keep places a secret for yourself, you know? What I will say is that it was just a couple miles from Grayton Beach, so we spent our nights out in the funky little [...]

Filed Under: Florida, North America, Photo Friday, The Travel Bug, USA

Behind the Scenes with Carrie Underwood

April 4, 2012 By Kristin 27 Comments

While it used to be a major part of my day-to-day job when I lived in New York, celebrity interviews now are few and far between and a nice break from my traditional daily routine of sitting in front of my computer, writing and researching for magazine articles and guidebooks. So when I was asked [...]

Filed Under: Celebrities, Slideshow

52-Week Challenge: My Q1 Reading List

April 1, 2012 By Kristin 67 Comments

I don’t do New Year’s resolutions for a reason: I’m just setting myself up for failure. My life is too erratic and ever-changing to commit to set goals and guidelines. Take my latest “marathon” for example (quotations used to emphasize how it’s not happening). I thought four months was plenty of time to get back [...]

Filed Under: Reading, Slideshow

Photo Friday: Chattanooga, Tennessee

March 30, 2012 By Kristin 31 Comments

I grew up just an hour north of Chattanooga but my trips down that way were usually reserved for soccer games and tennis training (my coach lived there). Up until writing my Tennessee book two years ago, I hadn’t really played tourist—not in two decades at least. So while we were home for the holidays [...]

Filed Under: North America, Photo Friday, Tennessee, The Travel Bug, USA