Books read:
1. Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman`s Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia by Elizabeth Gilbert. Many people asked me if I have read this book and this was the reason for my trip. The answer is no. I thought I should read this book and it was an entertaining look from one person`s eyes on 3 countries for specific purposes. Glad I read it as I`m more excited to go to Naples (I`m now going), India and Bali.
2. Smile When You Are Lying: Confessions of a Rogue Travel Writer by Chuck Thompson. Interesting stories he collected over the years as a travel writer that never made print as too graphic for the travelers that want happy stories and descriptions. It was entertaining.
3. Welcome to Temptation – Jennifer Cruise. This was a fun chick lit book that a friend gave me in New York. Entertaining for the beaches and trains.
4. The BAD Mother`s Handbook – Kate Long. This was an entertaining book about 3 generations of child, mother and grandmother that makes you look at your relationship with your mother and what`s really important in life. Fun read.
5. The Flowers of Ballygrace by Geraldine O`Neill. This was a simple Irish romance novel that I picked up at a book exchange. It was set in the 1950`s and brought me back to think what life was life in simple times in Ireland. Slow to start and then very predictable at the end, but enjoyable.
6. The Broker by John Grishman. This was a book I never read as it bad reviews, but I actually enjoyed it and it was a quick read.
7. Four Blonds – Candace Bushnell. I started this years ago, but never got into it. I found it at my hostel and thought it would be great for the beach as it`s 4 short stories and I was right. I was able to read one on the ferry out, one the beach, one on the ferry back and the final one on the train to Rome. That was a quick 300 page read in a day. Entertaining, but no thought involved.
8. Perfect Match – Jodı Pıcoult. I have always wanted to read one of these “Jodı” books as my frıend Sıobhan reads all of them and raves how good they are. Now I understand as I dıdn`t want to put ıt down. Tough subject matter about a lıttle boy that ıs sexually abused by a prıest, but how the famıly deals wıth ıt and what happens to the boy made for an ınterestıng read (and nıce change from all the Chıck Lıt I was readıng)
9. Rachel`s Holıday – Marıan Keys. This was an interesting read that I thought was going to be a chick lit book, but ended up having a mixture of living the high life in New York, dealing with a drug addiction and rehab and then putting a life back together. Quite interesting and kept me wanting to read more.
10. Go Dive – PADI. Since I took a scuba course here, I had to read. Didn`t plan to read 250 pages in 3 days, but had to.
11. Up & Out by Arielle Papa – This was such a fun read and anyone in middle management or living in New York can completely relate. I loved it so much I saved it for two weeks as I knew Amanda would enjoy too.
12. Trading Up by Candace Busnell – another fun beach read that Amanda also read after me. Better than 4 Blondes.
13. The Appeal by John Grisham – I wanted to read this when it came out, but didn`t want a hard back book. I hate to say I have mixed reviews. It started off a lot like the storyline of Erin Brockovich and then got much better and ended on a bad note. I wouldn`t recommend rushing out to get it and it`s sad as I really like his books.
14. JPod by Douglas Coupland – This was one of the strangest books I`ve read. It was highly recommended by a girl in Turkey that I met, but it was hard to get into as ti was super computer techy, but once I understood the story line, it was kinda funny in a strange kind of way.
15. Whistle Blower by Tess Gerritsen – This was a book Debbie grabbed at the airport and it ended up being a great read with some suspense and turns I didn`t see coming.
16. Peony in Love by Lisa See – Another book that Debbie brought. This dealt with the Chinese cultures back in the 1600`s and was very well written.
17. The Secret Life of CeeCee Wilkes by Diane Chamberlain. This was a great fun read with some drama, suspense and turns I didn`t see coming. I got this book from Courtney back in Croatia (in early July). I can`t believe I have been carrying it around that long, but forgot I put it deep in my bag.
18. Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden. I was given this book a while back in NY and Debbie was going to bring it to me, but forgot it on the airplane as she started reading it and really liked it. So she bought a bootleg (photo copied) version in Thailand and left it with me. It was so great! Really tells the life of a Geisha which I didn`t really know much about prior to this read.
19. Goodnight Nobody by Jennifer Weiner. I picked this book up as I have heard all her others were really good. I hate to say this was a disappointment. She tried to mix a bored housewife, trying to solve a murder mystery, add a little bit of romance and suspense and see what happens. It was a whole lot of little and not too great.
20. Can You Keep A Secret? by Sophia Kinsella. I have always wanted to read this as I read other books from the same author and this was supposed to be her best and it was. So much fun to read and feel like you were really in her shoes. Much better than all the others she wrote.
21. Holding the Dream by Nora Roberts. I know she writes lots of books my friends love, but this was a toss up. Started slow and then picked up halfway through and got really good. It the 2nd book in a trilogy, but I don`t know if I would rush out to get the others…it was an ok read, but there has to be betters.
22. Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini. This is a book I`ve heard of but knew nothing about. After a slow intro to reading it, I almost stopped as it was so slow, but I`m glad I didn`t as it turned out to be a great read and something I couldn`t put down. I mean actually took it to a pub at night and sat and read more with a pint of beer and had locals come up to me trying to talk and I didn`t want to as the story was at such a turning point. That`s a good book!
23. The Whole Truth by David Baldacci. I have read almost all his books and just love them. This one had much more of an international flare with war, murder, suspense and a little strange love included. Great read and very fast as I just didn`t want to put it down.
24. Seven Sunny Days by Chris Manby. This was a fun read about three friends that are heading out to Turkey for a hen party. Fun as I was just in Turkey and fun story about friendship, divorce, marriage and what could happen at an all inclusive resort. Great read for all my pool time in the Red Center.
25. The Simple Truth by David Baldacci. This was the latest book that I was able to pick up at a book exchange and as Nancy learned in the Whitsunday Islands, I couldn`t put it down. Such a great read with twists and turns and another success from Baldacci!
26. Tempting Mr. Wright by Sue Civil-Brown. This book surprised me as I thought it was going to be a fun romance beach read, but then it started off with a surprise twist with parents going missing and the step kids were called in to find them. Strange way the book turned around, but actually it turned out to be entertaining, and I can´t say too much here or it would give it all away. Fun read.
27. Working Stiff by Grant Stoddard. I got this book in Australia and never got to read it (or had a hard time getting into it as the first chapter was strange). Once I did get into it, it was one of the most interesting, different read I have ever had. Its all about an English ex-pat that moves to NY city with no job, money or life and creates a new life as he became a sexpert and then wrote about all these new adventures he had. It was more interesting as when he went to the USA, he was a virgin and after winning some contest where he got to have sex with some famous sexpert, she hooked him up with a job and then tales from there were really good. Such a different yet entertaining (and enlightening book) all at the same time.
28. The Joan Kennedy Story – Living with The Kennedys by Marcia Chellis. This was a book I picked up in Uruguay when I was desperate for something to read and it ended up being very interesting about the life of Ted Kennedy when he was running for a few government positions including challenging President Jimmy Carter – when he was the current present.
29.** The Year of Living Biblically – One Man´s Humble Quest to follow the bible as literally as possible by A.J. Jacobs. I had to star this book as I quit after I got half way through as it was that bad. I hated the way he wrote and it was just boring. I tried to read more as I heard good things, but I finally gave up.
30. Good Grief by Lolly Winston – This was a book that Liz gave to me on the Antarctica trip. It was a quick read about a young widow and how she deals with the unexpected death of her new and young husband. I was able to relate to it as I had to deal with many similar feelings with my mom´s passing. I ended up really enjoying the book and where Sophie took her new life.
31. Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini. This was by the same author as the Kite Runner and was amazing. I was drawn in by the first chapter and could not put it down. Very moving about women in Afghanistan dealing with war, Taliban and being a second rate citizen to their husbands.
32. Stone Cold by David Baldacci. Another great book by him. I just couldn`t put it down.
33. Marley and Me by John Grogan. Heard this was a fun book, even if you aren`t a dog lover. I really loved it and couldn`t put it down. Great story about a dog and family through good and lots of bad.
34. Life of Pi by Yann Martel – Another book I heard great reviews about. Emily gave this to be in Bolivia and said it was one of her favorite books. Even though it was slow to get started, once I got to the main part of the book…I couldn`t put it down. Wonderful descriptions and imagination.
35. The Motorcycle Diaries by Ernesto “Che” Guevara. I heard this was a great movie and when Colin picked this up at a book exchange, he was excited to read it as it the story was taking the people through many of the same cities we have been to together or were going to. So it was fun to read about his adventures back in the 1950`s.
36. Getting Over It by Anna Maxted – This was an interesting book I got in an exchange. Poor girl had everything go wrong from the first chapter and has to learn to get over it all and move on. Funny enough, I was relating to a lot of it and laughing and cringing with her. Fun read.
37. Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer – This was a book Amanda brought down to Costa Rica and didn´t want to read so I took it. I´m really glad I did as it was an interesting story about Chris McCandless that went trekking into the Alaska wilderness on his own without a trace. The author really into this story as he saw so many parallels with his life and relationship with his parents and became what he called as obsessed to find the truth. Even though a sad story, really well written. I know I´ve been traveling a while as I had no idea this was a major movie now but many travelers told me they saw the movie and it was great. This is one I have to add to my movies to see list.
38. The Tenth Circle by Jodi Picoult – I really like this author as her writing style is very engaging and the topics are always just a little disturbing. This tells the tale of a parent that will do anything to protect his daughter who had her whole world turned upside down. A long, but really great novel.
39. Remember Me by Sophia Kinsella – This is the newest book by this author and I was going to buy it when I saw it at the airport and also when I stopped in the states, but it was just too expensive and I was hoping to find it at a book exchange. I finally did in Granada and was entertained. I had to think, the whole book reminds me of the new TV show Samantha Who. I started to wonder if the book or TV was based on the other. It was funny and a perfect read for the bus and relaxing in a hammock at the end of the dock.
40. The Mermaid Chair by Sue Monk Kidd – Another book that I have heard great things about and never picked up. I almost read it on the cruise to Antarctica, but did not want to carry the hard back book. I was able to rent the book in the Bay Islands for a dollar. It ended up being a little slow read about a daughter having to deal with her mothers strange behavior. It was sad as you learned a lot of history of the family, marital problems during this time with the husband…and I just wanted everyone to get along. In the end, ok read, but I could not wait until it was done so I could start something new.
41. Neither Here Nor There – Travels in Europe by Bill Bryson – I have seen a few of these travel stories as he has written about nine of them. I finally read my first and it was ok. I wanted to see more about his style as I have seriously considered writing a book after my adventure comes to an end. All in all, ok read, but didn`t hold my interest as much as I would have liked. I will try another one if I come across it though as I have heard good things
42. Like Water for Chocolate: A Novel in Monthly Installments with Recipes, Romances, and Home Remedies by Laura Esquivel – Emily gave me this book on our Bolivia safari and I forgot about it. I ready half of it on the bus ride to Belize City as it was highly entertaining with a mixture of folklore, love, romance and even some recipes. It was funny to read the Mexican family traditions and how these people loved their lives. Overall just a fun and entertaining read.
43. A Million Little Pieces by James Fray – I never read this before as there was so much ado about it as things were made up. I exchanged this with someone in Belize and really enjoyed it. After I was done, I went back to see what all the issues and lies were, as Oprah ripped him apart, and it was only two things he stretched a bit. To me, it didn’t change the book as the main point was true and he really dealt with a ton in rehab. I would recommend it to others.
44. My Sister’s Keeper by Jodi Picoult – I had head good things about this book and love the other books she wrote. As I was halfway through it, I heard there was a movie coming out based on the book (guess I miss that kind of news while traveling). I really enjoyed the book and can’t imagine having to deal with the issues the family did. I was excited to see the movie on my return, but heard the ending was so different and the movie was so bad, I think I will skip it as I really loved the book.
45. Running in Heels by Anna Maxted – This was the second book by this author (who I read her first a month or so ago). It was silly but entertaining. Perfect mindless beach read.
46. The White Masai by Corinne Hofman – This was another book I heard a lot about when I was in Kenya and I knew I wanted to read it. Thanks to Lindsay, she gave it to me in Belize (even though she hadn’t read it yet but she said she’d buy another one. Thanks again!). This was a wonderful book and I couldn’t put it down. All about Corinne’s life when she met a Masai warrior on a trip and changed her whole life to move to Africa to be with him. There are two other follow up books and I can’t wait to read them
47. Smart Girls Like Me by Diane Vardino – I hate to say….this was a silly book without much of a plot or story line, but I was so desperate for new reads in Cuba it served the purpose to entertain me a little
48. Hazing Meri Sugarman by M. Apostolina – I have mixed reviews of this one. It was well written and fun but gives such a negative description of sorority life in college it angered me as it was so far from any truth, but if you didn’t know about sororities and read this you would think horrible things. So I was able to put aside those issues and enjoy the book and laugh with the silly plot.
49. Divine Justice by David Baldacci – This was the latest of his books and another fun read. I read most of it on trains and wanted to finish so I could leave it with Vanessa as I know how hard it is to get good English books…so my mission was accomplished.
50. Spin Cycle by Sue Margolis – A funny British romance comedy which made you think about what is important in life in a silly and fun sort of way.
51. Dune Road by Jane Green – The latest book which was a fun read about the upscale life on the east coast.
52. Good in Bed by Jennifer Weiner – such a fun read about the tossed aside, unloved, larger woman who makes the most of many bad situations and changes her life. I couldn’t believe I started and finished this in 3 days….but it was that entertaining and I look forward to another one by the same author!
53. The Associate by John Grisham – This is the latest book and after reading the back, I thought it sounded a lot like his book “The Firm”, but a different story, set in New York with an up and coming lawyer which held my attention as the last book on my round the world trip.
Massages while traveling
– As I have so many problems with my back and I am carrying around a large and heavy bag (maximum weight so far is 32 kilos or 67 pounds!). So I`ve decided to treat myself to at least one hour long massage a month and more if they are affordable.
Here`s what I`ve had…
1. Montego Bay, Jamaica – April 6, 2008 (with Colin as this was his first massage ever)
2. New York City, USA – May 2, 2008 (must earned after moving out of my apartment)
3. Helsinki, Finland – May 25, 2008 (at the country`s oldest wood burning bath house)
4. Budapest, Hungary – June 27, 2008 (with Samantha as this was her first massage ever as well)
5. Mykonos, Greece – July 22, 2008 (since I bought one for Colin`s birthday, I thought I should splurge as well)
6. Istanbul, Turkey – August 1, 2008 (with Milena at a traditional Turkish bath…interesting and strange experience)
7. Dahab, Egypt – August 24, 2008
8. Arusha, Tanzania – September 3, 2008 (with Amanda in between our Kenya and Tanzanian safari`s)
9. Katmandu, Nepal – October 4, 2008 (Local massage with Debbie. The funny part with this massage was I have never had a massage with SO MUCH OIL and the sheet I was laying on was drenched in oil . They also use a different technique where they clap your skin together, so with all the oil, they were constantly clapping more oil on us with each stroke). But in the end, it was a great massage
10. Phi Phi Island, Thailand – October 11, 2008 (traditional Thai massage with Debbie – not very relaxing)
11. Phuket, Thailand – October 16, 2008 (the best hour long foot massage with Vanessa as we killed time from boat to flight)
12. Siem Reap, Cambodia – October 20, 2008 (with Vanessa including the now famous rice cooker steam room)
13. Langkawi, Malaysia – November 27, 2008 (Thanksgiving massage with Milena. We gave thanks for healing massage that day!)
14. Melbourne, Australia – December 30, 2008
15. New York City, USA – January 23, 2009 (this was a Christmas gift from Colin and included an different steam igloos and an ice igloo)
16. Mendoza, Argentina – February 1, 2009 (since my dad wanted a massage…I had to go with him and accept the treat he bought for me)
17. Ushuaia, Argentina (almost Antarctica) – February 11, 2009 (since it was 2 days before my birthday, it was my treat to myself)
18. Pucon, Chile – March 5, 2009 (I was so achy and thought this would help me before tackling the volcano the next day)
19. Cahuita, Costa Rica – April 14, 2009
20. Caye Caulker, Belize – May 31, 2009. Waiting till the last minute I know…but I had a massage schedule for May 23rd, but the guy canceled on me when I showed up as it was a friends going away party that he thought was later. Surprised he turned down money, but of well. Now I am paying twice the price in Belize…but oh well, I need a massage!
21. Varadero, Cuba – June 30, 2009. Sadly, this was not one of the better massages. The woman was proud that she has had her job at this 4 star resort for 17 years, but I don’t think she has ever had an evaluation or review as it wasn’t that great. But after so much travels, it was still a nice treat!
22. New York , USA – July 31, 2009. I tried a new type of massage which was a hydro massage. Unfortunately, it really was bad and not worth all the hype. I was talked into it at the spa place and really let down. Not close to as good as a normal massage.
23. Osaka, Japan – August 16, 2009. Finding a good massage was tough in Japan as they use towels and massage through the towel and this didn’t interest me. So settled on a half hour foot massage instead and with a lot of pressure, it made my feet feel like a mission bucks again!
24. New York, NY – October 22, 2009. This was the last massage I planned for this trip and went to a place in New York that I had a gift certificate for. Figured better use it up before I move back to California. Ended up being such a relaxing and therapeutic massage all in one.
Oh…I Really Sleep Around!
How many different beds can I sleep in during my year traveling…
1 – Jamaica
4 – California (April 2008)
1 – England
1 – Scotland
3 – Denmark
3 – Sweden
2 – Finland
2 – Estonia
1 – Latvia
3 – Russia
4 – Ukraine
2 – Hungary
2 – Poland
2 – Austria
0 – Slovakia (only country I didn`t sleep in but was there for a day)
1 – Slovenia
4 – Croatia
2 – Italy
3 – Greece
11 – Turkey
3 – Israel
1 – Jordan
6 – Egypt
4 – Kenya
9 – Tanzania
7 – India
5 – Nepal
6 – Thailand
2 – Cambodia
4 – Vietnam
2 – South Korea
1 – Singapore
5 – China
2 – Malaysia
15 – Australia
6 – USA Stopover (California and New York – January 2009)
10 – Argentina
1 – Antarctica
2 – Uruguay
11 – Chile
9 – Bolivia
7 – Costa Rica
3 – Nicaragua
4 – Honduras
3 – Belize
2 – Mexico
8 – Cuba
1 – Canada
4 – New York (July & August 2009)
5 – Japan
11 – California (September 2009)
7 – New York (October & November 2009)
1 – Florida
2 – Barbados
5 – Hawaii (225 Beds in Total!)