fbpx

Lynne St. James

A second chance at love, one book at a time.

  • Home
  • About
  • Books
    • Black Eagle
    • Beyond Valor
    • Raining Chaos
    • Anamchara
  • Favorite Recipes
    • Main Dishes
      • Baked Macaroni & Cheese
      • “Favorite” Chicken
      • French Onion Soup
      • Lemon Chicken
      • Lynne’s Spaghetti Sauce
    • Desserts
      • Cheesecake Cookie Bars
      • Chocolate Cheesecake
      • Meltaway Cookies
      • Mincemeat Miniature Cookies
      • Peanut Butter Surprise
      • Snickerdoodles
      • Strawberry Jell-O Mold
  • Contact Me

bucket list

Bucket List – Australia

February 28, 2014 by Lynne St. James 2 Comments
sydney opera house, sydney, australia, opera house, opera, bucket list

koala bear, koala, australia, bucket list, lynne st. jamesThis week our bucket list destination is Australia, the land down under!  I have wanted to visit Australia for as long as I can remember, and it was long before the Crocodile Dundee movies came out. I think it was koalas that first sold me, being the teddy bear aficionado that I am.  Give me a break I as only ten!  But since then I’ve learned a lot about Australia and all the glorious places I’d want to visit like the Sydney Opera House, Ayers Rock and the 12 Apostles to name a very view.  But in order to have a trip like this I think I’d need to plan for at least a month. Australia is huge, and I’d want to tour the continent and see as much as possible.

Of course no trip to Australia would be complete without visiting the Great Barrier Reef.  The last time I snorkeled was in the Mediterranean and it was years ago, but snorkeling in the Reef would definitely be a dream come true.

One of the best things of Australia – at least for those in the northern parts of the US and all of Canada right now – may be that it’s summer there.  There is a reason it’s called “down under.”  And that is definitely a plus with the frigid temperatures we’ve been experiencing.  So in order to warm you all up let’s visit Australia today.

The Sights:

sydney opera house, sydney, australia, opera house, opera, bucket list

Sydney Opera House

great barrier reef, australia, natural wonder, marine life, fish, snorkle, bucket list

Australia’s Great Barrier Reef

ayers rock, australia, outback, hiking, wilderness.

Ayers Rock

12 apostles, twelve apostles, marine park, australia, nature, wonder, bucket list

The 12 Apostles

kangaroo, animals, australia, native,

Watch out for the Kangaroos!

Philip Island, nature preserve, penguins, melbourne, australia, victoria

Philip Island Nature Preserve

Related Links:

Visit Australia:  http://www.australia.com/

Sydney Opera House:  http://australia.gov.au/about-australia/australian-story/sydney-opera-house

Great Barrier Reef:  http://www.greatbarrierreef.org/

The 12 Apostles:  http://parkweb.vic.gov.au/explore/parks/twelve-apostles-marine-national-park

Ayers Rock:  http://www.australia.com/explore/icons/red-centre.aspx?channel=paid-search&tacampaign=us-local-fy2014&campaign=167-destinations-broad&message=brand&publisher=google&website=google&adgroup=australian-icons-broad&keyword=google-ayers-rock&matchtype=broad

Melbourne:  http://www.visitvictoria.com/

I hope this little taste of Australia has whet your desire for more.  I’m determined to visit this beautiful country and spend as much time as possible there to see it all.  I hope you all have a great weekend.  Next week we’re headed off to Greece.

  ♥ ♥ ♥

Posted in: Bucket List, Inspiration Tagged: australia, barrier reef, birds, bucket list, down under, great barrier reef, kangaroos, kingsland, koala, lynne st. james, melbourne, northern territories, opera, opera house, outback, penguins, philip island, sydney, sydney opera house, Travel, victoria

Bucket List – India

February 21, 2014 by Lynne St. James 1 Comment
taj mahal, india, wonder, amazing, bucket list, lynne st. james

View master, view master reels, toy, lynne st. jamesTGIF! Today we’re going to India, it has been a travel destination of mine since the first time I looked through one of those View Master toys and saw a picture of the Taj Mahal on the 7 Wonders of the World reel.  I remember thinking how beautiful it was and how romantic the stories.  Yup, even when I was a little girl, I was a romantic at heart.

As I got older and learned more about how large and diverse India was and it added to my desire to travel there.  It’s a huge country, and there are several different languages spoken. I’ve learned from friends, that even other Indians don’t speak all the languages so they sometimes converse in English.taj mahal, india, wonder, amazing, bucket list, lynne st. james

The Taj Mahal was built by Shah Jahan in memory of his third wife,  Mumtaz Mahal, who died in childbirth in 1631.  Her death left him so heartbroken it’s said that his hair turned grey almost overnight.  Construction on the amazing structure began the following year and wasn’t completed until 1653.

india, bucket list, travel, temples, lynne st. jamesBesides the glorious Taj there are a multitude places of beauty and significance.  There are many Temples that are both historic and contemporary sacred architecture.  These temples draw inspiration from a variety of religious denominations. Many Hindu temples across the south are important places of pilgrimage.

If you’re into the metaphysical you can take a Yoga and Meditation trip.  Begun in India hundreds of years before it became popular worldwide, it helps center your soul and find your balance.  There are all kinds of tours that are offered which will leave you feeling refreshed and more in sync with your body.

food, locals, herbs, spices, flavors, india. lynne st. jamesBesides all there is to see you can’t forget the flavors.  Food is as varied as the terrain and as wonderful.  Whether you like sweets, or hot you’ll find it all.  From drinking coconut water from a coconut as you’re walking through the streets, or sitting down to an elaborate meal.     Just thinking about the lovely curries has my mouth watering for a taste.

I hope you enjoy our Bucket List Friday’s and today’s trip to India. I’d love to hear from y’all with some of your bucket list destinations. Next week we’re off to Australia – another far away place filled with wonder.

Related Links:

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/india/things-to-do/temples-and-monuments-in-india

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/india/things-to-do/meditation-and-yoga-in-india

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/india/tours/adventure/rajasthan-depth-varanasi

http://www.worldluxurytourism.com/destinations/india-things-to-know-before-visiting-the-country.html

Posted in: Bucket List Tagged: bucket list, exotic locations, food, india, local people, lynne st. james, Meditation, religions, taj mahal, temples, Travel, yoga

Bucket List – Alaska

February 7, 2014 by Lynne St. James 2 Comments
anaktuvuk pass, alaska, bucket list, michael deyoung, natural beauty, mt. mckinley,

Juneau Sunset, mark kelley, alaska, sunsetThis week’s bucket list destination is Alaska.  Everyone I know who has ever gone — whether by land, sea or air — comes back and raves about what a wonderful trip it has been.  It definitely seems to be more than just a vacation trip and more like an experience, but then Alaska is America’s final frontier.

I’ve been doing some research and from what I’ve found here are some of the places you won’t want to miss when you visit Alaska:

Denali National Park

denali national park, dall sheep, sheep, alaska, bucket list, michael deyoung, Denali National Park is one of the most popular destinations and home to Mt. McKinley, the highest peak in North America.  Whether you’re going to visit the park by car, bus, air or raft it is one experience you won’t want to miss.  Denali is six million acres of untamed wilderness.  Wild animals, including bears, rams, bears and wolves wander through the park.  It is considered to be a place of peace and tranquility and from looking at the pictures I can understand why.

Mendenhall Glacier

mendenall glacier, matt hage, alaska, south east, tongass national park, bucket listMendenhall Glacier is located about twelve miles from Alaska’s capital, Juneau.  It is surrounded by ice and water and can be reached only by boat or plane. The glacier is twelve miles long and is visible from downtown Juneau.  It is located in the Tongass National Park and is one of southeastern Alaska’s most popular attractions.  The Visitor Center has been offering fireside chats since 1962, and they have children’s programs as well.

The Inside Passage

inside passage, orcas, whales, pods, alaska, bucket list, mark kelley, humpback whalesCruising to Alaska is one of the most popular vacations and you’ll travel the Inside Passage.  But if you don’t go by ship, you can still take a ferry ride along the biggest fjord in North America.  There are lots of options and the trip from Juneau to Skagway can take up to six hours.  If you’re visiting during the summer you’ll experience hundreds of waterfalls from the snow and glacial melt, and maybe even pods of whales and dolphins.

Alaska Art, Culture and History

totem, matt hage, culture, alaskan culture, history, art, native artisansNo trip to Alaska would be complete without learning about the state’s unique Native culture.  There are lots of opportunities to immerse yourself in the culture including  totem carving, Native dancing, the blanket toss, traditional music, crafts and festivals as well as cultural and historical museums,  and heritage centers. There are lots of options to explore the Alaskan Native culture including local artisans and some Russian iconography and museum exhibits.  With all the options you can experience as much or as little  history as you like.

Trips and Tours

anaktuvuk pass, alaska, bucket list, michael deyoung, natural beauty, mt. mckinley, If you’re not sure what to do for your trip to Alaska there are lots of options through cruise lines or even Alaska State websites offering different sites and tour information.  A few I’ve found helpful are listed below.

Travel Alaska – http://www.travelalaska.com/

Denali National Park – http://www.nps.gov/dena/index.htm

Mendenhall Glacier – Targass National Park – https://www.alaskageographic.org/static/847/mendenhall-glacier-visitor-center-juneau

Fodor’s Travel – http://www.fodors.com/world/north-america/usa/alaska/feature_30001.html

Whenever and however I finally get to make my trip to Alaska I’m sure I’ll have memories to last a life time.  How knows, maybe I’ll even be brave enough to go in the winter time so I can see the Aurora Borealis!    Please join me for next week’s trip to India.

  ♥ ♥ ♥

Posted in: Bucket List Tagged: air, alaska, bears, bucket list, cruise, culture, denali, denali national park, frontier, glacier, humpbacks, inside pass, land, lynne st. james, mckinley, mendenhall glacier, mt. mckinley, native culture, sea, tongass national park, totem, whales

Bucket List – Paris, France

January 24, 2014 by Lynne St. James 4 Comments
paris, eiffel tower, city, bucket list, lynne st. james

paris, eiffel tower, city, bucket list, lynne st. jamesToday’s stop on my travel bucket list is Paris, France. I have idolized it since I was young and watched movies like Gigi, An American in Paris, and then of course there was Sabrina!  I’ve dreamed of walking up the Champs Elysees, lourve, paris, museum, mona lisa, bucket list, lynne st. jameswatching the traffic circle the Arc de Triompe, seeing the Eiffel Tower and of course spending hours or days wandering through the Lourve.

arc de triomphe, paris, arc, bucket list, travel, lynne st. jamesBut what would Paris be without the parks, palaces and food?  I had a friend who spend one entire day only drinking champagne and eating cheese and chocolate from one place to another – how much fun would that be?  Of course we won’t talk about the calories involved.

Besides where to spend time in Paris the decision would be when to go.  Paris in spring time sounds the most romantic to me, but I’ve heard summer is the best time to go.

versailles, paris, palace, chateau, bucket list, lynne st. jamesBeyond Paris there are other sights in France I would like to see, like the Palace in Versailles and wine country.  So I’d have to save a few days of my trip to explore other parts of France.  By rail or car nothing is very far in Europe, which is definitely a benefit.

Have you been to Paris?  Is it on your bucket list?  Next week, we’re taking an “Alaskan Cruise.”

Posted in: Bucket List, Inspiration, Musings Tagged: arc de triompe, bucket list, champagne, champs elysees, cheese, chocolate, eiffel tower, france, lourve, lynne st. james, paris, romance, romantic vacations, versailles, wine
1 2 Next »
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

Subscribe to keep up-to-date on my latest news & releases!

* indicates required
Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy

Admin

  • Log in
  • Entries RSS
  • Comments RSS
  • WordPress.org

Copyright © 2019 Lynne St. James.

Family WordPress Theme by themehall.com