Travel with us!
Beyond Voyage
  • Home
  • Blog
  • Destinations
  • Gallery
  • Pack
  • Tunes
  • About

Globally Inspired Home

4/23/2014

1 Comment

 
This spring, I'm making a few changes to my home and garden and I'd like to incorporate elements inspired by our recent trip around the world. Although I can't plant exotic tropical flowers in Boston, nor do I have the space for nest beds, I can look for a few pieces that remind me of some of my favorite places. So, in no particular order, here are a 15 things from around the world that would be fun to replicate at home. 

1. Bangkok, Thailand: Nest Beds
Nesting has taken on a whole new meaning in Bangkok. The shape of these human sized sanctuaries will make the most boring of outdoor spaces intriguing. Add a light inside and create glowing garden sculptures at night!
Picture
Photo by Eva Barbier from blog post: Chillin' Out In Bangkok

2. Hamburg, Germany: Modern Rococo
I'm typically not a fan of rococo and prefer balancing frills and flourishes with corners and crisp lines. However, I reveled in this little cafe in Hamburg, sipping my chai tea slowly while sinking into a cozy velvet couch.  I have no idea if they intentionally distressed the walls or if they just spruced up a derelict space with vintage couches from Oma and Opa's house. Whatever they did, it worked. 
Picture
Photo by Eva Barbier from blog post: Hamburg, Bremen & Bloemendaal

3. Cappadocia, Turkey: Canvas & Carpet Covered Terraces
While in Turkey, we spent two glorious mornings having breakfast here, overlooking the cave town of Goreme. I've been thinking about using canvas to provide shade on my deck during the hot summer since it's pretty easy to put up and take down. I also love the rug covered table for extra lounging.
Picture
Photo by Eva Barbier. To learn more about Turkey, visit our Turkey Destination Page. 

4. Cambodia: Colored Wooden Blinds
These colorful blinds would add cheer to any space such as a nursery, kitchen or my home office.
Picture
Photo by Eva Barbier from the blog post: Waterworld: The Floating Village of Kompong Phluk, Cambodia

5. Yangshuo, China: Wagon Wheel Benches
Check out these benches at our Inn in Yangshuo. They are made by attaching local wood planks to an axle and wagon wheels. This set-up is a charming alternative to a traditional picnic table. 
Picture
Photo by Eva Barbier from blog post: Days 167-170: Yangshuo, China - Hiking and Biking the Karst Mountains

6. Koh Lanta, Thailand: Bamboo Lounges & Pyramid Pillows
Koh Lanta is one of the places i miss most often because we found total relaxation here. Perhaps it's because bamboo lounges and beds are scattered along the beaches, waiting for a wanderer to plop down for a cold beer and a little shut eye. The colorful pyramid pillows are a nice touch, and help prop up one's head in order to enjoy the sea view.  I don't think bamboo would last in the harsh Boston weather, but if i ever live somewhere milder I plan on creating my own little slice of Lanta. 
Picture
Photo of The Indian bar in Koh Lanta by Eva Barbier from Our Guide to Koh Lanta, Thailand

7. Ubud, Bali: Stone & Wood Carvings
Bali is full of insanely talented artisans and artists that have been perfecting their craft for generations. We visited gardens, homes and temples full of intricately carved statues and furniture. Two of my favorite pieces were these Balinese women who seem full of happiness and peace. Generally, this is how I feel after a really good meal. They would look lovely in my garden and remind me of the warmth and hospitality we experienced in Bali. 
Picture
Read more about Bali here: Ubud, Bali - The Barong Dance, Stone Carving & The Awe-Inspiring Contact Lens 

8. Melbourne, Australia: Bold Tile
This tile covered the inside of a bench shelter in Melbourne. It was a pleasant surprise, since the structure was grey on the outside. I thought the pattern would make a nice outdoor table top. 
Picture
Photo by Eva Barbier from blog post: 3 Days In Melbourne

9. Kruger Park,  South Africa: Drapery Over Doors
The decor at safari camps is fantastic, but much of what you'd expect from the African bush - typical wood furniture, local animal fur rugs, and lots of neutrals.  One thing I really liked was the use of drapery, particularly over doors or entryways.  I'm not sure if this has a practical use in the summer (ie keeping bugs out of rooms) but they really made our accommodation, a tent, very homey. 
Picture
Photo by Eva Barbier in blog post: Tanda Tula Safari Camp

10. Paris, France: Black & White Tile
Black and white tile was everywhere in Paris so it always reminds me of my favorite city.  I don't know if it's the the tile that contributes to the glamour of Paris or if it's Paris that makes the tile so chic.  Let's just say it's a symbiotic relationship. If my bathroom wasn't so tiny, I'd tile it like the picture below. 
Picture
Photo by Eva Barbier from blog post: Our Favorite Room in Paris: Six Cent Deux 

11. Arrowtown, New Zealand: Recycled Container Garden
This is a neat idea for people who have a lot of outdoor space. Arrowtown is an old gold mining town in New Zealand. There was a lot of abandoned equipment from the mining days so local artists used them in their artwork and homes. Here is an old pipe transformed into a container garden. 
Picture
Photo by Eva Barbier. To learn more about New Zealand visit our New Zealand Destination Page. 

12. Winelands, South Africa: Chrome+Stone+Wood
The wineries in Franschhoek, South Africa are stunning both inside and out.  I particularly enjoyed the modern decor of the tasting room at the Gran Provence. The chrome bar and fixtures gave it a sleek modern look which was nicely offset by the rest of the room, comprised of natural elements from the region - stone, clay and wood. While it's void of color inside, the view was bursting with color outside the glass doors. 
Picture
Photo of the Gran Provence tasting room by Eva Barbier as featured in The Winelands Awards.

13. Seminyak, Bali: Colorful Shutters
These pretty shutters, spotted in Bali, would liven up a pool house or backyard shed. 
Picture
Photo by Eva Barbier in blog post: Bali, Indonesia - Laid Back Seminyak

14. Chiang Mai, Thailand: Copper Light Fixtures
Giant copper lights were suspended from tall tree trunks in our hotel lobby in Chiang Mai.  They were especially enchanting when twinkling at night. Perhaps they could be used on a much smaller scale in an entryway, over a dining room table or kitchen island. 
Picture
Photo of VC@Suanpaak lobby by Eva Barbier from Chiang Mai, Thailand - Hits & Misses

15. Caye Caulker, Belize: Weathered Wooden Signs
The tiny Caribbean island is comprised of small wooden structures that have been weathered by the salt and sand in the air.  Painted wooden signs were strewn about the island featuring island mantras (Go Slow) and store names. I think these would look great hanging in a bohemian urban garden. 
Picture
Photo by Eva Barbier from Caye Caulker - You Better Belize It.

1 Comment

Girls Getaway in Puerto Rico

4/16/2014

0 Comments

 
My friend Kim was sick of the long winter in Boston so she came down to PR for a few days while I was there. We made a weekend of it and stayed on the beach in Isla Verde at the Intercontinental Hotel. 

Playing Tour Guide!

Kim has been to PR before, for my wedding.  However, she was only there for the weekend, thus didn't really get to see much beyond the wedding events.  So I happily played tour guide for a few days and brought her to some of my favorite spots in the San Juan area. Here is what we did: 
Picture
Piñones Beach - Kim's first time having a beach to herself!
Picture
Well, we had to share it with a few rogue coconuts.
Picture
No visit to Piñones is complete without a little fried food. We stopped by one of the many kiosks in Loiza to sample some traditional Puerto Rican street food.
Picture
She tried bacalaitos for the first time - deep fried salt cod fritters.
Picture
Of course we had to visit Old San Juan:)
Picture
We went to my favorite square in Old San Juan, in front of the Convento Hotel. Later, we stopped at the Convento for a drink and I randomly ran into a former co-worker who was also visiting with a friend for the weekend. I guess we weren't the only ones escaping the Boston winter!
Picture
More Puerto Rican food - Mofongo at Mi Casita!
Picture
Lunch at the España Bakery: media noche sandwich and a mallorca. YUM!!!
Picture
One evening we had a drink on the roof deck of the San Juan Water & Beach Club. It's a great spot for sundowners, especially during the week when it's not crowded.
Picture
Picture
Most of the time, we relaxed on Isla Verde beach with a pina colada in hand:)
A Message for the Intercontinental Isla Verde
The Intercontinental in Isla Verde was a good choice. The hotel is lovely, staff is nice, and the location perfect. However, there was one snafu worth mentioning.  One night Kim woke up thirsty at 3:30am. Since we ran out of bottled water and the tap water tasted terrible, she went to the lobby to purchase a bottle of water. The woman at the front desk told her that it would take room service at least 15 minutes to get her water and recommended she go outside, across and up the street to the 24 hr market. At 3:30 AM. Alone. Needless to say we were both annoyed with the front desk.  So Intercontinental, if you are reading this - stock more water in your hotel please and don't subject your patrons to potentially dangerous situations. 
Great Girls Getaway!
I often write about Puerto Rico because I visit my family there several times a year.  This was one of the few times I've stayed in San Juan as a tourist and I enjoyed it very much!  San Juan is a fantastic weekend getaway, particularly for US east coasters,  because it's a quick flight away, relatively cheap compared to other islands in the Caribbean, has nice beaches close to the airport and still offers a lively nightlife and unique culture. Plus passports are not required if you are a US citizen.  

0 Comments

Puerto Rico: Chocolate Breakfast & Lagoon Sunsets 

4/15/2014

0 Comments

 
I spent over a week in Puerto Rico this past March visiting my grandparents. We spent time catching up, running errands and seeing family and friends - including a Battle of the Bands show featuring my cousin's band, Boicot. We also had lunch with my other cousin, Diana, who had just won the Young Lion creative award and will be representing Puerto Rico in Cannes, France for the international competition (her second consecutive win!). Needless to say, I'm very proud of my talented cousins!

Chocolate + Cheddar = Food Heaven
One day my grandmother and I spent a morning in Old San Juan, stopping at the Casa Cortes Chocobar for breakfast. We chose from 10 varieties of hot chocolate that came with complimentary chocolate squares served with cheddar cheese. I was excited to indulge since cheese and chocolate are two of my favorite foods and the combo did not disappoint. In fact, it was phenomenal! 
Picture
Chocolate + Cheddar at the Casa Cortes. Great combo and easy to replicate in your own kitchen.
Picture
Nani, enjoying churros with chocolate.
Sunset Strolls 
March usually brings nice weather to PR, and this year was no exception. The weather was perfect and the sunsets were pure gold. My grandparents, Mawi the dog, and I often took a neighborhood stroll to watch the sun change color over the lagoon. Sometimes it's the simplest of evenings that are the best.
Picture
Picture
Best firends - Bebo & Mawi
Picture
Toward the end of my visit, a friend of mine visited the island for a couple days to escape the frigid temperatures in Boston. Stay tuned for more on our adventure! 
0 Comments

Bernie's Garden

4/8/2014

1 Comment

 
Today I'm thinking about my late grandma, Bernice. She lived on a farm nestled between the White Mountains of Vermont and upstate New York's Adirondacks. This is beautiful country and if you appreciate nature and kind people, it is worthy of a visit, any time of year. 

My grandma kept an enchanting garden on her farm, full of vibrant colors and dueling textures. While the garden appeared slightly chaotic, she organized it so that each plant had enough light and space to grow to its full potential, without stone borders or tall fences. Grandma knew a lot about growing and nurturing, and a the magic that comes with a little bit of chaos. As a mother of seven, grandmother of fourteen, and great-grandmother of six, this wasn't her only garden. 

I hope you enjoy these photos of one of my favorite places in the world. 
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
1 Comment

Cambridge's Belly: A Monday Must

4/3/2014

0 Comments

 
Adventures don't have to be far from home. Sometimes great memories are waiting right around the corner! A friend of mine is an event planner in Boston and therefore always has a pulse on the city's best restaurants. A few weeks ago she introduced me to a little restaurant called Belly Wine Bar, located in the Kendall square area of Cambridge. On Monday nights, Belly hosts the 3 Blind Wine Challenge - a must for cork dorks and foodies alike. 

How does it work?  For $20 you get a flight of 3 wines. You know nothing about the wine except the taste and color. Belly then challenges participants to identify one thing about each wine like the the grape, the region, or in our case the soil. If you guess all 3 correctly, you get a free future wine tasting.  

I went with two of my girlfriends and, like I mentioned above, our challenge was guessing the soil in which the grape of each wine was grown. This seemed next to impossible but we were up to the challenge and ready to dig in. We were allowed to use our smartphones to look up the characteristics of wine grown in the various types of soil and the regions in which the soil is located. But it wasn't enough. This was a particularly tough challenge because many of the regions share the same soil.

Luckily our fabulous host, Fred, took pity on us and gave us a few hints. While we were pretty confident about one wine, we had no idea about the other two. So in the end, each of us decided to go with our gut (and made sure that we didn't overlap answers so maybe at least ONE of us would win). Alas, none of us got all three wines right. Although we lost, we enjoyed the challenge (and the wine!). 

If you are in the Boston area and are looking for a fun evening out, try Belly Wine Bar.  The service is fantastic and you'll learn a thing or two about vino.  We will definitely be back!
Beyond Voyage
Belly Wine Bar in Cambridge, MA
Picture
The floors are covered in this fab tile!
Picture
Our challenge: Identify the soil in which the grape of each wine was grown.
Picture
Even though we didn't win, it was fun to catch up with these two. We left with full bellies, a little more knowledge about wine and a new favorite local spot!
0 Comments
    Picture

    Author

    Eva has been traveling for 15+ years, including an 8 month journey around the world.  

    Archives

    October 2016
    May 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013

    Picture

    Categories

    All
    Amalfi Coast
    Amazon Rainforest
    Amsterdam
    Argentina
    Art
    Aruba
    Asia
    Austin
    Australia
    Austria
    Award
    Baby
    Bali
    Barcelona
    Beijing
    Belize
    Berlin
    Bogota
    Boston
    Brazil
    BVI
    California
    Cambodia
    Cambridge
    Canada
    Cape Town
    Caribbean
    Cartagena
    Central America
    China
    Colombia
    Connecticut
    Costa Rica
    Cuba
    Culinary Delights
    Cusco
    Europe
    Family
    Family Travel
    Flights
    Florence
    Florida
    Food
    France
    Germany
    Hawaii
    Hong Kong
    Hotels/resorts
    Iceland
    Indonesia
    Ireland
    Italy
    Itineraries
    Lake Titicaca
    Live Like A Local
    Luxury
    Machu Picchu
    Maine
    Malaysia
    Massachusetts
    Mexico
    Nantucket
    New England
    New York
    New Zealand
    North Carolina
    Pacific Northwest
    Pack
    Paris
    Peru
    Pisa
    Planning
    Prague
    Provence
    Puerto Rico
    Puno
    Rhode Island
    Rincon
    Rome
    Rtw Trip
    Safar
    Safari
    Shanghai
    Sharks
    South Africa
    South America
    Spain
    Switzerland
    Thailand
    Travel Education
    Travel Tips
    Tunes
    Turkey
    Usa
    Vermont
    Washington
    Where To Stay

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.