Starling Travel

Warning: If the title of this entry or the thought of pubic hair bothers you, then you probably shouldn’t click on the link or video.

Min Jung has been sent to Las Vegas to review the show, Love, at the Mirage. It’s Cirque du Soliel’s newest show in which they dance and contort to the psychedelic stylings of the Beatles. I’m actually really interested in the show, so I enjoyed reading about her trials and tribulations to just get her own reservation at the Mirage.

• MinJungKim.com – Braindump v 5.0 » I’m in Vegas, Bitches.

• MinJungKim.com – Braindump v 5.0 » Love – The Cirque Show by the Beatles

She also took a moment to videotape her experiences. Despite all her problems, she has a great room overlooking Caesar’s Palace, Paris Las Vegas and The Rio Hotel. I usually end up with the room overlooking the I-15 freeway.

I’ve found that any time I’ve been “sent” somewhere by a company, that I’ve had trouble with reservations. Most times, when I have made the reservations on my own, I don’t have trouble. It was probably not The Mirage’s fault that they couldn’t find Min Jung’s reservation, but it shouldn’t have taken them so much time to figure it out and they definitely shouldn’t have put her in a dirty room. Sounds like her trip to Zumanity made it all worthwhile, though.

She also has a photoset from her trip on Flicker:

• Min Jung Kim – Vegas 06.06 – a photoset on Flickr

Where: Las Vegas, Nevada

The Mirage Hotel: 3400 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89109 Google Map

The Official Mirage Hotel Website

The Beatles LOVE by Cirque du Soleil: Showing at The Mirage Hotel 3400 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89109 Google Map

The Official The Beatles LOVE Website

Cost: $69 – $150 Depending on seating

Zumanity – Another side of Cirque du Soleil: Showing at the New York, New York Hotel 3790 S. Las Vegas Blvd. Las Vegas, NV 89109 Google Map

The Official Zumanity Website

Cost: $69 – $129 Depending on seating

The Baccarat Bar at The Bellagio Hotel: 3600 S. Las Vegas Blvd. Las Vegas, NV 89109 Google Map

The Official Bellagio Hotel Website

Maggie Mason has been traveling the world. While relaxing at the cafes of Amsterdam, she took a few moments to record her experiences. You can see her travels here:

• MaggieMason’s Amsterdam Bikers Against Orange Backdrop slideshow on Flickr

“Bryan left me at a cafe while he went to make photocopies. I didn’t have a book with me, so I took photos of all the bikers who passed.”

• MaggieMason’s Biscuits of Amsterdam slideshow on Flickr

“In Amsterdam, all of your hot drinks come with cookies! Delicious.”

If you’re feeling trapped at work while you cover for your coworkers, take a few moments and enjoy Maggie’s vacation pictures. They will make you feel like you traveled the world over without leaving your desk.

This year, the Snowbird Rock and Blues Festival is on July 28th and 29th. You can see the lineup here:

• Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort – Rock & Blues Festival

This year, the only band I’ve heard of is Los Lobos, but really it’s not about headlining bands. It’s about enjoying the music in the mountains. I’ve found Snowbird to be one of the most relaxing places to be in the summer. For 60 bucks, you can have two days of music, mountains and relaxation.

Check it out…

He had a simple plan. He was going to program and play video games for the rest of his life. Then something snapped and he started his world travels on the money he had saved. This video shows all the places he has been.

You can read Matt’s journal and enjoy a first hand view of his travels:

• Where the Hell is Matt?

I love the entry from Singapore:

Transit.

And for as long as I remain this way, I’m okay. When I stop moving, that’s when problems catch up.

But this isn’t right, is it? Surely this is not the way it should be. Airports are soulless, antiseptic. Why am I at peace here? Why am I only happy when I’m going somewhere?

I don’t know. I suppose, looking at myself from afar, the question itself is fairly obvious.

What is this guy’s deal?

But it’s only just occurred to me. It took 49 flights in twice as many days for me to notice. This is abnormal. Abnormal, maybe, in a bad way.

Sometimes travel is an escape from the mundane and sometimes its an escape from other things. The one thing you can’t run away from, however, is yourself. Enjoy Matt’s travels from the beginning and feel yourself transported to a different world.

Via: Get Rich Slowly » More Cheap Travel: Where the Hell is Matt?

Funny the Vlog took a tour of the Jelly Belly Factory with her friend. They weren’t allowed to film during the tour, but they could film in the store and while eating. It’s a fun glimpse into the Jelly Belly Factory Tour.

Here is a link to the official Jelly Belly Website:

• JellyBelly.com – The Official Site of Jelly Belly Candy Co.

You can take a virtual tour of their factory here:

• JellyBelly.com – Virtual Factory Tour

Where: Jelly Belly Factory: 101-F Nut Tree Road Vacaville, CA 95687 Google Map Phone: 707-447-4821

Hours of operation:
Monday- Saturday: 10:00am – 9:00pm Sunday: 10:00am – 6:00pm

This time of year, there are lines all day and into the evening at Iceberg Shakes. The hot weather brings us Utahns out to partake of the creamy goodness. At times, people will wait in line for forty-five minutes for their shake. Iceberg is beloved all over town.

When you read the first review of the Iceberg on Citysearch, however, you get another view entirely:

“Oreo? I went to the iceberg ready for a good shake. I ordered an Oreo shake and I think the only Oreo that got in the cup could have been a speck of dirt. There was nothing in my shake. Thinking it was a fluke I went back, and again ordered an Oreo shake. Well much to my suprise this one was poor as well. I don’t think the shakes were good at all. I say keep looking!”

I have to agree. The quality of the shakes is variable. What you get one day will be entirely different than you get the next. I used to order pistachio shakes and got a vanilla shake with some pistachios in it. Then out of the blue, one day, I got a bright green pistachio flavored shake with NO nuts. (?!) I came back a week later and ordered a pistachio shake and got the vanilla and nut variety. It was such a hassle to get something consistent that I have stopped going there entirely.

Yet, the restaurant is BELOVED! The lines form every day with people clamoring for the “famous” shakes. I don’t quite understand it, but that doesn’t make it any less of a Utah tradition. If you come to Salt Lake City, you MUST stop at Iceburg and have a very variable and maybe even displeasing shake. It’s the rules, you know.

Where: Iceberg Drive-Inn

• The Original Location (pictured here): 3906 South 900 East Holladay, Utah 84124 Google Map
• 673 East 12300 South Draper, Utah 84020 Google Map
• 1519 West 5400 South Taylorsville, Utah 84123 Google Map
• 692 West 10600 South South Jordan, Utah 84095 Google Map

Bev lives in Davis, California and she took a trip to her local farmer’s market. Come see the beautiful vegetables, entertainment and dogs.

If you looked in your newspaper or online right now, you will probably be able to find out where the farmer’s market is in your area. This weekend, take a break from your normal routine and have a vacation in your own home town. Listen to the music, smell the earthy goodness and pet the dogs for sale.

Bev posts a new video every day on her website:

• Funny the Vlog

Check her out for new glimpses into her life.

Jim Reams wrote a weblog of his own for years. When he decided to open his BBQ restaurant, he announced it on his weblog. Opening day he had a crowd of fifty readers at the door. See this video of Jim describing the Nashville style of BBQ and his business.

• realVerse [ spirited media ] – Mothership BBQ

You can read Jim’s weblog here:

• Mothership BBQ

BBQ is a fierce competition in the United States:

“Texas does beef. Tennesse does pork.”

With so much contention in the world, I actually feel a happy comfort with the idea that Texas and Tennessee think they understand BBQ. It’s when the Mormons learn how to BBQ green Jello that the fighting will turn ugly.

Real Live Preacher traveled to Tennessee to perform a wedding for a former member of his little church in Texas. While there, he sampled the famed Tennessee BBQ and visited the tourist town of Sevierville. Read his adventures here:

• Real Live Preacher – Friday in Tennessee (BBQ East of the Mississippi)

• Real Live Preacher – Sevierville, Tennessee

• Real Live Preacher – A Smoky Mountain Wedding

Next time you are traveling, bring along a notebook and record your thoughts about the places you see. Having a record of your journeys will let you relive your trip over and over.

Whether you’re east of the Mississippi or west of it doesn’t matter. It seems that everyone loves a good BBQ. Tangy, sweet, spicy or flaming, a good BBQ sauce can make or break an outdoor affair. It doesn’t matter if you’re staying home for the holiday or traveling, if you’re from the United States, you will be invited to at least one BBQ. Here are some recipes to help you know what to bring:

• PepperFool.com Barbecue Recipes

• About.com – Barbecue Recipes and Grill Information

• Recipe America – Barbecue Recipes

• Garry’s BBQ Recipes

• Calor Alfresco – BBQ Recipes

• all recipes – BBQ Recipe

Have a happy Independence Day. If you’re not from the United States, celebrate your Tuesday the American way and have a BBQ tonight. Enthrall your senses and tantalize your tastebuds. Give your mouth a vacation.