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

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

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.

The Utah Arts Festival was SO much fun this year. There were so many local artists that we recognized that it really felt like a hometown arts festival again. Last year, there were fewer booths , but this year there were so many that I wasn’t able to highlight them all on this video.

This video is just over three minutes long, but it gives you an idea of the wide range of art that was on display this year. Ironically, I missed the film section of the arts festival. We were hot, exhausted and tired when we realized that there was a whole section of the festival in the library that we missed.

Next year, we’ll see it…

Where: The Utah Arts Festival Official Website

At Library Square Google Map and Festival Map

List of the 2006 Awards Winners

Music: ProtoFunk via Royalty Free Disco Music

Steve and Carol Garfield went to Maui and enjoyed a day at Fleming Beach.

• Steve Garfield’s Video Blog: Carol and Steve Show: Maui Fleming Beach Park

• Steve Garfield’s Video Blog: Carol and Steve Show: Home Movies from Maui

They took the rental car further north than the maps said existed and found a beach.

“Snorkeling is a big attraction in Hawaii and we found a spot where the boats come and take all the people.”

Strangely, I thought Carol said, “Smuggling is a big attraction in Hawaii.” The video was looking to be a lot more exciting than I expected. Instead, they were talking about watching fish underwater.

Where: Fleming Beach, Maui, Hawaii Google Map

Directions: Keep going along Honoapiilani Highway. The road goes further than the map indicates. The beach is just past the Ritz Carlton.

It was hot in Grand Rapids, Michigan, so Josh Leo took his friends to Grand Haven Beach. If you have been wishing you could escape to the sand and sunshine, watch this video of Josh’s day at the beach.

I love the beautiful scenery Josh took of Grand Haven. Beauty is all around us. You don’t need to take a jet airplane to have a wonderful escape. There is solitude, serenity and peace near you right now. You just need to find it.

Where: Grand Haven Beach 1001 Harbor Avenue Grand Haven MI 49417 Google Map Telephone: (616) 847-1309

Official Grand Haven Website

The Grand Haven – Lake Michigan Webcam

Mike Moon did a video review of the Darlington Park camping site in Ontario Canada. This is a 8:50 minute video that shows you far more than I could describe. If you are trapped at home wishing you could get out into the wild, watch this and enjoy the birds, flowers and wildlife.

MOON ECHOES: Tourist in my own town (Darlington Park – Ontario, Canada)

It sounds like you need to be careful which campsite you choose:

“We survived the evening just fine… very noisy. Lots of traffic, trains, whistles, certainly not what I was anticipating when I wanted to get away from it all. I thought that the traffic would ease up, but there was a constant whoosing sound of transports and cars in the distance.”

They got a new campsite further away from the highway to avoid the noise. The campsites look very private and there are lots of trees everywhere. There is a general store nearby where you can pick up supplies.

“I found the prices to be quite reasonable. The firewood was five dollars [Canadian] a pack, which is cheaper than other parks that we’ve been to. And the prices in the store were very reasonable. Good little place. Great guy was in there. He had a good attitude, good sales. Made us feel welcome and at home.”

The park is near Lake Ontario, so you can enjoy the water lapping at the shore.

Where: Darlington Provincial Park, Ontario, Canada – 1600 Darlington Park Rd. Bowmanville, Ontario L1C 3K3 Telephone: 905-436-2036

Ontario Parks – Darlington

Why is Rob wearing socks on his hands? Is the weather at Lake Tahoe so cold in June that he needs their warmth? Watch the video to find out.

Traveling to new places comes with all sorts of obstacles that you might not have expected. Being able to improvise is the best option.

Hopper Video: Hopper Video In California (HVIC): June Snow Cabin

Where: Lake Tahoe, California Google Map

TahoeChamber.com – Lake Tahoe Chambers of Commerce and Visitors Centers

I have seen so many movies that try to portray how invigorating sailing can be. I’ve seen water lapping on the side of the boat. I’ve seen the bouncing water horizon. I’ve seen the ropes and the sails flapping in the wind. None of those videos prepared me for how truly awesome sailing is.

There is something so relaxing and inspiring about sailing that I can’t capture on film. I can remember how it was, but I can’t show you. It was a little like setting up a tent while you’re camping. It was a little like trying to hike a difficult trail. It was a little like flying down a mountain on my mountain bike. All of those things wrapped into one wet experience.

Jeff, the man who took Kathleen, Lisa and I sailing knew his boat like it was an old friend. I asked him, “How do you know all this stuff?”

“I was born on the water,” he replied, “My father manufactured shipping boats and we always sailed from when I was little. My whole family sails.”

“Are you from San Francisco?”

“No, I learned to sail right off New Jersey, but the sailing is so different there.”

“How so?”

“There is so much more wind in the San Francisco Bay and more variation in the tides. In New Jersey, we would need a much bigger sail.”

Our small sail took us all around the San Francisco Bay. We passed the city and Alcatraz before we finally docked in Marin.

If you ever get a chance to go sailing, don’t let fear get in your way. Say yes and find out how intensely awe-inspiring sailing can be.

Where: Pier 40, San Francisco, CA Google Map

Marin Dock, Sausalito, CA Google Map

Approximate map of the route:

Music: Overature by Kevin Macleod via Royalty Free Piano Music