Z is for Zombie Bride in Las Vegas

I started this blog, Crazy Travel Adventures By Debra, with the letter A for Amsterdam and have traveled the alphabet with each post to arrive now at Z.

Just a month ago, I was a zombie bride in Las Vegas. Not a brain eating, weird walking, grunty, poorly dressed zombie. Nope. I was a sleep deprived, sick with sinus infection, belly a wreck, snap at your family and fiance, and not really want to eat anything at all, zombie. My transformation into zombie bride came from all the wedding planning and bride obligations. By the time we arrived in Las Vegas (and perhaps even before), I was full on zombie bride.

There is a cure for zombie bride--have a phenomenal Las Vegas wedding.  Here's the story...

People who came in contact with the zombie bride before the wedding may have chosen different words for the pin she wore (everywhere) for the three days before the wedding. She thought this captured her perfectly, even if she did froth at the mouth when vendors messed things up or didn't return her calls.

Someone must have tipped off Total Experiences of her zombie-ness' arrival. Waiting in the room from this company (booked the block of rooms and rate) was a gift: more alcohol than two people should have in one room, chocolate covered strawberries, and Red Bull. Not sure why anyone would treat a zombie to energy. Maybe it was an attempt to eradicate the constant state of sleep deprived fog shrouding the brain as a part of the zombie bride condition.

Some people thought the zombie bride might be tempered some by a few of these, sold at the check out counter of a convenience store in Paris, the hotel chosen for the bride and groom and guests. Though she had never seen jello shots sold pre-packaged before, she resisted the proposed treatment.

The zombie bride syndrome receded slightly once the pretty white dress came out.

 

When she put the dress on, signs of her former humanity began to appear. She felt wonder. The moms and matron of honor in the bridal zombie's room felt hopeful.

But it wasn't enough. At Graceland Wedding Chapel, she was shackled with some amazing looking bling. Her heart thumped in her chest and light filled her eyes.

The King's appearance after "I do" brought laughter to the zombie bride and all in his presence. The zombie bride was nearly gone. He knew it was a job well done.

But as it always goes, true love's kiss is what conquers all. Out of the zombie bride emerged a euphoric (and human) Mrs.

A delicious gluten-dairy free cake from Pastry Palace in Las Vegas served at a scrumptious reception provided by Mon Ami Gabi warmed her belly. For a moment though, she thought she might lose her groom to sugar vampirism--see how he approached the target?

Viva Las Vegas! (and zombie brides everywhere)

Yucatan Peninsula: Exploration in Ruins

Part of Mexico is in the Yucatan Peninsula and includes some fantastic Mayan ruins: Chichen Itza, Coba and Tulum.

All are accessible from Cancun, which is where we stayed.  I hope that Club Med Cancun has made vast improvements from the time I was there in 2006. We visited Coba through a day tour. The visit to Chichen Itza was offered by Club Med. And, to reach Tulum, we hired a taxi, which at the time was quite reasonably priced. (For excellent lobster and chocolate lava cake, eat at Lorenzillo's in Cancun http://lorenzillos.com.mx/restaurante/).

Before Crazy Travel Adventures By Debra takes a break for my upcoming wedding, I share photos of ruins that brought some beauty and magic to my life, as does my fiance.

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Coba

The magic trick here in Coba was to climb backwards on the way down using that rope. It's steeper than it looks.








 Tulum was recommended to me because its coastal location provides some great photo opportunities.

If you want some time at the beach, bring your bathing suit.

The faces on these buildings at Tulum were fascinating. Consider the design mechanics of this corner display.

My token photo at Chichen Itza, but the other aspect of these Mayan ruins are what captured my attention.

Observatory

Look closely at the intricate levels

and designs of this structure.

My Son, Vietnam: Perhaps XXX, Definitely Mysterious

The next letter I was to share with you through my blog was a place beginning with "x."  I haven't been to any such place, so instead, let's take a look at My Son (Mee Sun) in Vietnam.  Our tour manager warned ahead of time that we would be seeing what some may consider XXX.

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We left Hoi An around 4:30am to drive to My Son.  The drive was uneventful except for cow crossing.

The vegitative setting of My Son was green and fresh. I understand these temple complexes were constructed between the 4th and 14th century A.D.

I felt like I had stepped out of time and away from civilization.

And, we had. This is Sanskrit writing.













We soon came upon the first of the alleged XXX sights--Male and Female.

 My Son provided an excellent backdrop for gorgeous photos. You'll notice a bit of a glow in this photo.

Almost all of my photos contained this off focus look and glow. No idea why. Even ones not in direct sunlight showed these mysterious elements. When I first looked at my photos, I wondered if there might be some energy or someone who remained behind.

Here, we have more evidence of alleged XXX--Male. Our guide explained the importance of its spiritual value, symbolizing the god Shiva.

My Son provided several opportunities for kid-like fun.  

But, there are also reminders of war, to be respected. This is a part of My Son destroyed by a bomb.

West Fork Trail: Hike Along a River with Wildflowers and Butterflies

For my alphabetical journey through the world, I choose West Fork Trail in Sedona, Arizona, USA for "w." Sedona is a destination for hiking, exploring spots determined to be a vortex, rambling through ghost towns a short distance away at Jerome, and even taking a day trip to the Grand Canyon, Sedona is also known to be a spiritual hub that brings calm and peace to those who live there and visit. 

My flight landed in Phoenix and I drove the couple hour scenic route to Sedona. I spent nine nights in July at Casa Sedona.  This bed and breakfast is centrally located and has themed and well decorated rooms with gas fireplaces and views, scrumptious homemade breakfasts and snacks, onsite parking and a friendly staff. (http://www.casasedona.com/index.htm). I also booked a customized package of spiritual and relaxing appointments, such as massage and chakra balancing, through SpiritQuest  (http://sedona-healing-retreats.com)


I hiked almost each of the nine days I stayed in Sedona. It was hot during the day, but it's a dry heat. Hiking in spots with shade was pleasant and the short exposures to sunny areas wasn't bad at all. I always had my hat, sunglasses and sunblock handy. Often I would start my hikes between 7:30am and 8:00am.

West Fork was one of the longer trails I took.  It follows a river and continues through the river--literally. Hikers brought appropriate shoes to continue the hike through the river.  Unfortunately, I didn't know to bring mine.

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The trail starts slightly away from the river.

Once the trail joined the river, wildflowers and butterflies greeted me. The air is crisp and clean. The walk brought me serenity and beauty.

wildflowers

White butterfly

See the orange butterflies resting on the flowers?

The trail wasn't heavily populated with other tourists. At times, I did walk by other people. Other times, it was just me and the rocks, trees, water, foliage and wildlife.

I had a lovely and uplifting experience upon West Fork Trail.

My nine days in Sedona refreshed me.

Where have you enjoyed hiking or found is a place to find peace?

Vizcaya: Escape and European Influence in Miami, Florida

Vizcaya is a gorgeous gem in Miami, Florida. The website - http://www.vizcayamuseum.org/ - states: "built by agricultural industrialist James Deering in 1916, Vizcaya Museum & Gardens features a Main House, ten acres of formal gardens, and a rockland hammock (native forest)...The house was intended to appear as an Italian estate that had stood for 400 years and had been occupied and renovated by several generations of a family.  It has 34 decorated rooms with 15th through 19th century antique furnishings and art objects...The expansive gardens combine elements of Renaissance Italian and French designs." Pretty cool, huh?

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I live an hour away and felt transported, as if I had taken a plane overseas to Europe and arrived at a waterside villa. There were also moments, when the mangroves were in sight and I was quite aware that I was in Florida.  Truly well done.

The interior of the house was quite interesting and pretty, but I loved being out in the gardens and wandering the grounds.

This painting is on a ceiling of one of the structures in the gardens. Someone has a great sense of humor.

Definitely click on this image to view it larger. It's another structure in the gardens that fascinated me.

The gardens had plenty of fountains adding to the beauty of the experience.

When you're done exploring, or even if you prefer a break, there is a fantastic cafe on site.  The food was reasonably priced and good and there was plenty of variety.  The sorbet was my favorite. If I recall correctly, it was blueberry.

What places near where you live do you like to escape to?

Uluru: Consider the Perimiter Walk to See Its Character

I've arrived at the letter "u" in my alphabetical posting of destinations. With three "u"s in its spelling, Uluru, in the Northern Territory of Australia, is a superstar.

I am not a morning person, but waking just before dawn to watch the sun rise over Uluru was worth the struggle. The hues of the red rock change readily with the in light. From pale to this deeper orange.

 

 Some in my tour chose to climb Uluru. I was more curious to walk its perimeter.  From afar, the rock looks like a smooth dome. Up close, Uluru is not shy about showing its layers and differences.

 

I loved the vegetation as well. 

If you visit Uluru, consider exploring it from the ground.  You won't know what to expect at each turn. The walk was peaceful, great fun and provided an opportunity for fantastic photos.

Have you chosen to view a famous site from a perspective other than what most other people choose? Were you pleased or regretful?