I’ve decided to narrow the focus of my site a bit so that, instead of being just one of the thousands of travel blogs already out there, it will provide more unique information and perspective.  My heart leads me to write about the following:

What will be the same:

The places I really know and love (especially California, Brazil, the Czech Republic, and Italy)

Exploring with my two precious little boys– I hope this will inspire others to show their children the world.

Some lessons learned along the way, reflecting optimism and an appreciation for all of life’s moments

The art in specific destinations.  This allows me to use my degree in art history, which has always been my first academic love.

What will be different:

An on-going series of posts highlighting ways people can make a positive difference in the world through travel and charity.  This is something that is very important to me, and I look forward to sharing ideas and resources.

A commitment to consistently post new content twice a week.

What about you?

The most important ingredient to long-term blogging success is the readers.  I hope that you will continue the journey with me.  Therefore, if you already have an e-mail subscription to this site, you will be receiving an e-mail asking you to confirm your subscription to the new This Is My Happiness.  If you choose to confirm the subscription, you will receive updates when new content is posted.  You can also join me on Facebook, either on the This Is My Happiness page or on the Art Travel Bloggers page.  I also hope that, when you feel inspired, you will participate in the conversation through comments.  (A blogger’s greatest joy is seeing readers’ comments!).

Please come check out the new site at http://thisismyhappiness.com and my latest post about summer travel in my home state of California.  See you there!

When you think about having a day to yourself to explore a place near your home, what kind of things come to mind? For me, this day-trip to Sonoma was the perfect mix of wine, views, and art.

Gardens? Sculpture? Landscape architecture? Art? It’s difficult to define the gardens of CornerStone. According to the website, each designer (including some of the world’s top landscape architects) was given a parcel of about 1800 square feet and complete freedom. The result: an eclectic, impressive mix of outdoor landscapes and art installations that was right up my alley.

This one honors the Mexican immigrants who work in the fields of this area and was designed by the top landscape architect in Mexico (according to the website).

The hills always turn brown in the summer. I love it.

Did I mention the gardens are free? Check out Cornerstone’s website for info.

The vines are beautiful in the summer

And now for the wine… Everyone knows about Napa Valley, but right next door is Napa’s match, the Sonoma wine country. People who know CA wine country often prefer Sonoma to Napa Valley because it’s much more rustic. Instead of insanely beautiful, castle-like wineries that charge $15 or more for tasting and often are packed with tourists, Sonoma County is dotted with smaller, friendlier wineries, often without the big names but serving top-notch wine nonetheless. Some are reached by driving through tiny farms roads, covered in trees and barely marked with signs.

After visiting a couple wineries around the town of Sonoma, we set out on those little back roads for the lovely Gundlach Bundschu winery. It’s been family-owned for 6 generations (i.e. unlike some Napa establishments, it’s not owned by Disney or some other huge company). It’s small and cozy. It has cave tours, vineyard excursions, and scenic picnic areas.

The wine caves at Gundlach Bundschu

For me, the gorgeous drive through vine-covered hills to Sonoma, the fascinating outdoor art of Cornerstone Gardens, and the lovely wine-tasting at Gundlach Bundschu made a perfect day-trip. What would be a perfect outing for you?

You can find Amanda on twitter (@DangerousBiz), facebook, and, of course, her blog, A Dangerous Business.

1. Tell us about your site and why you started travel blogging.

My site, A Dangerous Business, is kind of a catch-all for all my travel adventures. It started originally because I got a job at a newspaper as an editor, and really wanted an outlet for my writing. I love traveling, so starting a travel blog seemed like a logical thing for me to do. I had no idea then, of course, that I would love it so much, or that it would take me to where I am now. Today, my blog is more than just a hobby – it’s grown into a successful travel site, with stories, tips, interviews, photos and more from all over the world, along with a really active reader base.

Sydney

2. Can you give a brief summary of your past travels?

My first big trip abroad was to New Zealand in 2005. My mom and I went on a “Lord of the Rings” tour of the entire country, and I fell in love with both it and traveling. Since then, I’ve also been to Italy, Ireland, China, Australia, the Bahamas, Canada, Alaska, Hawaii, and back to New Zealand twice – once for a semester abroad during college, and another trip just recently as part of the Blog4NZ campaign.

Castlepoint, New Zealand

3. Tell us about a favorite trip or favorite travel experience.

It’s a toss-up between two New Zealand trips – my stint studying abroad there, or the trip I just recently took there in May. My study abroad experience was great because, not only did I get to travel all over the country and have some amazing experiences, but I also got to live there as a local. I fell in love with the city of Wellington, and now feel like it’s my second home. At the same time, my recent trip there was also special in that it was my first big solo trip abroad. I got to have some more unique experiences (like hiking on a glacier, for instance), and I also got to meet a bunch of great people along the way – including some fellow travel bloggers! It was definitely a memorable trip.

4. Is there any place that you have been but don’t really want to return to? Why?

Not really, no. I’ve never had any horrible travel experiences (knock on wood), and I would be up for re-visiting any of the destinations I’ve been to if the opportunity ever arose.

Taupo Bungy, New Zealand

5. What are some of travel lessons you have learned recently?

Recently? That solo travel isn’t nearly as daunting or lonely as I feared it would be. That complete strangers can be remarkably welcoming and kind. That it’s okay (even a bit exciting) to go into a trip that’s not fully planned. And that you should never be afraid to go after the things that you want – whether in travel, or everyday life.

6. What are your travel plans for the future? Do you have any specific hopes for your future travels?

After my recent (and rather impromptu) trip to New Zealand in May, my travel budget is nearly shot for the year. However, my sister and I are still cooking up a cross-country U.S. road trip for August, which will hopefully take us all throughout the U.S. South and West. We’re hoping to tackle more than a dozen states, old Route 66, the Grand Canyon, Las Vegas, and more! As an American, I feel like I’ve traveled more outside of my country than within it, so this trip will be a way to change that. Plus, who doesn’t dream of doing an old-fashioned summer road trip?

7. What is one way that you can make a positive difference in the world while traveling?

By being positive myself. I try not to let the little things get to me, and I try my best to avoid assuming the worst in people. I want to represent myself and my country in a way that I can be proud of; I don’t need to give others any reason to dislike me or America as a whole. Plus, being positive and friendly opens you up to forging friendships with fellow travelers on the road.

Also (and I know this is now 2 things that I’m listing), I always try to respect the local culture wherever I’m traveling – and to learn about it. As a travel blogger, I feel an obligation to my readers to capture the places I visit to the best of my ability. This often means learning to sift through the stereotypes and bad information. The world – and the Internet especially – suffers a lot from misinformation and false perceptions about places and people. I try to look beyond all that, and hopefully convince others to do the same.

China

8. What place really surprised you?

China. I didn’t know what to expect before going there, and was both surprised and overwhelmed by it. The cities were huge and modern, but heavily polluted. The people seem happy, yet the government runs everything with a tight fist. It was basically a country of extremes, yet it was fascinating to learn about it and experience some of the chaos.

9. How do your travel choices reflect who you are as a person?

My travel choices have all been born out of the right opportunities, which reflects the fact that I try to live my life with a “seize the day” mentality. My travels have taken me to every corner of the globe, which I think reflects my desire to see and learn as much as possible about the world around me. I’m not picky about where I’m traveling to next, as long as I can learn something from the experience. And, I think my repeated visits to New Zealand reflect the fact that, at the end of the day, my heart is my main guide – and I have no doubt it will lead me back to NZ many more times in the future.

Wanaka, New Zealand

In San Gimignano, my first morning studying abroad in Italy!

I have to say that things fell into place pretty well for me those years, but I can see now that there were some factors that played a role in how things unfolded. One was my family’s encouragement and willingness to remain flexible with me; their open-mindedness meant that I never felt like someone was doubting my choices, even when I called from the Czech Republic because I had suddenly decided to move there. Another was that I never had a specific plan for my future, so I didn’t set myself up for disappointment by not reaching certain goals. Instead I made decisions according to how things felt at the time. Finally, even though I didn’t exactly have a plan, I did have certain expectations for myself, including getting a good education and being independent, which quickly turned into a confident and adventurous spirit that wanted to try new things and see the world.

But before all that happened, like many new travelers with less confidence and more fears, I didn’t know that was how things would play out. If I could talk to my early ’90s self, this is the advice I would give her:

1.  Mainly, DO MORE.

No matter what you are doing, try to do even more because you will never have the time and energy that you have now. I wish I had done more, seen more, experienced more than I did. At the time, it felt like I was doing a lot, but I could have pushed it to much greater depths, and now it’s so hard to do those things because I have kids and a tenured teaching position. Sigh.

Studying Renaissance art history in Florence, 1995

2. Plan to study abroad in college.

If you plan ahead, you won’t let the opportunity slip by. Studying abroad is probably the best way to travel overseas for the first time. The trip is arranged, so you don’t have to worry about where to stay, what to do, or who to go with. Staying in one place allows you to experience a new culture in a comforting way– you get to know the area and always have friends with you. You can also do some traveling to nearby places on weekends or after the course finishes.

Don’t talk yourself out of it because of the expense. A lot of study abroad programs can be paid for with scholarships and financial aid.  The prices vary depending on where you go. The more traditional programs in Europe can be expensive, so some students are choosing cheaper options like Buenos Aires or Oaxaca. To make sure you have plenty of options to choose from, don’t forget to look into programs through other institutions or even language schools abroad. My study abroad experience was just a month-long course in Florence, but it was life-changing!

Marienplatz, near where I studied German in the heart of Munich

3.  Mix it up.

Try a variety of  travel experiences. Volunteer, visit friends, try homestays, mix urban and rural destinations. Such a diversity of experiences allows you to explore who you are and what you want to be. You will be challenged and will grow as a result. I hit a lot of the big urban centers in Europe after college, but I also loved the rural areas of the Czech Republic and Slovakia, and I found that I learned more about myself and the people around me in those quieter areas.

A great way to spend some time overseas is to study at a language school. One of my favorite times was learning German at the Goethe Institute in Munich, where I studied with people from all over the world and enjoyed German hospitality. I had enough time to get to know the city, take day-trips, enjoy the nightlife, and get to know locals at the school and through my homestay. It was expensive but totally worth it.

My only regret of my previous travels is that I didn’t mix it up enough in terms of geography. I wish I had started traveling to some other continents early on, but I guess we can’t always do everything, right?

Tagging along with a friend studying in Italy, 1996

4. Take advantage of opportunities. 

You never know when an opportunity is going to come up, so be ready to take advantage. I have been fortunate to have friends and family to visit in various places in the world. For instance, the year after I studied abroad in Italy, a friend returned to Florence do an independent study on Giotto. I grabbed the chance to come along for the month, and we had a wonderful time soaking up the art and local life in the relative quiet of Italy in January. Look for airfare sales and discounts on travel packages so that you can get out there as often as possible.

With my backpack and friend's sleeping bag, my first morning in Prague, 1996. Little did I know I'd be back many more times.

5. Have no debt so it’s always possible to pack up and go.

When I was in my twenties, my life was so much easier than it is now. I could spend a few months working and then take off for a few weeks or months. I made sure that was possible by having no debt, often staying with my mother or father to save money, and not getting into a career until I was out of graduate school. I did have student loans but was able to defer them most of the time. I lived my life mostly for myself, which I think at that age is perfectly OK. When I was tired of my job or situation, I quit and moved on to something or somewhere else.

One mistake that a lot of young people get into is thinking that they need to have everything, like a nice car, lots of cool clothes, an apartment which requires cute furniture, etc., and then the debt begins to add up.  There’s plenty of time for jobs and all that permanent stuff, so why not take advantage of the freedom that being young affords most people? Trust me, you’ll never look back on when you were 23 and wish you had worked more.

6. Connect with the travel community.

Well, it wasn’t so easy back in the 1990′s when connecting with the travel community meant meeting travelers and expats at cafés and clubs, but the resources out there now are vast. If you’re serious about traveling, try connecting with the thousands of travelers on-line who eagerly share their stories through blogs, facebook, and twitter. The advice, support, and inspiration you can get from other travelers is invaluable. Here are a few young travelers to get started with: Suzy Guese, Adventurous Kate, Travels of Adam, and Don’t Ever Look Back.

7. Document.

Even today I love looking through all my old travel photographs– I’m so glad I did a good job documenting my travels because otherwise I would have forgotten a lot over the years. Take lots of pictures, keep a journal, and back-up your stuff in case it gets lost. Consider starting a blog, and if you’re serious about doing it for the long-haul, check out this article from Travel Blog Challenge on how to build a good site from the get-go, or consider joining Travel Blog Success.

In the Czech Republic, my former home

8. Consider living abroad.

I’m a huge proponent of living overseas, as I explained in “Living Abroad: 5 Things I Learned.”  There are many ways to do so, including the Peace Corps, getting TEFL certified to teach English, teaching English without certification but with a college degree, WWOOFing… and remember that there’s no right way to do it. I lived in a small city, a place where the local people helped me fit in and where I could find my way around in a matter of days. I would encourage everyone to travel to some places first, talk to people who are living abroad, and choose a place where you can imagine living for a while. Your life will be richer for it.

Do you have advice for young people who want to start traveling? If you are a new traveler, what worries or concerns do you have?

There's a whole world down there for him to experience.

I never thought about not traveling with my son.  In fact, after he was born, I felt an even stronger desire to travel, mostly because having a child made me feel older and gave me a greater sense of urgency in life.  Now that I have traveled with him, I see the incredible benefit it has.  I see how being a bi-cultural child and experiencing other places have very much influenced the person he has become.

I recently came across this beautiful piece about traveling with one’s children.  I loved Emiel’s reference to the role of both travel and home life, and this quote he included: “Two of the greatest gifts we can give our children are roots & wings.”  Clearly, we want to nurture a healthy, safe, happy home and community for our children (the roots), but we can also allow our children to grow by experiencing new places, other people, and different ways of living through travel (the wings, obviously).  Getting my child outside his/our comfort zone and teaching him about beautiful, far-away places are lessons that I believe have already made him a more accepting and adaptable person.

As my son, who will turn 4 later this summer, prepares for his fifth trip overseas, I can’t help but think of the experiences he will have and how they will become part of the self he is developing.  I especially think about it now because this time, for various reasons, I won’t be there with him.  Here are just some of the things, amazing and ordinary, that he has learned, all of which have helped him spread those little wings of his.

1) That trying new things, even when you’re scared, usually pays off.  This is a lesson he can learn at home, too, but because traveling pushes us all outside our comfort zones, he learns this much faster on the road.

Feeding an elephant sugar cane, Bali

2) That even though we live in the U.S., Brazilian culture is his culture, and the world is smaller than we may think.  Here he is gnawing on sugar cane for the first time, one of the countless little things he has adopted as the child of a Brazilian dad.

3) That music is a universal language and a great way to make new friends across all cultures.

This little Balinese shop of instruments handmade by the owners was our favorite. The owner gave him a couple small instruments that he still uses today.

4) That soccer is the other universal language!  No matter where we travel, it seems that soccer can be a common thread among people.

Birthday cake in Brazil with a soccer candle, of course!

5) That there is something to explore around every corner as long as you have the right attitude.  Like other small children, he’s never been bored for a moment, and I hope that insatiable curiosity stays with him as he gets older.

So much to see in Japan.

6) That different is good, and that being exposed to new things makes a much more interesting perspective of the world.  For instance, after eating every kind of fruit imaginable in Brazil and Bali, he has a hefty appetite for fruit and actually enjoys trying new foods.

The delicious monkey fruit (mangosteen) in Indonesia

7) That travel need not be agenda-filled days but instead can be a way to step back from the busy-ness of life and enjoy the simplicity of tending a garden…

Staying with my in-laws in Bragança Paulista, Brazil

8. That family is family no matter how far the distance.  (I obviously can’t include photos of everyone, but his grandpa below is one of many far-away family members).

Grandpa and grandson having breakfast on the beach in NW Bali

9)  On a related note, that national borders and cultural boundaries don’t really exist for children, so we can build lasting relationships over time, little by little, no matter where we are from.  A beautiful example of this is the love that my son and his Brazilian cousins share.

In 2008

In 2009

In 2010

Is there something we can learn from the innocence and curiosity of a child traveling?  If you’ve traveled with children, how do you think it has influenced them?

MASP

1.        MASP (Museu de Arte de São Paulo)

Located on Avenida Paulista, the main avenue of São Paulo, MASP is considered the best art museum in Latin America because of its rich permanent collection. It includes work by masters from the Renaissance to the 20^th century, including Titian, Rubens, Velasquez, Poussin, Manet, Van Gogh, Renoir, and Modigliani. Two of my favorites were the stunning self-portrait by Rembrandt and the colorful Japanese bridge by Monet.

A few things about this museum stand out. First, there are English translations which, even though not perfectly done, are very helpful. Second, the art is displayed in an interesting way—by theme instead of chronologically. For instance, there is a room devoted to myths,a room devoted to Romanticism, and another room of portraits. Also, the building itself is a work of art, a controversial example of modern Brazilian architecture. Finally, the museum hosts excellent temporary exhibits which, because of the museum’s renown, are worth a look even if you are not familiar with the artists.

Open Tues-Sun. The museum is free on Tuesdays. If you go on a Sunday, be sure to visit the antiques market below the museum and the handicrafts market across the street. Parking is available in lots or on streets near the museum. Accessible by metro as well (Trianon/MASP station).

The lovely interior of the Pinacoteca

2.       Pinacoteca do Estado de São Paulo

This museum, located in the center of the city near the Praça da Luz, is the oldest museum in São Paulo. Its collection is mostly paintings that reveal many interesting pieces of the history of Brazil, but there is a nice collection of 19^th century French sculpture as well. The building itself makes a very pleasant place to view the art.

Parque da Luz, next to the Pinacoteca

There are two things you should be sure to do if you visit this museum. One is to stop in the gorgeous café downstairs for a cappuccino and a sweet treat and a look at the current photography exhibit on the café walls. The other is to walk around the adjacent park, Parque da Luz, which is accessible through the café. The area of the park closest to the museum is filled with sculpture and provides nice views of the colored glass windows of the museum; the part farther away is an old, nicely-designed European-style park, but is also frequented by some odd people and prostitutes. Open Tues.-Sun. The museum is free on Saturdays; on other days, the $3 entrance fee includes entrance to the Estação Pinacoteca across the street (an old station which is now the Museum of Portuguese Language). Accessible by metro at the Tiradentes station, which is in front of the museum.

Museu Afro Brasil

3.        Museu Afro-Brasil

This new museum is one of many in the huge Ibirapuera Park and is housed in a building designed by renowned Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer.  As Brazil brought more slaves from Africa than any other country, and almost half of its population claim to be of mixed race, the museum examines an important component of Brazilian history and culture. Its collection shows the history of Afro-Brazilian culture and slavery in Brazil, the connection between African cultures and Brazilian culture, and exhibits of other African cultures in Latin America. Some highlights are the collection of photographs and artifacts of slave life, the artifacts of Candomblé and other African-influenced religions in Brazil, the collection of Afro-Brazilian handicrafts, and contemporary art by Afro-Brazilian artists.  Unfortunately, there are no English translations, but on the plus side, the museum is always free. When you finish, stroll over to the lake and take a walk through the park and see some incredible trees. Open Wed.-Sun. Closest metro station is Ana Rosa.

Ipiranga museum and gardens

4.        Ipiranga Museum

This large museum was created in 1895 to preserve Brazilian history since 1500 and houses old maps, photographs, paintings, furniture, and paintings. It is located inside an impressive neo-classical palace with European-style gardens. Admission is $1 and the museum is open Tues.-Sun. although the gardens tend to be crowded on weekends. Unfortunately, the museum is located away from the center but is accessible by bus and metro.

Museu de Futebol

5.        Museu de Futebol

This soccer museum is housed in Estadio Pacaembu, one of the largest stadiums in the city. The modern museum spans 3 floors and includes many old posters and photographs and interactive exhibits, most of which focus on the World Cup and Brazilian soccer stars. Visitors can also get a nice view of the inside of the stadium. I would recommend the museum for hard-core soccer fans. As you exit, there is a nice gift shop and a café that even has good live music. Admission is $3 and the museum is open Tues.-Sun.

The stadium at the Museu de Futebol

Pablo Picasso

If you haven’t been to the fabulous de Young Museum in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park, this just might be the excuse you need to get there.  On June 11, the exhibition “Picasso: Masterpieces from the Musée National Picasso, Paris” opens.  This amazing collection of Picasso’s work is being made available to the de Young only because the Paris museum is undergoing renovations.  The collection includes work from all periods of Picasso’s extensive career, including his Blue and Rose periods, Cubism, and Surrealism, and comprises more than 100 paintings, sculptures, prints, and drawings.  The broad scope of this exhibition will demonstrate Picasso’s genius, one that was able to master various styles and media and continue to be a revolutionary across decades of the modern art movement.

Musée Picasso, Paris, where the collection is from

The de Young Museum itself is wonderful.  Besides hosting world-class exhibits like this one, it also houses a grand collection of American art, and others, including African art and photography.  It was reconstructed in 2005 and has an impressive outdoor space that boasts unique landscape design, a children’s garden, and a sculpture garden.

The de Young Museum

Logistics:

June 11, 2011 – October 9, 2011

Tuesday-Sunday 9:30 a.m. – 5:15 p.m. and Friday evenings until 8:45 p.m.

Ticket prices: adults $25, seniors 65+ $22, students with current ID $21, youths 6–17 $15, members and children 5 and under free.

50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive, San Francisco, CA 94118  415-750-3600  Map

Parking is available.  The de Young Museum is located across the street from the California Academy of Sciences, which is also worth a visit, especially for families.

In 2009 my husband, son, and I spent two weeks at my father’s house in Sanur, Bali.  We had some wonderful experiences, but my favorite day of this trip was the one we spent at the Bali Bird Park and the Sangeh Monkey Forest near Ubud.  I guess I have a soft spot for animals.

Bali is home to a few monkey forests.  This one is a forest of nutmeg trees and is considered a holy place.  It houses a Hindu temple from the 17th century and is home to several hundred monkeys.

As we approached the entrance to the forest, a smiling guide introduced himself and helped us buy our tickets.  He explained a few rules, like not to touch or aggravate the monkeys, and then led us on a tour of the forest, which took about 45 minutes.

In typical Balinese fashion, there is an imposing statue as you enter:

The split entrance gates guarded by an animal on each side are like those found all over Bali.

And then we walked down a beautiful walkway that ended with the temple:

The walkway is filled with statues that represent Balinese Hindu figures:

The guide explained that, unlike the famously unpredictable monkeys at Uluwatu, these monkeys are friendly and are considered sacred.  He then called one of the large males over, which hopped on my husband’s back.  The monkey was indeed friendly but also stinky!

But we didn’t want to interact like that with the monkeys.  We were more interested in seeing how and where they live.  As we walked through the forest, we saw countless monkeys, most of them in groups, some of the big males alone, and many mothers with their babies.

Including some babies nursing:

And plenty of grooming:

You can see the moss that grows everywhere due to the high humidity and thick vegetation:

There were lots of males (note the mustaches) perched high above, seemingly keeping an eye on things down below.

When I’m in São Paulo, Brazil, I love to spend a Sunday visiting the markets on the city’s grand boulevard, Avenida Paulista.  There are two wonderful, totally different markets across the street from each other.  One is an antiques market located under the famous Museu de Arte de São Paulo.  You can see the booths covered in white under the museum:

This market is known as an expensive one, mostly frequented by Brazilians who either have the money to spend or who simply enjoy looking at nice antiques.  I didn’t buy anything on this day, but I fell in love with these pieces (I’m partial to ceramics):

I loved the bright colors:

I wonder if someone bought this gorgeous old phonograph:

A glass zoo!  I loved the zebra.

The other market is a handicrafts feira (outdoor market).  There’s a great selection of unique items ranging from paintings and clothing to ceramics and origami (which reflects the city’s large Japanese population).  You will probably see some tourists here, and a lot of the handmade items are a bit expensive– I paid $40 for an awesome hat– but the vendors are very friendly and often give you a deal if you agree to buy more than one of something.

Cute, inexpensive, and totally Brazilian ceramics (I always take some of these home):

Another favorite booth, this one filled with painted gourds.  They make good gifts for children.

Brazilian food is sold there, too.  This vendor sells typical food from the Northeast of Brazil.

After visiting the markets, I always take a stroll through adjacent Parque Trianon.  There is usually a group playing music and people dancing along.  My husband claims there used to be monkeys there, but I’ve never seen any.  The trees do give it a typically Brazilian jungle-ish feel, though.

I love how these women are holding each other’s arms while talking.  Brazilians love to converse and are very affectionate.

What are some of your favorite markets?

Related posts:

An Outdoor Market in Brazil: Ordinary yet Beautiful

What to do in São Paulo: MASP

My 5 Favorite Museums in São Paulo