How many of you have vacation photos sitting on your computer? Before the digital age, I would print my photos, and put them in nice travel albums. I haven’t done that since 2000. Now, my photos are in folders on my computer that I rarely see.

Shutterfly, the market leader in digital personalized photo products and services, and Preferred Family, the family hotel division of Preferred Hotel Group, are teaming up to put your family vacation memories into focus. My family photos shown above are from the Old Edwards Inn and Spa in Highlands, North Carolina, and it’s one of 41 hotel properties that will give you the perfect travel souvenir this Summer.

All families that check-in at any of the 41 Preferred Family participating properties in the United States, Canada, and Mexico through December 2013 will receive an invitation to preserve their travel memories by creating a complimentary 20-page, 8”x8” photo book (a $30 value) on Shutterfly.

“There is no souvenir more powerful than a photo book capturing vacation memories, which allows travelers to relive a family experience again and again,” said Lindsey Ueberroth, President of Preferred Hotel Group, a family-owned company that represents independent hotels and resorts around the world. “Preferred Family continues to raise the bar for exceptional family travel experiences, and we are proud to introduce this new partnership with Shutterfly that allows us to help guests turn shared experiences into lifelong memories.”

To celebrate the partnership, Shutterfly will host a Summer Sweeps via Shutterfly’s Facebook page with Preferred Family serving as the grand prize partner. Scheduled to launch in July, this campaign invites entrants to submit their personal photos that celebrate summer and travel, ranging from beach vacations to Americana celebrations, for the chance to win a two-night stay at their choice of either Wequassett Resort and Golf Club (Wequassett, Massachusetts) or one of the three Montage Hotels & Resorts locations (Laguna Beach, California; Beverly Hills, California; Park City, Utah), plus a Shutterfly credit. To enter and for contest guidelines, visit www.Facebook.com/Shutterfly in mid-July.

For a complete list of participating hotels,or to plan your next summer getaway visit www.PreferredFamily.com/Shutterfly.

Disclosure: This is not a sponsored post, but my visit to the Old Edwards Inn and Spa was made possible by a media visit.

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Certain travel destinations are made for winter. Lillehammer in Norway, the home of the 1994 Winter Olympics and the home for the upcoming 2016 Youth Olympic Games is one of those. Hence at least for us in Europe, Lillehammer goes hand in hand with ski-jumping, cross-country skiing, ice-hockey and downhill skiing. However, this small Norwegian town and its surroundings are also perfect for summer adventures.

What would you like to do in Lillehammer this summer?

Lillehammer for Adrenaline Junkies

Downhill biking. When the snow melts off the Hafjell mountain just fifteen kilometres north of Lillehammer, bikes come out and the season for downhill biking is about to begin. The trails range from beginner to expert level and Hafjell Bike Park has been the host to the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup since 2012. In 2014 the elite of the bike world will again gather in Hafjell as the centre will be the host for the 2014 Mountain Bike & Trials World Championships. Age limit 10 years.

Olympic Bobsleigh and Luge track. Love speed? The 4-seater wheel-bobs can gather speed up to 100 km per hour and will definitely get your adrenaline running. The age limit is 10 years when accompanied by an adult and 12 years without.

Rafting. White water enthusiasts need to travel only 100 kilometres north of Lillehammer to get to the rafting and kayaking mecca of Sjoa. Sjoa was chosen by Rapid Media as the international white water town (or village) in 2013. Currently there are four operators offering rafting trips on the Sjoa and Otta rivers ranging from family trips on the more tranquil Otta river, to half-day and day trips on different sections on the Sjoa. And while there, why not also try riverboarding or canyoning?

Lillehammer for Outdoor Lovers

Hiking & trail running. The rolling mountains of the Lillehammer region are perfect for quick hikes and runs on the region’s trails, or longer overnight camping adventures off the beaten path. Besides camping, you can also stay in one of the many DNT (the Norwegian Trekking Association) cabins. See more details for trail suggestions, cabin locations and prices on the DNT website.

Mountain and road biking. If you don’t want to only go downhill, the region is also perfect for mountain and road biking. The small tracks and mountain roads take you through breathtaking scenery, while the asphalted roads on the valley floor are busy with competitive bike trainers in the summer season.

Birken. Worth the mention, and participation are the annual Birken events which gather thousands of sports enthusiasts to Lillehammer. You can choose from Birkebeinerrennet, a 54-kilometre ski competition, Birkebeinerløpet, a 21-km run or Birkebeinerrittet, 94.6-km bike race. Or you could do them all!

Lillehammer for Families

Lillehammer is the perfect spot for family holidays. Besides taking the kids outdoors, there are several attractions and activities targeted for the smaller family members. Here are my favourites.

• Lilleputthammer – for the little ones. Lilleputthammer is essentially Lillehammer in miniature size with activities both indoors and outdoors for the small ones, suitable for kids from 1-8 years old.
• Lekeland – for the rainy days. Located right next to Lilleputthammer, Lekeland is a great escape if the weather turns sour. Filled with a maize of slides, steps and small suspension bridges, this indoor playpark will keep the kids busy for hours! There are separate areas for different age groups starting from under 1 year olds.
• Hunderfossen Family Park – Norwegian folklore themed amusement park for kids and adults alike. The park has a great collection of indoor and outdoor rides and an exciting waterpark. Only drawback is that certain rides only describe the folklore in Norwegian. Have a look at my visit to Hundrefossen in Destination Unknown.
• Barnes Gård – animal park, my all-time favourite. Spend a day with goats, puppies, bunnies and other farm and domestic animals. The kids (and adults) can feed and pet most of the animals in the idyllic “farm” atmosphere and even the very smallest ones (I first visited with a 8-month old) seem to enjoy the experience.

Other Things to See and Do in Lillehammer

There is a whole host of non-sporty activities in the area as well, and here are just some of them. For more ideas and inspiration see the Lillehammer tourism board website or you can also ask for more details from me and I would be happy to help!

• Maihaugen – an open air museum with 200 old and new buildings, exhibitions, cafes and plenty of activities, especially in the summer time.
• Lillehammer Art Museum – great place to cool down in the summer heat (or escape from the rain), the museum has changing exhibitions, cafe and a small shop.
• Park Cafe’n – best spot in Lillehammer for a sunny lunch or a cozy evening meal.
• Atelier Kakao – cozy little cafe on the Storgata, the main pedestrian street in the town. Worth a stop!

All Images: Lillehammer Turist AS

One of the hottest trends for the last couple of years has been the maxi dress, casual floor length dresses that come in a variety of colors, patterns and styles. Although I adore many of the colorful, patterned maxi dresses I see in the shops and online, a basic black maxi is my favorite. It’s so versatile! I really get my money’s worth with this dress.

Here are five ways I like to style my black maxi by Yala that would work for practically any neutral, solid colored maxi dress:

1. Make it Monochromatic: Accessorize your maxi dress with the same color as your dress. With my black maxi, I wear a black belt, carry a black bag and add a little bling with gold earrings and sandals. This dressy daytime look could easily work for a casual evening out. I’m thinking a dinner out al fresco with my husband!

2. Dressed it Up: Wear a chic little sweater or jacket with your maxi dress and add a feminine belt, pearl earrings, and your nicest handbag for a dressed up look, ideal for  an elegant luncheon or afternoon tea.

3. Add a Bold Belt: Add a belt that can’t be missed with a neutral maxi dress and let it do the style work. This wide metallic studded belt was handmade by a friend of mine. I think it’s so beautiful that it deserves a pair of sassy heels. If the weather gets chilly, I add a denim jacket for a casual look.

4. Comfortable, Casual and Easy: One thing about most maxi dresses is they are comfortable. While you’ll want to wear it to parties, on dates and out with friends, you’ll also want to wear it running errands. Like I said, they are versatile! Grab a straw tote and head out to the farmer’s market. Add some color and texture by wearing a button down shirt with a pattern, tied at the waist.

5.Go for Chic and Modern: A lightweight summer scarf with vibrant colors will make your neutral maxi dress look stand out. Simply wrap a long, cotton scarf around your neck once, then let the ends drape down. Add a couple of neutral accessories, I prefer dark cognac, and some dangling earrings for a hip, stylish and trendy look.

Do you wear maxi dresses? How do you style yours?

I know, it’s not like I could catch you often thinking of what local business, the best cookies in Halifax and Go Daddy have in common. However, today I would like you to think of all of those local small businesses you have discovered. Maybe they are in your hometown, maybe you found them on your travels, but you for sure didn’t discover them online. Why? Because they are not online yet.

On my trip to Canada last month I was walking around Halifax, Nova Scotia with my new blogger friend Nathalia Molina of Como Viaja, and we were looking for a nice coffee shop to sit down for an afternoon coffee. I’m a Finn, and Nathalia is Brazilian, and let’s just say that Finns and Brazilians take coffee seriously – Finland is the most coffee drinking nation in the world, and Brazil is the most coffee producing country in the world. I tried finding coffee shops online, and we also asked the locals where to go. Tim Horton was on the top of the list, and Starbucks was a popular answer too. We were determined to walk around Halifax until we’d find the perfect local coffee shop.

It was Nathalia that found it first. Mugs etc. at 1335 Barrington Street. We stepped in and the two things immediately caught our attention – the smell of amazing cookies and the smile of the owner welcoming us in. Now, this was the type of coffee shop we would like to sit in and talk.

And that’s exactly what we did. In fact, the owner of Mugs etc, Margo, joined us. We discussed about the importance of using social media to bring visitors to her new coffee shop – Mugs had been open for 5 days when we found it by luck! Margo immediately checked out Foursquare and even added a little promo for those who check-in when stopping for coffee. She does amazing job engaging with her customers in the store and I know she can do the same on Twitter as well. Margo is for a great start for marketing her business also online, that’s for sure. I’m also sure the word will spread and everyone will soon hear about the best cookies in Halifax, but frankly… it wouldn’t hurt to see pictures of those crunchy-sweet-yet-so-healthy-looking-cookies on the Mugs etc. website and read about the catering service Margo also offers. Except I couldn’t find the website.

There are so many local small businesses, who don’t have a strong online presence yet, and yet investing a little bit of time and money to creating an online presence can be crucial for getting new customers.

Go Daddy No WebSitis Contest for small businesses

Go Daddy is hosting a contest for small businesses who don’t own a website yet. Ten small businesses will win a 1-year .COM, .NET or .ORG domain registration and a 1-year Premium Website Builder plan, plus special assistance building their site. You can help your local small business for nominating them, and if the business you nominate wins, we’ll enhance the size of your wallet too — with a $50 Visa gift card. Check out the contest.

I personally have been a Go Daddy customer for over 7 years, and I keep going back for them for all of my domain name needs (I own about 60 different domain names), because they are inexpensive and it’s easy to track everything on their website.

Know a small business that suffers from No WebSitis? You can nominate them to enter the contest or vote for your favorite. Ten local small businesses will win a website from Go Daddy and you could win a $50 Visa Gift for nominating them.

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Go Daddy. The opinions and text are all mine.

A career in the fashion industry is the dream and aspiration of many, but the world of fashion is very competitive and can be difficult to navigate. Lisa Springsteel, author of A Guide to Careers in Design: Becoming  a Fashion Designer, answers all the questions about achieving success in her new published work. The Becoming a Fashion Designer book is full of insider information, containing interviews and advice from big-name industry experts. Interviews include Manolo Blahnik, Nanette Lepore, Stuary Weitzman, and Ralph Rucci with contributions from Derek Lam, Givenchy, Giorgio Armani, and Ralph Lauren Corporation to name a few.

Springsteel has been in the industry for 19 years, making her a veteran. Throughout her career, Lisa has participated in design meetings with Mr. Ralph Lauren. dressed celebrities, and was invited to submit original designs to the Oscar de la Renta spring/summer 2004 collection. She specializes in global fabric and trim research, development, sourcing, design and archiving. In this new work, Springsteel covers the basics of a career in fashion design and then elaborates on education, the job market, the process, and launching your own career. Currently, Ms. Springsteel is a global fabric and trim sourcing, archiving, and product development consultant working with clients such as Ralph Lauren and Marc Jacobs.

This book is sure to make for a great read for anyone interested in the industry. As someone who works in fashion myself, I can attest to the highly competitive environment of the industry, especially in New York. The insight from an expert as well as her outreach to campus recruiting offices and interviews with current interns will be valuable for rising graduates.

Many of you may already have your vacation plans mapped out, but others of you may still be searching for the perfect place to spend a few days with your family this summer. I thought now would be a great time to revisit a few mountain resorts in the Blue Ridge Mountains, all visited by me within the year. I’ve seen the rooms. I’ve eaten in the dining rooms, and I’ve tested out the services. These beautiful resorts/inns are located in three unique destinations, but they all have one common denominator: LUXURY.

The Homestead Resort in Hot Springs, Virginia

The Homestead Resort is a yearround resort but is breathtakingly beautiful in the summertime. Sports enthusiasts will love the two championship golf courses, horseback opportunities and carriage rides, a world-class shooting club, fly fishing with Orvis-endorsed instructors, miles of scenic hiking trails, indoor and outdoor pools, falconry and much more. Those like me, who love to take it easy, will adore the brand new family pool, with a lazy river and water slides, not to mention the great poolside bar service.

This summer, the resort will also debut the new Canyon Ranch Spa Club, which will elevate the historic tradition of “taking to the waters” to the next level of luxury. A signature feature will be Aquavana®, an exclusive European-inspired oasis with experiential rains, herbal laconium, the Chill and aromatic steam focused on the ancient concept of “healing by water.” Adults will also be able to relax in the spa garden pool. The Canyon Ranch Spa Club will also offer spa services to children ages 5 and up.

The Homestead has 483 guest rooms decorated in traditional Southern décor. I stayed in a preferred junior suite with a sitting area, and it was perfect for my family. With this being a historic property, I do recommend splurging a little on your room because some rooms can be small.

My only complaint about the Homestead Resort is that I didn’t stay long enough. Meeting other families nightly by the fire pit and roasting s’mores is a resort highlight. Be sure to stop into Martha’s Market for some homemade ice cream, and enjoy it on the genteel porch.

There’s not much in the little town of Hot Springs, Virginia, except for the amenities of the resort and the historic Jefferson Pools. There are a few restaurants and shops off property, but you’ll be dining mostly on property, so you might want to consider purchasing the dining plan with your room. I think it would be a cost-saver because the resort does add up in food costs. And remember to pack your country club best. The resort does maintain the tradition of a dress code, and jackets are preferred in the more formal main dining room in the evening.

The Homestead is about 90 minutes from Roanoke, Virginia , three hours from Richmond, Virginia, and four hours from Washington, D.C.

The Old Edwards Inn and Spa in Highlands, N.C.

The Old Edwards Inn and Spa, a beautiful, European-style resort, is located in the posh mountain town of Highlands, North Carolina, where upscale dining and shopping abound. The Inn was recently named the No. 4 Top Resort in America for Best Service by Travel and Leisure in its June 2013 issue. Rankings are based on reader votes collected in the Travel and Leisure World’s Best Awards survey. Considering the fact that I visited this resort when my entire family became ill, I have to agree that the staff is top-notch when it comes to service.

The historic Old Edwards Inn and Spa has deep hospitality roots—the property opened in 1878 as Central House, Highlands’ first boarding house. In the last eight years there have been nearly $100 million in renovations, adding new pools, shops, restaurants, and upgraded accommodations. It has also put out the welcome mat for families, and is opening the new Falls Cottages this month with a brand new children’s pool and freestanding fireplace. With eight restaurants and cafes on site, you can easily stay for a week and never tire of your dining choices, plus the cute town of Highlands has lots of options, too. Be sure to stop in Sweet Treats Ice Cream and Deli for a gourmet sandwich and The Ugly Dog Public House for some live music and a drink. Madison’s Restaurants, the Inn’s signature farm-to-table restaurant, is also a must.

Every room at the Inn is absolutely stunning.  The bathrooms have heated tile floors.  Need I say more? The falls cottages and other suites would be best for families. Rooms in the main historic Inn are smaller and are perfect for couples. Every guest will enjoy the complimentary butler’s pantry in the main Inn building.

Old Edwards Inn and Spa is a special destination, and the spa is the most beautiful I have visited. And if you’re a golfer, you’ll be happy, too. The waterfalls around Highlands, N.C., will have you in awe, too. My only complaint about the Inn is that I wish it were closer to my hometown of Raleigh. If that were true, you possibly could find me there every weekend.

Highlands is about two hours from Atlanta, Georgia, one hour from Asheville, N.C., and 3 ½ hours from Charlotte, N.C.

The Inn on Biltmore in Asheville, N.C.

Asheville, North Carolina, is one of my favorite cities to visit. Bustling with outdoor cafes, art galleries, live music, breweries, culture, and lots of nature, it’s sometimes referred to as the “Paris of the South,” and, of course, the city has its own mansion that would rival the Palace of Versailles. Nothing could also be more enchanting than actually to stay on the Biltmore Estate at the Inn on Biltmore.

This luxury Inn has it all: a spa, an outdoor pool overlooking the Biltmore Estate, afternoon tea, and its own outdoor nature adventure center, which is just a complimentary van ride away. For beautiful gardens, wine tours, behind-the-scenes tours of the Biltmore Estate or even a canoe trip down the French Broad River, guests can experience unlimited fun while staying on the Estate.

I adore the library at the Inn on Biltmore, and it’s the perfect place to enjoy a casual meal or drink. Sitting on the veranda during the summer is absolute perfection and a wonderful al-fresco dining experience.
Rooms are luxurious with a king bed or two double beds. If you are going with your family, consider spreading out a little bit and take advantage of the 50 percent off a connecting room special this summer. If you are staying longer than a weekend, I think you would like the extra space. Kids also get free Estate admission this summer, too with a paying adult.

When in downtown Asheville,  be sure to dine at a new favorite restaurant of mine, The Early Girl Eatery. Asheville is approximately 3 ½ hours from Atlanta, Georgia, four hours from Raleigh, N.C., and just over two hours from Charlotte, N.C.

All photos taken by Hinessightblog.

Disclosure: This is not a sponsored post, but I visited all of these resorts within the past year on media visits with a combination of special media rates and complimentary rates. As always, opinions of the resorts are my own, and your experience or room may vary.

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This one is for you my champagne-loving-friends.

Dom Pérignon Vintage 2004 was released a few weeks ago, and the word goes that the champagne-enthusiasts in Europe have been buying this vintage out from wine sellers cross Europe. Many also already now recommend that the Vintage 2003 is for drinking – but Vintage 2004 is for keeping.

Chef de Cave of Dom Pérignon, Richard Geoffroy, is the man who gets to decide not just the mix of grapes used and the fine-tuning of the champagne-making, but he gets to decide when a vintage should see the light of day. The Dom Pérignon Vintage 2004 was aging for eight years on the lees, and this spring it was finally the time to release it.

Richard Geoffroy says about creating champagnes:

It is similar to creating a piece of fine sculpture. In some years, the generous maturity of the wine requires that it be carved from the outside to refine and purify its structure. In the case of Dom Pérignon Vintage 2004, the ethereal balance of the vintage needed to be sculpted from the inside to respect its subtle dynamics. The 2004 vintage has Dom Pérignon’s harmony and streamline, and also its particular embracing quality. It is all there, expressed in a way that enhances its classicism.

Dom Pérignon Vintage 2004 is a perfectly balanced blend of 53% Pinot Noir and 47% Chardonnay and the tasting notes promise aromas of almond and powdered cocoa and white fruit with hints of dried flowers. Classic toasted notes give a rounded finish and denote a fully realized maturity. The full taste lingers with the utmost elegance on a sappy, spicy note.

Dom Pérignon celebrated the release of the Dom Pérignon Vintage 2004 in Hautvillers, France with a visual and musical show displayed on the walls of the Abbaye. “The Expanding Universe” visual projection was designed by Leo Kuelbs and it was an artistic representation of a journey through time for Dom Pérignon. Watch the video below for the stunning show.

You know that you don’t have to wait until the end of summer to enjoy some summer sales and discounts, right? I admit, I rarely pay full price for clothing or accessories, unless it is a classic brand and product that I will use for at least 10 years, like let’s say a designer handbag for example. I’ve shared my obsession for invitation only discount shopping sites before, but can’t give enough praise for them. Today I was on a shopping mission to find red, blue and white finds for 4th of July and beyond and to check out some of my favorite shopping sites for great summer sale items. See my finds, and enjoy the coupons, and invitation links.

PICTURED ABOVE:

Stripe setting ring by Kate Spade, normal price $78, now $54. Great statement ring for summer parties.

‘Beacher’ Espadrille Flats by Tory Burch, regular price $115.00, now 50% off for $57.49 at Nordstrom.

Pleated Drape Jersey Top by One Forty 8 by Lafayette 148 New York, normally $178, now $69 at Gilt. Perfect to dress up or down this summer. Join Gilt for invitation only discounted shopping.

Last but not the least… Check out Coach Factory sales site TODAY, everything is 50% off, including already sale priced products. Get the access by signing up for Coach factory sales.

More summer sales finds!

PICTURED ABOVE:

Gypsy 05 “Talya” Blue Sheer Silk Maxi Dress, normal price $231.00, now only $79.90 at Rue La La. Maxi dress is comfortable, yet the silk makes this one dressy for even the nicest 4th of July parties. Join Rue La La for discounted shopping to get this deal.

Sheer Stripe Packable Super Floppy Hat by Nine West from Macys.com dressed up any summer dress for the parties and keeps the sun away from your eyes. $42.00 but get 20% off with code SUMMER. Enjoy 20% off select regular, sale and clearance prices during the Summer Sale at Macys.com, the coupon code expires June 12th.

Ilana Platform Wedge Sandals by Ralph Lauren, normally $69, now on sale $49.99 at Macys. Check out the rest of the great shoe sale at Macys.com and get extra 30% OFF when you buy 3 or more pairs, extra 20% OFF when you buy 2 pairs and extra 15% OFF when you buy 1 pair, use code GREAT. Ends June 16, 2013.

Factory printed strapless top by J.Crew, regular price $54.50 now $34.50 at the J.Crew factory store. Take an extra 30% off everything at the J.Crew factory sale site with code SPREE, expires June 15, 2013, 11:59pm ET only.

The striped Vineyard Vines Canvas Tote is perfect for summer’s beach days and farmer’s market visits. Normal price $145.00, but now only $79.90 at the Rue La La associate sample sale. Join Rue La La here.

Cuisinart Waring Pro 8-Cup Professional Popcorn Maker, normal price $189.99, now $69.00 at Hautelook. This popcorn maker is a conversation piece, party entertainment and a snack maker all in one. For 70 bucks you will literally make your summer party pop like never before.

Happy shopping!

Last week I revisited an adventure of a lifetime here on Skimbaco: Kayaking through the Grand Canyon, and I wanted to continue with the same destination just a little more.

If you have dreamed of experiencing the Canyon by water but don’t have the necessary skills, there is nothing to worry. Grand Canyon is easily accessible by water for non-kayakers and non-rafters also by joining a commercial operator’s rafting trip.

This “How-To” guide is here to get you started. The commercial operators and the National Park Service can help you with all your questions and they have a wealth of information on their websites too, but if you are wondering whether this could be something for you, you can at least get an idea what to expect.

What to expect? Adventure of a lifetime. Getting up with the sun, laying down with the sunset. Camping on sandy beaches. Dramatic scenery. Amazing views blending with the stories of the long history of the Canyon. Unforgettable hikes. Calm sections of the river, where you can sit back (or paddle for bit of fitness!) and daydream, and wild rapids where the chilly cold water definitely wakes you up from the daydreaming!

When to go on a raft trip to Grand Canyon? Commercial rafting trips normally run between April and October, depending on the operator. Make sure to book well in advance as popular dates can fill up over a year ahead. If you want to organise your own trip, you need to apply for a noncommercial river permit from the National Park Service.

How long does a rafting trip take? The trips take anywhere from one to twenty-one days depending on whether you travel by motorised or oar rafts (or kayaks), and whether you embark on the full journey from Lee’s Ferry to Lake Mead, or enjoy shorter segments of the river. The most exciting and wild white water can be found in the Lower Canyon with rapids such as Laval Falls, Hermit, Granite and Crystal. Besides rafting/kayaking, you can also do small hikes up the side creeks and if you have the time, these are highly recommendable.

Who is the trip suitable for? The longer the trip, the better fitness is required but you don’t need to be an athlete to do the full trip. Enquire from the commercial operator for a suitable option for you. On our 14-day trip both mine and my husband’s parents who are in their early 60’s came along and they mainly paddled the paddle raft with taking some short sections easy on the motorised raft.

What do you need to bring along? Your outfitter of choice will provide you with a complete list of clothing and equipment you need, but you will definitely need to pack light! Some of the absolute essentials include protection from the sun, thermal layers, good water bottle, small waterproof daypack and waterproof rain-gear. I would also not travel to the Canyon without a camera with extra batteries and memory cards.

How do I stay clean? As you will be wild-camping while on the trip, the only way to wash is in the Colorado River, or in one of the smaller side creeks. While you can use soap in the main river, use of any detergents is prohibited in the side streams. Forget beauty products, my skin has never had such a glow as after the “non treatment” (sun lotion and evening moisturiser only) weeks on the Canyon.

How much does it cost? As the cost varies hugely depending on the type of the trip and operator, it is best to check the commercial operators’ websites.

I hope this gave you bit of an idea what to expect and what the trip requires, now the next step is to find your outfitter of choice and start preparing for you own adventure on the Canyon!

All images: Gene17Kayaking

On this Grand Canyon trip I was working for Gene17Kayaking, an international white water coaching and guiding company, who had teamed up with local operator Hatch River Expeditions for the logistics in and out of the Canyon. I highly recommend both operators, Gene17Kayaking is organising their next trip in 2014 (suitable for both kayakers and non-kayakers) and Hatch River Expeditions runs regular trips all through the season.

I feel the heat as our group arrives to Tenganan Pegringsingan village in Bali, Indonesia. I’m sweating the moment I get off the air-conditioned van, but the locals are just laughing at me, it’s not even a hot day for the local measurement. As I walk through the Tenganan village gate to the Bali Aga village compound known for its Gamelan selunding music and geringsing double ikat textiles, I see the first village people, already all set up with their fabric and Balinese map stalls waiting for the tourist shopping day to start. They will be manning their booths most of the day, with no cold wet towels as their disposal, of which I had already gotten accustomed to love at the luxurious Le Méridien Bali Jimbaran hotel, where I was staying. The village is known for the double ikat fabrics, but another popular souvenir from Tenganan village are the Balinese maps. The maps are hand-drawn into bamboo leaves with burnt macadamia nut as ink, and I see the first demonstration how to do this within five minutes from arriving. I wasn’t sure what to expect when I heard about Tenganan village, and I was hesitant intruding their peaceful village, but I felt immediately like a welcomed guest in this small Bali Aga village.

Bali Aga village means a village that still hold the origin traditions and rules of ancient Balinese and the people living in the village are “Bali Aga,” the original Balinese people. The houses are designed the traditional way, the village people still hold the traditional religious ritual ceremonies, and live the ancient Balinese lifestyle of using every means to keep their lifestyle pure and clean. The Tenganese people who move out of the village are not welcomed back, nor are their spouses if the village people get married to outsiders. Only Bali Aga people are allowed to live here, meaning only those people who were born in this village, and there are around 400 people still living in this small village, which is an hour a ride away from the international airport in Bali.

Roosters, dogs and even holy cows roam free in the village, although some of the roosters are also in bamboo-cages, some spray-painted in different colors for cockfights. Our tourist guide explains that cockfighting is over thousand-year-old Balinese tradition in Balinese Hinduism, and part of religious rituals to expel evil spirits. The cockfighting sounds like a mixture of religious ceremony, bloody wrestling match (but note that gambling has been illegal in Bali since 1981, but it doesn’t mean that gambling isn’t part of the cockfighting’s allure nowadays) and an art form. The roosters are painted in bright colors and play an important role when roosters are matched for fights. I found learning about the details of cockfights both fascinating and gross at the same time. One thing is for sure though – you can’t visit Bali without seeing the roosters or chickens, either roaming free, or in large bamboo-cages.

Ikat

The small ikat fabric shops have concrete floors, and a simple hanging light bulb and the light from small glassless windows are the only source of light for the somewhat dim rooms, where even on the warmest days the Tenganan village women weave the traditional Balinese double Ikat fabric.

Double Ikat is a technique in which both warp and the weft are dyed with a specific pattern prior to stringing on the loom, and in Indonesia it is only made in Tenganan. Double Ikat weaving requires a lot of skill for precise patterns to be woven and is considered the premiere form of Ikat. Many of the patterns still done today are hundreds of years old, and the Balinese women weaving them take pride for mastering the ancient skill of double Ikat. These double Ikat fabrics have high spiritual significance and in Tenganan they are still worn for specific religious ceremonies.

The dye-process alone can take weeks, and the colors for the natural dyes come from local plants and is an art form itself. Macadamia nut makes hues of yellow and brown, root bark for red, indigo blue from taum grass and black from mixing indigo from taum grass with red. The list goes on. Only women are allowed to weave the double Ikat, and the Tengenan village had several Ikat shops, where women were sitting on the floor, weaving the precious textiles. I asked the women how long they were able to sit down on the floor at the time, and many said around 2-3 hours per day, and their days would be filled with many other parts of the process than just the weaving. Large double Ikat fabrics can take up to five years to finish.

The village has several Ikat shops, and I saw Ikat weavers’ children play in the backrooms, or run around the village having fun, and I couldn’t think that in many ways these were work-at-home moms, just like me. Except I always work alone at home, but these women stopped working during the day (for a lunch perhaps) and gathered together in the middle of the village for their “water cooler” talk.

One of the women (pictured above) asked what I did. I said I write for my website, and in my mind I was thinking how busy my life was trying to manage an online business, and how I longed for simpler life, like hers.

She took me by surprise by saying

Your life sounds nice, no stress. You can just write and be home with your children. I feel like I never have enough hours in the day, so many processes to do to finish one Ikat. It takes years to finish one.

I laughed and said I guess running out of hours in a day is an universal problem we women all have, no matter what we do or where we live. And just like how you feel about the temperature of the day in Bali was all about what you compared it with; the stress levels we have and the worries we have in life are always relative to what we compare it with. Not to even mention that we never really know what it is to live in somebody else’s shoes and on the end of the day… our own shoes are the only ones that really matter.

Disclosure: my trip to Bali was sponsored, but all of my opinions are my own.