A Petaluma360 Blog

Bucket List Journeys

An unconventional quest to see, eat and do everything

Learning Sign Language at London’s Oldest Wine Bar

Wednesday, at 8:07 by

Quite a few months back a complete stranger (& fellow adventurist) invited me on the “Playboy” Kandy Kruise to Mexico, I accepted and a friendship was born. Lucky for me, she lives in London and I was excited to meet up with her again at the oldest wine bar in the city, Gordon’s. Megane is the ultimate bucket lister whose stories are intriguing, as well as inspirational. And of course, it wouldn’t be a bucket listers night out if there… Read More »

12 Tips for Navigating the London Underground

Monday, at 10:37 by

I was having severe anxiety about using the London Underground. I seriously spent hours studying the tube map, trying to make sense of all the colorful lines. I had nightmares of flying ten hours to England and then not being able to navigate my way to the hotel or, even worse, to a good pub for mushy peas. Yes. I have some issues. 1. Buy an Oyster Card After much debate between the Travelcard or Oyster Card I opted for… Read More »

Eating Picturesque Bone Marrow at St. JOHN Restaurant

Friday, at 7:00 by

Prior to arriving in London, I watched the Anthony Bourdain London episode of The Layover…six times. Though I mostly like to find my own hidden eatery treasures, after seeing the show, I absolutely wanted to go to St. John Hotel for blood sausages. But, what ended up happening was me going to St. John Bar & Restaurant for Bone Marrow. Close enough. Either way, I would still be having a meal at one of the restaurants owned by the famous… Read More »

What to Wear to London (& What I Wore)

Wednesday, at 7:35 by

Even though I would never let my attire hinder having an extraordinary travel experience, for me proper planning does include a Google search for the latest fashion trends of wherever I am going to visit. Mostly, to avoid having “Tourist” stamped across my forehead. As if having a camera hanging around my neck wasn’t a convincing enough sign. For my trip to London I spent an extensive amount of time hunting for the perfect boots. But, what I should have… Read More »

Piroshkys & a Cappuccino in Seattle

Monday, at 8:46 by

When I first announced my travel plans to Seattle, John over at Travel Rinse Repeat offered up a gift card to Piroshky Piroshky. Not only was I grateful that someone I never met would be so kind, but I was also stoked because I had heard that this food establishment was a master in their craft. Piroshky Piroshky, located at Pike Place Market, specializes in Russian Piroshkys, buns that are fried or baked and stuffed with a variety of fillings.… Read More »

A Spin on the London Eye

Wednesday, at 8:24 by

Upon arriving to a new city, one of the first things I like to do is take a bus or boat ride, or hustle to the highest point in the city to get a grasp on my surroundings. London was no different. The London Eye is a giant ferris wheel that towers 443 feet in the air and I wanted to see what that heck was way up there. As I approached the impressive structure I was having flashbacks of… Read More »

A Stroll Through London’s Hyde Park

Monday, at 8:10 by

After eating my first ever dim sum on my first ever day in London, it was time to go for a stroll. Peter and I walked out the front door of the Royal Garden Hotel and hung a quick left. Thirty seconds later we were at the entrance to Kensington Gardens on our way to Hyde Park. Hyde Park is 350 acres and home to over 4,000 trees, The Serpentine lake and Diana Memorial Fountain. Though, technically, Kensington Gardens and… Read More »

Arguably, the Best Clam Chowder in Seattle

Friday, at 8:37 by

As soon as I started mentioning to people that I was heading to Seattle, they all immediately asked the same thing, “Are you going to catch a fish at Pikes?” Uh, it’s on the bucket list, so I certainly hope so. But, after that, all the questions were related to eating the fresh seafood. Mostly, in the form of clam chowder. By the second day in town, my only dining experience had consisted of eating duck gizzards and beef tongue.… Read More »

My First Meal in London was Dim Sum. Huh?

Wednesday, at 7:00 by

To be honest, even before I had arrived in London, I had had mushy peas on the mind. Which is why it is ironic that my first British meal was dim sum. The thing was, immediately after I was done drooling over my mind-blowing room at the Royal Garden Hotel, I realized that I hadn’t had a proper meal in over 10 hours. I was hungry. NOW. So, we headed up to the 10th floor, for some Asian cuisine…and a… Read More »

Ugli Fruit. It Has a Good Personality.

Monday, at 9:34 by

After exiting Pike Place Market in Seattle, we walked across the street heading towards the Original Starbucks for a cappuccino, when I was stopped in my tracks. First, the colorful fruit stands caught my eye, then the temptation of Ugli Fruit. I am a sucker for trying stranger foods, though mostly of the non-vegetarian sort; duck gizzards, lambs tongue, pigs tails, etc. Never have I been so intrigued by a fruit or vegetable. Ugli fruit is a citrus fruit exclusively… Read More »