Embarkation

When I am asked to describe my favorite things or my hobbies, there are always three things that I say - Travel, good food/cooking, and adventure! I love these things even more when they are combined. My husband Brandon and I have been planning several upcoming international trips - Costa Rica in December 2012, and Ireland in April 2013. I had been thinking of starting a travel blog, but one night (while cooking, none the less) I realized how fun it would be to create a blog that would be about more than just the travel aspect. Brandon and I love exploring all things indigenous when visiting a new place. We love immersing ourselves in the local culture, and one of our favorite ways to do that is by trying lots of new foods! I've been trying to think of a name for a few weeks now. Inspiration struck last night during our 3 year wedding anniversary dinner at Ya Ya's Euro Bistro, near our home in Denver. 

While eating our delish calamari, Brandon and I started brain storming names. We came up with quite a few bad ones, and then, during dessert (DIVINE milk chocolate caramel Kahlua bread pudding), inspiration struck! I've always loved French cooking, and was thinking it would be fun to include the word 'gourmet' in the name. Brandon suggested including a synonym of the word "explorer," and voila! Le Navigateur Gastronomique was born. For those of us who don't speak French (including me!) that translates as "The Gourmet Navigator."

As I wrote the first part of this, Brandon and I were sitting in the Denver airport waiting for our flight to Baltimore, MD. We will spend the night in Baltimore  with Brandon's parents, Bill and Della, and then left first thing in the morning for San Jose, Costa Rica. I went to Costa Rica with my parents in 2003 - we spent 8 days exploring the Osa Peninsula. We stayed in a small oasis of a place located on Drake Bay, and spent our days snorkeling and exploring Corcovado National Park, an amazing rainforest. This time Brandon, Bill, Della, and I are going to be further north in the country, near the town of Herradura. Our hotel is called "Los Suenos." It's hard for me to imagine a place more relaxing than a hotel with a name of "The Dreams!" 

We are so excited for our adventures - rainforest hiking, snorkeling, white water rafting, sea kayaking, beach relaxing, canopy playing, animal viewing, and of course: great food! 

Buenos noches! 

Linds

Goofing off in the Denver airport while waiting for our flight!