One of my favorite parts of living in Thailand is the easy access to fresh coconut water. When I say fresh I mean 100% fresh. In order to maximize the nutrients, water from a coconut should be consumed not long after the water is exposed to air. In Thailand, whether visiting a street vendor or a posh restaurant, the coconut is never opened until the beverage is ordered. Most street vendors keep a stash of fresh coconuts on ice, ready to chop open on your command. Half the fun of ordering one is getting to watch the vendor swing around butcher’s knife and effortlessly pop the top off of the massive nut. Trying a fresh coconut is a must for any visitor to Thailand.

Here Are 10 Reasons Why…

1. Madonna, Rihanna, Gwyneth and Demi are devotees

A growing number of celebrities are declaring their love of coconut water. Madonna and Rihanna even hock their own brand, Vita Coco. After having the luxury of fresh coconuts at my doorstep I find that drinking coconut water from a juice box tastes a bit like cardboard. However, I’ve recently been turned on to a brand of coconut water that’s sold in a glass bottle, aptly named “Happiness in a Bottle.”  I have to stay it’s almost as good as the fresh coconut water I’ve become accustomed to on the streets of Bangkok. If you can’t make it all the way to Asia and would like to have a taste of Thailand at home, this is your best bet.

2. Ancient medicine 

Hollywood has only recently caught on to a trend that has been growing for more than 4,000 years. The benefits of coconut water have been shared across centuries and continents. The composition of coconut water is so similar to that of blood plasma that it has been used as an IV drip in times of famine and during World War II.

3. Fight aging & prevent cancer

Coconut water contains nutrients called cytokinins which are believed to fight aging and lower the risk of cancer.

4. Electrolyte balance

If you’re fitness buff you’ve no doubt learned that you need to replenish your electrolytes after working up a good sweat in order to prevent muscle cramps. Coconut juice is loaded with electrolytes and minerals. After your next workout skip the toxin laden sugar loaded artificially colored sports drink and enjoy a fresh natural drink with more electrolytes and none of the unwanted chemical crap.  

5. Promotes a healthy heart

On average a small portion of coconut water has more potassium than 2 bananas, and a diet rich in potassium may help reduce the risk of hypertension and stroke. 

6. Promotes kidney health

The magnesium and potassium in coconut water are believed to prevent and even dissolve kidney stones. As a diuretic coconut water helps to cleanse the urinary system, another benefit for kidney health.

7. Boost the immune system.

Coconut water also contains high levels of lauric acid which has antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal properties.

8. Balance your pH

The alkalizing power of the coconut juice will balance your pH, and it’s a lot tastier than wheatgrass.

9. Cures a hangover

Coconut water is known to settle an upset stomach and is a homeopathic hangover cure. Cocktails are plentiful in Bangkok and the holiday nature of the city makes it far too easy to have one too many.  If you’ve had too many buckets on Khao San Road or too many cocktails at Bedsupper Club, try cracking a coconut rather than pouring more toxins into your body in manner of “hair of the dog.”

10. Delicious

While low in sugar, the taste is sweet. Much thinner that coconut milk, coconut water is light and so refreshing! As far as ancient or even modern medicines go, this is the tastiest one I’ve found yet. Coconuts are my “apple a day.” Much like a Thai massage (another must in Thailand!) I try not to go a day without one.

A visit to Thailand is simply not complete without experiencing a Thai massage. Heck, some of us who live here might argue that a single day is not complete without one. The traditional Thai massage is sometimes referred to as Yoga Massage, or what I like to call “Yoga for people who can’t be bothered to do it.” I’m a hot yoga addict myself, but there are the days when I simply can’t be bothered, and on those days I often use a Thai massage as a substitute (and an excuse for skipping my yoga class).

Unlike an oil massage which requires you to strip down, a Thai massage allows you to wear loose and comfortable clothing. The spa will normally provide you with a proper Thai massage outfit consisting of cotton pyjamas, which are appropriate considering that the massage is performed on a mattress on the floor. You can see how tempting it might be to skip yoga and just go for a massage. Instead of changing into my yoga gear and working up a sweat, a Thai massage allows me to change into pyjamas and lie down on a mattress while I let the massage therapist do all the work!

The treatment includes a combination of assisted stretches, deep tissue massage and acupressure.  Throughout the massage the therapist will twist and turn you in such a way that it might seem like a game of Twister gone wrong, yet it feels so right. And in the end they might just walk all over you. The traditional back walk is not administered by all practitioners. Though if you’re willing to give it a try the back walk can help realign the spine and release tension from the back and shoulders. I never thought I would pay someone to literally walk all over me, but it can be one of the most beneficial aspects of the treatment.

In Thai massage the therapist uses his or her hands, elbows, knees and feet to essentially push and pull you through a variety of yoga poses. With the added strength of the therapist I can go much deeper into the yoga poses during a massage than I ever do in my yoga practice. If you hate pigeon pose in yoga, you can count on your massage therapist to work on opening your hips. If you dread the spinal series in your hot yoga class, you can enjoy a deep and effortless cobra pose during your Thai massage.

Legend has it that traditional Thai massage is an ancient practice that was developed by the personal physician of Buddha himself over 2500 years ago. With roots in Indian Ayurvedic medicine, Thai massage is based on the theory of energy balance. You may know this energy as prana from Indian Ayurveda, or as Qi from Chinese medicine. The treatment focuses on the sen energy lines (similar to Indian nadis or Chinese meridians). The basic theory is that an imbalance or blockage of these energies leads to pain and illness, whereas releases of these blockages and restoration of balance brings good health. I’d like to believe that my weekly Thai massage will cure what ails me. At the very least, it feels pretty darn good. And hey, if it was good enough for Buddha…

Bangkok is a crazy bustling city that never sleeps. During all hours of the day and night you will find pedestrians, taxis, tuk-tuk’s, buses, motorbikes and yes, the occasional elephant. Traffic in Bangkok can be chaotic and the transportation options can be intimidating. Here are some tips to help navigate your navigation options in the City of Angels.

Taxis – Cheap & Comfy

The brightly painted taxis come in variety of colors but they all operate on the same metered fare system. A proper taxi will have a “Taxi-Meter” sign on the roof. Fares start at THB 35 (USD 1) and increase with both km driven and minutes standing in traffic. For about THB 100 (USD 3) you can take a taxi pretty much anywhere in central Bangkok. Always insist that the driver use the meter. If he wants to negotiate just let him drive away. Another taxi should be along within a few minutes.

From the airport – When travelling into Bangkok from Suvarnabhumi, Bangkok’s International Airport, a standard metered taxi should cost around THB 350 (USD 10) including tolls for the expressway. Upon arrival at the baggage claim passengers will usually be greeted by several smiling young Thai women holding up taxi signs enticing less savvy travelers to book a taxi for an exorbitant fare. Never book a taxi with anyone inside the airport unless you’re willing to pay double, triple or even quadruple the metered fare. If you’re new to Bangkok and are worried about successfully reaching your desired destination you can use the official taxi stand located on the ground floor outside of arrivals. For a surcharge of THB 50 (USD 1.50) you can tell the taxi attendant where you’d like to go. He will then write down your destination in Thai and provide it to your taxi driver. Alternatively if you know where you’re headed, you don’t want to wait in the long taxi queue, and you want to avoid the THB 50 surcharge, simply head up to the 4th floor departures level where you will find several waiting taxis that have recently dropped passengers for departing flights. However, beware that many of these drivers will attempt to negotiate a rate with you. Simply insist on using the meter and agree that you will pay the expressway tolls (approximately THB 70 or USD 2).

Tuk-Tuk’s – Pricey & Polluted  (But Fun To Drive!)

Most tourists in Bangkok can be found in the back of a tuk-tuk, a 3-wheeled open air taxi. Tuk-tuk’s are not metered so all fares are negotiated with the driver whose opening bid is usually 2 to 3 times the equivalent fare for a standard taxi. Now I don’t know about you spoiled travelers, but I would much prefer to sit in the back of an air-conditioned taxi for 1/3 the price, than to sit in the back of a tuk-tuk in the Bangkok heat while inhaling the exhaust from the surrounding traffic. That being said, as much as I prefer not to ride in the back of a tuk-tuk…I once sweet talked a tuk-tuk driver into letting me take the driver’s seat and I drove a tuk-tuk just for fun, but that’s another story for another post.

 Motorbike Taxis – Fast & Frightening

As a general rule I try to avoid the use of a motorbike taxi for the obvious safety concerns, but on days when I’m in a hurry and traffic is at a standstill, a motorbike can be my saving grace. The beauty of travelling on a bike is that you can easily navigate the gridlock rush hour traffic, knocking an hour or more off of your commute. In heavy traffic the commute from my office to my condo might take over an hour in traffic, while the same commute takes only 10 minutes on a motorbike. Though not metered, the fare for a motorbike is usually equivalent to the fare that a standard metered taxi would charge (without traffic). This means that during rush hour motorbikes are not only faster, but also less expensive than a standard taxi which would charge you for the minutes spending standing in traffic. As with all forms of transport that are not metered, simply agree on a fare before accepting a ride. The motorbike taxis are indicated by the colored vest worn by the driver (usually orange or pink).

The driver will offer you a helmet although you’re not required to wear it. The helmets offered hardly provide any safety. They rarely fit and give the appearance that they wouldn’t provide any protection if you fell off the back of a toddler’s tricycle, much less a motorbike in Bangkok traffic. Nonetheless I recommend wearing the helmet, if not to save your head then to save your Thai Baht. Occasionally Thai police will stop the driver and fine the passenger for not wearing a helmet. This tends to happen more often at the end of the month when (allegedly) the police are running low on funds and looking for bribes by fining “farangs” (foreigners). If you plan to stay in Thailand for any extended period of time, and intend to take advantage of the motorbike taxis, I highly recommend buying your own helmet. A basic selection of helmets can be found at Big C department store (the Wal-Mart of Bangkok). If you opt to use the helmet provided by the driver, then I’d recommend you bring along a bandana or handkerchief to place inside the helmet for the obvious sanitary concerns.

Your Own Two Feet + the Sky Train and Subway

Several areas of the city are connected by the BTS Sky Train and MRT Subway. The more popular Sky Train offers two routes, the Sukhumvit Line and the Silom Line. The trains run daily between 6:00 am and 12:00 midnight with frequent service throughout the day, and more trains during rush hour. Fares range from THB 15 (USD 0.50) to THB 40 (USD 1.30) and vary with distance travelled. Remember to hold on to your ticket as you’ll need to present it at the turnstile after exiting the train.

For shorter distances the majority of central Bangkok can be easily navigated by foot. For the most part it’s a safe city and tourist areas such as Sukhumvit are safe to walk through even at night.

River Boats

An often forgotten form of transportation in Bangkok is the river boat. For tourists visiting the Grand Palace or Wat Pho (home of The Reclining Buddha), or for the less cultured travelers looking to drink cheap liquor from a bucket on nearby Khao San Road, the river offers a scenic commute. Chao Praya River Express operates a regular boat service up and down the river with fares around THB 25 (USD 0.83). There are piers near many of the riverside hotels and near the Saphan Taksin Bridge BTS Sky Train station. Tickets can be purchased from staff at the pier. Additionally the Chao Phraya Tourist Boat serves those piers of interest to tourists with a full day unlimited pass for THB 150 (USD 5).

When in Rome, do as the Romans do. When at Caesars Palace (the one in Las Vegas that is) ride a chariot!

If you’ve visited Caesars Palace in Vegas, you can appreciate that in the time it takes to walk from the Forum Shops to the Garden of the Gods Pool Oasis, you could easily traverse the entire city of Rome, from the Roman Forum to the Vatican. It’s a sprawling property with winding corridors that entice you to get lost among the myriad of slot machines, gaming tables, restaurants and bars. As such, it should come as no surprise that the thoughtful staff at Caesar’s rent scooters for your convenience. Or as we prefer to say in Rome, your chariot awaits!

Now at first glance you might be skeptical of this chariot. You might think it’s only for the injured, or the elderly, or that guy who seems to be a bit too fond of the full day pass to the buffet. This was my initial assessment as well, but I invite you to take a second look.

During a recent visit to Vegas for a conference we were first introduced to the chariot by a friend of who was nursing a foot injury and trying to lay off the crutches during her long commute back and forth across the expansive Caesars casino. What started out as sympathy for our friend’s injury quickly transformed into envy for her chariot, and her ability to quickly zip across the casino in the comfort of her leather chair. Her chariot was shiny and red, almost like a new car, though obviously not as fast since the scooters top out at about 5 mph (but that’s faster than it sounds, I assure you).

Now when you think of the typical clientele for this type of scooter you’re probably thinking of that lady from the “I’ve fallen and I can’t get up” commercial. However, she would be more likely to be seen in the scooter’s cousin, the Power Chair, which is more of a an electric wheel chair, not to be confused with the scooter (aka chariot) which looks more like a riding lawn mower and comes equipped with a handy basket to store your Gucci bags from that visit to the Forum Shops.

You might still be thinking, “No, I couldn’t ride a scooter. I’d look ridiculous.” But I invite you to consider this, if you were staying at a large resort would you feel respectable driving a golf cart? Of course you would. Well just consider your chariot to be a miniature golf cart that is small enough to access the indoor areas of the resort. It’s worth noting that the chariot offers far superior accessibility to a golf cart, because let’s face it you can’t drive a golf cart up to the buffet.

Still not convinced? Consider that the chariot can be dressed up or dressed down. Just last Thursday night a parade of chariots could be seen transporting beautiful women in cocktail dresses and stiletto heels from the lobby at Caesars to the upscale Caramel lounge at Bellagio. At the end of the evening when the feet in stilettos were beginning to tire, the ladies did not stress about the long walk back to their hotel room as they remembered “My chariot awaits.”

On your next visit to Caesars, remember YOUR chariot awaits! Scooter Rental is available through the Bell Desk at Caesar. Prices starting at $40 for 24 hours.

No one had forewarned me about this…and while I don’t have too many skeletons in my closet, I still found myself getting a little nervous as I sat in the V Theater watching The Mentalist, Gerry McCambridge, reveal the secrets of randomly selected audience members while apparently reading their minds.

As he stood on the stage blindfolded, with large coins duct taped to his eyes, he would call out the first and last initials of someone’s name. An audience member would then stand and reply “Yes Gerry, those are my initials,” as they prepared for him to share private information about their lives, details it would be impossible for him to know. Gerry became famous for this ability when his hit primetime special “The Mentalist” which aired on NBC.

Sure there are several explanations for the mindreading, the most obvious being plants in the audience, but even if you’re not convinced by his ability to declare the past, you cannot deny his ability to precisely predict the future. In the live Vegas show for those who are still convinced that all of the alleged audience members are really just in on the act, Gerry dispels your belief by ensuring that everyone in audience has a chance to participate. The show culminated with each audience member (including the nonbelievers!) tossing numbered balls into baskets in a random human lottery – the results of which were of course accurately predicted.

Being your average cynic I was prepared to find all of the smoke and mirrors with my well trained eye for detail and analytical mind. I love a good magic show, but always leave feeling frustrated when I can’t determine the secret behind the magic. Which is why I was thrilled when Gerry shared the secrets to his success during the first few tricks of his act.

In Gerry’s words “A mentalist is someone who can figure out what you’re thinking and also can influence your thoughts.” He explained in detail how he used verbal and nonverbal cues to both predict and influence the response of audience members, but even after his detailed explanation I remained mind-boggled by his apparent ability to both declare the past and predict the future. Gerry will tell you that his Mentalist abilities were honed over a lifetime, thanks in part to the magic kit he received for Christmas at the age of 8, and the skills he learned from his father, an NYC detective and an expert at interrogation. Others might argue that part of his “magic” began when he was born…on Halloween.

To get in on the magic stop by to see The Mentalist Live on your next visit to Sin City. Even if you do have some sins in your past, not to worry Gerry won’t reveal them. The show is rated PG-16. Showtime is at 7:30pm Thursday to Tuesday (Dark Wednesday) at the V Theater in the Comedy Club located in the Miracle Mile Shops inside Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino right on the Las Vegas Strip.

For a bonus visit Houdini’s Magic Shop located just across from the theater and take a little magic home with you.

Cancun was my first stop on a three week visit to the Gulf of Mexico.  I stayed at Le Meridian Resort and Spa, owned by my beloved Starwood Hotels.  The hotel itself was beautiful, with multi layered infinity pools, in a unique dark blue that whispered, “zen.”  The canopy hammock beds were available for rent- $40 USD to swing in the shade while watching beachside sunbathers and drinking… whatever those things are the cabana boys bring in giant coconuts.  We rented the row of cabanas and lounged for the day in absolute heaven.  We did take a cabana break to wander down to the beach and rent jet skis- a task that is not for the light-hearted when the seas are acting playful.  I don’t remember the last time I laughed so hard.

The staff at Le Meridien were friendly, and the front desk and concierge were particularly helpful, offering tips for attractions, and recommending well known restaurants such as Lorenzillos, a world famous seafood restaurant situated directly on the lagoon side of Cancun.  (Lorenzillos doesn’t seem to have a detailed website up yet, but in case they ever do, I’m sharing the link: http://www.lorenzillos.com.mx.)  I can honestly say, this restaurant has earned its reputation.  They not only serve the best lobster I’ve EVER had in my life, but they have their own lobster farm on site and an ideal setting, complete with deckside tables presenting plenty of opportunity to fish watch and crocodile-perv right from your table.  Lorenzillos is definitely my pick for Cancun restaurants.

One of Cancun’s more popular attractions are the pyramids of Chichen Itza, home of one of the largest known Mayan pyramids.  A 2+ hour drive from Cancun, our concierge suggested either a luxury tour bus or private car rental for our visit to the ruins.  We opted for a car, in case we decided to stay longer… or shorter, than a tour bus would permit.  Ok, let me warn you- if you ever rent a car in Mexico, expect the gas tank to be empty, or at least not full!  And stop for gas well before getting on the road to Chichen Itza because it will be well over an hour to the nearest gas station.  Eh, but while you’re stopped, there’s an excellent cafe with Tamales that are out of this world!  Well before this, just outside of a toll booth, we stopped at a tourist information center and ended up buying a Chichen Itza tour package that included our entry fees into the archaeological park, parking, and lunch.  We were given handy maps and background information about Chichen Itza’s attractions and the Mayan culture.

After arriving at the archaeological park, we opted to hire a private tour guide- this was definitely the way to go.  He shared detailed background information about the history, and culture of the ancient civilization.  This made it far more interesting than just walking around staring at ruins we knew little about.  I’d definitely recommend a private tour guide if you’re planning to visit Chichen Itza.  Just remember to arrive early and plan to do your shopping after your tour- otherwise, your tour could go very long and your tour guide might just get cranky, hanging out waiting while you’re negotiating how much to pay for that quartz pyramid or curious Mayan mask.

The weather in Chichen Itza?  Humid and hot, but the mosquitos seemed to like it.  Bring a hat, sunglasses, and dress cool, with a layer of insect repellent.  It was so humid while we were there, it was almost unbearable.  A thunderstorm started, but this just made the giant pyramid look cooler.

After the rainstorm passed, we wandered around the grounds.  There’s a hotel surrounding the archaeological park, which is actually built ON the ruins- of which we were told consist of more than 300 ruin mounds.  Wandering around the hotel, and through the villas and gardens, there were a number of “hidden” ruins, including statues and stone roads that few people get to see.  The wandering peacocks even add a nice exotic touch.

Such a disappointment… that I didn’t stay at the Bellagio in Las Vegas instead of the Venetian that is!  The Bellagio is a class act, from their professional and courteous staff to their immaculately decorated hotel and casino. The minute you walk into the hotel entrance, you are surrounded by the scents of hyacinths, lilies, and more.  The famous Bellagio Conservatory is a magnificent atrium; probably one of the most amazing garden exhibits I have ever seen.  Who would have expected to find this on the Las Vegas strip?  Changing seasonally, the Conservatory is open to all, and by midday, it’s filled with tourists taking advantage of easy photo ops.   Cute shops nearby include the Giardini Garden Store, where I picked up the happiest Buddha statue I’ve ever seen.  There’s also the Jean Philippe Patisserie, featuring the Guinness record holding “largest chocolate fountain in the world.”  This fountain is quite a show-stopper, but I was even more impressed with the absolutely divine chocolate they make.  I’m actually eating their “chocolate caviar” while writing this post.  Move over Swiss chocolate- Jean Philippe is in a league of their own!

Bellagio Fine Art Gallery

I almost cried when I discovered the Bellagio Fine Art Gallery was closed while I was there.  I’m certain I’ll catch it in the next few months, but in the meantime, I had fun talking with some of the staff.  The current collection is planned to continue through January of 2011 and includes works by Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Pablo Picasso, Edgar Degas and Fernand Leger.  Admission is $15, which I heard people complaining about, but come on- it’s a once in a lifetime experience!

Bellagio Restaurants

I was told the Bellagio BUFFET was the best on the strip and had to be checked out. Now, I haven’t been to a buffet in years, possibly since I was a kid, but I’d have to say this one was pretty impressive. Less than $25 per person, young child eat free, and so many choices, they’re sure to satisfy even the pickiest eater (points at self.) We also had a great waiter- a busy waiter, but on top of his game considering the crowd he was serving. I would definitely recommend choosing off-peak dining times to avoid a crowd.

Noodles was another restaurant I had a chance to hit. The last time I was here, I met up with my Uncle who insisted we go to his favorite, The Noodle Shop in Mandalay Bay. I’m not sure which I liked better, but I’d say the service was a bit slow in both. Good thing the food more than made up for it!

THE SPA & SALON at the Bellagio.

I’ve saved the best for last…. While I was strolling in awe of the incredible gardens in the Bellagio Conservatory, I noticed a woman coming out of the Bellagio Spa & Salon with perfect hair.  I all but ran inside asking, “who did that woman’s hair?”  A few minutes later, the very nice receptionist had me lined up for a Saturday appointment with Julie, a talented colorist, and Hillary; my new favorite  stylist and colorist of all time.  I was so pleased with the final results of my hair, I made yet another appointment, coming back for a Brazilian Blowout.

I spent around $1,000 on my hair that weekend, but walked out of the Bellagio salon with model hair that didn’t frizz even after returning to my home in extremely humid Puerto Vallarta.  If you have curly hair like I do, you know this is worth every penny.  Great hair, and such professional service, they’re actually shipping my hair products internationally.  I’ve already let Hillary know I’ll be back for my next hair treatment and for another of Micheal’s fabulous lattes!

My overall impression and recommendations: Shop here, enjoy the charming gondola rides, marvel at the talented opera singers amidst the Canal Shop Square… then stay elsewhere. I checked out of the hotel nearly a week ago and I’m still spending a few hours a day trying to get out of $5400+ in duplicate charges for my $1600 hotel bill. No, I’m not joking. My billing was not only screwed up multiple times, but Rudy in their billing department has little concern for the matter. Honestly, I’m not bitter. It’s been so ridiculous, I’ve resorted to actually laughing about it! In the meantime, I’m thankful for Chase Bank, and their amazing ability to match the numbers on hotel statements with bank charges, which the Venetian can’t seem to do.

If you do plan on staying at the Venetian, here’s my advice- use only ONE credit card and make sure they offer super spectacular consumer protection. When you check out, opt out of express check out and get a statement you can triple check for duplicate billing (or triplicate billing in my case.) And finally, be sure and check your bank activity over the next few days- I was charged again for another $1,280+ 2 days after checking out of the hotel.

The Venetian Hotel and Casino:
Billing disasters aside, the Venetian was beautiful, with an unbeatable atmosphere starting with an elaborate foyer and grand hallway. I’m a sucker for musicians and beautiful fountains in the entry you know. Be sure and watch your step coming from the front desk, you don’t want to trip over the line of tourists taking photos along the way to their rooms.

The Venetian Hotel Rooms
The Venetian is a true all-suite, luxury Las Vegas hotel. Their rooms are anything but ordinary with sunken living areas, luxury linens, multiple flat screens and huge bathrooms complete with over sized marble tubs. Everything you could possibly need, including a weight-censored minibar to alert staff for quick refills. If you need an extra bed in your room, come early- these are first come, first serve with limited availability. They’re also only available up to the 12th floor- just an fyi for those of you who like to high views of the strip. Humidifiers are available, and just about any toiletry you left behind. Quick note though, bring your own blow dryer; they’ve stocked bottom of the line, frizz-causing conair hair dryers with no cool button. So close to being the perfect accommodations! 2 large flat screens with disappointing channels but plenty of movies to rent (coincidence? I think not! I like movies anyway.) I really appreciated the in room multitask printers; trips to the business center weren’t even necessary. My favorite amenity at this hotel- FREE WIFI – only at the Las Vegas Venetian!

As impressive as your room may be, you won’t want to waste time seeing more of this hotel. A quick stroll brings you to the Canal Shops. Expect to gawk- the Venetian has one of the most incredible shopping areas I’ve ever seen, anywhere. Upscale shops in Venetian style facades around the indoor canals, complete with gondoliers passing by. Gondolier rides are available for $15 per person and it seemed the average appointment was an hour’s wait. Venetian hotel guests are given “buy one, get one half off” gondola ride coupons. If you want a cute keepsake, the gondola rides have photographers on hand and plenty of framing options. I’ll admit, I left with a few 5 x 8′s in a silly Venetian paper frame, a keychain photo, and a few in magnets. Hey, my grandmother loved them! The shopping… oh the shopping… I hit Burberry, Coach, Kenneth Cole, Anne Taylor, Brighten and several others. There’s even a Barneys New York tucked between the Venetian and the Palazzo. If you’re a shopper, go nuts! Just remember almost all of these shops are at the Las Vegas Premium Outlet Mall offering significant discounts.

The Venetian Staff:
Professional doormen, courteous front desk, and helpful concierge staff. The gentlemen working the transportation area always have a smile on their face and are happy to offer advice and directions. The Venetian offers great customer service in their hotel. Their billing department… well, maybe they’re overworked.

Happiest Buddha Ever!

A man came to my door this morning, riding a bicycle with a bucket hanging off the handlebar.  He very kindly, asked if he could wash my Grand Jeep Cherokee.  When I hesitated to assess how dirty it was, he quickly added, “Please, I need to eat.”   It brought tears to my eyes.  I agreed, immediately, giving him everything I had in my wallet when he was finished.

It made me think.  I’ve always been an overly generous individual, even when I couldn’t afford to be.  Now, I can afford to give quite a lot, and I do.  My mother, a huge Oprah fan, had brought this up while we were in Vegas this week:  “Oprah says the more she gives the more that comes back to her and that she just can’t give it away fast enough.  I think this is why you have become so successful.  You have always done the same thing.”   It makes you wonder, doesn’t it?  Is this the reason I’m making 7 figures this year for doing next to nothing, aside from traveling around and having fun?  I help friends who need money.  I help strangers who need food.  I help family members who aren’t even my family members.  I ask nothing in return, but I do this out of complete selfishness- giving makes me feel good.

I’m in the process of planning a spa vacation to San Francisco for next month.  The Brilliant Society, (all my girlfriends from Rutgers) were looking over the various spa options in and around San Fran and Napa Valley.  One of the destinations we had our eye on was the Calistoga Ranch, an ultra exclusive spa getaway only an hour away from San Francisco and offering just about everything you could possibly want.  The price tag…. $17,000.   I’ll admit, this was still a consideration until this morning.  Now however, I think I’ll stick to my beloved Westin or St. Regis for about half the price and give a little (ok, a lot) extra to charitable causes this month.

Anyway… San Francisco already has me excited.  5 girls, from all over the country (and me from Puerto Vallarta) hitting the spa for a week or so.  I can’t wait!

Happiest Buddha Ever!

A man came to my door this morning, riding a bicycle with a bucket hanging off the handlebar.  He very kindly, asked if he could wash my Grand Jeep Cherokee.  When I hesitated to assess how dirty it was, he quickly added, “Please, I need to eat.”   It brought tears to my eyes.  I agreed, immediately, giving him everything I had in my wallet when he was finished.

It made me think.  I’ve always been an overly generous individual, even when I couldn’t afford to be.  Now, I can afford to give quite a lot, and I do.  My mother, a huge Oprah fan, had brought this up while we were in Vegas this week:  “Oprah says the more she gives the more that comes back to her and that she just can’t give it away fast enough.  I think this is why you have become so successful.  You have always done the same thing.”   It makes you wonder, doesn’t it?  Is this the reason I’m making 7 figures this year for doing next to nothing, aside from traveling around and having fun?  I help friends who need money.  I help strangers who need food.  I help family members who aren’t even my family members.  I ask nothing in return, but I do this out of complete selfishness- giving makes me feel good.

I’m in the process of planning a spa vacation to San Francisco for next month.  The Brilliant Society, (all my girlfriends from Rutgers) were looking over the various spa options in and around San Fran and Napa Valley.  One of the destinations we had our eye on was the Calistoga Ranch, an ultra exclusive spa getaway only an hour away from San Francisco and offering just about everything you could possibly want.  The price tag…. $17,000.   I’ll admit, this was still a consideration until this morning.  Now however, I think I’ll stick to my beloved Westin or St. Regis for about half the price and give a little (ok, a lot) extra to charitable causes this month.

Anyway… San Francisco already has me excited.  5 girls, from all over the country (and me from Puerto Vallarta) hitting the spa for a week or so.  I can’t wait!