Our Cross-Ocean Trip on the Luxurious Queen Mary 2

Crossing the Atlantic while crossing off another item on our bucket list!

 

I’ve always been drawn toward the magnificence of the Queen Mary, visited the original ship multiple times. The original Queen Mary eventually went out of commission in the 1970s and now resides in Long Beach, Calif., as a hotel. Naturally my bucket list would include, “ride across the Atlantic Ocean on the Queen Mary 2.”

The moment I stepped foot onto the mammoth ship, I was greeted with friendly faces and taken aback by its sheer luxury and elegance. Everything about the Queen Mary 2 was pristine. Some cruise ships after a few days can feel crowded, but never once did we get that sensation.

There are approximately 2,600 passengers and 1,200 crew members aboard. This ocean liner is built strong, made for crossing oceans for weeks at a time.

 

Originally I had planned on enjoying my Kindle and a good read on my balcony, but boy was I wrong! There was so much to do, and although we were busy bouncing around doing all kinds of activities, we STILL couldn’t fit it ALL in!

 

INTERESTING TIDBIT: The Queen Mary 2 is the only ship with a kennel. The designated dog area is on the top deck. The luxurious area is a retreat for the K9s, and owners can come visit them anytime. What a TREAT for owners who don’t prefer flying their furry companions!

 

OUR ROOM

The planetarium was stellar… pun intended. The casinos were lavish and humming with energy. We had the fortune of dining in the Princess Grille. We went all out on the Queen Mary 2 because we knew we wouldn’t likely do it again anytime soon. The food was excellent. From chateaubriand and chicken en croûte to crepe suzettes, you name it. Everything was exceptional. The menus were huge.

Planetarium

We went to all kinds of lectures. I especially liked listening to the astrophysicist. I checked out the art galleries, which, of course, are my thing, and enjoyed dining with the captain at the Captain’s Dinner.

 

For seven straight days we traveled across the Atlantic. The enormous waves weren’t a worry, as the Queen Mary 2 was suited for such action! I captured video of the powerful ocean waves – the swells were unbelievable. However, the ship’s stabilizers kicked in seamlessly and she plugged away, fast.

I couldn’t imagine crossing the Atlantic on anything smaller – yet my seatmate at our dining table crossed it on his sailboat, which took 11 days. Count me out! How amazing!?

 

On top of the delectable food, art galleries, lectures and clubs, the Queen Mary 2 had five swimming pools sprinkled across all sides. There’s a 3D cinema, classical music venues, spas, sports and leisure events. The list goes on.

What I loved about this cruise, ontop of the luxury, fun and beauty, was the lack of jet lag when I got home!

 

We arrived finally in Red Hook, New York.

 

Keep in mind the Queen Mary 2 tends to draw in a sophisticated, generally older crowd. Majority of the passengers were around retirement age. There was a nightclub, but that’s about it for the younger crowd!

 

I would save the Queen Mary 2 as a must-do for when you’re retired.

Tour of Ireland

Self-guided exploring across the lush Celtic land

 

Our trip to Ireland was a dream.

 

The beauty of Ireland is simply breathtaking. It’s filled with historic castles, serene coastlines, quaint, bustling cities, and so much more. It’s one of the most lush, green countries I’ve ever been lucky enough to explore.

We began our trip in Dublin, the capital, spending about two days in the city to get over the jet lag from New York. Wedged between the incredible half-moon-shaped Irish Sea and the dramatic Wicklow Mountains, the city was the perfect place to kick off our tour.

 

There’s a fantastic shopping district on The Northside as well as the Dublin Zoo. On the Southside you’ll find the Bohemian Temple Bar District with lots of nightlife, Trinity College, Dublin’s Castle, St. Patrick’s Cathedral and finely crafted government buildings.

 

We wanted to do this tour OUR way, so opted to rent a car. Us Americans were not used to driving on the “wrong” side of the street, on the left side of the car. My boyfriend (and best travel companion ever) drove the whole time… I wasn’t about to try! There are only about two highways… with all remaining roads very narrow. We were in areas where only one car could fit and had to squish over to let the others pass. There were lots of cliffs and rolling hills, sheep and cattle. Nevertheless, the narrow roads and wrong-side driving nerves were soothed at the sight of all the beauty Ireland had to offer.

Most of the towns in Ireland are small, with populations of about 3,000, give or take. We drove through southern Ireland straight across to Galway. There were various cathedrals with the most stunning crosses and greenery. We also went to Connemara National Park, where we encountered beautiful vistas.

We spent my birthday in Kenmare at a quaint, down-home country cooking restaurant called Packies. It was charming, with stone walls, delectable breads and the Irish butter was stupendous. Everything melted in my mouth and warmed my heart. What a treat!

We next ventured through the Ring of Kerry, featuring cliffs rimming the edge of the water. It was a little chilly in September, so coats were a necessity!

Off we went toward Valentia Island, passing all kinds of carefully crafted churches, some dating back to the Medieval Times. There is so much history packed into this relatively small country.

We stayed at a perfect bed and breakfast in Valentia Island called the Glanleam House. You could see another vibrant town across the water from our window. The bed and breakfast had lavish greenery, a walk-through botanical garden, and horses in the pastures.

We were also in viewing distance to Skellig Island… a.k.a. one of the filming locations of “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.” Naturally, any Star Wars fan would go crazy to be this close. We certainly appreciated the view!

Along the coastline near the bed and breakfast I spotted a lone surfer enjoying the waves. What a life, ey!?

After our stay in Valentia Island, we found ourselves at the Bantry House bed and breakfast in Bantry, CO. Cork, Ireland.

Once home to the Earl of Bantry, his daughter moved in and made the home a museum/B&B with six rooms to stay in. We stayed in a quaint room on the left wing and didn’t hesitate to enjoy the cozy fireplace and explore the history within the Bantry House.

On the road we went to Kinsale Lovells Village.

This tiny town is also the #1 rated Tidy Town. In order to boost tourism in Ireland, these small towns vied for a place by sprucing up the town, painting the buildings, decking the areas out with flowers and greenery and creating visitor-friendly activities, restaurants, and more. Kinsale Lovells Village offers historical walking tours, arts and crafts, shops, horse riding, golf, marinas, yacht clubs, outdoor activity centers, harbor cruises, beaches, sailing, kayaking, fishing, scuba diving… and the list goes on!

Just outside of Kinsale was a super cool 17th Century medieval fort built by the English.

Midieval Fort, Kinsale

I was also engrossed with the Acquired Brain Injury Book Shop – with a name like that you just have to go in and check it out!

We also spotted an interesting grave of Edward Ralph Wilson. Although any death is solemn, we cracked up because he had a .com (a website) on his tombstone! We assumed his loved ones wanted people like us to look him up and see what kind of life he lived.

TIP: We call it the “hop-on-hop-off bus approach.” Get on a bus and tour around a couple of cities, then decide where you want to stay after exploring. The cities aren’t very big, so this is a great option if you’re like us and prefer to wing it sometimes.

Overall, Ireland is incredible.

The people are extremely welcoming, and you have to get used to driving on the left! We knocked off our outside mirror… whoops! The roads, although narrow, lead to the most picturesque places filled with delicious food, history, lush greenery, and friendly folks.

 

Additional Photos of our Irish Adventure

Other sites in Ireland

More sites

My Fairytale Christmas in the Swiss Alps

This Christmas was like a fairy tale.

From horse-drawn carriages and picturesque views, to friendly company and joyous song.

I spent the holidays in Sils Maria, which is about 5 kilometers (3 miles) from St. Moritz in the Swiss Alps. This is my favorite place on the planet. The landscape takes my breath away, and the people are so kind and warm. This area is renowned as a place of energy, beauty, and introspection, and is exceptionally inviting.

On Christmas Eve, we were whisked around town in a horse-drawn carriage to Cresta, which was about a half hour away from the apartment. I felt just like Cinderella. Bundled in huge shearling blankets provided by the kind horseman, we didn’t have to try very hard to keep warm. 

… and it was 10 degrees below zero.

The carriage took us to the top of a mountain to a quaint church that barely holds 50 people. I was the only American in the crowd. A welcoming minister came and led us outside where we circled a twinkling bonfire. There’s nothing quite like feeling our brisk cheeks amongst a crackling outdoor fire during the holidays. The minister read the story of Christmas, and we sang Christmas Carols in German. Joining others in song brings such a peaceful, harmonious feeling.

After the story was finished, the minister led us back to the church where each one of us received a candle. Before he began his Christmas sermon, he asked where the visitors were from. There was so much diversity within one room, all coming together in unity! They answered France, Germany, and Italy… of course, I said Miami Beach.

It seems everyone knows where Miami Beach is on the map!

Although I could not understand any of the words during the Sermon, the minister effortlessly conveyed feelings of joy and happiness. He then lit a candle as well as several others that people were holding. In turn, those people lit the candle of others, and we passed along the flame. Within a few short moments, the charming church was lit up, and we began to sing in unison. The organist played lovely music.

Even people with their dogs were allowed in the church. Everyone and anyone could be part of the celebration. The K-9s were so cute with red or green lights on their collars. Some even barked along with us to the music!

After the service, we stepped back into the warm seat of our horse-drawn carriage and headed back down the mountain with a German family from Berlin. It was such a beautiful evening with such pleasant people here in the Alps.

The visit was nothing short of a fairy tale.

How to Be a Tourist in the City I Once Resided, Hello Again New York!

I love September. Not only does this month mark the onset of beautiful fall weather and ignites my holiday season spirit, but it is also my birthday month.

This time of year gives me a fabulous excuse to pack my bags with my significant other and go somewhere fun! This year we made plans to visit New York.

Although I lived in New York for 18 years and know the region very well, I never got to experience the wonderful place as a tourist.

It’s a totally different experience being obligation-free, with an open schedule to do whatever we want, whenever we want.

Washing Irving Home

For two weeks we explored from morning to night, making our beds in New York City, the Hamptons and Hudson Valley. We really got the whole experience… hitting up the hottest jazz clubs, seeing the most invigorating plays, and taking in the history-rich museums in the City.

High Line at the World Trade Center Memorial

We walked the High Line and got a glimpse of the World Trade Center Memorial. Not only was this humbling, but also served as a reminder that we must make an effort every day show our love for one another as much as we can, enjoy our blessings, give back to those in need, and keep trying to be the best person we can be.

World Trade Center Memorial

One highlight of our trip was visiting Kukuit, the Rockefeller mansion. This preeminent Hudson Valley Landmark boasts beautiful architecture, extraordinary, lush gardens, fine art, history and so much more. Four generations of Rockefeller’s resided in the mansion and is a Hudson Valley ‘must-see,’ maintained to perfection for more than a century.

Rockefeller Home

We also checked out the Union Church of the Pocantico Hills, near Sleepy Hallow in Hudson Valley. Inside this unassuming church are treasures beyond belief. It was incredible how such a small, mild exterior of a church could be so impressive the moment you walk through its doors. The church houses the last work of art by Henri Matisse. His piece is a beautiful stained glass rose window commissioned by Nelson Rockefeller. There are also nine stained glass windows by Marc Chagall, also commissioned by the Rockefeller family.

To be so close to the Chagall’s windows, close enough to touch the rosettes on the metal frames of the windows and to see the brush strokes was an absolute thrill.

If you’re an art aficionado like me and love food and the outdoors, Storm King Sculpture Park is the picture-perfect picnic place.

Storm King Park

This 500-acre landscape of fields, hills and woodlands provides the setting of a collection of more than 100 carefully sited sculptures created by some of the most famous artists of our time. Strategically sprinkled throughout the magnificent landscape, my ‘beau’ and I spent the whole day picnicking and roaming about the park. What a great way to spend a day or two!

New York is an incredible place to live, but an even cooler place to tour! There is so much to do, so much to see, so much to really take in and appreciate. What a great region in the U.S.!

Okay, I have less than a year to plan my next birthday month adventure… any suggestions?

Photography Now in Brisky Gallery Miami for Bombay Artisan Series Semi-Finals; Fan Vote Now Open!

October 11, 2014, marked a moment in time I’ll never forget! As I entered the Brisky Gallery, located in the remarkable Wynwood area of Miami, I was immediately immersed in fabulous art, food and people.

“Sadhu Parade” Photograph hanging on display at the Brisky Gallery in Miami for the Bombay Sapphire Artisan Series

Displayed on its own wall hung my very own photograph, “Sadhu Parade.”

I was selected as a Bombay Sapphire Artisan Series Miami semi-finalist. This has been such an exciting time for my career as a fine art photographer.

 

FAN VOTING

 

Missed the event, but want to give your two cents? If you’d like to help me score an exhibit in Miami’s Art Basal and SCOPE NYC, vote here! Voting is open through November 9, and limited to one vote per entry per day.

Did you vote yet? Click the photo to support my artwork and help me win an exhibit in SCOPE NYC & Art Basal!

Out of approximately 350 submissions, I was one of 20 artists selected for exhibition. Daniel Simmons, Jr., prominent abstract-expressionist painted and older brother of hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons and Rapper Joseph Simmons (Reverend Run of Run DMC), and Andre Guichard, the Series National Curator and owner of Gallery Guichard, chose pieces from my “Kumbh Marigolds” photography series. Among the 20 inspiring artists, there was only one other photographer. It was truly a proud, yet humbling experience.

The curated pieces were quite unique, beautiful and stimulating. From paintings and photographs to mixed media and collages, variety filled the room and made for wonderful conversation starters and new connections.

Some event attendees were eager to learn the story behind my “Sadhu Parade” photograph. The photo was taken during my trip to Varansi, India, in 2013, during the Kumbh Mela – the world’s largest spiritual gathering. The Sadhu priests were parading down the streets toward the Ganges River, which is believed to be holy.

The best part: the photo was taken at 4 a.m. You can sleep when your dead though… right?

The Bombay Sapphire and Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation combined forces to create the national competition. With 2014 marking its fifth year, the competition attracts thousands of applicants across the country. The Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation co-founder and music industry veteran Russell Simmons said, “The Bombay Sapphire Artisan Series has established itself as a platform for emerging artists who seek to shape our contemporary cultural landscape—artists who look to defy boundaries with the power of their imagination.”

Honored to see my “Sadhu Padade” photography hanging in the Brisky Gallery Miami as a semi-finalist in the Bombay Sapphire Artisan Series

I am honored to be part of this series. The judges analyzed each piece of art and selected a stunning black and white sketch – the stroke technique was superb!

My work and the other Bombay Sapphire Artisan Series semi-finalists’ pieces will be displayed in the Brisky Gallery Miami through October 26, and is available for sale.

Overall, the event was beautiful and inspiring, and I look forward to hearing the results from Fan Voting! Please check out my six photography entries and vote!

 

 

 

Press Release – Margaret Moizel is a Semi-Finalist in Bombay Sapphire’s Artisan Series in Miami!

Miami fine art photographer Margaret Moizel selected for Bombay Sapphire Artisan Series exhibition

Exploring the hub of Indian government, commerce and finance

Delhi, one of the fastest growing cities in the world

Delhi Rickshaws

I couldn’t escape the heat. When I got back to Delhi from Varanasi it was still hotter than Hell.

However, I wouldn’t allow the heat to affect my travels and pushed through. In the late afternoon, when it was a bit cooler, I did some shopping in the markets and visited with friends. These fellow photographers and I discussed our trip thus far, recounted interesting experiences in our past travels and shared our hopes for the future. It’s so refreshing to be surrounded by such a curious, inspiring community of friends.

Adventures in one of the most sacred regions of the world: Varanasi and the Ganges River

Varanasi AART Festival

Nestled along the banks of the Ganga River, Varanasi is the holiest of the seven sacred cities in Hinduism and Jainism and also played a key role in the development of Buddhism.

As legend has it, some Hindus believe that death at Varanasi brings salvation. Varanasi is one of the oldest and continuously inhabited cities in the world.

Ladakh – The ‘Land of High Passes’

… & One of the Most Stunning Parts of the Himalayas

Once the seat of power of the pre-Tibetan kings, Leh is an enchanting region, surrounded by breathtaking mountains. This is the capital of the Ladakh region in India, and has been notoriously deemed a trekking village, home to many outfitters for excursions, white water rafting, hiking and more. Ladakh, or the ‘land of high passes,’ is, in my opinion, one of the most spectacular parts of the Himalayas.

LADAKH GALLERY

 

The streets are lined with stores selling various items – mostly souvenirs, pizza, and travel amenities. Although dirt roads dominate the city infrastructure, they were in ‘improvement mode’ and are about to be paved.

Kargil & Dhahanu – A Beautiful Collision & Simple Life

Documenting my experience to Kargil & Dhahanu – an extraordinary region of political unrest and natural beauty

Perhaps one of the most magnificent marvels of the planet involves an extreme collision… one that took place approximately 70 million years ago when two tectonic plates merged India and Asia.

I’m talking about the colossal, awe-inspiring Himalaya Mountains – and I got to drive right through them.

The roads were rugged, a fusion of pavement and dirt. Several landslides made for long waits and rerouting as workers cleared the roads…

…And we thought we’d only be traveling for seven hours. Hah!