London, Here I Come - for Summer Olympics 2012!

The Olympics would not usually be on my radar now, but I have joined a group, Journey to the Games, to go to London for the 2012 Summer Games, so the countdown is ON! Just 700+ more days...

Background - Going to the Olympics is on my Bucket List
I have been interested in attending the Olympics as a spectator and/or sports journalist for many years. I came very close to making that happen at the 2010 Winter Games held in Vancouver, British Columbia,  on the west coast of Canada - only a few hours' flight from me in Santa Cruz, California.  Ultimately, I decided I didn't want to deal with the cold weather and housing logistics by myself so I did not go. But I have many friends who went. I enjoyed reading their updates and resolved to go the next chance I had.

As a freelance sports and travel journalist, I  visited Olympic venues in Vancouver, Whistler and Richmond a year prior to the opening of the 2010 Winter Games. I wrote some Olympics preview stories, too. In addition to making me want to learn to curl and ski jump, my trip made me determined to go see an Olympic Games - it's on my bucket list.

 Ready, aim, fire! Then, jump on your cross country skis!  I got to take a shot at biathlon in British Columbia before the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver, Whistler and Richmond. Here, an instructor guides me on the basics of shooting.

My 2012 Olympics Tour Group and Guide
After witnessing the many talents and great charisma of Merritt Hopper, an organizer of my Costa Rica running trip with The Coastal Experiences in October 2009, I decided to join him and his crew for the Olympics in 2012. He has rented a youth hostel in London and I have paid a deposit to join his group - (which is now full). I feel lucky to be part of the gang.

Words of Wisdom from Olympics Veteran Merritt Hopper
"I know it's tough to get excited for a big trip like this so far out, but trust me, it's worth this much build up!" wrote Merritt in a recent email.  "Our trip to London will mark the first summer Olympics where more than 8 of us will be going on the journey overseas.  [For past Olympics group trips] we had 3 in Salt Lake, 4 in Athens, 8 in Torino, 7 in Beijing, 80 in Vancouver and now we're matching that 80 mark in London!"

Merritt Hopper leads the pack of runners during our Costa Rica 2009 running vacation.

Photo Credit: Karen Kefauver

Resources for the 2012 London Olympics - courtesy of Merritt
* www.london2012.com - official site
Start getting the lay of the land.  See what venues are hosting what events.  The more of a variety you have in terms of venues, the better.  The architecture alone is always something special.
* www.cosport.com  - If you haven't already registered to get ticket info, DO IT!  You could miss the boat on the first phase of ticket sales if you don't.  Sign up to receive their newsletter.
* * www.journeytothegames.com - Merritt's site for his 2012 London Olympic group


More Helpful Hints from Merritt
*   Will Call vs. Mailing tickets to your home - Will Call is for suckers.  Don't do it.
*   Airline tickets - If you're planning to use miles, GOOD LUCK!  It's doable but you'll need to be on the ball exactly 331 days before your departure and again 331 days before your return.  That is the first time airlines allow you to utilize frequent flyer miles.  Phones light up at redemption centers when it's 331 days before a global event in a certain city.  Mileage will be somewhere between 50,000 and 90,000, so if you're two decades behind the time, it's probably time you got a credit card affiliated with an airline that flies to Europe.  You could start building your point base now, get bonus points for signing up for the card, fly with that airline a few times, and potentially hit the required mile number 13 months from now.

2010 Travel Plans, Winter Olympics and 2009 Highlights

Happy New Year!

A sports and travel highlight of 2009 was a 7-day trip to Vancouver, Whistler and Richmond in British Columbia, Canada, to visit the cities and venues that will host the Winter Olympics next month.  The Games take place February 12-28, 2010, and the Paralympics, March 12-21, 2010.

The Inukshuk, pronounced "in ook shook," is the image of a man that was originally created by the Inuit people to act as a compass or a guide. The stone monument is unique to the Canadian Arctic region. It is the symbol of the 2010 Winter Olympics. I took this photo in Whistler in Feb. '09.

Photo by Karen Kefauver

Another highlight of 2009 was my running vacation with 70 other runners from around the world with The Coastal Experiences in Costa Rica! Check out my photos and story on that trip!

I'm excited about my 2010 travel line-up:

January

Florida. I'm headed to  Orlando for a Society of American Travel Writers workshop and then to see family in Naples.

February

Winter Olympics!

Please help me with my bid for the Olympics - not to compete, just to attend.  I don't have a travel ticket or accomodations YET, but  I am going to make this happen! Any tips appreciated!

The Games will be held February 12-28 and the Paralympic Winter Games will be held March 12-21 in the following Host Venue Cities:

• Vancouver
• Whistler
• Richmond

  Photo by Karen Kefauver

March

Ecuador tops the list! Jorge Perez, of Tierra del Volcan, whom I met through the Adventure Travel Trade Association, has convinced me that Ecuador is the country to check out for amazing mountain bike adventures. In 2008, I sampled the amazing mountain biking in Peru, and now I'm ready to tackle Ecuador.

October

Scotland- The Adventure Travel Trade Association will host their annual world summit in Aviemore, Scotland, October 4-7. I have attended the past Summits in 2006, 2007 and 2008, in Seattle, Whistler and Sao Paolo, Brazil. They were spectacular experiences and it was an honor to be selected as a speaker there in 2007 and 2008 on media panels. I missed 2009 in Quebec, so hope to return in 2010 with an active role there.

Riding in the  Peak 2 Peak Gondola at Whistler Blackcomb in February 2009, I'm smiling at the stunning view during the 11-minute journey over the peaks. It's the longest continuous lift system in the world. 

What adventures do you have lined up for 2010?

The High-Flying Life of American Expat and Pilot Art Dawley - An Interview

When I met Art Dawley in San Jose, Costa Rica,  in early October 2009, I asked him about life there as an American ex-pat and the charter plane business he launched, Paradise Air. It was fun to talk with a pilot who spent years flying Hollywood’s top executives, including Steven Spielberg and his partners at Dreamworks movie studio, David Geffen and Jeffrey Katzenberg.

Art said Paradise Air, with three planes and five U.S.-certified airline transport pilots, is the first air taxi company to be certified under the new, stricter aviation laws of Costa Rica. The company offers aerial tours, air transportation and transfers, safaris and executive services.

Art and I had tea and talked at the lovely patio of the historic Hotel Grano de Oro in San Jose, Costa Rica, on October 11, 2009.

1. QUESTION:  How did you choose to live in Costa Rica?
ANSWER: I am from Ohio and grew up in California. My former brother-in-law told me that there was a small airline charter business for sale in Costa Rica. I was looking for a new challenge. The opportunity could have been anywhere in the world, but it was here in Costa Rica... I moved here in November 2004. I didn't know Spanish.

2. Q: What do you like most about living in Costa Rica after nearly five years here?
A: I like the people…As a pilot, you get to know many people. In addition to my work, I have also helped with search and rescue and medical flights. I also like the physical beauty of the country. I prefer the mountains and the cloud forests for their cooler temperatures.

3. Q: What were you doing before you came to Costa Rica?
A: I spent my whole life in aviation - 24 years. For seven years, I worked as a pilot for Steven Spielberg and before that, 17 years with Petersen Publishing Company, which owned about 47 magazines including Motor Trends and Hot Rods.

4. Q: What was it like flying for Spielberg and the others?
A: I really enjoyed flying Spielberg and my non-disclosure agreement doesn't prevent me from saying that! I enjoyed the travel and excitement of the job not to mention flying the most advanced equipment (airplanes) in the world.

5. Q: Why did you leave what some might consider an ideal job?
A: I wanted to pursue my dream of owning my own aviation company.

6. Q: What’s been the biggest challenge living in Costa Rica?
A: Doing business here. For one thing, the language barrier. Very little is done in English. When I got here, I discovered an amazing maze of inefficiency. All the forms and data were entered by hand; nothing was computerized. Getting permits and licenses was nearly impossible.

7. Q: Why did you choose to stay?
A: I had no choice. I had sold everything I owned - two houses – and I left a full -time job.

8. Q: What else are you doing?
A: I have two other companies. I run a helicopter corps maintenance facility and SEACSA, which are helicopters that do maintenance on electrical lines. That’s where I am putting a lot of energy right now.

9. Q: What is most rewarding about building your own aviation business?
A: With Paradise Air, I brought a new level of customer service to the business. I set the bar higher in providing high-end customer service. And I also brought a new internationally recognized standard of aviation. On a personal level,  I enjoy flying with families who have young kids. I’m a dad myself – my son is 13 and my daughter is 10. I love seeing how excited the kids get when they see the forests, the turtles…

10. Q: You have built three companies in the time you have been here. What’s next?
A: I don’t plan on retiring! I enjoy my work too much. I truly love living and working here. I have my eye on expansion through the Caribbean and Central and South America.

My First Trip to Costa Rica - where to stay in San Jose, the country's capital?

Three Cheers for Spontaneity

How I "downgraded" from Spa to Hotel to Hostel and am Very Happy!

Map courtesy of Lonely Planet

It was a little nerve-wracking not to know where I was staying my first night here in San Jose,
the capital of Costa Rica. After 14 hours of travel on Thursday, Oct. 8, from Santa Cruz, California, I was tired and regretted I had not made any lodging reservations.

My last-minute attempt to book online at Tabacon Grand Spa (three hours' drive from the airport) had fallen through. Bye, bye pampering and luxury.  I had three nights - Thursday, Friday and Saturday to rest and relax before starting my active vacation, which includes running every day! My next blog post will be all about this trip: The Coastal Experience.

At customs, I told them I was staying at Best Western Irazu, though I had no reservations there. That's where I will meet my group on Sunday.

"Aburrido," proclaimed the official. ("Boring.")

I agreed - Best Western was boring. Why would I stay in a chain hotel? Mostly, because I was so tired and had not researched other options since I was working up until the last minute.

Fortunately, outside the airport, Ines found me waiting for the Best Western hotel shuttle. She talked  me into staying at the Green House Hostel,  30km from the airport.  After 20 minutes talking to Ines and determining that she was not a psycho killer and her establishment was legit. I climbed into her taxi and we drove half an hour to the Green House Hostel. She gave me a great tour along the way, told me about her three kids and growing up at the base of the mountains outside the city.

I checked into the hostel  last night and met the owner Orietta and her son Marco, who run the place. They have been so warm and welcoming. I am thrilled I landed here and will stay three nights. It's humble for sure, but for $20 a night for a private room with bathroom, including wireless internet and egg breakfast, I couldn't be happier.

 The breakfast room. There are 53 beds here at the hostel, but it's nearly empty now - it's off season.

Photo courtesy of the Green House Hostel website. 

Today was cloudy and overcast, the perfect excuse to stay close to the hostel and adjust to Costa Rica. A few things I noticed wandering around the neighborhood:

- Colones - the name of the currency here. Converting has been tough - 600 colones equal about one dollar.

- "Sobrepesado"  means "overweight." From scanning headlines of the daily paper, La Nacion,  I  learned 60 percent of adults are overweight here! American influence, no doubt.

- Casados - the common dish that is a mix of white rice, beans and meat - chicken, pork or fish.