Maldives, Over the water Bungalows

Such a beautiful sight

Snorkeling in the Maldive Islands

Over water bungalow

Sun Island Resort

Shark Feeding at our Resort

Chillin at Sun Island Resort

The Rich and Famous have been going there for years…. somewhere in the Indian Ocean…. Lots of high end resorts on tons of islands.   Well we are going to Kat Track right on over there DEC 7- 12, 2018 to celebrate several birthdays, celebrate life, celebrate being able to see some more of this beautiful world God has created for us to respect, enjoy and keep on KAT TRACKIN’ ALL OVER THE WORLD.  We plan to chill, party, relax, get our Spa treatments on,  party some more and for me; when it’s time to close my eyes I want the sound of the waves beneath my bungalow to lull me to sleep.

We’ve have a couple rooms available. I’m sure they won’t last long. We also have a female, non smoker share situation standing by.  Cost is $2175pp.  We are giving you affordable. Package includes Breakfast and Dinner, r/t transportation from MALE AIRPORT TO RESORT.  Beverage packages are available.  All you need to do is get a plane ticket and get there if you can.  Inbox  me at rivoli98@yahoo.com or call 5104995909.

 

 

Arusha, Serengeti & The Island of Zanzibar Sept 14-22, 2019

Melia Zanzibar

Melia Zanzibar

Melia Zanzibar

Melia Zanzibar

Arusha Coffee Lodge

Arusha Coffee Lodge

Arusha Coffee Lodge

Arusha Coffee Lodge

Serengeti Serena Lodge

Serengeti Serena Lodge

Serengeti Serena Lodge

A Hard Working Lioness like Kat on the Serengeti

Melia Zanzibar

A Massage on The Serengeti

Serengeti Serena Lodge

KATTRAX is pleased to offer all lovely properties.   Preliminary information has been sent to those on the “Interested” list.  We are accepting reservations now.

Afro Brazilian Tour August 14-23, 2018

Samba Show

Samba show

Stairs of Selaron in Lapa

Pool area at Deville Hotel

Masks of Benin in Mafro, the Afro Brazilian Museum

School children posing in front of mural at tram station

Here’s an opportunity to join us on this tour – 3 nights Rio (facing Copacabana Beach) and 4 nights in Salvador da Bahia.     We have a share available.  We’re looking for a positive minded,  female.  Cost is $2800 Air and Land — San Fransico Departure.  Call Kat for additional details.  925 732 3606

Medellín, San Andres Island and Cartagena

 

Avocado and crab at 1621, Cartagena

Sea Bass at 1621, Carta

Botero Plaza, Medellín

Cable car, Medellín

Mass Transit, Medellín

Medellín

San Andres

San Andres

Off the Coast of Colombia

San Andres Beach

San Andres

Palenquero Woman

Hilton Cartagena

From the Walled City, Cartagena

You’ve missed Colombia at least 3 or 4 times, Right? So now you will have another opportunity April 2019. This time we will explore MEDELLÍN,  one of the most innovative cities on the planet, home of the great artist and sculptor—Fernando Botero.  In Botero Plaza sits 23 of his surreal bronze statues. Medellín was the first city in the world to use cable cars for mass transit.  It once had a notorious and dangerous past but definitely now a thing of the past.

Next will be SAN ANDRES ISLAND, off the coast of Colombia.  A very small unassuming Island with beautiful blue water, coral reefs, bountiful seafood and a love for reggae music. It’s become a holiday getaway for Colombians.

There is no way I could exclude Cartagena and a visit back to Palenque.  If you’ve been following my blog; then you know all about this off the beaten path destination.      There is no other place like this so steeped in such rich history of escaped slaves from the 16th century. The present community has become my extended family and they show us real hospitality.

Interested? Let me hear from you.  Until next time…

Kat’s Private Mykonos Affair

Andronikos Hotel

Sky Bar – Orange Sunsets, Blue Water

Beautiful Beaches

Andronikos

July 27-August 1, 2018.  No it’s not 70 but as Jimi Hendrix and my author friend, Jake Lamar says, “IF 6 WAS 9”.  And it is my birthday!

Jimi said:  If the sun refuse to shine,
I don’t mind, I don’t mind,
If the mountains fell in the sea,
let it be, it ain’t me.
Alright, ‘cos I got my own world to look through,
And I ain’t gonna copy you.

Now if 6 turned out to be 9,
I don’t mind, I don’t mind,
Alright, if all the hippies cut off all their hair,
I don’t care, I don’t care.
Dig, ‘cos I got my own world to live through
And I ain’t gonna copy you.

July on the beautiful Greek Island of Mykonos is the hottest ticket around.  In July, every night is Saturday night—-nonstop partying and we will be in the spot. We have 1 room available at one of the sexiest hotels around.  Yes, Kat can say that with conviction when it comes to hotels.    Pricey? Well yes…. are Louboutin’s?, is a Ferrari or a Maserati? It’s all relative to how one chooses to enjoy the good life and spend their hard earned dollars or Euros in this case.    I say, YOLO – You Only Live Once.  Check the airfare from your city and if it’s doable and you want to join me, inbox me at rivoli98@yahoo.com  We only have 1 sea view room available, approximate in US Dollars is about $1250pp (2 sharing).

 

MARVELOUS MARSEILLE!

Petit Pernod

Notre Dame La Garde, highest point in Marseille

Chez Toinou

Chateau D’ If

Along the Corniche

Dinner at Le Petit Pernod

Night view from my room

We’ve had a cancellation.  We have 1 room for double occupancy. All Deluxe  rooms overlook the sea with balcony.    Land only is $2200 per person.  Dates: Arrive in Marseille June 4th, Depart June 11th.

Marseille,  port city in France with African influence. It’s the Best kept secret on the French Riviera. Interested? Inbox me for details rivoli98@yahoo.com

SAN BASILIO DE PALENQUE

Danilo, PALENQUE resident and guide

So Welcomed!

Police Officer

Antonio Cervantes, 21 world title fights. Sadly now has Parkinson’s

Goodbye in Palenquero

Our lunch, primitive but damn…so good

This Kat makes a 4 legged cat MAD

Only the freshest of fresh

African Resistance Leader, BENKOS BIOHO

 

Spaniards introduced kidnapped African slaves in South America through the Magdalena  River Valley. Its mouth is close to the important port of Cartagena de Indias where ships full of Africans arrived. Some Africans escaped and set up Palenque de San Basilio, a town close to Cartagena. They tried to free all African slaves arriving at Cartagena and were quite successful. Therefore, the Spanish Crown issued a Royal Decree (1691), guaranteeing freedom to the Palenque de San Basilio Africans. These Africans were the first free Africans in America.

We had a 9am start for our tour this morning and we were ready for PALENQUE. This is an African community about an hours drive from Cartagena. It turned out that our driver was originally from the area which made it nice as he knew just where he was going. Remember, this place is off the beaten path, not a lot of tourists even have knowledge of this place. We were welcomed into their homes as we were given the history of when former slave and freedom fighter, BENKO BOHIO first escaped to the area.

I was humbled by the fact that Danilo recognized me from my previous visits; even on the under in my cap and sunglasses. He called me his Colombian sister and said he was so happy to see me again.    Danilo seems to be the “Mayor” of the Village. He kind of runs things.   The village has about 3,000 inhabitants.  Danilo only speaks Palenquero and Spanish so our wonderful  Spanish  guide, Cesar did the translating as Danilo spoke in Spanish.

We were entertained by a musician, Cassini, 83 yrs old who has performed all over the world, a legend for sure. We had the privilege of being in his backyard. What a delight!

Our lunch was awesome as primitive as it may have been — a leaf for a plate and our spoon was made from a tree growing in the backyard.  The African influence was evident in the perfectly seasoned escovitch fish, the coconut milk seasoned rice and the salad.  Upon  settling into Danilo’s modest living room, the coffee drinkers were offered a welcome cup and next came a shot of  the rum-tequila (only available in PALENQUE) offered to the drinkers. Of course, a few just had to get a bottle to take with them and even though someone dropped and broke  her bottle; Danilo was quick to get her a replacement.    Everything was au naturelle and our day in Palenque was truly memorable. A few even shared with me that this was the highlight of their trip.

CARTAGENA….THE BEST FOR LAST

Bedroom, 2nd Level

Living room lower level

Lower Level

Staircase

Great Restaurant

Dinner at Cande

Dinner at Cande

There has been a pilot strike going on with Avianca for the last month and as a result we have had to deal with several flight cancellations and delays.  We were in the Bogota airport much longer than we anticipated but we thugged it out and finally arrived late afternoon.

Cartagena, a port city on Colombia’s Caribbean coast,  By the sea, is the walled Old Town founded in the 16th century with cobblestone streets and colorful colonial buildings our lovely boutique HOTEL ANANDA is an oasis.   I was here in February and knew then I’d be back and had to have room #211, a lovely split-level unit.

Dinner our first night was at CANDE’ –   Truly Afro Colombian.  This being my 4th visit to CANDE’ located  2 blocks from our hotel; I knew the group was in for a delightful culinary treat.  They could order whatever their heart desired on the menu with the exception of lobster.  It was a wonderful first night

Tomorrow we will have a full day in PALENQUE  — definitely off the beaten path.

In 1603 the first liberated village was founded by escaped slave Benkos Bioho. To this day they have their own everything, community, creole language, music, dance, and food with heavy African influence. Most don’t speak Spanish in this Spanish country but Palenquero…their own language. We will have 2 guides; one English speaking to escort us 1 hr drive away and one from the village.  Stay tuned…..

 

CHILLIN’ IN CHILLY BOGOTA

Central Cevicheria

So many ceviche variations

Wonderful Seafood Soup

Breakfast at Sofitel

10 Million Residents

From Montserrate

Gold Museum

Gold Museum

Gold Museum

My Room – 2 Doz Long Stemmed Roses

I Was Comfortable

Central Cevicheria

Bogota, the capital and largest city in Colombia. It’s Colombia’s beating heart as it sits 9,000 ft above sea level in the Colombian Andes region. Crime is down, Business is booming and the food scene is hot.

Because of the holiday I missed my favorite restaurant for dinner here —- HARRY SASSON but Gail Kelly and a few of her friends took my recommendation and went there for a late lunch.  They reported  a great culinary experience but there was no doubt in my mind that they would.  Stephanie and I had lunch a half block from the SOFITEL at CENTRAL CEVICHERIA and in a word it was AWESOME!

The next day, while I chilled;  the group enjoyed a top notch tour of the city; visiting Montserrate, the artsy district of La Candelaria, the Gold Museum and Old Town.

Tomorrow we fly to Cartagena.

Glad To Be Back In Cali

Ricardo and Maria at Cali airport.

Ricardo brought granny to meet me

Ready for the Salsa Show up on the roof

View from rooftop at Restaurant Saguan

Dynamic, Salsa Champions

Cali Street Vendor

Cali Cat Park

Cali Cat Park

Cristo Rey

Salsa Sunday

Great Fun, Salsa Sunday

Don’t believe the old hype. It’s a new and beautiful day here.  The drug cartels running things have long been cleaned up.  Because of Colombia’s economic growth it has become a top destination for business, leisure and adventure travel. Cali is one of Colombia’s largest cities but very little English is spoken. They do their best and we must try to do our best in their country.

Our first night we had dinner and a special Salsa Show just for us at SAGUAN DE SAN ANTONIO.  The dancers were part of last year’s Championship Team.  They moved with a Caribbean beat and their  fancy, quick stepping footwork and flips were unreal.

The next morning, the group had a great city tour and with a very knowledgeable guide that went the extra mile for them. Just the way it was suppose to be. They saw  Cristo Rey   (Christ the King) stands 26 meters… Replica of Cristo Redentor (Christ the Redeemer) in Rio who stands 30 meters and paid a visit to El Gato del Rio (the Cat Park by the river).

Oh no!! Not another cancelled flight as we depart Cali.    Yes, but thru the night while the Group was sleeping, I got everybody rebooked on a later flight. Those that know my story know my travel journey has been divinely ordained from its inception.  I’m always ready to share a new destination with my friends and family.  Fast forward to me sitting in the gate area waiting to board another delayed flight,  waiting to get to Bogota. This little Colombian boy named Ricardo about 7, couldnt stay away from me.  He spoke only a couple words of English but he was trying so hard to communicate with me.  His family was sitting at another gate and soon he brought his sister over, and then finally granny came with her camera and wanted a picture. Of course, I then went over and said hello to the entire clan and gave the children each a Kattrax Luggage Tag.  One word Ricardo kept saying was, “San Andreas”.  A few of us from the Bay Area chuckled, yeah right, we live on the fault line.  Stephanie from Jersey was thinking the movie.  Eventually, Ricardo’s family said goodbye and boarded their flight.  Those thoughts stayed with me last night and I couldn’t rest.

San Andres Island is where Ricardo’s flight was going.  It is 470 miles northwest of mainland Colombia.  The seahorse shaped island is best known as Colombia’s favorite weekend getaway. By the way, This is a holiday weekend for Colombians. The island is known for its coral reefs, white sandy beaches, blue waters, reggae music and tons of seafood.  It’s a 5 hr flight from Miami….. and yes I will be going one day. Thank you, little Ricardo

Next stop: Bogota and after that, Cartagena.  We’ll be there for their Independence Day Celebration.