SPA - tastic!

Montage Deer Valley - Part 3
Spa Montage
Deer Valley, Utah
Dec. 1 - 3, 2012

I wanted to bonk myself in the head for not bringing along a swimsuit. The spa's pool was so inviting. Just take a look at these.

The pool at Spa Montage in Deer Valley

This pool area overlooks the pristine mountain views surrounding Montage Deer Valley.

I did, however, spend some relaxation time in this peaceful sanctuary.  Apparently, this spa is the largest in Utah.  This scoop is just among the interesting facts pointed out by the spa attendant who gladly gave me a tour.

Spa Montage's Relaxation Room

The spa features stunning earthscapes by Michael Fatali.

The artwork here is hard to ignore.  The entire spa is donned with stunning landscape photography by Michael Fatali.  His collection of earthscapes is striking.  It definitely accomplishes his mission of sharing the beauty and power of the spirit of nature. You'll be mesmerized if you view the slideshow in his website.

The spa showcases Fatali's impressive artwork.
Artist Michael Fatali features incredible Southwest landscapes in his photography. 

Being in Deer Valley, going to the spa was probably the farthest thing on my mind.  I was consumed with engaging in various outdoor winter activities while I was here.  But Spa Montage was brilliant.  They left me a message in my room saying that I had a gift waiting at the spa.

I was excited to open the surprise gift. It included a sisal bath brush that is great for dry brushing.  Until then, I had not heard of dry brushing.

The gift bag included bath salts, body lotion, and a sisal brush.

The label on the package read:

"This traditional Japanese style bath brush is made with palm (sisal) fibers from plants that are hand-harvested and replanted each Fall in Kenya.  They provide a completely natural brush, effective for use on the whole body and contain no animal by-products.  Dry-brushing increases circulation, improves skin tone, encourages detoxification and sloughs away dead skin cells.

How to Dry Brush:  use quick brisk strokes, applying the pressure that is most comfortable to you.  Always brush upwards, towards your heart.  Finish with a warm bath or shower, ending with a cold rinse."

After some research, I found this article that tells you more about the benefits of dry brushing -- including reducing cellulite. (I love learning new things everyday!)

It was a great marketing move for the resort's spa to send me this gift bag.  It wasn't a ploy to make you purchase anything but rather to encourage you to visit their facility and be aware of their wellness products and services. Without hesitation, I took up the spa attendant's offer to show me around. That's how I learned so much about Spa Montage.

At the end of that long day, the bath salts and body lotion -- my gift items from the spa -- were put to good use.  The blended scent of lemon, verbena, and cedar is quite calming.  Soaking in the tub was a really good idea.  And after that relaxing bath, sinking into my soft pillows in my hotel bed was just as heavenly. I definitely MUST come back here.

See my previous posts:  Part 1 and Part 2.

Discovering Mountain Majesty

Montage Deer Valley - Part 2

Park City, Utah

Dec. 1 - 3, 2012

My first time to go snowshoeing. Woo-hoo!

When I found out that one of the winter activities offered in Montage Deer Valley is snowshoeing, I was thrilled! I have never tried that before and I was determined to experience it. Thankfully, I found several video tutorials available on YouTube. I was able to take a crash course online before my trip. I even learned tips on what to wear.

Tip #1: Wear layered clothing.  I wore a moisture-wicking long sleeve shirt -- the ideal first clothing layer. Then I threw on the snow jacket that I bought for a steal from Sports Authority.  It has a waterproof/breathable shell with a reversible fleece lining. Then of course I had thermals, ski pants, ski socks, gloves and all. 

I brought along my fanny pack too so I could bring a bottle of water and stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water is tip #2. 

I also remembered to prevent my socked feet from getting wet by protecting them with saran wrap. That's tip #3. I read about that a while ago and it's a very helpful tip especially when engaging in winter sports. ;-)

"If you can walk, you can snowshoe." I'm ready to go!

The view in front of me as I headed towards the snow-laden trail.

Being a guest in Montage Deer Valley gave me access to snowshoes. Compass Sports, the resort's sports center, has everything. The friendly staff member helped me strap them on. He even showed me how to easily take them off by myself -- just in case he wasn't readily available to help me out of my gear when I returned from my adventure. He then pointed to some recommended trails, handed me a map, and sent me on my merry way.

In no time, I was comfortable in these snowshoes.

Surprisingly, the temperature wasn’t freezing cold even with all that snow.  It was a clear day with no strong winds. The cool crisp air felt good on my face.  I pulled down my beanie to make sure my ears were covered. I was comfortable and ready to take on this winter activity.

I took a snapshot of myself before an uphill climb.

I was surrounded by towering trees and a sea of fresh powder. Serenity was my welcome companion.

Snowshoeing is really just hiking in the snow. The long uphill climb was exhausting. For a while I was just sucking air.  I had to keep a comfortable pace and took as many stops as I needed.  At one point, I stopped and looked around me. I was amazed with the incredible view. The silence that blanketed the woods…the stillness…was just heavenly.  I realized that the only tracks in the snow were those I created. I had the entire trail all to myself. I paused to close my eyes.  Then with outstretched arms, I took a deep breath to absorb everything about that moment. I was so grateful I had the chance to experience this alpine adventure.

Here's a short video clip of my experience. 

Montage Deer Valley resort looked just as wonderful from up the hill as it is up close.

So you might ask: "Why didn’t you ski in Deer Valley which is North America’s #1 ski resort?" Well, miss curious adventurer here always wants to try something new.  I’ve already tried skiing in the past.  On a bunny hill. LOL! I’m just not very good at it.  I think it has to do with my fear of heights and not having enough control.

Here's something totally random. When I got back to Compass Sports after snowshoeing, I noticed this bobsled display. The staff member explained to me that it is the exact replica of the "night train" which won gold in the 2010 Winter Olympics. Steve Holcomb, who is from Park City, led the four-man bobsled team in that competition. You guessed it right. I couldn't resist the photo opp. 

Riding the "night train" replica.  The four-man bobsled that won gold in the 2010 Winter Olympics.
The full explanation is on the photo below.

Reaching the Summit

Montage Deer Valley - Part 1

Park City, Utah

Dec. 1 - 3, 2012

I was the last passenger to be dropped off by the airport shuttle. After the zig-zag drive up the Empire Canyon area, the magnificent resort gently revealed itself. There it was snuggled near the top of the mountain amid snow-covered fir trees. As I alighted the vehicle, warm and friendly faces welcomed me to Montage Deer Valley. This was my first time here but I already knew it was going to be a memorable stay.  Something about this place felt...magical. Maybe I'll run into Ricardo Montalban as Mr. Roarke. With his sidekick Tattoo.

I was impressed as soon as I walked in the lobby.  The front desk associate was already waiting to escort me to my luxurious room. Magical.

I loved my spacious bedroom -- lavish yet comfortable and truly an elegant home away from home. 

This was how my private patio looked after a snowy night.  I was on the ground floor and this led to the Grand Lawn.

I could live in this bathroom! Soaking tub, separate shower, heated floor, and plush bathrobes!  

I came here to attend the Digiday Brand Summit.  But I arrived way ahead of schedule so I arranged to visit Main Street while I could. I took the resort's complimentary Mercedes Benz shuttle to get there. It was fun meandering down the historic street and exploring the charming boutique shops. I found a few Christmas ornaments, little gifts, and souvenirs. I was glad I grabbed my hat and gloves because it showered during my leisurely stroll. 

The historic Main Street was all of 5 minutes away by shuttle.

Digiday's welcome reception that evening was followed by a networking of sorts. I met a lot of wonderful people.  Everyone was so nice.  (It's a magical place, remember?) My best bonding moment was over a game of bowling with a few other attendees:  Liz Philips, Matt Corey, and John Engler.

Daly's Pub has a mini bowling alley.
Photo courtesy of Montana Triplett (@montanatriplett on Twitter or mtinnyc on Instagram). 

I couldn't believe I bowled a turkey! Doing my victory dance, I cheered, "Yay! Three strikes in a row! I've never played this well before even when I was in a bowling league." 

"You were in a league?!!!"  My new-found friends were outraged.  I don't think I'll ever live that down. Good times!

The next morning while waiting for the Summit to begin, the tech-savvy attendees with their mobile devices snapped pictures of the snow-covered grounds. It was difficult to ignore.  Right outside the ballroom was a wide terrace overlooking the pristine mountains cloaked in white. It was a such a beautiful sight to see.

Montage Deer Valley's Grand Lawn after a night's worth of snowfall.

There were several conversation pieces throughout the resort.  One favorite subject of Instagram aficionados was the life-size gingerbread house.  It was even flanked by doghouses for the resident dogs Monty and Jonas.

This life-size gingerbread house was created using real ingredients.
Photo courtesy of Esty Gorman (@esty501 on Twitter and Instagram).

Check out his paws!  I met the lovable Monty, one of the resident Bernese Mountain Dogs in Montage Deer Valley.

The Digiday Brand Summit covered relevant topics and great content. (You can read Chas' recap here.) There were several notable speakers too.  I must say the Digiday team really did a great job.  Not only did they select the perfect venue, they thought of every detail such as including afternoon "play time" in the schedule.  So at the end of the day's summit activities, everyone was excited to go skiing. We were in skier's paradise after all.  I, however, decided I would go snowshoeing. You'll read more about that in my following story.

Sharing the stage with Nestle's Greg Samarge and moderator Giselle Abramovich, Digiday's Sr. Editor - Brands.
Panel discussion on Brand Presence in a Multi-Platform World.
Photo courtesy of Tony Winders (@tonywinders on Twitter).  

Photo Credits:
Thanks to Montana Triplett and Esty Gorman for allowing me to use their Instagram photos in this blog article.  Thanks to Tony Winders for the twitpic of our panel discussion.

My Cup of Tea

I enjoy afternoon tea.  It’s very girly, I know.  But I find the overall experience and the whole ritual so appealing.  The dainty teacups and delectables, elegant surroundings, and relaxing ambience make one-on-one time with a friend so perfect.

I was first introduced to afternoon tea in the early '90s when I used to work at The Peninsula Manila.  Back then, afternoon tea was served at The Conservatory which was on the mezzanine level.  I vividly recall the violinist and flutist playing Canon in D by Pachelbel as I gently sank into my chair and succumbed to total relaxation. It was pure bliss!   Nowadays, they serve tea at The Lobby where people gather “to see and be seen.”

More recently, I've had some memorable and noteworthy tea times:

Afternoon Tea at the Fairmont Empress in Victoria (a “must do” when in Victoria, Canada)

Hubby and I were in Victoria in 2009 when I decided to surprise my mother-in-law with this treat. For more than a century, the famous tea lobby of The Fairmont Empress hotel has been serving this grand tradition.  In years past, they even served royalty and celebrities.

Afternoon Tea at the Fairmont Empress in Victoria
(a "must do" when in Victoria)

Experiencing the great tradition of afternoon tea
at Victoria's Fairmont Empress with mom-in-law Linda

They even give you a little history of how afternoon tea came about.

You can learn more here.  http://www.fairmont.com/empress-victoria/dining/afternoontea/

Afternoon Tea at Joël Robuchon at MGM Grand

I just want to make it clear that I didn’t personally get the chance to partake in the beloved tea ritual here last October 2012.  However, I did have the great opportunity to witness the event which was part of the Food and Wine All-Star Weekend...and the privilege to meet the lovely Gail Simmons. I've always dreamed of experiencing Afternoon Tea at the prestigious Joël Robuchon restaurant. Imagine my delight when they announced this rare occasion.

Meeting Gail Simmons during Afternoon Tea at Joel Robuchon
Food and Wine All-Star Weekend in Las Vegas, October 2012 

Gail Simmons greeting guests at the Afternoon Tea event at Joel Robuchon
This is an awesome way to do tea!

With the famous Pastry Chef Kamel Guechida of Joel Robuchon

Afternoon Tea at Mandarin Oriental with my bestie, Corinne (my BFF from 2^nd grade)

We went to the Tea Lounge in Mandarin Oriental Las Vegas last November 2012.  High up on the 23^rd floor, we had a panoramic view of Sin City.  In the distance, we could even see the Thunderbirds in flight during an air show for Veterans Day.  Then at sunset, we saw the Las Vegas Strip slowly come to life with the city lights and neons gradually turning on.

We chose to have one of the blossoming teas while taking in the view of the Las Vegas Strip.

Catching up over tea with my bestie at the Tea Lounge in Mandarin Oriental Las Vegas.

Afternoon tea was even more fun with Corinne, my BFF from second grade!

The scrumptious goodies that came with our classic afternoon tea at Mandarin Oriental Las Vegas.

It makes me sad that The Ritz Carlton in Lake Las Vegas no longer exists.  I used to go there for afternoon tea with my good friend Suzanne. It was one of my favorite venues. Even the little tea place inside the Antique Mall is now long gone.  Over there, they served meringues at the end of the tea service. The other place I used to frequent with my dear pal Sandi is the Verandah at the Four Seasons.  

There are a few other tea places in town that I still need to try like Petrossian Bar at Bellagio or English's at Town Square.  I'll soon be calling on some F.O.D. (Friends of Donna).  I'd like each of them to spend a delightful afternoon with me. We'll engage in tête-à-tête while sipping on Earl Grey and having a bite of heavenly petit fours or yummy scones. It's just my cup of tea.

Welcomed With Softness

Hot Air Ballooning - Part 3
Nov. 2, 2012


"Let's go!" Ryan called out.

"That's you. Go!" Jason prodded.

"What?!" I was caught off guard.  "Oh my!  This is it!"

I sprinted towards the hot air balloon colored like the American flag. Greg Szymanski, the pilot of Free Spirit, was already in the gondola ready to take flight. Wanda, his wife and crew chief, walked over and asked me to sign a waiver.

Greg Szymanski, pilot of Free Spirit, from Boise Idaho.

Ryan, who was helping Greg, showed me the small hole on the side of the wicker basket. It's the foot hold so I could easily prop myself up and into the gondola.

"What should I hang onto?" I asked looking for rope handles.

"Anything leather," both Greg and Ryan answered.

Greg pumped a few blasts from the propane burner and then we started to float.  "This is really happening!" I got really excited.

I waved goodbye to these folks as we slowly drifted upwards.

~ ~ ~

In my previous blog posts ("Up, Up and...Um Not Yet" and "A Different High"), I wrote about my close encounters with these lovable aircrafts but have never experienced a hot air balloon ride.

Who would have known that it was going to happen on this day?

Sheldon Grauberger, a pilot of Vegas Balloon Rides, told me about the Las Vegas Balloon Fest. I came to the event because I was interested in the Glow Show -- when balloonists blast propane bursts while it's still dark in the early morn.  The hot air balloons look like they're glowing.

The hot air balloons twinkle in the twilight
during the Las Vegas Balloon Fest's Glow Show.

They're like giant colorful lightbulbs flashing on and off. It's a visual delight!

Didn't expect to ride a hot air balloon at all. I was even wearing heels! I was just taking pictures and chatting with Jason Abbott (marketing director of Vegas Balloon Rides) when Ryan, also from Vegas Balloon Rides, surprised me with the opportunity.

I was so thankful...and happy!

~ ~ ~

When the basket first lifted off the ground, I was thrilled! "This is going to be so cool!" I thought. But as we drifted above street lamps and trees, it finally hit me that we're going really high up.  I must admit I was white-knuckled for a while.  I wanted to take pictures or tweet about what was happening but I was afraid to let go of my grip.

"Did I forget to tell you that I'm afraid of heights?" I asked Greg.

"So am I," he replied in a grandpa kind of way.

I took this picture as we rose higher and higher.
The hot air balloon ride was as peaceful as this sunrise.

Ours was only one of the multiple balloons that launched
 for the mass ascension during the Las Vegas Balloon Fest.

Soon enough I relaxed. I didn't even feel that the wind was carrying us towards the east. We slowly rose higher until I could see a great view of the valley. Around us were the other balloons in flight.  It was incredible!

The experience was exactly how Jason (Vegas Balloon Rides pilot) described it to me, "You feel completely detached from the ground and you get this motionless sensation. It's like canoeing in the sky."

View of the Las Vegas Strip from one side.

View of the Red Rock Mountains on the other side.

"It's like canoeing in the sky."

I asked Greg about the gadget hanging from his neck. He explained that the instrument helps measure altitude, rate of climb, and the balloon top's temperature. Then he started whipping out facts and figures about hot air balloons. I was bummed I didn't have my notepad to jot them all down.  He even said that our balloon could fit 90,000 cubic feet of air. "That's 90,000 basketballs," he put it in perspective. I looked up in awe.

"And who is this fella," I then tapped the stuffed animal hanging on one of the support poles. 

"That's my hitchhiker," he laughed and pressed a button on it. The song "Wild Thing" started to play and we both cracked up.

The hitchhiker on Greg's Free Spirit Hot Air Balloon

"It's a beautiful day," Greg emphasized. The weather was perfect and there was no cloud in the sky.  I told him that I got my wish.  And how elated I was to get a private ride. It was worth the wait.

Later he scouted the area where we could safely land.  He pointed to a truck on the ground, "There's our chase crew following us." I wasn't really sure how or where we could touch down. We were gliding above homes.  I saw some great backyards and swimming pools, by the way.  Then he pinpointed an elementary school playground.  That became our landing pad.

"We're going to bounce," Greg warned me. "Bend your knees."

The basket gently hit the ground and bounced back up. We hit the ground another time and then slightly skidded to a halt. Some teachers and kids came out to see the balloon up close.  They all took pictures while I was still in disbelief.  Ryan and Wanda soon arrived and we all helped put the balloon away and back into their trailer.  It was a lot of work but they got it down to a system.

"So how was it?" Ryan asked me.

"IT.  WAS.  AH-MAZING!" I exclaimed.

Smiling for the camera after a great landing. That's Greg and me.

Ryan and Greg using a squeezer to force the air
out of the envelope a.k.a. hot air balloon

I was so grateful for the incredible ride of my life. Oh but wait...there's more!

Greg and Wanda weren't just going to let me go without the full experience. They signed and handed me my certificate. "You are now officially an aeronaut," Greg declared. He gave me a little hot air balloon pin that looked just like what we rode. It was inscribed with "Free Spirit Balloon Team."

Next, he pulled out 3 flute glasses and poured champagne into them. We all raised our glasses for a toast and what he recited almost made me cry...

The Balloonist's Prayer:

"The Winds have welcomed you with softness.  

The Sun has blessed you with his warm hands. 

You have flown so high and so well, that God has joined you in your laughter. 

And He has set you gently back again into the loving arms of Mother Earth."

"Cheers!"

Free Spirit Balloon Team

Greg writes my name on the Certificate of Aeronaut

Ste Chapelle champagne for toasting

A Different High

Hot Air Ballooning - Part 2
October 2012

Sunrise Hot Air Balloon Ride in Vegas

"We're going to have 3 hot air balloons go up tomorrow morning," Jason Abbott, the Marketing Director of Vegas Balloon Rides, told me on the phone. "If you're interested in taking pictures of the crew in action, tomorrow would be a good time to do it." 

"I'll be there!" I assured him, "Thank you!" I couldn't sleep just thinking about it. This video tells the story of what I witnessed. 

Watching all of this unfold makes me even more eager to experience a hot air balloon ride! And yes, even if I am deathly afraid of heights. Maybe soon I'll be telling the story of how I "walked with the wind." Stay tuned!

See Part 1 of my story here.