Out of Africa?!?

I tend to go through phases where I get completely consumed by certain culture themes, for example I've been obsessed with anything Polynesian related my whole life, and will probably never change that infatuation. After living in Rome a few years ago I maniacally wanted everything Italian to a point that I was convinced that I may have become Italian by default. Last year I began my Middle East phase and insisted that harem pants become a part of my daily wardrobe and learning Arabic was something I needed to try.

All these obsessions still remain and just continue to add up, this year's phase: Safari! Animal prints, African tribal wear/accessories, decor and anything referencing the Lion King. I'm hooked!

Last week I turned 26 and would have it no other way than to have a Safari themed birthday. Unfortunately, I couldn't make it to Kenya or Tanzania or Namibia like I would have loved to but I did find a worthy alternative...

Who knew Africa was only an hour and a half drive from San Francisco?! Rhinos, giraffes, monkeys...oh my! We found the Sonoma Serengeti at SAFARI WEST in Santa Rosa! It's only a small teaser of what a real African safari would be, but nonetheless it was still a good time. 

Love that we can sit at the top of the truck during the safari.

Safari West isn't a zoo or drive through park, they're an authentic African preserve and working ranch, and home to 800 individual animals. Safari (driving and walking) tours start at $68 for adults and lasts about 2.5-3 hours, reservations are needed and spots do fill up on the weekends. 

You have the option to spend the night in an authentic African luxury safari tents shipped from Africa. Cottages are also available, overnight stays start at $170/night, depending on the season.

Other activities include private animal encounters like:

-Cheetah Photo Session

-Fast Cat Alley: Up close and personal interaction with cheetahs

-Barn Visit: Behind the scenes of Safari West

-Keeper of the Day: Feed and work among the animals, overnight stay included

Male giraffes "necking" or fighting for a female giraffe.

Oh hello there, this giraffe like the attention from the trucks. 

It's not Africa, but it'll suffice for now. 

"Some people feel the rain and others just get wet"

A couple weekends ago, against warning signs and better judgement I flew to New York City a day before the massive Hurricane Irene was scheduled to hit the East Coast. 

Luckily by the time it reached NY, the hurricane downgraded to "Tropical storm Irene" and failed to be the "apocalyptic, big-city disaster" that they anticipated. Even though the state was prepared and overly cautious, they still couldn't prevent the damage from Irene's strong winds and rain. Brooklyn and Long Island flooded, but Manhattan was spared (good news for us since we were staying at the Gild Hotel in Lower Manhattan, only a block away from the evacuation zone). 

Airports up and down the East Coast were shut down for 3 days, more than 13,000 flights cancelled, everything was closed, the NY subway and buses were shut down for a day and a half, and New York's Mayor Bloomberg ordered NY's first mandatory evacuations. "The city that never sleeps" was in lockdown and Manhattan was a ghost town.

Penn Station lockdown.

The streets of Lower Manhattan empty?

NY subway chained?

Hurricane much?

Sure the shelves in the grocery stores were empty and there were long lines to buy water and supplies, but surprisingly I never sensed any major panic from any New Yorker or tourist. The night before everyone partied like a regular Friday night, during the hurricane our hotel opened up their bar and provided board game entertainment for guests and the calm after the storm was no different, everyone celebrated "surviving a hurricane." The nightlife scene felt more festive than worrisome, and everyone seemed to make the best out of a bad situation. 

Entertainment during Irene.

Despite the setbacks, I wasn't going to let a hurricane rain on my parade, I still wanted to see New York! I've been to this city plenty of times before and each visit I get a completely different vibe, and I love it. There's something really special about "the capital of the world." I find it hard not be completely fascinated by the fast paced way of life in this concrete jungle. I'm constantly looking up at all the skyscrapers and not paying attention to where I'm walking because of all the street distractions, the shops, and the people. 

The "naked cowboy" at Times Square

Central Park

View of the Empire State from the Top of the Rock

Trying to find our way through New York City.

World Trade Center Site

I <3 NY! 

P.S. If you don't already know, this year marks the 10 year anniversary of 9/11. Unfortunately the memorial wasn't open when I was there, (it opens on the anniversary and the museum is set to open later this year) but from the pictures displayed by Ground Zero, it looks like something that can't be missed. 

P.S.S. To check out some good eats in NYC, visit my sister blog, The Long Weekenders.