Sunday Spontaneity Flight 10:11:21
Asia reopening news, a Truly hard seltzer taproom, and hot air balloon space travel
During the first few months of the pandemic, something strangely beautiful happened to my relationship with travel. Don’t get me wrong, being grounded for months and canceling trips I had dreamed of for years was hard, as it was for so many others. But as I was falling into a wanderlust hole, I read this Nat Geo article published in May 2020 about the mental benefits of planning a trip, even if you didn’t know when you would take it — and it started to help me accept what was happening. Looking ahead helped me get through the present.
Initially, I was hesitant to let my mind wander to the places I wanted to go, or perhaps the places I was supposed to go to, out of fear that it would make me feel sad that I couldn’t do any of it. But instead, it let me open up to others about the collective struggle we were facing with travel restrictions, creating a space to support one another other and help get through these difficult times through our love for travel.
Later on in 2020, I decided to reignite activity on my Sunday Spontaneity Instagram account and invited friends, colleagues, and anyone who wanted to reminisce about travel to have a brief conversation via Instagram Live. We shared favorite travel stories, what made us fall in love with travel, and the first place we wanted to venture to when the pandemic was over. While this storytelling lasted for only a few months on my account, it still fills my heart that we all had a mutual understanding of being in it together. And, even as travel fully returns, we’re always in it together.
With all that cheese being melted, let’s jump into news and trends from last week, plus the things to look forward to this upcoming weekend.
Travel News
Asia is starting to reopen: This past week brought optimistic news that Asia tourism might be starting to bounce back. On Oct. 1, Thailand reduced the quarantine period for fully vaccinated travelers from 14 days down to 7, and starting Nov. 1, the country will do away with a quarantine requirement for at least 10 countries (including the U.S.). Other countries starting to welcome international travelers include Bali (Oct. 14), India (Oct. 15), Singapore (Oct. 19), and Vietnam (Dec).
Good news in other parts of the world: Fiji is another country that just announced it will be reopening to vaccinated tourists starting on Dec. 1. Also, the CDC announced this week that eight countries (Argentina, France, Iceland, Lesotho, Morocco, Nepal, Portugal, South Africa) were moved from Level 4 down to Level 3 (which is still high, but a step in the right direction). But six countries (Armenia, Austria, Barbados, Croatia, Latvia and New Caledonia) did get moved from Level 3 to Level 4.
Fun and/or Bizarre Trends
Truly hard seltzer is opening a taproom: One of the most popular hard seltzers in the U.S. is opening its very first tap room in Los Angeles early next year. Going by the name of Truly LA, the indoor-outdoor venue in Downtown L.A. will have 12 taps that goes beyond their seltzer selection with lemonades, iced teas, and punch. Will seltzer taprooms become the next big thing? I’m here for it.
A hot air balloon will take passengers to the edge of space: Last month, it was announced that interested space-goers can get on a waitlist to book a spaceship reservation for 2022 (for a very costly fee). Now, edge-of-space tourism via hot air balloon is supposedly becoming a thing, which is the most affordable option to get you into the stratosphere (but, at $50K, still not affordable).
Things to do Next Weekend
New York
Sat, Oct. 16 - Sun., Oct. 17: 8th Annual NYC Hot Sauce Expo (Brooklyn): General admission at this hot sauce extravaganza will get you samples from all the hot sauce vendors, plus access to spicy bites and a selection of craft beers and cocktails. There is also a solid lineup of events and entertainment, with the highlight being spicy eating challenges.
Cost: Starts at $10 per ticket
Sat. Oct. 16: Grown-Up Bedtime Stories; an Immersive Art Show Haunted House (Brooklyn): This walk-through art show features the work of 10 artists that recreates 10 haunting stories, making for a spooky haunted house unlike any other. It’s described as an “immersive, auditory, theatrical experience” experience — oh, speaking of auditory, the event descriptions says to bring your headphones.
Cost: Free
Connecticut
Sun., Oct. 17: Autumn Forest Bathing at Young Preserve (Lyme): Led by a forest therapy guide, this 2-hour forest bathing walk is inspired by the Japanese practice of Shinrin-yoku, which is all about immersing yourself in the forest. This 1-mile walk is over moderate terrain, and it will conclude with wild-foraged tea.
Cost: $32 per ticket
Sat., Oct. 16: Norwalk Caribbean Street Festival (Norwalk): This day-long event is all about celebrating Caribbean food, music, and culture at large. There will be a full lineup of live entertainment with Kenyatta Hill of Culture, Derrick Barnett, Anthem Band, Neko Xcellence, and more.
Cost: $15 per ticket, $5 for kids
New Jersey
Sat., Oct. 16: Witch-Craft Event (Hammonton): Deemed as a “Halloween-lifestyle extravaganza,” this craft experience features 60 breweries and distilleries serving up classic and seasonal pours. In addition to sampling, there will be fortune-telling, bobbing for apples, costume contests, a silent disco, and much more.
Cost: $65 per ticket
Friday, Oct. 15: ‘Roctober Clam Bake (Asbury Park): To celebrate Asbury Park’s 150th anniversary, gastropub Cross & Orange is hosting an evening clam bake that features everything from New England clam chowder to grilled shrimp and Maine lobster claws and tails, among other fresh seafood.
Cost: $65 per ticket
Pennsylvania
Sat. Oct. 16: Camp Lavigne Wine Festival (Benton): Come to this all-day drinking event that will have you tasting samples from 12 wineries, spirits, and brewpubs. There are plenty of food vendors who will be in attendance, too, and craft shops where you can get a head start on holiday shopping.
Cost: $20 per ticket
Friday, Oct. 15: Halloween Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre (Philadelphia): Witness this adaptation of Mary Shelly’s tale of “Frankenstein.” While you watch the show, enjoy a 3-course that includes a dinner station with all the classics (chicken, pasta, salmon, vegetables, etc.) that concludes with a delicious dessert station (carrot cake, cheesecake, triple chocolate mousse cups, Butterscotch Budino). A delicious meal and a spooky show — that’s my kind of Halloween celebration.
Cost: Starts at $85 per ticket
Virtual
Sat., Oct. 16: Daybreaker LIVE: A Monster Mash-Up Dance Party: Come in your best costume and get ready to dance the morning/afternoon away during this Halloween-themed rave. This 2-hour event will begin with a “Thriller” dance warm-up by drag queen Pixie Aventura, followed by a dance party featuring MC Elliott LaRue and Mama Radha, Blue Öyster Cult, and The Swayzees.
Cost: Free
Sun., Oct. 17: Halloween Craft Workshop: ‘Tis the season to make fall crafts for your home. Hosted by the International Art Museum of America, this class will teach you to make felt pumpkin characters. All you need is a pumpkin, stiff felt, scissors, glue, a sharpie, and a pencil (paint optional).
Cost: Free
I hope you all have a wonderful week — and a friendly reminder that we’re only four days away from the weekend (!). Travel Boldly (& Safely), friends x