February 2019 - Boomerang Escapes

Be Prepared and Speed Up Your Airport Travel

February 17, 2019 Andrea Ward Travel Tips No comments

Like being prepared for our dogs when they are ready to birth, being prepared for travel is a very important thing. This past month has been a prime example of what weather can do during winter. Conditions can change extremely quick and are not always in our control. What also isn’t in our control is when the government strikes or remains in a partial strike. The government has more impact on the smooth departure for your vacations than you may have realized. Due to the most recent striking, some of the TSA check points at major airports were affected due to limited staffing. The TSA is the Transportation Security Administration set up by the government as a response to the 911 attacks and is the authority over the security over the traveling public in the United States.

Here are a couple things you can get to help speed things up if you’re an avid traveler during times of striking. You can apply for TSA Pre-Check or Global Entry. TSA Pre-Check is a US Government program that allows travelers that are deemed low risk to pass through an expedited security screening at certain US airports. It cost about $85 to get this and takes about 4 weeks to have it processed. Global Entry is a US customs and boarder protection program that allows expedited clearance for pre-approved low risk travelers upon arrival in the US. With Global Entry you will receive a known traveler number and a card. The cost is $100 and is good for 5 years. The length of time to get your approval depends on the application being approved, followed by an in person interview with the nearest TSA office to you. Global entry is good for International and Domestic travel whereas the TSA Pre-check is for United States only. You can go to the following website and apply for either if you meet the pre-qualifications.
https://www.cbp.gov/travel/trusted-traveler-programs/global-entry/card

If you are someone who does travel, I would highly recommend you invest in the global entry card as the government is continues to be as unpredictable as the weather and your travel may be delayed due to it. With having either of these it just allows your time at the airport to be quicker and smoother with less hassle through the security check points.

Andrea Ward is an independent travel consultant of Boomerang Escapes, who is based in Wisconsin.

She has been planning vacation escapes for the company since 2013 and specializes in Caribbean Destinations. Her primary focus is on the all-inclusive vacation experience for adult or family getaways for individuals and small groups. Sandals and AMResorts are among the specialist certificates she holds.

Lisa Rossmeissl is the owner of Boomerang Escapes, a home-based agency located in Old Bridge, New Jersey with agents in TN, MS, and WI.

She has been a professional travel consultant since 2008 and specializes in Australia and the South Pacific. Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti, Fiji, and Cook Islands are among the specialist certificates she holds. Her agency’s focus is on creating custom itineraries with their client’s wants, desires, and budgets in mind. She and her planners believe in getting to know the traveler to ensure they have a vacation to remember. With each planner specializing in a different market area, Boomerang Escapes can offer a wide variety of leisure vacation planning.

Dining Your Way Through the Hawaiian Islands

February 10, 2019 Lisa Rossmeissl Culinary, USA No comments

What comes to mind when you think about the islands of Hawaii? Do you envision beautiful beaches, pristine waters, and green vegetation? Do you think of culture and luaus? Do you think surfing? Do you see a land of volcanoes? The islands and state of Hawaii are all of these and more!

Did you know one of the great things Hawaii is becoming known for is a dining destination. Yes, it is a foodies paradise as well. Hawaii has Michelin Star chefs, making dining an incredible experience. The land itself grows rich harvests such as chocolate and coffee. Here is a quick tour around the major 4 islands with some must stops for those wanting to tickle their taste buds.

Kauai
Avalon Gastropub-This place brings comfort food to a whole new level with amazing customer service
Kiawe Roots- Kiawe is Hawaiian mesquite. This restaurant offers flavors of their local barbecue.

Oahu
Madre Chocolate-A must visit for any chocolate lover this shop is located in Chinatown. They have a bean to bar experience with chocolate making classes, truffle making classes, wine pair tastings, rum pair tastings, and whiskey pair tastings. They are truly passionate about spreading chocolate love.

Maui
Maui Wine-I know you are thinking wine in Hawaii. Yes! Just as California is known for the grape, Hawaii is known for pineapple. At Maui Wines you can do tastings and tours of this delicious libation.
Also be sure to visit Mark Ellman’s Restaurants, Mala, Honu, or Frida’s. Mark was one of 12 chefs that developed and promoted regional Hawaiian Cuisines.

Hawaii
Ueshima Coffee Company’s Kona Coffee Estate- Try Kona coffee all day long and have a Coffee Roasting Experience. This is the only place were certified Kona is grown.
Hamakua Heritage Mushroom Farm- I bet you never thought of mushrooms and Hawaii in the same bubble before. Here you will go on tour that takes you through the Japanese bottle growing process and at the end of the hour long tour you will learn to prepare and cook each variety and of course you’ll get to eat your own savory creations.

Lisa Rossmeissl is the owner of Boomerang Escapes, a home-based agency located in Old Bridge, New Jersey with agents in TN, MS, and WI.

Passport for Your Palate-Tostadas and a Mule

February 3, 2019 Lisa Rossmeissl Central America, Culinary, Recipe No comments

One of the great things about traveling is tasting. No trip should be taken without making a dive into the local cuisine and trying out the restaurants. January had me in a new destination with new yet familiar flavors. I am a spice girl. I love foods with a lot of flavor and a bit of heat. I got just that with my visit to Frida’s in La Antigua Guatemala this past month.

Frida’s is a Mexican restaurant located close to the heart of La Antigua on 5a. Ave. Norte 29. It is open 10am to 1am and has two floors with bars and dining. My visit had our group seated on the second floor as a stop for appetizers before heading to our dinner meeting. The place has a very upbeat vibe serving both locals and travelers. Reservations recommended. The cuisine is traditional Mexican with a flare. For our appetizers we had mini tostadas served with very fun and tasty cocktails. Frida’s was gracious enough to share with us the ingredients of our delicious bites that I’d like to pass on to you. They would be great party pleasers.

The recipes for the food and drinks we had are:

Spicy Margarita
1.5 oz of white tequila mixed with lime, triple sec and chile de árbol infussion. Served in a margarita glass with salt and chile on the rim!
Oax Mule
1.5 oz of young mezcal mixed with macerated ginger, lime, sugar and cucumber topped with tonic water. Served with ice and a piece of fresh grapefruit.
Tostadas de pulpo:
Cover a black corn tostada with an avocado mouse, top it with grilled octopus with garlic and coriander and put a bit of chile de árbol oil on top!
Tostadas Atún:
Fresh tuna marinated in lime and orange juice with cilantro, pepper and pickled onion. Add sweet corn kernels, put in a corn tostada and top with chipotle mayo.

Note the corn tostadas were about the size you would find in a corn chip bag. I would use a circle cutter to cut out from real corn tostada for these small bites. My personal favorites were the Oax Mule and the Tostadas Atún. Enjoy!

Lisa Rossmeissl is the owner of Boomerang Escapes, a home-based agency located in Old Bridge, New Jersey with agents in TN, MS, and WI.

Be Prepared and Speed Up Your Airport Travel

Dining Your Way Through the Hawaiian Islands

Passport for Your Palate-Tostadas and a Mule

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