Best Secluded Hotel/Get-away Alternatives

One of the most beautiful, peaceful places where I know I will always be able to relax and be refreshed is the forested property of some good friends on the shores of Hood Canal in Washington State. Over the years I have been blessed to spend many days in various cabins that are nestled into the sloping hillside, just being still and listening to the waves lap the shore. There's not another neighbor in sight and it's far away from the hectic pace of much of the world. But if you don't have friends or family with such property what can you do to truly get away and be still?

Bing recently published a list of secluded hotels around the world - for those wanting to get away from everything- and while all their suggestions look fabulous, many of them cost so much money, which is all well and good if you have thousands of dollars to spend. So here is a short list (by no means comprehensive) of recommended places that came to mind in response to the Bing list. None will cost a fortune (you may have to pay to get there) and once there, you will never want to leave.

Lopez Farm Cottages - Lopez Island, Washington State



Easy and convenient for those in Seattle. Immaculate, cozy and clean "Northwest Scandinavian"cottages where all you will hear and see are rabbits, deer and sheep grazing. No kids under 14 and no Recreational Vehicles. This review gives a good summary. Tent Camping is also available - cheaper but obviously you will be with a few more people then!





All Seasons Guest House, Hopkins, Belize

We have only stayed here once, but have been wanting to return ever since and based on the website and reviews, it keeps getting better and better over the years. Located on the beach of the Caribbean Sea, All Seasons Guest House, Beach Apartments and Cabana is located in Hopkins, a small laid back fishing village. If you read Trip Advisor, you won't find a bad review - and it's true, the owner, Ingrid, is awesome. Check out their beautiful website which actually does begin to capture the essence of this place.

All Seasons is close to the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary and Jaguar Reserve the first Jaguar reserve ever established. They say the odds of seeing a Jaguar there are 17,000 to one but...Andrea and I were riding our rented moped from Ingrid through an orange grove one afternoon and there to our right, coming out of the jungle into the grove was a very big cat! So they are there - and was Ingrid ever jealous that night when we returned and told her as she had never seen one even after living there many years. It remains one of the highlights of our travels.

Amber Lagoon, Near Route 62, between Oudtshoorn and Calitzdorp, South Africa


I wrote about Amber Lagoon here, when we stayed there on our round the world trip in 2008-2009 and like All Seasons Guest House above, I can't wait to return. Similar to All Seasons the owners continue to make this property and their website even more beautiful. Lonely Planet writes “there's something magical about the vast arid Karoo. Maybe it's the wide open spaces that make you feel so tiny, or maybe it's the towns, which make you feel you've been suspended in time. The population is sparse, and off the main highways you can drive for hours without seeing another car.”




Sani Top Chalet, On the border (literally) between South Africa and Lesotho

Ok, confession, we haven't stayed here, but if you are looking for a stark, desolate, beautiful location, this is the place to come - but perhaps not in the winter. Although their upscale Rondavels all have fireplaces and ensuite bathrooms, water can freeze in the winter months. Check out their website. We stopped in here for a drink on our way up Sani Pass into Lesotho. You can read about our experience here. Remote and beautiful, the views are never ending.







And finally two general locations close to my heart...

Cameron Highlands, Malaysia

The Cameron Highlands remains one of the most amazing and magical places I have lived. It is a nature lover's paradise, high in the hills, surrounded by jungle, tea estates, waterfalls, orchids and Monkey Cups (pitcher plants). It is much cooler than many places in SE Asia and thus used to be the mountain getaway for the British back in the colonial days. Although there has been much development and growth around the towns of Brinchang and Tanah Rata, once you leave the towns and start a hike into the jungle you'll be surrounded by noone - just deep jungle. There are more than enough hotels and guest houses to stay in (too many in fact), so don't linger in the towns, the jungle beckons...start hiking and exploring!

Maehongson, Thailand

Growing up in Maehongson province in the far northwest of Thailand, I have often said that if a celebrity really wanted to escape the paparazzi, I could bring them here and help them vanish. (Knowing friends in many villages and towns helps!) Though "civilization" has arrived here, I can still find many places to get away in this former Thai "outpost." Rugged mountains, steep valleys, jungle and forest, farms and rice fields in the valleys fed by clear cold rivers and streams, this in many ways is home to me.

Many travellers choose to rent a motorcycle and do the 600km loop from Chiang Mai to Maehongson and back again.


Do you have a favorite get away place that truly gets you away that you can recommend?

Duncan

Remembering...

Ten years ago I was asleep in the basement of Rosewood Manor, which was once used as Teddy Roosevelt’s hunting lodge. (This was before Church of the Beloved established itself there and contrary to what they write in the link it wasn’t entirely vacant – four good friends were living in the basement – but that is another story!) I was awakened to the sound of one of my housemates shouting that the US was under attack. And for many, the world changed that day in so many ways. Everyone, of course, has a story. I remember time stopping and continuing at the same time. I remember watching hours of news coverage. I remember clear blue skies with no planes for days. I remember a brilliant and wise sermon at St Alban’s Episcopal Church in Edmonds by the priest at the time. I remember the run on “patriotism” and flags sprouting everywhere.

Three months earlier I had flown to Malaysia and Singapore to attend the reunion and closing of Chefoo School. Three months later I would fly to Thailand for Christmas. Needless to say travel and security were dramatically different for these two trips. In addition to talking with Thai friends, I remember random strangers wanting to have conversations and share their thoughts on 9/11.

This past week it has been impossible to turn on a tv without hearing a 9/11 retrospective and perhaps rightfully so. One of the wisest and most thoughtful men I know at this present time is Sam Wells, Dean of Duke Chapel. Here are two postings from him, another from a former classmate of mine whose dad (my high school history teacher was killed by a terrorist bomb) and a unique story that Andrea passed along to me.

Dean Wells Statement on Osama bin Laden's death

Dean Wells 9/11 Message: Starting from Zero

Steve Hyde Reflections on 9/11

Remembering 9/11: A warrior's unexpected gift to America

Duncan

Writing Projects...

Over the past few months I have had a couple random writing projects I wanted to share (if you are interested!) Not the most exciting as presented here - more interesting when you click on the links!



If you are someone who observes Lent but doesn't want to give up sweets...here's a suggestion...(meant to post this a couple weeks ago - sorry for the delay.)



http://geographyofgrace.com/2011/03/02/power-passion-a-book-review-and-lenten-invitation/



And if you are a Faith Academy graduate of my era and missed the article on the White family, here's a link



https://sites.google.com/a/faith.edu.ph/faith-academy-alumni-news/faith-news/untitledpost-1

Duncan

Blue Christmas

Swiss Mountain Lake

When we were gathering and sorting photos for a 'Christmas' card to send to family and friends this year we realized there was a blue theme that unified many of the pictures. You can see our card here as well as a couple of the originals.

In some ways it doesn't seem that long ago that we posted Christmas greetings on this site a year ago. I don't feel like I have any profound Advent/Christmas thoughts to share this year - but if you need some encouragement or a reminder of some things that matter during this season that often becomes so frantic - go to Geography of Grace - the website that I still manage and edit for CTM. There have been some powerful and moving thoughts posted this Advent season.

We had a great time taking photos of swooping seagulls one day at a NC beach.

We are grateful for the opportunities that have come our way this year - the opportunity to continue in school and pursue a calling (see Andrea's school update below), being able to return to work and have a steady income, catching up with old friends and classmates, Switzerland, clear blue North Carolina skies, and profound moments at Duke Chapel.

Duke Chapel lit up by sunlight shining through the stained glass windows at this time of year.

Wherever you find yourself at this time, may you find hope and joy and peace this season.

Duncan and Andrea

Andrea's School Update

Duke Campus this Fall

Well it has certainly been a while since you heard directly from me. School has been all consuming for good and for bad! I continue to feel very privileged to be able to take three years and learn many things that I had never even heard of before, but I also struggle with impatience in wanting to be back in the real world. At this point I’m exactly half way through my dual degrees (Master of Public Policy and Master of Business Administration) and have another year and a half left.

Duke Library

This past semester was my first semester of business school. It was a whirlwind of eleven classes in twenty weeks! For those of you who knew my fear of taking an accounting class and learning that I had done it all wrong for my job as Finance Manager, the good news is I don’t think I’m going to jail. J The bad news was, my years of bookkeeping and accounting experience in a nonprofit did not help me much in for-profit accounting! I had no leg up in taxes, inventory, bad debt, investments, and common stock, which, you know, turned out to be the entire premise of the class. Oh well, the point of school is to learn, no? J

Other highlights from this semester include: participating in an overnight case consulting challenge and getting third place overall with my team, working on a project for a new marketing campaign for a domestic violence and sexual assault center that will continue through next semester, “starting” a company and “making” over four million dollars in six weeks for a class, hearing interesting speakers who come to Duke (like Apolo Anton Ohno), and finally presenting two papers I wrote at Southern Connecticut State University’s conference on human trafficking at the end of October.

Andrea and Apolo Anton Ohno, Andrea speaking at the SCSU human trafficking conference

In January I start my second semester of business school and then will do another summer internship. In what, I am not sure, but trust that I am working hard over this break to make contacts and figure it out. However, do rest assured that I am also spending some quality time over break laying on the couch reading for pleasure and catching up on news, TV, and sleep!

Duke Gardens this Fall

Summer Summary

Well for the random few that do check this site, patiently waiting and hoping for an update - I wanted to post a quick update to let you know the big news. After a whole year and way too many job applications...finally...tomorrow I rejoin the working world in almost a fulltime capacity! 32 hours is actually ideal as it allows me to keep doing some of the part-time work I have been doing for Center for Transforming Mission as well as potentially set up a little private practice as well. It's been a long time coming! I certainly didn't think that our one year anniversary here in North Carolina would come and go before I began working again. So thanks to those who have been so supportive and prayerful during this time. I'll write more about what the job entails after I find out what it entails in the next couple weeks!

All the middle school and high school kids here head back to school this week and Duke undergrad students begin in a week so it's somewhat fitting that I start back too! Andrea has already been back in school three weeks. After returning from Switzerland, she had a week in Seattle, got back here on a Wednesday and then started school on Sunday, August 1. It's been a bit of a whirlwind for her. But so far, she is liking business school. It would be interesting to see what she would say was her summer highlight. Perhaps one day she'll write something here! (But, don't hold your breath!)

In addition to the three weeks in Switzerland the highlight of my summer was my Faith Academy class reunion. It's really hard to believe that it has been 20 years since the great class of 1990 graduated. For fellow Faith alum who might read this, I have included just a couple photos of those that gathered just a couple hours away from Durham coming from North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Virginia, Washington, Texas, California, Pennsylvania, Ireland, Cambodia and the Philippines. (Hope you recognize some faces! More photos on facebook if you are interested.) I wasn't expecting it to be such a profound couple of days for me, but it really was a significant time for which I am so grateful! I wrote the following on our Class of 90 Facebook wall:

It's been a wonderful 48 hours and as pics are posted and hopefully some thoughts and comments too, hope that those who weren't able to join us can get a taste and also know that you were greatly missed. From some good filipino food to late night discussions, swimming, hearing a few never before told stories, to realizing that the Scharfe's and Miss Wollerton were a little younger than we all are now when they started at Faith(!!!) to a wonderful time of sharing- it has been a quality time and reminded me how thankful I am for our remarkable class. Last night as we walked to the symphony and fireworks in Charlotte our line of 40 or so folks including all the kids stretched for a block. It was quite the sight...Truly grateful.

so many stories...

so much laughter...let me capture this moment

the flash of the fireworks

the light in your faces

i want time to slow down for just a little longer

in your presence I have felt at home

Finally, before I head off to bed, a plug for another website/blog of sorts that I am privileged to manage for CTM. Geography of Grace is an online gathering place for conversation and resource-sharing among followers of Jesus living and working in vulnerable communities. We also hope to be a “listening post” for all people who hunger for good news in our world. We have glimpsed the transforming work of Immanuel—God with us—among the least, last, and lost. Through Geography of Grace, we want to give voice to that story.

Anyway, as mentioned, as part of my work with CTM which includes grantwriting and editing, I also manage this site and post a weekly article or thought. You won't get much of my writing but for those who have a heart for justice especially among the vulnerable and marginalized in the world, you might appreciate it. I posted the following poem a few weeks ago. It seems to fit well with the wandering nature of The Wilson's Wanderings as well. Enjoy!

there is a place

beyond the border

where love grows

and where peace

is not the frozen silence . . .

to get to that place you have to

go or be pushed out

beyond the borders,

to where it is lonely, fearful,

threatening, unknown.

only after you have wandered

for a long time in the dark

do you begin to bump into others

also branded, exiled,border crossers,

and find you walk oncommon ground.

it is not an easy place to be,

this place beyond the borders.

but it is a good place to be.

Kathy Galloway

(Sani Pass border crossing from S. Africa to Lesotho)

Switzerland - Take Two

When Andrea and I were here two years ago, I don't think either of us thought we would be back so soon, but no complaints here! So from a land of alpine mountains, lakes and meadows, where bells can continuously be heard ringing out from church steeples and making music under the necks of peaceful cows and sometimes nervous sheep, a country of chocolate and cheese - and so much more - this is just a brief update on the latest wanderings. I have been delighted to be able to experience all of the Swiss adjectives and descriptions above and then some! And I have been able to hang out with Andrea on weekends and a couple days that she was able to take off.

After spending a couple nights in Geneva, most of my time has been spent in Weinfelden, a small village about an hour north of Zurich. Like so many Swiss towns it straddles a river and then creeps up the hills and is quickly surrounded by fields and farms. Andrea and I arrived for the weekend and our gracious hosts have been Thomas and Lilian, our fellow travellers who we met in South Africa and have been friends with since. I have stayed with them for the past two weekends along with Andrea and also the week in between when she returned to Geneva. In addition to feeding us and answering our many questions, they have also taken us to Appenzell and Ebenalp for a good swiss hike and a great Rosti (a hearty somewhat similar to hashbrowns meal but so much better topped off with pungent Appenzeller cheese) lunch at a restaurant perched literally on the side of the cliff.
(Photo: Andrea, Thomas and Lilian beginning the hike up to Ebenalp.)

(Photo: Berggasthaus Aescher - 170 year old mountain hut welcoming visitors and serving great Rosti.)




(Photo below: Fondue dinner with Thomas, Lilian and her dad.)





We have also had dinner with their parents and I was fortunate to be able to spend the day with Lilian's dad as he took me to the Abbey Library at St. Gall (St. Gallen). I wasn't quite sure what to expect when it was suggested to go see a library - but when you realize that it was back in 612 that the Irish monk Gallus erected his hermitage on the site, you start to realize the significance of the place. By the 9th century it was a thriving abbey. So the "library" built in Late Baroque style around 1760 is the library of the former Benedictine monastary which had a second period of glory in the 17th and 18th centuries. Today it contains about 170,000 works, of which 2100 manuscripts predate theyear 1000. It is quite amazing to see books that were written so many years ago. And the actual room is exquisite. For sure it earns it's World Heritage Site status. And just for good measure, Hans (Lilian's dad) also took me to the shore of Lake Constance and across the border into Germany which sits on the lake.
(Photo of library taken from a post card - no pictures allowed inside!)

Another day I went into Zurich with Thomas where he is a Dentist at the university there. He gave me a grand tour and got to see him work on a patient. I explored some of the sights in Zurich including the great churches before surprising Heinz and Christiane Mayer, long time former co-workers of my parents in North Thailand who now live and work in Zurich. I hadn't seen them for probably twenty years and pulled a classic TCK move not letting them know I was coming. After much catching up and a quick delicious thai meal we made plans to get-together again yesterday when Andrea was back so that they could meet her. Joining us at lunch yesterday was son David and his wife Christine. As it always is, it was great to catch up and reminisce a little. Heinz and Christiane operate an incredible home for university students (international and Swiss) called Oase . It really is a wonderful gift and service that they offer.

After another delicious thai meal, we went to the Zurich zoo - another highlight of this trip for me. Whenever we travel we try and explore zoos or botanical gardens and the Zurich Zoo does not disappoint!

Another highlight of my time here was spending a couple days with Hedi Herrman - another former colleague of my parents in Thailand. We stayed with her two years ago and were thankful to be able to catch up again.

Weather wise, it was cold and grey the first week (the coldest May Switzerland has had in years - seems to be a theme where ever we go), but this past week has been glorious. Sunny and warm. The farmers are cutting their hay, the cows and sheep are happy and content in the fields. I have loved walking up the hill behind Weinfelden and exploring the farms, fields and forests of this beautiful country. Anything alive and growing always captures my attention so whether it is an amazing tropical greenhouse or a cute cow (or the three very cute degu's Thomas and Lilian own), there has been much to keep me enthralled. How can you resist the following faces?

Until next time...Duncan













(Andrea trying the Alpine horn before our fondue dinner at Lilian's dad's house.)