Ocanaluftee Indian Village, Cherokee, North Carolina, U.S.A.

Overview: A delightfully bare-bones, living museum.  An educational, outdoor, living history experience for all ages.

Location: 218 Drama Road, Cherokee, North Carolina, U.S.A.

Website: http://visitcherokeenc.com/play/attractions/oconaluftee-indian-village/

The Good: Like nearly every family with roots in the southeastern United States, my family claims a heritage among the Cherokee Indians.  In fact, family legend holds that my grandmother's great-grandmother was a Cherokee princess, the daughter of a chief.  With such an ancestry, its no wonder that at a young age my father instilled in me a deep respect for our Native American brothers.

This attraction, the Ocanaluftee Indian Village, can foster such a respect and admiration. The village is a living museum, inhabited by descendants of the original Cherokee Indian tribe, wearing traditional attire and demonstrating traditional arts, from weaving and a beading to canoe carving and blowgun hunting. Guided tours depart every fifteen minutes, allowing you to step back two centuries, enter village buildings and homes, and live for a moment as did a unique people.  History simply can't come alive like this when read only from the printed page.

A brief open-air stage performance takes place throughout the day--the same actors perform in the nearby outdoor stage drama Unto These Hills--another must-see for an unforgettable experience.  Tickets for both attractions can be purchased together for a discount.

Handmade items in the gift shop include finger woven belts and sashes (I want one for a scarf!), jewelry, baskets, and more, but they are pricey.

The Bad: The village is open for tours April through November, so plan your trip accordingly.  This is an outdoor attraction--not good for a rainy day.  In fact, I got drenched during a pop-up thunder shower--but even that didn't spoil the experience.  That you will be traversing dirt trails should be taken into consideration. The trails may be difficult for those with disabilities, and if wet are not wheelchair accessible.

Artisans demonstrate finger weaving, basket weaving,
beading, and other traditional skills.

Useful works of art produced by resident artisans
can be purchased in the gift shop

Actors demonstrate an interchange between a Cherokee
tribe and European settlers. These actors also perform
in another attraction, the stage play Unto These Hills.

Titanic Museum, Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, USA

Overview: A tourist-centric museum that is great for museum lovers, with a few treats for Titanic movie fans.

Location: 2113 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, USA

There is a photo station where you can have your
picture taken and overlaid on several different backgrounds.
This one is the museum's replica grand staircase.

Official Website: http://www.titanicpigeonforge.com/

The 1997 blockbuster sensation Titanic hit theaters when I was seven years old. Though my mother was surprised to learn that second graders were seeing this movie, she took me with her.  And Titanic thus become one of our beloved mother-daughter movies (no reflection of the mother-daughter characters, of course). So, when the Titanic Museum opened in Pigeon Forge, I couldn't wait to take Mom for a visit.

For $30 US at the time of my visit, you can get a
souvenir folder containing a not-quite-8x10 of the staircase
pose and museums itself, as well as a magnet frame
and wallets of you by the ship's wheel and in a
cabin.  Prints will be waiting for you in the gift shop.
For free, you get a card with a code on it
to share your grand staircase pose on social media or
buy more prints online.

The Good: I must say that I really, thoroughly enjoyed this museum. I'm a museum buff anyways, but the narrative behind the exhibits was thrilling.  Of course, any movie goer knows the story, but the self-guided audio tour takes you from Titanic's construction to her current resting place, with plenty of diversions in between. One of my favorites was a gallery featuring the work of a photographer on board, who departed at Titanic's second port of call and thus avoided the coming disaster. At the outset, much as is done at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, guests are given a pamphlet featuring a real passenger. It is interesting to contemplate "your" passenger throughout the tour. At the end, you can visit a photo wall to find out if your passenger survived (My passenger was first class, and survived. My husband, on the other hand--his was a third class lad and did not. This little experiment is a real testament to the tragedy of over a century ago). The experience is made fun for children through an engaging audio tour that involves the search for a missing pet on board. I was also very pleased with the photography that allowed everyone a chance to have their photo digitally taken on the famous grand stairway.

By the way, did you know that Titanic floored in linoleum?  Or that linoleum at the time was more expensive than marble?  That's something I learned at the Museum.

The Bad: My first bad news is that cameras are not allowed inside the museum.  This is to preserve the artifacts (camera flashes are equivalent to two hours fading in the sun), and likely also to prevent sale of artifact photos.

I have to admit that the attraction might be a little disappointing for fans whose only interest is in the movie itself.  The museum offers little in the way of information on the connection between the movie and the reality of the event.  I was hoping for an exhibit on "Which Characters Were Based on Fact?" but none existed at the time of my visit.

Patches are my favorite souvenirs. This one depicts a mock boarding pass.

The Consolation Prize: Movie fans will recognize many names throughout the tour--Molly Brown and John Jacob Astor, among others. Also, the replica grand staircase will be recognizable to any movie fan, and you can (sort of) get your picture taken there.  At the very least, you might imagine yourself meeting a certain someone at the clock as you traverse these stairs.  And finally, the next time you watch the movie, your appreciation for Jack and Rose's struggle will be made more real after you have plunged your hand into the freezing water in the iceberg exhibit and walked the tilting deck in the hands-on hall.

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Thai Papaya Cuisine, Evansville, Indiana, USA

Overview: An immersive Thai restaurant perfect for curry-lovers and adventurous eaters.

Location: 1434 Tutor Lane, Evansville, Indiana, USA

View Thai Papaya's Official Website

The Good: I think I could live off green curry. After discovering Thai food a year before in Indianapolis, and not having a Thai restaurant in my hometown, I was thrilled to happen upon Thai Papaya in Evansville.

The decor is classically restaurant-Asian--you know, aquariums of giant goldfish and such--but with a few distinctively Thai elements, such as wall art depicting scenes from modern Thailand and a Thailand past.  The wait staff also wear traditional embellishments on their clothing. This makes for a comfortable and immersive eating environment.

What should you order if you are new to Thai cuisine?  Green curry with pork is my all-time favorite.   When you order, you will be asked, "How spicy?" If you like spicy foods as I do, let me recommend mid-range; if your tongue tingles at just the thought of a pepper, opt for no spicy at all. Curry is served in two portions--a large bowl of something resembling soup and a smaller bowl of rice.  The base of the soup is rich, creamy coconut milk, and it is rife with spices, meats, and vegetables. To ladle the curry over the rice is the traditional method, but feel free to dump the rice right into the big bowl, if you prefer.  Either way, you will be taking a culinary journey like never before.

The owner/manager, who wouldn't give me his name but introduced himself only as Joe from Kokomo, insisted that I try his new recipe for pumpkin curry.  The pumpkin, he explained, is not the big, orange type we expect to find in pumpkin pies, but a little vegetable native to Asia that we in the states would probably liken more to a squash.  It was well worth the suggestion, and is my favorite dish at Thai Papaya.  And, I am please to report, it is now part of their regular menu.

What about desert? Save a little room, please, for the coconut ice cream with sticky rice. Yes, eating rice for desert sounds strange to American ears, but it is quite common in the Pacific region.  And this desert is so flavorful, you will be coming back for more.

The Bad: I can't really find too much for which to fault this place. If I have to say something negative--which I do, that's my code of honor as the Honest Traveler--I would say that my third visit was not as thrilling as my first. The food was good, but not quite as blow-your-tastebuds-away as the first time.  I had my heart set on pumpkin curry, which was at that time not yet a regular menu item, and the restaurant was extra crowded.  I'd say those two things probably contributed to a slightly less enjoyable experience.  But that said, it was still delicious, and the coconut ice cream with sticky rice completely made up for any lack of pumpkin curry.

Hops Java & Juice, Clarksville, Tennessee, U.S.A.

Hops Java & Juice storefront in historic downtown Clarksville.
Nikon D5100.

 Overview: A charming little coffee shop with flavor and pricing comparable to Starbucks.

Location: 100 Strawberry Alley, Clarksville, Tennessee, 37040

Visit Hops Jave & Juice Official Website

The Good: I love Starbucks, but I think I like Hops Java & Juice even more. Why? It's all about buying local.

Not to mention that the food was excellent.  They serve all sorts of coffee shop beverages, smoothies, chips and sandwiches, gluten free baked goods, even treats for your canine!

At the time of my visit, the barista told me that Hops Java & Juice plans to soon incorporate live entertainment into its roster.

Located in a beautiful historic downtown, its a nice place to cool down on a visit to the Clarksville Farmer's Market, held right across the street.

Madagascar vanilla bourbon frappuccino.  Yum!
Nikon D5100.

The Bad: I think Starbucks is expensive.  I love it, yes, perhaps I am a coffee addict, but expensive it still remains. The prices at Hops Java & Juice rival those of Starbucks. For example, frappuccinos come in one size, approximately a venti, for about the same price. But I can give them a little slack on the price, as they are a "mom and pop" establishment rather than a chain.

The Delicious: Not only was my frappuccino tasty, but there were some enormous "Big Daddy" cookies calling my name--five inch behemoths filled with chocolate chunks!  This little coffee shop is definitely on my list of places to visit again.

The Confusing: Since the word "hops" was included in the name, I expected to find a microbrewery tucked away inside. No such luck, but there is always the Blackhorse down the street.

Another Response!

Hmm, the Honest Traveler seems to be attracting the attention of the establishment (i.e., hotel management) on every front. Check out this response from the Four Points Sheraton in Memphis, Tennessee, as it appears on Trip Advisor:

Robin J, Director of Sales at Four Points by Sheraton Memphis East, responded to this review, 2 days ago

Thanks so much for your positive feedback. We do have many amenities at our hotel and River Oaks is truly wonderful. I am sorry you ended up in our housekeeping department and we do apologize for the small closet space.

Please feel free to stay with us again if you are ever back in Memphis! We would love that and again thanks for your response.

Sincerely,

Robin Jordan
Director of Sales

https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g55197-d105275-r363154855-Four_Points_by_Sheraton_Memphis_East-Memphis_Tennessee.html#

Do honest reviews matter?  Why, yes, they do.

Do Travel Reviews Matter? Yes, They Do

How do we know that travel reviews matter? Because sometimes, the hotel's general manager personally responds.

The Honest Traveler always tries to give you the real scoop about the places you want to visit--none of those flowery, "I loved everything!" reviews, or polarized "Everything was terrible," opinions.  I try to give the good and the bad, the upsides and the down.

And sometimes, that gets noticed.

Check out what the Crowne Plaza Downtown Union Station's general manager had to say, published in response to The Honest Traveler's review on Trip Advisor:

Mark P, General Manager at Crowne Plaza Indianapolis Downtown (Union Station), responded to this review, yesterday

Thank you very much for your comments on your recent stay at the Crowne Plaza Indianapolis Downtown Union Station. I am very glad you enjoyed our hotel and were impressed with our unique, historic property. I apologize that you were disappointed in our food and parking rates. Rest assured we will take your feedback into account as we continue to monitor our quality and services we offer. We hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you back again in the future.

Sincerely,
Mark Parnella
General Manager

https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g37209-d88164-r364570161-Crowne_Plaza_Indianapolis_Downtown_Union_Station-Indianapolis_Indiana.html#

Thanks, Mark!

Read the full Crowne Plaza Downtown Union Station, Indianapolis, Indiana review here.

Crowne Plaza Downtown Union Station, Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.A.

Overview: Probably the coolest hotel I've stayed in so far. Not only is it a former train station, but you can stay in a railway car inside the hotel.

Location: 123 West Louisiana Street, Indianapolis, Indiana 46225, U.S.A.

Crowne Plaza's Official Website

Standing in the back hallway is the same as standing
on a balcony.  It overlooks a set of actual railway
cars that have been outfitted as guest rooms.
Camera: Nikon D-5500.

The Upsides: Downtown Union Station is a beautiful hotel.  The rigid steel structure, complete with its protruding rivets, is both contrasted and complemented by sophisticated and comfortable decor.  Not surprisingly, much of the wall art features train stations and the like. Complimentary fruit-infused water is available in the lobby during daytime hours, and a side room to the left rear of the lobby houses a microwave, tea, coffee, and other goodies.

This hotel is situated in a pedestrian-friendly part of the city. We attended an event at the nearby Lucas Oil Stadium, visited the Indiana State Museum and Eiteljorg Museum, and dined at several nearby eateries, all the while leaving the car in the parking garage.

View from the second floor.  This peaceful sitting area
holds the central elevators and adjoins the lobby.
Notice the solid white statue, upper center.  Statues of
everyday life from the railway days adorn many
areas of the hotel.
Camera: Nikon D-5500

The Downsides: You may be wondering if the commuter trains rumbling past on the tracks out back were a problem; they were not. I could hear them, but not loudly, and not once was I awakened by one.

I only had two complaints during my week long stay.  First, there was a parking fee ($24 a day at the time of my stay). I'm of the opinion that if I'm paying to sleep here, my car should stay for free.

View from my room of the Colt's Lucas Oil Stadium.
It was within walking distance of the hotel.
Camera: Nikon D-5500

My other complaint was the cost of food. Breakfast was not complimentary, and on our first day I ordered a bowl of fruit and yogurt, and it cost me almost $10! That while friends staying at a nearby establishment got alcoholic beverages from the hotel bar on the house. But this is a minor complaint, as most hotel food does come at a premium. Good thing there were so many eateries within walking distance!


Read the General Manager's Response to this review here.

Four Points Sheraton, Memphis, TN

Overview: An economy-sized hotel striving to provide a luxury experience...and doing a decent job of it.

Location: 5877 Poplar Avenue, Memphis, Tennessee, U.S.A.

Lovely hotel lobby.
Camera: Nokia Lumia 920

Hotel's Official Website

The Upsides: 

The interior of this hotel is lovely.  The lobby has a relaxing, accommodating feel, and, as do many hotels in Memphis, both rooms and hallways are adorned with photos from the Memphis music scene. My room was clean and had none of that old, musty smell I so dread on my first visit to a new hotel.

Food and Beverages.  A complimentary coffee and tea station is available 24/7, and each room is equipped with a coffee station, mini fridge, and two complimentary bottles of water. There is also a convenience store of sorts in the main lobby, where guests can purchase beverages, snacks, refrigerated sandwiches, and personal items. While breakfast is not complimentary, there is a restaurant area adjacent to the lobby that provides room service and seated dining. Additionally, the River Oaks Restaurant is located in the parking lot of the hotel. The restaurant is a "modern French-American bistro" that provides additional room service for the hotel. The prices are pretty, though--most entrees ranged from $20-30.

Complimentary bottled water always wins me over,
as does the cute little burlap bag that the coffee was stored in.
Camera: Nokia Lumia 920

Amenities. I am always impressed when a hotel leaves a little extra something for you in your room.  In addition to the usual bathroom accouterments, mouth wash, cotton balls and swabs, and an emery board were provided. The room had a personal safe, unusual for hotels in this price range. Wi-fi is free with no password. And the fitness center is larger than average, doesn't reek of sweat, and is complete with a hydration station and complimentary "disposable" earbuds to use with the treadmill-mounted televisions--just in case you forgot yours.

The bathroom was small but
well-stocked with little extras.
Camera: Nokia Lumia 920

The Downsides: This hotel is located on a difficult stretch of road. There is only one entrance, and the road splits around the hotel. So, if you're coming in the direction that puts you on the backside of the property, you might have to go around the block.  With a reliable GPS, however, I experienced no navigational frustrations.

As mentioned above, I got the impression that this is an economy-sized hotel trying to provide a resort atmosphere--which is not in itself a bad thing. However, the one annoyance I found in this was the size of the closet. I had a very wrinkly dress that I wanted to hang, and the closet (built into the entertainment center), was too short.  The bar was lower than most, and a safe took up room at the bottom.  Still, this was not much of a problem, as a coat rack was available on the adjacent wall.

An average Memphis-themed room.
Camera: Nokia Lumia 920

The Humor: The Honest Traveler prefers stairs to elevators.  However, when I took the stairs down from my room on the 4th floor to the ground floor level, I ended up in the janitor's closet.  Yes, the stairwell ended in the janitor's closet.  Surrounded by mops and brooms and the personal items of the housekeeping staff, I wondered, "Should I be in here?" I crept out the door into the hallway, and looked back to see the words "Housekeeping Office" posted on the door from which I had emerged.



Read the hotel management's response to this review.