Fly Away with Me... A Guide to Happy Air Travel

I did not have a normal childhood by any stretch of the imagination. My favorite form of transportation is and always has been flying through the air. My favorite place to spend a random day is in an airport. I grew up running towards jet-ways and peering out of a window to find myself in blue sky with clouds above and below me. As soon as I take that first step into an airport I get this inexplicable rush of excitement followed by that sense of calm you get when you finally make it home after a long day. An airport, to me, is a home away from home and having spent so much time in them I have some valuable advice I would like to share with you to hopefully help you enjoy it too.

1. Arrive Early and Remember... Security is Your Friend!
If your flight is within the domestic US arrive at the airport at least an hour and a half before your flight is scheduled to board. However, if it is an international flight, give yourself 2 to 3 hours before your flight is scheduled to board to make it through security, especially if you are outside the US. More than likely there will be a line. Just relax. Security is there for everyone's safety. You might find it "annoying" or "stupid" but at the end of the day, it is there to help keep you alive. You know it is going to be there so don't act surprised that you have to go through it. Relax, be prepared when you go through (have your liquids bag ready, take everything out of your pockets, and push your bags onto the conveyor belt) and whatever you do don't argue with the personnel!

2. Keep Calm & Carry On.

(Yes, I am aware that this point was in my Guide to Being a Good Tourist but it is so true!) If you are able to do so, don't check any bags. I realize that this can be challenging traveling with young children and there are obviously times when you can not avoid checking a bag but if possible only bring carry-ons. Think about it, if your bags are with you all the time then you are the only person who can lose them and trust me, nothing will ruin a trip faster then lost luggage.  As a female who likes to have options, I understand the desire to bring lots of different outfits since you can't be sure what you will be in the mood to wear, but be realistic. Bring clothes that will mix and match making multiple outfits and wash them in sinks or bathtubs with Sea to Summit pocket laundry strips so they can be re-worn.  Tie your shoes to the outside of your bag, wear your jackets, and leave your big liquid bottles at home (you can buy liquids at your destination so leave them out). Don't forget, there are size restrictions so check with your airline to see what size carry on and  personal item you can take on the flight.

3. Patience My Friend!
Anticipate waiting! Whenever people travel they are always in such a rush to wait. It has always baffled me how everyone gets so hot and bothered about each phase of waiting in an airport. People hustle through security aggravated by the line so they can then sit and wait for the flight to board. Then as soon as it gets close to the scheduled boarding time people begin to stand in line waiting for the flight to board (even if the flight is delayed) so that they can sit on a plane for hours until they reach their destination. When you head to the airport you know that you will not be arriving at your destination until the scheduled arrival time on your boarding card, so what's the rush? Just relax and enjoy yourself. Come prepared to wait. Read a book or watch a movie on your tablet. Talk to whomever you are traveling with or listen to some music. The gate agents will let you know when it is time for your group to board so until that group gets called the only thing you have to worry about is that you have nothing to worry about.

4. Don't Sweat the Small Stuff
Flights get delayed all the time for a variety of reasons and there is absolutely nothing you can do about it. If you have a connecting flight, calmly alert the airline that you are going to miss your connection and they will take care of you. If there is a mechanical problem wouldn't you rather they fix it? If the conditions are too dangerous to fly in wouldn't you rather stay grounded? Mother nature can be a wicked witch at times. Crazy weather can blow in and lock down a region for days, shutting down airports and leaving travelers stranded. The airline didn't order a hurricane especially because they heard you were flying. There is nothing they can do about a blizzard so find somewhere comfortable to camp and nestle in for the long haul.

5. Airplane Food is Far from Ideal while Airport Food is for Real!
If you are travelling on a domestic flight then you have to buy food, so bringing food on the plane with you is a given. But what about on an international flight, when the food is free? I doubt it is news to anyone but stringy beef or rubber chicken hardly count as a tasty meal. Therefor, whenever possible, I always bring something tasty on board with me. A yogurt parfait, a sandwich, a smoothie, a to go meal from an airport restaurant, anything that is real and will keep my tummy happy. Sure airplane food is all right but would you rather get a 2 inch square bag of pretzel sticks or reach in your bag to pull out a tasty pastry?

6. You are Not the Only Person Traveling...
I can not begin to count the number of times I have been on a flight where the people around me seem to forget they are not home alone. If you want to chat with someone, make sure they are sitting next to you and you are using inside voices. Now then, that doesn't mean whisper, just don't raise your voice because the pressure in your ears is making you a little deaf. Also, don't forget there is probably someone sitting in the seat in front of you so don't use the back of it to help you stand up or jam your feet in their back. Be considerate of the people around you and hopefully they will show you the same courtesy in return.

7. Hydrate & Exercise.
Unless you are travelling on the dream-liner you are pretty much guaranteed to get dehydrated on the flight. Dehydration = killer headache = miserable flight. It is always hard to keep up with your hydration in the air, especially on a long haul flight but I can not stress how important it is. I know that drinking a lot of water means having to get up to use the restroom a lot but that is way better than the consequences of dehydration. Plus, getting up and walking around occasionally throughout the flight is good for your body. Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a dangerous risk associated with flying and although everyone has their own personal susceptibility to DVTs it is important for people to keep their blood circulating healthily through their body. So even if you don't get up and walk around, make sure to spend some time in your seat getting the blood flowing in your legs (without going too crazy and bothering the people around you.)

8. It's the Little Things in Life...
Good music, a movie, tasty snacks, noise cancelling head phones, a blow up neck pillow, an eye mask, and a jacket that can be used as a blanket make a world of difference. Having an aisle seat is nice because you can occasionally stretch your legs out into the aisle however, this is often short lived due to the traffic in the aisles. A window seat, on the other hand, is fantastic because it gives you extra room as you have a wall to lean on and no carts whizzing by and bashing your elbows.  My favorite way to sleep (or zone out and pretend to sleep because of an over chatty neighbor) is to listen to music through my beats with my zip up hoodie on backwards (hood up), leaning on the window. This way, the hood covers my face blocking out all of the light without stopping me from breathing fresh air, the jacket keeps me warm, and the music in conjunction with the noise cancelling technology blocks out all the ambient noise around me.

9. Double Check Before you Disembark
Don't forget to check all around your seat before rushing off that flight. Check in the seat back pocket in front of you, between the seats, in the over head bins, and under the seats as well. Once you have checked everywhere, check again. Once you are off that plane, it doesn't matter what you forgot, you are not getting back on to find it and the likely hood of you ever seeing it again are slim to none. I have lost a phone, a camera, an iPod, a painting even a credit card from a duty free purchase and I have never seen them again. So even though you are excited to finally get out of the tube you have been sitting in for hours, make sure you still have everything you brought on the flight before you step out of that airplane door.

10. Immigration & Customs...
This is always the hardest part. You have been travelling for hours, waiting and waiting and waiting to arrive at your exciting destination and you are greeted by massive lines at immigration & customs. Even though you know it is there it doesn't make the queue any less disappointing. You made it! You arrived! Yet here you are waiting. However, no matter how sorry you are feeling for yourself, you have to feel 10 times more sorry for the agents that have to deal with thousands of miserable travelers who see them as the worst part of their day. So be prepared, make sure your immigration forms are filled out completely and correctly. Don't forget they decide whether or not they are going to let you in to their country, so swallow your pride, be patient, and let them do their job, it will make it a whole lot less painful for everyone involved.

11. Baggage Claim
If you didn't check a bag, then just cruise right on by not even taking a moment to glance back! However, if you did check a bag, then stand back and wait. Other people need to get their bags too, so give them space and when you see your bag go for it. When checking a bag it is important to make sure your bag is distinguishable from all the rest to make it easier to spot on the conveyor belt. If not a colorful bag then add a colorful strap. Straps are important because in the event that your zipper fails you will have a backup and won't have to be that person picking up their underwear from the belt. So if you have to have a strap already you might as well pick one that will help you locate you bag with ease while minimizing the chances someone will mistake it for their own and wander off with it.

12. Air Miles are Gold!
Whenever you are flying somewhere don't forget to get your air miles! Earn miles from your flights until you collect enough to purchase a flight at minimal cost to you by using your miles. Make sure you sign up for a frequent flyer account on any and every airline you travel with so you never miss out on those golden miles. Don't forget to sign your children up as well, even a 10 month old baby can start earning their own frequent flyer miles if they have a seat. Who knows, they might have enough miles by the time they are 18 to get a free birthday flight somewhere! Trust me, even if you don't travel often, you will be surprised how quickly they can add up!

The real secret to having an enjoyable experience travelling via the airways is to relax and have fun with the experience. The flight in and of itself is an adventure and whether you are travelling internationally or domestically each airport is individual with something unique to offer. I love exploring airports, especially on a layover, because they give you a little sample of the area's culture. Flights are almost as exciting as airports to me because you are forced to relax, catch up on movies or finally read that book you have been desperate to crack open. No phone, no internet (not free internet anyway), total freedom from societal demands. So hey, if you are going to be stuck in an airport or on a flight you might as well make the most of it and have a little fun. Be careful though, you might end up like me and always find yourself dreaming of the next one.

London from the Sky

Taste of Thailand: My Homemade Panang

One of my favorite ways to unwind and tackle my travel addiction is in the kitchen. With my most recent adventure coming to an unsatisfying close, I find myself dreaming of where I have been, what tomorrow will bring and where I will find myself wandering next. Therefore, to settle the cogs turning madly away in my mind I decided that tonight was the perfect night to make my favorite Thai curry, a Panang in order to escape to Thailand.

While I was in Thailand I took a cooking class, where I fell in love with Thai food. This particular Panang recipe is one I learned during my class in Thailand and have been cooking ever since, tweaking the recipe ever so slightly to better suit me.

The key to a good curry is the paste. Store bought curry paste is most certainly convenient and on a night where I have just come home from work and I don't have all day to prepare my meal I am definitely guilty of using a store bought paste. However, on a weekend, when I can relax and get lost in my cooking, I take the time to make the curry paste properly from scratch and when I do so, the Panang is to die for!

I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I do and find yourself transported far away when you finally get to sink your teeth into it. Happy Cooking!

Panang Curry Paste

The Odds & Ends
2 dried large red chilies
1/8 cup ground peanuts
1/4 tsp coriander root (chopped)
1/2 tsp coriander seed
1/2 tsp galangal (chopped) (can be substituted for ginger)
1/2 tbsp garlic (chopped)
1/8 tsp kaffir lime peel (chopped)
1/2 tbsp lemongrass (chopped)
1/2 tbsp shallots (chopped)
1/2 tbsp turmeric (chopped)
1/8 tsp salt

Get into the Grind
1. With pestle and mortar, grind dry spices (not chilies) into a powder.
2. Add chilies and continue grinding until a paste begins to form.
3. Add remaining ingredients grinding until you are left with a smooth paste

Panang Chicken Curry

The Bare Necessities 
1 lb of chicken (chopped into bite-size squares)
400ml coconut milk
1 1/2 tbsp Panang curry paste (see recipe above or step 2 below for alternative)
1 tsp palm sugar
2 tsp fish sauce

Get Fancy
1/2 large red chilli (thinly sliced)
Kafir lime leaves

Let's Get Cookin'
1. Over low heat, boil 4 tbsp of coconut milk in a wok until oil appears on the surface.
2. Add Panang curry paste, stirring for 1 minute before adding chicken.
If you chose to go with a store bought curry paste as opposed to making your own, then simply use a Thai red curry paste and add a large tablespoon of peanut butter.
3. Stir the chicken, coating it in the Panang base until the chicken is cooked.
4. Pour in the remaining coconut milk and bring the curry to a boil, stirring occasionally.
5. Once the curry has begun to boil, add the palm sugar & fish sauce.
6. Stir until palm sugar dissolves
7. Allow to boil until the curry sauce thickens (feel free to add more curry paste to achieve a spiciness to your taste).
8. Remove from heat and serve with steamed rice.

Large red chilies and/or kafir lime leaves make for a tasty additional garnish

(I am a personally a huge fan of chicken Panang. However, you can substitute the chicken for beef or vegetables and achieve an equally tasty dish to transport you to Thailand.)

Viva Las Vegas!

The city of sin, Las Vegas, where fortunes are made but more often than not, lost. Having arrived late at night, we made our way to the penny slots for a quick test of fate. With a drop of alcohol to settle our nerves, we eased our way into the slots betting a penny at a time until we were brave enough to bet $3 a pop for the best chances at making some real money. After a couple hours of gambling fun, the exhaustion began to settle in and having spent our allowance for the night we sleepily made our way up to bed. 

Time change making it easy to feel like we had slept in we were up relatively early. After grabbing a quick breakfast, we made our way from Downtown Las Vegas to the infamous Las Vegas strip. Free parking in the Bellagio garage (which actually had enough clearance for the enormous truck we were travelling in!) made for the perfect start to our day of good fortune. Heading in towards the butterfly garden we soon found ourselves amongst beautiful flowers watching the butterflies dance in their conservatory.

Vegas is fabulous for a million reasons, but for me, what makes Vegas unforgettable is the architecture and interior design of the hotels. Hotel hop down the Las Vegas Strip and 99% of the hotels you step into will take your breathe away. Each hotel is unique with its own vibrant personality and character, ride a gondola through Venice, eat crepes in Paris, get lost in a breathtaking flower garden in the Wynn, or fly away with the butterflies at the Bellagio.

Inside the Wynn

Though the buildings are structures of astonishing beauty, their contents are what really bring people to Las Vegas. The live shows, insane night life, and heart-stopping gambling keep people coming back for more and turn Las Vegas from somewhere unbelievable to somewhere you will never forget.

We each had our own personal favorite slot machines. My favorites were the ones with multiple games and bonuses for I felt they gave you the most chances of winning but it was probably more just that those were the games where my luck decided to join me. Now then, though penny slots were fun (and safe) they did not even begin to compare to the excitement of the black jack tables!

A felt table with two chips worth a total of $10 (the minimum bet at the table), sit at the top of a capital B. As the dealer draws each player’s card, setting it face up between herself and your bet, the nervous excitement builds. As soon as the second round of cards has hit the table you know what to do. The key to black jack is knowing when to hit (draw another card by tapping the table between you and your bet) and when to stick (stay with the cards you have by waving your hand). The goal of the game is to get the sum of the face value of the cards closer to 21 than the dealer without going over 21. Get an ace (face value of either 1 or 11) in the bag followed up by a 10 and receive one and a half times your bet in return. Beat the dealer with any other combination, and receive chips equivalent to your bet as a reward. As jacks, queens, & kings all have a face value of 10, there are four 
times the number of 10s in the deck than any other number so it is always best to assume the dealer’s hidden bottom card is a 10. The dealer has to hit if their sum total is less than 17 so if the dealer’s top card is a 5 or 6 it is usually best to stick as there is a high chance of “busting” (when the player’s cards add up to more than 21) the dealer. It is, however, slightly trickier when you are the one with 15 or 16 as you either draw and run the risk of busting or stick and don’t have enough points to win. Talk about a fun and exciting game! We had the most fantastic time playing black jack and with four leaf clovers dancing above us we somehow managed to walk away with a handsome sum of winnings.

Unfortunately for me, I had to work on Monday morning and although Vegas was still calling my name and the road trip is not complete, my team of adventurers continued on without me having dropped me off at the Las Vegas International Airport.

Grand Canyon

Usually when one of my adventures comes to a close, I find my travel addiction sated even if just for a moment and I can focus once again, free of the incessant panging in my soul to find myself rushing back towards the unknown. However, this time the opposite is true and in place of that usual satisfaction is a longing greater than before to go somewhere, see something, and be on an adventure. Sitting on the flight back from Las Vegas, looking out of my window upon a tremendous sight that my camera can barely begin to share with your eyes, my good luck had not yet worn off.  Peering out from my left side window seat, crystal clear blue ruling the sky, I was able to see the Hoover Dam and the Grand Canyon. An absolutely epic close to an unforgettable adventure! With this beautiful vision embedded in my mind I soon nodded off to sleep and dream of having my own wings to soar above and explore free from airports and taxi ranks.

A slight bump of turbulence brought me back to life and I glanced out my window expecting to be faced with an empty black night, however, I was astonished by what I saw before me. Have you ever looked down on a major city at night? Cars drive along polka-dotted highways and neighborhoods transform into glowing golden mazes. From the air you experience an aerial view of an expansive metropolitan area and then watch it disappear out of sight behind you. There I was staring wide eyed through my window, looking down on the occasional city lights twinkling below. Glimmering towns disappearing off into the horizon, they are met by the blackness of the night. However, there in front of me, just above the curve of the earth was a tremendous lightning storm, one third of my visible horizon. The invisible clouds became illuminated by bolts of lightning jiving through them. Bolts so great in number, the whole cloud became visible for moments at a time as the strikes appeared throughout the cloud at an unfathomable rate.  Raising my

eyes from the tumultuous storm I suddenly became aware of the ocean of stars blanketing the sky above. More constellations then I have ever beheld before me, eyes  torn between the peaceful skies above and the tremendous storm below them. Eyes transfixed out my window I only tore them away to prepare for the descent as we were approaching Houston. Once again soaring over a glowing maze of city life, we came in for a gentle landing and I was soon walking through my home away from home that most people call an airport. 

Hoover Dam

Grand Canyon

From New Mexico to Nevada

No rest for the weary, we are up bright and early in time to make it to the International UFO Museum & Research Center at 9:00 when the doors open. Roswell’s main claim to fame is the crash landing of the UFO and the town really embraces the legend. The majority of buildings near the UFO museum have murals dedicated to their extraterrestrial visitors, really adding to the conspiracy & mystery shrouding the event. The museum is dedicated to the intergalactic government conspiracy theory making for an interesting stop on our venture and at only $5 a person it was definitely worth it.

In 1947 a UFO supposedly crash landed in Roswell, New Mexico. However, despite various accounts from locals who claim to have seen the UFO and the three aliens within it, the government played the incident off as a downed weather balloon. The museum appears to operate on a relatively small budget and would likely be more convincing with a better layout and protected original documents as opposed to photocopies.  Despite, the overall presentation, the museum was incredibly interesting and although I was tempted to believe the extraterrestrial tale, the lack of physical evidence available overruled my secret desire to have proof of alien life.

Despite Roswell’s intriguing history, it was only a short stop on our adventure, and the town was in the rear-view by 10am. From Roswell to Albuquerque we drove through barren plains towards massive storm clouds boasting walls of rain.  Other than the occasional slight undulation of the plains the only things blocking your view were the tumbleweeds that were gradually replaced by bushes as we approached the Sandia Mountains.

After lunch in Albuquerque we piled back in the truck and continued towards Flagstaff, Arizona. Such a pretty stretch of road! Surrounded by mountains and plateaus we drove through Indian reservations and tiny towns under a veil of spotty rain from unpredictable clouds. As we drove through the rain into the sun, a double rainbow appeared behind us and suddenly the rain disappeared to be replaced by the blue skies before us dotted with fluffy and wispy white clouds leading the way towards the mountains in the distance.

As Red Mountain appears ahead of us, the plain that had been surrounding us begins to become populated by ever growing trees and as we emerge in Flagstaff we find ourselves looking out onto a forest of pine tree with the mountain standing in all its grandeur just behind. Driving through Flagstaff surrounded by the pines it is hard to believe we are still in Arizona. Yet, we eventually emerge out of the forest and find ourselves once again driving in open plains. However, this time the vast expanse before us rolls its way towards the mountains and hills surrounding it making for a stunning view to take us into Nevada.

Driving past the glowing lights of the Hoover Dam in darkness, the only other visible light came from the stars twinkling in the sky.  Until suddenly, you reach the crest of a hill and find yourself facing the vibrant city of Las Vegas. Casino lights guide you in to the Las Vegas Strip and an overwhelming sense of excitement and good luck rushes over you.

Now that we have settled down into our rooms we are ready for our night out in Sin City. So I will leave you here until tomorrow.

Four Explorers, One Black Truck, 1500 Miles

And we are off! Finally! That adventure I have been in such desperate need of has begun! There is nothing so relaxing as driving with an open road before you, a friendly face beside you and endless possibilities of what you may experience. Sure you have a general destination in mind but anything between point A and point B is fair game.

Our dear friends Pixel and Shazam are heading to Campo, California to embark on their honeymoon adventure hiking the Pacific Crest Trail (Click here to follow them on their adventure!), a 2700 mile stretch that will take them from Mexico through California and into Canada. We are going to miss them while they are gone so we figured what would make a better send off than to drive them to the starting point in time for Kick-Off!

Leaving from Houston on I-10 we embarked upon phase one of our road trip, an 11 hour drive to Roswell, New Mexico. I-10 is an American highway stretching through the Southern states going from the East coast to the West coast. Texas is deceptively large, look at Texas on a map and it doesn't look that much larger than the states surrounding it but at 773 miles wide it dwarfs them. (Considering the US is approximately 3000 miles wide that makes Texas almost a third of its width!)

One of the many fabulous things about driving through Texas in the spring is the wildflowers. Courtesy of Lady Bird Johnson the major highways of Texas were beautified with wildflowers, so now when you drive through Texas in the spring the highways are surrounded by an ocean of red & blue wildflowers. Driving West from Houston (other than the hill country) the land is remarkably flat. You can look out of your window and literally watch the land disappear over the edge of the earth. There is a certain beauty in this that is enhanced by the wildflowers, large ranches and old windmills scattered along the way. As you pass the ranches complete with Texas Longhorns, there is no doubt that you are in Texas!

Houston, San Antonio, Junction. The sea of blue, red and green disappears into the distance with the setting sun and we find ourselves driving into a pitch black sky adorned with shimmering lights. From Junction through Fort Stockton and on to Roswell we drove under a blanket of stars behind spotty clouds as the man in the moon poked his head through a cloud to watch us make our merry way. The lights of far-off cities glowing in the distance, only bright enough to sparkle, look remarkably like the cat-eyes running down the center of the road. Yet, the most brilliant lights come from the drilling rigs scattered throughout the distance. Like bugs to a flame, the lights from the drilling rigs draw you in and you get lost in their beauty. I find myself desperate to drive up and explore one, yet with two oil men in the car happy to be home from the rigs, we were not about to try to get any closer for a better peek.

Finally arriving in Roswell after 13 hours on the road, we are tired and relieved to have made it to our first destination. As we get ready for bed we hope no aliens decide to reappear in hopes of an abduction so we are able to continue on our adventure in the morning.

The Ocean Star

Lotion to keep your skin silky smooth.

Antihistamines to keep your allergies at bay.

Lipstick to make you feel even prettier.

Guitar strings that pluck at your heart.

Umbrellas to keep you dry.

What do all of these items have in common? They are made using petroleum.

Living in Houston with a brother in Aberdeen and a boyfriend working offshore, my life is surrounded by the oil industry. Therefore, I felt it only fitting to take the time to visit the Ocean Star Offshore Drilling Rig & Museum in Galveston to better acquaint myself with the word surrounding me.

Parking off 20th st, it is a short walk to Pier 19 where the jack-up now sits mat down on Galveston Bay. Having paid in the gift shop, you walk towards the now retired Diamond Offshore drilling rig, an impressive sight, growing in grandeur as you get closer. Entering the first deck of the rig you are greeted by wonderfully friendly and intelligent docents who will gladly answer any questions you may have for them as you work your way through the museum.

The Ocean Star is one of the most educational museums I have ever been to. It was absolutely fascinating. Here you are able to see the different size drill bits & pipe used learning how, why and when they are needed. Watch a video or enjoy one of the scale models to obtain a better visual of how petroleum is obtained from the Earth.

The museum is a three leveled educational jewel. The first floor teaches you about the geology & science behind drilling as well as the drilling equipment and technology used. Along with the geological exhibits the first floor houses subsea equipment and the legendary Billy Pugh.

It is no mystery that to get out to a land rig you drive, but ever wonder how the crew get onto the rigs offshore? Wonder no more! See a real Billy Pugh, the basket that hoists personnel from work boats below 50 plus feet up onto the rig. Hold on to the ropes and imagine what it would be like to hang on for dear life hoping it's nickname "the widowmaker" is just a bad joke. Those who don't get hoisted into the air off ships get to take a much more luxurious route in on helicopters from the shore.

Wanting to keep my feet on the ground, we headed outside onto the lower pipe deck where you get your first glimpse of where the real magic happens. On your starboard side the life boat is buried between the wireline control cabin and directional drilling shack. On a functional rig the lifeboats would be attached to a davit over the side but for educational purposes it was cool to see it on the deck. Walking around the aft of the rig towards the port side you are slapped in the face by a massive Halliburton label written along the side of the cementing unit. The large red machine however is dwarfed by the port side crane looming over you. Heading back towards the door to the rig we passed a tall green pole covered in valves where the crew, with any luck, celebrates Christmas year round (as it is called the Christmas tree.)

Back inside and moving up the stairs you find yourself swimming in the deep blue, surrounded by an exhibit dedicated to life under the sea. Here you learn about the ecological impact of the offshore rigs and peer through windows into the underwater half of a two story offshore model. The models in the museum are amazing and walking through the rest of the second level you get to see massive models of various aspects of a rig from well completion to subsea equipment. In fact, the models are so detailed that little imagination is necessary to understand their purpose or size. There is even a depth comparison of offshore structures display to help you grasp a concept of the rigs size.

Now that you have learnt about the process of finding and obtaining petroleum it is time to make your way to the third floor to peer down upon the model you had just been observing from down below. However, the top level is not just a fabulous model, here you learn about transportation of the rigs and the petroleum they produce. The top level also has a fantastic display of life on a rig. Try on a hard hat and coveralls, see the rooms the crew sleep in and examples of the food they get to eat. You can even sit in the drillers plush Recaro cyber chair and feel like Bruce Willis in Armageddon for just a moment. A major part of life on a rig is safety, and here you can also learn about the safety measures and procedures on an offshore rig that get the hardworking crew to the end of their hitch so they can make it home in one piece.


Leaving the crew quarters you head out onto the top deck where you walk along the cat walk stopping to glance down upon the equipment on the main deck. Arriving on the Rig Floor you can peer into the doghouse to see where the driller sits and look at the various parts needed to actually drill for oil from the vital BOP accumulator and choke manifold to the travelling block and the kelly.

Standing at the bottom of the derrick looking up it is impossible to deny the beauty in this industrial machine. It is flabbergasting to think of the impact rigs, just like this one have on humanity. No matter how hard you try it is almost impossible to use or consume something that has not in some way, shape or form been positively touched by the production of petroleum. That is what makes this museum interesting. You get to see how rigs are managed and maintained, how the oil is found and extracted, and what happens from there. We fill our cars with petrol and eat our food that traveled halfway across the country in trucks fueled with petrol without truly knowing where that oil comes from and what it takes to obtain it. The Ocean Star museum makes learning about the nitty-gritty world of oil and gas fun and intriguing. I highly recommend that anyone who finds themselves in Texas, make their way out to Galveston to visit the Ocean Star. It is a trip that you will not regret.

(Offshore drilling rigs are beautiful and finally getting to see one in person I felt inspired to buy paint and canvas to do a couple paintings of offshore rigs in the setting sun that I could enjoy looking at year round.)