By The Numbers: Girlfriend Getaways Edition

Next Friday, I’ll be heading to Kansas City to visit my best friend Lisa. We last saw each other in 2008 for a girlfriends getaway onboard Royal Caribbean’s Navigator of the Seas.

Cruising Along: All smiles on Royal Caribbean’s Navigator of The Seas, January 2008

In addition to our high seas adventure, I’ve had the pleasure of traveling with many of my galpals over the years. From wine tasting in New York’s Finger Lakes region to castle tours in Scotland, girlfriend getaways have taken me to some of the world’s most magical places. Here are some of the highlights – By The Numbers:

Number of girlfriend getaways taken: 8
Number of girlfriend getaways involving road tripping and singing in the car: 4
Number of friends who made great roommates despite opposite body clocks: 2
Number of girlfriend getaways leading to unexpected romance with a fellow traveler: 1
Number of getaways featuring celebrity sightings and schmoozing: 1

That star-studded trip was to L.A. with Lisa back in 1997. She spotted Jay Leno at a local supermarket, while the both of us mingled with the cast of “General Hospital” at a fan club event for the show. Good times.

I’m looking forward to another memorable weekend with my best buddy of more than 20 years. And to seeing an old flame who just happens to live in her neck of the woods.

Coming up…flirtatious fun with an adorable European and drinks with this week’s JDate.com guy.

By The Numbers: Adventure Edition

When it comes to adventure, I’ve always been a fan of going out on a limb -- literally.

My most recent thrill seeking excursion -- climbing Sydney’s Harbor Bridge -- got me to thinking about some of the other adventurous jaunts I’ve undertaken. From canopy tours (a.k.a zip lining) in Costa Rica and Belize to dangling over the edge of 135-story Sin City’s Stratosphere, I’ve never shied away from sky-high fun. Here are some of my more memorable experiences (way) above ground -- By The Numbers:

Approximate number of amusement parks visited: 15
Number of rides on Coney Island’s legendary (and rickety) Cyclone roller coaster: 2
Number of times spent dangling harness-clad from a crane on amusement park ’bungee’ rides: 2

Number of gravity-defying rides experienced at the Las Vegas Stratosphere: 2

Number of rock climbing walls I tried while on the high seas: 1

Get Out There: Taking direction from Royal Caribbean’s famous tagline, I made it about halfway up this rock climbing wall on the Navigator Of The Seas ship‘s top deck, January 2008.

Number of zip lining adventures: 2
Number of feet above ground during highest zip line: 315

I’ll never forget the panoramic view as I soared from tree to tree at Costa Rica’s Turu Bari nature park. It’s amazing how free it makes you feel, even with the clunky harness you have to wear.

Coming up…A knockout "Dancing With The Stars" performance and a weekend getaway to the First State.

My Top Five: Best Kisses of All Time

From epic love to a brief fling, all romantic chemistry begins with a kiss. Countless songs and poems have been written about the simple pleasure of a good kiss, a pleasure I’ve been fortunate to experience many, many times over the course of the 20+ years I’ve been dating.

Amidst all the suitors I’ve locked lips with, there are a few whose kisses lingered long after their exit -- kisses that still conjure up a nostalgic smile whenever I think of them. Without further ado, I bring you my Top Five Kisses of All Time…

Number 5 - Under the Stars at Sea: A star-filled sky and the upper deck of a Royal Caribbean ship served as the backdrop for kissing my cruise beau Jimmy.

A perfect place for moonlit kisses:

the top deck of Royal Caribbean's Navigator of the Seas

A handsome Andre Agassi lookalike with a heart of gold, Jimmy and his kisses transported me for three heavenly hours that night and led to a three-month romance that reminded me good guys do exist.

Number 4 - A Kiss Four Years In the Making: For most of my high school years, I had a crush on tall and lanky classmate Jay. After he and a good friend of mine broke up, after he got past his feelings for her best friend, the timing was finally right for us. Curled up on a couch with Jay watching the series finale of “Cheers,” I could literally hear his heart pounding as he worked up the nerve to cross the line from friends to something more. Amazingly, the kiss more than lived up to the four years of foreplay that preceded it.

Number 3 - Rekindling An Old Flame: About a year after ending our fiery, passionate romance, Illinois-born Steve and I found ourselves sitting across from each other at Guastavino’s restaurant. An architectural masterpiece nestled under the Queensboro Bridge with high, vaulted ceilings, Guastavino’s was the perfect setting for rediscovering the palpable attraction between us.

Number 2 - Romance Down Under: For as long as I can remember, I dreamed about having a romantic moment on the beach. Adorable Aussie Jason made that fantasy a reality during an affectionate sunset stroll across Perth’s famous Cottesloe Beach. As I sat beside him on a rock overlooking the water, Jason turned my face toward him and we kissed.

Number 1 - The Kiss of True Love: Is there anything better than the excitement of a first kiss? That excitement was tinged with something more when I shared my first kiss with California native Mark (a.k.a Sparky) during a moonlit Carriage Ride in Central Park. It’s a kiss that still makes me weak in the knees when I remember it.

Like I’ve said before, a good kiss makes you feel like a teenager again. Who needs the fountain of youth?