Hooty Tea Travels – 2018 Caribbean Princess Cruise

During December 2018 I went on a Caribbean Cruise.  I love cruising. I find it ultra relaxing being able to sit in the lounge and drink tea while watching the water and the people. The boat does all the travel for me, stopping in new places giving a taste of each spot. Cruise ships have lots of things to do from trivia, movies, pools, spas, shopping, live shows, but also raffles and free stuff (I got so many free necklaces and tote bags). However, my main priority on cruises is not swimming (this owl hates water and beaches) but eating… Continue reading, hoot!

Hooty Tea Travels – 2018 Vancouver Tea Festival

The Vancouver Tea Festival is in their 5th year! It was held November 3rd and 4th (Saturday and Sunday) at the Chinese Culture Centre and Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden. I attended only on Sunday. For 3 years in a row, I’ve missed the Vancouver Tea Festival. One time I was in Vancouver just before or after it. The other year I was having surgery so I missed it. Last year I didn’t make it as I was remodelling the kitchen and I’d be a complete jerk to leave the tea hating husband to do all the work by… Continue reading, hoot!

Hooty Tea Travels – 2018 Northwest Tea Festival

I seem to say this every year for the Northwest Tea Festival – it is an action-packed tea event that is a must visit. Like last year, it felt even busier than the previous year. I heard, unofficially, there were 25% more people on the first day than last year, but don’t quote me on that. To me, the floor traffic felt busier than that. I was able to walk in early because I have a presenter badge, and used that opportunity to do most of the photos before the crowd was unleashed and I got too tea drunk. I… Continue reading, hoot!

Sunday Tea Hoots 40 – Grow a Tea Plant!

During the Tea Fest PDX Portland I purchased a single tea plant from Minto Island Tea. They sold three different sizes of tea plants, but I went with the youngest cheapest one in case I kill it quickly, then my investment was small. You can purchase your own plant here, as well as read planting and care instructions. So, I am no gardening person, I am quite terrible and exceptional at killing plants. However, I am enthusiastic and enjoy plants, so it is a constant cycle of me purchasing things, killing them, and purchasing more plants. I had a great routine… Continue reading, hoot!

Hooty Tea Travels – 2018 Tea Fest PDX Portland Oregon

I recently attended the 2018 Tea Fest PDX in Portland on July 21st. Last year the Tea Fest PDX was successful, but it was cramped because they had a small space and got way more visitors than expected. 2018 Tea Fest PDX rented the entire World Forestry Center, instead of just a section of the outdoor area. With more space came more vendors, 40 listed on their website. It had a better flow this year as booths were not in straight rows causing traffic, though booths inside the building had some squished spaces. What I find the most interesting about… Continue reading, hoot!

Hooty Tea Travels – TEA PET CON 2018

A Tea Pet convention is obviously one of those ideas you come up with while tea drunk. When I heard Pheonix Tea created the first annual TEA PET CON I had to go, despite my husband needs the car for the day. It was a cute, fun tea session with a large number of friends in which everyone brought their own tea pets to the table. I shared a couple of photos on Instagram, but I wanted to post more. Phoenix Tea always has the most interesting and weirdest of tea pets. This event had some new ones! I took advantage… Continue reading, hoot!

Hooty Tea Travels – 2018 World Tea Expo Trends and Thoughts

2018 World Tea Expo Highlights | 2018 World Tea Expo Haul What was Trending at the 2018 World Tea Expo? Everything is Expensive and the 2018 Tea Harvest is Killer 2018 is an expensive year, across the board. However, 2018 is also a good tea year, especially compared to 2017 which was not so great that I didn’t buy much oolong and puer despite the urge to stockpile for it being my zodiac year. Across the board, every farmer and tea producers I asked told me this year their teas are great, regardless of area. One Taiwanese vendor told me… Continue reading, hoot!

Hooty Tea Travels – 2018 World Tea Expo Haul

2018 World Tea Expo Highlights | 2018 World Tea Expo Trends & Thoughts It is everyone’s favorite World Tea Expo post –  the OWL HAUL! There were fewer vendors this year, so fewer samples, but I felt I got some good quality stuff. I skipped a number of vendors that I’ve gotten samples from in the past as I got plenty of tea. I managed to not need to ship things home, which was a first. My purse was filled with gushu, which I thought was entertaining. I did get pulled over for my suitcase setting off a problem at… Continue reading, hoot!

Hooty Tea Travels – World Tea Expo 2018 Highlights

2018 World Tea Expo Haul | 2018 World Tea Expo Trends & Thoughts The World Tea Expo was held at the Las Vegas Convention Center June 12 to 14th. The World Tea Expo is a tea industry-only event to further your tea business with networking and learning. This is the North American hub of tea, so there are farmers or tea sellers getting feedback on their experimental teas. There are many whole sellers here, so if you want tea for your business, you will find the connections here. Other tea sellers use it to display upcoming products. There are classes on… Continue reading, hoot!

Hooty Tea Travels – Preparing for Tea Festivals and Expos

Since diving deep into the tea world, I have been going to tea festivals 2-4 times a year, some local, and some I travel to. With more tea festivals popping up each year, I can see myself going to even more. Be sure to check out World of Tea’s festival schedule to find a festival near you! With the World Tea Expo 2018 coming up, I am getting ready to tea binge and fill my suitcase full of tea! Here are some tips and tricks I’ve picked up along the way, for both tea enthusiasts and business. Some points are… Continue reading, hoot!