Albin and Melanie Ulle are home from a trip around the world in 98 days.
The Denver couple was picked from more than 900 applicants to star in the Travel Channel’s upcoming series “1,000 Places to See Before You Die,” based on Patricia Schultz’s best-selling travel book.
They left Denver on Sept. 7 with a film crew of eight and traveled to more than 13 countries, visiting about 100 of the 1,000 places recommended. Stops included Peru, Alaska, Mexico, Brazil, Africa, France, Italy, India, Cambodia, Hawaii. On the cuff. What a gig!
So how’d they get it? The Ulles were newlyweds, able to put their lives on hold for 14 weeks and were not experienced travelers. She’s a fundraiser; he’s a mortgage broker (and the organizer of the annual Santa Claus Pub Crawl). Now they have the bug. Big time.
“I just cannot stop talking about it and how it affected our lives,” Albin said. “You’d think that after traveling everywhere you can hang up your hat, but it’s the opposite experience. It gives you an incredible perspective.”
They can’t say what their favorite spot or adventure was. Hang gliding over Rio was exciting, but so was talking to a man at a cafe in Nepal.
“It was the best experience of my life,” Albin said. “We won the travel lottery.”
Travel can strain a relationship, but the Ulles drew closer together.
“The hardest thing since we’ve been back is that we’re not together all day, every day any more,” Melanie said. “I miss that.”
The show airs on the Travel Channel starting March 29.
Idolatry
Cherry Creek High grad Rudy Cardenas is one of 12 men standing on “American Idol” – and he’s psyched.
“It’s surreal,” he said from L.A. “Very overwhelming. I’m trying to soak everything in and take some mental pictures and leave it all on stage and have no regrets no matter how far I get.”
Tuesday night he lays it down and we start voting. He says he’s starting with some rock and he’ll move to his Latin side if he makes it through.
Eats!
Get ready for Denver Restaurant Week, Feb. 24 through March 2 – with 150 restaurants serving three-course meals for $52.80 for two. You lose money staying home. Check out the roster and the menus at denver.org. And watch for guest chef appearances on Channel 9 from Sean Yontz (Mezcal), Carl Klein (Corridor 44), Mike Adams (Racines), Sheila Lucero (Jax), Matt Selby (Steuben’s) and Maxwell Mackissock (Vita).
City spirit
Mel Master sent out the news Friday afternoon. Unable to get a new lease at 235 Fillmore, he and wife, Janie Master, plan to shut down Mel’s Restaurant and Bar before summer. Sob. … The sweetest songbird Denver ever raised, Judy Collins, is at the fancypants Cafe Carlyle in NYC through March 2 (cover charge $150), home at the Paramount March 16 … 78-year-old Bo Diddley is still rockin’ and now rappin’ – at the Soiled Dove Underground March 2. Says B. Diddley, “Lots of people sayin’ old folks can’t rap. My name’s Bo Diddley, I ain’t takin’ no nap!” … Sez who: “I like any cereal. I like the idea of eating and drinking with one hand, without looking.” Jerry Seinfeld
Bill Husted’s column appears Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Husted also appears Tuesdays and Fridays on “Good Day Colorado” on Fox 31. You can reach him at 303-954-1486 or bhusted@denverpost.com. Take a peek at Husted’s next column at denverpostbloghouse.com/husted.
