Only 4 more work days!

Less than a week until I leave and I do have a bunch of things to finish before I can leave. However, with having to keep the house is perfect order all the time it's starting to become a slight problem. I can't really start accumulating anything for the suitcase because I can't leave it laying around. UGH

So, in my normal anal retentive fashion, I did the next best thing. I created a new tab in "the spreadsheet" and listed all the outfits I am wearing for dinner each night on the ship, Then 'play' clothes, casual clothes, sleepwear, etc. I am not packing heavy for a few reasons:
1. I have to lug the suitcase off and on the train and through airports and cruise terminals.
2. Because of my status with the cruise line, I get 3 bags of wash and fold service for free.
3. I've planned my outfits to allow for quite a bit of mix and matching for my dinnerwear.
So, between washing and mix and match, I will be good to go!

I had really high hopes for accomplishing a bunch of things this weekend. So far, nothing. And tomorrow isn't looking good either.

I was up fairly early this morning (8:30) but just could not get motivated, despite two cups of coffee. I just straightened up and read. Before I knew it, it was time for me to get out of the house because there were two showings scheduled.  (I've had 4 so far.) So off I went to run  some errands. I came back to the house after the appointed time but there were people still there. I stopped the car a few houses down and waited. After about five minutes the front door opens and these boys spill out of my house, pushing and shoving each other and just generally making a lot of noise and throwing the car keys around. Typical kid stuff.
But all I am thinking is:
1. They better not have been acting up in my house.
2. They will destroy this house in a matter of weeks if they buy it.
3. I need to buy more Clorox wipes.

The germaphobe in me is on high alert and I hope I don't have to have many more showings. I don't know if I can take it. Seriously, after the first one, I came home and I swear my house had 'other people' smell. And I've been obsessing about people touching my stuff.  I try not to think about it too hard, but there it is. So, I walk around my house wiping off doorknobs and light switches with Clorox wipes. I can't even entertain the thought of people sitting on my furniture or (gasp) my bed, or using my bathroom or I will go completely crazy.

Anyway, after that grueling day, I decided to read again and knew as soon as I got comfy on the couch, it was nap time. So nap I did. It is the most awesome sensation to be laying down, just feeling the breeze coming through the open windows and washing over you. I think I was out in about 2 minutes.

Now, it is 1:42am and I am wide awake. But I still think the nap was worth it! I don't get to do that very often.

So back to the upcoming vacation. I just found out on the Roll Call on Cruise Critic that we will be having a guest lecturer as this is what the cruise line is calling a "Journey". The wife of the man that was hired has joined the Roll Call and it sounds like we will have some very informative and funny lectures we can attend. I am looking forward to several of them.  There will be one on celestial navigation. I am hoping we will have excellent star gazing in the middle of the Pacific Ocean!

I also hope the Volcano is still erupting when we get to Hawaii (The Big Island). I was going to do a helicopter ride in this port but opted instead for a land tour to see more of the island. I hope the ship will pass by the lava flow into the ocean at night so we can see that.



https://www.volcanodiscovery.com/hawaii/kilauea/current-activity.html

It's now 2am and I think I will try to sleep.

Hope you all are enjoying a long weekend!

T-14

Unreal that the day that has taken so long to get here is now only two weeks away! I'm looking forward to starting my next adventure. I've never been to Seattle and I am anxious to see the area (and of course, my cousins!!). I was looking at the Weather Channel forecast for Seattle and Vancouver and Brrrrr. It's going to be jeans and possibly jacket weather. I'm so very mentally unprepared for that.

Although, honestly, I am very mentally unprepared for the descent to cooler and then cold weather every year.  So, I am happy to report that I've implemented Phase I of "Getting the Hell Out of Dodge" or "Let the Sunshine In". I'm not sure what to call this phase but they both mean I am one step closer to moving south!  Yes, I put my house up for sale. Although I won't be relocating for a few years, I needed to take this step so when the time comes, I can easily pack up and go!

The house hasn't officially even gone on the market yet. That happens next week. But I am already over it. LOL I just want it to be sold and be done with everything. I've been preparing for months and months for this. I've gone through every closet and storage bin in my house and either threw away, gave away or donated a TON of things. I don't consider myself a hoarder type of person by any means, but I still had a ton of things. It was kind of therapeutic going through that--it started that mental process of letting go.

And I have to tell you that there are plastic bins of things I just could not let go of. My ex-husband graciously agreed to store these bins. They are all mementoes of my kids' childhoods and a few cherished outfits of theirs. I couldn't even bring myself to go through them because I know how emotional I would have become. (I lose it when I read the cards they've gotten me over the years)

The past few weeks have been a flurry of activity getting some small items fixed or spruced up before the sale. I am blessed to have friends and an ex-husband that helped me get these things completed. Having completed everything is sort of bittersweet. The house looks fabulous and it's also the way I've wanted it to look for years and now it's for sale. On the other hand, I do not need 2200 square feet of house for one person. Moving will reduce my expenses quite a bit and allow me to save more money for my retirement. So, like I said, bittersweet.

But, back to T-14, I am so excited!!!! Although I've been on a couple of vacations since Tahiti, those didn't have that sense of adventure and excitement that Tahiti had or that this Vacation has--and the lack of blog posts reflects this. I'm not sure if it's just the fact that I am travelling solo or just the destination or simply the length of the trip. Maybe it's all three.

And as people find out I am going solo, they are still telling me how brave I am and how they could never do that. I don't feel that way. It's not that I don't like to travel with a companion or two, it's more that I have no one interested in going the places I go on these long trips. Yes, they are not cheap, but as previously stated in other posts, they are planned quite a bit in advance and the money to finance them is budgeted. And money seems to be the biggest deterrent. Jealousy

I did splurge a bit on this trip and sprung for business class seats--both to Seattle and back home from Hawaii. The Seattle legs will be in the old style first class seats--just wider than coach and more leg room. Which is fine. Definitely more comfortable. But, flying back from Hawaii, I booked a flight that has the lay flat business class seats. We leave Honolulu at 530 their time and land in Dallas at 6 or 7am the next morning. A total of 7+ hours flight time, so that lay flat seat and all that goes with it will be great. And I chose a window seat and they are singles! (1, 2, 1 configuration of rows)  I promise to take pictures and post them so you all can see what they look like. (again, very excited)

ttfn

Your Gypsy, Jilly

Vancouver Plans

I expect to arrive in Vancouver around noon and make my way to the Hotel. I am staying at a Holiday Inn Hotel and Suites Downtown - fairly close to the cruise port. It is supposed to be in a fabulous area for shopping and restaurants. I was looking at the website the other day and discovered they also have some wonderful amenities!
A heated indoor pool as well as a Spa.

Spa? ding, ding, ding, ding ding!!!! What better way to be stress-free than to book a spa appointment.
I was expecting a super expensive list of services. Not so! And even better the exchange rate makes them even more affordable. This Gypsy loves luxury but at an affordable price!

I looked at the HOHO bus for Vancouver but none of the stops were doing much for me in the way of interest or would fit into my limited time. The one thing that does interest me is a Picasso exhibit at the Vancouver Art Gallery
http://www.vanartgallery.bc.ca/the_exhibitions/exhibit_picasso.html

I did find one place that I will probably check out, rain or shine: Granville Island. This looks like such a cool place, I am definitely not going to have enough time for a 'proper' visit, but would still like to go. There are some interesting pottery studios I want to check out.
http://granvilleisland.com/discover-island/visitors-guide

Not sure which one will win out.

I've also been checking out the restaurants within walking distance of my hotel. This place looks like it's going to be the winner!  But as always, subject to change if I hear of something better.
http://www.glowbalgroup.com/fish-shack/#menu-section
I'm anxious to try the seafood from the area. Especially the oysters and crabs!

I don't always like asking the concierge for a recommendation. I think sometimes they have a relationship with certain restaurants. What I do like to do is ask the people at the desk or the bellhop or even people in the coffee shops for a recommendation. If I hear a place more than once, I'll investigate via my friend, Mr. Google!

If anyone out there has any recommendations for a great seafood restaurant, I'd love to hear from you!

Well, that's all I'm going to leak about the trip for now.

Plans are Finally Coming Together

I have been vacillating between obsessive research and completely ignoring my Hawaii Cruise/Trip.
I'm not sure why that is. My usual mode of operation is research obsessively until I know exactly what I will be doing on my vacation. By now, you should know that I am not a 'wing it' type of person.

Not that obsessiveness where you plan every second of your vacation, just knowing what major thing you plan to do when you are visiting kind of obsessiveness.

So, I've had this trip booked for about 18 months now. Ok, I admit it took second place to Tahiti--but really what wouldn't? But Tahiti is now a distant, but vivid memory. (it will be a year at the end of September. OMG)

I have my normal multi-tabbed Excel spreadsheet of course. But even that was not populated with all the things I normally include. Like I said, I would research like crazy for a week or so, and then not do anything else for weeks.

Finally, after I got home from Sanibel, I got myself in a Hawaii state of mind and started researching and making decisions. I've done something I have not done in many, many cruises--I booked some shore excursions through the ship. <GASP>  Actually, during all of my maniacal research I discovered that the ship's tours for these ports were not out of line cost-wise. Plus, I don't have to worry about transportation, car rentals, etc etc etc.

I realize now, my first mistake and probably one of the reasons I wasn't able to make any decisions was a rookie one. I read all the websites with things to see and do and was trying to cram too much into a day. Once I figured that out, I was able to determine what was the thing I wanted to do the most. After that, it was pretty easy.

The first thing I decided about this trip was that I wanted it to be stressless. The second thing was a list of the Top 5 things I wanted to do. Boom! Trip planned!

My first stop on this trip will be a visit to my cousin, Carren, and her family in Seattle. They have graciously offered to pick me up from the airport and are letting me stay with them for 2 nights. They've also agreed to drop me off at the Train Station at a most ungodly early hour.

I will have 1 full day in Seattle and I plan on going to Pike's Place Market and then to the Space Needle if the weather is good. Carren has volunteered to be my tour guide!

The next morning it's off to Vancouver via the Amtrak Cascade Train. I hope the weather is nice and clear so I can see all the gorgeous sites along the way. I already booked my ticket and upgraded it to a business class for like $15 more. More comfy seats, less people and a reserved space.
For more information check out these links:
http://www.amtrakcascades.com/
The reviews on Trip Advisor are great and I cannot wait to see the Train Station in Seattle.
https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g154943-d1952467-r164101435-The_Pacific_Central_Station-Vancouver_British_Columbia.html

The trip is supposed to take about 4 hours and immigration is completed at the station in Vancouver.
Getting excited now....only 53 more days until I'm a Gypsy once again!

Reality Sinks In or Home Again

I got home late yesterday afternoon feeling like I'd been run over by a truck instead of simply flying for a few hours. I always feel that way after I fly. I wonder if it has something to do with the fact that your body is sitting still and the airplane is moving at 500 mph? I'm sure there is research on that somewhere--if only I had the energy to look it up!

Slept like the dead in my bed for a solid 10 hours! Unpacked the suitcase and did all the laundry and put everything away. I didn't make it to the grocery store--tomorrow is another day. And it's a work day at that. Sigh.......bye bye beach vibe!

I can honestly see why everything and everyone in the South move so slowly. It is so humid I think it just forces you to slow down. The last two days of vacation, we were actually thrilled that the ocean temperatures were not nearly as warm as previous days. The storms that moved through the area overnight on Wednesday and Thursday cooled things off a bit. I have never been in water that warm in my life.

I did love how you could walk waaaaaay out in the water and still be able to stand. Plus, the water is so much more calm than the Atlantic Ocean. Just gentle waves -- if there are any at all. And of course, the shells are just amazing. I was on a mission to find kitten paws and treasure chests and I found lots of them.

Food was very much on the back burner this trip. We had a full kitchen and we used it. We only ate out a few times--and even then we ended up splitting an entree. It was just too hot to eat much. We did use our food and drink credits at the resort. We enjoyed 1/2 price happy hour Pina Coladas more than once! So yummy and so full of booze, we were glad we didn't have to drive! We also had this one sandwich called a Cuban Skinny. A typical Cuban sandwich except it was made with shaved turkey instead of pork. OMG that was delicious.

I'm going to review this resort on Trip Advisor and plan to be honest about the good/bad and ugly. And unfortunately, there was some ugliness. It didn't impact us directly, but the resort handled things so inappropriately, I was very disgusted. I hope to get that review out there this week. I'll let you know.

I promise to add some photos to this post and the two previous ones.

All in all a great trip with great company and minimal sunburn!

And, of course, I remain ever grateful that I am able to travel and experience new things. Life is very, very good.

Beach Life

The days have settled into somewhat of a routine. Life is completely centered around shell-picking, lounging or getting into the pool or ocean.

In addition to $100 credit for food and beverages that came with our package, we also were given Cabana rentals for any two days we wanted. We reserved yesterday and tomorrow. I thought they would be right on the beach, but was told they do not put them there during hurricane season. So, they were in the area surrounding the pool. Which actually ended up being pretty nice. Then, we also had an  umbrella and two chairs set up by the resort at the beach. Any guest can request the umbrella and chairs and it's free.

We rotated back and forth between the beach and the pool all day. It was very nice as the cover allowed me to be in the sun all day but not to fry. The pool and ocean have been very, very warm. Although yesterday when you went out a bit to chest deep water, you could feel the cooler water. There was a storm Tuesday overnight which I believe helped the water temps.

The Cabanas rent for  $70 per day. They have 2 padded, towel covered loungers, a table and a cooler packed with cold water and a basket of snack items (cheez-its, peanuts, chip and trail mix). You can also zip or unzip the side panels of the cabana to let the breeze in. Plus, they have wait staff so you can order food and drinks from the bar and have it delivered to you.

Happy Hour is from 3-5 daily at the pool bar. And the drink prices go down significantly--$5 for a pina colada and $3 for certain beers. The bartenders have a wonderful heavy pour here! Very tasty.

Nights here are quiet. The streets roll up early. Most of the shops here close at 5. Now the restaurants are open later but we've eaten in all of our meals so far but one. Well, we also had lunch using some of our food and beverage credit. It's really so hot here, we don't seem to have much of an appetite.

Overnight we had a wicked storm here. It woke me out of a sound sleep and that is saying something! I am not a light sleeper. What a lightening show there was--plenty of thunder. Something about a storm near the sea... Just love watching those!

Parts of the road to Captiva were flooded and closed early this morning. But we didn't start up until about 10am and we shelled on a pretty cool beach. It was just shells and more shells a couple of feet deep. Amazing. Although, I am going to research this but I think the type of shells you find any given time may depend on the time of year you are here. I'll let you know what I find out.

My partner in crime has returned to the beach but I decided to stay in for awhile as I am a little bit burned. I'll head back out around 5 or so when the sun starts to go down a bit.

Cannot believe tomorrow is Friday. TTFN

Leaving on a Jet Plane, unfortunately I do know when I'll be back again.....

Tonight is the time for packing and getting ready to get outa' the Burg for a week. I hear the sea calling my name!  I usually do the majority, if not all of the packing the night before a trip. Over the years, I find I can get it all done in a minimal amount of time and most of the time, I don't forget anything. Experience, I guess!

I am over-packing or at least I think I am. It's going to be killer hot and I expect to change my clothes a couple of times a day. AND I hate doing laundry on vacation. I'm taking the massive suitcase I bought myself for my birthday two years ago. It's the one that made the trip to Tahiti with me.  I still love it and it makes me smile when I look at it.

It should be returning home a bit heavier as I expect to pick up some shells on the beach. I know exactly the type I am looking for so that pretty much guarantees I won't find one. LOL But I will enjoy looking.

Fast forward to Sunday morning.

I arrived at BWI in plenty of time for my flight. Parked the car at my favorite parking place and rode the shuttle to Southwest. (Note: Thank God I prepaid for my reservation. The lot was full!!! Although I do have their loyalty card so I am guaranteed a spot.  Anyway, back to Southwest. They offer curb-side check in and it boggles my mind why people just go to the first area they see. There was a line a mile long and just 50 steps away was another curb-side check-in with three people in line. 

I also have to thank the heavens for TSA Pre-check. Again, the security line was so long and I just breezed by with only 2 people in front of me. I kept my shoes on, my laptop in my bag and only went through the metal detector. How nice is that?  Security is high here. Lots of extra TSA agents and a larger police presence. If it’s this crazy on a Sunday morning, I can’t imagine how nuts it was Friday night and Saturday.

I am now sitting at a bar near the gate drinking a double bloody Mary with a crab claw and a bunch of yummy vegetables and olives on a stick!

OMG I have to tell you, I am also thanking God that traffic was non-existent on the way down. I was still in PA somewhere on 83 South, I crested a small hill and 10 feet in front of me a deer was running down the right lane—directly in front of me. Instinct kicked in and I swerved to the left and was very out of control and careened right again all the while braking. I think my heart pounded for a good 10 miles after that.  My guardian angel was working overtime.

Here’s to a smooth and safe flight to the beach. It’s really overcast here and raining. I’m sure the ride up will be bumpy as hell. UGH.  The nice part though is a little of two hours from now, I will land in my happy place!

I am staying at a place right on the beach. I found it on Trip Advisor and when I went out to the website, they were offering a special – stay 2 nights, get 1 free. So—4 nights for the price of 6. Not a bad deal. I have a 1 bedroom condo and the resort is right on the beach. They have everything right there—even a grocery store! A bunch of pools, restaurants. Can’t wait to get there.

Took off right on time and landed a bit early to overcast skies. What????But the skies cleared up by the time I got my bag. And I think for the first time EVER, my bag was one of the first ones out! So, I rolled on out of there and across the crosswalk to the car rental place. Again, lines 10-15 people deep at the rental counters. Alamo—2 people in front of me. I was directed to the parking garage where I could choose any car in a particular row. I chose a white Dodge Dart. I put my luggage in and look at the key fob and I have no idea what to do.

I try putting the thing that looks like half of an ignition key in. Nope. I’m sitting there sweating not figuring this out. An older couple comes to the car next to mine and I actually have to ask them how to start the car. It would have never occurred to me to put the thing marked PANIC into the ignition. So, I thanked them and climbed back into my car and put the blessed air conditioner on. My car is so old, I’ve never seen anything like that.

I bumble around the lot and finally found the exit and was on my way! Traffic was light and I think it was about a 45-minute drive to get here. It’s a different place than the last time I visited. Many, many more people here and it is really hot and humid. Check-in was a breeze and I was off to find my condo. 

It’s really nice. A 4^th floor unit with a view of the ocean and a screened lanai. Very beachy!

I unpacked, changed into my bathing suit and walked over to the main building for a quick lunch. I’m pretty sure I won’t be eating a lot of meals here. A bottle of water was almost $4 and it wasn’t huge and it wasn’t designer. The main pool is large and has 2 slides, lots of loungers, umbrellas and shaded areas with ceiling fans. It was packed. It also has a bar, pizza and ice cream shops as well as foosball, bean bag toss and ping pong.

I walked over to the pool closer to my condo and it’s smaller with none of those things but was still filled with families and tons of kids. I strolled down to the beach and the water is WARM. Of course, maybe it’s cooler farther out but I had all my stuff and no place to put it down. I sort of thought they would have chairs and umbrellas here but they don’t. You can rent stuff or use whatever the owner has in the condo.

I walked back up to the pool, found a semi-shaded lounger and set up camp. It’s just like a cruiseship though—chair hogs everywhere. People leave their towels and other belongings on and around the chair and go to the beach or whatever for hours. There are several signs that state: No floats of any kind in the pool, no food, no glass containers… blah blah blah. All of the rules were being broken and there is no one there to enforce anything. I was slightly annoyed—not annoyed enough to leave though. I got into the pool a few times but the water is like bathwater. But it still felt pretty darn good.

The early start to the day and the heat did me in. I went back to the condo, took a shower and tried to watch a little TV. After dozing off a few times I decided to head to bed. My stomach was feeling sort of bad. I fell asleep right away and woke up at 1:14am sick as hell. About every hour I was up again and sick. Blah. I kept hoping by morning I would feel better because I had to get to the airport and pick up my friend. No such luck—now dizziness had set in. So, first thing this morning, I called and arranged for a shuttle to bring her to the condo.

After sleeping all day and continued sickness, I finally started to feel like I could down a Gatorade. I think I am recovered—although I feel weak as a kitten.  So glad this appears to be short lived. 

Nachi Cocum & The Casino!

Our third day on this cruise started about 9:30 am for us. We ordered room service consisting of 2 PBJs, milk & cookies! After waiting and waiting, the ship finally docked and we made our way to the gangway. Once ashore, we walked through the Puerto Maya cruise terminal toward the Taxis.

Seventeen dollars later, we were at Nachi Cocum. We were immediately greeted by a woman and asked if we wanted our pictures taken in their sombreros. OH NO WAY the germaphobe living inside of me screamed! GOD KNOWS THEY’VE NEVER BEEN SANITIZED. LICE ALERT!!! So I politely declined and we went to the check-in area. They collected our money. ($55 for the day) and took us to our palapa for the day. It consisted of 2 comfy lounge chairs and a table.

This resort is owned by 1 family and they all work to operate this place. The father is the chef—and that man can cook. Their food is all homemade and fresh. They have a bartender and a man acting as drink runner and waiter in the open air restaurant.  They allow only 100 people admission per day. It makes for a very relaxing atmosphere. None of the craziness of places like Breezes or Paradise Beach.

Our admission price included a 4 course meal and unlimited alcoholic beverages and soda.  After we received our first drinks, we ordered our appetizers. I got homemade guacamole & chips. Kolton got cheese sticks—and they were not your standard mozzarella sticks. These looked homemade also and had different types of cheeses in them.

We got into that blue, blue water and cooled off. It was a beautiful day. Sunny blue skies and a nice breeze. Spent quite a bit of time just gazing at the water and watching the sun as it sparkled across the water. Life is very, very good. Later on, we moved to the cover of the open air restaurant and enjoyed the rest of our meal. I got the fresh, grilled grouper with rice and vegetables and also a fruit plate. As always, the food was excellent. (Dessert was homemade coconut ice cream.)

We then went over to the beautiful in-ground pool and hot tub. Ahhhhhh. The pool has a built-in swim up bar. After soaking and more relaxing on the comfy loungers again, we decided to make our way back to the port. We walked back through the port area and looked in the shops. They were selling a wide variety of items from a pharmacy to stores selling cheap trinkets to a Diamond International store.  And, of course, the requisite Fat Tuesday’s and Three Amigos bars.

Once back on the ship, we showered and went to the dining room for a lovely dinner. It was a quiet night on the ship as most people stayed ashore as long as possible. (All aboard was 9:30pm) After dinner, I decided the casino was calling my name. It had called my name twice previously on this cruise and I was down some money.  

Three Card Poker hadn’t been good to me so, with some reluctance, I went to the Black Jack table. (I’d given up the game a few years back because it was frustrating to play with idiots—errrr.. people that did not follow the rules and hit when they should stay or stay when they should hit.) So, I sat down and started to play. I was on fire. Strangely enough, I never hit a lot of 21s. I have never had good luck with that. But as we all know, you don’t need a 21 to win! And win I did!!!! Every time I got $100 in chips, I colored those up and got a black chip that I deposited in the 1^st Bank of Bra! I kept only enough to continue to play. I ended up winning enough to recoup my losses and pretty much pay the Sail & Sign card charges off. Yay me!!!!

I finally started getting cold about 2am so I took my money and went home!

Cruisin'

The next morning we got up and made our way to the front desk for check-out. Up and down the damn steps schlepping our luggage. What a pain. But we got aboard our shuttle to the Miami port. We breezed right in because we had a check-in time of 10 – 10:30. Made it up to the place where you get your room keys and we were directed to an ancient man that moved at a speed of such slowness, I can say without exaggerating that the check-in person to my right processed 9 people before we were finished. UGH UGH and UGH. But then we got on the ship and started to feel better immediately.

After we had some lunch on the Lido deck, we made our way to the Serenity area (which was unknown to most people) and spent a few hours chill-axing on comfy cushioned loungers enjoying a few adult beverages. The sun felt incredible. But knowing I am the queen of pale, I applied 50 SPF before I got comfy. Apparently, the wind or something made me miss several crucial areas. I now have a lovely burn above and below my eyebrows and an interesting spot near my inner eye. In addition, I missed the center of my chest and in addition to the burn, you can also see the imprint of my necklace.  So pretty!

We settled into our Ocean View stateroom and it’s quite comfortable for 2 people.  Plenty of storage, and a decent sized bathroom.  Spent the rest of the afternoon unpacking and getting familiar with the layout of the ship. For dinner, we were signed up for anytime dining. I introduced my nephew to a more formal dining experience than he had ever experienced!!! He liked it! I think the food is good on this cruise line. The wait staff was impressive as always. After dinner, we went to the shops, listened to the guitar player in the atrium lobby and then sat for a few songs in the Piano Bar.

We arrived in Key West at 7:30am. Our excursion wasn’t scheduled until 9 something. As we were docked at the naval base, we couldn’t easily walk downtown. So we slept in a bit and then made our way to the lounge for our tour. We rode the trolley looking busses to the downtown area and then walked to the Fury Catamaran for our snorkel trip. A beautiful boat and a great crew. We ride out to the snorkel site & along the way we were given some basic instructions and provided water, lemonade and soda. 

We reached the reef and the stairs were lowered into the water. This was a full set of steps, not a ladder. Key West had some violent thunderstorms the previous night and that resulted in a lot of chop. You were asked to sit on your butt to go down the steps. Talk about a ride. Sheesh. It was violent down there. Once you got off the ladder it wasn’t much better. Waves were breaking over your head & the water was so churned up, you couldn’t see anything and the current was very strong. After battling the sea for a while and swallowing more sea water than I wanted to, I made my way back to those treacherous steps and made my way aboard. After you were finished snorkeling, beer and wine were available for the trip back. Personally, I think they should have cancelled the trip. Kind of a bust. We did have time to do a bit of looking around before it was time to board the Conch train for the ride back to the ship.

The ride back was made interesting as the train contained a large amount of hugely drunk people. This one guy kept standing up. The tram would stop and the guy would tell him to sit down. This continued every few minutes until the other passengers were screaming for him to sit the F down.  Then we got to the checkpoint and everyone had to show the military person a ship’s card and a photo ID. Now, it’s not as if they would let you off the ship without showing you had both…. But people are stupid! They were not complying and it took forever to get through the checkpoint. UGH. Once we got back to the ship, there were HUGE lines of people trying to get aboard. And of course, the ‘young drunk punks’ that thought they were special just waltzed past the line and moved to the front. People were screaming at them to get to the back of the line and they just ignored them. Now, what really made me angry was that there were security people there that did absolutely nothing.

Back on board, we showered and napped. LOL Life is tough. We went to a very late dinner and then to the comedy club. That was a good time. Both comedians were pretty funny.  

Back in the cabin, sleeping came so easy. Between the beds and the motion of the ship, I sleep so well. The mattresses are so perfect and the duvet is the perfect weight on your body. Ahhhhhhh. Another day in paradise!

The Joys of Travelling!

After getting up at 4am and driving to BWI, going through the mile long line through security (Pre-Check not available), removing my shoes, liquids, stepping through the ‘make you naked’ scanner, being told my left boob needed extra security via a pat-down, having my sunscreen confiscated, my Oral-B toothbrush scrutinized, and the entire content of my carry-on pawed by a TSA goon, and finally arriving at gate A-6 only to find out that my 9:35 flight is now delayed until 11AM due to bad weather in FLL.  UGH! The rest of the week in FLL shows pretty little suns in the forecast—all except today. Sigh.  

Kolton is amusing himself with his phone and/or people watching as I write this post.

We did have a decent breakfast at Phillip’s prior to coming to this gate. It was huge. We could have easily shared it. There were at least 4 scrambled eggs on each plate. Plus, red-skin potatoes, bacon and Texas toast. I topped this off with a double-shot Bloody Mary and Kolton had a Mimosa. We are chill.

I am really looking forward to this trip. I have been working a lot of extra hours at work. I have a project in deployment and honestly, it’s a hot mess. In the words of a former boss of mine, “testing is for pussies” and that is pretty much how this has gone. Though the issues are not caused by the employees but to an off-shore contracting group. UGH for the second time in one post.

I signed off of my work computer last night about 5:45 and went to get my pedicure. Pure bliss! The leg and foot massage alone are worth the cost. I now have beautiful turquoise colored toenails!

And we wait……………………………and wait……………..and wait

The early start to the day, the Mimosa and the long wait caught up to Kolton.

Finally made our way to Ft. Lauderdale after a weather-related delay. We finally arrived to horrible thunderstorms and so much rain, there was street flooding. So much for our beach day. Oh well. We grabbed a cab to our hotel and the room wasn’t ready. So we decided to take advantage of a break in the rain and walk down the street to get a late lunch. While we ate, the rain started up again and we waited until it let up a bit and walked the couple of blocks back to our hotel.

I’d reserved just a standard room – which looked decent enough—differing only from the other rooms due to our view (parking lot). However, we were put in the 4 story building across the parking lot from the hotel and accessed via a covered bridge. The clerk asked if we were able to handle just a few steps with our luggage. A few? Oh yes, just a couple of steps and then take the Elevator to the second floor and cross the sky bridge. Sounds easy, right? Hahahahaha We get off the elevator and come to a full flight of stairs heading down. The luggage plunks down the steps and we open the door and head across the bridge where we come to more steps….This time a set of 6 and another set 4. Really?

Oh and we were told ‘the rooms were recently remodeled. Once again I have to laugh. There was nothing majorly wrong with the room but it was far from newly renovated. The beds felt about 3-4 years past needing to be replaced. Shoddy paint & tiling added to the charm. I normally don’t stay at hotels in the Hilton plan but thought I would try this hotel as it was in the area I wanted to stay.

We went to Lulu’s Bait Shack for dinner and a few drinks. It’s at a place called The Beach Place. It’s mostly restaurants like Lulu’s, Fat Tuesdays, Hooters etc. The restaurants are directly across A1A and the beach. We snagged a table near the open air windows and settled in for some food and drink. The food at LuLu’s is not gourmet, but it’s good bar food and the drinks are very good. We noticed a band setting up and decided to wait and listen to them. In the meantime, we did a lot of people watching from our 3^rd-floor perch. There is a Naval/AirForce base nearby so there was a constant stream of soldiers coming and going. They were shuttled in on huge buses.                                                             

Gotta love a man in uniform....mmmm mmmm. 

And Kolton liked the fact that you can smoke in the restaurant because it's open air!

And that my friends, it a dirty monkey cocktail!

About 9pm, after hearing ‘check 1-2’, at least 300 times, the band started. 3 guys and a chick on the base. The girl just killed us. She wore her long black hair in pigtails and took great pleasure in whipping them around when she was ‘jammin’—which was all the time. The singer was a 40+ guy wearing a bandana on his head to cover his bald spot. The guitar guy was a Bon Jovi (in his early days) wanna-be. The drummer was pretty non-descript. So they started their set and they were decent. The tables all around us were filled and as the band played oldies—Journey, Aldo Nova, Foreigner—etc all songs from the 80s I was looking around at all the ‘old people’ seriously JAMMING and head banging to the music. And then it hit me, these old people were MY AGE. OMG I was stunned. I think inside I still think of myself as like 37. I was really freaked out by this and kept saying to my Nephew, OMG these people are my age and they are old. (Of course, the 4 drinks I already drank had nothing to do with this reality, I’m sure.) 

And so ended our first day..... imperfect weather, but still, a good time had by all.

Ph-Ph-Ph-Ph-Ph-Phoenix

It’s 6:30am and I find myself, once again, at gate C3 at the magnificent Harrisburg International Airport. International my azz. You can barely get out of the state without connecting to a larger airport. Regional airport is a better description, but I digress.

I am flying in coach*. (I paid for this ticket) I see the little Buddy Holly plane sitting out there on the tarmac. Despite having a jet-way, I will not be fooled this time. You do walk down the jet-way and then out the door, down the steps, across the tarmac and then climb the steps to board your ‘luxury’ coach.

I have Admiral’s Club passes so I can get into the secret little club at the Philadelphia airport. Much to my chagrin, the passes expired April 15^th—yes, YESTERDAY. Arghhhhhhhh.  Being able to hide out in the lounge prior to the next leg of the trip makes the coach trip a lot better. I plan on throwing myself at the feet of the receptionist and begging to be admitted.

The gate is much more crowded than it was the last time I was here. I am hoping the loud toddler that is currently racing around the terminal screaming is not on my flight. We shall see.

My flight to Phoenix is supposed to arrive about 12:15, Phoenix time. I think it’s so bizarre that they do not observe Daylight Savings Time. Well, not that they don’t observe it, but that, as a country, we can’t even agree on that. I am not getting into the whole political process that is going on right now. But, I will say this is not a time to be a proud American.

I’m going to share something I am more than a bit excited about! I’ve resurrected my kiln and have been creating lots of pottery. Since last year, I’ve been getting the feel for the clay again and discovering the new glazes that have come out in the last 25 years. Well, that isn’t the news, although it is exciting! The real news is, I contacted a store I’ve visited a few time in Phoenix and asked if they would be interested in selling the incense burners I’ve been making. THEY ARE!!!!!! I have a container packed with bubble wrap in my carry-on.

The ride on the Buddy Holly plane was uneventful until near the end. As we made our approach to Philly, the flight path took us over the river. As we crossed, one of those huge cargo container ships was sailing underneath us. It was so huge it seemed like it went on forever. The landing gear was down on the plane and I don’t think I am exaggerating when I say it looked like the plane cleared the ship by less than six feet. But, a few minutes later we were on the ground.

And, once again, we taxied to Terminal F. Then you have to take the internal shuttle bus to terminal A. The shuttle was filled with so many people I thought I was in Italy again. No concept of load capacity. 

Made it to the Admiral's Lounge and sat in the comfy chairs and used the secure wireless. I also made myself a little breakfast of fresh fruit and trail mix. If you are travelling more than once or twice a year with layovers, you really should look into the different ways to purchase access. It certainly makes the whole layover much nicer--and the free booze is another plus. 

You can find several credit cards that offer a couple of passes to their lounges as part of a welcome package. 

Here are few interesting articles regarding how to get lounge access. (I am not endorsing any of these methods and make no promises on the accuracy of the information.) Always do your own research though!

Article 1

Article 2

Article 3

Buying a day pass is also an option--but a fairly expensive one. However, I would have no problem doing that if for example, I had a very long layover, prior to an even longer flight. Say, like one to Tahiti. The TBIT has a gorgeous  AA Admiral's Lounge . 

The flight from Philly to Phoenix was delayed. The pilot came on and said there were a large number of planes waiting on the jetway for take-off. So we inched along just like rush hour on the highway. We sat for about 40 minutes. Sigh. Once in the air, the pilot was unable to make up that much time and we ended up arriving about 20 minutes or so late. 

I carried on my luggage so I made it out to the shuttles to the car rental facilities that are miles from the airport. It's a humongous place with all the companies in one giant building and then escalators leading to the various levels where the cars are kept in mammoth parking garages. It was a ZOO. 

On the way over in the shuttle, I checked my email and had one from Hertz stating if I wanted to join their gold members club, I could avoid the line, head directly to the cars, find my name on the gold board and pick up the car and my rental agreement would be printed as I exited. OH YES, sign me up. 

So, off I went, bypassing the queue of at least 30 people, and down to the cars. I did not see my name on the gold board, so I went to the little office on that level and was told I'd have to call 1800GOLDCAR or something like that and have the reservation rebooked under my new gold member number. NO, he could not do that there. So, I did that, came back inside and got back into the line and listened to one person after another have issues--the charge amount wasn't right, the car they requested wasn't there, and on and on. Finally, it was my turn and the other man working the desk found the reservation right away. He was going to upgrade me to a Toyota Camry--loaded. I said, I'm not going to have the same issue as these other people am I?  No way!!!!  Ok! My luggage and I schlep the whole way across this garage to Row Q, space 26. And I had the Steve Martin, Planes, Trains and Automobiles experience. 

Steve Martin

So, my luggage and I make our way back to the counter. By this time the line is even longer so I stand there and listen to the man being 'served' explain that he booked a full-size car but when he got there, it was full size but it has hand controls--"you know for a crippled person" And the rental counter guy says, and you don't need that? The guy says, "You saw me walk up to the counter". Then he spots me and says OH NO. I said OH YES, there was NO CAR in row Q26. He motions me up to the counter.

He then disappears into a back room or something and comes back about 5 minutes later with keys to a brand new Impala for the man with the handicapped car. Then he says, I'll find you a car. And I said, with a huge smile, and when you find the car, I know you will want to go and get the car and drive it right up beside this building, right? Of course, he said and disappeared to the back. I went outside and waited and waited and waited. He finally pulls up and says, sorry, the car I went to get you wasn't there either. I had to find a different car. So, almost 2 hours have gone by since I left the airport and I finally am on my way to see the kids! If this is the Hertz Gold Experience, I don't think I want that experience again.

Thirty-five minutes later, I am hugging my son! And another hour or so, my daughter gets the same treatment. Happy, Happy, Happy!!!

It's now 8:10 here and I am meeting the kids at Pappdeaux's for a late dinner. The food is magnificent! It's 11:10 where I come from and I am beat. But I am also very hungry and thinking after dinner and a few drinks, I will faceplant into the bed when I get back. 

BTW, I am staying at a Candlewood Suites. They are very reasonably priced and would be a great deal for a family. They have a full kitchen (no oven), a desk, a couple of chairs, a recliner and a queen size bed. I know they also have 1 bedroom suites with a separate bedroom and living room with a sleeper sofa.  They have so many 'little things' they do right here. You can borrow movies, board games, and things like blenders. They also have a 'Candlewood Kitchen' and it operates on the HONOR SYSTEM. It's stocked with soda, juice, water, snacks, fresh fruit, cereal and canned soups.

There is also a laundry room, a very well-equipped gym. Outside there is a heated pool and jacuzzi and a gas grill and picnic tables for outdoor dining. I try and stay here every time I visit. 

OMG just back from dinner. As expected, the food was exceptional. The reason: it's a scratch kitchen and the seafood and fish is flown in daily. No pre-made meals. Everything from sauces to desserts are made fresh here. And you can certainly taste the difference. 

It's about 11:30 here--so 2:30 'my time'. I'm more than tired. And so ends my first day. I couldn't give the kids enough hugs and kisses. No matter how old they get, they will always be my bebes. Life is so good!

*Coach—kind of ironic that there is a line of pocketbooks that people equate with luxury and status. The reality of coach travel on an airplane is anything but. Just sayin’

What to do?

Okay, I admit it, I am more than a little obsessed with travel. There are so many places I feel like I need to see that I have a hard time deciding what to do next. (I know real problems huh?)

These are the things I am thinking about for late 2017 or early 2018:
Flying to Sydney, Australia, touring a few days and maybe a 7-10 night cruise from there.
Flying to either Singapore or Hong Kong and then doing a cruise to Vietnam and Thailand
Flying to South Africa for 2 weeks, staying in Johannesburg and then doing a safari and Victoria Falls

What to do, what to do???

I guess I will have to create a spreadsheet! List all the pros and cons, and estimate the costs. Or maybe I will just put the choices in a hat and pick one!

I do know I need to start figuring out what I am going to do and see when I am in Hawaii later this year. So far, there are only a few things I know for certain I want to do:
Snorkel as much as possible.
Snorkel with turtles!
Take a helicopter ride somewhere
Visit Pearl Harbor
Drink some Kona coffee
Wear a lei
Chill on as many beaches as possible with a slushy drink in my hand.
Eat Hawaiian pineapple
See lava oozing over the land
Take thousands of pictures
Watch the sunset over the water

As for what I plan on doing for five sea days on the way to Hawaii:
Read
Sit on the promenade deck and stare at the ocean in a cushiony lounge chair (planning on spending countless hours doing this)
Read
Lounge by the pool.
Lounge in the Serenity area (aft) and watch the ship's wake
Read
Go to tea at least once
Take a nap on a comfy lounge chair
Read
Sleep soundly underneath a comfy, perfect weight duvet
Blog!
And possibly, read some more.
(Notice MAJOR lounging is planned!)

The ports we are stopping at are:
Hilo                10am-6pm
Kauai               9am-6pm
Maui                9am-11pm
Honolulu         8am   Disembark
Then I will be in Honolulu for 3 more nights

I guess I really am resurrecting the spreadsheet. There is a lot to keep track of.

So, if you've been to Hawaii or Vancouver, what is the one thing I have to see in each city???

Safety Tips for Travellers

I often get questions like "Aren't you afraid, travelling all by yourself?" or comments like "You are so brave going there."  And no, I am not afraid OR brave, what I am, is PREPARED.

How in the world can you prepare you may ask? Well, below are some ideas on how to help you stay safe and reduce your risk of becoming a victim when you travel.

Research your destination

This is probably one of the most critical steps and a lot of people simply read a few Trip Advisor reviews and off they go.  I don't think you should EVER visit any place without knowing what to expect when you get there.

"But I'm a spontaneous person, researching isn't my thing," you may say.

 You can still maintain your spontaneity; but having basic knowledge of the  area/country is crucial.

 You should know if there are areas or specific places to avoid.

 Do you need Vaccines or Visas for your destination?

I always check the Government Department of State website for travel advisories and information regarding diseases or Visas. You should also note the phone number of the US Consulate            http://www.state.gov/countries

Understand a bit about the culture--especially gestures, clothing or words familiar to us that maybe offensive in the country you visit.

       In many countries, visiting sacred sites require specific dress.

For example, in Italy, to visit the Vatican Museum, you cannot wear sleeveless shirts and your knees must be covered. They really do check that stuff and will refuse to let you enter.

      

    Safeguarding your Passport and Credit Cards**

Before I travel, I always scan a copy of my passport photo page as well as the front and back of any debit/credit cards I will be taking and then Email them to myself using an Email account I can access any place in the world.  (Ex. Yahoo)

While you can't use the copy of the passport to travel with, it may help expedite the process of obtaining a replacement. 

            (Having said that, this goes back to Research.  Always know who to contact if your passport is lost or stolen. )

The copies of your credit cards will be helpful if your cards are lost or stolen.

  The back of the card contains a phone number to call in just that situation.

**You should notify your credit card company if you are using their card while travelling.

**Try to use credit cards that incur no foreign transaction fees.

**Using a credit card almost always gets you a favorable exchange rate.

**Always take at least 2 credit cards in case one is lost or stolen.

**I generally use Credit Cards every place I can because it eliminates the need to carry a lot of cash and if lost or stolen, you usually are not responsible for fraudulent charges.

        Cash

I never carry much cash with me when I travel. With ATM machines almost every place on the planet, there is no need.  In addition, ATMs usually provide the best conversion rate for foreign currency.  So, I normally only withdraw the amount of money I will need for a day or two. 

Use common sense when choosing/using an ATM machine.

(If there are banks in the area, I go there.)

What you need to remember is to contact your bank and let them know you will be out of the country and make sure your PIN will work (usually needs to be 4 numbers).  That way, they won't 'freeze' your account thinking use is unauthorized.

Sometimes there is a need to have some cash in advance. I found Travel Ex; through my local credit union was a reasonable place to purchase local currency at a decent exchange rate and a low fee. 

Another thing that falls under Research--Know the value of the local currency compared to your currency.     Foreign Currency

       

     Clothes and Accessories  

Try not to look or act like a tourist.  In other words, try to blend in.

        Dress more like the locals do.  (Especially when in Europe-- They can spot an                 American a mile away if they are wearing white sneakers or sweat pants etc. 

        They don't wear that type of clothing, unless in fact, they are going to the gym)

       Also, most people in other countries say they can identify Americans because they          are so loud!

      Never wear t-shirts with explicit language or offensive images.

Keep the travel paraphernalia to a minimum. **

**You are more of a target for a pick pocket or to be robbed if you are seen wandering down the street, focused on a local map, totally engrossed in taking pictures or staring in awe at the beautiful surroundings.  The reason being: You are not aware of your surroundings.

I'm not saying not to do these things--perhaps try this:

Consult the map before you leave your room. If you have to refer to it again, stop and move to the side of the walking area and get your back near a wall.   

Wear a cross body bag--men and women.  Make sure the zippers and snaps are closed when you are out and about.  (Men: they make cross body camera bags that can carry a lot more than the camera!) And wear it towards the front of your body.

Keep the camera out to take candid shots but use a wrist or neck strap and keep the carry bag closed/zipped.

I try not to carry a backpack because they are easy to pick pocket. (Although I did see a new design where the zippers are backwards that are supposed to be pick pocket proof)

When sitting in a restaurant or café, do not sling your bags over the back of the chair. Keep them on the ground between your feet. Make sure straps are not trailing out behind you.

I also try not to walk directly next to a road, if possible. In Europe, there were reports of thieves on motorbikes snatching bags or purses from people and speeding away.

The whole idea here is to make it difficult to anyone to rob or pick pocket you.  The most important thing to remember is to be aware!! If you don't look like an 'easy mark' they will probably move on to someone else that does.

There are many websites that offer travel clothing, travel bags, garments to wear underneath your clothes to safeguard money and other valuables etc. I've never felt the need to purchase any of that stuff, but if something like that makes you feel more secure, go for it.

   Luggage

      Never put your address on your luggage tag--inside or outside. Only include your name and a phone number.

                 Why advertise your home address to anyone with access to your bag? 

                And always put a luggage tag or card with your name and phone number            inside the bag in case the tag on the outside is torn off.

    Travel Insurance 

             In my opinion, travel insurance is a necessity.  I use a wonderful site called InsureMyTrip.com

(No, I get no financial benefit by telling you that. I just like it)
You enter basic information and it brings up a bunch of different types of policies with all sorts of coverage. The price of the insurance is based on your age,value of the trip and I believe the location.

You can then narrow your choices down however you like and compare them--a fabulous feature. I usually choose a Comprehensive package that covers most things. A couple of the things I always include in my insurance are:

Trip Interruption    Baggage Delay    Medical Evacuation    Medical Coverage

     Random Tips 
               Before you climb into a taxi, make sure it is an 'official' one.
               In many countries, there are no meters in the taxis--negotiate the fare BEFORE you get in.
               

               

                     

      Summary

Despite all the planning and safeguarding, if you travel enough, something will happen to you.  I speak from personal experience! However, by doing the things I've outlined above, you will save yourself some headaches and hopefully make the process less painful. 

New Beginnings

So, I've been out of touch for a bit. What have I been doing you may ask....Well, I got a new job that I am enjoying very much. The people I work with and for have been wonderful. They really appreciate the work I am doing, how fast I am catching on to new tasks...... and they TELL ME that.
This is such a foreign concept to me. After almost 2 months there, I am sure I chose the right job.

I've also spent quite a bit of time repainting and 'sprucing' up the house. And, I've fired up my kiln again and I'm quite obsessed with making pottery right now. I am hoping to sell some of my work to local shops and then maybe set up an Etsy store. I'm still experimenting and trying to get the feel for the clay again. But I have created some pretty interesting pieces.

With regard to travel, I do have a few things planned and will have to add them to my travel list on the home page. The first thing up is a long weekend in Phoenix to visit my kids. I wanted to go out for my son's birthday last week but hotel prices were so crazy because of spring training, I decided to wait until April. Cannot wait to see my kids!

After that, I have a quick 4-night cruise in May. The ship is stopping in Key West and Cozumel. I plan on going snorkeling in Key West on the Fury and in Cozumel, just spent the day chilling at Nachi Cocum. More on that trip as it's happening--LIVE.

In July, I have a trip to Sanibel Island planned for the week of the 4th. I was there in December for a long weekend and decided I needed to go back as soon as possible. What a gorgeous place. And if you collect sea shells, you will just lose your mind there. I'm told the shelling is so great because the island lays east/west  whereas the coast of Florida is north/south. Once I cross that bridge to the island, I don't plan on leaving until it's time to go home!

Then, September is the 'big' trip. I'm flying to Seattle for a few days to visit with my cousins. Then the Amtrak Cascade to Vancouver for one night. And then the cruise to Hawaii!!! Five glorious sea days to cross the Pacific and then 5 nights of sailing around the islands, followed by 3 nights in Honolulu.

I'm baaaaaaaaack and living gypsy once again! Life is good!