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This is my very short list of countries that ex-Marine (husband, Steve) and I could revisit again and again. I'm always taken aback when people ask, for example, "Why are you going back to France again?" Why? Are you serious? A person could revisit Paris on a yearly basis for their entire life and still not have seen it all. France has beaches, sea side towns, forests where a person can actually hear a ...cuckoo...cuckooo... while walking along. There are hills, low mountains, the glorious French Alps (Chamonix is beyond words), crystal clear lakes, small villages and towns that have looked the same for a thousand years, cathedrals, pilgrimage trails, historical sites and wonderful food. A pittance of what's available in just France.
We have the same three limitations as everyone else. Time, money and health. The following places are doable financially but, again, you'd have to spend an entire year traveling while many can only be visited during certains seasons of the year. When you read this article about where I'd love to return and why, remember these two important words - Wish List
Continue reading "Sheila's Travel Wish List For Seven "Return To" Destinations"" »
Albania may not be on your radar yet but it will be. A few different tour operators either are visiting Albania now, for example, Explore U.K. (check out the itinerary on the Adventure Center Finder to your left as you read this post) who has a cultural exploration of Albania. Others are working on future plans.
ex-Marine (husband, Steve) and I are currently lusting over a light-moderate hiking/trekking trip offered by KE Adventure Travel. Click on the link and you'll be able to read and see what I'm talking about. KE Adventure Travel is a highly regarded and reputable company that we've never had the pleasure of traveling with before. To answer your unspoken question, KE Adventure Travel is not giving me a commission, discount or freebie no matter how many of you decide to join Steve and myself.
Continue reading "Anybody interested in Albania Hiking/Trekking, July, 2010?" »
Whether you are Alaska-bound this Summer on a large cruise line, an inside cruise, tour, fishing or hiking, an interesting article just crossed my desk about the Great Alaska TourSaver Book filled with 2-for-1 travel deals. I wouldn't exactly say the book is inexpensive at $99.95 but tour excursions off Alaskan cruise ships, whale watching and other sights aren't exactly give-aways and it's easy to see how this book could pay for itself after using just one coupon.
The compact guide features more than 130 travel deals: flights, cruises, lodges, fishing, whale-watching, adventures -- the works. If you are skeptical over the savings, spend some time surfing on line and see what individual tours cost without a coupon. Below is a small sample of just a few 2-for-1 offers that certainly appeal to me:
Continue reading "Taking An Alaskan Cruise or Tour This Summer?" »
It doesn't make any difference whether you arrange a trip on your own or use a tour operator, there are always surprises along the way and not all are pleasant. There are simple surprises that aren't a big deal and usually involve:
- Squat/pit toilets or no toilet. (A beautiful Japanese monastery stay more than compensated for the walk to a squat toilet.) Always keep tissues and/or small amounts of toilet paper handy;
- No electricity or outages. Always travel with a small flashlight. Not only useful in outages but also in dark, sightseeing areas, e.g. caves;
- Unusual foods that you don't have to eat;
- Insects (leeches in the forest, bedbugs in even 5***** Star Hotel these days, mosquitos (known as "mozzies" to the Aussies we've traveled with), and some of the most persistent sand flies we've ever been bitten by. Take along insect repellent.
Get our Best Internet Rates Guaranteed, at choicehotels.com
Continue reading "What Tour Operators Don't Tell You" »
Have you ever heard of or even seen a yacht that resembles a moving island? Neither had I until the Financial Times Weekend Edition of November 14, 2009 crossed my path on a flight to Europe. Just when you think you've heard about every possible manner of conspicuous consumption, an article like this appears. The Why, created by Wally Hermes Yachts, was unveiled in September and is referred to as "a floating island" or "floating house." I should say so! For 90-100 Million Euros (give or take a few mil - and in U.S. Dollars, around $150,000,000 - lots of zeros), anyone can buy a yacht with a jogging track, 30m/90' "beach" on the deck for tanning, and accommodation split over three levels. The top level has an owner's apartment with private terrace. Below this is the guest deck with five suites and lounge library. And the bottom deck has living, dining, media and music room, spa and gym.
The poor staff...actually, not that poor to work in this lifestyle... of at least 20 crew have cabins below. The Captain and First Officers have cabins up towards the top along with the beyond "rich and famous,"
Continue reading "The "Why" Floating Island Yacht for Millionaires, Billionaires and Gazillionaires" »
ex-Marine (husband, Steve) and I have gotten seriously lost in Siberia, side-tracked in France, Austria, Italy and had our own adventure on the Milford Track in New Zealand when the river went into spate and we almost drowned. But our exploits pale in comparison to the ones Thea, my Number One Gutsy Woman Who Travels, has. Her story about hiking in New Zealand could almost be a field manual of "what to do and how to survive" when something goes wrong in the mountains.
Thea and her friend Mike bought a book on hikes in New Zealand and while on the North Island decided to do a volcano "hike." What Thea calls a "hike" and what I call a "hike" are diametrically opposed. She sets off into remote wilderness carrying a tent just in case... a very smart move and one that could save your life... I go up and down a heavily trafficked route in one day - that's a "hike."
Continue reading "Thea, A "Gutsy Woman Who Travels" Gets Lost Hiking in New Zealand" »
Cruising is popular all year round but there are some especially good bargains available right now. Not a day goes by that cruise offers don't clutter up my e-mail box and I advise you to jump on one if cruising is in your future travel plans. I'd like you to just be aware of these seven money-saving tips:
1. The costs given per person in all ads and e-mails trying to entice you do not include port charges and taxes. A 3-night cruise to the Bahamas may be advertised for $179 per person in an inside cabin. Your Government taxes and fees can then add another $300 per person! Suddenly, the cruise cost doesn't sound that cheap anymore.
2. Book an interior room if you are not claustrophobic to really cut down costs. A balcony cabin for sitting outside gives an air of roominess. However, the inside cabins are surprisingly large and are you going to spend all day in the room? I hope not.
Continue reading "Sheila's Seven Cruise Tips to Keep Costs Down" »
Dear Readers and Fellow Travelers:
PU--LEASE!! ...I can't believe 2009 has come and gone. For most of us, no big loss with terrible unemployment and economic statistics... the same world problems....and worries about health, children and grandchildren.
On the plus side? (I hope you had at least one plus during 2009.) People are still traveling. They may be downscaling a bit to make travel budgets stretch, but cruise ships are filled and all my "sunbird" friends are packing up for the journey south.
Continue reading "Happy New Year, 2010" »
Christmas Greetings to everyone celebrating today and Happy Holiday Season to those who are not. The gift opening frenzy is probably over and a luscious holiday dinner may be on the table even as we speak while you are surrounded by family and friends. The great smells of turkey, ham, lasagna, fried rice, curry, barbequed ribs, sweet potatoes, double baked potatoes and ample desserts (all Sheila's favorites) should be wafting tantalizing aromas throughout the house. Where is Travels With Sheila celebrating Christmas?
ex-Marine (husand, Steve) and I are on the road in Thailand visiting the historical cities of Sukhothai and Ayutthaya, then moving on by a public bus to Chiang Mai. We're eating yummy Thai food for Christmas dinner.
Continue reading "Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays" »
Travels With Sheila has already discussed how important it is to notify both bank and credit card issuers what contries you intend to visit. Both to eliminate identity theft and avoid problems using your credit card. Below are more mistakes, all made by us. Number One, was added to "beware of" a few months ago in France and this one tip alone will definitely save you money:
1. We were taken aback when a hotel checkout person asked, "Do you want the bill in dollars or local currency?" Huh? We didn't think twice and said, Dollars. Big mistake. When the Visa bill arrived, this particular transaction had a higher rate of conversion. In layman's terms, the bill would have been less if charged in Euros rather than Dollars to Euros to Dollars. Another charge on the same bill had a higher rate from a restaurant in France that automatically charged us in Dollars. If we had carefully read the slip while signing, we would have seen "Dollars" next to the charge, and could have corrected it then and there. Duh...live and learn. You want to see the currency of the country you are visiting on that credit card slip. Euros, Yuan, Pesos...not Dollars.
This process is called "dynamic conversion." The merchant converts the bill to U.S. dollars (or your currency) right then and there. The problem is that the merchant can use any exchange rate they want at that particular time, not the going wholesale rate applied when the charge hits your bank for conversion which is going to cost you...MORE MONEY! Watch out for it...;
Continue reading "Sheila's Seven Money Mistakes Travelers Make" »
I can't believe it's that time of the year again, Thanksgiving Day. Wasn't it just yesterday that I went into a marathon frenzy of chopping, peeling, roasting, polishing silver and cleaning? All that hard work just to watch my family making gluttons...all right...pigs... of themselves...View image... while eating double portions in a happy eating orgy....View image...before collapsing in a food stupor.
It's time to make double-baked potatoes...time to stuff the turkey after uttering prayers, "please defrost...please defrost"...and time to cook the most fattening desserts. Disregard calories for one day (all right...two days) and just give thanks for dear family, friends and, hopefully, good health.
Continue reading "Happy Thanksgiving, 2009" »
- Don't pack clothes in plastic or garbage bags inside suitcases. I've personally experienced: suitcases sitting on the tarmac in driving rains; opened a bag only to find something leaked all over my clothes while in the cargo hold; and, had smelly, dusty everything from dust thrown up while jolting in cars over incredibly bad roads (the dust also turned my dark hair a muddy shade of brown). If you trek, all good tour operators will tell you to pack in garbage bags since your duffel will either be on a llama, horse, mule or back of a Sherpa.
- Don't carry warm clothes in backpacks while day hiking. Mountains make their own weather and we've begun day hikes in 80+ degrees, that progressed to rain, and turned into snow towards the top of the mountain. It may sound laughable, but these articles are always in our backpacks when hiking. Goretex or rain pants, Goretex or rain jacket, warm hat and gloves. Unprepared hikers have frozen to death or become hypothermic from not carrying proper clothing with them.
Continue reading "Sheila's Seven More Mistakes Travelers Make" »
Whether you know my darling husband, by the moniker "ex-Marine" in my articles, Steve to co-workers and acquaintances...or "Sonny" (to family and close friends), today is his 70th Birthday! No one could have been luckier than I to meet this over-achieving, kind-hearted, emotional and loving man 32 years ago at a racquet ball/tennis club. Did this poor ex-Marine who despised camping and tenting (been there....done it) ever dream that petite, strong-willed me would argue and cajole him into a lifetime of doing what he hoped was forever behind him when he left the Corps? Semper Fi!!
Sonny dropped out of high school and joined the Marine Corps at age 17, his heart's desire since the age of 4 when, according to his Mother, he played "...From the halls of Montezuma..." over and over again on his record player and declared that he was going to be a Marine.
Continue reading "ex-Marine's 70th Birthday" »
TravelsWithSheila recently received an e-mail with a fantastic new method to keep local currency rates at your fingertips while traveling through a country. Currate.com has access to daily updated conversion rates, and you can see the actual images of over 180 world currencies. Anyone who travels with a mobile phone that has built-in browser capability can access.
A case in point is our recent trip to the Baltic States with two weeks in three countries, each with its own currency (actual rates as of September 2009). Estonia uses the Kroon (EEK - don't you love that world - EEK?) 1 = $10.65, Latvia uses the Lat (LVL) 1 = $.47, and Lithuania uses the Lita (LTL) 1 = $2.35. Totally confusing! EEK's, Lats, Livs...how much easier it would have been to have this on a mobile phone instead of trying to find out what the daily changes were.
Continue reading "New Currency Conversion Tool for Internet or Mobile Phones" »
It doesn't make any difference how many hours are spent on planes, past experiences or countries visited. My nightmares begin around a week before any trip fraught with anxieties similar to my annual night-before-Thanksgiving one where the turkey is still frozen and family is arriving in one hour! I toss and turn worrying about:
1. Will I get sick (or injured)? We travel with almost every remedy known to mankind but something always happens. Whether it be ripping a toe nail off getting into a boat in Ethiopia, falling down a flight of wooden stairs in Laos, ex-Marine developed a serious eye infection in China, or the ordinary diarrhea, constipation, colds, etc. Something will probably happen and past experience has given me good reasons to be anxious;
Continue reading "Sheila's Top 7 Travel Anxieties" »
It was during our infamous, 25 day trip throughout Pakistan that we first met Margie. Margie was the trip's M.D. who would travel with us throughout and be there in case of emergencies. This gives you an indication of the trip severity since Wilderness Travel has an M.D. accompany trips for only what they consider severe circumstances despite mandatory medical evacuation insurance. Let's face it. If something serious happens to you out there, there's a more than excellent chance you will die on the spot. Medivac will never get to you in time.
Margie's credentials are awe-inspiring. The first woman to be accepted into UCLA Medical School with children (at that time), Head of Surgery, etc. but if that isn't enough, she and husband, Art trek, hike, downhill and cross country ski, climb Half Dome in Yosemite, grab ice axes, put on the crampons, and raft Grade 5 rapids.
Continue reading "Margie from Los Angeles, A Gutsy Woman who Travels" »
The e-mails from South African, Thea, just keep on coming. Each more unbelievable and outlandish than the other and she really should really have her own "adventure/reality series." These are just a few of Thea's (paraphrased) notes from the Democratic Republic of Congo:
..."There are some things in the Congo that I just cannot understand....
- A man carrying a string of beautiful birds hanging upside down and half dead...
- Over 100 cattle were blasted to pieces with handgrenades and machine guns, because the people believed that the Rwandans were cows in disguise...
- A little old lady brought a stork into the zoo and asked if they would please look after it since the witch doctor had turned her husband into a stork...
Continue reading "Thea, from South Africa. A Gutsy Woman Who Travels - Notes from the Congo" »
A big thank you readers for your travel questions and comments on Travels With Sheila. It's exciting to share travel advice and experiences and whether you are looking to backpack or for a luxury experience, Travels With Sheila is here to help so keep those e-mails coming. As a reminder, I am not a travel agent and receive neither commissions, kick-backs nor free stays from anyone. However, if National Geographic called, I wouldn't say no! Below are just a few of the very interesting questions and comments received on already published articles and from my You Tube channel:
The Gorillas of Rwanda: Hi Sheila, my friend and sorority sister, Dian Fossey was indeed an adenturer, spending 14 years studying the gorillas. Ironically, her mother wanted tDian to be a lady, educated with culture, etc. Dian wanted none of it and you know the rest of the story...I, too, am 76 and want to visit Austria/Vienna where music abounds - your latest confirms my desire. Portia
Continue reading "Ask Travel Questions and Comment on Travels With Sheila" »
There was one saving grace during the grueling nine hours from Chicago to Frankfurt, five hours wait time until the Kolkata/Calcutta flight and then another 8-1/2 hours in the air. The time spent in Lufthansa Airlines First Class Terminal. I could have happily spent the rest of my vacation being coddled by the personnel. I've said it before and I'll say it again. Save up those hard-earned airline miles for a long-haul international First Class ticket. Flying in a seat that turns into a bed makes a huge difference. You'll still be dead on arrival (nothing mitigates jet lag no matter what the "experts" say...a 12-hour time change is huge...), but what a difference instead of being squashed into a tiny, upright seat for all those hours.
Finally, Kolkata's International Airport, a shabby piece of work that definitely has to be replaced, and a slow moving line through immigration. Our bags were among the first four off and it was outside customs to look for an ATM machine, followed by a taxi to Hotel Lytton. Directed to the Domestic Terminal (short one block walk from International), there was a non-working ATM machine, .
Continue reading "The Many Hours Involved Flying to India" »
I'm tired of reading about "Traveler's Diarrhea," foods to avoid, wash your hands, and what medications to carry if the dreaded "trots"..."Flying wazoos"..."Delhi Belly"..." Montezuma's Revenge" strike. Imodium for light to moderate diarrhea and Cipro for the heavy stuff takes care of that. But what about the opposite end of the spectrum when intestines go on a sit-down-strike and fill up with cement? Unusual foods, lack of fruits and/or vegetables, minimal physical exercise, and time changes that turn day into night create the equally dreaded intestinal gridlock.
Days...and I do mean days go by while I try what the professionals recommend for "occasional constipation." According to them, constipation can be caused by not enough liquids. Caffeinated drinks and energy drinks, dehydrate you and makes it worse! Bottled water only is advisable (unless you want to pick up dysentery) in most of the off-the-beaten areas we travel. Try chugging down bottles of water while the vehicle is jolting over rough roads without breaking a tooth and how many times can a person ask the driver to stop for pee breaks and where can he stop. On the side of a mountain with sheer drop offs and no place for him to pull over?
Continue reading "Constipation -- The Travel Problem You Never Read About" »
Looking for a way to save big money on air travel? I am always on the lookout for ways to stretch the travel budget and recently received an e-mail from Bargain Travel spelling out exactly what a "Consolidator" is and what great savings can be had if you are thinking Business Class. This e-mail was so interesting that I asked Bargain Travel's permission to pass on to you.
Consolidators are companies that negotiate with airlines to buy up seats that wouldn't otherwise be sold. Think of them as a type of wholesaler. The tickets they sell are primarily for international flights but there are many available for domestic flights as well. Consolidators buy in large volumes, so they can offer their tickets for substantially less than normal published fares. You may find consolidator tickets available for flights shown as sold-out through the airlines, and the reverse can happen when consolidators may not currently have the exact itinerary you are looking for even though the flights may be available directly from the airline.
Continue reading "Using Consolidators for Economy and Business Class Air" »
We've been on trains where:
- A woman refused to pay the fare and the conductor called the police who were waiting for her at the next stop. Busted;
- We've forgotten to composter (stamp the ticket in the little machines, obligatory before you board a train) and sat in a bucket of sweat hoping the conductor wouldn't fine us - he took pity on the two idiots and didn't;
- We've jumped on trains going in the wrong direction. Oops. Had to get off at the next available stop and catch a train heading to the right town;
Continue reading "Training Mistakes Throughout The World" »
Growing up in a Chicago apartment, trekking and/or sleeping in a tent was the furthest thing from my mind. All I knew, came from watching Smoky The Bear and Bullwinkle The Moose. A vacation meant sitting on a Chicago beach or by a pool, sun-tanning and taking an occasional dip to cool off.
However, I grew up, married, had children, started running and even tried some day-hiking. A new world opened up and I sweet-talked "ex-Marine" (husband, Steve) - who never wanted to set foot in a tent again after being in the Marine Corps - into a trek. For overachieving me, Nepal sounded like a reasonable place to begin so I booked a 7-day "Easy" Trek.
Post trek, City Hick #1 (me) had learned quite a bit including:
Continue reading "Trekking Tips for City Hicks" »
We happen to be spending this holiday in Annecy, France. A gorgeous, medieval town built around a 14th Century Chateau with small canals and streams running out of Lac Annecy into the center. No fireworks. Now, if we were here on July 14, France's Bastille Day holiday, that would be a different story with parades and fireworks galore. Guess we'll just have to make do with pate, fromage and vin.
I don't know where, or if, you are celebrating American Independence Day, 4th of July but if you are, have fun, barbeque hot dogs, hamburgers and snarf down a few for me, sit in the grass, watch fireworks and have a great time. Hope everyone has a happy and safe 4th of July. The Vietnam saga will continue tomorrow...
Continue reading "Happy Fourth of July, Wherever You May Be Traveling in The World" »
ex-Marine (husband, Steve) pays a yearly visit to a local Chicago suburban grade school to spend an hour talking to 4th graders about travel and our experiences. He tries to tailor each session around what unit the children are learning, tells funny and true stories, and brings unique (and unusual) "stuff" collected while traveling.
This year, the 4th graders were studying Africa. Steve and I walked through the house, packing up what we hoped would be of the most interest to 9-year olds. Little Chinese shoes worn by women with bound feet, a West Africa Chief's pipe, Ethiopian lip plate from the Mursi tribe, large ear plugs and other earrings from Myanmar/Burma, gourd bowl shaped like a face from Uganda (used to carry water), slave beads used as currency, and a woman's head covering from Yemen decorated with beads, old coins, piece of an expandable watchband and even buttons!
Continue reading "Did you know that Penguins bray like Donkeys?" »
Blanche, from Cape Town, South Africa, was a member of our Uganda/Rwanda trip traveling with her friend, Margot, and impressed ex-Marine (husband Steve) and myself for many reasons. First, Blanche wasn't exactly young at 76 - in spirit, yes - and still up for this active, adventurous excursion. The Uganda portion included hiking through hot, humid forests looking for wild chimpanzees but the entire purpose of visiting Rwanda was to hike up into the Virunga Volcanic Mountains where Dian Fossey did her groundbreaking research, to visit groups of habituated gorillas on two separate occasions. The terrain is steep, slippery and no one ever knows whether or not they will have to hike for 30 minutes, one hour or four hours before coming to where the gorillas were last sighted by Park Rangers.
Continue reading "Blanche from Cape Town - A Gutsy Woman Who Travels" »
ex-Marine (husband, Steve) and I just returned from 21 days in Indonesia and were amazed by the stack of cruise brochures in the accumulated mail. These brochures even surpassed the usual solicitations for credit cards and donations, not an easy feat. I usually rip...toss...tip...toss...but not this time because some of the offerings are quite incredible both for 2009 and 2010!
None of the costs given below include port taxes and government fees. On the more luxurious side:
- Oceania Cruises has a 12-day voyage from Rio de Janeiro to Buenos Aires for $2,299 per guest including Free Airfare for an inside room. If you've never considered an inside room, think about it. You are inside the stateroom a minimal amount of time, the inside staterooms are usually larger, and the lower you are in a ship, the more stable the ride. Been there...done it...and it is just fine! You'll also receive the exact same amenities as those passengers staying in a higher priced room. As long as you're not claustrophobic, it's a steal.
Continue reading "Bargain Cruises Everywhere" »
Stories, problems, mishaps while traveling are usually funny, rather than tragic only in hindsight. Ah yes. Here are a very few of the more laughable incidents during years and years of travel:
- Hiking through the pastures of Switzerland, big, healthy-looking cows roam freely. After all, this is their territory. No worries until the day we were hiking uphill on a steep incline and a herd of cows picked up speed coming downhill, right at us. Where do you run? To the left? To the right? We stood there in horror with visions of a major cow-flattening when they fortunately swerved. Wheew...another accident adverted.
Continue reading "There's A Bat in My Tent... A Few Tales From the Road" »
On the way to Au, Austria, our shuttle driver asked me a question, "Do I like food?" Do bears *#I@ in the woods? I adore food and every place we go not only gives us a chance to eat old favorites but also introduces us to new tasty morsels. (There are foods I have no intention of trying like dog, skewered bats and tarantulas.) Some are simple and found everywhere while others unique to the country, for example, Injera in Ethiopia. Here is the short list of my favorite food memories:
- A huge dessert table loaded with tarts, cakes, mousses, pudding and other goodies served every night at our hotel in Chamonix, France (sadly, this hotel is no longer operating...boo-hoo);
- Raclette in France and Switzerland. A huge hunk of Raclette cheese is slowly melted either in front of a fire or at your table on a special machine. You then scrape off this gooey, melted cheese over boiled potatoes and snarf away. Raclette is usually served with a green salad, cold meats, pickles and lots and lots of red wine.
Continue reading "Sheila's Favorite Travel Food Memories Around The World" »
When we booked our United Airlines flights to and from Zurich months ago, I certainly gave no thought to the day of our return, January 20, 2009 being Inauguration Day! Not only was it Inauguration Day but the return flight was transiting through Washington Dulles Airport a few hours after Obama's swearing in. Augggh....visions of heightened security and lengthy delays flashed through my mind. And yes, even in Zurich, they scanned my laptop for explosives, and all passengers underwent more than one security check. Understandable...
Fortunately, I had an unworn, pristine clean Chicago t-shirt to proudly wear home and ex-Marine and I scored Business Class upgrades on United. The flight between Zurich and Washington Dulles happens to be one of the few that has been reconfigured with huge, individual monitor screens, video on demand and completely flat seats. Give a yell for United...Go...United!
Continue reading "Barack Obama's Inauguration at 35,000 Feet" »
I don't know if you are aware of the fact that the United States imports 12-15 million pounds of Ethiopian coffee annually, with Starbucks buying a huge amount of Sidamo beans. There are three main regions where Ethiopia coffee beans are grown - Harrar, Ghimbi, and Sidamo. These are considered to be some of the most unique coffees in the world. Coffee generates over 60% of Ethiopia's total export earnings and, obviously, very important to their economy.
It's also not commonly known that Kafa is an Ethiopian name and may be where the word "coffee" came from as well as the birthplace of coffee, not South America. Ethiopians have been drinking coffee since the 10th century.
Continue reading "Ethiopia Coffee" »
Plumbing reached a hysterically funny new low at the Muong Chanh Hotel, Lai Chau, Vietnam. Just to clear the record, no one has ever referred to me as a "Princess" and I'm as at home peeing behind a bush along the road...squatting over holes... as sitting on a" white throne" in an average Western-style bathroom.
I've puked alongside a major highway in Pakistan while semis stopped to watch me... stayed in a Chinese dump where the toilet hole was cut into a 3-foot high, raised marble slab and a person had to lay on their back with butt in hole to use ... learned how to use and cope with an all-in-one shower. One of these usually has a wall shower head located between the toilet and sink without a shower curtain or shower door to keep the water from spraying all over the entire bathroom. Remove toilet paper before using! But just as we learn to adapt, there is always another new experience waiting around the corner.
Continue reading "Funny and Strange Plumbing in Developing Countries" »
Norwegian Star thoughts:
- The cabins were definitely spacious enough but only hold three persons maximum in outside cabins. I completely recommend a balcony, outside cabin for sitting on the balcony, and air of roominess. However, the inside cabins were surprisingly large and none of our grandchildren became claustrophobic in them, an initial concern.
- The Kid's and Teen Clubs were great. There was always something for them to do if they so chose, and our group enjoyed them immensely. David, the five-year old, even had to be pulled kicking and screaming from the club at 10:00 p.m. one night because it was so much fun.
- Entertainment appealed to one and all. Second City Comedy Show was a major hit.
Continue reading "Family Comments and Hindsight on The Norwegian Star Cruise" »
Time to get ready for disembarkation. Passengers were told to come to the atrium, settle up accounts (if you used a credit card to guarantee, no worries), fill out U.S. Customs Forms and decide what you wanted to do about luggage. Express walk off disembarkation would start at 7:45-8:30 a.m. Once the ship was cleared, just walk down and off the gangway carrying your own bags.
Sounds a lot easier than it actually was. The crowds in the elevators and stairs were humungous and loaded with passengers dragging their own luggage off the ship, Even so, it only took around 15 minutes to have key cards scanned, into the building, give your U.S. Customs Forms to an official and we were outside waiting for our transport to LAX Airport. There was no x-ray, scans, showing of passports...nada...
Continue reading "Preparing for Disembarkation on The Norwegian Star" »
The second to the last day at sea was sunny and warm. Time for all 2,000+ passengers to sun on deck, play basketball, take a tour of the ship (bridge and galley), play Bingo, hit some golf balls into the net, aerobics, play ping pong, team trivia, badminton, lectures, Texas Hold'em Poker Tournament, wine tastings, movies (in your stateroom or movie theater), pilates....and that was just during the day. It's no secret that you can keep busy 24-hours a day on a cruise ship...or not...take naps, read and do nothing.
Night brought The Second City Comedy, game shows, Karaoke, dance party, take family photos or portraits, and even a "power shopping hour" with Colombian Emeralds International. (They were always pushing the shopping.) As an example, pearl necklaces ordinarily selling for $200 were being discounted 50%. (If you visit China, a made to order pearl necklace will run $10-20. Tonight's major highlight was going to be a Chocolate Buffet from 11:00 p.m. to Midnight.
Continue reading "The Last Days At Sea on The Norwegian Star" »
Volumes have been written about cruising and food. My yummy rating on the Norwegian Star was *****. That's right. Five stars and this is from a person who will choose not to eat when faced with something disgusting or inedible. I did a little reading on Cruise Critic, studied the best cruise ship ratings put out by both Conde Nast Traveler and Travel & Leisure every year (as a matter of fact, in the February 2009 issue, NCL isn't even rated as good in their rankings) and have this to say. Come on folks...what do you expect? Three star Michelin? Gourmet perfection? Do you want to pay $13,000 a person and up for supposed exquisite food on one of the luxury cruises? Let me ask you. When was the last time you went to a restaurant in your local area and absolutely everything you ate was perfection, tickled your taste buds into gourmet heaven and had no complaints. Whenever we dine out (local or more upscale), there's always something that isn't exactly what I expected. Oversalted, underseasoned, cold (when it's supposed to be hot), tough or had other flaws.
Let's judge NCL's Norwegian Star (and other cruise ships) based on that. Stop and consider for a moment what you are actually paying per day to cruise. Then remember what it cost you the last time you went out for fine dining. Was everything spectacular? If your entree or appetizer didn't meet expectations, did you send it back and ask for something else? Not usually. Yes, if you said..."waiter, there's a foreign object in my....", then that item is replaced but not if you just don't like the way it tastes.
Continue reading "Cruising is All About The Food...Right?" »
It was Adios, Mexico. Adios to the buckets of cervezas on the beach, henna tattoos, parasailing, digging in the sand, playing in the waves, buying and watching the vendors. Adios to the ports of Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan and Puerto Vallarta.
Inside of looking back, time to look forward to 2009. Yes, it was time for the Gala New Year's Eve celebrations tonight on the Norwegian Star. We slowly pulled away and waved goodbye to lit up Puerto Vallarta. Got all spiffied up for dinner, went into the Versailles Dining Room for a very yummy dinner and began ordering multiple selections. A few appetizers, couple entrees, three desserts and even more. I personally selected: a duck menage a trois (duck mousse, duck confit and duck slivers), oysters, a salad with brie cheese and walnuts, red snapper (didn't like at all - very tough), and didn't care for any of the two desserts I ordered. ex-Marine went for the lamb chips that were so outstanding, we ordered two more plates of lamb chops to share. No worries, if you didn't care for something, just visit the Market Cafe where there is an extensive dessert buffet every night. Chocolate Fondue fountains and more...
Continue reading "New Year's Eve on The Norwegian Star" »
Parasailing is great fun and is available almost anywhere there is a beach with enterprising boatmen. A person is towed behind a boat while attached to a parachute (also known as a parasail). I first went airborne in Acapulco, 1961 and have taken several more "fliers" since then, both solo and tandem depending on where I parasailed.
Most parasailing operations take off from a beach but one of our Caribbean experiences had tandem operations off the back of a boat. Jet skis took us from the beach to the boat where two of us were strapped into the harnesses and let out like kites into the air. The landing was super easy since the crew just reeled us in like a fish.
Continue reading "Have You Ever Parasailed?" »
Before disembarking with family, ex-Marine and I took a walk over to the closest beach, Playa del Oro, a 15-minute walk from the pier. The beach was perfectly adequate but not exactly what our picky family would love since it was too far from the main Centro area. If you don't care about heading into the downtown area of Puerto Vallarta, and are just looking for a "beach" to park yourself, walk over and save the very expensive taxi fares into Puerto Vallarta Centro.
The family had intended on sleeping in a little this morning but at 7:00 a.m., a booming announcement over the P.A. system that "...since today is New Year's Eve day, all Puerto Vallarta streets would be blocked off after 5:00 p.m. for street parties. There would be no transportation to and from the pier into the city after that time..." The short version - prepare to walk back if the sun turns your mind to mush and are stuck there. So much for sleeping in...
Continue reading "The Playas (Beaches) of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico" »
Puerto Vallarta has always been a haunt for the rich and famous, and shot through the roof when Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton began their notorious love affair. This was our destination with the focus being excellent shopping and a beautiful beach.
The Norwegian Star offered quite a few excursions, none of which interested us, but still sounded like fun. You could:
- Experience Bahia de las Banderas powder-soft beaches;
- Take the Town, Country & Tequila tour that drove through Marina Vallarta, visit the Hacienda Dona Engracia tequila factory to learn about the tequila manufacturing process and time for shopping at Puerto Vallarta's downtown area;
Continue reading "A Day in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico" »
We literally danced off the beaches of Mazatlan and back to the pier where even more dancing was taking place in vehicles, shops, pier, everywhere. All passengers in an extremely great mood from a fun and spectacular day in Mazatlan. Mazatlan's paved, beachfront promenade stretches from the Zona Dorada to Olas Altas in Old Mazatlan. The largest monument, El Pescador (the fisherman), is a statue of a mermaid beckoning to a fisherman. Tomorrow is our last stop, Puerto Vallarta, and again we'll look for a beach to park ourselves on.
The Norwegian Star sailed at sunset with crowds of people thronging the docks as our majestic ship slowly sailed out to sea. ...View image... Two tugs (official boats) accompanied us until outside the harbor and we just stood on our balcony and took in the great views until time to change for dinner. ,,,View image... But now, it's time to eat and decide what's evening entertainment to take part in. Karaoke Idol Party will be a "fun" version of American Idol and two grandsons are planning on trying out. There are also movies, the Internet Cafe where you can purchase an internet time plan and keep in touch, country music, Stardust Showtime has "Band on the run" tonight, lotto, DJ Freddy's "Awesome 80's Dance Party", gambling and much, much more.
Continue reading "Adios Mazatlan, Mexico - Hola Norwegian Star" »
A person is never too old to play in the sand. Teenagers set to work building, digging, drawing with sticks, anatomically correct sand people, covering each other up with sand, mud and just having a gay old time. ...View image... Before you knew it and satiated with beer, I thought we were going to head back to the ship but a Henna Tattoo vendor strolled by and one teenager decided to browse through the design book. ...View image... That did it. If one is going to get a tattoo, all decide to get tattoos and it took forever for nine people to carefully look through the many books and decide which one was the perfect tattoo for them. ,,,View image...
Design chosen, the vendor traced the tattoo on whatever part of the body they wanted and started following the lines with a henna paint brush. It takes forever to dry otherwise the lines smudge and is supposed to last for two weeks. I would have to say that this particular vendor made a killing with our family since the tattoos range from $7-$13 U.S. each. I bet he's glad he stopped by our spot!
Continue reading "Henna Tattoos in The Mazatlan Sands of Mexico" »
My last time in Mazatlan was off a Sitmar cruise spending lots of time on the beach trying to coax young son, Joel, that I was not trying to kill him by encouraging a parasail ride. He didn't die and is the the premier Google Adsense guru and writer of the NY Times best seller, The AdSense Code. And his latest venture, iFart Mobile, an application for iPhones, has taken off like gangbusters. How much prouder could a parent be than to have a college educated son develop a "farting" application? Only kidding, I am very proud of him and older brother, Michael, who probably helped hone the farting range of sounds including lighting them. Michael, on the other hand, went up for his parasail ride without hesitation and like a champ setting a fine example for Joel. Now it's time for grandchildren to be equally inspired even though they are terrified.
Found a parasailing person charging $30 U.S. each for the 10-minute parasail ride. FYI: It's not necessary to change currency into Mexico Pesos. Everyone accepts U.S. Dollars. Nick, Sarah and Jenna were too young to parasail on the last family trip and this was their moment. Only single parasail riders are allowed in Mazatlan (no tandem). They screwed up their courage and lined up determined and scared "shitless."
Continue reading "Parasailing in Mazatlan, Mexico" »
Mazatlan is Mexico's second largest coastal city (after Acapulco), with nearly 600,000 inhabitants. It has the largest port facility between Los Angeles and the Panama Canal, and is home to Latin America's biggest fleet of commercial shrimp vessels (over 800 boats). Nearly 40 tons of shrimp are processed each year, making Mazatlan "the shrimp capital of the world". Mazatlan is also a very popular spring break destination for the college kids with lots to do.
The Norwegian Star docked in Mazatlan on a cloudy morning but nice and hot. Down the gangway around 10:15 am and into open air transportation that shuttles down the pier to the exit at the main cruise terminal. Just one other ship in port besides us. At the main cruise terminal, there was another gauntlet of shops, tour operators and driver until you stepped outside of the enclosure. There were more taxis and vehicles and it took around 15 minutes to make "a deal" with two vans for $50 U.S. to the Zona Dorado (golden zone) beach area, around four miles to the north, where almost all of Mazatlan's visitors spend their time.
Continue reading "Mazatlan on The Pacific Coast of Mexico" »
Cabo San Lucas. I visited Cabo San Lucas around 1975? 1976? Whatever year it was, there was nothing there but beaches and fisherman. Now there are still fishermen and incredibly posh hotels. Quite a few extremely expensive, world class hotels on the Baja Peninsula where the rich and truly famous congregate. The One&Only Palmilla is the one that always come to mind when I think of Cabo. Check out their rates!
Cabo San Lucas also has great beaches, lots of shopping and restaurants, and a variety of hotels and resorts for any budget. The long sandy main beach, El Medano, is the place for swimming and watersports with lots of fun restaurants in the sand. golf and postcard perfect views. A popular port of call for cruise ships along the Mexican Riviera, Cabo is also a popular destination for Spring Break.
Some of the many shore excursions offered by the Norwegian Star were:
Continue reading "Cabo San Lucas on the California Baja Peninsula" »
...Breakfast also happens to be my favorite meal of the day. Give me a huge menu or buffet and you'll see one very happy camper.
If you want it, The Norwegian Star has it. Huge buffet breakfasts served every morning in the Market Cafe until 11 am with anything a person could possibly want. Eggs prepared in several different styles, waffles, pancakes, oatmeal, yogurt, bacon, sausage, dry cereal, lox, bagels, fresh fruit, danish, breads, juices, coffee, tea...and on and on.
Continue reading "Breakfast May Be Your Most Important Meal but..." »
Grandchildren came back and forth last night. "Grandma, I don't feel well, the boat is tipping." Children and grandchildren took pills for motion sickness "just in case," and I had trouble sleeping listening to the ship creaking in the open sea. The nightly Freestyle Daily told us to move clocks forward one hour heading to Cabo San Lucas and listed a gazillion things to do while at sea. Monte Carlo Night...View image..., Bingo, Champagne Art Auction, practice your golf swing on deck, work out in the Fitness Center, Ice Carving demonstration, martini tastings, were just a few of the over 30 activities to choose from. Two sons, and one daughter-in-law staked out their positions in the Casino (no video'ing inside, stills only) while all other adults staked out their chairs on the sundeck.
My choice? A huge, yummy breakfast and doing nothing. At least those were our plans until a credit letter was dropped in our cabin saying that there was another billing mix-up. Pounded down two decks to Reception steaming. You could see fire and sparks flying from our eyes. This took over an hour to clear up at the Credit Desk while the line behind us (other disgruntled passengers with problems) grew longer and longer.
Continue reading "A Day At Sea on The Norwegian Star" »
To the cabins and more aggravation. Key cards that didn't work. FYI: They become demagnetized if you put them near iPods, cell phones, keys, coins, anything metallic. Heard at reception, another family was missing 7 bags for two days, thankfully, not us. A long wait for luggage to be delivered to the room. And... on...and...on. ex-Marine and I spent an inordinate amount of time with more running up and down stairs between decks, back and forth to reception, trying to straighten everything out.
Our family had eight cabins, six outside with balcony and two inside ones on Deck 9. It really didn't make any difference who was originally assigned to a cabin since they all had the ability to sleep three persons. We expected the teens and youngsters to potentially play "musical cabins" and switch around if: a. one became claustrophobic; b. ill; or c. couldn't stand each other. The inside cabins are surprisingly roomy and I wouldn't hesitate to book one. After all, most passengers are never in their rooms except to sleep or change clothes.
Continue reading "Cabins on The Norwegian Star" »
Another early morning with continental breakfast at the Travelodge with lots of time to kill before the shuttles picked us up at 11:00 a.m. for transfer to the Port of Los Angeles. Back and forth between rooms with an announcement from Tracie that her room was filled with ants and son, Jordan even had ants in his jacket pocket! This was not good and ex-Marine immediately raced to Reception to complain and received a discount on her room. FYI: Travelodge claims that all the hotels/motels have ants at this time of the year.
Down to the lobby for checkout and only one of our Roadrunner shuttles is here early. The other arrived about 10 minutes late. Loaded up and to the docks for embarkation. Pre-printed baggage tags with name and cabin number on all suitcases given to us earlier by Norwegian Star, the Baggage handlers throw all suitcases on a cart and off they go, hopefully, to materialize later in the proper cabins.
Continue reading "The Norwegian Star Embarkation Began in Los Angeles" »
This was it. The big flying day to Los Angeles from Chicago. ex-Marine and I both nervous wrecks since Chicago had a horrible December with three times the normal amount of snow, bitter cold and a minor ice storm during the night making roads slippery and hazardous. Two families arrive at our house at the ungodly hour of 5:30 a.m. in preparation for a Los Angeles-bound United flight at 7:59 a.m. We ordered two taxis and only one shows. ex-Marine, (husband, Steve), goes into hyper-panic mode and the other cab finally shows 10 minutes late.
All 16 of the Chicago family is there for check-in, our Denver foursome is arriving on a different flight, security, and to the gate. ex-Marine takes all hungry people to McDonald's for a breakfast run, cheaper than buying food on the plane and we sit around and wait for the delayed plane. Our flight was completely full with a standby list of 116 names thanks to a week of horrendous weather across the United States. Take off was 1-1/2 hours late with at least 12 planes ahead of us waiting to take off. Attendant handed me a Bloody Mary, I took a large gulp and finally started to relax.
Continue reading "Our Family Group Flies To California" »
An All-Inclusive in one of the Mexican or Caribbean resorts was my first choice for logistical reasons but the Christmas week rates were completely over the top. Tried Apple Vacations, Go-Go, Fun Jet, Classic...you name it, my long suffering travel agent got the costs and the two of us nearly fainted. Recession...depression...didn't make any difference. The cost was ludicrous and the only pluses would have been that air, unlimited drinks and gratuities are included. All of these are extras on a cruise.
The Norwegian Star has everything plus some for adults, teens and small children. Seven teen grandchildren, ages 14-17, could find enough to do just between themselves but it helps that there is a Teen Club featuring a videowall, jukebox, football table air hockey and at night the Teen Club turns into a teen disco. There is also a Video Arcade and I'm confident there will be a plentiful amount of Teens on a Christmas holiday cruise for even more "cruisin."
Continue reading "Cruise vs. An All-Inclusive" »
Next?
The all important Air! The headcount was 20 persons...you read this correctly...airfare for 20. Four coming from Denver and everyone else in the Chicago area. I busily added up my accumulated miles on United, called them and got four free tickets! TA-DA!!! That helped a bit.
Hotel? Yes, we needed a hotel/motel for one night. I would never take a chance on flying to the embarkation point on the same day of the cruise. You may be gutsier than I but this is Chicago. Snow, rain, delays...many, many delays in good weather let alone winter. No, it was to California the day before to minimize the chances of a major snafu and missing the ship. Selected the Travelodge by LAX (Los Angeles) Airport with complimentary service to and from the airport and a continental breakfast included. Fresh fruit, cereal, milk, coffee, tea, juice, muffins, bagels, cream cheese, and pastries should hold the family until embarkation time. There are tons of hotels/motels close to LAX Airport but I was just looking for the least expensive possible with free transport from the airport to the hotel. After all, it was just for one night. There are also fast food places and restaurants up and down the Century Boulevard stretch for an inexpensive dinner.
Continue reading "Plannning A Family Cruise Continued..." »
Deciding what ship to take was very difficult. There were exactly three cruise lines with departures on December 27 in both the Caribbean and down the West Mexican Coast. NCL, Royal Caribbean and Carnival. Prices were comparatively the same. After lots of should we do this.. should we do that...picked NCL, Norwegian Caribbean Line. NCL had a Mexican Riviera cruise on the Norwegian Star leaving December 27 from Los Angeles, and calling on the ports of Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan, and Puerto Vallarta.
There were two main reasons for picking NCL and Mexico: Airfare was less expensive from Chicago-Los Angeles then Chicago-Miami/Ft. Lauderdale; and NCL has free-style dining, a big plus for this intergenerational cruise. When a family consisting of grandparents, parents, teens and small children travel together, we found this to be important. This gives everyone a chance to
Continue reading "Deciding On A Cruise Line and Destination" »
You would think that planning a family cruise would be a no-brainer wouldn't you? Bah...humbug. Trying to schedule a trip around school, vacations, sports, dentists, orthodontists, illnesses is a logistical nightmare. It may be easier to plan an OPEC Summit than a family vacation. Thanksgiving? Out - only two grandchildren have vacation over the entire week, the others, school through Wednesday. Spring Break? Eliminated - ACT's are that weekend and, it's TAX season (one adult son is a C.P.A.). Summer? There is camp, baseball practice and summer school. What's left? Christmas break with more scheduling problems because Christmas Day is must-spend with others in an extended family.
Christmas with crowded airplanes and highest all-inclusive prices of the year. Christmas with the most expensive cruise prices. No one gives anything away over the Christmas Holidays but this family trip will have to take place over Christmas break or not happen. One of our adult children has a major health issue, ex-Marine (husband, Steve) and I are aging, and grandchildren will start heading for college. There may never be another chance for the entire family to be together.... Grit teeth, tap all resources and go for it...
Continue reading "A Family Holiday Cruise" »
If you would like a taste of the rich and famous, or just the "rich" and not famous, save your airlines miles for a First Class Ticket and experience Lufthansa Airlines. Our "five minutes of fame" began at the special First Class Check-in where a driver was summoned to take us to the off-site dedicated First Class Terminal. Use of this terminal will now only be available to passengers originating their journey in Frankfurt with the opening of a new Lufthansa First Class Lounge within the main terminal and open to all transiting and departing passengers (effective February 2009).
We were chauffered to the off-site Terminal where a personal concierge greets you, walk through the dedicated Lufthansa security and into the main lounge where passports and boarding passes are retained until time for embarkation. Lufthansa's First Class Lounge is a slice of heaven. Comfy couches, reclining chairs, individual sleeping rooms (beds, pillows, blankets), immaculate bathrooms and showers ...just for starters!
Continue reading "Lufthansa Airlines First Class Terminal in Frankfurt, Germany" »
Austria is not only known for pastries, cheese, meats, chocolate but...wait let me think...is there anything Austria is known for in the food category that isn't right up my alley? Do bears #*!# in the woods? The bakery in St. Anton had the absolutely best Topfenstrudel (a cream cheese strudel with a gazillion calories) I've ever tasted and believe me, I've tasted quite a few. Their Schnecken (coiled buns resembling "snails" and filled with nuts, cinnamon, and occasionally frosted) were also to die for.
It's not easy to find fondue in restaurants at home (or TTopfenstrudel...actually I've never found Topfenstrudel in my area). Whether it be a Beef Fondue or Cheese Fondue, they are both delicious though my personal favorite happens to be the huge chafing dish of Cheese fondue. Visualize dipping cubes of bread into gobs of melted cheese and my mouth begins to water...
Continue reading "Fondues, Meat and Cheese, Raclette and Other Delicious Foods in Austria" »
Why do people think that just because I force myself to go out and exercise, I love it? Thirty-one years of running, walking, hiking, aerobics, using weights (when I remember), skiing, cross-country skiing. Exercise tapes with Jane Fonda, followed by yoga with Jane Fonda. Health clubs, treadmills, a Nordic Track and elliptical. (I do own a Precor elliptical and have to browbeat myself to get on that.) Before that, the dreaded "gym" classes where I never could climb the pole or yank myself up the rope. Sit ups. Tennis and Racquetball. Actually, they were both fun until my knees decided that any lateral movement was out of the question.
Despite my moans and groans, I keep remembering that I have to use it or lose it. That's brought home by the yearly paperwork I receive from the N.I.H. (National Institute of Health) to fill out. I am part of the observational study launched by the Women's Health Initiative, in 1991. The other part of this study consists of clinical trials. This study involved 161,808 generally healthy postmenopausal women.
Continue reading "No One Hates to Exercise More Than I" »
Dear Readers and Fellow Travelers:
I can't believe it's 2009! 2009 simply has to be better than 2008 with skyrocketing fuel prices, world financial problems including unemployment, health issues (in our family, one daughter is valiantly fighting a brain tumor), and the omnipresent worries over children and grandchildren.
On the plus side? Let's be optimistic that 2009 will be prosperous, healthy and filled with abundance for everyone.
Continue reading "Happy New Year, 2009" »
Christmas Greetings to everyone celebrating today. If there's one thing the World needs right now is, to paraphrase "Auntie Mame"...we need a little Christmas, right this very minute and let's hope better times are coming for one and all.
Roast that turkey, glaze a ham, cook up a huge plateful of lasagna or even eat my favorite, a full slab of barbequed ribs. Bake cookies, eat cake and ice cream. Sweet Potatoes, double-stuffed baked potatoes, add healthy items only if your conscience bothers you. Open the wine, mix up Pisco Sours, pop open the beer. Invite family, friends or ask someone who would be alone to join you. Take time to create your own "bucket list" of where to travel even if you can't afford it. It's always nice to dream.
Continue reading "Have A Wonderful Holiday!" »
ex-Marine (husband, Steve) and I stay loyal to United Airlines. I won't say it's because they are the best airline out there but United is the most convenient for Chicagoans with great Star Alliance partners like Lufthansa who fly everywhere in the world.
There is also another big reason. Those miles add up and if you fly a lot, it doesn't take long to move up the different Premier levels with resulting perks. Number one in our opinion is the free system-wide upgrades earned at the 100,000 mile level. Who wouldn't jump at the chance to sit in Business Class rather than Economy!
Continue reading "United Airlines Business Class" »
I'd like to take a moment to wish all my readers and fellow travelers a healthy and enjoyable Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday of the year with yummy cooking (I'm a pretty good cook if I do say so myself...) and time to spend with dear family and friends. Forget about hiking, running, walking, lifting weights or doing an kind of exercise...just eat...that's what I plan to do.
Keep reading daily...for travel information on:
- Tana Toraja in Central Sulawesi;
- Northwest Vietnam;
- Trekking in Kyrgyzstan; and
- Family Cruising...
...just to name a few places...
Have a most wonderful Thanksgiving,
Sheila
Continue reading "Happy Thanksgiving Day" »
I've gone into a lot of detail about the Annapurna Sanctuary trek because it's important to know all this information if you've never trekked before or want to trek in this area. There are almost too many tour operators to list plus almost every guide runs their own operation on the side. Before booking with your adorable, knowledgeable guide, ask yourself - what if he becomes ill or just disappears in the mountains with your money? It can happen. We've used Adventure Center (see side box) for over 15 trips including this one. They are the hand-off for many relatively inexpensive tour operators around the world (Exodus, Explore, Imaginative Traveller, Dragoman, Geckos, Peregrine). Trekking - bicycling - cultural - overland trips - volunteer. Singles, couples, gays...you'll all feel comfortable. And, without a doubt, these organizers visit every "safe" country in the world. Remember, I never recommend anyone I haven't used and am satisfied with! Request a catalog. Look at their offerings. Book a trip.
- Remember, a "B" grade trek is not the same around the world. A "B" in Nepal could be considered a "C" somwhere else.
- Bring "gently" used old clothes to leave behind. Not just here but everywhere. There is always someone who will think your cast-offs are wonderful.
- Talk to someone who has already done this trek for a better understanding. (We didn't...)
- Pack everything in plastic (trash) bags inside your duffels and/or suitcases.
- April is the most beautiful time of the year to trek in Nepal. The pink, red and white Rhododendrons are incredible against the greenery and snow-capped mountains.
Chomrong children on a tree branch
Continue reading "If You Want To Trek... Nepal or Anywhere" »
Dear Readers and Fellow Travelers:
2008...Where has the time gone.... Another year older....world problems....higher gas prices....possible health issues....and, if you are parents, omnipresent worries over the children.
On the plus side? People are traveling in ever increasing numbers. They are taking cruises, sitting on beaches, ziplining, exploring remote destinations, and Las Vegas is still building...building...building.
Continue reading "Happy New Year" »
Christmas Greetings to everyone celebrating today. Hope Santa Claus was good to you and gave whatever was on your list - minus the lump of coal. If not, stronger hints are necessary!
Belated Happy Chanukah and Joyous "Every Other Holiday" in the World. ex-Marine (husband, Steve) and I are celebrating today in Cambodia - hopefully, avoiding the remaining land mines, doing our bit to prop up Cambodia's economy with massive shopping, and exploring the country and people outside of Angkor Wat.
Continue reading "Christmas Greetings" »
Today is Wednesday and the Dell Inspiron 530 is two weeks old. (Happy Birthday to you....) A second non-working video card arrives. Is this Card #1 supposedly "cancelled"....Card #2 still in limbo...or Card #3 sent by Alex? Who cares... and I still haven't received the UPS return labels. I e-mail Adela and miracle of miracles, she responds. The "team" will be in touch within minutes. Two hours later...a long-distance phone call from Carlos in El Salvador. Dell is now willing to offer me $50 for all the trouble. Surely, I've misunderstood him. Fifty dollars for 13 telephone hours, 14 days of aggravation and a case of the Shingles? Dell can take the $50.00 and insert it where the sun doesn't shine. But, I'm nice to Carlos...he's just doing his job.
"Carlos...send me those labels or this computer will sit on my front lawn until the cows come home and/or Dell picks it up. Whichever comes first." In the meantime, I'm busy writing a letter of protest to Dell Financial because the bill has already arrived. They certainly are quick to do that! This letter will protect my legal rights and I have no intention of keeping or paying for this poor excuse of a computer.
Continue reading "Escape From Dell Computer Hell" »
Between Monday and Wednesday, I write letters to Michael Dell, Donald Carty and Paul Bell (top honchos at Dell) , attach copies of the nine (9) e-mail responses from Dell with Case Numbers, detail all the facts and mail off hoping to get a response. The main focus of the letter being:
- Dell sold me a system that wasn't powerful enough to meet my needs;
- Because of that, I have to pay for a new video card; and
- Why did my "non-technical" self even have to go through all this aggravation when I could have been sold the right pre-loaded system to begin with.
These letters were sent November 12 and no one from Dell has ever bothered to respond.
Continue reading "Is There Life Outside of Dell Computer Hell?" »
The next day...
It was time to deal with another problem, getting Outlook Express to work properly. Comcast Broadband and I spent an hour trying to solve this. Comcast then contacted Microsoft (since it was their software) and Microsoft "graciously" offered to trouble shoot for $50 OR since Outlook Express came bundled on the Dell, I could call Dell and trouble shoot with them. With a knot in the pit of my stomach, I called Dell. This Tech, Ziggy, was in the Philippines call center. I'm not trying to be insensitive but at least I could understand Ziggy and we spent ANOTHER two hours, finally uninstalling Norton Security (bundled in the Dell) that refused to let Outlook Express receive e-mails. The Outlook Express problem solved, I added a new case number and new e-mail from Ziggy to the stack. Ziggy had read my growing log and asked about the "Blue Screen" issue but video editing was the last thing on my mind right then. This day had already consisted of one hour with Comcast, and two hours with Dell. A life outside of this Dell computer would have been nice.
Continue reading "Dell Computer Hell Continued" »
It's the Holiday Season and many of you are considering buying a computer. Instead of travel articles, please take time to read about my experience and think carefully about the two weeks spent in Dell hell before purchasing your computer.
The day has come -- for most of us -- where it is impossible to survive without a computer. My old Dell Desktop had been making strange noises and didn't have either a DVD drive or a sufficient graphics card to make videos. The old Dell worked with a minumum of problems in the past so I didn't think twice. Picked up the phone, called Dell and spoke to a salesman. Techie sons had given me advice..."Mom, upgrade...get 2 gigs (whatever that is) and 500 hard drive." With that in mind, told the salesman my requirements, was explicit in detailing what I needed this new desktop to do and left nothing out. The primary requirement was a system powerful enough for advanced video editing. (I want to add video to Travels With Sheila.) The Dell salesman gave zilch guidance and said the Inspiron 530 system would do the job. Little did I know I had entered Dell purgatory.
Continue reading "Two Weeks in Dell Computer Hell" »
Today is my favorite holiday of the year - Thanksgiving. A time to be grateful for family, friends and Good Health. My time to stuff a scrumptious turkey, concoct fattening appetizers and serve even more fattening desserts to the family. At least that would be the usual routine but today... Thanksgiving, 2007 is a little more exotic. ex-Marine and I will be on the "Orlova" in Antarctica celebrating his 68th Birthday. (I hope we're celebrating, and not spending time in the stateroom toilet...sick from the extremely rough Drake crossing.)
Thanksgiving this year also happens to be Josh's (grandson) 16th Birthday. Have a great Birthday, Josh. Get that driver's license and be careful on the road...
Continue reading "Happy Thanksgiving" »
Too many places to see...it will cost too much money...no time to go...just not enough of anything...I'll wait until the kids are grown...Maybe when we retire.......The plane trip is way too long...Why bother...? Excuses, excuses...
If any of the above reflects some of your thinking - reconsider. Asia, Africa, South America and others are loaded with friendly, warm, winter destinations that WILL NOT...repeat...WILL NOT...cost an arm and leg. Look back at some of my prior published articles on cost-savings in different countries. I'm even going to break it down a little further starting with the least expensive countries to visit:
Ranked in order of "cheapest" is --
- #1 Laos - It is almost impossible to find an Asian destination with friendlier people, phenomenal sights and rock-bottom prices, including $3.00 massages and delicious food.
$1.50 worth of food in Laos
Continue reading "A Collection of Winter Destinations - Asia and Beyond" »
After a lifetime of travel and dispensing advise freely to those who have asked, Travels With Sheila is celebrating its 1st year on the Web. A very big thank you to all of my loyal everyday readers and those who have found Travels With Sheila through a search engine. Hopefully, you have found the articles informative, interesting and thought-provoking.
There are so many places to go...so little time ...and, for the majority, so little money to use for travel. If just once you have thought..."hmm, I 'd really like to go there and it's not as expensive as I thought it would be"...then I have accompllshed my goal.
I can't encourage you enough to please take the plunge. Whether you are single, traveling with a friend, a couple or schlepping the kids along, the world is up for grabs and not as daunting as you might imagine (unless you are planning an exploratory trip in uncharted territories surrounded by cannibals, snakes and killer animals - in that case, forget my travel advice).
Continue reading "A Year of Travel Destinations" »
I'd like to take a moment to wish everyone a Wonderful Holiday and fantastic New Year. I hope 2006 has been a good year for everyone and if 2006 didn't live up to your expectations, perhaps 2007 will.
Continue traveling around the world. Unlike Disney's... "it's a small world after all"...it is a very big world with much to see, inhabited by wonderful, hospitable people. Don't let accounts in the newspaper and television frighten you off from visiting. I'm not suggesting Iraq or Afghanistan but we visited Syria years ago and were taken (not hostage) and amazed by the ancient site of Palmyra, to name one, along with the extremely outgoing Syrian people.
Continue reading "Holiday Wishes" »
I'd like to take a moment to wish all my readers and fellow travelers a most healthy and enjoyable Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday of the year with yummy cooking (I'm a pretty good cook if I do say so myself...) and time to spend with dear family and friends. Forget about hiking, running, walking, lifting weights or doing an kind of exercise...just eat...that's what I plan to do.
Keep reading daily...for upcoming series on:
- Borneo;
- Chimps, tree-climbing lions, and gorillas in Uganda and Rwanda;
- The Golden Kingdoms of West Africa; and
- The Himachal Pradesh, India.
just to name a few places...
Have a most wonderful Thanksgiving,
Sheila
Save up your air miles and use them on Lufthansa to go First Class! There is nothing comparable to a long-haul flight, sitting in a seat that completely reclines into a bed, and having flight attendants hovering - eager to serve you (changes your entire perspective on flying). Not only was it as close to heaven as a person could be on an airplane, but their First Class Frankfurt lounge was to die for.
Lufthansa took a former Frankfurt Airport parking lot and turned it into a $35 million First-Class only terminal. If you have quite a bit of time between flights, Lufthansa picks up and transfers you via a chauffeured Mercedes S-Class or Porsche Cayenne to this site. Once there, you are met by a personal assistant, ushered through their own security and escorted into this magnificent lounge. You can relax on a daybed in your own room, soak in a marble bath or under a rainshower. There are several bartenders and even a drink menu (Mai Tai's, etc.) to order off of. Not to forget, individual tables set with tablecloths and silverware to enjoy something off the constantly changing buffet or from the menu!
Continue reading "Lufthansa First Class to Mumbai (Bombay)" »
I can manage to pick up food poisoning or get stomach upsets at home in the United States. Everyone eats something, somewhere, that doesn't want to stay down. But at least I'm usually in my own house with my own "white throne" to be deathly sick in.
It's common knowledge that a smart traveler avoids: fruit that cannot be peeled; raw vegetables; unclean water; and raw fish/meats. Scrupulously clean hands are another important must. We all know these rules and I do my best to follow them.
Stomach upsets when traveling raises this problem to a whole new level. And, if you have the "stomach" (ha-ha) to read the following, I'll share some of my worst (and most memorable) experiences and perhaps you can avoid the same mistakes.
Continue reading "Stomach Upsets While Traveling" »
We have noticed four major changes over our 30 years of European Travel.
1. Food - The Portion Sizes. The two of us used to walk away from a meal, starving, because European portions were much smaller than ours. A quarter of a chicken was normal for them, but not for us Americans used to eating a half-chicken, probably raised on steroids. How that has changed! Portions are now Huge with a capital H. Dinner the other night included: soup, salad bar, a dinner plate of Mixed Grill (small steak and pork chop) surrounded with enough French Fries for three people, grilled vegetables and desert! This was a normal, half-pension size meal for 8 Euros! Not that we're complaining and not enjoying every single morsel! Unfortunately, we can eat up to and beyond any amount of calories expended exercising. We admit it - willpower is not in our vocabulary.
small salad
Continue reading "Changes in European Travel Over the Years" »
A rafting trip can be a perfect solution for a family trip. It met and exceeded my expectations as we watched our grandchildren rise above (and conquer) adversity, inconveniences: being filthy, wasps, cactus, coping with the outdoor "groover" (toilet). They learned new skills, developed new interests and had many unusual experiences: erecting tents and camping in the wilderness, kayaking,...View image... running rapids, ...View image...seeing petroglyphs, map reading, hiking, catching fish, seeing snakes, to name a few.
They learned to pull together - loading and unloading rafts, sharing toothpaste, playing games and finding things to amuse themselves. Yes, they had: no I-Pods, Television, cell phones, Ps2, gameboys, internet, computer games...nothing to do but talk to each other and amuse themselves. What a novel situation! And, most surprisingly, they never complained! I'm sure they hated every minute when the going got tough (and hated me for bringing them) but no one ever whined..."I want to go home." It might have been a different story with parents along.
Continue reading "Facts To Consider Before You Raft" »
We flew through Heathrow just six short days ago on August 4, and with the new terrorist threats and huge snafu at Heathrow, I thought you might be interested in what traveling through there was like even without the new terrorist threats. Heathrow has a reputation as the WORST airport to go through with its 4 Terminals...well-earned, and I had already written this article to appear with my series on Austria, which will start running on August 18.
We flew Munich to London on Lufthansa, landing in Terminal 2, and then had two hours to connect to our United, London-Chicago flight out of Terminal 3. You'd think that's plenty of time, right?
This is the routine:
1. After getting off Lufthansa in Terminal 2, walking close to a mile as rapidly as possible, there is SECURITY in front of you. Hundreds of passengers who had just gotten off planes being directed into TWO lines for additional scanning. We had a 3:40pm flight and it was now 2:30pm. ONE HOUR later, finally through Security. Next?
Continue reading "Timely Comments on London-Heathrow Airport" »
Let's talk some Gelato -
Growing up in Chicago, there were exactly three ice cream flavors: chocolate, vanilla and strawberry. An ice cream cone was a big treat, and an ever bigger treat was the Good Humor Truck coming down the block.
There was no such thing as ice cream in a frozen food section...the ice man brought a block of ice for the refrigerator. (My grandchildren call this the "Middle Ages," and they are right!) But time marched on and "39 Flavors", Dairy Queen, Ben & Jerry's appeared. How much better could it get? We're still talking ice cream here, not Gelato.
Continue reading "Luscious Gelato - How Did I Travel Without It!" »
Most people go to Italy to see ancient ruins, eat wonderful food and drink great wine. I thought that was what we were going to do when I foolishly planned a trip with "ex-Marine" (husband, Steve), and our five (two mine, three his) children. (Yes, I do have lots of "screws loose in my head.") And, if you read some of my other articles, you know that I am also incredibly naive!
Early in our marriage, I asked "ex-Marine" if...I scrimped and saved most of my earnings for one year...would he be willing to take the five "darlings" to Europe for one month? Still euphoric over our marriage, he said YES! (Silly him...)
Continue reading "Looking for Beer Cans in Italy" »
We piled out of the hotel on our tour bus headed for dinner when Roger asked where Bob was. No one had seen him and Bob hadn't left any message about not joining us for dinner. With that, Roger went back into the hotel to ring his room. To make a three-day story short, they had to break down Bob's hotel room door, and found him unconscious.
Bob spent a week in the Lhasa hospital with both Cerebral and Pulmonary Edema caused by Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), and then had to be medivac'd by special jet to Singapore once he was stabilized. TRAVEL INSURANCE!
Keep in mind that Bob was in excellent condition. He was a biker, in good health but AMS can strike anyone. There are several important precautions everyone should take to avoid Acute Mountain Sickness:
Continue reading "Acute Mountain Sickness in Tibet or Anywhere" »
Walking, biking, hiking can be very luxurious when you use the right people to plan your trip.
I haven't used the tour operators listed below, but they all are highly recommended by personal friends. For biking, walking, hiking and multi-sport trips, check out these:
- Butterfield & Robinson
- Country Walkers
- Backroads
Some of their trips are very easy. Think...strolling down paths through the Loire Chateau country, 5***** hotels...drinking wine...eating gourmet dinners....double yummy! Or a cooking class...or sitting at a cafe sketching pictures. And if you pick a walking/biking/multi-sport trip, there is usually a "sag wagon" if you poop out or don't want to do anything that day.
And, among the many other operators are:
- Tauck Travel
- Abercrombie & Kent
Any of these Tour Operators will be happy to arrange private trips if you'd rather not travel with a group (or form your own group).
I also read Conde Nast Traveler, Travel and Leisure - even if you can't afford the trips these tour operators offer (and magazines suggest), it's still makes for a fun and interesting read....and gives me ideas.
Then I go to "Lonely Planet ", and research some lower budget operators, but this article is for you luxury people. (Must admit...we have taken some luxury trips in the past.) I'm sure you all have travel agents and have had experiences with these tour companies, but it never hurts to suggest different possibilities. I even get Private Jet mailings! How that happened, I'll never know...but if I could afford it...I'd do it.
Continue reading "Galapagos? India? More Unique Luxury Trips" »
Other friends of mine have commented that while my articles are interesting, they like more luxurious vacations. I understand...we all need some luxury in our lives. So, Diane and Jerry, here are some thoughts for you.
Go to following websites and look at some of the previous trips ex-Marine and I have taken. (I never recommend a tour operator that I haven't used!) Every now and then, we "bite the bullet" and spend lots of $$$ because these trips are so unique. Also, I definitely use an American organizer for "iffy" countries because they will move heaven and earth to make sure you enter, travel through, and leave those places - SAFELY.
Mountain Travel Sobek - Look at their "Golden Kingdoms of West Africa" through Ghana, Benin and Togo. View image Not only is it a stupendous trip, but MT-S's operators in West Africa, Roberto and Alberto are fun, organized and fantastic. They bring wine, show tremendous caring for their clients, and go out of their way to accommodate your interests.
Our trip was during the Christmas season. We were tooling along the road when our car passed a biker carrying a turkey (hanging by his feet) upside down from the handlebars. Our American group got all excited, "Turkey for Christmas." Roberto immediately stopped all three or four vehicles, jumped out and started negotiating for the turkey. Victory was ours, and the Turkey rode on top of our vehicle until dinner time! When our cook, bar-be-qued it.
Yes, that trip did involve a total of 5 nites camping out of the 15-day trip, but that is because there are no Ritz or Four Seasons equivalent hotels in that part of the world. MT-S also has many non-camping, great luxury (and non-luxury) trips to some unsual destinations. If that's not for you....
How about "Adventuring in South Africa" with Wilderness Travel? When you pull up the itinerary on Wilderness' website, there is our photo along with the other 5 people on this trip! It was a complete surprise to us, but there we are. This was a total luxury trip - NO CAMPING, DIANE! Filled with spectacular game viewing, South Africa's world famous wines and food, and unbelievable accommodations. The trip has changed somewhat since we did this (ours included the fabulous Phinda Forest Lodge View image), but MT-S also can put together a private journey for you.
Continue reading "Africa? Yemen? Unique Luxury Trips" »
My first trip to Europe, in 1972, was a good old TWA get-away tour. An "if today's Monday, it must be Paris" trip...and it was great! Paris, London, Amsterdam and Copenhagen in 14 days. My recommendation:
Take a package trip. Yes, you have to cram a lot into a short period of time but rearrange your thinking from, "I'll never have another chance", to "I don't have to see everything...I'll come back again". You can't do it all...I can't do it all. Even with 130+ countries under my belt, there are so many places I'd love to go back to, so many places to still see, and so much I've missed. It's just a fact of life - so deal with it and go!
Continue reading "Your First Overseas Trip - Europe, Asia or Russia" »
I am an addicted traveler. Unlike people who complain on crowded planes, I'm never happier then getting on a jet and going somewhere...anywhere. For a short time, there are no phone calls, grocery shopping, work, and everyday problems. I am off to a new experience with it's own new set of problems. Problems you would never think you'd excounter. But, that's travel. My site will add a little different input than the travel books, and, yes, I read them all. Lonely Planet is one of my bibles of travel even though my husband (who will be known throughout as the "ex-marine") and I are in our 60's. I grew up in Chicago, in an apartment, never camped, exercised or traveled beyond Lake Geneva. The "ex-marine" I'm married to vowed he would never camp or exercise again once he left the Corps.
Continue reading "Welcome to Travels with Sheila" »
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