So after the long trip up the western coast to Vancouver,, BC (thank you, Michel, for those great seats!) we worked our way through the airport terminal through security towards the exit. Once we made it out of the building we started looking around for our friends who were kind enough to volunteer to pick us up and deliver us to our hotel.
Of course, we had to stop for dinner on the way so we called in at a Walt Disney World favorite, The Boathouse. Who would have thought that we'd find a branch of an Orlando restaurant in Canada?? But we did and the food was lovely.
Then it was off to the hotel which was in a sort of funky part of town, but near a rapid transit station! We walked up to the station, talked to some transit police about our trip the next morning to the pier.
The next morning we made the trek after zipping around to several stores looking for something. It was an Oriental part of town, so you might guess that we had no luck finding anything we wanted.
However, we did catch the train, made our way to the back car (which offered more seats) and off we went - luggage and all.
The transit cops had advised us to take a taxi from the exit to the embarkation point. They must have been laughing to themselves as the 'uphill' part of the walk was only a few feet long! So we breezed through all the stations Carnival had set up for check-in and were on the ship in a timely manner.
The cruise was a cruise. We did get to visit an extinct volcano (bigger than the Grand Canyon we were told) via bus and then there was the shopping at a Target store.... And lots of other things to see and do.
Disembarkation was slow and tedious in Honolulu, but it moved apace. Until we couldn't spot our service that we'd booked and paid for.
When we finally called their number, we listened to a recording informing us that they had gone out of business!!!
So we then had to find a taxi to take us to the resort that would take a credit card (we were on the east side of the island; our resort was on the west). So after a l-o-o-ong ride we arrived at Aulani. What a resort! They provided cool towels and refreshing water while we waited in line, and the greeter went ahead and checked us in so our time at the counter was minimized.
Found our way to our friends' room and saw that our room was right next door - with a connecting door, too.
TO BE CONTINUED
Monday, January 8, 2018
Saturday, September 2, 2017
An Eclipsing Adventure
While in Cabo San Lucas for an annual visit with my brother and his wife, Chuck brought up the question of whether we (Michael and I and my sister and her husband) would be interested in traveling to Kentucky to see the solar eclipse in August. After much hemming and hawing (we usually plan trips at least 2 years in advance for scheduling and funding reasons) we agreed.
In the meanwhile my sister-in-law died rather suddenly, so we planned on two trips to the mid-West in the Spring and Fall.
However the best place to see the eclipse wasn't in/near Louisville where my brother lives, but in Tennessee where family lives just over the border in Kentucky. And having a large family and house (and a 600-acre farm) we all gathered there.
The first full day at their home, they had procured tickets for a Mammoth Cave tour. Listened to the ranger give an introduction that included some words about the difficult areas of the caverns. I, with misguided bravero, agreed that the difficult areas weren't too difficult.
And most of the tour was simple. Over time the Forest Service had paved the pathway through the historical caverns so one didn't need to worry about tripping - just watch one's head on the low parts.
Until we neared the final hurdle - The Fat Man's something-er-other (Delight? Dismay?). Here one needed to duck for most of the way through as well as walk sideways through an extremely narrow, winding pathway.
Well, the combination of stooping while walking oddly did my legs in. The muscles up the backs of my legs didn't appreciate the walking position. Luckily for me, I was with family and they all pitched in to help me through that never-ending portion of the caverns. [Reminder to self: Take a different tour the next time - if there is a next time!] After much angst, I completed that portion and only faced a few hundred stairs to climb out of the cave and then the inclined walk to the surface!
Also luckily, we had a ranger, Ginger Allen, who stayed with us and shepherded us out of the caverns. She went slowly, made frequent stops, and at each stop ran through a set of questions as to my current health and how I was doing. She was wonderful! There were many stops, as leaving the Fat Man portion did not 'fix' my legs!
In fact, it was only upon returning to Mexico, several days later, that the legs recovered their strength.
So it was a fun trip that included back roads to Tennessee for the actual viewing - and only the most general of maps, the trek through the park's nature walk while we waited for the sun to do its thing, the arrival of about fifty school kids to view the eclipse and the high-schoolers who shepherded them around (this was really educational as we listened to the teacher in charge explain things), the use of a motel room and motel parking lot for the rental camper my sister and brother-in-law had secured, the return on more major roads (lots of traffic and accidents that slowed us down), and, of course, bountiful food and comradeship at the Pierce's farm.
We left the farm a day early so that we could arrive in Nashville the night before our flight home. Found a nice hotel near the airport, a nearby Mexican restaurant with good food; we sprung for the cheaper Margaritas - should have gone for the better ones!, and weathered a terrific storm on our return to the hotel. A pox on the fool who drove through a puddle at high speed, showering us under a deluge of water! Wet and tired, we fell into bed. The return to Nashville did make our return flight simpler the next day. People at the airport were very helpful and kind, and then we were in Leon, waiting for the shuttle van.
After a two-week break, we sail to Hawai'i, followed by a stay at Disney's Aulani Resort after visiting the islands (the resort looked great when we visited briefly for a show-and-tell on an earlier trip to the Islands), and then another flight home! We'll catch up with friends who live near Vancouver both upon arrival in B.C. and once at the resort (they're flying in from British Columbia). Good times will be had by all!
In the meanwhile my sister-in-law died rather suddenly, so we planned on two trips to the mid-West in the Spring and Fall.
However the best place to see the eclipse wasn't in/near Louisville where my brother lives, but in Tennessee where family lives just over the border in Kentucky. And having a large family and house (and a 600-acre farm) we all gathered there.
The first full day at their home, they had procured tickets for a Mammoth Cave tour. Listened to the ranger give an introduction that included some words about the difficult areas of the caverns. I, with misguided bravero, agreed that the difficult areas weren't too difficult.
And most of the tour was simple. Over time the Forest Service had paved the pathway through the historical caverns so one didn't need to worry about tripping - just watch one's head on the low parts.
Until we neared the final hurdle - The Fat Man's something-er-other (Delight? Dismay?). Here one needed to duck for most of the way through as well as walk sideways through an extremely narrow, winding pathway.
Well, the combination of stooping while walking oddly did my legs in. The muscles up the backs of my legs didn't appreciate the walking position. Luckily for me, I was with family and they all pitched in to help me through that never-ending portion of the caverns. [Reminder to self: Take a different tour the next time - if there is a next time!] After much angst, I completed that portion and only faced a few hundred stairs to climb out of the cave and then the inclined walk to the surface!
Also luckily, we had a ranger, Ginger Allen, who stayed with us and shepherded us out of the caverns. She went slowly, made frequent stops, and at each stop ran through a set of questions as to my current health and how I was doing. She was wonderful! There were many stops, as leaving the Fat Man portion did not 'fix' my legs!
In fact, it was only upon returning to Mexico, several days later, that the legs recovered their strength.
So it was a fun trip that included back roads to Tennessee for the actual viewing - and only the most general of maps, the trek through the park's nature walk while we waited for the sun to do its thing, the arrival of about fifty school kids to view the eclipse and the high-schoolers who shepherded them around (this was really educational as we listened to the teacher in charge explain things), the use of a motel room and motel parking lot for the rental camper my sister and brother-in-law had secured, the return on more major roads (lots of traffic and accidents that slowed us down), and, of course, bountiful food and comradeship at the Pierce's farm.
We left the farm a day early so that we could arrive in Nashville the night before our flight home. Found a nice hotel near the airport, a nearby Mexican restaurant with good food; we sprung for the cheaper Margaritas - should have gone for the better ones!, and weathered a terrific storm on our return to the hotel. A pox on the fool who drove through a puddle at high speed, showering us under a deluge of water! Wet and tired, we fell into bed. The return to Nashville did make our return flight simpler the next day. People at the airport were very helpful and kind, and then we were in Leon, waiting for the shuttle van.
After a two-week break, we sail to Hawai'i, followed by a stay at Disney's Aulani Resort after visiting the islands (the resort looked great when we visited briefly for a show-and-tell on an earlier trip to the Islands), and then another flight home! We'll catch up with friends who live near Vancouver both upon arrival in B.C. and once at the resort (they're flying in from British Columbia). Good times will be had by all!
Saturday, July 1, 2017
Farewell to an Old Friend
No, this is not another post about losing a friend - it's about our coffeemaker!
Although we hadn't brought our BonaVida coffeemaker to Mexico with us initially, we'd had it a good long time. Of course, it made 8 cups of coffee at a whack, and we seldom had that many people for dinner.
So it was time to start looking for a replacement. We'd keep the BonaVida in the bodega as a back-up.
We had narrowed the choice down to a) a smaller 5-cup BonaVida with a stainless steel pot or b) a 5-cup Zojirushi (the Zutto) glass pot with the grounds funnel inside the pot, a removable water tank, a filter to improve the taste of the coffee, and the 5-cup level which would make enough coffee for 2 12-oz mugs which we use for our breakfast cuppa, et cetera.
We had arranged to use my brother's home for the delivery of whichever coffeemaker we decided upon. Although he lives in Kentucky, we were going to be visiting in mid-August and thought we could tuck the pachage into our suitcase, saving nearly 20% of it's value that our package delivery service would charge.
Dithered about over whiech coffeemaker to order with a deadline of July 'cuz I'd just get verklempt about the decision if we waited longer. Once purchased the die would be cast.
So this morning - July 1st - we started the day making coffee - but there was no coffee to drink! The light on the maker illuminated, but water wasn't heated, nothing came out, blah, blah, blah.
A decision was made that rather than wait 6 weeks by using my brother's address, we'd bite the bullet and order it from Amazon and use our Texas address for delivery. If it costs us more, at least we'd have it sooner and we wouldn't have to rely on an electric kettle to heat the water and pouring it over the grounds every morning.
So the order was placed, a note was sent to my brother, and now we wait. At least there's a way to make coffee in the meanwhile - and we've already scrubbed the outside of the kettle clean!
Have we told you about our new scrubber???
Although we hadn't brought our BonaVida coffeemaker to Mexico with us initially, we'd had it a good long time. Of course, it made 8 cups of coffee at a whack, and we seldom had that many people for dinner.
So it was time to start looking for a replacement. We'd keep the BonaVida in the bodega as a back-up.
We had narrowed the choice down to a) a smaller 5-cup BonaVida with a stainless steel pot or b) a 5-cup Zojirushi (the Zutto) glass pot with the grounds funnel inside the pot, a removable water tank, a filter to improve the taste of the coffee, and the 5-cup level which would make enough coffee for 2 12-oz mugs which we use for our breakfast cuppa, et cetera.
We had arranged to use my brother's home for the delivery of whichever coffeemaker we decided upon. Although he lives in Kentucky, we were going to be visiting in mid-August and thought we could tuck the pachage into our suitcase, saving nearly 20% of it's value that our package delivery service would charge.
Dithered about over whiech coffeemaker to order with a deadline of July 'cuz I'd just get verklempt about the decision if we waited longer. Once purchased the die would be cast.
So this morning - July 1st - we started the day making coffee - but there was no coffee to drink! The light on the maker illuminated, but water wasn't heated, nothing came out, blah, blah, blah.
A decision was made that rather than wait 6 weeks by using my brother's address, we'd bite the bullet and order it from Amazon and use our Texas address for delivery. If it costs us more, at least we'd have it sooner and we wouldn't have to rely on an electric kettle to heat the water and pouring it over the grounds every morning.
So the order was placed, a note was sent to my brother, and now we wait. At least there's a way to make coffee in the meanwhile - and we've already scrubbed the outside of the kettle clean!
Have we told you about our new scrubber???
Friday, April 21, 2017
A Final Farewell
So the date was set and we made our way back to Kentucky for a final service. It was a whirlwind of activity as the whole family was involved. My brother's house was the center of activity and my sister, neice and her daughter, Michael and I were housed there. The neice and daughter slept on the living room couhes, Paula was in the guest room, and Michael and I were in the basement - but we all fit in nicely. The day of the service we all had our assignments, too. Paula, Michael, and I collected the various food orders that had been placed. Ruth and another niece were delegated to speak at the service, and the local church's minister led the service.
It was also time to reacquaint each other with the other family members, so out to dinner we went each night. A wide variety of food - including a Mexican restaurant that was a bit disappointing - but the family didn't seem to realize it.
We also had a chance to visit with some Southern California exiles with whom we hadn't visited in years!
Then it was time to make our way back to Central Mexico again. There's nothing like flying First Class ....
However, we'll be visiting again in August for the total solar eclipse! This time we'll be sleeping in beds, as my niece has pointed out to her kids that Grampi is in his 80s and Uncle Marc is in his 70s, so they'll both need beds on which to sleep! Bless her!!!
LATER -
And we're now committed to the trip as we have purchased our airline tickets! We can actually fly from a more local airport (only an hour away) from San Miguel. So we'll be traipsing over western Kentucky (and maybe Tennessee) following the sun - or shade. Now to book a car for the Midwest and shuttle rides here in Mexico...both a pay-for-it-when-you-book-it so we have until August to do so.
And further bad news on the puppy front (not our dogs, but my sister's and brother-in-law's): Elphaba is now under doggie hospice care. Luckily, this organization of her last days has lessened some of the angst that has affected the sister and her husband recently.
It was also time to reacquaint each other with the other family members, so out to dinner we went each night. A wide variety of food - including a Mexican restaurant that was a bit disappointing - but the family didn't seem to realize it.
We also had a chance to visit with some Southern California exiles with whom we hadn't visited in years!
Then it was time to make our way back to Central Mexico again. There's nothing like flying First Class ....
However, we'll be visiting again in August for the total solar eclipse! This time we'll be sleeping in beds, as my niece has pointed out to her kids that Grampi is in his 80s and Uncle Marc is in his 70s, so they'll both need beds on which to sleep! Bless her!!!
LATER -
And we're now committed to the trip as we have purchased our airline tickets! We can actually fly from a more local airport (only an hour away) from San Miguel. So we'll be traipsing over western Kentucky (and maybe Tennessee) following the sun - or shade. Now to book a car for the Midwest and shuttle rides here in Mexico...both a pay-for-it-when-you-book-it so we have until August to do so.
And further bad news on the puppy front (not our dogs, but my sister's and brother-in-law's): Elphaba is now under doggie hospice care. Luckily, this organization of her last days has lessened some of the angst that has affected the sister and her husband recently.
Saturday, April 8, 2017
Two Weeks North of Puerto Vallarta
So we recently returned from two overlapping weeks at two different resorts in what is generally known at Nuevo Vallarte. North of the marina district in Puerto Vallarta, it's composed of newer resorts, some quite large.
Our first resort was part of the Vidarte Group and quite spiffy. A bit on the spartan side (one picture and one mirror in both the living room and the bedroom (no rugs), it was still quite nice. Good food, good drinks, and fine service around the huge pool. Service could have been better in the restaurant, but the bars were great!
Our second resort was the Vallarta Gardens in Las Cruz - it was psectacular! It's a private residence club so things are quite nice and units are owned by individuals as part of a fractional-ownership scheme. Large rooms, 'real' furniture (not couches that double as beds), interesting lights, and decor. We were placed in The Hamptons, in a one-bedroom again. But it was different. 'Real' furniture, real kitchen appliances, a huge bedroom, a bathroom with a spiffy shower as well as low-level lighting for nighttime use, wide hallways, two balconies, et cetera, et cetera. Oh, yes, and upholstered walls. Quite the unit.
One drawback was that the in-house restaurant was only open from 8AM to 6PM,so no real dinner hour. We found that we could manage on a late breakfast and a late lunch quite nicely. The food was well-prepared and tasty; service was attentive.
Of course there was a sales presentation, but it gave us a chance to see what the other homes looked like. All quite nice - though our Hampton unit was our favorite, I think. About five pools plus the beach which had a breakwater to lessen the effect of the waves from Banderas Bay.
Now to figure out how to return sooner that every 4th year.
We're home for about a week and then off to Kentucky for our sister-in-law's services. Family are being put up in various homes. I think their plan for us includes two different homes - and maybe a third. For a couple that plans things far in advance, this is anathema - we can tell you where we'll be a year-and-a-half from now, where we'll be dining, and what excursions we'll be enjoying that far in advance. There's even a cruise in the Mediterranean in 2019 on which we've been booked, so you can tell what the free-spirited room assignments are to us. I suppose it's good training or something.... Flexible is the word!
Our first resort was part of the Vidarte Group and quite spiffy. A bit on the spartan side (one picture and one mirror in both the living room and the bedroom (no rugs), it was still quite nice. Good food, good drinks, and fine service around the huge pool. Service could have been better in the restaurant, but the bars were great!
Our second resort was the Vallarta Gardens in Las Cruz - it was psectacular! It's a private residence club so things are quite nice and units are owned by individuals as part of a fractional-ownership scheme. Large rooms, 'real' furniture (not couches that double as beds), interesting lights, and decor. We were placed in The Hamptons, in a one-bedroom again. But it was different. 'Real' furniture, real kitchen appliances, a huge bedroom, a bathroom with a spiffy shower as well as low-level lighting for nighttime use, wide hallways, two balconies, et cetera, et cetera. Oh, yes, and upholstered walls. Quite the unit.
One drawback was that the in-house restaurant was only open from 8AM to 6PM,so no real dinner hour. We found that we could manage on a late breakfast and a late lunch quite nicely. The food was well-prepared and tasty; service was attentive.
Of course there was a sales presentation, but it gave us a chance to see what the other homes looked like. All quite nice - though our Hampton unit was our favorite, I think. About five pools plus the beach which had a breakwater to lessen the effect of the waves from Banderas Bay.
Now to figure out how to return sooner that every 4th year.
We're home for about a week and then off to Kentucky for our sister-in-law's services. Family are being put up in various homes. I think their plan for us includes two different homes - and maybe a third. For a couple that plans things far in advance, this is anathema - we can tell you where we'll be a year-and-a-half from now, where we'll be dining, and what excursions we'll be enjoying that far in advance. There's even a cruise in the Mediterranean in 2019 on which we've been booked, so you can tell what the free-spirited room assignments are to us. I suppose it's good training or something.... Flexible is the word!
Saturday, March 18, 2017
A Bit of Vacation and a Family Tragedy
Our next vacation is comprised of two overlapping 1-week vacations at timeshares in Nuevo Vallarte (just north of Puerte Vallarte). The first week is a Saturday - Saturday and the second resort is a Thursday - Thursday. So we cut one short and we begin the second one after the first day. But we're trading points so it's not like we're risking a lot of dollers.
However, it's now in a non-cancelable situation. And while there's not a lot of money involved, there is both money and points that cannot be refunded.
Now for the family tragedy - my brother's wife - who was not feeling so swift during our vacation with them in Cabo last January, has been diagnosed with terminal cancer. I shan't go into the details, but her life expectancy is limited to the next couple of weeks.
Non-refundable timeshares mean just that. We had no idea this might happen, so we didn't obtain the timeshare insurancee - fools that we may be, we never get the insurance unless the occurrence is some time in the future..
So we'll be trying to juggle the need for time to go back to the mid-West for the funeral and actually spending some time at the resorts. It may seem cold, but we're trying to enjoy both. If we had obtained the insurance we could have restored the time at the timeshares back, but not having done so,we're hoping to manage both!
This presents several problems: when does each vacation occur; once the sister-in-law passes, when will the services be scheduled; on what days are the cheapest flights available; how do we make this work?
We've already been checking flights; lining up someone with whom we'll stay while in Kentucky; advising our kennel when to expect the dogs; a rental car; seats on board the flights (I'm getting a bit old for the economy-squished seats); and all those other things to consider.
So we're waiting with baited breath for things to change and then fly into Operation Sister-in-Law and meanwhile keep revising potential changes.
However, it's now in a non-cancelable situation. And while there's not a lot of money involved, there is both money and points that cannot be refunded.
Now for the family tragedy - my brother's wife - who was not feeling so swift during our vacation with them in Cabo last January, has been diagnosed with terminal cancer. I shan't go into the details, but her life expectancy is limited to the next couple of weeks.
Non-refundable timeshares mean just that. We had no idea this might happen, so we didn't obtain the timeshare insurancee - fools that we may be, we never get the insurance unless the occurrence is some time in the future..
So we'll be trying to juggle the need for time to go back to the mid-West for the funeral and actually spending some time at the resorts. It may seem cold, but we're trying to enjoy both. If we had obtained the insurance we could have restored the time at the timeshares back, but not having done so,we're hoping to manage both!
This presents several problems: when does each vacation occur; once the sister-in-law passes, when will the services be scheduled; on what days are the cheapest flights available; how do we make this work?
We've already been checking flights; lining up someone with whom we'll stay while in Kentucky; advising our kennel when to expect the dogs; a rental car; seats on board the flights (I'm getting a bit old for the economy-squished seats); and all those other things to consider.
So we're waiting with baited breath for things to change and then fly into Operation Sister-in-Law and meanwhile keep revising potential changes.
Monday, February 20, 2017
Our First Carnival Cruise
We're back on terra firma again, having completed our first cruise on Carnival. Was it a Disney cruise - no, but it was okay.
ACCOMMODATIONS Our cabin was huge for a balcony - we'd picked a fine location that gave us about 50% more space for the same price as a regular balcony. However, it took a couple of days to get the bedding arrangements straightened out - though it was what was booked initially over a year ago. [-] And although assured that we could have bathrobes for use around the cabin, they never showed up. [-]
EXCITEMENT Add to this that on the last night, our cabin's a/c developed a leak and the ceiling began dripping so we had to be moved to an inside cabin sometime after midnight; however, their response was quick and we were escorted to the new cabin, not left on our own to find our way on a different deck. The ships officer who responded was on his phone pronto to the plumber, joiner, et cetera! [+]
CUISINE Food was pretty good in all the restaurants except their spiffy Steakhouse where entrees were severely under-cooked. Michael mostly finished his; I couldn't eat my entree. [-] The rest of the food served shipboard was great, including a new BBQ place on Deck 10 [+]; Michael liked his burger from Guy Fieri's place [+]; mine was nothing special and very thin. [-].
SERVICE Service was great! [+] In sit-down restaurants they called you by name every time they addressed you, addressed you, et cetera. And service was prompt without hurrying you along. Whether they remembered your name after you left their table, who knows, but it was nice while you were there.
THIS 'N' THAT The safety drill (muster) was a bit disorganized and although they don't use any sort of tracking system like DCL does, it was just plain long. [-] Secondly, although a cast member tried to be helpful while we were in line at Guest Services, no one pointed out to us that we were entitled to use the one
'no waiting' space reserved for guests with Faster to the Fun stickers on their cards (that would be us), rather than standing in line interminably while 6 foreign students tried to get their cards changed to show that they had been on Carnival before (red rather than blue background). Unfortunately, ships sailing from Vancouver, BC, don't offer Faster to the Fun or we'd sign up for it!.
We were trying out the Cheers program (pre-paid drinks package). [+] We like it and we did save money using it -and we're not the big drinkers as that we used to be. The daily billings showed both the original charge for each drink as well as the null value posted to our account. Guess we'll be using it on our 10-day voyage from Vancouver to Hawai'i later this year!
SHORE EXCURSIONS Our purpose in booking this cruise was the attraction of visiting Noel Coward's home on Jamaica. It wasn't offered by Carnival, but we found an independent tour company that provided the trip from our stop in Ocho Rios. It was great except for the secondary roads up the hills to the actual home. Main roads are maintained by the government; secondary roads are not. Kudos to our driver for navigating all the bumps and crevasses! The site was turned over to the Jamaican Tourist Board [or Heritage Board?] who must be cash-strapped, as things were neat and tidy but rather plain (read bare). Hopefully they will be making some improvements....
Still it was good to visit and such a difference it must have been for all the luminaries who would visit him there. Of course, the visitors would be accommodated in Blue Harbor, his original house down the hill. Firefly, the home which was built after he bought the property, has only one bedroom.
For the rest of the cruise we didn't disembark the ship, but enjoyed the less-crowded ambiance on port days. And we're still booked on the Vancouver/Hawai'i cruise later this year followed by a few days at Disney''s Aulani resort!
ACCOMMODATIONS Our cabin was huge for a balcony - we'd picked a fine location that gave us about 50% more space for the same price as a regular balcony. However, it took a couple of days to get the bedding arrangements straightened out - though it was what was booked initially over a year ago. [-] And although assured that we could have bathrobes for use around the cabin, they never showed up. [-]
EXCITEMENT Add to this that on the last night, our cabin's a/c developed a leak and the ceiling began dripping so we had to be moved to an inside cabin sometime after midnight; however, their response was quick and we were escorted to the new cabin, not left on our own to find our way on a different deck. The ships officer who responded was on his phone pronto to the plumber, joiner, et cetera! [+]
CUISINE Food was pretty good in all the restaurants except their spiffy Steakhouse where entrees were severely under-cooked. Michael mostly finished his; I couldn't eat my entree. [-] The rest of the food served shipboard was great, including a new BBQ place on Deck 10 [+]; Michael liked his burger from Guy Fieri's place [+]; mine was nothing special and very thin. [-].
SERVICE Service was great! [+] In sit-down restaurants they called you by name every time they addressed you, addressed you, et cetera. And service was prompt without hurrying you along. Whether they remembered your name after you left their table, who knows, but it was nice while you were there.
THIS 'N' THAT The safety drill (muster) was a bit disorganized and although they don't use any sort of tracking system like DCL does, it was just plain long. [-] Secondly, although a cast member tried to be helpful while we were in line at Guest Services, no one pointed out to us that we were entitled to use the one
'no waiting' space reserved for guests with Faster to the Fun stickers on their cards (that would be us), rather than standing in line interminably while 6 foreign students tried to get their cards changed to show that they had been on Carnival before (red rather than blue background). Unfortunately, ships sailing from Vancouver, BC, don't offer Faster to the Fun or we'd sign up for it!.
We were trying out the Cheers program (pre-paid drinks package). [+] We like it and we did save money using it -and we're not the big drinkers as that we used to be. The daily billings showed both the original charge for each drink as well as the null value posted to our account. Guess we'll be using it on our 10-day voyage from Vancouver to Hawai'i later this year!
SHORE EXCURSIONS Our purpose in booking this cruise was the attraction of visiting Noel Coward's home on Jamaica. It wasn't offered by Carnival, but we found an independent tour company that provided the trip from our stop in Ocho Rios. It was great except for the secondary roads up the hills to the actual home. Main roads are maintained by the government; secondary roads are not. Kudos to our driver for navigating all the bumps and crevasses! The site was turned over to the Jamaican Tourist Board [or Heritage Board?] who must be cash-strapped, as things were neat and tidy but rather plain (read bare). Hopefully they will be making some improvements....
Still it was good to visit and such a difference it must have been for all the luminaries who would visit him there. Of course, the visitors would be accommodated in Blue Harbor, his original house down the hill. Firefly, the home which was built after he bought the property, has only one bedroom.
For the rest of the cruise we didn't disembark the ship, but enjoyed the less-crowded ambiance on port days. And we're still booked on the Vancouver/Hawai'i cruise later this year followed by a few days at Disney''s Aulani resort!
Tuesday, February 7, 2017
Cabo and Ocho Rios
We are now in the week between our trip to Cabo to catch up with my brother and sister and our cruise to the western Caribbean to visit Firefly, Noel Coward's home in Jamaica where he is buried.
Cabo was good, though Paula and Tim only had a few days with us as they had to wait until the new show was in place before they left town. And my sister-in-law was rather ill during most of the two weeks we were there. As a result, we ate most of our meals - other than those we (Michael) cooked - at the on-site restaurant - all of which were quite tasty!
During the day, we followed our favorite bartender around between the two pool bars and tried a few new drinks.. Yummy!
Michael was supposed to pick up his discount card for the airline we flew to Cabo on - Calafia - but it was a comedy of errors. They sent the card to their offices in downtown Leon - a large city - and then they offered to send it to the airport in Guadalajara - about a 5-hours trip from San Miguel. Then they would mail it to our home; then they couldn't mail it anywhere - a pickup in person was required. After numerous calls and a couple of trips to the office in Los Cabos - luckily not too far from the resort at which we were staying - they decided that they could send it to the airport in Leon (much more accessible) and we'll be there later tihs week. Let's hope the card is there!
There were several things that needed adjusting in the Luna, but they finally got them all taken care of just before we left. Luckily - I guess - my brother and his wife had several more weeks at the resort.
In the very near future, we'll be off to Florida (this Saturday, as a matter of fact) for a Carnival cruise to the western Caribbean. This will be our first cruise on Carnival - a second one is booked sailing from Vancouver to (and around) the Hawai'ian islands this coming September. Once there, we'll be staying for five days at Disney's Auluni Resort. The last time we were in Hawai'i we visited Auluni for a look-see. They've done a really nice job of the resort! We'd probably buy into the resort if 1) it was simpler to get there, and, 2) it wasn't so expensive!
We'll have a week there and then we fly home. Michael managed to score first class seats for us at an affordable price!!! Haven't flown first class since that time on AirCanada with plenty of champagne and a gift of a bottle of brandy (they didn't have any single malt scotch :( on board). I think we were flying Economy and talked our way up to some vacant seats in First.
These will be our first two cruises on Carnival. Hopefully not too raucous! We have booked both The Steakhouse and The Chef's Table for both cruises. We heard just last night that we'd scored the Table on this first cruise. The one later this year had already confirmed our time slot. The Table includes a tour of the kitchen and the food looks great! The Steakhouse is very old-school and the dishes should be good, too. I'm already picking out my meal from the on-line menu!
Disney, after twenty back to back cruises had paled a bit. So we're branching out. Besides the two Carnival cruises this year, we have a Disney Westbound Panama Canal cruise (through the new locks) in April 2018 [couldn't really leave Disney high and dry, eh?] and a second cruise on the Crown Princess in November. The last-named cruise takes us from Rome around the Mediterranean with a few stops (we'll finally get to visit the Sacra Familia on foot and not just from the top of a bus in Barcelona, the Cinque Terre villages, and a few other stops) and across the Atlantic to New York City. We're celebrating the husband's retirement of our friend and several other people we've sailed with are joining us! If we can manage it, there might be a Broadway show or two in the itinerary, too, before returning to San Miguel.
So between the cruises and the visits to the timeshares we own at, we'll keep busy!
Cabo was good, though Paula and Tim only had a few days with us as they had to wait until the new show was in place before they left town. And my sister-in-law was rather ill during most of the two weeks we were there. As a result, we ate most of our meals - other than those we (Michael) cooked - at the on-site restaurant - all of which were quite tasty!
During the day, we followed our favorite bartender around between the two pool bars and tried a few new drinks.. Yummy!
Michael was supposed to pick up his discount card for the airline we flew to Cabo on - Calafia - but it was a comedy of errors. They sent the card to their offices in downtown Leon - a large city - and then they offered to send it to the airport in Guadalajara - about a 5-hours trip from San Miguel. Then they would mail it to our home; then they couldn't mail it anywhere - a pickup in person was required. After numerous calls and a couple of trips to the office in Los Cabos - luckily not too far from the resort at which we were staying - they decided that they could send it to the airport in Leon (much more accessible) and we'll be there later tihs week. Let's hope the card is there!
There were several things that needed adjusting in the Luna, but they finally got them all taken care of just before we left. Luckily - I guess - my brother and his wife had several more weeks at the resort.
In the very near future, we'll be off to Florida (this Saturday, as a matter of fact) for a Carnival cruise to the western Caribbean. This will be our first cruise on Carnival - a second one is booked sailing from Vancouver to (and around) the Hawai'ian islands this coming September. Once there, we'll be staying for five days at Disney's Auluni Resort. The last time we were in Hawai'i we visited Auluni for a look-see. They've done a really nice job of the resort! We'd probably buy into the resort if 1) it was simpler to get there, and, 2) it wasn't so expensive!
We'll have a week there and then we fly home. Michael managed to score first class seats for us at an affordable price!!! Haven't flown first class since that time on AirCanada with plenty of champagne and a gift of a bottle of brandy (they didn't have any single malt scotch :( on board). I think we were flying Economy and talked our way up to some vacant seats in First.
These will be our first two cruises on Carnival. Hopefully not too raucous! We have booked both The Steakhouse and The Chef's Table for both cruises. We heard just last night that we'd scored the Table on this first cruise. The one later this year had already confirmed our time slot. The Table includes a tour of the kitchen and the food looks great! The Steakhouse is very old-school and the dishes should be good, too. I'm already picking out my meal from the on-line menu!
Disney, after twenty back to back cruises had paled a bit. So we're branching out. Besides the two Carnival cruises this year, we have a Disney Westbound Panama Canal cruise (through the new locks) in April 2018 [couldn't really leave Disney high and dry, eh?] and a second cruise on the Crown Princess in November. The last-named cruise takes us from Rome around the Mediterranean with a few stops (we'll finally get to visit the Sacra Familia on foot and not just from the top of a bus in Barcelona, the Cinque Terre villages, and a few other stops) and across the Atlantic to New York City. We're celebrating the husband's retirement of our friend and several other people we've sailed with are joining us! If we can manage it, there might be a Broadway show or two in the itinerary, too, before returning to San Miguel.
So between the cruises and the visits to the timeshares we own at, we'll keep busy!
Thursday, January 12, 2017
Traveling Again
Seven more sleeps and we're off to Cabo San Lucas for our annual get-together of the Boyer kids! While all three of us together is a short period this time (only 4 days), it's always good to see each other in the flesh! We arrive the same day and within minutes as Chuck and Jane in another terminal and leave the same day as Paula and Tim.
Chuck and Jane (who have many weeks at Club Cascadas de Baja and kindly host us all) put up with our invasion. Michael and I are spending 2 weeks with them and we're joined by my sister, Paula, and her husband, Tim, for those precious 4 days. And we appreciate them making the trip.
One of the topics of conversation will be the gathering in Kentucky for the Solar Eclipse in August later this year. Yes, I suppose that we could arrange it over the internet, but in person will be so much more fun. Must remember to take our travel details with us or all is lost. Luckily we've only researched flights, not booked them.
And we need to talk about things beginning next year. Michael and I will then own three weeks on our own, so do we trek to Cabo early in the year or not? Of course our three weeks don't match up with any of Chuck's and Jane's weeks. And they're for sale, but no one has made an offer on any of them, so unless we can rent them out, we'll be there for a week in the spring and for two weeks just before Christmas.
Hmm, four or five weeks in Cabo - won't be enough time and funds to go around so that we can cruise enough.... We'll need to see what the finances turn out to be.
We bought them several years before we could use them as an investment - but now we're thinking, maybe we need to use them a bit ourselves. At least until they sell! Once sold, we'll be back sharing with Chuck and Jane (watch out, guys!)
Nine days after we return from Cabo - just long enough for the dogs to be reminded of who we are - we head out to the Western Caribbean to visit Noel Coward's former home and burial site. He loved Jamaica and I think we will too. We're experimenting with Carnival Cruise Line as they go to a port on the correct side of the island to visit Noel. Unfortunately our airline that we booked on no longer flies into Ft Lauderdale, so we have a bit of a trek to make from Miami!
Then in March we go to Nuevo Vallarta (north of Puerto Vallarta) for a coupe of weeks. Then all is quiet for nearly 4 months - can your believe it? I'm sure we're be writing about the solar eclipse in Kentucky and the cruise from Vancouver, British Columbia to Hawai'i and our stay at Aulani (Disney's resort in Hawai'i) at the end of the cruise, too. We visited Aulani when we took a cruise on Disney Cruise Line a few years ago, but this will be our first time staying there.
Looking ahead to 2018, we have a Panama Canal cruise on Carnival, again, some more time in Cabo (what are we going to do with all those weeks?), and a TransAtlantic cruise on Princess with friends from Rome through northern Italy, France, Spain, and the Azores with time in NYC, as well as a final two weeks in Cabo, again. By that time we'll be through saving up for the 2017 trips, so we should have a few more vacations in the offing....
I know it seems that we're always traveling, but what else is there to do after retirement? Sit in one spot and age? The aging happens all by itself. We've also got our Las Vegas and Orlando timeshares to find other trades for. (Sorry for ending that sentence with a preposition!) Maybe an interesting set of operas in Santa Fe, NM (I hope)?
Chuck and Jane (who have many weeks at Club Cascadas de Baja and kindly host us all) put up with our invasion. Michael and I are spending 2 weeks with them and we're joined by my sister, Paula, and her husband, Tim, for those precious 4 days. And we appreciate them making the trip.
One of the topics of conversation will be the gathering in Kentucky for the Solar Eclipse in August later this year. Yes, I suppose that we could arrange it over the internet, but in person will be so much more fun. Must remember to take our travel details with us or all is lost. Luckily we've only researched flights, not booked them.
And we need to talk about things beginning next year. Michael and I will then own three weeks on our own, so do we trek to Cabo early in the year or not? Of course our three weeks don't match up with any of Chuck's and Jane's weeks. And they're for sale, but no one has made an offer on any of them, so unless we can rent them out, we'll be there for a week in the spring and for two weeks just before Christmas.
Hmm, four or five weeks in Cabo - won't be enough time and funds to go around so that we can cruise enough.... We'll need to see what the finances turn out to be.
We bought them several years before we could use them as an investment - but now we're thinking, maybe we need to use them a bit ourselves. At least until they sell! Once sold, we'll be back sharing with Chuck and Jane (watch out, guys!)
Nine days after we return from Cabo - just long enough for the dogs to be reminded of who we are - we head out to the Western Caribbean to visit Noel Coward's former home and burial site. He loved Jamaica and I think we will too. We're experimenting with Carnival Cruise Line as they go to a port on the correct side of the island to visit Noel. Unfortunately our airline that we booked on no longer flies into Ft Lauderdale, so we have a bit of a trek to make from Miami!
Then in March we go to Nuevo Vallarta (north of Puerto Vallarta) for a coupe of weeks. Then all is quiet for nearly 4 months - can your believe it? I'm sure we're be writing about the solar eclipse in Kentucky and the cruise from Vancouver, British Columbia to Hawai'i and our stay at Aulani (Disney's resort in Hawai'i) at the end of the cruise, too. We visited Aulani when we took a cruise on Disney Cruise Line a few years ago, but this will be our first time staying there.
Looking ahead to 2018, we have a Panama Canal cruise on Carnival, again, some more time in Cabo (what are we going to do with all those weeks?), and a TransAtlantic cruise on Princess with friends from Rome through northern Italy, France, Spain, and the Azores with time in NYC, as well as a final two weeks in Cabo, again. By that time we'll be through saving up for the 2017 trips, so we should have a few more vacations in the offing....
I know it seems that we're always traveling, but what else is there to do after retirement? Sit in one spot and age? The aging happens all by itself. We've also got our Las Vegas and Orlando timeshares to find other trades for. (Sorry for ending that sentence with a preposition!) Maybe an interesting set of operas in Santa Fe, NM (I hope)?
Friday, December 2, 2016
Well, that was exciting...
We're home again after a bridf trip to Puerto Vallarta. Brief on purpose, i.e., planned in sdvance when we bought the return airfare.
Our flight got us there late enough that we hurriedly unpacked and trotted off to dinner. Although they had laid on a grand buffet, we ordered from the menu and enjoyed our selections greatly. The margaritas were also tasty and the best that we had at the resort the whole time. They were all good, but these were excellent!
The next morning we enjoyed the breakfast buffet and then, after walking around the resort, made our way to the upper pool for relaxation and more margaritas. Two pools (the upper spilling over into the lower pool), lots of comfy lounges, umbrellas, and greenery (which they decided to trim later that morning). The trimming - aided by helpers with machetes and ropes - managed to dislodge a pretty big iguana (whose tail was longer than his body....).
There were also chairs spaced throughout the banks of loungers (the second day I opted for the chairs as it was simpler to get up out of them than the loungers) and a scattering of umbrellas. Unfortunately there was also people scattered around the area and some of them were loud and really should have spent their time elsewhere...get the picture? They must have been wealthy as they spent 5 months a year absent from Montana - but they were cheap and delighted in regaling everyone around them with their method for saving money. Cheap b*****ds!
Later that day we met up with friends from San Miguel who had moved to PV at a restaurant [Victor's] which was nearby, tasty, and relatively cheap. Catching up with friends is was it's all about, eh?
On Thursday morning was rose early, packed, and found a taxi to the airport. As we checked in for a 9 am flight, the agent knew that the plane would be late enough to guarantee us a free breakfast, so we got the voucher automatically and headed off to Wings to redeem it. Good breakfast and then we went through security to find the gate. And we waited and waited for our flight to be called. No luck!
Eventually it was called and we were shuttled off to a section for local flights and a specific gate number (and time). But the time passed and we still hadn't been called. Then we noticed that the destination stated on the monitor had changed and we went searching for the new gate. About this time we started talking with a fellow who was from PV - waiting for the same plane - who was going to connect in BJX with a flight onward. So we commiserated about plane service for a while.
Eventually we learned that our flight would take off out of Gate 1, so we moved down there. Then the word came (no announcements were ever made) that our flight would be from Gate 4. So we lined up and proceeded to the gate. However, once Michael's boarding pass was torn, the agent said 'No, this isn't the flight to BJX, it's going to Mexico City' and handed both parts of his boarding pass back to him.
Eventually Gate 4 was the correct gate for our flight to BJX (six hours later) and 45 minutes after we took off we landed, reclaimed our luggage, and found our shuttle the rest of the way home. Interjet has a long way to go as far as notifying passengers where to find their planes! (Or perhaps the airport does?)
And so today, we unpacked our suitcases (we think we'll try taking a small suitcase to Cabo, too), went to breakfast with friends, picked up the sofa covers we'd had cleaned while out of town, and now we just need to pick up the mail that is waiting for us.
Oh, and reply to some friends who are planing to visit in December....
Our flight got us there late enough that we hurriedly unpacked and trotted off to dinner. Although they had laid on a grand buffet, we ordered from the menu and enjoyed our selections greatly. The margaritas were also tasty and the best that we had at the resort the whole time. They were all good, but these were excellent!
The next morning we enjoyed the breakfast buffet and then, after walking around the resort, made our way to the upper pool for relaxation and more margaritas. Two pools (the upper spilling over into the lower pool), lots of comfy lounges, umbrellas, and greenery (which they decided to trim later that morning). The trimming - aided by helpers with machetes and ropes - managed to dislodge a pretty big iguana (whose tail was longer than his body....).
There were also chairs spaced throughout the banks of loungers (the second day I opted for the chairs as it was simpler to get up out of them than the loungers) and a scattering of umbrellas. Unfortunately there was also people scattered around the area and some of them were loud and really should have spent their time elsewhere...get the picture? They must have been wealthy as they spent 5 months a year absent from Montana - but they were cheap and delighted in regaling everyone around them with their method for saving money. Cheap b*****ds!
Later that day we met up with friends from San Miguel who had moved to PV at a restaurant [Victor's] which was nearby, tasty, and relatively cheap. Catching up with friends is was it's all about, eh?
On Thursday morning was rose early, packed, and found a taxi to the airport. As we checked in for a 9 am flight, the agent knew that the plane would be late enough to guarantee us a free breakfast, so we got the voucher automatically and headed off to Wings to redeem it. Good breakfast and then we went through security to find the gate. And we waited and waited for our flight to be called. No luck!
Eventually it was called and we were shuttled off to a section for local flights and a specific gate number (and time). But the time passed and we still hadn't been called. Then we noticed that the destination stated on the monitor had changed and we went searching for the new gate. About this time we started talking with a fellow who was from PV - waiting for the same plane - who was going to connect in BJX with a flight onward. So we commiserated about plane service for a while.
Eventually we learned that our flight would take off out of Gate 1, so we moved down there. Then the word came (no announcements were ever made) that our flight would be from Gate 4. So we lined up and proceeded to the gate. However, once Michael's boarding pass was torn, the agent said 'No, this isn't the flight to BJX, it's going to Mexico City' and handed both parts of his boarding pass back to him.
Eventually Gate 4 was the correct gate for our flight to BJX (six hours later) and 45 minutes after we took off we landed, reclaimed our luggage, and found our shuttle the rest of the way home. Interjet has a long way to go as far as notifying passengers where to find their planes! (Or perhaps the airport does?)
And so today, we unpacked our suitcases (we think we'll try taking a small suitcase to Cabo, too), went to breakfast with friends, picked up the sofa covers we'd had cleaned while out of town, and now we just need to pick up the mail that is waiting for us.
Oh, and reply to some friends who are planing to visit in December....
Sunday, November 27, 2016
Off to Puerto Vallarta...
...for a few days. It will be nice to visit PV when it's not steaming hot for a change. The humidity, combined with the heat, does do me in, a bit. However, it's winter in San Miguel and while the sun is still hot, there's a chilly wind that blows. Walking down our street, the sun is nice and hot - did we need to wear our long-sleeved shirts? Then, when we turn the corner to walk into town, the blast of cold air tells us, yes, that was the thing to do!
So, PV is running mid-80s this week - a good time to spend a few days there. Now if our airline wouldn't have changed our flight time from mid-afternoon to early evening it would have afforded us a bit more time in that fair city it's only an hour-long flight). Guess there won't be any sun bathing time today by the time we get to the resort.
And there won't be any really tasty muffins such as we were served the last time we flew TAR airlines from Queretero first thing in the morning. But we're flying out of León today much later in the day - pity! [Wonder if we have checked in online yet? Guess I could try to do so and find out if it's already been done....or just wait for Michael to wake up and ask him if he took care of it!]
And I guess there are no great plans for our time in PV: lie on the beach, lie around the pool, eat/drink, walk into town (maybe), shop at Liverpool for new khakis (the Liverpool in Cabo San Lucas doesn't "do" clothing and the one in San Miguel - up the hill - is up the hill which requires using a bus that's usually a bit on the worn side of it's life.)
The dogs have been shipped off to Creature Comforts for nearly a week as of yesterday. The house is quite quiet for a change. They'll enjoy their time there - a large separate area for the two of them, two walks a day through the campo (yes, even Miyake enjoys it when she deigns to participate in a walk), sent along their usual foods so no surprises there. And they'll be home on Friday (we return sometime on Thursday).
And now it's time for me to crawl back in bed for a couple more hours of sleep....
So, PV is running mid-80s this week - a good time to spend a few days there. Now if our airline wouldn't have changed our flight time from mid-afternoon to early evening it would have afforded us a bit more time in that fair city it's only an hour-long flight). Guess there won't be any sun bathing time today by the time we get to the resort.
And there won't be any really tasty muffins such as we were served the last time we flew TAR airlines from Queretero first thing in the morning. But we're flying out of León today much later in the day - pity! [Wonder if we have checked in online yet? Guess I could try to do so and find out if it's already been done....or just wait for Michael to wake up and ask him if he took care of it!]
And I guess there are no great plans for our time in PV: lie on the beach, lie around the pool, eat/drink, walk into town (maybe), shop at Liverpool for new khakis (the Liverpool in Cabo San Lucas doesn't "do" clothing and the one in San Miguel - up the hill - is up the hill which requires using a bus that's usually a bit on the worn side of it's life.)
The dogs have been shipped off to Creature Comforts for nearly a week as of yesterday. The house is quite quiet for a change. They'll enjoy their time there - a large separate area for the two of them, two walks a day through the campo (yes, even Miyake enjoys it when she deigns to participate in a walk), sent along their usual foods so no surprises there. And they'll be home on Friday (we return sometime on Thursday).
And now it's time for me to crawl back in bed for a couple more hours of sleep....
Saturday, November 5, 2016
Cruising with Friends
The last time we cruised with this group, it was a larger group. We missed some of those missing this time; others not so much.
This time our packing had to include our costumes for Hallowe'en! The group included one Wendy, one Smee, one hungry crocodile (with tick-tocking clock) and a bunch of the lost boys dressed in disguise as animals. I was the crocodile and Michael was a fox. Although most of us didn't make it back to the Lounge for judging (didn't even check our telephone in the cabin until the next morning), our group came in second for Groups! Bravo to all those who braved costumes for drinks and dinner! But never again!
We've decided that we're done with Tortola after this trip. Saw very little of it as we transferred to St John's for a tour of that island. Which is beautiful!!! And the Rockefeller property is now a private hotel - right on the ocean. The property that was formerly a sugar plantation is great, too. Had a really interesting guide on the tour, even if he was a little too much into healthcare and the use of natural plants.
WDW was ideal. Our room at the Boardwalk was not the 'upper floor' that we had requested, but nicely furnished if a bit of a trek through corridors. It was close to boat transportation to the backdoor of EPCOT, though - which we used a lot. Got our commemorative tumblers, saw the new version of Soarin', used the various transportation options to visit Animal Kingdom/Lodge where we caught up with friends with whom we visited on last year's trip, the Party of the Senses (wonderful food and matching wines), all the little booths around 'the World', and even enjoyed the new ride in Norway - Frozen, of course.
The last morning found us waiting for our bus to the airport and thence onward to Mexico City and San Miguel de Allende. Thank goodness AeroMexico still believes in feeding us - for free - on the nonstop trip home.
When we finally woke up, the next day found us unpacking, washing, and waiting for the doglets to come home - which they eventually did! Now it's a few weeks at home and then it's off to Puerto Vallarta for a few days after Thanksgiving.
This time our packing had to include our costumes for Hallowe'en! The group included one Wendy, one Smee, one hungry crocodile (with tick-tocking clock) and a bunch of the lost boys dressed in disguise as animals. I was the crocodile and Michael was a fox. Although most of us didn't make it back to the Lounge for judging (didn't even check our telephone in the cabin until the next morning), our group came in second for Groups! Bravo to all those who braved costumes for drinks and dinner! But never again!
We've decided that we're done with Tortola after this trip. Saw very little of it as we transferred to St John's for a tour of that island. Which is beautiful!!! And the Rockefeller property is now a private hotel - right on the ocean. The property that was formerly a sugar plantation is great, too. Had a really interesting guide on the tour, even if he was a little too much into healthcare and the use of natural plants.
WDW was ideal. Our room at the Boardwalk was not the 'upper floor' that we had requested, but nicely furnished if a bit of a trek through corridors. It was close to boat transportation to the backdoor of EPCOT, though - which we used a lot. Got our commemorative tumblers, saw the new version of Soarin', used the various transportation options to visit Animal Kingdom/Lodge where we caught up with friends with whom we visited on last year's trip, the Party of the Senses (wonderful food and matching wines), all the little booths around 'the World', and even enjoyed the new ride in Norway - Frozen, of course.
The last morning found us waiting for our bus to the airport and thence onward to Mexico City and San Miguel de Allende. Thank goodness AeroMexico still believes in feeding us - for free - on the nonstop trip home.
When we finally woke up, the next day found us unpacking, washing, and waiting for the doglets to come home - which they eventually did! Now it's a few weeks at home and then it's off to Puerto Vallarta for a few days after Thanksgiving.
Thursday, October 20, 2016
Disney Voyage No. 20
Well, here it is, 11:35 pm and we're waiting to be picked up by the midnight shuttle that will take us to Mexico city airport for our 6 am flight to Florida!
Yes, we're off on another trip - this time a one-week voyage with friends from faceBook on the Disney Fantasy followed by several days at Walt Disney World for the Food and Wine festival. We're even going to make it to the last of the Party of the Senses gala (got seats this time, too, so we don't have to keep moseying around between food and wine stations).
We're staying at the Boardwalk Resort, so we can walk to EPCOT and into the Party of the Senses building. During our time at WDW we'll also be dining with my former boss and her husband from California. Why not meet up at WDW?!? It's between Mexico and Southern California, no?
Life is good!
Yes, we're off on another trip - this time a one-week voyage with friends from faceBook on the Disney Fantasy followed by several days at Walt Disney World for the Food and Wine festival. We're even going to make it to the last of the Party of the Senses gala (got seats this time, too, so we don't have to keep moseying around between food and wine stations).
We're staying at the Boardwalk Resort, so we can walk to EPCOT and into the Party of the Senses building. During our time at WDW we'll also be dining with my former boss and her husband from California. Why not meet up at WDW?!? It's between Mexico and Southern California, no?
Life is good!
Sunday, September 18, 2016
Meanwhile, Between Trips...
Well, we're back from our first vacation (not counting the trip to the Santa Fe Opera). We've washed the clothes, unpacked, and begun gathering things for the next cruise!
The Opera was great, as usual. The only problem was when we received a note on the cell phone in the middle of the last night that told us our flight had been cancelled. Turns out a weather system in DFW had prevented flights going to ABQ, so there were no planes to load us onto for the return trip to DFW. And the resort at which we were staying couldn't accommodate us for an extra night because they were booked up!
So we drove down to ABQ as originally planned, called the Hilton Place near the airport (with the assistance of Travelers' Aid) and got situated in a top-floor corner unit with huge TVs, et cetera. The following morning we took their shuttle to the airport and flew home.
Our Panama Canal Cruise was great fun. The kids stayed at the new 'ranch' and seemed to do well until it was time to come home, when they both got tangled in the brush in the campo.... Baths and brushing were called for upon their return. But they were happy, rested, and had eaten well while there.
The flights were unexciting, other than the last minute cancellation we mentioned above. Shopping in Santa Fe was fun (didn't buy much - turned down that chance of rejuvenation priced at $4000! for both of us), and ate at several of our favorite restaurants. Used the free shuttle from the resort several times to trek out (and back) to said restaurants. I had started some new meds and drank a little too much one night....
Didn't buy a timeshare that we were thinking of in Santa Fe!!! Thank goodness - but it would haave been neat to talk about 'our place in Santa Fe'.
In all, a nice trip. Managed to brunch and dine with our friends who live there. Shopped at stores that aren't available in Mexico. That sort of thing.
And now we're gearing up for a shorter cruise with time at WDW (the last one was 14 days on the ship plus time at Universal Studios [finally got to see Harry Potter Land] and Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, and EPCOT at WDW). This cruise is only a week plus the park time. Want me to show you my wand?
Stay tuned!
The Opera was great, as usual. The only problem was when we received a note on the cell phone in the middle of the last night that told us our flight had been cancelled. Turns out a weather system in DFW had prevented flights going to ABQ, so there were no planes to load us onto for the return trip to DFW. And the resort at which we were staying couldn't accommodate us for an extra night because they were booked up!
So we drove down to ABQ as originally planned, called the Hilton Place near the airport (with the assistance of Travelers' Aid) and got situated in a top-floor corner unit with huge TVs, et cetera. The following morning we took their shuttle to the airport and flew home.
Our Panama Canal Cruise was great fun. The kids stayed at the new 'ranch' and seemed to do well until it was time to come home, when they both got tangled in the brush in the campo.... Baths and brushing were called for upon their return. But they were happy, rested, and had eaten well while there.
The flights were unexciting, other than the last minute cancellation we mentioned above. Shopping in Santa Fe was fun (didn't buy much - turned down that chance of rejuvenation priced at $4000! for both of us), and ate at several of our favorite restaurants. Used the free shuttle from the resort several times to trek out (and back) to said restaurants. I had started some new meds and drank a little too much one night....
Didn't buy a timeshare that we were thinking of in Santa Fe!!! Thank goodness - but it would haave been neat to talk about 'our place in Santa Fe'.
In all, a nice trip. Managed to brunch and dine with our friends who live there. Shopped at stores that aren't available in Mexico. That sort of thing.
And now we're gearing up for a shorter cruise with time at WDW (the last one was 14 days on the ship plus time at Universal Studios [finally got to see Harry Potter Land] and Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, and EPCOT at WDW). This cruise is only a week plus the park time. Want me to show you my wand?
Stay tuned!
Saturday, July 16, 2016
Balancing Travel and Household Needs
So, as we prepare for a Fall full of travel, things are going south around the house.
Travel Plans - We leave in early August for a week in Santa Fe for 4 operas (the fifth opera was one we're seen several times and it didn't seem to be necessary in our lives). We've also opted for a prepared dinner each night rather than the buffet with knowledgeable talk about that night's opera.
Later in August trailing into mid-September we'll be on the Disney Wonder sailing through the Panama Canal from San Diego to Florida, followed by several days at Universal City for a Harry Potter fest - at long last.
Then in late October it's a cruise on the Disney Fantasy with friends from a previous cruise followed by time at Walt Disney World for Food and Wine. We'll find out next Thursday whether we get the part of the F/W festival that we'd like to have.
Followed by several days in November in Puerto Vallarta at a resort that is new to us.
And in January 2017 we'll be off to Cabo for a family gathering of siblings in the last year before our ownership kicks in.
Then nothing til September when it's a flight to Vancouver for a cruise to Hawai'i then time at Disney's Aulani.
Phwew!
PROBLEMS AROUND THE HOUSE - So, of course, things are breaking around the house! The usual Pet B 'n' B we used during travel will be closed for the first trip in August, so we're checking out another spot next week. Larger and more organized, we're not sure how the kids will take to it (or the place will take to our kids) but we'll find out next Friday when we all go for a visit. Since we rather cater to their likes/dislikes for feeding, we're weaning them on to a new combination of foods that will have a greater chance of being followed at the new place. (And simplify life for us if they like it!)
Then the trusty coffee grinder decided it was tired and has to be coaxed into action. We buy our coffee beans in good-sized bags at Costco and grind it each morning so it's fresh! Reading about the Breville grinder we use, people are recommending regular cleaning. Now, this is something that we've never done in the 6 years we've had it. There was never any reason to do so. We use a dark roast coffee bean and things have just been fine all this time. Recently we tried a different bean - Rwandan - that is darker still and rather oily - read 'sticky'. Though that may be the problem, it's really good coffee and I'd hate to abandon it. And since we've pre-mixed the two beans for grinding, it may be a while before we can switch back to a single (non-Rwandan) bean.
I've tried to clean the innards of the grinder, but removing the burr grinding part seems to be problematic. There is a newer Breville model that advertises 'easily removable burrs for cleaning', but it's rather pricey, so we're considering less expensive models...and in the meanwhile, we try to coax the present grinder into action. The last time at Costco, we ground the bag of Rwandan coffee before we took it home, so there's always that to hold us.
And lastly (to date) we've noticed that our front-loading Bosch washer (which has had minor problems since we moved it to Mexico with us) has decided to fill with water - even though turned 'off' - between uses. The first time (yesterday) it was only slightly filled; this morning it was half-full and went everywhere when Michael opened the door! So it will finally be time to replace it with a agitator-less tub model by Daewoo, I think. And we can save a couple hundred pesos by opting for a silver or white model instead of the fire-engine red one! (Probably not worth the cost for a paint job - sigh!)
You'd think everything could just wait until next year before going 'boink'! It will make affording all this and the travel a little more challenging, but we have non-refundable deposits everywhere so we'll be going.... At least we can turn off the water supply to the washer to prevent unwanted tub-filling until there's a sale on the washer! Hope it's not while we're gone somewhere....
Travel Plans - We leave in early August for a week in Santa Fe for 4 operas (the fifth opera was one we're seen several times and it didn't seem to be necessary in our lives). We've also opted for a prepared dinner each night rather than the buffet with knowledgeable talk about that night's opera.
Later in August trailing into mid-September we'll be on the Disney Wonder sailing through the Panama Canal from San Diego to Florida, followed by several days at Universal City for a Harry Potter fest - at long last.
Then in late October it's a cruise on the Disney Fantasy with friends from a previous cruise followed by time at Walt Disney World for Food and Wine. We'll find out next Thursday whether we get the part of the F/W festival that we'd like to have.
Followed by several days in November in Puerto Vallarta at a resort that is new to us.
And in January 2017 we'll be off to Cabo for a family gathering of siblings in the last year before our ownership kicks in.
Then nothing til September when it's a flight to Vancouver for a cruise to Hawai'i then time at Disney's Aulani.
Phwew!
PROBLEMS AROUND THE HOUSE - So, of course, things are breaking around the house! The usual Pet B 'n' B we used during travel will be closed for the first trip in August, so we're checking out another spot next week. Larger and more organized, we're not sure how the kids will take to it (or the place will take to our kids) but we'll find out next Friday when we all go for a visit. Since we rather cater to their likes/dislikes for feeding, we're weaning them on to a new combination of foods that will have a greater chance of being followed at the new place. (And simplify life for us if they like it!)
Then the trusty coffee grinder decided it was tired and has to be coaxed into action. We buy our coffee beans in good-sized bags at Costco and grind it each morning so it's fresh! Reading about the Breville grinder we use, people are recommending regular cleaning. Now, this is something that we've never done in the 6 years we've had it. There was never any reason to do so. We use a dark roast coffee bean and things have just been fine all this time. Recently we tried a different bean - Rwandan - that is darker still and rather oily - read 'sticky'. Though that may be the problem, it's really good coffee and I'd hate to abandon it. And since we've pre-mixed the two beans for grinding, it may be a while before we can switch back to a single (non-Rwandan) bean.
I've tried to clean the innards of the grinder, but removing the burr grinding part seems to be problematic. There is a newer Breville model that advertises 'easily removable burrs for cleaning', but it's rather pricey, so we're considering less expensive models...and in the meanwhile, we try to coax the present grinder into action. The last time at Costco, we ground the bag of Rwandan coffee before we took it home, so there's always that to hold us.
And lastly (to date) we've noticed that our front-loading Bosch washer (which has had minor problems since we moved it to Mexico with us) has decided to fill with water - even though turned 'off' - between uses. The first time (yesterday) it was only slightly filled; this morning it was half-full and went everywhere when Michael opened the door! So it will finally be time to replace it with a agitator-less tub model by Daewoo, I think. And we can save a couple hundred pesos by opting for a silver or white model instead of the fire-engine red one! (Probably not worth the cost for a paint job - sigh!)
You'd think everything could just wait until next year before going 'boink'! It will make affording all this and the travel a little more challenging, but we have non-refundable deposits everywhere so we'll be going.... At least we can turn off the water supply to the washer to prevent unwanted tub-filling until there's a sale on the washer! Hope it's not while we're gone somewhere....
Monday, July 11, 2016
Oh, Boy, Rain!
What started out as a gentle rain has suddenly turned vicious! That gentle sprinkle quickly worsened, the lightening and thunder turned into a constantly rolling thunder - even when the lightening wasn't obvious. Thunder has been roiling and rolling for the last 10 - 15 minutes while the rain has intensified and lessened then intensified again, but not given up!
Luckily, Michael went up to the third floor and placed towels at the base of all the windows and doors. Guess we should have had the windows in the cupola grouted when we had the chance!
And now Michael is reporting hail is coming down.
We did have a blackout a few minutes ago with the resulting bings, bangs, and ringing when the power turned back on. Since the blackout affects the modem and router, anything connected to the system sounds off when the power is restored.
Luckily, we had prepared a tuna noodle casserole for dinner tonight, and we're taking advantage of the passing storm to let it cool off a bit!
Luckily, Michael went up to the third floor and placed towels at the base of all the windows and doors. Guess we should have had the windows in the cupola grouted when we had the chance!
And now Michael is reporting hail is coming down.
We did have a blackout a few minutes ago with the resulting bings, bangs, and ringing when the power turned back on. Since the blackout affects the modem and router, anything connected to the system sounds off when the power is restored.
Luckily, we had prepared a tuna noodle casserole for dinner tonight, and we're taking advantage of the passing storm to let it cool off a bit!
Saturday, June 11, 2016
Later
Well, the predicted rain has reached us! What started out as a gentle rain - straight down, no wind - has become more forceful. Of course, it arrived just as we were feeding the dogs their evening meal, so they were sort of freaked out! Storms do that to them.
At least there's still no wind, so we don't have to charge up the stairway to the roof top to put towels around the windows and door. I suppose we should be thankful for small favors.
What started out as rolling thunder has become more strident thunder - crashing, even. But the rain has remained the same - perhaps even lessening a bit.
Michael has moved the van out from under the balcony overhang so that there's a chance of it being completely washed by the rainfall.
Miyake is sleeping beneath Michael's work table; Fiyero has just moved over to my side - looking worried. Somehow I don't think telling him that 'everything is okay' convinces him that that is so!
Hopefully it will stop raining before it is time to go to bed, or it may be futile to convince them to follow us upstairs....downstairs is safer.
Time for another drink!
At least there's still no wind, so we don't have to charge up the stairway to the roof top to put towels around the windows and door. I suppose we should be thankful for small favors.
What started out as rolling thunder has become more strident thunder - crashing, even. But the rain has remained the same - perhaps even lessening a bit.
Michael has moved the van out from under the balcony overhang so that there's a chance of it being completely washed by the rainfall.
Miyake is sleeping beneath Michael's work table; Fiyero has just moved over to my side - looking worried. Somehow I don't think telling him that 'everything is okay' convinces him that that is so!
Hopefully it will stop raining before it is time to go to bed, or it may be futile to convince them to follow us upstairs....downstairs is safer.
Time for another drink!
Excitement?
Looking at another blogger's post - showing a picture of the shiner he received while playing rugby - I thought, Gee, what if we lived an exciting life?
Instead, I'm reporting that it rained last night! Or even that just wait until we start traveling again (August) when things will be happening, though I may not remember to post about it until it's all a blur...and I sum it up in a few sentences.
In the meanwhile, I can report that according to the weather map on the BBC, we're to have rain 'sometime' today.
And we're walking into downtown to pick up a package containing a new crocodile hat, the first one having been mangled before we got it. The hat is a necessity because we're (a group sailing together on the Disney Cruise Line) are going to dinner one night in costume as the Lost Boys from Peter Pan. Now you may not remember a boy dressed as a crocodile, but there was a certain crocodile who lusted after the rest of Captain Hook after tasting his hand - and who swallowed a ticking clock. I've got the clock to hang around my neck (its ticks nicely) while wearing my crocodile suit and needed the hat to finish off the costume. The suit is a 'onesiee' style (think jammies).
Michael, on the other hand, is wearing a more traditional lost boys costume which involves a fox hat... Disney not allowing face-covering costumes on board ship. His costume is of mascot quality, but we had to substitute the hat for the head piece (see above reason).
Michael has just announced that the shower is available, so that's all for now, folks!
Instead, I'm reporting that it rained last night! Or even that just wait until we start traveling again (August) when things will be happening, though I may not remember to post about it until it's all a blur...and I sum it up in a few sentences.
In the meanwhile, I can report that according to the weather map on the BBC, we're to have rain 'sometime' today.
And we're walking into downtown to pick up a package containing a new crocodile hat, the first one having been mangled before we got it. The hat is a necessity because we're (a group sailing together on the Disney Cruise Line) are going to dinner one night in costume as the Lost Boys from Peter Pan. Now you may not remember a boy dressed as a crocodile, but there was a certain crocodile who lusted after the rest of Captain Hook after tasting his hand - and who swallowed a ticking clock. I've got the clock to hang around my neck (its ticks nicely) while wearing my crocodile suit and needed the hat to finish off the costume. The suit is a 'onesiee' style (think jammies).
Michael, on the other hand, is wearing a more traditional lost boys costume which involves a fox hat... Disney not allowing face-covering costumes on board ship. His costume is of mascot quality, but we had to substitute the hat for the head piece (see above reason).
Michael has just announced that the shower is available, so that's all for now, folks!
Wednesday, June 8, 2016
Rain Update
[Guess we don't have the ability to save a partial post as a draft for further notations. Day-before-yesterday's draft is gone!]
So I was talking about the fact that we've had rain - and thunder and lightning - for several recent nights. Monday night was only a distant thunder and lightning show. Last night, een though rain was predicted, was a big zero. We're hoping that tonight's predicted rainfall comes through. The rain at night is 1) while we're asleep, and 2) almost not noticeable, and 3) really cools things down. Tho' the dogs are quite aware of it and either hide next to the bed or hop up on the bed and snuggle closely.
I see that rain is predicted most days for the next 14 days. However, since we don't have an airport in town - so no 'official' weather reporting - it's mostly a guess-and-by-golly affair. I suppose that some of that predicted rain is 'nearby' and that's what counts when your forecast site is from Britain!
We do have some local amateur weather stations that will tell you what happened, but must rely on the British site for forecasts.
In other news, I have a molar that's killing me! If I poke around in my mouth with a finger to try and identify which tooth is the problem, it's sometimes difficult to locate the offending tooth. It would be nice to say it's X tooth, ya know? But try eating something and you'd think it was my entire mouth! Guess I'll have to break down and visit a dentist tomorrow. Figuring it will probably take a root canal to sort things out, I've done some research and there's a well-recommended one that is walkable from our house. Guess I'll walk down there tomorrow morning to see what's what.
(You may know that I hate going to the doctor. That was what was so nice about belonging to Kaiser when we lived in Los Angeles. Just walk in and someone will take care of you!)
It would be nice if I could be seen tomorrow, but we'll see how that turns out. The doctor splits his time between here and Celaya; not sure what his schedule is. Luckily, Michael has a few Ketorolaco pills left from his implant work; I've taken one and things are feeling pretty good! Of course, the Margarita may be helping that along....
Tuesday, May 24, 2016
Fans, Fans, Everywhere
Seems to be el hot-o time here in San Miguel. The days may start off cool, but it quickly warms up and ourhouses remain hot through the evening.
So it's fans in the dining room, fans in the bedrooms, and a fan in the office. Just moved the bedroom fan so it stirs up the air without blowing directly on us - and I slept until 4 am this morning. Otherwise I would be up several times during the night for more water....
Walks downtown are early in the morning - before things heat up - with return trips to our little fraccionamiento by bus. And if we don't exit the bus at the Mega stop, the bus will let us off at our cross-street!
In somewhat-related news (related because I'm still spending a lot of time going over our cruise plans for the next three years - did you hear that Disney came out with Summer 2017 today?). Also Disney has seen fit to assign us a cabin for our Fantasy voyage in October. This seems to be earlier than usual - the paid-in-full date isn't until 7/24/16 - but it's on their website - Cabin 6690 - so it must be right. It's one of the cabins across the stern on Deck 6 with an extra deep verandah. About as far astern on the ship as we can go without getting our feet wet! It's notated as a 06B in this picture, but it's really a 05E. And this is the Disney Dream, but it's identical to the Disney Fantasy.
So it's fans in the dining room, fans in the bedrooms, and a fan in the office. Just moved the bedroom fan so it stirs up the air without blowing directly on us - and I slept until 4 am this morning. Otherwise I would be up several times during the night for more water....
Walks downtown are early in the morning - before things heat up - with return trips to our little fraccionamiento by bus. And if we don't exit the bus at the Mega stop, the bus will let us off at our cross-street!
In somewhat-related news (related because I'm still spending a lot of time going over our cruise plans for the next three years - did you hear that Disney came out with Summer 2017 today?). Also Disney has seen fit to assign us a cabin for our Fantasy voyage in October. This seems to be earlier than usual - the paid-in-full date isn't until 7/24/16 - but it's on their website - Cabin 6690 - so it must be right. It's one of the cabins across the stern on Deck 6 with an extra deep verandah. About as far astern on the ship as we can go without getting our feet wet! It's notated as a 06B in this picture, but it's really a 05E. And this is the Disney Dream, but it's identical to the Disney Fantasy.
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