BARBADOS: DIRECT FLIGHTS FROM DALLAS

There will soon be direct flights from Dallas to Barbados! 

Staring December 16, 2010, American Airlines will have nonstop flights to Barbados three times a week from Dallas/Ft. Worth.  So now you will have another option in the Caribbean where traveling there will be easy.  Barbados. 

The flights will be on a Boeing 757 offering Business Class and Coach seats.  The flights will depart DFW Thursday, Saturday and Monday at 1:30 p.m., arriving in Barbados at 9 p.m.  The return flights will be on Friday, Sunday and Tuesday departing Barbados at 11 a.m., arriving back in Dallas at 3:30 p.m.     Times will be an hour later from December through March as Barbados does not observe Daylight Savings Time.

Barbados is known as the ‘Gem of the Caribbean’.  This is because Barbados is a place to experience the Caribbean the way it used to be, as nature made it.  Barbados is for those who want to escape artificial and man-made and live the authentic Caribbean.  In Barbados you will find a blend of British and African influences.  Across the island there is rich history and extreme beauty.  And the coast is open and natural; each coast is distinctly different.  On the  West Coast you will find soft beaches, beautiful estates and exclusive resorts.  The East is rugged with hidden harbors, rough waves and spectacular rock formations. 

If surfing is your thing, Barbados has the ‘Soup Bowl’ at the beachside village of Bathsheba, one of the world’s top ten surfing destinations.  Or perhaps four and five star restaurants and what you want while visiting the Caribbean.  Here you will find the only Caribbean island with its own Zagat survey, rating everything from top island chefs to local beachside fish fries.

Of course you will also find excellent scuba diving, snorkeling, sailing, festivals or merely relaxing in one of the many hidden coves. 

I hope you will be able to experience Barbados, the authentic Caribbean, in the near future while American is making it easy to get there with their direct flights.  Contact me soon to begin your trip plans.

Alaska Cruise/Glacier Bay National Park

Two park rangers came on board today while we spent the day in Glacier Bay National Park.  They made what we were seeing come to life by explaining the glaciers and the wildlife we saw.  They would also answer all the questions that everyone had.  The glaciers didn’t look that big but they were 200 feet high and a mile wide.  Glacier Bay National Park is a World Heretiage Site.  Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve encompasses 3.3 million acres of deep coastal fjords, glacier-clad mountains, and forested lands.  Those who enter the park must have a permit, so while we were in Glacier Bay we saw very few other people.  We did see some who were kayaking and wondered where they came from and how they would get back to civilization.  The rangers said that they can arrange people to be dropped off and picked up; sometimes days later.  Imagine being so alone in the wilderness.  Most of the time all you saw was the majestic beauty of your surroundings. 

We were fortunate in that we saw a glacier calving while our ship was very close.  First we heard a cracking sound and then saw it falling into the water.  It was amazing and loud.  This was a marvelous day!

Alaska Cruise-Mendenhall Glacier

After our whale watching adventure our tour took us to Mendenhall Glacier.  The view was breathtaking; but best of all while we were walking on a trail by a creek we noticed everyone was on this little bridge.  They were looking down and pointing and passing binoculars around.  Then we saw what they were looking at, a momma bear and three little baby cubs.  We were lucky enough to be on the bridge when the momma bear took two of the cubs directly under us as she went to a different part of the creek bed.  Then all of a sudden we heard the other bear cub crying and here comes the momma bear running back with the two cubs following her.  The third baby bear was stuck up in a tree and needed his momma to help coax him down.  They were adorable and we couldn’t believe they were not paying any attention to all the people standing on the bridge watching them.

Back in Juneau we walked around and my husband had to go into Red Dog Saloon to look around.  We got a kick out of their slogan ‘if our food, drinks or service is not up to your standard, please lower your standards’.   Juneau will be hard to top.

Alaska Cruise/ Whale Watching In Juneau

We docked in Juneau about noon so I had time to take another digital workshop class before we arrived in Juneau.  We went on a small boat so there were only 6 of us on  the boat.  There were binoculars furnished on the boat as well as soft drinks and water. 

Whenever someone would see a whale they would shout and point and we would get pretty close to them.  And the boat captain was always listening and talking with other boat captains to see what they had seen and where.  It was so exciting to see these huge whales so close to us.  We saw a mom Orca with her baby not too long after we set out.  We watched them for a while and then headed over to where the captain heard there were some humpback whales. 

We found the humpback whales and while we were watching them we were lucky enough to see them ‘bubble net feeding’.  Our captain explained that it is thought that only humpback whales feed like this.  He also told us that bubble net feeding is unusual in that the whales work together to feed.  They will find a school of fish and blow bubbles to make a bubble net.  Then the whales dive down and come up with their mouths open and get mouthfuls of fish.  You can tell where the whales are about to come up by watching the birds.  The birds start congregating where the fish are being pushed up by the whales in hopes of getting a meal too.  It was thrilling to watch this.

And we saw one whale just taking a nap.  Yes, I am not kidding.  He was just floating like a log and every once in a while you would see him breath.  Our guide said when they are sound asleep you can actually walk on them and they don’t wake up.  But, of course, this is illegal and you would have to be nuts to try it to see if it were true or not.

We passed a buoy that was packed with sea lions.  Our guide said they like to lounge on the buoys because the whales and bears can’t get them there.  One little sea lion pup fell off of the buoy and we watched it try and try until it finally got back on.  It was so cute.

Alaska Cruise/ Juneau

We got up extra early to watch for whales and other wildlife from the ship.  It was a little foggy but someone would scream out ‘there is one’ and everyone would scurry over to where they were pointing; like the whale was going to sit there and wait for everyone to be able to see him.  It was fun and exciting to be hunting for the whales.

While we were eating breakfast a little girl about 6 years old comes up to her dad with a piece of fruit cut into some elaborate design.  As she shows it to her dad he asks what it is.  She say ‘I don’t know, but isn’t it pretty?’  Then she sits down and tries to figure out how to eat it.  Kids are such fun and they remind us that we should find that same kind of joy in the little things each day.

Travel Dreams – What Is Your Bucket List?

If you are like most people, you go to a place that you really enjoy for your vacation one year.  Then when the next year comes along and you start thinking about planning your trip you think “oh, last year’s place was great, let’s just go there again”  Then years pass by and you haven’t tried any new places because it is so easy to go to a familiar place.  You get comfortable.

But what about those lifetime experiences that you have always dreamed about?  Maybe a photo safari in Africa.  Or traveling to the country where your ancestors are from.  What about ziplining through the rain forest?  Taking your kids or grandkids to Disneyworld or on a Disney Cruise.  Or maybe you have been wanting to do a big family reunion to see everyone you haven’t seen in years.  Exploring the Oreint.  Ever been whalewatching?  Whitewater rafting?  Stayed in an over the water bungalow in Bora Bora?  Pampered in a luxurious SPA?  How about a ‘girls getaway’?  Take cooking classes in Italy.  The list is endless.

Have you made your Bucket List?  Why not start your list now?  And then start planning your next trip and start checking places or things to do off your list.  Experience Life.  Don’t just dream about it! Do it!

Alaska Cruise/Day at Sea

We had a wonderful, much needed, restful day at sea.  Now that doesn’t mean there was nothing to do.  There were more things to do than we could possibly do.  So we had to pick and choose. 

We took the ‘Behind the Scenes Kitchen Tour’.  We found out that on our ship 8500 pounds of meat, 4000 pounds of poultry, 1100 pounds of butter and 1800 eggs are just a part of what is used to prepare all of the meals on board.  Mind boggling.

Later my husband grabbed a book and headed up to the Crows Nest while I went to a digital workshop by Microsoft.  Jason was very good and I ended up going to several workshops during the cruise.

There were other activites going on; like artistic napkin folding, water color classes, culinary classes and many more.

The day went by too quickly.  Before and after dinner we enjoyed listening to guitarist and vocalist, Charlie Jordan.  He took requests and could perform about everything that was reqested- from The Beatles to Walon & Wille.

Dinner went much more smoothly the 2nd night out.  We called and made reservations and I would highly reccommend doing that. 

The main show was a comedian who was absolutely halarious and very clean and family friendly.  He had everyone laughing and it was over too quckly.

Alaska Cruise/On Board the Zaandam

We took a taxi from our hotel to Pier 91 where the Zaandam was waiting for us.  Checking in at the pier went very smooth with a very short line.  After on board we explored the ship a little and then it was time to set sail.  We watched as the Seattle skyline dissappeared behind us. 

Then it was time for the mandatory drills.  But you no longer are required to take your life-jackets with you, which was much nicer. 

We did the anytime dining on this cruise.  And I have to say the first night the staff seemed a little confused and unorganized with the anytime dining.  But the food was fantastic.

The show the first night was ‘meet the crew and dancers’ night.  They also had games involving the audience which was halarious.  The Cruise Director so entertaining all by himself that he could have his own act.

After the show we found that there were at least 3 different places we could go to listen to music or dance.  I was pleasantly surprised at the options.

Why Would You Go to Puerto Rico?

Well, Puerto Rico is as diverse a destination as you can imagine.

It is an exotic Caribbean group of islands, yet still part of the United States.  So you do not need a passport if you are a U.S. citizen.

If you like adventure, Puerto Rico is the place for you.  You can hike El Yunque National Rainforest which is a finalist as one of the New 7 Wonders of the World.  Or you can have the thrill of you life as you fly 1000 feet and 200 feet above ground on one of Puerto Rico’s zip lines.  ATV’s and horseback rides through the rainforest are other options.

In  Northwestern Puerto Rico, you can experience part of the third largest underground river cavern system in the world.

Perhaps the crystal clear water of the Caribbean is why you go to Puerto Rico.  Just lounging on the beach may be your perfect day.  But once again, if adventure is more what you like there are plenty of water activities.  Go sailing on a catamaran, surf, snorkel or scuba dive. 

Have you dreamed of being on a deserted island?  Puerto Rico has one.  Gilligan’s Island.  The island forms part of the Guanica Biosphere Reserve.  It can be easily reached by ferry for a small fee and is the perfect place to go snorkeling, swimming and sunbathing.  Access to the island is limited so you can enjoy a little bit of paradise.

Looking for something very unique?  How about water that seems to glow a magnificent blue-green at night?  Although there are seven recorded places in the world where this natural phenomenon occurs – three of which are in Puerto Rican waters – it is widely accepted that the picturesque Puerto Mosquito Bio Bay is top of the list when it comes to the quality and brightness of the bio-luminescent experience. 

Puerto Rico seems like the perfect place to go for adventure, relaxing and a little bit of the unusual.

Seattle: Before the Alaska Cruise

Seattle is really a great place to explore before your cruise.  So if you go on a cruise that departs from Seattle be sure to plan time to soak up a little of all Seattle has to offer.  Make sure you have great walking shoes because everything seems to be uphill. 

Oh, and I forgot to mention that Hotel Monaco has a complimentary wine reception at 5p.m. each afternoon.  So for you wine connoisseurs, local Seattle wines are there for you to enjoy.

Everywhere we walked around Seattle my husband kept pointing out all of the hanging flower baskets and planter boxes.  The flowers were beautiful and they were everywhere; hanging in the trees, on railings that might be a block long, everywhere.  We wondered how they watered them all and we were told that is rains almost everyday a little; so mostly God waters them.  Seattle has 40 annual inches of rainfall but luckily most of the rainfall is in the winter.  So the summer is a great time to visit Seattle before your cruise.

The morning of our cruise we got up early and walked down to Pike Place Market.  For some reason we kept ending up there.  But this morning we were there bright and early and the vendors were still setting up their booths.  No crowds this time.  We were able to talk to them and taste and sample fruit, chocolate pasta, smoked salmon, many different kinds of jelly, and vegetable chips and ..well..more things than I can remember.    Then we wandered across the street from the market and discovered a Russian bakery, Piroshky’s on Pike Place.  The line was super long, but it was definitely something we would have regretted if we hadn’t checked it out.  And the wait was well worth it!  We ordered the sausage piroshky and apple/cranberry piroshky and went across the street and sat on a park bench, watched the water and pigeons and ate a scrumptious breakfast while once again being serenaded by street musicians.  What a great morning.

Then we strolled back down to Pioneer Square and to the Smith Corona Tower.  This tower is almost as tall as the Space Needle but about half of the price to go to the top.  The Smith Corona Tower was built from the fortune made from the typewriters and rifles sharing the same name.  The tower was Seattle’s first skyscraper opening July 14, 1914 with 42 stories.  This building was the fourth tallest building in the world and remained the tallest building west of Chicago for almost 50 years.   

The crown jewel of the Smith Corona Tower is the Chinese Room on the 35^th floor, originally furnished by the last Empress of China as a gift to Mr. Smith.  I got to sit in the hand carved wood Wishing Chair.  The story goes that if women sit in the chair and make a wish to be married; their wish will come true within one year.  You will also see 17^th century works of art and hand-carved wood ceiling with porcelain-inlay.  And the views of Seattle from the complete wrap around outside deck of this 522’ tall building are amazing.  The brass elevators that take you to the observation deck are still run by elevator operators.  And that is something you don’t see anymore.

We board the Zaandam next.

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