Christina Schueneman

Joined February 2022 Message

Trips
Adventures in South Asia

Adventures in South Asia
- Aug 3, 2022 · ☀️ 36 °C Altitude: 157 ft
  Tuscany Florence Piazza della Signoria 43.7686, 11.25172543°46’7” N 11°15’6” E
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Last Day in Florence
August 3 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 36 °C
Went shopping in Florence…..came home with a watch for Justin and me. Love them!! Justin spent the plane ride home admiring his new purchase😍
Stuart Sharoff
What a fantastic trip and great way to end it.. nice watch Justin!!!
3dReply
4 likes
Adventures in South Asia
- Apr 6, 2022 · ☀️ 29 °C Altitude: Sealevel
  Muddiwiwarru 5.607695, 72.9461295°36’28” N 72°56’46” E
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Day20
Joali Relaxation Days
April 6 on the Maldives ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C
2
Having arrived in paradise we began to plan our four days of relaxation at Joali. Christina started with a tabata workout at the gym and then met me for breakfast. Our feet needed some major repairs from our hiking - we had two pedicures and polish change on our nails - that set the bank account back $500.00 - yikes!!!!

Further adventures included snorkeling , yogalates, wine & cheese tasting, ocean kayaking, spending time at the pool and swimming in the crystal clear ocean waters. Nights were capped off by happy hour and some amazing dinners.

We left today by Joali seaplane and catching the first leg of our Emirates flight home. Charles and Steve are very happy we are making the trip home😍Read more
Pamela Hawkins
Safe travels home, Sis!!
4/9/22Reply
Geri Pampalone
It all looks fabulous!
4/11/22Reply
Trip to Italy
We had a wonderful time - just got home after 38 hours of traveling!!
4/11/22Reply
5 likes
Adventures in South Asia
- Apr 5, 2022, 10:23am · ☀️ 29 °C Altitude: Sealevel
  Muddiwiwarru 5.607682, 72.9461025°36’28” N 72°56’46” E
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Day19
Welcome to Joali!
April 5 on the Maldives ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C
Today we started the final leg of our trip and headed to the Maldives! We left the hotel at 5am and departed Colombo for Male. We then boarded our sea plane to take a 40 minute flight to Joali. This is paradise!! Mom is wondering why we didnt spend the entire vacation here 🤣. Our Luxury water villa is perched over the ocean with a private lap pool and private ocean access. Now for a funny story....mom decided laundry was too expensive and she does it better - so we had an afternoon clothes washing session 🤷‍♀️! Tonight we head to a special Japanese dinner called Teppanyaki (we call it hibachi :)) - turns out we were the only ones in the restaurant so we got a private dinner! The food was amazing but so much we saved some for lunch tomorrow!Read more
Jeanne Thompson
Beautiful! Love the laundry story…so Diane.
4/6/22Reply
Pam Sodaski
I love the way you save money. NOT❤️❤️❤️❤️
4/6/22Reply
Jocelyn Cunningham
Brilliant end to a great trip!!!
4/7/22Reply
5 likes
Adventures in South Asia
- Apr 3, 2022 · ☀️ 29 °C Altitude: 62 ft
  Western Province Kotugoda 7.132547, 79.9279877°7’57” N 79°55’41” E
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Day17
Last Day at Leopards Trail
April 3 in Sri Lanka ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C
After another 5:00 am morning game drive traversing at high speeds over very rough terrain, Christina and I were ready to get back to camp for breakfast and packing. The good news is we saw another male leopard first thing in the morning on top of the rocks. We left at 11:00 am for our 5 hour drive back to Columbo and stayed at Wallawwa near the airport. The hotel was originally a 200 year old British Colonial mansion. Lush gardens, ponds, and beautiful spaces did not disappoint. We managed to sneak in a couple of massages (desperately needed post game drives) and a lovely pasta dinner on the terrace. We had really had our full of curries!! Set our alarm clock for 4:30 am.Read more
Pamela Hawkins
Love the wildlife pictures especially the leopard!!
4/5/22Reply
Leopards are so beautiful ❤️ [Pam]
4/6/22Reply
4 likes
Adventures in South Asia
- Apr 3, 2022, 7:47pm · ⛅ 27 °C Altitude: 148 ft
  Province of Uva Manikpura Kochchipathana Wewa 6.390933, 81.3680636°23’27” N 81°22’5” E
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Day17
Yala National Park Day 1
April 3 in Sri Lanka ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C
After a 5am wake-up call we departed in our "jeep" (aka a Toyota pickup with a seating area on the bed) for the Yala National Park. After a 4 hour drive we came back for a relaxing afternoon and then we went out back again for another 4 hour evening drive. Our driver is known as Scooby but Mom and I quickly named him Mario Andretti! Please enjoy some of our favorite photos!Read more
Pujan Rai
Love the pictures....
4/5/22Reply
Pam Sodaski
Wonderful pictures
4/6/22Reply
Jocelyn Cunningham
What an amazing visit! I loved Ayala but you guys certainly caught a huge number /range of animals! Fabulous!!!!
4/7/22Reply
7 likes
Adventures in South Asia
- Apr 2, 2022, 1:51pm · ⛅ 31 °C Altitude: 148 ft
  Province of Uva Manikpura Kochchipathana Wewa 6.390841, 81.3682566°23’27” N 81°22’6” E
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Day16
Arrival at Leopards Trail Camp
April 2 in Sri Lanka ⋅ ⛅ 31 °C
We left the tea region by taking a Jeep to the boat ramp. After boarding the boat we crossed the lake to where Cinnamon Air (seaplane) picked us up for our 30 minute ride to the Air-force base. We then travelled by van to the entrance of the National Park where we transferred to an off road Jeep! A short distance later we arrived at Leopards Trail Camp.Read more
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Adventures in South Asia
- Apr 1, 2022 · ⛅ 25 °C Altitude: 4,019 ft
  Central Province Wanarajah South Castlereigh Reservoir 6.858021, 80.5730136°51’29” N 80°34’23” E
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Day15
Tea Plantation Day 2
April 1 in Sri Lanka ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C
Christina went mountain biking this morning and had a blast on the rocky trails - the uphill was intense after not really riding for 2 years but she made it! We then setoff for a Tea Factory Tour learning all about how teas are made! We were surprised to learn that all true teas come from the same plant (white, green, black) and its the process that differs. Teas like Earl Grey have botanicals added to the black tea.

Our afternoon was spent by the pool and playing games. Christina got a bit too much sun....but will survive.Read more
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Adventures in South Asia
- Mar 31, 2022, 12:00am · 🌙 23 °C Altitude: 594 ft
  Central Province Gedigaswalana Rang Ela 7.995475, 80.7459637°59’44” N 80°44’45” E
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Day14
Relaxing in Tea Country
March 31 in Sri Lanka ⋅ 🌙 23 °C
We took off in style from the helipad at Water Garden Sigiriya and embarked on our 45 minute journey to the tea region. We are staying at an old British Tea plantation that is still in operation today. This afternoon we had an amazing lunch, relaxed by the pool then enjoyed a few games of Scrabble and a few hands of cards! We had a traditional Sri Lankan dinner (similar to the farmers lunch) and have come to the conclusion that we simply don't care for Sri Lankan curry 🤷‍♀️.Read more
Jocelyn Cunningham
Nice place!!!
4/7/22Reply
6 likes
Adventures in South Asia
- Mar 30, 2022 · ☀️ 32 °C Altitude: 597 ft
  Central Province Gedigaswalana Rang Ela 7.991136, 80.7466137°59’28” N 80°44’48” E
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Day13
Sightseeing in the Cultural Triangle
March 30 in Sri Lanka ⋅ ☀️ 32 °C
After a quick breakfast we were picked up by our guide, Dilon, for a full day of sightseeing. First stop was the ancient city of Polonnaruwa - don’t ask me to pronounce that!! The city was built around 1070 AD and was the second capital of Sri Lanka. The visit started with the Kings Palace and Baths followed by various Buddhist tooth relic temples and Stupas. The archaeological sites are vast and in various stages of discovery and preservation.
We left for a “farmers lunch” at a local home. The spread was impressive but neither Christina or I enjoyed the food that much - the experience was excellent! Then off to have a massage experience at a local spa - an “Ayurvedic massage”. Neither of us have ever had a head to toe full body - yes I mean full body, massage. Christina’s oiled hair looked like a blond version of dreds.
Our next stop was to see the ancient Dumballa cave temples. A steep climb up the rocks opened up to some of the best preserved paintings and statues depicting the life of Lord Buddha. The pictures tell the story. Exhausted we left to drive back to our hotel for a much needed drink. Unbeknownst to us we finished our drink to find that our tour company had arranged a special dinner with local entertainment at a table for two poolside for our birthdays. Amazing end to the day!!Read more
Michelle Shapiro
Happy belated Birthday!
4/4/22Reply
Jocelyn Cunningham
Love the personal concert!!! 🙄🤣👍🥂
4/7/22Reply
8 likes
Adventures in South Asia
- Mar 29, 2022, 6:18pm · 🌙 32 °C Altitude: 686 ft
  Central Province Sigiriya Sigiri Rock 7.957133, 80.7568367°57’26” N 80°45’25” E
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Day12
Sri Lanka Day 1
March 29 in Sri Lanka ⋅ 🌙 32 °C
Today we left the hotel at 2:30am to catch our 5am fight to Sri Lanka. We had an uneventful morning landing in Sri Lanka at 9am. We were picked up by our fantastic guide and driver Dilon who met us with two beautiful bouquets of flowers!

After clearing customs we started on our 3.5 hour drive to our first hotel Water Garden Sigiriya. The country is BEAUTIFUL and extremely clean. On our way mom asked to stop by an ATM where she took out 4,000 rupees and got in the car complaining about the big bills she would need to break - I couldn't stop laughing...she took out $13.50 🤣. Subsequent banks were closed so we will need to find another ATM tomorrow.
OK well this is not going wellq
Our hotel is very unique and beautiful and situated in the cultural triangle of the country. After a quick lunch, we headed out on an afternoon tour.

At 3:30 pm we headed out to Sigiriya or "Lion's Rock". This palace (fortress) was built around 495 AD. Mom walked through the water and boulder gardens but elected to stay back and not attempt the ascent. I continued on up 1200 steps to the top where the royal palace was situated. This is an incredible monument and I could almost visualize its grandeur - simply amazing.
What they don't talk about in the brochure is the swarming wasps! While at the very top hundreds of wasps started to swarm and my guide expertly guided me to drop to the ground and cover my head while remaining silent. The wasps passed me without incident but did get another group that did not have such great advice.

We capped off the day with a 90-minute massage and a very late dinner!Read more
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