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The Americas...North & South
  • Betty Foidart

The Americas...North & South

A 47-day adventure by Betty Read more
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  • Trip start
    December 30, 2018
    Betty FoidartThe Americas...North & SouthTraveler

    YWG to SAN DIEGO

    December 30, 2018 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 7 °C

    After a hectic few weeks of Christmas activities and family visitors it was time for our annual escape to warmer climes. In order to avoid getting up at 4 am for our 6:45 am flight, we stayed overnight at the Four Points Hotel right at YWG. Unfortunately, JS got up to the bathroom 3 times that night and then woke me up at 4:30 to go to the airport, which was just across the street. This kind of defeated the whole purpose of staying at the airport to get a good night’s sleep!

    It was an uneventful flight to Calgary and then onwards to San Diego. Despite that, JS’s airport anxiety was at a peak with him swearing that this was his last trip anywhere. If he would only follow the security rules that are well known to him life would be much easier. The security scanner broke down just as it was our turn to get screened so that certainly didn’t help. His frustration leads to obnoxiousness and I predict that one day he will be denied boarding!

    We arrived in San Diego at noon and took the public bus downtown to Springhill Suites, our home for the next 3 days. We had a relaxing walk along the harbour front and a delicious fresh seafood meal. The warm, sunny weather was short-lived as the next 2 days were cool, windy and rainy. We watched the New Year’s Eve Holiday Bowl parade from the 5th floor patio of our hotel but it was disappointing because the huge balloons had to be tethered down due to the strong winds.    Read more

  • Betty FoidartThe Americas...North & SouthTraveler
    The landing strip
    Not an elegant shipEjection seat...where's my parachute?!

    MS MIDWAY - SAN DIEGO HARBOUR

    December 31, 2018 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C

    The highlight of San Diego was the MS Midway Aircraft Carrier Museum. We spent 3 hours exploring the immense ship and only saw a portion of the exhibits. They allowed us to return the following day to complete our tour, another 3 hours. The Midway is run by volunteers and receives no government funding. We’ve always been fascinated by these carriers in the middle of some ocean with aircraft coming and going day and night (which we learned occurs every 45 seconds!). The Americans have a very high regard for their military.

    JS’s knees and hips are troubling him again, compounded by the regained weight since April. We never made it to the Gaslight historic area or to the famous zoo and I had to readjust some of our dinner plans that were too far for him to walk. I’ve realized that I will have to lower my expectations in terms of activities for this trip.

    Day 2 and I took my first tumble....rainy, dark unlit street, turned to give JS directions, and the curb attacked me! Minor abrasions and no fractures. This newly diagnosed osteoporosis is going to be a challenge for me as I always was a clumsy kid!    Read more

  • Betty FoidartThe Americas...North & SouthTraveler
    La Jolla
    I wanted to borrow the scarf!Monk sealsLaguna BeachJS is not looking at the beautiful coastline!

    THE PACIFIC COAST HIGHWAY

    January 2, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 15 °C

    We picked up our rental car, which was a bit of a fiasco because the Hertz location was closed due to computer issues so we had to be shuttled to a different location. After a long delay we headed to a popular National Monument which was closed due to the government shutdown. We ended up in the adjacent National Cemetery for a moment of reflection and a good view of the city. We had lunch at the top-rated Mexican restaurant in San Diego near the touristy Old Town, where San Diego originated. Old Town is a state park but it’s very commercialized in true American fashion.

    Our home for the next 4 nights was at the Marina Suites in Oceanside, a small beach town an hour’s drive north. The one bedroom timeshare unit was dated but clean and right on the oceanfront. The location was convenient for day trips to La Jolla and Laguna Beach, two of my favourite spots. We drove along the Pacific Coast Highway and I was able to show JS the different resorts I had stayed at 3 years ago. The weather continued to be cool, in the low teens, and cloudy.    Read more

  • Betty FoidartThe Americas...North & SouthTraveler
    Long Beach and a long walk!
    The Queen MaryThe Amsterdam

    HOLLAND AMERICA AMSTERDAM

    January 7, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C

    Our final night in California was at the Residence Inn in Long Beach. I got a great deal at this hotel, likely because it was a 15 minute taxi ride to the San Pedro cruise ship pier, costing an additional $25. It was also located aways from downtown requiring a long walk over a bridge. Oops...could have planned that better! We had a stressful time returning our car rental as the location was closed on Sundays, unbeknownst to me when I booked it. We had no GPS, wifi, or good old-fashioned paper maps so we got lost more than once. Tempers flared and we were both relieved to get rid of the rental, relying on foot power to explore the area.

    It was time to cruise on out of here. We had just received notification that we had a free upgrade from an interior cabin to an ocean view so that was good news. Boarding the Holland America Amsterdam was a breeze as we were the only passengers there at 2 o’clock. The big rush had come and gone on board earlier. JS was relaxed and happy, unlike our airport experiences. The ship didn’t depart until 7 pm.    Read more

  • Betty FoidartThe Americas...North & SouthTraveler
    A whale spouting as we passed by Cabo San Lucas

    CRUISING THE PACIFIC OCEAN

    January 10, 2019 in Mexico ⋅ 🌧 23 °C

    We’ve been at sea for 2 days travelling south along the coast of Mexico at a speed of 37 km/h. The temperature gradually increased from 15 to 23 degrees in the sunshine. The ocean has been fairly calm. We’ve explored the ship and finally got our bearings. Meals have been good and we are both watching our caloric intake, one with more success than the other. We purchased 5 bottles of wine at Costco in San Diego and were charged $18 corkage fee each for 3 of the bottles as we were allowed 2 free in our stateroom. This seems expensive but one of the bottles that we paid $11 for was on the menu for $46! Each day we’ve been doing 3 laps around the ship equaling one mile plus doing several flights of stairs, not to mention the steps from aft to bow. Four days ago I came down with a cold, which seems to be my travel norm these days sadly. In order to prevent a repeat experience with rib fractures, I’ve been taking ample Robitussin-DM shooters which made my brain foggy. I am on the mend now which pleases me immensely as I was a bit anxious about being out in the middle of the ocean with a respiratory emergency like in Portugal!

    JS is half-way through his 2nd book and I’ve been enjoying the American Test Kitchen presentations. A professional chef from the TV show prepares the meal, shares the recipes, and gives a lot of general cooking tips. Their show is based on the science of cooking. We have been going to most of the evening entertainment shows and saw the movie, “Bohemian Rhapsody”, the story about Freddy Mercury and Queen. Excellent movie that everyone should see.

    Here’s my most exciting experience so far. Yesterday I was given a free bingo card so I went to try my luck. A couple in front of me had to leave early for a massage appointment and handed me their 5 cards on their way out. I yelled after them for their cabin # just in case they won and jotted it down. With a Texan drawl he told me, “You can buy me a drink if you win”. Five minutes later I yelled “BINGO!” on his card and won $150! I left a note on their door, which happened to be 2 doors down from us, telling them to come and collect their winnings. He was shocked, initially thinking it was a joke, and felt that the money was mine to keep because I didn’t even have to tell them that I had won. I felt it was the honest thing to do as he had paid for the bingo card. He gave me $80, which I thanked him for his generosity, and he kept $70 somewhat reluctantly. We were both happy!    Read more

  • Betty FoidartThe Americas...North & SouthTraveler
    Pilot boat is mandatory and the official jumps off the ship onto the little red boat.The Atrium

    PUERTO VALLARTA

    January 10, 2019 in Mexico ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C

    Our first port....been there, done that x 6. We didn’t feel any need to explore the city, particularly because the downtown area was a bus or taxi ride from the marina. It was 28 and sunny so we opted to walk a couple of blocks to the Galleria Mall, spending time at the food court to take advantage of the free internet. Walmart and Sam’s Club were next door so we picked up some Coke and Mexican nuts. Puerto hasn’t changed much...busy with people and traffic, dirty and dusty, and hot. There was a magnificent yacht moored near our ship with it’s own helicopter that another cruiser estimated the value at $6 million for the helicopter alone! Research tells me that the yacht is owned by a self-made Montana industrialist billionaire and is one of the largest yachts in the world.

    We departed Puerto an hour late due to a medical emergency on board. I saw an alert, elderly man being stretchered down the gangplank. It’s not surprising as I think the average age of our fellow travellers is around 75+. There are lots of wheelchairs, walkers and canes and then there are many who are walking laps around the ship daily. We don’t have a set time for dinner as we opted for the freestyle dining, which hasn’t been a problem because the majority of the old timers like to eat at 5 or 6. We normally eat late but the dining room closes at 9 pm so we have had to be mindful of that.

    Missing in action....one pair of retro prescription sunglasses! Maybe at home, Walmart, Costco, one of our hotels. I’m not only clumsy but forgetful in my old age. Feeling sad as I sure could use them on this trip.    Read more

  • Betty FoidartThe Americas...North & SouthTraveler
    Open air Catholic churchRemnants of Christmas

    HUATULCO

    January 12, 2019 in Mexico ⋅ ☁️ 29 °C

    We arrived in Huatulco at 10 am so there was time for a hearty breakfast before heading ashore. It was 29 degrees, no breeze and mostly cloudy which still made it very hot for walking. We walked through the small town stopping at a cafe for a cerveza and coke for a total of $5, which then allowed us wifi access. Afterwards we visited a fair in the park where you could buy local products, such as coffee, herbs, soaps and handicrafts. There was a live band that JS said sounded like Santana. The beach was busy with families and the water was warm. Having seen all there was to see, we headed back to the ship for a late lunch and reading on the deck. It wasn’t a very exciting day and we were glad to depart at 6 pm.Read more

  • Betty FoidartThe Americas...North & SouthTraveler
    The bay at Chiapis
    A small but pleasant welcomeVery basic internet "lounge"

    PUERTO CHIAPIS

    January 13, 2019 in Mexico ⋅ ☀️ 31 °C

    Chiapas was another small Mexican port with little to see and do. It was a hot 29 degrees and sunny. There was only one building which held about 10 souvenir shops and a central stage for local performers (folk dancers, a band, and costumed Mayan performers). You were expected to make a donation if you took any photos but we both forgot our money in our cabin safe. Internet was available at a small shop if you purchased something so I had to go back to the ship to get cash. For a $2 Coke we were given the password for the wifi. Smart people! There was also an outdoor restaurant that had a large swimming pool that you were welcome to use if you made a purchase at the bar or restaurant. JS got the Coke, Corona and a dip in the pool while I got a few minutes of internet time. Something is wrong with this picture!Read more

  • Betty FoidartThe Americas...North & SouthTraveler
    The ship is always greeted by local musicians & dancersJS enjoying his 2 beers and iPadNo jade necklace for me as we left our credit card and most of our money on the ship.The market where JS waited while I shopped

    Puerto Quetzel, Guatemala

    January 14, 2019 in Guatemala ⋅ ☀️ 33 °C

    It was 32 today and sunny with no breeze. We had the option of taking an $140 USD excursion to the colonial heritage city of Antigua but JS had already been there over 40 years ago so we decided to stay near the port for free. This time we docked at the cargo port, the largest in Central America. We saw huge shipping containers stacked several high with the words Chiquita or Del Monte emblazoned on the side. There were also several large, metal grain storage sheds and huge piles of imported coal.

    To get to the main tourist port we took a free shuttle bus, a rickety old school bus, about 10 km up the coast. JS headed straight to the wifi restaurant and bought 2 locally brewed Gallo beer for $4 each, which allowed us each 1 hour internet time. I asked why my internet time didn’t at least come with a Coke, instead of him getting 2 beers and just got a shrug in response! “Oink, oink”, I replied.

    The tourist market was fairly large with each stall owner anxious to make a sale. I wandered around once before deciding on my 2 small purchases. There was a lot of pressure to buy and the price dropped considerably but I either didn’t need, want or have space in my luggage for anything else. I did feel for them though because there is a lot of poverty in Guatemala. I was told by someone who did the trip to Antigua that there were a lot of “beggars with no limbs” and a lot of “guards armed with machine guns”.

    It was now 3 o’clock and JS was getting grumpy with hunger so we headed back to the ship. A late lunch, naps and working off some of those calories doing laps around the ship (3.5 laps = 1.6 km) has been our usual afternoon routine. I know....it’s a tough life! Holland America used to be the only ship that had a veranda deck that went completely around the ship unobstructed. Our stateroom is located on this deck so it is very convenient for walks and lounge chairs.    Read more

  • Betty FoidartThe Americas...North & SouthTraveler
    Folkloric entertainers greeted us at the port
    The market area$5 an hour included a tour of the city? Monument to important missionaryAnother busy port - containers can weigh up to 50,000 kg!Two of the volcanoes were actively smoking

    Puerto Carinto, Nicaragua

    January 15, 2019 in Nicaragua ⋅ 🌬 31 °C

    And it only gets hotter....36, humid, sunny, and no breeze. I was told that there were several marina police boats with automatic weapons mounted on the bow that accompanied us into the harbour. One of the tours had to be cancelled due to warnings of political unrest in the area. As you got off the ship there was a small downtown area of shops with very little merchandise and outdoor restaurants with no wifi. The street was lined with market stalls while other sellers carrying their items for sale, mostly pottery and trinkets, roamed amongst the tourists. They were very, very persistent in your face and followed us down the street despite me repeatedly saying politely, “No gracias”. Although I would have liked to support the people, there was nothing of interest for me to purchase. The area cordoned off for tourists was only 3 blocks long and patrolled at each end by the local police. From the little we saw and reports from others who took tours, this is an extremely impoverished country. Within an hour we were back on board the ship. When we departed there was again an armed marina police boat accompanying us out to open waters.Read more

  • Betty FoidartThe Americas...North & SouthTraveler
    JS got the message...One beer for him and one Coke for meMy face was scarlet red from the heat!

    Puerto Caldera, Costa Rica

    January 16, 2019 in Costa Rica ⋅ ☀️ 32 °C

    It was only 34 degrees today and breezy yet this felt like the hottest day. Our ship was docked a 20 minute drive from the closest coastal town, Puntarenas, so we had free shuttle buses that would transport us to town. The buses were modern, air conditioned, 72 passenger buses. Our first stop was the wifi restaurant where one beer, one Coke and unlimited, high speed internet cost $5, which seems to be the standard price. JS lost interest after this and wanted to go back to the ship. I was able to convince him to sit in the shade at the beach while I explored. I found a small market with more trinkets that I didn’t want to buy and several beach front, open-air restaurants/bars. I walked 5 km and then we headed to the bus and back to the ship. I was so hot, red-faced and starting to feel like heat stroke was around the corner.

    We only spent 2 hours on land and it was very disappointing. We have such wonderful memories of our trip to Costa Rica 5 years ago with Alyssa. This area definitely didn’t do it justice. Again there were several, expensive tours we could have taken but they were going to areas we had already been to and most left before 8 am because there was considerable driving involved. Not our idea of a fun day.

    There have been 3 ambulance events so far on our cruise. The first was the seemingly stable patient taken off the ship by stretcher in Puerto Vallarta; the 2nd was in Puerto Chiapas where they just dropped off a wheelchair; and today a passenger was brought back to the ship by ambulance. The ship’s doctor got into the ambulance to assess the passenger and a short while later accompanied him back on board walking independently. I’m guessing that the passenger collapsed from heat stroke and recovered quickly enough to not require hospitalization. It’s an older crowd so things are going to happen.    Read more

  • Betty FoidartThe Americas...North & SouthTraveler
    We got dressed up for a change
    Mmmmm....steak and salmonThe traditional grand stairway photoJS doing his 10,000 stepsI love the floral arrangementsA different kind of "Penicillin"

    A Day at Sea Off the Coast of Panama

    January 17, 2019, North Pacific Ocean ⋅ 🌙 26 °C

    Our day started with a first-stage alarm going off at 6:30 am. It was a false alarm but it does make one think about safety, fire being the biggest risk. Safety is taken seriously. On day one it was mandatory that we attend a drill by gathering at our muster station, or “mustard station” as JS insists on calling it. Roll call was taken. A couple of days later the crew had a drill right up to stage three where all the lifeboats were prepared for rescue. Today I attended a presentation by the captain who spoke about safety features, such as 37,000 sprinkler heads, as well as the general operation of the ship from the bridge.

    The rest of the day was very relaxing....eating, reading, napping, walking and more eating. I went to another kitchen demo and a class on flower arranging. There is one florist and his budget for our two week cruise is a whopping $4600! His floral arrangements are beautiful. This evening was a dress-up event. JS and I took advantage of a free dinner at the fine dining restaurant, courtesy of CAA. It was one of the perks for booking our cruise through CAA, along with a $50 beverage card for each of us. Cocktails or wine are about $12 after taxes and an automatic 15% tip so needless to say we haven’t been drinking much. JS has been anxious to try a cocktail called “Penicillin” made with Islay scotch.    Read more

  • Betty FoidartThe Americas...North & SouthTraveler
    Can you believe I got up at 5 am?!
    Bridge of the AmericasApproaching the first lockDoesn't look like we will fit!Completely in the lock & gates are closedContainer ship in new Canal 85' above sea level

    The Panama Canal I

    January 18, 2019 in Panama ⋅ 🌙 24 °C

    We were scheduled to start our transit through the Panama Canal very early in the morning. I awoke at 5 am because I somehow sensed that the ship had stopped moving. I woke up JS and we headed to the bow of the ship that had been opened to passengers for this event only. The process was slow but fascinating and by 9:30 we decided to return to our cabin for a nap. The Canal is 80 km long and it took us until 3 pm to go from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean.

    Some basic facts:
    - partially built by the French but completed by the USA in 1914, with Panama assuming full operation in 1999 but open to all nations
    - over 20,000 workers died during the construction, mainly of yellow fever which is transmitted by mosquitoes
    - over 2 billion dollars is collected annually in port fees (our transit fee was $40,000)
    - there were 3 sets of locks that we went through, each was 110 feet wide and our ship was 106 feet wide leaving 2 feet clearance on each side
    - we started at sea level; were raised a total of 85 feet; and then lowered back to sea level
    - the water that is used to raise and lower the ships at each set of locks comes from Gatun Lake by gravity
    - there are 2 lanes side-by-side saving ships about 4800 km via an alternative all-water route
    - in 2016 a third set of locks was completed to meet the demand of the larger container ships.

    There was almost a party atmosphere on ship today. They served coffee and Panamanian rolls, a soft sweet roll filled with custard. Later a bar was set up on deck. An interpreter from the Canal Authority was on board and provided a commentary throughout the day. It was partly cloudy, hot, humid and very windy. On two occasions, while taking photos, a strong gust of wind made me lose my balance with one nearly causing me to fall. It was too windy to wear our hats and, since it was dark out when we first went on deck, we both forgot to use sunscreen and got our first sunburns of the trip.

    I was somewhat reluctant about taking this cruise as the itinerary didn’t interest me but transiting the Canal certainly is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and I enjoyed it far more than I had expected. I spoke with several other women who shared the same opinion. JS was particularly pleased with his bucket-list experience.    Read more

  • Betty FoidartThe Americas...North & SouthTraveler
    Couldn't get him to smile
    A view of the new city from the wall of the old?? Several bronze statues in the courtyardsA very pretty and peaceful area of the old town$6 entrance fee to the church in the backgroundAn aviary at the cruise port

    Cartagena, Columbia

    January 19, 2019 in Colombia ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C

    All I knew about Columbia was coffee, drugs and crime. Our ship arrived late for whatever reason and we weren’t allowed to disembark until 12:30. That was disappointing because for once there was actually a lot to see and do at this port. We teamed up with another couple from California and negotiated a taxi fare of $5 per person to go to the walled old town, a UNESCO World Heritage site. It was beautiful with brightly coloured buildings, interesting architecture and wonderful views of the harbour. What spoiled the beauty for both of us was the persistent street sellers and beggars, mostly young children asking for one dollar. The street hawkers also followed us offering to get us a taxi, provide a walking tour, or special discounts at the many emerald shops. It was non-stop and frustrating to the point where I yelled “NO GRACIAS” at one of the sellers and he was actually taken aback by my response!

    The temperature was 33 and the humidity felt like 100%. JS doesn’t tolerate the heat and in short order he was whining about wanting to go back to the ship. He stopped at an outdoor cafe so he could buy a beer for $6 but by this time was too frustrated to figure out how the internet worked. The beggars and sellers came right into the cafe so there was no relief from them. There were quiet air conditioned restaurants we could have stopped at so I don’t understand why he didn’t chose that option. I was able to convince him to sit in the shade while I browsed a couple of the artisan and emerald shops. The Colombian craftwork was beautiful but expensive and would take up too much room in my luggage. Emeralds are mined here but they were also expensive and there was too much haggling involved even for me. I did enjoy a small artisan market and bought a couple of items.

    JS was getting anxious that we would miss the boat even though we had well over an hour to spare. There was another passenger removed from the ship for medical reasons so the departure was again slightly delayed. I’ve come to the conclusion that JS ought to limit his travels to temperate climates; where only English is spoken; must have no poverty; and doesn’t require planes, trains or ships. Surprisingly, for once he actually agreed with me! Must have been the heat exhaustion.    Read more

  • Betty FoidartThe Americas...North & SouthTraveler
    "Chocolate Surprise" event with all forms of chocolate treats being served
    Malli from Sumatra was a great guyAn unusual orchid arrangementA different towel animal on my bed every nightThis one made us laughOur view of the Super Blood Wolf Moon from the top deck

    Rocking & Rolling

    January 20, 2019, Caribbean Sea ⋅ 🌙 26 °C

    When we left Cartagena the ship captain announced that we would be encountering strong, gusty winds for the next 24 hours while we cruised the Caribbean Sea. The previous evening had been somewhat rocky but last night was the worst we’ve experienced as the Pacific Ocean had been very calm. There weren’t many people out-and-about during the evening and we walked like drunks as we moved about the ship as usual. We had planned to go out on deck to check things out but the door was near impossible to open and through the window we saw a man clinging to the rails while the strong wind tousled his hair and flapped his clothing. The wind was steady at 65 kmh with gusts up to 100 kmh. Sleep was restless as we would get roller coaster moments where you would feel airborne or you could feel the ship tilting one way or the other. There were a lot of creaking and thumping sounds as well but the ship carried on its northeasterly course and we survived the night. Even some of the senior staff said they were concerned about the waves and wind, especially since their cabins are below the waterline.

    Today it is still breezy with enough swaying that when I showered in the morning I was thrown against the wall when the ship tilted suddenly so after that I needed to hold onto the shower rail with one hand while I washed myself with my free hand. It was a very quick shower! We’ve been able to carry on our usual sea day activities. Believe it or not, I am usually up by 8:30 while JS sleeps until 9:30 or sometimes 10. We go our separate ways to do what interests us and meet up for a late lunch and dinner.

    The food has been very good in all of the restaurants...but not good for our waistlines! Most of the staff are from various parts of Indonesia. They have been the most helpful, friendly workers that actually seem to enjoy what they are doing and are happy to talk about their homelands. Most are on 6-10 month contracts and work 11 hour days with no days off during the entire length of their contract. I just cannot fathom working every day for that many months without a single day off! Their work day is from 7 am to 11 am and 4 pm to 11 pm. Some go to explore the ports but others take a nap mid-day. They work very hard but are paid good wages, especially compared to what they would make in Indonesia. Many are young and are saving up for their education, while the older ones send their money home to their families.

    It was our final Gala Dinner where JS enjoyed his steak and lobster. After dinner a special event was held in the Atrium where every chocolate treat you can imagine was offered. We then headed to the top deck on the ship to watch the lunar eclipse. iPads do not take good night time photos I found out. It was warm but breezy up there. The stars were brilliant and the eclipse made it a memorable evening.    Read more

  • Betty FoidartThe Americas...North & SouthTraveler
    My usual wind-swept look (started the day with a french braid!)
    Penicillin...made with Laphroaig scotchAlmost always a nice sunset

    Final Day at Sea

    January 21, 2019, North Atlantic Ocean ⋅ 🌙 22 °C

    It was a typical, quiet day at sea except the temperature took a drastic drop. After 2 laps I came indoors as it was cool and windy on deck, where people on loungers were nestled under beach towels. It seemed that everyone was winding down and preparing for disembarkation in the morning. After dinner we did see a very funny comedian and an excellent singer from the Netherlands, where she had won their version of American Idol. We used the last of our beverage credits so JS could finally try the Penicillin cocktail he was curious to try, which he didn’t really enjoy after all, judging by the face he made with each sip. My mojito was almost as good as the ones Alyssa makes.

    It’s been an interesting 2 weeks, the longest cruise we have taken and likely the longest we will ever take. Our ship, the Amsterdam, will be departing for a 4 month world cruise after we leave. I believe the fare is around $50,000 for 2 people and there are about 1300 people who have reserved. Even if I could afford it, I couldn’t be on a ship for that length of time. We did meet a lot of interesting people, all of them world travellers with stories to tell. It always surprised me that every single person I spoke to had travelled to far off places, mostly by cruising. I also briefly met Dolly, a 92 year old woman who lives on the ship full time. Another passenger told me Dolly came from Winnipeg but when I asked her this, she said “Winnipeg...never heard of it. I’m from San Diego but this is my home now”. She’s been cruising for years and gets special attention from the officers. It might be a better option than a personal care home if you can afford it!    Read more

  • Betty FoidartThe Americas...North & SouthTraveler

    Orlando, Florida

    January 22, 2019 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 16 °C

    After breakfast disembarking from the ship went smoothly and quickly. Things went downhill from there unfortunately. We took a free shuttle to the Sixt rental car site, only to discover that there were 2 Sixt locations near the port and we were at the wrong one. Our rental location didn’t offer a shuttle so we had to pay $10 for a taxi. We arrived there around 10:30 but I had reserved the car for noon, allowing ample time for disembarkation and getting to the rental office. Well this plan backfired on me as they refused to release the car to us until noon even though it was sitting on the lot waiting to be washed. The clerk offered to put our luggage in the back room so that we could wait at a nearby restaurant. We agreed but then she came back with our luggage to inform us that the manager wouldn’t allow this. So we sat on hard stools in the main reception area for 1 1/2 hours knowing that they were playing this stupid game with us. When we finally got our car the clerk had the nerve to inform us that they strive for customer satisfaction and she would like us to rate them 5 out of 5. What a joke!

    We drove 3 hours north to Orlando where we had reservations for the next 11 nights. Our first reservation was at the Holiday Inn Vacations Orange Lake Resort. We had stayed there once before and we both thought we remembered how to get there. Wrong! We eventually had to stop at a Holiday Inn for help with directions. We made a short stop at Sam’s Club for food and wine but didn’t get to the resort until 7 pm. After taking our luggage to our condo we went to a nearby Publix then got lost trying to find our way back to our condo! The resort, at over 14,000 acres, is the largest in North America with over 2,500 condos. We had to drive back to the reception building to embarrassingly ask for directions to our condo.

    We have a very large 2 bedroom condo that I luckily found for $100 a night. The next few days will be a time to relax and do laundry. Since the property is so huge, we have no excuse for not continuing our daily walks. The temperature is considerably cooler than we have been experiencing. Today it was 24 but the next few days will be sunny but with temperatures only in the mid-teens. I won’t complain as I see that Environment Canada has issued an extreme weather advisory for Winnipeg!    Read more

  • Betty FoidartThe Americas...North & SouthTraveler
    Our rental car - Buick Regal Limited - on a wet day
    Looks nice but it's old and saggy :(Well equipped kitchen with dishwasher

    Orlando, FL

    January 27, 2019 in the United States ⋅ 🌧 12 °C

    It’s a rainy day in Florida with a temperature of 12. How I long for the dry heat of Central America! The rain is supposed to stop tomorrow but the temperature won’t return to seasonable levels until the weekend.

    Yesterday we moved to a new resort near Disney World for the next 7 days. It’s definitely a downgrade from the last resort. The timeshare is Blue Tree Resort at Lake Buena Vista and we are in a small one bedroom unit, 600 sq ft compared to the 1000 sq ft previously. It’s a typical, older but very clean resort and was a bargain at $400 for the week. When the sky clears we’ll explore the area on foot as it is in a very central location. In the meantime it’s a good day for TV movies and rehashing of the latest Trump fiasco.    Read more

  • Betty FoidartThe Americas...North & SouthTraveler
    Amazing Lego creationsFor Garrett...loved Lego and anything Star WarsNo joke!Rest, Smithwicks & Tylenol = Relief!

    Idle days & good, cheap wine

    January 30, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 6 °C

    We are enjoying lazy days but make a point of going out every day for some exercise. Our biggest challenge was a 10 km return walk to Disney Springs, an entertainment complex with shops, restaurants, bars and everything Disney. We enjoyed lunch at an Irish themed restaurant where JS downed a beer and some Tylenol in order to survive the return trip. Since that exhausting day he now splits his 10,000 steps between afternoon and evening walks closer to home.

    One afternoon we had lunch at the Golden Corral with 18 other members of the TUG timeshare forum that I belong to. The annual gathering started at 2 and we didn’t leave until 9:30. It was an interesting group of
    travellers from across the US.

    Whenever I travel to Florida I am on high alert for alligators (they swallow people whole!); boa constrictor snakes (2,000 have been captured in the Elimination Program since 2017); and cockroaches (hate them!). So far I have seen one alligator in a small retention pond. Surprisingly, on one of my evening walks I encountered 2 white tail deer, one of which stopped on the sidewalk a short distance from me. I froze; she froze; we had a staring contest; and after a few minutes she ran into the nearby woods.

    Temperatures continue to be unseasonably cool in the lower teens and mostly cloudy. The local weathermen enjoy comparing Florida’s forecast to those cities affected by the Polar Vortex, emphasizing the fact that we have nothing to complain about. I am grateful to be here as I don’t do winter well. Brrrrr! Apart from that, the wine is good and cheap!    Read more

  • Betty FoidartThe Americas...North & SouthTraveler

    Celebration...the town, not a party!

    January 31, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C

    We drove to the nearby community of Celebration, an upper class predominantly white community that was developed by the Walt Disney Company in the early 1990’s. The homes and buildings are all designed like an historical small town and has been voted one of the top 10 prettiest towns in America. There were 2 modern homes in a newer development that must have been at least 5,000 sq ft with their own water slide into the backyard pool! It’s a perfect place for walking because they have beautifully paved trails and wooden boardwalks that go around 2 small lakes. We saw several shorebirds and were excited to discover a hawk in a tree. The photos aren’t the best because all I had with me was my iPhone 6. It was easy to log in 7 km on our fitness trackers as it was such a pretty and interesting walk.Read more

  • Betty FoidartThe Americas...North & SouthTraveler
    Living With the Land research gardensAnimatronics in Frozen Ever AfterSpaceship Earth...two big kidsGerman Pavilion

    Disneyworld I

    February 1, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C

    Since we didn’t do any expensive excursions while we were on the cruise, we decided to splurge on a day at Epcot. JS hadn’t been there since 1990 and figured this would likely be his last opportunity. I have been to Epcot and Disney Studios twice in the last 8 years so not much had changed for me. It was a very long day, about 12 hours, but we enjoyed wandering around at a leisurely pace (our fitness trackers recorded 9 km). We went on 4 tame rides....Soarin, which felt like you were in a hang glider soaring across amazing landscapes from around the world; Living With the The Land, a boat ride that showed the history of agriculture and the latest growing technologies; Frozen Ever After, a boat ride in the Norway Pavilion based on the Disney movie; and Spaceship Earth, a dark ride in the geodesic sphere that takes you through technological advances. The longest wait was 50 minutes for the 3 minute Frozen ride. Soarin was my favourite. The park was crowded as expected but we’ve seen worse. It was fun to people-watch, everything from 2 year old temper tantrums, multi-generational family groups, international visitors, to a large wedding party. Everyone was happy, except for the 2 year old!

    We had a very tasty dinner at the Moroccan Pavilion and hung around until 9 pm for the fireworks and laser show. It was quite impressive although we opted to sit which meant we had a somewhat obstructed view.

    It was a fun day but the cost is getting outrageous. Our one-day pass was $244 for 2, parking $25, and our simple dinner $42 (which included a $9 beer), all in USD. How can so many families afford this? The fees continue to go up despite few new attractions. Disney knows people will always come.    Read more

  • Betty FoidartThe Americas...North & SouthTraveler
    The American Adventure pavilion
    Chinese acrobatic groupThis Acadian band did Canada proudMoroccan pavilionNothing too fancy for our $42!

    Disneyworld II

    February 1, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C

    The International Art Festival was on during our visit so there were different acts and artists throughout the park. We also stopped to see performers at the various pavilions. Our favourite was the Celtic rock band at the Canadian Pavilion. We were biased of course but they drew a large crowd as they were a lively band similar to Great Big Sea.Read more

  • Betty FoidartThe Americas...North & SouthTraveler
    Our resort is the middle building
    Notice our beautiful view!Another great view from the bedroom

    Fort Lauderdale

    February 2, 2019 in the United States ⋅ 🌧 23 °C

    It was time to head south in search of warmer weather. Our condo at the Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort is conveniently located between the ocean and the waterways, so we are a block to either area. There is a Publix supermarket and the Galleria upscale mall within a 10 minute walk. We have a larger (900 sq ft) one bedroom, 2 bathroom unit on the 3rd floor. It’s very clean and comfortable but my only complaint is the location of our unit. Although there are scenic waterfronts on either side of the 17 storey building, we have a view of the parking lot. Since it is peak season and all units are occupied there was no chance of getting a different unit. It was very difficult to find anything anywhere in Florida this month so I’m happy just to have a place to stay. We did succeed in finding nicer weather as it was sunny and 25 today :)Read more

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