Colosseum, Rome, Italy
Monday, July 29, 2013
Monday, July 22, 2013
Monday, July 15, 2013
Monday, July 8, 2013
Monday, July 1, 2013
Monday, June 24, 2013
Thursday, June 20, 2013
Changes Coming
I have finally made the decision to make some major changes to this site. In the next few weeks I will be working on transitioning to a Wordpress site. Due to the complexities of migrating everything and then resetting up some of the pages, I expect this will take me a few weeks to make it presentable.
My planned launch date is August 1, though I am hoping it will be sooner.
However, I am transferring my domain from one company to another and if that causes issues with the ability to view this site on it's current Blogger platform, then I will launch sooner, even if it's not quite ready.
During this time I will not be creating any new content (though I do have a few rough drafts waiting for the launch), except maybe the Photo of the Week.
See you in a few weeks!
My planned launch date is August 1, though I am hoping it will be sooner.
However, I am transferring my domain from one company to another and if that causes issues with the ability to view this site on it's current Blogger platform, then I will launch sooner, even if it's not quite ready.
During this time I will not be creating any new content (though I do have a few rough drafts waiting for the launch), except maybe the Photo of the Week.
See you in a few weeks!
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
Zion National Park
We finally left Kanab, the location of my falling and
cutting my leg going to the POOL! We
were headed to Zion National Park on the way to Las Vegas. Yes, this park is an easy 1-2 hour drive from
Vegas, incase you feel the need to exercise some of sin city out of
yourself.
Unlike Bad Lands, Bryce Canyon and the Grand Canyon, our
primary point of visiting Zion National Park was from the floor of the park,
not from the top. While Zion wasn’t
quite as beautiful as Bryce Canyon or as grand as the Grand Canyon, the vantage
point from the base gave it a different feel.
Most of the tour group did a hike to a small waterfall, most had planned on going further, but the trail stopped there due to construction so it was the end of the line. We got some great photos and headed back to the visitors center there for some shopping and snacks.
The only problem with this is that when you’re waiting for
your bus to be fixed and you already have seen a nice piece of the park, you
don’t really have time to do much more then shop at the bigger store and soak
in the experience. Oh, and don’t go to far incase the tire is fixed sooner then
you thought.
Monday, June 17, 2013
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
Falling Down
To set the scene for this post you need to know that I have
a fear of hiking down hill, it’s a fear of falling and breaking my leg in the
wilderness. It’s not necessarily a
reasonable fear, but it’s not debilitating either. After hiking in Bryce Canyon and almost dying
(walking uphill) I had taken it easy at the Grand Canyon.
Later that night we did have a good old fashioned BBQ in a
local park in Kanab near our hotel.
Hamburgers, chips and smores! We
even got to play on the swing sets and jungle gym. Sometimes it’s fun to relive your youth. I survived all that fine.
I have not changed my stance on hiking!
Monday, June 10, 2013
Wednesday, June 5, 2013
More Holiday Storytellers
In 2011 I had my first Disney World Christmas experience, and one of the treats of the season are the Storytellers Around the World. In 2011 I saw about half of them and when I returned this past December I saw a few more. This is a review of the news ones I experienced. I will give one disclaimer though. I had gotten sick at the end of this trip and was at my best when I saw some of these.
I did revisit the Los Tres Reyes Magos (Three Kings) in Mexico and La Befana in Italy. Los Tres Magos seemed to be the same as the year before, still not my favorite, but still very good. La Befana also seemed good, but not quite as good as I remembered from the year before, but I was feeling pretty sick at that time and I had just seen another really good one that day too.
Germany - Helga
With a name like Helga I expected an older woman, but I was wrong, Helga is a pretty young woman and this was a nice story. Here we learned about the tradition of Christmas Trees and the first Nutcracker. Even with German heritage I didn't think this was the best one, but it's a bit more contemporary then many of the others. I think it did have the best setting though, at least in terms of atmosphere.
The American Adventure - Hanukkah
This show has the best setting, it's inside. No dealing with hot or cold or sun in your eyes. As for the show, it was just ok. The woman was nice and the story had an intimate feel to it. But, I grew up with a lot of Jews around me and I felt like I knew more about Hanaukkah then I learned here. I suspect if you've had little contact with Jews this would be more interesting. I did think it was a nice touch that the story teller played with dreidel with the kids after.
France - Pere Noel
Pere Noel tells the story of Christmas in France through a letter from a girl. It's a sweet story about believing in Pere Noel and santa figures. But Pere Noel is too skinny!
Canada - Nowell
Nowell is a lumberjack, what? How can you make all those gifts if your cutting down trees. Or maybe you need the wood for all those toys? I don't know. But this was another good story, reminds me a lot of how Christmas in the US, as much as it's the same for many, it can also be quite different depending on your heritage.
Norway - Sigrid and Christmas Gnome, Julenissen
This was my absolute favorite and you can tell the word is out, this story had the largest crowd of all the ones I have seen. Sigrid tells the story of Julenissen, which she doesn't believe. Julenissen is a gnome who plays tricks on boys and girls. And so Julenissen plays tricks on Sigrid, but since she doesn't believe in him she doesn't understand what is going on. It's quite entertaining.
Even though Christmas is 6 months away, it is time to start planning your trips there!
I did revisit the Los Tres Reyes Magos (Three Kings) in Mexico and La Befana in Italy. Los Tres Magos seemed to be the same as the year before, still not my favorite, but still very good. La Befana also seemed good, but not quite as good as I remembered from the year before, but I was feeling pretty sick at that time and I had just seen another really good one that day too.
Germany - Helga
With a name like Helga I expected an older woman, but I was wrong, Helga is a pretty young woman and this was a nice story. Here we learned about the tradition of Christmas Trees and the first Nutcracker. Even with German heritage I didn't think this was the best one, but it's a bit more contemporary then many of the others. I think it did have the best setting though, at least in terms of atmosphere.
The American Adventure - Hanukkah
This show has the best setting, it's inside. No dealing with hot or cold or sun in your eyes. As for the show, it was just ok. The woman was nice and the story had an intimate feel to it. But, I grew up with a lot of Jews around me and I felt like I knew more about Hanaukkah then I learned here. I suspect if you've had little contact with Jews this would be more interesting. I did think it was a nice touch that the story teller played with dreidel with the kids after.
Pere Noel tells the story of Christmas in France through a letter from a girl. It's a sweet story about believing in Pere Noel and santa figures. But Pere Noel is too skinny!
Nowell is a lumberjack, what? How can you make all those gifts if your cutting down trees. Or maybe you need the wood for all those toys? I don't know. But this was another good story, reminds me a lot of how Christmas in the US, as much as it's the same for many, it can also be quite different depending on your heritage.
Norway - Sigrid and Christmas Gnome, Julenissen
This was my absolute favorite and you can tell the word is out, this story had the largest crowd of all the ones I have seen. Sigrid tells the story of Julenissen, which she doesn't believe. Julenissen is a gnome who plays tricks on boys and girls. And so Julenissen plays tricks on Sigrid, but since she doesn't believe in him she doesn't understand what is going on. It's quite entertaining.
Even though Christmas is 6 months away, it is time to start planning your trips there!
Monday, June 3, 2013
Friday, May 31, 2013
Foreign Transaction Fees
Last week Chris Elliott ran a great article about currency conversion and foreign transaction fees - dynamic currency conversion and the pitfalls.
If you've been traveling I'm sure you've had someone at some point as if you want your transaction to show as dollars or the local currency. Of course they don't mention the rate or the fee they add on, maybe not even if you ask for it.
What's a girl to do? (or a guy). Well, it seems the best course of action is to have a credit card with no foreign transaction fee and to pay in the local currency.
Which cards don't charge a fee? Here is a quick list (some do have an annual fee) of some that I'm aware of, as of the publishing of this post:
Chase, Marriott Rewards, Sapphire Preferred
American Express Platinum
Capital One - Venture, Cash Rewards
Here is an even more extensive list of cards from Nerdwallet.
If you've been traveling I'm sure you've had someone at some point as if you want your transaction to show as dollars or the local currency. Of course they don't mention the rate or the fee they add on, maybe not even if you ask for it.
What's a girl to do? (or a guy). Well, it seems the best course of action is to have a credit card with no foreign transaction fee and to pay in the local currency.
Which cards don't charge a fee? Here is a quick list (some do have an annual fee) of some that I'm aware of, as of the publishing of this post:
Chase, Marriott Rewards, Sapphire Preferred
American Express Platinum
Capital One - Venture, Cash Rewards
Here is an even more extensive list of cards from Nerdwallet.
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
When Friends Get Flakey
Earlier this month I traveled to Colorado to visit with a friend. While I was visiting one friend, I had another friend who lived in the area that I wanted to meet up.
I had loose plans with friend #2 and when I tried to firm up plans he would push back or not answer emails. I really appreciated when he told me what he thought I should do, instead of hearing what I wanted to do. I started to wonder why we were friends.
Then I spoke to a colleague about it and he told me an even crazier story. A friend was coming to visit with another friend and a couple friend, a total of 4 people. He set up hotels, cars, excursions and then never heard anything for weeks. 2 days before he cancels everything. Later that afternoon she calls and says they'll be in tomorrow! WHAT? Well apparently she changed all her info due to a crazy ex-boyfriend. But still, you wait until the day before to confirm you plans.
Friend #2 and I worked out our differences. He can be stubborn and so can I; but, once we spoke on the phone and committed to working something out we found all the issues before had gone away.
So, how do you handle it when your friends get flakey when planning a trip?
I had loose plans with friend #2 and when I tried to firm up plans he would push back or not answer emails. I really appreciated when he told me what he thought I should do, instead of hearing what I wanted to do. I started to wonder why we were friends.
Then I spoke to a colleague about it and he told me an even crazier story. A friend was coming to visit with another friend and a couple friend, a total of 4 people. He set up hotels, cars, excursions and then never heard anything for weeks. 2 days before he cancels everything. Later that afternoon she calls and says they'll be in tomorrow! WHAT? Well apparently she changed all her info due to a crazy ex-boyfriend. But still, you wait until the day before to confirm you plans.
Friend #2 and I worked out our differences. He can be stubborn and so can I; but, once we spoke on the phone and committed to working something out we found all the issues before had gone away.
So, how do you handle it when your friends get flakey when planning a trip?
Monday, May 27, 2013
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Grand Canyon's North Rim
Our visit to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon started with
an early drive from our hotel in Kanab and a time change. Of course we were
staying in Kanab that night so our return from the Grand Canyon would include
a time change.
At the North Rim there is a nice visitors center that
includes facilities, maps, a restaurant and beautiful views.
From the visitors center there are some shorter walks along
the ridges (they’re perfectly safe for the average person) and offer AWESOME views.
If you’re visiting this area follow the trails to the Bright Angel Point.
If you’re looking for something more strenuous you can do
the Bridle Trail, which I did. The good
thing about the Bridle Trail is that it is shaded and easy for the average visitor.
The bad things is that most of it has absolutely no view. So why do it? It leads to the trails that go into the
canyon.
I opted not to go down into the canyon because I was afraid
it would be too much for me and I would find out too late. But I hear the trail
was not one of the nicer ones we would have done in the National Parks due to
the donkeys. Apparently the trail was
not as clean and pristine.
Instead I opted to relax and take a nap inside the visitor’s
center while looking out at the Grand Canyon.
I’ve got nothing against the outdoors and all that nature stuff, but
sometime it’s better to sit and be in it rather than doing as much as
possible. Today was that kind of day.
We did have lunch in the restaurant, it was a bit pricey, but it was good. And after I had just enough time to take my favorite wildlife photograph ever!
Monday, May 20, 2013
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
One Year with Disney World
When I took my trip to Disney World in December 2011 I decided to get an annual pass. The plan was to see if I could find some good deals on trips in 2012 and hop on a plane and go. The plan worked in some ways and not in others, but it was still a good year.
I never really found good deals, but I had some vacation time and took several shorter trips. Actually, one of my trips was not only not a "good deal" but included expensive hotels and plane tickets, but was a great experience.
My first trip was with my sister and her two kids. It was a fun trip, but the 4 of us in one Polynesian hotel room was a bit much for me at times. As usually happens with kids, the trip revolved around them, we went on lots of rides, and I loved the Polynesian.
The rest of the trips I took that year ended up being about experiences more then about rides.
On one trip I actually decided to ride the rides that no one talks about, the ones you can't ride with other people because they want to go on the good rides. It wasn't one of my better plans, but now I have a list of rides I never need to go on again.
Another trip was all about the Animal Kingdom Lodge and Fantasyland. While I did do some other things, having already been 3 times in less then a year, I didn't feel the need to do much more then that. There's no line for the new Little Mermaid ride, better ride it lots before the lines grow! I can ride Peter Pan, Space Mountain and shop another time!
Tour a resort, who has time for that? When you go 5 times in 12 months, you have time to tour an interesting resort (Art of Animation), you probably even have time to tour a boring one (as though they exist).
The biggest thing I got out of these 5 trips was that every one I had a slightly different goal, explore a resort, experience a new party or event, ride new rides. The goal was not to see as much as possible in as short a period of time as possible. With that, I got to spend time with the charming lesser known things, instead of on lines. I got to experience the whole of Walt Disney World.
After that year though, I did get a little bored. The average attractions that you might do because you don't get to do them often, they lost there thrill. You run out of new experiences to have, or at least the list gets shorter. So yes, the thrill wore off a bit, but the ability to relax on a Disney vacation started to exist, and I really never thought that was possible.
A lot of people asked when I was going back, or commented that I wouldn't be able to give it up. But I have no plans of going this year. While it would be easy to go back, the desire to explore something new is stronger. I'll be back there, but it might not be until 2015, GASP! But I wouldn't be opposed to doing it with an annual pass again.
I never really found good deals, but I had some vacation time and took several shorter trips. Actually, one of my trips was not only not a "good deal" but included expensive hotels and plane tickets, but was a great experience.
My first trip was with my sister and her two kids. It was a fun trip, but the 4 of us in one Polynesian hotel room was a bit much for me at times. As usually happens with kids, the trip revolved around them, we went on lots of rides, and I loved the Polynesian.
The rest of the trips I took that year ended up being about experiences more then about rides.
On one trip I actually decided to ride the rides that no one talks about, the ones you can't ride with other people because they want to go on the good rides. It wasn't one of my better plans, but now I have a list of rides I never need to go on again.
Another trip was all about the Animal Kingdom Lodge and Fantasyland. While I did do some other things, having already been 3 times in less then a year, I didn't feel the need to do much more then that. There's no line for the new Little Mermaid ride, better ride it lots before the lines grow! I can ride Peter Pan, Space Mountain and shop another time!
Tour a resort, who has time for that? When you go 5 times in 12 months, you have time to tour an interesting resort (Art of Animation), you probably even have time to tour a boring one (as though they exist).
The biggest thing I got out of these 5 trips was that every one I had a slightly different goal, explore a resort, experience a new party or event, ride new rides. The goal was not to see as much as possible in as short a period of time as possible. With that, I got to spend time with the charming lesser known things, instead of on lines. I got to experience the whole of Walt Disney World.
After that year though, I did get a little bored. The average attractions that you might do because you don't get to do them often, they lost there thrill. You run out of new experiences to have, or at least the list gets shorter. So yes, the thrill wore off a bit, but the ability to relax on a Disney vacation started to exist, and I really never thought that was possible.
A lot of people asked when I was going back, or commented that I wouldn't be able to give it up. But I have no plans of going this year. While it would be easy to go back, the desire to explore something new is stronger. I'll be back there, but it might not be until 2015, GASP! But I wouldn't be opposed to doing it with an annual pass again.
Monday, May 13, 2013
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)