Mexico - All Inclusives

We enjoy going to Mexico when the weather is cold at home.  It's a little summer in the middle of winter. Our first trip to Mexico was in 2010 (April 18-25).  We flew to the Cancun airport and stayed at Grand Sirenis Riviera Maya Resort. The Concierge told us it was safe to wait on the highway for the local bus (really a van).  We did this.  Went one direction to the town of Playa Del Carmen. The other direction from the resort took us to the Tulum Ruins.

 Grand Sirenis Resort

 Tulum Ruins

Playa Del Carmen

The second trip to Mexico was in 2012 (Jan. 21-28). It was to the west coast of Mexico, to Puerto Vallarta. We stayed at the Canto del Sol hotel. We took a couple tours, one was to city centre, and also to San Sebastian in the mountains.  In January 2013 we went to the same resort in Puerto Vallarta, but this time we walked to downtown and spent some time wandering thru the shops.  We were back to our hotel in about four hours.  You have to start early, or it gets too hot.

 Puerto Vallarta

From balcony at Canto Del Sol, Puerto Vallarta

In Oct. 30-Nov.6, 2012, we went to Huatulco, Mexico. It's further south on the west coast of Mexico.  It is a newer area so not quite as busy.  We went on a city tour and a tour of local condos. It was the first flight of the season and not everything was up and running yet.  It was warmer early morning, than in Puerto Vallarta. At six o'clock you could already sit on the balcony and have your coffee, it was warm enough.

From balcony at Barcelo Hotel at Huatulco

Las Vegas 2012

Las Vegas  - Monte Carlo Hotel May 12-19, 2012

The weather was hot and dry. We walked the strip one day and got very exhausted.  Then we found out there were trams that ran between hotels. The hotels are huge in Vegas. They have replicas of famous places in the world, like the gondalas in Venice. At the Bellagio Hotel, the fountains are turned on at 7:00 PM. They were really spectacular. In Casear Palace they've painted the ceilings, it looks just like you are outside.  I enjoyed the New York hotel too.

We didn't want to go to another presentation but ended up there when they offered us a free show. The show we went to see was called 'KA' at MGM hotel. We went on a day tour to the Hoover Dam and Grand Canyon. These were very nice to see too.

Welcome to Scotland 2011

The Best of Bonnie Scotland June 22-29, 2011. The flight and hotels were included in the price. We flew to Calgary and then on Thomas Cook Airlines to Glasgow, Scotland, arrived at 6:18 AM.  Our rental car was an Audi, automatic transmission. Learning to get into the drivers seat from the right side and driving on the left was scarey. It took us a while to get out of the city and onto the Motorway. But once we were on the highway, it was easier.  We made our way to the city of Perth where we were to pick up our hotel vouchers. After a little rest in our room, we decided to take a walk around. I just love the old stone buildings. We saw a ASDA store, it's like a Walmart, also McDonalds Resaurant, they seem to be everywhere.

The next day we visited the town of Pitlochry and the Blair Castle & Gardens.  In Aberfeldy we went to the Information centre and the Bank of Scotland. In the town of Killin, we had lunch at Shutters Restaurant, a Haggis sandwich and a Venison Burger. Very nice. The drive was lovely through the green valleys and mountains. That night we stayed at the Isles of Glencoe Hotel in the village of Ballachulish. It had a view of the water.

It was at Urquhart Castle that we first used our Explorer Pass. We also visited the Loch Ness Centre, where they explained the legend of the Loch Ness Monster through videos. Our next stop for the night was at Inverness in the north. The hotel was in downtown and there was no parking close by so we had to walk a few blocks to our hotel. When we returned for our car in the morning, the whole parking lot was empty except for our car and the exit was closed with a chain. There was a note on our car that we should leave it chained. First we had to figure out how to open it.  As it turned out it wasn't that complicated. This was an interesting town of very old churches and cemeteries.

The next day we drove to Aberdeen and then to Edinburgh where we stayed for two nights.  From our hotel, Premier Inn, we were able to walk to the Edinburgh Castle and used our Explorer Pass for admittance. After the Castle tour, we walked the 'Royal Mile', where there were many neat shops. However, it started to pour rain.. typical in Scotland, I think. We stopped in at a pub for some fries and pop thinking the rain would stop. It continued to rain, so we had to buy some yellow plastic capes, because we had a long walk back to the hotel. They weren't pretty but they certainly kept us dry, and we were able to continue our walk. Stopped in at the Princes Mall and walked past a well kept park.

We had a bit of a problem getting in and out of Edinburgh, but eventually found our way.  Our final destination was the city Glasgow. Here we stayed at the Holiday Inn Express. But before we came to Glasgow, we tried to find the New Kilpatick Parish in Beardsden. We finally had to stop and inquire. The funeral home seemed a good place to ask and they were able to call the Parish and set up an appointment for us. It was difficult to find because there was no sign on the street. This was the birth place of a Stewart ancestor. In the city we visited the old Glasgow Cathedral. I enjoyed visiting Scotland. I loved the old stone buildings, the very green hills and valleys, the quaint little towns, and all the historic charm!!

Maui - March 2011

We went to Hawaii in 2011. This was the first year that West jet flew direct to Maui. We stayed six nights at the Maui Coast Hotel in Kihei. The weather was perfect in Maui.. sunshine and temperatures in the mid twenties.

This hotel had computers available with free internet use. There was a concierge desk in the lobby where you could book tours and a rental car. A free shuttle was available to take you either direction from the hotel to visit shops. (I think it was 3 km). We used the shuttle to go south to the Wailea Shopping Centre and north to the flea market, Peggy Sue's restaurant and some shops.

Friday we went on the 'Road to Hana' bus tour (Polynesian Adventure tours).  This was an all day affair, we left the hotel at 7:30 AM and returned at 6:30 PM. After picking up some others, we were on our way. There were various stops on the way for pastries and drinks, coconut/coconut juice, frozen ice cream, wine tasting.  Lunch was at Hana - burgers & chips. Stopped at waterfalls, 7 pools, saw black sands. It was very windy. Parts of the road were very rough and narrow. It was pretty tight meeting other cars or buses on this road. Probably now so good in a small car either.

Saturday evening we went to a Luau buffet and show at Mariott Wailea Resort. The food was very good. The dances, so, so, seemed like a long evening. It got cool too, I should of brought a sweater. The next day we rented a car from Enterprize at Makena (Hyundai Genesis). We drove to Lahaina and attended a presentation, these are always a waste of time, but you get the discounts or cash rewards. We also saw the golf course at Kaanapali, we have seen this one on TV. Our main purpose for driving up to Lahaina was to go on a whale watching boat tour. The water was quite rough with big waves. We listened to whales singing by a mic in the water, but didn't see any whales that day. We had our picture taken, cost $10. It was lovely. Had lunch at Famous Dave's Burgers. This was good! The next day we returned the rental car to Makena and took the shuttle back to the hotel.  There was a little bit of time for swimming in the hotel pool and some walking on the beach and it was soon time to return to the airport and fly home.  Very nice place to visit.

Jamaica 2009

We boarded Air Canada for a direct flight to Montego Bay on the morning of Tuesday, December 29th. It had been cold and foggy the day before, and flights had been delayed or even cancelled in the days after Christmas. Instead of driving to the airport in the wee hours of the morning, we decided to stay at a hotel the night before. There was a car park across the road which was handy. The next morning at 6 AM we took the hotel shuttle to the airport. It's busy in the morning and there was a long wait to get through security that day.

We arrived in Montego Bay about 4 PM. A long walk from the plane and a longer wait to get through customs. Air Canada had given us only one form per couple, when Jamaica customs required one per person. This meant a delay to find another form and get it filled out. In the meantime the line had grown.  We were almost the last ones to get through. Our luggage was waiting for us by then. We continued on until we came to someone holding a sign that said "AC Vacations". They directed us to another person with a list of names. Thankfully our names were on it. We were then taken to our bus. The sun goes down early in Jamaica, so our 90 minute bus ride to our resort at Ocho Rios was in darkness.

Arriving at Sunset Jamaica Grande Resort we were offered a glass of juice and a form to fill out while waiting in another line up to check in.  It was 10 PM local time when we got to our room #521 in the South Tower. To enter the room we had to hold the card key just so or it wouldn't open. The room smelled musty and bathroom seemed a little old.. but then we were tired we'd had a long day. And we were hungry, we'd not had real food since breakfast. With the buffet closing at 10 PM the only thing open was a grill in the north tower. It was a busy place because many of the new arrivals had not had food. So with the hunger satisfied we were off to bed.. a rest was what we needed.

The next day, the sun was shining and we felt more like exploring our new surroundings. However, first things... we had to find where breakfast was served.  The dining room was located on the lower level. It was wonderful, so many choices of food and coffee served to the table, dishes removed for you. Wow, this is great! We continued to enjoy all the meals, breakfast, lunch and dinner. We were also allowed three a la cartes. These had to be booked in advance. We chose the Asian and Italian restaurants. Going to these meant dressing up a little, no shorts or flip-flops.

The first morning we had a introductory meeting with our Air Canada representative. He talked to us about things to watch out for in Jamaica and about tours available and how to book them. We booked three tours: Annandale Great House; Sun Valley Plantation & Firefly; and Ocho Rios highlights which included a duty free shopping centre, Fern Gully, Coyaba Gardens and Dunn's River Falls.

Our one week all-inclusive vacation to Jamaica also included time on the beach, at the pools, a 5-minute walk to the town of Ocho Rios, sitting in the lobby in the evening watching people arriving and leaving, shopping in the hotel store and walking around the hotel and resort. It was a most enjoyable time.

Ireland 2007

The Irish Odyssey 12-day Tour with CIE tours began in Dublin. One place we visited was Blarney Castle, where you could climb to the top to kiss the blarney stone. We did not attempt the climb, but many in our group managed to kiss the famous stone. One of my favorite places was the Dingle Peninsula Tour, located on the mountainous southwest coast. The coastal scenery was magnificent with views of the rugged shoreline and steep cliffs. Dingle is an Irish speaking district. I didn't know Ireland had it's own language, but it is taught in the schools and the road signs have Irish and English on them. Another very scenic tour was to the Cliffs of Moher. They are located on the west coast of Ireland, an impressive wall of rock that rises nearly 700 feet above the open Atlantic Ocean. Kylemore Abbey was also located in a very beautiful valley. It is a 19th century Mansion, which is now a prestigious girls' school. Two factories we visited were the Celtic Crystal Factory and the Marble Factory, both interesting history.

Blarney Castle 

In Northern Ireland we walked in the walled city of Derry, and visited the famous Giant's Causeway on the far north coast. I didn't know what this was when I first heard about it. Our brochures says these huge hexagonal columns formed over 60 million years ago. The volcanic rock formations were strange looking and difficult to walk on. While still in Northern Ireland, we visited the Ulster American Folk Park. The Park traces the story of emigrants by showing how they lived in the Old Country and then sailed across the Atlantic to settle in the New World. It was also the last place to spend our British Pounds. The rest of Ireland uses the Euro. Our final night of the Tour was at Cabra Castle in Kingscourt. It was built in 1760. The story was told of a young lady and her baby who haunt the castle. I don't know, she didn't show up when we were there, just as well, the place was a bit strange with many hallways and stairs twists and turns. One could perhaps loose their way never to be heard from again! Thankfully we arrived back home safely.

Irish countryside 

Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland

Israel 2008

Yes, our trip to Israel. It was very interesting, and I'd go again just to listen to the guide telling us the history of each area. I probably was sidetracked and too busy looking around to take in all the information he was giving. It was excellent, and our driver who could back the big bus into the smallest of parking spaces and get around all the other buses that were there as well as through the narrow streets, etc. Our leaders from Ontario and the guide from Israel were very knowledgeable and caring. Treated us like family and made sure no one was left behind. I enjoyed the food too. Lots of salads, fish, rice, soups. John liked the meats, he's not a salad person. A regular lunch meal was the "falafal" a pita bread pocket to be filled with salad and something that looked like meatballs but was made of chickpeas. They had a different flavor that stayed with you for a while. John was worried when he heard the pita would be filled with salads, but then there was a choice of having a chicken schnitzel inside instead. He was relieved! In the evenings we were always back at our hotel and had buffet style evening meals.

Dead Sea

Everyone back home asked, what was our favorite thing. Well, at first I thought, the Sea of Galilee, it was rather moving, because to think that Jesus walked on these waters and they are still in the same place. Some other things aren't where they were or it's not known exactly where they were, but the Sea of Galilee hasn't moved. But then I thought the Dead Sea was very unique, but so salty. We couldn't drink the water from the taps and when we went into the Dead Sea we were not to get the water in our eyes or mouth. John got some in his eyes, as did others, and they had to get out quick and find a towel. Then I thought the excavations at Capernaum, Megiddo, Beit She'an, Masada, Qumran were also quite interesting. To think all those things have been buried all these years.

Sea of Galilee

When we got to the city of Jerusalem, because it was the last days of our tour, I thought I wouldn't really like it there. Our first experience, we found that the bellboys were quite forward and the street sellers were very much in your face. But then we got to go to the Garden of Gethsemane and the Garden Tomb and the Museums, the Mount of Olives, the Wailing Wall and the tunnels underneath the Temple Mount where they have done a lot of excavations.

Jordan River

Then the famous Via Dolorosa, a mile-long route through the Old City of Jerusalem (Way of the Cross). And I thought, WOW, I'm really here. The Old City I think was my favorite, walking through the narrow walkways and seeing all the Stations and the shops, it was so neat to be there. Our final day in Jerusalem was a free day. We joined three others from our group and we walked to the Damascas Gate and then to Ben Yehuda Street which is a walking only area with many stores. It was fun looking thru the shops and talking to the people and so forth. It really wrapped up a wonderful holiday. And yes, there is a lot of walking, so good shoes are a must. We were fortunate the weather was really good. It only rained one day. They said it hadn't rained much and if it did rain, it would be over in a short while. Well, that first day it poured, almost all day. John had to buy an umbrella. I think some of the group brought them from home, but we hadn't.