Lil Purrs

My dearest, princess has been missing me as I travel the world. She loves nothing more then our “tv stuggles.” Today while cooking dinner she came and reminded me it way beyond our TV times. So as soon as dinner was done, I made good on her needs.

World Travels; Bermuda

Yes, I was away again. I had a long weekend in Bermuda. I have a friend that lives there and offered me the spare bedroom. Without that I would not have been able to go. Bermuda is expensive. It has it’s own currency but its equal to United States Dollars. However, everything is inflated. I bought a few groceries; like bread, sandwich meat, and pasta etc. and it was $30s. Meals were easily $20-30 a person and I have to be honest, nothing really impressed me.

There is a lot of history in Bermuda. St. George is the oldest city in the western hemisphere. Lots of pirates, British soldiers, and travelers. The island is full of forts. It is a beautiful place. The snorkeling is alright. It would have been better if the storm hadn’t churned up the water. There was also caves. For those of you who pay attention, I love caves. These were small but lovely. However, they put way too many people down at once. But you should still check these caverns out.

I, of course, checked out the Zoo, Aquarium, and the Underwater institute. While there is very limited things to do on the island these are good places to stop. Just don’t expect too much. While I am not a huge island girl I did enjoy my morning swim and snorkeling each day. Water isn’t as warm as Florida or the Caribbean but it was alright once you get in.

Stay tuned. I have more travel in the works!

World Travel: India part 2

Orcha was a underspoken place and really just a rest in a busy tour. We really got to enjoy some of the wonderful ideas of roads and traffic.

The palace here was amazing also. The architect was amazing. So much detail and work went into the buildings. They even had a type of air conditioning. It was all so grand. We then took a overnight train toward Varanasi. There was an overnight camping stop on the Ganges River before we continued to Varanasi, the holiest Hindu city. It was overwhelming the amount of cars, mopeds, cows, and people. That and the heat made the experience!

From Varanasi we started west toward Nepal! It was a very long drive and we didn’t even go that far. Thank goodness I can sleep almost anywhere. The cross into Nepal was very interesting. We stopped about a kilometer from the border and had to walk to the border. The border is under that orange and green banner.

World Travels: India

This is my third trip with Intrepid Travels. I have to say I am still impressed with their program. The trip I took was Delhi to Kathmandu that lasted 15 days. Oh boy! What a great two weeks.

I flew into Delhi a day early to be able to make it to our first meeting. I wish our world was a bit smaller, only for the fact of traveling takes so long. With the conflict in Norther India and Pakistan we were rerouted around the area. That meant a 16 hour flight from USA to India. I can attest to that being too long on a plane. (Or my backside can attest to it.)

Customs and security was very smooth and finding my driver was easy too. I have just recently started phone service with Google Fi and had no problem with phone service. That in and of itself made my trip much less stressful. We only spent a day in Delhi but it was an experience for sure. Indians are aggressive sellers and they all wanted to take pictures with us. I know know what it is like to be hounded by paparazzi. WOW.

From Delhi we went to Agra, by train. It was a bit crazy at our train station but our guide, Ronnie, did great. The train was a great way to get out of the city and there was even a meal! I got to get to know my fellow travelers better. There was 11 of us; 6 British, 1 Scotsmen, 2 Aussies, and a Mexican/Canadian. It was a great group of people.

Front gate of Akbar’s Mausoleum

The views in India goes quickly from metropolitan to rough country. In Agra, we saw Akbar’s Mausoleum and the Taj Mahal. I have to confess that the Indians know how to build. I spent 20 minutes in awe of front gate of Akbar’s Mausoleum to find out that the mausoleum was another building all together. There were definite influences from Muslim and Christian architectures. Overall the place was huge and it was only a burial place.

I have seen many historical sites around the world and often they just don’t live up to the hype. On TV or in word they are these magnificent and imposing structures only to be a pile of stones in a field. The Taj Mahal, on the other hand is extremely imposing. It was also a zoo of people. I have seen less people in Disney World.

These sites were wonderful to see and a great start to a very long journey. After Agra we worked out way to Ochra. A quiet little place with some more grand historic structures. We traveled again by train, an overnight train. If you have never slept in an open room with strangers you should try it! HA!

Portland, Maine

Well I spent the weekend in Portland-east coast style. Just a short get away with a friend. She and I had never been to Portland before. There is a lot in the area and we didn’t get to see all we wanted. We did make a small dent in the food choices. Downtown Portland on the water, has many places to eat and shop. Rosie’s is a must stop for wicked cheap beer and good bar food.

Another good place to try is Duck Fat. They have duck fat fries and paninis. Make sure you make a reservation or expect a long wait. Dimillo’s or Fore St Resturant is worth a date night.

For the downtown area there are many touristy shops and designer shops. Great for a walk around. There is also a small Museum of Art. I felt it was a bit expensive for how little there is.

In South Portland there are many places to shop to include the mall. Great for a short stay!

Travels: Boston, Mass

So I spend the day in Boston, recently. My friend had been there multiple times and was aghast that I hadn’t spent any time there. So she set me straight. We took the Amtrak which was also new to me. I have taken the train in other countries but I don’t think I have taken it in the States. It was rather nice. Our first day in Boston we went to the aquarium and walked around Italian Town and China Town. The aquarium was great! It was structured around a round multistory tank. At the base of the take was pools full of penguins. They also had seals and touch tanks. It wasn’t the largest aquarium I had been to but it was very well laid out.

I know it was my first time in Boston but that town is very confusing. Without a guide I would have been horribly lost. I felt a bit out of my depth looking out of the history in the area. I knew many famous historical actions happened in New England. I was astounded and some what ashamed that I don’t know my country history better.  We saw the spot of the Boston Massacre, meeting houses where important evens happened, the burial place of Sam Adams and Paul Revere.

One of the greatest memorials had nothing to do with American History. The Holocaust Memorial is indescribable.  It is comprised of towers of metal and glass. Etched on the glass was numbers. Millions and millions of numbers. One number for every one of the 11 million people who were killed in that horrible conflict. There is a path that walks under these towers. I felt the weight of the people on top of me. Below the walk path are steam vents that represent the considerations camps. Lights like stars are in the hot darkness below. I felt the greatest sorrow as if I could hear the screaming coming from all those lost souls.

We saw Fenway and ate at the Cheers bar. We walked through the Boston Commons. We saw the fresh food market and shopping markets. We walked and walked and walked. About 15 miles actually. I had some amazing beer and food. I spent time with a wonderful person. Overall a most agreeable weekend. I would like to go back and explore more. Learn more. See more. Now that I know how easy it is to get there and back I am sure I will be going again.

Florida: Disney, Universal, Port Canaveral

My fellow readers, I know my last post was heavy. I am sorry but it was something I need to share. If not for you, that once person that feels similar, but for me. I know keeping that poison inside will only cause damage. But enough of the heavy. Let me show you some good things that happened.

I have always wanted to kayak with bioluminescence dinoflagellates. For those who don’t know they are these glowy creature that live in the water. They give off this bright blue color when you run your hand or paddle through the water. If you have ever seen Avatar its totally like that. I have to say it should be on your bucket list. You will totally get to glow and sparkle even if its only for a little bit.

While, my night pictures didn’t come out, I do have some of the manatees that we kayaked with before it got dark. These goofy creatures are super curious. They come right up and look at you. Our guide said they have great facial recognition and will remember you if you visit often. By law, you are not allowed to touch them but I bet they would be scratchy and a bit slick. Was great to see these gentle creature up close. They are on the protected list because they move slowly and are often killed by boat propellers.

I also got to visit the Disney’s Food and Wine Festival. You walk around Epcot and they have specialty foods for you to try from each country. I have to say I was a bit disappointed in the food. You pay about $5 for 2-3 bites of something. I don’t think many of them were over the moon. Except for Japan’s Chicken Sticky Bun. That was amazing. I feel if I am going to pay that much for so little that the flavors would be more…wow. But hey I am a bit of a food snob, what can I say.

Not to be outdone, my sister’s boyfriend got us into Universal. I had always wanted to see Harry Potter world. Diagon Alley was very stunning. It was an amazing feeling of walking into the alley as if from the Leaky Cauldron. The dragon on top of the Gringotts Bank breathes fire every 10 minutes. I wasn’t really impressed with the merchandise.  I can get a tee shirt or stuff animal anywhere. However, the wand shop was great! We did take train to Hogsmeade and saw the castle. I did get some Butterbeer. FANTASTIC. Like cream soda with butterscotch frosting.

For those who are thinking right now. “Wow look at all she did and she is bitching about her family being mean to her.” I realize I sound a bit petty. However, the reason I went down there was to be with family. This family that caused me great heartache. I realize that some moments of stress with family is normal. However, the depth of hurt isn’t normal family behavior. I have to believe there is a better way.

Traveling pains

Rushing through a random airport; music loud to drown the chaos; signs everywhere. I look at boarding gates as I move toward mine. Some place are new, most I’ve been to. I picture the place, friends, family, that are there. A pang of sadness, of inevitability of time, fills me with each location. Perhaps a bit of longing to go back to that time, place. A bit of pride fills me as I know I survived that moment in time. I am stronger and better and wiser. Without those moments I wouldn’t be who I am now.

The other signs, the ones I haven’t been to, what do they hold for me? Will that one be my down fall or biggest triumph? I am excited and terrified about who I will meet or what I’ll do. I stay encouraged knowing I have survived the last one. Bring on the next.

World Travels: Quebec City, Canada

 So last week I went to Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. It is about a 5 hour drive through Canada for me. It seems crazy to think that their Trans Canadian Highway is better then our roads but its true.  I was able to set my cruise control and speed along at about 110kpr. 😉  So I left midmorning and made my way to a point that is only about an hour north, geographically speaking, then where I am at. When you get around north of Maine there is a beautiful flood plain with rocky hills on the south side and the St. Lawrence River to the north. There aren’t many crossing of the river and you end up going beyond Quebec City to cross over to it. I stopped at my hotel, Littoral Hotel and Spa, and checked in and took a little nap. Early afternoon, I drove a few kilometers to where there was supposed to be some amazing falls. Montmorency Falls is 276ft high. There is a bridge across the top where you can look over the drop. There is also an observation deck at the foot of the falls. You do have to walk down a million stairs to get to the bottom. There is a zip line that runs across the falls if you have a death wish. There is also a gondola for the handicapped and out of shapers.

I was decently happy with my hotel. The lighting was poor but the room was large and the bed was comfortable. Really what else do you need? The hotel host said that I could easy drive to Old Quebec City and find parking. It wasn’t horrible, even with my big truck, and I found a nice little parking lot out of the way but close to all the sights.  There is a wooden boardwalk that runs in front of the fort and on a rise above the river. On the boardwalk is the massive building called the Terrasse Dufferin. It is a hotel that was built back in the 1800s. It is massive! In the same area is the Citadel ruins and the Plains of Abraham. There was a lot of construction so I didn’t make it to far that way. I worked my way up toward the wall. Quebec City is the only walled city in North America. (Or so I have been told.) It is still in good shape. In the north part of the city is their parliament building. I was able to take a tour and look at where Quebec makes it’s laws. Another gorgeous show of architecture.  Moving on to the afternoon I worked down toward the Old Quarter below the boardwalk and wall. You take Breakneck Stairway to get to this few roads of shops and food. Yes, the stairway is sketchy. What makes it worse is all the people crammed on the staircase stopping to look and take pictures. There was a lot of shops and pubs. I was a bit disappointed in the food scene here. There was nothing that popped out a French or exotic. No restaurants that called to me. I did get some crepes at a food truck in the morning and I had some beer in a very nice pub next to Norte-Dame Catholic Church. Overall it was a great visit. I would have liked to get father west along the boardwalk but with the construction I decided to stay more in the city. It was very warm that day too and I made me not want to walk so far. The next day I wanted to stop at the aquarium before heading home. It opened at 9am and I was there soon after opening. They had some lovely outdoor habitats with seals, owls, and walruses. Inside there was a multi-level  tank with a verity of fish and water critters. I really did enjoy the aquarium but at that time in the morning all the parents are brining their loud, annoying children to see the animals. So I didn’t stay too long. The drive back was uneventful. Better then I could ask for. Now on to the next place!

 

 

 

 

 

Bar Harbor, Maine

So for my birthday I drove down to Bar Harbor, Maine. This is a touristy, island town. It has a lot of natural beauty. The Acadia National Park takes up most of the island and it is beautiful. There are many trails to walk and sights to see. I went on the Shore Loop trail which takes you from Sand Beach (That’s the yellow strip of land way in the background of the picture.) pass Thunder Hole and to a scenic over look. There was a large number of tourist but as it wasn’t high season it wasn’t too bad. The trails are well maintained and posted. The only thing that bugged me was the entrance fee was $30. However, that does give you a 7 day pass in the park. I also walked around the summit of Cadillac Mountain. At an elevation of about 1500 feet is isn’t the largest hill I’ve been on but it is the tallest in the area. The mountain has been eroded down to bedrock and looks bald. Reminds me of some places in Washington. It was very windy at the summit and I would have recommended a jacket. I also went on a Whale and Puffin watching cruise with Bar Harbor Whale Watching Company. It was quiet a large vessel holding about 300 people. Even so we were a bit packed. It was a lovely cruise around the area to see where the Puffin bird nest at a very nice lighthouse. We did go out to the feeding grounds of the whales but they must have order takeout cause we didn’t see any. I have to say that the company has a very generous guarantee policy about seeing whales. I have up to 3 years to try again and take another cruise. So I am sure I will be back to Bar Harbor someday. The town itself is overflowing with tourist shops and restaurants. I did go shopping a little bit but really it was the food I was after. I was impressed with all the local beer they offered. Overall, it was a great little get away that wasn’t overly expensive or far away. Next week I am going to Quebec City and will post about all the sights and food I get to have in French Canada.