We are settling in Aviemore for several nights as a base to explore the Highlands. Okay, you had to ask! Where is Aviemore, and why would anyone want to stay there?
Actually, there are three reasons: (more…)
We are settling in Aviemore for several nights as a base to explore the Highlands. Okay, you had to ask! Where is Aviemore, and why would anyone want to stay there?
Actually, there are three reasons: (more…)
Hawaii was my dream vacation that I had waited over four years to take. Every time we tried to set a date, either my husband or I had a work commitment that got in the way.
We won an auction vacation package at a fabulous rate that included luxury hotels. Ultimately, we had to forfeit the package because we couldn’t travel by the deadlines. Boo hiss!
So, finally, we planned our own Hawaiian getaway without a travel agent and on our own. We had 10 days to experience all/most of the things we wanted to do and see.
Waterfall in Hawaii
Our itinerary required us to spend time flying between the islands, but we were resigned to that since we really wanted to see more than just Oahu.
We divided up our time on the Big Island (Hawaii), Oahu and Kauai. Each had its own points to recommend it. The Big Island had lush open areas with many waterfalls. Oahu had the tourist experiences with shopping, Diamond Head and a chance to see the Pearl Harbor monument. Kauai was the real, laid back vacation that I yearned for and wished would never end.
At Pearl Harbor Memorial
Along the way, we took a tour of popular spots where movies were filmed, ate more Spam (not the e-mails, but the meat) than I could ever imagine and saw the Dole Pineapple Plantation. And we did hang out at beaches, watching the waves.
Hawaiian beach- one of many
We do have a tendency to overdo our itinerary with too many things to do and too much crowded into a vacation. Leisure and vacation do not always equate for my husband and a crowded itinerary is a badge of honor to him. I’m at the other end of the spectrum, not quite working on a tan on the beach every day, but wishing for some “goof off time.” We strike a balance.
When we arrived at the airport in Oahu, after a layover in Los Angeles, we were eager to experience the true Hawaii. That had to wait while we traveled through traffic in our rental car to our downtown Oahu hotel. Our booking said we had an ocean view. We did – if you walked out on the balcony and craned your neck and did some contortions. We did finally get to walk up and down next to the ocean.
I love the water, so I was in heaven.
We were only staying in Oahu for a day, so we could get to the other islands and some real Hawaiian adventures. We had our list of places to eat, but also asked natives where they preferred.
The biggest change we had to get acclimated to was the very intense humidity. Living in Arizona, we’re not used to humidity. That took some adjusting to.
Once we got past the tourist stuff and just took in the scenery, Hawaii was the place I had always dreamed it would be.
More Hawaiian adventures to follow …
By Guest Author Jim Crowe
While my wife and I were on an Australian and New Zealand cruise, I celebrated my birthday on January 31. A lifetime dream for both of us, celebrating my birthday during the trip was “the frosting on the cake.”
After rising early and enjoying an early room service breakfast on our private balcony, we took a tender boat ashore and boarded a tour bus for the “Historic Hokianga Experience.” (more…)
Well, I’m back.
The emergency kilt fitting went reasonably well, although the bagpipe lesson was more problematic.
For some reason there were lots of neighborhood dogs howling … or was that the neighbors screaming at me to stop strangling that cat?
Last time we were coming back from the island of Arran. We plan to arrive back at Glasgow Central train station at around 9:27 P.M. Hopefully, we’ll have enough time to pick up a car for an early morning departure but that might not be possible due to the really odd hours of rental car desks at the train station. (more…)
Williamsburg, Virginia home
Simply walking down the street in Williamsburg, VA takes you back – ‘way back to the 18th century and the American Colonial era. One of my favorite travel destinations, Colonial Williamsburg gives visitors a passport to a previous way of life. (more…)
Traveling in the Black Forest, we had a great BMW – automatic – that we had rented from a private rental company.
Driving along, watching the scenery, suddenly, the car just s t o p p e d. Despite our best efforts, it refused to go and we had no idea what was wrong. We had gas, so that wasn’t it.
Since we weren’t near a town, we stood at the roadside, hoping someone would give us a lift. I lifted my thumb in the universal hitchhiker’s sign – and waited. (more…)
Breathtaking views
Nature outdid itself in Sedona
So Sedona has red rocks. You may ask, “What’s the big deal?” The big deal is an impressive natural wonder that extends across a region, bringing an awe-inspiring display that makes visitors feel “at one with nature.” Plus, you’ll find great hiking, terrific restaurants and amazing shopping!
On a misty morning, I waited eagerly for Catalina Island to become visible in the distance. The Catalina Express shuttle from San Pedro was fairly full, with tourists, the high school lacrosse team and other locals keeping busy during the one-and-one-quarter hour trip.
As the picturesque harbor came to view, I saw houses terraced into the hillsides and boats anchored in a quiet mooring. The vista was quaint and charming. An unusual round building, the Casino, also dominated the coast.
A 1950s song by the Four Preps called Catalina “the island of romance.” I wanted to see for myself. (If you’re seeing an unusual looking building with boats in the harbor at the top of this blog, you’re seeing something of Catalina.)
