On The Road with Julia

Los Angeles Sightseeing

2010-08-02T01:57:00.001-04:00

Well the jokes about Los Angeles traffic are indeed warranted. Our 2.5 hour journey soon stretched into 4 hours with lines of never ending traffic winding their way around one of the most famous skylines from movies and tv.

Our hotel, the Sportsmen’s Lodge is located in Studio City, an area that is close to Hollywood and use to play host many of the famous movie studios. The hotel itself had the feel of a Hollywood movie with an Olympic-sized pool area in the centre and plenty of places to sit and relax, or socialize with other guests.

Our first full day was spent as many tourists do: seeing the the famous Hollywood sign, visiting Grauman’s Chinese Theatre and exploring the Walk of Fame. We decided to take the guided tour of the Kodak Theatre and learn about the Academy Awards show that is hosted there each year.

We drove the Sunset Strip to see the Paramount Pictures complex (well the gates at least!) and then travelled Santa Monica Boulevard all the way to the coast and the famous Santa Monica Pier.

We finished our day with a movie at Universal City, a prelude to our visit to the Theme Park the following day.

Old Town San Diego

2010-08-01T01:56:00.001-04:00

We finished our stay in San Diego with one final trip to Old Town. Our hotel is right at the start of this historic area, so it was a great way to spend our final hours in this town.

We enjoyed a great visit to the Sheriff Museum (free admission) where we saw old police cars, explored how policing has changed throughout history, and even saw some homemade prisoner weapons!

Then, it was down to the markets for some last souvenirs a final chance to take a look at the the restored historic buildings that make up Old Town. From the Johnston House to the Old Cosmpolita Hotel, to the mercantile store and the county jail, you really get a feel for what the original settlers developed for what has now become a California metropolitan city.

Unfortunately, it was soon time to say goodbye to San Diego and continue our journey to Los Angeles. (with a stop at the Premium outlets first of course!)

San Diego Zoo & Gaslamp District

2010-07-31T01:48:00.001-04:00

Lions and tigers and bears - oh my! What a day we had exploring America’s largest zoo. First the Outback to see the koalas and kangaroos and then to Africa for the new elephant exhibit.

Our day pass also included an express bus to various points throughout the property, a guided tour bus ride through 70% of the zoo and unlimited use of the aerial tram over the whole park.

After the elephants we took the tram back to the main gate for some lunch, and then into the Lost Forest to see monkeys, zebras, tigers and the hippopotamus. We also took a trip to the polar rim and the Asian village - all in the same day!

The San Diego Zoo is not only known for its entertainment value but is most importantly renowned for its conservation, protection and rescue of the world’s animals. However we did get some great pictures of so many animals especially the 3 year old resident panda.

After a fun-filled day at the zoo it was onward to downtown San Diego to the famous Horton Plaza, a 5-storey shopping centre built right across from the historic Grant Hotel and around the corner from the Spreckles Theatre.

The evening comes alive in this area of San Diego since it part of the Gaslamp District. The Gaslamp is an area that began with Wyatt Earp building his famous casino here after his time in Tombstone.

Today, it is blocks of restaurants, cafes and bars with a few brand name shopping outlets thrown in for good measure. As we walked this famous neighbourhood, we simply soaked in the atmosphere of this vibrant area.

Finally, we got a hot chocolate to take off the evening chill (from the Ghiradelli Chocolate shop of course!) we returned to our car and made our way home.

San Diego

2010-07-30T13:07:00.002-04:00

We arrived in San Diego and are staying in historic Old Town at the Holiday Inn Express. We are so close to the transit trolley and the spanish Old Town area where souvenir shops and restaurants are plentiful.

Our first night was spent at Petco Park watching the hometown Padres beat their rivals, the LA Dodgers. It was a fun night and the park had some great food!

Yesterday, we went on the Old Town Trolley and enjoyed an entertaining and educational tour around town. We stopped at the USS Midway for a tour of this real-life American Aircraft Carrier (felt like we were in the movie Top Gun!) and we also stopped at Coronado Island for a visit to its famous hotel, the Del Coronado. With over 400 rooms and a great history, we could only dream of staying in a place like that!

When we arrived back in Old Town, we explored the market and had a great supper at Pizza Bella - home of their award winning pizza! Armed with leftovers, our day's souvenirs and an aching back, we got back to the hotel for an early night.

Palm Springs - Oasis in the Desert

2010-07-28T20:49:00.001-04:00

We arrived in Palm Springs on Monday afternoon after the drive from Las Vegas.

First of all, the drive was awesome! Although the mountains were nothing like the mountains we know of in Canada, they were still beautiful. I never realized that an arid landscape could still be so beautiful!

We stayed at the Palm Mountain Resort & Spa - and as promised it was in downtown Palm Springs and just one block behind the great boutiques and restaurants of the Village. The first night we found a great Mexican restaurant - Maracas - and we loved it so much we went back again the second night!

I had hoped to get a pedicure at the hotel spa but unfortunately, the did everything except pedicures. So I went online and found the "Delight" Nail centre - and it ended up being the best pedicure I've had in a long time!

The first day we explored the area, driving from Palm Springs, through Cathedral City, Indian Wells (the richest town in the nation) and down to La Quinta. The afternoon was spent travelling up to an elevation of 8516 feet on the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway and in the evening, we took in an IMAX movie and called it an early night.

Today we took the "Old Hollywood Grand Tour" from Celebrity Tours. Our driver Tim was not only knowledgeable, funny and courteous, but he knew where to get the BEST DATE SHAKES EVER!!
We explored what was called the Old Movie Colony and also the areas where today's stars like Barbara Streisand and Barry Manilow have houses.

Add to that the amazing desert weather (over 100 degrees every day!) and you have a great stay in Palm Springs!

We've just arrived in San Diego, so stay tuned.....

California - Here I Come!

2010-07-23T17:21:00.000-04:00

The spring disappeared and I'm getting ready to set off on my summer vacation! I'm spending 2 weeks touring California, so stay tuned for all the details!

Update: Flying into the U.S

2010-02-12T16:38:00.000-05:00

Once again, Ray DeNure, President of DeNure Tours, has emailed me with his experiences in flying to the US. As you’ll see, he found a number of differences in security measures ironically since they lifted the ban on carry on items that was instituted after the Christmas attempt at terrorism.

Here are his thoughts and experiences upon arrival at the airport, and later he wrote about getting on the plane:

“If you think of America as a country at war, the process to check into a flight makes sense. At Terminal 1 in Toronto at 7:30 am there are lines everywhere for US departures. Access to the US Customs & Immigration is available by flight number only so there are disorganized packs of people waiting everywhere. Flights departing up to 8:45 are currently being "welcomed". Fortunately for me, my departure is 10:15.”

“My flight to Orlando that was scheduled to depart at 10:15 am departed at 11 am. I boarded at 10:55 and I was not the last. I was at the airport in plenty of time: I printed my boarding pass at 7:20 am, got my luggage tagged at 8:15 and still nearly missed a delayed flight!

Amazing? And quite different from the mid-day Friday departure I had experienced in the same terminal to Washington three weeks ago.

The hang up is security, and one of the differences is the return to complex carry-on luggage. When there were restrictions on the quantity and kind of carry-on luggage you could have, security was faster even with the increased scrutiny. Now that everybody (me included) has additional carry-on items, the entire process is slowed.

At security, each passenger is assigned an official and in addition to the usual metal detector, there is a body search. For the body search, passengers have a choice of being scanned by a machine, or a physical search which is looking for bomb residue. I chose the scanner having previously enjoyed the physical kind.

During these searches, your personal stuff is guarded by your security assignee who awaits your return to begin a very thorough examination of the most secret places in your carry-on stuff. I was even asked about the year of my Toyota after they found my keys. My personal security assistant spent at least 10 minutes with my stuff, including around 6 of those unzipping all the compartments of my carry-on.

Although I was not chastised, I shouldn’t have brought so my stuff. My plan of course, was to use the extra time at the airport to get organized. However, with the extra measures, this did not happen.

America the free.”

Flying to the U.S - A Waiting Game?

2010-01-29T11:51:00.000-05:00

Since Christmas Day, airport security rules and restrictions have changed once again. Or have they?

Ray DeNure, President of DeNure tours recently shared his experience with me as he travelled to Washington, DC. He wrote:

"And here we wait. Our flight to Washington is scheduled to depart at 11:40 and thinking that we needed 3 hours to get through the new security measures, we were concerned as we pulled into the Terminal 1 parking garage at 9:10 am - half an hour late!

But there was no line up at the kiosk, nor to check in, and not even at US Customs. Nor was there a line for the usual screening. We breezed through in just 20 minutes.

The difference is a new secondary search at the entrance to the gate area. After the normal security for the US area of Terminal 1, you descend to a central shopping and food court from which there extends several hallways that lead to the departure gates.

Restaurant seating aside, there is nowhere to sit down in this central area. The departure lounges are all blocked by a security check, and you can only go to the area surrounding the gate listed on your boarding pass.

The secondary search takes maybe 5 minutes. Every carried item is examined by hand, computers and phones are turned on, and a test for explosives residue from your trouser belt-line is made. Mid-day departures are normally lightly subscribed, and today Terminal 1 appears unusually cavernous, with nobody apart from we few travellers and a lot of staff, Police and sharp eyed maintenance staff.

Our gate, number 193 is completely closed down while it is carefully examined by sensitive looking devices.

I can see how the secondary searches can create enormous lines, but not today, not for a mid-day flight. So here we wait...”

I understand that carry-on restrictions have also been lifted on a number of routes to the U.S. as well, so make sure you check with your airline before you leave.

2010: What will this year bring?

2010-01-19T14:50:00.001-05:00

2010 is the first year in a while that I haven't already got my travel plans booked for the coming year. That being said, after visiting the Baltic, Mediterranean and Japan in a time period of 18 months, you can imagine why!

But I think 2010 will be the year of great American cities. I'm hoping to make it to the Big Apple in May and perhaps the sunny southern California cities of San Francisco and Palm Springs in the summer.

The hard part about not having something in mind, is deciding on where to go! The United States has many great cities, with Chicago and New York City topping my list of favourites. But the cities of the Old South - like Charleston and Savannah - have captured my imagination for years. I dream of lazily wandering streets where historic estates scream out with stories of days gone by. Or maybe I can catch a glimpse of early American history in Boston, and explore the Freedom Trail that I have only read about.

Well, whatever I choose, travel is always an adventure - sometimes whether you intend it or not!?!

But I think that best thing about not having plans means that I will be ready in the event that a great travel deal pops up!

Looking back on 2009

2009-12-23T15:05:00.003-05:00

This is the time of year when I begin to look back at the year’s achievements and look ahead to what the New Year will bring.

In 2009, the travel industry was challenged by a downturn in the economy. However, a strong dollar and great bargains kept some people travelling anyway - especially me!!

2009 was a whirlwind year that brought me to new corners of this wide, wide world. I visited Italy, the Greek Islands, Turkey and even saw the pyramids in Egypt.

After all that, I was off once again as part of a delegation to Japan to mark the 40^th anniversary of Lindsay’s twinning with Nayoro. We took part in a great celebration before enjoying sightseeing in Tokyo.

In 2010, DeNure Tours is also proud to be marking a milestone. After kicking off our 50^th year in business with a grand celebration earlier this month (see picture from left: Jill Brett, Susan DeNure and me), we’re set for an exciting anniversary year and have released our 2010 North American Sightseeing brochure.

For over 50 years, we have helped our customers see the world, but in 2010, we’re offering a very special tour that will bring people to our own backyard. The new 3-day tour to the Kawarthas has been planned so that everyone will get a taste of the region that has inspired us for over 50 years.

So whatever your plans, I hope 2010 finds you healthy, happy and eager to plan your next holiday!

Trading Rain for Sun this Weekend!

2009-10-28T10:56:00.001-04:00

This Saturday, I'll be trading wind and rain for sunshine and warm breezes in Daytona Beach, Florida. I'm heading down to The Nautilus Inn, the ocean-front hotel owned by DeNure Tours. Although it's a business trip, it's always so much easier to enjoy day-to-day tasks when you can see the sun and feel warm breezes on your skin!

The reason for my trip is to take some pictures and video that will be part of Ray DeNure's presentation at our 50th Anniversary Gala in December. Yes, that's right, DeNure Tours is celebrating its 50th year in business in 2010!

While I'm there, I'm also planning to visit St. Augustine, Mount Dora and Orlando - places that are part of our expanded activity program now offered to our passengers that head south for the winter.

Watch this blog for updated pictures, and maybe even some video of the Sunshine State!

Sharing Travel Experience in Oakville

2009-10-16T17:52:00.001-04:00

Well it's been a while since I posted, but I was reminded today of how lucky I am that I have a job that feeds my passion. I travelled to Oakville to do a presentation to the Oakridge Bible Chapel and was asked to present a travelogue of my recent trips and what I've learned along the way. And what a 5 months it has been: first Italy and the Mediterranean, then Japan, and then a getaway to one of the most beautiful places in Ontario, the Agawa Canyon.

It reminded me that we live in a great big world and there are so many things to see and do. And it also reminded me that travel is an exciting opportunity to experience new things, be it culture, food or even just an activity you've never tried before. That is what is truly special about travelling, that it is sometimes hectic but always an adventure - whether we like it or not!!

So as the days get shorter and sun is a precious commodity, it got me thinking: where to next?

Off to the Agawa Canyon

2009-09-18T12:06:00.008-04:00

Well it may be far from the far east, but next week I'm headed to Ontario's far north.

I'm once again leading a tour to the Agawa Canyon. It's my favourite version of the tour as well since it travels first to Frankenmuth, Michigan, then to the beautiful Mackinac Island and then arriving in Sault Ste Marie to catch the day-long train to the Agawa Canyon.

From the train, you see Ontario's finest views. Colourful trees, glass-still lakes and a variety of small town and villages along the way. Once in the canyon, you can hike a number of trails to varying vantage points, or simply relax with a picnic on the peaceful grounds.

Last year's summer wasn't as wet as this year, so the colours weren't very far along when I was there, only about 5% changed. However, with this year's wet summer combined with the cool nights we're experiencing (they say -1 on Sunday evening!) the colours should be glorious!

In fact, the fall colour tours like trips to the Agawa Canyon are so important to tourism in Ontario, that the government produces a twice weekly Fall Colour Progression Report! It is posted each Tuesday and Friday during the beautiful fall colour season.

According to today's report, the Sault Ste. Marie and Algoma region are starting to offer some small pockets of colour with a 20 to 30% change.

The Algoma Fall Colour train runs through October 12th from Sault Ste Marie.

Home again

2009-09-11T11:54:00.000-04:00

Our flight home seemed to pass quickly (as quick as 12 hours can seem anyway!?!) and we were soon back in the land of maple leaf and most importantly, Tim Horton's!

So far, we've had a bit more trouble with jet lag than we did on the way over. The first night when we got home we fell asleep way too early and by 2am we were wide awake. So we figured, if you can't beat 'em, join 'em. We stayed up all night and all the following day and was able to get back on track.

When people ask me how my trip was, I am almost speechless. It was so amazing that it is difficult to describe. And the strangest thing is that even though the language and the culture are so different from ours, Jamie and I both agreed that we felt more at home in Japan, than anywhere else we have been.

I think that is because of the people. Not only were we treated royally by our hosts in Nayoro, we even found people in Tokyo polite and helpful. In fact, one evening I was sitting just resting my feet and I was staring at the subway map I had in my hand. A girl came up to me and asked did I need help - just out of the blue! That certainly didn't happen in Rome when we were there - even when we tried to ASK people to help!

I know that I was blessed to have this very special opportunity and I can just feel it in my heart that one day, I will return to the glorious country that is Japan.

Last day in Tokyo

2009-09-06T05:33:00.004-04:00

This morning we once again were able to wake up without an alarm and after breakfast we headed out for the Tokyo Aquastadium. It was a cross between Marineland`s shows and a regular aquarium.

We saw the sea lion show (didn`t understand a word of the commentary mind you) and also the dolphin show. Both shows were inside and had great big stadium within the building.

After the dolphin show, we witnessed the most unique thing ever - a wedding was held in the stadium with the dolphin tank as a backdrop!!

The bride wore a full gown and the groom was in a white tuxedo and all the guests were seated in one area of the stadium all dressed up. The most intriguing part was the music. The bride walked down the aisle to "The locomotion" and the ceremony had cheesey 70s music and a rendition from The Corrs. It as truly strange!

After the vows and the signature kiss, they newlyweds were treated to a special present from the dolphins. They sang along to music and then of course soared trough the air as an entire group. What a neat experience!

Afterwards we went to the discount area of town (there actually is one we found out!)and I finally found a blouse that fit me. As a westerner, shopping for clothes in Japan does nothing for your self esteem as my blouse is an XL! A few more last minute souvenirs and it was back to the hotel to try and pack it all!

This has truly been a trip of a lifetime!

The best part is, our friends Ari & Dawn bought a Japanese toilet seat and so my favourite thing in Japan will be found in Lindsay after all. Oh those warm toilet seats!!!

Hakone Extravaganza

2009-09-06T05:20:00.003-04:00

Despite a disappointing day for our scheduled tour, the weather more than cooperated for our free day in Hakone.

After enjoying the first morning of our trip that we didn‘t have to wake up to an alarm, we left with our free sightseeing pass in hand to decipher the bus system and tour the area. Armed with a map, we first took the sightseeing bus to the nearest station where we boarded a funicular.

It took us to what we thought was the top of a large mountain and from there we boarded a cable car(different from the day before) and went WAY UP the side of the mountain (the funicular was just the beginning). From there, we could see Mount Fuji at last!

Soaring through the clouds it stood majsetic over the lush green mountains that surrounded it. Higher than the clouds themselves, it was truly a sight to behold.

Then we continued on the cable cars back down the other side of the mountain and were able to board a pirate ship for a nice cruise to Hakone village. Then it was back on a sightseeing bus to wind the hills and get back to the hotel and check out.

The adventure continued as we tried to make our way to the station where we could board the bullet train back to Tokyo. FYI - our group had purchased this 2-day excursion and they left us there - it was really quite confusing.　 For someone less travel savvy it would have been quite an ordeal as it was confusing enough for us!

Then back in Tokyo we travelled to Shinjuku - Japan`s Times Square and the area made famous by the movie "Lost in Translation." We found the most amazing yakitori restaurant and had an awesome dinner filled with true Japanese ambience! Not another white face was found so we knew it was an authentic experience!

What a Day!

Mount Fuji & Hakone

2009-09-04T07:26:00.003-04:00

We left Tokyo this morning for a trip to Mount Fuji. It took us about 2 hours to drive there from Tokyo and we stopped first at the base for a rest stop as our guide explained that the toilets further up weren`t very nice.

Then we drove up the mountain to the 5th station. It seemed pretty high to me and of course the road was a windy one. We drove to the top in a highway coach, so a few times I just had to keep my eyes forward and not look down!

Once at the top it was a bit disappointing. Today was a bit overcast, but at the top ofthe mountain that means it is just plain foggy. So we really couldn`t see up to the summit or anything below. BOO.

But as with everywhere in the world, there were tons of souvenir shops and we used our time there to shop. Then, once down at the bottom again, we went to a nice hotel for a bento box lunch.

Next it was on to Hakone. This is an area known for its hot springs and tranquil baths. It is mixture of Bath in England (only not so historic) with Banff Springs in Canada.

First, we had a cruise on Lake Ashi where a legend holds that an evil dragon was once reformed and sprouted nine heads to protect area residents. Then we took the cable car to the top of a mountain to see the view.

Unfortunately, much like Fuji, the mist and fog made seeing anything quite difficult. But since we were there anyway, we took a walk along this path that we really had no idea where it was going since we couldn`t see. But low and behold a wind came up and blew the fog momentarily and we saw the most beautiful old temple atop this mountain!

We continued our climb and waited patiently between breezes to catch small glimpses of the beauty below us.

We are staying in Hakone tonight in a nice hotel that has its own baths. One small glitch though - in Japan, you can`t wear anything into the baths and can only use a `modesty towel` to get to and from the bath itself.

Since we are a group of 20, I`m just not sure if there`s a modesty towel big enough for me, but I just may give it a try......

Tokyo Sightseeing

2009-09-04T06:37:00.003-04:00

As part of our Tokyo extension, we enjoyed a full day of Tokyo sightseeing called "Dynamic Tokyo."

Our guide, Nobu, was a credit to her company. Her English was amazing and she could even make jokes with us, so she was a true delight!

Our first stop was Tokyo Tower - the sister to the Eiffel Tower in Paris. It was built after WWII to encourage the Japanese people to have pride again after their defeat and to show the world that Japan would rise again. From there, we had great views of the entire city!

Then it was on to an official Japanese Tea Ceremony. It was held at this traditional tea house and the gardens were utterly amazing! The ladies in kimono were graceful and showed us the true way to make tea called macha. The tea itself, well....

Then it was a tappanaki lunch where the bbq is in the middle of the table and food is cooked before your eyes. Then we had a cruise down the Sumida river and could see where the port of Tokyo began and how the city rose around it.

Our final stop was the markets of Asakusa. Here was a shopping mecca and we bought a few souvenirs. At the end of the row of markets was a beautiful temple where we paid a $1 and got a numbered stick, and then found the associated fortune. Jamie`s was a good one but mine was not so good.

The best part is though, that you could simply tie your fortune to this rack and leave it behind if it wasn`t good, so that`s what I did and then tried again! THis time, I got a better fortune.

But while we were resting near the temple, a group of kids came around. They had an English project and asked: "Interview please?"

It was so cute, they each took turns asking questions like our names, our dreams, where we would like to travel etc and all the while they were practicing their English by writing down our answers as well as asking the questions. Then we had to sign their book - what a fun experience!

Finally, it was off to Roponngi - a young and hip area of Tokyo where there was a lot we recognize and much to my dismay, there was a TGI Friday`s! I have seen these restaurants from Russia, to Estonia, Sweden and now Japan! ARGHHHHH

As we had left our tour in Asakusa to have more shopping time, and then to go to Roppongi, we took the subway home after dinner in Roppongi. We needed to get a good night`s sleep for our trip to Mount Fuji!

First Day in Tokyo

2009-09-04T06:27:00.004-04:00

After saying goodbye to our friends in Nayoro, we began our journey to Sapporo. We stopped at a farmer`s market and an outlet mall on the way and arrived in Sapporo around 6pm. We stayed at the airport hotel because we had an early flight the next morning to Tokyo.

We arrived at our Tokyo hotel the next day around 11am and had the rest of the day free to explore. As we usually do, Jamie and I immediately found a subway map so that we could get around.

First, we hit the Tokyo Icebar! Since we went to one in Copenhagen we thought we`d try it here as well. Then, we saw the glamorous shops of Ginza, Tokyo`s Fifth Avenue. Next, it was on to the Electronic area of town. There we saw a 9 floor building that was completely full of electronics - everything from computers, to haridryers to cameras!

The strangest thing to see was that whereas we have a couple of choices of something in Canada, like say a computer mouse, they had a whole aisle of mouses! (mice?) They had them in every colour and every size and for every type of use that you could ever need!

Then we we got out of the store it was night and the place was lit up like Times Square - and I guess there was some new video game coming out that night so there was a line of people waiting outside - and ALL of them had some kind of gameboy that they were playing while they waited!

Essentially, we were admitted to geek heaven!

Fun Day in Nayoro

2009-08-31T09:39:00.003-04:00

Today we had a full and exciting day. First, we played park golf. This is a game that was invented in Hokkaido in an effort to get more people to come to public parks.

It started in 1983 and the thinking was that since the government was paying to have the parks kept up anyway, and the cost of regular golf was out of reach for many here in Japan, that playing a smaller version of golf in an existing park might be a good thing to do.

Just to be clear: park golf is not mini-putt. It is simply a smaller version of golf, with a few key differences. First, it only has one club, very much like a driver. Secondly the ball looks kind of like a ball hockey ball, and therefore doesn't get much loft (which works out since the fairways aren't as long anyway!)

Our hosts set the morning up much like a tournament, with 2 Nayoro residents and 2 Lindsay residents on each team. They even had prizes afterwards! It was so fun and the weather offered a nice day to play. For me, I thought it was perfect: a great game of golf, without the long walks!!

Next it was on to a local elementary school where we had a school lunch (which was great!) and were paired up with a grade six student who served us our meal. Incidentally, in Japan, the kids clean up the school themselves. While we were there we saw kids dusting bannisters and we were told that they all take turns serving and cleaning up after the school lunch.

After lunch we were treated to a Japanese calligraphy class and were taught how to write Nayoro in the stylized writing - no easy task, let me tell you!

Then it was on to City Hall for a formal closing to our time here and the official twinning celebration. We each had an opportunity to share with our hosts our own comments about the trip and it was a touching time as we looked toward saying goodbye to our new friends. Then, we took a group picture and had a tour of city hall before we headed back to the hotel.

Our evening was spent in small groups with local hosts and ours was the Superintendent of Schools - a lively, happy man who knew quite a bit of English and seemed to be truly joyful with our visit. It turns out that he came to Lindsay a few years ago and I was working at the hospital at the time and actually toured him around the hospital. They even had pictures of me in their vacation album! Small world indeed....

Unfortunately, tomorrow after lunch we say goodbye to Nayoro and continue our journey with a visit to Tokyo, Hakone and Mount Fuji. It will be a sad moment indeed as the bus pulls away from our friends in Nayoro.

Nayoro Nightlife

2009-08-31T01:46:00.003-04:00

Sunday evening we had dinner hosted by the Mayor of Nayoro. It was at a historic building in town and our dinner featured steak, seafood and once again, much sake and beer!

This seems to be the case every night, so needless to say, everyone is quite tipsy after dinner! One of the reasons is that in Japan, if you keep drinking out of your glass they keep filling it up. What you're supposed to do is: If you don't want to drink you leave it full.

While this sounds simple, us westerners have a habit of finishing what's on our plates and in our glasses to be polite. So here we are being polite and here they are being polite by continuing to fill the glass! It's a dance that always ends with the Canadians half in the bag!!!

So far, each night we have then headed out from 9pm to 11pm-ish to a local bar for karaoke. What you do is pay a fixed cover price, and then you can drink all you want and use the karaoke machine.

In the three nights we have been here though, our hosts have not let us pay while we're with them. So last night we went out just the group of us at the one across from the hotel and finally managed to pay our way!

The nightlife is taking its toll on me though, so I'm hoping it's an early night so we can pack up because unfortunately we leave Nayoro tomorrow.

The Nayoro Fair

2009-08-31T01:31:00.004-04:00

Sunday morning we went to an exhibition that waas very similar to the Lindsay Central Exhibition. There was entertainment by the local drummers, a farmer's market, and stalls selling a variety of products and snacks.

After the formal opening ceremony with political speeches (they seem to love them here!)everyone gathered near the stage and these little packages were thrown into the crowd. It was crazy! 'Thrown' is an understatement.

People were fighting to get these packages! They pushed, shoved and tackled to get them. The older the person looked, the harder they pushed. I managed to get 5 of them myself before I gave up and got out of the melee.

Inside the packages were these pounded rice snacks that we had tasted previously at the tea ceremony and I have to say they didn't appeal to me at all. So I really couldn't figure out what the fuss was about.

However, I later found out that inside one of the packages was a green ticket that was the grand prize - it was a lottery!

Then it was off to the local community centre/curling rink. It was really neat since inside it they had a play area for the kids, a snack bar and a curling rink. Since it's still summer, the curling rink was also used as a play area for kids. It waas separated into different areas for ping pong, badminton, and an area with balls for the smaller children.

But best of all, there was the 'marshmellow' play area outdoors. It was something that looked like a tarp over some hay, but actually was like a bouncy castle! Despite what I'm sure were surprised looks from our Japanese counterparts, we all ran for them and had a great time jumping around like children!

After a bento box lunch, we had some free time and the option of going to the mall or the local hot springs. Since we're going tothe hot springs in Hakone, I headed out to the mall to get a few souvenirs.

Twinning Celebration

2009-08-31T01:19:00.003-04:00

A celebration in grand style met us Saturday evening!

Approximately 150 people came out to celebrate from Mayoro's community. There were business people, past and present members of the twinning committee and those who have hosted Canadian students in the past.

We heard speeches from the federal assembly of Hokkaido (the province that Nayoro is in) and of course Mayor Shima and our Mayor said a few words as well. Both the Canadian and Japanese members signed a renewed twinning agreement and many gifts were exchanged between the countries.

The two Mayors also exchanged the city flags.

Lindsay was presented with some park golf clubs (I'll explain park golf in a later submission)and each member of the delegation was given commemorative wind chimes.

Incidentally, at dinner each evening, thetable seating has been arranged so that there is always at least one person at the table that speaks both languages. That way, the conversation is helped along with more than just charades!

After the celebration, the group was taken to a local bar for some karaoke - something that seems to be a nightly occurence here in Nayoro!

Japanese toilets

2009-08-29T01:49:00.008-04:00

I know that it seems funny to have a whole blog dedicated to something that is usually a private topic, but I have to say that going to the bathroom in Japan is a great experience!

Not only are all the washrooms extremely clean (even the one at the highway rest stop!) but the toilets themselves are relly unique.

They have a whole array of buttons that offer any number of options. First, you can have a water spray and also regulate the temperature of the water as you desire, or you can turn the toilet into a bidet.

For those that may be a little shy when using a public toilet, they also have a button that sounds like a flushing toilet so you can press that and feel like you have a more private environment to do your business.

But what I think is my favourite feature of a Japanese toilet is that you can set the temperature of the toilet seat! Again I know that this may fall into the 'too much information' category, but there's something really luxurious about sitting on a warmed toilet seat.

However, there is one catch. With all these buttons, it's often confusing to know what you actually use to flush the toilet. Ironically, there is no button for that and you usually have to go searching. And it is not something that is consistent. Sometimes it's totally separate from the toilet itself and is a lever that comes out of the wall?!?

Despite this small complication, the best part of Japanese washroom is that unlike much of Britain and Europe, you don't have to pay to use it!

Commemorating 40 years of Friendship

2009-08-29T01:35:00.006-04:00

Today, the 40th anniversary of the twinning of Lindsay and Nayoro was marked. We began our day in Nayoro's Lindsay Park, which incidentally is on Lindsay Street!

Our mayor and chair of our twinning committee together with Nayoro's mayor and twinning committee representative, planted a maple tree in honour of the occasion.

The Lindsay park is beautiful. There is a marvellous waterfall and has meticulously cared-for gardens and beautfil stone work paths. Many trees havebeen planted over the years, including one by John Eakins, a former mayor of Lindsay and also Member of Provincial Parliament, who dedicated one to his wife Iris who had passed away a short time before the trip.

A plaque was then unveiled to explain the importance of the tree, and note the date the tree was planted.

Later this evening, we have been invited to a grand celebration dinner with more formal ceremonies to comemorate this great oocasion. In the video: Mayor Ric McGee, Heather Newman, Chair of Lindsay's Comittee, Nayoro's Mayor Shima, and Takeo Ishikawa.

Welcome to Japan!

2009-08-29T01:15:00.005-04:00

After 13 hours flying from Toronto to Tokyo and a 2 hour flight to Sapporo, we finally reached the end of our journey!

We were met at the airport by Ishikawa-san, a long time member of the Nayoro twinning commitee, who was holding a large sign saying "Welcome to our friends from the City of Kawartha Lakes." It was hand-written in perfect cursive!

A 1-hour drive and we were finally at our hotel in Sapporo for the night. The hotel had grand lobby and was beside a beautiful park with gardens, bridges and the concert hall where the philharmonic performs.

The next morning we went to the site where the 1972 Olympic ski-jumping was held. There, we were able to take the ski lift to the top and see great views of Sapporo. We then went to a restaurant for lunch - which was delicious! - then continued to our final destination of Nayoro.

They welcomed us with a small party that was filled with food and of course, much Sapporo beer and sake! Afterwards, a small group of us went to a karaoke bar with our new friends and had a great night.

Karaoke bars here have hand held systems where you can choose your song and then it is sent to the main computer by infared. Then, after each song, it lists who comes next - very organized!!

A great time was had by all until exhaustion got the better of us and an early start for the next day loomed in the distance. So we walked back to the hotel in a great mood filled with laughter and comraderie.

Certainly a warm welcome for all to Japan!

Getting ready for Japan!

2009-08-17T13:45:00.004-04:00

The days are counting down until I go to Japan!

I took Japanese in university with the intention of teaching english in Japan when I graduated. However, life and usually money gets in the way of our dreams, and I never went after all.

Fast forward almost 15 years and I find myself living in Lindsay - which is part of an international twinning program and our 'twin' town is Nayoro Japan. This year, the twinning is celebrating its 40th anniversary and my husband and I have been invited to be part of the delegation heading over to celebrate in Nayoro!

While we're there, we'll plant a tree commemorating the twinning, play something called 'park golf' and of course explore Japanese culture!

After our official duties, we'll spend another 6 days exploring Tokyo, Mount Fuji and Hakone.

I'll be sharing my experiences along the way - so stay tuned!

Travelling Solo

2009-08-07T14:25:00.003-04:00

Travelling alone doesn’t have to be lonely. When I started travelling solo in my early twenties, it was because I wanted to travel and couldn’t find anyone to go with me. So rather than give up my dream of going to Greece, I went alone.

Since the trip to Greece and until I got married, I continued to travel each year on my own. So for those who may be considering a solo vacation, I’d like to pass on some helpful tips.

The first lesson I learned was that singles actually pay more to travel. This is
a long-standing issue in the travel industry, since much of the pricing is based on two people sharing a room. I don’t know when this actually started, but I see that even Noah had the animals board the ark in pairs!

That being said, travel companies are beginning to change the way they think about solo travellers and some are finally offering some promotions to assist them.

Once you’re at your destination, grab your hotel’s business card before you head out to explore. It is easy to get turned around in a new city, but if you have the address you can ask a local for directions or have a taxi driver bring you back.

Another good tip is to scan your passport, travellers checks, credit card information and any other important documents before you leave home. Then, if you have a web-based email account, (Yahoo, gmail, hotmail etc.), you can email them to yourself and you’ll at least have copies in case of an emergency.

One of the most important tips for solo travellers is to pack lightly. Remember, you have to be able to carry your suitcases yourself. I have a very vivid memory of literally dragging my suitcase (before the new pulling kind were invented) through Toronto airport. However, bringing home that marble chess set was worth it!

Finally, the reason many people resist travelling alone is one of the reasons why I enjoyed it. You can have time alone, but when you want to socialize, you can. You'll find it much easier to make new friends when you are alone, since people see you as more approachable.

I know that travelling solo is not for everyone, but if you do take the chance, you too will discover that solo travel is both empowering and exhilarating.

Edinburgh

2009-07-31T09:54:00.006-04:00

Robert Louis Stevenson once described Edinburgh as ‘what Paris ought to be.’

A trip to Edinburgh Scotland allows you to explore turbulent histories, distinctive traditions and extraordinary people. You’ll experience a culture that treasures the past and keenly anticipates the future.

Edinburgh’s magnificent architecture ranges from narrow alleyways in its medieval Old Town, to the grace and geometric precision of the Georgian New Town. And above it all in its towering splendour, stands the Castle.

Until the late 18th century, Edinburgh consisted almost exclusively, of what is now known as the Old Town. This area is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and features Edinburgh Castle, the Palace of Holyrood and Grassmarket.

Visitors to Edinburgh must visit its Castle, Scotland's number one visitor attraction. Sitting on its own volcanic rock at the top of the city, the Castle is home to the Scottish Crown Jewels, St. Margaret's Chapel, the Stone of Destiny on which previous Scottish Monarchs were crowned, and many other historic buildings.

As you go below the castle, you will travel what is known as the ‘Royal Mile.’ This is the thoroughfare of medieval Edinburgh that links the Castle with the Palace Of Holyrood, the Queen's official residence in Scotland.

The Palace is home to centuries of fascinating Scottish history. Visitors can see the royal apartments, the throne room, and the great gallery that features 17th century portraits of Scottish Monarchs.

Nestled in the heart of Edinburgh's historic Old Town is Grassmarket. It is one of the most vibrant, picturesque and convivial areas of the city. A paradise of independent merchants, designers and artisans, Grassmarket is simply bursting with some of the best dining and shopping that Edinburgh has to offer.

Best of all, Edinburgh in the fall offers all this accompanied by vibrant colours and heathery hues!

The Art of Packing

2009-07-23T14:40:00.002-04:00

Someone once said, there are two kinds of travellers in the world: those who packed light and those who wished they had. With ever-changing baggage restrictions and the penalties for heavy bags, packing light is becoming the new art form.

As with most things, the key to success is planning. And ‘planning’ refers to creating a packing list. A packing list can help you eliminate the panic that sets in when you get ready for your trip.

We’ve all done it. At the last minute, you throw in a bunch of separate items without thinking what they’ll go with, or when you’ll wear it, and then you come home with a lot of unworn clothes whose only claim to fame is that they had the opportunity to get out of the house! And better yet, you may have paid extra for this privilege with a fee for heavy baggage.

Not only will a packing list help avoid this situation, but it encourages you to think in terms of outfits. When your trip is ending, your packing list can also help you make sure you have all of your belongings.

As for what to pack, my mother taught me to bring at least one formal outfit wherever I was headed. However, the world seems to have relaxed its dress code and almost always shows leniency toward tourists. As a rule, dark colours, such as your ‘little black dress’ or your ‘classic navy blazer’ should suffice for most occasions.

Most hotels and resorts offer in-room hair dryers, soap and shampoo so you may want to leave those items behind. And when it comes to toiletries, use a waterproof case. Also, try to avoid bringing perfumes, as travel often entails close quarters with people who may not appreciate your scent.

Traveller’s tip: don’t fill travel size bottles up to the very top because pressure inside the plane may cause the contents to expand and overflow. A lesson learned the hard way!

Most importantly, the global economy has helped to ensure that we can almost always find any forgotten items in the local marketplace. And is there a better excuse to check out local shopping?

Wakefield Steam Train

2009-07-20T11:37:00.004-04:00

Just north of Ottawa, you can board one of the last operating steam trains in Canada and explore the Gatineau hills.

The Hull–Chelsea–Wakefield Railway is a 33 km heritage railway in Quebec that operates tourist trains through the scenic Gatineau Hills. Travelling May through October between Hull and the tourist town of Wakefield, the railway attracts 50,000 tourists each year from all over the world!

The tourist train project was born out of the community’s will to preserve the region’s railroad heritage. The railway tracks from Hull to the village of Wakefield are considered by many as one of eastern Canada’s most scenic rail lines, so restoring them to host a steam train seemed to be a natural fit.

In 1994, Jean Gauthier, a local businessman bought the steam train because he was convinced of its potential draw for tourists. Since then, thousands have travelled to the quaint and picturesque village of Wakefield.

Built in Sweden in 1907, the steam engine 909 also has a rich history itself. It was used in Sweden until 1945, but with the invention of the electric locomotive, the steam engine was put into storage.

With the threat of a the cold war, the government of Sweden kept their steam locomotives just in case invaders destroyed Sweden’s capacity to make electricity. These steam locomotives were hidden in shelters to provide transportation for soldiers and equipment.

When the cold war ended in 1990, the Swedish government decided to sell off the 200 steam engines. At the same time, the tourist steam train project was taking shape in Canada’s National Capital region.

Since all Canadian steam locomotives in operating condition belonged to museums, the Canadians found their perfect tour train in Sweden. The equipment sailed from Sweden to Montréal on a cargo ship arriving just in time for its inaugural journey on June 27th, 1992.

The train’s steam whistle and the “clickety clack” of its wheels will bring you to another time in history. In addition to the soothing melody of the train, musicians and singers will also accompany you on this colourful ride along the Gatineau River and through Gatineau Park.

So if you’re looking to change your vantage point, ‘ride the rails’ this fall in the National Capital region.

Is that Deal a Deal?

2009-07-10T10:15:00.005-04:00

What a difference a year can make! Almost a year ago, the buzz in the travel industry was our strong dollar and the dreaded fuel-surcharge on your air and cruise vacations.

The marketplace is different this year. More and more people are opting to stay home, or are simply booking last minute. And those booking last minute are not just looking for the best deal, they are making sure they have the money before they leave, rather than relying on credit.

So that leaves the travel industry working harder to entice you to go on holiday.

But how can you be sure that deal is really a deal? Well, unfortunately for consumers, it can sometimes be hard to say. Travel pricing is the hardest to figure out because the same holiday can be worth more or less depending on the time of year. (Just look at the Caribbean all-inclusive resort prices for the summer!)

If you’re looking for good value, and you have a flexible schedule, you might consider travelling in what is known as the “shoulder season” of a destination. That means it’s not exactly the most popular time to go there, but you’re not stifling in the Caribbean in July either!

For example, I just returned from Italy. The hotel we stayed in was wonderful, and we got an amazing price because we were there in May. Europe generally sees a travel season from June through August. So going in May saved us some money, we still had amazing weather, and we saved some aggravation since the tourist attractions weren’t as busy.

North American cities are similar in that respect. Try New York City, Chicago or Boston in the spring. Most people want to go in the fall so you’ll often get a better deal in the spring and it’s still nice weather, so you’re not sacrificing anything.

Or maybe this year, consider taking your sunshine vacation in late fall rather than in winter. You would be amazed to see the difference in price.

But it’s more than price. While as Canadians, we extol the virtues of autumn, we often choose to forget those rainy, dreary days of November! Why not lengthen your summer by heading south in the fall instead?

You’ll still find warm and sunny weather, and best of all, you’ll be able to get your Christmas shopping done!

Chicago – Mile after Magnificent Mile

2009-07-02T09:53:00.003-04:00

Chicago has grown from a frontier town to one of the ten most influential cities in the world, and it's one of my favourite places to visit.

Famous for its gangsters and pizza, today’s Chicago offers visitors history, sophistication, and a never-ending list of attractions. Basically, it has something for everyone!

In a city filled with rivers, a popular attraction is a narrated lake and river cruise. These offer passengers the opportunity to marvel at the landmark skyline while learning of Chicago’s unique history and passion for architecture.

At Chicago's Historic Water Tower and Pumping Station, located at Michigan Avenue and Chicago Avenue, you can see the only buildings to survive the Great Fire of 1871. They have become synonymous with Chicago's rebirth and regeneration, and anchor Chicago’s famed shopping district, The Magnificent Mile.

And speaking of shopping - how many cities have a Director of Fashion? Chicago does – and that’s why more and more designers are showcasing their talents there each year. Imagine world-class department stores, every kind of boutique and specialty shop, along with fabulous discount shopping, and you’ve only scratched the surface of what Chicago offers the shopaholic in all of us!

One of the newest must-see attractions is Millennium Park. As the name suggests, it was built to commemorate the year 2000 and combines technology with art to create magnificent works that all have the same theme: reflection.

For example, the “Cloud Gate” sculpture – known to locals as the ‘big coffee bean’ - reflects the city's famous skyline from many vantage points and invites visitors to touch its mirror-like surface.

And let’s not forget Chicago’s sensational waterfront with 29 miles of walking, jogging and cycling paths and with 13 miles of beaches. They say the best things in life are free – and this sightseeing pleasure costs no more than a pair of walking shoes.

Or stroll the Boardwalk at fun-filled Navy Pier, Chicago's lakefront playground. It offers more than 50 acres of parks, promenades, gardens, shops, restaurants and attractions, not to mention a 150-foot Ferris Wheel!

Spend your evenings at one of Chicago’s Broadway productions, or re-live the roaring ‘20s at Tommy Guns Garage – Chicago’s only speakeasy dinner theatre. Complete with gangsters and flappers, diners are taken back in time as they explore a great collection of memorabilia.

Chicago, my kind of town!

Tips for Cruisers

2009-06-24T11:38:00.002-04:00

After just returning from a Mediterranean cruise, I can confidently say that cruises are a floating array of food, activities and indulgences. So for those considering a cruise, here are some tips to help you get the most out of the experience.

Be prepared with your budget. Your accommodation accounts for the majority of the price. If you plan on spending lots of time in your cabin, book the biggest one you can afford. You have the choice of an inside (no window) or an outside (window) cabin. Obviously, outside cabins are more expensive.

However the cost of booking your cruise is really only half the cost, because unlike all-inclusive resorts, everything is not included on a cruise. The price just includes your cabin, entertainment and food. Alcoholic beverages and pop are not included, and neither are any side trips or tours that you may take while in port.

And, tipping on a cruise is also not included. Tipping is a tradition and an essential part of the income for cruise ship staff. Each cruise line provides its own guide to tipping and they may add tipping fees to your bill, based on the number of days of your cruise. So all of these costs need to be factored into your planning.

But that being said, here are a few of my favourite things about cruising. In my opinion, the best way to wake up each day is to order breakfast from room service. Start your day by answering a knock at the door that brings fresh tea/coffee to get you going. Is there a better wake up call than that?

I’d also have to say that the service you receive on a cruise is second to none. And finally, the food on a cruise ship is some of the finest you’ll ever experience. Now that I’m home again, it’s been quite an unwelcome surprise that nobody is cooking for me or feeding me every two hours anymore!

And the best part of a cruise is that you see lots of places, but only have to unpack once!

Corfu, Greece

2009-06-16T11:52:00.005-04:00

After a relaxing day at sea following our Egypt stop, we enjoyed a day to explore the Greek Island of Corfu. Located in the Ionian Sea, it is the largest of the Ionian Islands, and it is different from many of the other Greek Islands, as it is lush with vegetation.

We took the ship's shuttle from the port to downtown ($10 per person return). There we found the city's Old Town, which is well worth exploring. We had a lovely time (despite the 35 degree heat) wandering the many alleys and cobble-stoned streets looking for bargains.

I finally bought a "Burberry" bag, the nicest one I've seen the whole trip (and believe me, the 'designer' bags have been in every port.) And with my special shopping companion, our friend Ari, there was no chance I was paying full price for anything!

After a couple of hours shopping, we climbed the Palaio Frourio, the "old fortress." Located by the sea, it is an old Venetian fortress built on an artificial inlet with fortifications around the perimeter. It has been used through the centuries as a fortress, a monastery and a prison, but now is a preserved historical site.

The climb was a gradual one, up stairs, slanted walkways and through a tunnel. It was tiring and hot, but once we reached the top, it was all worth it. At the top you can truly appreciate the beauty of the Island. From crystal clear waters, beautiful beaches and historic building dotting the skyline, it was truly the best part of our day!

Unfortunately, Corfu marks the end of of our cruise as we are headed back to Civitaveccia after a another day at sea. What a great ending to an amazing trip!

The Great Pyramids

2009-06-10T14:09:00.006-04:00

Well, the last surviving wonder of the Anicent World was our stop today. And what a sight these great structures were.

But first let me say that if you're planning to go there, you need to set your expectations accordingly. First, the pyramids are not in the middle of the desert like you imagine them to be. They are on the edge of town, but town has gradually come out to meet them.

So our first stop was what they call the panorama view. From there, we could see 2 of the 3 pyramids and best of all, we saw them from atop a camel! Yes indeed, this city girl rode a camel! It was all arranged in advance by our guide so we weren't tricked by the shadier camel herders.

Then it was on to the great structures themselves and we could wander freely about and see their magnificence up close. (When we weren't ignoring and being rude to crazy vendors that is!) In fact, our guide even said, go up close and we could even take a small rock from the ground as a keepsake!

An aside: If the pyramids were in North America, they would:
1. have a great big fence around them to stop you getting close to them
2. they would cost more to see
3. you WOULD NOT be able to take stones
4. they would not allow the vendors to be inside the grounds

Finally, it was on to the sphinx. From there you have the best views, since you can see all three together. It's because the sphinx is lower down to the ground. Think of it like the pyramids are organized like a triangle themselves, and we had approached from behind seeing the two first, and then from the front we saw them all.

After our time at the sphyinx, we went to the Papyrus Institute for a demonstration on how they make papyrus (the first paper) and then on to the bazaar for some power shopping for souvenirs.

Then it was back aboard the coach for the 3 hour return journey to the ship. Believe it or not, the vendors were still there waiting for us! They were ready for that last minute sales effort before we got to the 'safety' of the ship gates.

All in all, a day to remember!

Egypt

2009-06-10T13:51:00.004-04:00

Yesterday was long, hot and invigorating all at once! We started out early, leaving our port of Alexandria and setting out for an exicting day in Cairo filled with a Nile cruise, a famous Mosque and of course, the Great Pyramids.

First let me say that you need to listen to all of the tour advice on Egypt. The street vendors are wherever the tourists want to be and are very pushy. You have to be rude to survive - even a polite "no thank you" is considered to be an opening for these people to follow you and try to sell you things.

Some try to shove their goods in your arms and others come forward all friendly asking where you're from and then when you shake their hand, they put something in it and expect you to pay for it. I heard from others that some even offer camel rides for $1 and then once you're on, they charge you $20 or more to get off!

I found it most interesting that even though Egypt is so close to EU countries, they prefer you to pay in US dollars rather than the Euro. This really surprised me because when we were in Russia last year, it was the opposite. You got a better price in euro than you did with US.

So, back to our day....

The drive from Alexandria to Cairo was about 3 hours along 'the desert road.' And they mean desert! It was so strange to see so much nothing. Just sand, and more sand. Our guide said that in the less arid areas you can get free land and if after 3 years you can make something grow there, the land is yours to keep! But I think you have to be quite a farmer....

When we arrived in Cairo, our first stop was the Mosque of Mohammed Ali - not the boxer - but the first king of modern Egypt. It was huge and made of alibastor so the white simply glowed. The praying room was enourmous, and it also had a great courtyard. But best of all, it had a great view of Cairo since it sits atop of the city.

Next it was onto a boat/restaurant for lunch and a cruise down the River Nile, the only water source in Egypt. Frankly, it was underwhelming. The River was filthy and not nearly as big as you might imagine it to be. But an experience nonetheless.

By the way, did I mention that it was 38 degrees? This is important for the highlight of the day, The Great Pyramids....

Rhodes and Kusadasi, Turkey

2009-06-08T03:51:00.005-04:00

Well at last another day at sea! We've had a busy couple of days stopping at the Greek Island of Rhodes and the port city of Kusadasi, Turkey.

Rhodes and it's walled Old Town featured lots of shops selling leather, linen, gold and silver jewellry and of course plenty of souvenir items. We walked the cobblestoned streets for hours in the beautiful sunshine, and took lots of pictures.

Then, one of our travelling companions had a friend living there and he took us into New Town for some gold at his friend's jewellry store. We needed a gold chain for the new shimmering topaz pendant that Jamie had bought me for my birthday the day before. We got an amazing deal on 14kt gold! We then walked back to the ship for lunch and spent a relaxing afternoon by the pool.

Then yesterday was Kusadasi, Turkey.

Jamie and I went on a ship excursion called "Ancient Cities" and visited Ephesus, Magnesia, Didiyma and the Temple of Apollo. Even after visiting Ephesus 15 years ago, there was so much more to see now. We walked in the footsteps of history and imagined life in those early days when Ephesus was a bustling port. Today, it is actually inland becuase of the drying up of nearby rivers.

We had a Turkish lunch in an open-air taverna on a hillside and listened to the sounds of Muslim prayers in the air. To finish the tour, we had a carpet presentation complete with Apple Tea and then shopped for "genuine fake" items in the marketplace. Jamie got 8 Lacoste shirts for 40 euro and I got a Prada bag for 20.

We relax today and it's the highlight of the trip tomorrow as we enjoy Alexandria, Egypt!

Athens and Mykonos

2009-06-05T14:01:00.006-04:00

Well, what glorious days we have had on the Greek Isles!

Athens was redeemed for me yesterday. When I travelled there 15 years ago it was disappointing, but now I see an area ready and welcoming to tourists. We rented our own cab and saw all the sights in a few hours for a fraction of the cost they were charging for the same excursion on the ship!

The Acropolis was busy but stunning, the Temple of Zeus allowed for quiet contemplation, and the original Olympic Stadium was oozing with stories of days gone by. We saw the odd marching of the soldiers at the changing of the guard, and sampled Greek's finest gyro in the Plaka before managing some souvenir shopping. The prices were much more reasonable than Italy especially for jewellry and leather.

Today, was a relaxing one strolling the white washed shops of Mykonos. The sun was upon us and we had a great time in this seaside village. Everything you think of when you imagine Greece awaits you in Mykonos. You just feel like the whole world as breathed a relaxing sigh as the pace slows and you live the island life.

But alas the island life and sunshine tires, and I'm ready for my siesta! Tomorrow is Rhodes and then it's on to Turkey.

Isle of Capri

2009-06-02T15:53:00.004-04:00

Well, today was our first port day on our 12-day Mediterranean Cruise, and let's just say this: I hope the next few days are drier and freer of bodily fluids!

Okay so not to be gross, but we're starting to refer to the boat to Capri as the "Puke Express." It was rough seas for the 50 minute ride but I'm proud to say that it didn't get me or Jamie. However, it did get almost everyone around us, so I sat with my eyes closed and my ears plugged for at least 30 minutes of the journey.

That being said, Capri was beautiful even despite the overcast day and strong winds. We took the funicular from the port and then wandered the pricey boutiques before heading by bus to Anacapri on the other side of the Island. There, it was more affordable and a little less hectic with tourists.

In Anacapri, we had probably the best lunch of the trip so far in a small restaurant. The service was for once was friendly and helpful - even after our money was spent. (I have come to discover during this trip that France gets a bad wrap and the Italians are the most unfriendly of any nation I have visited so far!) But I digress....

After lunch we continued to wander the shops and then we met up with 3 Canadians from Alberta and shared a cab back to Capri to get the ship back to Naples. Fortunately, although the seas continued to be rough, people were more prepared and fewer people 'Christened' the provided plastic bags.

When we docked in Naples it was pouring rain, and we ran the gauntlet back to the ship. All was made right though with a few minutes warming up in the steam room before getting ready for what is as always, a fantastic dinner on the ship.

Tomorrow is a day at sea and the weather promises to be sunnier and drier. I'm looking forward to a relaxing day to counter the 8 days of avid sightseeing we've had so far.

Last day in Rome...

2009-05-30T16:45:00.005-04:00

After yesterday's long day, we slept a little late, had a relaxing breakfast and then wandered luxuriously around Rome.

Our hotel has been great. It's at Piazza Venezzia and is very central. This past few days, we have been able to walk to the Colosseum, the Forum, the Pantheon, the Trevi Fountain and if we're feeling energetic, the Spanish Steps.

Today, we spent the day near the Fountain and watched the waves of tourists come and go while eating gelato. (Jealous yet?) Then it was time to start thinking about leaving and we found a launderette and freshened up our clothes before the cruise.

As luck (bad or good, I'm not sure) would have it, this has been the most hectic week to visit Rome. Wednesday saw droves of people invade for the European League championship soccer game, Spain versus Manchester United. Then, as the crazy fans left, the G20 had a meeting here (right next to our hotel!) and now tomorrow Rome will see cyclists and fans alike crowd the streets for Italy's version of the Tour de France. (if I could only see Ray DeNure's jealous face now...)

So in light of all that, we have to leave town by 10am or risk not getting out at all! We will be meeting friends as their plane arrives and we'll head together to the cruise port to begin a 12-day cruise of the Mediterranean.

Ain't life grand!

Florence and Pisa, a Whirlwind Day!

2009-05-30T16:32:00.004-04:00

By Friday, we decided that we were all 'museumed' out and took a whirlwind trip to see some of the rest of Italy. We took the train to Florence and spent the late morning and early afternoon doing some great shopping!

Compared to Rome, it was so much cheaper! Jamie partook of Rome's amazing men's fashions and bought a new shirt and tie, and I went crazy on the venetian glass jewellery. We saw so much leather, but the only bags I liked were of course over $200, so needless to say, I'll come home without one.

We of course, also saw the city's amazing Duomo and walked the footsteps of history seeing where Michaelangelo got his idea for the dome at St. Peter's Basilica. Yes - I've learned that not only was he a sculptor, a painter and a great philosopher, Michealangelo was also a key architect behind the building of St. Peter's. Unfortunately he died before it was finished.

We had lunch as we sat on the church steps watching the world go by. (well, tourists go by is more like it, as the cruise ships were in town that day too!)

At about 3pm we headed to Pisa to see it's Piazza of Miracles. And we even witnessed one too - Jamie convinced me to actually climb the Leaning Tower! It was a long climb but worth the view! Although I wasn't very comfortable at the tip top as it seemed sooooooo high!

After the climb, we relaxed and caught our breath on the wonderful lawn, and then caught the 8pm train back to Rome arriving around midnight.

What a day!

Vatican City

2009-05-30T16:19:00.007-04:00

It's been a crazy few days! First, let me talk about Wednesday, the day we visited the Vatican Museum and St. Peter's Basilica.

We had a 10am booking for the museum that we were able to book online and skip the long line to get in. After going through security, we met our guide and started what was to be just a small part of an amazing collection of treasures.

Each room housed the most magnificent artwork, from sculptures to frescoes to mosaic tiled floors - every area of space was a work of art in itself.

Then of course, is the masterpiece (at least for art-beginners like us) the Sistine Chapel. Our guide was great and had explained all about it before we entered so we knew exactly what we were looking at. I never realized that the art on each wall presented a parallel story, that of Moses on one wall, Jesus on the other.

We decided early on that after seeing the Sistine Chapel (made all the more special after seeing "Angels & Demons" before we left for Rome) we would use the special exit that lead directly to St. Peter's Basilica. That would save us the walk back to the entrance of the museum, then around the block and down St. Peter's Square.

St. Peter's is ginormus!!! You realize the true scale when you take the elevator to the top of the dome and look down into the church. It's crazy how high it is! We stayed at the top for a while and enjoyed the magnificent view of Rome, and the amazing sunshine.

We finished our day walking through St. Peter's Square and found a little trattoria just outside the gates for dinner. My favourite -spaghetti carbonnara! A little gelato for the walk back to the subway and it's back to the hotel to rest my tired feet!

When in Rome....

2009-05-26T14:51:00.005-04:00

Well, after our first full day in Rome, I'm sweaty, my feet hurt, but we've seen some wonderful things!

It was about 4pm by the time we arrived and got settled in our hotel (which is really nice, thanks expedia!) so we thought we'd go exploring and maybe get a bite to eat before we crashed. Out of sheer luck and a really bad map, we ended up at the Pantheon where we enjoyed a panini in the piazza and a gelato to finish it off. By then, we were getting tired so we were headed home.

Unfortunately, we went the wrong way and found the Spanish steps and the Trevi fountain (well, it's only unfortunate if you're tired and actually want to get back to the hotel). We soon realized that we were far from our hotel that we'll have to go back to enjoy the sights since we just wanted to get to bed!

But today was different. After catching up on our sleep, this morning we headed to the Colosseum area which is just a 5min walk from our hotel. We did the "Caesar shuffle" and took in the Colosseum, the Forum and Palatine Hill. We stopped for a quick panini (noticing a theme here) and then went back to the hotel to freshen up before heading back to the Pantheon area (to actually see the Pantheon this time) and then to Piazza Navona.

We had dinner outdoors, in a restaurant in the Piazza, and watched as it came alive with evening musicians, artists and because of tomorrow's big soccer match, drunken football fans!

After purchasing a nice set of small watercolours, we wandered back to the hotel ready for another early night to get ready for our big Vatican tour tomorrow.

Travelling Together - And Surviving!

2009-05-20T14:32:00.004-04:00

My husband and I leave on Sunday for a 3-week vacation in Europe. Watch for updates as we go - we're headed to Rome and the Mediterranean!

But for now, I’d like to share some insights we have discovered about travelling together. And this applies to everyone. It doesn’t matter is your travelling companion is your spouse, best friend, or acquaintance, the trick is to still like each other at the end of the trip!

The most important thing to realize is that you no longer have an ‘escape’ from each other. You don’t have a whole house to wander around, jobs to go to, or other friends to spend time with, so be ready for as much ‘togetherness’ as you can stand!

In our case, we have a lot of the same interests, so choosing our tours and sites to visit was relatively easy. But for those who have different interests and are attempting the same itinerary, make sure you discuss your travel goals BEFORE you leave.

No matter how long your vacation is it never seems to be enough time. So you need to determine your personal ‘must sees’ from the ‘like to sees’ and then compare them with your companion’s list. And most of all, be prepared to compromise during these discussions!

What I found most surprising about this exercise was that one of my husband’s ‘must sees’ that I didn’t really care about, ended up being a highlight of my trip too. (see Charming Copenhagen and my picture in the ice bar!)

Also remember that if you’re travelling companion has spent the whole day tagging along on your idea of a good time, a simple ‘thank you’ can go a long way.

Despite deciding on sites and tours ahead of time, there was something that we did not discuss beforehand and occasionally caused some tension along the way: our personal travel style.

For instance, do you like to board planes first or last? Do you want to script and schedule the entire day, or wander and take in the view? These are important questions to answer before you head out.

Finally, remember the reason you went on vacation in the first place: to see new places and explore new things. Make time to relax and live like the locals for an afternoon, rather than just following the herds into the next tourist hot spot. I bet you’ll find that those days make the best holiday memories!

Ottawa's Tulip Festival

2009-05-12T16:30:00.005-04:00

If you’ve ever been to Ottawa in the spring, you’ll know that the city is transformed into a gardening showcase. With over two million tulips in bloom throughout the city, Ottawa has become home to the largest Tulip Festival in the world!

The Ottawa Tulip Festival began with a gift from the Dutch Royal Family. In 1945, Princess Juliana of the Netherlands presented Ottawa with 100,000 tulip bulbs to thank Canada for providing a safe haven for members of Holland's exiled royal family during World War II.

During the war, the Dutch royal family stayed at Government House in Ottawa. Princess Margriet was born at the Ottawa Civic Hospital, and the government even declared her hospital room to be "Dutch soil." The flag of the Netherlands also flew on Parliament's Peace Tower.

This special gift of tulips also served to recognize the role of Canadian troops in the liberation of the Netherlands. As part of the Festival, Canadian Veterans attend a Dutch Day celebration of the Liberation of the Netherlands.

As you can see, the tulips have become an important symbol of international friendship and the beauty of spring.

The first Canadian Tulip Festival was held in 1953. Over the decades the Festival has been opened by Governor Generals, Prime Ministers and Royalty, including several return visits from Queen Juliana and Princess Margriet. In addition, Canadian and international superstars - Liberace in 1972 - have performed during this 18-day event.

Each spring over 600,000 people from all over North America, Europe and Asia visit the Canadian Tulip Festival. There are three major venues of the Festival: Parliament Hill, Commissioner’s Park at Dow’s Lake, and Major’s Hill Park in downtown Ottawa.

The dazzling display that is created at these venues is beyond words. Colours abound and you know you are part of something truly special.

For the month of May, Ottawa is not only our nation’s capital, but with its Official Flower – the tulip, it becomes the Tulip Capital of the North America.

Saguenay - A Whale of a Good TIme!

2009-05-05T14:40:00.006-04:00

Last summer, I had the opportunity to explore the Saguenay region of Quebec. From majestic natural sights, to historic villages, and from seals to whales, this region has it all!

Travelling northeast along the St. Lawrence River through rural Quebec, you’ll find the Saguenay region. It is named after the Rivière Saguenay and Lac Saint-Jean, which links the River to the St. Lawrence. The River then winds through a majestic fjord whose breathtaking rocky walls hold their own special fascination for both people and the seals that I saw sunbathing there!

This area is full of history. At Val-Jalbert, you’ll find a restored lumbering village with 70 abandoned buildings that document the life of the early settlers. For 25 years, the early residents of Val-Jalbert thrived because of a pulp mill built at the foot of a waterfall. Today, that same waterfall still flows, but it is said that Val-Jalbert is the best-preserved ghost town in Canada.

We stayed in Tadoussac, a picturesque village that was established over 400 years ago as France’s first trading post in Canada.

Rising above all else, The Hotel Tadoussac with its red roof, is like a beacon. For generations, navigators have been using it as a landmark when sailing the St. Lawrence. Looking out from the hotel terrace, you’ll see one of the most beautiful bays, and in the distance, whales.

And whales are what I’ve come to see. This region offers whale-watching cruises that take you to the original fishing grounds of the Basque whalers. The mouth of the Saguenay River is a feeding ground for many whales, and as a result, many species gather there.

Watching a whale burst through the water's surface is an unforgettable sight. And on my trip last year we saw 4 kinds of whales – not 4 whales, but 4 KINDS of whales!

In fact, Québec is one of the few places in the world where you can see such a wide variety of them (13 species in all). They are attracted by the river's wealth of shellfish, and by its impressive depth.

In addition to humpback, minke and fin whales, you might also see a few dolphins. And if you’re as lucky as I was, you can catch a flash of white floating on the waves – the elusive beluga, one of the smallest species of these gentle giants.

Charming Copenhagen

2009-04-28T12:03:00.003-04:00

It has been almost a year since I had the pleasure of visiting Copenhagen Denmark, but the memories from that visit will last a lifetime.

Copenhagen is the capital of Denmark, and the largest city in Scandinavia. It is the home of children’s author Hans Christian Anderson, and the city’s famous landmark “The Little Mermaid” statue, commemorates his success.

Copenhagen is also considered one of the world's most environmentally friendly cities. The water in the harbour is so clean that you can swim in it, and one-third of the city’s residents commute to work every day by bicycle.

Copenhagen is heaven for those on a bicycle. And bicycle is what we did during our visit. With flat terrain, and specially designed bike lanes on all roads, it is a safe and fun way to explore the city.

We discovered that there were special bicycles that visitors could use. The bike even comes with a map bolted to the front that points out all key tourist attractions.

You simply find a bike in the specially designated racks, put the equivalent of a toonie in a slot, and the bike unlocks. When you’re finished, you find another rack and lock up the bike - and you even got your toonie back!

From our bikes we explored the city’s strong ties to Denmark’s Royal family with visits to a couple of Royal properties.

Amalienborg Palace, built in 1750, is the official residence of the Royal Family. It actually consists of four separate palaces, and in 1994 some of the Royal apartments were opened to the public. Visitors will find family heirlooms including hand-sewn embroidery and Faberge treasures.

Going even further back in history is the Rosenborg Castle. Built in the 17^th century, it houses the country’s crown jewels and contains the bedroom where Danish King Christian IV died in 1648.

In addition to seeing the Palaces, we also visited another attraction that gave us great insight into the country’s history: The Danish Resistance Museum.

Denmark was occupied by the Germans during WWII and this museum documents and celebrates the commitment of the Danish people, and the role they played in helping save many Jewish countrymen from becoming victims of the Holocaust.

Our final stop was to the city’s famous Ice Bar. Bundled in parkas and gloves, we enjoyed a drink on our last day in this amazing city.