Posts Tagged ‘vacation’

New England Escape: Boston – Day 1

Posted in Travel Bliss, tagged , , , , , , , , , , on February 13, 2018| Leave a Comment »

WE’RE BACK!

Well, we actually arrived back over 4 months ago, but the holidays + never-ending colds/flu + toddler shenanigans = who has time for a blog post?

Life is finally slowing down…a little…so I finally get to relive our adventures in New England!

First off – New England was as amazing as I hoped it would be!!!

A rare sighting on our trip ~ Vibrant autumn leaves!

And yes, we survived our first extended vacation with our 23 month old…

by the skin of our teeth! 

HIGH FIVES ALL AROUND!!!

Mommy and Daddy…I hope you took a nap earlier today!

Everything now seems like such a blur because road tripping with a squirmy, curious, fussy toddler takes things to a whole new mind spinning level!

And like I said in my previous posts, I’m going to share the good and the bad…and the ugly…of our trip…

So let’s just kick things off with LESSON #1:

  • Do NOT take the red eye with a toddler!

Surely he will fall asleep after enjoying his warm beverage…

My hubby and I thought it would be the ideal scenario: Bring the car seat on the plane, strap toddler in said car seat into extra seat we purchased, watch as toddler miraculously falls asleep and wakes the next morning refreshed and happy. Right?

WRONG!

This is how it went down:

  • We let squirmy Sam get the wiggles out while waiting for our flight to arrive.
  • We boarded the plane around 8:40pm, and hubby expertly strapped the car seat into the seat we purchased and inserted Sam.
  • The first hour of the flight Sam was content – he even slept a little!
  • By around 10:00pm, the LOUD fussies started.
  • “Mommy! Mommy! Mommy!”
  • Our 4 hour 30 minute flight to Boston seemed like a 10 hour flight!
  • “Mommy! Mommy! Mommy!”
  • We took turns sitting next to Sam trying to console him to no avail.
  • “Here’s your sippy cup.”
  • Content for a few minutes.
  • “Mommy! Mommy! Mommy!”
  • “Mommy is right here Sam! I’m sitting next to you!”
  • “Mommy! Mommy! Mommy!”
  • Hubby took over and removed Sam from car seat.
  • The squirmies began. Sam could not get comfortable, and arms and legs were flailing around.
  • Finally…almost 30 minutes before we landed in Boston (from Long Beach, CA), Sam fell asleep.
  • Hubby put Sam back in car seat.
  • Zzzzz!

Dead tired, we finally landed and let everyone on the plane exit before we even attempted to remove Sam from the car seat.

So now we’ve arrived and gotten our rental car.

Visions of soft pillows and cozy blankets filled our heads as we drove to the Inn at Longwood Medical at 5:00am.

“Your room isn’t ready.”

{Insert sad face}

LESSON #2:

Do not take the red eye because your hotel room is NOT guaranteed first thing in the morning!

“When will it be ready?”

“Around 3:00pm.”

{Insert bigger sad face}

The hotel concierge gave Sam a complimentary hotel teddy bear and did everything to help us.

“You can hang out at the hotel restaurant until your room is ready.”

So with those final words, we dragged our tired bodies and stroller to the restaurant and grabbed a seat in the very back as our makeshift hotel room.

We left our luggage in the car and took turns going to the car and changing there into fresh clothes.

It was a muggy day, so we were both glad we packed shorts and tees.

There was a Dunkin Donuts in the main food court, so we decided to meander over there, have coffee and breakfast sandwiches and map out our day.

Did you know that Dunkin Donuts is like the Starbucks of the east coast?!

We decided to do the “Freedom Trail Tour” at 10:30am since we didn’t want to waste away our day in the restaurant, but before leaving the hotel for our tour, we checked back to see if a room had opened.

“Oh yes, your room is ready!”

But we didn’t go to the room.

We decided to forge ahead and get our day started, so off we went to find the Boston subway, otherwise known as the “T”, to take us to Faneuil Hall, the starting point of the Freedom Trail Tour.

Needing some quick directions, we asked a random girl, “What train takes us to Faneuil Hall?”

“Well, one train takes you one way.  And the other train takes you the other way.”

“Ummm…thanks?”

We realized we weren’t the only sleep deprived people.

Nevertheless, we were able to figure out the “T” on our own and miraculously made it to Faneuil Hall with enough time to relax and chat with our tour mates and guide.

Our guide was informative, entertaining, and did I mention…dressed in period attire?


This is what happens when you don’t sleep on your flight!

For $12.00/person, the Freedom Trail Tour takes you on a stroll that highlights 11 historic sites including Faneuil Hall, site of the Boston Massacre, the Old State House, Boston Common, Granary Burying Ground, and the site of the first public school.

I highly recommend this tour if you ever visit Boston!



The tour ended in the Boston Common, so since we were in the area, we decided to explore the Boston Public Garden and enjoy a leisurely stroll through this gorgeous park.



Somebody liked the ducks!


“Make Way for the Ducklings” statues. Our l’tl guy loved it!

By the time we explored the garden, fatigue had set in, and we were ready to return to our hotel for a well deserved nap before heading out to Fenway Park for a Red Sox game!



First Fenway dog!



It was a fun night even though the Red Sox lost.

And that’s a wrap!

And just like that, our first day in Boston was over, and day two of our New England adventure was on the horizon.

After arriving back to the hotel, we fell asleep as soon as our heads hit the pillows!

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And the Most Beautiful Beach in the World is…

Posted in Caribbean Bliss, Photo Bliss, Travel Bliss, tagged , , , , , on May 12, 2015| 1 Comment »

IMG_6122a…this one!

Sorry…I’m not revealing the answer until the next couple of posts!

The great thing about beaches is that they’re all beautiful in some way, but for me, this beach ranks the highest in my book!

I’d like to think that I’ve experienced a good number of beaches in my lifetime, but there are still so many places I want to visit including Asia and French Polynesia…and I think maybe I’ll find my next favorite beach there!

For those of you who have been to the Caribbean, maybe you already know this beach…maybe you’ve soaked your feet in the warm, clear waters…maybe you’ve evened out your tan with the bountiful rays…maybe you waded out into the crystalline turquoise waters and realized just how far you walked out with your feet still touching the sand…maybe you took a peak with one eye at the other (more natural) end of the beach (lol!)…or maybe you just stared in awe all the beauty surrounding you.

It really was a gorgeous beach that encompassed so many wonderful qualities (except for the crowds!), and I look forward to returning one day!

Until then…stay tuned for the big reveal…or 100 bonus points to anyone who can name this beach!

So…what’s YOUR favorite beach?

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8 hours in…St. Thomas

Posted in Caribbean Bliss, Photo Bliss, Travel Bliss, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , on April 28, 2015| 4 Comments »

The breath-taking island of St. Thomas was the first stop on our Carnival Valor Caribbean cruise, and we were excited for the adventure ahead!

Months prior, my hubby decided that he would cross off his bucket list item of scuba diving in the Caribbean, and so he booked a scuba diving excursion at the Coki Dive Center located on the eastern end of the island.

Knowing that the excursion would take about 5 hours from start to finish and that I would be on my own, I decided to find something fun to do, and as luck would have it, I discovered Sunny Liston Tours online.

All I was looking for was something light-hearted, fun-filled and informative that would include shopping, sight seeing and beach time, and for $40.00, Sunny provided all of that and more!

Let me start by saying, if you don’t like to sing, laugh and make instant friends all while exploring the island, this tour is not for you!

We started off at 10:00am by boarding the open-air cab (otherwise known as a “safari”) and being driven to the most popular outdoor market in Charlotte Amalie where we got to enjoy 1.5 hours of duty-free shopping. I instantly hit it off with Shirley and Vick, a sweet couple from Canada, and we spent our time exploring the rows and rows of many Caribbean souvenirs and gifts.  Shirley gave me some pointers on how to bargain with the shop owners, and I was able to walk away with some amazing deals!  Did you know you can get freebies at the jewelry shops just by asking? I walked away with several unique charms…for free!

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IMG_5166Me, Shirley & Vick

On the way up to our first scenic vista, Sunny turned up some upbeat Caribbean music that pulsed out of our safari that got everyone clapping and singing along. He interjected his personality to the music by adding “uh-huh uh-huh’s” and “wooh-wooh’s” to every song!  As other tour vans passed us, we made sure to cheer, wave, scream and sing…and watch as their expressions turned to “I wish I was on THAT tour instead!”

IMG_5153Our colorful safari!

Sitting on the very edge of the seat, I had to brace myself during those hairpin turns or else I would have exited the tour a little too early!  The gentleman sitting in front of me who went by the alias of “Lieutenant Dan” turned out to be a fun addition to the tour group. He, too, was sitting on the edge, and would make sure I didn’t roll out of my seat each time we rounded those tight corners.  There were lots of screams and “Whoas!” along the ride, and some people even threw their hands in the air as if they were on a roller coaster ride.  At one point, “Lieutenant Dan’s” hat flew right off his head and landed in my lap!  An adventure indeed!

IMG_5117Our first vista overlooked the lush island, harbor and all of the magnificent ships.
The water couldn’t have been any more blue – it was breathtaking!

IMG_5124Sunny was such a friendly and gracious tour guide.  He ensured everyone had a great time!

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Our next stop was Mountain Top where we got to empty our wallets again, enjoy a banana daiquiri, get to know our tourmates better and be in awe of the crystalline views of Magen’s Bay Beach, one of the top ten beaches in the world!

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After our fun-filled afternoon of shopping and sightseeing, it was time for my new friends and I to part ways as Sunny dropped us off at our pre-selected beaches of choice.  I decided to go to Coki Beach since my hubby would be there.  Everyone else either went to Magen’s Bay Beach or Sapphire Beach.

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Coki Dive Center was right off the beach, so it ended up being perfect!  For $5.00, I rented a chair, and the attendant even put it in the shade upon my request. You can also rent umbrellas and snorkel equipment…whatever your heart desires. Everything that was needed was right there, and I got to spend about an hour relaxing, gazing out into the water, and swimming! (Just be careful, the undertow is a little strong!)

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As I strolled along the beach taking pictures, I heard “JENNNNN!!!”  Looking up, I saw my hubby waving to me from the Coki Dive Center. We had about 30 minutes left before Sunny would come back around to pick us up, so we spent that time enjoying the water, soaking up the sun and talking about our adventures. And yes, he thoroughly enjoyed his scuba diving experience! 

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As scheduled, Sunny picked us up around 3:15, and he even let my hubby join the much smaller group even though he wasn’t part of the tour.

On our way back, rhythmic Caribbean music filled the air, and the fun continued all the way back to the ship. As we drove by the cruise-goers waiting in line, our tour group cheered, clapped and screamed, “SUNNY LISTON’S THE BEST!!!”

And on the island of St. Thomas, he is!

Sunny Liston Tours
P.O. Box 9108
St. Thomas, VI 00801
340-690-0126
liston@sunnylistontours.com

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8 Hours in…St. Lucia

Posted in Caribbean Bliss, Photo Bliss, Travel Bliss, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on March 9, 2015| 61 Comments »

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James pulled his air conditioned van to the side of the road, reached under his seat, turned to face us and with a serious expression, held up his large machete.

“Wait here…”

Exiting the vehicle, James entered the dense brush on the side of the road and proceeded to hack the lush foliage with his sharp blade as we watched curiously.

“What is he doing?”

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Desiree, James’ charming and informative colleague, replied with a reassuring smile,

“It’s a surprise…”

James returned to the vehicle, handed me what appeared to be a piece of bark and smiled.

“Smell this.”

To my delight, this wasn’t just ordinary bark. This was fresh cinnamon bark sliced right from the tree. I held on to the bark tightly as if it were gold, trying to breathe in every ounce of the heavenly aroma before I had to pass it around to the five other passengers to enjoy. Little did they know that this was my favorite scent!

Cinnamon BarkCinnamon Bark

This was just one of the many personal touches that James St. Prix of James Touring Service offered his guests making our day in St. Lucia a special one filled with one surprise after another!

At 9:00am that morning, we disembarked the Carnival Valor and stepped outside the gates of the cruise terminal. Seeing a “James Tours” sign, we were greeted warmly by Desiree. As the other members of the tour gathered, James came to introduce himself with his friendly smile and fun personality.

A Pittsburgh Steelers fan to the core, James’ Toyota van was no exception. Proudly displayed on the hood of his clean and comfortable van was the Pittsburgh Steelers’ logo and wide receiver, #84, Antonio Brown. Although many taxi services have claimed to be James to draw business away, don’t be fooled! There is only one James St. Prix!

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After we introduced ourselves to the four other passengers including a newly engaged couple and two friends from Chicago, we piled into his Steelers van complete with free WI-FI and listened to James as he gave us a brief summary of the day ahead.

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Given the twisty roads of St. Lucia, James focused on driving and left the informative guiding to Desiree. If you succumb to motion sickness, don’t let this stop you from experiencing James Touring Services! James drove up those winding switchbacks carefully and with a seasoned hand. For those with extra sensitive equilibriums, consider taking a few ginger tablets beforehand like I did, and you should be fine.

The adventure began with a stop at a large and bountiful banana plantation. After James explained to us how bananas were harvested, three friendly young ladies who worked at a nearby souvenir shop treated us to samplings of banana ketchup, banana & honey barbecue sauce and banana rum! We even got to try fresh, sweet bananas picked right off the tree! Everything was so delicious, and my husband and I left with a bottle of the barbecue sauce to enjoy at home.

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When asked how he chose which local merchants to stop at, James said that it was based on their behavior and whether or not they pressure the tourists into buying their products. He ensured us that as long as he’s around, we will not be harassed. Each vendor we encountered was very pleasant and open to answering any questions…or even just having a friendly conversation!

ChristianaChristiana, a very nice lady with a sweet Grandmotherly presence, made cashew candy and sold it for $2.00.
It was a great purchase…and so delicious!

As we drove through the old fishing village of Canaries, James and Desiree discussed the local economy, pointed out where locals spend their free time and even showed us where laundry is washed on the banks of a river (where the juiciest gossip is shared!) As we passed the first church on the island, James stopped to ask a young boy who was selling shell necklaces why he wasn’t in school. After a brief conversation in Creole, he bought a necklace and told the boy to get back to school. In addition to being well respected in the community, it was obvious that James also cares about his home and the people of St. Lucia.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERACanaries

During the tour, James peppered the conversation with funny jokes which he confirmed are funnier when told in Creole, a “harsh” French-based language containing African and Carib words. He was also very generous when it came to photo stops and complimentary snacks where he would stop at local eateries and let us experience local treats like “Crunchy Cookies” and “Cassava Bread”. He even kept his van stocked with ice-cold beverages to keep us hydrated throughout the day. We learned that James had worked for Royal Caribbean for over 15 years, so he knew all about providing excellent customer service, and it showed!

The PitonsPhoto stop of the Pitons on our way to Soufriere.

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IMG_5475Cassava Bread

IMG_5540Crunchy Cookie

I was most excited about going to the oldest town of Soufrierie where we would experience Sulphur Springs Park, the Caribbean’s only drive-in volcano and St. Lucia’s premier tourist attraction! Ask anyone on the island, and they will tell you that the mud is supposed to take ten years off your appearance! So with that in mind, my hubby and I did not hold back on this natural beauty treatment!

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IMG_5491ACheck out this long line of cars trying to get in! 

The mud bath was a 4-step process.

First, we bathed in a mineral rich thermal pool. If you like taking hot showers, this will be a most welcome experience. The temperature is about 100 degrees Fahrenheit!

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Next, we slathered ourselves in the age reducing mud. There were two types of mud – black & grey. They both have the same therapeutic properties but differ in that the black mud is from volcanic ash and could permanently stain your swimsuit. The grey mud, on the other hand, is thicker, less messy and won’t ruin your swimsuit. James had someone set aside a container of the special grey mud for us that we eagerly slathered ourselves with!

IMG_5503AI didn’t know getting muddy could be so fun!

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After letting the mud dry on for a few minutes, it was time to turn up the heat as we slowly reentered the mineral pool to rinse off as best we could. It helps to have someone with you to assist in those areas you can’t easily see or reach.

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The last step was the shower…or what I’d like to call…the trickle. We basically stood under a spigot and attempted to rinse ourselves by contorting our bodies in a way so that the very light stream of water could reach those remaining muddy bits. As I rinsed off, I was baffled by what I saw…for someone who usually gets devoured by mosquitoes, I was bite free! It turns out that sulphur repels mosquitoes…oh happy day!

The mud bath experience made us feel rejuvenated, and the pumice consistency of the mud left our skin softer than I can ever recall! My hubby’s sunburn was even less intense. As far as looking younger, I’m not sure if it took ten years off my appearance, but I’ll make any excuse to get back to Saint Lucia!

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The excitement was far from over as our next stop was to Toraille Waterfall, or as Desiree called it, the “Power Shower”!

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Toraille Waterfall, one of St. Lucia’s natural heritage sites, spills into a refreshing pool that visitors are welcome to swim in or in some cases walk in, scream upon the realization of the freezing temperature, and quickly exit the pool!

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Guests lined up to bravely stand under the “Power Shower”. A photographer was available to capture those special moments of being pounded by the force of the water!

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Desiree was kind enough to capture these romantic awkward moments for us…lol!

Try to smile normally…I dare you!

IMG_5566ATake 1:  “Smile at the camera honey!”

IMG_5568ATake 2:  “Ok, let me just fix my hair first!” 

IMG_5567BTake 3:  Cover of Sports Illustrated here we come! LOL!

IMG_5570ATake 4:  When all else fails!

IMG_5571BYay, we did it! (Well, kind of…)

IMG_5578BDid I mention how fun that was?!

IMG_5572The water didn’t feel so cold afterwards…quite refreshing actually!

IMG_5588Tah-dah!

Words of advice – bring water shoes because rocks line the bottom of the pool and were slippery and challenging to navigate through. And be sure to reapply sunscreen immediately afterwards because after sloughing away a layer of skin at the mud bath, the sun can be very unforgiving!

After a thoroughly enjoyable morning learning about the island and trying new things, it was time to experience the flavors of Saint Lucia!

Tucked high above the bay with phenomenal views of the Pitons is La Haut Plantation Resort.

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It is here that we were treated to a delicious Authentic Plantation Gourmet Lunch that matched the glorious views before us!  This all-inclusive island luncheon consisted of:

  • Creole chicken
  • Breaded fish with lime ginger sauce
  • Caribbean Rice
  • Stew pink beans
  • Sauted freshly picked garden vegetables
  • Collis of tomato & onion on root vegetables (dasheen, plantain)
  • Local signature macaroni and cheese
  • Fresh market garden salad with a choice of mustard and balsamic vinaigrette
  • Banana ice cream

IMG_5625Hands down, the most delicious meal on the trip!
It doesn’t get better than this…

IMG_5628A…or does it?  YUM!

It’s easy to lose track of time at La Haut Plantation Resort. The grounds are so green and lush and filled with flowers of every color, a refreshing pool that guests are welcome to use, a breathtaking backdrop of the Gros and Petit Pitons and the volcano that was emitting steam, and gorgeous grounds to explore. I thought I was in heaven!

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IMG_5618A photographer’s paradise!

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The PitonsI think I’ll stay here!

The day was quickly coming to an end, and James had two more surprises for us. We stopped at a vista overlooking the gorgeous Marigot Bay. This is the site where several battles between the French and English took place, and it’s also the setting of where Doctor Doolittle was filmed! Today, it’s a peaceful haven surrounded by a mangrove of trees with a wide range of accommodations, restaurants, land and water activities, shopping and entertainment.

Marigot Bay

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IMG_5678The best tour team on St. Lucia – James & Desiree!

On our return to Castries, we even stopped to see a unique rock formation called the Natural Bridge that was featured in the popular movie Pirates of the Caribbean. 

IMG_5682Natural Bridge

The tour came to a close much too soon, and we all agreed it was a one of our favorite tours from our cruise!  Our tour mate, Art from Chicago, said, “It’s a beautiful island and worth coming to see. James gives a great tour.”

IMG_5686AOur tour group looking 10 years younger!

When considering a tour of St. Lucia, remember that you get what you pay for. According to James, taxi drivers who charge $20 may claim that they’ll provide an island tour with lunch, but what you will get is an impersonal drive from point A to point B with a simple lunch of bread and cheese on the roadside.

Pay $70.00 per person for James’ Tour, and you will receive an exciting, personal and quality tour of St. Lucia with two considerate, fun and professional tour guides whose goal is to treat people well and show them a good time while introducing you to their homeland!

IMG_5687I had the best time with this fun group!

When I asked James and Desiree how they’d describe St. Lucia in one word, it wasn’t easy for them because St. Lucia embodies so many things! James said, “It’s incredible, so lush and green, and the people are wonderful!” Desiree described St. Lucia as picturesque and simply beautiful. She also revealed her favorite things about St. Lucia including the freedom to walk wherever she wants, the delicious food, the friendly people and the relaxing evening mud baths!

James showed us everything he loved about St. Lucia and more!

On the back of his van, it states, “I ain’t no joke.”

Remember, there’s only one “Steelers” James St. Prix – he’s the real deal, and he will give you the time of your lives and a tour of St. Lucia that you will never forget!

I know I won’t!

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Have you ever been on a tour like James Touring Service?
What aspect of James tour would you enjoy to do the most?

 

James Touring Service
www.jamestouringservice.com
tourstlucia68@yahoo.com
1 (758) 712-6285
1 (758) 719-5836

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Old San Juan – Day 2

Posted in Caribbean Bliss, Travel Bliss, tagged , , , , , , , , , on March 8, 2015| Leave a Comment »

The fun thing about using Airbnb is that you’re staying in someone else’s home, so you never know what to expect.

With Tony away for the night, we had the place to ourselves.

With the long day we had exploring the city paired with jet lag and pure exhaustion, we decided to go to bed early.

Since no one else was there, we left the door ajar to get a nice breeze. But around 9:00pm, I awoke from my sleep to the sound of a shuffling noise. From the opening of the door, I saw the shadow of a man on the bathroom door that was right outside our room. I thought I was dreaming, but the shadow grew darker and more obvious.

Being so out of it and coming out of a deep slumber, I didn’t know what was going on and thought it was an intruder. So from my bed I said loudly,

“Hello?  HELLO????”

When no one answered, I woke up my hubby to investigate the matter.  He sprung out of bed and stood outside the bathroom door where “the shadow” was hiding!

Without even knocking, he opened the bathroom door and discovered something quite shocking…

It was Tony!

And thank God he was only brushing his teeth!!!

It turns out that the event Tony attended ended earlier than expected, and he decided to come home that night.

After a good laugh about the “shadow intruder who wanted good dental hygiene”, we slept more soundly and awoke to a beautiful day ahead of us.

We started our Sunday with mass at the charming Iglesia de San Francisco (Saint Francis of Assisi Church). Located literally right around the corner from our apartment, it was adorned with beautiful frescoes and murals. Beneath the church is a catacomb where parishioners are buried.

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After mass, we exited the church and descended the steps that spilled into the courtyard. Tourists and locals alike filled the plaza to watch more circus performers showcase their talent on the last day of Festival del Circo.

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After a late start to our morning, it was time for breakfast.  The back of the church bulletin advertised a place called Caficultura, so we decided to check it out. The nice thing about Old San Juan is that everything is within walking distance.  Just down the a few blocks in front of another courtyard, we located the restaurant bustling with patrons inside.

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After a 15 minute wait, we were seated and got our first glimpse of the menu. It didn’t take long for me to figure out what I wanted to try… Tostadas Francesas (Brioche bread coconut milk french toasts with pineapple marmalade & fresh coconut shavings!)

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IMG_5040It was as delicious as it looks!

The thing I also love about San Juan is that unlike restaurants in the United States where everything is super-sized, their portions here are just right!  Never once did I feel overly stuffed.

After fueling ourselves with a delicious breakfast, it was time to make our way to the Bacardi Rum Distillery for a tour that hubby was especially looking forward to. For $0.50 one way, we boarded a ferry that took us across the harbor to Catano. From there, we boarded a bus that took us to Casa Bacardi for $3.00 per person.

IMG_5049Our first glimpse of the Carnival Valor from the ferry terminal.

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We decided to purchase the less expensive $12.00 Basic Tour that included a trolley ride around the campus, a stop at the visitor center, a video of the history of Bacardi, a souvenir cup and a ticket for a complementary beverage to be enjoyed at the tasting area.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAThe campus was very impressive!

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IMG_5051Tasting area

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After our pleasant afternoon, it was time to head back to Old San Juan, pack our bags, thank and say goodbye to the “Shadow Intruder” (LOL!) and navigate the crowded streets to board our vessel, the Carnival Valor.

IMG_1517Goodbye Old San Juan! 

Old San Juan was a pleasant surprise. I didn’t know what to expect, but between the warm people, the delicious food, the gorgeous sites and the beautiful culture, it’s somewhere that I’d like to return to one day.

Until next time, Old San Juan!

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Old San Juan – Day 1

Posted in Photo Bliss, Travel Bliss, tagged , , , , , , , , on March 3, 2015| 4 Comments »

As we exited the San Juan Airport, a wave of humidity thawed us out after our chilly overnight flight.

We joined around 25 other people who were waiting in line to get a taxis. After filling out a form documenting the number of bags and people in our party, we were escorted over to a minivan where our driver assisted us and welcomed us to San Juan.

After a short 15 minutes drive to Old San Juan, we turned onto a very narrow cobblestone road and were dropped off at the steps of our lodging for the night. Airbnb.com is our favorite way to find accommodations when we travel, and Old San Juan was no different! With bags at our feet, we contacted Tony via the intercom system located at the front of the gated building. Within minutes, Tony greeted us at the gates with a warm smile and immediately assisted me with my luggage carrying it up the three very long flights of stairs. I knew gaining weight would not be a problem here with this intense workout!

As we climbed the stairs, I noticed the decorative tiles that adorned the sides of the walls of this beautiful and spacious building. After ascending the third flight of stairs, Tony welcomed us into his home and gave us the grand tour. I was immediately drawn to the open floor plan with high ceilings, exposed beams and a peaceful terrace!

Another winner from Airbnb!

Tony made us feel at home and even provided us with a complimentary bowl of bananas and granola bars. After showing us to our cozy room that was adjacent to the shared bathroom, he informed us that he would be away for the evening but would return the next day, so we had the place to ourselves. He gave us our set of keys, answered questions we had, gave us restaurant suggestions and left us shortly thereafter.

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We unpacked, changed into warm weather clothes and set out to find a place to eat because after our extended flight of only peanuts and chips, we were starving! We took Tony’s suggestion and decided to try one of his favorite eateries, Restaurant El Jibarito…and we were glad we did!

We were seated immediately and ordered beverages to quench our thirst – rum punch for me and the local beer, Magna, for my hubby. The menu was full of flavorful choices, but I decided on the chicken in creole sauce, friend plantains and salad. Let me just say, I left nothing on the plate!

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As we exited the restaurant, the streets were buzzing with locals and tourists. Little did we know that we arrived during the weekend of the Festival del Circo, an international festival that brings street art, theater, puppeteers and circus performances to the streets and plazas of Old San Juan for everyone to enjoy!

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Old San Juan was a joy to walk around with its’ cobblestone roads and European-esque charm.

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We strolled along the tree-lined (and sometimes pigeon-filled) Paseo de la Princesa and marveled at the gorgeous views of the bay.

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We came across the Puerta de San Juan (San Juan Gate), a massive, wooden gate built in the late 1700s that closed at sundown to protect the city from invaders.

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Our day ended with a visit to the stunning Castillo San Felipe del Morro (“El Morro”), a huge fortress at the end of a large green field, constructed to guard the entrance of the San Juan Bay and protect the city from seaborne invaders. A San Juan National Historic Site, it’s easy to spend the entire day here, but evening was quickly approaching, so we passed on the paid tour and admired the fortress from the outside.

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You can find locals and tourists alike hanging out on the massive field and around the fortress walls, having picnics and parties, resting, playing, taking photos, flying kites (did I mention how windy it is?), and spending time with family and friends. There’s something very special about this place.

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Looking out from the watchtowers, the views were spectacular! It was the perfect way to end our first day in Old San Juan, and I couldn’t wait for the next day’s adventures!

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The Caribbean Adventure Begins…or does it?

Posted in Travel Bliss, tagged , , , , , , on February 25, 2015| Leave a Comment »

After counting down the months, days, minutes and seconds until our Caribbean cruise…the moment had finally arrived!

My wonderful parents dropped us off at the Long Beach airport on a Friday evening with smiles, hugs and well wishes.

With bags checked and boarding passes in hand, nothing could stop us from getting on our flight to San Juan, Puerto Rico…

…until we checked the flight schedule: DELAYED!

Our flight was originally supposed to leave Long Beach, CA at 9:30pm and arrive in San Juan around 10:30am the following morning.

Too excited to put a damper on our good moods, we got settled in for the long night ahead. Our 9:30pm flight to New York would now leave at 11:00pm…no problem…

…until we heard our names called over the intercom.

Could it be our dream cruise was doomed?

The Jet Blue attendant informed us that there was a VERY slight chance we would make our connecting flight from New York to San Juan, and if we didn’t make the connection, there were NO seats on any of the later flights going to San Juan. We would have to wait until the following morning to get a connecting flight and spend most of Saturday in the air. Luckily our cruise’s departure time was 10:00pm on Sunday, so at worst, we’d arrive in San Juan on Saturday evening.

We asked what our options were, and he suggested we take a totally different flight.  It seemed like that was our only choice, so we agreed with the arrangement.

Noticing our dismay as our original flight began to fill with passengers, he quickly began to search alternate flights for us. After several anxiety-filled minutes, this miracle worker found a flight that would take us north to San Francisco and then to Fort Lauderdale and finally to San Juan…arriving around 12:30! (The time we expected to get there with the initial 1.5 hour delay!)

We couldn’t believe our luck!

I wish I remembered what his name was, but he did everything to help us out, and he even put us in the “Even More Space” seating at the front of the plane so we could make our connecting flight in San Francisco!

I have to give props to Jet Blue!  They really go out of their way for their customers. They even gave each of us a $75.00 “Goodwill Customer” credit on any future flight in the next 365 days…not bad for a little bump in the road air  🙂

It seems like we were celebrities for the night.  “Oh, so you’re THAT couple!” is what we heard at each of our connecting flights.

Soon we were on the last leg of our journey, and nothing could stop us!

I looked out my window and saw lush green hills, a bright sun and a beautiful day ahead…

in Puerto Rico!

San Juan

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Winner Announced – Caribbean Mystery Giveaway

Posted in Travel Bliss, tagged , , , , , on February 19, 2015| Leave a Comment »

We have a winner!

First, I want to send out a big THANK YOU to those of you who entered the contest.

It was fun reading about your dream cruises, and it gave me several ideas for future excursions (Alaska cruise…I’m looking at you!)

Now it’s time to get down to business…

caribbean mystery giveaway

So you must be wondering what treasure(s) I found.

I had no idea what I would find, but the one thing that the Caribbean had lots of was handmade jewelry and rum.

On our port of call in Barbados, the home of famous Mount Gay Rum, we came across a little shop that sold rum cake…and that was it!

A sweet lady had samples for us to try, and OH MY GOSH…they were so moist and delicious!  I have to admit, I almost cleaned out all of her samples, but I had to make sure that we made the right choice since they came in a variety of flavors: coffee, vanilla, lemon ginger and chocolate.  Well, that choice was too hard to make, so we decided that it would be in our best interest to buy all 4 flavors.  Seriously, they were all so amazing, and I couldn’t choose a favorite!

I’ll be honest, the thought of sharing these cakes hadn’t crossed my mind. The intention was to devour all four in one sitting upon my return!  (They’re 4oz in size, so that would’ve been easy to do!)  But then I thought, I need to share the love, and who better to share it with than my readers (oh…and my wonderful parents who enjoyed the vanilla rum cake!)  So my dear readers, one of the gifts the winner will be receiving is:

rum cakeCalypso Coffee Rum Cake!
It’s supposed to contain the famous Mount Gay Rum infused inside!  Yum!

One of the things I enjoyed looking at was the handmade jewelry across the islands.  A popular material they used was coconut shells!  On our last port-of-call in St. Maarten, I found a delicate bracelet made out of beads and coconut shells. It wears lightly on your wrist and fits comfortably. I had the choice of brightly colored beads or those that were more earth tone, but not knowing the winner’s color preference, I thought earth tone with a hint of (faux) gold would be a better option.  So without further ado, here is prize #2:

bracelet

Now it’s time for the second item of business – who won?!

Today I had my partner-in-crime, the hubby, do the honors of choosing a winner.

Can we have a drum roll please?

And the winner of the Caribbean Mystery Giveaway is…

ligail2001

(Round of applause echoing through cyberspace!)

Congratulations to ligail2001, whose dream cruise is going to the Mediterranean.  Great choice!

I hope this coffee rum cake & coconut shell bracelet give you a little piece of Caribbean bliss!

ligail2001, please email your mailing address to passporttobliss@gmail.com.

If I don’t hear from you by midnight on Sunday, February 22nd, another winner will be announced on Monday, February 23rd.

Thanks again to all who entered.

Stay tuned for a recap of our Caribbean adventures!

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Caribbean Bliss

Posted in Travel Bliss, tagged , , , , on February 17, 2015| 1 Comment »

Caribbean Bliss

Last week, I got a glimpse of heaven.

And it came in shades of blue, teal, yellow, green, brown, orange, red and purple.

And it was full of smiles, kindness, laughter, consideration, open arms and bliss.

And it made me feel warm and welcome.

And I want to go back!

Stay tuned in the upcoming weeks to read about our adventures in the Caribbean, or what I’d like to call…

heaven.

 

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Caribbean Mystery Giveaway!

Posted in Travel Bliss, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on January 27, 2015| 102 Comments »

Grab your Coppertone 45, put on those flip flops and meet me on the lido deck!

The giveaway you’ve been waiting for is here!

Two years ago, I held an “Aloha Mystery Giveaway” which involved me searching high and low for that perfect mystery gift during our Hawaiian vacation.

I had so much fun that yes…I’m doing it again!

Ladies and gents, I present to you the…

caribbean mystery giveaway

Next month, a floating hotel will take my hubby & me to six gorgeous Caribbean islands!

Throughout our cruise, I will be on the lookout for the perfect gift for one lucky reader.

Unlike Hawaii where I had an idea of what kinds of gifts I might find, the Caribbean is a completely different story.

I have no idea what I will find!  (But that’s all part of the fun!)

The giveaway begins TODAY so enter NOW to win!

How do I enter, you ask?

1.  Leave a comment telling me what your dream cruise is and why…AND YOU’RE IN!

2.  If you want to DOUBLE your chances, follow me on Twitter (and just notify me that you did.)

The giveaway will close at midnight (PST) on Tuesday, February 17th  

Good luck to you all!

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