Denise's Hawaii - Day 2 Animals, Fish and Rain

What a wind storm. Trying to sleep last night and the wind kept throwing around the furniture on the balcony! Chairs were moving all over and one was knocked on it’s side and then dragged around. Still slept pretty well, but noises like that definitely wake you up.

When we got up it was a bit dreary, but we weren’t worried. Ha! Famous last words.

We went to Moose McGillicuddy’s for breakfast. Mmm, mmm. Darrin had the All American Skillet and I tried the breakfast potatoes. Potato skins with eggs, bacon, cheese and green onions. Perfect! When we came out it looked like the ground was wet, so we hoped that would be it for the rain.

After breakfast we were going to walk to Waikiki Aquarium and then the zoo. But, we were running behind and didn’t want to get to the zoo after lunch at prime sun time. So we changed our plans and went to the zoo first. About 15 minutes after we got there the clouds opened up… REALLY opened up. But we continued on, soaked to the bone and really enjoyed our visit. And we never did get any sun, so burning never became an issue.

The zoo is in the process of building a brand new elephant enclosure, and it looks like it’s going to be great, I think it opens at the end of this year. There were some really cute animals, like two different miniature gazelles, a fuzzy little fox with a stuffed chimp, and a group of lemurs. Unfortunately the paths don’t drain in the zoo and a couple of exhibits weren’t approachable unless you wanted water up to your shin. Because of that, we didn’t really get to see the cheetah except when he was up on a hill and looking out of the enclosure. But it was a great trip and even though it kept raining off and on we’re glad we went.

They had some beautiful birds, big cats, several different primates, a reptile house, and savannah animals like giraffes, zebras, ostriches, etc. The hippos were totally cool, and the rinos too who were camouflaged, which caused a dad beside us a bit of trouble when it took over a full minute to point them out to his daughter! My favourite part of the zoo though was Baubles. Baubles is a “special” meerkat who has some problems, the biggest being balance. But his clan look after him and he lives a happy, if wobbly, life in the zoo.

Then, after the zoo, still dripping wet, we headed over to the Aquarium. They give you an electronic tour guide and when you reach an exhibit you punch in that number on the keypad and the narrator tells you about it. They had all the usual cool stuff, coral, jellyfish, sharks, groupers, and they’re building a new coral reef. In an outside tank they had a monk seal who was content to just bob up and down in the water.

Unfortunately we got about three pictures the whole day. We snapped a couple shortly after arriving at the zoo and then the rain never really stopped. It started just as I was about to take a picture of Diamond Head and the camera never came out of the bag again.

Ha, everything in my pocket turned to mush. I had a couple coupons and receipts and they just mashed together. And while we were walking back to the hotel we stopped and shopped along the way but had to keep handing cashiers these soggy, dripping wet bills. Most laughed, but one guy was cranky and before he gave us our change he made us wait there while he got paper towels and slowly wrapped our three bills up and patted them dry. Whatever!

Now, shopping for us consisted of grabbing some snacks for the hotel room and a couple of souvenirs. But I get the feeling some people come for a LOT more.

We passed a Coach store, Ferrari shop, three Le SportSacs, and a Louis Vuitton shop. I can’t even afford to window shop at those places…

We didn’t make it to the Wailana Coffee House today, we just wanted to get home and change into something dry. Maybe tomorrow. But for now, we ordered room service again and watched the Hilton Hawaiian fireworks from our balcony.

I’m glad it didn’t rain early morning or late in the evening. There were two weddings on the beach below our balcony today, one morning and one after sunset and I can’t imagine how upsetting it would have been to have to change the day if the rain hadn’t stopped.

We have to go pick up our rental car tomorrow and it’s about a 20 minute walk, so no sleeping in in the morning. Tomorrow is the Dole Plantation. Tonight though, we grabbed some cut pineapple from the cooler at an ABC (these stores are EVERYWHERE - on some blocks there are two or three of them!) A little snack, a little TV and then to bed.

Hawaii - Beach

Night shot from our balcony.

Hawaii - Diamond Head

Hawaii Outrigger Reef

View of MBDRM and Master Bath from back of master bath.

Denise's Hawaii - Day 1 Travel Day

Aaahhhhh.

For a travel day, it was a pretty good day. Flights both ran long, we were flying into headwinds to Vancouver and to Honolulu, but after snoozing a good portion of the first leg and some on the second, I hardly felt the 10+ hours of flying time.

We got into Honolulu in mid-afternoon, received our beautiful orchid lei greeting and caught the shuttle to the hotel.

OMG. The hotel. Outrigger Reef on the Beach. We paid for a room upgrade for a couple nights and it is A-MA-ZING. Corner room, balconies on two sides. The Master Suite has one oceanfront balcony and one that faces Diamond Head. The bathroom has a two person walk-in shower and a 2 person jet tub.

The living room/dining room is ocean front and that washroom has a tub/shower and the usual amenities.

The beach in front of the hotel is small, but that hasn’t stopped people from jumping in. Well, wading in up to their knees, the water’s rough today. It rained earlier and was cloudy for most of the afternoon/evening. But the breeze coming through the open balcony doors is so refreshing. Nice and cool. Helps beat the humidity. You step from the plane into the jetway and the humidity hits you like a wall. Didn’t think of that in my “we’re going to go hiking nearly every day” plan.

Darrin tried Moco Loco for dinner and loved it. Hawaiian dish with a bed of rice, topped with a beef patty, two eggs, onions and gravy. Not my style, but a huge dish on the islands.

The weather forecast calls for rain in Honolulu almost every day we’re here, but I’m not worried. I don’t think it rains continuously, it probably just comes and goes. They have flash flood warnings too, but that’s just in the valleys I think, because they’re steep and narrow. The girl who brought the room service up said they issue flood warnings all the time, almost every time it rains, so no big deal.

Tomorrow we’ll be around Honolulu/Waikiki with zoo, aquarium and some shopping. For dinner we’re hoping to hit a local coffee house down the street that was recommended to us; supposed to be good and cheap.

We were resetting our internal clocks for several days before we left, getting up one hour earlier each day until we hit 3am (7am Hawaii time) and it seems to have worked. It should feel like 1am (three hours past my bedtime!) but instead it just feels like I had a good full day and I could go another hour or two.

I'm having a lot of problems with the blog, so I'll upload each picture as a new post. Enjoy!

Melissa's Jamaica FAM

Day 1


Arrived at the airport 2hrs earlier and it was busy. Should have been there 3hrs before like I tell all of my clients, but anyways it was fine. One thing to let your clients know is that there was no Sunquest counter. I walked back and forth looking for it, until Lisa saw me and flagged me over. You have to check in at the WS counter. Lisa said it might be different for the winter months, but she is not sure. Went thru security fine, for a change no search of my bags :) and met the other 3 ladies on the FAM. Everybody is awsome and we were laughing right away with each other, like we had knowen each other for ever. Boarded the empty flight and got a whole row to myself. The plane was empty because I think people from YWG don't know about the direct flights starting so early. Fligth was good, got to see Miami, the Florida Keys, and The Caymen Islands from my window.

Another good thing to let your clients know is that there is no food served on the flight. Even though you are flying with Sunquest, no meals are served for free, like on Sunwing or transat. Cashless cabin as well.

The flight was 4hrs and 45mintues and we landed with out a problem. Customs, however, was a problem. 12 other planes all landed at the same time as us and we all had to go thru customs at the same time. About 1hr and 30 minutes later, I was thru and in Jamaica. We went to find our luggage and it was already off the converer belt and just sitting there waiting. We were met after that for our private transfer to the hotel, Sunset Beach. We landed at around 12:30 so by the time we were on the way to the hotel is was still light out and we got a good view of Montego Bay. It is hard to describe what it looks like, but it is very poor here. I have been to Varadero and in some places this is worse then there. Alot of "shacks" were along the road, and people living in them. It makes you appreciate what you have back at home. But, even with the conditions here, the people are so friendly and happy. It is very contagious, and it makes you have a very relaxed attitude. The weather is very hot, and very humid. You sweat just standing in one place. It is very windy and cloudy because we are getting the aftermath of Hurricane Tomas. You can not swim or sit around the pools, just too windy.

The hotel was nice. I had a ocean front room for the first night. The Montreal group had arrived on Fri., so they were out looking at hotels and the Calgary & Toronto groups were not arriving until later. So we looked around the resort, got some drinks, and had something to eat. By the way, I have found my new favorite drink. Move over wine, Hello Hummingbird!!!

It is soooooo goood. It tastes like a banana milkshake, and they are very dangerous. :)

Anyways, went to bed early that night.

Day 2

The bus was picking us up at 9am to start our hotel inspections. Well, I guess what they say is true. When you are in Jamaica, everything runs on island time, because the bus was 1hr late. When it came, we drove from MBJ to Ocho Rios, about a 2 hr ride. Something good to tell clients.

Riu Ocho Rios was the first hotel. Very nice, lots of people, once you have seen one, you have seen them all, so I am told because this was my first time seeing one.

Next was the Jewel, which used to be the Sandals Dunns River. This is a very nice hotel, just like what a Sandals would be. Pretty much everything is included.

Next was the Sunset Jamaica Grande. This is an okay hotel. Water slide looks very nice, but the rooms are very small. It would be hard to fit 2 adults and 2 children in 1 room.

Next was Rooms on the Beach. Basic hotel, nothing fancy to say, but expensive hotel.

Next was Couple Tower Isle. Very nice also, like a Sandals. Only couples can stay here, but they are very gay friendly. Your clients just have to let the front desk staff know, and they will make you feel comfortable. This resort also has it's own island which is "au natural", but we did not get to check that out. :(

Next was the Couples San Souci. Very nice. It is built into the side of the hill, so lots of stairs. The resort is on 32 acres of land, so it was alot of walking. And of course they make this are last hotel.

We then went to our new hotel, Breezes Runaway Bay. It is nice, but this time I got the gardenview. That night we all had supper at the Italian a la carte restaurant. It was very good. After supper we went to check out the live band that was playing and we danced alittle and then went to bed.

Day 3

So far today, we got up and went to Dunns River Falls. I did not go in the falls, but they were awsome to see. Most of our group did, so I was the offical picture taker. Let me tell you the stairs on the side of the falls, are just as hard as the falls. We are now back at the hotel and we are off to the Gran Bahia tonite for drinks and dinner.

Talk to you all later,

Part 3 of My Trip to Portugal Nov 1-4

Today is a beautiful day and everyone in the town is getting ready to go to the cemetary for All Sanints Day. Some people will gather at the chappell first for a church service and then they walk through the village following the priest to the cemetary that is much different from our tradition in North America. The grave sites here are all marble and above ground with pictures of the deceased. The families put candles and beautiful flowers on the family graves. The priest walks through the cemetary and prays for all the deceased and their families which takes about an hour in Portuguese.
This afternoon we visit with family and friends in the Portuguese style.
Nov 2
Today is market day in Espinho that is about a 45 minute drive from Vale Maoir where there is everything you need to buy there. Flowers, fish, meat, vegetables and more important to me was the clothing, jeans, leather botas, shoes etc. We spent most of the day there shopping, stopped for a cod fish lunch and bargained with them to get the best deal.
We get back home and then visit family for a traditional Sardine Supper at Oscars Aunties and there is a table full of wood oven, roasted Sardines on home made bread and of course homemade vinho tinto and you are not allowed to leave the table til the sardines are all eaten.
Nov 3
Today it is another beautiful sunny day about 24 C and we go to the Praia (beach)
about 30 minute drive to Praia Vagueira. We have a delicious seafood lunch and then walk the beach where the waves are so powerful I dont dare to go in the ocean but Oscar ventures in eventhough it is not quite as warm as the meditteranian.
After a beautiful day at the beach we visit friends on the other side of the village for a octopus dinner.
Nov 4
Another beautiful day as far as the weather goes about 25 C today we stay close to home and walk the village visiting cousins and friends that Oscar has not seen for many years. Tonight we are at good friends Casa enjoying fresh caught fish from the river and sharing life experiences. Til tomorrow Obrigado

Part 2 of My Trip to Portugal Oct 29-31

Friday there has been lots of rain, very stormy one minute and then the sun comes out for a while, the wind blows and it rains again. Lisbon has had lots of flooding, but here in the village in the mountains, the rain runs down the streets into the river so there is no flooding here. Went out for a very nice dinner of Roast Pork and did some shopping in Aveiro which is quite a big city about a 45 minute drive from Vale Miaor. We are back home this evening and the rain is coming down hard and pounding on the rooftops.
Oct 30
This is Saturday morning and today there is a market in the town. There is all kinds of fresh vegetables, fruits, meat, lots of fish, and beautiful flowers to buy very cheap! Oscar bought me a nice pair of boots as I did not bring any with me and it has been wet. Because of the rain we opted to stay home tonight and watch some TV.
Oct 31
Today the weather is still wet but getting better and not as much rain. We walk the village and check out the gardens, orchards full of manderina, orange, lemon, fig and olive trees. We then drive to Bussaco, where we tour the gardens and grande hotel as well as the nunnery and chappell that is famous for over hundreds of years. We then take a short drive to Luso that has a famous drinking fountain where people take there water bottles and fill for free. Oscar has mentioned all over Portugal there are drinking fountains where people get there clean drinking water as well as there are still public washing holes where woman from the village take their washing to clean in the fresh water. Tonight we are visiting an old friend of Oscars, who was very surprised to see us.They have a beautiful home as well and we are enjoying a drink and a laugh tonight.
Eventhough it is Halloween in North America it is not really celebrated here like we do at home.
Tomorrow is a holiday here- All Saints Day where families, relatives, friends come together at the cemetary so I will write more tomorrow.

My Trip to Portugal Oct 24

Arrived into Faro on time at 710am on Sunday morning. We had good flights from Winnipeg and Toronto and came through a short line up at customs. Everything went smoothly and English is spoken in Faro by just about everyone. We picked up our Toyota Yaris from the Guerin Auto which is the car company JM Vacations uses just outside the airport.
Driving is a little different here with the smaller roads, cars and round abouts but even though it has been a few years for Oscar his driving was pretty good eventhough we missed our first turn off the highway!
Drove to Albufeiro easily on the A22, about 25 minutes away. We had to stop and ask about the location of the hotel, Solaqua as it was not on the map we had.
We were tired from travelling but washed up and went to the beach as it was about 27 C. The beach is about a 15 minute walk from our hotel but worth every step. The beach called Monica beach was beautiful and lined with white aparthotels. Oscar went for a swim in the ocean while I sun tanned and took a nap.  On our way back to the hotel we picked up a few groceries and stopped for a couple of cervasas.
After a long first day we had a good night sleep. The apartment hotel is quite spacious with a separate bedroom, living room and full kitchen.
Our second day we drove to Portimao and spent half a day on the Praia De Roche. It also was a stunning beach with the rock formation from the ocean we had to go down about a hundred steps to the beach.
After the beach we drove to the marina and had a seafood and rice lunch very delicious and continues to a open square with cafes and had our afternoon expresso and capuccino.
After a good day we drove back to our town of Albufeira for one more night until we drive north to Aveiro the next day. We managed to find ourselves a couple of bars to have a drink and talk with some locals that most of which were British people that own apartments by the beach.
October 26
Packed up and drove for about 4 1/2 hours on the super highway A2, where you pay a toll to travel on. We bypassed Lisboa and on to Santarem and then through some villages until we arrived in Oscars home town on Val Mioar in a valley. Oscars mom was in the garden when we arrived and even though she does not speak much English everyone kisses you on each cheek the portuguese way! And she said welcome to the Old Country.
I have to admit it is the old country and a simpler way of life for most people here. Where you feed your chickens and rabbits in the backyard until the day you want to have them for dinner! We walked around the village after dinner and stopped in at a few relatives who were surprised to see Oscar!. Of course lots of home made wine and his cousins were making sausage! Everyone has a fireplace in their kitchens to cook and to keep the homes warm.
The streets are very narrow and you have to watch for the traffic as they still like to go  fast!~
October 28 Thursday
It is a beautiful day woke up and had a good cafe and toast, had some washing to do in the big wash tub with the well water from the pump. I have a picture to show the old way.
Drove around to a few small villages and Oscar has been showing me his old schools, waterfalls, fishing holes and places he used to go as a boy.
We are in town with his mom and then will go home for dinner. So far Portugal is beautiful and definately people live a different lifestyle. I will talk again soon of our travels...Chow for now!

Welcome to Orlando

Note to Self:  Pre-Purchased Seat Selection whenever POSSIBLE!

My journey began at 315 a.m. with the ear-piercing shriek of my alarm clock.  I stumbled from my warm bed into the dark morning, showered, dressed and finished packing my bag.  Yes I managed to fit all into one suitcase weighing in at only 43 lbs.  My pre-ordered cab was on time and I arrived at the airport to be checked in by a friendly and most helpful Westjet agent.  The flight left only a few minutes past the scheduled departure and it was a smooth restful flight to Toronto.  Thanks to the male flight crew on board (at least that's what they told us) we arrived 15 minutes early.  This was my first time connecting through Toronto to the US and I have to admit I was a but worried about the whole process but with the hour and 45 minutes in between flights we made it with time to spare.  There was a bit of panic felt by all when after having retrieved our luggage from a special transit area we were met by a line-up of about 100 people or more waiting at US customs but they moved us through very quickly.

This is where my journey took a turn and hence the note to self above.  Being cheap myself I had never thought about purchasing seat selection.  Why pay when you can get it for free 24 hours in advance.  However if one forgets to go on-line 24 hours in advance and attempts to check-in only 7 hours prior to departure there are more than likely not going to be any great seats left available.  I was left with the choice of 2 middle seats, I chose 4 E.  A very large man boarded the plane and proceeded to sit beside me, or should I say on me.  I find it terribly unfair that even though we more than likely paid the exact same fare, he received 1.25 seats and I only .75 of a seat.  Not only was I forced to squeeze these child bearing hips into 3/4 of a seat but the man had obviously not showered in a week.  It was almost unbearable and I prayed for a quick flight.  I was never so happy to get of a plane and breathe fresh air after this excruciating 2.5 hour flight. 

Once of the plane you follow the signs to the shuttle tram and once on board are taken to a different terminal where you will await your luggage.  From the luggage carousel we were only about 100 feet from the Meats Transportation desk where I picked up my transfer to the hotel.  The cost of round trip transportation was only $33 and for us it was a pleasant 20 minute drive to the Beautiful Hyatt Grand Cypress.  Our driver was friendly and shared some interesting area information with us on the way, including a recommendation for the Mexican restaurant next door where we enjoyed a delicious Steak Fajita on Tuesday night at a very reasonable cost.

The hotel itself is magnificent and if it wasn't for all the wonderful attractions available in Orlando there really would be no reason for leaving the resort.  There is a large atrium for the lobby, with small ponds, exquisite carvings and statues and 2 lovely tropical birds to greet you as you walk by.  The grounds are immaculate, with lush greenery, colorful flowers and lakes and waterways meandering throughout.  The pool is large and framed on my side by a man made rocky outcropping.  You can actually swim into these narrow caves through water falls.  The sound of the water cascading over the rocks is quite soothing.  They have towels available at their activity hut where you can also rent paddle boats or bicycles.  The rock climbing wall looks like a real challenge, perhaps we'll try it this weekend.  Supposedly there are alligators living in the man made lake on the property so I am not sure about the boats.  But I definitely either want to rent bikes or take a walk around the 5 miles or so they have of trails around the property. 

I was pleasantly surprised to find out Disney World is located next door and I can clearly see Epcot Center from my balcony as well as the nightly fireworks display at about 9pm. I am looking forward to some free time so I can take advantage of a few of the attractions in and around the area.

Stay tuned for more from Orlando.