Destinations
Interested in just one country? They are in alphabetical order below.
Africa
Zebras, Oryx, Springbuk and Flamingos
It appears the Scutt family are poor representatives of Canada. Shawn and I are second to last in getting our tents down this morning…Graham and Cameron are last. Yikes The winds picked up last night. Because the sands were whipping around so much, Gift and Alfons prepared our supper inside Brenda ( our truck) and we all crowded in and ate at our seats. Supper was still good, pasta … Read moreZebras, Oryx, Springbuk and Flamingos
Wonderful and Affordable Egypt
People told us we were crazy to go to Egypt at this time. They were wrong. Despite the fact that Egypt has been in the news lately; first with the Arab Spring and now with some protests about depictions of the Profet Mohammed, it is important to remember that these problems have not involved the major tourist areas of Giza, Aswan, Luxor and the Red Sea. Even in Cairo … Read moreWonderful and Affordable Egypt
Two Days in Cape Town
Cape Town and I had a rough start our first night with the whole problem of finding medical help, traffic jams, and scary homeless people on the streets at night. It is truly sad. I am certain that some of these street people may be mentally disabled and left to fend for themselves. Crime rates are high here. Private security guards are plentiful. Every decent restaurant has a strong … Read moreTwo Days in Cape Town
Turquoise Waters
We woke to bright sunshine so we headed straight to the idyllic beaches of Le Morne. Gas here is crazy expensive. It cost the equivalent of $60 Canadian for half a tank…and the clown car has a very small tank compared to the minivan. After we checked out the Le Morne area beaches, (some were down a very rocky road), we chose the first beach because the waters were …
Asia
White, Wet Sari Competition in Agra
White, Wet Sari Competition in Agra Off to Agra On the way back from breakfast to our hotel suite in Abhaneri, I notice a peacock pecking at his reflection in the glass of Garima’s door. When I go closer, he hides behind a bush, popping his head out from time to time to see if I’ve left yet. I assume he wants to continue his romantic endeavors with his … Read moreWhite, Wet Sari Competition in Agra
Wedding Bells in Pushkar
Wedding Time in Pushkar A Day of Weddings Begin  Waking up in the middle of the night, I realize the party music has stopped so I pull out my earplugs. A short while later, dogs start barking and howling and their noise continues intermittently. At 6:15am a large crowd arrives at the hotel to set up for a wedding. They talk to each other as they work away. … Read moreWedding Bells in Pushkar
Water Puppets, Egg Coffee and the Hanoi Hilton
It was dull and cool (high of 13 degrees) with a little drizzle today. Our first stop on our walk was the lake area. On our way to St. Joseph’s Cathedral I discovered an amazing artisan ceramics shop which was filled with beautiful blue and white pieces….I couldn’t resist. I love blue and white ceramics. I am still amazed by the everyday (for here) things that I see on … Read moreWater Puppets, Egg Coffee and the Hanoi Hilton
Caribbean
Varadero to Havana
Varadero to Havana Trip to Havana After breakfast our driver and classic 1953 Chevrolet are waiting outside our hotel to take us to Havana for our two night mini trip. I am very excited to drive in the car which is much older than me…however the lack of seat belts is a bit disconcerting. The car can go at speeds up to 120 km per hour. Our driver, …
Royal Caribbean Allure of the Seas
“We slept like babies, finally!” We are now floating along somewhere in the Caribbean. The day before we left, while I was bending down, my dog Molly jumped up and banged me full force in the nose. I was positive I felt it crack. After all the maintenance I did on myself for this cruise, a broken nose and two black eyes would not be a … Read moreRoyal Caribbean Allure of the Seas
Off to Cuba- Varadero
Off to Cuba Flight to Cuba  The older the boys get, the harder it is to coordinate time together….especially extended time. This will be our first family holiday since 2017…and we are off to Cuba for a week. John was in Cuba over 20 years ago, but this is a new country for the guys and I. It turned out cheaper to book an all inclusive … Read moreOff to Cuba- Varadero
Central America
Whales, Orcas, Sea Lions and Sea Turtles- Day 5
As usual, I was up before dawn. Shortly after sunrise, Lara and I left the condo. Although her initial plan was to go for a run, she joined me instead for a long walk on the beach. The waves crashed along the shore as we walked along the edge of the estuary. The estuary is home to numerous local sea birds and ducks. After a big breakfast and … Read moreWhales, Orcas, Sea Lions and Sea Turtles- Day 5
Visit to Charco Verde
A Visit to Charco Verde Morning at Rancho Tranquillo Before breakfast I discover a tarantula hiding on a ledge under a towel that I was taking off the line. I’ve seen a lot of tarantulas before so I wasn’t fazed. I actually found him kind of cool. (John speaking here- I guess Kimberly screaming out “Oh my God!” is her definition of being unfazed). Meanwhile a few feet … Read moreVisit to Charco Verde
Up the Volcano
Up the Volcano Once is Never Enough A couple days ago at Lake Atitlan, I was telling John that I wanted to go on a bird tour to see a Quetzal. John said, “You already saw a quetzal in Costa Rica, why do you need to see another one?”. I uncharacteristically kept quiet. John then went on to say that he wanted to take a tour up a …
North America
Washington, DC: A Great Vacation when on a Budget
Washington, D.C. is a fascinating city located in the heart of American political life. It is easy to stay within a budget when visiting. Even if you are in a>plan, you can visit many attractions in Washington without burning a hole in your pocket (most are free). Before leaving home,make sure you prepare a list of places to visit without hiring a tour operatoror guide. Here are a few … Read moreWashington, DC: A Great Vacation when on a Budget
Walking the Strip- Vegas Day 1
By 8:45am we were at Blondies Sports Bar in the Miracle Mile Mall at the Planet Hollywood Hotel for their $3.99 two eggs, bacon and home fries special. They also had .99 cent Bloody Marys (tall glass with 2 oz of alcohol) to get your day going. John was the only one who went for the Bloody Mary. Then commenced a day of non stop walking. After checking a … Read moreWalking the Strip- Vegas Day 1
Visit with Rocky and Back to Canada
A Visit with Rocky and Back to Canada Along the Waterworks Trail Our clothes from last night are still wet. We pack them into separate bags, pack the car and head to the Philadelphia Art Museum. The day is beautifully sunny, a few big puddles the only sign of last nights rain. We walk along the waterfront trail to boathouse row and then back along the waterworks trail … Read moreVisit with Rocky and Back to Canada
Europe
Last Day in Dublin and Ireland
Our Last Day in Dublin St Patrick’s Cathedral  It’s Halloween and also our last day in Dublin and in Ireland. The sun is beaming and we head to St Patrick’s Cathedral. They give us audio guides and we explore the cathedral. Jonathon Swift (he wrote Gulliver’s Travels) was the dean of the cathedral and is buried here. Christ Church Cathedral Christ church Cathedral is just … Read moreLast Day in Dublin and Ireland
Our Portraits in Foam
Our Portraits in Beer Foam  Checking out the Greens around Dublin  Today is a bank holiday in Ireland. We have glorious sunshine as we head out to check Merrion and Fitzwilliam Squares. These are beautiful parks that are surrounded by Georgian town homes. We continue on to St Stephen’s Green which is another park filled with statues , greenspace, and a pond with swans … Read moreOur Portraits in Foam
From Belfast to Dublin
From Belfast to Dublin West Belfast We gained an hour last night due to Ireland’s daylight savings. Canada’s daytime savings time doesn’t happen until next week. After a big breakfast at the hotel, we head to West Belfast to look at the Peace Walls, gates, Bobby Sands Mural and Remembrance Garden. The peace walls were erected between the Protestant and Catholic areas. Although the Good Friday Peace Agreement was … Read moreFrom Belfast to Dublin
South America
Easter Sunday with Christ the Redeemer
Easter Sunday with Christ the Redeemer Thwarted Again It is slightly overcast when we get up but I am optimistic as we take an Uber to the ticket booth to catch the special vans that go up to Christ the Redeemer. It seems appropriate that we are going to visit him on Easter Sunday. But “Christo’ as he is called in Portuguese is not ready for us. The attendant … Read moreEaster Sunday with Christ the Redeemer
Centro Rio and Night Time Party Area
Centro Rio and Night Party Area Meeting for our Walking Tour This morning it was overcast, rainy, sunny, overcast, sunny….We take an Uber to the downtown Centro area to meet our walking tour. It is the perfect temperature for walking. The Centro area is fairly quiet because it is Saturday. As the offices are all closed many of the stores also close. Our tour with Free Walker Tours … Read moreCentro Rio and Night Time Party Area
Hanging out in the Favela
Hanging out in the Favela Morning on Ipanema Beach Today is Graham’s last day with us. He heads back to Sao Paulo tonight. I try not to think of it. However he will return to Canada at the end of June. Throughout the night it rained and the wind was pretty strong. In the morning the wind is still strong and it is only 18 degrees Celsius when … Read moreHanging out in the Favela
South
Pacific
Last Day of the Whole Trip
Last Day of the Whole Trip Toaroto Beach Roosters are up again at 5:30am. After breakfast and a bit of packing, John and I head to Toaroto Beach for our last bit of snorkeling. I watch a small starfish make his way across the coral. It is hard to say goodbye to the water but we go back to our place to hang our wet towels and bathing … Read moreLast Day of the Whole Trip
A Day around Tahiti
Around Tahiti Mara’s Grottos I wake at 5:30am to a cacophony of crowing roosters. The French are rubbing off on us. We head down to the store to buy our fresh baguette for breakfast. Our host drops by with eggs freshly laid by his chickens. Jiggy the family dog hangs around hoping for scraps but we’ve been warned not to feed her. Tahiti is to French Polynesia’s Society …
Bora Bora to Tahiti
Bora Bora to Tahiti Final Morning in Bora Bora We have visitors while eating breakfast this morning. Three chickens come clucking and poking around the yard. Desiree (our host at Lady Bora Bora) says that she will take us to Viatape at 11:30am to catch the 12:00pm Air Tahiti catamaran to Bora Bora Airport which is on a nearby motu (reef island). We leisurely pack and relax in …
2 thoughts on “Destinations”
Enjoying following your trip!
J can dance!
That he can…haha