CAA Group Tour through the Panama Canal: Day Eight

IF IT’S SUNDAY THIS MUST BE COSTA RICA: OK, I admit it. I’ve lost track of the days and because they’ve stopped putting those day-of-the-week mats in the ship’s elevators, I’m struggling to realize that it’s Sunday. It’s a lazy Sunday for sure. We enjoyed most of it poolside, in the gym and at the restaurants.

 

We’re heading west from the Panama Canal and enjoying scenic slow-speed cruising in the calm sheltered waters of Golfo Dulce just off the rugged coastline of southwestern Costa Rica.

 

CAA Group Tour through the Panama Canal: Day Seven

AWESOME IN THE TRUE SENSE OF THE WORD:  If there’s a word that gets overuse and misused these days, it’s “awesome”. This powerful word has fallen victim to daily use describing such simple things as a new pair of jeans or a haircut. What a shame.

 

Today’s transit of the world famous Panama Canal, however, lived up to the word’s true meaning. It did indeed “inspire me with awe”.

 

CAA Group Tour through the Panama Canal: Day Six

THE HAVES AND HAVE NOTS:  This was a day of extreme contrast. We began it awash in luxury aboard a multi-million dollar cruise ship only to find ourselves touring dirt-floor huts just a few hours later. Our destination was Carti Island in the San Blas Archipelago, which consists of no less than 365 islands.

 

CAA Group Tour through the Panama Canal: Day Five

 

COFFEE, DONKEYS AND BEER:  Today we docked at Santa Marta to enjoy a brief taste of Columbia. The brevity of this blog entry will reflect the variety of things to do in this small town. Its role as a tourist destination is, shall we say, “emerging”. This is not to say that the port is without its beauty and charm. It’s a wee gem that needs a bit more polishing.

 

As an active shipping port, you must be bused away from the ship to the port terminal, passing an active coal mine.  To entertain the passengers while they exited the ship while waiting for our shuttle, our Captain, Peter Harris, was genial about posing for photos.    

CAA Group Tour through the Panama Canal: Day Four

ARUBA SEA AND SHORE:  The steady trade winds off South America delayed our arrival sundrenched and semi-arid, Aruba but it was worth the wait.

 

Aruba more than lived up to its reputation as a windy island, greeting us with gusts that result in their divi-divi trees growing bent in the direction of the wind.

 

CAA Group Tour through the Panama Canal: Day Three

PAMPERED AND POOPED: There are few places on earth where you can feel as pampered as you do onboard a cruise ship.  And sea days are the perfect time to enjoy all that pampering, so, we did!

Here are just a few of the ways to do it:

 

CAA Group Tour through the Panama Canal: Day Two

 

VACATIONS ARE INDEED EDUCATIONAL:

They say travel is one of the best forms of learning and today I learned how true that is! My lessons:

 

#1) Don’t mix claustrophobia with snorkeling

#2) Sunscreen actually has a best-before-date

 

 

CAA Group Tour through the Panama Canal: Day One

 

SUN, SAND AND SUITES…now this is the way to start a cruise vacation.  After an early morning journey from Buffalo, our group of 18 spent a restful Saturday in fabulous Fort Lauderdale enjoying everything from beach excursions to visiting a local Irish pub.

 

Sunday morning, as excitement for our cruise began to build, we distracted ourselves at the all inclusive breakfast and adjourned poolside for sun and friendship and photos sessions.

 

Shortly before noon, we congregated to begin our trip of a lifetime through one of mankind’s engineering marvels; the Panama Canal. Port Everglades was bustling with excitement (who says there’s a recession?) but our transition from hotel to ship was virtually effortless and within minutes we all began to settle into shipboard life.

 

While our cruise is just beginning, by the time our first day ended, we have enjoyed all of the following: fine dining; live Broadway-style entertainment and dancing to both disco and live performance music from the 50s. Only a great cruise ship can you get this kind of variety.

 

Tonight, we go to sleep with vision of Half Moon Cay in the Bahamas, Holland America’s private island paradise. That’s going to be incredible…read all about it tomorrow.

 

My co-host, Barb, has brought her “flip” video recorder, so watch for some video clips too. That’s if I can figure out the technology.

Lisa and Johannes Turks and Caicos Adventure

In just over a week Johanne and I will depart for the beautiful Turks and Caicos.  We will be staying at the Beaches Turks and Caicos Resort.  I can hardly wait to sink my toes into the prestine white sands of the Island!

I’ve been in the travel industry for over 10 years and have always wanted to go to Turks. With the long Canadian winter almost behind us the sun is exactly what I need. 

Stay tuned for our upcoming posts on the hotel, rooms, beach, food and everything in between.  I can hardly wait.

New Year’s Eve: Caribbean Edition

New Year’s Eve is the most difficult holiday to plan for. Think about all of the hype and expectations that surround the day, then think of how many times your New Year’s has failed to live up to the expectations. House parties are hit and miss, bars and nightclubs are overpriced and overcrowded, and going to large gathering like Times Square or Nathan Phillips Square are logistical (and financial) nightmares.

So what’s a surefire way to have a fun New Year’s Eve? Spend it on the Caribbean Sea. From zip-lining through the jungle to snorkeling with a baracuda (eek) my New Year’s Eve aboard the Carnival Victory was one to remember.