One more day of work and then we are off to Vancouver, British Columbia on the Amtrak. Since we moved here 11 years ago we have used this awesome method of transportation to travel north to Vancouver (our nearest city) and South to Seattle or Portland frequently. This photo below was taken by me on a walk in my neighborhood. We have a bridge leading to Boulevard Park and I always wave as the train passes by. I wave because when I’m riding on that train people wave at me. Riding a train is one of life’s little pleasures and everyone should try it. Extremely relaxing and very affordable. The fare is reasonable. Check http://www.amtrak.com for schedules and rates. They also offer bus service which might be faster.
Amtrak leaving Fairhaven
This map illustrates the route. It is beautiful scenery! When we arrive at Pacific Central Station (shown below) we walk across the street, and take the Sky Train to downtown Vancouver’s Waterfront Station where cruise ships depart or a quick transfer to the airport from there. The Sky Train stops ‘inside’ the airport terminal. Good thing because it is raining today and expected to rain tomorrow.
Route to Vancouver
Right behind where this photo was taken is the Sky Train Station.
Pacific Central Station in Vancouver, British Columbia
Very soon we will be packed and on the way. We will be away for 64 days! No we are not packed yet. I get asked that question a lot just before a trip. I’ll probably start a couple days before departure. If I start too early I’ll take too much. Well, probably not too much because once that one suitcase is full – IT IS FULL. My suitcase is a carry on size and goes in the overhead bin. A backpack on wheels goes under the seat in front of me.
It is not really fun to pack. I would much rather spend my time planning and researching all the fun sights to see and things to do in each of these fantastic locations.
Day 1 – Train to Vancouver, Canada airport hotel
Day 2 – Air Canada to Toronto and finally Costa Rica
The photo below is of the Crows Nest on the top deck of the ship. This is our favorite area to hang out especially in rough seas. You can really feel the ship riding the waves from up here. Photo courtesy of Holland America.
Crows Nest on top deck
This is a typical Outside Cabin. We save money by agreeing to a particular category when we reserve the cruise. It is possible to pick a particular cabin and get a preferred area, such as center-bottom deck, if you are prone to sea sickness. We don’t have that issue so have always been happy with the cabin as assigned. We were upgraded to a balcony cabin one time – keeping our fingers crossed it will happen again. The cabin is small but nicely arranged. Photo courtesy of Holland America.
In my last post I talked about the importance of planning well. I could call a travel agent but that just isn’t my style. I love to research, read other blogs, and spend lots of time looking at all the options. Trip Advisor has great forums where people exchange ideas and give suggestions based on their experiences.
Planning our side trip to Machu Picchu was far from easy. I loved every minute/hour/days of it. It is a very complex procedure to get there. Many websites are not current with the fact that one of the train lines no longer runs. Also, due to increased tourism they are beginning to limit the number of visitors per day. There are many tour operators who will put everything together for you from Lima flights, hotels, tours, meals and all else. I did a little on my own and used Incas Discovery to do the complicated parts. Their website is http://www.incasdiscovery.com and you will not find prices there. Which is a good thing. Most of the others put together packages and you pick the one you want. No flexibility. Johanna at Incas Discovery worked with me to deliver what I needed. I did my own air from Lima and chose the hotels based on the train schedules and other set details. Instead of a packaged tour, she charged me for only what we needed. I compared prices of course because you can do the entire thing yourself as prices are available on line from the individual vendors.
Advance Planning does make it easier…If only I could slow down….
Our time in Lima, Peru was already set because I had purchased non refundable airfare. We are flying from Costa Rica and then to Buenos Aires after Lima. We had flexibility but I chose the dates that offered the best prices long before deciding we should go to Machu Picchu. Again, if I had taken more time to think about what we would do in Lima, we would have stayed longer. The packaged tour operators could not work with me because my flights were too tight.
As you can see from the map below part of the tour is by auto and part is by train. There are no other choices, except walking the whole way, which many people do, over many days.
Also, all the tour operators have you stay in Cuzco the first night to adjust to the altitude, which is 11,000 ft. Cuzco is where the airport is. The altitude at Aguas Calientes, the town at the base of Machu Picchu, is about 9,000 ft. We are going directly to our Aguas Calientes hotel from the airport. One more day would have been perfect as you can see from the summary. The entire excursion is about $800 each. Most tour operator’s prices started at 3 times that amount.
Here is the summary:
Day 1 – 10 AM Fly Lima to Cuzco, 2 hour bus to Ollantaytambo, 2 hour train to Aguas Calientes, Hotel
Day 2 – Hike Machu Picchu 9 AM to 4 PM, train to Ollantaytambo, bus to Cuzco, Hotel
Day 3 – 5 AM fly Cuzco to Lima, 11 AM fly Lima to Buenos Aires
May 20th to June 16th, 2016 we enjoyed 25 days aboard the small ship Azamara Journey in a balcony cabin. Normally this cruise would have been outside our price range but a last minute itinerary change created many cancellations. Prices were cut 50% so we signed up. We departed Venice, Italy instead of the planned Istanbul, Turkey due to the refugee crisis. This was 2 cruises, back to back. We stayed in the same cabin the entire journey (which is unusual). The following shows our full itinerary. With maps of the regions below that.
Venice to AthensAthens to Rome
We spent two days in Venice prior to getting on the cruise ship. Venice is a fascinating city. No cars, only water taxis called Vaporettos that are very easy to hop on and off all around. It is easy to get lost while walking around because the pathways wind around between tall buildings. The most fun of Venice is getting lost, then taking a Vaporetto back to your hotel. Make sure you pick up a map at one of the many information booths. If you get on the Vaporetto going the wrong direction, just stay on and it will take you where you need to go eventually. Enjoy the sights all along the way. No one is in a hurry in Venice.
Waterways instead of Roadways
Gondolas
Busy pathways
Bridges over the water
Bridges everywhere
Cathedrals
More Cathedrals
Venice as we departed
Vaporetto
Inside the Vaporetto
Fruit Market
DUBROVNIK, Croatia – Beautiful Walled City within a City
Chania, Crete, Greece
We took a tour of the island which included a World War II Cemetery. It was so beautiful. Then we went to Monestery Agia Triada built in 1632. On the way back we visited a hilltop with views all around and we could see our ship anchored. Notice Bob waving hello!
Detail map of the Greek Islands we visited
Santorini, Greece
More to come: More Greece, Malta, Italy, France and more Italy.
Royal Caribbean Cruise Ship from Quebec City North then East then South to Florida 14 days
Rental Car for 30 days, 3,000 miles from SouthEast Florida to New Orleans and all around.
Flight to California for 4 days with family in Healdsburg.
Flight to Kauai, Hawaii for 10 days
Home December 17.
October 11 – 15, 2015 – Train; Vancouver to Toronto, Canada
We boarded Amtrak in our little town of Fairhaven, bound for Vancouver, Canada where we boarded the Canadian Rail for a trip across Canada to Toronto.
Bellingham Departure on Amtrak Oct 11
This map shows our route with Canadian Rail – west to east to north. We got on the ship in Quebec City and went further north up into the Fjords.
Our little sleeper cabin. The chairs fold flat at night and the porter pulls the beds down. Our shower was down the hall but we did have a private toilet. That is the extent of our luggage on the floor. We travel very light, even for this 3 month trip.
Sleeper cabin for 2 on Canadian Rail
Dome Viewing Car
Fall colors out the window
Snack car
We stayed in Toronto 2 nights and visited Niagara Falls (the Canadian side). The views from Delta Hotel in Toronto were amazing. We had a corner room and looked directly onto the Sports Stadium, the airport and the Train Museum.
View from Hotel Delta TorontoView from inside roomHotel Delta
Niagara Falls was not at all what I was expecting. The United States side (which we could see but did not visit) was very park like and quiet. The Canadian side was very commercial with restaurants, shops, adventure rides and high energy. We enjoyed it very much from the Visitor Center after having lunch at one of the local restaurants. Then we took a boat ride under the falls, wearing the provided raincoats.
Views from the Canadian Visitor CenterNiagara FallsAutumn Colors
After Toronto we boarded the Canadian Rail again for our short (7 hours) ride to Quebec City on a typical commuter train. No sleeper cabin required. Quebec City was COLD. It even snowed a bit but that didn’t stop us from searching out hot chocolate and riding the hop on off bus. We just bundled up and acted like typical tourists. Which we are!
We stayed 2 nights at Hotel Le Saint-Paul.
Hotel Le Saint-PaulQuebec City ParkChateau Frontenac Hotel (we admired it but did not stay there). BEAUTIFUL!
We had dinner at a lovely pub with our friends from Bellingham, Rich and Beth!
Beth, Rich, Bob and Marla
Local pub for dinner
October 19th, 2015 – We get on the Ship for our next part of this journey.
Ships lined up in Quebec City. Ours is not in this photo but around the corner.
New Zealand is our first stopping off point after the 2014 cruise from Vancouver, Canada across the Pacific Ocean. It is simple, easy, friendly, and encourages visitors! We got off the cruise ship in Auckland and stayed in the city for a few days to get our land legs back. Then we rented a car – see photo below – for the next 30 days and drove to the northern tip of the north island and slowly ambled down to Queenstown at the southern end of the south island. We logged 2,059 miles in those 25 days.
Our Rental Car
We wandered aimlessly and enjoyed driving on the left side of the road across one lane bridges and numerous round-a-bouts. The following map indicates where we went by ship in GREEN. The RED indicates the route by car. We stayed most places just a few days. It is a small country (about the size of California) and very few major roads.
The following maps indicate the distance between Australia and New Zealand and the vast resources. Tropical beaches in the north (similar to Florida) and glaciers in the south (similar to Alaska).
Tropical in the north – Glaciers in the south
New Zealand’s distance from Australia is a 6 hour flight.
New Zealand is modern and simple. Sports are the primary focus! All Blacks is their national Rugby team. Walking and fitness is very important. Their focus to travelers is adventure travel. There is an i-Site (visitor center) in nearly every town we drive through. Tons of free maps and brochures and very helpful staff. They will make reservations without extra fee too. The Maori are original settlers of this country. They are well respected and hold government positions.
Different – not foreign different – wonderfully different!
I was walking through a shopping area and noticed people seemed to be looking at me like they could tell I was a tourist. Then I realized I’m the only one wearing bright colored clothing. Almost everyone wears grey or black. They just don’t wear bright colors even though you see brights in the store window displays. I finally asked a young woman about that as she was wearing brights. She said it is a conscious effort on her part as most people don’t want to “draw attention to themselves”. I said I sure get a lot of head turns with my bright colors and I’m 64 years old. Ha! This quiet attitude seemed to be prevalent in everything they are about. They don’t show off with fancy cars or homes. But they do smile and you feel comfortable around them. They are quick to ask how you are doing and offer help rather than ignore. I could go on and on about how cool and different everything is here. Not foreign different – but different.
When you visit, don’t do a bus tour. You will miss the little towns, the alternate routes and the charm that is real NZ. Food is expensive eating out. Subway (sandwich shop) is almost everywhere and very portable. We focused mostly on grocery store deli items and had picnics along the way as we toured around. Most motels have efficiency kitchens.
Driving on the ‘wrong’ side of the road – NOT wrong, not right, but left.
Driving on the left side of the road is always a challenge but I had done it before and had no problems. We picked up our rental car in Auckland and driving on a 6 lane freeway was just weird on the ‘wrong’ side. Most roads are narrow two lane though. The only challenge was the “Backwards” Round-a-bouts with double lanes and exits that point to towns like Whitianga or Waipukurau or Whakatane – truly a foreign language. English is their primary language but most of the town names are in Maori. Know your nearest through town before getting on the road. The signs will indicate the nearest next town, not YOUR final destination.
Our Rental Car
One Way Bridge with Rail
North Island – Exploring New Zealand by Auto from North to South
Auckland is the most populated area in New Zealand at 1.5 million people, 32% of the entire country. Auckland is a rather expensive city so we only stayed 2 nights in a tiny old hotel room, without elevator. The Albion Hotel is above a bar and cost $150 per night/US. Great location though within walking distance of the ship and the Sky Tower.
Off the Ship
Into a Hotel
We toured around the city on the Hop-on-off-Bus and went to the top of the famous Sky Tower. The 2nd day we took the people ferry across the bay to Waiheke Island. Rode the local bus around that island and had lunch at Charlie’s restaurant on Onetangi Beach. The Prawn twizzlers were the best! Met an interesting lady from China who wants to go to America. Her English was rough but she is living in New Zealand on a study permit-to learn English. She had been in the country for 7 years on this study permit. I later learned the country is a little to lax on these permits. Back in main town of Oneroa we had ice cream and then walked about 1.5 km to ferry back to Auckland.
Onetangi Beach on Waiheke Island
Prawn Twizzlers for Lunch
Our new friends from China
Ferry to Waiheke Island
Auckland from the Sky Tower
North to Paihia – Nov 9-11 – 400 Islands in this Tropical Region
From Auckland, this is a five hour drive to Bay of Islands, town of Paihia (pronounced Pie-hee-a. Discovered by Capt Cook forever ago. Founded by Moari people originally. 400 islands in this region and just beautiful. Our hotel in Auckland was “rugged and scrawny” and cost nearly $150 a night. We stopped at a big supermarket “Pack and Save” – just like home. Warehouse style. Spent $100 on stuff so we can eat “IN”. We are so tired of eating out! Ship food was very repetitious. I bought a bag of frozen shrimp and veges to make stir-fry which should be good for couple days and as salad too. Big box of cheerios and grapes from USA but cheaper than home. We asked a store clerk where they keep the ‘ice chests’. He looked at us kinda weird and said the ‘chilly-bins’ are in the back. I love this language! Also, the rolling trash containers are called ‘wheely-bins’.
Photos of our apartment in Paihia – Sea Spray Suites $94/night:
Paihia roadway
Kitchen
Our car in front of our door
Living room
Bedroom with Patio
Sea Spray Suites
We took passenger ferry over to Russell which is a high end resort town just across the bay and saw Paul and Janice, passengers from our cruise ship. Small World! We then walked over the hill for a view of the other side. Nicely landscaped everywhere. We had lunch in a fish market that makes take out sandwiches or fish/chips quite affordable-$12 for a fish burger and Bob a cheeseburger.
Ferry to Russell
Resort town of Russell
South to Coromandel Peninsula, Mercury Bay Holiday Park-$90/night – Nov 12-13
Mercury Bay
Designed for RVers
Our car in front of our door
With a kitchen
Holiday Park
Long drive! We arrived about 5pm, 7 hour drive. Our new digs are simple but nice. We are in Mercury Bay Holiday Park in Whiatanga. Kitchen again. The weather is cold/rainy/windy. About 55 degrees is the high. We turned on the heater and used the electric blankets.
Rotorua and thermal hot pools – about half way down the North Island – Nov 14-15
Katikati coastal area
Katikati Coast
Thermal Fields
Geyser
Rotorua Museum
Driving from Coromandel to Rotorua took us through some beautiful coastal towns and rather populated areas. Tauranga in particular was nicely developed and home to one of the couples we met on our cruise. Not tourist type homes but suburban style with traffic typical of American suburbs. We stayed in Rotorua for 2 nights at the Accolade Motel for $81/night. Very nice and across the street from a mini-mall. We bought an inexpensive electric skillet ($35) for the rest of our trip. The kitchenettes seldom have an actual stove, just a microwave so we can now cook some real meals. We left the skillet at the Goodwill type store at the end of our trip.
Milford Sound – South Island – Fjordland December 1, 2014
Our last stop in New Zealand was Queenstown and the Fiordland region. Fiordland is so remote the one road to the edge is 4 hrs drive so we took a bus tour. We were very lucky to have clear weather. It is one of the rainiest places on earth. We grabbed an opportunity to fly back part way on the return. This park is huge – check out http://www.fiordland.org.nz/about-fiordland/
NEVER STOP MOVING 