Travel Shop Girl Blog

Waterfalls of Iceland | Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss

noreply@blogger.com (Marian Krueger) — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 20:18:00 +0000

After an amazing afternoon on our glacier walk in Iceland, we ready to head back to Reykjavik. We boarded the coach where our guides from Mountain Guides had sandwiches and beer waiting for us. I was never so ready to enjoy a can of Gull beer as I was that afternoon. Normally, I might take a sip or two of beer, but I was so hot and thirsty that the beer went down rather easily. I could have stripped off all of my clothing as I was brutally hot, but instead I vowed to write down not to overdress next time and to share this valuable information with others. On the way back, we stopped at our first waterfall, Skógafoss. One of the largest in Iceland, it is definitely worthy of a stop.

These two pictures were taken within minutes of each other. Interesting, huh? The one above was as I was approaching the falls from the parking lot and this one was as I got closer. They look like they were taken on different days, but the lighting and weather were in a constant state of flux on that particular day (4 Feb 2012).

Skógafoss is situated in the south of Iceland at the cliffs of the former coastline. After the coastline had receded seaward (it is now at a distance of about 5 kilometres (3.1 miles) from Skógar), the former sea cliffs remained, parallel to the coast over hundreds of kilometres, creating together with some mountains a clear border between the coastal lowlands and the Highlands of Iceland. Skógafoss is one of the biggest waterfalls in the country with a width of 25 metres (82 feet) and a drop of 60 m (200 ft). Due to the amount of spray the waterfall consistently produces, a single or double rainbow is normally visible on sunny days. According to legend, the first Viking settler in the area, Þrasi Þórólfsson, buried a treasure in a cave behind the waterfall. A local boy found the chest years later, but was only able to grasp the ring on the side of the chest before it disappeared again.

Take a look at how tiny everyone appears in front of the waterfall. They look like little dots! The area around the falls is just as beautiful as the falls with lots of green land, Icelandic horses, and on that day, low lying clouds at the top of the mountains. There is also a restroom area for anyone needing a bathroom break. I will fondly remember Skógafoss as the place I lost the lens cap for my camera. I can't travel without losing something and no, I wasn't looking for the treasure!

We piled back onto the coach and we were on our way to our second waterfall, Seljalandsfoss. A little less than 30 kilometres (18.6 miles) from Skógafoss, Seljalandsfoss is a completely different kind of waterfall. It drops 40 meters (130 feet) and it is well known because you can walk behind it. It was also the first leg of the Amazing Race 6. From this picture you might not be impressed by its size, but believe me, this is a huge waterfall. Since you can walk behind it for a different perspective, I highly recommend doing that. Since I lost my lens cap, I was unable (or maybe unwilling?) to do this, but lots of people did and loved it. It's not only the beauty of the waterfall that you will capture, but the views out of the countryside surrounding Seljalandsfoss that is picture worthy. I was a little shocked at the people who stayed in their seats on the coach who didn't want to get out to see the falls. Yes, it was raining by the time we arrived at Seljalandsfoss, but it's just water people. Considering we knew we would get wet walking behind the falls, seemed a little silly to not venture out, but again -- to each his (or her) own.

In this picture you can see how diminutive the woman in the purple coat appears in comparison to Seljalandsfoss. The sound of the waterfall is as loud as one might expect. From the Eyjafjoll.com web site:

Upstream the river flows through Tröllagil (Troll Gorge) to Tröllagilsmýri (Troll Gorge Marsh), a lovely hollow with flourishing vegetation, before tumbling down over a series of waterfalls, and finally off the cliff edge at Seljalandsfoss. In addition to the main cascade at Seljalandsfoss, smaller streams tumble off the cliff at its western side. Seljalandsfoss stands in a lovely location, surrounded by cliffs and green slopes. It is a landmark visible from far away as a white streak against the dark cliff face. A footpath leads behind the waterfall (don’t forget your raincoat!).

Nature has always been inspirational to writers and poets alike and Seljalandsfoss is no different. Apparently, nineteenth-century Romantic poet Jónas Hallgrímsson wrote many poems which have become classics of Icelandic literature, including one titled Dalvísa (Valley Poem), which is generally believed to refer to the Hamragarðar area.

Dalvísa (Valley Poem) by Jónas Hallgrímsson (Translation by Bernard Scudder)

Chasm-dweller, ancient falls,
My gully in the rocks’ close walls!
Torrent of white, my blessèd pass,
Chasm-dweller, adorned with grass!
Friendship we have known together,
Friends we shall remain for ever;
Chasm-dweller, ancient falls,
My gully in the rocks’ close walls!

I love that someone who lived 200 years ago was so greatly impacted by the same waterfalls that I had the opportunity to view. If you are traveling around Iceland, you'd be foolish to not visit at least one on your journey. Full of history and lore as well as natural beauty, the waterfalls are truly a perfect way to end your day after a walk on a glacier or a road trip around the South of Iceland. I suggest packing a few sandwiches, a six-pack of Gull beer, and maybe even a little Brennivin, too!

Marian Krueger
Email: mkrueger@travelshopgirl.com

Take a Walk on the Ice Side: Glacier Walk | Iceland

noreply@blogger.com (Marian Krueger) — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 19:46:00 +0000

There's nothing I love more than cold weather, winter clothes, and the feeling my extremities going numb. NOT! I definitely gravitate more toward warm weather climates, which is probably why everyone seemed so surprised when I announced that I would be visiting Iceland at the end of January this year. I shopped for warm clothing and even bought a new jacket in preparation for my trip, especially in anticipation of my glacier walk. I completely believed I was going into subzero weather and would freeze without appropriate attire so I packed enough clothing for me and probably a family of four.

The focus of my trip was the MidAtlantic 2012 conference, but this was definitely seen as the highlight of my trip. A coach picked us up at the hotel and we were on our way. After stopping at two other hotels in Reykjavik to pick up other participants, we started our two hour ride to South Iceland. There was one stop on the way was at a convenience store for a bathroom break and time to pick up snacks and we were quickly back on the road and arriving at the parking lot in front of the glacier. From the Mountain Guides web site:

On this Iceland day tour you will be guided through the labyrinth of a glacier tongue extending down from the fourth biggest glacier in Iceland. Only two hours from Reykjavík you find the Eyjafjallajökull massif, and just a little further east the Sólheimajökull glacier, a tongue extends down from its mother glacier, Mýrdalsjökull, Iceland’s fourth largest. On this tour you will go on a safe and easy walk on crampons up onto the ice field where you will discover a wonderland of ice sculptures, ridges and deep crevasses, and learn about the glacier and the effect of the Eyjafjallajökull eruption in 2010 on the glacier and its surroundings.

From the parking lot it looked like a lot of ice with tiny little people dotted out in front. Perhaps I really hadn't thought carefully about this. After all, back in Boston I tend to shy away from slippery ice on the sidewalks and black ice on the roads. What was I doing here? But there was little time to think as we were walking up toward the glacier to get our crampons and picks to start the walk. In case you don't know what a crampon is, they are a necessity when you are traveling on snow and ice and don't want to slip. With them, you can cross glaciers, ascend snow slopes, climb frozen waterfalls and scale vertical-to-overhanging ice-smeared rock.

Our experienced guides made sure our crampons were correctly put on and then instructed us on how to walk on the glacier, which was by firmly placing our feet on the ice while walking with our legs a bit farther apart than usual, something akin to a cowboy walk. The guides were like spider monkeys as they traversed the ice leaving those of us on the glacier for the first time feeling a little perplexed as to how exactly they were able to do it. I will emphasize to anyone considering this that the "walk" is not on flat land and does require an ability to climb and hike so although the trip has the word "walk" in the description, if you have mobility issues or aren't in the best of shape, you definitely want to consider this before trying it. I also recommend not overdressing and I had my hat off within 10 minutes of walking up because I was so hot. Dress for warmth, but you won't be cold so dress appropriately.

The view from anywhere that you stood along the hike (that's what I'm calling it now), was beautiful. Whether on the way up or on the way back down, there was always something to see. The blues in the ice, the green peaking through snow on the mountain caps, or the black dirt, which was volcanic ash all gave the area around us a unique look and a true appreciation for nature and all that was around us. Not that long ago this area was easy to walk across and someone that lives in this area tells of putting socks over her shoes and walking across the glacier to pick the berries on the other side. As time passes and the glacier recedes it makes for more of a hike than a simple walk, but I feel we were the lucky ones.

Here is a quick video that will give you an idea of how big of an area it was where we walked up and down the glacier:

The walk on the way down was easier than on the way up, but different in that if you fell, well you were going a long way down. We passed a glacier lake along the way. I wonder how cold it is in there? During the summer you can take this walk, but many take it wearing shorts. Yes, shorts! The sun reflects off the ice and it can get quite warm (I hesitate to say hot since I haven't tried it). How cool is that? I would love to dive into the lake after hiking even if it was cold just to say I tried it!

We made our way back down to the bottom of the glacier where we removed our crampons and carried them with our picks back to the coach to begin our journey home. This was an entire day trip so if you have a day and want to see a different part of Iceland as well as a mammoth glacier, I highly recommend this trip. Next time I'll share more on our trip back including two stops at waterfalls.

Marian Krueger
Email: mkrueger@travelshopgirl.com

MUSIC: "Little Talks" | Of Monsters and Men

noreply@blogger.com (Marian Krueger) — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 20:35:00 +0000

Anyone who knows me well knows I am not a fan of Top 40 music. Yes, the occasional Kelly Clarkson or Rihanna song may make it onto my workout playlist, but I tend to stray far, far away from popular music. I turn instead to alternative music and anything a little off the beaten path. Before I left for my trip to Iceland, I had a few songs in regular rotation that were songs that had become deeply embedded in my brain. It's not often that I can play a song over and over and over and not get tired of it, but there were two songs that had this crazy effect on me. The first was Gotye featuring Kimbra with the song "Somebody that I Used to Know," a song that I simply can't get enough of even now. The second was "Little Talks" by Of Monsters and Men. I know I am going to end up liking a song a lot when I first hear it and I don't immediately like it. I equate those immediately likable songs to cotton candy since you like them at first and then every time after that you hear the song and it makes you ill from its contrived sugary goodness. Music that piques your interest, strings you along, and you discover that you haven't fallen in love instantly? Now that's my kind of music!

While in my hotel room in Iceland, I turned on the TV and put on the music video channel to play in the background while I worked. Imagine my excitement when Of Monsters and Men came on! I hadn't seen the video for "Little Talks" and it was intriguing and different, just like the band. At the time I thought it was cool that a band that I liked was playing on TV in Iceland, but nothing more. Only after I returned home did I find out that the band is from Iceland! Apparently, they won a battle of the bands called Músiktilraunir and have been on fire ever since. Here is the video that I saw on television:

I also like this livingroom session of the same song:

But what does all of this have to do with travel? Think about the music you listen to on a regular basis. Is it sugary sweet? Do you venture out of the norm to try new music or do you allow yourself to be spoon fed the same old, same old because it's what you have always done? Now think about how you travel. Do you go to the same place every year? Maybe you do the same cruise line or resort every year without varying it up that much. Push yourself to try something new and you might surprise yourself. Maybe the thought of trying a brand new vacation is a little scary so if it is, don't jump off the deep end, but instead make small changes. It's better to make those small changes over time instead of none at all. If vacation to you means laying out by the same pool at the same resort year after year after year, take a chance and mix things up. You won't be disappointed! I yearn for variety and adventure and the more of that I have, the more I want to try something new.

What's your favorite travel destination? What's your favorite band or song currently? Share your thoughts on this topic as I'd love to hear if anyone else feels the same way.

Marian Krueger
Email: mkrueger@travelshopgirl.com

Walt Disney World | An Interview with Kaleigh from Cruize Cast

noreply@blogger.com (Marian Krueger) — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 20:13:00 +0000

It's never to early to plan your next vacation and I'm pretty sure that most people are already thinking about what they will do this summer. Will you take a cruise? Go to the Caribbean? How about Walt Disney World? Kaleigh Lay, one of the hosts of Cruize Cast, a great podcast on cruising, was kind enough to allow me to interview her about Disney World, another passion of hers.

Travel Shop Girl: How many times have you been to Disney World?

Kaleigh Lay: I think 15 times; I am having trouble keeping count. Veronica has been 4 times already at age 3!

TSG: Why do you think a Disney vacation is a great vacation?

KL: The attention to detail and theming is unmatched anywhere else. Also, it is such a complete vacation destination with theme parks, amazing dining, waterparks, shopping and more. There is just something special about the Disney way that speaks to me.

TSG: What is your favorite park in Disney World?

KL: Epcot; no contest! I love the World Showcase. It was what inspired me to travel before I had the money to do so. The opportunities to sample foods and cultures from around the world is just so cool to find in a theme park. Mixing that with the forward-thinking attractions in FutureWorld, combines to make the perfect park experience for me.

TSG: Do you prefer to stay on property or outside of Disney World?

KL: If money is no object, I will always choose to stay on property. It provides a seamless Disney experience from parks to hotel, and the hotels are just so well-themed that it really makes a special vacation.

TSG: Do you think the meal plans are a good option or would you recommend skipping them altogether?

KL: While I can totally see the draw of the meal plans and have used them myself in the past, I feel like the dining plans no longer represent a good value. In order to recoup what you pay, you have to eat dessert at every meal, as well as order one of the more expensive items on the menu. Oh, and you have to eat your table service meal at dinner because that is when it is more expensive. I prefer to eat when, where and what I want rather than constantly trying to make the plan worth it.

TSG: Do you recommend renting a car while in Orlando or using a shuttle?

KL: I always recommend renting a car. The shuttles just aren't good enough, in my opinion, to rely on. If you must use on property transportation, some resorts are much better than others. Don't assume that the more expensive hotels have better transportation. The opposite is often true.

TSG: Do you think that a Disney vacation is a good value?

KL: If you plan ahead of time and go during the down season, Disney is a great value. The busier it is and the hotter it is, the worse the value. You can have an excellent time at Disney World or it can be a nightmare. You can't just expect to show up and have a great, magical time. It may work out that way, but more than likely, it won't.

TSG: How many days would you recommend staying in Orlando to enjoy Disney World to its fullest?

KL: I think a week is a great length: long enough to enjoy everything without running around, short enough to not get tired of it.

TSG: When you have visited Disney World in the past, do you also visit other theme parks like SeaWorld or Universal Studios? Why or why not?

KL: I have been to Sea World, but not Universal. I am an unabashed Disney devotee, and really can't tear myself away.:)

TSG: What tips do you have for the first time visitor to Disney World?

KL: Wow, this could go on forever. Don't go when kids are out of school. Avoid the heat. Take an afternoon nap. Get dining reservations before you go. Be at the park at opening. Eat sit down meals at lunch. Eat in the resorts. Stop and enjoy the theming. Do some research before you go. Don't have too high expectations for your kids, just let them enjoy what they enjoy, even if it is the hotel pool or an ice cream. There are many more, but these are the first ones that come to mind.

TSG: What is the biggest lesson you have learned from your multiple visits to Disney World? This can be something philosophical, about travel, or about Disney in general – just wondering if when you have traveled there if it made you a different kind of traveler.

KL: My reaction to Disney is always one of wonder and joy. I think that my multiple trips have kept that part of me alive, and have prepared me to look at every place that I travel with the eyes of a child.

TSG: Have you ever been to Disney World and then gone on a Disney cruise? Do you think this would make for a great vacation?

KL: I haven't done a cruise and Disney World back to back, but if I did, I would do Disney first, then the cruise. As much as I love Disney, it can never be as relaxing as a cruise. If the price is right, I think this could be a great vacation.

There you have it! I hope you enjoyed everything that Kaleigh had to offer about Walt Disney World and that this has inspired you to think about a trip to Disney. If you haven't been to Walt Disney World and you've been thinking about it, maybe now is the time to start looking and booking your trip. BTW, your kids will thank you later!

Marian Krueger
Email: mkrueger@travelshopgirl.com

My Weekend in Las Vegas - Part II | Sin City Fun

noreply@blogger.com (Marian Krueger) — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 21:18:00 +0000

The iconic MGM Grand sign and Leo the lion are just a few ways you know you have arrived in Las Vegas. Do you know about Leo the lion? The statue weighs 50 tons, is 45 feet tall, and resides on a 25-foot pedestal. Leo is the largest bronze statue in the U.S. and replaced the original lion entrance for the MGM Grand in 1998. Apparently, you would have to walk through the mouth of the lion to enter the resort, which apparently is bad feng shui, which can bring bad luck so many guests were entering through the back door. A little Vegas cosmetic surgery and we have the new and better Leo with better feng shui. Here we were on one of the many escalators on the Strip that takes you over the main strip and in and out of the various resorts. We had gone over to the MGM Grand to look at the lion habitat only to learn that it closed last month. We pressed on because let's face it, we're in Vegas and if you can't find something in one resort, you most likely will be able to find it somewhere else.

We purchased tickets for the Penn & Teller show for Saturday evening and it required that we pick the tickets up from the ticket booth inside the Rio resort. If you park in the garage at the Rio, you have to walk all the way through the casino to get to the front lobby. We got to check out some of the shopping and restaurants there from the second floor overlooking the casino floor including a McDonald's, a tattoo shop, and a few others. Unlike the other casinos, this place was quiet and not mobbed at all. I don't know if that's good or bad, but since we weren't staying that, it didn't matter much. Ladies if you're looking for your own brand of entertainment, the guys from Thunder from Down Under appear at the Rio. Enough said.

After walking all over Vegas, we made our way over to the Luxor on our way to Mandalay Bay. Although you can take the tram over, keep in mind it starts at the Excalibur and stops at the Luxor on the way to Mandalay Bay. The amount of time that you will wait to catch the tram is probably better spent walking unless, of course, maybe you can't. Inside the Luxor there are currently a few exhibits including the Titanic and the Bodies exhibit. Although the latter might seem interesting, I still have problems with it considering the ongoing controversy about the bodies themselves.

We were unable to take pictures while on the roller coaster at New York, New York. At only $14 per person, this is a great ride. It was far scarier than it looked and I am so glad I didn't eat or drink before I went on it! Afterwards, we walked over to the Nine Fine Irishmen pub inside New York, New York. From their website: "Anyone who would build a pub in Ireland, ship it to America, and install it in the heart of the Las Vegas strip, must be either a fool or a bleedin' genius." I'm going with the latter as this place was truly fantastic! Having been to my share of Irish pubs in the U.S., but better yet in Ireland, this pub had a true authentic feel and you felt far removed from the hustle and bustle of the rest of Las Vegas. We ordered a few drinks (I had a Shandy) and an appetizer of a potato basket with two kinds of curry dipping sauces. Normally when you order something fried it comes out all greasy and disgusting, but these were so crisp and not in the slightest bit greasy. The curry sauces were awesome with the red one being somewhat spicy, but delicious. We relaxed after walking around and our roller coaster ride and just sat back and enjoyed our time there. I would definitely recommend stopping in the Nine Fine Irishmen pub if you happen to be in the area.

My husband put his request in early into our trip to visit the Hofbräuhaus Las Vegas. On our last trip, we made it over there but not inside and clearly he has not forgotten about this. Be prepared to have lots of fun, eat great German food, and drink mondo sized steins of beer. From their web site: "The famous Beer Hall (Schwemme) is the “historical heart” and main attraction of Hofbräuhaus Las Vegas. With its traditional beer hall design and nightly live music it is sure to be one of your favorite attractions in Las Vegas." My usually subdued husband even took part in the beer guzzling contest, which he didn't realize entailed several minutes of dancing to a German song led by Johan who kept the party going. Luckily, I have several minutes of this on video so thank you very much! In between the drinking and dancing, there were several plates of food that crossed our table including this giant pretzel with two types of mustard and Obatzda, a Bavarian cheese delicacy.

Recognize my little friend here? That's Vegas Vic, the Fremont Street cowboy that is probably one of the most recognizable Las Vegas signs. Before there was the Vegas Strip, there was Fremont Street. The street itself dates back to 1901 and was the first street to be paved in Las Vegas in 1925. Because of the abundance of neon signs, Fremont Street was nicknamed "Glitter Gulch." It was closed to traffic in 1994 for the Fremont Street Experience. There's a different feel over here as compared to the Strip with casinos like Binion's Horseshoe and the Golden Nugget. I suppose those who have spent time here like it and can't imagine going to the Strip and vice versa. We went over to check out the Fremont Street Flightlinez, but the lines were so long and the zipline itself was well, underwhelming. Pretty much a straight line, you don't go very fast and it's a short distance. I guess if you've never done a zipline before you might like it. At $15 per person before 6 pm and $20 per person after 6 pm, it wasn't exciting enough to want to do it. Instead we walked around, checked out the stores that all had the same items in them and quickly returned to our car. We did pass the Heart Attack Grill, which was insanely packed as people sat eating their single, double, triple, and quadruple bypass burgers. The servers are dressed like nurses and the patrons wear hospital gowns while they eat. Now if this doesn't make you think: If you weigh over 350 lbs., you get to eat for free! Yay for you! Seriously? Why do people do this stuff?

That's just a sample of the fun I had in Las Vegas. If you've never been and are looking to go, there truly is something for everyone and it's not all about gambling. You can catch a great concert, sporting event, fabulous food from world renowned chefs, and more. I can't tell you everything that I did in Las Vegas because you know -- what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.

Marian Krueger
Email: mkrueger@travelshopgirl.com

Cruising from a Different Port | Can It Save You Money?

noreply@blogger.com (Marian Krueger) — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 20:38:00 +0000

The other night I was listening to my favorite cruise podcast, Cruize Cast, when I heard one of the hosts, James, mention how he couldn't understand why someone would want to cruise out of San Juan. He explained that he thought because airfare was so expensive flying to Puerto Rico that it wouldn't be cost effective despite the relatively affordable cruise prices from this port. But sometimes you need to think outside of the box to get the best travel bargains.

Let's say that you know you have time off at the end of August and you want to go on a cruise. You're pretty certain you want to do a Caribbean cruise, but beyond that you're pretty open to cruise line and cruise itinerary. Let's use my home airport of Boston Logan International to fly out of and let's price some airfares and cruises. The dates for airfare are the day before the cruise as I always fly out the day before.

1. Cruise #1: A 7-night Southern Caribbean cruise on the Carnival Victory from 8/26-9/2/12
Ports: St. Thomas, Barbados, St. Lucia, St. Kitts, St. Maarten, and one day at sea
Airfare from Boston to San Juan leaving 8/25 and returning 9/2: $361
Cruise price (not including taxes, fees, or port charges):
Balcony (8E): $884 or $126.29 per night
Inside (4F): $614 or $87.71 per night
Total cost for cruise and air with balcony cabin (per person before taxes): $1245

2. Cruise #2: A 7-night Eastern Caribbean cruise on Royal Caribbean's Freedom of the Seas from 8/26-9/2/12
Ports: Coco Cay, St. Thomas, St. Maarten and three days at sea
Airfare from Boston to Orlando leaving 8/25 and returning 9/2: $286
Cruise price (not including taxes, fees, or port charges):
Deluxe Ocean View with balcony (E1): $1089 or $155.57 per night
Inside (Q): $699 or $99.86 per night
Total cost for cruise and air with balcony cabin (per person before taxes): $1375

Keep in mind that the Orlando airport is about an hour away from the cruise port, which means that you will have to factor in the cost of transfers or a rental car to the cruise port area.

3. Cruise #3: A 10-night Bermuda & Caribbean cruise on Royal Caribbean's Explorer of the Seas from 8/30-9/9/12
Ports: King's Wharf, St. Maarten, St. Thomas, San Juan, Labadee, and four days at sea
Airfare from Boston to Newark leaving 8/29 and returning 9/9: $124
Cruise price (not including taxes, fees, or port charges):
Deluxe Ocean View with balcony (E1): $1469 (plus $100 onboard credit and spa treatment) or $146.90 per night
Inside (Q): $769 or $76.90 per night
Total cost for cruise and air with balcony cabin (per person before taxes): $1593

If you aren't cruise line dedicated and are open to the different cruise lines as well as different ports to sail from, you might be able to get a great cruise deal. As you can see from the three examples here, they offer a similar product and pricing isn't completely out of reach when sailing from San Juan. In this example you can see that it is the most affordable of the 7-night cruise options. The 10-night cruise is an option that you might not normally consider if you don't usually think of sailing out of the Northeast, but it is an overall good value.

Here are a few tips to ponder when you think about your next cruise:
1. Consider looking at all of the cruise options available, even those from ports you might not normally look at for your cruise.
2. Consider other cruise lines than your regular or favorite cruise line.
3. Don't overlook the smaller or regional airlines that might not come up in flight comparison tools online as they can definitely save you money.
4. Consider alternative transportation. On a cruise that we took out of New Jersey, we took a shuttle from Boston instead of flying or driving and paying for parking. We saved money and left the driving to someone else.
5. Put all of your options on the table, even those you might otherwise say "no" to immediately, and then make your decision. That includes itineraries, ships, and embarkation ports.

Take a chance and be open to all of your cruise possibilities and see where it takes you. You'll have an opportunity to save some money perhaps and to try different cruise and embarkation ports. Don't forget to listen to the Cruize Cast podcast every week and if you have a question or comment, send them an email. They love listener feedback!

Marian Krueger
Email: mkrueger@travelshopgirl.com

My Weekend in Las Vegas - Part I | Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino

noreply@blogger.com (Marian Krueger) — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 19:18:00 +0000

If you haven't already noticed, I love to travel. Whenever I get the chance to travel, I'm on the road and I never look back. I was ecstatic when my husband informed me that he was going to attend a conference in Las Vegas. I hadn't been to Las Vegas in a few years and so this was going to be the perfect opportunity to get back to Sin City. My husband's conference was going to take place at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino and we were excited to stay at a newer resort. Formerly the new Aladdin resort, Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino opened in 2007. I love the location being central to everything including the other resorts like Paris, the new Cosmopolitan, and Caesar's.

After our uneventful non-stop flight from Boston on JetBlue, we arrived at McCarran International Airport and headed toward baggage claim. Normally I bring carry on luggage only, but as my husband was checking his bag, I decided to check mine as well. I do believe our bags were some of the last ones off the plane and it took forever to retrieve them. From there we took the quick shuttle bus over to the rental car center and we thought we would be out of the airport in just a few minutes, but was I wrong. Apparently, everyone coming to Las Vegas found the same great deal I did on the Dollar car rental web site. I was able to book a mid-size car for $13 per day and although a great deal, the one hour wait in line was pure torture. When I finally go to the counter I asked if it was always this bad with the lines. I was told that four employees called in sick that day and as a result, long lines. Part of it might have been the short staffing issue, but the other part was that people would engage in long conversations with the counter person. Renting a car is simple and goes like this:

1. Reserve your car before you arrive at the airport.
2. Say "Hi" and at the same time present your driver's license and credit card.
3. Provide a reservation number that you have handy and not one that you have to dig through your bag to retrieve.
4. Understand all of the insurance options available prior to renting a car. If you have auto insurance, will it cover you if you rent a car? Not sure what is covered and what isn't? Check out this great article.
5. Know what you want and stick with it. Don't be persuaded to upgrade your car and then spend 10 minutes trying to decide between a full size and a mid-size car. It doesn't really matter does it? Don't be persuaded to get a GPS if you don't really need one. The car rental companies love to push the upgrades at the counter and if you are easily persuaded, you'll be spending more money than you wanted.
6. Gas: If you aren't going to drive that much, don't choose the fuel option where you return the car and they charge you to fill it up. I ended up only needing to put in $5 worth of gas, which was significantly less than what I would have paid if I let them refill the tank. If you plan to drive a lot, then return it empty to take advantage of this option.

After getting the car, I easily made my way out of the rental car garage and to the hotel. If you are staying at the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino, they have free self-parking as well as valet parking. If you decide to park the car in the garage, you'll need to walk through the Miracle Mile Shops to the resort, which isn't too far unless, of course, you have lots of luggage. Otherwise, considering dropping your car off at the valet and taking advantage of the easy access to the registration desk and elevators. The line to check in wasn't terribly long and when we checked in, I inquired if there were any upgrades available, which there were and we were upgraded. We took the south elevator to the eleventh floor and to room 1150. A nice sized room of approximately 560 square feet, this resort room didn't overlook the strip, but we had a nice view of the mountains in the background. The room is outfitted with two queen beds, two cushy chairs, a desk area, and a wall unit containing a closet, drawers, and a wall mounted television.

The bathroom was large with a huge bathtub, a toilet area behind the door to the left of the tub, a shower area, and two large vanities with sinks at either side of the bathroom. This was probably one of the largest bathrooms I have had in a standard hotel room. Overall, the room appeared to be a great one upon first inspection. It was the Ali Baba room with memorabilia from the film by the same name. However, the more we looked over the room, the more issues we found. The biggest issue was that the wall unit had one door missing and another that came completely off its hinges while we were there. All of the furniture had dings, dents, and chips and the hardware in the bathroom was truly on its last legs. They were moving easily and I felt if I touched a handle, it could very well fall off. We did have an issue with two things at the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino. The first is that the resort's fitness center is not free, but $25 per day to use. That's just crazy! The second item to note is that Internet access is $13.99 per day. That doesn't sound so crazy at first considering what most hotels these days charge, but wait. This is per computer per room per day. We had two laptops and were charged $13.99 per day per laptop. That's just greedy! Considering it's WiFi, I'm not sure why anyone has to charge for it at all. When we checked out, I mentioned the issues with the wall unit's doors (or lack thereof) and was told that "Yes, we are going through a renovation." What? I guess apologies are never in order when providing an inferior product at this resort. I wasn't expecting anything from them when I mentioned it, but to sound like it was no big deal and we should have known that the product was not up to par, but oh well, it is what it is? Disappointing to say the least.

The resort itself was stylish and modern and I do prefer the look of this type of resort over the old school resorts like the Bellagio, Caesar's, or even the MGM Grand. Speaking of which, we went over to see the lions and guess what? They're gone! Yes, as of January 31st, the lion habitat is no longer there as they are making changes to the resort. But back to Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino. Their casino floor is modern and they have just about everything you need right there. With multiple bars and lounges as well as restaurants, including the best buffet in Las Vegas (Spice Market), and Starbuck's. Expect a long wait in line at Starbuck's and if you pay with a credit or debit card, make sure you have your ID handy as they won't let you pay without one. Consider a show like one at Planet Hollywood like Peepshow or a performance in the famous Pussycat Dolls Burlesque Saloon, or buy a ticket on the casino floor for one of the many shows in Vegas. There's something for everyone in Las Vegas and with so much to do, you won't get bored any time soon.

In my next post I'll cover more of the fun I had in Las Vegas including entertainment and dining so bookmark this page and don't forget to come back!

Marian Krueger
Email: mkrueger@travelshopgirl.com

Red Light District, Prostitution, and the City Amsterdam Bus | Amsterdam

noreply@blogger.com (Marian Krueger) — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 20:26:00 +0000

Inevitably when you tell someone that you went to Amsterdam, you are asked if a) you went to a coffeeshop (see my earlier blog post about this topic) and b) if you went to the Red Light District. Since we weren't out looking specifically the Red Light District, I wasn't sure if we would stumble upon it by accident or if we would have to go out of our way to track it down. I am curious by nature and did want to see what the hype was all about. [Image from the New York Times]

The Red Light District in Boston, also known as the Combat Zone, has undergone a major transformation over the past few decades and what is left of it is less than a square block, if that. I don't think people visiting Boston today, if they hadn't been there in past years, would even begin to tell you what or where the Combat Zone is located now. I thought the Red Light District might be a little like the Combat Zone in the sense that people know it's there, but maybe it would difficult to locate. Pictures of the Red Light District are easily found on the Internet, but would I be able to find it in person? [Image from the New York Times]

On this particular day in December, we decided on the hop on, hop off City Amsterdam bus. I usually recommend the hop on, hop off buses when visiting a new city to get the lay of the land and to see as much as you can while also getting a quick history lesson, but this particular hop on, hop off bus was inadequate at best. The commentary was ridiculously brief on an hour-long bus ride and even though it did take us around the city and to areas we hadn’t been to yet, I can’t in good conscience recommend it. Since the days are short in the winter in Amsterdam, the bus driver did fill us in on a secret, which was that you could reuse your ticket throughout your stay because the driver generally won’t check the date.

We hopped off the bus and realized we had gotten off at the wrong stop, but thankfully, my husband is much better at reading maps and spatial orientation than I am and we were able to get back on track quickly. Knowing that I was close by, I knew I wanted to go to the Red Light District, but was started to become somewhat nervous. I had read a few less than complimentary comments about the area, but I pressed on in hopes that I would be able to tick this item off my travel to do list.

The Red Light District isn't like Disney World or Hollywood. There isn't a sign or anything in particular to announce that you have arrived in the world renowned Red Light District. Instead, the area during the day looked like any other area which we had walked through while in Amsterdam as evidenced by the picture above. While walking down this street, when I turned my head, however, that is how I knew I was in the right place. In the storefront windows stood women and yes, that’s how I knew this was the place. There are signs that say “no photography” and I didn’t want to piss anyone off by trying to take a shot, but I wish I had. I didn’t want to stare at the women in the windows, but they looked less than natural. Their faces seemed overly made up and almost plasticized. Once we walked through the area, we both agreed that some of these “ladies” had to have been transvestites as some had masculine-like features (read that as Adam’s apples). There were a few guys hanging around in front of the windows and although I saw them as ogling the women, my husband was convinced that they were pimps. I did see quite a few men coming in and out of these buildings so even during the day they do brisk business. That was my encounter with the Red Light District and after walking up and down a few streets and observing the women inside and the men outside, I decided to press on and find something else to do with my time.

This may seem somewhat prudish, but I can’t understand why anyone would want to visit a prostitute, either close to home or while on vacation in Amsterdam. Yes, it may be legal in Amsterdam, but between the danger aspect and the incredible amount of things to do here, why oh why would you have to visit a prostitute? Maybe it's because I'm a woman and I can't understand it and can't understand why I didn't see any men there (just joking!). I suppose that they have figured out a way to make it safe for the working woman as well as they "clients," but it still is an incredibly sad profession and reflection of societal views of how women are still portrayed as objects.

Here are a few tips if you must visit for more than a look:
1. Don't put all of your money in your wallet if you decide you will partake of the services offered in the Red Light District.
2. Leave your jewelry and other important items in your hotel room instead of bringing them with you.
3. Don't decide on a quick visit to the Red Light District when you are intoxicated or under the influence. You just become an easy target for unsavory characters and nothing ruins a vacation faster than a crime.
4. Don't go alone! Have a wing man (or woman) to back you up and offer you a second set of eyes for your surroundings.
5. Don't put yourself in a situation that you can't figure a way out of quickly. Be familiar with your surroundings at all times and be smart about what you do and say in public.
6. If you're going to look and not purchase services, don't try to take pictures. I'm not sure what will happen, but do you really want to find out? I think I have been watching too many episodes of "Locked Up Abroad" and although not the same, I would hate to end up in a prison at home or abroad.
7. Think of your mom, kittens, clowns, whatever you need to in order to change the mood you are in and consider a visit to a museum instead.

Marian Krueger
Email: mkrueger@travelshopgirl.com

TSA: Should They Be Nicer to Passengers?

noreply@blogger.com (Marian Krueger) — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 23:07:00 +0000

I'm spending a few days in Las Vegas and so on Thursday I left home to fly from my hometown airport, Boston Logan International Airport. We were flying JetBlue and excited to be on our way again to Las Vegas. We stood in a ridiculously long line for the baggage drop and got to bypass the long security line because we bought "even more legroom" seats on our flight. When we arrived at the TSA podium, we handed over our tickets and ID's like we always due to the agent. She announced to my husband that his license had expired last month. He was dumbfounded at the news and the TSA agent kidded him a little and asked why I hadn't reminded him. What's this? A TSA agent with a sense of humor? I don't recognize this type of interaction and I can't process it correctly. She was actually smiling, joking, and was pleasant. Way to go TSA at Boston Logan!

Now before anyone thinks I am cracking on TSA, I'm not. Their job is not to entertain me, socialize, or be my friend. I have, however, always wondered why they can't be friendlier. This TSA agent proved to me that you can do both. I was smiling the few feet from the podium to the grey bin containers and then as quickly as it had transpired, it was over. The next TSA agent promptly bursted my delusional optimistic bubble. All I could hear was the incessant drone of her voice saying, "Put your laptop, Kindle, electronics in a separate bin." "If you have yogurt or milk, you cannot take this with you." "Please move forward so as not to hold others up." She kept repeating the words over and over and it was irritating, condescending, and unnecessary. Can't the TSA record this and play it overhead instead of having the agent talk to passengers as though we are all small children? She wasn't there helping anyone in particular as she stood there chastising everyone who crossed her path.

Ironically enough, last night I happened to catch a few minutes of the TV show, "Up All Night" as they were going through security at the airport. It almost seems like a requirement for the job that you look miserable, be genuinely unhappy with your life, and determined to give people a hard time. Not everyone is a frequent flyer and not everyone understands the protocol that takes place when traveling through an airport. I feel bad for the little old ladies who don't speak English who are given a hard time because of that or the women traveling solo with a gaggle of kids who she is trying to wrangle all on her own while also trying to deal with the TSA agent. I have enough of a problem with the new Backscatter X-ray machine after the European Commission announced on Nov. 14, 2011 that it would "ban the controversial 'backscatter' X-ray machines, which emit ionized radiation, from all airports in the European Union’s 27 member nations 'in order not to risk jeopardizing citizens’ health and safety.'" Besides the radiation, I can't get past the name, which always somehow in a way that makes no sense to anyone but me, makes me think "muffin top" and then I can't focus on what I'm supposed to do while I'm in the machine. TSA clearly doesn't want you to laugh or even conjure up a silly thought and so I start to fear I'll get thrown into TSA jail for laughing about "muffin tops" while trying to put my shoes back on and collect all of my items from the belt.

TSA can't you just make it easier for people by having your agents be friendlier? Being professional and doing one's job is not in direct opposition to being friendly. I know a TSA's job isn't a glamorous job and not many people will thank them for doing their job, but I know I would do it more often if they were nicer. Just saying...

What do you think? Do you care if TSA is friendly or not? Post your comments below.

Marian Krueger
Email: mkrueger@travelshopgirl.com

Hoopman Irish Pub | Amsterdam

noreply@blogger.com (Marian Krueger) — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 19:31:00 +0000

Perhaps you don't think it's possible to find an Irish pub in Amsterdam. Well, I'm here to tell you otherwise. Located on Het Leidseplein, Hoopman Irish Pub brings a little of the Irish to Amsterdam.

Hoopman Irish Pub has the typical dark wood and feel of an Irish pub in Ireland. It had the requisite dark wood, dark furniture, Christmas decorations, and the sounds of people thoroughly enjoying themselves. When we arrived, it was just before 3 pm in the afternoon and the place was packed. There were only a few open barstools available at the bar, but all but one or two tables were taken. People of all ages were in Hoopman's as well as couples, friends, and families. We squeezed in and found a table near the bar and tried to warm up because on that particular day (December 28), it was chilly and the idea of having a big pint of beer to warm up sounded incredibly appealing to my husband. I was just happy to be out of the cold, wet weather and in somewhere warm and vaguely familiar. The Hoopman was a friendly oasis in a city that was new to me. I guess you could call Hoopman your friendly neighborhood bar or pub in Amsterdam!

The menu is extensive, from their breakfast menu to salads, pub grub, Sunday roast, and of course, traditional Irish Main dishes. For my non-meat eating readers, their breakfast menu includes a vegetarian breakfast consisting of fried eggs, beans, hash browns, tomato, mushrooms, toast, jam & butter. Off of their regular menu, they have a salad of tomato, mozzarella & basil; vegetarian burger with fries; vegetarian enchilada; and a baked spud with cheddar. What a relief to be able to go out to eat and be able to choose from more than one item on the menu, right?

For those of you who do eat meat, you will thoroughly enjoy leafing through the menu and pondering the numerous options. Skip over the ones with the carrot (they're vegetarian!) and check out the meat and seafood options. How about Shepherd's Pie or Beef & Guinness Pie? Maybe you're in the mood for Fish & Chips or maybe the more traditional Dutch Bitterballen? Not familiar with Bitterballen? They are a savoury Dutch meat-based snack, typically containing a mixture of beef (minced or chopped), beef broth, flour and butter for thickening, parsley, salt and pepper. You can look at the entire menu on the Hoopman Irish Pub web site.

But let's be honest here. We didn't go to the pub for the food although the food was certainly part of it. We went for the drinks! Our server, Miriam, was working the entire side of the restaurant that we were on all by herself and she never was short with us or looked stressed. In fact, she definitely took time with each of her tables to answer questions, like my husband quizzing her on all of the beers on tap. Let's just say that he warmed up with more than one pint! From what he can recall, he thinks he had the Witte Trappist and a La Trappe Dubbel, both draught beers and both incredibly tasty. I, on the other hand, wanted something warm and I opted to try the Gluhwein (pronounced glue-wein). A mulled wine that is served during the winter, you can find it served in brown cafes (the equivalent of what a pub is in England and Ireland), restaurants, or on the street in one of the many areas where the Winter Wonderland festivals were being held. The Amsterdam City Tours blog had a recipe that I will share with you here:

Dutch Gluhwein
Ingredients:
2 bottle red wine (a cheap Chianti works perfectly here)
250 grams of sugar (more or less to taste)
6 tsp whole cloves
1 cinnamon stick
Peel of 1 lemon and 1 lime
Juice of 1 orange
Dash of vanilla
1 whole nutmeg (optional)

Preparation:
Pour the sugar into a large saucepan. Add the lemon and lime peels and squeeze in orange juice. Add cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg and other spices. Now, pour just enough wine over the the sugar to coat it. Let it simmer for 4 to 5 minutes until almost boiling - this will help infuse all the delicious spices into a nice syrup. Once it starts to thicken, add the rest of the red wine and turn the heat down and warm for 5 minutes. Pour into mugs and - for those familiar with the Dutch tradition - add a shot of rum - and enjoy!

Note: It is important that you do not boil the wine - otherwise you burn off the alcohol!

Next time you are feeling a chill in the air, consider making some Gluhwein to warm up. Don't forget the next time you are in Amsterdam to pop into Hoopman Irish Pub for a pint and some food as well. Whether in the winter when it is cold and chilly and you are looking to warm up or in the summer when you are aching for a cold pint to cool down, definitely put Hoopman's on your list of places to visit.

Cafe Hoopman
Leidseplein 4
1017 PT Amsterdam
0031 (0)20 6381408
Email: info@cafehoopman.nl

Marian Krueger
Email: mkrueger@travelshopgirl.com

CenterHotel Þingholt (Thingholt) | Reykjavik, Iceland

noreply@blogger.com (Marian Krueger) — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 19:05:00 +0000

While in Reykjavik, Iceland at the end of January and beginning of February, I toured a few hotels in the area. I was able to view a variety of rooms and talk with the representatives from the hotels and I thought I would share that information here. To start the hotel tour, we will begin with one of my favorites, Center Hotel Þingholt. Before we proceed, let's address the spelling of the name of the hotel. Known as Þingholt or Thingholt, with the Thorn or þorn (Þ, þ), is a letter in the Old English, Old Norse, and Icelandic alphabets, as well as some dialects of Middle English. It has the sound of either a voiceless dental fricative [θ], like th as in the English word thick, or a voiced dental fricative [ð], like th as in the English word the. Modern Icelandic usage excludes the latter, which is instead represented with the letter eth (Ð, ð), though it has a voiceless allophone [θ], which occurs in certain positions within a phrase. I hope you're paying attention because there will absolutely be a test on all of this later.

The CenterHotel Þingholt is a beautiful boutique hotel right in the heart of Reykjavik next to the main shopping street, Laugavegur. The building that now houses the hotel was originally the Ísafold Printing Factory and was converted into the hotel, which is a a great example of Icelandic contemporary design. When you first see the hotel from the exterior, you might think nothing of it or you might even think you made a mistake by booking this hotel. But don't give up so easily. The outside looks less than striking and I was at first reluctant to believe that this was in fact a boutique hotel. But the second I stepped inside the front door of the hotel, I was sold. Although the grey exterior walls might appear drab to some, the minimalist look carries through in a contemporary and extremely stylish way throughout the entire hotel. The picture above is of the front entrance, which requires you to walk down a set of steps to the front desk. The long black lava textured wall and glass railing immediately set the modern tone of the hotel while the glass masks on the wall are playful and intriguing. The masks represent the hidden people of Iceland. Designed by Icelandic architect Gulla Jonsdottir, Gulla owns G+ Gulla Jonsdottir Design in Los Angeles and she has taken part in designing hotels in the US like Crescent Hotel in Beverly Hills and Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel.

Adjacent to the front desk is the elevator and stairs that take you up to your room. Also in this area is a comfortable seating area with plush leather couches and one of the most intriguing lighting fixtures I have ever seen. It looked as though the chandelier had been consumed by some gigantic spider web and that is something you don't see everywhere. There is also a bar area to grab a drink and sit and relax after a day in Reykjavik. Although I am sure that families can and probably have stayed here in the past, I see this hotel as more of a young, modern person's hotel of choice. Perhaps you're in Reykjavik on business -- you could easily stay here. Or maybe you and your better half decide to sneak away for a long weekend in Iceland. CenterHotel Þingholt would definitely appeal to a couple looking for fun while relaxing in modern style.

From the CenterHotel Þingholt website: "CenterHotel Thingholt offers 52 air-conditioned guestrooms, all of which are decorated in a sleek, contemporary style inspired by Icelandic nature. Comfortable yet stylish the rooms provide the prefect atmosphere for your trip to the center of Reykjavik." There are four different room types available from Standard to Deluxe to Junior Suites to Loft Suites. Don't for a second imagine that the Standard room is sub-par because it absolutely isn't. Here you can see the bed adjacent to the bathroom, which is divided by frosted glass. Although minimalist in nature, the rooms still feel warm and inviting. I made numerous mental notes as I would absolutely kill to have a bathroom that looked like the ones in this hotel. Stunning to say the least!

If you want to try something different, then the Deluxe room might be for you. These rooms set themselves apart from the Standard room because they are outfitted with either a white leather sofa or a romantic bathtub next to the bed. What screams romantic more than a giant bathtub? For a true treat, the suites are a definite option that shouldn't be overlooked. The Junior Suites offer both a sofa and a bath tub and the spacious Loft Suites consist of two floors where the bedroom and living room are separated by a set of stairs. Whether you choose the Standard room or the Loft Suite, you cannot possibly go wrong with the CenterHotel Þingholt hotel. In fact, I will be back in Reykjavik hopefully within the next several months and this is now my hotel of choice. This is an affordable hotel and of course, if you visit the hotel's web site you might be able to snag an advanced purchase rate to save yourself a little more money to spend on more important things like say... Brennivin.

There are many more hotels to visit in Reykjavik so come back to see more pictures, reviews, and of course my big adventure in Iceland: The Glacier Walk!

Marian Krueger
Email: mkrueger@travelshopgirl.com

Coffeeshops in Amsterdam | The TSG Primer

noreply@blogger.com (Marian Krueger) — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 18:50:00 +0000

TSG is here to give you all the necessary information you'll need for your next trip to Amsterdam. When you talk about a coffeeshop in Amsterdam, we are not talking about Starbuck's or Dunkin' Donuts. "What?" you say, "If there isn't coffee in a coffeeshop, what are they selling?" Glad you asked that question. If you already know the answer to this question, bear with me as I explain to those who might not have already heard that marijuana is readily available in Amsterdam.

Let's review:

The drug policy of the Netherlands officially has four major objectives:
1. To prevent recreational drug use and to treat and rehabilitate recreational drug users.
2. To reduce harm to users.
3. To diminish public nuisance by drug users (the disturbance of public order and safety in the neighbourhood).
4. To combat the production and trafficking of recreational drugs.

Introduced in the 1970's, coffeeshops (spelled as one word) cannot sell alcohol, but can sell food and beverages as well as cannabis in small amounts. Don't expect to walk into a coffeeshop and have it look like a McDonald's with a big menu and long lines. The coffeeshops aren't even allowed advertise the cannabis outside or or even inside the shops. All cannabis coffeeshops will have a green and white flag sticker on the front somewhere that says “coffee shop” and most also have Rasta colors or other imagery that removes any doubt as to what it is exactly. Instead, the menus are often behind the bar and you need to ask for it. It's a safe environment where locals and of course, tourists go to relax and sample the goods.

But how do you know which coffeeshop is the one that you will want to go to try it out? They are literally everywhere and if you don't see one, then you aren't looking hard enough. In the high traffic areas you will be able to find several at a time. The first picture above is of the popular BlueBird coffeeshop and the second picture is of Dampkring. Dampkring gets quite a few visitors because the crew from the movie "Ocean's 12" spent time visiting it during their stay in Amsterdam. This picture is of The Bulldog, a chain of coffeeshops with its easily identifiable logo and multiple locations throughout Amsterdam. But how do you locate a coffeeshop by other than stumbling upon one? There are a number of directories that you can view such as the Amsterdam Coffeeshop Directory or Coffeeshops Amsterdam. You might want to Google something like "best coffeeshops in Amsterdam" and you might find a rated list like this one although there are many lists like this out there on the internet.

Once you've chosen your coffeeshop of choice, be sure to ask questions about the menu. I love this little blurb from About.com Amsterdam Travel:

Every coffeeshop has a menu, either on tables, behind the bar or in a manned stall usually in a corner. Selections are typically divided into weed, hash, pre-rolled joints and sometimes "spacecakes" (sweet cakes baked with marijuana in them). Prices vary by quantity (grams, bags, individual joints) and quality. But don't just point to a funny-sounding name like "White Widow" or "Bubblegum" and hope for the best. Ask the staff what they recommend and what effects each type has. They often ask something like "Well do you want to be high, or do you want to be stoned?" If you're intimidated, don't be -- coffeeshop employees are friendly, knowledgeable and very accustomed to tourists who don't know exactly how to go about the whole process.

You must be 18 years of age to enter a coffeeshop and you're only allowed to purchase up to 5 grams per coffeeshop per day. Additionally, although you are able to smoke your purchase inside the coffeeshop, you cannot smoke tobacco as there is an indoor ban on smoking cigarettes in public places.

Some friendly advice:

1. Don't be a loud and obnoxious tourist either inside or outside of a coffeeshop. Yes, this may be your first time visiting one, but in reality -- no one really cares.
2. If you intend to smoke, don't choose a coffeeshop far away from where you're staying in Amsterdam in case you become easily disoriented or well, goofy.
3. Don't be a glutton. If you'll only be in Amsterdam for a week, don't buy enough for a year because you're not going to be able to take it with you.
4. Be aware of your surroundings. Remember you are visiting and are seen as a tourist so don't open yourself up to a crime because you're having too much fun to notice that you put your bag down or left your wallet or keys out.
5. If you're going to smoke in public, be courteous to others especially families with children and people who live in the areas where you are smoking.
6. Lastly, don't spend all of your time in a coffeeshop when in Amsterdam. There is an abundance of great places to visit and an amazing country to see and it would be a waste if you never got to see any of it.

Be an educated consumer and a considerate guest of Amsterdam and I'm pretty sure you'll not only have a great time, but you'll go home with some incredible stories.

Marian Krueger
Email: mkrueger@travelshopgirl.com

Grótta Lighthouse, Mt. Esja, and Hákarl | Reykjavik, Iceland

noreply@blogger.com (Marian Krueger) — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 21:25:00 +0000

On my recent trip to Iceland, despite the cold and rainy weather we were having on Thursday, 2 February 2012, I was able to take a quick tour of Reykjavik. Part of my tour included hotel inspections, which I will cover in another post. Our trip began with our coach driver taking us out to Grótta Island. Never heard of it? Neither had I, but the history and incredible view was worthy of many, many pictures. This is the view from Grótta Island looking toward Mt. Esja. Here is some information about Grótta Island from Nordic Adventure Travel:

Island Grótta is the the point of the Seltjorn Peninsula of which the capital comprises the greatest part. The island is connected to the mainland by an isthmus, which is flooded during high tides, and many people walk across at low tides to enjoy the variety of the bird life and an occasional seal nearby. The land has been and still is subsiding rather quickly and those who have lived in the community for a long time have witnessed the gradual advance of the sea. In the immediate vicinity of the island is a popular golf course and a beacon for one of the runways of the Reykjavik Airport.

Because of its location, Iceland has been able to sustain itself by accessing a readily available and plentiful resource: fish. The fishing industry has always been extremely important to Iceland and before modern day freezing techniques were available, the Icelandic people would use drying racks to dry the fish, just like the ones seen here. Dried fish could last several years and simply required sun and wind to dry the fish to perfection. Dried fish would usually be prepared with butter and sometimes dulse (seaweed). From Icelandic Fisheries:

Stockfish was important to the export economies in Europe for more than a thousand years and was an important commodity for Iceland. Late in the 13th century stockfish became the most important export together with fish oil and weave in the economy of Iceland. In the later years, most of the Icelandic stockfish has been exported to Nigeria and Italy.

Although dried fish now only makes up about 2% of Iceland's seafood export, it still remains part of the Icelandic diet. Icelanders eat mostly haddock, plaice, halibut, herring and shrimp. Before you ask if I have had hákarl, as seen hanging up to dry here, the answer is of course, "NO!" Hákarl is putrescent shark meat and is part of the þorramatur, the traditional seasonal Icelandic foods. It is known for its pungent taste and smell of ammonia. As such, eating hákarl is associated with hardiness and strength and you could easily see why. You have to be a special individual to want to eat hákarl willingly. I found a recipe on how to prepare hákarl here in case you would like to make and try some "rotten" or cured shark yourself.

The lighthouse on Grótta Island has an amazing presence in an otherwise barren landscape. Apparently, the city folks from Reyjkavik like to come out here and enjoy the bird watching and peacefulness of the area. If you wanted to spend an afternoon leisurely walking around and snapping pictures, this would be a great spot in which to do this. Here's more information from Nordic Adventure Travel:

In earlier times a farm occupied the island and the lighthouse standing there was built in 1897. It was restored thoroughly in 1947 and has been maintained well since then. There were fishing outfits on the island as well, when the fisheries were based on open rowing boats. The volunteer rescue corps of the Seltjarnarnes community was named after one of the caretakers of the lighthouse, Albert Thorsteinsson (1910-1973).

Have you ever traveled somewhere and let out a gasp when you saw something for the first time? That's what I did when I saw Mt. Esja for the first time. At 914 m (2,998.69 ft), Mt. Esja is the highest mountain in the vicinity of Reykjavík. Mt. Esja is not a single mountain, but a volcanic mountain range, made from basalt and tuff-stone. Regardless of what it's made of or if it's one or more mountains, it is a sight that should not be missed when visiting Iceland. I'm sure tourists see it when driving around, but whether or not they appreciate it, I don't know. I do know that hikers and climbers like Mt. Esja and enjoy a hike up to the summits of Þverfellshorn (780 m) and Kerhólakambur (851 m). I would love to see the view from up there!

If you're looking for an active vacation, I can't express how much there is to do in Iceland and Mt. Esja is just one of them. If you're not active, but have an appreciation for nature, Iceland is for you as well. In fact, I can't think of anyone who wouldn't like Iceland. Hey, I'm thinking that the Iceland Board of Tourism should call me, don't you think? But seriously, Iceland is an active country with much to do, places to visit (like glaciers and waterfalls among other things), shopping, geothermal spas, great cuisine (minus maybe the hákarl), and the people are extremely welcoming. What other country is as hospitable as Iceland? Check out the Inspired by Iceland campaign where the Icelandic people are inviting tourists to spend time with them. Imagine attending a birthday party, grabbing a latte, sharing waffles, or getting a bedtime story by a local. They want us to visit Iceland and experience it as a local so what are you waiting for? I can't wait to go back and believe me, I am looking right now trying to figure out a way to get back there soon.

Marian Krueger
Email: mkrueger@travelshopgirl.com

Icelandair Hotel Reykjavik Natura | Iceland

noreply@blogger.com (Marian Krueger) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 21:24:00 +0000

If you remember, I was in Iceland recently for the MidAtlantic Seminar in Reykjavik. After the prolonged wait on the coach at the airport for the passengers on other flights coming in from New York and Seattle, we finally made our way on the one hour ride to the hotel, the Icelandair Hotel Reykjavik Natura. With 220 rooms and a complimentary city shuttle, the Natura is an affordable alternative to the city center hotels. From the outside you might think, "Oh no -- it's an old Howard Johnson's," but don't worry. Inside the renovations make the Natura a comfortable and inviting hotel for travelers. The hotel has an image gallery and I encourage you to look at the pictures and see what a great hotel the Natura truly is. The hotel is at the center of the block of buildings at this location that abuts the domestic airport with one building dedicated to IcelandAir. Although right next to the airport, I rarely heard a sound, but that might be because I didn't spend much time in my room.

Upon arrival to the hotel, the coach unloaded the conference participants and soon the hotel lobby was filled with people waiting to check in. Since everyone in Iceland speaks English, the process wasn't a slow one because of a language barrier. There were simply so many people needing to get a room and everyone was extremely tired, irritable, and cranky. However, the front desk clerks maintained their professionalism and decorum and did an excellent job with getting everyone to their rooms in a timely manner. There were only a few front desk clerks available to complete the check in and as a result, it took quite some time to get to my room and I wasn't inside it until about 10 am.

The elevators are tiny, but there are stairs available right next to the elevators. When I opened the door to my room, it was in stark contrast to the light, modern decor in the lobby. This area is probably the last scheduled for renovation, but it serves its purpose. It's clean and maintained and the bed was ridiculously comfortable. There was a tube TV and I have to admit I have been spoiled with flat screen TV's so it is a little strange to see a chunky TV in a hotel room. There is a desk and chair behind the TV and a small table and chairs near the window. Underneath the TV was a mini-fridge, which I erroneously used to put a bottle of water that I purchased my first day in Iceland. The water in Iceland is so good that you can drink it from the tap. Therefore, don't buy bottle water since it will taste exactly like that from the tap.

The bathroom was small, but functional and clean. There is a shower stall and no tub so if you are traveling with children who are used to being bathed in a tub, be prepared. The water pressure was strong and the water nice and hot, but more on how they get their hot water later. They provide hand soap and "shampoo" in the shower, which is a body and hair shampoo. Outside of the bathroom was a large closet with an ironing board and iron, multiple wooden hangers, and shelving to store clothing. There was more than enough space for me in this room and again, although the furniture was dated, it didn't really bother me at all. Yes, I tend to gravitate more toward the more modern hotels, but since the Natura is under renovations and moving in that direction, I wouldn't hesitate to stay here again.

Prior to my arrival in Iceland, I was given an opportunity to choose excursions during the down time I would have in between the activities of the MidAtlantic Seminar. The first was to take place only about 1 1/2 hours after my arrival in Reykjavik. I decided to lay down on the bed for about an hour and set my alarm on my iPhone to get me up at 11 am. The alarm went off and I made the executive decision that despite my strong desire to see Gulfoss Geysir, I couldn't do it. I rolled over and slept in until 2 pm with sleep being the victor on my first day in Iceland. When I woke up, I showered, dressed, and made my way downstairs to the hotel's restaurant, Satt. For my breakfast/lunch, I had a wonderful open-faced sandwich with veggies and a little cheese (yes, cheese -- remember I get what I can when I travel!) and a little carrot salad on top. It was so good and a great way to start my day. I was also able to get a soy latte and I knew then that Iceland was my kind of place.

During the day, Satt is a great restaurant to pop in for breakfast or lunch and on warmer days, you can sit outside on their patio. They have one side with small tables and one long table to sit communal style. On the other side it is more of a lounge area with comfy chairs and side tables. Service is casual and relaxed and you can order a coffee and cake or other dessert if you like or a full meal. Toward the restroom area is a large, but otherwise hidden area where they serve breakfast. Breakfast is traditional European style with cheeses, meats, breads, and vegetables, as well as Skyr, muesli, and other cereals.

At night Satt transforms itself into a fun place to sit and have drinks with friends. This picture is of the exact moment in time when the attractive young bartender, Gunnar, introduced me to red Opal, a strange liquor that both repelled me and made me want to watch other people's faces as they tried it. Apparently the Icelandic people like the taste of their candy Opal so much that they turned it into 27% alcohol. If you like licorice you might like it. It was strong and tasted like cough medicine, but I can't turn down an opportunity to try something new. Gunnar also introduced me to the Opal with the green and white label and the liquid is white in color. Far easier to drink, but still strong in taste. At the airport on the way home I tried to get some, but was told that it is very rare and hard to find. Next time! Another drink I tried is Brennivin, the Icelandic schnapps. Called svarti dauði or "Black Death," I was told it was made with anise seeds, but I definitely tasted caraway seeds. When I did a little research, I found that it is made from fermented potato mash and is flavoured with caraway seeds. I knew it!

Although the Natura is not in downtown Reyjkavik, it still has much to offer anyone traveling to Reykjavik. In addition to the regular shuttles to the downtown area, they also have bike rentals available. Although you probably want to spend most of your time outside of the hotel, in addition to Satt, they also have internet access in the lobby, conference facilities, and a spa area downstairs. Inside the spa there was a large fitness center, sauna, steam room, and a beautiful saltwater pool. I spent over an hour in the pool and it was glorious! There are many hotel choices in Reykjavik and I definitely wouldn't discount the Natura because of its location. It is extremely close to the Perlan, which is where the hot water storage tanks have been situated for some time. In 1991 the tanks were updated and a structure placed on top that includes probably the best view of the city and a place to get a drink and some food. Also nearby is the Kringlan mall so don't forget to squeeze some shopping in before leaving. Of course, you'll want to do more traditional shopping in downtown Reykjavik, but how can you pass up a marathon shopping spree? Next time there will be more pictures of Reykjavik and the rest of Iceland and you won't want to miss it.

Marian Krueger
Email: mkrueger@travelshopgirl.com

Flying to Reykjavik, Iceland on Icelandair

noreply@blogger.com (Marian Krueger) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 21:06:00 +0000

Lucky me! Yes, that's what I said -- lucky me. I had a chance to travel to Iceland at the end of January for the 20th MidAtlantic Seminar held in Reykjavik, Iceland. As someone who lives in the Northeast and constantly complains about cold weather, one might wonder why I would choose to go to Iceland. The answer is a fairly simple one. I want to see as much of the world as I can and I will never shoot down the opportunity to get one more pushpin on my travel map.

Never having been to Iceland or let's face it, ever having read anything about Iceland, I knew nothing about the country probably in the same way that most Americans know nothing about Iceland. It sounds cold and that can be a turn off to people who want to travel somewhere on a vacation and relax. But don't let Iceland's cold and icy name turn you off to traveling there. What really helped me make my decision to go was the fact that the flight from Boston to Reykjavik was only 5 hours. My actual flight time on the day that I left was only 4 1/2 hours so how easy is that? I checked in at the airport and since I was flying Icelandair's Economy Comfort class, I was able to spend some time in the business lounge. Virgin Atlantic's lounge in Boston's Logan International Airport gives Icelandair's business class passengers access to the lounge, but Economy Comfort class passengers get access there as well. The small, intimate lounge is accessed by the departure gate and via the elevator. Show your ticket at the front desk and they will let you right inside. Find a seat, grab a drink, and something to snack on, and catch up on a little work before your flight. They have sandwiches, cookies, snacks, and on this particular day, vegetable curry and rice. They won't win any awards for their cooking skills or their lackluster service within the lounge, but sitting in the business class lounge always wins over sitting at the gate.

Finally, it was time to board the plane and I made my way quickly to my seat. I chose Economy Comfort because it was a step up from Economy with the perks of the business class lounge without having to pay for a business class seat. According to the seating chart upon check in, it looked like a regular row of Economy class seats with the middle seat removed. It also has a little more legroom, about 1", and that sounded good to me as well as an included meal with wine and beer. When I found my seat, lo and behold the middle seat was in fact there. Despite the oddly cute tray table on the seat, I longed for an empty seat and realized it was not going to happen. My flight was not full and so I ended up with an entire row to myself. The armrests did not go up so I couldn't lift them or the little tray table and so I tried to relax in the seat. However, there was a strange issue with the seatback. It felt as if there was cardboard in the seat because every time I leaned back, it kind of popped. I even moved to the other seat in my row, but that one did it as well. I'm going to call it an anomaly because on my flight home, I didn't experience this at all.

In Economy Comfort, you can get a pillow and a nice thick blanket, but what I really liked was the USB port on the seat back by the entertainment screen where you can charge your phone, iPod, or other devices. It helped not to have to worry about whether my phone was charged enough before I landed since I wasn't flying business (Saga) class. There is also a footrest underneath the seat on which to put your feet, but if you're tall, don't expect to feel terribly comfortable in these seats. I sat next to a tall man on my flight back and he looked miserable without any kind of room in which to stretch his legs. Even at only 5'4", I was wishing I had more leg room, too. All the basics are available in your seat from the light and air vent overhead to a seat back pocket with the inflight magazine and safety card.

Here you can see my iPhone cord plugged into the seat back next to the entertainment screen. Please be advised that like in most airplanes these days, should the person in front of you recline their seat all the way back, you will need to as well. On my flight home, the person in front of me reclined the seat back and the entertainment screen nearly touched my face, no exaggeration! Speaking of entertainment, the entertainment was sorely lacking, but pretty average airplane in-flight entertainment. Icelandair offered movies, TV shows (both Icelandic and American), games, and music. There was a short documentary about the volcano that erupted nearly two years ago, Eyjafjallajokull. If you don't remember how it halted travel in April 2010, this is a great article with amazing pictures of around that time period. I enjoyed watching the documentary, but the available movies were some oldies, but goodies like Braveheart, Gran Torino, I am Sam, Juno, etc. If you haven't seen them, this would be a great time to catch up, but if you have you might want to have some back up plans for entertaining yourself on the flight.

Please don't get the idea of from what I have written thus far that I didn't like Icelandair. In fact, I really liked the service from check in to the flight attendants on my flights. They are low key and yet highly professional. Sometimes when I fly I feel as though the flight attendants are asking me if I want something, anything just about every five minutes. I was able to get some sleep in on my flight to Iceland because they offered us something to drink when we first arrived on the plane, then after we took off they came around with meal service, and left us alone until about an hour before landing. For my meal service, I explained that I didn't eat meat or seafood and I was given a sandwich with vegetables. For an airline meal, the sandwich was really quite good. A nice crunchy, seedy bread with roasted peppers -- worked for me and the glass of wine I had helped me settle into my seat and doze comfortably for just a bit.

We arrived into Reykjavik earlier than planned and I was ecstatic. Since it was so early, I was hoping we could be on the road earlier so we could get to the hotel earlier. Upon arrival to the airport in Reyjkavik, you can grab your bags and be outside in probably under 10 minutes. I'm so used to the sun starting to rise when I am up at this time back home so to get outside of the airport and see darkness was a little strange. It was extremely dark, but also not as cold as I expected it to be. It was at this moment that I realized that I had truly packed the wrong items for this trip so I'll have to write more about that in another post to save you the trouble from doing the same. Since I was traveling with a large group for the conference, although we had landed at 6 am, I had to wait for other flights coming in from New York and Seattle for those people to get on the coach with us. Thank goodness I had my Cruize Cast podcasts to listen to otherwise I would have fallen asleep for sure. Here you can see the front of the airport as we pulled away for our hour long ride to Reykjavik to our hotel. Next time you'll experience my check in at Icelandair Hotel Reykjavik Natura and the beginning of my adventures in Iceland! Don't worry, I'll also get the Amsterdam posts up as well!

Marian Krueger
Email: mkrueger@travelshopgirl.com

Amsterdam Houseboat Rental | The Hotel Alternative

noreply@blogger.com (Marian Krueger) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 21:36:00 +0000

When most people travel, either in their own country or abroad, they usually think of their vacation including a stay in a hotel or a resort of some kind. But what if you don't want to do the touristy thing? What if by chance you want to live like a local? If you want to blend in and enjoy a stay in a foreign country to live like a local, there is a way you can do this easily. Many sites have existed where you can find a place to stay from the unusual Couch Surfing site to timeshares to a host of others. Maybe the idea of crashing on someone's couch doesn't appeal to you and maybe you're past the point of sleeping in a hostel. What choices are left besides staying in an American chain hotel in a foreign land?

Don't despair and sign up for the frequent stay program at Best Western so quickly. Instead, check out airbnb, a completely different way to consider travel. You can rent from over 19,000 properties in 192 countries around the globe. I found someone renting out a room close to where I live at home so you don't even need to go that far to find a rental! For my trip to Amsterdam, I wanted us to be close to the action, but I wasn't happy with the hotel choices I found. Since I had started looking fairly late in the game, my options were limited and I was absolutely not going to stay in one of the American chain hotels. Sometimes it works, but I didn't want an American experience in Amsterdam. I signed up, completed my profile, and started looking. There were many choices available so I started to narrow them down by price, location, and feedback on the rental, much in the same way that I would look at a hotel. With my choices narrowed down, I stumbled upon the most amazing houseboat rental from Simon and Jolanda and I knew this was the one. They had received excellent feedback and so I immediately got in touch with them about my rental dates.

If a property is not available for the dates you are interested in, it won't show up in your search results. I went ahead and booked the dates after conversing with the owners and made my plans for Amsterdam. Upon arrival in Amsterdam, Simon was kind enough to pick us up at the airport at an early 7 am. He drove us to the houseboat and even went out and picked up breakfast for us. Now I'm sure not every owner will be this hospitable, but I knew I had made the best possible choice for our stay in Amsterdam.

The houseboat was immaculate and recently renovated. Although on occasion you could feel the gentle swaying of the boat, it wasn't enough to make you ill. I loved having our own little place in Amsterdam to go to after a full day of sightseeing. The views were amazing and we were off the main canal so we didn't have the tourist boats going by constantly. We had all of the basic necessities such as a TV, dishwasher, refrigerator, stove, and a full bath and bedroom. If you like all of the amenities of staying in a hotel like the pool, fitness center, spa, restaurants, and so on, this might not work for you. But we weren't looking for those things and truly didn't miss them. In fact, I like being able to visit a supermarket where I'm traveling and bring food back so we can try them out. Didn't take me long to find not one, but two Albert Heijn supermarkets nearby.

On your next trip, really think about what appeals to you most. Is it having fresh towels and a newly made up bed every day? Or could you see yourself living in a neighborhood like a local? We knew we were blending in when people kept stopping us and asking us for directions. I would absolutely not hesitate to use airbnb again and hope to soon. How can you go wrong when you wake up in the morning and this is who greets you? Next up is more information and pictures from my New Year's trip to Amsterdam.

Marian Krueger
Email: mkrueger@travelshopgirl.com

Schiphol Airport | Amsterdam

noreply@blogger.com (Marian Krueger) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 20:41:00 +0000

Maybe I'm not like most people. Ok, let me try that again: I know I'm not like other people. It may seem weird to take pictures inside an airport, but yes -- that's what I do when I'm traveling. Not the type of pictures of people posing, but pictures that are practical and helpful for travelers like myself. Therefore, if you are in an airport and you some crazy lady taking pictures, it might just be me!

This picture is of my departure from Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam. When we arrived in Amsterdam it was 7:15 am and after flying for what felt like an eternity. Yes it was less than a two hour flight from Boston to Washington, DC and then a 7 1/2 hour flight to Amsterdam, but it felt like an eternity. Look how incredibly clean this airport is! Completely spotless through and through.

I especially liked that the airport's luggage trolley's are free! We connected through Newark International airport where they were $5.00 each and back home at Boston Logan International airport, they were $4.00. Free always sounds so much better to me! After picking up a trolley, wheel yourself around to one of the many stores like The Body Shop or the Nike Store. If shoppings not your thing, how about a drink or bite to eat at any one of the many restaurants and bars pre- or post-security all along Holland Boulevard, the main "avenue" in the airport. In addition to the typical post-security airline lounges, there are also places to get a massage, one of those crazy fish pedicures, a meditation center, hotels, a casino, and more.

Not in the mood to shop? Then why not visit the Schiphol Airport Library? Opened in 2010, I love the idea of being able to visit a library in the middle of an otherwise overly commercialized facility and not having to buy anything. There are a few iPads available to access the library's website for videos, photos, and music clips about Dutch artists, architects, and designers. If you like, there's also a download station where you can download material from the museum onto your smartphone to take with you. Open 24 hours, 7 days a week, this unstaffed library is just the thing for long layovers and a serious case of boredom. Even if you don't think you want to look at a book, visit the world's first airport library and sit on one of the crazy cool orange chairs. You'll get a great view of everyone passing by and it can make for some great people watching.

To pique your cultural interest, how about a visit to the Rijksmuseum Amsterdam Schiphol? Also located on Holland Boulevard, the main thoroughfare within the airport, you can take a peek inside at the world's first airport museum that was opened in 2002. From the Rijksmuseum Amsterdam Schiphol website: "The museum is open every day from 7:00 until 20:00 and admission is free. It houses a permanent exhibition of ten works by Dutch masters of the Golden Age from the Rijksmuseum's collection. The temporary exhibition changes a number of times a year." After your visit to the Rijksmuseum Amsterdam Schiphol, you can stop in at the museum shop and pick up a souvenir specially crafted for the museum. If for some reason your trip to Amsterdam didn't include a stop at the Rijksmuseum, don't despair and stop here before heading home.

This last image was the only one I have from my arrival into Amsterdam. We were tired and waiting for our ride and so this largely grey and ambiguous photo was taken. Although after 7 am, it was incredibly dark and this was one of those strange adjustments to make while in Amsterdam. Unlike in the U.S., there weren't any police or security around shooing people away from parking or standing. Just past the median by the crosswalk, you could park your car and get out to meet someone arriving. This isn't parking for a long period of time, but just to pick up, but it's far better than sitting in the typical "cell phone lot" that's a mile away from the terminal. The Schiphol Airport is one of my new favorite airports and certainly made our trip a fun one from start to finish. If you're not getting picked up, the train into Amsterdam is easy to access and getting tickets are super easy. In a future post I'll talk more about the train to the airport since that is how we arrived back at Schiphol Airport. Up next, where we stayed on our trip to Amsterdam. Think unusual and that's what we did!

Marian Krueger
Email: mkrueger@travelshopgirl.com

Fun Pics from the US Virgin Islands

noreply@blogger.com (Marian Krueger) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 20:54:00 +0000

After taking so many pictures while visiting the Virgin Islands, I had to post these final ones that hadn't made into my blog in previous posts. Remember, you can click on any of the images to make them larger.

Beautiful view of Havensight cruise port in Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas from a side street.

This was an interesting sign that was near the St. Thomas Synagogue. Apparently, this parking spot has been reserved for some time.

While on the way to the ferry to St. John, I noticed this little restaurant in St. Thomas. Taco Hell: Scary, but intriguing enough to make you want to try the food there, don't you think?

A breathtaking vista after my Reef Bay Trail hike on St. John. The views were amazing!

Another view of Trunk Bay beach on St. John. Although I didn't get to it on this trip, the pictures were beautiful even from the high up vantage point I was at.

One of the pools at The Buccaneer resort on St. Croix. What a great way to spend the day with incredible views of the water.

As you can tell from my many posts from my trip to the Virgin Islands, I highly recommend taking a trip to the USVI, whether by plane or by cruise ship. If you have a moment, check out one of the many blog posts I wrote during December 2011 and January 2012 about St. Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix and consider your next vacation one in the US Virgin Islands.

Marian Krueger
Email: mkrueger@travelshopgirl.com

Pictures of Flora and Fauna of the US Virgin Islands | USVI

noreply@blogger.com (Marian Krueger) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 21:10:00 +0000

Before we leave the US Virgin Islands and head to our next destination, I wanted to include some pictures of the flora and fauna during my trip. Don't forget that you can click on each picture in my blog to see a larger image. Enjoy!

Rooster running in the streets of Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas with a few pigeon friends.

A Ginger Thomas flower seen during my historical walking tour of Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas. The Ginger Thomas is the official flower of the US Virgin Islands.

Pretty flowers and a cute black cat hiding behind them in Charlotte Amalie.

After climbing the 99 Steps in Charlotte Amalie, I spotted this tree. I tried to research the name of this tree and what the fruit is that is on it, but I had no luck. If you know, please leave a comment.

Check out this fuzzy little grey bird who lives at the Westin St. John resort. How lucky is he?

Beautiful hibiscus flowers at the world famous Mountain Top in St. Thomas.

How could I omit a picture of one of the beer drinking pigs from the Domino Club in St. Croix?

I loved the tie-dyed appearance of these flowers on the grounds of the Ritz-Carlton Resort in St. Thomas.

What could be a better way to end then this post than with a striking purple Bougainvillea.

Marian Krueger
Email: mkrueger@travelshopgirl.com

Update to Reef Bay Trail: How to Gain Access to the Park with NPS | St. John, USVI

noreply@blogger.com (Marian Krueger) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 14:29:00 +0000

The Development Director of the Friends of VI National Park sent out an email last week regarding the Reef Bay Trail. This is newly updated information on how to gain access to Reef Bay Trail if you are looking to hike with the National Park Service. If you are planning a hike on your own, this won't affect you, but if you are looking to hike Reef Bay Trail with the National Park Service, the process has changed.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 1/13/12
New Reservation Policy for National Park Service Ranger-led Reef Bay Hike
Friends of Virgin Islands National Park and Virgin Islands National Park announce a change in reservation policy for the National Park Service ranger-led hike to Reef Bay, the premier hiking opportunity in Virgin Islands National Park.

• Reservations and purchase of transportation vouchers for the Reef Bay Hike, led by Virgin Islands National Park Service rangers, will now be done through the Friends of the Park Store on the 1st level of Mongoose Junction. Vouchers may also be purchased by phone at 340-779-8700.
• Vouchers for transportation will need to be purchased at the time of reservation for $30 per hiker.
• The maximum number of hikers on any given trip will be 31. We will maintain a waiting list once hikes are filled up and we will notify those on the list as vacancies occur.
• Vouchers for the Reef Bay Hike will be available on the day of the hike on a space available basis; but this is a very popular activity and advance reservations are highly recommended.
• Enquiries about reservations for the hike at the National Park Service Visitor Center will be directed by counter staff to the Friends of the Park Store.
• The schedule for trips will be as follows:
o January – March: 4 trips/week (Mon, Tue, Thu, & Fri)
o April – July: 3 trips/week (Mon, Tue, & Thu)
o August – October: 2 trips/week (Mon & Thu)
o November – December: 3 trips/week (Mon, Tue, & Thu)
The frequency of trips may be modified by the NPS based on demand or other conditions.
• All details of the trip will remain the same: the taxi to the Reef Bay Trailhead will depart the National Park Visitors Center promptly at 9:30 and return to Cruz Bay by boat by 2:30pm - 3:00 pm.
• Vouchers should be picked up from the Friends of the Park Store in Mongoose Junction, and we encourage pick up in the days prior to the hike. If you must pick up your voucher on the day of the hike, please do so by 9:00 am, when the store opens.
• You must have your vouchers in hand to board the taxi from the NPS Visitor’s Center at 9:30 am, and to present to the boat crew at Reef Bay.
• Cancellation policies are as follows;
• If the hike is cancelled by the NPS, voucher-holders will receive a full refund or may rebook
the trip at no additional charge
• If a reservation is cancel more than 24 hours before the start of the hike you may rebook the
hike at no additional charge, or receive a full refund
• There are no refunds for ‘no-shows” or elective cancellations within 24 hours of the trip.
• Call the Friends of the Park Store at 340-779-8700 for last minute questions or to cancel your reservation.
• Vouchers are not transferrable.
Thank you for hiking the Reef Bay Trail with Virgin Islands National Park!

If you haven't seen my original post from December about my hike, check it out here. If you are thinking about a trip to St. John, I highly encourage trying out Reef Bay Trail. It is definitely worth the sweat, tears, and the trip.

Marian Krueger
Email: mkrueger@travelshopgirl.com

Business Class Flight Review to Amsterdam | Continental Airlines

noreply@blogger.com (Marian Krueger) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 21:59:00 +0000

Let's be honest here. When United and Continental Airlines merged in October 2010, I really could have cared less. Yes, I do fly often, but like most consumers, I didn't see how it would affect me personally. Now over a year later, I can see how it affects not only me, but all travelers. As airlines merge, they cut flights, reduce the number of planes available in and out of certain airports, and all of this ends up meaning less choice and higher prices. We've seen the cost of flights increase and fewer seats available on flights all the while the airlines are telling us about the great choices we have. I'm still waiting to see these choices.

Regardless of how I might feel about getting ripped off by the airlines, I pushed those emotions aside and decided that my husband and I needed to do something different for New Year's. First Night in Boston is fun, but I wanted a different experience. Here's what we decided to do: We are going to spend New Year's in a different city each year starting with the letter A. First up is Amsterdam! There was one thing we knew for sure, which was that we would fly Business Class to Europe. Since we were leaving the day after Christmas, we knew flights might be expensive, but we had to go Business Class. My husband is 6' tall and those long flights kill him squeezed into such a small space. Add to that the person who sits in front of him on any flight usually ends up reclining their seat way back upon take off, which results in one uncomfortable spouse on a very long trip.

Our son stayed with my in-laws for the week while we packed our bags and headed off to the airport. We parked in Central Parking at Boston Logan International airport and made our way inside the terminal. I checked in online, but didn't print my tickets and so we went to a ticket agent to check in and check our bags. For whatever reason, the United ticket agent said we could only get our tickets for the first leg of our flight to Washington (IAD) and had to get the ticket for the leg to Amsterdam at IAD. Strange, but what can you do? We checked our bags and made our way to the United Club lounge where we were turned away because we aren't "members." The woman at the desk was rude and refused to listen to anything I had to say and instead of arguing with a stranger about how she was wrong, I wanted my trip to start off right and walked away. We walked over to UFood Grill and grabbed a couple of veggie burgers since we hadn't had lunch. For what it's worth -- the veggie burgers are microwaved Boca Burgers and not worth the price they charge you. However, when you're hungry you'll probably pay for anything. We didn't have to wait long to board our short, 1 hour and 50 minute flight to IAD. After checking in at the gate, we were able to get tickets and enter the United Club without issue. Our layover was a short one and before we knew it, it was time to board the flight to Amsterdam.

With two seats on each side of the aisle in Business First compared to three seats on either side of the aisle in coach, I wasn't about to complain about the extra room. The pitch in Business First is 55" vs. 31" in coach and the seat width is 20" in Business First vs. 17.2" in coach. They boast about their lie flat seats and I have to say, they were pretty nice. Then again I can sleep just about anywhere and was able to sleep on both flights without issue while my husband fought sleep at every turn. The leg room, wider seats, USB port, outlet, headphone jack, and large personal monitor for watching movies or TV shows were nice. The negatives include the small amount of space for your feet under the monitor and really no place to put your belongings in front of you although there is sufficient room to put a few things behind your head. The little ledge in front of you by the monitor states that you can't have anything stored here during takeoff and if you do, you'll get to see them fly around the cabin so do be careful. My biggest problem ended up being both the food and the service in Business First. I certainly don't choose business class because of the food, but when the food served in Business First is probably worse than that in coach class, you know things are bad.

Our flight to Amsterdam was uneventful. Service was subdued and the flight attendants were professional, did their jobs, but didn't do anything above and beyond the normal and I wouldn't exactly call them friendly. They kind of reminded me of bank tellers. You know, you go and get your money, but they do it hundreds of times a day and by the time they get to you they have lost any interest in what they are doing altogether. I was ok with that because I wanted to sleep the majority of the flight. The in-flight entertainment was abysmal with few decent choices and a majority of really bad ones. I was able to watch Glee: The Movie and an episode of CSI: NY, but that was about it. They, of course, had a cable for sale in their duty free magazine which you could connect to your iPhone, iPad, etc. and watch on the screen, but really? I have to pay for that? Never mind -- I'll just sleep, thank you very much.

Apparently, I must have slept through everything on my flight to Amsterdam as I didn't take any photos of the food, but my return flight was worthy of pics. Our flight was at 9:15 am and this is what they served me. Yes, that's their "vegetarian meal." Of course, it was served after the appetizer course, which was some sort of spongy vegetable terrine that makes another appearance later on in this flight. Suffice it to say this tray went back to the flight attendant the same way that she brought it to me. That my friends is canned peas, carrots, and green beans over Minute Rice with a couple of tomatoes, broccoli, and a pretty parsley garnish. I don't serve food like that at home and I'm not about to eat it in Business class. I'm not try to sound snobbish or elitist, but c'mon. It was insulting enough to look at, but to serve it in the morning? What is wrong with these people? When the flight attendant came by and took my tray, she didn't ask if there was a problem with my meal. Could be because she was too busy engaging in arguments with every other flight attendant on board in front of passengers or because she was in a tremendous rush to complete the most minimum of duties before disappearing entirely from service. Between the main meal service and the last meal service, the flight attendants in coach were the ones working Business First because this flight attendant went MIA. When she asked me a question about beverages, my ears were popping and it was loud in the cabin, and I couldn't hear her. She rolled her eyes at me and repeated herself. I couldn't believe the lack of maturity and professionalism that this flight attendant possessed. It was truly appalling.

Remember the spongy vegetable terrine they served as my appetizer after boarding the flight? Well, it made a second showing as part of my sandwich in what they served about an hour before landing. The food and the service was completely lackluster on both international flights in Business First on Continental. After returning home, I did contact Continental by email and explained the issues with the flight attendant as well as the food. Their response was actually no response. This is what they said:

Thank you again for taking time to let us know about your recent experience with Continental Airlines. An Electronic Travel Certificate has been issued to you valid towards the purchase of one electronic airline ticket, where eligible, on Continental up to $100.00.

No apology, no "we're contacting the flight crew to discuss this situation and make sure it doesn't happen again," nothing. Clearly customer service and retention of customers is not a priority otherwise their response could have and truly should have been different.

If I had paid for an Economy class seat and received this type of service, I hate to admit it, but I probably wouldn't have been surprised. Service has been deteriorating for years and we all know it. However, when we sacrifice on a daily basis to enjoy our travels, including paying the extra money to fly in Business class, this type of situation is alarming. I had to make quite a few sacrifices in order to afford these tickets and I don't feel as if the quality of the service matched what I paid. Next time my money will go toward an airline who can provide the service that I expect. Personally, I neither could recommend Continental, which is in the process of being called simply United, nor will I ever choose them first over other airlines.

What's your favorite airline for First or Business Class? I want to know! Feel free to comment and share your experiences with others here.

Marian Krueger
Email: mkrueger@travelshopgirl.com

Asha | Shopping in Christiansted, St. Croix USVI

noreply@blogger.com (Marian Krueger) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 21:19:00 +0000

Maybe you're visiting Christiansted for the week and can explore Christiansted at your leisure. Perhaps you're only in the port of Frederiksted for day while on a cruise. If it's the latter, take the 30-minute ride over to Christiansted and take in the views, some great food, and of course, some great shopping. If you're like me and can't imagine traveling to new locales without shopping, then you will absolutely enjoy yourself in St. Croix.

I tend to shy away from purchases that are run of the mill, where I know everyone else has the same item. For example, although the Crucian Hook Bracelet is a popular item, I couldn't bring myself to buy something that so many other people would be wearing. Instead, I tend to seek out items from local artisans for more traditional, local products for a bit of the unusual.

One of the shops that I visited on this trip is called Asha and it is located on the ever popular Company Street area of Christiansted. Walk past the dress form on the sidewalk, up the stairs, into the store, and into a world filled with jewelry, clothing, and accessories of all kinds. Although the web site isn't quite done yet, Asha does have a FaceBook page and I suggest "liking" it to stay updated on all their latest news. The store is filled throughout with items and when you think you have seen everything, you'll turn a corner and there's more. I was fortunate enough to meet the owner, Sara Jane Mace, while I was there. An energetic Brit, she lives part-time in Breckenridge, CO and part-time in St. Croix. The store reflects her bright and bubbly personality although some might find the place overwhelming and cluttered. I personally don't feel that way and I thoroughly enjoyed combing through all the items in search of a treasure. You could easily drop a lot of money in Asha and still leave feeling as if you didn't buy enough.

Prior to owning the store, Ms. Mace used to sell her goods at fairs or markets and wherever one might set up a table and sell their goods. She still enjoys doing that, but owning her store in Christiansted does limit the time she can do that. Here's what I really liked about Asha. Ms. Mace doesn't just order clothing and jewelry and stock her store so customers can buy goods while visiting St. Croix. Much of the clothing that she sells in her store bears the Asha label. She sources the material that she likes and works with a designer from Italy to create her own unique look for her label. Therefore, when you wear an Asha dress, it truly is something completely different and it's safe to say that when you're back home, no one else will have it. In addition, you can ask her about anything in the store and there will always be a great story behind it.

An example of this would be these great necklaces, one of which I had to have. These are "Scoobie wire" or telephone wire necklaces made in South Africa. There was a little placard nearby that said the following: "Scoobie wire (plastic coated wire) is an integral part of the South African craft scene. The miners who migrated from the rural areas to the urban areas were all proficient in grass weaving and plating. They started transferring these skills to materials that they could find around the mines, mainly electrical wires and later telephone wires. This is a skill owned by the South African people. In almost every community there are men and women who can work with Scoobie wire." Although I had every intention of buying something made by local artisans, learning about Scoobie wire plus really liking the look of the necklace made this a no brainer. If I can, like Ms. Mace, support artisans around the world, then why shouldn't I? If you're looking for handcrafted jewelry, environmentally friendly bags from Blue Q, a one of a kind designer Asha dress, or a host of other novel products, then head on over to Asha and bring your wallet. I dare you to leave empty handed!

Asha
2110 Company St.
Christiansted, VI 00820
(340) 778-2742

Marian Krueger
Email: mkrueger@travelshopgirl.com

LALITA Juice Bar & Health Food Restaurant | St. Croix, USVI

noreply@blogger.com (Marian Krueger) — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 22:18:00 +0000

One of the highlights on my trip to the US Virgin Islands was my visit to Lalita Juice Bar & Health Food Restaurant. Lalita, part of the Kalima Center Inc. Health and Holistic Living, I knew I would be able to have lunch and choose anything off the menu. For most people, you go to a restaurant and you can pick pretty much what you like from the entire menu. Vegetarians and vegans aren't as fortunate and we are often left with a singular option, most times being a vegetable platter, a cheese sandwich, or a salad. Lalita meant I would have options and believe me, I like options!

Located in Christiansted, it's only about a 30-minute drive from the cruise port in Frederiksted if you're coming into St. Croix by cruise ship. The Kalima Center Inc. is run by Dr. Cheryl Wade, a general surgeon who offers a "balanced perspective of traditional principles and techniques with attention to modern Medicine and Surgery." From an interview in the St. Croix Source: Wade opened Kalima Center Inc. and Lalita after seeing "a profound ignorance to healthy eating in her practice. 'I began thinking what could I do to make my life better and to share that with others.'

Even if you're not visiting Kalima for medical care, you can stop by the yoga studio, sauna, workshops, or stop in for a bite to eat at Lalita, like I did. Lalita is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner from 9:30 am until 9:00 pm. The decor is warm and inviting with warm colors on the walls, wood furniture, and a view of the courtyard. In the fountain at the center of the courtyard are koi fish and many of them. If you want a seat at the counter, jump on up and watch as they prepare your smoothie or food. Otherwise, there are plenty of tables for parties of 2, 4, or larger. I immediately noticed that there were several people with laptops in the restaurant. Lalita has free high speed wireless internet access available and people were there to enjoy it as well as the food. The service is attentive and if you need an explanation of anything, don't hesitate to ask.

I decided to start my lunch with soup and ordered the Cruzan Black Bean soup only to find out that they were out of the soup. Not to be deterred from having soup that day, I asked my server what she would recommend. Her answer was the Spicy Carrot Soup and although extremely hesitant to order carrot soup, I did anyway. The pureed carrot soup with ginger and lime is beautifully presented with a decorative swirl. Who would have known that the first time trying carrot soup I would like it, but I did! I can't recall what the number of my smoothie was or the name, but it had dates and almond milk I believe and it was also really good. They have 15 types of smoothies and 10 types of vegetable and fruit juices as well as water, tea, and local drinks (ginger root or lime squash). I was giddy like a school girl with the abundance of choices at Lalita.

Not only did I order soup, but I also ordered a sandwich. Served either on a whole wheat baguette or a wrap (choice of garlic & herb, tomato & basil, or spinach & basil), there are quite a few choices available from "The Works" to "The Hummer" to the one I chose, the "Chiang Mai Express." A simple sandwich with carrot, coconut, red bell pepper, purple & green cabbage, zucchini, apple, avocado, hummus, lettuce, sesame dressing, and Thai sauce. Delicious! Fresh, crunchy, and overall just super yummy! After eating so much on this trip, it felt good to have salad and something on the lighter side. As you can see, the portions are huge so you can share a sandwich or an entree and try more of the tantalizing options available. Entrees you ask? How about the Coconut Pad Thai, the Zucchini Fettuchini, or Lasagna made with layers of zucchini. And yes, they do have dessert including Cashew and Cacao Gelato, Vegan Cheesecake, Coconut Banana Pie, and on the day I was there, Macaroons.

For a delicious, healthy meal, I encourage you to stop by Lalita and stay open to the food choices on the menu. Be adventurous and you'll not only be surprised at how great the food is, but how great you'll feel afterwards. If you're feeling really adventurous, stop by the yoga studio or sauna afterwards for a real treat!

Kalima Center Inc.
Lalita Juice Bar & Health Food Restaurant
#54 King Street, Christiansted
St. Croix, Virgin Islands
340-719-4417
Lalita now accepts MasterCard and Visa as well as cash or local checks

Marian Krueger
Email: mkrueger@travelshopgirl.com

Mitchell Larsen Studio | Shopping in St. Croix, USVI

noreply@blogger.com (Marian Krueger) — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 17:50:00 +0000

On my last day in St. Croix, I knew I had to get in a little shopping before heading home. With only a few hours before my flight, I had the opportunity to check out a few stores in Christiansted. One of these stores was the Mitchell Larsen Studio on Company Street. As you enter the store, you'll see a wall full of plates on the left hand side and at first I wasn't sure this was the store for me. But upon further inspection, I was indeed glad I stepped inside the store. An assortment of Christmas ornaments were located just under the plates and I knew I had to have one as a gift for my in-laws. What I didn't realize was that Jan Mitchell was one of the artists who creates special ornaments for the White House every year. I chose one of the "Three Kings" ornaments, the same one that adorned the 2011 White House "Tree of Peace" this past Christmas season.

From the Mitchell Larsen Studio web site:

"Jan Mitchell Larsen majored in sculpture and design at the Philadelphia College of Art. Samples of her work can be seen in the Permanent Collection of the Smithsonian, the Thompson Museum in Kentucky, the National Guard Armory on St. Croix, Roosevelt Park on St. Thomas, and Veterans Park on St. Croix. She has designed & crafted ornaments for the National Christmas Tree of Peace for the past 15 years."

In addition to Jan's work with art glass are the photographics by Steffen Larsen. If you're looking to capture images of your stay on St. Croix, consider taking back on of Steffen's images with you. Items are sold rolled and placed inside a shipping tube for easier carrying through the airport or can be shipped home on your behalf.

With limited space in my suitcase for large items, I instead opted for something small from the Mitchell Larsen Studio. After looking at all of the ornaments, I decided on something a little different, the Hamsa Hand. From the accompanying informational sheet: "The Hamsa Hand is a Middle Eastern Symbol for Magical protection and Good luck from the Envious evil eye." I'll take any help from wherever I can get it and so the Hamsa Hand seemed like the perfect choice for me. It is quite beautiful and once hung up in my home, I'm sure it will look great with sunlight shining through it.

Open since 1992, the Mitchell Larsen Studio has been providing high-quality, personalized art glass to both tourists and locals. If you're looking for a unique gift for yourself or someone else, I definitely would stop in the Mitchell Larsen Studio and look over all of the fabulous art glass and photographics. You won't be able to return home without buying something, I guarantee!

Mitchell Larsen Studio
Address: 2000 Company Street
Christiansted, VI 00824
Email: info@mitchelllarsenstudio.com
Toll Free: 888.307.8183 (North America Only)
Direct Line: 340.719.1000

Marian Krueger
Email: mkrueger@travelshopgirl.com

Beer Drinking Pigs at Mt. Pellier Domino Club | St. Croix, USVI

noreply@blogger.com (Marian Krueger) — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 22:17:00 +0000

Believe me on this one -- I'm not making it up. This is one of the famous beer drinking pigs of Mt. Pellier Domino Club on St. Croix, USVI. Just when you think you have seen absolutely everything in this world, the beer drinking pigs come along. After my lunch at Café Christine, my driver, Joseph, picked me up and we drove out to west side of St. Croix to the Mt. Pellier Domino Club. Here's a little history from VInow.com:

It all started over 20 years ago. George and Norma, the owners of the place, were farmers. They had many pigs and had decided to downsize on the number. They had sold almost all of them; Ms. Piggy and Buster Pig were kept. Folks would come by the property from time to time, and it happened one fine day that a visitor walked passed Buster, with a beer in his hand, and Buster helped himself!! A star was born. As time would have it, folks kept coming by to visit George and Norma, to have a beer and play dominos and so developed the Domino Club! Visitors would give Buster a beer for sport, since he had indicated his liking for it the day he lifted his first one! Combine the two and you have the Beer Drinking Pigs of the Mt. Pellier Domino Club!

Here's my video of my encounter with the Mt. Pellier Domino Club beer drinking pigs:

When you arrive at the Mt. Pellier Domino Club, you'll see a bar area with a thatched roof and most likely, lots of people hanging out having a few drinks and enjoying themselves. Norma will most likely be behind the bar and she'll encourage you to have a "Mama Wanna" - a house specialty drink that appears to be everyone's favorite. The sign says that their hours of operation are "8 AM - UNTIL." You can have a drink or two at the bar before heading over to see the pigs and you're encouraged to have a few after as well. They do charge admission, which is $1.00 for all visitors as well as $2.00 for a non-alcoholic beer and $3.00 if you videotape the pigs. They used to give the pigs regular beer, but then they would drink too much and pass out. But no one wants to pay to see pigs that drink beer and pass out so they had to change things up, which is why the beer of choice is a non-alcoholic beer. We were escorted over to where the pigs live by Coretta who told me their names and gave me a little history about them. If you listen to the video, you can hear her saying that they are gentle and won't hurt anyone. I wanted to believe that, but the size of the big pigs were nothing short of mammoth. I had never seen a pig so large before, but that's because no one ever lets a pig get big naturally.

Norma, her family, and the staff at the Domino Club haven't forgotten about Buster, the original pig that started it all. He has since passed, but is buried on the grounds of the Domino Club. You can stop by and pay your respects to the beer loving pig that started the trend. I asked Joseph if anyone else had a beer drinking pig on St. Croix and he said, "No." I was shocked as I would think there would be great competition with beer drinking goats, cows, sheep, and dogs, but I guess I was completely wrong. The only beer drinking animal on St. Croix is at the Mt. Pellier Domino Club or at least the only one where you're charged admission to see it.

After we watched the pigs down a few beers, we headed back over to the bar area to sit for a little while before heading back to The Buccaneer. As it was December, they had decorated the Domino Club with Christmas decorations to the already eclectic decor. Simply pull up a bar stool or sit at a table and stay a while. People will sit and drink or eat and play cards or dominos. This is what taking it slow and relaxing really means.

I watched as the bartenders at the Mt. Pellier Domino Club poured out glass after glass of Norma's famous "Mama Wanna" drinks as well as beers, but they were also portioning out something else. They had freshly made hot sauce available for sale. I toyed with the idea of buying some to take back home, but it was too big for my carry on luggage and was packaged in a glass bottle so it would never survive in my checked bag. It would, however, probably taste great with the food offerings that Norma serves. In addition to their regular menu, Wednesday and Thursday is burger day and Friday is Roti with beef, chicken, shrimp, veggie or combo (Trinidad's spicy curry wrap). For what it's worth, real roti uses a roti wrapper made of chickpeas. If it looks like a tortilla, you're not eating a real roti. They serve breakfast as well on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.

The pigs are well trained and clearly know what they need to do to get their drink on. I was shocked that they were like dogs, jumping up on the gate door, waiting with baited breath for just one more can of their beloved precious nectar. They can stand up and perch their heads up on the gate door and you can't help but think, if only for a second, how cute they are. That is until you remember they are beer drinking pigs and pigs have a distinct pig-like smell. That's when you suddenly remember you probably have somewhere to be. Whether you're looking to see the beer drinking pigs exclusively or if you're pondering an afternoon or evening of fun far removed from downtown, stop by the Mt. Pellier Domino Club for an experience you won't soon forget.

Mt. Pellier Domino Club
Mahogany Rd. Route 76
St Croix, US Virgin Islands
Phone: (340) 713-9052

Marian Krueger
Email: mkrueger@travelshopgirl.com