Tripsphotos

Australia and a 30 Day Cruise

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea Harold Divine Handbags & Accessories) — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 01:00:00 +0000

We will be gone from October 12 - November 30th. A trip to Australia and slow cruise back through New Zealand, Tahiti, Tsumani-land (Sumatras!), and Hawaii have called to us. Love being semi-retired - love to travel. This time on the Princess Cruise line - the brochure looks good. Still find the best deals on long, one-way repositioning cruises and discovered that Costco is well worth the membership fee when booking a cruise and the insurance. Good deals to be had. Will post some photos on our adventure - certainly hope to get some good ones.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving celebration.

While not travel industry experts, we do have the ordinary traveler's view of being on the road: lost, sick, poor hotels, luggage gone astray, public transportation, and we've been poked and questioned by Security.

We'd love to hear your experiences too and answer any questions we can. Reach us at: NewBiz61@aol.com and we will answer ASAP. Happy Trails to you.

Planning a Cruise - Getting a Good Deal!

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea Harold Divine Handbags & Accessories) — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 20:52:00 +0000

Repositioning Cruises - a Wonderful Deal - Who Knew??

With the economy in the tank, food costs rising and gas steadily sneaking up price-wise again, we didn't think we would be able to afford a Big Trip this year. While discussing possibilities, and surfing the net, we came upon Royal Caribbean and their list of cruises for the spring.

One of the first things we noticed on their site was the term "Repositioning Cruise." This is a one-way cruise wherein the ship is "repositioned" to cruise a different set of cities for the upcoming winter or summer season. Our ship is spending the summer doing a Baltic tour and is repositioning from the winter's Carribbean ports. We have heard of these kinds of cruises before, but had not checked them out. With prices ranging from a low of $399 for a 14 DAY CRUISE, we decided to have a very serious look at this!

We saw one cruise leaving from Ft. Lauderdale, FL and ending in Southhampton, England. This looked ideal for us, as we live in Florida. And the ship was the new Independence - which we really wanted to see. We talked about it, discussed it with friends, and several days later went back to the website to sign up. Wellllllll ..... this offer was all gone.

First lesson - BE QUICK to act when you decide upon an offer like this. Often they are sold out within the first 24 hours or less. Very disappointed, we called the cruise line to see if anyone had canceled (ha!) and were told of another cruise - same prices - leaving from Santo Domingo and ending up in Harwich, England. This time we said "sign us up" on the spot. We grabbed an upgrade too - a balcony room for only $549 pp. With port taxes, travel insurance and the usual fees (no fuel surcharge, which surprised us -happily) - we figure the base price to be about $48/day each. Can't beat it - 3 meals per day, entertainment, room service, beautiful ship and great itinerary.

We are going from Santo Domingo to Philipsburg, St. Maarten, to Funchal, Madeira, Portugal, next to Lisbon, Portugal and then Vigo and La Coruna, Spain. We end up at Harwich in England.

Despite the cost of airfare - and we managed to use some Frequent Flier miles - the cost of this 2-week holiday stayed within reason showing that there are some good deals to be had during these harsh economic times. The car will have to last another year or two, but we'll enjoy memories of this trip for years to come. Now if we can only stay out of the casino!

In my next post, I will cover some of the packing challenges and necessary things to take along.

ps - that is me in the parasail over the ship - bottom photo above! See, I'm waving.

This Woman Goes Hunting in North Carolina

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea Harold Divine Handbags & Accessories) — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 18:54:00 +0000

Traveling the North Carolina Roads
Hunting for Bargains & Fall Foliage

When this woman went hunting in North Carolina this fall, it was not for deer, moose, bunnies, pheasants or men. I was far more interested in stalking the elusive, and reportedly infamous, after-market furniture sales in High Point and Hickory. I had my sights on a new dining room and a new bedroom set.
My husband was in on the hunt and we packed up our warmer clothes, camera, water bottles and checkbook and headed out. We took I95 from Florida to North Carolina and made our way over to High Point. Along the way we were excited and a bit dazzled by the fall foliage that was still bright and scattered over the roadsides. We knew our timing was “off peak” leaf-ing season by a couple of weeks, so we were happily surprised by the colors that still remained.
High Point was indeed a place of big and varied furniture stores as well as smaller ones that sold largely through catalogues. One place we visited, Furnitureland South, took almost a whole day to go through - and we had to stop for lunch! Other shoppers have apparently felt the same way because the smart people at Furnitureland South had a restaurant filled with bracing soups and sandwiches and coffee right there on the premises.
Furnitureland South’s brag was that they offered 1 million square feet of furniture showroom with, oh I don’t know, probably a gazillion different manufacturers and pieces displayed. We went through the clearance center first, then the main showroom, then Lunch (!) - then Building 3 - another showroom of designer pieces. Indeed, many of these items were works of art made from beautiful woods and fabrics, with price tags to match. Tables at $55,000.00 were the norm, with chairs ranging upwards of $2,000.00 each. Truly beautiful furniture - and way out of our league. However, we did find some suites that were in our range, so we happily made notes and took pictures before we left for Hickory and more fabled furniture sales.
I40, the road we took between High Point and Hickory again showed its best fall colors. Golds, burnt orange, bits of green and a flash of red were all on display as we drove along through crystal clear bright sunshine. We could not have ordered a better day.
In Hickory, we hit Catawba Furniture Mall, that advertised special “after market” prices. The “market” referred to the semi-annual show that furniture retail dealers attend to buy new inventory for their individual stores. These sale items were floor samples and leftovers. Here there were some truly good buys and we found ourselves wishing we had come in a truck so we could load up the best buys and take them right home. Of course, they do deliver, but we found that the shipping charges between North Carolina and Florida would wipe out our really good deals money wise. So we contented ourselves with looking, making notes and getting many good ideas. Now we know what we want and when we see a sale near home, we’ll know a good buy.
Hunting in North Carolina in mid-late November proved to be a wonderful experience. It was cool enough for a light jacket (a wonderful thing for Floridians who have been breaking out in constant sweats since April!), the leaves were still beautiful, the hotel rates were better, the restaurants were not overcrowded, and there were many good deals to be had. If you go, wear good shoes because you will do a lot of walking - inside these stores! Be prepared to be befuddled by the many, many options offered. The “sights” are beautiful. And, if you do “bag” a great bargain, remember it can’t go home tied to your car - figure the shipping costs into your good deal.
Happy Hunting!

While not travel industry experts, we do have the ordinary traveler's view of being on the road: lost, sick, poor hotels, luggage gone astray, public transportation, and we've been poked and questioned by Security.

We'd love to hear your experiences too and answer any questions we can. Reach us at: NewBiz61@aol.com and we will answer ASAP. Happy Trails to you.

Tripsphotos

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea Harold Divine Handbags & Accessories) — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 22:24:00 +0000

Tripsphotos

While not travel industry experts, we do have the ordinary traveler's view of being on the road: lost, sick, poor hotels, luggage gone astray, public transportation, and we've been poked and questioned by Security.

We'd love to hear your experiences too and answer any questions we can. Reach us at: NewBiz61@aol.com and we will answer ASAP. Happy Trails to you.

When signs don't make sense to Travelers

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea Harold Divine Handbags & Accessories) — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 22:41:00 +0000

As we travel through the U.S. we often come upon signs that don't make their meanings clear. Some are funny, some can be figured out with a little deep thinking, and others can leave you hanging on a limb with no idea of what to do.

In Glacier National Park recently, my daughter (in a convertible no less) drove by these darling bears. How cute - a mother with its cubs. "Was the top on the car up at least?" I asked. Guess the answer. ("No.")

Posted in the park is this sign:
"Entering Grizzly Country. You are entering a wilderness area and must accept certain inherent dangers, including snow, steep terrain, water and wildlife. There are no guarantees of your safety. Bears have injured and killed visitors and may attack without warning and for no apparent reason. To enhance your safety and protect park resources, follow the recommendations posted below."
Note: There is nothing “posted below!!”

Now what? you might ask. Room for a lawsuit here?

Personally, I like instructions that are a little more explicit. "Be careful," I can think of all on my own, especially when in the wilderness, on highways, and in crowded taverns.

You do have to wonder who comes up with some of these "informational signs." See if you can figure out these:

Having been lost often enough, going round and around the same landmarks for at least two hours - I don't need any more signs like this one. Something simple that says, "There is no way out," or "Go back the way you came," would actually be more to the point. Faced with this, the best choice seems to be to sit there and cry while hoping for dark and a celestial navigator to wander by.

Storm coming - Storm coming - Do Something - Hurry! That much is clear. However, I can think of running away from a tornado or hurricane on my own. What I need to know is: where is the shelter?

Now these two I can figure out. Just hold my hand and give me a big Margarita. simple, clear, to the point. That's a sign writer I like!

We'd love to hear your experiences too and answer any questions we can. Reach us at: NewBiz61@aol.com and we will answer ASAP. Happy Trails to you.

Montana is calling! Come see Glacier National Park

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea Harold Divine Handbags & Accessories) — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 21:31:00 +0000

Whew! Did not believe it would be so long before I could write another blog, but time keeps fleeing. Managed to spend a week in Las Vegas in the interim too. Hot!!

While I am not the one who was lucky enough to travel to Montana, my daughter was and is happy to share some of her wonderful photos with us. She was lucky enough to sight a few bears, bear cubs, deer and elk along the way. Her escort was a tour helicopter pilot and he had seen a waterfall on many of his trips over the park. He thought it would be an excellent idea to trek up to the waterfall on foot. Well, after two blackened knees from falling, my daughter said it was well worth the trek - absolutely wonderful. However, wasn't it nice that they didn't run into any bears along the way! I hope you enjoy the photos. Will add a few more in the next day or so.

Seeing France on a Motor Coach Schedule

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea Harold Divine Handbags & Accessories) — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 01:15:00 +0000

Wonderful France 11 day Motor Coach Tour Highlights:
· Beaune · Avignon · Pont du Gard · Les Baux-de-Provence · Arles
· Aix-en-Provence · St. Tropez · Nice · Monaco · Cannes
· Route Napoleon · Lyon · Dijon · Paris

The tour provided a wonderful variety of places to visit - a taste of the medieval, sights of the lush greenery of French countryside, sweeping views of the Mediterranean coast, the fabulous cities of Paris, Cannes, and Monaco - all on one tour. We traveled with friends and made some new companions among our tour group which made for wonderful lunch and dinner conversation, tour experiences, and just plain fun. The only negative we heard was that there was a lot of "bus time" - driving - on this tour and not enough touring time. Well, this was the tour we chose and it did cover a good part of France - so ones goes with the other. If a lot of time in a moving vehicle is not your thing - then choose a tour with a shorter route. My husband and I were fine with the "down time" on the bus, and the active tour time in each place. We even got to gamble away some euros in a Monte Carlo casino! I have included an overview of this tour which we enjoyed very much.

Day 1 - Arrived in Paris. Taking the overnight flight to Paris gives you a free day – time to explore this Paris sights. Of course, you will do this in a state of exhaustion! Don't worry - plenty of time to sleep on the bus.

Day 2 - Paris. Free day – time to explore Paris sights. The early evening is a good time to enjoy an illuminations boat tour on the Seine with fellow tour passengers. Begin to get to know the people you are traveling with.

Day 3 - Paris – Beaune – Avignon. It was an early morning start. We drove along the 'Autoroute du Soleil', past Auxerre and through the vineyards of Burgundy to the Rhône Valley. We made a stop in medieval Beaune, before we reached Avignon, for the night. On arrival an orientation tour showed us the Palace of the Popes and the famous Avignon Bridge.

Day 4 - Avignon – Pont du Gard – Les Baux – Arles – Aix-en-Provence. Off to the 2,000 year old aqueduct, the 'Pont du Gard'. Then we visited Les Baux-de-Provence village on foot before driving through Les Alpilles and Van Gogh country to Arles. Here we saw the Roman amphitheatre and Romanesque Cathedral. Next, it was on to the spa-town of Aix-en Provence.

Day 5 - Aix-en-Provence – St. Tropez – Nice (2 nights). A scenic drive through the Maures Hills brought us to St. Tropez with time for film star spotting! Our highlight is a boat cruise from St. Tropez to Ste. Maxime. When we disembarked we rejoined our coach for the drive to Nice.

Day 6 - We toured Nice at leisure & enjoyed a Monte Carlo Excursion. In the morning our orientation of Nice included a drive along the Promenade des Anglais and a visit to the Place Massena. Then we drove on to Monaco where we visited Monte Carlo and its Casinos!

Day 7 - Nice – Cannes – Lyon. Our day started with a drive through Cannes along the Boulevard de la Croisette, seeing the Film Festival Centre. Then we continued via Manosque and the Durance Valley. Passing the Luberon Mountain, we soon reached the quaint city of Sisteron on the Route Napoleon and enjoyed an Alpine drive along the Col de la Croix to Lyon for the night.

Day 8 - Lyon – Dijon – Paris (2 nights). We traveled via the vineyards of Macon to Dijon famous for its delicious mustard. Time to explore this ancient city and perhaps enjoy a mid-morning pastry! It's not long before we reached Paris.

Day 9 - Paris sightseeing & at leisure. Our sightseeing tour included the ascent of the Eiffel Tower to the second level by elevator, views of the Champs Elysées, Notre Dame Cathedral, the Arc de Triomphe and Place de la Concorde. Our main highlight was a visit to Les Invalides, where we visited the tomb of the Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte. The remainder of the day was our to enjoy in any way we wished. Instead of joining the option tour to a can-can show at the Moulon Rouge, we chose to walk the streets of Paris, enjoy a dinner in Monmartre (check Rick Steves' guide for good restaurants) and have a gelato on our own.

Guided Tour Travel Conveniences:
The services of a professional multi-lingual Tour Director.
A qualified local city guide in Paris.
Chauffeur driven on luxury air-conditioned motor coaches with reclining seats and washroom.
Cruise from St. Tropez to Ste. Maxime.
Nice hotel accommodations.
All hotel service charges and tips, baggage handling fees and local taxes included.
A stylish travel bag and wallet containing tour documents and helpful information.

It really was like being taken on a tour by your mom and dad - they did all the work of planning, paying, driving, baggage handling and many meals for you. You paid one bill up front and passed a couple of tips at the end. Voila - we were done easily and had a great time. Happy traveling to you too.

While not travel industry experts, we do have the ordinary traveler's view of being on the road: lost, sick, poor hotels, luggage gone astray, public transportation, and we've been poked and questioned by Security.

We'd love to hear your experiences too and answer any questions we can. Reach us at: NewBiz61@aol.com and we will answer ASAP. Happy Trails to you.

France - Very Wonderful France

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea Harold Divine Handbags & Accessories) — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 00:45:00 +0000

By Luxury Motor Coach Tour

The wheels on the bus went round and round, the people on the bus went ooo la la, and the bus tootled smoothly through France from Paris - ah wonderful Paris - to the Riveria and glamerous Monte Carlo.

My husband and I never thought we would take a bus tour vacation. When we traveled through Germany, England, Scotland, Ireland, Holland and Wales, we rented cars and learned to read train schedules. That was the way to travel - to really see a place and choose your own schedule. None of this rushing about on a crowded tour, getting up early and zipping from city to city, barely taking in the sights before leaving for the next stop.

As time went by, our luggage seemed to get heavier and heavier; it was a chore to select a hotel by reading through hundreds of Internet ads; and traffic, well, it was all over! Friends had taken a bus tour of Switzerland - to avoid language difficulties and the details of arranging transportation and hotels and meals. They loved it. Hmm, we thought, maybe they have something. So when they suggested a bus tour of France, we decided to go for it. We needed a vacation from our vacations - an easy trip with little effort on our parts. And a very good decision it was.

We chose Trafalgar, a medium price range tour company, and they did all the work. We started in Paris, a beautiful city of lights and wide streets, and brides being picturesque along the Seine River. A boat ride on the river in the early evening proved a wonderful experience and a great start to our trip.

The other passengers were convivial; the tour guide friendly without being overbearing. The schedule was moderate - we did get up a little on the early side, between 6:30 - 7:00 a.m., but it only hurt for a few minutes. Breakfast was ready at all our stops and once the coffee was inhaled, we were ready to go.

Next post will include our schedule and more photos of that beautiful country. Enjoy the gelato in the photo above and know that you can choose from such exotic flavors as tomato, basil and avocado as well as pink grapefruit and melon. Wonderful stuff. Oh, yes, French cooking. Another post will mention that too!

While not travel industry experts, we do have the ordinary traveler's view of being on the road: lost, sick, poor hotels, luggage gone astray, public transportation, and we've been poked and questioned by Security.

We'd love to hear your experiences too and answer any questions we can. Reach us at: NewBiz61@aol.com and we will answer ASAP. Happy Trails to you.

Have a Happy & Safe 4th of July

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea Harold Divine Handbags & Accessories) — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 02:35:00 +0000

Venice, Italy - Always a Wonder

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea Harold Divine Handbags & Accessories) — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 03:11:00 +0000

The famed Rialto Bridge over the Grand Canal. On either side of the bridge there is market style shopping. Many, many kiosks offer Murano glass in thousands of designs and colors. Jewelry, glassware, home decor, wine stoppers, watches, tiny object d'art, large object d'art - each piece with a uniqueness and charm of its own. Also found aplenty are beautiful silk scarves and ties among the usual tourist treasures.

One of many side canals leading off the Grand Canal. Residences and hotels are found on many of these streets. They can be quietly obscure or full of liveliness if a cafe is nearby.

A vaparetto scoots down the Grand Canal near the Rialto Bridge. This is a most popular form of transportation through Venice. Inexpensive, frequent and conveniently placed stops, and a comfortable way to tour the Grand Canal and its splendors.

We'd love to hear your experiences too and answer any questions we can. Reach us at: NewBiz61@aol.com and we will answer ASAP. Happy Trails to you.

from Venice - Italy

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea Harold Divine Handbags & Accessories) — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 07:54:00 +0000

Buon Giourno from Venice. Absolutly beautiful and full of us tourists! Suggest a trip here in April or May if possible when weather is good and tourist flow minimum. It is actually difficult to walk through St. Marks Plaza between the people and the pigeons. Many, many of each. Some folks are even using umbrellas to protect themselves from the pigeon's natural emissions!

On my way to the airport for a flight to Naples and a ride to Sorrento for the remainder of this vacation. There will be 10 of us in a villa - which should be fun.

Ciao!!

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Vacationing in Italy

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea Harold Divine Handbags & Accessories) — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 02:27:00 +0000

On our way to Tuscany and Sorrento for two weeks. Hopefully we will return with some great photos, dining experiences and new places to tell you about. We will be spending some time in the photo above!! Marina Piccolo - Sorrento.

Please visit again at the end of the month

Getting Ready for Italy - Again

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea Harold Divine Handbags & Accessories) — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 13:36:00 +0000

Italy - Bella, Bella, Bella!

There are some places that just capture your heart and imagination and bring you back time after time. For me, Italy is one of those places and we are preparing for our third trip to that beautiful country.

From the breathtaking scenery of the Cinque Terre cities in the northern portion of Italy, to the legendary Almafi coast line in the south, Italy delights with every turn. If not an amazing view, keep your eyes open for ancient ruins like the Coliseum and Forum in Rome just appearing amid the city streets. There are tantalizing restaurants in almost every side street tempting with garden-like outdoor seatings, specials of the day and rich aromas.

Gelato stands abound and you are sure to fall in love with this frozen treat. Akin to our soft-serve ice cream but much richer, the flavors are plentiful and varied. Try the ususual red grapefruit, cantaloupe, frutti de bosco (berry), mango, avocado, basil; the rich and lucious chocolates and strawberry; the refreshing lemon and lime flavors too.

If you are going to Italy, there are a few small things to keep in mind:

Have your coffee standing at the bar like the locals do. This can cost almost 1/4 less than sitting at a table where cover charges apply.
Cappucino - my favorite - is generally considered a breakfast beverage by the Italians although it is served all day long.
Comfortable shoes! With a thick sole that will cushion your feet against the cobblestones. Locals seem to wear stilletto heels with ease - but many a trip has been ruined by aching feet, so wear comfort.
Be sure to stamp your ticket immediately when travelling by public transportation. Large fines apply if you don't.
Subway trains are pretty easy to use in Rome - the maps are quite detailed and clear.
Some food venues require that you pay for your food first and hand the server behind the counter a paid receipt before you get your treats.
Always carry coins - Italy has pay toilets almost everywhere. There are few free ones. If you have a meal at a restaurant, be sure to use the facilities before you leave - these are free.
Take along a copy of Rick Steve's Italy 2008. He points out some of the more offbeat places to see and gives tips on moderately priced restaurants and hotels. Also, so many folks carry his guide, it is an instant friend-maker and conversation starter!

Above all, enjoy, enjoy, enjoy - the people, the smells, the twisting streets and commanding views. Try not to rush, prepare a mix of museums and just loafing around the streets. Throw in a couple of churches and you'll have a wonderful time. We plan to.

Check out our Andrea Harold Ebay Auctions before you go. We may have the perfect tote bag for your treasures, fashion accessory, or pair of shoes for your trip. Caio!

So You're Taking Home Some Unusual Cheese & Sausage

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea Harold Divine Handbags & Accessories) — Mon, 26 May 2008 16:55:00 +0000

because you want to share the wonderful foods you've found in Italy-France-Germany-Etc. with your friends. Well, be careful here. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has some pretty strong "ideas" on what we can bring in and what we can't, which are enforced by the Customs officials at our points of entry. This department is on high alert, too, during the peak tourist season, namely between Memorial Day and Labor Day here in the U.S.

We can offer some guidelines here and some links for you to check out your own particular desires. These lists can change from time to time and not all items in the ever-popular Duty Free stores are allowable.

In general:

1 - Hard cheeses such as Parmesian and cheddar are O.K.; soft cheeses such as brie or ricotta, are not.

2 - Truffles are okay as are basil plants from Italy.
3 - Meats - even cooked or canned - are generally not allowed. Many a fine ham has been confiscated at our borders. No fresh meat - steaks, chops, sausage. Sorry. But some cured meats from preapproved production facilities may be okay.
4 - Baked goods, candy and chocolate are allowable.
5 - Condiments such as oils, vinegars, mustards, jellies are okay.
6 - Fresh fruits and vegetables are tricky and often not allowed. Check on these.

It is always best to declare what you have and let them take it if they must. Fines can range from around $300 up to $10,000 and you can buy plenty of U.S. foods for that. Keep your receipts handy in case duty is required.

Check out our links to the US Customs & Border Protection and the U.S Department of Agriculture for foods allowability according to country and product. You will find many helpful guides as to what you may/may not bring back.

And always check out our Andrea Harold Ebay Auctions for travel handbags, toiletries cases, casual clothing for your trip. Just click on the AH Auctions link on the Tripsphotos page. Thank you and have a great trip.

Parasailing in the Bahamas

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea Harold Divine Handbags & Accessories) — Wed, 21 May 2008 16:22:00 +0000

Fun in Paradise .....

I made it back from My Great Adventure! Did not think I would actually have the courage to do this, but I recruited a friend who wanted to be brave also, so up we went. Our experience was on the private island of Coco Cay - owned by the cruise lines for their passengers to relax and enjoy a day at a private beach. Officially the name of this island is Little Stirrup Cay - and it is little more than rock and scrub trees set around a totally gorgeous cove of aquamarine waters.

There are other water sports available here also like wave riders and snorkeling. Wave riders are too noisy for me, and I have snorkled many times before. The idea of going up above all this for the view appealed to me. I was just scared. The men who handled the boat and suited us up were absolutely excellent. I felt safe and comfortable. The take off was not jerky and bouncy - just a little sway; the come down was smooth - they literally slide the boat under our rear ends and gently sat us down. Would I do this again? Absolutely! A great day.

Check out our Andrea Harold Ebay Auctions for straw handbags and some cruise casual wear. You'll be jammin'!

Going on a Weekend Cruise

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea Harold Divine Handbags & Accessories) — Wed, 14 May 2008 21:08:00 +0000

Adventure on High

We often say that much of the fun is in getting there - whereever "there" may be. On a cruise, you are always in that state of "getting there." - Either to the first port, a new port or back home again.

We are leaving for a 3 day cruise to the Bahamas. It is not as extraordinary as Aruba, South America, or the Baltic, but few things can beat the beautiful blue seas of the Carribbean and hot, hot sand when you want to just fling yourself down on a beach and relax your everyday life away.

Just to say I did something different. Instead of my usual shopping tours, I am going to do something adventurous - go parasailing! Our ship has a day scheduled at a "private" island for sunning and swimming - and barring early hurricanes - I will be enjoying the beautiful views and thrills from on high.

If there is never another chapter to this blog, please say a little prayer for me and wish me fond adieu. Otherwise, I will have fun photos and hopefully a great island anecdote for my next post.

See you around!

And if you also choose such an adventurous event for your next holiday, be sure to have your insurance caught up, your next of kin addresses with you, and check Andrea Harold Ebay auctions for possible handbags and attire to augment your trip. Bon voyage.

A Quick Suggestion for Those Going Out of the Country

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea Harold Divine Handbags & Accessories) — Mon, 12 May 2008 22:15:00 +0000

Travel is fun, especially when it is for vacation. The best times are had when no complications arise, and the best way to avoid complications is to be prepared for as much as is practical. We don't believe in worrying about every little possibility, but we have incurred "issues." One being on two different occasions, we have "misplaced" passports. The first was my husband's in a hotel in Holland ... on a business trip. We were to leave for England within 48 hours and knew there would be NO WAY to get a replacement that fast. Fortunately, after much searching, we finally found the item way in the back of the closet - under some shoes. Whew.

And again, last year in Denmark, another passport incident! Thank goodness for the truly honest and helpful Danes. We had stopped in a community terrace for a beer with friends. My husband had both of our passports that day. Usually he keeps his passport in a pouch around his neck ... and under his shirt. A good place for passports. On this particular day, he placed the passports in his knapsack, which he then placed under his chair while he drank his beer. Now guess what happened!!

Luckily we returned to our cruise ship early - and this is another good reason for not touring until the last possible moment to board a ship - and discovered our loss. With panic oozing from every pore of our bodies, we dashed back to the little park and found .... no knapsack. Despair. My husband then went into the nearest restaurant, and the kind bartender only had to see the look on his face and he knew what my husband had come to ask. He reached behind him and held up the missing knapsack - totally intact - money, credit cards, rain hat and ... passports!!! How grateful we were.

Our suggestion is to always carry a color copy of your passport with you. This will expedite getting a replacement from your embassy should you not be as fortuante as we were in having it returned. Also, some hotels will accept the copy instead of holding on to the passport itself when you register in a hotel. A copy of your passport is a little bit of security when you are far from home.

Christmas Tree Pass

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea Harold Divine Handbags & Accessories) — Wed, 07 May 2008 16:09:00 +0000

The beauty of the western desert in the United States is stark, big, and rough. Not like the sifting sands of the Sahara, the desert between Laughlin and Las Vegas, Nevada, is filled with a beauty that blooms under the watchful eye. While looking out across a plain, your eye discovers cactus about to bloom, wild flowers in whites, purples and mauves, and a geologist's feast of rock formations. The really sharp eye may catch sight of a jack rabbit or bighorn sheep or a rattlesnake drawn here by a small spring of fresh water. In some areas, mountain lions and coyotes roam freely, searching for food. There is danger, the chill of the nights and the fearsome heat of the days during the summer months.

In this part of Nevada, we find the Newberry Mountains, with a graded road crossing them at Christmas Tree Pass. This area was named for the juniper and pinon pine found at the higher elevations. According to legends, old miners often “decorated” these as Christmas trees using old tin cans and lids. There is still mention of a tree decorated with underwear located right at Christmas Tree Pass.

In May 2008, we were in Christmas Tree Pass between Laughlin and Las Vegas and were amazed by the variety of plants and rocks and the wide open views to the mountain ranges beyond. There is also a small park of sorts not too far in from the road that is called Grapevine Canyon, near Spirit Mountain, the tallest peak in the area. (There are decent restrooms located in the parking lot) Here are many petroglyphs drawn by ancient Indians as well as more modern peoples. The estimated dates for these artifacts are between 800 - 150 years old. These represent animals, possible ancient astronauts and other life events including ceremonies and natural events. Many are still quite sharp and interesting to view. For more information look at the National Park Service website about this area of Lake Mead.

We made the 8 mile trip in to an awesome overlook by car over a bumpy dirt trail named Christmas Tree Pass Road. Four wheel drive was not necessary for this trip, but a good suspension was! It is hard to imagine how the first settlers made it across that vast and rough land to California. Those were very hardy and brave people.

The area is really worth seeing for several reasons. One being because it is only about 50 miles physically from Las Vegas, yet a world apart from the Las Vegas of gambling, drinking, shows and dangers of other sorts. This desert is a quiet wonder; Las Vegas is a loud and booming wonder.

Should your feet take you out west, go off the beaten paths of Las Vegas and search through desert towns and you'll find a beauty larger than life and active in its own right. Time well spent.

And if you go, check out Andrea Harold Ebay Auction items first. We often have T-shirts and duffle bags suitable for a venture beyond the city limits of Las Vegas. Be sure to take plenty of water for the daytime high temps which can reach 120F in the summers, and wear sturdy walking shoes. Oh, and take a jacket, too. It really cools down at night!

Cruising the Western Caribbean

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea Harold Divine Handbags & Accessories) — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 01:00:00 +0000

In Ocho Rios we took a catamaran trip and saw lovely scenes
like this as we approached a small private beach.

It was our good fortune to sail aboard the Holland America ship, Veendam, to ports of call in the Western Caribbean. We stopped first at Ocho Rios, a town on the northern coast of Jamaica. This is a popular tourist destination, well known for scuba diving and other water sports. Ocho Rios, once a sleepy fishing village until it was discovered by tourists, is now second only to Montego Bay in the tourism industry in Jamaica. It is a popular destination for cruise ships.

Ocho Rios is also known as the home of Dunn's River Falls. This is a popular attraction that is visited by thousands of visitors each year. Dunn's River Falls cascades down approximately 600 feet into the sea. Fed by springs located in the hills above, visitors take pleasure in 'climbing' the falls as the water rushes around them. This is a lot of fun but not easy for many folks who are not used to climbing or maintaining a pace. Climbers join hands at the bottom and ascend in a human chain. Each helps the one above and one behind him, so no one is left behind.

Sunsets like these were often seen and enjoyed from the ship's decks. The opportunities for photography were wonderful and plentiful.

Our next stop was Grand Cayman, the largest of the three Cayman Islands. It is where the capital George Town is located. The island is a high-lying limestone reef, with a highest elevation of roughly 60 feet above sea level. There is no natural fresh water (lakes, rivers, etc) on the island, so any fresh water needs must be met by catchments or desalination of seawater. The lack of rivers does however account for the exceptional clarity of the sea.

The island was devastated by Hurricane Ivan in September 2004. From September 11 to September 12, Ivan, with Category 5 strength, passed within 30 miles of Grand Cayman, hitting it with 180 mph (290 km/h) winds. The island reported no more than a few deaths, but over 80% of the buildings were either damaged or completely destroyed. Ivan was the worst hurricane to hit the island in 86 years.

Grand Cayman and the Caymans in general are very well known for their diving and snorkelling. The island features many reefs and walls, some of which can be accessed by swimming from shore.

The final stop on our cruise was Costa Maya, a small man-made tourist resort in Mexico located between Cancun and Belize. The area is generally undeveloped but has been growing quickly after construction of a large pier to accommodate cruise ships. This is a stop it would have been fine to miss. Too many shops didn't put prices on their goods and the feeling was that a shopper would be charged on an individual basis. The beaches were crowded and not inviting. In fact, we simply walked about for around 45 minutes then made our way back to the ship and enjoyed a quiet afternoon on board with many other passengers.

One of the really fun things about a cruise is the wonderful and extravagant food that is served. Below is a photo from a "Chocolate Extravaganza Night." There were many simply marvelous sculptures made from watermelons, beautiful pastries, gorgeous cakes that it hurt to cut and eat they were so wonderful to look at.

And, of course, each night the ship's steward showed his other talents and left a cute and welcoming "pet" on our beds - made of towels. This cute creature along with a nightly chocolate on the pillow, made us feel very much at home.

We would absolutely go on another cruise, use this company again, and enjoy every moment.

Laughlin, Nevada

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea Harold Divine Handbags & Accessories) — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 18:08:00 +0000

Exploring part of the US - Laughlin, NV
This small city will be a boom town during April 24-27. There will be the largest motorcycle rally on the west coast bringing in about 70,000 motorcycle enthusiasts. Catering to this fast-paced crowd of fun lovers will be tattoo artists, concerts such as "Foreigner," the "Miss Hawaiian Tropic" contest, motorcycle distributors, and parties. (Double click on photo to enlarge)

Here are some scenes taken along the Colorado River which runs behind the casinos. The nice things about Laughlin casinos is that they have windows and one can see the mountains, the river and some greenery from the slots. Also, Laughlin is a gambling town that - motorcycle rally excepted - generally draws a little older group of people. There are not so many "rowdy 20-somethings" and the pools and restaurants are not totally occupied. It is a quieter, gentler place.
Across the river is Bull Head City, AZ.

We have some great T-shirts featuring Harley Davidson, West Coast Choppers and Bike Weeks on our site on Ebay. Just click our Andrea Harold Handbags link on the bottom of this page.

Scenes of Italy

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea Harold Divine Handbags & Accessories) — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 02:15:00 +0000

This is stately Mt. Vesuvius as seen from Sorrento, Marina Piccolo view. Our hotel room faced this wonderful sight and we could actually lie in bed and see Vesuvius between our toes!

This bird was a resident of the Isle of Capri and hoping for tid-bits of popcorn, bread or gelato! He was one of many visiting with the vistors on that beautiful island.

Sharing Photos of a Trip

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea Harold Divine Handbags & Accessories) — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 01:54:00 +0000

Sharing photographs of your trips are a big part of the pleasure of those trips and the best way to remember where you've been.