Category Archives: travel

Local Alaskan Products we love and did not love

Alaskan unique store products we found while on our Alaksan Cruise in local stores.

Raptor Sanctuary – Ketchikan Alaska

In Alaska, it is more like – there is an eagle, there is eagle, there is another. This location, took in injured birds and gave them a home if they could not be returned. I consider that one of the highest honorable things a person can do, care for those who cannot.

Glacier Bay, Alaska – Part 1

We enter Glacier Bay on the Ruby Princess Cruise ship, it is quiet on the deck, everyone feels the peace and most are stunned and cannot speak. A tranquil, spiritual feeling location even when on a cruise deck.

Skagway, Alaska

Just a few pictures of the town of Skagway. After our Helicopter tour was cancelled, we walked to town and did some shopping while waiting to go on our Gold Panning Tour. We also thought about doing the railway Yukon route – but there was a landslide, and the railway was shut down for theContinue reading “Skagway, Alaska”

Salmon Hatchery – and Seal eating them all up – Alaska

Sharing a few pictures of our visit to a Salmon Hatchery, they hatch baby chum Salmon and then release them into the wild and after years of living out there, they return to the hatchery and mate and then die. The guide we had said their death is the beginning of new salmon and theyContinue reading “Salmon Hatchery – and Seal eating them all up – Alaska”

End of Road, Juneau Alaska

On our tour in Juneau the bus driver told us about the one and only road that leads to no where in Juneau. The road only goes from one side of town to another, and connect to nothing, the only way in our out of Juneau (the capital of Alaska) is by boat or plane.Continue reading “End of Road, Juneau Alaska”

Whale Watching in Juneau, Alaska

Were in Juneau Alaska – On the excursion agenda – Whale Watching, with Allen Marine Tours – and guess what we saw …Whales, lots of them. First lets set the stage, they pick us up in a bus from the pier, and it is overcast and raining – a lot of rain. But when IContinue reading “Whale Watching in Juneau, Alaska”

Chihuly Glass Art Garden, Seattle Washington

I first heard of Chihuly, when visiting Kalamazoo, MI and they had a show of his art at the local Glass art shop. One of the reasons I starting working in Radiology was the cool way you could look thru the film – it was translucent and how every image was different. I have nowContinue reading “Chihuly Glass Art Garden, Seattle Washington”

Space Needle – Seattle, Wa

Second on our list while in Seattle, Wa for one day on our way to Alaska is the Space Needle. We honestly do not know much about the space needle, except it is tall and cool and we want to check it out. I did just learn today that the space needle was built inContinue reading “Space Needle – Seattle, Wa”

From Tokyo to Seattle, Washington

This trip is just David and myself, our kids are back at home safe and sound. We flew to Seattle to travel to Alaska, but first stopped in Seattle for the beginning of our travels. David and I have never been to Seattle, so we researched as we always do a TripAdvisor search, a WordPressContinue reading “From Tokyo to Seattle, Washington”

Late Nite Pokemon MagicKarp snack in Tokyo

Late Night snacking – we come across this pokemon Magic Karp snack made of a warm cake filled with pudding (choices are chocolate or vanilla) we buy one of each and they are incredible. Just perfect for a Tokyo Late night snack.

Date Night – Tokyo, Japan – Grilled meats and giblet hotpot

We have been back from Tokyo for a little while now and wrapping up these posts. So just a few left. Then on to our next adventure. David and I always try and sneak away from the kids for an evening – we try to do it once a week, but it does not alwaysContinue reading “Date Night – Tokyo, Japan – Grilled meats and giblet hotpot”

Tokyo Sky Tree at Sumida district

We thought we were at Tokyo Tower, but were recently corrected this is Tokyo Sky Tree at Sumida district an Eiffel Tower inspired lattice communications and observation tower in the Shiba-koen district of Minato, Tokyo, Japan. It is huge, actually 332.9 meters and is the second-tallest structure in Japan. When we visited Tokyo Tower, weContinue reading “Tokyo Sky Tree at Sumida district”

Gundam Cafe- Akihabara Japan

Garion more than anything else wanted to buy as many Gundams he could while in Tokyo. He wanted to buy a super large one, but it would not fit in our suitcase – he did purchase five normal sized model kits. So we decided to surprize him with a Gundam Cafe Visit. Gundam’s are aContinue reading “Gundam Cafe- Akihabara Japan”

Nakamise Shopping Street, Sensoji Temple – Asakusa, Tokyo Japan

Our family left the Confucious Temple and walked toward our goal of Nakamise Shopping street and Sensoji Temple. We heard this was a great tourist location, and we are tourists and want to shop. Lets go In! Sometimes I stand in awe – thinking how lucky I am. During this trip it is probably myContinue reading “Nakamise Shopping Street, Sensoji Temple – Asakusa, Tokyo Japan”

Mario Cart Competition & Crane Games – Play Videos Akihabara- Tokyo Japan

Crane Games Everywhere! At this point he has spent more than the item would cost…. but so close – so by the end of the trip he could have bought two. I love how animated he is after this. Sabrina wanted this puppy and lost, but her sister won it on the next try. Lucky,Continue reading “Mario Cart Competition & Crane Games – Play Videos Akihabara- Tokyo Japan”

Hedge Hog Café – Tokyo Japan

On the Way to the Pokémon Café, we see a Hedge Hog and Cat Café. The Café is on top of a puppy store – yes they sell Puppies there – really tiny teacup puppies, that are on display in a fish tank style shop, these puppies are honestly the cutest I have ever seen,Continue reading “Hedge Hog Café – Tokyo Japan”

Train to Toyko from the Airport

Tip: You really have to use the subway and train in the Tokyo, so figure it out prior to getting there and the rest you can solve when your there as it is easier than you might fear. Tip: The PASMO Card and whatever you put on it can be refunded, just ask when youContinue reading “Train to Toyko from the Airport”

Eiffel Tower

So we saw the Eiffel Tower from a far and walked down to it! Stopped and took a bunch of pictures, had an ice cream, and bought Katrina an Eiffel Tower sucker. Next Post – Under the Eiffel tower and then….. Off to Toyko, Japan!

Arc De Triomphe

The Arc de Triomphe de l’Étoile or Triumphal Arch of the Star in Paris, France. It is a monument to the fallen solders of the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. You can walk under the circle intersection of twelve roads and pop out in the center – and walk around checking out the twelve roadsContinue reading “Arc De Triomphe”

Louvre

The Louvre is the world’s largest art museum and is in Paris, France. The museum is housed in the Louvre Palace, originally built as the Louvre Castle in the late 12th to 13th century under Philip II. The building was added onto many times to form the present Louvre Palace. In 1682, Louis XIV moved toContinue reading “Louvre”

Hop on Hop Off Bus – Paris

Hop on Hop off bus You see them all over the place in the major tourist towns – Hop On, Hop Off Buses.  We love them.  This is probably our sixth time using a Hop on Hop off, but we have no favorite. Tip:  Use the HopOn HopOff Bus service at the time and placeContinue reading “Hop on Hop Off Bus – Paris”

Notre Dame – still standing just like us!

Notre Dame is still standing – battered and in renovation, but she is still standing despite what we all thought was the end of her and the fire that was so devastating only just 2 months ago. This month David and I will be married 3 years and together 5 years. We are winning againstContinue reading “Notre Dame – still standing just like us!”

Epic Adventure Before it begins

Epic Adventure – Before it Begins Our family trip to Paris, France – Tokyo, Japan – Amsterdam, Netherlands. The Airbnb’s are booked.  In Paris we will stay at: In Tokyo we will stay at: Let us compare afterward – what we booked and what we got.  So this is the before, same post after theContinue reading “Epic Adventure Before it begins”

Henderson Castle – Kalamazoo, MI

Had a date weekend with my husband. We visited Henderson Castle for a dinner date, while you can stay at Henderson Castle, we did not. What a great date night. This is a little history of the castle: The Castle was built in 1888, by Frank Henderson. He was the owner and president of theContinue reading “Henderson Castle – Kalamazoo, MI”

Armada Fair

We visit the Armada Fair annually, we look forward to the atmosphere the animals, the food, the exhibits.  So much fun.  Check out these fun pictures! Bunnies! PIGGIES!! Sheep!!! FAMILY!!!!! Chickens!     So many more fun things at the Fair!  It runs thru today, so if you want to go, plan on it forContinue reading “Armada Fair”

5 things I wish I knew before I went to Cuba

  I knew you cannot use credit cards in Cuba, and they have cigars and rum, but I did not know….   We were told we had to have a cultural tour booked or we would not even be allowed to step off the Cruise ship (or if we flew in – not step offContinue reading “5 things I wish I knew before I went to Cuba”

Tropicana Club, Cuba

I figured out how to add videos! Better later than never! so this is older post updated. We only had two days in Havana, Cuba – so we made the most of it – a day of everything, then an evening trip to the Tropicana Club.  I would describe it as an outdoor larger versionContinue reading “Tropicana Club, Cuba”

Cars of Cuba

Cigars, Castro, Rum, Heat, Colorful Buildings and Cars from the 1940s and 1950s are the things we think about when we think – Cuba.  This post is about the cars of Cuba! While I know practically nothing about classic cars.  I do know these are beautiful and I love the vibrant colors.   I could look at theseContinue reading “Cars of Cuba”

Cruise to Cuba

After weeks of looking for a trip that we could take together (no kids) during the time our youngest would be on spring break (and could go to his mothers) we finally found a cruise to Cozumel, Mexico – Grand Cayman  – and two days in Havana, Cuba.  It is a Holland America Cruise, smallerContinue reading “Cruise to Cuba”

Next Trip?

The cover picture, is David is holding a baby turtle at a turtle farm we visited in Grand Cayman, our first family trip together in 2015.  So we are now together almost 4 years.  I was divorce Feb 13, 2014 and joined Match.com the end of Feb 2014 and met David after about 30 coffeeContinue reading “Next Trip?”

Sandos Eco Resort, Cancun Mexico

We decided to start rating the locations we visit on our travels.  Scale of 1 to 10, with 10 as the best experience we could ever imagine.  The Sandos Eco Resort, in Cancun Mexico is a great family all inclusive.   We spent 7 days at this resort, and never ran out of things to do. Continue reading “Sandos Eco Resort, Cancun Mexico”