Sculptures in Frogner Park, Oslo

Sculptures in the famous Vigelandsparken in Frogner Park. The park, envisioned by the sculptor Gustav Vigeland, is one of the most outstanding attractions in Norway.

Dhobi Ghat Laundry in Mumbai

In 2011 when Bruce and I travelled from Singapore to Dubai with Seabourn, we visited Mumbai. Here we got the chance to explore the fascinating Dhobi Ghats – the world’s largest open-air laundry. Washers, who wash collect and wash laundry for a small fee, have been using the rows of concrete wash-pens for decades.

Now there are over 700 washing platforms at the Dhobi Ghats.

Interestingly, the laundry has become very popular with tourists. If you’re visiting Mumbai and curious about the Dhobi Ghats, tours of the landmark are offered.

Cruising the Amazon River

For my 50th birthday, Bruce and I embarked on a river cruise down the Amazon. We started in Iquitos, Peru, visited Colombia, and ended up in Manaus, Brazil. Throughout the trip we stopped at little villages along the Amazon, meeting the locals and doing some exploring. The trip was wonderful; I couldn’t have imagined a better way to spend my 50th!

Here, people are disembarking the ship to explore a local village.

The sunsets we experienced were absolutely amazing on this trip. Bruce and I enjoyed this colourful sunset from the deck of the ship.

Have you ever visited the Amazon? What were the highlights of your trip?


-Wendy

Majestic Elegance Punta Cana

This past January, Bruce and I escorted a group of 160 to Punta Cana where we stayed at the wonderful Majestic Elegance Resort. The resort was beautiful, bright and meticulously maintained. One of the highlights was the long, narrow pool which winded around the resort. Another high point was the lovely staff who were really personable and friendly. Janet in particular was just fantastic and couldn’t have been more helpful to our group. One of the only issues we had was not being able to leave messages in people’s room which is problematic when travelling in such a large group.

At the resort our group opted for the adults-only Elegance Club which includes a number of upgraded amenities. You will get some exercise walking down to the Elegance Club, however, it is really worth it. Members of the Elegance Club get exclusive access to a lounge that includes free Wi-Fi, access to computers, tasty snacks, coffee and water throughout the day, and champagne and beer later in the day. There is always a concierge on hand to help if you have any questions or need assistance. Our room was lovely, had a spacious deck and there was Champagne waiting for us upon arrival (another highlight of the Elegance Club).

In terms of activities, there was much to keep us all busy! Near the buffet there was a large board listing all the resort’s activities which was really handy. Many in our group had a lot of fun at the disco and the resort’s shows were a huge hit. Golf at the resort was excellent, and it was free besides the club and cart rental. In addition, a number of excursions were offered and could be booked in the hotel lobby. (ATV and Jungle Tours were the most popular.) There were tons of activities, but also a beautiful white sand beach for those who simply wanted to relax, catch some rays and read a book.

Overall our visit to Punta Cana was a wonderful experience. Majestic Elegance is a gorgeous resort and I would highly recommend opting for the Elegance Club. Whether you’re travelling as a couple, a family with kids or a large group, the resort has something for everyone.

-Wendy

Top 10 Reasons to Cruise

Choose to cruise for YOU. You can have the vacation of a lifetime, see the world, completely unwind, take a walk on the wild side, dance the night away, feast on fabulous cuisine, learn something new, make new friends, bond with family members, and steal quiet moments with your spouse. Whatever your heart desires is yours, when you choose to cruise.

1. Choose to cruise for VALUE. One price buys your accommodations, entertainment, dining, and more.

2. Choose to cruise for ROMANCE. Secluded beaches, en suite dining on a balcony overlooking the ocean and spa services for two are just some of the romantic pursuits available.

3. Choose to cruise for CUISINE. Tantalize your taste buds with gourmet fare that showcases exotic ingredients, old standbys like pizza and ice cream or spa cuisine for a healthy alternative. Depending on your mood, dine in a traditional ballroom setting, a small bistro or a casual eatery.

4. Choose to cruise for VARIETY. With over 150 distinctive ships, 1800 ports of call and an unbelievable array of places to see and things to do, there is a perfect cruise for you. For even more choice, consider a pre- or post-land tour.

5. Choose to cruise for ACTIVITIES. Fill your days with sightseeing, sports activities, cultural lectures, educational tours led by naturalists and historians or simply lounge by the pool and relax. At night, enjoy dance extravaganzas, musical revues, gaming or a quiet evening gazing at the stars.

6. Choose to cruise for SIMPLICITY. Don't come back from your vacation needing a vacation. Planning a cruise is simple.

7. Choose to cruise for NEW HORIZONS. Fall asleep in one destination and awake to a new horizon... and you only have to pack and unpack once!

8. Choose to cruise for FAMILY. Families love cruising. Children's programs, kid-friendly menus and tours of the ship will keep your children happy, while affording you some well-deserved time alone.

9. Choose to cruise for PAMPERING. Regardless of your budget, all cruise lines pamper their guests with first-class service around the clock.

10. Choose to cruise for SATISFACTION. It's a fact that cruises have a higher percentage of satisfied customers than any other vacation experience.

Tahiti with Paul Gaugin

A few years ago Bruce and I got to explore Tahiti and her islands on a Paul Gaugin cruise. We voyaged around the South Pacific, stopping at various islands and discovering beautiful beaches. It was a wonderful experience that I would recommend to everyone.

One of the most exciting aspects of the trip was swimming with sharks in crystal blue waters. Assisted by a guide, we were also able to get up close and personal with Tahitian stingrays!

The ship itself was lovely and we enjoyed great entertainment throughout the cruise. Here I am enjoying a morning coffee on the top deck of the ship.

Bahla Fort in Oman

Last year, I had the opportunity to embark on a seventeen day cruise with Seabourn that started in Singapore and ended in Dubai. One of my favourite stops along the cruise was the city Oman. The city is welcoming and unique, and I really enjoyed my time exploring and getting a sense of the region.

When we arrived in Oman we took a taxi to the Bahla Fort – a UNESCO World Heritage site that was built in the 13th and 14th centuries. It was a beautiful day and we had a lot of fun wandering around and exploring the fort.

-Wendy

Exploring the Grand Canyon

The Grand Canyon had been on my bucket list for years and Bruce and I finally got the chance to experience it in October of 2010. We drove down from Vancouver, arriving at Grand Canyon Village at sunset. The next morning we got up early and took a hike down into the canyon from the Grand View. It was such a treat to hike down in the early morning with the sun coming up changing the look of the canyon as we hiked down.

You can walk for 10 minutes, an hour or a day. If you really want to get out and experience the wilderness you can also camp. The Grand Canyon is really quiet and peaceful. I was amazed at how in such a short time we were on our own, exploring without a person in sight. It was an experience that I won’t soon forget and I highly recommend it to everyone!