Japan & Cruise Trip Report - Aug. 24 - Sept. 11, 2025

This was my and my son's annual trip together (I'm 60 & he 35) to one of his dream destinations.  He is deeply intrigued with Japanese culture, anime, gaming and food.  We love our "Ramen" and are lucky as we have excellent authentic Japanese dining establishments here in Vancouver; I think we have tried most of the ramen available, not all, but most here...  I did tons of research of where we were going to eat at each stop on our trip.  Anyway, we were both eager though I found the research utterly exhausting - the trains and maps of each city were overwhelming and stressful to me.  I really spent most of my time looking at food as that's what I like and it was so much fun deciding what to try.  I had a full page listed of food items. When we booked, the Canadian dollar was strong against the yen—sadly, by the time we left, not so much. The Canadian dollar sucks big time ⬇️, even more now with the global economy uncertainties/tariffs... All my prices in this trip will be in Canadian dollars, sad, sad Canadian dollars...😞💰

Caribbean Cruise Trip Report - Feb. 21 - March 2, 2025

It's been 6 years since I was last in the Caribbean (It ended up being my last trip for a long while as covid broke out in 2020).  Anyway, the lady I hung out with on our Italy cruise (I'll call her Ms. Ohio hereon in) and I decided to escape the gloomy winter and get some sunshine.  We booked 51 days before departure date which to me is like last minute, haha.  I was very excited about a NEW ship.  The NCL Viva's maiden voyage was Aug. 2023.  

Mediterranean: Spain/France/Italy/Malta Cruise Trip Report - Oct. 28 - Nov. 8, 2024

Cruise #11 for myself and also my annual trip with my son.  It was cruise #4 for him.  We booked on NCL again (the Escape which is the biggest I've been on, I think?  Mega+ class). Anyway with everything included, air/drinks/wifi/$50 excursion credit/tips, etc. it was $2800 CAD each.  Insurance was another $200 each so $3000 total for a 12 day trip seemed worth it to me.   I booked the flights through Icelandair.  We got to pick our seats and it included luggage.  The air portion of the whole $2800 per person was $970 CAD each which I was happy with.  I was dismayed to find out they had no free booze/food on their international flights though!  That's B.S...

Boston/Bermuda/Maine Cruise Trip Report May 2 - 10, 2024

This trip marks my 10th cruise!  I ended up seeing a NCL seven dayer for a price I found reasonable (really, what's reasonable these days anyway?) and the air was an okay price too, so I booked it on the Norwegian "Gem".  Apparently it's a better ship than the "Star" I previously sailed on and didn't like much.  I booked a "solo" inside room with everything included (boozy drinks/wifi/specialty restaurant/$50 off each tour) including prepaid tips for $2000 CAD.  Air was another $600 but I upgraded for $200 more to include luggage, seat selection, free flight changes...This wasn't a true solo room (one single bed), it was just a small inside.

Honolulu Trip Report - Nov. 5 - 12, 2023

Our last trip to Waikiki was in 2011 so twelve, almost thirteen years, a long time ago!  We splurged this trip, double the price of what we originally thought of booking.  We got good non-stop flights and a nice hotel smack-dab center on Waikiki beach, truly a dream spot to stay.  The flights coincided with check in on arrival and check out on departure.  We booked the Moana Surfrider which opened in 1901 and is nicknamed the "First Lady of Waikiki.".  Below the pic is from their website.  We didn't splurge for ocean-view as the price was already $2600 CAD each which included air/hotel and our transfers to/from airport.  This didn't include full insurance which was another $180 CAD each and our luggage of course, $60 each - $30 per leg.  We chose two double beds, City View room.  The luxury of this trip was the LOCATION.  I believe there is only seven hotels (8 with the Hale Koa  'military only' one) that sit directly on Waikiki beach and this is one of them.

British Isles Cruise Trip Report - Oct. 11 - 23, 2023

I originally had booked 18 days in Buenos Aires.  Excitement soon turned to dread after too much reading about their volatile inflation, 40% of the population living in poverty and crime on tourists, I decided not to go.  I wrestled with the decision after drinking from the "well of fear" for a month before cancelling it all.  Anyway, I got a credit for my airfare which had to be used by July 2024 and a full refund for my VRBO condo... I hope to visit BsAs in the future, depending on their economy...  I started to look for new destinations and one of my bucket list trips I've wanted to do showed up; Great Britain, Scotland & Ireland!  

Puerto Vallarta Trip Report - June 11 - 18, 2023

It's been 10 years since I've wiggled my toes in the sand in Puerto Vallarta.  I was there on a cruise a few years ago but didn't get off the ship to visit.  PV is not one of my favorite places.  This would be my third time staying here; third time a charm?  🤞  Also, my first trip to PV was in June and I swore I'd NEVER go back in that month because of the heat/humidity but here I am (I've learned to never say never)...  Below, the picture is from the RIU website.  I read enough reviews to know that food would taste average but be plentiful, the alcohol is NOT top-shelf and the hotel needed a good refurb.  Almost like most all-inclusives I've stayed at...

Huatulco Trip Report - Apr. 3 - 10, 2023

This marks my first trip of 2023 and my fourth visit to Huatulco.  I traveled with my friend who accompanied me on my first two trips.  We scored direct return flights on WestJet for $494 CAD each and rented a 2 bedroom condo ($1100 total for the week) .  It was close to playa Santa Cruz (3 blocks away) located at 137 Acatlán.  Pic below is from booking.com which is where I reserved it.

Huatulco Trip Report - Oct. 30 - Nov. 12, 2022

First real vacay since 2019!  I hope I don't have to mention "covid" again throughout this report, other than my travel insurance covered it.  🤞 Normally we book Huatulco flights nine/ten months ahead but this year was different.  I couldn't even find direct flights until mid-August and then the prices were four times as much as usual.  I got lucky and saw a fare sale from AeroMexico which prompted WestJet to drop some fares too.  It took some time to play around get the cheap flights, but eventually through Expedia,  I was able to nab 1-stop getting there (AeroMexico) and direct flight home (WestJet) staying at Princess Mayev, ocean view - 2 beds for $2600 CAD for two total, ALL IN for 12 nights.  I did have to chop two days off our trip to get that price though.  My son kindly paid to get "exit row" seats for us on our return flight home.  

Kelowna Mini-Trip Report Sept. 18 - 21, 2022

I haven't flown or been away since November 2019.  As someone who traveled 2 - 3 times a year, it's been an interesting pause.  I don't like travel as in the actual travel.  I despise airports, luggage, customs, security, shuttles, etc. etc.  The impatience in me hasn't missed that part at all.  My good friend moved to Kelowna in 2020 and it was time to check it out and get away!  I have significant elevated anxiety issues since the pandemic started and this little jaunt was getting me out of my comfort zone, which I truly needed...