Pacific Coastal Cruise Trip Report - September 2 - 9, 2018

This was my annual getaway with my son.  I always look forward to traveling with him and we've pretty much vacationed every year together since he was six.  I only had 8 days so this was good as the departure left from our hometown Vancouver and the flight home from San Diego is a short one.  I've been on the Celebrity Infinity as I took it for my Panama Canal cruise last year.  I had 15 days on it and know the ship well.  We liked all the ports too!  Lots to do and visit this time.

Las Vegas Trip Report - May 13 - 18, 2018

I was planning not to take any trips this year.  Decided to replace some furniture and work on the home instead.  However, I kept getting tempting emails and then I got one I couldn't refuse.  Bellagio sent me an offer that included 3 complimentary nights, a $50 resort credit and $50 free play.  That's pretty good for a low roller like myself!  5 nights is my sweet spot so the other 2 nights were $175 each and then of course the exorbitant daily resort fee of $40.  My air was complimentary with my credit card miles plan so it was relatively inexpensive.  "Almost Free", you might say...ha ha 😏

Huatulco Trip Report - November 7 - 14, 2017

We were very excited to visit a part of Mexico that seemed less commercialized.  The word "quaint" kept coming to my mind while researching it.  We had a few options but ended up choosing the All-Inclusive (I'll get back to that choice later) option at Castillo Huatulco Hotel and Beach Club.  This was located in the "old town" of Santa Cruz.  Reviews looked good and the beach club looked awesome.  I also wanted to go somewhere I have never been in Mexico before.

Las Vegas Trip Report - September 4 - 11, 2017

I've missed Sin City so much and I'm always happy when I get a chance to vacation with my son.  He's 27 and I'm 52.  I did try to get him to go to San Francisco this time, but he wanted Vegas instead.  So, we chose the Bellagio.  Luxury when I go with him, and downtown when I go by myself.  That's the great thing about Vegas - each trip is a new/different experience.  We chose between Bellagio, Aria, Wynn or Cosmopolitan and I got the best rates for Bellagio.  It was $1600 USD all in, after taxes and inclusive of the $39 per day resort fee for 7 days.  That was for two beds in a "Resort Queen Room".  Staying here also let us use some "MyVegas" rewards too, so we each got $50 & $25 free plays at the Bellagio, and a dinner buffet.  Any little bit helps.  My favorite part of Vegas is always planning where to dine.  This was no exception and I thought I could do it all with 7 days this time, but alas, there were many restaurants on my list that didn't get any love - always a reason to come back.  There are also many I would have liked to repeat from past trips but didn't do because there's too much new to seek out...

Westbound Panama Canal Cruise - April 30 - May 17, 2017

I wanted to go somewhere I have never been for this trip.  I got really lost in planning and couldn't choose anything - I was going in circles.  I don't even remember how I ended up stumbling across this cruise, but it really fell into place for me.  After a couple of months of looking, I finally decided that this was it.

Orlando Trip Report - November 5 - 12, 2016

The last time we were in Orlando was when my son was 8.  He's 26 now.  We decided it was time to return.  This sojourn wasn't for Disney though (gasp!).  We had missed International Drive and Universal Studios last visit so this is what we chose to do this trip.  My son was a huge fan of the "Harry Potter" books when he was young(er).  I read him the first one and when we got to the second, he asked me to read more each night, meaning more than one chapter...  I told him that he knew he how to read himself and it was now that time for him to start reading on his own.  He read all the books from that point on and saw all the movies too...I'll admit that he nudged me at one movie while we were on vacation because he said I was snoring.  :)  I admit I am not a "die hard" Harry Potter fan.  My youth was spent reading C.S. Lewis books like "The Magician's Nephew" (I read this to him),  "The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe" & the series of Narnia...

Cancun, Mexico Trip Report - August 26 - September 2, 2016

It's been three years since I've seen my friends from Nashville.   This would be our 3rd time together.  We met in 2012 on an Alaskan cruise.  They are married and 48 years old, I'm single and 51.  The stars finally aligned and they were able to vacation with me again!  I was so excited and so happy.  I truly have some of the best traveling memories with them.

Seattle Getaway and GNR Concert - August 12 - 14, 2016

Pre-Trip Thoughts - Thursday, August 11th:

My oldest friend from elementary school and I grew up bonded with "Bay City Rollers" memories and things like first crushes and first kisses with boys.  I have been waiting for her to be able to travel with me and it would finally happen.  Just a short trip to see Guns N' Roses, but it would be us getting away together.  I was really happy!  Tickets after fees and exchange were about $170 CAD each for really shitty seats.

Downtown Las Vegas Trip - May 15 - 20, 2016

I told everyone I know that there would be no trips to the U.S.A. this year with our bad Canadian dollar.  I came home from work one day in February and had a large flyer in my mail from the "D" hotel.  My offer was 3 days free with no resort fee in April or May.  That also included a $25 Food & Beverage credit and $25 Free play on Slots and $25 Match Play on tables.  I had some vacation booked off for May with no plans so called the hotel.  The offer was valid for those days and my 2 extra nights were $28 USD (Wed) and $35 USD (Thurs) with a $20 resort fee for each of those two nights for $116 USD total for 5 days.  So, I booked it.  I could cancel up to 48 hours before.

Harrison Hot Springs Getaway - April 6 & 7, 2016

I like Harrison.  When my son was little, I took him here to get away.  He also camped with Scouts here when he was young.  It's a beautiful spot about a two hour drive away from my home in Vancouver.  Since it had been so long (14 years?), we decided it was time for a return visit.  We decided to splurge and get the best room and stay at the nicest hotel in Harrison.  I sure couldn't afford to take my son here when I was a single mom, raising him.  So, now we could do that!