Flam Norway Photo Gallery
Elephant Coffee House In Scotland, Birthplace of Harry Potter
The idea for Harry Potter was conceived on a train. But the birth of the young wizard was in a coffee house. The Elephant Coffee House in Edinburgh, Scotland. JK Rowling would push her daughter around in her carriage until the little one fell asleep. Then she would dash into the Elephant House, spread out her notes on one of the big tables and write Harry Potter until the baby woke up. In the pauses between sentences, she would gaze out the Window at Edinburgh Castle. Yvonne and I were lucky enough to sit for breakfast gazing out the window at that same lovely, yet forboding castle.
It was wonderful and awe inspiring moment for anyone who dreams of writing or of young wizards.
This little elephant chair was the cutest!
Viajando a Europa económicamente
¡Acabamos de completar nuestro segundo crucero transatlántico y aún estamos enganchados! ¡Los encanta los cruceros! Nos embarcamos el 15 de abril para nuestro crucero de 13 días en Celebrity Silhouette. En el camino paramos en Bermuda, Las Azores y Lisboa, llegando a Southhampton, Inglaterra.
Viajar Económicamente
Navegar transatlántico a Europa puede ser económico para el viajero con sabiduria. Las líneas de cruceros están reposicionando sus barcos. Están ansiosos por ofrecer reservas de tarifas reducidas en estas rutas. La clave para recordar, es no pagar su tarifa en su totalidad hasta la fecha de vencimiento final. Pagar su tarifa en su totalidad antes de la fecha de pago final lo excluirá de las reducciones del precio de la tarifa. Estas reducciones solo se pueden aplicar si un saldo permanece abierto en su reserva. Tenemos un fabuloso agente de cruceros, Darlene Foti en American Discount Cruises. La recomendamos.
Octubre de 2018 Navegación transatlántica en Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas
Estamos reservados en Royal Caribbean Symphony of the Seas para nuestro regreso a casa en octubre. Estamos muy entusiasmados con el regreso. Viajaremos con nuestros dos amigos cercanos, Maria y Cesar. Si alguno de nuestros otros amigos está leyendo este artículo, todos son bienvenidos. Más por venir….
Kristiansand Norway Photo Gallery
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Troll
Trolls
Kristiansand
Oslo Norway Photo Gallery
Rubenesque In Berlin
We have arrived at our Airbnb in Berlin. The place is wonderful. It has one small caveat that im not sure how to approach.
Realizing, that in Europe people are less inhibited than back home, which I love and admire, how do I handle this bathroom dilemma? Do I allow the viewers the pleasure of setting their eyes on my Rubenesque body? “The Goddess of Rotunda Showering”. What to do with the toilet situation? Cover my face? I’ve always wanted to moon someone. This might be my only chance. Decisions decisions what should I do, oh well tomorrow is another day.
Como Planear Un Viaje De Largo Plazo
Cuando compartimos por primera vez con nuestro amistades nuestros planes de viajar durante seis meses, ellos se quedaron asombrados y desconcertados. “¿Cómo comienzas a planear un viaje de esta duración?” “¿Cuánto tiempo entra en la preparación?” “Es bueno tener ese tipo de dinero” Realmente no es tan complicado y no, no tenemos ese tipo de dinero. Todo comienza con lo siguiente:
1. Lista de países para visitar
2. Tabla de clima de 6 meses
3. Taza de cambio del USD
EL PRIMER PASO
El primer paso es reducir los países que definitivamente que les interesa visitar y alinearlos en la proximidad a cada uno. A continuación, desea determinar si el clima es bueno durante el tiempo que planea estar allí. Esto lo ayudará a decidir si desea comenzar el viaje en la parte delantera o posterior de la lista. Conocer el clima de los países durante los meses que está de viaje para determinar el tiempo que vas a permanezca en cada país.
LAS TAZAS DE CAMBIO
Otro factor clave a considerar es la tasa de cambio. Esto lo ayudará a cumplir con su presupuesto para el viaje. Teniendo en cuenta los costos de su alojamiento, también determinan cuánto tiempo será su visita. Somos grandes admiradores de los albergues y Airbnb, pero esos son temas para futuras publicaciones.
A menos que tenga una cantidad ilimitada de ingresos, lo que hacemos, es tener un presupuesto de antemano que juega un papel clave en todo el proceso.” Luego de estos estos pasos principales, nos enfocamos en nuestro modo de viaje. Siendo viajeros frugal, dejamos que el precio sea la fuerza impulsora, aunque hay excepciones de vez en cuando.
MI CUADERNO
Una de las cosas más importantes que yo personalmente, debo tener para guiarme es una hoja de cálculo de Excel que resume el viaje. Guardo la hoja en una carpeta de 3 anillos con cualquier documento de apoyo en mangas separadas. En este momento, algunos de ustedes pueden estar pensando: “En esta época tecnológica, ¿por qué no usar una aplicación como Google Trips?” Buen punto, uso Google Trips entre otras aplicaciones, pero hay algunos documentos de viaje que requieren una copia impresa. Estos se mantienen en una manga transparente, asegurados en mi carpeta. También soy sensible a lo sensible, que aún disfruta leyendo libros de bolsillo, así que me reconforta tener mi carpeta conmigo. Lo uso como un diario de viaje. A medida que salgo de cada país, las páginas correspondientes a mi cuaderno se trasladan amorosamente a la parte posterior, donde se convierten en memorias futuras. O utilizo las mangas transparentes para almacenar recuerdos, como una postal. Nunca viajamos sin un plan de copia de seguridad digital, que comparto con nuestro hijos. Ya ven que no es complicado! Adios!
Planning For Extended Travel Abroad
When we first shared with our friends our plans to travel for six months, they were amazed and bewildered. “How do you begin to plan out a trip of this length?” “How much time goes into the preparation?” “It’s nice to have that kind of money”
Its really not that complicated and no we dont have “that kind of money”.
It all begins with the following:
1. List of countries to visit
2. 6 month Climate chart
3. USD exchange rate
First Steps To Follow
Costa Favolosa – Fjords Cruise
- We have just arrived in Waremunde, Germany from a 7 day Fjord Cruise on Costa Favolosa.
When we first considered Costa as part of our 6 month tour of Europe we were very hesitant. We had sailed three times previously on Costa and we vowed never to sail Costa again.
Money being the driving force for this trip, finalized our decision. Keeping in mind our previous experiences with Costa, coupled with their low review ratings, we decided to set sail with very low expectations.
Much to our surprise, this trip exceeded our expectations in every area. I want to begin by acknowledging the Hotel Director, Ingrid Happ, Housekeeping Manager, Vincent Braganza and Cruise Director, Naim Ayub. What a fabulous team! From the minute we arrived at the port in Bergen Norway, these 3 professionls went above and beyond to ensure our embarkation was smooth and pleasant. After seeing these 3 in action, I had a gut feeling things were going to be okay. They were fabulous!!
We ate in all the dining venues. The food was superb. We did not have one bad meal. The staff at the bars, dining room, lido deck and Chocolatier were amazing.
The entertainment from Duo Fiesta, George and Jean Luc were phonomenal. Our room steward Yulia was the best. Special thanks to Victor, and most of all to Marife Rivera and Ron Kasiaro Purba the best bar staff in the cruise industry.
The shows were fabulous! The entertainers hired for the shows in Hortensia Theater with the exception of Martin the Magician were top of the line.
The animation team were energetic, fun and great!
The Brindiamo Drink Package was included in with the price of our room. Although, the ship was full to capacity, we never had an issue getting drinks. In fact, we may have drank too much.
Finally, the only sour note in this entire trip was our dining room server
. She worked like a robot with no attention to detail or desire to please her guest. We gave her the benefit of the doubt but after a few nights we opted for the Lido Deck freesyyle dining. Overall it was a great cruise and has changed our opinion about future sailings with Costa.
What To Do With Your Cell Phone Services When Traveling
What to do with cell phone services when traveling abroad. Most cell phone companies have an international travel program. Verizon has a program called Travel Pass. For only $10 a day, you can access using your US cell phone services. As part of this plan, you are required to use your US data and minutes allowance.
If the Travel Pass is not an option, you can request a list of international services and pricing while traveling outside of the US from your cell phone carrier
Check with your carrier to see what other plans may be available. As of this posting, Verizon has an $85 plan that provides you with 250 minutes a month and no data while you are traveling abroad.
Other options, depending on the length of time that you are traveling, would be to purchase an international SIM card that will work throughout Europe. Many of the international SIM cards will provide data which can be used to call home free using various apps such as Facebook Messenger, Google Voice and WhatsApp. If you decide to use Google Voice, make sure that you get your Google Voice number in the US. You will not be able to get a Google Voice phone number if you are out of the US. After attaining your Google Voice number you can forward all your calls to that number and receive free calls and text messages while you are traveling abroad.
If you are traveling for a long period of time and do not want to continue to pay your monthly carrier charges, you can choose to Port your number to a porting service such as “Number Barn. This will allow you to keep your number and received text messages and emails on calls made to your phone number. Keep in mind if you have a service agreement or contract with your current carrier porting your number to “Number Barn” or any other similar service provider may create early termination fees with your carrier.
P.S. Note you can only switch a SIMS card if your phone is unlocked.
Whatever you decide to do with your wireless service, make sure you are clear on how to use your phone while abroad to avoid costly roaming charges.