A story about train travel with my daughter

RAILROAD, n. The chief of many mechanical devices enabling us to get away from where we are to where we are no better off. For this purpose the railroad is held in highest favor by the optimist, for it permits him to make the transit with great expedition.  Ambrose Bierce

Train travel all over Europe is great. The trains go just about anywhere you want to go, they are usually on time, they are comfortable, and a great way to get around if you don't want to drive. However, things don't always go smoothly even on the train.

I remember traveling on the train with my daughter from Waterford to Dublin in Ireland. Just as we were nearing Dublin, a rock hit the window, right where my daughter's head was. It sounded like a gunshot, and Kim let out a scream, which scared me to death. A porter came and examined the window. He told us we were very lucky, that particular car had double pained windows. If we had been in a different car with the single pained windows, the rock would surely have come through the window, and it could have caused her serious head damage. He said they had been having problems with young kids throwing rocks from bridges at the train as it entered the city. The rest of our trip Kim was a bit nervous on the trains and tended to jump at every loud noise. I think she also took the inside seat as often as she could. Couldn't really blame her for being nervous.

Another incident that took place on the train, was in England, and also with my daughter. In fact it was the week following the Dublin incident. We were traveling up through England on our way up to Edinburgh, Scotland. I was reading a book when Kim got up and went to the toilet on the train. I was engrossed in the book and didn't notice that she had been gone a long time. Finally I realized that we were getting close to our destination and that she had been gone close to an hour. I got up and went out to where the toilets were and realized that someone was pounding on the inside of the bathroom door. I called to Kim and she yelled back that the handle had broken off the door and she couldn't open it. I went and got help. They were able to free her just before our arrival in Edinburgh.

Tokyo, Japan & the Tokyo Tower

But my favorite train story actually happened back in 1979 in Tokyo, Japan. Again, I was traveling with my daughter, however instead of being an adult, she was only 10 years old. She and I had taken a military hop to Japan and had spent 10 days there, shopping and seeing the sights. It was time to go back to the military base and get a hop back to our home (which at that time was in the Philippines). In order to get to the base we had to catch the train in Tokyo with all of our baggage and all the things we had bought on the trip, which included a futon (what was I thinking when I bought that).

The train pulled into the station, the doors opened, people were pushing their way onto the train. I had Kim get on and I started pushing our suitcases and packages onto the train. As I turned to grab the futon the doors started closing. I had visions of my young daughter going down the tracks without me. I managed to shove the futon into the closing doors, which caused it to pop open again, and allow me to get on. I don't know what would have happened if she had gone off without me. The funny part is, that now, years later, Kim recently told the story, and in her version, she did go off without me. She actually thinks she remembers getting off at the next station and waiting for me, which never happened.  I can't even imagine how one little girl could have gotten all that stuff off the train on her own.  She's still convinced that is what happened though.

Destination - San Diego

"But do not ask me where I am heading,
As I travel in this limitless world
Where every step I take is my home"
~ Portion of a Poem by Eihei Dogen ~

San Diego Skyline

As part of this blog I have been picking different cities and writing about them as destinations.  It occurred to me that my own city, San Diego, is considered one of the great vacation destinations.  Just because I live here, I shouldn’t ignore it.  And for those San Diego residents who may be reading this, revisiting the city we live in can be fun.  We sometimes get busy and don’t take the time to see our own city.  I have heard of people who live in New York who have never visited the Statue of Liberty.  I am equally sure there are people who live in the San Diego area who have never been to the Pt. Loma Lighthouse.  The past few years we have heard the term “staycation”, which means taking a vacation where you live.

from the air looking toward OB

I recently had out of town visitors and I was showing them around San Diego.  It made me realize that this is a city that I am proud to live in.  Yes, it was February and sunny, in the low 80’s, and my company was from places that were cold and snowy, so the weather was a big factor in how I felt about the city.  It was nice to take them to the beach on a sunny day in the middle of winter.  But more than that, we really do live in a really pretty city, with a lot of history, and culture, and things to do and see.

There are a lot of guide books to San Diego, and information on the web, and everyone will have their own ideas of the top things in the San Diego area.  Here is my list of the Top 10 Things to See or Do in San Diego:

Inside the Natural History Museum
Balboa Park

     Visit the Hotel Del Coronado

      Balboa Park
      San Diego Zoo
      Beaches
      Take the Trolley tour from Old Town

       Old Town

       Pt. Loma Lighthouse

       Sea World

       USS Midway

       Seaport Village

Of course there are a lot more than 10 things, the list is just to get you started.  I’d like to talk about the things on the list, giving a little more detail.

Hotel Del Coronado

One of my favorite places is the Hotel Del Coronado.  I think this hotel is a symbol for the cities of both Coronado and San Diego.  When Presidents come to San Diego and spend the night, they stay at the Hotel Del.  It has been featured in movies, the most famous was “Some Like it Hot.”  It is considered by some to be haunted.  It is one of the oldest and most famous landmarks in the area, and certainly one of the most beautiful.  At Christmas time most locals visit the hotel just to see the decorations, we have made it a Christmas tradition.  There is not a better beach in the city than the beach in front of the Hotel Del.  Anyone can walk in and see the hotel, you do not have to be a guest.  Check out the shops, and in the hallways downstairs there are pictures of the hotels past and information about famous people who have stayed there.  Have lunch in the outside café on a sunny day and enjoy the ocean view.  Walk up the beach.  If you walk clear to the northern end of the beach you will reach the “Dog Beach” area and you can enjoy our four-legged friends romping on the beach and having fun.  You may even see my 2 schnauzers, it is their favorite place in all of San Diego to go to. The website for the Del is http://www.hoteldel.com/

Botanical Garden Building

Balboa Park is our version of New York’s Central Park.  It is in the city and covers a very large area.  There are beautiful gardens, lots of different museums, fountains, restaurants, an International Village, a Botanical building, Spanish Art village, Japanese Tea Garden, the Old Globe Theatre, and the Spreckel’s Organ Pavillion, which gives free concerts on Sundays.  It is a wonderful, diverse area to walk around and just enjoy the outdoors.  On the weekends in particular the park is full of street performers and families, and is a good place to do some people-watching.  There is also a wonderful fenced, off-leash dog park.  Even if you don’t have your dog with you on vacation, it is fun to watch the dogs playing with each other.  There is a large number of museums, the most famous ones being – The Museum of Man, The Natural History Museum, The Air and Space Museum, as well as various art museums. There is also The Reuben H Fleet Science Center and IMAX Theatre, which is a great place to take the kids.  On Tuesdays they offer certain museums free to San Diego residents.  There website is http://www.balboapark.org/

Panda at the SD Zoo

Also part of Balboa Park is the San Diego Zoo.  Our zoo is world famous, and is considered one of the great zoo’s in this country.  We have animals you won’t see at most other zoo’s.  We have several giant pandas, and I believe that we will soon have another baby panda, which is always a big attraction.  Our panda breeding program has been quite successful.  We also have koalas, which are certainly adorable, although I have to say they don’t do much except sleep, but you can watch them do that.  There is a bus that will take you around the zoo, and you can hop on and off whenever you want.  Some areas you do have to walk to get to, but if you plan it right with the help of the bus, you can do most of the walking downhill instead of up.  The zoo is well worth one day of your vacation.  http://www.sandkegozoo.org/

Crystal Pier - PB

My favorite place to be anytime is the beach.  In San Diego you can spend a day at the beach almost any time of the year.  The water is not necessarily warm enough for swimming year around, but certainly you can wade all year long.  I talked a little about Coronado Beach already, and it is certainly one of the prettiest beaches, but there are several other great beaches worth mentioning.  Ocean Beach, known locally as OB is a typical beach town.  The town is full of antique shops and other types of fun shops as well as some fun restaurants.  It has a great pier where you can walk out and watch the surfers.   Pacific Beach, or PB, also has a great pier and lots of surfers.  When I want to go boogie boarding PB is where I head because the waves are better there than some of the other beaches.  It also has the best hamburgers in town at Kono's and you can sit on their outdoor deck and watch the action on the beach.  Mission Beach is a nice beach and it has Belmont Park, where you can ride the old wooden roller coaster.  And the best of the northern beaches is La Jolla Shores, which is a sheltered cove, so the waves are milder for swimming.  You can take a kayak trip from here to the caves or to watch the whales when they are around.*  The town of La Jolla is more upscale, and The Scripp's Institute and Birch Aquarium are nearby.

Old Town

Old Town San Diego is where the city started.  It is now a historical park that recreates life in the Mexican and early American periods of 1821 to 1872.  There are old buildings that you can go into, lots of shops and restaurants. For the best carnitas in town, try the Old Town Cafe.  Spend a few hours, have lunch and then sign up for the Old Town Trolley Tour which is 2 hours and takes you around Old Town, as well as to Balboa Park, the Gaslamp area, Seaport Village and across the Coronado Bridge to see the Hotel Del.  You will stay on the trolley the whole time, so it is actually something you could do when you first arrive in town, and it will give you and overview of the city, and then you can go back and really visit those places on your own.  www.trolleytours.com/san-diego   http://www.oldtownsandiego.org/

Point Loma Lighthouse

The Point Loma Lighthouse is also home to the Cabrillo National Monument.  The Lighthouse has stood on this point of land since 1855.  It is no longer a working lighthouse, as they found it was not the best location to have it, but you can visit it and see how lighthouse families lived at that time.  The Cabrillo National Monument is also there.  Climbing out of his boat and onto shore in 1542, Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo stepped into history as the first European to set foot on what is now the West Coast of the United States. In addition to telling the story of 16th century exploration, the park is home to a wealth of cultural and natural resources. From both places you have fantastic views of the cities of San Diego and Coronado.  www.nps.gov/cabr/historyculture/old-point-loma-lighthouse.htm

A day at Sea World is certainly a fun thing to do while visiting our city.  How can you go wrong when you have Shamu, the killer whale doing several shows a day.  There are quite a few shows as well as some fun rides, lots of aquariums, and places where you can touch sting rays, dolphins and other sea creatures.  www.seaworldparks.com/SeaWorld-SanDiego

USS Midway in SD Harbor

The USS Midway was an aircraft carrier, the lead ship of her class and is currently a museum ship in San Diego.  You can go aboard and experience what life was like aboard ship.  There are over 60 different exhibits and 27 restored aircraft on board. http://www.midway.org/ 

Seaport Village is a shopping area on the harbor-side of San Diego.  It is a short walking distance from the Midway and has many different and quaint shops, as well as restaurants.  There is also a boardwalk area and a park behind the village where you can watch the boats on the water.  It is a pleasant place to spend an afternoon.  http://www.seaportvillage.com/

Besides the places I listed as my top ten, there are so many other areas to visit here.  The Gaslamp area downtown is also a historic area, and there is a great walking tour that tells the history of the area.  There are many great restaurants and antique shops in the Gaslamp. 

And there is of course the Zoo Safari Park, known to the locals still as the Wild Animal Park, which is about an hour drive out of San Diego in the Escondido area.  I didn’t put it on the list, because technically it is not in town, but certainly worth the drive.  You see the animals in their natural habitat, with much more freedom than they have in the zoo.  There is a train that takes you through a good portion of the park, but to see it all, there are walking paths that will give you good views.

Old Globe, San Diego

Starlight Theatre, Balboa Park

San Diego is full of culture, with some great museums and lots of theatre.  We have lots of little local theatre groups, and you can find a play to attend almost every day.  The Civic Theatre downtown puts on traveling Broadway plays.  The La Jolla Theatre and the San Diego Repertory groups are quite active, and both have great reputations.  The Lambs Players have theatres in both downtown and in Coronado.  And my favorite, The Old Globe, has 3 theatres in Balboa Park.  In the summer, I love going to the Old Globe's Festival Theatre to see a Shakespeare play.  The Festival Theatre is outdoor, under the stars, and it has a natural backdrop of trees behind the stage.  You can hear the animals in the zoo at night, in the not too far distance.  It is a wonderful way to spend a summer evening.  And nearby is the Starlight Theatre, which does strickly musicals, and is also outdoors in Balboa Park.  It is directly under the path of the airplanes landing in San Diego.  They have a person who watches for the plane, and as it gets close she turns on a red light, and all action on the stage freezes until the plane passes over, then the actors start up where they left off, even if it was the middle of a dance number, which can make for interesting theatre. 

fish tacos

I’m not going to cover places to stay, or restaurants - there are so many great ones in San Diego, but I will say that when you come to San Diego there is one thing we are quite famous for, and that is fish tacos.  So make sure you have those at least once while you are here.  Rubio’s is the home of the fish taco, and you will find them in various locations, and you can't go wrong with their food.  Pt. Loma Seafood also does a great fish taco.

*See my article about kayaking in the January archives.

Destination - Seattle

“The earth does not belong to us. We belong to the earth.”
Chief Seattle,

Downtown Seattle

When my husband and I were first married we lived very near to Seattle and used to go there quite often.  I have to say that it has been many years since I have visited the city.  I get to Washington at least once a year, my family is there, and we have a cabin in the southern part of the state.  My sister lives in Seattle, but she usually comes down to visit us when we are there, so we haven’t ventured north for quite a few years.  I plan to remedy that in the next few years, we need to get back to Seattle and reconnect.  It is a beautiful city. 

Seattle Skyline & Mt. Rainier

A trivia fact:  The term Skid Row actually originated in Seattle.  The loggers used to slide their cut logs down from the top of the hills in Seattle to the water, where they would be shipped from there.

Since I hadn’t been there for many years, I did some online research to see if some of the things I remember in the past are still around.  And I have assembled a list of things to do while visiting the city of Seattle.  Here is my list:

Pike Place Market Entrance

1.   Pike Place Market, which is a place I always enjoyed wandering around.  You can sample some wonderful cheeses, get fresh fruits, vegetables and seafood.  There are shops with all sorts of interesting things to purchase, as well as some nice restaurants.  And you can see flying Salmon.  The fish hockers jockey for your business by throwing large salmons through the air in front of you.  Don’t worry, they won’t hit you, but it is fun to watch.  Also, you may hear someone say “I’ll meet you at the pig.”  The pig is a famous statue at the market and is often used as a meeting place for families that get separated in the course of shopping, or friends who are meeting up for lunch at one of the area restaurants.

Pioneer Square

2.   Pioneer Square is at the southern end of downtown area of Seattle.  Did you know that in 1914 the tallest structure west of the Mississippi was located in downtown Seattle? Smith Tower has long since been eclipsed by Seattle skyscrapers. Many of the buildings here are made of brick and house an eclectic mix of upscale boutiques, coffee houses, bars, and funky gift shops to buy souvenirs. And don't forget to have your picture taken next to the totem pole. This icon of Native American art was erected to commemorate the man who gave this city its name: Chief Seattle. If you're into the art scene, make sure to be at Pioneer Square on the first Thursday of the month; local artisans, performers and craftspeople turn out en masse to sell their work and to entertain. In addition, the galleries and restaurants extend their hours past the normal closing time.  A word of caution, the area has become slightly run down and may not be safe at night.

Seattle Ferry and skyline

3.   Catch a ferry to Bainbridge Island or Bremerton.  The ferry system in Seattle is fantastic, they run daily on schedule and go to many destinations.  The crossing to Bainbridge Island is only a half hour and you catch it at the docks in downtown Seattle.  When you arrive on the island you can rent a bike or walk into town where there are shops, galleries and dining options.  When you are ready to return just hop on the ferry back.  These ferries do hold cars as well, so if you have your own car you can take the ferry to Bremerton and explore that area for the day.  My favorite town there is Gig Harbor, which reminds me a lot of Sausalito in California.  It’s an artist community on the water, with lots of sailboats in the harbor.  Any ferry ride you take will get you out on the water and you will have some beautiful views of the Seattle skyline as well as the Olympic Mountains.  Another alternative would be to take the ferry to the San Juan Islands and spend a day or two there, they are certainly worth a visit.

Freemont Troll - That is a Volkswagen he's holding onto

4.  Explore the Fremont neighborhood, it's an especially fun neighborhood and easy to walk around.   Take the #26 bus from 3rd and Pine downtown and you'll be there in about 15 minutes.  There are plenty of places to shop and eat, or you can stroll along the ship canal. On summer Sundays Fremont has a big outdoor/indoor market with food, crafts, antiques, you name it.   Also, make sure you find the Fremont Troll under the bridge.  This is one of the more offbeat and enormous works of public art.  The Troll resides beneath the Aurora Bridge and was built in 1990.  The statue has a hubcap for an eye and is clutching a VW Beetle with one of its hands.  It's a fun landmark, and easy to reach taking Fremont Ave. to N. 36th  Ave. and it is right under the bridge.

Lower Queen Anne Hill

5.   Queen Anne Hill is a great neighborhood to explore. The main street at the top of the hill has an array of restaurants to sample the Pacific Northwest cuisine, trendy boutiques and funky cafes. From Kerry Park you can enjoy gorgeous views of the city.  There views at sunset are the best in the city. The residential section is a mix of old mansions and modern architecture. Linking the upper and lower neighborhoods is a series of pedestrian staircases. You can buy a map of these stairways at  Queen Anne Books.



Monorail and Space Needle

6.   Space Needle and World’s Fairground area.  In 1962 Seattle held a World’s Fair.  My family drove up to it, and it is one of my favorite memories.  We stayed for several days, and had a great time.  The Space Needle and Monorail were built for the fair.  You can take the monorail from downtown Seattle to the Space Needle.  It runs every 10 minutes.  A visit to Seattle just wouldn’t be complete without a trip to the top of the Space Needle.  At a height of 605 feet, the Space Needle boasts a fabulous 360 degree view that includes Mt. Rainier, Puget Sound and the Olympic and Cascade Mountains, as well as the view of the city of Seattle below.  The restaurant inside the needle rotates, so if you spend an hour you will make it all the way around and see the entire view.  The Space Needle is open 365 days a year and is located next to the Pacific Science Center and the Experience Music Project.

Discovery Park

7.   If you get overloaded with the urban scene, Discovery Park awaits. It is Seattle’s largest park with 534 acres of woods, meadows, and two miles of protected tidal beaches. Starting at the Visitors Center you can take a three mile hiking loop through beautiful forest and then out to a bluff overlooking Elliot Bay and the Olympic Mountains. Those with extra energy can hike down the beach and check out the lighthouse. The park is also home to the Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center, where you can check out Native American cultural activities and art exhibits.  The #24 W Magnolia bus from 4th and Pike will get you there in about 25 minutes, for those without a car.

Myrtle Edwards Park

8.  Both the Olympic Sculpture Garden and Myrtle Edwards Park are worth checking out.  The Olympic Sculpture Garden, with free admission,  is located at the end of the the waterfront near Pier 70 and is adjacent Myrtle Edwards Park, which has gorgeous paths and gardens along the waterfront.  The park has 1.25 miles of winding bike and pedestrian paths along Elliott Bay. The park offers picnic tables, a fishing pier, picnic areas and Seattle waterfront views of Puget Sound.

Seattle Art Museum

There are many other things to do in Seattle.  There is the Seattle Art Museum which is downtown on 1st and Union, the SAM Sculpture Garden & Cafe overlooking Puget Sound and which connects to Myrtle Edwards park, and the Asian Art Museum in north Capital Hill, and the Frye Museum on lower Capital Hill is always free. There is a nice aquarium, you can take a tour of Boeing, which is close by.   You can take a Underground tour of the city, and see where the shops were before the city was built above it.  You can drive across the world’s longest floating bridge, or you could take the Victoria Clipper and spend a day in Victoria, Canada.  If you plan to do that, make sure you have your passports with you, Canada is another country.

There are wonderful and diverse neighborhoods to explore  like Fremont, Ballard, Capitol Hill, Georgetown, Belltown, Queen Anne, Magnolia, Madrona and Madison Park. Each of these neighborhoods has it's own special character and all are crammed with shops and restaurants, especially Capital Hill in the area between Pine & Madison, from 15th to Broadway, which is now the busiest and most vibrant cafe/club scene in the city. It's also where the famous Elliot Bay Book Co. moved when it left Pioneer Square.   Or go for a swim in Lake Washington.  If you take Madison St. from one end to the other (it crosses diagonally across town), you go from the downtown waterfront to Madison Park, a neighborhood on Lake Washington. There's a nice beach there, with changing rooms & a lifeguard, where you can sunbathe and swim. Or you could turn left about halfway there and explore the Arboretum.

If you make your trip in May you might want to take in the Seattle International Film Festival, it is one of the biggest in the world.  It lasts weeks and shows hundreds of films. Or take in a play while in town.Seattle is one of the biggest theatre cities in the country, right up there with Chicago. The big ones are the Seattle Repertory Theatre and ACT, as well as quite a few fringe theaters.  So check out what is playing.  Seattle is famous for its coffee, so coffeehouses are everywhere.

But no matter what you decide to do while there, make sure you take the time to enjoy the wonderful clean air, the green trees, the wonderful Puget Sound, and say hello to the people up there for me.  I plan to get back there as soon as possible, it's a great city. 

*pictures taken from the internet

Safety Tips While Traveling

 "The worst thing about being a tourist is having other tourists recognize you as a tourist".
Russell Baker

Safety is always an issue when traveling.  Here are a few safety tips, which could help you when traveling.

1.  Think about how you dress.  Clothing that might be acceptable in your own country could attract unwanted attention in another.  Also, you don't want to stand out in a crowd, to draw attention to yourself as a tourist.  T-shirts with sayings can sometimes be offensive.  Just be aware of where you are, and what would be the normal wear there, and pack to blend in.

Times Square, New York

2.  Leave the bling at home.  Expensive jewelery is best left in your jewelery box at home.  If going on a cruise where you will have a dress night, then take some nice jewelery, but keep it in the room safe until the dressy night.

3. In your own city you know which areas are safe to walk around in at night, in a strange city you do not.  Use common sense and don't go into areas that seem questionable, stay in lighted areas where there are lots of people around.

Having a beer in Croatia

4.  Don't drink too much!  One of the great things about traveling in Europe is experiencing the rich nightlife, and trying new foods and drinks.  But be careful, you don't want to become a vulnerable target. 

5.  If a thief attmpts to rob something from you, hand it over.  Anything they steal is replaceable.  Go to the police and report it.  You will need this report to make any claims with your insurance company.

6.  Don't keep your valuables in one place, spread it out.  If you have 2 credit cards, then put them in separate places.  If there are 2 of you traveling together, then each of you carry one.  Store your other valuables, such as passports, in hotel safes, or in your luggage.  But make a photocopy of passports and credit cards, so that if they are lost or stolen, you have all the information on you to replace them.  Keep those copies separate from the originals.  Also, make sure you make a note of phone numbers for the credit cards in case you need to call and report them stolen.

Driving in Tahiti

7.  If traveling by car, keep items hidden in the trunk, not out where they can be seen while you are parked.  If you are at the beach for the day, do not leave anything of value on the beach while you take a swim.

8.  Men should not keep their wallet in their back pockets, it's the easiest place for a pickpocket to get it.  A suit jacket or the front pockets are preferable, but even then not completely safe.  Better yet, buy a money holder or passport holder that goes under your shirt, and keep credit cards and cash there, along with your passport.

9.  Women need to keep their purses to the front of their bodies, not slung over their shoulders so that the purse is behind them.  And keep them zipped or fastened shut,

10.  Have fun, but use common sense, and be aware of what is going on around you.

Botin Retaurant, Madrid

Quick story from our travels.  We were in Madrid, Spain.  It was our first night.  We were heading out to dinner and I told my husband that I didn't want to carry my purse, but that I wanted my wallet with me.  He said he would put my wallet in his front pants pocket.  He put his wallet in the other front pants pocket, and we went to dinner, at Botin Restaurant (which is the oldest restaurant in the world).  In Spain, dinner is not until around 10 PM, so we were following that custom. 

Walking back to our hotel after dinner, we were in an area that had vendors selling things from tables along the street.  Even though it was around midnight, the area was crowded and well-lit, so we were not worried.  I was meandering along, looking at all the neat stuff for sale.  My husband was a little ways ahead of me.  When I caught up to him he was upset.   He told me that someone had dropped some coins in front of him, and had stooped to pick them up.  While he was diverted watching this, 2 different pickpockets managed to each get the wallets from his front pockets.  He realized almost immediately what had happened and was able to grab my wallet back from the one guy, but his wallet was gone.  We were standing there trying to decide what to do next, when a very nice man came racing towards us.  He had George's wallet in his hand and was waving it at us.  He had seen what had happened and had raced after the thief and retrieved it.  We were very lucky, we didn't lose a thing.  But it was only because of a good samaritan who helped us.  So, be aware of your surroundings, and if something unusual happens, remember it could be just a diversion.

Travel safely everyone!

Should I purchase travel insurance?

“Travel is more than the seeing of sights, it is a change that goes on,
deep and permanent, in the ideas of living.”
 Miriam Beard

As a travel agent, we encouraged travel insurance. It was a source of revenue for the office and it increased our totals, which helped us make our goals. But more then that, it made our lives easier if our clients canceled their trip at the last minute, due to illness or other reasons. And then there are the cases where the company canceled, due to bankruptcy. Sometimes insurance will help with that also, but only if the insurance is purchased by a company other then the one you booked with, which now is bankrupt. Also, some insurance policies do not cover bankruptcies, so that is something to think about also.

Oahu, Hawaii

I remember a case that happened to a client of mine, and it was just after 9/11, when many companies were having problems. I had clients who had purchased a cruise of Hawaii. The cruise was with a company that had been in business for many years, a company that we considered reliable. However, in the aftermath of 9/11, many reliable companies had financial problems, and this was one of them. The couple had paid me all in cash, something I had advised them against, but they didn't believe in credit cards, did not have any, and wanted to pay a little each week until it was paid for. They were celebrating their 50^th anniversary, and going to Hawaii had been a dream of theirs.

Kauai

When I got the call that the company was canceling all cruises, it was only 2 weeks from their date. I dreaded calling them to tell them. They had not purchased any insurance. We had several other clients that were sailing with the same company, but they had all purchased insurance with Access America which AAA recommended, so they were covered. These clients were our only uncovered clients. When I told them, they were heartbroken.

Their story did have a somewhat happy ending, only because I worked for a company like AAA. The company that had gone bankrupt was considered one of our preferred companies, and when the higher ups learned that one of our customers was going to lose all their money, they said that they would personally refund their money, and deal with the companies bankruptcies people to get refunded. They gave my couple back their money, and I was able to find them a different cruise company that was within the same month, and we booked them on it. It wasn't exactly the cruise they wanted, and it did cost them more money, because we were booking last minute, but they went to Hawaii for their 50^th anniversary. Id assisted them in getting a AAA Visa card and insisted that they pay for the new cruise with the card. They could pay it off immediately, but the initial payment was on the new charge card.

Tip: Never pay for your travel with cash. Always pay with a credit card. If you do not get what you paid for, you have recourse with the credit card company for a refund. My daughter had an airline go bankrupt the night before her flight to England. She had paid with a credit card, so she was able to call them and they gave her a refund on the flight. That did not help her get to England, but she was out less money.

So, do you need insurance?  I have to say that when I travel I don't always have travel insurance. It depends on the trip, and the cost of it. If I am spending a lot of money, and I will lose it all if I cancel, then I purchase insurance. When I am doing independent travel and the only real upfront cost is the airfare, then I sometimes insure that, and sometimes I don't, depending on how expensive it was. Independent travel means that I have made reservations at hotels and such, but usually those can be canceled right up to the last minute, so no need to insure those. However, if I have booked a tour or a cruise, I purchase the insurance. We are getting older, and could have health issues come up. Also, my mother is 94 years old, and she could certainly have health issues that would cause us to cancel.

 

 

The other thing to think about is that most travel insurance also comes with Trip Interruption, lost baggage coverage and assistance getting you home if you have to leave your destination before you planned. I have had experience with those issues, and travel insurance can be a life saver.  I have had clients that were on a tour and got seriously ill. Getting home on their own would have been terribly expensive, because the last minute tickets to return would have been very high. The insurance took care of that.

Taken from the ferry in Greece

And I personally have used the Trip Interruption portion of travel insurance. We went to Greece in 2007. We left San Diego on a flight to Atlanta. As we approached Atlanta the pilot came on and told us that we were being diverted to Birmingham because of weather conditions. We spent several hours on the ground in Birmingham before finally flying to Atlanta. We arrived in Atlanta around 10PM, but our flight to Athens, Greece had departed at 4PM. Weather had been okay when they departed, but because we were one of nine flights diverted to Birmingham, we did not get permission to fly to Atlanta until it was too late to connect. It was not the airlines fault, so we were on our own. We had to get a hotel for the night in Atlanta, and we were lucky enough to get re-booked to Athens the next day, not everyone was able to get on flights the next day, some had to wait several days. But we lost our first night hotel in Athens. And we had a 3 day cruise booked for our second day in Greece, and when we landed in Athens that day, it was 10AM, and our cruise ship departed at 10AM, so we missed getting on the ship. We took a bus directly to the port and managed to get a ferry to Mykonos, which was its first port, and we boarded it there.

Me in front of the Colisseum
Athens

I had called Access America from the Atlanta airport when I realized that we had not only missed our flight but that we would also miss boarding the ship. They told me to keep all receipts – for hotels (the one in Atlanta and the one in Athens we didn't make it to), all food we ate, anything we had to buy (toothpaste, etc. because we didn't have our luggage in Atlanta), the bus fare, taxi fares, anything we paid money on from the minute we were delayed. I did that, and when I returned from our trip I sent all those receipts with a claim form to the insurance, and within 2 weeks, I was reimbursed for every penny, well over $500. The insurance was certainly a good buy for that trip. *

So, when deciding whether to buy insurance or not, think about the cost of the trip, how much of it would be refundable if you canceled last minute, and can you afford to forfeit that amount if you can't take the trip, for whatever reason? Also, think about the other benefits of insurance, medical coverage, lost baggage, trip assist and trip interruption. They can all be of great benefit, depending on circumstances.


*You can read more about our trip to Greece by going to Trip Reports for Trips we have taken which is in the side column.

Mother's Day Trip to Washington

The Dogwood was in bloom

Just returned from a quick trip to the Portland area.  My mom lives in Vancouver, Washington, which is just across the Columbia River on the Washington side.  Spent 4 days up there,and just got home this afternoon.  I have to say that I couldn't have asked for more perfect weather.  It was sunny and very warm the entire time, not something you can count on in the Pacific Northwest this time of year. 

Although it was a quick trip, we did get to do quite a bit.  Mom decided she would like to go up river to the town I grew up in, which is White Salmon.  So on Saturday we took a nice drive up the Columbia River gorge - which was the subject of my last posting.  We drove around the town and even past our old home, which has changed alot from when we lived there.  We went out to the cemetery and cleaned up my dad and my sister's gravestones and left flowers.  We had lunch and then headed back down the gorge. It was a beautiful day for a drive.

Columbia River Gorge

On Sunday, which was Mother's Day, my sister and I took my mom out to our cabin, and we had lunch on the deck.  It was almost warm enough for a swim - but not quite.  We had a pleasant day out there and even did a little wading in the river.

All in all, it was a very pleasant little trip.  We will be back up that way this summer, and hopefully will have as nice weather as we had this trip.  Next week we head to Scotland to visit our friends and we are taking a road trip with them to Ireland.  In the meantime I have postings that will post while I am gone, and I will report on our trip when we get back.  Our 2 dogs are staying home with a housesitter, who I know will take great care of them.  We will miss them, and I know they will miss us.  But travel is something I couldn't live without, so I am sure they will understand. 

Destination - Portland, Oregon and the Columbia River Gorge

"The freedom of travel opens the mind to unlimited possibilities." unknown

Portland, with Mt. Hood

I grew up just up the Columbia River from Portland.  It was an hour drive to the “big city” where my grandmother lived.  We visited her often, and did a lot of our shopping in Portland.  Every summer my sisters and I spent 2 weeks with her, which gave our parents a well-deserved vacation.  But the Portland I grew up with has changed, and in the past few years, when I have visited, I have been more of a tourist in Portland.  It is a really nice city to visit.  I still get up that way almost every year, although I don’t always go into the city.  We have a cabin that is not far from Portland, and tend to spend most of our time on the river.  But Portland is a city worth visiting.

Rose Test Garden - Portland

Yes, it rains in Portland, but there is lots of good weather, particularly in the summer months.  And it is in many ways an outdoor city.  There are lots of parks to visit and walk through.  One of Portland's nicknames is the "City of Roses", and is famous for the Rose test gardens.  If you visit from April through October you can walk among 7,000 luscious rose bushes; June is when they're most bountiful, and they celebrate by having the Rose Festival, with a parade and other festivities. The garden is free, and is open from 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.

Forest Park just outside Portland

If you are a hiker, then Forest Park is a good place to go.   It is the nation's largest urban wilderness. This nearly 5,000-acre park has miles of hiking, jogging and mountain biking trails.  Autumn sees the park's mostly evergreen forest dotted with vibrant fall color. This is the perfect time of year to escape to the quiet solitude of the woods — and all within a 10-minute drive of most downtown hotels.

A peaceful oasis in the midst of the city, The Grotto is set among 62 acres of botanical gardens. The Grotto offers a place of quiet reflection with peaceful ponds, spectacular cliffside vistas and award-winning architecture. It has a religious theme, but the gardens are beautiful and it is open to everyone.

Pittock Mansion

High in the West Hills of Portland, Pittock Mansion soars 1,000 feet above the city’s skyline. A century-old symbol of Portland’s dramatic transformation from a small lumber town to a bustling city, it’s an architectural wonder. With picture-perfect views of rivers, forests, bridges and mountaintops, and rooms teeming with treasures. No other place in town offers a more breathtaking view or a more revealing glimpse of Portland’s past.

Powell's Book Store

One place we never miss going to when in the city is Powell’s City of Books.  It is one of the world’s great bookstores.  It covers an entire city block and contains more than 1.5 million books.  They sell both used and new books and if you can’t find it there, then it is not available.  My husband knows that whenever he loses me in a bookstore he just has to go to the travel section and there I am.  Powell’s has a very nice travel section.

Some other places to check out in Portland are the zoo and OMSI.  The Portland Zoo is quite nice.  I grew up going to it, so I still find it to be one of the better zoos, although now that I live in San Diego, I have to say it is not as good as our zoo.  OMSI is next door to the zoo and stands for Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, and is a great place for adults and kids.  There are five halls that bring science to life with hundreds of interactive exhibits and displays.  And there is an IMAX theatre and a planetarium.

Pioneer Courthouse Sqiare

Portland has a very nice downtown area.  In the heart of downtown is Pioneer Courthouse Square.  It is known as the city’s “living room.”  The Portland Visitor Information Center is located here.  The square hosts quite a few of Portland’s outdoor events each year, and the Portland Farmers Market operates from the square every Monday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., June-Oct.  It is considered one of the best markets in the states.

Enjoy a distinctive experience at Portland’s Saturday Market, the nation’s largest weekly open-air arts and crafts market. Stroll down row upon row of unique creations made by the people who sell them, and enjoy live music and international snacks. It is located at the Waterfront Park and is open every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., March through December 24.  It is free and open rain or shine. 

Multnomah Falls

And if you go to Portland make sure you set aside a day to drive up the Columbia River Gorge.  I may be prejudice, but I think it is one of the prettiest places in the world, and I have traveled quite a few places.  Head east out of Portland on Interstate 84.   Make sure you get off the interstate and get onto the Historic Columbia River highway, there are several exits after you leave Portland.  The historical road is a 2 lane road that leads you past several waterfalls, including Multnomah Falls, the largest of the falls along the road.  All of the falls are worth a stop to look at.  You can actually climb all the way to the top of the mountain where Multnomah Falls is just a creek before it plunges off the mountain.   It is quite a steep climb, but when I was a kid we stopped there and climbed it at least once a year. 

Crown Point Lookout and Columbia River Gorge

Make sure you stop at the Crown Point lookout, you can’t beat the views from there.  Other stops along the Columbia River gorge include Bonneville Dam where you can go inside and watch the fish going up the fish ladders.  And there is a paddlewheel boat you can take from Cascade Locks that will take you upriver.  They actually do a decent dinner cruise, if you are interested.  I would suggest going as far as Hood River, which is only 60 miles east of Portland.  Go across the bridge here and then head back down river.  The area near Hood River is where I grew up, and it is known as the “windsurfing capital of the world.”  The Columbia has quite a few white caps on it in this region.

Beacon Rock

Mt. Hood and Hood River

Coming back down the north side of the river you will see a pull out for Beacon Rock. This huge rock has a trail that goes to the top, and if you feel like stretching your legs, this is a nice climb with some good views. After leaving Beacon Rock you will start climbing and will get to the Cape Horn area, which is quite high up.  There is a lookout point here where you should pull over and look at the view.  From there you descend into the Camas and Washougal area   Once you reach Vancouver you can take the bridge that crosses the Columbia and head back into Portland.  Or if you still had time you could head north up Interstate 5 and spend some time at the Mt. Saint Helens Interpretative Center, which tells the story of what happened when St. Helens erupted.  You could also save that for another day trip.

Rose Gardens in Portland

Portland is a city where almost anyone can find something to do.  It has many outdoor activities, such as hiking, bicycling, fishing, golf as well as being close to winter sports – such as sledding and skiing.  It has many museums, and performing arts venues.  It has become famous for its micro-breweries and is a haven for foodies.  The food trucks in Portland have become quite popular and there are many varieties of them.  They cluster in pods throughout the city.

And every year the city has their Rose Festival.  It takes place in early June and there are quite a few festivities held in its honor.  There is the Starlight Parade as well as the famous Rose Parade.   There are Dragon Boat Races, and the coronation of the queen ceremony.  Usually US Navy ships come to town and dock, and you can tour them.  We always looked forward to the festival when I was growing up, and made a point to go to the parade.

Windsurfer on the Columbia River

**Pictures taken from the internet