CHAPTER 33. (CARIBBEAN ISLANDS)
(1) ARUBA
January 4, 2016
After long 24 hours of travel (14 hours in Charlotte airport) I finally reached my 1st Caribbean country, Aruba. This is beginning of 6 week island hopping (20+ contries) ending with Cuba and Bahamas. Today was spent downtown and walking the beaches.
(2) CURACAO, Willemstead
January 8, 2016
The short 35 minute flight from Aruba paid big dividends. After being uninspired by Aruba, I got a completely different vibe from the colorful town of Willemstad. Even more beautiful at night. Only here 2 days and activities are so expensive I most likely will lay out at pool at great Ritz Hostel and peruse downtown some more. Then on to Trinidad on Sunday.
(3) TRINIDAD, Port of Spain
January 11, 2016
After 3:15 am flight to Trinidad I grabbed some coffee and double checked my directions from the airport to the Bus terminal and then 20 minute walk. The bus to Port of Spain from the airport was 40 cents and 20 minute walk was free. Lol. However, my timing was not great as every school child in Trinidad seemed to be on my bus and we stopped every 45 seconds for an hour. Did I mention 40 cents. Lol. Much better than $34 taxi ride. (For me anyway)
Checked into Pearl's Guest House in my private room ($24) and slept for 1.5 hours. Then went to see local sights. There are none. But met a local who is involved in tourism and he showed me his local watering hole. Actually did not come here specifically for the sights, it was a necessary step getting to St. Vincent and eventually Bequia tomorrow inexpensively.
(4) ST. VINCENT and GRENADINES, Bequia
January 12, 2016
Fly from Trinidad to St. Vincent, then quick taxi ($10) to catch the 6 pm ferry to island of Bequia where I will call home for 9 days. My vacation and down time before resuming my island hopping. Great internet at Ramblers Rest where I am staying so able to work on and book trip details such as rooms and flights. Tortoises are residents of Ramblers Rest.
January 17, 2016
My host, Donnaka, pointed out this boat and told me that the indigenous people of Bequia are only 1 of 3 tribes worldwide allowed to hunt whales. (Eskimos in Alaska and tribe in Siberia are the others). They are not allowed to use motors for the boats, only oars, and harpoons cannot be powered, only thrown by hand. They usually only kill 1 to 2 per year as it cannot be used for commercial sale. Amazing they hunt whales much larger than the size of their boats.
(5) ST. CROIX, Rodney Beach, Beach
January 22, 2016
Arrived in Castries, St. Croix yesterday. Took a 25 minute shuttle today (75 cents) to Rodney Beach. Really nice beach and waves were huge. No one dared go into the water. 3 more nights here, then on to St. Maaerten.
(6) ST. MAARTEN, Beach
January 25, 2016
My hostel was located only 5 minutes from the airport and ended up being excellent location to several beaches, especially the one at end of the runway. Lot of fun watching planes take off and land from Sunset Bar & Grill. These beach photos were near Simpson Bay.
(7) ANGUILLA and FRENCH ST. MARTIN
January 26, 2016
Caught the speedboat to Anguilla from Dutch St. Maarten. Had to walk only 20 feet to the pier. After spending a few hours on Anguilla, I took the 25 minute ferry to Margot, the French St. Martin. Walked around for a while and then took a bus back to the airport. Then went to Mullet Beach which is near the airport, very beautiful and not crowded.
(8) PUERTO RICO, Old San Juan
January 28, 2016
Spent 1st morning visiting Old Town in San Juan including 2 forts.
(9) DOMINICAN REPUBLIC, Santo Domingo
January 30, 2016
After arriving at the airport, I decided NOT to pay $35 US for taxi to Santo Domingo (20 miles). My research indicated outside the airport was a moto-taxi (ride on back of motorcycle) for $1 to the main highway to catch the local bus ($1) to Santo Domingo. This actually worked well after I finally convinced the moto-taxi driver I would not pay him $20 to go to Santo Domingo on his motorcycle.
After arriving at Parque Enriquilla, I used hostel's directions to walk 15 minutes to hostel. Nicest beaches are 30 minutes by local bus, not sure if I need another beach at the moment.
(10) TURKS and CAICOS, Grand Turk
February 3, 2016
Had hoped to go whale watching today but seems the whale migration has decide to begin late this year, therefore no whale boating excursions. Truly disappointed, but have seen whales breeching in Alaska so will get over it. I did spend the day walking about 8 miles exploring the Island. Beautiful water but crazy expensive. Traveling to Montego Bay, Jamaica, on the 4th. $25 a night in dorm. 4 nights there for same price as 1 night on Grand Turk.
(11) JAMAICA, Montego Bay
February 4, 2016
Went to private beach today that hostel has access to because die not want to fight the crowds at The Strip where most tourists and cruise ships are. Spending 4 nights here relaxing and laying out at pool for $25 a night. Next stop Grand Cayman on the 8th. Getting excited about upcoming Cuba Trip.
(12) GRAND CAYMAN, Georgetown
February 8, 2016
Spening 3 nights in Grand Cayman, by far the most expensive Caribbean Island I have visited. My only purpose here was to catch a flight to Havana, Cuba on the 11th so not doing much here. My accommodation here is a sofa in a house for $25 a night but BK and beach are close so all is good. Excited about Cuba and returning home soon to see grandkids.
(13) CUBA, Havana
February 11, 2016
To see Cuba before it is ruined by tourists was high on my travel priority list. There are lots of tourists but mostly Europeans. The strange thing is everyone seems to have money, probably due to tourism, there just is no place to buy things. The only supermarket (use that term loosely) had about 50 items in it and no canned goods. I guess US does produce most of canned items in the world. Also, NO INTERNET, supposedly a few businesses have it but no internet cafes, nothing. Everyone has cell phones though. There is a lot of new construction, especially in Old Havana Historical area, where I stayed. Definitely want to go back and visit more of the country. Almost too crowded now with cruise shops of Europeans, can not imagine when they open the American floodgates.
Food in restaurants is surprisingly inexpensive. I had a huge lobster dinner with rice, salad and 2 cocktails for $10. I changed money at the airport. There is a 10% penalty if you have American cash. I had gotten euros in French St. Martin to bypass that problem. Those oncruise ships spent hours in line trying to exchange money at the banks.
(14) BAHAMAS, Nassau
2/15/16
After amazing trip to Havana, Cuba I flew to Bahamas for last 3 nights of my 6 week island trip. Beach tired but made the effort to spend a couple of days looking at beautiful Caribbean water. While no fan of cruises, I know believe it is the best and most economical way to see the Caribbean due to high cost of rooms and transportation on most islands.
CHAPTER 34. ALASKA (Northern Lights)
ALASKA, Fairbanks (Northern Lights) Aurora Borealis
March 16, 2016
After 4 flights and 10 hours of flights I arrived in Fairbanks, Alaska at 1am. Nice hostel. Have Chena Hot Springs booked for 19th to see the lights but looking cloudy with low activity.
I have an aurora excursion for Chena Hot Springs ($175) booked for Saturday but forecast looks like there is little opportunity then with cloudy and snow forecast.
Scrambling , today I finally found 1 company not completely booked tonight for $110. Forecast is clear with high aurora activity expected. Crossing my fingers. Leave at 10 pm and return at 2 am.
Rest of week does not look good to see the lights unfortunately.
CHAPTER 35. (SICILY, GERMANY, AUSTRIA and CZECH REPUBLIC)
Palermo, Sicily.
ITALY, SICILY, Agrigento
September 24, 2016
Only spent 1 night in Agrigento, but the afternoon was plenty to visit the amazing ruins. The walls connecting the temples had places within them that served as crypts.
ITALY, SICILY, Taormina, Catania
GERMANY, Frankfurt
September 30, 2016
Only a few days here before visiting Rothenburg. Then on to Austria.
GERMANY, Rothenburg ob der Tauber
October 3, 2016
AUSTRIA, Salzburg
October 5, 2016
Used today to revisit Salzburg, Austria after a 10 year absence. Walked from hostel through the Olde Town and up to the castle for amazing views. Within the Castle is a puppet or marionette museum. Enjoyed the hiking and view from the mountain as I always believe everything looks better from above.
AUSTRIA, Vienna, Schonbrunn Gardens
October 8, 2016
Schonbrunn Gardens revisited. Wonderful place to walk or run which is open for free to the public always.
CZECH REPUBLIC, Prague, Klementinum, Library
October 11, 2016
Visited one of the most beautiful libraries in the world today in Prague. Unable to take pics so got this from the internet.
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