An Adventure of the Seas

I was warned about the cruise. 

Did I believe it? Oh yes! But, I want to see with my own eyes ~ experience, savour and feel if cruising is really worth it.

I know a couple of friends who'd been cruising half of their lives. Listening to their stories one after the other makes my dream up-and-coming. Great in every angle. 

How can I not give it a try?

I, myself have been travelling half of my life. And I am mesmerized with the idea of land tours. Trips that I prepare six months the most. Journeys that I have been dreaming of. Travels that I want to make sure will never go wrong. 

But who knows? Things happen. 

You'll never know, things can happen at places least expected, as I always say and write about.

Thank God! For the nearly 40 countries that I have explored, it's almost always go on smoothly. No hassles, no issues, except for some minor untoward incidents. Manageable and tolerable, at least, in my own standard. And, am becoming very patient as more travels come along.

And so the day of the cruise came. It actually happened last week. I have decided to make my first cruise ~ for real. 

Got to fly to London's Gatwick from Toronto's Pearson Airport. 

I did not like the way the AirTransat ground staff in my city did. 

I was in a company of three and I asked her once or twice that we should be sitting beside each other. She replied in the affirmative. 

Little did I know that our seats are of different location. How could she do that? 

It did not matter to her but it was a big deal for me for many reasons. 

And to think that it was my first with Air Transat, and.....probably the last. Too bad, I did not get her name. 

Just because I was 'pleased' with her lies.

So, there you go. I was still in Toronto and the issue started too early while boarding. 

I wonder how some airline staff underestimate some passengers. Maybe, just maybe, they don't realize how a simple passenger like me can make or break their reputation. And to think that it was my first with the airline. 

How can they expect me to like them on Facebook, and follow them on Twitter or write a good review of their customer service? 

They've got to learn how to treat all their clients fairly. Everyone deserves one. No exception!

So our cruise ship, Adventure of the Seas was waiting at the pier in Southampton, England. We have travelled for nearly two hours by bus straight from London's Gatwick Airport to Southampton pier. 

"It's huge", I whispered. "Is this how Adventure of the Seas look like?", I asked myself.

Our group of 50 were now lined up to pass check-in formalities. 

All the process that we had to do upon embarkation; put luggage tags, pass customs and security, issue Sea Pass, register credit cards, even posing for a photo before we proceed to our stateroom.

Our ship was about to leave England bound for the rest of the seven countries. 

As we start moving out of the pier, the captain wasted no time in giving a drill to all the more than 3,500 guests. This is a must especially to first time cruisers like me. 

It was so organized! 

They conducted this orientation after we're settled in our room and had our first meal at the Windjammer Restaurant at Deck 11. 

Pool Deck on the Adventure of the Seas Photo Credit: Fine Art America

And, did I mention that our cruise ship is comparable to a 15-storey hotel? 

It has 15 decks, 10 pools and whirlpools and 15 bars, clubs and lounges. The Royal Promenade that occupies 4-deck high of space is like a real street lined with cafes, boutiques, bars, souvenir shops and a 24-hour coffee shop with unlimited pizza, pastries and sandwiches. 

Eat all you can. No charge. And a good place to meet up.

How can you not use all the facilities in the 12-day of fine dining, disco dancing, watching live shows, relaxing and pampering....and cruisin'?

And yes, our stateroom is packed with simple amenities. 

A couch with a glass table, a coloured TV with CNN, very old movies and shows all about the activities onboard and tips useful for a land tour. 

Very informative! 

The safety box and the hairdryer are very useful and easy to use. The inside cabin where I am at,  is just enough space for two. A king size bed that no matter how you try, you will not have the chance to get around the corners of the bed. 

Cruising in its entirety has too much to offer and too many to mention. 

Cruising for 2 weeks seem way too much. Too much walking. Too much food. Too much entertainment. Too many sudden changes in weather. Whewww! Exhausted! 

I was warned about all these, but still....

....there is one amazing incident my friends did not warn me. 

As I started going up the stairs from Deck 11 to Deck 14, I was in awe when I see people looking and waiting anxiously in the front part of Deck 14 of the vessel. 

I was curious!  

I thought something will happen in just a moment. People were not talking, so I did not have the slightest idea. 

Man, did I see our huge ship passing a bridge with few inches clearance? In a second, I thought we are touching the bridge. Now, I remember that we were on the 14th deck of a 15-deck cruise ship. It was so exciting. 

Will I experience it again if I decide to go for another cruise? I guess.....

The question is...Did I enjoy it? The answer is a big YES. 

Meeting new friends while cruising and visiting seven countries is a great accomplishment. 

And I am documenting these memories. 

I am giving recognition to each and every country in this entire cruise. 

Because each one of them have their own unique qualities. I want you to benefit on my onboard experiences, tales and stories that will help you on your first cruise. Probably with the Adventure of the Seas or the new and biggest Quantum of the Seas of the Royal Caribbean International. 

I also have heard good reviews about Oasis of the Seas operated and managed by RCI. But, what's this news I read that a Hamilton woman named Michelle Ligori was barred from boarding this cruise ship because she was pregnant. 

Beware: Read the fine print when booking and read the news, it can be of help on your next cruise.

I am giving you details of my close encounter with the major port of Southamption and the city of London ENGLAND, the famous Vigeland Sculpture in Frogner Park in Oslo NORWAY, the little mermaid in Copenhagen DENMARK, the medieval Old Town of the city of Tallinn in ESTONIA, the architecture of St. Petersburg in RUSSIA, The land of the midnight sun of Helsinki FINLAND and the Venice of the North ~ Brugges BELGIUM.

This and all are bigger-than-life cruise experience, I believe. Memories that will never last. 

Blogs that should be written. Stay tuned!

From the desk of: 

Freddie Miranda

A blogger and a freelance writer based in Toronto. He shares the value of his travel experiences and discoveries with his friends and fellow travellers. Share your passion, join and visit him. Send him a message if you will @ fromatravellersdesk(at)gmail.(dot)com.

How to Pack, Save Space, Prevent Wrinkles and have a Safe Luggage

Are You Getting Ready for the Trip? Here are some tips that you already know if you are a frequent traveller -  but still very helpful for some, especially to those who are just joining us in our passion - travelling! 

Yes, hello fellow travellers! 

We are creating tips that will be very helpful when you travel. This will serve as reference before, during, and after your journey. We are categorizing each one to make it easier for you. 

The same is true with the deals that we are posting as we get them. Deals and offers that will help you plan your trips, now and in the near future.....

If you want to share quality tips and deals with your fellow travellers, feel free to send an email to: fromatravellersdesk(at)gmail(dot)com.

This will be the fourth series of our Useful Travel Tips. Stay tuned!

Now that you have planned your trip, purchased a cheap airline ticket and have decided what to bring and what NOT to bring, here are better ideas on how you will pack your luggages, save space, prevent wrinkles and have a safe luggage.

Remember to bring small or travel sizes only.

How to Pack, Save Space, Prevent Wrinkles and have a Safe Luggage

Use these packing techniques to ensure that clothes will come out of your bag looking as presentable and as safe as possible. Read on....

• Lay your suitcase flat, fully opened

7 Places to Visit in the Middle East

Written by Slayton Jacob

A lot of us only see the Middle East as a place filled with religious and social conflicts. But then again, we fail to realize that it is also home to breathtaking gifts of nature and rich cultures. We should be reminded that not every part of the Middle East is a danger to tourists. If getting Turkish visa for the whole family on your recent trip was no problem, you are expected to have the same experience for countries like United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Jordan, and Israel.

Istanbul TURKEY

Read further if you want to know more about the 7 places that are considered treasures of the Middle East and discover why visiting them is a must regardless if you are seeking for a unique adventure or a relaxing getaway.

Petra, JORDAN

Jordan boasts a lot of wonderful cities and many agree that the best among them is Petra. This place will make those who are passionate about history and ancient civilizations drool. Almost every corner of this city has exquisite sculpted temples and other signs of an old era that has long been forgotten but recently caught the attention of many. Petra is one of the most beautiful ancient cities in the world and those who already experienced it will surely recommend everyone to witness the sunset and sunrise there since the sceneries will blow anyone’s mind away.

15 Things You Should be Aware while Travelling

I must admit I mess up at times in countries least expected. And I learned a lesson from my mistakes. You'll never know, there might be a time that you are coming back to a country the second time around. In this case, at least, you should have done your assignment. And this time, you must know what to do. 

You can do things like; touching fabrics in HK stores. I did that. Because I did not know that touching their wares is a 'crime'. No English. No touch. No business. Just leave! They don't want your money....

Never, never, ever forget to validate your railway tickets in Berlin. That is another 'crime' that you will be getting into. As the 'officer' who held me and my family off the subway train said in a form of a question, "Do you know that, not validating your ticket is a 'criminal' offense? Can you guess what my answer was? Your guess is as good as mine.

I have warned you many times about Cairo. And will continue warning you that an Egyptian pound is worth a fortune to most "business-minded" locals. If you are travelling by train from Cairo to Alexandria and you seem to forget which of the trains you should be taking, behold! - do not ask anyone going around near the trains posing as a dispatcher because if you do ask, which I did, you will pay a price for sure. Not a pound, not two - it's 10 Egyptian pounds. You don't want that to happen, do you? So, get on the train and ask other passengers. Most of them will give you an honest and friendly answer...for free. And, that is one of the things I am going to do on my next visit to Egypt. 

Does things like these happen to you while travelling? Tell us, let's learn from your experience.

Jessica Hill of Oregon USA

36. Featured Traveller 

Jessica Hill

Writer : Teacher : Student : Traveller 

(Oregon, USA)

                               

“Believe there is good in the world.” 

― Buddha

Welcome Miss Adventure. Yes, Jessica is an adventurer. Teaching English in Asian countries is one of the ways she has explored the differences in customs, traditions, and mannerisms around her. 

Jessica hails from Oregon, USA, but is currently living in Fort Collins in Colorado, USA. She's been in and out of the country to teach English in countries where she can stay longer and be a part of the community. She would recommend it to those with a little sense of adventure and a laid back attitude. "There'll be no regrets", she says.

Though the entire world is on her bucket list, Jessica has already explored countries, like Canada, Mexico, Colombia, Spain, Switzerland, Croatia, Italy, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, India, China, Hong Kong and Korea. There isn't anywhere that doesn't interest her, at least a little, and she has Peru, Argentina, Iceland, Cuba, Nepal and Tibet on top of her wish list.

Jessica is inspired by anything new and different from her own norm, but what keeps her motivation running is the special encounters with locals that prove how many good people there are in this world, over and over again.

Now, let us hear from Jessica what she has to say. For I am sure, her story will be an inspiration to her fellow travellers and the readers, in general.

* * * * *

My travel story? Well, MissAdventure Travel started when…

You know, I have no idea when it all started. Was it the trips to Disneyland and Disneyworld my parents took us on as kids? Was it my first backpacking adventure, across Europe, or the study abroad one to follow? Was it my first solo experience, to teach abroad in Thailand? Surely, all have played their part, and I’d argue each has taught me something new to love about travel.

It’s no secret to anyone who follows my blog that I’m a wee bit obsessed. Travel is my lifeline, my drug. Even though I’m currently holed up in lovely Fort Collins, Colorado, USA while I work toward another bucket list item – a M.A. degree in English/Creative Nonfiction – I dream of escape daily. I’m new to Colorado, however, so even my weekend escapades to snowshoe or hike in Rocky Mountain National Park, or to snowboard Steamboat Springs keep me exploring new lands, meeting new people.

I won’t lie though. As much as I love exploring my own backyard, it’s international travel that fuels my inspiration. Seeing new lands so very different from my own, meeting locals with extreme religious devotions, who speak different languages, who have everything or who have nothing, who let me see a glimpse of their lives…these are the experiences I crave.

Ireland: Some West Coast Highlights

Written by Kate Power

If you’ve always imagined Ireland as a mythical place with rolling hills and rugged mountains, a new tour route called the Wild Atlantic Way will prove it. It’s a long distance drive that stretches right down the west coast of Ireland. Over 1500 miles from Malin Head in County Donegal in the North to Kinsale in County Cork in the South, taking in cliffs and beaches, ancient sites, modern sports, the heartiest food and the best pint of Guinness. Here are a couple of our picks along the coast for holidays in Ireland. 

Dungloe, County Donegal

Steeped in absolute natural beauty, Dungloe in County Donegal is pretty close to heaven on earth. The intensely rugged coastline is totally unspoilt. Walk the soft sands of Cloughglass Beach and soak up the view over the wild Atlantic Ocean. Visit Mount Errigal only 30 minutes’ drive from Dungloe and a great choice for hiking and walking fans.

County Donegal : Photo Credit: mjmkeating

Clifden, County Galway

Head down the coast via Sligo before you hit County Galway. It’s good for foodies, for nature lovers or aspiring musicians. There is something for everyone in Galway. Take in the Galway Food Festival or the Clarinbridge Oyster Fest. One of our favourite things to do is a visit to the beautiful Aran Islands, just off the coast. This isn’t the island hopping you might be used to. Grab a rental bike and soak up gorgeous views, amazing historic sites and lots of fun on the ‘Islands of Saints and Scholars.’ Head into Galway City where you will find the perfect pint of Guinness in a traditional pub like Tigh Neachtains. Galway City is home to some of the best live traditional music too and Tigh Coili or Monroe’s have lively trad nights most days of the week.

Join Me for a Taste of Punjabi Culture

Written by Angel de la Flor

A trip to India was one of the craziest experiences I have had in any country. I was one of the delegates from several countries to participate in the International Youth Peace Festival (IYPF). One of the organizers approached me to become a part of the cultural fashion show. I went with other five representatives from China, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan and experienced the unique way of the Punjabi culture.

I was dressed in a traditional Indian wedding attire as a woman participant in my own mock wedding ceremony. I was so fascinated with the traditional Punjabi wedding dress, Lehenga, and all parts of being dressed up.  How can I forget the students who did the magic of making me look like a real Indian bride. To complete the preparation, one of them painted Mehndi on my palm, a ceremonial art decorated to a bride’s hands, arms and feet. These young women really did an awesome job.

Himanshu Nagpal of New Delhi INDIA

35. Featured Traveller 

Himanshu Nagpal

Senior Business Analyst : Traveller 

(New Delhi, INDIA)

                               

“Travel makes one modest. You see what a tiny place you occupy in the world.” 

― Gustave Flaubert

We are, indeed, lucky to have the opportunity to feature Himanshu from New Delhi. He works in a corporate world and spend Monday to Friday at his desk working to earn enough to live his travel dreams. You won't believe it. It took months for us to finalize this interview and publish his story. Understandably, my invitation came in time for his trip to the United Kingdom.

Flag of India

Being a traveller, he is keen on keeping his travel budget intact. "Budget and planning are the most important part of any trip and plays a very important role", he says. "It is necessary and quite helpful to keep an eye on the travel fares months before so you can capture the best deal. Also, it is best to plan so that money is not wasted on places which you do not want to visit or are over-hyped", he adds. Himanshu still believes that most of the beautiful places are natural and free to visit, so much so that one can reduce travel expenses.

Himanshu has been travelling to cities and towns of his country. Outside of India, he has travelled to Thailand and very recently explored England. It is his first time away from family during the Diwali festival. He spends most of the holiday season, including Christmas in the United Kingdom wandering the beautiful places in England.

Beach Shack in Goa INDIA

Just like most travellers, he believes that the beauty and happiness in travelling is just around his backyard. There are many places in India that is waiting to be discovered. Himanshu invites his fellow travellers and readers of this blog to re-discover India. He can tell you many stories about India in his own travel blog, Being Traveler.

Continue reading his story.....

13 Tips to Help You Save on Airfare

Written by Stephanie Lynch

It's no secret that buying an airline ticket could set you back hundreds, if not thousands of dollars.  If you don't carefully plan your purchasing ahead of time, you could be spending close to 50 percent of your travel budget on airline tickets alone.

Since most of us don't mind saving a dollar or two, let's explore 13 ways you can save a lot of money on your next airline ticket.

13.  Fare Alerts

Many airfare websites and airlines have fare alerts that you can sign up for free.  With these alerts, you can simply insert your itinerary and you will be notified every time the fare prices drop. Fare alert websites include FareWaterPlus, Bing Travel and TripAdvisor.com/flights.

12.  Buy a Package

Since there's a good chance that you're going to get a hotel and maybe even a rental car, consider buying everything in one package.  In the travel industry, the more you purchase, the more you're likely to save.

11.  Watch the Extra Fees

While that $200 airline ticket could look appealing, the price in the end may be a lot more than that.  With airlines charging for checked in bags, assigned seating and other miscellaneous fees, make sure that you closely research the hidden fees before buying an airline ticket.  If possible, try to stick to low fare airlines like Southwest.

The Authentic Traveler: A Voyage on a Wine-Dark Sea

Written by Douglas Arvidson

“Tourists don't know where they've been, travelers don't know where they're going.” ~ Paul Theroux

                                                                                                             

“Take the long way home.” ~ Supertramp, 1979

Paul Theroux, the novelist and travel writer, is sometimes a curmudgeon, sometimes a cranky realist, and is always impatient with so-called travelers who insist on getting where they are going the easy way. I’m one of those travelers who would rather take that easy way and so Theroux is a dubious hero of mine. I don’t really want to travel as fearlessly as he does: living, somehow, out of one small bag without bathing for days on end, and enduring, without complaint, any of the many varieties of sickness travelers can suffer from. But neither do I want to be a mere tourist; I, too, want to be an authentic traveler.

Final preparations for leaving Guam

So, I will travel Paul Theroux style if I must—if it is worth it. Last year a friend of mine—we had been long-time neighbors living on our sail boats on the island of Guam—invited me to help sail his boat from Guam to Cebu, an island set back deep in the vast Philippine archipelago. We would leave in the middle of April, after the trade winds had died down a bit. It would take maybe ten or eleven days. There would be six of us, so watches would be relatively short and there would long periods to relax—to read, fish, to sleep, to contemplate the sea.

Julio Moreno of California U.S.A.

34.  Featured Traveller 
 Julio Moreno

English Teacher : Traveller

California USA

"Seeing the world, one world heritage site at a time"

It is with great pleasure to introduce a Mexican-American friend from Los Angeles, California who teaches English in South Korea. Julio was born in Mexico. He moved to the United States with his family at a young age of 3.

Flag of the USA

Aside from Mexico, South Korea and the United States which are destinations he has lived in, he explored other countries and has travelled to Canada, China, Cambodia, Vietnam, Italy, Vatican City, the Netherlands, Japan, Taiwan, Macao, Hong Kong, Peru and Indonesia and hopes to one day visit his top five of his dream destinations, namely, the Maldives, Palau, North Korea, India and Antarctica.

Julio admits he is a penny pinching accountant when it comes to travel, and according to him, it is not about getting the cheapest thing, it is about the best value. He continues by saying that he knows few people who are as thorough with planning and budgeting as he is. "Let's start with planning. I plan everything, including bus schedules, special activities, quickest routes, best things to see, things to eat, etc. Then, once everything is planned, I keep the plan in my back pocket. It is like my own personal guide book, but I am by no means tied to it. If I find something better, I am definitely willing to change plans", he adds.

As of this writing, Julio is due to be back from his third trip to Japan. It is a week of discovering Tokyo and its neighbouring cities. On his return, I am pretty sure he has many more stories to tell about this country. Meanwhile, let's join him in reminiscing his experiences with the friendly people of Osaka and its neighbouring cities.

Connect with Julio and read more about his Travel World Heritage by following him on Facebook.

* * * * *

My favourite place that I have visited is Japan, so I would like to run you guys through why I think it is such an awesome country.

First and foremost, my idea of a perfect destination is kind of an illusion. I want to find a place that is unique by developing independently of the outside world, but at the same time welcoming of outsiders. Imagine being a traveller in those old medieval movies (minus the bubonic plague and all) where you arrive in a new town and someone offers to show you around, despite being a complete stranger. Japan is the closest to that in my opinion. It is built with its own agenda of weird and unusual trends by our standards, yet it is very much welcoming to visitors.

Downtown Osaka JAPAN

In September of 2012, I took a trip to Osaka with the intent of visiting the World Heritage Sites of Kyoto, Nara, and the Horyu-Ji temple. By my third day, all of the locals I had met had been overly polite and helpful. Maybe it was because I had just come from Italy (yeah I said it), but I was impressed. When I arrived at Nara, a 70-year old woman named Keiko approached me and asked if she could show me around. She insisted that she didn't require any money and just wanted to kill some time. It turned out, her husband was a biologist studying the area, and she had to tag along.

Pahiyas Festival 2020

You don't want to miss the Pahiyas Festival this year, 2020, do you?

Lucban is considered a third class municipality in the province of Quezon, the Philippines. This town is made popular and associated with Pahiyas Festival. It is situated at the foot of Mount Banahaw de Lucban and approximately 26 kilometres from Lucena City and 160 km from Manila via this city.

People of Lucban

They call themselves Lucbanin. They are warm, friendly, and simple life. Most of them are religious and have been visiting the old church that was built since the year 1700s. 

My latest visit became memorable not only because of the festival, the food, and the like but because of the warm reception of a family whom we met for the first time. Their gestures are full of sincerity. The family has a huge house, yet, simple and humble.

If your travelling includes meeting local people, Lucban is the place for you and Lucbanins are the people you have to meet.

A Quick Trip to Nafplio, Greece: The Highlights

Written by Kate Power

Nafplio was once the capital of Greece, way back between 1823 and 1834, but the town’s history dates back much further. Legend says it was built by the god Poseidon’s son Nafplios and the daughter of Danaus, Anymone and soldiers from Nafplio were instrumental in the Trojan War. It was an important town during Byzantine times and the influence of Venetian and Turkish invaders can be seen throughout its architecture. Today Nafplio is popular as a holiday destination for Greeks and visitors from abroad. It’ll impress history buffs who come to discover the historic fortress and anyone looking for a romantic getaway in gorgeous surroundings. Nafplio is sometimes known as the jewel in the crown of the Peloponnese, a landmass south of Athens that sits right on the water.

Nafplio Tilt Shift Photo Credit: Mendhak Flickr

Start your visit to Nafplio holiday with a lazy walk around the Old Town. The twisting cobbled streets and colourful houses are more typical of an Italian city than traditional Greece; there are neoclassical mansions draped by Bougainvillea trees, small iron balconies with sunset views and Turkish fountains.

6 South American Snowboarding Hot Spots

Written by Jessica Socheski

Photo Credit: Pantherfile

North America and Europe are not the only places to shred some serious powder. South America contains some of the world’s most diverse snowboarding terrain. And, for serious snowboarders, South America’s ski season is during the southern hemisphere’s winter. This means that the prime time to snowboard actually falls during the traditional summer months when it is hot and sunny in the northern hemisphere.

For any of the nomadic boarders who follow the snow, check your snowboard gear guide and get ready spend the summer and early fall in South America after a full winter and spring in the north for year round snowboarding. When in South America, check out these six hot spots (or should we say cool spots) for the best mountain snow all “summer” long.

1. Portillo

The oldest resort in South America, Portillo is an isolated area in the Patagonia. Legendary for its 14,000 acres of available terrain, boarders must commit to a full week at the lodge if interested in snowboarding this mountain. Because of this requirement, the mountain is almost always quiet making the experience feel as if the mountain has never been explored before. Plus, the area is so expansive that to fully experience the mountain, one week is barely enough time.