5 Fave Friday - The Roadtrip Song Edition

It is time once again for everybody to be subjected to my thoughts. This week is my 5 favorite road trip songs. These are songs that keep you going even though you may be on a 15 hour interstate trip with family through desolate countryside.

5. Come Dancin by the Kinks. This is an upbeat song about a town dance hall that was the Saturday night hang out being torn down ( a metaphor how everything changes as you get older). It has a great beat and is something that everyone in the car can sing at the top of their lungs. Best of all no bad language or things you have to explain to your children (for us parental units).

4. Fulsom Prison Blues by Johnny Cash. Some who know me might say this is a weird choice but Johnny Cash was hard core. While surrounded by huge semi trucks it makes you feel part of their convoy (also an acceptable song)

3. Going Back to Cali by LL Cool J.  It has a killer beat, easy lyrics and it is LL singing about going to California. What else do you need!?

2. Panama by Van Halen (the real Van Halen). I am a fan of 80s rock and this was one of those songs that was great on field trips, or family drives (where is my Casio portable tape player).

1. Life is a Highway by Tom Cochran. Yes it was redone by Rascal Flatts (redone well too) but I like the original song. It just feels like a childhood trip to the Grand Canyon.

Honorable mention for those who have kids but are opposed to Kids Bop Cd's

Recess Monkey is a kids band who do original songs for kids that are not lame. If you like 80s music you will like them.

Happy Halloween!!

Just thought I would send out a quick greetings for my North American readers. 10/31 is Halloween a time when people dress in costumes and act kind of crazy, and send our kids out to beg candy from strangers. come to think of it, it is kind of crazy.

If you like to travel for this holiday there are two destinations that I can recommend. One family friendly, one decidedly not.

The family friendly spots that I recommend are easy. If you are on the east coast Orlando (Disney, Universal, Seaworld, or the other travel destinations) if you are on the west coast SoCal (Disney, Universal, Knott's Berry Farm, Six Flags). Each has various things that you can do to ring in All Hallows Eve in style and it will give your little ones a chance to say I went and it was scary fun.

Now for those of you getting away from kids I recommend New Orleans. A city so steeped in history that its founding predates the United States (NOLA was founded officially in 1718 but the native inhabitants around 100BCE, yeah I researched it) this place has it all. This city has clubs and bars, is within driving distance to casinos, and everywhere you look are graveyards, battle grounds, sacred sites (both secular and  religious), music, food, and French and Gothic architecture. Get a Hurricane and let loose.

Be safe.

5 Fave Friday - 5 Things I Don't Travel Without.

Some on my list are necessities, some are superstitions but all will be on a trip with me.

5. Something to read. Yes I do not travel without a book, magazine, or something for me to keep myself from going totally starkers. I have no ability to walk around an airplane, and if we are driving through an area that all pretty much looks the same, my nose is in a book.

4. My camera. I also am a huge proponent of vacation pictures. I love the fact that at one point in my life I took a road trip with my aunt and we stopped at every "Welcome to" sign we came across. Creating memories is what traveling is all about. They might not all be good ones (i.e. like when I was below deck on rough seas and was hit by a huge feeling of sea sickness) but afterwards you can all laugh at it (like when you went to a luau and your dress strap broke while unloading a wheelchair and your husband begged a sewing kit from house keeping)

3. Medications. It is always something to be aware of. You can buy clothes and toiletries, but pills, creams, and the other things doctors write you a prescription for are priceless on a trip

2. Grandma was right. Bring along a clean pair of undies. Yes you can wash them out in the sink overnight but what are you going to wear while waiting for them to dry. Nana's every can't be wrong.

1 A two dollar bill (US currency). This was started by my Nana who always sent me on trips with on "just in case". There may be a time when you need just a little cash and if everyone in your party has a two dollar bill it adds up. My reasoning behind it is different however. EVERY trip that I have not had one in my pocket has ended in something bad happening (a bus left us on the side of the road, a wheelchair tire goes flat, you get the picture). Maybe it is a self fulfilling prophecy but I don't chance it. And now you know....

5 Fave Friday Dream Vacations

  

Ok this week’s 5 fave Friday list is……favorite places that I dream about going. We all have those moments when we stare out the window and just want to transport to someplace else. Here is my list:

5.) Greece. I am a huge history buff and going somewhere that is steeped in history and the setting for such great mythological stories just gets my juices going. I also LOVE Greek food. Gyros, pasta, lamb, olives MMMMMMMMMMMMMMM. The only thing I don’t much care for is ouzo (I just don’t like l the black licorice taste). I feel kind of bad because I really kind of mash up the Mediterranean countries but if pressed to pick one to visit it would probably be that one. Sadly at the time of this blog post they are in the midst of a huge economic crisis. Then again so is the rest of the globe, pass the spanakopita.

Yep they land right over a beach

4.) Sint/Saint Maartin/Martin. This island in the eastern Caribbean has both Dutch and French influences because both countries have shared the island for a long time. It is pretty, white beaches look like someone sprinkled baby powder by the water and, again, it just feels like they have great history. Only one problem was I visited on a cruise ship so there was just a wave of tourists that flooded the town. Also check out the rum and guavaberry liquor distilleries. They give out fruity tasting samples.

3.) Vietnam. This place has always seemed so very exotic and a truly ancient place where it wouldn’t be out of the norm to see Indiana Jones step out of a Pho restaurant. A blend of Asian and French melted together to create a culture uniquely their own. A few years ago I had heard that there was a tour company that started up there for accessible travels through Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia (complete with modified scooters capable of taking on a wheelchair. Sounds amazingly cool.

2.) Australia. Who doesn’t dream about going there? It has what can be best described as an old wests feel when you venture out to the outback. Some great natural monuments (Uluru, and the Great Barrier Reef) that  lay inside or just off the coast. Very cool architecture in the city and a great vibe as most of their cities have modernized for past Olympic Games, and other international events. It seems like a different world from where I live.

1.) Hawaii. This is a jewel in the Pacific. The different islands offer just about everything you can think of in activities. There are literally miles and miles of sandy warm beaches. Hiking, star gazing, sailing, snorkeling and scuba diving, clubbing, shopping, farmers markets, and food. You can be a tourist and visit Pearl Harbor to pay your respects. You can go to Kauai and get away from the massive sprawl of Honolulu. You can even see an active volcano eject molten rock, or go experience a luau. In short this is the place I would like to be most of the time.

Honorable mention:

*Panama Canal. One of the biggest modern marvels of the world. How could you not want to see a river/lake complex that cuts across the land and goes from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean?

5 Fav Friday

I started trying to do this once before and it just made me sad for not traveling. I am going to buck up and try it again, because I can always come up with 5 favorites. This week 5 favorite places I have eaten (or dreamed of eating) on vacation right after I have gotten off the plane. This is not the best food, nor is it the fanciest. We have all gotten off the airplane ravenous and because airline food is just nasty we have grabbed a quick bite. Here are mine:

5. Ivar's Seafood - Seattle Tacoma International Airport. Simply put it has something other than Pizza, Burgers, or mall Mexican or Chinese. This place has been making food since 1938 and was on a Frommers best list. We usually fly in at night around dinner (or a bit later) so I go get a bowl of clam chowder, and my son will eat anything that he can dip (fish and chips with Tatar sauce applies).

4. Cocina Cucamonga Mexican Grill located in Disney's California Adventure was one of those places that we discovered after a long foodless flight. We were going to go to one of the nicer eateries but the lines were to long, and really the last thing my wife and I wanted to do was sit inside. (Forgot to mention that we came from rainy Seattle to mid 60's Anaheim and were treated to the first sun we had seen in a while). Not the best Mexican food (rates about on par with Qdoba Mexican Grill), but the first time we went there it just hit the spot. Plus the food is very kid friendly and it is outside so the birds can get a meal off of what your kiddo drops. If you are looking for another alternative Taste Pilots Grill in DCA is also worth a shot (burgers, ribs, fries...) or if you happen to be in Disneyland try Cafe Orleans where some of the Blue Bayou food can be found to go. Really I do not work for Disney, I just like going there and having fun.

3. Hyatt Regency Orlando International Airport, at the airport in Orlando (huh, imagine that). OK this could be the jet lag talking but my wife and I took the red eye and got to Orlando as a jump off for a cruise. I do not think either of us had been that tired and hungry in a long time. We had a very nice bellman take our bags and gently guide us to their restaurant where we were served a very delightful breakfast of fruit, waffles, and eggs (and coffee for me). Then the same bellman came back to get us as our room was done several hours early and he said we looked like we needed sleep. Fantastic service!!

2.) The Rio Buffet- Las Vegas, Nevada. This was the first meal we had right after my then fiance and I got settled in to our room. We were in Vegas to get married and or best person (who had to Vegas many times) treated us to the Rio. It was good and there was (as promised) tons of different things to gorge yourself on. We had far superior food at the Bellagio buffet but the Rio will always have a special place in my heart.


That leads to numero Uno!!

1.) Tropical Taco in beautiful Hanalei, Kauai, Hawaii. I have sang this song on other posts but this is the best fish taco I have eaten. I am in an area that has really good Mexican food and this little taco stand just blows the doors off them all. It could be the fresh caught fish, or the hand made guacamole, or the fact that they make it to order. Maybe it is the simplicity of it all. This would be one of the things I would ask for in my last meal.

So now that I have told you my faves. Tell me some of yours bu leaving a comment.

Some questions to ask when booking a cruise.

Cruising is a great vacation if you do the homework, and ask the right questions of your travel agent. Big questions that you want to make sure and ask are as follows:

That they have a disabled accessible cabin available. These cabins are larger and have the grab bars, and shower bench. Plus it offers a clear path  for a wheelchair or walker.

Does the ship dock, or do you have to take a boat to get to the port? It is important because the cruise line will not assist you onto the tender. If you will be upset if you don't get to disembark at each port, then you will need to really get an answer to this.

Are there any accessible excursions? You must realize that most of the ports you will be visiting are in developing nations and are not bound by the ADA. If you are pretty active and can get into a full size van you should be OK, otherwise you might want to go with some people who can You HAVE to have a passport. They will not let you on board if you don't have one (you may be able to get a passport card but you need something to prove your citizenship). If you show up without one they will forfeit your payment and you will be out of luck.

lift you in and fold your walker/wheelchair/or other mobility vehicle.

Is this a REALLY a kid friendly ship? You don't want to take a trip if the kids in your group won't have any fun. Again do your research. 

Bring scope patches even if you don't think you will get sea sick. You just cannot tell how you will respond on a different cruise. It will save you in the end if you have it (better safe than sorry).

Cushion your trip with a day on both ends for jet lag. Several hours of time difference can really affect you and possibly wreck your trip.

If you can take short cruises, do so. It gives you a chance to relax without costing a fortune and you can book longer cruises on the ship and get a discount.

Be prepared to roll around like Jack Sparrow. I was in the eastern Caribbean and could not roll a straight line if I tried. You are on a ship and everything moves. Just get used to it.

There is something about taking a cruise that puts you back in touch with yourself. It is a primitive experience that has you out literally in the middle of nowhere. Today's cruises are luxurious by past standards but are part of a link from our past. Every civilization had at least one person that said "I am hopping in that boat and going to see what I can find". More later.

Cruisin on a sunny afternoon.

I have touched on taking cruises before, so I thought I would go back and revisit this subject in more detail. I love the whole idea of taking a cruise. You get on the ship, unpack once, same room the whole vacation. No worries about food,(most of it is included (except alcohol and possibly soda on some ships). You get taken to the destinations without having to put much effort into it. You can even leave the preparations up to the activities desk. Bad weather ahead they usually steer the ship around it. Brilliant! Plus with so many different cruise companies out there you are most certain to find one that fits your desires. Are you a college student looking for a good party? Carnival Cruise Line or Royal Caribbean are your ships. Are you a senior looking to get a quiet getaway with people your age? Try Norwegian Cruise Line, Celebrity, Cunard, Viking, or Holland America. Want some adventure, try a South American cruise that visits the Galapagos Islands with ports near the Amazon rain forest, the Andes, or the southernmost tip of the continent and see the penguins, or take a ship that relies on sails to get from place to place. Are you a family with kids? Try Disney, Royal Caribbean, Princess, or even Carnival Cruise Lines all of which have kids clubs of some sort.

Even better than that there are also theme cruises. If you are a foodie, sports fan, wine connoisseur, murder mystery fan, sci-fi or comic book fan, or single looking to meet other singles they probably have a cruise for you. You can gamble, see shows that compare to Broadway’s best, comics, and live music all without getting off the ship. There are great amenities such as movie theaters, pools, dance clubs, basketball court, rock walls, gyms casinos, bars and lounges, and my personal favorite: the spa.

Cruise lines offer a ton of excursions for just about everyone’s tastes. Want to scuba or snorkel, hike, picnic, explore historic towns, walk on glaciers, dog sled, gamble, or shop. They will be able to assist you in doing that. Don’t want to do any of that, stay on the ship and take advantage of the ship being empty and most likely on ship services will be discounted.

You can cruise the tropics (Hawaii or Caribbean), the north (Alaska, New England/Canada, or Norway), Asia (China, Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore) even river cruises (Thames, Rhine, Danube, Ganges, Yangtze), transitional cruises (from Pacific to Atlantic Oceans through the Panama Canal, or across the Atlantic to the Mediterranean), or the great lakes and smaller seas. I know several people who try to take a cruise every 2-3 years just because it is so much fun and they get to see much more than if they were to just go to a destination and stay there (although used a cruise to scout out places they really liked and took a longer vacation there later).

In these economically difficult times if you are able to take a vacation you want to make it a great deal for your dollar. I totally recommend cruises because they are a great get away and you can just relax and enjoy the surroundings. See you at the midnight buffet!