Blog Archives
The Travel Saga Continues
Fast forward a week prior to take off. It’s a good thing I am a Travel Planner as well as OCD when it comes to potential flight issues.
I logged on to United to pay for my luggage ( a connecting flight getting us to Newark so I didn’t have to stress about driving there ) at which time I discover my direct flight of 45 minutes is suddenly a 4 Hr flight to DC arriving at Midnight after my Departure flight to Athens.
I discovered my original flight had been cancelled and they re-booked me with No notice of any kind. No call to see if this new flight would work, No email to say “hey you need to arrive 8 hours earlier than you planned”. No text to say “oh by the way you now have to take an additional day off of work”. After being on the phone over two and a half hours I had a different flight that also left us with additional time in Newark. Who doesn’t want to sit ten plus hours in the Airport with no apology , excuse or attempt to make up for the inconvenience.
We arrive at Albany for the flight as we also get a text to say our flight was delayed 1 1/2 hours . We parked the car and dropped off our bags and suddenly another text and additional delay . Finally several hours later we are on the plane as the Pilot says we are going to be sitting there for another hour or so partly due to another plane being delayed and also a small technical issue with the planes gps.
Yes by now I am disgusted especially since we have a few United Pilots flying to Newark with us that proceed to blame the ( Non United Crew that is in control of our plane) This is just becoming a normal part of all our Journeys. It seems every trip we have taken over the last several years starts with a peculiar issue . We sit thinking to ourselves hmmm… is someone trying to tell us to stay home?
Occassionally this continues but we always manage to have a wonderful adventure.
Our overnight flight went by so quickly even with the overflowing bathrooms that soaked the floor in front of us. For future reference , Pepsi doubles as a clog remover.
We arrive at Athens International Airport , which is about forty-five minutes away by Taxi to our hotel in Downtown. The city of Athens is home to over 5 million people. Along the way we see a few of the sites and street art that we call graffiti. Greece to be continued….
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#Charleston continued
There are many other things to see in Charleston just a short drive away. One very old treasure is the Angel Oak (Quercus Virginiana) It is estimated to be between 300 and 400 years old. Named after it’s previous owners Justis and Martha Angel it is 65′ in height and 25.5′ in diameter the longest limb is 89′ long and 11.25′ in diameter.
There are many Plantations that you can tour as well, we chose the Tea Plantation. For many generations the Bigelow Family has run the plantation.
Only the fresh new growth that springs from the tips of these hedge type plants is harvested and then dried to make the various types of tea.
If you like alcohol, Firefly Distillery is just a few mile down the road . Don’t expect a free sample or any type of tour you can taste for a small fee.
If you need a nice place to stay while in town the choices are only limited by your budget.
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Cayman Islands
Being the largest of the three islands, Grand Cayman naturally offers the most properties and the biggest choice. Visitors will find full-service resorts such as The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman, Grand Cayman Beach Suites, Grand Cayman Marriott Beach Resort, The Westin Grand Cayman Seven Mile Beach Resort and Spa, and Sunshine Suites Resort, as well as other known U.S. chains such as Comfort Suites and Resort.
Seven Mile Beach is considered to be the hub of activity, and where the majority of the hotels and condominiums are located. I love Seven Mile Beach area , there are bath houses to shower and change as well as rentals for paddle boards,snorkel gear and much more. When you are tired of soaking up the sun visit the beautiful Cabana Bar for some refreshing local beverages. Other properties can be found throughout the island, offering a quieter vacation getaway. For descriptions of, and to make reservations at, Grand Cayman’s resorts, hotels, condos, villas and bed-and-breakfasts give me a call or visit my travel website www.atouristlifetravel.com
Stingray City, Grand Cayman Vacation
Ever pet a stingray in an aquarium? How about petting a few dozen while wading in the Caribbean? The Stingray City Sandbar is one of the top Cayman attractions and a must-do on your Grand Cayman vacation. Stingray City is home to a whole fleet of southern stingrays who congregate near the shore.
The stingrays began gathering in the area decades ago when fisherman used to clean fish on the shallow sand bars. The stingrays would forget their normally shy dispositions and feast on the guts of the cleaned fish. Soon the stingrays began to associate the sound of a boat motor with food. In the late 1980s, divers started feeding squid to the stingrays, one of their favourites.
Today, Stingray City is a readily accessible, once-in-a-lifetime Grand Cayman experience for anyone who wishes to see one of nature’s most majestic creatures up close.
As you enter the clear waters, the graceful southern stingrays glide tranquilly past in their natural habitat. Experience the majestic wildlife of Grand Cayman diving, standing in only three feet of water. At any time, you could be surrounded by more than two dozen friendly stingrays. An experience in Stingray City is unlike any other brush with sea life and is sure to make your Cayman Islands vacation unforgettable.
Cayman Islands Snorkelling
Snorkelling is Cayman’s greatest, easiest underwater adventure and an activity the whole family can enjoy. If you’ve only fantasized about peeking beneath the sea, there is no safer, gentler and more exciting place to learn this sport than in Cayman’s clear, current-free waters. From toddlers to great-grandparents, Cayman snorkelling is ideal for all ages. Our skilled watersports operators are ready to teach you safe snorkelling techniques from the basic levels. You’ll practically rub noses with neon fish, float over coral gardens or even stroke a friendly stingray at Stingray City! Watch a parrot fish have lunch, and help keep our beautiful Caribbean beaches covered with pure white sand! Stand up to a patrol of cheeky Sergeant Majors, inspecting you for handouts or float over the wall and marvel as divers from all over the world disappear into the breathtaking, mysterious cobalt blue waters of the Caribbean.
Cayman’s reputation as of the world’s top diving destinations has meant that we sometimes forget to brag about the best snorkelling in the Caribbean, found off our three islands.There are many ways to enjoy snorkelling. Don’t miss the original Cayman Islands attraction, a North Sound Stingray City trip with a gregarious Caymanian captain. Later, hover over tarpon at Devils Grotto and Eden Rock or splurge on a half day cruise with lunch and a sampling of snorkelling stops. You can even join a dive boat and watch divers below. Cayman Brac and Little Cayman offer many gentle adventures on shallow reefs right offshore, as well as snorkelling trips with beach picnics.Thanks to Cayman’s Marine Park laws, our protected healthy coral reefs and abundant marine life remain our greatest natural attraction. Grab your snorkel gear and discover an unforgettable underwater world for an unforgettable Caribbean vacation! 
