Couples Tower Isle our Jamaican vacation where EVERYTHING was included

As per our annual tradition, my wife and I booked our Spring Break trip to a new location. This time, with some recommendations from some friends, we decided to travel to Jamaica and Couples Tower Isle.

Every March, we try to visit a new location, usually (every time so far) in the Caribbean and every year we do all-inclusive on tyhat trip. That way, with work in the rear view mirror, we don’t have to worry about anything.

After 3.5 days (not enough for any vacation, and 4 nights at Couples Tower Isle, here’s my what I ultimately thought of this Jamaican resort.

Getting to the Hotel

The biggest complaint I really have about Couples Tower Isle is the nearly two hour drive to get to the resort from the Airport. There isn’t really anything that can be done to improve this, Couples does have a couple of hotels that are closer to the airport, but beaches and hotels all differ slightly. One day, I might try one of those other hotels since I did like the Couples brand – more on that later.

Traveling in Jamaica is very different than any place I’ve ever traveled to. Once we got of the plane, we went through customs like normal international travel. Once we were through, instead of being a normal exit zone the airport was split up by resort. The Couples Resort company had a fairly large “club” area where you check in, they get your information, and then a car to take you to your resort. There’s a small bar area inside here where you can get a Red Stripe and wait for your taxi to your final destination.

My wife waiting at the club

Reading the reviews, I had expected a more lively atmosphere in the “club” but really, it was just a waiting area with friendly workers and beer. There wasn’t much to see.

However, this was the start of EVERYTHING being included. The resort arranged for our transportation to and from the airport and we didn’t have to pay anything extra. In fact, we were the only people on our two hour long shuttle. It was a van that could fit twelve. We felt special.

Our driver was friendly, but not very talkative. The two hour trip felt very long after already travelling all day as well. My wife took a nap on the way, and I played on my phone (thank you international cell phone plan from T-Mobile)

Couples Tower Isle Hotel

Entering the grounds of Couples Tower Isle

Entering the grounds to the resort property was pretty quick. There was a guard and a barricade entering the resort, so there was a feeling of safety here. A short little trek into the grounds and we were at the front desk.

The front desk is open to the world outside. This isn’t a problem I don’t think because the weather seemed to be rather pleasant the entire time. As we exited the van, the bellhops were on us quick to get and hold our luggage. They directed us to the desk to check in and provided us with a Rum Punch while we took care of business. Our driver who was not part of the hotel, but I assume was paid by the hotel was the only one that asked for a tip so far.

Check-in was speedy and the bellhop had all of our luggage on a cart and showed us around the grounds.

It didn’t take too long to get the hang of everything. The resort isn’t that large, but it did have plenty of room to do everything you wanted to do. There were two larger pools, access to the beach, bars, and food places all over.

Out on the beach, there’s a dock and out at sea is an island that the resort owns. The island is a nudest island, and the resort shuttles guests out there on boats all day long. Guest have clothes on as they come and go on the boat, but you can see people in the distance when they go to the edges of the island or when they get in the water by the dock. It is far enough away that you can’t really make out any details, but viewer beware.

The grounds themselves are well maintained. The resort seemed to be in the midst of a repainting as areas had signs of fresh paint. We never really noticed anyone painting but maybe one time, however the sign did move around to new areas every day.

Our room was on the third floor and there wasn’t an elevator in our building. If you have an aversion to stairs, I would request a lower room or a building with an elevator.

Inside, the room was simple. You aren’t coming to Jamaica to really stay in the room after all. There was a bed, table, chairs, smaller flat screen TV. The bathroom was large and only had 1 sink and a shower.

The best part of our room was the balcony though. We had a great view out onto the water.

The view out to the ocean from our balcony

We would sit out here and watch the sunset over the building or just relax and get out of the sun after a day at the beach. We could also see and hear the music going on at the main stage that was just on the other side of a pool from us.

The Grounds

There were really five main areas on the resort: The Main Pool, the beach, the pool with the swim up bar, the buffet restaurant (which had a stage for the entertainment), and the front desk.

The Main Pool

The water feature

The main pool was mainly for sunbathing and swimming. It was located right next to the buffet restaurant and the afternoon grill. We spent zero time at this pool, but not for any particular reason. It did have a water feature which looked like a high dive diving board, but the actual board was replaced by a water fall.

This seem to be the place that the sunbathers would go to. There never really seemed to be many people in the pool, other than when they were doing scuba trainings and tests.

The Beach

The beach was on the small sizes, and the actually swimming area seemed even smaller since part of the beach was a boat launch area. Still, there was plenty of lounge charis, and even some swings. We never had a hard time finding a spot on the beach which felt like a blessing compared to some resorts were you have to claim your spot early in the morning otherwise you’re not going to get anything.

On every lounge chair, the resort put a foam float for added cushion, which was a nice touch I hadn’t seen anywhere before. The foam was in good condition and likely checked daily.

On one of the days the water was pretty choppy and there was a ton of seaweed floating on the top of the water. It made it undesirable to get in or near the water. This wasn’t the resorts fault at all, and in fact they did a great job of cleaning it up. The morning after, they had a backhoe out and they were raking the entire beach to get it ready for the day.

While lounging at the beach, there were waiters that came around to take and bring you orders. We were given a red flag to stake in the ground if we needed something as well so that would bring the waiter over. It could take a while for someone to come to you or bring you a drink though. It was never so bad that we were upset however.

The resort doesn’t allow the employees to take tips, so you didn’t have to worry about bringing bills to tip these guys either – more on that later as well.

Just behind the beach was a vegetarian snack shop. I never tried anything there, but my wife got a wrap and said it was delicious.

The Swim-Up Bar

The swim-up pool was very nice as well. The bar provided shade, and we never struggled to find a place to set our stuff. There was always music (90% Bob Marley) and the drinks continued to flow as much as you wanted.

The bartenders were friendly and the pool was well maintained.

My only complaint -and it’s not much of one – was that shade was hard to find at this pool unless you were at the bar. If you want the sun and a tan, you’ll be happy. If you’re trying to avoid the sun because you got burnt on the first day (like me) or you just don’t want to get sun, it can be a challenge.

Just like at the beach, there were plenty of lounge chairs with a foam float here as well.

The Food

I would say that for the most part the food was a touch better than standard all-inclusive resort fair. We had some meals that were excellent, but we also had some that were not as good.

The main buffet usually had a few selections of vegetables and meats. They also had cooking stations where the cook would prepare whatever it was they were offering, like a pasta station. I had an omelet, Gyro, and waffle, but they offered pasta and a few other options as well.

If I had one complaint about the buffet it would be that there wasn’t too much variety. You knew that at breakfast there would be a stuffed french toast of some kind and potatos at every meal. I would have liked to see just a little more variety, but I was mostly happy with the options.

If you didn’t like the lunch buffet, you could go to the grill. We ended up doing this as we got to the resort. We had eaten at 7AM and then been flying or driving to the resort until about 3:30 in the afternoon and hadn’t really had a meal that entire time. So we went to grill and got our grub on. The Jerk Chicken was probably my favorite off the menu at the grill, but the Jerk hamburger was also good. The Chicken came with cole slaw and corn as well, while the hamburger came with fries.

We also made reservations at two of the restaurants on the resort – the Asian restaurant and the Old style Jamaican restaurant.

The Asian restaurant was out over the beach and had a majestic appearance. The food was mostly good but spicy. You’re given an appitizer try that contains a sample of everything so you don’t have to pick anything. Every thing on the tray was tasty. Then you can choose soup or salad. We asked for both. I would recommend the soup over the salad, but beware the soup is spicy. Then you get to choose your main course as well as your dessert. Gentleman will need to wear a nice shirt and at least some shorts, if not pants. The service was great here and the bar was close so the drinks didn’t take long to get there.

The 8 Rivers restaurant had great food as well. You get a 5 course meal and get to select what you’d like. We both had the beef tenderlion and it tasted great. My only complaint here was that you need a reservation and the only option with our time frame was very late- 8:45. We were one of the last diners in the restaurant. The service was very slow, but I’m not sure if it was the time or what. We didn’t get out of there until 10:30 or later. We were both exhausted and ready for bed before our main course had arrived.

What to do

The best part about this resort is all the things that are actually included with your stay. Usually, they say these things are included, but you end up having to pay for these things when you get here. Not once did we have to pay or tip for anything we did here.

Sailing

We did a quick little sailing around the island (bewared if you do this, you might see some of the clothing option people from the island). We didn’t need to sign up, it was pretty much just go to the water sports center and ask about it. Two minutes later we had life jackets on and were pushing off from the beach.

It was quick, easy, and free! I would definitely try this out if you get the chance.

Our sailing trip

Snorkeling

We also did a snorkeling excursion through the resort. You meet at the water sports center, get a life jacket, and then everyone gets onto the boat. The drivers take you out to a little reef that you can skim above. From the resort we got life jackets, fins, and we were offered masks and snorkels but we had our own.

Snorkeling

It took some swimming to find the fish, but there were many out there among the corel. Then, after swimming for a while, the boat honked its horn, we swam back in, and returned to the shore. If we had stayed longer, I think it would have been interesting to see if the spot rotated or changed every time. We heard that they do travel to different sites, but we didn’t actually get to try it.

Dunn’s River

Another day, we decided to go to Dunn’s River water fall climb. I can’t say it enough, this was all free. You didn’t even have to sign up for this one. You simply wait in the lobby of the hotel in the morning until the bus comes.

We jumped on a bus, giving our room number to the driver. The bus started to pump in the Bob Marley and we drove about 20 minutes down the road to Dunn’s River complex.

The driver was very serious about making sure that everyone that was going had water shoes of some type, and even pulled over at a shop to let people get off to buy some if they didn’t already have them. Having completed the trek, I would say that a pair of water shoes are a must.

Dunn’s River Trip

We had to wait just outside the entrance to the complex while the driver squared everything away with the numbers I guess. He came back with wristbands for us and we went into the complex. It is a fairly large complex with shopping, lockers, and more. On the bus, we were offered to leave our stuff there, but we took ours with us. Instead we purchased a locker. The smaller size was $8, but offered a $3 rebate once you brought the key back. It was plenty of space for my wife’s stuff and my own.

We took our GoPros (you can see the video above), but I wish I had just brought it on a chest or head mount instead of the hand held grip. When you are actually climbing the falls, you are going as a group and must hold hands for most of the climb.

If you don’t have a sports camera, the tour guide that will take you through the falls will film you. They will also try to sell the video to you for I think $40. Our tour guide would stop along the way and take pictures of us with our camera which I thought was nice.

The climb itself had some scary moments, but they were more about miss steps than anything. It was mostly easy going. It was a fun divergence from sitting and relaxing on the beach, but it’s not for the couples looking for a rush of excitement.

The entire thing took the 15 of us that went about an hour to climb. There were adults and kids with us. Once we were done, we were strongly encouraged to provide a tip for our tour guide. It was honestly the only time we were hounded for a tip the entire trip. Still, we did tip him; he was a nice and funny guy if not slightly pushy about his tip.

Getting out of the complex was the hardest part of the excursion though. No one really told us how to leave, they just left us while they took the next group. We did manage to find our way, and the only exit was through the store front area. As you walk through, everyone will try to offer you deals and specials or Red Stripe. One guy even offered us a “free” rose, which we declined. Last time we were offered something free like that, we were then hit up for money to pay for it.

As we got free of the complex and headed toward the bus parking area, another guy followed us for a while offering beer even though we said no a few times.

It wasn’t anything terrible, but it was unlike anything that we experienced at the resort. If you are looking for something like waterfalls to do, I would suggest looking for something else unless you just want to try this because it’s free. It was a fun excursion, but not enough to go back and try again if we ever end up in Jamaica. I would try the Blue Hole waterfall. We would have done it but it was about an hour from the resort and we didn’t want to be in a car that long this trip.

Catamaran

The last excursion we took advantage of was a sunset Catamaran cruise. This was probably the best thing that we did. You do need to sign up for this one at least the day before, and you will need to sign a waiver. You’ll wait in the lobby and the same bus from before will come and collect you.

The bus took us to the marina which was about 20 minutes away again. We jumped on the boat and we were off.

We sailed just off the coast of the island for a while before we dropped anchor. On the way, we were given some punch or orange juice. This didn’t have alcohol in them, just FYI. Once we dropped anchor, we were given time to swim. We jumped off the boat, and swam around. They had a few masks if you wanted to snorkel, but there wasn’t anything to really see here. This was more about jumping off the boat and swimming in the beautiful water.

Still, they had music going and the water felt great.

Once we were done swimming, the music started and the boat started again. It was a dance party, and the crew made it a fun time. The same punch and orange juice was being aggressively put into your hands, but this time it was a little heavier. The crew seemed to have a game with it, and as soon as my drink was half done, I’d have another one in my hand.

It got to be too much sugar, but it was a great time.

The crew tried really had to get everyone to dance and have a good time on the boat. They weren’t bossy or anything, but they did try to get everyone involved. If you said no, they would leave you alone – they weren’t pushy about it. It felt like just the right about of push to me.

We returned back to the marina after a at least an hour of sailing, dancing, and partying and loaded back up on the bus.

Everything else

I would say that 98% of everything there was to do at the resort was included. I know that they offered a night snorkel but it was $20 a person or so, maybe more. Motorized water sports cost money as well I think. I met someone that had gone water skiing for example.

If you are a scuba diver, you’re going to love this place. Every dive is free.

You could literally do 2 dives a day for your entire stay and it wouldn’t cost you a thing. So while the resort might be a little pricier than other, all the included things make up for it as long as you do stuff.

The resort also had a game room with a really nice ping pong table, pool table, and card table. And across the street from the hotel are tennis courts which belong to the resort. I noticed the tennis courts on our way out of the hotel for one of the excursion. It looked like the tennis courts were a grass surface and since I’ve always wanted to play on a grass tennis court, I headed over when I could. Sadly, they aren’t true grass courts, but an synthetic grass surface.

The tennis pro, Colin, is a great player. We played a set of doubles and had some laughs. I had played college tennis with one of his former tennis associates so we bonded over our connection. If I had more time, I probably would have tried to play more than I did – which is something I never do on vacation.

Night life

One area where we were a little let down was night life.

The resort has a stage and it booked entertainment every night. The quality of the night life shows weren’t the most entertaining that we had ever seen.

One night was a beach party. Dinner was served on the beach and there was a stage set up. We got as close as we could, ready for a good show. The first act was a band made up of people from the resort. The singer of the group was outstanding! He could really hit the notes. They sang lots of reggae and tried to get the crowd going.

After the band, the resort brought in a steel drum group in. The group played modern songs on the drums and at first it was very engaging and fun. After the third song or so it started to get boring. Finally, towards the end of their set they started to through in some flips and gymnastic like moves. They were interesting, but the last one they tried to clear a space between the tables and the people still sitting there to try and flip back to the stage on. The musicain(?) made it about two flips in before he went off track and landed on a customer.

Our waiter went to check on her, but the performer never really did anything to make things right for landing on her. I don’t hold it against the resort, but the group here.

Other than that, the resort usually had some music on the stage at nights. We didn’t really see any dance groups or any fun skits or anything. But after we watched a little bit of a show, we’d go find something else to do (usually sleep).

Everything is included

If I haven’t mentioned it enough, everything at this resort is actually included. None of the staff takes a tip. They do go out of their way to be helpful and pleasant though.

At checkout, you will be asked to fill out a survey and asked if any of the employees made your stay exceptionally great. This is how they get bonuses and promotions. So learn names of the people that do help you. We regret that we didn’t remember them all at the end of the trip.

Wrap Up

So what did I think about Couples Tower Isle?

When I first got there, I wasn’t as impressed as I thought I would be. We paid a little more than we normally do for this Spring Break trip and I thought the place seemd a little older than I was expecting. As the trip went on however, this place zoomed to one of the top spots on my list.

There was plenty of food and drink. There was always a spot for us where ever we went and everything was included.

But more than that, the people were genuinely friendly.

Be prepared to travel though, since this place is a little out of the way. I’m not sure that I will return anytime soon (we like to try out different places) but this is only the second resort I’ve been to that I would say that I would come back to sometime. More likely, I’ll try out another Couples Resort in Jamaica.

Bottomline: My wife and I really enjoyed this vacation, placing it around third on our list of best vacations.

My travel/writing companion

As a site designed to be about travel and writing, I figured I could start writing about the devices I use mostly for travel.

To that end, I have two devices: a 2013 retina MacBook Pro and a 9.7 iPad Pro. From 2013 when I bought my beautiful and working (no comment on the new MacBook Pro, no matter how much I actually want one) MacBook Pro was my main machine. I did tons of writing on it, I even had an iMac that went neglected almost completely once I got the MBP. But really, since June of 2017, the iPad Pro has been my most productive piece of equipment I own.

I have been a tech geek since as long as I can remember. I’ve built computers, owned iPods, went through the Mac family like I had Donald Trump money, but when the iPad first came out back in 2010 I had this dream that the iMac would be my home computer and the iPad would be my travel computer.

That dream took seven years before it really was able to be a reality.

Now, the iPad is my daily driver. I take it with me every where I go because it is so light and easy to pack. But the iPad has always been easy to take with you. That was part of the entire design. The thing that has really made my productivity take off has been 3 major things: Smart Keyboard cover, iOS updates, and apps.

Smart Keyboard

One of the biggest changes to the way I used the keyboard was the Smart Keyboard cover. When it was announced, I laughed it off and said that it was too expensive, and that it ruined the tablet experience. If you have to use a keyboard on the tablet, you’ve lost.

Or so I thought.

Thanks to the continued improvement of the iPads, and the heralding of people like Jason Snell (sixcolors.com) and Myke Hurley extolling the virtues of having a keyboard, I started to get curious.
I found a cheap keyboard cover on eBay and ordered it up. Even when it came, I still wasn’t sure about it. It seemed to add bulk to such a slim device. I didn’t want to make my iPad less portable. I’d switch out my keyboard cover with my other normal Smart Cover based on when I thought I’d need it.
But then school started back up.
As a teacher, lugging around the MacBook Pro wasn’t terrible. It is definitely heavier than the iPad, and I had a desktop at work, but I still wanted something to have with me that had my software on it. I started packing my iPad every day, and the days that I had the normal Smart Cover on instead of the Smart Keyboard, I regretted it. After a couple of weeks, the keyboard stayed on. I don’t even know where the normal cover is now.
The keyboard cover makes writing easier on the iPad. I’m not one to futz about the keyboard. I’ve never really been bothered by keyboard changes. I liked the MacBook Pro keyboard more than I like the old mechanical keyboards. For years, I tried to type on the iPad screen with some success. I still do type on the screen sometimes, but when I sit down to do some serious typing, I use the keyboard. It just feels better to have the tactile feeling of the keys when you sit down to a long writing project.
Now, eventually, I plan to upgrade to the 10.5 iPad or whatever Apple comes out with next and its keyboard cover. I think the added space on the digital and the physical keyboard will make even more difference than it does now on the 9.7 inch and it will keep the portability perfect. I’ve contemplated even getting the 12 inch iPad, but I think the device is just too big for what I need.

iOS

Second, the operating system has grown so much. Now there are multiple windows, and fly-over windows, and more power than ever. A writer doesn’t really need a whole lot of power, but this device is so easy to use its crazy. With added features comes complication though. The iPad still shines through those. They are not complications for complication sake. The Files app has helped out some with organization, but really just the internet and the ability to store things in the cloud has helped out.

The system has become better and better, and it has attracted more developers to the platform.  There are more writing apps than ever before.  There has to be a reason for that.

Software

Finally, software. As the operating system evolved the apps got better, but really the apps that I used on the MacBook started to show up more prevalently. Apps like Scrivener and Final Draft (and I know there are more and different apps, trust me. I’ve agonized over what to use for hours like any writer trying to procrastinate. And don’t get me started on Scrivener syncing!). The apps that I’ve used for so long have shown up in a new form on a new device. Some of them slimmed down and focused back on the core concept.
These apps are easier to use, and easier to keep the focus on them. The narrower focus of the apps helps me stay focused on writing.
Finally,  the iPad is the device of the future. There is nothing wrong with computers, and I still find myself building and dreaming of my next MacBook. I’m currently saving for a new iMac. But I still go back to my iPad because it excites me more than those. I like seeing what’s next for the device, because evolution keeps hitting it unlike the stagnating personal computer.
So that’s why I love my iPad. I love being able to go on vacation and sneak my little travel buddy with me to hammer out a scene or a thought I want to write about later (even though that doesn’t usually happen, I’d like to dream). I love being able to load it up with movies, music, and podcast before I get on a plane and then ignore them all because I got into a writing sprint.
I haven’t even really mentioned things like the Apple Pencil which helps out artist (because I’m not that artistic) or headphones that pair with them easily, or the all day (and a half) battery I still get out of this two year old device.
It’s a great device, and currently the backbone of my writing.

Unique Souvenirs That Cost Little

I’m always looking for a way to preserve memories of my travels. After all, anyone can visit souvenir shops to buy tea towels, salt and pepper sets, key chains, t-shirts, etc . But how many of any of those do you—or anyone on your souvenir list—really want or need?

I try to think of special and meaningful uses of things that cost little or nothing.

For instance, some countries have unique currencies, Czech Republic and Yugoslavia among them. So, at the end of your trip, you’ll find you have random coins which banks will not buy back. Why not find a good jeweler, buy a link silver bracelet, have the jeweler polish the coins (or coin), and enclose in a bezel to attach to a bracelet or necklace? You’ll have a keepsake at far less cost than someplace catering to tourists.

Or, collect one coin of each denomination and maybe one unit of paper currency. Hobby Lobby can affix them to velvet or satin. Then shadow box frame this set from your Greek, Italian, or English trip! And it is unlike anything anyone else has!

I also like to buy pen and ink notecards. European frame/print sizes don’t conform to US sizes. Besides, note cards travel much more easily. Once home, I again visit Hobby Lobby (always with a coupon), mat one, two, or four in a single frame, and you have—again—a special remembrance at a nominal cost.

 

 

 

 

 

To-Do List for Travel (Priorities)

Here’s a guest post from a friend and former co-worker Pat Jones.

To Do (Prioritized for Sooner to Later for Spring or Summer Vacation) by Pat Jones

NOW

Renew passport as soon as possible.  Sometimes countries do not want a traveler whose passport expires within six months of travel. So, if you are at that point, make sure you renew. Keep a Xerox copy of passport in your luggage and another one for us to exchange with another in your travel group. Alternatively, I kept an electronic copy of all my docs in a photo album on my phone: passport, credit cards (front and back), driver’s license (if you’ll be renting a car), and travel insurance card (front and back).

Also, new requirements (as of last year) for passport photos which you can have taken at Walgreens or CVS: no hair near your face, no glasses, hair behind your ears, no smile, lips closed. It doesn’t make for the most flattering photo, but—oh well!

January  

Make reservations. I’ve found that February yields best results for spring/summer travel. International rates are better on Saturday/Sunday. Domestic flights are better on Tuesday/Wednesday. Any earlier than February may cost hundreds of dollars more. Even if you have airline miles, sometimes it’s worth more to pay outright with another airline than to pay more and accrue more miles. If you are over 65, get trip insurance since Medicare won’t cover you outside U.S. I have used TravelEx and GeoBlue; the Basic Plan which is anywhere from $80-$200. It covers medical and expatriation if needed up to $50,000. Accidents and medical needs should be the exception, but having peace of mind is better than the alternative. Skip the flight insurance (United uses AIG); you won’t be able to use both travel insurance and flight insurance. Travel insurance will cover flight back.

February

Get an Travelon Universal Dual Usb Charger Adapter Set, White, One Size” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”>adapter that will work with most or all countries. This is similar to mine. Amazon one is about $36, but there are several less expensive ones.

Editors note: If you plan on traveling the world, you might consider these adaptors.  They feature 3 USB ports, 1 usb-c port, and adapters for US, UK, Europe, and Austrilia adapters.  So you can charge mulitple devices and plug in something as well.  Use the link before to purchase!

Walmart one (second one listed) is about $19. Both have USB ports for phone/camera/iPad. If you use a curling iron or blow dryer (anything producing heat), you will need an adapter, too, and that is more expensive.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/American-Tourister-American-Tourister-Adaptor-with-USB-and-

Most European places do not provide wash cloths. I buy a package of 24 at Walmart for something like $3.49 and just use them and leave them behind.

April

For a two-week European tour, consider getting 700-800 euros, or the equivalent in pounds for UK, for gas (petrol), sundries, souvenirs, snacks, tips (only in restaurants and then no more than 10%), bus, or taxi. (We never needed a taxi except to get from airport to Dublin hotel—about $20.) Check the exchange rate. There are apps to calculate the current pound-to-dollar or euro-to-dollar rate. And, as you travel and if you alternate splitting expenses with someone you’re traveling with, then you can calculate the costs as you incur them. Cafes prefer cash, particularly if you’re purchasing a snack or light meal.

Typically, the euro is about even with USD. The USD is worth less relative to the pound. You can get currency fairly close to departure, but I allow no less than ten days. If the rate is great, take advantage of it and convert USD earlier. You may adjust amount you get, based on what you think you’ll buy for souvenirs. At the last hotel, I used the leftover euros to pay for that night. Your bank will buy back (at something of a loss for the exchange) the currency; it will not buy back coins. As the trip winds down, pay for sundries in coins!

Almost all B&Bs and hotels have a blow dryer and the means to make tea or coffee in the room. Only one B&B did not have the teapot in the room.

Credit card–call bank (or online you may submit travel notification) to indicate dates of your overseas travel. You may want to consider bringing two cards. Three charges in succession in one day may trigger an alert and block card for remainder of day; bring a second card just in case.

Xerox copy (front and back) of credit cards, along with easy access to credit card phone numbers in case you lose card or it is stolen. Take photo of your cards (front and back) and create album in your phone for access to cards in case things happen and you need to contact your bank.

I keep two coin/currency purses to separate pounds and euros. If you’ll be in Northern Ireland, for instance, that country will not usually accept euros, and the Republic will not accept pounds.

Bring a set of earbuds, or use the ones on the plane (disposable). While we are on the flight, you can listen to music you’ve loaded to your phone or iPod. I have an iPod, loaded with music appropriate to places we travel. It’s also great to listen to on the road. Also get an aux cable to use in rental car so you can stream music.

Car rental: Also, if you rent a car in Dublin, you cannot return it to Londonderry since it’s a different country. If you plan to travel to more than one country, and you must cross a body of water, the car rental company will not ensure the vehicle on the ferry. So, plan to return rental prior to boarding ferry; arrange for another car rental where you disembark.

May

Make sure your passport is ready to go in your purse or backpack when you leave for the airport. You may or may not be able to print your boarding pass 24 hours before the flight. That depends upon the carrier. But passport access and your itinerary (booking) are vital. When you get to the airport, you will show the ticket agent your passport and reservation. He/she will issue boarding pass. If you are not going to drive while abroad, there’s no need to carry a driver’s license.

In short, the more you plan in advance of the trip, the better. Save all correspondence with B&B’s so that you can access things like confirmation number, nights, amount paid (full or deposit) for lodging. I also bring a print copy since I may/may not have access to WiFi when I need it. An Excel doc with all B&B’s, deposits, date booked, nights you’ll be staying, and fun things to see and do in each town or city is invaluable; you’ll have quick access in paper form when you check in.

Other Stuff

Driving

If you plan to drive, you will need your driver’s license. For each driver we register, we must pay an additional $7-$9 a day. Two drivers are adequate, provided both are comfortable driving on the left side (if that’s the case where you’re going).

Food on the Flight

If you want to bring snacks (dried fruit, nuts, etc.) for the flight, there’s no problem going through security with those in your tote. Some carriers are now inspecting snacks, so be prepared by checking carrier site before you stock up on goodies.

Safety

With the exception of random crime, most European countries are very safe. You will feel comfortable carrying your usual purse or cross body. There’s no need for the hidden pouch to carry money and passport. Just make sure you have your passport with you ALWAYS. That’s just because you are in a foreign country, and it’s always a wise practice. Keep Xerox copy of credit cards and passport. If you go to significant touristy places (landmarks like cathedrals, towers, etc.), taking a photo means raising both arms and focusing. And that is when and where you make yourself a target for pickpockets. If you’re traveling with someone, arrange to watch as each takes photos.

Do not wear expensive jewelry. Tourists usually look like tourists. You’ll be much more relaxed if you try not to attract attention.

Weather

Check weather online. Weather in 60’s sounds cold, but really it is ideal for walking around. Plan on some long-sleeved things or at least clothing you can layer. You will need a windbreaker and/or sweater for at least some places.

You should get a tiny umbrella for your purse or backpack. (I used mine only once and briefly.) But the Totes purse-sized umbrella is lightweight and easy to carry with you.

Clothing

Dress comfortably. Jeans, cotton pants, or warm-ups and walking shoes are great. You don’t need to get all dressed up for anything unless you plan on a fancy dinner someplace. Upon arrival, if you really need to do laundry, the cost of having it done is high. We use the “stomp and wash” method: just put the outfit in need of washing on the shower floor, take your shower, and then rinse out clothing well. Since often you’ll be in each place at least two nights, your clothes will dry.

Souvenirs from Ireland and UK

Gaelic football (rugby) jersey from almost anywhere, depending on your loyalties

Crystal—many places. You can find jewelry, china, or crystal sets that can be shipped very reasonably, especially with the dollar currently high. Galway has an entire display wall of “slightly imperfect” goblets—really good deal and imperfections aren’t even visible.

Connemara marble—religious items, cutting boards, cheese boards, etc. Marble is everywhere, but   Blarney Woolen Mills is a good start.

Lace—again, found just about anywhere in Ireland.

Woolen items—again, found just about anywhere, particularly in the woolen mills.

China—found mostly in the crystal shops. Many items are good for gifts: earrings, bracelets, Christmas   ornaments (collector editions), and, of course, serving dishes and sets of china.

Food items—I’m not sure what preferences people have, but there are cookies, chocolates, etc. that are   exclusive to Ireland or UK.

Irish whiskey—Try duty-free shop in airport to avoid having to carry it around for two weeks.

Anything your purchase adds weight to your suitcase. So, plan ahead for extra room prior to leaving, or restrict buying to the lightest and smallest. You may really want that bottle of alcohol from duty-free shop in the airport. You will also have to carry it, and that’s not very appealing when you’re fatigued from travel and from negotiating foreign airports.

Food in Destination Country

No matter what country you go to, check in advance for typical meals. We have found that no European countries have artificial sugar on the table or even upon request. If you have special dietary needs like that, plan to bring those with you.

Camera vs. Phone for Photos

That’s totally your choice, of course. For convenience, I relied last time on my phone only for photos. But I had my camera, as well. If you plan to use your phone for photos, go to “Settings” and make sure that you select all the apps you use, and turn each off individually. Then turn off cellular. Your phone will not surprise you by running data (really expensive for international travel). Once at the hotel or B&B, you just login to their WiFi, and you never have to adjust settings unless you plan to call home. And you’ll never have to pay for International Calling. You might also use WhatsApp or Line to communicate as long as you have a Wifi connection.

Also, Google Photos is a great app (iPhone or Droid). Set up an album in advance on Google Photos. At the end of each day when you have WiFi access, make sure your photos transfer to Google Photos. If you and a travel companion have equal access to the same album, you will automatically be sharing all the photos. Sometimes one person gets a great shot of a landmark, and it’s better than your shot. You can cull those photos later, but you’ll have the benefit of more than one person recording the events and sights.

Luggage

One piece of luggage is all you need. We will have to load/unload trunk at each destination. So I’d suggest something no larger than 24”. You might want to bring a small tote or backpack, as well, so that you’ll have the necessary things like medication, contacts, etc. with you on the plane. Chances are, your 24” luggage will not exceed 50 pounds. The larger your suitcase, the more likely you’ll pay overage fees.

Medication

Make sure you have more than enough medication for the two weeks we’ll be gone. Carry it in your tote. If your luggage is delayed, you won’t be out of luck.

Re-Entry into US

About 30 minutes before we land, you’ll get a Customs declaration form to fill out. You are asked questions about the value of items with which you are returning. You do not need to list every single thing you bought. I have always put “Various souvenir items ~$200.” The kiosk in the home airport will enable you to fill form out again electronically. So the paper copy is not usually something Customs collects. Hang onto it, though, until you’ve cleared the airport.

Disposing of luggage tags with barcode and/or tickets

Do not be careless with these pesky stickers and old tickets. Disposing of them just anywhere leaves you vulnerable to others who with a QR reader can access far too much information about you. Shred those documents or put them with receipts in your bag so that you can safely dispose of then once you’re home.

Hiking Skaros Rock

Here’s a silly little video I made of us hiking Skaros Rock.

This hike wasn’t too difficult really.  The path was paved 95% of the way, and most of the video is just us walking.  I tried to add some comedy and interesting visuals though.  We could see the rock from outside our room and you can probably see it in many of our pictures that we’ve posted.  

Still, it was a fun little hike.  Give the video a thumbs up if you like it.  I’ll work on posting more videos as we travel.

Thanks for viewing/reading.

I don’t practice Santorini…

June- 9-11

Santorini

As we get off the ferry from Mykonos arriving to Santorini, I can’t express enough how much easier things are traveling with a backpack rather than rolling luggage. So many people struggling and pulling their luggage on rough uneven grounds. I can’t believe we were the minority. If everyone right now can tell 5 people they know, and if those people can tell 5 friends, and so on… maybe we can stop the madness!

As we walk out of the boat, we follow the crowd to where all the transportation and tour people are waiting . We immediately see a sign with my last name, Sprague. Sorry Jarrett, you’ll just be referred to as Mr. Sprague now. Our transportation from the port to our hotel ended up being a private car. Our driver was a young, 28 year old Greek dude named Nikos. He told us he lives in Santorini for 6 months out of the year (tourist season) and then goes back to Athens and waits for the next season to start. That’s kinda how the life is for all the people that are lucky enough to find work here. If they’re even luckier, they’ll find work in the off season back home and continue to earn an income all year long. This is how my cousin’s job at the hotel in Spain is so I’m very familiar with the struggle.

After driving in the Santorini traffic of a 2 lane road up a curvy mountain for about 30 minutes, we get dropped off at the furthest spot we can go by car. A bell boy from the hotel meets us and helps me with my luggage. We walk on a cobblestone sidewalk for just a few feet and arrive at the hidden entrance of Cliff Side Suites. Everything from the walls and steps is white. We start going down what seems like a hundred steps and immediately catch a glimpse of the immaculate view of the ocean. One word I would describe Santorini as is “cliffy.” We are up really high and can see practically the entire island from here. On the far right we can see Skaros Rock, on the northern most tip of the crescent shaped island. To the left we can see the southern most tip which we later find out is where Santo Wine sits.

We get into our room which is another set of stairs down, and get settled. The hotel was very Greek traditional looking meaning it was entirely white cemented igloo looking rooms. Even the bedsheets were all white and furniture too. One thing that stood out was the purple sink in the bathroom, very random and looked very out of place.

We were hungry and hot so we decided to check out the pool and order some food. The pool wasn’t anything to brag about, but you can’t expect much from a limited space on a cliff. The view made up for that. We ordered a Greek salad to share, and 2 sandwiches. The prices here were already looking significantly lower than Mykonos. We had no problem ordering a cocktail right away. Jarrett ordered a piña colada and I got a mojito. He has yet to get a properly made piña colada. It tasted fine, except it wasn’t frozen or blended.

As we cooled off in the cold water, we noticed a wedding starting to take place right below us. We had front row seats and I definitely wanted to watch. A few other British ladies and I watched and took pictures. As the bride finally made her appearance I couldn’t help but think, why didn’t anyone advise her not to wear her hair down or not to wear a long veil? Santorini is WINDY AF YALL! It was especially windy that day and that girls hair and veil were flying everywhere. She looked absolutely beautiful and wore a Greek style wedding dress that was one shoulder and had some Greek design on the waistline. After the vows, she decided to remove the veil… good call. It was a 10 minute ceremony and I believe the couple was English according to their accents. One of the bridesmaids had her hair dyed bright royal blue. Maybe that was her “something blue”.

It was getting late and we wanted to shower and get ready for dinner. After looking at a couple menus close by our hotel, we decided on a restaurant called Vanilia. Yes, that’s spelled correctly. It had a great view of the much anticipated Santorini sunset. Since it was really windy that evening, they were recommending everyone to not sit on the terrace or open balcony. We settled for a semi open table. A bottle of wine only cost 15€ here so we definitely got a house white. The menu was actually a tad different than what we were seeing everywhere else. Jarrett suggested we get the hummus since we hadn’t had it since day one in Athens and hadn’t seen it on any menu since the but I said let’s take advantage of the variety here and get the garlic Gouda cheese bread. It was a good choice y’all. Jarrett ordered a Fried chicken dish and I ordered a seafood linguini. His fried chicken was kinda like a chicken fried chicken minus the gravy but instead Greek yogurt. Don’t let the healthiness fool you because it was excellent. My linguini was the best linguini I’d ever tasted. It had red marinara sauce, shrimp, and calamari. We were very satisfied with our choices.

Side note: One thing we’ve noticed about restaurants in Greece is if you’re paying with a credit card, they bring the card machine to your table and run it right in front of you. Why hasn’t The States started doing this already?

We finished dinner right as sunset was starting to happen. Since we were sitting in a semi covered patio because of the strong wind, we didn’t have a clear view of it so we left to take some pictures. That tour guide in Mykonos was right, Santorini has THE BEST sunset. Holy cow y’all! It was spectacular. We took a few pictures form a public area and then hurried back to our balcony and watched the rest. What a view! We just sat there and enjoyed it until it was dark and all you could see was the twinkling lights of the entire island.

I dunno if it was the darkness of the Greek igloo we slept in or the comfort of the bed, but we slept 12 hours straight that night. It was impressive. Not so much me because I’ve been known to love my sleep but I’d never seen Jarrett sleep like that ever! It was 11am and we totally missed the breakfast that’s served at our hotel until 10:30am. So we got dressed and looked for some brunch. We found a place close by that offered breakfast type items such as crepes and coffee with a view of course. I ordered a crepe with white chocolate and strawberries with an OJ. Jarrett ordered a chocolate, banana and coconut crepe with a cappuccino. We’d been trying to ration our euro cash to only necessary situations and our bill was 30,50€ and our waiter claimed he didn’t accept credit card which I knew was BS. No one had declined a card this whole time. But his service was so slow and he was swamped so I just gave him cash to just get out of there.

We then decided to do some exploring around town. The hotel receptionist mentioned the town of Fira was just a 10 minute walk. Since we were towards the top of the island, it was just a downhill hike. I could tell it was gonna be a struggle back. We were definitely staying in the middle of everything. Right outside the entrance of our hotel, there were plenty of places to shop and eat. It was super convenient. We found the town of Fira and walked around the streets which just was a continuation of what we were already seeing from the hotel. It was never like a moment of “Welcome to Fira” it just went from kinda crazy crowded to really crazy crowded. We searched on google to see what was around that we could walk to or sightsee. The closest thing in google maps was the “volcanic eruption”? We walked to it and it was just the public bus stop. We thought surely this was a mistake and kept walking around the coordinates that google was giving us. Nothing. We gave up and headed to the next spot: The Three Bells of Thira. It was on the way back to the hotel and everything else was a little further out and we would need to make more time for it. We found signs pointing right to it so we had just missed it on the way to Fira. I even took a picture of it not knowing that was it. This time we saw it from the correct angle and saw that famous view you see in all the movies and magazines. Do people even read magazines anymore? Blogs and websites I should say. A friendly American offered to take our picture.

We were feeling a little fatigued and were sweating from our hike through town so we decided to cool off at the hotel pool before going to Santo Winery for dinner later. Google maps said that it was about an hour walk and we didn’t really do our research so we said we could easily just walk there since it was early and then just take a bus back. We royally messed up there. After showering and getting dressed up, we started our unknown long journey to Santo Winery. As we walked through Fira again and got further south, the crowd started to thin out and the streets started to straighten. Next thing we know we’re on a long road along the island with a tiny little sidewalk. An unbeaten path for sure. We would pass an occasional couple of people that were returning to Fira. I was like ok so we aren’t the only idiots that take this long walk. The further we got, the more we regretted our decision of this journey. It was too late to turn around and there was no bus stop or taxi in sight. An occasional house or store but mostly deserted. We had to bite the bullet and finish the marathon we unknowingly had signed up for. I had bought some of the most comfortable walking sandals in preparation for this trip. They were like walking on marshmallows (Jarrett calls them cloud shoes)…. until now. I had managed to make these perfect walking sandals give me blisters. I didn’t think it was possible. Jarrett got a good taste of marriage that day. He’s amazing and hardly complained, as I moaned in anguish and was on the verge of tears. We saw some signs saying wine road up ahead… lies!! We saw a building that said wine at the far end tip of the island and we asked ourselves, is that it!!? Omg why did we do this!? We still had 20 minutes of walking left. It seemed like no end in sight. But sure enough, all misery comes to an end and we reached and uphill road with no sidewalk and made it to our destination. I’d never been so relieved to see people and wine.

Santo Wines is the oldest winery in Santorini and made all their wines from the grapes grown there and another island across from the volcano. We walked up and asked for a table for 2 and were seated immediately. It was pretty empty at the moment, but it was still early for dinner about 6:15pm. Out of all the empty seats we got sat at a table directly next to 2 Australians. They were so obnoxiously loud. The guy was a big overweight loud mouthed “bro”. Jarrett and I had invented a name for these guys when we are on our trips. We call them “douche-cations”. He was totally a douche-cation. His wife who was also obnoxious had bright raspberry colored hair. They were bickering loudly and Jarrett and I couldn’t help but just sit quietly and listen while we attempted to read the menu.

I had definitely taken off my shoes at this point. I just wanted wine and enjoy the sunset. I looked over at their table and noticed that they had just about finished their 16 glasses of wine tasting. Thank god. They were leaving soon. They asked for their check and as they waited for their server, douche-cation struck up a conversation with a local behind us and asked to steal a cigarette. He then decided to ask his life story and talk about how much money he spent in Mykonos partying the days prior. The whole side of the winery we were sitting in you couldn’t here anything but this guy’s loud conversation. I couldn’t hear anything else. We were sitting in an entirely open aired area y’all!

They finally left before sunset started and more and more people started arriving. We had ordered the tasting special for 2 persons. It included a tasting of 5 wines: 3 whites, 1 red, and 1 dessert. It also included a Greek salad, a grilled octopus dish, a pork tenderloin dish, and for dessert a brownie and ice cream. Everything was delightful except for the ice cream. The flavor was really strange, I thought it tasted like lemongrass. I powered through it because hey… it’s ice cream and I can’t eat a brownie without it.

We enjoyed the rest of the sunset and took some pictures.

It was about 8:15pm and we decided to try and look for a bus stop because there was no way in hell we were making the trip back by foot. After attempting to find the right bus stop on our own, we went back to the winery and asked someone to be sure. Sure enough we would have chosen the wrong spot so ask for help people! Everyone is super nice and speaks English so there’s no reason to try to risk making a mistake. We waited and waited and every bus that passed, we stood up and they never stopped. A crowd started to wait with us. An Asian guy asked us if the bus we were waiting for went to Perissa, another town opposite direction of ours. We said no we were headed back to Fira. I told him he should probably head over to the opposite side of the street at the other bus stop since that was the direction he was wanting to go, but he stayed. I tried y’all. Oh well, it’s a small island… he’ll get there eventually.

A lady came off a charter bus at our stop, and as we stood up thinking it was the bus we needed, she said it wasn’t and we should look for a green colored bus. Thanks lady!

It finally came at about 9:00pm and it took probably an hour to get to our bus stop in Fira. The bus took us through other little towns we hadn’t seen yet. We then had to hike it back up to our hotel from Fira. Finally, we made it to our room and I wasted no time and tucked myself in for some sleep. We turned on the tv and watched a little bit of a movie but the commercial breaks were almost as long as the show time so once we got to the 3rd commercial break we gave up and fell asleep. This time we set an alarm for 9:30am just in case so we wouldn’t miss breakfast again.

Breakfast was served by the pool here and we got ourselves a table underneath some shade. The choices were a little limited but had the typical eggs, bacon and fruit, but the coffee was good.

Today we were going to tackle the hike to Skaros Rock that was on the northern tip of Santorini. We put on our sporty attire and closed toed shoes and headed out. It was a good mix of down hill and up hill. We definitely felt a little out of shape by the way we were huffing and puffing up those stairs. It was a spectacular view for sure. We got to the end and all that was left was just the flat top of Skaros Rock but the only way to get up there was a narrow steep climb that looked unappealing. Not so much going up, but coming down was what worried me. Some of the people coming down said it wasn’t worth it. we were getting practically the same view from where we were. So we decided to just skip it. After a few minutes of catching our breath, we started our trek back to the hotel. We grabbed a small bite of gyros and cider beer near the hotel and cooled off by the pool.

We had arranged for an evening catamaran tour that started at 3pm so we got changed and prepared for our next excursion. Everyone said that the evening catamaran tour was the best one because you got to experience that famous Santorini sunset on the water. So yes please and efcharisto! (That’s thank you in Greek… we’re learning a few tag lines)

We meet our driver right outside our hotel and 2 couples await us inside the car. In the far back seat, are a quiet Argentinian couple that are newly engaged. The couple in the middle seat are newlyweds from Australian that we had seen at our hotel pool. We quickly got to conversations about where in our travels we were and where we were headed. It was the Australians last night and were headed home the very next day. They’d been traveling for 3 weeks and had been all over Europe. The Argentinian couple had a similar stay as ours except a little backwards and were headed to Mykonos the next day. We gave them some tips and told them about stuff we had seen and what to expect. These couples were friendly and inviting to conversation so we could tell this boat trip was going to be fun and pleasant.

Our driver took us right to where Santo wines is but a little further in to the marina. Dozens of boats were getting ready to set sail for their evening tours. We waiting about 10 minutes by the little gift shop staying out of the blistering sun while the boat captains got the boat ready. Our driver even bought everyone ice cream while we waited. We walk up to a charming sail boat that was going to be sailed by 2 Greeks named Fakis and Gregory. Fakis had dark long dreadlocks and Gregory was short with blondish hair and they both of course had nice full beards. They quickly made us feel welcomed by cracking a few jokes and telling us the rules of the boat. Fakis encouraged the men to not try and be snipers and for them to sit to pee.

A few others joined us on the boat including 2 young men from Australia and 3 Persian young ladies from California. The 2 Australian guys made it clear they were here to party by taking their shorts off and exposing their brightly colored Budgy Smugglers (speedos).

Gregory immediately offered us alcoholic drinks and away we went. The ride out was a little choppy and one of the Cali girls got sick just a few minutes into it. Hearing that she got sick got me worried I’d get sick and I started to feel slightly queasy. I think it was all in my head. It didn’t help that the boat was practically sideways. It was a little scary. Those guys were good at sailing and were working their ass off making sure that boat was sailing. I only got scared for a few short moments. Once we got to our first swim/snorkel spot, Jarrett and I lathered up in sunscreen and got ready to jump in. The Australian guys were the first to jump in. Yep, it was cold!! The weather was warm so the cool water was appetizing. I gathered up the courage to jump from the side of the boat rather than to just step in from the back ladder. Jarrett immediately followed. It was so cold but our bodies got used to it quickly. Either that or our bodies just went numb. I’m gonna go with numb. The newlywed Australian couple took a liking to us and swam by us the whole time while talking about what we saw underneath in the water. A good 10-15 minutes or so of trying to snorkel with the goggles that were supplied I decided it was time for me to get back in the boat. As I dried off, I noticed the Argentinian couple talking and discussing something with Fakis. They had lost their GoPro in the water! I spoke to them in Spanish and asked what happened. The girl had said her fiancé had jumped in with the GoPro that was strapped “securely” onto his wrist, but thinks the impact of the water triggered the release button. They were sad and were coming to terms that they’d lost a valuable piece of equipment. Then Jarrett comes along and gets up to speed of what happened. He goes, “So do we need to go diving for a GoPro?” I told him knock himself out but their ain’t no way that thing is gonna show up again. Jarrett jumps in the water and attempts to look for it with some crappy goggles. I throw him some better snorkeling ones and he continues. I swear I looked away for 10 seconds and I hear some commotion. Jarrett had his arm straight up in the air in the water holding a GoPro. I had never been more proud of my new husband. I couldn’t believe it! Jarrett saved the day! The Argentinian lady and I hugged and jumped with excitement. Jarrett got nicknamed Poseidon, the god of the sea. 😂 The GoPro was still filming and Jarrett said he saw the lit screen glowing which made it easier to spot. We watched the video and laughed about how it filmed whole the rescue. The video was only 20 minutes long. Fakis, who has been doing this for 10 years, was in shock and couldn’t believe it. In all his years, no one had ever found their lost belongings in the Aegean sea. He told Jarrett and the Argentinan couple they should play the lottery.

We then took off to the next swim spot. Gregory served us fresh cherries and we listened to some music. We passed the Red Beach which gets its rust color from oxidation from the nearby volcano. Nearby was a nudist beach but it looked empty so nothing scandalous was seen. 🙈

We got to the black beach which obviously gets its color from the lava rocks from volcano. We were told if we swim to the shore to be super careful because the rocks cut like glass. All four Australians and the Argentinian woman swam out and explored. I stayed on the boat because I couldn’t bare to get in the cold water again. I just wanted to dry off and relax and soak in the last bit of sun. Jarrett didn’t bother getting in again either, I was a little surprised because he rarely passes up the opportunity to swim.

Here Gregory and Fakis started to get dinner ready. Gregory fired up the propane grill at the back of the boat and laid a dozen prawns to cook. The menu consisted of Greek salad, spaghetti with marinara sauce, chicken and rice, muscles with rice and the grilled prawns. One of the Australians mocked Americans by saying the famous Australian phrase, “Shrimp on the Barbie” but said that no one in Australia has ever said the word shrimp. There goes all the Australian language I know! 😉

After eating we headed out to a spot in the ocean to get the best view of the sunset. There were probably a couple dozen boats all around us doing the same thing. As sunset started, Fakis took everyone’s phone and started taking pictures for us. I thought that was so nice and a pleasant change from previous catamaran tours I’ve ever had in other countries. Usually they designate one of the workers to take pictures with their fancy camera and then charge you $40 for a copy of all the pictures they take. None of that nonsense here. Fakis even took a few selfies of him and other passengers of the boat on my phone. I’m glad he did because everyone on that boat was so nice and fun.

It was a fantastic group of people. We had all sorts of conversations during dinner. In particular, everyone was really curious what it was like in The States during the election of Trump. We were the only Americans that were involved in the conversation (the Cali girls just slightly paid attention and took selfies the whole time🙄🤳🏼) so we were answering all the questions. Turns out one of the Australian guys didn’t have an accent after all and I noticed it and said, “Hey! You’re not Australian!” He confirmed and said he was from Michigan. He’d been living in Australia for 2 years after visiting and never left. He’s a student there and never plans to return.

I definitely asked the Australians if their spiders and wild animals there were really as scary as the internet makes it out to be. They mostly confirmed that it’s safe, just as long as you keep your distance and don’t bother them (snakes and spiders). If they don’t feel attacked, they won’t attack you. I think I can visit there now. Here I come Elias! Get ready for us!

I most definitely got everyone’s Instagram and now follow them. It’s going to be fun seeing the rest of their journeys. The best kind of networking is travel networking. I plan on seeing the world so knowing people all over is helpful! One of the Australian guys gave us some tips for France. What to eat, what to say, and what not to say. Turns out I know a lot more French than I thought. Thanks half semester in 8th grade!

Santorini definitely has the best sunset I’d ever seen. Pictures don’t do it justice unfortunately. So you’re just gonna have to go and see it yourself. It’s worth it.

We later docked and found our driver and parted ways with half of the passengers. We hadn’t paid for our tour yet and everyone was wondering if we were ever gonna pay. The hotel that booked it for us said that we would pay when we get there. No one had yet said anything about it to us and we were curious if we even were going to pay at all. When we got to the spot where we were picked up, the driver pulled out his card reader. Darn! Almost got away Scott free! We swiped our cards and waved goodbye to the Argentinians left in the car. I’d been trying to speak so many languages and hearing all kinds of accents that “mucho gusto” came out of my mouth sounding more Texan than ever before. I hated myself for it. Jarrett was like “wow”.

We were exhausted at this point and were ready to get tucked into bed and get some sleep before our early flight the next morning. We opted out of a 5 hour ferry ride back to Athens and chose to do a 45 minute flight so we could have more time to sightsee. Since we were only in Athens for a short evening when we first arrived we didn’t get to see much. Our flight was at 8am so waking up early was going to be quite a change. We set 2 alarms just in case. Rachel had coordinated transportation to the airport already so we didn’t need to worry. It was picking us up at 5:55am. We made sure to pack that night so we didn’t need to rush in the morning.

The Santorini airport was small, maybe only 4 or 5 terminals. It was packed with people and hardly any sitting space. We found an empty terminal and sat for a few minutes before an airport worker made everyone clear it out for something. So we went and stood around in our terminal area until it was time for boarding. We didn’t get to have breakfast at the hotel because we left too early so we hoped to grab a snack at the airport but everything was so overpriced that we just waited until we got to Athens since it was such a short flight. The flight wasn’t even long enough for them to serve a snack or a drink. I practically blinked and we were ready for landing. I’ve been trying to write any time we are flying so since these last few flights have been short, I am currently in the Paris airport about to start our journey home finishing up this post about Santorini. Sorry y’all! I’m really exciting to write about our time France because it was super special and full of emotion. My next post will be about our one day in Athens though. Let’s just say it was almost as hot as Texas and I was ready to get it done and out of the way.

Mykonos

June 7- Thursday- Mykonos

Wow. Have you ever seen such beauty it made you cry tears of joy? When we planned our honeymoon about 8 months ago, I contacted my friend Rachel to help us. She handpicked our hotels so I left it to her and allowed myself to keep things a surprise. I’d spent the last 15 months planning every minute of our wedding so I was ok delegating this task to someone else. So I had no idea what was waiting for us here in this beautiful country of Greece. I think Petinos Hotel was made for me. White Greek walls with mint colored shutters and doors. I mean… how did they know those were my wedding colors… minus the rose gold, but if it had rose gold features I’d run away because that would just be scary.

As we boarded our hotel shuttle from the port, we knew we were in for a treat because the bus had leather seats. The streets in Mykonos were narrow but that didn’t stop the large buses from maneuvering around like it was a tiny little Fiat. These drivers were pros.

The scenery was just about as Greek as it gets, white concrete homes with spherical blue roofs. I think the HOA here is pretty strict about the colors used. 😉 About 30 minutes later, we made it to our hotel. We walked into the lobby at about 10:30 am so our room wasn’t quite ready yet but they said breakfast was still being served until 11am (included btw) so we hurried to the hotel restaurant to grab a quick bite since our shared chocolate croissant from earlier was barely filling our tummies.

This is where we realized that the hotel was located right on Petinos Beach. It felt almost unreal to see what I’ve seen in so many movies and pictures online. The view from the restaurant was breathtaking. You could see a charming cove that was filled with boats hotels and swimming tourists.

We wanted to walk around the hotel to see what we were in for. As we walked around the courtyard, I noticed the beautifully picked out greenery and fountains. It felt like a dream. This is where my eyes teared up. It’s exactly what I’ve always dreamed my honeymoon would be. The hotel pool was just across from the restaurant so we walked over to check it out. It was a nice and quiet scene. Perfect to unwind after a hectic morning. We ran over to our luggage and asked the front desk where the nearest bathroom was so we could change into our bathing suits. Our room wasn’t going to be ready for a couple hours so we took this time to enjoy the pool.

The pool service was a little slow and the cocktails were pricey (14€) so we chose a local Mithos draft for only 3.50€. As we sunbathed we noticed a couple speaking English but with English and Australian accents. We struck up a conversation with them and found out that they lived in Australia but one was from England. They were getting married in 2 weeks! They said they were doing things a little backwards because they visited London to celebrate their marriage with his family since the wedding was in Australia and not everyone could make it. So while they were in Europe, they decided to make the most of it and visit Greece for a week. Their names were Jamie and Steven. Jamie was a writer and Steven was a chemist. We definitely keep finding couples we have a lot in common with here. We conversed for probably an hour about all kinds of things, and a lot about Trump lol. Let’s just say we had a lot of the same views. They soon decided it was time for lunch so they took off and wished us well. I wish I had gotten their social media info. I dropped the ball on that one.

After they left, we were immediately approached from a group of Americans. Two older couples from California and Arizona, Sue and Steve, and Jill and Greg. Greg ended up being our favorite and we kept running into them throughout our stay in Mykonos. They recommended we take the public bus into town which cost only 1€ each way and checkout the shops, the windmills, and the famous pelicans. Apparently this pelican makes an appearance and people crowd it and snap pictures like the paparazzi. I really hope this pelican has an Instagram account or else it’s losing quite a business opportunity. So we decided we would use our next full day to check that out for sure.

It was about 1:30pm so we decided to check on our room. Good news it was ready! The bellboy took us to our room and we got a 2nd floor room that overlooked the gorgeous courtyard. The room was all white with 2 twin beds pushed together… almost but close enough. We unpacked and then headed out to eat some lunch. You can’t get a bad view from anywhere in that restaurant. We both ordered pizza. I ordered the Mediterranean (duh) and Jarrett got one with prosciutto. My order won again! It had fresh feta, greek olives, green bell peppers, and tomatoes. Pretty much the perfect pizza.

We wanted to check out the beach so we headed over. A quick walk down the stairs and we were there. The whole coast was covered in cabanas and umbrellas. We quickly found out that these were definitely not first come first serve. The first ones we approached were 20€ per person for the day. We kept walking. A hostess approached us at the next spot and said that their cabanas were 15€ each for the day and that included your first cocktail! Deal! Jarrett ordered a piña colada and I got a mai tai. We lathered up in sunscreen and relaxed for a bit. It quickly got warm enough to want to cool off in the ocean. The water was a tad on the cold side, nothing like the warm Galveston water we’re used to. The water was crystal clear and we even saw a few small fish swimming around. Slowly but surely I bravely submerged in the water. It felt refreshing but I needed to hold Jarrett’s warm body to keep my goosebumps under control. Jarrett usually is quicker to go under water than me. He was a little slow getting in but ultimately was under water in no time. People watching is entertaining here for sure. We saw two topless ladies and plenty of men in speedos. Once our bodies were cooled off and started from feeling refreshed to frigid, we headed back to our cabana. We both closed our eyes and dozed off to the warming sun. The nice breeze kept us cool and comfortable in the ~85 degree weather. (Ugh Texas heat … sorry my outdoor wedding took place in the 2nd hottest month recorded in 129 years 😩)

It was about 6pm when we woke up and we were ready to get out of the sun so we headed back to our room for a quick shower and to relax for a bit.

We got dressed up for our first nice dinner in Greece. We headed down to the hotel restaurant and got seated in the same exact table from lunch with a nice view of the sunset. We got a bottle of rosé and started with pita bread appetizer with olive oil and vinegar dip. Jarrett ordered the souvlaki special and I got the seafood souvlaki. Souvlaki is just a traditional Greek dinner of meat skewers with vegetables. His entree had steak, chicken and pork with a side of French fries and veggies. My entree had shrimp, scallops, swordfish, and salmon with a side of veggies and potatoes. We shared baklava and ice cream for dessert.

After eating, we wanted to explore the neighboring hotels and restaurants to see if anything looked good enough to try for the next night. We walked along a wooden sidewalk all the way down. We stopped at a little market and browsed the snacks, souvenirs, and beverages. We had only brought a couple travel sized sunscreen bottles so we were needing to replenish our supply here pretty soon. Bottles of sunblock was running at about 15-20€. So we decided to try our luck in town the next day. About 10:30pm we called it a night and headed back to the room to get some sleep.

June 8- Friday

We slept great through the night and woke up at about 8am. We wanted to get breakfast and catch the bus a little early to make the most of our full day here in Mykonos. I tried the crepes today and was not disappointed. I topped with with some sweetened condensed milk and some Nutella. Only thing missing was a couple strawberries… but I wasn’t complaining. I don’t think fruit is a featured thing here in Greece. The only fruit in the breakfast buffet was watermelon and melon.

At about 10:30 we caught the public bus into town. These weren’t just any buses, these were big charter buses. If you think parallel parking in Houston is hard, imagine turning around in one of these giant buses in a narrow Greek road. It can be done and we witnessed it several times that day.

It took about 15 minutes to get to the little town. I say little but once we immersed ourselves in the most beautiful walkways, we found out that it was a maze that went on forever. Store after store of trinkets, clothing, and food seemed never ending. At one point I looked to the left down a walkway and saw the water. We definitely needed to check that out and see what that was about. We discovered what people really come here for. The stunning view of the ocean and windmills at the top of the hill. We made our way through the ocean front restaurants and were stopped halfway through because they were shooting a movie so we had to go around. We knew there was something suspicious about how happy and charismatic a couple was being right next to us… they were actors.

We walked up the to top of the hill where the famous windmills of Mykonos were and snapped a few pictures. We kept walking around and kept discovering more and more beautiful scenery. We couldn’t help but take about 100 pictures of it all. I would see a window and snap a picture. Everything was just so lovely, instagram worthy for sure.

We saw an ATM and went over to get some cash. Europe does not accept dollars and I had only brought about 75€ with me that my cousin traded me back at home which was very helpful to have upon arriving. Jarrett’s ATM card had broken about 4 days before and the new one hadn’t arrived before we left (how convenient, lol) so he was using his Chase Sapphire card for anything that accepted credit cards.

We saw a gelato place and decided it was time for a cool treat. I had a sample of the pomegranate and lemon flavored gelato. We both went with one scoop of the pomegranate, SO GOOD! We sat on their patio and enjoyed the view of the ocean.

We decided we wanted to come back into town for dinner later so we headed back to the hotel to cool off by the pool some more and have some lunch. We shared a Mediterranean pizza by the pool and ordered two cocktails called, From Madagascar with Love. It had passionfruit and vanilla liqueur. Fantastic. After swimming and getting some sun, we found 2 open lounge chairs in the shade and took a nap. Napping is easy here.

We wanted to go back into town before sunset because we were told the sunsets there were breathtaking. We showered got dressed up and caught the next bus into town. There were tons more people there than earlier in the day. The sunset was definitely a popular attraction. We even overheard someone say it was one of the clearest ones they’d ever seen. It definitely was pretty, but I wouldn’t say the best one I’d ever seen. #HumbleBrag

It started to drizzle but very short lived. We hustled around to find a good restaurant through the large crowds. The hosts at all of them tried to lure us into their place offering good seats but we kept our options open. Every restaurant pretty much offered the same cuisine, traditional Mediterranean, and they were all pretty much priced the same. So we stopped at one where a guy offered us a free cocktail if we waited inside for a few minutes until one of their prime tables became available. So we accepted, why not? We were sat inside and were given half filled glasses of a murky white cocktail. Jarrett and I sniffed it and it smelled like licorice. Sure enough it tasted like it and we were not fans of it. I wasn’t ashamed to let them know I didn’t like it and tried to get something different and the restaurant worker insisted it was “supposed to taste like that” and proceeded to add water to my glass to help lower the strength of it. I laughed and immediately felt that the place wasn’t right for us so we walked out. The host guy who lured us in tried to beg us to stay but it didn’t work.

The next restaurant I noticed a dish someone was eating and it looked very appetizing. It was a Greek salad with large chunks of feta cheese and I thought I had to have it! So we asked to see the menu and decided it was just right. The hostess was less pushy and sat us right away. It took a few minutes to get our order but we just people watched and enjoyed the view. We both ordered the Pinot noir and shared the Greek salad. I’m sorry Trader Joe’s but whatever you’re selling as feta cheese is not feta cheese. I think I would eat this feta as a meal entirely on its own. SO GOOD! Jarrett ordered chicken Parmesan but not the kind you’re thinking. It was chicken in a Parmesan sauce with a side of French fries and veggies. He practically licked the plate. I tried it and it was definitely tasty. I ordered the bacon carbonara. If you love bacon, this dish was perfect for you. I think the pasta tasted more like bacon than the actual bacon. Jarrett had a few bites and agreed.

After dinner we decided to get lost through the walkways and ended up on a street that was empty. I didn’t think it was possible to not end up back to the bus stop but it was. After turning around a few times we made it back to the busy areas and stopped for another scoop of gelato. This time we both got a scoop of the buena flavor. It was almost gone so we knew it was a popular choice. We weren’t disappointed.

We finally made it back to the bus stop and had to wait about 25 minutes for the next one to arrive. This place was crawling with tourists and we could tell the nightlife here was popping. We are an old married couple now so we just headed back to our room to pack and went to sleep. It was about 12am. We were checking out of our room the next day for our next stop: Santorini. We set an alarm for 7am and struggled a bit to get going but managed to get to breakfast by 7:45 not knowing breakfast didn’t start until 8am. So we just found a spot at the pool and waited. The breakfast buffet wasn’t any different than the day before. We both had some coffee, eggs, bacon, a cheese filled empanada thing, fruit, and a crepe.

It was time to check out of our room and wait for our shuttle back to the port to catch our ferry to Santorini. These ferries are so hectic and chaotic to board but they know what they’re doing because it was just a few minutes after we sat in our assigned seat and we were moving. Excited to see the surprises we have waiting for us in Santorini!

Seattle day 1: exploring and dinner

After my last post, we regrouped from our naps and recovery sessions. Our dinner plans charged a bit, so we decided to explore downtown Seattle. 

We left the condo and tried to head to the market. Having lived here 10 years ago, and only exploring the market twice, I was slightly embarrassed by how lost I was. It took me a while to get my barings. But once we found the market, we were once again surprised by how closed it was. 

I had no idea that the market closed so early! It was about 6pm and everything was packed away, shut down, and cleaned out. 

So we walked around imagining what it looked like open. We wondered out side and around the block looking for something good to eat, but we didn’t want to spend too much. We had been walking for a while when we caught the smell of something delicious. We followed our noses and found a little tiny restaurant called The Falafel King. It smelled so good, but was so tiny, we weren’t sure we’d even have a placed to sit. So we continued on for about half a block and then decided to turn around and try the Falafel. 

It was super tasty and different and cheap!  It’s right on the other side of the market. We had some seats outside and got some great people watching. Across the street was the first Starbucks, which we visited after we ate. I got to watch someone get arrest right in front of it. I have no idea what he did, but there were tons of cops there to arrest him. 

There was also an old man that walked by us, using the fence for a support. He was probably in his 80s or later, but he wore a hat that said #swag. He was my hero, but he was gone before I could get a picture. 

After dinner we went a took some pictures at some of the sights. 

And walked the block again looking for something sweet to finish off out dinner. 

We went to a place called Shug’s and got some over priced ice cream since everything else was closed for the night. 

It was starting to rain so we tried to head back to our room. We ran across a couple of homeless people bands along the way. It was an odd mix of crazy and talent. 

I was starting to feel more comfortable with my sense of direction now and led us back a different way. We got to see the gum wall 

And found our way back to the room just as the rain really picked up. It made us feel like we were back in Texas. 

It was a good way to end the day at least. 

Seattle up, here we come

Our next trip is fast approaching, and with it comes my next playlist. I try to always make a playlist for a trip with a theme. This playlist has songs from Seattle artist mostly, with some others thrown in as memories from when I lived in Seattle. 

If you’re an Apple Music subscriber, I’m going to link to it here so you can listen along. I do have some songs from my personal library on there, so I’m not sure how it’ll work. 
Here it is. 
Listen to Seattle up, here we come by Jarrett Smith on @AppleMusic.

Away from the world