A Day In San Pedro

We are staying at the Crowne Plaza in San Pedro, close to the ship.  We love the area.  It is certainly changing.  Lots more fancy condos.  Really cute shops, cafes, restaurants.  Every weekend they have a market and the first Thursday of the month they have the art walk which is great.  It feels like a city I would live in.  Eclectic, families, very new age, healthy and cool.

We wake feeling so rested.  We needed it.  Our room isn't cooling down much so a quick stop at the front desk and when we return early afternoon it is fixed.

We first head up to a great spot for breakfast The Brite Spot Mexican Cafe on Pacific Street.  

Hasn't changed much but the food is amazing, 

Bernie's huevos ranchers

The servings are so huge, actually I find all over the US servings are huge.  But ask for a doggy bag to take some home.  We didn't finish it!

We head up toward the Rite Aide to pick up some things but omg the store is half empty.  We head to get shampoo and conditioner and there maybe was 10 bottles in total.   So we just walked out.  Does anyone know if this store is closing?  Sure looks like it.

We then walk over to CVS on Pacific and their shelves are stocked.  We get some shampoo and conditioner and a small bottle of laundry detergent.  

We wander around for another 2 hours but decide we still want to rest.  

Back in the room we both relax and we each have a short nap.  

At 5 we meet up with our friends and they ran into a group who were part of a roll call for the cruise and were invited to join them.  It was a huge group.  Well run, very organized, and they all were very nice.

Later we were getting hungry so we head to a restaurant I have never been to, but really enjoyed.   The restaurant is called Think Cafe.  

Very nice menu and the ambiance is nice too.  We order cocktails and our meals.  

I got the chicken picante and Bernie got the roast chicken.

Again we are full.  It is a lovely evening and tomorrow we board the ship.

I am happy to say I am feeling good.  So far I haven't had a flare up from my fibromyalgia.  Rest has been key and the hot bath has helped too.  Even with all the walking I have done!  

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Dinner at Our Favorite Mexican Restaurant In San Pedro

We found this place a few years ago.  Kalveras Mexican.  They have a few locations.  We go to the one a few blocks away from our hotel in San Pedro.

We started with drinks.  Lori and I got the margarita flight for $20.  All I can say is yum!  

I ordered 3 different tacos and Bernie got a mole enchilada.  

Lori and Andy both got fajitas.  

Everything was so yummy.  

After dinner we walked down 6th street checking so many cool shops.  Things were closing up so we will head back tomorrow.

Once we got back to the hotel we sat outside and had a nightcap.  So nice to enjoy a beautiful evening with good friends.  How lucky are we.

No set plans for tomorrow.  I know I have been thinking if things to tweak or add to the lectures so might try and get that done too.

It is now 6:30 pm and we are ready to crash!  10:30 at home and we were up at 2:30 am.  

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Flying To Los Angeles

The Cruise leaves from San Pedro.  

I am one who really loves San Pedro.  It feels like a working class place.  I love it's vibe and trendy shops, bars and restaurants.

We booked Bernie's flight ages ago since it was a good price.  He flew to LA via Montreal.  I will be on the same flight.

We flew in two days prior.  Mainly because it is a long flight, a four time change, and I am not taking any chances.  Also I need to rest and recover after flying now or I will set up the next week for disaster.

We booked the Crown Plaza San Pedro once again.  We love the location.  The price was right especially because I booked via Hotwire.com which saved us over $150 compared to any other booking site.  Hotwire is easy for San Pedro as there are really only 2 hotels in that star class.  So you are either getting Crown Plaza or the Doubletree and we would of been happy with either.

Our friends Lori and Andy are travelling with us and they flew with us and are also staying at the Crown Plaza.

Day of travel.  We caught the shuttle from the hotel at 315 am!  No one got much sleep.  

First flight to Montreal was quick and then with a 1.5 hour layover and needing to clear US customs first we wasted no time once we arrived in Montreal.

We joined the queue to go thru connecting flights security. And guess what my boarding pass had the dreaded SSSS on it meaning i had been randomly selected for full security screening!

Oh well.  Full pat down, everything in my carryon was checked.  Phone, tablet, computer all had to get checked.  Even my runners were swabbed.   But all good.

Then thankfully we had nexus (Global Entry) and got to front of line to see customs agent, which was quick and easy.  Our friends took a bit longer but still maybe 10 minute wait.

Thankfully our flight to LA was a little delayed as we got to the gate just as we should of been boarding.  But was delayed around 15 min.  

Flight is just over 5 hours!  Watched some shows I downloaded and read.  But with a full plane, and squished in, and little sleep we are glad the flying is done.

Bags arrived quickly and we grabbed the shuttle to the taxi/ride share stand.  We jumped in a van that could accommodate all 4 of us and our bags and a fast trip to the hotel.  Thankfully it is Sunday.  Taxi cost was $85 which included the tip.

Once at the hotel I asked about an upgrade and he gave us one to a huge room with sitting area on the corner with a view of the water.  Doesn't hurt to ask, plus being part of their loyalty program helps.

We will rest in the room for a bit and meet up at 3 and have an early meal and crash early.  

We are heading to one of our favourite Mexican restaurants Kalveras.  

Final Tasks Before Leaving

Lists, lists, lists.  It is what keeps things in order.  List to do before we leave and a list for the day we leave.

We are down to the wire.  Today I went thru my clothes.  I personally like to try most items on.  Does it fit?  Does it need repair?  Does it go with at least two other items?  Is it necessary?  

I often lay out my dress pants and then check blouses that goes with them.  I do the same with shorts and shirts.

In the end for 4 months away I bring (note if I was a guest and not lecturing it would a third less).

• 2 dress pants and 7 blouses (this is the outfit I wear for lectures).
• 3 summer dresses
• 3 pj's
• 3 pairs of shorts
• 3 pairs of light everyday pants
• 1 cardigan
• 2 shawls
• 2 pairs of high heels, 2 flip flops, 2 flats
• 1 formal dress (some of my other items can work on dressy night if necessary).
• gloves and mitts for tip of South America 
• one Christmas sweater
• 1 Halloween costume
• pair of runners
• 7 t shirts 
• undergarments 
• 3 bathing suits and one cover up

That is it for clothes.   

We both got the flu shot and the most recent covid shot, which just became available here on Friday.

Hair cut, pedicure, manicure done too.

The house is ready.  We have guests staying next week so it is ready for them.  Otherwise our neighbours are checking the house regularly.  

Garden has been put to bed for another year.  It was a great growing season.  

All my lectures are backed up.  Paperwork to assist guests are in the folders.  

We are both excited for this contract.  Especially the itineraries,  to learn more about where we are going click here.  

We leave for the airport hotel As our flight is crazy early.  Staying at the Quality Choice Hotel, which our friends Monika and Neil highly recommend. 

4 Months on a Cruise Ship - Am I Ready?

 

If you have been following along you will know we are off to the Majestic Princess for the winter where I will once again be the Destination Experty on board.  Read the blog here for details on sailings.  Majestic for 4 months blog

I finished all my work on all my talks a few weeks ago.  I am the kind of person that when I have a project I don't rest until it is done.  I also can't move on to a new project till the first one is done too.  It is good and a bad trait.

So for the four weeks before we leave we can focus on getting ready for four months away.

We have spent numerous winters away for exctended periods.  I think this is our 4th winter away since we retired.  We have this down to a science.  Key for me - Lists!  Key for my hubby - Check Vickie's List!

No really lists are key for me.  It gets that task out of my head and onto paper.  It is also a spot where Bernie can add to it and also see what needs to get done.

The list is quite scattered. Here are some items:

• Plant the garlic
• Clean the garden beds and put them to bed for winter
• Arrange for snow removal while away (resourceful young neighbours have this one!)
• Get US cash
• Update phone apps
• Gather toilitries
• Get perscriptions
• Book last Doctor's appointments
• Pedicure
• Iron clothes
• Pause streaming services
• Charge outdoor camera batteries

See quite scattered.  And the list is LONG.  But over half of the items are scratched off now.

We now have a bed in our spare room upstairs so it has become the "packing room".  As we stock up on things, or find something we need (like Halloween costumes, snorkel gear, umbrella etc) it gets thrown on the bed.

We have some family staying here periodically so the house will at least get lived in.  And we are so lucky we have so many great neighbours that are checking into the house all the time.  

I have all our booking numbers in the Medallion App.  Which I should say is working well.  This is the first time I use the newer updated Medallion App and I find it flows better for putting in all our details and manuvering around the app.  

Stay tuned for departure.  I won't be blogging every day - a little dull, but if I think there is something worth sharing I will post.

Thanks for following.