We Are Off

The day started early!  Even though our flight isn't until 11:30.  We live a distance from the airport and after getting to the airport we breezed through check in.  Security was so smooth.  Mind you the airport isn't huge so that helps.

They actually had the Nexus/Global Entry Line open.  Usually it isn't.  And yes it has been streamlined and we didn't have to take off our shoes, or remove our computer.  Easy peasy.  So glad to have Nexus.

So proud of us too.  We each have a medium size bag and a roller carry on.  Not bad for 3.5 months away.  It does help that most of the trip will be in warm weather.  Although we did have to pack a sweater and cardigan for Europe for the cooler nights.   But we also have our snorkel gear.  But last year with South America/Antartica we had an extra bag just for the warm weather clothes.

We fly to Montreal and then a long layover of 6 hours before our direct flight to Barcelona.

We are now at Montreal airport and we are using our lounge access passes in the International area to kill time.

Bernie just got a bite to eat and well I went for some wine.  

One thing I have not shared with others is how I sometimes suffer with anxiety.  Usually lots of noises, or disturbances can really bother me.  Large crowds too.  It is something I have had for a long time.   I remember going to Expo 86 in Vancouver and the large crowds at the end of the night freaked me out,  but back then there wasn't words to explain what was happening.

Today I know more and I can recognize it and know more of what to do.  Airports and planes are the worst.  I now listen to calming sounds.  Like the ocean, a crackling fire and even harp sounds.  It works!  

With a 6 hour layover I knew the lounge would be key.  Also travelling with Bernie helps a lot.  He knows me and he knows what I need.   

But for me the worst part of travel is the plane and airport.  

Thanks for following and allowing me to share.  

Flying to Santiago with Corona Virus

Living on the East Coast is wonderful; however flying out of the East Coast is not.  Saturday we knew a wind storm was coming in with some snow.  Blowing snow around makes flying difficult.  Mainly landings and take offs.

We arrived at the airport in time and the Westjet flight right before ours circled around making two attempts to land before turning back to Halifax.

Our Air Canada flight was on a bigger plane (not much bigger) and it was coming from Toronto.  As I tracked on my App I could see getting closer and next thing we knew it had landed.  

A short trip to Toronto and a three hour layover there before our 9:15 flight direct to Santiago.

With our credit card we get access to lounges at the airport.  With this long layover we took advantage of the Prestige Park Lounge at Terminal 1.  It was good, but certainly not great.  The lounge is relatively new and not everything is working perfectly yet.

The food was good with a selection of four hot entrees and four salads.  Beverages were included, so I got a glass of wine.  Wifi was almost impossible to log in to, including the airports free wifi. When I asked about it they apologized and said it is something the airport is working on.  Sometimes I could log on sometimes I could not.  Everyone around us was having issues too.

We boarded our flight and the plane was only a third full.  It was a huge plane (sorry I am not really up on they types of aircraft but it was a big plane).  Many people had entire row section to themselves, including Bernie and I.

No issues here with weather at all!

We took a sleep aid and I put on my sleep mask and I was out!  I slept quite a bit, maybe 6 hours (off and on) of the 10 hour flight.  They did serve a supper, which Bernie ate, I didn't as I was asleep.  

When we woke they came around with breakfast, which was okay and hit the spot.

Arrival at Santiago airport we were first directed into a line where they put a gizmo that looked like a taser (but it was NOT) near our neck and it measured our temperature.  We cleared that.  Then we were given a questionnaire to fill out with basic questions about where you are staying in Chile, what was your seat number on the plane, do you have any symptoms and contact information.  I guess this is a precaution in case they is an outbreak and they need to reach us.

We then were directed to a long queue where we were met by customs agents and our passport was stamped.  

Next - collect our suitcases and then go into another line where all our bags were x ray and sniffer dogs were also going up and down the line to make sure there was not fresh produce/meats.  Clear.

We purchased our bus tickets at the Centropuerto kiosk right outside the exit for transport to the main bus station  Metro Terminal Pajaritos for $1,900 per person one way ($2.25 US each). Then we purchased a BIP card (their transit card) and loaded money on it.  One card is good for as many as you wish.  We then took the subway from Pajaritos to our stop Pedro de Valdiva.  One thing we forgot was today is International Woman's day and there was a huge march where I swear there were a million people going.  The subway was packed.  Thankfully it was empty where we got on and all the people got off before we had to get off.  It was impressive how organized and obedient they were.

Now I am not foolish in knowing that the riots that have happened in Santiago recently have been CRAZY and destructive.  Burning buildings, breaking street lights, and causing havoc but today we did not encounter it, but we did stay away from it all.  

Read next blog to see where we are staying and what we did that night.

Finally we are HERE - Fort Lauderdale

After a long day we are here.  We have to keep reminding ourselves that even though we are tired and hungry and frustrated we know there are so many people who would trade places with us in a heartbeat.

We booked a car for our stay here.  As soon as our flights were changed I went online and modified our booking to reflect one less day (at least we saved some money there). 

I love booking with National (although many do the same) when you arrive you just go to where the cars are and pick what you want.  

So we picked up a Toyota CRV and loaded the bags in.

We are staying at an Airbnb again.  We booked this place for three nights just north of Sunrise Galleria Mall.

Great location, great apartment.  Also the price was the best.  In fact what we paid for three nights was just over what we paid the hotel in Toronto yesterday.

Here is a link to our Airbnb.  Remember if you ever think you may be booking an Airbnb sign up now with this link and save on your first booking.

It is so nice and comfortable.... and right now that bed is looking very comfortable.  We both agree that we need to rest a bit.

We crash for a couple of hours and then around 3 pm we are off to Sawgrass Mall for some shopping. 

The main spot was Target where we bought toiletries for the trip - soap, shampoo, conditioner, sunscreen, bug wipes, and some food for breakfast each morning.

We also hit a few stores and picked up a few items, but we did not spend as much as we would of in past years.  The Canadian dollar is so low that it is just to expensive for us when we convert the price.

A quick meal at PF Changs and we are not surprised how hungry we are, we have not eaten in over 13 hours!

Back at the apartment we watch a bit of Netflix and then fall asleep knowing we can sleep in tomorrow.

Flights Cancelled!

As we got ready to head to the airport on Wednesday we felt fortunate.  A storm was heading our way and we felt good that we were going to beat it.

Our flight from Sydney to Halifax was at 9:20 and the earlier flight made it in and out and the skies looked clear.

tarmac at Sydney Nova Scotia

My first sign that something may be amiss is my niece's husband who lives in Halifax posted that schools were closed.  Oh no.... but so far no alert for us.

We arrived at the airport, checked in, oh I love this airport.  So small, only two gates and they are pretty much right next to each other.  Security is so smooth and easy and as soon as you clear you are at the gate.  No facilities once you clear security, oh well there is a small vending machine!  Oh and washrooms, don't forget the washrooms.

As we sat there we looked out at the skies and it was clear but we knew it was too good to be true.

Only five minutes after taking this picture the guy from security walked over to say "your flight has been cancelled".  Oh no!  You see the flight originated in Halifax and Halifax airport is shutdown due to ice and wind and snow!  

So we collect our bags and we call Air Canada to see what can be done.  As I sat on hold the lady at the gate (her name is Nancy - that is how small the airport is) dialed for us and gave the phone to me.  I hung up on my cell and used her direct number.  

They have rebooked us on tomorrow's flight.  That would be fine if we could risk it, but we have a cruise to catch and I don't want to risk not making tomorrow's flight.  I ask about possibly driving to Halifax and she says if we can do that we are booked now on a later flight to Toronto then an early flight out of Toronto on Thursday.  Yes that will do fine.

Nancy at the gate printed out our new schedule and even worked at getting us the best seats possible.  I am so impressed with the service here.  I have to say that this is normal in Cape Breton - people go out of their way to take care of others.  I even gave her a hug at the end.  Way to go Nancy.

As soon as our flight was cancelled we called Kenny (our nephew who is staying at our house and who dropped us off at the airport) to come back and pick us up.  

When he arrived we loaded the bags and we were on the road and on our way to Halifax.

Now during perfect conditions the drive should take about 3.5 hours to the airport.  But about a half hour into the drive we encountered snow, and it only got worse.  As we crossed the causeway onto the mainland of Nova Scotia it was the worst we had seen.

There is no way we would normally be driving in this but we don't really have much choice.  Bernie took it slow and soon the snow had stopped and the rain started.

Soon there was no more rain and the roads were clear.  Ahhh I see the light.

We arrived at the airport in enough time to catch our flight, but not our original flight.  Our new flight is scheduled for 1650.

Time for a light meal and some wine.

Our flight is a little delayed but only by a half hour.  

The plane arrives and everyone gets off.  Then just before we started pre boarding one of the gate agents passed out in the gangway to the plane.  Emergency crews arrived and it appears the worker may of had a heart attack.  Staff at the gate were all upset and asked for our patience.  I am impressed at how everyone did reacted.  When they asked everyone to clear the way for the stretcher everyone cleared. I pray that he will be okay.

We ended up leaving about an hour and a half late but we are just glad to be on the plane and heading West.  Also that the agent that was taken away was conscious.

Oh I should add that while we waited for our plane we called our insurance and they said that since the flight delay is over six hours they will cover a hotel room in Toronto and meals and expenses we have incurred.  Make sure you always get insurance!

At this time I also booked a hotel in Toronto.  The Doubletree by Hilton.

We touch down in Toronto and grab our bags.  Now only in Canada will you find Adirondack chairs and a fuse ball game in the baggage claim area.  

We head out with our bags to the hotel pick up spot.  It is damn cold!  We are not dressed for this weather we were expecting to be in Florida.  After a few minutes we call the hotel to see about the shuttle.  He tells us he will be there shortly.  After a half hour we call again - of course I am trying hard to be patient, but I am tired, cold, and hungry.  But I maintain my cool.  He will be here shortly.

He arrives and we drive the 10 minutes to the hotel.  We check in and the first thing I do is head to the business center to print out all the necessary papers we need for the insurance claim.  They want so much to back up the claim and we won't have access to a printer in Florida so we do it here.

Back in the room we change, and crawl into bed.  The alarm is set for 3:30 am - only five hours from now.  The bed is so comfortable though and I just want to sleep in but that darn alarm clock goes off at 3:30.

We shower and dress, and pack what we quickly unpacked last night.  We are downstairs for the 4:20 shuttle to the airport.  I haven't seen these hours since I finished work and I have to say I don't like it.

Back at the airport we check in and then go thru security.  Thank goodness we have Nexus and we could bypass the HUGE line, which must of been a few hundred people long.  We then clear US Customs and thankfully again because we have Nexus there was maybe only five people ahead of us.

Because of how fast we got thru we were able to sit and have some breakfast.  And we are starting to feel normal.

The flight is not that long, maybe 3 hours or so, I really can't tell it is all such a blur.  We both slept off and on but when we arrive we both are just relieved that we made it.

I am Ready as I Will Ever Be

Today is the day we leave!  Our bags are packed!

This time we made sure to line our suitcase with plastic bag at the bottom and on the top.  I don't want a repeat of our last flight from Halifax to Sydney, Nova Scotia where I bags sat on the tarmac for hours.  When we got home everything was soaked.  Thankfully all important stuff were in bags but it did ruin a book, some paperwork and all our clothes had to be washed.

So I am not taking any chances this time.  

All my items are packed in packing cubes too. I need to be organized this trip as we have numerous time we have to pack up and change cabins.  With cubes I just pack items in it and then place whole thing in the drawer.

It will be  along day.  We purposely booked flights that gave us enough layover between flights (and we have three flights to take) as a cushion because of weather or other delays. 

We leave on a 9:50 am flight to Halifax and we don't arrive in Fort Lauderdale until tonight at 9 pm local time.

We have booked a lovely Airbnb for three nights and have a rental car booked too.  The cost of the three nights and the rental car equaled what just under two nights in a hotel would of cost.  So it was a no brainer.  Will post more about the Airbnb later.

Remember if you are interested in booking an Airbnb in the future sign up with this link and save on your first booking, no matter when you book it.  

Flying to Los Angeles

We pack our small carry on bag for the 3 days and then got in the car for the drive to the Vancouver Airport.  Bernie still is not allowed to drive because of his eyes so I had to drive and listen to how hard it was for him to be a passenger.

Once at the airport we quickly checked in and then proceeded thru security.

It sure helps to have Nexus (Global Entry) and in all it took about 5 minutes.

Our flight is 2:15 and we board easily and even secured the emergency exit seat.  We were lucky to secure space in the overhead with a bit of maneuvering to store our carry on our bags.

The flight was fine, it isn't that long a flight - under 3 hours!

I love flying Air Canada with their entertainment in seat in front of you with a plug in for your devices.

Once we land we log on to the free wifi at LAX and request an Uber.

Seven minutes later our Uber is there and we hit the LA traffic running.  It takes about 45 minutes to get ot the hotel.  

The Crowne Plaza San Pedro is our go to hotel when coming to LA for a cruise.  The staff are great and we get a nice room on the 8th floor that even has a view of the harbour.

We are going to rest for a bit and then we will head out for dinner and then to Rite Aide for some items we need.

And We Are Off For A Short Trip

Decided a few weeks ago to do a re positioning cruise.  What is a re positioning cruise.  It is where the ship is moving from sailing in warmer climates during "our" winter up to the Alaska market.

We are boarding the Ruby on Tuesday for a three night cruise to Vancouver (home).

Price is great; however one way flights cost just as much as the cruise!

We are flying out today with Air Canada at 2:15 pm to LAX. 

We have a hotel reserved at the Crowne Plaza San Pedro.  We booked this hotel thru Hotwire for an amazing deal of $92 Canadian.  

We have stayed her numerous times and love the location and the ability to easily walk to the pier tomorrow.

Oh and Bernie got confirmation yesterday that he was chosen for the survey focus group that will take place on board Wednesday afternoon.  For this he will receive an on board credit of $50 and will take less than an hour.

So follow along as I will be blogging.

Last Day and Disembarkation

The last day is always sad.  Especially after such an amazing trip.  

It is hard to believe we left home and have been to three countries and three very different types of holidays. Peruvian journey, Disneyland, and Mexican Cruise.

The last day is spent first sleeping in!  Bernie and I head to Horizon Court for lunch and again the buffet is exactly the same as the day prior.  I have never seen this before like it is on the Ruby.  This happens only during lunch and there is still a lot of options to choose from but it surprises me.

We make the rounds of the ship stopping to chat with people we know - passengers and crew.  

Bernie is feeling quite melancholy as he knows that some we will never see again and those that we will see again won't be for a long time.

Barb and Craig have us over for drinks and we sit and chat for quite a long time.  Great cruise friends that I have a lot of respect for.

Tonight is Mongolian Stir Fry at the Cafe Caribe tonight.  Each week this theme has gotten more popular.  Tonight it doesn't disappoint.

Be warned though that they obviously don't clean the fry pan between each person's dish as I got corn kernels when I did not put in any on my plate, also got two pieces of chicken but I wanted vegetarian.  So if you have an allergy to something make sure to let them know.   

After dinner we consider going to see Magic to Do again tonight but we are both a little sad and just want to go back to the cabin and pack up.  

Note they did Magic to Do the last night mainly because the new singers and dancers required more time to rehearse, but normally it is not on the last night.

We are doing walk off - group one tomorrow and our meeting time is 8 am.  We already have one bag packed with our Peruvian clothes.  We pack up the other two bags quite efficiently.  All bags are way underweight (surprise).

The next morning we dock at 7 am and we are cleared around 7:30.  As soon as we head down (7:45) to deck 7 to go to our lounge they have already called our group so we just join the queue to get off.

There is a couple in front of us who clearly are not doing walk off as they have no bags at all.  I am sure they are sneaking off early.  We comment wow you sure packed light. The guys says yeah they accidently took our bags last night.  

Right I think.... I tell him you know they won't have your bags out ready for you when you get off you know.  His wife is telling him "i told you"!  The security asks them what group they are and they can't answer and when they finally confess Aqua 2 security tells them they can't get off yet. They are directed back on.  

We are off quickly, thru customs within 5 minutes and outside by 8:15.

We are heading to LAX and we see a PrimeTime Shuttle that needs two so we join the group for $17 per person to the airport.  Effortless.

Our flight with Air Canada is noon and we arrive in plenty of time.  We splurged with air miles and are flying back business class.  

Once in Vancouver we quickly clear customs and the wait for the bags begins.  Vancouver is really bad a baggage delivery - I know they don't have enough staff.  Our bags are tagged priority but it still took almost a half hour just for the bags to arrive at the carousel.

We are home by 3:45 and unpacking begins.

Stay tuned.  I will be tweaking the blog posts and adding more pictures from the Ruby now that I have my computer and free wifi.  But work comes first so will try to do a bit each night.

Thanks for following.

Booking Flights to Peru

This is something new for me.  You see I am normally booking flights to join a cruise.  Sure I have booked flights for land vacations.  Back to visit family, and flights with charters to Mexico.  But I have never booked flights to a foreign country where a lot of things were new to me.  

So from our earlier blog you now know we are heading to Peru for an amazing trip of a lifetime.

But first we need to buy fights to Lima.  Getting there from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada has a few challenges.  

• First there are no direct flights.  
• Second it isn't cheap.  
• Third routing can be almost anywhere.  
• Fourth layovers really need to be factored in.

I love using kayak.com for my searches - but make sure to do it in an incognito window so they don't track the flights. 

One reason -- you end up seeing prices go up for flights you are looking at the next day. Companies now can track how many have looked at a particular flight, on a particular day, and routing.  Heck even cruise lines are doing this.

Our goal was to find a one way flight to Lima with only one connection, with a reputable airline, with minimal layovers for a reasonable price. A daunting task!  Or am I asking too much.

After searching various sites over a few days of travel (make sure to look at flight leaving a day or two earlier) and taking lots of notes. 

One thing we saw was great prices but the layovers were crazy.  I for one don't want a layover of 13 hours in Toronto or Mexico City.  Flights with less layovers jumped in price.  

In the end we came across a flight that got us into Lima the night before our flight to Juliaca.  

Thankfully we secured an Air Canada flight that leaves early in the morning in Vancouver with a 2 hour stop in LA, enough time to change to our Lima flight (which is more than enough because luckily we clear US customs in Vancouver and won't have to in LA). 

We then board a LATAM flight (we flew with them a few years ago to Brazil and loved them) direct from LA to Lima, Peru.  Arriving in Lima just after midnight local time.  And the price $400 US each!  

We have learned that if we find a great flight at a great price don't hesitate -- BOOK IT because there is always a chance (and we have been burned before) it won't be there at the same price later.

We then reserved a hotel right at the airport (Costa del Sol Wyndham) to crash before our flight the next day to Juliaca for our time in Puno and Lake Titicaca. 

It was hard to accept the cost of this expensive hotel ($200 night and we would only be there 9 hours) but after searching for less expensive accommodations away from the airport that certainly would of been a lot cheaper we agreed that those cheaper hotels were not going to cut it. 

This night we would need a comfortable bed that is close by.  Also not having to worry about securing transportation to and from the hotel and enabling us to rest for longer made us realize we made the right choice.

Disembarkation - April 5, 2014

We prepared for the worst - and boy it turned out a lot better than we expected.

When we disembarked two years ago in San Francisco after our South America trip, and last year's Grand South America trip both experienced horrific disembarkation.  This was mainly because after visiting so many foreign ports where drugs can be an issue and first port back into the US after almost two months sometimes draws a red flag.  Customs agents last time came on board and we all had to clear customs before getting off.  Sniffer dogs were all over checking bags.

This time completely different.  

We were assigned a disembarkation time of 9:00 in Da Vinci.  Of course there was a Platinum Elite Lounge.  But with so many in that category they actually had two lounges.  Club Fusion and Explorers, your location was based on your cabin location.  

We stayed clear of those two lounges as they were packed.  We agreed a quick breakfast in Horizon Court and then we would head to Da Vinci.

Horizon Court was quite quiet... and we grabbed a simple breakfast, may as well get use to smaller meals just like home.

We head back to the cabin to grab our carry on and then down to the International Cafe to grab a coffee and relax until our meeting time.

Things seems to be going smoothly as walk offs are off and a few of the first groups.  There are two gangways on Promenade deck, one just outside of Club Fusion and one right beside Explorers.

We head to Da Vinci and take a seat.  They are a bit behind but nothing too serious.  

Johan wanted us to contact him before getting off so we head towards to the aft gangway and get in touch with him. Since our group has just been cleared we head off and give him big hugs and have to say I will miss him dearly.  He is such a sweet man and so kind and even though he has only been on for the last leg you can see how much smoother the ship has run since he got on.  He is very good at his job.  Love you Johan.

We are off the ship.... wow where did those 49 days go?

The line up for customs was divided between US citizens and Non US citizens.  Even both lines were rather long they moved fast and I think it took us about 20 minutes to clear.  

The bags were all lined up in a huge warehouse.  I stood near the front where our first bag was while Bernie went looking for our final bags.  While standing there a few bags behind me fell down. A few minutes later this passenger was trying to get by and said loudly to me "can you please move these bags".  

Well I kind of lost it, I had been holding it in for so long trying to be polite and patient and today I am sad and I am now off the ship and I just look at him and say "why should I have to pick up other people's suitcases" and his snarky response was "well it looks like you would be strong enough" and I said (okay don't hate me) "you seem so full of hot air that you can probably blow them away".  Then turned my back.  

We quickly leave the building which was a zoo with porters, lots of suitcases and passengers in a daze on where to go....   

We have been here so many times we know exactly where to go and we head outside and cross the first lane to the small island where the shuttles and taxis are.

At first we were going to take a shuttle to the airport but when we got there and there was a large group waiting around the shuttle area and not a big queue for the taxis and after seeing the prices for taxis we both agreed that for the small amount extra we would just take a taxi.

Taxi price to LAX from the pier was quoted at $57 and that is just about right I think it came to $55 plus tip.  A shuttle is normally around $17 plus we would of had to pay extra for the added baggage and we would of had to share with others and we just really needed our space right now.

We made it to the airport in great time, only a half hour, but then again it is a Saturday morning.

We are dropped off at terminal 2 for the Air Canada flight.  There is a bit of a queue for check in.  Why is there such a long queue?  Seems check in is still long no matter that we have pre checked in... why is that.   We then drop off our bags for scanning.  Have to say that LAX, at least the few terminals we have been, is poorly designed.  Just is not wide enough at check in for the queues and then the baggage drops.

We head to the Security line and we are disappointed that they don't acknowledge our Nexus Pre Clearance that gives us Global Security Entrance and access to that line in security.  Not sure why, it works fine in Seattle, San Francisco, Fort Lauderdale and New York recently.  ARGH so into the normal security line which took about a half hour to clear.  

Our flight isn't for another two hours so we have time and we head to Wolfgang Pucks for a meal.  Then of course I need a Starbucks, it has been a while but it goes down so well.

I decide to stop in and check out the Duty Free Shop.  Prices here are higher than on the ship but the selection is much bigger.  I decide to buy a bottle of the Hendricks Gin as the ship didn't have that brand and I am now addicted to these Bramble drinks that call for it.  The price was $44 for the bottle, and is a little cheaper than Canada.

The flight was quick, full, and crowded but on time.

We get off and head to the Nexus Line and scan our iris and we are out of there... simple!

Our bags are off and we are out the door and Bernie is off to get the car and an hour later we are at home and starting to unpack and well reality sets in.

To an amazing trip... and yes we would do it again in a heartbeat.