My mind is always dreaming about vacations. Where to go next? When to visit here or there? I think I have begun to make Kevin's head spin with all my new ideas and vacation dreams.

There is so much in this world we live in that I want to do and see. Don't get me wrong; we have the same passion for travel but where I would love to just drop everything and go.....he's a little more practical than me. You know there is something called work which gets in the way.

Generally we try and book at least 2 vacations in a year. This year we have worked a lot of hours and different shifts but we have managed to arrange two vacations for the months left in 2009 and several already decided but not yet booked for 2010.

First and foremost, we are travelling to Australia, New Zealand and Fiji this coming October for 3 weeks. Yippee......we are so excited.

This coming December I am travelling home to Newfoundland to visit my family for Christmas and Kevin will be meeting me there to celebrate New Years . The plan is to ski & snowboard Marble Mountain to ring in the Year 2010.

My ideas for the remainder of 2010 are likely too many ;-) However we have decided to train hard to run a half-marathon in Paris in April. It'll be my second but Kevin's first. Paris has always been a dream of mine, mainly because I can speak fluent French.

There is also the opportunity of travelling to Italy to ski for a week in May.

Plus I would quite enjoy going somewhere warm to escape the long Canadian winter........will we fit it all in? That's something we'll have to wait and see. One thing is for sure though dreaming of vacations and exploring this wonderful world we live in- is a passion that will never die for either of us.

Please feel free to tell us about your own vacation experiences. A place you particularly enjoyed, a dream you also want o fulfil. We'd be happy to hear from you.

Once again Happy Travels to you all!!!
 

I recently read this article and being a Newfoundlander, myself, I was immediately proud of my roots, my heritage and the culture that is Newfoundland. I wanted to share this one with all of you.

I recommend that if ever you have the opportunity to visit the great province of Newfoundland in Canada----be sure to take it………

Newfoundlanders

The moment you lose your faith in people, I recommend you save up your pennies and take a trip to Newfoundland. Meet the Newfoundlanders and your faith will be restored. You will meet total strangers and they will become friends. You will walk in as an unknown soul and come out with buddies who'll stand up for you in any fight. You will hear them laugh at themselves, sing songs and tell tales. They will take life's curves with grace and know that being alive is a whole lot better than being dead. They will treat you for who you are and not put on phony airs. If you need a hand, you get an army. They will take you in, buy you a round, make you part of the family and by the time you leave the Rock, you'll fall in love with the place. You see, Newfoundlanders are Newfoundlanders wherever they go. After all, as John Crosbie once said, you can always tell the Newfoundlanders in Heaven, they're the ones who want to go home!
 

If Your Faith is Sagging, Hug a Newfoundlander!!!

Rick Bell. Calgary Sun

We are one of those couples who take hundreds of pictures while on vacation. Pictures of silly things, of us being us, our experiences, the culture & of course the scenery.

I have always been a big fan of having pictures of different moments in life. Pictures to capture a moment I always wish to remember, an expression, even a feeling.

I go back to my pictures often, not because I have forgotten but because they evoke the emotion and bring me back to a specific time and place. I can vividly imagine being in that moment; the sights, the sounds and even the smells.

We have this great little digital camera that we take everywhere. Very compact and even takes pictures under water. The best thing about being able to take loads of pictures is also being able to edit them; just be sure when you go on vacation that you have a good-sized memory card.

There are many styles of digital cameras and brands to choose from, all with features that will be invaluable to you on your trip and a camera is always a definite must; how else are you going to share your experiences with friends and family? From my experience, compact digital cameras are definitely preferable for traveling; especially if you plan on visiting many different places. Find a camera with a hand or neck strap and a protective carrying case, as well as a USB cable for connecting to your computer and an adapter for traveling outside the country.

Here are some tips for capturing wonderful vacation pictures.

Most importantly, have fun with your camera!
 

I don’t know how many readers out there have moved from there homeland for work or any other purpose, but to any of those out there, I too am one of you.

I was born and raised in Newfoundland, Canada but have been living away from my family (mom, dad and little sister) for the past 6 years since moving to Alberta, Canada for work. I have another sister who moved here 3 years after me, only now she is leaving Alberta to move back home this coming June. Although that makes me sad because I have grown accustomed to having her close by, I am happy for her and her new husband.

I have difficulty sometimes dealing with being so far away. I still get homesick from time to time and I often think about how far away I am if something were to happen to someone in my family and how to be prepared if I need to go home in an emergency.

I’d like to share those ideas, with the hope, that you too can be prepared.
When an unexpected death or medical emergency occurs, it is often very challenging to find and purchase an emergency airline ticket. First and foremost, I have always made sure since moving here that I have the extra cash on hand for a return flight but if for some reason I am unable to do this, it is also helpful to know of someone who would be willing to assist me.
Airlines don't even admit they have such fares, so phone the airline's reservation department. Tell the reservation agent that you need a medical emergency or bereavement reduced rate and what the circumstances are. Be prepared with your desired dates and times of travel before placing the call. If the first agent you speak with does not seem able or willing to deal with your request, end the call and dial in again. Keep in mind, the agent will verify the information you are telling them, so have the following information for verification: your relative's full name, name and phone number of the funeral home, hospital, medical facility or attending physician.
You may also want to check websites fares as well because you may find that some airlines can beat their own bereavement discounts with cheaper flights.
To receive bereavement fares at the airport counter, before you fly, family members are required to present a copy of the death certificate or a letter from the attending physician clearly defining the circumstances. If this is not possible, you can apply for a bereavement travel refund after travel is complete. (Keep in mind that the maximum stay permitted is 30 days) When applying for a refund, be sure to keep all your flight documentation; refund applications must be made within 90 days of bereavement.
You must be an immediate family member, sister, brother, parent, child, grandchild etc. to qualify but if you have extenuating circumstances, certainly explain them to the agent, they have been known to occasionally bend the rules.
If all of this sounds overwhelming, think how difficult it would be to make flight arrangements when you are grieving or faced with a medical emergency. It may make sense, instead, to rely on the expertise of a travel agent.

It is also a great help in crisis situations to have someone to turn to who can deal with your daily schedules, such as calling for time off work or school. It would be difficult to have to worry about all of those things on top of everything else. I have been fortunate enough to have found a terrific person with whom I share my life who would be both my comfort and support.

It is always a good idea to know phone numbers and addresses of neighbors, family members and friends back home; who would be a good resource in the case of an emergency.

Generally, I am fortunate enough to fly home for a visit at least once a year but I’m also aware that not everyone out there is able to do that. Certainly my hope is that nothing drastic will happen especially while you are separated from your family or me mine but because we are unable to control those things it is of great importance to at least be prepared if these crisis do strike.
Wishing each of you all the best

 

Having a passion for something always makes it interesting. I remember being a student and having to write papers about countries and cultures around the world and hating it or sitting in history and geography class writing notes to friends instead of listening. Now, however, with a passion for travel, researching and writing has become something fun and even enjoyable.

We are so fortunate in today’s world to have the freedom to go anywhere and see so much of the world. There is so much to be said for traveling. It’s an education in itself to interact with new people, see how other cultures live, the traditions they have, the history of their country and their way of life.

We, as people, can learn so much from other cultures. Take your kids on a trip to an underdeveloped country (many of which are very enriching personally and safe for travel) for example, show them what its like to live as they do and it’ll be sure to open their eyes and teach them a lesson in appreciation. Moreover, it’ll be a lesson for everyone involved.

“No one realizes how beautiful it is to travel until he comes home and rests his head on his old, familiar pillow” ~Lin Yutang

Up until a few years ago, I was one of those inexperienced travelers and although I am still no expert, I have developed a great interest in experiencing what I can as often as I can. Together my significant other and I try to take at least 2 vacations a year to different countries and places. We have seen and have had the opportunity to learn so much. It becomes more and more exciting each time and with each new experience there is a memory to reflect on and smile about.

“The World is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page” ~St. Augustine

Feel free to share your travel experiences as I have, I’d love to hear about them.