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10 Things we will do differently on our next Camino
Our 38-day Camino Frances trek was one of our best trips but there is always something to learn and room for improvement. Here’s our list of lessons learned in no particular order (except maybe the first one, this is the most important change we would make). We’ve also added a couple of bonus Camino Frances-specific tips at the end. Plan shorter days We learned pretty quickly that our feet do best when limit our distance to 10 to 12 miles. For this trip we had booked ahead the entire trip so were committed to a few long days. Now that we know 15 miles is too much for us we…
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Relive our Camino de Santiago French Way Trek
We recorded Relive videos on our fall 2023 pilgrimage from St. Jean Pied de Port to Santiago de Compostela. The trek took 38 days (including some rest days); the videos will give you a glimpse of what each day looked like, I’ve also added some thoughts about some of the days: lessons learned and things we’d do differently next time. The distance numbers are what we tracked on All Trails and will include any distance spent being lost and exploring (I sometimes started the Relive videos late so the numbers you see there might be different). Day From To Distance (miles/KM) Where we stayed Cost per Night (USD in 2023)…
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Antigua Excursion: What to do with your limited time in Guatemala
Puerto Quetzal was the third port on our Panama Canal cruise on the Norwegian Joy and the “Antigua on Your Own” shore excursion was one of our favorites of the entire trip. With its cobblestone streets, stunning architecture, and rich history, Antigua is a must-see destination for anyone visiting this fascinating country. This quick stop left me wanting more and and a return trip with more time in this beautiful country has been added to the list. Tour Bus Trip to Antigua The one-and-a-half-hour bus trip from Puerto Quetzal to Antigua offers stunning views of Guatemala’s landscape and countryside. As the bus traveled the winding roads, we saw rolling hills,…
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Working Remotely on a Cruise Ship: 11 Tips for the Ultimate Work and Travel Adventure
Working remotely on a cruise ship may seem like a dream come true for digital nomads, but my experience wasn’t as positive as I had hoped. While the scenery and ports of call were breathtaking, the internet access and workspace were often unreliable, making it challenging to stay productive. The constant noise and distractions from other passengers and crew members also made it difficult to concentrate on work when in public areas. Despite the challenges, I learned valuable lessons and tips that can help others make the most of their remote work experience on a cruise ship. By being prepared, flexible, and managing expectations, it is possible to enjoy a…
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Cruise Ship Packing List: 6 little things to make your cruise easier
Packing for a cruise is pretty much like any other vacation, but there are a few extra items to consider.
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Transiting the Panama Canal in a Cruise Ship: What you need to know before booking this trip
Transiting the Panama Canal was another bucket list trip for me and Bob. The canal, an engineering marvel that connects the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, was completed in 1914 and has been a crucial passageway for global shipping ever since. Today, cruising through the Panama Canal is a popular itinerary for many cruise lines, offering passengers a unique glimpse into this engineering marvel, as well as the stunning natural beauty of Panama’s jungle landscape. This trip also let us check South America off our continent’s visited list. Choosing an itinerary There are several itinerary options for a Panama Canal transit in a cruise ship, ranging from shorter 7-day cruises to…
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New Year’s in Paris: Fireworks and Pain au Chocolate!
After Christmas in London, we hopped on a train and headed to Paris for the New Year Holiday. This trip crossed a few things off the bucket list: The Chunnel, New Year’s Eve on the Champs-Élysées, and Raclette. We spent four days in Paris before taking the train back to London and flying home. We packed quite a bit into our short stay. Getting There and Back Again We left London early on December 31st to give us plenty of time to get settled in our hotel and work our way to the Champs-Élysées. Due to national rail strikes that were impacting The Underground, we took an Uber to St.…
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Christmas In London: Dickens, Museums, Afternoon Tea, and Christmas Markets
In December 2022 Bob and I traveled to London to experience Christmas in England. There are pros and cons to visiting over the holidays. The winter markets are open and offering holiday treats and mulled wines, everything is decked out with lights and holiday decor, and restaurants offer unique holiday menus. On the downside, many shops, museums, and restaurants are closed some or all of the week between Christmas and New Year’s, and the weather was a bit drizzly. Nonetheless, we had a terrific holiday in London and manage to pack quite a bit into our one-week stay. We stayed at a Premier Inn in the Blackfriars area in the…
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Nine days on the Mountain: Our Mount Kilimanjaro Adventure
The day-by-day breakdown of this epic adventure. Making the Decision and Choosing a Guide Company Three years ago summiting the tallest mountain in Africa was nowhere to be found on my bucket list. Then I met Bob. Bob had the brilliant plan to Summit Kilimanjaro on his 60th birthday under a full moon and had found a tour that offered just that. Like it was meant to be. Covid hit, the climb was canceled and we had to start looking for a new trip. My friend Marty is quite an adventurer (check out his wife’s blog at https://chrisfagan.net/) so I went to him for advice – he had summited Kilimanjaro…
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Truly Unique Farm to Table Experience at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro
Our Kilimanjaro adventure included five days at Mbahe Farm before we began our trek. Mbahe farm sits on the foothills of Kilimanjaro in Marangu. Those five days at the farm gave us a chance to acclimate, recover from jet lag, and learn a little about this African village and the Chagga people that live there. The stay at Mbahe Farm Cottages is part of the Summit Expeditions and Nomadic Experience (SENE) program. SENE is the guide company we chose for our Kilimanjaro climb. SENE is a Tanzania-owned eco-adventure company that offers climbs, safaris, trail running, and bike treks. SENE’s director, Simon Mtuy, holds the record for the fastest unsupported ascent-descent of…
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