Seattle Pike Place Market
Posted October 27, 2006 by Ed Szajniak · Filed Under Adventures
It all started because of over-priced onions.
The Pike Place Market was started over a hundred years ago to eliminate middlemen who were over-charging for produce and allow the public to deal directly with the farmer. Read more
Popularity: 7% [?]
If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to our RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!
Spiritual Cinema Festival-at-Sea
Posted October 26, 2006 by Rosalind Gardner · Filed Under Adventures
The annual Spiritual Cinema Festival-at-Sea cruise brings together the best of travel and inspired entertainment!
Presented by The Spiritual Cinema Circle, this festival provides a special weeklong opportunity for festival goers and filmmakers to connect with one another and celebrate films that warm the heart and stir the soul.
The Festival-at-Sea happens March 31- April 7, 2007, and cruises the sparkling turquoise waters of the beautiful Eastern Caribbean. You will stop in exotic ports, watch inspiring films and experience a community of people that share a wonderful common vision. The beautiful ports of call include… Read more
Popularity: 7% [?]
Seattle: More than Just Starbucks
Posted October 21, 2006 by Ed Szajniak · Filed Under Adventures
What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word “Seattle”?
Starbucks? Frasier? Grey’s Anatomy?
Well, there’s actually a lot more to Seattle besides “McDreamy”.
Ros’ note: More than McDreamy? Somehow I doubt that! “Whatever could it be?” she asked… Read more
Popularity: 6% [?]
Technorati Tags: Starbucks, Grey’s Anatomy
Machu Picchu, Peru
Posted October 18, 2006 by Ed Szajniak · Filed Under Adventures
Our 5 hour journey started early in the morning as we boarded a train in Cusco that would take us to the town of Aguas Calientes, which serves Machu Picchu.
Aguas Calientes has only 2 streets - one with the railroad tracks running down the center and the other on which the hotels and restaurants are located.
Ros and I took a bus up to Machu Picchu the morning after our arrival. The switch-backed road runs 2000 feet up to the site which is at 9060 feet above sea level. It’s quite the drive up and my thoughts were “Oh my God” on the realization that we had to come back down the same way.
Ros, on the other hand… Read more
Popularity: 6% [?]
Technorati Tags: Cusco, Machu Picchu
Beijing: Tiananmen Square
Posted October 18, 2006 by Ed Szajniak · Filed Under Adventures
Ros and I visited Tiananmen Square in Beijing during the National Holiday in October which celebrates the proclamation of the Peoples Republic by Mao Zedong.
The square was packed with mostly Chinese tourists. Some of these people, primarily those from rural areas, were seeing Westerners for the first time.
Several people in the square came up to us and asked to… Read more
Popularity: 6% [?]
Sheraton: Fisherman’s Wharf, San Francisco
Posted October 18, 2006 by Ed Szajniak · Filed Under Adventures, Hotels
On our last visit to San Francisco in late September, we stayed at the Sheraton Fisherman’s Wharf which is centrally located in the Fishermans Wharf district close to Pier 39 and to bay area tour operators. Most area attractions are within a short walk of the hotel and the major tour companies pickup at the hotel.
Overall, we found the hotel room…. Read more
Popularity: 11% [?]
Technorati Tags: Fishermans Wharf
Try Harder Avis
Posted October 17, 2006 by Ed Szajniak · Filed Under Car Rentals, Rants
For our recent trip to San Fransisco we booked a rental vehicle online through Avis and specified that we wanted an SUV. We arranged to pick the vehicle up at the Fishermans Wharf Avis location, just a short walk from the Sheraton, where we were staying.
When we arrived at the AVIS depot, there was only one person behind the counter and the lineup was building. When we were finally served, we were told that an SUV was not available and were offered a mini van instead.
Ros insisted… Read more
Popularity: 11% [?]
Technorati Tags: San Fransisco, Fishermans Wharf, SUV
Sh*t Happens …
Posted October 17, 2006 by Ed Szajniak · Filed Under Health
Wait a minute I’ll be right back. Phew and Pew!… that was close!
Traveler’s diarrhea is caused by ingesting food or water contaminated by E.coili bacteria. An incident can last 3 to 5 days and may even require spending a day in bed, which would be pretty tough if you were on a bus trip!
Is there protection against traveler’s diarrhea and cholera? Why, yes there is…
It’s a oral vaccine called Dukoral and it can save the day or even several when traveling in parts where your reaction to the food or water may be averse.
Ros and I have used it and enjoyed our travels without incident.
Food may be contaminated by washing it in contaminated water or by poor hygiene on the part of cooks, waitersor merchants basically anyone handling your food and drink.
Cholera is a serious diarrheal disease caused by food or water contaminated by the bacterium vibrio cholerae. Common sources of infection are raw or poorly cooked seafood, raw fruit and vegetables, and other foods that have been contaminated during preparation or storage.
Most episodes of cholera are mild. Persons who have been infected may have no symptoms or only mild diarrhea. Others, however, develop very severe watery diarrhea and vomiting. The loss of large amounts of fluids can rapidly lead to severe dehydration causing death, sometimes within three to four hours, if the patient is not treated.
Dukoral is added protection, washing your hands frequently, choosing safe food and water are the best ways to protect yourself.
The following are some guidelines for healthy eating and drinking while traveling:
- Eat foods that are well cooked. Never eat leftovers or food that has been sitting for a long time. Don’t eat food sold by street vendors.
- Make sure dairy products such as milk, cheese, or yogurt are pasteurized and properly refrigerated. If in doubt, avoid them.
- Wash and peel your own fruits and vegetables. Discard if the skin is broken or bruised.
- Don’t eat custards, mousses, mayonnaise, or hollandaise sauce.
- Don’t eat raw vegetables, salads, lettuce, or fruits that cannot be peeled (e.g. grapes, strawberries).
- Don’t eat undercooked or raw meat, fish or shellfish.
- Drink bottled water, bottled drinks, or beverages made with boiled water. Always avoid ice and tap water.
- Use bottled or boiled water for brushing teeth.
- Make your motto: “Cook it, peel it, or forget it!”
When should you use this vaccine?
It is recommended for travelers to developing countries in Central and South America, the Caribbean, Southeast Asia, Africa, and Eastern or Southern Europe.
Dukoral is available in Canada by prescription from your doctor, check with your health care practitioner to see if it is available in your area.
Popularity: 12% [?]
Technorati Tags: traveler’s diarrhea, cholera, Dukoral
Beijing: Forbidden City & STARBUCKS?
Posted October 17, 2006 by Ed Szajniak · Filed Under Adventures, Food
We had just arrived at the Peninsula Palace Hotel in Beijing and decided to go for a walk to check things out.
Well, just around the corner and up a street was the Forbidden City. I don’t know about you but with a name like that I had to go for a look…
Located in the heart of Beijing the Forbidden City was where the Emperors of China ruled for 500 years. The complex contains 9,999 buildings so plan to stay a bit. The recommended time for a visit is three hours. This time will allow a quick overview.
Our visit to the city was during the National Holiday in October so let’s just say if you ever want to know what a crowd is, this is the place to be. Read more
Popularity: 9% [?]
Aeroplan Changes Mileage Redemption Terms
Posted October 16, 2006 by Rosalind Gardner · Filed Under News, Points & Rewards
Aeroplan announced two changes to its program today.
The changes that are not yet in effect, but Aeroplan members already hate the impending policy…
First of all, on January 1, 2007, Aeroplan will begin date-stamping miles with an expiry point of seven years (84 months) from the accumulation day.
Miles that are not used within 84 months without being redeemed will be automatically deducted from members’ accounts on a monthly basis.
Miles collected prior to January 1, 2007 will be date-stamped as December 31, 2006, meaning that they must be used by December 31, 2013.
Aeroplan reports that it takes a user approximately 2.5 years to redeem miles after they have been collected.
The second change goes into effect on July 1, 2007, when Aeroplan will require members to have transacted either one accumulation or one redemption in the prior 12 months to avoid expiration of all miles in the account.
Accounts may be reactived for a fee of $30.00 CDN plus 1 cent per restored mile.
Aeroplan’s new “ClassicPlus Flight Rewards” will increase economy and executive class seat availability to Aeroplan members across both the Air Canada and Air Canada Jazz networks… and we’ll probably pay through the nose for the privilege.
We’ll be looking at alternatives to Aeroplan and report later. In the meantime, use up those points!!
Popularity: 17% [?]
Latest Headlines
- Penticton Peachfest Kiddies Day Parade 2008
- Penticton Air Quality Almost as Bad as Beijing
- Penticton Peachfest: Raining on our Parade
- Snowbirds Perform at Penticton Peachfest 2008
- Penticton Peach Festival Starts Today
- Snowbirds Reception at the Penticton Lakeside
- Sexy Laundry Playing at Penticton’s Cannery