Visit me at Gran Canaria holidays
I am sure you have all been seeing and hearing in the news recently about the guy who got frisked at the airport and was trying to accuse the TSA of sexual harassment, threatening to sue if his "junk" was touched. First of all, let me just say I found this funny, and lots of people will be clicking off of my blog right about now, cuz they are offended. But as a member of the "woman" race, I find it amusing that now that it is happening to men, it is now offensive. Sorry, can't help it.
My second opinion is, if you don't like the idea of being frisked or xrayed, find another mode of transportation. When I fly, I prefer feeling like everyone that got on the plane with me has been properly screened. You can choose one or the other, but if you choose neither, then may I suggest that you drive?
Third, I saw a really funny news report today. Seems a guy in Colorado has developed some "fig leaf" underwear, with just enough of the types of metals that won't set off the detectors to shield your privacy if you have to be screened. I don't know if that will fly or not (pardon the pun) because who is to say that you won't be hiding something behind that sexy new underwear you are sporting?
It seems everyone is up in arms about the new TSA screening processes, and I just have to say, maybe you should get over yourself or stay at home. Do you really think the person behind the screen gives a rip what you look like under your unders? And if he or she did, it's not like they could pick you out of a crowd.
For myself, I would prefer we all had to go through screening nekked, then maybe I wouldn't have to worry about some asshole blowing me up at 35000 feet.
Just saying.
Monday, November 22, 2010
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Visit me at Gran Canaria holidays
If you read an earlier post of mine, you know that I had a hard time finding a decent price for rental cars this year for our trip to Hawaii. I ended up getting them for about $450 for 8 days, including taxes, which is twice as much as I have had to pay in prior years. The state of Hawaii decided that I was not paying enough for taxes on my rental car, so they tacked on an extra $3.50 a day! That added a little over $50 to the trip just in EXTRA taxes. I guess they figured since tourism was down, that anyone still able to take a trip could just suck it up and pay. After all, if we can still afford a trip, an extra $50 won't hurt us, right? Thank you, state of Hawaii! I realize they rely on tourism, but I hate being raked over the coals, and, no matter how much taxes they add, my budget is only so big. The extra taxes was just money I did not spend with local businesses.
Ok, that is my rant for the day. If you were hoping to see a post here about how to find killer deals on rental cars.........nope! The rental car companies are getting more per rental than in any year in recent history. If it is the same next year, I will be taking a shuttle to and from the resort and taking the public transportation on the rest of the trip.
For those of you thinking I must still be doing ok if I can afford a trip every year, I have a timeshare so I am paying for my vacation whether I take it or not, so I might as well take it.
If you read an earlier post of mine, you know that I had a hard time finding a decent price for rental cars this year for our trip to Hawaii. I ended up getting them for about $450 for 8 days, including taxes, which is twice as much as I have had to pay in prior years. The state of Hawaii decided that I was not paying enough for taxes on my rental car, so they tacked on an extra $3.50 a day! That added a little over $50 to the trip just in EXTRA taxes. I guess they figured since tourism was down, that anyone still able to take a trip could just suck it up and pay. After all, if we can still afford a trip, an extra $50 won't hurt us, right? Thank you, state of Hawaii! I realize they rely on tourism, but I hate being raked over the coals, and, no matter how much taxes they add, my budget is only so big. The extra taxes was just money I did not spend with local businesses.
Ok, that is my rant for the day. If you were hoping to see a post here about how to find killer deals on rental cars.........nope! The rental car companies are getting more per rental than in any year in recent history. If it is the same next year, I will be taking a shuttle to and from the resort and taking the public transportation on the rest of the trip.
For those of you thinking I must still be doing ok if I can afford a trip every year, I have a timeshare so I am paying for my vacation whether I take it or not, so I might as well take it.
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Pacific Whale Foundation Dolphin Cruise
Visit me at Gran Canaria Holidays
Just got back from another great two week vacation in Hawaii. We spent the first week on Maui with some other family members, including my granddaughter. It was her first trip to the islands and she had a great time. She is 15 and in Hawaii, how could she have a BAD time????
One of the highlights of the trip for me this time was a dolphin cruise out of Lahaina Harbor. Of course there are all types of activities to be done/had on Maui, but I have to say this is one of the best values in the islands.
The cruise is done by the Pacific Whale Foundation. They are a non profit organization concerned with the sea life protection in the islands. THe great thing for me as a tourist about this group is that the activities they host are reasonably priced, and the added benefit is that the money goes for wildlife preservation.
It only cost us about $40 per person to go on a three hour cruise. We went to the coast of Lana'i, and saw this huge pod of dolphins! They estimated about 150 dolphins. They were spinner dolphins and they were jumping and playing all around the boat, it was great! I got some decent photos of the dolphins out of the water.
The boat has shade and the all important bathroom. There are light snacks for purchase and they supply drinks and reef friendly sun screen. I have done a lot of activities on the islands and as far as I am concerned, these guys are the best value for your money. They also offer a snorkel cruise, but don't think this means you can snorkel with the dolphins, because you can't, but you will probably encounter some turtles and that will be almost as awesome!
Just got back from another great two week vacation in Hawaii. We spent the first week on Maui with some other family members, including my granddaughter. It was her first trip to the islands and she had a great time. She is 15 and in Hawaii, how could she have a BAD time????
One of the highlights of the trip for me this time was a dolphin cruise out of Lahaina Harbor. Of course there are all types of activities to be done/had on Maui, but I have to say this is one of the best values in the islands.
The cruise is done by the Pacific Whale Foundation. They are a non profit organization concerned with the sea life protection in the islands. THe great thing for me as a tourist about this group is that the activities they host are reasonably priced, and the added benefit is that the money goes for wildlife preservation.
It only cost us about $40 per person to go on a three hour cruise. We went to the coast of Lana'i, and saw this huge pod of dolphins! They estimated about 150 dolphins. They were spinner dolphins and they were jumping and playing all around the boat, it was great! I got some decent photos of the dolphins out of the water.
The boat has shade and the all important bathroom. There are light snacks for purchase and they supply drinks and reef friendly sun screen. I have done a lot of activities on the islands and as far as I am concerned, these guys are the best value for your money. They also offer a snorkel cruise, but don't think this means you can snorkel with the dolphins, because you can't, but you will probably encounter some turtles and that will be almost as awesome!
Monday, August 16, 2010
Rental Cars Are Expensive This Year
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price
It is confirmed, it is not just my imagination, rental cars are horribly expensive this year! I booked my flight to Hawaii several months ago and I got reasonably priced tickets, ditto for the rooms while we are there. I have been searching for a decent price on rental cars ever since!
My usual modus operandi is to book a car as soon as I know my dates for travel. I will go to the various sites I have bookmarked until I find the best price and book it. In the past, I have always been able to get a better price as the time for my vacation draws nearer. this year however, I am glad I am such a planner! Because if I had not secured a decent price for my rental car months ago, I would now be facing the prospect of not having a rental car at all for my vacation, because they are horribly expensive this year. I am appalled at the prices they are charging this year. With so many people not taking vacations at all this year, I do not understand how the rental car companies can be getting such outrageous prices, but apparently they are. For myself, I would have to rely on public transportation, because I simply could not come up with they money they are charging.
Rental prices are up 50% over what I paid last year, so no way can I find room in my budget for that! We have people traveling with us that will be going sans rental car. And to add insult to injury, I was recently informed that in Hawaii, (where I am going on vacation) that the airport concession fee will be increased by a whopping 350%!!!!!! They are tacking on an extra $4.00 a day to rentals.
I may not be getting out and about as much this year as I did last, but at least I am able to take a vacation, and I am SO looking forward to some of the beautiful Hawaiian sun and those tropical waters to swim in, so I will just be thankful for what I do have instead of griping about what I don't.
Even if all you can afford is a campout in the back yard (which we just did this weekend!) GET OUT THERE AND VACATION!
price
It is confirmed, it is not just my imagination, rental cars are horribly expensive this year! I booked my flight to Hawaii several months ago and I got reasonably priced tickets, ditto for the rooms while we are there. I have been searching for a decent price on rental cars ever since!
My usual modus operandi is to book a car as soon as I know my dates for travel. I will go to the various sites I have bookmarked until I find the best price and book it. In the past, I have always been able to get a better price as the time for my vacation draws nearer. this year however, I am glad I am such a planner! Because if I had not secured a decent price for my rental car months ago, I would now be facing the prospect of not having a rental car at all for my vacation, because they are horribly expensive this year. I am appalled at the prices they are charging this year. With so many people not taking vacations at all this year, I do not understand how the rental car companies can be getting such outrageous prices, but apparently they are. For myself, I would have to rely on public transportation, because I simply could not come up with they money they are charging.
Rental prices are up 50% over what I paid last year, so no way can I find room in my budget for that! We have people traveling with us that will be going sans rental car. And to add insult to injury, I was recently informed that in Hawaii, (where I am going on vacation) that the airport concession fee will be increased by a whopping 350%!!!!!! They are tacking on an extra $4.00 a day to rentals.
I may not be getting out and about as much this year as I did last, but at least I am able to take a vacation, and I am SO looking forward to some of the beautiful Hawaiian sun and those tropical waters to swim in, so I will just be thankful for what I do have instead of griping about what I don't.
Even if all you can afford is a campout in the back yard (which we just did this weekend!) GET OUT THERE AND VACATION!
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Fall Travel
Visit me at Gran Canaria Holidays
Fall is almost here, and if you have not yet taken your summer vacation, it is time to git er done, before summer is gone and you have missed it! Lucky for you, there are some companies out there that are gearing up for fall season and putting their best sales forward now, in time to grab that last minute summer vacation, or to plan the first trip of the fall.
Cheap Round Trip Flights Under $150 - Tax Included. Book now on CheapOair!
If you have read any of my earlier posts, you know I do not like to follow the crowd when it comes to my vacations. I like to go in shoulder season instead of high season, and I like to stay in condo's instead of motels or resorts.
This may or may not be your idea of a good vacation. Whatever your idea is, I hope that my posts on this blog will help inspire you to take that well deserved vacation, and hopefully show you a way to save a buck or two.
Fall is almost here, and if you have not yet taken your summer vacation, it is time to git er done, before summer is gone and you have missed it! Lucky for you, there are some companies out there that are gearing up for fall season and putting their best sales forward now, in time to grab that last minute summer vacation, or to plan the first trip of the fall.
Cheap Round Trip Flights Under $150 - Tax Included. Book now on CheapOair!
If you have read any of my earlier posts, you know I do not like to follow the crowd when it comes to my vacations. I like to go in shoulder season instead of high season, and I like to stay in condo's instead of motels or resorts.
This may or may not be your idea of a good vacation. Whatever your idea is, I hope that my posts on this blog will help inspire you to take that well deserved vacation, and hopefully show you a way to save a buck or two.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
New Site about Gran Canaria
Interested in a Canary Island Holiday?
Building a new travel site, about Gran Canaria in the Canary Islands of Spain. They have some really cool stuff there. You guessed it, now I want to go and see for myself! They have camel rides there, you go across the Maspalomas dunes and you can imagine yourself crossing the Sahara, (except for all the naked sunbathers you run across!)
Building a new travel site, about Gran Canaria in the Canary Islands of Spain. They have some really cool stuff there. You guessed it, now I want to go and see for myself! They have camel rides there, you go across the Maspalomas dunes and you can imagine yourself crossing the Sahara, (except for all the naked sunbathers you run across!)
Friday, July 16, 2010
Shoulder Season Travel
Shoulder season travel is often a missed opportunity for families and couples trying to take a budget vacation. In the high season you may only be able to afford a one week vacation, but if you can plan for the shoulder season, you can stretch that out to a ten day vacation, or more, for the same amount of dollars.
View the complete article on shoulder season travel
View the complete article on shoulder season travel
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