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Sunday, February 28, 2010

Quake closes Santiago airport for three days; cruise ships wait out tsunami - Just In! | Travel News - MiamiHerald.com

Miami Herald staff and wire services

The airport in Santiago, Chile was closed for up to three days after a catastrophic earthquake, with a magnitude of 8.8, struck early Saturday.

Avianca and Copa airlines both announced they were cancelling flights to Santiago at least on Saturday and Sunday. An Avianca flight headed from Bogota to Santiago Saturday morning was diverted first to Mendoza, Argentina, and then to Buenos Aires.

Among the flights affected: nonstop flights by American and LAN airlines from Miami to Santiago.

The Santiago airport suffered major damage, including smashed windows, partially collapsed ceilings and destroyed pedestrian walkways in the passenger terminals.

Santiago's subway was shut as well and hundreds of buses were trapped at a terminal by a damaged bridge.

Chile's main seaport, in Valparaiso about 75 miles from Santiago, was ordered closed while damage was assessed.

Princess Cruises said it had changed some of its port calls Saturday and Sunday as a result of the quake, but it expected that its Star Princess would be able to dock in Valparaiso as scheduled on Tuesday and depart later that same day on another cruise.

Holland America Line had four ships in the Pacific Ocean at the time of the quake but said none was affected, although the ms Zaandam and ms Maasdam remained in open ocean until the risk of a tsunami caused by the quake passed.

The quake struck after concert-goers had left South America's leading music festival in the coastal city of Vina del Mar, where organizers canceled performances on Saturday, the final night of the festival. But it caught partiers leaving a disco.

``It was very bad. People were screaming. Some people were running, others appeared paralyzed. I was one of them,'' Julio Alvarez told Radio Cooperativa.

A tsunami set off by the early-morning quake also affected travel as it rushed ashore in parts of Hawaii and French Polynesia, but no serious damage was immediately reported. In Hawaii, where 100,000 people were evacuated from low-lying areas and roads into Waikiki were closed, waves were in 20-minute surges at 5.5 feet in Hilo and 6 feet at Maui.

Hilo International Airport, located along the coast, was closed.

The Port of Honolulu was closed in anticipation of the tsunami. Norwegian Cruise Line's Pride of America, which cruises the Hawaiian islands, had been scheduled to dock in Honolulu Saturday morning, but instead remained at sea where it rode out the tsunami.

Nearly 50 countries and island chains remained under tsunami warnings, from Antartica to Russia's far northeast.

Let's talk about the Hurtigruten Cruise Line

I thought today we would start out by talking about what inspired this trip which was the allure of cruising a different type of ship and the beautiful, awe inspiring scenery that this area of the world offers.





Today I want to talk about the Hurtigruten Cruiseline itself and the Ships.  Now of course I am only going to be able to speak of what I know about them now...  I am certain I will come back with much more first hand knowledge and share that with you later.

For more than 115 years Hurtigruten have been a part of the coastal areas of Norway. With our experience in polar areas the company have become an international travel industry company with an unique product.

This is from Wikipedia.......


Hurtigruten or Hurtigruta (literally "Express Route", but sometimes referred to as Norwegian Coastal Express in English) is a Norwegian passenger and freight line with daily sailings along Norway's spectacular western and northern coast. Ships sail almost the entire length of the country, completing the roundtrip journey in 11 days. The trip has been described as the "World's Most Beautiful Sea Voyage." Highlights include the Hanseatic League city of Bergen, the Geiranger fjord (summer only), and the Lofoten Islands.

Richard With - the founder of Hurtigruten

So when a seasoned Norwegian sea captain called Richard With proposed a regular steam ship service to link northern and southern Norway many saw it as unrealistic folly. Originally intended as a weekly daylight service from Trondheim to Hammerfest, delivering mail, cargo and passengers, this audacious mariner then proposed to extend the service to travel both day and night, winter and summer. His intention was to sail through waters that at this juncture had still not been mapped, through a landscape that for centuries had only been accessible from the sea.

The Most Important Communication Link

For 90 years the Coastal Express became the most important communication link between the north and south and it is from these pioneering voyages that the Hurtigruten tradition stems. Translating as ‘fast route’, it was the quickest and most reliable passage into the remote lands of northern Norway, regardless of weather conditions. Indeed it was not until 1983 that the mail delivery was finally entrusted to road and air routes. It is this heritage and experience that marks out Hurtigruten as one of the most professional and proficient expedition voyage operations on earth.

The Pioneering Years

During the middle of the 19th century a few steamers plied the waters along Norway’s northern coast in an attempt by the Norwegian government to unify the country. In 1893 the government offered permission for a regular route to be opened up, an offer rejected by all but one man – Richard With. On 2 July 1893, Captain With and his ship the Vesterålen sailed from Trondheim on a journey to Hammerfest that was to take 67 hours and arrive 20 minutes ahead of schedule! Realizing the journey was possible a number of other companies joined under the Hurtigruten banner.

The War Years

Following Norway’s independence in 1905, the Great War of 1914 saw the next development in the Hurtigruten story. Kirkenes was included in the route, whilst the reduced production and increased cost of coal deliveries from England resulted in the service being drastically reduced. The Depression years then saw the route regularly disrupted, before the Coastal Express began a boom period, with 1936 seeing the beginning of a daily sailing from Bergen. There were now 14 ships linking the coastal communities, visiting more ports than ever and transporting some 230,000 passengers annually. The Second World War heralded a dark time for Hurtigruten; suffering the loss of 9 ships and some 700 people, with ironically the Allies destroying twice as many vessels as Germany.

Rebirth and the Future

Following the war it was vital to rebuild the fleet as quickly as possible. The first 4 commissioned ships set new standards in comfort and service, quickly followed by 11 more over the following decade. The latter years of the 20th century saw Hurtigruten’s role change, as cars became more popular and the ship's original remit changed. New ships were built with passenger comfort in mind, with more cabins and panoramic lounges included to accommodate a new kind of traveler. A new generation of ships was built between 1993 and 2007, ensuring that today we have a fleet of custom designed vessels capable of safely negotiating not only the rugged coastal waters of Norway and the Arctic, but also the remote lands of Spitsbergen and Greenland and the southern oceans off Antarctica. Now, the idea for me of being on a ship that is a full working ship, stopping all times of day and night delivering supplies, mail, packages, people, vehicles to remote areas of the world that are inaccessible by any other means besides the sea just really struck a note with me of pure adventure. I also wondered what type of people I might mean on such a voyage both the passengers traveling on the ship, tourists and the people of Norway using it as transportation to and from their homes but of course the people in port when we have a chance to get off the ship,  (which is not at all ports of course as the ship might only stop for 15 minutes to take things off and pick up others).
 
I wanted to tell you that we will stop 34 times in 6 days on our Journey.  
The 6-day Southbound journey begins in Kirkenes in the far north of Norway near the Russian border and ends in the Hanseatic town of Bergen.  This voyage calls on the same 34 ports of call as the Classic voyage.
That is a bit of history of the Ships and Hurtigruten.  
This week I will fill you in a bit on our upcoming trip while I have the internet usage in abundance and can grab photo's and other things online to make the posts full of information and then on my trip I will share what I am experiencing...
I hope you like it!  If there is anything you want to know make sure you leave it or anything else in the comments below the posts!

Saturday, February 27, 2010

Sail with us to Mexico - 3 night 4/30/10


We have 3 cabins left... On the Carnival Paradise 4 day/3 night sailing LA to Ensenada with a really fun group.  Hundreds less than going rate with $50 Onboard Credit, 2 bottles of wine and a welcome aboard cocktail party..    I only have them until Monday 3/1 and then they go back to Carnival.  Come with us!  Call me for pricing!

Mom and I go on a Norweigan Adventure!

Beginning a week from next Tuesday, on March 9th, 2010,  My mom, Mary, and I will be leaving on a Jet Plane to travel to Europe for our first time ever!  We are beginning with an 11 hour flight on Virgin Atlantic LA to London.  Before moving on to I am sure is THE Coldest Place on the Planet.  I am just sure of it which my husband can attest to by all the winter sales I have been hitting online.  

We are going above the Arctic Circle,  a place I would never have thought I would be,  and when I checked the weather last it was a brisk -14* F, with wind chills making it -30* F.  Now the people in Norway are telling me not to worry that March is *nice*, like spring, they tell me...  What I want to know is WHO'S  spring.  Certainly not mine......  I live in the Mojave Desert in California...  My winters are probably warmer than there summers....   :-)  But I digress.

I have posted the general itinerary below so you can get the gist of where we will be and what we are doing and I have done everything possible to hopefully be able to blog right from my blackberry to the blog from wherever I am.  Now, having said that........  I said hopefully.






I did order a RedFly for my Blackberry last week which I had great hopes for...   Unfortunately I couldn't find the current model available anywhere sooooo I ordered someone's used one on EBay hoping to save me a few bucks.  When I got it the screen has been cracked.  I really think it must have happened in shipping and will try and get my $$$ back but now I am stuck with trying to get another keyboard in time for my trip.  

I think I am going to go with the Freedom Pro for now and then sell it when I can get my hands on a new RedFly CN8.

I really want to be able to do my e-mail communications and writing from my BB with no internet connection time being used on the ship, etc.  It would make life so much easier, less cumbersome and less expensive for me...

OK,   so we are working on that...  One week to go.

Now the packing and luggage is another story.

Since we have 5 different flights, 6 different hotel stays and 2 train trips, we needed to travel light....... BUT stay warm, which entails, heavier, bulkier items.  We decided one checked bag which can only weigh 44#'s for international flights on SAS, and one carry on.  I am also bringing a photo, laptop combo backpack for my technical equipement.

So I went on a mission.  

I have been meaning to rethink my luggage for awhile.  Having been on 8 different ships in the last 5 months and all the hotels, trains and airplanes that go with it, I decided I needed to do something about my luggage.  The constraints that the airlines have put on us was taking it's toll and especially with my traveling solo a bit of the time it makes life harder in airports, etc if you have to much with you...  Taking all my stuff with me to the bathroom just had to stop!

My final choices had to meet these criteria: 


I wanted ONE bag for check on that was:
  • as light as possible
  • as roomy as possible
  • no hard sided luggage (no possibility of cramming more in)
  • good wheels (preferably spinners but not mandatory) 
  • had outside pockets
  • durable
  • had high ratings with reviewers
  • under $175
  • was not ugly 
I wanted ONE carry-on that was:


  •  #1  HAD TO BE SPINNERS  to go down the aisle sideways.  I am tired of carrying my bag through the airplane aisles.  Dr say's NO also.
  • as large in dimensions as allowable
  • easy to pack, not alot of inside pockets (I have my camera backpack for laptop, fragile items)
  • no hard sided...  see above.  easier to fit in overhead bins
  • high ratings
  • outside pockets for travel docs
  • was under $125
  • again not ugly
This is what I ended up with:  and I am THRILLED !!!!!!!!

It is the Sub-0-G  weighing in at 6.4# !!!  It is light as a feather and really big inside.  I will tell you how it works when I get back.  I bought it here E-Bags $89.00 and free shipping.

I also bought THIS for my carry on...
Here is the link for it....It is an International Traveller Brand


 This is the Camera Laptop Bag that I got Joe for Christmas for his Camera.

It is a Case Logic Brand.  We have been using it and we love it!  Sits flat on the ground, you can just open it enough to grab the camera out of the top for quick access.  Very, Very nice..  It fits a Laptop in the back of it...plus all the cords, etc. 





  Ok....  so, now you know what I have been spending time on.  In my spare time.  I get a bit obsessive just so I can report back to you.  I will also share with you later some of the other travel gadgets in my arsenal to make life easier on the road!



Our Norway Adventure planned by Real Cruises

Our Norway Adventure
Planned by Real Cruises





March 9th, 10th 2010 - Depart LAX-London-Heathrow (LHR)

  • Depart LAX Virgin Atlantic
  • From Heathrow you catch the Heathrow Express which is a high speed non-stop train to Paddington station which in the heart of London city. Then to catch a black cab from the station to the Hotel which will be around 10 to 15 minutes and its also a good way to se a little as you drive to the hotel.








March 11th, 2010 London to Oslo


    • Depart London -  on SAS  arriving Oslo at 10:25


    • Catch up with Jason and the gang

March 11, 2010 Oslo
·       Motorcoach City Tour of Oslo
o       Tour will meet at 12:00 Noon at SAS Airline Ticketing area. 
o       Please get something to eat prior to the tour as it is 3 hours and we won’t have time for a lunch break.
o       Tour will include visits to Viking Ship Museum, Vigeland Park, and Holmenkollen.
o       For those who are arriving into Oslo early, we will pick you up at the Clarion Bastion Hotel to join the tour.
·       Check-In at Clarion Bastion Hotel – Oslo
o       From 3-6 PM you can make your own waffles
o       Every evening they offer an evening buffet with one warm dish from 6-9 PM
·       Evening on your own

March 12, 2010Oslo to Kirkenes
·       Motorcoach Pickup at Hotel to Oslo Airport at 6:30 AM SHARP
·       Flight from Oslo to Kirkenes      Departs 08:55  Arrives Kirkenes  11:05
·       Transfer from Kirkenes Airport to Rica Arctic Hotel
·       Pickup for Snow Hotel Visit, Dog Sledding and Dinner 4:00 PM
o       Tour will last 5-6 hours. Dress warm. Facility will provide gear for dog sledding.

Dinner consists of:
Starter:  reindeer sausage, grilled, served with LUMPE ( typical Norwegian “potato pancake”
             Maincourse: Salmon and cod prepared by open fire, baked potato
            Dessert: Ice cream, forest berries

They also have a Vegetarian Steak for those who would prefer non meat

March 13, 2010 Sailing on MS Midnatsol
·       Breakfast at Rica Arctic Hotel
·       Transfer to Pier at 10:00 AM
·       Board MS Midnatsol                               

                          Day 1 Kirkenes-Vardo-Batsfjord-Berlevag

                                Depart Kirkenes for the southbound voyage.  Crossing Varangerfjord, Norway's only east-facing fjord and a fabled bird-watching site, you'll arrive in Vardo, the easternmost point of the country.
                          Next the ship will round the Varanger peninsula, where archaeologists excavated a community believed to date from 9000 BC.
                          In the evening, the ship calls at Batsfjord, which also boasts the remains of a Stone Age settlement, and Berlevag. Look out for the Tanahorn mountain, which long ago was a Sami sacrifice site.

                                Rest of the evening on your own    I think we will be spending a lot of time in the 2 deck Panoramic Lounge  



March 14, 2010 – Sailing on MS Midnatsol

                        Day 2 Honningsvag-Havoysund- Hammerfest-Oksfjord-Skjervoy-Tromso   



                            The ship arrives at Honningsvag in the early morning. After calling at Havoysund, she will stop for 1 1/2 hours in Hammerfest, the world's most northerly town.
                            Despite its remote location, it was the first Norwegian town to have electric street lighting and its own power station.

                            Your Norwegian cruise continues south to Oksfjord, whose glacier calves directly into the sea. After crossing open water, you will stop at the old trading post of Skjervoy.
                            You'll dock in Tromso just in time to savor its nightlife.

                        ·       Mandatory US Agents 1:00 PM2:00 PM Mane AMFI Conference Room
·       Cocktail party 5:00 PM Panoramic Lounge.  
        Cocktail Party is Mandatory!
  




March 15, 2010 – Sailing on MS Midnatsol
       

                 Day 3 Harstad-Risoyhamn-Sortland- Stokmarknes-Svolvaer-Stamsund


                        The island groups of Lofoten and Vesteralen have some of the most stunning scenery you will see during this Norway travel adventure.·      

                        A Taste of Vesteralen Tour – 8:00 AM


                        Before your arrival, you'll see the captain skillfully maneuver the ship through the shallow waters of the Risoyrenna Channel, where sand banks are visible through the green water on both sides of the                            channel. The ship will negotiate the narrow Raftsund Strait leading into the breathtaking Trollfjord, before arriving in Svolvaer and Stamsund. Later, the ship heads east across Vestfjord toward Bodo.

                    ·       Group Workshop – Valhall Amfi Conference Room 2:00 PM


March 16, 2010Sailing MS Midnatsol

                Day 4 Ornes-Nesna-Sandnessjoen- Bronnoysund-Rorvik


                    From Ornes, you'll travel through crystalline waters, filled with spawning cod from January to April, and go by lush agricultural fields.   

                    Nearly every towering peak you'll see is associated with a local legend. Crossing the Arctic Circle once again, you'll pass the idyllic island of Sandnessjoen.  

                     On the approach to Bronnoysund, which you reach this afternoon, you'll spy the mythical Seven Sisters Mountains.

                    Make sure you're on deck when the ship departs Bronnoysund-you'll be impressed by the captain's steady hand! Today's last port of call will be Rorvik.


·       Rest of Day on your own


March 17, 2010Sailing MS Midnatsol

                Day 5 Trondheim-Kristiansund-Molde-Alesund


                    Arrive in Trondheim early, with time to visit Norway's largest medieval church, Nidaros Cathedral, and the restored Archbishop's Residence.
                   
·       City Tour of Trondheim – 8:00 AM SHARP    


                    You'll then sail out through the beautiful Trondheimsfjord, past Hitra, island of deer, and lonely Grip.
                    At day's end, you'll call at Molde, before arriving in Alesund late in the evening in time for a stroll on shore.



March 18, 2010 – Arrival Begen 

                 Day 6 Torvik-Maloy-Floro-Bergen


                    During the night, the ship will call at Torvik, Maloy, and Floro. The World's Most Beautiful Voyage is drawing to a close.

                    Yet still ahead lies mile after mile of spectacular west Norway scenery: holly trees on Svanoy, the mouth of Sognefjord, and the beautiful archipelago on the approach to Bergen.
                    You will disembark in Bergen.


·       Arrival into Bergen – 2:30 PM
·       City  Tour of Bergen 3:00 PM     
·       Evening on your own
        Spend the night at The Neptun Hotel

March 19, 2010 – Spend the day touring Bergen













            Spend 2nd night at the Neptun Hotel

March 20, 2010 - Bergen to Flam


  • Board the train to Flam 08:40 For Norway in a Nutshell Tour




  • One-way trip from Bergen to Oslo
    Travel direction
    Bergen-Voss-Gudvangen-
    Flåm-Myrdal-Bergen
     13.12.09-
    30.04.10
    D
    Day  1
    Train from Bergen
    08:40
    To Voss
    09:53
    Bus from Voss
    10:00
    To Gudvangen
    11:00
    Boat from Gudvangen
    11:30
    To Flåm
    13:40
    Day 2
    Train from Flåm
    09:00
    To Myrdal
    09:40
    Train from Myrdal
        09:50 R
    To Oslo
    14:32
    The Bergen Railway is the approximately 500-kilometre-long railway line between Bergen and Oslo. It is Northern Europe's highest stretch of railway, roughly 100 km of which runs through wild mountain terrain.
    The twisting tunnels that spiral in and out of the mountain bear witness to the most daring and skilled engineering in Norwegian railway history.

    The Flåm Railway is one of Norway's major and most spectacular tourist attractions. The train journey provides some of Norway's wildest and most magnificent scenery. On the 20 km-long train ride, you can see rivers that cut through deep ravines, waterfalls cascading down the side of steep, snow-capped mountains and mountain farms clinging dizzily to sheer slopes. The Flåm Railway makes a photo stop at the beautiful Kjosfossen waterfall.


                    Arrive at Flamsbrygga hotel


March 21, 2010  Flam to Oslo

  • Continue our train journey from Flam to Oslo via Myrdal



  • Arrive Clarion Hotel Christiania in Oslo   spend the afternoon with seeing Oslo a little more.  Shopping anyone?



  •  
  • Our last night in Norway...................  :-(


March 22, 2010  Oslo to London, London to LAX


  • SAS Departs 07:55  arrives London 09:25

  • Virgin Atlantic  Departs London 11:25  arrives LAX 15:55

        Through customs, pick up car, 2 hour drive home.     Hug Loved Ones.....Talk for 2 hours, collapse...........................................   











Friday, February 19, 2010

Sandals Emerald Bay Officially Open

Thinking of an all inclusive?  The clear blue water and beaches of the bahamas are waiting for you here, along with your personal butler!

 
After months of anticipation, Sandals Emerald Bay, Great Exuma, The Bahamas officially opens its doors Thursday, welcoming guests to another new and exciting luxury included vacation destination.

Following a soft-opening on January 22, the resort additionally hosted more than 30 top tour operators and travel agents for a first-hand look at the newest property in the Sandals Resorts portfolio.

“This is an exciting moment in the history of Sandals Resorts,” said Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart, chairman and founder of Sandals Resorts, in a written statement. “For years we have been committed to providing the very best Luxury Included experience in the Caribbean, and the grand opening of our latest resort only further proves our dedication to exceeding our guests’ expectations.”

Acquired in August, Sandals Emerald Bay, Great Exuma, Bahamas is a former Four Seasons, and now the 14th Sandals Resort in the Caribbean.

Expanding on the company’s luxury included concept, Sandals Emerald Bay is the first Sandals Resort to offer a Greg Norman-designed golf course, world-class marina and professionally-trained butlers in all 183 beachfront rooms and suites.

Additionally, the new Sandals Emerald Bay, set on one of the Bahamas’ most beautiful out islands, offers gourmet dining in a choice of five à la carte restaurants, premium brand wine and spirits, land and water sports including six Har-tru tennis courts all lit for night play, airport transfers and gratuities.

An exclusive 16,000 square-foot Red Lane Spa is also available to guests, featuring 17 treatment rooms.

* By: Joe Pike
* TravelAgentCentral

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Shipping luggage may ease stress when flying - 2/15/10 - Los Angeles-Southern California-LA Breaking News, Weather, Traffic, Sports - abc7.com

I ran across this article, actually Joe pointed it out, as a way to make moving through airports a little less painless these days. I may try it out on my upcoming trip to Norway!




Shipping luggage may ease stress when flying - 2/15/10 - Los Angeles-Southern California-LA Breaking News, Weather, Traffic, Sports - abc7.com: "Ric Romero
More: Bio, E-mail, Facebook, Home Page, News Team

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- From long check-in lines to increased luggage security and growing baggage fees, travel these days can be a bumpy ride.

What if we told you there's a way to breeze through the airport luggage-free yet arrive at your destination with everything you need?

Consumer Specialist Ric Romero introduces you to a trend that promises you a less stressful way to fly.

Bruce Adlhoch of Los Angeles has a busy marketing and advertising business that has him traveling a lot. One of his favorite tricks to making travel easier is to ship his luggage ahead of time.

Related Content

More: Luggage Forward

More: Luggage Free

More: The Luggage Club

More: The Luggage Concierge

More: Carry My Luggage


'They package the whole thing together. They give you all the labels. You basically put it on, call them, UPS picks it up and they deliver it to your destination,' described Adlhoch.

Has this ever happened to you? You're the last person at the baggage claim carousel because your bags didn't show. Well, with shipping that wouldn't happen.

'As one travel guru has said, there are two kinds of luggage, checked and lost. Now, that's not quite true, but honestly the shipping companies have a much better track record as far as not losing luggage and not delaying it,' said George Hobica of Airfarewatchdog.com.

Hobica said that shipping luggage has really picked up now that the airlines are charging travelers at least $25 to $55 to check their bags and even more if it's oversized or over 50 pounds.

'It really depends on where you're going and how heavy your bag is. The heavier the bag, the bigger the savings. The shorter distance, the bigger the savings,' said Hobica.

For a trip from L.A. to Seattle, airlines will charge you between $25 and $55 for each bag. With FedEx Ground, you're looking at only $17, and with UPS Ground, it's still less at $22.

But if your bag is oversized or over 50 pounds, the savings really add up. For the same trip, airlines will charge between $73 and $75 for each bag while FedEx is only $34 and UPS is just $39. Of course, you do have to plan ahead because you are looking at five to seven days to ship.

Another option is a luggage delivery service. They promise to pick your gear up at your door and drop it off at any destination, whether it's domestic or international, a hotel or a vacation rental, and even to a cruise ship.

Cost will vary depending on the company you use, where you're traveling, what you're shipping and how quickly you need your luggage delivered.

'If you plan ahead you can save,' said Adlhoch
(Copyright ©2010 KABC-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.)"