Barbados

My sister Jennie and I just returned from seven days of sunshine, turquoise waters, delicious food, and unforgettable Caribbean memories. There is something special about escaping everyday life and spending a week surrounded by sunshine, palm trees, and beautiful Caribbean waters. Our vacation to Barbados was an opportunity to relax, enjoy some luxury, and experience the island lifestyle while we stayed at Sandals. 

Stepping out from the airport into the warm tropical air, greeted by staff from Sandals to arrange our transport, and feeling the sun on our faces had us eager to get to the resort and change into bathing suits and flip flops. 

After settling in at the resort, unpacking for the week, and cracking open a couple of Banks beers from the fridge, we set about wandering the resort. We were able to utilize the facilities of the neighbouring Sandals Royal Barbados, so there were lots of dining options, bars, entertainment, and plenty of pools. The beach was private, with an abundance of lounge chairs and umbrellas. My favourite was the "Weather Station," which was a coconut hanging from a rope. During the course of our stay, the coconut remained still with the exception of about an hour when we had some wind and rain one afternoon. It didn't last long, and the coconut went back to calm.

One of the best parts of a resort vacation is not having to plan every minute of the day. Jennie was always up by 7 a.m. to reserve the best seats at the pool. Most days, we were the only ones out in the pool for the first couple of hours. Once the bars opened at 10, more people emerged. The atmosphere would start to pick up around that time with the water aerobics and music blaring. We heard Rihana's "We Found Love" more times than I can count, but I didn't mind. She is a national hero of Barbados after all. 

I read 3 books during the week. Jennie finished one and started on a second (more than usual for her). The biggest decisions we had to make during the day were what to drink, where to eat, and what time to get ready for dinner. Something about the tropical scenery makes it easy to forget about the everyday stresses waiting back home. A week away gave us the chance to slow down, enjoy the atmosphere, and appreciate the simple pleasure of having nowhere particularly urgent to be. 

Dining becomes a part of the experience when you stay at an all-inclusive resort. There were so many options (21 restaurants!) and a variety of meals offered. It was so nice not to worry about shopping, cooking, or cleaning up afterwards. We tried most of what the resort offered. Our favourite were the Indian and Japanese restaurants. We sat at the bar watching the sushi chef and sipped on their signature Sake cocktail and Kirin Ichiban beer. 

We also went to the teppanyaki restaurant, and although our chef was not Japanese, he put on a good show. It was one of the only three restaurants that required a reservation, which was nice. Dining at both of these restaurants made me nostalgic for my time living in Japan. The staff even greeted us with a Japanese welcome when we walked in, calling out いらっしゃいませ (irasshaimase).

One of the benefits of spending time in the Caribbean is the noise and beauty of the tropics. The resort was teeming with roosters and chickens, which could be heard each morning, but it was a better wake-up call than my alarm. At night, you could hear the whistling tree frogs, which provided a background symphony before bed. The grounds were lush with flowers, trees, and bushes. The view from our balcony was stunning, and we loved to sit out there before dinner, watching the sun set and the lights come on around the resort. 

A week can pass surprisingly quickly when you're on vacation. Before we knew it, we were packing up and heading back home. Tomorrow I have to return to work and reality. But that's the beauty of taking time away. You get a chance to step back from the mundane routine, enjoy a different environment, and make new memories. The week away with my sister allowed us to relax, bond, and have fun. Until the next adventure...

~MT

Lisbon to Barcelona: Cruising through Iberia

Every summer, my siblings and I take a trip together. This year our adventure started in Lisbon and ended in Barcelona. This was the first European trip for Gerry and Jennie, and a lot more planning went into it (mostly done by Bobbie). We spent a day in Lisbon before boarding the Norwegian Dawn cruise ship. One of the best decisions we made was renting a Tuk-Tuk for three hours. It was a fun—and slightly different—way to see the city. I hadn't been in a tuk-tuk since Thailand. The ones used in Lisbon are electric, quiet, and have comfortable padded seats, much different than the smoky and noisy ones of Thailand. We drove through Lisbon, taking in the sights, the colourful streets, historic buildings, and breathtaking viewpoints. Having a local driver meant we could see quite a bit of the city in a short amount of time while still getting that first taste of Portuguese culture. 

Of course, no trip to Lisbon would be complete without trying their local goods. We sampled the city's beloved pasteis de nata, the delicious custard tarts with flaky pastry and creamy filling. These were invented by monks before the 18th century. We also tried the traditional Portuguese cherry liqueur, ginja, served in a little chocolate cup. Having the sweet cherry liqueur and then eating the chocolate cup afterward was such a fun Lisbon experience. 

We ended the tour at a market where there were plenty of drinks, food, and live music. The energy of the city was palpable, and we had a great time here. 

Our time in Lisbon went by too quickly, but we were excited for the next part of our journey. The following day, we boarded our cruise ship and set sail, ready to see what the rest of the trip had in store for us. 

After settling in on the ship, it was wonderful to get out the next day at our first stop, Portimao, on Portugal's beautiful Algarve coast. One of the highlights was seeing the famous sea caves. The dramatic cliffs, golden rock formations, and brilliant blue water made the coastline feel completely different from Lisbon. 

You might recognize the Benagil Cave, as it was used as the Windows 10 lock screen approximately 10 years ago. Pictures do not even do this justice. 

After enjoying the Portuguese coast, our next stop on the cruise was Cadiz, Spain. Arriving in Cadiz felt like stepping into a different world. The city has a wonderful combination of history, Spanish charm, and the sea, as the town is mostly surrounded by water. 

We spent our time exploring the streets, taking in the beautiful architecture, and enjoying the atmosphere of this historical, coastal city. After the relaxed beauty of Portugal, it was fun to experience the energy and character of Spain. 

We stopped at an outdoor bar/cafe, had a couple of drinks and a snack, and watched the people go by. This city was memorable as our first taste of Spain. We loved walking around and taking in the sights. We found a beautiful old church and sat inside for a while, lighting a candle for our Mom as I do in every country I visit. It was also a nice break to get out of the hot sun. 

Our next stop on the trip was Motril, on Spain's Costa Tropical. Rather than staying close to the port, we ventured inland, renting a car and driving to Granada, one of Spain's most beautiful cities. The drive itself gave us a chance to see more of southern Spain, eventually reaching our destination of La Alhambra. 

This amazing palace and fortress complex overlooks Granada. We took a three-hour guided tour through the 6 km of grounds. Our guide educated us on the architecture and history of the only well-preserved palace from the mediaeval Islamic world. 

Orange trees are iconic symbols of the Moorish design. They were planted for shade, have sweet-scented white blossoms, but bear the bitter fruit of Seville oranges. They are used for perfumes or marmalades, not to be eaten. 

After walking around the grounds in the heat, we ventured to the Palacio Nazari Turkish bath for some much-needed relaxation. Inspired by an Arab bath, this facility had seven pools at varying temperatures, helping to relax both the mind and body. My brother and I opted for a massage as well, where they used essential oils after we relaxed on a hot stone. In addition, there were various oriental-style teas to enjoy in a quiet area. My skin has never felt better after spending a couple of hours there. I was so relaxed after the baths, it was difficult to make the drive back to Motril! This stop was a highlight of the trip for me. 

Returning to the ship that evening, we made it back in time to witness the total solar eclipse just before sunset. Apparently this marked the first total eclipse on the mainland since 1905. There were some wildfires in Spain, and they caused it to look more golden than white. We didn't even know the eclipse was happening until some fellow travellers on board stated it was the main purpose for their trip. 

The next morning, we stopped in Gibraltar, and it was exciting since it was completely different from the places we visited in Portugal and Spain. 

Dominated by the famous Rock of Gibraltar, it rises dramatically above the coastline, and even though it was cloudy when we arrived, we could still see it. Gibraltar offered a fascinating mix of British and Mediterranean influences. It's hard not to appreciate how unique it is here. 

British-style touches sit alongside Spanish and Mediterranean surroundings, creating a character like no other.  

This British territory had iconic red phone booths and red Royal Mail pillar boxes scattered along Grand Castmates Square. 

Even though it wasn't quite noon, we stopped for a pint and fish and chips at Venture Inn. This Irish pub was welcoming, warm, and cozy, with Irish relics and memorabilia adorning the walls. Rugby played on a loop on the TV. There were seats outside, but as the establishment was on an incline, so were the seats, so we opted to sit inside (safer not to spill the drinks!). 

After Gibraltar, our cruise brought us to Ibiza, possibly the most famous island in the Mediterranean. Ibiza is a Balearic island and well known for its nightlife. We took a guided tour through Dalt Vila, a historic walled old town with cobblestone streets; saw some of the markets; and ended at a beach. 

Our next stop was Palma de Mallorca, another beautiful Spanish island. We spent time at a resort soaking up the sun, enjoying drinks and food, and seeing some of the town. 

Mallorca is famous for the ensaimada, a soft, spiral-shaped pastry dusted with powdered sugar. It was good, but I preferred the pastry in Lisbon more. 

This was our last port before our cruise ended in Barcelona. 

The cruise had a farewell party with great music and dancing. It was sad to pack up our suitcase and say goodbye to our home for the week. We grew accustomed to waking up in a new destination and exploring what it had to offer, trying new foods/drinks. We enjoyed so much on board as we sailed between stops. But our adventure wasn't quite over as we decided to spend two extra days in Barcelona before flying back home. 

After spending so many days moving from port to port, it was nice to drop off our suitcase at the Hotel Continental Barcelona (recommended by our friend Kayla) and have a little more time in one place. The hotel was centrally located and had a 24-hour free snack and drink buffet. We were able to slow down, soak up the atmosphere, and enjoy the city without having to worry about getting back to the ship. We enjoyed the Tuk-Tuk tour so much in Lisbon that we booked one in Barcelona. 

We saw many iconic landmarks, including Gaudi's masterpieces—from the iconic Sagrada Familia and the colourful Casa Batllo—to the Olympic Port and the majestic views from Montjuic. It was a beautiful city, and the architectural design was breathtaking. 

That night, we bought tickets for flamenco dancing. The show took place in a very intimate atmosphere (only 30 guests per show) at the Casa Sors in Barcelona. 

The family business began in 1972, and the acoustics were exceptional in this old recording studio. They also had a guitar museum in the front of the store. They served cocktails and tapas at an extra cost. The experience was exceptional as we could feel the talent and passion in these performers. 

The singing, guitar and dancing transported us. It was a unique experience, and I would recommend this to anyone visiting Spain. 

The weather was extremely hot during our visit, so we spent part of our final day on Nova Icaria beach, swimming in the Mediterranean. For our last night, we went to the Dow Jones Bar (my nephew discovered this must-go-to bar on TikTok), where the price of drinks goes up and down like the stock market. We then went for an amazing dinner before finishing the night with drinks at our hotel. Barcelona was the perfect place to finish our annual sibling adventure. 

From the colourful streets of Lisbon to the caves of Portimao, the historic beauty of Cadiz and Granada, the unique character of Gibraltar, and the Mediterranean charm of Ibiza and Mallorca, every stop had given us something different. We walked thousands of steps, took a lot of pictures, and ate and drank way too much. Most of all, though, the trip was about spending time together. I look forward to these trips each year, and this one provided us with countless memories, stories, and laughs. 

Thanks for reading.

~MT

 

Kirby

It's so hard to believe an entire year has passed. A total of 365 days without seeing you. Countless times I came into the house and was not greeted by you with a toy in your mouth. No longer sharing my bed each night with your warmth comforting me. You were such an integral part of my life for 14 years. You no longer being here just feels hollow; the pain in my heart is still present. 

No other dog will ever be able to replace you. I miss you all the time, my sweet boy. I know you're with Mom, Pacey, and Lucy. While that provides some comfort, I wish you were still here with me. 

You were the very best, Kirby. And because of that, you are greatly missed. XOXO

And Just Like That...It's Over

When Sex and the City premiered in June of 1998, I was living in Japan. The show hadn't made its way there yet (there were no streaming services like today), and I was limited to popular shows from home. The video store had some English movies, but the variety was lacking, and Netflix was still years away. As much as I treasured my Japanese dramas (Beach Boys and Love Generation), I still craved a good show from home. I had read Candace Bushnell's novel, Sex and the City, so I was looking forward to the TV adaptation. 

My friend Kate's student travelled to the U.S. in 2000 and was able to procure a box set of DVDs. We made plans to binge the entire season while sharing wine and pizza. As soon as we heard the opening static of the HBO intro, we were hooked. When the music cued up, we saw Sarah Jessica Parker walking the streets of New York in the most fabulous outfit, just before getting splashed by a bus with an ad for her own newspaper column. 

Watching these four women navigate their 30s as single women in New York was refreshing. They were polar opposites, but they were still close. Kate and I barely took a break while we marathon-watched the entire box set. I was so enchanted by the show that when I stepped out of Kate's apartment to return to my own, I experienced culture shock. After watching all that English TV and seeing the New York sites, I momentarily forgot I resided in Shizuoka. I quickly returned to earth as I hopped on my bicycle (not hailing a yellow taxi) and rode by rice fields and pachinko parlours.

It was an escape. 

Eventually, I would watch all six seasons and then watch the two movies that followed. The fashion, Cosmopolitans, and all the men and obstacles Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte, and Miranda went through made the viewer feel like they were right there along for the ride. It was sad to say goodbye to these characters when the show came to an end. 

Then in 2021, HBO Max announced there would be a revival, And Just Like That..., with 3 of the 4 main characters returning. The show would take place 11 years after the movie Sex and the City 2, where we see the women navigating life in their 50s. While I was excited to see these women again, the 3 seasons of And Just Like That... didn't feel the same as the original. It was often too woke and cringey, and it felt like the characters were no longer the same women we once adored. The acting and writing were just bad, with huge gaps in the plot. If they had evolved as characters, it would have been fine, but it was as if they forgot who they were. The show was a disappointment, but I still hate-watched it faithfully. It wasn't the same without Kim Cattrall, and the writing fell short. On August 14th, after 27 years, we bid farewell to Carrie Bradshaw and the girls.

I will return to the original series because it feels somewhat therapeutic and nostalgic witnessing these friends talk, laugh, fight, and love each other. It will remind me of my friend Kate, who is still living in Japan. I am grateful for this franchise. It taught women to have fun with fashion, to love themselves, and that life doesn't end at 30. I just think they deserved a better ending. 

~MT

Come Sail Away

On July 13th, my sister and I boarded the Celebrity Solstice in Vancouver, B.C., setting sail to Alaska. Prior to this trip, I had only been on a 4-day cruise in Greece and Turkey. For months before the cruise, we did our homework and research, joining Celebrity and Alaska Facebook groups, which provided a plethora of tips on what to pack and what excursions to take. After a wonderful visit with family in B.C., we got dropped off at the Port of Vancouver, dumped our luggage, sailed through customs, and boarded the ship. Our room was almost ready, so we changed into our bathing suits and went exploring. It was a beautiful sunny day in B.C. We secured lounge chairs at the pool and dipped into the water. We spent the next few hours here until the ship set sail. 

It would take two days until we reached our first port, and we were eager to experience all the activities the ship had to offer. Trivia, karaoke, scavenger hunts, live entertainment, and dance parties, as well as a variety of food and drinks, were all recommended.

After unpacking and settling in, we sat on the balcony watching B.C. pass us by. 

We were told to set our clocks back an hour that night, making it a 4-hour time difference. 

ICY POINT STRAIT

We sailed the Inside Passage—a coastal waterway that spans 500 miles of pristine Alaskan wilderness. Our first stop was Icy Strait Point Hoonah, the only privately owned cruise port in Alaska. The word "Hoonah" means "where the north wind doesn't blow. " The town is only 7.3 square miles with a population of 765, being the home of the largest Tlingit community in Alaska. 

Boarding a smaller boat, we embarked on a whale-watching excursion. Icy Point has one of the largest humpback whale populations. We spent a few hours navigating the area, cameras poised at the ready for when a whale would spout, then emerge. Seeing them in their natural habitat was majestic. We also spotted a dolphin and sea otters. 

After the boat tour, we took the free gondola to Wilderness Landing. We feasted on reindeer chili and beer from the Alaskan Brewing Co. Both were delicious! 

HUBBARD GLACIER

The next day we awoke to cooler temperatures as we came upon Hubbard Glacier, the largest tidewater glacier on the North American continent. It's located in both Alaska and Canada's Yukon Territory. Standing at 11,000 feet above sea level, the glacier stretches 76 miles. If Hubbard Glacier continues to advance, it will close the seaward entrance of Russell Fjord and create the largest glacier-dammed lake in North America. 

It was peaceful floating through the ice chunks and getting as close to the glacier as possible. We could hear what sounded like thunder, which was in fact the glacier calving, where massive chunks of ice break off the glacier and fall into the water. We heard crackling and popping sounds as our ship slowly glided through the chunks of ice. 

JUNEAU

We sailed into Juneau, the capital of Alaska, which was founded during a gold rush in 1880. Accessible by plane or boat only, Juneau is a cultural hub rich in Indigenous heritage. 

While driving along the Gastineau Channel on our way to the dog sled summer camp, we were fortunate to see a bear (from the safety of our vehicle). We soon arrived at Sheep Creek Valley, where we learned the history of dogsledding. We then climbed aboard a wheeled training cart and enjoyed an adventure through the rainforest with our dogsled team and musher. Back at camp, we got to pet and spend time with the dogs, as well as visit a 19th-century replica of an Iditarod outpost. The Iditarod is an annual long-distance sled dog race held in Alaska and travels from Anchorage to Nome. Mushers and their teams cover the distance in 8-15 days across approximately 1000 miles. It began in 1973 and is a highly competitive race. 

After learning about the Iditarod, we got to snuggle with the puppies before heading back to downtown Juneau. At only 5 months old, they were so cute!

We arranged a car rental to continue exploring Juneau. Making our way to Mendenhall Glacier and Nugget Falls, we spotted quite a few bald eagles. There are 32,000 people residing in Juneau and approximately 30,000 bald eagles. It was raining when we arrived at Mendenhall, but we were still able to enjoy the trails and the beautiful scenery. 

Other stops in Juneau included the National Shrine of St. Therese, Auke Bay, and a grocery store to compare costs (which, to be honest, weren't as pricey as I had anticipated). Heading back downtown, we discovered the Kooteeyaa Deiyi, or totem pole trail, along the waterfront. 

Nearby, we got to admire the Alaska Whale Sculpture known as Tahku. It's a life-scale bronze whale sculpture of a breaching humpback. 

All the exploring made us hungry, so we stopped in at the Twisted Fish Company for Alaskan King Crab. While the prices were steep at $80 per pound, it was delicious and totally worth it. My sister opted for the halibut, and it was also very good. Additionally, it cost me the T-shirt I was wearing since I got butter all over it. 

We dropped off the car rental with just enough time to pay homage to Patsy Ann, the bull terrier statue along the port. This dog is celebrated for her unique role as the "Official Greeter of Juneau." She arrived in Juneau in the 1930s, and although born deaf, she had an uncanny ability to sense the arrival of ships at the port. Patsy Ann died in 1942 but was such a beloved member of the community that they erected a statue of her, overlooking the cruise ships as they came into port. 

KETCHIKAN

The last port on the cruise was Ketchikan, which means "Thundering Wings of an Eagle." The town got its name as it is in the perfect shape of an eagle in flight. It's surrounded by the dense Tongass Forest and is famous for its abundant salmon, totem poles, and Creek Street. This town also takes the crown of having the most rain in Alaska, averaging 250+ days a year. Fortunately it was sunny the day we arrived. 

Our first stop was to visit the Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show. Paying homage to the city's lumber history, two teams of lumberjacks compete for the title of "King of the Woods." One team represented the Spruce Mill team of Ketchikan, while the other represented the Dawson Creek team of the Yukon (go Canada!). There were 13 events in total, including axe throwing, chainsaw carving, logrolling, speed climbing, and woodchopping. The boys were certainly entertaining! After the show, we walked for about 10 minutes to Creek Street. 

              Creek Street is actually a boardwalk mounted on stilts on a high slope on the east side of Ketchikan Creek. This location was infamous as being the red-light district until 1954. The brothels were outlawed and shut down at that time. Numerous houses of prostitution sprang up supported by wooden stilts. Winding into the hills above Creek Street is Married Man's Way, a trail used by patrons of the brothels to escape raids.

Before leaving Ketchikan, we stopped in at the Arctic Bar for a Duck Fart Shot. It's a potent, layered shot that mixes 1/3 Kahlúa, 1/3 Baileys Irish Cream, and 1/3 whisky. I'm not sure where the name came from, but it was tasty! 

Back on the ship, we sat on the balcony as we pulled away from the quaint town. 

Ketchikan was our final port, and for the next day we enjoyed sailing back towards Vancouver, taking in the entertainment, the balcony, and the beautiful weather.                                                            

Both my sister and I enjoyed this cruise immensely and already talked about looking at another cruise in 2026. This trip did not disappoint. It was hard to return home after seeing such beautiful scenery, but I look forward to where the next trip takes me. 

As always, thanks for reading. 

~MT