Traveling

The World of Blogs

2007-06-06T11:14:00.000-05:00

Blogs have a variety of different uses; as learning tools, for catching up on the news, and for expressing your own personal experiences and beliefs, which may be described as both good and bad. Blogs can be good for expressing your opinions, while they can be bad for the exact same reason because your words can get you into trouble. When you first click on the icon to the internet, you are entering the world of blogs whether you know it or not. Blogs flood the world wide web bearing both horns and a halo.

Blogs are used daily by diverse people everywhere. This can range from teens to businessmen, from wives to celebrities, and everyone in-between. People check the news online, they might research information for their jobs or for school, they may also use them for their own personal enjoyment, or for the sole purpose of entertainment. Some blogs may be a mixture between both news and entertainment, such as www.theonion.com. When you visit this website you will find news blogs about different events happening in the world, but with a humorous twist.

For many people, blogging is a way to express themselves. They are free to write about anything and everything. This can range from their everyday life, opinions, stories, jobs, beliefs, and so on. Blogs may be the only way a person can tell how they feel or things that they are going through that they may not be able to talk about any other way. This is not always a good thing though. It isn't unheard of that some people talk about their bosses or co-workers in their blogs, and they don't always talk about how great they are. In fact, it is usually the complete opposite. This can lead to big trouble. There are so many different blogs on the internet, that it is sometimes assumed that no one will read or find your blog, which is not true at all. Someone could decide to Google a co-workers name and come across their blog, which can lead to potential problems depending on what is talked about, and who is reading it. "All bloggers...would be wise to write as if their bosses, future bosses or grandmothers were reading over their shoulders", states www.blueskyresumes.com in their blog about the pros and cons of blogging. It can also be against a corporations policy to have a blog due to privacy matters. "While blogs have a legitimate use, online journals pose serious threats to enterprise confidentiality, integrity, and availability", as stated in an article at www.researchandmarkets.com.

So it is always good to be aware of the things you write about in your blog, if you do not you may get falsely accused of something you didn’t do. One recent example of this involved the Virginia Tech killings. Police and detectives were still trying to uncover the gunman and came across a blog containing coincidental information from an Asian student. The blog was written by Wayne Chiang, a 23-year-old student at Virginia Tech. His blog contained information about his love of guns and even how he had recently gone their a bad break-up just like Cho Seung-Hui, the actual gunman. The news started spreading the story and Chiang had to inform them that he was not the killer, and had to post this information on his blog. You can visit his website and read about him, and the things he went through dealing with the accusations at http://wanusmaximus.livejournal.com/.

The majority of blogs are used for positive use, but some are used mainly for negativity or hostility. This simple form of communication or expression can be found as a horrible thing, or an item used to incriminate others, whether they really are guilty, or if they happen to be innocent. Internet users have to be aware of their surroundings online, and their own actions online by using blogs wisely. Like stated before: "All bloggers...would be wise to write as if their bosses, future bosses or grandmothers were reading over their shoulders". Blogs have come a long way since when they were first discovered. They can be seen all over the web from sites that are educational, personal, or even news related, and have become very useful to people today due to the high operation of computers. As soon as your mouse clicks on the internet icon, you are entering the world of blogs.

Traveling Interview

2007-05-25T10:33:00.000-05:00

Q: Why did you choose to write your blog about traveling?
R: I chose to write about traveling in my blog because I love it. I love to travel and see new places in the world. It thrills me. I can list so many places I have been to and tell you all about them. Every place has something new, and something exciting to see or do. I guess it would be my dream job to be a travel places and write about my experience. (So if anyone who works for the Travel Channel ever looks at my blog....) So I would say that I chose traveling because it is my passion and joy.
Q: What do you hope people learn from your writing?
R: I mainly hope that people gain a learning and appreciation of places on this Earth. I just want them to be able to have the same experiences I have had, and if I can help them out with a little bit of information about a specific place I'm satisfied. I find it inspirational that my words can make someone want to visit a certain island, state, or country.
Q: What have you learned from this experience?
R: I would have to say that I have learned that I love traveling and that it is something I am interested in persuing in my career. I never really knew what I wanted to do in life for certain and this has shed some light in that part of my life. I am not sure what exact job I would like to have in travel, but as long as it makes me happy and it is something I enjoy doing everyday, I'm sure it will be perfect.
Q: What blog entry did you enjoy writing the most?
R: This is a hard question because I enjoyed writing all of them. If I had to choose I would probably say my blog about Nassau Bahamas. It was a very fun topic to write about, and I would love to visit there again. Never does it stop amazing me, no matter how many times I go there. I mean the Atlantis Hotel is just so huge and incredible. So that would have to be my favorite blog I've written.
Q: Will you continue writing your blogs even after your class ends?
R: I am not sure yet if I will continue writing or not. I guess it depends on if I visit any new places, and if people would like me to continue my blog or not. If not, I'm sure I'll always keep it so I can look back and read about everything.

St. Maarten

2007-05-18T09:51:00.000-05:00

Located between the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea is the island of St. Maarten. It covers 37 square miles, and Dutch & French are the official languages, although English is spoken everywhere.

The island has many sights and attractions to visit. It offers activities such as hiking, mountain biking, climbing, tennis, and those are only onshore. Aquatic activities like snorkeling, parasailing, renting wave runners, or riding on the banana boat are great fun. You could spend hours in the countless shops and boutiques on the island.

When I was in St. Maarten, my family and I escaped to the beach to relax. We decided on Orient Beach. It was a clothing optional beach which seemed to be the only draw back (since most of the nude people were over the age of 60). The water was a beautiful blue, and the sand was a blistering hot white, like most in the world.

With all the things St. Maarten has to offer, I could see no reason why anyone would not want to visit.

Cruising

2007-05-16T08:50:00.000-05:00

I believe that vacationing on cruise ships may be one of the best things I have ever experienced, and I am not the only one who thinks this way. The blog I chose to write about was an informative and opinionated review of a cruise that a woman (Alice) and her family took on the ship Navigator of the Seas. The review can be found at www.cruisecritic.com, and is simply titled "Royal Caribbean International, Navigator of the Seas". Alice tells about their journey traveling to their port of call, Miami, and boarding the ship. Once onboard they explored the ship and went to find their cabin. She explains the experience that they had onboard, the shows, food, entertainment, the staff, the ports of call and the things they liked.

I enjoyed reading this review, because I too liked many of the same things her and her family found interesting or enjoyable on the boat, and have cruised on the same ship. There was one thing I found very different about our travel experiences. In the beginning of the blog, Alice says that she and her family did not have to wait long in the lines of the pier terminal. Maybe they got there at a slower time than we did, but of all the four times I have been on a cruise; the lines have always been very long in the terminal. The last cruise I went on was by far the worst. My family and I stood in line until our whole body went numb with boredom. I was so excited to get on the boat that I felt like a child trying to sleep the night before Christmas; you never can, and the minutes feel like hours because you are so anxious. When comparing my experience with hers, I can relate to almost everything, and feel the same way.

Like the author, my family and I had to wear very casual clothes to dinner the same day we boarded the ship, since the luggage does not usually arrive until 6:30 or so, which can be a hassle if you packed something you needed right away in it. At dinner, I too found our waiter to be magnificent, and was always there to be of help or service. There is not just the main dining area, there are also other restaurants as well such as Johnny Rockets. "Johnny Rockets was a dinner choice one night, but it wasn’t what we expected, so we didn’t return". Unlike the author and her family, I enjoyed eating at Johnny Rockets and went there several times. The Windjammer buffet was another dining option. My family and I ate there everyday. We would go there for breakfast, lunch, and even sometimes dinner if we missed our dining time. "Lunches were usually in the Windjammer mainly due to time restraints", which seemed to play a role in Alice’s experience too when they would dine there.

There are countless activities on the ship like a rock climbing wall, golf, swimming pools, the casino, and other bar activities. I enjoyed the experience of the rock climbing wall and even losing in putt-putt. The author and her husband liked playing the slots in the casino, which I will admit had me addicted most of the cruise. The different activities and trivia games offered in the bars were also very amusing to my family and I, as well as by Alice. Her children were not allowed to roam the ship alone because they thought it would create too much trouble such as; disturbing guests, or staff; which I believe is not true. I understand not letting her younger ten and twelve year olds explore alone, but I believe her sixteen year old should be allowed. I would wander alone on the ship all the time when I was sixteen and it never lead to too much trouble. Besides at night there aren’t too many things to get into when you are sixteen. The teen club closes, and the adult club checks i.d’s.
A thought of the author’s that I do agree with is the fact that the staff on the ship is very friendly. I met some great crew members onboard on my previous cruise. We actually hung out and even exchanged emails so we could stay in touch. The shows and entertainment on the boat were incredible. Alice tells about how her children enjoyed seeing them, and how she loved the Love and Marriage show. I first saw this show on my last cruise and also found it to be a hoot. Tears were streaming down my face I was laughing so hard. The author then tells about the ports of call and what they did on each island. I was in total agreement with her belief that St.Thomas is very beautiful. The water is crystal clear, and the shopping is always fun.

Disembarking the ship was always a sad day for me. It meant vacation was over, but the process of leaving the ship is well organized and easy. Like the author I LOVED the ship and would definitely return to it and would recommend it to anyone!

Why should you travel to Ohio? (Looking outside of the box)

2007-05-11T10:58:00.000-05:00

1) GREAT PARKS
Ohio has great amusement parks. One was even voted the best amusement park on Earth...Cedar Point. It is located right by Lake Erie, which does not hurt its appeal. Another fun park is Kings Island. Both include tons of great roller coaster rides, and some good exercise.
2) INDIAN EARTH MOUNDS
Newark, Ohio, has some of the oldest Indian mounds in the world. They are over 2,000 years old and they are a great mystery. The mounds are thought to be a huge lunar calendar, whereas; the mounds in Chillicothe are a solar calendar. It is an incredible sight to see how precise the mounds are (height, measurements, and how accuarte they are). How could these people with such limited technology, and tools create such works of art?
3)ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME
Located in Cleveland, Ohio, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is a must see if you love music. There are so many different things to see; rock stars guitars, outfits, lyrics, history and background of music, and so much more. Check it out.
4) FACTORIES
As shown on "Made in America" show, is the only whistle factory in the United States, which is located in Columbus, Ohio. You can go visit and see how they make whistles, and maybe even find out why they put that little ball in there. Another great factory to visit is the Longaberger Co. This company makes baskets, and is a huge influence in Dresden, Ohio. There is also a huge basket building located in Newark, Ohio.
5) THE PEOPLE
Come visit Ohio and meet some great people too!

Niagara Falls: Part ll

2007-05-04T10:01:00.000-05:00

I've decided to write about Niagara Falls again to inform you about my time there this past weekend. Honors students, faculty members, and I left bright and early at 700 on Friday morning for Canada. It was a long drive there, but I slept most of the time and got to know the people I was going to be with for the next three days. After crossing the boarder we went directly to our hotel to get cleaned up. My roommate and a few others went for a quick swim in the pool, then we got ready to go see St. Joan play at the Shaw Festival. The play was magnificent. The actors did a great job, they made you forget you were watching a play.
When we arrived back at the hotel a few of us decided to go out and find a pub to go to. After walking in search of a bar we came across The Blue Lagoon. When I first walked in it looked like a biker club gone bad. There was a mixture of older guys and some people our age sitting around. The dance floor was bare and I thought to myself that this was going to be boring. After a few drinks everyone loosened up and started to have a good time. We ordered shots and laughed the night away. We stumbled back to the hotel and passed out. After about four hours of sleep we had to get up to meet in the lobby of the hotel so we could go to the Butterfly Conservatory and eat lunch at the Hard Rock Cafe. I love butterflies, but I'm sure I would have enjoyed the experience even more if I hadn't been still feeling the over affects of the night before. We spent about an hour or so at the Butterfly Convservatory and headed to get some lunch. I wasn't in the mood to eat anything so I just drank a milkshake, and tried not to think about how it reminded me of the mudslides I had at the bar.
We left the Hard Rock Cafe and went to see the falls. We walked for what seemed like miles and then walked even more back to the shops after seeing the falls. We shopped for a short period of time and then headed back toward the hotel (which was about two miles away). On the way I stopped to buy a little something for my boyfriend and then decided to walk to Hooters with another student since it was kind of on the way back. The walk was a little further than expected, and my legs were killing me! After what seemed like hours of walking, we finally made it back to the hotel. We weren't sure what to go and do so we headed to "The Beer Store" and bought a few beverages of choice (Sex on the Beach is the best the drink ever!). We were in there for awhile trying to decide what we each wanted, and after making our purchases we partied back in the hotel room. Everyone downed their drinks and wanted to stay at the hotel, but myself and three others decided to go out. We got a taxi and went to the casino to gamble for a bit. We didn't stay more than fifteen minutes, and only spent about $5 before we got bored with it (besides we had American money and the machines would only take Canadian) so we grabbed another taxi and went to the main strip to find a club. We decided on a club called "Mardi Gras" and danced the night away. My legs were so sore the next day, but it was well worth it. I loved seeing the signs that say "Under 19? Don't think about it". It was so odd since I'm used to seeing them same signs but with the age of 21. It felt damn good!
After the club we took the party back to our hotel room and loudly sat around talking (we got yelled at for being so loud). I was one of the last to finally pass out and go to sleep. I got about four hours of sleep before I had to wake up and pack my luggage. Everyone boarded the bus and we heaed for Niagara on the Lake so we could do some shopping and then go to see Mack and Mable. Well the combination of a musical with my lack of sleep was not so good. I fell asleep quite a few times. From what I did manage to stay awake for was good. Right after the play we headed back to Ohio. We finally got home around 1:00 in the morning, and although I didn't want to come home, because that meant responsibility, but it was nice to be back.

Cruising for Dummies: Ten Things You Should Know

2007-04-26T22:30:00.000-05:00

1) PACK ESSENTIALS IN YOUR CARRY ON

One thing most people do not know about their luggage is that is typically does not arrive until three or four hours after you have boarded the ship. It usually comes RIGHT before or during the first dinner time. So it is important to pack things you will need or want with your carry on, such as: bathing suits, or important paperwork.

2) BRING LOTS OF MONEY

This is a major must. There are not only a ton of cool things to buy, but staff pays to pay, the cost of alcoholic drinks, and the extra charges to get in Johnny Rockets. You can put money on the room key they give you. They charge things you buy on the ship on this card. Everything you buy onboard is charged on this card and you pay what you owe at the end of the cruise. It is easier to just put money on it and try not to abuse it like a credit card.

3) GET TO SHOWS AND EVENTS EARLY

Being early to shows is a must. Seats fill up fast! Also events that are held on the deck, or on the promenade get packed with people and you may not get the best view if you do not get there early.

4) EXPECT TO WALK A LOT

There are many, many sets of stairs on the ship. It also may be quite a walk to your cabin, especially if you are on the complete opposite end of the boat from where your cabin is loacted.

5) EXPLORE TO GET A FEEL FOR WHERE THINGS ARE

Once you board the ship it is always good to walk around and find where specific places/things are located. Even after spending four days on the ship, I would still get lost or forget where places where. It is a lot to remember.

6) MAKE RESERVATIONS EARLY

If you want to eat at some of the nicer restaurants onboard, you need to make reservations early so you can reserve a spot because they fill up quick. The same goes for getting tickets to see the ice show. Get them as soon as you can.

7) DON'T BE SHY, GET INVOLVED

Do not be afraid to take part in activities offered onboard like ice skating, karaoke, guys sexy leg contest, water volleyball and countess other. Even if you aren't the best just try, it is fun and the people always cheer you on no matter how bad you are. (You can even ask my Dad about this, he can prove this point by telling you about his karaoke experience.)

8) TAKE YOUR OWN PICTURES AT DINNER

At dinner there are always photographers taking pictures of families and couples before they go in to eat. It is very professional and there are nice backgrounds. It is free to get your picture taken, but they are extremely expensive. So it is best to just take your own pictures.

9) WATCH FOR PEOPLE OFFERING/SELLING THINGS TO YOU ON THE ISLANDS

There are always locals hasseling you to buy a necklace, get your hair braided or go parasailing. If you want to buy something or get your hair in corn rows then go for it, but they are everywhere when you get off the ship, and at the different beaches.

10) AND FINALLY...RELAX AND HAVE FUN

Enjoy yourself, that is what vacation is all about. Oh and wear sunscreen, sunburns suck!!!

Tennessee

2007-04-20T10:20:00.000-05:00

I've been to Tennessee countless times and the beauty of the land along with the entertainment never cease to amaze me.The Smokey Mountains are probably one of the most beautiful things I have seen in my life. During the fall the sight is even more spectacular. The mountainside resembles a sea of red, orange, yellow and brown.
There are many different parks and trails to visit and hike. The parks offer a lot of insight about various animals that can be seen throughout the hills, such as lions, tigers, and bears! OH MY! Well okay, Tennessee doesn’t really have lions and tigers, but there are bears. My family and I were driving and ran into a backup of cars and people with cameras. We looked to the right off the side of the road and saw about three brown bears. My heart raced in both fear and excitement. It was a little frightening since I’d never seen any bears in the wild before, and for that same reason it was thrilling.
My family and I hiked a path to see a waterfall, and I didn’t know what I was getting into. I can’t remember how far the trail was exactly, but I do remember thinking it wouldn’t take too long. Well....the thing is, the path was very long, or so it seemed. It was an extremely hot day out, and the time of year when bugs were everywhere. Hiking uphill on a hot fall day was horrible, and it made the distance feel twice as long. It was all well worth it when we FINALLY arrived at the waterfall. It was beautiful. The waterfall was a lot bigger than I had imagined it would be, and it had a few levels to it that people were climbing to. That was one hike I definitely do again, but maybe when it’s not so hot out.
Whenever we visit the Smokey Mountains we go on a helicopter ride over the mountains and specific areas. It’s a great opportunity to ride a helicopter for the first time, or see the beauty of Tennessee from the sky. If anyone has ever seen the show "Christie" that used to be on (back in the early 90's I believe), with the school teacher, that was set back in the hills of Tennessee. My family and I actually went there (well trespassed) and walked through the school and church in the show. Learn more about it. Read about the show. It was a very cool experience, and I thank God we didn’t go to jail.

I love Tennessee and wouldn’t mind returning there sometime soon, nor would I mind possible living there someday. The beauty of the mountains and wildlife always captivates me, and takes my breath away.

The Hassles of Vacationing

2007-04-18T10:22:00.000-05:00

Traveling, and vacationing can be great, but the hassles that come with it are not. The first thing I have to worry about is packing. This is the part I hate the most. It takes too much thought and creative cramming. I tend to always over pack too. Take my last vacation for example, it was a seven day cruise to San Juan, Puerto Rico, St. Thomas, and Nassau, and I packed enough clothes to last me a month. Maybe it is just because I am a girl, and we tend to do such things. The hardest part of packing is trying to fit everything I want to bring into one suitcase. My suitcase was overflowing with shirts, shorts, styling products inside of plastic bags, and shoes of every shape and color. I had to put it by the edge of a trampoline and jump onto it with twenty pound weights in each hand while my parents tried to zip it shut. Every item had to be in a certain spot in order to make it all fit, in a way it worked my mind just like a puzzle, trying to figure out where that piece needs to go in order for it all to work. I sat there on my bed with a wrinkle in my forehead from going through my daily routines, and trying to think about all the little things I needed. I thought about this for a long time, and re-played it in my head to make sure I had thought of everything, but somehow it still felt like I was forgetting something. I knew better than to sit around wondering what it could be, since most likely it was just my mind playing games with me.

The part of this trip my family and I struggled with the most was fitting the luggage into the car. We looked like a pack of cavemen all huddled around a bow and arrow, scratching our heads in deep thought as to how this was going to fit. The clothes going into the suitcase seemed like a puzzle that led us to a larger puzzle; arranging the luggage in the car so that everything would seem to belong.

Our flight was at 8:30 in the morning, so that meant getting up around the time I usually go to bed. Of course we had to get there early and wait in line to be frisked and personally violated. It was just wonderful! After all of that jazz, came the dreaded waiting period. We found our terminal and just sat around for an hour or so listening to the announcement of "not to leave your luggage unattended, because unattended luggage will be confiscated", playing every five minutes while we became feebleminded by the lack of stimulation occurring in our brains. I might as well have been locked up in a padded room rocking back and worth while listening to the same noise over and over again.

I am not sure that I should even bring up the food situation. All the sitting around on the cold pleather seats managed to get my stomach rumbling. I ventured off in search of a food stand. The smell of cinnamon and fresh coffee lifted me up by my nose and reeled me in. Like a little kid at Christmas time, I anxiously waited until it was my turn. I gave them my order and they rang me up. After paying them, I looked into my wallet only to see cobwebs of desolation.

When it finally came time to board the plane, we were taken by tram to what I thought was a matchbox. The plane was so small you had to crouch down to avoid hitting your head on the ceiling. Sitting there for two hours was awkward. You had as much leg room as a seven foot man trying to fit in a kids toy car. It was ridiculous. We managed to survive, and with only a few dozen charley horses, my family and I started our vacation.

Boarding the cruise ship is a very long process. We had to wait in more lines, but at least there were cookies and drinks offered to us. Unlike the airport they were free. The wait is well worth it though once we got on the ship. My jaw hit the floor in amazement. I had seen pictures of the inside and different parts of the boat, but they do not do to it justice at all. I never in my wildest dreams could have prepared myself for that first step into the ship.

I do believe that next time I go on vacation I am going to bring one empty piece of luggage with me. I always buy tons of things like purses and shirts. If it was already hard enough to fit the puzzle pieces together before we left, now it was definitely going to be a challenge. I had all of the items I brought, along with the new things I bought and was bringing back. Even if I did not buy anything, it’s still a challenge re-packing, and still never seems to fit as well as it did before, and I spent way too much time on it.

When our vacation was over we headed back to the Miami Airport to fly home. Again we had to go through the usual chaos and stress of long lines, waiting, high prices on food, waiting, hearing the same announcement, oh and waiting. We did get on a plane that was a little larger then the previous one we came on. We were treated with only the best...peanuts and pop again. Yum!

One of the most stressful parts of our vacation was retrieving our luggage. My parents and I tied various colors of tape and yarn to our bags so we could find them easily. It still took at least a half an hour though because they were mixed with other bags too. Getting to them was definitely an obstacle. We had to shove our way through people and try to grab a very heavy, moving item, while not falling or throwing our backs out. It was like we were training for the army, and we had to run around poles and grab a body that was floating by. Retrieving our luggage was no simple task.

This experience and others like them have helped me in many ways. I now understand what is going to take place before I reach my vacation destination and how to deal with it. While packing will always be stressful, I can pack lighter which will help. The lines for security at the airport will also never change, (most likely not for the better) but I can double and triple check that I am not wearing anything metal and that I left my guns (except for my muscles) at home. As for the food, or lack thereof, we have learned to bring our own snacks. Vacations may seem like a job, with all the work you have to put into it, and there may be chaos and stress before hand, but it is all worth it for a little relaxation.

Nassau, Bahamas

2007-04-13T10:18:00.000-05:00

Bermuda, Bahama, you know you wanna. Nassau, Bahamas, a place I love visiting because of the beauty and attractions. The first time I ever went to Nassau was terrific. I was excited to go to the beach and see what the island had to offer. Like most islands, there are the occasional run down areas, but the nicer parts definatly over shadow them.

When my family and I arrived on the island we grabbed a taxi and headed to Paradise Island (a specific part of the island) to go see the Atlantis Hotel. Once we got there my jaw immediatly dropped. It's huge! The outside of the hotel is painted a caribbean pink and is decorated with oceanic creatures and objects, and countless fountains. The enterance of the hotel consists of two massive ten foot iron doors. You walk into a huge lobby that has stairs that lead down to the dining room, and an aquarium full of tropical fish, sting rays, and sharks. To the left when you enter the lobby is the casino. It is filled with statues and artwork of all sorts. One main theme you will find throughout the hotel is glass artwork. There are also detailed paintings on the ceilings of angels, Gods, and the different zodiac signs.

Not only does the hotel have beauty, it also has amazing shops. In the hotel there are many different, expensive shops with brand goods such as Gucci and Rolex. The shops are not the only expensive things, the rooms are not cheap at all. The cheapest room in the hotel is around $300 a night, while the most expensive is about $2400 a night.
The hotel does offer great activities to the guests staying there. You can snorkel, swim with stingrays, or just relax by the private pool and bar area. My family and I though go to a beach a mile or so away. It is a little hidden behind a hill that you have to walk up and over. It actually makes it even more spectacular to see. Once you come up over the hill you are taken back by the white sand and crystal clear water before you.
On our most recent trip to Nassau, we re-visited this beach only to find rough water, huge waves, and the shoreline all tore up from a recent storm. We decided to head back to the ship so we walked up toward a hotel just off the beach. Once inside we got some water and the hotel called for a taxi to come pick us up. Little did we know an Excursion would be taking us back. (This is awesome and rare since most taxis are just large vans with no air conditioning that can fit ten, but the drivers always cram in fourteen) If anyone has seen the movie Casino Royale that just came out, the hotel Bond stays in during the beginning of the movie, is the same hotel we were in. It's pretty cool.

So if you ever go on a cruise and travel to Nassau check out the Atlantis Hotel and the beach behind it. Beware of the locals trying to braid your hair, sell you purses, bracelets, and drugs, they are everywhere!!! Have fun, and be prepared with a credit card if you want to buy anything from the Atlantis Hotel.

Picture: The Atlantis Hotel

Picture: The aquarium in the Atlantis Hotel, me pretening to be smooching a fish. I'll try to find more pictures to add for everyone to see.

Canada

2007-04-05T09:11:00.000-05:00

Ever traveled to Canada eh? If not let me inform you about an exciting place to visit there called Niagra Falls. This is a very beautiful place to see. There is a lot to do and see here other than just the falls. There are tons of shops, arcades, clubs and restaurants. Also you can see the horror houses and museums that they have to offer. Of course the main reason for visting Niagra Falls are the falls itself. There is the American side of the falls, and the Canadian side, which has the Horseshoe falls. You can go on a "journey behind the falls" which is where you can explore tunnels that led you behind the falls. There is also the Maid of the Mist ride you can go on. You put on a plastic raincoat and board a ferry that takes you right into the mist of the falls. These are just a few of the many activites you will find involving the falls. At night there are different colored spot lights that are shown on the water of the falls. It is very beautiful because they change colors, and light the falls up magnificently. There is quite a night life at Niagra Falls. On the strip there are bars and clubs to dance and drink the night away. Also you can visit the many souvenir shops they have. If you are in the mood to have some fun, check out the arcades or go to the casino. The Hershey store is a must-see. The smell of chocolate lingers into the streets outside. Inside you will find all the best chocolate that your mouth waters for. Up the street is the Ripleys Believe it or Not Museum. This is another great place to explore, and learn interesting things. You can also make your own wax hand. There are plenty of things to do and see at Niagra Falls. You can see a major wonder of the world, or enjoy the entertainment it has to offer.

Traveling

2007-03-30T10:38:00.000-05:00

Traveling and going on vacation is something I enjoy very much. My main vacations include going on cruises. I have been on four to date, and they never get old. The ships are so huge and they have so many events and shows onboard. You can go swimming, climb a rock wall, ice skate, shop, putt-putt, roller blade, play basketball, watch shows, sing kareoke, gamble and tons of others. One of the best things is that you can get food whenever you want, no matter what time of day, or night. There are also clubs and bars on the ship where you can party, and dance the night away.

You can also meet many new people who can become long time friends, or just fun people to hang out with for a few days.

The ports of call are probably the best part of the cruises. You get to visit different places that you may have never seen before. The islands that I have been to are great. There are the occasional poor areas, and locals who are trying to sell you purses, bracelets, drinks, and other items.

The beaches at the different locations I have visited are gorgeous! The water is crystal clear, the sand is white and soft on your feet. It makes you never want to leave. I would love to just lay on a floaty mat and float for the rest of my life.

The beaches are one attraction on the ports, but the main one is the shopping of course. Things like jewelry, and purses are very inexpensive and draw in the crowds.

You will never get bored on a cruise, and once you take one you will be addicted. Take my advice and go on a cruise someday, you definatly will not regret it.