Four months in Mexico

The best things in life are the people we love, the places we’ve been and the memories we’ve made along the way.”  Anonymous

 

My husband and I spend four months in Melaque, Mexico every winter. We always get comments like “it must be nice to be able to go for four months” to “what do you do all day” or there is the assumption that we are on the beach everyday drinking beer and margaritas.

First the “it must be nice to be able to go for four months.”  We are not wealthy so most people can do what we do. We cancel our car insurance and get storage insurance instead.  We suspend our cable and internet. We suspend our cell phone subscription and save 100.00 a month just for that. We do not have to pay for gas for our vehicle which is another 100.00. These are just some of the things we do to save money.

Our two bedroom apartment in Mexico costs us $600.00 to $700.00 per month depending on the exchange so as you can see; we end up paying about half of that with the savings from all the different things we do. Food is inexpensive in Mexico. For the equivalent of $36.00 Cdn. I can get two rib-eye steaks; 2 pork chops; a large chicken; 1 kg. ground beef; ½  kg. bacon and 1 kg. ribs. Fruit and vegetables are always fresh and very cheap. We eat well here. It is always a shock and not a nice one when we go back home and buy groceries for the first time.

 

 

What do we do all day? First, it was just about a month before I went to the beach. We have a pool at our complex. I take Spanish lessons once a week; we play Mexican train occasionally with friends; we go to the big market on Wednesdays plus lunch; we go for walks; I have a massage once a week and once a month I have a facial. My husband takes a lot of walks looking for “the picture.” Other times we are touring friends or people new to the area around. There is another beach, Cuastecomates, that is a five-minute taxi ride from our casa. It is small but the water is clear, and the snorkeling is good. Sometimes we will go to La Manzanilla where you can walk for two hours on the flat beach. They also have a crocodile sanctuary where you can see the crocodiles up close and personal literally. The town is small but quaint with plenty of artists who call this their home. Occasionally we will drive an hour to the big city of Manzanillo to go shopping.

Cuastecomates

La Manzanilla

There are art shows, parades, skimboarding competitions and running competitions. You can go fishing for Marlin, Dorado, Red Snapper and more. There are bridge, Mexican train and cribbage clubs.

We visit friends we have made here; go to restaurants especially the ones that have entertainment. There is so much talent in this place. You could go out every night of the week and not see the same entertainers.

We also try to go to other places in Mexico either on our own or with a tour company. Mex-Eco Tours have interesting tours that they provide. The guides are extremely knowledgeable, and the tours are well planned.

Yes, there is still lots of time for relaxing, reading, daydreaming or sitting on the beach drinking beer and margaritas!

What do you do to save money in order to travel?

 

A new travel year.

“The world is big and I want to have a good look at it before it gets dark.”  John Muir

As 2018 rolls in, I am in Melaque, Mexico with writer’s block and a cold which affected my brain! I could not put two words together on paper, nor did I want to, hence the late post. The very unreliable internet was not helping matters either.

I had tentatively planned to go to Portugal in 2017, but as some plans tend to do, it did not happen. Instead, we traveled within Northern B.C. One of the highlights was a night at Cassiar Cannery as guests of Mark and Justine. The amount of work they have done is amazing.

 

 

 

More exploring close to home, brought an opportunity to tour local gardens and see the different ideas that people had for their properties.

 

 

A trip to Shames mountain was breathtaking but the memory of being chased back into the car by bugs and closing the door just in time, just as half a dozen bugs slammed into the car window, still brings chuckles.

 

 

An interview with Debbie Douglas, of Westcoast Launch, was truly inspiring.

 

My 2018 travel plans after Mexico, will probably be Portugal and Morocco. It is still in the planning stage. Does anyone have any tips or places that are a must see in Portugal or Morocco?  I have such a large bucket list that sometimes it is difficult trying to pick just one or two places to go.

What are your travel plans for 2018? Do you have a bucket list? If money and time were no object, what would your dream trip look like?

 

 

Go West Girls Go West

This month I am pleased to present a guest writer to The Travelling Lady, Christine Thelker.  I met Christine and was instantly enthralled with her travel stories. I hope you find this story as interesting as I do. Welcome Christine

 

My name is Christine Thelker, I am a born and raised British Columbia girl, and for most of my 58 years, I have been somewhat of a gypsy. I love to drive, love to explore, see new places, and have been fortunate enough to see a variety of countries. What I truly love is to explore things right out our back door. The backroads, backcountry, the towns and cities and the people that make us who we are.  From an afternoon adventure to being gone for weeks on end, my motto is “ get in let’s go.” I currently live in Vernon BC, where even a couple of days every year doing Okanagan Wine touring can turn up some unexpected things and places, but I am gone at every opportunity because you never know whats around the next corner.

Go West Girls Go West 

finding or losing ourselves

Planning a girls road trip begins with a dream, the desire to see more, experience more, see places, meet people, it’s not about family, it’s not about romance, it’s a more basic yearning to find ourselves again.  Those adventurous young girls, who weren’t afraid to venture out on our own, to find the carefree spirit that is in us all, that little girl who giggles at the wind and marvels at the wonder all around her. It’s that desire that starts the wheels in motion for a girls trip. I had the honor of traveling to the Prince Rupert Area, more specifically to the Cassiar Cannery in Port Edward a few years ago. I talked so much of it, and its magic, that the ladies who would be my traveling companions wanted to go….my response ….let’s do it

So it became a back and forth of many emails, how far is everyone comfortable traveling each day, how much is everyone comfortable spending on accommodation, food, types of accommodation suitable for everyone.  Part of the pleasure of the trip is in the planning itself and watching it evolve until departure time. Over the next several months the plan was made, to go from Vernon BC to Port Edward BC.

 

Leaving Vernon, we head to Kamloops then head across to 100-mile house; we knew fires were still burning, we weren’t sure what we would see.  What we saw was devastation for sure, but stopping at a little antique shop, what we found were people who were resilient, determined and willing to do the work to rebuild their communities. We saw fields scorched, yet you could see the green of the rebirth of grasses. So through the vastness of the area, we stopped, looked at the raw beauty, and you see the hard work it takes to live in this country, and you appreciate the beauty that captures people to come and stay and be part of this beautiful countryside. Along the route we were aware, there was a lot of firefighting efforts going on, in some areas the smoke so strong, other areas the skies were blue, but the burnt smell enveloped you, it was contradictory in what you were seeing and what you were smelling. We were at times all quiet; it was difficult to comprehend what we were seeing.  Traveling further we arrived to find Williams Lake very busy, a city getting back to life, the busyness almost felt too busy, too rushed for a city that normally seemed to have a laid backness to it.  We traveled through to Barkerville; it was on the list of must see and do’s. The little town of Wells, which is at the entrance to Barkerville, is unto itself a place to see and explore, the people are delightful, helpful. We stayed at a lovely little house we rented for two nights known as the Mountain Thyme Getaway, it was a lovely accommodation that provided everything one could need to truly unwind, from the well-equipped kitchen to the old turntable and LP’s for one’s enjoyment.  The owners were most helpful and owned the gift shop next door, which was well stocked with a variety of gift ideas.  A full day at Barkerville we explored, enjoyed fresh baked goods at the old bakery, panned for gold, took in a live theatre production, and a stagecoach ride.  For sure a busy day, but worthy of the stop and ensuring we were rested by staying the night of arrival and the following night was the best way to enjoy and be ready for the journey to our next stop.

The following day we travelled to Prince George, stopping briefly before making our way towards Smithers.  We stopped along the way; exploring many little communities.  After a picnic lunch at the pictureous town of Burns Lake, one more stop at  Frazer Lake, and then on to explore Smithers, a lovely city, surrounded by exquisite scenery.  We were en route to our next stop which was in Morristown, known for its fishing and wildlife, we turned off the highways and made our way 12 Kilometers into the backcountry, rolling hills, beautiful ranches, and then we arrived, a beautifully carved gate announcing we were now at the Last Dollar Ranch.  We stopped and marveled at the workmanship of the gate, opening the gate we made our way along until the road opened up to a lovely looking home, with signage to cabins, and the lodge. Amongst cows meandering, the lodge stood out tall and grand. We went to the house to find a note posted that the owner was across the drive working on a new cabin. Making our way towards the cabin, which looked more like a beautiful country home, we found our host Tammo, a delightful man, originally from Holland.  He built this for his retirement.

 

 

He has built it from scratch, and his workmanship is impressive.  He had us follow him to our cabin, ( I could live there ) opening the door, we stopped, it was so beautifully done, spacious, relaxing, a fireplace stood in Grandview of a large expanse of windows overlooking a large wrap around deck. Three large bedrooms, a kitchen, and bathroom that would have many wishing it was their house.  There was a great supply of firewood for the fireplace and the outdoor fire pit.  After unpacking, it was time to take a stroll and take in the scenery, already wishing we would have booked in longer, another place to return too.  It’s easy to just be with your thoughts here, a peaceful tranquility that is difficult to find these days.  We all spent the day, exploring, relaxing and enjoying some individual solitude, before meeting back up at the cabin for a lovely dinner, and then a fire at the fire pit.

 

Tammo joined us in the evening, truly someone who you won’t soon forget.   A blissful sleep in beds that were comfortable and cozy.  After a relaxing morning, good breakfast we regrettably had to head off to our final destination.  The Last Dollar Ranch is so worth the visit and the trip to get there, but I suggest you book at least 3 or 4 days because one just isn’t enough.  We were all now feeling relaxed and thought that the trip was providing exactly what we all needed, time to recharge, refresh.

The scenery between Morristown and Terrace is breathtaking, waterfalls, majestic mountains, truly an area to treasure, rainforests, lakes, rivers, untouched, unspoiled.  After a coffee stop in Terrace, we were ready for the drive to Port Edward. A quick trip into Prince Rupert, then on to our destination of Port Edward and the Cassier Cannery

It is a place hard to describe; there is something magical about this place, you feel your whole being just relax. The air is fresh, the quietness is almost overwhelming, no traffic, or white noise, just the sounds of water lapping at the shores, the birds and Mother Natures rustling leaves.

 

We went into Prince Rupert on our second day where we met the Harbor Master, who was more than happy to explain the comings and goings of the waterways of the Port.  The town itself is full of rich history, steeped in traditions; another trip will be planned for the failed Halibut fishing. We had planned on going halibut fishing out of Prince Rupert, but just days before the fisheries shut down all the halibut fishing, so Justine ( owner of Cassiar Cannery) said she could plan us another excursion that she was sure would satisfy, along with her and her son, off we went to meet (Rob Bryce) a local guide who would take us on an unbelievable trip.  We met at the mouth of the Kasiks River and Skeena Rivers, up the Skeena River to the Gitnadoix River, stunning scenery, mountains, glaciers,
waterfalls everywhere. It’s a trip very few have ever traveled, the water levels must be right to get up the River, once up the river, it opens up to Alistair Lake, untouched, pristine, it was truly an Awe moment, one of those moments that puts everything into perspective.  After lunch and fire on a small beach, with two waterfalls behind us, making our way back down we ventured into the waterways of the river, one marsh area we explored opened up to us to show us beautiful wild white swans, so unexpected so graceful.

 

 

 

Coming back to the Kasiks River, we then ventured up it to look at salmon spawning and again more spectacular scenery. We ventured out of the boat a couple of times, I found some very fresh, very large bear prints, so it had likely been fishing not long before our arrival.  The areas and waterways of the two rivers are so different and diverse; it truly was one of those trips that the saying a picture is worth a thousand words….So, I will leave you with that…. Did we find ourselves? I think we found much more.

 

 

 

Prince Rupert Garden Tours

A mind stretched by new experiences can never go back to its old dimensions. Travel. Learn. Grow.

Andrée Fawcett has been heavily involved in the gardening community in Prince Rupert, B.C. for many years and was the leading force behind the annual Garden Tour that started 15 – 20 years ago. Because of her involvement at a local nursery, she got a reputation as someone you could go to and ask about plants. She kept hearing people say time and time again that you can’t grow anything in Prince Rupert. So she brought this topic up before the Prince Rupert Garden Club. She stated to the club that there was a need to show that you can grow just about anything you want.  She knew of several people who grew all sorts of plants and vegetables that other people thought were impossible to grow in Prince Rupert. So the Garden Tours were started. People also believed that not a lot could be grown in Prince Rupert mainly due to the weather and because all they saw were the front yards. Little did they know what inspiring gardens were in the backyards.

Once a year, around the 3rd or 4th week in July, people have an opportunity to view about 6 or 7 homes on a self-guided tour. The tickets are $15.00 per person, and that includes a lovely afternoon tea at Andrée’s home which besides her inspiring garden has a lovely ocean view. All the food has been donated, made and served by volunteers. One’s diet could easily be broken here!

The owner of this shed/greenhouse, built it herself

Even a small place can become a sanctuary

All proceeds of the garden tour go to the Sunken Gardens which is behind the courthouse. The Sunken Gardens, as the name implies, is an area which was dug out to build the courthouse. According to the Sunken Garden’s website, the foundation was laid down but was halted due to the outbreak of World War 1. After the war, updated plans called for the building to be moved 35 feet in front of the original foundation to be closer to McBride Street and 2nd Avenue. During World War II, the American military used the aborted foundation as an ammunition storage site. They constructed tunnels on either side for easy access, keeping the supply secret by covering it with a tarp. Once the war was over, the garden became a make-work project for the relief men to earn money. Today, the Sunken Gardens is maintained by volunteers except for one paid person. The Province of British Columbia gives a grant each year to pay for the one staff and plants.

The members of the garden club when it started in the late 20’s, were all men and mainly Italian men as they did all the gardening. Most of what they grew was vegetables for their own use. Today, the club consists of mostly women.

I asked Andrée if there was a trend now with people growing their own vegetables. “Absolutely,” she said,”it started about ten years ago and came on strong about five years ago. People are so into growing their own vegetables that they forget that you need the flowers to attract the bees. If you don’t have the flowers, then you don’t have the bees to bring to the vegetables. No one is pollinating your plants.”

I have gone to a number of garden tours over the years and had always come away with at least one idea to implement in my garden much to the chagrin of my husband! It is amazing what people have planted and built in their gardens. It is quite inspiring.

If there isn’t a Garden Tour in your town, perhaps you could start one. I love that I can snoop into other peoples gardens.

Barra Galeria de Arte & Restaurant – A little oasis in the center of town

If you can, travel. It’s a great thing to do. It can open you up to so many things that you will never experience in your own little corner of the world. Whether that be lifestyles and culture, you could never have imagined or seeing nature in a new light. Traveling can lead to some great introspection and thought-provoking experiences. Unknown author

 

It’s funny how life goes in a direction that you never planned or saw coming. That certainly was the case for Robert and Rosy. Rosy was working at the French Bakery in Barra de Navidad, Mexico for approximately four years. During that time, Robert became a frequent customer whenever he was in Mexico from the States. Rosy was very curious about Robert as he didn’t talk, just drank his cappuccinos and, read. She tried to talk to him every time he was in town, and eventually, they became friends. Robert sold everything in the U.S. and moved to Mexico.They were married five years later on the beach in the neighboring town of Melaque.

Robert has previously worked in publishing as an illustrator, a writer for the Guadalajara Reporter, and as a frontend person for Marriott Resorts. He is also an excellent photographer which has lead to the Galeria and restaurant.

They first started with the gallery on Main Street for two years, and then in 2012, they moved the gallery to its present location which is Rosy’s family home. They had a couple of tables where his customers could sit and have coffee and talk about photography.

The gallery offers rotating exhibitions by regional and international artists during the high tourist season (November through April).  Robert also has a full service photography studio.

They started Barra Galeria de Arte & Restaurant,  with just a couple of tables and opened only two nights a week to feel it out and see how it worked for them. Most of the recipes are Rosy’s Grandmothers. That first year was their learning year. Last year was like their coming out year. The restaurant earned a Trip Advisor 5-star status.

Robert and Rosy feel very blessed to be at this juncture in their lives. He feels that it is everyones dream to do what they are passionate about and says that this is what they are doing. He always tells Rosy to let him know when she doesn’t enjoy cooking anymore because he wants this experience to be enjoyed.

Rosy (on the left) with her beautiful smile.

Resident turtle

Their menu is small, but they prefer it that way as they have total control. Robert does the menus. There are 20 items which he rotates. The first item is always Chile Relleno, because the customers always asked for Chile Rellenos. They prepare different types, such as Rosy’s Chile Relleno de Pollo (chicken). The second item changes every day. They feel that doing it this way; it would not get out of control with too many items on the menu. They will do vegetarian meals on request.As their menu states: “We are a cozy restaurant with a simple kitchen….” They start each meal with an appetizer and a shot of a very smooth tequila. After dinner, you can go by the firepit and roast marshmallows if you wish, or you can go to the tequila bar.

The bar started with the idea of a large wine bar, but Robert felt that because of the humidity, he would lose a lot of bottles of wine. Hence the tequila bar was created. He started with ten tequilas on the menu. He went to the town of Tequila and learned more about the different types of tequilas. With this knowledge, and he is still learning, he built the bar and now has 70 different tequilas. He has the largest collection outside of larger cities like Puerto Vallarta. He charges approximately 90 to 100 pesos a shot depending on the tequila. Some tequila is higher but that is for a top of the line tequila. Robert said “In a larger city you would be paying $50.00 or more per shot. This is a good way to try it before you buy that expensive bottle.” Friends and family were skeptical. “No one is going to want to pay that amount for a shot of tequila,” they said. The bar has been more popular than they had anticipated.

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Robert and Rosy have done everything right, small menu, appetizer, good food, and ambiance. When you walk into their restaurant, it feels as though you are walking into a private oasis. They do improvements a bit at a time as money permits, and that has lead to the creative atmosphere. One example is the sink outside the washroom. It was one of Rosy’s Grandmothers skillets.

Perhaps part of their success is their belief that you should do what you do best. For Rosy, that is cooking traditional food, and for Robert, it is photography. They believe in pricing well, excellent food and service and demanding perfection from themselves. They have achieved that.

Cassiar Cannery. Unexpected quality in the wilderness

Move. As far as you can, as much as you can. Across the ocean, or simply across the river. Walk on someone else’s shores or at least eat their food. Open your mind, get off the couch. Move.”   Anthony Bourdain

 

When I asked Justine Crawford if I could interview her and her husband Mark about Cassiar Cannery for my blog, she not only agreed but suggested that I spend a night to get a better feel for the place. Who was I to say no to such a generous offer? *

Everyone has a story. Mark and Justine certainly have an intriguing one. In 2006, they were living in Vancouver but wanted to get out of the hectic lifestyle of the city, and after having problems with a neighbour complaining about their dog and threatening to have the dog put down, it was the push they needed to leave. Justine researched acreage, and so they headed to Northern British Columbia looking for a place to live and work. After a bit of searching, Justine saw an ad for the Cassiar Cannery. She saw the houses and was intrigued but had to convince the realtor to show them the property as the realtor was very hesitant to do so. It had been abandoned by the previous owners and was in such bad shape that no one was interested in buying it until Justine and Mark came along. After seeing the before pictures and experiencing what they have accomplished, I am amazed that they had the vision and energy to tackle this daunting task. Just clearing all the garbage, junk, wood, and steel was no mean feat. As Mark said, “It wasn’t just a few bags of garbage.” It took them ten months just to clean up the dock. Mark is an excellent shipwright, and after a few rough starts, which included fixing a 90 ft. float home for the previous caretaker that wouldn’t leave because his home wasn’t ready and a too low bid on another job, they were able to rely on his experience as a shipwright for living expenses.

In the beginning, they started sleeping in what is now their home, but they had to shower in the blue house – 4 houses away and cook in the house next door. They have finished their home and live comfortably with their 4-year-old son, Nicolas and two dogs.

Today, they have four guest houses with a fifth being renovated. The guest houses are clean, comfortable and well stocked. The Coho House is a self-contained one bedroom with a queen size bed. The Steelhead House has one private bedroom and a second with four deluxe twin bunk beds. The Sockeye House has three bedrooms with a private water view queen, the second bedroom has two twin beds and the third a queen size bed and the Halibut House has three bedrooms, one queen bed with a water view, another queen bed, and the third have one set of deluxe twin XL bunk beds. You will need to bring food, but they offer, for a fee, the services of a local chef if you don’t want to cook.

They have a “community” centre where you can do yoga, have family dinners, do crafts or whatever else you need a large space for.

All the wood used to renovate comes from the reclaimed wood that Mark finds in the ocean. He goes out on his boat searching for logs and brings them into shore.With the wood and his sawmill, he makes all the furniture and wood floors in his large on-site shop.  He has made beautiful furniture and will custom make pieces on request.  Justine hates cutting down trees so reclaiming wood this way is more like a sport.

Another good find for the workshop.

Another log waiting to become a beautiful piece of furniture.

Sawmill

Wood workshop

 

Mark and Justine offer retreats:

Women’s Rejuvenation Retreats where you can experience yoga and meditation sessions, a big canoe experience, learn special textile arts and pamper yourself with massages and other treatments. Some dates are timed to the Via Rail schedule.

Ecology Week: 9 days of adventure and exploration on BC’s  beautiful North Coast. Nestled in the estuary of the Skeena, the Cassiar Cannery is a place rich in natural biodiversity and cultural history. Estuaries, where freshwater meets the ocean, creates a rare and special ecosystem. A hotbed of activity in both the marine and terrestrial habitats that line its shores.

It also includes a trip to the Khutzeymateen Grizzly Bear Sanctuary.

Murder Mysteries: Perfect for a special night out or a relaxing, all-inclusive weekend, this is a stimulating and fun way to incorporate a little drama and super sleuthing into your life.

SERVICES:

Shipwright Services – boat repairs, restorations, and storage

Reclaimed Lumber – red cedar and spruce from beachcombed logs

Custom Woodwork – furniture or interior finishing

Science and Research – Skeena Estuary Research Centre at Cassiar Cannery

 

One of their future goals is to build a proper field station with a lab to attract more researchers. This area is very rich and bountiful with lots of different marine species, but at this point, not a lot is known about it. Dr. Darwyn Coxson, a renowned University of B.C. professor, has been studying the salt marsh between the treeline and mudflats, and he has found 140 species. Travis, who does the mudflats would have been excited about finding eight species of invertebrates, but so far he has found 40. It is a clean ecosystem. It has managed to recover totally from any previous cannery activity.

 

There are so many things to experience at Cassiar Cannery. Another popular tour is the jet boat tour. The tour is an all-day tour with either Rob or Fred for $1,000 to $1,200 for the boat. Justine said she likes to work with them because they are insured and just good solid operators who will take care of her guests. Who, if they got stuck somewhere, could use their tweezers and a piece of wire and make you a house! They are that kind of people.

Justine said that up to 2012, she felt like an island trying to market the cannery. Now Destination B.C. and Northern B.C. Tourism have approved Cassiar Cannery as a destination and for accommodations.

How to get there?  If you are flying into Prince Rupert, you can rent a car or take a local bus to the cannery,  a 30-minute drive. For a unique experience, you can book with Via Rail which will stop right at the cannery. Mark and Justine got Via Rail to rekindle the flag stop at the cannery. You can book directly with Via Rail.

Thank you Mark and Justine for an incredible experience.

Check out their website www.cassiarcannery.com

*This offer in no way affected my review.

 

Amsterdam

AMSTERDAM

The most dangerous risk of all  —- the risk of spending your life not doing what you want on the bet you can buy yourself the freedom to do it later.

Amsterdam was not on my bucket list. Not that I had an aversion to going to Amsterdam, but it just wasn’t on my top 10 list. My friend wanted to go there, so we made it part of our itinerary. After all, it was another country that I had not seen. After touring Venice, Rome, Florence and the Tuscan hill towns, we flew from Rome to Amsterdam. Our flight was delayed due to fog in Amsterdam, but eventually, we left, apparently one of the few flights allowed to do so that evening. The train station is located in the same building as the airport, so my friend went to get a local train to her destination as she had a conference in the Hague, and I headed to the international section for my train to Paris. Because of the delay, I missed the last train. I was directed to a booth where I could find accommodations. The line was not bad when I arrived there, but there was only one person at the booth dealing with everyone. Soon the line spread for quite a distance. The woman dealing with all of this was calm and polite with everyone. By the time it was my turn, she had said that she had to find accommodations for 400 people because of the fog. It appeared that this was a common occurrence. The whole experience was smooth and efficient.

After four days in Paris, more on that in another post, I headed back to Amsterdam to meet up with my friend. Our last week we spent in and around Amsterdam. We had a beautiful two bedroom apartment that we found on Airbnb.ca overlooking one of the canals.

So let’s get this said right away. Yes, Amsterdam has made marijuana legal. It was very interesting to go to a store that sells everything that has to do with marijuana, paraphernalia, lollipops, ashtrays and even a high-energy drink that is infused with the weed. I didn’t get that. The drink gave you energy and the marijuana helped you relax. Hmm. A few doors down from our apartment was a restaurant that sold joints and brownies. It certainly wasn’t in your face but just a subtle “hint” that it was a marijuana restaurant.

We decided that we were going to take tours. It seemed to be the most efficient way to see as much as we could in our short time frame. We started with a tour of the countryside and windmills. 45 euros for this tour which included seeing the countryside, Zaanse Schans, the picturesque windmill village, a cheese factory in Volendam and a trip to Marken to visit a local traditional clog maker.

A unique way to find your shoe size.

 

One evening, we decided to take a dinner cruise. It was a little pricey at 75 euros but well worth it. Chef Frans Kelders created a scrumptious 4-course dinner accompanied by excellent wines. As we were about to go under yet another bridge, the guide explained that if you kissed the person you loved while going under this bridge, the romance would last forever. My friend laughed and said, “That isn’t going to happen!” Where was my husband when I needed him?  The tour itself was breathtaking with the city lit up at night.

Amsterdam has more bicycles than cars. According to a taxi driver, there are approximately two bicycles per person. They have the right of way on the road. At each train stop, there were bicycle racks at least two stacks high. It was quite the sight.

Did I enjoy Amsterdam and would I go back? Yes and yes!

Guadalajara Zoo

“Because in the end, you won’t remember the time you spent working in an office or mowing your lawn. Climb that goddamn mountain.“  Jack Kerouac

 

I have never been to a zoo. Hard to believe, but true. On our trip to Mexico City, we tried to fit it in but time did not permit. So, when we were planning our trip to Guadalajara, the zoo was on our list of must sees.

The zoo opened its doors to the public on March 25, 1988. It is considered one of the few self-financing zoos in the country. It developed 50 hectares where the topography of the land, existing trees and flora have been maintained. The zoo has another 280 hectares of an ecological reserve.

Among many other things, the zoo has a cable car, panoramic train, restaurants, wheelchair rentals, stroller rentals, free wifi, and parking.

 

We started the tour on the Skyzoo, a ski lift which takes you over a good portion of the zoo. It is an interesting way to see the animals and get a good overview of the layout of the zoo.

 

We also took the Safari Masai Mari tour. The guide was dressed in as a member of the Masai tribe and gave information about the animals and Masai traditions. We went into the rhino and giraffe enclosures. As the giraffes came right up to our train, we were able to feed them with lettuce the staff gave us. I was a little nervous going into the rhino enclosure, but the one rhino we saw did not charge at us. He obviously is used to humans. On this tour, we also saw zebras, buffalo, antelopes, and cheetah.

The monkey enclosure was fun. I believe those monkeys were squirrel monkeys. To get into the enclosure is a two door system. You go in one door, make sure it is closed before opening the 2nd door. We entered the first door, made sure it was closed and then opened the next door. Two monkeys ran into the enclosure with the caretaker right behind them with a spray bottle of water. She managed to get them back to their area. There is also a large sign that states “DO NOT TOUCH THE MONKEYS.” Well, that is fine but what do you do when a monkey climbs onto your shoulder and tries to take your sunglasses? Maybe the sign should read “DO NOT TOUCH THE HUMANS.”

There are so many things to see. Baird’s tapir, named Norton, was one of the tapirs used by Mel Gibson in the movie Apocalypto for the tapir hunt sequence at the beginning of the film. He is housed in the Tropical Rainforest section of the park, along with jaguars, monkeys, giant anteaters and river otters.

Other exhibits include:

The Herpertarium which is the largest reptile house in Latin America.

Aviaries are all around the limits of the zoo, and you can see parrots, golden eagles, songbirds and tropical birds.

Nocturnario is the largest in the country and houses mainly nocturnal animals such as owls, raccoons, vampire bats, fruit bats, etc. The exhibit is dark and cold, and there are always the sounds of crickets and frogs.

Selva Tropical exhibit includes animals from the tropical rainforest ecosystems of four different continents. Jaguars, cassowaries, monkeys, sloths, chimpanzees, and orangutans to name a few.

Villa Australiana houses the Red kangaroo, wallabies, parrots, parakeets, and koalas.

Aquarium: The aquarium houses 95 species of fish and other aquatic creatures including three species of shark, the nurse shark, the Milbert shark and the hammerhead shark.

You will need a full day to see everything. It is a short, inexpensive taxi ride from Guadalajara center.

There are many different packages that you can purchase, but I believe that the Diamond package is worth the price as you have access to everything in the zoo, plus the Skytour and unlimited use of the Panoramic Train. The cost is 265 pesos which is approximately $22.00 Cdn.

 

Recipes from the Tuscany Cooking Class

“I just want to go on more adventures, be around good energy, connect with people, learn new things. Grow” Anonymous

After I had published the post on the Florence Cooking  Classes, I received an email from Chef Urbano Brini. He kindly gave me 30 recipes from which to choose a couple from. I hope you enjoy my choices.

PASTA WITH PARMIGIANO CREAM
(Pasta alla crema parmigiana)
A very easy, fast and delicious pasta sauce. The Italian version of the Alfredo sauce.
SERVES: 4
Ingredients:
8 fl oz of double cream
Parmigiano Cheese (As much as you like)
1 pinch of black pepper
Fine salt
Preparation:
STOVE: medium heat
Put all the ingredients in a large pan and let them cook on the stove ‘till the cheese is melted with the
cream. The mix has to be smooth.
Take it out from the stove but keep it in the pan.
Cook the pasta in a pan with a large amount of boiling salted water for 8 to 10 minutes.
When the pasta is ready to be taken out of the water, sauté on the stove with the sauce on high heat for a
minute, till it is mixed thoroughly with the pasta.
Ready!

TIRAMISU’
(Tiramisu’)
The dessert!
When we make Tiramisu’ at home one of the main issues is about serving size per person and how much is the right amount of ingredients. To make things easier we decided to write down the amount of ingredients per person. So that you just have to multiply for the guests you have!
We always recommend to make Tiramisu’ for 6 at least each time, to get the best result.
Ingredients for one person.

Custard:
1 fresh egg
1 tablespoon of caster sugar
3,7 oz Mascarpone cheese
Biscuits (dry and crunchy, no ladyfingers)
Plain dark Coffee (unsweet)
Cocoa powder (bitter one, 30% of cocoa)

Preparation:
It is better to work with all the ingredients at room temperature.
Whisk the mascarpone to make it a little bit creamier and less solid.
Separate the yolks from the egg whites.
Mount the yolks among the sugar until you get a smooth cream. Then incorporate the mascarpone. Not all at once, but in three different times. In this way mixing the ingredients is going to be better and easier.

Whip the white of the eggs until they’re stiff. Incorporate the mounted whites to the mascarpone cheese and the yolks mixture in three times by folding with a rubber spatula both composes. Better to make this step manually, or you will crash the air parts inside the eggs.

Now is time to start making our layers.

Start with the cocoa powder.
Sift a little of cocoa powder on the bottom of a tray (or the container you’re using for the Tiramisù).
Then spread some custard until you cover all the cocoa powder
Sink the biscuits for a second into the plain coffee and place them on the custard that you have to cover completely.
The first layer is complete; now repeat the steps as many times as you need to fill up the container.
Once ready, keep it in the fridge for 2 hours before to serve.

Chef’s tip:
Don’t make the layers too thick, it is better to make more than one for every ingredient.

 

 

 

Florence Cooking Classes and Segway Tours

Florence

Perhaps travel cannot prevent bigotry, but by demonstrating that all peoples cry, laugh, eat, worry, and die, it can introduce the idea that if we try and understand each other, we may even become friends.  Maya Angelou

Cooking class

There is certainly no shortage of things to see and do in Florence. High up on my favorites was a cooking class. Booked through Viator, we had a small group of 8 which made for a more intimate and cozy experience.

The start of our 5 ½ hour class was a journey to the city’s central market where one of the chefs selected the ingredients for our meal. He showed us some local and traditional food such as tripe (lining of a cow’s stomach), and no, we did not cook that. We sampled some local cheese and sausage. The market is a must see even if you aren’t buying anything, and where the locals shop. It is worth the experience.

 

 

At first, I thought that perhaps the Italians had the right idea about eating dessert first when we started making individual tiramisu. Unfortunately, we did not get to eat it yet as it had to chill for two hours. We did consume the bruschetta we made along with some wonderful Chianti wine. Then we made pasta from scratch and cut it for spaghetti and ravioli. It is easier than you think.  We prepared the ravioli filling and then made two types of spaghetti sauce – cherry tomato sauce and a meat sauce. Of course, we had to have a bit more wine.

 

We enjoyed the fruits of our labor and ended with our tiramisu.

We received a certificate of proficiency and a booklet containing recipes for the food we had made. We met some wonderful people, made and ate some fantastic food and enjoyed the local Chianti wine. Can’t get much better than that.

Links to the Wanna Be Italiano Cooking class:  www.facebook.com/florencetown.chefs  : 

www.florencecookingclasses.com

 

 

Florence Segway Tour

“You must go on adventures to find out where you truly belong.”  Sue Fitzmaurice

 

If you have never tried a Segway tour, you are missing out on a fun way to explore a city. We found a 3-hour tour on Viator. Don’t worry; you will be making frequent stops on this tour with a professional guide to show you Florence’s highlights. I liked that it was limited to 6 people and provides a more intimate setting, and you don’t get lost in the crowd. You see so much more than with a walking tour, although those tours do have their good points.

They start with instructions and practice on the Segway. When I started, my first thought was that I might have made a mistake doing this, but once I was on the road, it was fine. It was so easy that I seriously considered buying one.Within five minutes I was zipping along.  I had so much fun that I will look for Segway tours wherever I travel.