Kenai Fjord Adventure! 

The alarm clock yelled at us at five in the morning to wake up. Diligently we got ready and like soldiers on duty, at 6 am we were walking through the dark and silent 4th Ave. We thought we will find something open to have breakfast, but the small town was asleep. Finally around 6:30 we saw the Breeze Inn open and for our surprise Arthur was our server again, but now in a different restaurant. It was funny to see him again.

Once we finish with breakfast we were doing our registration with Kenai Fjord Tours at seven like was instructed to us. I looked around and saw people so bundle up for the tour that I question if I came prepare enough for the cold winds of  Resurrection Bay. Before starting our tour I got two souvenir, a hoody and a coffee mug. I advise my hubby to buy some kind of hat or hoody to cover his ears because it was going to get cold with the combination of the wind  and  ocean. He didn’t want to, he thought I was exaggerating same as the rest of the people.

Well, it was time to move, the catamaran started slowly to navigate through Resurrection Bay. The wind started caressing Jorge’s ear with cold hands and he looked at me like he was in trouble. The famous “I told you so” came out of my soul, still I gave him my hat that barely fit him and I wrap my head with my scarf and a not so warm hoody that one of my jackets had. Let me show you.

Despite the cold wind, my level of excitement were higher enough to kept myself focus on the outdoor experience.  I had my camera in hand at all time. I was the first one in the bow. I had a great position to take pictures, I did not want to leave my spot. In other hand Jorge tried to keep up with me but he couldn’t, every so often we went inside to hide from the chilly wind.

Our first encounter was with a sea otter right after we left, them we our our first eagle. He was blending with the rest of nature. Moving his head side to side wondering where to fly next. We stop to see it and then we kept going. Everything was so beautiful that I wanted to capture all.



We moved  along through perfect scenery. Big rocks formation merging out from blue-green waters. The morning light trying to get through the maze of rocks and mountains, green pine trees on top of the rocky mountains moving slightly with the soft wind. Then, cute sausages were looking at us. Harbor seals!



On our way to see glaciers, I diligently looked for my whale encounter. Until that wonderful moment that I saw a humpback whale breaching! Everything happened so fast and so slow at the same time. The boat captain didn’t notice, she only saw the splash.  I saw the massive body lift through the waters but nobody noticed it.  I  pointed out to the direction where the whale was, people turned to see what was going on and the captain slowed down the boat. We waited to see if the whale was going to continue with the show. But it didn’t happened. That memory will stayed always within me, because I wasn’t able to capture it on camera.

As we approached the glaciers, the air was colder and the water light green. We passed floating pieces of ice, we were getting closer and closer.


We spent quite some time at the glaciers. We witness the glacier transform. Huge pieces of ice broke, falling to the water making an aftermath of small waves and sounds. The time passes and nobody cared. It was nice to see nature working.


We left the glaciers and I was getting worried that the tour was going to end without any whale encounter. I was still in position, in front, on the bow. I was looking everywhere, like the captain was needing me to give her signal at the first whale sight. And then, it happened.


Everyone was so excited, this time was for real to all those waiting for this moment. Cameras were going frantically. Every time the two whales dived we all investigated all sides of the boat so see where they were coming up again. One of the whales waved at us happy to see us.


My adventure was complete! I was so happy. The only lament that I have was that one of the whales breached so close to us and I missed it. I missed the jump, the whale… everything. The only thing I saw was the splash. Still this tour was amazing  experience. Six hours of enjoyment, also they fed us. That was the only moment went I got inside and sat for few minutes.

Here is a video with a glimpse of our tour. I hope you like our adventure and come with us every time through TravelmyStories.

Until then,

xamlinnette 🙂

Dinner with Awe

Beautiful view from our table at Ray’s Waterfront Restaurant.  Even the window frame looks good on this picture!  It was our first day in Seward and we were so excited to be there.  We traveled on train for four hours from Anchorage, after arriving we went first to our hotel, settle our things and went to explore. Between photos, fresh air and so much laghter our tummies gave the announcement of hunger. We got to Ray’s Waterfront and got a perfect frame pic and also we ate halibut for the first time.  Little moments like this one are the ones that makes traveling so amazing!

Until then,

xamlinnette 🙂

Stay tune for more of Alaska and the adventures we had on this vacation. At this very moment we are heading back home.

Weekly Photo Challenge: Frame 

Jubilant

imageReady to feel the presence of the Niagara Falls!

It was a jubilant moment been able to cross that item (Niagara Falls) from my bucket list. What could me more happy and joyful that to enjoy life doing the things you love the most. For me, travel, nature, culture and been able to see the beauty of life with my own eyes.

image image image

Weekly Photo Challenge: Jubilant

Until then,

xamlinnette 🙂

Carnival Valor Ship Inspection

Continuing on my training as a travel agent, I take advantage of any opportunity that comes along my way to understand more the industry for all kind of travelers. This past Saturday I participated on my first cruise inspection with Carnival. What that means, in this case Carnival invite us to the ship and give us a tour to see all the amenities, different kind of rooms and even they serve us an incredible lunch to taste on our own their culinary abilities.

We visited the Carnival Valor.


  
  
We were able to check out different types of rooms but the Captain Suite is the one that make the impression on me. There are only two on the ship.


  
  
  
  A whole family can stay in this same room, have a king size bed and 2 more twin bed and a sleeper sofa, 2 bathrooms and plenty of space outside, more and bigger than a balcony and the view is incredible, in the front part of the ship.

After seen the rooms we went around for more, from spa, gym and beauty salon to kids area and fancy restaurant, to he outdoor fun.


  
  
  
  
  

We ended our sight tour with a delicious lunch. Just like we were real guests of the ship, they treat us so nicely.

  

 


And to finalize our experience the dinning crew did their traditional show for us!


  
  

Now after a superb experience is my job to recommend to you these benefits. One of the wonderful things about Carnival is that you can have an amazing experience at great value for your pocket.

You can sail on Carnival Valor from Cape Canaveral to the Bahamas and to Exotic Eastern and Southern Caribbean with trips that could be from 3 to 8 days.

If you want more information you can always contact me! (407) 569-8887

Or email me info@travelmystories.com

Until then have fun and travel somewhere!

xamlinnette 🙂

MONSTER TRUCK Eco Tour

 

Finding interest things to do with your teenagers it’s not an easy task. Most of the time what is interesting for me, is not for them. But something I know, they love to be on the move, interact with things, the outdoors, at least my teenagers. Something I learn this summer is that they don’t enjoy as much seen monuments and museum…

If you had read my blogs before you know I like to take advantage of the Groupon deals, also because it gives me good ideas of thing to do in town. Well let me tell you our story with this place we found using Groupon… Showcase of Citrus

Upon arrival it seems that is a place to buy fruits and refreshments for your road trip. We look around asking ourselves if we were in the right place.

 

Are you kidding me! That’s what I thought…
Lake Placid?

 

But then we were not sure if we where at Universal Studios with “Jaws”and “Lake Placid”. LOL These pictures above are the welcoming of this intrigue place.

Once we enter we told a lady on the counter that we bought a Groupon and had an appointment for 2 pm. We got there early, she told us that we can browse around and gave us a Slurpee for each of us as part of our Groupon purchased, the choices were orange or lime. I got the orange one, was so refreshing.

Exploring Around

Let me show you the things what we explore while waiting for our Monster Truck Tour. Sometimes images speak louder than words…

 

She love to do faces, no matter the age…

 

 

 

 

 

Part of exploring was visiting some of the animals they have and later… the ride.

I will summarize the adventure taking you with us… Check the video below. I hope you enjoy or farm day in Orlando. Remember if someday you are around here in Orlando, after visiting Mickey you can check some cows, eat some oranges, go through a swamp and learn where some of Animal Kingdoms manure ends up. 😉

 

 

Until then,

xamlinnette 🙂