I'm back, but barely.
My head is still readjusting to being back in Hawaii. We left on October 5th for a Mediterranean Cruise after which we stopped for three weeks in Chicago before returning home. We were gone about five and a half weeks.
Art and I have been sorting through our photos and trying to get back into our routines.
It all started when Art decided in October 2013 to do a Mediterranean Cruise. He and my cousin, Arnold thought it would be fun to travel together. I was really looking forward to it since we'd talked about traveling together for quite a while.
We contacted Hawaii based Non-Stop Travel. Art told the agent that we would travel with the group but would like to stop in Chicago on the way home. The agent said it would NOT be a problem.
However, after we'd already paid the deposit in spring of this year, and Art called to ask about the travel plans, the agent said that it would cost $1,000 a person EXTRA to stop in Chicago. We were flabbergasted! $2,000 EXTRA for the both of us? Seriously?
Art told the agent we would get ourselves to Barcelona and meet the group there. It turned out for the best since Art could then book flights on his own and get us there a day early (at a slightly cheaper price) so that we could get a good night's sleep before joining the group.
When we told the agent that we would like to catch a bus ride with the group to the airport after disembarking from the cruise ship in Venice, he said it would cost us an additional $35 a person. Sheesh! We sent in our check.
This was a trip that certainly had its ups and downs from start to finish.
Starting next week, I'll be writing about both.
My head is still readjusting to being back in Hawaii. We left on October 5th for a Mediterranean Cruise after which we stopped for three weeks in Chicago before returning home. We were gone about five and a half weeks.
Art and I have been sorting through our photos and trying to get back into our routines.
It all started when Art decided in October 2013 to do a Mediterranean Cruise. He and my cousin, Arnold thought it would be fun to travel together. I was really looking forward to it since we'd talked about traveling together for quite a while.
However, after we'd already paid the deposit in spring of this year, and Art called to ask about the travel plans, the agent said that it would cost $1,000 a person EXTRA to stop in Chicago. We were flabbergasted! $2,000 EXTRA for the both of us? Seriously?
Art told the agent we would get ourselves to Barcelona and meet the group there. It turned out for the best since Art could then book flights on his own and get us there a day early (at a slightly cheaper price) so that we could get a good night's sleep before joining the group.
When we told the agent that we would like to catch a bus ride with the group to the airport after disembarking from the cruise ship in Venice, he said it would cost us an additional $35 a person. Sheesh! We sent in our check.
This was a trip that certainly had its ups and downs from start to finish.
Starting next week, I'll be writing about both.
Welcome back. i look forward to hearing about your trip.
ReplyDeleteWelcome back, Kay!!!!
ReplyDeleteNon-Stop Travel sounds like an agency that is non-stop looking for ways to make even more money. I have a feeling you will be going back to Planned-by-Art travel.
Good grief! Welcome home, but I can hardly wait to hear bout these trips and all you went through. :-)
ReplyDeleteYou two have to be the most patient people in the world. I would have been screaming and yelling at that travel agent. Glad you are back and can't wait for pictures!
ReplyDeleteGlad to see you back! Your cruise looks like the one my son and DIL went on for their honeymoon. I'm sure there were a lot of photo opportunities.
ReplyDeleteKay you're back!!! I missed you so much!
ReplyDeletewelcome back! i can't wait to read about your trip!
ReplyDeleteWelcome home. You were much missed.
ReplyDeleteWow---you two have really done some great traveling this year... It's so important to travel while we are able.. So many people wait and then aren't able physically or mentally to travel... I say: Go for it --and keep doing it...
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to hear all about your trip ---from beginning to end...
Hugs,
Betsy
Welcome back! Missed you, and looking forward to reading about your adventures!
ReplyDeleteAloha, sunny
Hello Sunny! Thank you so much for writing. It's nice to be back.
DeleteMissed your daily adventures. Can't wait to hear about your latest trip.
ReplyDeleteDeanna
Hello Deanna! I really appreciate you and Sunny writing. I do LOVE hearing from my readers. I've got my photos chosen. Now I just need to write about them. There's so much to tell.
DeleteGlad you're back and have adventures to tell.
ReplyDeleteprobably it was nice trip..
ReplyDeleteMaybe you will stay home for a while now. You both just love travel, I can tell.
ReplyDeleteWas just thinking about you yesterday wondering what your were up to. Can't wait to hear all the details. Welcome back.
ReplyDeleteGlad to see you back, Kay. We took a Mediterranean trip in 2006 on Celebrity. I'll be looking forward to your pictures to reminisce.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to see you back
ReplyDeleteSounds interesting. Great to see you back.
ReplyDeleteMissed you! Catch your breath.
ReplyDeleteALOHA from Honolulu
ComfortSpiral
=^..^= . <3 . >< } } (°>
Welcome back! I just finished drafting my last post from our trip. They'll be showing up on my blog for a few days yet. I decided to use my blog to create digital albums that anybody could look at any time, as fast or slowly as they want to. I most likely won't print any of the 3000 photos I took. We have been back two weeks today, and it took me that long to process through three weeks of photos and experiences.
ReplyDeleteGlad you are back! You really are 'the traveler's wife!!'
ReplyDeleteKay...the post is way back on my blog... My daughter is pregnant and due in April... First grandchild...there is a post with her growing baby bump..... Excited
ReplyDeleteYae! Congratulations, Michelle! That's fabulous news.
DeleteI was a travel agent for almost 20 years and that travel agent of yours...well, it gives the rest of us a bad name! Airfares are strange, you almost are never allowed a stopover and the agent should have known that.
ReplyDeleteHappy to see your smiling face again! :-)
We were really happy with Vietnam Travel in March because that company not only allowed us to come home at a different time, but allowed us to ride the bus to the airport without incurring any extra cost. The only extra cost was the air fare from Bangkok to Dhaka and back.
Deleteso happy you are back! Missed your posts :)
ReplyDeleteGood to see you back, hopefully refreshed and not missing your granddaughter too much. Looking forward to your pics.
ReplyDeleteyou were missed, can't wait to hear about your trip...
ReplyDeleteKay, sounds like you had a very interesting trip!! Welcome back!
ReplyDeleteGlad you're back. You really should check into getting a travel agent license; you've already got the experience! Enjoy some breaths. DrumMajor
ReplyDeleteHi DrumMajor! At one time, Art did think about going into the travel business when he retired. However, then he learned it was more fun to travel than ordering tickets for others.
DeleteVery pleased to read that you got to spend more time with your family. I cannot imagine not seeing my grandkids every month so I know it's hard for you. If I had to travel any where, it would be to see my grandchildren, which, by the way, we are doing today.
ReplyDeleteWelcome home! I'm looking forward to reading about your travel experiences and seeing your photos!
ReplyDeleteSo glad to see you back! You really have been gone for a long time. I look forward to reading all about it.
ReplyDeleteHi Kay, I'm thrilled that you're back! I bet Aunty is too! Looking forward to your upcoming posts. Holly
ReplyDeleteOh yes! Mom was very relieved to have us back. We'll take her with us on the next trip.
DeleteGood to see you back! Did not expect it to be so soon but good for us!
ReplyDelete