Back to the Med Greece/Turkey in 2013! Complete!

[MinnieDiva]

Why did you think the tux would bother me...the Alaska cruise was the first cruise he didn't rent one...that's pretty much standard for him...

Because I know how much shopping that's going to mean for you. The outfit you had last MED clearly is too big, as was the one last summer. Unless your closet has sprouted formalwear, there's a big shopping trip in your future.....

 

[MinnieDiva]

This was an article in the Seattle Times a few days ago. I thought it was pretty interesting.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/travel/2017915823_webtunisia08.html

 

[MinnieDiva]

Hi Kim,

Feel free to copy and paste -- I'm all about sharing! Don't know anything about asking a mod to create a sticky -- I've just been putting things I've found in a front page post on next July's meet thread.

Beth

Thanks for adding even more stuff to the newly re-labeled thread. Would have been nice to start it from the beginning, tho, IMO. Now people have to search thru the entire thing to find the new links.

 

[MinnieDiva]

I came to update a post I wrote the other day, and I can't seem to find it. I know there have been a bunch of issues with the servers, so maybe that particular topic got mysteriously placed elsewhere...???

Ok, so what I want to mention is a new travel host: Rudy Maxa! Unlike Rick Steves, however, his shows aren't readily available on Hulu, nor can I find them on my local PBS channel. It tells me to look back to find out when he'll next air. BUT...Sean has not only heard of him, but seen his stuff on TV!!

So, why did this topic arise? We were at Costco wandering thru the books/dvd area and I saw a series of travel videos by this guy...Europe to the Max or something like that. So, being the thrifty traveler I am rotfl: wouldn't be going on a DCL cruise if I was, would I??), I promptly came home and looked at my local library website to see what they had! And, lo and behold, they had some of his stuff!

So, this afternoon, Sean and I sat down with our yummy salads and started to watch the DVD's that arrived. The first one was a single DVD on Turkey. It covered Istanbul (which we didn't watch), and the Turquoise Coast (which we did). It was very well done and gave some amazing video not only of the coast line, but of Ephesus and the ruins around it. What beautiful scenery! While the Turquoise Coast was further south (Kusadasi being the farthest north of that area, from what I gather), I certainly home we'll get so see such splendid coastline!!

The next DVD was a set of 5 or 6 disks. It covers a lot of areas in Europe, but we watched a series on Rome that gave an awful lot of scenic shots that Rick Steves series don't seem to have. The other was on the French Riveria. Both of these were worth watching to give some history, scenery, and ideas of what to see and do in the area.

I've gone to his website to see what I could see and this wasn't as stellar. I found a link to a blog that hasn't bee updated in something like 2 years, but then went to a different website that seemed to be more current, but less informative than what you can get on Rick's website. So worth perusing, though. This guy clearly travels EVERYWHERE, not just Europe. I'd love to see his perspective on spain, but our library didn't have any of his stuff that may have covered that area.

Here's a link to his website:
http://rudymaxa.com/

 

[luvslikepi]

Ok, so what I want to mention is a new travel host: Rudy Maxa! Unlike Rick Steves, however, his shows aren't readily available on Hulu, nor can I find them on my local PBS channel. It tells me to look back to find out when he'll next air. BUT...Sean has not only heard of him, but seen his stuff on TV!!

Here's a link to his website:
http://rudymaxa.com/

I prefer Rick Steves to Rudy Maxa....he does far more affordable travel tips...Rudy Maxa always seems to be doing the high end stays and places.

 

[MinnieDiva]

I prefer Rick Steves to Rudy Maxa....he does far more affordable travel tips...Rudy Maxa always seems to be doing the high end stays and places.

I agree. I just think the DVD's do a great job of showing the area!

 

[tinkerbelltwins]

Thanks Kim. Your google map is very helpful! I know that my DH Steve will put the Starbucks locale to good use! I'm still thinking that we'll be doing the bike tour. I need to get on the site to see where they go and then compare it to your map. Right now Steve and the twins are watching a Rick Steve's episode but it isn't a place we are headed to next year. I'm thrilled that the kids are getting excited about overseas travel! Me too!

 

[mindelmouse]

Thanks for adding even more stuff to the newly re-labeled thread. Would have been nice to start it from the beginning, tho, IMO. Now people have to search thru the entire thing to find the new links.

So I'm subscribed to this thread and I got no notifications of any updates from yesterday or today...good thing I checked...in addition...STOP CHANGING THE NAME - You're confusing my already befuddled brain.

 

[mindelmouse]

Thanks Kim. Your google map is very helpful! I know that my DH Steve will put the Starbucks locale to good use! I'm still thinking that we'll be doing the bike tour. I need to get on the site to see where they go and then compare it to your map. Right now Steve and the twins are watching a Rick Steve's episode but it isn't a place we are headed to next year. I'm thrilled that the kids are getting excited about overseas travel! Me too!

Glad you can use the Starbucks locales...but they were put in there to feed my DH's addiction. He can't go a day without it (as I'm sitting here with the Starbucks he bought me)

 

[mindelmouse]

So I have some news...Kim of course knows this already...My DD who is a tomboy at heart and HATES to dress up...has agreed to wear a dress on formal night. I couldn't believe my everloving ears when she said it. She heard the boys were all wearing tuxes (although DS is not convinced yet) and that Kim, Ashleigh and I were wearing dresses and she said she would wear one as well.

That is a biggee for her....I told her to Facetime Kim and beg her to make the dress, but I don't know if she will

 

[MinnieDiva]

So I'm subscribed to this thread and I got no notifications of any updates from yesterday or today...good thing I checked...in addition...STOP CHANGING THE NAME - You're confusing my already befuddled brain.

Lol! It keeps you on your toes!

But seriously, if you all aren't podcast listeners, there have been ongoing server issues and a crash yesterday that have been causing problems. Hence my missing post! There's a section of the forums about technical support that you can go to and see if anyone else is having issues.

 

[MinnieDiva]

Thanks Kim. Your google map is very helpful! I know that my DH Steve will put the Starbucks locale to good use! I'm still thinking that we'll be doing the bike tour. I need to get on the site to see where they go and then compare it to your map. Right now Steve and the twins are watching a Rick Steve's episode but it isn't a place we are headed to next year. I'm thrilled that the kids are getting excited about overseas travel! Me too!

I'm only a so-so Starbucks fan, which is odd since I live near where it all began, but after getting mini coffees for two weeks, I was sooooooo ready for a plain old grande drip, room for cream!

Glad to hear the kids are getting in to it! Ashleigh was a bit dismayed this evening when I pulled out the Spanish workbooks, but we all learned some more!

 

[MinnieDiva]

So I have some news...Kim of course knows this already...My DD who is a tomboy at heart and HATES to dress up...has agreed to wear a dress on formal night. I couldn't believe my everloving ears when she said it. She heard the boys were all wearing tuxes (although DS is not convinced yet) and that Kim, Ashleigh and I were wearing dresses and she said she would wear one as well.

That is a biggee for her....I told her to Facetime Kim and beg her to make the dress, but I don't know if she will

Hmmmmm.....something more to plan..... . We'd have to figure out bicoastal fittings....

 

[MinnieDiva]

Hmmmmm.....something more to plan..... . We'd have to figure out bicoastal fittings....

And I'd have to have a sewing machine. Mines still in the shop.....yes....it has been 2 months! I tried to get an update today, But the guy working on it was off. The last thing I heard was that after ordering 6 different supposedly "the same" part, one was finally the correct one, but it still hasn't solved the problem and he can't figure out why. He was waiting for Singer to call him back with some suggestions. In case I didn't mention it when this first happened, my regular sewing machine is at least 50 years old, maybe more like 60. But I love it! I have a serger, 2 sergers actually, but I like my old standard. Sigh. A new machine would mean a learning curve.....

 

[mindelmouse]

And I'd have to have a sewing machine. Mines still in the shop.....yes....it has been 2 months! I tried to get an update today, But the guy working on it was off. The last thing I heard was that after ordering 6 different supposedly "the same" part, one was finally the correct one, but it still hasn't solved the problem and he can't figure out why. He was waiting for Singer to call him back with some suggestions. In case I didn't mention it when this first happened, my regular sewing machine is at least 50 years old, maybe more like 60. But I love it! I have a serger, 2 sergers actually, but I like my old standard. Sigh. A new machine would mean a learning curve.....

Do you think I really know what any of those things are? My grandfather was a tailor and used to force my mother and then me to watch him sew. It turned both of us off to any type of sewing.

I know you're going to ask why I am still awake. For some reason after waking at 4 am this morning, I am still going after midnight. Could it be the coffee that DH gave me at 8:30??

 

[MinnieDiva]

Do you think I really know what any of those things are? My grandfather was a tailor and used to force my mother and then me to watch him sew. It turned both of us off to any type of sewing.

I know you're going to ask why I am still awake. For some reason after waking at 4 am this morning, I am still going after midnight. Could it be the coffee that DH gave me at 8:30??

Ya think?

 

[gailg3horses]

My mom has an old singer. Darn thing breaks down more than it works these days. But she loves it. I offered to buy her a new machine and you'd think I had killed her best friend. Lol. Hers was just repaired so we could make our fish extenders for our up coming cruise. We're trying that for the first time this time. Don't tell mom, but its still acting funny (her machine). Skipping stitches and weird stuff. Oh well. They still turned out really nice. For some reason it says I can't post pictures (anyone know why?) or I'd post a picture of them.

 

[MinnieDiva]

My mom has an old singer. Darn thing breaks down more than it works these days. But she loves it. I offered to buy her a new machine and you'd think I had killed her best friend. Lol. Hers was just repaired so we could make our fish extenders for our up coming cruise. We're trying that for the first time this time. Don't tell mom, but its still acting funny (her machine). Skipping stitches and weird stuff. Oh well. They still turned out really nice. For some reason it says I can't post pictures (anyone know why?) or I'd post a picture of them.

The longer this repair takes, the more convinced I am that I'm going to be getting a new one soon. My singer has actually been very reliable. While I've had to give it regular maintenance, Ive never had a repair like this.

I'd love to see your fish extender. But you might want to wait till tomorrow. Theres a notice at the top of every page of the boards advising that the boards are going down tonight at 5. For many hours. But hopefully it'll fix all the issues. On that note, I guess I'll talk to y'all tomorrow! Have a great Saturday!

 

[OurDogCisco]

Hopefully, I don't regret this but with all your talk about fish extenders I'm starting to. Anyways, we decided to JUMP SHIP and I rebooked our cruise on 2 other lines. UGH.... hope I'm not making the wrong decision. Anyways, as MinnieDiva knows from our cruise meet thread about how I was stressing about our pre-cruise stay and what do to, we decided to change cruise lines. We are now sailing with RCCL and NCL out of the Rome Port. We'll spend a few days in Rome as well so, we can see the city more. I guess, you could spend months in these places and not see everything. I'll probably still follow along as our port calls are pretty close.

I know why I love Disney and it is the cruisers so hopefully, we aren't making a huge mistake.

 

[MinnieDiva]

Hopefully, I don't regret this but with all your talk about fish extenders I'm starting to. Anyways, we decided to JUMP SHIP and I rebooked our cruise on 2 other lines. UGH.... hope I'm not making the wrong decision. Anyways, as MinnieDiva knows from our cruise meet thread about how I was stressing about our pre-cruise stay and what do to, we decided to change cruise lines. We are now sailing with RCCL and NCL out of the Rome Port. We'll spend a few days in Rome as well so, we can see the city more. I guess, you could spend months in these places and not see everything. I'll probably still follow along as our port calls are pretty close.

I know why I love Disney and it is the cruisers so hopefully, we aren't making a huge mistake.

We'll miss you and hope your new cruises will be magical!