Pahking the Cah in: BOSTON (Bahston)

Posted by Jessica Passman ,
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I decided to start off my Boston trip with the very first picture that I had taken there. Coming from a small town in Boca Raton, Florida with only one season all year round, I was completely in awe when I first laid eyes on the colors of the leaves on the trees. I have most definitely seen green, I traveled to New York for Christmas as a child every year to witness nude branches, I have viewed pink and white Cherry Blossom leaves, but October in Boston 2009 first introduced to me to yellow...


...and orange! From a distance, it's as if the trees are on fire. Now living up north in New York, I finally experienced my own Fall season, and I could not believe the changing-of-the-leaves ceremony only occurs for a couple of weeks! I had imagined an orange Fall for at least a few months.


Here is a picture of Andres and I embarking the Boston Duck Tours, land and sea. If you are looking to become well acquainted with the city, I highly suggest taking this 50-80 minute, narrated tour. How does the Boston Duck Tour rule out any other tour? Not only does this amphibious vehicle take a dip halfway into the Charles River, but did I mention that each bus is an authentic WWII landing vehicles, which has been renovated for sightseeing purposes?

Boston Duck Tours

Do not forget to inquire about student discounts. 


And to our right, we have... Wendy's? Can you tell that I am a tourist? After my Northern transformation, I can barely remember what it is like to calmly park my car in a widespread parking lot, or leisurely drive through a window and order my food. I found a two-story fast-food chain astonishing and never imagined it awkwardly placed inside a big building with housing above it. 


A little piece of home... I have taken for granted the peacefulness of not scrounging for a quarter to feed the meters, or stress about squeezing my car into a yay-big paralleled parking spot, wondering if its Monday-Friday between 9:45-6:30pm except holidays. 


Cruising along the tour, we came across the Boston Common, A.K.A Central Park of Bahston. Boston Common is known as the oldest park in the United States, dating back since 1634. Originally used as a military camp in the Battle of Lexington and Concord, the park is now a great place for leaisurley activities such as picnics, bike rides and dog walks. 


At the northern end of the Common, sits the Massachusetts State House, seating the government of Commonwealth of Mass. 

Fun Fact: The staircase leading from Beacon Street to Doric Hall inside of the building is only opened on three occasions: 
1.  When the president of the United States enters.
2. On the tradition of the Governor exiting the building on his last day in office.
3. Whenever a regimental flag returns from battle. 



A really cool picture of a reflection inside the glass building of the Custom House.


Here is a picture of the Holocaust Memorial of New England. Standing at 54 feet high, these glass towers stand as a reminder of the tragic events. Even during the night fall, the towers gleam shedding light and respect for every individual affected. The website is below; it is very intriguing.

Holocaust Memorial


Here is an actual piece of the Berlin Wall, one of many segments given to various organizations across the world since 1989.


"Don't fire until you see the whites of their eyes!" This is a picture of where the Battle of Bunker Hill took place on July 17, 1775.  Standing in granite at 221 feet tall, the monument stands on Breed's Hill where the majority of the battle actually took place. You can actually visit inside of the monument, however, there are no elevators inside of the 294 step walk-up.
Hours of Operation: Daily from 9:00am- 5:00pm. 
Admission: Free



Plunging into the perilous waters of the Boston Harbor, our tour had taken an interesting turn. 


Here is a picture of our ConDUCKtor steering us through the murky waters while providing passengers with a well informed narrated tour of Boston.


Here is a photograph of fellow duck tours passing us in the river. 


Say Cheese!


No, Andres did not hijack the tour; the conDUCKtors offer smaller passengers the chance to steer the ship, and our Andres could not pass up an opportunity like that. 


Back on land, (and on our feet) an old friend and I decided to check out the Quincy Market. Constructed in 1824-1826, the national building stands near Faneuil Hall and is known to Bostonians as a popular food source. Containing a variety of restaurants, fast-food joints and bakeries, the two-story seating area is popular for workers in the downtown area to enjoy a hot lunch.


This is a picture of inside the Sam Adams brewery. Whether a fan of beer or not, I highly recommend taking a tour of the brewery. This tour provides people with knowledge of how the beer is made and properly tasted, offering free samples of Sam Adams beer at the end. The smell of the Hallertau hops used to make the beer is so strong and it literally stays with you until departure. Tours are 
Monday-Thursday: 10am- 3pm (last tour starts at 3), Friday: 10am- 5:30, and Saturday: 10am-3pm.

Samuel Adams Brewery


Here is a picture of Andres and I on a short ferry ride out to Charleston Navy Yard to visit the U.S.S Constitution. This is such a great shot of the Boston skyline. I suggest taking the ferry rather than walking or any other form of transportation in order to enjoy a marvelous view. Departing from the Ticket Center downtown, the ferry does not cost more than 5 dollars. 


Here is a photograph of Andres at the U.S.S Constitution. The 45-minute guided and narrated tour takes you aboard the three-masted heavy frigate of the United States. Known as the oldest, floating commissioned naval vessel, the ship stands as a reminder of the Navy's role in war and peace, and it is educationally enriching as it offers information and fun facts about its duties. Museum is also available.

Fun Fact: The ship was first launched in 1797

Tours Operate: Daily, every hour from 10:30am-3:30pm



Here is a photograph of Andres and I aboard the ship, standing with one of its life savers.


Here is a picture of Andres registering for classes at Harvard... :) 



Fans of Will and Grace? The full set of the show is stored in a friend's library at her college in Emerson. 


This is a picture of a T-shirt that we saw inside of airport. I absolutely adored it. This shirt completely mocks the heavy Bostonian accent in which we found almost incomprehensible at times, especially during tours! (Pictures are provided at the end of each sentence which we needed when speaking with half of these natives.)

Overall, I absolutely enjoyed our time in Boston. October was a great time to visit, especially, Halloween weekend. Considering it was a bewitched time to visit, and we were in Boston for the weekend, you did not think that we would actually leave without visiting... Salem?



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Viva Mexico!: COZUMEL, MEXICO

Posted by Jessica Passman ,
,

Move over Mayans, Senor Froggers coming through! 

Cozumel, Mexico is home to affordable silver, scuba diving, Tequila, and recently, a piece of my heart over my final destination on the Carnival Liberty. 

 Coming straight from the Cayman Islands, we decided to take advantage of our last dose of Caribbean sun, and nestle our toes in none other than Playa Mia. Just a cab ride, (an expensive cab ride), and a small entrance fee, Andres and I were enjoying unlimited mixed drinks and a trampoline on water. 


Here are Andres and I in the central plaza right outside the port. This Mayan Temple fountain makes a great photo-opt, however, I highly suggest visiting the actual Ruins, (one of the seven world wonders.) Unfortunately, our time frame was limited; visiting the ruins would have not left us any downtime time to explore the city. Fortunately, we had the privilege of savoring in other friendly passenger's outrageous descriptions of it. If you are in town and have the time, I highly suggest it.

 Tip: Do NOT purchase anything around the cruise port. Go into the city for cheaper prices and better deals. We had to learn the hard way when Andres bought a Mayan calendar from a kiosk inside of this plaza, only to find a bigger, better and a fraction-of-the-price one downtown. 


Here is an image of the infamous Playa Mia. This beach park is a wonderful site for people of all ages with all needs. Packages are offered to satisfy your desires, such as snorkeling, buffet-style lunches or simply unlimited beverages. Just a swim out in its transparent waters, you can enjoy a water trampoline or a mountain climb. Swimming pools and lockers are provided on site as well.

Playa Mia - Click for more information and prices.

 Tip: Cab fares to destinations are provided at the ship's port. Do not get inside of a cab without verifying actual prices. Native cab-drivers are always trying to haggle prices. 

Tip: Bring your own goggles, snorkel and other water equipment with you from home. It is cheaper than renting.


Here is a great picture of Andres and I with the cruise ship in the background. We are at Senor Frogs right outside the port. 

Senor Frogs

Tip: When you are at your destination, and if you happen to be around the cruise ship during lunch or dinner hours, keep in mind that you can always go back onto the ship at anytime. Grabbing your already-paid-for meals can be cheaper than spending money on food elsewhere. Take note at the trail of people constantly entering and exiting the ship. 


 Here is a picture of Holly, Ali and I inside of giant photo-opt cake at Senor Frogs.

Here is a picture of Hans and Andres posting inside of two Mexican boots with pistols. Tequila shots+Caribbean sun=  This kind of impact.


 This is a picture of interesting shirt that we saw one of the waiter wearing in Senor Frogs. 

 Tip: Referring to number 10- Do not drink the water in Mexico. You need to be careful consuming water in any foreign country, so to be on the safe side, I suggest either bringing water bottles from the cruise ship or stopping at a gas station in Mexico and picking up a couple water bottles to take with you on the beach.  



 This was the last picture taken in Cozumel, Mexico/Carnival Cruise. From left to right Holly father, unknown, mother, Hans, Andres, Corey, Holly, unknown, Ali, me, and Holly's brother. Balloon hats, yard stick Margarita glasses and bikinis pretty much sum up my trip, and I think it is safe to say that I left my heart in good hands. 

 Carnival Cruise part 2?... Stay tuned.

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Diamonds 101: GEORGETOWN, GRAND CAYMAN ISLANDS

Posted by Jessica Passman ,
,

Caribbean pitstop or boyfriend's worst nightmare -- You be the judge.

Georgetown, Grand Cayman is the capital of the Cayman Islands, located in the British West Indies. Not only does Georgetown house the financial industry of the islands, with over 600 banks decorating its streets, but it is widely known for its affordable diamonds and jewelry.

Population: Approximately 30,000.

Georgetown is not your typical pina colada-on-the-beach destination stop. If you are looking for a relaxing day on warm sand, you might consider taking advantage of the cruise ship's empty pool area instead.

Here are Andres and I arriving in Georgetown. The cruise ship will not be docked, due to the massive coral beds surrounding the coast. The ship will be tendered, or smaller boats will pull up alongside your cruise ship to ferry the passengers across to shore. Lines are extremely long, considering each small ferry holds around a couple hundred passengers. Make sure to wake up extra early when your ship is in tender to get on one of the first ferries out. 


Here I am standing outside one of the many jewelry shops on the island. I found it interesting that one of the jewelers shares the same last name as me, considering my last name is made-up and given to my great-grandparents when they voyaged through Ellis Island. 

Georgetown is more of a shopping district and home to Diamonds International. You will always find pamphlets being handed out, entitling you to receive a free emerald or a free charm for a bracelet in many of the different stores, however, they are usually minute in size and are not worth waiting in lines to receive. 

 Tip: Free internet is offered in some of the gift shops upon purchase of an item. Buy a key-chain.


Here is an image from our shore excursion-- shipwreck snorkel. An old freight ship importing rice onto the island had mistakenly taken in too much water. Rice+Warm water= A tasty dish served served with meat or poultry. Unfortunately, only the fishes and octopus at the bottom of the island are dining aboard. Before reaching the shore, the rice expanded and the ship had virtually exploded into several pieces, creating a shore excursion for tourists and cruise passengers. The shipwreck, named Cali, is located in shallow waters and is a fun activity for the whole family. If you are lucky, you can catch a glimpse at eels and sea urchins. 

Other great shore excursions are the stingray swim or submarine tour.


Here is an image of Georgetown. Take note of the lack of beaches and sand. Although I had a lot of fun snorkeling, I must stress that I do not highly recommend this destination if you are planning on enjoying a typical Caribbean pit-stop. This island provides great pictures, views, and affordable jewelry for budgets. The Cayman Islands are not subject to any form of direct taxation, therefore making all your purchases tax-free. Make sure NOT to claim any purchases when re-entering the United States; your items will be taxed.

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Yeah, Mon: JAMAICA

Posted by Jessica Passman ,
,

The best part about the actual cruise itself (after relaxing and chocolate molten cake) are the shore excursions. 

 You either have two options: 
-Sign up for a shore excursion either online or directly when you get on the cruise. They usually fill up quickly, and the lines to book them are always long. 
-Wait until you actually get to your destination, and book with the people on the island itself for sometimes a fraction of the price. It is a risky operation, just in case the tour or excursion has booked up, but the people at these destination points are generally always trying to recruit people for their excursions the second you get off the cruise, and sometimes they drop the price very low to get you to do it. I personally do not like to wait until the last minute.

Ocho Rios, Jamaica was the first destination on Cruise:1 


Here are a couple photographs upon arrival into Jamaica. I thought the "offense of illegal drugs" was pretty ironic, considering the natives did not stop trying to sell us "Ganja" the whole time we were there. 


Here is a photograph from the cruise, as we were pulling into the port. Suggestion: Try to wake up early enough to watch the ship pulling into a port. After being in the middle of nowhere for sometimes over a couple of days, pulling into exotic ports is such a refreshing sight to see. It is definitely worth setting your alarm clock earlier, and sometimes if you are lucky, you can get a table near the window for breakfast and it makes a nice view while you eat.

 Another view on zoom.

This is one of my favorite pictures that I have ever taken on vacation. Here are Andres and I waiting for our excursion. Sometimes, the ship is positioned just right, off into the distance from the shore. It always makes a great photo-opt.


For our shore excursion, we chose Dunn's River Falls by Catamaran Party Cruise. A mini-ship picks us up at our designated time and sails us over to one of the most famous tourist locations in Jamaica-- Dunn's River Waterfall. The ship transforms into a party deck offering Beer, Rum, Punch, soda and water aboard. Here is a photograph of one of the tour guides dancing to "Cha Cha Slide" while balancing a tray full of beverages on top of her head. Everyone aboard the ship is so friendly and they always encourage you to get up and dance. 


Another shot.

After about a fifteen-twenty minute boat-ride, we arrived at Dunn's River Falls. Over 1,000 feet high, Dunn's River is actually one of the few waterfalls that actually empties out into the sea. Tip: Do not forget a water camera. They are available to purchase on the ship, but for double the price. Lockers are not provided, so leave all personal belongings on the cruise ship.

Suggestion: Bring water shoes! Did I mention that you will climbing the 1,000 foot waterfall? Everyone on the tour will be assigned to hold hands and walk up the waterfall in a single-file line. I personally did not understand this concept-- if one were to fall, others would be dragged down with them. However, it is very safe. Although there are a lot of tricky spots requiring you to maneuver your way around, there are plenty of guides that are there to help you along the way. The people are very friendly; they always offer to take pictures with your camera. At the end of your climb, a video of your climb is offered for purchase. 

 Make sure to plan out your excursions wisely; many tours can take up the entire stay at one particular destination. You are only at a certain location for approximately 10 hours, and many of the tours are scheduled halfway during the day. If you are planning on touring the islands, you first should always check how long your excursion will be for. Dunn's River Falls should be approximately 3-4 hours long. 

 Before purchasing your excursion, it is best to always find out what each destination is known for. Some other cool excursions for Ocho Rios are river rafting, tubing, and bobsledding. I would not consider horseback riding or snorkeling here.



 Here is an image of Jamaican natives. We fortunately had enough time to wander off into the city for a little, to check out some of the different stores. They have really nice hand-made craft jewelry. Just be careful and always watch your surroundings. Tip: Never purchase any hand-made craft from the people selling directly outside the cruise ship. They are tripled-the-price and you can find much better deals once you head into the city. (They were charging tourists to take a photograph with one of the cruise directors dressed up with a Rastafarian wig and bright-colored clothes, when we could just head into the city and take a picture with a real Jamaican.)



 Here are Andres and I heading back over to the cruise ship. We really enjoyed our time here in Ocho Rios, Jamaica, however, if you are expecting clear waters and white sand, this is not the destination for you. 

 Clear waters and white sand up ahead-- stay tuned. 

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ALL FOR FUN; FUN FOR ALL: CRUISE 1

Posted by Jessica Passman ,
,

Coming from the lost world under the sea, Andres and I decided to voyage from a different standpoint-- Over it.

We booked our first cruise during a week in June of 2009 between breaks in school.

Before ever sailing the seas, I find it safe to say that everyone has some sort of apprehension in regards to sea-sickeness, claustrophobia, or checking in with family and friends back at home. After multiple cruises, I have found ways to ward off all anxiety and put forth the real meaning of "Feeling hot, hot, hot."

 After mulling over different cruise sites, I found VacationsToGo to be the most helpful regarding my needs. Booking with a travel agent on this particular website, allows you to bargain prices, inquire about on-board credit, and even warrants you for free upgrades. 

Vacations To Go- Cruising

 When booking a cruise, keep a few things in mind:

1. The time of the year in which you are traveling. Summer, Spring breaks, and New Year's cruises are generally the most pricey. Random weeks during January or February always tend to offer better deals because the weather is colder, even in the Caribbean. Thanksgiving cruises are always the cheapest. 
2. Deals are always offered. Make sure to inquire if you are a veteran or senior of 55+. Depending what state you are residing in, there are usually resident deals for a lot of the cruises.
3. On-board Credit. Always, always ask your travel agent about free on-board credit. Depending on the cruise and time of the year, VacationsToGo can offer up to a few hundred dollars for you to spend at your own leisure aboard the cruise. Tip: Upon receiving your on-board credit, make sure to have some sort of documented verification. Upon our last cruise, it was never written on paper and we had a hard time contacting our travel agent from the ship.
4. Bring your own alcohol. You are entitled to bring one bottle of wine or champagne in your luggage, however, hypothetically speaking, there are tricks to the trade. You could try simply wrapping a bottle of vodka inside your clothes at the bottom of your suitcase. Transferring your liquor into a mouthwash bottle could do the trick as well. A little green or blue food coloring would guarantee no issues. Liquor aboard the ship is extremely expensive, and bringing your own could save you a lot of money. Only one time did our bottle get caught upon bag search, and was confiscated until the end of the vacation. It was well worth the risk! 
5. Take out more cash than you need before your vacation. On-board ATM fees are extremely expensive and you do not not want to prohibit yourself to any activities both on and off ship.
6. Look into Motion Sickness Bracelets. They are tiny gray bracelets that you wear on both wrists with a ball on each cuff sticking into your vein. The pressure point triggers the vein in which causes motion sickness (acupuncture.) You can wear them your entire cruise, even in the water. I much prefer wearing the bracelets over taking Dramamine or wearing the ear patches-- no medication is involved. (Bracelets cost around 10 dollars. Put them on before the ship sails.)
7. If you are claustrophobic, I highly urge you to spend a little more money for an ocean-vew cabin. In the inside cabins, there are no windows facing the ocean and no light coming through. You would need to schedule a phone-call from the lobby to be woken up at a certain time. Outside cabins provide one with a beautiful view of the ocean and plenty of light to know when morning has come. Balcony rooms are typically the most expensive rooms. They have a beautiful balcony at the back of your room facing the ocean, allowing you to order in breakfast and watch the sun rise from the comfort of your own room.



 Here is a photograph of Andres and I aboard Carnival Liberty. The color-changing chandelier always makes a great photo-opt. Usually, about 2 nights out of the week is formal dinner. Men must be dressed with a jacket and nice slacks, and women in a nice dress or pants-suit. During the Captains Dinner, unlimited lobster is served. Upon booking your cruise, you will be asked if you want early or late dinner. Even though we are late-eaters, I highly recommend doing early dinner, considering most of the adult comedy and game shows are at night, and we found that it was interfering with late dinner. Upon most of the cruise lines, same-seating arrangements are required for dinner. Instead of being seated at a two-seater alone, Andres and I always requested to eat with a large group, in order to meet people. Tip: Have the chocolate molten cake every night of your stay.



 Even though the cruise says to originally board around 4 o clock, you can actually get there around lunch-time. Food is already served and music is playing. People are already there dancing and having a good time. Alcohol and casino games are not available until around 30 minutes after the ship has sailed away. Here is a photograph of our ship before we sailed away from Miami. Carnival cruises always encourage their audiences to get up, dance, and participate in the ship's activities. The floor levels are broken up into three different teams: The blue, white, and the red. Throughout your entire vacation, points are awarded throughout game shows and contests and it is always family-fun to participate in the on-going competition, until on the last day, one team is awarded winner. 




 Here are photographs of Miami Beach, Florida. I resided in Boca Raton, Florida my entire life, and have always taken for granted this spectacular scene just 45 minutes from my house. It costed me a cruise to appreciate my hometown.



 Here is a picture of Andres and I leaving the port of Miami. (30 minutes must have been up, considering drinks were already in hand.) Cash is not used aboard the ship; you are provided a card before boarding and must fill the card with money. Tip: Put more money on the card then you think you will need, because the lines to refill your card at customer service are always long and stressful. You can cash out whatever money is left on the card anytime you wish to.



 Here is a photograph of Andres and I on the ship. Do not let the slide in the background deceive you; I do not encourage families with children to sail with Carnival. Carnival cruise lines have the reputation of being the "Party-Cruise" and do not cater to children's needs. There are no kid-pools or many children activities. Carnival cruise lines are for ages 18-anyone that enjoys a good time. 



 A nice shot of the lobby. There are elevators, as well as stairs, so elderly and handicap should not worry.




Here is Andres standing on the stairwell leading to the bar in the lobby. Drinks range from 7 dollars+. If you are going to purchase one beer, it will save you a couple bucks to buy the bucket of four. 



 Have anxiety about missing a game? Worry no longer! Here is Andres catching up on a soccer game at the sport's bar aboard ship.



 Another nice photograph displaying the ships different levels. There are around 12 floors on the cruise. 

 Fun-Facts: Passenger capacity -2,974 Total Crew -1,160
Officer's nationality - Italian
Ship Size - Large
Tonnage - 110,000
Ship Length -952 feet
Registry - Panama


Here is a photograph of the Venetian Palace. The two-level seating seats a very large audience. Family shows are held during the day, while adult shows are held at night. Tip: Some of the must-see shows are Hypnosis, Adult Hypnosis,  Adult Comedy, Marital Game Show, (any kind of) Trivia, Magic, Battle of the Sexes, and the Quest. Itineraries are available in the lobby providing a list of shows and times.


Here I am participating in a movie game-show. I was asked questions such as theme songs and character names. I ended up winning a mini-cruise trophy and points added to my team color. 


Here is Andres (in the middle) also participating in a different game show. He ended up winning a trophy as well and more points added to our team.


Here is Andres standing in my favorite part of the whole ship. It is a long corridor with color-changing chandeliers and large windows to look out and view the ocean. To the left, is a bar and casino-- areas in which we have become familiarized with throughout our stay. 



Here are some fun-featured daily activities aboard the ship. Mini-golf, basketball, racquetball, chess, and pingpong are some of the games in which you can participate in during your stay.


The casino is where the magic happened. The automated poker-table formed both money and friendships, as every night, we would encounter the same group of people to meet up and play together. After 7 days on the same ship at the same table with the same faces, we all became a little family. However, we were not that close or friendly enough to take each other's money! I won over 700 dollars in one hand. We eventually all starting eating together and participating in activities together.


From left to right, here are Leanne, Steven, Andres, me, Jason, Caitie, Jody, and Larry at the late-night comedy show. 


Here is the group, now with Hans and Ali, at one of our many poker games. Notice me to the right with my bottle of wine. 


Here is the group again, now with Holly and Corey, at a show called the Quest. This is a Rated-R show and instantly became a group favorite. I highly recommend participating, only if you are not easily offended under any circumstances.


For example, here is Holly and Corey during the Quest. Throughout the game show, the first team to participate in something outrageous wins points. We just won points here for having the first boy and girl team members to switch clothes on the spot. Winner of the game-show wins champagne bottles. I did not win my first Quest until my third cruise once I had mastered it.


Here are some of our group members on the top deck at night. We were playing some drinking games. On the top deck, an unlimited pizza bar is located offering pizza 247. It was nice to look out the window at the black sea, knowing that you are in the middle of the oceans, hundreds of miles from home.

In the end, Andres and I had managed to conquer another successful vacation together, learning new things along the way, and forming new, lasting friendships. I never ended up getting sea-sick, and I ended up checking-up on family on shore. Internet is provided, however, over 6 dollars a minute, are Facebook status updates really worth it? Many of the destination stops along the way offer free internet, where one can easily log on and send or receive an any emails. I have danced a mile-long conga line, drank pina coladas and ate chocolate molten cake for a week straight, and I have had the opportunity to explore crystal clear waters and white sand with enjoyable company.

What bucket list?


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