If you've taken a recent trip that you would like to share with your Sun City neighbors, email Beth Nappe at [email protected]. Be sure to put TRAVEL in the subject line.
By HELENE WINKLER
ODE TO OCHO RIOS, JAMAICA
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Views of the Caribbean and a heartwarming sea turtle ceremony make for beautiful memories of Ocho Rios, Jamaica.
At the end of October, I boarded a plane for Montego Bay, Jamaica. To say I was excited is an understatement. Once landed, I was shuttled off to Sandals, an all-inclusive resort in Ocho Rios. I had a seaside balcony room overlooking the Caribbean. The resort offers over 12 restaurants with various cuisines, 3 pools with swim up bars, stand up paddle boarding, kayaking, catamaran boat trips, fishing and tennis. The entertainment included a Caribbean night with fantastic dancers in costumes, a piano bar, a speak-easy with local singers and a Halloween extravaganza with singing and dancing. The resort also has a salon and spa.
The Sandals property is for adults only. I met 3 couples that vacation there each year, honeymooners and a variety of people. I toured Beaches, another resort which has child and family friendly activities. There is also an all-suite hotel for adults. You can visit all the properties. There are seaside and hillside accommodations. The hillside bungalows have pools, living rooms and bedrooms. Honeymooners and groups of friends seem to like this setting.
A very special experience was going to a beach where female turtles come to nest and on that day, the people in charge of the turtles dug into the sand where there were about 80 baby turtles. We all took one and washed it in the sea and then lined up around the baby turtles and watched them make their way from the sand to the ocean. It was truly emotional and unique!
The golf course was the topper of experiences as we went to the course and had a divine lunch. The meal included a full service bar and a buffet with lobster and jerk chicken. Picture something out of Town & Country magazine and available to anyone wishing such a dining experience. It was so fun!
So whatever your interests are, whether you like lounging by the Caribbean or poolside or would rather take advantage of the many activities being offered, Sandals has something for everyone.
When I had to leave, I had a sad face. The staff was beyond pleasant, helpful and always available. I had a relaxed but active time and loved my time at Sandals, Ocho Rios, Jamaica.
The Sandals property is for adults only. I met 3 couples that vacation there each year, honeymooners and a variety of people. I toured Beaches, another resort which has child and family friendly activities. There is also an all-suite hotel for adults. You can visit all the properties. There are seaside and hillside accommodations. The hillside bungalows have pools, living rooms and bedrooms. Honeymooners and groups of friends seem to like this setting.
A very special experience was going to a beach where female turtles come to nest and on that day, the people in charge of the turtles dug into the sand where there were about 80 baby turtles. We all took one and washed it in the sea and then lined up around the baby turtles and watched them make their way from the sand to the ocean. It was truly emotional and unique!
The golf course was the topper of experiences as we went to the course and had a divine lunch. The meal included a full service bar and a buffet with lobster and jerk chicken. Picture something out of Town & Country magazine and available to anyone wishing such a dining experience. It was so fun!
So whatever your interests are, whether you like lounging by the Caribbean or poolside or would rather take advantage of the many activities being offered, Sandals has something for everyone.
When I had to leave, I had a sad face. The staff was beyond pleasant, helpful and always available. I had a relaxed but active time and loved my time at Sandals, Ocho Rios, Jamaica.
OUR TRIP TO THE HOLY LAND
By RICHARD BECKER/Link
On November 4, 2019, my wife, Melody, and I, Mountain View Presbyterian Church (MVPC) Pastor David W. Dendy and 16 members and friends of MVPC boarded a plane at San Francisco International Airport for the 14-hour flight to Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv, Israel. Our group eventually grew to 41 as we were joined by others from around the world.
Some of the places we visited during our six-day tour were: Tel Aviv – Jaffa - Caesarea – Nazareth – Cana – Tiberias – Sea of Galilee – Capernaum – Golan Heights – Caesarea Philippi – Tiberias – Tel Megiddo – Bethlehem – Jerusalem -Mount Zion - Dead Sea – Jericho - Garden Tomb - The Western Wall – St. Stephen’s Gate – Pools of Bethesda – Masada – Roma Aqueduct and Theatre at Caesarea – Mount of Beatitudes – Church of the Nativity and Ein Karem.
Here are a few highlights of the trip: Gathering for communion in the Garden Tomb. Here, Pastor Dendy led us in the Celebration of the Lord’s Supper. Those gathering were of all faiths. Another was leaning on the Western Wall, offering prayers. While visiting the Theatre at Caesarea, Pastor Dendy led the group singing the doxology. Pastor Dendy baptized members and friends of MVPC at the River Jordan. While baptizing one member a white dove swooped down over Pastor Dendy. We visited the Church of the Nativity, the oldest continuously functioning church in the world, and Jericho, the oldest city on earth. We viewed some of the Dead Sea Scrolls and rode a cable car to the top of Masada.
We stayed in first-class hotels and enjoyed the food. We never once felt unsafe as we traveled by bus through many checkpoints. We did notice a number of law enforcement patrols in full uniform with guns around malls, hotels and other places. When we arrived at the Newark, N.J., airport word was out of another bombing in the Tel Aviv area.
After a 13-hour return flight, we arrived at Newark, New Jersey International Airport on the afternoon of Tuesday, November 12. Our safe, amazing, once-in-a-lifetime trip ended back in Las Vegas at 11:30 p.m.
Some of the places we visited during our six-day tour were: Tel Aviv – Jaffa - Caesarea – Nazareth – Cana – Tiberias – Sea of Galilee – Capernaum – Golan Heights – Caesarea Philippi – Tiberias – Tel Megiddo – Bethlehem – Jerusalem -Mount Zion - Dead Sea – Jericho - Garden Tomb - The Western Wall – St. Stephen’s Gate – Pools of Bethesda – Masada – Roma Aqueduct and Theatre at Caesarea – Mount of Beatitudes – Church of the Nativity and Ein Karem.
Here are a few highlights of the trip: Gathering for communion in the Garden Tomb. Here, Pastor Dendy led us in the Celebration of the Lord’s Supper. Those gathering were of all faiths. Another was leaning on the Western Wall, offering prayers. While visiting the Theatre at Caesarea, Pastor Dendy led the group singing the doxology. Pastor Dendy baptized members and friends of MVPC at the River Jordan. While baptizing one member a white dove swooped down over Pastor Dendy. We visited the Church of the Nativity, the oldest continuously functioning church in the world, and Jericho, the oldest city on earth. We viewed some of the Dead Sea Scrolls and rode a cable car to the top of Masada.
We stayed in first-class hotels and enjoyed the food. We never once felt unsafe as we traveled by bus through many checkpoints. We did notice a number of law enforcement patrols in full uniform with guns around malls, hotels and other places. When we arrived at the Newark, N.J., airport word was out of another bombing in the Tel Aviv area.
After a 13-hour return flight, we arrived at Newark, New Jersey International Airport on the afternoon of Tuesday, November 12. Our safe, amazing, once-in-a-lifetime trip ended back in Las Vegas at 11:30 p.m.
ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME TRIP TO SCOTLAND
By BETH NAPPE/Link
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I have done some traveling in my time and had only a few places left that I really felt drawn to explore. Scotland was at the top of my list for many reasons: The raw beauty of the landscape, the music and the sad history of the demise of the Highlander way of life. And, after all, it’s where the Queen vacations.
I also must admit that I am a huge fan of Diana Gabaldon, the author of the “Outlander” series. Those of you who are unfamiliar, it’s a story of a WW II nurse who travels back in time to 18th Century Scotland through her strange encounter with some mythical stones much like Stonehenge. The story chronicles her experiences in the Scottish Highlands during the country’s most turbulent times as the Scotts fight to defend their way of life against the British. While it is fiction there are sufficient references to places and things that did or still do exist.
There were just a couple of experiences I was hoping to have on my trip. The first was to attend the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. The Tattoo takes place in the shadow of Edinburgh Castle, which dates back to the 12th Century. Every year during the month of August, military bands from all over the world perform. I have always had an affinity for bagpipes and drums, both of which had ample representation. It did not disappoint, and the spectacle of the performance made me weep.
Next, I wanted to experience the magnificent countryside by traveling through the Caledonian Canal, a north-south waterway that roughly divides mainland Scotland from the various Scottish Isles. I booked passage with European Waterways, which operates17 vessels in nine countries across Europe. The Spirit of Scotland was my barge of choice. This barge accommodates up to 12 passengers in double and single cabins. The company picks up passengers in Inverness and transports them to the barge.
From the champagne welcome to the farewell captain’s dinner, the whole experience was first class. The barge itself was well-appointed and comfortable sporting a lounge, a dining area and outdoor decks. The crew of six was supremely accommodating. All meals, save one, were served onboard and included. Dietary restrictions were met with seeming ease. Wine selections served with lunch and dinner, as well as an extraordinary stocked bar were all included. The experience was akin to dining in a Michelin-rated restaurant for every meal.
Travel in the canal necessitates going through a series of locks along the way, an interesting experience in itself. Each day brought a new adventure. We visited Glencoe, the scene of the Campbell Clan’s massacre of the Clan MacDonald. We stopped at Eilean Donan Castle, a 13th Century fortress that is an iconic symbol of the Highlands. Along the way, we experienced a falconry display, where I got to hold a Great Horned Owl and several other birds of prey. We cruised Loch Ness, a great expanse of unspoiled nature, but we did not see the monster. Cawdor Castle and its beautiful gardens, Clava Cairns, a well-preserved Bronze Age cemetery with standing stones, Urquhart Castle, Fort Augustus Abbey and the Tomatin distillery were among some of the highlights.
For me, and I wager any fan of “Outlander,” the most emotion-evoking stop was Culloden Moor. This is the battlefield where the Clans of the Highlands fought the British in a skirmish that was said to last only an hour. In the end, roughly 2,000 Clansmen were dead and the Highlander way of life was lost to history.
The barge experience was unique, unlike any other type of cruising. The personalized attention is truly remarkable.
If you have had a travel experience you would like to share with our Link readers, please write to us at [email protected]. Remember to write TRAVEL LOG in the subject line.
I also must admit that I am a huge fan of Diana Gabaldon, the author of the “Outlander” series. Those of you who are unfamiliar, it’s a story of a WW II nurse who travels back in time to 18th Century Scotland through her strange encounter with some mythical stones much like Stonehenge. The story chronicles her experiences in the Scottish Highlands during the country’s most turbulent times as the Scotts fight to defend their way of life against the British. While it is fiction there are sufficient references to places and things that did or still do exist.
There were just a couple of experiences I was hoping to have on my trip. The first was to attend the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. The Tattoo takes place in the shadow of Edinburgh Castle, which dates back to the 12th Century. Every year during the month of August, military bands from all over the world perform. I have always had an affinity for bagpipes and drums, both of which had ample representation. It did not disappoint, and the spectacle of the performance made me weep.
Next, I wanted to experience the magnificent countryside by traveling through the Caledonian Canal, a north-south waterway that roughly divides mainland Scotland from the various Scottish Isles. I booked passage with European Waterways, which operates17 vessels in nine countries across Europe. The Spirit of Scotland was my barge of choice. This barge accommodates up to 12 passengers in double and single cabins. The company picks up passengers in Inverness and transports them to the barge.
From the champagne welcome to the farewell captain’s dinner, the whole experience was first class. The barge itself was well-appointed and comfortable sporting a lounge, a dining area and outdoor decks. The crew of six was supremely accommodating. All meals, save one, were served onboard and included. Dietary restrictions were met with seeming ease. Wine selections served with lunch and dinner, as well as an extraordinary stocked bar were all included. The experience was akin to dining in a Michelin-rated restaurant for every meal.
Travel in the canal necessitates going through a series of locks along the way, an interesting experience in itself. Each day brought a new adventure. We visited Glencoe, the scene of the Campbell Clan’s massacre of the Clan MacDonald. We stopped at Eilean Donan Castle, a 13th Century fortress that is an iconic symbol of the Highlands. Along the way, we experienced a falconry display, where I got to hold a Great Horned Owl and several other birds of prey. We cruised Loch Ness, a great expanse of unspoiled nature, but we did not see the monster. Cawdor Castle and its beautiful gardens, Clava Cairns, a well-preserved Bronze Age cemetery with standing stones, Urquhart Castle, Fort Augustus Abbey and the Tomatin distillery were among some of the highlights.
For me, and I wager any fan of “Outlander,” the most emotion-evoking stop was Culloden Moor. This is the battlefield where the Clans of the Highlands fought the British in a skirmish that was said to last only an hour. In the end, roughly 2,000 Clansmen were dead and the Highlander way of life was lost to history.
The barge experience was unique, unlike any other type of cruising. The personalized attention is truly remarkable.
If you have had a travel experience you would like to share with our Link readers, please write to us at [email protected]. Remember to write TRAVEL LOG in the subject line.
