Tag: travel

It’s a New Dawn for the Dawn – Norwegian Dawn Cruise 2018

by Heather Anne • March 26, 2018

Atrium of the Norwegian Dawn

We are fresh back from a thrilling 7 day cruise to Central America out of Tampa, Florida on the Norwegian Dawn, and I am glad to be able to share another boots-on-the-ground travel blog with you after the past couple of posts. This was our second cruise on the Dawn – we sailed the Dawn to the Southern Caribbean back in December (2-part blog post from January is available related to that trip – click January 2018 on the sidebar to find them.) I’d like to provide a review of the Dawn here.

Forward Lobby

Oceanview Cabin

The Dawn went through an extensive drydock in 2016 – and consistent with the title of this post it looks incredible! The ship is extremely well maintained – I noticed absolutely no sign of wear and tear, and there is nothing outdated about the decor which was very fresh, trendy, and modern. There is a dizzying array of dining venues to choose from (5 of which are complimentary!) as well as bars. I felt as though the food in the main dining rooms, Aqua and Venetian, wasn’t as good as it was back in December, but that was okay because we had Bamboo (an Asian restaurant) and O’Sheehan’s (an Irish pub) to dine at instead on the remainder of our free dining nights. There is also a buffet – but I generally do not partake in buffets on cruise ships at all with the exception of breakfast (on any cruise line) because I am not comfortable in huge crowds and found that I’ve liked the food in the dining rooms far better as a general rule. But if you do like buffets, the Garden Cafe on the Dawn has magnificent views, a large selection, and comparatively nice decor for a cruise ship buffet.

Venetian Dining Room

Cellars Wine Bar

One of the greatest benefits to booking on Norwegian are the promotions they offer in their “Free at Sea” program. With an interior cabin you choose one perk, and as you upgrade in stateroom category you get more to choose from. We usually start with the unlimited beverage package for our first perk, and the 3 nights of free specialty restaurants as our second perk (excursions, extra people in your cabin, and wi-fi are some of the other perks). We had an oceanview cabin and were able to book both of these perks, and the specialty restaurants we visited were outstanding. We returned to the Italian restaurant, La Cucina, and the steakhouse, Cagney’s, because we enjoyed them so much last time. We also decided to try Teppanyaki for the first time – where the chefs prepare your meal entertainment-style right in front of you (which you can watch in the YouTube video below!) We also visited Los Lobos again, the Mexican restaurant, for specialty margaritas (the best drinks I had on the whole ship) and homemade guacamole and chips. We really enjoyed Le Bistro – the French restaurant, last time but we didn’t have a chance to return this trip. So many options, not enough time!

La Cucina

Le Bistro

It was Spring Break (mine too!) so the crowd was rowdier than last time. “Party hardy” is not our favorite atmosphere – despite my college student status I prefer peace and serenity on my cruises. I didn’t spend much time on the lido deck (despite the good Caribbean band that performed there often) but found a great quiet spot on the promenade deck to relax and contemplate the view. We didn’t need the lido pool because we reserved the Thermal Suite at Mandara Spa. There is an extra cost – but it’s worth every penny. The thermal suite includes a sauna, steam room, pool, 2 different jacuzzis, heated loungers (with an amazing view), and relaxation rooms. (The men’s locker room apparently also has 2 plunge pools that are not included in the women’s locker room – which I was disappointed to discover!) It’s quiet, relaxing, and there’s rarely a crowd. At night we often had the place all to ourselves. The jacuzzis and heated loungers were exactly what I needed after walking and exerting myself all day on excursions and getting around the big ship. I slept so much better after my blissful visit to the spa, all of my tension lifted and my sore muscles soothed!

Another benefit to booking with Norwegian is the stateroom upgrade bid program – where you can tell them what you’re willing to pay to upgrade your cabin and if they have one they can bump you up to they will. We got upgraded from an interior to a balcony last time, but we didn’t have any luck this time (probably because they were fully booked with Spring Break), but we were very pleased with our oceanview cabin nonetheless. It was comparatively roomy for a cruise cabin, had bright, cheerful decor, and lots of storage space. Our steward did an amazing job taking care of our room twice a day for us.

Norwegian Dawn

Lido Deck and Pool

The entertainment was spectacular! Norwegian has our favorite shows for a cruise line. There was a great variety on this trip, from acrobats, to a Vegas-style production show, to magic, to comedy. These were some of the best shows I’ve ever seen – not just on a cruise ship but also on visits to Las Vegas and Atlantic City. We enjoyed spending our nights going to a show, the casino, and relaxing at the bars after dinner.

Starlight Showroom

Gatsby’s Champagne Bar

Staring at the incredible views out at sea, particularly the spectacular sunsets, is another of my favorite pastimes on cruises, and this trip did not disappoint. We sailed through the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea to Cozumel, Mexico, Costa Maya, Mexico, Roatan, Honduras, and Harvest Caye, Belize.

Sunset View from the Promenade Deck

Service was excellent, and highly exceeded expectations. It was friendly, courteous, and efficient throughout the ship. We were extremely impressed that a couple of the servers even remembered us from 3 months ago!

This time I filmed a complete stem-to-stern tour of the Dawn for my YouTube channel which I have to share with you:

The next several blog posts will cover my adventures at the different ports. I wanted to try some new things this time on excursions, and had an absolute blast! I look forward to sharing these experiences with you over the next few weeks. And two weeks from now we will be sailing again – this time on the Carnival Pride out of Baltimore on a back-to-back to Bermuda, the Bahamas, Turks & Caicos, and Princess Caye, so I will have a lot more cruise travel coverage coming in the immediate future!

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Uncategorized

Sensational Travel: Traveling with All 5 Senses

by Heather Anne • March 19, 2018

Airline Passengers in an International Airport

More travel experiences are coming next week (on my way back from the latest adventure right now!) In the meantime, I want to share my greatest tip for getting more out of your travel.

The term “sightseeing” is synonymous with travel. Unfortunately, “sightseeing” is only one fifth, and possibly even one sixth, of the optimal travel experience. We need to remember to really immerse ourselves in our travel experiences by tapping into and noticing all of our senses.

Sure, seeing is the first (and sometimes the only) sense we think of when we think of travel. The sights to behold on this spectacular planet have a way of distracting us from our other senses. But these sights will be enhanced if appreciated in cooperation with our other senses. An obvious example would be watching native dancers. Of course, the dance makes a lot more sense when you are listening to the music. But even when the connection is less obvious, it is still an important part of the total experience, whether it is the blaring of taxi horns in Times Square, the bells of the slot machine ringing at a casino, the crashing of waves against the shore at a remote beach, or the cracking sound as the bat hits a home run ball at the baseball stadium. We often only notice these things as an afterthought. But what if they became part of the forethought? Enjoy the sound of the birds. How many different birds do you hear? And that foreign language people may be speaking – do you hear the rhythms of it? The world is full of interesting sounds, and these sounds can often even tell us a lot about the place they are originating from rather than just being irrelevant background noise.

Smell and taste are often linked, because when we think of aromas we often think of foods. But what if we took a deep breath on the beach and smelled the salty air? Or took the time to smell the flowers in the park? Does one neighborhood smell different from another in this new city?

When we taste in our travels, are we tasting local offerings? Travel is a great excuse to try that local microbrewery beer (or better yet, flight of beers!), that locally crafted cigar, or the local specialty on the dinner menu. That McDonald’s hamburger is diluting your travel experience! Remember how important food is in the culture of a place. The term “comfort food” refers to familiar food in your culture – and emphasizes the importance of the culture your food hails from. What foods comfort the locals in the place you are visiting?

Touch is often not considered while traveling, but there can be many opportunities to do so. Is the country you are visiting famous for their textiles? How do they feel? Are there animals to pet? Is there water, sand, rocks, sculpture, snow, rain to touch? Why not see what it feels like? From the warmth of the sun to the cool breeze brushing across your face, the world feels good!

And what about the sixth sense? Have you ever pondered what your intuition is telling you about the people you encounter? Wonder what that person is thinking, or what they are like, and then ask them! Nine times out of ten I have found locals are happy to talk to visitors. When you can “see” a place through the “eyes” of a local, you are having the ultimate travel experience.

The object or place we are viewing becomes an experience, not a “sight”, when we use all of our senses in our travels. We are completely immersed in a place. That is really the only way to truly “see” the world. If you are not already using all of your senses to travel, give it a try next time and see how it enhances your experience!

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I am extremely grateful for your generous donation to help keep the site running! This site and individual posts are not sponsored! A dollar may not be a lot, but every dollar counts!

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language learning, travel

My Polyglot Journey: Language Learning for Travel Top Ten!

by Heather Anne • March 12, 2018

Learning languages concept – red notepad and colorful wooden letters with text “Improve your language skills”, flags, model airplane, pencil

The start of the new year is the perfect time to re-evaluate our goals, and, along with travel plans, high on my list was my foreign language study for multiple languages, or polyglot journey, both to help facilitate my travel and for the sheer pleasure since language learning is a hobby of mine. One of the greatest feelings I encounter in my travels is when I can communicate with a local in their native language, and their face lights up in delight because it is so unexpected that I have taken the time and effort to learn it. In this article I seek to answer some questions I am commonly asked and provide suggestions of my favorite learning resources that can be used with a variety of different languages, whether you are focusing one or several at once. Bear in mind, my priority is travel – and being able to communicate effectively as a visitor to a foreign country. This differs from common school curriculum priorities (at least in my experience taking 3 languages in high school and 4 in college!)

italian fluenz

Do I need to learn foreign languages to travel? No, not necessarily. English is widely spoken, particularly in heavily touristy areas, not even just among English speakers but between native speakers of two different languages for whom the only common language of understanding is English, since it is so widely taught and learned. However, that should not deter you from learning. Particularly in more exotic locations, understanding the language helps take away some of the culture shock, makes you feel more secure, and facilitates far more engagement with the locals.

Can you learn more than one language at at time? Of course! In a lot of parts of the world not only are people learning more than one language, it is part of the required school curriculum to study multiple foreign languages. Is it more difficult? That depends. I have found that studying very similar languages simultaneously, for example Spanish and Italian, can get confusing. But languages are easy for your mind to compartmentalize when they are very different, and I have found that studying a variety of languages provides for more variety in my learning sessions than focusing on one, making it easier to stave off boredom and keep the commitment!

Should I learn more than one language at a time? That depends on your goals. My primary goal is to study for travel, so I prefer to be able to engage in basic conversation with locals in a lot of different places. Learning multiple languages may also work better for you if you have a short attention span, because it offers more variety to help keep you interested. If your goal is to move to a country, or converse in an ethnic neighborhood that is close to you, you may prefer to work on gaining fluency in one to start with.

But I’m “bad” at languages…! It is not likely you are “bad” at languages. It is more likely that you just haven’t found a learning method that suits you. I hate classroom learning, while others thrive in that environment. When you find a method you can enjoy and that “makes sense” to you, you will want to learn…. and it’s all about practice.

But I don’t have time…! I’m in college full-time, working, blogging, vlogging on YouTube, traveling, and working on languages a couple of hours a day. How? There are 24 hours in a day, 7 days a week. When you subtract your sleep hours and required work or school hours, how many do you have left? But, you may say, “I need to relax, watch TV, unwind!” I have the perfect solution that I will explain in greater detail under my learning methods: foreign language shows, music, and movies. It’s all a matter of priorities, and keeping the time spent on those “time-sink” activities like Netflix (English!) binges, long video game sessions, over-sleeping, and social media engagement to a reasonable level.

Do you have a set routine? No. I find that “forcing” things, by having a schedule of set languages at set times of set days, doesn’t work. If I’m not in the mood for a language, I won’t learn anything and it will be a waste of my time. I just plan to put in a couple of hours at some point during the day, and study what I feel like studying that day. I try not to ignore any of the languages I’m working on for too long though, because then extra time is required for review. I created this chart with the goal of checking off each language at least twice a week, minimum, if possible. Obviously, I don’t have time every single day – particularly if I am traveling (unless I am practicing with locals!), but I make an effort when it is practical. (the “I” indicates intermediate level and the “B” indicates beginner level. Four is my limit for “B” level languages at a time.)

Master Polyglot Schedule

So, are you ready to get started? Here are my favorite tools for learning!

Fluenz (fluenz.com)

Spanish4

I have been using Fluenz for years, and it is by far my favorite resource for learning languages, for several reasons. For one, it focuses on what you are most likely to need to know when you travel, right from lesson one, unlike many other programs and classroom instruction which may give you irrelevant vocabulary and grammar structures that will be useless when it comes to basic conversation, asking for directions, ordering in restaurants, and the like. Another great thing about Fluenz is the wide variety of activities you engage in during each lesson, so that you never have a chance to become bored and the lesson never feels stale. The lessons range from dialogues, to teacher instruction, to repeating words and phrases, to listening and typing, to typing translations, to matching pictures with words, to matching English phrases with their foreign language counterparts, to microphone activities.

german fluenz

Perhaps my favorite feature of all in Fluenz is the eye-candy factor. The software is chock-full of beautiful photography, of places specific to the language you are learning, to inspire you even more. I find myself wanting to complete a language drill to see the next picture! It is very motivating, indulgent, and makes me look forward to the lessons.

Fluenz may be purchased on disc for use on your computer, used online through their website, or used on tablets and smartphones (in which case the lessons may be streamed or downloaded). So you can bring it with you on your travels! As for downsides, I can only site two. First, the Mandarin Chinese only offers pinyin, so if you want to learn Chinese characters, you will need to supplement the program with other resources.

chinese fluenz

Second, as of the time of this writing, the languages available are limited to: Spanish, French, Mandarin (Chinese), German, Italian, and Portuguese. Both Latin American and European Spanish are offered in separate courses. Honestly, if the languages I wanted to study right now were all available on Fluenz, I doubt I would utilize any other software programs.

2. Transparent Language (transparent.com)

This is my second choice, and luckily one that offers a tremendous selection of languages to choose from, everything from your Spanish and French to languages like Pashto, Zulu, Mongolian and even several languages you may have never even heard of.

Japanese 1

One of Transparent’s greatest strengths is its ability to teach you unfamiliar alphabets and writing systems, whether it’s Japanese Hiragana, Russian Cyrillic, Arabic script, or Korean Hangul. The drills are very effective in teaching you what ordinarily could be a challenging task. Transparent also offers a variety of activities within each level, keeping you interested and motivated. I also enjoy the cultural spotlights. On the downside, sometimes I feel like I’m being “tossed in the deep end” with long structures that seem out of place for the lesson they appear in. But it’s a very competent program overall, and languages are offered with native forms of writing rather than just romanizations like some books and programs. Be advised: not all languages have the same amount of content! Some are very extensive, and others have very limited content but cost the same. You can find out which are which by trying the free two week trial, which gives you access to all of the languages!

korean2

3. Innovative Language (innovativelanguage.com)

japanese2

Innovative is another company that does teaching foreign alphabets and writing systems very well. The teachers are friendly and the visuals are engaging.

On your dashboard, you can “pin” the lessons that are of particular interest to you, based on your level, content that is relevant to you, and whether you would like to receive visual and/or audio lessons, for easy reference. This company puts a lot of video lessons up on YouTube, if you want to give them a test drive. They offer a free month trial of their premium offering. They offer a very wide selection of languages.

4. Fluent U (fluentu.com)

Chinese1 fluentu

Fluent U harnesses the power of YouTube to teach by corralling videos in your target language, putting subtitles in the target language and English, and using them to teach you vocabulary and grammar, by training you with interactive tools and quizzes.

The downside to FluentU is that the number of target languages is currently limited, and content for the beginner level, depending on the language, relies on a lot of childish content. FluentU’s strength lies in the more intermediate and advanced content, with interesting adult news, drama, and music videos in your target language.

5. Online foreign language video streaming services: Viki (viki.com) and Arte (arte.tv)

Remember I said you could trade your English TV relaxation time for a time to be immersed in your target language? If you are learning Mainland Chinese, Taiwan Chinese, Korean, or Japanese (or all of the above!) then Viki has lots of video content for you, including TV shows, movies, and more!

viki

Best of all, it’s completely free. An ads-free upgraded membership with bonus content is also available. There is a huge selection of programs to watch!

If your target languages are more of the European persuasion, this is your alternative. With Arte, you can choose which language you want to view the content in, and the videos will show up for that language.

arte

Netflix also has a number of foreign language videos available for streaming.

6. Textbooks and other books

wordpressphoto

I have to admit, I have a short attention span for textbooks, but as a supplement to software, video, and audio resources they provide a nice change of pace, and you can dive into them without any particular time commitment, so if you have only a few minutes left in your learning session you can stop when you’re ready. I particularly enjoy these Campus notebooks, which feature a grid rather than lined pattern that is perfect for practicing Chinese characters and Japanese Kanji. It is critical to have your own practice notebooks – the act of recording is a great memory tool, and your writing will look better with practice (especially handy if your target language has a different alphabet or writing system!)

7. Other online resources

grammarwiki

There are a number of other online resources for language learning targeted to specific languages, like this example: the Chinese Grammar Wiki. I like to use Evernote to save my favorites all in one place, with separate folders for each language. A Google search including your language of choice and the topic you need help with should have you on your way to learning success!

8. Music!

wordpressphoto2

Listening to music in your target language is a great immersion technique. The way that music is packaged in other countries can be very elaborate, and fun to collect. There is also online streaming and digital download, if you do not want to add to your music library right now or just want to sample it.

9. Italki (italki.com)

italki

Italki is a service that allows you to gain one-on-one instruction with a native speaker. Both professional teachers and native tutors are available at varying rates per hour. Packages are available to purchase multiple lessons at a discount. When you receive your lesson, you will have the instructor’s undivided attention for the length of the lesson, and you are able to request what material will be covered based on your own needs. There is a wide range of price points depending on the language, location of the teacher, how many teachers are available, and whether the instructor is a professional teacher or not. They may even have the particular textbook you are using on hand. This is a great way to get feedback on your accent and get specific questions answered that your other language materials may not have provided the answers to.

10. Last but not least: YouTube!

YouTube hosts a wealth of instructional tools for language learning that are usually presented in a fun, short, format. If I finish with my software or textbook chapter early, I like to fill in the time with some of these videos. There are many great videos specifically geared toward language instruction which you can find using the search bar and the language and topic you need guidance with.

korean youtube

The other fun way to use YouTube is as a language immersion tool by watching music videos or drama in your targeted language. Create a playlist for yourself of your favorites! (Here is one from my K-Pop favorites playlist, which I am drawn to quite often!)

kpop

Another great way to incorporate YouTube into your language learning is to learn organizational and planning tips from the YouTube polyglot community, which is vast. They have many valuable suggestions to offer for learning materials and schedules, and I find these videos are also inspiring and motivating. It’s psychology – when you see someone else succeeding at something you are more likely to feel as though success is within your own grasp, too. This is “livluvlang,” one of my favorite polyglot YouTube personalities.

polyglot

(11). And a note about audio lessons…

I have tried a number of audio resources, including Pimsleur, Glossika, and audio content that is included with software packages like the content included in Fluenz. You will notice that I did not choose audio instruction for my top 10, and I wanted to explain why. Obviously, these systems are ideal for “audio learners” and for people who spend a lot of time in their car because of a long commute or driving job. But I find, as someone not falling into either category, that these programs help a little when I do need to drive but are not efficient ways to learn. For one thing, I become bored with no visual stimulation. Second, without seeing the words or writing the words it is harder to retain them in memory. It’s a matter of personal preference – this may work better for you. I prefer to listen to foreign language music in the car!

(12). Low or no cost suggestions for specific languages…

My goal with this post was to cover options that include a wide variety of languages rather than specific ones, to help as many readers as possible. However, there are a few standout options for very low or no cost I wanted to point out in case you are interested in one of these or haven’t decided yet what you want to study:

Arabic (www.alkitaabtextbook.com):

The Alif Baa textbook, and accompanying Al-Kitaab Arabic Language Program companion website, produced by Georgetown University, is an excellent value, for the cost of the textbook purchase plus about $25 for 18 months of website access. This textbook is used in many universities, but you are able to use the book and website as an independent learner as well. I appreciate that the creators of this program acknowledge that classroom instruction isn’t for everybody. My favorite thing about this book is the way that it covers Modern Standard Arabic and two dialects: Levantine and Egyptian. Modern Standard Arabic is very formal, and while you will hear things like news broadcasts in it, it is not commonly spoken in the streets. So ideally if your objective is travel, learning a dialect with MSA will be very helpful. Both of these dialects are widely understood throughout the area because of cultural and media exchange throughout the Middle East. You can supplement this with other options I highlighted in the Top 10 to give yourself greater variety. NOTE: intermediate and advanced levels are available as well – visit the website for details!

Chinese – Mandarin (www.youtube.com/channel/UC9RHneALOnf29DgQ5PCyNdg):

Integrated Chinese is another textbook popular with universities, and John Wang on YouTube has a video series which covers every lesson in the book. Take your instructor out of the classroom and put them in your living room! Textbooks can sometimes be challenging to use without instructor guidance, but with John’s help you can succeed! This can be used with other methods mentioned above as well, and Chinese is very well represented on YouTube in many other videos. For the cost of the textbook alone you can get a great start into Chinese!

Icelandic (http://icelandiconline.is/index.html):

icelandiconline

The University of Iceland has put a completely free Icleandic learning program on the web. Icelandic learning materials are some of the hardest to find, so to find one that is free is cause for celebration! There are a few textbooks out there you could supplement the program with.

Best of luck in your language learning journey this year! I hope these resources will help you get the most out of your independent language learning ambitions and, in turn, your travel experiences!

Donation

I am extremely grateful for your generous donation to help keep the site running! This site and individual posts are not sponsored! A dollar may not be a lot, but every dollar counts!

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Language Study

Polyglot Language Learning for Travel!

by Heather Anne • March 12, 2018

Polyglot Language Learning!

Embarking on a Polyglot Language Learning Journey

I’m glad you decided to come along for my polyglot language learning journey! The start of the new year is the perfect time to re-evaluate our goals. Along with travel plans, high on my list was my foreign language study for multiple languages, or polyglot journey. My language learning goals are both to help facilitate my travel and for the sheer pleasure. Language learning is a hobby of mine. One of the greatest feelings I encounter in my travels is when I can communicate with a local in their native language. Often their face will light up in delight because it is so unexpected that a tourist has taken the time and effort to learn it!

Language Learning: Great for Travel!

In this article I seek to answer some questions I am commonly asked. I’ll also provide suggestions of my favorite learning resources that can be used with a variety of different languages. Polyglot language learning and frequent travel is a great combination! Bear in mind, my priority is travel – and being able to communicate effectively as a visitor to a foreign country. This differs from common school curriculum priorities (at least in my experience taking 3 languages in high school and 4 in college!) If your reason for learning languages differs from mine, you may find greater success in other methods.

italian fluenz

Common Questions about Polyglot Language Learning

Do I need to learn foreign languages to travel?

No, not necessarily. English is widely spoken, particularly in heavily touristy areas. This is the case not even just among English speakers, but between native speakers of two different languages for whom the only common language of understanding may be English. English, widely taught, has become as close to a universal language as anything gets. However, that should not deter you from learning. Particularly in more exotic locations, understanding the language helps take away some of the culture shock, makes you feel more secure, and facilitates far more engagement with the locals.

Can you learn more than one language at at time?

Of course! In a lot of parts of the world not only are people learning more than one language, it is part of the required school curriculum to study multiple foreign languages. Is it more difficult? That depends. I have found that studying very similar languages simultaneously, for example Spanish and Italian, can get confusing. But languages are easy for your mind to compartmentalize when they are very different. I have found that studying a variety of languages provides for more variety in my learning sessions than focusing on one, making it easier to stave off boredom and keep the commitment!

Should I learn more than one language at a time?

That depends on your goals. My primary goal is to study for travel, so I prefer to be able to engage in basic conversation with locals in a lot of different places. Learning multiple languages may also work better for you if you have a short attention span, because it offers more variety to help keep you interested. If your goal is to move to a country, or converse in an ethnic neighborhood that is close to you, you may prefer to work on gaining fluency in one to start with.

But I’m “bad” at languages…!

It is not likely you are “bad” at languages. It is more likely that you just haven’t found a learning method that suits you. I hate classroom learning, while others thrive in that environment. When you find a method you can enjoy and that “makes sense” to you, you will want to learn…. and it’s all about practice.

But I don’t have time…!

I’m in college full-time, working, blogging, creating on YouTube, traveling, and working on languages a couple of hours a day. How? There are 24 hours in a day, 7 days a week. When you subtract your sleep hours and required work or school hours, how many do you have left? But, you may say, “I need to relax, watch TV, unwind!” I have the perfect solution that I will explain in greater detail below. Hint: it’s under my learning methods: foreign language shows, music, and movies. It’s all a matter of priorities. You just need to keep the time spent on those “time-sink” activities like Netflix (English!) binges, long video game sessions, over-sleeping, and social media engagement to a reasonable level.

Do you have a set routine?

No. I find that “forcing” things, by having a schedule of set languages at set times of set days, doesn’t work. If I’m not in the mood for a language, I won’t learn anything and it will be a waste of my time. I just plan to put in a couple of hours at some point during the day, and study what I feel like studying that day. It’s good to try not to ignore any of the languages I’m working on for too long though, because then extra time is required for review. I created this chart with the goal of checking off each language at least twice a week, minimum, if possible. Obviously, I don’t have time every single day. This is particularly true if I’m traveling (unless I am practicing with locals!), but I make an effort when it is practical.

Master Polyglot Schedule

So, are you ready to get started? Here are my favorite tools for learning!

Recommended Tools for Language Learning

Fluenz (fluenz.com)

fluent spanish

I have been using Fluenz for years. It is by far my favorite resource for learning languages, for several reasons. For one, it focuses on what you are most likely to need to know when you travel, right from lesson one. This is in contrast to many other programs, and classroom instruction. Other programs often give you irrelevant vocabulary and grammar structures that will be useless when it comes to basic conversation. My top priorities are asking for directions, ordering in restaurants, and the like. Another great thing about Fluenz is the wide variety of activities you engage in during each lesson. You never have a chance to become bored, and the lesson never feels stale. Click on the YouTube video of my Fluenz review at the bottom of this post to see a demonstration.

german fluenz

Best about Fluenz? The Visuals!

Perhaps my favorite feature of all in Fluenz is the eye-candy factor. The software is chock-full of beautiful photography, of places specific to the language you are learning I am inspired to learn even more. I find myself wanting to complete a language drill to see the next picture! It is very motivating and indulgent, and makes me look forward to the course. Meanwhile, many other programs show the same generic pictures for all languages. When you buy the discs, you have online access forever, including phone and tablet. As for downsides, I can only site two. First, the Mandarin Chinese only offers pinyin, so if you want to learn Chinese characters, you will need to supplement the program with other resources, like Chinese character textbooks.

chinese fluenz

2. Transparent Language (transparent.com)

This is my second choice, and luckily one that offers a tremendous selection of languages to choose from, everything from your Spanish and French to languages like Pashto, Zulu, Bulgarian, and even several languages you may have never even heard of.

transparent language japanese

One of Transparent’s greatest strengths is its ability to teach you unfamiliar alphabets and writing systems. The drills are very effective in teaching you what ordinarily could be a challenging task. Transparent also offers a variety of activities within each level, keeping you interested and motivated. I also enjoy the cultural spotlights. On the downside, sometimes I feel like I’m being “tossed in the deep end” with long structures that seem out of place for the lesson they appear in. But it’s a very competent program overall, and languages are offered with native forms of writing rather than just romanizations like some books and programs. Not all languages have the same amount of content! You can find out which are which by trying the free two week trial, which gives you access to all of the languages!

transparent korean

3. Innovative Language (innovativelanguage.com)

innovative japanese

Innovative is another company that does teaching foreign alphabets and writing systems very well. The teachers are friendly and the visuals are engaging. On your dashboard, you can “pin” the lessons that are of particular interest to you, based on your level, content that is relevant to you, and whether you would like to receive visual and/or audio lessons. This company puts a lot of video lessons up on YouTube, if you want to give them a test drive. They offer a free month trial of their premium offering. They offer a very wide selection of languages.

4. Fluent U (fluentu.com)

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Fluent U harnesses the power of YouTube. It teaches by corralling videos in your target language, putting subtitles in the target language and English, and using them to teach you vocabulary and grammar. It also offers interactive tools and quizzes. The downside to FluentU is that the number of target languages is very limited, and content for the beginner level, depending on the language, relies on a lot of childish content. FluentU’s strength lies in the more intermediate and advanced content, with interesting adult news, drama, and music videos in your target language.

5. Online foreign language video streaming services: Viki (viki.com) and Arte (arte.tv)

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Best of all, it’s completely free. An ads-free upgraded membership with bonus content is also available. There is a huge selection of programs to watch!

If your target languages are more of the European persuasion, then Arte is your alternative. With Arte, you can choose which language you want to view the content in, and the videos will show up for that language.

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Netflix also has a number of foreign language videos available for streaming. Search “Netflix for language learning” for more information.

6. Textbooks and other books

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I have to admit, I have a short attention span for textbooks, but as a supplement to software, video, and audio resources they provide a nice change of pace. You can dive into them without any particular time commitment, so if you have only a few minutes left in your learning session you can stop when you’re ready. I particularly enjoy these Campus notebooks, which feature a grid rather than lined pattern. They are perfect for practicing Chinese characters and Japanese Kanji. It is critical to have your own practice notebooks – the act of recording is a great memory tool, and your writing will look better with practice (especially handy if your target language has a different alphabet or writing system!)

7. Other online resources

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There are a number of other online resources for language learning targeted to specific languages. One I find useful is the Chinese Grammar Wiki. I like to use Evernote to save my favorites all in one place, with separate folders for each language. A Google search including your language of choice and the topic you need help with should have you on your way to learning success!

8. Music!

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9. iTalki

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Italki is a service that allows you to gain one-on-one instruction with a native speaker. Both professional teachers and native tutors are available at varying rates per hour. Packages are available to purchase multiple lessons at a discount. When you receive your lesson, you will have the instructor’s undivided attention for the length of the lesson. You are able to request what material will be covered based on your own needs. You learn on YOUR schedule and at YOUR pace. There is a wide range of price points depending on the language, location of the teacher, how many teachers are available, and whether the instructor is a professional teacher or not. They may even have the particular textbook you are using on hand. This is a great way to get feedback on your accent, and get specific questions answered that your other language materials may not have covered.

10. Last but not least: YouTube!

YouTube hosts a wealth of instructional tools for language learning. Many are usually presented in a fun, short, format. If I finish with my software or textbook chapter early, I like to fill in the time with some of these videos. There are many great videos specifically geared toward language instruction. Try typing a search in for your target language, and see what comes up!

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There’s another other fun way to use YouTube is as a language immersion tool. You can watch music videos or drama in your targeted language. Create a playlist for yourself of your favorites! (Here is one from my K-Pop favorites playlist, which I am drawn to quite often!) Better yet, create a new playlist for each language you are learning!

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Another great way to incorporate YouTube into your language learning is to learn organizational and planning tips. The vast YouTube polyglot community have many valuable tips to offer on language learning. I have found good advice on source materials and schedules, and I find these videos are also inspiring and motivating. It’s psychology – when you see someone else succeeding at something you are more likely to feel as though success is within your own grasp, too. This is “livluvlang,” one of my favorite polyglot YouTube personalities.

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(11). And a note about audio lessons…

I have tried a number of audio resources, such as Pimsleur and Glossika. You will notice that I did not choose audio instruction for my top 10, and I wanted to explain why. Obviously, these systems are ideal for “audio learners” and for people who spend a lot of time in their car because of a long commute or driving job. But I find, as someone not falling into either category, that these programs help a little when I do need to drive but are not efficient ways to learn. For one thing, I become bored with no visual stimulation. Second, without seeing the words or writing the words it is harder to retain them in memory. It’s a matter of personal preference – this may work better for you. You can also listen to foreign language music in the car!

Other Language Learning Options

(12). Low or no cost suggestions for specific languages…

The more options the better for a polyglot, or aspiring polyglot, on their language learning journey. My goal with this post was to cover options that include a wide variety of languages rather than specific ones, to help as many readers as possible. However, there are a few standout options for very low or no cost I wanted to point out. If you aren’t sure which languages you want to study yet, you may want to check these out.

Arabic (www.alkitaabtextbook.com):

The Alif Baa textbook, and accompanying Al-Kitaab Arabic Language Program companion website, is a great program. This textbook is used in many universities, but you are able to use the book and website as an independent learner as well. I appreciate that the creators of this program acknowledge that classroom instruction isn’t for everybody. My favorite thing about this book is the way that it covers Modern Standard Arabic and two dialects: Levantine and Egyptian. Modern Standard Arabic is very formal, and while you will hear things like news broadcasts in it, it is not commonly spoken in the streets. So ideally if your objective is travel, learning a dialect with MSA will be most helpful. Both of these dialects are widely understood throughout the area because of cultural and media exchange throughout the Middle East. You can supplement this with other options I highlighted in the Top 10 to give yourself greater variety. NOTE: intermediate and advanced levels are available as well – visit the website for details! Update: the company is being bought out, and online access is FREE through 2020. No word on what will happen in 2021.

Chinese – Mandarin (www.youtube.com/channel/UC9RHneALOnf29DgQ5PCyNdg):

Icelandic (http://icelandiconline.is/index.html):

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Conclusion

I hope you enjoyed my post on embarking on a polyglot language learning journey. I hope these resources will help you get the most out of your independent language learning ambitions and, in turn, your travel experiences!

View my review of my favorite language learning program, Fluenz, here!:

And read my Fluenz review on the blog here:

Fluenz Language Program Review

For more language learning videos, as well as travel videos, visit my YouTube channel here!

Visit Ultimate Travel Adventures on YouTube

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Boston: Revisiting the Past in the Present

by Heather Anne • March 5, 2018

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Marcel Proust wrote that the “real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes.” When you return to your hometown after an extended time, you return with a new perspective – one that is shaped both by nostalgia and expectations based on your current frame of reference. Memories are like the Peanuts character Linus’ security blanket – it is comforting to return to find things the way you left them, like time stopped and preserved home the way it remained steadfast in your memory while you were away. Of course, it is more likely that things have changed… Some changes will be welcomed, others may shock and dismay. It can leave you feeling emotional and even conflicted the way a visit to another destination can’t. But all in all, it can be an incredibly rewarding experience revisiting your past in the present. I am able to have that experience when I return to my hometown of Boston.

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Like my memory of Boston, Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market (shown above) are an example of Boston institutions and historic landmarks that seem to have evaded the passage of time. Surrounded by towering skyscrapers, time has stopped here as sure as the time on the clock tower of the Customs House nearby ticks on. In Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market, vendors and stores bustle with activity – selling souvenirs, gourmet delicacies, and all kinds of wares while waves of crowds juggle shopping bags of delights. Street musicians and performers display their skills outside while the bars prepare for a rowdy night of feasting, feting, and fanfare in this nightlife-loving college town. It is a place teeming with energy and anticipation for a fun night ahead, just the way I remember it.

One of my favorite aspects of Boston’s landscape is the way that architecture from many different periods of time coexist in dazzling harmony. Above are the Old State House and the new State House, both surrounded by much newer structures, and emphasizing the timeless quality of Boston – grounded in history but modernistic and avant-garde at the same time. Boston is a rich patchwork of the old and the new.

At first glance, Copley Square looked a lot like I remember, surrounded by the old and new John Hancock buildings, Trinity Church, Copley Plaza, the Boston Public Library, and Old South Church. But appearances can be deceiving. I attempted to enter Trinity Church, which had always welcomed visitors through their doors: parishioner and public alike, just as I had done for so many years many years ago. But upon entering I discovered that a partition had been installed to direct visitors through the gift shop to a ticket station where purchase of a $7 ticket was required for admission ($5 student and senior discount). It reminded me of a theme park ride that corrals people through the gift shop on their way in or out – so commercial, and so out-of-place in the setting of a building which had been an inviting sanctuary to so many for so many years. As a matter of principle, and having had the opportunity to gaze at the richly decorated interior in the past, I refused to pay as a matter of principle and left. It wasn’t the place I remembered, and perhaps never would be again. But at least I was still able to behold the magnificence of its exterior design, which had not been tampered with in such a distressing way (yet, anyway!)

The tour trolleys which allow you to hop on and hop off where you wish are a convenient way to explore the city. They take you to divergent neighborhoods such as Charlestown, which houses the oldest commissioned ship in the U.S. Navy and heroic vessel in the Revolutionary War, the U.S.S. Constitution, and Cambridge, home to M.I.T. and Harvard, as well as stopping at the sites that are more centrally located in town. The buses come by the stops every 15 minutes to whisk you off to the next point of interest, allowing you to see as much as possible over the course of the day. Given how much there is to see and do in Boston, this kind of efficiency is welcome!

It was Moon Festival time in Chinatown, and I captured some amazing footage a short walk from my Theater District hotel which is posted in my latest YouTube video.

Dragon-costumed performers and groups of musicians were proceeding business to business spreading good fortune amidst waves of colorful flags decorated with Chinese calligraphy. It is always a boon to arrive in a neighborhood at just the right time to catch a special event that you just wouldn’t get to see every day. It was pouring rain, but getting drenched was a small price to pay for being able to join in on the celebration.

After an exhausting day of sightseeing I stayed at the Courtyard Marriott Downtown in the Theater District, which I was thrilled to be able to experience as a historic building that has been beautifully restored and renewed. Not every historic hotel in town has been so lucky… and I was pleased to have been able to support the preservation approach by giving them my business. I am sure to return here again and again. The decor respected the integrity of the historic building, while still providing modern touches that, brilliantly selected, did not seem out of place. The lobby maintains beautiful old woodwork, providing a grand entrance to this historic building – and historic city. The whole Theater District neighborhood has been revitalized in a major way since my last visit as well – one of those changes I am also happy to witness during this hometown return. So while I wasn’t pleased with all of the changes, and it was bittersweet to see a building here or there gone that I remembered from my childhood, Boston was definitely a place I could fall in love with all over again.

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Sailing in the harbor provides the perfect conclusion to witness this impressive skyline all at once. I look forward to what Boston has in store for me the next time I return!

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Crown Princess Turks & Caicos and Dominican Republic, Anniversary Nostalgia

by Heather Anne • February 26, 2018

March marks our one year anniversary, and I am currently swept with nostalgia for the unforgettable experience we had exchanging vows on the Crown Princess, and celebrating in Turks & Caicos and the Dominican Republic. Before we sail again on the Norwegian Dawn to celebrate our anniversary, I am reflecting on all of the fun we have had traveling over the past year, beginning with this cruise on Crown Princess in March, 2017.

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It was a great pleasure to board a vessel as beautiful and well-cared for as the Crown Princess for such an important occasion. What better place than the “Love Boat” to exchange vows?! I couldn’t think of any then, and I still can’t think of any now. Our first sea day was a thrilling experience, one you don’t experience on a cruise every day, as I experienced being walked down the aisle by the Cruise Director, and as we were exchanging vows before the Captain. I felt an intimate connection with the ship and crew as we shared this cherished event together.

After the ceremony it was time to be whisked around the whole ship posing for photographs with one of the ship’s photographers, cursing my high-heeled shoes every step of the way! Of course, documenting the memories of this important day made it all worth while. After a romantic dinner at Crown Grill, bliss-inducing couples’ massage at the spa, and being spoiled by the soothing sight and sound of the water on deck under the moonlight, it was time to become well-rested for two days of exciting excursions!

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Amber Cove, Dominican Republic was the first stop. A chance to brush up on my Spanish, become immersed in the brilliantly colored pastel colonial architecture in Puerto Plata, and be surrounded by the friendly atmosphere provided by the equally colorful locals, was a welcome adventure. I was dazzled by the whimsical rainbow of bright color on the buildings of the main square. These buildings were very well-preserved and a joy to behold. It was clear that the people of Puerto Plata took great pride in their cultural heritage and history, and rightfully so.

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After marveling at the historic architecture, we visited a cigar-crafting business which created endless varieties of flavored cigars (something the Dominicans are famous for) and a rum factory that produced rum of several different, interesting varieties as well (tip: the mango flavored rum was some of the best rum I have ever sampled!)

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I was enthralled by the views of the beach and town from the cigar factory, and the views of the lush, tropical vegetation from the rum factory. It was difficult to pull myself away long enough to observe the presentations!

To conclude our excursion, we were treated to a rum tasting and live music and dancing by the locals, a stimulation of multiple senses that provided a fitting end to a fun day docked at Amber Cove.

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The next stop was Grand Turk, of Turks & Caicos. Never have I seen such crystal clear waters and powdery sand beaches as I witnessed at Grand Turk. This is an ideal port whether you prefer to take excursions or just explore the port, with beautiful public beaches easily walk-able from the ship, live music, and plenty of delightful shopping. With not one but two excursions planned, we had a full day ahead. We got an early start, spending 45 minutes on this stunning beach, and then headed for our first excursion: an exhilarating horseback ride and swim!

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It would be an understatement to call this a thrilling experience. We first took a regular horseback ride along the beach, riding extremely tame and friendly horses, enjoying idyllic views of the ocean and sand so magnificent I could not even have imagined them. But the moment we were all waiting for was the horseback swim – and it did not disappoint! It was a thrill ride, yet one that felt controlled and safe at the same time. I enjoyed this excursion so much that I am repeating it in a couple of months when I return to Grand Turk.

After returning late from the first excursion and rushing back to the ship to change, it was off to tour the cultural highlights of the island by bus, and yet another rum tasting!

We explored the architecture around town, signature lighthouse, and island museum to learn more about the history. As we meandered from place to place, waves crashed along the beach that provided an extraordinary back yard to most of these attractions, and wild horses and donkeys displayed their carefree spirit playfully wandering the island. I reflected on our own carefree and adventurous spirits that have us exploring, and I am treasuring the opportunity to spend another year of sharing the joys of travel with my husband and best friend, as well as the new friends I will continue to meet along the way!

Once back on the ship, we enjoyed a tour of the Bridge and more delights in the spa on the second sea day before a (regrettable) disembarkation, and, (not regrettable!) plan to cruise again as often as possible in the coming year!

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New York By Air, Land, and Sea

by Heather Anne • February 19, 2018

New York lives up to its name time and time again, because every time I go it is new. It is one of those places that keeps reinventing itself, and that has such an abundance of things to do and see that you could spend a lifetime trying to take it all in. The Brooklyn Bridge invites you into the excitement and energy of Manhattan, and what a grand entrance it provides! Just one of many nostalgic landmarks with a backdrop of ultra-modern – New York City has it all!

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As the buildings tower over you, you feel small, but a part of something so much bigger. As the energy of this massive city flows through you, you feel recharged and renewed. I wandered through the dizzying urban jungle, mesmerized by the wealth of sights and sounds I was surrounded by, wondering what would strike my fancy around the next corner.

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Nowhere is that intense energy and excitement more apparent than in Times Square! Here, all of my senses were overwhelmed by an over-saturation of stimulation, between the forest of brilliantly colored neon lights, to the blaring horns of taxis, to the aromas of the outdoor food stalls… Times Square consumes you.

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The Statue of Liberty is not only the most recognizable icon of New York, but probably of the United States. Gazing at the majesty of her from the New York Water Taxi was a delight, just one of many incredible views that can be had from the ship. It is perhaps one of the best values in town for the person who wants to “see it all.” (“Wants” being the operative word here – I don’t know if it’s even possible to actually see it all… I have heard New Yorkers themselves proclaim such an ambition is a lost cause!) The skyline views from the boat are spectacular too!

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To view the inner parts of the island up close and personal, I opted for a double-decker bus tour. Sure, it’s touristy, but if you want to be whisked around town gawking at amazing scenery and getting off wherever you want for a closer look, it fits the bill. On this adventure, you are exposed to the diverse array of neighborhoods in New York, stretching all the way from Harlem to Downtown.

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But perhaps the most stunning views of all are to be had by air – from the top of the Empire State Building and Rockefeller Center observatories.

Fortunately, there is still so much of New York to see, and a return in the near future is in order. “I love New York” is more than a touristy catchphrase, it’s a deeply held sentiment that keeps me coming back for more! Whether exploring by land, sea, or air, New York City does not disappoint!

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Orlando, FL – a Tale of Two Hotels, an Eye in the Sky, and a Trip Around the World!

by Heather Anne • February 6, 2018

Orlando is a city of whimsy, fantasy, and wonder. Here are theme parks that indulge your craving for thrills, excitement, and childlike wonder by day, and nightlife and accommodations to cater to your grown-up need for peaceful relaxation and blissful self-pampering by night. At The Castle Autograph Collection Marriott in Orlando, fairy tale fanciful meets trendy chic. This completely unique boutique hotel floods the senses with fairy tale inspired fantasy, including gargoyles, crenelations, and towers on the exterior, and brilliant colors, furniture and decor inspired by nature and luxurious hedonism on the inside.

After an exhausting day of hiking across the globe at Epcot, the outdoor bar, jacuzzi, and heated pool were just what Mickey ordered. Basking in the warm January sun, I had found the ultimate escape. Orlando poses two perplexing decisions: which theme park to visit first, and, with an abundance of competition vying for your business, which hotel to choose. The Castle is definitely one I will be choosing frequently on future visits.

Right next door to the Castle is the breathtaking and imposing Orlando Eye, standing out like an exclamation point over the city as you traverse the highways on your way into town. Towering over a small neighborhood of touristy restaurants, shops, and bars, it is an iconic Orlando landmark. You can ride it for spectacular views of the skyline, theme parks, and more.

After gaining a birds-eye view of the city, I left the pricey tourist area for a strip mall right next door where I found “China Buffet,” a delicious value a short walk back to the hotel. After having some fun practicing my Mandarin Chinese with the staff, I walked back through the garage towards the hotel, which, to my delight, held an extraordinary surprise!

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Orlando is full of delightful surprises like this. It is also a vast metropolis. On another side of town rises another phenomenal hotel option: the Orlando World Center Marriott.

This is a colossal property with a multitude of restaurants, shops, pools, and meeting rooms. A laser show floods the sky with color over the main pool at night. Here, “bigger is better,” and the size of the lobby, pools, water slides, rooms, televisions, and balconies attest to that. This is a dizzying place to explore, and I enjoyed every minute of it!

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But I couldn’t visit Orlando without a stop at the most notorious Orlando icon of all: Disney World. Intrigued by the idea of traveling the earth in a day, I opted for a visit to Epcot.

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True to reputation, lines were long – even in January, although admittedly it was a Sunday. There were rides, shows, and exhibitions involving space, the natural world, and miniature villages representing several countries from around the globe. I have a theory that places like this are for adults, not kids… I witnessed numerous children crying and whining while most of the adults seemed to be having a great time! Epcot seems to be a particularly good choice for the adult visitor, because “exploring the world” is something that can appeal to everyone. The scenes and structures are convincingly rendered, at least from a distance, and while it is not a replacement for the “real thing” it’s a fun way to sample a variety of foreign cultures and architectural styles. “Reflections of China” comes with my highest recommendation for adults. This thrilling film surrounds you with 365 degrees of amazing footage of some of the most spectacular sites in China, with no interruption from cartoon characters (like some of the other attractions here.) Other countries represented at Epcot include Canada, Britain, France, Italy, Germany, Norway, and Mexico. Regrettably, my camera battery failed fairly quickly (perhaps not regrettably: now I must return!)

Orlando has a tremendous bounty of places to stay and great things to do. It is the perfect city to return to again and again, or for an extended stay. Subscribe to my brand new YouTube channel for upcoming video tours of these hotels, attractions, and more (hopefully getting better and better as I get used to the platform!):

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC91pXs3Ydbrw5Uc3EFSkO5Q?

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Travel Flashback: Carnival Triumph to Mexico in September

by Heather Anne • January 23, 2018

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By the time this blog publishes, I’ll be sipping Pina Coladas in the Caribbean Sea, (yes – the Caribbean again… hey I like my winter 75 and sunny!) so it was time to pre-schedule a saved blog post from September as a “flashback” this week! Given the trip was unforgettable, didn’t seem to matter that it took place last fall – it feels like yesterday!

We sailed on the Carnival Triumph to Cozumel and Yucatan. The New Orleans departure port offered us a great excuse to take a long road trip, and we stopped in Biloxi at Harrah’s for a couple of nights of unbridled fun gaming and amazing gulf coast seafood! I had never experienced such great table games with low minimums and friendly dealers at any other casino I’d ever been to. Then it was off to New Orleans and the ship. For the first port excursion, I visited the ancient Mayan city of Tulum, and being an Art History major in college I was completely overcome with awe! From the 13th-15th century, the structures of Tulum have held up impressively well considering their age. There are many different buildings; particularly interesting are the temple and palace. I love museums, but there is nothing quite like being surrounded by ancient architecture in a wide open outdoor space to help visualize and imagine how it was back in the day and bring it to life. Of course, these are ruins and heavily damaged, but they really give you a sense of the expanse of the city and some of the day-to-day rituals that were important elements of people’s lives in the time. And then there is the modern population now calling this place home – iguanas! They were crawling all over the ruins, and one of the locals advised me they are the “guardians!”

After the visit to Tulum we visited a community of modern-day Mayans. They provided us a delectable meal including the most mouth-watering, piping hot and fresh off the griddle homemade tortillas. After a stop at a cenote for a refreshing swim it was back to the ship.

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I wanted to choose an excursion suitable for my disabled husband at the next port, so we signed up for the Mi Casa Es Su Casa VIP beach house. We were looking forward to a relaxing day on the beach, in the pool, on the hammocks, and having our appetite satisfied and thirst quenched by attentive waiters while we settled in on loungers drenched in warm, golden sunlight. The highlight of the day was the on-site masseuse who only charged $30 for a half-hour massage that prepared us well for our day of blissful relaxation. After an indulgent massage it was time for spicy margaritas and an array of delicious Mexican specialties on the buffet before a dip in the pool – and ocean. It was a luxurious day of pampering and peace.

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After our Mexican adventure it was back to the ship and the port of New Orleans. Feeling lucky after such a terrific trip, we stopped in at Harrah’s New Orleans for some gaming fun before the long drive home. Sure enough, I left a winner, and had a deposit for the next adventure!

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Southern Caribbean on the Norwegian Dawn, Part 2: St. Kitts, Antigua, St. Thomas

by Heather Anne • January 16, 2018

Welcome back for the second installment of Southern Caribbean on Norwegian Dawn! St. Kitts was the third stop on the cruise, and I opted for the St. Kitts Scenic Railway excursion, which turned out to be a great choice. The train circled the island, with the views becoming increasingly spectacular as the tour progressed. Rum drinks were served, but what was really intoxicating were the scenes of the magnificent volcano capped in puffy clouds, mountains rising out of the flattest plains of lush green fields, grasses blowing in the breeze, and cute, pastel house dotted villages. Locals waved to us every step of the way, warm welcomes complementing the warmth of the noon-day December sun and temperature in the 70s. This was paradise.

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There was time to spend at port after the train ride, and in contrast to the peaceful glide through the countryside, the port was bustling with a fun, party-like atmosphere. It was fun to stop in at the local shop, purchase the local beer (Carib – a personal favorite so difficult to find in the U.S. – such a treat!) and wander the streets beer in hand (something that would be impossible at home!) taking in the laid-back island atmosphere and people watching.

Antigua was the next stop – an alternate stop to St. Maarten which was substituted on the itinerary due to hurricane damage. I did not book an excursion for this port as none were posted until the last minute, so instead I opted for a self-guided tour. There was a tremendous contrast between the touristy shopping area close to the port dominated by tourists and the streets further out where primarily locals were to be found. Sadly the area appeared poor and in need of some repair and restoration.

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The church above is an example of this. The two towers stood out like exclamation points from anywhere in town (and even from our cabin’s balcony!) enticing me to approach. I didn’t realize until I could view it up close the urgent need for restoration. I was very glad to have been able to, hopefully, do my part to help the local economy doing some shopping at the port and paying my port taxes. Once back on the ship, I settled in on the balcony to enjoy what turned out to be the most spectacular sunset views of the entire cruise, with layers of deep blue, purple, orange, and yellow bleeding into each other in a stew of brilliant color as a backdrop to the dark outlines of islands. My imagination drifted to the days of pirates commandeering these incredible views – the ultimate Caribbean treasure. It was a beautiful ending to a beautiful day.

The final stop on the trip was St. Thomas. I was expecting to be underwhelmed, because I tend to enjoy destinations the more exotic they are and St. Thomas is a U.S. territory, but I could not have been more wrong. St. Thomas ended up being a highlight of the tour!

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Upon arrival, we were enthusiastically greeted by locals in vibrantly-colored local costumes energetically dancing in the street, including one on stilts! I had booked an excursion to Megan’s Bay beach – ranked one of the 10 most beautiful beaches in the world by National Geographic, and shopping and Charlotte Amalie. Our tour bus stopped at a thrilling scenic overlook high above Megan’s Bay, and then continued down the mountain to the shores of this magnificent beach. The tour guide claimed that the beach was damaged during the hurricanes – but other than palm trees being propped up by wooden braces I couldn’t tell. The beach stretched on so long it was easy to escape the crowds by strolling further down the vast shoreline. The water was warm and crystal clear, and the sound of the waves rushing in accompanied by peaceful silence was a delight to my ears. I wanted to pitch a tent and stay there forever!

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We proceeded into Charlotte Amalie afterwards, where high-end shops, especially jewelry shops, were over-represented, but I did manage to find a couple of real local gems, in particular a shop featuring the work of artists capturing the beauty and spirit of St. Thomas. As an Art History major in college I found their wares irresistible, and picked up a painting, photographic work, and drawing for my home office. The scenery here was so unforgettable that I wouldn’t need these reminders, but I would cherish them nonetheless. After shopping I did a self-guided tour to view the unique Danish architecture and brilliant, bright pastel colored structures abundant in both St. Thomas and the Caribbean.

St Thomas 3

I left St. Thomas determined to pack up and move! (At least eventually!) I have traveled extensively throughout the U.S., and never encountered a more delicious expanse of eye-candy anywhere else on U.S. soil.

Back to the ship and it was time to return to San Juan, overflowing with amazing memories and a long checklist of places to which I “absolutely must!” return to. This includes the Dawn cruise ship itself, which will have its own post, (video tour included!) after our next Dawn cruise coming up this March!

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