Posts
Tomorrow is my anniversary and we decided to go all the way to the aiport and have dinner at the Fairmont Airport Hotel GlobeYVR restaurant with friends who did not partake of the opening day festivities for Canada Line. Since we did not take the train the entire route as it was closing, today's experience again made us feel even luckier that we live in a city with a rapid transit system like ours. It is part disneyland, with the twists and turns in the tunnels, not unlike space mountain, and then in Richmond, when you come out into the daylight, it is something else again...more like a roller coaster slowly climbing and then dropping into a curve, all the while whisking along the track. Being so high above the city, and with no wall or barrier on the outside of the train- no rail, just a narrow walkway in case of emergency... could be a bit unnerving, but everyone on the train, regardless of age, was having a great time. People were trying to decide where to get off, before getting back on, because the tickets are actually good for several hours in either direction...and after 630pm, it goes to one zone fare regardless of how far you are going.
Our dinner at GlobeYVR was based on their summer 100 mile diet program. The dishes were beautifully put together, albeit a bit on the miniscule portion size, but the flavours popped, Since our friends do not eat some of the ingredients, we were beneficiaries of many assorted tastes. The one damper was that they did not bring out two of the orders without one requested and confirmed ingredient. Since they had already served two of us, they should never have taken away the whole plate for 15 or 20 minutes, leaving half of us to try to dawdle or eat cold food, and never updating us or offering them the other presentations on the same plate. Especially for the price, and how slow the restaurant was, this was unthinkable...but we shared and managed.
On the way back from the airport, we were met by translink staff answering questions and helping as well as watching over ticket purchases. We were pleasantly surprised by the number of fellow passengers, most of which clearly were on a joy ride with no luggage and a few airport staff. There were two young men from Quebec, and when the transit policeman came over for the tickets, apparently one had one and the other either could not find his, or did not have one...taking a 5050 chance I guess. These officers have guns, and the power to insist that they get off the train and they get fingerprinted and the fine (in case you were wondering) is $250!
This definitely generated a lot of discussion on the train, but we think that after scaring them, considering that they were definitely non English speakers and from out of town, they were sent to buy that second ticket...being given a second chance.
So if you are thinking of passing on the ticket purchase, think again!
Once again as the train left the two young men, the officer and the station, we were whisked away into the evening with the white glow of the Olympic rings clearly in sight, and in mind...less than 6 months and counting!
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Vancouver is on the right track
Today was the inauguration of the first Canadian airport to Downtown light rapid transit service. From 1 pm to 9pm today, Vancouverites took to the subterranean depths to take part in today's festivities and free rides. Despite a few glitches, like not anticipating how many joy riders there would be, meaning people were riding to the end and back and not getting off, meant that there were very long line ups. It also meant that the special inaugural passports were gone by 430 in the afternoon.
Having recently been in New York and Geneva (where hotel guests get free transportation for their entire stay) our station and the tracks were, of course, immaculate. Hopefully Vancouver's reputation for being a super clean city will extend below the city too. Geneva also has no turnstiles, just the same honor system. I was impressed in Geneva and the car design with lots of seats and standing room, and multiple handrails looks great, although I am not sure about when lots of people have luggage, as there was no luggage rack or overhead racks on the trains we were on.
The ride was smooth, fun and fast. The large window at the front makes for a real experience as you are rounding corners, especially under ground. There is a distinct sense of the rise and fall of levels as you plunge under the water and under ground, and an almost blinding emergence.
Having decided more than a year ago, to make do with using only one of our cars, I can definitely see myself along with many others hopping a ride to many places on my list.
I am happy though that I do not have to use it tomorrow as I think that the lineups for buying tickets will be pretty long... Think I will go and buy a multiple pass before I need it!
All aboard!
Monday, August 17, 2009
Unlimited Travel for 1 Month with Jet Blue
Enjoy unlimited travel with our All-You-Can-Jet Pass! For just $599* you can take JetBlue anywhere you like, as often as you like, from September 8 to October 8, 2009. Use your All-You-Can-Jet Pass for business, for pleasure, to visit your favorite cities or to meet with a client. You might as well just do it all! With more than 50 cities to choose from, and for just $599, it's a deal you can't pass up.
About the Pass
$599 for a month of unlimited travel, any available seat
Domestic taxes and fees included
International and Puerto Rico taxes and fees not included
On sale through Friday, August 21, 2009, or while supplies last
Travel Dates: Tuesday, September 8, 2009 through Thursday, October 8, 2009
Each flight must be booked no later than 11:59 p.m. MDT three days prior to the flight's scheduled departure.
Nonrefundable/nontransferable/no name changes permitted
Customers who already have a flight booked during the pass travel period can pay the difference to upgrade to the pass by calling 1-800-JETBLUE (538-2583), prompt 4.
Each All-You-Can-Jet Pass is eligible for 35 TrueBlue points. Flights booked on the pass are not available for additional TrueBlue points.
To purchase an All-You-Can-Jet Pass:
Call 1-800-JETBLUE (538-2583), option 4. You do not have to be a TrueBlue member at the time of purchase, but a TrueBlue number is required to book all flights.To join TrueBlue, click here; it's free.
To book flights with your All-You-Can-Jet Pass:
Before calling to reserve your flight, please visit jetblue.com to check availability and select flight times.
Call 1-800-JETBLUE (538-2583), prompt 4.
Provide your pass number which is your original reservation number.
Provide your TrueBlue number.
You may only book one flight per city per day; if a violation of this policy is found, JetBlue will honor only the last booking made and cancel the customer's other bookings from that city on that day.
Each flight must be booked no later than 11:59 p.m. MDT three days prior to the flight's scheduled departure.
You can change/cancel flights for no fee with three (3) or more days notice; changes or cancellations to flight bookings made after 11:59 p.m. MDT three days prior to the flight's scheduled departure will be charged standard JetBlue change/cancel fees.
To change or cancel All-You-Can-Jet Pass travel:
Greater than three (3) days before a flight: $0 change/cancellation fees
Less than three (3) days before a flight: JetBlue's standard change/cancel fees apply
In the case of a no-show, the customer's pass will be placed on hold, any reserved pass flights will be canceled, and no new flight segments wil be able to be booked until the customer pays a $100 no-show penalty.
*Other important restrictions apply. For complete details, please read the Full Terms and Conditions.
*Offer ends 8/21/09, or earlier at JetBlue's discretion. Pass includes unlimited coach class air travel for one person on JetBlue-operated flights between any cities in the JetBlue route network. Valid for travel between 9/8/09 and 10/8/09. Each flight must be booked no later than 11:59 p.m. MDT three days prior to the flight's scheduled departure. Changes or cancellations of flight bookings made after 11:59 p.m. MDT three days prior to the flight's scheduled departure will incur a $100 change/cancel fee. "No shows" for flights will incur a $100 fee, with Pass suspension until fee is paid. Passes may be used only to book new travel and may not be applied to existing reservations. Travel is subject to availability and seats may not be available on all flights. Passes may not be used for code share or interline flights, Getaways packages, Cruises, Gift Cards, or other products and services. Pass does not include taxes and fees applicable to international or Puerto Rico travel, including without limitation (a) Passenger Facility Charges of up to $9.00 each way, (b) September 11th Security Fees of up to $2.50 per enplanement at a U.S. originating airport, (c) Federal Segment Taxes of $3.60 per domestic segment (a segment is a takeoff and landing), (d) in the case of international travel, government fees and taxes of up to $127.60 each way, and (e) in the case of Puerto Rico travel, a US Departure Tax of $16.10 each way. All taxes and fees must be paid at the time of travel booking. Passes are non-refundable. Passes and Pass travel are non-transferable. A second bag fee of $30 applies. Other restrictions apply; see Terms and Conditions for complete details. © 2009 JetBlue Airways
About the Pass
$599 for a month of unlimited travel, any available seat
Domestic taxes and fees included
International and Puerto Rico taxes and fees not included
On sale through Friday, August 21, 2009, or while supplies last
Travel Dates: Tuesday, September 8, 2009 through Thursday, October 8, 2009
Each flight must be booked no later than 11:59 p.m. MDT three days prior to the flight's scheduled departure.
Nonrefundable/nontransferable/no name changes permitted
Customers who already have a flight booked during the pass travel period can pay the difference to upgrade to the pass by calling 1-800-JETBLUE (538-2583), prompt 4.
Each All-You-Can-Jet Pass is eligible for 35 TrueBlue points. Flights booked on the pass are not available for additional TrueBlue points.
To purchase an All-You-Can-Jet Pass:
Call 1-800-JETBLUE (538-2583), option 4. You do not have to be a TrueBlue member at the time of purchase, but a TrueBlue number is required to book all flights.To join TrueBlue, click here; it's free.
To book flights with your All-You-Can-Jet Pass:
Before calling to reserve your flight, please visit jetblue.com to check availability and select flight times.
Call 1-800-JETBLUE (538-2583), prompt 4.
Provide your pass number which is your original reservation number.
Provide your TrueBlue number.
You may only book one flight per city per day; if a violation of this policy is found, JetBlue will honor only the last booking made and cancel the customer's other bookings from that city on that day.
Each flight must be booked no later than 11:59 p.m. MDT three days prior to the flight's scheduled departure.
You can change/cancel flights for no fee with three (3) or more days notice; changes or cancellations to flight bookings made after 11:59 p.m. MDT three days prior to the flight's scheduled departure will be charged standard JetBlue change/cancel fees.
To change or cancel All-You-Can-Jet Pass travel:
Greater than three (3) days before a flight: $0 change/cancellation fees
Less than three (3) days before a flight: JetBlue's standard change/cancel fees apply
In the case of a no-show, the customer's pass will be placed on hold, any reserved pass flights will be canceled, and no new flight segments wil be able to be booked until the customer pays a $100 no-show penalty.
*Other important restrictions apply. For complete details, please read the Full Terms and Conditions.
*Offer ends 8/21/09, or earlier at JetBlue's discretion. Pass includes unlimited coach class air travel for one person on JetBlue-operated flights between any cities in the JetBlue route network. Valid for travel between 9/8/09 and 10/8/09. Each flight must be booked no later than 11:59 p.m. MDT three days prior to the flight's scheduled departure. Changes or cancellations of flight bookings made after 11:59 p.m. MDT three days prior to the flight's scheduled departure will incur a $100 change/cancel fee. "No shows" for flights will incur a $100 fee, with Pass suspension until fee is paid. Passes may be used only to book new travel and may not be applied to existing reservations. Travel is subject to availability and seats may not be available on all flights. Passes may not be used for code share or interline flights, Getaways packages, Cruises, Gift Cards, or other products and services. Pass does not include taxes and fees applicable to international or Puerto Rico travel, including without limitation (a) Passenger Facility Charges of up to $9.00 each way, (b) September 11th Security Fees of up to $2.50 per enplanement at a U.S. originating airport, (c) Federal Segment Taxes of $3.60 per domestic segment (a segment is a takeoff and landing), (d) in the case of international travel, government fees and taxes of up to $127.60 each way, and (e) in the case of Puerto Rico travel, a US Departure Tax of $16.10 each way. All taxes and fees must be paid at the time of travel booking. Passes are non-refundable. Passes and Pass travel are non-transferable. A second bag fee of $30 applies. Other restrictions apply; see Terms and Conditions for complete details. © 2009 JetBlue Airways
Unlimited Travel for 1 Month with Jet Blue
Enjoy unlimited travel with our All-You-Can-Jet Pass! For just $599* you can take JetBlue anywhere you like, as often as you like, from September 8 to October 8, 2009. Use your All-You-Can-Jet Pass for business, for pleasure, to visit your favorite cities or to meet with a client. You might as well just do it all! With more than 50 cities to choose from, and for just $599, it's a deal you can't pass up.
About the Pass
$599 for a month of unlimited travel, any available seat
Domestic taxes and fees included
International and Puerto Rico taxes and fees not included
On sale through Friday, August 21, 2009, or while supplies last
Travel Dates: Tuesday, September 8, 2009 through Thursday, October 8, 2009
Each flight must be booked no later than 11:59 p.m. MDT three days prior to the flight's scheduled departure.
Nonrefundable/nontransferable/no name changes permitted
Customers who already have a flight booked during the pass travel period can pay the difference to upgrade to the pass by calling 1-800-JETBLUE (538-2583), prompt 4.
Each All-You-Can-Jet Pass is eligible for 35 TrueBlue points. Flights booked on the pass are not available for additional TrueBlue points.
To purchase an All-You-Can-Jet Pass:
Call 1-800-JETBLUE (538-2583), option 4. You do not have to be a TrueBlue member at the time of purchase, but a TrueBlue number is required to book all flights.To join TrueBlue, click here; it's free.
To book flights with your All-You-Can-Jet Pass:
Before calling to reserve your flight, please visit jetblue.com to check availability and select flight times.
Call 1-800-JETBLUE (538-2583), prompt 4.
Provide your pass number which is your original reservation number.
Provide your TrueBlue number.
You may only book one flight per city per day; if a violation of this policy is found, JetBlue will honor only the last booking made and cancel the customer's other bookings from that city on that day.
Each flight must be booked no later than 11:59 p.m. MDT three days prior to the flight's scheduled departure.
You can change/cancel flights for no fee with three (3) or more days notice; changes or cancellations to flight bookings made after 11:59 p.m. MDT three days prior to the flight's scheduled departure will be charged standard JetBlue change/cancel fees.
To change or cancel All-You-Can-Jet Pass travel:
Greater than three (3) days before a flight: $0 change/cancellation fees
Less than three (3) days before a flight: JetBlue's standard change/cancel fees apply
In the case of a no-show, the customer's pass will be placed on hold, any reserved pass flights will be canceled, and no new flight segments wil be able to be booked until the customer pays a $100 no-show penalty.
*Other important restrictions apply. For complete details, please read the Full Terms and Conditions.
*Offer ends 8/21/09, or earlier at JetBlue's discretion. Pass includes unlimited coach class air travel for one person on JetBlue-operated flights between any cities in the JetBlue route network. Valid for travel between 9/8/09 and 10/8/09. Each flight must be booked no later than 11:59 p.m. MDT three days prior to the flight's scheduled departure. Changes or cancellations of flight bookings made after 11:59 p.m. MDT three days prior to the flight's scheduled departure will incur a $100 change/cancel fee. "No shows" for flights will incur a $100 fee, with Pass suspension until fee is paid. Passes may be used only to book new travel and may not be applied to existing reservations. Travel is subject to availability and seats may not be available on all flights. Passes may not be used for code share or interline flights, Getaways packages, Cruises, Gift Cards, or other products and services. Pass does not include taxes and fees applicable to international or Puerto Rico travel, including without limitation (a) Passenger Facility Charges of up to $9.00 each way, (b) September 11th Security Fees of up to $2.50 per enplanement at a U.S. originating airport, (c) Federal Segment Taxes of $3.60 per domestic segment (a segment is a takeoff and landing), (d) in the case of international travel, government fees and taxes of up to $127.60 each way, and (e) in the case of Puerto Rico travel, a US Departure Tax of $16.10 each way. All taxes and fees must be paid at the time of travel booking. Passes are non-refundable. Passes and Pass travel are non-transferable. A second bag fee of $30 applies. Other restrictions apply; see Terms and Conditions for complete details. © 2009 JetBlue Airways
Friday, August 14, 2009
An Exclusive Ethiopian Experience October 2009
For any of you who ever wanted to travel with an amazing diplomat and statesman to a country most people only read about, here is a fantastic opportunity to travel to ETHIOPIA with retired Israeli Ambassador Asher Naim, who is also the 2009 recipient of the Raoul Wallenberg Prize.
Ambassador Naim will not only share an uncensored and insider view of current Ethiopia as well as the very amazing and exciting story of the 1991 Operation Solomon which resulted in a Guiness Book of Records airlift of almost 15,000 Falashmura (Black Jews) from Ethiopia to Israel in 25 hours. His book Saving the Lost Tribe:The Rescue and Redemption of the Ethiopian Jews, is a compelling story which gives us an insiders glimpse into the real process of dealing with high stakes international incidents. The trip will take place mid October. Call or email for more information.
Ambassador Naim will not only share an uncensored and insider view of current Ethiopia as well as the very amazing and exciting story of the 1991 Operation Solomon which resulted in a Guiness Book of Records airlift of almost 15,000 Falashmura (Black Jews) from Ethiopia to Israel in 25 hours. His book Saving the Lost Tribe:The Rescue and Redemption of the Ethiopian Jews, is a compelling story which gives us an insiders glimpse into the real process of dealing with high stakes international incidents. The trip will take place mid October. Call or email for more information.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Passionate Travel
It seems like I have barely slept in my own bed for the last few months, with a whirlwind of travel and happily all for good reasons. My travels have taken me to several times to New York and Seattle, and also to Los Angeles,Vietnam, Cambodia, San Francisco, Philadelphia, London, Paris, the South of France, Budapest, and the least touristed but most hospitable countries of Albania and twice to Kosova (Kosovo to the rest of the world except Albanians), and for a very fast but exciting day and a half in Geneva Switzerland which took me to meet with representatives for a major pharmaseutical company and hospital about the book that my grandson and I wrote about his experience with type 1 diabetes.
I also just returned from a cruise with my family to Alaska and Victoria, BC. We celebrated 4 birthdays, 3 anniversaries and had a really special family bonding. It has been many years since we first took our two young children on their first cruise on board Royal Viking where they were the only two children on board. I am thrilled to say that the magic is still there as we initiated a new generation to the joys of cruising and spending all sorts of quality family time together.
I am also thrilled to be coordinating an amazing trip to Ethiopia with the former Israeli Ambassador to Ethiopia planned for October, to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Falashmura (Black Jews) exodus from Ethiopia-and there is still space for a few lucky people who want to literally travel through history with one of the most amazing statesmen of our time. For 2010, we will also be scheduling trips to the Far East and to the Baltic where his tenure there helped to shape some of the most dramatic events and small groups of lucky participants will be able to learn from him how to make the word more powerful than the sword. Please contact me if you are interested in participating in any of these special unique travel experiences.
My own personal journey has been something that I could never have even remotely imagined in my wildest dreams when I set out to try to make a difference in the world every day.
I truly have been blessed to be working on some amazing humanitarian projects, especially the Eye Contact Foundation, whose current project Panha's work which highlights the largely untold story of Albanian/Kosovo Besa (their code of honor which literally translates as "keeping the promise") currently has at least 6 photo exhibitions travelling the world, is currently up for Jewish Fine Arts Book of the Year by the Jewish Book Council, and whose movie God's House should hit the big screen by the beginning of 2010. The Founder, Norman H Gershman has taken his passion for photography and a love of Jewish life coupled with a desire to honor those who risked their lives to save people and has done what many others could not do, bring Jews, Muslims and Christians to look towards each other with a caring eye, searching for goodness.
In New York and Cambodia, I was privileged to work with Panha Ou of Amazing Angkor Tours and Jenni Lippa who have respectively set up the Cambodian Child Dream Organization, and in North America Friends of CCDO. Panha's work in the area around Siem Reap with providing clean water from reliable wells for communities in need, providing education, training, food and shelter for over 70 children in the Little Angels orphanage, is nothing short of incredible and most inspiring. I would like you to know what a difference as little as $125-150 a year can make to the children in the orphanage, or up to 40 people who are the beneficiary of a well that ends up providing so much more than just clean water. I just shared with my condo where I was going at our end of year get-together, and they helped me travel with one whole suitcase full of school and personal supplies for the children of the orphanage and the other children we met all along the way.
I have stayed in some incredible properties around the world, and even more memorable were some of the hoteliers, whose passions for hospitality runs through their veins, and goes directly to their hearts-in their desire to please their guests and also give back to their communities. Special Kudos goes to Nick Downing at Hotel de la Paix in Siem Reap, which is happily now a well deserving Virtuoso property. Their agreement with Mastercard has resulted in hundreds of bicycles being donated to needy children. In New York, Muyo Pereszic not only is overseeing a total renovation and upgrading of the Kimberly Hotel, including a new Rooftop bar, but still managed to find time to help and welcome some most promising up and coming young entrepreneurs from Albania and Kosovo.
I have also been travelling a lot by boat...or rather a most unusual assortment of water crafts, including a river boat up some very unusual and isolated areas along the Mekong River between Vietnam and Cambodia. Then a few weeks ago, I spent a week with six other people from around the world on a small Dutch owned barge along the most southern parts of the Canal Du Midi, in record weather so hot, that even the flamingos took refuge away from the heat and their normal habitat. On the barge I was privileged to meet and spend time with the recipient of the Order of Australia, a neurokinesiologist, Margaret Stuart.
Then last week, we took a major turn and spent a week with our family, children and grandchildren as we sailed on board the Celebrity Infinity. For one glorious week, the weather was spectacular as 8 of us sailed from Seattle to the ports of Ketchikan, Juneau, cruising through Hubbard Glacier and Victoria. We shared the boat with another 2092 people. The crew was so accomodating for Jared's special dietary needs as a type 1 diabetic. His face upon seeing a special no sugar baked alaska and Maya's prize winning seaworthy vessel were definitely top 10 material, although catching fish in Ketchikan as they jumped all around our boat, seeing the fish ladders, the Mendenhall Glacier, the Hubbard Glacier and the wildlife plus a fantastic two hour vintage car ride through Victoria will forever be part of the family lore.
My time in Kosovo was nothing short of extraordinary. It has actually been 10 years since the war in Kosovo, and in the course of tracking down people involved in helping tens of thousands of refugee children, I was privy to some of the most inspiring people I have even met, including the former Deputy Prime Minister, a man currently a member of the parliament, who for 14 years was imprisoned an tortured strictly because of his political views, school pricinciples, heads of communities, the family of Mustafa Rezniqi, who The Eye Contact Foundation helped Yad Vashem recognize as the first righteous family in Kosovo, an American-Israeli psychologist who has, since the war, been responsible for most of the growth and development of the field of psychology in Kosova. I also met with government officials to try to help develop sports tourism in Albania and Kosova in order to help them grow their tourism in a positive and sustainable way. Most of all, I was impressed with a very dedicated group of young people, journalists, students, translators, teachers, entrepreneurs, film makers, authors and entrepreneurs who willed things to happen, and miraculously they did. They are truly these country's future and living proof that Besa is still alive and well.
It seems hard to believe that just a scant year ago, I was not getting too far with a new full hip replacement and just two years ago that Jared was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. I am filled with love and gratitude for everyone who has shared my journey, and who is allowing me to share my passions with them in a way that along with my family and my clients who love to travel passionately will reach out and in turn, touch someone else with the gift of sharing and caring.
Remember to always let your passions be your guide!
Photos and much more to come....
I also just returned from a cruise with my family to Alaska and Victoria, BC. We celebrated 4 birthdays, 3 anniversaries and had a really special family bonding. It has been many years since we first took our two young children on their first cruise on board Royal Viking where they were the only two children on board. I am thrilled to say that the magic is still there as we initiated a new generation to the joys of cruising and spending all sorts of quality family time together.
I am also thrilled to be coordinating an amazing trip to Ethiopia with the former Israeli Ambassador to Ethiopia planned for October, to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Falashmura (Black Jews) exodus from Ethiopia-and there is still space for a few lucky people who want to literally travel through history with one of the most amazing statesmen of our time. For 2010, we will also be scheduling trips to the Far East and to the Baltic where his tenure there helped to shape some of the most dramatic events and small groups of lucky participants will be able to learn from him how to make the word more powerful than the sword. Please contact me if you are interested in participating in any of these special unique travel experiences.
My own personal journey has been something that I could never have even remotely imagined in my wildest dreams when I set out to try to make a difference in the world every day.
I truly have been blessed to be working on some amazing humanitarian projects, especially the Eye Contact Foundation, whose current project Panha's work which highlights the largely untold story of Albanian/Kosovo Besa (their code of honor which literally translates as "keeping the promise") currently has at least 6 photo exhibitions travelling the world, is currently up for Jewish Fine Arts Book of the Year by the Jewish Book Council, and whose movie God's House should hit the big screen by the beginning of 2010. The Founder, Norman H Gershman has taken his passion for photography and a love of Jewish life coupled with a desire to honor those who risked their lives to save people and has done what many others could not do, bring Jews, Muslims and Christians to look towards each other with a caring eye, searching for goodness.
In New York and Cambodia, I was privileged to work with Panha Ou of Amazing Angkor Tours and Jenni Lippa who have respectively set up the Cambodian Child Dream Organization, and in North America Friends of CCDO. Panha's work in the area around Siem Reap with providing clean water from reliable wells for communities in need, providing education, training, food and shelter for over 70 children in the Little Angels orphanage, is nothing short of incredible and most inspiring. I would like you to know what a difference as little as $125-150 a year can make to the children in the orphanage, or up to 40 people who are the beneficiary of a well that ends up providing so much more than just clean water. I just shared with my condo where I was going at our end of year get-together, and they helped me travel with one whole suitcase full of school and personal supplies for the children of the orphanage and the other children we met all along the way.
I have stayed in some incredible properties around the world, and even more memorable were some of the hoteliers, whose passions for hospitality runs through their veins, and goes directly to their hearts-in their desire to please their guests and also give back to their communities. Special Kudos goes to Nick Downing at Hotel de la Paix in Siem Reap, which is happily now a well deserving Virtuoso property. Their agreement with Mastercard has resulted in hundreds of bicycles being donated to needy children. In New York, Muyo Pereszic not only is overseeing a total renovation and upgrading of the Kimberly Hotel, including a new Rooftop bar, but still managed to find time to help and welcome some most promising up and coming young entrepreneurs from Albania and Kosovo.
I have also been travelling a lot by boat...or rather a most unusual assortment of water crafts, including a river boat up some very unusual and isolated areas along the Mekong River between Vietnam and Cambodia. Then a few weeks ago, I spent a week with six other people from around the world on a small Dutch owned barge along the most southern parts of the Canal Du Midi, in record weather so hot, that even the flamingos took refuge away from the heat and their normal habitat. On the barge I was privileged to meet and spend time with the recipient of the Order of Australia, a neurokinesiologist, Margaret Stuart.
Then last week, we took a major turn and spent a week with our family, children and grandchildren as we sailed on board the Celebrity Infinity. For one glorious week, the weather was spectacular as 8 of us sailed from Seattle to the ports of Ketchikan, Juneau, cruising through Hubbard Glacier and Victoria. We shared the boat with another 2092 people. The crew was so accomodating for Jared's special dietary needs as a type 1 diabetic. His face upon seeing a special no sugar baked alaska and Maya's prize winning seaworthy vessel were definitely top 10 material, although catching fish in Ketchikan as they jumped all around our boat, seeing the fish ladders, the Mendenhall Glacier, the Hubbard Glacier and the wildlife plus a fantastic two hour vintage car ride through Victoria will forever be part of the family lore.
My time in Kosovo was nothing short of extraordinary. It has actually been 10 years since the war in Kosovo, and in the course of tracking down people involved in helping tens of thousands of refugee children, I was privy to some of the most inspiring people I have even met, including the former Deputy Prime Minister, a man currently a member of the parliament, who for 14 years was imprisoned an tortured strictly because of his political views, school pricinciples, heads of communities, the family of Mustafa Rezniqi, who The Eye Contact Foundation helped Yad Vashem recognize as the first righteous family in Kosovo, an American-Israeli psychologist who has, since the war, been responsible for most of the growth and development of the field of psychology in Kosova. I also met with government officials to try to help develop sports tourism in Albania and Kosova in order to help them grow their tourism in a positive and sustainable way. Most of all, I was impressed with a very dedicated group of young people, journalists, students, translators, teachers, entrepreneurs, film makers, authors and entrepreneurs who willed things to happen, and miraculously they did. They are truly these country's future and living proof that Besa is still alive and well.
It seems hard to believe that just a scant year ago, I was not getting too far with a new full hip replacement and just two years ago that Jared was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. I am filled with love and gratitude for everyone who has shared my journey, and who is allowing me to share my passions with them in a way that along with my family and my clients who love to travel passionately will reach out and in turn, touch someone else with the gift of sharing and caring.
Remember to always let your passions be your guide!
Photos and much more to come....
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