The Old And New San Juan City Tour (via Royal Caribbean)

San Juan is the capital of Puerto Rico, - a commonwealth of the United States. It was founded by the Spanish and made it their settlement in 1521. Today, it is considered to be the second oldest European settlement in the Americas, and one of the largest natural harbors in the caribbean.

No wonder why many tourists are very much attracted to its colonial past that reflects its architectural landmarks which now can be frequently seen through out the Old San Juan.

If you love exploring culture, arts, sports and many more, the tour of Old & New San Juan is perfectly made for you.

This guided tour will first lead you to New San Juan where guests will see common landmarks such as the Capitol Building, the Convention Center, Hiram Bithorn Stadium, Museum of Art Puerto Rico, Roberto Clemente Coliseum, Plaza Las Americas, and others. (Take note that this is a driving tour and hopping off the bus is not allowed except for a visit to Fort San Cristobal,)

The tour will then proceed in Old San Juan where visitors will be given the chance to explore inside San Cristobal Fort and can take as many photos as they want ;). Tour inside the fort is 45 minutes. There is a passageway going up the fort through a tunnel. ;)

My hubby going up  the fort.

Other historical buildings will also be seen like Museo de Ateneo, Antigua Casino and Casa Olimpica where you would learn each of their cultural significance.

The ending part of the tour will be a shopping time at Plaza Colon. Items such as crafts, arts and souvenirs will be the common choices.

You will also get the option to stay a little bit at Old San Juan as you prefer and go back to the ship on your own or choose to be taken back to the ship by the tour bus.

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A Perfect Day To Experience Labadee, Haiti

Labadee is considered to be a private tropical paradise owned by Royal Caribbean for five centuries now.
There are two main historical monuments on Labadee, - the Nellie's Place and the Old Bell Tower. These 2 monuments are frequently visited by many tourists where they will learn about their historical facts.

Old Bell Tower
Courtesy Photo by Flickr

Nellie's Place
Courtesy Photo by Flickr

There are lots of various activities and interests you can enjoy at Labadee whether you are an adventure-seeker, explorer or a beach lover due to its picture perfect coastal location.

If you are seeking  for thrill adventures, you might want to try zip lining called the Dragon's Breath Flight Line, or go para sailing over 300 ft. above. Both of these activities give you a bird's eye view of the peninsula and the beaches.

Other activities are the Wave Jet Tour or doing the High Speed Coastal Adventure Ride, and the experience of riding the Dragon's Tail Alpine Coaster as it goes down the mountain of Labadee.

If you're the explore type, you can enjoy a walking tour of sites to learn both the past and present histories of Haiti, or you can tour it by sea on a cultural experience.

Beach lovers, you will enjoy exploring bountiful beaches and choose your favorite beach-perfect spot to enjoy and relax,while enjoying a sip of your favorite cocktail.

If you prefer swimming in calm waters of the beach, try the Columbus Cove and Nellie's beach, while the Dragon's Tail is perfect for lounging and capturing sunrays that has a panoramic view of the Atlantic Ocean.

There are also two types of shopping experiences in Labadee. You can visit the Artisan's Market/The Artisan's Village and the Trading Posts.

Take note that the Artisan's Market only accepts cash, while Trading Posts accepts seapass card.

Try to enjoy everything Labadee has to offer to the fullest! Visit the Dragon's Plaza, explore Buccaneer's Bay, Town Square, Adrenaline Beach, Barefoot Beach Club and the Columbus Cove.

Haitian Cultural Tour at Paradise Cove & Beach

We had this tour experience during our Eastern Caribbean cruise via Royal Caribbean. This is an interesting tour because it's a great way to learn more about Haitian culture and its people and at the same time, the tour has an extended bonus, - to relax on a beautiful, idyllic beach called Paradise Cove.

My hubby before boarding the water taxi

The tour starts by boarding on a water taxi, which is a short ride away going to Le Village at Paradise Cove. The haitian village is located on a hill from Paradise Cove wherein you will have to go up through concrete stairs.

Paradise Cove is a private location which has 121 meters of waterfront reflecting a scenic overlook that you would surely enjoy.

Please note that guests will be going off and on the water taxi through a boat ladder, and you'll be going off the boat into a knee-deep water at the beach's edge. Upon reaching Paradise Cove, there is a bamboo bar that serves you a welcome drink (complimentary) which is called a fruit rum punch.

Once at the beach, your tour guide will be leading you to the village passing through a small bamboo bridge just over a natural freshwater pool. You also have to note that in order to reach the village, you will have to climb some steps.

Once you reach the village uphill, you'll get the chance to meet the Haitian locals doing their daily routines, and have the opportunity to interact with them. You'll be able to learn, visit and see a typical rural Haitian home and the natural materials used to build them.

They will also show you their cooking techniques, and you get to learn and see how they process haitian peanut butter and how coffee is being prepared for export.

There is also a sculpture shop in the village wherein your tour guide will give you an overview on the religion of vodoo and how it played an important role in their lives.

You will see some weaved products at a small shop which are also being sold as souvenirs. A local artisan shop is also in the village where you can see paintings and sculptures souvenirs for sale. The tour ends at the artisan shop where you can choose to buy items you want, then you go back down to Paradise Cove where you can choose to relax on the beach and enjoy the cool, clear water before you board back to the water taxi back to the ship.

Knowing The Danger Signs of Blood Clots & Get Involved!

The American Blood Clot Association (ABCA) has been working daily to help and educate people about vital information they need to know about blood clot. It has been said that one person is being diagnosed every minute with a blood clot in the United States.

Blood Clots can kill if not discovered early or remained undiagnosed. The golden rule is, - knowing the signs and symptoms. The earlier it can be detected, the better is the chance of survival.

ABCA continues to extend its function for public awareness regarding the danger of blood clots. The higher the awareness we can impart about this threatening condition, the lower the death rate would be. Let's be productive and get involved! We can save a life a day.

Upgrade Your Living Room!

I love decorating my own home. Although I haven't gotten any formal schooling about interior decorations or designs, just by playing mix and match is quite a lot of fun, particularly in choosing the styles as to colors and shapes of furniture and other stuff...it is quite fulfilling when you see your own design as you would want it to be. 

 If you are looking for huge collection of living room furniture, why not visit the link; - living room furniture goodshomefurnishings.com? You can have tons of choices from their various collections, not only for the living room but for your whole home. 

It's a made-easy online shopping for you as well. You get to see all the items that they have in their store rather than visiting an actual store and spend time roaming around ;).

The Historic Ebenezer Baptist Church

There are two Ebenezer Baptist Churches along Auburn Ave., one is the church exactly located at 400 Auburn Ave. built in 1999, and is currently an active church, and the other one (historic Ebenezer Baptist Church) which is at 407 Auburn Ave., and is now used as a heritage sanctuary, and a tourist attraction.

The new church building at 400 Auburn Ave. is the new Ebenezer Church which is the horizon sanctuary and is not open for tours. It is open to all visitors who want to attend Sunday services though.

The historic Ebenezer Baptist Church has a long, rich history and has been a popular place visited by many tourists due to the fact that MLK (Martin Luther King) Jr.'s life has mostly revolved in this church including his father. Jr. became as a co-pastor in 1960 while his father was the pastor. It was also in this church where MLK Jr.'s funeral was held when he died in 1968.

In 2001, the National Park Service began the restoration which will be completed in 2 phases.

The first phase restoration was done costing to $1,885.000 which included installation of major electrical, heating and air conditioning and fire suppression. Exterior renovations were also done such as the Ebenezer sign that was repaired and lit in 1990, and structural repairs were also made to the roof system as well. The 2nd phase has yet to be determined.

Ibanez CS9 Is Back!

For those who are searching for cs9 stereo chorus effect pedals, Ibanez has offered a reissue of the popular CS9 that still features its original circuitry. This will be a great deal for costumers who had been wanting to get this model at a more affordable price. The fact that many originals are being sold at higher prices now, is not a good news for customers who have been loyal users of CS9 stereo chorus products.

You will still be able to continue and enjoy its compact effects at greater deals of prices. A budget-friendly for many!

A Stroll At The Centennial Olympic Park

This is just one of the common sight you will see when walking in the park. This statue "Man on Steps" is designed by Baron Pierre de Coubertin, a French free mason, and founder of the modern Olympics.

I have done several trips to Atlanta, Georgia but it was my first time to lay my steps on this park ;).

If you are in the park, you will notice those commemorative bricks which are mostly laid evenly on the ground making up the majority of the side walks.

These bricks have engravings on each of them which served as primary fundraisers that made the construction of the 21-acre park possible. These bricks raised approximately $7.5 million from private donors with approximately 8000,000 bricks used in the park's construction.

The park is exactly located at downtown Atlanta, and are walking distances to many attractions such as the Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca-Cola, CNN, Underground Atlanta, and some museums.

One of the most popular feature of the park is the fountain of rings. It is considered to be the centerpiece of the Centennial Olympic Park.

The Fountain of Rings has free shows daily that plays 4x a day, starting at 12:30PM, 3:30PM, 6:30PM and 9PM. It is also considered as the world's largest interactive fountain that synchronizes with popular music tunes, sounds and lighting effects.

It is highly recommended to watch the fountain shows at night time for a more artistic colors if you want to take colorful photos and videos on it.

Another great feature in the park is the availability of free wi-fi internet around and close to the park's Visitor Center. Park admission is always free as well.

You might as well try the audio walking tour at your own pace for free throughout the park. This is a self-guided audio tour designed for the visitors at their own convenience and at the same time learn and enjoy more about the park's history, architectures, trivias and more.
You can start your self-guided audio tour right directly from your phone! Every structure included in the audio tour are numbered and with just simple instructions to follow, it's always a breeze, with a lot of learning you can get at the end.

That's me doing the self-guided audio walking  tour ;)

Don't forget to drop by at the Visitor Center which is located adjacent to the Fountain of the Rings, at the south end if you have further questions about the park or any other concerns you may have.

The Meadow Garden at Longwood Gardens

Photo courtesy from LongwoodGardens.org

A new garden ready for public to see has recently been opened in June 2014 at Longwood Gardens! This outdoor garden is called the Meadow Garden that spans at 86 acres wide, has more than 3 miles of walking and hiking trails and features native and colorful wildflower plants with engaging narrative and insightful programs throughout the seasons.

If you get lucky enough, you can get the chance to see some wildlife particularly in the early morning or early evening  along the trail and depending on where you are on the trails.

Birds are common sightings, but larger animals such as "the white-tailed deer can be an unexpected visitor at times.

It's worth visiting for nature lovers!

The Capital Wheel at National Harbor

One of the main reasons why I got interested to visit the National Harbor is to get up close with the Capital Wheel, - the harbor's newest iconic attraction.

I don't have plans on getting up into the wheel since I have fear of heights, but I was able to acquire some facts about the Capital Wheel.

The wheel has a climate-controlled gondolas that can seat 8 people in each. It can hold a total of 336 passengers and is 180 feet tall.

At the top of the Observation Wheel is a bird's eye view of the Washington Monument, US Capitol including Alexandria and Prince George's County which can be seen from a distance. Other visible sights include the White House, the National Mall, Arlington Cemetery and the lush parklands of the DC-MD-Virginia regions.

The wheel recently had its debut in May 2014 and set to operate year-round which is a good chance to see the four-seasons changing from a bird's eye-view! ;) 

Top Audio Gears For Your Home or Studio

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MLK Jr.'s National Historic & Grave Site Tour

Several blocks somewhere in Atlanta neighborhood is a place of history worth visiting about MLK Jr.'s birth home, the historical Ebenezer Baptist Church where he served a pastor, and his grave site.

MLK Jr.'s birth home.

I was able to tour the neighborhood, but unfortunately I didn't get the chance to tour inside his home, which is located at Auburn Ave. His birth home is a 2-storey Queen Anne style house at a neighborhood known as "Sweet Auburn."

The historical Ebenezer Baptist Church where his father and him became as its pastors is a short walking distance from his home which is at the corner of Auburn Ave. and Jackson St.

The church was constructed in 1914 and was completely done by 1922. It is a red brick 3-story building made of stone with stained glass window groupings. Not far from the church is MLK Jr.'s Center for Nonviolent Social Change, Inc. which shows King's works and legacy. In here is where you can see the Freedom Hall too.

At the east of Ebenezer Baptist Church is a cleared lot occupying King's grave site unto Blvd. St. Then, a memorial park was constructed around the marble crypt in 1976.

In 1977, MLK Jr.'s grave site in South View Cemetery was moved in this dedicated tomb. The tomb used to be surrounded by bricks and by a plaza with an arch-covered walkway and later on replaced by a reflecting pool.

MLK Jr.'s tomb was later joined by his wife Coretta's tomb when she died in 2006.

Entertainment & Shopping at Underground Atlanta

If you prefer to do shopping, see some entertainment, love to eat, - try going underground - at the Underground Atlanta!

The place is located at the middle of downtown Atlanta. You can as well sign up for a guided Walking  History Tour, and reservations are required ahead. You can either call them or book online thru undergroundatlanta.com for tour packages. Otherwise, you can just do a self-guided History tour by picking up your brochure at the information booth, and discover the historical facts all at your own pace.

Underground Atlanta has been a long common destination enjoyed by many visitors and residents for more than 100 years now. It has 3 levels and has an area of 225,000 sq. ft. with 6 city blocks that expands up to 12 acres, - all for restaurants, shopping and entertainment.

Fun At Lake Tobias Wildlife Park

Bring your whole family and experience the outdoors in the "wild" safari on specially designed cruisers that takes you across 150 acres of rolling land where you will see herds of wild and exotic animals from around the world. 

The safari tour might only open in some certain months so be sure to contact them by phone or visit their website for hours. 

For the safari tour, tour guides will be with you for the entire tour giving you an expert information about the animals' species and their habitats.

The Safari Tours are the main attraction at the park because you get the chance to get up close with the animals, as well as you can feed them and pet them too! ;).

There is also a petting zoo that is always a favorite among the children where they can pet African pygmy goats and llamas, and many more. If you have kids under 8 years old., be sure they are strictly accompanied and guided upon closely.

Snacks are available at the park, so you don't need to worry about getting hungry. Picnics are also allowed in the park and you can bring your own food. But there will be a minimal fee for the picnic tables at the park.

Be sure to wash your hands and your kids' hands well before eating, particularly if you have kids touching the animals.

Have fun!

Pride of the Susquehanna Riverboat Cruise

I did enjoy a lazy ride on the Susquehanna river in this authentic paddle wheeler riverboat. It was a relaxing journey while at the same time enjoying a unique vantage point of wonderful architectures, the Capital Complex and fine views of beautiful City Island, including the historic mansions on Front Street.

It was also a good thing to know some basic facts about The Pride of Susquehanna paddle wheel riverboat...that The Pride is one of the seven remaining "authentic" paddle wheel riverboat in the U.S. It has no propellers or other forms of propulsion or steering except paddle wheels!

The cruise starts from the City island Docks, which is just down from the Metro Bank Park on the Susquehanna River, facing the Harrisburg Skyline in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

The Alfred's Victorian Mansion

I got the chance to experience what many would call as a fine dining experience in a quaint setting of a gorgeous mansion in Middletown, Pennsylvania.

This victorian mansion is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places. It is a Victorian brown-stone mansion. Brownstones were restored on the mansion using natural hydraulic lime and lithomax, in repairing damaged or missing brick, stones and mortars 100 years after its original construction.

Inside Alfred's Victorian Mansion is a restaurant built in 1888, and decorated with carved wood antiques and gingerbread accents. It's decorated with heavy drapes,-Victorian style and with bulky pieces of furniture, - one symbol of a Victorian accessory accents. Sorry, wasn't able to get photos inside :(.

Our food for lunch was okay. I had a butternut chicken, but I didn't like the butternut glaze toppings on it :(. But the chicken was good. I finished my chicken except for the toppings, lol! Our meal was also served with green salad and dessert,

Deep Cleaning Shavers For Men

My husband never leaves a grocery or a convenient store without checking the razors section. Sometimes, he would be buying another pack (disposable) good for couple weeks. I understand because he maintains a beard and he is particular about it. I am glad he maintains a good hygiene with that ;). 

 But I am glad I discovered about these razors that I saw online. I know it has a price difference with those disposable ones, but they are reasonable enough, quality wise. I actually trust my husband's judgement when it comes to shopping for his own personal items and price is not a big deal for him as long as the item he's buying is quite worth it. He is particular for good quality and endurance. So, I am quite sure, this link would be worth recommending for him.

Oh, and Black Friday is fast approaching!  ;)

The Middletown & Hummelstown Railroad

Me about to board...;)

Those who enjoy scenic train rides, - you can still find train ride that offers one in Middletown, Pennsylvania.

The Middletown & Hummelstown Railroad, the original M&H Railroad Company (The Milk & Honey Line) offers train rides that uses vintage trains as early as in the 1920 passenger coaches.

All regular scheduled train rides leave from the Middletown Station only where you can enjoy a 10-mile of more than an hour round trip ride on the 1891 "Milk & Honey Line." You can enjoy a wonderful ride through the scenic Sawatara Creek Valley with live narration from your conductor about the historic locations along the way, including Union Canal Lock 33.

Special event rides are also available which are only by reservation.

They have Easter Bunny Express; "Sundae" Caboose Rides (family rides); Mixed Freight Ride with Photo Runby (new); Grandparents Day Ride (new); Murder Mystery Dinner Trains (this is 2.5 hours long); 14th Annual "Civil War Remembered" Re enactment; Pumpkin Patch Train Rides; Santa's Surprise Trains & Polar Bear Express.

Each of the special event rides has its own scheduled rides. You can further check them on their website as well or cal them.

Contact them by phone at 717-944-4435 ext. 1 or visit them online at mhrailroad dot com ;).

Experience wise, this was a fun experience on my part together with a special excursion tour group. It was also a relaxing ride while listening to the historic narration.

Hot Guitar Deals For Newbies

When it comes to guitars, there are a lot to choose from for those who are guitar player beginners. Being a newbie, there are things you need to consider in choosing an ideal guitar depending on your interest. Are you more interested in acoustic? or you prefer to rock it out with the electric 6-string?

Whatever that best interests you, it would be a good idea to take a quick look at musician friends, and try to discover the tips of choosing a good guitar depending on your type of music you want to portray. Of course, all these junior guitars are the best in their own purpose, plus they are really good deals! Time to start shopping while holidays are fast approaching. This is the best season to grab the hot deals and discounts the stores are offering. Happy early holidays! ;)