December 18, 2009 - Christmas Season in Liverpool

Seasons Greetings All,

I though I would give you a quick update of what has been happening with us since our return from Ontario and before we head to London to take in the sites and celebrate Christmas with John, Adrienne and Portia. My body clock continues to be screwed up after a week and a bit home so we have tried various ways to try and get back to a normal sleep pattern for me, as Fred has had no problems at all.

Wednesday the 16th we went to the football match, an 8:00 p.m. kick-off so during the day we headed into town for some money and a late pub lunch. For those of you who don't know how food ordering works in the UK, you go to the bar get your drinks and order your food, give your table number and the food is then brought to your table. While waiting to be served at the bar Fred sees a very good looking young girl approach the bar and ask the bartender if the All Day Breakfast is still being served. A young lad also waiting responds "Yes that's why they call it a ALL Day Breakfast" I asked Fred if she was blonde (sorry to my blonde friends and family) but he responded no though her hair was light coloured. The game was a good one Liverpool won 2-1 and I am allowed to go another time as Liverpool have not lost a game when I'm in attendance. LOL some good luck charm !

Thursday, after our haircuts we checked out the Christmas lights at Liverpool One and the Ferris Wheel which we have nicknamed "The Liverpool Eye". To ride the wheel is 6 pounds and the line up is huge so no pictures from the top of the wheel. For those of you on Facebook I have posted pictures. The weather has finally turned cold and our Canadian winter coats have finally come in handy. There has been no snow in Liverpool but some has fallen further north and in the areas surrounding London. The weather in Liverpool has been for the most part dry and sunny with a bit of rain on the odd day.

Here is a bit of trivia for you to ponder on as well. The following was in the Liverpool Echo a while back:

Wine Labels Gets 'Scouse' Translation:

A convenience chain is trialling wine labels written in local slang - including Scouse.

Spar is in the process of redesigning its labels and one idea was to tailor a wine blurb for each region.

A label for a Merlot was "translated" to fit regional languages.

The original read:
" A truly great Merlot which is ablaze with succulent blackcurrants and blueberries. This Merlot has legs like a thoroughbred, strong and forward, which tantalises your palate. Its full bouquet is a delight for your nose and will leave you yearning for more. This isn't a wine for the faint-hearted."

For Scousers it said:
"A totally boss bottle of Merlot which smells o' blackberry, choccie, a brew and toffees. Juicy and complex like, this bevey is top wi most scran 'specially me ma's scouse. Tellin ye, this is deffo a bevey that will leave youz and youz mates made up over yez Sayers pastie.

Well that is about it for now until we head to London on Sunday .
Take care and look out for our blog of our London Christmas experience.

Ta Ra,

Sandy & Fred

November 22 - December 8, 2009 - Canada

Greetings All,

Our time in Ontario was extremely busy upon our return from Mexico. We did have a chance to relax and enjoy with the Hosier/Pagazani clan. We had forgotten the great fun and chaotic time young kids can bring to a household. From Monday we found ourselves on the go to doctors appointments, banking updates,lunch with our good friends the Hummel's and Hickey's and finally Thursday we headed down to visit my mom. Sunday November 29th saw us back to the Hosier/Pagazani household for more great meals and a day to catch our breath.

Tuesday found us at the dentist where I took all the time so Fred ended up having to return, lunch with Barb our banker in Ajax branch and a catch up on old and current times.

Wednesday December 2nd found us off to Peterborough to visit Meaghan's mom Josie and her significant other Jim and to drop of Christmas gifts for Christopher and Meaghan. We had a game of One Eyed Jacks were the women remain victorious over the men but just barely. We returned to Oshawa Thursday for yet another doctors appointment (optometrist). Friday December 4th we got our flu shots and said our goodbyes to our most gracious hosts the Hosier/Pagazani family. Our next stop was Brampton were we visited with Amanda our niece for dinner, a game of Sequence better known to us as One Eyed Jacks and an overnight stay.

Saturday December 5th we found ourselves at the event of our stay in Ontario. Nicholas, our nephew's hockey game. We were advised by Sandra his mom that his team has yet to win a game this season and Nicholas had advised that he was going to score a goal today. Nicholas is 10 years old and has been playing for some time but we really don't know what to expect as our boys never played the game. They play three ten minute periods and it is non stop action from the get go. True to his word Nicholas had an assist on the first goal and scored the winning goal for the team. Apparently we are now their good luck charm as they got the win.

Our last stop was in Mississauga where we stayed with friends. Carol and Derek put on a great bar-b-cue and we stayed with Liz, Carol's mom who lives in the same complex. Liz treated us like royalty and we ended our stay in Canada on a very relaxed note.

Our flight back to Manchester was one of the best we have experienced yet. Fred upgraded us to Club Class on Air Transat and the food, service was awesome. We arrived back home in the UK at 7:00 a.m. and I got some flack over the number of times I have come in and out of the UK. Fred is also asked a number of questions. To the point I am advised by the customs/immigration officer that I should seriously consider getting a more permanent visa. So now I have to decide when is the best time to go back to Canada and get the visa processed even though I don't get what the issue is really.

Well we hope you have enjoyed this portion of our travels. We look forward to sharing our experiences this Christmas Season as we are headed to London for Christmas.

Ta Ra,

Sandy & Fred

November 20,2009 - Zip-lining

Hola Chicas

Our last day in Mexico and Amy, Fred and I headed off to zip-line. Jonathan, Brent and Kyle went cavern diving. Christopher, Sayaka and Feraz went sailing and the rest of the gang did their own thing from shopping to sun worshiping.

The bus ride to the zip-line park took about 1/2 an hour as the highway is divided and there is no entrance into the park from our side of the road. It also gave the guide time to push the extra attractions at the park.

Zip-lining for those who do not know is a ride where you are strapped into a harness then attached to a very heavy wire and you jump of a tower and zoom down the line to the next tower. The highest tower is 70 feet off the ground and we zoom over water and some jungle. Amy and Fred seem like old pro's at this but I have some difficulty stepping of the platform with the height. Fred is supposedly the one who has issues with heights and not me but my issues maybe because my equilibrium is off due to my cold. The first tower I zoom down so fast I knock over the guy who is supposed to catch us and bounce off the tower. We have a total of 11 towers with 10 zip-lines. There was one monkey walk which you are attached to a line then you walk along poles that have been place like stepping stones only you are about 20 feet up to get to a tower. There was an alternative route, a narrow plank bridge which I took.

Zip-lining was a lot of fun and what the hell you only live once and I wanted to try it even though it rattles my chain. We returned to the resort and hit the pool for the last bit off sun before we packing up for our return flight to Canada. We leave at 7:20 a.m. for a 10:30 a.m. flight back to Toronto.

We hope you have enjoyed this segment of our travels.

Buenos Noches All,

Sandy & Fred

November 19, 2009 - The Wedding Day

Hola Chicas

Today is the Event of the Year. Jonathan and Amy's Wedding. As Jonathan is stressing out about the ceremony Kyle takes Jonathan off in the morning to do some wreck diving in Cozumel. Amy gets beautified along with Kim the Matron of Honour and her Mom Joan. Fred and I relax around the pool catching some rays before the big event.

The wedding takes place in a open gazebo overlooking the beach and the breeze is perfect so it is not too hot. Jonathan and Brent the Best Man are waiting anxiously for guests to arrive. Jonathan is extremely stressed and has taken meds to calm himself down. Brent is chatting with him trying to calm him down. Jonathan and I do fine on our initial meeting but avoid looking at each other after that. Brent advises me just to look at him so both Jonathan and I don't burst into tears. As we are early and seem to have a long wait I avoid looking at Jonathan but the flood gates open. Guess whose mascara is not waterproof so I end up looking like Rocky Raccoon with blues streaks running down my cheeks. Get the kleenex quick and repair the damage before the Bride arrives. Composed again Jonathan now chooses to look at me and point. His drugs have kicked in and all is well. The balance of the guests arrive and Travis escorts his Mom in.

Amy and her Dad arrive in a horse drawn carriage and everything is right on time. As it is a civil ceremony the magistrate does all the talking and reads a couple of poems.
He then says what amounts to vows and all Jonathan and Amy has do say is "I DO" well we wait and wait for Jonathan to respond and I am saying under my breath just say I Do!!! The ceremony was very good, short and the poems are about respect for each other. We toast the bride and groom with champagne, see the cake cut then we depart for pictures on the grass and on the beach. We have an hour to kill before our private dinner overlooking the beach.

Dinner is a buffet with a huge bar. Dinner itself is salads, chicken, shrimp, beef, rice and buns. Jonathan and Amy are totally relaxed and they set up his PC to post live pictures of the reception on Facebook. After dinner we all headed off to the Lobby bar to finish our celebrations. A great day was had by all in a perfect setting and a laid back environment. A perfect choice by Jonathan and Amy!! Our kids made us Proud!!

Buenos Noches,

Sandy & Fred

November 18, 2009 - A Day of Adventure

Buenos Dias Chicas

Today Fred, Christopher and I headed off to Xel-Ha and Tulum. Xel-Ha means where "the water is born". It is a natural water eco-system that includes mangroves, rivers, caverns, as well as the Caribbean ocean. We decided to snorkel and Snuba. Snuba is a combination of snorkeling and scuba. The air tanks float above the surface so there are no heavy tanks on your back and the dive is shallow only 12 feet. Christopher does an excellent job considering he has no experience in scuba and we see some great fish and rays. As well the dive master uncovers some very small jelly fish and conch. We also get to stroke some rays which are extremely silky soft to the touch. Something Fred and I do reluctantly just because as divers you are taught not to disturb the sea life. We have lunch in the park and then head back to the bus to go to Tulum. The park itself is so expansive that we hardly cover anything. We see the dolphins and it is obvious that they are well cared for and are in a more natural environment as one is 27 years old. The holding tanks and swim area are very large I would guess at least 4 acres.

Tulum is the site of the last fortified Mayan City. The following is a brief history of the site:

The earliest date lifted from the site is A.D. 564 (the inscription on a stele). This places Tulum within the Classic period, though we know that its heyday was much later (1200 - 1521 A.D.) during the Late Post-classic period. Tulum was a major link in the Maya's extensive trade network. Both maritime and land routes converged here. Artifacts found in or near the site testify to contacts that ranged from Central Mexico to Central America and every place in between: copper rattles and rings from the Mexican highlands; flint and ceramics from all over the Yucatán, jade and obsidian from Guatemala and more. The first Europeans to see Tulum were probably Spaniards, Juan de Grijalva and his men as they sailed reconnaissance along the Eastern coast of Yucatán in 1518. The Spaniards later returned to conquer the Peninsula unwittingly bringing Old World diseases which decimated the native population. And so Tulum, like so many cities before it, was abandoned to the elements.

The beach here is amazing and Christopher comments that is what he though he would see at our resort. Aqua water and white sands.

It is a long day and we return at 6:30 P.M. a 10 1/2 hour day. We all meet at the lobby for drinks but Fred and I decide just to do the Italian buffet as I am exhausted and tomorrow is the Big Day!!

Buenos Noches Chicas

Sandy & Fred

November 15 - 17, 2009 - Moon Palace

Hola Chicas,

November 15 - Our first full day in Mexico. Fred and I set out to explore the property and it is absolutely huge. We walk along to the second lobby to see what restaurants are there and to check out the shops. We spend the balance of the day catching some rays. Fred in the shade under a palapa and I find a nice seat in the pool on a lounge. In the evening we meet with Brent (Jonathan's best man), Travis (Amy's brother) and Christopher for drinks in the Lobby then head off to the second lobby and the Mo-Mo-No-Ha-Na Restaurant. This is a Japanese restaurant (Mexican style). We have sushi, chicken satay and some kind of fried cheese for appetizers. Fred and I have mixed tempura while the boys are more adventuresome and have actual sushi raw tuna and various rolls. Sake for four of us mine and hot theirs cold and Fred had red wine. Christopher shared some of the Japanese culture he learned with us in the serving of Sake. Needless to say a lot of Sake was consumed especially by Christopher and Travis. Fred, Brent and I left them to it as we headed back to our lobby to greet Jonathan and Amy and the Vancouver group who were arriving at 10:30 P.M. More drinks and greetings then off to bed.

November 16 - A lazy day around the pool all day. Relaxing, enjoying the local drinks the meeting with everyone at the lobby bar at 7:00 P.M. Fred and I meet with all the kids and opt for the Mexican restaurant, Los Caporales. The food was good but the service totally sucked. We had to ask for wine three times before it arrived and then the waiter proceeded to pour for only two of us. We all headed back to the lobby bar for night caps and the kids headed off to explore the disco and other entertainment.

November 17 - Another day of lazing in the sun. Got to get that all important vitamin D working for me. Same routine as the previous day meet in the Lobby Bar for pre-dinner drinks. Tonight, however, we split up and head to different restaurants. Fred, Amy, Kim, Derek, Travis, Christopher and I head off to El Caribeno. Service is excellent food is just Okay. The rest of the kids opt for Arrecifes, the Brazilian Restaurant. We had eaten in this restaurant on our first night and the food was excellent. Skewers of meats, lamb, beef, sausage, chicken, ribs, and pork all very yummy. A night cap at the lobby bar then off to bed while the kids do their thing.

Buenos Noches,

Sandy & Fred

Novemebr 11-14, 2009 - Returning To Canada-Off To Mexico

Greetings All,

We are finally headed back to Canada in preparation for The Big Event, Jonathan and Amy's Wedding. We headed off to London a day early and relaxed at the Marriott Renaissance for our mid afternoon flight. The check in process was one of those wonderful machines that Fred so loves to use. We had already pre-booked our seats 6 month previous but the plane type had changed (three times), so our seats went from row 17 to 58 which we were not happy about. Fred tried to change it as row 19 was available but it would not accept the change. I stayed off to the side and when the agent asked Fred what the problem was he told him. Next I heard No Need To Get Mad Sir!! This is not sounding good at all. Turns out the guy had attitude,so that was what set Fred off. Finally checked in and through security, the flight was uneventful and we made excellent time landing a whole hour early.

November 12 - We spent a relaxing day with our best friends the Hosier's/Pagazani's just relaxing and catching up on news and events over the past six months. An excellent meal was made by Michelle and we enjoyed some of her amazing homemade wine.

November 13 - I headed off to get a new set of nails and once again feel pampered and whole, as I had removed them in September. The nails were removed as they had bruised through closing drawers on them, cleaning and rearranging the flat. We headed off to the the airport to meet with Christopher at the Sheridan in Terminal 3. He arrived there a lot earlier than we thought and passed the time in the bar at the Sheridan. Two beers (pints of Bass)later at an exorbitant cost of $31.00 we arrived. Our room was very nice and it was nice to be able to walk across a walkway and check in at the airport the next morning.

November 14 -Check in was old style a person who serves you and we get seats together. A non eventful flight and arriving in the morning to a lovely 80F temperature. The check-in for our room is a bit dis-organized but we finally get into our room at 2:30 p.m.

Our room is amazing and has a free mini-bar, unbelievable. It houses a mini-fridge with beer, water, pop, juice and a section with bottles of rum, scotch, vodka and tequilla all part of the package and it is restocked daily. In addition there is a bottle of red wine.

We settled in quickly and take a stroll along the beach. The resort is huge, Moon Palace has 2500 rooms, 14 restaurants all which are on a first come first serve basis. No signing up for which ones you want to visit or only being allowed to go them once. Very nice indeed.

So Long for Now,

Sandy & Fred