Cruising to the Dominican Republic with Fathom was a good fit for us.  Actually, it was pretty much the ideal first cruise experience. I think it is safe to say though that the Fathom experience may not be a good fit for all travelers.

Being home for the past couple of weeks I’ve had time to ponder the whole idea of volunteering while traveling and guess what? I don’t know anymore than I did the day we stepped on board the Adonia bound for the Dominican Republic.  I see both sides of the fence, so-to-speak, but I’m not sure which side I favor, if either.  But more on those thoughts to come as I ponder further.  Deep thinker, don’t ya know.

I don’t think I’d be accused of exaggerating if I told you the people of the Dominican Republic are some of the most joyful people we’ve ever encountered.

It was our last night in the Dominican Republic.  Nearly 11:00 p.m. we had been relaxing by the pool and watching the stars for a couple of hours.  “Excuse me ma’am, sir, can you please tell me why the ship is here but there is no one at the pool during the day?” asked Manuel, a young man working at Amber Cove.

Hysterics of the what if scenarios. What if you woke up tomorrow morning to learn your life would never again be the same? Would you get out of bed to face the unknown, or would you retreat back under the covers?

What. If. Two seemingly innocuous words. But put those two words together and watch out! What if? Two little words that can either set you adrift or set you on the right path. Or, just maybe, push you out of your comfort zone.

Never let it be said that there is not a lot to shout about when it comes to points programs.  Abi and I have been working the points programs for years (and years).  And I talk about Hilton so much that maybe one day the company’s powers-to-be will pay me to stay with them!  Ha!

When you think of spring, what comes to mind? Cherry blossoms maybe? The start of a new year, a new season or maybe, new beginnings?  I’ve always tended to wonder why we don’t celebrate the new year on the 1st day of spring, it seems so much more fitting.  A new year with the onset of spring daffodils sounds so much more serene than a new year in the dead of winter.

Disneyland and I were born just 6 months apart and let me tell you that even though I’m 6 months younger than the magic kingdom, I feel really old just making that statement.  Want to know how old I am?  I remember the original mule ride where Thunder Mountain Railroad now stands.  The mules left the Disneyland corral years ago, but oh man, did I love riding those silly mules and believing I was seriously trekking through the desert.

Halfway between Charleston and Savannah, lies sleepy little Beaufort, South Carolina. It’s a picturesque seaside town with a pretty harbor where the sailboats silently bob up and down in the water awaiting the next adventure.  It’s a town where one genuinely feels as if you’re walking back through time. Yes, I know I say that a lot, but it’s true. There are so many quiet little blink-of-the-eye places in the US that often go unnoticed.

Tips for visiting Savannah. As I said in my first Savannah post  – actually I was mostly raving about the food tastings of our Savannah Taste Experience Walking Tour – I really did not know what to expect of the city.  And, as I also mentioned we approached Savannah from the back door.  So much so that we ended up switching hotels on day 2 of our 4-day stay because we just weren’t where we wanted to be.