vacation

Go Where?

/ Dora Hiers / 4 Comments

Have you ever hopped in your car and drove, reaching your destination without realizing how you got there? Perhaps you had something on your mind and you just went through the motions.

That’s how we found ourselves in Panama and Costa Rica. 

What?

Yep. Let me explain.

My parents joined us on our European cruise last fall, but they only agreed to go if we’d travel with them to Central America. 

Gulp. Go where? South? We moved away from FL, where we’d lived for thirty+ years, to NC where the temps are cooler and we actually experience seasons. My vacation radar doesn’t point south. 

Why? Because it’s hot. We left a balmy 40 degrees in NC and stepped off the plane in Panama City to a blistering 85. Can anybody say air conditioner? Well, we didn’t find too many air conditioners there (only one, actually), but that didn’t spoil our trip. How could it when we had this to enjoy? 

This was the view from our hotel room in Boquete. Sweet, isn’t it?

El Oasis Hotel, Boquete

We toured a coffee farm and TASTED some of the best coffee EVER!

Casa Ruiz, Boquete

Visited the Panama Canal

Panama Canal


Played with the toucans in Costa Rica

La Paz Waterfall Gardens


Ooohed and ahhhed over the gorgeous scenery

La Paz Waterfall Gardens


Lake Arenal


And ate. A lot.

We stayed in a gated community. Of sorts.

Orchid Tree B&B


Who knew we’d find this lovely oasis behind the gate?

Orchid Tree B&B Bedrooms


Or this?

Orchid Tree B&B Open Air Living Room-Dining Room


Not saying I’d go back, but I’m glad we went. We had a great time and will treasure the memories we made with my parents forever.

What about you?
Which countries would you like to visit? Or not?

We’re Back!

/ Dora Hiers / 10 Comments

We just returned from a European cruise with my parents. My father warned us that weather in Europe might be a little iffy this time of the year. But since my parents spend their summers in Alaska, this was our first and only opportunity. After our cruise, the Carnival Breeze was making its transatlantic journey to its new home port in Miami. 

The weather deteriorated quickly and we sailed past our first port, Monaco. A medical emergency with one of the passengers forced us to backtrack while a Coast Guard helicopter and boat accompanied us until they were able to safely transfer the patient. When hubby returned from investigating, I teased him that he just couldn’t leave work behind.

What was originally scheduled to be three sea days turned into six, and seven ports into five. We could have grumbled about the change in itinerary, but why blemish a wonderful experience with some amazing memories? Check these out: 

The peaceful, serenity of Croatia’s coastline.


Lunch at a quaint little pasta restaurant tucked into an alley in Dubrovnik’s Old Town.


A breathtaking drive through Tuscany. And yes, it’s as beautiful as the movie.


That first creamy bite of cannoli and sipping espresso in a Sicily cafe. Mom and Dad chose granitas.


The magnificence and history of the Colosseum, St Peter’s Basilica, and the Trevi Fountain.



Precious time with my mom and dad. We celebrated Mom’s birthday on the cruise. Here’s our dining crew singing to her.


What about you? Do you treat life’s twists and turns as an adventure?

thanks givings

/ Dora Hiers / 5 Comments
~ for a hubby who loves to tuck himself into a mountain cabin, and eat out, as much as I do.
Hubby and I with our golden, Bruiser
~ for relaxing, sweet fellowship with family.

~ for spectacular sunrises

~ For libraries and library staffs. In these times of budget cutbacks, libraries always seem to get the short end of the budget stick, but they do the best they can, and always with a smile and kind words. What would we do without libraries? 

~ for freshly cleaned carpets

What about you?
What are your thanks givings this week?