The day I almost died-

Well today I almost died....sorta-

Laying at the pool, I thought I'd go snorkeling. Anita said, "I will go with you b/c you are not suppose to go alone" I knew she was not feeling well, so I told her no. There are people out there and it is only about three feet deep. 

So I go on my way and the snorkeling is wonderful....for about 20' out it is 3 feet deep and then it drops off where they have dredged and there is coral and lots of fish. So for about 1/2 hour I snorkeled there and then I started back in. About 15 feet from shore I looked to my right and saw him....and thought, "oh shit, shark" there was a shark about 3 1/2 feet long. I started to swim faster and he saw me and turned and started to swim directly towards me. He was about 15 feet from me and I was freaking out for the most part and in the back of my head could hear Anita saying "you never want to snorkel alone'. That is when I thought, oh my gosh, I wonder if anyone else sees him or will help me if he comes closer. So I stood up to look to see if there was anyone near by. Yep, you read it correctly ...... stood up. I was in only about 3' of water. Could have been the most shallow shark attack in history. Nearly died. 

Then of course while I was getting ready for dinner, everyone else was gone, there was an attack crab in the bathroom. This was my second near death experience for the day. I've heard about this kind of thing before, that's why you never want to sit on a public toilet seat...crabs that is....

Day two-Maldives!

Lounged around, lunched, and a short snorkeling trip.  Jet lag is better today. Getting ready for dinner. IT is great hard to describe with the water villa, you are literally in the water. I have pics from my veranda looking into the water. Today I saw a big stingray at the bottom of the steps!

Dinner wonderful.....trying lots of new fun foods. The swimming hopefully will counterbalance the calories.....or not! The fun adult beverages are likely going to be the scale 'tipper'.....but we have a few months until summer...rite?

I hear snow storm in Ohio....good, get them all out of the way before my return next week...not only because I'm totally over winter...but because of flying standby snow storms really make it difficult to get flights. All part of the adventure (and the only way I could afford the trip!) 

Tonight we decided to turn off the a/c.....Anita is fighting off a cold and also thought perhaps listening to the ocean would be nice. I sleep in Ohio all winter with no heat in my bedroom (why you ask? so I can save money on my heating bill and spend it on travel-duh!) and typically you can almost see your breath. Anyone that goes in my bedroom in the winter is shocked that I can sleep with it so cold. It is 86 degrees and the humidity is higher then the temp! But the saving grace is the wind blows about 15 mph-so there is a strong breeze blowing thru our water villa.

Tonight we had complimentary champagne on the deck and watched the stingrays and fish swim! (pics when I get internet service). It was fantastic.

Tomorrow is full day of Snorkeling in the am, wind surfing (or at least an attempt) in the afternoon and then the free sunset dinner cruise tomorrow nite. 

Friday is an all day snorkeling trip to two different reefs. ( I love to snorkel). 

Mr. Waters has officially been crowned our butler.....he is magnificent at the job.....I on the other hand have been awarded the chamber maid position.....however I'm the 'villa' chamber maid and they tell me it's quite an honor! 

Very relaxing for all of us. Much needed....well, we all think so anyway! 

First day at Meeru resort, Maldives Islands, Indian Ocean.

So, this is paradise. Half way around the world. As far as the eye can see brilliant blue sparkling waters and dazzling white sand meet. The dull roar of the mighty ocean never sleeps and the breeze makes the humid weather tollerable. 

Might Palms grace the tiny island, where the resord is located. Over 200  hundred staff members ensure that your stay is as close to Treasure Island as possible. 

Emirates Airplane is equiped with downward cameras as well as a camera in the front nose of the plane. When we first approached the airport I watched the downward camera and the beaches. It was spectatular. Then when we landed and on the runway I switched to the front camera. We stopped at the end of the runway baracades, which is literally the end of the island-yikes! Good breakes!

When we pulled up to the terminal, I could hear Ron White's comedy routine about the airport where they have the 'cut and curl', the tire shop, coin operated laundry etc all in the airport. Yep, I think the guy that directed us in went and got the steps for  us to come down on then ran inside and worked the customs counter.....I'm not too sure he didn't drive the boat out to our island and I think I saw him tending bar a little bit ago. 

Food spectatular, drinks WAY too good, view unbelievable, water villa beyond expectation, fish are like aquarium all around our villa....yes, paradise. Too bad it's 1/2 way around the world. It took 2 days flying to get here. UGH!

I don't have very good wifi and you have to pay for it, so I"m not sure when I will post this blog, but I will. I have pictures, but not on my I pad....so not sure when I will get them posted. google meeru island resort and you can seem a lot of them others have posted and the official site.

How the journey started

I typed this when I did not have internet service, just now getting to put into the blog. It's not very user friendly with the copy and paste feature, so sorry for errors......

I also had some notes at the bottom I can't seem to delete of....so oh well.....hey, ya get what ya pay for.....

It's funny how things come about....in December I received a call. "You want to go to Maldives"? "Sure" I replied. For those of you that know me, you know it really doesnt matter what the end of the sentence is...if it starts out "you want to go" I'm in. Near or far, I'm always ready. My dad used to tell me I was born with "wheels on my ass". Maybe he was right. 

Don't get me wrong, I love my home and after being gone there is nothing better then spending time there. Somehow I just can't help myself when someone asks, 'you wanna go' I have to say yes. 

So Maldives. I said yes, as I had so many times before. Most of the times it never happens. The thing about budget travel is it is not set in stone. That's why you can go so cheaply, you never really know until the last minute if it will all fall into place. 

When I went to Germany in 06 I literally went to the airport not knowing if I would be able to get the flight for the 4 day marathon trip. It worked out. I love the challenge.

Early January I got a second call, "are you still in for Maldives"? It's a greatly discounted rate and you will share a villa with people you don't know, but its beautiful there. I was surprised the price was not much different then a Disney vacation. Again,  I replied "Sure, I'm in" Thinking if this really does come about I will figure out some way to get the money. Then a friend suggested I use some retirement and call it my retirement trip, early. After all, with my bad hip by the time I retire I likely will not be able to walk! Perfect....now I wonder where exactly Maldives is located?

So the plan was to fly to London and meet up with some people I had never met then my friend from the states that invited me would join us and then fly onto the Maldives islands in the Indian Ocean for a week. 

For Christmas I bought Kacey a puzzle globe. It's made of hard plastic and as you put it together it forms a round ball globe. One snowy nite in late January we decided to put it together. As we did, he said "hey mom, here is Maldives". I could not believe it, it was 1/2 way around the world. London was only 1/2 way! I was shocked, but by this time I had made my deposit and the wheels of vacation were already in motion. 

January and February came and went in a flash with two trips to Florida to help take care of my mother and ultimately her (and my dad's) return to Ohio for surgery. Spending a week out of town working and getting ready for this trip. 

I arrived at the airport to be greeted with "oh, your flight is 45 minutes late, but that is good because at least it is not canceled". However, we ended up only being about 20 minutes late. This was a big blessing as the international flights are on time. 

For a lot of ppl they enjoy different hobbies, horses, camping, arts, collecting, video games and lots of different things. For me, I love to travel. I drive an older car so I don't have car payments and this allows me to travel. I've worked hard to have a job that will allow me to have a flexible schedule and work a lot of 12 hour days and weekends before and after my trips so I can travel. If it sounds like I'm trying to justify, perhaps I am. I'd rather think I'm just trying to explain the things that many do not see. I'm not complaining. To be able to take this trip I have for the most part worked nonstop for several weeks and sleep has been very limited. The pace has been grueling, but it is my choice. Sometimes when I get really tired and overwhelmed those around me are wise to remind me I do this to myself. (even when I really don't want to hear it) Thank you.

So as I gather my things to land in Washington, I will do the airport dash to my chariot to take me to London Heathrow airport. From there I will take the Heathrow Express to Paddington Station (I have no clue what this means-train, bus, subway, ?) meet a manthat will likely not be wearing a cowboy hat or chaps (as he is in the photo I have of him) He did tell me in an email that he likely be the only one standing, as everyone in London is in a hurry .

The tower of London

Yes, I didn't go into many of the buildings. It was dismal. A lot of stories about torture and death. It was cold, damp and windy the day I was there and I was pooped! One of the "Henry's" chopped off his wife's head was one of the first stories I heard. Then I moved onto the "bloody tower" and I then though ok, enough of this English dismal history-off to see the crown jewels and then I'm out of here. -----this is the plus side of travel alone, I didn't have to confirm or wait for someone else to be finished visiting a specific attraction---

Gelatio

A cross between sherbet and ice cream - it does not have air mixed into it like ice cream. It's very heavy. Too bad you live so far away, you can get great gelato in RIchmond, Ind at Ghesylains. I had mango and milk choc.-yum!! 

Sunday 3/4/13

Today was a down day getting ready for travel tomorrow, we leave the house at 7.30 am and have a 3 hour layover in Dubai. We will lose another 5 hours of time difference, for a total of 10 hours ahead of the states.

I took a walk early this am while Mr. and Mrs. Waters took the dogs to Essex to the kennel and Anita slept. I got a bit lost and walked further then I had planned. Stopping at a little cafe and getting a panne egg and bacon sandwich. It was yummy! For dinner tonight we went to a Portuguese restaurant. It was wonderful. The wine was great and steak even better-but the company was best of all. We all laughed and cried and had the most enjoyable conversations. I'm so looking forward to this week with an old (not as in years-hehe) friend and my new friends. 

As for London, I love the town. I felt safe for the most part for such a large city. It was easy to use the  tube and busses and the history was incredible. The people very polite and friendly and most of them spoke english. I know you are thinking....well, duh, it's England.....but when was you last in a large US city? It is getting more and more difficult to find english spoken. 

All in all, I'd say (with the exception of the historical buildings and accent) London is not really any different from big cities in the US. For the fashion chicks.....nylons are making a big comeback here - but of course it is cold and winter....dresses with leggins/boots are the main things I saw, and I was downtown so it was mostly business dress. Black wool coats in the 'princess' style with a belt around the center. Most of the London people are on the thinner side, but not skinny. Just seemed to be a healthy size. I'd say most of the women were 10-12's. Very few obese people here. Anyway, back to the women's fashion...Red was the second color of choice behind black. A lot of red wool coats. High heels, but ugh...how do they walk in them bad boys? Leggins with flats as well.

Not much else to report today......I will post again once settled in Maldives.....likely Tuesday.

Finishing London

It was sunny today, well not all day.....mind you it's London! But for a bit this afternoon the sun peaked through the clouds. I'm not sure of the temperature, but likely mid thirties. I've actually found the weather to not be much different from March in Ohio.

I went to the theater today, Mamma Mia. It was wonderful. 7th row back, center stage. Nice! I went to a discount theater ticket sales place and they were sold out, so I went to the theater box office and bought a return. The theater itself was similar in size to Victoria theater in Dayton, but it was much grander. Very beautiful.. I'm not sure the people appreciated the splendor and grandness of the old theater. It as special, almost as wonderful as the play.

Prior to going to the musical I went to Covent market. Those of you that have traveled with me before know there is one thing I love ..... yep, the market! Pikes market in Seattle WA is still my favorite, but this was a nice little Market. Extremely diverse, from the cheap crafts and oreintal trading post type booths to Channel and Michael Kors -- Lots of food, I had gelatio for lunch!

I walked up Drury Lane and there are some old buildings there that are fantastic!

I did some window shopping as I walked the Strand. It was very busy in this area of London. Finally it was getting cold and dark and I caught a bus back to Vauxhall to my friends flat. I was ready for a glass of wine! It's weird going out by yourself, but in a way it is therapeutic for the co-dependent in me. I don't have anyone else to ask what or where ....I have to make all the choices and decisions on where to go and what to do. If I'm not having a good time, no one else to blame. Just me.

This out of the box adventure is also good for me to appreciate myself. To see that I can do this, I can figure out how to read the bus map and the subway maps.

My family and close friends love, support and 'pushing' me on this trip has meant so much to me. More then they will ever know. Using their free 'perks' for airline tickets, vacation packages discounted to unheard of low prices, and all the stuff between......but mostly for them putting up with my craziness the last few weeks prior to my leaving. I'm not sure I have ever needed them so much as I did then. So thanks for being there for me and making time to help me.

Ok...ok....back to my day in London.......

Later my friend Anita, from the states arrived! It was so good to see her! I have missed her so much!! It has been over a year since I was in Colorado to see her. Tomorrow is low key prep for the next adventure......

Day 3-More London!

Friday, March 1st 2013

Today was my third day in London. I was jet lagged and slept late and did not get going until about noon.

Then I took the bus to Victoria station where I shopped for a scarf for myself because it was cold and that's all I have the space for in my suitcase to bring back and also that 's about all I can afford. This is truly a shoe string budget and could have never done this without the help of free perks from my friends and support of family. Anyway, I found a beautiful scarf and it kept me warm today. It was cold and very damp.

I went to Westminster Abby. The overwhelming grandness of the Abby is indescribable. I began to tear up as I walked through. It truly is an experience that is unique and difficult to put into words. The time spent there was very special. I didn't understand a lot of the things there, but it was amazing.

Onto the Parliament. Unfortunately, they will not let you in unless it is a Saturday. Security has been tightened there, like all around the world in officials buildings. It is a grand building.

For lunch I went into a tiny two story pub and had bangers and mashed potatoes and peas and a pint of cider beer. It was fantastic! The menu said the pub was from the 1700's....I'm not sure, but it did seem very old and authentic.

I went to take a river cruise that was included in the bus tour, but the tide was out and I guess the moon and March makes it unusual high/low and so the boats could not operate until after 5 pm. So that was a bust. I missed the boat the day before by literally 30 seconds.....yep, day two of missing the boat....some things don't change even if I"m in London!

So....I took the tube (wrong way at first of course) to the London Tower and there I wondered around. I have to say, this place kinda creeped me out a bit. It is such a sad place of death and despair. I really didn't understand all of it, it's quite complex and much larger then I expected. The crowned jewels were fantastic and beautiful. Again, a bit overwhelming to think the grand scope of all they represent.

I was struck by the modern buildings mixed in with the old structures. It is a very eclectic blend, true treasures.

The Tower Bridge is beautiful and the people of London are very proud of this bridge. They should be, it is a true work of art. After the London Tower, I got back on the tour bus and went around London again to Buckingham Palace. I walked around there, but by then it was 5 pm and getting colder and dark.

It was also getting to be rush hour and on a Friday. There was a lot more people in London today then the preceding two days. There seemed to be a lot of school field trips and tour groups. So, I made my way through the crowd to Victoria station, bought some pastries for dinner and returned to my friends.

We had fish and chips for dinner and it was yummy!! It's 1am here and I'm beat! Tomorrow is the theater.....guess what I'm going to go see?