Praise For A Bar Of Soap And More

It’s funny how things can relate to places and using them brings back fond memories. We discovered an incredible pepper sauce in Belize that we now can’t live without and every time we get the bottle out we think about meeting the woman making that sauce. Likewise with spices like paprika from Hungary and jerk seasoning from Jamaica using them brings more to the table than just flavors. At times Judi has picked up jewelry as we travel and every time she wears a piece it invokes travel memories. Murano glass from Venice, lava rock jewelry from the Canaries, carved jade from Central America and Larimar from the Caribbean.

The pepper sauce from Belize is Marie Sharp’s Habanero Pepper Sauce and it is really hot. The real thing that sets it apart from other Habanero Pepper Sauces is it actually has flavor. There’s a medley of vegetable tastes that manage to push through the heat and enhance the experience.

We met Marie when she was still making her sauce for a local customer base but today she has become a major exporter and has also increased her range of offerings. You may be able to find her sauce on the shelf of your local supermarket and it is also available on Amazon.

BUY MARIE SHARP’S HERE

Maja Soap

It’s been forty years or more since that trip to Europe where we bought some Spanish soap. It had a pleasant scent and was pretty inexpensive and after using it my wife fell in love with it. For a while any trip to Europe required us to bring back several bars of Maja soap. Fortunately today it’s readily available in local stores including some drugstore chains and even Walmart.

Maja Soaps

  • Our luxurious bath soaps last longer and produce a beautiful, rich lather. Their delicious and distinctive scent will complement your daily beauty routine.
  • Maja soaps are an inexpensive luxury and make an excellent gift idea. These scented soaps are loved by people around the world, and each round soap comes wrapped in an elegant black silk paper.
  • Keep your skin looking and feeling its best with this daily soap. Maja soaps will clean your skin without removing its essential moisture; this gentle formula leaves your skin feeling soft, clean, refreshed, and revitalized.
  • Maja soap provides a pleasant sensation and aroma. Its classic fragrance is a blend of rose, jasmine, and other flowers enriched with some citrus notes, lavender, spice, and wood.
  • Its formula of Glycerin and Beeswax will help your skin maintain its moisture. The rich ingredients in these soaps form a barrier between the skin and the environment without clogging pores.

The best availability and price we’ve discovered is with Amazon. Three 3.5 ounce bars for under $14.00 and that’s way cheaper than even Walmart.

SHOP FOR MAJA SOAP HERE

The Disclaimer: The Intentional Traveler is an Amazon Affiliate and any purchase you make using our links will provide us with a small commission. It will not effect your price. Thanks you for your support.

The Perfect Sample Cruise

Haven’t tried cruising? Want a sample before you dive in completely?

Not sure if you’re going to like cruising? Maybe a spouse wants to try cruising but you think it’s too big a financial commitment? Perhaps someone is prone to getting seasick and are afraid of the risk? Here’s the perfect answer, take a sample cruise!

While there are a number of options available from California, Texas, New Orleans and the Northeast, Florida is the place with the most options. Those short cruises out of Florida sail from Port Canaveral, Miami, Fort Lauderdale and some from Tampa. Itineraries range from three to five days with many cruising over to the Bahamas.

For comparison, we recently booked a four night Bahamas cruise out of Port Canaveral for the two of us on Royal Caribbean for only $485 all in. That included the fare, port fees ad gratuities (it didn’t including port parking fees). That’s four days of great meals – breakfast, lunch and dinner. Great lounge entertainment and production theater shows, an ice skating show – yes the ship had ice skating – access to two swimming pools and a casino, along with a day in Nassau Bahamas and another day at a private island (the island’s water park was $99 extra per person). Throw in the option of leaving the children in a great kids day program so mom and dad can have a little time to themselves at no extra cost and we’re talking bargain with a capital B

Royal Caribbean also has a three day cruise that’s even less expensive and Carnival can be even cheaper. I don’t know about you, but we can barely stay home and go out to dinner a couple of times for that amount of money.

Below are a couple of listing examples. If you’re flexible and can wait till just before the cruise to book you can find some even better bargains like we did above. We booked that cruise just four days before the sailing and one passenger we spoke with claimed he booked for even less a day later.*

ROYAL CARIBBEAN

CARNIVAL

*In addition to the cruise price there are also taxes, port fees and gratuities you should also expect to pay. These were included in that $485 four day example above.

The Port Of Cabo San Lucas

Baja California is a slender peninsula sticking south from the continent in western Mexico for almost a thousand miles. To the west is the Pacific Ocean and to the east is the Sea of Cortes blessing it with almost two thousand miles of spectacular beaches. At the very southern tip is a world class destination known for fantastic beaches, boating, deep sea fishing and five star amenities known as Cabo San Lucas but often referred to as just Cabo.

Baja California, is the Sovereign State of Baja California in Mexico. It is the northernmost and westernmost of the 32 Federal States of Mexico. Before becoming a state in 1952, the area was known as the Northern Territory of Baja California.

Cabo is a popular port of call for cruises out of California as well as Panama Canal cruises and cruise ships traveling in and out of Hawaii.

Where Your Ship Docks

Cabo has no facilities to support cruise ships so this is a tender port. Ships anchor outside the small harbor just off Lands End. The tender dock is right in the middle of the popular harbor with easy access to shops, cafes, restaurants, excursion and charter boats. The downtown area is only a short walk away. There are also a number of good public facilities in the harbor.

Transportation

The best way to get outside of the city is to rent a car. All of the major agencies are represented from Avis and Alamo (not a popular name in Mexico) to Dollar. Because of where Cabo is situated it is somewhat isolated but there are a few attractions worth an extended trip. If you are interested in a distant location you can negotiate a fare with a local taxi.

One destination of particular interest is the Cabo Pulmo National Park about thirty miles up the east coast from Cabo. It features incredible beaches and spectacular coral reefs near shore. Take a look at the official web site HERE.

Currency

The local currency is the Mexican Peso but the U.S. Dollar is readily accepted. All major credit cards are welcome. One area of caution is be careful of pay phones and ATM’s. They can have very high fees if you aren’t cautious.

Attractions

The Cabo Wabo Cantina. This nightclub founded by Sammy Hagar of Van Halen is still an attraction. Watch a live rock band performing. In addition to the bar the cantina serves breakfast and lunch with dinner at the nearby Tequila Factory restaurant. Sammy Hagar is known to sometimes make an appearance.

El Arco. This beautiful rock formation off the coast of Cabo San Lucas is visible from Medano Beach. There are glass-bottomed boat tours, whale watching charters, diving or snorkeling tour getting you up close. The waters around El Arco are clear and teeming with life, and it’s a popular site to snorkel, dive, and watch for whales. It’s the signature attraction of Cabo San Lucas.

Lover’s Beach. This secluded cove is hidden at the tip of Land’s End, surrounded by cliffs and accessible only by boat. It’s a perfect attraction for those looking to get away from the crowds and vendors at Medana Beach. It features beaches facing both oceans. Swim only on the Sea of Cortes side – the Pacific side can be dangerous.

The Sand Falls. Ninety feet beneath the waves, a stunning waterfall of sand cascades to depths of 120 feet and more, past hundreds of species of tropical fish and sea life. If you’re a diving enthusiast, you won’t want to miss it. This breathtaking sand chute was originally discovered by Jacques Cousteau, and it remains one of the chief diving attractions of Cabo San Lucas to this day.

Lighthouse of the False Cape. This lighthouse was built in 1890 to guide ships into port at Cabo San Lucas. It’s a ruin now, perched above gently rising sand dunes. The lighthouse is a common attraction with ATV tours and horseback riding excursions. In addition to the lighthouse ruins is beautiful ocean vistas.

The Hotel California. Made famous by the Eagle’s song of the same name it is a popular destination for scenic tours up the Pacific coast. Located about forty-five miles north of Cabo the drive itself is well worth the trip. The Hotel California Web Site.

Todays Featured Poster • Iron Gate On The Danube

The Iron Gates on the Danube River consists of four narrow gorges with treacherous currents and three wide basins along several miles of the river dividing Romania and Serbia. Control over this part of the Danube was gained with the construction of the Iron Gate Dam in the Sip Gorge turning the river into a favorite boating and tourist attraction.

These giclée prints are available in several sizes custom printed for each order on archival paper using fade resistant inks.

SEE MORE IN OUR POSTER SHOP

Join us as we visit historic treasures, natural wonders and vibrant cities set against backdrops that are endlessly changing and visually magnificent. Celebrate a world of travel experiences with these decorating accessories that are perfect for framing.

Haven’t Joined Us Yet? We Promise To Make It Worth Your While.

Todays Featured Poster • The Vatican

Saint Peter’s Basilica is the center of Catholic Christendom and one of the largest churches in the world. The construction of the basilica began in 1506 and was finished in 1626. Named after Jesus’s disciple who became Saint Peter, who was executed and buried on the spot where the Basilica now stands. One of the most impressive parts of the Basilica is its incredible dome that itself stands 447 feet tall and is based on a design started by Michelangelo.


In the Vatican and its museum has an impressive collection of art, including St. Peter’s Baldachin by Bernini, The Pietà, sculpted by Michelangelo, a statue of St Peter on his throne and the Michelangelo’s fresco in The Sistine Chapel.

These giclée prints are available in several sizes custom printed for each order on archival paper using fade resistant inks.

SEE MORE IN OUR POSTER SHOP

Join us as we visit historic treasures, natural wonders and vibrant cities set against backdrops that are endlessly changing and visually magnificent. Celebrate a world of travel experiences with these decorating accessories that are perfect for framing.

Haven’t Joined Us Yet? We Promise To Make It Worth Your While.

Cruise Port of Call Bermuda

The Port of Kings Wharf

Bermuda is a British Overseas Territory under the jurisdiction and sovereignty of the United Kingdom. They are part of the British Empire that have not been granted independence or have voted to remain British territories. Bermuda is located in the western Atlantic due east of Hilton Head South Carolina. Even though it is at a northern latitude it is a tropical island being washed by the warm currents of the Gulf Stream. The islands boast a lush landscape that includes a large number of cedars and palm trees. Famous for its beautiful beaches (one pink) it has long been a favorite destination for the wealthy from around the world which has probably helped support a reasonably high standard of living for Bermuda.

Where Your Ship Docks

The northwest tip of the islands is home to British fortifications that date back to the 17th century with dockyards that include Kings Wharf now home to the cruise piers. The British fortifications were greatly expanded during the American Civil War over fears of attack by the Americans and now house the Bermuda Historical Museum, a dolphin encounter, a glass blowing operation, a nice beach with snorkeling areas and a number of shops and restaurants. The dockyards are also the center of the areas water sport concessions along with excursion boats.

Wheelchair Accessibility

Disembarking – This port has a developed cruise ship pier but the ease of disembarking varies by the individual ships gangway designs. For passengers using wheelchairs there can be a moderate ramp incline to deal with.

Port City Characteristics – This port has an above average wheelchair infrastructure. The port area has moderate level sidewalks. Some intersection crosswalks may have curbs or other wheelchair obstacles.

Transportation

Taxis are readily available but the best way to get around is by public transportation. You can buy a one or two day pass that provides unlimited use of the ferries and buses starting at B$18. Bermuda is actually a set of islands very close together and arranged in the shape of a fish hook. The cruise port is located in the west near the tip of the hook. The town of St. George is near the hook’s eye to the northeast and the capital of Hamilton is near the inside bend of the hook. Most large beaches are on the coast across the island from Hamilton. The islands have about fifty miles of roads serviced by a very good bus system along with regular ferry service between those three major locations. There are also scooters and cars that can be rented but this is not recommended because of the narrow roads and the English left hand driving system.

Money

The local currency is the Bermuda Dollar and is kept on par with the US Dollar. American currency is readily accepted as well as most major credit cards.

Attractions

There is a lot to see and do right in the Kings Wharf area but don’t miss visiting Hamilton. There is a large fortification high above Hamilton with sweeping views of the city and beyond. Hamilton is also home to a number of historic buildings and some beautiful architecture. Good restaurants and great shopping are also a feature of Hamilton and a trip out to St. George is highly recommended. Almost everywhere you go in Bermuda boasts great scenery including pocket beaches, attractive seaside villages and historic landmarks.

Horseshoe Bay is perhaps the most famous beach in Bermuda. It has been rated the #8 beach in the world. A popular tourist spot, it lies on the main island’s south coast, in the parish of Southampton.

The Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo is a facility located in Flatts Village, Bermuda. It was established in 1926 by the Bermuda government.

Crystal Cave is a cavern located in Hamilton Parish, close to Castle Harbour. The caverns are approximately 1,500 feet long, and 186 feet deep. The lower 60 feet of the cave are below water level.

Gibbs Hill Lighthouse. Built in 1844 by the Royal Engineers, is the taller of two lighthouses on Bermuda, and one of the first lighthouses in the world to be made of cast-iron.

Bermuda Institute of Marine Science http://www.bios.edu/#!/who-we-are is a non-profit institute located in Hamilton and features a number of exhibits and programs.

Fort Hamilton Bermuda. Located in Hamilton City, Fort Hamilton is a picturesque site with lush gardens overlooking the harbor. It was built in the mid 1800s to protect the Hamilton Harbor and form a defense from American forces during their civil war.

Somerset Bridge. Advertised as the worlds smallest draw bridge (see our story about the bridge HERE). If you pay attention while taking the bus from Kings Wharf to Hamilton you will drive right across the bridge.

St. George. This is a picturesque town located at the far end of the islands from Kings Wharf serviced by bus or ferry.

Good Sites For Additional Information

Bermuda Tourist Board