Westjet sent me a flight reminder notice, in it, they reminded me of packing rules, to bring my passport, to stay tuned for flight and weather delays, and that.... by the way... there's no longer satellite TV available on flights outside Canada.
No satellite TV on international flights? Huh, Westjet? Isn't that the time we need our in-flight satellite TV the most? What's going on here? Is there some sort of new lockdown on American television? Has Netflix ticked off satellite providers so much that there's a rebellion and they're making new rules?
No nail files on planes I'm ok with. No bottled water from home, well that's ok too. But no TV to watch on long flights? Boo. What am I supposed to do? Listen to my iPod, talk to my seat neighbor, write in a diary or sleep? Huh.
Well, I need to investigate further. If I have to fly back and forth to Nevada for the rest of the year to figure this out... I'll do it!
Friday, April 26, 2013
Monday, April 22, 2013
Relax on a world-class beach this June
These little bargains were spied on redtag.ca
I like to see a little discount Hawaii pop up every now and then. It gives me hope that someday I'll get back there again. Low taxes on each of them. With a discount for kids a family of 4 could travel at under $4000 for a week.
I like to see a little discount Hawaii pop up every now and then. It gives me hope that someday I'll get back there again. Low taxes on each of them. With a discount for kids a family of 4 could travel at under $4000 for a week.
Why Escape?
Sometimes this blog title "Escape the 204" sounds a little harsh. Why escape? Well, if you've been through a Manitoba winter, you'll understand "escape." This winter, was like no other. We had below seasonal temperatures for 4 consecutive months. Ugh.
If that isn't enough to want to escape, let me tell you about one of our most luxurious and famous, rural Manitoba resorts.
I needed a little getaway. I just needed a hot tub and a hot meal and a moment of peace away from work. So I went north an hour and checked into a resort that shall remain nameless.
The facilities, though a little dated, are well kept. The prices are reasonable, but by no means a bargain. Objectively I'd give it about a 3 star rating. Until, I needed something.
While unpacking I knocked my toothbrush out of my makeup bag and it hit the floor. The floor was kind of dirty so I decided to toddle down to the front desk and ask for a spare toothbrush. Every resort on this earth that I've experienced has a little drawer of emergency toiletries for guests. This is NOT a big deal. (Heck, a Super 8 will give you a toothbrush!) However, I was told that they didn't give out toothbrushes here and I would have to go downstairs to the basement laundry room and find the vending machine. It was kind of an eerie trek down the abandoned hallway to the laundry room but I found it. But, there were no toothbrushes. Sure, I could have bought some Scope, or a nail file or a box of bandaids, but no toothbrushes. The machine looked from the 90s and that was probably the last time it was stocked too.
Plan B.... "brush my teeth with a bottle of Jack." Or isn't that what pop artist Kesha would suggest? Nevermind.
So, now I decide to hit the hot tub. I have 2 choices.... use the public pool area which is set in a separate barn-like building and reeks of a fun chemical combination, or pay a fee and use the spa pool.
I choose the spa pool. So I arrive nicely dressed in my Lulus, 95 minutes before the posted closing time. The desk clerk greets me with a speech, "Seriously, the only person all day and you come at the last minute. You know I'm still charging you full price, right?" Of course you are, I thought.
$28. Nope, I'm not kidding. $28 to sit in an adult hot tub, and sunroom all by myself. Not once did she check to see if I was drowning. Anyways, the $28 and the lecture was almost worth it. My shoulder felt significantly better after the hot tub. It was also very peaceful, even if I did feel rushed and obligated to pretty much fold my own towels. I gracefully departed 15 minutes prior to the scheduled closing time, polite Canadian that I am.
I had dinner in the restaurant/lounge area. The food was spectacular and the service was excellent. It was definitely the saving grace for this resort. Oh, and I did get to watch my hockey game on the big screen and my team won, so that was good.
Ultimately, the resort and it's corner-cutting, and lack of guest relations skills left me shaking my head. Next time I want a real resort. The Manitoba version completely lacks by world travel standards.
The last time I was in California, I asked the valet where I could find a vending machine to grab a coke. He INSISTED he grab one for me from the nearby resort restaurant, no charge. But it's not about "freebies" it's about making you feel welcome. That's what a want in a resort.
Next time I need some R & R, it won't be at home, that's for sure! I'll have to escape the 204 once again.
If that isn't enough to want to escape, let me tell you about one of our most luxurious and famous, rural Manitoba resorts.
I needed a little getaway. I just needed a hot tub and a hot meal and a moment of peace away from work. So I went north an hour and checked into a resort that shall remain nameless.
The facilities, though a little dated, are well kept. The prices are reasonable, but by no means a bargain. Objectively I'd give it about a 3 star rating. Until, I needed something.
While unpacking I knocked my toothbrush out of my makeup bag and it hit the floor. The floor was kind of dirty so I decided to toddle down to the front desk and ask for a spare toothbrush. Every resort on this earth that I've experienced has a little drawer of emergency toiletries for guests. This is NOT a big deal. (Heck, a Super 8 will give you a toothbrush!) However, I was told that they didn't give out toothbrushes here and I would have to go downstairs to the basement laundry room and find the vending machine. It was kind of an eerie trek down the abandoned hallway to the laundry room but I found it. But, there were no toothbrushes. Sure, I could have bought some Scope, or a nail file or a box of bandaids, but no toothbrushes. The machine looked from the 90s and that was probably the last time it was stocked too.
Plan B.... "brush my teeth with a bottle of Jack." Or isn't that what pop artist Kesha would suggest? Nevermind.
So, now I decide to hit the hot tub. I have 2 choices.... use the public pool area which is set in a separate barn-like building and reeks of a fun chemical combination, or pay a fee and use the spa pool.
I choose the spa pool. So I arrive nicely dressed in my Lulus, 95 minutes before the posted closing time. The desk clerk greets me with a speech, "Seriously, the only person all day and you come at the last minute. You know I'm still charging you full price, right?" Of course you are, I thought.
$28. Nope, I'm not kidding. $28 to sit in an adult hot tub, and sunroom all by myself. Not once did she check to see if I was drowning. Anyways, the $28 and the lecture was almost worth it. My shoulder felt significantly better after the hot tub. It was also very peaceful, even if I did feel rushed and obligated to pretty much fold my own towels. I gracefully departed 15 minutes prior to the scheduled closing time, polite Canadian that I am.
I had dinner in the restaurant/lounge area. The food was spectacular and the service was excellent. It was definitely the saving grace for this resort. Oh, and I did get to watch my hockey game on the big screen and my team won, so that was good.
Ultimately, the resort and it's corner-cutting, and lack of guest relations skills left me shaking my head. Next time I want a real resort. The Manitoba version completely lacks by world travel standards.
The last time I was in California, I asked the valet where I could find a vending machine to grab a coke. He INSISTED he grab one for me from the nearby resort restaurant, no charge. But it's not about "freebies" it's about making you feel welcome. That's what a want in a resort.
Next time I need some R & R, it won't be at home, that's for sure! I'll have to escape the 204 once again.
Sunday, April 7, 2013
Bahamas - Go Now!
Air fare costs are more like the Canadian weather... up and down. Volatile, and unpredictable in the winter. However, I've spied a bargain.
If you go on April 15th, and return the 23rd, you can get return air fare, tax included at $415/436/500 from GFK/MOT/YWG airports. This is with Delta Airlines. So, even if you're not interested in catching the flight from Grand Forks, you can still fly cheaply out of Winnipeg.
I've stayed at the Sheraton Cable Beach. It's my favourite Sheraton on earth (so far). I've also stayed several times at Atlantis. Nothing satisfies like Atlantis! It literally has something for everyone and at all budgets. (As long as your budget starts at $200 per night).
You could also stay at the Comfort Inn, which is next door to Atlantis. It's a sister hotel, and you have all the waterpark privileges included at Atlantis. So that's a nice little savings, if you're willing to stay a further walk from the pools/casino etc.
The Sheraton is currently offering every 4th night free. So, since this is an 8 night stay, it kind of lines up nicely.
The Lyndon Pilling International Airport at NAS is brand new. Absolutely amazing. It was opened mid October 2012. I was through there shortly after. It's fairly similar to YWG right now. It's also leaps above the Caribbean hut on an airstrip that was there previously. It's currently the best airport in the Caribbean IMO. You should check it out!
At $415 air fare, you'll have plenty of money left over to buy straw market crafts.
It IS BETTER in the BAHAMAS!
Friday, April 5, 2013
Aruba
This looks like a great deal. Air Canada is starting to get a second look from me again. Aircanadavacations.com
Monday, April 1, 2013
Puerto Plata, DR
I've never been to the Dominican Republic, but this Air Canada package looks like a good deal. It's all inclusive and appears to have enough activities to fill a week or more.
A Week in Vancouver
This bargain is from Westjetvacations.com , but I spied the deal at Redtag.ca
The Sheraton Wall Centre is a fabulous downtown hotel. 7 nights in this hotel would set you back over $1000 typically. However, in this package, it is included with roundtrip Westjet flights and all taxes for $815.
It's a good deal. Maybe wait out the snow melt and end of Winnipeg winter by escaping to Vancouver?
The Sheraton Wall Centre is a fabulous downtown hotel. 7 nights in this hotel would set you back over $1000 typically. However, in this package, it is included with roundtrip Westjet flights and all taxes for $815.
It's a good deal. Maybe wait out the snow melt and end of Winnipeg winter by escaping to Vancouver?
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