Vacation & Travel
E.M’s prompt is based upon a certain topic about which she asks five questions. This week’s topic:
Vacations and Travel
E.M’s topic (Vacation & travel) for this Sunday Rambling reminds me of a saying that I heard a while ago:
“Join the Army/ Marines; travel to exotic, distant lands; meet exciting and unusual people; and kill them…”
Well, lets get to E.M’s questions.
When at the ocean, do you want to be in it, on it, or just look at it? (If you don’t like visiting the ocean, what is a hobby you enjoy on vacation or in general?)
It all depends where the ocean is. For example, here in New York City at Coney Island, I haven’t been in that ocean for years, because it was dirty and nasty. Garbage in the water, and you may even step on broken glass on the ocean floor. Don’t know how it is now, and don’t want to know.
Then there is Rockaway Beach. The last time I went there, the water was freezing. Plus, the undertow and waves can be treacherous.
So, the only time, I would get in the ocean is when I’m in Jamaica. The beaches are nice and clean and the water is warm.
Have you ever surfed or gone snorkeling?
No, but it is on my bucket list for me to do one day.
When traveling, do you experiment with the local dining experience or pack a picnic/cook for yourself and anyone with you?
What is the point in traveling if you don’t indulge in the local dining experience. Being off your diet for a couple of days won’t kill you if you’re not a diabetic. So why not loosen up, and eat something you’ve never eaten before.
What is your biggest pet peeve when traveling?
The biggest peeve is the airport security, yeah, the TSA can be a royal pain in the ass. But it isn’t any better outside the US.
I was boarding a plane coming back to the US from Germany. Would you know that the passengers were searched three times at three different points before being allowed to board the plane. The German security response to complaints about the being searched that many times was “this is what the American gov’t wants us to do.”
Are you someone who takes a lot of photos on vacation? If so, you can share your favorite vacation photos. (If not, share your favorite vacation story.)
Lately I’ve been taking more photos. This one was just a short one-day vacation. I decided to go to Orchard Beach in the Bronx.
Its ironic for a beach in New York City, Orchard Beach is clean and the water is also clean and free of debris. The only problem is that the beach gets overcrowded on a good day. Otherwise it is a nice place to visit.
True_George 
I completely agree with your perspective on traveling with children. Life does get busier with responsibilities, but that shouldn’t stop families from exploring the world together. Traveling actually strengthens family bonds and creates unforgettable memories. Your introduction sets the tone perfectly and makes readers feel motivated rather than overwhelmed. I’m excited to see the practical tips you have shared for making family trips more manageable. how to plan a sabbatical
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This was a great read and congratulations on the new car. I love how you tied in upcoming road trips and practical pet travel solutions. The Solvit Sta-Put Hammock Seat Cover sounds like a must-have, especially with its waterproof feature and easy installation. It’s reassuring to know it worked well in your old Honda Civic and transitioned smoothly into the new car. Honest reviews like this make it easier for others to choose products that actually work in everyday situations. Salah Time
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This is such a lovely review! Children’s travel books are such a fun way to spark curiosity about the world. I really like how you mentioned that the chapters are short and manageable—this makes a big difference for kids who might feel overwhelmed by longer stories. Plus, PJ the mouse sounds like an adorable character who can keep young readers engaged. Books like this are perfect for introducing children to travel, geography, and culture at an early age. train travel planner
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I enjoyed reading your thoughts on this book! Travel-themed stories for children are such a great idea because they allow young readers to learn about other cultures in a fun, simple way. I especially like that you mentioned the easy-to-manage chapters—that’s so important for kids who are still building their reading confidence. The character PJ sounds adorable, and I can imagine children falling in love with him while also learning about Canada. Thanks for sharing such a helpful recommendation.travel guide
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I love how this post highlights a mistake many travelers make. The excitement of booking quickly often makes us overlook the direct deals hotels provide. I’ve had the same experience where I missed out on a free room upgrade because I didn’t check the hotel’s official website. Great reminder to slow down, compare, and choose the option that truly adds value to the trip. what is a travel agency
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I really enjoyed reading your post about Orchard Beach. It’s interesting to know that there’s a clean and pleasant beach experience right in the Bronx, especially since New York City beaches often get mixed reviews. Your mention of the water being debris-free makes it sound even more inviting. I can see how the overcrowding on good days might be a downside, but overall it sounds like a great spot for a quick getaway.private yacht charter st martin
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You’ve brought up such a practical point about raw feeding that I think many new dog owners forget to consider — the logistics of traveling with all that food. Lugging around a cooler and worrying about keeping meat cold during a camping trip sounds exhausting. I like how you’ve also mentioned that buying meat daily on vacation takes away from leisure time. This really makes me think about finding better travel-friendly feeding options. Central Maine
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Hi True_George! It’s good to see you on the ramble again and on the beach in your picture!
I had heard that about Coney Island. It’s sad that pollution has gotten that bad.
I agree about TSA…but the German experience you had sounds dreadful! I would have been cursing up a storm LOL.
Have a great week!
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Thanks, my pleasure to participate…
Coney Island boardwalk is a good atmosphere during the summer; but below the boardwalk is a world of rats and homeless people…
Yeah, the down side to cursing up a storm with airport security whether in the U.S or Germany, is that they won’t allow you to board the plane, and may even detain you until you calm down. The little man always loses. Looks like Bin Ladden ultimately won. Freedom is limited…
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You’re welcome! It was a pleasure to read! I have been to New York once in 2012, but it was very cold…-25 degrees and snowing. I was in Watertown and then Syracuse. The trees were pretty, but I am not a fan of the cold. I always have been curious of Coney Island since it is in so many movies 🙂
I agree with you about freedom. It’s one of those things that feel more like a luxury when it comes our way rather than a right that we should have each and every day.
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You were upstate not to far from the Canadian border where its always cold and snowy and Watertown is called that because it rains a lot.
New York City’s weather is a lot better then upstate thanks to the Catskill Mountains that shield the City from a lot of bad weather….
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We used to use that ‘join the Army’ quote when we were in the Forces – I thought it was really funny!
If I go to the seaside (which isn’t often as it isn’t a hill!), I have a paddle but not usually more as it’s too damned cold here! When I was in Florida I got the rest of me wet but here, just above the knee is enough. I also find the sea very restful to just sit beside and watch/listen to the waves if the beach is very quiet.
The only ‘surfing’ I ever tried was on a plank I found on the beach in Wales – I spent more time falling off it than surfing though. I’ve never snorkelled either.
I always eat the local food where possible wherever I am – I love foreign cuisines in general but not French cuisine – I just think that’s greasy, overrated and nasty!
I don’t have a general pet peeve except possibly calm flights or voyages – I find those really boring. I like turbulence or rough seas – much more fun! I generally act like a lunatic on ships and go everywhere it says not to – that has resulted in me getting invites to look around the bridge, engine room whatever on the Scottish ferries (helps being female I think!)
I don’t take excessive amounts of photos anywhere as I’m still on film so am very choosy about what I take a shot of (as we all used to have to be). I do take a camera though. The only time I forgot was when I was going to Jordan with a friend – as it was my 2nd visit I knew what a beautiful country it was so bought a cheap one at the airport.
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Yeah, that quote was on recruitment posters during the Vietnam War era.
I’ve never been on an ocean liner; the only boats I’ve been on are ferries and party boats circling Manhattan in good weather. I guess I’ll be pretty shaken up if I was on a ship in the middle of the ocean in rough seas. But I’ve been on a small propeller airplane in the middle of a storm. There were so much turbulence that the plane was shaking and the was constantly adjusting altitude.
The age of digital cameras allow for more photo taking without loading up film, and you can see the picture right away…
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I just hate digi-cameras – they seem to make up the colours for a start! I do have one but I really hate the photos from it.
I’ve only been on small boats and largish ferries but never on a liner either. But the rougher the sea, the bigger my grin – I just find it exciting!
When I used to fly light aircraft I used to love turbulence and my instructor commented once that I just seemed to carry on chatting and compensating automatically for it. We used to come in over glasshouses on one runway and, as you were trying to descend, you’d suddenly gain a couple of hundred feet as the hot air rose from the sun shining on the glasshouses – that was a bit inconvenient!
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