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Read Board: Travel the World, Eat Some Cow Lips

Re: Who can't wait to go to Cuba?
Board: Travel the World, Eat Some Cow Lips
Reply to: #880766 by Angel and Demon
Dec 17, 2014 1:19pm
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I'm leaning toward no, although my hubby wants to go. I also know many Cuban-Americans and they have no interest. We are fairly adventurous travelers, but their political climate still makes me nervous. I will let some other people serve as tourist guinea pigs :)

PS...I REALLY want to go to Cartegena, Colombia!
Re: Who can't wait to go to Cuba?
Board: Travel the World, Eat Some Cow Lips
Reply to: #880766 by Angel and Demon
Dec 17, 2014 1:26pm
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Wow, I hadn't heard.
Re: Who can't wait to go to Cuba?
Board: Travel the World, Eat Some Cow Lips
Reply to: #880781 by NotMyCircus
Dec 17, 2014 1:43pm
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Gina, my parents just did a Panama Canal cruise and Cartegena was their favorite place in the cruise. A walled city, and they took some nice pictures.
Re: Who can't wait to go to Cuba?
Board: Travel the World, Eat Some Cow Lips
Reply to: #880766 by Angel and Demon
Dec 17, 2014 1:57pm
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I spent a week in Havana a few years ago, it was a great place to visit and in January the weather was great. Would like to see some other parts of the country sometime.
Re: Who can't wait to go to Cuba?
Board: Travel the World, Eat Some Cow Lips
Reply to: #880787 by FloridaFour
Dec 17, 2014 2:08pm
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A Panama Canal cruise is something else that I want to do!
Re: Who can't wait to go to Cuba?
Board: Travel the World, Eat Some Cow Lips
Reply to: #880787 by FloridaFour
Dec 17, 2014 2:10pm
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My mother-in-law took a similar cruise and said that Cartegena reminded her of me...
Re: Who can't wait to go to Cuba?
Board: Travel the World, Eat Some Cow Lips
Reply to: #880796 by Angel and Demon
Dec 17, 2014 3:21pm
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Some ships are too big to fit in the canal and if they do fit, it costs much more to actually cruise on the canal. Like half million per ship? So my parents ship let them board a smaller boat to go on the canal. They were a little disappointed, but understood.

They said Aruba was boring as heck. Nothing to see. Great for scuba diving or Jeep tours, but my parents are in their 70s and not into scuba diving or other strenuous activities. They also didn't want to go sit on the beach.

So go on the Panama Canal trip you can still do some more adventurous stuff, or at least really look into what the excursions are. Still great if you are happy just relaxing on a beach... But I live in Florida... So I guess they were beached out. Lol!
Re: Who can't wait to go to Cuba?
Board: Travel the World, Eat Some Cow Lips
Reply to: #880797 by NotMyCircus
Dec 17, 2014 3:23pm
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Cartegena reminded her of me

Interesting, how so??? Lol!
Re: Who can't wait to go to Cuba?
Board: Travel the World, Eat Some Cow Lips
Reply to: #880766 by Angel and Demon
Dec 17, 2014 6:56pm
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I've been wanting to go for years to take pictures, then Clyde Butcher did a whole Cuba series and that stoked the fires even more. BUT, the boyfriend isn't interested, as his father came over when he was a little boy, and the boyfriend has a lot of anger towards the current regime.

I used to fill the dive tanks for the service men who'd come over from there. They said the diving is really top notch and once tourism gets opened up to the States, it'll be a dive destination; it's already popular with the Europeans but from Florida, dive trips would be much easier to manage.
Re: Who can't wait to go to Cuba?
Board: Travel the World, Eat Some Cow Lips
Reply to: #880766 by Angel and Demon
Dec 17, 2014 8:59pm
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I cannot wait. Im super excited when I read all the articles today. I'd really like to visit(asap before expansion, infrastructure and tourism takes it's full coarse) and then visit once it has to see the differences.
Re: Who can't wait to go to Cuba?
Board: Travel the World, Eat Some Cow Lips
Reply to: #880845 by Shorty
Dec 18, 2014 6:55am
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We can go and plant the first American letterboxes!
Re: Who can't wait to go to Cuba?
Board: Travel the World, Eat Some Cow Lips
Reply to: #880869 by DM Scuba Brat
Dec 18, 2014 7:26am
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Of coarse I need a SWH- Cuba! box... It's become tradition of mine!
Re: Who can't wait to go to Cuba?
Board: Travel the World, Eat Some Cow Lips
Reply to: #880766 by Angel and Demon
Dec 18, 2014 8:41am
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Hi, I'm Shorty and I am an addict.
Board: Travel the World, Eat Some Cow Lips
Dec 21, 2014 4:36pm
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So I got bit with the travel bug a few years back, and it's great from a letterboxing standpoint- Hunting and Planting when and wherever!
I'm also always looking for contests, -and am looking for some likes!
Shortys Chance to Win Airfare to Fabulous Las Vegas -Just Like me Photo -The Holidays; Brings the family together and brings out all the love! (with suffocation...)

I'd be SO greatful!
Shorty
-with a little loss of dignity!
Re: Hi, I'm Shorty and I am an addict.
Board: Travel the World, Eat Some Cow Lips
Reply to: #881201 by Shorty
Dec 21, 2014 7:35pm
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Is this any different from my husband announcing at a family Christmas party that he is the president and CEO of The Chris Needs A Gun Foundation?
Re: Hi, I'm Shorty and I am an addict.
Board: Travel the World, Eat Some Cow Lips
Reply to: #881201 by Shorty
Dec 22, 2014 11:46am
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Hi, I'm Shorty and I am an addict.

All together now: "Hi Shorty!!"
Re: Hi, I'm Shorty and I am an addict.
Board: Travel the World, Eat Some Cow Lips
Reply to: #881271 by Colorful Caterpillars
Dec 23, 2014 8:37am
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Hi shorty!!! ***throws confetti***
Re: Hi, I'm Shorty and I am an addict.
Board: Travel the World, Eat Some Cow Lips
Reply to: #881388 by Goofy girl
Dec 23, 2014 8:35pm
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Shorty....we're so very glad you're an addict. Looooooooooove finding your boxes!! :)
Re: Asia, anyone?
Board: Travel the World, Eat Some Cow Lips
Reply to: #828266 by FloridaFour
Feb 21, 2015 4:00am
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haah funny, Korea! i'm here now. if you make it this way we should do some plants. Actually i just dropped one yesterday and am thinking of putting together a meetup group to try to start a LB community here. I can teach them about carving and planting.
Organizing a family reunion cruise
Board: Travel the World, Eat Some Cow Lips
Feb 7, 2016 10:58am
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Hi
In talking to my dad today, we were discussing a family reunion with his remaining 4 sisters and their kids and grandkids. In total if everyone came it would be 48 people. Oldest is 80 something, youngest is 8ish.

My dad and one sister have talked about it in the past and the sister said when she tries to think of it, her head gets ready to explode. I said the sister needs a committee. I said I would help. I love the idea. There are 13 of us cousins, 11 of us have kids.

The problem is.....we are scattered....most are in India, there are 2 in London, 4 in Australia and 11 in the States. We would probably have to aim for Christmas, since all kids have at least the few days surrounding Christmas off.

I briefly looked at cruises. A European cruise is the most central. But the temps in Europe aren't the best in December. Obviously for weather purposes doing a Carribean cruise would be the best. But Europe can be pretty in December....

So I guess my questions are....
1. has anyone ever done a Christmas cruise to Europe and how was it? What cruise line did you use?
2. is there a way to have a dedicated site / webpage to communicate with everyone so all info is passed out once instead of sending all different emails. I was thinking of creating a facebook group. Everyone can post to it and see what the conversations are going on. I was wondering if there was anything more up to date.
3. Has anyone done a large group tour like this? Would going to a resort type of place be a better idea? But then again...where do you go?

I would love some ideas and suggestions. I really want to make something happen. I love the idea. My aunts are getting old and it has to happen soon. Plus all 13 of us cousins have never been together at one time.

I am in the very beginning stage of thinking of this. I haven't even talked to my aunt about it. I want to get some ideas to think about and then talk to her. Problem is, she is in India, so we have to time phone calls.

Thanks for any advice...
vicki
Re: Organizing a family reunion cruise
Board: Travel the World, Eat Some Cow Lips
Reply to: #919668 by Crazyolis
Feb 7, 2016 11:46am
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I just booked a European cruise for six and my head is exploding. I wouldn't even attempt 48 people on a cruise to be organized. I'd pick a smaller ship, probably, because finding each other on a mega ship may be hard, and let everyone know which cruise and let them book their own. Also don't rely on cruise booklets for pricing. Christmas expect double prices. Some cruise lines have partnership with airlines for better airline price. Royal caribbean, I save $400 each on flights, by booking with them. But there's give and take. I hear the food is better on other cruise lines. Norwegian looked really good, and I wonder if I should've stuck with them. They have a cool.circus and majic theme for entertainment. Whereas Royal had Grease. Also for the big ship, you need to reserve seating for the show. Not enough room for all passengers.

For older passengers, the mega ship may be too large to walk around.
Re: Organizing a family reunion cruise
Board: Travel the World, Eat Some Cow Lips
Reply to: #919668 by Crazyolis
Feb 7, 2016 12:10pm
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If everyone in your group has Facebook create an event for communication. A travel agent that specializes in group sales will be able to help you with everything.
Re: Organizing a family reunion cruise
Board: Travel the World, Eat Some Cow Lips
Reply to: #919668 by Crazyolis
Feb 7, 2016 12:26pm
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You might try looking at wedding packages/planners for the cruise. They would be familiar with getting a large group coordinated. Although you wouldn't want a ceremony, having one catered meal where you are all together would be very nice.

Good luck!
Traveling Garden Gnome
Re: Organizing a family reunion cruise
Board: Travel the World, Eat Some Cow Lips
Reply to: #919668 by Crazyolis
Feb 7, 2016 12:56pm
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My family has done reunions in Cabo San Lucas for about 20 people at a resort. I was never able to attend, but they all had a great time. Disney World is also a nice place for reunions.. . They actually have a resort called Reunion Resort. :D
Re: Organizing a family reunion cruise
Board: Travel the World, Eat Some Cow Lips
Reply to: #919672 by FloridaFour
Feb 7, 2016 12:56pm
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I am also looking into small ship cruising. Part of the reason that I like a cruise is that there is enough to do to keep you busy, but its big enough if you want to avoid certain people you can. There are a few that don't like each other! But I would hope that all that don't care for each other can be respectful and courteous enough to their elders and put on a polite show for the requisite few dinners together! These people are in their 40's and 50's!

I do have to point out to my dad though about the walking around...his two older sisters use walkers and that may be somewhat unsteady on the ocean. Maybe a resort type of place would be better, where you could do day excursions, hang at a beach, and then meet up for dinner. hmmmm

more research....
Passports
Board: Travel the World, Eat Some Cow Lips
Mar 2, 2016 12:40pm
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Has anyone gone to dubai recently? I Just Applied For My Sons Passport To GO To The UAE this may. Now I'm told he has to wait 6 months thus missing this opportunity. Does anyone know if this is a fact for US passports? We are not world travelers so I'm a bit of a dummy
Re: Passports
Board: Travel the World, Eat Some Cow Lips
Reply to: #921312 by Green Jeans
Mar 2, 2016 12:54pm
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Contact constituent services of your U.S. Representative--ours helped us.
Re: Passports
Board: Travel the World, Eat Some Cow Lips
Reply to: #921312 by Green Jeans
Mar 2, 2016 12:56pm
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Do you mean his passport (from our State Dept) or his visa (from UAE)? Six months seems like a super long time even for a new passport, but you can pay extra and get expedited service on the US end. I renewed my passport a couple of years ago, didn't pay for the expedited service, and I had my new passport within six weeks.
Re: Passports
Board: Travel the World, Eat Some Cow Lips
Reply to: #921314 by Angel and Demon
Mar 2, 2016 3:25pm
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We obtained ours (one renewal, one new) from our State Department, utilizing the services of our local US Post Office in about a month in 2012. Things may have changed however I would not delay if looking at May.
Re: Passports
Board: Travel the World, Eat Some Cow Lips
Reply to: #921312 by Green Jeans
Mar 2, 2016 3:42pm
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You can contact the local state department and locate an office. Go there in person and you can usually get the passport in a day. You'll need evidence of impending travel though.