There is a first for everything!

Today I used a travel agent for the first time in 25 years. It was a nice change not to think entirely about what was on the screen and let someone else do the work for you.

But I am not so sure about the extra free - if it was worth it! 20 bucks extra for someone else to book flights for you, Is it worth the extra cash spent?

Doing it yourself - 

• A little more time spent to search all the airline options - Price comparing
• Have control on when you want to depart and arrive 
• And have control on how much money to spend on airfare

Travel Agent - 

• They make you worried, if taking a certain airline is the right choice!
• The extra fee in booking through a Travel Agent
• Do all the hard work for you! 

To be honest I am not too sure If i will use a Travel Agent again - I am just so used to do everything myself. Point taken on why I am the one phoning Contiki Holidays directly when I book my tours. And it is just how I network, doing such things by myself. No offense taken to the Travel Agents, I know this is your job - but I think I am just one of those travelers who needs to do it myself.

Thanks though, UNIGLOBE GEO for booking my Flight from Cairo to Madrid for January 6th, 2013. But I think I will be booking my second flight on my own!

Pic of the Week [tre]

Don't look up for too long or your going to lose your balance and fall over.

Paris, France

Eiffel Tower

Everywhere you walk in Paris, you see the Eiffel Tower that is how big it is. Driving into Paris on the Contiki Coach, you know when we have reached Paris when you see the Eiffel Tower from the Coach. Pretty Cool!

Contiki Paris New Years Day Activities

What a night it was, dancing and picture taking in Sullies in Paris, France with Contiki friends. And Contiki Champagne at midnight -

Next Morning, Had no idea - Thought it would be a free day for us to explore but not entirely.

Seine River Cruise in the Morning.

Had no idea. Nice little surprise stop after the Seine River Cruise. 

MonteParnasse "Ugly Tower" But the highest tower where you can see the entire city of Paris, Gorgeous view.

And then a Visit to the Eiffel Tower.

The Only thing for being in Paris New Years Day, Nothing is open - very limited stuff is open.

later that night, after Contiki treated us to Dinner - Moulin Rouge Cabaret Show. We probably went through 3 bottles of champagne at our Table. 

After the Cabaret Show, a few of us went to a Australian pub across from Moulin Rouge for End of Tour Drinks with Ben.

Mothers Day

Mothers day is a celebration to honor mothers and motherhood, maternal bonds and the influence of mothers in society.

Julia Ward Howe was the first to proclaim Mothers Day in 1870. Her Mothers day proclamation was a pacifist reaction to the American Civil war and the Franco-Prussian War. The Modern holiday was celebrated much later in 1908, where Anna Jarvis held a memorial for her mother in America and then she started her campaign to make it a recognized holiday in the United States. She was successful in 1914 but disappointed with the commercialization by the 1920s. And now it is a holiday adopted by other countries worldwide.

 My Mothers Day Gift to my Mother. 

Orchid, the name comes from the Greek. Greek Myth of Orchis; Orchies the son of a nymph and a satyr cam upon a festival of Dionysios in the forest. He drank too much and attempted to rape a priestess. For this assult he was torn apart by the Bacchanlians. His Father prayed for him to be restored but the Gods assisted of changing him into a flower.

Most commonly found in Asia, South America, Central America. But also can be found in the Arctic Circle.

It is so hard to find the perfect card for your mother, as Hallmark makes so many but generally you can find that one perfect one that fits the right mother.

"Mom, for all the times you had to referee, I just want you to know...... It was never my Fault." Happy Mother's Day. Along with a small bag of her favorite candy.

And for all whose mother is no longer with us, does not mean you can't celebrate - put flowers on her grave. I have a feeling she'll know your thinking of her on Mother's Day.

Happy Mother's Day to all the Mother's out there in the World -

Friday's Mission

Today I went on a mission after going to Canada Place for my passport and that was to find Vegemite and Marmite. First stop of the afternoon was China. Well okay it was only China Town but still, A store called Lucky 97. Not so Lucky if i may add because the only spread that I did find was Coconut Spread. Not quite what I wanted.

Next stop of the afternoon was a little detour around Edmonton, Now i did not have TomTom with me and shockingly enough I did okay without him but I did miss him telling me where to go and which way to turn. Driving under the Legislature - always nice to see our capital prime ministers home on a nice sunny friday afternoon. Was not sure where i was going until i saw the sign for Muttart Conservatory, then I directed myself there. The pyramid at the Lourve in Paris, France was better but this was the closest thing to it in Edmonton So I accepted it. Never been to it so it was nice to drive by it up close, instead of seeing it from a far.

Heading west, realizing i was going a little too far north for West Edmonton Mall, turned around and surprisingly enough again without TomTom i found my way. I normally hate driving in Edmonton because I never know where I am going, hint why I need my TomTom all the time but I did not bad.

Thanks to @Official_WEM for directing me to the right place for Marmite. British Import Shop - Q2001 inside West Edmonton Mall towards The Bay.

 

Cute little store, all things British obviously. But I prefer London, England. Boy I am spoiled! I prefer this and that - Oh Contiki you have spoiled me. Giving the Travel Bug. 

But Success - I have found Marmite <3 

 

Mission succeeded. Now to hunt down some Vegemite - and I will. Do not give up on me yet! 

Sunday Drive

Opened up the car door placed my purse on the other side and shut the door, started the car and off I went. I was not sure where to go.... Got to the end of Seba Beach and I could have gone right towards Edmonton or Left towards Jasper.

I turned Left. 

Listening to my iPod and cruising down highway 16, passing Gainford, Evansburg, Entwistle, Wildwood and etc until I got to Edson. Turned off towards Sundance Provincial Park - started making way but I did not want to go to far without a gas station in sight so i turned back and went into town of Edson.

Took a stroll through the central park of Edson. Took Mr. Bear (Paddy) He came all the way from England, so it was the right thing to do. You may say he has become my Traveling Bear. Where will he go next?