Robyn's Wanderings

The end of the harvest. It must be time for.....Thanksgiving!

“What do you do for Thanksgiving?”

“Well, I’m from Bermuda.”

“Oh, so what do you do in Bermuda for Thanksgiving?”

I gave up.

Tomorrow, Americans will be sitting around their living rooms eating turkey and talking about what they are thankful for.

It’s a yearly tradition for the United States that comes complete with the Macy’s Day parade in New York City and pumpkin pie.

But what I have found, is that many Americans forget is that not everyone celebrates Thanksgiving, hence the intro question, or that not everyone celebrates the holiday at the end of November.

For those who are not American…do you know where it started? According to the History Channel, the Plymouth colonists and the Wampanoag Indians shared an autumn harvest feast. In 1863, the celebration became the first national holiday thanks to President Abraham Lincoln and was to be held each November.

Now, it is celebrated with sweet corn, turkey, sweet potatoes, apple pie and gravy (not all in that order!) and even the largest parade, Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade completed with balloon animals.

America’s Northern neighbour? Canadians? Well, their Thanksgiving happens on the second Monday of October and recognizes the end of the harvest season.

Like the Americans, Canadians also enjoy turkey and all of the Fall vegetables they can find with their families. This has been carrying-on since 1957 when Canadian Parliament declared: “A Day of General Thanksgiving to Almighty God for the bountiful harvest with which Canada has been blessed – to be observed on the 2nd Monday in October.”

One of the best know celebrations in Canada during this time of year? The Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest is an annual nine-day festival that is based on the German Oktoberfest. It starts the Monday before Canadian Thanksgiving and runs until the Saturday in the twin cities of Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.

There are an estimated 750,000 to 1,000,000 people every year! And a few even stay to see the largest Thanksgiving parade in Canada in the same place!

Bermuda? Well, we do not really have a thanksgiving per se. I suppose the closest we have to one time of the year where everyone comes together is Cup Match.

According to CURE’s publication, “Emancipation Day – A Day for Reconciliation & Reflection”, Cup Match was born from friendly cricket matches and celebrations to mark emancipation from slavery. In 1902, the cricket celebrations became even more official when the east and west ends of the island raised funds for a trophy to award at the end of the matches.

Take a swim in Bermuda over Cup Match

In 1947, Cup Match transformed again with the Thursday and Friday closest to August 1 officially named Emancipation day and Somers Day respectively. Emancipation Day to mark the end of slavery in Bermuda and Somers Day to remember Admiral Sir George Somers who colonized Bermuda in 1609. Now, Cup Match is filled with commemoration ceremonies, cricket, but also boating, beaches and definitely parties! Thankful? I think so, but let me know if you agree in the comments section below.

Sure we Bermudians, Americans and Canadians have held our traditions for a while, but there are other countries that have created their own type of Thanksgiving.

In Grenada, for example, a day of Thanksgiving is observed on October 25 and marks the anniversary of the 1983 Operation Urgent Fury, a US led military invasion of the Caribbean island. Grenada consists of about 100,000 people and sits about 100 miles above Venezuela. It also became independent from Britain in 1974, however, in 1979 the Leftist New Jewel Movement seized power and in 1983 an internal struggle ended with the revolutionary Prime Minister Maurice Bishop being deposed and murdered.

The invasion on October 25th, 1983 also had troops from Jamaica and the Regional Security System to help! The government was then headed by Governor-General Paul Scoon until elections were held.

Is that thanksgiving? Well, perhaps not like the Americans envision it, but in Grenada ceremonies are held during this time to give thanks, so I think it fits.

Dan pobjede i domovinske zahvalnosti i dan hrvatskih branitelja or Victor and Homeland Thanksgiving Day and the Day of Croatian Defenders, if you must know in English. Yes, Croatia has its own Thanksgiving too.

It is a public holiday and is held as a memorial to the War of Independence. It is also held on August 5, annually.

Why?

Well, on that date in 1995, the Croatian Army secured the city of Knin, which essentially ended the Republic of Serbian Krajina, a self-proclaimed Serb entity in Croatia.

Because of the reason for the day, it only makes sense that most of the celebrations are centred in Knin where there are festivities from Mass and wreaths laid in honor of those who died in the war as well as, parades and concerts.

On that day, the Croatian flag is also lifted on the Knin fortress (just in case anyone is confused as to who that day is about)!

Celebrating around the world!

Other countries tend to also have a “Thanksgiving” around the end of their harvest seasons. In China? This is called the August Moon Festival and is held on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month. But instead of Apple Pie, there are mooncakes, which are made with sweet bean-paste filling and golden brown flaky skin.

In the South of India, they celebrate the Pongal harvest festival, which is named after a sweet rice dish and takes places on January 14th and lasts for three days. The celebrations vary by days and regions, but neighbours generally come together to feast and give thanks to a hearty harvest.

As you travel the world, these thanking festivals can be seen in their variations, but generally focus on food and recognizing family, friends and gratefulness.

Is Cup Match our version? You tell me on my website www.robynswanderings.com and return for next week’s column: being thankful I could travel and learn ten very important lessons.

Until next week I say: Do videnja.

Passports? Check. Pages?.......oops.

“There are no foreign lands. It is the traveler only who is foreign.” – Robert Louis Stevenson

Fill out this form. Fill out that form. Wait in line. Visit duty free. Wait in another line. Fingers on the screen, smile and then……

The passport review. Whenever I arrive at the US Immigration desk in Bermuda’s L.F. Wade International Airport (or really any immigration desk) I stress.

You should be stressed too. Why? No, not because you might have forgotten your passport or your passport is out of date.

There is something more subtle in your passport that could lead to a very disappointing trip – the pages.

Yes, I know you plan for your trips: plane ticket? check. Housing? Run arounds on website pages to find hotels and finally….check. Packing? Ugh…check. Duty free? Check. Passport? Check. Passport date? Check. Passport pages? Uh…shoot.

I’m serious. How many of you actually look to see how many empty passport pages you have left? Me? I check in the immigration line.  Luckily for me, I didn’t need a visa to go to Atlanta (for last week’s column) and the one free page I have left in my passport (one-year abroad will rack-up the page-size visas!) stood the test of the frowning agent. He wasn’t impressed though when he had to find somewhere for the stamp.

So here is the Rock Fever tip one of the week: check your passport for pages. Why is this important? Well, because some countries will not let you in if you don’t have between 2 and four free pages left. They need space for their visas and if you don’t provide them with it…..well you won’t be going. Examples? India, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam and Indonesia require full pages for their visas and Egypt requires half a page!

Don't let your travel clutter let you forget about your passport!

Of course tip two this week has to be: check with your destination country’s embassy to see how many pages they require in your passport. You DO NOT want to be left at the airport after all of your vacation planning.

Tip three is incredibly important for those of us who hold a British passport: you CAN NOT add pages to your passport. Yep, if you run-out of space well, you are stuck having to renew your passport.

That could be a problem if you need it done quickly. Tip Four: Bermudians and those residing in Bermuda must send their passports to Washington, D.C. for their renewal and it could take up to four weeks.

Even worse? Tip Five is right now they are so swamped with work that the Washington office could take up to 10 weeks to process a passport! Yes, I wrote that: 10 WEEKS!!! Don’t believe me? Check out the Foreign Commonwealth website for more information: http://ukinusa.fco.gov.uk/en/help-for-british-nationals/passports/how-to-apply/bermuda1

However, my tip six for those who are either Bermudians with British passports or others with a British Passport in Bermuda: if you happen to renew your passport within nine months of its expiry, the passport will be valid for ten years plus the nine months.  And if you travel frequently then you can apply for a 48 page passport (regular passports are 32 pages). Of course the number of pages is reflected in the fees which are US$211+postage for a regular-sized adult passport or US$255+postage for super-sized adult passports. Child applicants are only able to apply for a 32 page passport for US$134+postage.

Of course the Americans get it easier in the passport renewal line. Tip seven is if you have an American passport it’s easy to add pages to your passport. Of course the fee is $82 and there is a form to fill-out, but at least you don’t have to go through the process of renewing it. However, if you want to renew your passport? The fee is $110 for an adult passport. For more information visit: http://hamilton.usconsulate.gov/

Want to go away? Make sure your documents are ready too!

Of course tip eight (which still applied to American citizens in Bermuda) is that adding pages can be done on the island. The US Consulate’s website actually states if American citizens residing in Bermuda send their passport abroad to add pages or renew it will be returned!  Even better? It only takes one week to add pages! Renew a passport? That can take between two to three weeks so….plan ahead.

Which leads to Bermuda’s own passport service, which must be applied through the Immigration Department and requires an $84 fee, two passport pictures and an application for a new passport. If you run out of pages? Well, when I enquired I was told you cannot add pages, but you can bring your passport that has not expired, a $34 fee, an application and two passport photos to acquire a passport with the same expiration date as your previous one, but brand new pages!

And tip ten is I am only one columnist and I can only find out so much. Obviously I tried to touch on the most used passports in Bermuda, but as we know we continue to attract a variety of nationalities to the island. Unfortunately I cannot research every country and their passport-page policy! So my final recommendation is check with your own embassy about their pages policy and also look at your travel habits. If you travel frequently to places that require visas then make sure you go for the bigger passport!

Luckily for next week’s column, I still had not check my passport pages, but I got into Barbados anyway! Yep, next week we are off to Barbados with me on a month-long course and all that comes with visiting a Caribbean country. Visit www.robynswanderings.com for my views before next week!

Green Beer will be everywhere!

Tomorrow in Enterprise, Alabama one person of Irish decent will march from the town’s court house to the Boll Weevil museum (don’t ask) and back carrying a pot of gold and reciting limericks.

No, this is not some new form of torture.

Nope, I promise. Apparently in 1993, the people of Enterprise (with Irish heritage, anyway) actually chose to start this.

What’s this? It’s only the smallest, annual St. Patrick’s Day parade – one person of Irish heritage in the town actually compete to be part (the only part) of it.

At least their parade only lasts about 10 minutes! Want to see some pics? Visit here.

Ahhhh St. Patrick’s Day.

Which brings me to Rock Fever this week: where and what is St. Patrick’s Day and why do people celebrate it around the world?

Well let’s start with Ireland. For those who live in Ireland tomorrow is a National Holiday celebrated with everything from parades to people piled high in the pub.

But they’re not alone (that does not include those calling-in sick! That is NOT a National Holiday). Ireland is joined by Montserrat. Yep, outside of Ireland this Caribbean island is the only other place to call St. Patrick’s Day a National Holiday and celebrates with a week of festivities that include a Freedom hike, a kite festival, and church services.

Yes, church services. While many believe St. Patrick’s Day is a celebration for green beer, the day did actually have a saintly birth. Yes, the day recognizes St. Patrick, the Patron Saint of Ireland, who converted Irish pagans to christianity in the 5th Century a.d.

St. Patrick

Patrick, however, was originally from Britain (his parents, Calpurnius and Conchessa, were Roman citizens living in either Scotland or Wales, depending on his stories). When he was about 16 he was captured by Irish raiders and was imprisoned in Ireland for six years. After six years he claimed to have heard the voice of God telling him to leave Ireland. He escaped, marched 200 miles, jumped on a boat, returned to Britain, entered the Church, trained and returned to Ireland.

To help convert the Irish to Christianity, legend has it that St. Patrick used the native shamrock to represent the Holy Trinity and incorporated other Irish symbols such as the bonfire (the Irish had used these to honour their gods) and the Sun. To celebrate his accomplishments, St. Patrick’s Day was born on the day of his death, March 17th.

While it may have started with religious connotation and still has some, it has also evolved into a general celebration of everything green, shamrock and gold. Oh, yeah and Irish too. And while Alabama might have the smallest St. Patrick’s Day parade to recognize this saint, New York is home to the largest! Of course! Who knows how to celebrate a person or an event like New Yorkers? No one.

The first parade in New York was on March 17th, 1762, 14 years before the Declaration of Independence. It now starts on 44th street and marches up 5th Avenue, past St. Patrick’s Cathedral at 50th Street and the finishes at the Metropolitan Museum at 83rd Street. The celebrations in Boston (one of the “most Irish cities” according to them) are no slouch either with a parade in South Boston (among other events) on Sunday!

Canadians are also not far behind in their celebration of St. Patrick’s Day. No, indeed in Montreal, they started in 1759 with celebratory dinners (far more civilized) and meandered up to an annual parade on March 17th, 1824.

Of course on the other side of Canada, Vancouver will be hosting an entire fest to overlap St. Patrick’s Day this year! Yes, from March 16 to the 20, this city will be the focus of some 60 plus concerts, festivals and workshops based on the Celtic culture. The St. Patrick’s parade, though? Well that won’t be until Sunday! So you’ve got time to jump from Montreal to Vancouver if the Irish spirit grips you!

That still won’t be enough time to get you to Australia, however. In Sydney St. Patrick’s day has been celebrated since March 17, 1810 when the then governor, Lachlan Macquarie, declared the official day of celebration for the Irish and those of Irish heritage. Now, more than 200 years since it started, the city is host to the second largest parade in the world (after New York’s of course).

In Brisbane, however, I’m afraid we’ve already missed their parade which is held on the Saturday BEFORE St. Patrick’s Day (go figure). Instead tomorrow will be celebrated with all-day music and “hearty” irish food at the Celtic Koala Club. Sounds like a plan to me.

So where else is St. Patrick’s Day celebrated? I mean besides every Irish pub around the world? How about Dubai!

Yes, in Dubai there is actually an Irish Village (I mean why wouldn’t there be, really?) and starting from tomorrow the Village will host two days of celebration with food and drink. Who knew? Well maybe the people who were invited to the Dubai Irish Society Ball. Yep. One Irish village is not enough for Dubai….there are two and tomorrow (Friday) there will be Ball at the Dubai Marina.

Unfortunately, other celebrations that usually attract Irish politicians will be muted and may not exist this year thanks to economic woes and concerns over political protests. While 22 Irish representatives traveled around the world last year for fancy Balls hosted in everywhere from Russia to China, only nine will this year, according to Global Post. And parades that normally took place in these two countries will also be muted or cancelled (no marching in Shanghai this year) to ensure they do not become a chance to fight the government.

One Irish Government official, however, will definitely be traveling: the Irish Taoiseach (prime minister). He will be heading to the White House in Washington, D.C. where he will be received in an annual lunch hosted by the speaker of the U.S. House and is attended by the president and senior members of the House and Senate. In fact, the Irish Taoiseach is the only head of Government given an automatic access to the White House on one day of the year – May 17. Maybe they can talk about Ireland’s economy over some green beer?

Which brings us to next week’s column and what could be worse than an economy already struggling? One that has been wiped-out by earthquakes and tsunami waves. Poor Japan has suffered and yet visiting might not be the right move. What’s the best way to help? Find out next week.

Until then, Slán go fóill.

Nicola Arnold with her host sister Yogita

Yes. Robyn’s Wanderings is growing by one! Nicola Arnold has now been roped into writing every week about her adventures and basically anything travel related!

So you’re sick of me?! Cool. Meet Bermudian and enthusiastic traveler Nicola who will be sharing with you every Saturday. Here’s her first post:

Season’s Greetings! This is Nicola Arnold and it has been 65 days since my last travel adventure… that is, if you don’t count excursions to the local beaches and parks as being an adventure-worthy.

Living in Bermuda has its perks – as a recent graduate from the University of Guelph, Ontario, I have thoroughly enjoyed returning to Bermuda to spend my summer playing beach volleyball, walking past Johnny Barnes at Crow Lane Roundabout as he declares his love for me, and even pretending to be a tourist in Dockyard in order to sample some of the delicious rum cakes over at the Rum Cake Factory!

So who is Nicola?

My story so far is a ‘mixture’ of my family background intertwined with my travel experiences. Therefore it seems like a good idea to share these ‘ingredients’ of my life with you:

¼ cup Croatian grandparents

¼ cup British grandparents

½ cup parents from Zimbabwe

2 T. cousins in South Africa

3 T. cousins in Australia

1 pkg. of Rotary exchange in France

Whisk in some studies in Canada

4 T. summer student in Bermuda

5 oz. semester abroad in Paris

9 oz. study abroad in the French Alps

1 tsp. volunteer trip in India

Dash of travels in Japan, Greece, USA

These ingredients have led me to my path of study, encouraging my development in international education and will be the basis of my career… (yes dad, a JOB!!):

From high school at Mt. St. Agnes Academy in Bermuda to university in Canada, my ever-growing love for

France ultimately pointed me in the direction of completing a B.A. in European Studies, complete with a

Nicola in the Thar Desert in Rajasthan for our overnight camel safari... a thrilling adventure for sure

“highly recommended” study abroad for a year in the foreign language being studied (le français, bien sur).

At university, I became a Peer Helper at the Center for International Programs (CIP), so I had the joy of informing and preparing other students for studying, working & volunteering abroad.

Needless to say, I’ve been able to hone my packing skills for last-minute weekend trips, backpacking in the Indian desert on a camel safari – and learnt to be ready at a moment’s notice to dash for trains in the process.

What’s the plan now?! As I’m enjoying the mild Bermuda weather, I’m actively searching for jobs in Canada in the international education field – working with international and/or exchange students. It has been great networking with contacts both in Bermuda and Canada, while keeping my skills sharp through volunteering and getting involved in different organizations and events.

And surprise, surprise… my family and I will be travelling over the Christmas holidays to visit family and wander around Europe a bit. So far, our plans include stops in London, Rome, Cape Town, Johannesburg, Amsterdam and Paris – all in the space in 3 weeks. Sound interesting? Stay tuned for more!

Reminders of the Vietnam War

It started with peace. And no it’s not Memorial Day. Don’t confuse the two.

Memorial Day (the fourth Monday in May) honors American service members who died in service to their country or as a result of injuries incurred during battle.

Veterans Day pays tribute to all veterans–living or dead–but especially gives thanks to living veterans who served their countries honorably during war or peacetime.

And Veterans Day began in peace. Yes, Thursday might be a day to remember those who valiantly went to war, but the day was founded on peace almost 100 years ago.

On November 11, 1918 at 11 a.m. a temporary stop in hostilities was declared between the Allied Nations and Germany in WWI or the Great War. Depending who you speak to I guess.

A year later? President Woodrow Wilson declared a day of remembrance for all those who had served in the war.

He said: “To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with lots of pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations.”

Just a few years later, in 1938, the day became a legal holiday; “a day to be dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be thereafter celebrated and known as ‘Armistice Day’.”

And on June 1, 1954, the word “Armistice” was replaced with Veterans. Not surprising after the world had suffered a second World War, the Korean War and was about to enter the Vietnam War.

See this great video on the history of Veterans Day.

So what do we do now for Veterans Day? I have to have a lament here. Without people willing to sacrifice for a good cause we would not have saved those being persecuted in Europe during WWI or II.

But recent Wars i.e. Iraq and Afghanistan, feel futile. There were no weapons of mass destruction and sovereignty of these countries was destroyed. And the wars are still going on.

One might argue that Saddam Hussein was a tyrant and deserved to be kicked-out. I can’t argue about that, but why do it now? North Korea is slowly destroying its people and yet I did not see former President Bush talking about taking them out.

It’s sad and something to think about on Thursday. It’s something I faced quite regularly when I visited Vietnam last year. War’s lingering problems. The immediate fighting might end, but the atrocities do not go away. See the photo here:

The Vietnam War continues to be remembered here with birth defects in children thanks to the Agent Orange used by the Americans. Unfortunately these poor children, men and women are not remembered with a day.

Don’t get me wrong. What those of the armed services do takes guts and commitment that I do not have. All I hope to do is accept the fact that with war comes civilians caught in the middle. They don’t get a day.

But at least they remember the veterans I suppose. The United States, Bermuda, Britain, France, Australia and Canada all commemorate the veterans of World Wars I and II on or near November 11th with parades, flags and a day off work.

In the United States there is even an official wreath-laying ceremony is held each Veterans Day at the Tomb of the Unknowns in Arlington National Cemetery.

And apparently this year, American National Parks will also be free on Thursday. Yes around the country there will be free entrance to these parks. Check out these listings to find the closest park for your visit.

In Bermuda? We’ll be off on Thursday and there will be a parade along our main street- Front Street. There will also be a second parade on November 14 in St. George’s that will be attended by Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Gloucester, and Lt. Col. Brian Gonsalves of the Bermuda Regiment.

Poppy appeals and a memorial to the women and men who served in the Armed Services during WWI and WWII will also carry-on for remembrance. See The Royal Gazette’s Article on this.

So whatever you do…be in Bermuda or not, remember those who have bravely entered the armed forces and are trying their best AND those civilians who are still suffering from the ravages of war. They need a day.

15 minutes for this?! I don't think so.

“Ok we’re here at the Giza Pyramids. You have 15 minutes and then we have to get back on the bus.”

You’ve got to be kidding me. Luckily they were. They were not kidding their tour group. The beige-clad group scattered like bugs to take as many photos as possible in 900 minutes at some of the most stunning man-made structures in the world.

I guess they can go home and admire the photos for as long as they want. But I was quite happy that was not me. I was not quite as happy that I had to struggle to find a taxi to take me back to Cairo and my hostel when I finished with these enormous sand sculptures.

That is the joy of independent travel and that is the pain – all the time you want, but you have to contend with taxi touts in Egypt.

Hmmm…what if you could have both? Not possible? Well I am told by Carl Paiva, the CEO of CTravel in this edition of their interview series, that actually it is!

How? Good question and I sat down with him this week to talk about his favourite tour agency that combines the comfort of everything done for you with the flexibility of independent travel.

Who is this agency? Tauck World Discovery. Why would anyone use Tauck, Carl?

Tauck Tours combine independence with comfort

“Tour companies (in general) are not driving people around, now, from point to point. It’s a much slower process and much more personal. You are not being herded.

“What differentiates Tauck is it’s a high-end product. It’s similar to comparing hotels such as the standard Marriott with its Ritz Carlton. Tauck is the Ritz.

“They offer incredible personal service and ala carte dining at the restaurants they choose. And they travel throughout the world. They used to be just the United States and then Europe and now they are in Asia, the Middle East, Africa and South America.

“It’s the number one premium tour supplier in Bermuda. Once someone takes a Tauck tour they tend to continue to take them.”

A Tauck Tour in Peru and the Galapagos Islands

What if I want to do something that is not on the itinerary? Or something that is independent?

“When I personally took a Tauck tour I had reservations. I thought it was going to be a 15 cities in 20 days kind of tour.  It wasn’t.

“It was a lot of information provided by the local guides and there were very comfortable accommodations and the buses were great. And they give enough time in each location to do what you want to do.

“And they use their own guides who are native guides. They will even sit down with you at dinner if you wish.

“They will tell you breakfast is from 7.30 a.m. until 10 a.m. and will let you know when they are going to move to the next destination. So say you’re in Prague for three nights you can do what they have planned or if you want to go on your own you can do that too. Tauck will even arrange a tour guide for you.”

And will you always be on the beaten tourist path?

“Because Tauck is so popular they have entrances to museums and Cathedrals that are private. They do not que.

“It’s a huge perk because for example at St. Marks’ Cathedral in Venice you will not wait in line. You will go in the side door with Tauck and that has to do with their relationship with the country and city.

“They will take you to the Cathedral and they will take you to little known cafes and restaurants. And depending on the venue they will take you to little known sites.

“You are treated like you are a relative.”

Ahhh…..relatives. A lot of people need or want to travel with their families. Can Tauck accommodate them?

“What I also like about Tauck is they have branched out now to include families. They have Tauck Bridges and they focus on the family and have trips to Costa Rica, the Galapagos, and Tanzania.

“It’s not just a sight-seeing tour it’s also learning. It’s a great way for families to travel together.”

What else should people know about Tauck World Discovery?

“But the important think about Tauck is to book early. We find what happens with us they come in now and request a holiday in November and it’s sold out.

“The way they greet people and make them feel like family makes all the difference. I would take them most definitely and if someone in the business tells you that then that says something.”

And finally….if you are interested and believe me they have some beautiful trips all over the world check with a CTravel agent or visit here tomorrow for CTravel Thursdays where some of the Tauck World Discovery Tours will be advertised.

A Christmas Market in Europe

I ever spent Christmas away from home I was cold and in Europe.  It was 2002 and I had just finished a TEFL (Teach English as a Foreign Language) course and I was hoping to find a job. I also rented an apartment with a buddy of mine so money was tight and so was time.

My family wasn’t particularly thrilled, but I didn’t have much of a choice. And to be honest I was glad I did. Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic was fantastic with Christmas Markets in every square, mulled wine warming my hands and fantastic wood carvings to enjoy. Even the tubs of fish on the corners (kept this way to be fresh for Christmas dinner) were an interesting site.

Ok it’s cold, but isn’t Europe supposed to be cold? Isn’t the snow and the real warmth of the mulled wine worth it? For me? Yes.

What is the point? Well Viking Cruises, through CTravel, are offering amazing deals this Christmas in the form of 2-for-1 cruising and 2-for-1 airfare with free wine on select 10 and 8 day cruises. One of those includes a 10-day cruise from Nuremberg, Germany to Budapest, Hungary.

Where would you spend Christmas Eve? Vienna. And Christmas Day? Riding into the woods surrounding this operatic city.

Or maybe the sun, sand, sea option is more your speed?

Why not save 63% on an Oceania Cruise through CTravel to go from Miami to Grand Turk, Tortola, and St. John’s to name a few Caribbean destinations.

The cruise departs on January 2, 2011 and extends itself for ten days. But a Penthouse that would have cost $6,049 this year will only cost $2,500.

A Veranda will reduce from $4,849 to $2,000 and an outside room will move from $3,449 to $1,500.

by Robyn Skinner

Do children get included in your plans? Or maybe you’re looking for absolute luxury with a hint of history? Well Disney, yes I wrote Disney, offers an eight-day Egypt vacation that includes three days of cruising along the Nile.

You know, that little river that snakes through the country. But before boarding you will stop in Cairo for a tour of the famous and incredible Egyptian Museum. This place is packed to the rafters with old Egyptian goodies.

The on to a camel and a lift around the Pyramids, before flying down to Aswan (you know, where the Dam is) and then cruising for three days until Luxor.

Here the tour guides (because there are two with Disney tours) will take you to the Valley of the Kings and the temples that imbibe this town.

Disney is offering this cruise in April, June, July and December next year.

So what are you doing with your two days off? Well booking a trip with CTravel I hope (well when they open after the Cup Match holiday anyway). Happy Cup Match Bermuda!

But luckily, Sheilagh Robertson’s is the traveling kind! That’s because Mrs. Robertson is the owner of what was Bermuda’s first specialty luggage and leather goods store.

Her 35-years of business have produced, everything from the wacky – a student with 14 bags to go to college – to the informative – travel tips such as travel with an extra, empty duffel bag for additional shopping.

But while her opening was a first for Bermuda, her 35-years have made her almost one of the last – one of the last original shops in the Island’s capital – Hamilton.

How has this little, leather and luggage mecca survive? Mrs. Robertson says it is based on what she provides.

Mrs. Robertson said: “My aim at The Harbourmaster was to provide a selection of high-quality luggage and leather goods that were durable, well-designed and at a more moderate price than the high-end designer brands that are featured in all the fashion magazines.

The Harbourmaster in the Washington Mall

“The Harbourmaster was the first specialty luggage and leather goods store in Bermuda and even now there are very few stores anywhere that offer the same degree of quality and choice that we do.

“Over the years our merchandise mix has evolved. When we opened we carried luggage and leather goods manufactured in Canada, England, Germany, Spain, Italy, Colombia, and the USA . Many of the manufacturers that we did business with were small family owned companies.

“Many of these companies no longer exist as they were sold as owners have retired and the younger generation have sold out. In recent years most of the manufacturing side of the industry has moved to China and many of the smaller brands are now owned by large conglomerates.

“It is much harder for a new small business to compete in today’s world which is dominated by Wal-Mart, “big box” stores, and large chains  in the USA. Today everything is accessible from everywhere on the internet,provided the customer is willing to pay the price.

“We have stayed in business by continuing to focus on  high quality merchandise and good customer service. We want our customers to enjoy their shopping experience and be able to buy items that will suit their needs.”

Inside The Harbourmaster - bags for all your travels!

What has impacted her business? What else…the airlines. These traveling tons of tin have limited the space and size of luggage much to the chagrin of the avid luggage expert.

While Mrs. Robertson still finds her line of leather goods from Colombia (not the college; the country) flying-off her shelves, Kipling has also crept into the limelight.

Land line from Colombia

She said: “Our best-selling leather goods line is from Land, a company based in Colombia South America. We have sold their products for 34 of our 35 years and many of our customers still use items that they purchased from us years ago.

“Our best-selling luggage line is Kipling-especially now that the airlines have severely restricted baggage weight allowances.  It is light-weight, well-made and features lots of fashion colours and styles in addition to the core colours.

“The reduction in weight limit from 70 lbs to 50 lbs means that most customers are looking for lighter luggage  so that they can pack more weight but avoid paying overweight fees.

“Most of the top quality luggage brands suitcases tend to be heavier because the component parts and fabrics are heavier, stronger and more durable.  Now all the top manufacturers are looking for new materials and ways of manufacturing that will reduce weight without compromising the quality.”

Sheilagh’s tip: “For frequent travelers it is still better to buy a well-made suitcase and to pack smarter.”

Want more tips? Well check-in here every Tuesday for the best way to get to college, cruise or generally pack for Cup Match.

So what are you waiting for? Oh directions….sure well: Drive to Hamilton, Bermuda. Walk into the Washington Mall (on the first floor) via the alley. The Harbourmaster is there on your right! Enjoy!!!

Adios Amigos and Bon Voyage with your new gear!