Taking a Shuttle Bus from Tampa Airport to Port Richey, Florida

We flew down from Toronto to Port Richey, Florida on Valentines Day!

The hotel we booked in Port Richey, Florida, did not provide a courtesy shuttle bus to pick us up from the Tampa airport. We were wondering how to get to our hotel. Fortunately, we learned that we could take the Super Shuttle,  a company providing passengers shuttle services from the Tampa Airport to  various hotels in nearby towns/ cities.

Waiting Room for Shuttle Buses, Tampa Airport

The process was simple.

There was no pre-booking necessary. After we picked up our luggage, we went straight to the shuttle service booth. We told the lady staff member where we wanted to go, paid US$22.00 per person and were each issued a numbered ticket.

We were told to wait in a designated area for the ride.

We waited in this waiting area for the shuttle bus to take us to our hotel in Port Richey, Florida

The waiting room was an enclosed area, a spacious, well lit air-conditioned area with comfortable seating. The wait was not too bad, about 15- 20 minutes.

A few drivers drivers came in calling out the different numbers. When our number was called, we went to the  mini van waiting outside.

The Super Shuttle could seat 4 passengers. The driver was very polite. It was a long ride to our hotel  and it took almost an hour.
The ride was a comfortable one.



We were glad that we found a solution to our transportation needs. We look forward to spending the next few weeks in a few sunny warm locations.

R.T.
Port Richey
Florida, USA

Getting Ready for Our Big Trip to Sunny Warm Places!

A snow scene in our neighbourhood

Toronto has had an unusual cold winter this year. We have experienced - 15 degree C or lower for a few weeks and there was a lot of snow and winds.





We are ready to leave all the cold weather behind and are travelling again soon! It is absolutely exciting as we are going to embark on another totally new travel experience this time.

The apple tree in our front yard is often covered with snow this winter.

We have been doing a lot to get prepared for this trip: coordinating with our friend as to where we would be staying, when to travel, making sure all our medical issues, banking and bill payment, our elderly mother's transportation, my work assignments etc. etc. are all looked after.

Ah, one more thing, making sure that my computer will work so that I can do my blogging. That is vitally important to me. I even bought a brand new lighter model laptop as it would be easier to carry.

We went to our computer guy who loaded up all the necessary software and set things up for me so  there would not be any technical issues during our trip.

I got my brand new computer all set up about a week ago before our trip. For the past week or so I have been writing on my new computer and testing it. I have gotten used to the 2016 Microsoft Word.

Our house has been cleaned; we had dinner with Mom.  My computer works well; we are good to go!!!

R.T.
Toronto
Week of Feb.11

Welcoming Our Quebec Visitors to Toronto

Jan, 2018

During the winter holidays, I was pleasantly surprised to receive an email from a lady whom I befriended while vacationing in Cuba last year. Sandra is from the French province of Quebec, located right next to Ontario where we are residing. She is a Quebecer while I am an Ontario.

We met at a Cuban resort where we were vacationing. We went to the dance classes together and we got along really well. After finding out that we were both from Canada, we exchanged contact information hoping to visit each other some day.

St. Lawrence Market, Toronto

I was glad to hear from Sandra and we invited her and her husband to our house for dinner. The next day we  played host to our Quebec visitors and took them to see a few places in Toronto. The first place we took them to visit was St. Lawrence Market, a popular place for both Torontonians and tourists alike.

This store at St. Lawrence Market sells coffee from around the world.

St Lawrence Market has been around for a long time. It has three buildings. 

We were in the main building where stores were selling fresh meat, coffee, teas, rice, pasta and spices from around the world.

The main building has three floors including the basement level. 

The main level is filled with shops selling  fresh seafood meat and games of all kinds, such as buffalo, venison, ostrich, and even kangaroo meat! 

We and our visitors tried some fresh seafood at St. Lawrence Market.

We tried some fresh seafood at the seafood place, yummmmy!

St Lawrence Market is also a great place to buy Toronto and Canadian souvenirs. 

We even found flags of different countries. With a Brazilian background, Sandra and her hubby were excited to find the Brazilian flags among many others.

Sandra was lucky enough to find a beautiful hat matching the colour of her coal perfectly from one of the stores. She was happy!

The second floor museum at St. Lawrence Market

On the second floor of the St. Lawrence Market is a small museum displaying some documents and items about the history of the place. 

It was interesting to learn about the past and recent development of this area. 

Admission to both the market and museum place is free!

Nathan Philip Square, Toronto

Visitors to Toronto always  visit our famous Nathan Philip Square. 

Skating at Nathan Philip Square is a favourite activity for many in Toronto

Especially in the winter months when the fountain is turned into a beautiful skating rink.

There is nothing more Canadian than skating under the stars serenading by beautiful music playing in the background.

Another favourite spot tourists often visit is the Eaton Centre about a stone throw away from the Nathan Philip Square.

Eaton Centre, Toronto

We took our visitors to the Eaton Centre too.

We took our visitors to Eaton's Centre

It was great reconnecting with Sandra and showing her and her husband around in Toronto. I am glad that we could play host to our friends from Quebec!

R.T.
Toronto

Indigenous Culture and Artwork Honoured at the Vancouver Airport

Finishing our visits to the Canada's and U.S.' west coast, we were at the Vancouver International Airport   returning home via Air Canada .

I love looking at displays of artwork, sculptures and architecture wherever we happen to be at the time.

We travel a lot and have gone through a few international airports.


The artwork displays and decorations in the Vancouver International Airport are quite different from most of the airports we have gone through.

I liked the aboriginal theme used in the airport's decorations and art displays.

As a member of a visible minority, I understand and appreciate the significance of having these artwork recognized and displayed.

Indigenous people in Canada have been misunderstood and mistreated for generations. It's time we recognize and honour their people, culture, traditions and arts..

Indigenous sculptures displayed at the Vancouver International Airport

Displaying their artwork in public places such as our international airports is a good place to start recognizing our indigenous people's  value and contributions to Canada!

Two thumbs up to the Vacouver International Airport!

R.T.

Vancouver International Airport

Vancouver, British Columbia

Canada

De Dutch - B.C. Restaurant Serves Great Food and Entertains Young Customers

We got back to Vancouver and spent our last night there before heading back to Toronto.

Vancouver Train/ Bus Terminal, British Columbia, Canada

Our friend came to pick us up from the Vancouver terminal. Smaller in size and scale, but grand and magnificent,  the Vancouver terminal reminded me of the Grand Central Station in New York City. It is a gorgeous building!

The next morning, our friends took us to have breakfast at De Dutch.















We always like to try different food from different cultures and countries.

This place has a good reputation of serving delicious Dutch food.

I like the decor of this restaurant too.













This old fashion style teapot reminded me of the movie
" Beauty and the Beast"!

We tried the restaurant's famous dish - Pannekoeken,  made from the secret family recipe bought to Canada by a Dutch immigrant.

Pannekoeken is Dutch pancake, nice and thin,  similar to French crepes.

I ordered the sweet pancake with bananas and walnuts; Jeannie had bananas and strawberries with cream.

Andrew and my husband ordered the savoury pancakes with mushrooms, vegetable and chicken.

The pancakes melt in my mouth, delicious!

I saw a young couple leaving with their toddler at the next table.  There were some nice toy cars and trucks on their table. I ran up to tell them that they left their kid's toy cars behind.

Politely, they informed me that these toys were from the restaurant, used to entertain their young son while they were eating.

How thoughtful was that! I wish we had a restaurant like De Dutch in Toronto when our kids were young. It would have been a very pleasant dining experience for them!

R.T.
De Dutch Restaurant
Richmond
British Columbia
Canada

Crossing Canada/ U.S. Border at Peace Arch Crossing in British Columbia

Driving into the U.S. from British Columbia, Canada

Canada and United States are good neighbours.

After the war of 1812 between the British and Americans along the Niagara Falls/ Kingston area, citizens from both countries have never fought again.

Scenery along the British Columbia, Canada/ U.S. border crossing

Both countries have been enjoying a cordial, cooperative and peaceful relationship with each other.


We take pride in the fact that we share the longest undefended border in the world.

Enjoying a driving holiday is a Canadian way of life

A driving holiday and crossing the U.S. customs is a part of Canadian life.

Canadians do it all the time without giving it much thought.

Cars lining up for the border crossing into US

When I was a teenager, it was absolutely hassle free for Canadians crossing the border to the U.S. side on a whim.

If we felt like it, we went over with some friends to the U.S.  side  to do some shopping and dining. After a few hours, we drove back to Canada. Easy as pie.

No special documents were required from Canadians at the border. We just needed to show our drivers' licenses to the U.S. Customs Officers.

Cars stopped at the US Customs for clearance

I still remember vividly a few times when our friends forgot their driving licenses. All they had to do was showing their wallet size birth certificates.

 I was amazed at the smoothness of the whole border crossing process.

Due to the recent political situations, Canadians crossing into the U.S. border do need to bring their valid passports.

Peace Arch at the Canada/ US border crossing near British Columbia, Canada

On our last recent entry into the U.S., stopping at the British Columbia Peace Arch Crossing,  I was deeply touched by what I saw. 

Standing majestically on the green lawn at the border,  an arch with both the U.S. and Canadian flags flying high in the sky has this phrase inscribed on its top. 

Inscription on the Peace Arch at the B.C. Canada/ U.S. border

" Children of a Common Mother" - an inscription referring to our two countries' common heritage being British and the closeness of our relationship. I was moved by this simple phrase.

How wonderful and peaceful this world would have been if we could all see ourselves as brothers and sisters descending from the same parents, belonging to the same family?

I pondered on this five words as our car crossed the border, again with ease, efficiency, and speed.

We are fortunate to be living in a country like Canada, in peace, harmony and respect with our dear neighbour.

R.T.
Border Crossing at Peace Arch
British Columbia
Canada

Furnishing Your First Home in Seattle with Style on a Shoestring Budget at the Family Store

Greyhound bus station, Seattle, USA

Waiting for our bus going back to Vancouver, Canada, at the Greyhound Bus Terminal in Seattle, we had two hours to kill. 

Instead of just waiting at the bus station, we went out for a walk to stretch our legs.

We saw the stadiums and came across the Salvation Army's Family Store located near the bus terminal.

The Family Store is a second hand store where people donate their used items which other people can buy at a much reduced cost.

We have many stores like these in Canada where they sell mostly second hand clothes.

However, this store is different.

The Red Section

This Family Store in Seattle has a large inventory of gently used furniture.

























The best thing about this store was that all the decorations and
nick necks were arranged by colour family and displayed on separate shelves.



It made shopping much easier!

The Green Section

If you have a certain colour in mind, you can simply go straight to the display shelf of your colour and check out all the items there.

A display of  furnishing with a blue and white theme in the Family Store

This store distinguishes itself from its counterparts by taking the time, setting up demo displays and showing customers how to put various items together to beautify a home.

All the displayed items belonging to the same colour grouping or the same theme are available from the store at the time.

The Blue Section

Thinking of our blue bathroom at home and without wasting any time, I went straight to the Blue Section.

Bingo!

I found a blue glass penguin in excellent condition, priced at U.S.$3.99!

What a steal!

The Washer and Dryer Section in the store

I have learned from our Seattle walking tours that every week there are  about 1000 people moving into this city.

The Small Appliance Section in the Family Store

These newcomers to the city will need to find a place to live.

This 4 piece bistro set was for sale at a good price in the Family Store

Along with their new homes in Seattle, the newcomers will also need to buy furniture and household items to furnish their first homes.

Gently used furniture at a much reduced price in the Family Store

People can always find some decent gently used furniture for sale in these types of second hand stores.


For instance, this 5 piece blue dining set cost US$ 179.00 only.  A very affordable price for a young person furnishing his/ her first home !

The Family Store sell sports equipment such as skis as well!

Wall decorations and artwork were on display in the store

The Family Store will be a good place to buy furnishing for:

- a newcomer to the city,  not sure how long or where he/ she would live for the next little while but needs some furniture for now

- someone on a shoestring budget to furnish his/her place











Strolling around the vicinity of the Greyhound Station in Seattle, I was delighted at discovering the Salvation Army Family Store by accident. Without spending a lot of money, we had fun browsing around in the store. I bought a couple of nice items as souvenirs to take back to Canada.

People are happy when they can get a good deal. I am no exception to that!

R.T.
Family Store, Salvation Army
Near the Greyhound Bus Station
Seattle, USA