Category Archives: Travel Diary

Day 4, Train to Toulouse Saturday 18 July 2026

Packed up this morning and ready to taxi as a group at 7 am to Austerlitz train station to take a slow train through France to Toulouse. There we meet our GAdventures tour for next 7 days. Stay tuned. 

Gentle rocking of the regional train travelling through the French countryside. Past farmland, villages, fields of golden sunflowers, red terra cotta roofs, hay bales, assorted cows, waterways, rolling hills with green lush deciduous trees and crooked fruit trees lining yellow fields. Blue sky and white clouds. Air conditioning inside is welcome relief from the last three days in Paris heat. 

We had lots of laughs and good conversations on the 7 hour train ride. 

Arrived at Hotel Heliot, quaint family owned boutique hotel in Toulouse.   We met our tour leader (Francois is CEO) and had an orientation walk about. Then relaxing evening. Many of the group out for dinner. 

Tomorrow is a day in Toulouse checking out the local area. 

Paris day 3, last day. Friday 17 July 2026

15 Kms, 22,000 steps today. We (four of us) started together to pick up gluten free baking from Copains bakery on route to Montmartre and Sacre Coeur. Weather update is improving. The sunshine is lovely and warm, some gentle cloud cover and more tolerable temperatures. Yay. The whole country sighs in relief, us tourists included. It’s still plenty warm and we welcome air conditioning. 

We walked from hotel and found the entrance to funicular up to Sacre Coeur. A nice uneventful ride, met my aunt and her travel companion. At the top. We all walked around looking at the views of the city from high up, through the haze. 

We thought of going in to the church but very long queue so abandoned the idea. Cute little tourist train the my aunt rode later. Easier way to get around. 

Artist square with 20-30 painters, drawing portraits and lots doing acrylic painting of flowers and sights of Paris. Charming. 

Walked down stairs and down and down on way from Montmartre district generally toward direction of the river.

Everything seems to take long to walk to following each other through meandering streets and trying to follow Google Maps. Sometimes we just allow ourselves to get lost. Haha. 

We made it to Gallerie Lafayette for a bit of overwhelm and crowds, glitz and glitter. Up to 6th floor by escalator to pay toilets. 

Next destination was 

Escirite pen store L’Ecritoire Stationery Paris 26, passage Molière. Purchased a beautiful cartridge pen made in Paris France and brown ink. And a small sketch of the view from Sacre Coeur. It was a really special store. Recommend. 

Back to hotel. Charge devices. Meet group. Plan the next day. Hear about everyone’s day. There are 8 of us travelling together in total. Really fun group. 

Arranged to return to same room for night of 24th July – we love our room. 

Out again to gf bakery and pick up groceries for tomorrow train ride

Back again to Hotel for showers, prosecco and some dinner together and preliminary packing. 

Paris day 2, Thursday 16 July 2026

Today was hot. Wow. 

Woke up after a glorious sleep. Long. Deep. Air conditioned post flight and relaxed. Clean white crisp sheets at Hotel Marena. 9th Arrondissement in Paris France. The full day before us. 

Five of us met up and decided to walk a few kms towards Hotel de Ville along river Seine to catch the batobus for a day of sightseeing. We took longer than expected to get there but made it, purchased our tickets and enjoyed a full circle route and half. 

After that two took a taxi from the Louvre back to hotel to rest and three of us walked a few more hours through the Tuileries and beyond and then picked up some groceries before heading back to the hotel for a rest and to charge our devices before heading out again. 

Later we took Bateaux Mouches at 10 pm up and down the river enjoying the sky and city lights. 

We watched the sparkling lights of the Eiffel Tower ignite at 11 pm and hold our attention for the full five minutes. We caught an Uber back to the hotel and now big you good night. 

Ps. Just as we opened the uber car door the sky also opened up and huge large wet raindrops fell on us finally cooling us down. 

Paris day 1, 2026 July 15. Arriving 

Our first delay while at Halifax airport. We arrived early by 3 hours to be sure and planning to maybe check bags. Turns out we were too early for that, haha. So waltzed right through security. Traveling with my aunt and my good friend Mary. Heading to Paris to meet with 4 more friends who are coming from Calgary connection. An 8th person, second Mary, arriving the next day

For now we are sitting in the lounge waiting for our plane to arrive. People around us are talking about their exciting travel plans, river cruise, Italy, Spain and more. 

I do love airports and the chatter, watching families and couples, friend groups and solos. What they wear and carry, how they express and carry themselves.

Our flight is delayed about half hour so we sit and wait. A little moment later it seems we are boarding and on our way. 

The plan is to meet in Paris, some of the group for the first time. Some like me have been before. In a few days we will join a GAdventures Local Living tour in Toulouse and venture to exotic historic towns of Carcassonne, Albi and Lourdes. More on this later. 

https://www.gadventures.com/trips/local-living-france-toulouse/EFTL

Excitement has been building for months as we talked, shared, did research and got excited about our adventure. The time is closer and closer and now finally here as we arrive from our embarkation ports to Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris. 

The view from the air as we near the destination includes lush and dry farmland surrounding homes and small villages. There has been record breaking heat here for weeks. I expect temperatures to remain hot for our visit. Now over the big city. Red roofs as far as I can see. The river, railway and roadways. The Eiffel Tower. IKEA. Landing safely the passengers applaud. 

We have been flying all night and meet to arrange transportation early this afternoon local time into the city of lights. Our first stop will be Hotel Marena. Hoping to drop our bags and check out surrounding area, maybe grab a lunch. And orient to time and space in this magical city. 

No structured plans this first day as most of us will be challenged a bit by popped ears and jet lag. We shall see. 

Welcome to the first day of our Paris adventure!  Thanks for following. 

Pictures will be posted on Facebook

Gijon Spain 2 October 2025

Gijon Spain 2 October 2025

Last night we attended a musical show after a beautiful sunset at dinner time. Then we watched a classic movie   A very fun flock of seagulls outside our window in the dark frolicking in the surf. 

Today slow starting as we prepare to have breakfast and head out to a Gijon Spain, with a history of apple cider making, Cabrales cheese, fish, limestone caves and caverns. Lots of free activities offered and a great visitor map showing where we can explore today. 

First site is huge sandy beach next door to bus stop and modern town.  

3200 cider bottles made into a tree shaped sculpture. There is a mix of old architecture and beautiful buildings next to new and needing work. A little of everything as we walk along the pedestrian walkway around the sea and marina. We find the old town and snap few more pics of unusual buildings. It’s like a beach town. 

We walked a bit through town street and in a central market is a demonstration with lots of police presence. 

We take the opportunity to put our bare feet in the sea and enjoy the cool gentle surf and sandy beach. 13,000 steps today. Our last port stop before the cruise ends. 

Locals say today was the one day of the year that did not rain. Haha. So lucky we had hot and sunny into the mid 20 degrees. 

Back on shuttle and having a nibble at Waves before tea time. Then entertainment before dinner. 

Goodnight. Tomorrow is a sea day then disembarkation in Lisbon. The cruise about to end. 

Bilbao Spain. 1 Oct 2025

Waking up the first day of October on the sea offshore Spain. Pink colouring in the sky in early morn, the rest is blue. We passed metal tall windmills twirling and they are attached to the breakwater. Parked now at the port city of Bilbao Spain. We will do a walkabout. 

After breakfast we take the complimentary bus shuttle into Bilbao. There are choices and we consult with tourist information representative at the port. we decide to take a long walk along the river Bilbao. Past parks and lots of random sculptures. 

Tree tops changing colour. Palm trees. Walking along river towards old town. Bridges. Some local artists, others selling knock off street wares.  Sculpture. Benches. Basketball hoops. Walking. Walking. Walking. Pass the Guggenheim museum and see lots of our fellow passengers along the way. Over 12 Kms in total today. Across the river is the old town. We go there and take pictures mostly of architecture. I will try to add photos when I get home and the wifi complies. While on the ship I post my photos on Facebook when I can. 

We cross back across the river and through the main modern street toward our shuttle stop we catch a bus back to the ship, grab some lunch and have a swim in the salt water pool. I think it was 22-23 degrees today, plenty warm. 

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Bordeaux France 29-30 September 2025

Sailing up the Dordogne river to Bordeaux during breakfast onboard Sirena. We are sitting on the back of ship outside and enjoying the brilliant clear blue sky, the green flat coastline stretching for miles. We passed Pauillac where we will stop at tomorrow evening. 

Guest bloggers participate providing descriptive words. Rich in mystery. Colourful. Autumnal.  Peaceful and serene, glowing, wind kissed, verdant.  Radiant. Fertile. Lush. Vibrant. Dotted with farm buildings, spires and towers. Vineyards. Sheep. Cows. Charolais. River cruise ships. Vineyard estates. Church steeples. Water towers. Colourful Channel markers. It’s a beautiful day in this neighborhood. Oh my. Perfect rows of vines in green fields. Each site begs to be described in vivid detail. The gentle wake of the ship rolling towards the shore in persistent waves. 

The ship parked right in town travelling under the bridges. 

Off the ship and a visit to Cite du Vins (museum of wine). Some fun activity. And five wines to taste. Yay. A tram to fountain where we will go on a city walking tour. 

Monument of Girond

Grand opera. (Like opera de garnier, in Paris)

3 moons. Symbol

Paris is a bigger Bordeaux. 

Replicated architecture in Paris to mimic Bordeaux. 

Romans brought wine vine 2000 years ago

Wine cellars in basement 

Big gates, big doors for protection and to collect taxes for people coming in to city

At Andrew’s cathedral. X inside. Killed on cross   Gothic style. Gargoyles. Spikes on top. 

Eleanor of Aquitaine. Movie. The Lion in Winter she died at 83 years of age with 11 children. 

Rue st Catherine longest. Pedestrian at now. 1.3 Kms. Triangle gate. North-south. 

Sculpture for blind people. Water mirror. Bridge. 

Wine tasting afterward at Coleurs du Vin. Women owns company. First one white , 80% Sauvignon blanc and somillion. Then clear red wine out of Merlot and cab sav. DeMeter With very strict organic rules. Less sulphites. Third one is Merlot. Very smooth. And a 4th complementary tasting. Very nice, sweet little place. 

30 Sep we set alarm to be up early. Gorgeous sunrise promises a sunny day. Hotel notre dame. 3 star. Very nice location and price advised my friend. Off to find market. Photos of doors, fromagerie, coffee, fleuriste, we purchase cheese and try while waiting for the tram. Past jardins publique. Exploring Bordeaux. Wonderful. A few churches with beautiful stained glass, large pipe organs. Some kind of soaked cinnamon sweet that others can eat. We spend some time in the most beautiful and interesting wine store, all wines of Bordeaux region, prices showing, round spiral staircase.  Up. Up. Up. Delight at every one of 6 floors. We make a few purchases. 

Back to the ship using our tram pass from yesterday. 

Dublin Ireland. 27 Sept 2025. Oceania Sirena

Dublin Ireland 

27 September 2025. Saturday morning 

Waking to the grey wet morning in Dublin. We can see town and will be provided a shuttle to drop us off further up river. We wanted to be on shuttle after breakfast before 10 am to miss the safety drill for staff. Yay, we made it!  It is light enough rain to start. 

We are on Do Dublin hop on bus. Starting with stop 6. Live commentary which is charming and understandable Irish accent. Places of rich n famous. 300 year old Georgian houses four stories up. Basement for servants and receiving coal through shoots. Doors painted different colours. 

Oscar Wilde quotes. Fun. Everything in moderation including moderation. Always be yourself as everyone else is taken. 

Pearse street, longest in Dublin. Police is Guardians of the Peace. Guns not allowed here. 

Trinity college. 60% grads are women now. There was a time when no women allowed to study here. 

Molly Malone statue. Our guide sang the song. And received applause. Fun

Dublin castle. 

Christ Church Cathedral. 1028 built. Was where Viking first settled. Architecture from 9th century. Archways. 

Viking museum with artifacts. 

St paddy’s cathedral built 1100s. 

No catholic service in over 500 years in either cathedral even though originally built as catholic. 

Built 1701 a library we pass. 

Teeling Distillery at 11 am stop.  Guinness stop. Sold out tour and tasting due to football activity this weekend. 1759 Guinness history. 7 floors. Sold out for weekend. Can take 7000 people a day!  Original owner had 21 kids. 

Another song. Wild Rover with audience participation clapping. 

Pearse Lyons Whisky distillery. In a church. Big renovations. 

Largest park in Europe. Phoenix park. Wellington monument. Flower garden. In 1660 was opened for royal hunting ground for royal family. 

Liffey River through city. Several bridges. Few swans through raindrops 

Jameson whisky distillery. 

There is a famous Dublin pub. 

Four courts of Dublin is very old. 

New courthouse for all Ireland. 

Vikings came in 9th century. 

Ha penny bridge. Before the bridge there was ferries connecting both sides of river. A family charged a toll. Ferries fell to disrepair. The city said either fix ferries or build bridge. It was cheaper to build a bridge. 

25 stops. On this tour.

1757 built Maternity hospital. Still here

As Rotunda hospital. 

we shall stay on a bit more to finish the tour. Our driver is great. He gets off at end of line, start at number one stop. 

Irish Writers Centre. Dublin Writers museum. Clerys department store and the tallest needle sculpture on o,Connell street. “I can see clearys now the crane has gone”. 

We walk about and find some fine Irish woolen shops. The city is alive with anticipation and celebration of big football game today. The Guinness.  The road closures. The pubs. 

We head back to the ship on shuttle bus. We will grab some food, have tea and then share a table for 6 of us, friends for dinner in main dining room. Yay. 

Good night. From Sirena at sea. Sea day tomorrow. 

Cobh Ireland. On board Oceania Sirena

26 September 2025

Beautiful sunny crisp morning to sit outside on deck of ship at Terrace Cafe on Oceania Sirena. Sky is blue with light clouds. The sunrise this morning was spectacular. We are enjoying the quiet as most guests have gone ashore after we met with immigration. A new stamp in my passport. 

We just talked with last nights entertainer, Irish Celtic fiddler dressed in Rosa Bloom sequinned spandex. She was very good musician and entertaining. 

Breakfast is over, warm drinks on the patio. Windmill twirling in the distance and sea gulls fluttering around. The wait staff setting up tables for lunch crowd. Nothing feels crowded here, lots of space and lots of great service. 

Our ship is docked at Cobh. Cute little place with colourful row homes and little shops. Cunard once had office here, I took picture of the sign over the door. 

We are interested in the Titanic experience tour. Starting in Cobh known now as “Cove”. There is no letter v in Irish language. Previously was Queenstown in 1912. Still it is visible- the pier used for titanic guests to disembark. Second largest natural port in world. We are given identification as we enter the presentation. 

I have third class identification for this experience and dear Hanna N does not survive the catastrophe. A view of the third class bedroom which included electricity and running water. Most third class did not have these luxuries at home at that time. 

Loved the tourist shops and whole titanic themed experience. We decide to take half hour rail ride to larger city of Cork. 

Our good weather is holding. Along sea coast sparkling blue surface reflecting the deep clarity of the sky. Coloured row houses on the shore. Shorebirds and low tide. Mucky shores like Nova Scotia with tide out, except the soil and clay are not red here, more grey. A few stops and thirty minutes and we arrive. 

In Cork. We walk and find a tourist information centre as maps are few and far between here. Recommended an English Market, started in 1700’s. We find it, stalls of fish, chocolate, tea, olives and cheeses. I am sure there were other things. Haha. We get some goodies and continue our walkabout. About two hours at this destination and now returning to Cobh. 

Gentle rocking of the train is tempting me to dose and sleep. 

Reading this weeks article referencing the background hum of some doom and worry and the advice is to sit, notice and focus on a miracle such as the beauty of a butterfly or hummingbird fluttering by in search of its goal, a scent, a sparkle of satisfaction. 

We set sail at 6 pm for Dublin. We are ready for specialty dining and the ship is wild and free. Deep discussions over dinner so we miss the show. Now we are spending some quiet moments in the library. Good night. Tomorrow is Dublin

sea day. Oceania Sirena

Thursday 25 September 2025 on board Oceania Sirena. Cute little ship hosting no more than 670 guests. A beautiful size, intimate enough to see people we know and be remembered by staff daily. We skipped breakfast and got an extra hour sleep. We did some laundry and ironing which was fun and timely. Sunny with wind, clear fall day. 

An enrichment speaker talked about the next two ports of call in Ireland. Cobh and Dublin. Not sure yet what we will do. Another change in itinerary so not going to San Sebastián Spain, going to Bilbao instead. Ok.  Onward 

Lunch with a group of solo travellers and that was nice. A dip in salt water pool and I fell asleep in the sun. We can see coast of England throughout the day. Closer and closer. Cobh Ireland tomorrow   

The wifi won’t let me post pictures on my blog but they are on my facebook. My travel buddy created a WhatsApp group and is able to post pics on there. Yay. 

Captains party. Gotta go!!!!