Meander Ingwa

@Bruin Steve glad that worked out for you

there are two Hampton Inns on 28th Ave There is not a handy drug store or grocery store within walking distance, nor any sit down establishments I would suggest using your map app. Not knowing what exactly you need at a drug store... many grocery stores , like Safeway also have pharmacy and OTC medications and products. There is a Bartells and a Safeway about 1 to 1 1/2 mile south. You may need to Uber / Lyft to one that is near a sit down restaurant.

I would certainly give the company an earful. I didn't know how to get to anyplace prior to going the first time. If this driver is going to be successful in the region they are going to need how to use a map app pronto. If they sent him out without the tools then they are not a company that can be recommended

Was that a Black Cab driver? If so, a huge failure on their required knowledge. Cutty Sark is not only a historic monument, it is the name of a stop on the DLR rail; Greenwich for Cutty Sark Private car drivers are not required to have the encyclopedic knowledge, but this is a major, Google able, landmark that should rise up on any navigation app. I don't buy the drivers excuse

I probably would not trek into Seattle. You are heading into commute traffic to do so. I would Lyft/ Uber to Anthony's HomePort sti Des Moines pier. Not very far from any SeaTac hotel

You do not have to take a tour you can enter on you own and proceed. It is very easy to get to the Tower via the Tube. Consider going for 10 am entry then have the cab come for your tour from there. I don't know how your cab tour runs or if that is an option It is unfortunate to rush through, the armory is also wonderful with full man and horse armors. You book your ticket directly from tower of london, when you select your day that is when you select your time. Just google tower of london, the official govt site will open

the city tram line runs from the cruise ship port all the way in to the heart of the city and beyond, to the airport. You can get up to date info and can plan your journey here. The cruise terminal is about 26 minutes from Prince street which is the heart of the https://edinburghtrams.com/

There is a product called tenacious tape. Comes in a small plastic tube smaller than a candy bar. Serious strong stuff and great for patching rips. I have a patch on my large case that has held on for 15 years. I have used duct tape on the case cover for my sport gear and it does not hold up at all

thats OK it gives further info about the ship that future topic search folks might like to hear

another thought is to look at Meetup. Meetup is a social networking system where you can find and meet up with folks who have like minded interest. Bird watching , recreation walking, language , sport fans, you name it. They are usually organized in city or county so you meetup with people who live in your area. Some are done with ZOom or other on-line platforms. You could join a travel oriented group in your region and then consider organizing one for for your home area.

Yes to the MC or VISA and debit . American Express is not as widely accepted but they work well in airports for lounges. Could probably live in the room safe ABSOLUTELY yes to your medicare or other medical insurance coverage cards. I also carry a business card for my PCP and her clinic as a point of contact for my medical history / system Yes to drivers license. It can be used as basic id. I never carry my passport unless in a country where that is required which in the UK and onward it is not. You can carry a photocopy of the info page ( front 2) but you are not going to need the passport unless the ship advises you. It is a good idea to carry the passport front pages info with you from the time you leave home to return, Just fold it up and put behind your drivers license .Typically when passport control is needed an agent will join the ship and process the passports behind the scenes That is why you are sometimes required to turn in your book to the front office. You can get info from the reception desk, a card that lists the ship name and docking location. If you need help , such as a taxi , it will give location and contact info. You should not have a language barrier on your trip ( except perhaps Scotland 😉 ) everything else can stay home

If you have a map app on your phone, zoom in to the downtown area and enter drug store on the search bar. Walgreens , Rite aid , CVS and Bartells are all downtown, sometimes multiple locations . Bartells is a Washington chain, though sadly taken over by a national, but has an excellent array of toiletries and cosmetics. Usually has a nicely stocked travel size line up

The Boys in the Boat is a excellent read. My number 1 recommend is to gather a picnic dinner in the market then a walk on ferry round trip to Bremerton and back. Time this for sunset and city lights

KIrkwall / Orkney Island is one place I would prioritize a tour, either provided or with a local guide. to See Skara Brae, the standing stones and the Ring of Brodgar and the Italian Chapel all of them unique and wonderful testaments to history.

Nicaragua has been this way for decades with no likelihood of changing. It is ingrained and systemic and not likely to change in foreseeable future. People fleeing Nicaragua have Temporary Protected Status. The infrastructure ; water healthcare etc are poor. The social structure is authoritarian with plain clothes para-police I am not sure why cruise lines this the costal areas are a viable destination. Sexual assault is a mentioned risk.

I have a Viking Northern Lights trip and snowshoeing is offered by one of the vendors as are snowmobiling . I have seen pony trekking (short) offered in Iceland. Check out Belize port stops for cave tubing.

Flybus does private car or van transfer. Highly recommend

I guess I am too recent out of corporate life where Fun Agenda, Team Building, and Happiness Committee were more a trial than a plus. There are simply certain people (like me) where over filled sensory and social stimulations are anxiety producing. When I can control it or elect to join it, all is fine, when it is out of my control or inescapable, it is more challenging. Probably the same reason I have not stepped inside a shopping mall in years. We all find fun in our own way and I would encourage the OP to make a thoughtful and helpful use of feedback to Viking.

Seabourn has a Dalmatia/Balkans/ eastern Med that ends in Haifa. You would have to private or travel on for full Israel

And I responded with mine.

I think it is a huge difference between a typical or expected service greeting and provision at The Restaurant and running the Hokey Pokey gamut on the way back to the ship. Not everyone is comfortable with these type of public situations and should be free to express their discomfort

Check with your hotel. Many flights arrive very early and the hotels can accommodate. Transfers into the city via Flybus are highly efficient. You will transfer to a shuttle van at the central station and be taken to your hotel. You can book a hotel transfer with a stop at Blue Lagoon on Reykjavik Excursions. They will take you to BL where you can store bags and enjoy. Then have transfer to your hotel where you probably need a nap. The company has a lot of excursion options. They gave me excellent service.

when you are traveling solo, and you book a cabin designed to occupy 2 people, you pay for 2 people. Some cruise lines with charge a lesser single supplement, you have to weed them out. you can find bargains by using trip search agents like < vacations to go dot com > I like VTG because it has a solo sale function and tells you what the single supplement is. It is easy to look at how prices trend and make long term plans. On last minute deals it can be a better deal to book and pay the double occupancy price for a quality cabin The single supplement is not unique to the cruise industry. Land tours often have them as well.

F&M is amazing. plan to be outside on Piccadilly when the hour strikes, to see the clock. Excellent tea department, I always get some for special treat at home. Going in a Christmas is an experience. after you are done circle round to the back side and stroll down Jermyn street, look in the windows of the posh tailors and clothiers. Then return around and stop in at Hatchards book store, Londons oldest, Beautiful venue . Just the place to pick up a paperback for your trip. The blocks behind Fortnams to St James Sq are posh old money, for sure

That solstice photo is the best kind of vacation memory . Lovely capture and composition