Meander Ingwa

True fresh banana ice cream. If it is yellow, it is not the real deal. Tillamook Chocolate and peanut butter. Oh dear the peanut butter ribbon they put in that bowl of sin.

I am an IHG and Hilton gal. I dont think there is one over the other here. . Parlay the e card to your advantage. The Fairfield, being near the center might please you with an evening diversion

@Travelling2SomeI hear you. I crave dry pot and have found nowhere here that does it as well as a little hole in the wall in the neighborhood around University College London . I envy you your dining journey!

personally I would give this a rethink. traffic into Seattle in the morning can be beastly with rush hour potentially lasting until 10 or later. you can consider using the light rail then getting an Uber / Lyft. By staying in town, you have pleasant dinner and breakfast options and ample car hire to the dock not sure your budget but Max, Paramount, Monaco, Arctic Club, Sorrento, Hilton Garden Inn on Boren and Stewart would be my choices. You don't have to worry about breakfast buffets since the local coffee shops with contenental breakfast fare are ubiquitous , if you wish might be worth paying a little more to make your experience a little more assured and pleasant

Low tide at London Bridge is at 715am . I have this locked and loaded since I am a Mudlarker. lol I will keep the ferry in my plans since it is served by 2 different rail service providers and Tilbury 1. I was in London in Dec 22 when rail strikes hit before christmas, along with snow, and you quickly learned how to pivot in choosing transportation options

very much like how Chinese in the US is often not true Chinese. The Brits brought Indian cuisine (and cooks) home from the continent and made it their own. Same with the transformation of Chinese to /for american tastes. I live in a region with a large Chinese and Indian population and it is possible to find good , authentic regional cuisines from these countries. I find it easier to find good Sichuan and Hunan in London , however, than it is in Seattle . Indian food is easier given the huge influx of citizens to work in the tech and biotech industry

I like Keens though prefer Merrell. When walking in stony areas I want a little more substance along the sides and toes to keep pebbles out. I have a pair of Merells I have had forever that have fine mesh webbing that keeps the feet clean and is suitable for both in and out of water.

I notice that there is never mention of using Gravesend train station and then the short walk down the pedestrian only high street to the walk on ferry which dock at the international cruise ship dock. I like that the shopping district offers a chance to buy last minute things to take aboard like a couple bottles of wine or tasty candy etc. Is there some reason? I am able bodied and certainly use to moving bags around on trains etc what hesitation is there to suggesting the little ferry

What, no suggestion of Gravesend?

Whats App is really handy when WiFi connected. Does not rely on you phone service providers

tv24 I did not know about the funeral connection. Thank you for this info

totally agree that the metro system is so excellent that you can be where you want to be quickly. I stayed in the Hilton Garden Inn Serangoon in Little India. They were exceptional in their management of my booking and it was easy to connect to the train for the airport. I needed a layover acclimation before traveling on to New Guinea. I took the metro everywhere as the heat and humidity made street strolling challenging. I carried my umbrella for shade ROCruisers suggestion sounds excellent if you can get a high room. What a treat a beautiful sunset would be

Greenwich is immediately adjacent to Docklands light Rail trams which will take you across the river to Canary Wharf where you connect to the Elizabeth Line or the Jubilee Line into London. fast eady and convenient. Or stay in Greenwich eher you can visit the Observatory and the Fan museum. Sadly, the Fan museum does not do afternoon tea anymore. There is sn excellent museum in Docklands is you do not want to venture into London core

This needs to be erased asap. There are other options with local guides, i am sure. I encountered this a few months ago booking a private home. It was like pulling teeth to get accurate information. That was just based on the bank transfer The fact that they have not sent you a confirmation code or something to show enrollment tells me they are, at least, unorganized at worse, disreputable

I am starting to research this subject and echo the thanks for endorsement of Susan Fosse. I also have Husfliden Bergen AS on my list. When I was in Reykjavik I went to the Handknit Association shop and nearly had to be revived when I saw the choices. Swoon

the nice thing about puffer / down vests and jackets is that they can be compressed down into a compression sack ,or sometimes their own storage pocket, making them packable. Just shake out and hang at your destination. I am a huge Eddie Bauer fan and am lucky to have outlet store nearby. It is my hometown fav. I want a sweater and that is my aim for Bergen, my last day. I did not think about a used clothing store. I have found Husfliden Bergen AS and Susan Fosse (in Bryggen) as stores I wish to check out. Husfliden specializes in Suppliers of quality Norway goods of many type products. I am aware of Dale, but dont feel the worth of a coach trip to the factory.

I know that , but certainly not as inconvenient as organizing a large number of cars or taking a bus. During the day it might be an adventure to do the car/bus. Late at night with a quick turn around to the next morning, not so much. Having two easier options may allow part of the group to be at one or the other. It might be a challenge to get sufficient number of rooms all in one hotel

If I had a stop in La Havre I would for sure consider Bayeux Tapestries my priority, Rouen and the cathedral would be second choice. Having Normandy Cidre would also be a priority. I am doing a cruise in January and wish I could visit Bayeux after, but the museum is closed every January The 4 - 6 hour bus trip to and from Paris just does not do justice to the city and your effort I would do London at the end of your trip. Jet lag and timing stress will not make your precious day enjoyable. You need to focus on getting to Southampton London is my favorite city and I would hate you to feel less than 100% during your visit

the taxi rank at Paddington is right outside the Elizabeth line exit. No need for a bus. Because you have a lot of luggage and have some mobility issues, get a cab at the ranks, much easier than trying to whistle one down at another station Google maps are a bit limited in not showing step free tube stations. A TFL map will show you with icons which stations are step free You should have no worries about the Elizabeth line at Paddington as far as step free is concerned

I would call the agent, not presume that they wont change it. That is a terrible booking for that time of day. HIE has a hotel at terminal 4 and it is right on the Elizabeth line. You access the hotel via the departure hall in terminal 4 ( skybridge)

Not sure how much time you actually have on the ground once you get to Paris. A ho/ ho might be a good option. I would then get off at or take the Metro up to Arc de Triomphe and walk back down the Champs Elysees through the Tulleries past the Louvre turn right across the river past Notre Dame. This gets you a chance to be in the mix, look into shop windows of all the fancy stores etc. Once you pass Notre Dame cross over to the Latin Quarter. Find a cafe at a busy intersection ( cafe le quartier on Rue Dante perhaps) and sit outside. admire the effortless style of dress of people passing by and marvel at the audacity of the drivers. If the weather is bad or you are not walkers , if you have time I would visit the museum dOrsay to see its lovely Impressionist collection. However a trip up the Eiffel Tower is probably the most iconic thing you can do, so do it

LOL I have encountered some of that southern softness. I compete nationally in archery and I LOVE when we start at 7am and it is 65. I am in my short sleeves and the southern ladies are in their fleeces complaining of the cold. Tables turn as it nears 90 and I wilt

Not that I have seen. The usual penalty.

Best way from Heathrow to the city is The Elizabeth Line. The are many signs and staff that can guide you. There are no staff to help you with your bags. Hyde Park is huge and if your hotel is near a tube entrance you will have to transfer. It may be easier to get off at Paddington and take a taxi to your hotel. Paddington is fairly close to Hyde Park. The taxi rank is well attended and you should not have any issues. Taxis at other stations, except the large train stations, can be challenging.. The tube is easy to use and if you get in a muddle, there are staff in the ticket halls and on the platforms.

@jimdee3636 for the northern light trip, there are shore excursions that stay out 6 hours or more. Some vendors provide snow suits and heated sock etc. Some have warm huts. Northern Lights are overall, a crap shoot relying on luck of weather snd the gift of the sun 🌞 I know some have reported here that announcements will be made on board when they happen. Some suggest leaving the TV on to hear them. I will gladly get up at dang o'clock to see them