2005

2005 was a busy year with three big trips -- one in the winter, and two during the summer.  I traveled with friends, colleagues, and family.  The cruise was a great experience, but not one any of us really wants to do again!

January

Spain

   I talked my camp friend, Betty Balin, into going with me to Barcelona over the long Martin Luther King weekend.  I got a free flight on United, and she was on a different flight.  This became important when we arrived at BWI, and her initial flight was canceled!  She had to take the train up to Newark to catch her flight to Barcelona, but after that everything was smooth sailing.  I found a hotel that was nice; it turned out to be in the gay section of the city, and we were in walking distance to Las Ramblas.

   BARCELONA

Besides being a magnificent city, one of the few I think I could make home, we also enjoyed remarkable weather for January!  This was me in Parc Guell enjoying a cappucino.

     MONTSERRAT

   We took one side trip -- to Montserrat, the site of a Benedictine Monastery.  The drive up was amazing since the clouds covered the area completely, but as we reached the top of the mountain, the clouds opened up, and we had a magnificent day.

     FIGUERES

Betty and I were adventurous, taking the train to Figuero to visit the Dali Museum.  I don't usually do that on my own!  It was a fabulous and, at times, mind-boggling museum!  Finally, at the end of the day we posed for the only photo of the two of us!

Travel Companion:  Betty Balin

JULY

VERMONT

I had an International Baccalaureate Americas Conference in Montreal, so Terry and I decided to take advantage of cheaper flights to Vermont.  We started in the small town of Montgomery, known for its covered bridges, for a couple of days at the Phineas Swan B&B. From there we went to Burlington and a visit to Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream as well as the Shelburne Museum.

     MONTGOMERY

This is the Phineas Swann, a wonderful bed and breakfast in Montgomery, Vermont.

This is one of the many covered bridges that we visited and photographed.

     BURLINGTON  

This is such a terrible picture, but at least it is a picture of me!  The carousel is in Shelburne Museum, one of the most diverse museums in the country!  Of course, we took a tour of Ben and Jerry's as well!

Terry and I took a walk in the Green Mountains!

Travel Companion:  Terry Cuzzolino

Canada

I made two separate trips to Canada in 2005: the first was Montreal for the IB Americas Conference and the second was a family cruise to the Maritimes!

     MONTREAL  

The greatest thing about the conference in Montreal was being there at the time of the Jazz Festival!  I did take a half-day tour of Montreal as well as an afternoon off of the conference to go to the Old City!

AUGUST

I took Josh and Kristin; Rachel and her boyfriend at the time, Jake; and my dad on a "Fun Ship" Carnval Cruise to Halifax and Nova Scotia.

We left New York on Carnival's Triumph, a boat that would become notorious about 8 years later when it had to be towed back with no electricity, including toilets and ways to cook the food!

Dad is getting oriented to our Carnival Cruise!

     SAINT JOHN, NEW BRUNSWICK (BAY OF FUNDY)

Dad at low tide in the Bay of Fundy.  For most of the excursions, dad and I went together and Josh and Kris went out on their own and Jake and Rachel did the same.  Ironically, the cost of our excursions and drinks ended up being more than the cruise itself!


     PEGGY'S COVE, NOVA SCOTIA

Peggy's Cove was one of the most idyllic places I have ever visited.  It was impossible not to take great photographs!


      HALIFAX WATERFRONT

Here is Kristin posing on the waterfront in Halifax.

     ON THE CARNIVAL TRIUMPH

Dad discovered that he really enjoys a good apple martini on board ship!

I couldn't leave out this photo of dad!  We laughed so hard because he couldn't answer any of the questions, including what color underwear he was wearing!

Dinner on Carnival's Triumph!

Our last night on board provided perfect pictures of the sunset.  This photo was taken from the interior of my dad's and my room.

Travel Companions: Dad, Rachel, Jake Martin, Josh, and Kristin