Central Mexico - Mexico City, Puebla City, Oaxaca - Travel Adventure

Central Mexico - Mexico City, Puebla City, Oaxaca - Travel Adventure

Just the Facts

I’m traveling solo on another Gate1 travel tour of central Mexico.  We overnight in Mexico City, Puebla, and Oaxaca and visit several other cities and tourist sites along the way.  This is my first visit to this area of Mexico in 43 years and my first visit to Puebla and Oaxaca.

Thursday, March 27th - Travel to Mexico City

I took a Lift ride to TPA airport for my 4:50 p.m. direct AeroMexico flight to Mexico City.  We arrived at about 6:00 p.m. local time - two hours earlier than Florida EST.  Immigration went well, and soon, I met the Gate1 representative and driver.   After a 40-minute drive from the Airport, I arrived at the Galeria Plaza Reforma Hotel in the Zona Rosa area of Mexico City.  The hotel is only two blocks from the famous Angel of Independence statue (feature photo above).  I was in my very spacious room by 8:00 p.m. and decided to stay in this evening as it was bedtime at home.  I did order Guacamole, Pico de Gallo, and Chips with several Coke Zeros from room service…they were great.  I’m actually here a day early as the tour begins tomorrow evening with a group meeting.

Friday, March 28th - Mexico City, Mexico 

Today is a free day for me, having arrived early.  I started it with a very nice buffet breakfast at the hotel with leche caliente.  I am fairly close to Chapultepec Park, a very large green urban multi-use area locally known as Bosque de Chapultepec, so that was my plan.  It was a 30+ minute walk along the beautiful landscaped Reforma Boulevard.  I passed fountains and monuments, but the blooming Jacaranda Trees' violet colors dominated one's attention.  Once in the park, I walked up to Chapultepec Castle, located at the highest point of the park.  The castle has had a long history as a military location, upgraded as a Palace during the Empire period under Maximillion,  the location of a famous battle during the U.S./Mexican War, and home to Mexican Presidents until 1928.  It became a museum in 1939.  The museum has been expanded to include both the history of independence and the Empire period with Emperor Maximillion.  It was very nice, and I enjoyed my time there.  When I was here at Chapultepec Zoo in 1982 to visit the first Panda Bears born in the Americas, my then-new wife and I ate at a restaurant located just outside the park called Los Panchos.  It’s still there and has been since 1944.  A very traditional Mexican Food establishment that still serves several salsas and pickled carrots on the table.  The Flan was amazingly good.  I returned to the hotel by 3:00 p.m., having walked 15,000+ steps, a bit more than my maximum on tours.  After resting, I went up to the 14th floor Penthouse level to the swimming pool and outdoor deck area.  It was very nice.  Our Gate1 meeting was at 7:00 p.m., and we have a large group of 40 on this trip.  I retired afterward to write this review and rest.  It was a great day in Mexico City.

Saturday, March 29th - Mexico City, Mexico 

The perfect weather continues as we begin the tour.  I had another great breakfast in the hotel restaurant.  I again had three fresh eggs over easy from the omelet station.  The Pan Dulce was great.  Our bus left at about 8:45 for the Museo Nacional de Antropologia.  It was in a newer building when I visited 44 years ago and is still considered one of the best in the world.  We had approximately two hours to visit.  We primarily concentrated on the sites we would visit at Oaxaca.  I also had time to see the Mayan exhibits (photo) and enjoy a Coca-Cola in the Restaurant.  At about 11:00 a.m., we boarded our bus for the drive to the Zocalo; however, demonstrators had blocked the roadway before we reached downtown, so we ended up walking further than planned.  We passed by local parks where neighbors did their traditional and modern community dances, local bazaars,  the entry to Chinatown, a Benito Juarez Monument, and then arrived at the beautiful National Oprea House.  We did a quick walk-through of the Opera House, then walked to our restaurant, La Opera Bar, for lunch.  I had the Beef Steak with Guacamole and Frijoles.  It was much better than yesterday's lunch except for the Flan.  We also had Mariachis, all courtesy of Gate 1.  We then walked to the Zocalo (main square) and walked through the National Cathedral, the largest Catholic Cathedral in Latin America.  We then walked to the former National Secretariat of Education Buildings and Courtyards, where Diago Rivera had painted most of his very first Murals in the 1923-24 era.  These were very interesting, especially where he painted Frida and himself (disguised) into them.  I was now quite tired and happy to be waiting for our bus near the Zocolo.  I enjoyed a mango ice cream while waiting.  We were back at the hotel at about 4:20, where we said goodbye to our local guide for the day.  I’m already at 15,000 steps for the day and relaxed until our set dinner this evening at Real del Barro, an Oxahca Restaurant, only two blocks from our hotel.  I had the Red Snapper, Vera Cruz style.  We also had entertainers dressed in Day of the Dead outfits for our group, and it was a nice evening.  I retired immediately after returning to the hotel.  It was a tiring but interesting day in Mexico City.

Sunday, March 30, 2025 - Pueblo,  Mexico 

I woke early this morning to pack and prepare for a travel day.  T did sleep very well.  I took my luggage down when I went to breakfast at 6:30 a.m.  Another very good breakfast buffet with my fried eggs, bacon, fresh fruit, juice, pan dulce, and Leche Caliente.  We boarded the bus at 8:30 a.m. and had less traffic crossing Mexico City on this Sunday morning.  Soon, we were on the highway to Pueblo with one comfort stop and a great view of the snow-covered Iztaccihuatl Volcano.  We arrived in the old town area of Pueblo at about 10:30 a.m. and did a walking tour, seeing many historic sites.  The most impressive are the Zocalo, the Catedral de Puebla, and the Biblioteca Palafoxiana (photo).  Biblioteca Palafoxiana is a Unesco Heritage Site that began in the 17th Century and is considered the oldest library in the Americas.  Very impressed.  We then had a wonderful lunch at La Casa del Mendrugo in a former Colonial Jesuit College.  I had a Chicken entree with two different Mole sauces, mushroom & baby corn soup, and ice creme for dessert.  It was very different and very good.  After lunch, we walked to the bus parking lot and took a panoramic drive around the Historic Zone of the Forts and the May 5, 1862 battlefield, where the Mexicans defeated the French forces.  The hill area has monuments, modern museums, parks, and areas for families, and it was busy this Sunday.  We were then taken to our hotel located back in the historic old town and only two blocks from the Zocalo.  The Qunita Real Puebla is located in a former Catholic Convent and is really nice, in addition to its great location.  The rooms are modern, and the public areas are huge, including a full interior courtyard.  Lots of period wooden doors and Talavera Tile accents.  I went on a walkabout at about 6:00 p.m.  The Zocalo area was full of locals and families.  There were a LOT of street performers and a huge area for children with clowns and cartoon characters.  I'm unsure if this is a holiday or just a Sunday in Pueblo.  I finished the evening enjoying two Bohemia Claras and visiting with fellow travelers.  I’m glad we have a free afternoon here tomorrow, as today was wonderful in Pueblo.

Monday, March 31, 2025 - Tour Cholula & Tonanzintla from Pueblo 

I enjoyed a buffet breakfast in the huge, lovely courtyard this morning.  Scrambled eggs, bacon, fruit selections, breads, and leche caliente.  Our bus left at 9:00 a.m. for our day trip, and we began with the Churches of Tonanzintla.  The first church was Santa Maria Tonanzintla. The building began in 1750, and it has a unique interior featuring many porcelain-looking faces covering all the walls.  It is very different; please check the link, as photos were not allowed.  Our second church was the San Francisco Acatepec Temple, dating from the 15th century.  This church has more Talavera tiles in the interior and exterior than I have ever seen.  Check this link as well, as it is hard for me to describe and to see many beautiful photos.  We had a fair view of Popcatepetl Volcano.  We then entered Cholula, Mexico, to visit the largest pyramid in the world.  This pyramid is only partially restored, and at the top is built a Catholic Church.  This is a huge site, and I passed on the walk up to see the Church and view.  I spent an hour at the restaurant La Lunita, famous for its bar that serves local drinks, such as polque.  I had the best meal of the trip (so far), starting with Tortilla Chips and three salsas.  I ordered a half-liter of polque, which is served in a unique bowl…very different.  I ordered a Pork Chop (butterfly cut) served with Guacamole, Frijoles, French-fried Potatoes (McDonald's quality), and Tortillas.  A great hour break. I rejoined the group at about 1:00 p.m. for the bus drive back to Pueblo.  We drove through the Archaeological area and made a stop at a Talavera Tile showroom, but I was not impressed with either.  We returned to the hotel just after 3:00 p.m.  I went on a walkabout to purchase a Talavera Bowl I discovered yesterday.  I then spent an hour relaxing in the beautiful courtyard of the former Convent and drinking two Coca-Cola with hotel-quality service and ice.  I made a purchase in the hotel jewelry store before retiring to my room.  Some went to the Monday night Luche Libre (Mexican Wrestling), but a hot shower and rest & relaxation is my plan for this evening.  Today was a great day in the Pueblo area.

Tuesday, April 1st, 2025   Travel to Oaxaco 

I was up early to pack and leave my bag out by the door at 7:00 a.m.  I then had a nice breakfast in the beautiful courtyard.  We had a surprise visit this morning by our Gate1 manager’s daughter, who danced for us in full costume.  She is the spitting image of a young Frida Kahlo (photo).  We were soon off on our 4+ hour drive to Oaxaca.  Once away from the urban sprawl of Pueblo City, it was a nice drive.  We had two comfort stops along the way, and crossing the Sierra Madre Mountains was very scenic.  I have been across many mountain passes, but this was the first with large cactus plants growing on the sides of steep mountains.   Very interesting.  We stopped short of Oaxaca at a large roadside buffet, Hacienda Santa Martha.  There was any type of Mexican dish that one could crave, as well as other selections.  This was a comfort food for locals.  We stopped outside Oldtown, and all walked the rest of the way along the old Aquaduct.  We noted nice restored areas along this route.  We arrived at our hotel, Quinta Real, at about 4:30 p.m.  This is the same hotel operator as Puebla, and this hotel is located in a large former Catholic Monastery.  It is a large complex and more spectacular than Pueblo.  Amazing.  At 6:00 p.m. there was a Folklorico Show in the former Chapel area with dancers’ in Oaxacan costume.  We then walked to the main Zocalo for a group dinner at Tre3s 3isTro.  The restaurant was very nice, and the meal was very good.  It was a proper small Rib Eye Steak with trimmings.  I walked around the busy Zocalo before returning the 3+ blocks to the hotel.  Oaxaca is an experience that must be enjoyed.  I can see why it’s considered a special place for Mexicans.

Wednesday, April 2, 2025  -   Oaxaca - Monte Alban

I slept very well and went to breakfast at about 7:30 a.m.  I had Huevos Rancheros with bacon from a set menu and leche caliente.  It was very good.  At 8:30 a.m., about half the group went on the excursion to Monte Alban, the pre-Columbian pyramid site just south of Oaxaca.  I’ve been to many Mayan and Aztec sites, but this is my first true Zapotec complex to tour.  It is a very large site with the oldest temple 3000 years old.  The rest was built during the next millennia.  I had time to see all of the Temples and then sit with a wide view of the site and reflect on the past.  We also beat the heat by going early in the day.  Check the link for more information.  We then went back into old town Oaxaca for lunch at Las Quince Letres Restaurant for the best meal of the trip. I had Filete de pescado tapado and it was fantastic.  I later discovered that they are a 5-star eatery with a Michelin rating, so I made a reservation for tonight before leaving.  I then had a nice haircut in a Barber Shop just a few blocks from the hotel; I needed it as my last was in Cozumel with Martin months ago.  The cost was $200 pesos ($9.87) with the tip…a bargain.  Our second large group walking tour of Oaxaca began at 3:30 p.m.  We went to the Museum of Cultures of Oaxaca, located next to the Santo Domingo Church.  Here, they have items on display from Monte Alban that we visited earlier.  After the museum, I returned to the hotel, skipping the rest of the walk.  Forty people are just too many, and I prefer to do my own thing.  I had some rest before returning to Las Quince Letres Restaurant at about 7:30 p.m. for dinner.  

South Africa Travel Adventure - February / March 2025

 

South Africa Travel Adventure - February / March 2025

Just the Facts

I’m traveling solo on a Gate1 Tour of South Africa, which includes the countries of South Africa, Zimbabwe, Eswatini (Swaziland), and the famous Kruger National Park. This is my first visit to this part of the world, and it has been a bucket-list goal of mine since I was a teen.  

Monday - February 23-24th - Travel / Cape Town, South Africa

My girls took me to the Tampa airport at about 2:00 p.m. for my flight to Newark on United Airways.  I was eventually allowed to check both bags through to the final destination.  The first flight was fine, and at Newark, I had to change to the International Terminal for my evening direct flight to Capetown, South Africa.  After fourteen long hours, our plane landed from our overnight flight at about 5:45 p.m. local time.  Our bodies were on breakfast time, but it was actually evening locally.  Customs was easy as no Visa was required, just a U.S. Passport.  I found the Gate1 transport and learned 23 people on my flight were on the same tour.  We were soon on our way to our Hotel for four nights, the Southern Sun Waterfront Cape Town.  We then met our primary Gate1 representative, Maggi, who had everything organized.  We had a brief gathering where our room keys were distributed and passport requirements were fulfilled.  I then retired to my nice room on the fourth floor.  I then went down to the well-staffed Hotel Bar and enjoyed two very nice Striped Horse lager beers on draft.  I visited with Maggi and other guests and passed on dinner as I retired for much-needed sleep.  (BTW-Striped Horse = Zebra)

Tuesday - February 25th - Cape Town, South Africa 

I woke early on a bright and breezy day, then went to the lovely breakfast buffet in the hotel dining room at about 7:00 a.m.  It was a wide selection of typical breakfast items, including an Omelette Station and my favorite type of Bacon.  We had a group meeting at about 7:45 a.m. with Maggie, our Tour Host, before starting our half-day tour of Cape Town at 8:15.  We were to do the cable car to the top of Table Mountain, but it was not operating due to high winds.  We were taken to Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, a botanical garden featuring indigenous plants and flora nestled at the eastern foot of Table Mountain.  They have an Arboretum, a Conservatory, a Herbarium, and numerous walkways and outdoor trails.  I didn’t walk much but found a bench with a fantastic view (photo).  It was delightful to feel the breeze and hear the sounds of the birds in the large trees planted 180 years ago for Queen Victoria.  Kirstenbosch has won 29 gold medals at the Chelsea Flower Show in 33 appearances.  We passed the Rhodes Monument and the University of Capetown on the return drive.  We then did a panoramic tour in the older Capetown, passing the Castle of Good Hope, built by the Dutch in the 17th century,  the Iziko Slave Lodge, built by the Dutch adjacent to the original Gardens and now a museum, and the Old Dutch Reformed Church.  Also, the City Hall and Statue, where Nelson Mandela addressed a mass crowd upon his release from prison, and the monumental St. George Anglican Cathedral.

We then went to the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, a busy retail, dining, and entertainment district with gift and design stores, diverse museums, and a restaurant scene.  Here, we visited a Diamond Museum and could stay the rest of the afternoon or return to the hotel.  I returned but will later explore as our hotel has a shuttle service. I had a Striped Horse beer in the hotel bar before we met at 6:15 p.m. and went to our Welcome Dinner at the Beluga Restaurant in the Victoria & Albert Cruise Terminal.  It was excellent; I ordered a local Wine, a wonderful Beetroot & Avocado appetizer, and a Rib Eye Steak with  Fried Potatoes entree.  It was good and part of the Tour.  I retired upon our return to the hotel to update this blog and sleep.   It was a great first full day in Capetown.

Tuesday - February 26th - Cape Town / Cape of Good Hope,  South Africa

We had an early start for our day-long tour down the Cape.  There was an early buffet breakfast, and then we were on the bus by 7:30 a.m.  We attempted the Table Top this morning, but it again was closed due to both fire & weather, so we headed south, enjoying the scenic Coastal Towns, Beaches, and Mountains.  Once we entered the National Park area of the lower cape, we saw Zebra and several Baboon Colonies.  We visited the Cape of Good Hope at the southern tip of Africa; it was beautiful and breezy at the Point.  We then began traveling north, going up the cape and stopping at the Seaforth Restaurant for a wonderful seafood meal.  We then walked over to the famous Penguin Colony at Boulders Beach.  It was a great experience.  After returning to the bus, our guide discovered that Table Top was now open, so we went north on a direct route and were successful on our third attempt to visit.  We took the cable car to the top of the famous mountain overlooking the city of Cape Town and the Cape Peninsula.  The viewing area is very good, with north and south views.  Thanks to our guide, Maggie, for getting us there.  Most guests were scheduled for the premium dinner tonight, so we only had a 15-minute stop at our hotel before again boarding our bus for the short trip to Golds Restaurant.  This is a complete African Experience evening.  It began with a drumming session that included the audience and was a mood setter.  All of the staff are dressed in fine colorful Tribal Wear and there many African Tribal entertainers throughout the evening during dinner.  We all had the 14-dish African Feast, which was very interesting and served in a family-style manner. It included Namibian Venison Pie, Mozambiquan Chili chicken Wings, South African Roosterkoek,  Namibian Grilled Ostrich Fillet Salad, and more.  It was a very entertaining evening.  Once back at the hotel at about 9:30, I retired immediately after a busy day on the Cape and then Dinner.  Check the links above for more information.

Thursday - February 27th - Cape Town, South Africa 

This is a rest day for me.  The tour offered optional tours, and most visited the Wine Country.  I went to the Hotel Buffet later than usual and enjoyed a casual breakfast.  The omelet, hash browns, English bacon, and fruit were delicious.  The hotel offers an hourly Shuttle Service to the Waterfront, and I took the 11:00 bus.  A great place to shop and people-watch.  I was very tempted to take a boat tour as the weather was very pleasant, but I passed on the thought.  There are lots of activities and street performers.  The most unique was a tall, thin African man dressed in leopard print and perched on a small stump about two feet in the air.  He made unbelievable animal gyrations.  You would think it was a large jungle cat.  I saw a lot of nice dockside dining options but got a hotdog and fries from an attractive stand.  I did buy some items and then took the 1:30 shuttle back to the hotel.  I relaxed and updated this blog the rest of the afternoon.  I packed and ordered room service: a hamburger and fries with ice and Coca-Cola. I had taken a nap that, in retrospect, may not have been good as I could not sleep later.  I’ll mention the hotel for reference; it’s a highrise near the convention center and the Waterfront.  The rooms and service have been great.  It has been busy due to the G20 summit this week, but they seem to have a large staff, and there is no wait for anything.  The food was good and the bar was very nice.  I would not hesitate to stay here again.  I didn’t take photos today.  So, here’s a penguin photo from yesterday @ Boulders Beach.

Friday - February 28th - Cape Town to Hluhluwe, South Africa 

Today, we had a 3:30 a.m. meeting time in the hotel lobby for our flight to Durban to board a bus for our journey north.  I checked out of the hotel and picked up my breakfast bag, and we were off to the airport at about 4:00 a.m..  We flew CemAir, a local carrier with excellent service to Durban Airport, where we arrived at about 8:30 a.m.  We now have a new bus & driver for the balance of the trip.  We were soon off to St. Lucia Lagoon in Kwazulu-Natal.  We loaded onto a pontoon boat and were quickly on several groups of Hippopotamuses in the lagoon.  Indeed not a common sight where I come from.  On the way out, we also saw a colony of Yellow Weavers and their unique nests.  We then stopped at nearby Jabula Beach, a vast beach on the Indian Ocean, for a photo op and a chance to see the Indian Ocean.  Following an hour's drive, we stopped at Hluhluwe Lodge by ANEW, a beautiful rural location with lovely grounds.  I took an hour nap before the 6:30 p.m. opening of the Dinner Buffet.  I had Beet Salad, Carrot Salad, Beef Tenderloin, Lamb Curry, Roasted Potatoes, and Sparkling Water.  Afterward, I had a local beer and watched the Zulu Warriors Show around a live campfire.  I then retired.  It was a great day in the land of the Zulus.

Saturday - March 1st - Hluhluwe Game Drive / Swaziland, South Africa 

Today, we had a 6:00 a.m. meeting in the hotel lobby to prepare for our first Safari Day.  We received boxed lunches and then boarded our bus for the twenty-minute trip to the Hluhluwe Imfolozi Park, one of the original Nature Reserves in South Africa.  I was assigned Jeep #3 and six others with whom I had already become friends.  We met our driver, Patrick, and were off into the Park.  The first wildlife we saw on this perfect, beautiful day was a large Warthog, next a Water Buffalo, and then a Zebra.  These three will become common sightings throughout the day.  A herd of Impalas was the first large group of wildlife we saw, and we saw many more through the day.  We then stopped and had a Camp Breakfast of Eggs, Sausages, and Sweet bread.  Very lovely, and I really enjoyed it.  After breakfast, we had a solo sighting of a Monkey, then a pair of Elephants with a Baby.  This was maybe the best view of the day.  Two herds of Zebra mingled with the jeep.  We did get a Rhinoceros sighting, but not a good viewing.  Seeing the Water Buffalo take a group mud bath was interesting. Following the Safari, we entered the Kingdom of Eswatini, known by its former official name, Swaziland.  We exited our bus and walked through South African immigration, then walked across the border and into Eswatini immigration.   We travelled to a Tourist Handicraft Village featuring Crafts, including Swazi candles, a Cafe, and Toilets.  In my allotted hour (4:00ish), I went to the cafe for a Sibebe beer, the surprisingly good local Eswatini brand.  I also had an excellent Zulu Burger with Fries and Onion Rings.  It was excellent.  At about 5:30 p.m., we arrived at the Mountain View Hotel in Mbabane.  An older lodge-type accommodation, but very lovely, and yes, it has a beautiful view.  I passed on dinner, but I got some Coca-Cola and ice from the bar and retired to my room to do some online work & updating.  The WiFi is slow, but I am happy to have it here in this rural area.  It was a great day for a Safari.

Sunday - March 2nd - eSwatini (Swaziland) to Kruger Park, South Africa 

We had a nice breakfast at the hotel before our 8:00 a.m start on our journey north.  The first comfort stop was at the Ngwenya Glass factory, then we proceeded to the eSwatini / South Africa border crossing.  The crossing experience was surreal, and we joined locals and travelers in the line extending from the road into a small building.  The hustle & bustle of Sunday local visitors dressed in their Sunday best.  We then walked across the border to be received back into South Africa.  We then went to Matsomo Village, located at the border.  We took a tour of the Zulu Village, but the best was the entertainment.  The Singers and Dancers in authentic wardrobes did a wonderful show for our group.  The harmonies and athletic abilities were amazing.  After the show, we were served a very nice, full African meal in the restaurant. I couldn’t begin to name the individual items, but all were good.  We then began our long afternoon drive to Kruger Gate Hotel, arriving at about 5:30 p.m.  This is a beautiful timber lodge setting adjacent to Kruger National Park.  My room is quite large and decorated with a nice upper-level view.  At 7:00 p.m., we met at the outdoor dining area among the beautiful lighted trees and bonfires.  The buffet was the best food of the trip.  Again, we had a wide selection of African specialties, including salads, breads, entrees, and desserts.  It was an amazing experience in the special African setting.  After dinner, I walked a different route on the wooden walkways to my room, passing the beautiful pool and bar.  Just across the pool was a Hippopotamus casually eating away at the grasses located there.  It should be a great Safari day tomorrow.

Monday - March 3rd - Kruger National Park, South Africa 

We were up early for our safari day and loaded into our vehicles at the hotel at about 5:45 a.m..  We entered the Park at 6:00 a.m. and watched the sunrise in the east as our exciting day began.  Our first wildlife sighting was the reliable Zebra that we saw throughout the day.  Our second wildlife sighting was several Giraffes, which was exciting as we hadn’t seen them on the previous safari.  We then saw a Hyena walking down the road, passing us as we sat.  More giraffes and hyenas as we came upon the rarest wildlife in the Park: a pack of Wild Painted Dogs.  One was wearing a collar, and they are closely monitored as there are so few.  We then saw our first Elephant of the day as we drove to a Rest Station where we could eat the snack boxes given to us at the hotel that morning.  I bought a nice Scone and a Coca-Cola.   We saw large herds of Impala as we would for the rest of the day.  The next wildlife sighting was the best of the day: a large female Leopard high in a tree.  Very impressive, and even the experienced guides were excited.  All four vehicles in our group and a few others soon arrived, as this close and extended sighting is evidently rare.  We came upon a very impressive group of elephants and saw lots of zebra and impala for the rest of the day.  We had a good lunch at a very nice comfort station with a gift shop and facilities.  While searching for Lions in the afternoon, we saw many more giraffes, impalas, and zebras.  No one had seen a lion since 6:00 a.m.  We returned to the Kruger Gate Hotel at about 3:00 p.m. for a cocktail and swim to cool off at the end of the day.  We were fortunate that the weather was very pleasant all day.  Our group met for cocktails at 6:15 p.m., and I went to dinner a bit early at about 6:45 p.m.  I ate light but enjoyed a good Stir-fry plate of chicken, noodles, and vegetables.  I immediately retired to bed, tired from the day's activities, but I woke in the night to update this review.  It was a great safari day at the famous Kruger Park.

Tuesday - March 4th - Kruger to Johannesburg, South Africa 

I was up early for a nice buffet breakfast in the Lodge before we boarded our bus at about 8:15 a.m. for the journey south to Johannesburg.  The countryside scenery along the Panorama Route was wonderful, from mountains to plateaus in the Highveld region.  Our first stop was at the impressive Mac Mac Falls tumbling 70m in two double streams with water rainbows.  Our next stop was at J&S Pedestal, a farm store featuring fruits and local goods.  Our final stop was at the Alzu Petroport, an impressive and popular stop on the Panorama Route.  I’d describe it as a Buc-ees with restaurants and a view.  The dining area overlooks a massive farm with a stock tank that is used by livestock and wildlife, including Rhinos, Eland, Ostriches, and more.  I had a very nice Hamburger and dined on the balcony overlook.  I thought all three comfort stops were well chosen on our route.  We arrived at our Southern Sun Sandton hotel at about 5:45 p.m.  We efficiently received our room keys, and I was soon in my room on the 6th floor of the high-rise hotel.  Soon, my bags were delivered, and I was settled in for the evening.  No need for dinner this evening.  Before retiring, I had time to relax, catch up on the news, and use the WiFi.  It was a fine travel day with sights along the way. 

Wednesday - March 5th - Johannesburg, South Africa

I had a long overnight's sleep, so I woke up early to update this blog and go to the hotel's early buffet breakfast.  All of the breakfasts on this trip have been good, with a wide variety of choices.  Our bus left at 8:30 a.m. for our trip to Soweto.  In Soweto, we visited Vilakazi Street, the Hector Peterson Memorial, the Nelson Mandela House (photo), and the Apartheid Museum.  The Apartheid Museum was an excellent history lesson and presentation.  A must-see while here.  We stopped at a Canbanos for African items and souvenirs.  I did purchase a special belt before we returned to our hotel at about 4:40 p.m.   We enjoyed a thunderstorm and rain this evening.  At 6:30 p.m.,  our group had a Farewell Party for many as they leave tomorrow, and most of us continue to Victoria Falls.  I knew we had a great group, but the party assured me of that with the Dancing, Photographs, and sincere new  Friendships.  We all went to a buffet dinner in the dining room.  The usual SA fare with Roast Beef and wonderful Beets from the Salad Bar.  The hotel served extra drinks as the service last night was lacking for those who went to the MDR.  I retired after dinner as we have an early airport flight tomorrow.  It was an easy and fun day in Johannesburg.

Thursday - March 6th - Travel / Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe 

I woke early for a 6:00 a.m. breakfast and our 6:30 shuttle to the Airport.  Our group is now 21 people, and Maggi is still the Tour hostess and doing a great job.  We took a smaller computer airplane to Victoria Falls Airport, arriving at about noon.  We then went through Zimbabwe immigration ($45 Visa) and were soon on our way to the Victoria Falls Safari Lodge, which faces the Zambezi National Park.  A large natural water hole attracts wildlife and can be viewed from the Lodge.  Daily at 1:00 p.m., the Lodge wildlife person feeds the Vultures; it is quite an exhibition and attracts a wide variety of African Vultures.  We enjoyed a cocktail and atching the Watering Hole until our rooms were ready at about 2:00 p.m.  I then went to the Lodge Spa for a nice pedicure, which was nice.  At 4:00 p.m., most went to enjoy a Sunset river cruise on the Zalbezi River, the fourth longest in Africa.  We saw Crocodiles and many active Hippopotamuses in the water.  Drinks and snacks were included.  It was a fun river cruise, and the sunset was spectacular.  Later at the Lodge, they had acapella singing by six gentlemen in African costume.  My turn down service this evening included covering the bed in mosquito netting, that’s a first for me.  I retired after a busy day of travel and fun.

Friday - March 7th - Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe 

I again woke early for a 6:30 a.m. departure for a tour of Victoria Falls.  The Falls is a waterfall on the Zambesie River located on the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe.  It is one of the world’s largest waterfalls, with a width of 5604 feet. A local guide took us to all 15 viewing points on the Zimbabwean side.  We started at the Victoria Falls point #1, the Devil's Cateract, which also has a statue of David Livingston, the famous English explorer who was the first European to discover the Falls in 1855 and named them for Queen Victoria.  This is also the location of the newer cut in the escartment of the Falls.  Points 2-8  are primarily the new gorge.  Points 9-12 are views of the main falls, each a bit different.  Point 13 is at Livingston Island, which breaks the path of the water; Point 14 is a view of the Horseshoe Falls.  Point 15 is called Danger Point, with a view of Rainbow Falls, the Boiling Pot, and the Bridge.  We walked 1.8 miles in total; that’s about 8800 steps for me.  This was one of the most majestic waterfall experiences I have had.  We returned to the Victoria Falls Safari Lodge at about 9:00 a.m. in time for their famous Breakfast Buffet.  It was the best of the trip.  They had typical buffet items for those in a hurry, or you could order 6-8 items off of a menu.  I had a sampler off the buffet and had Pancakes from a fresh station while waiting on my custom Omelet order from the menu.  I had earned a good breakfast from the long walk.  At 10:45 a.m., eleven of us were picked up at the Lodge and taken to Zambezie Helicopters for the Flight of Angels, a 13-minute tour of Victoria Falls.  It was a great experience.  I was originally planning to return to the Falls to walk over the bridge, but I’ve had enough walking today, so I had a relaxing hamburger late lunch at the Lodge overlooking the waterhole.  Then, a relaxing afternoon and evening.  I did have a final Victoria Cocktail at the Bar at about 7:45 p.m. and then retired to the room.  I turned down the turn-down service this evening, so no mosquito netting tonight.  It was a great day in Victoria Falls.  

Saturday - March 8th - Victoria Falls, South Africa to Zurich, Switzerland

First travel day and beginning of my return home.  I wake up looking at the sunrise over the African landscape from my balcony room at Victoria Falls Safari Lodge, knowing that this Adventure is coming to an end.  I woke at about 6:00 a.m. and packed before going to my last breakfast in Africa.  The buffet was excellent, and it was a chance to say farewell to the rest of the group.  Our shuttle to the Victoria Falls airport left at 9:30 a.m.  We arrived at the Johannesburg Tambo Airport at about 2:30 p.m., and I checked in for my 8:00 p.m. flight with Swiss Air.  All was good for the first leg, but no boarding information for my 2nd to the USA.  The flight was tough for me @ 11+ hours of flight time.  I’m glad I’m splitting up the two 11-hour flight segments.

Sunday - March 9th - Zurich, Switzerland 

We landed at the Zurich airport at about 6:15 a.m. this morning.  It is colder in Switzerland.  I negotiated Swiss immigration, picked up my luggage, and easily found my way to the Raddison Blu hotel located at the airport before 7:00 a.m..  Fortunately, they let me have my room that early.  Even with the Early Check-in fee, it was supposed to be after 9:00 a.m.  Thanks, and the Hotel is great.  Since I still had no specific flight information about my new Swiss Air flights home, I walked over to the Airport and found the correct desk, and I was now checked in, and with one additional query at a special desk,  I had my premium exit-row seat restored.  Sweet.  I then went downstairs to the railway station and took the 12-minute Express Train into the city center.  I arrived in time for the melodic ringing of the Church Bells from the major Churches in the city center.  Well coordinated and interesting.  Other than the bells, there was not any real activity downtown.  The weather was cool but pleasantly sunny, so I did my own walkabout.  I went over the pedestrian bridges and viewed the Churches and the few medieval buildings. (file photo)  Not really the type of old-town atmosphere of many European cities, but Zurich is not known for that.  I had lunch at a McDonalds, why not?  I found my return Airport Train much easier than I expected and within 12 minutes back at the Airport.  Enough walking for me today, so I stopped at the Grocery, yes a full large-size Grocery Store in the airport for a liter of Coca-Cola for my room at the hotel.  I have never seen so many long cases for ski poles in my life.  Then, on TV, once back in the hotel, there were eight channels showing skiing.  Interesting.  I had a short nap, then updated myself with the news, sports results, and this Blog for the rest of the day and evening.  I had a nice dinner in the dining room and then retired.  A nice relaxing day as planned.  

Monday - March 10th - Zurich, Switzerland to Tampa, Florida.

I woke early to repack, then had a nice breakfast buffet in the Radison Blu dining room.  At about 7:45 a.m....  I walked across the street to the Airport entrance and checked in my two bags.  Very easy, there were few people in the airport.  I then proceeded through security and to my gate for my 11-hour flight to Miami.  Once boarded, I discovered only two of us were in the exit row, so I had the option of the opposite side of the plane so that each of us would have an empty seat next to us.  I actually chose the bulkhead between as I had all four seats.  So I used the tray tables on both sides of me and all the elbow room. I also had my backpack in the next seat for convenience.  The only downside was that, on occasion, people would want to use this row as an aisle.  That ended once I took off my shoes and covered them in the aisle with a blanket.  Also we had 115 empty seats so no queues for the toilets.  It was a better flight experience, and I watched three movies.  We landed in Miami at about 4:00 p.m. local time.  I cleared US Immigration, then had to pick up my luggage before Customs.  They used to have a luggage drop-off after Customs, but no more.  Although my bags were checked to Tampa, I had to roll them to American Airlines on the other side of the airport.  Too far.  I then had to again go through Security again, and unfortunately for me, my gate (60) was at the very end of the American Concourse.  My connecting one-hour flight to Tampa left at about 6:00 p.m.  I checked my iPhone and did 8000+ steps in the Miami airport.  My least favorite airport in the world.  I was at TPA and called for a Lyft.  I had a Tesla-Y self-driving car, and it was super cool.   I was home at about 8:00 p.m.

Gate1 Travel

I was very impressed with Gate1 Travel, and they have a loyal clientele.  The routes and attractions are well thought out through their previous experiences, yet they are flexible as needed.  For example, it took us three attempts to get on the cable cars to Table Top due to weather and a fire, but we eventually made it. I was impressed how they handled the luggage at each stop; we only had to put it outside our door about fifteen minutes before our meet time and confirm loading on the bus later.  Our tour guide, Maggie, was on top of things from the beginning.  She made the trip easy for us and was quite informative.  She was the best long tour guide I have experienced.  I will be booking Gate1, although I will probably be booking my own air travel.

Observations, Comments, and Notes

*    Many women walk hands-free, carrying items on their heads

*    the Rural countryside is beautiful

*    the authentic African native food is to be experienced once, but IMHO not to my liking.

*    The Boer-based country/farm foods are very good, with lots of Beef, Vegetables, and Fruits

*    The local Hamburgers are much better than in Florida, and I had a lot as a go-to meal

*    The RAND vs US Dollar goes a long way for value

*    English and Afrikans (Dutch) are the two most common languages, with 14 other tribal languages

*    Binoculars & Camera are a must on Safari

*    Please watch Penguin Town on Netflix featuring the South African Penquins…brilliant.

*    Having a Zulu Warrior as a hotel/lodge Door Man is uniquely South African

It involves a lot of travel to get there, but visiting South Africa is a major life experience that should not be missed.

MSC Seashore - January 5, 2025

 

MSC Seashore - January 5, 2025

Just the Facts:

Ship: MSC Seashore

Captain:  Pietro Maresca (Italy)  Cruise Director: Eversen Beville (USA)

Ports: Port Canaveral, USA - Ocean Cay, Bahamas (overnight) - Costa Maya, Mexico - Cozumel, Mexico

I’m cruising as a solo on this 7-day cruise.  This is my 5th cruise on the MSC Seashore, my 24th cruise on MSC, and my 220th cruise overall.  I have the NEW Blue-Diamond status, the now highest of the MSC Loyalty Club levels.

Sunday, November 5 / Port Canaveral / Embarkation / Day 1 

I was assigned a noonish boarding time, so I planned accordingly and left the Florida Villa at about 8:45 a.m. for the drive to Port Canaveral.  I arrived at Park-N-Cruise at about 11:15 a.m.  Another change in operations is that we park, lock the car & take our keys with us.  I soon boarded a shuttle bus to the port terminal.  We arrived at Pier number 10 at about 11:30. As the bus arrived, I noticed the longest line for boarding that I had seen there.  I was hoping the new Blue Diamond status benefit would make it smooth, and thankfully, it did.  I rolled my single-rolling duffle bag to the nearby Yacht Club kiosk, was confirmed as Blue Diamond, and went straight up the escalator.  Then, a special line through security and to the Yacht Club area, where you are seated for final check-in.  Sweet.  I was in my cabin to drop my bag at about noon.  Very nice embarkation.  I decided to dine in the Manhattan MDR for lunch, so I stopped at Muster Station G on the way to Deck 5.  The luncheon menu was nice; I ordered a Cobb Salad, the Sea Bass entree, and a Fruit Sundae for dessert.  I then made my way to the Sports Bar to watch the Tampa Bay Buccaneers NFL game.  I eventually went to the Brooklyn Lounge to follow the game on my iPhone.  When the passenger cabins opened at about 3:00 p.m., I went back to my cabin on Deck 10.  My balcony cabin has a Queen Bed, Wardrobe, Large Screen Television, Counter/Dressing table with Mirror, a small stocked Refrigerator, Shelving, Drawers inside the Wardrobe, a large Couch, and a small but adequate bathroom with a solid glass door shower.  I unpacked as I followed the ending of the game, and the Buccaneer's win put them in the playoffs.  I like my cabin location as I’m by the aft elevators, so it’s easy to get to the passenger decks and MDRs.  Another Blue-Diamond benefit is complementary Wifi, so I was able to upgrade that to a full WiFi Streaming package for $35.  Good for me.  We’re docked next to the Disney pier, and I enjoy watching them sail away as they play Disney-themed tunes on the ship's horns.  I will enjoy the balcony.  I’m assigned a 5:30 dining time in the Tribeca Dining Room.  I have an 8-top table with all gentlemen in the 70-80 age range.  That was interesting and unique.  Dinner was slow this evening, IMHO.  I ordered the Stuffed Meatball, a Shrimp Cocktail, the Lasagna Entree, and a nice Pistachio dessert.  Most of the others ordered the Prime Rib.  It was 7:30, and I decided to retire early to get started on this blog and watch some cabin Television.  It was a good embarkation day on the MSC Seashore.

Monday, January 6th / Ocean Cay Marine Reserve / Day 2

Smooth seas overnight and a very enjoyable night's sleep.  The bed is very comfortable, with both soft and firm pillows.  We were docked at about 7:00 a.m.  It was a cloudy and cool day, perfect for walking the beach or island, but too cool in the water for me.  Construction continues on the second pier, more buildings, and another beach area, all easily visible from the ship.  My balcony is on the opposite side of the island this time, but I have a view of the new island where they are placing the drugged sand.  I had a relaxing morning, then went to the Buffet on Deck 16 for some Danish at about 10:30 a.m. I watched the TCM movie Seven Sweethearts (1942) this afternoon and decided to take a full day of rest and did nothing but sleep the rest of the day and evening.

Tuesday, January 7th / Day 3 / Ocean Cay Marine Reserve now Sea Day 

Smooth seas overnight, and I slept very well.  It was a cloudy day, and I went to the buffet for a few Danish and a Hot Milk.  I did a walkabout of the ship on the outer decks, then went to the Excursion Desk to get my Behind the Scenes tour ticket for Saturday, the last sea day.  I had Pizza and a Salad for lunch, one of my favorites on an MSC ship.  The Pizza is very good.  I attended the first Blue Diamond event at 5:00 p.m. in the Uptown Lounge.  They had an excellent solo entertainer and served Cocktails and light Hors d’oeuvres.  There were approximately 20-24 guests.  Each senior officer came by each table for a toast…very nice.  Then the Captain came by every table and visited and took a photograph…also very nice.  I enjoyed a few Appletini’s; thank you, MSC and my server Kiwa from Zimbabwe.  I only had a short time to take two Diet Coca-Cola back to my cabin before my 6:30 reservations at the Butchers Cut Steakhouse.  I ordered my favorites: Burrata & Beet Salad, Hearts of Palm (photo), Filet Mignon, and NY Cheesecake for dessert.  It was excellent, as usual.  The bread, steak sauces, and service were also excellent.  I retired after dinner.   It was a very pleasant and enjoyable evening on the MSC Seashore.

Wednesday, January 8th / Day 4 / at Sea 

Smooth seas overnight, and I slept very well until 9:00 a.m.  I had a relaxing morning with my daily vitamins and a bite of leftover Cheesecake.  As I was browsing the MSC app, I discovered a new (to me) dining feature: the new Sea Day Brunch served in the MDR.  I made my way to the MDR at about 11:45 a.m. and was seated at a shared table.  It was very busy, so the guests also seemed to like this new choice.  They have a new menu with the usual breakfast menu items and feature breakfast combinations from around the world.  I decided on the Great Britain one with Filet Steak (very good), Fried Eggs, and large Chips.  I added Bacon and Breakfast Ham.  I also had my Hot Milk, Danish, and a Fruit Bowl.  It was a very nice breakfast.  It was a cloudy day, but I had balcony time in the afternoon, monitored the markets, and then watched some television until dinner time.  I met the Boys at 5:30 p.m. for the Caribbean-Night-themed dinner.  I ordered the Guadeloupe Coconut Shrimp, the regular Shrimp Cocktail, Blackened Red Snapper with Creole Spices, and Key Lime Pie for dessert.  I then went to the Madison Theater for the feature show Divas.  The crew member who checked me in at Muster Station G was the featured singer, and she was brilliant.  Six featured Singers and six featured dancers, three each male & female.  The dancing was also very good, the best MSC show I have seen since the Covid break.  I retired after the show as I was behind on some work I needed to do on this cruise.  It was a very good sea day on the MSC Seashore.

Thursday, January 9, 2025 / Day 5 / Costa Maya, Mexico 

Smooth seas overnight, and I slept well.  My ordered room service breakfast was NOT delivered for the second time this cruise.  We were docked at about 8:00 a.m., and debark began at about 8:30.  I went to Lido for breakfast at the buffet, and it wasn’t too busy as most guests ate early to get in a full day in port.  I discovered four ships docked today: Harmony of the Seas, Jewel of the Seas, Mein Schiff-1, and the MSC Seashore, totaling 16,000 guests.  I learned long ago to avoid that crowd.  It is a beautiful day with a breeze, so the usual heat here will be avoided.  I hope all enjoy their port day. I will enjoy my cool balcony with a view.  Many Pelicans and Albatrosses were flying about and beautiful blue water.  I updated this blog, read the news about the fires in LA, and tended to some business the rest of the morning and afternoon.  I also checked in with home and did some secure transactions since I have telephone coverage in Mexico.  I also enjoyed my first Coca-Cola since Saturday.  Sweet day.  Tonight, I had reservations for a special Teppanyaki Dinner.  It was the typical Teppanyaki experience but also included a course of Sushi.   The menu courses were Sushi & Sashimi, Miso Soup, Teppan Salad, Misoyaki Butterfish with Lobster & Scallop (photo), Garlic Fried Rice, Wagyu Beef & Vegetables, Caramelized Pineapple with Ginger Ice Creme & Mint.  I was good, but not as good as the Steakhouse.  After dinner, I retired to watch the NCAA football semifinal game on the cabin TV.  A very exciting game, with Notre Dame going to the Championship.  It was a very nice day on the MSC Seashore.

Friday, January 10th, 2025 / Day 5 / Cozumel, Mexico 

Smooth seas overnight, and I had a good night's sleep.  I woke at about 7:20 a.m., and we were already docked at Puerto Langosta.  I had my room service delivered at about 8:15 a.m.  On my previous orders, I had written my cabin number as 299 when I was in 229.  Mea Culpa.  The hot milk and Danish were perfect, and they sent two fruit plates; thanks.  By 9:00 a.m.  I was off the ship.  I like docking at Puerto Langosta because you can easily walk into San Miguel.  My first stop, as usual, is the Iglesia San Miguel Arcangel Church.  I then went to Sensi Spa for a pedicure, and they have nice new Pedi-Chairs, which are very relaxing.  I’ve been going there for about six years now.  The barbershop was busy, so I went on to Woody’s Bar & Grill, my Cozumel HQ.  I got my favorite table and set up my computer.  I ordered a Mexican Coca-Cola first, then some Guacamole, Chips, and Pico de Gallo.  All very good.  They have the fastest internet in Cozumel, Live Music, and good food…what more would one want?  I went to Antonio’s Barbershop for a trim; he made me look 5 years younger.  Upon return to Woody's, I wanted to try the new feature Hamburger, but thinking that was too much for me with an early dinner sitting.  The Bohemia Beers were perfect, though.  It was a nice cooler and breezy day in San Miguel, but I had to begin walking back to the port.  I gave myself an hour to casually shop and rest along the way.  I was back on board at about 4:10, so 20 minutes ahead of the 4:30 BoB (back on board).  Just enough time to prepare for nearly dinner.  I ordered the Beef & Barley Soup, a Shrimp Cocktail, the Penne all’Amatriciana entree, and the Cherry Clafoutis Creme for dessert tonight.  All good.  I retired to the cabin to watch the 2nd NCAA football Semi-final @ 7:30.  Ohio State will be in the Championship.  It was a great port day in Cozumel.  

Saturday, January 11th / Day 7 / at Sea 

Smooth seas overnight, and I slept well.  Room Service was delivered early, so I was up at 7:00 a.m., half an hour before my alarm.  I have a busy morning, beginning with an 8:45 a.m. meeting time for my Behind the Scenes ship tour.  On this morning's tour, we had two groups of 12+ guests, each escorted by two from the Excursion Team and a Security person.  We began backstage at the theater and saw the Dressing/Costume rooms, Prop area, and Make-up stations of the primary Singers and dancers.  Very interesting.  Then we went to the top of the theater to inspect the chief Sound Engineer and the Lighting Specialist.  We then went down to Deck 4 to see crew life areas before going down to Deck 3 to see the Laundry Operations.  Twenty-seven crew working shifts in the 24-hour laundry.  The laundry comes down shutes from each deck, gets washed in huge machines, dried, and then folded.  The sheet & towel folding machines are very impressive.  We then visited the Storage area for various supplies; on this day, they had all the Christmas items prepared to be taken off tomorrow for on-shore storage.  We then saw the dry storage areas for food and Cold storage lockers for Food, Wine, Beer, and separate Champagne.  Nice to visit the cold areas after the warm laundry area.  We then went through the main Galley and saw the prep areas for various foods and the Bakery.  It was a great tour and a lot of walking that I needed for exercise.  The tour ended at 11:00 a.m., just in time for my next Diamond/Past Guest Event in the Theater.  We were served Prosecco as we entered, and I sat low as I entered from Deck 6.  It was a full house, and we had nice music from a talented Duo before the CD (cruise director) did a welcome.  We watched a good video about the history of MSC and two entertainers:  A short Hulu hoop show by a performer from Mongolia (who I met earlier on the Tour) and a young gentleman who did an amazing acrobatic performance with a large hoop.  Then, the Senior Staff and Captain were introduced.  They did serve Prosecco during the event that ended with the Singing duo again.  A very nice event.  I then went up to Deck 18 and did the Formula 1 Race Car experience.  I  did it as it was included with my Blue Diamond status, but that one time was experience enough for me.  A bit tough getting into the race car and even harder getting out.  Afterward, I returned to the cabin and decided to make it a Prosecco day by opening the bottle I was given earlier on the cruise.  I also had some steak left over.  I enjoyed the sea air from the balcony until we sailed into a rain storm at about 2:00 p.m.  I guess this is the cold front causing the cold weather in Florida and the South.  At about 5:40 p.m.  I went to Hola for dinner.  It was a great time as the Sun was setting, and I had a great view of the sunset across the Infinity Bridge.  I ordered a Passion Fruit Margarita and a lot of appetizers for dinner.  I had Guacamole, Pico de Gallo, Chips & Salsa, Cheese Fundito, two Carne Asado Tacos, two Al Pastor Tacos, two Chili Con Carne Tacos, a Beef Quesadilla, and a wonderful Mexican Flan for dessert.   All was very good and a nice way to end this cruise.  I retired afterward to begin packing.  It was a very busy last sea day on the MSC Seashore.

Sunday, November 12 / Port Canaveral / Debarkation / Day 8

I woke at about 6:00 a.m. and finished my packing.   I left the cabin at 7:00 a.m. and was lucky with the elevator.  Once on Deck 6, they were already allowing walk-off guests to debark.  Once I joined the line, it kept moving all the way through Ship Security to Customs at the pier.  Much easier than last month.  I was on the 2nd shuttle bus to the parking lot and on the road by 7:30 a.m.  Amazing.