Professionals WithIn Travel – Los Angeles Chapter

  

HOTEL SE SAN DIEGO - by Steve Zeldin    

     Upon arrival at the Hotel Se San Diego, both Mary & I were met with a warm and friendly greeting. During the check-in process we were both offered a Champagne cocktail to start our stay.

     We were escorted to our room on the 12th floor. Our room was very comfortable with a balcony. The view was incredible. The amenities gave a Feng Shui feel. The bathroom area was unique because of the design and fixtures and feeling, adding a special class to the presentation.. 

     Julie was a gracious host. The apartment we saw on the site inspection was just incredible, as was the pool area.

     The restaurant Suite and Tender is unique and an eclectic experience. The food was beyond outstanding.

     After dinner, Mary & I wandered next door to the House of Blues, although I had heard a number of comments the noise level coming from there, I did not hear much. We then visited the club area of Suite and Tender. It was quite the experience with DJ & a young college crowd, especially on Friday & Saturday nights.

     When we returned to our room, a candle was burning and pleasant fragrances were placed on the bed to give a soothing end to a long yet enjoyable day.

     The next morning we ordered room service. We asked if we could have it at the pool area and yes,  no request was too small or large. Our visit to the spa was an adventure in itself.

     The attention to detail & the service were impeccable. Julie Chavarria did an outstanding job in creating the perfect atmosphere. I highly recommend this hotel for not only my business travelers, but for leisure travel as well. The Hotel Se is centrally located downtown to all attractions.

     Thank you Julie for a wonderful experience.

 

ANTARCTICA - by Paula Harness

     On my husband's 50th birthday, he set himself a goal to step foot on all seven continents. This coming from a man who had never left the continental United States before the age of twenty nine. I decided it best to do the continents that require more physical fitness first. Once the order was set and Antarctica top on the list, I then looked at the various ships that offered Antacrctica itinerary. I picked Hurtigruten since their ship, MS Fram, was built in 2007. Since the Drake crossing can be rough waters (at one point we had swells up to 25 feet), I wanted a ship with the most modern stablizers. I will admit that the lower category cabins are quite small with only two twin beds (that can not be put together) with two feet between them. Therefore if you are the type to stay in your cabin, you will need to pay for a higher catergory.

     All the negative aspects of this trip I perpared for were wrong. I packed several books and figured there would be a lot of down time. It took a day and a half to cross the Drake heading south and two days returning north. Although I did some reading, on the first day I attended a 2 hour lecture on the various species of penguins. During that day you went and pick up a jacket given to you to wear and keep along with a life vest. While in the observation lounge (planning to read in one of the highback chairs with foot ottoman), I found myself talking with other passengers. Most of the people on board are very well travelled and the conversations very interesting. Although there were two nights were we had to sit at an assigned table, most meals were buffet and open seatting, giving more opportunity to met follow passengers.

    The morning of the second full day, everybody had to attend a talk on the procedures and safety tips for the zodiac boat landings. The ship has a maximum capacity of 318 passengers but only 100 passengers are allowed on the continent at a time for a hour duration. Therefore you were assigned a boat number and waited to be called.

That afternoon we had our first landing on Half Moon Island. This island was discribed to us during the talk. For that first landing, my husband & I took about half a hour getting dressed in thermals, sweaters, the jacket, hat, gloves and life vest. It ended up we were too hot! It then took another half hour to undress once back on board ship.

    The next few days we had two landings per day and although we had to wait for our boat number to be called, the ship would park in a bay with beautiful scenery all around it or while moving between the stops, we would cruise through amazing channels. You would be out on deck taking pictures or in the lounge looking at your camera to delete the not as spectacular pictures.

     Before taking this trip, I thought we were going somewhere extremely cold to step foot on land just to say we did so. Although it was in the thirties during the day, there really was no wind to cause a wind chill factor. The ship did not have cruise ship entertainment but the crew talent show night was worth staying up to midnight for (and the sun still had not set). The whale watching and walking among the penguins (and the few seals) is an expereince of a lifetime. I thought I would be sending my time doing a lot of reading but the scenery was so magnificent, I did not want to put my head down into a book. I do not think I will ever enjoy an Alaska cruise the same again. The majestic mountains just can not cut it against the serene beauty of the landscape of Antarctica.