Exploring Taos Pueblo: A Native American Village in Taos, New Mexico

The Taos Pueblo is the oldest continually inhibited dwellings in New Mexico - built between A.D. 1300 and 1450.

Approximately 150 people live within the Pueblo full time.

The Pueblo is made of adobe. Adobe is a clay straw mixture typically in the form of sun-dried bricks, but can be poured into forms. The walls of the pueblo are usually made very thick, sometimes 2-3 feet.

Pottery, jewelry, and other locally handmade items can be purchased in little shops located throughout the pueblo.

 Completed in 1850, the San Geronimo( St. Jerome) Chapel was built to replace the original church which had been destroyed in the Mexican-American War.

Address:

120 Veterans Highway

Taos, New Mexico 87571

Admission:

Adults: $16 per person

Groups (8 or more Adults): $14 per person

Students: $14 per person

Children 10 and under: Free

Hours:

Taos Pueblo Hours:

Monday – Saturday 8:00AM – 4:30PM

Sunday – 8:30AM – 4:30PM

Happy Travels! 

Aruba - A Caribbean Island Paradise

Carnival Cruise

Port : Aruba

I have lost most of the photos that I took in Aruba, (sad face) but I will do the best that I can with what is left...

For our Aruba stop, we purchased a day pass to the Occidental Grand Aruba Resort. It is a five star all-inclusive resort.

A tropical paradise is the only way to describe the resort.

At the center of the resort is a large lagoon style pool with a swim-up bar. Two hot tubs are located on an island in the pool.

The swim-up to bar makes amazing banana and mango coladas! And they are included in the day pass! 

The girls had fun playing with the large chess set.

The resort has two tennis courts.

Kayaks are included in the all day pass.

Lizards were everywhere around the pool.

White sand, palm trees, and turquoise water.....paradise!

A beach walk stretches along the beach with little shops, places to eat, and other resorts along the way.

This cute little store was the perfect place to get some ice cream.

The Desire is one of the 6 restaurants located at the Occidental.

The front lobby makes for a very elegant entrance.

We enjoyed our day at the resort. We lounged by the pool, snorkeled, kayaked, and played tennis, and chess.

I wish that you could have seen my best pictures, but you can tell that it was a beautiful place anyway!

Happy Travels! 

A Day Trip to Saona Island from La Romana with Pro Excursions

When stopping at La Romana, Dominican Republic on your Carnival Cruise, taking an excursion to Saona Island is a must-do activity. Although shopping and exploring the port area might not be as desirable, the island is a tropical paradise worth visiting.

We chose to book our excursion with Pro Excursions, located in Bayahide. After being picked up from the port, we enjoyed a bumpy boat ride to the island while admiring the stunning views.

The highlight of our trip was a snorkeling adventure near some old bridge pilings. The crystal-clear waters, white sand, and palm trees surrounding the island made it a truly breathtaking experience. It's no wonder that many movies, including Pirates of the Caribbean and The Blue Lagoon, were filmed on Saona Island.

During our visit, we were treated to authentic Dominican cuisine under a huge palm-roofed shelter. The food was delicious, and the atmosphere was perfect for a tropical island getaway.

On the way back, we made a stop at the Natural Pool, a 5-mile wide area that's only 3 feet deep and home to an abundance of starfish. It was a unique and memorable experience that we won't forget.

The rum!

If you're considering taking an excursion to Saona Island, we highly recommend booking with Pro Excursions. It's a fantastic way to experience the beauty and culture of the Dominican Republic. Just remember to wear mosquito repellent and have fun!

Enjoy You Visit! 

Island Hotel (Mustang Island) Port Aransas, Texas

The Island Hotel was a perfect place for us to stay in Port Aransas . When planning the trip, we had planned on staying at a different hotel. I just could not make myself make reservations though. I am so glad that we didn’t! When we arrived on the island and pulled up to the hotel, we knew that it wasn’t where we wanted to stay. We drove around for a while looking and came upon the Island Hotel. It was so pretty and tropical! We knew we had found the perfect hotel. …and the price was excellent!!!

It has fifty seven rooms and suites.

Our room was large and had a microwave, refrigerator, and free WiFi. It also had the usual soaps and shampoos. The room was spotless! ( Well...it was until we moved our stuff in! lol)  There was not even a little stain on anything!

The complementary breakfast consisted of waffles, cereal, danishes, muffins, and drinks.The island room decor was so pretty! We fell in love with the coral, blue, and yellow paint colors.

The front lobby.

The game room.

A nice pool with a picnic area and a grill.

Pros:

• Friendly staff
• Beautifully decorated grounds and rooms
• Very clean
• Free Wireless Internet Access
• Rooms have a microwave and a refrigerator
• Game room
• Complimentary breakfast
• Pool
• Guest Laundry Facility
• Picnic Area and BBQ Pits
• Pet-Friendly Accommodations
• Close to beach and restaurants
• Great price

Cons:

• It would have been great to be beachfront, but the location was still good. It is about a mile drive to the beach and you will have to purchase a beach parking permit.

Happy Travels!