Travel Tip: Here are some great websites for finding the best rates for your travel needs:

www.kayak.com

www.farecompare.com

www.arifarewatchdog.com

It's always best to check with the airline as well before booking through another online site. Sometimes a last minute fare change is there before it hits the search sites.   

On the World Wide Web: Writer's Wanderings

Encouragement Emporium  

Karen's Homepage   

 PositivelyFeminine.com-column

 ClevelandSeniors.com                 

Smiles:

When a fellow called a motel and asked how much they charged for a room, the clerk told him that the rates depended on room size and number of people. “Do you take children?” the man asked.
“No, sir,” replied the clerk. “Only cash and credit cards.”
 

"Out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks." Matthew 12:34

Karen is scheduling speaking engagements now for the fall and spring. Check out some of her speaking topics at her website.

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August found us diving in Grand Cayman. So far, it's our favorite diving spot in the Caribbean. We like to stay on the East End of the island away from Seven Mile Beach. It's quiet and relaxing and there are no crowds on cruise ship days.

For the second year, we stayed at the Reef Resort. It has a beautiful beach and great accommodations. We got an economy room with a small refrigerator, a microwave, coffeemaker, and toaster. I only set the smoke alarm off once this time making breakfast and lunch.

Hell now has a zip code. Really! But it's still closed on Sundays. The Caymanians were having difficulty ordering online because there were no zip codes for the islands. The postal department has now divided all three islands into postal zones and assigned zip codes. So, yes, Hell, Grand Cayman, has a zip code.

Thankfully, Cayman has been spared any direct hits from hurricanes since Ivan. The island was looking much better than it did on our visit last year. All of the trash piles have been cleaned up. (I'd still like to know where they put all that stuff--or maybe not.) Many houses are still being repaired or rebuilt but there are still many more that have been abandoned and are for sale. Some were very nice large homes before Ivan.

Oh yes, the diving. We managed a couple of shark encounters, found some big lobsters, a few flounders, and enjoyed all the beautiful colored fish that God has painted the Caribbean with.

 Thanks for letting me into your e-mail box once again!

Smiles,  Karen

In A Pickle, my novel about a 70 year old widowed pickle entrepreneur who mistakenly puts marijuana in her pickle recipe is still awaiting a contract. If it doesn't come soon, Annie Pickels is going to turn 71. It has been an 8 month wait but, in the meantime, I have put together a proposal for a book on encouragement: working title: SMILE Power. For a little taste go to my Encouragement Emporium. The proposal is in the capable hands of my agent who says he has some interested editors. I never knew the scripture that says, "Wait on the Lord," would be so hard to follow.

 The two books, The Bad Hair Day Book and Ho Ho Ho, to which I am a contributing author are now available on Amazon.com.

Not ready to pack your bags for adventure? The seasons are changing. The warmer climates are cooling down. The cooler climates are about to burst into colorful foliage. Find a walking trail and take a hike. In the words of the American Heart Association: "It'll be heart-healthy!"

Note: If you've enjoyed this newsletter, please forward it on to a friend. They can subscribe at my website.

I was reading an article in the Cleveland Plain Dealer a few weeks ago about a travel writer with a really tough job. He is at sea more than 200 days a year evaluating ships for the Berlitz Complete Guide to Cruising & Cruise Ships.

This year Douglas Ward has added only one five star rating and it went to a ship that I am not at all familiar with: Hapag-Lloyd Cruises' Europa. It's a smaller ship, 450 passengers, no casino. Ward describes many amenities and small touches such as cloth doilies beneath drinks. (Does that mean we have to keep our pinkies straight when we drink our Diet Coke?)

I was surprised to find that spa treatments had once been a part of the ticket price. Other changes he noted with extra charges were pricey alternative restaurants, expensive onboard shops, and art auctions.

He does agree with me however. One of the best trips is the cruise to Antarctica.

You paid how much??

Unless you want to feel bad, you never ask someone on an airplane how much they paid for their ticket. It will usually be cheaper than yours if you're not a savvy shopper. The same can be said for comparing prices on a cruise ticket.

We are about to embark on a 9 night cruise (why do they count nights?) for $499. I ask you, where can you go and find hotels with meals and entertainment included as well as your transportation between destinations for $55/night. Ah, but you see, the cruise company is counting on you spending money elsewhere. Here's a few places of temptation:

Excursions--If you are cruising the Caribbean, most of the excursions can be done on your own by grabbing a taxi or even renting a car. Check out your destinations ahead of time on the internet and see what is available. It could save you some bucks. Just be sure it's a safe port. Places like Columbia and Guatemala are not the countries where you want to go off on your own.

Alternate dining--Prices seem to be going up on these lovely restaurants. If the budget allows and/or it's a special occasion, plan one night out. It usually costs between $20-40 extra/person. Otherwise, check out the buffet area. Many ships are turning them into little evening restaurants with minimal or no charge. The Celebrity ships have a no-charge sushi bar every night. Take it out on the back deck as the sun sets and you have the ambiance of a fine restaurant.

Art Auctions--If you can't sit on your hands, don't go. It is an interesting place to learn about prints and artists but my guess is you can find some better bargains back home.

Casinos--Do I really have to spell this one out? If you must, take a minimum amount and go to the show when you run out of money--and you probably will run out of money.

Drinks--You would expect to pay extra for alcoholic and special drinks and on most ships, you do. Some of the upscale ships include wine with meals and/or a mini bar. If you are not a drinker, that's a lot of extra charges in your original ticket price. To save on those soft drinks, buy a can of soda instead of a glass. The price is usually less. Some ships have a beverage ticket you can buy but unless you are really hooked on those soft drinks it probably won't save you much.

Onboard Shops--Window shopping without taking your cruise card out of your pocket is the best policy for saving money.