We very much looked forward to cruising on the Octantis, which is one of two new Viking expedition ships, and it did not disappoint. This is a ship built for rugged adventure cruising. It holds only 380 passengers and it is equipped to handle the icy waters of Antarctica and the Arctic. What is most… Read More Life Aboard Octantis
Thunder Bay is known as “Canada’s Gateway to the West” because of its location at the head of Lake Superior. Though it’s a relatively small city of 110,000, it has an outsized importance as the hub of shopping, culture and entertainment for the surrounding communities.… Read More Thunder Bay, Canada
We explored this remote peninsula area below the sea, skimming along the waters, and walking through the tiny little town.… Read More Silver Islet, Canada
Our next two ports were on the rugged, forested coast of Georgian Bay, which is the northeastern arm of Lake Huron. The first day was on Killarney, a huge expanse of protected land with dramatic cliffs, marshy wetlands and mixed forest.… Read More Georgian Bay, Ontario
Today we got to play with a few of the toys Octantis keeps in the hanger of its lowest deck. They include Zodiac rib boats, kayaks, a 40-foot long special operation boat and even two small submarines. It was our turn to explore this marine park with the Zodiac and submarine.… Read More Fathom Five National Marine Park, Canada
We knew this very popular resort island would be a special port for us. “It’s like being on Catalina Island,” Joel said, and I could definitely see the similarities. Like Catalina it’s pretty, charming, environmentally oriented and tourist centered. It does have more history than Catalina and a lot more fudge.… Read More Mackinac Island, Michigan
While Joel was paying homage to the Packers at Lambeau Field, I explored the beautiful country of Door Peninsula. The peninsula was named for a French expression meaning “door of death”. It referred to the hundreds of boats that were lost in the swirling waters off the point. We looked out over Green Bay on… Read More Door Peninsula, Algoma, Wisconsin
You’ve got to love a city that has only 10,000 people but has supported two local theaters and a restored movie palace. Plus it has a charming main street that would be at home in Mayberry.… Read More Alpena, Michigan
Who knew? Cleveland rocks! And not just because the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is here. Perhaps because we’re too coast centric, we didn’t know the city has a beautiful downtown, parks, lots of theater, and a terrific food scene.… Read More Cleveland and Detroit
Our first full day on the Octantis was a 10-hour trip through the 27-mile Welland Canal, which enabled us to pass from Lake Ontario into Lake Erie. The natural route cuts through the Niagara Escarpment on the Niagara River, but it’s impassable because of the falls. So we enjoyed a leisurely sea day and watched… Read More Niagara Falls and the Welland Canal
J and J Travel 