I'm Getting A Kindle!

I'm so excited I'm finally getting a Kindle.  A friend got one as a gift, downloaded a book and never looked at the thing again.  During casual confersation she discovered I wanted one - I'm giving her $40 for it.  Can't beat that with a stick!

In other news, the 2012 trip is still sold out.  This just seems really strange to me but I guess it is what it is.  Even though Kathryn doesn't want to read Murder on the Orient Express while we are actually ON the Orient Express I do and now I have my Kindle to take with me!

In addition to checking the Santorini webcam several times a week I'm now checking Fiji, another destination on my list.  It's great, late afternoon here things are just starting to stir on the beach in Fiji.  More on Fiji later.

Santorini Sunset October 18, 2011

Sold Out - Seriously?

I thought the sold out indicator on the 2012 journey would "go away" once the 2011 trip had departed.  Well apparently I thought wrong!  The 2012 trip is sold out and they already have the dates posted for the 2013 trip.  What the heck is going on with that!  I can't believe it's actually sold out this early.  Maybe it's gaining in popularity for some reason.  Oh well - we can always plan on 2013 if necessary.  I've been very neglectful in posting but I really need to change that but I don't want to just ramble.  Wait until I tell Kathryn 2012 is sold out.  She's not going to believe it!

View to the water from my faux house

If the faux vacation happens then the house on one of the Chain of Lakes in Wisconsin will also be happening.  This is the view from the porch looking out on Cranberry Lake.

Poirot-tini

Venice Simplon posted this on their facebook page.  Something to perhaps get in the mood for the train?

All Aboard the Orient!

Seeking a little intrigue and glamour on these warm summer nights? How about sitting back to enjoy the Venice Simplon-Orient Express’ signature cocktail, the Poirot-tini? Inspired by Agatha Christie’s famous character Hercule Poirot, this sinfully delicious cocktail was created while David Suchet, the actor who portrays the suave detective, was aboard the train in 2009. Whether or not you are on your own glam excursion this summer, the creative combination of cognac, Cointreau, and champagne might just transport your taste buds into another era. Remember, as always, to drink responsibly.

Venice Simplon-Orient-Express Poirot-tini

Recipe:
1/2 oz Cognac
1/4 oz Cointreau
3 drop Boker’s bitter or (Fernet, Angostura)
Top  with Champagne
Shake Cognac, Cointreau and Bitter. Pour in to a Martini glass and top with Champagne. Garnish with a Maraschino cherry and a twist of lemon

Santorini

Another "faux vacation" perhaps?  This destiantion may be more likely than the Oreint Express - you just never know.  While watching a "young adult" movie I became fasinated with Santorini.  What a view.  In the meantime I checked on the Orient Express and the web site is still saying it's sold out for next year.  Well we KNOW that's not true!  Perhaps after this year's train begins the journey they will start taking reservations for 2012.  I think that's the way it worked last year.

  

Childhood vacations

In the 50's we vacationed at Winterburns in Three Lakes, Wisconsin.  This is a view from the hill looking down at the lake.  Between the ages of around 3 to 5 (I think) I would run down the hill and hit the dock full speed and jump in the lake.  Unfortunatley I didn't know how to swim yet so my sister and my brothers had to fish me out of the lake many times!  Well I'm having no luck at all getting the picture posted so perhaps I can add it later!  Just figured it out!  Hope the rental agency I got the pic from doesn't mind.

Not so Faux New Shoes!

I couldn't resist!  These were $130 at Halls on sale for $90.  They didn't have my size - thank goodness!  I got online and found them on Amazon.com for $48.50 (free S & H)!!!!!  They should be here next week.  I can wear them to dinner on the Orient Express train ride next year.  They will be perfect to wear next summer with my lovely green dress that I am working to fit back into.  In addition I have some green and pink fabric just waiting to be made up - saving it for when the excess weight comes back off.  Two of my favorite colors - fushia and emerald green.

My Faux Car - Purple Porsche Cayenne

Which Orient Express?

If you look up the Orient Express you will find that there was actually more than one Orient Express.  The Simplon Oreint Express is the one that most people are referring to when they speak of the Orient Express.  This is also the train that Agatha Christie used in her classic novel "The Orient Express."  I use the term Orient Express not only to indicate the Simplon Orient Express but also the classic route, which now only runs once a year, from Paris to Istanbul. 

I told Kathryn I was going to get a Kindle so we could take turns reading the Orient Express out loud during the evening portions of our train ride.  I was appalled when she told me she doesn't read books more than once.  Why?  Like me, she watches good movie many times and we also know the ending.  I'm still trying to figure this out.

$$$$

The cost of the train trip alone is going to be $9,750.  So for Kathryn Corso and me it will be $19,500.  That's one way to Istanbul.  It's too soon to price the airfare from Istanbul back to Paris, then Paris home.  Having many problems with this password situation for blogging.  Hopefully I'll get the hang of it soon.