Bus Tour of Nassau

Following our Nassau, Bahamas boat tour, we headed into tour buses to tour the city.

We made a couple of shopping stops while on the tour. The first was at a flea market next to Fort Fincastle and the other was at a very high-end mall at Crystal Court at Atlantis Resort .

During our stops, we had to brave downpours while shopping. I picked up a windchime consisting of shells for Greg Lucier for taking care of my cat Sierra. I also got a Bob Marley hat for Larry Lucier as a gag. I told him he can wear the hat while toking on a "Bob Marley joint". He appreciated it.

Here's some photos of the land tour:

Above and the next three photos, Fort Fincastle. Photos by Armand Vaquer.

Above, yours truly with a shop clerk at the flea market near Fort Fincastle. Photo by Mitch Geriminsky.

Above, our tour bus at the mall. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, the Rolex store. One watch was priced at $40,000. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, the Cartier store. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, the mall even had a casino. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, a tuckered-out Mitch after the tours of Nassau. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Nassau Boat Tour

An overnight voyage of the good ship Norwegian Sky took us from Freeport to Nassau.

We arrived in the morning and following breakfast, we disembarked to take tours by boat and bus around Nassau.

The weather was a mixed bag. At times, it was sunny with some clouds. At other times, we were caught in downpours.

The photos of the boat tour are here:

Above, disembarking in Nassau. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, passengers walking to their Nassau tour boats. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, a pirate ship tour boat. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, supposedly this was a location used in Thunderball (1965). Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, a shot of cruise ships from the tour boat. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, exclusive homes, one of which is owned by Oprah Winfrey. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, a ray and fish being fed bread by passengers on the tour boat. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, adult beverages were served on the tour boat. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, your truly on the tour boat. Photo by Mitch Geriminsky.

Above, a view of Nassau from our cruise ship. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, Nassau harbor from the tour boat. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, cruise ships docked at Nassau. Ours is the small one on the far left. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, a short walk from the boat to the tour bus. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, after docking at Nassau. Photo by Mitch Geriminsky.

Yellowstone: Top 10 Types of Wildlife

Above, a pair of bighorn sheep on a Yellowstone hill. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

A few years ago, my daughter and I took two tours of Yellowstone National Park with Buffalo Bus Touring Co. One was of the upper loop and the other was the lower loop. 

Taking a tour was convenient as we were picked up and dropped off at the KOA we were staying at in West Yellowstone, Montana and didn't have to fight the traffic inside the park. We left the driving to someone else.

During the tours, we did manage to see bears, bighorn sheep, osprey nest and bison along with the geothermal geysers and hot springs. 

TheTravel posted an article listing the top ten types of  wildlife to see in Yellowstone.

They begin it with:

Yellowstone is one of the most popular national parks in the United States and is a destination that should be on everyone's bucket list. Yellowstone is particularly famous for two things: having more than half of the world's geysers and for being perhaps the greatest hotspot for American wildlife. Yellowstone is worth visiting for its landscapes and hydrothermal activity, as well as its diverse and rich biodiversity.

Yellowstone is one of the best places to go on a safari outside of Africa, with some valleys like Lamar Valley being noted hotspots of wildlife. Remember that animal behavior changes with the seasons (birds fly south, the musk season, hibernation, etc.), so plan in advance and arrange a visit around the behavioral cycles of the animals of Yellowstone. Out of all the wildlife in Yellowstone National Park to see, these species are some of the most amazing to look out for.

To read more, go here. 

Best Road Trips In Yellowstone National Park

Above, Lower Yellowstone Fall. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The last time I was in Yellowstone National Park (2019), I drove my motorhome from the south entrance from Grand Teton National Park to Old Faithful Geyser.

As I expected, the roads were clogged with vehicles. After viewing the geyser, we headed back out of the park. I wasn't planning on going to Yellowstone, but a friend who was with me wanted to see it.  

My previous trip there (2015) was much more enjoyable as my daughter and I took two tours of the park with Buffalo Bus Touring Co. The roads were crowded, but at least I let someone else do the driving. Additionally, they picked us up at the KOA Kampground we stayed at in West Yellowstone, Montana.

However, if one has more patience than I who doesn't mind driving in such crowded conditions, Lonely Planet has an article on five of the best Yellowstone road trips.

They begin with:

Yellowstone National Park is vast.

It encompasses more than 3400 sq miles and it includes more than 450 miles of roads, providing plenty of space to explore. Driving yourself means you can spend as much time as you like doing the best things that Yellowstone has to offer, whether that's gazing at geysers or hiking the 900 miles of trails.

Be sure to keep your eye on the gas gauge and bring water and food along with you. Also, check the roads you'll need will be open when you plan on coming. Most of the park's roads are closed for much of the year (generally closing in early November before reopening in April or May). Services within the park are also very limited outside of peak season, so be prepared.

Parking can be difficult at popular spots — try to aim for early or late in the day to avoid having to wait for a spot. If you're driving an alternative fuel vehicle, be sure to check on fueling station availability. 

Driving yourself offers freedom and the opportunity to explore some lesser-known sites that might not be part of organized tours, but be sure to see the park's tips for drivers. If you'd rather leave the driving to someone else, there are numerous tour options available. However you visit, brush up on bear safety and read the park's safety advice on wildlife, environmental hazards, hydrothermal features, and other things to keep in mind. Here are the five best road trips in Yellowstone National Park.

To read more, go here.

Sunrise Tour of Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park

Above, yours truly at Artist's Point.

This morning, I got up early (I usually do anyway) to get ready for the Sunrise Tour of Monument Valley NavajoTribal Park.

The tour bus came to the campground at 6:30. I was the only passenger to be picked up at the campground. But there were more people to be picked up at Goulding's Lodge hotel. Our driver and tour guide was Bennett. He was a good Navajo guide and very informative. He also had a great sense of humor (more about that later in the photos below).

We had ten of us in all on the tour. Besides Americans, we also had families from Germany and Belgium.

The tour route had us go along the 17-mile drive in Monument Valley, stopping at different viewpoints. One thing I learned was that the Arizona-Utah border goes right in-between the Left and Right Mittens. 

The road was a bit rough due to recent rains, but the tour bus handled it fine. Thankfully, it wasn't too cold out, about 52°. But I dressed warmly, just in case it was colder.

Naturally, plenty of photos were taken during the tour and here's a sampling (the program put these in last to first order):

Above, yours truly at the viewpoint for The Mittens.

Above, when I saw this, it made me think of the Monoliths in 2001: A Space Odyssey.
I told this to Bennett, our driver and guide, and he laughed and now sees the same thing.

Above, interesting formations.

Above, Totem Pole.

Above, Spearhead.

Above, our tour bus.

Above, The Thumb. Sometimes called John Wayne's Boot.

Above, John Ford Point.

Above, the Three Sisters.

Above, Mitchell Butte and the moon.

Above, the Left Mitten.

Above, The Mittens and Merrick Butte.

Above, on the drive to Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park.

Yellowstone, Grand Teton Parks To Resume Bus Operations

Above, Buffalo Bus Touring Co. that is based in West Yellowstone, Montana. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Things are slowly creeping back to normal at Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks as tour and charter bus operations are restarting.

According to ABC News:

BILLINGS, Mont. -- Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks have resumed large group tours with safety measures intended to limit the spread of COVID-19, including wearing masks and being tested with 72 hours before the trip or showing proof of vaccination.

American Bus Association President Pete Pantuso called it a “reasonable” approach, citing increased demand and interest from people to visit, The Billings Gazette reported. However, he said he doesn't expect charter and bus operations to see a lot of traffic until later in the summer and fall.

To read more, go here.

Mesa Verde National Park To Restart Cliff Dwelling Tours

Above, Square Tower House. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

One popular activity at Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado is the guided tours of the cliff dwellings. They were suspended last year due to the pandemic.

When Mitch Geriminsky and I went to Mesa Verde last September, we saw some people tour Cliff Palace, so it appears that they weren't totally halted last year.

Above, people being led on a tour of Cliff Palace last September. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

According to The Journal: 

Mesa Verde National Park will restart its hallmark cliff dwelling tours that were suspended in 2020 because of the pandemic.

Tours will resume to the popular Cliff Palace and Long House sites. Backcountry tours will also restart for the less visited Mug House, Square Tower House and Spring House.

“We are so excited to invite folks back into the cliff dwelling sites and share the amazing story of Mesa Verde with people from around the world,” said Kristy Sholly, chief of interpretation and visitor services for the park.

Tour tickets can be bought online only, 14 days in advance of the tour date, on a rolling daily window starting at 8 a.m. at recreation.gov.

To read more, go here. 

Southfork's Real Interiors

Above, the Southfork Ranch house. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The interiors of the Southfork Ranch main house is far different than what we saw on the Dallas television show.

The interiors on the show were in soundstages in Hollywood and designed by Lorimar's set designers.

We toured the inside of the house while at the ranch and here's some of what the rooms actually looked like. Some where named after the main characters of the show.

 

Above, according to the tour guide, this room was actually used as
 the murder scene of J. R. Ewing in Mexico in the reboot show.