While out snorkeling on two different occasions I have swam into stingers. Once we were snorkeling from a boat and I saw these beautiful white floaty things in the water around me. I was so enchanted by their movement. Little did I know that these Beautiful creatures carried such an outcome of pain. I soon learned what a horrible experience it is to be stung. I had red welts on my arms and my legs. I would say it felt like bee stings. As soon as I got on the boat the tour guide put vinegar on them and shaved the area with a credit card. He said that the vinegar stops the sting from spreading toxin. The credit card would remove the stingers. He told me not to touch them as it would activate the stings to release the toxins. I was lucky that I didn’t have a bad reaction to them although they hurt like crazy and itched for days. They had me put hydrocortizone ointment on and take Benadryl. For me Ibuprofen and vinegar worked the best for me. It is not an experience I wish to repeat. But last spring while I was snorkeling I started to feel this stinging sensation down the front of my swimming suit and on my stomach where the little sea nettles had gotten caught in my swim suit. It wasn’t as bad as the Jelly Fish but it still stung and bothered me for a couple days. I went directly to the kitchen at the resort and asked them for some vinegar which they were kind enough to give me to put on the welts. I felt an immediate difference. It still took a while to go away but the vinegar and Ibuprofen really helped.

I later talked with a snorkeling tour guide that said I should wear a t-shirt, wetsuit or nylons on my legs and arms to avoid jelly fish. The jelly fish sting when they come in contact with bare skin. So anything that keeps that from happening will help. Some jelly fish have small enough stingers that even the nylon will prevent the stings. When I go snorkeling again especially if I know there are jelly fish in the area or it is the season when they would be in the area I would definitely do what ever I can to avoid these stings. Remember some stings are serious and should be seen by medical professionals.

To start our House Hunting Trip to Mexico we rented a car online from www.economycarrental.com. I can’t say we were disappointed as the price was half of everywhere else. They had arranged a rental from a small local car rental company, Universal Car Rental. The little car we got from them was well used but hey it runs, every things works and it only cost $500 for 15 days. The next closest was $700 for the same time period and ours included the insurance another $400 dollar savings. It was kind of like when we used to rent from “Rent a Wreck” car rental but this one was in good shape with minor scratches.

We wanted a cheap little car and that is what we got. A small car for tight parking spaces and easy turning, less liability and a car no theft would bother with. No it’s an ok car at a great price and the rental agencies were both extremely helpful and great to work with. It was exactly what we were wanting. Being in Mexico on vacation or driving here you are better off not showing off a nice new car especially if you are going away from the city although crime is not bad on this side of Mexico. We were really It glad of the little car when we went down roads. It allowed easier passing on narrow roads and we could do a u-turn with ease.

Vegas Attraction & Fun

I just wanted you to know what is current in Las Vegas. I have spent time going to see several things and found that they no longer existed or the schedule of shows had changed. I hope this helps you.

If you are going to eat at the buffet you might want to get the buffet of buffet pass. It is a 24 hour pass to 6 different buffets. Weekend prices are a little higher than Sunday after 11 am. – Thursday. Ask the cashier at the buffet for the pass.

Las Vegas is still chilly and you would probably be glad of a coat if you are walking the strip of watching outdoor shows.

For restaurant and show discounts go to the tix4tonight.com website or booth to see what is available.

Mirage Hotel and Casino:
http://mirage.com

Volcano Eruptions will be closed until Feb 15th for maintenance.

Siegfried & Roy’s Secret Garden & Dolphin Habitat – Open 10 am to 4 pm. There is an admission charge of Adults: $19.95 Children 4-12: $14.95 and under 3 free. Call to confirm: 702-791-7188

Aquarium behind the front desk is spectacular. The 20,000 gallon tank is 53 feet long and eight feet tall with hundreds of fish for you viewing pleasure.

Be sure to visit the Atrium while you are there to see an indoor rainforest with lagoons, waterfalls, trees and flowers.

Venetian Hotel & Casino/Palazzo Mall:
http://www.venetian.com

Gondola Rides – $18.95 (you may be seated with other if your party is not 4) Private Gondola for 2 $75.80
The time for indoor rides and outdoor rides are different. Outside 11 am to 9:45 pm and Inside 10 am to 10:45 pm. Call to confirm: 702-414-4300

Madame Tussauds Wax Museum – Open at 10 am for closing times call: 702-862-7810

Be sure to walk through the casino and look up. The hand painted frescoes on the ceiling make it seem that you really have stepped through a transport right in to Italy. It is truly magnificent.

Caesars Palace Hotel and Casino:
www.caesarspalace.com

Forum Shops:
In front of the Cheesecake Factory see the fountain show and see the fish in the 50,000 gallon aquarium.

Bellagio Hotel and Casino:
http://www.bellagio.com
702-693-7111

Water Fountain Show – M-F 3pm – 7pm every 1/2 hour. 7-midnight every 15 mins. Sat. & Holidays – shows begin at noon with the same times and Sun. show begins at 11 am and run every 15 mins.

Conservatory – One of the most beautiful works of art with plants and flowers is the Conservatory at the Bellagio. It is Open 24/7.

Largest Chocolate Fountain – Don’t miss this while you are there behind the Conservatory is the Chocolate Fountain. Grab a treat from the Chocolatier and eat it while overlooking the pool area.

Glass Flowers – This is an amazing piece of art seemingly floating up by the ceiling in the Lobby. It is called Fiori di Como. It is 2,000 hand blown glass flowers. How did they ever get them installed without breaking them?? That is what my mind kept thinking.

Don’t forget Fremont Street downtown:

Viva Vision Canopy Light Show – The show is music and lights 12 million LED lights and a 555,000 watt sound system is an experience to be had. In between shows listen to one of the bands performing on stages spaced down the corridor or watch some of the street performs vying for tips.

MGM Hotel and Casino:

Lion Habitat has been closed. Don’t go there like we did and be disappointed. But do go to the Rainforest Cafe for some jungle feel while eating. We ate in a cave!

Coca Cola World and M&M World:

These two stores/attractions are steps apart. Both great places to see and buy things from their brands.

Walk of Stars:

I have not seen this but if you like the walk of stars in LA this may be up your alley. It is between Sahara and Russell streets on both sides of the street on Las Vegas Boulevard.

Treasure Island Hotel and Casino:

Sirens of TI – Show if front of property. Shows at 5:30 pm, 7 pm, 8:30 pm. and 10 pm.

Hoover Dam:
Call for hours and prices 702-494-2517
http://www.usbr.gov/lc/hooverdam/service/index.html

Hoover Dam is a ways out but if you haven’t been on the tour it is amazing. There are many tour companies that you can arrange a tour with if you don’t have transportation.

Ethel M Chocolate Factory and Cactus Garden:
Henderson, NV. Call for hours: 702-435-2655
http://www.ethelm.com/store_locator/default.aspx

Again a little ways out go on a Self-guided tour with a taste at the end. gps address: 1 Sunset Way, Henderson, NV

Las Vegas with Kids Video Podcast:
http://www.boomerandseniortravel.tv/?s=las+vegas

I was recently asked this question and I thought of sharing it here in my blog…

What are the best ways to get local advice and recommendations when traveling?

When I talk to people about apps there seems to be a wide range that people use depending on what service they are looking for. Some of the most common apps are “yelp,” “Local,” “Goby,” “Wikihood,” “XE Currency,” and “Tripit.”

For web searches it seems to be more uniform. Almost all the time I get the response that they look up the location or tourist sights, restaurants, hotels, car rental locations, and peoples addresses on google search or google maps. I know I use this all the time.  Here are a couple other websites I use “Trip Advisor,” and the “Weather Channel.”  More and more people are turning to my webshow “Boomer & Senior Travel TV” for information on what to see and do in travel destination as well as hints and tips that make their travel more comfortable and enjoyable.

www.boomerandseniortravel.tv (get a free printable packing list)
>

How to get a cheap flight? Check dates at least 21 days in advance. Check different days of the week and different airlines as they all can be priced differently.