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Morocco
Feb/March 2019
Birthday celebration

This couple visited Morocco, including Marrakech, Atlas Mountains, and an overnight Sahara desert excursion.  Here are their comments:

"Joe Joe and I had an absolute great time.  The Royal Mansour is now my favorite hotel in the world....The Sahara excursion was amazing....We had our guide arrange a cooking class, and that was special....We also enjoyed our guide and he did a fine job....The food, the people, the city, the desert, the helicopter ride, the hotel, the food, the food, the food...We had a blast and are now carrying an extra 5-10 pounds in our bellys....Thank you for arranging this trip....Balan"

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Singapore & Brunei
February/March 2019

This mother and daughter traveled to Singapore and Brunei.

Comments from Singapore's Mandarian Hotel Concierge:
It is our pleasure to provide 5-star service to our guests!
(Note:  They were awesome in accommodating a last-minute request for a tour and guide in Singapore).

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Susie Mammel
Marquesas Islands, French Polynesia, South Pacific
(3 degrees SW of Hawaii)

Tahitian Waterfall

Sharks Bay Marquesas

 Nomads of the Wind

Matua--Gauguin's 13-year-old wife

Coral sand mask--Bora Bora

Guess Who?

Basaltic Cliffs

Aranui

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Nancy's Birthday Cruise on Regent in Alaska

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Susie Mammel & Granddaughter
Venice--August 2018

The iconic Lion of St Mark:
St Mark is the patron saint of Venice. In the 9th century a sailor had a vision he was to be the patron saint of Venice. St Mark, according to tradition, died in Alexandria Egypt. The sailors followed the dream, advanced to Alexandria, and stole the body of Mark, packing it in pork so the Muslims wouldn’t suspect. It arrived in Venice to be re-interred in the 1st of the St Marks Basilica

Bridges:

We are tracking beautiful stone bridges with flowing curves and sweeping views while wandering Venice. Some have 4 pointed needles atop.  Some have ornate balustrades.  

The Pointe de Paglia is where we viewed the famous Bridge of Sighs from the waterfront. The name refers to boats filled with straw, so named when horses and donkeys passed over. There is a small shrine on this bridge called “the Madonna of the Gondoliers”.  Many of the bridges have such shrines. Another bridge we crossed was a “Storto” bridge meaning misshapen bridge. When going to the opera this was the “L shaped” bridge crossing 2 canals. Of course Venice wasn’t built on a grid!

Bridge of Sighs on right

Artist:  Gaetano Pesce:
We discovered this artist in Padua at the great medieval city hall. The original frescos were by Giotto but the building and frescos burned to be replaced/rebuilt in renaissance style. The artist, Pesce, is an architect. We loved his chair collection and especially loved it in the Pallazzo Ragione grand hall!  Enjoy and watch for the architect-artist!

Joris & Regina
Treasures of Ireland
with Tauck--May, 2018

Ecuador
March 2018
Two Families

Susie:  The trip was absolutely incredible, thank you for all your help! We loved the Legend, it was very family oriented and we met a ton of families who were a lot like us. We also thought the 4 nights was plenty, and it allowed us to explore more of Ecuador.  Mashpi was undeniable one of the neatest places we’ve experienced, truly unbelievable.

Galapagos MV Legend Cruise Ship

 Mashpi Lodge