I am a Nomad....

Canada Trip - Updated Plan, Less Tiring...

2009-07-16T23:06:00.000-07:00

Guys, I made a new update on our (assuming i could still go, but this is really for you guys) Canada Trip. I thought it would be painful if we drive back and forth from Buffalo to Montreal and will waste our well saved 1 day so i looked at another option which will be less tiring, more productive but would shed couple more dollars.

I feel you guys are excited to hear... ok...here it goes.

Sep 3 Thursday
We will now fly from ORD on 9/3 to Burlington, VT.
Rent a car in the airport
then drive to Montreal, Canada (100 mi, 2 hrs)
Check-in hotel
Enjoy Montreal

Sep 4 Friday
Montreal only

Sept 5 Saturday
Montreal again
Check-out Montreal hotel
Drive in the afternoon to Ottawa, CAN (119 miles, 2 hrs+)
Check-in Ottawa hotel

Sept 6 Sunday
All day Ottawa
Check-out hotel
Drive over-night to Niagara Falls, Canada (360 miles, 6 hrs)

Sept 7 Monday
Arrive early morning in Toronto
Check-in Toronto hotel
Niagara Falls in the AM
Toronto in the PM

Sept 8 Tuesday
Niagara area pa rin
Check out Hotel
Cross Canada-US border
Return Car rental at the Buffalo airport
Fly out of BUF to ORD

Itinerary Details and Prices

Flight

Flight: Chicago to Burlington

Flight is not reserved. Book now to guarantee fare and availability.

Traveler and cost summary
1 Adult	$164.99
Taxes & Fees	$31.81

Total	$196.80

Flight summary

Thu 3-Sep-09

Chicago (ORD)
Depart 6:03 am
Terminal 2

Philadelphia (PHL)
Arrive 9:05 am
Terminal B

672 mi
(1,081 km)
Duration: 2hr 2mn

Flight: 1070

Economy/Coach Class, Airbus A320

Philadelphia (PHL)
Depart 9:35 am
Terminal C

Burlington (BTV)
Arrive 11:04 am

335 mi
(539 km)
Duration: 1hr 29mn

Flight: 3196
Operated by: US AIRWAYS EXPRESS-REPUBLIC AIRLINES

Economy/Coach Class, E75

Total distance: 1,007 mi (1,621 km)

Total duration: 3hr 31mn (4hr 1mn with connections)

Tue 8-Sep-09

Buffalo (BUF)
Depart 7:23 pm

Chicago (ORD)
Arrive 8:15 pm
Terminal 2

470 mi
(756 km)
Duration: 1hr 52mn

Flight: 7244
Operated by: /UNITED EXPRESS/MESA AIRLINES

Economy/Coach Class, Canadair RJ

Total distance: 470 mi (756 km)

Total duration: 1hr 52mn

Hotel - Montreal 2 days

Hotel: Montreal

Hotel is not reserved. Reserve now to guarantee rate and availability

Traveler and cost summary

Expedia Special Rate

Hotel: Room 1

2 adults

Standard 2 Doubles Non-Smoking

Includes: Continental Breakfast, Free Wireless Internet

9/3: $81.74 per night
9/4: $84.90 per night

Taxes & service fees

$14.41 per night

Hotel: Room 2

2 adults

Standard 2 Doubles Non-Smoking

Includes: Continental Breakfast, Free Wireless Internet

9/3: $81.74 per night
9/4: $84.90 per night

Taxes & service fees

$14.41 per night

Total

$390.90

Hotel summary

Thu Sep-3-2009 (2 nights)

Comfort Hotel & Suites Downtown Montreal

	1600 Rue Saint-hubert Montreal, QC H2L3Z3 Canada	Check in: Thu Sep-3-2009 Check out: Sat Sep-5-2009

Star Rating: More lodging info

Hotel - Ottawa 1 day

Saved items

Hotel: Ottawa

Hotel is not reserved. Reserve now to guarantee rate and availability


Traveler and cost summary		Expedia Special Rate
Hotel: Room 1	2 adults	Guest Room Sleep Number Bed	9/5: $91.78 per night
Taxes & service fees			$11.93 per night
Hotel: Room 2	2 adults	Guest Room Sleep Number Bed	9/5: $91.78 per night
Taxes & service fees			$11.93 per night
Total			$207.42

Hotel summary

Sat Sep-5-2009 (1 night)

Radisson Ottawa Parliament Hill

	402 Queen St Ottawa, ON K1R5A7 Canada	Check in: Sat Sep-5-2009 Check out: Sun Sep-6-20

Hotel - Niagara Falls 1 day

Hotel: Niagara Falls

Hotel is not reserved. Reserve now to guarantee rate and availability


Traveler and cost summary		Expedia Special Rate
Hotel: Room 1	2 adults	Deluxe Fallsview	9/7: $132.17 $112.34 per night
Taxes & service fees			$14.60 per night
Hotel: Room 2	2 adults	Deluxe Fallsview	9/7: $132.17 $112.34 per night
Taxes & service fees			$14.60 per night
Total			$253.88

Hotel summary

Mon Sep-7-2009 (1 night)

Sheraton Fallsview Hotel & Conference Center

	6755 Fallsview Blvd Niagara Falls, ON L2G3W7 Canada	Check in: Mon Sep-7-2009 Check out: Tue Sep-8-2009

Star Rating: More lodging info

Price Summary (in USD and per Person/pax)

-----------------------------6 pax--------------5 pax-----------------4pax---------

Airfare---------------------196.80-------------196.80----------------196.80-------
Car Rental ($408 total)------68.00--------------81.60----------------102.80-------
Fuel ($120 total)------------20.00--------------24.00-----------------30.00-------
Hotel ($852 total*)----------142.05------------170.46----------------106.54**-----
____________________________________________________________
TOTAL -------------------426.85------------472.86----------------435.35-------
============================================================

Note
* Total for 2 rooms
** Only 1 hotel room for 4 pax is to be reserved.

Other Expenses to allot for:
1. Visa to Canada if needed.
2. Travel food/snacks
3. Admission Tickets if needed

---------------------
PS - i have no time to edit...bear with wrong spelling.

Canada Trip - Estimated Cost

2009-04-25T20:35:00.000-07:00

Canada Trip
Sept 3-8, 2009

Flight option 1 (see related post) with 5 people in the group

Hotel = 4 hotel nights, 2 rooms, $100 a night per room ($100*2*4=$800 total)
Rental Car = Standard Car $250 total for entire trip
Fuel = $150 total for entire trip

Estimated Cost Per Person
Flight --------------------$140
Hotel ($800/5) ---------- $160
Rental Car ($250/5) ---- -$ 50
Fuel ($150/5) ------------$ 30
-------------------------------
Total travel cost -------$380
========================

Flight option 2 (see related post) with 5 people in the group

Hotel = 4 hotel nights, 2 rooms, $100 a night per room ($100*2*4=$800 total)
Rental Car = Standard Car $250 total for entire trip
Fuel = $150 total for entire trip

Estimated Cost Per Person
Flight ------------------- $210
Hotel ($800/5) --------- $160
Rental Car ($250/5) ---- $ 50
Fuel ($150/5) ----------- $ 30
-------------------------------
Total travel cost ------ $450
=======================

Flight option 1 (see related post) with 7 people in the group

Hotel = 4 hotel nights, still 2 rooms, $100 a night per room ($100*2*4=$800 total)
Rental Car = Mini Van $482 total for entire trip
Fuel = $200 total for entire trip

Estimated Cost Per Person
Flight ------------------ $140
Hotel ($800/7) -------- $114
Rental Car ($482/7) --- $ 69
Fuel ($200/7) --------- $ 29
-------------------------------
Total travel cost --- $352
====================

Flight option 2 (see related post) with 7 people in the group

Hotel = 4 hotel nights, still 2 rooms, $100 a night per room ($100*2*4=$800 total)
Rental Car = Mini Van $482 total for entire trip
Fuel = $200 total for entire trip

Estimated Cost Per Person
Flight ---------------- $210
Hotel ($800/7) ------ $114
Rental Car ($482/7) - $ 69
Fuel ($200/7) ------- $ 29
-------------------------------
Total travel cost - $422
====================

Canada Trip - flight options

2009-04-25T20:21:00.000-07:00

Canada Trip
Sept 3-8, 2009

Option 1

Fly to Buffalo, Rent a car and cross the Rainbow Bridge in Niagara
Cheapest but need to be in the airport by 3:30 pm on return flight
Since we will be coming from Montreal, Quebec on the same day (Sept 8), we need to drive early in the morning like 6-7 am. Driving hours from Montreal to BUF is about 7 hours

Total price for this trip: $139.20

Thu 3-Sep-09

Chicago (ORD)
Depart 7:45 am
Terminal 3

Buffalo (BUF)
Arrive 10:10 am

470 mi
(756 km)
Duration: 1hr 25mn

Flight: 4019
Operated by: AMERICAN EAGLE COMMUTER SERVICE/AMERICAN EAGLE

Economy/Coach Class, Embraer RJ145

Total distance: 470 mi (756 km)

Total duration: 1hr 25mn

Tue 8-Sep-09

Buffalo (BUF)
Depart 5:00 pm

Chicago (ORD)
Arrive 5:49 pm
Terminal 1

470 mi
(756 km)
Duration: 1hr 49mn

Flight: 127

Economy/Coach Class, Boeing 737-300

Total distance: 470 mi (756 km)

Total duration: 1hr 49m

Option 2

Fly to Buffalo, Rent a car and cross the Rainbow Bridge in Niagara
$70 expensive than option 1 as the return flight is at 7:23 pm and we have flexiblity during the day as we only need to be in the airport by 6:00 pm. It gives us 2.5 hrs cushion
Since we will be coming from Montreal, Quebec on the same day (Sept 8), we need to drive early in the morning like 8-9 am. Driving hours from Montreal to BUF is about 7 hours

Total price for this trip: $209.20

Thu 3-Sep-09

Chicago (ORD)
Depart 7:45 am
Terminal 3

Buffalo (BUF)
Arrive 10:10 am

470 mi
(756 km)
Duration: 1hr 25mn

Flight: 4019
Operated by: AMERICAN EAGLE COMMUTER SERVICE/AMERICAN EAGLE

Economy/Coach Class, Embraer RJ145

Total distance: 470 mi (756 km)

Total duration: 1hr 25mn

Tue 8-Sep-09

Buffalo (BUF)
Depart 7:23 pm

Chicago (ORD)
Arrive 8:15 pm
Terminal 2

470 mi
(756 km)
Duration: 1hr 52mn

Flight: 7244
Operated by: /UNITED EXPRESS/MESA AIRLINES

Economy/Coach Class, Canadair RJ

My flight itinerary - Chicago to Bahamas

2009-04-25T17:46:00.000-07:00

DELTA AIRLINES.
                                                Meals/ Seat/
Day Date       Flight           City        Time  Other  Cabin
--- ----- --------------- ------------------- ------ ------ -------
Fri 03JUL DELTA 1935    LV CHICAGO-OHARE 700A     V     14C
                      AR ATLANTA       1005A

Fri 03JUL DELTA 375     LV ATLANTA       1100A          17C
                      AR NASSAU        109P      COACH

Mon 06JUL DELTA 372     LV NASSAU        740A           14C
                      AR ATLANTA       1000A     COACH

Mon 06JUL DELTA 1938    LV ATLANTA       1110A    V     13C
                      AR CHICAGO-OHARE 1218P     COACH

Bahamas Itinerary

2009-04-25T17:37:00.001-07:00

My friend, Cathy from Bahamas sent this itinerary.

July 3 – we can pick you up (just send us your flight number)

- We can have lunch at Compass Point and I’ll check if I can take the rest of the afternoon off. Mag city tour (it will take 2 hours lang. car trip from east to west), then downtown (library, queen stairways, museum [$5 or 10], cabbage beach).

- Do you want to see the (andrasta) birds zoo and fort charlotte (with cover charge). We have other forts which are the free (montague fort). Part of the city tour pero may take the whole afternoon kasi me bayad. Ayaw naman nyo sigurong 30mins lang inside. sayang ang bayad. Haha.

- Dinner at Paradise Island (your choice of restaurant – prices are ranging from $20 - $50)

- Do you like to bar hop? Two major hot spots are Fluid (downtown) and Aura (Atlantis) both have cover charge of $20. Bambu is free while Senor Frog ($7) which is quite popular to the spring breakers and tourists.

July 4 – 5 (your choice of the following)

- snorkeling (I think this is around $20-50 – I have to check)

- Power boat to exuma (pink sand) cost $200 – 8am to 6pm day trip only which includes

o Full day trip to Ship Channel Cay

o Powerboat cruise to Allens Cay and Ship Channel Cay

o Feefing sharks, stingrays and iguana

o Guide nature trek of the island

o Guided snorkel of the reef

o Buffet lunch and fully stocked open bar

o Snorkeling equipment provided

- Aquaventure in Atlantis – slides, beach and swimming pool

- If there is Filipino gathering (most probably drinking binge party) that weekend, would you like to go?

- Discovery dive ($99) includes one dive and training in the morning

- Catholic mass (Sat 630p; Sun 830a and 10a) / Christian service (730a ata. Need to check)

White Water Rafting - July 17 to 19

2009-04-22T22:32:00.001-07:00

White water rafting

(per head)
Rafting trip - $25
Add $7 if you want wet suit and 5 for spray jacket/gloves (optional)

Camping

per head
Camping fee - 8 per night

Add $5 for electricity per site

Total per person - $33 (basic)

Suggested Date

July 17-19

Itinerary

July 17 Friday pm - drive to WI - 5 hrs
July 18 Saturday am - White water rafting at 9 am (3-5 hrs)
pm - TBD
July 19 Sunday am - boating
pm - drive back to Chicago

---------------

Reservation policies
"A deposit of at least 50% is required within seven days to secure your reservation, full payment is required if your reservation is within 30 days. Upon receipt of your deposit we will book your reservation and send you a reservation confirmation. Balance is due at least 30 days before the date. Reservations are NON-REFUNDABLE"

--------------------

Other needs

-Camping gears
- food, jokes, stories..games?

Transportation

Let's limit the number of cars to use to save time and gas... will split the cost of the gas.... who has a big car?

-------------------
What you need to do?

- If interested, sign-up below and pay reservation fee- 50% now (another 50% 30 days before the date)
- Or suggest another date if you have a conflict on the above date and we will discuss....

-----------------------

Need more information? Concern about safety? Check their website and you'll find more information.

http://www.kosirs.com/welcome.html

--------------------------

\

Photo: Palmer House Chicago

2009-04-19T22:42:00.000-07:00

Palmer House building along Monroe Ave in Chicago, IL
Photo taken by RS Castro

The Bahamas Trip - July 3--6

2009-04-19T14:54:00.001-07:00

Tentative--- as invited/requested by friends from the Bahamas

July 10-July 13
Friday-Monday

Depart – Fri Jul 10 2009
Delta Flight 1935
Departs: 7:00a O'Hare International (ORD)
(with connection in Atlanta, GA)
Arrives: 1:09p Intl (NAS)

Return – Mon Jul 13 2009
Delta Flight 372
Departs: 7:40a Intl (NAS)
(with connection in Atlanta, GA)
Arrives: 12:18p O'Hare International (ORD)

Total Price $293.00 round trip. The Cheapest so far!

Christmas and New Year's Plan

2009-04-03T12:07:00.000-07:00

Tentative Plan

Need to get away from winter

Dec 24-28
San Francisco and the rest of the Bay
Sacramento

Dec 29 to Jan 2
LA - meet friends
Orange County - meet relatives
Pasadena - to watch Parade of Roses

Probably traveling with Je-ar
Friends are open to join

Chicago Summer Plans

2009-04-01T16:34:00.000-07:00

Summer Adventure

1. Kayak along Chicago River and Lake Michigan - http://www.lpbc.net/kayak-instruction/default.html

2. White water rafting and Camping http://www.kosirs.com/rivers.html#SUMMER

3. Skydive http://www.skydivechicago.com/

4. Just camping in the National Parks (starved rock?)

5. Outdoor Paintball -http://www.thebadlandz.com/index.htm

Events

1. Air and Water Show

2. Venetian Night

3. Taste of Chicago

4. Lollapalooza - http://www.lollapalooza.com/default.asp?fd=1

Wedding Pictures

2009-03-31T22:06:00.000-07:00

Sorry Friends....you are fooled by me.. Minsan lang to...

Happy April Fools Day!!!

Be carefull today!

Europe Trip Leg 3 - Spring 2010

2009-03-30T20:30:00.000-07:00

Blueprint of next year's Europe Trip.

Tentative Schedule - 2 weeks, Spring of 2010
May 16-30, 2010

Itinerary:

France = Paris and Versailles
Switzerland= Geneva and Zermatt
Italy = Milano>Venezia>Firenze>Pisa>Roma>Napoli

Fly to Paris-Charles De Gaulle Airport and return through Naples Airport, Italiy

Estimated Expenses

Airfare= round trip from Chicago $600

Need a eurail for 3 countries - est $400

Hotel - est $500 per head for 2 weeks

Daily food/misc= est $500 for 2 weeks

Total estd expense= $2,000.

OPEN for my friends to join!!!!

Canada Trip - Fall 2009

2009-03-30T20:21:00.001-07:00

See latest itinerary and travel plans:

3-Sep
Thursday PTO
AM-Arive in Bufallo - 10 AM
AM-Check-in in Niagara, ON
PM- NIAGARA FALLS

4-Sep
Friday Holiday
AM - NIAGRA FALLS / Toronto
PM - Toronto
Late night or early morning drive to Ottawa ( 360 miles, 6 hrs)

5-Sep
Saturday Weekend
AM Ottawa
PM drive to Montreal (120 miles, 2 hrs)
PM Check-in to Montreal hotel

6-Sep
Sunday Weekend
Montreal

7-Sep
Monday PTO
Montreal

8-Sep
Tuesday PTO
Early AM - drive to Buffallo (386 miles, 7 hrs)
Need to catch 5 pm flight.
Need to be in the airpot at 3 pm so need to leave Montreal at
7 in the AM

FLIGHT Options
Flight via American Airlines - $140 round-trip
Depart ORD Sept 3, 7:45 AM Arrive BUF 10:10AM
Depart BUF Sept 8, 5:00 PM Arrive ORD 5:45PM

Alternative return via Southwest Chicago MDW - $70 one-way
Depart BUF Sept 8, 7:30 PM Arrive MDW 8:30 PM