Two weeks in Finland was productive

I am back on the Helsinki Vantaa airport waiting on my flight back home to Texas. I came here 2 weeks ago via New York, and messed my flight schedule as I did not realize that there were 2 Friday evening flights to Helsinki so I spent 6 hours in the New York American Airlines Admirals Club waiting for my flight. At least I got some work done. The flight to Helsinki was good, but had to sit in coach which was not fun. Now I am flying back to Dallas via New York (coach again) but will have First Class from New York to Dallas. The weather in Finland has been warm, pretty sunny and the trip was a success overall.

Final leg on our vacation

Getting onshore from the cruise ship was effortless and easy. The only thing we would have wished that the cruiseline would have told us that we were able to make-up our delay from Grand Cayman Islands. We took a cab from the Ft Lauderdale port to Miami International airport (MIA) and this was a 30 min ride and cost me 81 dollars. At the MIA airport we used the comfortable Admirals Club and the only thing I would have wished is to get a direct flight to Dallas and not via Nashville... Well, we will be home tonight in DFW and that is what matters.

Two days sailing from Panama Canals to Ft Lauderdale

We spent two full days on the Carnival Freedom cruise ship enjoying the beautiful weather and the amendnities of the ship. The ship has a large gym (I used it 3 times during the 8 day cruise) with machines and free weights and it is on the uppermost deck with beautiful scenery over the waters.

We also had to do an emergency stop at Grand Cayman as somebody had to be taken for emergency surgery and this delayed us a little but the current and the crew was able to make it back during the rest of the cruise. We came in to Fort Lauderdale early Sunday morning 9th.

The most interesting excursion during the 4 years of Caribbean cruises (Panama) and 17+ Caribbean Islands

Yesterday was the most interesting day so far during our 17+ islands of exploration so far. We woke up 5.30 AM to get ready for a full day of exploration of Panama City, Panama Canals and Colon, the second largest free port on the earth after Hong Kong. We drove for an hour from Colon to Panama City (second town) that is being completely rebuilt by the protection of Unesco and this city project will take 10 years. From there we moved for lunch to the business city with all of the banking centers etc. And finally to the old city where everything started. On our way back to the ship, we visited the canal locks at the Caribbean side and that sight was impressive! I have always wanted to see the Panama Canal and this dream came true yesterday. I hope to be able to revisit Panama soon.

Limon, Costa Rica day

The morning started in an interesting way. The Costa Rican officials refused to let the passangers to get off the ship.... more than an hour of negotiations and we do not know the reason for it other than Carnival HQ in Miami getting involved in the discussion.

We participated today into an excursion that took us to a banana plantation where we could see how 26 percent of the worlds banana production is handled and how the 10 US/day employees are managing the production line. We also drove down a river into the rain forest for 2.5 hours and saw plenty of different animals and birds. The same river would take one up to Nicaragua if you continue for 6 hours (80 miles) so this gives one some perspective to the country. Tonight we will continue to Panama where we will participate in an excursion with 8 hours of Panama City and surroundings.

Cruising from Cozumel, Mexico to Limon, Costa Rica

The trip continued from Mexico to Limon, Costa Rica and due to the distance, this trip had one sea day (with 2 nights) and our aim is to participate in an excursion that takes us to the rain forest, banan plantation and this trip is done by a bus and a boat. Costa Rica is known of its beauty, coffee and nature. I am exited to visit the country.

Day of beautiful excursion by beach buggy and snorkling in over the corral reefs

We took an excursion in Cozumel where each 4 people had a beach buggy and I was the driver again this year. We had the opportunity to do real snorkling in a very beautiful spot with thousands of different fishes, as well as stingray etc. I have never seen such beauty and this snorkling took 2 hours and I was very tired after that, but pleased. We also visited some Mayan ruines, a light tower and had a chance to do some shopping.

From Ft Launderdale to Cozumel, Mexico

The Carnival Freedom took us during one sea day to the beautiful island of Cozumel, Mexico for a full day of adventure. The cruise ship Carnival Freedom is built in 2007 in Italy (not in Finland like many of Carnival ships). The weather during the first seaday was beautiful and very hot and I took advantage of the fully equipped gym that is located in the top floor in the front of the ship. This makes my day so I can continue on the regular rythm that I want to keep on a weekly basis.

On Caneval Cruise Freedom

Ok, the trip has started to Cozumel, Mexico, Panama and Costa Rica. This will be 8 days of fun and relaxation. This is the first time we are starting our trip from Ft Launderdale, FL.

No more hotels.com

I have to say that I am very dissapointed on hotels.com. We flew to Ft Lauderdale a couple of nights ago and the flight was delayed so we decided to call and notify the hotel that we were arriving late. The hotel did not even have our reservations, so we called hotels.com.... No problem, they said, we will just cancel your reservations to your two room suite and refund... She did not even want to fix their mistake...the hotel was full and hotels.com had never booked it on the one we were supposed to be on.... We ended up in a one room "middle of nowhere" place and paid a fortune on cab rides etc. So, what have we learned of this..... Never again hotels.com in my life, we will call the hotels directly. Hilton will get my money going forward, they again saved us. Hotels.com has been bad news for us every time we use it ad now I have had it.

Caribbean, here we come

Our annual week to Caribbean is here and I am sitting here on DFW airport sipping Stella Artois and having a nice dinner before boarding American Airlines Fort Launderdale flight. This is the week I have been waiting for. We will be visiting Cozumel, Mexico, Panama and Costa Rica... sweet....

Flight from Atlanta was uneventful but nice

I tool the Martha train from downtown Atlanta south to the airport and decided to try to get on an earlier flight... and with my status with American Airlines it was a non-brainer and I was even upgraded to first class. Thank you AA!

Drive to Atlanta, GA from Destin, FL: travel route

This trip is around 350 miles and we decided first to drive to Panama City, via 98n then highway 231 to Dothan, Alabama, along 431 to Columbus, then I--I-185 to I-85 N and this takes us to Atlanta.

To Atlanta Georgia with a car from New Orleans

We decided to drive a car instead of flying to Atlanta and this was the plan: thursday night to Destin, Florida on I-10 where we drove through Mississippi and Alabama to Florida. We stayed at The Palms of Destin that had everything we needed for 2 nights. I am amazed of Destin and its beauty and evening life. Make sure you check out the location of your hotel before you book it so you do not have to use a vechile during the evenings... The traffic is horrible.... It took us 5 hours (290 miles) to drive to Destin the first evening...

New Orleans Microsoft Worldwide Conference 2009 is behind us

A week went fast in New Orleans while participating in #WPC09. The weather was humid and steamy, but with the hotel (Hilton Riverwalk) close to the Convention Center, things went smooth. It was obvious that some places overcharged for things, but I am OK with that as we need to get Nola on its feet again. People were friendly, food was good and the bands on Bourbon Street were perfect! Thanks Nola for the week!

Two night in my own bed and now on my way to New Orleans

Ok, it is time to go again. This time I am flying to New Orleans to attend to Microsoft Worldwide Conference that will take place in the beautiful Nola. Yesterday when I drove with my car in Dallas, it was 106 Fahrenheit, which is far too much... Nola will be even worse, and I will attend to IAMCP golf tournament on Saturday... I hope that does not take people down due to the heat.

When you travel too much, people get to know you

During my flight back from Helsinki to Dallas via Frankfurt, the American Airlines representative was at the gate waiting for the people to get to the Dallas plane. When she saw me, she said "why don't you Mr. Salonen lead this pack to our gate as you have been doing this forever". I have to say that it felt good as I was on my way home to Dallas and that meant that I was almost halfway there. The upgrade made my flight enjoyable as the chairs will go down to sleeping position. Thank you American Airlines.

Return to Dallas from Finland

I am finally on my way back to Dallas, Texas from Finland. It has been an eventful three weeks, lots of kilometers in the beautiful Finland visiting cities such as Savonlinna, Imatra, Lappeenranta, Kuopio and 10 days of these were extremely hot and sunny days. I am flying to Dallas via Frankfurt, and unfortunately have to fly again for a week to New Orleans for a conference so not really having time to enjoy home that much.

Mobile weather alert Detail from WeatherBug.com

Unbelievable heat-wave in my home state and city.


http://weather-mobile.weatherbug.com/TX/Roanoke-weather/severe-weather/local-alerts.aspx?cid=15&aid=42253001

Time to return to Helsinki after midsummer festivities

Time flies quickly.... I am sitting in a intercity train from Lahti to Helsinki after a couple of days of too much eating and not moving around... The weather was not cooperating this time... It was cold and some rain showers that did not excite people to take full advantage of the midsummer evenings. I have to say that I love the train system in Finland... It really works....