KAT’S KIBBLES AND BITS

 

Bluewaters Island

Caesar’s Last Month

Let’s Party

Burj Al Arab

It’s for 2020 but we must get a jump on things.  No last minute business can go on for Dubai.  We’ve got a few more days to get a few more people. If we can’t make it happen for New Years 2020 Caesar’s Bluewaters Island then we stick with Dec 3rd At Kempinski.  It is now posted on the website:  kattraxonline.com  If you can’t make it, please pass the website on to your friends that just may want to join in on this fabulous experience.

MALDIVES….I cannot say enough good things about it.  It was all that and MORE. Stay tuned for when we return in 2020.   ANTARCTICA…. We’ve already got a good number of folks signed up that want to get in that 7th CONTINENT.  There is Still 1 room available for BLACK PARIS.  EGYPT Nov 2019 is SOLD OUT and  There is limited space for SOUTH AFRICA Sept 2020.

I am currently working on a collage of photos showcasing my little people that have traveled internationally with me in the past and what they are doing now.  If you had some little folks that traveled with me, please submit a photo of them on the tour.

Wishing you all Happy Holidays and a healthy and wealthy, and  prosperous 2019!

Kat StThomas

 

 

New Year’s 2020 in Dubai – Kat’s Countdown

Burj Al Arab

Let’s Party

Bluewaters Island

Caesar’s Bluewaters

Caesar’s – Kat Was There Last Month

Caesar’s Last Month

I’m presently somewhere 37,000 ft  in the clouds between Singapore and San Francisco sitting in my seat on Singapore Airlines A-350 with a sprained ankle but I continue to live up to a nickname given to me by Simon….Kat A-Dub – translated is Kat Always Workin’. Hang on,  I’m going to make this short and sweet.

We’ve already got Dubai next December in place and since being in Dubai last month I’ve been toying with the idea of ringing in 2020 there.  How many times have we all watched their elaborate fireworks display on television wishing we were there?  They get it before we do.   How much money have you spent treating family and friends to New Years Celebrations in your home.   Lord knows I have… rewind to 1999 into 2000 and we partied in my home like Prince suggested : huge pots of gumbo, Dom Perignon and Crystal Champagne flowing, and then breakfast of catfish, grits and homemade biscuits the next day for those that stayed over.  The cost was well over $3500 and I know you’ve done  something similar in the past.  Oh, and all those New Years cruises a lot of us have done in the past….. yes a lot of fun and a lot of money; especially when we tally up money spent trying to make our way back home dealing with cancelled flights, unexpected hotel nights due to bad azz east coast weather.

Anyway, I did say “short and sweet” didn’t I?   Caesar’s just opened up on the lavish man-made island of Bluewaters, with views of Jumeriah and their newest attraction, The Ain Wheel,  the world’s largest observation wheel set to open 2019.  We will have perfect views, up close and personal of the fireworks display at ATLANTIS.  Cost for 5 nights, $2700pp plus your plane ticket. Think about that 90 degree weather you will experience in December.    We’ve got 1 week to make the decision to swap out Dec 3-9 for Dec 28 – Jan 2.  So my friends, let me hear from you.  What I don’t want is wishy – washy folks.  Yes, that’s my latest pet peeve. Some of you must remember that song our parents listened to: First you say you do, and then you don’t, then you say you will and then you won’t….. You’re undecided now so what are you going to do?      Life is short and so uncertain so try to treat yourself, don’t cheat yourself.  Until next time, it’s Kat counting down… 1 week.

KAT NEWS – WHAT’S REALLY GOING ON

Tomorrow night we fly out of here and it’s been wonderful but in the meantime and  in between time I’d like to bring you up to date.

MARCH 20-27 BLACK PARIS – 1 room available  Land pkg $2900pp

APRIL 5-15 VIETNAM – WAITLISTED

MAY 2-12 AFRO COLOMBIA  – WAITLISTED

JUNE 20-27 NEGRIL  GETAWAY  – 2 bdrm and 1 bdrm suites available

JULY 7 – 17  ITALY 10 DAY TOUR – WAITLISTED

AUG 1-11  FIJI – WAITLISTED

SEPT 13-22 TANZANIA  SOLD OUT

OCT – MARSEILLE AND MARRAKECH – WAITLISTED

NOV 6-19 EGYPT  – SOLD OUT. IF YOU ARE CONFIRMED, THIS IS THE LAST CALL FOR THE 3 DAY HOLY LAND EXTENSION

DEC  –  DUBAI  – WAITING FOR NEW YEARS AVAILABILITY AND RATES TO RING IN 2020.  IF COSTS ARE THROUGH THE ROOF; THEN WE STICK WITH DEC 3-9, 2019

KAT – A – PULT   to 2020 –  Need that 7th Continent, ANTARCTICA,  under your belt? Join us Feb 2020. Choose the unlimited Beverage Package or other perks when booking ocean view or higher.

MALDIVE ISLANDS –  RETURNING – DATES AND RATES TO BE ANNOUNCED

ICELAND, BLUE LAGOON AND NORTH SEA JAZZ – JULY 2020 WAITLISTED

SOUTH AFRICA  SEPT 20-30, 2020  SPACE AVAILABLE

How about checking out Celebrity Cruise Lines NEWEST, MOST INNOVATIVE, STATE OF THE ART CRUISE SHIP, “THE EDGE”  Thanksgiving Week Nov 24-Dec 1, 2019. CONCIERGE CLASS, SAILING OUT OF FLORIDA.

Cruise Planners has 6 Concierge Cabins (C2) priced at $2,181.46 per person for its Thanksgiving 2019 sailing out of Florida. This is less than what Celebrity is currently offering for standard balcony cabins.

Cruise Planners is also offering a $50 on board credit per cabin, coupled with Celebrity’s “Season of Savings” promotion running through January 2, 2019:

• $300.00 off per person and 1 perk; or
• $195.00 off per person and 2 perks.

With the concierge class, you also receive priority boarding and disembarkation. This is a remarkable savings!

The deposit is $250.00 per person and is refundable. Interested?  Inbox me for the hook up.

Kat in the Maldives

 

OFF THE HOOK…AND ON MY PLATE

My Back Stairs to the sea

From Below

Spa

Spa

Spa Grounds

Sonya In Paddle Boat

Alicia R. Paddle Board

Night Fishing. I caught This While I was Asleep

Wasn’t Asleep This Time

Hangin Out at the Main Bar

Such a Lovely Day

Chef Cleaning Our Catch

Thai Restaurant

Thai Restaurant

Michelle Had To Get that Thermidor

I Went With the Snapper In Ginger

Our Catch Fillet

Alicia Baitin’ That Hook

Chef Seasoned Our Catch of the Night

Sunday was off to a great beginning for me.  This has been the most relaxing time for me since my last Fiji run last year. Well, Kat what about that fabulous Mykonos trip for your birthday in July?   Yes, relaxing to a degree but I still had to have on my Tour Guide hat. After all, one wants their  birthday details to be purr-fect and that in itself requires  worry and brings a great deal of stress.     The Maldives……worry free.  Everybody’s doing their own thing. As my mother would say,  “Minding their business and leaving yours alone”.   Yes, mommy, I’m sure you are smiling.  Your baby girl got it in this time around.

For starters, I eased down my back stairs, marveled at the beauty before me and got into the sea. There was turquoise blue  water as far as my eyes could see.    I decided to skip breakfast and not be late for my appointment at the ARAAMU SPA.  They have over 50 different treatment options and I was about to do part 1 to recover totally from the strains of modern life ; a Swedish massage with medium pressure put me in a blissful state of mind, body and spirit.  Part 2 will be Tuesday when I get my foot and leg massage.  Afterwards, I rested and prepared myself mentally for this night fishing excursion.  Sonya F,  Alicia R, Michelle R and myself signed up and made up a group of 12 on our boat. There was another boat of about 16 also going out.   It was straight fun!  Well, if you know me well, you know I can fall asleep anywhere; on a plane, on a safari, sitting straight up in bed and yes now we know…,.on a night fishing boat.  I caught  2 fish. The first was when I was sound asleep.  We didn’t have poles, we each had a line.  I felt a slight tug and bingo bango, I pulled up a decent sized banana fish.    My adrenaline was flowing now and I was ready for the next.    My next one was a much much bigger red snapper.  That’s what’s up.    The deal is, whatever the catch and whoever is down meets up at the Fish Market/BBQ Grill where one of the chefs will clean and cook them  for you.  Today was a good day and as Cube sings, I didn’t  have to use my AK. or in my case ; I didn’t have to summon Goldie for assistance.   Yeah, let her get some rest.  It’s been a rough year for both of us ….11 foreign countries, 8 different carriers, air miles flown – unknown, and last but not least over 320 personalities that I personally escorted and interacted with.    This does not include the “dirty thirty” and all the “50 year  birthday” milestone groups I put together this year  but did not escort.  Some ask,  “Kat, how do you do it”?  My answer :  “Only by the grace of God”.

This resort is filled with a countless number of things to do and  many dining options.  Our package comes with breakfast and dinner included  in the main restaurant but then for a small fee, you can dine wherever you choose.  I love their cashless system…just pay up at the end for any  extras you opt for.   I skipped breakfast again, stayed in bed til 2:00pm, enjoying the ocean view from my room, then threw on a swimsuit and made my way to the Main Bar, past the pool and at the edge of the sea.  I knew some of our folks were bound to be there talkin’ that talk,  drinking that yak and talkin smack. Yes, I was right!!      What? No Michelle?  Someone said, “ Oh she’s in negotiations inside at the bar”.   It seems the bar manager knew her well. She stayed put until he gave her a good price on a bottle of Barbados rum.  Smh and Lmao.

Crum mentioned how good the live band was last night.  He said they  did reggae and a little bit of everything.  I hate that I missed it but I can’t do it all.  Tonight in celebration of my Deedee’s Birthday; I chose the Thai restaurant at the end of the pier. Happy birthday DeeDee in absentia.   Dinner was great!!! I love you!

To the young ladies itching to get a taste of the high end Maldive Islands:  Hold onto your dollars.  You can’t go wrong here at Sun Island Resort.  When you find Mr. Right and decide to say, “I do”, let him do it big baller style and spend his $15K for 5 nights on another island.   Again,  The Kattrax Group made a positive impression just like the staff in Mykonos hated to see us leave and told me we were the best group they have ever had.  I’m sure these folks will be saying the same thing.  They take care of us, we take care of them.

Don’t go!!!   I’ve got Kat News and Kat’s Kibbles and Bits to share in my next blog….Stay tuned !

 

And On This Day in The Maldives…

After Breakfast, Chillin Pool Side

From One Kat to Another

After Dinner, Joyce, Kellea, Toronda, Crum, Michelle and Kat

Lobster Night

Beautiful Over Water Bungalows

Crystal Clear Waters

Beautiful Botanicals Abound

Tranquil Walks Await You

Enjoying More Views

Fishing Trip

I’m Ready To Do This

After giving thanks to the Most High One for allowing me to spend another glorious day in paradise; this  morning, Michelle and I hit the main restaurant for a quick, but healthy breakfast. After all we had just arrived a few hours earlier but we had reservations to make….spa treatments, a fishing excursion, Lobster night, etc and to get the lay of the land.  We ran into Elvin and Joyce Crum and we all strolled around the property for a bit.     If you know Crum, you know it’s always a pleasure being in his company. He’s got the true gift of gab and he never fails to keeps it 100!

I made all  my reservations, took a much needed very long nap and was ready at 8pm  for lobster night at the Seafood Market.  Michelle ordered the grilled lobster and I, Lobster Thermidor.  I’ve got to tell you it was the best Thermidor I have ever had and I’ve had a lot.   We also shared some grilled prawns out the shell.    Everything was freshly caught and seasoned to the ultimate perfection.  Service here is on point. The servers make sure you have all that you need.  While waiting for dinner, I strolled over to say hello to Della, Sandy and her friends Gillian and Anthony.  They all seemed to have enjoyed their meal and Della was raving about the seafood rice.  Now you know I needed to check it out.  Again, another hit! It was the best seafood rice I’ve ever had.  This is real talk! I cannot tell a lie. I casually walked over to the salad table and out of nowhere a chef appeared and offered to make me any salad at all.  Mmmmm, I said how about a Caesar salad.  He said no problem.  Now,  Caesar dressing can be a tricky thing but he mastered the hell out of it, not too tangy, the perfect consistency and with a subtle taste of anchovies.

In a few hours when I wake, I will walk down the rear stairs of my unit and put my feet in this Indian Ocean before a light breakfast and before my much needed Swedish massage.

I haven’t held a fishing pole since the 80’s  when I went deep sea fishing in the Farralon Islands so I’m truly looking forward to this experience.  Maldivian fishermen know where the best fishing spots are around their islands and how not to come back from a fishing trip with empty hands.  I am so ready to enjoy my catch grilled at the island BBQ restaurant afterwards. Stay tuned, more to come….

 

The Kat Has Landed – In the Maldive Islands

Singapore Airlines, Great Service

The Speed Boat Crew

Sun Island

Over Water Bungalow

Stairs From My Room

On The Speed Boat

View From My Room

View From My Room

View From My Back Deck

From The Back Deck

The Resort

It’s been a real journey but I and others made it. We were coming from everywhere; west coast, east coast, and the midwest. We were on some of the worlds best airlines: Singapore, Emirates,  and Qatar.  I have been wanting to fly Singapore Airlines since I started in this industry decades ago and the opportunity finally presented itself.  I tell you it was the best then and in my opinion still tops.

Sometimes we have to step outside of our comfort zone to experience all that God has created for our enjoyment.  Two others were with me from Sfo nonstop to Singapore – 17 freakin hours.  Was I happy about that long flight ? Heck no! Plus it required a change of planes then a 4 hour flight into Male’  (pronounced mah lay). Wait…there’s more.  After landing in Male, we were greeted and walked over to the domestic terminal  where we ran into tour members; Kellea and Toronda who had flown in on Qatar.  We then waited to board a small aircraft which took us to a dock  where we boarded a speed boat and the captain literally “rode the waves”. The ride was a mere 7 minutes to the SUN ISLAND RESORT AND SPA.  The time now was after 2am.  Check in was smooth plus the staff arranged to serve the 5 of us an “early” breakfast.

Even though it was night time, it was plain to see the resort was gorgeous.  Now, I’ve got clients that have done this “baller style” spending $10K for a 5 night stay  in a villa with a plunge pool including paying $300 for the transportation to their resort.  I knew this experience could be done nicely for less for those wanting to get a taste of the Maldive Islands.  Our resort is the largest in the Maldives and it is the only resort on our island, Nalaguraidhoo in the South Ari Atoll.

Since August I have escorted to Brazil, South Africa, Egypt and Dubai, a total of over 150 clients and friends  You can imagine all I’ve had to deal with. This trip I plan to get in some serious “me” time, spa treatments, parasailing, and even going on a fishing excursion where after the catch it’s all about throwing it on the grill and gettin’ down.  No promises but I will try to share experiences as the days go by.  On Dec 10th I will be celebrating my Deedee’s birthday.  This trip was initially planned for her but things changed for her and at any rate, here I am and enjoy I will.