The Hitching Post

Your Honeymoon Travel Agent Florence just returned from El Calafate, which is located just a 2 to 3-hour flight from Buenos Aires, Argentina. People come here to get close with the famous Perito Moreno and the Upsala glaciers. Perfect for the adventurous type of Honeymoon.

We stopped there after Bariloche, taking a 1 ½ hour magic flight along the Andes. Get seats on the right-end side! You’ll be thankful forever as the views on the snowed peaks are breathtaking.

Landing in El Calafate airport makes you feel like if you were landing on the moon. There’s nothing around, just immensity of desert landscapes, with just a huge turquoise-blue lake in the middle of it: Lake Argentina.

The town of El Calafate lies on the side of the lake. All the action takes place between the town, and the end of the lake, at the feet of the glaciers.

The airport is located approx. ½ hour from town. Exiting the city, we first stopped at the newly-built/open Glaciarium museum. A must! We all thought the visit was so instructive, and allowed us to understand what we saw afterwards (glaciers, etc.) much better.

Another 20-minute later, set in the middle of nowhere (nowhere being La Anita valley, we arrived at EOLO LODGE, a beautiful Relais & Chateaux property, perfect for luxury travel.

Eolo is now the ONLY true luxury property located in El Calafate. 17 units only, and just 3 different categories – Superior (12), Premium (3) and Corner suites (2). The only difference: the view. Also, the corner suites have a double full-walled window, offering a 180 degree view of the valley and the mountain range. Rooms are pretty spacious (about 500 sq. feet) and bathrooms are great.

The property has a U shape evoking a private estancia, and all walls are floor to ceiling windows letting light come in dramatically (we arrived at sunset, the views were breathtaking especially from the Library area) and offering the most amazing views of the Lago Argentino, La Anita Valley, Torres Del Paine and the Rico Branch. The place is wonderfully comfortable, perfect for romance and relaxation at the end of a busy day of hiking, horseback riding, or sailing. Whatever outdoor activities you’ve been up to, there’s a great pool area waiting for you, with sauna. The manager team on duty is amazing, looking after your every need. Food was excellent although quite creative and sometimes surprising. Wine cellar is great. Eolo offers a meal plan and immediate surrounding outdoor activities are included (not the glacier activities though).

Eolo is located approximately 30 to 40 minutes drive from the majestic Perito Moreno Glacier, the famous attraction of the area. I am simply in love with it, and could spend hours admiring it from the walkways made of 7 balconies. You get closer and closer, from one balcony to the other, and the next day you can go back and hike on the glacier! It’s an amazing experience.

Facing the glacier, just about 4miles from it, is the HOSTERIA LOS NOTROS, where we spent our 2^nd night in El Calafate. Los Notros is not as luxurious as Eolo, not at all. But for those for whom location and view matter most, this is the place to be. 32 rooms total, but only the premium rooms (7 of them) with floor to ceiling windows facing the glacier are worth it. Beds are comfortable but not luxurious. Sheets are soft but old. In the premium rooms, your king bed faces your huge window overlooking the glacier. You can hear it breaking down from your bed! You can even see it from your bathroom, as a window opens up to the bedroom, above the bed. Imagine this for your Honeymoon!

The lodge offers an all-inclusive plan featuring a meal plan as well as the most important activities to enjoy in the area, such as the glacier hike. Their restaurant is definitely great. The atmosphere is warm and cozy. It is a truly wonderful property as well.

Both Eolo and Los Notros are not opened year round and usually close for their winter.

We participated in a full-day excursion to ESTANCIA CRISTINA. WOW! Talk about a hotel in the middle of nowhere! It took us about 3 hours by boat to get to it, navigating around icebergs.

Estancia Cristina is a lodge as well as a day destination, and you can decide to spend a few days there, feeling like the pioneer Joseph Percival Masters, an Englishman who founded it in 1914 with his wife, having heard wonders about the Patagonian lands. Here again, it is all about the nature: excursions to another glacier are on the program: the Upsala glacier. Trekking, 4X4 excursions, fishing and horseback riding are available (horses are free all day there).

The lodge continues to be and to feel like the shelter that it used to be back in the days. There are 5 lodges, each made of 4 bedrooms, sharing a little living area. Rooms are very simple although very comfortable in a warm, rustic way. The food served at lunch was excellent, and always reflecting the regional cuisine. The common area/lobby/restaurant/library is this fantastic octagonal wooden room boosting a great fireplace, and some rare pictures, books, and maps of the area.

The areas available for the day-comers (like we were) are a large restaurant/cantina, and a fantastic museum. The lodge part of Estancia Cristina is strictly reserved to the overnight guests. Tourists participating in a day-time excursion are gone by usually 5pm. Overnight guests sometimes include famous (or crazy) high-altitude alpinists using Estancia Cristina as one of their stops along an intrepid adventure.

It is extremely important to explain the solitude of this place. Most of us would be just fine at Eolo or Los Notros, feeling isolated enough. Estancia Cristina is another step up. But for the travelers and Honeymooners seeking this experience, it is a fabulous and exclusive place. The Upsala glacier is also a nice complement to the Perito Moreno glacier as they are 2 different kinds. While the Upsala is famous for his extremely fast retreat (we walked on rocks (and fossils) that had been immersed under the glacier up to 2 years ago!), the Perito Moreno is more impressive with his breaking ice.

If you haven’t guessed it, I love El Calafate! It is probably my favorite spot in Argentina. I’d go back there every time I go to this country if I could. The glaciers (that I like to call the Kings of the Andes / Los Reyes de Los Andes) are hypnotizing.

Author: Florence Brethome, Honeymoon & Destination Wedding Specialist
Email: Florence.b@travelstoreusa.com

Last month my husband and I decided to take a romantic long weekend, and visit one of the most picturesque places in northern California. Just a few hours from San Francisco, we arrived in Yosemite on the valley floor. I had visited this park many years ago, and had forgotten how stunning it was. The first site we saw was Bridal Vale Falls, and Half Dome.

The shear magnitude of Half Dome and El Capitan, are breathtaking. Rock climbers claim half dome is one of the most challenging climbs, and a must do. The park offers hiking, biking and walking tours, along with narrated open air bus tours. Mariposa Grove is where you will find the “big trees” and the visitor centers have so much history and story telling, you could spend a whole day exploring and learning.

We hiked up Vernal Falls, also know as Misty Trail (because of the over spray from the falls). The hike took us about 1 ½ hrs with 600 granite steps at the last part of the climb. I was grateful the weather was cool as the hike is a bit challenging.

There are several places to stay inside the park including Yosemite Lodge,  Ahwahnee Hotel and Curry Village, with cabins and tent cabins, just to name a few. It is best to book early as summer accommodations sell out fast. We were lucky to get a reservation in a tent cabin in Curry village.   There are also accommodations just outside the park’s south and west entrance. The $20 park entrance fee is valid for 7 days. You could easily spend the whole week exploring this beautiful national park in our own back yard.

Kathy and Duane S.

Foresthill Ca.

For my honeymoon, I wanted to make sure that my wife and I would have to think as little as possible so we could enjoy every moment to the fullest. I'm an experienced traveler and had never used a travel agent before but planning a trip was just not possible while planning the wedding.

I knew that we wanted to go to Tahiti but didn't know where to start. I found Susanne's name in Travel and Leisure magazine and contacted her immediately. From the first call I knew I was in good hands. She was extremely knowledgeable, had great advice and made the process of planning enjoyable.

Once we landed in Tahiti, we were taken care of every step of the way. We never got a chance to wonder, "where do we go now," because there was always a smiling face escorting us to where we needed to be. Her suggestions were amazing and we got to experience some hidden gems we wouldn't have known about otherwise.

All in all my experience was way better than expected and I look forward to planning another dream vacation with Susanne in the future.

Author: Erik and Chanthou L. in Huntington Beach, CA

Honeymoon Travel Agent: Susanne Hamer; Honeymoon & Destination Wedding Specialist
Email contact: Susanne.H@travelstoreusa.com

I recently returned from a quick but beautiful Hawaiian getaway visiting the new creation of hotelier Ian Schrager, The Waikiki EDITION, which I would consider a fabulous choice for lovebirds seeking the beautiful Hawaiian Island of Oahu for their Honeymoon or Destination Wedding.

The hotel, which many may know as the former Ilikai complex, is not right on the beach, however conveniently located within walking distance to Waikiki Beach and the shopping district.

The friendly hotel staff welcomes you before you even enter the property. You will be stunned when entering the lobby where you’ll find a extraordinary piece of art by Herbie Fletcher right behind the reception desk - made out of broken-in-action surfboards. 

At night an "open-sesame-style" floor to ceiling bookcase opens up to an otherwise non visible lounge hidden behind it. Surrounded by unique art & style the hotel offers a beautiful spa, a gym, one main swimming pool with a beach bar as well as a "splash pool" lagoon called the sunset pool, on an upper outdoor level surrounded by sand with its own beach bar.

The 353 rooms and suites are all beautifully designed and decorated in cream and white colors with either a king or two double beds. The king bedded rooms have a lanai, the rooms with two doubles do not. Most rooms have a shower only, some also have a separate tub. WiFi internet is provided throughout the hotel. Complimentary coffee service provided on pool level in the morning for the perfect start of day.....  

Honeymooners would particularly enjoy the beauty of the spacious one bedroom suites with a relaxing beach house feel, large terrace and gorgeous views; many would call it pure "lifestyle".

The Waikiki EDITION also features famous chef Masahuru Morimoto's restaurant, many may know him from the TV show "Iron Chef".

For the perfect island destination wedding the hotel has a 9,200 square foot ballroom which can be divided in three separate rooms. For those seeking the beauty of an open air ceremony and celebration, the perfect place would be the Sunset Suite, their hospitality suite, with a large outdoor terrace holding about 120 people comfortably. This space can also be used if the ceremony should take place at the upper pool deck in the sand or even on a customized platform above the water, whatever your heart desires.... the wedding attendees could comfortably move over to the hospitality suite afterwards to celebrate.

Probably the most spectacular choice for a smaller Destination Wedding would be the Penthouse Suite - 1,500 square feet with a 1,400 sf wrap around terrace, which caters to a perfect small wedding and reception. The view is simply spectacular. 

The onsite Destination Wedding & Event Planner assured me that anything is possible. Even though they offer a few set wedding packages, everything can be customized and every bride & groom’s wishes will be fulfilled to make their dream come true.....!

Author: Kyra Heede, Honeymoon & Destination Wedding Specialist
Email: Kyra.h@travelstoreusa.com

I don’t know if I’ll ever get to see and experience the Falaknuma Palace again! What a dream come true. I felt like the Princess of Hyderabad for a couple of days. The feeling of exclusivity is incredible.

The palace overlooks the city of Hyderabad, offering incredible views and sounds. Hyderabad’s Muslim influence is very strong and you can hear the call to prayer regularly. It is not as strong as it can be in Istanbul, but more subtle.

This historical Taj Palace is a destination on its own. What makes it unique and so interesting is the extreme restoration work that took place to bring this palace back to life. For example, upon arrival, a 100-year old carriage takes you up to the main palace building. The art work is phenomenal; the library is a replica of the one at Windsor Castle and home of some of the rarest manuscripts. The Taj group was leased this property by the Royal Family of Hyderabad and now offers to their guests the opportunity to experience the NIZAM’s hospitality. Its history is rich and complicated, full of drama and colors that makes it even more attractive and hypnotizing. The Palace is built in the shape of the Scorpio, the zodiac sign of its commissioner Sir Nawab Vikar-Ul Umra. Although equipped with all modern amenities, the Palace is also a living museum.

The property is huge! It is set on 32-acres of land. 60 spacious rooms and suites on property, each one is different, to fit the unlimited and ultimate expectations of its guests. Bathrooms are super large, separate showers, bathtub, 2 sinks, and 2 closet areas, one for the man and one for the woman. The JIVA spa is fantastic, the pool is great. Restaurants are so luxurious (Versace plates) and food is excellent.

Banyan Tours organized for us to visit the Chowmahalla Palace, and an old-fashioned textile factory where natural dyes and natural fabrics are used to create hand-made linens and clothes. Women are still hand-weaving everything. Some outfits (like a wedding costume for example) can take over a year to be finished and can cost over $50,000. What a labor! This visit was the highlights of my stay in Hyderabad.

Other attractions in Hyderabad are the Golconda Fort, the Mecca Masjid and the Charminar. The old city is perfect for bangles and spices shopping as well. Some of us also bought precious pearls and jewelry.

While in Hyderabad we also visited the Taj KRISHNA Hotel, located in the business district of Hyderabad, and which used to be an Oberoi property. It is also a very nice luxury property, large rooms, and a useful club floor.

Conclusion:

As a travel professional, I am coming back home having known the most perfect service I’ve ever experienced in my life.      The strict British influence mixed with the kindness and humble attention of the India natives is unique and unbeatable. Add this to a magic environment of Palaces, Maharadjas, gold & spices and you’ve got a super recipe for luxury travel.

One doesn’t travel all the way to India to lie down on a beach and enjoy some Farniente. India is a country rich in culture and history. Its people, gastronomy, sceneries are what makes this country so unique. Often natives have asked me to look at India with an “open mind”. It is so true.

 So forget about your habits, your materialist life, and completely allow yourself to “disconnect”. Isn’t it what a vacation really is about? India can really do that for you – take you away from it all, and bring you back regenerated, relaxed, your body and mind full of wonderful memories to share.

Author: Florence Brethome, Honeymoon & Destination Wedding Specialist
Email:   Florence.B@travelstoreusa.com

BAGHVAN and the PENCH NATIONAL PARK:

From Mumbai, the flight to Nagpur was 85-minute long, and then the drive to the park was 90-minute long. It’s a lot of fun though! Scenes are so typical it is tough to stop taking pictures along the way.

The Pench National Park is where Kipling found the inspiration to write the Jungle Book. Just imagine all the different animals you get to observe!

Baghvan lodge, handled by Taj and &Beyond, was my first Safari experience. I had never stayed in a lodge completely immersed in the wild! The adjustment took a little while to settle with me. My body was so used to our civilized stress (work, traffic, electronic noises) and all of a sudden, I had to make myself aware of the Nature with all that comes with it: noises I had never heard before, silence I had never heard before, the darkness, the heat, the wildlife. How spoiled are we in our big cities to think that no other animals can be stronger than we are. In Baghvan, I had to watch out for wild cats, leopards, gaurs, wild boars, snakes, spiders, and TIGERS. As the lodge in set in the open, any animals can feel like entering the premises at any time, although usually they are more scared of us than anything else.

The lodge is located not even a 5-minute drive from the entrance of the park. It is made of 12 standalone suites that I would really call homes as they are huge, made of a separate indoor and an outdoor bedrooms (you can sleep outside in your own private king size bed!!), outdoor living room area, and a separate bathroom with indoor and outdoor showers. It is important to understand that the indoor and outdoor space is constantly mixed, enhancing the immersion into the wild. . For those looking forward to feel 150% part of the nature, it is an ideal scenario.

What made Baghvan so special and a place I’d go back anytime was the quality of service. The staff was made of a team of men only (no women on property) constantly looking after your every second needs. They are wonderful, make you feel safe, welcome, special and relax. The chef is fantastic. The open kitchen is set as an interactive dynamic area. On property there’s also a pool (where goats, bats and birds come to drink), a massage room, a library and a great safari shop.

A day at Baghvan starts with an early morning wake-up knock at the door around 430AM when your private butler arrives with coffee, tea, and home-made cookies. Your private Jeep and driver/guide from the lodge take you to the entrance of the park, where all jeeps (I saw a maximum of 10 vehicles on a Sunday) wait in line until a Park guide gets assigned to the jeeps (one per jeep). Baghvan guides know them all and get to pick the best ones. Off you go on your Morning Safari ride. Every day in the Pench National Park is carefully organized to respect the privacy of the tigers. Guides do not use radios to call each other so no tourist commotion around tigers ever happen. However, they use elephants to find tigers. Lucky safari goers can find him/her self on the back of an elephant getting really close to tigers!

Everyone’s back at the lodge at about 930AM for breakfast. Lunch is served around 1PM. Late morning and early afternoon are perfect moments to relax, take a nap, enjoy the pool and the surroundings of the lodge, write postcards (not easy to find in India! This country still has so much to do in terms of developing tourism) have a massage or shop in the boutique.

The evening safari takes place around 430PM. The Baghvan vehicles are allowed in the park until dust.

Each evening at Baghvan is a special event. Dinner under the stars, special cooking class, and the team is so creative.

An ideal stay in Baghvan would include minimum 2 nights, depending on the arrival and departure flight times. Once there it is always so hard to leave as there’s so much to see. I did not get to see a tiger on this trip, but didn’t really care as I got to see where these fantastic animals live. However, we had 2 jeeps in my group, and the other one did see a mother tiger with 2 cubs!!! What a reward.

We also visited a small village in the surroundings of the park. This visit was organized by Banyan Tours at the last minute, as the group expressed the desire to visit the locals. A member of the lodge’s crew has his family leaving nearby so our Banyan escort took care of all the arrangements for us.

Author: Florence Brethome, Honeymoon & Destination Wedding Specialist
Email:   Florence.B@travelstoreusa.com

I was very fortunate to participate in a magic trip to Dubai and Central India, which consisted of an overnight in Dubai, followed by an intense discovery of Central India, starting with Mumbai, followed by the Pench National Park with most particularly the Baghvan lodge, and ending with Hyderabad to experience the new & buzzing Taj Falaknuma Palace property.

Immediately upon going through customs in Mumbai, the Feel for India stroked me right away. India is a country that imposed itself to its visitors immediately upon arrival. There are people everywhere!! There is not one acre of land free of humans from the airport gate to…. The horizon! It’s hot, humid, colorful, flavorful, everything you’re hoping for.

Then, poverty jumps at you and asks you to learn how to deal with it.

 The majority of the population works, lives, plays and loves in poverty. The wealthier minority either lives in the high-rise downtown buildings or outside of town, braving 2 to 4 hours of traffic each morning and night. Dust, dirt, people sleeping in the streets, wild cows, dogs, cats, and boars running around, more people eating, talking, dancing; these were the scenes I witnessed on my ride to the hotel around 10pm at night. Indians barely sleeps! They work through the hot hours of the day, and enjoy family, friends and neighbors all through the night.

Mumbai is the Los Angeles of India. Bollywood (Mumbai used to be Bombay, therefore Bo-llywood), the India movie industry lies here, amongst a total population of 18-million people ++, they kind of stopped counting. The city is located along the Arabian Sea and its most famous piece of coastline is also called the “queen’s necklace”. The Taj Mahal Palace***** Mumbai is located directly on the sea front, facing the monumental Gateway of India (sunrise and sunset times offer incredible occasions for great photo shots).

Built in 1903 and once called the Maharajas second home, or the Princes playground, this historical property is definitely a destination in itself. You feel in a peaceful heaven spending a few nights there, while experiencing a property were history has been made more than once. All rooms in the main building are quite spacious and very romantically decorated. Many suites are unique in taste, colors and lay-out. The pool is so large that it is surprising to find it in the middle of the city! There are lots of different restaurants to choose from. The full JIVA Spa is not finished and mostly offers spa treatments. The service on property is impeccable.

Like all hotel properties in India, security takes all its importance. Screening is mandatory for everyone entering into any hotels and public buildings.

While in Mumbai, we also visited the Taj Land’s End, another great Taj property with an interesting location for one wanting to be close to the airport. Rooms are more regular hotel rooms, but very spacious and offering great views of the city and the sea.

Did I forget to mention that Mumbai is a city where 50,000 weddings can take place on a same day? While in Mumbai, we probably passed 20 to 30 weddings in a couple of days. How cool would it be to renew your vows while on your honeymoon in India?? Their ceremonies are so colorful, lively, with great music, a type of event only available to experience there.

While in Mumbai, Our land operator BANYAN TOURS had us visiting the city including but not limited to a religious temple, admiring the city-wide laundry and lunch delivery services: you must see these 2 phenomenons with your own eyes to believe them, as the whole city has their laundry and lunches picked up and delivered throughout the day without one lunch or one piece of clothes getting lost! These are memories that’d stick to anyone’s mind more than a museum visit. Also, we had a cooking class in an Indian private home. Did I mention Indian food is amazing, and taste like nothing like what we have here in the US??

Author: Florence Brethome, Honeymoon & Destination Wedding Specialist
Email:   Florence.B@travelstoreusa.com

I flew via Emirates Airlines: A perfect choice to fly to this part of the world! With a long first flight taking you all the way to Dubai in comfort and with super service, it only left us with just a short 3-hour flight to India after that – very easy.

Business class is super comfortable and service was impeccable. The ICE video system is great and I was able to send emails for $1. Careful with this! Every time you receive an email you are charged too. The special touches would be the great amenities as well as the extra mattresses distributed and unfolded on your seat. It is not a full-flat bed business class. You still have a small angle, which did not keep me away from sleeping on my belly, so very, very comfortable. I took a peak in first class – WOW. Flying Emirates is definitely a great way to start a honeymoon, traveling to Dubai and even further to India, or Africa, or even the Maldives!

DUBAI!! Certainly a magic city. As a woman, I could not believe my eyes as within the same hour in the same shopping mall, I saw all the different kinds of women one can look at in the whole world. They were all there, in Dubai: blond tall Russian woman, Asian, European, American, and Brazilian; Indian ladies wearing their shiny and beautiful sarees, next to the local feminine crowd wearing the fully black burka. Dubai is definitely a cosmopolitan town, and definitely a paradise for us ladies, when looking for some retail therapy!

Although made of 4 to 5 downtown centers now, Dubai’s main happening area is located around the new tallest building in the world – the Burj Khalifa.

I visited the Armani hotel***** there, as well as the Address hotel*****.

Our hotel, the Taj hotel Dubai****, was located in a more business-oriented area, but very comfortable, offering very, very large rooms and outstanding service.

The Burj Al Arab******, which I purposely give a 6-star rated to because it is such an upscale property, is not in this happening area and about 20-minutes away It is a destination in itself. The Ice-ramp shopping mall is right next to it.

Short hotel comparison: when you can’t afford the Burj Al Arab or have already stayed there and wish to experience something different, or / and wish to be in the middle of the action, then choose the Armani Hotel or the Address. Between the 2, I’d say the Armani hotel is more upscale, although its rooms are very dark and modern, so not for everyone. The Address hotel offers balconies overlooking the action, and that’s a great plus. Its rooms are spacious and brighter, with great, steamy bathrooms.

Activities in Dubai are very important to plan ahead of time as it can be quite confusing and complicated to get around on your own. For example, you must be provided with tickets to visit Burj Khalifa ahead of time, or else its visit can be sold out for days. Restaurants would also require early reservations. A very interesting idea of tour in Dubai would be the Architecture, past, present and future.

Author: Florence Brethome, Honeymoon & Destination Specialist
Email:   Florence.B@travelstoreusa.com  

Hi Susanne,

Eva and I just wanted to say how awesome the trip [to Hong Kong, Bali & Thailand] was and to thank you SOOOOOOOO MUCH for everything you did for us. We truly had a vacation of a lifetime, one that we will always remember.
By the way, Eva said "YES". THANK GOD, or the rest of the trip would have been a bit awkward.  It was funny, the day I proposed there was a crazy freak storm so we had to eat in the restaurant. The restaurant set aside a small section for Eva and I but people kept walking through it. Almost every plate had nuts even though we kept repeating the fact that Eva’s highly allergic, and before dessert there was a plate of several different types of cheeses which would be great but Eva’s also lactose intolerant (more for me right). At some point the family across from us along with the staff began singing the Happy Birthday song, Eva just looked at me and chuckled saying “it’s not going as you planned huh”. We just joked around about the whole thing though. I think she kind of had an idea what was going on because during dinner she cried three times. The food was good though. After dinner the rain magically stopped completely so I asked her if she would like to go for a walk. We walked out to the beach where the canopy was at where we were supposed to have the dinner and after a short but emotional conversation I got down on one knee and asked her to marry me. Right after she said yes I stood up and began kissing her and immediately for some crazy but completely welcoming coincidence someone decided at that moment to set off a bunch of fireworks. It was perfect, almost as if I planned it. I told her the truth of course but it was great how everything worked out in the end. The next day we were taken to Ubud. We spent the next few days in total relaxation just hanging around in our private villa [at the Komaneka Taggayuda].

One thing that I am glad about is Eva actually likes her ring. We went to the jewelers so that she could resize her ring and also try on different stone shapes but after trying on a few she decided she liked the pear best. The excursions were wonderful. Every new country or region we looked forward to meeting our guide and learning about all the interesting things that they had to teach us. Every place that they took us to were equally as beautiful and breathtaking, it would be a hard task to pick a favorite. Now that we are back we are like celebrities amongst our colleagues. I now have great stories to share with patients during the short trip in the back of the ambulance (if they’re stable of course). And Eva, well her classmates are just fascinated with every detail of our trip, especially the proposal. Well Susanne words could not express how grateful Eva and I are, so I end this letter by saying thank you.

Christian H. & Eva E.
San Francisco, CA