What I learned on my recent trips in 2017

ST. LUCIA

My trip to St. Lucia was a wonderful experience.
St, Lucia has a population of 178,716 people.
My family and I stayed at the Body Holiday All-inclusive Hotel, Resort, and Spa.
It is a fabulous resort with 155 rooms located on a 42-acre plot beside Cariblue Beach on the northwest tip of St Lucia.

It offers more than most all-inclusive holidays and offers a lifestyle experience with a focus on wellness, health, and fitness.
Their mantra is “give us your body for a week and we’ll give you back your mind.”
The resort has a package filled with activities combined with a daily spa treatment.
Visitors are free to choose to be as active or as relaxed as they please.
The beach and the Caribbean Sea are temptingly set out before them.
There are several other tourist attractions like these on the island, which does not seem to have a foreign exchange problem.
The capital, Castries, is a popular cruise port.
Bananas and tourism are their main source of income.
The holiday we spent there was memorable.


CURACAO

Curacao with a population of approximately 160,000 is another Caribbean Paradise.
The island has more than 35 well-developed and captivating beaches, a diverse heritage spanning 55 different cultures, 'live and let live' attitude and unrivaled European architecture.
The language there is a mixture of Dutch, Spanish, and Portuguese and is called Papiamento.
Curacao is definitely one of the most exceptional islands of the region.
Its capital city, Willemstad — a UNESCO World Heritage site — with its iconic colorful Handelskade backdrop and roster of museums, monuments, flavorful restaurants, and great shopping, was selected in 2013 as one of the Top 5 Cities in the Caribbean by Condé Nast Traveler's readers.
Its natural beauty, pristine diving, and snorkeling sites are a favorite with divers and adventure seekers.
WE visited Jan Theil Beach and Harbour Club and were impressed.
This island is fortunately situated outside of the Hurricane Belt, and this makes it a tourist haven.
The Queen Emma Bridge in Willemstad is a floating pontoon bridge that links the "Punda" (Point Side) and the "Otrobanda" (Other Side) of the Willemstad across the Sint Annabaai Channel.
We saw the bridge open and close to marine traffic into St. Anna Bay. It was an amazing sight.



In the event the bridge is open for a prolonged time, there is a ferry service across the channel.
Queen Juliana Bridge, Willemstad is the highest bridge in the Caribbean and one of the tallest bridges in the world. It is 185 feet high.
The bridge overlooks St. Anna Bay as well as Willemstad.
Safety is not a big issue on Curacao.
The locals are friendly, welcoming, and willing to give assistance.
A major part of the island's income comes from tourists.
There is little crime and this is not something about which the average tourist needs to worry.
The oil refinery is clean and well maintained and the oil tanks look like they were painted yesterday.
This small island is a tourist’s dream.
There is much to do in that small island and I loved it.
The family had a great time.



FLORIDA

When I walked into the Broward Medical Center, I was amazed at the facilities there.
The whole of the downstairs was rented out to a Cafeteria, Starbucks, Subway, McDonald's, and a gift shop.
I think that is a great way to bring in additional income by way of rent from the business sector for the hospital.

To read about my many trips read 'Travel Memoirs with Pictures: Exploring the World.

The book is available at Amazon Universal Link and Books2 Read Universal Link.

A new Book Review - My Life as a Banker: A Life Worth Living

I just returned from a wonderful six-day vacation in Curacao [ My third vacation for 2017] and found this delightful review of My Life as a Banker: A Life Worth Living on my Author Page.

REVIEW

FIVE STARS

My Life as a Banker: A Life Worth Living is a wonderful story detailing how the author started at a clerical ...
ByAmazon Customer on August 20, 2017
Format: Kindle Edition|Verified Purchase
My Life as a Banker: A Life Worth Living]] is a wonderful story detailing how the author started at a clerical level and rose to a senior position, solely on the basis of her dedication, hard work, and intelligence. Brenda Mohammad describes how the manual work was transformed to computerization, her working at different branches and working relationship with her colleagues Her farewell party from the fellow workers describes how popular she was during her stay with them.
It was interesting to note, as a tradition, the groom used to write a letter to the bride's father to seek permission to marry his daughter. This is what happened when her husband proposed her. Description of her marriage is so beautiful and emotional.
Brenda had an extensive travelling of the United States and Europe; I enjoyed her visits to Germany and Holland the most.
Close knitting in her family and how her parents and her siblings took care of each other is worth reading; It was touching to read how her father talked to all of his children separately before his death. Brenda's belief in God is remarkable.

Asif Khan
Author of Tracing My Footsteps

Thank you, Asif Khan, for this wonderful review.

THe book can be purchased at Amazon Universal Link and Books2REad Universal Link

Books by Author Brenda Mohammed available at all Digital Stores.

I just want to let all my readers know that in addition to Amazon, CreateSpace, and Barnes and Nobles, my books are available at several other digital stores.

Click on the name of each book to find Nook, Apple, Kobo, Scribd, Playster, 24 Symbols, Inktera, Indigo, Angus and Robertson and Mandadori Book Stores

Revenge of Zeeka: Horror Trilogy
Squeaky Doo in Trinidad FREE
Resurrection
Zeeka and the Zombies FREE
Memoirs of Dr. Andrew Moonir Khan: Journey of an Educator
She Cried for Me: Autobiography of a Dog
Adventures of Squeaky Doo: A Teddy Bear's Adventures
Zeeka Returns: Revenge of Zeeka Book 3
Stories People Love
Heart-Warming Tales
Zeeka's Ghost
Travel Memoirs with Pictures: Exploring the World
I am Cancer Free: A Memoir
Your Time is Now: A Time to be Born and a Time to Die
Retirement is Fun: A New Chapter
My Life as a Banker: A Life Worth Living
Zeeka's Child
Zeeka Chronicles
Zeeka's Ghost

If you love Rescue Dogs then you will love this Canine Tale

If you love rescue dogs, and you are an animal or pet lover, you will want to read this canine tale.
She Cried for Me is a story for pet and dog lovers.
It is about a young dog who became tired of being underfed and abused.
Scared of her owner's threat to kill her, she ran away.
The owner of a dog sanctuary rescued her from dog catchers.
She finally found a loving home with a loving family that adopted her.
However, did her story end happily ever after? Get the Book.
Proceeds of sales of the Book will go to the Animals Alive Dog Rescue Shelter, the Sanctuary referred to in the Book.
For only 0.99 cents you will be helping thousands of dogs just like the one in this book.
Get the Book at Amazon Universal Link OR Books2 Read Universal Link.

A Florida Vacation to remember

In July 2017 my husband and I flew from Trinidad to Florida to meet my daughter and her family for two weeks of sheer fun and adventure. It was not our first visit to Florida. In fact, it had become an annual one. This time we drove for four hours to Tampa where we stayed at Sailport Waterfront Suites in North Rocky Point. The suites had all amenities with a view of the Bay and the pool, and we were quite comfortable there.

The hotel had exercise facilities too.

We did not stay in the hotel much, however. We had dinner at the Bahama Breeze Restaurant which was a few blocks away. The meals were sumptuous.

Busch Gardens was only twenty minutes away and we could not visit Tampa and not go there.

We also spent time with friends who lived close to the hotel.

On our way back to Hollywood we had lunch at Cracker Barrell in Fort Myers.

The next day we went to Lincoln Street on Miami Beach and had delicious pizzas at Pizza Cruschian.

Other delightful eating places were:

Twin Peaks Restaurant - Pembroke Pines.

Pearly’s Bar and Grill

Sweet Tomatoes

Taco Bell

Cheesecake Factory

Jason’s Deli

The highlight of the trip was the exciting football match at Hard Rock Stadium - PSG versus Juventus.

For more of my trips read Travel Memoirs with Pictures available at Amazon Universal Link.

She Cried for Me: Autobiography of a Dog

Hello friends,
I just returned from a wonderful vacation in Florida and found these lovely reviews for 'She Cried For Me: An Autobiography of a dog.

5 stars
Sweet Tale
ByReviewed.By.Me

Format: Kindle Edition|Verified Purchase
From a dog's POV comes a touching tale of overcoming trauma and finding peace with a family she loved. For dog lovers and for everyone else who can appreciate a thoughtful short story.

5.0 out of 5 stars I am a dog lover and enjoyed this story very much.

By Kelly on July 20, 2017
Format: Kindle Edition|Verified Purchase
I am a dog lover and enjoyed this story very much. We often forget that our pets have feelings too and they depend on us so much. A pleasant read that made me smile often!

5.0 out of 5 starsSweet, funny, touching and hard-hitting. A fitting tribute to a special dog.

By marmalizer on July 29, 2017
Format: Kindle Edition

This is a wonderfully touching and often funny memoir of a dog called Spikey, who was owned by the author of this story.
It is a quick read, but that doesn't mean there is no time for build-up or effective use of pacing.
Basically, anyone who has ever owned a pet (or been owned by the pet) will understand that for some reason, we were bound to be part of their lives. As animals generally live a shorter life than us as humans, it makes their presence all the more special. I also believe that if one does not have children of their own, or cannot have children for whatever reason, that a dog or a cat, or indeed any pet, can be elevated to a very special and unique status in their lives.
The story is clever and really gives you an insight into what this special dog thought about those around them, as well as their own worries and fears about things and situations they did not understand.
If you are an animal lover, or you appreciate that life is passing every single moment, or you believe that pets are not just pets - something to be discarded when they die, you will take something from this book. I will not say you will enjoy it - it hits home on many points that if you lost a pet recently, it may not be the time to read it. But the important thing to recognise is that this is a story with a heart as big as the dog at its centre, and if that doesn't convince you to read it today, nothing will.

These reviews made me very happy and I thank the readers who wrote them.
I will be writing a post about my vacation soon so look out for it.
Meanwhile please check out my books at Amazon.

This book should be in your library - Zeeka Chronicles

A strange - looking person turned up at the renowned Gosh Hospital in the scenic island of Gosh in the year 2036 and revealed information of a conspiracy to Dr.George Brown.
He claimed to be a zombie who reported to Master Zeeka.
But was he really a zombie?
Dr. Brown was suspicious of his motives, sedated him, left him in Room Nine, and called a meeting of the hospital doctors to discuss the conversation, which he recorded.
He referred to the stranger as Number Nine.
The stranger outsmarted Dr. Brown and disappeared causing the doctors with the exception of two, Dr. Raynor Sharpe and Dr. Mark Schmidt, to disbelieve what Dr. Brown told them. Together the three vowed to uncover the truth.
Did they?
Did they ever find out the identity of Number Nine?

A colourful sailor band with zombie- like persons at Carnival celebrations launched a fatal attack on innocent spectators later that year, confirming Number Nine's revelations.
Did Number Nine die in that attack?
Fingers were pointed at one man for the brutal attacks, but was he the real perpetrator?
Someone was seeking revenge for a long forgotten incident.
Who was that person?
One man knew Zeeka's secrets.
Would the authorities believe him or would they falsely accuse him?
Who was Zeeka?

The book comprises of five stories set in the future.
New technology and scientific breakthroughs in the field of medical science set the stage for the unimaginable, in this intriguing tale of kidnapping, love, lies, revenge, a ghost, a deadly virus, and sixty programmable zombies.
Even robots play major roles.
One reviewer described the book as 'Twilight Zone-like Sci-Fi Shorts that blend zombie lore with robots/hi-tech, futuristic, sci-fi themes and ideas.
He said 'fans of Twilight Zone and Outer Limits TV series episodes should find these shorts right up their alley.'
Zeeka Chronicles is a nominee for Metamorph's Publishing Summer Indie Book Awards 2017, in the category Science Fiction.

Get the book at Amazon Universal Link.
Books 2 Read Universal Link
Create Space
Barnes and Nobles