top of page

Check this off our Bucket List
Ruth McBride and Richard Hotte Travel Blog
We have always believed in the old saying that we must 'live life to the fullest' and we are here to do just that. Our retirement blog: "Check this off our Bucket List" serves as a our way of sharing our travel adventures around the world!

Go Big or Go Home
The 'GO-GO' Years!

New Asian Adventures!
Fascinating Vietnam, Cambodia & the Mekong River with Hanoi & Ha Long Bay
Our next big adventure begins! Vietnam and Cambodia on a land and river cruise on the Mekong staying on the very exclusive 36 passenger Avalon Saigon! We can’t wait to share our adventures with you so follow along as we get set to explore these fascinating countries with Avalon!


Sometimes enough is enough…
#avalonsaigon #vietnam #avalonwaterways #hochiminh #checkthisoffourbucketlist #saigon Day 1 of our land portion in Ho Chi Minh or Saigon…it seems no one can give me a straight answer on whether we should say Saigon or Ho Chi Minh City. Apparently the city was renamed in 1976 after the Vietnam War but locals with a sentimental connection to the city pre 1976 still call it Saigon. We left our luggage outside our cabin this morning at 6:45am and headed to the buffet on the Aval
Ruth Mcbride
Oct 2012 min read


Would you drink that?
Day 7 Avalon Saigon River Cruise on the Mekong Delta #avalonsaigon #avalonwaterways #checkthisoffourbucketlist #snakes #poprice #vinhlong This morning we had our last Sampan ride of the cruise. Our early morning excursion brought us to Vinh Long to a workshop. We got to experience some traditional Vietnamese foods and drink at this ‘one stop shop’ on the Mekong River. We disembarked at what look like a covered open air building which had various stations set up inside. Our
Ruth Mcbride
Oct 197 min read


Somewhere on the Mekong….
#avalonwaterways #avalonsaigon #checkthisoffourbucketlist #vietnam Day 6 on the Avalon Saigon on the Mekong We did not travel very far overnight as you can see from the map above the border of Cambodia and Vietnam is still pretty close. Our destination this morning was a very small place called Long Khanh A. Apparently there is a Long Khanh B and C but we were only visiting A today. As more silt builds up in the Mekong delta, more islands form and instead of figuring out n
Ruth Mcbride
Oct 166 min read


Good Morning Vietnam!….
Day 5 Avalon Saigon River Cruise…leaving Phnom Penh #avalonjourney #avalonwaterways #checkthisoffourbucketlist #cambodia #vietnam We started off from Phnom Penh this morning at 2am to sail on the Mekong River until we reached the border with Vietnam. Apparently we would have to ‘get in line’ with any other ships which were crossing into Vietnam, so arriving early in the morning was the plan to make sure we were not delayed too long at the border. Approaching Vietnam the Mek
Ruth Mcbride
Oct 166 min read


The Royal Treatment
#RoyalPalace #privatetour #cyclotour #tuktuk #phnom penh #cambodia #avalon #checkthisoffourbucketlist Day 4 Avalon Saigon Mekong Delta River Cruise Docking in Phnom Penh for a few days meant that we could have some free time this afternoon and we could go on an included excursion this morning. Cyclos all lined up to take us through the streets of Phnom Penh. Phnom Penh has a population of 2.8 million and the traffic is very chaotic. Rather than have a tour bus to drive us ar
Ruth Mcbride
Oct 154 min read


A difficult time…
#cambodia #avalontours #avalonjourney #avalon #checkthisoffourbucketlist #oxcart #killingfields Day 3 of our Mekong Delta River Cruise on the Avalon Saigon How do you get to work? Many of us that lived near Toronto would commute via GO Train or Subway, with a few brave ones willing to risk rush hour traffic and sit in their cars for hours at a time. Well today’s commute was a wee bit different to get to the village of Kampong Tralach! Ox cart!! Who knew there was a specific
Ruth Mcbride
Oct 157 min read


Blessings and blessings!
#avalonsaigon #mekongrivercruise #checkthisoffourbucketlist #wathanchey #angkorban Day 2 on the Avalon Saigon Mekong Delta River Cruise We had the option today of climbing up 390 steps to the temple or take a bus. Humidity was 90% and it felt like 39C. We took the bus. We knew we would have lots of opportunity to sweat today, so why start out sweaty! The bus dropped us off at an 8th century Buddhist temple compound where we were to experience a water blessing ceremony by the
Ruth Mcbride
Oct 134 min read


No thank you…
#busrides #avalon #checkthisoffourbucketlist #avalonsaigon We started off our morning leaving our luggage outside our hotel rooms at 7am....
Ruth Mcbride
Oct 135 min read


Noodling Angkor
#siemreap #bantaysrea #taprohm #cambodia #ricenoodles #avalon #checkthisoffourbucketlist #angkorwatsunrise 4:30am wake-up call! Up bright...
Ruth Mcbride
Oct 1110 min read


What’s Wat…?
#avalon #checkthisoffourbucketlist #cambodia #siemreap #ankorwat In the 16th Century Portugese traders and missionaries discovered a vast...
Ruth Mcbride
Oct 810 min read


Change of Plans
#avalon #checkthisoffourbucketlist #vietnam #tamcoc #lagooncruise #gogoyears #retiredtravellers Day 2 of our Fascinating Vietnam,...
Ruth Mcbride
Oct 67 min read


Preserving the past….
#avalon #hanoi #vietnam #checkthisoffourbucketlist Day 3 Hà Nội After two day in Hanoi with a guide and on our own, it was finally time...
Ruth Mcbride
Oct 513 min read


“There goes takeout”
#hanoi #avalon #streetfood #streetmurals #checkthisoffourbucketlist #gogoyears #retiredtravellers After another wonderful breakfast on...
Ruth Mcbride
Oct 46 min read


How close?…that’s pretty close!!!!
#hanoi #hanoistreettour #avalon #checkthisoffourbucketlist We both had a great night’s sleep for our first night in Hanoi. With an 11...
Ruth Mcbride
Oct 211 min read


How long is the layover?
#turkishairlines #touristanbul #checkthisoffourbucketlist #turkishairlinesbusinessclass #turkishairlinesneedssomework I’m writing this...
Ruth Mcbride
Oct 111 min read


Exploring the Enchantment of Vietnam, Cambodia and the Mekong River
#checkthisoffourbucketlist #vietnam #cambodia #avalon Somewhere in Vietnam! 9enerated by AI Our big 2025 Adventure vacation is almost...
Ruth Mcbride
Sep 284 min read


Dealing with old people!
#myvikingstory #amsterdam #vikingrivercruise #headinghome #checkthisoffourbucketlist I put our luggage outside our cabin last night...
Ruth Mcbride
Nov 4, 20244 min read


Last Stop….
#kinderdijk #netherlands #vikingrivercruise #myvikingstory #checkthisoffourbucketlist Kinderdijk, Netherlands November 2, 2024. ...
Ruth Mcbride
Nov 4, 20249 min read


Right place, Right time?….
#Cologne #Cathedral #AllSaintsDay #vikingrivercruises #myvikingstory #checkthisoffourbucketlist Friday November 1st, 2024. All Saints...
Ruth Mcbride
Nov 4, 20249 min read


It’s all about the money!
#taxes #rhine #castles #checkthisoffourbucketlist #koblenz #middlerhine #scenicsailing Happy Hallowe’en to everyone! October 31, 2024...
Ruth Mcbride
Nov 2, 202410 min read


Iconic shots….
#strasbourg #MyVikingStory #vikingrivercruise #checkthisoffourbucketlist #kehl We docked in Kehl, Germany overnight so we could visit...
Ruth Mcbride
Oct 30, 202410 min read


Trapped!
#ravenna gorge #breisach #myvikingstory #checkthisoffourbucketlist Monday October 28, 2024: Breisach, Germany We had an early excursion...
Ruth Mcbride
Oct 30, 20246 min read


We should have figured this out…
#bustrip #longdays #beaune Sunday October 27th, 2024. Viking Buri from Lyon to Viking Hiln in Basel, Switzerland The image looks...
Ruth Mcbride
Oct 30, 20247 min read


Getting our steps in with new friends
#lyon #france #myvikingstory #viking #checkthisoffourbucketlist October 25, 26, 2024 - Lyon, France This morning the included tour with...
Ruth Mcbride
Oct 27, 20248 min read


I never knew that the last time….
#tournon #tainlhermitage #valrhona #vienne #france #rivercruising #vikingrivercruises #myvikingjourney #myvikingstory...
Ruth Mcbride
Oct 26, 202412 min read


Sometimes all you need is half a day….!
#viviers #tournon #france #viking #myvikingjourney #myvikingstory #checkthisoffourbucketlist Wednesday October 23, 2024 - Viviers, France...
Ruth Mcbride
Oct 24, 20248 min read


Fourth times a charm!
#avignon #france #viking #Myvikingjourney #myvikingstory Tuesday October 22, 2024 - Avignon, France I’m having that familiar feeling from...
Ruth Mcbride
Oct 23, 20245 min read


In the steps of the masters….
#Arles #Myvikingjourney #myvikingstory #Viking #Rhonerivercruise #France #checkthisoffourbucketlist Last evening we had special local...
Ruth Mcbride
Oct 21, 20247 min read


C’est bon d’être de retour or It’s good to be back!
#Nice #France #Avignon #TGV #trains #Viking #myvikingjourney Yesterday was our last full day in Nice! Those 12 days sure went fast! ...
Ruth Mcbride
Oct 20, 20246 min read


What could be more French?
#cannes #Nice #retiredtravellers #canadiansinfrance #checkthisoffourbucketlist We had to wake up with an alarm this morning! Yeesh…me...
Ruth Mcbride
Oct 18, 20248 min read


What’s today’s itinerary and how do we get there?….
#Nice #France #cotedazure #frenchriviera #footlooseandfancyfreetravel #makingitupaswe go #retiredtravellers If I look back on how we used...
Ruth Mcbride
Oct 17, 202410 min read


Perched!!!
#checkthisoffourbucketlist #Nice #France #eze #Frenchriviera #cotedazure #retirementtravel Wow! Wix sure has some neat tools now with...
Ruth Mcbride
Oct 16, 20248 min read


Where did everyone go?
#checkthisoffourbucketlist #travelblog #NiceFrance #Frenchriviera #retirementtravel If this works then anyone who had subscribed to our...
Ruth Mcbride
Oct 16, 20241 min read


Lifestyles of the rich and famous….
#Nice #villefranchesurlamer #capferrat #France #checkthisoffourbucketlist There was no blog yesterday (Monday Oct 14/2024) as we were...
Ruth Mcbride
Oct 15, 20248 min read


80 years later…
#Nice #NiceFrance #liberation #Sunday #France #checkthisoffourbucketlist I think the antibiotics are working so that is good! My foot is...
Ruth Mcbride
Oct 13, 20246 min read


The good the bad and the ugly….
#Nicefrance #Nice #France #Menton #checkthisoffourbucketlist #sorefeet No, I’m not talking about the Italian spaghetti western starring...
Ruth Mcbride
Oct 13, 202410 min read


Picture postcard Nice….
#mediterranean sea #Nice #france #blueandwhiteumbrellas #gardens #iconicNice If you’ve been to Nice, France before quick, close your...
Ruth Mcbride
Oct 11, 20248 min read


What is the most important thing to bring on a vacation?
#nice #france #touring #frenchriviera #sorefeet Last night we stayed up quite late trying to determine where the path of hurricane Milton...
Ruth Mcbride
Oct 10, 20246 min read


Light a candle, say a prayer and have a cocktail?…
#Nice #France #Vikingrivercruise #OctoberinFrance Last night we decided to walk around Nice and get our bearings and we found a new way...
Ruth Mcbride
Oct 9, 202411 min read


There is no escaping it…!!!
#Nicefrance #stormyweather #Vikingrivercruise #frenchriviera France in Autumn! What could be better? Slightly cooler weather. Less...
Ruth Mcbride
Oct 8, 20247 min read


Like that familiar Dolly Parton song....
Europe, get ready for us! We're coming back like a bad sequel - bigger, bolder, and with more questionable fashion choices than ever...
Ruth Mcbride
Sep 25, 202414 min read


W’EV done a thing!
#EV #electricvehicle #chevysilveradoev #GMCanada #camping It sure has been awhile since I’ve written a blog but here goes…. If you...
Ruth Mcbride
Jun 29, 20249 min read


Never again….
Day 15/15 2034 Viking Ve Grand European Christmas Markets River cruise. On the way home to Plant City, Florida from Amsterdam, via London...
Ruth Mcbride
Jan 1, 202412 min read


Here we go again….
Day 14/15 2023 Viking VE Grand European Christmas Markets River Cruise #myvikingjourney #checkthisoffourbucketlist #myvikingstory...
Ruth Mcbride
Dec 30, 20237 min read


Who knew?
Day 13/15, Viking Ve Grand European Christmas Markets River Cruise. Cologne, Germany #myvikingstory #myvikingjourney #vikingve #cologne...
Ruth Mcbride
Dec 30, 202310 min read


Romance along the Rhine…
Day 12/15 Viking Ve, Grand European Christmas Markets River Cruise. Sailing from Mainz, Germany to Koblenz, Germany. #castles...
Ruth Mcbride
Dec 28, 20237 min read


The ICU….
Day 11/15 2023 Viking bus trip from hell through Germany! On our way through Wurtheim to a burger joint and eventually the Viking Ve...
Ruth Mcbride
Dec 27, 202313 min read


Serendipitous Christmas!
Day 10/15 2023 Viking Bragi Grand European Christmas Markets River Cruise. Christmas Day,Bamberg, Germany #myvikingstory #vikingbragi...
Ruth Mcbride
Dec 26, 202311 min read


Third time’s a charm?…..
#bamberg #germany #viking #myvikingstory #myvikingjourney #checkthisoffourbucketlist #vikinggrandeuropean #christmasmarkets Day 9/15....
Ruth Mcbride
Dec 25, 20239 min read


Game day decisions….
#vikingskadi #vikingbragi #viking #myvikingstory #myvikingjourney #nuremberg #checkthisoffourbucketlist #nuremburg #christmasineurope Day...
Ruth Mcbride
Dec 24, 20238 min read
CONTACT
bottom of page
