travel memoir

Cruising the Mediterranean

by

A shared passion for exploration. The Mediterranean trip of their dreams.
There’s no better time for adventure than right now.

Enthusiastic explorers Al and Sunny Lockwood treasure the challenge and excitement of travel. From train rides through the Smokies to campouts in Yellowstone, they’ve documented their travel adventures to critical acclaim. With retirement, they expand their horizons and ship off for a new adventure in the heart of the Mediterranean.

Come along with Al and Sunny as they experience the dazzling beauty of the Greek Isles, the mouthwatering delights of Italian cuisine, the unique calls to prayer chanted from Istanbul’s minarets.

You’ll hold your breath riding the sky-high Acropolis lift, marvel at the lacework canals of Venice, and lose yourself in the rich wares and aromas of the Grand Bazaar.

Their daily excursions will expand your mind and deepen your understanding as you find yourself immersed in the Mediterranean’s vibrant array of cultures and history.

In Cruising the Mediterranean you’ll discover:
– Personal reflections, insights and humor
– Intriguing facts about Mediterranean history, landmarks and cultures
– Tips for pacing your daily outings to conserve energy and maintain interest
– Ways to adopt an adventuresome spirit so that obstacles or disappointments
don’t ruin your pleasure
– The emotional, intellectual, physical and spiritual benefits of travel and much,
much more!

Cruising the Mediterranean is a breathtaking travelogue for explorers who refuse to let
aging limit their adventures.

If you like warm personal stories, cultural journeys, and actionable tips for planning your own cruise adventure, then you’ll love Al and Sunny Lockwood’s inspirational memoir capturing the heart of the Mediterranean.

Buy Cruising the Mediterranean today and join them on a timeless, unforgettable journey!

Meet Al & Sunny Lockwood

Al and Sunny Lockwood met after he’d retired from engineering and she’d retired from daily newspaper reporting. They spent much of their time exploring California, Al with his camera and Sunny with her notebook and pen. But a serious car wreck changed their lives.

In 2012, while they waited at a red light, a driver paying more attention to her phone than her driving, slammed into them at 60 miles per hour. The collision totaled both cars and filled the Lockwood’s summer with doctor appointments, pharmacy visits, and endless wrangling with insurance companies.

The wreck also woke them up to the reality that life is fragile and there’s no guarantee you’ll have it for long. “We decided to stop putting off our travel dreams for some day in the future,” Sunny says. “We’ve made ‘someday’ today.”

Their first dream cruise was through the Panama Canal.

Then Al and Sunny visited Amsterdam and cruised the Mediterranean, stopping at Venice, Athens, Istanbul, Ephesus, and various Greek islands.

Together Al and Sunny have visited more than 30 countries.

“We write to encourage people to make their travel dreams come true,” Sunny says. “We want our readers to know that travel enhances health and enriches life. So step out of your everyday routine and take a chance on adventure and fun.”

Cruising Panama’s Canal

by

Who would have guessed that it would have taken an almost fatal car accident to motivate Al and Sunny Lockwood to take a cruise ship vacation to the Panama Canal?

Riveted by their near death experience. this charming couple decided to make their bucket list dream cruise vacation come true, and now they want to share it with you!

Come along with them as they share intimate details of their 17-day odyssey from San Francisco to Fort Lauderdale via the Panama Canal. Sunny provides the facts. Al adds delicious humor. A perfect recipe for cruise travel fun!

Get a firsthand look into what ocean cruising is really like: the service, the staterooms, the entertainment, the surprises, and of course the food — from endless buffets to amazing gourmet dinners and decadent desserts, Al’s enthusiastic descriptions will have your mouth watering.

Stand on the bow of Holland America’s MS Zuiderdam with Al and Sunny as they share the sights, sounds and feelings of transiting the Canal; watch as the sun rises over the Pacific Ocean and then sets into the Atlantic on the same day. Miraculous!

Let Al and Sunny be your guides to exotic ports of call such as: Zihuatanejo, Mexico, Putarenas, Costa Rica, Cartagena, Colombia and Half Moon Cay in the Bahamas.

Learn about the building of the Panama Canal and how the locks actually work as huge, modern ships squeeze into 100-year-old chambers to take the world’s most famous short cut.

What readers and experts are saying about this book:

“Their writing is inviting, funny, contagious and just flat out a joy to read.”
Amazon top reviewer William D. Curnett

“The pages just flew when I picked this book up.”
Janice Condit

“Al’s descriptions of desserts made me want to rip the pages out and eat them!”
Karen Zaccheo

Finalist in the 2014 National Indie Excellence Awards

Whether you are thinking of a Panama Canal cruise, looking for a humorous and heart-felt travel memoir, or are an armchair traveler seeking a fun and entertaining read about cruise travel, you are going to love Cruising Panama’s Canal. Order your copy today!

Cruising from Boston to Montreal (Bargain Book)

by

Discover historic wonders and modern delights guaranteed to enlarge your heart and expand your understanding of Canada and its people.

Veteran travelers Al and Sunny Lockwood share their adventures and misadventures on this scintillating cruise of exploration.

Join them for an unforgettable journey through part of the largest country in the Western Hemisphere.

In “Cruising from Boston to Montreal” readers will:

– attend a rousing baseball game at Boston’s Fenway Park

– Learn Alexander Graham Bell’s involvement with Canada’s first airplane flight.

– Visit the Prince Edward Island farm that was the setting for the Anne of Green Gables books.

– Discover how lobster graduated from barnyard feed to gourmet fare.

– Sail Canada’s greatest waterway, the mighty Saint Lawrence River.

– View breath-taking cathedrals and romantic lighthouses.

– Discover Halifax’s heart-breaking connection with the Titanic tragedy.

– and much more.

This travel memoir will introduce you to the fascinating heroes, stunning beauty and staggering tragedies that have helped shape Canada’s Maritimes, Quebec City, and Montreal.

“The first-person descriptions read with the drama of fiction and the excitement of journal writing….” – Midwest Book Review

Meet Al & Sunny Lockwood

Al and Sunny Lockwood have traveled by foot, car, rail, air and cruise ship. They’ve camped in national parks, hiked mountain trails, photographed springtime flowers in Death Valley and wintry surf along the rugged beaches of Northern California.

They’ve watched July 4th fireworks over Lake Tahoe, explored the Taos Pueblo and ridden the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad through forests ablaze with autumn colors.

They’ve ridden Scotland’s amazing Falkirk Wheel, Norway’s Flam Railway, and Ushuaia’s train at the end of the world.

They’ve photographed Gibraltar’s Barbary apes and Gentoo Penguins frolicking in the surf on Falkland Island beaches.

From North Carolina’s Outer Banks to New Orleans’ Bourbon Street and Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry, Al and Sunny love to wander and wonder and enjoy.

Everywhere they go, they capture unforgettable moments with their cameras and notebooks, moments to share with their readers. Their work has been published in magazines and newspapers. It has been recognized with awards from the National Federation of Press Women, the California Newspaper Publishers Association, the Wishing Shelf Book Awards, Seven Sisters Book Awards, and The Independent Author Network Book Awards.

“We write to encourage others to travel, to take a break from their ordinary routine and discover the many rewards of traveling with your eyes wide open,” Sunny said. “Go somewhere new, even if it’s only in the next county. And have fun exploring the sites, the sounds and flavors of the place. You’ll be amazed at how much fun you’ll have.”

Al added, “We also write to share the wonder of our own travels. To help you feel what it’s like to be on a cruise ship, or wandering the back alleys of Venice, Italy. We hope our books give readers a real sense of our travel adventures.”

Finding Ourselves in Venice, Florence, Rome & Barcelona

by

Do you dream of riding a gondola along the canals of Venice? Tossing a coin into Rome’s Trevi Fountain? Join Al and Sunny Lockwood as they explore these and other fascinating cities, gathering travel memories for a lifetime.

Their informative, entertaining memoir shows how seasoned travelers can see the world while savoring all the excitement, romance and adventure they desire.

The Lockwoods capture magical moments as they travel on their own by foot, bus and train. Their enchanting, entertaining experiences prove that being young at heart is all you need to relish our beautiful world.

Whether you long to travel for enlightenment or escape or if you simply enjoy armchair travel, this warm personal odyssey will sweep you away to beautiful places and pleasure-filled adventures.

Along with the Lockwoods you’ll
* feel the mist on your face in early morning Venice,
* hear the deep, resonant church bells of Florence,
* walk where Colosseum gladiators once battled,
* savor intensely flavorful gelato,
* inhale spicy incense in a Barcelona fortuneteller’s shop,
* and discover what Al and Sunny learn: that exciting, transforming travel is not the exclusive province of the young.

These two find practical ways to see the world while shepherding their energy and travel funds.

Their refreshing, easy-to-read memoir will have you searching for your passport.

Grab your reading glasses and bon voyage!

Meet Al & Sunny Lockwood

Al and Sunny Lockwood have traveled by foot, car, rail, air and cruise ship. They’ve camped in national parks, photographed springtime flowers in Death Valley and wintry surf along the rugged beaches of Northern California.

They’ve ridden Scotland’s Falkirk Wheel, Norway’s Flam Railway, and Ushuaia’s train at the end of the world.

They’ve photographed Gibraltar’s Barbary apes and Gentoo Penguins frolicking in the surf on Falkland Island beaches.

Everywhere they go, they capture unforgettable moments with their cameras and notebooks, moments to share with their readers. Their award-winning work has been published in magazines and newspapers.

“We write to encourage others to travel, to take a break from their ordinary routine and discover the many rewards of traveling with your eyes wide open,” Sunny said.

Al added, “We also write to share the wonder of our own travels. To help you feel what it’s like to be on a cruise ship, or wandering the back alleys of Venice, Italy. We hope our books give readers a real sense of our travel adventures.”

Cruising the Mississippi

by

In crossing another travel adventure off their bucket list, two retirees take a fascinating river cruise and find the heart and soul of the American South.

Born travelers Al and Sunny Lockwood seized their dreams of exploring America’s natural wonders. From hiking Sierra Nevada mountain trails to photographing wildflowers in Death Valley, they’ve documented their fascinating journeys to critical acclaim.

A serious car wreck changed their lives. They stopped postponing their dreams of ocean cruises.

Now, these veteran travelers embrace a new travel adventure: a river cruise up the magnificent Mississippi.

Join Al and Sunny on the decks of an antebellum paddle-wheel riverboat as they experience the culinary delights, rich architecture, breathtaking vistas, and famous hospitality of southern culture.

You’ll visit lavish plantation mansions, honor the fallen at Civil War memorials, and be swept away by the magical beat of authentic New Orleans jazz. Before the journey ends, you’ll witness how the couple’s first impressions are challenged, changing their hearts forever.

In Cruising the Mississippi, you’ll discover:
-Fascinating histories of riverside cities
-Little-known facts about famous landmarks
-Personal reflections and insights from their daily experiences
-Tested travel tips and advice for embarking on your own river cruise adventure
-The lifelong benefits of immersing yourself in different customs and cultural experiences
-A detailed tour of the historic paddle-wheel riverboat, and much, much more!

If you like cultural exploration, American history, practical travel insights, colorful characters, and authentic personal stories, you’ll love Al and Sunny Lockwood’s illuminating exploration of America’s mightiest waterway.

Buy Cruising the Mississippi today and embark on a breathtaking adventure for the young at heart!

Love, Travel, and Volunteering Caring for the World

by

Experience the challenges and joys of making a difference while meeting new friends all over the world

Many people dream of seeing the world and making a difference. Not everybody will act on that dream, an undertaking that can be scary and overwhelming. Kandy puts those feelings aside and sets off to volunteer as a nurse in Peru. But things do not always work out as expected. Kandy does not know that she will end up doing voluntary work as a nurse in Guatemala, with children in Thailand and South Africa, and dogs in Jamaica and Mexico. She is left stranded in the middle of nowhere, jumps off the world’s highest commercial bridge, connects with monkeys, snorkels with seals, and so much more!

Will the joys of her self-discovery journey outweigh the hardships, or will she want to return to a stable life in Canada?

Love, Travel, and Volunteering is a travelogue about self-discovery and making a difference. It captures the many obstacles that need to be overcome as a solo traveller. This travelogue is a must-read for those who love books that take them around the world and talk about different cultures as well as the challenges and joys of volunteering abroad.

A portion of each sale will be donated to The Animal House Jamaica.
This donation will help cover the cost of vet bills, dog food, fresh water, adoption fees, and so much more.

BUY YOUR COPY TODAY!

REVIEWS
“What a gift to read about in a day and time where everyone remains so self-centered and the news is so depressing. THIS IS NOT THAT BOOK!!!! This is where you are uplifed and encouraged! What are you waiting for?!?! Get out – enjoy life – do good! Thank you for sharing your heart and passion for life!”

“Great read, very inspiring. The author’s journey touched my soul. This book is a road map for anyone looking for adventure and wanting to make a difference in the world.”

“As a longtime, solo backpacker volunteer traveler myself, I am glad to see other female volunteers sharing their experiences to encourage others to do the same. We can all help each other out – and doing so in other countries breaks down barriers and stereotypes while buidling empathy and understanding.”

“If you’re intending on setting off into the world, and thinking of volunteering in third-world countries, this book gives a lot of tips and experiences about the subject. The author combines her own experiences working with children and animals in very undeveloped regions, with lists of items you would need to know if you want to follow in her footsteps. A useful book to have with you on your journey.”

“Do good and be good! I love this book and the author’s down to earth manner and real-life stories! I couldn’t help using one of the stories in a sermon I was preaching because of its relevance and the lesson learned (something that is soooo valuable).”

Meet Kandy Ostrosky

Kandy is from Hamilton, Ontario. She has been a registered practical nurse since 2012 and began her career on a stroke rehabilitation unit. Currently, she works on a neurobehavioural unit. Her love and passion for nursing and helping people created her desire to volunteer in underdeveloped countries. She began journaling her trips in 2017 and will continue to journal her future adventures, as she wants to create a second part of this travelogue.

Back on Bonaire: Rediscovering Diver’s Paradise as a Father

by

A small Caribbean island. An underwater explorer turned father. Can he rediscover Bonaire through the curious eyes of a child?

Gem-clear water, warm tropical trade breezes, and graceful sea turtles soaring through a brilliant theater of kaleidoscopic coral. It’s the place that avid scuba diver and famed Jurassic Park author Michael Crichton described as “a world of riotous, outrageous color” during his visit here decades earlier. This is Bonaire, and with its protected nearshore reef system and sweeping conservation efforts, the small Caribbean island has earned the title it boasts on its license plates: Diver’s Paradise.

Drawn to Bonaire in his twenties, Andrew Jalbert transformed a passion for travel, scuba diving and the natural world into a career as a writer and underwater photographer. But when he was unexpectedly gifted with fatherhood at age forty-three, he faced the challenge of merging two seemingly incompatible lives. Determined to pass on his appreciation for this tropical paradise, Andrew annually took his son to the place he’d come to love. And over the course of their week-long excursion when the boy was five, the doting dad found the isle’s magic renewed by an insatiably curious child.

Told in lyrical prose, Jalbert recounts both his early days exploring Bonaire’s underwater treasures and the wonders of his kindergartner’s fascination. Along the way, he relates the island’s natural and cultural history, illuminates the critical need for conservation, and realizes life seen through the eyes of the young is among the greatest visions imaginable.

If you like evocative descriptions, exploration, wisdom conveyed with humor, and educational asides, then you’ll adore this expertly woven travel memoir.

Buy Back on Bonaire and discover the book Indie Reader calls a “wise and witty travelogue”.

Meet Andrew Jalbert

Andrew Jalbert is an award-winning photographer, writer, and doting father. Throughout his twenty-five years as an archaeologist, scuba instructor and dive guide he has traveled extensively, publishing work on prehistoric sites, shipwrecks, travel, dive safety, and marine conservation. Jalbert lives in Monona, Wisconsin with his wife Becky and their son Luc.