What we love about the Australia people…Friends we’ve made throughout the world…Year ago link to expenses for 15 nights in London…

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We’re always fascinated with these puffy flowers, often found in tropical climates.

There are so many aspects to living in Australia that we find endearing, humorous, and pleasantly surprised that it would take days to write about them all.

Instead, today, we’re sharing some of those thoughts and perspectives. Sure, our opinions are tainted with our long-established Americanized views (some of which are wafting away as we travel the world) but, after traveling to countless countries we’re beginning to feel we’re acquiring an ability to make a fair observation.

This creature was in the living room with us.  We scooped it up in the dustpan putting it outside on the grass. Immediately, it ran back toward the open door to the house. Picking it up a second time, Tom took it out to the rainforest in the back yard. We’d expected to see more insects in the house in Australia and although we’ve seen quite a few, there hasn’t been nearly as many as there were in Kenya and South Africa. As we were warned, flies are rampantly preventing us from keeping the doors open. There are no screens in the house other than two small windows, one in the living room and another in the bedroom.

And for those of you out there that always hover on the side of being “politically correct,” which we strive to accomplish in a subtle manner, we may seem to be generalizing and stereotyping an entire continent and culture.

We can’t help it. Australians are simply unique in many wonderful ways! To say everyone falls into the wonderfulness category would be foolhardy since every country has some less than desirable types. Thus, we don’t include them in this category. 

Sunrise, this morning, which ultimately brought a sunny day.

However, there is a common thread that appears to run through the Australian people that we’ve observed over and over again, everywhere we go, in literally everything we do. 

Australians are fun, friendly, generous, and considerate people. Their manners are impeccable. They laugh easily and find a way to bring humor into many situations and yet remain sensitive, often easily showing emotions in times of worry, compassion, and sorrow.

When we spent 18 days on the cruise on our way to Australia with over 1400 Australians on board, we had the most fun we’d ever had on a cruise, day after day, night after night. 

Limes grow in the yard ready for picking.  Guacamole, here we come, using pork rinds for dipping.

Early on in that cruise, Tom and I both noticed our feet were swollen, a condition neither of us normally experienced. It was due to sitting with people all day long, drinking our iced tea (and other beverages for Tom) while engaged in lively conversations, often laughing our butts off, hardly moving from our seats. 

After a few days, we made a point of getting up and walking around a bit while the other of us held our seats and the ongoing delightful banter. The swelling dissipated in a few days while we continued having such an extraordinary time.

Tom, reaching up to pick a lime.

Living in Trinity Beach we didn’t have an opportunity to make new friends. The privacy of the house and the fact that we hadn’t gone out to meet people at social functions and various establishments was entirely our own fault.

By perusing menus at dozens of local restaurants, we realized it was too risky to dine in restaurants while here.  Although the options sounded tasty, many included sauces with ingredients I can’t have. 

Also, when foods are cooked in pans with gluten, sugar, or starch, my food could easily be contaminated if cooked in the same pans. Few restaurants throughout the world make this accommodation, although, we’ve been lucky on cruise ships and dining in some restaurants.

On a walk in the area on this narrow road.

Had we gone out to the pubs and casual dining, most assuredly, we’d have made new friends. I practically made friends while grocery shopping at Woolie’s (Woolworth’s) or the pharmacy where even the other shoppers often started up conversations, let alone the friendly staff.

Whether we were walking on the beach running into others doing the same, sitting on a bench in a park, or walking down the street, friendliness is the expected norm in Australia.

In our old lives, I walked almost every day, often in cold weather. Living in the same neighborhood for 26 years, I’d often encountered the same people on a regular walk. 

It’s hard to avoid taking more photos of these Flintstone’s character statues in a nearby yard.

A friendly nod or hello may have been in order, but a conversation was seldom to be had. The busy nature and fast pace of life in the US, often attributed to keeping people constantly on the move, seldom with time for idle chatter. We were no different. The pace of that life contributed to our desire to travel the world.

But, that life was our norm. We never questioned it. We had our own little neighborhood and circle of friends, rarely stepping outside that safe cocoon of people we knew and loved, still staying in touch with many of them today.

This is not to say that people haven’t been friendly in other countries. We had a phenomenal time we’ll always treasure with many new friends we made in South Africa, hopefully, to return someday to see them all; Okee Dokee, Louise and Dani, Dawn and Leon, Linda and Ken, Hettie and Piet, and Kathy and Donald. The list could easily continue on and on.

Most yards are left relatively wild in order to embrace the local vegetation. However, this neighboring home has a more manicured yard.

Also, as any of the readers who followed us through Kauai, Hawaii will recall, we made more friends than we can count, particularly our dear friends Richard and Elaine.

Richard proved to be the best social director in the world by virtue of a kind and loving nature that made him revel in bringing good people together. We easily recall countless great social events and ongoing connections with Pat and Brenda, Vicki and Jerry, Cathy and Rick, Bev and Sam, Alice and Trevor, Louise and Steve and Cheryl and Paul (who are from Minnesota). Here again, the list could easily continue on and on.

We miss Richard, frequently touching base by email, as we do with many of the other friends we’ve made in various countries and of course, those we’ve met and come to love, having met them here online; Liz and Dave, Staci and Glenn, Pat and Dan, Joanette, Jodi and countless more, too many to list.

(We apologize for not mentioning everyone’s name).

A funny-looking tree with a type of fuzz wrapped around the branches.

Of course, the closest to our hearts on the most recent Australian cruise from Honolulu, Hawaii to  Sydney, Australia was Reene and Geoff, a couple we hope to see again in our many future travels in Australia. We couldn’t have had a better time with them.

We could go nuts listing all the new friends we made on cruises and even some we’ve met online and will meet in person on an upcoming cruise next year, Staci and Glenn. Much to our delight, Laura and Michael, a fabulous couple we met on the cruise from London to Boston, one year ago, were considering visiting us in Bali in 2016.

As a result of all of our past experiences in making new friends, we never felt lonely not making many new friends in Australia. We’ve enjoyed countless conversations and banter with our landlords Sylvie and Andy, who, although aren’t native Australians, (Sylvie’s from France, Andy’s from the UK), they too possess that warm, friendly and considerate demeanor we’ve witnessed everywhere we go.

Although most homes in the area are well kept and maintained, occasionally we spot a house that could use a little fixing up.

When we shop in the stores, saying “Thank you” to the salesperson for their thoughtful assistance, they always respond, “No worries.” Each time we hear this adorable response (as opposed to “you’re welcome”), we chuckle over its endearing quality. 

Another of the expressions we’ve loved in Australia is “good on you” which indicates “good for you” when we’ve been asked where we’re from and we mention we’re traveling the world. They look into our eyes with an enormous smile on their faces saying, “Good on you.”

In eight days we’ll be flying to Sydney, staying overnight to head to Fiji early the next morning on September 8th. From what we hear the people of Fiji are equally friendly as are those in New Zealand, where we’ll be living in a little over four and a half months. 

The world is a big place and we’re often bombarded with all the bad news, the bad people, and the horrifying events. Amid all of the horror in the world, there are more loving people willing to make new friends, willing to extend their kindness, and willing to make an effort to make the world a better place. 

We continue to be in awe of having had the privilege of spending time in the friendly continent of Australia and similar locations all over the world.

                                            Photo from one year ago today, August 30, 2014:

Tom got a kick out of this car which appeared to be the “shortest” car we’d yet to see in Europe. We were quickly winding down our time in London and had listed all our expenses for 15 nights in South Kensington, dining out for all meals. Click here to see the total expenses.

A native of Kauai, a professional photographer shares her art…Fine art, that is…

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Hanalei Bay Beauty

Last Sunday, at the monthly Princeville Artisan Fair, I met Alia DeVille, a talented and passionate young woman born in Kauai who has adopted the fine “art” of photography.

Chicks in a Coconut

Alia has a skilled and knowledge-driven technique and the ability to create some of the most artistic photographs we have seen in our world travels. As many of our creative and tech savvy photographers /readers are aware, simply taking a good photo of a good scene in itself is an art; the lighting, the angles and the perspective are integral in the creation of a fine photo.

Hanalei Taro Field Glow

With technology at our disposal, there are many complicated, intensive use apps and tools available, many acquired at extraordinary expense, that in the right hands can take a good photo and turn it into fine art. The ability to create this magic is definitely evident in the delicate and crafted hands of Alia DeVille.

Upon meeting her at the fair, I couldn’t take my eyes off of her work. As an amateur photographer with my own passion for a good photo, I was particularly interested in her art. 

Emerald Pool

For myself, as a somewhat tech savvy individual who’s never done more than remove a power line from a photo using the $20 app, Inpaint, or darkening or lightening a photo in the free Fotor app, I can only imagine the intricate work required to turn a good photo into fine art. Alia DeVille has done just that with a finesse one seldom has the opportunity to discover along the way.

Enchanting Makana

Alia is a self taught professional landscape photographer with a love for nature and her island of Kauai. Since childhood, she dreamed of traveling the world as a National Geographic photographer but has found herself entrenched in the exquisite beauty right here at home in Kauai.  

Action and Reaction

Alia expresses in her own words, “Born on the North Shore and  growing up on with the Na Pali Coast and the trails of Kauai as my playground has seeded a strong passion for the incredible natural environment.”

Hanakapi’ai Revealed

For Alia, it its “Not about rules and norms, more about telling a story about a place, embracing the scene and expressing what I see and feel. Waking up to see the mountains towering over the turquoise ocean continually inspires me to capture the immense beauty that surrounds the island.”

Lumahai Radiance

She continues, “Art has always been a passion, and expressing my love of art in photography is a dream come true. Native plants, the beach, the garden, and the stunning beauty of Kauai, provides endless inspiration for my photographs.”

Paradise Found

“To love what you do is the real drive for my life and photography. Seeking moments that seem to take your breath away and make you see the splendor of the ever changing natural world is what I aim to convey.”

“In photography and in life you may not know if you’re in the right place, at the right time, but if you turn around before you get there, you just might miss something amazing. Take that step…that adventure…and it will be well worth it.”
A Blaze of Light
Today, we’re excited to share a few of Alia DeVille’s photos. For many more exquisite works of art, please click one of the several links posted here today with her name to be directed to her website where any of her art may be purchased, if so desired.
Thank you, Alia for sharing your art with us* for our readers and for all of the world to see! 

*Please respect the integrity of these copyrighted photos by Alia DeVille by not copying them for any purposes whether personal or business use. All rights reserved. Federal copyright law prohibits unauthorized reproduction of these photos by any means and imposes fines up for violation. 

                                              Photo from one year ago today, March 29, 2014:
A year ago today, we posted a series of facts about the country of Morocco including information about its monarchy, population, size and government.  Please click here for more details.

Clarification about our posts for new readers…One year ago, sick from a salad in Marrakech…

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There it is, a section of Hideaway’s Beach we discovered when the sun appeared for a few hours, a few days ago.

When we were at the Full Moon Party a few nights ago, a few people we met mentioned they’d seen our site and were confused as to why people like us, traveling the world, we’re writing so much about Kauai, day after day.

For those of our readers who’ve been with us either from the beginning in 2012 or somewhere in between, it makes sense that we’re writing about Kauai every day. But, for those coming in at this point, it may not make sense as to why world travelers don’t talk about anything but Kauai.

The answer is simple, although we do understand why a new reader may have been baffled.  We always write about where we are at any given time. 

The final path down to Hideaway’s Beach, no longer paved.

On May 24th, we’ll begin writing about the cruise as it occurs on our way from Honolulu to Sydney for 18 days and then about Trinity Beach, Australia where we’ll live for 89 days. We’ll continue from there for our upcoming two-plus years in the South Pacific. Later, when we book beyond that period, we’ll post from wherever we may be at any given time

That’s how that works. At times, as you’ll see, we do mention other places we’ve traveled with links the reader can click to take them back to those other places and times.

For the new reader, we have archives of every single prior post from March 14, 2012, to the present, listed on the right side of the daily post, noting the years, months, and each post’s general topic. All that is necessary to read any of these is to click on the year, then the month, then the post. 

These above-ground roots are odd.

It’s easy to go back to the beginning and read, but you wonder how to note where you left off. You can bookmark the last post you read and scroll down to the next one when you return. If you have any trouble with this, please let me know and I’ll be happy to assist using bullet point instructions. Please don’t hesitate to ask.

As for the advertisers on our site, located on the right of any day’s newest post, we kindly ask our readers to click on any of the services provided if you have a need for any of these services or products. 

We use them frequently. The prices are the same as if you went directly to the advertiser’s website and we get a tiny commission if you book a trip, a hotel, rental car, or purchase products. Plus, you can use points, coupons, or any other discounts you may have available. 

Looking down from the last section of the path to Hideaway’s Beach.

We never intended to make a lot of money from these, nor will we, but the small revenue they generate helps pay a little of our web management costs. We appreciate any help we can get. Thanks to those of you who use them on occasion.

Posting comments is easy. At the end of each daily post, you’ll see what looks like a pencil after it says “Posted by Jessica” at so and so time of the day. Click that pencil and you’ll be able to post a question, comment, or tell us anything you’d like to share with our worldwide readers. If you choose, you can post anonymously without mention of your name. Of you may include your name. You decide.

As for our response to comments: Generally, we respond within 24 hours or less except on travel days when we may not have access to the internet for a day or so. Once we’re settled, we’ll respond promptly. We do not reply to negative ranting, politically motivated comments, or hate mail. This is a place of wonder and joy, and like my Facebook page (feel free to friend me) I avoid whining and complaining and never make negative comments, personal comments, or negative observations about others.

The seawater was so clear we could see little fish swimming in this tide pool.

Sending us email: Both of our email addresses are posted above the photo on the right side of the daily post, of us in Petra.  All email you send is kept confidential unless its something you’d like us to share. We always ask before posting specific email comments and await your response before mentioning them online. 

Receiving auto-email with our daily posts:  Below the “search” box on the right side of the page below the advertisers, is a box that says, ” SIGN UP TO NEWSLETTER.” If you sign up here, you will receive each new post in your email each day. You’ll never have to look for our link again. You’ll click the link in the email and then delete the email. Easy. Also, you can use this email to send the link to a friend who may enjoy our site by simply forwarding the email to them with a short comment from you suggesting they read it.

The “Search” box on the right side of the page. Let’s say you are looking for every recipe or a specific recipe we’ve posted since the beginning. Go to the search box and type in “recipe.” You’ll see a list of every post we’ve written with the word “recipe” in it. Some may have been just a mention of the word recipe. But many will contain actual recipes. If you can’t find something, email us and we’ll locate it for you.

The few hours of sunshine was so exciting after days of clouds and rain. Today, the sun is peeking out and if it holds, we’ll soon head to the pool.

Please keep in mind that I’ve also posted some “not so good for you” old recipes of our that are not gluten, starch, grain, and sugar-free. Not everyone cares for our way of eating so from time to time we post an old favorite.

Copying our photos: On occasion, a reader asks if they can use one of our photos in one way or another. Feel free to do so but please, if possible, put a link to our site in case the observer is curious as to the source. This is not necessary for use of our photos as screen savers or for your personal use, only if you put it out there on the web for publication. We try to provide the same courtesy to other’s photos and videos we post, when possible.

Guest blogger: If you have a story to tell and would like us to post it, please let us know via email after you’ve written it and if you’d like it to be posted in a daily post rather than as a comment. We’ll review the story and if appropriate for our site, we’ll post it. The same with special photos you’ve taken or even videos you’ve made.  However, please don’t send us photos or videos belonging to others.

The waves were picking up while we were there.

Many new readers start at today’s post and continue from there, preferring not to go back to the past. However, some amazing experiences have been told and shown in photos in the past with many more yet to come. After all, health providing, we have an entire world out there we’ve yet to see which we’ll share every step along the way.

Some readers read several posts at once and come back weeks or months later to catch up or perhaps, not at all. It’s all personal preference and however, it works for you is fine for us. We often hear from readers saying that each morning they grab their cup of coffee or tea, sit down at their kitchen table, and read our new post.  Others have said they read it while doing cardio at the health club, or laying in bed at night reading it on their phone. We appreciate hearing how it works for you. Please, do tell.

Sharing our posts: Although our lives are not as “juicy” as a soap opera, the concept of a continuing story appeals to many. We’ve found that we prefer TV shows with a single story that continues through the season. 

These funny looking furry pods were all over the ground when we sat down on a bench overlooking the sea at Hideaway’s Beach.

As is the case with our posts, an ongoing dialogue, hence “blog” of the story of our worldwide travels without a home or a base to return to, owning no car, no storage facility and only three suitcases, a duffle bag (dirty laundry) and a computer bag. That’s all we physically own. 

This oddity may appeal to folks you know who are armchair travelers, curious as to the expenses of such travel, or world travelers themselves comparing locations and experiences. Please share our posts with those you know who may find it interesting enough for a single day’s read or perhaps a long term read.

Thanks to our experienced readers for letting us share that which you already knew from reading here and for reading here. And, thanks to our new readers for stopping by, whether for a day or for years to come. We appreciate every one of you.

It’s Friday, time to rev up for the weekend ahead. Whatever you may do, enjoy it with gusto. Tomorrow’s our 20th wedding anniversary but it will be like every other day, worth celebrating!

                                               Photo from one year ago today, March 6, 2014:

Foolish me. It was this salad I ate, the only item on the menu that fit my way of eating, in a restaurant in the Medina in Marrakesh, that caused me a dreadful intestinal illness lasting almost a month. Finally, I succumbed taking a round of Cipro. Within hours, as I felt my mouth become dry, I knew I was on the mend. Only a few days later I was totally well. Of course, I never ate another salad or raw vegetables in Marrakesh again. You’d think I would have known this when our prior six months were spent in South Africa and Kenya. But, in those countries, we only dined in fine resorts and never became ill. For details from that day’s story and some amazing photos, please click here.

Life in Kauai with more wonders at every turn…Hearts turning over…Magic moments…

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In the past several days, trees were trimmed at our condo complex providing us with a better view of the sea from the front of our condo. With a view of Hanalei Bay from our lanai, it’s wonderful having views from both the front and back.

Our lives don’t entirely revolve around searching for the next good photo and story to share, although it may seem so to new readers if they step in midway making an assessment that we’re always looking for the next day’s topic. 

Nor, does life center on the mundane, although pleasant aspects of daily living that include housekeeping, cooking, grocery shopping, and a degree of lounging ensconced in mindless drivel.

The Nene Bird is the Hawaiian Island state bird, evolved from the Canadian Goose of which we’re very familiar after living in Minnesota.

For us, somehow we find ourselves relishing in the details of the above, however infinitesimal or grand, that brings us to a moment of ultimate joy and pleasure.

It may be as simple as the first bite of a good meal we’ve prepared, the music and credits running at the end of a great movie we’ve watched, or such an experience as we had on Friday with knowledgeable, albatross whisperer Cathy.

Cliff scene on our walk.

Or, it may be the result of the two red-crested cardinals that stop by several times each day, alighting on the veranda railing squawking at me for yet another bit of the chopped raw walnuts that I share with them each day. Magic moments. They come in all shapes and sizes.

And, from a more intimate perspective, they come from people we meet, the friends we’ve made, a kindness, a generosity, and a well-spoken or written expression that affects us in such a profound way, that it almost feels as if our hearts are turning over in our chests. 

The black rock lining this cliff’s edge in lava that formed the Hawaiian Islands eons ago.

So was the case yesterday morning when Cathy sent us an email message after reading the first of our posts, an email that made us smile from ear to ear with appreciation and reverence from the depth of the core of her intention. 

A Hala Tree.

She wrote:
“I have really enjoyed reading your blog! And thank you for the kind words, you have no idea how much it means to me.  You got all of the information correct, I am very impressed. The albatrosses need all the friends they can get, and I appreciate your appreciation and respect for them. As the sea level rises and they lose nesting areas, we may start seeing more of them here.”

The thoughtful message continued on with suggestions and offers of information from this wildlife expert that only such a passionate individual would take the time to share. We gobbled it all up in one fell swoop and later went back, reading it again in bite-size pieces absorbing each word.

A closer view of the pods growing on the above Hala Tree. In a way, it resembles a pine cone.

Easily, a reader may interpret our sharing this morsel as a case of “tooting our own horn.” Perhaps, in a way, we’re doing exactly that. Who among us is exempt from absorbing and enjoying a kindly expression? Living life away from those we love who on occasion fed us such a compliment may make us more prime to accept such a fine morsel.

However, the words in her quote that gave us the most gratification were “You got all of the information correct, I am very impressed.” Most recently, we wrote a post as to how we don’t profess to be experts on any particular aspect of our travels or of life itself. You know, “jack of all trades, master of none.” That’s us.

Many of the rocky beach areas are inaccessible and dangerous with many warning signs posted along the edge.

How we strive to get the information right in our daily posts is more profound than we can stress here. At times, we deal is vagaries in hopes of avoiding embarrassing ourselves with inaccuracies.

Then again, we shouldn’t beat ourselves up over this. Who writes with photos every single day of their lives for the world to see in the form of a loose essay, day after day for little remuneration other than the kind observations of others? 

Although we have zillions of readers worldwide (go figure) we hang onto their every word in email and posted comments providing us with feedback that fills us with all that we need or desire.

An oblong pool that is created each day during high tide.

Thank you to those of you who write and to those of you who contemplate writing sometime in the future. And for the lurkers who will never write, you too, give us a sense of great joy as we see our numbers grow into the hundreds of thousands, hoping that somehow our tidbits of life on the move may bring you but a moment of pleasure.

And now, on this beautiful day in Kauai, the doors and windows open to the filtering sunlight, the sounds of the roosters crowing, the birds singing, and the next best thing that calls to us to share with you tomorrow and tomorrow. 

                                            Photo from one year ago today, February 16, 2014:

A “retired general,” a Cape Buffalo, moseys on down the road hoping to meet up with a few cronies while we were on our final game drive in Kruger National Park. We were leaving South Africa on February 28th one year ago. For more photos and details of that game drive, please click here.
Day #157 in lockdown in Mumbai, India hotel…A lovely meeting in London in 2014…Terror in our favorite place in the world…

An online friend visits us in London!…What a wonderful day!…

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Tom took this blurry photo of Liz and me. Sometimes he gets it right and others, not so much.

Over the past years, we’d received several comments from one of our readers, Liz. She wrote beautifully, posing interesting comments and questions that I’d upload at the end of the particular post. 

Those of our readers who have signed up to receive the daily posts receive the questions/comments and our replies to the email, the only email received through our site other than each new daily post. Those readers who don’t sign up must look at the end of each post to see if there are any comments and replies.

My lunch salad in the hotel dining room on a very small plate was US $10.77, 6.50 pounds.

Tom and I both share in the replies, enjoying the opportunity to “speak” to our readers. On occasion, we may receive comments from “haters.” We don’t bother to respond to such types. Our site is not intended as an arena for angry and hateful protestations. 

However, we always welcome expression of views regarding travel or life in general that may be contrary to our own. Lively banter makes the “world go round.” Hatefulness does not, in our view.

Liz’s vegetarian lunch in the hotel dining room.

When we receive a comment or question from a reader we enthusiastically reply online posting both at the earliest possible opportunity, often within 12 hours. Posing comments may be done so anonymously if one so chooses. We aren’t able to determine the writer’s email address or name.

Anyway, back to Liz. After awhile, we began to write privately via email and a genuine friendship came to fruition. As many of us are aware, non-romantic relationship are often born out of the Internet and has escalated over the years as more and more become entrenched in online communication.

How thoughtful of Liz to give me this useful set of organic products to prevent and treat insect bites, always my nemesis.

Liz and I had previously discussed many topics online. I always smile when there’s a message from her as is the case for many other readers with whom we’ve come to know online. For Liz, Pat and all the others, we are eternally grateful.

The fact that Liz lives in a charming village a 90 minute train ride from London, was a perfect opportunity for us to meet. Yesterday, she arrived on what was yet another rainy day, meeting Tom and I in the hotel lobby where we excitedly awaited her arrival.

Precisely on time, not surprising for Brits, I was thrilled to see her lovely face yesterday at 12:35 pm. The plan was for a “girl time” lunch, taking as long as we wanted and then she’d head back to the nearby South Kensington Station for the return train to her home.

Everything fit into the tiny bags except these two larger items which I can easily fit into our toiletries suitcase.

After warm hugs with both of us, a short chat with Tom, Liz and I decided on lunch in the hotel’s restaurant With it still raining and Liz’s walk from the station staying indoors made sense. Quiet during the day, the hotel’s restaurant was the perfect venue for conversation with few interruptions for our shared candid chatter on our lives, our views and our varied experiences.

We were seated in the quiet dining room, eventually ordering a light lunch. The seeming endless conversations began. Liz and I have a lot in common. My birthday is one day after hers on February 19th and 20th. But, the similarity of our views, values and lifestyles are concurrent in many ways.

Liz’s husband Dave sent along this bottle of beer for Tom.  Tonight, we’ll chill it on ice and he’ll drink a toast to Liz and Dave for their thoughtfulness.

It had been a long time since I’d had any “girl time.” It was toward the end of our three months in South Africa, close to my birthday, that friends Kathy and Linda took me to a birthday/goodbye luncheon at a gorgeous resort in South Africa. That was six months ago.

In my old life, I had a number of treasured girlfriends, some who knew one another and some who did not. Often, we’d gather for lunch which ultimately turned into hours of robust conversation and laughter. I’ve missed that these past almost two years since we left Minnesota.

Tom’s calzone last night at Bella Italia.

To have that experience again yesterday, meant the world to me. To have that experience with vibrant, also “overly bubbly” Liz only added to my pleasure.

I don’t know how it happened so quickly but suddenly it was 5:30 pm. We were shocked that so much time had flown by. We wandered up to our hotel room to inform Tom that the three of us were going to dinner after which we’d walk her to the station to catch the 8:30 pm train.

Once in the room, she took a bag of gifts out of her handbag, handing it to me to open with gifts for both of us.  Neither of us had received an actual gift to open in almost two years.

My dinner at Bella Italia of two small chicken breasts in a pot of red sauce with a side of grilled vegetables. 

Included here are photos of the gifts for me and the other for Tom. How thoughtful of her especially when she learned what we’d need and want based on reading our past posts. 

With no restaurants that we love in the area, we felt it was safe to go to Bella Italia, where there’d be options for her vegetarian way of eating, my restrictions and Tom’s picky taste buds. It worked out well. Tom had a beer, Liz had a glass of wine and I had a cup of tea. Our dinners were “good but not great” but again, the conversation was lively and animated. 

Liz’s dinner of vegetarian cannelloni and a side salad.

Again, the time passed quickly and it was time to go. We had a wonderful day spending almost eight hours together. Saying goodbye was bittersweet as we hugged in the rain outside the station with a deep sense of friendship and appreciation for a day well spent.

Thank you, dear Liz. Your kindness, friendship and thoughtfulness will stay with us as we soon leave London in a mere four day as we’ll commence on our worldwide journey with more wonderful memories in tow. Gosh, how lucky could we be?

                                            Photo from one year ago today, August 27, 2013:

The weather had begun to cool in Boveglio, Italy after a hot and humid summer. With only four days until we were leaving for an overnight in Venice awaiting our next day flight to Kenya, we were busy packing and preparing to leave. For details from that date, please click here.

Whale and dolphin sightings!…Interesting day at sea…More photos tomorrow…

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Claudio Martins, the onboard professional photographer, was kind enough to send me some of his photos from our outing. Although I attempted to get good shots, standing on seats, hanging onto poles for balance in the choppy waters,  I couldn’t seem to land any decent shots, as did Claudio.

Yesterday, we headed to the marina in Funchal, the capital city of Madeira. Arriving in plenty of time, we picked up our tickets at the Madeira Seekers window and waited with the other participants at the pier to be directed to the location of the huge catamaran.

We were grateful that only 54 of the possible 98 passengers were on board. As it was, it was crowded making it difficult to take photos and see over the heads of the equally anxious tourists with cameras in hand. We were reminded of how much we prefer not to engage in crowded sightseeing activities.

More Spotted Dolphins as one leaps through the air. It was a cloudy day.

With the rocking of the boat in the choppy waters and the manner in which whales and dolphins make only seconds-long appearances, it was nearly impossible for me to get any good shots. 

With my bad shoulder, I was unable to hold the camera long enough to maintain the necessary waiting position for marine life to breach the water. But “safari luck” was on our side once again and we were able to see both whales and dolphins. More photos will follow tomorrow.

A pod (or school) of Spotted Dolphins.

I became quickly frustrated fearing we’d end the tour without a single photo to share here today. As we passengers were graciously introduced to the staff on the well run and safety-first operation, I’d paid special attention to the onboard professional photographer, Claudio Martin, as to how he was getting his photos.

Standing high above the passengers at the raised helm Claudio had a better advantage than I did standing on the interior deck. (We’d decided not to sit on the net of the catamaran since it would make it difficult t stand to take photos).

It was impossible for me to take this quality of photo with my camera, my lack of skill, and from my poor vantage point. Claudio, a professional photographer had no trouble capturing these.

After the first hour passed with several sightings, I asked Claudio if I could speak to him. Showing him our business card, I explained that we would be posting online and could he kindly help us out by sending some of his photos from the outing. He happily complied. I couldn’t have been more thrilled.

Not only was the operation well run and professional but, we’d be able to share what our eyes beheld in wonder albeit my camera failed to capture. Thank you, Claudio! We are grateful!

A Spotted Dolphin.  All of these wildlife photos shown today were taken by Claudio Martin while we were on the catamaran yesterday.

Having been on safari in the Masai Mara, Kenya last October, writing and sharing photos of our adventures over many days and living in Marloth Park, South Africa where the animals roamed free around our house where we lived for three months, our expectations of sightings were high.

However, we learned yesterday that being out to sea provides little opportunity for extended gawking and fawning over nature’s wonders. They breached the surface in seconds, not minutes. 

My photo of all of the fishing boats in the village of Camara de Lobos.

I’m sure, as we’ve seen from many videos, there are periods of time when whales and dolphins make several more lengthy appearances with lucky and skilled photographers at-the-ready to capture the moments.  Not so the case yesterday.

In any case, we had a good time, especially as the boat maneuvered along the shore of the island which we’d seen 14 months ago from our ship when it docked here for the better part of a day. But now, seeing the island from the ocean after living here for the past two months, gave us an entirely different perspective.

I took this photo when the captain explained that this spot, Cabo Girao, is the highest cliff elevation from sea level straight up to the top of the cliff which was 580 meters, 1775 feet. 

Had we not been able to see any whales or dolphins, we still would’ve enjoyed the ride and the views of the massive rocky cliffs of Madeira. 

After the tour ended, we walked back to the parking ramp in downtown Funchal, checking out the digital equipment store thinking maybe now would be a good time to buy a new camera. With VAT (value-added tax) at 22% plus other taxes,  an additional 48% in total would be added to the already high prices. We passed. We’ll have to figure out another plan.

When the sun peeked out for a few minutes, I was able to capture the bright blue water as we sailed past this huge cave along the shoreline.

After the mall, we drove to the airport to return the blue car, switch companies, and pick up yet another car for our remaining 15 days on the island. We paid as much for the remaining days as we’d paid for each of the prior two full months, rates have increased due to the summer season.

We were home in time for dinner as I anxiously awaited the photos from Claudio. Early this morning, much to my delight, the photos appeared in my inbox leaving me excited to share them here today.

We’ll be back tomorrow with more of Claudio’s photos marine life photos including whales we were lucky to see and a few more of my shots. Stop back, if you will!

Photo from one year ago today, July 16, 2014:

We drove down the church across from our 300-year-old stone house to scope out the grounds when we spotted this old locked gate. For details from the date, please click here.

Video of a motorbike ride in our neighborhood…

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As we research the web for added information about Tuscany, on occasion we encounter an entry that brings a smile to our faces. Such is the case when Tom found this video while he was conducting research for yesterday’s post.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8qEI5ehTzg

It was taken five years ago by a kindly gentlemen, Tage, a motorcycle enthusiast, whom we “met” online, when asking him if we could use his video for today’s post. 

He was great, enthusiastic to share!  His father was born in Boveglio and when he and his wife visited on their motorcycle in 2008, they took this video of the lengthy, hilly walk in the neighborhood in Boveglio, starting from the “square” near Bar Ferrari, ending near the parking lot where we park our rental car.

Had we made a video of this walk, it surely would have been too lengthy on foot. Using his, taken while riding his motorcycle, was perfect. 

When any of us post videos on YouTube.com we provide permission for others to re post our videos. It doesn’t require permission from the originator. However, we’ve found that “asking permission” to re post photos and videos is an excellent opportunity to make a new online friend and to provide them the satisfaction of knowing that others are enjoying their project.

So was the case with Tage. He couldn’t have been more delighted, as were we. Living in Italy, he extended an offer for he and his wife to meet us somewhere for coffee, should we be near each other at any time in our travels. Perhaps we will. 

The power of the web to connect people with similar interests is astounding. How did we ever manage travel without it?  How did we ever search for services, hotels, entertainment and transportation? Over the phone, most likely. Using travel agents when possible. Do travel agencies even exist anymore?

This morning, as we planned a road trip for next Tuesday, how would we have booked a hotel without the Internet? And, before the advent of phones and travel agents, would we have had to send a telegram or a letter, many months in advance?

I often remind myself how grateful I am that we’ve lived in this period of time as opposed to hundreds or thousands of years ago. How easy life is comparatively. Undoubtedly, we’d never have wanted this life as nomads, traveling the world with the difficulty of “making arrangements.”

Now, as we share our travels via the Internet, we find that the world is very small in many ways.  How ironic to find a video, five years old, of where we’re spending the summer in this tiny community with few tourists?   

As we continue on, we’re convinced that we’ll have access to the travels of others to incorporate into our own experiences, meeting fine people along the way, online and in person with the commonality of interest in expanding our knowledge of the amazing world around us.

Of course, when we leave next Tuesday, July 23, we’ll be bringing our digital equipment to ensure that wherever we may go, you’ll have the option of “traveling with us” as we share our experiences and photos.

For Jerry…we’ll be your eyes…

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Tom is the youngest of a family of eleven with eight surviving. The eldest, Jerry is a sharp 84, funny, loving, savvy in today’s world and totally blind. Tom will be 60 five days from today, December 23rd. They share a 24-year difference in age.

While in Henderson, Nevada on December 23rd (we’re leaving tomorrow), we’ll celebrate Tom’s milestone birthday with a gathering of the family, including three of Tom’s sisters, two brothers-in-law, several of my family members, and local Henderson friends with a wide array of homemade foods, special drinks and as we pleaded, no gifts! (There’s no room in our luggage).

Originally, the intent in writing this blog was to stay in touch with family and friends as we travel the world over the next 5-10 years. Initially, the plan was to post once a week with photos and updates.  As the preparations began, we realized that this information, so diligently researched, may be of benefit to other travelers both young and senior.  Much to our surprise, we’ve attracted readers from all over the world. 

It wasn’t long before Jerry and his lovely wife Lee, heard about our blog as did many other family members. Jerry began “reading it” on his computer utilizing a software program, Jaws, instituted for the blind many years ago.

A few months ago, upon updated the look of our blog, Jerry was no longer able to “read” the text due to formatting changes.  His frustration was evident when he asked if there was a way we could get it to him.  His problem was a dial-up connection in his home, not friendly to intense graphics.

Tom and I discussed the options and Tom suggested that he copy and paste each new post he receives in his email (he signed up to receive email notifications of each new post), text-only, and email it to Jerry.  This proved to be a perfect solution and Jerry has happily followed along with our updates. 

In addition, when Jerry receives each post, he prints a copy to share with Lee, and Tom’s sister Patty, who doesn’t have access to a computer.

A few days ago, I received this email from Jerry that touched our hearts.  Here it is exactly as it was received:

I SURE DID
TRY TO FIGURE HOW I COULD JOIN YOU GUYS FOR TOMS PARTY.
FIGURED IF I
MADE ALL THE PLANS ABOUT THEN MY OLD BODY WOULD GIVE OUT ON ME.

SO DECIDED TO
STAY HERE WITH MY FAVORITE NORWEGIAN. SO AS YOU
TRAVEL YOU TWO  WILL BE MY EYES.

JERRY AND LEE

It’s evident from this sweet message what a terrific guy Jerry is, as a brother, husband, and friend. It brings us great comfort to know he and Lee are “following along” with us in our travels. 
So, as we travel, documenting our experiences along the way, we will always keep Jerry in mind, knowing that he is hearing our adventures, hearing our dilemmas, hearing our joys, and hearing our photos which we’ll describe in a way enabling him to “see” what we are seeing, feel what we are feeling and share in the many treasures our world has to offer.
Thank you, Jerry.  The gift you give us, is your interest, your enthusiasm, and your love which we will carry with us, wherever we may be. 
Yes, Jerry, we’ll be your eyes.