Final Expenses for six weeks in Minnesota…Tomorrow, we’re off to Las Vegas!…Busy day!…

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Tom, Tammy, and Vincent last night when we all said goodbye.

Here we are, posting late again today. This morning we had our hands full packing, running out to Goodwill, and making a stop at Target for a few last-minute items. 

While preparing today’s post and our final expenses, we decided to include our living costs during these six weeks and how much we spent on replacing our wardrobes in their entirety.

Vincent’s teeth were hurting a little after the morning’s visit to the orthodontist. But, he enjoyed his meal (I forgot to take a photo), his chocolate milk, and time afternoon and evening with us.

Over these past years of world travel, we’ve found it impossible to find proper sizes and clothing suitable for us when we felt a need to replace certain items along the way. I’m not an easy fit with my above-average height, long legs and arms, and clothes for Tom are equally challenging to find for various reasons.

We’ve found clothing purchased in many countries to be less durable at the prices we’re prepared to pay. Even in Australia, with their modern stores, the cost of many items was two to three times higher than a similar product in the US.

Tammy and Vincent at Avenida with us last night for dinner.

As a result of this visit, we’ve decided we’ll stick to buying clothes in the US, especially when we’re hoping to return for a visit every two years. With our recent purchases, we have no doubt our items will last until 2019.

When considering that we’ve spent $2,062.79 for both of us for all of our new clothing and shoes, replacing almost every single item, that translates to only $1031.40 for each of the two years at a total of $515.70 for each of us per year. That’s very reasonable.

 Expense   US Dollar 
 Hotel – 42 nights    $                  4,494.00
 Flight + Bags-Seattle to MPS  $                     478.20
 Rental Car    $                  1,758.00
 Fuel   $                     390.16
 Clothing to restock luggage   $                  2,062.79
 Restaurants   $                  1,502.29
 Grocery   $                     294.13
 Pharmacy, luggage, misc.  $                  1,983.68
 Laundry, tips for hotel staff   $                     368.94
 Total   $               13,332.19
 Avg Daily Cost    $                     317.43

Of course, everything we purchased was a bargain when Macy’s was practically “giving away” quality, name-brand items during several sales. Add a trip to the Albertville Factory Outlet Mall, and we replaced everything. 

Another expense listed on today’s final costs as shown here as “pharmacy, luggage, toiletries, misc.” included hundreds of dollars I’d spent for expensive probiotics that I will continue to take over the next six months and the replacement of expired and dwindling supplies of toiletries, cosmetics, and over-the-counter emergency medications. It all added up quickly.

These types of expenses will continue to be necessary when we return to the US. With the high cost of shipping items to us, we’ve decided to wait to make purchases if at all possible. Although, at times, we’ll have no choice but to continue to ship items we may urgently need, such as a replacement laptop and other digital equipment we unable to find outside the US that suits our needs.

Tammy’s tacos looked terrific with the blue corn taco shells in the metal holders, rice, and beans on the side.  We’ve noticed how significant portions are in the US as compared to other countries.

As an example, a few days ago, our portable Doxie scanner died while I was scanning all the receipts we’d accumulated here in Minnesota. Today, I’ll order a new scanner and have it shipped to our mailing service in Nevada for pick-up while we’re there, along with several other items included in today’s total expenses (in an attempt to keep our baggage weight under control from MSP to LAS).

This morning we completed our packing, weighed our bags, and headed out to a nearby Goodwill store to drop off our old clothes and shoes. In the afternoon, we’ll take off to say goodbye to more family members.

With all but the third checked bag already packed and weighed, tomorrow morning won’t be stressful, especially when we’ll leave the hotel two hours before our flight. Tom, the proverbial early bird, prefers to arrive long before necessary, and I go along willingly (without complaint) to avoid adding to his usual “travel day” stress.

Tom ordered his usual sweet and sour chicken without peppers.

In almost every case, once we settle at a restaurant in the airport to wait for our flight, I’m usually happy we arrived early, allowing me additional time to complete the day’s post in the event I wasn’t able to upload it before we left our accommodations.

Yesterday, we spent the afternoon with grandson Vincent. We met up with Tammy for dinner at our favorite Avenida, an Asian/Mexican fusion restaurant not far from the hotel where we dined on many occasions. The four of us had a pleasant dinner while I took today’s included photos.

I ordered my usual chopped salad minus corn, minus beans, and minus tortilla strips with a side of shredded beef and sour cream. As always, it was delicious.

We’ll be back tomorrow with our final Minnesota post, and then, on Saturday, we’ll be checking in from Henderson, Nevada. I received a weather warning on my phone in the past hour stating, “Excessive Heat Warning” for tomorrow in Las Vegas, Nevada, with highs expected at 114F, 46C, 4 degrees lower than the recent all-time high of 118F, 48C. Oh, boy! 

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Photo from one year ago today, July 6, 2016:

This, dear readers, so much bespoke Vietnam in today’s world. For more Vietnam photos, please click here.

Down memory lane…How did it feel to return?…Four days and counting…

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From left to right, Doug, Jamie, Tom, Sue, Nelleke, Dave, our dear old friends, and neighbors are on the point.

Not only did we leave all the people we love behind when we left Minnesota and the US almost five years ago, but we said goodbye to all of our worldly possessions; home, cars, and all personal belongings.

My happy guy, enjoying time spent with old friends.

We gave the family the memorabilia and physical photos (all of which we scanned) and sailed away with only that which was contained in an overabundance of luggage at the time.

Now, pared-down considerably with only one large clothing suitcase each, a third smaller bag with supplies, and two carry-on bags, our worldly possessions are few.

Our former home.  Respecting the new owner’s privacy, we didn’t bother them to see it.

I won’t imply that any of that was easy. It was more difficult than we can ever express. But, somehow, we both knew that this new life was meant for us. And yes, it was a process. Freeing ourselves from “stuff” didn’t come easily.

Little did we know, as we suffered the angst of “letting go,” how meaningful and purposeful our new lives would become, providing both of us with a sense of joy, contentment, fulfillment, and happiness neither of us ever anticipated in these later years, especially after all this time has passed.

Our former home is on the opposite side of the peninsula.

We had no doubt we’d return to our old neighborhood to see our friends, and we wondered how we’d react to returning after almost five years. We knew it would be no different for us than when anyone returns to a home in their long-ago past. Doing so will always have the potential to bring up emotions many of us may have put aside for a time.

Alternate view of Jamie and Doug’s home with Nelleke and Dave’s next door.

As we stood on the road with our friends, looking toward our old house, we surprised ourselves when we each smiled, remembering the great times we shared, leaving us with memories we’ll always cherish. There was no sadness.

Jamie and Doug, two doors down from our former home. Thanks for inviting us to the “cocktail cruise.”

However, we weren’t sad in any way or even felt nostalgic to any degree. Later, when we discussed it, we equated it to how one might feel when they see an “old flame” while happily ensconced in a relationship with a “new love,” eliciting not much of a reaction, not a glimmer of sorrow…we’ve moved on.

And move on, we have, into another chapter of our lives for which we’ve adopted with grace and ease, knowing we made the right decision for us, not necessarily that which many others would care to adopt.

Doug, driving their spacious pontoon boat.

The people? We miss them and always will. Spending Saturday night with our old friends and, after spending many other days and nights with other friends and family members, our emotions regarding all of them remain in tact, filled with love and admiration for who they were when we left and who they’ve become in our absence.

Jamie and Doug’s stunning lakefront home.

Yesterday was a busy “friend” day for me when in the morning, friend Chere stopped by our hotel with gifts, Norwex cloths for our travels. Thanks, Chere, how perfect they are!  

Sue sold her house this past year, five years after our beloved Chip passed away. We shared photos and stories of her new home a few weeks ago. Click here for photos.

A short time later when TJ and grandson Jayden arrived for breakfast, they dropped me off at friend Karen’s home while they headed to Wisconsin to buy fireworks. Spending several hours with her was an unexpected treat when suddenly there was a gap in the schedule.

Tom picked me up at Karen’s home around 3:00 pm. We headed back to the hotel to change and dress for the planned dinner with friends Lisa and Brian at Maynard’s Restaurant in Excelsior, located on Lake Minnetonka, an old favorite haunt. 

Dave and Nelleke, our former next-door neighbors.

We spent hours talking, paying little attention to our food, instead of focusing on one another. It was so good to see them again as it had been to see Chere and Karen one last time and, of course, our old friends Lisa and Brian last night.

Nelleke and Dave’s gorgeous lakefront home.

During this extended stay, I even had an opportunity to see an old friend and former business partner, Theresa, a second time on a whim during a gap in the schedule last week.

Tom’s fish and chips with coleslaw.  He’ll eat healthier food once we start cooking again in Costa Rica in about 28 days.

As this final week comes to a close, knowing we’re leaving in four days, we’ll focus our time and energy, as their work schedules allow saying goodbye to our family. The busy 4th of July holiday puts a slight damper on this process, but we’ll manage just fine. 

Jamie and Doug shared this massive plate of pork chops at Hazelwood Restaurant, where we dined after our happy hour boat ride.

We arrived in Minnesota on a holiday weekend (Memorial Day) and are leaving on the 4th of July week. Soon, we’ll return to the life our Aussies friends always referred to as our “living life on a perpetual holiday (vacation).” 

My usual Cobb salad with a side of sour cream (instead of salad dressing) which I’ve ordered almost every night since we arrived in Minnesota nearly six weeks ago.

For us, it’s not a perpetual vacation. Its a nomadic life filled with adventure as we continue to explore beyond our wildest dreams, a decision that ultimately required a lot of change, sacrifice and adaptation, a decision we’ll never regret.

Thanks, dear readers, for sharing this particular time with us.

Photo from one year ago today, July 3, 2016:

Historical building in Singapore one year ago. For more photos and final expenses for the week we spent in Singapore, please click here.

An anniversary night where we met 26 years ago…Post #1800 today!

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Our waiter took this photo of us on our 26th anniversary of the day we met at this exact location, now a different restaurant.

Dining out every night over the past 34 nights, except for a few occasions when we’ve eaten at the homes of friends or family, has lost its novelty. No longer do we peruse the menu with renewed interest anticipating something new and wonderful.

When we entered Poor Richard’s, we were reminded of the memorable date of when we met.

With my restricted way of eating and the availability of restaurant menus online, it’s been easy to determine which establishments may work for me and which do not. Also, since I don’t consume foods cooked in vegetable oils (only butter, quality olive oil, or coconut oil), there are few menu items I’d consider ordering.

The easiest and least risky meals for me are salads containing hard-boiled eggs, bacon, fresh avocado, lettuce, tomato with broiled chicken or salmon. This generally may be described as a Cobb Salad or variation thereof.

Tom was all smiles when he perused the menu.

Except for amazing fall-off-the-bone ribs we ordered (without sauce) at Grizzly’s the other night, I’ve only ordered the above-type salads over these many past meals. 

On the other hand, Tom has indulged in a whatever-he-wants mentality, knowing that in a little over a month, I’ll be cooking our meals again, which won’t include fries and other starches, burgers in a bun and other bread products, etc. 

Tom’s puff pastry-topped chicken potpie and garlic mashed potatoes.

During this period, he’s avoided all desserts and sweets, including the home-baked chocolate chip cookies available in the hotel’s lobby throughout the day and evening.

Eating only a low-carb breakfast (no pancakes, waffles, cold cereals, or toast) and no lunch or snacks between breakfast and dinner (or after dinner), he hasn’t gained an ounce while consuming some of this less-than-desirable food. I’ve stayed mum about what he orders (other than perhaps drooling a little when I see what’s on his plate at dinner time).

My seasoned buffalo chicken chopped salad with bacon, avocado, and blue cheese.

Last night was a perfect example of my drooling.  He ordered a puff pastry-topped chicken pot pie with a side of garlic mashed potatoes (skins included). I rated another variation of a Cobb Salad based on the menu offerings at Poor Richard’s Commonhouse in Bloomington, the location of our anniversary dinner as explained in yesterday’s post.  Please click here if you missed that post.

To our local readers: This is not the wrong spot for a reasonably priced and delicious meal.

Tom thoroughly enjoyed his pot pie, while I found the salad to be one step above some of the others I’ve tried since we arrived on May 26th.  Of course, the evening wasn’t so much about the food as it was the experience, dining in the same spot where we met 26 years ago, although the former establishment had been replaced twice; from the former Stonewings to Major by the current Poor Richard’s.

We’d anticipated feeling somewhat nostalgic about the location. Still, unfortunately, it had changed so much in the past 26 years we didn’t see any of the old Stonewings in its shape or design. Considerable remodeling had transpired over the years, making it an entirely new place.

We met in 1991 at this geographical location, not necessarily this same restaurant.

Instead, we giggled over the people we were 26 years ago, chatted about how our lives have changed so much, our time here in Minnesota and upcoming in Nevada, and the continuation of our travels in a mere 32 days when we fly to Costa Rica.

We both want to thanks our readers/friends, our Facebook friends, and our family for all the well wishes, email messages, and comments posted on yesterday’s post (click here to see).  Tom’s photo was quite a hit with the “girls,” and as he’s continued to mature over the years, he’s still quite a hit with me. 

The sign on the outside of the unrecognizable building.

It’s funny how when one is in love, they never mind the apparent aging process and changes that evolve over the years. In our minds, we’re still the 26-years-younger people we were back then with some added wisdom and “seasoning.” 

Happy day to all!

Photo from one year ago today, June 29, 2016:

Sri Mariamman Temple in Singapore with its ornate carvings. For more, please click here. 

The action packed days continue…Tom’s at it today!…Last night’s special “chef’s” dinner with friends…

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We quickly drove over the Gray’s Bay Bridge on our way to Connie & Jeff’s home.

Yesterday was another whirlwind day for me while Tom was able to kick back and unwind a little while I was out and about with Maisie. Today will be my day to stay put while he and Tammy pick up Vincent at camp, attend a gun safety clinic, and then take Vincent to lunch and see Wonder Woman.

Tammy arrived at our hotel around 11:00 am to pick up Tom, leaving me with a free day and a vehicle. Wow! That’s a first. I have a few errands to attend to and will return long before she drops Tom off at the end of the day.

This cheese is the best we’ve ever had. It can be purchased at Amazon.com.  Click this link if you’re a cheese enthusiast and curious about “Belton Farm Red Fox.” It’s pricey but is a five-pound block and could be shared with others. Although once you taste it, sharing may be out of the question.

The three are headed to Chipotle for lunch and then to Plymouth Grand 15 movie theater to see Wonder Woman at 1:10.  Hopefully, it all runs smoothly, and the timing works out. Vincent is chomping at the bit to see Wonder Woman.

Had I not seen the movie last week with Maisie, I’d go with them but I have my day planned with the errands and to work on Tom’s new clothing, removing tags, folding and packing, as I’d done for mine last weekend when there was a lull in my schedule.  

Tom, sitting at the table at Connie and Jeff’s table on their veranda.  I guess you call that a “deck” here in Minnesota.

Today is the halfway point in our six-week stay in Minnesota.  We’ve been so busy the time has flown. However, we feel we’ve had a lot of quality time with family and friends, with much more yet to come.

Speaking of friends, last night we visited the home of friends Connie and Jeff, whom we met 25 years ago when we all joined a gourmet club. The club lasted about a year, but the friendship with Connie and Jeff continued over the years resulting in many good times together, laughing, talking, and sharing good food and drink.

As mentioned in yesterday’s post here, Connie is a Cordon Bleu-trained chef. With the utmost ingenuity with husband Jeff, they made a fantastic, perfect-for-my-way-of-eating meal that was delicious. 

View of the lake from their veranda.

It was the first time we had a steak that wasn’t grass-fed in a few years, and I must admit the flavor and tenderness surpassed that of grass-fed meat we’d purchased in a variety of countries.  We’ve found grass-fed meat generally to be less flavorful and less tender.  We’ve accepted these facts due to the added nutritional value and safety of my diet. Thus, last night was a bit of a splurge.

On the recent cruises, some of the beef was purchased in countries that produce grass-fed meat as a matter of course. But, in the US, grass-fed beef is expensive and not a staple for most meat-eating households. Of course, we’re not cooking now, so it’s of little concern. 

Look!  You can see Tom’s hands flying while he talks to Jeff.  That’s my guy!

It was terrific to see Connie and Jeff in their lakefront home located in the highly desirable and prestigious Deephaven area of Lake Minnetonka. Since we arrived, it was the first time we drove through my old familiar area of Lake Minnetonka, where my two sons grew up. 

As we passed over the Gray’s Bay Bridge, I felt a wave of nostalgia wash over me for the first time since we arrived three weeks ago.  I’d been thinking and focusing on people we love, not locations. But that drive left me grabbing for the camera.

This is Candy, a sweet Staffordshire rescue dog that is one year old and very well trained.

I couldn’t take many good photos as we moved along in the busy construction zones in every direction. I’m determined to return to that area to take photos in the next few weeks, which we’ll post here. Tom grew up in the city, but I was always a suburban kind of girl. I guess those differences have ultimately played a role in the mingling of our different ways that have proved to be a vital part of our special connection to one another.

We dined on Connie and Jeff’s veranda overlooking a gorgeous bay of Lake Minnetonka while their adorable one-year-old rescue dog, Candy, couldn’t get enough attention from both of us. At first, she barked at both of us but within minutes was all over Tom for attention. 

With a few of my choice high-pitched voice sounds and a bit of nuzzling, she mainly was mine for the remainder of the evening, nudging my hand, raising a paw, and sitting on my feet.  Periodically, she approached Tom for more of the same, keeping her eyes on me all the while. It reminded me (not that I needed reminding) how much I love animals and how well they respond to me.

The table was set with a nautical theme and the most fabric-like paper napkins we’ve seen, which Connie purchased in Provence. Note my little bottle of liquid chemical-free sweetener, a few drops of which I add to sour cream to make my favorite salad dressing. The meal was exceptional.

Of course, there’s the companionship of old friends and…the evening, along with the exceptional food flowed as one would expect with “Chef Connie” and “sous chef” husband Jeff as the ideal hostess and host. 

As usual, when invited to a friend’s home, we picked up a good bottle of wine on the way as a host gift. Luckily, I selected an excellent French Malbec that they seemed to enjoy during the dinner. 

With Connie’s vast experiences in Provence, France, French wine was in order. I never tasted it, although my mouth watered over the prospect. As my gastrointestinal issues continue to improve, there was no way I’d risk a relapse by drinking alcohol in any form.

We arrived shortly after 5:00 pm and didn’t head out until 10:00 pm with a “doggie bag” with some of the finest cheese we’d had to date, Belton Farm Red Fox.  Its quality reminded us of the caraway cheddar we’d purchased in Tasmania last Christmas, but its flavor surpassed the intensity and texture of the caraway cheese.

The seasoned, roasted cauliflower with grilled sirloin steak cooked medium rare/rare to perfection. Dinner was served after the cheese and other appetizers. The side dishes included a green salad with various add-ins, potato salad, and a heated-on-the-grill baguette.

Note the name of the cheese in the above photo, which can only be purchased online. Perhaps, someday when we’re settled somewhere, we’ll have a giant chunk shipped to us. It’s beyond compare if you love cheese as we do.

Earlier in the day, it was spent with Maisie. She went with us for Tom’s first US haircut since 2014 before Christmas on the Big Island of Hawaii. After a quick trip to Michael’s for a craft activity to do with Maisie, we dropped Tom off, and Maisie and I spent a busy rest-of-the-day.

That’s it for today, folks! We’ll be back tomorrow with more new photos!  Have a day filled with your favorite activities!


Photo from one year ago today, June 16, 2016:

What a sight this was in Bali! What a resourceful biker, hanging his laundry to dry on a stick and his bike.  Resourceful, eh?  For more photos, please click here.

Poolside posting… Family photos…Upcoming professional-chef-prepared dinner tonight at lakeshore home of old friends..

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Our adorable granddaughter Madighan during a timeout.

Yesterday, as it turned out, Madighan was with me, not Maisie, as planned initially, who is here with us today.  Once again, we have a fun day planned to engage in activities befitting an active 10-year-old.

Granddaughter Madighan was pushing a swing with her toy cat in the seat.
The traffic on Wednesday was so bad that the usual 20-minute drive to Greg”s home resulted in a 90 minute round trip. We barely arrived back at the hotel in time for breakfast.
Tom was waiting for us, and we all had breakfast together. Each day I eat the same items for breakfast, including two hard-boiled eggs, a few sausages, and two little packs of cream cheese. The kids like the self-cooked waffles, bacon, or sausage with typically a bowl of Lucky Charms or a muffin on the side.
Madighan was sitting in the sand at a park.

It’s enough to hold me until dinner, although on the nights when we dine after the kid’s soccer games, it’s often close to 9:00 pm.  By then, we’re both ready to chow down, not necessarily sound so close to bedtime.

Madighan’s a good soccer player.
Tonight, we’re invited to friends Connie and Jeff’s home for dinner, and no doubt we’ll have a fantastic meal, although I’d asked Connie to make it easy for herself. Connie is a professional chef with extensive travel experience. What an exciting line of work!  In 2010 and 2013, Connie trained in Paris and London at the world-renowned Le Cordon Bleu.
In Minnesota, Connie is a chef and caterer for many clients throughout the Twin Cities and events at the Minnetonka Yacht Club.  Connie travels to Provence, France, each year for more catering events and honors her vast Mediterranean skills. We’ll certainly report back with photos from their lovely lakefront home on Lake Minnetonka in the desirable Deephaven location.
Contemplative during her time off the field.
Yesterday afternoon, Madighan and I made our way through more traffic to the New Hope Cinema and Grill to see the new Smurf’s movie. Cute! This was my fourth kid movie in less than two weeks.  
She had no idea I was taking photos of her. Most photos I usually take are of wildlife and nature.  Taking photos of human subjects is a new experience for me that I’ll continue to pursue in the US.

On Monday next week,  Miles and I are planning to see the new “Cars” movie. Feel free to contact me for reviews on kid movies. By the time we leave Minnesota in almost three weeks, I’ll have seen most of the G-rated summer movies!

But, it’s fun to watch the smiles on their little faces while watching the movies,  regardless if I care for the movie or not.  Being with them is all that matters.
Yesterday Tom and TJ had a great day at the St. Paul Saints baseball game, spending quality dad and son time alone together.
Tom and TJ”s view from their seats at the CHS Field while watching a St. Paul Saints baseball game.
It was another meaningful family day with much more upcoming in these next weeks. Having the free shared online Cozi calendar has undoubtedly helped keep track of our busy days and nights, significantly when family members can freely add to it or change events at will.
Maisie and I are off for another fun day together!
Tom and TJ selfie.

Happy day!

Photo from one year ago today, June 15, 2016:

In Bali, we were in awe of the ornate detail in the Hindu statues. For more information, please click here.

Finally, photos of Minnesota…The hectic schedule continues…Dining out almost daily…

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Avenida, Mexican-Asian Kitchen located in Minnetonka, Minnesota, was quite good.  We’ll return soon.

Last night, I dropped off grandson Miles at home at the end of his “date with grandma,” which began at 8:00 am until almost 5:00 pm when I returned him to his house. 

The traffic was outrageous, taking more than 50 minutes to drive about 10 miles and slightly less on the return to the hotel. Making this round trip twice a day, three or more times a week, results in plenty of drive time, at about three hours per day. 

Gosh, I’m not used to this. Then again, after not driving for two years in the South Pacific, I must admit I do get a kick out of the new Ford Explorer’s digital equipment, especially being able to make a call or do a text through the vehicle’s navigation system using voice commands only. 

Tom looked a little tired in this photo taken at dinner last night, but he perked up after a good meal.

Listening to my favorite radio station from years past, 107.1, has also been relatively entertaining. Of course, when the grandchildren are in the car buckled into the back seat, the radio is off, allowing us to chat in typical kid speak. Talk about “entertaining!”

Having each of my three grandchildren one-on-one over these past weeks has been the best possible way to enhance our relationships further. Quickly, we’ve found our way to a new level of closeness we never even had in years past, especially now that they’re older.

But, not surprisingly, in many ways, they’re the same little people they were when we lived here in 2012, each unique in personality and demeanor, each engaging in their special way. Luckily, over these years, we’ve stayed in close enough touch that they immediately felt comfortable being with us, whether it’s just one of us or when we’re together.

The ambiance at Avenida is pleasant and well-lit.

Tom’s interaction with his three grandsons is different, spending valuable time with them as a family as in TJ’s two sons Jayden and Nik, and now with some alone time with Tammy’s son, Vincent. 

Last Friday, Tom took Vincent to the family cemetery in Winsted, Minnesota, after Vincent had expressed considerable interest in ancestry. Tom, the ancestry.com guru, was delighted when Vincent showed interest in this topic, and Tom was all over it. Afterward, Vincent and I watched a good kid movie together, Rise of the Guardians.

We both look forward to more interactions with all of the grandchildren and our adult children, and their significant others during the remaining 24 nights in Minnesota. And, of course, we’ll undoubtedly spend more time with Tom’s huge family.

The combination of the Mexican and Asian decor was a bit odd, but it’s trendy. What do we know?

Also, we still have many upcoming events planned with friends. It doesn’t appear we’ll have time for multiple friends “get-togethers,” but we’re taking advantage of every available moment during this period. 

As for dining out at least six times per week, it’s working out well.  We’ve held up well with our budgetary goal of spending an average of no more than $30 per day for our meals, especially when breakfast in the hotel is complimentary.

The fact that we aren’t drinking any alcohol, ordering appetizers and desserts, is very doable even with generous tips we’re leaving for excellent service. We continue to try new mid-range restaurants, finding it easy for me when I mostly order Cobb or chopped salads with lettuce, chicken, boiled eggs, bacon, cheese, guacamole with a side of full-fat sour cream as the dressing.

My chopped salad with a side of Mexican season shredded beef.

Last night, we decided to try a Mexican-Asian restaurant, Avenida, which, although about $10 higher than we usually pay, we found to be very good. It was odd to see this two-in-one style of the menu…part traditional “gourmet-type” Mexican food and options for slightly elevated Asian dishes. This must be something new in the US.

Tom ate two bowls of complimentary tortilla chips (without the salsa) and ordered an Asian Sweet and Sour Chicken dish for his entree while I took a few tastes of the salsa without the chips. 

Again, as shown in today’s photos, I ordered a chopped salad with a side of shredded Mexican seasoned beef. It was the best such salad I’d had since we arrived and I hope we’ll return for more in these next weeks.

Tom’s entree, Sweet and Sour Chicken. He picked out all the bell peppers, leaving him with a third less on his plate.

It’s all good; the loving interactions with family and friends; the hotel, Country Inn & Suites; the meals at the hotel and in restaurants; the red Ford Explorer SUV and its gadgets; the extra car we borrowed from son Greg (thanks, Greg!), a Ford 350, 4-door, diesel (only Tom drives this) and the excellent quality clothing we’ve been able to purchase at reasonable prices sans sales tax. (The donations pile for Goodwill is growing).

The only negatives are the traffic, the crowds and the waiting in line. But, we can console ourselves with the fact that the trade-offs are undoubtedly worth it…being together with those we love. 

It doesn’t hurt to know that the backed-up traffic and crowds won’t be a permanent challenge for us when in 50 days, we’ll be in a relatively quiet and somewhat remote area in Costa Rica with beautiful memories to sustain us.

The journey continues…

Be well.

Photo from one year ago today, June 13, 2016:
 Praying Mantis on the edge of the infinity pool in Bali. With his/her reflection in the water. For more photos, please click here.

Wonderful night with friends…Fabulous restaurant…One day and counting…

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Christine, Tom, and I huddled together for a photo.

When Bob dropped us off in Manly, parking in a local ramp, we walked out to the Corso outdoor mall. We had a bit of shopping in mind. We parted ways with Bob while Tom and I headed to the pharmacy for a few last-minute toiletries.

I was on a mission to purchase a suitable black skirt. Since I don’t own a single dress and recently tossed my raggedy worn black skirt, I was determined to find something a little dressy that I could wear on the many formal nights on both upcoming cruises.

Tom with Christine and Colin, the fabulous friends we met on the last cruise.  We were thrilled to see them again.

Although I don’t own any dressy “tops,” a dressy skirt could help me feel slightly more appropriate on formal nights. Once we got everything we needed at the pharmacy, we wandered along the lengthy boulevard in the Corso while I visited a few women’s shops.

Prices are high on clothing, shoes, and many items in Australia. As I perused a few things, I winced over how expensive everything was but remained determined to find what I wanted. 

Finally, at the popular Sussan store, I found the perfect skirt but again cringed over the price of AU 89.95, but when converting it to US dollars at $67.70 (tax included), it didn’t seem so bad after all. So I handed over my credit card and made the purchase.

As a big slab of bacon oozed out of Colin’s burger, he couldn’t resist taking a photo.

Then, of course, in typical enthusiastic shopper style, I longed for an appropriate pair of shoes that would work well with the knee-length “pencil” skirt. Stopping at a few shoe stores as we continued the walk on the Corso, my mission appeared hopeless. 

There was no time to go to a mall. My only hope was to wait until our ship docks at a port of call on the upcoming cruise, maybe in Hawaii on May 9th. In the interim, I’ll live with what I have on hand, one pair of high wedge sandals I purchased in Hawaii in 2015, the last pair of shoes I’d bought (except for one pair of Keds white leather slip-on shoes I seem to wear more often than not). 

Tom and Colin ordered the Bacon Cheeseburger, which they thoroughly enjoyed.

Once we approached the Manly Wharf, we found a comfortable place to wait until Christine and Colin’s ferry arrived from Circular Quay in Sydney. Based on the schedule and our early arrival, we had a 30-minute wait.

Both the people and bird watching entertained us sufficiently for the time to pass quickly, and before we knew it, we spotted Christine and Colin searching for us by the entrance to the Wharf.

 Hugging affectionately, we were all happy to see one another. We’d said our goodbyes the day the ship disembarked in Sydney on March 13th. At that time, we were preoccupied as we were faced with dreadful concerns about our “illegal immigration” status after we’d received a worrisome call from the Australian Department of Immigration while aboard the ship.

Tom, Christine, and Colin enjoyed their burgers.  Christine had ordered a similar burger with Halloumi cheese.

We walked across the road to the Italian restaurant Crinitis where we spent the next almost four hours engaged in lively conversation, laughter, and memorable good times. None of us ordered wine or cocktails. Instead, I drank mineral water while the three of them ordered sodas.

We shared the story of our immigration issues with Christine and Colin, who were shocked by our peculiar experience. After all these years of travel, none of us had ever experienced such a scenario and hopefully never will again in the future.

The grilled Barramundi and vegetables sauteed in olive oil and butter were delicious. A red pepper, aka capsicum in Australia, was particularly delightful.

The time passed so quickly. We were all surprised when we finally realized how late it was getting. With limited bus service for bus and ferry service, we decided to say goodbye and head back to our respective “homes.”

It was a beautiful day in Manly.  We arrived at 2 pm and were scheduled to meet Christine and Colin around 3:45 pm.

Our bus arrived nine minutes after we approached the stop, and minutes later, we arrive at our rental and embarked on the steep path to the house. With his usual thoughtfulness, Bob had turned on all the lights for us. 

In no time at all, we were hunkered down on the sofa in time to watch yet another fantastic David Attenborough wildlife story. It was impossible to wipe the smiles off our faces over the enjoyable evening of good friends and good food. But, of course, watching wildlife in Africa didn’t hurt either. Hmm…

This swing activity for kids looked fun with an attendant on site who strapped the kids into a harness.

This morning, we did a little more packing comfortable that we’ll be set to go by noon tomorrow when our taxi arrives. So instead of preparing tomorrow’s post today, which I usually do on the final day, I’ll have plenty of time to do it in the morning. Easy peasy. Life is good.

May life also be good for YOU!

Photo from one year ago today, April 21, 2016:

One year ago, Tom’s dinner aboard the ship including tender steak, broccoli, and fried potatoes. In addition, he ordered a starter and a dessert. For more details, please click here.

Easter Monday here in Australia, a national holiday…Sunday’s menu at “our” home…Recipe…Five days and counting…

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Our Sunday roast: organic grass-fed pork roast, Kransky (cheese-filled) gluten-free sausages, Portabella mushrooms, onions, and organic carrots. I cut the roast open during the last 30 minutes to ensure it was cooked properly.

It was a pleasant Easter Sunday. I spent a few hours preparing the meal after I’d completed the day’s post leaving plenty of time for us to vacuum and wash the floor, tidy up the apartment and eventually watch a movie until Bob arrived.

As it turned out, Bob’s friend Eddie wasn’t able to come for dinner, but he’s kindly offered to drive us to the cruise terminal on Saturday. We can hardly believe this will transpire in a mere five days.

There is a mushroom flan on the small plates; coleslaw, the roasted vegetables, sausages, sliced pork roast with biscuits on the side.

With excellent leftovers for today’s main meal, I’m considering organizing my clothes and perhaps begin a bit of packing. Today continues with the long weekend national holiday of Easter Monday, where many shops and businesses are closed, reopening tomorrow.

Last week, I stumbled across this delicious recipe for asparagus, prosciutto, and cream cheese in one of those demonstration-type videos on Facebook.

Tomorrow, we’ll head out for a few items for the cruise, returning later in the day to make our last three-day meal which will take us right to the end since we’re heading to dinner with Christine and Colin on Thursday evening.

After baking these roll-ups in a moderate oven for 25 minutes, they were perfectly cooked. The leftovers are great served cold.

With plenty of photos left to share over the next few days, we’ll soon begin working on the final expenses after tomorrow’s short shopping trip. On Saturday (perhaps your Friday), we’ll post the “favorite photos” from our 40-night stay in Fairlight and, of course, the “final expenses.”

Easy to make, these Low Carb Coconut Flour Drop Biscuits (see recipe at the end of the post) are a decent bread-like-feel addition to any meal. For example, I may use one of these to make a sandwich using Easter dinner leftovers.

Over these years, we developed several “routines” relative to our site, which we hope our readers continue to enjoy, such as the “year ago photos,”; the “favorite photos,”; and the “final expenses” which we post on the final day of any location where we’ve stayed along the way.

If you have any suggestions for added features, please don’t hesitate to write. We love hearing suggestions from our readers, whether they’re relative to travel, our site,  health, technology, or any other topic you’d like to share. 

Sunset last night.

After yesterday’s meal, I felt as if I’d turned a corner with my digestive issues when, after eating, I didn’t feel any major amount of intestinal distress. Of course, I still can’t drink iced tea, coffee, or hot tea, but I could eat a normal-sized meal for the first time in months.

I’ve begun to think that I developed ulcers from the awful case of H. Pylori, a common outcome of the bacterial infection, especially if it lasted for an extended period.
On Saturday, Bob arranged for the pawpaw trees to be removed to enhance the bay view.  Doing so made a world of difference.

I find I can be symptom-free for short periods if I follow a strict regime of avoiding certain foods or eating large amounts in any one sitting and in taking a round of supplements including mastic gum, DGL (deglycyrrhizinated licorice, taken 20 minutes before eating), powerful refrigerated probiotics, zinc, magnesium, and digestive enzymes. 

(Please see your physician if you have gastrointestinal issues. The regime I am using may not be appropriate for you. I am not a medical professional and do not intend to dispense suggestions for health).

Bob’s landscaper wasted no time in removing the tree.


Some of the above items arrived in the package from the US almost two weeks ago but won’t last until we get to the US. I began taking them immediately and have seen such an improvement. I need to find more but have been unable to do so at any of the local health stores we’ve visited so far. It was too late to place an online order. 

Hopefully, when we arrive in Honolulu by cruise ship on May 9th, we can take a bus to the Ala Moana shopping center, where there’s a Vitamin Shoppe. I’m planning to call the Honolulu location tomorrow to ensure they have what I need.

Deceiving scene. The house across the road is being remodeled with its roof tiles removed.

Ah, the challenges of travel. In “normal” life, we’d have a doctor, preferably specializing in integrative medicine, who’d be helpful in this process. But, we’ve discovered along the way that no doctors get too involved with one-time patients such as us. So we’re on our own.

We hope everyone has had a wonderful Easter weekend.  Back at you soon!

Here’s the recipe for the low carb, grain, and sugar-free biscuits:

Low Carb Coconut Flour Drop Biscuits
(Please keep in mind these won’t be quite as moist as a regular biscuit. A good-sized dollop of grass-fed butter will solve the issue).

8 eggs

½ cup butter or coconut oil

2 T sweetener of your choice
½ tsp salt
2/3 sifted coconut flour
½ tsp. baking powder
 

Preheat oven to 375.  Blend all ingredients, mixing well.

Line a baking pan with parchment and drop by spoonful
Bake for 15 minutes until lightly brown.

Photo from one year ago today, April 17, 2016:

The photo was taken at night one year ago today as our ship left the port—Luna Park in Sydney, close to the Harbor Bridge. For more photos, please click here.

Happy Easter and Passover for those who celebrate…We’re having guests for Easter dinner!…One week and counting…

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Surfers took advantage of the excellent surf.
A long time ago, we decided that making a fuss over holidays wouldn’t make sense while living this nomadic lifestyle. This caused a particular meaning when many holidays revolve around food, which doesn’t fit our eating habits, especially during Easter.

As a result, there are no more long days spent baking and cooking in the kitchen. We no longer decorate the house, make Easter baskets, decorate and hide Easter eggs or take the time to bake and decorate our former annual bunny rabbit cake. All of that seems like a lifetime ago.

Sunbathers and swimmers are enjoying a sunny day at Manly Beach.

Oddly, we don’t miss any of the work associated with holidays, but of course, we miss the interaction with family, the playfulness, and the laughter. Soon, we’ll be in the midst of all of that!

A day at the beach for school kids.

Over these years of world travel, I’ve lost interest in cooking other than coming up with tasty recipes Tom and I can enjoy in our daily lives. Even so, I usually only cook two or three times a week when typically I’ll purchase enough of any item to last for three dinners, cooking a fresh batch each day. It works for us.

Cabbage Tree Bay Aquatic Reserve. See details here for this wildlife-protected area known for snorkeling and hiking.

Besides, most of our meals are appealing enough that we quickly look forward to repeats. However, we also have to consider that most holiday homes have tiny refrigerators and freezers, leaving us with little space for storing much food or for freezing leftovers. 

With no rental cars in some locations, such as here in Fairlight, for 40 nights, we’ve attempted to avoid returning to the market any more often than necessary. Also, we’ve found that cooking for three days saves money in the long run.

The sun on the sea created a crystal-like appearance.

Groceries costs are not as low in Australia as in many other parts of the world but, they’re certainly less than we spent in the US five years ago. So it will be exciting and perhaps be shocking when we see food prices when we soon return to the US.

The sea is blue in this part of Australia. However, when we lived in Trinity Beach in 2015, near Cairns (pronounced “cans”), the sea was brown and murky in most areas.

Tom and I realized that we wouldn’t be cooking from April 22nd when we board the cruise to North America until sometime in July when we arrive in Nevada, where we’ll stay at son Richard‘s home in Henderson. 

Staying with Richard for three weeks, I may cook a few meals each week since, at that point, it will have been months since I’d done any cooking. During the six weeks in Minnesota, while staying in a hotel, we won’t have cooked at all with the complimentary breakfast in the hotel and dinners out with family and friends.

Tall trees, many evergreens line the boulevard along the beach, providing plenty of shady areas for those who prefer to stay out of the sun.

On the nights when we don’t have dinner plans in Minnesota, most likely, we’ll head to Costco, which we hear carries a wide variety of low-carb, precooked meals we’ll bring back to our hotel suite. Once we arrive, we’ll see if the hotel can provide us with a small microwave during our extended stay.

As for tomorrow, which is Easter Sunday, we’ve invited landlord/friend Bob and his long-time friend, Eddie. So we’re making a low carb, grain, and sugar-free meal. Tomorrow, we’ll take a few photos and post them the following day. 

The rocky shoreline in this area on our way to Shelly Beach.

We send love and best wishes for the health and well-being of all of our family, friends, and readers (whether you celebrate this holiday or not) during this time and always.  

Photo from one year ago today, April 15, 2016:

As we wound down our time in New Zealand, we posted our favorite photos, including me with Miss Jessica. I was flattered that Trish and Neil named this sweet girl after Tom, and I attended her birth while they were on holiday. Please click here for more favorite NZ photos and the final expenses for the three-month stay on the alpaca farm.

A Night at the Opera…Mixed reviews from this couple…

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Luna Park at night.

What can I say?  Tom didn’t love it. But, of course, I didn’t expect him to. Although, in the past, I’d noticed him listening intently when a few opera singers performed on various episodes of “America’s Got Talent.”

Last night, he didn’t express a glimmer of enthusiasm over the performance at the Sydney Opera House other than his pleasure at seeing how much I was enjoying it. That’s worth something.

Cloudy night at the opera house.

He didn’t grumble or have a scowl on his face, nor did he dose off.  It lasted less than two hours, during which I was totally engaged and enthralled. I’ve always loved opera after being introduced to it by my Harvard-educated, musical genius, doctor uncle who could sit at his baby grand piano and play any aria from memory. He left quite an impression.

When it ended, we made our way to Wharf 3 to catch the next Manly Ferry, which takes off every 30 minutes. Little did we know the treat we were about to receive in taking the photos we’ve included today, too many for one post.

Tourists chose the upper deck to take photos as we did.

As we entered the ferry terminal in Circular Quay, Sydney, I suggested we climb the steps to the outdoor upper deck to sit outside to cool off on a humid night. It was a great plan when we found suitable seating and views that literally left our mouths agape.

Sure, we knew Sydney had a lot to offer. We’d reveled in it on six past occasions when our cruise ships sailed from the exquisite harbor. Over the past week, on four occasions, we visited Sydney, three by taking the ferry.

But, nothing we’d seen earlier could match the perspective from the top of the ferry, even on a dark cloudy night after seven cloudy days and nights in a row since our arrival one week ago today. Thus, we share today’s photos with excitement over this amazing city, in many ways, the most beautiful city we’ve seen so far in our world journey.

The interior of the Joan Sutherland Theatre of the Sydney Opera House. 

As for the remainder of the evening’s photos, we took several from the interior and the grounds of the Joan Sutherland Theatre at the Sydney Opera House, which we’ll continue to share in posts to come. 

Having ordered the tickets almost a year ago, we had perfect seats, four rows from the stage, dead set in the middle. See our photo below taken from our seats.

Our seats were only four rows from the stage and dead center in the theatre, seating for 1507. There are two large theatres and several smaller theatres in the complex. The cost for these two excellent seats was AU 190.15, US $146.50.

No doubt, the theatre is beautiful and interesting. However, there are many steps to navigate to get inside the theatre. For those who may have difficulty with stairs, there are elevators and a few escalators. For the full experience, we did the many flights of steps, making our way through tourists who were sitting on the steps, as shown in yesterday’s post.

As for the remainder of the day, we’d left the house at 1:30 pm to catch the bus arriving at 1:59 pm. We made it to Manly in time for the 2:15 pm ferry. With the recent inclement weather, about 10 minutes of the 25-minute ferry ride was particularly rough, but we didn’t give it a thought.

The building of the Sydney Opera House has an interesting story. Click here for details.

Arriving in Circular Quay, we walked through crowds and commotion to make our way back, the second day in a row after our flub showing for the opera one day early. We’d decided to dine early, before the show, since we hadn’t eaten earlier in the day. 

With a 3:00 pm meal, we’d be set until returning “home” when the evening ended, and if hungry, we could have a snack of homemade coconut bread with butter with a small bowl of organic Greek yogurt on the side for me. (I’ve been taking “big guns” probiotics and eating yogurt twice a day since my recent two-week round of antibiotics).

The Sydney Harbour Bridge after dark.

We’d considered the same restaurant as the prior day since they were able to accommodate my diet.  But, we tried to branch out and try something different. Shortly, we were seated in a high-end Asian fusion restaurant only to discover there wasn’t a single item on the menu that would work for me, except plain steamed veg and chicken, which held little appeal.

We thanked the waiter but decided to leave. I wasn’t sure the pans they’d use would be “gluten, starch, and sugar-free.” Why take a risk? We meandered back down the boulevard checking menus along the way, only to discover the only restaurant that would be suitable was the same where we dined the prior day, Searock Grill.

I ordered the same grilled chicken salad, and Tom had a steak and chips instead of the prior day’s fish and chips. The steak was perfectly cooked medium rare and was thick and juicy. We didn’t order beverages.

The Sydney Opera House at night.

What surprised us was the fact that the prices were higher on Sunday than they’d been on Saturday, plus a 10% weekend service fee was added. But then, we recalled a mention on the news of increased prices on Sundays due to many workers receiving higher wages on Sundays.

Our bill was AU 41.80, US $32.20, still not too bad for the high-end area, which surely would have been considerably more in the evening. The food was good and fresh, although yesterday’s service was sketchy. 

With tips not necessarily rendered in Australia due to higher wages than in the US and many countries, we didn’t hesitate to leave the restaurant with nary a token tip left on the table. While in Australia, we followed suit as per the locals, tipping only for exceptional service. 

View of a small portion of Sydney’s skyline at night.

Once back in the US, we’ll be tipping in the typical US manner, from 15% to 20% of any restaurant bill. Add state and city taxes, and a meal may be as much as 25% to 30% more than the cost of the meal and beverages. I guess we’ll be heading to Costco for pre-made meals to bring back to our hotel when not out dining with family and friends. 

At the end of the ferry ride back to Manly, we crossed the busy street to a taxi stand and grabbed a ride back to our holiday home at the cost of AU 7.40, US $5.70. Then, we maneuvered our way up the long steep, winding walkway to the house in the dark. Luckily, Tom had his LED flashlight attached to his RFID wallet, lighting the way for the uneven walk up the hill.

View to Circular Quay from an upper deck on the Manly Ferry.

Amid our immigration worries, overall, it was a good weekend and first week in Manly. Unusual for us, we dined out four times, once with Bob in Manly, another in the Rocks area of Sydney with friends Linda and Ken, and twice in Circular Quay near the Sydney Opera House.

Today, we’re making a favorite dish and staying put planning this week’s menu. We’re trying to figure out what we need to purchase to last only through next Sunday night, just if we have to leave the country for good, as of next Monday’s immigration office meeting. We shall see.

Be well. Be safe. Be happy.

Photo from one year ago today, March 20, 2016:

Chaise lounges, gas grills, and dining table outdoors overlooking the bay. For more photos, please click here.