Mother Nature walks beside us, pointing out her treasures along the way…”Safari lucks” prevails…Another astounding sighting…

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Not known for a pretty face, the Hawaiian monk seal, as is the case among many other wild animals, possess an ugliness that ultimately is adorable and endearing, especially when we consider the journey this ancient creature has come and who will eventually disappear by human intervention.

Many of our readers have asked how, day after day, as I sit here with my mug of coffee, writing, posting photos, and coming up with ideas on topics for the day. I won’t say that deciding on topics aspect of posting daily is the easiest part. It’s not.

At first, when I’d raced out to the beach, I didn’t see a thing. Had the Hawaiian monk seal already gone back into the sea?

At times, when photos back up that we’ve yet to share, I feel confident I’ll be able to conjure up topics surrounding them. Julie, a highly experienced TV producer asked me a question no one had ever asked, “Do you use the photos as a basis for the topics, or do the topics inspire the use of the photos?”

Heading to my right when I made it to the beach, I saw this glorious sight. There he/she was in full repose enjoying idle time lounging in the sand with nary a thought in the world, so it seemed.

At times, it’s both. At other times, it’s one or the other. I’m well aware that often the topics don’t necessarily revolve around the photos for the day. Many times, a topic pops in my head as soon as I sit down to begin each morning. At other times, I labor over possible topics for a short period and then it materializing as my fingers begin their less than perfect journey over the keyboard.

I’m a lousy typist that must look down at the keyboard every 15 seconds or so to ensure I’m on the right track.  Oh, I’ve tested myself and I can type without looking down. But, old habits are hard to break. Speed is not my forte. I type only as fast as the words come to mind if they even come to mind at all.

Moving closer, I noticed the Hawaiian monk seal was tagged on its rear flipper.

It often feels as if my brain is contained in my hands rather than my head from the way in which the words flow from my fingertips. It’s relatively easy once the topic is established. At times, with a topic “on-hand” I struggle for only a few minutes to finally begin. Today, it’s that exact scenario that prompts me to share the above observations before I begin with the “real” story.

Not wanted to awaken her/him, I kept my distance although I’d have loved to see more.

The real story? Another sighting of a gift from Mother Nature, the rare and endangered Hawaiian monk seal, when Julie and I traveled to the end of the road to the Napali Coast. With no place to park we decided to each view the beach separately while the other stayed behind sitting in the car in a “no parking” zone. She went first.

Suddenly, a flipper aided in a leisurely rollover making my heart sing.

Practically running to me after being gone 10 minutes or so, having taken many of her own photos, she told me that there was a Hawaiian monk seal lying on the beach. I couldn’t get there quickly enough as I practically ran the few hundred yards to the sandy beach.

It’s easy to think of such words as “lazy, blubber, and inactive” when one sees a Hawaiian monk seal lounging on the beach. But, no laziness was involved in the perpetuation of the species for millions of years.

And there, I beheld this beautiful/peculiar-looking mammal, a prehistoric creature from the sea, often referred to as a “living fossil” isolated from their closest living relatives, of 15 million years ago. 

An endangered species, there remains a paltry 1100 Hawaiian monk seals, threatened by human encroachment, often entangled in fishing nets and marine debris. Many locals with whom we have spoken have lived here in Kauai for many years, never to spot a single Hawaiian monk seal.

At this point, I was limited to a view of the underside of his chin.

“Known to native Hawaiians as ʻIlio-holo-i-ka-uaua, or “dog that runs in rough water”, its scientific name is from Hugo Hermann Schauinsland, a German scientist who discovered a skull on Laysan Island in 1899. Its common name comes from short hairs on its head, said to resemble a monk. The Hawaiian monk seals are adopted to be Hawaii’s state mammal.”

A quote from the National Oceanic Atmospheric Association:

“Hawaiian Monk Seal (Neomonachus schauinslandi)

Species Description

Weight:
375-450 pounds (170-205 kg), females are slightly larger than males;
pups weigh about 35 pounds (16 kg) at birth
Length:
7.0-7.5 feet (2.1-2.3 m), females are slightly larger than males;
pups are about 3 feet (1 m) at birth
Appearance:
silvery-grey backs with lighter creamy coloration on their underside; newborns are black. They may also have light patches or red and green tinged coloration from attached algae.
Lifespan:
25-30 years
Diet:
fish, cephalopods, and crustaceans
Behavior:
monk seals breed and haul-out on sand, corals, and volcanic rock; they are often seen resting on beaches during the day

The Hawaiian monk seal is one of the rarest marine mammals in the world. Part of the “true seal” family (Phocidae), they are one of only two remaining monk seal species. The other is the Mediterranean monk seal. A third monk seal species–the Caribbean monk seal–are extinct.”

For the remainder of the above story, please click here.

As I approached the seal, sensitive to not getting too close, I couldn’t believe my eyes. It was lounging on the beach seemingly oblivious to only two of us onlookers. Let’s face it, not everyone is fascinated with wildlife perhaps taking a quick photo and continuing on their way or barely stopping at all. 

Finally, it was time to go.  I knew that Julie was waiting in a “no parking” zone at the end of the road at Napali Beach and my time was limited. I can’t wait to return to park a lawn chair on the beach to hopefully be able to watch this amazing creature in action. However, I’m so grateful for having seen this amazing mammal on this day.

As all of our readers are well aware, the most exciting aspects of our travels are the opportunity to see wildlife, taking photos, and learning as much as we can about yet another species. 

Standing back to avoid disturbing this endangered creature from the sea, my heart was racing with excitement and I could feel the “happiness” hormones coursing through my veins.  I heard someone say, “Is it dead?” I chuckled to myself. I knew the amazing animal was alive although it had yet to move.

The Hawaiian people are very in tuned with the preservation of their wildlife. But, many obstacles beyond one’s control are instrumental in the loss of an endangered special as well as the malicious destruction and eradication by a few. 
Please click here for a link to the Monk Seal Foundation for ways in which to aid in the preservation of this endangered species.

Alas, moments later, a determined flipper flew into action to assist in a lazy rollover providing me with a better view. I couldn’t have been more excited. It is with this enthusiasm that I share these quirky photos today of the Hawaiian monk seal from the only angles he or she provided me, grateful for whatever I was to be given.

As we pulled out of the parking lot we spotted this hen and her four chicks scurrying across the road.  Even the chickens, roosters, and chicks provide us with an enormous amount of joy as to the magic of life.

I’m longing to return to the Napali Coast to hopefully share an equally enjoyable sighting with Tom to which he’s enthusiastically agreed. 

Perhaps, once again, safari luck will prevail.

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

At dusk, the frenzy of activity filled the air along with the smoke from the cooking of various foods on outdoor grills and fire pits. Still, under the weather with an intestinal virus from eating contaminated lettuce on the day of our arrival, we both decided not to try foods for sale in the Big Square (the Medina) which our houseman, Samir had confirmed was not a good idea. Many past guests had become ill That’s not to say the food is bad. Our bodies may not be adapted to various bacteria that cause no ill harm to the locals. One must always keep this in mind when eating and drinking in other countries. We learned our lesson in Marrakech.  For details from that date, please click here.

Albatross around your neck…From whence did this idiom derive?…The wonder of Kauai continues…

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The beaks of the Albatross are used for preening and for signs of greeting. Or, they may be used in aggression if an intruder threatens them or the nest.

As we continue to discover more and more about the Laysan Albatross nesting in the nearby neighborhood, we’re reminded of the idiom, “an albatross around one’s neck,” implying a daunting burden one must carry.

This mom or dad was clacking at the chick hidden beneath the greenery. It was quite funny. If only we knew that she/he was telling the chick.

In researching the source of this expression, we came across this website readily providing us with a suitable explanation satisfying our curiosity:

Meaning

A burden that some unfortunate person has to carry.

Origin

This phrase refers to lines from the poem The Rime of the Ancient Mariner by Samuel Taylor Coleridge, in which the eponymous mariner, who shoots an albatross, is obliged to carry the burden of the bird hung around his neck as a punishment for and reminder of his ill deed.
An albatross around one's neck
Coleridge published the work in 1798, in the collection of poems that are generally accepted as being the starting point of the Romantic movement in English literature – Lyrical Ballads, with a Few Other Poems:
God save thee, ancient Mariner
From the fiends, that plague thee thus
Why look’st thou so ? – With my cross-bow
I shot the ALBATROSS.Ah. well a-day. what evil looks
Had I from old and young
Instead of the cross, the Albatross
About my neck was hung.

Of course, this expression has little significance in our frequent observations of the nesting life of the glorious birds having made their nesting home in the confines of a small neighborhood of upscale homes, close to the sea, over the past 15 to 20 years or more for all we know.

“Showing off again?” the albatross of the left asks.

But it does remind us how sensitive and thoughtful we all must be to preserve the lives of the precious creatures that were gifted to our world that we have the responsibility to treasure and protect. And, to wear “no albatross around our necks” for the senseless slaughter of wildlife all over the world.

“If you want to see some showing off, check this out!”
As my sister Julie’s first foray over the next several days as we continue with her eight-day vacation, we anxiously headed to that neighborhood; me, excited to share the joy we’ve experienced from the albatross, and her, excited to see what the fuss is all about.
This pair has thoroughly enjoyed time together often engaging in their usual mating rituals.

She wasn’t disappointed. If anything, she became vocal and animated as I often do at the very gift of the opportunity to witness, in person, the playful antics of these happy birds and now their growing chicks, firmly ensconced in the nest made by their parents many moons ago.

“I’ll get cleaned up while you practice your dance steps.”
Oh yes, I’ve bombarded our readers with endless photos and stories of the Laysan Albatross. But, only through the personal account of the neighbors observing these graceful birds can one grasp the power of their presence year after year, many returning as long time mates, who literally, “come home to roost.” For us, their presence warms our hearts. How can it not?
A lone bird may indicate the mate is out to sea to bring back food for the nest, maybe a young single yet to mate, or may have had a bad egg they’ve finally abandoned and soon,  they’ll fly out to sea to perhaps return another year. A few weeks ago we spotted several birds still sitting on nests with bad eggs, but now it appears they’ve abandoned the effort realizing it would never hatch. How sad that reality of nature.

And for those of you, less interested in our frequent ramblings on these precious birds, please bear with us since it would have been impossible for me not to share the experience Julie and I had a few days ago watching the adult’s playful antics of clacking, pecking at one another, singing, and clomping about on their wayward feet, full of love and life.

The chicks are tucked into tight bundles seldom picking up their heads as we wandered the neighborhood.
Another fluffy baby. It’s difficult to get a face shot when all of them were tucked into a furry ball on the cool windy day.

Ah, would that we humans could swoon with such love and passion in our daily lives. The world would be a different place. If only, we’d take lessons from the creatures that came before us in their simple search for nourishment and love, leaving “creature comforts” behind for the graceful fulfillment of the species. 

When we couldn’t find a face shot a few days ago, here is one I’d yet to post when the chicks were one month old. They were hatched during the first week in February.

After leaving the neighborhood of the albatross, we drove to the Napali Coast and discovered yet another wonder of our world that we’ll share with all of our readers tomorrow, a wonder to us, that is almost as profound as our blissful discovery of the albatross. Please check back.

                                              Photo from one year ago today, March 15, 2014:

Out for a late lunch, Tom relaxed along with me in the empty dining area of the restaurant.  In the center is a fountain filled with roses. For details of our trek through the souks, please click here.

Stuff happens…And then sometimes, it doesn’t….

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We stopped at the Princeville Airport to check out the helicopters.  This helicopter reminds me of the flies in Kenya.

With not enough room in the little car for three of us with Julie’s luggage, I arranged for a shuttle to pick her up at the airport for her 9:00 pm arrival last night.

Wouldn’t you know, Julie calls me from the airport in Lihue to tell me her shuttle drive had been canceled by someone named Mike. Go figure. Who’s Mike? I never canceled her shuttle.

We drove to the local airport to check out the helicopters. We’ve considered touring the island in a helicopter, but not quite sure we will do so.

Luckily, her flight was only six hours from Los Angeles. Can you imagine the frustration if it had been on a red-eye with 12 hours or more of flight and layover times only to find there was no transportation to one’s final destination? 

Although, we’ll never figure out what had happened and, I did see a credit on my credit card this morning and the fact she arrived safely by taxi, she wasn’t too much worse for the wear, arriving safely at 10:15 pm, after only a 15-minute delay at the airport. Oh, stuff happens.

This helicopter was being repaired. I don’t know if that’s a good sign or a bad sign.

It even happens with the most meticulously arranged plans that are made with the best intentions, only to go awry, often not due to anything we could have prevented on our end. It’s all a part of traveling, whether it’s a one week trip from LA to Kauai or part of a many year’s long journey such as ours, a journey to “everywhere.”

Although I must admit, we’ve been very lucky on most of our travel days finding everything to be as we’d planned and hoped to be. Traveling isn’t easy when one realizes it’s a series of events that must transpire in a timely sequential pattern with little room for variances with errors often caused by a human or mechanical error. 

Tom spotted these two chickens. “Must have been a double yolker,” Tom clucked as I laughed.

Even mechanical error is most often a result of human error, carelessness, or unintended negligence. Stuff happens.

That’s not to say that we’ve forgotten about the knife someone placed in our plastic bin when we went through security in Barcelona on May 1, 2013. Click here for photos and the details of that event.

We’ve wanted to check out the local airport available for charters only.

Then, there was the time our duffel bag, filled with over the counter vitamins, was confiscated by ship’s security in Belize City when we boarded the Carnival Liberty on April 9, 2013, which we posted on April 10th. We were treated as if we were drug dealers. Click here for that post with photos for Part One of Harrowing Experience, with Part Two the following day.

The Princeville Ranch is near the airport offering horseback rides, zip-lining, and other adventure outings.

It goes on and on; storms at sea, unexpected delays, last-minute flight changes. The situations are unavoidable. But, from many of these, we have changed the way we handle those travel days. Mainly, we’ve begun to assume that stuff will happen, not to be negative, instead, to be emotionally prepared.

The ranch’s horses were saddled and ready to go.

When all is running smoothly again, we feel lucky, fortunate, blessed with what we now call, “safari luck.” For those of our readers, new to our site let me explain “safari luck.

In the first 10 hours, while we were on safari in the Masai Mara in Kenya, we saw and took photos of the “Big Five,” the treasured and revered sightings of every safari attendee which includes the: Cape buffalo, lion, rhino, elephant and leopard.

Tom doesn’t care to horseback ride although I would and I wouldn’t care to zip line and Tom would.  We do neither, old-timers that we are. With my bad spine, it’s not worth taking any risks and be injured. Where would we go to recuperate, having no home?

Since that time in October 2013, we’ve called any good fortune we experience as “safari luck” of which we’ve had our fair share, even amid a plethora of oddball or difficult scenarios, managing to work our way through, grateful for a good outcome.

Speaking of grateful, we’re excited that Julie is here with us now. Most certainly, the next eight days will be packed with lots of sightseeing and lots of laughing, much of which we’ll share here each day.

This building is a part of the former Princeville Golf Club which has been closed for a few years. Recently, a billionaire investor from China purchased the property and will be developing a huge high-end housing development of homes, restaurants, and golf.

Thanks for reading our mindless drivel. Hopefully, over the next several days, we’ll ramp it up!

Happy Friday!

                                             Photo from one year ago today, March 13, 2014:

One year ago, we went out to dinner in the city in Marrakech, outside the Medina, and posed for this photo with the restaurant owner. For more details, please click here.

Noisy night…Company’s coming…House or condo…Which do we prefer?…

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I’m excited to see many more flowers blooming as spring nears.

At 4:30 am, the next-door neighbors, renting for only four nights, moved out. They must have had 20 pieces of luggage taking one out to their car at a time with doors slamming and heavy footsteps.

The front steps, about eight, are in the process of being renovated. I imagine the renters were being careful going down them, taking only a few items at a time, although they seemed sturdy to us. 

Not enough time today to identify this flower. Does anyone know what this is? Notice the black tips.

We easily recall the steps that collapsed under our feet (at the time nothing indicated there was an issue with those steps) on our anniversary two years ago, injuring me in such a way that it took many months to fully recuperate.

We both were awake when the renters were moving out and for long afterward. Worried I’d be an exhausted mess if I didn’t go back to sleep after trying for an hour, I took a Tylenol PM which I do on occasion, read a book on my phone, and 15 minutes later I fell back to sleep. Tom dozed off shortly before me.

Hopefully soon, the cloudy days will end and blue skies will return.
Still a little groggy from the Tylenol and grateful that the PM part (Diphenhydramine, an over the counter allergy med) had helped reduce my recent sneezing from the high pollen count, I didn’t get out of bed until 8:00 am.  In no time I was awake and alert ready to tackle the day.

With Julie arriving tonight, today we’ll do our weekly comprehensive cleaning as opposed to the dusting and sweeping we usually do every three or four days. This condo, although lovely and well-appointed is relatively easy to clean. When a property is in good repair, it always seems easier to clean, doesn’t it?

As far as condos go, we definitely prefer to rent a house over a condo, mainly due to the likelihood of it being quiet as opposed to the sound of doors banging, toilets flushing and people coming and going.

Swimmers on the beach below the steep cliffs.

In most locations in Hawaii, if one doesn’t want to spend over $10,000 a month, a condo is the only option especially in upscale areas such as Princeville. The only stand-alone houses we rented in Hawaii was on the Big Island when our family came for Christmas, the two houses coincidentally next door to one another, one considerably more expensive than the other.

In other countries, we’ve been fortunate to find affordable private houses. The only places we’ve lived in a condo have been in Belize which was a condo in a resort; in Dubai, UAE on the 38th floor of a 95 story building and in Vancouver while we awaiting our cruise to Hawaii, all of which had full kitchens.

The waves and the rocks below the cliffs.

We’ve had a number of short and long-term hotel stays, most only one night except for Paris and London, which we spent two weeks each without a kitchen, dining out for all meals.

Generally, stand-alone vacation houses cost more than condos, depending on the location. In Madeira, (see our archives from May 15, 2014, to July 31, 2014) for that stunning house overlooking the sea which was only $1350 a month. 

There are many varieties of beautiful grass that easily grows with the rain and humidity in the Hawaiian Islands.

The fact that we often stay for two to three months (our four months here in Kauai is the rare exception) most property owners see fit to provide us with somewhat of a discount, which makes sense. Plus with our substantial worldwide readership, the owners may benefit from our mention of their properties with links, such as here in Princeville, Kauai.

Unquestionably, we’ll be able to provide a great review for this condo. The fact that remodeling is in progress for the unit below us and the resulting noise, won’t have a bearing on our review. Condo living has these issues, of which most renters are aware before signing the agreement.

Going forward to the next two-plus years to the South Pacific (with only one 75 day gap which we’ll soon fill), every property we’re renting is a either private house or a stand-alone house in a resort, as is the case in Fiji for 89 days.

There’s rarely a day when the mountains aren’t shrouded in “vog,” clouds of humidity.

In Trinity Beach, Australia, our next vacation rental beginning on June 11th, the property we’ve rented is a ground floor lower level of the owner’s main house. The reason we chose this type of property is the high cost of rentals in Australia in general, comparable to the costs here in Princeville. 

The owners with whom we’ve communicated often, seem very kind and friendly. We anticipate that we’ll all spend many good times together. After all, Australians are known for being “overly friendly” not unlike the people of Kauai and South Africa, the most friendly environments we’ve visited in the past 29 months of travel. 

I suppose the fact that other languages are spoken in many of the countries in which we’ve lived has had a huge bearing on our perception of friendliness. Developing friendships with whom one can’t converse with, is tricky.

More amazing view of the sea near our condo.

Now, we’re off the pool and fitness center at the Makai Club where I’ll work out while Tom takes the car to fill it with gas for mine and Julie’s upcoming sightseeing outings, beginning after she’s rested.

Off we go to get a few things done. We’ll be back tomorrow with more. Soon, we’ll have many more new photos to share. As always, all photos we’ve posted today are new, except the one-year-ago as posted below.

Have a happy day!

                                           Photo from one year ago today, March 12, 2014:

A view of the Medina from the rooftop of our vacation rental which was a private home, although attached to neighboring houses. There are no stand-alone holiday houses in the Medina and few in Morocco in general. For more details, please click here.

A fun interlude with “kapuna” with bingo and games…One year ago, raining in the house…

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The unassuming exterior of the Princeville Community Center located near the Princeville Shopping Center, across the street from the Princeville Library.

As senior citizens, we’ve certainly taken advantage of discounts and a variety of opportunities afforded only to the aging population throughout the world. 

By the time we arrived exactly at 10:45, most of the seats were already filled. We’d better get into the groove of the “arriving early syndrome” so popular with seniors.

It may be in the form of discount movie tickets, 5% off on some cruise fares with an AARP card (which we have), 5% off groceries on Thursdays here in Kauai at the local Foodland store, or as many seniors are aware, discounts at various dining establishments at certain times or days of the week.

Many had their plates full of the goodies prepared by the volunteers and some guests.

As a matter of fact, Hawaii has numerous discounts and benefits for seniors, perhaps in consideration of the higher cost of living than on the mainland. Also, we’ve found, that with the high population of seniors living in Hawaii many activities for seniors are organized and well-executed. (For demographics on seniors living in the Hawaiian Islands, please click here).

The party room is air-conditioned and comfortable.

Kapuna is the Hawaiian word for grandparents or elders who are revered and held in high esteem by the Hawaiian people.

As we’ve aged these past few years we’ve tended to become friends with many who are much younger than us, by circumstance rather than preferences. But, here in Princeville, almost every part-time or permanent resident is over 60 years old. 

It was obvious that a lot of work had gone into the preparation of the pu pu’s.

The only younger people we’ve met are friends or relatives of the older population and tourists passing through for the myriad adventures Kauai has to offer, many high risk and dangerous for many seniors as we’ve recently discovered on some serious hikes we’ve taken, none of which are inspiring us to return.

The three plates of quiche were quite a hit. 

Yesterday morning at 10:45, we attended a free senior St. Patrick’s Day party at the Princeville at Hanalei Community Center which was introduced to us by friend Richard who’d saved a local newspaper article for us announcing the details of the event. Thanks again, Richard, our personal social director.

Me and my three bingo cards. Toward the end of the various bingo games, after I’d won, Tom took over one of my cards when he noticed I wasn’t properly tending to them due to my short attention span.

Anticipating that the majority of the attendees would be considerably older than our 67 and 62 respectively, we were surprised when at least half were our ages or a few years younger. 

“Do I have B 11?”

We brought along our pu pu to share and were pleased to see a table filled with beautifully prepared entrees and desserts. Tom tried some of the desserts and won several peppermint patty type candies which he devoured with gusto. I didn’t eat a thing instead, busying myself taking photos and visiting with our table mate, Barbara, a lovely woman from Germany who’s lived in the islands for years.

“How about an O 72?”

I won bingo once when I used three (free) cards winning a much-needed Pier One green plastic wine glass which my sister will use when she visits in a few days. The other guests were exceedingly friendly as were the volunteers and hostess Cristina and of course, the bingo caller whose name I never heard among the loud roar of the crowd of about 40 participants.

“Ah, I didn’t win but my wife did.  I’m happy!”

Less than a two-hour event, we departed shortly after 12:00 pm, with a handout of the next party for spring that occurs on April 14th at the same time and location. Without a doubt, we’ll surely attend the next party not so much for the food and games but for the opportunity to meet people and to feel a part of a community for the remaining period we’re on the island.

My winning card, the letter “H.”

For local seniors and visitors who find themselves feeling a desire to mingle, make new friends, and discover an easy, no cost means of inclusion in the community, involvement in these events is ideal. 

I was thrilled to win this wineglass from Pier One when there’s a shortage at our condo which will come in handy when Julie arrives tomorrow night. 

Also, if you know of a senior who may benefit from “getting out” and socializing, feel free to bring them to an event. The center asks that participants call or email that they plan to attend. 

When we weren’t certain we’d be done posting in time to attend, we hadn’t reserved our spots and were welcomed with open arms. Bringing a pu pu to share is not required since volunteers prepare most of the food while others like us brought a dish to share.

The party was winding down after the last game.  Tom helped with the folding of the tables and chairs while I chatted with other participants.

The community center has numerous other activities appealing to all ages which can be found on their website under the calendar posted. Their phone number is: (808) 826-6687 or inquiries may be made by email: info@princevillecommunity.com

Have a happy hump day for those of you still working. See, you too can look forward to retirement for more than one reason.

                                           Photo from one year ago today, March 11, 2014:

It rained inside the riad in Marrakech with the open central courtyard. When we maneuvered from room to room we walked along the edges to avoid getting wet. For details on that date, please click here.

Busy week…Clouds prevail…Preparing for a houseguest…A year ago photo of the Medina at night!

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The orchids in Hawaii are amazing.

With my sister arriving in a few days, Tom and I are holding off from heading out to sightsee over the next few days. Instead, Julie and I will wander about the island, taking more photos, seeing new sites, spending valuable time together after over two years apart.

The front entrance to the St. Regis Hotel is a short walk from our condo in Princeville. A few days ago, on yet another cloudy day, we took off on a walk to check it out.

Last night, we had a great evening with Richard watching the finale of The Bachelor after an early dinner, loving every moment of our idle chatter and hilarious comments during the show.

The lobby of the St. Regis.

We were all thrilled with the outcome of the show, although Richard came around to our side midway through.  It was comparable to watching a sporting event, cheering all the while. Tom would beg to differ with me that no reality show compares to watching the Minnesota Vikings, longing for a win.

This view is deceiving. Its across an indoor pond to the veranda dining area.  Since we didn’t go out to dinner on our anniversary, one night soon we’ll try the pricey dinner here as a special treat.

This morning, we’re heading to an event at the Community Center, for which we’ll share details later. Its a senior event that brings many retirees in Princeville together for games, snacks and conversation. 

Lanai dining overlooking Hanalei Bay.

Preparing for a house guest is important to me, although getting ready for a party of one is a lot easier than when our 12 family members arrived in Pahoa, Big Island in December.

Views over the lower level rooftops to Hanalei Bay.

Few people eat as we do, making it necessary to stock the house with “normal” foods such as bread, yogurt, fruit and low fat this and that, none of which we ever consume. I asked Julie for a list and chuckled after seeing it. It was the same list I’d have made for myself four years ago, before I started eating high fat, low carb, moderate protein, minus starches, grains, gluten and sugars.

There’s nothing that compares to a mountain and ocean view, typical here in Kauai.

Of course, I’ll keep my mouth shut and not preach or even extol the virtues of our way of eating. Nor will I offer up access to 1000 scientific studies supporting this strict diet we follow for reduction in inflammation, pain and general illness. 

They were preparing for a wedding in the outdoor dining area.  Tom is checking out the view.

With someone I love, its tough to keep silent. But, after knowing one another all of our lives, she knows if she wants more information, she can ask me. And, if I slip up, I know she’ll tell me to “drop it.”

We’ve moved all of the luggage that we’ve stored upstairs out of the way so she’ll have room for her bags for her eight day visit. 

As we walked the grounds of the hotel there was considerable vegetation.

The stairway to the loft is a little steep but has a good handrail. There are  no windows in the loft which may be a good thing with the roosters crowing early in the morning. But, knowing Julie, she’ll be fine, especially when we’ve prepared her so well.

There’s no chest of drawers or closet in the loft but with two beds, she can use one for storing her clothing, the other for sleeping. After all, visiting Hawaii doesn’t require an extensive wardrobe, especially for this short a period. 

Oh, a sunny day would be lovely.  Hopefully soon.

We each have one suitcase apiece filled with our respective clothing and it will get us around the world for years to come. We always chuckle when we see tourists, each with multiple bags for a one or two week vacation. That used to be us.

Preparing meals for the three of us will be interesting with our dietary differences but surely we’ll figure it out.  The important thing is spending time together sitting on the lanai, out and about sightseeing or lounging on a beach. 

We wandered through the area of the shops in the hotel with nary a thought of making any type of purchase. In my old life, I’d have been scouring the windows for a unique find. Now, I don’t care.

Tom, who doesn’t like sitting in the sand, will revel in the fact that Julie and I will be going to a beach without him. He’ll have some time to himself which he’ll certainly cherish.  

The little car is too small to comfortably fit three. If we go out to dinner, I’ll squeeze into the tiny backseat as long as we don’t plan to go too far. Years ago, I could never have maneuvered my body into that tiny space due to pain and discomfort. Now, with my way of eating and feeling so well for the past 3 1/2 years, I can easily manage squeezing into tight spaces. (There I go again).

A Cattle Egret, a common bird in the Hawaii Islands. This appeared to be a young bird. She wouldn’t stay still long enough for a good photo.

Today, we’re sharing photos we when took a few days ago when yet again the sun failed to grace us with its presence. It was in the 50s overnight last night, cold for Hawaii. Hopefully, soon the clouds will pass and Kauai will once again be warm and sunny.

Have a terrific Tuesday. Back at you soon!

                                             Photo from one year ago today, March 10, 2014:

A night in the Medina in Marrakech, Morocco. The sights, the sounds and the smells were astounding. For more photos from that evening out, please click here.

Part 2…Anniversary movie night at the extraordinary estate of new friends…Wow!…

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Red Ginger plants overlooking an open area on the grounds of Bev and Sam’s property.

Before I continue with Part 2 of anniversary night’s visit to new friends Bev and Sam’s fabulous estate, I wanted to share the fact that my sister Julie is flying here on Thursday from Los Angeles for an eight day visit.

These organic, non-GMO, pesticide and chemical-free red grapefruit growing on Bev and Sam’s amazing property aren’t quite ready for harvesting.
How wonderful it would be to be able to head out to the orchard in the morning to pick a sumptuous red grapefruit for breakfast.

Although our condo is small, we’ll make it work. Julie will have the loft bedroom for herself and the three of us will share the one bathroom on the main floor. Our little dining table for four will work well as long as I don’t cook too many side dishes to pass. 

The former greenhouse has been converted to a movie viewing studio. We took this photo shortly after our arrival to Bev and Sam’s home before darkness fell.

Tonight, we’ll experience three people in our condo for the first time when friend Richard comes to dinner to watch the finale of “The Bachelor” with us. We’ve always enjoyed this show speculating on the outcome from the beginning.  So, like many other Bachelor enthusiasts, we’re having a little Bachelor party.

There was an area designated for the growth of papayas.
I’ve always been confused telling the difference between papaya and mango. Mangos grow on large trees whereby papayas grow on smaller trees such as shown here.

Our dear friend Richard, retired attorney, successful businessman, also enjoys watching every episode after which the three of us have shared comments and observations. 

The papaya trees were perfectly arranged and space in the papaya garden.

How appropriate that we’re getting together tonight at our place while I serve well seasoned barbecue ribs (no sauce), veggies, salad and low carb muffins.

There are thousands of varieties of orchids. Many can be seen here at this link and growing in Bev and Sam’s gorgeous property.
Purple orchids.

Now we’ll continue with Part 2 of Saturday’s movie night at the home of friends…

These white orchids are particularly appealing.

After our comprehensive separate tours of the expansive property, Tom and I reconnected at the greenhouse which Bev and Sam had converted to a tiered movie theatre with a huge screen, modern equipment and sound system.

This thick shag carpet-like grass was not only a different color than most grasses but was soft to the touch and very dense.
Banana trees from which Bev and Sam harvest each season for resale. With the help of their full-time gardener and groundskeeper, they are able to resell

Situated in comfortable chairs next to one another, high enough to easily see the entire screen, we gabbed with our immediate seatmates and shared a few tidbits of our respective tours of the property. 

Bird of Paradise, a favorite we’ve seen in many countries.

When we heard that the movie was “The Artist,” filmed in black and white with subtitles, we’d both cringed.  Neither of us cares to watch movies with subtitles and I’ve never liked watching movies filmed in black and white. Ugh, this was going to be a long two hours, we both thought. But, the opportunity to socialize was more important to us than the movie itself.

We’d never have guessed that this is a macadamia nut tree. 

Little did we know, that in the first five minutes, we were hooked! Honestly, “The Artist” goes on our list of favorite movies. Who would have thought? It is the most delightful, charming, heartwarming and smile provoking movie we’d seen in a long time. 

It will be mid summer by the time this avocado tree produces fruit.

The movie won five Academy Awards in 2012 including best picture and numerous other international awards.  The acting was beyond reproach. If you haven’t seen it, we highly recommend downloading it while serving some snacks to enjoy your own movie night. 

Aptly named a Bottlebrush Tree.  We’d seen a similar flower in South Africa which they call Sickle Bush.  Click here for the link.

Midway through the movie, Sam stopped the movie at an appropriate cliffhanging spot for an intermission allowing us ample time to meet and chat with other guests while many refilled their plates with the various pu pu’s.

An elephant statue in the tree as a reminder of Bev and Sam’s various trips throughout the world, able to see this magnificent animals.

When the movie ended well after 9:00 pm, we had another opportunity to chat a little more with the guests as everyone gathered their various pu pu platters and dishes, meeting several we hope to see again during our remaining over two plus months in Kauai.

More white orchids.

Thanking our gracious hosts, we made our way back to the car to head home with smiles on our faces. It couldn’t have been a more perfect night. Back at home, I nibbled on leftovers when typically the pu pu’s don’t include anything befitting my way of eating. I’m used to that and never give it a thought until returning home and feeling ravenous.

This beautiful Buddha type statue sits on Bev and Sam’s massive lanai.

It was a good anniversary. It was a good night. Our heartfelt thanks to Bev and Sam for including us in this fun event. We couldn’t be more appreciative to all of the friends we’ve made in Kauai, especially to our friend Richard. 

Moments before the movie began in the theatre.

Without his excellent “social director” skills, most of our socializing wouldn’t have reached this level. Thanks, Richard! See you tonight for our Bachelor party!

                                             Photo from one year ago today, March 9, 2014:

Our first night spent in the Medina as darkness fell. We were anxious to see the lights and festivities so typical in this popular area in Marrakech. The sounds, the smells and the energy was fascinating. We had dinner in a café overlooking the core of the activity. For more photos from that evening, please click here.

Part 1…Anniversary movie night at the extraordinary estate of new friends…Wow!…

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Many plants and trees on Bev and Sam’s property produce various fruit such as in this pineapple garden, grown in such abundance that they are sold; all organic, non-GMO, without the use of pesticides and chemicals.

When new friends Bev and Sam kindly invited us to arrive early before we joined in on their regularly scheduled “movie night” that they host a few times a month, we were hesitant to disturb them before the others arrived.  

To maintain privacy for Bev and Sam we aren’t showing photos of their house. This is a tiny portion of their well-groomed grounds upon entering the property.

The movie was scheduled to begin at 7:00 pm and with our early arrival, we had plenty of time to tour their gorgeous, expansive property. 

Little did we realize upon entering their property, that they’d have this expansive ocean view.

They both welcomed us with open arms when we entered their gate. Sam took Tom on the tour of their botanical garden-like 3 1/2 acre property while Bev toured me separately through the breathtaking grounds with grace and ease.

Bev refers to this mountaintop as “twin peaks,” another fabulous view from their grounds.

We had the harsh reality of taking all of these photos between 6:15 and 7:00 pm as darkness fell, sacrificing quality and acuity in the cloudy darkening sky resulting in some less than ideal photos. Preferring not to use flash, I did the best I could as an amateur photographer.

This is the gardener and housekeeper’s quarters located in the 3 1/2 acre grounds. It would be impossible to maintain the pristine appearance of the grounds without full-time assistance.

Also, Bev who knows the name of every tree, flower, and plant on the grounds attempted to give me an education. Unfortunately, while the creative portion of my brain was busy perusing ideal photo ops using I was unable to easily memorize the names of the dozens of plants and trees of which I had little or no prior knowledge. 

Of course, they have a vegetable garden supplying most of the produce for their personal needs. They chose to use these planter boxes for easier maintenance and management.

I guess I’m unable to “walk and chew gum” when enthralled to the degree I was last evening while walking through the various gardens on their property. 

Every corner, every angle was meticulously landscaped and maintained.

As a result, and with a desire to not pester Bev and Sam today, some of these photos may not have a description if I’m not certain as to their name and variety. Let’s face it, I’m no botanist and although I love looking at vegetation, it will take many years of travel to learn enough not to seem foolishly ignorant.

Note the elephant and baby statues to the left.  Bev and Sam are experienced world travelers and they too, love wildlife. This serene area is the “meditation garden.”

I’m curious and find watching surgery on TV interesting but, I’m no surgeon. It’s the same with vegetation; a curious, appreciative observer but, not an expert. As we travel from location to location we find endless varieties of plants, trees, and flowers, attempting to learn as much as possible. 

At a distance, a new house is being built which takes longer to complete than on the mainland of the US.

After our tour, we made our way to the former greenhouse on their property which has been converted to a tiered seating theatre with a huge screen, sound system, and all the up-to-date digital equipment.

The ambiance of the grounds is enhanced by statues from various parts of the world.

As the guests began to filter in, a few of which we recognized from Wednesday’s Full Moon Party, all were carrying pu pu’s to share as we’d done as well, a common occurrence when Hawaiian residents get together, making the event a little easier for the hosts who have plenty of prep and cleanup.

A common lily.
There were numerous African Tulip trees on Bev and Sam’s property.

Bev and Sam were gracious hosts leaving us feeling welcomed by making a point of introducing us to many of the guests, ensuring we had good seating, and of course, taking the time to tour us through their astounding property. 

Seeming endless walkways and paths led to more and more delightful surprises.

It couldn’t have been a more perfect way to spend our anniversary. Thanks, Bev and Sam for providing us with a memorable 20th anniversary at your exquisite property.

Many paths throughout the property were paved such as this walkway and others consisted of individual stepping stones.

Speaking of our anniversary, we want to express our heartfelt appreciation to our readers from all over the world for all the email, comments, and best wishes. How did we get so lucky? 

Bev referred to the red bamboo stalks on the right as Lipstick  Bamboo. We continued on the pavers set in the dense grass.

Usually, an anniversary is celebrated quietly by the couple unless it’s a major milestone. We had no idea that so many of our readers would join us in the celebration. Thank you!

Of course, there’s a putting green and small golf course on the property!

Tomorrow, we’ll share more photos and comments on one of the most fabulous movies we’ve seen to date at Bev and Sam’s “movie night,” a movie we’d never expected to enjoy for a few reasons we’ll share. Please check back tomorrow for more.

Purple Morning Glories.

Photos from one year ago today, March 8, 2014:

Madame Zahra has made us a special anniversary dinner which we enjoyed as she began the process of reducing the number of spices. After only the first week, we’d had our fill of the strong Moroccan spices. To see the remainder of the dinner and our first foray outside the Medina, please click here. Tom ate bread and fries. I didn’t say a word.

Today is our 20th wedding anniversary…Photos of us past and present and past anniversaries…

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Waiting to board another cruise in January 2013. Look at all those bags and more don’t show in this photo. Thank goodness we’re now down to three suitcases, one duffle bag and one computer bag.

Twenty-four years ago Tom and I met in a bar in Bloomington, Minnesota, marrying 20 years ago today. We were polar opposites, him, a blue-collar railroad guy, and me, a somewhat stuffy white-collar type who lived a “linen napkin lifestyle” (per Tom). We had literally nothing in common other than the fact that we were humans.

“They,” say that opposites attract but, when I immediately noticed his slang language learned in North Minneapolis as a kid, I thought, “This is never going to last.” After all, I was the queen of proper language usage and elocution.

When I invited him to my house for dinner for our first official date and served blackened swordfish, mushroom risotto, baby asparagus and Caesar salad, I noticed a pained look on his face the entire meal as he suffered through his least favorite foods on the planet, included the dry red wine.

Another blurry photo of us aboard the Celebrity Century on January 14, 2013. We’d yet to purchase a real camera at this point.

Tom says, “That’s when I pulled up to her house in my four-wheel drive on a Saturday evening in June and saw the sprawling manicured lawn, blue water on both sides of the house, I thought, we’ve got nothing in common.  I’ll be out of here in no time and head back to that bar where we met to check out my other options.”

Ha!  Eight hours later we were still yakking up at storm finding reasons “why” as opposed to “why not.” Within the first hour, he told me the story about taking his mother on a month-long trip to Ireland and Rome to see the Pope before she went totally blind.” 

It was that story that peaked my interest. Any guy who’d take his entire year’s vacation from work to take his mother on a much dreamed of trip would definitely make a good partner. Either he was a “mama’s boy” or a good man and based on what I’d seen thus far, I had not suspected he was a “mama’s boy” for a moment.

Photo taken of us using my phone on October 28, 2012, the night of Tom’s retirement party.

In a funny way, I fell in love that night. I sensed he hated “hoity-toity” food, a passion of mine. He didn’t care an iota about red wine, another passion of mine at the time, and he rarely used a linen napkin, a must in my household.

It’s ironic that now I rarely eat hoity-toidy food, never drink wine, and mostly use a dishtowel as a linen napkin when there aren’t linen napkins in vacation homes.

It was a difficult courtship filled with doubt and mistrust, as often is the case in many relationships but in time we both came around to love, honor and trust one another when on this date, March 7, 1995 we were married by a judge in with our kids as witnesses at our side in downtown Minneapolis. 

Tom in front of the volcano, Mount Kilauea this December.

In time, the difference between us blended into a workable and agreeable “middle” and getting along beautifully was easy. For us, marriage hasn’t been a lot of work and compromise.  We rarely argue, mostly due to the fact that I don’t engage in arguments. I leave the room or don’t respond to argumentative comments. No one will fight if there’s no opponent in the room. You’ll never see anyone alone in a room yelling and screaming at themselves for too long.

Tom is your cave-dwelling kind of guy. He needs his space, his opinion and doesn’t like to be told what to do. I get this and grant him these needs mostly with my mouth shut. On the other hand, I’m a piece of work in my own right and he’s learned to tolerate me without a lot of fuss. 

Me in front of Mount Kilauea in December this year.

Also, there’s his “overly grumpy” personality at times when basically I ignore him and it passes quickly. And, I’m continually, “overly bubbly” which he tolerates day after day.

If I’m the person that has done these posts every morning to the point of over 900 individual posts. Can you picture the personality that precipitates that kind of commitment…shall we say, “a little obsessive?” 

So, we compromise from of a desire to make the other happy than to meet in the middle. If I want to travel to a location that’s important to me and he doesn’t care for that location, we go and vise versa. But, its more than just going along. It’s done with love, acceptance, and joy for the new experiences we’ll share together. 

In front of the White Mosque in Abu Dhabi in May, 2013.

Today, in the 20th year of marriage, we celebrate without cards, gifts, and hoopla. Tonight, we’re going to the home of new friends for their “movie night” again bringing a pu pu to share. 

Our anniversary photo from March 2013, the night we were injured on the collapsed steps in Belize. Click here for the link showing the steps that resulted in injuries.

Traveling the world and enjoying each other’s companionship, spending 24 hours a day together has proved to be nothing short of pure pleasure. We’ve loved the time together not only in experiencing adventures and also, but also the mundane aspects of everyday life.

Most retires couples occasionally go off on their own to visit with friends, shop, engage in tennis, golf, or walks in the mall. We are seldom apart for more than a few minutes while I work out or go to the grocery store. And yet, each time I walk in the door a warm hello and giggle over missing one another crosses our lips, along with a kiss.

In front of God’s Window in South Africa. Searching for photos of us made us realize that we need to take more photos of us together. We’ll do so going forward.

Happy Anniversary to my dear husband. May we have many more years together as we continue to revel in in this unusual life we’ve chosen. You are dearly loved and so am I.

On our first game drive in South Africa in December, 2013. It was very hot and humid.  We were dressed in our BugsAway clothing, sweating like crazy. By this point in time, we’d learned to tolerate the heat and humidity.

Happy Saturday!

                                             Photo from one year ago today, March 7, 2014:

Us on our anniversary one year ago today in Marrakech, Morocco.  For more photos from that date, please click here.

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.