Maori culture

This was a day spent exploring Maori culture, Auckland art, volcanoes, and botanical gardens.

Sent from my iPhone

A leisurely drive back to Sydney

We are starting our trek back to Sydney and have stopped in Belmont. There is ocean to our east and Lake Macquarie to our west. While walking along the lake shore we came upon some pelicans and black swans. Now to heat up some meat pies for supper that we bought just down the road at Barry's pie shop.

Sent from my iPhone

Hanging at the beach

We spent today exploring Coffs Harbor and all it has to offer. From a morning breakfast on the rocks along the beach, to a visit to the dolphin park (who wouldn't want to be kissed by a dolphin and a sea lion?), enjoying an afternoon tea of scones, jam, and clotted cream, and back to a swimming beach in the late afternoon. All in all, a delightful day.

Sent from my iPhone

The Blue Mountains

We headed west to the Blue Mountains and stopped at Featherdale Wildlife Park. We saw some phenomenal Aussie animals including wallabies, kangaroos, Tasmanian Devils, wombats, pythons, and crocodiles, to name just a few. A lot of the animals just roam free within the park and you can get up close to them.

Then we went to Wentworth Falls and saw spectacular mountain views and a glorious waterfall. Next was Katoomba where we watched an Aboriginal performance with dance and didgereedoo music. We had to do the tourist thing and get our photo taken with the performers looking fierce behind us.

Sent from my iPhone

A day in Sydney, Australia

We spent the day exploring Sydney and visited the Botanical Gardens, Opera House, Discovery Museum, Circular Quay, and then took a bus ride out to Bondi Beach and stood in the Tasman Sea and watched the surfers. An amazing day...

Sent from my iPhone

Aussie birds

The first cockatoo that swooped past us screeching was startling. We've seen groups of magpies and another vibrantly colored red and green bird called a rosella

Sent from my iPhone

Down under

After a very long flight (15 hours) we arrived in Sydney, Australia. They've experienced a tremendous amount of rain but we packed the sun in our suitcases and brought it with us. It is hot and balmy and everything is so lush. After picking up our rental car (has anyone ever heard of a Cruze?) Janet braved driving on the left while I navigated the roads to our hotel in the northwest suburb of West Ryde.

Sent from my iPhone

A few days with friends

I'm spending a few precious days in Minneapolis visiting with friends. We lived in this city for 18 years before moving to Maine. This is the view from the apartment of our good friend, Bruce. The gorgeous building across the street is the American Swedish Institute and that's where my husband had his office years ago. Tomorrow I'm off to San Francisco to meet up with Janet and start our world wide adventure. 

Sent from my iPhone

Family reunion....

It's been a lot of years since my brother, aunt, first and second cousins have all been together in one place. We are at my cousin's home along the south New Jersey shore.

Down time...

Down time is inevitable and important when traveling. Here on the flight to Philadelphia, I'm working on a pair of socks. Those that know me well, know that I only wear hand knit socks. It's one of life's simple pleasures to go into the sock drawer in the morning and choose that day's hand knit socks.

This yarn was given to me as a "Bon voyage" gift from my good friend, Joan. Later in my trip I hope to be wearing these.

Sent from my iPhone

D-day

Today has been referred to as the Ides of March. In our house my husband has called it D-day (Debbie day). I am at the Bangor International Airport awaiting my flight to Philadelphia to visit with family as I start my grand adventure. This is just the first of many flights.

Sent from my iPhone

Packing it all in....

What could be worse than having an airline lose your luggage at the beginning of an 8 week journey? With that in mind, I'm bringing only carry on luggage; the stuff never leaves my sight. I've written my list and checked it twice, thrice, and whatever comes after that. My rolling duffel bag will fit into the overhead compartment and weighs in fully packed at 18 lbs. Temperatures will vary from 30* to 110* in all the different countries we'll be visiting. The secret is layers.
In a small day pack I'll have the important stuff: socks started on double point needles, drop spindle and hand painted roving, necessary papers and itinerary, and snacks. I'm set!
Sent from my iPhone