“New Zealand is a very accessible country,” I had been told prior to my recent month-long trip there. And with very few exceptions I found this to be true. For the next few weeks I will be sharing my experiences in this beautiful land, and when one of the “few exceptions” comes up, I’ll point it out .
The Big Travel Day had finally arrived: Sunday, February 3, 2013
I had prepared for months, researching travel guides and library books, checking Tripadvisor and taking lots of notes.
The following is a journal entry from my recent trip to New Zealand.
Sunday, March 3, 2013; Dunedin, South Island, New Zealand
The day began with a wonderful, meditative visit to Dunedin Botanic Gardens, the most beautiful garden I have ever seen.
It’s the oldest in New Zealand – just celebrated 150 years – and in my estimation the most beautiful and varied. (At one point I found myself comparing it to Hortus Botanicus in Amsterdam. There’s really no comparison, as they are very different in type, size and memory.)
After quietly wandering for nearly an hour – we had been dropped off at 8:00 a.m. – I found a beautiful, quietly secluded place to sit and meditate and write.
Those thoughts follow …
I recently returned from 30 days in New Zealand.
There are so many adjectives I could use to describe this adventure. The best might be “Amazing!” Every single day, without exception, I saw, heard or experienced something absolutely wonderful!
I had been told that New Zealand is a very accessible country, and I found that statement to be true. I made copious notes, and took over 7,000 photos, so that I can share my experience with others who might be considering a trip to the Land of the Long White Cloud.
During my recent trip to the Monterey / Carmel (California) area, Carrieanna and I visited with the docents, volunteers and other enthusiastic members of the team at Point Lobos State Natural Reserve.
They were excited to show us this newly-created slideshow about Easy Access Point Lobos, set to the tune of “Sail Into the Sun” by Gentlemen Hall.
Check it out: http://youtu.be/o5gkMiXeCSQ
(And if that doesn’t inspire you to plan a trip to Point Lobos, I don’t know what will!)
… but I have visited a few incredible museums!
Here’s a short list:
In the Netherlands:
In Italy:
In Egypt:
It’s the end of November: One week after Thanksgiving; three and a half weeks before Christmas.
The “Holiday Season.” A time when people frequently choose to visit family and friends. Or they decide to do just the opposite: Take a vacation and “get away from it / them all!”
On a Sunday in the middle of November, St. Nicholas, known as Sinterklaas in the Netherlands, arrives in Amsterdam.
In 2008 (November 16th), I was there to witness this colorful event! As my sweetheart and I were walking to Hortus Botanicus (Amsterdam’s amazing botanical garden) …
“We noticed children dressed up in caps of satin, with blackened faces; …”
Although autumnal weather has not yet arrived in Sacramento – it’s been in the upper 70s / low 80s this first week of November – it’s a Hess pre-holiday tradition to drive to Apple Hill and purchase a buttermilk apple pie for Thanksgiving. So Carrieanna and I headed for the hills on Monday.
Our first stop was Abel’s Apple Acres, a four generation family ranch which includes a bake shop, candy counter, apple pantry, gift store and picnic areas.
Over the years I have heard that Parisians are rude.
I have never found that to be true — well, with the possible exception of *that one* taxi driver in 2002.
In fact, while visiting Paris in 2009, Carrieanna and I found the exact opposite to be true.
As noted in a previous blog post, we were in Paris to celebrate Carrieanna’s birthday.
Almost Heaven
West Virginia
Blue Ridge Mountains, Shenandoah River….
During my recent trip to West Virginia, I frequently heard John Denver’s voice in my head, singing the opening lines to “Take Me Home, Country Road.”
Anything Is Possible Travel 