The ship docked at four different ports: Funchal, Portugal; Cadiz, Malaga and Cartagena, Spain. All these were ancient Roman cities (Cadiz was 3,000 BC) they were a warren of narrow winding alleys connecting large plazas, people, housing, and history still available for us to experience today. Additionally, they are all fishing villages, and we were lucky enough to be at one on a Friday during … Continue reading Portuguese and Spanish port cities

Transatlantic cruises are one of the most sought after travel experiences. It is a “voyage” and not a cruise, since so many sea days are part of the itinerary. Think of it as mobile elegance between two continents – connecting the old world with the new, with a fitting air of grace, space and formality across the Atlantic Ocean. There are plenty of distractions during … Continue reading The Journey Across the Ocean – March 16 – 31, 2015

Over the last four years our RV life has focused on the western part of North America. The southwest, located between LAX and Denver, held many different ways to traverse the landscape with interesting places to visit no matter which way you turned. But, it is time to move to other parts of the country, and other airport/RV storage opportunities to consider, so this season … Continue reading October – December 2014 – The Southwest Migration

The Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta, held the first week in October, and a mere 10 hours from Grand Lake, makes a perfect stop. This year there were 548 balloon teams, including 106 special shape balloons, representing 22 countries. We love the fiesta, the color and the energy brings out your inner child. Day after day we rose before dawn (and we were lucky to get a … Continue reading Hot Air at Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta – October 5 – 11, 2014

It’s been a long-lived love affair, this relationship between Shadowcliff and us.   It has been my home away from home, an extended family, the place where we volunteered and dreamed possibilities, the place we were married – a place that inspired our journey.The Executive Director (ED) approached us as part of a pilot program to separate the duties of running Shadowcliff into two pieces: the … Continue reading May – September 2014 – Shadowcliff – Grand Lake, CO

The only thing better than traveling on the other side of the world is coming home. There really is a friendly face there to meet you at the Los Angeles airport after a 14 hour flight (thanks Jeanne) and it feels amazing to have choices beyond 10 blouses and 4 pants – 5 months. I took the travel clothes and put them waaaaaay back in … Continue reading March – April 2014 – The Great Homecoming

When it rains it pours, that’s what the weather was in Christchurch today, along with gale force winds. Our connection time in Auckland was a little over an hour. In light of Christchurchs weather, we went to the airport early and was able to depart on an earlier flight. Even with an earlier flight we were delayed out of Christchurch by an hour. Good thing … Continue reading “Oh, the places you will go” – March 4, 2014

The eastern portion of the Otago Central Rail Trail starts in Middlemarch, about one hour drive west of Dunedin. It is a continuation of an earlier post. We started and ended our ride at Hyde, midway on the eastern section of the trail that took us over two bridges and through one tunnel. The NZ Cycle Trails have been a highlight. When we finishing the … Continue reading Otago Central Rail Trail – Part II

To sight a soaring Albatross is unforgettable – a spectacle touched with a dignity and majesty no other bird can excel; seeing the endangered Yellow-Eyed Penguins; and the Little Blue Penguin in their natural habitat; gave us reason to visit the Otago Peninsula near Dunedin City. The Royal Albatross Colony is the only mainland place in the world to view Northern Royal Albatross in their … Continue reading Dunedin – Feb. 24 – 27, 2014

We drove from Te Anau to Owaka. This route, 8 hours including stops, took us through the most southern part of the South Island and up the south eastern coast and through Catlins Conservation and Forest Parks. The Catlins – the name that conjures up images of a corner of New Zealand untainted by the modern world – a place where time has stood still … Continue reading Catlins

Ten years ago we did the 4 day hike of Milford Sound and took an overnight cruise. Enroute to New Zealand we toured Fiordland by cruise ship, and this month we drove from Te Anau to Milford to cruise again and to photograph some of the great sites. One stop enroute was Mirror Lake which reflected the close by mountains on a still lake, a … Continue reading Milford Sound

David rented a Cessna 172 with a certified flight instructor from a Queenstown Aero Club. We flew over the NZ Fiordland National Park which included mountainous terrain, glaciers and lakes from Queenstown: Mount Aspiring; Mount Earnslaw; Milford Sound; Lake Te Anau; and return to Queenstown. The last photo in this post illustrates our flight path. The flight instructor worked the radios to obtain the required … Continue reading Flying over NZ Fiordlands

Just brilliant! We were in Queenstown 10 years ago, during our last visit to NZ, and remember it was the capital of adrenalin adventures. Being 10 years elder we were a little more conservative in choosing our adventures. A jet boat ride is an iconic activity on Queenstown’s lakes and rivers. The jet boat skims over the water very fast. We raced downstream for over … Continue reading Queenstown

New Zealand’s original great ride and opened to the public in 2000. In 2012 it became part of the New Zealand Cycle Trail. Developed for walkers, cyclists and horse riders, the Otago Central Rail Trail follows the former Otago Central branch railway line for 150 kilometres. The Rail Trail provides access to some truly spectacular scenery not seen from the highways including mountain ranges, hills … Continue reading Central Otago Rail Trail

The Transportation and Toy Museum in Wanaka is said to have over 50,000 items and is described as a informal pandora box of surprises. They invite you to visit, explore and imagine. The museum has a collection of movie props from movies filmed here in New Zealand. The source of my problem. We found among the many Star Wars memorabilia a Star Wars Star Fighter … Continue reading Its all fun and games till someone gets hurt . . .

We thought we had our fill of Glaciers in Alaska, but two more highlights when driving down the west coast of the South Island is Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers. We spent three nights visiting the glaciers and enjoying a massage and soaking in the nearby hot spring pools. New Zealand’s Glacier Country, on the South Island’s West Coast, is at the heart of the … Continue reading Ka Roimata o Hinehukatere

Lake Rotoiti, Nelson Lakes National Park Mankind have been floating their boats for hundreds of years. Mainly to get from point A to point B. But when “modern man” put boat travel into the realm of recreation, it was important to look good. Boats are a thing of beauty. We stumbled on the New Zealand Antique and Classic Boat Show at Nelson Lakes National Park … Continue reading Driving to the west coast New Zealand, with stops

A highlight not to be missed in Blenheim is the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre. Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre houses a display like no other and you don’t have to be an aviation buff to enjoy it! Human stories from the Great War come to life in a theatrical treatment, which is both innovative and visually stunning. Captivating scenes depict the aircraft in context, some recreating … Continue reading Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre – Blenheim

When do you attach a wine glass to lanyard and wear it around your neck? Answer: At the Annual Marlborough Wine and Food Festival. Blenheim is the heart of New Zealand’s Marlborough wine region. Imagine 60 tents for wineries, 12 restaurants with food pairings, 6 bands providing a continuous, live music atmosphere and one park. All of this is combined with a bus service to … Continue reading Marlborough Wine and Food Festival

The Abel Tasman National Park is New Zealand’s only coastal national park – and its golden sandy beaches and clear turquoise water makes it popular. The sheltered bays are popular for cruising, sailing and sea kayaking. On land, the Abel Tasman Coast Track follows the coastline through lush native bush, over limestone cliffs and along golden sandy beaches. Walking the length of the park requires … Continue reading Abel Tasman National Park

Picton is a town in the Marlborough region of New Zealand. It is close to the head of Queen Charlotte Sound near the north-east corner of the South Island. Picton connects the South Island to its northern counterpart by sea, the Interislander and Bluebridge ferrys both leave for Wellington on a regular basis. One of the coves in the sound is Ships Cove and is … Continue reading Queen Charlotte Sound and the Marlborough Sounds