Have you ever traveled to a place that you would imagine yourself moving to permanently? What did you love about it? What does to offer that can't be found at home?
The first international travel I experienced was to Australia and New Zealand as part of a business travel trip for Genius Golfer. Knowing it w as a wonderful chance to see a part of the world we otherwise might not ever get to see, I jumped at the chance to go there.
Australia--specifically the gold Coast on the eastern coast of Queensland--was a wonderful place, full of wonderful people with exotic and slightly familiar feel to it. I loved it. We visited Brisbane and then flew up to the city of Cairns. It was beautiful, charming and delightful city that was a lovely jumping off spot to see and dive upon the Great Barrier Reef. I found the Australia people warm, inviting and welcoming to outsiders. They were open to others and seemingly self confident enough not to be threatened by the visiting Americans. I felt in love with the people, the accent, and the particulars they espoused.
I remember telling GG that if there ever came a time we could not longer live in America, I'd happily move to Queensland and be happy forever.
Showing posts with label traveling. Show all posts
Showing posts with label traveling. Show all posts
Sunday, August 26, 2018
Sunday, August 19, 2018
#52 Stories--Story #44
Are there any notable tourist destinations within easy driving distance form your home that you've never visited--even though people travel there from around the world?
YES! I chide my self regularly that I have never been the the Arches National Park or to Moab or run the river our of Green River. I have visited Zion National Park and Kolob Canyon, both rather briefly.
I have been many places and enjoyed most of them, but I still have the slick rocks of Moab and the formations in Arches on my bucket list.
YES! I chide my self regularly that I have never been the the Arches National Park or to Moab or run the river our of Green River. I have visited Zion National Park and Kolob Canyon, both rather briefly.
I have been many places and enjoyed most of them, but I still have the slick rocks of Moab and the formations in Arches on my bucket list.
Sunday, August 12, 2018
#52 Stories-Story #43
Do you have one special vacation spot that you return to again and again? How did you find it? What draws you back? What do you love about it?
My favorite place to visit--at least one that I have visited more than once--is Disneyland in Anaheim, CA. Genius Golfer and I visited it first together on newlyweds on our honeymoon. It is a place that holds my idea of fun, cleanliness, family, and magic.
For our twentieth anniversary, GG surprised me with a pair of annual passes. We repeated that year long celebration for our 25th. This past year we were able to visit 5 or 6 times in the celebration of our anniversary annual passes.
When The Boy asked me not long ago what it was that made me like visiting Disneyland so much as an adult. Trying to help him understand, I told him it's a place where optimism rules the land; where streets, attractions, and outward appearances are clean & tidy; and where "family" is catered to and celebrated no matter what it looks like. It's an imagined alternate reality that purposely reflects a simpler time. I still feel all those things when I visit. All of those reasons make me feel the "magic" of this place each time I get to visit. And, really, can you ever really outgrow that kind of magic??!! I hope I never do.
My favorite place to visit--at least one that I have visited more than once--is Disneyland in Anaheim, CA. Genius Golfer and I visited it first together on newlyweds on our honeymoon. It is a place that holds my idea of fun, cleanliness, family, and magic.
For our twentieth anniversary, GG surprised me with a pair of annual passes. We repeated that year long celebration for our 25th. This past year we were able to visit 5 or 6 times in the celebration of our anniversary annual passes.
When The Boy asked me not long ago what it was that made me like visiting Disneyland so much as an adult. Trying to help him understand, I told him it's a place where optimism rules the land; where streets, attractions, and outward appearances are clean & tidy; and where "family" is catered to and celebrated no matter what it looks like. It's an imagined alternate reality that purposely reflects a simpler time. I still feel all those things when I visit. All of those reasons make me feel the "magic" of this place each time I get to visit. And, really, can you ever really outgrow that kind of magic??!! I hope I never do.
Sunday, August 5, 2018
#52 Stories--Story #42
What were your most common childhood vacations like--road trips, visits to Grandma's house, camping trips, weekends at the lake of beach?
As a child our family "vacations" were generally a road trip to see my grandparents in Washington state or a visit back to my parent's high school reunions. They were friends with classmates in each others' classes so they regarded those reunions for either a reunion for both. They always has a good time. We also sometimes took these trips and included a visit to cousins that we only saw every year or so.
Our family included my dad's parents for most of my growing up years, and because of their infirmities, we really didn't vacation that much. I recall one big trip to Disneyland with another family in our ward, but I don't remember much besides the trip probably cost too much and took too long away from home and work for my parents--especially my dad. I know he didn't like crowds, or expenses, or too much silliness. He still doesn't.
On many occasions, we did spend weekends at drag strips not too far from home where my dad would be racing. I liked those because we were often left to our own devices--I collected coins from under the bleachers, spark plugs from the pits area, rode bikes all over, and then returned to the camper or trailer for lunch or dinner. I think we learned to make our own fun on these kinds of weekends.
On our visits to my grandparents' house I remember visiting his animals with my grandpa and learning to sprinkle salt on the huge banana slugs and watching them dissolve. I loved hearing my grandpa talk to his dogs or horses or cattle. But it was a place that I never felt really comfortable. The water was always bad and smelly, with bath tub stained with rust or other minerals. My grandma made me a little nervous because she was a little unsteady mentally. I knew she loved us, but I wasn't ever sure she knew us apart when we were all there together.
For fun things--Frontier Village, beach, or lakes, etc--we did a lot of those things with friends and their families. Sometimes my sister and I would go with Mom and meet our cousins from Palo Alto and do fun things with them. The only camping I remember doing was at Girls Camp--but it was decidedly not normal camping.
As a child our family "vacations" were generally a road trip to see my grandparents in Washington state or a visit back to my parent's high school reunions. They were friends with classmates in each others' classes so they regarded those reunions for either a reunion for both. They always has a good time. We also sometimes took these trips and included a visit to cousins that we only saw every year or so.
Our family included my dad's parents for most of my growing up years, and because of their infirmities, we really didn't vacation that much. I recall one big trip to Disneyland with another family in our ward, but I don't remember much besides the trip probably cost too much and took too long away from home and work for my parents--especially my dad. I know he didn't like crowds, or expenses, or too much silliness. He still doesn't.
On many occasions, we did spend weekends at drag strips not too far from home where my dad would be racing. I liked those because we were often left to our own devices--I collected coins from under the bleachers, spark plugs from the pits area, rode bikes all over, and then returned to the camper or trailer for lunch or dinner. I think we learned to make our own fun on these kinds of weekends.
On our visits to my grandparents' house I remember visiting his animals with my grandpa and learning to sprinkle salt on the huge banana slugs and watching them dissolve. I loved hearing my grandpa talk to his dogs or horses or cattle. But it was a place that I never felt really comfortable. The water was always bad and smelly, with bath tub stained with rust or other minerals. My grandma made me a little nervous because she was a little unsteady mentally. I knew she loved us, but I wasn't ever sure she knew us apart when we were all there together.
For fun things--Frontier Village, beach, or lakes, etc--we did a lot of those things with friends and their families. Sometimes my sister and I would go with Mom and meet our cousins from Palo Alto and do fun things with them. The only camping I remember doing was at Girls Camp--but it was decidedly not normal camping.
Thursday, July 21, 2016
Trip of a Lifetime--Part 1
June 11th I left with two dear friends to travel to Europe. It was my first time there, and I had big expectations. I also had big photo memory cards. I'll try to share as I go through the pictures.
This was the BnB we stayed at in London. It was in Shadwell, called Cable Street Inn. DARLING!
Then we made it to the bed and breakfast. It was so cute.
There was too much to see to wait too long. we headed off on a rambling walk.
We walked around the neighborhood and took a look in at St Paul's in Shadwell. Charming!
Then we walked down to the river from the hotel, looking for a pub and Fish 'n Chips!
"The Prospect of Whitby", it is! delicious fish 'n chips.
The London Eye was our first adventure--and what a view of the city!
After riding the "Eye" we wandered about the parliament building along the Thames River.
We started right away to get used to the Tube.
This was the BnB we stayed at in London. It was in Shadwell, called Cable Street Inn. DARLING!
I think I'm going to like London!
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