After another full day on the Mekong in a long wooden slow boat (wed pushed off the riverbank at Pak Beng about eight hours earlier), we arrived at a berthing area for slow boats just outside Luang Prabang in the early evening. We clambered onto the riverbank, struggled up a particularly steep set of stairs to the roadside and jumped into a waiting minibus – we were heading to Legend Hotel, in L Read on...
Happy New Year - Blwyddyn Newydd Da to everyone . To anyone who reads my ranting and raving . And it has been a year of more ranting and raving than travelling . Looking back at 2020 it started well. We felt uplifted after Christmas in France . Yes we would do it December 2020. We even felt cold but happy to be in Gabby in February overlooking Hadrians Wall . And then it all went downhill .
Sprin Read on...
Arriving at Perth Airport was a strange experience, the boarder checkers were there checking our codes of approval for entry, checking our licences but never looking at us to make sure we were who we said we were. As we were all wearing masks, somewhat hiding our identity, I guess it was a mute point.
Collecting our hire vehicle, a Toyota CHR hybrid, we sat in it for a few minutes trying to work Read on...
It has been a difficult year and a half for everyone. One of the things we missed in 2020 was our annual road trip. This year, we are spending a lot of time with our daughter and her family. So this trip is rather disjointed. It will not be our usual week marathon, as in the past. But I plan to document as much of it as may be of interest to any of my dedicated readers.
We begin this trip with h Read on...
Here are three dying or dead tourist sites: Graceland, the where Elvis Presley lived for 20 years, is facing financial troubles after the pandemic. The estate has over 20 million fans since it began its second life as a museum, giving a glimpse into the life of the musical legend. However, revenue has reduced, and it has defaulted on its bonds. It may not be a death sentence for the famous touri Read on...
Am zweiten Tag dieses Wochenendausflugs fuhr ich zuerst die Panoramastrae zum Timmelsjoch hoch. Oben angekommen war es etwas nebelig, aber auf dem Weg dorthin hatte man eine schne Aussicht. Danach kehrte ich um und erreichte die Talstation der Gaislachkogelbahn, wo ich kostenlos parken konnte. Die Bahn selber htte hin und zurck ber 40 Euro gekostet, aber zum Glck war sie mit meine ztal Inside Card Read on...
We woke up to some really nice storms this morning. Wind and some lightning and thunder. Leo got his walk during a short break in the weather. Pete made some pancakes for breakfast with some Irish bacon. He crisped up some corned beef to go with the pancakes. After breakfast we headed towards the area. We stopped and picked up some seafood. Then it was off to another dog park. Leo got to learn ho Read on...
The Colca Canyon is one of the most beautiful areas in Peru famed for its colourful and traditional towns and for its wildlife. There are over 100 species of birds including the giant Andean condor.
The Colca Canyon is also one of the deepest canyons in the world. It is, in fact, twice as deep as the Grand Canyon.
Another location I never dreamt I would be able to visit but with heygo virtual gu Read on...
Our Motel in Londonderry was built in 1790 (the original part). History non existent in NZ. This motel is famed far & wide for their breakfasts. We could see why. In the cost of the room they supply a full a la carte breakfast. I had grits, warm maple syrup with strawberries followed by an omelette & toast. By the time I had finished I felt like returning to my room for a nap!
However we hit the Read on...
What time is it ? It is dark and gloomy and I have little idea what time it is . The sun has not risen and there is no finger of light punching its way through the curtains . It could be anytime between 4 am and 6 am. I lean over to try to read the time on the alarm clock . That is shrouded in darkness . . The luminous fingers of my watch are slowly moving around the dial but they are so weak that Read on...