Our Gondola Ride In The Floating World Of Venice

image of Jean and Bob in a gondola, Grand Canal, Venice, Italy

After Bob and I completed our walking tour of the Rialto Markets, we thought it high time we hire a gondola.  Who could pass on a dreamy gondola ride on Grand Canal?  It was such an iconic thing to do when in Venice, Italy. Read more

Startled by a Snake on Sky Walk in La Fortuna, Costa Rica

image of a sky tram gondola, la fortuna, costa rica

With an afternoon forecast for rain, Bob and I made plans to get the first scheduled gondola ride up the mountain in La Fortuna, Costa Rica.  Spectacular views from the Sky Tram were promised, but the big surprise was being startled by a snake on the Sky Walk. Read more

Agog at the Famed Rialto Fish Market, Venice

image of Rialto Fish Market, Venice, Italy

After spending considerable time in Piazza San Marco, where floodwaters provided great reflections of the surrounding buildings, it was on to the famed Rialto fish market hall. We were agog at the vast assortment of fresh fish and seafood in this fish market. Read more

Buzzed by CMR Blisterbeetles in the Kalahari Desert

image of a CMR Blisterbeetle on Yellow Bird of Paradise Shrub, Olifantshoek, Kalahari Desert, South Africa

A day after visiting the Witsand Nature Preserve Kalahari, in South Africa, Bob and I continued on our journey east from Upington. Next in our sights was Kuruman, which is considered the Oasis of the Kalahari. It was at a roadside stop en route that we were buzzed by CMR Blisterbeetles, the largest insects we’ve ever seen. Read more

Our Tour Of Greenwich And The Royal Observatory

image of a tour boat on the thames river, London, England

To round out our sightseeing in England, Bob and I had a couple of other locations to check out during our last two days in London.  We thoroughly enjoyed our weeks in the countryside and were rested and rejuvenated.  To ease ourselves back into the hubbub of the city, Bob, our son and I booked a riverboat to Tower Bridge, Greenwich and the Royal Observatory. Read more

The Scenic Abel Tasman Coast Track, New Zealand

image of Bark Bay, Abel Tasman National Park, South Island, New Zealand

Bob and I had an early morning start on our first full day on the South Island of New Zealand.  We were headed to Tonga Quarry for a hike on the scenic Abel Tasman Coast Track. Read more

Scenic Ferry Boat Ride to the South Island, New Zealand

image of Picton Port, South Island, New Zealand

After spending our first two weeks on the North Island of New Zealand, Bob and I were excited for the scenic ferry boat ride to the South Island.  Complicating our plans was a 7.8 magnitude earthquake that had hit the South Island a few days prior to our arrival.  We didn’t know what to expect when we landed in Picton. Read more

Heat Stroke at Augrabies Falls National Park

image of Augrabies Falls, Augrabies Fall National Park, South Africa

When Bob and I set off from Springbok, South Africa, I never expected to succumb to heat stroke at Augrabies Falls National Park.  The temperature soared from 28° Celsius at 8:30 a.m. to 42° Celsius by the time we did our walkabout. Read more

A Foggy Stroll Through Ancient History In Seoul, Korea

Foggy skies over Seoul, South Korea.

On our second day in Seoul, South Korea, we found ourselves with a thick fog hanging over the city. Weather aside, it was time to take a walk and visit a couple of the key historic sites of the city. Read more

Rich Nautical Nostalgia in Bowness-on-Windermere, England

image of lakeside pavilions, bowness bay, bowness-on-windermere, lake windermere, lake district national park, england

Moving further into England’s Lake District after hiking up Wansfell Pike put Bob and me at the heart of Lake District National Park.  Our family savoured a delightful lunch on the patio of our next lodgings with gourmet terrines, fruit, cheese and pastries that we bought from a deli shop in Ambleside.  Duly nourished, we walked down to the harbour-side pavilions at Bowness Pier, and what a sight that was to behold.  The rich nautical nostalgia in Bowness-on-Windermere really struck a chord with Bob and me. Read more

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