Home . . . .

…. and Dorothy was right – there is no place like it!!
As I write this we are at our cabin and it is Christmas morning. The sky is clear and the ground is all frosty – a perfect day.
Last night we went to Forbes Hall to the Christmas Service – it struck me that whether a great or humble gathering we all celebrate the same thing – Christ’s birth and the fellowship of all!
We wish you a peaceful, loving Christmas full of joy.
Thanks so much for following along and I am sure I will write more in the future – our travelling days are not over.
Merry Christmas and love to all.
Joan

Maui, Hawaii

Beautiful, gorgeous, warm ocean breezes – flowery scents from every corner – we have LOVED it here in Maui, Hawaii.
However we are so excited about going home – to Christmas, the Christmas spirit and all that entails.
We have felt very little of it here and do so love THE SEASON.
Fittingly, we had dinner with good friends just before coming home.
I will write again in a couple of days.
Merry Christmas.
Joan xo

Luang Prabang, Laos

Luang Prabang in Laos, is one of the loveliest and lushest places we have visited. It is about 1200 feet above sea level, hilly and about 5 degrees cooler than Siem Reap in Cambodia.
This beautiful city of about 30,000 is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was part of the French colony of Indochine.
The Lao wooden houses and hints of European architecture are reminders of its French past.
The golden roofed temples are decorated with mosaics and murals detailing the life of Buddha where the saffron robes of many of his humble monks are seen everywhere.
Sitting in a restaurant on the historic Mekong river you can see long, flat bottomed river boats lazily cruising along.
The morning we left (about 630am) the monks were involved in their daily alms ceremony – where people line the streets and give them mostly food and flowers.
This saffron parade was like an early morning sunrise – what a beautiful farewell.

Joan xo

Bangkok – Another cooking class!!

The Thais are very proud of their food – the three main essentials are – it must be pleasing to the eye – it must smell delicious and of course, must taste delicious.
This is how my class started – an explanation of how important these “ingredients” are in Thai cooking. Pia, the Manager of Royal Thai Cuisine Restaurant was my translator and Suzy was my instructor – the Head Chef!
Pia knew everything there was to know about each ingredient and said that the Thais were healthier now than they have ever been. The three courses we were to prepare today were:

1. Chicken Stuffed Dumplings
2. Green Papaya Salad
3. Green Curry Beef with Eggplant

Visually the ingredients were amazing – as you can see by the pictures. The dumplings have their lovely lilac color from lavender water – and the restaurant makes thousands daily – all by hand. It took me 45 minutes to make 12!!!
Pia told me that the King – who is loved and revered here – issued a dictum that no more opium poppies should be grown in Thailand. He wanted them to be replaced with vegetables and fruit so that more of his people could be properly fed. So, now they grow things like carrots, beets and eggplant the size of berries!!
I was spoiled having these two masters all to myself – I loved it all and took the spoils home to Bob!!
Enjoy.
Joan xo

Cambodia

We arrived in Siem Reap, Cambodia on a beautiful sunny day, where a tuktuk waited to take us to our hotel – The Golden Banana – recommended by a friend who has travelled here often.
Our hotel had just 16 rooms and is housed in a U-shaped southern styled mansion. The pool is in the centre and small outdoor restaurant under cover beside the pool.
Our son sent us an email telling us that his good friends were also in Siem Reap and let me know how to reach them. Fortunately their first night and our last we were able to have dinner together at our hotel and it was fabulous to see friends from home.
Siem Reap has colonial and Chinese style architecture in the old French quarter by the old Market. During the Khmer Rouge regime of Pohl Pot the city was emptied by the brutality of his regime and not until Pohl Pot’s death in the late nineties has stability returned and the tourist industry has been rejuvenated.
Today, Siem Reap is a popular destination and gateway to the famous 12C temples of Angkor Wat.
Angkor Wat is a World Heritage site whose 203 acres are surrounded by a moat.
Angkor means city and Wat means Temple. Angkor Thom – which we saw after lunch is becoming unearthed by the trees that were planted over 400 years ago – the roots look monstrous and eerie. The movie, “Tomb Raiders” was made here
Enjoy. xo

Nepal – The Trek

When Bob and I were speaking to a friend about our trip he said, “You must go to Nepal.”
Chris had been many times and had climbed Mount Everest. What a feat!
In the process he had befriended many Nepalese and so he put us in touch with Mr. Rana.
Mr. Rana arranged everything for us – the plane ticket to Pokhara where the trek started, the guides, hotel reservations and a driver when we were in Nepal.
We left for the airport in Kathmandu for our flight to Pokhara and when there spoke to a young Swedish girl who is doing aid work in the area.
“The safest airlines to fly here are Yeti and Buddha,” she said.
I quickly checked our boarding passes – Buddha Air!!
The first sight of the Himalayas on our flight took my breath away – they are steeper and craggier and of course higher than the Rockies and looked magnificent against the gorgeous blue sky.
We checked into Fishtail Lodge for the evening and our Guide met us to make sure we had all we needed and said he would pick us up at 8am the next day.
Krishna arrived with two of our “porters” and we met the others at the Buddha Hotel (see photo) and off we went about 10am.
This trek is usually done in 5 days, but because of time we did it in 4.
We camped!!! Yes, I know, I hardly ever do that – but we decided to do it because this guide and his crew made sure everything was clean and water boiled. If you choose not to camp there are guest houses.
We were looked after so well. Tea in the morning along with two pans of hot water for washing.
Day one was a lovely climb. Day two was straight up and a real test. Day three was the one!!!
We woke up at 515am to climb up 400 meters to Poon Hill – our highest point – 3300 meters – to see the sunrise. What a sight and very chilly!!
After a hearty breakfast we set out and trekked for 10 ½ hours that day. Needless to say we slept well!
On the trek itself the trails were bumpy, tricky – crossing a stream on a single log, for example!! And along every tricky bit I had a guide or porter right behind me to make sure I didn’t slip – a porter carrying 30kilos. always had his hand out ready to help!!!
For me the heroes besides our guides were the donkeys – the only way to transport goods in this region and they were so nimble as they managed every tricky twist, turn and slope with such grace and carrying at least 60 kilos. – Fedex of Nepal!!
We walked though many towns and past many homes and the people were so friendly – always bowing and saying “Namaste.”
We felt so fortunate to see this lovely and very poor land – every square inch of it used to grow rice, wheat and every vegetable known to man – and the oranges!!
If you have a chance, go!! It will change you.
Enjoy.
Joan xo

Himalayas at Dawn

Dawn at Poon Hill, Nepal, at 3210 metres (10, 523 feet), looking at the Himalayas. Dhaulagiri, the highest peak on the left in the video, is the seventh highest mountain in the world (8167 metres; 26,795 feet). Annapurna the next highest peak as the camera pans to the right, after the wide expanse of lower peaks, is quite a distance away, so even thought it looks less high it is the tenth highest mountain in the world. In front of it is Annapurna South, which looks higher but actually isn’t, then to the far right, the pointed peak in the distance, is Macchapuchre, or Fishtail.

Click the arrow to watch the video.

Istanbul – once more!!

Yes, we are in Istanbul for another 6 days!! A wonderful place to stay if you have a change in plans and we certainly did!!
When applying for our Indian visa we were told that Bob couldn’t get a visa because he didn’t have any empty pages in his passport!! Lots of space, yes, but no empty pages.
There was no quick fix for this was attested by our sister-in-law whose parents live in India and she herself has had the same problem!!
So, when we let our hotel know our predicament they said no problem, we are your home – and home it certainly felt like.
As I said in another post – we love Istanbul and how happy we were to be able to explore some more of it in the six days we had before going to Nepal.
To be able to watch a vendor squeeze fresh pomegranates for juice or to choose your freshly caught fish and have it grilled for lunch – yummy!!
The weather was perfect fall weather, so we walked everywhere and encountered some very friendly Turks – young students who were in the squares promoting a mobile phone network and several young men who would approach us to sell their carpets – were happy just wanting to chat and find out where we were from – even though we didn’t buy anything.
And, believe me, there are plenty of carpets here to choose from!!! And, from what we saw, all very beautiful.
So, enjoy the photos – and, if you have the opportunity – come here for a visit – you will love it!!!

Joan xo

Jordan- Lost city of Petra

We arrived in Amman about 8pm – a spread out city built on 7 hills. All of the buildings are white or sand coloured and none very tall.
I can’t remember last when I met a people as kind, polite and considerate as the Jordanians. It was such a pleasure to be among them.
For example, when we ordered room service (breakfast usually) – instead of hearing at the other end of the phone – “May I take your order” – you hear – “I await your command.”!
Another thing I noticed is the security. Entering any building is like going through airport security. All buildings have iron gates and a sentry to let vehicles in. And, of course , you must show your passport.

Enough of that! The next day we hired a cab for the 3 hour drive to Jordan’s lost city of Petra. The drive was pleasant as was our driver.
Everything is the color of sand and it is very flat – not much vegetation at all.
About 6k outside of Petra it becomes mountainous and a little more lush.

We were excited about our trek to this “new wonder of the world”, so were up at 6 the next morning – a quick breakfast and off to buy our tickets. The entry to Petra was only about ¼ k from our hotel.

The morning was fresh – as desert mornings are – and we wanted to start before the crowds from Jordan arrived.

This “Lost City” was abandoned at the end of the 14c. and completely lost to the West because of changes in trade routes, a lesser demand for frankincense and Christianity started replacing Pagan religions.

Rediscovered in 1812 Petra is one of the great treasures of the world and is one of the “new” seven wonders of the world.

The start of our walk was the ancient main entrance – a 1200 meter long deep and narrow of stunning beauty hemmed by cliffs of 80 meters tall – see photos.
But nothing can prepare you for what is waiting at the end – you emerge and suddenly come face to face with the Treasury – the most beautiful monument in Petra. It is so breathtaking that I hope the photos do it justice!!

There was practically no one there yet – we had the place to ourselves – well, not totally, there were camels and donkeys available to ride and small lean-tos selling souvenirs.

After walking past the theatre, buildings carved in the mountains and various tombs we started the 800 stairway walk up to the Monastery. The steps are narrow and uneven – a great workout – Petra’s answer to the Grouse Grind in Vancouver!!

On arriving at the top, a 50 meter Monastery carved in the mountain – Petra’s second most famous building.

We had the place to ourselves and had some mint tea – congratulating ourselves on the climb and revelling in the phenomenal beauty of the place.

Enjoy the photos!! Next stop, India!!

Joan xo

Magic Istanbul

Before going on the amazing journey, when I would mention we were going to Istanbul, anyone who had been, sighed and said, “You will just LOVE it.”
And, we do!
The drive in from the airport was a little unnerving – the boy who loaded our luggage into the cab demanded a tip and after departing the cab driver said he didn’t know where our hotel was. We offered to change cabs, he yelled something and then said no, “I will find.”

Leaving the airport the taxis were 10 across and moving very slowly. The cab beside us told our driver how to find the hotel, so our driver settled down a bit but was waving his arms and yelling for everyone to get moving.
By the time we got to our hotel he was smiling, gracious, shaking hands etc.
“You will like this hotel”, he said. “Thank God you’re not staying at the Four Seasons – too much money!”
The Four Seasons – where apparently Jimmy Carter is staying – is in this part of town and is a boutique hotel just like ours .
Our hotel is perfectly located – 3 blocks from the Blue Mosque and we look out over the sea, which seems to have a clutch of 50 or 60 boats all day long fishing as the tankers gently float by to the Bosporus straight out into the Black Sea.

It was now about 9pm, we quickly changed and started walking on the narrow cobbled streets looking for a restaurant – happily there were many and very close by. Most still have outdoor seating and now are using propane heaters. They are beautifully appointed with upholstered furniture and a Maitre d’ at every one hoping to lure you into his restaurant. And the food – yummy!!
Istanbul is easy and lovely to walk/stroll in. At this time of year it’s not too busy and everything we wanted to see was within 2 kilometres.
When we came home from dinner and walked out onto the terrace of our room the Blue Mosque was lit up in all it’s splendour – so breathtaking.

Three blocks from our hotel is the sea wall where we jog – it is wide, spacious and beautiful – AND, the edge is filled with fishermen – serious ones with all of their rods and small suitcases of flies etc.

We had read that the market – largest in the world – had very aggressive sellers and just keep on walking as they step out in front of you. Actually we found it quite tame compared to Marrakech where they will follow you for 100 yards if you don’t buy something from their stall. I keep reminding myself, it’s only a game! But this market in Istanbul is something to behold – quite sophisticated and so easy to get lost. Thankfully I had my guide – Bob!!

We visited the Basilica Cisterne – which has walls 4 feet thick and brings in water from 12 miles away. It is quite an architectural feat – and it is quite dark inside so I hope the photos do it justice.

Lastly we went to visit a school – arranged by one of our alumni who is now working at New York University in Abu Dhabi. This is the oldest American Boarding school outside the U.S. and we were warmly received. There are only Turkish students here and our admissions office will be visiting in February to start recruiting here.

We noticed on the drive home thousands and thousands of banners and flags hung across the streets to form a red and blue canopy. The celebration of Revolution Day here is held quite dear – like Canada Day – or as our host said – July 4th!! Some of these banners are in the photos of the Market.

We will return here – Istanbul is so full of history and so beautifully located. The 5th largest city in the world – 12million.

Now off to Jordan and Petra – another great adventure.
Joan xo