Most of our subscribers are aware that we left the UK in 2010 after retiring to travel ‘around the world’ for a year. Well we are still travelling and enjoying wonderful experiences in an ‘ever expanding’ number of countries. We often get asked what is our ‘favourite’ country but we cannot choose - it’s rather about our experiences in those countries that come to mind. To name a few and in no particular order are, ‘finishing’ the Tongariro Alpine Crossing in New Zealand, a track that passes over spectacular volcanic terrain and takes around 6 - 8 hours to complete as well as our first glimpse of the Fox and Franz Josef Glaziers on South Island. Camping in the Outback of Australia and watching the sun go down over the Bungle Bungles in the Kimberleys and visiting the huge gorges, waterholes and mountain ranges scattered throughout the Northern Territories. Not forgetting seeing our first wild kangaroo, wallaby, dingo, possum, echidna and numerous other animals and colourful birds. We will never forget having to ‘forage’ for basic food supplies on a scooter on Aitutaki in the Cook Islands as well as joining in the fun of the Te Maeva Nui in Rarotonga and listening to the beautiful gospel singing which echoes around all the islands. Watching an elephant try to cross a main road in Sri Lanka as well as a day later watching a tiny indian star tortoise doing the same thing - they both made it....... Seeing hundreds of elephants congregate in the tall grasses of the national parks and our safari vehicle breaking down in the middle of a large group crossing the track...... Getting a glimpse of a leopard sunbathing on a rock overlooking our hotel - after searching all day for such a glimpse on a safari! Searching all morning to spot a blue whale on rough seas and then spotting one just before returning to shore - they are huge! Driving for hundreds of miles and seeing no sign of life in Western Australia and then swimming with massive whalesharks at Ningaloo Reef as well as sharks, rays and turtles. Snorkelling over the most amasing colourful corals on the Outer Barrier Reef not to mention our close encounters with the large humpback whales which surrounded our boat off Fraser Island. Watching an ‘Arribada’ on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica where thousands of olive ridley turtles arrived on the beach all at the same time and again a few days later watching hundreds of newly hatched green turtles emerging from their nest and darting for the sea on the Caribbean coast, this for me was the best.... Oh may be not, as our first glimpse of a Resplendent Quetzal in a deep valley in the rainforest of Costa Rica was unforgettable, as well seeing over 200 other species of birds including Toucans and Trogans in this small country. Last but by no means least, meeting and making friends with some wonderful people all around the globe. We hope that you have enjoyed all our previous blogs and will continue to do so. Happy travelling to you all 👣 Paul and Sheila

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