Durban Gosh, you certainly had an experience in Durban! I would say that was very brave of you to go to the market when there was a taxi strike on. Well done on being able to scratch through the surface and find some wonderfully friendly people. I was pleasantly surprised at just how friendly people in South Africa are, beyond the insecurity and scare stories. I'm glad you found your materials :)
Love Athens Reading your blog brought back so many great memories. It must have been 'interesting' being there at that particular point in their history - the locals talk about that time with so much sadness but also hope that things (despite COVID) are very gradually getting better.
Dubai mixed bag It's Interesting to read about Dubai from this angle - we would have loved to the Sahara trip when we were thee recently, but it was still too hot in August (plus we didn't have much time there). And I loved that Sylvia led the dancing! What a hoot that the magician had to abandon his act :)
Mongolia I loved Mongolia. I enjoyed Ulanbattar. Knowing nothing about its history, I enjoyed the shopping and the people enjoying a sunny day. I stayed in a hotel the first three days. recuperating from my hellish China fiasco. Then I found a wonderful hostel and booked nine days in the Gobi. I have never seen prettier sunrises and sunsets. The people were friendly. One lady invited me to eat with her family in a restaurant where I had gone on my first night in the city. She was thrilled to meet an American, and wanted to hire me as a tutor for English.
Hi From Tai Chi I've been pretty flat out teaching all three classes as Sue was travelling in Africa during September. Glad that you are on your way home. It will be good to see you and hear a few more tales. funnily enough another friend of mine from Budgewoi is travelling in Scotland at the moment and recently spent some time at Eilean Donan. I remember visiting quite a few of these places. Actually found some nice celtic theme material in Pitlochry on one trip!
What was...what could have been One of your best blogs may I say. Fifteen years ago where you were on 9/11. Who could have guessed fifteen years later Aleppo would be another holocaust. Yet to the present the clans gather and Scotland welcomes you to your heritage home...must have been wonderful. Sounds as if your trip has been more than rewarding...and while you can reflect on happy memories John...Sylvia can reflect on her splurge on quilting supplies!
Rewarding Thanks, David. It has been very rewarding and also very exhausting. As I type this, we have just sailed from Southampton on our way back to Oz. It is great not to have to worry for a while about where we will stay, how we will get there and what we will eat. Hope to catch up on the missing blogs as we travel. Lots of days at sea between ports. Going via Suez this time. Hope 15th Nov.
Truly fabulous Thanks, Dave. It's tough but someone has to do it. Going through the torture of getting a visa for India at the moment for our return trip home.
Durban and surroundings As always, we travel bloggers who wander the world, always find the nicest people. You often get back what you give out. Glad you found some lace.
Be Careful It seems you have had warnings of this and that already. Being in volatile South Africa warnings should not necessarily be disregarded but the message is usually to "take care" rather than "don't do it." But I say "Be Careful"...'cause Africa can capture your hearts. Not a bad thing at all in my book.
Hi Guys! We are currently in Cornwall after traveling from Brighton yesterday!
Hope you are both well, we have the family here for the week - 9 of us to cook for.
If you are near Brighton after 7th June let us know!
Regards
Linda & Chris
Mauritius Traffic Your pic says it all.....I drove around Mauritius for a week and will never ever go anywhere near Port Louis again. The south is beautiful though. I loved Reunion
Glad to hear from you Sorry that you haven't been able to keep up the blog postings, hoping to catch up some details when things settle down and you are in one place for a bit longer. All the best from everyone at Tai Chi. They have been asking about you!
Ellen
Hello from Tai Chi We all had a look this morning. Glad to see you are having a good time so far. Glad you are keeping up your Tai Chi. Looking forward to more news. Ship looks lovely.
M.S. Astor So you are under way! The M.S Astor looks much smaller in your opening pic than it evidentially is. How nice is your cabin? Looks like you are slumming it nicely! Enjoy and thanks for the update.
from Gerry Rosanove looking good !!! Are you receiving emails so I can scan and forward your mail. Best to use my email rosanove@gmail.com I'm thoroughly enjoying using your house and doing daily bike riding around the lake
Trains Galore The train looks totally Grand. Let me know when you can receive emails so I can scan and send you your mail. I'm totally enjoying your house !! Hope your trip is going super
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alex waring
Alexander Waring
Durban
Gosh, you certainly had an experience in Durban! I would say that was very brave of you to go to the market when there was a taxi strike on. Well done on being able to scratch through the surface and find some wonderfully friendly people. I was pleasantly surprised at just how friendly people in South Africa are, beyond the insecurity and scare stories. I'm glad you found your materials :)