LindsayandMaryEllen

Nov 28 to Nov 30 "Ahoj" from Praha (Prague), Czech Republic. Arrived in this beautiful "City of Spires" to a good hotel with crisp linen. This makes us, City Gals that we are, very happy. Since we have both been to Prague before, instead of re-visiting the famous sights of the Prague Castle, the Charles Bridge, St. Vitus Cathedral, and the Old Town area, etc., we decide to strike out on our own to enjoy this charming and civilized city. We love wandering along the cobblestone laneways, and meandering through the hidden courtyards of this compact medieval centre. The brightly coloured and very ornately decorated buildings lend a fairy tale quality to this city of 2 million. We concentrate our visit on the old Jewish ghetto area. Even though we have both seen it, we are ... read more

Out of Africa (what else would we call it?) Nov 22 to Nov 25 ‘Jambo’ (Hello in Swahili) from Darkest Africa. No internet service for the last 3 days, hence the silence. We leave Dubai on a pleasant flight with the our crew dressed in mid-east headwear. (By the way, did we say how much we love our plane?) We enjoyed an exciting in-flight event. At exactly 4:38 p.m., our pilot announced our crossing of the Equator, just prior to our landing in Nairobi. We celebrate with another champagne countdown, accompanied by a humorous and deliberate little “bump” in mid-air. That was the last good time for a while, faithful reader. We headed to the small terminal in Nairobi airport to transfer to the light aircraft for our short flight to the Samburu Game Reserve. Most ... read more

Nov 17 to Nov 19 From Agra India "Namaste" (again in Hindi) To live in India, the world’s largest democracy, one must have both patience and a sense of humour. That might be why we feel like we’re in the middle of a Peter Sellers’ movie (or in downtown Toronto). Agra, with a population of two and a half million, is considered just a small town by Indian standards in this country of one and a half billion. Tourism is the mainstay of the city of Agra's economy. The ancient trades plied here (since the 11th century) of leather shoe making, marble inlay work and carpet weaving are still practised in the same traditional manner, but no new industries have been allowed for fear of more pollution harming the existing monuments..(with the exception of maybe a ... read more

Nov. 14 to Nov 17 NAMASTE from SIEM REAP, Cambodia We arrived in Siem Reap to a beautiful pagoda styled terminal. Greeted by Cambodian girls in traditional dress, they draped colourful scarves around our necks. These scarves ( also called “Krama”---a.k.a. Shmatas) are more than just pretty decoration. The history of this scarf is important to Cambodia. The Krama, our guide informed us, is multi-purpose. It may be used to wipe one’s brow of sweat and dirt, to offer protection from the sun, shield one’s mouth and nose against pollution, smoke and smells, and finally, to offer a degree of modesty in the fields (that often serve as toilets) (We two efficient travellers have added to this multi-usage shmatas by also using them as hair ties, belts and shawls.) These scarves traditionally were checkered to distinguish ... read more

Sat Nov 10 to Mon. Nov 12 (Weekend in HK) “Nihao” from Hong Kong! (that’s Cantonese for 'Hello') We boarded from Osaka to the comfort of our private jet. This plane has become our own living room, (but with better wine) Our lovely Icelandic Air hostesses dressed in Kimonos today to welcome us with the usual champagne. (I guess they got the kimono idea from us). Hong Kong has an energy and spirit unlike anywhere else. Those of you who have been here know it is a unique, glittering, glitzy city of contrasts. One is constantly overwhelmed by the sights, sounds and smells of the streets. Like every great world city it exudes it's own sense of style and excitement. The rich are richer than anywhere else in the world. Would you believe there is even ... read more