Unbounded Adventures The sky doesn't seem to be the limit for you gals! Kudos to you both for pushing the envelope. I sure wish I had had the chutzpah to do the things you do when I was your age. For some reason, I thought you would be winding down at this point, but I see that you're ratcheting up! Our little thrill-seekers are still at it.
Bunkin says, "Eeerrr." (He sure makes some funny noises.) He hangs out with me here at the computer. He likes it when I open the blinds so he can sit on the desk and see out the window (he also likes to walk over the keyboard and lie down on the mouse). Everyday, while I'm having my coffee fix, he comes to get me to open the back door for him. Even Squeakers likes to go outside (I saw her stalking some birds the other day...it was amusing, but I called to her and scared the birds away).
I trust that you'll find something (or have found something) wild to do in Christchurch today. Laissez les bontemps rollez! Love you, Deb
Amazed and Envious You guys are awesome. You've packed so much into this adventure. I can't believe you were able to orchestrate all these activities as you went along. Just great! Thanks so much for sharing and allowing us the vicarious joy that you are experiencing real time.
Keeping Busy You gals are really keeping yourselves busy! You'll need to rest up FROM YOUR VACATION when you return home. (Heh-heh.) Your adventures all sound so wonderful (some sound kind of scary to me...like spelunking in the caves). Thank you for sharing them with us via this blog site. It has been such fun to tune in. I don't know exactly when you are coming home, but I would imagine that you will be departing shortly and that you'll be sad to leave.
Meanwhile, back at the ranch, we are all doing well; except we miss you. Squeakers and Bunken are getting pretty bold (and assertive) these days...they don't hide anymore, and they hold their own with the other cats.
We are doing taxes. Chris Spooner is coming to stay with us weekend after this...we are hoping to have the taxes done by the time he gets here (they're due on Monday, April 16...hint, hint).
If we don't hear from you again before you return, have a safe trip home.
Love you, Deb
thinking of you both often hi girls well what an adventure you two are having.there are many reminders of your brief but very enjoyable time here with us. we have finished catering at the surf club for the summer,at the moment I am staying at this beach apartment that a friend of mine has given to me while she is in the solomon islands (she arrived the day the tsunami hit) she is ok thankfully. I got here at shelley beach (about a half hour drive north of our house) the water was the warmest I have ever felt, maybe the solomon earthquake had something to do with that.the apartment is right on the beach it is truly very beautiful. julie is home busy working on the scienic painting she is doing for a theatre play however she is coming to stay for easter we have four days off as a public holiday.I am looking forward to that even though I love the time here alone to swim read play guitar walk on the beach a few times a day, it will be great for her and I to relax together. the whales will be going by here any day now so I will be great to watch them from here.well you guys I am so happy you have had an awesome and very safe trip. I only want to say this once ...you are both very welcome to come back anytime and stay (maybe one day you could bring your boys on an adventure), anyhow, cheers for now we loved your company and send you lots of love , peace and happiness xx nora. ps will get julie to write and say hi maybe over the weekend .....bye for now
Fabulous Adventures!!! Sis , you and Rachelle are not holding back one iota! Wow! You guys are doing things I never even thought of doing, and you're just attacking those adventures with no holds barred. Loved hearing about the cave trip - glad you did it, because I'd never have the inclination nor the guts! Also, the hike across the volcano wilderness must have really built the old quads. I didn't hear too much about wildlife like Australia. Not so much there? Sounds like that bus pass is working out just fine, and the weather is supporting some good camping outdoors, right? Or are you in hostels every night? Can't wait till the next blog, wherever/whenever you find an internet cafe. Seen any native peoples at all?
Great to hear from you - thanks a lot!!! Love and hugs -
Mom
Keep on keepin' on Your vivid images help me see what you're experiencing. Having spent two weeks in Spain with you, I know how relentless you are in pursuit of the great adventure and the most beautiful sight. btw - to your dad: Bob - well said re: how Missi got concerned when you went AWOL during your Kenyan tour. Genuine caring is what caused the concern - I don't know about a "panic button" here in the States. Familial connection is what it's all about, and what makes this blog so very special.
Looking forward to the next entry.
Hugs from the sunny vineyards of Sonoma -
Mom
Australia down, New Zealand to go It sounds like you guys packed your Australia trip as full as you could. I'm sure you'll have plenty of interesting stories and pictures to share. Lots of love, Chris.
Captain Cook Captain Cook stopped in Mercury Bay in 1769, as part of his great expedition. During his stay he traded with the natives and made astronomical observations of the Transit of Mercury. That is where the bay got it's name. I'm not sure if you heard about this bit of history during your great expedition, but I thought I'd just mention it and send you some love. Lots of love, Chris.
Blowfish in Auckland Be sure to stop by the new Blowfish in Auckland. Jason Tiplitsky is my partner in Thump Radio and also owns Blowfish. He is currently in NZ so ask about him and say hi from me if you should go to Blowfish Sushi.
Green as the Hills with Envy I really, really wish I could do what you're doing. I've always wanted to see New Zealand. I didn't realize the North Island was beautiful also. Enjoy yourselves. I hear the Kiwi's drink even more beer than the Aussie's. Miss, you already experiences all the great beer drinkers in the world since you've seen the Czechs and the Irish.
I did my annual field trip to Honey Lake and Eagle Lake this weekend and had spectacular weather and great birds (Sage Grouse, Eagles, and mountain specialities) and mammals as well (Pronghorn, BT Deer, YB Marmots, and Coyotes).
Miss you. Dad.
Platypus sighting. Hi Missi, You sure are having a great trip. I envy you that you can see all these great sights and have this great experience. I am looking forward to reading the rest of your comments and seeing the pictures. I am going to share your blog with Stephanie and Matt. Matt will be so jealous--he likes to travel. Stephanie will too. She is anxious to travel to Florida over Easter break. Have FUN and ENJOY!!! Love , Aunt Mary Beth in Michigan
Welcome Back to Civilization I know now why you were worried about Deb and me when we lost phone contact in Kenya for two or three days in November. We lost you for eight days. I wasn't worried since you are such a saavy traveler but I have really been enjoying your blogs and missed them. This one was great. I am envious of your experiences in the natural world. Kangaroo Island sounds wonderful. I must try it on my next trip to Australia. Love Dad.
Great Platypus Story WOW! It's Tuesday, March 13 here in San Francisco. It was 81 degrees F. here yesterday - a record - till the fog moved in. Meanwhile, I read your last blog entry with eyes agog. The tale about the platypus siting reconfirmed how closely you and Rachelle are in rythm with Nature right now. I especially liked that you thanked the critter for showing itself to you. I'm sure he/she felt it! also love the adventure with the penguins. They are so cute - they look like little people tottering around, don't they? It's hard to imagine a scene so chocked full of diverse life. Makes me think of Steve Irwin, the aussie naturalist who died from a sting ray wound, and why he was so devoted to promoting respect for wildlife. He grew up in the environment you're enjoying right now. I'm glad Australia is isolated enough that it helps keep its wildlife protected for future generations. We know that after your trek through the mountains you'll be turning in the Britz -- which I'm sure has been a wonderful home on wheels -- and heading for New Zealand in a few days. More totally excellent adventures full speed ahead! Look forward to hearing from you!
Love and hugs, Mom
Laissez les bontemps rollez Shazzamm! Only YOU could come away with a sighting like that! When I visit Australia and New Zealand, I want to travel with YOU! The platypus is one of (if not THE) most wanted animals on my list. Its secretive nature is legendary. You're the only ones I know who have seen it in the wild. I am now convinced that you have a golden aura around you when (and where) it comes to attracting fun and interesting experiences. That platypus was no match for your magnetism.
Keep in touch lest we all start to worry (and let us know ahead of time if you plan to be out of touch for 10 days again). You know how easy it is to push the panic button back here in the States...
Bunkin and Squeakers say, "Meow." Squeakers is on my lap now, trying to convince me to pet her rather than type this message.
You go, Girls!
Love you, Deb
Wow! You are a pair of lucky girls. I am incredibly jealous. It sounds like you are taking advantage of every opportunity and soaking it all up. It sounds awesome. Thanks for sharing it with the rest of us.
Love,
Chris
Melbourne I'm so glad you ran into friends in Melbourne. Sounds like you are having a blast. Are you heading up to the outback or down the coast next? Phillips Island yet and the Blue Penguin parade? I think they have Koala's too. Wilson's Promontary (Southeast of Melbourne) is where we saw Emu's and Yellow and Black Cockatoos. If you go the other way down the coast (west) I hear the Twelve Apostles are beautiful. If you head up into the outback, Wyperfield had lots of Grey Kangaroos and even a few Malleefowl. You can't go wrong. Love to you and Rachelle. Enjoy. Dad.
southern hemisphere shout outs Yay! I heart Alison - I met her @ UCSC when we shared a mailbox together and have been friends ever since. Brad is pretty rad, too! Say hi and big hugs from me, pretty please :)
Life is good, keeps getting better & better! Hey Y'all Down Under!
Seems we're all burning up the airways and byways with our collective travel! I just went to Houston,TX for the first time this weekend and it was awesomely huge, expansive and HOT! Even in winter, you can feel the humidity and warm air just hovering. I ended up at the Houston Galleria, which I understand is one of the grandest (big European boutique names like Fendi, Chanel, etc.) and largest (next to the Mall of America in Minn.). Wow! Then trained about 40 teachers at the new school district office. That building was about as big as a Sears dept. store! Now I know what they mean by Texan tall tales, everything there being on a BIG scale, etc.
Yes, for those reading this blog - which I hope is soon added to with more adventure stories - Rachelle is a bit of a celebrity in her hometown in the Sierra foothills. The Sat. before she and Missi departed, her long-time partner took her to dinner, then outside onto the main street and told her to look up. There, on the town theater marqui was a personal message loud and clear, "I love you, Rachelle. Will you marry me?"
I understand a photo of the message and the newly betrothed, beaming Rachelle appeared in the local paper. Later, people stopped her on the street and asked if she was Rachelle - the one on the marquis? Indeed she is! So, there's the story. A happy beginning to a new one.
Meanwhile, glad to see that Deb is caring for the phone and other technical details while Missi is out adventuring. She'll need new brakes when she gets home, but for now we're storing her car off the street in a safe place. For now, all she needs to be concerned about is that reverse-side of the road factor in Australia. Be careful - as I know you are! Missi drove our little stickshift car all over Southern Spain in Nov, and did a great job squeezing through insanely narrow archways over medieval streets and winding up hills to former fortresses.
Also, while in Spain Missi and I went to the Rock of Gibraltar, which I've been wanting to see since childhood. There, the Barbary apes run freely throughout, and are quite accustomed to humans. They keep a save distance, but have no fear about grabbing packs and sacks because they know food is inside.
Weeeeell..... a large male jumped on MIssi's back and started forcing his little paws into her backpack zipper. As I was trying to shoo the brazen bugger away, I felt a resounding THUMP on my back, and, before I knew it, another little ape had jumped onto my back and was grabbing my shoulder bag off from behind! She even reached around to the front, grasping my neck for leverage so she could rip open my bag! We were eye-to-eye. Even as I was swatting at her, I kept after the one on Missi's back because he was big and aggressive.
Meanwhile, the large male on Missi's back was making headway and had several small items from her bag strewn onto the ground. He resisted my authority as long as he could, but at last he realized I was bigger and gave up, scampering away shamelessly with his female cohort, who also realized the futility of her efforts and scrambled off my back. She and I were both startled, because they really took us by surprise, but none the worse for the experience.
The Koala that Missi was embracing seems to have an altogether different disposition than those Barbary apes at Gibraltar! It's wonderful that she got to hold the little fella --- and he didn't even seem to be grabbing for anything! I want to hear stories about kangaroos, and I want a leaping kangaroo pegatina for my bumper! The roo can be leaping toward the charging bull from Spain on the opposite side of the bumper!
Gotta run. Can't wait to see more. Hope you run into an Internet cafe soon.
Love and kisses,
Mom
Shuffling, eh? That's awesome that you found the Aussie sister cities to San Francisco and Santa Cruz. Not too surprising to hear that you guys found some place to dance, especially in a SF-like place. You'll have to show me your Melbourne dance moves when you get back. Love you, Chris.
Wonderful Stuff YO Sis-
LOVE the photos! Totally wonderful -especially holding the little koala guy. Oh, what a cutie! You look so at home sitting in front of your camper, which, I'm glad to say, looks in good shape and you say is perfect for you and Rachelle. Keep up the happy travels and keep us posted.
BTW - that kangaroo sign looks like a perfect PEGATINA for our bumper, opposite the pegatina del toro. See if you can bring us back a few!!!
Love,
Mom
Cockatoos Glad your having a great time. You saw either the common Galahs (aka Rose-breasted Cockatoos) which are more grey and rose pink or an extremely rare and valuable bird ($1,000 and up) called a Major Mitchell (or Pink) Cockatoo which are white with pinkish-red in the crest when flipped up and an overall pinkish blush in the white body and head feathers. The latter is also larger...the size of the Sulphur-crested Cockatoos. If you haven't seen wild marsupials try a night drive in the outback. Drive slowly..they come out of nowhere. Deniliquin area has Red Kangaroos and the western slope of the Blue Mountains is good for Wombats.
You only live once! - LIVE LARGE and ENJOY EVERYTHING!
My BFF, Rachelle, and I depart for our ADVENTURE DOWN UNDER on February 17, 2007. This is a trip we've talked about since we were in Junior High!
The general plan is to arrive in Sydney where we'll have a few days to acclimate, explore Sydney, and then pick up our awesome fully stocked campvan / home-on-wheels. . . and then the road trip begins . . .
Tenative plan and general route:
Febraury 19, 2007 AUSTRALIA
1rst Sydney
2nd Byron Bay (Great Barrier Reef)
3rd Melbourne
4th Adelaide (Kangaroo Island)
5th The Out ... full info
devin
non-member comment
love seeing the grafitti
it's amazing what people are up to around the world.