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 |    My random thoughts and reactions to my everyday life. The voices like a forum. |
| I do not know quite what happened or when , but my hubby and I now qualify for seniors' discounts at some venues. This creates a quandary; in order to save money, but not face, we have to admit to our age. HMMMM..... We definitely do not consider ourselves to be old. In this day and age ,when people as a whole are living longer and healthier lives why are 'young seniors', those in their fifties, like moi, considered 'old'?? It's so true that age is just a perception! "Maturity" is very objective/subjective, and I object! Whew, a few years have skittered by since I composed this biography block. Those "fifties" are in the rear view mirror and they are distant, fond memories. Oh, I do not plan to stop writing any time soon. |
Day 30 Montreal, Quebec, Canada This is the closest I've been to home in thirty days, one province over. There is no time for relaxing, not just yet. This final day of the virtual tour awaits. Bonjour Montreal! Oui, The Four Seasons Hotel looks comfortable and inviting, but I am in a rush to explore. Time is awastin'. When I return later I will check out the pool and the third floor lounge/bar. My feet will want to be propped up then. How could I resist a Barbie Expo? That iconic doll and I share a birth year and I must say she appears to be aging....not at all.Not so much as a wrinkle, or grey hair mars her appearance. Her ever present smile does seem to be plastic, but, hey, I shouldn't be catty. Wow, Barbie and her entourage rate a first class glitzy display at Les Cours Mont Royal, an upscale shopping mall. She is decked out in designer duds, traditional national dress, vintage rags, Star Trek costumes, and movie ensembles. This is the first time she has portrayed The Flintstones, I Dream of Jeannie, Mary Poppins and more. That girl knows how to turn heads. No matter what she chooses to wear, Barbie is elegant. The haute couture look is not my style. Saying au revoir to Barbie I embark upon a walking tour of Vieux Montreal. I stroll and gawk for two hours. Nothing prepared me for the next adventure. I should have had an inkling when I was loaned a bright yellow raincoat. The last time I donned a plastic poncho I was tossed about a ship rolling under Niagara Falls. This time, I willingly stumbled onto a jet boat with the name Saute Moutons. Oh oh, that is French for leap frog... Wow, gasp, sputter!! I swallowed mouthfuls of water as the jet boat dived into waves, spun 360 degrees, screeched into tight turns and sped through the Lachine Rapids. I screamed. I hollered. I woo-hooed. What adrenaline pumping fun! It was like a wet and wild rollercoaster. Back on dry land, I dripped as I waited for my legs to adjust to moving under their own steam. The water felt invigorating. I rounded out my day at a posh restaurant, Tandem. I'd made a quick foray to a liquor store to purchase wine for this meal. Imagine a BYOW policy. All of us bloggers toasted Lyn's a sly fox  . Bravo and merci! We ignored the stares of the other patrons. We are squawkers and proud of it. Around the world in a whirlwind thirty days and no jet lag whatsoever. Now I have beaucoup de virtual souvenirs to unpack and virtual pics to share. Au revoir my fellow travelers. |
| Day 29 Charlotte, North Carolina Whew! The miles, or in my case, the kilometres are adding up.Sniff, sniff. This virtual trip is drawing to a close. Lyn's a sly fox Didn't we terrorize Europe with Segways? Did we not learn anything? Sigh, okay, I've got it in me to attempt the fine art of Segway manipulation one more time. The bruises have healed and the screams of terrified pedestrians have faded. So, once again I nodded in deep concentration as a guide went over the basics. Apparently, it is supposed to be simple, steer and hang on. Yes... I was thrilled that I met, no surpassed, the criteria for Segway customers. I never wear a hat, so check for me. I am most definitely over 100 pounds, but I do not exceed 260 pounds. Great, I am heavy enough, but not overly heavy. I must be 12 or older to operate this fine piece of tourist machinery, check. Was there a line in the indemnity waiver that asked if I was of sound mind? No matter, I mounted my Segway, closed my eyes in silent prayer and proceeded to roll along. Just in time, I remembered to open my eyes and steer. Oh, I heard the snickers, but my hands could not rudely reply because they were busy with a white-knuckled grip.I felt like one of those toy Weeble Wobbles. Did I notice the Queen City sights pointed out by the enthusiastic guide? Maybe, some...I recall a blur of traffic lights, honking vehicles, and scattering pedestrians. A constant roar accompanied me, too. That might have been my elevated heart rate and blood rushing to my extremities anticipating a higher stress load. My balance is a rarely used skill. Despite my transport preoccupation, I did enjoy the Airing Out the Dirty Laundry exhibit at the Mint Museum. I found it clever and poignant. Women are invited to share their life stories by hanging them on a clothesline. I loved the Charlotte Comedy Bus Tour on the open air, red, funny bus. I could just sit, listen, and laugh. The constant patter and adult-only humour from the guide brought the city history to life. I like the motto, " laugh and learn with us." The improv was great. The stop for burgers and shakes refreshed me. Who doesn't like a 'spirited shake?' I never did taste the Chunky Elvis. I'm just guessing, but did it contain p.b. and bananas? What a perfect ending to a whirlwind day, a beyond the grave haunted tour. Stalking the streets in the evening with a lantern is entertaining. Don't all cities have a creepy, morbid history? My segway sortie haunted me.Oh, the near misses... |
| Day 28 Belize Belize is a delight. Balmy breezes, beaches, sparkling turquoise water, broad smiles greeted me. Since this is a virtual tour and I cannot offend or startle anyone, I revel in letting it all go to strut about in a bikini and flip flops. In my mind, I blended in and besides I felt comfortable. It's a laid back beach culture here. No time to explore or lounge at the Island Magic Beach Resort Caye Caulker. What I glimpsed before I rushed off looked inviting. OMG!! Who developed the concept of tubing through caves? Brilliant! I didn't resent lugging my inflatable neon orange tube through a lush, green rain forest. I anticipated the fun and unique experience. I did laugh a little when all of us were ordered to don helmets with miners' lights attached to them before we began our gentle float in amazing green water. Their practical application became apparent when I slipped into a dark, cool cave. The beams danced on the water and illuminated stark rock. A few times the different tubes nudged each other in a game of tag. This adventure morphed into zip lining 120 feet up in the humid air. I soared above and through a lush, emerald canopy and I swooshed over flowing, sparkling water. It felt as if I were flying in brief spurts of adrenalin. I opted to enjoy a flight over the natural phenomenon, the Great Blue Hole. Incredibly, it does resemble a dark blue, round hole, or eye in the green/turquoise ocean. The blues and greens seen from this perspective are gorgeous. I am grateful that most of our jaunt this evening happened along soft, forgiving sand. Even without imbibing, I am a tripping, stumbling klutz. Add the intention, the main focus of a pub crawl, and my co-ordination is non-existent. Oh, the rum went down smoothly, but it was disguised by sweet fruit combinations. I made new friends, inebriated fun seekers. After a few refreshments, we were all attempting to speak pirate and balance broad-brimmed hats on our numb heads. A few brave, hearty souls wore the black eye patches. Wait, I seem to recall Lyn's a sly fox sporting one of those eye patches and her other eye squinting. Thank goodness no one suggested we try walking on a peg leg! |
| Day 27 Brasilia, Brazil Today takes me on an architectural tour of Brasilia. This city has much to offer. My first reaction to Catedral Metropolitana was one of awe. I stared. I gawked. I gaped. This building is a thing of beauty and originality. It resembles a white coronet or crown rising from the earth and at first glance it doesn't appear to be large at all. Looks are indeed deceiving. The entrance is underground and this is where much of the vast cathedral hides. Some say this is like entering a UFO. Blue and green soaring glass walls give a kaleidoscope effect. Angel figurines are suspended from the impressive ceiling. The separate bell tower is certainly unique in its design, too. It almost looks like a candelabra with the bells placed where candles would sit. Oscar Niemeyer designed the cathedral and the next edifice on my tour, Itamaraty Palace. (As a side note...if I read the commemorative plaques correctly, Niemeyer lived to the grand age of 104?) This building is the headquarters for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and it showcases Brazilian artwork. Outside there is a reflecting pool filled with plants. Inside lush green gardens abound. Also known as Palace of the Arches, Niemeyer's creation features a stunning, floating staircase that rivals sculpture in its beauty. There is so much to view and appreciate here. The third bit of architecture I toured is the Templo da Boa Vontade, or The Temple of Good Will. This structure resembles a pyramid and these triangular walls hide an interior building. Inside artwork and beautiful gardens create a feeling of serenity. A labyrinth-patterned floor is difficult to ignore. One room is devoted to all things Egyptian. I must confess that I do not follow, or perhaps notice architecture much in my home country, Canada. Sure, there are buildings that I've seen and liked , but are they examples of great style? Quebec City has the Frontenac Hotel which resembles a palace. Niagara Falls, Ontario boasts an upside down, inverted house with the structure seeming to balance on the roof. In Toronto, we have the CN Tower and the Skydome. Here in Ontario, there are a few "large" fixtures. In Sudbury, we have the giant nickel. In Beardmore, we have the thirty-foot tall snowman who switches out his accessories for the seasons. In the summer, he sports a pair of sunglasses. To the north of where I reside is a giant fish. |
| Day 26 Brasilia, Brazil Whew! That is the longest flight I've ever endured, twenty hours in the air. I felt like I'd moved in to stay. A highlight included the staff singing Happy Birthday to Lyn's a sly fox while proffering a hard roll pierced with a tiny flaming candle. Smiles were served all around. Once again we are relaxing, lounging, lazing at a great hotel, The Royal Tulip Brasilia Alvorada. Hey, that name sounded kinda familiar, so I slouched in a poolside chair and pondered. Eureka! We stayed at another hotel, the Golden Tulip in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. That happened on Day 16, ten days ago, (already!). Here we are on another continent. We are getting around... This particular establishment is an enormous red horseshoe cradling a courtyard of waving palm trees and an impressive pool. I did not have to be invited twice to sprawl next to the pool in the welcoming sun. For a change of place, I later relaxed on the rooftop terrace. I embraced this easy-going, lazy pace. We have scurried about in our quest to be virtual travelers. A girl needs to stop and catch her breath. I lamented the lack of a hot air balloon excursion today. I believe I've grown accustomed to this glorious mode of transport. There's nothing to compare to that floating, soaring sensation. One of my 'mostest' favourite parts of traveling is the food sampling. Delicious, scrumptious food exists everywhere. My fellow bloggers and I dined at Taypa Sabores del Peru, and oh, the moment we entered the smells teased me. Taypa is Peruvian for plenty and that's the kind of promise a restaurant should make. Although printed in Portuguese, I recognized "boa comida" on the menu. This means good food. I did not hesitate to order a ceviche which is similar to sushi. Fresh raw seafood is cured in fresh citrus juices complimented by onions, coriander, and chili peppers. Divine! Of course, I chowed down on barbecued meat and it did not fail to deliver great taste. I also ordered a feijoada, a hearty stew of black beans, sausages and pork with corn dumplings. Mmm! All of us shared a pitcher of clericot de fruta. Wow, it is refreshing and delivers a buzz. Well, it did contain white brandy {pisco), white wine and a mixture of oranges(laranja), strawberries{morango), kiwi and mangos. Several toasts were made to the birthday gal Lyn's a sly fox We learned from the waiters to say, "parabens!" We could not pass up a few tantalizing desserts. My favourite is "quindim" because it's a custard topped toasted-cocoanut dream confection. None of us offered any resistance to "brigadeiros", fantastic chocolate truffles. We were truly "taypa" stuffed! Obrigado! |
| Day 25 Marrakech, Morocco At the crack of dawn I rose from my bed, no, wait, at dawn I fell from my bed and cracked my head. What am I saying? Sigh. At dawn, I flew high in the sky. A red Marrakech Dream balloon lifted me up and away. The earth dropped far below and I greeted a new day. My worries were left stranded on the ground. My hopes soared and billowed with a whooshing sound. I dared not breathe or blink. Bursting sun caused shadows to sink. Red sand glistened, palm trees waved, how many photos did I save? Apres flight I dined on fresh fruit, naan and tea. An authentic meal for a Berber belly. In outdoor Marrakech markets I next rambled and browsed. A warren of bustling, teeming souks did abound. Aromatic spices tickled my nose. My eyes feasted upon rainbow hued clothes. Woven baskets, leather bags were offered as wares, but the gorgeous rich rugs vied for my stares. Thanks Lyn's a sly fox , another win, a fascinating , fun expedition! |
| Day 24 NOUAKCHOTT, MAURITANIA Okay, now I find myself wandering on the west coast of Africa in and around Nouakchott, Mauritania a deep water Atlantic port on the Sahara Desert. Talk about a contrast, an ocean and a desert. This is the place of the winds. I for one would not appreciate a sandstorm. I notice the heat as I explore. I embark upon a private tour with my fellow bloggers and we are escorted to the site of a humongous masque. Not being of the Muslim persuasion I am not permitted to enter, so the interior remains a mystery. This structure is probably visible from the air and prominent on a satellite image. I happily meander and browse at the Galerie Zeinart where my eyes feast upon all manner of creative endeavours from local artists and artisans. There's a wealth of paintings, carvings, pottery, jewellery and clothing. Everything blazes with vibrant colour. It emanates joy. How big is my virtual souvenir bag? There are no customs worries, right? Well, today I visited a site that is definitely a first for me, The Bay of Nouadhibou Ship Graveyard. Yes, immense, towering hulks of rusting, listing and creaking ships have been abandoned here to die. Instead of being stripped in a legal and environmentally responsible manner, these sea-faring vessels are left to decay. Apparently, their owners find this cheaper and far more expedient than dismantling. It's a shame. Rusting metal is alien to sparkling green water and crashing waves. This is a beauty and the beast sight. Despite man's blatant disregard for the environment, the fish and marine life have embraced these rotting hulks as new habitats. Locals have also spawned a salvage industry. Small blessings... Hmm, I never anticipated rough-stone libraries in the Sahara Desert either, what a surprise. In Chinguetti, once a thriving trading post, people accumulated ancient manuscripts and saved them. Many are fragile parchment rolled within bamboo tubes. Those that do infrequently handle them wear gloves and precede cautiously. The dry desert air has aided in their preservation, but sand is also a corrosive. Many date back to medieval times and are Quranic documents. Obviously, a borrower's program does not exist. I cannot imagine a book so aged and fragile it might disintegrate in my hands. Everyone relaxed at Al Fantasia Restaurant and shook sand from their clothing. We were extremely parched and after chugging copious amounts of refreshing water, we indulged in pots of tea. Locals had promised us a mint variety and it proved tasty as advertised. I've never dined at an establishment that provided soft, comfy pillows such as those here. I might have been too comfortable. If they were proffered to induce relaxation, they succeeded! Oh, the smells that wafted past my nose and teased saliva from my agape mouth...The chicken tagine melted in my mouth with a spicy tang. I am now a fan of Moroccan cooking. Alas, this stellar eating establishment did not offer carry-out service forcing me to waddle away under my own power. |
| Day 23 Johannesburg, South Africa Here I am in the largest city in South Africa, Johannesburg, or Jozi as locals refer to it. All that is here resulted from a gold rush in 1886. Opprtunists from everywhere descended upon the City of Gold and led to the designation of South Africa as a rainbow nation. South Africa's other claim to fame is its past history of apartheid and this is represented at the Apartheid Museum. To enter, purchasers are randomly given tickets that assign them a designation as White, or Non-White. They are then directed to pass through the 'correct' door, one for Blankes/Whites and the other for Nie Blankes/Non-Whites. This is a reminder of the not so distant past. Other signage is displayed that indicates the segregation practices at rest rooms and public trsnsportation hubs. I cannot fathom the issuance of government identification with one's race prominently recorded on it. The width of a nose, the kinks in hair, the size of lips, the skin pigmentation and the language spoken determined racial profiling. As if! The government could also reverse their race decisions. Mind boggling! This was considered important? In the museum's courtyard, I could not ignore the stark stone pillars each with a single word that reflects the new South African constitution. Uplifting , powerful words such as respect, responsibility, freedom, democracy and equality. South Africans struggled to overthrow apartheid and they do not hide its former existence. "Humanity was born in Africa. All people, ultimately, are African." I've only ever known Canadian privilege. My skin colour , the language I choose to speak, the type of hair on my head, my nose shape, my eye shade, and my heritage have never barred me from entering any establishment, or persuing any career or travel opportunities. I salute and respect those who sought, no demanded change. |
| Day 22 Cape Town Okay, today I slowed down. Yesterday's ramblings were intense. I decided to stop and smell the roses, so I visited the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. Wow! Strolling amongst all things lush and thriving is peaceful. I inhaled deeply and let the atmosphere envelop me. Amazing sculptures greeted me to stop and stare. Creative people never fail to awe me. I discovered a fascinating bit of steel and timber I could not resist, the Canopy Walkway. This is brilliant! A sculptural walkway / bridge inspired by the skeleton of a snake wrapped in among a forest. No wonder it has a nickname of "boomslang", tree snake. This marvel snakes its way through tree canopy up to 12 metres above the ground. I meandered amongst and above tree branches. The green blanketed me. Feeling revived, I chose to embark upon a short hike along the Stinkwood Trail. The name spoke to me. I marveled at the immense surviving three cape chestnut trees. They are far more impressive than the chestnut trees in the front yard of my childhood home. Alas, the native trees were victims of heavy deforestation. I learned that the stinkwood is now a protected tree. It had been harvested for furniture timber. It is considered an evergreen and also known as the cape walnut or cape laurel. The nickname arose from the discovery that a fresh felled tree emitted a strong odour. The indigenous strip the bark for traditional medecine. Where I reside, birch bark suffers the same fate. Leaving the beautiful gardens I returned to the luxury five-star hotel, The Silo. What an unusual name for a first class establishment, but the site once housed old grain silos. There is nothing agricultural about it! It sits above the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa which is temporarily closed. My room is airy, spacious and sumptuous with stunning cityscape views. I opt to lounge in the spectacular rooftop pool. It is like soaking and swimming with the horizon. I believe this is an infinity pool. Few walls or barriers contain the water. This is the life! Lyn's a sly fox I am spoiled. |
| Day 21 Cape Town, South Africa Whew, day 21! The one-month virtual trek continues. It's all such a whirlwind. What's that lovely saying? I'll rest when I'm dead? There's no time for second or third winds. There's so much to see. Cape Town South Africa is beautiful. Everywhere I venture is set against gorgeous turquoise coastal water and towering mountains. Looming sturdy palm trees sway in the balmy breeze. Bo-kaap appears as a bright burst of rainbow hues, pinks, blues, greens, yellows and mauves. The buildings boast these happy colours and they remind me of the similarly painted homes in Newfoundland. I strolled through the cobblestoned streets of Bo-kaap smiling at the bold, vivid explosions of colour. Drabness is banished here. I enjoyed a cuppa in an historic school. Everything felt charming. Wow, Camp's Bay Beach has earned its reputation as the Beverly Hills of Cape Town. I sauntered in awe along a pristine white beach and marveled at that stunning turquoise water framed by an azure sky. There is such a contrast between the rugged rocky mountains and the sand and surf. Without hesitation, I waded in that inviting water and laughed at the sunbathing seagulls. Although tempted, I did not succumb to the lure of a massage on the beach even though a sign beckoned me with this tantalizing offer. If I'd relented and enjoyed a massage, I'd have stayed right there too relaxed to move in any possible manner to continue the tour. Sigh, a tourist is always on the move searching for that next jaw-dropping view. Cameras must be escorted to all the best locales. I hopped onto a sightseeing boat to motor out to Duiker Island where I was rewarded with the incredible sight of a seal hang-out. Above the steady crashing of the white caps, the multitude of seals barked. Were they greeting us, or shouting at us to leave them alone? Whatever their expectations, these sleek seals entertained us with diving, splashing, swimming and even sunbathing. They reminded me of bored teenagers hanging out together and trying to find amusements. The winding ascent of Chapman's Peak Drive offered breathtaking views of that ever present sparkling ocean. One rock formation resembled a crouching ape, or at least I thought it did. The tunnels that we passed through reminded me of similar tunnels in the Rockies in British Columbia. They are intended to offer safety should an avalanche occur. At the stunning summit, I meandered about Noordhoek Farm Village which caters to discerning tourists. I savoured ice cream as I people watched. Brave energetic souls cycled up this mountain road to congregate at the top. I recognized and snapped a pic of an amazing red amaryllis. This is a quaint oasis, but I had more exploring to do. Next on my agenda was a tour of Cape Point Ostrich Farm. At this breeding site, I snuggled a squirmy, fuzzy baby ostrich with unique markings on its head and long neck. Its eyelashes sparked my envy. It is an ugly/cute creature. The adults strut about on their powerful long legs flexing their heavily-feathered wings. No one suggested I hitch a ride on an ostrich and I didn't bring it up. I'm still recovering from the camel experience. The ostrich barely blinked as I waved farewell. My next stop took me to Table Mountain and the Cape Point Nature Reserve where I hiked, climbed, and 'cable-carred it.' At one point, I slowly ascended a steep set of stone steps. How tourist friendly. Wow, the vistas are stunning here. From the lighthouse built in 1860, the panorama is awesome. Apparently, this building did not prevent many shipwrecks because it sits too high and cannot be seen in foggy or cloudy weather. Now it is a focal point. Bold Baboons roam freely. Some decide to perch atop vehicles. Some recline next to tourists. Boulders Beach is aptly named. Boulders are strewn about as if tossed. Via a series of wooden walkways, I am able to slip in amongst the throng of tuxedo-coated penguins. How punk-rockish, they sport a bright pink slash above their eyes. When not diving, they too sunbathe on the rocks and the sand. Their gait is distinctive, a waddle. I amble about this way in the winter, shuffling in short steps praying I do not slip and tumble. Um, I wonder if some of the penguins attempt to escape their beach paradise and go awol. Do they enjoy playing hide and seek? I noticed a large sign with this lettering. WARNING Please look under your vehicles for penguins. Could I appear convincing when I insist that the penguin in our tour van is a single-minded stowaway and not a poor kidnap victim? Um, er, sorry, I forgot to check under the vehicle. The little fella must have slipped in when I wasn't looking. You do know he is a flightless bird, right? How else is he supposed to travel? |
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