China: 6-4-70

The 6-4-70 crew - China bound

 Flying solo on this one — @Mac is staying local while I set off with the #Fab5+1 on an unforgettable 2-for-1 TripADeal adventure to China! Our fabulous crew includes @Denise and her sister @Cheryl, along with @Carolyn, @Julie, @Von, and yours truly. We’re in excellent hands, with every detail carefully curated by the TripADeal team.

It’s a 10-day journey packed with highlights — starting in Chengdu, where we’ll visit the iconic giant pandas and gaze up at the awe-inspiring Buddha of Leshan. From there, it’s a high-speed rail ride to Yichang, where we’ll board the China Goddess 2 for a stunning 5-day, 4-night cruise along the legendary Yangtze River.

There will be plenty of opportunities to explore, learn, and laugh—along with everything in between a d even the chance to get lost in translation. With no shortage of memorable moments, this little adventure offers more than enough material for a highlight reel (or a blooper reel). The only potential hurdle? The infamous 'Great Firewall of China.' And perhaps "What goes on tour, stays on tour' might provide additional censorship.

@Denise led the charge to the USA for her 60th, and now she's taking us to China to mark her 70th. Makes you wonder what adventure she’s planning for her 80th — whatever it is, you can bet we’ll be there... with bells on!

Tripadealing to India and Sri Lanka - a quick one

 Ten years ago, as we climbed and crawled to the top of #The Great Wall, celebrating 60 years young, @Mac asked "Where do you want to be for your 70th?" 

I answered in a heart beat "At the #Taj Mahal."

Of course, 10 years later I had totally changed my mind (no surprise at all of course) and instead wanted to do all things #Japan.  And what a treat that was, but there are no barriers to continuing celebrations four months later. So we are off for a 15 day taster, courtesy of Tripadeal - travelling around the Golden Triangle and realising that dream of visiting the #Taj Mahal followed by a trek in the south west corner of Sri Lanka. We have not tried a Trip-a-deal adventure but have heard great things from the close circle of friends, so at this two for one price, why not try an adventure that probably includes about three hours tops at the #Taj Mahal. 😂😁😀

Treating this little sojourn as the "make up, follow up, gad about, because we can" trip.

Cherry blossoms, glaciers and mountains

An absolute treat to celebrate a significant birthday for @Jan - three score and ten racked up in early April. Also get the chance to double up for @Mac with celebrations at sea for his middle of May birthday.

Lots of adventures ahead - 19 days with #Inspiring Vacations for a "rail' based land tour chasing the cherry blossoms and then 24 days at sea perched right up front on the #Royal Princess as it explores the east coast of #Japan, before repositioning across the North Pacific to #Alaska. We get to enjoy all the fun of exploring the coastal stop of the #Inside Passage before docking in #Vancouver and reconnecting with @Mindy and @Ian for a fortnight back up the mountain in #Whistler. 

It was a challenge to string the two adventures together but @Mac was persistent and managed to weave the two  tours together. No idea what it will be like - we haven't ventured with either of these providers before - but what does it matter - it's not forever and every challenge makes for a great story.

Canuck Capers

This is the extended stay that we have been hoping for in Canada. We hope to be able to enjoy being part of the #Whistler community - get to know the local spaces and catch up on all the Whistler family connections that @Mindy and @Ian have made in their northern hemisphere home.

In theory we are going to be "house sitting" for some of the time. We have lined up the calendar so that we have extended shared time as a "Local" and then spend a month on the trans Canadian adventure. We want to get on that train and make our way across to the east coast getting a taste of Ontario, Quebec and Novia Scotia.

Check out our complete adventures here.

African Antics On Safari

 First there was an idea (thanks @Lloyd) ...

Then there was a plan (thanks @Jenny) ...

Then there was covid for too many years ...

Then there was a change of plan ...

Then there was a knee replacement ....

And so predictable, by now there were dwindling numbers in the original recruits ... so we definitely needed a newer "new plan" to bring all of this to fruition (thanks @Jude.)

SO HERE WE ARE AT LAST, June 2023 ... new plan, new group and absolutely thrilled to FINALLY  be heading out for a 26 day Safari as a result of @Jude's ever patient and supportive organisation heading up the team at Masihambe Afrika . 

The "newer" new plan has us heading to Johannesburg as our starting and finishing point and travelling through South Africa, Zimbabwe and Botswana.  It's a combination of road travel in 4WD vehicles with adventures in open air game vehicles, in boats and canoes and on foot. Accommodation ranges from lodges and homesteads to mobile tented camps (gulp) with all the complications of visas, currency, connectivity, water, electricity and even wildlife in African countries. And laughing already about the unique adventures that #Sheeweena will provide. Challenges are worth it though, to have the privilege of sharing in the beauty, charm and grandeur of the people, the landscape and the wildlife of this amazing continent.

Had a heads up from @Jude in recent correspondence, that everything moves in "African time" - very slowly - and that local people battle every day "on the ground" in Africa to prepare the way for our stay -  including elephants tearing up water lines - and that some of the camps are powered by lanterns and campfires. 

Oh well, just need to pull on our "big boy/girl pants" and pack a positive mindset and hold onto the thought that every challenge makes for a great adventure and of course an even greater story.

PS: As mentioned above, big shout out to @Lloyd Wilton for originally floating the group travel idea and then to @Jenny Fugle for the recommendation of @Jude Hartley and Masihambe Afrika. Hope we get to "virtually" share our adventures over the coming weeks with all those who have remained behind.

Team Africa 2023 - filter enhanced - wearing our big boy/girl pants

Cruising Divine Destinations Istanbul to Dubai

 It's been a long time coming but, at the end of the month, we are heading out with @LoRi to the Middle East. We are joining Regent Seven Seas for a 25 day adventure from Istanbul to Dubai that includes 21 days of cruising and 4 days pre and post tours. Originally, we had selected this itinerary through Oceania - but with covid cancellations and new sailing itineraries - we had to change cruise lines to experience Divine Destinations.

It is a "once in a lifetime" experience in what is billed as "luxury at sea" with 730 guests supported by 560 crew - and is a combination of land adventures and relaxing days at sea enjoying all that the Seven Seas Explorer has to offer. 

Definitely excited by the itinerary which takes us to Turkey, Greece, Cyprus, Israel, Jordan, Egypt, Oman and the UAE and gives us the opportunity for a glimpse at @Mac's bucket list destination of Petra. 

Only brief visits to so many places but it will, as usual, be eye opening and no doubt jaw dropping and so very excited to once again, have the opportunity to team up with @Loraine and @Richard to share the travel adventures.

An interesting part of the world in the political setting of 2022

She seems so tiny - we are DECK 7 in the middle

We're off to HAWAII

 The first of the overseas adventures post covid and it is a meetup with @Mindy and @Ian in Hawaii. Just a short one - but no doubt full of good times, adventures and heaps of laughs. Sure there will be hiccups and hurdles - but from all accounts of those already on the "travel trail" that is the new norm. Sure we will cope.

Highlights faithfully (and sometimes "creatively") recorded in the 2022 Hawaii BI(an)RTHDAY BASH Blog. Not as fancy as the old "Wordpress" production - but certainly a whole lot cheaper!

Sunsets from 15th floor Ilikai Condo Waikiki

Pride of America - 2 days on each island