THE LAND OF "OZ'

Oz - as the Aussies called their homeland, was my destination when I left Los Angeles on May 30th.  I plan is to spend the next 11 months exploring a bit of Oz, a lot of New Zealand and a totally relaxing month in Indonesia on the island of Bali.  

First stop after a really decent, but very long flight on Virgin Australia, 

SYDNEY!

I use AirBnB almost exclusively whenever I can.  I like the idea of renting from a local.  I find that almost all AirBnB hosts go out of their way to make you comfortable and also share all they know and like about their city.  

I chose to stay in the Potts Point area for my 4 days in Sydney.  I was the guest of Cassandra and her partner, Fabian, in their beautiful Camelot Hall AirBnB. Check out the photos of this great place!

Arriving late afternoon, I followed her great directions, taking the tram from the airport to downtown where I switched to the Potts Point area's local line, leaving just a few blocks to the condo.   She did forget to mention that she was on the top floor of a 3-story walk-up. Thank goodness Fabian was home to welcome me and carry my suitcase up all the stairs!

I had my own bedroom with a large sunroom overlooking the private school across the street. I barely remember but I think I napped, found somewhere nearby for dinner and fell back in bed at the end of the day.  

The next morning I could not figure out the pop-pop-popping sound that was coming in through my windows.  I stumbled out of bed (jet-lag sucks) and find that at 6:00 a.m. the students across the street are having basketball practice and what I am hearing is a ball being bounced up and down the cement court!

Since I am wide-awake - and have been since 3 a.m. -  I decided to just stay up and go exploring. Cassandra is the manager of a very well-known Sydney art gallery.  Fabian is a film-maker and director and is headed to Germany for work. They are expecting their first child - soon - and my room will become the nursery.  She had told me before I arrived that I would probably see very little of them during my stay and find them both heading out the door at 7 a.m. - Good morning - Good-bye - Have a great day!

The kitchen is supplied with all the necessities for a lite breakfast and after a nice cup of tea and a piece of fruit, I was off to see what Sydney was like.  Since I really wasn't very observant on my arrival, so what a pleasant surprise to walk out the door, cross the street and see this view....

  

With my trusty city-map downloaded on my iPhone (as usual, I purchased a SIM card at the airport to use for the duration of my stay in Oz) I learned it would be an easy walk to get  here ↑ but first had to walk down here

                            ↓

     At the bottom of the stairs, I can follow the road that winds around the harbour all the way to the famous Opera House. While standing on the corner waiting to cross the street, one of the ever-popular and plentiful Hop-on-Hop-Off buses makes an appearance, stops and asks if I would like to Hop-on?  Why not?!

I paid the 'senior fare' and off I went for a 4-hour tour of Sydney.  This was a perfect way to spend most of the day, especially since my body was still in a completely different time zone and I knew I would have to crash and nap during the afternoon.  I had a signed-up for a 'free walking tour' the next day with I'm Free Walking Tours so I knew between the bus tour and a foot-tour,  I would only see most of Sydney and but learn a lot of history as well.

Speaking of history, when I was doing research before I left the States for the best book to read on the history of Australia, the most highly-recommended book was this one -     Though fiction, it is similar to James Mitchner books where you get a great story intermingled with a complete history of the country, including the flora and the fauna!   

But back to Sydney.  I took 100's of pictures of the new and the old buildings, both big and small.  I learned that Sydney is a hilly city - should have figured that out from the stairs! Of course, we know that the British sent their convicts and low-life's here to either perish or survive.  A hardy bunch those criminals, the first group arriving in 1788, survived and flourished.  Australia officially became a British colony, these newcomers treated the native Aborigines abominably, they built big cities around the coastline of their new country and left the hot, arid middle-section, to this day, barely populated.  They gave us 'G'day', Crocodile Dundee, shrimp-on-the-barbie', Cate Blanchette, Nicole Kidman, Russel Crowe, Hugh Jackman and those hunky Hemsworth brothers.  They also gave us Vegemite, UGGS (though the New Zealanders will argue that one), the dual-flush toilet (yet to make it's way to the US), koala bears, the Great Barrier Reef, kangaroos, Wi-Fi (really - invited by a scientist in Melbourne), some really good beer and wine and of course, the World Heritage Site Sydney Opera House. There are many more contributions, but this was enough for one day's touring.

New South Wales Library

St Andrews Cathedral

The Right Honourable William Bede Dalley, PC - Scholar, Patriot, Statesman

Central train station

Taking 'green' to the next step

The harbor is bustling with people and places

Victorian homes still dot the streets

Harbor entertainment

 

Under the Harbor Bridge (you can walk across)

 

At the end of this very busy day, I met Chris Heidrich,  founder and owner of AirTreks for dinner.  Chris arranged my air travel for my entire trip.  He and his wife now live in Sydney.  He runs AirTreks huge RTW travel business from this part of the world while his partner heads up the Seattle-based US headquarters. 

The next and my last full day in Sydney included an early morning Insider's Tour of the Sydney Opera House  and then an afternoon ferry-ride to Manly Beach to visit with a friend.

First, THE OPERA HOUSE. Amazing!! I had to arrive at 6:45 A.M.  Why such an ungodly hour, you might ask?  Because when you are touring the backstage(s) and working areas of the House, you need to do this when the actual workers and performers are not working or practicing or performing.  I'd figured out how to hop the local tram and the walk from it to the Opera House. It was well worth the early start to be there as the sun was rising over Sydney Harbour.

Our tour guide was extremely knowledgeable and our small group of 7 (Indian, Japanese, Australia, American and Norwegian) learned so much about the inner-workings of this magnificent performance center.  

Our tour guide standing amongst huge amounts of equipment including boxes and boxes of stuff, lighted acoustic circles,  big stages and small performance areas. The tour ended with a delicious full English breakfast in the performer's dining room.

             

I was upset that there were no live performances at the Opera House the 2 nights I had in town, but I was there during VIVID SYDNEY, The Light, Music & Ideas Festival.  I only had to walk outside my door once the sun set to find sights such as these - the city and all its building and bridges spotlighted in brilliant color! Street performers were everywhere, music could be enjoyed by just walking down the street. The Opea House changed it's light display nightly - one more amazing than the next.

I took the local ferry to met up with Lauen Evanosky, a fellow Peace Corps volunteer, for a late lunch on Manly Beach - where she has recently relocated and now calls home.  The ride over and back was so beautiful and relaxing.  Lauren picked me up and gave me a great tour of the area beaches - where surfing rules and they have these amazing salt-water swiming pools that are incorporated right into the beaches.  It was fun to catch-up and reminisce about our time on St. Kitts.

Cruising past the Opera House

Sydney Harbor Lighthouse

Seawater, seaside swimming pool

Aussie surfer

Lauren

I returned in time to pack, enjoy a great dinner at a nearby Indian restaurant and be the up bright and early to catch the tram to the airport for my flight to Melbourne. I enjoyed my stay in Sydney - I could have stayed longer - but I have a house/pet sit to get to.  Farewell from Sydney....

Unitl next time......

HOME!

When you get the offer to babysit your one-and-only, most precious granddaughter for 10 days while Mom & Dad take advantage of a business/pleasure trip to Australia, there is no better reason than to wave goodbye to Europe and return to sunny and warm southern California!

I flew home on February 1, 2016, for the first time but certainly not the last, on Norwegian Air.

Flying from London Gatwick to Los Angeles in one of their brand-new Dreamliner aircraft is so relaxing.  Economy seats are all big and their famous air recycling system is amazing!  You feel that you are almost breathing fresh air for the entire 11 1/2 hour flight!  You get off the plane feeling refreshed and not that groggy, I hate flying feeling.

And then there is the cost! Norwegian Air is a low-cost airline.  My one-way ticket price.....$249!!!!  Of course, the cost varies depending on the time of year.  Right now, in the middle of high season in Europe, a one-way ticket is $520.  But compared to all the regular airlines, that is still dirt cheap!  The service was outstanding.  Add a good selection of movies and music, decent food, they departed on time and arrived a bit early -  what more do you want from an airline?

For the first 3 weeks in February it was time to get reacquainted with Ms. Stella and spoil her as much as possible.  We watched Finding Nemo and Frozen too many times to count!  We went to the beach and built sandcastles and went swimming at the pool.  She is also playing on her first organized sports team - soccer.

She learned from her coach (an amazingly patient woman!) that she has to be a good sport and a team player. She now tells everyone that she is a good 'team-er' but hasn't quite learned how to run and kick the ball.

She has several friends from her pre-school that also participate.  So from being very shy the first few 'games', she is now a happy soccer team member.

We did some visiting with her GaGa & Poppie and even had an overnight at Cousin LuLu's so Grandma ReRe could have a night off!

Raising children is for much younger women.  I was completely exhausted at the end of each day. But being able to have her sit on my lap as we read Dora, the Explorer or Hamish the Highland Cow before falling asleep, or singing Let It Be as loud as we could together, were memories I will treasure.  It is going to be so fun to watch what will happen as this adorable princess welcomes a baby brother into the family in November!

One of the nicest things about visiting my family in Solana Beach is 'doing lunch' with 2 of my dear friends from Danville High School.  Susan lives in San Diego and Julie is in Del Mar.  It's always so much fun to reminisce and share memories of our long-ago youth over a delicious lunch and a good glass of wine!

From SoCal to Chi-Town!  It was time to head back 'home' and reconnect with my girlfriends.  It's amazing but everyone wants to 'wine & dine' you when you've been away.  I probably put on 10lbs just being 'welcomed home!'  But I certainly didn't begrudge the additional weight when I had the joy of spending time with my friends and catching up on all the gossip from the past 11 months.

I spent the first two weeks in the beautiful home of dear friends Kevin & Dan on North Sheridan Road overlooking Lake Michigan with their fabulous view of downtown Chicago.

Two of my favorite guys!

View from their condo!

Both were out-of-town the first week, and the 2nd week Kevin was gone and Dr. Dan was working such long hours that I had the run of the place almost to myself.

I made appointments with my doctor, my dentist, my eye doctor and my dermatologist.  'The Girls' got their annual squeeze and I was thrilled to learn after all that that I was good to keep going for at least another year.













I hadn't planned to stay another two weeks in Chicago but when I was offered,  I just couldn't turn down a house/pet sit on the Gold Coast at the corner of Walton & Lake Shore Drive.

My Charges

My View!

I  enjoyed a wonderful  gift of two additional weeks 'at home' within walking distance of many IWA events, great restaurants, and the best of North Michigan Avenue SHOPPING!  

With the permission of the homeowners, one evening I hosted a dinner for a few of my closest girlfriends.

I love to travel - all the countries I get to visit, the history I learn and the people I get to meet - but there is nothing that can replace your friends!

Another treat while in the Chicago area was a short, overnight trip to Madison to visit with #2 Son and his beautiful wife, Melissa.  They have a new family member, Otis, who is an English Golden Retriever (they have the much lighter blonde coats).  In this photo he is a lovable 6-months old.  He is already huge and will only get hugh-er!



















Following my plan, it was now time to fly to North Carolina to visit my friends there.  I flew into Raleigh and was met by Wilmington neighbor and dear friend, Janet.  We celebrated her birthday with lunch at the Cheesecake Factory before I got to drive (yes, I miss driving!) us back to the beach.   I spent a week with her and her fabulous husband, Bob, in their beautiful new home.

They had finally made the much-discussed move off Carolina Beach to be closer to downtown Wilmington.  They are now around the corner from where Bob plays tennis every sunny morning, a few minutes drive to shopping and theater and all the wonderful jazz concerts at UNCW.

Janet and I spent our days catching up while enjoying some of the best spots in town for lunch, shopping till we dropped, and just renewing our friendship.

I also got to enjoy a delicious dinner on the Riverwalk with friend and fellow traveler, Beth.  She encouraged me that if I ever got the chance go to New Zealand, stay as long as I possible could, as I would fall in love.  Over dinner and several glasses of wine, we poured over guide books and maps with her giving me great suggestions and ideas of where to go and do and stay.

My good friend Nancy drove down from Raleigh to spend a night and enjoy a delicious diner at Indochine before I returned to spend a few days in her big city. She and I had traveled to Portugal, taught English in Spain and cruised to Alaska together.  Nancy is retired from a long career with National Public Broadcasting but was and is also a professional pianist and this trip I finally got to hear her play!

From Raleigh I caught the AMTRAK to Charlotte to see my oldest and dearest friends, Sandra and Rich.  They were at my wedding, Rich was my John's best friend and they have been through all the ups and downs of my life from the late 60's onward  I always find time to enjoy their wonderful hospitality when I am anywhere nearby.  I just invite myself for a visit!

#2 and I with Sandy & Rich at a Charlotte Panther's Game

Now is where 'the plan' gets a little off-schedule.  From Charlotte, good friends and neighbors Karen and Don from the NC mountain town of Burnsville, drove to Charlotte to pick me up and carry me back up the mountain for a visit that was to have lasted for 6 days.  Instead I was their guest-house guest for 8 weeks!!!

Let me explain.  I had lined up what promised to be a fabulous housesit on the Pacific coast of Mexico, north of Mazatlan and south of Puerto Vallarta, for 2 months.

It sounded wonderful.  Large compound, beautiful home, 2 dogs, breathtaking view, short bus ride to the nearest village.  But as time got closer and I was able to connect with the couple from whom I would be taking over housesitting duties, I learned all was not-as-it-seemed.  First, the bugs where enormous and overly-plentiful - and I HATE BUGS!  I learned the owners required you never leave the compound unless someone was there to watch over the house. (Numerous robberies in the area have occurred.) That means only when the gardner or cleaning lady or someone from the work crew was available to stay around a few hours while you get away can you get away.  And that bus to the nearby village where you get away to purchase some groceries only runs sporadically - it is Mexico.

So here I was, a not-so-young single woman all alone with big bugs, no transportation, in an area known for being burgled frequently and no one nearby to call on for help if needed with my very limited Spanish.  Oh - and no wifi! After a brief reconsideration and Karen's generous offer to 'just stay put and enjoy springtime in the mountains', I let the homeowners know (in plenty of time for them to find a replacement) that I would not be coming.

Instead, below are photos of where I called 'home' for  8 glorious weeks! I just had to include  a few photos of the dinners that Karen, with Donnie's help, prepared each evening.  She is an outstanding, far above average cook and I took great advantage of her skills. She even made me a Ginger/Lime Cheese Cake for my birthday - and I literally licked the plate!

 

This is the Guest House. I even got to drive Donnie big red truck for a week while they went to visit family in Florida.  Had to rig up a step-stool to get in and out of it which caused much laughter when I drove it into town!

 
Seriously, a typical dinner!

Besides eating, we did a few trips into Asheville for shopping and dining, took in a gallery opening at the Toe River Arts Center, a student auction at the Penland School of Craft and toured their new gallery space on campus and attended Fire on the Mountain Blacksmith's Festival in downtown Spruce Pine (where Donnie slow-roasted a ton of bar-b-qued pork for the after party!)

I made a stop to see the beautiful Doug Sigler custom-built house I called home for 4 years and to once again take in one of the most magnificent views anyone could have from their front window. I also visited with friend and artist Susan Hayden and thrilled at seeing the mountain come into bloom!

Susan's work

Art? With Donnie's head peeking thru

Susan's Sock Monkey Collection

Blacksmith Opening at Toe River Arts Council

Blacksmithing at it's best

Penland's new craft gallery

Glass @ Penland Gallery

My 'used to be' mountain home

Interesting to see how the cedar siding has streaked and grayed since it was first installed.  The new owner did some work on the lower-level balcony but no one can improve on the view of Roan Mountain that I saw each morning from my living room window.

Spring blooming in all it's glory!

 

When not eating or reading or visiting or shopping or gallery-hopping, I searched the housesitting websites each day and finally managed to find a way to give Karen and Don a break from my delightful company. First I got a 3-week housesit in Melbourne, Australia followed by a 3-month housesit on the North Island of New Zealand!  Thanks Beth for the suggestion and great itinerary planing.

So even though it was a much longer-than-planned stay back home in the States, I had a marvelous time visiting family and friends.  But all good things must come to an end, especially when new places to see are calling.  So on May 28th I flew to San Diego to say goodbye to Ms. Stella and her Mommy and Daddy before catching the long flight to my next 11 months down under.   

On June 1st I landed in Sydney, Australia!!!

Until next time......