Amazing America

After a short layover in Tokyo from Sri Lanka, I was finally going back to America after my being away teaching in sunny Thailand for three years.  My dear Hollywood friend (and X neighbour -hairstylist Anthony Wilson was waiting for me at LAX international airport. It was wonderful to see a friendly face and enjoy a catch-up chat over lunch before my flight onto Las Vegas. Landing in "loss wages" via friendly Southwest air, I was met by my Yoga teacher, Carolynn and then off to Jeana's for a yummy Mexican taco dinner. exhausted, I finally hit the bed after traveling over 24 hours! Sunday morning church at The Center and lunch with girlfriends felt like old times. Next a quick visit to Red Hat Queen Ruth who recently had eye surgery, and she looked amazing! Then a delightful afternoon tea with homemade cookies and my super Sandpiper neighbours Pat and Jan.

Monday Yoga and another lunch with my Goddess girlfriends, wearing Thai tops!

Venturing onto Henderson (South Las Vegas) I spent some quality time with Dianne in her new house. Somehow we were too busy to take photos of us together with her two georgeous  and lively felines. So until next time, the images will stay etched in my memory. 

Now I was going to meet Janie Lynn a friend from Rotary. Guess where we had dinner...The Elephant Bar, almost felt like I was back in Thailand, she even ordered Thai chicken salad. Always the perfect hostess and fabulous cook, Janie arranged a great party with my "old Rotary gang."

I was leaving Las Vegas with mixed emotions... it was gratifying to see so many dear friends and really enjoy being together. As I believe, a friend is forever and time and distance doesn't change the love we share. Now it was time to go to San Diego and visit my sister, see her lovely new house and her two beautiful daughters...of course see the dogs too!

THANK YOU ALL FOR AN AMAZING TIME IN AMERICA!!

Loved Sri Lanka

Time to relax! I had just finished the first semester of my third year of teaching in Thailand, so it must be time to travel again...

Daughter Carrie and grandsons Aidan and Taylor flew from Hong Kong to Bangkok where I met them for a continuing flight onto Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Arriving late evening, we had a short night of sleep before departing with a car and driver to see the Elephant rescue park. Amazing to see the exquisite animals bathing and playing together in the river. It reminded me so much of the African Safari that I did over 10 tears ago.

 

After a very yummy vegetarian curry lunch overlooking the river and a bit of shopping we were back in the car on our way to the city of Kandy where the famous “Temple of the Tooth” is located.

On the way we saw a special local parade celebration with street musicians and even beautifully decorated elephants.

Of course we had to see paper being made from real Elephant "poop" called dung.

That evening before visiting the Temple, we took a walk along the lake and then saw a traditional music and dance show complete with loud drumming and fire walking. Our driver had even reserved four seats for us near the front, a welcome relief as the venue was packed with many tourists.  As it was Sunday eve many ‘locals’ were dressed in all white as they brought flowers and offerings to the Temple.

The next day, leaving from our pleasant stay at “The Mansion” we journeyed to the top of the mountain to visit the huge Buddha statue and light some candles for blessings.

Then onto see Sri Lankan Tea being produced and enjoy a cup of tea with small cookies. The next stop, a busy outdoor market to shop a bit before the long car ride to the seaside resort at the very southern tip of the Island.

For a late dinner we ordered pizza, a big mistake, as it wasn’t very good…lesson learned: stick to the kind of food that the natives eat. Anyway we were staying at the beach for the ocean and not the food! Another short night as it was early morning when we boarded a Whale and Dolphin Sightseeing vessel, luckily we saw both and got a little bonus sunburn sitting on the top deck of the boat.

The next day Taylor and I hung out on the beach and took some photos while Carrie and Aidan took surfing lessons. Amazingly they were both surfing "like pros" within an hour. "Surfs-Up"

Then it was time to travel to the Safari Camp where we would enjoy luxury tents, even with bathrooms and hot water showers inside the tent. Camping in Wisconsin was never like this! 

Treated to wet towels and cool lemonade as we arrived hot and hungry, we were advised that our outdoor lunch was ready to enjoy before our first afternoon safari ride. First class gourmet multi-course meals were a pleasant surprise and delicious too! We also had a campfire at night and roasted marshmallows.

Traveling into the park in our own safari vehicle we saw lots of wild life in the early morning, afternoon and even a night safari, with elephants in the road.

We learned to spot animals at night because when a light beam is shined, their eyes reflect different colors depending on what kind of animal they are. When we made a list in the car on the way to the airport I think we named over 50 different animals including leopard, water buffalo, deer, crocodiles, cranes, snakes, birds and monkeys that tried to attack the safari jeep for food!

We all agreed that out time together in Sri Lanka was FANTASTIC! 

Before we left to go to the airport, we had time to visit another temple that we fondly named “Disco Buddha.”  Blessings to All.

Another Year Older...

Every August I celebrate a birthday and each year I am more grateful to be healthy (wealthy and wise would be nice too) but I am blessed in so many other ways. I have wonderful and amazing friends all around the globe and in so many cities. This year we celebrated the August Full Moon and my birthday with a Goddess gathering... feasting, singing and dancing in the moonlight.

 Gifts galore ... jewellery, purses, orchids, and of course roses and coconut ice cream with small sweet cakes from India. And so many Facebook birthday wishes as well as emails and the best of all was a phone call from my daughter Carrie and grandsons Aidan and Taylor... I am truly blessed! 

  

 May you also be blessed and enjoy the gifts of friendship and family.

Thailand Island Fun

Remembering America, we had a great July 4th party at my house that included hot dogs, peanuts in the shell, old fashioned fireworks and ear piercing karaoke! It was a lot of fun for Thai and Foreign teachers alike. 

Next I could look forward to having a school break in July AND having Carrie, Aidan and Taylor come to Thailand to visit. We decided to go to the small Island of Ko Samet and the only way to arrive is by ferry or speed boat. Opting for the fastest way, we were dropped off in the water and waded into Jep's Bungalows where we stayed. The restaurant was right on the beach with lodging just a short walk away.

Cloudy with some showers every day still did not dampen the amazing time we had... sparkling ocean waves to ride and a white diamond beach for sand castles, yummy food and hair braids with fierce henna Tattoos for the boys.





Next stop would be the Brookside Valley Resort where the plan was to go Zip-lining. Now there is a part of me that wanted to do it ... after all I have done it before as well as sky-diving and walking on fire but that was in the past. Now maybe a broken hip and old age had something to do with my decision to enjoy watching and be the photographer!

         You go mama...

Happiness is the feeling that comes after being scared and doing it anyway!!

The resort pool had a pirate ship at one end perfect for cooling off.

The small lake had paddle boats to peddle just in case the adrenaline rush from the extreme activities wasn't enough.

Thanks guys for a fantastic couple of weeks with you in Thailand. Ga-Ga