HurricaneMaine

Kayaking Milford Sound

After arriving Queenstown and renting a car we found somewhere to eat and I headed to sky dive. We missed it on the renting if this spectacular vehicle.

The panda bear on the roof is Percy, the preschool mascot. He is accompanying is on the trip for an adventure.

Queenstown is beautiful.

On the way to the skydiving site the company had to cancel the flight due to a horrific accident blocking the road. There is only one road out to the area. I rescheduled for two days later and we were able to start driving to Te Anau where we would spend the night before being picked up for kayaking. It meant we could travel in the day instead of when it was getting dark. There already is a learning curve with driving on the left side of the road.

We also had time to get in a run before dinner. Te Anau is quiet and beautiful.

It was a two hour drive from TeAnau to Milford sound for kayaking. We left the rental car at the hotel and traveled with the tour company (Rosco’s is one of the best). Milford sound does not have residents just the dozens of people who work seasonally there. The kayaking was in the open Sea so much choppy water, frigid water temperature, and cool temperatures.

I took a lot of pictures and videos while kayaking but they are in my go pro and need a computer to get them uploaded which I will do when I return to China.

Yes there actually is a nude run through the tunnel to get to the sound.

On the way back we stopped to look at some of the sights. First stop was a waterfall at a place called the Chasm.

Another few stops along the way.

We drive back from TeAnau to Queenstown and checked into a motel apartments. Here we meet up with some of Caroline’s friends from when she taught in Cairo.

More adventures await!

Waiheke Island, New Zealand

We traveled to the CBD, Central business district, to pick up the ferry to Waiheke Island. It is best to book a hop on hop off tour that includes a ferry ride to and from.

The view from the ferry looking at Auckland.

We boarded the hop on hop off bus at the ferry terminal and went to the first stop at Oneroa Village. This is the heart of the island with many cafes, art galleries, and shops.

Panoramic view of the beach at Oneroa. We did walk down to the beach and dip toes in the water.

We did some shopping in the galleries and shops. Many beautiful things to look at. This island is so beautiful and quiet. It would be fun just to stay here for awhile.

I loved this artist gallery. There are kiwis in a boat!

We took the next bus to the stonyridge winery. They also have Olive trees on the property and the setting is very picturesque.

We ordered wine with a cheese plate that included Manuka honey..

Before we went to the winery we inquired about ziplining. Usually advanced booking is required but we were lucky to get two of the last few spots available. We were picked up by a van to go to the ecozip line stop. This is something I have always wanted to do. It was pretty fun and the company owns the land over an old section of jungle. Ziplining with them helps to preserve the area from development.

Getting ready for the third section which was the longest and steepest. This is Carolyn with the preschool mascot she brought with her on the adventure.

After the ziplining there is a 25 minutes walk back where they give history of the area and point out various plant species.

These trees are part of the old section of the jungle that have been undisturbed as they are part of a wet valley unusable for farming. They are 600 years old.

Onetangi beach was our last stop. Here i waded out into the waves then walked along the beach. I also enjoyed blood orange sorbet.

After the ferry ride back, we stopped along the water to eat raw oysters before stopping at a grocery store to pick up salads to take back to the hotel.

Now to reorganize bags as we will leave some here at this hotel as we fly to Queenstown in the South island for a few days before coming back up to the North island.

Auckland, race day

I did manage to get some sleep but my body does not know where in the world I am. We are staying at the Holiday inn Auckland airport which is a 6 NZ ride on the yellow bus from the airport. It is also walking distance to the winery. The views on the walk were gorgeous. We actually ran along that beach in the race.

My 10k at the Villa Maria winery was a little slower (59:04) than my usual but not bad considering. The winery is just beautiful. It actually is located in an old volcanic crater.

If course we had to do some wine tasting and but some wine. We are staying with some of Carolyn’s friends at the end of this trip and wine would be a great gift.

Afterwards we took an Uber into Auckland and visited Mission Bay. We saw ice cream and my general rule is that I get ice cream flavors that I have never had before. We chose a gelato shop and I had a cone with green apple and pineapple lumps. Pineapple lumps is a pineapple lolly candy covered in chocolate. Both were good and I found some of that candy in a convenience store to take home.

We visited the Michael Joseph Savage memorial. He was the first Prime Minister of the Labour Party and died while in office.

Views from the top of the park.

This is a Norfolk pine. It looks like a pointer but the branches look more like palms.

We then walked along Biddick’s Bay. It was a beautiful sunny afternoon and if course I dipped my toes into the water. It was cool but not too bad.

We stopped at a Good George Craft House to try some local beer and have a bite to eat. I chose battered fish and if course there was fries and fried cauliflower. Not my usual fare and left me very full despite the fact it was not heavily fried.

A good first day and tomorrow we explore Waiheke Island.

History walk Guangzhou

It was great that Harlan Chambers was able to visit me here in Guangzhou. He is working on his doctoral dissertation in Shanghai. He was excited to see museums and eat all the food in Guangzhou. Once he arrived he fell in love with this city. It really is a great place to live.

When we had time we toured the area as I still had classes and this is the last week before Chinese New year holiday.

I had not yet visited many of the museums here and only a few in Dongshankou. He did his research! It was nice to see areas of the city I had not explored and especially try new restaurants. Harlan is fluent in Mandarin and made it so much easier though I am happy that I am able to figure out some of what is being said with some of the vocabulary I already know.

The Martyrs Memorial Park commemorates the death of the Chinese communist party against the Kuomintang in the Guangzhou uprising.

Chinese and Korean people and Chinese and Soviet people blood Pagodas.

There was much singing in the park and I love when you can see the love people have for their country and their history.

After touring we realized we were close to Beijing Lu and I thought he would want to see the old temple, Jade Buddha, and eat at the restaurant in the temple. It was tough to only make a few choices to eat and not order too much food.

The Jade Buddha from the balcony in the temple.

Guangdong history museum was very enlightening as I had only a small knowledge of Chinese history. I now know a little more but will really have to start at the beginning to put it together as there is such a long and complicated history here.

Peasant Movement Institute was a school with a united front to assist peasant and worker movements. It brought together the nationalists and communists along with an alliance with Russia in the 1920’s. Many of the former students were killed in the 1927 failed uprising and are memorialized in Martyrs Park. Sun Yat Sen, Peng Pai, and Mao Zedong were key in this movement.

Sun Yat Sen Memorial Hall. This place was fabulous with an octagonal roof. There was history of Sun Yat Sen and his influence throughout the works when he worked with other revolutionaries and fled or asylum.

All the building specifications had to be exact to be able to achieve the roofline and make a sound building. In the center is a large theater. Sun Yat Sen was devoted to education and helping common people for their future. This is a lasting legacy to his work as the theater is used for that purpose.

Walking behind the memorial Hall are monuments. Lots of stairs to get to the top where the memorial monument to his life is found.

This memorial is a part of the Yuexiu park which is massive and the largest park here in Guangzhou. We only covered 1/3 of it but it is spectacular and a park I had yet to see. I will come back to look more closely.

The 5 rams sculpture is based on a legend of 5 immortals riding on rams into the then barren land of Guangzhou 2000 years ago carrying sheaves of rice. Once leaving the rice behind, Guangzhou became prosperous.

This is the old Guangzhou city wall which is an ancient relic here in the park. I love seeing how these trees will find ways to send roots into the ground. Nature is fantastic.

As it is now a couple weeks to chinese new year, the decorations are now going up. This year is the year of the rat. Displays are impressive everywhere you go.

In Huacheng Square, the pedestrian street I like to run is also creating displays.

The Canton Tower at dusk.

On the way back home we went through Taikoo Hui. It is a very upscale mall and of course we stopped for fabulous ice cream. In the valet area we saw this car. It must be expensive and rate a as everyone was taking pictures of it.

THE bookstore in Tianhe. 6 floors of books and other items and you can find people reading in the aisles…. You will not see this in America.

There is some odd looking good that taste fabulous. This is matcha, black rice, and blueberry cheese.

A Tom and Jerry exhibition in the One Link mall in Tianhe.

At school we had another lion dance celebration which is fabulous. This is long but showed the athleticism, culture, and acrobatics.

Of course he didn’t fall. It is part of the act.

More great acrobatics.

Happy Chinese New Year.

Athens, one last morning

After making sure I was recovered and packing for my trip back to China, I set out to explore near the Acropolis one last morning. What a difference two days make. It is warmer, calm wind, and sunny. I toured on one of the coldest days and glad I was able to make use of the beautiful morning.

I walked to the Acropolis and climbed up Mars Hill/Aeropagus which is where St. Paul once preached. What a great view! I noticed another Archaeological site and went to explore.

I did not enter the archaeological site as the pass was expensive considering I only had a few hours before leaving for the airport and included places I have already seen. This is the site of the Roman Agora and I walked around the perimeter.

A house within the confines of the site.

I’m glad to stretch my legs before the many hours flight back to China.

Greek island tour

Despite having intestinal issues overnight and lack of sleep, I believed I was getting better and decided to continue with my planned cruise. Once arrived I wasn’t feeling great and saw how packed the general compartments are. It is worth the money to pay double for the VIP lounge which I did.

Places to lay down, personal service including drinks.

I did try ouzo which tastes like licorice.

The island of Aegeana.

From the Apollon which is 5ooo BC older than the Parthenon.

Pistachio trees are the biggest produce from this island as well as olives. These are pistachio trees.

Peloppoinase mountains on Athens with snow.

Mother of aegenae statue.

Monastery on the island is just beautiful.

Zeus and Aegaena were in love but she needed to be hidden away. Their son is Ercos who became the first ruler. Zeus made inhabitants of the island out of ants as the legend goes. Hercules is the most famous Greek from this island.

We were to visit hydros which is a small beautiful island but tough ranges made docking impossible. At least it was calmer than the day before which caused the tour to be cancelled.

The island of Poros

The next island was a chance to walk around and visit shops. I bought a pair of silver post earrings in spirals which is good luck in Greece. Here are some views of walking around which I was able to do after drinking ginger ale unsuccessfully which gave me a little time before the next wave of sickness.

A rough day. I slept about 4 hours of the trip and made many trips to a bathroom but still glad I went as it was nice to walk in the sunshine in such a beautiful place! I will have to come back when it is warmer and hopefully not feeling poorly.

History tour of Athens

The gods visit us disguised as strangers.

Odysseus.

After purchasing a hop on hop off tour I decided to walk to the acropolis as it is close to my hotel and the first stop where your ticket must be activated. Along the way there are spectacular sights.

I arrived early and explored the hill of the muses that is near there.

Socrates prison. This is the alleged prison where he was believed to be housed.

Polipponas monument. Beautiful view of the acropolis here.

There are many places to visit on the hill but most pictures just look like any national park. This actually is an area where people bring their dogs in the morning for a walk. Beautiful trails and a lovely place to walk and enjoy nature.

The Acropolis

This ancient citadel dates back to the 5th century BC.

The Parthenon.

Ruins of the temple of Rome and Augustus.

National Archaeological museum

The museum is huge and has many antiquities.

From the paleolithic age and shows fascination with male anatomy.

Gold leaf death masks and body for children buried found in a Mycenaean site.

Aphrodite and Eros from the sanctuary at Delphi

Minoan culture from Crete is evident in pottery and metals. They were revered in Egypt and Greece.

The spring fresco wall painting is the only one still existing depicting the Theran landscape before the volcanic eruption.

Statue of a kouros. The statue is larger than life and enhances the musculature. A kouros is a statue of a standing male.

Funerary stele from after the Peloponnesisian war when there was unrest and poor prosperity leading to a plague. Many funeral stele were found from prominent families. Here two children have died.

Funerary stele. The person seated is the one that died, in this case a young mother.

The planospheric astrolab. This device talked astronomical movements and therefore also time. The gears were used to line to different constellations.

This sculpture shows incredible detail to the muscles and look on the child’s face. 5th century BC

A larger than life boxers arm showing bandages to protect the knuckles. 2nd century BC. The arm was cast separately from three rest of the statue of the boxer.

The Benaki museum

This museum is beautiful and houses cultural artifacts from Greece.

The inside of the museum is just gorgeous.

Wood carved distaffs for the spinning of wool from the early 1900’s.

Glass ampullae along the top made from molds. The grape ampullae is beautiful.

Poles extend on both sides through the stirrups to carry nobility through streets.

A reception room from 18th century Macedonia.

After the museum I wandered back to the acropolis to pick up a bus to the Riviera area.

The changing of the guard for the tomb of the unknown soldier.

Mosaic floor of the House of the Roman Mosaic from 200 AD.

In constructing the metro they came across this bath complex during the time of emperor Hadrian after the temple of Zeus was constructed.

Views from the bus tour along the Riviera beaches. I met a kind Egyptian man on the bus ride. He lives in Virgina and we talked about living in different places. If I would have known that where I was headed to eat would give me food poisoning I would have continued with the conversation with him on three next bus. But my hotel read close by…

First afternoon in Athens

Happy New Year! I flew from Cairo to Athens and not only received a complete meal (2 hour flight, why can’t the US do this) but they have away these 2020 wishes as I left the gate in Athens.

I arrived mid afternoon, checked into my hotel, and bought a couple of tours online. I had done some research but did not actually book tours before arriving. Since I have only two whole days here in Athens I chose to use the hop on hop off tour with entrance to attractions for one day. It is cheaper this time of year. I’ll have to start early.

I also bought a one day multi island boat tour. Usually they include a stop for swimming but it is winter now. There is a luncheon and dance show. You can also learn traditional Greek dance. Looking forward to this tour.

As a vegetarian usually there is a choice on airplane food or at least most of which I can eat. Not this flight. There was cheese but also a large amount of meat. One flight attendant found an extra vegetarian sandwich. Since I hate throwing away food, I first offered the meat to those around me, but then decided to wrap it up and bring it to the hotel when no one accepted.

My goal was to find a deserving kitty or dog to give the meat to. There are not as many cats visible here as there were in Egypt.

I started touring places that would not be included in the hop on hop off tour. I found a small church where buildings have been built around it.

Ekklisia Agia Dynami is a Greek orthodox church.

Next is Syntagma Square which is on front of the old palace (where parliament currently is). It is the central square in Athens.

From here I noticed the national garden. I love to walk in nature. I also noticed the first cemetery of Athens on the other side.

On the way to the garden. You can see the snow on the peaks in the distance.

One of the entrances to the national park.

I do like looking at old cemeteries and I’m sure I’ll find some cats there. I followed paths out one of the sides of the park to get to the cemetery. The word “oikos” means house which is used to announce the family name on the crypts.

And yes I found some deserving cats for the meat from lunch.

I love the narrow streets that I walked through.

Statues…

The stadium of the first modern Olympic games: Panathenaic stadium. This is a reconstruction from the 1800’s that recreates the ancient stadium that originated from AD 117.

Metropolitan church of Athens. This is an 1800’s cathedral church with Greco-roman styling and phenomenal architecture.

More exploring tomorrow!

Cairo museum

First, the building is just beautiful and huge. There are so many antiquities it is mind boggling.

The museum is not completely organized inside as many new artifacts have been discovered after current collections were already placed. The result is that you must have an organized way to go through the museum to not miss anything. Many important finds are wedged in hallways on the top floor which is nice as you will walk through them and not miss them.

There are so many sarcophagus that housed the mummies.

The mummy room was impressive with many so well preserved you can still see hair, nails, and connective tissue.

Canopic jars that hold the internal organs .

And of course there is King Tut’s treasures.

Canopic jars are housed in their own tomb

There is also a collection of Yuya who was King Tut’s great grandfather. What is notable is the excellent embalming methods that were used.

These jars have the mummified organs still in them.

The mask had incredible detail to features which is outlined in the book of the dead so the spirit will be able to find the correct body later to ensure resurrection.

There were so many artifacts it was overwhelming. I took pictures of things that caught my eye.

While I was waiting fur my driver I snapped some pictures outside.

They are building a new museum to be able to hold all the items as many have not been unpacked due to lack of space. As impressive and needed the new museum will be, it is sad to see this beautiful building not used as the museum.

Exploring Dahab

I spent the afternoon after I was ~~free~~ done from diving sitting at a restaurant eating Greek salad. Yes of course there was a cat on my lap!

The Red Sea along the corniche in Dahab.

Later in the afternoon, I took a quad tour into the desert. The hotel sheikh ali dahab resort set it up for me for 300 egyptian. It was pretty fun riding in the sand and seeing the water on one side and the desert and mountains on the other.

One of the Egyptians told me I looked like a badass. Funny! The scarf was needed to keep sand out of your face.

We had to ride on roads for part of the journey to get to the next access point in the desert between the mountains.

At the outpost they had Bedouin tea which was very sweet. We climbed rocks on a narrow trail to get to the to of a hill.

The path we climbed to get to the top. That was part of it as it curves around to the right at the bottom with some narrow passages between the rocks.

The view was very pretty and to get back to the other side and an easier way down you cross a suspension bridge.

We were told to go slow across the bridge. That was not as much fun so of course I didn’t listen and went quickly.

We relaxed at the outpost for awhile and I chatted with Egyptians I met. One wants to teach English in China and we talked about that, connected on we chat, and had dinner laughs.

On the way back it was very dark and there were no lights on the quads. But the one leading had a light so I could make out the quad just in front of me.

Afterwards I met Nicole and Mostafa at Yalla bar and had soup and Egyptian beer.

At the resort we have been eating traditional Egyptian breakfast which is eggs, foul (yummy fava bean dish), homemade cheese, cucumbers/pita bread, fruit…

The next day we booked a tour to the blue lagoon. It took a guy with a truck and a boat ride to get there. Cost was about 265 Egyptian plus $10 US to get through the checkpoint.

Not sure why there are two tickets and not just one. If it helps preserve the area, I have no problem with this.

We stopped at Blue Hole which is a diving spot. It has the best coral and fish. However. It goes from 10 metres to 30 meters as you step of the shelf and then if the current pushes you it will take you to the 50+ meter depth or what is known as the blue hole. It is a dangerous spot. Many drivers die here and there are memorials.

We stopped for a bit while we waited for the boat.

After getting off the boat we were at Ras Abu Galum.

The are little supermarkets like this one that had cashed goods and supplies. You can choose to camp in one of the little bungalows over night. It is cold there in the desert but they supply all the camel blankets you will need.

We walked quite a long way (about an hour) to get to the blue lagoon. You can be driven in a taxi instead: the back of a pick up truck!

At this point across the water is Saudi Arabia. That is how far we are up now in the Sinai peninsula.

At the blue lagoon the water is quite shallow a long way out. It was cold water but we braved it anyway. It would be much warmer in the summer but also more crowded. You can kite surf which requires lessons.

We relaxed in a tent, enjoyed tea, and enjoyed the day.

Cats are everywhere. I felt bag for this mom and family as there would not be much to catch to feed them here.

We decided to take the pickup truck taxi back.

At Ras Abu Galum we ate rice, vegetables, and chicken from one of the locals. I should have taken pictures. She told Mostafa that she would make a meal and he would never forget her! It was very tasty. I saved the chicken to give to cats when we arrived back in Dahab. I should have taken a picture of her as she was obviously the boss of the area!

On the way back I was trying to take a picture of the sunset. We slowed down at the checkpoint and I tried to grab a picture. You should not do this. Even if you are not pointing the camera at the officers, it is against the rules. They asked to see my camera and Mostafa explained I was taking pictures of the sunset (which I didn’t actually take when I realized my error). The good news is I did not have my phone taken away but I did not get the shot. After the checkpoint the driver slowed down so I could take a picture.

The next morning we are leaving from Dahab. Before breakfast I walked down to the corniche to see the sunrise. It was beautiful and peaceful.