Pretend tropical vacation

It’s vacation time in a post COVID world. Stephanie and I were planning a summer vacation in winter so Port Douglas was the chosen spot as it usually has temps over 25 in July. Unfortunately with the post COVID closed borders and no international travel m6 passport received a slight shock and was taken for a walk around the house before being put back in its folder.
Vacation planning had our flights to Aussie cancelled but not my flight to Auckland so I chose to visit and we have had a three day vacay; Cambridge one night, the Rotorua two nights. A visit to a friend Leah in Cambridge was lovely and onto Hobbiton the next morning. Arriving in Rotorua we checked in to our not adult only hotel, found our way downtown and booked tickets for the redwood tree walk. We wandered through the government gardens and drove out to the redwood forest as dusk came upon us,  it was a magical experience with the lights and bridges and mystical felling being high in the trees.  Dinner that evening was at an Indian restaurant in Eat Street.

Hobbiton: being hobbit sized we fit nicely

Amongst the redwood trees. 

The government buildings.

Tuesday 7 July: day three of the vacay had us sleeping in and breakfasting leisurely at the hotel. Shopping was the agenda item for the day so we visited the Central Mall and picked up the various items that we had on a list from Stephanie’s Mum.  A drive down to the lake front and a very short walk along the board walk we found ourselves by the Lakeland Queen paddle steamer. A chance discovery found that the cruise was going for an hours tour so we booked ourselves on it and filled in the next hour by driving past the government building to Sulfer Point lookout, a walk and photo op at the buildings then back to the cruise.  Thanks Ewan for lunch. Once back we decided to do the day walk through the trees but it was raining so carried onto the Blue Lake and lookout point to see the Green Lake. Back down to Rotorua the rain was heavier so picking up swimsuits we took ourselves to the Polynesian Spa for our Swim. A luxurious hour or more passed in the different pools as we felt ourselves relax.  Back to the hotel for a short rest, vacationing is Very tiring we braved Eat Street once again to try El Mexicano Zapata, which was delightful. Rather larger portion sizes than we expected we left by waddling out the door and home to rest and have a reasonable early night.

Selfie time at the Green Lake. 

Onto Lisbon and Portugal

11 January last day in Lisbon so both up early and after breakfast went for a walk around to check out last minute shopping. Nothing open so missed the opportunity. 

10 January. Decided on later start and breakfast was depleted. Caught the 28 tram to the end of the line then wandered around finding the walls and castle of San Jorge. Finally made our way to the entrance and decided would not go in but went up the church tower to see amazing views. More wandering past castle walls and we eventually were back at the hotel. After a cuppa we set off for the museum of contemporary art. Well we were amazed but the Sarah Affroso exhibition was interesting. More following our noses and we found amorino for an ice cream stop. Onto the queue for the Santa Justa Elevador and an hour later we were up the top. Spectacular views and we could just see the moon rising. We raced down to the waterfront and took photos of the sunset and rising moon. Back to the hotel and a decision to go back to the same restaurant for dinner. We tried the goat cheese, honey and walnuts, then the asparagus risotto for main. Delicisio. More taking in the sights and a stop in Ale-Hop (chain store). Back to the hotel and packing commenced. We had not bought as much as expected. A late night as both reading.

All in all our Lisbon passes were worth it but so many museums and very specific in lots of ways. 

9 January. An early start and a walk to Rossi station to catch the train to Sintra. We were earlier than expected. Started our Lisboa card at 9.00. An interesting train trip thru the burbs to Sintra and accosted at station by all the tour guides. Found the bus ticket and hoped on the bus to Pena Palace. Inspiring colours and tiny rooms this was restored by a former king. The outside is almost as colourful as the inside. Fog ruined the views. Onto the bus again to Sintra village was next stop. We went through the national palace and it was a very well organised space but funny with every room a different floor level and ceiling height. Next tourist stop was the Sintra myths and legends which was an automatic GPS activated story through five levels of the building. Interesting also. A lunch stop of baguette, milk tarts and coffee. Bus back to station then train to town. On our way back we stopped at dama e vagabond (lady & the tramp) for dinner. An early night was called for. 

8 January: today was our booked trip so a walk to the Hard Rock Cafe was the start. 

Batalha is a church site. Built for the memory of the war against Spain over 200 years ago. Very plain church, a unesco site but unfinished towers on part of the building. 

Nazere was lunch stop. Famous for giant waves, fusing in the past and an old legend linking to Virgin Mary. 

Next stop was obidos a walled city and UNESCO city of literature. It was also to try ginja the national liquor. An amazing walk around more cobbled streets and tiny shops and houses. The fog hit as we left so the pleasant views were misted out. 

Once back in Lisbon we went to have gelato and coffee in the plaza Comércio. A good dinner. 

Fatima shrine

13 May 1917 to three shepherds saw Virgin Mary. 

Tour with Miguel. Have a great history of Portugal and Fatima shrine. Was an expansive place but felt very divorced from the miracle of the vision. Found cheap coffee and nice coffee cloth to buy. 

7 January first day Lisbon card. We got started with riding the tram the wrong way but that was okay and eventually got to Belém where we wandered past the modern art gallery and along the foreshore you Belém tower. We went in as it was free with our pass. A stunning place it must have been. Along the foreshore and we found the monastery of Jerome was our next free stop. Well organised tour. Along to the archeology museum as part of our ticket. Lunch was pastries and cod cakes at the pastries de Belém. Pilar 7 was the next stop about building the suspension bridge and a great view from the top of the elevator. Back to town, did the Lisbon story and dinner of kebabs. A good day and great use of our time. 

7 January: a hard nights sleep as the bed is not that comfy for me. A nice breakfast in the hotel and then off to the comercio plaza to catch the tram to Belem but unfortunately we went the wrong way first. Still a good use for our Lisboa ticket. Got to be

Me and walked around the contemporary art museum to the tower of Belem where we went in for free. 

6 January: breakfast at the Gatwick hotel then over to catch our flight which was delayed about an hour. Arrived Lisbon, collected bags and got a Uber to our hotel. Settled in and then walked up through the old town to find the info centre to get our Lisbon tickets. Back to the plaza  Comércio for dinner. 

View towards castle St Jorge

Last nights sunset

Christmas and London

Trying a couple more days of posting. 

27 January: an early start but we should have been earlier. Could not find the petrol station and a wrong turn later we were rushing to check in and get to the gate. Boarded the flight easily but discovered when we got to London no luggage. Took an Uber to the hotel and our driver was most informative. Went past areas that when I lived in London you would not have wanted to be near. Met Stephanie and Virginia as we were checking in. 

Decided as it was a good day the we would walk across the London bridge and along waterfront to the shard. I wanted to take Erin up there. It was really good views so pleased we did that. Met the girls at the bottom and tried pastries from the bakery. Very yummy. A tube ride to bond street and oxford street was at our feet. Visited selfridges, M&S as well as a few other shops. Along regent street to the end and piccadilly was next stop. The obligatory photos and onto Leicester square. By this time hunger was starting and we found Garfunkel’s where we all chose fish and chips for Friday night tea. A bus then walk back to the hotel. No luggage yet. 

26 January: Black Forest trifle for dinner today then all into the car for a drive past the farm and Abbey St Bathans. Saw Joy Dobie at the carol service and her children are lovely. Our drive ended up in Eyemouth for a walk but no ice cream. Not as cold as the time came with Stephanie. The sea was very calm and there seemed to be a few people around for holiday time. Upstairs after tea to pack and make arrangements for the morning. 

Christmas Day: had a stocking from Santa outside our doors this morning. Breakfast was porridge again which I didn’t have any sugar on. Erin and I opened our stockings after breakfast. I have a lovely apron made from thistle fabric. We smartened up and got dinner preparations on the way including googling a recipe for chestnuts and Brussel sprouts. That was my department and it was very tasty if I say so myself. Gillian and George arrived about midday with lots of exciting items as they wandered past the window. Lunch was pork roast with accompanying veges and served in the dining room again. After pudding we retired to the lounge for a second lot of parcels. Watt received a set of golf clubs for him to use in his retirement. Visitors left about five and we had a quick tea and tried to convince watt to watch the news. Another family Christmas.

Shopping at last

Saturday 27 Dec, MJ, mum and I drove over the bay to go to the fourth street shopping area in Berkeley. Had a little drive around some of the university first but it is mostly pedestrian walkways so did not see much.

The Fourth Street area was full of fun boutiques and speciality shops so that was s nice change from the mall type of shops. I took a couple of photos of the lights in the trees and as the day got later the lights were really lovely. We had lunch (pizza and salad, with beignets to follow) at a place called Zuts. It was nice. I got a couple of presents so was pleased and also a great stamping, paper making cutter from a shop called stamping territory. Biggest scrapbook shop I have ever seen.

The lights on fourth street

 The view coming home of the sunset over the city. 

Dinner last night at the devil's Slide taproom. Nice food and good beer according to Ewan, Tony and Alex. 

more family fun

Things have been happening since Saturday. Sunday we hired cars and had a great day driving around the island and although the kids were not allowed to go surfing they did get onto a beach. Tried out the local supermarket for lunch and they had an awesome selection of food items. We drove around some of the neighborhoods looking at the houses and found a holiday home idea for our family. A floor for every family, built down the hillside. Mj and mum thought that was a great idea.

Monday we went over to the Hanauma Bay so the kids could go snorkeling and swimming. It was cloudy when we got there but the sun came out and the clouds kept washing away.Cathy and I walked along to the end of the beach and while walking along could see the fish in the shallows. It was amazing and lots of different ones. Some were quite big. Walked back and got the rest of the adults to come and have a look as well.

When we got back to the hotel Marilyn, Cathy and most of the kids went off to the Ala Moana shopping Centre and did their thing. We met up with Ewan and Mj at the pool bar and the boys (Ewan, dad and Alex) went to the airport to get terry who was flying in from the Augusta Masters tournament.

Mum, MJ and I went off to a little restaurant for dinner and had a great night. The wine was almost dearer than the food but it was fun and we stayed until they just about bought out the vacuum cleaners.

Tuesday was the big exciting day. Marilyn and all the kids were off at 5am to go to the Big Island to see the lava park and volcanoes. It was a wet day for them but they evidently enjoyed it.

The remainder had a leisurely breakfast at the Peets coffee, Ewan and Terry organized a car, dad and I went to the post office to post all the cards and then the shopping began. Ewan drove mum and I to the needlepoint, etc shop which was really nice. We then got a taxi to the Ala Moana Centre and did the shopping thing. Found a few things to try on but nothing really grabbed me. Mum got a nice black silk/wool top for winter and I got a spatula. Caught the bus back to the hotel where we met up with the family. Cathy and I went to the gym for an hour – go me. Back up and to the pool bar after a refreshing shower. Dinner at IL Lupino just across from the Sheraton. I had the lobster risotto which was nice. Another expensive dinner but not my turn.

Everyone still asleep this morning, just seen Mj who has lost Ewan but did buy me a coffee so that was okay.

Holiday was wicked

Today was our last day so we decided to visit a section of the city called Canal Street as we had to find the Bose shop for friends of stephanie's. Purl Soho was also down this area, so we managed to call in there also. Got two skeins of wool for her. Had a real Italian lunch which was a delight. Bought a pile of presents today, shopping with a vengance today. Bused uptown to Macy's for shopping and bought a Macy's lunch bag, very cute. Onto NHL shop via HBO and more last minute gifts. Back to dead sea scrolls exhibition, which was a nice reflective end to our holiday.
Back to the hotel and commencement of the packing saga. Mostly done and downstairs to happy hour where we spent time talking to a couple from Pennsylvania. Out at 7pm to go to the Gershwin Theatre to see "Wicked". It was fabulous and a fitting end to our holiday. Back to Times Square, visit to Walgrens to get last minute chocolates and pack the bags. Last night sleep and up in the morning to have the last breakfast and airport transfer in the morning.
Thanks Stephanie for a great holiday.
Diane