2009 Adventures

This year's winter escape was 5 days in Grenada, "the spice island"....the world's second largest supplier of nutmeg but plenty of clove, turmeric and ginger too.  I explored the island constantly by rental car - have the left side of the road under control now!  One day, I hired Mr. Telfor Bedeau, the Indiana Jones of Grenada to show sights that I would not find on my own.  An interesting colinary experience was found at Patrick's, on the main road just outside St. George's.  Patrick serves many small dishes of local foods in his 6 table, purple colored, wood house.

From Grenada, I took a 40 minute flight to Port Of Spain, Trinidad...not your typical Caribbean island.  Spent one day driving down the west coast (a driver this time) to see the Pitch Lake.....most of the world's asphalt comes from here.  We carefully walked on the lake as people have been sucked in.  The highlight of the day was a boat ride down the Caroni River to see the scarlet ibis.....thousands fly in about 5:30 pm to settle on one mangrove island.

2008 Adventures

My typical beginning of the year (escape NJ winter) trip this year was Hawaii - visited Lanai (first time), Maui, Molokai (first time in 20 years), Kauai (getting way too developed) and Oahu. 

May found me in Italy again.  This time I began in Bologna (to meet with Angelo Recchi, Le Marche tour guide) and then off to Florence, Pisa, Cinque Terre (stayed in Vernazza), Bergamo, Lake Garda, Bolzano, the Dolomite Mountains (more exciting driving), Cortina, Verona and Venice.

The travel schedule got crazy in the fall as I headed to South Africa (including Swaziland & Mozambique) for nearly 3 weeks, followed by Thanksgiving in New Orleans. NOLA has become a yearly ritual with a little improvement each trip in the more devasted Katrina areas.  

I received a lovely invitation to stay with friends in their 8 bedroom villa rental (fully staffed!) in Barbados in early December.  Then off to Turkey for Christmas & New Year's...cold, rainy and snowy but funny how we don't mind when we're not home!  A highlight was a hot air balloon over Cappadoccia at sunrise (with frozen toes!).

2007 Adventures

Besides Phoenix, Gettysburg, Boston, New York City, a 4 night  Carnival Cruise to New Brunswick, Canada, the Berkshires, Toronto, and Dallas, the highlights included:

Started the year in Belize - mountains, Mayans and lots of adventure - the worst roads I have ever driven - felt like I was on the cover of "4 Wheel Drive Magazine"

Spent 3 weeks in Greece in May - Athens, the Peloponnese (before the fires!!), Mykonos, Santorini and Crete.....driving there was quite crazy!

Toured Australia in August and visited old friends from boarding school....Sydney (they had more rain there when we were there than they had in the last 20 years!), Ayers Rock (the politically correct name is Uluru), Cairns and Melbourne including the Great Ocean Road and Lorne, a lovely beach town, not far from Bells Beach, one of the best surfing beaches in the world.

Enjoyed a long weekend in New Orleans in October - the tourist area is totally back to normal - always fun, great food and music.  They need our support so plan a visit!

Visited Italy in November - Rome, Florence and Le Marche (first time here) on the Adriatic to meet with Angelo Recchi, THE tour guide in this region.  A highlight was a delicious fish dinner, caught by Angelo's father and cooked by his mother.  You too can experience this by touring with Angelo.....see www.angelorecchi.com.

2006 Adventures

Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Peru, an Alaskan cruise, S. Dakota, Las Vegas. Morocco, Prague, Dresden, Berlin, Amsterdam, Chicago, Bryce National Park, London and New Orleans.

As you can see, I have lots of first hand experience!!