Tag: adventure

Exploring Singapore Before Your Flight

Disembarking our ship in Singapore, I was facing a full day before my late evening flight. My friend Judy and I decided to do what I’ve done many times in the past: take an excursion that would end up dropping us at the airport in the afternoon. When I booked the excursion, however, I hadn’t counted on the heat and humidity. We did have a nice tour, although it was again a day of ending up with clothing wet from perspiration. Not the most comfortable way to begin a 22 hour trip; I’m heading to Malta from here. If you’re anywhere near as old as I am, you probably remember the TV program “Sweating to the Oldies” with Richard Simmons. Well, this was sweating WITH the oldies (fellow passengers) from my cruise.

Let me advise you from the start: the Singapore airport is a destination in itself. Had I realized this before (I arrived in Singapore at midnight and didn’t take much time to look around) I would have just gone straight to the airport. More about that later.

Our first stop was the National Orchid Garden, which, of course, was nearly all outside in the heat. The garden is big, with many winding paths. Since it is an easy place to get lost and we had limited time, our guide offered to take us through if we wished. I’m glad we stayed with him, since his knowledge of the various orchids made it more interesting. There was one place in the garden that was my favorite: the cool room. Have I mentioned that it’s hot in Singapore?

These orchids made me smile: don’t they look like they are smiling back?

Our next stop took us to Chinatown, which was great since we missed it when we were there before the cruise. We were given time to have lunch in the hawker mall, which was a maze of dozens of food vendors, all delicious. With the Chinese New Year approaching, the area was awash in red decorations and people making purchases for the coming holiday. After our lunch I went to explore the temple nearby.

We then headed to the Bay for a river cruise. We made a stop at Raffles, which was essentially an opportunity to peruse their (very expensive) gift shop. Then down to the river. It was a different perspective on the area we have visited before, with another look at the Merlion from the water. What I found the most interesting were the historic former warehouses along the waterfront. Built mostly by Chinese merchants, they were situated on the river before it was made into a bay.We were told the size of the building reflected the wealth of that particular merchant. Today they are restored buildings with shops and restaurants.

The contrast between the former warehouses and the skyscrapers show the history of Singapore’s growth.

We were finally off to the airport, and relieved that we would be in air conditioning again. When I had a long wait in the Buenos Aires airport, I got into a conversation with a fellow traveler who told me about the Singapore airport. He encouraged me to set aside some time to explore when I flew there. I’m so glad he did.

When we arrived a the airport I learned that the airline I was flying, Emirates, would allow me to check my bags up to 24 hours ahead of time. Not all airlines do this, but it’s a nice perk. If that isn’t possible, there’s a luggage storage desk right next to the early luggage drop. I checked my bags and friend Judy went to check in to her hotel room, which was also in the airport. Then we enjoyed a refreshment break at one of the many little cafes, and wandered through the gigantic shopping mall attached to the airport. And there in the middle of the mall is a lovely green space with a waterfall.

And there’s even a Disney-style ride!

All in all, this trip to Singapore and the cruise has been a great adventure. Next I’m off to Malta to hang out by the Mediterranean for a month.

Exploring Ayutthaya: A Day in Thailand’s Ancient Capital

The final port of call on our cruise was Leam Chabang, near Bangkok. We opted to take an excursion to the ancient city of Ayutthaya, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. While today it is a modern city, the entire area is dotted with ancient temples.

First, though, we made a stop at the Bang Pa-In Summer Palace. On the long drive north, our guide schooled us in the history of the Rama line of Thai kings…and made it interesting!

The palace grounds are quite large, with man-made lakes, monuments, elephant topiary, and various buildings used for the King’s palace, visiting dignitaries, ceremonies, and one small gingerbread house that was used by the king to get away from everyone. Our guide told us that when the king went to that little house, no one was allowed in: no servants, no family, no officials. This was his place for “me time.”

After a stop for another delicious Thai luncheon at Kantary Ayutthaya, we were off to visit the temples. A note about the meals we had in Thailand: I love Thai food. Interestingly enough, my favorite Thai restaurants are in Alaska-go figure. There’s a Thai food truck that operates in the summer near a hotel just South of the entrance to Denali National Park, and I always make it a point to visit whenever I’m in the area as I lead tours. But I always wondered just how authentic the food really was. Two years ago I had a Thai couple who told me they approved of the food from the truck, which I took as a good sign. I now know that the Thai food in Alaska is absolutely authentic. And yummy!

I couldn’t resist a photo of another unique vehicle for tourists. There are benches in the back and you just hang on for the drive!

Next we were off to visit the whole reason we took this tour: the ancient temples. The first stop was at Wat Yai Chaya Mongkoi (Wat meaning temple.) As soon as we neared the temple grounds, my friend and I said at the same time, “THIS is what we came to Thailand for.” Well, that and the food.

There was again the opportunity to climb up to view the complex from the main temple, and I again decided to be smart and not go there. I did climb a few steps, but with uneven and ancient bricks, no handrails, and soaring temperatures, we both decided a few steps was plenty. Oh, to be twenty again and able to scramble up to the top! The entire area was amazing, however, and there is a feeling of serenity about it, even with the many visitors.

Our next stop was Wat Maha That. This temple complex was even older than the first, and our guide explained how to tell the difference based on how the towers were constructed. The older ones look like corncobs! By this time the heat was getting brutal, and the park provided umbrellas to help keep the sun from beating on our heads.

The Buddha above is the only one in the complex that is complete. When the area was invaded by the Burmese they destroyed the many images of the Buddha, and when the Thai people tried to restore their temple the found most of the Buddhas had been destroyed and the heads smashed. The Buddha above was reassembled from the pieces.

The only other Buddha head that survived has become a symbol of the temple: it became encased in the roots of the tree above.

The final stop on our tour was at Wat Phra Is Sanpet, the oldest of the three sites we visited, and there are no photos to show you. It was truly so hot that several of us on the tour were becoming the worse for wear. After climbing around and up and down ancient steps and being literally drenched in perspiration, I was beginning to feel faint. Several of us on the tour opted to stay on the bus and look from afar. Hailing from Montana and Alaska, I just don’t have the ability to function in the heat and humidity. My usual coping mechanism of taking it slow and not going out in the hottest part of the day just doesn’t work on a sightseeing excursion!

Exploring Koh Samui: Temples, Food, and Culture

Another island, another port, another excursion. After two sea days, which we were grateful to have so we could relax a little and stay cool, we headed out to explore the island. Our route took us completely around the island and gave us a sampling of the temples and shrines that dot the island.

Our guide was funny and irreverent, and explained the variety of cultures that live together on the island. There is a mixture of Thai, Japanese, Chinese, Malay, and Indian cultures that create a rich mixture of food, language, and customs. He explained that in his language the same word is used for “happy” (if it’s a verb) and “toilet” (if it’s a noun). His name means “Happy,” but he claims his mother named him that because she has a great sense of humor! At each stop he would point out the “happy place” so we would know where the toilets were.

Our first stop was at Plai Laem Temple. This stop actually had several religious sites at the same place. Our guide explained the significance of each area, and then allowed us time to explore on our own.

Right next to the temple above sits a statue dedicated to the Goddess of Mercy.

The area was a feast of sights and colors, and I couldn’t resist capturing all the details in my photos.

Next we were off to see The Big Buddha, a huge gold-plated statue that sits atop a high platform with steps leading up to it. What is the penchant for making everyone climb steps? I decided to view the Big Buddha from the bottom, given the heat and humidity. Have I mentioned that it’s very hot in Thailand?

Our next stop was the restaurant in a beautiful resort hotel on the coast: Nora Buri. Actually, on Koh Samui pretty much everything is on the coast! We had a buffet lunch that Polly approved of, and then took time to enjoy the view. Polly was more interested in the food.

One more stop before heading back to the ship. This was a memorial to Guan Yu, a general from nearly 2000 years ago who is revered as a God of War. He is respected for his integrity and loyalty, and apparently is known around the world in the Chinese community.

Along the way around the island our guide pointed out the Four Seasons Hotel where the third season of the “White Lotus” was filmed. He told us to look carefully through the trees and we could see the hotel…then he laughed as he said “Sorry, you can’t see it from the road!” He said they closed the hotel for several weeks during filming, and they laughed all the way to the bank.

When I grow up I think I want to be a scout for filming sites. Oh, wait, I’m already grown up…and retired. OK, so I want to do that in my next life. My luck I’ll come back as a frog. Or they would send me to scout a site for a remake of “The Thing” or “Mosquito Coast.”

I do have to share one more photo of the day. In keeping with the sense of humor of our guide, I want to share the decor in our bus. Equipped with huge speakers and decked out in red, it brought to mind a courtesy shuttle for a brothel. Maybe it would make a great filming site for my first effort.

Our final stop was at Chaweng Beach, where we were given time to walk along the beach or browse the many shops in the area. There was also a mall. By this point my friend Judy and I were shopped out and feeling the heat. We discovered a Starbucks, and while I prefer to sample local cuisines while traveling, an iced tea in an air conditioned store won us over.

Antarctica!

Cruising the Antarctic Peninsula offers an unparalleled adventure filled with awe-inspiring vistas and diverse wildlife. Witness penguins ‘porpoising’ and marvel at glaciers and icebergs that leave you in awe.

How to describe a place that is beyond description?

We spent four days cruising around the Antarctic Peninsula, and every day held experiences that made me say “oh, my.” I took over 6000 photos, and there is so much variety I can’t narrow it down to two or three. I’ll add several as a gallery at the end of this post for your viewing pleasure.

The first sighting of the White Continent brought tears to my eyes. I’ve wanted to go there for so long (including applying to work at McMurdo Base six years in a row and never getting chosen) that it seemed too wonderful to actually BE there. It was all I expected and more. There were more mountains, more glaciers, more wildlife than I hoped for.

There were whales, birds, elephant seals, and an incredible population of penguins. We would see the penguins “porpoising” near the ship-swimming along and jumping as they went. There were penguins on icebergs. There were penguins on the rocks. At first I was looking at a rocky hillside that actually had some rare plant life growing. But when I looked through my binoculars I realized those weren’t rocks among the plants. It was penguins! Thousands of them. That view happened again and again throughout the four days.

So, the details for those of you who are thinking of traveling there. What was the day to day experience?

First we had to cross the Drake Passage, renowned for being one of the most difficult ocean passages in the world. Having tried to go around Cape Horn on a previous voyage, I was ready for anything. That trip ended in our turning around due to high seas and 90 knot winds. The ship was literally leaning several degrees. This time, however, the trip was comparatively smooth and I breathed a sigh of relief. The passage took an entire night and day, arriving at Paradise Harbour on the Antarctic Peninsula in the afternoon. That afternoon was mostly icebergs and mountains and I thought they were spectacular. It was only a pale hint of what was to come. I admit I was out on desk a short time, because we had 30 knot winds and the wind chill was in the minus numbers. We were constantly reminded to take care to keep everything under control, because Antarctica is a protected environment that doesn’t need random scarves and cell phones flying off the ship.

On the second day we sailed the Neumayer Channel to Port Lockroy, where the staff of the UK Port Lockroy station came aboard. The station is a UK Heritage site, and is manned only during the Antarctic summer. They spoke of life at the station, the history of the UK presence in Antarctica, and sold us post cards and stamps so we could send mail home from Antarctica. I was tickled to hear that they loved it when cruise ships invited them aboard, because it meant they could wash clothes and take hot showers!

The third day started at Deception Island, which is a collapsed caldera. It was snowing and quite cold, but still we went out on deck to take in the view and take pictures. I admit I was out a fairly short time, because we had 30 knot winds and the wind chill was in the minus numbers.

That afternoon we went on to Admiralty Bay, where we viewed several more research stations and thousands of penguins, both on land and in the water. The weather there was much nicer, with the water being calm and reflective.

On the fourth day we sailed completely around Elephant Island and spent some time at Point Wild in the bay where the Shackleton Expedition sought refuge after their ship, The Endurance, was crushed by the ice in 1915. The story is an amazing one and I want to do more research on it. There is a monument on the spot where the stranded crew lived through the winter, featuring a bust of Captain Pardo, who rescued the crew.

As we left the island, we headed back across the Drake Passage and brought to an end our Antarctic adventure. It was four days I’ll always remember in awe.

Penguins!

New Zealand-Finally!

Polly checking out the Auckland harbor.
Onetangi Beach
Polly assisting with gin tasting.
Waiheke Island Vineyards

Next on the agenda for this year of travel: a return to New Zealand. I visited two years ago and fell in love, vowing to return. I had done a day tour to Waiheke Island, known for its wines, and knew I wanted to spend more time there. So for the first few days “down under” I headed to an AirBnB on Onetangi Beach. It was ideally situated with three amazing restaurants down the street and a gorgeous beach right across the road.

A hop-on hop-off bus tour to the Eastern part of the island allowed me to see a part of the island I didn’t see the first time, and introduced a less populated area. I stopped at the Waiheke Distillery for lunch and a gin tasting, and the bonus was sitting out on the patio with an ocean view that would take your breath away. The lunch was great, and I tried a new kind of pizza: they fry the dough first and then put the toppings on-no oven. I can’t wait to try this when I finally have a kitchen again.

For those wanting practical information on this part of the trip, here you go! I flew into Auckland, and knowing I’d be jet lagged after flying from Fort Lauderdale to Atlanta to Los Angeles, and then 13 hours to New Zealand, I opted to book a SuperShuttle transfer and a hotel in Auckland right by the ferry dock. The M Social is literally across the street from the dock, and a great place to stay. Every room has a view of the harbor, and the staff was very kind in getting me into a room even though I arrived well before check-in time.

The next morning I took the ferry to Waiheke. There was plenty of room for my luggage, and the ferry runs hourly. I hired a taxi to take me to the Airbnb (expensive, but I didn’t know where I was going).

I booked the Eastern Waiheke hop-on hop-off bus online and was able to pick it up just a couple of blocks from my lodging. Besides the stop at the distillery, it gave me a good look at the island. When it was time to return to Auckland, I was able to grab the local bus just down the street and head right to the ferry terminal. The best part of that? When the bus picked me up the driver insisted on picking up my luggage and loading it for me, and then did the same at the ferry terminal. Wow, you have to love these wonderful Kiwis!

My Year of Living…Unfettered?

I spent way too much time choosing the final word for this post. Do you have ANY idea how many synonyms there are for “unfettered?” I want a word that describes my coming year. Liberated? Enfranchised? Fancy-free? Yeah. All of those. By the way, one of the words is “footloose,” which I really like. But to me it brings up memories of the movie, and I assure you, I NEVER looked like the stars in that movie. And I was never as hot a Kevin Bacon. Even now that we’ve both aged.

Anyway, a few incidents came together about the time I celebrated my 79th birthday, and together they cascaded into a waterfall that is taking me to distant locales. (I love waterfalls, by the way. I have hundreds of minutes of waterfall videos that I plan to stitch together into a movie I can watch when I’m in the nursing home. But I digress.)

I sold my home. The sale closed the day after my birthday. I listened to the experts who said not to make big life decisions in the first year after the death of a spouse-I waited over two years before taking this big step. But I realized my condo was creating work and worry outweighing the comfort of owning my home. I mean, how many times do I have to descend into the spidery crawl space to turn off the water and gas when I go traveling for months at a time? Ick! And then to have to do the same thing when I get home so I can take a shower? I’d rather have an apartment where I can just walk out the door and lock it up, and call maintenance when something breaks.

On my birthday my favorite cousin reminded me that I was embarking on my eightieth  trip around the sun. We talked about how amazing it is that I’m in good health and relatively fit, and how I should be sure to take advantage of that fact while I’m able. When I was a small child I went to a birthday party for a friend who was turning eighty, and I asked her what it felt like to be eighty. Her reply was: “Honey, I still feel like I’m eighteen until I try to get out of this chair.” I think that’s me today. Yes, I’m a bit slower and heavier and achier, but in my mind I’m still ready to go. I do occasionally have to remind myself that sitting on the floor isn’t a good idea these days. At some point you have to get up.

The day my home sale closed I packed the last few items from my condo into my car and started the long drive over the Alaska Highway to my summer job. I’m a tour director, which entails sharing an apartment with a bunch of other tour directors, most of whom I will see only occasionally as we all lead tours throughout the state. You might think I’m a little old to still be working, but I find the work interesting and fun. I finally understand why my grandmother kept tending bar occasionally even into her 80s. Because she liked it.

Then I got tired of reading the Facebook posts of women who talk about their fear of traveling, and asking questions like: how do I find someone to travel with if I’m alone? Is it safe? How can I find my way? Maybe I’m a tad dismissive; maybe my years of travel for work made me insensitive to people who are afraid to walk into a restaurant alone. But holy moly, ladies, suck it up! You don’t need someone standing next to you to tell you the view of the ocean is spectacular! OK, I’ll admit it’s fun to travel with someone you care about, but trust me, it’s miserable to travel with someone who isn’t a good fit. My husband was always fun to travel with, and when I’m feeling alone I still talk to him. And I can still hear him telling me how graceful I looked when I tripped over my own feet.

With most of my worldly possessions tucked safely into a storage unit, a little money in the bank, and no mortgage or rent to pay other than my share of the Alaska apartment, I found myself with the freedom to look at life from a different angle. The idea started slow and then became that waterfall that keeps gaining momentum as it flows. I decided to make my eightieth year one to remember. Along the way, I hope I can show some of those ladies who are afraid to step out into the world alone that it can be done.

I had already booked a cruise to Antarctica over Christmas. I knew I didn’t want to spend Christmas at home again. I love my family and friends, but Christmas is still hard-I lost my Richard just a few days before Christmas and the memories of that are inevitable. Besides, I want to see Antarctica. I tried for several years to get on seasonal staff there, but it never happened. So I decided to make it happen. 

Then I found a month-long cruise I wanted to take right after my Alaska season is done. The next thing I knew I had booked four cruises, a pet-sitting gig in Arizona, and a couple of land-based trips. My goal is to keep traveling until near the end of my eightieth year, finally settling down in late Spring of 2026. I want to be able to add a couple of continents and several countries to my life list, while remembering to “be in the moment” as I collect memories for that time when I won’t be able to travel so easily.

And I want to share this with you, dear reader. I hope I can inspire other women to pack a bag, take a drive, get on a flight, and maybe go somewhere they’ve never been. Even if it’s just a town on the other side of their own state. Along the way I’ll share my journey with you. Join me.

By the way, a truly disciplined  writer would have started this series on day one, posting tidbits along the way and being sure to add a post every day or two. Discipline? We don’t need no stinking discipline! I’m already two months into my year and playing catch-up. So my posts are a bit out of date. So sue me.