Happy New Year...what shall you bring to us. I haven't any idea but I know what you have done for me to date.
I made it through the year with my health, my family (intact and growing), my job, and new and old friends. I was blessed with three trips, a new family for Scott, health and happiness for Amanda and Rick and their families. Kenneth and Glenda, Ken and Jodi, Clay and Lori all doing well. My mommy isn't doing well and I fear we will lose her this year, but my sisters and their families are well. I am truly blessed!
It will be 7 years in April that George died and my life turned upside down. I lost not only my husband but a family as well. I try hard to stay in contact with that side but life happens and it isn't always easy. I am happy to say that contact with Corey and Brandon is in the makings.
I got really sad, on my last trip, that I am alone and don't have anyone special to share with. I sent a prayer to My God and the universe asking for someone to share with. I have a code that a man must meet and things that will not fly unless he does.
Thanksgiving week God may have answered that prayer....a man that I have worked with for 9 years, and that I thought was married, shocked the hell out of me by asking me to dinner. After closing my mouth I accepted and we have been hanging out ever since. When he told me what he wanted out of a relationship I could have wept. It was almost word for word what I had sent into my request. I don't know what may come from this but I like him and have no expectations except to enjoy his company. Thank you Lord
New Years Eve: Bonnie and Bob Brooks, Paul and I went to Bogus and did the sleigh ride and dinner. It was the first time since GB died that I have seen the new year in and I enjoyed every moment of it. Paul took me home and gave me my first very sweet new years kiss and then he went home. I think we are both a bit frightened ( I know I am) but I am excited to watch as our friendship expands. I am looking forward to traveling with him and to a spring trip to Alaska to check out the birds as they get ready to migrate. And yes Rose Mary will be going as well (she is my birding partner.)
New Years Eve also so me buying a car on MY credit. I hate having a bill but I needed to do this. My car was having issues and I am working hard to rebuild my credit so this can only help. I got a 2009 Pontiac Grand Prie, 4 door, white, low mileage. No more eating out for me.
Yes I am truly blessed.. Until later
Saturday, January 1, 2011
our last days before heading home
Gosh it is Thursday and we leave on the morrow, I could stay right here. Today is a free day so we take out time getting around and then we rent bikes for a ride. The bikes are older and kinda difficult but we are able to do this. Off we go taking our time and of course my camera. We travel for a bit and stop often to just look at the sea and to check the beaches for shells and of course birds. We travel down to where the road starts to climb and there is a beautiful Catholic Church. We stop and check it out and then decide to start back as we have been gone for awhile. Visualize this...the roads are barely wide enough for two cars, yet they give to the bicycle. It was a bit frightening to start with.
On the way back we have stopped to check out the area again and as we start to take off I walk out into the road and as I lift my foot the Velcro strap on my sandal wraps around the chain and throws me to the ground...BAM I am on the pavement..damn did it ever hurt! Up I jump, onto the bike and off I go. It is the same arm I broke and I fear it is broken yet again. All I can think about is getting to the hotel and into my room. Once there I check the arm and determine nothing broken and go to the pool where I work it.
Next morning and my arm hurts like bloody hell. After a dip in the pool we go to get a massage and that was most interesting. My massage person is a young man, about 30, who is in a sarong. He has great hands and does a very good job,however he had started me on my back and when I get my massages I go buff. When he has finished and is ready for me to turn over he just flips the cover off and there I lay, naked as the day I was born and unable to use my arm to turn myself over. I was shocked, and then mortified because I couldn't use my arm to turn and he had to help me. So I am now on my tummy and it is on with the massage. No pictures taken here!
Now we are out of the massage and it is time to check out so we run back to the room and we are locked out. We have to get a maid to let us in so we could get cleaned up and get our suitcases so we could get checked out. we are checked out and now we have all afternoon to wait for out ride. Now on a normal day we could have swam, or went out in the canoe but I am in so much pain that I am not good company. We read, sleep in the sun, discover that the bar has cheeseburgers and fries, and just hang out until our bus takes us to the ferry and then on to the airport where we wait 3 hours for our plane. After 8 hours in the air, we are back on US soil, thru customs, and the Gods are with us because we make an earlier plane and are home 3 hours early.
I love to travel but am always very glad to get home and into my own bed!
THINGS THAT STOOD OUT:
Never expect to get out of Boise on time...Horizon doesn't work that way!
The saying "don't worry be happy" actually applied to the people of Tahiti
I never knew there were so many different types of greens and reds and blues.
I want to be part of a couple...I got really sad watching all the couples (even hought about trying to pick an aussie up but that was a very quick NO...
RoseMary is a great travel companion would take her again in a heartbeat.
We saw 19 different types of birds (that we could id) while in Tahiti
I would go back in a heartbeat!
I liked the Poi as made on Tahiti
I loved the raw Tuna ( can't remember what it was called)
I was very glad to be home
Can hardly wait for my next adventure..where and when shall it be?
On the way back we have stopped to check out the area again and as we start to take off I walk out into the road and as I lift my foot the Velcro strap on my sandal wraps around the chain and throws me to the ground...BAM I am on the pavement..damn did it ever hurt! Up I jump, onto the bike and off I go. It is the same arm I broke and I fear it is broken yet again. All I can think about is getting to the hotel and into my room. Once there I check the arm and determine nothing broken and go to the pool where I work it.
Next morning and my arm hurts like bloody hell. After a dip in the pool we go to get a massage and that was most interesting. My massage person is a young man, about 30, who is in a sarong. He has great hands and does a very good job,however he had started me on my back and when I get my massages I go buff. When he has finished and is ready for me to turn over he just flips the cover off and there I lay, naked as the day I was born and unable to use my arm to turn myself over. I was shocked, and then mortified because I couldn't use my arm to turn and he had to help me. So I am now on my tummy and it is on with the massage. No pictures taken here!
Now we are out of the massage and it is time to check out so we run back to the room and we are locked out. We have to get a maid to let us in so we could get cleaned up and get our suitcases so we could get checked out. we are checked out and now we have all afternoon to wait for out ride. Now on a normal day we could have swam, or went out in the canoe but I am in so much pain that I am not good company. We read, sleep in the sun, discover that the bar has cheeseburgers and fries, and just hang out until our bus takes us to the ferry and then on to the airport where we wait 3 hours for our plane. After 8 hours in the air, we are back on US soil, thru customs, and the Gods are with us because we make an earlier plane and are home 3 hours early.
I love to travel but am always very glad to get home and into my own bed!
THINGS THAT STOOD OUT:
Never expect to get out of Boise on time...Horizon doesn't work that way!
The saying "don't worry be happy" actually applied to the people of Tahiti
I never knew there were so many different types of greens and reds and blues.
I want to be part of a couple...I got really sad watching all the couples (even hought about trying to pick an aussie up but that was a very quick NO...
RoseMary is a great travel companion would take her again in a heartbeat.
We saw 19 different types of birds (that we could id) while in Tahiti
I would go back in a heartbeat!
I liked the Poi as made on Tahiti
I loved the raw Tuna ( can't remember what it was called)
I was very glad to be home
Can hardly wait for my next adventure..where and when shall it be?
Moreea adventures
So it has taken me awhile to finish this but here goes. I told you that we found ourselves surrounded by wonderful people and things and that we swam with the Sting Rays and Sharks..now I will tell you about exploring the Island.
We have joined an Inland Island Tour and we will see the inside from the back of a jeep. WE are joined by a couple from Mo, a couple from New Zealand, and an older couple. Our first stop is "Magic Mt." which is reached by a track of cement that is single wide (yet twice we pulled over and let other jeeps pass. We back the last 20 plus feet up the cliff where we are treated to breath taking views. Back in the jeep we are off to an inlet where we are told about how they raise shrimp close to the sea and prawn more inland, near the fresh water rivers. We are told that the only wild creatures on the Island are chickens, dogs, cats, pigs, and rats. We are told that the small fires we see with much smoke are to keep the mosquito's at bay, that the Myna bird was brough in to eat the wasp, and the Red Venter Bulbul, was brought in to keep the insect down. We were advised that Hawks were imported to eat the rats, but since they are night creatures that was a mistake so Owls were brought in. All birds found on the Islands have been imported, by man, ships, or storms. Moreea and her sister Islands are all volcanic and all the vegetation and animals were brought in.
From here we travel deep into the forest and up on the top of yet another mountain where we can see both of the Inlets and all of the Island. Just down the road are ancient sacrificial sites. We are told that when the priest came in they order them all destroyed and only a few were rebuilt. They are areas when items were left for the Gods, including human lives. This is located in a quite tree covered area and all the rocks and stones are covered with green moss and could totally be passed by never knowing what they were. There were two; one which was quite large and was said to be a community area and another that was for brides.
Our next stop is a plantation where we see two different types of bananas (one grown down the other up), oranges, grapefruit, lime, passion fruit, mango's, pineapple's, and flowers of all types, colors, and sizes. Our next stop is a Pineapple factory, where we are treated to different types of liquor made from the pineapple. On to a garden where they grow the vanilla bean and more types of fruit. We are shown the different stages of the bean and advised of the different uses for said bean. Here we are treated to home made ice cream then it is back in the jeep and back to the hotel.
After a dip in the pool and a walk downtown we are off in yet another bus where we are taken to what is call the Polynesian Experience, which is actually The Tiki Village Theater. Here we were shown around the village and given history of many of their items. There was this beautiful long carved bench/chair. The story on this item was: Among the Tahitian people tattoos are a sign of strength and each group of people are know by their tattoos. Our guide stated that in years past they didn't need a passport because everywhere people knew you by your design, "now you must have a passport." Back to the story; In the not so distant past when a male child reached 5 years of age they received their first tattoo and it was always done on this bench/chair. The child would be sat(tied) on the chair and given the tattoo. After the priest came this was stopped. All males have tattoo's but they get to decide when it is done. After our tour we are lead into an area where a large underground oven is opened and large amounts of food is taken from the oven and then sit up for our evening meal. We are served smorgasbord style and they food is excellent and too many items for me to tell you about. WE are treated to a female and male demonstrating how to wrap the sarong and how to keep it on. Our dinner was followed by 2 hours of native songs and dances in the most beautiful outfits. I loved the dances which includes the torches.
We have joined an Inland Island Tour and we will see the inside from the back of a jeep. WE are joined by a couple from Mo, a couple from New Zealand, and an older couple. Our first stop is "Magic Mt." which is reached by a track of cement that is single wide (yet twice we pulled over and let other jeeps pass. We back the last 20 plus feet up the cliff where we are treated to breath taking views. Back in the jeep we are off to an inlet where we are told about how they raise shrimp close to the sea and prawn more inland, near the fresh water rivers. We are told that the only wild creatures on the Island are chickens, dogs, cats, pigs, and rats. We are told that the small fires we see with much smoke are to keep the mosquito's at bay, that the Myna bird was brough in to eat the wasp, and the Red Venter Bulbul, was brought in to keep the insect down. We were advised that Hawks were imported to eat the rats, but since they are night creatures that was a mistake so Owls were brought in. All birds found on the Islands have been imported, by man, ships, or storms. Moreea and her sister Islands are all volcanic and all the vegetation and animals were brought in.
From here we travel deep into the forest and up on the top of yet another mountain where we can see both of the Inlets and all of the Island. Just down the road are ancient sacrificial sites. We are told that when the priest came in they order them all destroyed and only a few were rebuilt. They are areas when items were left for the Gods, including human lives. This is located in a quite tree covered area and all the rocks and stones are covered with green moss and could totally be passed by never knowing what they were. There were two; one which was quite large and was said to be a community area and another that was for brides.
Our next stop is a plantation where we see two different types of bananas (one grown down the other up), oranges, grapefruit, lime, passion fruit, mango's, pineapple's, and flowers of all types, colors, and sizes. Our next stop is a Pineapple factory, where we are treated to different types of liquor made from the pineapple. On to a garden where they grow the vanilla bean and more types of fruit. We are shown the different stages of the bean and advised of the different uses for said bean. Here we are treated to home made ice cream then it is back in the jeep and back to the hotel.
After a dip in the pool and a walk downtown we are off in yet another bus where we are taken to what is call the Polynesian Experience, which is actually The Tiki Village Theater. Here we were shown around the village and given history of many of their items. There was this beautiful long carved bench/chair. The story on this item was: Among the Tahitian people tattoos are a sign of strength and each group of people are know by their tattoos. Our guide stated that in years past they didn't need a passport because everywhere people knew you by your design, "now you must have a passport." Back to the story; In the not so distant past when a male child reached 5 years of age they received their first tattoo and it was always done on this bench/chair. The child would be sat(tied) on the chair and given the tattoo. After the priest came this was stopped. All males have tattoo's but they get to decide when it is done. After our tour we are lead into an area where a large underground oven is opened and large amounts of food is taken from the oven and then sit up for our evening meal. We are served smorgasbord style and they food is excellent and too many items for me to tell you about. WE are treated to a female and male demonstrating how to wrap the sarong and how to keep it on. Our dinner was followed by 2 hours of native songs and dances in the most beautiful outfits. I loved the dances which includes the torches.
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