Canberra, Florence, Krakow

"We are all travelers in the wilderness of this world, and the best we can find in our travels is an honest friend." -Robert Louis Stevenson

"A good traveler has no fixed plan and is not intent on arriving."
- Lao Tzu

quick posting from Krakow, Poland Saturday May 24th 11:15pm

So, I know I've been very very neglectful of the blog, but I wanted to let everyone know I'm still alive and kicking! I had a fantastic time in Australia with Annika and Michaela. It was like a 12 day slumber party only with cocktail bars and kangaroos hopping all over the roads (seriously- even in Canberra)! Great food, great times, great fun . . . hopefully I will post some pictures soon!

Annika and Michaela-- THANK YOU!!!! You were both terrific hosts, I love you both and can't wait to see you again- come visit in the U.S.!!!!

I traveled for over 36 hours to get from Canberra to Florence (Etihad airlines were fantastic, although the Abu Dhabi airport was not my personal fave) . . . but it was worth it!!! Florence was incredible and it was fantastic to see my parents again. Oh, the food!!! The art! The buildings! More later :-)

My mother and I have spent the last few days in Krakow . .. churches, castles, medieval squares . . . it is gorgeous. Tomorrow we're heading into the Polish countryside to visit the towns that my mother's family came from. Then we'll head down into Slovakia and then back up into Poland again next week. It is not really planned, we will go where the spirit takes us, and we are sure it will be a grand adventure!

Later on, when I have more energy, there will be more updates! Love to all!

On the Road Again

new yealanPaihia, Bay of Islands, New Zealand, Sunday May 4th, 2008 7pm

"I dislike feeling at home when I am abroad." ~George Bernard Shaw

"I travel a lot; I hate having my life disrupted by routine." ~Caskie Stinnett

Hello from wet and rainy Paihia! After a lovely time Wwoofing at Waihoihoi Lodge I am back on the road again. A big thanks to Rosemary for her hospitality at Waihoihoi. I was more than well fed and taken care of in exchange for work in the garden and lodge. I had fun cooking scones, paella, cookies, salads, fruit compotes and all sorts of fun things. It was fantastic to have my own room and bathroom, to be able to sleep in past 7am, and to be in one spot for a while. It did start to get a bit too comfortable though, and the open road was definitely calling. I was anxious to head out traveling again!

Yesterday morning Rosemary and I walked the dogs on the beach and then she took me out to breakfast in Waipu. I had a delicious meal of mushrooms, spinach and toast . . . really quite delicious. I said goodbye to her and the dogs as I waited for the Stray bus to pick me up. I had been told to be at the BP in Waipu at 11:30. Well, sometime after 12:15 I got a bit nervous and phoned the Stray office. Somehow I had never been put on the manifest, and the bus was over an hour past at that point. The lovely ladies at Stray saved the day, however, and booked me onto an Intercity bus that left at 3:50pm.

I spent the day in tiny little Waipu, which was generally lovely. The helpful folks at the museum/information center stored my bags for free so I could wander unencumbered. I learned (at the museum) that Waipu was founded by a Scottish reverend and the 800 highlanders following him. After Culloden things got rough in Scotland, and this group moved to Nova Scotia. They didn't quite fit in there, and things were rough so they headed for Australia. Australia was in the middle of a gold rush and they didn't quite fit there either . . . . they sailed to Waipu, and ever since it has been a Scottish town! They have highland games every summer, tartan days in the winter, and lots of pale people with freckles.

I got a bit nervous when the 3:50 Intercity bus hadn't shown up by 4:45. A shopkeeper had lent me her cell phone to call Stray and find out what was going on . . . just then the Intercity rounded the corner and came up the drive! Two hours later I was in Paihia. It was a short hike to the Pipi Patch Hostel where I am staying. I read my book and was asleep by 9:15pm!

Today was fantastic. I was on a day trip up to Cape Reinga that was booked through Stray. We left at 7:15 and headed north, stopping at a Kauri forest and a cafe on the way (there are always plentiful tea/pie stops with these bus tours). We made it up to Cape Reinga just before noon-- it was pouring rain and there was lots of mood-enhancing fog. As the most sacred place in all of New Zealand, the fog and rain really felt quite appropriate. Cape Reinga is a little peninsula sticking up at the very extreme far north of the north island of New Zealand. The big attraction (for me at least) is that you can see the waves meeting . . . . on each side of the peninsula the waves are moving in opposite directions and they crash and meet at Cape Reinga. I was thrilled that we could see it despite the fog, and was quite happy afterwards.

We headed over to the giant sand dunes, and the skies cleared just in time for us to go sand boarding. You lie on your belly on a body board and fly down the sand. It was terrific fun, but I only went twice as the climb up the sand dune was pretty killer!

The driver, Spike, took the 4x4 bus through a stream and onto 90-mile beach. We caught shellfish (rather like mussels) with our toes, cracked them open and ate them raw. Yes, you read that correct, folks! They were actually quite delicious- rather sweet!

Continuing down 90-mile beach (which is actually 64 miles, but who's counting?), we found a stranded little blue penguin (known as "fairy penguins" in Australia) and our driver moved him to safety in the dunes. Hopefully he'll be alright!

After the long drive down the beach we got back on the main road and headed toward a fish and chip shop (supposedly the best in the world . . . or at least in New Zealand!). The fish was actually pretty spectacular and we all filled up.

I'm still completely full-up from the fish and will probably miss dinner tonight! Tomorrow I'll have a lazy day around Paihia (hopefully it won't be pouring anymore!), as my Stray bus leaves at 4pm for Auckland. I have a 6am flight on the 6th to Sydney where I will catch a bus straight over to Canberra- can't wait to see Annika and Michaela!!

Lots and Lots of love to all!

Anna

New Zealand Picture Bonanza take 1!

Thursday May 1, 8:45pm Waihoihoi Lodge

Just wanted to share some photos stolen from others via facebook, and some I managed to actually get up from my own camera . . . just a mish-mash of new zealand- more to come! Visit facebook for more pictures!



British girl, Miriam, Anna and Sebastian tasting ice cream toppings after having a lovely wine and schnapps tasting in Marlborough country.
Sebastian, Melissa, Ben and Anna in the thermal pools in Taupo- was a fantastic place!
Josephine and Anna with the big orange bus - this was taken just after the yoga retreat upon our joining up with Stray once again!
Sorry about the sideways shots folks! Anna in little hut on beach in Abel Tasman National Park
Geysers at Hell's Gates in Rotoroa
Anna hugging one of the ancient twin Kauri trees
Rachel, Anna and Helen after swimming at Hot Water Beach
Another thermal pools in Taupo shot- Melissa, Ben, Anna, Josephine, and two strangers
Fabulous jumping shot taken by Ben at Cathedral Cove, from left to right, Melissa, Josephine, Anna
A night in Queenstown included a stop at the World Bar where they serve cocktails in teapots, Anna and Josephine pictured
Josephine, Prince (the bus driver) and Anna out in Queenstown (possibly a self-portrait)
Josephine and Anna at what looks like the bar at Base. Love Josephine's excited eyes!
A night out at Franz Josef, featuring, Bundy (another bus driver), Josephine, Angelo, Anna, Jon, and Kim
Barrytown hilarity- we all had to dress up in silly costumes and the guys had to dress as girls . . . Josephine, Anna, Prince
Anna and Josephine all blissed out during yoga retreat at Anahata in Golden Bay
Adorable puppy that climbed on my lap at a fish and chip shop in Marahau
Josephine and Anna with sign in Wellington that should have served as a warning of what was to come after crossing over to the south island!