-
Greytown New Zealand #2
On returning from the Tora Coastal Walk we had more adventures in store exploring the Wairarapa. That is pretty much of a wrap-up of Greytown as we have a couple of trips planned before we leave New Zealand on January 15.
-
Tora Coastal Walk
The Tora Coastal Walk is a three-day walk which encompasses a variety of stunning and diverse landscapes: expansive farmland, native bush, river valleys and the rugged Tora coastline. Family owned and operated they promise spectacular scenery, gourmet food, and warm rural hospitality. It’s one of the longest standing private walks in New Zealand, and widely regarded…
-
Greytown New Zealand
After visiting Government House on December 8 Helen and Sue drove us over the hill to the Wairarapa which is a sparsely populated geographical region of New Zealand in the southeast corner of the North Island. Jim had volunteered to be the designated driver for this day so that Helen could have a few drinks.…
-
January 2 Gliding
We met some new friends in New Zealand who are quite adventurous and they suggested that we try gliding as there is a large gliding club only 5K away. The process of reserving and purchasing a flight was quite complicated as first we had to apply online to purchase a voucher. Secondly they sent us…
-
Wellington with Helen and Sue
We first met these two women in Bermuda in the late 80’s. Since then we have become the best of friends and have spent time together in Boston, London, Tuscany, Melbourne and Auckland. This is our third time visiting them in New Zealand and when we get to Greytown next week we will have seen…
-
Wellington New Zealand
Although this is our third trip to New Zealand we have never been to the capital city of Wellington. We opted to fly here as it is the closest international airport to Greytown where we will be spending most of our time at the home of Sue and Helen. We are spending two nights alone…
-
Dubai UAE
We are well into our ninth year of spending three months at a time in major cities around the world. Starting last summer in Copenhagen we have begun to shorten the three month stays to six to eight weeks as we find that we are now more efficient with our time and we treasure our…
-
More Edinburgh
This is our third visit to Edinburgh and we have covered most of the must-see sights with the exception of Holyroodhouse. Our last few days here with Jen, Rob and Jackson were spent focusing on mostly individual pursuits. The tour was very well done leading us through the rooms in an orderly manner and the…
-
St. Andrews
Every golfer wants to visit St. Andrews old course someday and Rob is an avid golfer. He planned this day for all of us by finding a private tour guide to take us there. This was definitely a bucket list item for Rob and we all really enjoyed his enthusiasm and delight. “Like a little…
-
Edinburgh With Family
As we have said over and over, the very best part of our itinerant lifestyle is being able to host our family. Edinburgh is another such destination. Rob has been salivating over this Scotland trip and has done a lot of planning for it. And so we relive the first 24 hours of their visit…
-
Loch Lomond
Jim planned the last three days of our 30 day driving tour of Scotland at a lakeside resort on Loch Lomond in The Trossachs National Park. We actually drove by Loch Lomond on day one when we were driving from Glasgow to Tarbet on the way to Islay. And so concludes our 31 day driving…
-
Pitlochry/Moulin
Jim had originally scheduled two nights in Stirling on these dates but we both remembered that we had already been to Stirling in 2016 and had visited Stirling castle which we don’t want to repeat. We changed this part of our itinerary mid trip and tried to book a hotel or Airbnb in Pitlochry but…
-
Carnoustie and Arbroath
Jim wanted to see Carnoustie because of its famous golf course even though he never visited the golf course during our stay. So that’s two nights in Carnoustie with a couple of visits to Arbroath. We did have a very good Thai meal on our first night and then the afternoon seafood meal in Arbroath.…
-
Blairgowrie
This is our third and last stop in the Cairngorms National Park and The Snow Road. The driving has been absolutely exhilarating for Jim and somewhat terrifying for Sandy but the scenery and views have been spectacular. And that wraps up the Cairngorms National Park. We highly recommend a visit here if you ever go…
-
Balmoral Castle
Sandy insisted that she was not leaving Scotland without a visit to Balmoral Castle and promised Jim there would only be one more after it which would be Holyrood Castle when we return to Edinburg. When he heard we could not go in the Castle but could only walk the grounds he reluctantly consented. We…