Seeking the heart of NZ

Best estimates say that 14 inches of rain fell in the last three days here at Robinson’s Bay on the Banks Peninsula. We were turned back 2 days ago at the town of Little River by flooding and “slips,” dozens … Continue reading

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“No worries…”

Q. – What happened to California in the early 1920’s? A. – It relocated to New Zealand. The South Island of New Zealand is a remarkably varied landscape of spectacular vistas, unique fowl and flora, and disarmingly friendly people (even … Continue reading

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Big in Tonga (almost)

Thirteen hours to Auckland, 3-hour flight to Nuku’alofa (main Tongan city), 1-hour hop to Vava’u (northern Tongan island group), 30 min. bus ride, and finally a 45 min. boat ride to Mala, our little private isle in the South Pacific. … Continue reading

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Albert’s Budapest

We rang the buzzer at the distinct yellow apartment building at 39 Aradi Utca, listed discreetly among other Hungarian residents names as Kapital Inn. Before we had a chance to collect ourselves from the sudden summer-like weather, the door opened … Continue reading

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Vienna’s Side Streets

“Art is the elimination of the unnecessary.” – Pablo Picasso We were enjoying Frühstück (breakfast) at Pension Suzanne (http://www.pension-suzanne.at/index.html), our traditionally appointed (some say fussy) accommodation steps from the StaatsOper in the heart of Vienna. Oskar, a German scientist, sharing … Continue reading

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Cesky Krumlov and Durnstein

Czech please  (I just couldn’t resist…) Another departure from previous year’s itineraries was a 2-day excursion to Cesky Krumlov, in Sud-Bohemia (Czech Republic). Culturally trespassing into Eastern Europe (the neglected step-sister of tonier, more “familiar” Western EU destinations) we elected to … Continue reading

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Frau Steiner’s Nachbarschaft

“To have great poets, there must be great audiences.” -Walt Whitman Our train to Salzburg sped over the Alps through horizontally blowing snow. A steady rain upon our arrival sweetened the mountain air as we drove the recognizable 6km along … Continue reading

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Bolzano / Bozen

Some say pomadoro, some say tomate… We have migrated to the northern Italian transitional community of Bolzano / Bozen, where the Dolomite Mountains rise into Austria. While we crossed no international border, it is culturally clear that we touched down … Continue reading

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Fatto a mano

  “I have lost myself, I am not here, This is not Romeo, he’s some other where.” Romeo e Giulietta; Act I, Scene I Italy has a cold. Coughing, Sneezing, Nose blowing. Thank God for Instant Hand Sanitizer, vitamins, and … Continue reading

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Firenze in Toscana

We are billeted amidst Tuscan vineyards and olivo orchards at Savernano, our most familiar and comfortable farm house inn. Last year I wrote, “There are more expensive retreats, perhaps some with more elegant food or designer accommodations, but nothing in … Continue reading

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