We spent the day cruising to our next destination island. Fortunately the sea was calm and it was smooth sailing. Apart from eating, which I did a lot of–the food on the ship is delicious–it was a very full day. In the morning, I listened to a talk about the formation of these islands and their coral reefs. I wrote … Read More
Fakarava, French Polynesia
The weather has improved immensely. We now have that postcard perfect view of turquoise water and blue skies. It’s always a thrill to arrive to a new destination, especially when it’s one you’d never even heard of. That describes Fakarava. It is a protected biosphere atoll. Very long and narrow. There are a total of about 850 inhabitants. Until recently, … Read More
At Sea- French Polynesia
I’m on board the Oceania ship, the Nautica, sailing through French Polynesia. The operative word today is THROUGH. The ship departed from Tahiti last night and arrived early this morning near Moorea. Last night I watched a video about Moorea, and it looked gorgeous; towering peaks set against turquoise water. The botanical garden filled with exotic flowers I’d never seen. … Read More
Medellin, Colombia – Day 6
Yesterday was my final day enjoying beautiful and WARM Medellin. My flight was late in the afternoon, so I had time to explore a bit. I met Phil and his friends Roy and Jim for breakfast. Then Phil and I headed to the aquarium. It’s part of a delightful science center. Kids and kids-at-heart enjoyed the outdoor exhibits that made … Read More
Medellin, Colombia- Day 5
Today began with only the briefest of plans—I wanted to see a local food market. Phil took me to Plaza de Mercado, Las Americas. It is one of the smaller markets in the city, but close by and of a manageable size. The other markets are enormous, requiring loads of walking and steps. I love going to food markets wherever … Read More
Medellin, Colombia- Day 4
Phil had some things he needed to do today, so I went exploring on my own. What’s nice about getting around the city is that it is very easy–Uber is readily available and inexpensive. The most I’ve paid for any ride was under $5, and most rides are just one or two dollars. You can’t even open the door of … Read More
Medellin, Colombia- Day 3
oday was a tranquil respite from exploring the city. Phil and I each had a leisurely morning, then met to go to the Medellin Jardín Botánico (Botanical Garden). Phil knows that I’m a frequent visitor to the New York Botanical Garden and warned me this wouldn’t be as impressive. But that wasn’t my takeaway. Like most gardens around the globe, … Read More
Medellin, Colombia- Day 2
Phil and I got off to an early start this morning. Our destination was Comuna 13, an area that has a wrenching history from the Pablo Escobar days. At that time, it was one of the most dangerous areas in the city, plagued by gang violence, drug trafficking, and clashes between armed groups. The neighborhood runs up the side of … Read More
Medellin, Colombia – Day 1
I’ve wanted to visit Medellin for many years, ever since the downfall of Pablo Escobar and the drug lords who terrorized the city for many years. Since his demise in 1993, Medellin has experienced a transformation into a safe (mostly), very livable city. Situated high in the Andes mountains, it has been described as a small slice of heaven, with … Read More
Oslo- Day Three (final day)
My trip to Norway is winding down. Tomorrow, I will fly back to New York City. This journey wasn’t quite what I’d hoped for—I never did get to see the northern lights. Still, it was a fascinating experience. On board the ship I met a group of wonderful women who were part of the JourneyWoman 30th Anniversary Cruise on Hurtigruten. … Read More