Farewell Until.....

Only 4 days before I leave, so here is a quick summary of the remaining countries I will be visiting.****After Africa, I go to Moscow the capital of Russia for 5 days (for some nice shots of Moscow, see the first part of the Tom Hanks movie "Castaway.") Then on to India and a stop in the tiny country of Bhutan (between India, Nepal, China, and Tibet). In India I will be visiting the Taj Mahal as well as areas in the northwest and Bombay (now called Mumbai). From India I travel to Hong Kong, Xi'an China, and Tibet. Xi'an is where the emporer's tomb containing thousands of lifesized warriors on horseback was recently discovered.*** If you have seen Brad Pitt's movie "Seven Years in Tibet" you will know why I want to go to Tibet, (even if Brad isn't there). Finally, around Oct 20, I head back home to Jacksonville Beach.****While travelling I will try to keep this Blog updated as much as I can, but computer terminals may be tough to find. At a minimum, I will continue the Blog when I return - with lots of stories and new pictures. Take care of yourselves while I am gone. Thanks to everyone for reading the Log and for giving me ongoing encouragement and advice. In this life, I have been blessed with incredible friends.***** Happy Trails from RamblinMe

Kitty helping me pack during my last 4 days before I leave 

Next Stop: Africa & Madagascar, Sept 8 -18

This is the Animal Planet portion of the trip!! Did I mention lemurs? After a night in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, it's off to the much anticipated Madagascar, the island off the southwest coast of Africa. Only 2 flights a week on Air Madagascar (AirMad) to choose from. My goal was to get to the Berenty Reserve on the south end of the island and, after a month of work, I found a great American tour group that put together a trip for me to the Berenty Reserve.***** After 5 days in Mad, it's back to Nairobi Africa and the highlight of the trip - one night at Giraffe Manor. In the gorgeous manor house (built in1932) and 120 acres, the owners have been taking care of orphaned giraffes since 1974. The giraffes are so tame that they will put their heads through the open windows as you are eating your meals. There are only 5 rooms in the manor that are available for booking, and I was incredibly lucky to be able to get my one night there. One of the bedrooms is furnished with all of Karen Blixen's ("Out of Africa") furniture that she gave to the owners before she left Africa. My second day in Nairobi, I hope to visit Nairobi National Park, just south of the city. It's interesting that Nairobi is a city of over 2 million people and yet the city is a short drive from roaming Zebras, elands, impalas, gazelles, warthogs, ostriches, giraffes, leopards, lions, cheetahs, rhinos, hippos, etc.. There is a fence that bounds the park but it's not unusual for animals to make a break for it. *****Leaving Kenya, I fly to Dar Es Salaam ("haven of piece" in Arabic) in Tanzania for one day before leaving for Russia. The exotic island of Zanzibar is a ferry ride away from the city and one last African adventure before heading to Moscow.**** Happy Trails, Marion

Giraffe Manor - Nairobi, Kenya, Africa 

Second Stop Egypt - Aug 29 to Sept 8

For Egypt I found a wonderful tour that seems to include all the famous monuments and cities that I can't wait to see. I arrive in Cairo at 2:30 am on Monday morning and have 3 days to explore the city and surrounding areas. The hotel is within walking distance of the pyramids. On the first night of the tour we are scheduled for a sound and light show that is projected off the pyramids. On Friday we fly to Aswan and tour the Temple of Isis. Then off to a ship that will take us down the Nile to Edfu where a horse drawn carriage takes us to the Temple of Horus and then back to the ship to sail to Luxor(the new name of ancient capital of Thebes). On Sunday we see the Neocropolis of Thebes, the Colossi of Menon, the Valley of Kings, the Valley of Queens, and a sound and light show at the Temple of Karnak. Sadly so many of the burial chambers of the Kings and Queens have been looted and the mummies have been moved and hidden to keep them from being desecrated. On Monday we travel to the Temples of Karnak and Luxor, visit the Avenue of the Sphinxes, and then cruise back to Luxor, where we take a plane back to Cairo and the end of the tour. I then have 3 days on my own and hope to further explore Cairo and the ancient seaside city of Alexandria. At 3:30 am on Thursday morning I say farewell to Egypt and head to my next stop, Nairobi Africa for more adventures.****A last note - while I am flying from Peru to Egypt, the best exhibit ever to come out of Egypt is flying to the US. The King Tut exhibit is spectacular. Please don't miss it if you have the chance!! Happy Trails. Marion

The Temple of Hather in Egypt with statues of Ramses II and his wife Nefertari

First Stop - Peru - August 22-26

In deciding to spend only 5 days in Peru, I had no idea how difficult it would be to travel from Lima to Machu Picchu - my main objective in traveling to Peru. It will take the entire 5 days just to get there and back, spending only one evening at Machu Picchu "the best known and most inspiring archeological site on the continent." The last picture that I included in this journal is of the site. It looks like a photographers dream! The site was created by the Incas about the same time that Columbus was discovering America. It remained a mystery (even to the invading Spaniards) until 1911 when Hiram Bingham, an archeologist, discovered it. Besides the beauty, I think one of the attractions is the mystery. Why was it built? What was it's purpose? What about the 100s of skeletons found below the walls? There is only speculation at this point. It will be worth the trip, which starts in Lima, the capital of Peru. I arrive in Lima on Monday evening at 10:30 pm. After a quick nights sleep, it's off to the airport for a spectacular 6 am flight to Cuzco, the closest town next to Machu Picchu and once the formost city of the Incan empire. Cuzco is considered the "archeological capital of the Americas as well as the continent's oldest continuously inhabited city." This part of the journey invites altitude sickness; going from Lima (about 500 feet above sea level) over Huccaran (22,400 feet) landing in Cuzco (11,000 feet). The natives are prepared for sick tourists with a special tea that supposedly cures, or at least makes you forget the problem. A night in Cuzco and then a train ride (vistadome) on another spectacular journey to Machu Picchu. Hotels are very cheap in Peru, but I did spend a little extra to stay in Hutachay Tower, one of the few hotels actually at Machu Picchu. This gives me the opportunity to explore the site after the 1,000 other tourists leave. The trip back is the reverse of my description above, except that I have a day to explore Lima. Sue and Walt recommend the Gold Museum and the Main Plaza so it is a "must see." Friday night at 10pm I leave for the airport for a Sat 12:15 am flight out. Those of you who have used frequent flyer miles, know the adventure involved and why you need a lot of time to travel. To fly from Lima Peru to my next destination Cairo Egypt it will take 2 days and stops in the following places; Mexico City, Atlanta, Boston, Paris, Prague, arriving in Cairo on Monday morning at 2:10 am. The good news is that I get to spend 12 hours in Paris. Hopefully I can get to the Louvre Museum and check out the Mona Lisa's new home within the museum. Next week's entry: Cairo and the boat trip down the Nile. Stay tuned! Happy Trails - Marion***** A parting interesting fact about Peru: "Coca is cultivated on 46,700 hectacres - enough for 150,000 KG of cocaine (although much of it is actually used for legal chewing and tea making)."

RUOK?

This has been a week of checking on friends. First, with the terrible bombings in London, I was on the phone to be sure that friends there are OK. Thankfully all are fine. Ann was my neighbor when I lived there and we reminisced about the time we lived through a bomb scare. We are both here today only because the detonator on the bomb, placed under the Hammersmith Bridge, failed.**** Secondly, with Hurricane Dennis heading north, friends on the Gulf and relatives in Georgia are being monitored. Even though we in Jacksonville aren't in the "Cone of Concern" the winds have been really picking up. I saw a neighbor holding onto his little dog on their"walk" downstairs. I suggested diving weights for the dog. ****Despite all the major events going on I continue with the minor stuff of getting ready for the trip. As much as I am terrified of shots, I am pleased to announce that I lived through all 8 of them. Ellen at the Jacksonville Travel Clinic was incredible. She specializes in helping people who go on international trips, especially the areas of the world where medical precautions are necessary. By country, she had information on what was needed before during and after the trip. I think I've already hit my 44 lb. luggage limit just with medical supplies for "just in case." There is no room for clothes and personal supplies. I'll have to be creative.**** To everyone, please be safe during these uncertain times. Happy Trails, Marion

First Step of Journey - Machu Picchu in Peru 

Please Let Me In, I Promise to Leave

After completing visa applications for 10 countries, I'm beginning to pick up a theme running through most of them; you are welcome into the country as long as you can prove that you will be leaving. For example: Tanzania requires a copy of your bank statement to be sure that you have enough money to buy a ticket to leave the country (Just in case you lose your ticket??). Almost all of the applications require copies of your tickets for LEAVING the country. My favorite question on any of the forms is from the Kenya application: "Are you returnable to your country of residence/domicile?" My evil twin wanted to reply "No, but I can be exchanged for an item of equal or lesser value." Of course, I would never say that! Believe it or not, the easiest application was for China - only one page with simple logical questions. The toughest was Russia - 6 pages plus itinerary and copies of tickets. Their application was more detailed than any job application I've completed (my ex-husband's birthdate and birth place?) "Sonny, don't worry if Russian officials show up at your door. It's just my visa application." In addition to the application, I had to obtain all sorts of official documents from Russia to confirm that I have a place to stay every night. Only three weeks to complete all applications- but it's done. And now I'm just waiting for the FED EX guy to show up and take it all (with my passport) to Washington D.C. Wish me luck!! I am returnable, aren't I? Happy Trails, Marion

Ringtailed lemurs from Berenty Reserve in Madagascar - soon to be best friends 

We're Cookin Now!

Even though I didn't go to Hawaii, a lot of good things happened. First, Sue and Walter, great friends from my Arco days in Los Angeles (in the 80s) came for a visit. So good to see them. Sue has traveled to 60+ countries and was a great help in firming up reservations for Madagascar. Lemurs, here I come! After 2 weeks of work I finally have reservations for one of THE cottages at the Berenty Reserve in southern Madagascar. It actually took longer for this reservation than for any of the other countries. All of this work for a tiny cottage with no air conditioning, electricity turned off at 11 each night, and lemurs raiding your place for food.....Can't wait! Now it's time to start putting things together to obtain visas. For 8 of the 10 countries I'm visiting, I'm using a special service that obtains visas for a fee at the various Embassies. The process is so bureaucratic and time consuming that it is sensless to try to do it myself. For example, it would cost 3 times as much for me to obtain the visa for China rather than going through the service. Also, it's time for one of my favorite trip preparation chores - shopping for clothes!! For now, I'm spending a lot of time searching the net for Buzz Off - clothes with built in mosquito repellent - highly recommended by a number of the tour books. There is actually quite a selection in feminine styles without the camouflage leafy covering. Signing off for now after a thank you to Sandy and Adrian for torturing me with a call from Hawaii, letting me know what a paradise it is there. Happy Trails, Marion

My Biker Chick Phase (last month) 

Hawaii and Madagascar

Good friends Adrian and Sandy are leaving for Hawaii on Sunday and have invited me to go with. I've never been to Hawaii and it would be a hoot traveling with them but there is a certain amount of guilt in going there in addition to the world trip. What is that about? I still have 24+ hours to decide.
This week has been focused on the planning for the Madagascar portion of the trip. I'd like to think I've started a trend. Carmen Diaz recently went there for MTV and a new cartoon movie called Madagascar was recently released. For such a small island it's getting a lot of well-deserved plublicity.
My main goal in going there is to see the lemurs. This is the only place where they exist in the wild. It's amazing that 80% of the animal and plant species in Madagascar, exist only in Madagascar. It's as if the entire island was dropped here from Mars. After going through several tour books, I decided that Berenty Reserve on the south end of the island is the place to stay. The ringtailed lemurs are so tame that they climb on the tourists and try to sneak into their cottages. Also, the Reserve has the greatest variety of lemurs in one place and, most important, there was no mention of leeches in the text of the Berenty description.
I'm waiting to receive a response to my FAX requesting a cottage and now I'm beginning to worry that they are booked for the year (only 15 cottages). I'll start telephoning them Sunday night. The 12 hour time difference and my terrible French will make it a challenge . Happy Trails, Marion

Even the Computer Challenged Can Blog

How exciting! My first Blog. And thank you for joining me. Hopefully I can hold your interest enough for you to join me on my trip "Around the World." Just to bring everyone up to date, I recently cashed in 140,000 frequent flyer miles for Delta's "Trip Around the World" package. (And yes I do have tickets in hand). The package includes 6 stops in one direction anywhere in the world. I picked countries I've never visited before; Peru, Egypt, Kenya, Tanzania, Madagascar (and the lemurs), Russia, India, Bhutan (my personal favorite), China, and Tibet. Please please send me any advice on traveling in these countries and I will try to share the adventure as it unfolds as well as photos. Because I am using frequent flyer miles, no travel agency will help, so I am doing everything via the internet. It has been a wild ride, but great fun. My dream is that this adventure will somehow turn into a career for me (travel writing? travel agent? porter? chamber maid?). The trip itself begins Aug 22 but in the meantime, it's all one great learning experience. Big Hugs from RamblinMe aka Marion, Goddess of Travel