Bora Bora, French Polynesia
Over-the-water bungalow in Moorea
Travel with your 
Why We Wander
Our family has travelled to dozens of countries for generations, starting with Captain James H. Blethen, a Welsh sea captain who sailed a Vanderbilt steamship from New York, around the Horn, and into San Francisco in 1852. He spent the rest of his life at sea.
His worldly view has carried down through generations and is a priority in our family. We live on an amazing planet. Each of us can become more understanding and more appreciative of differences as a result of meandering around the globe.
I've travelled alone as a single woman, with my daughter, and with family and friends. It doesn't matter; there is always someplace new, exotic, and safe whether or not you go it alone or with someone.
Following is a list of countries/cities visited -- sort of in the reverse order visited throughout the years. A few were toured more than once and I was fortunate to spend a summer studying English Literature at Worcester College in Oxford as a University of California at Berkeley Exchange Student. If you have questions about any of these locations, please eMail me at Marine Studios. We will be adding information to the site as we wander.
2009-2011: All Around Northern California
With budgets tightening, we decided to again visit local interesting towns surrounding San Francisco. We live in one of the more beautiful places in the world, rich with cultural activities, small towns, superb restaurants—including many with decks overlooking San Francisco Bay. Fairfax in central Marin, is home to mountain biking. The world-renowned Dipsea Race starts in Mill Valley goes straight up and over Mt. Tamalpais, and ends in Stinson Beach. During the annual salmon run in late summer, millions of salmon come through the gate to swim up into the Sacramento Delta. Marin is close to the wine country with its international award-winning varities. It is splendid!
December 2010: Hawaii
We love Hawaii, its views, beaches, kayaking, swimming, surfing, amazing sunsets, people, music, parties on the beach, luaus and food . . .October-November 2010:
The Caribbean!
October 2009: Hawaii
November 2008:
Mexico and The Mayans
October 2007:
The Mediterranean
This was our first Mediterranean cruise with several ports o'call: Civitavecchia (Italy), Monte Carlo, Livorno (for Florence and Pisa), Naples (for Pompeii, Sorrento, Capri and the Amalfi Coast), Santorini in Greece, Kusadasi in Turkey, Mykonos, Piraeus (for Athens), Katakolon (for the world's first Olympic site), Corfu and Venice. Absolutely amazing. We would hop another ship in a heartbeat . . . Photographs and commentary.
France
Paris, Avignon en Provence, and along the Coté de Azur to Nice, Monaco/Monte Carlo, and Menton near the Italian border.
England
London, Greenwich, South End, Oxford, Stonehenge, Bath, Salisbury, hitch-hiking via sailboats through The Channel Islands
(Jersey, Guernsey, Sark).
Ireland
Irish Ferries to Tramore, Blarney Castle and the Woolen Mills, Tralee, Killarney, Limerick, Adare, DublinWales
Cardiff, Wrexham, Ironbridge (image above right), Llangollen, Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch (yes, that is the name of a town).Summer 2001: Six Countries in Sixty Days . . .
The question posed: "We're starting in Tahiti and ending in Japan. Where do you want to go in between?" All travel arrangements for this trip were made via the Internet and checked throughout via eMail. It was one of the smoothest trips we've ever had.
French Polynesia
Bora Bora and Moorea, a lifetime dream come true -- a week in an over-the-water bungalow.Roratonga, Cook Islands
Around the island for a week. And unless you really want to slow down, I don't recommend this. Marvelous people, but very very slow. The one place we did not see that might be worth a return visit would be "One Foot Island."New Zealand
Devonport (a mixture of Berkeley and Sausalito, with the best of both), across the harbor from Auckland. Only a few days. Not nearly enough time.Australia
From Brisbane to Palm Cove to Cairns to Port Douglas on Australia's Eastern shoreline by air and auto and back to Brisbane by train. Diving the Great Barrier Reef, a world wonder. If the Grand Canyon were filled with warm turquoise water and vibrant tropical fish, you would have the Great Barrier Reef.Thailand
Bangkok (travel by boat on the Chao Praya it's the fastest, cleanest way to get around), the Reclining Buddha, elephant rides, Phuket, Ko Samui, Ko Pi Pi.Japan
Tokyo, Nikko National Park, Fuji-Hakone National Park (Lake Hakone, Fujisan, Lake Kawaguichi, The Hakone Check Point with traditionally garbed guards such as on the right), Kyoto (Nijo Castle, Golden Pavilion, Imperial Palace), Nara, Mikimoto Pearl Island, Narita. Of course we shopped while in Kyoto at Ise Tan (below right).
If you have only a one-night stopover at Tokyo, stay at Narita. It is easy to reach by train, it is a traditional small village with excellent last-minute shopping ideas. Many airline personnel stay there for overnight stopovers.
Japanese Bullet Trains to all of Japan's main cities are on time, clean, excellent service. They link to smaller routes in areas such as the Ise Peninsula.
Costa Rica
San Jose, Limon, Cahuta, Corcovado, Tilajari, Tortuguero, Tabacon (dinner on a terrace overlooking the springs fed by the active Volcano, Arenal), and zipcording through the jungle canopy.Hong Kong
For the million dollar pyrotechnical display to celebrate Chinese Lunar New Year Fireworks 1998!
As a guest of the Sousa family of Pyro-Spectaculars, one of the finest pyrotechnic families/companies in the world and one of the oldest in the U.S. Business Class via the Polar Route to Hong Kong Harbor. Great way to travel! Kowloon, Harbor City, and the backside of Macao for the blessing of the fleet, including Russian ships then in the harbor.
Changes in Latitude, Changes in Attitude