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 add to the site as we wander.
November 2011: Jamaica!
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:
Hawaii's views, beaches, kayaking, swimming, surfing, 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, Dublin
Wales
Cardiff, Wrexham, Ironbridge, Llangollen, Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch
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), Kyoto (Nijo Castle,
Golden Pavilion, Imperial Palace), Nara, Mikimoto Pearl Island,
Narita (If you have only a one-night stopover near Tokyo, stay at
Narita. It is a traditional village, very small, many airline personnel
stay there for overnights.) Japanese Bullet Trains are on time,
clean, excellent service.
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.
British Columbia
Vancouver Island, Bainbridge Island.
Mexico/Baja California
Puerto Vallarta and sea-kayaking out of Loreto in the Sea of Cortez
for several days with Sea Trek Ocean Kayaking Center based in Sausalito,
California.
Holland
Amsterdam, Den Hague, Delft. Lovely country. Lovely people. Dynamic
art. Beautiful and comfortable walking cities with buildings that
are older than the United States.
Jamaica
Ocho Rios, Kingston. My first trip off of American soil, which opened
my eyes to the beauty of tropical locations and the warmth of tropical
people and waters. I learned to swim in the waters off of San Francisco.
Who knew that there was water above 65° F. Jamaica took my heart
away.
Changes in Latitude, Changes in Attitude