The Senior Scene

As promised, I will give you a bit about my trip to Australia. It was amazing. Now, trying to say I have seen Australia in 18 days would be like saying the same thing of the U.S. It is just too big. But we certainly did see a lot.
The first 5 days were spent in Sydney. We used the On/Off Bus (and an On/Off Ferry) to visit most of the sites. These are a great way to travel as you have the transportation and just get off at various places for as long as you wish and then get back on and go to another.
The first thing we did was ride the entire circuit – two of them at 90 minutes each. That gives you a good overview and then you can go back to where you really are interested.
Our first real stop was a Bondi Beach, well-known on the surfing circuit, for a good look and lunch. We chose the outdoor restaurant, The Bucket List, because we were working on just that. How nice to sit in the warm sunny day at the beach and think of all of you in wind and rain.
From there we really got into a few days of deep Sydney. We did the ferry across Sydney Harbour, under the bridge and past the Opera House, to the zoo. We were hit with a very heavy tropical rain as we took the cable car to the top of the zoo but it was only for about 15 minutes and once again the sun was out. We did Manley Beach, another surfing mecca; the Botanical Garden; Darling Harbour; Circular Quay; rode the monorail; shopped at the Queen Victoria Building; relaxed at the Marble Bar; toured the Opera House; looked around Kings Cross and Oxford Streets; waited for the New Year’s parade in China Town; and walked many miles in this city which is so easy to get around in.
One day we took a train and rode for an hour to Hawkesbury River. It was nice to be able to get out of the city proper and see the residential area and then into more tropical forest to the river. Here we sat by the river and had some of the freshest seafood I’ve ever eaten. The shrimp wasn’t off the bar-bee but it was wonderful, along with the sweetest oysters.
Once on board Rhapsody, our ship from Royal Caribbean, we were off for 11 days of greater adventure. The first port of call was Newcastle (founded in 1797 as a penal colony). This is the second-largest city in New South Wales and is a commercial port for coal and steel. We did a walking tour for about three miles, which took in Fort Scratchley (built in 1882), historic buildings from the penal colony days and the famous ocean bath (saltwater pool made by the prisoners).
After a couple of days at sea in 80 degree weather, we arrived in Cairns, the “tropical north.” It became important in the gold rush, followed by the advent of the railroad and transportation of tin and lumber. Fishing and pearling came next, and then the world found the astonishing natural attractions of the Great Barrier Reef and the tropical rainforests. This area has over one-third of the planet’s colorful coral (1,500 species of fish, 4,000 types of mollusks, hundreds of bright colored coral, World Heritage Site and the oldest surviving rainforest on Earth). We took the Skyrail to Kuruanda, a village in the rainforest, and returned by rail. Another rainstorm sent us dripping back to the ship to change before attending a professional basketball game between the Tarpins and the Crocodiles.

As promised, I am back from Puerto Penasco (Rocky Point), Mexico and
ready to tell you all about it.
Before leaving, I heard all the warnings from the naysayers about the
drug cartels, don’t drive, watch what you eat, etc., etc. I realize
that we have to pay attention to these things and am certainly not
going to travel without checking them out, as I want to be able to
come back and tell you wonderful stories.
Puerto Penasco lies 90 miles south of the border at Lukeville, Ariz.
It seems as if there is never a bend in the road as you drive through
miles of cactus and desert. Traffic was very light and we didn’t stop
until just outside the city, where there was a checkpoint with
soldiers asking where we were going and wanting to see in our car. It
was nice to know that they were checking everyone into and out of the
area
Rocky Point has a population of just over 45,000 spread out over all
the sand and dirt. There did not seem to be much of a downtown area,
but we had no trouble finding shopping in the Old Port along the
waterfront. Here we found the typical souvenir stores, pharmacy, bars
and restaurants. In addition, we found the most amazing fish markets.
Can you believe $6 a pound for huge shrimp, $2 a pound for wonderful
small steamer clams, and $2 a pound for flounder caught just that
morning.
Day excursions included a side trip to Cholla Bay for JJ’s Cantina;
Bird Island to see the local birds, sea lions and dolphin; and El
Pinacate for a moonscape of volcanic fields and semi-stable and active
sand dunes.
Our residence was at the Mayan Palace, a 25-minute drive from the
center of town. Here we relaxed in comfort with a spacious two-bedroom
suite looking out over pools, beaches and sparkling blue seas. Each
day, some time was spent walking the beach, which had more shells than
I have ever seen, and no one was telling us we couldn’t bring them
home. We had everything we needed with a sports bar to watch the
Seahawks, a pool bar for happy hour, outdoor restaurant for lunch by
the water, indoor and outdoor pools and a full-service spa. Most of
all we had sun, sun, sun.
Plan to come along with me on other trips as we explore South Dakota
in June, Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands in September and Cuba in
December. There are also quieter trips to the tulips, Diablo Dam,
Harrison Hot Springs and Leavenworth. For further information, contact
me at 253-926-8207 or ask to be put on the e-mail list at
linda.finch@gmail.com

This is always a hard month for me to write.  We really don’t have a lot going on during the winter months and I have a tendency to leave the country.  A I write it is still January with the rain, cold and yuk!.  I am leaving for Mexico and will tell you all about it next month.  The following month will let you in on my trip to Australia.

But, what’s in it for you?  There are plans in the works and you need to be thinking about them.  There is still time to sign up for the HARNESS RACES in Langley B.C.  This adventure across the border (passport or enhanced driers license required) is always fun.  Fraser Downs has a complete casino for down time between races, a magnificent buffet that leaves no room for complaint, and the fun of betting (either for real or for fun) on the horses.  We are scheduled for March 17 and there is still plenty of room.

Seattle is often in the news in regards to police action (but what large city isn’t).  How about a trip to the largest police museum in the western United States?  On March 14 we will make a trip to discover the history of Northwest la enforcement, policing the frontier and the “Taming” of Seattle.

Dinner Dates and Mystery Trips will start up and be a part of every month.  These are nice little trips to explore our beautiful state and get us out of the house.  Come along to see where we might go, or add your own thoughts and we might just follow your wishes.

Don’t forget about those Bucket List items we have previously mentioned.  CUBA is high on the list for international destinations; the BADLANDS and MT. RUSHMORE keep us in the U.S., and ALASKA is always a favorite.

For reservations and further information contact Linda Finch at 253 927 8207.  Ask to be added to the email list at linda.finch@gmail.com

Gazing at the Dubai skyline from the tallest building on Earth, cruising on the largest ship on the seas, visiting a yet-unexplored part of the US. Bucket list trips are often those that inspire us with their promise of the seemingly intangible. Whether we are lured to the forbidden destinations or determined to trace our ancestry, a trip of a lifetime gives us something to look forward to.

And we have just that planned in our 2013 travel calendar. Cuba, the forbidden destination, has been opened to us. We have confirmed space to travel Dec 1, 2013 for a seven-day stay in this controversial country which is so close (90 miles) but has been so far away. Reservations must be made early, as there are visas to be obtained and only limited space.  I will definitely be traveling with this group, as this is one of my main bucket list items.

Prefer to add to your U.S bucket list? Then how about Mt. Rushmore, the lure of the Black Hills and the Badlands of South Dakota? This is scheduled for June 18,

Is Alaska on your wish list? We have two opportunities to travel with groups this summer – Celebrity Cruises on Aug. 2 or Norwegian Cruises on Sept. 7. Take your choice based on your date, your choice of cruise line and/or the cost. These all vary determined by your choices.

Closer to home, we will once again take a two-night excursion to Leavenworth to take in thre of their plays; perhaps attend a performance by the Pacific Northwest Ballet; have our annual trek to LaConnor for the tulips; and take a lake cruise in the North Cascades;.

We’ll also visit the Museum of Radio; learn about law enforcement at the largest police museum in the western U.S.; experience rare treasures of 20th century military aviation; and visit four world-class gardens in one overnight visit to Portland.

For reservations and further information, call Linda Finch at 253 927 8207 or ask to be put on the e-mail list at linda.finch@gmail.com.