Wallingford
The first home I bought in the UK was in the small market town of Wallingford. Located just outside of Oxford it sits right on the river Thames . It is quintessential English market town. Maybe next year we will come stay here for a few months. It was Market day “Easy Peelers”
In 1975 I took my first transatlantic flight. I was 20 years old and heading to Europe for 2 months . I flew from LA to NYC and then from JFK to HEATHROW I flew TWA and still remember the first time seeing Eero Saarinen’s iconic terminal. Many times later I flew from this same terminal until TWA was no more and they shuttered the place.. I was thrilled to see that the terminal was now reopening this year after almost 20 years as a hotel . Naturally, this was the perfect place to stay the night before we kicked off are RWT journey
The terminal had been meticulously restored and looks fantastic. I love how voluptuous the architecture is and yet how modern. So glad they preserved it and we got to stay here …twister anyone ?
So my first stop is for thanksgiving and to pick up the other half. John feels about Philly the way I do about NC. This is his home and mine part time. It’s a great city. I love walking Philadelphia especially in the fall. You are constantly discovering new things walking here. Secret courtyards, strange street art, fantastic murals and great places to eat or drink. So much history here and its everywhere. I always feel blessed that I found Philadelphia. It was an accident and yet seems so serendipitous.
As John was already in Philadelphia it was my job to close down the house for three months- turning appliances off, adjusting thermostats, cleaning out the refrigerator and securing all the gates and outdoor furniture.,arranging for Patrick to watch the house and our world class neighbor Evelyn to have our contact numbers…finally taking the boat to the marina for the off season. It’s all part of the journey. I got it all done and I felt almost disconnected as I docked the boat? I drove away on a classic crisp NC day thinking three months is a long time to be gone and wow three months how fantastic,
A few months ago John and I were discussing Christmas plans and what to do after we visited my sister in Cyprus for the Holidays. You should know that John is an excellent traveler but he hates long flights. While I can easily curl up with a few books and movies and an Ambiem for a 17 hour flight, 6 or 7 hours is really his maximum. He also hates to backtrack. So I thought what could we do that wouldn’t require a long flight and not have us backtrack…..I know we will just keep going east. Thus our East till West journey was born. As we planned the trip I wanted to revisit some places I had been before but also take in some new sites and experiences. Therefore, its a nice mix of old London, Budapest, Cyprus, Bangkok, Siem Reap , Singapore,Hong Kong and new, Cruising the Danube, Dubai, Coastal Cambodia , DaNang, Ho Chi Minh City, and Nha Trang.
So, were off……
That’s the Maori name for New Zealand and somehow more appropriate.
Two months ago I set off on my journey to NZ. I traveled by ship and car and helicopter and train and now plane. I put 2000 miles on my rental Toyota and went from the north of north island to the south of the South Island.
I saw amazing scenery , hiked a lot , met fantastic people and generally fell in love with this country. I’ve never been to a place that embraces the outdoors in such a huge way. It doesn’t matter how fit you are or mobile it just wants you out in it. I attached a few pics of my favorite places but really everywhere was my favorite
Everywhere I went seemed more beautiful than where I was before and finally I gave up trying to take pictures and just tried to absorb it all.
It’s a country of diverse landscape and people. Perhaps the most welcoming place I’ve ever been.
There’s something about the air or people or land that makes you want to turn the tv off and disconnect and get outside. I’ve never met people that love the outdoors more and they want you to like it too.
I was here for 5 weeks but it wasn’t enough. I want to come back again and again and bring friends and family with me to share this incredible place
To all of you who followed the blog or at least dipped into it I appreciate your patience and support. I hope it wasn’t too boring or annoying. I hope next time you think about a dream vacation you’ll think about NZ. I’ll be back you should meet me here ! 🤓
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I’ve never taken a bath or shower while sipping 300 dollar a bottle Dom Pérignon Champagne until last night when I did it on a plane at 28000 feet while on my short Emirates flight from Christchurch to Sydney…. don’t worry there are no pics ! . I also have to say that while it apparently isn’t going to be a big commercial success the A380 is an amazing plane . Quiet and Comfortable and unbelievably smooth. It was only 3 hours but I was pampered , wined and dined and treated like royalty. Seated in my private suite with closing doors to keep the paparazzi out I reclined in splendor…for 3 hours😇
The crew was amazing and so friendly. They went out of their way to make sure I enjoyed the whole experience….flying coach on American in the center seat will never be the same …but I’ll remember singing in the flying shower , drinking champagne and smiling uncontrollably for the rest of my life 😂 Remember living well is the best revenge !
Franz Josef Glacier
Was both excited and a bit sad as I climbed in the helicopter for my helihike on the Franz Josef Glacier. Excited because I had wanted to do this for years but sad because this would be the last big adventure in NZ
Was really lucky. 70 % of the time the weather in Franz Josef doesn’t allow these trips to go . At first it seemed like I wouldn’t get to go . Suddenly the clouds parted and they loaded us into the helicopter and took off.
Was really thrilling to zoom up these huge mountains flying right over the glacier and landing at the very top.
I was wearing shorts but it didn’t stop me from getting out and doing the 30 minute walk to check out the ice river. Really one of the most thrilling adventures yet on this trip What a great finish to an amazing journey to NZ
The weather was turning and I really wanted to get a birds eye view of the Southern Alps so when I drove by Haast Helicopters I jumped at chance. Turns out I managed the second helihike option too but you never know when the weather will shift here. Anyhow here are the pics and then next week I’ll wrap up my kiwi adventure .Took two helicopter flights.
Flight one a quick nip into inaccessible curry valley to check out the wild chamois. Released in early 1900s for sport they have thrived in the high mountain areas of the south Alps
The valley is only accessible via helicopter and if you want to go camping here the helicopters will drop you off and pick you up a week later. We swept into the valley landed and saw 30-40 chamois and some amazing waterfalls
It was just myself and Scott the pilot so I got a bonus of a quick swoop over the Tasman sea coast as well. It totally whetted my appetite for flight two The glacier helihike
You all know by now that I love trains and cable cars and funiculars so you know when I heard about the Tranzalpine Express from the lush West Coast of NZ across the Southern Alps and then down to Christchurch on the east coast I would be on that train !
It’s listed as one of the most scenic rail journeys in the world and while the pictures don’t do it justice you’ll get the idea. Cooly, they have an open car without any windows that allows you to take some great shots without glass in the way though it’s a bit brisk lol
I was a bit sad when I got to Christchurch..my NZ trip is almost over. One last post to come. My helicopter hikes onto Franz Josef glacier and the Curry Valley. Then off to Australia 
Wandering Jim 
