Bagless in Christchurch

Left Sydney at 10am and arrived here this afternoon although the flight wasn't that long, but it's another two hours ahead here. So its now 5.17pm and I've booked into the Stonehurst Hostel for the night. We had a bumpy ride crossing the Northwest mountains, which looked quite awesome from several hundred feet above.

Waiting for my bags to come round on the Airport carousel, only one arrived so I'm one bag-less tonight. There were quite a few bags missing and it seems that frequently happens at Sydney, so hopefully it will arrive tomorrow. The bag that did arrive contains toiletries, towel and nightwear but no change of clothes. Also my jacket, which is a good thing as its quite cool here and thankfully I'm not sweating!

I like the atmosphere here; very laidback and friendly. The city of Christchurch is peacefully small after the bustle of towering Sydney. The Bus shuttle driver took me to the address I'd found on the net of a Backpackers hostel, which turned out to be non-existent, so he very helpfully brought me here. I'm in a mixed dorm of four pairs of bunk beds, but its quite cheap.

Tomorrow I meet Julie off her flight from Heathrow!

G'day Ann

At the end of a very full day sightseeing on a Sydney bus tour, then meeting up with Ann to do the Art Gallery, which was lovely and cool in the heat of a very hot day. Then we took the ferry to Manly where she lives and cooked up a veggie stirfry in the apartment she shares with all the leftover veg from our camper trip. We were going to swim but neither of us had the energy, so I was glad to have the chance to show her how EFT works on anxiety, which was good for me as I'm anticipating the next leg of my travels in N Z. Thanks Ann for taking time for me when you weren't feeling so good. It was great to have a companion and I hope the tapping is working!

I'm in an Internet place right next to The Hostel and before it gets too late I must go and sort out my luggage ready for the flight tomorrow. So next Blog from Christchurch!

Hello Sydney... Goodbye Rich!

At last we reached Sydney after a long drive from Melbourne. We wanted to trace Bryson's journey backwards and see some of the more unusual things he discovered on the way. So we found the pets-cum-porno store in a little place who's name escapes me (Rich went in while I contemplated buying naughty postcards to send to friends and family, but decided they were really too rude!) and the POW Escape Museum in Cowra where a miniature lady comes to life and interacts with the exhibits. Bill was not kidding; that really is an amazing exhibit!

Yesterday, (Thursday) we drove through the Blue Mountains, which were a major abstacle to the early settlers who couldn't find a way through for some time. These are not the usual kind of mountains with valleys ascending through passes, because this is really a plateau riven by huge cracks and ravines, so eventually they found their way over the top, often on narrow ridges between dramatic cliff drops on either side. We stopped at Katoomba for a ride down a nearly sheer crack in the cliff (a remnant of coal mining) to the forest walkway in the valley far below, then after a cool leisurely walk were brought back up by cablecar. I'll post pics as soon as I can.

Anyway we spent our last night in the little camper that had been our home for two weeks south of Sydney at Botany Bay. We expected beaches but found a stretch of docks and the Airport taking up much of the coast, then further along a bungalowed place called New Brighton, where we paid an exhorbitant price to camp. This morning Rich found a safe place to swim, in an area fenced off from the dangers of the ocean... sharks and stinging jellyfish!

After he deposited me at the Backpackers Hostel and we sadly said Goodbye, I wandered into town and finally met up with Ann, who was only a short way from where I was phoning her. We then spent the rest of the afternoon and evening walking and talking until, after a delicious schooner of James Squire Golden Ale at the Observer, she went to get her ferry home and I came back to the Hostel. So that's all for now... more tomorrow!

Meeting Ann

Yackandandah

Just a quick entry here as we're having morning coffee (8.45am on Wednesday) in the Java Internet Cafe in Yackandandah. We read in the brochure that this is the prettiest little town in the highlands of Victoria so we just had to visit after spending the night in a hilltop carpark, miles from anywhere, watching to sun set and sleeping under the spectacular sky that we've almost become used to.

With only two days to the end of this part of my journey, when Rich flies home on Friday, I have to phone Ann to see whether we can meet up for a days sightseeing. However, with Rich's phone losing battery power, then finding there's no signal when we camp, and then realising that we don't know the codes for Australia or Sydney, I've still not accomplished this. So as soon as I've done here I'll find a public phone and try to work out how to use it! How useless I am sometimes.

So if you're reading this Ann, please leave a comment if you can!

AUSTRALIA DAY!

Actually its Monday 26th Jan here and we've had an interesting day observing Australians celebrating their National Day in Melbourne. From a parade of all the ethnic groups that have settled here, (must have missed the Aborigines) watching people trying out the flying trapeze, (Rich wanted me to have a go but I'm wearing a skirt, which is hardly suitable attire) to the South Bank for food, drink and Buskers, it's been a beautiful day. This is a real city, reminiscent of London with its many Victorian buildings as well as great new edifices lining an attractive river. We came in by tram from the large Campsite at the edge of the suburbs, with caravans, campers and tents crammed into every available space.

We just hopped off the tram on our way back to find an internet cafe, as the one and only computer on the campsite is very expensive. So here I am, online in a Turkish cafe with men smoking hookas all around. I'm still having problems downloading pics from my camera and I don't know when I'll get that fixed so no new pics right now.

In the last few days we followed the Great Ocean Road, stopping to see the Twelve Apostles rocks on the coast, lashed by an incredible ocean, walked down the Gibson Steps to the beach and tried to camp overnight in the car park. However, the Wardens came around to tell us it's not allowed, except that Rich had had a drink or three so had to promise we'd leave before dawn. In the early hours it started to blow up a storm, lashing down with rain and rocking the van. I lay awake, feeling and hearing the booming roar of huge waves gnawing and nibbling at the base of the high cliffs on which we were parked, imagining the news: "Mother and son in storm tragedy. British holidaymakers who'd narrowly escaped being swept out to sea last week met their fate when freak winds swept their camper van off the cliffs last night." Suffice to say that we were awake most of the night but didn't want to move till dawn gave enough light to see where we were going. Then an incredible drive in the early morning through varied scenery of hills and forest, stopping for a break in a beautiful area of rainforest, full of tree ferns.

There's so much to see in this part of the country, but with only a few days left we just had to drive through and admire the views. Tomorrow we start the final leg to Sydney, where I hope to meet up with Ann, the daughter of Catherine in the US who often leaves comments. Rich flies home before I leave for NZ and I'll only have a couple of days to see Sydney so it would be great to have someone show me the sights if poss.

Deserts and Mountains

Leaving the varied experiences of Kangaroo Island on Monday we travelled East to meet up with the coast again at Victor Harbour, where we gratefully booked into a campsite that provided power to recharge batteries and more importantly, hot showers; and we really needed to clean up! An interesting feature of this small seaside town is a causeway to Granite Island where small penguins nest. This granite was also a magnet to Rich as it provided him with a perfect surface for bouldering; that's free climbing on large rocks. I joined him as the sun was setting to watch for the return of these birds from the sea to feed their large fluffy chicks that suddenly began to emerge from their burrows. As it was now dark there are no pics.

As we walked back through the town to our campsite at 9.00pm it was remarkably quiet; the only places open were a large pub, with music issuing from its empty interior (I kid you not) and a pizza parlour where three giggling girls emerged as we passed. That was it!

Next day we left the sleepy bungalowed coast to continue eastward, crossing the Murray river by ferry and entering a huge empty plain with a feeling of forboding, as though embarking on a voyage to Mars. This feeling was somewhat encouraged by the music of John Adams on the Radio that could have accompanied a space movie. After some hours we were relieved to see a mass of rocks on the horizon that confirmed we were heading in the right direction to Mount Arapiles, where we camped for two nights amid pine trees and cool breezes. Rich bouldered to his heart's content while I chuckled over Bill Bryson. (We're taking it in turns to read Down Under.) My exercise was to walk the 'Tourist trail' up to the peak, which was steeper and rockier than I'd been led to believe, and hot!

The next day, my Birthday, we left in a dust storm on the flat plains whipped up by high winds, with warnings of fire hazard. (There are several fires around Melbourne as we just saw in the paper.) Later we entered the Grampian mountains, a huge range rising up from the plains which gave spectacular views from the narrow winding mountain road. Last night we camped at this beautiful place called Hall's Gap where Rich gave me a Birthday treat of a very good meal in a classy Restaurant and we felt decidedly like happy campers in our dusty clothes.

I'm having problems downloading pictures. For some reason at this Internet cafe I can't do it and at other places the connection has been too slow. This is a town called Woolalooloo (or something!) on the coast as we make our way to Melbourne. I hope to find a better place to next download pics and stuff!!

We Live to Tell the Tale.

We've been almost in the wild for the past four days on Kangaroo Island, south of Adelaide. Rich had read about this still unspoilt place that abounds with wildlife and we couldn't wait to experience kangaroos and wallabies bounding around the camp site and koalas festooning the trees, not to mention other quaint marsupials and reptiles. Well, its been interesting, although claiming that the island is teeming with wildlife might be a slight exaggeration. However, we did see kangaroos in the distance and one mother and bouncy joey crossed the road in front of our van when I didn't have the camera ready. We photographed an echidna; the Australian version of a hedgehog that was scrabbling about in the dirt looking for ants. Rich definately got a glimpse of a large lizard, the rare Heath Goanna, that immediately dissapeared, but he saw its tracks.

Apart from that, mosquitos feasted on us at one camp site, especially as I sat patiently waiting one morning for wildlife to appear at a a water hole and saw nothing but birds. There are plenty of birds; flocks of chattering red, orange and blue parrots and the strangely musical version of black and white 'magpies'. Then we did see a large 'sacred ibis' take off majestically on one occasion and when we visited a seal colony were overwhelmed by their pungent smell.

Late afternoon yesterday we took a designated trail, where we did see a massive spider's web stretched between two trees with its large intimidating owner sat in the centre, but my camera battery chose that moment to die, so there's nothing to show you. Later as I cooked dinner on our fourth campsite (we were the only occupants that night) Rich said "There's an eight foot kangaroo over here" but he was jesting, so as we were eating in the van and I said, looking through the window behind him, "Quick look, there's that eight foot kangaroo!" he didn't take me seriously. There was however, a large buck, at least as big as a small man, just a few yards from our van and as dusk fell we saw other dark shapes moving around. (But no pics.)

The wildlife has not just been about animals. We just had to find 'the best beach in Australia' according to one writer, which does look spectacular, (see pic.) I did see a sign about 'the rip' but launching myself into the surf in wild abandon, (there's something very seductive about the sea; a favourite story of my childhood was Hans Anderson's 'The Little Mermaid') I was soon shocked to realise how far out from the shore I'd got and my attempts to swim back were not getting me any nearer. With Richard's strength and tenacity, along with my totally irrational belief that I have another 30 years of life, he somehow dragged me back to shore, (almost losing my swimsuit in the process!) aided by a family with a surfboard.

They'd realised we were in trouble and had alerted the coastguard, so as we recovered our breath on the beach a policeman eventually arrived to check us out and then two ambulances (see pic) staffed by very cheerful volunteers who told us that the helicopter had been put on alert and if we'd been swept out to sea we'd have been picked up by a winch. Now that would have made an exciting blog! Later, reading 'Down Under,' Bill Bryson noted a local's comment; "Don't worry about sharks... its the rips'll get you!" Point taken... a mermaid I am not! My next swim was in a calm, safe lagoon and even then I wasn't getting out of my depth. I think I'll stick to swimming pools in future.

The next day we found 'Remarkable Rocks' where Rich proceded to frightened the tourists by doing what he always does. I'll swear my hair is turning whiter by the day!

Kangaroo Island

We were thankful to leave Adelaide, another 'you could be anywhere' kind of city, where we paid for a day's bus riding and then found that the city had free buses and tram within the city limits, which being only one mile square, (or one square mile, I'm never sure if that's different) we could easily walk around. So we made up for it by riding the tram a few kilometers to the coast through the never ending suburbs. It was very hot and the AC in our room at the Shakespere Backpackers Hostel, being old simply didn't do the job.

So yesterday, Thursday morning, we took possession of a Backpackers Campervan and took to the open road. Following the coast south we made for the Sealink ferry to Kangaroo Island, which promises a wildlife experience such as you don't get now on the mainland. It's expensive but we want a few days 'in the wild'. We camped by a cove where we attempted to snorkel but found it was really too shallow. Further out Rich saw a bunch of ominous looking jellyfish so we didn't loiter too long in the water. It was a very quiet spot and we weren't disturbed by anyone telling us we couldn't camp there overnight. After a good meal cooked on the gas stove, we made oursleves comfortable; Rich on a top pull-out bed with me below on the very large comfortable bed. When I went out to do the necessary in the night the sky was incredible; so black and full of brilliant stars and of course, quite different to our familiar northern starscape.

In the early morning, bright red and yellow parrots flew around the bushes and lovely little wagtails bobbed around the van. So now we're both in the Island's Library checking emails etc. Then we're off to explore this very large island.

Across Australia

We've left the comfort of Damian's home, where we were spoilt rotten and taken everywhere by car, to fly to Adelaide where I'm now reporting from a backpackers hostel. It would be Ok except that it's been in the 40's since we arrived and our room is too hot for comfort! Late this afternoon we took the tram to the coast where I promptly lay down on the hot sand and slept for a good hour. Rich had to wake me as the sun was going down!

Tomorrow we're back on the road again in a small campervan, to explore this South east corner of the continent. We have a good two weeks and I believe the coastline is quite spectacular. Also Rich wants to venture to some mountainous regions to do some climbing. We'll leave the camper at Sydney, where we'll both fly off in different directions; Rich to go home and me to meet Julie in Christchurch, NZ. This is quite a trip and I hope I haven't taken on too much! Anyway its been fantastic so far. More news when I can.

The Aussie Life

The backyard

Rich showing the kids how to do it

This is the life... cool nights and early mornings to get active... retreat from the midday heat to Air Conditioned indoors... then dinner on the patio in the cool evening air. I has been particularly hot while we've been here; a midsummer heat-wave up to 45' C. I'm told that in the winter it can get quite cold, but in between the temperature is just about perfect!

So where's the fly in the ointment? Not so much flies, which can be a pest, but spiders of all sizes, although I've only seen smallish ones so far. Because all the doors and windows have sliding mesh fly-screens, not much gets into the house although Rich caught a huntsman spider, the size of his palm, and took it outside before I saw it! However, that's not a dangerous one; the ones to fear are really small! 

Another danger when it's so hot and dry in this forested area are bush fires. There was a fire just a week before we arrived, but it was quickly dealt with.  Part of the natural cycle of these forests is to burn, which generates new growth and the seeds of some trees only germinate after fire.  People who choose to live here accept the danger, taking whatever precautions they can, but people do die occasionally! 

We decided to go snorkeling this afternoon, but after a trip to the Perth Aquarium, which was really good, we were having second thoughts about descending into such dangerous waters that contain things sharp and poisonous, and that's not counting the sharks!!  However, we did go to the beach, but as this part of the coast was rather rocky and the waves were pretty fierce, Sandra and I didn't join the boys snorkeling. 

Waking as the sun dawns to the strange calls of unfamiliar birds, the piney scent of surrounding forest permeating the cool air coming through my fly-screened open window, is a wonderful experience. I could get used to that! No wonder the family love it here. They love the outdoor life and there are so many opportunities for sports, with off-road cycling right here and swimming less than an hour away. Beats Milton Keynes!

Some pics of our day out. Rachel tackling a monster thing! 

At the Aquarium we were conveyed underwater through the plexiglass tunnel with huge turtles, big sharks and massive manta rays gliding past and overhead. The commentary on what we were seeing then mentioned that the curved plexiglass has the effect of making them appear 30% smaller, when I would have expected it to be the opposite, making them appear bigger than they really are.  That's impressive!!

   

Down Under with my Aussie Family

What a joy it is to be here with Richard visiting his twin brother Damian and his family who emigrated four years ago.  We've been hearing about the ups and downs of starting a new life here, but they've done well and now have their own spacious house in the hills above Perth. 

The house is on a slope and faces East (very Feng Shui) with 5 bedrooms, one each for the four kids, and 2 bathrooms. Sandra's Mum has the West end of the house; her own living room/ kitchenette, bedroom, bathroom and loo, where we're housed. There are three communal rooms for the family, one of which is dedicated to music with piano, drum kit and recording mixer computer. They all play instruments and Rachel has a good singing voice. What talent! My grandchildren are great and don't seem to be contaminated by the usual teenage angst, frustrations and rebelliousness, but then they have wonderful parents and what's more, the best Dad I've ever seen.  Maybe he's compensating for the lack of a good father in his life, but whatever, he's doing great! 

Jonathan at 20 is the eldest; the spitting image of his Mum, while Samuel, 18, is the clone of his Dad. Rachel at 15 has just graduated from High School and Phoebe is 10.  They are all so talented and more importantly, have every opportunity to show what they can do.  They do appear to be the perfect family; a somewhere between the Waltons, Osmonds and The Partridge family. Maybe when we leave they'll all breathe a sigh of relief and revert to their normal selves!! (Just kidding.) 

Yesterday they took us to an animal sanctuary to see Koala bears, (that are not native to this part of the continent) fallow deer (not sure if they're native at all) and wallabies. We didn't see any kangas as they'd be asleep in the heat of the midday sun that only crazy tourists go out in. We fed parrots and cockatoos in cages, all vying for our attention with cries of "hello"and "how yer doing?" while we fed them popcorn. (Not sweetened, you'll be glad to know.) Poor birds. Contrary to popular kids books, Koalas are not affectionate or sociable. According to their keeper, all they do is sleep and eat, seeming not even to notice each other and even sitting on each others heads. Not much grey matter there. 

Early this morning Rich went off with Damian and the older ones to go surfing, leaving Sandra, Phoebe and I to take it more leisurely. I helped Sandra water all the plants in pots on the patios and their one little patch of grass before we left for the beach. It took about 40 minutes to reach the Secret Harbour beach and there was no view of the sea until we were actually there. Then... WOW... miles of perfect sand and crystal blue sea with white crested waves to satisfy young surfers.  We had a great time frolicking in the sea although I couldn't help recalling that a middle aged Bank manager was eaten by a Great White just a few weeks ago while snorkeling with his son. (But not at this location.)

Most of all I was struck by the clean orderliness of everywhere; no litter, no broken glass, no hawkers, no beggars, in fact nothing to disturb the innocent pleasures of these British/ European settlers. Place names like Welshpool and Bunbury are familiar, although there are some aboriginal names in the roads.

Where are the original inhabitants anyway? I've seen no sign of any so far.  There are three aboriginal families in the local congregation but they don't live here in this white suburb. I get a slightly disturbed feeling thinking that not so long ago these house plots and back gardens were roamed freely by local tribes. 

As it was so hot this afternoon we all went to an indoor climbing wall, where Rich showed them how to do it! They were all doing pretty well!

So here are a few pics of our time here so far!

Reflections

    

Relaxing here in comfort for the first time, I find myself reflecting back on the four months spent in Viet Nam and the many good people I met there. They may be out of sight but definitely not out of mind! All the staff and teachers at KTV, from Mr Thom, (sorry I didn't get to say goodbye in person), and his efficiently smart partner Ms Khan, Ms Ha in her lovely Ai Dao, to the teachers in particular that I worked with; the ever-busy Ms Yen, beautifully elegant Ms Lam, brightly intelligent Ms Gaio, lovely young Sophia (above in Orange T-shirt), quiet Ms Tien, beaming Mr Ha and the irrepressible Mr Duc, ever-smiling little Michael, who's really not little at all but it differentiates him from Louisiana Michael, my Big Buddy who I miss as much as I do Mark, my lovely big son.  I really enjoyed teaching at KTV and I miss you all already, including those not named!  (Top pic; me with the two Michaels.)  And how could I forget dear Judy who gave both me and Mark such help and support and so often brought tasty food for our lunch.  

Then there are all the students; in particular Lai and her friends Jasmine and Daisy, who along with others studying Tourism at their college took me along for a day trip to the Cat Tien National Park.  Keep practicing English and you'll all do very well.  Not to mention 'The Evil Ones' class... Lam, Joe, Justin, David, Andy and others are etched into my memory even if I don't recall all their names.  Mr Siu-Siu (a mature student) in one pic, who owns the best cake making company in Bien Hoa and provided the most elaborate cakes for Teachers Day as well as every other occasion.

The family at 'the Ranch', Co Mai and Mr Phuong with their two sons Uy and Ti (who spray-paints graffiti in the night and does this free-running acrobatic stuff!) and young daughter Tina, together with Thim who works so hard and Duan who biked me to and from school for the month I lived there.  Thank you all so much for your generosity, especially lovely Thim who made me a beautiful pair of silk trousers, which will always remind me of her. I didn't get to see her before I left and I'm just sorry I couldn't have more time talking with her. 

There are so many more, including Mark's private students, Brad Pitt and Jojo (not their real names!) who presented me with two beautiful trouser suits, made by their aunt especially for me, just before I left! Thank you so much... they're wonderful! (I'm wearing one of them in this pic at lunch with Co Mai and Mr Phuong.) 

Another thank you to Mr Wing (Nguyen) and his team of Easy riders in Da Lat for a never to be forgotten trip through the highlands. Is there anyone I've forgotten?  I will always remember the beautiful people of Viet Nam and it was a wonderful experience teaching in Bien Hoa, in spite of the heat, which caused me to drip sweat constantly for three months and the mosquitoes; the scars on my legs testifying to their feasting night and day!  I hope some of you will keep in touch; an occasional email or comment made on my blog will always be welcome.

 

After the chaos of Cambodia, where I was relieved of my wallet (with only $10 in it) and, I just discovered, my cellphone, which I wasn't using, (how that happened I don't know; maybe while travelling by bus or even in a hotel), I move on now to discover the delights of the land of Oz, once we've recovered! Rich has really been in the wars since he arrived in the East and is still unwell! 

So I'll post a few memories of the last few months... 

Three flights to Oz!

What a relief to be here in Perth with Damian and his lovely family!  He and Sandra picked us up early this morning after I managed to get myself transferred to Richard's flight so we could travel together, which meant we had little or no sleep at all for the past 24+ hours.  We're using Sandra's mother's 'granny annex' while she's away visiting, so I was very grateful to sink into a warm bath before taking a nap. 

        

Even though I spent many hours in airports yesterday, first waiting 4 hours for my flight from Phnom Penh after Rich left, then 5 hours at Saigon waiting for the connection to Singapore and finally about 4 hours at Singapore with Rich, I was consumed by this book; 'First they killed my Father' by one survivor of the Khmer Rouge regime. Another example of 'man's inhumanity to man' to add to so many other atrocities and ethnic cleansing that makes me wonder about the future of humankind, except for the tenacity of the human spirit that can rise and survive.  Rich here with kids who live right next to the Killing Fields site and above a view of the local countryside. 

So now we're chilling out with the family in the cool of their lovely house on the outskirts of Perth while outside the temperature mounts to 35' and Richard sleeps. We've been made very welcome by  everyone and look forward to a great week here. 

 

GOODBYE CAMBODIA... HELLO VIETNAM AGAIN!

Right now I'm in Ho Chi Minh City Airport waiting for a connecting flight to Singapore. I left Phnom Penh earlier, after Rich left on his flight direct to Singapore, but for some reason known only to the Hotel Booking Agent in VietNam, I have to do this circuitous route, waiting here for 4 hours! So Rich will meet me at 8.20 tonight and then our flights are different again; Rich flying overnight and me tomorrow morning!  (Unless we can persuade Singapore Airlines to change one of our flights.)  I'm so glad I can get online here with Wi-Fi and I'm plugged into a convenient electric point. 

Cambodia was an exhausting experience, physically and emotionally. Their recent history has been so horrifyingly traumatic it impinges on everyone, natives and tourists alike. Wherever we went we were accosted by people selling; photocopied books, woven bracelets, Tuk-tuk and moto services, or just asking for money because the country is so poor. Rich got a book about one woman's struggle to survive as a child during Pol Pot's reign of terror, which I'm now reading; a horrifying story of what happened to so many people only 30 years ago. 

The only time we escaped from these uncomfortable pressures was on a day's boat trip to Bamboo Island, where there were no beggars.  That's off the coast at Sihouanouk, where we stayed for two nights.  (Check out those tasty sea monsters!) It was everything a paradise island should be, with great beaches and lovely to swim in the sea, although snorkeling off the boat was a bit scary, looking down onto incredible corals but afraid of touching the spiny sea anemones. Rich got 'stung' by something that left dark marks on his foot, but they don't seem to be too bad and hopefully won't give him any trouble. He's really been in the wars since coming out here!

Last night we sat at a bar playing Connect Four, a larger version of Noughts and Crosses, when children came in bothering everyone to buy books. They got engrossed with our game and joined in, finally taking it over and playing each other. Bright kids! However, these are not the scruffy street urchins who probably can't afford to buy books to sell; I noticed that these kids were clean and well dressed, maybe making money for their families or to pay for school.

Finally, we chanced on a troupe of Dragon Dancers practicing their daring acrobatic routine, which really impressed Rich! Difficult to get good pics though.

Well, I'll soon be able to check in for my flight so I'll just post some pics of the last few days.