Planes, travel and Hawaii

More on my travels. First I want to mention some experiences on planes. I left Seattle on Alaskan Air and there was a request for a single passenger to change with a mother and baby in the back row. Seems a baby cant travel in the back row. It was the isle and I was happy to swap. I actually like the back row. For moving the flight attendant said they would look after me. I was more than happy to switch but got the digi player for free (normally a fee is charged). It was cool to be able to see a movie and then play games. I was offered free food also.

Then coming back to Australia with Qantas when I got of the plane and going to retrieve my luggage one of the flight attendants got a trolley for me then he got my bags and place them on the trolley for me. It was a great help. Of course controlling a trolley with one hand isn't the easiest. The last flight was fun. There was turbulence and being in the last row on my own I shared it with a few different people who had to find a seat because it was so rough. I am glad it was the last flight but found it fun all the same. Then you know its not a good thing to hear your name announced over the sound system. I go to baggage claim to be told I hadn't cleared customs to which I said yes I did. As they were working out what happened I see one bag come out. The other one missed the flight so they gave me an emergency kit with pj's and other toiletries. The missing bag had mainly souvenirs and my treats. They arranged to send it to the hotel when it arrived the following day. 

Now back to Hawaii. I arrived once again in rain. Not that it rained long but every final destination was raining. I was looking forward to some down time in Hawaii. Didn't do much except some shopping and watching sunsets. I was able to go to Waikiki Baptist Church and also did some walking. This time I even went swimming in the pool but found it not as good with a sore wrist. I also visited Teddybear World again. Its a fun place to visit and see Elvis.

I went for a walk around the canal, I thought if I walk to the bridge cross it and walk the other side to the other bridge and back. Well in theory it was good but in reality it was different. I crossed the bridge and then found it didn't follow the canal as closely and I was then when I got to the road to turn back I found I was quite a distance from the canal and on the other side of the golf course. what should have been around 40mins or so turned into a 1 and a half hour walk.

I did get to try some icecreams. Dipping dots, Doles Pineapple dairy whip, Haagen Daz which are all really good. (like Haagen Daz the best).

More of Ausjenny's adventures.

Sorry for the delay in posting more. I didn't have much access to a computer where I could add photos. Also my wrist has been playing up again and I have to be careful how much I use it.

I still plan to post about my tour but need to work out what to post and may do it over several posts. I will continue from leaving Spokane to Seattle and Port Orchard. It was sad to say goodbye to friends in Spokane and I found it the most emotional of all the farewells. 

I arrived in Seattle after another early start. Once again arrived to rain. It was chilly and was most of the time there. I was able to meet my friend and another friend and we had brunch. I also got to see her friendly Squirrel Rocky (who now has a friend dubbed Rockette.)

I realise I haven't told you of my obsession with Squirrels. When ever I see them I go nuts! I get so excited like a little school kid. They are so cute and I could watch them for hours. (In fact I have even taken little videos of them). We do not have them in the wild (or suburbia) here in Australia and I tend to get hyper when I see them. I got to see a woodchuck also. (missed out on the chipmunks and the only raccoons had had an unfortunate accident with a car).

We had decided to take the ferry to Victoria BC and it was lovely there. Funny the ferry was so rough the first part of the crossing (didn't worry me but others were finding it rough) and about half way through it was calm the same on the way back. The Canadian side was calm!

We looked around Victoria and the second day went to the Butchart Gardens which are so beautiful. The roses were not quite out and the spring bulbs just finished but it was still beautiful. I am enclosing some photos.

They also have a Carrousel which is so cool I had to ride it as I have never ridden one that goes up and down before. But a note if you do ride one do not choose an animal with a tail standing up. its hard to get off and you tend to hit your leg (unless you are younger and fitter). It reminded me of Mary Poppins and I thought at any time we would take off like they did. I had so much fun.
It is a highlight for me. 

We had time to tour the Parliament building in Victoria BC Which is a beautiful building and the stain glass windows are amazing. Also the dome with its pictures is a work of art. It was well worth the visit. They even have people playing some of the early members of parliament.

We had a great time in Canada (and my wallet took a beating but hey I have 2 new hoodies) The last day in Port Orchard we relaxed and took it easy. My friends Daughter came over and we watched Mama Mia on DVD and I had Abba In my head for ages after in fact its still in my head!

I have a great time in Washington state but I was ready to head to Hawaii and some sun!

More of Ausjenny's travels

So much has happened since my last update. I completed an 8 days Historical Highlights tour with Trafalgar tours seeing many revolution and civil war areas. This I will blog more about when I get home as I am limited and want to digest it more.

Then Sunday I flew to Spokane Washington State which started with an early start catching the shuttle at about 5.15am for Baltimore Airport. Then a stopover in Denver and onto Spokane. Here a group of authors and readers were meeting.

This took place not after arriving. I was so tired and feeling so overwhelmed and yes my wrist was back to being strapped. It had been getting worse each day. Had such a great two days with this group. (One had to leave early). Not enough time was had.

Me, Janet Tronstad

Me, Mary and Jillian Hart.

We had such a great time and hearing part of the next novella by Jillian and Janet was exciting. 

I am so glad I got to go and meet all these ladies. Many had been with me online when First I had my health issue last year and then when mum passed away.

This was the sunrise in the morning Tuesday. I got up to see a few ladies off (ok I couldn't sleep). Isn't it lovely. I was so beautiful. It was a great weekend one I wish I had longer time at.

I then headed to Seattle and had a night in Canada. Will talk about that at a later date also.

I am off to Hawaii tomorrow. Can not believe how quick the time has gone.

Traveling with Ausjenny

I thought I would put some of my experiences down of my trip so far.
I left Australia on Sunday at 1.25 pm and arrived at Dallas Airport at 1.10pm the same day.
I found Qantas to be a good flight although the leg room is a little short and the flight on American Airlines had more room. It wasn't a bad flight just long.
In Dallas I was able to catch up with 3 friends (who I won't embarrass here) and had a great time of re meeting one and meeting 2 for the first time. The time just sped by. Then it was a flight to Atlanta. I actually feel asleep on the tarmat and didn't see us take of but woke 5 mins later.

I arrived in Atlanta around 9pm and got to bed around 32 hours after I woke that morning. I didn't sleep well Jetlag hit in bad.

(L to R) Debby Giusti, Jenny Blake, Missy Tippens,
Patty Smith Hall and Patti Jo Moore.

 

It was here I got to meet 3 Love inspired authors and an aspiring author. I felt like I had known them for years. We went to Ruby Tuesdays and had a really good waiter. Very patient and he took great photos. The meal was wonderful and the fellowship way better. It was a wonderful time together getting to know people I have communicated with online and to meet them in person. We talked alot about books and It was sad to say good bye.

 

I then took the bus to Chattanooga where I met my friend for the first time in person but it wasn't like it was the first time. It felt like we had known each other in person forever. She is just like I imagined only 10 times better.  We are having so much fun together but I promised her I wouldn't share photos of us at this stage. I will add a few of my own. We have been to Rock City and Ruby Falls. Now that is spectacular. The Chickamauga battlefield where I was in my element. The guide at the centre was so imformative and we chatted for ages. She appreciated my love for the era and that I already knew so much about the war. We also have seen sites in Chattanooga including a bridge which has glass. Three panels the whole way across with one being fully transparent so it feels like you are walking on a beam and could fall into the river. I walked on this and it was an interesting experience.

 

I have seen squirrels which I adore and also chipmonks, a wild turkey (a little on the thin side) and deer. We had one squirrel seeming to hold us up. It ran on the road and we slowed to a stop and it sat there then got on its back legs and started being cute before running off.

 

Today will probably be the Chattanooga Zoo. Then onto Washington DC tomorrow and will add more as I am able. Having a blast. Jetlag is much better I got a good sleep last night

 

At Rock City

 

 

Ruby Falls

Having fun at the battlefield

 

Outside the Chickamauga information centre.