TravelStream™ news feed for member mariebee on TravelPod's free travel blogs service http://www.travelpod.com/syndication/rss/mariebee en-us Copyright ©2009 TravelPod.com Thu, 05 Feb 2009 18:12:02 -0500 http://www.travelpod.com http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/mariebee/world_tour/1233875400/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/mariebee/world_tour/1233875400/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/mariebee/world_tour/1233875400/tpod.html Thu, 05 Feb 2009 18:12:02 -0500 One woman wanders, and wonders at, the world.

Jump to the full
entry & travel map

London, England, United Kingdom

Weekend w/cousins, surprise sendoff.My friend Nigel's birthday.My leaving London soire at The Young Vic theatre's The Cut BarPHOTOS
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/mariebee/world_tour/1232832660/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/mariebee/world_tour/1232832660/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/mariebee/world_tour/1232832660/tpod.html Thu, 05 Feb 2009 18:10:14 -0500 One woman wanders, and wonders at, the world.

Jump to the full
entry & travel map

London, England, United Kingdom

Hi everyone.  It's been a long time since I've sent out a formal travel blog update.  I think that's because somewhere along the way in my wonderful world travels, I got a little tired of my own company, and experienced more than a little bit of lonelines!  As a result of that, and of a number of return visits to London, I decided to postpone the second leg of my world tour, ie the South America, North America, Indonesia piece (the places of the world I have not visited yet!) as those places will keep... and I look forward to picking up my map of the world and filling it up even more so with pins and lines!  But for now, I'm calling a halt to the travels and have decided to move back to the USA and plant roots for the second half of my life.  I'm thrilled Barack Obama is the President of the United States... really and truly.  I followed the primary campaign as well as the main campaign from wherever I happened to be in the world, and my admiration and respect for Obama grew as it became clearer and clearer he was a contender for the Democratic nomination.   I read his books, and was impressed by how his campaign speeches were expressions of his vision, that he had written about previously.  I trust him, I have huge hope for the changes taking place in the land of my birth, as well as the rest of the world.  Given my travels, I saw how tuned into the US leadership campaign the whole world was.. and I don't think many people in the USA who have no connections outside would believe that... but Obama knows the responsibilities that go with being an influential, and trend setting, world power.  I hope he stays safe, and true to his vision.  And I am excited to be returning to the US during his presidency. Long may it last!So, this note is one of thanks for your interest in my travels, and my thoughts about those travels.  Also it is a temporary farewell, until I put my travel duds on again!The world is a phenomenal place, filled with people who have much more in common than they have differences. The absolute highlight of my travels was the magnificent people I met every step of my way.  You will have read about some of them in my entries.  I was fortunate to be born into a wealthy, thriving, opportunity filled country.  I don't have a huge belief in fate, karma, or providence.. I think it's more or less a roll of the dice where you land.. and how lucky was I to be born to Irish immigrants in the USofA.  We in the west have absolutely got it made, and it saddens me that many Americans do not have an appreciation of that fact.  Not a day goes by without my being grateful for the bounty I have in my life.   And as I get older the greatest gift in my life is my circle of friends, and family.  Another realm in which I have got it made... I feel privileged and blessed to have had the opportunity to get to know and love my large extended family.  I have 75 first cousins, from the 13 in my father's family, and 10 in my mother's!  Many of them are based in the UK and Ireland, so my 14 years in London have been great for strengthening family ties.But enough on that for now!  I will be returning to the USA in February.  My plan is to rent a place for 6months while I look for a job and a home.. I'm thinking southern Maine!  I will update you once I have secured both.  Know that you will be MOST welcome to visit me and stay in my humble home.  I have a fondness and partiality for travelers, and they will always be welcome in my home.  I have benefitted hugely from the generosity of both my dear friends and family who have kindly put me up in between traveling stints, and strangers who have opened themselves to me whether by sharing their life stories, or showing me the way forward, or suggesting places to go and things to do.  I feel I have found the secret of life in my travels.  It is as simple as choosing to be happy.. and grateful for: the travels I have had, and will have in the future; my phenomenal friends and family; the many blessings I have, from good health to long life genes!  I'm posting a variety of photos that I particularly love from my travels. Thank you again for your interest.  I have a facebook site, look me up if you'd like to be "friends" and I also have a Camino de Santiago webpage, you can access it on:
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/mariebee/world_tour/1209526200/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/mariebee/world_tour/1209526200/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/mariebee/world_tour/1209526200/tpod.html Sun, 21 Dec 2008 14:27:18 -0500 One woman wanders, and wonders at, the world.

Jump to the full
entry & travel map

Lilongwe, Lilongwe, Malawi

Malawi updateMost of our time in Malawi was spent at Lake Malawi.. a popular tourist destination. We toured a local school, had an opportunity to ride horses, swim, relax on the lake.  You can check out the BBC country profile on Malawi here: Malawi
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/mariebee/world_tour/1223246220/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/mariebee/world_tour/1223246220/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/mariebee/world_tour/1223246220/tpod.html Sun, 21 Dec 2008 14:23:06 -0500 One woman wanders, and wonders at, the world.

Jump to the full
entry & travel map

Roncesvalles, Navarra, Spain and Canary Islands

Blog to follow
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/mariebee/world_tour/1227844500/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/mariebee/world_tour/1227844500/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/mariebee/world_tour/1227844500/tpod.html Sun, 21 Dec 2008 14:22:14 -0500 One woman wanders, and wonders at, the world.

Jump to the full
entry & travel map

Fruita, Colorado, United States

My sisters, their families, and I shared my favourite US holiday, Thanksgiving, together this year.  We figured it was the first time in 20+ years we were together on the day.. and a wonderful day it was!  My motorcycle policeman brother-in-law Martin took me for my first riding lesson this week .. I am pleased to say I did not run over Martin's toes, (or any other body part!) or destroy the bike.  I even garnered some positive, complimentary comments from my trainer.. who has passed me on lesson one.  Next we progress out of first gear.  Yeeehaaa!
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/mariebee/world_tour/1210844220/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/mariebee/world_tour/1210844220/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/mariebee/world_tour/1210844220/tpod.html Fri, 05 Dec 2008 14:20:00 -0500 One woman wanders, and wonders at, the world.

Jump to the full
entry & travel map

Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya

BBC country profile:  KENYA FACTSFull name: The Republic of KenyaPopulation: 34.3 million (UN, 2005)Capital: NairobiArea: 582,646 sq km (224,961 sq miles)Major languages: Swahili, EnglishMajor religion: ChristianityLife expectancy: 48 years (men), 46 years (women) (UN)Monetary unit: 1 Kenya shilling = 100 centsMain exports: Tea, coffee, horticultural products, petroleum productsGNI per capita: US $540 (World Bank, 2005)Internet domain: .keInternational dialling code: +254Situated on the equator on Africa's east coast, Kenya has been described as "the cradle of humanity".In the Great Rift Valley palaeontologists have discovered some of the earliest evidence of man's ancestors.In the present day, Kenya's ethnic diversity has produced a vibrant culture but is also a source of conflict.We only spent a day in Kenya, before heading home.  I met many Kenyans on my African travels, and would like to return to Kenya.. but I think I'd avoid Nairobi, not being a big city lover.   I did love my African experience, and it made me want to return and see and do more.  What an amazing, enormous, astounding continent.  I've never seen more beautiful skies or amazing animals, and met such impressive, strong people.. on the plus side.  On the startling side, I've never seen more poverty, hustling, hostility, chaos.  The overland tour was not conducive to really getting to grips with the African experience.. but it was a good introduction.   Onward ever, backwards never....
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/mariebee/world_tour/1208849760/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/mariebee/world_tour/1208849760/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/mariebee/world_tour/1208849760/tpod.html Thu, 04 Dec 2008 14:49:24 -0500 One woman wanders, and wonders at, the world.

Jump to the full
entry & travel map

Livingstone, Livingstone, Zambia

BBC country profile: ZAMBIAhttp://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/country_profiles/1069294.stmFrom the BBC site:Zambia has moved from being a major copper producer and potentially one of the continent's richest countries at independence in 1964 to one of the world's poorest.A colonial legacy, mismanagement, debt and disease are said to have contributed to the country's tribulations.Politically, it switched from colonial government into an era of one-party rule lasting 27 years. A multi-party system emerged in the early 1990s.MARIE:The end of the first leg of my Cape Town to Kenya tour is here in Livingstone, Zambia. Site of the incredible Victoria Falls.. second largest waterfall in the world, after Niagara we've been told. More pertinently, the site of my incredible (and I'm still incredulous I've done it) bungie jump!
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/mariebee/world_tour/1225928400/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/mariebee/world_tour/1225928400/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/mariebee/world_tour/1225928400/tpod.html Mon, 24 Nov 2008 18:42:33 -0500 One woman wanders, and wonders at, the world.

Jump to the full
entry & travel map

Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain and Canary Islands

After 31 days walking (with one day off for good behaviour.. well, one day off because I was exhausted and needed to sleep!) I made it across Spain..along the centuries old Camino de Santiago.. St James Way.. amazing.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/mariebee/world_tour/1206440220/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/mariebee/world_tour/1206440220/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/mariebee/world_tour/1206440220/tpod.html Wed, 10 Sep 2008 13:19:27 -0400 One woman wanders, and wonders at, the world.

Jump to the full
entry & travel map

Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Australia

The middle of Australia is one big, red-earthed wasteland! A purpose-built resort was created 20 years ago. Given the relative isolation of the area, goods and services cost a fortune. The Outback was by far the most expensive stop on my Australian tour. And the expense far outweighed the services provided. BUT, I can't complain, because I wouldn't have missed the visit. The middle of the country proved an unusual, unique, and mildly surreal stop. The red earth full of stark trees (many destroyed by lightening) was so strange that looking at it kept me entertained for the three hours or so it took to drive from Ayers Rock Airport to Kings Canyon. I thought Kings Canyon was 3km from Ayers Rock Airport... I was mistaken! No drama (as they say in Oz).
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/mariebee/world_tour/1212249360/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/mariebee/world_tour/1212249360/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/mariebee/world_tour/1212249360/tpod.html Wed, 10 Sep 2008 13:11:21 -0400 One woman wanders, and wonders at, the world.

Jump to the full
entry & travel map

Boston, Massachusetts, United States

BBC country profile: USA http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/country_profiles/1217752.stmIt was with great pleasure, and excitement, that I travelled to Boston, after my short and superb stay in Marrakech. I was looking forward to meeting up with family and friends at the wedding of my young cousin Ann-Marie, after having spent eight months on the road travelling. It was an added bonus to get to meet up with my sister Eileen and her daughter Madison, who were in Boston specially for Ann-Marie's wedding. Eileen, Madi and I had a night in a hotel to ourselves before we joined the excitement of the wedding festivities. And what a festive, happy time it was!Ann-Marie's wedding marked the last of my uncle Gerry's childrens' marriages. Her sister Colleen and brother Michael's weddings before were wonderful, as was Ann-Marie's. But this one was somewhat bittersweet because it marked the end of the large "conventions" to Boston for Gerry and Maureen's kids' weddings! There have been great gatherings generating happy memories at 129 Parker Road, home of Maureen and Gerry. Another wedding might send them all over the edge! So perhaps they're happy to have staged a final, and stupendous, soiree! Ann-Marie's wedding was different to Michael's and Michael's was different to Colleen's, and they were all special to me. Colleen, Michael and Ann-Marie were born when I was a teenager. I babysat all of them and loved watching them grow. Over the years I have been truly impressed with their grown-up selves!Another thing that has impressed me about my young cousins' weddings is their partners' families. Jake, Katie and Mike all have fab families.. which extends the Flaherty clan in an exponential and excellent way!
]]>