Dream Car

This car is on order...should be in US soon! Watch for "Travels with Brownie." Isn't it cute?

Muslim...

...or not, some things never change!

"Sheeps"*

In preparation for The Great Feast, sheep are being lead on foot, transported in carts or small trucks to markets to be sold and slaughtered, one for each family.

Ones with black noses and/or lips are worth more and ones with painted backs have been sold.

We see only females in the fields -- and they seem to be enjoying their "girl time."

*our wonderful guide, Rasheed, uses the plural!

SFO -- Trip Begins

Gulliver Griswold is on the move.
Yesterday, SFO to DC staying with Pal Penni from high school.

Morning in Morocco

Birds chirping and we are ensconced in a riad in Fez. A riad is a Moraccan version of a B&B, and it is located in the medina, or Old City.

Just checking to see if this will work...

...HI! Out from the desert, and in southern Morocco, en route to Marakech...

Laura/LJ

Rambles from the Road

Awfully Quiet

Just in case you were wondering, Laura is still in Morocco and obviously has no wifi connectivity.  I did get one email that simply said her passport disappeared on the plane and they made her fly back to Paris to get a new one. So she did. Here is hoping she is having a great time!

Building Permit...

...a la Rabat, Moroccan Capitol.

Early morning walk...

...in Chefchaouen (northeast Morocco), a town perched in the mountains and the heart of a most beautiful area. I am glad I didn't read before leaving...every day is full of unexpected beauty and learning about this fascinating land. The blue paint is lime with blue, hand-painted to maintain its beauty and uniqueness.

FINALLY!

After an unexpected trip to Paris to replace a lost passport, I arrived here last Monday. The intervening days have each been spectacular in their own unique way, reflecting the excitement of this country.

I will catch up with blog if this goes through...

Fingers crossed,

Laura

Cotton Candy Sky!

Popped up from reading and what to my ordering eyes should appear...but ACRES of cotton candy clouds! A gleeful treat!

Leaving from SFO...

...was an inspiring collection of recology art. This Hummer is made from recycled styrofoam.

Post-traumatic Race syndrome

Held my breath too long at final race of America's Cup!

America's Cup Village

Man-nequins!!!

Subject: Day#1: Kuranda...

...a small town, a beautiful cable-car ride away from the coast through ascending rain forest about 1,000' above sea level.

Took a wander with guide through aboriginal part of forest -- what ingenuity!

Also a ride on the Barron River replete with crocs and birds and turtles and a wonderfully Irish guide/captain.

Kuranda Water Tower

Laura

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Bridal Attire

The "outfit" caught my eye, and the camera caught her as she was moving into an arm-in-arm with ...

Nikko Toshogu Shrine Lower Level

A latent puzzle solved.

I knew my Torii Gate necklace was special. I wear it all the time, as you have probably observed,
and really wanted to know more about it. Well...

Today, its meaning and location were revealed to me by a Japanese woman on a trip to an uninhibited island (read NO commercial establishments) in a national park, Franklinder Island.

I had learned several years ago in a Japanese shop in Carmel that it had been crafted by an artist from south of Tokyo.

Bruce bought it for me in an antique emporium in Melbourne almost many years go - now.

Today I learned that it symbolizes "House of God." ( I think my heart has felt that for a long time.)
It is from Shinto-ism. (I heard that as speculation a while ago also.)

Now, the really cool part: this gate is located at the entrance to a very large, elaborate and famous shrine in Nikko (refer to link below) about 2 hours from Tokyo and is also where the see-no-evil, etc. monkeys can be found.

The background is now complete!

http://www.digital-images.net/Gallery/Scenic/Japan/Shrines/Nikko-1/nikko-1.html#Entrance


Laura/LJ

Rambles from the Road

Body Language

This fellow appeared from nowhere asking our guide about taking his little girl rafting...notice our guide's posturing AND the red at his waist which is underwear!

The guide's only comment: "I knew he wasn't American because his teeth were so bad!"

Well, maybe you had to be there...

Day#1: Kuranda...

...a small town, a beautiful cable-car ride away from the coast through ascending rain forest about 1,000' above sea level.

Took a wander with guide through aboriginal part of forest -- what ingenuity!

Also a ride on the Barron River replete with crocs and birds and turtles and a wonderfully Irish guide/captain.

This evening's dinner...

One of the women's staying here brought on this 15 lb beauty. Brendon played chef preparing this plus creamed shrimp and steamed mussels...all fresh and all succulent served in the "back yard" under a clear evening sky.

I am The Esplanade a food from the harbor. Really really lovely.

Tis fun to be in touch again,

Laura/LJ

Bruce and Norma

Last evening before I red-eyed fro Perth to Sydney and North to Cairns.

On-line from Cairns!

Oahu, Kanehoe Yacht Club...don't know if this went out or not...

Heaven.

...as far as Sydney...

Easy flight. Two decent meals - imagine!

And we each had our own iPad with TV shows, radio, music, movies, kid channels. Quite fun.

Landing was filled with many happy memories.

What is this?

Dear Reader,

Clue: I saw this/these at the yacht club during the recent renovation.

Sailing...

...into the sunset for Thursday night racing from Kanehoe Yacht Club.

Is this working?

Laura

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Practicing

Greetings!

I am headed out for my first major trip of the year next Tuesday and had such fun with my Rambles in Italy a while ago, thought I would revive/resuscitate the effort.

Mistake #1: I must be on camera app to forward pic and copy!

Cheers,

Laura/LJ

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Getting Closer!

Our new floating home for a week after 3 delicious days at The Crane...

On the road again!...

....followed by some driving on terra firma. What-is-this's to follow...

Another Test

"Those faraway places with the strange sounding names are calling, calling to me! "

Testing!

I am practicing my "blogging" skills before I leave next week for points east...

WHAT IS THIS? (Headboard at Kirkwood shot with goofy app!).

A Painting by Aly

Thought you might be interested in seeing this "Octopus Painting" by Aly.......

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WHAT IS THIS RETURNS!

So, what is this ?

Somebody please guess, so I know the blog is going out again!

, 

Laura

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Hyde Street Living History Players

Participation in this living history program is my newest adventure. We had a day-long training, will dress in authentic clothing ( I will have to purchase a wig) and create our own characters. We can develop all but the facts!!!

Come aboard!





http://hydestreetlivinghistory.org/


Laura/LJ

Rambles from the Road