OUR ITINERARY **NEW, REVISED AND UP TO DATE**

  • If we're going to be in your city and you want to get together for a cup of coffee, leave a message at our hotel, or send me an email ahead of time at shakos@sympatico.ca - we'll try to rendezvous with you. That would be great fun!
  • Sat. Oct. 20 - Arrive in Christchurch, New Zealand and stay at the Copthorne Central Hotel, phone 03 379 5880.
  • Mon. Oct. 22 - TranzAlpine Train ride to Franz Josef, staying at the Franz Josef Glacier Hotel, phone 03 752 0729.
  • Tues. Oct. 23 - Queenstown, staying at the Novotel Gardens, phone 03 442 7750.
  • Thurs. Oct. 25 - Te Anau, staying at the Village Inn, phone 03-249 7911.
  • Fri. Oct. 26 - Dunedin, staying at the Dunedin City Hotel, phone 03 470 1470. Hope to meet Chris Davies for coffee while we're there.
  • Sat. Oct. 27 - Mount Cook National Park, staying at The Hermitage Hotel, phone 03 435 1809.
  • Sun. Oct. 28 - Back at the Copthorne Central Hotel in Christchurch, phone 03 379 5580 till Oct. 30th. We'll then take the ferry to the North Island and stay with Beulah from Oct. 30th, till November 5th.
  • Mon. Nov. 5 - Pick up a car for a self-drive tour to Auckland. (Biting my nails as you guys drive on the wrong side of the road - giggle). Stay at the Lakeland Resort, Taupo, phone 07 378 3893 on the 5th, and at the Heritage Rotorua on the 6th and 7th, phone 07 348 1189.
  • Thurs. Nov. 8 - Arrive in Auckland and stay with Lizzie and her husband John. I've promised to teach an ink and oil rouging design for Lizzie while I'm there.
  • Mon. Nov. 12 - It's all over but the curtain calls. Fly from Auckland back to Los Angeles, where we will stay a week with my aunt. A good chance to shake off some of the jet lag.
  • Sun. Nov. 18 - Back in Canada. All good things have to come to an end. The memories, however, will last a lifetime.

Friday, September 28, 2007

Sept. 22 - Darwin area - Katherine Gorge with Julie




Today I met Julie Blight of the Globalbrushstrokes group. She managed to wangle her way onto our Katherine River Luncheon Cruise - I don't know how much bribery it took, and I don't care, because the important thing was to meet her while I was in her area. She didn't take pity on me and arrange a cool day either. Well, it might have been cool for her, but it sure felt hot and humid to me! We had a lovely chat as we ate lunch and floated through the Katherine Gorge - which is breathtaking. We had a brief clamber over the rocks to view some aboriginal rock paintings, which were very interesting.
George managed to snap a picture of a little fresh water crocodile hiding under the rocks. He looks like he's smiling - probably thinking of a tasty meal of tourists!

Julie sure spoiled me with a bag of goodies, including a signed copy of the magazine in which her batik-style dragonfly was published - AND she also gave me the original painting! I will treasure that gift for sure.

Actually, I will treasure all the gift I have received - a tote bag with a kangaroo on it from Gwen and a lovely silk scarf that is tied around my Aussie hat. A cute ornament from Lee Tremaine that will go on my Christmas tree each year to remind me of our trip, and the sweetest little kookaburra painted by Karen Dimmick. Thanks girls, you've made me feel very special.

Too soon the river cruise was over, and I had to say goodbye to Julie, grab a quick hug, and get back on the bus. We stopped for a quick dip in the pool at the bottom of the Edith Falls, which helped to cool me off, and then it was back to Darwin.

3 comments:

Serena Lewis said...

I'm so glad to see you and George are having a fabulous time DownUnder!! The pics are FABULOUS and I'm thoroughly enjoying reading about your experience enroute too. :)

Connie M. said...

Hello weary travelers! I'm so glad you're having such a wonderful time on your trip. Thanks for sharing the wonderful details of your travels, along with such colorful photos. Keep us posted as you continue your journey. Hugs, Connie Melnyk (Brush Bunch)

Vicki and Don said...

Breathtaking scenery! What a great way to spend the day - seeing the wonderful sights AND sharing them with an online painting friend! :-) Wish I was there with you!