The Joy of Travel. X. V, Fix phtos below OO

Hello everyone,

   Al advised our new friend  Marco, to look into importing some of his furniture from Europe, which would be much less expensive, than manufacturing them in his own factory... Marco became very Interested... After Harriett and I finally convinced our reluctant husbands, to take us along on this trip  they finally surrendered to our Relentless Pressure and promise we will not Interfere, with their daily  work and find ways, how to entertain ourselves during the day... We gladly agreed! While the 'guys',   were looking at Furniture Factories in Italy and Spain; the two of us took bus tours,visited museums, bought gifts for the kids at home and were sitting in outdoor cafes, looking at the people walking by us trying to guess what kind of 'profession or a job' they have.After our husbands completed their business the two of us convinced our 'Hard Working Men', that they need to Rest from the Stress, by taking with   us to a few short vacations; like few days in Palma de Mallorca, Monte Carlo and short visit to London Our husbands tried to argue that they must be back in their offices in Los Angeles, but we assured them that their "Empires will not collapse" if they took a few more days...They tried to resist, but as always  gave up eventually......

Italy	Milan	Palma de Mallorca	Monaco	Monte Carlo
France	Paris	London	Our chateau/hotel	Toulouse

  After two more business trips to Europe, we convinced our husbands to travel with us, on business trips  in the U.S and Canada... At one point I sugested to take different kind of trips, to "God forsaken Places"    Unfamiliar and strange places (with stranger people) which are not mentioned in tour book or  in Travel Brochures... We flew to Arizona, gambled in Las Vegas, drove out of town to places we have never heard before... On the way, we met strange and very different kind of people; some were even 'Weird' and others looked at as if we 'fell out from another planet', especially when they heard my (slight) Israeli accent... Below are several photos of a few 'God Forsaken Place' which we visited...

    I described before my addiction to cruising, during my single years;(The Fun Years/European Vacation  I/ European Vacation II). After our marriage I tried to convince Al, as well as the "Musketeers," that cruising  is more convenient and much more fun, than Land trips, since one did not have to drag heavy luggage from one hotel to the other and search for a fine place to din, after a long and exhausting day of standing in lines at Tourists Attractions...On the ship, we had choices of Nightly entertainment, Music Dancing, Movies, Art exhibits, Gambling, Choices of different Sports, as well as Saunas and Massages... As far as Dining, there are all kinds of a restaurants on a ship, as well as Room Service and a large variety of Fine Food... Harriett, who didn't swim was fearful of cursing; especially after watching the old and new versions of the movies about the sinking of the Titanic...Since she refused to go on a cruse, Al and I did it  by ourselves... We met lovely people, made good friends and at times, were able to see seven countries in two weeks cursing... We became addicted to these kind of vacations. The Tour Buses were comfortable and Air Conditioned! Our English-speaking guides took us to visit Museums and other popular places without the need to wait in the long lines, since there were special accommodations for groups...

On the balcony (daytime)	From the balcony (sunset)	One of the fine restaurants	Sumptuous buffet	The 'live theater'

    The first cruse Al and I took, was to the Caribbean Islands... After all some of these islands, were our "Playground", to which we traveled from Puerto Rico twice a mounts, before and after we got married...(Falling In love Again) When Karen was twelve, she came with us on a cruses to the Caribbean Islands and on another one, when she turned fourteen... She met lot's of kids and teenagers, who came from many states in the U.S, as well as from other countries... On the second cruse, Karen was falling in love every  few days with with a different Teen Anger on the cruse...After the cruise was over, we found out that our daughter, who was only Thirteen, lied about her age in order to be excepted to the Teen Club, which was restricted to Sixteen years old and up...Below are some photos from two trips we took Karen, introducing her to the fun of Cursing and the beauty of the Caribbean Islands, her parents often visited before she was born...

   Marco and Harriett, preferred land trips to cruses and were taking tour busses, while Al and I sailed with our friends from N.J, Jack and Luise...The four of us visited most of Europe;  Greece, Spain, Italy and the Scandinavian Countries, as well as parts of Russia...  We also flew to Hong Kong in order to take a cruse ship to China, Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore, Brunei and the Philippines... During the years, Al and I took trips by ourselves, to visit our 'Next door countries'; Canada and Mexico... Another memorable cruise, was sailing through the Panama Canal and the following year to Alaska... Other cruses were to Hawaii and the Marquesas Islands, where the French artist Paul Gauguin, lived and created some of his most memorable Masterpieces...

Mexico	Nicaragua	Honduras	Guatemala	Costa Rica

   One of our most enjoyable cruses, which we took with our friends Jack and and Luise, was to South America... We flew to Argentina, took tours in Buenos Aires and traveled to see the Iguazu Falls; one      of the world's Wonders... I read some where that when Elinor Roosevelt saw these mighty waterfalls, she said: "Poor Niagara!"...  Our ship stopped in several ports; among them Uruguay and  Brazil, where we  took a Tour in a small boat to the famous capital Rio de Janeiro and another one, to see the highlights of    the trip: The Amazon river!

Shira and Al	Argentina	Iguazu Falls	Brazil	Amazon River	Jack and Louise

   Years later Al and I would fly to Australia and New Zealand... This time we traveled with the 'First group of friends', we made in California - The" Fressers" (On the Shores of the 5D). After several land tours in Australia, we took a cruise around New Zealand and were amused to learn, about the "Strong Dislike" between the Australians and their neighbors the New Zealanders, who were Looking Down        at the Australians, who acording to them, were"Descendants of  Criminals" transported from England       to spend Prison Time in Australia... They felt Superior to the "Aussies" since (as they claimed) the New Zealanders, are the real true descendants of the English Aristocracy! According to the British Law of that time after the Head the Family died, the oldest son was the one to  Inherit the Title and the Estate. The Second son; would join the Military as an officer (bringing along his own Valet') Third son was expected to go into Law and the Fourth, joined the Church... The rest of the sons took off to New Zealand, in order to create their own  Fortune...One way of doing it was by raising sheep and exporting Wool, to Canada the U.S and other cold European countries... 

Australia	Koala	Tasmanian Devil	Kangaroos	Cairns and the Great barrier Reef

Australia and New Zealand	Sydney, Australia	Our cruise around New Zealand	Under the kiwi vine

   From Australia we took a cruse to New Zealand, stopping each day at another port...At one point as   we   took one of the Bus Tours, the passengers  asked the bus  driver to stop, so they could take photo     of a heard of sheep, which they saw through the window..."Don' you worry!" The guide said laughing "You will see plenty of sheep all over New Zealand!  These Cute Sheep could become a 'Real pain in      the neck', when they block the roads, causing serious traffic Jams!"

                                                                 Sheep in the Meadows

			XX

Covering roads, streets and blocking traffic...

   One morning as Al and I were ready to leave the ship, in order to take another tour bus, our Stuart came to the cabin, asking if either of us has a "Heart Condition"... We were surprised, but said we are well and asked why was he asking such a strange question... The Stuart laughed and said we will understand later...

   It was twilight when we finally came back to the ship, delighted but very tired. Al opened the door, letting me enter our cabin first and I almost had a heart attack... On the bed we could see a very Strange Looking man, wearing Al's robe, glasses sitting on the sofa... Al who heard my scream, pushed me behind him, turning  on the light! Only then we realized, that our Steward used large and small towels, to stuff and created a "Man", who was dressed in Al's robe, hat and glasses... On the other side of the cabin, was another "Creature" hanging from the ceiling, in front of the  T.V...               We were finally able to understand our Stuart's strange question about our "Heart condition!"         

   Al and I were always appreciative, of our good fortune and happy life... We were grateful for our small family, our careers, our lovely home, friends and the opportunity to see the world... We never took any of these for granted! I made an effort not to talk about these trips, with people who could not afford such vacations... People like our cleaning lady, the gardener, my hair dresser and several of our friends... I would tell them we were going to visit my family in Israel, which we did once a year...

With Love and Light,
Shira