The lotus flowers, from which the garden takes its name, bloom, in summer   in a swimming pool which was transformed into a stunning showpiece. Wind your way through lush bromeliad and fern gardens, striking cactus and succulent gardens, a serene Japanese garden, the exotic aloe garden and the stunning blue garden.    The garden at Lotusland is home to more than 3,000 plants from all over the world, representing the horticultural passion of one extraordinary woman. Madame Ganna Walska dedicated more than forty years to amassing unique collections and commissioning innovative garden designs.

Last November the Kingi Family from Rotorua gifted us two beautiful hand carved bone pendants.    Johno's treasure depicts his love of the ocean,  his New Zealand heritage, and gives him protection.   His Taonga kept us safe as we traveled many kilometres throughout Canada, The Maritimes and East Coast of the USA to Boston.

"Jack and Bobby - Brothers first" was a new exhibition at the JF Kennedy Hyannis Museum .   Together they changed the nation.   From their boyhood summers in Hyannis Port to the glory days of JFK's Presidency, Jack and Bobby were always brothers first.   It was a poignant reminder of the importance of friendship and family unity.
Cape Cod is a wonderful summer playground for the rich and famous, as well as the not so rich.   In the 1930's toward the end of prohibition ten men were arrested in a rum smuggling ring near the coast of Cape Cod. After posting bail they reclaimed the boat and raced out of the harbour.  Twenty Harbour Police and Coast Guard boats kept watch near the tip of Cade Cod.  Eventually the motor boat was spotted and the chase was on.  The boat sped into Provincetown Harbour where it was abandoned and the rum runners fled on foot never to be found.   Twenty BOAT Hand-crafted Cape Cod Rum is now handcrafted in Truro Vineyards, near Wellfleet.   
We stayed at Eagle Wing Motel at Eastham.   It was a central location for exploring charming historic fishing villages and harbours.   We drove to Race Point at the tip of the sand-spit but it was absolutely bleak, and the wind unforgiving.   We returned to Provincetown to warm up in one of the quirky bistros.

It was a perfect day when we arrived in Newport, The City by the Sea.  After a bad start at our first choice of B&B we drove into the main township and discovered Bayberry Inn.   It was absolutely superb and Jennifer the hostess was friendly and an amazing cook.    We walked for miles around the seaport to the touristy waterfront bars and cafes, then back to the quieter areas.   During the Gilded Age when the nations elite families began building their 'summer cottages' the city was booming, however, it suffered during the Great Depression in the late 30's.   Today it is a popular sailing and tourist destination.   I would love to return to Newport and explore further.

Marblehead predates the Revolutionary War.  We stayed at the Maverick B&B which was filled with memorabilia telling tales of rugged fishermen, intrepid mariners, enterprising merchants, skilled craftsmen, self reliant women and courageous seamen who played a crucial role in America's struggle for independence.   

We drove through the leafy streets of Salem to catch a ferry into Boston.    The 90 minute ride was uneventful but foggy.   We took the On and Off Trolley tour of the city, then sailed back to Marblehead.   Bypassing the city of Boston, we drove through the three mile tunnel known as "The Big Dig" then via the smaller town of Quincy to Cohasset to stay with friends Mary Jo and Rob.  It is no wonder they love the parks, nature walks, rocky river inlets and deep blue ocean of Scituate and Hull.  Thank you for your generous hospitality.

From Bar Harbor we took a leisurely drive via Rockport and followed the coastal roads to Kennebunkport.
Unfortunately we arrived a day late to celebrate the 90th birthday celebrations of Barbara Bush.   Shops were filled with signs and placards wishing her a happy birthday.   The family were in residence at their Kennenbunkport compound, which we could view easily from the road.
The East Coast is a fascinating mix of rocky headlands, landscapes of wild blueberry barrens which stretch for miles and glimpses of mansions set in a wonderland of gardens and lush hedges.
We loved our stay at "The Beach House" a lovingly restored country inn which was built in 1891.   Afternoon tea was served at 3.00pm and sherry at 6.00pm.   The country American antiques, classic Victorian wrought iron beds was a perfect setting.