Helen Henry of Rarotonga
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  • Welcome
  • About Helen
  • Living and Loving
  • Reflections
    • My Travels
    • Independence Celebrations
    • Current Events
    • My Life
  • Albums
  • Family Hotel
  • Family History
    • Family Tree
    • What's in a Name?
  • Contact Helen

New York, New York……..

11/11/2015

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Click in the Play button - to the right…..
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It was the end of of our two month trip.
So we went for gold for the five days (and nights!) we were in the the Big Apple.
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Shows…...
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Sightseeing….
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Johno is a Guggenheim Fellow, so has always wanted to visit the Guggenheim Museum
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We went to ground zero soon after 9/11. So it was very emotional to return, and see the memorial. Despite the controversies, we feel they have ended up with a wonderful tribute to those who perished, as well as to those who continue to deal with the consequences of that horrendous event.
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The symbolism is truly amazing.
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We walked the Highline, a 2.33 mile “linear park" built on an elevated section of the disused southern portion of the train line running far into the Lower West Side of Manhattan.
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The ice skating rink had just opened in Central Park, where preparations were well advanced for the New York Marathon which was held on the day we departed the city.
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The Frick Collection, and the mansion which contained it, were both in the "not to be missed" category.
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We visited both the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.
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What a skyline.
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Times Square was a crazy place on Halloween.
With short transit stops in Denver and Los Angeles, it felt good to be home.
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With short transit stops in Denver and Los Angeles, it sure felt good to be home.
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Sheer Indulgence - A Week in a Spa Town in the Mountains of Slovenia

11/11/2015

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The result of considerable pampering - for both of us!
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Laško is a spa town in eastern Slovenia.The healing properties of the local waters have been known since antiquity. Laško developed as a health resort towards the end of the 19th century, and its Thermal Spa Resort is becoming one of the most important health spas and tourist centres in Slovenia.
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However, we did not stay at the Thermal Spa Resort, though we made daily visits. Rather, we stayed in the very comfortable summer holiday chalet owned by our dear friend, Mojca. She is the cousin of another dear friend, Captain Rajko Zupan. The chalet was originally the home of their grandparents.
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Rajko, and his wife Nada, drove two hours from the Adriatic coast of Slovenia, to spend a day with us. It was a wonderful reunion with our Slovenian/Croatian family, who we see all too rarely. They brought an array of local food and wine
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Our family gathering also included Mojca's daughter, Natachsa. They had both driven the 12 hours from their home near Zurich, to prepare the chalet for our arrival, and to spend a day with us before the return drive home. We felt so spoilt.
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The chalet is located just a short walk from the town as well as from the spa.
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We enjoyed the extensive and sunny garden, as well as the warmth of central heating in the chalet once the sun went down.
Lasko was picturesque in its fall colours, historic buildings and well kept homes.
​We even saw my kotuku again.
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We called in on our neighbours.    Laura and her grandmother spoilt us with home made liqueur, wine nouveau and tasty treats. Laura, who is a third year law student, acted as interpreter. 
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We hired a car and drove via Piran to Portorose on the coast of Slovenia, to have an all-too-short visit with Nada and Rajko. Nada spoilt us with her fabulous gnocchi for lunch. They are new grandparents, so it was great to meet mum (Jana) and daughter (Lucia) for the first time. We hope Lucia will love her bright pink doll when she is older.
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We enjoyed a fabulous 5 course degustation dinner at Restaurant Pavus, Grad Tabor. Grad is Slovenian for castle. The restaurant had a wonderful ambience, and the food, wine and service were just as good
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A Long-awaited Return Visit to Lake Como, Including Bellagio

10/11/2015

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We waited three long years before we experienced the joy of returning to the Lake Como area, this time arriving by train from Montpellier, via Zurich - a 10 hour, three-train journey. It was well worth it!
Below are some of the many reasons why we wanted to return.
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By the end of our visit, only one question remained - will we return?
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Who Goes Swimming in the Canal du Midi?

9/11/2015

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Woops a Daisy!! Quite involuntarily, Johno ended up in the muddy Canal du Midi - not known for its good water quality!
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OMG! Life buoy to the rescue
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Climbing a slippery, steep ladder up the side of the lock
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Heinz and I waiting to drag him up
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Johno's rescue was assisted (and photographed!) by Sabine and Heinz Brieskorn. They were on a cycling holiday from their home in Germany, and had stopped to watch our barge pass through. They chatted to me as our barge came into the lock, and also helped with the ropes as there was a strong crosswind. But they soon had to swing into action…...
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A few days later, we met Sabine and Heinz, in Carcassonne.  Johno was happy to confirm that he was all OK, and to thank them again. 
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​And again by chance, we met them several times more, including when they resupplied us with some German beer - using an ingenious transfer method - beer in a bucket on a pole. 
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We look forward to meeting Sabine and Heinz again - next year, when they come to Rarotonga.
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Two Weeks in a Barge on the Canal du Midi - Another "Bucket List" Item Ticked Off!

9/11/2015

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At the helm, with my lookout, Karen J.
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Our route - 308 km on the Canal du Midi and the Canal du Rhone a Sete in southern France, from Negra (near Toulouse) to as far east as Lattes and Aigues Mortes (near Montpellier), with 57 locks. We took 14 days; you can drive from Toulouse to Montpellier in less than 3 hours!
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Our barge - the good ship Homps, a 15m Penichette with a flying bridge,
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The spacious interior of Homps, including four double-berth cabins, each with en suite.
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The crew - Karleen and George from Portland (OR) and Karen, Mal, Johno and me, from Rarotonga.
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We soon settled into cruise mode.
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And into a (sort of!) routine at the locks etc.
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Karleen was a very able "Second Mate" to "Captain George", a borne helmsman.
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Karen was a great rope handler and runner on shore, while Mal ensured the bow was always in the right place.
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Once a friendly lock keeper had told me to "look at the sky", I managed to improved my skill at unlooping the aft line (rope) from the bollard. 
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There were so many highlights it is difficult to decide which ones to describe - briefly!
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The breathtaking scenery…..
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Uplocking, and downlocking…..
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Having time for contemplation…..
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The wonderful food - in this case cassoulet - and wine…..
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The companionship - here we are celebrating Karleen's birthday.
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History - the fortified city of Carcassonne.
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One of the many quirky places to buy the daily baguettes and croissants.
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The Malpas tunnel - Europe's first navigable canal tunnel, excavated in 1679.
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Charades, Karen style….
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The staircase of 6 locks - écluse de Fonserannes.
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The locks raise boats a height of 21.5 metres over a distance of 300 metres.
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"Crashing" a birthday party at a local restaurant.
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The night lights - as well as the night life!
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Pink Flamingoes on The Camargue.
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Knowing my kotuku was never far away….
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Running with the bulls at Aigues-Mortes - we were just spectators!
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Our end-of-cruise dinner - with considerable sadness.
And the lowlights? None, unless you count…..
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Mal buying a supply of pate, and eating it - only to realise later that it was cat food! Meow!!
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Having the "official" Au Revoir photo taken.
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Saying farewell to our fellow bargees.
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    Helen says.....

    I am addicted to travelling - my bags are always packed!

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