January 28, 2012 by Chris

I just found out about Rebecca

I’ve been working on uploading our pictures from Viet Nam and my mind wandered to Rebecca and Dade, the couple we met a year ago in Puerto Montt, and who inspired me to start this blog. I have her blog bookmarked and thought I’d check in to see what trips they’ve been on, and was surprised to see none listed from Jan ’11 (when we met) until Dec ’11. I clicked on it and saw Katmandu and was thinking to myself – you lucky devils – when I found, reading it, that Dade was obviously alone and he was there on a mission – to spread Rebecca’s ashes! They mentioned that she’d had a bout with melanoma, and was carefully protecting herself from the sun, but ….

So I googled Rebecca Garrison-Sokoloff and found her obituary. She died November 13, 2011 – 34 years old! my God! I also found her facebook page and discovered this picture (which we’ve never seen before)

taken by either Dade or Rebecca from their balcony – coincidentally a deck or two above ours.

Here’s a picture of Rebecca, drinking a pisco sour (we both had one or two!) taken in the restaurant in Puerto Varas (lifted from her blog)

6a00d834bd05d153ef0148c7b346fd970c-800wi — Rebecca Garrison-Sokoloff

December 14, 2011 by Chris - 2 Comments

Log Cabin in the woods – Rangeley, Maine

Does this look like a tranquil paradise? We have this cabin for the week, but I had to come home to Belfast for meetings and commitments while Dennis and Lucy are being joined by our friend, Jeff, and returning home on Saturday.

December 8, 2011 by Chris

Good times with the little ones

Our time here in WA is drawing nigh and tomorrow we will be up, up and away back to New England. We’ve had lots of cuddles, kisses and slobbers! And best of all saw Greyson crawl for the first time on 12/6 – now here’s no stopping him!

December 3, 2011 by Chris - 1 Comment

Babysitting the Little ones in WA

We arrived at 8pm (11 EST) and after a quick debrief, Kat and Ian left to go to their 3 night/2 day event. We’ve had busy days visiting the library, local playground, and Ikea.

November 15, 2011 by Chris

Fort Lauderdale 11/11/11 – 11/18

A week at the beach .. Chilling .. Taking the local buses, trolleys and water taxis.

October 23, 2011 by Chris

October 23, 2011

Life is good. A beautiful Sunday morning with this view from our bedroom ..

After breakfast, a walk with Lucy to Moosepoint State Park ..

An unwilling photo subject ..

October 1, 2011 by Chris

October 1 is like July 1 in Amsterdam

Another gorgeous day to spend at the kids’ hockey games and then out into the countryside – not too far from the city. We’re considering the beach for tomorrow!

September 30, 2011 by Chris

Sunshine in Amsterdam

We’re back in Amsterdam (staying with our friends) and enjoying the most glorious Indian summer weather – yesterday while out on a walking tour of the city 4 hours), it was on the verge of being too hot!!! No complaints though, as today we are taking their convertible and cruising around the countryside a little. We’ve had enough of cities for a while, as intriguing and interesting as they’ve all been.

We took bikes on the ferry and rode them into the city …. Bicycles EVERYWHERE!!!

September 27, 2011 by Chris

Berlin

September 26, 2011: We took our friends’ car – an older volvo station wagon and drove to Berlin today. Pretty long day, but we have the whole day tomorrow to explore and see some of the new architecture, etc. It’s been many years since we were last here, and Dennis was very restricted in where he could go. I was here many, many years ago and had quite an adventure with my friend Lolita!!!!

September 27, 2011: We set out bright and early with our day pass for the local transit system. No, the umbrella wasn’t needed – after all yesterday evening was so summer like! Hmmm! We stepped out of the metro and couldn’t figure out why the steps were wet!!! 6 euros later and we were kitted out with plastic capes which were a good insurance that the weather would clear up.

We wandered around the check point Charlie crossing area and Friedrichstrasse – wanting to see what had become of the ugly east block style apartment buildings. Of course, they were nowhere to be seen, replaced by modern buildings. Over to Brandenburg Tor and to see the Reichstag building, a quick lunch with a glass of apfelwein, we then joined the 3.5 hour free walking tour.

Which included the memorial to the murdered Jews of europe, or holocaust memorial. It’s a very interesting and thought provoking site.

The twin cathedrals….

September 24, 2011 by Chris

Tallinn – worth visiting

Dinner tonight:
3 local draughts beers
1 delicious tomato and smoked cheese soup
1 chicken breast with lemon grass sauce and salad greens
1 cod with lemon sauce and vegetables
1 portion potatoes
1 coffee
1 liqueur – Vana Tallinn (the local, and very good liqueur)
1 decadent chocolate cake served with tarragon flavored ice cream and a berry sauce
All for 34 euros!!!! Or $47!!!!

We went to this restaurant (Von Krahli Aed) twice out of the three nights we were here.

The other place we loved was Porgu (where I had the wonderful borscht).

Another surprising fact about Tallinn: Skype has it’s software development centre here and Tallinn is known as the “silicon valley of the Baltic”. Who would know?????

September 23, 2011 by Chris

Tallinn

What a great day we’ve had! This is definitely one of my favorite cities. The weather forecast was iffy, but after a few minor, quick showers, we’ve had a beautiful clear day.

We started the day by walking along the city walls to St. olaf’s church, where we discovered you can climb 142 feet to the top of the tower. It’s a good thing that Dennis didn’t attempt it, as he would have suffered coming down the steep stone winding staircase, and I definitely had my aerobic workout climbing up there, but it was oh so worth it. (We later found out on our tour that in the 16th century this was the second highest structure in the world!)

We then joined a free 2-hour walking tour of the city, which was led by one of the very attractive Estonian young women, and was very informative and interesting. We’ve taken these free tours in other cities (Santiago, Chile was one) and they’re generally excellent.

After a break for snack lunch, Dennis was even willing to take time for a little retail therapy!!! No, I didn’t buy this hat, but could be tempted!!!!

September 22, 2011 by Chris - 2 Comments

Tallinn is TERrIFiC

We just arrived, but I’m already lamenting our departure, and trying to work out how we can come back!

Our hotel (the Imperial) is charming and in the old town, just outside the main walls. We had a beer, and I had a long awaited bowl of borscht – glad I waited because it could not have been better – at a great little beer cellar that makes a potent home-brew beer. Dinner was at Von Krahli Aed and it was superb. A stroll through town and now looking forward to exploring in day light.

Look for another report and pics tomorrow!

BTW the bus trip was great.