The experience of attending Easter Mass at the Lisbon Cathedral was an experience I will never forget.  There was the Cardinal, 3 Bishops, about 6 priests, numerous deacons, lots of seminarian students, and of course all of us in the congregation.  Such pageantry! Catholics really know how to put on a show.  I know the mass well enough to understand what was being said, even though it was in Porteguese.  I have an app on the big guys phone, that let me read the readings in English.  The music and singing was so beautiful.  The bells outside and inside the church were rung when the Gloria was sung.  It was repeated again after Mass ended.  The big doors were opened to let all of them possess out. And right before the Cardinal stepped outside, thousands of rose petals fell from above.  All of them stood outside and greeted us.  So, I was blessed by him 3 times, and we shook hands.   So, so, fortunate and blessed.  Then we went and had Sangria!  Easter blessings, indeed.

What can I say about the wine country of Portugal? It is truly a magical place.  Pictures just doesn’t give it justice, and it really is hard to describe.  We stayed at a beautiful country house and winery called Herdade Do Sobroso.  It was unbelievable! The food, the wines, the scenery! But what made it the best was the staff.  Anything we asked for was answered with, “of course.” We took a boat tour around the various lakes and rivers.  The yellow flowers, and the white flowers of the trees known as “flowers of the wind” made everything so serene.  Yesterday we took a safari tour of the property.  They have 6,000 acres, and only a little of it is being used for grapes.  Best of all was taking a wine tour, and sampling their wines…..which we did a lot of.  Sophia and Felipe our gracious hosts could not have treated us any better.  She referred to us as The Americans.  The kitchen staff created some very savory dishes, and I ate things I never thought I would.   Saying goodbye to everyone was a little sad, but we assured her we would be back.  And of course we are having some of their wines shipped to Cardiff.  Again, 2 broke kids.

It’s amazing the places that I have been, and the new ones I am going to experience.  The big guy and myself looked at each other and said: Did you ever think we would be in Lisbon Portugal?”  No, I never did.  Again 2 broke kids.  What a beautiful place this is.  We went out to the various beaches yesterday.  Part of what they call the Portuguese Rivera.  The Atlantic looked crystal clear, and everyone was enjoying the water.  We went to a local restaurant, where the waiter assured us the food was the best. And he was right, it was.  The salmon was so fresh.  The champagne Sangria was a great addition.  The people here are so friendly and so willing to help.  Today we head out the wine area to sample their wines.

My time here in Paradise is coming to an end.  I am not actually going home, but back to Arizona for a few days.  It has been such an unbelievable time.

The sunsets were spectacular, beautifully colorful.  Spending the last day of 2016 at the beach, swimming in the ocean made for a fun day.  We walked all over Waikiki the other day when it rained.  Christmas decorations were still up so everything was still festive.

Last night there were many fireworks on display, and everyone was celebrating.  So many memories.  Which one was my favorite?  Was it Pearl Harbor? Was it the Northshore? Dancing with the Australians at the Tike Bar?  Yes, but my favorite was spending this week with my family.  It is so rare that we can all be together.  I take what I can get.

And now, we have one more day before leaving tonight.  The big guy goes back to Wales.

Again, two broke kids….truly blessed.

It was the oil that got to me. The oil still rising from the USS Arizona. The tour guide explained that the reason there were so many sailors on board that morning was because the ship was headed home for the holidays,  and that she was full of fuel. He also said that the oil will continue to rise for another 60+ years.

A little background. My father was at the base and left on the 6th headed to Java, with a stop at Christmas Island. After December 7th, he fought as a tail gunner in the B-17 in the Pacific.

We got to Pearl Harbor around 6:30 in the morning, and stood in line with the hopes of getting our tickets.  We got the last tour at 3:00.   It was worth the wait. A beautiful day, a moving memorial.  And I got to pay my respects by leaving my flowers in the water.

Been playing tourist the last couple of days. Went out to the Dole Plantation to see how pineapples are made.  What a beautiful area.  Such lush grounds and colorful plants.  From bananas, caocoa, macadamia, coffee, etc.  and of course the fresh pineapple.   That night we went to the Tiki Room roof top bar.  We watched a most spectacular sunset in all its glory.  There was a trio playing music, and at one point they played Over the Rainbow for Carrie Fisher.  That to me was really cool.

Yesterday we went out to the Northshore.  On the drive there we saw quite a few rainbows and even double ones.  They were so colorful.  God has certainly been using his big box of crayons lately.  We walked around the beach town of Haleiwa stopping at Matsumotos for their shaved ice.  It did not disappoint.  Going out to the Pipeline was unbelievable! Gorgeous blue water, wave, after wave.  I kept singing Beach Boy songs in my head. My toes were definitely in the water. 

I still can’t believe I am here…..

Two broke kids. That’s what we were, two broke kids. Now I am blessed to be able to travel and experience the new places and new countries.

This year for Christmas we cashed in miles, cashed in points so we could take all 7 of us to Hawaii.  Our gift to the kids.  Suzanne suggested it a year ago as something we should do.  The idea was set in motion.  Took a year of planning and organizing, but we are here.

The first thing we did of course is hit the beach.  I stood there in the water and took it all in. I could not believe my toes were in the Pacific Ocean on Waikiki Beach. I use to watch shows when I was a little girl that were filmed in Hawaii and dreamed that some day, I would get there.  And I finally did.   I smiled as I watched everyone in the water, playing with our granddaughter Charlee. A very special Christmas.

Two broke kids…..with their family.

My time here in Cardiff Wales is coming to an end. I have been here for 3 months.  When I got here in mid July the sun was going down close to 10:00 and was rising at 5:30. Now, it comes up around 7:30 and is setting at 6:30. The season is changing.

I love the Welsh people. They are kind, friendly and they always want to engage you in conversation.  And they are always willing to tell you about the different places around here to visit. And if they are from a different country, how you must, must go visit. We have started our list of places we want to see.  A lot of the days I would walk out to the barrage and watch the boats go in and out of the locks. I love walking around the bay and see the sail boats floating across the water.  I have come to the conclusion that I want to meet someone who owns a boat so they can take me out. To feel the breeze on my face would be so relaxing.

The various trips I took this time around were so memorable. Amsterdam where we walked everywhere. The tour of the city, especially a long the canals where you saw a different perspective of everything.  I love doing typical touristy things, too. Heineken tour, shots in the Ice Bar, and sitting and watching the locals.  

I cannot say enough about Germany/Austria. From the bustling city of Heidleberg to the small towns of Dinkelsbuhl and Donauworth.  The latter was where we had the most amazing meal. The lovely gentleman who owned the restaurant came out and explained the menu to each of us, and recommended what he thought we would like. And he was right.  Celebrating my birthday in Schiltach, Oktoberfest, the Christmas town of Rothenburg, the quaint town of Fussen at the highest part of the Romantic Road, and the magestic Alps in Innsbruck.

It’s time to go home. When I left it was hot and the trees full and green. Now it is autumn and the leaves are changing.  But I will be back here mid December to enjoy their Christmas.  I am a gypsy at heart, and my suitcase is never put away.

Arizona bound in 2 weeks.

We had 12 hours in Salzburg and crammed what we could in so little time.  The Hop on Hop Off bus is always the best way to view a city.  Saw the house where Mozart was born. Tried to take a picture, but there was a delivery truck in front of it. What the heck!!  Saw the Sound of Music house and the Cathedral of Salzburg.  A most beautiful Catholic Church! All along the way in Germany/Austria wherever there was a church I went in to light a candle and take the time to pray.  There were many. You could hear the bells chiming all over the city. 

We walked around the oldest part of the city. They are starting to put up the sheds for their Christmas Marts. Went through a very pretty flower garden where 2 girls were singing the songs from the Sound of Music. Their voices were so clear and pure and could be heard throughout the park.

Now, I am off, back to Frankfurt to begin my journey back to Cardiff.

Kitzbuhel is such a charming little town.  It is the perfect place for skiers.  Everyone walks, hikes and bikes.  The drive from Innsbruck was dotted with little villages nestled into the Alps.  Oh, the flowers. Hanging from the windows, balconies and patios. They are everywhere. Exquisite colors, vibrant with rich hues.

The chalets remind me of real life cuckoo clocks, or Heidi’s house.

The leaves are changing as we drive to Saltzburg. Driving along a river, through numerous tunnels.  But the traffic control for the road construction was a big pain in the you know where.  Went through 3 of them.  So, our 90 minute drive took a lot longer.