Around the World in 60 Days

Update on the Maine Page

noreply@blogger.com (Sandi) — Thu, 15 Jun 2006 15:41:00 +0000

The Queen has been let down once again by her servant, Newt Verne. Instead of monitoring our progress, and the happenin's on our pages, he was off frolicking with the skuas. The Maine page had a broken template, which I am happy to report is now functioning normally once again. You may have heard reports of flooding in the Northeast. We sent a skua out on a reconnaisance mission, and expect a "flood" of photographs any time now of the situation in that part of the U. S. If you have any photos to share, please feel free to drop me a line and I will personally post them to the pages. I am also considering candidates for the position of my "trusty" servant. References are required. Cheers!

Update

noreply@blogger.com (Sandi) — Fri, 19 May 2006 17:24:00 +0000

Well hello again! I bet you thought we'd fallen into a crevasse or something, didn't you? We've managed to explore every nook and cranny of this island, and found some interesting tidbits along the way. Got a minute or two? Good. Grab a towel, some shorts, and follow me. Huh? Oh, I'm sorry... we're headed to the sauna. It'll give us a chance to catch up. Yes, it will do you a lot of good, and relax you too. Don't forget your water. You should be drinking at least a gallon a day, you know, or you'll dehydrate something fierce!

Okay, now that we're settled, I tell you what has been going on. I told you about the killer attack skua - he tried to eat our balloon. But Newt's been very resourceful - he found the skua barn. The skua barn is a place where you can put stuff you don't want anymore, instead of throwing it out. You know what they say, "One man's trash is another man's treasure." Here, we recycle everything. There was a plastic poncho in the skua box; granted it was torn, but we needed it to patch our balloon. The glue is a different story. Newt and the boys are playing chemistry set - experimenting with different chemicals to find a permanent, but flexible glue. The "Winter Over" community is a very tightly knit group of people. "The tourists," people here for the summer, have all gone home - leaving a small skeleton crew to maintain the equipment and monitor ongoing experiments until August.

People are keeping themselves busy - one man makes sculptures out of scraps he finds in MacTown. Near the bus stop is an amazing sculture of a whale made from heavy chain, nuts, bolts, and sheet metal scraps. You really should see it before you go. One of the guys that works in the Heavy Shop made it - talk about talent. We've also had a few accidents. Somebody went out on a snowmobile and ran out of gas. You'd think it was a no-brainer to check the gas, but apparently this guy wasn't running on all four cylinders. He had a little too much rocket fuel to drink. Yes, rocket fuel - JATO (jet assisted take off) juice. It's drinkable if you dilute it with bug juice. It'll fry your brain cells too. Anyway, rocket man was up at medical for a few days - dehydration mostly, and a little frostbite. Some people have no life...

Down, but not out!

noreply@blogger.com (Sandi) — Thu, 04 May 2006 01:07:00 +0000

I regret to inform you that our balloon is not flyable at the present time. A hungry skua mistook it for a tasty pastry, leaving a nasty tear. We are expecting a timely repair, but meanwhile, we are enjoying the multi-cultural diversity, and hospitality, of our hosts here in McMurdo Station, Antarctica. Cheers!

My Kind of Penguin!

noreply@blogger.com (Sandi) — Fri, 28 Apr 2006 14:38:00 +0000

Can you believe it - a Fairy penguin? They are also known as Blue penguins.

Eagle Cam

noreply@blogger.com (Sandi) — Fri, 28 Apr 2006 00:35:00 +0000

Eagle eye Newt found this lovely nesting pair of Canadian bald eagles; and the best part is that there's a video camera set up to watch the eaglets hatch! Click here to join 73 million others in the baby watch! It may be slow due to the huge numbers of people (and other living beings) watching for the eaglets; but if you get tired of waiting, here's a link to videos and screenshots of previous days.

Late Breaking news...
As of this afternoon, there have been sightings of TWO eggs in the eagle's nest! Awesome - can't wait to see them hatch!

Here is a screencapture of another eagle family from Maine.

On Ice

noreply@blogger.com (Sandi) — Thu, 20 Apr 2006 19:48:00 +0000

I'm sorry - Maybe the heat is getting too me, or I've snorted too many spices, but I've had more than enough of the desert. Do you need to cool off too? Well then, hop onboard for a trip south.

We'll have a whale of a good time!

Dateline - Manama, Bahrain

noreply@blogger.com (Sandi) — Thu, 20 Apr 2006 19:21:00 +0000

Some people will do anything to make money. But this made me sick. How could anyone think thousands of people dying is funny? I mean, that's why the "souvenir" was made, right? Because it's funny? How about a "souvenir" of someone being decapitated. That's funny, right? Or what about a cafe? Wouldn't you want a "souvenir" of a cafe that's been blown up, all bloody, with twisted metal and dead bodies strewn everywhere? That's funny, too, right?

Fortunately, most of the people we ran into were not so crass; but there were several demonstrations in front of the United Nations building, and on a few occasions we weren't allowed to leave our flat. So while we did manage a few trips to the souk, we didn't get to see the saw an archaeological dig actually in progress. But we ate some delicious shwarmas, and got a few shots of some well placed sculpture. Check it out!

Overall, I have to say I was disappointed in our visit to Bahrain. Not because of the heat, but mostly because of the way they view women. Being a faerie, and a Queen no less, I expected to be treated accordingly - NOT as some cur dog. When I can't sign for purchases made on MY faerie credit card, then there is something seriously wrong! I am obviously a foreigner, and as such I fail to recognize why the locals couldn't treat me as they would any male visitor, and not as a dog that is not fit to sign for her own purchases! Yes, it's been a week and it still irritates me to no end. How the Silly Bahraini Girl puts up with it is beyond me. But I suppose, if that's all you know, then you wouldn't know that freedom is so much better, now would you?

New Zealand

noreply@blogger.com (Sandi) — Fri, 14 Apr 2006 15:32:00 +0000

Welcome to New Zealand! Christchurch (Otautahi) is a faerie heaven. Bordered by hills, the sea to one side, and the Southern Alps in the distance, it is a colonial city of floral portraits and wide streets. Its old stone buildings, lush tree-filled parks and peaceful streams give Christchurch the air of an English town.

In fact Christchurch was designed to be an English utopia in the South Pacific. The founding fathers planned an orderly, tiered society - the first settlers had to provide references from an English vicar attesting to their sobriety and respectability. An aristocracy and the Church of England would head this utopia, and an underclass of artisans and minions would serve them. They named their fledgling city after an Oxford college (Christ Church) and laid it out like an English city, complete with a Cathedral, University, and private schools.

This beautifully ordered existence was a far cry from the realities of Maori civil war in the early 19th century. The Maori people (pronounced Mowri - ow as in cow)occupied Canterbury for several centuries before the arrival of European peoples, but by the 1840s, only 500 Maori remained in Canterbury. Their population was first decimated by tribal wars, and then by raiding parties from the North Island. Today, evidence of their culture can be seen throughout the city.

Tour

noreply@blogger.com (Sandi) — Wed, 05 Apr 2006 16:42:00 +0000

Here is a slide show of places we went

The Newt Verne Fan Club

noreply@blogger.com (Sandi) — Wed, 05 Apr 2006 16:17:00 +0000

Meet Newt's new lady friends, Lena and Esperanza.

The Newt

noreply@blogger.com (Sandi) — Wed, 05 Apr 2006 15:32:00 +0000

It seems that Newt has made quite a hit with the ladies here in Spain. So, to appease his "fans" I have posted this picture of him for all to admire. Handsome little newt, isn't he? The Queen would never surround herself with toads!

To the Market!

noreply@blogger.com (Sandi) — Tue, 04 Apr 2006 15:36:00 +0000

Did you all enjoy the bullfight? If you didn't get to see it, a rerun is available on the Photo page. I highly recommend the bullfight; although the bull dies at the end, he has not lived in vain. Go to le mercado tomorrow morning, and you will see various parts of him hanging around. Even the blood is not wasted. One can find bulls blood paintings in the gallerias in town. I've examined several of them, and find them very distasteful. The painting itself isn't offensive; in fact it is actually a tribute to the glorious fighting spirit of the bull. It is the thought of dried blood hanging on the wall that I find distasteful, although some may disagree.

Which reminds me - we must go to the market for supplies. Why don't you tag along with us? You may even find one of those paintings there, if you really want one.
Oysters anyone?

Yes, I admit the smell of the fish market can be overpowering if you weren't expecting it. But just look at all the vendors! The cobblestoned square is covered with wooden carts bursting with freshly caught prawns, clams, mussels and fish. There are fish of all colors, shapes, and sizes, and I must admit none of them look familiar! Oh, look! There's baby octopi in that box, and squid in the other. Squid is really easy to cook, and readily accepts whatever flavors are cooked with it. Newt! How many times must I tell you - don't play with the octopus!

Traditionally, the women shop each day for their family's meals. Fresh meat is cut or minced to your specifications. Are you looking for olives? You'll find them here too. Green, or black - stuffed, or marinated. Le mercado has everything you need. Just remember, the vendors do not haggle here. Look, fresh fruit and vegetables are over here.
Oh, by the way - there's no such thing as "take a number" here. If you are next in line, speak up!
Did you notice? Everything is measured in kilos here. It's easy to calculated the price - just multiply the kilos by 2.2, and you will have a rough guestimate of poundage. Remember, 1 kilo = 2.2 pounds!

Spanish Hills

noreply@blogger.com (Sandi) — Tue, 28 Mar 2006 16:32:00 +0000

Spain is a place unlike anything I've ever seen. The rugged terrain seems almost formidable - rocks, scruffy underbrush, and an occasional tree dot the landscape.

Off in the hilly distance are the remains of an old castle - its walls reduced to rubble, perhaps by the cannonball of an opposing force - but the parapets remain, reminding us of its once glorious past.

It all seems rather bleak to a faerie, who is used to much finer accomodations than what we have seen here in Spain. Small shanty towns stand guard outside the city limits, railroad tracks forming the boundary between the haves, and the have nots. One couldn't call them homes, being fit only for cattle and swine, but it is a roof over their heads, and one is reminded to count our blessings. In place of doors are once colorful blankets, now faded by the sun and dirty, stretched across openings in the lean-to. There aren't any windows, and the hut is surrounded by a moat of mud. I do not see any humans until we arrive in a town called Ronda.

Approaching the main avenue, I sense a little difference in the atmosphere. Two story, plastered buildings line the cobblestone streets. Their roofs are covered with ceramic tile, solid wooden doors bar entry to all univited guests, and black bars cover the windows.

A car marked "policia" slowly cruises by, the occupants staring boldly, fingering their automatic weapons. If not for the heavy scent of garlic and olive oil in the air, one would think an invasion was imminent.

Hola! Que pasa!

noreply@blogger.com (Sandi) — Sat, 04 Mar 2006 03:01:00 +0000

We've just touched down in Cadiz, Spain. It's still quite dark here, so I will take this opportunity to get a quick snooze. Once I've got my bearings, we can go sightseeing!

Off again!

noreply@blogger.com (Sandi) — Tue, 28 Feb 2006 19:43:00 +0000

Well, it's bon voyage to Maine, and hola! to Spain! Sure hope we can make it back this way again. Don't forget your souvenirs. Why not join us at Cap'n Simeon's for a farewell lunch?

Star Island Tour

noreply@blogger.com (Sandi) — Tue, 28 Feb 2006 17:11:00 +0000

Before we depart for our next destination, I want to take you on a tour of Star Island. Star Island is one of the five islands that make up the Isles of Shoals, and is approximately six miles off shore. It isn't very large, but the rugged shoreline makes the island seem like a little adventure. Privately owned, it is mostly used for conferences, and spiritual and educational retreats; still others come for the solitude and artistic inspiration the beautiful landscape provides. If I were an artistic faerie, I would live here.

Jump into the balloon with Newt and I, and we'll treat you to an aerial tour. This is such an awesome place - makes a faerie feel right at home, and we don't even have to use any dust.

Star Island was given its name because the rocky points stretch out in all directions like a distant star. How poetic!

The majestic landscape, though mostly shrubbery and rock, beckons to you, encouraging you to sit down, kick your shoes off, and stay a while.

Come on, pull up a chair. I saved one for you. Don't worry about Newt, he's more comfortable scurrying around, exploring nooks and crannies. What's that? You want to explore too? We will, but let's visit for a while. Be careful the sound of the water lapping on the rocks doesn't lull you to sleep!

Hmmzzz. Hmmzzzz. Hmmmzzz. Huh, where were we? Put on your walking shoes - we're going to explore.

As we make our way down the steep steps, I hear laughter inside. It's the Pelicans putting on their weekly variety show. Today they are dressed as a barbershop quartet. The pelicans do the human maintenance work here, tending to everyone's needs, cooking, loading up supplies, etc. Everything is brought in by boat - food, drinking water, and generators. The island must also make their own electricity.

The tall grass is somewhat annoying, as it keeps brushing against my cheek, leaving scratches on my porcelain white skin. Ouch! We are not amused. Newt would normally be leading the way, cutting through the brush, but at the moment he's found the shore and is wading in the icy water of the Atlantic. What a brave lad!

A solitary fisherman stands on the rock casting his line into the blue-green water. I wonder if he knows that the crabs are sitting at the base of the rocks, just waiting to grab his line, and steal the bait. That there's what you call a free lunch - ayah.

I made the acquaintence of one Oskar T. Crabbe last night. He works on Fisherman's Point supervising the maintainance of the shore line. The periwinkles are supposed to scrub the boulders,keeping it free of slippery mosslike creatures, so that the barnicals have a place to attach and call home. That leaves the crabs and lobsters to clean up the dead. When I heard that I nearly died laughing! It reminded me of a Monty Python skit I saw once. I was in this house bein' tricksy - moving stuff on humans where they can't find it. Anyways, this big talking box had moving pictures on it. A man was pushing a cart down a street, ringing a bell, while singing out "Bring out your dead!" At one home, a gray bearded old man was carried out by his family, and tossed onto the cart with the dead bodies. "Hey!" he cried, "I'm not dead!" A discussion then ensues between the cart man, the family, and the supposed to be dead man. It was quite funny really. But I digress...

Anyway, Oskar told me his when his buddies get bored, they sit at the bottom of the harbor waiting for the silly humans to throw their hooks into the water. The boys just creep on over to the hook and have a snack! Sometimes the humans sit there for hours just bobbing the line up-an-down, with no clue they've been ripped off! Isn't that a hoot!

On the Move

noreply@blogger.com (Sandi) — Fri, 24 Feb 2006 21:31:00 +0000

We couldn't have picked a better time of year to travel! There are few tourists getting under our wings, or stepping on our feet, so Newt and I are able to be constantly on the move. We've been checking out the best rest areas (also known as restaurants), local gossip, and got a bit of replenishment done in the process. Be sure to visit the Maine page, Local Cuisine, Souvenir Shops, and also, stand by for a really awesome tour of Star Island!

This picture is a sampling of the monstrous houses here! Tried to get a shot of the saltboxes and walkways, but Newt wouldn't go out on the limb for me this time. So much for being a trusty servant. Since when did servants have an option? He forgets his place! And then he limped off with an attitude. That's a newt for you.

Did a bit of rooting around, and found out the walkways up near the roofs are known as "widow's walks." Years ago the lady of the house would use these lookouts to search the horizon for her sailor's ship. Sometimes the ship didn't come home.

York, Maine

noreply@blogger.com (Sandi) — Tue, 21 Feb 2006 17:15:00 +0000

Our balloon has landed on a small white, sandy beach. It's a bit chilly here, with bits of snow sticking to my cloak. My trusty servant, Newt, pointed out there must've been a storm that passed through here recently because of all the seaweed scattered on the beach. There is, indeed, a lot of sea weed around our landing site. It looks more like greenish-brown bubble wrap than a plant, and some pieces are three feet long. A vegetarian delight right here on the beach, and best of all, it's free! But sea weed isn't the only thing littering the beach.

There is a collector's mix of giant clam shells that would make the Old Woman in the Shoe jealous, and a curious, straw-like material strewn about the beach. It looks very much like straw - it is yellow, hollow, and segmented. It tastes salty, and has the same texture as straw, but I do not see any possible source of the material. The beach has almost no grass to speak of. The little bits that are firmly implanted in the sand look more like sea grass than straw, and the rose-like thorny plants accompanying them would make a wonderful little burrow for the night. How very curious this place is!

Vast groves of tall, Eastern White pine trees make a lovely backdrop for the rocky beach, and many homes line the winding road. These people live in what look like salt boxes! - tall and square in the back, with a sharply pitched roof and several dormers in the front. A few homes are tall with many windows, like a faerie hotel, but there is a walkway in front of some of the windows closest to the roof. How strange! I will have to make inquiries about these homes tomorrow.

I soon find a nice periwinkle shell to rest in, and I marvel at the absence of activity here by the shore. There are a few sea gulls dropping their dinner of mussels on the rocks, and a pair of humans being led down the shore by their dog, but little else. I have sent Newt off to find a good place to eat. We smelled something wonderful in the air as we landed, so there must be a hot fire and good bread somewhere nearby. The blustery wind, mixed with a delightful salty mist, feels quite refreshing after a long flight and I find myself dozing off.

Up, Up and Away!

noreply@blogger.com (Sandi) — Mon, 20 Feb 2006 17:26:00 +0000

Thank you everyone for the great send off! Newt Verne and I appreciate your support. Our first stop is Cape Neddick in York, Maine. The weather is considerably warmer, which will be a nice change of pace. Check in with us in a few hours for the first tour!

Welcome and Bon Voyage

noreply@blogger.com (Sandi) — Thu, 16 Feb 2006 23:49:00 +0000

Welcome travellers! I hope you are all packed and ready to go, because our "balloon" will lift off in 24 hours. That's right - I said balloon. As the title implies, this is a virtual balloon flight around the world within 60 days. My trusty servant, Newt Verne, and I will travel to unknown countries and present to you - our guests - a travel guide as none have ever seen. We will show you the hotspots, and the cool spots in each of the nine countries we highlight; and if you are patient, you will also have virtual souvenirs to take home with you!