Oh it’s been ages since I have written anything. Illness zapped the inclination right from me and everything seemed to be a mammoth effort. Well I’m feeling a lot better but still not firing on all cylinders. I’m just praying that having the flu now will save me from it during the trip. I don’t know how the flu works but I did have my flu shot months ago. Not sure what this was exactly but it certainly made me have an unhealthy relationship with my pillow

Only 27 days to go and we are pretty organized. Apart from a few things, we are well provisioned with clothes and electrical equipment. Seriously, Aly and I were well known for our lack of technical knowledge in all aspects of gadgetry but we have made up for it in spades during the last couple of years. We are high-tech without the knowledge to go along with it. Aly won’t touch anything with a button and I am always ringing someone for help because I’m trying to attain a modicum of proficiency in using the stuff we have. My SOS person is Justin who has his own computer business helping the hopeless. He has called it ‘The Computer Whisperer’ and I can vouch he has a special relationship with them and in his gentle way, he re-educates this flighty filly (sorry couldn’t resist).

We still haven’t received our magic folder containing tickets and such; however, this is because documentation is still coming in. Oh the joy when we do. Aly will be having a birthday while we are away on the 11th of August so I have arranged champers and a cake on the plane from Abu Dhabi to Athens and a cake and flowers in our room when we arrive. We’ll have a special birthday dinner too that night….any recommendations in Athens??????? Also, the night before we depart Australia we are having a birthday dinner at our favorite Vietnamese restaurant with family and friends, some of whom are also celebrating their birthday. August 11 is an extra special day for me as it is not only Aly’s birthday, my darling dad shares it too and even though he passed away on the 15th of October 2006, it will always be Aly and dad’s birthday where they used to tease each other about who received the biggest present or the yummiest cake.

As I have previously mentioned, I was a little edgy about how I would shop for summer clothes in our winter. Well I let my fingers do the walking and shopped on-line. I have been so amazed that everything I purchased from the U.S. and U.K. has not only been of excellent quality, it fits and looks great. Given this is the trip of our lifetime, minimalism has no place in my case. I wanted color, movement, style and quirk to accompany me so that whatever we decided to do, we were prepared in terms of dress. My usual black be gone…I want 7 weeks of looking and feeling different. We can all get into an image rut and I decided that this holiday was the place to break out of it. Between Australia Post and various couriers, they have delivered the new me and I can’t wait to try myself out.

Here are a few of my finds I thought I’d share.

I just love scarves and Sir Alistair Rai just floats my boat. The Rudraksha Karma scarf is gorgeous and will shield me from the hot sun by the pool and being a great believer in karma, perfect for me. Also I purchased some Love Quote scarves in a linen/silk mix….stunning too.

Now travel does tend to make one a sitting duck on occasions particularly when you are often preoccupied in unfamiliar environs. I do tend to get a little air-headed when I’m touring around because I’m so engrossed in the scenery. For this reason, I purchased a Pacsafe travel security bag to go into our backpack. Yeah it might take forever to get to my $’s but Aly’s thinking that might be a good thing. Everywhere in the world there’s the potential for pick pockets, but at least we’ll try to make it harder for them to lift our valuables.

For me, I totally need water shoes. I can’t help myself whenever I’m near the water I have to get in. I was looking for something a little more versatile than the water booties I had…they are ugly and came across Helly Hansen products. This Moc 3 water shoe is seriously fantastic. I mean Mary Jane meet Esther Williams. From the girl with the worst feet in history, these shoes are comfortable, strong and won’t look out of place from beach to bistro.

This leads me to runners/trainers. Whilst in the Helly Hansen shop at Chadstone, Aly was talking to the guy about the runners and he was sold in view of their ability to breathe. We both brought a pair and I must say, it hardly feels like you have them on yet the soles are sturdy. Looking forward to road testing these in Petra because I WILL NOT be going anywhere there on a donkey or horse. They don’t need the exercise, I do.

Of course being winter here, boots are everywhere so summer sandals were no where to be seen. I searched a bit and found this terrific on-line shop called Shoe’s & Clogs in Parramatta, New South Wales. They sell Italian made shoes and let me tell you, they fit my feet so well. If you’ve ever seen Whoopie Goldberg as Oda May Brown in Ghost walking down the street in the bank scene, that is me in high heels. These shoes however, seem made just for my foot and being leather, they’ll breathe and stretch. There is nothing more lovely I don’t think than a tanned leg in summery sandals with polished nails. Since my feet have been kept hidden up to now in winter clod-hoppers, can’t wait until I release them to the air.

I had to post a picture of my wonderful mummsy who spent hours today ironing Aly’s stuff ready to pack. Here she is in one of my spare bedrooms hanging everything to air. I’m so lucky to have her. She’ll be holding the fort and looking after China (my dog) and Agador Spartacus (my cat) while we are gone. Not bad for someone who came out of hospital 3 short weeks ago after a huge stomach surgery. We are strong stuff mum and I.  Isn’t she cute?  She’s soooooooo short.

I have made a little wish list of things I particularly want to do on this trip.  This is for me to be able to tick them off.

• Swim in all the pools at the Emirates Palace hotel and use the slides that I think are there.
• Ensure I take a bag of limes and a thriving mint plant on board the Clipper Ship with me so that I can partake my fav drink on deck at happy hour(s) – The Caprioska.
• Skype with Mattie and Lyn as often as possible.
• Find the most amazing Greek restaurant in Athens to celebrate Aly and dad’s birthday.
• See some beautiful underwater sea life during our time on the Clipper Ship.
• Hire a little bike or car around one of the Greek islands.
• Float in the Dead Sea.
• Sit and watch Aly read a book.

Of course there are tons of things I want to do but these have stayed in my mind the most.  Above all though, my greatest wish right now is that everything fits in my case.

Hugz all…until next time.