June 20, 2024
Planten un Blomen - Hamburg's Botanical Gardens
After the soccer game, we took advantage of the late summer daylight hours here in Northern Germany. We strolled the gardens for an hour and then found seating in the grassy area, surrounding the lake, to await the nightly fountain show. Can you believe it is 10 pm when show started! Look how bright the skies are! At 10:30, as we made our way home, darkness finally comes. Sunrise starts at 4:50 a.m.! I wear an eye mask to bed each night. Crazy German Summer!
When you think about escaping to a semi-deserted, tropical island to recharge, FAKARAVA wins my vote! I had never heard of this place a month ago and when I did, people giggled, just saying its name. No one knew what we were going to do there for 2 days. Divers knew a little about it, but we couldn't find any tours through usual channels.
HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE - Hoping 2026 is a great year for you all! PLEASE COME VISIT - I have no plans to return to the USA.
Papeete (with a population of 26,000) is the bustling capital of French Polynesia and the cultural heart of the island of Tahiti . Papeete is directly across the lagoon from Moorea and several ferries ( just a 35 minute ride) connect the islands & the only airport is in Papeete. The city is known for its mural arts, Polynesian culture and pearl trade.