The End

So that brings this six month adventure to a happy ending. The pic is of the Qantas counter at 4.30am at Honolulu. I have had a wonderful time and am very grateful for the chance to have taken in some of the world’s greatest sites and many of its people and cultures.

The next pic is of the first Australian waters I see from my porthole, followed by Sydney Heads which are home to so much of  my life - St Patrick's Seminary at Manly, and HMAS WATSON at South Head.

I will always call Australia home, and always love returning home. I am happy to be returning to my friends at Young where we care for each other, and I am closer to some family members who are also so important to me.

I thank Br Anthony for meeting me at the airport and not laughing too loudly when I got into the wrong side of my car. I let him drive! Ant represents so much of family and faith to me and has been a loyal supporter of my priestly journey. Thanks also to the Marists who have taken the time and care to nurture his faith and gifts.

So what is next?

This page is dedicated to you for reading this and following my journey. Thank you, and as St Francis says “Pace e bene”.

AMEN.

Hawaii. Yes, a Holiday at Last.

After leaving San Francisco, I planned a few days in Hawaii just to unwind and prepare to return to Australia for a New Year’s start back at work. Hawaii had no plans for me, just to get to a beach and chill out. I have been here before so would not be doing the regular tourist spots.

The weather was kind to me for the first two days then it poured. The locals were not used to the amount of water that fell from the skies either with underground car parks flooding and flash flooding in the streets. So even the weather was preparing me to acclimatise to wet Oz. I have been following the downpours back home with much interest.

I did manage an evening cruise off Waikiki Beach, the pic shows the famous Diamond Head crater landmark.

Hawaii has many beautiful sites but they are really located well away from Honolulu. The Australian beaches are without a doubt, some of the finest in the world, and I think anyone who has travelled would agree.

This second last page of my journey is dedicated to all those preparing to travel for this Christmas period. May your travels be as safe and as enjoyable as mine have been. That is right, one page left...arriving in Sydney.

Leaving San Francisco

Back in San Fran for two days. San Francisco is an amazing city with an unique personality. This personality is reflected in the people, the buildings and the mostly accepting mix of how those two elements live together. Admittedly, getting on a bus today and sitting opposite Thomas with his five year old pet female iguana...tests the boundaries.

He was not worried though. Funny that, as we were driving up to the Haight/Ashbury district of the city. This is the starting place of the Hippie movement in the Vietnam war years. It is now an eclectic mix of old and new which, like much of the inner city, will be visually effected on 1 January 2011 when homeless sitting and lying down laws will be implemented. The homeless are not being allowed to sit or lie down in the streets. I hope someone comes to their aid. My pic shows a tired Aussie flag on the Haight sign.

I spent part of my last day with Rory, a candidate for the Permanent Diaconate in the San Francisco Archdiocese. Pic is taken atop of Twin Peaks. The Golden Gate Bridge is just visible in the left near Rory's elbow.

My visit here has been a real treat. I was able to spend time with Mark and gain a greater understanding of his passion for the Church and architecture. I met many wonderful people who are trying to make a positive difference to the lives of the locals and the world. All in all, I have done well. Pic of St Paul's church left is the one used in Sister Act. The last pic is of the city from Twin Peaks.

Now to Hawaii to escape the cool and wet, to work on a tan, and find out if, where and when I have to start work again.

This page is dedicated to the acquaintances in San Francisco who have become my friends, and to my friends here and at home.

Whistler

I had to take the opportunity to go skiing seeing as I was so close to 'real' mountains with one of the world's best ski fields. Whistler - home of the 2010 Winter Olympic outdoor events.

I had the best day, staying on top of the two peaks and skiing until my legs sued for damage. One song kept echoing in my head, and I used to sing it aloud as I made my way down the pine lined slopes - "So Much Beauty" by Kate Cebrano. I skied through the gap in the pic to the right...and no my singing or skiing did not cause an avalanche.

As I made my way by bus back to Vancouver in the night (view from my hotel of Vancouver harbour entrance), with sore legs, Schnapps in my head, and Kate Cebrano still by my side, I was thinking...this time next week I will be in Hawaii!

I have truly enjoyed this sabbatical and holiday. Truly, I have tried not to waste a moment.

 This page is dedicated to those who lost so much in the floods at home. (I have been watching closely).

Vancouver, CANADA

Loving Canada. I have been staying in Vancouver which is two hours drive from Whistler (skiing) and one and half hours by ferry to Vancouver Island where Victoria is the provincial capital . Managed to get to both these places as well tour Vancouver sites of the 2010 Winter Olympics.

Being in Canada is like travelling with old friends because we share a similar outlook on life. Their country is truly magnificent from a scenic point of view, and because of the Winter Olympics this year in Vancouver, this city has come into its own.

It seems the city is obsessed with size! The globe I 'hold up' is two stories in diameter, the harbour boat holds 14 people and 25 of these take tours of the harbour. Even the animals seem larger than life.

Couldn't you just keep the beaver? 

Out at Victoria there are world famous gardens, The Butchard Gardens. There are acres of magnificent sculptured gardens which at this time of the year are covered in Christmas lighting. It is dark at 4.00pm so an evening walk through the lights is a must. I need a better camera to make the lights really work, but this will give you a small idea. The elements of  "The Twelve Days of Christmas" are hidden in the lighted gardens. Very serene.

This page is dedicated to Robin and Graham for all the joy they brings the people of Cootamundra and district through their annual Christmas light parade.

Seattle

So it has been wet back home. I can sympathise. Seattle is allegedly one of the wettest places in the US. I have only had one wettish evening, and that just forced me indoors...to a shoe shop!

I cannot believe the size of the seagulls here. They are huge. Do they come from Texas?

As I often do in a new city, I took a tour to acquaint myself with the lay of the land and especially the local history. There are many famous landmarks here, and I have only included a few. The Pike Street Public Markets are a must. The famous fish throwers at the seafood market are a hoot.Very funny watching visitors get shocked at these masters of fishery.

The Troll under the bridge is brilliant. Local artists built it to keep drug dealers away, and it worked because as we all know, drug dealer hate photos of themselves, and so many people stop here for a pic. I had to do it. The Troll is the big one!



 

I took a trip across to Bainbridge Island and was able to take in a reasonable view of the volcanic and ever snow covered Mt Ranier. Even in gloomy weather, this is a beautiful place. 

The Space Needle landmark was built for the 1962 World Fair which attracted the most World Fair participants ever. I bravely went to go to the top of the tower, but alas, it was closed for a private Christmas function. I was saved from the heights issues, legitimately.

As I prepare to leave for Vancouver in British Columbia (Canada), I dedicate this page to those back home who are losing their crops because of the rain.

Leaving San Francisco for the north

I decided to take an overnight train to Seattle. The overall trip is 22 hours and the day component was all through beautiful north western country.

These pics above are what I woke up to at Klamath Falls on the Oregon/California border.

I had really left California!

The trip was the best thing to do as I avoided airport hassles, I could relax in my own cabin or use the private dining room and lounge with a steward and meals on tap. I love my life. Mix all that with amazing changing views, and I really felt I was on holidays.

I arrived at Portland, Oregon near the Washington /Oregon border, had a stretch before arriving in Seattle. A wonderful trip. Pity I am flying back from Vancouver, Canada.  

I think I will dedicate this page to all those in the service industry: to all those who work so hard at making holiday travellers relax.

Another birthday

Would you believe I received a trip to prison for my birthday...to Alcatraz!

While I did escape Alcatraz, I did not escape my birthday.

This pic below of an Aussie gum tree on the famous island prison made me think of home...in the fondest of ways. The gum trees were brought to the city during the Gold Rush.

I had a wonderful time on the actual day by travelling down south to Santa Cruz with Mark and Nick, past Pigeon Point lighthouse, pumpkins by the sea and then lunch at the seashore. A wonderful day which began with mass, coffee and surprise singing, and cake with spelling errors. I will remember it, and so will Ramona enjoying the cake (sorry). 

This Prayer was sent to me by a friend from the wonderful Holy Redeemer parish, 'purple Bill'. It  must be shared as my dedication and appreciation for this day.

 SAINT THERESA'S PRAYER

 May today there be peace within.

May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be.

May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.

May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you.

May you be content knowing you are a child of God.

Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love.

It is there for each and every one of us.

San Jose

My visit to San Jose surprised me. Parts of it reminded me of Canberra as much of it is a new city, The downtown was rebuilt after the 1989 earthquake, not that Canberra has really had quakes outside of Parliament.

 These first pics are of the magnificent City Hall (Council Chambers). The domed building in the centre is truly a marvel - all glass and metal with light piercing its way through its entirety. The courtyard has gentle fountains that invite a soothing atmosphere.

Around the corner of course is St Joseph's Cathedral. Yes, I went hunting http://www.stjosephcathedral.org/  This is the fifth church on this site (earthquakes will do that too!) This is an Italian Renaissance church which replaced the original adobe churches. It was consecrated in 1877 (but has been restored of course...once again...the earthquakes!) This is the oldest parish church in California. (Double click the pics to increase size).

This cathedral has two beautiful quotes that I need to leave on my pages:

"The Cathedral is the Palace of Christ the King. It is the School of Christ the Teacher, and the Temple of Christ the priest. " P. Paul V1

and...

"Above all, a city needs a soul if is to become a true home for human beings. You, the people, must give it this soul". P. John Paul 11

The pic left is a tiny pic of the hundreds of Christmas trees that brighten the inner city gardens once a year. (Fake snow!!!)

This page is dedicated to enliven all our souls.