Tag: #solotraveller

Asheville North Carolina

5 May 2018

Last night I had a fun night shooting pool with hillbillies from Flat Creek. Today I had a giggle with people at the other end of the spectrum, the Omni Grove Park Inn.

This hotel has two (2) fireplaces, each 11 metres (36 feet) wide which can burn logs up to 4 metres (12 feet)long in the great hall which is 36 metres (120 feet) long and 24 metres (80 feet) wide.

Check the size of the chimney.

The view from the rear terrace.

The original lift still functions and runs along the chimney shafts within rockwork of the fireplace.

The 3rd floor is the original atrium lobby.

Betsy is one of the Hotel Ambassadors who not only provided me a history of this hotel but recounted her time at MLC Melbourne when she was 13 years old.

Not only was I impressed with all the fine detail of this plush hotel, what made an impact was that anyone is welcome to spend the day admiring and touring the hotel without being a guest. They also have three (3) hours free parking to allow you to do this. This fabulous hotel also has a golf course. Perhaps one day I can afford to stay here.

This morning I visited the historical birthplace of the Governor of North Carolina Zebulon B Vance. He served both during and after the Civil War.

Lake Lure is the famous place Dirty Dancing was filmed. I was disappointed I didn’t have anyone to reproduce the lake scene with nor anyone to dance with in the gazebo.

The flowering bridge in Lake Lure

The Broad River in Chimney Rock is dotted with pretty cabins and houses.

I found the Bat Cave but Batman was nowhere to be seen.

These homes in Asheville are very different to the homes in Florida and other parts of the USA. I could have photographed so many more.

South and North Carolina

3 May 2018

Goodbye Savannah. I don’t plan much of this trip until the day before and even on the day I change my stops.

I don’t even know why I chose Congaree National Park to stop at on the way to Asheville North Carolina.

I left Savannah with its beautiful Spanish moss trees.

The Congaree National Park is in South Carolina and has hardwood trees.

This park is so serene and peaceful you can hear the wind rustling through the tops trees with no movement in the leaves but squirrels scampering and lots of birdsong.

However something broke the peacefulness and the park ranger confirmed what I thought was gunshots in the distance. Hunting season was on for hogs which are a nuisance here as well as at home.

The park ranger said not many Aussies come through here and he gifted me a walking stick for my walkabout.

This mosquito meter would be useful at home.

Driving through South Carolina I came across several rail crossings. I gave myself a wake up when I almost drove through one without stopping to check for trains.

I had a car tailgating me, as almost every car does in this country and I cannot shake the uneasiness I feel. I feel pressured to drive faster and try to make a conscious effort not to let the vehicle behind me control my speed.

This afternoon at this first railway crossing, it had flashing lights but no boom gate. I did slow down, looked right and left, then crossed the track. What felt like just 5 seconds later I looked in my rear mirror and a train went flying past sounding the warning signal. It reminded me of the book I was reading on the train to San Diego which stated there were many fatalities on USA rail crossings as many don’t have flashing lights or boom gates and people don’t pay attention or don’t stop and check before driving over the track. I certainly will stop no matter how close another car is to me.

Other signage of interest is the animal warnings. I have seen a lot of roadkill including small pig, snake, deer, possum and lots unidentifiable. Some of the signs have been to watch out for pigs (boar), alligators, deer, bears, turtles.

Crossing the border to North Carolina is another new experience. I feel like I am in hillbilly country and that was confirmed for me later in the evening. The landscape is hilly/mountainous, very green, with very different trees to the previous States.

The Airbnb I am staying in is in the backwoods of Weaverville. Do you agree it sounds like somewhere Gomer Pyle would come from? (O lordy I just Googled Gomer Pyle and the character is portrayed as from North Carolina)

The road (or rather track) to the house is similar to the road to Jenolan Caves. Narrow, windy, with big drops if you go over the edge it is a long way down. I had to psych myself up to leave the house knowing that I would have to drive that road in the dark on the way back from dinner. I don’t think anything has frightened me this much on the trip. Well of course I went to search for dinner and dancing. My hosts recommended Cowboys Lounge for dancing as it was open until 2am and that sounded perfect.

I mastered the windy road and when I got to the main road wasn’t sure whether to go right or left. When I took the left turn the GPS rerouted so I thought all would be fine. I passed this church.

And this building

And the road started to get narrower and steeper. When I came across a car stopped on the other side of the road on a dangerous bend I stopped and asked for directions. The person was the Sherrif and he was so concerned about where I was going he insisted I turn around and follow him. He said I would have arrived at my destination but the road was not a good one. He also said he didn’t think Cowboys Lounge was a place for me but he could show me where to get dinner. So I followed him to Weaverville and found an Italian restaurant, Glass Onion, with soup so delicious I took a second order back to the Airbnb.

Of course I didn’t pay attention to the Sheriff’s recommendation not go to the Cowboys Lounge which is now called the Tbirds. It was exactly what I was looking for. A place with locals, rednecks and by their admission, hillbillies. I was made very welcome by everyone. Most of them had never met an Aussie ever. One had been to Melbourne twice but he didn’t look nor act like a local. One asked me if I had been to Flat Creek before. I made him laugh because I had no idea that was where I was.

I had a few games of pool and had a lovely evening with these people.

Tybee Island Day 2

2 May 2018

I loved Tybee Island so much and I pneeded to rest so I decided to do that at the beach and enjoy this feel good spot in Savannah.

On the way there, something in my rear vision mirror caught my attention. I had been watching the news earlier and there was a discussion about tornadoes. My first reaction to the black shape in the distance was that it could be a tornado. When I got to stop at the lights I realised it was smoke. I made a mental note to check if it was a bushfire or something else.

When I arrived at the beach I hired a beach chair for $US5, paid $US6 for parking and just had a nap in between watching the school children again frolicking in the water and digging in the sand to China.

I didn’t give the smoke another thought until a news report popped up on Google that a National Guard plane crashed on a road just outside Savannah Hilton Head International Airport. None of the 9 passengers survived but miraculously the plane did not hit any vehicles or homes when it crashed on the Savannah 21. Very sad for the families of the deceased.

In the evening I revisited the Doubles Nightclub for some “shag” dancing. I danced with some people I met there 3 years ago. Thank you to Barbara and Mary Ann for making me feel welcome.

A lovely way to end my second visit to one of my favourite cities.

Tybee Island Georgia

1 May 2018 Already!!

The start of my third month of travel. Can you believe it!! I have only visited 2 of the 30 States I plan on doing on this trip. I have had to cross other States I have already done to do that but soon I will be venturing to more States not yet touched.

Today I explored Tybee Island Georgia for the first time. What a pretty place. The sand isn’t the sparkling white of the Gulf Coast but the whole place has a good vibe with a pavillion and several wooden fishing piers and quaint wooden swing benches dotted along the beach.

There is a Marine Science Centre near the beach and there were many (Primary) elementary school kids on excursion. It was so beautiful watching them enjoy the sand and surf.

A teacher told me it was the first time at the beach for many of the children. They were given small kitchen sieves to dig the sand in the water to find shells and they are taught about looking after the environment for the animals such as birds and turtles.

I met a lovely couple, Janice and Mike who recommended some places in Maine and Michigan for me to visit. Someone thought we were friends and took this pic, pointing out she wanted to include the wording on the fence. “I love life”. Messages everywhere for me!

Something I would like to see implemented in Sydney is the Park and Pay system on the island. You pay for a parking ticket which can be used anywhere on the island, not just one place, for whatever time period you pay for.

I could have stayed at the beach all day, but I had exploring to do.

Fort Screven

Tybee Island Lighthouse

And some colourful moments around the island

Back in Savannah I have been sitting in this lovely park, Forsyth Park (one of 2 largest in Savannah) updating my blog.

The city encourages people to hang hammocks and slack lines across the park trees. Another thing Sydney needs to loosen up on.

The oldest, most expensive hotel in Savannah, Manion on Forsyth Park has a display of hats covering the period from 1860s.

The elegant Ladies Restroom.

Savannah’s Jones Street is said to be the origin of the saying “keeping up with the Jones’ “.

So many places I have been to in the USA have beautiful decorations and furniture outside their homes. How lovely to be able to do this without vandalism and theft marring the neighbourhoods.

I found a trivia group held on Tuesdays in Wild Wings Cafe in Pooler on Meet Ups with an East Londoner host. Missing my trivia friends and family in Sydney.

We came 1st!!

Goodbye Florida Hello again Savannah Georgia

30 April 2018

Today I will drive to Savannah Georgia. I’ve been there before but to get to Kentucky need to go through a state/town I have already visited. Between Nashville (too far off my current route although love the country music and the Grand Ole Opry), Charleston South Carolina (love the dancing there and stunning plantation mansions) but Savannah won as it is such a pretty place and I want to revisit some of the places with paranormal activity I experienced last time. I also enjoyed *shag” dancing (it’s a swing dance – get your mind out of the gutter).

On the way to Savannah I stopped off at the World Golf Hall of Fame in between Jacksonville and St Augustine Florida

It is rare for a place to celebrate the achievements of a sport which includes male and female sports people across 26 countries.

I found our Aussie Greg Norman’s spot on the walk.

As well as the list of Aussie champions

There are world class hotels very nearby. You can also purchase a condo at “The Residences” for you die hard golfers, where you can have a view of the Hall of Fame tower or even the #8 hole. Decisions decisions.

I find it curious that I ended up here at the high end of golfing history when I have only just played 2 games of 9 holes so far, but we have to start somewhere.

Two (2) hours up the road in Townsend, Georgia I snapped these photos of USA’s smallest church.

I exerienced dejavu as soon as I drove into midtown Savannah. I randomly booked the least expensive hotel which stated it was 3km from the historical district but it actually is 18km away. It was next door to the hotel I stayed in three (3) years ago. I went looking for the nightclub I enjoyed “shag” dancing and there it was, still there. Unfortunately I won’t be shagging this time as the dance is on Wednesday night and I will be on the road again Wednesday morning.

I took a couple of photos in the historical district at night.v

I have yet to compare them to last time’s photos to see if there are any “orbs” (evidence of paranormal activity). The photos are too small on my phone to examine properly.

Palm Coast Florida

28 April 2018

Yesterday afternoon I had booked an Airbnb in Ormond Beach only to arrive and find that my booking was cancelled by the host. When this happens Airbnb are quick to assist find an alternate property and, as was the case with me, it was difficult to find something last minute at the same price and Airbnb meet any additional cost for a property which might cost more than the original booking. I was so glad the Ormond Beach property cancelled as I would not have had the privilege of staying in the home of Lev and Galina. I have never met a Korean with a Russian accent before and I fell in love with Galina. Perhaps it is because she said my hair colour looked “flirty”.

Prior to my “Odyssey” I decided to stop colouring my hair as it is always difficult to manage when travelling and I also think it is time for me to accept my hair colour is “silvering”. Since this decision I have noticed how many women look beautiful, classy, sexy, quirky or all of this with going natural. I have found it very liberating.

After Galina and Lev gave me a wonderful breakfast of crepes and potato and bacon omelette I drove to the Bulow Plantation Ruins.

There wasn’t much of the ruins left as the plantion house was destroyed by fire.

The area is very pretty for hiking and swimming, although not sure I would go in for a swim.

Driving to my next Airbnb the at the Palm Coast I dropped into the Bulow Plantation RV Park. Similar concept to the Australian caravan park.

These quaint cabins are $US50 per night but they have no cooking facilities or bathroom.

I saw some of the 55+ communities I have been hearing about in my travels. I tried to get access to this one but no-one answered the access phone number.

There is a 55+ ( also known as “age-restricted”) community in Florida called “The Villages” and I would have liked to rent an Airbnb to experience this area which has a population of over 125,000. It is the fastest growing small city in the USA. One of the problems of these communities is if a grandparent becomes the carer of grandchildren there is 90 day time restriction. If a spouse under 55 is widowed, most often they are forced to sell the property. With 9 golf clubs, cinema, supermarkets and shops, the common mode of transport is golf buggies. I wouldn’t mind trying out this community for a few months each year.

This evening my host took me to the Moonrise Brewing Company for an amateur comedy night.

This is in the lovely European Village area.

Oviedo/Cassadaga Florida

27 April 2018

Oviedo is known for the downtown wild chickens roaming the streets. I had trouble working out where they might be and found the local library and thought they would be sure to have the information I was looking for. Just as I got out of the car I heard a rooster crowing. Couldn’t see him, nor the chickens but saw feed which is left out by the locals.

I do love the trees in these southern parts, with the hanging air moss.

I then drove to Cassadaga, a spiritual village of pyschics and mediums. Yes, I had my cards read and we will have to wait for the Fall or did she mean Australian Autumn to see if there is any credibility in what was read.

I will admit the village gave me a feeling of peace and serenity.

With street names of Spiritualist Street and Mediumship Way and Seance Crescent

Orlando via Oslo

26 April 2018

I am back in the USA so I can continue with my roadtrip.

I left my airbnb in Barcelona and took the Aerobus from the Placa Catalunya to the airport. This is such a convenient service. You can buy the 5.9EUR one way or 10.90EUR tickets online or at the vending machine at the bus stop and ou can use either cash or card. Or a taxi is around 30EUR.

The plane trip was uneventful except for being taken into a private room at the airport for a “random” security check at Oslo airport. I was half expecting to be asked to strip off. I can’t imagine what made me stand out but all of course was ok. Yes it was a curious route to take from Barcelona to Orlando. Flying into Oslo I almost hoped that I could miss my connecting flight to Orlando as the scenery from the plane was so pretty with a view of green pine trees and a frozen waterway with scattered snow in between the trees. I will put that on my list to visit one day.

I arrived in my Orlando air bnb at 11:00pm and will look at where my road trip takes me to tomorrow.

Norwegian Epic Bermuda UK

10 April 2018
Enjoyed a taxi tour of this colonial island with solo travellers Sarah, Sandy, Danny, Stu, Michael and Kim from USA.

Weather was windy and overcast but the company fun. Stopped at St George.

Had a walk around Hamilton.

Would have liked to swim here in Tobacco Bay but too cold.

Seven (7) golf courses on this island.

The rooves of the houses are quite an interesting design and made of cement which seems to give them extra protection from the numerous hurricanes this island experiences.

We could not go past this place the Boner Bar but unfortunately didn’t get to experience their menu item a “frozen boner”.

Back on the ship enjoyed watching Sarah being part of the show The Hypnotist and ended the night like every night in the nightclub Bliss. One disappointment is that the go go cages I danced in on my previous Epic cruise have been replaced with mirrors 😉

Beautiful message left on the nightclub table.

Thank you Sarah xx

The people I am connecting with every day confirms that everyone we meet pass through our lives for a reason and not a coincidence. The 6 degrees of separation notion needs to be reviewed. I love that on a ship of over 4000 people in the middle of the Atlantic you meet people from the same town or people with only one degree of separation.

Norwegian Epic

7 April 2018
I am off to Barcelona on a Transatlantic cruise! This was not planned but I got such a great deal I could not go. I love the Norwegian Epic and this is the last cruise I could do on her from the USA as she repositions to Europe for their summer.

I have discovered I am a silver member of Norwegian Cruise Line Latitudes club. I got priority embarking no waiting in lines. A free bottle of champagne and some extra internet minutes.

This is only my 4th cruise with NCL and I get perks!!. I have been on 10 P&O cruises and get nothing. I am in the studio cabins and this cruise has only 80 children out of 4800 passengers. The majority are over 50 but the first night in the nightclub was amazing. I had 2 wonderful dance partners!! I don’t need anything else. The DJs on NCL could teach P&O cruise DJs how to keep the passengers happy. Every NCL cruise I have been on the DJs know or play what the passengers love.

The people I have met so far are wonderful interesting and all retired from USA, Canada,France, Britain, Spain and Aussies from Melbourne and Brisbane. Including investors, gold mining office manager, French professor, teacher, travel agents, accident investigator, army, emergency nurse and mission chaplain. Such diverse occupations.

I have learnt to play a gambling game left/right/centre. Lots of fun and a very social game with an investment of $3 and prize of $100. Day 3 tomorrow and with our first stop in Bermuda.