My top travel memories are all “first timers” – after all “they” are the most exciting and memorable of memories. Subsequent times may be more planned, refined, knowledgeable, or satisfying, but the first time is the one that always jumps feet first into that place in my head – right between the eyes.
First House-Sit. Gold!
It was in April, 2012, at Moclin, high in the Andalucian hills, near Granada in Spain, that we lost our house-sitting virginity.
And, I am happy to report that it was a happy experience for all concerned.
The best part was we got to live in a beautiful “white” village in the shadow of Moclin Castle, where we even had our own separate apartment.
Our on-loan pooch, was so full of character we could not help falling in love with her. Of course it was a holiday romance – a threesome at that – full of sloppy early morning kisses and long night-time walks where sweet nothings like “hurry up it is cold out here”, were whispered.
She dragged us all over the hills and enthusiastically chased every cat she saw (and there were many). Such explorations into the mountains, gorges and valleys, were eagerly followed by tapas on the terrace of the village bar for us, the human pair of our Ménage à trois and doggy treats for the one with four legs.
And meanwhile our home owners had peace of mind knowing pooch and place were being looked after.
There is no doubt about it, our house-sit in Spain, was GOLD for us all!
First (and last) Glacier Climb. Silver!
It was November 2008, and we were in New Zealand on our first overseas holiday “post children”. Romance was again in the air when we decided to climb the Fox Glacier. Actually I secretly harboured hopes of a helicopter ride to the heights, but Budget Hubby had other ideas afoot.
So it was that on a beautiful day with no rain in sight, we climbed 700 odd steps, through a forest, up to the glacier. That is right. 700 steps before we even got to the glacier!
But, wait a minute, let’s not brush those steps aside so lightly, for they were hacked from the ground and shored up with materials back-packed in by the Company employees. Yes – our glacier guides had made with their own hands, the very steps that we now cursed. And furthermore, please understand that these were not perfect steps – in any shape – or size – or inclination!
We walked along ledges, hanging onto chain handrails, ignoring the 150 metre drop, and climbed a ladder attached to the vertical rock face. Eventually, we arrived at the spot where we could step out onto the glacier.
We strapped on our crampons (I love that I get to write that) and climbed on to the glacier.
Crunching crampons on the ice – what bliss was this?
Our guide cutting ice steps as we went,
Peering into blue ice crevasses,
Unseen streams trickling.
But what about the 700 steps before and after? And then there was the freezing cold stream that I fell into on the way back (don’t let anyone tell you rock-hopping is not an extreme sport). It was just luck that I did not need to have frostbitten areas removed!
There has to be one in every crowd…
First New York Cab Ride. Bronze!
Hurtled, yep that’s it – We h u r t l e d along the highway from JFK airport. Our driver relishing the game of chicken he played with the other cabs vying for optimum traffic position.
I was enchanted by the quaint houses bordering the highway and said so, but the cabbie soon put me straight “that ain’t quaint – that’s Queens”. Channeling Fran Drescher, I snapped a photo from the cab in a rare moment of immobility!
Before long we were deposited on the side-walk outside our apartment in St. Mark’s Place, East Village. The street action was bustling on that Friday afternoon in April, 2010, and I knew we had arrived in the most exciting City on the Planet.
I guess there is no need to add that the failed New York City bombing attempt took place in Times Square the very day we arrived in NYC? I thought not.
Ah – Memories.
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Kenh Ga Water Village, Vietnam – Post 9
These are great entries. My Gold is walking on the Great Wall of China. I’m not sure what Silver and Bronze would be, but you’ve made me start to think about what I’d choose.
Thanks Juliann, You definitely should get your entry ready to go, and put your name on the Blue Team List (link in my post). Contact the Team Leader if you have any problems. Jan
I totally dig the photos you took of your climb on the Fox Glacier. That looks like a spectacular view from the top of the glacier.
I did not climb, but instead, I walked out from the Fox Glacier Township and through the rain-forest to the glacier-head. I did manage to take a 50-minute flight over the glaciers, and that sure was pretty, too!
Thanks for your post, Jan!
Thanks Henry, I am sure glad that I managed to do that. Once on the glacier I could have stayed all day! Jan
such great memories! Love that you explored, house sat, had long walks, walked up 700 steps and a crazy cab ride 🙂
Sounds like wonderful travel memories!
Thanks Lisa, They were fun memories as well as first timers. Wait a sec – falling in the freezing cold was not fun! Jan
All very different memories Jan. I’m very impressed with the glacier climb!
Thanks Jennie, We actually climbed more getting to the glacier that when we were on it, but it was worth it. Jan
I agree that the “firsts” are always special. Enjoyed reading about your favorites.My first NYC cab ride was pretty memorable, too — wild! Go Team BLUE!
Thanks Cathy, That cab ride set the tone for our time in NYC – exciting! Jan
Jan, thanks for being part of team blue! Great to read your travel memories. I am in love with NZ so especially enjoyed your story on climbing Fox Glacier. I climbed Franz Josef and found that an awesome experience, too.
I haven’t done any house sitting yet but that sounds really, really, cool, especially when it comes with a pooch as cute as that one!
Hi Christina, N.Z. is a very beautiful country. My friend recently moved there with Kiwi Hubby and three kids to live and work on their own small farm, and we are going to stay with them for a week in October. We stayed in our campervan at Franz Josef but could not climb that glacier for forgotten reasons, so we had to drive like crazy to get to Mt. Fox so we could climb it, that morning. Appreciate your comments. Jan
Those are some great memories! I think being able to do a house stay would be wonderful and what a treat to have a friend to meet you when you get there. Also, love the idea of ice climbing in NZ. Will have to try that when we get there (someday).
Thanks for commenting Evan. Yes, house-sitting is a great way to stay a long time somewhere very cheaply. That glacier climb in N.Z. was a wonderful experience, I am so glad Marty talked me into doing it! Jan
Love it Jan – what amazing experiences!
Thanks Lisa, I am loving reading about your travels.
My favorite first was wine tasting in Napa valley. We created a great guide for the trip http://californiawineryadvisor.com/the-10-best-napa-valley-wineries-to-visit/
Thanks for the retweet elatlboy, much appreciated. Jan
Thanks for the retweet!
Thanks for the retweet.