Uneventfully Delicious Wednesday

Wednesday we had an even more laid back day - slowly, surely shifting to lower gears. Spent a good while sitting on the deck watching the birds, Humpbacks, and even a pair of dolphins. Linda took her new and oh so appropriate sweatshirt for a spin. 


Then we mustered the energy to get ourselves into town for massages. While waiting for the other, each of us moseyed around the local farmers' market.  Then back to the deck for wine and

cheese and more communing with our marine-dwelling friends. 

Whale watching and old friends

Tuesday morning we suited up for the chilly deck, started up the fire pit and settled in for morning coffee. We were treated to quite a show - a pod of humpback whales was feeding right in front of us. Almost impossible to capture a photo because they’re so quick that they’re back down as soon as you train the camera on them, but imagine the scene: chilly foggy AM snuggled in toasty clothes, dancing flames and out on the water whales cresting and breaking through the water line straight up as they feed. [Linda tells me they swim around in circles to gather the fish and then launch themselves upwards to gobble as many as they can. ]

Pretty great!

In the afternoon, I drove down to Palo Alto to visit my old and much loved friend, Elisabeth.  Once again could kick myself for not taking a picture , but as always, we started talking and I forgot everything else. 

Fwd: Day 3 Pacifica

We had a good visit Sunday with Jim and Louise who drove over from the East Bay to see us. Sadly I forgot to take pictures (though being me, I did manage a previsit picture of the appetizer I made).  

Today we woke to a chilly, foggy morning, but went out on the deck anyway, dressed as if for an old fashioned ocean liner Atlantic crossing. 


Just as we were deciding perhaps it was too chilly after all, our neighbor showed up and lit the gas firepit for us. Ahhh, much better as well as mesmerizing. 

Exploring the neighborhood

Yesterday afternoon we took a walk along the water and explored the pier. Stopped in a cafe that has definitely not had the hipster makeover. A bit frayed around the edges, but cozy and the service was friendly. 


Then we went in search of cannibis salve which is supposed to be good for arthritic knees. The unfortunately, all three of the local marijuana dispensaries listed on Yelp were closed for good. More to that story I'm sure. Meanwhile we came upon a very strange business of a different sort. 


Waking up in Pacifica,CA

Bad weather for air travel Saturday morning. But after some delays and fretting at JFK, we finally boarded our plane, waited a while longer on the tarmac and eventually took off, arriving about 3 hours late. Not too bad in the end, and one flight attendant made it her business to keep everyone informed while we waited. Information makes these things so much easier to take. Why it’s not offered more often is one of those mysteries of life. 

By the time we’d figured out how to manage the rental car’s doodads, found the place, worked out how to get in, and foraged for dinner, there was only time for a brief appreciation of the sunset (will be remedied tonight I’m sure). Now we’re happily ensconced in our beachside apartment, drinking coffee and tea on the deck In the sea air (and needing fleece!). We chose this place partly for its temperature which is lovely after the terrarium-like conditions in NYC. 

We’re looking forward to seeing my brother Jim    and meeting his new girlfriend  later today. 

One more (or actually two)

The last night in Siem Riep we were hanging in the bar waiting for the bus to take us to dinner. This bunch of "women of a certain age" started dancing - to the chagrin of some of the other guests.  Didn’t dampen the enthusiasm though. The singer and piano player seemed to enjoy the participation. 

Travel offers many puzzles, among which were these perplexing buttons to call the elevator(?!?!)

Unexpected discovery just beside Angkor Wat

Angkor Wat is an amazing and majestic site/sight and centuries old. In contrast, there was a Buddhist pagoda and temple complex off to the side that was much more modern and had a lively feeling to it. We heard chanting coming from a small building full if monks. I wish the recording had come out because the lead chanter had a beautiful voice. Unfortunately mostly I got the chickens who were closer to the mike I guess. The statuary in the foreground made me chuckle  

 A little further over was this airy meeting space that felt like a refreshment on a hot day  

And still further was a Buddhist cemetary with many stupas that contain ashes and other relics  


Palace in Phnom Penh and the Central Market

One of the first excursions in Phnom Penh was to the Royal Palace 

Later we visited the Central Market that has echoes of a Souk with its close packed aisles and huge diversity of stuff from silver and jewelry to vegetables and every kind if animal part imagineable to T-shirts and traditional garments to electronics and carved wood. 

In the afternoon we went off on our own on another tuk-tuk ride around the city and visited Ounalom temple and pagoda (where Annie Marie and I wandered into a small temple and received a blessing (we think) involving chanting, incense, and holy water sprinkled on us with a spray of branches. 


Fruit Fun

Most days they kept us busy with morning and afternoon excursions, but occasionally the boat had to stay anchored for a while. This was one afternoon entertainment: the chefs demonstrated their creative knife skills with fruit and veg. I think I might just about be able to manage a tomato rose, but the watermelon project will need considerable refresher lessons.