Gary’s Birthday 1 – 1/2015
Okay so we’re a few months behind, but really, news is only relevant to whether you’ve heard it or seen it previously, so before we return to Greece and onward to our 40,000 mile expedition across Asia, following the Silk Road, we have to tell you a little bit about my birthday. It was the big 7-0, so I was told I could do anything I wanted that was legal. Humm— Options like hot air ballooning over the Serengeti Plains or trekking to the base camp of Everest crossed my mind but Mexico was so close and relatively easy.
Stage one: Only a few days late, coming from South Korea, we took delivery of The Turtle V at the harbor in Long Beach, just off the Wallenius Wihelmsen Ro-Ro freighter, and headed south toward our good friends’ home in El Cajon. Plans were already in the works to fly to Guadalajara, Mexico where my cousin and her husband would join us for a second celebration, but first, what to do in San Diego? Of course the San Diego Zoo, one of the finest in the world, has always been a favorite place, (I hadn’t been there for years.), so off we went to see the elephants.
Dinner was my choice so smoked oysters, rib eye steaks and a nice zinfandel were on the menu. The next day found us sitting in the San Diego International Airport, passports in hand. Before I forget, thank you all for the wonderful birthday cards I received and the uncountable emails and Facebook congrats. I have them sitting on my desk right now. Even the ones I received while we were in Mexico were special. It’s never too late to get a birthday card.
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- After driving a 14’000 lb. diesel truck with a six-speed manual transmission for two years around the world it was fun to be back behind the wheel of a real car.
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- Only a few days late, The Turtle V arrived safe and sound from South Korea, completing our second full Overland Expedition around the World.
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- Always a first impression entering the world famous San Diego Zoo, the colorful flamingos pose for photos.
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- Reminded of our bucket list to spend a few months in Africa, the rhinos and elephants are better seen in the wild.
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- The San Diego Zoo is big, with over 4,000 animals of more than 800 species spread out over 100 acres of parkland. Walking could take two or three days to see it all, so the trams are the way to go.
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- Our good friends Judy and Bill, —almost family—joined us for a memorable day.
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- We were lucky to see the pandas munching on their bamboo.
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- The largest carnivore in the world, the Alaskan polar bear is an impressive sight, even stuffed. Typically they weigh 400-600 kg (880-1,320 lb), and have a nose-to-tail length of 2.4-2.6 m (7 ft 10 in-8 ft 6 in). Deadly in the wild, they are known to hunt for sport.
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- Monika plays with a seal. She’s the one on the left.
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- Mama Orangutan cuddles her new baby.
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- Papa Orangutan looks totally bored with the whole zoo thing. When’s dinner?
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- Auntie Orangutan takes time to flirt with children. He wonders, “Are these my long lost relatives? Good thing they built this wall to keep them out.”
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- Memba is the only wild-born silver back gorilla at the Zoo. He weighs about 350 pounds. His troop includes females Alvila and Jessica, and sons Mandazzi and Ekuba. Does he remember the jungle?
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- Birthday celebration #1; Smoked oysters on a dollop of mayonnaise and topped with a slice of jalapeño chile for appetizers.
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- Rib eye steaks smothered with mushrooms, double baked potatoes with cheese and chives, tender asparagus sautéed in garlic and butter, goat cheese salad, and of course a nice wine. Who had room for dessert?
If you have not checked our home page for Gary’s BD blogs, here is the first link.
http://t.co/icNi48JMOo