There is a very nice restaurant and some cool gift shops where you get off the gondola.  It was a hot day and I couldn't resist this three berry frozen fruit drink:

I loved this sign at the top.  I think they should have A LOT more of these around the world ;)

  I have a little bit of a fear of heights, but wasn't afraid on the gondola.  I thought the chair lift you can ride up even higher on the mountain was a little scarier...I didn't dare take my hands off the arm bar to take any photos.

I love these touristy photos they take of you on these rides.  I thought the $15 they charge was a little steep, but who knows when I'll get back here!


I let the kids enjoy the luge ride down the mountain since I'm not a great driver :)


The A frame building in the photo below is the restaurant


Thank you so much for stopping by.  I love to read your comments or questions and and reading other people's blogs as well.  Your e-mail address will never be published.  Until next time, take care my friends!

 Michelle

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 "Humans think they are smarter than dolphins because we build cars and buildings and start wars etc…and all that dolphins do is swim in the water, eat fish and play around. Dolphins believe that they are smarter for exactly the same reasons."

Douglas Adams 

Thank you so much for stopping by.  I love to read your comments or questions and and reading other people's blogs as well.  Your e-mail address will never be published.  Until next time, take care my friends!

 Michelle

After nearly 40 hours of traveling I finally made it to beautiful Queenstown!  I collapsed into a mini coma upon my arrival for more than 12 hours and awoke feeling fairly refreshed considering the 17 hour time difference.  All I've done is walk outside my room this Monday morning and this is what I saw.  Promise to share more later today.  Not much time at all to focus well and edit so these photos aren't the best because I'm off to explore.  I'll try to do better later :-)

 This is 

Lake Wakatipu

  My welcoming committee:

Thank you so much for stopping by.  I love to read your comments or questions and and reading other people's blogs as well.  Your e-mail address will never be published.  Until next time, take care my friends!

 Michelle

"I went to Maui to stay a week and remained five. I never spent so pleasant a month before, or bade any place goodbye so regretfully. I have not once thought of business, or care or human toil or trouble or sorrow or weariness, and the memory of it will remain with me always.”

~ Mark Twain

Here are some more photos of this amazing park known as "Secret Beach" here on the island:

I have about 2 weeks left of 12 hour days and then my adjustment to a 6 hour difference time change to look forward to when I return home.  In spite of all that, I'm completely in my element and having a wonderful time.  Strange to think that I just finished a 2 hour Ashtanga HOT Yoga class at 2 AM my time.  Hmmm...do you think I'll have some jet lag when I return to florida ;)?

Thanks for stopping by!  I truly appreciate all my loyal and occasional readers!  Until next time ~

Michelle

 This is Part 2 of my Paris adventure from back in mid June which is a lovely time to visit Paris.  Trust me though, I will go back to visit Paris anytime of the year.  I can certainly understand why so many people I've met have been there five or six times and have plans to go again!

This was my second trip to Paris, but the first time I'd ever visited Versailles.  Just in case you don't know, this is where Marie Antionette lived with her family.  She was ultimately beheaded.  After visiting Versailles I did a lot of reading about what happened.  Yes. I learned all this back in school, but there is nothing like seeing things with your own eyes!  Visiting Paris was DEFINITELY a history lesson for me.

 Here is a photo of the exterior of Versailles.  It might not look like that much on the outside...

I was surprised to learn that the Shabby Chic design was inspired by the decor at Versailles.  I definitely see some similarity, but Shabby Chic is far from this rich and luxurious looking.

Here is a photo of my daughter Marissa and I eating at a restaurant in Versailles named Angelinas.  It was a beautiful restaurant and we were waited on by Marie Antionette - or at least someone dressed like her!

I did not get to see much of the outdoor area and the gardens of Versailles, but if you know me...you know that just means that I must return!

 As you can see Versailles is "just a bit over the top" ;( .  HOWEVER, I came away from visiting and reading up on Marie Antionette's fate feeling very sad for her.  Here is a quote written by her after she was imprisoned:

 "I was a queen, and you took away my crown; a wife, and you killed my husband; a mother, and you deprived me of my children. My blood alone remains: take it, but do not make me suffer long."

Marie Antionette

The following photos are of "The Opera Garnier" which is one of my favorite places to visit in Paris.  It is incredibly ornate, colorful, rich with history, and doesn't take a very long time to see it all.  The first two photos are of the outside of the building, which is beautiful, but does nothing to prepare you for what the interior is like!

Here are some photos of the world famous opera room with the beautiful ceiling designed my the famous artist Marc Chagall.

They do still have plays and performances at the Opera Garnier.  I would love to be able to attend one someday even though I'm not a fan of opera.  No doubt it would be an incredible and unforgettable experience!

The only complaint I have about Paris is that there is a danger of developing a sore neck looking at all of the amazing ceilings that seem to be everywhere!

Here is a view of the city from one of the balconys of the Opera Garnier:

Au Revior Paris...for now :-)

 "Paris is a hard place to leave, even when it rains incessantly and one coughs continually from the dampness."

 Willa Cather

 Thank you so much for stopping by.  I love to read your comments or questions and and reading other people's blogs as well.  Your e-mail address will never be published.  Until next time, take care my friends!

Michelle