From cold to hot

Only in New York can you get the restroom flower show show of the week, like all USA they were also in Christmas mode










Didn't think I'd get to see the NY Christmas shop windows, but on the last day we managed a quick visit to the city for some last minute things, a look at the windows, L&T's and Macys, this one from Lord and Taylor on 5th Ave, but they weren't as upmarket as some I've seen in previous years. Couldn't leave without a last meal at Eately, which will become a before flight necessity in the future,















After leaving the freezer, I managed to get a Premium economy seat from LAX to BNE using some of my ff points, arrived fresh and ready for the day, after shedding my winter clothes, Jan met me, Dave was away, we went to the markets, had a coffee and then my favourite flower to greet me at the back door.













I hardly had time to turn around before I was on the plane to Fiji for a few days in Suva before leaving for Natadola resort for Christmas, We had three monkeys in the car, two human ones and one hitching a ride







Its nice to be close to nature, and I mean close, this birds nest is in the shrubs at the side of the carport at the Suva house

Touring Virginia

From the Natural Bridge I drove to Charlottesville stayed the night and then to several other small towns searching for Civil War History, before making it to Richmond. for once I'm pleased the blog didn't get my photos in order. At the Richmond Art Museum, which has amazing collections, I saw this tiger skin rug, as part of an anti smoking exhibit, made of 600,000 cigarettes, it was more than amazing









Charlottesville had some interesting street art, great old buildings and also an occupy C'ville in the park, The coffee wasn't so bad either, though I had to get a special order of an 8 oz cup






















Don't know the rating of this motel, but for Caddie fans its probably a must












And just to show you how absolutely amazing the tiger rug was, as you walked around it changed colour,


The rest of the anti smoking exhibit was just as stunning, the artists father had died from lung cancer, and Richmond in an area which grows lots of tobacco was pretty game to host this exhibit, which was due to close a couple of days after I was there. Can't believe I was just lucky to see it.

It only gets better

I could have detoured off the BRP to see this site, but decided it was on my route back and saved the time, After walking down 138 steps it was worthwhile having to walk back up again. The Natural Bridge should be on everyones bucket list, Nature at its best. the details on the sign and this photo will give you some idea of how gigantic this is.









I love rocks and these rocks run across the creek bed in ridges, making for lots of little rapids as the creek flows,














There is a sign near this underground river, workmen could hear water running so broke through some rock and now it flows out into this waterway. They have not been able to trace where the water flows too with dye, even though they have tried many times























And to top off the visit there is a waterfall at the end of the path, so beautiful to see

NC and Virginia

West Jefferson, it was so wet. I would have loved to walk the town street which supports an artist colony but had to be content taking photos from the car window.




















I had Mexican for dinner and this is the array of sauces on the table, the food needed some as it was a bit bland, I had a spinach enchilada and a mushroom enchilada, was supposed to have rice and beans and lost in translation with my accent, when I said only a little, they didn't give me any and I had enough food on my plate anyway.












One of the interesting signposts on the BRP, I had a little sing to myself remembering the words.







I made a stop at Independence to take some more wall art, the other sign on the wall next to this one said, Independence in God we grow.
Wish I'd had my camera ready to photograph a semi with a second trailer taking Christmas trees to the market. There are millions growing in this area to supply the Christmas indulgence. Thanksgiving weekend is the time to select and cut your own, so lots of cars with their trees on top. Must be profitable because all the farms had large houses.