Event Highlights (2006)

Travel

• Cape Town for Xmas 2005 (including Witels)
• South America trip (6 months)
• Cape Town (2 weeks in mid 2006)
• Fly to Australia via Singapore (one night en route)
• Fly into Perth
• Fly into Melbourne (buy car)
• Drive to Sydney (tour by Doug and Claudia)
• Drive to Brisbane (stay with Glen and Carleen)
• Drive back to Sydney where settle in
• Manly 2 weeks
• Settle into Blues Point Tower, North Sydney

South America

• Argentina
• Chile
• Bolivia
• Brazil
• Peru
• Ecuador

Hiking

• Wit Els (Cape Town)
• Volcano (Chile)
• Torres del Paine (Chile)
• Fitzroy (Argentina)
• Madidi Jungle (Bolivia)
• Inca Trail (Peru)
• Colca Canyon (Peru)
• Myburgh Ravine (Cape Town with Russell)

Settle into Sydney

• Introduction by Doug and Claudia to Sydney
• 2 weeks in Manly
• Week at Enterprise Marketing
• Move into Blues Point
• Start working for Agency Fusion
• New Year fireworks and party

Spiritual moments (2006)

Photography

• The joy of photography, especially in the mountains.
• Really feeling the photographic muse.

Coherence and meaning

• The sense of coherence I felt when editing the blog and adding information from my life (e.g. tribute to dad, mum, Jo)
• Reading Power of Now worksheet (by Eckhart Tolle) on a long bus journey.

Places

• Symphony of birds and insects by the river in Cuyobeno.
• Galapagos Islands (Snorkelling with turtles and seals)
• Iberia and Mindo
• Uyuni Salt pans
• Torres del Paine
• Fitzroy Mountains at dawn
• Two weeks in Manly

Gratitude (2006)

 Travels

• South America experience: it was heaven
• Financial abundance to travel
• Managed to find replacement camera for one stolen (in time for Galapagos)
• Taking a PSION to keep track of expenses
• Russell able to join us in Bolivia, Brazil, Peru
• Finding out about Mindo

Sydney

• Meeting Doug and Claudia and Chile: the perfect Sydney guides
• Our Manly experience
• Deciding on Sydney to move to
• Finding our Blues Point Tower appointment

Insights (2006)

The Power of Now (Eckhart Tolle)

• I am not my body or mind but the witness of my thoughts and emotions.
• Consciousness I am. The same Consciousness we all are.
• The power of the present moment. Allow it to be as it is. Be the aware space for what is.
• Rest deeply in awareness (Presence).

Priceless moments (2006)

Travel

• Climbing Volcano mountain in Chile
• Galapagos (snorkelling with Turtles)
• Iberia
• Mindo
• Pantanol
• Madidi jungle hike
• Inca Trail and Macchu Picchu
• Fitzroy
• Torres del Paine
• World's most dangerous road (Bolivia)
• Iguazu Falls
• Horses in the mist 
• High tea at Bariloche
• Rio de Janiero and Ally's red dress
• Ferry journey in Chile
• Isla Grande
• Lewd frolicking in the mud at Parati
• Ice climbing on Grey Glacier
• Working on the blog.

Birds

• Amazon parrots
• Condors
• Half a million Megellanic Penguins 
• Hummingbirds in Mindo
• Quetzel
• Cock-of-the-Rock
• Iberia  (39)
• Mindo  (78)
• Ballestas Islands (esp Inca Tern)   (9)
• Galapagos  (27)

Sydney

• Drive Melbourne to Sydney and Sydney to Brisbane
• Sydney skyline and Opera House
• Introduction to Sydney
• Research for Mary-Anne
• Two weeks in Manly
• Finding and moving into Blues Point Road
• Learning to use my new camera
• Purchasing Canon lenses (18 - 52, 10-22, 200, 300, 400)

Food

• Bull's testicles
• Guineapig
• Offal hotpot (Brazil)
• Doug and Claudia's pepper-corn steak
• Buffet by weight (Rio)
• Torres del Paine fry up
• Seafood with Doug & Claudia
• Buenos Airies steak
• Lamb chops (El Calafate)
• Isla Grande self service ice cream

Movies

Progress (2006)

Blog

• Scanning old photos
• Consolidating the blog
• Dad memories
• Mum and Jo memories on blog 

Budgeting expenses 

• PSION spreadsheet, collecting expenses
• Relaxed me re money.

Photography

• South America love affair
• Bought my Canon 40D
• Camera lenses (18-52, 70-200, 300, 400)

Purchases

• Buying our Toyota in Melbourne
• Camera equipment

Connection (2006)

Trip

• Doug & Claudia
• Russell
• Letter to Pantanol guide
• Survivor essay for Russell
• Girls in Torres del Paine
• Via blog: Caroline, Carleen, Charlie, Keri, Keira, Robyn, Russell, Tony

Family tributes on blog

• Dad memories and letter on blog
• Mum and Jo memories on blog

Ally

• Ally's delight in Manly big bubble bath
• Red dress
• Supporting Ally in Australia (on a high)

Australia

• Doug and Claudia
• Glen and Carleen (Brisbane)
• Dr Cosgrove

Non fiction books read (2006)

Presence

• Practicing The Power of Now, (Eckhart Tolle)
  
  

Natural selection

• The Origin of species, (Charles Darwin)

Challenges (2006)

Depression

• Depression in Cape Town re SA returns verse my money
• Financial regrets

Anxiety

• House stress - where to put money
• Stress of starting Agency Fusion, being rejected by Enterprise Marketing.

Camera

• My camera getting stolen and not having it in the jungle.
• Lenses debacle in Singapore.
• Drop my 300 mm lens - get a monster size replacement

Other

• Witels hike - negative thoughts re Ally and financial regrets.

Affirmation (2006)

Photography

• Galapagos
• Fitzroy
• Torres del Paine
• Madidi
• Uyuni Salt Pans

Work

• Enterprise Marketing proposal for wine company
• Enterprise Marketing "Very professional"
• Interviews with Mindmaps
• Getting genius ratings on Louise's online assessment (with some help!)

Support

• Russell - survivor application
• There for Ally in Perth when she was anxious

Life Trove

• Mum, Dad, Jo tributes on Life Trove.
• Idea to make Life Trove into a full life record going back to 1970. Added so much coherence. A big contributor to the "Life is God's movie" experience in 2015.

Life Trove and photography feedback

• Caroline:  Can't resist sending a note after a visit at your blog together with Marcus - we are both equally amazed by your stories but maybe most of all by your photos!!! I 've always known that you are an EXCELLENT photographer but this is totally AMAZING!! Thanks for bringing some sun, clear waters and great adventure to a winter cold Sweden... 
• Hamish: I must confess I am something of a ghost on your blog - I surf it often but never leave any comments which I'm aware is a horrendous sin! As always, it's brilliant and it was great to stumble accross the poetry section (I wish we'd seen the horses on Cotapaxi). 
• Elaine: Graeme - I think your blog is absolutely fantastic and it will be such a wonderful permanent record for you of everything you do and your young life etc. I have watched your tours around South America with great interest - what a wonderful trip you have had. 
• Jane Cull: Graeme My long lost friend. This site was sent to me by my mother and I just cant seem to leave it.  I have read so much and cried so much.  The letter you wrote for your dad was truely moving and it really makes me miss those days so much when we were young. I now have 3 girls, twins of 1 and and elder daughter of 3.  I hope we can meet up sometime in the near future and remember the old times together again.
• Wonderful site of wildlife, I have never seen anyhing of this kind in the blogs before. I have to appreciate your photographs and articles.
• Mum:  I have just been reading your new sections and ended up spending over an hour looking back at some of the holidays you have been on.  There is plenty still left to keep me amused for days.  I love both new sections!   I must really sit down and do something similar about my own memories.  
• Carissa Kasper:  You're pictures and stories are incredible. Thank you so much for documenting your travels, it's been very helpful in planning my upcoming travels to South America.
• Beautiful pictures!!! I envy the fact that you can travel all over the world and I am stuck here in Hampton, GA. Thanks for sharing your adventures. At least I can dream with the help of you photos.
• Just discovered you, looking for excellent rollerblading tracks in Melbourne. I was captivated by the beautiful photographs, then entranced by your exuberance for living, very inspirational...I look forward to reading more. I live in melbourne with my 12 yr old son, and love to travel. Thank you, happy adventures!
• Colleen:  Your photo's are out of this world! What an amazing trip you have had and memories to last a lifetime. I feel like (in some small way) I have been travelling with you...I have loved reading every part of your journal! Tons of love,
• Keira said...:  Wow.....that really is all there is to say.....wow, and amazing, and spectacular, and inspiring.....wow
• Christophe and Karine:  We have visited your "blog" , Wouah , wonderfull pictures (animals , countries ,travels ...... )  When did you intend to visit and take some pictures from France ? Don't hesitate if you intend to travel to France.
• Andreas:  The fotos are fantastic especially the ones with the Glaciers and the landscape with the fjords and the mountains. I was looking at your photos yesterday. My first reaction was “What the hell am I doing here?” I wanted to go to the next travel agency and book a flight. I envy you for your fantastic journey. Your fotos really hit the mark and add insult to my insuries. But that’s life. You guys go and have a great time.
• Frenz Fries: one amazing blog! haha i'm so envious of all the beautiful places and the wonderful memories you have and still creating. keep up the good work guys.
• Robyn:  The scenery, birds and leaps bring your holiday alive for me. What a treat! Thank you so much G for all the care that you put into your blog. I enjoy it more than I can say.
• John Hejl:  I love your home- page. It's the best one I've ever seen, and the spiritual vibes vibe totally with my own. I've been dreaming about my home-page for a while and I imagined something like yours (before I saw it). Unfortunately you're 35 years in front of me, so I can't catch up. I'll have my page working soon. Please give me some advice or maybe just a greeting. Definitely your friend,
• Andrew Pocock: Howdy … I’ve been following your exploits on the blog (my spell checker keeps recommending that I should say bog instead of blog). I am very impressed that you find the time to keep it up to date so well.  It is a fantastic record:  I take back all I said about blogging!  Still…. you have to get out a bit to make it worth while!  You really have taken some fantastic pictures.  I’m trying to convince Sue that when the kids have grown up, we should go for a backpack round South America and maybe the Far East; I think it’ll take some selling effort on my part to get her to agree.
• Julian:  Looking at your blog brings back all kind of great memories, I get so tied up in work and getting on with life that I forget what it was like to be young!

2006 Highlights

Quality time with our family, exploring South America and our new home, Australia

Best images for 2006
Favourite family photos 2006

Wow, its been a whirlwind and wonderful year. Here is a summary for us to look back on with links to all the highlights:


Xmas in Cape Town

We spent our Xmas 2005 with our family in Cape Town - our first Xmas with them in 6 years. Very special it was.


Highlights included:

• Xmas day with the Botings and Mum and Mike and Russel , jumping on the trampoline, watching mum run throught the sprinklers!
• The reunion of the Hoar family - and especially watching Ally's granny meet her new grandchild for the first time.
• Walking with Mike at Kirstenbosch - and being amazed at his ability to power up the mountain
• Family trip to Seal Island
• Sally's 21st birthday
• Weekend with mum and Mike in Mekanos
• Watching Sammy in her Nativity Play
• Watching the sunset at Langebaan beach with Nicky and Shirly and the family
• Geocaching in Stellenbosch with Russel
• The fantastic Wit Els Hike with Mike and Russel and co
• Walking in HoutBay with Russel
• Sharing Anthony's 37th birthday
• Leaping at Paarl Rock
• Berry Xmas at Robyn's
• Being a very naughty Santa at the Hard Core Hiking Club
• Spending time with the Saunders at Pringle Bay

South America

Non stop highlights. Probably, the most fun 6 months we have ever spent in our lives. Memories for a life time.


Back to Cape Town

Another very special two weeks in Cape Town , having a blast with the kids, packing up all our stuff and spending quality time with family and friends. It was very, very hard to say goodbye.


Our Move Down Under

What an adventure - emmigrating to a country we barely knew! We haven't had a moment's regret - what an awesome experience it has been. The people have been nothing but welcoming, we've already made some great friends, found good jobs and are living in the ultimate city in an apartment with breathtaking views over its most famous icons. Couldn't ask for more.


Highlights included:

• A night in Singapore in transit - where we got to meet up with Lianne and we shopped till we dropped
• Flying into Perth and exploring the city - getting acaqauinted with Australian wildlife, lazing at King's Park and meeting up with Colin and Natalie
• Exploring Melbourne - including having my face painted in Bulldog colours at the famous MCG, the beautiful botanical garden, the impressive flames at the Crowne City Entertainment Complex, the inspiring Leonard Da Vinci Exhibition and meeting up with Isaac
• Buying our new car and our epic journey from Melbourne to Sydney
• Our whirlwind introduction to Sydney by our wonderful friends, Doug and Claudia - how could we not fall in love with it with such a great welcome
• Staying with our Australian family in Brisbane - what a special time it was! Playing with the kiddies, a weekend with Beth and Richard, visiting Stadbroke Island with Glenn, watching the Brisbane River Festival fireworks with Kristin, exploring local nature - the generosity of Glenn and Carleen in having us to stay and making us feel so welcome.

Our move to Sydney

What a beautiful city! And the fact that it was brimming with job opportunities was also a deciding factor in us making this city our home.


Highlights included:

• Returning to Sydney to stay with Doug and Claudia for a few days and then stayed in Manly for three weeks with our own spa bath. Best body surfing I've ever done and it was great to meet up with Martin Palmquist - our first dinner guest in Sydney.
• Watching Ally sparkle as she embarked on her new passion, beading
• Moving into our wondeful apartment with its breathtaking views and parrots at our window
• Ally's flying up to Brisbane for Glen's Halloween Birthday Party
• Exploring parts of Sydney including Taronga Zoo, ChinaTown and Lady MacQuarry's Chair, the Botanical Gardens - still so much to see
• Working with the fun people at Agency Fusion (an exciting web company that is growing fast) - and having my first prawns on the barbie experience at the fun Xmas Party
• Doing a photography course - finally getting to grips with my new camera, but lots of learning still to do
• Fishing with Doug and Claudia in the Sydney Harbour
• Exploring McMahons Point
• Xmas with the Fletcher Family
• New Year's Eve celebrations

Family and friend events 2006

• Ally's granny passed away - a very, very special lady indeed. The family tributes were very moving and befitting
• Shirly had a little one - looking forward to meeting here in April 2007
• Xmas day with the Botings (close to 2006!)
• Reunion of the Hoar family

Life goals achieved in 2006

• Do a photography course
• Emigrate to Australia
• Travel through South America
• See an albatross
• Explore the jungles of the Amazon Basin
• Climb a live volcano
• Hike on a glacier
• Try sand boarding
• Do the Inca Trail
• See a condor
• See a hummingbird
• Seeing over 290 new bird species

Favourite movies watched

• Casino Royale
• The Deceived
• March of the Penguins
• Thank You for Not Smoking
• Good Night and Good Luck
• An Inconvenient Truth

Most memorable books read

• 1984, George Orwell
• The Godfather, Mario Puzo
• The Windmill, Koontz
• The Origin of species, Charles Darwin

All in all, a tremendous year. We are relishing our Xmas break to recharge our batteries and we look forward to 2007 and continuing to settle in our new home.



Related

• Spiritual journey (2006)