Dirkie, The Alaska Pipeline, USA

Lejow


Posted Jan 29, 2008, 1:05 pm
I'm at home right now.. Waiting for my first big trip ever..
I think that my boss is more nervous than I am  :stare:

There is one thing I allready found.. THE perfect way to travel the world..

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y68/sweetangelleonie/P1290002.jpg

I'm Luvvin' it!!

Now it's just waiting to get my first host

Hugs and kisses
Dirkie the Hippo
Lejow


Posted Jan 31, 2008, 9:26 pm
Yes!!
It's time for Dirkie to go travel!
His scedule at this moment is:

FleurduNord - France  (thanks for the trip!)
Drakie - UK (thanks for hosting!)
Michele-one-l  - USA  (thank you so much!)
KatjainTenerife - Spain (on my way)
Seymour - Chile
Yillup - Australia
Rfdan - New Sealand

Woehie!
:D :D
Fleurdunord


Posted Feb 7, 2008, 8:58 pm
Bonjour mum !
I'm fine and happy to visit France. Fleur went to the post office today and we spent the afternoon at her office. There are many toys at her flat and i met a big scottish teddy bear called Donald.http://www.toyvoyagers.com/index.php?a=post&s=reply&t=210532#
Right now i need to relax but i think i'll have many things to do this week end.
Love you mum!
Fleurdunord


Posted Feb 9, 2008, 5:58 pm
Bonjour !
today i went to the market with Fleur. The weather is perfect and i was very happy to discover this nice city. I like all these colours and food in the market,  so frenchy !
I don't feel too lonely with all my new friends and we'll have a pancake party tonight. Donald and I have helped Fleur to cook them yesterday.
Bisous
Fleurdunord


Posted Feb 9, 2008, 6:03 pm
OOPS, I forgot te pix !
Fleurdunord


Posted Feb 10, 2008, 6:19 pm
Bonjour !
I really enjoy my life in France ! Hey could you believe i could eat so many pan cakes and waffles at the "crepes party" yesterday night with Donald and the stay at home toys ? We had a great time togather !!
Today it was high time for me to write in my notes book before i forget what i've done.
Bisous
Lejow


Posted Feb 10, 2008, 9:28 pm
Wow.. It looks like you have so much fun!
I'm missing you a little bit, but when I see the pictures, I know it's worth it :)
Enjoy it, and I check the travellog regularly to see what you have done this time :P
Fleurdunord


Posted Feb 14, 2008, 9:11 pm
[[color=seagreen]]Bonjour !
I'm in a new area : Fleur is on holidays at her parents in the countryside. We travelled by train, it was great to be in a french train. Before we left Arras, i've eaten a big heart brownie to celebrate Valentine's day.
Happy ventine mum!!
I'll send you some pix tomorrow,
Bisous
[/color][/color]
Lejow


Posted Feb 15, 2008, 6:25 am
That sounds like fun Dirkie, I believe you have a very exciting time at the moment :D
Have a lot of fun over there!

Bisous back !
:stare:
Fleurdunord


Posted Feb 15, 2008, 8:28 pm
[color=seagreen]Bonjour !
i hope you can see me in these picture of my travel by train !
Bisous[/color]
Lejow


Posted Feb 16, 2008, 4:51 pm
Wow Dirkie.. that much fun again :D
Fleur is taking very good care of you !!!
Did you liked traveling by train?
Have a lot of fun!!

ByeBye
Bisous!
Fleurdunord


Posted Feb 16, 2008, 6:20 pm
Bonjour!
wow, i've seen many big animals today ! There are 2 cats, a pony , a dog and a guest dog called Alhea (the boxer). Alhea is Helene's dog , (Fleur's sister), and another sister, Aude, has done a lovely drawing of me ! I'll keep it in my note book. I've been to the garden and enjoyed those cute first flowers and the big pony (i'm in the arms of my friend Donald),
Bisous
Fleurdunord


Posted Feb 17, 2008, 8:26 pm
Bonjour !
today i've done a pic with Austerlitz the black & white cat, lovely but i'm happy she didn't play with me like a mouse. I've also done a crazy pic in japanese style.
We plan to drive to another town tomorrow, at Fleur's grand-father's. I can't wait to see another place...
Bisous
Lejow


Posted Feb 17, 2008, 8:35 pm
Wow you make me laugh everyday :)
Dirkie loves cats, so good choice !!
Have a lot of fun at grandpa's!

Bye Bye
NightyNight

Leonie
Fleurdunord


Posted Feb 19, 2008, 10:01 pm
Bonjour !
I'm back from my trip at St Pol which is a small town. I've been playing in the garden of Fleur's grand-father, seen the first daffodils. So cute! Then i walked in the town. There are a few old houses but a big part of the town has been built after worl war 2.
I have many things to write on my travel book..
Fleurdunord


Posted Feb 20, 2008, 6:02 pm
Bonjour!
I had lot of fun today! I've been to the city of St Omer, a nice place with old houses, shops, monuments ... and there was a fair, it was just great to be there!!
Bisous
Fleurdunord


Posted Feb 22, 2008, 10:14 pm
Bonjour!
Yesterday we went back to Arras by train. There was some troubles in the traffic and we were lucky to travel in the high speed train (TGV) with the same ticket than usual trains instead of waiting 1/2 hour. it was very comfortable.
Guess what? Fleur came back from the post office with a new friend : a toy voyager from the netherlands called Malcom!! it was great to talk dutch again, even if we try to speak most of the time english, it's better for the others... We had some japanese sweets Fleur received by mail from a friend and Malcom and I tried to eat a big "baguette" (long bread).
Bisous!
Lejow


Posted Feb 23, 2008, 9:31 am
Thats great! A dutch friend for you :D
Good idea to not talk Dutch so much, complicated language :P
Many pleasure!

Bye
Leonie
Fleurdunord


Posted Feb 24, 2008, 10:28 pm
Bonjour!
i'm happy to taste different food in France. Fleur got a big cookie for us yesterday and some croissants for a real french breakfast. Today we 've baked all togather a big cheese pie (Flamiche aux maroilles). You know, i've never seen in the netherlands a single cheese with a so bad smell !! but the pie was great!
Bisous
Fleurdunord


Posted Feb 28, 2008, 11:43 pm
Bonjour!
Yesterday, i was just relaxing and i try to get ready for my next trip to Australia. I watched tv (pink panther) , wrote in my note book and I've seen in an atlas where i'll go in australia. it seems a big country for a small guy like me. I'll miss my tv friends, especially my dutch friend Malcom but Fleur told me Gargouille has lot of fun with her host there. I had a tea with cookies and later in the evening we watched a soccer game all togather. So many goals : Fleur's favorite team won 5-4 and will play the finale.
Bisous
Fleurdunord


Posted Feb 29, 2008, 3:34 pm
Dirkie is now flying to UK (and not australia, sorry for the mistake, i'm working too much my brain is off ...), he was a great guy !
Salut ! (bye)
Lejow


Posted Mar 2, 2008, 9:17 pm
No problem, he just has to wait a little longer to go to Australia :P
Thank you so much for being his first host!

Kis
Lejow
drakie


Posted Mar 4, 2008, 4:36 pm
:)  Well here i am in the UK.... I arrived safely today and its fine and amazingly not raining, my host says it usually is.  Well I have also met BUMBA from Russia, my host says we can have a long chat later and then I can meet Snowy, the bunny who thinks she is a doggy......  very cute, but I dont want here to eat me as I am quite small.  ooooohhhh what a way to go..........

More news of me soon
Lejow


Posted Mar 4, 2008, 8:25 pm
Wow that is fast :D
I can't wait for more updates! Have a lot of fun..

by the way.. here it's raining :(

hug
drakie


Posted Mar 5, 2008, 4:36 pm
Well I arrived yesterday, my host liked my travel log, I like travelling around in things so we thought today I would try pretend caravanning.  So I sat in a little wigwam with the caravan at the side, it was just the right height for little me.... but as it was very frosty first thing and it took my host ages to defrost her car for work, so for now I didnt think that would be a good idea in the  U.K.

I then tried an old wooden sailing boat, it seemed good at first but then I burnt my bum!!!!  it was a lamp, so maybe thats not a good idea at the moment, in this weather it would be a bit choppy...  there are other boats to tavel on later....

I then spied drums, WOW.... I thought, now this is a man thing, just up my street, I know that is a bit chauvanistic but hey ho, well the first drums was great just the same size as little me, but I decided not enough noise, then I spied it.... sat in the corner.... all sparkling... a BIG DRUM  SET!!!  now thats a BIG WOW  .... so I went over, had a bit of trouble, although I know its the thing for me, I decided I was too vertically challenged to cope with it at the moment, .... I couldnt reach anything, my little legs didnt even dangle over the sides of the seats... so for today I just had to admit to defeat, back to the plonking drums for now.... aaahhhh its a sad life.... for now I will just have to sit and watch from afar... and dream,  one day I will be big and then who knows....
drakie


Posted Mar 7, 2008, 6:51 pm
And today I met Bumba but he was going to Isobel and Neil, so we had a group hug and a long chat last night.  Goodbye bumba so nice to see you......  byeeeeeeeeeee
Lejow


Posted Mar 7, 2008, 8:36 pm
Whaha the pictures are cool! And you allready met a lot of other TV's on your trip!
drakie


Posted Mar 14, 2008, 5:12 pm
Last night we went to a chinese, not quite sure about that, seaweed I spied, very strange I thought..... but then I tried to get in the soup bowl, and nearly fell in but I managed to quickly get out... well actually my host came to my rescue, she embarrassingly picked me out with one of my legs, I mean the embarassment.  Me Dirkie hailed out by my leg.
But hey ho, I had a good time.
drakie


Posted Mar 17, 2008, 6:08 pm
Guess who arrived Friday..... Count..... well, as in Count Dracula, I have to admit I was really scared, vampires, bats and things, but actually he saved me from being eaten to death by Snowy... so he has to be ok.  but then again... one never knows, if I disappear you will know who to blame....

Anyway, you will see my picture with him, I had to sit on his head as I am a little small fellow.  We then went to see a friend of my host run in a Comic Relief day, it was very cold so I was glad it was not me.  Easter is coming, maybe I will get some eggs.... yum yum yum, and Galaxy bear the rescu bear arrived from bun Traveller, so now there are 3 of us.  Lots of places to visit...
drakie


Posted Apr 1, 2008, 8:28 pm
Well its been very rainy here, so we travelled to Weymouth,  but just went for the drive, it was very wet.  So you just see us boys here enjoying they countryside and then approaching back home to Honiton.  But it was nice to get out for a stretch.
drakie


Posted Apr 2, 2008, 8:53 pm
Well yesterday I went along with Mocke, and Count to my hosts workplace.  we were good, in fact very very good, we had to be or we could have been arrested!!!  .  So we had to be on best behaviour, until my host went away and then I played on her computer.... I pressed all the keys and lots of funny writing came up, Mocke told me off but as I am so little I could walk all over the keys.

Then I climbed up on a hat, I was going to put it on, but as you see if I did you wouldnt see me at all.... ha ha ha
drakie


Posted Apr 3, 2008, 8:29 pm
Today we visited a graveyard, it was very dark and spooky.  You can only just see me, and Mocke seemed to fade into the night.....  it was scary.... but then we had a treat and went to McDonalds as my host was home late and had been out from work so she was very tired.
Lejow


Posted Apr 3, 2008, 8:48 pm
You found the Mc Donalds.. I teached you right  :p
drakie


Posted Apr 8, 2008, 4:51 pm
A bit late but never.  Firstly the pictures of our Easter Eggs, me and the boys ate a Peter Rabbit Easter Egg between us.  Boy were we stuffed!!!  It was me and Mocke and Count, you can only just see Mocke as he is the same colour as the chocolate, and I think Galaxy bear was still with us at that time.

Then later that day we went to stay with a friend of my host, and a friend of hers lets her use the house when there are no guests in and we stayed the night, but the best thing was we had a jacuzzi, well not actually us or we would have got wet but we sat and talked to the girls.  But we did think them a little mad as they sat in this big tub of bubbling water, just like when you cook vegetables and it was raining so fast, the English we decided were definitely crazy.  Very strange.
drakie


Posted Apr 8, 2008, 5:18 pm
Well I am preparing to go in the post later today, its been fun and it is very sad leaving my friends, Mocke, Count but I must go to pastures new and I am going to the US of A.  So exciting things to come.  But before we go,....

Today I went to a lovely village, photos to follow.... AND, AND AND... the ultimate  I flew Mummy I flew, in an helicopter, not in a package in a plane, but on my own in an helicopter, I was just so so excited I was.  You can see me in the helicopter but you cannot see me in it flying, but I tell you Mummy I Wozza flyin.... flyin in the sky.,.. me little dirkie....

I went into Honiton and you can see the road coming into the Centre and a lovely place called Gittisham, spitting distance from Honiton.  That means very near....
Lejow


Posted Apr 8, 2008, 7:06 pm
Wow Dirkie
You made me laugh!! Those pictures are SOOOO cool!!
drakie


Posted Apr 13, 2008, 1:56 pm
Well about our last day, had a drive out when my host came home from work.  We went to a lovely thatched village called
Gittisham, not at all far from Honiton.  There are lots of thatched houses, it is a very old village.

Then I was put in a package and I was on my way... So I had to say goodbye to my Count, he was a good friend I ccould climb on his head to get a better view, I had lots of exciting things, I camped in a wigwam, I sat on a balloon , I played the drums, and ultimate of ultimate, I flew.... I really flew in the sky.

goodbye my friends, and we will all miss little Dirkie....

xxxxxx
Michele_one_L


Posted Apr 18, 2008, 10:51 pm
I arrived in NY today! It was a long hot bumpy trip. I'm going to rest and I'll update with pictures later.

Hugs,
Dirkie
Michele_one_L


Posted Apr 20, 2008, 8:59 pm
When I arrived in NY today I had no idea that there would be so many TV's waiting for me! Michele said that she told everyone I was coming but they didn't know exactly when. When I got out of my travel envelope I saw, Nicki Bear, Winnie the Pooh, Wolletje and my half brother Little Billy.  I can't wait to see what NY has to offer, I hear that I came at just the right time.  :D
Michele_one_L


Posted Apr 20, 2008, 9:27 pm
Today we went to Wal-Mart to pick up a few things. It was so busy there! Michele said we had to stay in her bag because she didn't want us to get lost. We helped her look for a BBQ grill but we didn't find one today. We paid for our items then headed home for lunch.
Michele_one_L


Posted Apr 20, 2008, 9:35 pm
For lunch we shared a turkey sandwich with Honey BBQ flavored potato chips. It was yummy but made me thirsty.  :p So Michele gave me an Arizona Iced Tea box to drink. Ahhh....that hit the spot!
Michele_one_L


Posted Apr 20, 2008, 9:56 pm
After lunch we helped make cookies for Michele's dog Riley. You take 3 jars of meat baby food (we used Ham), 1/4 cup of dry milk and 1/4 cup of cream of wheat. Mix all of the ingredients together in a bowl. Then use a small scoop to put the mix on a cookie sheet. Bake in the oven for 10 minutes at 350 degrees. Let them cool and feed to your dog. Riley went crazy when we were making them, Michele says he loves these cookies!
Michele_one_L


Posted Apr 21, 2008, 11:35 pm
Today we had to say goodbye to Wolletje! We were sad to see her go, but she said that she was looking forward to going somewhere new. We said our goodbyes and wished her well. She said that she hopes to see us again someday.

Bye Wolletje! Have a safe trip!
Michele_one_L


Posted Apr 26, 2008, 1:40 am
We haven't done much over the last few days because our host has been really sick. So we have been entertaining our selfs in her home. We found out that her home is good for playing hide and go seek. For dinner tonight Michele made spaghetti, buttermilk biscuits and green beans. It was a delicious dinner! We are promised that over the next few days we will get out of the house and have some fun. YAY!!! We can't wait.
Michele_one_L


Posted Apr 26, 2008, 1:48 am
Our host was feeling much better today so we were able to go out and run errands. Our first stop was to Hallmark. Mother's day is coming (May 11th) so my host and her husband needed to pick up some cards. We wanted to take pictures inside but the lady asked that we not. Oh well!
Michele_one_L


Posted Apr 26, 2008, 8:21 pm
After Hallmark we headed to Panera Bread for dinner. We shared a smokehouse turkey panini, a cup of tomato soup, an iced tea and for dessert a big chocolate chip cookie.  :p It was delicious! We were all ready for a nap once we got done eating. Michele told us that we still weren't done running errands.  :thinking: She said we didn't have to walk that she would carry us.  ;)
Michele_one_L


Posted Apr 26, 2008, 8:34 pm
Petsmart was our third stop! We were looking for treats and pooper scooper bags for Michele's dog Riley. This store was interesting!  :o You can bring your dog with you and they can pick out their own toys, food, treats, etc. Michele told us that Riley loves going to Petsmart. It's too bad that he wasn't able to come. 

Michele told us that we had one more stop then we would be going home.  :rolleyes:
Michele_one_L


Posted Apr 26, 2008, 8:38 pm
Our last stop for the evening was at Target. We posed for a picture outside then fell asleep in Michele's bag.
Michele_one_L


Posted Apr 26, 2008, 8:55 pm
Today we said goodbye to Winnie the Pooh. His trip in New York was over and he's heading to Colorado. We wished him well and told him to have a good trip. Maybe we will meet again someday!

Good Luck Winnie the Pooh!
Michele_one_L


Posted Apr 26, 2008, 9:18 pm
We woke up early this morning because we had some more errands to run. Since Michele had been sick we didn't go anywhere for a week, so we have a lot to do this weekend. First we went to the bank to get some money.  ;)
Michele_one_L


Posted Apr 26, 2008, 9:24 pm
Michele noticed there was a Dunkin Donuts across the street from the bank, she said "great I could go for an iced coffee." So across the street we went. We sipped the coffee, YUCK!  Coffee isn't for TV's.  :thinking:
Michele_one_L


Posted Apr 27, 2008, 4:18 pm
On our way back to home Michele decided to stop at Home Depot. Michele and her husband are still looking for a grill and can't seem to find one that they both agree on. While at Home Depot Michele thought it would be nice to buy a house plant. She told us that she has never had a house plant before and that she would really like to have one. We tried our best to help her find one she likes.
Michele_one_L


Posted Apr 27, 2008, 4:41 pm
We returned from running errands to find a new TV waiting for us! We couldn't wait to found out who it was. Our host opened the envelope and Fuzz Bear was inside. We all shouted "hello Fuzz Bear!" Luckily it didn't seem to frighten him. We told him that he arrived on the right day because we had special plans tonight.  :D
Michele_one_L


Posted Apr 28, 2008, 9:33 pm
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Michele and her husband told us that since we have been so well behaved lately they were taking us somewhere special. We have no idea where we could be going, but we are SO excited!  :o
Michele_one_L


Posted Apr 28, 2008, 9:54 pm
We all got in the car still not knowing where we were going. Finally we arrived and all we could see was a fence and a couple of parked cars. Michele and Daryl told us that the place didn't seem to be opened yet and that we had to wait.
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We were all getting hungry while waiting. Luckily Michele and Daryl packed dinner and snacks for everyone.
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Michele_one_L


Posted Apr 28, 2008, 10:34 pm
Finally after almost an hour of waiting the line started to move. Michele got to the booth and there was a lady in there. The lady told Michele, "That will be $14 and it's on the second screen." A screen? Finally Michele told us that we were at the Drive In! We were going to see "Horton Hears a Who!" We started cheering and shouting, we were so excited!
We were waiting for the movie to begin and it started to rain! Michele said we weren't leaving just because it was raining. Hopefully it was going to be short.

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Sadly the rain didn't stop, it continued through the whole movie.  :( We made the best of the situation and enjoyed the movie. We loved "Horton Hears a Who!"
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Michele_one_L


Posted Apr 28, 2008, 11:14 pm
Honey Bear and Piggy wanted to take a bath today so we decided to watch. Michele told us not to get too close or we might fall in.



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Michele_one_L


Posted Apr 29, 2008, 12:01 am
We were waiting for them when their bath was over. Honey Bear came out and he looked so happy to be clean.

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Piggy didn't seem as happy as Honey Bear.

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Honey Bear couldn't wait for the dryer. He says this is his favorite part because it makes his belly fluffy.  :)

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Michele_one_L


Posted Apr 29, 2008, 1:08 am
Today we had to say goodbye to Little Billy, Tuffy, Nicki Bear and Horton. It's going to be lonely around here without everyone. We said our goodbyes and wished everyone well.
We hope everyone has a safe trip!

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Michele_one_L


Posted May 11, 2008, 9:53 pm
We were excited today because the mailman left a package at the door and we think it's a new TV! We were all wondering who it could be.... Our host opened the envelope and it was Cliff! We were happy to see a new face.  :D We told Cliff that he arrived just in time to go to the Tulip Festival with us. He seemed excited.
Michele_one_L


Posted May 11, 2008, 10:09 pm
Today an envelope arrived! We were all very excited to see who is inside. Our host opened up the envelope and everyone (even our host) was surprised to see who was inside! It was Pebbels and HitchARideMo!  :D Yay!
Michele_one_L


Posted May 11, 2008, 10:26 pm
After our hosts husband came home from work we all went to Walmart to pick up some groceries. We had to stay in Michele's bag but we were able to peek our heads out every once in awhile. We wanted to get home so we could get a good nights rest because tomorrow is going to be a long day.  :thinking:
Michele_one_L


Posted May 11, 2008, 11:59 pm
Later in the evening Michele asked us if we wanted to help her with her Where's George bills. We all said "Where's George, who is George?" She explained to us that she belongs to this website (www.wheresgeorge.com) and the meaning of the website is to track US paper money. She said that there is a website like it for tracking Euros too. Pebbels wanted to help put ink on the stamp and Cliff wanted to stamp the bill. It was a lot of work but it was also fun!
Michele_one_L


Posted May 12, 2008, 12:11 am
After we helped stamp all of the bills Michele had she gave each of us a treat. She had a bag of candy and told us that we could each pick a piece.  :p With the help of Pebbels I picked Cherry flavored M&M's. Yumm...
Michele_one_L


Posted May 12, 2008, 12:36 am
We woke up this morning and were so excited for what was going to happen today. We were going East to Schenectady, NY to stay with our host's sister (Jessica). Michele put us in her bag and told us to get comfortable. She said that it would be an hour and a half trip. Yay! We can't wait!  :D
Michele_one_L


Posted May 12, 2008, 3:30 pm
Finally we arrived in Schenectady! It seemed like it took longer than an hour and a half but Michele assured us that it didn't. We decided to pose for a picture in front of the house while we waited for Jessica to finish getting ready. Michele told use that her family bought this house in 1995 and that she lived in it until 2003.
Michele_one_L


Posted May 12, 2008, 3:42 pm
Our first stop after picking up Jessica was to go to the mall (Colonie Center). Michele said that they needed to buy a Mother's Day gift for their mom. While at the mall they decided to get cheesecake for their mom as dessert. Michele was nice enough to let us out of her bag to help pick what kind of dessert to get.  :p
Michele_one_L


Posted May 13, 2008, 2:19 pm
After leaving the mall in Colonie we drove to Halfmoon because Michele wanted to go to a local candy store called Saratoga Sweets.  Saratoga Sweets is famous for it's peppermint pigs, we were told that they are very popular around Christmas time. Michele helped us pick out something to remember the shop by.  ;) Once we left the candy store we went to pick up pizza and headed back to Jessica's house.
Michele_one_L


Posted May 13, 2008, 2:52 pm
We were up early this morning, as we couldn't wait to get the day started. It was such a nice day that we decided to wait outside in the garden.
Michele_one_L


Posted May 13, 2008, 3:04 pm
The ride to Albany was kind of long, but it was well worth it. We had a hard time finding a place to park. Luckily Michele drove around until she found one. We walked down to Washington Park (where the Tulip Festival was being held). Right away we saw the tulips, they were beautiful!
Michele_one_L


Posted May 13, 2008, 3:16 pm
There were so many different types of tulips, we don't know which one was our favorite!
Michele_one_L


Posted May 13, 2008, 3:30 pm
These tulips are the most beautiful tulips we have ever seen.  :)
Michele_one_L


Posted May 15, 2008, 1:07 am
Tulips weren't the only thing we saw at the Tulip festival. We also saw the Albany Police Department Bag Pipers warming up. It was great!
Michele_one_L


Posted May 15, 2008, 1:17 am
It was getting late in the afternoon and we had a couple of more things we wanted to do before heading back to Rome. So we looked at a couple more tulips then left. We all really enjoyed ourselves and we were happy to be able to go.  :D
Michele_one_L


Posted May 15, 2008, 1:36 am
On the way back to Jessica's house, Michele's husband saw a car dealership with the car that he wants to buy. Michele said she was too tired to argue with him so we stopped to look at it. In the USA they call it a "Smart Car." We agreed that it's almost the right size for Toy Voyagers.  :)
Michele_one_L


Posted May 15, 2008, 1:55 am
Finally we returned to Jessica's house. Our little feet are so tired from all of the walking we did today. All we wanted to do was sit down and take a little rest. We got up on the bench in the yard and someone screamed!  :o There was a BIG bee sitting on the bench too. The bee was almost as big as some of us.  :rolleyes: We ran to the nearest tree to hide! It turned out that it was a pear tree. Too bad it's too early in the season to have fruit on it. Other wise we could have had a snack too.
Michele_one_L


Posted May 15, 2008, 2:11 am
While we were waiting for Michele and her husband to load the car, we got to take a closer look at Jessica's bonsai tree. She got it at the Tulip festival today and we were so jealous! We all wanted to buy a bonsai tree to send home to our mentors. Michele told us that at $25 a piece it was too expensive plus she said she couldn't ship something like that all over the world. DARN!!!

While we were looking at Jessica's Bonsai tree she told us that she had found something that we might want to see. While she was playing in the grass (with Michele's dog) she found part of a Robin's egg. It was tiny and very pretty! We wanted to bring it to Michele's house but she said that we had to leave it here. We haven't been able to get our way at all this weekend!  :thinking:
Michele_one_L


Posted May 17, 2008, 10:31 pm
We returned to Rome last night and it was a long trip! Going to Michele's families house for one over night trip isn't long enough. We rested a lot and now we are refreshed and ready for some good food. Tonight Michele's husband made cheese burgers, onion rings, tater tots and macaroni salad for dinner. What a meal!  :thinking: After dinner we were really thirsty so Michele said that we could share her water. We looked at the bottle and realized there was a problem.  :rolleyes: So we put our heads together and figured out a way to each get a drink. What a challenge!
Michele_one_L


Posted May 17, 2008, 10:39 pm
Before bed our host if we wanted someone ice cream to share. Yumm....Who can say no to ice cream!  :p
Michele_one_L


Posted May 17, 2008, 11:01 pm
Today was my last day in New York! I received my flight plans and I'm heading to Spain. I hope I can get to the beach while I'm there. I could really use some sun.  ;)

I said goodbye to the friends I met here. Everyone was sad (even me) that I was leaving, but our host pointed out that we may see each other again someday. We posed for one more round of pictures then I'm off to the post office to catch my flight.
katjaintenerife
katjaintenerife@yahoo.co.uk

Posted May 28, 2008, 5:35 pm
Hola!!

I've just arrived to Tenerife! There was another TV waiting for me, BertieTheDuck. He was just about to leave to Germany but he was kind enough to stay for another day just to show me around the house a bit.

http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z274/katjaintenerife/28052008610.jpg

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http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z274/katjaintenerife/28052008612.jpg

First he showed me the terrace a bit

http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z274/katjaintenerife/28052008614.jpg

http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z274/katjaintenerife/28052008615.jpg

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http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z274/katjaintenerife/28052008618.jpg

Then we went back inside to meet my new friends; Felix and Katie and some fish too!

First we met Felix
http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z274/katjaintenerife/100_1387.jpg

http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z274/katjaintenerife/100_1390.jpg

Then we went to see Katie. Bertie said that she's very shy, but she didn't seem shy today :)
http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z274/katjaintenerife/100_1393.jpg

http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z274/katjaintenerife/100_1396.jpg

Then we went to see the acuarium
http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z274/katjaintenerife/100_1405.jpg

http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z274/katjaintenerife/100_1409.jpg

Then Bertie showed me how his brother Chester was doing in Tallinn
http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z274/katjaintenerife/100_1384.jpg
katjaintenerife
katjaintenerife@yahoo.co.uk

Posted May 28, 2008, 5:51 pm
Today I had to say goodbye to my new friend BertieTheDuck
http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z274/katjaintenerife/28052008626.jpg

http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z274/katjaintenerife/28052008625.jpg

Then I looked around a bit
http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z274/katjaintenerife/100_1401.jpg
I found this referee who's arms are falling off all the time

http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z274/katjaintenerife/100_1397.jpg
Then there was this scary looking dragon!

http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z274/katjaintenerife/100_1400.jpg
...but he was really friendly in the end :)

http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z274/katjaintenerife/28052008624.jpg
I wish to travel all over the world!!

http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z274/katjaintenerife/100_1404.jpg
Then there was this big rose...

Then we went to take BertieTheDuck to the post office.
http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z274/katjaintenerife/28052008629.jpg
This is where my new host's car was parked when we left

Then we drove towards Las Galletas and parked here:
http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z274/katjaintenerife/28052008630.jpg

I stayed in the car while Katja went to the post office and then we took some more photos on our way home:
http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z274/katjaintenerife/28052008632.jpg
http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z274/katjaintenerife/28052008633.jpg
http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z274/katjaintenerife/28052008634.jpgThis one is already back in Guargacho
http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z274/katjaintenerife/28052008635-1.jpgAnd this one is close to home

Well that's it for today I think. I think tomorrow we'll bake something and on Friday we either go to Granadilla, up the mountain a bit, or to the beach. Depends on the weather. On Saturday we're going to my host's work mate's farewell party :) And then I've been told that I will properly start travelling next month!! We'll go to Dublin, Ireland on the 8th of June, then to Finland on the 9th of June, on the 11th of June we'll go on a cruise to Tallinn and we'll have a few hours to spend in Tallinn on the 12th. On the 14th we'll go a hen night (we'll have to see if I'm allowed..I might have to go watch football with the guys). Then on the 15th of June we've got Katja's sister's confirmation party. And the day after that we'll get on a plane again, first we'll head to Dublin again and we'll change the plane there and fly to Manchester. We are going to go to a theme park while we're in England :) On the 23rd of June we'll come back to Tenerife. Well now you know all my plans, what do you think mummy?
katjaintenerife
katjaintenerife@yahoo.co.uk

Posted May 30, 2008, 9:07 pm
Hello!! Today is the day of the Canaries so happy Canarian day for everyone! We went up to Cruz de Tea in Granadilla looking for a house that my hosts had seen on the internet. We couldn't find it but we're going again on Monday with an estate agent. After that we were driving down and noticed that there was a small fair for the Canarian day in San Miguel so we stopped there and it was quite interesting to see a bit of the Canarian history. Then we went down to Los Cristianos because my hosts decided to go do a bit of shopping in the Chinese shops. I was told that they are open every day. Most places were closed today but the Chinese never stop working. Then we had some lunch in Burger King.

First some photos of the scenery on our way to Cruz de Tea and also there

http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z274/katjaintenerife/100_1417.jpg
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http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z274/katjaintenerife/100_1426.jpg

These photos were taken at the fair:
http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z274/katjaintenerife/100_1462.jpg
http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z274/katjaintenerife/100_1445.jpg
That's a wine making machine. On the next photo, see me on it :)
http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z274/katjaintenerife/100_1447.jpg
http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z274/katjaintenerife/100_1446.jpg
Some wine barrels
http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z274/katjaintenerife/100_1448.jpg
A Canarian balcony
http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z274/katjaintenerife/100_1456.jpg
An old camera
http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z274/katjaintenerife/100_1455.jpg
This is how they used to make "gofio", a very typical Canarian food product
http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z274/katjaintenerife/100_1451.jpg
Me sitting on a palm tree
http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z274/katjaintenerife/100_1450.jpg
See some of the women and a girl with their traditional Canarian dresses.
http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z274/katjaintenerife/100_1449.jpg
http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z274/katjaintenerife/100_1457.jpg
A church
http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z274/katjaintenerife/100_1459.jpg
http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z274/katjaintenerife/100_1464.jpg
Just arriving to Los Cristianos
http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z274/katjaintenerife/30052008645.jpg
http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z274/katjaintenerife/30052008644.jpg
http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z274/katjaintenerife/30052008643.jpg
It's been a very cloudy day :(
http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z274/katjaintenerife/30052008642.jpg
At burger King

Well that's all for today. More tomorrow!
katjaintenerife
katjaintenerife@yahoo.co.uk

Posted Jun 24, 2008, 3:59 pm
Hello mummy!

I have finally got the chance to update my travelog. It's actually 24.6. now but I will do an update of each interesting day that we had on our holiday. Otherwise the update would be way too long!

So on the 8th of June we started travelling, we had to sit on the plane for over an hour because the radar system was down in Dublin. Then we finally took off. Here's a picture taken from the plane.
http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z274/katjaintenerife/100_1488.jpg
We stayed in a very nice hotel called Regency.
http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z274/katjaintenerife/100_1490.jpg
http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z274/katjaintenerife/100_1491.jpg
We left our stuff in the room and caught the bus to go down town.
http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z274/katjaintenerife/100_1495.jpg
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http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z274/katjaintenerife/100_1529.jpg
http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z274/katjaintenerife/100_1537.jpg
We had a very early wake up the next morning because we had to catch the plane to Finland at 8. The hotel brought us breakfast directly in the room because it was so early :)
http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z274/katjaintenerife/100_1540.jpg
katjaintenerife
katjaintenerife@yahoo.co.uk

Posted Jun 24, 2008, 4:35 pm
Hello from Finland!

On Monday we didn't do much as we were so tired because we had to get up so early. On Tuesday we went to Lahti to see Katja's sister's boyfriend's apartment. Unfortunately we forgot to take any pictures.. But I did get one standing on a cow's head, and it was a very colourful cow! They've got these painted cows scattered all over Lahti. They've been painted by some of the students from colleges in Lahti.
http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z274/katjaintenerife/100_1551.jpg
katjaintenerife
katjaintenerife@yahoo.co.uk

Posted Jun 24, 2008, 4:41 pm
Hi again!

On Wednesday morning we decided to go for a walk with Katja's mum as it wasn't raining for once.
http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z274/katjaintenerife/11062008009.jpg
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katjaintenerife
katjaintenerife@yahoo.co.uk

Posted Jun 24, 2008, 6:01 pm
On Wednesday we went on a cruise to Tallinn. We were picked up by a bus from Heinola to go to the port of Helsinki.
http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z274/katjaintenerife/11062008026.jpg
On the cruise we did a bit of shopping but mainly just sat in the bar listening to a group called Myrskylyhty and a singer Mikko Mäkeläinen.
http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z274/katjaintenerife/11062008039.jpg
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http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z274/katjaintenerife/12062008053.jpg

The ship, Galaxy took about 3 hours to arrive to Tallinn but we had to stay onboard until 8.30 in the morning.

http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z274/katjaintenerife/12062008059.jpg

Our ship was the blue one.
http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z274/katjaintenerife/12062008070.jpg

Tallinn city centre
http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z274/katjaintenerife/12062008081.jpg

http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z274/katjaintenerife/12062008087.jpg

Just on the border of the old town. Unfortunately we spent too much time shopping and didn't get a chance to see "the real Tallinn".

http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z274/katjaintenerife/12062008093.jpg

http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z274/katjaintenerife/12062008102.jpg

Katja's friends Katja and Anne
http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z274/katjaintenerife/12062008069.jpg
katjaintenerife
katjaintenerife@yahoo.co.uk

Posted Jun 24, 2008, 6:11 pm
On Friday morning we went to two garden centres to get some plants for Katja's mum.

http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z274/katjaintenerife/13062008107.jpg

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http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z274/katjaintenerife/13062008115.jpg

http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z274/katjaintenerife/13062008122.jpg

Once we'd been to the garden centres and planted the flowers, we went on another cruise on Katja's dad's boat.

http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z274/katjaintenerife/13062008145.jpg

http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z274/katjaintenerife/100_1605.jpg

http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z274/katjaintenerife/100_1606.jpg
katjaintenerife
katjaintenerife@yahoo.co.uk

Posted Jun 24, 2008, 6:19 pm
Saturday was Katja's friend's hen night and unfortunately I was allowed to join as I am a male hippo.. On Sunday Katja's sister, Suvi-Tuulia had her confirmation party so we went to a church to see the confirmation.

http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z274/katjaintenerife/100_1643.jpg
katjaintenerife
katjaintenerife@yahoo.co.uk

Posted Jun 24, 2008, 6:26 pm
On Monday we travelled again. We started our journey from Heinola about 9 in the morning. We arrived to Tampere airport and the plane to Dublin was late, same as all the other planes so far. And of course the plane from Dublin to Manchester was late too.

Our aeroplane at Tampere airport.
http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z274/katjaintenerife/16062008158.jpg

As you can see, it was raining even when we left, I think the cloud followed us all the way to England...

http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z274/katjaintenerife/16062008161.jpg
katjaintenerife
katjaintenerife@yahoo.co.uk

Posted Jun 24, 2008, 6:37 pm
Unfortunately Katja didn't take many photos while we were in England. It was always too rainy to take photos outside and she always forgot in the pubs. But on Friday we went to a theme park called Alton Towers and finally there's some photos from England. I'm not even bothering with the rainy photos taken from the car.

A market on our way to Alton Towers
http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z274/katjaintenerife/20062008184.jpg

Alton Towers garden
http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z274/katjaintenerife/20062008189.jpg

Alton Towers castle
http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z274/katjaintenerife/20062008191.jpg

Carousel
http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z274/katjaintenerife/20062008194.jpg

Kids' driving school
http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z274/katjaintenerife/20062008197.jpg

katjaintenerife
katjaintenerife@yahoo.co.uk

Posted Jun 24, 2008, 6:39 pm
Well just one photo before we leaved England. It finally seemed like they will start having some better weather as we were going. The photo was taken in Dave's parent's garden.

http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z274/katjaintenerife/100_2001.jpg
katjaintenerife
katjaintenerife@yahoo.co.uk

Posted Jun 26, 2008, 8:52 pm
Hi mum! It's time for me to move on, I've been told that I'll go back to USA. Today I've been showing the new ToyVoyagers the terrace and also introduced them to Felix. This morning Katja finished work and we went to see an estate agent and got some pictures on our way there. Then we had some group poses with Super Grover and Chip

http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z274/katjaintenerife/26062008206.jpg
This photo was taken in Torviscas, the red flowered trees are reallu nice.

http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z274/katjaintenerife/100_2008.jpg
Felix was showing his teeth to Super Grover, must have thought that he's a dentist ;)

http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z274/katjaintenerife/100_2002.jpg
Here's us three in a big aloe vera plant

http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z274/katjaintenerife/26062008210.jpg
This is us in Katja's car

http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z274/katjaintenerife/100_2004.jpg
And this is us with the sauna elf.

Well this is my last update from Tenerife as tomorrow Katja will take me to the post office. Here I come USA!!!
katjaintenerife
katjaintenerife@yahoo.co.uk

Posted Jun 26, 2008, 9:28 pm
Katja has just read the whole address of where I'm going and it's in Alaska!!! Wow!! I just hope it won't be as cold over there as it was in Finland and England!! It was 4-13ºC most days...

But anyway, I'm sure there's plenty to do and see over there so I'm really exited!
wildangel_cft


Posted Aug 3, 2008, 5:37 am
Fuzz Bear and Dirkie reunited again!!!
Dirkie arrived last week after accidently being delivered to the neighbors house and taking some time to be delivered here and boy was I happy to see him! It is so nice to be reunited with old friends. It has been raining like crazy and all the phone and power was cut off for a few days so we had to just sit around in the house while Fairbanks was flooding for the first time in almost 30 years! Nothing fair about theses banks right now!
http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll279/wildangel_cft/fuzzdirk073.jpg
wildangel_cft


Posted Aug 4, 2008, 3:04 am
Fuzz and I visited the Great Alaska Pipeline at a rest stop south of Fairbanks, Alaska! What an amazing feat of engineering! We got to sit inside of a PIG - which is a large machne that is sent through the pipe to help clean it periodically. I also got to touch the pipeline which sits atop steel girders that allow it to move back and forth like a snake with out being damaged in case of earth quakes or other natural causes that a rigid pipe would break in like extreme cold, mudslides or avalanches. The pipeline helpe boost the Alaskan economy in the 1970's by creating a LOT of work and bringing a lot of workers to the largest state. There are still only about 600,000 people that live here. The Pipeline profits also go into a general fund where interest earned off of oil royalties provides an annual check to all Alaskans just for living here! The check has been as small as 600 dollars and as large as $2200 dollars. Even with this much oil flowing across the state the price of gas and fuel oil still tops $5.00 a gallon! This is almost the highest in the nation. Well thats all for now but here is a link to the pipelines website if you are interested. [url=null]http://www.alyeska-pipe.com/Default.asp[/url]
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