Travelog for: Jimbo Elephant

Hello! My name is Jimbo Elephant. I'm still at home in Orange, New South Wales but I'm sure excited to get on my journey.

My mom bought me today and will be sad to see me go away from her but she knows that I'll be okay while people host me and show me around the world. I'm very excited to see the world, but I know when I get home I'll get a lot of cuddles from mom as she'll have missed me. I hope to get nice people to host me and to show me the nice sights that their countries have to offer and I sure can't wait to see the snow as well.

It's very hot where I am right now, and it'll be nice to be somewhere cool, as I've heard it's Winter in some parts of the world right now. Awesome!

Here's a picture of me today, my mom put me in the leaves of the rose bush out front but was sure to not get me pricked at all by the thorns. I think I look nice in this photo, what do you think?



I'll be hanging out with mom for a bit longer until I start my travels! I hope to visit everyone soon!

I'm excited to start my travels. Tomorrow I'll be heading on my way to Hawaii - I'll be traveling around the United States, Canada, Cuba and then even Argentina before going off to Europe, Asia and possibly even South Africa. :-) I'm very excited to start my journey and meet new and exciting people and places all over the world.

Here are a few photos from this week that we're taken of me around the house, things that I'll miss, besides my mom of course - she doesn't like having her picture taken... ;-)


Here's me with my mom's finches, she has quite a few and they're all beautiful and curious, I've heard them since I got adopted and I've really grown to love their songs...


Here's me today with the fish tank, my mom and dad love to breed fish as a new hobby of theirs and yesterday I got to watch them scramble around as one of the fish was having babies, they we're able to save 15 babies from one lot. THATS A LOT!


Me with the Christmas tree, sometimes I wonder why people don't keep these beautiful decorations up all year, they're so cool looking, sadly we don't have real trees like they do in America as much - but I hope to see those real Christmas trees (still in the ground obviously since Christmas is over), they're so pretty, and quite prickly my mom has told me...

But I'm about off to Hawaii - I'll be spending a few weeks there before being shipped off to the continental United States. So exciting as while I'm up there so will my mom for a holiday. But my stay will be quite a bit longer. I can't wait to see the ocean for the first time which will be obvious I'll see a lot of the Pacific Ocean while I'm in Hawaii, how exciting! Hopefully my host will be able to post lots of pictures on my throughout my journey throughout the world, I want a lot to show my mom as I know she's worried about me. ;-)

Here I am, about to go, see you in Hawaii!


PS. Did you notice my new shirt? It has toyvoyagers on the front and it says my ID and my name on the back, I really love it - I think it looks fitting on me, what do you guys think?

Bye bye for now! Jimbo

Hi Mom,

I arrived at Poong's house on Monday at around 4 PM and I'm safe don't worry about me.

Koa is very nice to me.  He loves me so much.  He keeps talking to me, asking me how it was back in Australia.

Poong is very busy these days she has to clean up the house and make sure everything is nice and ready for her friends.  They will be visiting her on Tuesday.  So I'm glad I will get to meet them.   

I went to do errands with her on Wednesday into town.  The town is called Hilo, very nice and mellow.  People here are very friendly and laid back.  Ponng said it's the opposite of New York. 

Hawaii is such a paradise.  Look mom, very tropical. I love it here.


We have to get Koa to school so here I was in the car with Koa.

Then we went to Hilo, shopping.  They have farmers market on Wednesday.  We parked here in front of this shop.


Then we go to the library.  Look !! it's me in front of the building hehe. 

I was looking at the book and help Poong decide which ones to get for Koa.

They still have Christmas theme decoration inside.  I love it.  So cute. 

There is very warm, breezy area with a little garden inside.  I was sitting here chillin. 

After this we went to have lunch and then pick Koa up from school.  Then we went home.  Poong made me a pasta dish - so yummy.  Then I watched TV with Koa.  I get along so well with him and I'm glad I have someone to play with.  No long after that it was time for bed and Koa had to go to sleep because he had to go to school the next day.  So I think it would be a good idea if I do that too.  I have a lot of things to do too.   Poong writes a lot of postcards and I think I'll help her pick some cards to send for people (for tags and swaps).  She said don't worry she will take a good care of me and she really is doing that.  I'm so glad I get to be her in Hawaii.  I better go for now, Mom.  I will say hi again whenever I can.  I miss you and I love you. xoxo

Jimbo

Hi Mom,
It's me.  Sorry I've been out of touch for awhile.  I know you must be worried.  I'm fine.  I've been traveling places around the island.  It's so great.  I'll tell you where I've been.

Poong's friend landed on Tuesday night (Jan 21st).  We picked him up and then went to have some nice Japanese dinner together - so yummy.    Then they were hang out for awhile and catching up.

The next day (Jan 22nd) we went to Hilo to see some interesting sights.  It was coconut island.  I loved it there, so nice and breezy.  We grabbed some bento along the way and had lunch there.  It was like a picnic. 



There are a lot of coconut trees.  I just love them.  It's been a great experience for me. 



me again



look we were in town but have this nice view and the ocean right here.  wow.



we walked along the path there, it was so nice.  They did a great job with the landscape there.  I love it.



Then we walked to the Japanese Garden across the street.  My god, I love this grass.  So nice to sit on and the garden is just so relaxing. 



Here I am on this thing.  Poong said it looked interesting.



here you can see the landscape behind me.



Then after awhile it was raining so we have to run into the building nearby to avoid getting wet.  We were alright though.  After that we picked Koa up at school and then chilled out at the house. 

The next day we went to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.  We started very early.  We were on the road by 6:30 AM and stopped to buy a couple things on the way.  It was a 50 minutes drive from the house.

Here we were at the park.  I love the air up there. 



Here I was.. with the tree.



I went to the information center ..





I wanted to see lava but they said right now we can't cos we can't reach where it's flowing.  I was a bit sad but ok.





oohh how exciting..



This is the replica of the rain forest they have there for us to see.  Koa was pressing some button to hear some birds and other animals.







After that we went to see the crater.  I was so blown away by the view.  It's breath taking.  Mom look !!  I was there to see the craters. 






After that we drove along another craters.  You can't imagine the view, so awesome !! I really love this trip.   

Then we bought some souvenirs and postcards.  Then we went home.  It was a long day.  We are all tired.

I will tell you about my trip to the beach tomorrow Mom.  Don't worry.  I am fine and I hope you are too. 

Miss you,
Jimbo

Hi Mom,
It's me again.  I'll tell you what we've been up to.  The next day we went to Hapuna Beach Park which is like 100 + miles from the house.  It was such a long trip.  It was great fun.  Here, pic of me with the Pacific Ocean.



another one



The water is crystal clear and fresh.  I love the waves, so nice.  I can just play and chill there forever.

We went home in the afternoon.  Another great day.

The next day we took Poong's friend out to The Macadamia Nut Factory. "Mauna Loa".  They have all kinds of samples :P so yummy.  I love it.

Here's the pic of me in front of the shop.



After that we went on to University of Hawaii at Hilo and hang out there for awhile.



Then we went home.

This is the last day for me in Hawaii.  Poong's friend will be leaving tomorrow and Poong will send me to California.  Koa seems sad knowing that I will be on my way.  I know I will miss him too but I'm happy and excited to go to California. 

I kissed Koa and Poong goodbye.  Poong said I'll be fine on my journey, and there is nothing to worry about.  I said thanks for being a good host and I love Hawaii. 

See you in California, Mom. Miss you.

Love,
Jimbo

Hi mom!

I arrived at Alaina’s house last night!!! Wow what a trip that was … the mailman was a little rough with me. I am here safe though. 

I haven’t really done much today … just been sitting around hanging out with Alaina’s collection of frogs. Alaina has been keeping me on her dresser so I stay safe from her dog Kelly (Kelly might mistaken me for one of her toys). I was pretty freaked out earlier … Kelly was eyeing me all day long while Alaina was at school. But don’t worry I will be okay. 

So I am pretty excited. Tomorrow, Amy, Alaina’s roommate, is going to take me to work with her. She works as an animal trainer for the San Diego Wild Animal Park!!! Amy said she would let me ride on a camel’s back!!!! I am so excited. On Saturday Alaina was going to take me back there and take me to see real live elephants!!! I have always wanted to see real ones! 

Anyhow, just wanted to let you know that I was safe and that I am looking forward to having fun here is San Diego with Alaina!!! I miss you! 

PS Alaina took some pics of me earlier, but photobucket is down right now and she doesnt know how to resize pictures to make them smaller ... so she said she would post them later (Maybe you can give her a hint on a free program that is easy to learn and use)

edit ... pics as promised =)

I'm here!


me, kelly and amy


me hanging with my new frog friends


peak-a-boo!!!

Hi mom!

What what a time Alaina has had with uploading pics ... !!!!
Anyhow yesterday I had a blast!!!! We went to the San Diego Wild Animal Park and I was able to meet many interesting new animals ... I even was able to see real elephants ...

here's some pics....

in the car ...



parking ...



paying $9 to park!!!



see the birds behind me?





Alaina and me in front of a fake elephant ...



the meerekats





flamingos


birds ...



gorillas




wow sure made me feel small ...





on to Amy's show ...



and behind the scenes to meet the animals Amy works with ...

Soloman the camel




Alaina got to hold a fox ...



me kickin it with the Zebra


then we went on a journey through Africa ...





I hid when I saw the lions





then ....







...yes real elephants!!! Wow







what a day ...






edit: Alaina just realized there are a few pics missing so she'll get the others up soon =)

Dear Mom,
Greetings from fabulous Las Vegas. The trip was not too rough, but it was pretty warm in the post box.

Have already met Frogger and his mommy, they have a Sara too, but she is taking a nap, I will meet her later. I also met, micksangels, who takes Frogger on her trips sometimes. They said they are thinking about taking a trip to the Hoover Dam, which sounds very exciting, and I promise to get lots of pictures.

Oh and mom, guess what, they have a real Christmas tree growing in the back yard, but it is not decorated. It is almost 8 years old.

Here are a few pictures of me and Frogger hanging out.

Hey mum, we went to Red Rock Canyon. It was really cool, and literally in some places!

We had a good deal of fun while we were there, I was amused to note that the smaller human, who was carrying me, seemed to be a better hiker than the larger human with the camera, micksangel. She was afraid of the drop off's though, and who can rightly blame her?

We went to the Springs Preserve today and it was quite neat. We only visited the playground, but what sights there were to see there!

Mammoth bones!



Giant Birds, I thought they might eat us!



And a giant butterfly, though where it finds flowers big enough to eat from, I'll never know!

Better late than never, right! So here are a few more pictures from my visit to Las Vegas:

On Easter morning I helped hide eggs!

Then we did battle!

Then I hung round with some of Froggers pals.

Then Frogger took me round the back garden to see the Christmas tree that was planted many years ago, though it's a little sad looking.

And here is one of the lioness' at the MGM Grand Hotel.

Frogger and I sporting our new shirts, mine should be in the mail soonish.

Today I arrived in Grand Junction Colorado with my buddy Frogger who came with me from Las Vegas.

It was a pleasant trip and didn't take very long at all.  It was nice having company for the journey.



After we arrived I decided this might be some type of TV hostel We met Coney, he's just back from Iraq and is supposed to be in Ft Bragg but he missed his plane. He's a soldier in the US Army. Lucky-Ducky lives here but he has been visiting a host in Porvoo Finland for the past 8 months and just arrived home.  Candy Cotton is also from Australia and was missing but was recently recovered and will visit here for awhile before being re-united with her mentor.  Mittens was also lost but is also back traveling and lives in Florida.  She doesn't have a travel plan yet and will visit here while wourpet tries to contact her owner.  I am here for my first stop on the USA TV Trail.  I think it should be fun with such a big group. 

I haven't really done much since I got here.  The other TVs and I are mostly hanging around the house because its been cold and windy outside.  Wourpet said if it rains she'll let me out to play in some puddles for awhile as long as I don't nibble on the new flowers.
Today my host was having an anniversary and we each got some carrot cake -- with a carrot on top.





After that I took a quick walk outside and met Charlie -- he was very friendly and gave me a big smooch.  Maybe he was tasting my carrot cake.

Today I went for quite a long walk around the yard.  Its still cool but its spring and I found lots of new flowers opening up.  I didn't pull any of them or nibble on them at all.









There were flowers in the orchard too and wourpet allowed me to climb in the trees.