Penelope’s ODYSSEYS

ODYSSEY

noun

EVENTFUL JOURNEY

Meet Penelope

I was born in Mexico City to American parents. Our family moved to Southern CA when I was two, but I like to think a seed was planted that helped sprout my travel addiction by being born on foreign soil. I currently live in Encinitas, California in North County San Diego with my husband Raphael. We have two adult children, Nick and Jolie, and a new son-in-law, Johnny. I am a retired English teacher, and now that I have the time and the health and a sliver of the wealth, my husband Raphael and I are traveling like madmen…

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Love in the Time of Corona on the Coromandel Peninsula

by Penelope | August 12, 2020 | Social Distancing in New Zealand | 6 Comments

Coromandel Penisula--Pre-Pandemic Timing is everything, especially with travel. Don't travel when it's too hot or too cold or too touristy. Our timing for our March trip to New Zealand was sublime. Pre-pandemic. We left Tuesday, March 3, 2020, just as international...

Hobbiton, Life on the Shire

by Penelope | August 11, 2020 | Social Distancing in New Zealand | 3 Comments

Shire Living at Hobbiton If you are a fan of The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings, you know that the movies were filmed in New Zealand where director Peter Jackson is from. The shire is described as Middle-earth in J. R. R. Tolkien's iconic fantasies. “In a hole in the...

Rotorua, Bubble Bubble Toil and Trouble: New Zealand

by Penelope | August 7, 2020 | Social Distancing in New Zealand | 2 Comments

Rotorua The town of Rotorua at first glance is unimpressive giving off an industrial vibe. It didn't help that the lakeside view was obstructed by a major renovation. However, a dig below the surface is highly recommended. And literally below the surface are...

Lake Taupo, Extra Extra-Ordinary Nature

by Penelope | July 27, 2020 | Social Distancing in New Zealand | 0 Comments

Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better --Albert Einstein Beauty abounds in Lake Taupo, a lakeside hamlet two hours west of Napier. Huka Falls and the Waikato River Our goal for the day to soak in the beauty of Lake Taupo starting with...

Winding Our Way to Waitomo

by Penelope | March 17, 2020 | Social Distancing in New Zealand, Uncategorized | 2 Comments

Magical Glow Worm Caves Completing our loop around the North Island in New Zealand, our last stop is Waitomo, famous for its glowworm caves. It's evident that New Zealand is touched by magic from the majestic Coromandel Penisula to the Hobbit Shires at Hobbiton. What...