USA - Washington DC

Aunty Jo-Jo @ White House, Washington D.C.

The 3 M's - Museums, Memorials and Monuments - are what I remember most about Washington D.C.

Apart from the usual sights: White House, Lincoln Memorial, Washington Memorial, Vietnam Memorial, Smithsonian, I also had the privilege of visiting the inner sanctum of the World Bank. Very impressive...especially the cafeteria that serves first-class cuisine from five continents....and the priceless artworks that are scattered around the lobby. And their role is to help finance development of third world countries? Enough said ;-)

USA - Disneyland

One of my earliest memories of childhood was watching The Mickey Mouse Club on our black & white TV.

Every episode ended with a little cartoon figure of Tinkerbell waving her wand, and spreading little stars all over the Magic Castle.

Disneyland is a magical place to every child.

My inner child discovered that truth when I visited Disneyland for the first time in 2000. For the record, I entered the park at 8am (opening time) and left only at 12 midnight (when the gates closed)

What a fantastic day it was...

• Taking a photo with Mickey Mouse & Donald Duck is a must - whatever age you may be
• The Indiana Jones ride is such a realistic re-creation of our favourite archaeologist's adventures. You have got to try it
• It's a Small World is an amazing ride filled with dolls wearing national costumes of different countries. But only go if you don't mind the song playing in your head for the next 3 days.
• Riding the Magic Mountain roller-coaster, after a Coke & hot dog, is NOT advised. I have never felt so sick in my life!
• The scariest ride in Disneyland is..... Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs....go see for yourself why that is...
• Don't miss the parade that happens at 8pm every night. Cinderella, Snow White, Goofy, Ariel, Belle and all the other Disney favourites make an appearance

I'd like to record a special note of thanks to Kathleen and her husband William, who insisted that I make Disneyland a stop on my tour of LA. Also thanks for the free entry ;-)

USA - New York

I LOVE NEW YORK
I really do.

There is no city on earth that "packs a punch" like NYC does. Vibrant - Energetic - Passionate - Cosmopolitan - Colourful

I spent 4 days in the Big Apple in 2000, and it's still one of my favourite places on the planet.

Here are some of my fondest memories:

• BROADWAY - I had so much fun running around the theatre district. Cats was clever and playful, while Cabaret was hauntingly beautiful (especially the minimalist finale on a bare stage). Fossie was a delightful dance tribute to a legendary coreographer while Les Miserables left me in love with the best Enjolras ever (and I've seen musical four times!)

• The Statue of Liberty left me breathless - literally. I made it to the top to take in the amazing views of New York, on my very first morning in the city
• Gray's Papaya hotdogs are fantastic! I've always wanted to try them after watching Matthew Perry chomping on one in "Fools Rush In". I'm proud to declare that I polished off SIX hot dogs over a period of two days. No regrets nor apologies to my cardiologist
• Greenwich Village, Fifth Avenue, Times Square, the Waldorf Astoria, Trump Tower, Central Park. All these magical names that I'd only ever watched on TV sprang to life that afternoon when I walked 75 blocks from Battery Park back to my hotel on 74th St
• I was so excited when I stepped onto the observation deck of the Empire State Building. Not because it's an American icon, but more importantly, for being the setting for the last scene of "Sleepless in Seattle". Sigh...very few people would peg me as a die-hard romantic...but...there you go :-)

USA - San Francisco

Joanna & her sister, Julie in beautiful San Francisco




So many songs, movies and stories have been written about this little gem of a city in northern California. Any attempt to add to it almost seems futile, but Aunty Jo-Jo will try, nevertheless.
My first trip to San Francisco was in the summer of 2006, to visit my sister Julie, who now lives in the Bay Area. We saw all the famous sights and I found the city very pretty and comfortable, but not overwhelmingly so.
I found myself thoroughtly enjoying:-

• the beautiful tourist sights - Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, Pier 39, Red & White ferry ride around the Bay. Despite what anyone says about commercialism, just enjoy it!
• Monet in Normandy exhibition at the Legion of Honor. It was amazing to study so many of my favourite Monets sitting side-by-side: the water-lilies, the haystacks, Rouen Cathedral. I also enjoyed introducing Julie to the world of the Impressionists.
• the ethnic neighbourhoods which integrate so comfortably into each other. I loved the fact that I could have my wonton mee for lunch, and wander down the street to pick up an authentic gelato for dessert!
• SFMOMA (San Francisco Museum of Modern Art). Although I don't really understood modern art, I was lucky to bump into Carmen Garcia, an aspiring artist, who was kind enough to show me all her favourite pieces at the museum
• the wine regions of Napa and Sonoma are a delight to discover. The wines are so different to the Australian vintages I'm used to. Especially last year's Orange Muscat by Villa Mt Eden...yummmm

Summer of 96 - Versailles vs. Schonbrunn

Left: Versailles Palace, France

Right: Schonbrunn Palace, Austria

Both palaces were the royal seat of their respective empires. Chateau de Versailles housed the French court of Louis XIV - The Sun King, while Schloss Schonbrunn was closely connected to Emperor Franz Josef I of Austria.

While Versailles is the better known of the two, I prefer Schonbrunn Palace. It seems to be a happier place. The quarters reflect a certain charm and the personal touch of the Hapsburg family, reminding visitors that despite their royal birth, Emperor Franz Josef and Empress Elisabeth were just a couple trying to raise a family.

I must admit, however, that this view is heavily influenced by a biography I read on Empress Elisabeth entitled "The Reluctant Empress" by Brigitte Harman. The preface reads -

"This book is the life story of a woman who refused to behave according to her rank. Drawing on her remarkable self-confidence, she strove for and achieved the goal that it took the 20th century feminine movement to name "self-realisation"

She played none of the roles assigned to her by tradition and her surroundings: not the role of loving and devoted wife, not the role of mother, not the role of principal figurehead in a gigantic empire. She insisted on her rights as an individual - and she prevailed. "