Rangitoto Volcano from North Head, Auckland NZ

Dear Theolfa,

Being in New Zealand at the moment, one month on from the Christchurch quake brings the heartbreak, helplessness, uncertainty and the scale of recent disasters to the fore. Today we stopped to remember those who were lost in that quake. I read the long list (about 170) of names of victims in the remembrance service where we were. 1 Canadian, 1 Australian (whom I knew), 1 Peruvian, 1 Romanian, 1 Irish, 1 Malaysian, 1 American, 8 Thais, a brother and sister from Korea, 2 Brits, many from China, 3 Israelis, many from Japan, about 12 from Philippines, and many from New Zealand - all ages, diverse occupations. They were killed in businesses, a church, buses, homes, while driving, walking on the footpath, rescuing others, attending a college, during a study trip, waiting for the doctor or working in the TV studios - couples, infant and mother together, backpackers, executives, tatooist, organist, baker, TV presenters.....

Thanks for your thoughts. You are invited to sit here sometime!

Ian

Thank you, Ian! I'll add it to my favourites and visit it from time to time. Theolfa

And when you do Theolfa, let me know and I'll come and sit with you if I may.

Ian

How serene and peaceful our great Mother can look ..

Special isn't it? Greetings, Fried.

Ian (in NZ)

Would like to sit down here and have a loooong chat with you dera Ian - amazing peaceful view, soooo lovely!

~~~ Maja ~~~

Dear Maja,

How about you create a special box into which you place all the places your wish you could visit. Just keep dropping them in, then one day they can be prioritised and together we will seek to realise them.

This is indeed a beautiful part of the world.

Warmest regards from Hokitika!

~~~Ian~~~

Dear Ian, what a wonderful idea! Only ~ I would have to live a thousand years to realize all of them ~ this world is just so full of amazing corners!

I am so glad you are well and experiencing such beautiful days ~~~~~~~~~

Maja

Let's live a 1000 days, and realize as many of the dreams as possible in that time, Maja!

...sometimes sitting, sometimes waltzing, some times driving, sometimes cruising, sometimes dining...

Ian