"Welcome, and thanks for stopping by" Emmjai's Profile

I’ve always loved travelling; though don’t have enough time to do it (like many people I suspect!). I always want to know lots about my intended destination, plan well in advance, and carry several guidebooks with me. Although I usually travel conventionally, (I’m not a hiker/back packer, I like my home comforts too much!), and plan lots (the guidebooks!), fate can intervenes, most often when my daughter (currently aged 15. and now taller than her Mum!) and I travel together. Her cheerful “Think of it as an adventure Mummy” has got us through several struggles, and I have lost count of the number of times my luggage and I have arrived at our destination separately, certainly more than the industry reported average and many more times than my even more well travelled husband!

My favourite place on earth

To date, all my travelling has been restricted to the Northern Hemisphere, to North America and Europe. I travel mostly for pleasure, with my family, but occasionally get to travel as part of my job. I?ve always loved taking photographs. I also love exploring the local cuisine at my destinations, and am fascinated by little bizarre facts.

One of our greatest trip in recent times (Summer 2002,) saw my husband, daughter, mother-in-law and I on a 3 week extravaganza of a holiday in the USA, taking in Indianapolis, Las Vegas, Bryce and Zion National parks, New York, and cruising home on the QE2. It will be a while before we can afford such a trip again!

Summer 2006 saw us crusing the Carribean, another great extravaganza of a holiday of a lifetime to remember.

The centre of the village

2007 included a trip to to the french alps (Ski-ing) Malaysia (KL) and Singapore Also managed Lourdes (yes again!) The Washington DC for the summer hols, and Lithuania and Latvia for work was fun. There was a day trip to Paris, a weekend in Galway, and another in New York.

The 'adventure' factor struck again, with an unplanned extra 24 hours in Washington, and an unschedualled overnight stay at Heathrow Airport!

Immediate future plans include ski-ing in the french alps, Easter in Lourdes, and a summer holiday in Edinburgh.

2004 has been a quieter year for travelling for me. A few days in London in March, with my daughter and her friend, doing all the tourist things; Lourdes (France) at Easter with the great Group 50 (see HCPT) and work travel to the Lake District (April), Col du Porte (France) in May (with an unexpectedly heavy snow fall to add to the fun), and a flying visit (literally!) to Edinburgh in June. So our family summer vacation has been my big opportunity this year.

This 17-day trip to USA was an eclectic mix of sport, sightseeing and meeting with old friends. Starting out in Southern Florida, we had a few days in Key Largo with snorkleing, swimming with dolphins and meeting the mosquitos and aligators in the Everglades. Then an trans-continental flight to Las Vegas , meeting up with an old friend, and visiting the great Bryce Canyon. Back to the Las Vegas for a few days of fun, before flying back East for a few days of sea and sand and other old friends in South Carolina (with the added excitement, and novel experience of a hurricane [Charley] evacuation!). Then back home, work, etc, etc....

I must get the next trip planned soon - ski-ing I hope but currently we can't agree on a destination!
2005 started off with a skiing trip, to Avoriaz in France, A great week! Lourdes at the end of March. A few days in Copenhagen, work mostly, but I enjoyed a wet Sunday exploring the city on a bike hired from the Hotel in which I was staying. Our summer holiday this year has been to the US ( West Coast this year: we had more than our fill of fun dodging Hurricanes on the East Coast last summer). My daughter and I had a few days in Disneyland, then, joined by my husband, had several days in LA (based in Santa Monica). We then drove inland to Las Vegas, (yes, again!) and a final few days in Snowmass Co. My latest trip has been to Sweden, again for work, but with some time for siteseeing! I've also been invited to go to early next year, also for work. I'm hoping it comes off!

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I have lived in Warrington for 12 years. Before settling down here, my husband and I spent 30 months living in Baltimore USA. I grew up in Bath , Avon, (although it was in North Somerset then), and have also lived in London , on and off for 7 years or so. In between, I have had brief sojourns in Stoke-on-Trent , Bournemouth , and Cirencester

It's been awhile since I added to these pages. The last 12 months has seen me on trips to US and Scotland, with European visits to France, Croatia and Portugal. I am hoping the next few months to visit SE Asia and perhaps Austrailia; watch this space!