We visited Antwerp, Belgium twice in 2012.  Once in February when it was very, very cold and then again in early July when the weather was wonderful.  Antwerp is a lovely place with a historic medieval city center.  It was the home of Peter Paul Rubens, the famous 17th Century painter and has been a center of the global diamond trade for centuries.  In the 16th Century, Antwerp was one of the largest and most prosperous cities in Europe.

Cathedral of Our LadyGuild Houses in Grote MarktFountain and StadthausPaula in Diamond DistrictWall Painting in ChapelRubens “The Descent from the Cross” 1612Steen Castle quayside on the River Scheldt

In May 2012 we visited Japan and spent several days in Takasago, Himeji and the ancient imperial capital of Kyoto.

In April 2012 we finally were able to accept an invitation from Roger and Peg to join them at their timeshare on St. Thomas in the US Virgin Islands.
Magens Bay on St. Thomas US Virgin Islands from Drake’s Seat, where Sir Francis Drake spied on Spanish Fleets passing through Drake’s Passage where the Atlantic Ocean joins the Caribbean Sea.
Cooper Island in British Virgin Islands.  Great beach bar and restaurant.
Coming ashore at White Bay on Jost Van Dyke island in the British Virgin Islands.  No dock, so the money gets wet.  Home of the famous Soggy Dollar Bar where the rum drink “Painkiller” was invented.

Enjoying Painkillers at Soggy Dollar viewing White Bay.
Beach on St. Johns US Virgin Islands.
Dinner at the Old Stone Farm House Restaurant.  More than two centuries ago the Old Stone Farm House was the core of a Danish sugar plantation at Estate Lovendahl.  The graceful arches, two- foot-thick walls and majestic rafters are reminiscent of St. Thomas during the days of the flourishing clipper ship trade, sugar plantations on lush rolling hills and the aristocratic mansions of prosperous merchants.  This is considered one of the best examples of classic West Indian architecture on the island. Native blue bit rock and brick and rubble masonry are the prime construction materials.
Sunset over Charlotte Amalie Harbor, St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands
Charlotte Amalie Harbor from Roger and Peg’s place.

The week before Christmas we visited Charolotte to see Stephen, Tanja , Leon and Julian.

In July we visited Washington DC.  Matt graduated from his program at the State Department and we spent time with Hannah, Sara, Shelley, Garth and James.

In May 2011 we visited Australia for a couple of weeks.  We started in Townsville in tropical Queensland in the Northeast part of the country.  Then we took a cruise from Cairns following the route of Captain Cook over the Great Barrrier Reef back to Magnetic Island and Townsville.  On the way home we stopped for a couple days in Sydney and had dinner with Kerry.

And then we cruised the Great Barrier Reef, snorkeling several times each day.

And then back to urban Sydney which was also great.