Monday, March 15, 2021

If I Could Go Back

Often when I post about travel, it is my beloved England or Paris. But there are a few other spots I've been to which I'd greatly love to return. I've been thinking about those places a lot lately!


Even though I have been vaccinated, it will be a long time before I feel comfortable getting on a plane and going six or seven hours across the sea, I wouldn't mind if my itinerary included another visit to Amsterdam.


I love the canals, the markets and there are more than a few museums and gardens I missed. Spring, I think, would be rather perfect!

 
 
And as long as one was in The Netherlands, it would be nice to revisit Delft.

 

After all, there are more than a few pieces of Delft china and more that I left behind. I'd love a tour of one of the workshops, too.

The first trip I took with Rick was to Japan. It was true culture shock for me and I was pretty terrified of getting separated from him. All I knew to say was "Hello," "Goodbye," "Thank you," "Excuse me," and "I have a cat." These words will not help if you get lost!


But it was a fabulous and eye-opening trip, thanks especially to time we spent with friends from Rick's Japan-America Society and Sister Cities days. We spent time in Toyko, Hiroshima, Miyajima, Kyoto and Otsu (some of those were day trips with our friends.) Kanako took us to Kyoto and I'd love to spend more time there. 


The temple at Miyajima was beautiful (and the deer so tame they even chased a man with a McDonald's bag, hoping for food!)


Kiyo and her family welcomed us to Hiroshima and we enjoyed meeting her friends.


 She took us to the Peace Museum, a somber and stunning place to visit and be reminded of the consequences of war. This installation of a thousand cranes made by schoolchildren touched my heart.


I write a lot about Paris but oh, how I would love to revisit Giverny.


Monet's home, with its fabulous kitchen and dining room, all the gardens and the small and charming town all are worth another visit.


St. Malo was another town I'd return to. It is a walled city and an old one. If you read "All the Light You Cannot See," it is set in this town which had quite a World War II history.


And good dog hygiene!


Oh, and the food was to die for! 

I'll never forget how moving the beaches of Normandy were.


Honfleur is another spot I enjoyed all too briefly -- just part of an afternoon and dinner. 

I didn't get to shop but I might have come home with one of these hats!


And when twilight came and the lights came on, it was downright magical! 

Speaking of French, should I want to speak French closer to home (or try), I would head immediately for Quebec City. The old walled city was my favorite part and there was much we didn't have time to explore in our few days here. 


Rick had cycled there from Michigan and his legs did the hills better than mine -- but oh, they were so worth it!


I enjoyed the art galleries and my birthday gift that year was a painting from one of my favorites. But it was hard to choose! 

One of the most magical places I ever visited was Martha's Vineyard and I'd go back in a heartbeat. (It's a shorter flight, too! I could even drive most of the way!)

 

 
When we visited in August 2017, we accidentally (and fortuitously) came during The Grand Illumination, where homes in the Oak Bluffs Campground, a collection of lovingly maintained Victorian homes, illuminate their porches with lanterns. 

That and the massive sing-along would have been enough.

But the towns are lovely, like Edgartown with its harbor... 

 ...and beautiful Oak Bluffs.

...and the beaches are fabulous!

There are  plenty more on the list, along with places I've never been. And I probably won't get to all these old favorites along with the new spots that intrigue me one more time. 

But I'll sure love the remembering!

Sharing with:       Let's Keep In Touch    /     Share Your Style     /     Timeless Thursdays     /    Pink Saturday     

57 comments:

Lowcarb team member said...

A wonderful look back.
It is so nice remembering :)

All the best Jan

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

It's nice to reminisce about the places both domestic and foreign that we've been fortunate in life to visit! I would love to go back to Ireland although I've visited it four times north and south. I've been to Italy often because of my Italian-born husband who has many relatives still there from south to north. The furthest from home was our visit to Australia and an 18-hour plane trip! I also can never get enough of our US National Parks! Some will probably be on our list of places to see once we feel safe enough to travel again. I want to see all five in Utah and so many more. I think I've visited half of the 63 parks!

Martha said...

What amazing trips and fantastic memories. I hope you do get to go back to each and every one again along with the new places you'd like to see!

Pamela said...

A wonderful look back on travels! There are many places I would like to revisit and other places for the first time. In the last year I’ve wondered if that will ever be possible. I’m thankful to have memories of past trips.
If you come to Japan again, let’s get together!

Meredith said...

I have been to Amsterdam twice and Paris once, I loved them both so much. Maine is a favorite place of mine, it is just so gorgeous. I won't be traveling for quite a while. No plane trips for me until I feel a lot safer. Stay well my friend.

Linda Sue said...

This is a post that I will be coming back to frequently! Thank you! making Monday a feast! I am feeling so stuck. This post helps so much. I must get back over there, I must!!! Shall we meet at the cheese museum?

Prims By The Water said...

I have been to Quebec and Maine. Fresh lobster is the BEST! What pretty delft blue candles. Not sure I would want to burn them. Janice

David M. Gascoigne, said...

It is a great retrospective, Jeanie, and one that makes us realize, you and me, that we have been so fortunate to have visited so many different corners of the world. How many people do you think are reading this post and looking at the pictures, and saying, "I wish it could have been me." I hope to travel again; I fervently hope to travel again, but if it never were to happen I have seen more than my share of the world's wonders and for that I am mightily grateful. I suspect that you are too.

DUTA said...

You and Rick look great in the pictures!
I don't mind revisiting a place, but my tendency so far has been to go forward, have a glimpse at some new place. Life is short and we wish to see more, experience more.
Anyway, now,with covid-19 in the background who knows what might await people with hopes of travel and tourism.

The Joy of Home with Martha Ellen said...

Oh Jeanie, my travel heart is with you. I enjoyed seeing your lovely memories in your photographs. Being unable to travel has been one of the hardest things about the pandemic. Saying that makes me feel selfish and shallow, but I'm not getting any younger. I am so thankful to have my health and with God's grace I pray one day we all will be able to move about without fear.

Beatrice P. Boyd said...

Thanks for the lovely travelogue of places you and Rick have visited, Jeanie. I have never been to most of the places you showed in this post, but maybe someday. Even though we are also fully vaccinated now, we are not rushing off anywhere far from home anytime soon (sigh).

Mae Travels said...

What a beautiful post! Funny thing: you depicted a salad with what appeared to be tomato, HB egg, and smoked salmon that you had in a French café -- that is almost exactly what we had for dinner tonight. At least some experiences can be re-created, sort of.

I hope we are all able to revisit our favorites soon! I'll be thinking about Ireland on Wednesday.

best... mae at maefood.blogspot.com

Joyful said...

Lots of beautiful places and wonderful travel memories. I highly recommend a trip to Quebec City. It's so beautiful though I didn't spend a lot of time there myself I'm glad I was there. Amsterdam is also a beautiful city. Though I haven't made it to Martha's Vineyard I went to an equally (I think) beautiful place called Kennebunkport in Maine. We didn't stay just toured through on the drive back from NB to NJ. I would love go to Japan some day but am a bit frightened of possible earthquakes. I already live in earthquake zone. Enjoy your week. xx

My name is Erika. said...

I enjoyed this post Jeanie. Since I'm not off on any distance adventures it is fun to see photos of places I have been and also haven't been. Funny, I was just going through photos from a family trip we made to Quebec City yesterday. What a great place. I want to go back and drive up toe St. Lawrence about to mouth. It was also nice to see you Japan photos. I wish I had made it to Hiroshima, but I would really like to visit Kyoto again and see all those things we didn't have time to visit. And then there are the places you showed I haven't been, Giverny, Normandy, the Netherlands. One day the big trips will happen again, and then we can share new photos. Thanks for sharing these Jeanie. Hugs-Erika

William Kendall said...

Beautiful shots!

Angelsdoor * Penny said...

Oh Jeanie, what a beautiful trip down memory lane. Thank you for taking me along. I love the Delft China, and the flowers are beautiful!

blessings,
Penny

Karen @ Beatrice Euphemie said...

A great trip down memory lane! So nice to come along! I think I would love to go to any of these places - they all look so beautiful. I sure hope we can feel comfortable traveling by next year, but it's hard to tell when things will get back to 'normal'. I forget what that is anymore :( We had so many plans for retirement and now who knows what will happen! Keeping fingers crossed xx Karen

Elderberry-Rob said...

You have seen some wonderful places, like you I am missing travel hugely, we had planned a lot of travel last year but who knew Covid would strike.. so much to catch up on.

Rustic Pumpkin said...

Imagine the chaos you'd cause if you had asked to try on the pretty blue hat in the front bottom of the window! You have conjured up a little play in my mind written around your words, standing in front of a bemused Japanese person, "Hello, excuse me, I have a cat. Thank you, Goodbye!"

In some ways, during these strange times, I am thankful I do not like to travel, so I don't miss it. I hate flying to such an extent that my enjoyment must now come from travelogues and books. I never used to be this way at all, but things change, and now times have changed too. When I did get to go somewhere, I always enjoyed myself, so it is sad to know it most likely won't happen again as I lost my adventurer soul somewhere along the way.

Waving~~~Deb in Wales

eileeninmd said...

Hello Jeanie,

What a wonderful look back, at all of the amazing places you have visited. I enjoyed the photos and your memories. Life is short, I think often of all the places on my wish list.
It would be nice to create new memories and feel safe traveling again. Take care, enjoy your day!

Joanne Huffman said...

A delightful array of photos of wonderful places.

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

I have been to a few of the places in France you mentioned, also Italy. I enjoyed seeing the places you have visited.

La Table De Nana said...

Honfleur..Normandy..calling my name but I know NO.
As you know I would live in Povence.
I would have had to do it 47 yrs ago as a young bride.
Monet's garden would have loved while in Paris but we were unfortunately sidetracked as you know and lost a precious day.Nope..I'll never forget.
The Cotswolds look beautiful to me.And another area of England I follow her on IG.

I love MV and Oak Bluffs LOVE.
Québec oui:)

Pom Pom said...

You'll travel again soon, I bet.
I loved Amsterdam, too. I loved Harlem where Corrie ten Boom grew up and hid Jews during WW2.
I've never been to Martha's Vineyard. Your photos are lovely!

Lisa's Yarns said...

Ahhh what wonderful travels to reflect upon. I am hoping we can go visit my sister in AZ next spring. She had a baby in February and I don’t think they will come home this summer (don’t blame them!). But it would be a nice getaway for us next spring. I am glad I did so much traveling before getting married. Big trips like Paris won’t be happening for awhile which I am ok with!

gigi-hawaii said...

I really enjoyed this tour. You were so lucky to see so many fine places. I have not been on a plane since 2013, so it has been a while!!!

Sandra Cox said...

You've been to so many wondrous places. Thanks for sharing.

Anca said...

What a wonderful post. I imagined it would be about something else, but I loved the trip through the world. I hope you will be able to travel soon. xx

Pam said...

Nice pics. I think I would like to visit France, and I have been out of the states to Bahamas, Cozumel, Panama and Jamaica but I really have never had a desire to visit much out of the states. I would love to visit the New England states, esp in the fall. I would love to visit out to the north west states. I always wanted to go to Calif....to see where I was from. With my son moving out there in 2007 I was able to go to Calif....several times and I was able to see the base (not go on, but the entrance) where I was born. I had plans of visiting states like NJ to visit my friend, but he is gone now so I am not heading there. To visit my friend in Ohio but this spring she is moving to TN....so that trip is out...haha

Carol @Comfort Spring Station said...

You can go back in your mind anytime and I always love your beautiful photos so take me with you.

Thelma said...

Thanks for the beautiful tour. It's nice to look back and remember. That's what I like about blogging.

Rita C at Panoply said...

Most of those places I have not been to even once (other than Canada and Martha's Vineyard), so I would certainly love to see some just once! I read a while back that Canada planned to keep their border closed through 2021, so unless that's changed, even QC is not in the cards. :(

Marilyn Miller said...

I love all your travel memories. It is hard not to want to go back again, but then there are so many other places to see too. How I would love seeing Japan, but then I haven't been to Normandy. There is a chateau show on You Tube from Honfleur region. I am hooked on French chateau shows. Oh and Martha's Vineyard, I have not been there. I think by fall I will be ready to go again. In the meantime we will see more of our area by car.

Evi Erlinda said...

You visited so many wonderful places, Jeanis.
Beautiful travel photos.

Iris Flavia said...

And there you have it again. Ingo always nearly jumps when I mess up The Netherlands and Holland and you give that to me just like that.
Now I really don´t recall where that seagull sh#t on me!

That China reminds me of my parents´ wedding ones. Hope Bro still has it...

"I have a cat"? LOL. Many Japanese love cats. Why were you separated? A deer wanting a burger?
Great to learn you can visit Hiroshima. I read a book, a bio of three survivors of "back then"... it made me cry.

Ocean, hats, one good thing about "Corinna" - we share oir travels a lot! Oh, boy, would I want that red hat! Mine is not really red anymore, plus it´s a kid´s one. Chapeau!
And those beach houses!!!
Thank you for sharing this, I loved taking this tour! Soon... we´ll brave up and GO! Fly, whatever.

Sami said...

Great memories from your travel Jeanie. I have been lucky to have also traveled quite a bit and can't wait to be able to travel again and visit new countries.
I've been to France (Paris and a few other cities) and to Holland (Amsterdam and a few other cities) a few times as my daughter lived in both countries for a few years. Japan and Singapore are on my to visit list, but I find that we tend to visit countries where our family lives so our we eventually run out of holidays. Our daughter is now living in Germany, which means whenever we can travel we will be going to Germany too.
We are lucky :)

Pam Richardson said...

Oh how I have missed travel. Jeanie, I think we were first introduced through a travel post about Martha’s Vineyard! I have been fortunate to travel to many countries across the pond and have seen a lot of our beautiful country, but there is still so much to see. Hopefully, we will travel again. I so enjoyed your look back to some of your favorite places!

Karen said...

Wow ~ You've visited some beautiful places! your are blessed for sure ~ I'm looking forward to more trips in the future too ~ Thank you for transporting me this morning :)

thepaintedapron.com said...

It was great traveling with you today Jeanie, you have been to so many incredible countries and places! Even though you don't want to travel right now, you have all these fabulous memories and photos that you can look at and travel virtually!

Divers and Sundry said...

You've provided a whirlwind virtual tour :) Nice! I definitely want one of those hats.

Deb Nance at Readerbuzz said...

I want to travel, too. I'm always eager to return to Paris, but I'd love to spend a few months in Japan.

Sandra Cox said...

Those poppies and bachelor buttons just pop don't they?
Take special care.

Barb said...

Great memories of past travels. Luckily, you have your photos as well as your mind's eye to help you remember. I could use a beach right now, but that is not in my immediate future. Like you, I sometimes revisit my photos and hope "someday" I will once again see the surf breaking on the sand.

Anonymous said...

Jeanie, you have been to some beautiful and exciting places and I hope you get to go again. Mostly, because, I get to go with you! I would love to see the Grand Illumination for real, and just not from my front porch. As it stands now, I will be so glad when I get up the nerve to go to the corner market..Stay well..xxoJudy

Lynne said...

I loved your looking back . . .
Wonderful travels you have had . . .
I have been asking myself, when is enough enough.
Feeling so fortunate to have been to and to have seen some wonderful places.
These past few years have me wondering about “the now” and “the next.”
Where do I put my focus, my energy . . .
I too feel hesitant about flying . . .
And yet . . .
And that is about as far as I can get for now.
Giving things some time is my mantra . . .

Debbie-Dabble Blog and A Debbie-Dabble Christmas said...

Jeanie,
Stunning pictures and what great memories you have!! Thanks so much for stopping by!! Stay Safe, healthy and happy!!
Hugs,
Debbie

Bella Rum said...

What beautiful photos.
That very first photo up there is so pretty. I love the color combination of red with purple/blue in nature. And the Delft china is gorgeous. I hope you will be able to travel again soon. I know how you love it. It's wonderful that you share it with us.

Red Rose Alley said...

It sounds like you are missing traveling, Jeanie. And you've been to many wonderful places. The girls went to Amsterdam too, and enjoyed themselves. I would love that shop with the blue china, as that is my favorite, and those candles are so pretty. That little pink house is so charming. Seeing all the lantern lit up on the porches would be magical. Are those homes that are right next to each other? I don't think I'd like to live that close to anyone, but they look quaint. Keep dreaming of traveling, Jeanie. You will go again someday. : )

~Sheri

The French Hutch said...

I'm with you Jeanie, I would love to travel back to some of my favorite places. France, yes, St Malo for sure. We took my in laws there. I would love to return to Amsterdam and England. So many places where we only spent a short time. I long to return. I enjoyed traveling back through your photographs. Like you I do not feel ready to fly again. We'll probably begin with road trips once I am comfortable with the idea of hotels. Thanks for sharing these special places.............

Hena Tayeb said...

I too would love to go back to Paris.. we were talking about Portugal the other day as well.. we went before we had kids and it would be nice to explore it with them.
Yay on being fully vaccinated. We are not eligible yet.

Sketchbook Wandering said...

You must visit Maine, Jeanie! I LOVED my time in Amsterdam!!!! It was a dream from childhood to visit the Netherlands, since The Wheel on the School and Hans Brinker. Japan, Wow!! and Quebec City, one of the loves of my life! I can't wait to go back. But I'm not sure I ever will get back to Europe, I'm not sure I could stand the flight, just in terms of the sanitzers alone. (allergic). Thanks for sharing. I've been watching PBS travel shows lately, sigh...

Angelsdoor * Penny said...

Hello dear friend
Thank you so much for visiting and your kind thoughts about Mary.
Wishing you a beautiful weekend.

Danielle L Zecher said...

Those are great pictures! I've never been to any of those places, and they all look great.

Liz@ HomeandGardeningWithLiz said...

Oh what a great trip down memory lane! I enjoyed reading your story and the pictures! I’d love to go to Martha’s Vineyard! I’m getting my first vaccine on Monday!

Victoria Zigler said...

You've been on some amazing trips. Glad you have those memories to look back on. Hope it will soon be safe enough for you to make more.

Sherry's Pickings said...

i would so love to go to japan one day. but i think my long distance flying days are over. we are so far away from everywhere here in australia. we have been to holland and loved it. And belgium and Denmark ...

Stevenson Q said...

Dear Dear Jeanie! You brought me around the world and to some of my favorite places ever! Thank you so much for this desk trip, I really enjoyed it so much!

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