Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Sightseeing (08/08/05)
-
TITLE: A Trip of Life Time | Previous Challenge Entry
By Marcell Billinghurst
08/14/05 -
LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
SEND A PRIVATE COMMENT
ADD TO MY FAVORITES
As I traveled throughout parts of America, I had the privilege of spending time with my Canadian cousin and her family. I met two of my fellow FaithWriters and experiencing the wonderful Southern Hospitality of one of these lovely families and talked with another friend on the phone. I had the opportunity to share about my life, faith, Australian Culture and the talents God has given me. God blessed this time and I made many wonderful new friends. I also had the privilege of working with one of my friends on a new venture.
Much of the landscape and trees I saw was quite spectacular, as I travelled throughout America. Seeing the beautiful Maple, Hickory and Dogwood trees, as I travelled throughout North Carolina, and the Smokey Mountains in Tennessee. I enjoyed going out for a meal with my friends to an Outback Steakhouse, finding many Australian artefacts and phrases there. I had the privilege of staying on a houseboat with my friends, for a time of peace and relaxation on Lake Loudon, several days before flying to Canada.
While spending time with my lovely Irish aunt and Canadian cousins, I stood in awe at Niagara Falls, as we saw and heard thunderous applause of the falls, as they fell in a sheer drop to the depths below, reflecting the majesty and power of God. My aunt and I enjoyed getting to know each other, going shopping and seeing the sights of Toronto. There were times of joy and sadness, as we talked about my Uncle, who passed away last year. I wanted to meet him all my life, but it was not meant to be.
Arrived in England to spend two weeks with my mother’s twin brother and my aunt. Enjoyed getting to know my cousins for the first time. Walked around the town of Windsor with one of my cousins and saw Windsor Castle. Visited Fishbourne Roman Palace learning more about the Roman occupation in England, and had a great family day out at Longleat Safari Park. Going to the docks at Portsmouth with my aunt and some of my cousin’s, we saw the Mary Rose Museum and the Mary Rose Warship wreck, and went over the HMS Victory, where Captain Nelson served and was killed. Taking the train to London, my aunt and I spent the day seeing many of the tourist sites. These included the Tower of Big Ben, and the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace. Caught a double decker red bus and travelled the city on a guided tour with a complimentary trip up the Thames River before going back to their home. Thankfully I was back in Australia, long before the London Bombings occurred.
Travelled by train to Macclesfield, meeting my English pen friend, for the first time in forty years. I spent nearly three weeks with my friend and her lovely family and went to many National Trust places; I came home with a lovely woven silk scarf from the Silk Museum. We spent two days in the beautiful Lakes District together, before calling into Morecambe where my mother was born and grew up. I took pictures of her family home and school as a link with the past.
We spent two days touring North Wales, while staying with my pen friend’s husband’s parents. Their home overlooked Conway Castle and the town of Conway where the smallest house in Great Britain can be found. I found houses in England and North Wales to be quite different in structure to what we have in Australia. They have narrow winding lanes and dry stonewalls in many places and beautiful Rhododendrons.
I travelled around the world and had the time of my life. I saw different styles of worship, but the thing I found blessed me most was the wonderful welcome, Christian love and sense of belonging, I received from so many. I was abundantly blessed. Memories of this special time will linger forever.
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
If you died today, are you absolutely certain that you would go to heaven? You can be right now. CLICK HERE
JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.
described in such a kind way.Your article was the best.