Penguin Friends Forever

Two years ago, I bonded with a group of amazing people on an unlikely adventure. I knew volunteering at SANCCOB, a seabird rehabilitation center outside of Cape Town, South Africa, would be an experience, but I had no idea I would make lifelong friends and two years later reconnect with three of them – Laura, Eve, and Annmarie – in their home countries. Here is the picture diary of our reunion:

(Housekeeping update: Post on the conference is coming. I am still processing the experience.)

I thought it would be appropriate to start with pictures of us from two years ago.

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From left to right: Angela, Laura, Clarise, Annmarie, Carly, Lauren, Becky.

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From left to right: Lindsay, Lauren, Laura, Marie, drawing a blank on the two gentlemen, Eve, Carly

At noon on Thursday, I met Laura and Eve at the Oxford train station. Seeing friends from two years ago was a bit surreal, but also oddly normal. Because we are able to stay in touch through Skype, Facebook, WhatsApp, etc. I did not have the same sense of ages passing since we had talked. This allowed us to fall into very typical conversation: plans for after university, recent movies, Britain vs. American-isms. Nevertheless, it was a pleasure sit across the lunch table and converse as though this was an everyday occurrence.

Laura took us to a delicious local spot.
Laura took us to a delicious local spot.
Reminds me of the Ben and Jerry's cow.
Reminds me of the Ben and Jerry’s cow.
You know if there is ice cream, I am happy. Thanks Laura's mom for treating us to a treat!
You know if there is ice cream, I am happy. Thanks Laura’s mom for treating us to a treat!

After lunch, we took a stroll around Oxford. I had heard from one of the conference attendees that parts of the Harry Potter movies were filmed at Christ Church College, so we directed our walk on that knowledge.

Christ Church College
Christ Church College
I think this was a better photo.
The visit would not be complete without a group photo.
Traveling down the river like this is called punting. Team yellow struggled for quite a while.
Traveling down the river like this is called punting. Team yellow struggled for quite a while.
Goose!
Goose!
The front of Christ Church College
The front of Christ Church College

Just a few hours after reuniting, we went our separate ways. Next stop, North Wales and Annmarie Rebecca Dodd!!!

Nifty three in one hand cleansing station at one of the train stations. (The weird things tourists take pictures of.)
Nifty three in one hand cleansing station at one of the train stations. (Weird things tourists take pictures of, exhibit 1.)
Admiring the countryside
Admiring the countryside
I knew I was in Wales when I started to see signs with both Welsh and English
I knew I was in Wales when I started to see signs with both Welsh and English
The seaside and sunset - a two for one :)
The seaside and sunset – a two for one πŸ™‚
I wasted no time on our first picture. We are still at the train station.
I wasted no time on our first picture. We are still at the train station.
Annmarie showed me the pier in her university town.
Annmarie showed me the pier in her university town.
Tide was definitely out.
Tide was definitely out.
We made a quick stop at the grocery store. This is always a fun adventure in foreign countries. (Weird things tourists take pictures of, exhibit 2.)
We made a quick stop at the grocery store. This is always a fun adventure in foreign countries. The “extra” makes this shop kind of like a Walmart with clothes, TVs, school supplies, etc. (Weird things tourists take pictures of, exhibit 2.)
I made Annmarie take a picture with me in the cake isle at Tesco extra because almost two years ago to the day, I had said goodbye to her and Lauren in the cake isle at the Table View Pick'n'Pay. This was like making amends.
I made Annmarie take a picture with me in the cake isle at Tesco extra because almost two years ago to the day, I had said goodbye to her and Lauren in the cake isle at the Table View Pick’n’Pay. This was like making amends for a very rushed goodbye.
Next stop, her mom's pub!
Next stop, her mom’s pub!
Enjoying some local-ish brew and had fun meeting Annmarie's boyfriend Billy who works at the pub.
Enjoying some local-ish brew and had fun meeting Annmarie’s boyfriend Billy who works at the pub.
What I was drinking.
What I was drinking. (This might qualify in the weird tourist picture category.)

After the pub, we retired for the evening and had plans for a full day on Friday.

Naturally we should start the day with breakfast. Smoothies and eggs are power foods.
Naturally we should start the day with breakfast. Smoothies and eggs are power foods.
It was fun to see royal baby celebration on the main street.
It was fun to see royal baby celebration on the main street.
After breakfast, we took a short stroll on the beach.
After breakfast, we took a short stroll on the beach.
Naturally I had to put my feet in the water.
Naturally I had to put my feet in the water.
The world wind surfing championships are held here each year. That means I was standing on championship sand!
The world wind surfing championships are held here each year. That means I was standing on championship sand!
Our next tourist destination was the second longest word in the world train station. Annmarie filmed me trying to say it, I'll have to present that later ;)
Our next tourist destination was the second longest word in the world train station. Annmarie filmed me trying to say it, I’ll have to present that later πŸ˜‰
I kind of wish our national symbol was a dragon.
I kind of wish our national symbol was a dragon.
American sweets in the long word shop.
American sweets in the long word shop.
Lucky Charms are a Big Deal.
Lucky Charms are a Big Deal.
Next tourist stop was a photo overlook of the Menai bridge.
Next tourist stop was a photo overlook of the Menai bridge.

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Carly: "Will you take our picture?"
Carly to Stranger: “Will you take our picture?”

After breakfast, the beach, long word, and the bridge, we traveled to the National Zoo of Wales.Β In theory, I think it is a bit odd to visit a zoo on vacation, but in practice, I have done it several times. There is some attraction that I cannot explain. At any rate, we attended all of the activities: Chimp Encounter, Seal Training, and Penguin Parade (of course!), and we saw almost all of the animals. It was a jolly good time.

 

After the zoo, we went to the nearby seaside town to have a quick look around.

Welsh Rock, a candy treat. It's not chocolate, so that's a pretty big hurdle to overcome, but it does have local appeal.
Welsh Rock, a candy treat. It’s not chocolate, so that’s a pretty big hurdle to overcome, but it does have local appeal.
Found one with my name on it!
Found one with my name on it!
Always ready to take a goofy picture.
Doing my bunny impression.

We also found an unexpected difference between the US and the UK: gambling. We visited a small “arcade” that had games of chance to win money. Based on what Annmarie said, these are common and there is not the same level of regulation that we have in the US. I also explained the US version of an arcade only includes games where you can win tickets to buy prizes, but not actual coins. The wonders of traveling abroad! We lost the ten pence Annmarie provided, but it was good fun.

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Our money before it was gone. (Weird things tourists take pictures of, exhibit 3. Also, they let me take a picture?)
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Next stop, the great Orme – watch out for the sheep!
The Orme is the highest point in the area.  I'm a little fuzzy on the details, but Snowdonia (across the water) does not count because it is a mountain range.
The Orme is the highest point in the area. I’m a little fuzzy on the details, but Snowdonia (across the water) does not count because it is a mountain range.
Hillside stone art across from the Orme.
Hillside stone art across from the Orme.
On our way out of town, we visited a Victorian style seaside pool which was only recently reopened. Like the ocean, it was a touch too chilly for me.
On our way out of town, we visited a Victorian style seaside pool which was only recently reopened. Like the ocean, it was a touch too chilly for a swim.

After a full day, we traveled back to Rhosneigr for dinner with Billy at a delicious restaurant on the main street. My brie, cranberry, and mushroom wellington was delicious and the chocolate fudge cake was too good for words (or pictures, as it was gone before I thought to take one).

More than satisfied, we ventured back to Annmarie’s house to use the internet for some trip planning, then it was time for bed.

In the morning, we had a short lie in before returning to Annmarie’s house for a shower and a family introduction, then it was off to the train station. We moved quickly because there was a train leaving at 10:18 and the next was not until just after 11:00, either would have been fine, but the earlier one would give me a touch more of the day in London. Thankfully we were granted many green lights and little traffic. I hopped on board with only a few moments to spare, but little time for goodbyes. It was the cake isle in South Africa all over again! But perhaps there is something to be said for not dwelling on the departure, after all, it is only a temporary separation πŸ™‚

My poor attempt at a final picture before the train pulled away.
My poor attempt at a final picture before the train pulled away.

See you in America in two years (or sooner) Annmarie!

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