It's been a busy week. Asked by my previous-life working-time boss to go to a meeting in his stead, I was happy to help out. I did understand that quite a bit of travel would be involved and that I'd probably be happy to arrive back home again.

So, at 19:30 on 26th July I left NZ for Los Angeles on the first leg of my journey to Rome, Italy. (I put Italy there because I know that there is probably one in the States and I didn't want to confuse any American readers). :)

 Hi, Los Angeles. And after a couple of short hours, goodbye, too!

 This was the view from the top of the FAO building, my meeting venue  where we had our lunch. The long clear area is the Circus Maximus. The flat-topped trees surrounding it are Pinus pinea and produce the pine nuts used in your pasta. The ruins to the right are those of the Palatino,  some of the most ancient ruins of the city of Rome. Unfortunately, this was as close as I got to these examples of civilization's early history.

 This was the view for 31 hours of my 3-day stay in Rome.

Rome to Singapore to Auckland to Nelson. Sounds simple but mother nature decided to put me in my place and cloak the Nelson Airport with a narrow band of fog, necessitating a diversion to Woodbourne RNZAF Base in Marlborough and a two-hour bus ride back to Nelson.

Move over Phileas Fogg - around the world in 6 days, 3 hours and 50 minutes.