tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48628158150409741692024-02-19T08:42:34.695-08:00Blue Moon Southbound from AlaskaWe are writing these blogs for the benefit of others who find themselves fighting Cancer against the odds. The older posts are from our previous life of Cruising in the Pacific. We designed Blue Moon for our honeymoon, built her in our back yard and left New Zealand in 95. After 16 years of this idyllic lifestyle, our lives took a turn when Rob was diagnosed with an extremely aggressive cancer. We returned to NZ in 2011.Blue Moonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08268925472328600892noreply@blogger.comBlogger62125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862815815040974169.post-11344796107066741662018-06-05T19:53:00.000-07:002018-06-05T20:34:25.269-07:00What did we learn?<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdNU0RXV8bBekWYsih4968uu6tR-6X3HHBxMJIb13xSGKozue3pm6I21ZVS5Hv2oakWEXwf3JL6u6yJ-_EDi8pWI9mUMgjNw5FtkIkeeX6QFfJ77oS5SYtGFU_Zm237gLEKcfHeuJWlvA/s1600/IMG_1792.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdNU0RXV8bBekWYsih4968uu6tR-6X3HHBxMJIb13xSGKozue3pm6I21ZVS5Hv2oakWEXwf3JL6u6yJ-_EDi8pWI9mUMgjNw5FtkIkeeX6QFfJ77oS5SYtGFU_Zm237gLEKcfHeuJWlvA/s320/IMG_1792.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Always look on the bright side of life</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Dear
Friends<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Today marks
the 10<sup>th</sup> month since Rob’s death. I have not felt that I was able to
write this blog entry until now. However, in the time since Rob passed away in
August, many more of my friends have either passed away or been diagnosed with
cancer. So I feel it is important to summarize what Rob and I learned from his
7 year experience fighting the disease, in case others may benefit from this. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">First,
please do not think that because he died, his treatment was a failure. Remember
that his cancer was aggressive when it was found, and that he was able to live
through 3 subsequent stage 4 diagnosis. Not only that, but his quality of life
was good. He was not in pain, and he had enough energy and motivation to build
our house in NZ. He confounded the doctors by reducing tumor growth several
times, and after Rob died, his oncologist made a point of communicating to me how
much he admired Rob for what he did.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Here is
what we felt was the most effective strategy in Rob’s fight against cancer. I
have written a lot about what he did and why through this blog. If you would
like more information please feel free to contact me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">ITS IN THE HEAD<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Many of the
alternative practitioners we consulted urged meditation. How we respond to
stress is up to us, and this is the hardest lesson to learn. Although he had
been practicing meditation and reiki in various forms for years, it was mostly
on ‘fighting’ the cancer. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the last
few months he gained an attitude of acceptance of self, and healing his own
anger. Rob was at peace when he died, and final weeks were a joy to all those
around him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">NUTRIENTS AND POISONS <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Gut health,
detoxification, and supplementation are really important to maintain a healthy
immune system. Rob had a food sensitivity test to determine those substances
that his body would reject (ie cause inflammation). He maintained a LOW GI,
HIGH ALKALINE diet. He focused on fresh vegetables, probiotics, protein (not necessarily
meat) and superfoods (such as vitamin C and spirulina) needed to keep the
immune system healthy. Removing toxins (through colonic irrigation, liver
cleanse) and eliminating their sources (ie processed foods and additives, and
foods grown with chemicals or hormones) was also critical. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">EXCERSISE<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">There is
now a lot of research around exercise as a treatment/preventative for cancer, particularly
for hormone based cancers. This was a big part of Rob’s daily regime, and his
determination to regain his health with hikes up the mountain behind our house.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p>Rob's final week was a celebration of his life. His characteristic sense of humor was in full bloom, and he could be heard singing "Always look on the bright side of life" at any time of the day or night. He continued his daily walks, and loved to go out to ocean beach to watch the waves, which he did the day before he died. We also visited Blue Moon just a few days before. He passed peacefully at 4 pm 6 August 2017. Coincidentally, the ships clock was stopped at 4.00 when I next went aboard.</o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p>I am very grateful for the support of Rob's family during those last weeks, the professional and caring assistance from Hospice, the messages of support </o:p></span>from so many friends around the world, making Rob feel so loved in his final weeks, and also the wonderful community of friends who surround me here that did so much for both of us during that time, and continue to light up my life. </div>
<br />Blue Moonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08268925472328600892noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862815815040974169.post-67120930407624940702017-03-18T18:27:00.004-07:002017-03-18T18:39:08.470-07:00The roller coaster continues – March 2017<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZF8yD8V8cPBHJ6-mlFUeAtNe-Xi7rG4GnQtOYk2YtyyRY3_xYlLGUjELnH7uQp7KN0I1ZqKtbHajLl1wMVPJ_oykwT2B1ZD1354uFDYHUTnGBTwj1k7FCc3HBHSKjuz9ZMsPhHxbcKRw/s1600/IMG_20170226_104627.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZF8yD8V8cPBHJ6-mlFUeAtNe-Xi7rG4GnQtOYk2YtyyRY3_xYlLGUjELnH7uQp7KN0I1ZqKtbHajLl1wMVPJ_oykwT2B1ZD1354uFDYHUTnGBTwj1k7FCc3HBHSKjuz9ZMsPhHxbcKRw/s320/IMG_20170226_104627.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Rob’s last update was about 6 months ago, just after he had
his annual CT scan, which showed fantastic reduction in the size of the tumors.
His PSA had reduced from 320 to 7.6 in that year (see the previous posts below
for the protocol he was following). He had put on weight, was eating and
breathing normally – all good!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Since then we have unfortunately proved once again that the
effects of stress can be directly translated into disease. Rob’s PSA spiked
from 7.6 in July to 26 in September. During this time the stress of dealing
with yet another complaint from the neighbour and the subsequent process and
expense of complying with council to keep my business operating took its toll. After
several months of this, we received a legally binding version of consent and,
better still, the hideous neighbors have moved away. So we put all that behind
us and took 6 weeks away on Blue Moon over Christmas to recover. We had a
lovely relaxing holiday in the Whangaroa Harbor, exploring waterfalls, hiking, gathering
shellfish, and generally chilling out. Just what we both needed!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz4BkwPb59qOW0XNu3kFLI5mgpp2famxCkPwenKJvnP7OXYvBKuKiEufE0-ZTeemjqfIqVVd12m_e6NMTbtJWwYUl8OBrIVugj7nkwPB1hEzMoG2USkgTniFq0_sSJUrPMLZNWg2HU9q0/s1600/IMG_20161225_060907.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz4BkwPb59qOW0XNu3kFLI5mgpp2famxCkPwenKJvnP7OXYvBKuKiEufE0-ZTeemjqfIqVVd12m_e6NMTbtJWwYUl8OBrIVugj7nkwPB1hEzMoG2USkgTniFq0_sSJUrPMLZNWg2HU9q0/s320/IMG_20161225_060907.jpg" width="179" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Whangaroa Harbour</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc8l6XlEvSUa3j4UH_suPXe8tkOzWnKTGf6lz_cq-B9H3XoZjvyvBxVLBHpuWWV-NpSGKI4W4O0wm4Y8jVxunkchvIvLz4iMfkE4a5xjs-4ljquE-ObMtz1Ov60kN1RMDzg1-Fb-QIA_4/s1600/IMG_20161229_123618.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc8l6XlEvSUa3j4UH_suPXe8tkOzWnKTGf6lz_cq-B9H3XoZjvyvBxVLBHpuWWV-NpSGKI4W4O0wm4Y8jVxunkchvIvLz4iMfkE4a5xjs-4ljquE-ObMtz1Ov60kN1RMDzg1-Fb-QIA_4/s320/IMG_20161229_123618.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the top of Dukes Nose</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNzIqSQl2uLrEbhtu1ytDPW6YSH0jFhcEIpNqsO-W8Af6lu2sR3bWU5IV4eD_Bv9wodtxYqHitzu6GHUyt3HJeGZ9Z1_hFf8RGIrulb2wwLY3lJ114DHoC1bFmda4z_4evtRtEBxpyRMw/s1600/IMG_20170102_174821.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNzIqSQl2uLrEbhtu1ytDPW6YSH0jFhcEIpNqsO-W8Af6lu2sR3bWU5IV4eD_Bv9wodtxYqHitzu6GHUyt3HJeGZ9Z1_hFf8RGIrulb2wwLY3lJ114DHoC1bFmda4z_4evtRtEBxpyRMw/s320/IMG_20170102_174821.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisp4YF9luIDNXznUknMCLme6OprzJDn4qD6qWUrnewO4K-1qtNdxt7KJ0De82CmxvG6X0_ozR0gPrskE-fontFqUQ_O_bNggL-FDSKWiLD8xEDTaIKY5g_QwpzASvKhO_V7GdbQI3LZbw/s1600/IMG_20170114_083610.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisp4YF9luIDNXznUknMCLme6OprzJDn4qD6qWUrnewO4K-1qtNdxt7KJ0De82CmxvG6X0_ozR0gPrskE-fontFqUQ_O_bNggL-FDSKWiLD8xEDTaIKY5g_QwpzASvKhO_V7GdbQI3LZbw/s320/IMG_20170114_083610.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<h1>
Treatment August 2016 to March 2017<o:p></o:p></h1>
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With the spike in Rob’s PSA to 26 in September, he reluctantly
decided to take the mainstream option and began a course of Abiraterone (the
latest cancer drug) and Prednisone. This halted the runaway PSA but, as the
oncologist said during our last visit, was like applying a hand brake to a car
parked on a hill. Eventually it will cease to become effective. The PSA reduced
only marginally before it started climbing again. Rob sees no point in taking a
drug that is not effective. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
He had also been having intravenous vitamin C. He
experimented from high dose twice weekly, to minimal amounts. The downside of
the treatment was losing 2 days each time (one sitting in the clinic and the
day after feeling washed out).</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaU9H64GkB1JwJqoZxX_FwGsnptYLGR-BxGekSCcI9qzaMyocdN7DjlRdr8yEZ7MUSfqhWoE-FTvcjdsg-TAYxJSc2FvSA3K_QXdoUin_bshyphenhyphenge6-P5FSsgi4ftJwr8s0tH_oy-d6Hqeg/s1600/psa.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaU9H64GkB1JwJqoZxX_FwGsnptYLGR-BxGekSCcI9qzaMyocdN7DjlRdr8yEZ7MUSfqhWoE-FTvcjdsg-TAYxJSc2FvSA3K_QXdoUin_bshyphenhyphenge6-P5FSsgi4ftJwr8s0tH_oy-d6Hqeg/s1600/psa.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chart of Rob's PSA</td></tr>
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Aside from the PSA, the rest of his blood work continues to
improve, showing healthy organs and bones. He feels well, has plenty of energy
and is quite capable of the demanding hikes around our area. (Peach cove track
has 834 steps, Mt Manaia 1094 and he regularly climbs Mt Aubrey at 422 about 3
times a week).<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC8JIsbgyiSEmv1-_QnxAocdxICEuIb5MsO-Cp0G6bC5F0clX2XT76AJpQVRYlYKPivPswlRbolskf9jbC8ZVzYYem0BtNpk9xIrTeQSlqGdM18zusD0m5H-260_xI2PpcNkiKihjeHR8/s1600/rob+13+mar+2017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC8JIsbgyiSEmv1-_QnxAocdxICEuIb5MsO-Cp0G6bC5F0clX2XT76AJpQVRYlYKPivPswlRbolskf9jbC8ZVzYYem0BtNpk9xIrTeQSlqGdM18zusD0m5H-260_xI2PpcNkiKihjeHR8/s320/rob+13+mar+2017.jpg" width="179" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">subcutaneous lesions March 2017</td></tr>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The most disconcerting symptom is the crop of subcutaneous lesions
which have appeared on his chest. Just before Christmas, he investigated
radiation but found he was not a candidate as they are too extensive. He has
been treating them topically with frankincense oil.<o:p></o:p></div>
<h1>
What to do now<o:p></o:p></h1>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
During our holiday, Rob took a break from the intravenous
vitamin C (which would have meant twice weekly travel back to Whangarei). He
tried a couple of doses when we got back but the benefits were inconclusive and
the fatigue afterwards was more than previously. It seems whatever treatment
Rob tries, it seems to work for a while but the cancer finds its way around it
eventually.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
In the past few months Rob has been turning more towards
meditation and healing himself. We have read some excellent books on how the
brain can heal the body, and the science around neuroplasticity. He has been
following a site called <a href="https://www.cancertutor.com/start-here/" target="_blank">the cancer tutor</a>, which he highly recommends.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Rob has also decided to try changing his diet again –
mainly vegan, following the <a href="http://www.budwigcenter.com/the-budwig-diet" target="_blank">Budwig </a>protocol. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Unfortunately he is losing weight as it is difficult to
get sufficient calories for him on this diet. We are still fine tuning his diet
to prevent the weight loss. It will be interesting to see the results of the
blood tests at the end of March after he has been drug-free for a month.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Thank you all for sending your positive thoughts and
prayers. The support of friends and family, and my clients during the council
turmoil, means everything to us.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7o1L_svYx_LXSZPcQJ8lRf4cq3GvbECT88JFa9JsY-Jd9bQO4DnvqB7tVrx2-wzyRqLE1KemG55XbVchw99u72pxMhl2awfqFZk6RfeLeMeDrK6d9vUrrf6wnUxhoyYqDv__zhPFv31g/s1600/IMG_20170122_095544.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7o1L_svYx_LXSZPcQJ8lRf4cq3GvbECT88JFa9JsY-Jd9bQO4DnvqB7tVrx2-wzyRqLE1KemG55XbVchw99u72pxMhl2awfqFZk6RfeLeMeDrK6d9vUrrf6wnUxhoyYqDv__zhPFv31g/s320/IMG_20170122_095544.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<b>Go Rob!</b></h2>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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Blue Moonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08268925472328600892noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862815815040974169.post-66130359058294834862016-08-19T16:03:00.000-07:002016-08-19T16:11:52.799-07:00Update from Rob Aug 2016<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSwjpO-6KIoZlzVqyBNvdb8WaIPQChSR8GreMHwG1GAUTNlbwHSduB1AKeYfYKaThj9luc4Z-rmp2zPhtY9aWfjVd_k35vd8WB9bKjGLuf6r0SRxKEi65T0OJsQnFLdssgzL7849PDE6A/s1600/Rob+july+2016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSwjpO-6KIoZlzVqyBNvdb8WaIPQChSR8GreMHwG1GAUTNlbwHSduB1AKeYfYKaThj9luc4Z-rmp2zPhtY9aWfjVd_k35vd8WB9bKjGLuf6r0SRxKEi65T0OJsQnFLdssgzL7849PDE6A/s320/Rob+july+2016.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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In April I posted my last blog about the remarkable
recovery Rob has made from stage 4 cancer (please read below). The good news is
he has continued to improve, feeling good most of the time, and defying the
predictions of his doctors. We are writing these blogs for the benefit of
others who find themselves fighting against the odds. It has been a tough
journey, but it’s not over yet. <o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p></div>
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<h1>
The Results - 12 month comparison<o:p></o:p></h1>
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Here is what Rob has achieved:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->PSA steady at 7.6 after a peak of 321 one year
ago<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->All other blood work normal<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Weight steady at 70kg from a low of 52kg<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Eating normally after being unable to swallow
anything but smoothies for several months<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Exercising daily, including 2-4 times per week
up a 500m mountain behind our house, without becoming breathless – last year at
this time he could not manage 500m on flat ground without stopping several
times.<o:p></o:p></div>
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</span></span><!--[endif]-->Working at normal tasks all day without resting
– last August he spent most of his day resting.<o:p></o:p></div>
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</span></span><!--[endif]-->His recent CT scan shows <o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "courier new"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]-->All
the metastatic lymph nodes are approximately half the size of the previous scan
last year (he has these in his abdomen, pleural cavity, neck and around the
aorta)<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "courier new"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]-->previously
identified ascites and pleural effusions (fluid) are all clear now<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "courier new"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]-->previously
noted extensive bone cancer is now showing a healing response (scar tissue)<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "courier new"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]-->new
lesion on one adrenal gland, however this area was obscured by the swelling of
other metastatic nodes last time so it may have already been there<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->new multiple subcutaneous cancer lesions around
his left upper chest<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Development of a hiatus hernia giving reflux
(not cancer related)<o:p></o:p></div>
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All this has been achieved without any chemo drugs or
radiation. Rob’s only ‘medication’ has been dexamethasone, an anti-inflammatory
steroid. The remainder of his regime has been natural therapies, notably an
alkaline diet, exercise, intravenous vitamin C and Salvestrol. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN43sEOtlksT3Qy2r9nqz5XoT9Cbefb2FC2XkeX0PAOgAZ8XOXBzgNeMTPEmnSXK1j0aKUKhyphenhyphenDnf9uJIP202XkMJT0FivwZTc_htkkjhXpqfZkjuI4QHJqYZX1qNknBRpCKwIqljb43SY/s1600/liver+flush+aug2016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN43sEOtlksT3Qy2r9nqz5XoT9Cbefb2FC2XkeX0PAOgAZ8XOXBzgNeMTPEmnSXK1j0aKUKhyphenhyphenDnf9uJIP202XkMJT0FivwZTc_htkkjhXpqfZkjuI4QHJqYZX1qNknBRpCKwIqljb43SY/s200/liver+flush+aug2016.jpg" width="111" /></a>He has done the Liver
and Gallbladder Flush twice (read <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Amazing-Liver-Gallbladder-Flush/dp/0976571501" target="_blank">The Amazing Liver and Gallbladder Flush - Andreas Moritz</a>)
This is an amazing photo of the results the last one just a week ago. This was
just one release of around 15 like this over 2 days. The 4 stones on the left
side are soft and the others are all hard as rocks.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
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<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
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<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
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Up until we received the CT report, Rob’s doctors had
suggested that Rob’s dropping PSA has been due to the orchidectomy, which has
starved the cancer of testosterone. However, they have agreed that the result
of the recent CT scan was ‘very impressive’ and ‘astonishing’ and that they
could not attribute it to the orchidectomy alone. So clearly the natural methods
are having a positive impact on Rob’s health.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<h1>
Changes to his protocol in the past 6 months<o:p></o:p></h1>
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Rob has continued to focus on natural remedies, and <span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">is </span>replacing his <span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Dexamethasone</span> with a
turmeric supplement for the anti-inflammatory properties. His Dex dosage has reduced
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">from 1.5 mg </span>in April to
.25mg now and he is hoping to drop this in the near future. <o:p></o:p></div>
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A significant change has been his diet. After taking an
IGG blood test (see <a href="http://foodsensitivitytesting.co.nz/" target="_blank">food sensativity testing</a> and <a href="http://whyretreat.com/contact-us/" target="_blank">contact me</a> for a discount code if you are interested in taking this test) he discovered a high inflammation
response to wheat and a medium response to a number of other foods, notably egg
and dairy. His is now completely wheat free and has limited his egg and dairy
intake. He has also cut out as much sugar as possible from his diet, including
fruit (he had been eating only natural sugars since diagnosis). He has been
focusing more on vegetarian meals with very occasional red meat.<o:p></o:p></div>
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To try to get on top of the new cancer lesions he will be
taking intravenous vitamin C treatments twice weekly for the next 6-12 weeks. <o:p></o:p></div>
<h1>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX68A6cxXVmlPj7QXOYmcqJ0t4K7GT1E80ZRlIA2JQLp93K2wXaS2H1CZo6STrx10qOngs_E0crOfNJ602n_FQwbKb-1hOSVu3WBzadzDtiIoNZrdEmBGMeFw6zOGu1ZctH1DrNUtXRMs/s1600/rob+aug+2016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX68A6cxXVmlPj7QXOYmcqJ0t4K7GT1E80ZRlIA2JQLp93K2wXaS2H1CZo6STrx10qOngs_E0crOfNJ602n_FQwbKb-1hOSVu3WBzadzDtiIoNZrdEmBGMeFw6zOGu1ZctH1DrNUtXRMs/s320/rob+aug+2016.jpg" width="179" /></a>Setbacks<o:p></o:p></h1>
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<br /></div>
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Rob has had some setbacks along the way. He has been
prone to injury while building up his weakened muscles, and these have slowed
down progress physically as well as mentally. Its hard not to think the worst
when he has a pain in his back, for example. He also developed a hiatus hernia
which made eating extremely painful. The doctors rushed him off for a
gastroscopy, and ordered the CT scan, which all showed a perfectly normal
health complaint that was easily treated with a short course of medication. More
worrying is a crop of new lumps across his chest, which the doctors have agreed
are likely to be cancer. These are just under the skin, so not really affecting
anything at the moment. Here is a photo of them.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<h1>
Where to from here<o:p></o:p></h1>
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Traditional medicine has nothing to offer at present.
They are keen for Rob to keep doing what he is doing and monitor progress.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Rob’s natural therapists are concerned that the cancer is
still there, and want to attack it more aggressively with intravenous vitamin C.
None of the natural therapies are funded, so the cost of the additional
treatment is going to be around $2000 per month. If anyone is willing to help
out I have lots of cool stuff you can purchase – gift vouchers for massage,
yoga, retreats or accommodation, hand-
made crystal and pearl jewellery, tshirts and pre WW2 glass fishing floats. Please <a href="http://whyretreat.com/contact-us/" target="_blank">email me</a> to find out more.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<h1>
Rob’s regime August 2016<o:p></o:p></h1>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">4 am<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Take 3
salvesterol capsules<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 84.75pt;" valign="top" width="113"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">5.30<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 365.55pt;" valign="top" width="487"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Reiki
treatment and lymphatic brushing<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 84.75pt;" valign="top" width="113"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">6-7<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Noni
juice<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Fresh
lemon juice in warm water with “Turmeric Plus” supplement (1 teaspoon)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Yoga
and meditation<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 84.75pt;" valign="top" width="113"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">7<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 365.55pt;" valign="top" width="487"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Take 2
salvesterol capsules<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
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<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 84.75pt;" valign="top" width="113"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">7.30<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Breakfast
– 1 poached egg (per week) or avocado on gluten free toast<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Supplements
– immunity fuel (probiotic), glutamine, Good Green Stuff, Clean Lean Protein
powder, liposomal Vitamin C 1000mg, 1 tsp baking soda in warm water<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
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<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 84.75pt;" valign="top" width="113"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">12<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Lunch –
salad, chicken or fish (3-4 times per week), goats cheese, avocado, 1 piece
of fruit, 1 bliss ball (see <a href="http://whyretreat.com/coconut-oil-recipes/" target="_blank">recipes </a>)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Supplements
– mineral complex, vitamin B complex, Omega 3 and 6, , liposomal Vitamin C
1000mg, herbal concoction from naturopath (various depending on state of
health- see previous blog note 6) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Medication
– Dexamethasone .25 mg (see previous blog note 7)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 84.75pt;" valign="top" width="113"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">4.00<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 365.55pt;" valign="top" width="487"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Smoothie
– coconut milk, flax oil, Clean Lean Protein powder, plus seasonal greens or
aloe vera for reflux <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 84.75pt;" valign="top" width="113"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">5.00<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 365.55pt;" valign="top" width="487"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">walk<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 365.55pt;" valign="top" width="487"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Snack
on nuts if hungry<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 84.75pt;" valign="top" width="113"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">7.00<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 365.55pt;" valign="top" width="487"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Dinner
– mostly vegetarian, alkalizing foods (see previous blog note 2)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Supplements
– mineral complex, cod liver oil, liposomal Vitamin C 1000mg<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 84.75pt;" valign="top" width="113"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">8.30<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 365.55pt;" valign="top" width="487"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Far
Infrared Sauna (30 Min)- Every second night<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 84.75pt;" valign="top" width="113"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">All day<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 365.55pt;" valign="top" width="487"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">In
addition to drinking around 1.5 litres of water throughout the day,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">1 litre
of water with borax and magnesium (see previous blog note 8)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 84.75pt;" valign="top" width="113"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Intravenous
vitamin C<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 365.55pt;" valign="top" width="487"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">75
grams (see previous blog note 9) – For the next 6 weeks he will have this
twice weekly (he had been taking fortnightly treatments)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div>
<h1>
Thank you<o:p></o:p></h1>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
We are continually grateful for the support of family and
friends and the motivation that we receive from you!<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<h1>
More Information?<o:p></o:p></h1>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
If you have any questions about our blog feel free to
<a href="http://whyretreat.com/contact-us/" target="_blank">contact us by email</a>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
We are also available for personal consultations,
exercise or nutrition advice, and offer 3 to 7 day retreat vacations at<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: white;"> </span></span><a href="http://whyretreat.com/" target="_blank">WHYRetreat</a>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
Continue reading the previous blog for Rob's full story...<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
Blue Moonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08268925472328600892noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862815815040974169.post-19211694440915815612016-04-03T02:59:00.000-07:002016-05-15T22:02:27.600-07:00The Rebuilding of Rob<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
We have decided
to publish this blog to describe the journey we have both travelled since Rob’s
diagnosis of Advanced Prostate Cancer in June 2010. It is not meant as a
prescription for a treatment plan for others, but perhaps will give someone a
direction to start their own journey. There is always hope.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<o:p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY6_WyRaKT40FCVYqdOeJn62VaFImSpJDLXaMQJenNhZg4KoE7k8EEexwLlP8atcbQh5ruiV-ovUtoHh4IV_rt8Vxin-8iu23dBSzD30AL1ncBZrijSgPRvxHIRu7S7WabfwobGerN0XM/s1600/DSCF2788.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY6_WyRaKT40FCVYqdOeJn62VaFImSpJDLXaMQJenNhZg4KoE7k8EEexwLlP8atcbQh5ruiV-ovUtoHh4IV_rt8Vxin-8iu23dBSzD30AL1ncBZrijSgPRvxHIRu7S7WabfwobGerN0XM/s320/DSCF2788.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rob on Mt Manaia March 2016</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</o:p></div>
<h3>
The diagnosis<o:p></o:p></h3>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
What goes through your mind when the doctors use words
like ‘you’ve drawn the short straw’ or ‘you are not long for this world’ or
‘you know it will kill you’? Seriously? Rob has heard all of these words. At
the beginning it sent us both into a tailspin. As time wore on, with every
small win, we took another step forward. After such a hard road traveled
against the odds, the diagnosis in August 2015 that it had metastasized
through his entire lymph system, was blocking his digestion and surrounding his
lungs and threatening to close off his aorta came as a shock. Everyone thought
they knew – Rob was dying. Only one dear friend pulled me out of my melancholy
when she took me kayaking around the bay as Rob lay on his deathbed. She said ‘
I am just waiting to see what Rob does next’. And she alone was right.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM2KiI5FRHwdSazy12m7COABYbLLScHqlgo-dG4ZUhgE1Mdvl4p0AWExATW1fqaAq-SoJjCJVk3Ga3vVrghpa9t7GmU991OEV4JOb40TB8E_Muyv9841fXrFUZdb3jqZzVFyFJnySJYZA/s1600/rob+aug.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM2KiI5FRHwdSazy12m7COABYbLLScHqlgo-dG4ZUhgE1Mdvl4p0AWExATW1fqaAq-SoJjCJVk3Ga3vVrghpa9t7GmU991OEV4JOb40TB8E_Muyv9841fXrFUZdb3jqZzVFyFJnySJYZA/s320/rob+aug.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Aug 2015 - <span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Rob in hospital, </span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">sense of humor i</span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">ntact, posing for Mr Puniverse. Lymph nodes in his neck clearly visible. Rob lost another 7 kilos after this.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDH8QK_O-32zeFYJMHpPRIDaUFfgma2h9mVhhoKKjfIVGuvj0b-5NTFPjnB6RWVBDOYrRq2C4e9Uhjn32xxLOPzxKJ6kJUJR9xkEJ5CCY3oOYZlmsU-tAPDDBhqAYjwhChtVEDr0LhFng/s1600/rob+feb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDH8QK_O-32zeFYJMHpPRIDaUFfgma2h9mVhhoKKjfIVGuvj0b-5NTFPjnB6RWVBDOYrRq2C4e9Uhjn32xxLOPzxKJ6kJUJR9xkEJ5CCY3oOYZlmsU-tAPDDBhqAYjwhChtVEDr0LhFng/s320/rob+feb.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Feb 2016 - after the rebuild.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Today I saw a<a href="http://www.canoesmarshallislands.com/" target="_blank"> facebook post </a>from the Marshal Islands, one of my favorite
places. The words in the mural are translated -</div>
<div style="border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt;">
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<strong><span style="color: #6b6b6b; font-family: "helvetica neue" , serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">The words on
the wall</span></strong><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
Likit peim ioon menono ne
am, kwoj ke enjake? Etan mene ej wun kwoj mour rainin kon wun ko, kon men in
jab epwer. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0cm;">
Place your hand over your
heart, can you feel it? That is called purpose. You’re alive for a reason, so
don’t ever give up.<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Rob went through
a lot of trial and error since his original diagnosis in 2010. He has been told he was
at the end of the road 3 times now. Each time he recovered, we thought we had
found the regime that would keep him healthy. Unfortunately the cancer returned
more aggressive each time. This week was a milestone - we received a copy of
the report from his oncologist essentially discharging him with a
‘commendation’. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
The question on
everyone’s mind is ‘what did he do?’ So here we will set out the stages and
steps. I have referenced notes to add depth and clarity when necessary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<h3>
The first rebound<o:p></o:p></h3>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
At the initial
diagnosis (2010), the cancer had already spread to his lymph system, and was a Gleason
10 with a PSA of 31 (footnote 3). We
researched the internet to learn about the disease, and any natural remedies
there might be. We mainly found out about diet, the importance of lymph system (footnote
1) and baking soda. We took the doctors’ advice and Rob had extensive radiation
therapy on his pelvis and prostate for 6 weeks, and was put on a testosterone
blocking drug which he took by injection every 3 months. At the same time,
based on the research, he cut out sugar, preservatives, meat, dairy products
and toxins (footnote 2). I began a regime of lymph brushing for him, along with
a reiki treatment every morning. He was on a whole host of supplements which
may or may not have been helpful. We discounted the baking soda – too bad
because this turns out to be really important.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
The diagnosis
was made in New Zealand when Rob was visiting family. I was in Canada, also
visiting family and Blue Moon (our home) was moored in El Salvador. I joined
Rob in NZ and we spent 6 months there for his treatment. When he was well
enough to travel, we returned to Blue Moon, and sailed from El Salvador to
Mexico before doing the ‘puddle jump’ back to NZ. We arrived back a year after
treatment had finished. Rob was feeling good and his PSA had remained less than
0.05 which meant the blocking drug was working. We felt our ‘natural’ regime
had helped him to make such a good recovery.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Back in NZ, Rob
began building our house. We had come up with a plan to create a health retreat for ourselves and others. We already had the land, a small block in an area which has its own special energy and beauty. <a href="http://whyretreat.com/" target="_blank">WHY Retreat</a> was born.<o:p></o:p></div>
<h1>
Time Line<o:p></o:p></h1>
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-insideh: .5pt solid windowtext; mso-border-insidev: .5pt solid windowtext; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184; width: 441px;">
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt; mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;">
<td nowrap="" style="border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64"><h2>
Date<o:p></o:p></h2>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64"><h2>
PSA<o:p></o:p></h2>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 234.5pt;" valign="bottom" width="313"><h2>
milestone<o:p></o:p></h2>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 1;">
<td nowrap="" style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: right;">
Jul-10<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: right;">
31<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 234.5pt;" valign="bottom" width="313"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Diagnosis advanced prostate cancer<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 2;">
<td nowrap="" style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: right;">
Aug-10<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: right;">
38.6<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 234.5pt;" valign="bottom" width="313"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Radiation treatment started,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Zoladex – antiandrogen medication <o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 3;">
<td nowrap="" style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: right;">
Sep-10<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: right;">
5.4<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 234.5pt;" valign="bottom" width="313"></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 4;">
<td nowrap="" style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: right;">
Oct-10<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: right;">
1.5<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 234.5pt;" valign="bottom" width="313"></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 5;">
<td nowrap="" style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: right;">
Nov-10<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: right;">
0.45<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 234.5pt;" valign="bottom" width="313"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Radiation treatment finished<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 6;">
<td nowrap="" style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: right;">
Feb-11<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: right;">
1.22<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 234.5pt;" valign="bottom" width="313"></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 7;">
<td nowrap="" style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: right;">
Mar-11<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: right;">
0.83<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 234.5pt;" valign="bottom" width="313"></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 8;">
<td nowrap="" style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: right;">
Sep-11<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: right;">
0.05<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 234.5pt;" valign="bottom" width="313"></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 9;">
<td nowrap="" style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: right;">
Nov-11<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64"></td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 234.5pt;" valign="bottom" width="313"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Blue Moon back in NZ<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 10;">
<td nowrap="" style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: right;">
Feb-12<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: right;">
0.05<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 234.5pt;" valign="bottom" width="313"></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 11;">
<td nowrap="" style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: right;">
May-12<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: right;">
0.05<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 234.5pt;" valign="bottom" width="313"></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 12;">
<td nowrap="" style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: right;">
Jul-12<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: right;">
0.05<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 234.5pt;" valign="bottom" width="313"></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 13;">
<td nowrap="" style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: right;">
Sep-12<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64"></td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 234.5pt;" valign="bottom" width="313"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
start building house <o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 14;">
<td nowrap="" style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: right;">
Nov-12<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: right;">
0.05<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 234.5pt;" valign="bottom" width="313"></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 15;">
<td nowrap="" style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: right;">
Feb-13<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: right;">
0.21<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 234.5pt;" valign="bottom" width="313"></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 16;">
<td nowrap="" style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: right;">
May-13<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: right;">
1.5<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 234.5pt;" valign="bottom" width="313"></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 17;">
<td nowrap="" style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: right;">
Jun-13<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: right;">
2.3<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 234.5pt;" valign="bottom" width="313"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Bicaludimide – antiandrogen
medication added<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 18;">
<td nowrap="" style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: right;">
Jul-13<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: right;">
1.2<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 234.5pt;" valign="bottom" width="313"></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 19;">
<td nowrap="" style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: right;">
Aug-13<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: right;">
1.4<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 234.5pt;" valign="bottom" width="313"></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 20;">
<td nowrap="" style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: right;">
Nov-13<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: right;">
2.1<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 234.5pt;" valign="bottom" width="313"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Various antiandrogen medications
tried<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 21;">
<td nowrap="" style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: right;">
Feb-14<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: right;">
4.4<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 234.5pt;" valign="bottom" width="313"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
stop all drugs<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 22;">
<td nowrap="" style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: right;">
Mar-14<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: right;">
6.7<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 234.5pt;" valign="bottom" width="313"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Red Blood Cell crash<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 23;">
<td nowrap="" style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: right;">
Apr-14<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64"></td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 234.5pt;" valign="bottom" width="313"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
began detox, baking soda<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 24;">
<td nowrap="" style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: right;">
May-14<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: right;">
19.2<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 234.5pt;" valign="bottom" width="313"></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 25;">
<td nowrap="" style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: right;">
Jul-14<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64"></td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 234.5pt;" valign="bottom" width="313"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
finish building house<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 26;">
<td nowrap="" style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: right;">
Sep-14<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64"></td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 234.5pt;" valign="bottom" width="313"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
hospitilized with pain<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 27;">
<td nowrap="" style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: right;">
Oct-14<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64"></td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 234.5pt;" valign="bottom" width="313"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Homeopathy treatment began<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 28;">
<td nowrap="" style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: right;">
Feb-15<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: right;">
190<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 234.5pt;" valign="bottom" width="313"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
weight loss, digestion fail<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 29;">
<td nowrap="" style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: right;">
Jul-15<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64"></td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 234.5pt;" valign="bottom" width="313"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
stress!<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 30;">
<td nowrap="" style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: right;">
Aug-15<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: right;">
315<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 234.5pt;" valign="bottom" width="313"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
hospitilized with pain<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 31;">
<td nowrap="" style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: right;">
Sep-15<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: right;">
320<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 234.5pt;" valign="bottom" width="313"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Orchiectomy, intravenous vitamin c,
salvesterol<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 32;">
<td nowrap="" style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: right;">
Oct-15<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: right;">
115<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 234.5pt;" valign="bottom" width="313"></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 33;">
<td nowrap="" style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: right;">
Nov-15<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: right;">
105<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 234.5pt;" valign="bottom" width="313"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Began immunity fuel<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 34;">
<td nowrap="" style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: right;">
Dec-15<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: right;">
75<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 234.5pt;" valign="bottom" width="313"></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 35;">
<td nowrap="" style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: right;">
Jan-16<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: right;">
47<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 234.5pt;" valign="bottom" width="313"></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 36;">
<td nowrap="" style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: right;">
Feb-16<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: right;">
21<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 234.5pt;" valign="bottom" width="313"></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 37;">
<td nowrap="" style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: right;">
Mar-16<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: right;">
10.7<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 234.5pt;" valign="bottom" width="313"></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 38; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td nowrap="" style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: right;">
Apr-16<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 48.0pt;" valign="bottom" width="64"><div align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: right;">
8.8<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 15.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 234.5pt;" valign="bottom" width="313"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
Climbed Mt Manaia<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<h3>
Hormone Refractory stage <o:p></o:p></h3>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
A year after we
arrived back in NZ, Rob’s PSA had started to climb. (footnote 3). After
subjecting Rob to some unsuccessful drug experimentation, the doctors
proclaimed he was yet again at the end of the road. Rob decided to scrap the
medical advice and go it alone. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Briefly, the
main areas that Rob worked on then were:<span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-NZ;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
1. Detox (remove
heavy metals, petrochemicals, pesticides etc that have accumulated and avoid
adding new toxins –drugs included) Remove root canal and mercury fillings. <a href="http://www.fishpond.co.nz/Books/Amazing-Liver-and-Gallbladder-Flush-Andreas-Moritz/9780984595440?gclid=CIeog4GS9MsCFdgmvQodx1sJ5A" target="_blank">Liver and gallbladder flush</a> and colonic irrigation (be careful - your body must be strong enough to withstand these aggressive detox therapies). Organ support is also essential in this phase - homeopathy works well.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
2. Diet – eat
clean and maximise nutrient value (footnote 2)<span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-NZ;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
3. Gut health –
2 areas here – most of the body’s immune system cells are generated in the gut;
and toxins can result if food is not being digested properly as it putrefies.<span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-NZ;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
4. Alkalize –
Cancer can’t live in an alkaline environment and all inflammation is acid.
Baking soda and diet are the main treatments that brought his PH from 6 to 7.<span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-NZ;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
5. Exercise –
oxygen kills cancer<span style="font-family: inherit;">.<o:p></o:p><span style="line-height: 107%;">We have another hypothesis which has no basis in science. Men build
muscle using testosterone. Rob has none of his own now (after the orchiectomy)
any yet he has put on a significant amount of muscle mass. Prostate cancer
feeds on testosterone, and has the ability to manufacture its own in the
hormone refractory stage. So is Rob starving the cancer by exercising to build
muscle mass?</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
6. Mind over
matter – this should be number 1. Whether
you think you can beat it or you think you can’t beat it, you are right.<span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-NZ;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
7. Supplements –
there are a million cancer cure supplements on the market. Some work really
well, some may work for one person and not for others. Nothing stood out in
this period.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">8.
Intravenous vitamin C. A trained practitioner needs to advise on this. The
antioxidant properties have been proven to combat cancer. (see note 9)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">We
decided to stop having his PSA tested because it was becoming stressful to see
it rise. He was feeling well and things seemed to be going well for about 6
months, then he began having pain in his side. One awful night we took him to
hospital with it, but they were unable to diagnose anything. After the maximum
dose of morphine didn’t touch it they sent him home. From here he found a
homeopath who diagnosed internal shingles, and the treatment relieved the pain.
However, 6 months later his weight was dropping, he had completely lost his
appetite, and his PSA was an alarming 190. The doctors were still unable to
diagnose anything, let alone provide a treatment plan. We plodded along with a
ridiculous number of supplement bottles on the kitchen sink, smoothies, saunas,
ozone treatments, you name it. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">He was holding his own, but only just.</span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<h3>
Stress, the killer<o:p></o:p></h3>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The end of the road came again in
August 2015, after a heavy dose of stress. There are many studies to support the effect of
stress on our health and I have a <a href="http://whyretreat.com/stress-response-in-the-brain/" target="_blank">blog </a>on my web page about it. Just when we thought we had set up a nice business for the future with our yoga
studio and B&B, a complaint to the council threatened to shut us down. Not
only would this have a disastrous effect on our financial situation, it would
also mean that the work and love Rob had poured into the project for the past 3
years would have been for nothing. This took months to sort out. Rob was unable
to sleep, spending his nights redesigning things and pouring through
regulations and building codes looking for whatever fine print we might have
missed during our planning stages. After hiring a consultant to help us liaise with
council, it turned out there was no issue and we were left to carry on as
we had been doing. But the process involved took its toll on Rob. He was
hospitalized again when he stopped eating or drinking, was unable to breathe if
he lay on his back, and had lumps in his neck the size of a fist. A CT scan
confirmed his cancer had taken over, his Red Blood Cell count had crashed, and
many other blood markers indicated he was in poor health. He was sent home and
Hospice was called in.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjwOZ2-fh0C-tJkDT1XsbckxOsnlcf0wuH9gBAt5ccahaZ5RKv4Ui3ou3lfFIcVH9TEtus12gyE6TW0YlOMx3VGi3IZirhjFiM17olMvI9L6DFNtjBYdAaZ7Igaoq1kuTXt8XvkmxTICE/s1600/rob+aug2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjwOZ2-fh0C-tJkDT1XsbckxOsnlcf0wuH9gBAt5ccahaZ5RKv4Ui3ou3lfFIcVH9TEtus12gyE6TW0YlOMx3VGi3IZirhjFiM17olMvI9L6DFNtjBYdAaZ7Igaoq1kuTXt8XvkmxTICE/s200/rob+aug2.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aug 2015 - Awaiting biopsy on nodes in neck. Blood supply to the tumors visible on his chest.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1d8w1wGRMHDQ7rRbBycZGogeQWuGrpFb8UVO8X7DtH4YdWxF9wJ9ys54M8F0m63fwssY5Cry9heisxbd0ji80E0sYuLp2oVSirllJuarDFvjlsnG_n9rySETrPbv54jenrHElIW1tzHg/s1600/rob%2527s+lumps.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1d8w1wGRMHDQ7rRbBycZGogeQWuGrpFb8UVO8X7DtH4YdWxF9wJ9ys54M8F0m63fwssY5Cry9heisxbd0ji80E0sYuLp2oVSirllJuarDFvjlsnG_n9rySETrPbv54jenrHElIW1tzHg/s200/rob%2527s+lumps.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">close up of the lumps Sept 2015</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIuyfT0HiIDbq3G92sfp1kV0He4xcPJ6v0IFeK6yMcNnBJRhLAstU-U_DG5dJUdgC7XcQ1jkGBYVv1pb8G3JWYrteWGRHVuUFVrPLlZo9ZFvz5oosloUPbTop2EFJjRU7_aB5d0ICp_tY/s1600/DSCN0729.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIuyfT0HiIDbq3G92sfp1kV0He4xcPJ6v0IFeK6yMcNnBJRhLAstU-U_DG5dJUdgC7XcQ1jkGBYVv1pb8G3JWYrteWGRHVuUFVrPLlZo9ZFvz5oosloUPbTop2EFJjRU7_aB5d0ICp_tY/s200/DSCN0729.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">May 2016 </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<h3>
Phase 3.<o:p></o:p></h3>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Rob
says he was lying in bed one day and thought to himself ‘I either have to die
or get out of bed’. By then his weight had dropped from 70 to 52 kg. His butt
was just a pelvic bone with a flap of skin hanging off it. He need both hands
to lift a water jug. But he was determined. He used the staircase as his
rehabilitation since he had to pee every couple of hours, and our toilet is
downstairs. So up and down he went, counting the steps – up to 100 every night.
He decided he needed a project and set about building himself a workshop.
Mentally this was a huge incentive, because it meant that he expected to be
able to use it in the future for Blue Moon’s projects. Before long he got back
to his morning yoga, and then began taking walks. We would drive him to the
flat road by the beach and he would walk down as far as he could (about 500
meters) then I would pick him up again. Easter weekend, just 6 months later, he
achieved a milestone of climbing Mt Manaia behind our house (elevation 400 meters).
The track includes 1400 steps in the steepest sections. He does 40 push ups and
a full yoga practice in the morning. He is 69kg, the lumps in his neck are pea
sized, his PSA has come down from 320 in August to 8.8 on 1 April and all his
other blood results are normal. </span><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<h3>
Rob’s current regime<o:p></o:p></h3>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Rob still eats
fresh and helathy but has incorporated small amounts of animal protein in his
diet now. He gets intravenous vitamin C and is taking a supplement called
Salvestrol (footnote 4) which is working well for him BUT he did all of the
above first which gave it a good foundation. It is a sensitive product which
has a lot of inhibitors so it will not work in a toxic, acid person. Also it
has a specific protocol that must be followed. He also takes a probiotic called
Immunity Fuel (footnote 5) which he credits for returning his appetite and
digestive health.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
A typical day
for Rob looks like this:<o:p></o:p></div>
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableGrid" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 84.8pt;" valign="top" width="113"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
4 am<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 366.0pt;" valign="top" width="488"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Take 3
salvesterol capsules<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 84.8pt;" valign="top" width="113"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
5.30<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 366.0pt;" valign="top" width="488"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Reiki
treatment and lymphatic brushing<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 84.8pt;" valign="top" width="113"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
6-7<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 366.0pt;" valign="top" width="488"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Fresh lemon
juice in warm water<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Noni juice<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Yoga and
meditation<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 84.8pt;" valign="top" width="113"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
7<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 366.0pt;" valign="top" width="488"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Take 2
salvesterol capsules<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 84.8pt;" valign="top" width="113"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
7.30<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 366.0pt;" valign="top" width="488"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Breakfast – 2
poached eggs on toast<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Supplements –
immunity fuel, glutamine, Good Green Stuff, Clean Lean Protein powder,
liposomal Vitamin C 1000mg, 1 tsp baking soda in warm water<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 84.8pt;" valign="top" width="113"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Mid morning<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 366.0pt;" valign="top" width="488"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Snack on fruit
if hungry<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 84.8pt;" valign="top" width="113"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
12<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 366.0pt;" valign="top" width="488"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Lunch – salad,
chicken, cheese, avocado, fruit<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Supplements –
mineral complex, vitamin B complex, Omega 3 and 6, , liposomal Vitamin C
1000mg, herbal concoction from naturopath (various depending on state of
health- see note 6) Turmeric<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Medication –
Dexamethasone 1.5 mg (note 7)<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 84.8pt;" valign="top" width="113"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
4.00 <o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 366.0pt;" valign="top" width="488"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Smoothie –
kale, cucumber, watermelon, coconut milk, flax oil, Clean Lean Protein
powder, brazil nuts, quark<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Or banana and
almond butter sandwich<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 84.8pt;" valign="top" width="113"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
5.00<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 366.0pt;" valign="top" width="488"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
walk<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 84.8pt;" valign="top" width="113"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
7.00<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 366.0pt;" valign="top" width="488"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Dinner –
mostly vegetarian, alkalizing foods (note 2)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Supplements –
mineral complex, cod liver oil, liposomal Vitamin C 1000mg<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 84.8pt;" valign="top" width="113"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
8.30<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 366.0pt;" valign="top" width="488"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Turmeric drink
(coconut milk, turmeric, ginger,
pepper)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Far Infrared
Sauna (30 Min)- Every second night <o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 84.8pt;" valign="top" width="113"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
All day<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 366.0pt;" valign="top" width="488"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
In addition to
drinking around 1.5 litres of water throughout the day, <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
1 litre of
water with borax and magnesium (see note 8)<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 84.8pt;" valign="top" width="113"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Monthly<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 366.0pt;" valign="top" width="488"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Intravenous
vitamin C – 65 grams (note 9)<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<o:p> </o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;">A
book could be written on each part of Rob’s journey. It seems that each person has to find their
own path as everyone has a different set of circumstances. The best thing is
for the person to do their own research and do what resonates with them. This
helps them to take ownership of their own health which is essential in the
process of healing (the mind is your best medicine).</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-NZ;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyujkaCbHUfBnVcompWZSXdQQtkPbQBNVD6y1p4LFghOmySly7G4MY8YHr24LRcKTol2UvV_HvyS3qttBiodmmTXMm5jmmroS7jzR6gKDYQxvAMxVQmoDjAdTReEVnIGRL1ZuUdKS5pSY/s1600/DSCN0144.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyujkaCbHUfBnVcompWZSXdQQtkPbQBNVD6y1p4LFghOmySly7G4MY8YHr24LRcKTol2UvV_HvyS3qttBiodmmTXMm5jmmroS7jzR6gKDYQxvAMxVQmoDjAdTReEVnIGRL1ZuUdKS5pSY/s320/DSCN0144.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mt Manaia - elevation 400m (1400 steps to the top)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
<h3>
FOOTNOTES:<o:p></o:p></h3>
<div>
<div>
1.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>The lymph system is of vital importance, and it is essential to understand how it works. I posted a blog on the <a href="http://whyretreat.com/lymph-system-and-the-role-of-diet/" target="_blank">WHY Retreat</a> web page which explains our thinking from the early diagnosis.</div>
<div>
2.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Our thinking on diet initially was about eating fresh and healthy, limiting animal protein, sugar and other toxins such as preservatives, colourings and flavourings. When we learned about the importance of an Alkaline diet, we began following the 80/20 rule and now try to keep Rob’s saliva and urine PH 7-8. See this list of <a href="http://greenopedia.com/alkaline-acid-food-chart/" target="_blank">acid and alkaline foods</a>. </div>
3.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) is the standard blood test to determine any problems in the prostate. It’s normal level is around 4. Of more interest is the PSA Doubling time which indicates how aggressive the problem is. A doubling time of less than 1 year ususally indicates cancer. Prostate cancer is treated by blocking the body’s testosterone which feeds the cancer. <span style="line-height: 107%;">This
can be done through drugs, which keeps the PSA at less than 0.05. As the cancer
progresses it becomes hormone refractory and begins manufacturing its own
testosterone. Rob had minimal testosterone but his PSA was doubling every 4 to
6 weeks once he became hormone refractory. The alternative to drugs is surgical
removal of the testicles (orchiectomy) which Rob had in Sept 2015</span></span>.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyr603LP9XhyXacvOXdoD89YB07z8YHYLCjEI08RKIPLC1ThonEsXROTNrlHwz8h9VaTOPAUM1M2lWrK-pUZMgMgdlSj7tLYPeK_V6sUDlq6Bi5SyYzRP9KzJ7jcUR3BBXx3e0xEGNxRc/s1600/psa+chart.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyr603LP9XhyXacvOXdoD89YB07z8YHYLCjEI08RKIPLC1ThonEsXROTNrlHwz8h9VaTOPAUM1M2lWrK-pUZMgMgdlSj7tLYPeK_V6sUDlq6Bi5SyYzRP9KzJ7jcUR3BBXx3e0xEGNxRc/s320/psa+chart.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chart of Rob's PSA</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div>
4.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Once the doctors had determined that Rob’s cancer had metastasized to his entire lymph system and was heading into his bones, they suggested a palliative drug called Abiraterone which they hoped might settle things down for a few months. Coincidentally the scientist who developed this drug also found that the compound exists in nature. Rob decided to take this natural product instead, <a href="http://salvacare.co.nz/" target="_blank">Salvesterol</a>, rather than the drug. However, he kept the protocol for Abiraterone, which is zero testosterone (hence the orchiectomy) and complemented with a steroid (Rob was prescribed Dexamethasone). The Salvacare book recommends exercise to deliver the enzymes, and specific timing for taking the product as well as a strict diet regime. It is important to follow the advice of the company rather than just expecting to pop a pill and solve the problem.</div>
<div>
5.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>A friend recommended a probiotic product called <a href="http://www.immunityfuel.co.nz/" target="_blank">Immunity Fuel </a>which Rob believes helped to get his gut working again. Since the gut is the major organ for dealing with toxins, it makes sense that it is necessary to have this working properly. Rob wrote a testimonial for the company <i>"My prostate cancer had reached stage 4 in August 2015. I weighted just 52 KG and had a PSA of 320. Despite the previous 18 months of detoxing and immune support, my lymph system was found to be totally clogged with tumors to the point that I was unable to eat solid food at all and had no appetite. I was prescribed a number of medications to assist me to eat but none were effective. I prefer to follow a natural health regime and found 2 products that I feel helped turn around my cancer. I began taking Immunity Fuel 2 times per day and within a couple of weeks began to enjoy my smoothies and eat some solid food. I also take Salvestrol, a product that reportedly causes cell death in cancer. Now (Feb 2016) I have a great appetite and am eating 3 meals per day. I have gained 12 kilos, and my PSA is 21. I have a good energy level and feel fit. I am sure the Immunity Fuel has helped to stabilize my immune system, and helped me to recover my appetite." </i></div>
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6.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Since embarking on the natural route in February 2014, Rob had been to many natural health practitioners. Muscle testing, and bioresonance has worked well for him to help determine the herbs and dosages that he needs. These are constantly changing as his body moves into a new phase. </div>
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7.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Dexamethasone is a steroid which Rob takes to help combat the inflammation in his lymphatic system. As the cancer cells die off, the lymph nodes have been shrinking (they are clearly palpable in his neck to monitor progress). In keeping with his efforts to stay on a natural regime, he has been reducing the dose of the Dex and replacing it with turmeric and other natural anti inflammatory herbs. He started off at 8mg in Sept and is currently on 1.5mg (April).</div>
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8.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Trace elements are of vital importance in the cell metabolism. Rob takes a mineral complex as well as magnesium. Another anti inflammatory and anti fungal agent is Borax. Rob follows the regime from <a href="http://www.health-science-spirit.com/borax.htm" target="_blank">Walter Last</a> </div>
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9.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Intravenous vitamin C has been proven effective against Cancer. Rob tried a few doses of it when he first began his natural regime, but it is expensive and didn’t feel any immediate benefit. Since September he has been taking regular treatments. They started weekly and increased the dose to the maximum for his body weight. He now takes monthly treatments, with high dose lyposomal vitamin c between treatments.</div>
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<h3>
Other Useful LINKS<span style="font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-language: EN-NZ;"><o:p></o:p></span></h3>
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A comprehensive
list of alternative treatments is found on <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_unproven_and_disproven_cancer_treatments" target="_blank">Wikipedia</a>. They all state that there
is no scientific evidence to prove that they are effective against cancer. Rob
has tried many of these, with varying results. It’s great to have the entire
list in one place. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
A wealth of
information can be found on <a href="http://www.health-science-spirit.com/" target="_blank">Walter Last’</a>s site </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Good Books to
read –<br />
<a href="http://salvacarenz.myshopify.com/collections/shopfront/products/salvestrols-natures-defence-against-cancer" target="_blank">Salvestrols</a> </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br />
<a href="http://drsircus.com/" target="_blank">Dr Sircus</a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Amazing-Liver-Gallbladder-Flush/dp/0976571501" target="_blank">The Amazing Liver and Gallbladder Flush</a> - Andreas Moritz</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<h2>
EPILOGUE<o:p></o:p></h2>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-NZ;">Experiencing
a health crisis teaches us many lessons, for both the one who is sick and the
caregiver. You can’t plan for the future and it is pointless going over what we
should/could/would have done, so living in the present moment becomes the only
option. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-NZ;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
We are both deeply grateful for the support of our family
and friends, and all those who helped to lighten our burdens along the road to
recovery. We also are fortunate to have found some excellent health
practitioners who’s advice and therapies have been invaluable. Namaste.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqn83f1TkYxUq69kmrOhwhtnAsTzwuyx7AdJqfn3DYtgyHcSWYXVHkoNnjKWTxTmrwgn-20sxTNg_gC6jyli_55WrzIiBRNNWXsK50a-p0dF6V8z7uz3OEeseUMGOGMa1G5h-yCPPELDw/s1600/rob+feb2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqn83f1TkYxUq69kmrOhwhtnAsTzwuyx7AdJqfn3DYtgyHcSWYXVHkoNnjKWTxTmrwgn-20sxTNg_gC6jyli_55WrzIiBRNNWXsK50a-p0dF6V8z7uz3OEeseUMGOGMa1G5h-yCPPELDw/s200/rob+feb2.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Feb 2016 - WooHoo</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<h2 style="text-indent: 0px;">
More Information?</h2>
<div>
<span style="text-indent: -18pt;">If you have any questions about our blog feel free to contact us by email <a href="http://whyretreat.com/contact-us/" target="_blank">(please use this link)</a></span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We are also available for personal consultations, exercise or nutrition advice, and offer 3 to 7 day retreat vacations at <a href="http://whyretreat.com/" target="_blank">WHY Retreat</a>.</div>
</div>
Blue Moonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08268925472328600892noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862815815040974169.post-11706559036241521692013-11-10T01:15:00.001-08:002016-04-03T21:40:28.918-07:00One Year after arriving back in NZ<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPypEiS03ZOkPOdeClwj4qPBQ6PZWLDeDBI71bO25X9ctttvEzamGJwggnthoPIqQL9cxw68wr8NxVkpw2epg54m8y_GiDgWSi72CEMtgIxyPvIDHf-Pjyq8Pqd8Bm2XWF3viPZYxc5LQ/s1600/blue+moon+in+front.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" closure_lm_806235="null" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPypEiS03ZOkPOdeClwj4qPBQ6PZWLDeDBI71bO25X9ctttvEzamGJwggnthoPIqQL9cxw68wr8NxVkpw2epg54m8y_GiDgWSi72CEMtgIxyPvIDHf-Pjyq8Pqd8Bm2XWF3viPZYxc5LQ/s320/blue+moon+in+front.JPG" width="320" zsa="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blue Moon still waiting patiently.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjMV07ZLMi0zoYshH_MZTeif4o8anZaZK1tGwFbiet9WAM5pAFkhoe3XG4H_zoguoisW8DfDeeDRBB7HJzFQmXdRRhAO7ioKrpG8XHRTwxj2bxYYXUqSXwSRy33RuyobLBnAvfzXpgTAE/s1600/june+9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" closure_lm_806235="null" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjMV07ZLMi0zoYshH_MZTeif4o8anZaZK1tGwFbiet9WAM5pAFkhoe3XG4H_zoguoisW8DfDeeDRBB7HJzFQmXdRRhAO7ioKrpG8XHRTwxj2bxYYXUqSXwSRy33RuyobLBnAvfzXpgTAE/s320/june+9.JPG" width="320" zsa="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We are at the plastering stage now.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkVnh0i2p0KBzHQRTufmUq7Vdy8XCd07Laeu3kUTqeba9ry4Q4_OYJ-2E7aJysd7DTcQ19FtSZx5D1Q-hPh2wzakE0Gb3DA8OVheuaxUTgyMqUwLctEaT0FJKlcpnayUyN0jomcdNT3iY/s1600/rob.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" closure_lm_806235="null" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkVnh0i2p0KBzHQRTufmUq7Vdy8XCd07Laeu3kUTqeba9ry4Q4_OYJ-2E7aJysd7DTcQ19FtSZx5D1Q-hPh2wzakE0Gb3DA8OVheuaxUTgyMqUwLctEaT0FJKlcpnayUyN0jomcdNT3iY/s320/rob.jpg" width="320" zsa="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">some things never change</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUmMZ36jkUYenEIdxE0pT-AMXtscyg3OK8VxfqW9FNeqA73BXhg6CRJ6o4Lq4D3SpXquL7yUMya_ezq1Dr7FbDbf9LodETKMSlkv86av6c_6ORU6x3EYNPBgq3zlk9Mmmqfwa-5Iwm2Gg/s1600/manaia+mist.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" closure_lm_806235="null" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUmMZ36jkUYenEIdxE0pT-AMXtscyg3OK8VxfqW9FNeqA73BXhg6CRJ6o4Lq4D3SpXquL7yUMya_ezq1Dr7FbDbf9LodETKMSlkv86av6c_6ORU6x3EYNPBgq3zlk9Mmmqfwa-5Iwm2Gg/s320/manaia+mist.jpg" width="320" zsa="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mt Manaia watches over us.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="" zsa="true" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVgCCW0aouk65lGGGZ1h811XBwI1zzIOsO5oFwUAtMKlOyp7BPkHeHDucwXwS3tPUHGyZv-R3j8coff6J2olVNxam6D10Yr2H_WfkMSED362NSOHHnvOwmB70dYragpupT6waZyWFyPWo/s1600/jo+1b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" closure_lm_806235="null" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVgCCW0aouk65lGGGZ1h811XBwI1zzIOsO5oFwUAtMKlOyp7BPkHeHDucwXwS3tPUHGyZv-R3j8coff6J2olVNxam6D10Yr2H_WfkMSED362NSOHHnvOwmB70dYragpupT6waZyWFyPWo/s320/jo+1b.jpg" width="287" zsa="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Still loving my work as a <a href="http://www.whangareifitnessandyoga.com/" target="_blank">Personal Trainer</a> !</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Blue Moonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08268925472328600892noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862815815040974169.post-17761248492717589242012-12-22T13:38:00.001-08:002012-12-22T13:38:10.142-08:00Merry Christmas from Ocean Beach<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDMqCFAQRop8XeB1Nq4ThDc7h9l87CbetiLxOsE62rn7mMBRIGgPG3nNp-jaLRoVDjyDLziPAuVM9dMkVbs4NZBQLDQcDKFekokB5uHUF-Fi7ehSnoMrBBZaLOQs562md_NqYaUHVLz48/s1600/ocean+beach+sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" eea="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDMqCFAQRop8XeB1Nq4ThDc7h9l87CbetiLxOsE62rn7mMBRIGgPG3nNp-jaLRoVDjyDLziPAuVM9dMkVbs4NZBQLDQcDKFekokB5uHUF-Fi7ehSnoMrBBZaLOQs562md_NqYaUHVLz48/s320/ocean+beach+sm.jpg" width="279" /></a></div>
Blue Moonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08268925472328600892noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862815815040974169.post-90087918045771374562012-12-22T01:27:00.000-08:002012-12-22T01:27:39.175-08:00Summer Solstice<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7EWIk53tRr2DuYgu6RwY-jzCoGO5kcFKxjQjo060xQ0KRzHZ1E1f-JRcG___IMHG4Lqki4VILZVHCBEjmAQd9KNssOyQCOcEBIg4I_sepRj7XV5NL7b0kaM827ol1zRmr9Sj2iioRTa8/s1600/builing+sm.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" eea="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7EWIk53tRr2DuYgu6RwY-jzCoGO5kcFKxjQjo060xQ0KRzHZ1E1f-JRcG___IMHG4Lqki4VILZVHCBEjmAQd9KNssOyQCOcEBIg4I_sepRj7XV5NL7b0kaM827ol1zRmr9Sj2iioRTa8/s320/builing+sm.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Today it’s summer solstice in New Zealand, as well as the end of the Mayan calendar, and my ‘office’ hiked to the top of Mount Manaia for our Christmas party. Just across the road from our house, we have an unobstructed view of this spectacular rock as well as McLeod Bay below. I use the term ‘house’ loosely though, as in reality we live in a trailer, and progress on the building this year amounts to a concrete basement, which we variously refer to as our 85 square meter mooring block, the bomb shelter, or simply the bunker. Blue Moon sits patiently bobbing out in front, waiting for us to find the time to go sailing again. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEEVxRK4sPmN5qx3IG2Y22qGz2AI6AkCtlUytREPYOCe7AUEYhHJlA-7thg4Vz8sHvMWXEBFybb85TzTPWzoGHeYYUxMhRYo5DYbVocifIaZmFn2ADOAAMcrQUu056Ht3dsUs52fNDVbc/s1600/rutea+ridge+sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" eea="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEEVxRK4sPmN5qx3IG2Y22qGz2AI6AkCtlUytREPYOCe7AUEYhHJlA-7thg4Vz8sHvMWXEBFybb85TzTPWzoGHeYYUxMhRYo5DYbVocifIaZmFn2ADOAAMcrQUu056Ht3dsUs52fNDVbc/s320/rutea+ridge+sm.jpg" width="255" /></a></div>
I have been a Personal Trainer at Anytime Fitness since February, and find it both challenging and heaps of fun. Rob is busy with the building project, and we both spend most of our spare time turning the rocks, clay, weeds and bits of old farm rubbish around our place into a magical garden full of tranquil spaces for contemplation. Although we also use the term ‘garden’ loosely - years at sea have done nothing to improve our green fingers. We have found this special area to be a very healing place for body and soul, and hope to share this through the new Yoga Studio and Health Retreat that we are building here. It’s been great to see some of our friends here already, although the accommodation leaves something to be desired at the moment. We hope to have that end of things up and running by this time next year.<br />
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Blue Moonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08268925472328600892noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862815815040974169.post-48252053021070018572012-06-30T02:31:00.000-07:002012-06-30T02:31:30.997-07:00Winter SolsticeBlue Moon is back on her mooring after 56,000 miles of cruising. We have moved ashore for winter, but we can keep an eye on her from our property. Every day there is something new to look at from our windows. Its still just a trailer, but we hope to start building soon. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz9pjyqT1gRvV1FliQoKwacMqObGzW0kk5VzFXmfxw0X1nEFoCUwYSHr5xxFgU8leHPOUx6j4cXLzKQw4AUIl1R54jW_uCAtgsTj_lagJ0G5JBdleL3w9u9XlSOGawX5laNth7dbEUKuU/s1600/penthouse+may12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz9pjyqT1gRvV1FliQoKwacMqObGzW0kk5VzFXmfxw0X1nEFoCUwYSHr5xxFgU8leHPOUx6j4cXLzKQw4AUIl1R54jW_uCAtgsTj_lagJ0G5JBdleL3w9u9XlSOGawX5laNth7dbEUKuU/s320/penthouse+may12.jpg" vca="true" width="320" /></a></div>Blue Moonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08268925472328600892noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862815815040974169.post-30673913497646012912012-01-22T19:16:00.000-08:002012-01-22T19:16:51.853-08:00Back in New ZealandAfter 16 years of cruising Blue Moon is back in McLeod Bay. And celebrating....<br />
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AAARRR!! On Sunday Jan 22 thar be a gathering not to be missed!<br />
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It be 30 years since that old pirate Rob tied the clove hitch with his bride Jo, and the good ship Blue Moon was conceived in the pirate infested waters of the Caribbean (AAARRR). In celebration of the event, they be gatherin’ for a Sandbank party and piratical games at low tide on the McDonald Sandbank (that be the one in front of the Penthouse pirate cave in McLeod Bay). Thar be hardtak and grog, and some mighty fine pirates once the waters abated. Thar be a treasure chest full of prizes fer the games – treasure hunt, cannonball tossing, walk the plank and blow the man down. <br />
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Thanks be to the weather gods fer a fine afternoon, had by all. AAARRR!<br />
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Blow the man down...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG9QqoSZufjBGD1a6fZspAH9WWPKvIyGVQOkdAL_MJbs6b-6cENbR2HuYnnGpXHHyTiXvBf5I-xH-pTqCUIYBbYbIAx7s2DJG7T2PWdBqHqZyY4IBCnvUoJPyUkfGb8McseRH5F_48ZBE/s1600/treasure+chest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nfa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG9QqoSZufjBGD1a6fZspAH9WWPKvIyGVQOkdAL_MJbs6b-6cENbR2HuYnnGpXHHyTiXvBf5I-xH-pTqCUIYBbYbIAx7s2DJG7T2PWdBqHqZyY4IBCnvUoJPyUkfGb8McseRH5F_48ZBE/s320/treasure+chest.jpg" width="196" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Pirate and his Treasure...</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYTWIbklg0fHrh2HL6oX-4vAW2oDxABgbo504UzjA9UM0cA4sbKZKAR-q0z1iS2XwFQ0wgorBu6pU1nRS3pnnN50cDp0dyxq9pPEktIWUY49k3XZTQIQujMOfZccCAkKLDhtDaFES-WI0/s1600/pirate+and+treasure.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nfa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYTWIbklg0fHrh2HL6oX-4vAW2oDxABgbo504UzjA9UM0cA4sbKZKAR-q0z1iS2XwFQ0wgorBu6pU1nRS3pnnN50cDp0dyxq9pPEktIWUY49k3XZTQIQujMOfZccCAkKLDhtDaFES-WI0/s320/pirate+and+treasure.jpg" width="203" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">AAARRR the pirates cave be found under them thar hills....</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit455itJpxWq7pi8Kuvoa10Pb15jMjDz9cH3LuuZk00X1UOR6T_Rd7H3RCDTljqFIEmKU0jgCBI5xcUYmD2mkGVOsu45v0rUNbBlPxAVBhDcvpYb0mQLhLvaN9ODIgvU6MfnHyw3e8Sxo/s1600/pirate+party.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nfa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit455itJpxWq7pi8Kuvoa10Pb15jMjDz9cH3LuuZk00X1UOR6T_Rd7H3RCDTljqFIEmKU0jgCBI5xcUYmD2mkGVOsu45v0rUNbBlPxAVBhDcvpYb0mQLhLvaN9ODIgvU6MfnHyw3e8Sxo/s320/pirate+party.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Last to leave the sandbar at high water...</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim2LmyQL6G4qrqceeslzbh57wFF22EQFE5eMZObP0EVeylspqn0aY32y2xQ4HM4hr6BpQLenAg3cPLseGb2lg4X_6sNSJ95IZolj1aICyiGz0ncKw1QmbKP_rdsPdxx0y3u0nggQ445o4/s1600/last+to+leave.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nfa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim2LmyQL6G4qrqceeslzbh57wFF22EQFE5eMZObP0EVeylspqn0aY32y2xQ4HM4hr6BpQLenAg3cPLseGb2lg4X_6sNSJ95IZolj1aICyiGz0ncKw1QmbKP_rdsPdxx0y3u0nggQ445o4/s320/last+to+leave.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Blue Moonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08268925472328600892noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862815815040974169.post-34135302929785876702011-07-18T12:56:00.000-07:002011-07-18T12:56:43.211-07:00Farewell to French Polynesia<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXBWDc2wUXXll7IGrUK36Aq7SUDGGIkqPHz1XASQTMuHHV5O32O-ZvESo-wK95RQW0iaJavEtgsXjwA3hokgmcB0nV-Rai2L8nXR99NmEoXiYxnj1eQ_SAuQ4d27QNjrB18cq4fmhU_aw/s1600/love+seat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="273" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXBWDc2wUXXll7IGrUK36Aq7SUDGGIkqPHz1XASQTMuHHV5O32O-ZvESo-wK95RQW0iaJavEtgsXjwA3hokgmcB0nV-Rai2L8nXR99NmEoXiYxnj1eQ_SAuQ4d27QNjrB18cq4fmhU_aw/s320/love+seat.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Our time in French Polynesia is almost up which means we will have to move on from this amazing place. Most people would be ecstatic at the prospect of a 2 week holiday here, but for me the remaining time seems infinitesimal and I feel we have rushed through the whole country. If you have been able to keep up with us on http://www.sailblogs.com/member/bluemoonnz/ you will know that we spent a month in the Marquesas, a month in the Tuamotus and now our last month in the Society islands - each with many islands and very different from each other. Too much to see within the time constraints of our 3 month visa! <br />
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My most memorable experience in the Marquesas was the ‘tattoo’ I now have on 3 fingers as a result of a rather nasty bite from a Moray Eel. I was lucky it did not get infected, but nonetheless it was frustrating to be kept out of the water, especially while Rob was off snorkeling with manta rays. There was plenty to do on land, though, and the rock spires and pinnacles that these islands are famous for provided a visual feast. The most famous of these is at Fatu Hiva, in a place now named the Bay of Virgins. When the missionaries arrived, they renamed it from the original Bay of Penises, but as we watched the gyrating hips during the seductive dances here, it was clear that nobody was fooled.<br />
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The Tuamotus, just 300 miles away are quite a contrast with not a rock in sight. These sandy atolls barely rise above sea level, a ring of tiny islands of swaying coconut, surrounding impossibly blue lagoons. Finally my moray eel bite had healed, but now Rob was unable to enjoy the crystal clear water due to an infection under his toenail, as a result of just a tiny nick. It was not until he pulled the toenail off (eeewwww!) that it began to heal. I reassured him that he would not have enjoyed the snorkeling anyway, since there were always sharks present in these waters, something he is not comfortable with. I admit that my normal tolerance for these creatures was stretched and several times I retreated to the safety of my dinghy. I never tire of the gorgeous water colors in these atolls, and despite what some people say they not all the same. We visited 4, large and small, some uninhabited, and some with pearl farms. A fitting image as we sailed away was the last sliver of moon at sunrise, with the entire sphere outlined like a Tuamotus black pearl set on a gold crescent.<br />
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Tahiti was our first shopping stop since Mexico, and we were glad we decided to spend our time there right downtown. We were on the spot for the Hieva Festival events. Canoe races were held right in front of our boat, so we sat in our deck chairs on the wheelhouse roof to watch the ‘river’ of 140 canoes at the start line. Dance shows in the evening were a spectacle of fire, feathers, glittering mother of pearl and intricately woven coconut fibres. The scent of the brightly colored flower lays and elaborate flower crowns worn by the audience was intoxicating. One of the most moving experiences for us was the unveiling of a monument at the nuclear testing memorial site. We had no idea what was happening – we just heard drums at sunset and went along the waterfront for a look. A small well-dressed Polynesian crowd was gathered, and speeches were all in Polynesian so we understood little. Forty-four beautifully carved and painted drums were arranged in a circle. The drummers were oiled and tattooed, wearing traditional costumes with shell and feather headdresses. The sound of these amazing instruments reverberated right to my soul. Although the words were meaningless to us, the emotions were clear and we both felt something important was occurring around us. Later we read the inscription that dedicated this lovely wooden sculpture to those affected by nuclear testing. <br />
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The Heiva festival is winding down now, a month long event leading up to Bastille Day. The small, non-touristy island of Huahine was a great choice for the parade and dancing on the national day to party. It was a real community event, and a visiting group of professional dancers from Wallis livened up the show. We will spend a few more days here before finishing our travels in French Polynesia with a visit to Bora Bora. <br />
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We anticipate being back in New Zealand by the end of November, spending the remaining time in one of our favorite places, Tonga.Blue Moonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08268925472328600892noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862815815040974169.post-37338200568708929802011-05-18T00:29:00.000-07:002011-05-18T00:29:48.340-07:00Fatu Hiva and Ua Pou<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDK6UsbHL518B_77AEZsehJNsWkSkBOo4zcaGqzE6ZIRT51yUhxIzL3L0x5H24y6J1pamf8kTx_Mum9E7TUWY48IoIst776odNa5PKPropOWRQL5ZxTJUd-sjX9RuQgK5ccUJUoXIOECs/s1600/ua+pou.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="150" width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDK6UsbHL518B_77AEZsehJNsWkSkBOo4zcaGqzE6ZIRT51yUhxIzL3L0x5H24y6J1pamf8kTx_Mum9E7TUWY48IoIst776odNa5PKPropOWRQL5ZxTJUd-sjX9RuQgK5ccUJUoXIOECs/s200/ua+pou.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY8hkfMFXHjAzS3Zk57ZuKbu016Q3qWmzFeNqfG_KCjBLm3rpAhEMUi-24wdEPb_SzVlimEHRqHPGgI2-_KmObJ98wkJw8k4hboUaWUS08GS_2tjB7sM0kqCoRcGvr0zQIuTAhgt4DAR8/s1600/fatuhiva.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="116" width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY8hkfMFXHjAzS3Zk57ZuKbu016Q3qWmzFeNqfG_KCjBLm3rpAhEMUi-24wdEPb_SzVlimEHRqHPGgI2-_KmObJ98wkJw8k4hboUaWUS08GS_2tjB7sM0kqCoRcGvr0zQIuTAhgt4DAR8/s200/fatuhiva.jpg" /></a></div>Blue Moonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08268925472328600892noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862815815040974169.post-40241668754103257512011-05-18T00:10:00.000-07:002011-05-18T00:10:48.159-07:00On our way back to New Zealand. First stop - MarquesasWe arrived in Hiva Oa after a rather idyllic 18 day passage from Mexico. The only major event was almost killing Rob with a Portuguese Man of War when he jumped in to tighten up the rudder bearing which was vibrating loose whenever we went faster than 9 knots. This will tell you what sort of wind we had, at least for part of the trip. We had only a short patch of doldrums, one night of lightning and nothing big broke. Rob recovered from the jellyfish sting after massive doses of vitamin C and antihistamines.<br />
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After a few days exploring the island of Hiva Oa, we sailed south to Fatu Hiva. These islands are all made of volcanic rocks, which so remind me of Mt Manaia behind our little cow shed in New Zealand – on a grand scale! We never really saw the top of the mountain at Hiva Oa since it was always shrouded in mist. The striking pinnacle rocks around the anchorage at Fatu Hiva seemed like a birds of prey to me, watchful and a little bit menacing. One in particular reminded me of an owl. We swam in the pool at the base of an awesome waterfall there, where yabbies crawled up my legs in the shallows. Perhaps their timid nips made me complacent about snorkelling at Tahuata Island, our next stop. A possessive moray took exception as I reached out to touch a pencil urchin that was cunningly camouflaging his hole, and chomped down rather hard on 3 fingers. His jaws were like a vice, so thankfully he somehow missed my pinky altogether. The back molars sort of crushed the knuckle on my ring finger, and the long venomous fangs shredded my first two fingers pretty thoroughly. If this ever happens to you, remember bleach. I soaked the wounds in a diluted solution before sticking it all back together with steristrips. The doctor we saw yesterday admonished me for not leaving it open - apparently all bites are prone to infection and must not be stitched so they drain. I guess the bleach worked, since it seems to be healing ok so far. Having use of only one hand, the one that is not connected to my brain, I have not been able to do much. The next morning Rob was in swimming with manta rays that were circling the boat and I could barely even work the camera, relegated as I was to watch from the dry deck. It will be a few more days before I can get in the water. <br />
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From Tahuata we stopped at Hanamenu Bay on the north side of Hiva Oa hoping for a fresh water swim in a spring. Just as we were about to step into the surf to get ashore, a fin appeared beside the dingy. I had no desire for another encounter with toothy sea creatures, especially since this one was as long as the dingy and seemed to be following us. We emailed friends who we had hoped to meet in that bay to let them know why we had left in a hurry, and they sent a note back to say they had not let their little boy jump in to swim with a manta ray there because of our note. They later saw the shark when they tried to land their dingy and were glad of our warning. <br />
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We had only a short visit at Ua Pou Island, with its totally amazing visual feast of volcanic spires. It seems that all these places deserve a stay of several weeks to get to know them, but we have just a 3-month visa for the entire French Polynesia region, which includes the Tuamotus and Tahiti. Our last stop in the Marquesas is Nuku Hiva, the capital of the Marquesas, before we set off for the Tuamotus in a few days.<br />
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We are amazed to find out that we can update a blog using our marine radio, so have been posting on a regular basis to our ‘sailblog’. Check it out using the link on the sidebar.Blue Moonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08268925472328600892noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862815815040974169.post-19909094689360778742011-04-07T21:12:00.000-07:002011-04-07T21:12:05.182-07:00Follow us across the Pacific...We have started a new blog that we can update from our SSB radio while we are sailing from Mexico to New Zealand. If you want to follow the trip, check on <a href="http://www.sailblogs.com/member/bluemoonnz/">http://www.sailblogs.com/member/bluemoonnz/</a><br />
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We will continue to add photos and stories to this page when we get to an internet cafe again.Blue Moonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08268925472328600892noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862815815040974169.post-76699975284022018672010-12-27T14:30:00.000-08:002010-12-27T14:30:44.029-08:00Chiapas Images<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDe4PL52ut6I2OchYxKIPcYdmVAn3Xc_S7x8jWNQLarXnt-GEWXcGd1-xhMXr2goxUzUUk2KCQ1FBErHvVpeD7SFoO1ydcG_1PF7xAbZFAPk-sXd3syn2sVWDCfdpiJqOFm2z7HMdGEho/s1600/sumidero+rock+formation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDe4PL52ut6I2OchYxKIPcYdmVAn3Xc_S7x8jWNQLarXnt-GEWXcGd1-xhMXr2goxUzUUk2KCQ1FBErHvVpeD7SFoO1ydcG_1PF7xAbZFAPk-sXd3syn2sVWDCfdpiJqOFm2z7HMdGEho/s200/sumidero+rock+formation.jpg" width="186" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sumidero rock formation</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsQOjDMwanM8m0qXT1yDgJXm1EnqT8f4x7Wg4r4y6srdY3_vfA3Fyo7aSUGR0CNhYg2_FItejQ29wuadp8Q9Pj3OWCPtgS90pf7iXGsOKmDdAKCLh6u42vaUSa4Ir4KRe6k88uxuGCj4A/s1600/sumidero.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsQOjDMwanM8m0qXT1yDgJXm1EnqT8f4x7Wg4r4y6srdY3_vfA3Fyo7aSUGR0CNhYg2_FItejQ29wuadp8Q9Pj3OWCPtgS90pf7iXGsOKmDdAKCLh6u42vaUSa4Ir4KRe6k88uxuGCj4A/s200/sumidero.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sumidero Canyon</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Here are some photos from our inland trip to chiapas...<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSv9uNqMeT2qh2YCXQ9RrQyGvAbxRXSiok1ZEcSg44Fm4FhoPHzBwh-F_Su46DPE1LAJMocO1BYoaK2t5oGEJayKgJrpl3QOTqXkwglui2SiE2avjnzVd3DPPpsoITK56r_FWV8yedQp8/s1600/howler+monkey+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="135" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSv9uNqMeT2qh2YCXQ9RrQyGvAbxRXSiok1ZEcSg44Fm4FhoPHzBwh-F_Su46DPE1LAJMocO1BYoaK2t5oGEJayKgJrpl3QOTqXkwglui2SiE2avjnzVd3DPPpsoITK56r_FWV8yedQp8/s200/howler+monkey+3.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">howler monkey</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpzNJqREHC3hnH71E8L_gglve4toePFYU5dHnk07Y_QDwVHzRRITqSwC0HmDvfxiVAOcqVAv8-LXQGCqv3fB-XVwFasIMzyX7MRa4RL9AYl9Y16Qjcysg1GsOnaTJaWW_-YR-mVKly2JU/s1600/highway+ladies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="103" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpzNJqREHC3hnH71E8L_gglve4toePFYU5dHnk07Y_QDwVHzRRITqSwC0HmDvfxiVAOcqVAv8-LXQGCqv3fB-XVwFasIMzyX7MRa4RL9AYl9Y16Qjcysg1GsOnaTJaWW_-YR-mVKly2JU/s200/highway+ladies.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">highway ladies</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn6ERZwGPJXuPCs2211MUB85lZGVzLzO5SGQuXvhj5BG6fQ0sLXCChaySqmx3MZgKKmBVkJewz6h6_cbj2gbjXR44FzDJwuCO4MV31ubJM7An5f-g4dP3NKXZEYAYsMzwDGay8tPyXT-g/s1600/crock+watch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="157" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn6ERZwGPJXuPCs2211MUB85lZGVzLzO5SGQuXvhj5BG6fQ0sLXCChaySqmx3MZgKKmBVkJewz6h6_cbj2gbjXR44FzDJwuCO4MV31ubJM7An5f-g4dP3NKXZEYAYsMzwDGay8tPyXT-g/s200/crock+watch.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rob on crocodile watch</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhInj2KyMk2Nivh9j_lH9XihFUoBM_kedF637fVW7jHQ7A6hle_CendrAfMcnxarQR2z-gEY131H-v3QDUF2gzcJbDo9LF_7wNSWj6-K8K-R5K9XQJCKCS0wawnMtUyhTkc76vB65WpTUw/s1600/amber+mask.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhInj2KyMk2Nivh9j_lH9XihFUoBM_kedF637fVW7jHQ7A6hle_CendrAfMcnxarQR2z-gEY131H-v3QDUF2gzcJbDo9LF_7wNSWj6-K8K-R5K9XQJCKCS0wawnMtUyhTkc76vB65WpTUw/s200/amber+mask.jpg" width="169" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">amber mask</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguxNn7aHRvdPfzHtB4T78nI8LeW6T-WR51lbDDm-Ys2GXhmP5YGmaxiht-RrtXSF6NfS7MJwBKvBftSNbbmfQ1qA5wnGUI3bOmLTshGi9vBUavBBdqiK09P2cMEHmFPokfy_uRJHUTtwA/s1600/los+nubes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="169" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguxNn7aHRvdPfzHtB4T78nI8LeW6T-WR51lbDDm-Ys2GXhmP5YGmaxiht-RrtXSF6NfS7MJwBKvBftSNbbmfQ1qA5wnGUI3bOmLTshGi9vBUavBBdqiK09P2cMEHmFPokfy_uRJHUTtwA/s200/los+nubes.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Los Nubes waterfalls</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXPbhEynfP0xAPeRXGzyKDAKWXRZo9iG-OcDbWm3aENtTVZDrc2tGpiE9KBnyehudUGjkauvSoDeaFyx3IOoAG-IA0GWXYielNvCa5tFsjT81Yxm6iArX6bIUe1VPPTn1lv5jga-RtlxY/s1600/los+nubes+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXPbhEynfP0xAPeRXGzyKDAKWXRZo9iG-OcDbWm3aENtTVZDrc2tGpiE9KBnyehudUGjkauvSoDeaFyx3IOoAG-IA0GWXYielNvCa5tFsjT81Yxm6iArX6bIUe1VPPTn1lv5jga-RtlxY/s200/los+nubes+2.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Los Nubes from above</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDbpiSm38ooiH7rYhvvhdYbe6cHMqEIrl3aHUn0NueFJOqTZcG_Iq_5v_WD3Yvuu32tZid0JpdE5sUb9J-2SZdK6X8EuyHRyo1cBymyUU1P3xlLljTl-Atz5kbbh1HYjbwP9bMpDsOzqY/s1600/belltower+sunset.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDbpiSm38ooiH7rYhvvhdYbe6cHMqEIrl3aHUn0NueFJOqTZcG_Iq_5v_WD3Yvuu32tZid0JpdE5sUb9J-2SZdK6X8EuyHRyo1cBymyUU1P3xlLljTl-Atz5kbbh1HYjbwP9bMpDsOzqY/s200/belltower+sunset.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chiapas del Corzo belltower at sunset</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR_MRDjl0CsFrel_76TIDPQw6YZZv6lA5zsPKD6hpbbM8-56Bd0yxNekwZWpZ7zv93fkBYjdKLyngSEaKoXtdYMQw4nGP6sD7zqUZiYU2eLL0gjEoFyWTZodYOsPm2fguI1L-3evEpGK8/s1600/san+cristobal+cathedral.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="162" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR_MRDjl0CsFrel_76TIDPQw6YZZv6lA5zsPKD6hpbbM8-56Bd0yxNekwZWpZ7zv93fkBYjdKLyngSEaKoXtdYMQw4nGP6sD7zqUZiYU2eLL0gjEoFyWTZodYOsPm2fguI1L-3evEpGK8/s200/san+cristobal+cathedral.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">San Cristobal Cathedral</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS7jEPgSgv1HJKOaVNTVWoCMP18fffzBQIjIVxoPUlRDQh__bYvaTIohU7AslKy_bmvtSHb6nMXjMIBKDrdM7NMCMPYdtbe43alM7X4648p-rf3-A76PVA4LDVsBx8Vpnyau3eBlQ0mVY/s1600/textile+sellers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS7jEPgSgv1HJKOaVNTVWoCMP18fffzBQIjIVxoPUlRDQh__bYvaTIohU7AslKy_bmvtSHb6nMXjMIBKDrdM7NMCMPYdtbe43alM7X4648p-rf3-A76PVA4LDVsBx8Vpnyau3eBlQ0mVY/s200/textile+sellers.jpg" width="182" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">textile sellers</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgknWzghC-xAj9AuDdACg9JyzcvdP2DvDZnUSU17JnBWD9KkSWeoglaxcG34WSJ-cbsUf2_3F1Q79sNTfKfj_KGt6MOFs4QOo8REF6wjXcWFELV8nEmryI__ca-puw5vcne2VJzwgQ0rAc/s1600/Chinkultic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="276" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgknWzghC-xAj9AuDdACg9JyzcvdP2DvDZnUSU17JnBWD9KkSWeoglaxcG34WSJ-cbsUf2_3F1Q79sNTfKfj_KGt6MOFs4QOo8REF6wjXcWFELV8nEmryI__ca-puw5vcne2VJzwgQ0rAc/s320/Chinkultic.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chinkultic mayan ruins</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Blue Moonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08268925472328600892noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862815815040974169.post-36497895440906613692010-12-10T13:15:00.000-08:002010-12-10T13:15:33.617-08:00Crossing the BarHere are some images of our entrance into Bahia del Sol, El Salvador. We were followed in by 'Rapscallion'.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC0cahYVVOUWVyxtkzTtN1bEh7BS_hlomcKrf-Or3vyrBvocmK1FCoxYjQVyQflekTfQPiyw4lILALONLEwMEfNe58n8z6njet3SCkF43a8Rqh7KQzE2CvGn8snUHdc6UxuUr8zLyc8Qw/s1600/crossing+the+bar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="218" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC0cahYVVOUWVyxtkzTtN1bEh7BS_hlomcKrf-Or3vyrBvocmK1FCoxYjQVyQflekTfQPiyw4lILALONLEwMEfNe58n8z6njet3SCkF43a8Rqh7KQzE2CvGn8snUHdc6UxuUr8zLyc8Qw/s320/crossing+the+bar.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Thats us in front of the surf..</div> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNhRf-mD0ryUvZNX5_D0j98rB2SL4nD7zJ2_NMCjV0jNQJMyZn6J9WW7rB2BdiOjfDE2SL5pVAi_D9lnsJsI2qWtcIIoWcMYgurEMqeuuTYtIz_HgXi865GURKnXvkQgr2pu9q8p50wEk/s1600/rapskullion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="314" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNhRf-mD0ryUvZNX5_D0j98rB2SL4nD7zJ2_NMCjV0jNQJMyZn6J9WW7rB2BdiOjfDE2SL5pVAi_D9lnsJsI2qWtcIIoWcMYgurEMqeuuTYtIz_HgXi865GURKnXvkQgr2pu9q8p50wEk/s320/rapskullion.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
And Rapskullion on top of it!Blue Moonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08268925472328600892noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862815815040974169.post-46213993834493866022010-12-10T13:07:00.000-08:002010-12-10T13:07:24.643-08:00Shopping in El SalvadorA raft of garbage drifts past the boat on its way out the estuary. It will return when the tide changes, but ultimately it will make its way out the entrance and likely end up on the wide sandy beach at that lines the Pacific coast of El Salvador. We walked over to the beach today to find it completely changed from when we last saw it, more than 4 months ago. Except for the acres of garbage, which is as prolific as ever. No recycling here. Now, though, the beach looks more like the Canadian coast with the remnant limbs of dismembered trees piled thick as far as you can see. These would have been the ones that bumped their way past our boat during hurricane season as the flood waters roared out, lodging the occasional unruly tree across our mooring line and creating a mini waterfall in the strong tide. We worried about that during our long absence but found Blue Moon to be in good shape when we returned.<br />
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Reprovisioning was a priority when we returned so I tagged along with friends for a shopping day. There are few shops nearby so they had decided to rent a car to get around and bring their groceries back to the boat. The day began with a 2-hour bus ride to San Salvador to pick up the car. It was my first experience of the local busses. The inside was decorated with pink and purple paint, glitter, mirrors, stuffed animals, a Barcelona football scarf and lots of hanging, dangling things. Latin music was playing at full volume and everyone was chatting and laughing when we boarded. The driver honked his horn, one that sounded like a train whistle, at every opportunity. It was like a party. I found a seat and settled in to enjoy the scenery. Tropical jungle vegetation flanked us, dotted with an incongruous collection of flamboyantly painted stucco mansions that are the holiday homes of the rich city folk, and the rusty corrugated iron lean-tos where the majority of the local residents live. <br />
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As the bus got going, a pop can whizzed past my face and out the window to join the endless stream of garbage at the roadside. This is the normal waste disposal system in Central America. It all ends up in the estuary eventually. There are no real bus stops so everyone gets on and off where they like, although the main hubs can always be found by the carpet of plastic that accumulates whenever the bus stops for any length of time. Drinks are sold from the giant bottles, decanted into small plastic bags, twisted shut and served with a straw. Water also comes in plastic bags. Otherwise the bus stops might be atop a mountain of bottles, I suppose.<br />
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A conductor made his way down the aisle, clicking a handful of change in my face like castenettes as he collected the fare. When he reached the back door, he jumped off and ran to the front, hopping aboard as the bus gathered speed. The bus filled up and people jammed the aisle but the conductor still made his way through. Little kids, bright and shiny in every way, stared at me from eye level, and the rail-thin old man in a starched white shirt sitting next to me grinned toothlessly, genuine affection crinkling his eyes. More people crammed onto the bus, so that the kids had to lean over the old man, and the temperature rose ten degrees. Everyone was still laughing and the conversations got louder to be heard over everyone else, and the music. At the cross roads about 25 people were waiting for the bus. They all got on, past the driver who was standing on his seat yelling at those in the aisle to make room. At the next stop, a couple of extremely heavy women got on. The largest was pushed up the steps by the conductor, like being shoved into an over stuffed suitcase. Somehow, he made his way past them and clicked his castenette money down the aisle again. The three well dressed men who got on next had to hang out the open door. The conductor hung out behind them the next time he made his way forward. Unbelievably, food vendors came through with their baskets of gum or papusas, making sales all the way down the bus before getting off at the next stop, pocketing their takings in elaborately decorated lacy aprons, the El Salvador purse. Wrappers flew out the open windows. Only one old woman declined the bus, waging her finger in disapproval at the sea of faces pressed against the windows, her mouth a round ‘no’ as the driver slowed for her.<br />
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Finally, at San Salvador, the bus disgorged a small metropolis of people, we picked up our car and ticked off our list at a succession of stores. It was getting late we were done, but I had forgotten to buy bananas. So had Christi. Maybe we will pass a fruit shop, she suggested. Twilight was fading as I consulted the map to find the most direct route out of town, with Christie driving. Suddenly the road ahead transformed into a street market. We sneaked in behind a truck, hoping he would blaze the trail for us until we got through it but the truck turned off into a building and we drove deeper into the market. Carts and stalls lined the street with barely enough room for our car to pass, people wandered in front of us, and we were driving at a snails pace, attracting stares, dodging wheelbarrows and trying not to hit anything else. At first it was interesting since we had talked earlier about trying to find the city market. But as the market became more congested, people were shouting, although we couldn’t tell if it was at us or just to advertise their wares. Clearly we should not be driving through here. I spotted a cart full of bananas, and Christie stopped the car beside it. I rolled down my window to ask how much 6 bananas cost, inciting a lively discussion between several of the sellers and eventually we received a whole shopping bag of bananas for $1. I rolled up the window and we carried on, grateful to find a road to take us out of the market. We were thoroughly lost, but we had everything on our shopping list.Blue Moonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08268925472328600892noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862815815040974169.post-76951389784154699832010-10-16T15:19:00.000-07:002010-11-01T16:30:05.421-07:00When I'm 64...at the penthouse...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUMEMsvOZKheU1pInOfR1QaMY778pnRhV1hpFOJ_MLfD8GX_1mSjYspkqRGacitvY7AXXxTRwI0eGQ6wIFfL7aaFpaPlBfBkHfWIDSlVnmDAULkAjuILLDehB6eAKT8z-GAveHx9j76sk/s1600/rob+64th.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUMEMsvOZKheU1pInOfR1QaMY778pnRhV1hpFOJ_MLfD8GX_1mSjYspkqRGacitvY7AXXxTRwI0eGQ6wIFfL7aaFpaPlBfBkHfWIDSlVnmDAULkAjuILLDehB6eAKT8z-GAveHx9j76sk/s400/rob+64th.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">New Zealand has undergone a cultural revolution in the 15 years that we have been away, similar to the one I noticed when I returned to Canada after 25 years. The concept of Whanau has emerged in a more integrated Maori and Pakeha society. This extended family is made up of the people who mean the most to us, regardless of ethnic background or blood. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>We had a little party for Rob’s 64th birthday on a gloriously sunny afternoon, inserted like a bookmark in the pages of rainy days that make up Northland’s spring. More special than this was being surrounded by our New Zealand Whanau. Not a day goes by that we do not think of our Whanau around the world and we treasure those friendships. <br />
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<div style="text-align: left;"></div>Blue Moonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08268925472328600892noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862815815040974169.post-89581993282177218492010-10-14T19:09:00.000-07:002010-10-14T19:09:31.222-07:00Central America Images <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyMIpbLxo9I_vfYSUpf05HLItkFeLRlstD6GcBjFqbtqJS9rOYQYLZEZEUPucdTs-mq4TRHFga6SdJTKaphyphenhyphen71iERImfDJ7BlVCzhms8cqns7xPW3_cRJMZ5rsvtJH7E4xpOZNgqEAiaY/s1600/did+you+just+eat+my+button+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="135" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyMIpbLxo9I_vfYSUpf05HLItkFeLRlstD6GcBjFqbtqJS9rOYQYLZEZEUPucdTs-mq4TRHFga6SdJTKaphyphenhyphen71iERImfDJ7BlVCzhms8cqns7xPW3_cRJMZ5rsvtJH7E4xpOZNgqEAiaY/s200/did+you+just+eat+my+button+2.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Did you just eat my button?<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigtAuPidY7cAtggo2uihUbT63ZQ9-0BEj4SKyFZTuC4sG1vRJpg1M6myQahY6rlSaidrboU3gPAQFJ66PjMBmURbErSLCG23qDIbKlamz5GewFNeDC-WqGCxLdByv9QhmtdTzRVInmRMI/s200/mayan+macaw+2.jpg" width="150" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDZuTPLuBBqxSr54Sse7N4-azyOyIN02NAqym369HFLUxJYnqHkIYszgS5VOxSBUA27iafS-MLe_E70uMwHj0rd4rhrS6RWy94QamH0qW_VmLmi8YqczgJL0w02rSkoXqc84tsMVyZJTI/s1600/jade+tomb+under+here+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDZuTPLuBBqxSr54Sse7N4-azyOyIN02NAqym369HFLUxJYnqHkIYszgS5VOxSBUA27iafS-MLe_E70uMwHj0rd4rhrS6RWy94QamH0qW_VmLmi8YqczgJL0w02rSkoXqc84tsMVyZJTI/s200/jade+tomb+under+here+2.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHZYuhO2LNQrRKXCj_K2BfvyDomVSXEql6Vo62KkzXSZqX1azJdVL9sOa1hBUc0zx7qLUMxPqPhfHeq__e6P-yokF07YT-QUXpwgWLsaV9IKCTBAZzuYErKTbQ0zCn7XPyi9ixRCzLc3o/s1600/mayan+carving+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHZYuhO2LNQrRKXCj_K2BfvyDomVSXEql6Vo62KkzXSZqX1azJdVL9sOa1hBUc0zx7qLUMxPqPhfHeq__e6P-yokF07YT-QUXpwgWLsaV9IKCTBAZzuYErKTbQ0zCn7XPyi9ixRCzLc3o/s200/mayan+carving+2.jpg" width="150" /></a></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidFGzYyy7ClsjHu8Xl4-rZPA8_3jbVjEC6Rn1T46wEF3BO4Vl9jKlFbnBN3RZi6ZED1EGqTHc3Mt0i45fRncx06nwt3xbt1ydzHf8k79Ce2L77cual-lDsqhvWuesUChsJ4ByXjx6v-5E/s1600/hieroglyph+staircase+1891+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidFGzYyy7ClsjHu8Xl4-rZPA8_3jbVjEC6Rn1T46wEF3BO4Vl9jKlFbnBN3RZi6ZED1EGqTHc3Mt0i45fRncx06nwt3xbt1ydzHf8k79Ce2L77cual-lDsqhvWuesUChsJ4ByXjx6v-5E/s200/hieroglyph+staircase+1891+2.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Hieroglyphic Staircase 1891</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIy_DZ4wXm0_82pZUTHmr5UTOJscsBpEG5wKoihmq0r4R0rDEI5ywSAGpCMee0ZaTQToW1lyWQGPfdiS93jmPDli0kBEtoMZRFpLILifVFwHXZ6IKydBLrmscsmcXdVuOQehBsCV7DPEE/s1600/hieroglyph+staircase+2010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIy_DZ4wXm0_82pZUTHmr5UTOJscsBpEG5wKoihmq0r4R0rDEI5ywSAGpCMee0ZaTQToW1lyWQGPfdiS93jmPDli0kBEtoMZRFpLILifVFwHXZ6IKydBLrmscsmcXdVuOQehBsCV7DPEE/s200/hieroglyph+staircase+2010.jpg" width="186" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Hieroglyphic Staircase 2010</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjag0U8RY75yRuioJ0D65EQ48UDE2xG0v8GezabPBQhjnS7YE2vo1WHMSNWTMWY_OQrYbDnVxeO6Xl8oFyd3W_IvFhrOff65YRz__FF61ehiWeKCqUaq8xDXz8iJehMvNPbbEtRFbu_ZWM/s1600/mayan+nation+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjag0U8RY75yRuioJ0D65EQ48UDE2xG0v8GezabPBQhjnS7YE2vo1WHMSNWTMWY_OQrYbDnVxeO6Xl8oFyd3W_IvFhrOff65YRz__FF61ehiWeKCqUaq8xDXz8iJehMvNPbbEtRFbu_ZWM/s200/mayan+nation+2.jpg" width="143" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Ancient Mayan Nation</td></tr>
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLE0pki383WcjhGdV25F0htdv4CBwTYIgfX0JZ4dZ7jWIU4EqexDNBXB3VZMWppKPxvNFzD-gp3flHuOrjPmWpBIj-mCWK86WOUKlQ90PTTBtMgbvLiacC0ijCGDOvzjEUNpsaIJh32Ec/s1600/salvadorian+lady+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLE0pki383WcjhGdV25F0htdv4CBwTYIgfX0JZ4dZ7jWIU4EqexDNBXB3VZMWppKPxvNFzD-gp3flHuOrjPmWpBIj-mCWK86WOUKlQ90PTTBtMgbvLiacC0ijCGDOvzjEUNpsaIJh32Ec/s200/salvadorian+lady+2.jpg" width="150" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN-Smz7tns_20Ol_bowMn5tRfGEvQMxXvZ0CeYbgeKZoJfYN2yaUUIzmDE9S73rxt-gwIfB12DCHUsKlZCZMiR95nHh0OxM7QSTUtFKv7BdTbZdN193TZ_AOmjIP74N6f4hA9ADBkwA9s/s1600/muddy+tuktuk+ride+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN-Smz7tns_20Ol_bowMn5tRfGEvQMxXvZ0CeYbgeKZoJfYN2yaUUIzmDE9S73rxt-gwIfB12DCHUsKlZCZMiR95nHh0OxM7QSTUtFKv7BdTbZdN193TZ_AOmjIP74N6f4hA9ADBkwA9s/s200/muddy+tuktuk+ride+2.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">muddy tuk tuk ride</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirsfBwYz1GGha7sJjQrKhWcWN_95b6y1PGVDyV1qMa8s2pLct0FochAwG3A1M9Dch8-d-YxJnhhtj8TMVJnnEgezxQF-sG3NuaNZpCWXMfuA22amGrgobh3FFqUVmTXlyM_2M15eHdnJs/s1600/nice+wiring+job+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="153" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirsfBwYz1GGha7sJjQrKhWcWN_95b6y1PGVDyV1qMa8s2pLct0FochAwG3A1M9Dch8-d-YxJnhhtj8TMVJnnEgezxQF-sG3NuaNZpCWXMfuA22amGrgobh3FFqUVmTXlyM_2M15eHdnJs/s200/nice+wiring+job+2.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Electical systems in Honduras!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi609eCjD41mogELR_Pn5hu2GV4cF1_REf8TWXw_lIZ7f8gZAgGyQgy6GfdkFMOsKXk9beEutzJMdjN8AXGMkkIlE9rmDcsGDNCQTV6SalnWctdGuuPvox4jkboZ2uNLeyAxZphWdPt9vA/s1600/school+project+at+Tazumal+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi609eCjD41mogELR_Pn5hu2GV4cF1_REf8TWXw_lIZ7f8gZAgGyQgy6GfdkFMOsKXk9beEutzJMdjN8AXGMkkIlE9rmDcsGDNCQTV6SalnWctdGuuPvox4jkboZ2uNLeyAxZphWdPt9vA/s200/school+project+at+Tazumal+2.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">School project at Tazumal</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihmf-BEHeUZMAP6qHNsTywNZO8P9uUiBXczeC3cIWBz1rWpvkmhb4ITRB5Upd-PoPVEilDABb01swDtcd88z5UUtT-wjzKhjPRav2IOWmN9FHr1sKXY06fCYFApCv8961PCCMTcXb105o/s1600/santa+ana+theatre+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihmf-BEHeUZMAP6qHNsTywNZO8P9uUiBXczeC3cIWBz1rWpvkmhb4ITRB5Upd-PoPVEilDABb01swDtcd88z5UUtT-wjzKhjPRav2IOWmN9FHr1sKXY06fCYFApCv8961PCCMTcXb105o/s200/santa+ana+theatre+2.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">Santa Ana Theater</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitLBwLzHYG_naHJuvpvl3zqGcn6n90TaRrWrEQb1ZPbPl52AO2q7jgUBKqrk82y97cvkE1Vvziapk1kx1gFQ6v87I_eeM1lX-15Uxs-iNT2ZKiPAjFx_34F3b7fyJthHHpW8PEz6eUcv8/s1600/mornignn+in+ataco+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitLBwLzHYG_naHJuvpvl3zqGcn6n90TaRrWrEQb1ZPbPl52AO2q7jgUBKqrk82y97cvkE1Vvziapk1kx1gFQ6v87I_eeM1lX-15Uxs-iNT2ZKiPAjFx_34F3b7fyJthHHpW8PEz6eUcv8/s200/mornignn+in+ataco+2.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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<tr><td style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSxRDJfOs49l4-ds4FzPNvlK0jc3A-bObJH4N0mG2IVVx5NTj5WQQhEhsjI4b1KIk-Ufn3lGZz3Q7CrHQDBXF_W7-XJk7KxdvH_2WCHGxgIhNCreVnA9lgq1kkuTQDb0oVJQpcTFWc-Sk/s1600/volcano+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSxRDJfOs49l4-ds4FzPNvlK0jc3A-bObJH4N0mG2IVVx5NTj5WQQhEhsjI4b1KIk-Ufn3lGZz3Q7CrHQDBXF_W7-XJk7KxdvH_2WCHGxgIhNCreVnA9lgq1kkuTQDb0oVJQpcTFWc-Sk/s200/volcano+2.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">Volcano at Izalco</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHoJNiOnMJ0KWZzA3eFdsmil-LFS3yPtd4R3xKYHCm1HR4cvSAWguGyGg1iwsHDVKGq_4u4ihhQsH_FMRgkLW8Spq43f16jPMUhIhl_w26pvOTNdD0lJvxN1n0hSprvtUPT1uLr3uWb0U/s1600/sinkhole.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHoJNiOnMJ0KWZzA3eFdsmil-LFS3yPtd4R3xKYHCm1HR4cvSAWguGyGg1iwsHDVKGq_4u4ihhQsH_FMRgkLW8Spq43f16jPMUhIhl_w26pvOTNdD0lJvxN1n0hSprvtUPT1uLr3uWb0U/s200/sinkhole.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Guatamala Sinkhole after Hurricane Agatha</td></tr>
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<img height="96" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIy_DZ4wXm0_82pZUTHmr5UTOJscsBpEG5wKoihmq0r4R0rDEI5ywSAGpCMee0ZaTQToW1lyWQGPfdiS93jmPDli0kBEtoMZRFpLILifVFwHXZ6IKydBLrmscsmcXdVuOQehBsCV7DPEE/s200/hieroglyph+staircase+2010.jpg" style="filter: alpha(opacity=30); left: 445px; mozopacity: 0.3; opacity: 0.3; position: absolute; top: 576px; visibility: hidden;" width="89" /><img height="96" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigtAuPidY7cAtggo2uihUbT63ZQ9-0BEj4SKyFZTuC4sG1vRJpg1M6myQahY6rlSaidrboU3gPAQFJ66PjMBmURbErSLCG23qDIbKlamz5GewFNeDC-WqGCxLdByv9QhmtdTzRVInmRMI/s200/mayan+macaw+2.jpg" style="filter: alpha(opacity=30); left: 407px; mozopacity: 0.3; opacity: 0.3; position: absolute; top: 537px; visibility: hidden;" width="72" /> <img height="96" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigtAuPidY7cAtggo2uihUbT63ZQ9-0BEj4SKyFZTuC4sG1vRJpg1M6myQahY6rlSaidrboU3gPAQFJ66PjMBmURbErSLCG23qDIbKlamz5GewFNeDC-WqGCxLdByv9QhmtdTzRVInmRMI/s200/mayan+macaw+2.jpg" style="filter: alpha(opacity=30); left: 496px; mozopacity: 0.3; opacity: 0.3; position: absolute; top: 1859px; visibility: hidden;" width="72" /> <div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigtAuPidY7cAtggo2uihUbT63ZQ9-0BEj4SKyFZTuC4sG1vRJpg1M6myQahY6rlSaidrboU3gPAQFJ66PjMBmURbErSLCG23qDIbKlamz5GewFNeDC-WqGCxLdByv9QhmtdTzRVInmRMI/s1600/mayan+macaw+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a></div>Blue Moonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08268925472328600892noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862815815040974169.post-87448115589878019382010-10-14T18:32:00.000-07:002010-10-14T18:32:13.626-07:00Exploring Central Americaback to June 2010...<br />
Our first trip inland in El Salvador began ominously. We had chosen the coast road to take us to the town of Sonsonate, the beginning of the routa de las flores. This road was not well marked and after becoming lost several times we arrived at a standstill where a major bridge had been washed out. It was not clear how long ago this had occurred, but the result was that traffic was detouring through a ford. Busses, trucks and cars made their way across the river, water half way up the doors on the smaller vehicles, assisted as necessary by bulldozers pulling and pushing through the muddy water. I missed the photo op of this incredible scene and this was to be my first indication of how traveling with others is different from traveling on our own. The five of us unanimously decided not to risk it with our rental car and off we went up a secondary road through the mountains.<br />
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There was a lively discussion about where we should stop to eat breakfast, and after getting lost in the bustling capital city of San Salvador, which we had hoped to bypass, we suddenly swerved and screeched to a halt in the courtyard of a stone villa. The driver had made an executive decision. The parking attendant had what looked to be an automatic weapon slung across his waist but gave us a friendly ‘buenos dias’ just the same. Guns are a common sight in this country where most people still retain vivid memories of the bloody civil war that ended in 1992. Inside the restaurant, tables were set with linen and silver, pewter plates to put the china ones on, and at least 20 liveried servers hovered to look after our every need. The specialty that day was a buffet, which included a huge variety of foods, omelets made to order, and all the fresh juice and coffee you could drink. I was dreading what this might cost but the bill came to $14 including the tip for both of us. <br />
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On to Sonsonate, where we got lost again and Rob got out of the car to ask directions from a group of men gathered on a street corner. After pointing vaguely back the way we came, the group lurched after Rob demanding money, and there was a nasty scene as Rob tried to shove one man’s head out of the door so he could close it while our driver moved off and the rest of us hastily locked our doors. At about this point we read the warning in our lonely planet guide saying that tourists were ill advised to leave the main road. <br />
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The routa de las flores has nothing much to do with flowers but is a 22 mile scenic drive in the western corner of El Salvador. We didn’t expect it could possibly take us all day, despite the LP suggestion that we should linger several days in this area. First stop was a town known for wood furniture and crafts. We stopped to check the shops where the girls all purchased nice tapestry bags and exasperated the boys with our prattle about the bag store for several miles afterwards. <br />
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At our second stop it began to rain, so we prudently all bought big umbrellas at a shop on the little square where the ‘Black Christ’ church is. Next stop, the waterfall, and we found ourselves on a perilously rutted track on the outskirts of town. One of the guys enlisted the services of a local in the deserted parking lot to guide us to the falls, and he happily ran off to get his machete before we set off. About half way down this slippery mud path, and a good half hour later, I began to wonder if we had been wise going off into the wilderness with a machete wielding local leaving our car alone, packed with our belongings, and attended only by his friends. The rain became heavy. Little rivulets of water pooled in places on the path. We got soaked. The waterfalls finally appeared, we took photos, and marveled at the concrete troughs and tunnels that had been built as a water system for a nearby village. I was very relieved to find our car safely where we left it, and we set off in the now heavy rain to find a 25,000-year-old rock carving weighing 12 tons. A wrong turn took us to a delightful resort where we changed into dry clothes, drank beer and coffee, and discovered that the rock site was closed. The photos on the wall showed a moss-covered rock with faint lines carved into it. <br />
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The hotel we had chosen for the night was in the next town, and we did not arrive until dark. It was listed as ‘the luxury option’ in our guidebook, with breathtaking views of the volcanoes across the town. We were all glad we had splurged for the extra convenience of running water in the room, but unfortunately the view was lost in the mist and clouds. Our dinner that evening, at one of the 2 restaurants that were open in Ataco, was entertaining, delicious, cheap and beautifully presented by the chef who was a giant of a man and his vivacious Spanish wife in their eclectic shop- restaurant-home. I got a kick out of their question “Are you sleeping in a taco?” We explored the following morning, seeing some of the murals that the town is famous for and buying more suitable clothes for the now persistent rain. The little second hand store had just my size - $2 for pants and $1.50 for a long sleeved shirt. <br />
Too soon, we were crammed into the car and on our way to visit some of the Mayan ruins that were scattered about this area. At the ancient capital of Tazumal we saw the remains of a temple pyramid and toured the little museum along with hundreds of school children. After our trip to Oaxaca in Mexico, I felt mildly disappointed by this site. We continued on to Santa Ana, where our troubles began.<br />
We had parked our car near the town square, and decided on a whim to visit the museum across the street. It turned out to be very interesting, housed in a former bank, with a collection of old money in the basement vault, photographs of the volcano that destroyed much of Santa Tecla in 1917 and a display showing the wide variety of uses for the agave plant, ranging from tequila to baskets. We have now dubbed this Museo Regional de Occidente the museum of accidents, for when we returned to our car it had been sideswiped by a bus.<br />
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We went to lunch with the curator of the museum and he was extremely helpful, phoning the rental car company and translating for us. We were told to bring the car back that evening before 6. Ok. We continued our sight seeing. The theater in Santa Ana is a place that I would love to return for a performance. It was funded by coffee taxes - all beautifully crafted wood, leather, stained glass, marble statues, inlaid floors, frescos and chandeliers. <br />
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Our next stop was the Los Volcanes Park, with its breathtaking views (one could imagine a mountain out there under that cloud) and network of hiking trails for bird watching. We had spent a lot of time on the phone with the car company so we didn’t have much time left for hiking. Besides, it was raining. We settled for a quick photo against Mt Izalco, which last erupted in 2005, causing damage to the condemned hotel from which we were viewing the barren, gray, still-smoking cone.<br />
We had no time left to see the ruins at Joya de Ceren, a city that has been preserved under layers of volcanic ash that sounded fascinating to me. We raced into San Salvador, got lost again, made it to the hotel just after 5 and phoned the car company. No answer, and the doors were chained shut when the guys drove over there. Here again, we might have done things differently if we had been on our own. But we were all booked to join another couple for a tour to Copan in Honduras the next morning at 5AM. So we left the damaged car at the hotel and fled the country (so to speak).<br />
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To get to Copan, we cut through Guatemala, taking 4 hours off the trip if we had gone straight from El Salvador to Honduras. So we had 2 border crossings, three countries and three currencies to deal with. Our tour driver was a Salvadorian who turned out to be very knowledgeable, and in hindsight, hiring him might well have been worth it in comparison to the hassles of this rental car. We arrived at our hotel in time for breakfast.<br />
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Copan is a cute, cobbled town with a collection of craft shops, restaurants, and tourist attractions all within a few miles of the plaza. In nice weather, I imagine it would be lovely to stroll the streets, poking through shops, sipping cocktails on verandas, taking long walks through the fantastic carved statues at the Mayan ruins, walking by the river, bird watching at the Macaw Mountain bird sanctuary, glimpsing colorful butterflies amongst the orchids at the butterfly gardens, horseback riding, tearing along the zip lines above the jungle canopy or burbling down the rapids in a raft. But we were there as Tropical Storm Agatha was whipping herself up to a fury and the rain just kept coming down. <br />
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We did get to visit the ruins and the bird sanctuary, both of which were excellent, although I thought the $104 cost for the day to be a tad expensive. Those that know of my sensitivity to jade might be interested hear that I felt that a large deposit of jade lay under those ancient stones, and when I mentioned the location to our guide after our tour, he told me they were still looking for a tomb they believed to be in that area. Oh how I wish someone would take me there to be their divining rod! The carvings that Copan is famous for were incredible to see, but for us the tunnels were equally fascinating. Visitors can see how the successive chiefs built new cities on top of the old ones as you make your way deeper inside the pyramids to uncover older carving styles and lines of floors. It was inside here that I had my second jade headache, even though at the time I had no way of knowing I was almost directly below the spot where I had first felt it. <br />
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At the perimeter of the ruins there is a nature trail with informative signboards explaining many of the Mayan beliefs, identifying birds, plants and animals, and one with a message for us all. The Mayan civilization, as great and advanced as it was, fell because of one reason. The people over-harvested their resources. Deforestation for fuel and crops resulted in erosion, and eventually this entire great nation starved to death. <br />
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By the end of our second day there we became worried about flooding. Our three wheeled tuktuk taxis were skittering around on the muddy hillsides, and there were no longer any breaks in the weather during which to walk outdoors. Rob and I had planned to go back the next day anyhow, but with Agatha brewing and a volcano erupting in Guatemala, everyone else decided to cut their trip short as well. We all shared a van to drive us back to our boats the next morning. <br />
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The 4-hour trip took us all day, although we did stop briefly for provisions at San Salvador. The rain came down in sheets, causing small lakes in the road. Rivers and creeks became raging torrents; trees, mud and rocks littered the roads. Traffic slowed to a standstill. We finally arrived back to find the outside pontoons of the dock at the marina had been taken off to relieve the pressure in the current. We are in an estuary here, and the extra water from the floods increased the current on the ebb tide, bringing the debris from the storm, including huge trees. We were happy to find Blue Moon safely at anchor where we had left her. However the next night as we were watching for logs in the water whooshing past us, we noticed a commotion at the dock. Suddenly all the boats were milling around and people were shouting. The entire marina had begun to break up. Everyone got off safely and they have set about repairing the docks but the floodwaters are still flowing. <br />
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We are lucky. 11,000 are homeless here now. I was happy we hadn’t chosen to visit Guatemala, where a 200-foot wide sinkhole appeared at an intersection in Guatemala City, and volcanic ash was turning to concrete in the rain.<br />
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As for the rental car, well that is another story.Blue Moonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08268925472328600892noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862815815040974169.post-86491178458561354902010-10-10T21:27:00.000-07:002010-10-10T21:27:01.081-07:00The PenthouseBefore ...<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4BteY88Z9S4vRa-UDI7RGk_UOaqcYOdV6S4MjpvVp8Y4PYIKOsNrDK_eXewi6hQPjygpN89EGN4-tB41OiUv1SYlu6mAWio-pN750m5kVh06rnNUfEghA4Uhvjt0OpqRRcTaAbP5us68/s1600/before+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4BteY88Z9S4vRa-UDI7RGk_UOaqcYOdV6S4MjpvVp8Y4PYIKOsNrDK_eXewi6hQPjygpN89EGN4-tB41OiUv1SYlu6mAWio-pN750m5kVh06rnNUfEghA4Uhvjt0OpqRRcTaAbP5us68/s200/before+1.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz0Z-O2Qek6cC5G3QC7_R1yC3bptYH4uNhWbESbwHdoVJpN7_gsktntztYOmYtkj3GV_W3jeSj0lS1UMmwDkGfIJSrq92GSCRA5OG9XXvnt20gzvZAp7j54D_ENWdGQ8pWrTpg-R3aouo/s1600/before.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz0Z-O2Qek6cC5G3QC7_R1yC3bptYH4uNhWbESbwHdoVJpN7_gsktntztYOmYtkj3GV_W3jeSj0lS1UMmwDkGfIJSrq92GSCRA5OG9XXvnt20gzvZAp7j54D_ENWdGQ8pWrTpg-R3aouo/s200/before.JPG" width="200" /></a></div> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNiUxoHY7RosLSJ70UPafAiqN6pNHB4eDxapTVZHs8DY5lrhQyNMjbjhkzL7sY_zW_gMSArnsqzgJzM-QEK1X31iSc_GHim1et1JS71LBOBRF0pBMRmlrQv2cFuS640GF4CxTjpDMx9vs/s1600/coming+in.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNiUxoHY7RosLSJ70UPafAiqN6pNHB4eDxapTVZHs8DY5lrhQyNMjbjhkzL7sY_zW_gMSArnsqzgJzM-QEK1X31iSc_GHim1et1JS71LBOBRF0pBMRmlrQv2cFuS640GF4CxTjpDMx9vs/s200/coming+in.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">down the new driveway</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> ...and after </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9TzB-eG6CI0Utcyb4dUwd8FSpFdeRCzTVMOAFRXQiNvrRV479HGMr5VXt8QIKlseI1QEOk5GcwQUiiFoU5dO_w92NhWoToo6kNDHga6jy2GKUgt1iAZ462KXsy34lTE4SQaqeXyRHEzk/s1600/after.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9TzB-eG6CI0Utcyb4dUwd8FSpFdeRCzTVMOAFRXQiNvrRV479HGMr5VXt8QIKlseI1QEOk5GcwQUiiFoU5dO_w92NhWoToo6kNDHga6jy2GKUgt1iAZ462KXsy34lTE4SQaqeXyRHEzk/s200/after.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBSIBKp47Js09b0hosQLm4qX89uohR3OzBjFGSBV85q48L1Xk8dlmeyjbQuegjZmrxbYR_y4qTb6EEMC9DFpOG42mKeTsvcxFCXzFD6ZgRFv7kPhD26peRGcQjgB8GWsRZnd0rMrqHPX4/s1600/after+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="115" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBSIBKp47Js09b0hosQLm4qX89uohR3OzBjFGSBV85q48L1Xk8dlmeyjbQuegjZmrxbYR_y4qTb6EEMC9DFpOG42mKeTsvcxFCXzFD6ZgRFv7kPhD26peRGcQjgB8GWsRZnd0rMrqHPX4/s200/after+1.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo31XWuzkEeBQlGl2oRRdjdrmRbxcQFNaQLBIsHhiLEU3OiwjA7bT9yhp6oscLdH00R_Jj8E8snLVyl_GvscuK3lgaPVWYtc-oWFVCKbt9_T7s5KyfzulWQtCrLFTq_1l4H6NtvEY7bao/s1600/living+room.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo31XWuzkEeBQlGl2oRRdjdrmRbxcQFNaQLBIsHhiLEU3OiwjA7bT9yhp6oscLdH00R_Jj8E8snLVyl_GvscuK3lgaPVWYtc-oWFVCKbt9_T7s5KyfzulWQtCrLFTq_1l4H6NtvEY7bao/s200/living+room.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Local Scenery:</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYFmwvCPgTI6bsZTqaQEIUxv-Ll9s7UnEr0M-qsqXJdh8r99HNjEaMDS4-Ul2tpufctlwhox0hJHrK9_OmIeIOIuMWExmZ-dcWm4CqVDUpUumFnbRwFbtvG-kYHvl8e55sHFX9wp4p_Xs/s1600/ocean+beach1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="111" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYFmwvCPgTI6bsZTqaQEIUxv-Ll9s7UnEr0M-qsqXJdh8r99HNjEaMDS4-Ul2tpufctlwhox0hJHrK9_OmIeIOIuMWExmZ-dcWm4CqVDUpUumFnbRwFbtvG-kYHvl8e55sHFX9wp4p_Xs/s200/ocean+beach1.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2zFceA6we6tTsERaPTcPgW98elzLnYm-AeTcwtjNlOPqtDxQpl8pkblUkypBeN8AH9616IrbMLY0v1sacbGVoSyoIsOyGMcdlvCHhvqBR4bqjCMDzsEtWfuMxMoFFugPtDtE63Jl7r1E/s1600/mcleod+bay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2zFceA6we6tTsERaPTcPgW98elzLnYm-AeTcwtjNlOPqtDxQpl8pkblUkypBeN8AH9616IrbMLY0v1sacbGVoSyoIsOyGMcdlvCHhvqBR4bqjCMDzsEtWfuMxMoFFugPtDtE63Jl7r1E/s200/mcleod+bay.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the penthouse is bottom right</td></tr>
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</div>Blue Moonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08268925472328600892noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862815815040974169.post-13014070949295971642010-05-21T09:15:00.000-07:002010-05-21T09:15:28.054-07:00Ancient MexicoWe stood on the spot where Hernan Cortez watched a ceremonial ball game almost 500 years ago and gazed at the terraced stonework rising from the edges of the ancient I-shaped court. By 1520, just 2 years later, the entire civilization whose ancestors built the magnificent city around him fell to the Spanish conquerors, their people reduced to slaves. It would be another 20 years before Pope Paul III declared these people to be human, despite the advanced technology they employed in their construction techniques, the fine artwork that decorated their buildings and their clothing, their skills in weaving, pottery, and jewelry making, their sophisticated knowledge of astronomy and much more we hardly know anything about.<br />
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We were visiting the ruins of the Zapotec capital at Monte Alban, founded in 500 BC and expanding to a city of 25,000 people over the next 1200 years. For some unknown reason, the place was then abandoned for several hundred years, before being taken over by Mixtecs, a tribe from the north, around 950 AD. These newcomers used the old tombs to bury their own kings, but the Spaniards later ransacked them for their gold, silver, pearls and precious stones. Only one tomb has been discovered with the burial artifacts intact, the treasure displayed at the local museum.<br />
The sheer size of the ruins was impressive, a central plaza surrounded by pyramid style buildings. Each building has their own function, and all but one are aligned perfectly to north, south, east and west. The exception is a diagonally aligned observatory, which is covered in hieroglyphics, and the tip of the arrow shaped building points to the Southern Cross constellation at solstice. The ancient culture had 5 compass points, which included zenith. We were a few days short of seeing proof of their cleverness, when a shaft of sunlight would reflect briefly through a slot in one of the pyramids to signal the onset of rain and time to plant the corn. The high priests orchestrated such demonstrations to show the common people that they were in communication with the gods. They also had underground tunnels that enabled them to disappear from the central podium and reappear high on an outlying pyramid without being seen by the throng that was gathered to witness their magic.<br />
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Monte Alban, however, was not the place where the blood sacrifices were performed. These took place at other villages a few miles away, where the strongest young men, the winners of the games, conquering warriors and other successful citizens would be given the honor of having their still beating hearts torn out to appease the gods. Perhaps this had something to do with the doubts about their humanity.<br />
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We visited two of these outer villages. Mitla is an archaeologist’s worst nightmare. First, the Spanish built their San Pablo church right on top of a large section of the site. Then the town of Mitla sprang up, so that today pieces of the ruins are being excavated from under washing lines in someone’s back yard, or walls tumble into disrepair in a parking lot. The tombs and buildings that remain have been subjected to vandalism. This is a real shame because the finely painted frescos that recorded the history of the ancient village are all but lost. These must have been lovely set next to the intricate designs of the stone mosaics this site is famous for. Each wall is made up of millions of tiny, precisely cut stones, some with additional carving on their protruding side. Put together, they form the classic design patterns such as the Quetzalcoatl, a feathered serpent, or the eternal life square wave pattern. These and other designs are still used in their hand woven rugs and blankets. Despite the degradation, there were still plenty of halls, palaces, tombs and plazas for us to poke around. <br />
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Our third ruins in the Oaxaca area were at Yagul. Set at the top of a hill, well off the beaten track, the views of the valley below were stunning. A unique feature of this site was a labyrinth of interconnecting rooms. We wandered through this maze-like area until we came upon a bunch of workmen mixing the cement for the ‘original’ plaster on the walls. As with the other places, there were old men trying to sell us ‘genuine’ Aztec clay figurines, kids selling made-in-china looking toys, and women selling everything from local woven clothing to not so local shell necklaces.<br />
The modern city of Oaxaca, nestled between these ancient neighbors, provided us with 4 days of markets, street fairs, music, museums, elaborate churches that rivaled any we saw in Europe, restaurants and food carts. The area is known for coffee, chocolate, mescal (a type of tequila), mole (a spicy chocolate and chili sauce for meats), embroidered clothing, black pottery, dot art wooden animals, as well as the lovely hand dyed and woven rugs. Many of the colors for the dye comes from an insect that lives on the local cactus, which are dried and crushed, then mixed with various compounds (lime juice, baking soda and others) to produce a surprising range of colors. Our ramblings took us to a ‘petrified’ waterfall, the minerals in the water calcifying on the rocks high in the cliffs to create the effect of frozen falls. We also visited the largest tree in the world here, a 2000-year-old cypress whose trunk is 14 meters in diameter – that’s the length of our boat! <br />
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This was to be our last side trip before our Tehuantepec crossing to El Salvador. It only whet my appetite for inland Mexico, and her ancient people.Blue Moonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08268925472328600892noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862815815040974169.post-55209855107059467142010-05-21T09:13:00.000-07:002010-05-21T09:13:30.077-07:00Zapotec Ruins<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCaO854CfOMtV6r64cHCLl94ZC-6_hBxEi07r-_ThWvVhuRz6l1BxP5-0hB0_sAGMhme64hNzIfFLwfmzi9rM0adBEYYOkwbXPz8b8H9dPxsDXf75Fx4u0w6uDGTVMJmT4LeHiEbwVaB8/s1600/yagul.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCaO854CfOMtV6r64cHCLl94ZC-6_hBxEi07r-_ThWvVhuRz6l1BxP5-0hB0_sAGMhme64hNzIfFLwfmzi9rM0adBEYYOkwbXPz8b8H9dPxsDXf75Fx4u0w6uDGTVMJmT4LeHiEbwVaB8/s320/yagul.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtbWr3xiE52ZCuRf6GTK0DOTDSqOlUzKvcMNoV-RBchvgcOYlFqMhh9WwqCtj2rIOpGhLTFi5Z-vt77uZ1X9zbYWiwZ1354fUk-1splBaH2T4eIIeiWC6oUXkrxUaekxCelr4JPp30yUo/s1600/aztec+pottery+for+sale.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj17tuaXkgeJ_e8_XYw-NkKLXCUrjg67PeEv64fWMqZJnUCRdzMaDK_Jw6JBsTlb3uNKlYS9p_qhIKDSzolO1jGiwAltP8wk7158nK1G6Va_hkV-6VEKkm0Qh-ie8llymuvjKdKRGzBbg/s320/tomb+treasure+3.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkKpWdNwx7caF5ssivJhoXSgBl9Zg4Xyd_N6eSqpGYCqGes6OMRlRa2jL0zEISDEfJfLZziRmJPWGWB2PeHS87nOQmaeR_pfVmKvSlwoXbb5Z0qLmHh9S9rDiS53DeLdKbju15iHXm4TE/s1600/tomb+treasure+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkKpWdNwx7caF5ssivJhoXSgBl9Zg4Xyd_N6eSqpGYCqGes6OMRlRa2jL0zEISDEfJfLZziRmJPWGWB2PeHS87nOQmaeR_pfVmKvSlwoXbb5Z0qLmHh9S9rDiS53DeLdKbju15iHXm4TE/s320/tomb+treasure+4.JPG" /></a></div>Blue Moonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08268925472328600892noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862815815040974169.post-84382116040359651302010-05-21T09:06:00.000-07:002010-05-21T09:06:36.614-07:00The Sights of Oaxaca<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTSdHQZI5_P-Ykq5r-ONY5fcOzD25K2tVux-edYTjRG_vBPuBrPB3J0SLCaOUD4_d8zMSXq2Qyl1eU62TvVCNSiJqA77QJxoe8X4E-rrc5Q_jXddG3xH0It3G2k1Czi3gOg73_HUrlA4M/s1600/street+festival.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTSdHQZI5_P-Ykq5r-ONY5fcOzD25K2tVux-edYTjRG_vBPuBrPB3J0SLCaOUD4_d8zMSXq2Qyl1eU62TvVCNSiJqA77QJxoe8X4E-rrc5Q_jXddG3xH0It3G2k1Czi3gOg73_HUrlA4M/s320/street+festival.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGOks8MpsoK5ACEkCbXTnVI1Wq2ndO4SJzWFFVAG8PE65EFFr3o434VFTIi2lVHAeSgpoZreFuGpAuO97n5rIk8dsYP9tEVC3_O0M6rzEQ3T66NbK94d1EkdDT1ZbRgBUl-crT5q8OGQU/s1600/exploding+chicken.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGOks8MpsoK5ACEkCbXTnVI1Wq2ndO4SJzWFFVAG8PE65EFFr3o434VFTIi2lVHAeSgpoZreFuGpAuO97n5rIk8dsYP9tEVC3_O0M6rzEQ3T66NbK94d1EkdDT1ZbRgBUl-crT5q8OGQU/s320/exploding+chicken.JPG" /></a>Street Festivals include dancing and fireworks<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNZQ9zW_190QQIwpvcKCNDxbRDdAXtlkWXwZxhUF98PtsP8qm4pxerZO4Ub2wnxk123tki6f60rgFUK4NNB-PrRCOJRVqjKC8Bp2eRKdOtpSIRy3EfLOervzyRRafeS4WCVVq6LWjTsJQ/s1600/street+festival+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNZQ9zW_190QQIwpvcKCNDxbRDdAXtlkWXwZxhUF98PtsP8qm4pxerZO4Ub2wnxk123tki6f60rgFUK4NNB-PrRCOJRVqjKC8Bp2eRKdOtpSIRy3EfLOervzyRRafeS4WCVVq6LWjTsJQ/s320/street+festival+1.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJVF2IDcBLSh4TGWWDrQf1pPzdtVxc9Y-3DK9eEtGJgrXJjgsrv_X35j62_K0ZdsF7mFrN7cTMM4QwiIH_GUCMXZRbx5qbSXACICRyBM5TRzYsTL53oACaAOXfxubvB-Wi-y6NJUYwGBw/s1600/street+festival+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJVF2IDcBLSh4TGWWDrQf1pPzdtVxc9Y-3DK9eEtGJgrXJjgsrv_X35j62_K0ZdsF7mFrN7cTMM4QwiIH_GUCMXZRbx5qbSXACICRyBM5TRzYsTL53oACaAOXfxubvB-Wi-y6NJUYwGBw/s320/street+festival+2.JPG" /></a></div><br />
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Santo Domingo Church<br />
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Toasted Grasshoppers<br />
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Shopping Day<br />
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harvesting Mezcal<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuqrYr81DTL-OJR9GWXuEKVQ8CHv3SBcyI_dAAsqorxqgD-v1OaXqf9NJF1PsGYfkh22DyerYOlRMsIOeMkVKuqOyZW3QymtfRuMt6rSnIZO6EiFrX7Tv3tV2HZLxIf5L9h4sOQFlzfvk/s1600/mezcal.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuqrYr81DTL-OJR9GWXuEKVQ8CHv3SBcyI_dAAsqorxqgD-v1OaXqf9NJF1PsGYfkh22DyerYOlRMsIOeMkVKuqOyZW3QymtfRuMt6rSnIZO6EiFrX7Tv3tV2HZLxIf5L9h4sOQFlzfvk/s320/mezcal.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">BBQ for Lunch</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBhwUtdeONshDh_PAiVJEveZNNnPCpVcTzpGa7WGAVFU6ueWFHA3Kzmejubf5mqNYPkrDB5hpK-C0k4jUubSiurCjmCqeVtNdk9hlbO8qC0S8qyxfksQnE0bQZJOeYeUvfR8_Y8XuovUI/s1600/lunch.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBhwUtdeONshDh_PAiVJEveZNNnPCpVcTzpGa7WGAVFU6ueWFHA3Kzmejubf5mqNYPkrDB5hpK-C0k4jUubSiurCjmCqeVtNdk9hlbO8qC0S8qyxfksQnE0bQZJOeYeUvfR8_Y8XuovUI/s320/lunch.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Blue Moonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08268925472328600892noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4862815815040974169.post-86113676603416274252010-05-21T08:47:00.000-07:002010-05-21T08:47:53.451-07:00Oaxaca Handicrafts<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhedOQjUSvwjQ_g3tW_ZiYb552hQRUikcWoaeyuejFn3PqM0HA7ho5ZRHyDY7_kateDyvTl1f6fBDdNzlvTH21Rn5qJsn1aoP0K3KNwjGtOAq5D2aa1_TpW6vVgTPgHU5_3sbtDef9c-5I/s1600/local+crafts+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhedOQjUSvwjQ_g3tW_ZiYb552hQRUikcWoaeyuejFn3PqM0HA7ho5ZRHyDY7_kateDyvTl1f6fBDdNzlvTH21Rn5qJsn1aoP0K3KNwjGtOAq5D2aa1_TpW6vVgTPgHU5_3sbtDef9c-5I/s320/local+crafts+3.JPG" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Mixing the dye from Cactus bugs</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJkcSBIXW_Z6jTnzBMyYZ1ylMBRBIjQSd5v9eebubRygx9Jrqwp8CaGUePNrH2PbSHThHuO-UXzysJMb_kkT4eMp0GJ0UYJMP3bZ0iNubSVkcFQGTTR2l_OzOXkH-U4bDJ9F33kH7iYCY/s1600/mixing+bug+dye.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJkcSBIXW_Z6jTnzBMyYZ1ylMBRBIjQSd5v9eebubRygx9Jrqwp8CaGUePNrH2PbSHThHuO-UXzysJMb_kkT4eMp0GJ0UYJMP3bZ0iNubSVkcFQGTTR2l_OzOXkH-U4bDJ9F33kH7iYCY/s320/mixing+bug+dye.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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