Welcome to Belli's Home Page
With
Bob & Fran Frazee.
Welcome to Belli's Home Page |
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In 1985 I first started subscribing to Prodigy.net. They have made changes over the years but now AT&T Yahoo.com has taken over the service and it is a disaster. The first thing they did was, without warning, close all of its Personal Web Pages. Accordingly I have had to move my home page to this new location at Comcast.net. I believe all of the links are valid but it will take time for me to download the necessary photographs. I will be doing this over the next couple of weeks, the newest subjects first. Please be patient.
I recommend anyone with an account with yahoo.com or AT&T start searching for a new provider so you are not suddenly shut off without warning. They want to take my monthly subscription money but do not want to provide the service. Needless to say I am extremely disappointed.
Bob taking a mud bath in the Dead Sea
In 2003 Fran and I traveled to Israel as part of our pre-trip to Egypt. Recently Fran was given a copy of a letter written by her mother to her Zumbro Falls, MN, family after a three week trip to the Holy Land in 1935. Considering how ageless that part of the world is we found we visited many of the same shrines and locations. I have put her letter on my web page with my pictures and commentary so it could be fully enjoyed.
To make matters more interesting, this spring I read Mark Twain's The Innocents Abroad, written in 1867, when he also visited the Holy Land. It is uncanny how he saw many of the same sites and had some of the same experiences 136 years earlier. His comments are most interesting and I have added them to add some spice to the commentary. I hope you will find the web page interesting.
You are also invited to follow up with reading about our two week Egyptian tour.
In January, 2010, we took our long delayed trip to Thailand, Myanmar (Burma), and Cambodia with Overseas Adventure Travel (OAT). We had originally booked the trip for January, 2009, but cancelled it when the financial markets were in turmoil. "Cut back on your expenses for a year," we were advised, "give the market some time to rebound". We could wait no longer so off we went.
| Having grown up with a background in Western Civilization, the culture of southeast Asia and the significance of Hinduism and Buddhism were really uncharted waters for us. I found everything so exotic and wonderful that I was constantly reminded of Oliver Wendell Holmes' statement, "The mind, once expanded by travel, never returns to its original shape." This is why I love traveling so much, but, I also realized I knew so little about these two major religions. I took thousands of pictures, some of which are shown here, and when I got home I wanted to learn even more about what I had seen. I suppose everyone who has ever seen the fat little elephant headed Hindu god has wondered where this came from. What really sparked my interest, and one of the highlights of our trip, was a puppet show in Bangkok, The Birth of Ganesha. Just remember, this is my rendition of the wonderful story. |
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In May, 2208, we traved with Overseas Adventure Travel (OAT) to Africa taking The Best of Kenya and Tanzania tour. I have two criteria when scheduling my travels: I want to see ancient civilizations and exotic cultures. Both criteria were met and our Tour Director, Ed, was extremely patient in answering my many questions about the culture in a land which most Americans know little about. Kenya was especially relevant considering its recent political turmoil following the 2007 elections. Besides seeing exotic wild animals roaming freely on the Serengeti Plain we learned much about the culture and traditions of the Maasai people. Everyone was so friendly and we felt very welcome.
I have created a page of some movie files of wild animals roaming freely on the Serengeti Plain and the Maasai people. These files are very big so you may want to think twice about looking at them unless you have a high speed dial-up or cable connection.
In March, Fran managed to get our two children, their spouses, and two grandchildren to Grand Cayman. Phillip and Laura were there for two weeks with Elle Monet who is 19 months old. while we baby sat Elle Monet on the beach Phillip and Laura renewed their love of diving "the wall" on the north sound. This was Suzanne, Rob, and Abbey's second year of spending their spring break in Cayman. They all love the beach and snorkeling and sailing with the pirates. Fran was so proud of the twin sun dresses she made the two grand daughters from material she had purchased in Cayman over 15 years ago.
As we head into May, 2008, Fran and I are packing our bags for another trip. This time to Kenya and Tanzania. Hopefully I will get some great wild animal pictures.
In June, 2002, we took an Overseas Adventure Travel (OAT) seven day cruise through the
Galapagos Islands
which are located about 800 miles west of Ecuador in the Pacific Ocean. What strange and wonderful things we saw.
Part of our OAT tour included a trip to Cuzco, the capital of the Inca empire.
While there I attempted to answer a question I have had for a long time:
Why Do Women Wear Hats in the Market Place?
You may find the answer interesting.
 In May, 2002, Grandma Johnson commissioned this wonderful family portait of Rob, Suzanne and Abbey You can watch Abbey as she grows by following her on her own Home Page. |
We celebratated Christmas in Denver this year |
 In August, 2001, we spent 18 wonderful days touring Italy with Grand Circle Tours. |
  Starting on June 29, 2000, Fran and I took a wonderful 18 day motorcycle trip on our Goldwing. We followed the Lewis and Clark Trail to the Pacific. Take a look at this great journey following the Corps of Discovery. |
 We returned home following the Oregon Trail. |
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The purpose of the trip to Kauai was to attend the marriage of Lisa Welch to Mark Meyer on March 27, 1999. Lisa is the daughter of Bob's sister, Shannon Welch. The wedding took place on the "Garden Isle" of Kauai in Hawaii. |
| In October, 1997 we took a wonderful trip to Tucson, AZ for a trip to the old west. |  |
You can go to Belli's expanded web site for more information about our travels.
Write to
Belli if you have any comments about this
Home Page or would like to learn more about the Minnesota Wings, a Honda
Goldwing Motorcycle Club.
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