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August 5, 2000 - Los Angeles, CA (United States)

August 7, 2000 - The Cook Islands (New Zealand)

August 17, 2000 - Fiji

August 26, 2000 - New Zealand

October 15, 2000 - Australia

Indonesia

 

(Dates reflect Pacific Standard Time)

 

 

Saturday August 5, 2000 - Fly to Los Angeles from San Francisco

[Country map of United States]

Background: In 1769 a party of Spanish explorers were developing a trail between San Diego and San Francisco which became known as El Camino Real. A series of missions would be established along this trail. Led by Father Junipero Serra and Captain Gaspar de Portola, and with Father Juan Crespi to record what they saw, the expedition of about 67 men entered what is now Los Angeles by way of Elysian Park on August 2, 1769.

After traveling about a league and a half through a pass between low hills we entered a very spacious valley, well grown with cottonwoods and alders, among which ran a beautiful river from north-northwest, and then, doubling the point of a steep hill, it went on afterward to the south.

...As soon as we arrived, about eight heathen from a good village came to visit us; they live in this delightful place among the trees on the river.

Portola named the river El Rio de Nuestra Senora la Reina de los Angeles de Porciuncula. The expedition left the area the next morning; during their brief stay there had been three earthquakes. Nevertheless, Crespi saw the possibilities for a large settlement in this "delightful place" by the river.

For more information, visit the Los Angeles California Travel and Tourism Guide

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Monday August 7, 2000 (Tuesday arrival) - Cook Islands

The Cook Islands, the best kept secret in the Pacific Ocean

[Country map of Cook Islands]

Background: Named after Captain Cook, who sighted them in 1770, the islands became a British protectorate in 1888. By 1900, administrative control was transferred to New Zealand. Residents chose self-government with free association with New Zealand in 1965. The emigration of Cook Islanders to New Zealand in large numbers and resulting loss of skilled labor and government deficits are continuing problems.

Let's hope the adventures don't come to an unexpected turn. Apparently the coinage of the Cook Islands bears the symbol of the local Fertility God: 

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August 17, 2000 - Fiji

 

[Country map of Fiji]

Fiji has a long history. You can find a lot of good information here. 

Fiji is currently on the U.S. State Department Travels Warning list