Our Peregrine group

We had a terrific group and fortunately were compatible traveling companions. We started with nine and picked up a few more along the way:

Clive and Nicky Speakman, Brisbane, Australia. He's a retired family law lawyer and Nicky, also retired, worked for him. The Americans loved the Australian sense of humor.

Keven Trottier, Quebec. The youngest and most energetic of our group, he's an actuary for an insurance firm. Quiet and reserved, he surprised us a few times with breakdancing, dressing like an Arab and a truly evil laugh.

Sue and Shenandoah Knipe, a mother-daughter team from Camano Island, Washington. Sue's a librarian who seemed to be often shopping, and Shenon' works at the post office, and collects SAND. Bags of it.

Rita Gilmore and Ken Strong, Greenbrae, CA. Both lawyers in San Francisco, although Rita's retired, and longtime friends of Nancy. Rita's high on my list of funniest people in the world.

Karen Wold, Novato, CA. My traveling buddy and friend of 25 years. Since we've now seen three of the world's wonders, we're aiming to visit the other four, once we figure out what they are.

Veronika Ong, Vancouver, B.C., joined us about halfway through. She's a retired nurse -- ICU, burn unit and surgical. Traveling has got to be easier.

Nick Koas, Baltimore. Nick is senior vice president of Mercy Hospital, in charge of lots of stuff, including marketing and PR. He also joined us in Jordan and was headed to Israel with Claudia and Veronika.

Nancy McCarthy, Kentfield, CA. I may have to give up my newspaper job and pursue this travel writing for a living, once I figure out how to upload pictures, label them and put them in the right place...