This page chronicles the travels of Maura Duck. Maura is a very well-travelled duck who frequently takes long trips to Europe. She flies extensively (in business class), and is often seen at many of the finest airports around the world.
Allie had a little duck,
Whose down was white as snow;
and everywhere that Allie went,
The duck was sure to go.
She followed her to school one day;
That was against the rule;
She quacked at Barry Staw to say;
"You're final exam is cruel!"
And so Dean Campbell turned her out,
But still she waddled near,
And waited in the Haas courtyard,
Until Allie did appear.
"Why do people love my duck?"
Oh Alison would cry;
"This duck will quack when you are stuck,"
So Dmitry Livdan did reply.
Rules for Keeping Ducks Happy:
Rule #1: Ducks do NOT like to be held by the neck or the webbed feet. The proper way to hold a duck is to cradle the duck under your armpits, or to carry the duck gently by the torso with two hands.
Rule #2: Ducks are chilly and like to have blankets. A duck wrapped in a blanket is a happy duck.
Rule #3: Ducks are inquisitive and like to learn and see lots of new things.
Rule #4: Do not mistreat your duck. Your duck has many friends in a very extensive and powerful network.
Maura was hatched into this world some years ago. Actually she was rescued from a toy store (FAO Schwarz), where she out-quacked other ducklings to have the chance to live with caring owners. As she sat on the store shelf, happily quacking along with the other ducks, she was noticed by a nice girl with very long black hair. This girl's name was Alison. She picked up Maura and inspected her, and noticed that she had a very nice smile and an even temper. Maura wasn't neurotic, or too needy. For a little duckling, Maura had the confidence of a much older duck, but with the infectious happiness of... a little duckling! Maura was a very happy duck who would become a good influence on all the people and other ducks around Alison's life.
Here is an early picture of Maura. She has a few duck friends.
Thats one gorgeous looking duck there!
I didn't know that ducks liked chocolate!
Silly duck. Gramma's glasses are not for play!
Maura and her friend Elena! Thats the proper way to hold a duck.
Three cheers for Maura!
Maura is here with the Tran family. Maura loves being with other children.
Maura Duck's infectious happiness was a kind gift that she shared with everyone around her. If you ever had a bad day, you could just look at Maura before you realized that life was too short to not be a happy duck. And you realized that you can always count on Maura's love. She always smiled in your presence, because she was so excited to be around people. [Maura + People pictures]. Maura had a way to change your life for the better.
Maura was also quite an unusual duck. She was odd because she preferred to sleep in bed alongside Alison. She would find her place in the bed, next to Alison's pillow. There are not too many ducks known to prefer to sleep in regular bed. Maura was also exceptional because she liked to sleep on her side, just like Alison. She would roll onto her side and have her head on the pillow. Now how many ducks do you know that would sleep like that? When Alison would flip while sleeping, Maura would do the same. Maura was really stuck to her mommy!
This is Maura among the sheets with her favorite blanket.
Maura really loves that blanket. It was her mom's security blanket when she was young. Maura even has her own pillow.
Maura is fast asleep. Sweet dreams!
Alison believed that Maura should travel and see the world. Alison believed that it would make a very cultured and well-rounded duck to experience other cultures and see how other people lived their daily lives. Maura's first trip overseas was to the U.K. There, she traveled around all over England and Scotland. Alison would insist on taking pictures of Maura at all the landmarks and beautiful scenery. Alison said that Maura would want to have pictures so that she could remember all the fun times that she had. Everywhere that Alison went, Maura would sit in Alison's backpack, sticking her head out of the pocket so that she could experience all the wonderfully new sights and sounds. Hadrian's Wall - Loch Ness - The old city of Edinburgh. Here are some pictures [UK Pictures]
Maura's made a 2nd trip to Europe in 2000. Alison was a little bit wary of taking Maura with her to France, the land of foie gras. But in the end, Alison decided that it was more important for her to see Paris, the cultural capital of the world. Maura was absolutely ecstatic about the idea of traveling with Alison and Alison's mom. The three of them landed in Paris on a Delta Airlines flight. Maura and Alison's mom got to sit in Business Class. Maura very much enjoyed the service in the business class cabin.
Maura's Trip to Paris
Maura posing in front of the Bastille monument.
Maura in Japan
Maura visiting Hakone, Japan!
Maura in Italy - Pisa, Florence, Venice
Maura with her little toy. She really enjoyed visiting Pisa! I hope that building doesn't tip over.
Maura in Switzerland.
Maura in Regensberg, Germany. Her mom and gramma had the chance to eat some of those Nurenburg sausages on the other side of the bridge. Maura had a small nibble.
Maura is in Regensburg. She looks dandy sitting in her travel sac.
Maura in Chamonix
Those are the French Alps in the back. We're almost there!
Chamonix is a nice little town. Maura loves the fresh clean air and the blue skies.
Maura posing in front of a church in Chamonix, France. She loves visiting the French Alps.
Maura in Lourdes
Maura enjoyed visiting Lourdes in the south of France. She thought the spring water was quite refreshing.
Maura in St. Malo
Maura learned that St. Malo was an old Pirate city. The French call them Corsaires.
Lots of stone buildings in St. Malo
Maura likes the ideas of being part of a floatilla.
Maura in Mont St. Michel
Maura is on the way to Mont St. Michel wearing her dandy duckie slippers. Its the city that becomes an island during high tide. Its a good thing that Maura knows how to swim.
Climbing to the top really takes some effort.
Maura enjoying the view of the muddy flats. During high tide, water rushes in from the sea.
Maura in Rome
Maura Duck visiting the Colosseum in Rome. =
Maura in the Forum, Rome
Maura in the Forum, Rome
Maura visiting the Vatican.
Recent picture of Maura during the springtime, 2008. 2008 was a great year for both Maura and her mom. The cherry blossoms in the back yard were in full bloom. Maura enjoyed sitting under the trees and watching the bees and ladybugs go back and fourth.
Unter den cherry blossoms. Maura is in bliss.
Maura really likes having her picture taken with flowers!
Maura looks sleepy. She doesn't like to stay up too late.
