Hi Fans!

As promised - news about the Australian tour. During Aussie customs inspection, one of the consoles in the group's equipment baggage was totally destroyed when the customs officers searched every item on their never ending search for drugs. But in spite of this, the Carpenters enjoyed a "standing room only" business throughout the entire tour. Tickets and program books were sold out everywhere.

Australian sight-seeing took them to a Kuala Bear farm where they were allowed to hold the cuddly bears. Karen wanted to bring one home, but Richard and the Australian government nixed that idea, so she settled for a stuffed one three feet tall to add to her collection. She named him "Sir Bear of Sydney". A friend took them yachting in the beautiful bay of Sydney, and they also had ample time for shopping. Australia they say, still has a long way to go. Besides bad roads, there is no F.M. radio, and no color TV.

Someone posing as Karen caused a slight turmoil by calling the T.V. stations and giving misinformation concerning show taping. The "Today" show was scheduled to be taped from their hotel suite. The impostor told the station that Karen and Richard had changed their minds and would tape at the T.V. station, then sent a cab to the hotel to take them there. It took a bit to iron out this wrinkle, but iron they did, and the show went on as scheduled at the hotel.

In Adelaide, just two weeks away from winter, the hotel had no heat. Electric heaters were finally located to keep them warm. They drank bottled water there to avoid illness which the drastic change in tap water would have caused.

The lucky people of Melbourne will view a Carpenter Special T.V. show which was taped there. From Melbourne to Brisbane for another concert, then back to Sydney where gift-laden fans greeted the group's arrival at the airport.

Saying good-bye to Australia, they headed for Hong Kong, refueling on the way in Manila. They landed on the main island of China and were ferried to Hong Kong, where promoter Andrew Eu held a dinner party in their honor in one of his castles. (He owns three). Dinner was served Chinese style - chopsticks and all! Karen manipulated the sticks through everything but the fish. Wise Richard used his fork! Another sell-out concert there, then more shopping. They especially enjoyed the HK jewelry stores with their brilliant displays of diamonds and many colored jade.

At the Tokyo airport they were mobbed by fans, and two body guards were sent in to protect them. They did another Carpenter Special for Tokyo T.V. and were then "bulleted" to Osaka on the bullet train for concerts there. During the three hour ride they battled their lunch which insisted on tipping into their laps due to the extreme speed of the train.

In Kyoto at the Misako Hotel they found themselves in somewhat of a maze which ended at rooms that were much too small. An elevator took them to the sixth floor where they had to get off, wind their way to another wing, and take a second elevator to the eleventh floor. They checked out of there in a hurry and found more convenient quarters at Hotel Fujita. The group played three concerts in Osaka and once again encountered shower problems. Their last concert there was followed by a concert by the group Chicago who sent a huge bouquet of flowers for Karen and Richard.

Mom and Dad met Karen and Richard in Tokyo, and enjoyed two wonderful weeks in that very impressive city. Dad especially enjoyed the fantastic Japanese gardens. Among the huge pile of gifts bestowed upon them, was a gorgeous Japanese doll (for Karen), three feet high, encased in glass. Richard was the recipient of a very rare Suzuki harp. This was King Records way of saying "Thank-You for the beautiful music."

The Carpenter entourage returned to L.A. airport filled with happy memories of a very successful tour.

More news later.

EV

Last changed: Sun May 29 13:37:33 EDT 2005