The natural beauty of Hawaii is so apparent… from the gorgeous plumeria blossoms to the never-ending shades of blue in the ocean and with so many other elements in between.  We had a week to enjoy the island of Oahu and there was a lot to see and do.  I don’t think that I ever got tired of looking at the water and the magnificent color that it was! 

Hawaii is definitely at the top of my list of favorite places that I have visited!  The following are just a few of my favorites from this trip.

May the travelling and exploring never cease….no matter how great or small the adventures are!

Christine

The gorgeous blue water of Hanauma Bay

A demonstration of an old Hawaiian net fishing technique

The talented and brave fire dancer

Shell and flower leis

Lighthouse – taken from the top of Diamond Head

The USS Arizona Memorial (Pearl Harbor)

What is Hawaii without a Hawaiian sunset?…

…and a few pineapples !

In February we ran away to Vancouver Island for a few days, escaping the snow and cold temperatures and in search of green grass, flower blossoms and warmth!  We found just that – and it was absolutely perfect!  We did a quick overview of the Island as we travelled from Victoria to Tofino, back down the coast, over to Sooke and concluded by venturingon the crazy road to Port Renfrew!  Oh how it was worth it! 

I was amazed at the variety of beaches throughout the Island.  From the soft sand and sand dollar covered stretches in Tofino to French Beach which was rock and made such an incredible noise every time a wave crashed on the shore and then pulled back out to sea.

Here are just a few of my favorite shots from that adventure.  I can’t wait to go back some time in the summer and explore it further!  

Christine

The status of one of my friends on facebook read “Dear World. Canada will be closed for the next couple of hours“. I bet you can guess when this was!  It seemed so fitting and so absolutely perfect….especially given the circumstances : )  This was the game of all games – the gold that the country was hoping for and the medal that seemed to matter the most to many.

They said, following the win, that Canadians will remember where they were at that moment for years to come.  It is true.  Where was I at that moment, you ask?  Well….we were walking (and shooting) in the midst of Cathedral Grove on Vancouver Island – one of the most beautiful and serene places in this country. It seemed so ironic given what was going on and how people were swarming to TVs and radios all over the country, waiting with baited breath, wondering if today may be the day. Now don’t get me wrong…I was not oblivious to the game!  Far from it!  Thanks to a wonderful friend, I was receiving play by play texts and was stressed enough as it was with Canada being ahead by 2….then only by 1……then US scoring with only seconds left in the game to tie it up. YIKES!  Then there was overtime… and that goal by Crosby that will not be forgotten!

We stopped for ice cream in Coombs to celebrate the gold (and to explore) and I smiled as I listened to various people greet each other in the streets.  It was not with a “hello” or a “good evening” but with a “Did you see the game!?”  There was a smile playing on the lips and a spring in the step of passers by – as if they were concealing a wonderful secret….or perhaps just refraining from jumping up and down!

Where were you at that unforgettable moment?

Proud to be Canadian!

Christine

Las Vegas has been called “the city that never sleeps”. The lights from The Strip are apparently visible from outer space and the shows there are like no other.  These facts – combined with my love for neon – made it an intriguing destination that I needed to see, at least once.

After walking over 63 miles in 4 days, visiting the Grand Canyon and soaking in as much as I could possibly see, I realized the following….

-if you are going to Vegas and have the time – go to the Grand Canyon

-the fountain at the Bellagio is a must….especially at night

-there was not a guard rail in sight at the Grand Canyon (great for pictures…but not so great if you have children)

-if you are a flower/plant lover – you need to see the gardens at the Bellagio

-Freemont Street needs to be seen and experienced

-with all of the light bulbs in the old neon – I did not ever see someone replacing one

-if you can, take time and eat at the buffet at the Wynn

and above all, when visiting Vegas…..bring comfortable footwear!

Looking forward to the next adventure!

Christine

The fountain at the Bellagio :

I loved how the thousands of lights were reflecting on the vehicles below :

Grand Canyon :

The Bellagio :

 The lobby at Caesars Palace :