Once I get the laptop back I will finish up more posts about Australia and start up some posts about our recent trip to Riviera Maya in Mexico.
Sunday, July 20, 2014
Friday, May 16, 2014
Snorkeling on the Great Barrier Reef
AAAAAAHHHHHHHH-mazing!!!!!!!!!
I am S.C.U.B.A. certified. I do like diving but with my really crappy motion sickness (thank you 2 pregnancies, meh). I was just okay with snorkeling. Just thinking about putting all that S.C.U.B.A. gear makes me feel heavy. I'm hoping with my weight loss I'll feel better in the future, but that's another blog.
We did a group dive/snorkel with a company called Calypso. The crew was amazing and I'll get into the reason why a bit later.
Yay, for me for taking motion sickness stuff the night before so it would be in my system and would be easier for me to absorb the morning dose. The trip out to the reefs was great! The sea wasn't rough, a little bumpy, but the crew was saying that the next day was going to be rough, just because the way the ride out was feeling.
Normally, when I dive or snorkel I would go without a dive suit or skin protection. I did with this trip, at first I wasn't but then changed my mind. I grew up with jellyfish on the east coast. But nothing like the ones that are on Australia's coasts. So I threw on a full body, light weight suit that felt more comfortable than my exercise pants, I even used the hand protectors, should've used the head cover though.
We did take pictures and I do have a CD of it, I just haven't downloaded it to the computer laptop. They are all from my husband's point of view, he was diving. The pictures are great.
We visited 3 different spots. I don't remember the names of the places, it was so amazing with all the life and the reef itself. You can hear stories and see pictures on how beautiful this place is but you really don't understand the beauty until you are actually there.
After the 2nd trip our wonderful hosts pointed out the fish that were looking for a treat. There was this large, blue lipped fish called a Rasse. I think they named him Angus. He was pretty friendly. I was at the point of taking off my fins at the platform when "Angus" came up. I hopped over to see if I could touch him, almost. But I was close enough that I got to see this amazing creature. Went back to an open spot to reclaim my fins and get out. I started feeling this burning/stinging sensation in the middle of my back that was growing in intensity. With help I had the suit pulled off of me and then vinegar poured on me. Still stinging but tolerable I went to eat. I was chatty and perfectly fine. Decided to stay on board for the 3rd location and that's when it all hit the fan.
I went to change and use the bathroom, walked up to the upper deck and felt funny. Then I became overwhelmed with extreme pain. That's when I started my vomiting, off and on (more on than off) for 15 minutes. I went through so many barf bags. I didn't know I could 1) barf that long and 2) didn't know that there was still stuff finding it's way up. Praise God there was no blood involved. I would've freaked out. All of my muscles locked up, I didn't want to move, talk, or look at anyone. I didn't want to breathe.
The amazing skipper started making phone calls, they were thinking of life flighting me off of the reef. Thanks to the flight doctor who was in constant contact with the skipper, he said that I shouldn't have been talking or sitting upright if I had been stung by the really bad jellyfish (can't remember the name but it is very deadly). I finally was able to drink a ginger ale which lasted me the entire trip back. All of the crew members constantly checked on me during that time. I haven't been able to think of the right thank you for these wonderful people.
Our trip was March 18, 2014 on the Calypso boat: Bubbles
The skipper was Tony Jones, dive supervisor was Matt Hunter, dive guides Richard Goodwin and Suz Garrett, and our host was Pete Walsh. Each person was amazing!
I highly recommend Calypso Reef Cruises for any of your Great Barrier Reef tours. Small, personal tours. Great people all around and funny.
*Because of what happened to me on the Reef, I stayed in our hotel room that night drinking water, lots and lots of water. I wasn't able to go to a special dinner that evening, I just wasn't moving or hungry. But I mentioned in the Stay post that the staff was nice, the front desk called to check on me because I sent my husband to the dinner. They called because my husband asked them to check on me. You don't get that often, most places would "forget".*
I am S.C.U.B.A. certified. I do like diving but with my really crappy motion sickness (thank you 2 pregnancies, meh). I was just okay with snorkeling. Just thinking about putting all that S.C.U.B.A. gear makes me feel heavy. I'm hoping with my weight loss I'll feel better in the future, but that's another blog.
We did a group dive/snorkel with a company called Calypso. The crew was amazing and I'll get into the reason why a bit later.
Yay, for me for taking motion sickness stuff the night before so it would be in my system and would be easier for me to absorb the morning dose. The trip out to the reefs was great! The sea wasn't rough, a little bumpy, but the crew was saying that the next day was going to be rough, just because the way the ride out was feeling.
Normally, when I dive or snorkel I would go without a dive suit or skin protection. I did with this trip, at first I wasn't but then changed my mind. I grew up with jellyfish on the east coast. But nothing like the ones that are on Australia's coasts. So I threw on a full body, light weight suit that felt more comfortable than my exercise pants, I even used the hand protectors, should've used the head cover though.
We did take pictures and I do have a CD of it, I just haven't downloaded it to the computer laptop. They are all from my husband's point of view, he was diving. The pictures are great.
We visited 3 different spots. I don't remember the names of the places, it was so amazing with all the life and the reef itself. You can hear stories and see pictures on how beautiful this place is but you really don't understand the beauty until you are actually there.
After the 2nd trip our wonderful hosts pointed out the fish that were looking for a treat. There was this large, blue lipped fish called a Rasse. I think they named him Angus. He was pretty friendly. I was at the point of taking off my fins at the platform when "Angus" came up. I hopped over to see if I could touch him, almost. But I was close enough that I got to see this amazing creature. Went back to an open spot to reclaim my fins and get out. I started feeling this burning/stinging sensation in the middle of my back that was growing in intensity. With help I had the suit pulled off of me and then vinegar poured on me. Still stinging but tolerable I went to eat. I was chatty and perfectly fine. Decided to stay on board for the 3rd location and that's when it all hit the fan.
I went to change and use the bathroom, walked up to the upper deck and felt funny. Then I became overwhelmed with extreme pain. That's when I started my vomiting, off and on (more on than off) for 15 minutes. I went through so many barf bags. I didn't know I could 1) barf that long and 2) didn't know that there was still stuff finding it's way up. Praise God there was no blood involved. I would've freaked out. All of my muscles locked up, I didn't want to move, talk, or look at anyone. I didn't want to breathe.
The amazing skipper started making phone calls, they were thinking of life flighting me off of the reef. Thanks to the flight doctor who was in constant contact with the skipper, he said that I shouldn't have been talking or sitting upright if I had been stung by the really bad jellyfish (can't remember the name but it is very deadly). I finally was able to drink a ginger ale which lasted me the entire trip back. All of the crew members constantly checked on me during that time. I haven't been able to think of the right thank you for these wonderful people.
Our trip was March 18, 2014 on the Calypso boat: Bubbles
The skipper was Tony Jones, dive supervisor was Matt Hunter, dive guides Richard Goodwin and Suz Garrett, and our host was Pete Walsh. Each person was amazing!
I highly recommend Calypso Reef Cruises for any of your Great Barrier Reef tours. Small, personal tours. Great people all around and funny.
*Because of what happened to me on the Reef, I stayed in our hotel room that night drinking water, lots and lots of water. I wasn't able to go to a special dinner that evening, I just wasn't moving or hungry. But I mentioned in the Stay post that the staff was nice, the front desk called to check on me because I sent my husband to the dinner. They called because my husband asked them to check on me. You don't get that often, most places would "forget".*
Our stay...Australia
*I will write about our flight experience in a later post. I just need to get all of this out before I explode.*
We stayed at the Pullman Sea Temple Resort and Spa. Oh my goodness, It was gorgeous. The description and pictures on the website really doesn't do the place justice. It is really something you have to see yourself. The pool/lagoon was amazing. It was just my husband and I and we had this huge place to ourselves. It was a bit of a trek, but a welcome trek, from the front desk to our place. We had a lagoon view, others had a golf course view.
There were 3 levels: first floor had direct access to the lagoon from the "back door" that was cool. We were on the second floor, come in and there is a kitchen, dining, living room set up that goes out on to the patio balcony. There were 2 bedrooms and one bathroom. Fairly large closets in both rooms, one room had a king size bed and if I can remember there was a king in the other room but that could be split if needed. Please forgive me if I am incorrect on this. For a spoiled American the bathroom was on the small side, but if you want me to be honest, it is typical of most resort bathrooms for in and out and hanging out at the beach or pool. I really wasn't disappointed in it. There were stairs on our patio balcony that lead up the third level. That had a hot tub and a grill kitchen area. It was really nice.
Staff was great. I have a story in a later post that will tell you how wonderful and nice the staff was towards me.
I did get a chance to visit the spa. Staff was super nice, I had a short massage and an express pedicure. Hindsight I wish I had taken the full massage. Not saying that the pedicure was bad, it was very nice. I loved the color so much I purchased it for probably 3 times what it would cost in the states, it was manufactured in the United States. I think I would have benefited from the full massage more.
I did get sunburn on my last day, I did use sunscreen (multiple times), and was under an umbrella. They say what ever country you are in purchase the sunscreen from there. Not too sure about that but it'll be okay if you forget and have to go to the store to get it.
We stayed at the Pullman Sea Temple Resort and Spa. Oh my goodness, It was gorgeous. The description and pictures on the website really doesn't do the place justice. It is really something you have to see yourself. The pool/lagoon was amazing. It was just my husband and I and we had this huge place to ourselves. It was a bit of a trek, but a welcome trek, from the front desk to our place. We had a lagoon view, others had a golf course view.
There were 3 levels: first floor had direct access to the lagoon from the "back door" that was cool. We were on the second floor, come in and there is a kitchen, dining, living room set up that goes out on to the patio balcony. There were 2 bedrooms and one bathroom. Fairly large closets in both rooms, one room had a king size bed and if I can remember there was a king in the other room but that could be split if needed. Please forgive me if I am incorrect on this. For a spoiled American the bathroom was on the small side, but if you want me to be honest, it is typical of most resort bathrooms for in and out and hanging out at the beach or pool. I really wasn't disappointed in it. There were stairs on our patio balcony that lead up the third level. That had a hot tub and a grill kitchen area. It was really nice.
Staff was great. I have a story in a later post that will tell you how wonderful and nice the staff was towards me.
I did get a chance to visit the spa. Staff was super nice, I had a short massage and an express pedicure. Hindsight I wish I had taken the full massage. Not saying that the pedicure was bad, it was very nice. I loved the color so much I purchased it for probably 3 times what it would cost in the states, it was manufactured in the United States. I think I would have benefited from the full massage more.
I did get sunburn on my last day, I did use sunscreen (multiple times), and was under an umbrella. They say what ever country you are in purchase the sunscreen from there. Not too sure about that but it'll be okay if you forget and have to go to the store to get it.
Friday, May 9, 2014
Our trip to Australia
March 14th or 15th my husband and I headed out on an amazing adventure. We went to Australia. We were on the East Coast, in the state of Queensland (which is the Sunshine State), we stayed in Port Douglas. Amazing!
There were so many amazing things that I got to see and experience and the next few posts I hope to share my experiences with you.
But just to give you a brief run down. Got to pet a baby crocodile, hold a koala bear, swim/snorkel the Great Barrier Reef, traveled through a rain forest and got to see aboriginals talk about their heritage.
It's getting late but I can't wait tell you all about this trip and the wonderful people that I came across. Especially on my trip to the Great Barrier Reef.
Wednesday, April 9, 2014
Monte Carlo Hotel Resort and Casino- Las Vegas
Well, life happened last week so I wasn't able to get this post out last week like I wanted.
The weekend before Valentine's we went to Las Vegas, we hadn't been in almost 5 years. When we started going to Vegas for vacations it was before kids and the first time for me was our honeymoon (6 months after). We stayed at the Aladdin, which is now Planet Hollywood.
I was excited about the trip because we were going without the kids and we both really needed the break.
We booked the hotel room on Expedia. We got a "Spa Suite" which has a jacuzzi tub in the room. The room was spacey but I wasn't impressed to be honest. The fixtures were dated, the room hadn't been dusted in a while. Bedside lamps were really loose and falling apart. We were under the impression that at one time there was surround sound because there were holes in the trim around the ceiling with wires sticking out. Our little wardrobe had doors that wouldn't shut. Called the front desk to let them know, we fixed it ourselves, no one showed up. The room was slowly but surely falling apart.
I think Monte Carlo's ONLY saving grace was the staff. I was very impressed with everyone who worked for the resort and casino.
We ate at 2 of the hotel restaurants. Pretty good. Nice wait staff and the food was good.
Sorry it has taken me so long to post this.
We ate at 2 of the hotel restaurants. Pretty good. Nice wait staff and the food was good.
Sorry it has taken me so long to post this.
Sunday, February 9, 2014
Rock of Ages-Las Vegas
I am almost 37 years old. Technically I am considered "middle-aged". Gasp! I sure as heck didn't feel like it last night. I was sick on top of everything else. Thank you Lord for water and ginger ale!
When deciding to go on this trip my husband asked me what show would I like to see. Honestly, I wasn't really looking to see a show, just some down time maybe I could convince a run at the spa. I got the spa and he found a show that I might be interested in.
Let me tell you, I love the movie Rock of Ages. I was worried due to the fact that the only people I knew could sing were in the movie were Julianne Hough and Catherine Zeta-Jones. I was very impressed with the entire cast as a whole and yay for Tom Cruise, he can sing!
Well, I had read up on the theatrical version of Rock of Ages since it was what started it all and I was prepared for anything. What I wasn't prepared for? HOW AWESOME IT WAS!!!!!
Rock of Ages at the Venetian was absolutely above and beyond what I could have dreamed of.
The cast was talented and just on the ball. I did not get to see the principal actress Carrie St. Louis perform, she was sick. But her understudy Becca Kotte stepped up and wow, just absolutely wonderful!
This shows you that every single member of this cast works very hard at this show.
The band "Arsenal" brilliant!
You have to go and see this show. I'm serious. I want to see it again. I hope to come back and see it again.
A shout out to Mr. Mark Shunock: You sir, are brilliant! A comment from an audience member stopped him and through the laughing he continued on and gave the best come back ever! I will talk about that just as much as the show as a whole.
To summarize: LOVED it more than the movie. Brilliant and talented cast! If you like 80s hair bands/glam rock then this is the show for you!
When deciding to go on this trip my husband asked me what show would I like to see. Honestly, I wasn't really looking to see a show, just some down time maybe I could convince a run at the spa. I got the spa and he found a show that I might be interested in.
Let me tell you, I love the movie Rock of Ages. I was worried due to the fact that the only people I knew could sing were in the movie were Julianne Hough and Catherine Zeta-Jones. I was very impressed with the entire cast as a whole and yay for Tom Cruise, he can sing!
Well, I had read up on the theatrical version of Rock of Ages since it was what started it all and I was prepared for anything. What I wasn't prepared for? HOW AWESOME IT WAS!!!!!
Rock of Ages at the Venetian was absolutely above and beyond what I could have dreamed of.
The cast was talented and just on the ball. I did not get to see the principal actress Carrie St. Louis perform, she was sick. But her understudy Becca Kotte stepped up and wow, just absolutely wonderful!
This shows you that every single member of this cast works very hard at this show.
The band "Arsenal" brilliant!
You have to go and see this show. I'm serious. I want to see it again. I hope to come back and see it again.
A shout out to Mr. Mark Shunock: You sir, are brilliant! A comment from an audience member stopped him and through the laughing he continued on and gave the best come back ever! I will talk about that just as much as the show as a whole.
To summarize: LOVED it more than the movie. Brilliant and talented cast! If you like 80s hair bands/glam rock then this is the show for you!
Flying to Vegas
Traveling to Las Vegas for the first time in almost 5 years. It feels a little weird to be honest with you. We are traveling without the children. I know the last time we traveled without them was when we went to Kauai last year. But for some reason it feels different. Maybe I am anxious about our impending travels to Australia next month. I really don’t know. We are going without the children again. I am sorry but like I mentioned about the trip to the UK, not until they can handle their own luggage will we take the kids on an international trip.
Well, back to the point of this post. Las Vegas. I can say been there, done that for the 4th time this trip. We are staying at the Monte Carlo, we will be seeing Rock of Ages at the Venetian. It’s just a relaxing getaway for us. Kind of an early Valentine’s/13th anniversary of our first date trip.
So, where I usually start off is with the plane trip from the start of the airport. We flew out of ABIA (airport code AUS) on Southwest, not Air Tran, an actual Southwest plane. I LOVE Southwest Airlines. Ever since my very first time flying with them, it has ALWAYS been a very nice and pleasant experience from beginning to end. And the TSA agents are the most cheerful at ABIA. At least every time I’ve been there.
I have had a lot of friends who can’t stand to fly SWA, I am very sorry for their experience. Usually, I am taking pictures left and right but to be honest with you I am still not 100% from being sick 3 weeks ago. That and my youngest decided that allergies were going to make a display for the past week. I have never seen so much mucous come out of one little body.
Back to the travels. Flight was bumpy but that's the weather and the pilots do the best they can. The Captain of the plane came over and sounded just as disappointed about the turbulence as we were. Landed safe and sound with our bags in Las Vegas 3 hrs later.
I'll update this post when we land, okay not when we land but sometime later in the week.
Well, back to the point of this post. Las Vegas. I can say been there, done that for the 4th time this trip. We are staying at the Monte Carlo, we will be seeing Rock of Ages at the Venetian. It’s just a relaxing getaway for us. Kind of an early Valentine’s/13th anniversary of our first date trip.
So, where I usually start off is with the plane trip from the start of the airport. We flew out of ABIA (airport code AUS) on Southwest, not Air Tran, an actual Southwest plane. I LOVE Southwest Airlines. Ever since my very first time flying with them, it has ALWAYS been a very nice and pleasant experience from beginning to end. And the TSA agents are the most cheerful at ABIA. At least every time I’ve been there.
I have had a lot of friends who can’t stand to fly SWA, I am very sorry for their experience. Usually, I am taking pictures left and right but to be honest with you I am still not 100% from being sick 3 weeks ago. That and my youngest decided that allergies were going to make a display for the past week. I have never seen so much mucous come out of one little body.
Back to the travels. Flight was bumpy but that's the weather and the pilots do the best they can. The Captain of the plane came over and sounded just as disappointed about the turbulence as we were. Landed safe and sound with our bags in Las Vegas 3 hrs later.
I'll update this post when we land, okay not when we land but sometime later in the week.
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