Seattle: Pike Place Market

I'm posting these today because I won't have time tomorrow since Mike's family is in town.

This was probably my favorite place in Seattle. Pike Place Market. Oh, the sites at this place. Located on the waterfront and talk about an AWESOME farmer's market. I absolutely love, love, LOVED it. The fish market, where employees throw fish to each other rather than passing them by hand, was fun to watch. When a customer orders a fish, an employee at the Fish Market's ice-covered fish table picks up the fish, and hurls it over the countertop, where another employee catches it and preps it for sale. The crabs were enormous. Fresh Seafood everywhere.

Add to that, produce and fruits in masses like I've never seen. Blueberries and cherries are local! And the rows and rows of gorgeous flowers ready to sale (and tons out just for decoration, and they don't die). Everywhere I turned, there were flowers. And when Dawn told me her husband's office is right up the street and he can come by and easily pick stuff up, I thought that was the coolest thing ever, and almost envious.

Whistler, B.C., Canada

Shortly after arriving in Seattle, we were already making our way up north to the Canadian border. It was important to me that we make it to Canada as the only border I've crossed is Mexico's. Dawn and her hubby have a studio in the gorgeous little village of Whistler. Mike went skiing in Whistler many years ago, so I assumed it was a winter-only destination, however, it's filled with summer activies also. There were countless choices in dining, shopping, and there's even a nightlife scene. It truly is a spectacular place.

Let me first tell you about our nightlife scene....

I don't know why, (well...yes I do), of all us gals, I was the one who was the most exhausted while there. I kept telling Dawn and Liza it was due to the fact that I had just flown half way across the country to get there, and was getting close to being awake for 24 hours. They kept poking fun, saying how OLD I was acting, blah, blah, blah. But, I certainly felt it, especially since I wasn't bouncing off the walls like Dawn was (some things never change. Ha!)

So after our 4 hour drive to Whistler, and our activities for the day, and then dinner, all I wanted to do was go back to the studio and sleep. The girls wanted to go dance. I thought they were out of their minds. So we compromised and we went to a bar, had a drink, and then agreed to head back to the studio, and that we would dance the next night in Seattle.

This is where is gets fun....
And so typical of what would happen to us while a top a mountain in Canada.

We all wore our heels for the evening portion, and mine were not broken in yet. Only worn about 2 times.
We sat and waited for the shuttle to take us back to our hotel.

But, no shuttle.
So we wait more.
Still, no shuttle.

So what does Liza suggest? That we start WALKING (!!!) and that we'll see the shuttle on the way and it will pick us up. I think she's out of her flippin' mind, but I don't say anything. I just go along...

Let me just preface this by saying, I would have no problem walking anywhere, however--

1). I was in heels. High ones.
2). I was in new jeans that were way too tight and squeezing any remaining air out of my already exhausted body.
3). The walk was UPHILL.

So we start walking, and things are ok for about 10 minutes, and finally off come my heels because the hard gravel feels better than the pain that my heels are giving my swollen, blistered toes. We keep walking. Then, we pass most of the resorts and the hill gets steeper. We're going higher in elevation, so I'm focusing on just breathing. Also trying to keep up with Dawn, cause the skinny bitch is WAY ahead of us (and she still somehow has her damn heels on). We keep walking.

Now that we've passed all those resorts, there is NO light. All we see is the huge, dark hill ahead of us. And we have a long way to go. Oh, and obviously, the shuttle never appeared. By that point, I seriously feel like I'm going to die, or at least pass out. Then Dawn, says, "Oh, no! I hope we don't see any bears!"

What???

I'm in NO condition to 'be alert' and 'bear aware' because I'm just focusing on not passing out and rolling down the wretched hill. Then I throw in my way-too-late 2 cents, about how we should have just taken a taxi from the village and whoever's idea it was to walk, was out of their mind!

So, what do we do? We're desperate, and I'm ready to hitchike. Soon thereafter, we see headlights and we're waving our arms flagging it down, and it's a TAXI! Thank GAWD! If my feet didn't feel like they were going to explode, I would've done the Happy Dance right there.

FYI: If any of you are in Whistler, during the summer, the shuttle does not run every 7 minutes after dusk.



On our way to the village. Happy and ready for an evening of fun.
This is Liza. Isn't she beautiful?






Shots from earlier that day.
















The 2010 Winter Olympics will be held here in 1.5 years! Preparations are alreay being made.

Hawaii Anyone?

Instead of retyping and condensing what I posted in my MySpace blog while I was in Hawaii, I thought it be easiest on me to "copy and paste" here. I know - I'm lazy, but my eyes are going googly from sorting and uploading images to Tabblo, so I'm a copying and a pasting away!

************
2.04.2007

As you can tell from my title, we made it to Hawaii -actually, the better term is--we survived. Traveling with a family, or I should say -- an infant, poses many challenges. I don't want to begin my Hawaiian blog with complaints because, hey we're in MAUI, one of the most beautiful places on this planet! Ahh, but you know me, I am a chick and I need to vent because I'm surrounded by men on this trip and they don't like to listen to this stuff. Ha!

So our journey began at 5:00 am. We were up till 11:30 pm packing the night before, so we definitely weren't well rested. Got the baby up, dressed and fed went smoothly and the shuttle service was punctual. After loading what seemed like 50 bags of luggage, we were off by 6:00 a.m (10 minutes behind schedule) to pick up my inlaws and brother in law. They were obviously better prepared than us -- already waiting and ready for us outside.

Arrived at the airport just in time. Then unloaded what now seemed like 70 pieces of luggage, backpacks, diaper bags, etc. The guys stayed outside and did curbside check-in while my MIL, baby and I waited inside the warm terminal.

Then after about 30 minutes, the guys join us and we were off to go through the stress of security checkpoint. Trying to take off our shoes, jackets, take out laptop, etc. and get all the items on the belt in a timely manner is always challenging. Thank goodness, they didn't make me remove Sophia from the carrier I had her strapped on to me with.

Then comes our first no-no as an airline passenger. I was not aware that baby jar food is not supposed to be put through the xray machine in the bag, so my BIL, who happened to get stuck with carrying that bag, was being questioned about it while I was in the other line trying to get through with a baby, and the security guy is looking at him like he's from the moon since he's telling the security that he has no idea what it's the bag he's carrying. I came to his rescue and things were cleared up.

As we're walking up to our gate, boarding has begun. Here's the kicker of the day. (Allow me to preface the following sentence with this information). After much deliberation and considerable thought about our 9 hour flight, we decided to purchase a seat (not cheap either)for Sophia so she wouldn't have to ride in our laps the entire time, but rather spend most of it strapped in her nice comfy car seat. So, we're waiting and everything is peachy. Until I look down and notice that Sophia's carseat is not in the pile with the rest of our carry on items. I ask Mike where it is. Guess where it was?? Being loaded on the bottom on the plane. Yes, he CHECKED it!

So we have no carseat to strap our 9.5 month old daughter in! Our very wiggly, hyper daughter. I wanted to SCREAM . My FIL was standing with us and it took every bit of strength I had in me not to wrap my hands around my husband's neck. I suppose I can't blame him. He had to deal with checking all our bags and a lost reservation number while standing outside in 30 degree weather. He goofed. And I just had to deal with it.

I'll make the rest of this short.

Sophia only took two power naps. The highlights of our flights were when she had two poopy diapers (one came from hell, I just know it). Try to imagine changing a baby's diaper in the tiny lavatory on the plane. NO fun! And she spent 90% of the time jumping, wriggling, climbing the seats, and rolling back and forth from my husband and I. Mike had to endure the daggers I was shooting at him every time Sophia was the equivalent of a Mexican jumping bean. Did I mention she did this about 90% of the time?

But yes! 9 flight hours later, we finally arrived!!! And she was in a terrific mood by then. Go figure. After about an hour and a half (and a missing piece of luggage) we were in our rented Excursion on our way to the hotel. Got checked in and our tummies filled.

THEN- the next morning (today), we just about sh** in our pants because we realized we're missing our camera bag, which had in it our Sony Cybershot PnS digital camera, Nikon CoolPix camera, and our tiny digital camcorder, all the batteries, memory cards -- over $2500 worth of equipment, all very new. After searching our rooms, the car, and a call into hotel security, no bag.

As I write this, Mike's taking a drive to Hertz to see if by chance it was left there.

Signing off now to get ready to attend the Old Lahaina Luau. Hopefully, I'll have a camera to capture the most authentic Luau in all of Hawaii...

************
2.08.2007

First off...we found our camera bag! Yay!!!! What a relief. It was left behind (along with Domi's backpack, which was also full of valuable items) at the Hertz station. Thank God!

Enjoyed the Luau at Old Lahaina. Definitely worth the price. The hula girls girls looks so incredibly beautiful with their long hair, trim dark bodies, and oh, the way they can shake their hips. Needless to say, the guys had quite a show. But no worries--so did us ladies! The men did quite the same in their loin cloths. Hehe. Domi commented over the phone to our friend Javier, "Those Luau ladies... well...you just can't ignore them you know..." The music was also very empowering with the live Tahitian drummers. It was almost...erotic.

We also took a sunset drive up to Haleakala. Quite an experience to go from sea level to almost 10,000 feet in just a couple hours. We didn't make it to the summit before sunset, but did make it to one of the lookout points in time and got some great pictures of us above the clouds with the sunset spilling over them.

Next day we went snorkeling. This is where our vacation began to get interesting again. Took a boat out to Molokini and WOW what an amazing view of the sea life. The water was so clear! There were beautiful fish everywhere and swam so close to you, it felt like you could reach out and touch them. None of us had been snorkeling before, so this was quite a treat. Well, Domi was freezing in the water (I was the only one who rented a wetsuit) so Mike took him back on the boat to rent one and then it happened. Domi threw up. All over the floor of the boat. When our group was summoned back to the boat to go to our next stop, as soon as I got on the boat, I started feeling dizzy. Nothing too terrible, but just not feeling 100%. Can't say the same for Domi though. Poor guy threw up 2 more times on the boat. By the time we arrived at Turtle Cove I was feeling pretty horrid too, so we stayed behind on the boat while the rest of the crew went snorkeling. Mike thinks he was able to get some great pictures of the sea turtles. Said one was just a few feet away from him! How amazing.

Well, by the time we made it back to the hotel room, we thought we were free and clear of the vomit attacks, until we got in the hallway going to our room. Then it hit Domi again and he ran to the balcony and got sick again. We come back the room and then guess what? I start throwing up..over and over again. Poor Mike had to deal with a baby and two of us throwing up and moaning in bed the rest of the day. In case you want to know any more details about our vomiting experience, between Domi and I, we threw up 11 times. Ugggh!! We believe it was due to us accidentally ingesting salt water and then the boat ride with the motion sickness did not help. Very frustrating to lose a day and a half of our vacation.

A DAY and a HALF!

Instead of frolicking on the beach and basking in the sun, Domi and I were hugging the hotel toilet. No bueno! What was even more torture for me was that the next morning Mike was set to go deep sea fishing. You know how hard it is to care for a baby alone when you're sick?? Very hard. But I survived somehow and this morning I am back to my normal self.

*******

2.14.07
Ok, so we're back home and have been for about a week. It's taken me this long to recup. I still have two suitcases that have not been unpacked. Long story short - the flight back was horrendous for me. I went 26 hours without sleep and having a 3 hour layover in LAX did not help. I was a zombie. Even fell asleep for 2 hours scrunched up in an airport seat while Mike watched Sophia. I was THAT tired. I was so happy to be home. Of course, we didn't get to do and see everything we had hoped and for me that was a trip to Hana. But what we did see was beautiful and I'd love to share these images with you. Scroll down for a preview of photographs, then come back and click on each one and it should take you to my Tabblos.

Mahalo for taking the time to read all this! Enjoy.

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The journey to the summit of Haleakala brought us from coastal Maui, to the remote, native, high-elevation highest peak on Maui. We discovered an island in the sky where the clouds spread out below us like a second layer of ocean. Simply Amazing. It was incredibly chilly up top and the windy curvy road was a bit challenging for our driver and especially challening on a couple passengers due to dizziness and mysterious tooth pain, but worth the trip!

... See my Tabblo>

Snorkeling for the first time was exciting for us. We took a boat to Molokini, which is just over 2 miles off the south shore of Maui. Its crescent shape acts as a fortress that provides protection from waves and powerful currents making this area one of the top ten dive sites in the world. We were amazed at how many beautiful fish there were just a few feet under the deep blue sea. We also stopped at Turtle Town and Mike and David got to swim with the turtles. However, we are disappointed in the quality of underwater camera pictures and these pictures just don't do this experience justice.

The only drawback to the day was when Domi got sick on the boat after our first stop. Soon after I also began to feel pretty horrid (but didn't get sick until we returned to the hotel). We believe it was due to us accidentally ingesting salt water. We chocked on it a couple times - duh.

On our ride back in, we were even treated to some whale watching. Lotsa momma whales with their babies!

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Helicopter ride gave us an aerial view of Maui. Seen were beautiful tropical rainforests with vibrant green valleys -- glided over rugged towering sea cliffs along the coasts -- and hovered next to towering, plunging waterfalls and hidden valleys. A few waterfalls were photographed, however, the photos came out blurry. Grrr. It can be difficult to photograph out of a helicopter due to movement and reflection, but you get the jist of it all. Did ya notice the whales below? Aw.

Ok, I have to say it. One of these photos appears phallic to me. If you can figure out which one, you're as twisted as I am. LOL

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Hau`oli ~ Laki ~ Mahalo

These are words in Hawaiian that describe how I feel.
Happy. Lucky. Having Gratitude.
Why you ask?

Because we're going to Hawaii!
In three weeks!

How you ask?
Since Mike was one of the top dogs in the company this year, he won an all expense paid trip for him and a guest (me) to go Maui and stay at the Four Seasons. Woot!

Now here's the kicker.

We assumed we could take the family (at our expense) since we don't have childcare for Sophia (and besides, I would go crazy being away from her for 6 days at this young age anyway and she has mega separation anxiety right now). Well, the company declined it. Mike pleaded his case with every possible head honcho up top, but no dice. Since this was a company sponsored trip, no one under 18. Period.

So, I came to the realization that I would stay behind with the kids and some lucky dog would take my place :big cry:

Mike wouldn't have it and the company offered him cash in lieu of not going with the rest of the company. And we're takin' our own trip! Granted, we're not staying at the Four Seasons since we need to stretch this money out as much as possible to afford to bring the kids, but we are staying at a lovely waterfront hotel on pristine Mokapu Beach on the Wailea side of the island. None of that makes any sense to me right now since I've never been to Maui, but I did as much research as possible in the short amount of time I had.

What's even better is that Mike's parents are joining us (and that's a good thing, because I love my inlaws). Oh, and I can't forget about my brother in law. He's comin' too!

Now, I'm immersing myself in further research - and getting lots of input from other mommas who have flown long distances with their littles ones - on how to survive 9 hours total on a plane with a 10 month old. We've already caved and bought a seat for Sophia. I just hope she gets use out of it. I just don't want to be that family with the wailing baby on the plane, ya know? I'll never forget the story my mom told me when she flew back from Germany to the States with me at age one. She said I screamed almost the entire time.