Sydney: The Harbour City

Some great, but cold/rainy times in Sydney.. my first Body Jam experience that left me sore for 4 days, watched my first Rugby match, experienced the famous Sydney Harbour Bridge (no I didn't do the Bridge Climb), ate/drank at a Lowenbrau pub at The Rocks, went to some clubs in Kings Cross for CJ's 23rd Birthday!, watched many 4:30am World cup games at bars, watched a children's play, Just Macbeth, at the Sydney Opera House (we didn't know it was a children's play until arrival..but still hysterically funny..saw a guy's butt in the play..too funny), spotted a pink dog and dreadlocked dog at a alternative/artsy hair studio in Surry Hills, visited with CJ's adorable cousins from Canada, went to an alpine festival at Carriage Works and tasted amazing mulled wine & cotton candy.... and now I am headed up north to Cairns (Great Barrier Reef).. stopping at many places/ beach towns on the way...first stop: Port Stephens/ Nelson Bay! Thanks to my amazing host, CJ!

Maui Wowie..

What can I say? This past week in Maui was absolutely perfect. Every single time we have come here it feels like a completely different place. It is slightly more commercial with an addition of a Barnes & Noble. But still paradise. We attended a luau with all-you-can-eat food & drink from all of the Pacific Rim islands (Tahiti, Hawaii, Fiji, and Samoa Islands). We did the famous Road to Hana with 54 one lane bridges. Kinda scary and worth every moment..because there was a waterfall around each corner. Beth & I stayed in Hana for a night which has no television, air condition, etc. to keep the "serenity" of the town. This town is the essence of peace and tranquility. Many macadamia nut-crusted fish dinners were had, starry-filled skies, romantic walks on the beach with the family haha, and plastic surgery cougars galore. Yet, this is definitely my favorite place to visit. I will always remember horseback riding the dormant volcanic crater with Katie, waking up at 3am to see the sunrise on top of the crater with Bradley Nelson then biking down it, The Grand Wailea Hotel (enough said) and all of the snorkeling adventures to Molokini crater and Turtle town. And tomorrow... my real adventure begins! Off to Sydney to see CJ!