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Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Best day ever

(Alternative title: Sandcastles in the Sand)

Actually, any day I don't have to work is a pretty good one. But since today is Christmas (and nothing is open), we headed to the beach. Going to the beach with two small children is more difficult than going to the beach without two small children. I had to choose between bringing my surfboard or a gazebo to protect my northern beauties from the sun. [Aside: A gazebo in New Zealand is like a tent without walls, and not something you might court your lover in if you were both starring in a Broadway musical.]

Zooey spent her first beach day the way she spends most days. Why yes, those are real alligators. If you ever get bored, I highly recommend going to an IZOD store and asking where they are keeping their alligators.




And then the crowds started to arrive.



The Kingdom of Jancie was destroyed shortly thereafter. History will likely note that while her short reign was the result of numerous factors, her fear of getting within three metres of the water tended to leave the castle(s) vulnerable to an attack by sea.




I almost forgot, there were these dolphins...which I suppose is not particularly unusual if you live near an ocean, but is still sort of a neat thing to see swim by. Unfortunately, I never seem to have the correct lens with me, so this is closest you will get to them.

Saturday, December 21, 2013

Maui Dreaming

I just realized that our first trip to Hawaii predates our first digital camera. I was using a Pentax ME Super at the time and was never able to take particularly good photos with it; though after looking through the stack of prints, I was much better than was Nicole. I see that we liked living dangerously even before moving to New Zealand.



Speaking of living dangerously: There was this blowhole thing that shot water like a hundred feet into the air when a wave hit it right. This is as close as Nicole would get to it. Notice the expertise involved in setting up the photo. I then risked life and limb to get a little closer. Note: the effect of getting hit by a 100 foot wall of water is only slightly more pleasant than sitting in the front row of the Shamu Show at Sea World.




Nicole did manage to injure herself at the gentle Olivine Pools. The pools are very calm...except when suddenly they are not. Do not ever invade a country by sea with Nicole. A single wave will hit her, and she will be unable to move or speak. 


And finally: I had forgotten the Jeep was red. In my head, it was a boring beige colour. I first decided to move to Hawaii after returning the (only slightly) wrecked Jeep to the airport; all they said was, "Nobody wants that on their vacation." I kept expecting to receive a bill, but never did.