Showing posts with label travel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label travel. Show all posts

Monday, December 20, 2010

2010

Once again it’s time to wrap up the year for our friends and family. If you follow this blog, you probably already know most of the high- (and low-) lights.

2009 ended on a sad note for us. Shortly after Christmas, we had to put Roxane to sleep. She was very ill and the vet confirmed that nothing further could be done. We still miss our little grey kitten, but are comforted knowing she is out of pain.

In March, we returned Shiraz to the breeder to be bred for her last litter of puppies, Bo went to camp and we went to the Caribbean.
At the end of May, Shiraz had six puppies (2 girls and 4 boys). We picked her up (for good) at the end of July. Bo was thrilled to have his big sister home … it’s amazing how close the two of them became. She was fixed in September, so no more pups for Razzie!

In August, my niece Sophie came and stayed with us for a week. We had a great time shopping and doing tourist things.

In September, we made the decision to move one more time. We have purchased a new home in the Village of Carp and will hopefully be moving at the end of June. We will no doubt have many updates as construction moves into full swing.

Work has been busy for both Rich and I, but no job changes this year. Richard’s running season went really well, and he posted his best time (and Boston qualifying-time) in Scranton, PA in October (3:13 and change). So, it looks like we will be going back to Boston sometime soon.

We have also gotten involved in dog-sports with the dogs: Rich did a cani-cross race with Shiraz in October (and they came in 1st overall – no surprise if you know Shiraz!) and I’ve started scootering with the dogs. In both cases, the dogs wear mushing harnesses and pull us. Rich connects the dogs to a cani-cross belt, while I connect them to an adult-size scooter (with brakes). It is a lot of fun, and great exercise for the dogs.

2011 promises to be very busy – we have another cruise planned in the new year, then putting the house up for sale and moving. I will try to be more diligent in posting updates!

Wishing you and yours’ a very happy and healthy New Year!

Monday, April 12, 2010

Cruise Days 8, 9 & 10 -- Aruba, At Sea and San Juan

So Aruba was the last of the islands we were to visit. Joce Z. and I headed out for a little retail therapy in the morning as we had an afternoon snorkel planned. Richard in the meantime had a run up to Hooiberg Hill.

Here are some shots from Rich's run.

Cactus in the Caribbean

Hooiberg Hill

The steps up

The view at the top

Shots of Oranjestad

Hooiberg Hill as we leave Aruba... 

The beach and our priate ship

The Antilles wreck

A fishy friend

San Juan, Puerto Rico
Conclusion
We're done for now ... but ready to go back!!!

Cruise Day 7 & 8 -- At Sea and Curaçao

Not much to say about the at sea day, except that we swam at ate (and repeated many times).

As I already mentioned (boo! hiss!) I forgot my underwater camera when Joce Z. and I headed over to Jan Thiel Bay for a morning of snorkelling. This was really unfortunate as it was without a doubt the best snorkelling I have ever done. Schools of fish and super healthy coral. Go on to youtube and search for Jan Thiel -- there's a couple really beautiful videos (unfortunately, about how this area is under threat for development). I would go back here in a heartbeat.

Rich spent the morning running up the coastline and the headed over to the town to take some snaps. As it was Good Friday, most of the stores were closed, but Willemsted is a very pretty town.

On the run

Flamingoes!
Willemsted

The famous pontoon bridge 

Cruise Days 4 and 5 -- Barbados & Grenada

Barbados
Been there, done that.This was a relaxed day for us ... visited Brandon's Beach, did some shopping and hung out on the ship.

Brandon's Beach
Carlisle Bay
Grenada 
Our plan for the day was hike through the rainforest. On the way we crossed a nutmeg plantation and went down a very steep and long (25 minutes down) hill to reach the waterfalls. Sooo worth it though. Grenada is a very beautiful island, and of course, being the spice island, I stocked up!

A representation of the flag of Grenada (note the nutmeg on the left) 
A view of the island
 
A rainbow mahogany tree
Highest point on the island
Beautiful flowers and plants
On the way down ...
Our guide, Rooster, telling us all about the spices grown in Grenada
Pineapples
The falls
On the way back up
A beautiful butterfly
Pictures of St. George's