Manta Rays - holy #$%^

Today is our first day at Manta Ray Island.  We got here around noon, had lunch, then spent some time snorkeling (which is incredible all by itself).  This resort is famous for snorkeling and diving because of its proximity to manta ray and shark breeding grounds.  People come from all over the world to dive here.  They told us that they hadn't seen the mantas in a few weeks despite it being their high season.  We were stoked when we heard the drum call signaling manta ray sitings.  They herded us (literally) into boats and dropped us off in the currents where the mantas swim.  A few seconds later, a beautiful manta ray swam right below us, up through the current.  Matt and I, being the strongest swimmers, had little trouble keeping up with him as he swam just a few feet under us.  It was one of the coolest moments of my entire life.

Oh, and happy anniversary to us!!!

Beachcomber Island!

These are photos from our trip over to Beachcomber Island.

Schedule for Fiji

We leave tonight just before midnight for Fiji.  So, here is the plan for the trip; where we are and when.

(Note:  We lose a day since we are crossing the international date line.)

Click hotel name for website

July 6-9:  Tokatoka Resort, Nadi, Viti Levu.

July 9-13:  Beachcomber Resort, Beachcomber Island

July 13-17:  Manta Ray Island Resort, Nanuya Belavu Island

July 17-18:  Blue Lagoon Beach Resort, Nacula Island

July 18-22:  Barefoot Manta Island Resort, Dawaqa Naviti Island

July 22-26:  Octopus Resort, Waya Island

July 26-28:  Naqalia Lodge, Wayasewa Island

July 28-31:  Bedarra Beach Inn, Coral Coast, Viti Levu

And July 31 we fly out to Melbourne, Australia!

Photos from our travel day/night with Pal.

We are off to LA!

Today we pack up and fly to Los Angeles for the night before we ship out tomorrow night for Fiji!!!


Pal loves to share his food... and if you're really lucky he will offer you his bink.  That means you are forever friends!

Happy birthday to the greatest Daddy ever!

Happy birthday, Matt!  We are the same age again so you'll have to wait until next year to start calling me "cougar" again.  Love you super mucho!

More from Lake Winnipesaukee

Hi from Key West, the first time - throwback

Machu Picchu - throwback

After 4 days of hiking the Inca Trail, we were greeted with this upon sunrise.  This was one of the coolest moments of my life.

Victoria: More adventures in Canada!

In 2012, Matt and I spent a week or so exploring Vancouver Island in British Columbia.  One of the coolest things we did was take a boat over to Vargas Island, a small island off the coast of Tofino.  We had to walk a few miles through a muddy, swampy forest to get to a secluded beach on the far side of the island.  The beach was covered in soft sand and had tide pools with tons of critters!  We even got a visit from a curious seal that followed us in the water.  That night, we awoke to some sounds outside the tent.  A small family of wolves had come out from the forest to check us out.  The sounds we heard were the pups wrestling around about 100 yards from the tent.  The next morning we found paw prints in the sand no less than 5 feet from our tent.  What an adventure!

Honeymoon - throwback

Matt and I took a road trip up through the Canadian Rockies for our honeymoon.  We spent several weeks in the car together and lived through it.  I think that means we are meant to be together forever, no?

An evening out in Key West

Out and about in Key West.  This is in the world's smallest bar.

Off to Key West!!!

Pal (4 months) in the airport when we were coming back from Chile.

Trees with Dad

This kid is obsessed with trees.  And ceiling fans.  We all had a great time visiting with Spencer while he was here.

Finally got some sun today

Spencer is visiting from Boston this weekend and we were able to get out on Pearl Street without the rain!