I’m being a bit of a mopey Steph this month. Mostly because it is ridiculously cold in Seattle, and I am not going to Kona this year. I’m trying not to be all, woe is me about it, I do have lots of things planned for later in the year. I have seasonal affective disorder and four years in a row of finding some relief in sunny Kona has helped make PNW winters endurable.…
Hawaii. My winter escape to sunshine and marine life. For me, it doesn’t matter that every year I go to the same place with my family. We stay in the same condo complex and see the same friends and this is perfectly fine with me. I am baking in the sunshine while the dolphins spin by and the whales spout along the coast. This is the epitome of a mental reset for me.…
I love my job. I’m blessed to be doing something I love, but about every June/July, I find myself burning out. Overloaded, uninspired and in need of a break where I am completely cut off from email & any thought of work. It’s just how it goes. A few back to back 60 hour work weeks in June this year after no real break in 6 months made me thankful that at the last minute we booked a trip to Mexico with another couple. This was my first trip to Mexico & it was lovely. Cabo is vibrant and full of culture. The people are kind & personable. And the food is fucking delicious. I may have permanently ruined enchiladas for myself. A wildlife conservation booth by the marina let’s you hold a tiger cub that is eventually sent to a wildlife reserve. You donate to reserve to hold the cub. I would never do this if it was purely for someone else’s profit. I love animals & this little guy was too cute. They rescue these animals from black market sales & we were happy to support this cause. Senor Frogs was awesome. Cabo Pulmo is home to the…
Last year started the same way – in Kona, Hawaii – being sunburned & loving every minute of it. This year was no different, I was just happy to escape rainy, gray Seattle and spend a week in beautiful tropical Hawaii. I fly Hawaiian Air whenever I go to Hawaii – their service is great & they still serve meals on the longer flights from the mainland to the islands. Tasty Passion Fruit Boogie Boarding at Hapuna Beach After a day at the beach we stopped at the Lava Lava Beach Club for drinks & appetizers. BEAUTIFUL view – great spot to sit & have drinks. I probably would have been happy going there every single day. Snorkeling at Kahaluu Beach – great spot for Sea Turtles, was pretty crowded though. The Sheraton Resort in Kona has a great bar with a boardwalk that you can walk out onto at night and watch people snorkel with Manta Rays Dolphins frequently swam back and forth past our condo everyday. We took a pontoon boat out to Captain Cook’s monument & went snorkeling – absolutely beautiful snorkel spot. My baby humpback! Highlight of the trip for me. This little guy breached over…