Traveling Puffins

Palm Springs

Tina — Sat, 16 Oct 2010 20:11:22 +0000

After our visit in the Midwest, we were eager to return to the San Diego area and settle back into “normalcy”. Within a few weeks we had an apartment, our belongings out of storage, and I had a full time job. It happened just as we hoped it would. Before we knew it we were back to our old routines. After a few weeks, we began to miss the excitement of the road and decided to go for a quick little get away.

Sebastien planned the whole thing! He researched different areas and decided on Palm Springs. It was a quick 2 1/2 hours away! Sebastien found this great hotel, Colony Palm Hotel, which was a mix between LA meets Miami. The over all theme was a bohemian Moroccan feel with Buddha’s here and there. Very 60′s boutique chic, of course it would be, Sebastien choose it.

We spent most of our time pools side where there were lounge beds and beautiful people. In the evening we walked to the main strip (a few blocks away) and had dinner. Sebastien blogged a few hours a day and I read. It killed us, but we splurged on a facial for me and a massage for Sebastien. Sebastien said that it was one of the best massages he ever had. As we know, he has had his share of massages.

It only lasted two short days but well worth it! Thank you puffin!

60th Birthday party Michigan style

Tina — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 05:03:59 +0000

This one is all for my Dad! We went up to Michigan for my Dad’s 60th birthday and to celebrate 4th of July. Sebastien and I entertained my dad by showing him Google Earth and he gave Sebastien a few golf lessons.

Over the past 5 or 6 years my dad has redone the Wolf Lake cottage and it is now Randee and dad’s permanent address. It’s an amazingly comfortable place with quiet views onto Wolf Lake. The inside there are two bedrooms, one being a bunk bed room where 5 people could sleep, and two bathrooms along with a huge living room and great size kitchen. In back, however the Michiganers call it the front, there is a good size screened in porch and a deck. It is all done up in a log cabin feel with hunting decor. We slept up in the my dad’s office which is above the garage.

We were lucky to be entertained by Randee’s adorable grand kids, Daniel and Paige. Daniel, 9, just thought Sebastien and I were weird the whole time. Grandma was also visiting so it was great to spend some time with her as well. We played a few card games but I quite because she kept cheating.

On Dad’s birthday my cousin Jeremy came by with his son lil’jeremy and aunt Lorna brought Derek’s son’s over, Grant and Westin. Grant was a riot! We played pirates, arrrr mate! It was fun to be surrounded by young kids running around! The next generation!

Happy Birthday Dad!!

Meredith doesn’t go anywhere with out her Lars. He is a great dog and loves to cuddle. However, he bit Sebastien which we will all never hear the end of.

Aunt Lorna and Dad! I love all my aunts but I have spent the most time with aunt Lorna which makes her my favorite.

Loved the cake! It is a guy fishing with a beach and trees! Very fitting for my dad! Nice job Randee!!!

Lil’ Jer— Very cute and beautiful blue eyes!! It was fun to see all the kids (boys, boys, and more boys) it is going to be fun to watch them grow up!!!

Pizza night!!! This was a lot of fun!! We made our own (two person) pizza! There were a lot of laughs! Of course Paige and Daniel thought we were just weird.

Here is my naked pirate Grant…. LOVE HIM! He was all smiles and giggles! What a great age!!!

Meredith and Grant’s little brother Westin! So cute! They both look a lot like Derek!

Were we found Sebastien most of the time. Always double fisted with technology. He is a very dedicated blogger!

We had a great time up in Michigan and hope to make it a yearly tradition.

Beecher-iffic

Tina — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 23:47:53 +0000

Beecher, Illinois is where we found ourselves after France. We spent about a month visiting family and friends in the area and took a few visits into Chicago and Michigan. The highlights included spending time with my adorable little niece Abby, having some heart to hearts with my sister, visiting my Chicago friends,attending my cousin Paige’s engagement party, and relaxing at the Obradovich’s residence. Oh and there were a few wedding dresses that were tried on!

Meredith had the duck face going on while we were in town.

Good times in Beecher!

France family and friends

Tina — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 18:57:18 +0000

We spent a wonderful month together eating, drinking, and spending time with family and friends. Sebastien’s village, Liffol-le-Grand and Neufchateau were quaint and relaxing. I was able to experience true french culture from how they celebrate baptisms to a Thursday evening get together with friends. Mostly we eat a lot of different meat and cheese and drank bottles and bottles of wine.

My new Nikon coolpix camera captured the memories. Hope you can tell the difference.

Down in grandpa’s cellar. Grandpa has hundreds of different wines in this cellar. The oldest one dating back to 1959.

Sebastien and his beautiful mother.

Playing some Rummikub with grandma. A universal game for card players all over the world.

Seb’s dad beat him several times without even trying…

The beautiful perfume flower fields of France!

Early in the evening with friends Ingrid and Danto. That evening ended for the French around 5 am with the American in bed around 12am.

An Arena and Fortress with an old friend

Tina — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 14:58:12 +0000

After spending some time with Sebastien in Paris I took the TGV to Nimes and met my oldest and dearest friend Karina. We stayed at a Kryiad hotel which was close to the train station and arena.

We spent a lovely time eating and catching up that evening. The following day we walked around the historical Roman arena. They still hold bull fights in the arena today. There is also an audio guided tour that you can do. It was interesting and gave you the feel of what it was like back in the day. There had been a bull fight there the previous day and there was still blood in the sand from the fight. Sad.

After touring the arena we took a train to Carcassonne which is a fortified French town. We stayed in this adorable bed and breakfast called Les Florintines Chambers. We had the top room in this hotel and it had two amazing balcony’s and the views were spectacular. Perfect location to the fortress and town.

Our hotel room in Carcassone. Very romantic.

Wine tasting!!

One day it rained and we just sat here drinking and eating all day. Totally French style.

Amazing views! Amazing food! Amazing friend! Love ya Karina!!!

Puffins do Paris

Tina — Wed, 26 May 2010 20:46:50 +0000

Bonjour! After my stay in LA, Sebastien and I met in Paris. His cousin, Jeremy, lives there and was an excellent tour guide through Paris. We saw the Eiffel Tower during the day and all lit up at night, walked by the Louvre, sat and enjoyed the sun in the Jardin des Tuileries , drove by the Mouline Rouge, and enjoyed wine, cheese, meat, and more wine in some french cafes.

Good Times in LA

Tina — Sun, 09 May 2010 07:41:47 +0000

We flew into Los Angeles on April 27th. Sebastien was there long enough to buy an IPAD and then boarded another flight to France. I wanted to spend some time with my girl Alison but will fly out, hopefully, May 10th to meet Sebastien in France.

Lucky for me I got to experience May Day at Joseph and Sarah’s house, a few doctor appointments with Alison’s baby’s doctor, and been helping her prepare for the arrival of Owen.

Alison is due any minute now! She looks really good.

The girls!!!

Our last week on Ko Phangan

Tina — Wed, 05 May 2010 00:35:56 +0000

The last week we were in Thailand we stayed on Koh Phangan. Koh or Ko Phangan is known for the full and half moon party’s. Anyone who travels around southeast Asia makes it a point to attend one of the parties. We attended the famous jungle half moon party with our friends Chantal, Scott, and Mor. We also enjoyed amazing sunsets and enjoyed bonfires each night.

We also attended one of the Coral Pool Party’s which is where Chantal and Scott stayed.

Our hotel , Vimarn Samut, was wonderful. It was family run, well priced, clean, and comfortable hotel. Which was especially appreciated because Sebastien had to stay out of the heat during the day. The room even had a DVD player! I especially like the little girl, Monk, who was a very smart and sociable 2 year old. She was the daughter of one of the families who worked there and always wanted me to take her to wash her hands.

Our last night in southeast Asia.

Random Shots from Vang Vieng

Tina — Sat, 01 May 2010 19:03:11 +0000

For the next few days I am going to blindly choose random pictures from our travels and explain a little about them. Today I selected from my Vang Vieng files. Enjoy.

Quality of this pictures is not good but the memories are. Here we have Sebastien and I with our Canadian twins Scott and Chantal. I am sure a Friends episode was playing in the background.

This is a pictures from a village we walked through during our kayaking trip. Throughout Vang Vieng one could see a lot of new development. Schools, houses, temples. Here they are making bamboo roofs for the new homes in that village.

View from my hotel balcony.

On our kayaking tour we also tubed through a cave. If you look past the tubs you can see the opening. There were large dome rooms and glow worms through out the cave. It was a cool experience but the water was very cold.

Elephants are sacred beings in Buddhist/Hindu culture. This cave is called elephant cave for obvious reasons.

Good times in Vang Vieng.

Tiger Temple in Chiang Mai

Tina — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 15:28:00 +0000

One of the main reasons Sebastien wanted to visit Chiang Mai in northern Thailand was to go to Tiger Temple. I believe that there are a few places, maybe two, in Thailand called the Tiger Temple. The one we went to was about a 40 minute cab ride from Chiang Mai.

There is some controversy regarding the well being of these tigers. They were in small caged-in areas and seemed very aloof. My experience was that it was amazing to touch such a beautiful being but that they did looked very sad and depressed. I also had a moment with a younger tiger and his spirit asked me to free him.

When we arrived at Tiger Temple we had lunch in the restaurant which is within arms distance from the tigers. We eat and watched visitors get their picture taken while they lay on these wild beasts. When we were done we decided that we would go in the big cat’s cage and the baby tiger’s cage.

We had 15 minutes in each cage and were allowed to touch them behind the head. I loved being around the babies. The one we were allowed to pet sat on our laps and cuddled with us for a second. The paws on this baby tiger were bigger than my face.

Here are some pictures of us with the big boy tigers.

Yes they are real live tigers.