Travel Thursday - 2014 in a Suitcase

Well it was a big year.. I'm not sure if there were more or less miles clocked up than 2014 but it sure felt like we did a lot. Here are some highlights!

In January we were in New Zealand, finishing off our Christmas trip with family. We saw some beautiful spots - some new to us which made for some super fun exploring, and some that were familiar and lovely - which going home should be all about.

The view down to West End, Ohope.

February was our first (and unfortunately) only trip to New Orleans. But it was a goodin! We had an epically long drive there (Mardi Gras traffic) over what can only be described as amazing stretches of swamp and bayous. Like, stunningly beautiful landscape. Our friends had found us an awesome place in the French Quarter, and we had such a blast partying at Mardi Gras and eating amazing food. If we get a chance again I would love to go back and spend more time there. Plus we definitely would love to do a swamp tour. There is something so eerily beautiful about the area. 

A collection of floats from the Endymion parade.

In March we had a long weekend away at a beautiful ranch, about an hour out of Houston. Our friends chose a beautiful weekend to get married at an unbelievable spot. The bluebells were blooming early and the fields were so lush and green, the opposite of so many views you see in Texas.

I loved exploring the ranch early in the morning before anyone was up.

At the beginning of April we had a long weekend away with our Texan Family down on Galveston Island. It was beautiful and we had so much fun being at the coast. Being kiwis we missed the beach a lot living in Houston.

You have to fly kites while you stay at the beach right?

Our trip to San Antonio in April happened to coincide with a month long festival called Fiesta, which, if you can ever go to is such a blast! One of my favorite events was a massive food event which featured a large selection of foods from all the countries which played a role in the settling of various towns in Texas. French food, Spanish food, Mexican food, German food, so much good food. Nom nom nom. And we got to smash confetti eggs on each other's head and wear the resulting mess. So much fun! 

Our favorite thing- the cascarones.

I had a work trip to Utah and Colorado in May, which, although it was a bummer that Rob wasn't there, was an awesome trip. I got to hang with my best friend and that piece of the world is just stunning. Oh, and I got to get my rock geek on.

The Grand Arch in Arches National Park.

Later in the month we took a rad road trip with Liz through the Hill Country and to Austin. We swam in Jacobs well, an awesome Pinterest find! Plus we got to explore an amazing cave - with no name!

Jacob's Well was so worth the mission to find it!

Robs favorite place in the US is, hands down, New York. We planned a longer trip for our second time. We had a couple of nights in Times Square and four nights in the East Village. We saw a bunch of things we had missed our first time around, and couldn't help re-exploring some of our favorite spots. We were stoked to see an amazing vista from the Top of the Rock, both on a beautiful morning, and at night - amazing!

Classic, classic view.

After, we took a fun road trip across Manhattan, through Jersey State and into Pennsylvania to Dutch Country. Most people head that way to learn about the Amish way of life and eat caramels. But me, I'm just a nutcase who makes friends with people on the Internet and drives across three states to meet them. Haha and we are so glad we did! Meeting Laurie and her beautiful family was awesome!

 

Amish Jams. Nom nom nom.

We spent the Fourth of July at a beach house with our Texan Family on Galveston Island. There was fireworks, sand, sun, food and even a crazy water spout to finish off the weekend. An excellent independence weekend if ever there was one.

'Murica.

My true highlight for travel in America, was our two week trip to the Pacific North West in September.

 

We arrived in Vancouver and had a couple of days to explore. Caught a ferry to Victoria and just fell in love with Vancouver Island. Ferried to Seattle and Rob got to grab a coffee at the original Starbucks. Seattle was beautiful and I could totally settle there one day! We began an epic road trip which took us past Mount Saint Helens, into Portland, along the Columbia River Gorge, up to Mount Hood and then up to Crater Lake. We then drove across to California and out to the coast. We had four days in San Fran to end. It was easily my favorite trip while we were living in the States, and it truly was just stunning! 

 

Dude, seriously? Beautiful.

October marked our last month in the States, we took one more trip to Austin and had an awesome few days at the ACL festival. The weather was amazing and hot and it was just a blast.

We left Houston early November, and moved to Perth in Western Australia. I think for now we are happy to put the suitcases away for a wee while as we welcome little one into the world. But we spend a lot of time talking about our next set of adventures, and what places we want to take little Sophie to. And for now it's fun to look through the photos. Every now and then one of us will say "hey remember that cafe in Seattle where the dude..." Or, "do you remember listening to this song when we went across the Pennsylvania border?".

City Beach, Perth

I can't believe we got to see and do so many beautiful things! Such a good year, and so many fun adventures. Feeling so lucky and blessed to have had such a year.  

18 Months in the USA - the bucket list revisited

Bloody hell guys. How fast has the last 18 months flown.
Every now and then we will look at each other and just be like "wow, we live in Texas" or, "man its weird that we are in America". Cos you know, it wasn't something we thought we would be doing, like, ever. So that is rad. Its a good lesson to not plan too much, and take each opportunity when it comes to you.

Anyhoo, as it is 18 months into our stay, it is time to update y'all on what we have done so far, and what we have ticked off our US bucket list. If you have been around here for awhile, you will have seen the updates at 6 months and a year. If you haven't, here is the tall and skinny of it...

Rob, basically, should have been born here in America, he was made to be American. He loves the food, the people, the sports, the politics, everything. And he knows sooo much about stuff  here. I know far less, but like most people my age, I was raised with a steady flow of Police Academy movies, Baby Sitters Club books, and of course, all those American sitcoms of the 90s. Hence, before we moved here, we had a massive list of things we wanted to see, do, taste and experience.

Here is a summary of the things we have managed to check off our USA bucket list. We have a few more months to get stuff done, and then the list will be put away till we move back here again.

Cities We Would like To Visit

Done and Dusted

New York - June 2013 and June 2014
Chicago - July 2013
Austin - March 2013, June 2013, October 2014
Hill Country - April 2013 and May 2014
Las Vegas - September 2013
New Orleans - February 2014
San Antonio - April 2014

Not Yet

Seattle - September 2014
San Francisco - September 2014
Portland - September 2014
Dallas
Boston
San Diego
Hawaii
Alaska 
Georgia - Wanna see where my Pal Jeremy is from!

So, State list to date:

Arizona

California

Colorado

Illinois

Louisiana

Nevada

New Jersey

New York 

Pensylvania 

Texas

Utah 

Food We Want To Try

Done and Dusted

Twinkie - yeah no I can't bring myself to do this. But Rob tried one. I think he liked it, he had three more right away, but hasn't touched them since. 

Deep Pan Pizza - had a Deep Dish in Chicago. OMG. Amazing.
Pasta in Little Italy - like, the best Pasta ever.
Hot Dog - I had a a "dog" at the Cubs game, they very proudly serve it with no Tomato Sauce, only mustard and pickle.

Sweet Iced Tea - this on second thought, does not appeal at all.

Lemonade - like, the kind on movies about the South. We have had it so many times, man it is so yum. Especially in the middle of a humid Houston summer! 

Po Boy - This is like a chip butty but with deep fried sea food. Its so good and so bad all at the same time. 

Budweiser - not very good, don't know what the fuss is about.
Chicken and waffles - Rob had this for breakfast one day, still a mystery to me.
Handmade flour tortilla - Oh man. These are good. So good. Sooooo good.
Queso - it took a year but we tried some Queso. And that shit was amazing. Even though all basic instincts were telling me not to, I ate a whole bowl of it. There, I admit it.
Apple Pie - Rob loves this. I am still not sold on sweet pies.
Pecan Pie - I LOVE PECAN PIE. The only exception to above statement.
Pumpkin Pie - we had a lot of pumpkin pie at Thanksgiving. 
BBQ - we have had a lot of BBQ. It's amazing.
Shrimp and Grits - I LOVE SHRIMP AND GRITS. That is all.
Gumbo - Rob tried this and loved it.
Giant Soda - I got a two litre cup of Soda from Buckys. Yep. Two litres.
Turkey - Rob had a turkey leg at Eeyore's birthday, and we ate a shit load of Turkey at Thanksgiving!
Kolache - Tried these bad boys. Literally the most amazing thing ever.

Momofukus - Rob has always wanted to try this place. And we did. And we ate truck loads. Had amazing Ramen at the restaurant, and then Rob ate nearly all the cookies at the Milk bar. 

Giant Pretzel in NY - done! Although this was mainly to keep away morning sickness, it still counts!

Proper American Mac n Cheese - YES> YES> YES. A place here does it with hot sauce, grilled chicken, bacon and blue cheese. I am drooling thinking about it.

Shaved Ice - SUGAR RUSH!

Not Yet

Chicken Fried Steak - A Texan classic apparently, still haven't done it yet.
Chicken Fried Chicken -

Chowder - Haven't gotten to Boston yet. And I feel like you gotta do this in Boston, we shall see how we go.

Crawfish - haven't tried mudbugs yet. But we kind of have to.

Things We Want To See

Done and Dusted

Fire flies - OMG. These are the most beautiful little creatures ever. We saw them in PA this year. They look like little fairies having a fight with candles lol. Loved them.
Dave Chapelle - saw him, sung him Happy Birthday. Yayah. And just to brag, saw him again in NY in June this year. Cannot describe how amazing all this was.  

Someone chewing Tobacco - Wow, I saw this for he first time in January. It actually happened. Haha I thought it only happened in baseball movies :P 

House of Pies - Went for midnight Pie after the supercross.. SO GOOD!
Grand Canyon - the number one thing I have seen or done here!

Hoover Dam - Flew over this on the chopper ride to the Grand Canyon Wrigley Field - saw Cubs v Cardinals.

Stumble down Bourbon St - Stumbled. Loved it.  
Famous People (Yes, I wanted to see some famous people, so sue me) - Rick Ross, Pauly Shore, Tommy Davidson, Dave Chapelle, FOTC, Phil from the Amazing Race, a real Housewife, Backstreet Boys.. oh and Mike Tyson. Sucre off of Prison Break.   
Central Park - got lost, saw turtles and HEAPS of squirrels. Brooklyn Bridge - walked across on the sunniest, most beautiful day.  Then we did it again on the next trip. Actually our favorite place in New York.
Beluga - Saw them in Chicago. And when I saw them I cried. I was so excited!  
Gators - Saw them in Louisiana. Crazy Shit.  
Squirrel - I have some squirrel pals who I see on the way to work.
Buckys - after Austin; on the way to New Braunfels.  
Times Square - it's so busy. And we loved all the billboards. Colorado River - Parked next to it in the chopper and had Champagne! Hippy Festival - yeah, so we totally did this when we went to Eeyores birthday with Jarrod and Rachael. It was so much fun. There was a lot of beer, hula hoops, and aging breasts.
Renaissance Fair - OMG we had the funnest day ever.
Cirque De Soleil -So good. Trippy as all hell 
Las Vegas Strip - Strolled from Excalibur down to Treasure Island. Funny people watching! 
Broadway Show - saw Book of Mormon last year. Saw All They Way this year. Both amazeballs.
Gulf of Mexico - Galveston, TX; Holly Beach, LA.
A jousting renaissance dinner - Did it. It was amazingly cheesey and awesome. Thanks Vegas lol.  
Great Lakes - Saw Lake Huron from Chicago
Bon Jovi - Saw him at Chicago Field in Chicago.
30 Rock - Twice! The second time we went to Top of The Rock and saw one of the coolest views ever. New York is an amazing city. It was tall and pretty cool. Unfortunately we didn't see Tina Fey at the same time.
 Ranch - We stayed at a beautiful ranch in March this year for our friends wedding. Awesome.
A Cactus in the desert - Done - Midland rig trip. Cactus everywhere.
Jersey Turnpike - We saw the sign. And drove past it. 
Rocky Mountains - I flew over some of the Rocky Mountains on the way to a field trip this year. AHMAZING.  
Mardi Gras - We came, we saw we conquered. Otherwise put, we went, we drank, we got beads, we ate a lot of good food, it was worth the 10 hour drive yo.  
NBA game - Rockets v Mavericks, Rockets v Clippers, Rockets v Thunder, Rockets v Heat (Just quietly, we saw Le Bron, Epic moment)
NFL game - We went to our first NFL game in November last year, and we are seeing Eagles v Texans in November this year
Roller Derby - This was so much fun. Those girls have balls. Big balls.
Ice Hockey - Even got to hug the mascot. We saw the Aeros before they left Houston. Was really fun to watch. Way more fun than on TV. MLB game - Red Sox v Yankees, Red Sox v Astros, Cubs v Cardinals, Astros v Angels, Astros v White Sox and Astros v Red Sox again

Wrestlemania - why? because I love Rob, that's why. And it was hilarious. And we were on TV!

Tornado - given how dangerous these things are, it is a stupid thing to have on the list.. but, we actually saw a water spout in the Gulf of Mexico on Fourth July Weekend.

International House of Pancakes - done just recently. Was okay. Baby was craving pancakes :P 

Hike some of the Appalachians - while we didn't get to hike at all, we drove over some of them on our roadtrip to meet Laurie  

Not Yet

Music Festivals - Saw a great Festival in Houston earlier this year, and we are going to Austin City Limits in October

College Football game - Will see Wisconsin v LSU in August 

Multonomah Falls, Oregon - GOing in September

Crater Lake - THIS YEAR!! (I am a little excited lol)  

Mount Hood - Ditto. Mount Rainier - See above.

Mount St Helen's -See above above.

San Juan Islands - Clearly this last trip will be epic. 
Mexican Wrestling
Monster Jam or that kind of giant monster truck thing 
Niagara Falls  
Fenway Park  
Chipmunk
Bear  
Pink Flamingo  
Disneyland - I think this will wait till we have munchkins  
Narrows, TX 

Wear white linen pants in The Hamptons   

Margaret Cho

Hooters

Lake Tahoe - I have been here, but I really wanna go with Rob. It may be one of the most beautiful places on earth. I think, anyway.
Yellow Stone Park
Catskills
Rodeo and/or Stampede ( and yes, I know this doesn't count as it is in Canadia)

Things We Want To Do

 

Done and Dusted

Thanksgiving - We had such a great Thanksgiving with our Texan family!  

Fourth of July - see this post for details on our Independence Day. If you are familiar with the story you will know that I am still holding out for a good fourth of July.  

Carve a pumpkin - Nearly chopped my hand off but I did it!

Trick or treat - This was so much fun! Buy Cowboy Boots   
Get stuck somewhere due to a snow storm - thank you random January snowstorms (actually ice rather than snow) in Houston. And thank you Midland for being so accommodating.  
Go to a Pumpkin Patch - We did this, had so much fun and did a corn maize! And it was like 99% humidity so we nearly melted haha

Grill - We have done some grilling with pals. The results so far have been encouraging.
Shoot a gun - There is no way in hell I am picking up a gun. Ever. But Rob went shooting with Jeremy in November last year.  
Snow Day - Yes, that joyous moment I have seen on the Simpsons so many times. Although there was no actual snow there was some sleet and ice, so that was fun!  
Mardi Gras - Oh yes we did.
Buy a box of Girl Scout cookies and eat the whole thing - Well I bought them, I didn't manage a whole box butmade a good effort haha Shop at Walmart - So, Rob refuses to do this. But I have!

Buy Cowboy Boots - Spent two hours choosing a pair with Liz in Austin, and I LOVE them!

Not Yet

Tubing - hopefully we do this later in the year, when we went it was the end of the season and there was waaaay too many people (ewww drunk people pee).. But I am hoping to do it still! 
Make a pumpkin pie
Tailgate - maybe this year.. need to find some lovely pals to tailgate with! (any offers people?)
Meet a Cowboy

Getting Ready to say Good bye to the States

Well, this chapter of our life is getting close to an end.. And the next is getting much closer to starting. As we begin to plan for our move to Western Australia, we have been slowly looking around thinking about what we will miss here. After all, we love living here!

Here is what we will miss about being here in Houston, and the States:

Our Houston family and friends (of course!).. including a new baby who will be born just after we leave, and two lovely weddings..

I love our little apartment, I will miss that!

Netflix - I will be honest. It is addictive. And we can't get it at home.

Value Village - epic thrifting missions have occurred here. We just don't have them that big in NZ or Australia

Cheap organic food - well, all food. ALL FOOD IS SO CHEAP HERE> like dude. So cheap. We will miss that. We shop at Whole Foods here because even though it is considered pricey here, it is still cheaper than a cheap store at home.

Long trading hours - It just isn't really done at home. Like here, the mall is open till 9 or 10 every day of the week. At home, that happens once a week. I like this.

Cheap telecommunication plans - Sorry that I keep saying cheap. But really, everything is cheaper here.

Baby Barnabys - So, I was a late convert to this. Before Paleo I was not a breakfast/brunch person, so obviously cueing for breakfast was not an ideal situation for me. But know I love it. And I don't mind the wait. And it is a rad little place, with awesome staff, cheap and super yummy food.

Sports - I will admit it, I am going to miss 24 hour ESPN and football season, baseball games, definitely basketball games. I think they are my favorite.

Shipping speed - when we first got here I ordered a mirror on Amazon, it got here like 4 days later. Literally unheard of down under. We are just too far away!

Victorias Secret - I just heart their panties yo.

The price of Champagne - less than $30 for Moet? $50 for Veuve. (the pre pregnancy Sarah enjoyed this situation) - oh and they sell it at the chemist. Hollah.

Wide streets - they are wider. I guess we are in Texas so there is room (on the other hand, the shitty nature of the overly potholed roads... my bladder won't miss them)

Travelling - knowing you can just pop to New York for a weekeend. There is nothing quite like that feeling guys. Not if it is a feeling you have never known.

Movie tickets - $6 an adult to see a movie on Sunday morning. $9 the rest of the time. I don't hate that.

Concerts - more people, so you know, more concerts. As in, more bands, more frequent, way cheaper prices, and epic memories.

Beer - pints of beer for $3 versus over $12. Goes without saying really.

Margaritas - Gigantic margs.

Carters - my favorite baby store. And they don't shop to Aus. Sad face.

BBQ, Texas food, Mexican food, ALL THE FOOD - we will miss it. Oh, how we will miss it.

The Galleria - yep. We are consumerists. It is a giant mall with many good stores, and when we first moved here, it was kind of like a shiny light in a cold stormy and multiple murder week in Houston.

Squirrels - I love the little dudes.

Margaritas - Like, good, fresh, delicious margs. Damn I shouldn't be talking about them right now!

Big car parks - since so many people drive stupidly large (sorry Texas) trucks here, parking our wee VW SUV is even possible for me!

Expat Life: Interpreting Kiwi English

 Image Source

I say I speak three languages, English, French and Broken English. Haha nice joke, polite way of saying I swear like a trucker. But, as Laurie says, sorry but not sorry. However, I have noticed since coming here, I really speak Kiwi-English and Aussie-English, and am slowly learning American-English. In preparation of my trip to see the lovely Laurie this weekend, I have prepared a list of the things I have learned so far, so that I can help prepare her for my Kiwi-ness.

Enjoy.

Kiwi - Murica words that I have gotten confused

Shout someone – Buy someone a drink or meal – “it’s my shout”

Bag - Purse

Purse - Wallet

Boot - Trunk

Bench - Counter

She’ll be right – Don’t worry, everything will be alright

You’ll be away laughing – You will be fine

Away with the fairies - Daydreaming

Jandals - Flip flops - Thongs

Togs - Swimming costume

Do the dishes - Washing up

Loo – Toilet - Restroom

Bless your little cotton socks – Bless you

Undies – Panties

Knickers (for kids underwear) – Panties

Ice block – Popsicle

Nek Minnit - Next thing you know

He’s a gun – He's an expert

Pom – English person

Have a go at someone – Attack or insult someone, start an argument

I'm flat out – I am really busy

What’s that when its at home? – This just means “what is that?”

 Bill - Cheque

Coriander - Cilantro

Capsicum - Bell Pepper

Gherkin - Dill Pickle

Grill - Broil

Barbeque - Grill

Eftpos - Debit

Drink Piss - Drink alcohol

Maori Words that I use A lot

Whare – house

Puku – tummy

Kapai – Good

Kia Ora – Hello
Aporo - Apple
Aroha - Love
Paki paki - clap your hands
Are your tarengas painted on? - Are your ears painted on?
Whare Paku - toilet

 

See you soon Loz!

Travel Thursday: Lake Geneva

Last November Rob and I took a train down to Geneva from Paris. Just a wee day trip, but oh, it was so lovely. The train ride was the most beautiful thing - we spent most of the time climbing through autumn leaves and then even further up into snow covered trees and mountains. It was just stunning.

The day itself was very brisk, but we walked for hours and had lots of hot chocolate to warm us. At the end of the day we took a cruise on the lake and got some views of stunning properties. It was very cloudy, but just before we hopped back on the train it started to lift a little and we got some views of the flanks of Mt Blanc. Which, being thje rock geek I am I was most excited about.

Here are some pictures of our views of the lake... Enjoy!

Makes me smile but also shiver looking back at these. But wow, such a beautiful place. I love how the architecture combined with the the cloudy day seems almost baroque style. Anyway, we had a lovely day. I am excited to share it with you.

And, if you have been around these parts for awhile, you will know that Travel Thursday is all about sharing your memories, near or far! So come hang out with Laurie and I and get sharing!!