075 – Vancouver, BC, Canada – All’s Well That Ends Well

It was with glowing hearts and cold toes that we, at long last, touched down on our home and native land. 

We quickly fled to the safe haven of Aunt Sandra and Uncle Tom’s to gather our shipment of winter supplies,

And spend a little time reconnecting with loved ones.

Before long, we were joined by cousin Scott, partner Dani, and the latest addition to the Bearss clan - princess/future rockstar/swimsuit supermodel, fair Juliette.

Though Aunt Sandra’s cuisine was “taap naatch”, as expected,

(Crab Cakes, Passionfruit Glaze and Mango Chutney)

(Seafood and Chorizo Spanish Paella)

Taz was most enthusiastic about the eponymous libations.

Meanwhile, coming in off waivers as a mid-season acquisition, Ciel got right down to business,

Suiting up,

Reviewing the tapes,

And running through a few drills.

All in focused preparation…

…For Wednesday afternoon beer league.

Next it was on to Cousin Chris and Cory’s for a little more quality family time,

Before breaking the news that we’d invited half the city over to their house for dinner and drinks…

Including Ciel's new BFF, Neve.

The accompanying beef tenderloin smoothed over any animosity.

Taz played it cool with the ladies,

But Ciel was right in there with Jessie and Katie,

And it wasn’t long before she’d scored herself an invite to Katie’s friend’s high school house party.

“Don’t wait up!”

Leaving the “adults” to their own devices.

However ill-advised they might be.

Along with their predictable next-day consequences.

We capped off the week, by treating Cousin Erica,

To front row seats at Ciel’s big fashion week runway show.

“Vogue.”

Alas, with the landing of our final flight to Toronto, we've come full circle.

 And so our travels (and our blog) have yet again come to an end.   It’s been an amazing four months of worldly experiences, family bonding, and gluttonous overindulgence.  Thanks to all who tuned in and followed along.

Time to stock up on celery and rice cakes, start looking for gym memberships and contact the nearest Betty Ford clinic…

…Well, maybe that can wait one more day.

Home, Sweet Home.

"The world is round and the place which may seem like the end may also be only the beginning." 

074 – The Big Island, Hawai’i –Making A Splash

After getting our fill of barren lava landscapes on our recent island tour, we opted to fill our final days on the Big Island rehydrating, rejuvenating and relaxing with a few aquatic adventures.

First, Britt and I tricked Nana and G-Dad into minding the tots while we slipped out to the Mamalahoa Spa for an amazing hot tub and massage.

Conveniently, the spa was just down the street from the thrift store, where we scored new duds for everyone, for only 12 bucks!

(Coinciding nicely with our Pulled Pork Family Luau).

“Who ordered the piña colada?”

A star-studded event like that draws all the paparazzi.

“Say ssheese!”

After watching the promo video for the Body Glove Snorkeling Tour (link), with it’s dance music beats, laughing children, high dive/slide acrobatics and scantily-clad mai-tai drinking patrons, we pretty much had no choice but to sign up.

The snorkeling was great, but short lived, as Britt got cold,

“Uh, you can go ahead and bring over that mai-tai anytime.”

Taz got tired,

“I can’t believe I gave up my nap for this.”

And Ciel’s master diver aspirations came to an abrupt end with the shocking revelation that there are fish in there.

“Daaaaaaaa-Deeeeeeeeee!!”

Not a big deal though, much more interesting than the undersea creatures were the fish out of water…

“Routine.”

“Aaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!”

In addition to Taz finally getting his nap,

The return trip to port brought a few nautical surprises.

(Humpback Whales)

(Spinner Dolphins)

Back on land, the sultry waves of the hula dancers carried us through the Kailua-Kona street market.

Refusing to be dismayed by a little ensuing foul weather, we donned our bathers and ventured out for some good ol’ fashioned snail wrangling.

Hoping to start up her own escargot business, Ciel had an interested buyer,

But he backed out in favour of some twigs and leaf mulch.

So, she opted to use them in one of her photo compositions instead.

“Does anyone have the number for National Geographic?”

In Halualoa, Taz and Ciel scored a couple free pomelos from a local shop owner,

Unfortunately, that did little to mitigate the flowing tears,

As we bid farewell to Nana and G-Dad.

It's been a wet 'n' wild end to our time on the Big Island, and if it has taught us anything,

It's that you can lead a Bearss to water…

But he’d rather have beer.

Next Stop: Vancouver