Michelle back in Oz

While Les was chained to his desk prepping for the Fall MBA exams Michelle escaped back to Oz to bring our new news to her Mum and sisters. Being the Aussie winter (they actually do have a winter, kind of) the girls booked a B&B at Lake Mountain. This was Michelle's mum's first experience with snow, and she even strapped on the snowshoes! Michelle (and bubbie) joined Bernie, Tamara and Daniel for a cross-country ski.

Of course, no trip to Oz would be complete without a visit with good friends in Melbourne. Michelle caught up with Rod, Lauren, Paul and Dave.

She finished off the visit with a road-trip to the old 'hood: passing through Seymour (her birthplace) on the way to Mildura (on the mighty Murray!).

Michelle in Kona (Hawaii) with Greg & Lisa

I am off yet again on another trip leaving Les to his studies. A few days relaxing in Kona Hawaii with Lisa, Greg and their daughter Sarah, they were kind enough to offer me to join them on their vacation, how could I refuse. It was the Kona outrigger race weekend, both Lisa and I were wishing we were in the race, but for me being 11 weeks pregnant it probably wasn't a good idea.
We had a fantastic night snorkel with the Manta Rays, they were so close if I had of reached my arm out I would have touched them, they were doing barrel roles right underneath us, it was a pretty amazing experience.
The next few days were spent exloring the foods of Hawaii, with a side trip to the volcano's. There was an obsession to find the only chocolate growing farm in Hawaii and we did. Even after seeing how coco is grown and the bean is prepared for chocolate, still didn't put me off eating it. Of course our food exploration took us to a coffee farm, where we not only got to try the local coffee, but Lychee's, avacardo's and see the crazy chooks, that thought they were dogs or cats.
Enjoyed a few days snorkelling, with the warm waters and the fish are colourful, how could you not enjoy it. The last day before getting on my plane was spent stand up paddle boarding which I really enjoy, the baby certianly got a tase of water sports on this trip.