April, 2009 | Click. The Good News

Where I’d Dive Again

April 29, 2009 By Amanda Leave a Comment

So, although I enjoyed diving, I’m not turning into a big diving junkie anytime soon. A lady I run with is DEEP into diving and all their vacations revolve around it. It was cool and amazing, but it reminded me a bit of snow skiing. It’s a lot of work (getting ready, hauling equipment, putting it all on, checking gauges), for a short reward. Although we’d spend a few hours from leaving our hotel room to returning to it, the actual underwater diving was 60-90 total minutes each day. We had to get up early (for vacation time) and it only allowed for the afternoons to explore or relax.

Also, we had the BEST possible setup for diving in Cozumel. Walk out to the dock and be picked up from the hotel, cruise out less than 10 min, a guide hands you all your equipment & your off! I can’t imagine having to take an hour boat ride (I’d probably be barfing somewhere….) and then having to clean & haul all your equipment around. I’m just too lazy, especially on vacation…

However, I’m glad that it’s something that H & I can do together now, and we’ll certainly dive again in places that can’t be missed.

Mauritius

We’re planning on diving in Mauritius next month when we go. Although the photos depict sharks and schools of hundreds of barracuda, I’d much rather see more turtles or some sting ray. I just want to say I’ve dove in the Indian Ocean. We’re only going 1 of our 3 full days on the island, and the only equipment I’m taking (and hauling all over Africa) is my mask.

Galapagos

The Galapagos Islands are on our travel list & that vacation is all about seeing the wildlife and exploring the islands. I’ve heard that the snorkeling is pretty amazing there too, so there may be no need to dive. There are some unusual rules about dive boats, so I’ll have to investigate this more if (when we get ready to head down there.

Belize

One of the most famous dive sites in the world is the Great Blue Hole in Belize. I’ve heard such wonderful things about Belize in general, that I’d love to go one year (maybe a long weekend anniversary trip).

Hawaii
Hawaii was one of those place that I’d shied away from for a long time- mostly because of the costs and flight time. The more I learn about the volcanoes and waterfalls and lush mountains, the more I’d love to go. And you can’t go to Hawaii and not dive, so I’m sure we’d be up for a little bit of diving if we made the trek out there.

Great Barrier Reef Australia
Probably the most famous dive spot on the planet, we’d definitely dive at the Great Barrier Reef just to say that we had. Hopefully, there won’t be any sharks around!

New Zealand
I know it’s awful, but we’re already planning our trip next year before we’ve done our trip this year! I’m 99% sure we’re going to be headed to New Zealand, and I’ve never been more excited. Compared to our past trips, this will be no history, no museums, no big cities, just all nature. Everything bigger, better, more beautiful, and more stunning. It’s the place to do everything from diving to mountain climbing to sailing to glacier hiking to camping to wineries!

GOOD NEWS OF THE DAY: Holy cow- I missed 10″+ of rain in Houston Monday night & Tuesday. Luckily, no flooding at our house!

Filed Under: Travels ->

Drama Queen

April 28, 2009 By Amanda Leave a Comment

Last week, my sister made her acting debut at her junior high school. Although I’ve seen a great deal of drama and acting from her, this was her first official play. The gist of the storyline is that this talk show host was going to get to the “true” story of Little Red Riding Hood.

My sister is on the far left, and she is one of 3 birds talking to LRRH’s grandma.

We’re not going to talk about the drama where my sister forgot her beak at home, after dad had reminded her 25 times, and he had to make a panicky trip to the house to get it.

Back to the fake drama….

I really have no idea what they were saying or doing, I was too busy trying to catch a few good photos.

I do recall that they were trying to sell “Wolf Insurance” to protect against wolf attacks in the forest.

Unfortunately, I’ll be missing her dance recital this year because we’ll be on our vacation.

I thought this girl was a very cute “sassy squirel”.

This was the 2nd version of LRRH, where grandma was playing poker & LRRH was a valley girl.

And of course the big, bad evil wolf had some bunnies tied up for dinner.

These were the 3 little pigs, who had each built their house of out straw, twigs and bricks.

And this was Mr. Cool Wolf, who was running for mayor of the forest (or something!)

GOOD NEWS OF THE DAY: Got our Cozumel canvas hung on the wall in our bedroom.

Filed Under: kidz

Future Cultural Relic

April 27, 2009 By Amanda Leave a Comment

We were in a bar the other night for a party & this beauty was sitting next to me. Since smoking has been banned in most restaurants and bars in the city limits of Houston, we’ve been out to smoking place much less in the last few years. It was quite a rude welcome to walk into this smoky, nasty bar the other night.

Also, the taxes on packs of cigarettes have recently increased a great deal & you can see that these are running $7.50/pack! It’s so expensive that they had to add a dollar-bill collector seeing as nobody walks around with 30 quarters in their pocket. I remember growing up, you could find these machines everywhere- bowling allies, grocery stores and parks. I’m hoping they will soon be a relic of a culture long gone.

GOOD NEWS OF THE DAY: Off to Miami tonight for work tomorrow.

Filed Under: politics

Life Travel Log

April 26, 2009 By Amanda Leave a Comment

This post has been moved to a more permanent & easily accessible location at http://www.clickthegoodnews.com/travels/life-travel-log/

Filed Under: flashback, Travels ->

Hermann Park

April 25, 2009 By Amanda Leave a Comment

Last Sunday, after visiting the museum and before dinner at my mom’s house, we walked through Hermann Park. It’s a great area between our Natural Science Museum, the Medical Center and the Zoo. It includes the outdoor (free) amphitheater & a golf course. I loved this reflection pond, especially that one end was elevated and cascaded down in a nice waterfall fashion.

There are several “tranquil” areas around the park with benches or small sculpture (art) areas. I think I’ve seen many bridal photos taken under these pillars. There is also a rose garden and a Japanese garden in the park.