Jun – Sep 2018

Adventure of a Lifetime

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Day 8
Saturday, July 7, 2018 at 8:00 AM
☀️ 30 °C
Altitude: 37 m
United States Los Angeles International Airport 33.941589, -118.4085333°56’30” N 118°24’31” W
The time warp begins… LAX departure
July 7, 2018 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C
WARNING: The next few days are a bit funky, try to keep up!

Beginning of today’s story:
Sequential time: July 7, 2018, 8 am
Local California time: July 7, 2018, 8 am
Time at home: July 7, 2018, 11 am

Our day started in Disney Paradise Pier hotel with room service breakfast. We were more than pleasantly surprised with way more food than we expected. After breakfast we got some laundry going and Corey and the boys headed out to the pool, Jen joined us a short time later after flipping clothes in to the dryer. It was another warm day in California and the pool was very refreshing. Following our pool time fun we returned to the room to deal with laundry, get showered and dressed and get checked out. We had some lunch and killed some time while waiting for our 6:30 pm shuttle to LAX. We found out our flight had been bumped up an hour, so we got some food and a short time later we were boarding our plane.

End of today’s story:
Sequential time: July 7, 2018, 9:20 pm
Local California time: July 7, 2018, 9:20 pm
Time at home: July 8, 2018, 12:20 amRead more
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Day 9
Sunday, July 8, 2018 at 8:00 AM
☁️ 12 °C
Altitude: 14 m
New Zealand Auckland International Airport -37.008248, 174.78503637°0’30” S 174°47’6” E
1
Touchdown #6, Auckland, New Zealand
July 8, 2018 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 12 °C
Auckland, New Zealand, just a stop-over
Beginning of today’s story:
Sequential time: July 8, 2018, about 10 am
Local Auckland time: July 9, 2018, about 5 am
Time at home: July 8, 2018, about 1 pm

After almost 13 hours of flying, and crossing the International Date Line, we arrive in Auckland, New Zealand 2 days later (local time). During the flight we enjoyed some food, movies and of course the interactive map (Corey’s favourite show!). We chill out in the airport, grab some food and await our next flight.

End of today’s story:
Sequential time: July 8, 2018, about 2 pm
Local Auckland time: July 9, 2018, about 9 am
Time at home: July 8, 2018, about 5 pm

DYK: New Zealand is considered the last habitable land mass on Earth to be settled by humankind.Read more
Traveler I am missing these faces. Xoxo
7/12/18Reply
TravelerI love this part of the story! Time travelling!
7/23/18Reply
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Day 9
Sunday, July 8, 2018 at 12:00 PM
🌬 28 °C
Altitude: 9 m
French Polynesia Fa'a'ā International Airport -17.558611, -149.61061717°33’31” S 149°36’38” W
Touchdown #7, Papeete, Tahiti
July 8, 2018 in French Polynesia ⋅ 🌬 28 °C
Papeete, Tahiti, French Polynesia, Faa’a International Airport
After departing Auckland, flying across the International Date Line again we touchdown in Papeete, Tahiti a day earlier (we have flown back in time and now it is really July 8th, 2018). Regardless of what day it is we are getting excited because we are almost there... one more flight until our next destination.

DYK: Papeete is the capital of French Polynesia and located on the island of Tahiti. Tahiti is part of the Society Islands, one of 5 island groups that make up French Polynesia. French Polynesia is an ‘overseas country’ financially assisted by France.Read more
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Day 9
Sunday, July 8, 2018 at 7:00 PM
⛅ 25 °C
Altitude: 4 m
French Polynesia Bora Bora Airport -16.443611, -151.752516°26’37” S 151°45’9” W
Touchdown #8, Bora Bora
July 8, 2018 in French Polynesia ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C
Welcome to Bora Bora, checking this off the bucket list.

What brought us here?
It might sound a little selfish, but this visit was on Corey’s bucket list, and Jen did not argue. Knowing our trip took us in this direction, it seemed to be the perfect opportunity to visit and check this off the list. Touted as the most beautiful island in the world, who wouldn’t want to spend some time relaxing here.

DYK: The Tahitian alphabet is made up of 13 letters; the vowels a, e, i, o, u and the consonants f, h, m, n, p, r, t and v. Noticed that there is no b? Bora Bora is actually pronounced “Pora Pora”. It means “first-born”, but early visitors heard it as Bora Bora and it stuck.Read more
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Day 9
Sunday, July 8, 2018 at 9:00 PM
⛅ 25 °C
Altitude: 13 m
French Polynesia Motu Rua -16.505613, -151.70166116°30’20” S 151°42’6” W
Destination #3, Bora Bora
July 8, 2018 in French Polynesia ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C
Our home in Bora Bora is the Intercontinental Bora Bora and Thalasso Spa. It is located on Motu Piti Aau. A ‘motu’ is a small island or islet and there are about 11 distinct motus that surround the centre island of Bora Bora. Our boat from the airport delivered us to the dock where staff where waiting with golf carts to drive us to reception. They provided some sweet tea and a washcloth while we waited to complete our check in. While we were there they delivered our bags to our villa. When we arrived the beds were ready and we were tired.
Our over-water villa features a glass floor beneath the coffee table, a covered patio and sundeck. Once we were done exploring the villa, we finally got settled in for our first night in Bora Bora.Read more
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Day 10
Monday, July 9, 2018
⛅ 28 °C
Altitude: 13 m
French Polynesia Motu Rua -16.505613, -151.70166116°30’20” S 151°42’6” W
The place so nice they named it twice!
July 9, 2018 in French Polynesia ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C
Words are not adequate to do this place justice. Just enjoy the pictures of our first full day.
TravelerThe water looks amazing!
7/19/18Reply
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Day 11
Tuesday, July 10, 2018
⛅ 28 °C
Altitude: 21 m
French Polynesia Pointe Raititi -16.529881, -151.74432416°31’48” S 151°44’40” W
More-a more-a Bora Bora
July 10, 2018 in French Polynesia ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C
Today we did some swimming, went on an adventure to the main island for lunch at Bloody Mary’s and walked to the grocery store to pick up some drinks and snacks, and ate and drank.
TravelerSo beautiful....
7/13/18Reply
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Day 12
Wednesday, July 11, 2018
⛅ 28 °C
Altitude: 13 m
French Polynesia Motu Rua -16.505613, -151.70166116°30’20” S 151°42’6” W
Can’t be bored in Bora Bora
July 11, 2018 in French Polynesia ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C
On the agenda today in Bora Bora:
1. SUN
2. breakfast
3. swimming
4. snorkeling
5. drinks
6. stingray feeding
7. lunch
8. kayaking
9. paddle boarding
10. more swimming
11. a little tv
12. mojitos
13. pizza and a movie
14. happy-exhaustion
15. bedRead more
TravelerOMG, it is so amazing. You all look so happy. We miss you but are so glad you are having so much fun. Xoxo
7/13/18Reply
TravelerLove the pictures! What an incredible adventure.
7/19/18Reply
TravelerBeautiful
7/19/18Reply
TravelerWow! So beautiful!!
7/23/18Reply
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Day 13
Thursday, July 12, 2018
⛅ 28 °C
Altitude: 13 m
French Polynesia Motu Rua -16.505613, -151.70166116°30’20” S 151°42’6” W
Last full day
July 12, 2018 in French Polynesia ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C
Today started with some rain, even Bora Bora is sad our time here is ending! We enjoyed some more time in the pool and Jen and the boys went out on the paddle boards again. Tons of fun. Jen and I treated ourselves to some island cocktails in coconuts. The boys were surprised once again when the resort staff delivered chocolate brownies to our villa, delicious treat. There was live music on the beach this evening and nothing goes better with live music than another cocktail and another toast to an amazing time in Bora Bora.Read more
TravelerLooks like a great time was had by all. So happy for you. Xoxo
7/15/18Reply
TravelerThat has got to be one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen!. It's gotta go on my bucket list now! You guys looks great and look like you are having the time of your lives. We miss you back here.
7/16/18Reply
TravelerThis place looks so beautiful!
7/19/18Reply
Travelerso beautiful!!! i am catching up on all your adventures...........so lovely!
8/16/18Reply
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Day 14
Friday, July 13, 2018 at 12:15 PM
⛅ 27 °C
Altitude: 4 m
French Polynesia Bora Bora Airport -16.443611, -151.752516°26’37” S 151°45’9” W
1
Bye bye Bora Bora
July 13, 2018 in French Polynesia ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C
Coffee on the deck for our last beautiful morning in Bora Bora. After breakfast we let the staff know we were all packed and they told us they would deliver our bags to our Day Room. We enjoy a few hours in the pool… a light shower passed over but it did not dampen our fun. After some poolside lunch we made our way to our Day Room. Great space where we were able to shower and get changed. The resort boat took us back to the airport mid-afternoon. It was great to see the view in the daylight. We got checked in and had some waiting time before boarding our flight.Read more
TravelerOMG...love this, I'm just checking in on you now...AWESOME...SUPER JEALOUS...BORA BORA, 2 more years until I get there...you guys are fabulous..look at you 4..livin the dream :)(Tammy)
7/25/18Reply
Traveler omg stunning!!!
8/16/18Reply
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Day 14
Friday, July 13, 2018 at 6:24 PM
⛅ 26 °C
Altitude: 9 m
French Polynesia Fa'a'ā International Airport -17.558611, -149.61061717°33’31” S 149°36’38” W
Touchdown #9, Papeete
July 13, 2018 in French Polynesia ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C
Back in Papeete at Faa’a International Airport… this time we get to leave the airport for a little exploring.
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Day 14
Friday, July 13, 2018 at 8:00 PM
⛅ 25 °C
Altitude: 34 m
French Polynesia Fa'a'ā International Airport -17.561354, -149.60858617°33’41” S 149°36’31” W
Destination #4, Papeete
July 13, 2018 in French Polynesia ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C
We are easing our way towards our departure from French Polynesia with a final night in Papeete at the Tahiti Airport Motel. We walked across the parking lot, crossed the street and scaled a very steep driveway to our hotel (no cab required). We got checked in before asking reception to call us a cab to Les 3 Brasseurs brewery, the only microbrewery in French Polynesia. Tried some beers, had some dinner, got the t-shirts! Back at our hotel it was time to get some rest.Read more
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Day 15
Saturday, July 14, 2018 at 5:00 AM
⛅ 22 °C
Altitude: 9 m
French Polynesia Fa'a'ā International Airport -17.558611, -149.61061717°33’31” S 149°36’38” W
Au revoir French Polynesia
July 14, 2018 in French Polynesia ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C
5 am alarm was early. Had some continental breakfast in the lobby before our arduous journey back down the hill to the airport. All good things must come to an end, time to move on to the next chapter of our adventure. Checked in our bags and then had some time to relax in the airport.
We boarded our flight and took off on schedule. Although this flight is only about 5 hours, at some point we will cross the International Date Line for the third time and it will be tomorrow.

DYK: The International Date Line is an imaginary line on the surface of Earth that runs from the North Pole to the South Pole and defines the change of one calendar day to the next (going west you move ahead a day, going east you move back a day).Read more
TravelerWOW, is all we can say. So very proud of all of you. A journey of a lifetime. As much as we miss you, every post makes us so happy.
7/15/18Reply
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Day 16
Sunday, July 15, 2018 at 2:09 PM
☁️ 12 °C
Altitude: 14 m
New Zealand Auckland International Airport -37.008248, 174.78503637°0’30” S 174°47’6” E
1
Touchdown #10, Auckland again
July 15, 2018 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 12 °C
Another stopover in Auckland enroute from where we were to where we are going next.
Traveler 😆
7/22/18Reply
Travelerhahahaha wee little butts!
8/2/18Reply
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Day 16
Sunday, July 15, 2018 at 7:00 PM
⛅ 14 °C
Altitude: 6 m
Australia Brisbane Airport -27.394214, 153.1218327°23’39” S 153°7’19” E
Touchdown #11, Brisbane, Australia
July 15, 2018 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C
There was a time when I never thought I would ever visit Australia… it is so far and what was there to see? Now here we are for our second visit. Once we arrive we need to find our rental car and hit the road. The road trip begins...

What brought us here?
Bonnie and Jason Davis. Having met in high school, Bonnie and Corey share a history that dates back to 1989, Grade 9 French class. In the years since then, through many of life's changes and challenges they have kept in touch and continue to make memories. Since Bonnie met Jason and eventually moved to Australia, we now have more than one reason to visit. Over breakfasts and bevies, lunches and liqueurs, dinners and drinks, conversations and cocktails, and a whole lot of fun, this visit is going to be another one for the scrapbook.

DYK: Australia's Capital city, Canberra (or Nganbra), means "woman's cleavage" in Ngunnawal, one of the Indigenous languages, and was named that because the city is cradled between two mountains.Read more
TravelerI can't believe you're already in Aus! I hope you're having an amazing time!
7/19/18Reply
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Day 16
Sunday, July 15, 2018 at 8:30 PM
⛅ 12 °C
Altitude: 13 m
Australia Caboolture -27.086035, 152.96180227°5’10” S 152°57’42” E
Cheers to Caboolture!
July 15, 2018 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 12 °C
Two flights, one stopover, a drive, two days and we are here… Cheers in Caboolture, Australia!
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Day 17
Monday, July 16, 2018
⛅ 23 °C
Altitude: 21 m
Australia Bargara -24.831411, 152.46615924°49’53” S 152°27’58” E
Bundaberg bound
July 16, 2018 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C
After another great exhaustion induced sleep we were awake before 8 am. Our day of road-tripping north included a visit to The Big Pineapple, the Sunshine Coast Brewery, The Ginger Factory (for lunch) and the Bundaberg Rum Distillery. We tried the Bundaberg Rum Solera [about $165 Canadian per bottle], their website states ‘To enjoy just pour neat over ice, sip and savour’… we agree! We checked in to Kelly’s Beach Resort and headed back into Bargara for Chinese food dinner.Read more
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Day 18
Tuesday, July 17, 2018
⛅ 22 °C
Altitude: 17 m
Australia Rockhampton -23.373655, 150.51009823°22’25” S 150°30’36” E
Rockin' Rockhampton
July 17, 2018 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C
Today’s travels saw us check out The Hummock Lookout {www.queensland.com/en-au/attraction/hummock-loo…}, Bundaberg Brewed Drinks { www.bundaberg.com} to pick up a few sodas to try, a playground and lunch at Big Momma’s, a stop at the Spire of the Tropic of Capricorn {www.queensland.com/en-us/attraction/the-spire-t…} (just over 18 years ago Jen and I visited the Tropic of Cancer monument near Chiayi in Taiwan, about 6150 kilometres northwest of where we are today), some exploring in Rockhampton and dinner at the Heritage Hotel {www.heritagehotelrockhampton.com.au}.Read more
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Day 19
Wednesday, July 18, 2018 at 12:30 PM
☀️ 24 °C
Altitude: 14 m
Australia Mackay City -21.142496, 149.18214721°8’33” S 149°10’56” E
Next stop...
July 18, 2018 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C
Up early again to get our final day of road-tripping underway. After a great breakfast at the Garden Tearoom at Rockhampton Botanic Gardens we checked out the FREE Rockhampton Zoo {www.rockhamptonregion.qld.gov.au/FacilitiesRecr…}. We got to see Capri, the Zoo’s first baby chimpanzee, born in February 2018. After the zoo we stopped at Capricorn Caves. Here we joined the Cathedral Cave tour through the limestone caves {www.capricorncaves.com.au/}. It was like being on a movie set. While we were in the Cathedral the guide played Hallelujah by the 3 Tenors… the sound was hypnotic. Then she turned out the lights so we could experience ‘cave darkness’… complete and total darkness, quite an experience. Outside of tours they also host weddings and opera performances in this space as well. After our tour and some lunch we were back on the road headed north. Not a lot between Rockhampton and Mackay except sugar cane fields and kangaroo road-kill. We were excited to see a few sights that felt familiar as we drove into Mackay… we are almost there!Read more
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Day 19
Wednesday, July 18, 2018 at 5:00 PM
⛅ 21 °C
Altitude: 26 m
Australia Slade Point -21.062005, 149.15228121°3’43” S 149°9’8” E
Destination #5, Mackay
July 18, 2018 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C
Not sure what to say that hasn’t already been said… this is the city that the Davis’ call home and we are excited to be spending time here once again. So far from our home but still welcoming and comfortable. A chance to catch up, chow down, drink up and slow down… time to digest our first 20-ish days of adventure while visiting our good friends. Now to do some laundry and pour a drink (not in that order)!Read more
TravelerBonnie and Jason are looking awesome. It is so nice to spend some time with dear old friends.
7/19/18Reply
TravelerG'Day Mates!
7/19/18Reply
TravelerWhat a great name for a city!
7/23/18Reply
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Day 21
Friday, July 20, 2018
⛅ 24 °C
Altitude: 26 m
Australia Slade Point -21.062005, 149.15228121°3’43” S 149°9’8” E
Days in Mackay
July 20, 2018 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 24 °C
Eating, drinking, sight-seeing, relaxing, just enjoying our time here at the Davis’ in Mackay… EXACTLY what we planned to do.
TravelerI cannot believe how much the boys look like they have grown up.
7/21/18Reply
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Day 23
Sunday, July 22, 2018
⛅ 23 °C
Altitude: 26 m
Australia Slade Point -21.062004, 149.15228321°3’43” S 149°9’8” E
Seeing and Doing
July 22, 2018 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C
More touring and exploring in and around Mackay. Doing a little every day while leaving plenty of time for tasty eats and cold drinks.
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Day 25
Tuesday, July 24, 2018
⛅ 23 °C
Altitude: 35 m
Australia Sarina -21.427488, 149.21771421°25’39” S 149°13’4” E
Doing and Seeing
July 24, 2018 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C
We continue to go here and see there during our visit with the Davis’ in Mackay. Checking out some beaches, visiting Sarina, with some shopping, lunch and movies in-between. Staying out of trouble and having a great time in Australia.Read more
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Day 26
Wednesday, July 25, 2018 at 12:15 PM
☀️ 22 °C
Altitude: 22 m
Australia Mount Pleasant -21.11731, 149.15791821°7’2” S 149°9’29” E
Welcome to the 'Land' down under
July 25, 2018 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C
Just a quick stop before lunch.
TravelerGreat place for a liquid lunch :)
8/2/18Reply
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Day 26
Wednesday, July 25, 2018 at 12:56 PM
☀️ 22 °C
Altitude: 25 m
Australia Slade Point -21.061911, 149.15241821°3’43” S 149°9’9” E
Getting impatient for lunch!
July 25, 2018 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C
Cheers, Monteith’s Black Beer from New Zealand.
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