#mini jet boats AU

[customcraftminijets]

Best Reasons to Get Mini Jet Boats

Anyone thinking of getting a mini jet boat has a few things they need to keep in mind, with the reasons for doing so being right at the top. After all, a mini jet boat is an investment and can be quite the heft one, at that depending on its features. 

Now, to be clear, you could get a mini jet boat based on any reason you want. It’s your money. However, if you are trying to find other points for consideration that will justify getting something as impressive as a mini jet boat, then you’re in luck.

Here, we will look into some of the most sensible reasons for getting a mini jet boat that make it such an attractive purchase.

Why Most People Buy Mini Jet Boats

There is a point in many people’s lives where they have a nagging, intense, almost chronic need to go as fast as possible in whatever way possible. Now, this can be achieved via a car or a motorcycle, but there are so many rules and regulations to deal with. A mini jet boat, however, comes with far less red tape to be bothered by.

Aside from the obvious limitations that you impose on yourself for the sake of safety, there isn’t really a whole lot stopping you from trying to break the sound barrier with your mini jet boat. If you go somewhere remote with a long stretch of shallow water, the restrictions you need to deal with are your own.

For many, this is reason enough to get a mini jet boat and it certainly isn’t the worst one to have. 

With that said, there are those who simply enjoy the idea of being able to say that they own a boat. After all, not everyone owns a boat, which immediately makes it something of an exclusive membership symbol.

Why You Should Buy a Mini Jet Boat

Buying a mini jet boat is not a simple idea that you can go with on a whim. The factors brought up above are typically enough for a lot of customers. However, if you want more, you can throw in family bonding time on the list.

This is something that boat owners should already know about if they spent any amount of time on the water with family members. There’s just something about riding boats that make events more memorable and a mini jet boat will make it the most memorable of all.

Then there’s nature appreciation to think about. Cities are just not that good for basically giving the mind a good reboot. Nature is where you can do that most effectively and doing it on a mini jet boat will have quite the spectacular effects. 

Last but not least, though, mini jet boats are now more accessible than ever before. They are not exactly cheap, but they are not at the price range that is only available to the super-wealthy anymore, either.

If there is something to be said about owning a boat that can cut through the surface of the water like a knife, it’s being able to say that you do so.

How to Buy a Mini Jet Boat

Now that you have been given some reasons to buy a mini jet boat, you might be wondering how you can go about getting one. The answer can be surprisingly varied since there are a few ways to acquire your mini jet boat.

First, there are brands that offer stock mini jet boats that might not really be mini jet boats. The distinctions and branching varieties can often be dizzying if you don’t know what you should be looking for.

With that said, it would really be better if you find a company that can build custom mini jet boats for you from scratch. They can provide you with more options in terms of how big the boat will be, what the features are, and how fast they can go.

This is not always the case with stock mini jets, especially if the brand selling them is more along the lines of general recreational vessels. That is to say, they are selling more than just mini jet boats. If you have specific ideas about what yours should look like, this is not the way to go.

Visit our website and check out all our minijet boat kits options today.

[goodeveningtraveler]

Roses 2: Electric Boogaloo

by SpaceJackalope

Juno Steel and Peter Nureyev have lived together for a year now. Their happiness would be complete if only people would stop asking them about their plans for the future. They're overdue for a conversation about it, but why rock the boat?

Buddy and Vespa Aurinko have a niece who's fallen in with a bad crowd. Has she volunteered her brilliant mind for evil, or is she a hostage?

Clearly, only one thing can solve everyone's problems: a fake marriage mission. Undercover again as Duke and Dahlia Rose, the detective and the thief navigate the glittering dangers of [Space Monte Carlo]. At least they'll look fabulous doing it.

Roses 2: Electric Boogaloo. A story about desire, commitment, and living dangerously. Written for the 2018/19 Penumbra Mini Bang. No longer canon-compliant as of the Juno season finale.

Words: 22890, Chapters: 10/10, Language: English

Fandoms: The Penumbra Podcast

Rating: Mature

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Categories: F/F, M/M, Multi, Other

Characters: Juno Steel, Peter Nureyev, Rita (Penumbra Podcast), Sasha Wire, Buddy Aurinko, Vespa (The Penumbra Podcast), Jet Sikuliaq|Brown Jacket, Alessandra Strong, Small Fry (Penumbra Podcast), and a lotta OCs, Brief Mick Mercury

Relationships: Peter Nureyev/Juno Steel, Jupeter - Relationship, Rita/Sasha Wire, Buddy Aurinko/Vespa, Duke Rose/Dahlia Rose

Additional Tags: Case Fic, Fake Marriage, Fake/Pretend Relationship, (Real-ass love w/ fake identities), Themes of Marriage as a Concept, Canon-Typical Violence, Some discussion of blood, Romance, Fluff, Smut, sewer rabbit co-parenting, Undercover, Kidnapping, themes of physical abuse, themes of psychological abuse, science!!, Family of Choice, blood family too, Not a retelling or au--but seasoned with a dash of Casino Royale, Rated M for violence + action + stress + sex, Penumbra Mini Bang

from AO3 works tagged 'The Penumbra Podcast' http://bit.ly/2GtfEld via IFTTT

[randomnoteforfuturereference]

Part of Your World

A little gift for @kleeklutch, who also inadvertently gave me a quote prompt to work from.

Note that this fic is directly connected to, and is an elaboration on, this AU concept for Dex.

And if you want to see what Nursey’s wearing... check out this awesome piece by @gouachemole.

Also it’s now on AO3.

Being out on the water in the Gulf of Maine can present you with quite a spectacle.  

The rising sun just beginning to cast its light. Clouds in the horizon concentrating that dawning light into golden shafts that slash across the sky and reflect upon the calm water. A light fog giving an aura of stillness over gently rolling waves. And little white terns flitting around and calling to one another in sharp tones.

It’s a beautiful sight.

Or it would be if I didn’t feel like upchucking over the side of the lobster boat… and in front of a judgmental William Poindexter, who stares at me with that now-predictable mixture of crankiness and concern. Refusing to buckle before Dex is probably the only thing that’s keeping me upright.

“I thought you told me that you've already been at sea.”

“Yachts,” I correct him. “I was on yachts.” Ones that were a bit bigger than this vessel and didn’t rock uncontrollably whenever a damn cruise ship would pass by.

“Well that explains everything…” Dex emphasizes that by doing an obvious once-over of me with his eyes.

“Take it all in, Poindexter.” I emphasize my own statement with a weak gin and by gesticulating over my pink lobster-embroidered shirt, pastel lobster-print chino shorts, and… regular boat shoes. “You know you like it.”

Dex found the whole get-up horrifying. To Dex’s increased horror, the uncle — I call him “Boatdexter” — running this boat and cousins helping along found it hilarious, and they encouraged me to wear it out to sea. Besides, at least for this first trip, they fully forbade me to haul traps — though that may change if I go out with them again — so I might as well be comfortable.  

Well… as comfortable as I can get. Because right now, chirps are the only thing keeping me from wigging out, and I’m not sure how long that can last.  

And of course Dex just has to make things harder by hovering around me — when he isn’t hauling traps — to make sure I’m inventorying correctly.

Before long… after Dex asks for an obscure tool… then asks if I know what I’m doing and want to take a break… that last fraying thread snaps.  

“Dude like I don’t even know bc this whole mermy Dexy thing kinda came out of nowhere and I don’t know why you’re down there or what you need and you think I know these things but I don’t Nemo!”

Fuck that feels good!

It really does, even if I have to take a deep breath to make up for the lack of pause in that rant. As my breathing slows back down, I plop down on a pile of ropes to stare at Dex, who just scowls back at me with the usual reddening of his ears.

A couple minutes of silent staredown passes before a cousin takes pity on us, grabs the requested tool, and hands it to Dex… who mutters curt thanks, puts the tool in one of his utility pouches, and dives back into the depths. Though not before soaking me with a flick of his tail.

Oh, did I mention that Dex is a merman? Well Dex is a fucking merman.

Now did he warn me in advance about that little tidbit? Did he warn me in advance that he was a figure of myth and fantasy? Of course not.

Though to be fair, I think he was trying to tell me but, in true Dexy fashion, was shit at communication. It certainly explained why he kept second-guessing my decision to come along in the trip… or looked like he was about to say something but kept stopping himself. But I didn’t want to assume or pressure him.

Still, I should have been suspicious when I first saw that Dex wasn’t dressed in the rubber overalls like his relatives but rather his regular clothes.

Then we reached the first trap. Then he proceeded to strip down to his swimsuit before gearing up with something that looked like a utility-belt-and-small-backpack combo. Then he dove out into the water… and didn’t surface.

I was already caught off-guard by him getting into the water. When a minute passed without him surfacing, I didn’t pay attention to how unbothered the rest of my companions were. Instead I frantically rushed over to the side of the boat to peer into the aquamarine depths.

“Dex? DEX? DE—”

“WHAT?”

Dex’s irate exclamation from the other side of the boat made me turn around… right in time to have his speedos — his claim is that they’re easier than trunks or jammers to carry in a pouch and wear clothes over; which… whatever…  — slap me in the face.

As I peeled that… garment off, I heard Dex berating me for running around the deck recklessly. Then I saw him, and anything else he was jabbering about faded into a muted drone. Nothing else mattered more than the sight before me.

Overall, if you look at him from the waist up, Dex looks like he normally does at first glance. That is until you notice his eyes and how those gold irises have not only gotten more reflective but twice the size, with the sclerae that’s visible having gone from white to pitch black. Or how his canines are noticeably larger and sharper than you’d expect from a human. Or how his coppery hair really does look like fire in how it pulses with light bright enough to be noticeable even with the morning sun.

Then you notice the tail. Not a legs-replacing fishy tail like popular culture sells. Nope. This is a segmented exoskeleton-clad structure around ten times the length of his torso, patterned in an aquamarine hue similar to its surroundings, and terminating in a fan-like articulated fin. His actual legs are transformed into large fins, a multitude of mini fins are undulate along the underside and flank of the tail, and the top of each segment has a set of spiny siphons to shoot water out in a jet-like stream.

I must have been gaping at Dex long enough for him to finally remember that this was the first time I saw him like that; because he suddenly clammed up, got really red with that blush accompanied by a heightened intensity of his hair’s glow, and dove back into the water.

While Dex was down in the depths, Boatdexter took the time to explain things to me.

They don’t know how or when the ability first arose; just that it’s magic in the fullest sense — including the transformation, which happens at will and not just in the presence of water — and probably involves something akin to a Land of the Fae. It’s not guaranteed that someone in the family will have the ability, but everyone who has the ability has been born in the family. Some have used that ability in joining the Special Forces or working in underwater construction; others are just satisfied hauling traps.

In any case, by the time Dex brought that first trap up, I recovered from the revelation and was able to do my assigned job of recording the number of lobsters taken in or thrown back. I’d probably do better if not for the concerned glances he kept sending me.

Leading to this poi—

“Wait…”

That word, uttered right by my ear, does not cause me to jump up and yelp in an undignified high-pitched manner that would be a non-ending source of chirps if it ever reaches the team. Nope. Not at all.  

Dex ignores my not-reaction as he gingerlly drops a basketful of a sea cucumbers into the boat; the Chinese pay top dollar for those creatures, so he harvests a few on the side when he dives down. “Did you just use ‘beecee’ in place of ‘because’? Why… why am I not surprised?”

Despite everything… Despite my sluggish acclimatization to being at sea in a boat smaller than I’m used to… Despite this frustrating sense of uselessness… Despite my fellow D-man turning out to be a creature out of a fantasy book… I offer Dex a lazy grin.

Dex’s scowl deepens enough to allow one of those oversized canines to peek out, the glow of his hair increases in pulse and brightens to the point of casting mild flickering shadows, and a part of me ponders the veracity of those stories where pissed-off mermaids drag mariners to the depths.

Still…

I widen my grin and peck him on the nose before giving my answer:

“Hashtag linguistics.”

Memo to self: being beaned in the face with what's essentially a living dildo of the sea is not a pleasant experience. Boatdexter tells me that the white, sticky, rapidly-solidifying goop that had been squirted all over my face and hair — yes, I'm aware how this sounds, fuck you very much — are the innards the creature releases for self-defense; which… the fuck…

Still, as I peel away the nylon-like filaments, one thought crosses my mind:

#worthit

[onceuponaprincessworld]

CaptainSwan FF One-shots Recs p.5

Hello Beautiful Fandom, look I made another rec list! Thanks to CS AU Week we have some lovely new one shots featuring our favorite couple, but this list also includes some old one-shots that I believe you should check out, If you haven’t already. Hope you enjoy.

You can find here my other lists as well. 

Side note, I try to tag the authors by their tumblr name, but I couldn’t find some, if you know it, let me know. 

But Consider This...Aliens, @welllpthisishappening

Killian Jones is going to lose his mind. He's never going to sleep again. Because there is an alien living in the apartment above his. And maybe he's ok with it. Yeah, definitely losing his mind.

Prompt, @its-imperator-furiosa

Emma and Killian has been dating for a while but they haven't tell their friends yet, because they don't know how Emma's brother David will react, since he ones told Killian to not go near his sister, but he walks on them kissing or something and he yells Finally.

Past the Clouds, We’ll Find the Stars, @blowmiakisscolin

CS + Adoption and more: A dash of angst, a sprinkling of humor & a whole lotta fluff.

Prompt, @initiala

You buy your man a mug without looking inside... 

it’s a party in the usa, @jmosfreckles

A Fourth of July AU written for CS AU week day 1: Holiday AU. America vs. Great Britain antics ensue.

Old Habits Die Hard, Ok?, @jmosfreckles

I kissed you goodbye on accident - old habits die hard, ok?!

worth the risk, worth the guarantee, @piratesails

The rule is simple enough: don't fall for your best friend. No matter how loudly her laugh echoes in your head in the middle of the night, or how beautifully endearing the freckles that climb up her arms look under the afternoon sun. Every single movie and book and story he's come across has warned him of this in one way or another.

And yet, Killian finds it hard to run out of reasons why Emma Swan is the most perfect person he has and will ever meet.

Unhand the Carnations, @blowmiakisscolin

CS Flower Thief AU: I saw a prompt on Tumblr (see notes) and I did a thing. Emma catches Killian stealing flowers from her garden and assumes he's being a cheap date. She insists on coming with him to find out whether the girl is pretty enough to warrant flower theft...and he doesn't know how to break it to her that he's taking the flowers to the graveyard.

Never Drinking Again, @its-like-a-story-of-love

Emma Swan wakes up on her 21st birthday with no recollection of what happened the night before. All she has to piece everything together are her Snapchat story and a handsome stranger. (Drunken Snapchat story AU) 

You Make Me Better, @ilovemesomekillianjones

CS Neighbors AU where Emma is a nurse and Killian is her definitely-faking-it hypochondriac neighbor who uses illnesses and injuries as an excuse to talk to her.

You Look Happier, @cutieodonoghue

Radio DJ David Nolan’s sister Emma moves to town to be close to him as he prepares for his upcoming wedding to Mary Margaret. Maybe he’s just a little bit crazy from wedding stress, but he kinda wants to set her up with his co-host and best friend Killian. 

i’m missing you like crazy, @cutieodonoghue

“Established long distance relationship, one of them surprises the other by showing up right before midnight [on New Years Eve].” with a side helping of vloggers au! (a mixture of angst and fluff beyond this point)  

already in love,   @icapturedkindness

For CS AU week beloved tropes - friends to lovers.

a dare and a truth..., @startswithhope

Bed sharing prompt: “Would you please get comfortable and go the fuck to sleep already?”

Body Say, @seriouslyhooked

AU where Emma and Killian are neighbors in Boston. Emma gets home from a girls night only to stumble upon Killian who she has been crushing on since he moved in. Sparks fly and it is basically just a mini smut fest if I’m honest, but we then get a flash forward to see what happens with Emma and Killian in the future. I’m sure I have done a oneshot or two like this before, but hey, we can always use more fluff right?

Frigging in the Rigging, @passing-fanciful

Friends do things for other friends' birthdays. No big deal, right?

Camped Out,  @always-a-slut-for-pirates

A reluctant Emma goes camping with David, Mary Margaret and Killian.

the love boat, @captainnagata

“How good is your mother with dealing with the unexpected?”

“Why?”

“Because ship captains have the power to officiate weddings and the idea of her own daughter entering a marriage in a matter of days, on a cruise, could sober her up enough to leave you alone for good.”

a (sort of) cinderella story, @jennifer-morrison

sure she sits with him for a while after he’s put henry to bed following a late stakeout and sure she invites him over to make dinner more often than she doesn’t but that’s their usual. it isn’t because she likes him, likes him. (no one tell henry he agreed to this silly masquerade because he likes, likes her, okay?)

something so magic about you, @mycaptainswanjones

Emma Swan just found the perfect gift for Mary Margaret's birthday. The only problem? A blue-eyed stranger with a ridiculously attractive face and accent just stole it from right under her nose. Modern AU. Captain Swan.

The Kinship Harvest, @thesschesthair

We’re going to pretend the portal at the end of S3 never opened and Zelena was defeated without any interruptions. We’re also going to pretend Emma couldn’t go through with leaving for New York much to everyone’s relief. We’re also going to pretend that I can make up a believable holiday for the Enchanted forest lol.

Untitled, @distant-rose

Emma Swan is a crusty twice divorced bailsbond person who is a lone wolf by nature, excluding the company of her seven-year old son, of course. Her occasional companion of choice is a Seattle detective who is also a divorcee and an ex-military guy who got his hand blown off on some super secret Black Op mission in Afghanistan. Killian Jones is nearly as crusty as Emma and a closet sci-fi nerd who never fails to help Emma with a difficult skip or babysit her son last minute. There’s always been an unspoken attraction between them that’s held back by their memory of their failed marriages.

The Worst/Best Christmas Ever,  @captainhookcaptainfreedom

When their flight home is cancelled, Emma is convinced that she and Henry are going to have the worst Christmas ever. However, their next store neighbor, Killian Jones, has different ideas. 

stranger to the ground, @evil–isnt–born

Test pilot Killian Jones and engineer Emma Swan spend their days making history as part of the Avro Arrow program. When the program is suddenly cancelled and the jets ordered destroyed, the choice becomes whether to let it become a thing of the past or save a piece of their shared history.

STRAIGHT AS AN ARROW (TO YOU),  @nightships 

The Avro Arrow program was a shining beacon for Canada - when it was cancelled, questions went unanswered, and reporter Emma Swan has no intentions of leaving them that way. Major Killian Jones couldn't agree less, especially given his own history with the program, but Emma wouldn't be Emma if she let that stop her.

Too Hot (Hot Damn), @this-too-too-sullied-flesh

Emma just doesn’t know what’s hotter--the weather and the fact that the air conditioning is out in her building, or her neighbor.

stop talking in codes,  cocoa-and-rum

Killian Jones has been in love with Emma Swan for as long as he can remember. He often told himself it wouldn't be wise to fall for his best friend, but his heart has a queer way of never listening to his brain, especially when a breathtakingly alluring woman with pretty green eyes and lovely blonde waves is involved.

1-2 Crush on You, @allrightfine

"We'll skip all this, go right to a place where you're more comfortable. We'll want to aim for that sweet spot between knowing all those little idiosyncrasies and them becoming annoying, I'd imagine." (vaguely Halloween-flavored AU smutty fluff!).

A Lifetime of Kissing, @justanotherwannabeclassic

There were many things that were becoming of a princess. The ability to carry on polite conversation, fluency in many languages, and an appreciation of both the arts and sciences were such things. What wasn’t becoming of a princess was drunkenly marrying a Naval lieutenant while on a diplomatic visit to a nearby kingdom. (Lieutenant Duckling).

[ao3feed-jupeter]

Roses 2: Electric Boogaloo

by SpaceJackalope

Juno Steel and Peter Nureyev have lived together for a year now. Their happiness would be complete if only people would stop asking them about their plans for the future. They're overdue for a conversation about it, but why rock the boat?

Buddy and Vespa Aurinko have a niece who's fallen in with a bad crowd. Has she volunteered her brilliant mind for evil, or is she a hostage?

Clearly, only one thing can solve everyone's problems: a fake marriage mission. Undercover again as Duke and Dahlia Rose, the detective and the thief navigate the glittering dangers of [Space Monte Carlo]. At least they'll look fabulous doing it.

Roses 2: Electric Boogaloo. A story about desire, commitment, and living dangerously. Written for the 2018/19 Penumbra Mini Bang. No longer canon-compliant as of the Juno season finale.

Words: 22890, Chapters: 10/10, Language: English

Fandoms: The Penumbra Podcast

Rating: Mature

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Categories: F/F, M/M, Multi, Other

Characters: Juno Steel, Peter Nureyev, Rita (Penumbra Podcast), Sasha Wire, Buddy Aurinko, Vespa (The Penumbra Podcast), Jet Sikuliaq|Brown Jacket, Alessandra Strong, Small Fry (Penumbra Podcast), and a lotta OCs, Brief Mick Mercury

Relationships: Peter Nureyev/Juno Steel, Jupeter - Relationship, Rita/Sasha Wire, Buddy Aurinko/Vespa, Duke Rose/Dahlia Rose

Additional Tags: Case Fic, Fake Marriage, Fake/Pretend Relationship, (Real-ass love w/ fake identities), Themes of Marriage as a Concept, Canon-Typical Violence, Some discussion of blood, Romance, Fluff, Smut, sewer rabbit co-parenting, Undercover, Kidnapping, themes of physical abuse, themes of psychological abuse, science!!, Family of Choice, blood family too, Not a retelling or au--but seasoned with a dash of Casino Royale, Rated M for violence + action + stress + sex, Penumbra Mini Bang

Read on AO3 at http://bit.ly/2GtfEld

[apt-to-embellish-blog]

A Bebemoon in France

Off on a Bebemoon

Generalizations about generations are all the rage these days. Whether it’s select crotchety baby-boomers claiming Millennials only want their avocado toast, or select sensitive Millennials responding that they will never buy homes, so at least they should eat toast, people are drawn to writing and reading about preconceptions about their own generation.  

Personally, I like to lean into the generalization that Millennials celebrate everything.  Certainly, I received my share of participation trophies in the ‘90s, but this barely scratches the surface of my celebratory joie de vivre.  I love birthdays, wedding showers, honeymoons (and mini-moons!),  first days of work, Taco Tuesdays, and any old reason to recognize that this life, and the milestones and love it holds, is a magnificent gift.  Naturally, when Josh and I discovered our long awaited baby is healthy and on her way, this too deserved it’s own revelry.  Hence, we planned a summer babymoon in France, or should I say a bebemoon to fully embrace how delightfully cheesy and wonderful this whole trip will be.

Up up and Away

Our trip began as most do, arriving at the airport after conning convincing a dear friend to drop us off (shout out Jennie Uttech!).  While secretly I wanted to go full out ridiculous and wear matching “Mama bear and Papa bear” t-shirts on the plane, Josh convinced me that my growing baby bump would be enough of a show that t-shirts were not necessary.  Nevertheless, I still snuck in a match matchy outfit after he’d dressed for the day: cheesy quota met!

Saying Au Revoir at MSP, photo courtesy of our lovely chauffeur, Jennie Uttech.

Taking cheesy to new heights, with this delightful pre-flight soft pretzel!

Ready for take-off in our matchy-matchy maroon!

As cheapy travelers, we unfortunately were originally assigned middle seats across the plane from one another, but I’m telling you, this baby bump has magic powers.  We walked up to the front desk and were given seats next to each other with an aisle near the bathroom: add the preboarding that they provided us and man, I was feeling first class.

While I normally am a chill traveler, something about traveling with another human being in my body has transformed me into a doomsday prepper circa the turn of the millenium.  I came with water, snacks, back-up batteries, and some styling compression socks to help me avoid Deep Vein Thrombosis and certain death. (Wonder about this one?  Try googling “flight, pregnancy, deep vein thrombosis” and a million mommy blogs and posting boards will tell you you have purchased a ticket to your own demise).  Essentially, I was one generator short of a fall-out shelter.  Not only that, immediately upon entering the plane, I requested air sickness bags.  Since I’ve been an on-and-off nausea machine since the start of this pregnancy, I figured we had a 50/50 “chance of showers.”  To extend the metaphor, if bringing an umbrella prevents rain, well, I’d do anything in my power to hold off the usual thunderstorm.

Given this cue, our flight attendants were phenomenal; I don’t think I’ve been on a more attentive flight.  They checked in with me regularly, gave me extra snacks and a care package, and smiled at me as I got up to walk every hour.  Also, the bags did their trick, and by requesting them I never got sick. In short, it was a magnificent and uneventful flight; Delta, you always are my favorite.

Benvenue En France

Arriving in France, we took our crazy jet-lagged selves and headed straight for the RER, a public train that takes you into the heart of Paris, with a stop 3 blocks from our hotel.   It’s also half the price of a taxi or Uber. After wrestling with a ticket machine for far longer than I felt was necessary, we obtained our tickets and made our way to the platform.  As we boarded the train, I congratulated myself on holding my hormonal- tired-grouchy-get-me-to-my-hotel feelings at bay.  We’re on the train, everything is fine!

Riding the RER, and wondering if his wife is going to make it to the hotel without losing it.

Actually footage of me on the train (Photo Credit: KC Green, January 2013.)

Unfortunately, our particular train was malfunctioning, which resulted in hopping to an additional train, realizing it was not the train we wanted before it left the station (Whew!), and reboarding a spiffier version of the original train.  By this point, admittedly, everything was not fine. Tired grouchy self was feeling very bold and babymoon glow wife was feeling very distant; it is but by the grace of my calm cool-headed husband that we made it to our hotel without imploding on the train.

At our hotel, we settled into a jet-lagged coma for about four hours.  With the miracle of sleep, a change of clothes, and some decaf coffee, we were back in business.  

Notre Dame

Upon waking, we emerged from our hotel to stroll the St. Germain neighborhood, an artistic, centrally located oasis oozing with charm.  We poked around a few stops, before making our way over to the Notre Dame Cathedral. Opening in 1345, this massive gothic beauty has been a landmark for countless historic events.  Awed by its flying buttresses and massive sculptures, we lingered outside to enjoy the summer weather and people watching.

Notre Dame, over the River Seine

While lingering, the baby bump once again worked its magic; instead of waiting in a line as far as the eye could see, we were ushered in immediately through a line for the disabled.  The French sure know how to make a pregnant lady and her husband feel special!  

Inside the cathedral, we enjoyed the beautiful music that accompanied evening mass. We also toured the nave, awed by the stained glass rose window, ornate chandeliers, and oil paintings.  Finally, we had an opportunity continue one of our favorite traditions: praying in churches around the world for those we love, and our children to come.  How exciting that we’re now on the cusp of our firstborn!

Chandeliers at Notre Dame

Ornate sculptures at Notre Dame.

Notre Dame

So thankful for our baby girl!

Following the cathedral, we moseyed to a nearby cafe for an early dinner.  Josh ordered Le Titi Parisien, a Belgian IPA-style beer brewed right in the city; as for this girl, it’s all water all the time, although they did have a few enticing mock-tails.  We enjoyed a leisurely meal (asaparagus risotto for her, and a croque monsieur for him (think fancy ham sandwich with cheese) ), soaking in the view of the Seine River and Notre Dam while playing a little cribbage.

A Titi Parsien: Local Belgian-Style IPA. Josh’s review: “It’s no Surly, but it’s decent.”

Rose arbor outside the Church of St. Julien Le Pauvre.

Watching the sunset over the Seine.

Bebemoon Day 1

Following our dinner, we strolled the cobblestone streets until sundown eating macaroons,  Finally, we settled in on the banks of the Seine to watch the boats at sunset.  While this pace is a little slower than our usual vacation, I am loving the opportunity to soak in our time as a family of two, away from everyday life. If this is essence of Millennialism, I’m in for it. Bonsoir!

Note: You may wonder, how is there time to blog on a trip like this?  Pregnancy insomnia, friends, it truly can be a gift! :)

[melodywooo-blog]

Great Barrier Reef, Queensland: where to dive, snorkel and stay

As David Attenborough’s new three-part reef documentary begins, here’s our guide to exploring the world’s largest living structure and its Australian coast, from scuba diving trips to rainforest excursions – plus the best places to stay

                                                                                    Hardy Reef, on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef

      The Unesco world heritage-listed natural wonder is a ribbon of blinding blues and greens, a constellation of islands and reefs, running parallel with the Queensland shoreline from the tip of Cape York in the north 1,600 miles south to Bundaberg. At the reef’s southernmost end are Lady Elliot and Heron islands, two stars of David Attenborough’s new three-hour documentary (screening at 9pm on 30 December, BBC1); heading north, Airlie Beach, Townsville and Cairns are popular starting points for reef explorations.

      Great Barrier Reef and Queensland, Australia

      Airlie Beach and the Whitsunday Islands

      It’s easy to spend an entire holiday exploring the Whitsunday archipelago’s 74 jungle-clad islands. The jet-set flocks to ritzy Hamilton Island (owned by wine baron and sailing enthusiast Bob Oatley) but nature lovers can delve into uninhabited isles fringed with coral reefs and perfect beaches. Fly to Hamilton Island’s Great Barrier Reef Airport or Whitsunday Coast Airport, a 20-minute drive from Airlie Beach.

      Stay

                                            Airlie beach. Photograph: Tanya Ann Photography/Getty Images

      Airlie Waterfront B&B

      Airlie Beach, gateway to the Whitsundays, attracts visitors eager to wallow in tropical pleasures without paying the hefty price of an island resort stay. Between day trips to the reef and islands, unwind at the town’s manmade lagoon, 200 metres from Airlie Waterfront B&B. Lounge on a deckchair in the B&B’s garden and survey the dramatic rainforest-meets-reef coastline. The double-storey property is all modern geometric lines with a deep veranda up top to catch the sea breeze. • Doubles from AU$179 (£88) B&B, +61 7 4946 7631, airliewaterfrontbnb.com.au

             Palm Bay Resort Sunrise or sunset? Catch both at Palm Bay Resort, which sprawls over the neck of Long Island (travel there by water taxi from Shute Harbour near Airlie Beach). The 23 suites and Balinese-style villas, with hammocks strung out front, provide a great getaway. Unusually for an island resort, this is self-catering so some planning is required to source provisions. Meals are cooked in a communal kitchen. In 2015 the resort added a cocktail bar that shakes a mean Long Island iced tea. • Doubles (beachfront villa) from AU$209 (£103), +61 1300 655 126, palmbayresort.com.au

      Activities

      Dive the outer reef Want to brag that you learned to dive on the world’s most famous reef? Cruise Whitsundays, based at Port of Airlie, ferries divers, snorkellers and day-trippers via high-speed catamaran to a pontoon anchored alongside a coral wall at Hardy Reef. The day-long tour (from AU$230/£112) to the outer Great Barrier Reef includes snorkelling, visiting the underwater observatory and touring the reef in a semi-submersible; scuba diving costs extra. • Dive lesson AU$119 (£59), certified dive AU$99 (£49), +61 7 4846 7000, cruisewhitsundays.com

      Scuba and sand combo

                                            Snorkelling near the reef. Photograph: Robin Smith/Getty Images

      Combine a dive with arguably the Whitsundays’ most popular attraction by going to Whitehaven Beach with Airlie Beach-based Mantaray Charters for a visit so leisurely there’s time to climb Hill Inlet for an elevated view over the gorgeous white sand. Peer into the shallows to spot juvenile sharks and rays before returning to the boat for lunch. In the afternoon, plop into the clear waters near Hook or Hayman Island to scuba dive or snorkel. • Day trip AU$197 (£96), introductory dive AU$100 (£49), certified dive AU$80 (£39) (second dives $60). Bookings essential, +61 7 4948 1117, mantaraycharters.com

      Whitehaven Beach Whitehaven Beach on Whitsunday Island – the group’s largest island – has become a must-see destination for its blue waters and white sand. This means there are plenty of day-trippers along the 7km sweep of dazzling silica; so, for something a bit different, sail over for a day trip (including morning tea and lunch) on the Lady Enid, a former racing yacht. Get the beach (almost) to yourself by taking a barge from Shute Harbour with Whitsunday Island Camping Connections and then camp overnight (the barge company also rents camping gear). • Sailing (eight-hour trip) from AU$225pp a person (£110pp), +61 407 483 000; ladyenid.com.au. Camping permits AU$5.95pp (£2.90pppn) a person a night, +61 13 74 68, nprsr.qld.gov.au Return barge AU$155pp (£76pp), +61 7 4946 6285, whitsundaycamping.com.au

                                                                    Shute Harbour and Conway national park. Photograph: Ted Mead/Getty Images

      Mountain bike in the rainforest Peer over your shoulder in Airlie Beach and you’ll realise the town is not only a reef gateway but right next to Conway national park. The rugged coastal rainforest is a birder’s paradise: keep watch for emerald doves, sulphur-crested cockatoos and orange-footed scrub fowl. From November to March, buff-breasted paradise-kingfishers travel from Papua New Guinea to nest in termite mounds. Get among it on an all-day guided mountain-bike tour with Airlie Mountain Bike Tours that includes stopping for a dip in a waterhole. • Tour from AU$120 (£59), +61 408 800 159, airliemountainbiketours.com

             Townsville and nearby islands

      Townsville, Australia’s largest tropical city, is more business than pleasure but it’s the perfect gateway to a handful of reef islands. Magnetic Island (Maggie to the locals) lies just offshore; think of it as a far-flung Townsville suburb. Spend a day or two exploring Townsville’s attractions, which include a huge aquarium and an unlikely pink-granite hill overlooking the city.

      Stay

      Rambutan Rambutan, in Townsville’s nightlife area, bills itself as Australia’s first “glam-packers’” resort. The low-rise property, which opened in 2015, turns the concept of a backpackers’ hostel on its head with a stylish rooftop bar and pool, air-con and en suite for each room, and a restaurant serving American-style food (think barbeuce pit meats and southern fried chicken). Accommodation ranges from undercover van sites to mixed and single-sex dorms, private rooms and a four-bedroom villa. • Van sites AU$34 (£17), dorms from AU$30 (£15), doubles from AU$119 (£58), +61 7 4771 6915, rambutantownsville.com.au

      Magnetic Island B&B

                                            Guests are given a mini-tour of the island – and perhaps a glimpse of a resident koala – when Magnetic Island B&B’s owners fetch them from the ferry. The B&B is at Horseshoe Bay at the island’s northern end. Most of Maggie, which has 23 secluded beaches and bays, is national park. Spend days rambling along bush tracks to lookouts and picking a favourite swimming spot before returning to relax around the pool. • Doubles from AU$140 (£69), +61 7 4758 1203, magneticislandbedandbreakfast.com

      Hinchinbrook Island

                                                                    Trekking the Thorsborne Trail. Photograph: Will Salter/Getty Images

      Hinchinbrook, one of Australia’s largest island national parks, is famous among bushwalkers for its cloud-wreathed mountainous backbone, lush rainforest, melaleuca swamps, waterfalls and rugged headlands. Only 40 people at a time can traverse the spectacular 20-mile east coast Thorsborne Trail, which is best enjoyed over four days. Seven campsites offer limited facilities (mainly toilets and picnic tables) along the trail, which requires creek crossings and rock-hopping around the headlands. • Camping permits AU$5.95pppn (£2.90), +61 13 74 68, nprsr.qld.gov.au

             Activities

      Adrenalin Dive Experienced divers can explore the wreck of the Yongala, a passenger steamer that sank during a 1911 cyclone. Lying 15 metres underwater, the ship is one of the world’s best wreck dives. It attracts sharks, manta rays, turtles, sea snakes, giant trevally and schools of tropical fish. During winter, divers may see humpback whales. Adrenaline Dive also takes snorkellers and divers to Lodestone Reef – popular with parrotfish, angelfish and clownfish. • Two Yongala dives from AU$255 (£125); two Lodestone dives from AU$250 (£122), snorkelling AU$220 (£108), +61 7 4724 0600, Facebook

      ReefHQ Learn all there is to know about the Great Barrier Reef at reefHQ – the world’s largest living coral reef aquarium. The idea behind the attraction was to replicate the reef on land to make it affordable and accessible to all. Highlights include the coral reef exhibit that’s open to sunshine, moonshine and storms – just like the real thing – and a predator exhibit with black-tip reef sharks and a replica section of the Yongala that can be viewed through an underwater tunnel. • Admission AU$28 (£14) adults, AU$14 (£6.90) children 5-16, +61 7 4750 0800, reefhq.com.au

                                            Photograph: Alamy

      Hike Castle Hill Central Australia has Uluru but Townsville has its own unmissable monolith in the shape of Castle Hill – a pink-granite landmark that looms 286 metres above the city. Despite the heat and humidity and the fact there’s a perfectly serviceable road, people persist in taking the hard way to the summit. There are more than a dozen marked and unmarked trails to the lookout – offering views over the city and Magnetic Island. • Free. Trail map at thegotownsville.com.au

      Cairns and beyond

      Cairns is the northernmost point of Australian tourism’s “golden triangle” (Sydney and Uluru are the other two). While the city’s fortunes have waxed and waned over the years, it’s now on an upward trajectory following major investment in several developments.

                                                                    Coastline near Port Douglas. Photograph: Alamy

      Stay

      Ryan’s Rest Stay in a traditional Queenslander – think corrugated-iron roof, louvre windows, high ceilings, deep veranda and timber floor and walls – with nine rooms ranging from singles with shared facilities to self-contained two-bedroom apartments. Seven blocks back from the lagoon, this place attracts guests seeking a quieter stay away from the city’s party zone. There’s also an on-site pool for those needing a close-at-hand dip. • Doubles from AU$66 (£33), +61 428 514 738, ryansrest.com.au

             The Hotel Cairns In a city with its share of generic hotels, The Hotel Cairns stands out for architecture that channels the tropical surroundings. The hotel has an excellent location: it’s only a block from the Esplanade, home to a spectacular all-year swimming lagoon and beach. The Hotel Cairns has its own pool, framed by towering palms, while rooms are kept cool with plantation shutters, terracotta tiles and that all-important air-con. • Doubles from AU$129 (£63), +61 7 4051 6188, thehotelcairns.com

      Port Douglas Motel With pops of primary colour, the Port Douglas Motel exudes a joyful 1960s vibe. The property’s central location makes it easy to stroll to both Four Mile Beach and the marina – the departure point for reef tours. Jump into the motel’s saltwater swimming pool or watch others frolicking there while cooking up a storm at the communal kitchen. The resort town of Port Douglas is about one hour’s drive north of Cairns. • Doubles from AU$125 (£61), +61 7 4099 5248, portdouglasmotel.com.au

      Activities

      Cairns Dive Centre Snorkellers, first-time divers and certified divers travel via Fitzroy Island before reaching the outer Great Barrier Reef with Cairns Dive Centre. The daily trips cover two reef sites offering great viewing of the reef’s famous fish, as well as turtles, stingrays and reef sharks. The full-day trip includes morning and afternoon snorkels and dives, with lunch served aboard the catamaran. • Snorkel day trip AU$150 (£74), add introductory dive AU$50 (£25), certified diver day trip AU$200 (£98), +61 7 4051 0294, cairnsdive.com.au

      Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park

                                            A ‘Night Fire’ show at Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park,. Photograph: Alamy

      Learn about the region’s strong indigenous culture at Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park, which unveiled a multimillion-dollar makeover in 2015. There’s a humorous touch to performances relaying the beliefs and stories that have shaped this ancient culture. At night, an interactive dinner show includes a fiery finale. The park neighbours the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway to Kuranda. • Park admission from AU$60 (£30) adults, AU$40 (£20) children, AU$160 (£78) family; Night Fire AU$120 (£59) adults, AU$75 (£37) children, AU$315 (£154) family; Tjapukai with return Skyrail, from AU$135 (£), +61 7 4042 9999, tjapukai.com.au

      Moore Reef pontoon Those who aren’t water-confident can still enjoy a day on the reef thanks to a pontoon anchored at Moore Reef 40km from Cairns. Sunlover Reef Cruises runs day trips to the covered platform where visitors can snorkel, hop in the glass-bottom boat and semi-submersible coral-viewing boat, check out the underwater observatory and explore the marine touch tank. Extras include Seawalker helmet diving, scuba diving and a guided snorkelling safari. • Day trips from AU$199 (£97) adults, AU$99 (£49) children 4-15, +61 7 4050 1333, sunlover.com.au

      Mossman Gorge Centre

                                            Photograph: Adam Bruzzone

      What’s better than leaping into a waterhole deep in the middle of a rainforest? Try pairing that experience with stories from the local Kuku Yalanji people. The Dreamtime Gorge Walk at Mossman Gorge, 77km north of Cairns, begins with a smoking ceremony to ward off bad spirits. Learn about bush foods, traditional plant uses and how to make ochre paint before finishing the 1.5-hour tour with tea and damper (soda bread). • Shuttle bus into the gorge AU$8.90 (£4.40), Dreamtime tour AU$60 (£30) adults, AU$30 (£15) children 5-15, AU$150 (£)74 family, +61 7 4099 7000, mossmangorge.com.au

[beautyisinthemovement-blog]

Le Tour du Monde en 80 Heures (Victoire)

Étape 1 - Le Bus

Heure 0

Départ: Bruxelles

Arrivée: Amsterdam

Statut: Échec

J'ai fermé la galerie à 19h, après un bon Mac Do des familles, mon sac est prêt, j'ai pas dormi depuis 3 jours, t'as vu? T'as vu! T'as vu.

Je suis censée prendre le bus à 3h du mat direction The Dam, mais voilà, il y a des yeux dont la douceur forcent l'admiration. Alors même si j'ai des cocotiers qui m'attendent en Asie, je claque l'Amex sur la table pour gratter 3h de tendresse.

Étape 2 - Le Train -

Heures 3 à 5

Départ: Bruxelles

Arrivée: Amsterdam

Statut: Unexpected success

Clic-clac, j'te tape les bises, m'affale dans le Uber de la paresse, gare du Midi, back-pack bazardé dans l'entre-wagon, 1h30 de sommeil pas volée vers Schipol.

Étape 3 - Avion 1 -

Heures 7 à 19

Départ: Amsterdam

Arrivée: Shangai

Statut: Mixed Feelings

Vaillante jeune fille que je suis j'ai choisi China Eastern Airlines comme allié de mes pérégrinations. J'ai pas était déçue, sauf par la bouffe (j'avoue avoir confondu la liste des produits en quarantaine avec le menu... Y avait un chien donc naïvement...), et l'amabilité du personnel, aussi la voisine n'était pas mince et malgré sa jolie robe à fleurs on était plus sur du compost que du jasmin. Ça aurait pu être pire, je suis à jour sur la trilogie Twilight du coup. 12h de vol, 4 whisky (ok 😎, et deux sédatifs homéopathiques plus tard: je tâte le Starbucks de l'empire du milieu.

Étape 4 - La Douane -

Heures 20 à 25

Départ: Shangai

Arrivée: L'autre côté de la douane

Statut: Pas encore membre du parti

Avant mon fabuleux Vanilla Soy Latte Matcha Tea Chantilly Crunchy Pumpkin Spice Winter Édition de chez l'ami Starbucks en taille Venti (peuvent pas dire large comme tout le monde?) je dois affronter la fourberie administrative des suppôts de Mao. Mesdames, Mesdemoiselles, Messieurs, il ne m'a pas fallu moins de 2 bonnes heures kafkaïennes dans les méandres de l'aéroport de Shangai pour qu'enfin on m'ouvre les portes d'un autre enfer: le Hall des pas perdus. Ah bah merci le communisme, c'est sûr que l'état connaît pas la crise, à payer un agent de douane pour des milliers de pèlerins.

Étape 5 - Avion 2 -

Heures 25 à 30

Départ: Shangai

Arrivée: Bangkok

Statut: Le Repos du Brave

... Je sais pas ... J'avais pris 2 sédatifs et du whisky au duty free, j'ai même pas senti le décollage ...

Étape 6 - Le Touk-Touk -

Heure 31

Départ: BKK

Arrivée: Gare des bus

Statut: Qualifiés pour la finale

Après que les 4 chatons m'ont délicatement cueillie à la sortie de mon vol et à défaut de messe de minuit en ce jour de noël , on a eu droit à l'ostie/jetons sésame du métro (cérémonieusement tendu par Karl: « le corps du christ ») et surtout on a bien fait nos prières, entre deux embardées dans nos touk-touks pleins à craquer de sacs, serrés sur la banquette en sky, quand Manu se mettait à hurler -sam sung nung goooo- au chauffeur à chaque feu rouge, hysterisé par la peur de manquer notre bus pour le Sud

Étape 7 - La Carcasse -

Heures 32 à 41

Départ: Bangkok

Arrivée: Surat Thani

Statut: Au bout de ma Life

Mon corps est une épave à l'image du bus. Ma brassière de sport est entrée en fusion avec ma peau, j'ai des escarres pleins les fesses, le cheveu mou, l'œil creux, je renifle la clim glaciale, déshydratation, malnutrition, on dirait Courtney Love en berne période Hole mais en brune ( je précise que je porte un t-shirt nirvâna). Accrochage sur la route, 2h de perdues, mes espoirs aussi, presque... Ça serait le cas si dehors ne se déroulait pas un fantastique tapis de végétation, une skyline ininterrompue de cocotiers, de temples et d'autels plus ou moins grands, plus ou moins kitch. Et puis même si je ne dors pas à cause du jet lag je regarde affectueusement mes petits chats qui ronflent comme des ours, ça remonte le moral. T'as voulu voir Koh Samui, bah tu vas voir Koh Samui ma vieille!

Étape 8 - Le Van VIP -

Heures 42

Départ: Surat Thani

Arrivée: Marina de Donsak

Statut: Lyophilisés - Nail Artés

Une bière Chang à la main avec la non-chalance de ceux-qui-savent c'est plein d'audace que nous posons nos fesses enquilosées sur les banquettes crémeuses d'un mini van au luxe tapageur. On ne se demande plus si on arrivera un jour, on a perdu l'espoir mais pas l'esprit et le poids des bons mots ne se fait jamais aussi lourds que lorsqu'ils sortent de la bouche de Karl: " oh la mer! Enfin de l'eau quoi... "

Étape 9 - Le Boat -

Heures 43 à 45

Départ: Donsak

Arrivée: Koh Samui

Statut: Flottement

Étape d'action.

Dans le désordre, on a:

Dansé

Vociféré

Fait un petit Work out

Puis des roulades

De la danse classique

Pas vomis

Pas bu non plus

Chanté des trucs de marins

Prié pour un massage

Perdu une veste en cuir

Tremblé d'impatience en voyant les îlots

Au bord de l'épilepsie à la vue du port

Grignoté du porc sur des sticks

Fumé plein

On s'est aussi dit plein de mots d'amour qui sentaient le putain de soulagement de voir le paradis se rapprocher.

Étape 10 - Le Taxi -

Heures 46

Départ: Port de Koh Samui

Arrivée: La Villa

Statut: Frénétique

Les derniers mètres, les plus longs, ceux qui transpirent 46heures de fatigue pleines de poussière et de sueur. Indice 10/10 sur l'échelle du besoin d'une douche, voir deux. Et ENFIN la porte s'ouvre sur notre paradis tropical et les mots me manquent pour dire le poids des kilomètres qui s'envolent, et j'avoue soudainement la bière est plus fraîche, les nuages plus diffus, le fond de l'air sent la pastèque, la pluie c'est de l'eau de coco et mes aisselles sentent la vanille.

Étape 11 - A Mobylette -

Heures 47 au bout de la nuit

Départ: Koh Samui

Arrivée: 30 piges

Statut: Moites et Béas

La météo n'est pas du tout au RDV mais c'est là que c'est bon. On a bu jusqu'au bout de la nuit sous des trombes d'eau, plus un centimètre carré de peau au sec, et des litrons de Chang et de rhum ingérés (que je soupçonne frelaté vu la gueule de bois le lendemain) . C'est ivre d'amour aussi qu'on sillonne les rues de l'ile. On a pris tout les risques déguisés en capotes géantes, histoire se sentir full vivant parce que cette nuit j'ai eus 30 ans et j'aurais pas cru que ça aurait pris aussi longtemps.

[amandineveine-blog]

BUSTRIP SOUTH ISLAND

Saturday 18 November 

Matin et début d’après-midi avec mes amis étudiants d’échanges, c’était la dernière fois.. Vers 4pm j’ai rejoins mon district chez une dame du rotary. Nous sommes allées au centre de police téléphonique, pour voir comment tout ce passe.

Sunday 19 November

Le bustrip commence. Tous direction Wellington, et attendre les étudiants de l’autre district. Ils sont 10 dont 2 garçons. Tous super sympa. Nous sommes 4 à parler français: 2 françaises, une suisse et une belge. C’était journée promanade dans Wellington car pleins ne connaissaient pas du fait qu’ils habitent tous très loin mise à part moi aha.

Monday 20 November

Départ pour l’ile du sud. Ferry à 9h30, arrivé à 12h30. 

Sur le bateau on a rencontré un français qui était ici pour environs 7 mois et qui faisait plusieurs fermes pour aider les gens. Arrivé à Picton, notre bus et notre chauffeur nous attendait. Direction Motueka.

Tuesday  21 November

Début de 2 jours de Kayak à Abel Tasman National Park. Kayak de 2 places, avec les sacs de couchages, les tentes, les provisions.. comment dire que c’était super loud et dur dans l’eau. Surtout sur la mer avec des vagues. Et difficultée suplémentaire aha, mon kayak avec ma copine était cassé au niveau de la direction arrière. Pause déjeuner sur une plage PARADISIAQUE. 

Journée kayak finit, on arrive sur une immense plage, avec emplacements pour tentes dans le fond. À la nuit tombée, nous sommes allés voir le petit pingouin bleu et grotte remplit d’oganic luisants au parois. Pas de photos mais un spectable merveilleux.

Wednesday 22 November

Dernier jour de kayak. Nouveau kayak pour moi, c’était bien plus facile !! Àprès des heures de rames, on arrive sur la plage finale, où un bateau taxi est venu nous chercher.

Thursday 23 November

Journée bus, avec arrêt à Murchisson pour une activité rafting. Génial ! c’était ma première fois. J’étais placé tout devant, et bien sûr, sur une mini cascade, je suis tombée à l’eau.

Après ça,bus direction Greymouth, notre arrêt pour la nuit.

Friday 24 November

Bus. 2 arrêts à 2 différents glaciers. Le premier était le Franz Josef Glacier et le second le Fox Glacier. Nous avons reprit le bus direction Makaroa pour passer la nuit.

Saturday 25 November

Direction Queenstown. Mais avant arrêt à Puzzle World. Trop fun ! C’est un batiment consacré à pleins d’illusion d’optique et à la fin un labyrinthe.

Juste avant Queenstown, stop à Wanaka pour que 9 de notre groupe fassent le bungy jumping (saut à l’élastique). Pas pour moi, j’étais spectatrice. Arrivé à notre hôtel, 7 d’entres nous (dont moi) sommes allés réserver pour le skydiving (saut en parachute), on a booké pour dimanche 16h.

Sunday 26 November

Matinée Jet Boat, bateau a grande vitesse sur rivière. Super amusant. 

À 16h nous allons donc au magasin de skydiving, on a eut la brifing, puis avant de partir, annulé pour trop de nuage et vent qui arrivait. On a donc booké pour le lendemain matin 6h30.
Nous avons passé la soirée au bord du lac.

Monday 27 November

Réveil de bonne heure. Enfin non, la suisse et moi même avons loupé le reveil, on à du s’habiller et courir jusqu’en ville pour pas loupé la navette. MAIS….. encore annulé, trop nuageux. Fallait attendre encore un peu pour que les nuages se dégagent. On a donc voulu rebooké mais pour 7 personnes c’était impossible et on reparté le lendemain.. la dame nous à donc envoyé dans un autre centre de skydive à Wanaka. Booké pour 13h, un mini van nous attendez. 1h15 de route plus tard nous voilà arrivé a destination. On met la combinaison et on attend notre tour. Tous stréssé comme pas possible. Mon caméraman arrive puis mon skydiver. On monte les premiers dans l’avion donc dernière à sauter. J’ai prit le plus haut 16 200ft ce qui donne presque 5000m. Dans l’avion on avait le masque à oxigène avant de sauter. Vient mon tour.. je suis dans le vide, mon moniteur dans lavion, puis on saute.. 360 pour commencer puis on se stabilise pour une chute libre de 60secondes. Sensation inexplicable, c’était juste ouf ! le paysage, le fait de tomber dans le vide.. le parachute s’ouvre et pendant quelques secondes il me passe les commandes du parachute, trop chouette.

Tuesday 28 November

Bus toute la journée jusqu’au lac Te Anau.

Wednesday 29 November

Grande randonée de 6-7h. Je l’ai pas finit car je me suis bléssée à ma cuisse.

Thursday 30 November

Journée détente en mini croisière. Premier bateau pour traverser un lac, puis bus jusqu’au bateau de croisière. J’ai pu y voir 2 balaines, des pingouins et des phoques.

Friday 01 December

Autre journée randonnée de plus de 7h.

Saturday 02 December

Bus direction Mount Cook.

Sunday 03 December

Marche le matin jusqu’au lac au front des glacier. Après-midi sieste, super fatiguée aha.

Monday 04 December

Bus vers la destination finale : Christchurch.

Tuesday 05 December

Visite du Centre International Antarctic. C’était suuuper. Nous avons commencé par des explications et infromation sur l’Antarctic. Ensuite nous avons fait un simulateur de froid. Pièce à -8 degrès puis ressenti -15 degrès, très très froid. Mais la température à atteint -89 degrès une fois. Après ça visite des pingouins.

Tour de Hägglund vehicle, voiture construite spécialement pour l’Antarctic :

Un parcours avec pneus, rondins de bois et coline a été créer pour simuler le ressenti du Pôle Sud. Puis cinéma 4D, nous montrant la vie en Antarctic. 
Après-midi visite de la ville et de certains dommages causés par le tremblement de terre. Restaurant le soir avec tout le monde et les chaperons ( nos accompagnateurs).

Wednesday 06 December

Time to flight back.. Tous à l’aéroport vers 10h. Au revoir à toutes et �� tous. 1h de vol pour moi, et me voilà de retour dans l’ile du Nord.