Thursday, July 26, 2007

And so it begins...

Bula from Fiji! Our impressions of this country are mostly positive but we decided to leave five days early. Although both the islands we visited were beautiful (there are 336 total), there were a few factors that made us want to move on. First, even before the trip began, we had discussed extending our stay in NZ so arriving early will hopefully give us enough time so that we can still have a full month in Australia (Oz). Mainly, we both felt that we’d experienced most of what Fiji had to offer. On Mana Island, we enrolled in an Open Water Diving course. On our very first dive, we swam with a white-tip reef shark! Then, on our third dive, we went to a famous spot called “The Supermarket” (you can find anything) and saw about a dozen more! These particular types of sharks are afraid of humans so there were no worries but at one point one was swimming right at me. Despite knowing there was no danger, seeing the shark eye-to-eye certainly got the ol’ ticker pumping.

In addition to sharks, we also saw some very cool coral. One in particular was quite fascinating; it looked like a little orange bare tree about the size of a volleyball, and there was an entire school of tiny bright blue fish living in it, going about their business as fish are wont to do. We also saw a sting ray, a manta ray (not sure though), an eel, needle fish, and, while on the boat, flying fish, which looked like skipping rocks flying through the air. We didn't take any underwater pics, but here is a sea snake with whom we just missed crossing paths.

Besides diving, we went snorkeling and also drank some kava, which is usually described as a ‘mild narcotic.’ We drank a fair amount but didn’t really feel anything, although if I recall, my dreams were pretty vivid. It has a very bitter taste, “like muddy water” as the saying goes.

We hung out with some cool guys on Mana: two Canadians (Kevin & Pete) and Steve, an ex-pat living in Christchurch. We walked around the island together and staged our very own crab race, as they were everywhere on the beach. The key is to make a circle, because they won’t go in the same direction. We’d gotten the idea from the hostel we were staying, which staged a crab race the night before. The one I purchased came in 2nd, oh well.

Then it was off to Wayaleilei Island in the Yasawa group. We took this massive boat and were flying along past several beautiful islands. Wayaleilei itself was the prettiest; beaches and forest at the base but with three huge volcanic rocks at the top. We spent the entire first day sleeping on a beach-front hammock. The food on this island was much better than on the Mana, and consisted of meat, fresh fruit, salads, and these tasteless potato-like roots. The next day was filled with rain, so we played cards with Anders from Sweden and Bob from NYC.

On our third day, we went kayaking and the plan was to meet a group on the other side where there was a sand dune connecting Wayaleilei to another island. As we approached an area of rough surf, we naively thought we would be able to handle the waves and get a cheap thrill to boot. We did okay on the first few but they kept coming until one dumped us. The water was pretty shallow but we picked the absolute worst spot to get dumped: right in front of a "young" set of sharp lava rocks. Both of us suffered a number of abrasions on our legs and feet and getting back on the kayak was a literal pain. We took a much wider path from that point on and had our destination within eyesight. Unfortunately, there was a headwind and the current was going the opposite direction. We soon realized no matter how hard we paddled, we made little to no progress. We made a beeline to the nearest beach and got to see one of the local villages. It’s amazing how much poverty there is when the resorts are more expensive than Hawaii. However, we were told that most of the money is sent to the mainland to build schools and houses for those in the direst need. Fijians work six days a week, for $3FJ/hour ($2 US). Yet, they appeared to be very happy. After walking about two kms through yet more lava rocks, we finally met up with the other group (who had wisely taken the motorized escort). The sand dune was great, with waist-deep waves hitting us from two directions. And thankfully, they remembered to bring our lunches, and even picked up our kayak and tied it to the boat for the return trip.

The following morning, we tried hiking to the top of the island. There was a guided sunrise hike, but it was at 5:30 am and we'd been told by Anders and Bob that it was a fairly easy track to follow. About half-way through the very steep hike, one of my (Jason's) tevas broke. Having seen pictures of the view from the top, I was initially determined to finish the hike. Well, lo and behold, sans guide we were unable to figure out how to get to the top. There was an extremely steep rock that I attempted to climb, but sans shoes my courage ran out before I could get to the top. There were still some great views, but at that point my mind was made up that our string of bad luck was telling us it was time to leave Fiji.
We made it back to the main island and that night I hung out with yet some more Canadians, including Matt, a very cool third generation Toronto fireman, and Jen, also from Toronto but has been teaching in London for the past five years. She’s been pretty much everywhere it seemed. She gave great advice for some of the places we’re going and even generously offered Priti some winter clothing since she had left the cold weather of NZ behind. Having repeatedly heard the phrase “I’ve never been colder in my life” about a dozen times from travelers who’d just come from NZ, I couldn’t refuse. And so we’re off to NZ, land of the kiwis.



Monday, July 16, 2007

And off we go!


Well, the waiting is finally over. Thanks to all our friends and family who've been there for us as we prepared for launch.
To access our photo albums, click on the links in the right hand column.

By the way, if you're ever in Omaha, be sure to check out the zoo, which is the best in the world. If we'd known just how good the zoo was 2 years ago, we could've saved alot of money.

Have a good year!

Love,

P & J

Sunday, July 15, 2007

Why the Cubs will win the World Series in 2007

Yep, I said it, the Cubbies are destined to win the World Series in 2007. For those of you who follow baseball, you're probably thinking, "yeah right, typical Cubs fan, always hopeful (and delusional) that this is they're year." Others are likely tempted to bring up the Curse of the Billy Goat.

However, the doubters amongst you are apparently unware of the Malf Curse, which is as follows: No major sports team shall ever win their respective sport while Malf lives in their geographical fan base, but one or more of the teams will have won shortly before he arrives or win right after he leaves.


Think I'm crazy? Perhaps, but consider the following:
I grew up in Omaha, Nebraska, where the Cornhusker football squad is not just a team, but a way of life. Trivia buffs might know that during a home game in Memorial Stadium, it becomes the 3rd largest place in the entire state (behind Lincoln and Omaha). After winning back-to-back National Championships in 1970 & 1971 (before I was born of course), the Huskers would have to wait a long time to win another. In fact, throughout my childhood, they would lose a heartbreaking title Orange Bowl in 1983 and proceed to lose 8 of their next 10 bowl games.
In 1994, I moved to St. Louis to attend Washington University. The Huskers promptly won 3 National Championships over the next 4 seasons, including fielding the greatest (i.e., most dominant) team of all-time in 1995.

During my residence in Omaha & St. Louis, the Chicago Bulls were also establishing themselves as one of the greatest NBA teams of all-time by achieving repeat 3-peats in 1991-93 and 1996-98. The Arizona Wildcat basketball team won the National Championship in 1997 as well.

After graduating from college, I decided to migrate north with Priti up I-55 to the Windy City (again for the trivia buffs, so nicknamed for the hot air being exhaled by writers trying to promote the Second City, rather than the literal wind). Michael Jordan of course retired that same year and the Bulls, along with every other major Chicago team, had to endure 5 years of mediocrity or worse. Meanwhile, St. Louis was experiencing a sports resurgence of sorts, as the Rams won the Super Bowl in 2000 (and nearly again in 2002) and the Cardinals discovered one of the soon-to-be all-time greats in Albert Pujols. The Arizona Diamondbacks became the fastest franchise to win the World Series, ending the Yankees dynasty in 2001 in one of the greatest World Series of all-time.

After finishing grad school and getting married in 2003, we moved down to Tucson for Priti's residency at the University of Arizona. Since we have been there, the Chicago White Sox and the St. Louis Cardinals have won the World Series, the Bears made it to the Super Bowl, and not a single major sports championship has been won by an Arizona team (sorry Ladycats fans).

Ok, I know, you're thinking, "this is interesting and all, but what the hell does this have to do with the Cubs winning the World Series?!!?" In 2003 the Cubs were 5 outs away from making the World Series, a mere 3 months after I left Wrigleyville. Priti was actually in Chicago during that series and I was ready to hop on a plane if not for Steve Bartman's ignorance and Alex Gonzalez's goat-ness. But, see, the Cubs fan base is not just Chicago, but America...EUREKA, it's all becoming clear now. The Cubs came close but they were unable to achieve greatness because I was still too close...and I was ready to return to the epicenter at the pivotal moment. But now, NOW, is the time Cubs fans, for I am leaving the country and won't be returning until well after October 2007. As tempting as it will be to fly back from India to see them in the World Series, I can't in good conscious do that to my fellow Cubs fans.

I suppose it's not a completely no-win situation for me when they win. At least at that point I will be completely assured that I am in fact cursed. And missing out on my favorite team winning the world series is a small price to pay for the final confirmation of my importance in the grand scheme of things.

Wow, it's past midnight on the eve before the craziest adventure of my life and I've spent the last hour rambling on about this?!

Bags are packed and we're ready to go...

Sunday, July 8, 2007

Packing up

This was taken around 5:30 AM. We got out of our house in the nick of a time, a full 2 hours before our tenants arrived!


And this is one of the beautiful Tucson sunsets we'll be missing over the next year. We'll know very soon if anywhere on earth has better ones.