Perks

In my line of work, sometime we are very lucky to have certain experiences that other are just not able to.

I have the opportunity to host a small group of clients to lunch – but, not an ordinary lunch. This is a crazy world we live in with all sorts of rules and regulations, so when an opportunity presents itself that is fantastic, you grab it with both hands and run with it (so to speak) I know this sounds a little “cryptic” but worth explaining.

For the general public, going onboard a Cruise ship is only allowed when you purchase a cruise. Simple enough. But for us in the travel business though, we are often invited aboard these ships when they are in port, to have a good look around, so that we can advise potential clients on the facilities and experiences that they can have. Fair enough you might say – every now and then we get an opportunity to go on an actual cruise.

However,

Tomorrow I am taking 10 clients onboard a Royal Caribbean ship for a “walk around” and a hosted lunch when she is in port. A very special opportunity indeed and one that I am extremely grateful for.

Some of these clients are seasoned cruisers, some have only cruised a couple of times before and 2 of them have never cruised before BUT are booked to cruise on this particular ship – they are the most excited and I can understand why. This will just blow them away – the size, the facilities, the grandeur, the staff and of course the food!!!!!

This photo is not the actual ship but it’s very similar to the one tomorrow ( I took this photo last year when I was on a cruise in Europe – this was taken just off the South of France)

– I’ll take a few pictures and post them next week.

How I met my Wife

The shorter version (can elaborate later if need be) now stay with me, it’s a nice story.

I lost my dad just over 10 years ago and it’s not something that I’m comfortable talking about suffice to say – I don’t like to celebrate Xmas or birthdays SO what I used to do was bugger off overseas surfing around my birthdays and just chill and spend time pondering life and the ways of the universe etc.

In July 2001 I decided to take another surf trip to Fiji ( I’ve been there heaps of times – if you get the chance to go, do it) so off I went by myself. Met up with a few guys who were staying at the surf resort and we got plenty of trips out to the reefs – it was a great surf trip. The days would go like this, wake up early and have breakfast and be ready for the boat to depart to the reef about 7.30am – depending on the day we would stay out until everyone was either tired, hungry or injured and return for the afternoon feed and siesta, ready to have a few beers in the evening and hit the sack early, ready to repeat the process the next day.

On my birthday (24th July) I was having lunch in the restaurant and I noticed this lovely young lady in a bikini playing in the pool and I thought Mmmmm – but it wasn’t until a few days later that I was standing by the outdoor bar having a beer and she was sitting on the other side of the bar, head buried in a book, she looked up and caught me looking at her and I got all shy and walked away. The next day after returning from the surf, to cut a long story short, we met, had lunch and pretty much were inseparable for the next 42 hours until I had to return to New Zealand.

Here’s where it gets interesting (and romantic some people tell me) – She was from Canada, I was from New Zealand. I came back to New Zealand and bought a ring. Hopped on a plane and headed to Canada to go down on bended knee. This was the 10th of September (my dad’s birthday, I planned it this way) 2001 (the day the world changed forever, 9/11) – she said yes, I returned to New Zealand, tidied up some loose ends, quit my job, put my shit in storage and headed back to Canada. We were married on the 15th of December 2001.

We lived in British Columbia for the winter and I returned to NZ in May 2002 and she followed in June and here we are 8 ½ years later – happy as can be. So many people told me that I had rocks in my head and it would never last. I’ve never been one to worry about what other people think. I’ve always been a lone wolf, doing my own thing when I want – this was the best thing to happen to me and I know it sounds really corny but it just keeps getting better and better.

Hope you enjoyed this – we did and I always joke that I came back from Fiji with the best souvenir ever!!

Sunset

It's my first day back at work after a couple of weeks off - that's all I need to say about that.

But - had to share this picture I took a few nights ago of the sunsett - photo taken looking South from our back yard.

Enjoy!!

Holiday Surf

I love being on holiday - sleeping late (hah, I wish) afternoon naps and surf. Well one out of three aint bad.

The last few days have seemed to blur into one - the days start out waking up about 6.30 with the sun coming in the window, quick peek outside to see no wind rustling the trees, throw the board into the van and hit the road to check the breaks.

The last 3 days have provided me with really nice early morning sessions and 1 evening session as well. Have managed to get surfs in while there has been little or no wind - it's not until I get out that the wind starts to blow - no complaints here I assure you !!!!

Got a text from a mate a few morning ago to say that they were heading to Waimari for a look - cool I thought, so headed out to meet them there - it was crap, said we'd have a look tomorrow as a swell was forcast overnight.

Sure enough, a nice swell arrived and we met it head on (at Sumner) for an early morning session - the 3 of us were the first out and as the tide dropped, the size increased. It ended up being a really nice session - good mates, warm water, sunhine and heaps of waves had by all. Replay the same for the next few mornings and thats whas been going on. So tired I think my arms are about to fall off.

One evening I was sitting outside throwing a tennis ball that is one of our dogs favorite toy (could chase that damn ball all day if I could throw it all day I'm sure!!) and the norwest wind just stopped blowing. It went dead calm - it was about 7.30pm so I quickly threw my stuff in the van and hit the pier - fan bloody tastic - spent about 2 hours picking off the "rights" off the pier. Probably the best surf of the season thus far. Had to come in as it was starting to get dark.

Back to work tomorrow but I'm sure that I'll ease my way into it for sure!!!

Hallelujah !!

Finally got a surf in this morning – woke up (thanks puppies) just after 6.00am to let the dogs out to do a perimeter search – must keep vigil up on yard invaders of the feline kind. All ok and there was no wind at all and I could hear the surf.

Board in van, wettie and towel to follow and off I go. Sat in the car park for a while to see if either of the 2 guys out were catching anything. They did and that was all the encouragement I needed. I suited up and hit the lineup, spent about 3 hours out and as the tide dropped, it got better and better – so much so the “set” waves were overhead. A very nice surprise indeed!
My first surf of the summer and what a beauty – even got a bit of nose riding in as well.

One thing that I was very chuffed about was my fitness – with doing heaps of swim training for triathlons, I found the paddling around very easy (mental note-must do that next year!!

There is no more good feeling of tired than “surf tired” – my shoulders are a bit sore. BUT the winds have dropped so I’m about to head out again and check the waves – later!

Natural High

Natural High

Yesterday I completed my 4th triathlon but this one was the one that I have had my main goal of completing, the Xmas Cracker Canterbury Tri Club event – take a step backwards for a moment.

I was suggested by a friend that I should try the “Blokes Triathlon Series” – a series of 3 events that are targeted at introducing “blokes” to the sport. They were 1 month apart (October, November and December) and increased in length. Event 1 was 100m pool swim, 10km bike and 3km run, event 2 was 200m pool swim, 15km bike and 4km run, event 3 was 250m pool swim, 20km bike and 5km run.

I did the first 2 events as an individual and really enjoyed them. As I am in the early stages of triathlons I didn’t want to do the entire event 3 and then do the Xmas Cracker one the week later – I didn’t think my fitness was up to it. I was going to do the pool swim (250m) and had organised a couple of friends to do the bike and the run BUT I was let down by my runner SO I did the 5 km run as well.

Jump forward to yesterday – the Xmas Cracker tri is a 400m ocean swim, 15km bike and a 4km run. I have been watching the weather daily and it looked like it would be a rough day so with my “ocean experience” I was pretty confident that I would be ok in the swim. Woke up early and the day was beautiful, not too warm to start out.

Surfsis asked about my bike – ITS AWESOME!!!!!!

It makes so much difference when you have a nice bike. It’s by no means top of the range but for me, it’s fine for right now. One thing I do need to do is work on my transitions – I’m slow BUT that said, I’m not doing these to win (not yet anyway!!)
The run was a circuit along the esplanade and as the tide went out the surf picked up – can you imagine how frustrated I was running along on the concrete looking at the surf – for a surfer this has to be the worst thing!!

Still waiting on the official results but I finished and was pretty happy with the day. I think that my age group (veteran men, 40-49) was the largest and some of these guys are so fit and quick

No swell

Sometimes you think the universe conspires against you and other times you just think that “shit” just happens?

Every time I have been all set to get out for a surf it has either been a howling easterly (onshore) or zero swell!!!

I remember many years ago when I first started to work on ski areas, I’d be out skiing in any weather, snow storms - out skiing, huge snow falling – out skiing, whiteout conditions – out skiing. I was young and silly.

As the years passed so too did my enthusiasm for the conditions where it ended up that I would become a “fair weathered skier”. Blue sky and sunshine – out skiing for sure, anything else – no chance.

So it seems with my surfing, years ago when I started I’d be out in all conditions and it didn’t worry me at all but over the last few years I think I’ve become a little bit “picky” where I wouldn’t go out just to paddle around in circles. What’s the point - I’d rather go for a swim or bike ride?

An update on the last few weeks – I’ve completed 3 triathlons and really enjoyed them and have another one this weekend which has an ocean swim. This should sort the men from the boys I imagine and might be quite entertaining for the spectators. The previous one have been started in waves (groups of 10 people 1 minute apart) but this one will be a mass start with everyone running into the ocean at the same time – can’t wait!!

Spent a bit of time on the house and section – I enjoy this because you can see the fruits of your labour and results.

Until next time.