Sunday, October 28, 2012

Penang isn't just chicken..Around the World Part 5


Destination: Penang, Malaysia
Date: March 2012
A sign in downtown Penang, I was very curious about the kinds of fashions I'd find here
March 2012


Clay and Bailey posing with the Sister Missionaries at the Penang Branch
March 2012
    We lucked out in Penang!  Since it was Sunday during our stop we really wanted to try and find one of our church congregations to attend.  Trent looked online and found that there was a branch meeting in Penang at 10:00am.  We were a little hesitant since some  times the information found on the church website is not always correct, however this time it was and we were excited to experience church on this little island.  
Trent negotiating with the swarming taxi drivers
March 2012
We started by getting off of the cruise ship at 9:00am and finding taxis again to be our drivers for the day.  This time we found two drivers with room for six in their vehicles even though we needed room for seven.  The taxi driver solved it by putting a fold up chair in the middle of the two bucket seats in the middle row and we were off.  For $120 for the day we had two locals drive us around to anywhere we wanted to go.
The church building in Penang
March 2012
  We started by going straight to the church building and met the locals.  I was surprised by how many Americans live, and work in Penang.  There were about three families there and we enjoyed their conversation, as well as the two sets of missionaries serving in this local branch.  
The suitcase of toys, toothbrushes, and toothpastes we brought over to
distribute to less fortunate children living in Penang
March 2012
One of our family traditions our family has started doing is to take something from the states to share with children in these poor countries and so we wheeled our big duffel into the church to give to the branch president of the congregation.  We knew he would know the best way to distribute these items to kids in the area.  Since the packed duffel had taken up a lot of room in our cruise cabin we were excited to  turn over our bounty and let the members of the church there distribute it where they knew there was a need.  Even though my kids didn't get to see first hand who received these items they knew what they were doing was important and would be a great surprise for many children.  
This is a weird picture, but it is taken from the top of Penang
Hill and these are the tracks that go straight down the hill
March 2012
Our friends "J" and "S" sitting with Trent to demonstrate the tight seating
 on the "Swedish Coach" going up the mountain
March 2012
After church we headed over to Penang Hill to see the sights of the city from high on the mountain top.  This is the big local attraction here and we were easily convinced as to why.  It cost us $28 for our family of four to go up.  The advertisement said that an air-conditioned Swedish made coach that would take us up to the top of the mountain to enjoy the luxurious views of Penang.  I was curious as to what a “swedish air-conditioned coach” would be.  It turned out to be a train, that was on a cable, that pulled us straight up the side of the mountain at a very steep forty-five-degree angle.  
At the top of Penang Hill over looking the city
March 2012
At the top of Penang Hill overlooking the city, I'm on my tip toes
so I can look taller than Bailey
March 2012
Once at the top we enjoyed the views, took pictures, (took more pics with other tourists and locals), and we even had the chance to pose with a huge albino boa constrictor snake.  It was frightening but I got Bailey to pose with the snake by herself and even do a little Brittney Spears pose standing with the snake on her shoulders even though the snake handler was a little skeptical. The pictures with the snake cost $3 each US. 
Clay and Bailey holding an albino boa constrictor in Penang
March 2012


Bailey having a Britney Spears moment
March 2012
Also up top there was a food court with great foods made by the locals.  Bailey had some sort of brothy noodle soup while Trent and I enjoyed chicken satay with a peanut sauce.  Clay could have had chicken nuggets on a stick but he opted for just a popsicle because it was so warm outside.  
Bailey enjoying her soup
March 2012
Soon we headed back down the mountain and back to our waiting taxis.  Our drivers talked us out of going to the beach so we headed to China town to see if we could find as many good buys as we had in KL.  It was not to be since most of the shops were closed in observance of the Sabbath but Clay did get a fanny pack while I bought two of the local head coverings to add to my collection of items for my nativity we enact every Christmas.  I negotiated with the saleswoman and bought them for 10 kebobs each, instead of the 15 she was asking.  It all came out to about $3 each in US.
I bought this head covering in Penang so that I could have something to use when we toured the temples
in Abu Dhabi and Dubai
March 2012
Our friends the "M's" opted not to shop and they had reflexology foot massages done by two blind Chinese women that cost them about $12 US.  The day before in KL they had a pedicure that had the fish nibble off the dead skin on their feet in tanks of fish on the streets there in KL.  It was a crazy feeling but their feet felt smooth and soft after that experience. 
The most disgusting pic taken on the trip.  These are my friend "C's" feet as she received a special treatment getting the dry skin eaten off of her feet by small fish in Penang
March 2012


Our friend "S" trying to convince Trent not to purchase the food on the street in Penang
March 2012
The toilets provided at the top of Penang Hill Ahhhhh!!!
March 2012
Once it was all said and done we were tired, dusty, and hot, so we had our nice taxi driver take us to the ship and we said our farewell to him and paid him our negotiated price plus a tip for his patience and insights during the day.  We were glad to make it back safely.  Once back on board we headed back to get clean for the nights activities.  One person in our party saw a crocodile off the shore by our cruise ship nibbling on something he had pulled under the doc.  He was confused at seeing a crocodile in the ocean but other passengers on board saw the croc too and confirmed it was in fact a crocodile living under the piers by our boat.  It made the beach front property not look as alluring once the crocodile had been spotted.  Next stop Sri Lanka!


Bailey posing with a local Penang woman who met us outside our ship
March 2012
Safe & Happy Travels!!

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

YOLO Stone National Park & Jackson Hole WY


Destination: Yellowstone National Park and Jackson Hole Wyoming
Date: July 2011 and October 2012
Our brood at the upper falls near the Yellowstone Grand Canyon
July 2011
Some places are so beautiful they are worth a second, third or fourth visit.  If you are an avid trail hiker, camper, or wildlife enthusiast Yellowstone is one of these places.  Located just north of the Teton Mountain range, in Wyoming, this National Park is one of the most exquisite and beautiful places on earth.  
At the west entrance of Jackson Hole
All six kids from left to right, Leah 6, Clay 9, Bella 4, Bailey 12, Lexi 6 and Colton 15
 July 2011
In the summer of 2011 we took the kids up for a five night stay in Jackson Hole Wyoming.  This little town is a jewel in the open, sometimes unforgiving terrain.  It is a cowboy town with wild stories of the Wild West.  Every day at five o’clock during the summer months they have a cowboy “showdown” on the city square.  The showdown is free to the public and draws a big crowd so get there a little early to get a good seat.  Since some of the “shooting” comes down from the roof tops everyone is bound to get a glimpse of some of the action.  
All the girls were excited to get a pic with one of the cowgirls that starred in the "showdown"
July 2011
Clay in front of the famed antler arches located in downtown Jackson Hole
July 2011
On the boardwalks around town in Jackson Hole
July 2011
While we were there we had wonderful ice cream at a cute soda fountain on the square, walked around the cute shops and took in a summer showing of Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.  Our seats were in the very last row of the little theatre, Jackson Hole Playhouse, but since the theatre is so little we could still see all the action.  The kids love, love, loved the play and it even kept our 4-year-olds attention.  
The cute little theatre that we watched the summer playhouse show Seven Brides for Seven Brothers
July 2011
During our visit we stayed in Teton Village at the Snake River Lodge and Spa.  Of course this was a great place to stay and provided a nice connecting room suite for our brood to enjoy. snakeriverlodgeandspa.com  We also had a fantastic time river rafting down the Snake River with Dave Hansen White Water Rafting Company davehansenwhitewater.com
The kids learning how to row on the Snake River
July 2011
Patches my kids earned going white water rafting
We decided to do the 16 mile combo trip down the river.  As advertised on their website this is what you can expect.  "You’ll enjoy 8 scenic miles, take a short break, then dig in for 8 miles of whitewater in the Grand Canyon of the Snake River. Both sections of the river are home to deer, otters, an occasional moose or elk, eagles, kingfishers, and osprey. Finish your adventure with a deli lunch alongside the Snake River."  All six of our kids enjoyed the scenic part of the trip but then Bella and I said our goodbyes and the kids got to enjoy the rest of the whitewater sans Bella and me.   The water was freezing cold, even in July, but the kids loved the adventure of it all.  
Don't worry my camera had a good zoom lens I didn't ever get this close!
Yellowstone National park July 2011

One day we decided to drive the hour long ride to Yellowstone National Park to see some of the worlds most fascinating geological sites.  Just driving up there was fascinating since we passed so many of the beautiful Teton mountains to our left.  
It is so beautiful that it almost looks like we are standing in front of a mountainous backdrop
This is real, I promise
July 2011
We entered the park  and paid at $25 car pass entry fee.  From Jackson Hole we gained entry through the south gate and started by driving west around the lower loop to see some of the parks more famous sites like Old Faithful.  Tip #1 we were told by park rangers to see Old Faithful first thing in the morning to avoid congestion of crowds later in the day. The kids absolutely loved the hands on museum  located at Old Faithful and with the regularity of it going off approximately every 90 minutes.  
The photo I've dreamed of taking my whole life
Too bad it's missing Lexi and me
July 2011
The three little girls loving communing with nature
July 2011
We got there just in time to see it blow within 15 minutes of our arrival.  Continuing around the loop we saw the Upper, Midway, and Lower Geyser Basin, up to the Artists Paint spots, over to the Canyon Village visitor Education Center, down to Mud Volcano, over to the Natural Bridge, and then down to the Wet Thumb which is out the south park exit.  Personally my most favorite spot during this visit was the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone located at the Lower Falls over near Canyon Village on the Yellowstone River. 
Map of Yellowstone the lower blue circle is what we followed during our July 2011 visit

Absolutely beautiful.  It really looks like a painting
July 2011
One of the happiest photos I've ever taken in one of the most beautiful places I've ever been
This is a photo that will always take me back to the moment of pure bliss with my kiddos
July 2011
Here you can see the nature that is so beautiful to the eye that it truly does look like you’ve walked into a painting.  Until this point in my life with the dozens of countries I’ve visited and cities I’ve gone I have never seen something so beautiful with my own eyes.  The best part is that I think my kids enjoyed it almost as much as I did.  They truly were in awe of the beauty.  

The kids in their "Thing" t-shirts that created lots of attention the day we were in Yellowstone
July 2011
 One fun thing we did on this trip was have the kids wear matching shirts.  I like to use this method for finding my kids in busy areas during our trips, and it worked like a charm in Yellowstone.  Plus it let all the other tourists see that we were a family and so many people were so kind to my children and even giggled at their misbehaviors because they saw there were so many of them.  At a family destination like Yellowstone it served a purpose and showed our family camaraderie, even though, sadly, Trent and I didn’t have shirts to match.
The beautiful countryside of Yellowstone with a few head of buffalo
July 2011
In October 2012 we decided to make another day trip over to Yellowstone.  This time we entered from the West Gate entrance that runs along the Idaho border.   There was a cute little town that borders up with the entrance of the gate and is fun to stop for any Yellowstone souvenirs.  My kids got some cute shirts that read “Yolo Stone” which were fun to take back to Texas.  I should also mention that with so few National parks in Texas and very little public land Yellowstone is quite out of the ordinary for us.  That in combination with the trees, and so much wildlife, and cooler weather, its no surprise why we like to visit this beautiful place.  Yellowstone is also the worlds first National park that was founded March 1, 1872.  In 2012, coinciding with our recent visit, the park was celebrating 140 years of operation!
Mammoth Falls, Yellowstone
October 2012
It was a cold and sunny day visiting the falls
October 2012
Since there is so much to explore we decided to go to a different site to see that we had missed the previous year.  Heading north from Norris Geyser Basin we traveled the 21 miles up to Mammoth Hot Springs. On the drive up we passed Obsidian Cliff which is a historic landmark.  Back in the early 1800’s Native Americans quarried for obsidian here for tools and trading.  The cliffside sparkles with the beautiful obsidian that cascades down the cliff face.  Once we hit Mammoth Hot Springs we were able to overlook the terraces composed of travertine (calcium carbonate.)  Of course that wouldn’t give me any idea of what to expect so what I will say it looks like a huge lightly roasted marshmallow with water beautifully trickling down the face of it.  It was white with some orange colorations and absolutely gorgeous.  Walt Disney’s designers couldn’t have done it better themselves.   
A geyser at Norris Geyser Basin and Bella and Leah during our picnic lunch
October 2012
Back down at Norris Geyser Basin we walked the path around some of the geysers and hot springs that had acidic water actually bubbling at the surface.  Watching nature like this was pretty awesome for both parent and child.  The kids loved running along the wooden boardwalks from one geyser to another, and we parents had a great visit and beautiful walk in the park.  This path was around a half mile and easy for the kids but did have a few stairs at the very end so we did have to lift some strollers to finish the walk.  Not all paths are stroller friendly, but most are very accommodating, and marked stroller trails can be found on the maps that the park rangers give you as you enter the park.  
Last thing I should mention that I did not know on our previous visit is the Junior Ranger program that is available to kids.  It has a few things to look for and find and teaches the children about the park in a little booklet that is available at any of the visitors centers.  Once the child finishes the booklet they can go to any of the park rangers and be sworn in as Junior Rangers and receive a patch for completing this goal.  I wasn’t aware of this program until I witnessed it first hand watching a ranger swear in another child with great seriousness.  Though we missed it this time around you can rest assured that I will be prepared for the next go round and my kids.  Well at least the little ones will be Junior Rangers soon! 
Safe and Happy Travels!

Saturday, October 13, 2012

Favorite Stay-cation Activity in Texas


Destination: Texas Rivers & Lakes
Date: Every Summer
A quote by Sam Houston found at the Capital building in Austin Texas
I hope y'all have been enjoying my blog.  I feel like I can say "y'all" after being in Texas for nearly 20 years.  This past year tipped scale for my time here in Texas and I think I can finally call myself a Texan.  After growing up in California for the first 19 years of my life I have always considered myself a Californian living in Texas, but now the scale has shifted and my time in Texas has been longer than my nineteen years in CA.
Colton 16 & Bailey 14 my biggest critics
Summer 2012
Recently my teenagers found my blog posted on my Facebook page.  I really hadn't mentioned it to them, and I'm sure they saw the little enticers that show up every time I create a new post, but they finally took time to read a little.  I wasn't too worried about their privacy because I don't feel like I've said too much to embarrass them, since this blog isn't about my kids lives.  As I've said before the purpose of this blog is merely to inform you about some of the amazing places in the world that I think are worthwhile, and for me it acts as a great way to document our adventures.  Win, win for everyone right?
All six on a stay-cation in 2007, at the Marriott in Horseshoe bay on Lake LBJ
Bella 6 mos, Colton 11, Clay 5, Bailey 9, and twinners Lexi & Leah 2 1/2
Well I guess that isn't exactly how my teens saw it.  Both of them loved reading about our trips and it even triggered some great dialogue of memories and fun times we've spent as a family.  However their greatest concern, which I feel is valid so I'm writing about it now, is that those who read this blog may feel that I am bragging about the opportunities we've had to travel the world.  So I'm addressing that now.  I hope no one out there feels like I am being a braggart in my posts.  My purpose truly is to inform and encourage you to see the world and to take your kids along for the ride.  I have nothing to gain nor do I wish to upset anyone out there reading this silly little blog.  (Maybe that's what I should have called this blog in the first place.)  Anyway enough said.
Colton and his catch on Cedar Creek Reservoir outside of Gun Barrel City, Texas
June 2008
Trent teaching Clay to drive the boat
Summer 2008
Moving on, this idea inspired me to share some of our fun stay-cations right here in Texas.  So here I am living in the Lone Star State (should that be capitalized?, I just figured anything to do with Texas should be).  I hope to share some of the fun things we like to do here before we had any extra time or extra funds to explore the world.  Here goes....
Leah,4, & Clay,6, taking a plunge into Lake LBJ
Summer 2008
I once heard Jerry Seinfeld say that "there is no such thing as fun for the whole family".  This does make me snicker when I take my kids to visit the Louvre in Paris, they hate it, or when we take a family vacation to Disneyland, Trent and I abhor it.  However, we have found a place that is fun for the whole family...ready for this?!?!....Texas lakes and rivers!
Colton,8, wakeboarding on Lake McQueeney
Summer 2004
The summer Bailey,7, decided to wear goggles everyday, all day
This is her getting ready to ride the cable lake up at Texas Ski Ranch near San Marcos Texas
Summer 2006
Our family loves to go water sporting at any lake we can find in Texas and we've been to quite a few.  Between Canyon Lake, Medina Lake, Lake McQueeney, Lake LBJ, Lake Travis, Lake Austin, Cedar Creek Reservoir, Lake Placid I could go on and on with our tales of lake preferences.  Our kids love to waterski, wakeboard, tube and more recently have taken up wake surfing.  Trent and I hardly participate in any of those activities anymore but just being on the boat, driving the boat, and swimming during ski breaks is fun for us.  So I can easily proclaim we truly have found the "fun for the whole family" activity.
Clay,9, wake boarding Lake LBJ
Summer 2011
Leah,6, wake boarding Lake LBJ
Summer 2011
I know that not everyone has a boat or access to one so I will suggest another almost as equally fun activity my family likes to do together, and that is tube down one of the local rivers.  Our preference in the San Antonio area is to tube down the Comal.  Around San Antonio there are two rivers that are easily accessible up in Canyon Lake or the New Braunfels areas, the Comal or the Guadelupe.  The Guadelupe is a great river but it is a tad bit freezing since the water comes from the bottom of the dam out of Canyon Lake.  The Comal water has a better temperature and is still a great river to lazily ride.  When I say fun for the whole family I mean just that.  As soon as our kids can properly fit into a lifejacket they can easily float the river, and this is wear our fun begins.
Getting ready to float the river with some Kimball cousins
Summer 2006
Our favorite spot to get in is up at Rocking R tubes in New Braunfels.  Here you have to pay the $15 per person fee to get in the river.  This gives you a tube and a shuttle ride back to your car at the end.  The end of the river is marked with signs that tell you to get out now, and has stairs that lead down to the rivers edge so you can walk back up to the street.
Tubing at the lake
Summer 2005
These twinners mean serious business when it comes to tubing
June 2009
Floating the river doesn't have to cost any money.  If you already have a tube, either an old truck tire tube or a store bought one you can enter the river at different public entrances along the river, however the biggest challenge is parking your car at the beginning of the river only to get out four or five miles down stream.  The walk back is impossible, so there has to be some forethought... two cars one parked at the end, one at the beginning, and shuttling people back and forth.  It can be done but a little complicated.  The easiest spot to do this is up by Canyon Lake off of FM 306 where there is a horeshoe in the river so basically you get in at one bridge and it takes you in a big horseshoe shape of the river and you get out pretty close to where you parked.  Am I making sense?  I hope so!
Lexi,6,  wake boarding July 2011
Bella, 4, wake boarding for the first time
July 2011
For all you newbies try a river rental like Rocking R, so you can gain a little experience.  More info can be found at http://texastubes.com  My kids love to float the river.  To prepare I make sure we come with our own lifejackets.  This assures that everyone has a good fitting, comfortable jacket, and no complaining for the rest of the day. Tip#1 All kids under 12-years-old must wear a life jacket in the state of Texas while participating in this kind of water sport activity.  I bring some sort of netted bag to put all the kids shoes into and tie to the side of my tube during the float.  Getting into the water and out of it usually consists of standing on hot Texas concrete so shoes are usually a must, whether they be water shoes, or flip flops it doesn't matter.
Colton, 15, wake surfing behind the boat
Summer 2011
Don't bring any cameras or phones onto the river.  You will eventually fall off your tube, or at least jump in to cool off, and who wants to worry about electronics?!?!  I like to bring water and suckers.  I don't usually bring food at all.  I don't like to take the chance of food getting wet and inedible and suckers usually can hold the kids off during the two hour float.  Of course the most important thing to bring is sunblock!  Sitting in a tube with your thighs, calves, and shoulders in one place for two hours straight can lead to some harsh burns, so lather everyone up before you jump in.  For my littlest ones I make sure they wear a hat, as do I, to protect our fair skin. (wink wink ;) Sunglasses are a must but don't bring your Ray-Bans pick up a cheappy pair for these kinds of summer events.  The last thing I bring with me is a small rope for tying tubes together during the float.  This isn't an absolute must, but as a momma hen with her chicks, I like to keep my kiddos close.
Bailey, 13, trying to do a belly start to her wake surfing behind the boat
I only included because I can't stop laughing at the face she was making
Summer 2011
The Comal River is great because it has a tube chute in the middle of it by Landa Park http://www.nbtexas.org .  During the summer and holidays there are lifeguards there to assure a safe decent from an upper part of the river to a lower part.  Its kind of like a big water-slide for tubers but it does have a little bit of a whirlpool effect at the bottom so accidents do happen.  This is the only part of the river that I usually get out and walk around with my small kids that are four and under.  Since there is a nice paved walkway here, you can easily get out and walk down the stairs and have someone in your party meet you down at the lower part of the river with your tube ready for your re-entry.  Most of the rest of the two hour float is nice and relaxing filled with lots of fun people watching.
Bella, 4, Summer 2011
Serious water sports enthusiast
I could write post after post on some of our funny rides down the rivers here in Texas.  We have laughed our way down many rides with unexpected happenings, and because of these fun experiences, I can't help but smile while writing this entry today.  So if your in this part of the country take time to float a river.  I think it is the best way to have a truly authentic Texan experience.  
Our water loving family Summer 2009
Canyon Lake
Be Safe & happy travels!!