Aloha from Hawai'i

Sorry that this entry has taken so long to get to you – we couldn't get internet access until a couple of days ago. This, of course, means that this will be a particularly long update because there is so much to share.

Destination number four has finally been reached J We are on the sunny island of Maui which is everything the tourists and guide books say it is – beautiful! Plumeria plants, palm trees, coconut trees, golden (almost white) sandy beaches and HEAT!! Quite a contrast to Canada!!

Sunset in Kihei, Maui, Hawai'i

Plumeria Flowers

On Tuesday we went on board a sailing boat to the neighbouring island of Lana'i for a snorkelling expedition. Unfortunately, it was the least windy day we've had since we arrived here which meant that we couldn't actually sail, so we used the engine instead! This, however, turned out to be quite good for me (Kate) as it meant I didn't get too sea-sick during the 3 hours we spent on the boat. I've lost my sea legs, it appears L Adam was fine and very chivalrous – he held a towel over me so that I could sleep in the open air (so my stomach wouldn't churn) and yet not burn in the Hawaiian sun. He, however, now has a burnt tummy with a white patch where my head was resting!

Kate onboard the Paragon – our vessel for the day. The water really is that colour blue – something to do with algae.

The snorkelling was wonderful. I really enjoyed it, it was only my second time – we knew Adam would love it because of all the snorkelling he used to do in Oz. An added bonus for me was that I therefore felt really safe swimming around with him next to me. Our new underwater camera has provided Adam with hours (and I mean hours) of entertainment, and the fish and coral photos and videos he's managed to capture are fantastic. Such wonderful colours and designs – it's so awesome seeing so many new parts of God's creation! The treatment on the boat was great, too – breakfast and lunch were provided with chocolate brownies and champagne for the return trip J

What we have nicknamed the 'flame fish' swimming

We spotted a large school of these fish swimming perhaps 2000 fish in total!

We've seen some beautiful sunsets (as seen above) and swum in some wonderful seas. I'm not used to the size of the waves here so I usually fall over when they come in as I'm still learning when to duck so as not to get pushed towards the shore, or when to dive in for an attempt at body surfing...!

We saw a lava flow here from their last volcanic activity 200 hundred years ago. (We're going to watch the sunrise from the top of this volcano on Sunday.) At first we thought it was big chunks of rich, fertile soil; it was only as we were driving along and saw HUGE chunks of it that we realised it wasn't soil but the lava flow we'd been told about. We wandered around for a long while and found remnants of people's homes that are still being studied by the archaeologists. It's great that we're both into history J

A part of the 200 year old lava flow. This is rock, not dirt, and some of the rocks here are as large as us.

One of THE things to do in Maui is drive 'the road to Hana'. It's a difficult road to drive because it winds its way along the mountainside. Put it this way, the recommended speed limit around some of the bends is 10-15mph! BUT, as Mauians say, it's not the destination but the journey that counts, and this is truly a journey to remember. This side of Maui is so green and lush – it really is rainforest. There are areas to pull over for photo opportunities all along the highway and we're surrounded by trees, waterfalls, deep valleys, mountaintops (no snow this time!) and it's really amazing. One of the stops we made on that drive was at Waikamoi nature trail which was a mini hike through some rainforest. It was perfect for us – not too strenuous but with a variety of things to see. One of the strangest things, however, was that there were loads of Australian gum trees! We saw paper bark trees and other varieties (whose names I don't know) next to pandana trees and other native Hawaiian plants but the smell was of the Australian outback!! Very strange but kinda cool, too! During that trip I acquired 15 mosquito bites on my right leg and 36 on my left! (We counted last night.) Slightly itchy but could be worse – they could be on my face and arms too...

Adam saying "G'day" to an Australian friend – a paperbark tree

Kate being "Hawaiian" with a Bamboo flower we found in the rainforest

Adam showing the heights to which he climbed to get the flower for Kate to be "Hawaiian"

We found ourselves a church meeting to go along to last night and that was pretty cool. We went to book our day trips last week and ended up praying with the lady who was looking after us!! So we asked her if there was a meeting we could go along to and she told us about her weekly prayer meeting. It was lovely to meet some new people and pray and worship with them as if we'd known them for much longer than we did!

We've been here for over a week now and we're here until next Thursday. What's great is that we've actually met and spoken with quite a few people who've either grown up here, or been here for over 20 years, so we feel that we understand a little of the prevailing culture. For example, when we arrived we were really surprised to see huge malls on practically every block – this (obviously) doesn't please all the locals as their previous lifestyle has been taken away and replaced with a very expensive one. Most local people will have 2 or 3 jobs to support themselves. The things you find out when you talk to random people...! Adam also now knows how to tell a good watermelon from a not ripe one depending on the sound it makes upon flicking it with his thumb, and we both know that a yellower pineapple is riper than a green one. We bought one, left it a couple of days to reach perfection and it passed our taste test with sweet golden colours J

Anyway, we'll sign off now and write more soon ... when we've done the many things we have planned for the weekend.

Love, Kate and Adam

PS. We have been trying to get this posted since last Friday but have had many, many 'technical issues'. These are finally solved, but this post is now 5 days out of date – another coming soon.

Last days in Canada...

Well, hello everyone!

It's been a while but we've had a wonderful time here in Revelstoke.

Being snow chasers, on our first day here we went as far up Mount Revelstoke as we were allowed and we did indeed catch our second glimpse of snow. Only this time it was more than a glimpse :o) :o) We were only allowed to go 16km up the mountain but that was fine for us! Although it was raining as we drove up, it was snowing properly by the time we got to the 16km mark. We got out of the car and went for a run and play in the snow (obviously, I was wearing 6 layers of clothing and 2 pairs of trousers ... Adam only had on a T-shirt and his thick coat !) Anyway, it was so beautiful to feel the snow falling on our faces, to try and catch it on our eyelashes and not hear it as it fell to the ground (or on the trees) but only see the whiteness it left behind. It was just FANTASTIC!! We went for a little walk along the road leading to the higher part of the mountain just relishing the cold and softness of the snow. Ahhhhhhh :o)

Newlyweds!

Adam: Isn't my wife BEAUTIFUL!?!

Kate: Isn't my hubby-poos gorgeous!?!

The motel at which we're staying has free passes to the local Aquatic Centre – this has a sauna, a steam room, a hot tub and a very cool water slide. So we spent a good couple of hours there warming up after the morning's mountain adventures. Unsurprisingly, Adam particularly enjoyed the water slide :o) (It was cool, I enjoyed it, too!) We also spent a good while staring in horror/ admiration as kids jumped off the diving board backwards and doing somersaults with absolutely no fear whatsoever.

Another day and... Hot springs – what a blessing!! (Unfortunately, we have no photos , as we only used the video camera whilst we were there.) They were fabulous though. We'd intended to visit 2 different hot springs that day, but during our visit to Halcyon Hot Springs, a few people told us they were one of the nicest hot springs around and that they used no chemicals in the water, just the existing natural minerals. So, we decided to just spend longer at that place. There were 3 outdoor pools – one of 42 degrees, one of 38 degrees and a cold plunge – of 12 degrees. The temperature that day was 6 degrees – walking to the pools was so cold, our feet felt like they were burning and it of course made the water excruciatingly hot. However, that was easily surmountable and we were even brave enough to enter into the cold plunge – twice ... and then get back into the hot pools!

It's amazing to be engulfed by so much beauty at all times – tiny waterfalls trickle down the side of the roads we drive along; pebbly streams surrounded by huge trees line the other side of the road and mountains are always all around us... I could really go on and on – we're constantly being bowled over by what we see.

What a view! "It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas..."

That reminds me, in our last blog entry we mentioned visiting Rearguard Falls – here's a photo, it really doesn't do the waterfall justice. The colours and the cleanliness were amazing. Adam's also quite fascinated with squirrels (he clearly didn't grow up in the UK) and he was very pleased to see some around that area as well!

Rearguard Falls

That's all for now, we'll email again in a couple of days when we will be in our new destination...

Kate and Adam

PS. These are genuine potatoes. 3 different kinds.

Red, Yellow and ... Blue

Banff, Jasper and the Rockies

Hi everyone

This is us in Banff

Our first adventure in Canada is almost over and we’re moving from one place in the Rockies to another about 6 hours away which will give us an opportunity to see more of the area with less day by day travel. I (Adam) have been sick for a few days and although I’m now feeling much better, I’ve passed the virus on to Kate. I had some things from a UK doctor to take for mine, but Kate is having to tough it out with paracetamol and TLC from me.

One of the things that stands out most to both Kate and I about Canada is the kindness of the people here. Everyone is polite and helpful and they go out of their way to help you. If you’re walking by the street and need to cross, the cars (even on major roads) will stop and let you cross with a friendly wave. I’m very glad about this laid back attitude as I’m sure I would have been honked several times for driving strangely here. Do I give way to the right or the left here? I just give way to both...

On the way to Lake Louise, we stopped off to climb a hill! Just for fun!

Here are some highlights of our adventures in this part of Canada (other than relaxing in our log cabin with wonderful mountain views):

On the first day here, we drove along a river bank to a place where there was a large mound in the river. The mound was covered with sticks and plants and looked to us like a natural island in the river, but we had been told to be on the lookout for beavers as this was their beaver-made home! We parked the car quite far from the dam and walked quietly to see if we could spot the beavers. With video camera rolling, we were blessed to see a beaver pulling a branch down the river and then disappearing under the water into its home! That was all we saw, but it was great! We were told that at this point in the river one can also normally see lots of moose, but they all know it’s hunting season here at the moment and they are all in hiding. We didn’t see any.

The next day, three days ago, Kate and I went on an ATV tour up into the mountains. We drove the quad bikes for 4 hours along rough tracks stopping along the way to see the wonderful views and to learn about the Canadian wildlife. Our tour guide was very interesting. I was following him as he led the way and every so often he would slow down his ATV and look at the ground and then speed up again. As I drove past I looked down too and saw that he was looking at poo! I found this entertaining and disturbing at the same time and then realised that the poo he was admiring was bear poo and he was tracking what bears were in the area and what they had been eating lately to see if they were in a good mood or not! I’m quite glad that he was taking the time to make sure that Kate and I were safe!

Kate and I in our ATV gear.

Bear poo aside, the tour was great! We saw the prints of a black bear, stopped by the side of a river at a trappers lodge, ate lunch in grizzly bear country and talked about land rights in the Canadian Rockies, all under the lovely shadow of snow topped mountain peaks.

Two days ago was a very eventful day! Very important. It was laundry day! We had a lazy morning and went into town in the afternoon.

Yesterday we did a small bit of sightseeing. After lunch we went to visit Mt Robson and to see the Rearguard Falls. Mt Robson is the highest mountain in the Rockies and we were the only people in the car park – the visitor’s centre is closed for the season. We did get some good photos however. Rearguard Falls were lovely, only a 5 minute walk from the road and really beautiful. We have been in the habit of drinking water from every fresh water river we come across (Lake Louise, Small River – on the ATV tour and here) so Adam dutifully drank from the bank, Kate caught it on video – we may put it up on this blog later if we can work out how!

Mt Robson

Today we drove south to Revelstoke, the next stop on our honeymoon adventure! Hot springs and more wonderful views await us. It was dark by the time we arrived here so I can’t tell you what it looks like. We’ve got internet access in our accommodation here so we should be able to update you some more – perhaps with pictures.

We’ll let you know how it goes.

Adam and Kate

CANADA!!

Here we are in surprise destination number 2!

My husband’s taking me to the one place I've always wanted to go – Jasper and Banff National Parks in Alberta and British Columbia, CANADA :o) :o) :o)

We’re heading off to the shops to buy some groceries to take to our log cabin in the mountains. We will be living in relative isolation for 5 days in our cosy cabin (without internet access etc) but with lots of mountains, rivers, icefields and hills to explore. We’ve rented a car WITH GPS and it must be said, I really could do with one in our car in the UK!

It’s cold and sunny at the same time which is making it really crisp and fresh. We’ve been warned that we’re likely to experience all 4 seasons in one day whilst we’re over here.

Everyone loved our ‘Adam’s wife’ and ‘Kate’s husband’ t-shirts – they got quite a few giggles :o)

Adam’s taking videos of nearly everything – the plane, leaving the airport, our accommodation... *Sigh* Boys with their toys. Maybe he’ll take the rented car today with its GPS!! ;o)

Oh well, we should be going now as the sunshine beckons. Adam’s really looking forward to driving on the other side of the road..... tee hee!

We’ll bring back souvenirs of berry picking black bears, we hear they’re around at the moment. Oh sorry, I mean postcards of berry picking black bears

Bye for the next week!

Kate and Adam

Married and on honeymoon!

WE’RE MARRIED!! HOORAY!

For four days, actually :o)

Been on honeymoon for those four days now and enjoying every minute of it. For those who have been eagerly awaiting news of our honeymoon destination, our first port of call was.... the Langham hotel where we enjoyed 2 fantastic nights in 5 star luxury (with chocolate dipped strawberries, no less!)

A quick visit with both families and we were off to our second destination. (This bit was a surprise for me (Kate), i.e. I knew what area we were going to but nothing else.)

We’re staying in a lovely B&B on the Isle of Wight. It’s in quite a secluded area in a plain with a surrounding forest (YAY - trees!) Today we had a delicious cooked breakfast and soon we’ll head off to see some of the local sights, including an historic lighthouse. We’ll also go to ‘The Needles Park’ and probably (weather permitting) have a ride in the chairlift and use our new video camera in the process.

On Friday, we fly overseas to surprise destination number 3...

Kate and Adam

Legally wed!

The civil ceremony was great! The registrar was very friendly and everyone (even the children) enjoyed it.

We almost cried, and most of the females there did.

Ron L. and Maria H. were our witnesses.

We are now officially (in the eyes of the law) married and are Mr and Mrs Bewsher!

This is only the beginning of our 12 days of celebration - well, not really ... more planning, planning, planning for the church wedding.

The family all met afterwards for lunch at the house.

A wonderful day!

God bless.

Adam and Kate Bewsher

Civil ceremony today!

In the UK, unless you get married in a Church of England church, you are required by law to have a civil ceremony – either as part of the service, or at some time before.  This is because a wedding performed in a religious institution other than the Church of England is not legally binding.  Because our church service is already looking to be quite long (with a Greek part and an English part), we have decided to have our civil ceremony before our church wedding.

Because we consider our marriage to be something instituted by God, we won’t consider ourselves married until after the church ceremony.

And so... without any further ado:

Adam and Kate are being “legally wed” today, in our civil ceremony!

These are the first steps in our week-and-a-half wedding (concluding on the 6^th of October)!

Adam and Kate

Update and new website launched

We are getting really close to being married! YAY! Only 2 weeks and 3 days until the church wedding!

The old website was a far too complicated and was hard to update with the latest news, so Adam’s been working hard to bring you this new version which we hope that you will like and find easy to use.

Under the menu on the right called “On Our Page” you should be able to see several items you can click on. These items take you around our site and will be the same on every page. You’ll eventually be able to see our Photo Gallery and some interesting information, but for now, the only two links take you to the main page and to this page (the blog news page - which you’ve already found of course!)

An update on the wedding preparations: Yesterday we made our final booking (the wedding cars) and now have everything “big” ready for the BIG day. Now we need to fill in all the little details [and write some speeches : Adam] and everything should be done... YAY

London is becoming colder as the lovely sunny weeks of summer become the still lovely but not quite so sunny autumn months.

More news as it comes.

Adam and Kate