Beach Bound

We took Matthew's mom and his sister's family on a short trip down to Monterey for a few days. We stayed at a hotel that was just steps away from the beach.

Cousins having fun in the sun!

Relaxing on Lover's Point Beach

Our hotel was very convenient.

We also explored the hiking trails off of Point Lobos and Bird Island.

Emily was thrilled that she was in her element!

 We got to finally visit Whaler's Cove: a cabin was built by Chinese fishermen in the 1850s.

It was used to process freshly caught whales which were stripped and the blubber melted and sold as oil for fuel. 

You cannot not go to Monterey without visiting the Monterey Bay Aquarium!

We've been coming here since the girls were tiny!

 And the good eats here were delicious! Seafood galore!

Home Away from Home

I always look forward to our annual trip away to Monterey, our home away from home, as I refer to Matthew's boss' vacation home.

It's so peaceful and relaxing there.

We first stopped off at a tourist destination, The Mystery Spot in Santa Cruz. We've never been there and decided to check it out.

It was quite interesting...

We couldn't figure out how worked. Matthew being the architect thinks it's all an optical illusion.

Spidey-Matt

But Hannah and I started to not feel good while we were on the Spot so it must be something..

Emily is standing straight. She really is.

We always visit our favorite aquarium,. this time with our Buffet Club President/VP and their girls.

And we hung out at Carmel Beach..

Some of us were very productive...

And some of us were not so much..

But we did eat well with Chef Owen on the grill!

And Phil's didn't hurt either!

Their cioppino is delicious!

This is the biggest and best bowl of clam chowder I have ever seen and tasted!

The vacation wouldn't be complete without dessert!

Riding High!

We first took Marcus to Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk..

Of the many times we visited here we never saw this sign until now!

 Where you can get jumbo everything...

Gigantic donut and corn dog and yes I did finish both!

 ... and fly in the sky!

Cliff Hanger ride

Sky Glider

Then we checked out the new Jellies and Tentacles exhibit at.....

giant pacific octopus

neon jellies

cuttlefish

MBA is one of our most favorite places to visit. We've been taking the girls here when they could walk.

Well.. when at least one of them could walk

Too big to both fit in this year!

As we were walking back to the parking lot Marcus found $1 on the ground and picked it up..

Unnoticed by him, a $20 bill dropped to the ground as he picked up the $1 and Hannah grabbed the $20! She generously agreed to split the $20 with Marcus. So each of them got $10. Marcus replied, "I LOVE America!!"

NEXT ADVENTURE: Organics, Light & Whales

Welcome to America!

Two years ago we went to HK and met a wonderful family who are the aunt & uncle to Emily's former classmate, Shawna. Levan and Wendy have two sons, Marcus (15) and Nathan (10). Marcus was planning to come to America that summer for the first time to stay with his cousin, Shawna. But his brother Nathan was battling liver cancer and the trip was postponed.

This month, Marcus finally came to America to visit his cousin and other family members.

And I wanted to make it a memorable time for him here. So....

Matthew's boss graciously and generously allowed us to stay at his vacation home in Pacific Grove. It is a beautiful home, perfect for our long weekend of entertaining this first-time visitor.

In front of the PG vacation home

Sitting area right outisde the front door

The home is located right across from the golf course and down the street from the beach.

The beach is located at the end of the street

It has three bedrooms and two baths.

Living room

Dining Room

Kitchen

Master bedroom

Another bedroom

Master bath

 NEXT ADVENTURE: Riding High!