Day 58: We're Home!

In some respects it seems like we've been gone longer than 2 months, and sometimes it feels like we just left last week, but after 58 days of being away from home we're finally back.

It's strange to think that when we left Avery couldn't even rollover, was only interested in some solid foods (like Broccoli and cucumbers), and wore side 2 diapers. She's returning home able to stand on her own (with the help of a chair), willing to eat anything we do, and in size 3 diapers. With that said, when we left Avery had no hair and no teeth, and not much has changed there.
Our flights were as uneventful as they can be with Air Canada--we were (predictably) bumped from the bulkhead on our flight to Vancouver in favour of a childless couple in their twenties, so Avery didn't get a bassinet. Fortunately, after repeated asking and reminding check-in staff of their policy that an infant gets priority for bulkhead seats on long-haul flights, they let us bring her car seat to use in the empty seat between us. For the Vancouver-Toronto leg, we not only got the bulkhead, but the flight attendant let us use the bassinet, which is usually a no-no for domestic flights (we concluded that it must have been a Vancouver-based crew).

Grandma and Grandpa Rotstein greeted us in Toronto, which was a good thing because we needed help with all our luggage (4 suitcases, a stroller, a car seat, two knapsacks, and a purse!).

For some reason the jetlag from this leg of our trip was by far the worst. Perhaps it was because we didn't have the adrenalin rush of being on vacation, or possibly because Stephen went back to work the next day, but it's taken us a week to get over it (which is why we've been so slow posting pictures from the last leg of our trip).

Mummy and Daddy's Day Out: Part III

Today a babysitter named Jessica came to play with Avery while Mummy and Daddy went out for lunch and explored some other beaches in Maui. Jessica brought some musical instruments for Avery to play with, which were a huge hit. Apparently Avery insisted on bringing the tambourine with her when they went for a walk, and she was not willing to give back the shaker when it was time for Jess to go.

Day 51: Hanging loose in Maui

Today, in addition to exploring the road to Costco, we hung out at the beach at our resort. At sunset, we watched the cliff jumper/torch lighter light all the torches at the resort, then proceed to jump off the cliff of black rock near our resort. We then walked to the nearby Whaler Village for dinner and some window shopping.

The Road To Costco

Many travellers visit Maui to partake in the scenic day-long drive known as the Road to Hana. But not our tiny traveller! We instead opted to do the less time consuming and more baby-friendly road to Costco. We all found some clothing and bought a snorkel set so we could check out some of the marine life just off the beach at our resort.

The trip was well worth it--we were able to see some huge sea turtles up close less than 25m from the beach.

Japan's Latest Celeberty Sensation: Avery!

If you've been to Hawaii, then you understand that it is a very popular vacation destination for Japanese tourists. And the only thing Japanese tourists seem to love more than Hawaii is Avery.

Everywhere we take her she's getting lots of smiles and hellos. On Avery's 11th flight to Maui she made instant friends with a couple behind us (Avery insisted in going to visit them by persistently lunging through the crack between the seats). When we were waiting for our bags to arrive a group of tourists asked us if they could take pictures of her.

Day 49: Avery's 10th Flight

We spent the entire day, April 15th, travelling, only to arrive in Hawaii on the 14th?!

Daddy was upset to leave Auckland, if only because he had to dispose of his favorite drink, LP (it's world famous in New Zealand). Fortunately, he was able to acquire another fix of the drink on the plane).

Being Avery's 10th flight in her 8 months in this world (and 14th if you count the ones she took while in the womb), she is now fully apprised of airplane safety. With that said, she prefers to familiarize herself with the safety features of the specific aircraft she's flying before takeoff.

Avery took full advantage of her 1st class travel cot and enjoyed watching people walk by and having the mild turbulent lull her to sleep; however, she couldn't make up her mind if she wanted the red or the white wine selection with her teething rusk--unfortunately there was no sommelier on board to recommend the best paring.

Day 48: Day trip to Waiheke Island

We spent our last day in New Zealand visiting Wahiheke Island, which is a 30 minute ferry ride outside of Auckland. We took a bus tour around the island, followed by lunch in Oneroa Bay. We returned to Auckland and did some more shopping (our last chance to buy stuff with NZ$!).