this is clare. more affectionately known as 'clarissa'
or even 'monkey'. she loves monkeys,
specifically bonobo monkeys. (we won't touch on
why she likes them, but if you are in front of a
computer and have a few extra minutes
and have access to oh say, google or
some other such application, investigate
how bonobo monkeys greet each other). here's a hint:
i guess we won't delve into that right now though. here is her email address (monkey_scheister@apeforyou.com) if you would like to get in contact with her reguarding her expertise on monkey-love. but as usual, i digress.
where was i? oh yes, by day clare is an amazingly successful global project manager for a huge clinical research organization in the UK. in her 10-ish years in her field she has managed clinical trials to the tune of billions of american dollars. that's her day job though. we all love clare for her cooking savvy, ability to drink cherry ade (UK verson of kool-aid) in alternating mouthfuls with red wine and love of swedish fish. and now without further ado (i hate that phrase) i bring you: clare louise wallis with her first public writing venture....enjoy!
Blog from a Brit
I have been saying I will and with Marty’s second entry I was shamed into writing for Amy’s blog……………………..
The problem I had before was thinking of something interesting to write, well now we (Nic and I) are back from our holidays it seemed as good a time as any!
For my wife’s 40th birthday I decided I would surprise her, but what do you get a girl with everything? Well I thought a trip overseas, Nic loves to travel and there are so many places still to see. After much deliberation I decided upon Brazil; seemed to be so many things to do that we could have a lot of fun.
The whole trip was supposed to be a surprise, but I let slip which country we were going to about 2 months before – can you believe 10 months of keeping my big mouth shut, anyway I digress. The trip started in Rio de Janeiro and then down to Foz Du Iguazu, Nic wanted to see the falls, I knew that – it was a safe bet to book it. We went through the falls on a boat and I can not even begin to describe how breath-takingly beautiful that place is.
The next big part of the trip was going to the Amazon region and staying at Juma Lodge. It was 4 hours from civilisation and really out in the jungle. I was excited for this part of the trip and Nic was absolutely gobsmacked that I booked it – talk about out of comfort zone. The best thing in the world for me was that Nic loved every second of that place, every experience and if I am honest it made my holiday to see how happy it made her.
In the jungle we did all sorts; trekking, meeting lots of animals and Nic fell in love with another girl. Now I think you will agree that the look on her face below is one of LURVE…
After I managed to drag Nic away from her new love (I kid you not she told me I could leave her in the jungle and she would come back to the UK some time) and get back to a comfy bed, warm shower, no parrots stealing your dinner (can you tell I missed the small luxury’s in life?) we headed back south in Brazil and went to a place called Buzios.
We loved Buzios, it was just the relax needed to round the trip off nicely. I booked a hotel which I can now say is my favourite hotel ever; Vila D’este and we kicked back for 5 days. While in Buzios we celebrated our 2nd anniversary and what a perfect setting for it. A great meal, lovely company and the perfect setting.
I fear I have done my usual and gone on far too long, so I apologise (perhaps I wont be asked to write again……………)
The worst thing is that we are back at home and all that planning and excitement is over. The best feeling is that Nic loved her trip.
Just as exciting is that we come to the USA in under 7 weeks –YAY. We are both so excited to come and see our girls all the way there in Rochester.
With love from a snow covered England
Clare
xoxoxoxoxox
4 comments:
Thanks for the blog Monkey-lover. I am glad you guys had such a wonderful time (even though I missed you while you were gone). Hopefully your next trip will be just as memorable - yay.....
So jealous - the trip sounds amazing. I'm crazy about Brazil - it's the only other country I've been to (excepting Canada) and I was there for 2 weeks (my longest vacation ever). I did not see the same places as you...it's a big country! I was in Belo Horizonte most of the time with shorter trips to Ouro Preto and Caldas Novas. Loved the people there - they were very friendly. I've always had it in the back of my mind to go back again someday and I like the sounds of your destinations (will be bookmarking them for future reference).
thanks for sharing.
carihard
i can't wait for you girls to get here, but i just know crotchester isn't going to leave you feeling as amazing as brazil did. sorry, in advance.
carihard, i didn't know you went to brazil. when?
pastey, you know my memory is for crap - I went years and years ago with my friend Amy who was an exchange student to Brazil when we were in high school. When she wanted to go back and visit I went with her - it could have been 95, 96, 97...unfortunately I lost that passport in New York so I don't have the stamp to check. It was incredible!
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