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Tag Archives: Sights

Byron Bay Extravaganza

Lauren and I got up and drove down to Byron Bay. We went right up to the lighthouse which is the most Eastern part of Australia. Lauren was just supposed to stay for the day but I ended up convincing her to stay another night down there. We had to do a quick dress shop and then it was onto the hostel. I have said it before on here but there is nothing like seeing a face from home on your travels. Shawn Hetherington and I had been trying to track each other down in Australia for a while and then a day before my trip down to Byron he messaged me saying he worked in a hostel there.

Shawn and I gave each other a big hug and then got on the drinking for the night. Lauren, Shawn and I ended up at this insane bar called Cheeky Monkeys and anyone that has been to Byron before will know what I am talking about. The place was packed and instead of a flat dance floor it had grand stands. We of course went right to the top and took it all in. Shawn was in fine form ripping it up on the top, I did not know how he was going to work at 7 the next morning. (Shawn wanted to kill everyone in his path the next day) Next stop was table top dancing before we had our fill of being off the ground. I don’t know how there are not broken ankles or skulls every night in that place.

We spent the next day chilling at the beach until a nice rain storm chased us away. Despite my efforts Lauren had to go as she had a bunch of high school kids to teach the next day. Lauren took in this strange Canadian boy and showed me an amazing time on the coast. The laughs started the minute we got in the car and never stopped. I didn’t have to convince her on how awesome Canada was as she had already done a couple of seasons at Lake Louise it’s just getting her up again to a better mountain next time. Thanks Lauren for everything you were a blast, and look forward to seeing you in the Northern Hemisphere!

Foggy

Tags: Australia, Beer, Byron Bay, Drinking, Friends, Sights, Women

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Categories Story Time

Gold Coast Adventures

18 Apr

I got off the train from the Sunshine Coast and Lauren was there to pick me up. I had met Lauren at the races up in Brisbane and she had invited me down to stay at her place. We stopped in at a few beaches before driving out to Burleigh National Park. It was an awesome hike through the bush up to an amazing lookout down the coast. We refreshed ourselves afterwards with some drinks at a surf club. That night she gave me a tour of the pubs in Surfers Paradise and it turns out there are quite a few.

The next day we got up and drove up to Tamborine. It was this little craft town and we went on this glow-worm cave tour. We were unimpressed 1 minute into the tour when we found out the cave was man-made. We then went and checked out Tamborine National Park. It was a great 2.4km loop walk that took you to this amazing waterfall. We snuck down closer to the edge to take in a closer look. For some reason Lauren trusted me with her car for the drive back and I put my right hand drive skills into action. That night we went out to a hair fashion show with Lauren’s friend Brook and witnessed some strange styles. Never a dull moment so far on this tour of Oz.

Foggy

Tags: Australia, Beer, Hospitality, Nature, Sights, Women

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Categories Hospitality

Noosa National Park

10 Apr

The four Canadians piled into the car and we took the 40 minute drive from Mooloolaba to Noosa National Park. It was a gorgeous 4000 hectares nature reserve right on the Sunshine Coast. We took one of the trails that took you by all the different beaches until getting to Hells Gate which gave you a view of Alexandria Beach. Sadly I didn’t have my perving binoculars out though because it is known as a nude beach. We doubled back and settled down at Tea Tree Bay which the girls were quick to point out also had some nice pairs on it. A lot of people were surfing but we just hopped in for a dip and then lounged in the sun. I really recommend anyone who is up the coast in Australia to head there and take in the walks through the park, and hopefully you will get luckier than us and actually see some wildlife besides bigger than life spiders.

Foggy

Tags: Australia, Beach, Friends, Hiking, Sights, Swimming, Women

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Categories Story Time, Uncategorized

Soloman Islands

3 Apr

After the reunion of the family in Sydney we flew out early in the morning to Honiara the capital of the Soloman Islands. The small airport was a sign of things to come as you could see the infrastructure just was not there. The three boys took the first cab and we got an early taste of the hostilities on the island. Our driver pointed out all Chinese owned shops on the island and all the ones they burned during the last riot (we got the feeling they were not the favourite people on the island). We later learned that a lot the conflict came from the money being earned on the island was not staying there to re invest and was going overseas.

The next surprise was finding out the island we were on was Guadalcanal the scene of the biggest fighting between the Japanese and US during WWII. I am not the biggest history buff so I am not going to stand here and lie to you and say I knew that before watching The Pacific (which was in so many ways inferior to Band of Brothers). But since I had watched the series I had an idea of the significance of the tiny island in the South Pacific. We visited the US memorial which had views of the major battle fields and then drove out to see some old canons and planes left from the war. As for ranking other WWII sites I have visited this has to rank on the lower end but that is probably just my naivety on the happenings on the island. All I know is I was drenched in sweat in my tiny shorts and b-ball jersey and I couldn’t imagine running around in army fatigues.

Foggy

Tags: Australia, Family, Sights, Soloman Islands, South Pacific, WWII

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Categories Travel Sites

Queenstown

29 Feb

The alarm buzzed and it was time for Will and I to drag our hungover bodies out of bed. Took a taxi to the airport and we boarded our flight to Queenstown. We went to go rent our car and we were both surprised they still gave it to us after our comments of finding out we had full insurance, which included “well now we can really smash up the car” from me and “I really dinged up the last rental car I had” from Will. We checked in at the hostel and then drove to the top of Coronet Ski field to have a look. We then drove to Arrowtown for some adult beverages then up the lake to Glenorchy. We got back into Queenstown and started to really get into the party. We cruised around town buying round after round until it was time to pull the shoot on the night as we had a long drive the next day.

We set off at 9 in the morning after a mandatory McDonalds breakfast for Milford Sound. It was a great drive out through the mountain ranges and 4 hours later we reached our destination. We got on our boat and did a tour of Milford Sound and checked out all the waterfalls and sights it had to offer. I had wanted to do this trip ever since I watched the snowboard movie That’s It That’s All where they did a helicopter shot over the fjords. The cruise was amazing and I strongly recommend it to anyone going to New Zealand. We finished up the cruise and took our time getting back to Queenstown with a few look out spots and swimming holes. A great night of pool and beers rounded off our Sunday night on our successful trip down to Queenstown. Then 12 hours later I was back at work wondering where my weekend had gone.

Foggy

Tags: Beer, Drinking, Friends, New Zealand, Sights, Swimming

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Categories Travel Sites

A Foreign Christmas

5 Jan

Will, Tom and I piled into the car on a perfectly sunny day and hit the road to drive up North. We had the windows open and I felt that summer had finally arrived in the South Pacific. A few hours into the drive Tom announced we should go bungee jumping, and my heart sank immediately. Bungee jumping is definitely on the bucket list, but I thought I would have more time to work up the courage. We stop in the next town to grab some of that courage in liquid format and continue on our voyage. We arrive at Lake Taupo and get kited up for the jump. Will jumps first and hits the water. Then it is my turn, my heart racing I stand at the ledge and look down and heave myself off the ledge. Tom went next in his waist harness (Tom had dislocated his hip years ago in rugby and was talked into not doing it from the ankles) and then we were back on the road as fast as he had gotten off of it. We dropped Will off with his Dad and then drove the rest of the way to Tauranga.

I woke up at Tom’s and his Mom came in with a little cupcake and candle on it for my birthday. It was another beautiful day so we went for a hike up Mt. Manganui for a view up and down the coast. Next up was a swim at the beach and then continued on to Simi’s house. We picked him up and went for a drive in the sunshine and stopped by at a local pub for lunch. This was special for me as it is a tradition to do this back home on my birthday with my friends. We went back for a swim in Simi’s pool before heading into town for a night at the bar.

I woke up at Simi’s for Christmas and his mom had made us a great breakfast. The champagne was opened and we gathered around the tree for presents. I opened all the ones from my family, and then to my surprise the Simister’s had gotten me a few things as well. It was pretty amazing to feel a part of the family so far away from mine. We then carried some food next door to grandma’s and set up for Christmas lunch. It was quite the spread with turkey, chicken, beef, ham, lots of different salads and veggies. After lunch I skyped the family and we chatted for a while. It was great to get them all together at the same time and talk to them (even though my mom couldn’t hold up the ipad without crying), after a few numbers from my nieces which included a brush up of my ABC’s I left them back in the snow of Whistler. We then went and grabbed Tom from his place where I had a few more presents waiting for me from his family. We drove back to Simi’s and started to play a little BYC* with the boys. Christmas ended with us lounged out on the couch watching movies with stomachs to full to do much else.

This will definitely be a Christmas that always stands out for me. I thought my first Christmas away from home was going to be tough but it turned out to be an amazing experience. The Simisters and Culleys went well out of their way to make me feel like part of the family and I greatly appreciate that. I know I have said it a lot but the way New Zealander’s make you feel welcome is out of this world and that is something I will take with me the rest of my days. A huge Thank You to both families and I hope to one day pass on the kindness they showed me.

Foggy

*BYC – Back yard cricket

Tags: Beach, Beer, Drinking, Family, Friends, Hiking, Hospitality, New Zealand, Sights, Sports, Swimming

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Categories Hospitality, Story Time

Oktoberfest

26 Sep

My friend Franzi picked me up and we drove down to Munich together. We met up with his 2 buddies from Australia Paulo and Keeno and a friend from Austria Lisa. The 5 of us piled into a tiny hotel room for two and the debauchery began.

We chose the Hoffen Brau tent to set up shop and settled in with a large table of Aussie’s that Paulo and Keeno knew. The huge beers started flowing and we thought it would be a good idea to do a big cheers photo. We all wound up and smashed our glasses but one of them exploded and cut Franzi’s knuckle, he was then whisked away to the medical tent. People would get up on the table and thousands of people would be cheering you on to down your whole 1 litre of beer, but if you messed up be prepared for boos and half eaten chicken carcasses to be flown at you. I eventually met up with Franzi and we went to go purchase Lederhosen, we spent way too much money but at least now we fit in.

The next day was filled with more of the same except now that I was wearing the lederhosen I was being grabbed in every direction by ladies in the tent. It was a wild day that ended in me having to take my bags and head to the train station. An overnight train to Frankfurt followed by a plane back to Vancouver, all the time wearing my lederhosen. I feel bad for the people sitting next to me on those rides as I must have stunk of meat and beer the whole way home.

Foggy

Tags: Beer, Drinking, Europe, Events, Festivals, Friends, Germany, Man Time, Sights, Women

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Categories Story Time

Tschurtschenthaler House

24 Sep

My friend Stephan did me a huge favour and set me up with his family in the west of Austria. They are from a small town of 300 people called Pfaffenswendt in the province of Tirol. The train ride there was amazing as my surroundings started to jet up into the sky as I entered the Alps. Michaela picked me up at the train station and we walked back to her house. They really treated me like family and brought me into the clan. For the next week they fed me ridiculous amounts of food, beer and schnapps. I left feeling 10 pounds heavier but it is a place I know I will come back to.

Foggy

Tags: Austria, Beer, Drinking, Europe, Family, Friends, Hospitality, Sights

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Categories Hospitality

Turkey Tips

31 Aug

When I first arrived in this country, it was only supposed to be for five days. It was supposed to be my stepping stone into Greece, and those of your following along know that didn’t quite work out. I ended up visiting the cities of Bodrum, Fetiye, Olympos, Goreme and then back to Istanbul. The people of Turkey were very hospitable and always went the extra mile. They were happy to see tourists which is a rarity in many nations. Here are a couple of tips to make your stay a little more enjoyable.

Transportation

Busses- Turkey has very nice busses all including TV’s, tea and coffee, snacks and some even have wifi. You can get to many destinations throughout Turkey on overnighters.

Drinking

Efes- Is the local beer found in a blue can, it goes down pretty easy especially on a scorching day.

Raki- If you are looking for something a little harder, look no further than rocky. It is along the same lines as Sambuca. Try mixing it with water to get a white color; they call it lion’s milk.

Women

Sorry boys unless you speak Turkish your chances are slim, better stick to the tourists.

Eating

I was pretty surprised on how much I loved the food in Turkey, here are a few of the favourites.

Lamachun- A thin crust with a bunch of spices and meat on it. You throw lettuce, onion, tomatoes and then drizzle it in lemon juice. Roll that bad boy up and you have yourself a meal.

Gozleme – A large Crepe type thing cooked on a dome stove top. You can put feta, potatoes, spinach, cheese, mushrooms or meat in it.

Sleeping

Hostels are very cheap here and you can generally find ones that include breakfast. All hostels in Olympos will include dinner and breakfast in the price.

Foggy