one way ticket yeah

looking at Queensland from above

2007-04-27T07:45:00.000+10:00

The photos below were taken on the second last night in Australia. We went to the top of Q1 - the world's tallest residential building, in Surfer's Paradise. One is of Chevron Island where I lived for most of the year. The other is looking north towards the Spit and Sunshine Coast...

So, I can't believe I haven't finished the last post for my time in Australia. Guess I've been preoccupied with other things. I must say that the last few weeks in the Gold Coast were emotionally exhaustive at times, but all together absolutely lovely. Everyone was so great, which made it hard to leave.

I had such an amazing time down under, especially the last half of the year. I'll never forget it. It's definitely changed me in many ways...

Last Straddie Trip

2007-02-16T11:12:00.000+10:00

We surfed the weekend away the last time I went to Straddie. It was so much fun but I kept thinking about how sharkie it is out there. We weren't alone in the surf but still, you don't want a tiger shark taking a bite out of your leg. But David grew up surfing here and I had to trust him. Getting attacked by a shark is like crashing in a plane. It happens so rarely so its useless to worry.

Dave's parents live in Amity Point. No shit. I had to take a photo with the sign to prove it.

Just a few photos from the beach at Point Lookout. The tide was out and we were standing on little rock pools.

I love this photo of Dave even though he hates it. Its very Straddie and he looks all bushy and happy.

Miami Beach, Gold Coast

2007-02-16T10:46:00.000+10:00

So, I lived with David for the last couple of months in Australia and it was just lovely. We had the best time sharing the pad. He lives in a little beach house with his sister Kate and her gf Lisa, that's just three houses from the beach. We woke up in the mornings for a swim before work and after work. At night as I was falling asleep I was lulled by the sound of the waves and sometimes woken up by the crashing tide. One morning I took a few pics of the neighbourhood so I could remember how much I loved living here, and so you could see a reason that I loved living here.

This is the hill at North Burleigh. As a workout, some mornings I would climb up the stairs and run down the hill on the other side and then sprint back up the hill and run down the stairs. Nice views for a workout...

This is the view from the hill south towards Burleigh Heads - a popular surf spot and where I got my tattoo.

Another view from the hill. That's the Shark Bar (the local pub) where the umbrellas are at the bottom of the hill. In the distance, you can see the mountain range that is basically Springbrook National Park. The big ridge to the right is where the 'Best of All Lookouts' sits. And the peak in the middle is Mt. Warning which we climbed before Christmas. I've posted photos in this blog. Its just stunning. You almost forget when you're surrounded by it everyday. In this respect, Gold Coasters are lucky... that and the surf...

This is Miami Beach. I swam here nearly everyday. Sometimes twice a day. Sometimes three times a day. David taught me to surf here. I'll never forget it, as well as a few night swims...

Big Day Out 2007

2007-02-16T10:33:00.000+10:00

Dave and I waiting for Kasabian.

Earlier that morning, Dave and I were invited to Sean's house for breakfast. He lives just down the street from the grounds so we walked over around noon. There weren't that many bands we wanted to see early in the day so we lined up for beer tickets and wandered around checking things out. We found everyone and caught a few songs of a few shows... Little Birdy (who was surprisingly great), Sleepy Jackson (who were not), The Herd (who were fun but the sound was terrible) and a few local bands. I went off and caught Peaches and Herm with Lisa and then we all headed to Kasabian.

Anna, Heidi and Ben waiting for Kasabian.

Big Day Out 2007 - afternoon

2007-02-16T10:11:00.001+10:00

This is where we regrouped and relaxed. It was so hot out... January 21st...

A view from the hillside at the Gold Coast Big Day Out. The Killers are on the orange stage.

The Killers

Kasabian kicked ass. We got up pretty close and they sounded really good. The crowd was screaming their heads off to the songs.

Big Day Out 2007 - end of the night

2007-02-16T09:18:00.000+10:00

Muse was amazing. We weren't super close up but we could see, it sounded amazing and we danced and danced and danced. Thought this was a cool photo.

At the final climax of Muse, this giant hand sculpture shot off 20ft flames. We were so close to it and it was really hot. But it surprised everyone and there was a huge roar from the crowd.

After losing the group and watching a bit of Tool, we headed for Violent Femmes which I had been waiting to see since I was about 15. I had heard mixed reviews about their live show but I was not disappointed. The crowd was completely ecstactic singing and dancing along together. I read a review later that said the frame of mind of the entire crowd seemed to be a collective consciousness - we were all having the best time and just so happy to be seeing and singing along with The Femmes.

It was a fantastic day that went by way to fast.

springbrook trip

2007-02-16T08:55:00.000+10:00

So, Dave and I decided to get away from the coast and headed up to Springbrook National Park. It was the best idea. This is the view from 'The Best of All Lookouts' and it seriously was. You can see Mt. Warning at the right side of the photo. Geologically, this area was a the largest volcano on this side of the world millions of years ago. It has eroded over time to leave a beautiful mountainous rainforest very close to the ocean. Mt. Warning was the centre of the volcano and Springbrook was the outer rim. The hikes we took were at the top and bottom of the rim which left these gorgeous views and waterfalls.

Dave at the lookout. You can see the coast on the horizon.

Me on the hike back from the lookout. It was quite cool in the rainforest. We saw so many blue tongued lizards.

springbrook trip 2

2007-01-29T14:03:00.000+10:00

We were completely procrastinating when getting ready to leave on this trip so we just decided instead of bringing food we'd just get some fish and chips for dinner and in the morning have a small breakfast. Big mistake. After looking around for a bit we were getting quite hungry only to find out the pub and the corner store/diner had closed at 5pm and we were out of luck. We asked some locals where to get a feed and this woman invited us back to her house for lasagne. We decided that was out and to look for this winery we'd seen a sign for. Perhaps there would be a restaurant there. Instead, we came across an English Manor with an open kitchen. Turning up the drive was like entering another country. We could've been in the Engligh countryside with its perfectly manicured lawns, ducks swimming in the little pond, croquet set up, tennis courts, archery field and the big beautiful house at the end. Dave and I ended up the only patrons in the most beautiful little sitting room/restaurant/pub. The owner sat with us while we drank our pints and told us the history of the place. We had the best meal and then headed back to a picnic area to camp out in the truck for the night.

I look a bit tired in this photo but it was probably about 8:30pm. It was pitch black and we had come completely unprepared without matches or a lighter. The best we had was a little headlamp that was getting weak. Dave finally found three lone matches in his glove box after many attempts to light our candles with the cigarette lighter in the truck. Its pretty cozy sleeping in the truck, despite how cold it was outside.

springbrook trip 3

2007-01-29T13:26:00.000+10:00

This is my favourite picture of David and myself. We had so much fun together on this trip. This was taken at the beginning of the hike on the Twin Falls Trail. We had been up that morning at 4am to try and catch the sunrise from the 'Best of All Lookouts' and it was completely cloudy and cold. Still very beautiful even without direct view of the sun. In the end, we headed back to the start of our hike and had a nap until about 8am.

I believe this is the same waterfall on our hike just shot from above at the start. Simply beautiful up there. We saw lots of blue tongue lizards up there along the upper rim.

Me between a rock and a rock.

These are the falls that we showered in that morning. That's Dave climbing the rocks. It was beautiful and we were the only two people we saw except near the end... It was a really great hike and we treated ourselves to a pancake breakfast at the end.

As with many experiences in Australia, I will never forget this trip. Especially because of the company.

David's 27th Birthday

2007-01-25T10:37:00.000+10:00

THE BIRTHDAY COWBOY AND DAN - BROKEBACK BROTHERS (sounds like a spoof film)

For David's birthday we got a crew together and headed for the Queensland Rodeo Finals at the Gold Coast Convention Centre. It was really something. First of all, Dave and Dan dressed up and looked pretty Brokeback. I was the only other one brave enough to wear a cowboy hat. But once we arrived there were lots of cowboys and cowgirls in attendence. We only spent $20 each on our seats and they were brilliant. We were in the top tier but we could see everything. Obviously, the most exciting event was the bull riding. I think Dave had a pretty good birthday... we kept him liquored up...

LIAM AND HEIDI

DANIEL AND I AT THE END OF THE NIGHT...

Relaxing on Straddie - January 8 -10th

2007-01-25T10:02:00.000+10:00

Dave and I at sunset. Too bad the photo is a bit dark here. We actually saw a dugong right there, very close to shore. Got lots of photos of it but he doesn't look like much. Dugongs are a lot like manatees, marine mammals with a walrus-like face and small side flippers and a big flat hind tail. We watched him for quite a while. There were the usual family of dolphins swimming about as well. Straddie is always just beautiful...

Naked Hippies on Mt. Warning...

2007-01-13T18:45:00.000+10:00

At the top with a beautiful wet view!

Forgot to post the photos from the hike up Mount Warning... the tallest peak in southeast Queensland. It's actually the first place in Australia that sees the sun each morning... We hiked it in 2 hours and raced down in 45min... it was so much fun... and really beautiful with mist that kept us cool. When we reached the top we were greeted by three traveling hippies who eventually got naked to do an aboriginal ritual saluting the four points off the peak. They wanted us to joing but there was no way. We were wet and cold and just needed a rest. Bummer there was no view because of cloud cover but its Aboriginal name means 'Cloud Catcher' so that was pretty much it. All around great day...

Giant Ferns

This is David looking handsomely-like Indiana Jones...

NYE Miami Beach, Gold Coast, Australia 2007

2007-01-13T18:24:00.000+10:00

Liz and Dan, David and I on the beach
around the countdown

New Year's Eve was an abs olute blast! It was the first time in a long time that it was actually really great and lived up to its hype. We just had a chill barbeque on the front lawn, pumped the music, danced on the porch, drank sangria and jager shots, walked up and down the beach to take in the crowds of people celebrating, watched the fireworks from Broadbeach, and just had the best time.
Liz (a friend), me (of course), Kate (Dave's sis), Lisa (her Gfriend)
& Heidi (Dave's sis in law)

Kate and I in the kitchen trying to blow up balloons...

Straddie Xmas Holiday

2007-01-13T17:52:00.000+10:00

Fishing excursion - that's Heidi, Liam and I in the tinnie
heading out for Jolene to catch spotty mackerel

So, David's family invited me to spend some time with them at their home on North Stradbroke Island "Straddie". It was so nice to be with a family so much like mine at Christmas time. They were so lovely and we had a spectacular time even though the weather wasn't the greatest...

All the men in their flannels... That's Liam (Dave's bro), his dad John, neighbours Dave and Malcolm and then at the end David...

David did not catch anything that day, for the record

xmas day in OZ

2007-01-13T17:38:00.000+10:00

So, I woke up Christmas morning alone at David's house, put my pumpkin pie in the oven and headed straight for the beach. It was a beautiful hot day and the water was beautiful. People were already congregating and setting up in the parks and on the beach for their xmas day parties. Then I went back, got myself ready and headed for the Clogan's for orphans Christmas. There were the Clogan's immediate family, me, katia and todd (american's from washington and friends of Greta's), Jonathan from Calgoolie (western australia), Brad (G's friend from school), and a bunch of Mark's friends (Greta's twin brother)... We spent the day eating, getting in and out of the pool to grab drinks and ended the day with an evening of playstation karaoke... good good fun and the most different xmas I've ever had...

This is what i looked like arriving at the Clogan's for Christmas Day. Totally bogged down with stuff... Sharon and I busting out for karaoke.
Jonathan and G...

g-clef karoake christmas

2007-01-13T17:20:00.000+10:00

Where better for cd shop staff to celebrate xmas than a japanese style karoake joint!

Chevron Island...

2006-12-21T08:51:00.000+10:00

Well, now, I've moved on from Chevron... it was a sad affair to leave my Aussie home. Now I'm spending half my time with Greta's folks, and the other half with my sweetheart, David. I really enjoyed living on Chevron Island in the end... it was really close to everything but also had that neighbourhood feel... just a short walk from a bottle shop, pizza place, sushi train, an curry restaurant, a few pubs and a few variety shops. Perfect for quiet nights (and some nutty karaoke nights too). And we were also quite close to Surfer's Paradise, which can be a good and bad thing. Always close to shopping and home after big night's out, but also close to all that tourist thing going on...

One of the last nights, I decided to take David on a picnic at Budd's Beach which is just over the bridge and facing Chevron, dividing by the Nerang River. We were enjoying the peace and quiet and the red wine when Dave spotted a dolphin in the river. So we walked out on the beach and there were a few guys doing surf lifesaving drills and then more and more dolphins came up. There were about 20 of them and it was unheard of seeing them so far up the river. It was just amazing. Dave waded out to try and get some closer pics but all we ended up with were splashes of water where the dolphin had come up.

It was a wonderful night though. I'll never forget it...

sports stars and cheerleaders!!

2006-12-11T10:31:00.000+10:00

Left to right: Chris, Sean, Blain, Me, Mark and in front Zara... the CC Music crew...

So, every year, Blain and his brother Liam, have a theme party. Last year was military. This year was sports stars and cheerleaders. I think I was the only cheerleader there. Never been one so it was okay for one night. We had the best time. The crew was as follows:

Me - Cheerleader
David - 60's basketball player
Greta - Mascot trainer
Blain - baseball player
Sean - Capieora man
Chris - Karate man
Mark - 70's Tennis player
Simone - Rodeo Barrel Horse racer

As usual, props were broken, there were dramatic fights, some of us ended up in the pool and many other strange characters which made for great photo ops...

G and Me

David showing off his tight outfit and super white upper thighs.

Blain and Jay - who was supposed to be a synchronized swimmer but came solo. Don't know who was the braver man, Jay or the David Hasselhoff dude...

Mark got carried away again, John McEnroe style, and broke his racket. We found out that as a kid he actually went to tennis camp, and threw up all over the wall on the top bunk.

sports stars and cheerleaders!

2006-12-09T12:18:00.000+10:00

How funny is it that David is standing miles away from Mr. Baywatch?

David, Me, Alisha and Blain

Chris showing off his hoola moves. I have no idea why its in b/w.

The crew at the end of the night.

rock the vote!

2006-12-05T16:54:00.000+10:00

November 18th...

David and I - at the beginning of the day, believe it or not...

A few weeks ago now, David and I went with a bunch of friends to a music festival in Brisbane. A block of Aussie and NZ bands played, Shihad, Resin Dogs, You Am I and we had a premium time. Amid all the running around, dancing, and jamming, we managed to fit in a turn on this crazy amusement park ride. It was a grand day and night...

Kate (Dave's sister), Lisa and me

Dan and David... Just after we got off the best ride - right behind them...

Ben, Liam (Dave's bro) and David

Me, Liz and Dan

C'est L'hallowe'en!

2006-11-21T19:51:00.000+10:00

The hostesses - Miss Dracula Elvis and Marie Antoinette
So, Australians don't celebrate Halloween. Many had never even heard the word. But G and I managed to find pumpkins, fake blood and a Halloween pinata (?) It was definitely a memorable Halloween!
The CC Music crew - Simone & Mark in the back and that's Sean, Blain and Chris in front...

David and I - He makes a cute nun...

Greta's family... a bunch of freaks! Just kidding - Jan, Greg, Greta, Mark, Leigh and Sharon

C'est L'hallowe'en! 2

2006-11-21T19:35:00.000+10:00

Todd and G... or Hunter S. and Miss Dracula Elvis...
Dan and Liz... Dan scared the shit out of me...
Mark and Simone... Mark won the best costume mainly because of the wig and because he kept trying to sell Simone all night...

C'est L'hallowe'en! 3

2006-11-21T19:17:00.000+10:00

Carl and Amber... lovely...
Frank and me... he was a backwards man... it was too funny...
G and Tristan goofing at the end of the night...
Jason and Jack... Jason was a priest who showed up in a gas mask and Jack just stole bits of everyone else's costumes to make up his...

melbourne cup 2006

2006-11-12T13:39:00.000+10:00

The dress. I bought it in Toronto but have only worn it once. Such a shame...

Okay so I have to skip the Halloween post for now because I still don't have all the photos from that night. Rather than get behind in my blogging, I'm deciding to chug ahead with my Melbourne Cup 2006 Race Day installation.

Me and my mate Blain from work who invited me. He's rad! (He told me to say that)

I think maybe Amy's horse won. Not sure...

It started off with a mad rush. Choose the dress, get the flowers for the hair, get a cab and race to the Gold Coast Turf Club only to find a mass of people and I couldn't hear Blain's directions from mobile to mobile because it was so damn loud. I made out that he and his crew were on the lawn so I just wandered around for a bit and I eventually found them. I knew I'd be able to spot him because it'd happened many times before... Splendour, Valley Feista... and now added to the list Melbourne Cup...

We had a grand time. I didn't bet but that means I won since I didn't lose!

Continuing the party elsewhere.

pumpkins pumpkins pumpkins (say it three times!)

2006-11-05T10:52:00.000+10:00

Way back, on January 20th, after Greta picked me up from the train station, after flying in from Christchurch, New Zealand, she sat me on our new balcony with a glass of wine and take away sushi, and said, “So, we are going to have the best Halloween party this year.” And I laughed and said, “I don’t even want to think about it, that’s so far away.” Well, now its come and gone – momentously. Just before I sliced my finger.

Sharon having too much fun.

Me and G looking exhausted.

There were weeks of planning. I think it started back in September with statements like, ‘Halloween is only 5 weeks away.” But in the weeks leading up to the big event there were many preparations for the house, the pumpkins and most importantly the costumes. I still don’t have all the photos from the actual party but I am posting the pre-pre-pumpkin carving party that happened two days before. It worked out well considering we didn't find proper carving pumpkins until the day of. I had already bought a large butternut squash thinking this might be all there would be with which to create jack-o-lanterns.

Sharon the pumpkin head.

I ended up slicing my index finger and getting real blood on my pumpkin so it was a serious hardcore Halloween art installation. And the Aussies enjoyed it.

so sentimental...

2006-11-05T10:31:00.000+10:00

So, its been a while since I’ve logged my life in poems and pictures. Things have happened and changed and continue to transition. And if we can’t enjoy that, well heck, we’re missing the point, eh?

Ken has departed this fair country now. It was sad to see him go. We barely marked the occasion though. Perhaps it would have been too dramatic to do so. Also, life got in the way. He was extremely busy working the Gold Coast Indy and socking away the last bits of wages he’ll see in months. His head was filled with Hong Kong and home and mine was still here. But the last couple of months we spent hanging out on the Gold Coast were great times. Mostly just relaxing; enjoying being free, on vacation, at leisure, what you will… On our days off together we almost always went to the beach. We went out for breakfast a lot at our favourite places and went to see some good and bad movies. We drank wine on the balcony and listened to music. We went for drives down the coast on my scooter and in rented cars. We watched Little Britain. We sang karaoke (more than once). We hiked around the most easterly tip of Australia (Byron Bay headlands) and saw a goanna in the wild. Basically just enjoyed each other’s company without any serious travelling adventures… except that we were on the other side of the world together breathing it all in… amazing…

north straddie weekend

2006-09-15T12:42:00.000+10:00

Last weekend (Sept. 8-10), a lovely someone called David took me to North Stradbroke Island for the weekend. It was a really nice getaway from the Gold Coast - kinda like leaving the city to spend a weekend at the cottage. My heartbeat slowed a bit. I didn't blow dry my hair and went barefoot nearly the entire time. We went for drives just taking in the different views from the island. David's family's property is in the area of Straddie called Amity Point - not joking. And it is the real deal - very sharky apparently. So much so that he wouldn't surf in this one area. A girl was taken from Amity Point in 2004 by a large tiger shark, so needless to say, I didn't go swimming although it was beautiful weather.

We spent most of Saturday fishing off a rock jetty in Amity. It was a good day even though we only caught one fish worth eating - a Brim. Being island bums, we went back out to fish at sunset with some beers and were joined by a family of dolphins as the sky turned pink. It was gorgeous. The tiny baby dolphin was just adorable.

The next morning we went to check out the surf at Lookout Point but according to David it was shite. So we just drove to this point and watched the whales play around. It was beautiful as it started to rain a bit. They were breaching all over the place - jumping right out of the ocean and exposing their gigantic white bellies. Just spectacular.

I'm so glad I'm meeting the nicest people and the sweetest company in Australia. Sharon's taken me on a day trip. Greta and her mom have done the same and David's taking me camping a couple hours south of here and to the island, so I'm really getting to see this area, even if I'm not travelling all over Australia. I am going to try to get to Melbourne and maybe Tasmania in December but otherwise, I've just really been enjoying making lasting relationships with the Aussies I've come to know. I'm going to miss all of them more than the actual place.

But I'm trying not to think of my departure just yet. I'm finding myself thinking very in the moment - trying only to think about today and tomorrow instead of weeks and months at a time. I knew it would be hard to leave but I'm getting used to coming and going. I think I'll be doing that for the rest of my life.

don't put the camera down your pants

2006-09-15T12:28:00.000+10:00

So, a couple of weeks ago now, G and I decided to invite a crowd to go bowling at this new swank bowling bar called Strikes in Surfers. We only live a short walk across a bridge so all congregated at our place and we prepared for the evening with a few cocktails. The photos of this evening explain what a time we had. Too bad I didn't get snap shots of the break dancing that went on in the lobby...

Greta and Simone at the beginning of the night.

Sharon, (Frank), Greta and Steve ready to bowl.

Chris checking out the action or striking a hollywood pose. I don't remember.

Ken found an Elvis ball to bowl with.
It was the mascot for the evening.

don't put the camera down your pants - part 2

2006-09-15T12:16:00.000+10:00

Me and the boys. Chris, Blain, Sean. Or Scarecrow, Tinman and Lion...

I think Mark was really fed up here. He took his bowling really seriously.

Blain is forever trying to prove that this is his best side.

We all agree that Sean looks a little creepy in this picture.

don't put the camera down your pants - part 3

2006-09-15T11:50:00.000+10:00

Of course we ended the night at the Chop. Everyone was pretty silly at this point. Don't ask me why Ken and Blain are holding statues and books in this picture. They were all excited about something and asking me to take photos of them.

I think Mark actually need to hug this pole to stand upright and I don't know how Greta manages to look fabulous at 2am after a night of drinking but this pic proves it again...

Thank god what happens in the Chop, stays in the Chop.

August 18th...

2006-08-31T14:23:00.000+10:00

So, Ken and I decided to check out a little more of Australia - or I should say, Queensland, because we've mostly been here anyway. It's a huge state. Probably as big as Ontario, or bigger.
We chose the diverse northeast subtropical area just 2 hours north of Cairns. Click on the map if you want to see where I live (Surfers Paradise) and where I went (Daintree).
http://www.ozhorizons.com.au/qld/map.htm

Anyway, lots of travel and after checking into the chillest hostel in Queensland – PK’s Jungle Village (which is also the practically the heart of Cape Trib) Ken and I decided to just cruise around the area and check it all out. One of the first things we saw was this sign.

Freaky, hey?

On our way back from Cape Tribulation beach, we had to cross this murky stream going from the ocean into the jungle. There were several people around and no signs so we thought it would be alright to wade through to cross. Halfway across I joked to Ken, “Hope there are no crocs in here” and I laughed at him cause he got his pants soaked.
Storm coming in Myall Beach

When we were sorting out activities for the week, Ken overheard the reception staff telling guests that there were big crocs in the creek we had crossed and not to wade in at high tide. Our hearts sunk to our stomachs. We did not find it funny. In retrospect, it still isn’t. O

August 19th...

2006-08-31T14:15:00.000+10:00

The short history of Cape Tribulation: In the 1980’s, this area of Northeast Queensland, on land, known as the Daintree (one of the oldest rainforests in the world) and in the sea, known as the Great Barrier Reef (one of the seven natural wonders of the world) became classified as World Heritage Regions. Cape Tribulation is where the Reef meets the Rainforest. So, anyway, Captain James Cook was sailing along around two hundred years ago and ran ashore at Cape Trib and discovered Australia. He sent some of his crew up the tallest mountain near the cape to look out and map the reef. Local rumour is that those crewmembers disappeared into the jungle and never came back. Captain Cook named that mountain, Sorrow.
So, on our second day, Ken and I decided we’d hike Mt. Sorrow. Nowadays, there is a marked path that is a pretty steady climb. It took us nearly 3 hours to climb and the view was amazing. We took a picnic lunch and chilled at the top with a few other hikers. We hung out and took pictures of the landscape. We could see the Great Barrier Reef from the summit, which was an hour’s trip out to sea. It was pretty spectacular.
I was so sore the next couple days from the hike.

August 20th...

2006-08-31T14:07:00.000+10:00

On our third day in Cape Trib, Ken and I rented bicycles and spent the day checking out the area a little further than walking distance. We made it to Coconut Beach and then rode our bikes, at low tide, down the rock hard beach. It was killer. And we got the best view of the mountain we had climbed just the day before.

Oh, and we went to this beautiful little restaurant called the Dragonfly in the middle of the rainforest for dessert and a glass of port. It was decadent.

August 21st...

2006-08-31T13:59:00.000+10:00

Decided to take it super easy this day. Spent the morning by the pool reading and swimming, then headed to Mason’s for lunch and a swim at the waterhole. I think we had the most fun so far at this beautiful hideaway. Only a few other people decided to check it out and with the babbling bit of falls at the far end it was a relaxing retreat. The water was so clear you could see all the way to the bottom in the sun. Ken and I took turns taking pictures of each other underwater. I CANNOT believe we didn’t drop the camera in the water – we laughed so hard at how ridiculous some of the shots turned out.

In the early evening, we headed to the Exotic Fruit tasting event at a local organic exotic fruit farm. We tried 10 different fruits that were explained by a lovely man and his wife who had been living in Cape Trib for nearly 17 years. Learned heaps that I didn’t know – especially about Cape Trib. Realized that north of Daintree there is no electricity. Everything is run on generators. I was shocked. No wonder the Internet was so slow. We also learned about the weather in the subtropics – high winds, cyclones and floods are something they live with every year. Thank God we had beautiful weather. And we tried some amazing fruit that I will try to find in Chinatown once I’m living in Toronto again… custard apples, sapotes, cherimoya, and the best – soursops… it tasted like cherry blasters.

August 22nd...

2006-08-31T13:45:00.000+10:00

This is Cape Tribulation from the boat as we were returning from the reef. And the higher peak to the right is the peak of Mt. Sorrow...

Great Barrier Reef Day! We booked a trip to snorkel and dive the reef with a catamaran crew called Rumrummers. It was a blast. There were about 30 other people from several other countries aboard – Ireland, Canada, Argentina, New Zealand, France. It was pretty cool. We got lucky with our own dive instructor and guide, Pat (a crazy Aussie) who took us down for two dives and it was spectacular. We didn’t see the shark that other people saw but even though that would’ve been exciting, it was enough for me to just cruise along and learn to breathe and relax under water. Saw heaps of beautifully coloured fish. We snorkelled as well and saw way different fish from the deeper coral. I almost enjoyed the snorkelling better because it was warmer, brighter and quieter. But diving was really exciting too. In any case – I’m glad we made it to the Great Barrier Reef. I’d like to do it again in my lifetime.

That night we partied with our roommates whom we hadn’t seen much of until then. Three British soldiers! Calum, Dave and Giles were tonnes of fun. We spent the night drinking and watching the yokels dance. Even danced a bit myself actually. We ended up on the beach wading in the warm water in the rocks on the shore and staring at the southern sky of stars until 4am.

August 23rd...

2006-08-31T13:44:00.000+10:00

August 23rd…

Slept in for once and relaxed all day long – did yoga, read book & magazines, swam, and sunbathed. Until about 4pm, when I signed up for a sunset kayak trip. We headed down to Cape Trib beach and the sky turned all kinds of beautiful colours as the sun set behind the mountains. There was still a lot of light in the sky when we spotted two whales! And I don’t just mean spouting and swimming – they were really playing – breaching way up into the air and splashing down. They were at a distance but we could see everything plainly. It was breathtaking. And just when it I thought it couldn’t get better, I heard a commotion next to my kayak and a big sea turtle had come up for air. It was incredible. Too bad Ken didn’t come with me. Only got a picture of the sunset sky but it didn’t turn out very good. I’ll remember it in my minds eye… on my last night in the Daintree.
Ken and I had another great dinner at the Dragonfly and then we ended up drinking again with the English blokes. But called it an earlier night because we were checking out together the next day to head for Cairns and some wakeboarding…

August 24th...

2006-08-31T13:33:00.000+10:00

Up and at ‘em at 8am. Checked out of our rainforest home and piled into the station wagon toward Cairns. It was a lovely drive and with some good music finally. We made it to the wake boarding lake at 10am. It was a blast. I couldn’t really manage the wakeboarding too well so I stuck to knee boarding. It was tough but fun. The guys were much better at it than me. Afterwards, we made it into Cairns for lunch and had the best burger I’ve had in Australia (which actually isn’t saying much but it was good). We all checked into the most fabulous hostel I’ve EVER seen, Gilligans, and then we cruised around Cairns, shopping and whatnot. It was a cool little city. We had a dip in the amazing pool back at the hostel and then I had a much-deserved late afternoon siesta. Ken and I had a really great dinner at a Mexican restaurant and then went back for… drinks with the soldiers. It was a good time. We said our good-byes with a dance (or as they said ‘make shapes’) and a celebratory shot. And then I made my way to the lovely bed in the lovely hostel to end my trip.

It was fantastic.

I love Splendour

2006-08-15T15:41:00.000+10:00

Splendour in the Grass!!!! It was THE time! It made me want to travel the world and experience the people and good times by attending bigtime music festivals. I have never had such a good time at one of those majorly orchestrated music festivals. It is usually not worth the money or the time as the bands have less time to play and the crowds are super gigantic. But Splendour. Oh, Splendour. It was just the right amount of everything. I highly recommend it for anyone visiting Byron Bay, Australia in the month of July.

The day started out early. I woke up to singing and a excited drive to Byron with very handsome someone. Then I met with my bro and we headed straight for the fun. As soon as we got there, Ken lined up for ice cream/juice/food, which we had to do frequently over the next few days. For how thin that dude is, he can pack away the junk food. But then onto a new band we were anticipating would be a must see and they were - Dungen. Again, I recommend.

http://www.splendourinthegrass.com.au/

If you click on any of the following photos, they will open up bigger in another window.

the fun of it...

2006-08-15T15:29:00.000+10:00

Impromptu miming

Me and our new friend Kate waiting
for the Scissor Sisters to come on

So the festival was full on... people dressed up, high out of their minds, spreading the love, jamming with the music, dancing their asses off and it was just fun to dig it all. I was extremely impressed by how organized the whole thing was. There was free water. Yes, America, FREE water. No gouging people for $3-$5 dollars a bottle. If you brought your own empty container, there were free water stations to fill from. There were plenty of porta bathrooms, and the flow of people from area to area was just fine. The place was muddy as all hell, but that was sort of the fun of it. My beat up Lacostes kept my feet dry so I was happy. Everyone seemed to be blissed out.

Mark and Simone

Random Scissor Sisters fans

death cab to the moroccan wine tent

2006-08-15T15:20:00.000+10:00

So, Death Cab for Cutie. Something we were both excited about. And something we were both underwhelmed by - unfortunately. They sang almost all the songs I wanted to hear and were really great, but something was missing. It felt rushed. I guess having a 50 minute set at a big music festival is hard to play for a band like Cutie, who have a large repertoire. And they also played at 3 in the afternoon so it was a strange time of day to shove ot the front and really be into it all. They were good. It just really gave me a preview that I'd like to see them again someday, headlining their own show, where they can add some of their more obscure tunes and be a little more intimate with the crowd.

After that we realized we were hungry and needed refreshments so headed to the Moroccan Wine Bar to partake in libations. The Hare Krishna food was THE best!

walk around know you are future youth

2006-08-15T15:06:00.000+10:00

So, as dusk fell with a few glasses of wine down our gullets, Ken and I headed to the Big Top Tent to see TV on the RADIO. I wasn't very familiar with their music except for a few chance listenings. And I could hear something exciting going on there in the cacophony. But they blew my mind! They were intense and alive and beautiful and everyone was kind of confused at first but by the second or third song the crowd was completely with the band. And we were all one big swaying mass...

Usin' and confusin' beats that you never heard

2006-08-03T18:00:00.000+10:00

K, so on into the evening... We were both stoked and bummed that Sonic Youth and DJ Shadow were playing the same festival because they were overlapping. We watched as much SY from the sidelines and they were great like I remembered. Still would like to see them in a smaller setting. Then we headed over to the Mix Up Tent for the Shadow. He was having some technical difficulties and it definitely affected his show but we still danced and jumped up a storm. I somehow caught up with mate, Blain & co. who attacked me with a marker, tagging up my arm. Ah, yes indeed its funtimes...

split the ocean in half

2006-08-03T17:52:00.000+10:00

Okay, so Day 2 started slow. It was the perfect weather. The sun had dried a lot of the mud and people were happier in the warmth. Ken and I caught the surprise act The Vines but then opted to head on to get to the front for Matisyahu. It was so worth it. It started off the quest for front row tickets for the rest of the day. Once we had that rush we wouldn't go back. We wouldn't settle for less. Matisyahu was inspiring...

Take me to the drug store!!!

2006-08-03T17:41:00.000+10:00

So, night fell and the time was to be had. At this point, Ken and I could not stop dancing. We had miraculously hooked up with friends in the middle of the giant crowd and in the dark that was punctuated by glow sticks, stage lights and such. Gerling was a find. We really just thought we were going to beat the Scissor Sister crowds to the front and get there early for Gerling and the interim DJs but Gerling kicked our arses. They were amazing. Playing straight to a festival crowd with stage antics and the most amazing rock/electro music. We stopped only to capture the moment on celluloid and then kept on jumping around...

fasten those pants for the lap dance!

2006-08-01T15:01:00.000+10:00

Okay so the finale and the highlight of the festival was the hot damn, Scissor Sisters! Having paid our dues and danced our butts off waiting at the very front row centre, they put on THE best show. Jake Shears was like a gay-er Freddie Mercury - the envy of flamboyant homosexual men everywhere. He shook his pink leather clad ass in our faces and loved every minute of the limelight. And Mis Ana Matronic was brash and bold and belted it all out with a bit of filth, like we like it! Here are the coolest pictures I took of them... I couldn't use my flash because we were so close it was lighting up the stage and ruining the effect!

The last fellatio style photo was during their encore Filthy and Gorgeous and for all the dirty minds out there, it was his microphone...

she was a daytripper

2006-08-01T14:16:00.000+10:00

So... Sharon bought a cute new car and took a restless Canadian on a lovely daytrip up the Sunshine Coast. It was a beautiful drive and I ate the best pizza I've had in years! Here are a few photos from that day...

Noosa Headlands

there are roads left in both of my shoes

2006-06-29T17:06:00.000+10:00

So, I'm now 29. I've passed the last twenties landmark and I feel not a day older. But I do feel wiser and quite changed and changing as I'm here in Australia. It makes me wonder about the rest of my life. Where else will I go? What else will I see? Who else will I meet? What other challenges will I come up against? It's all so thrilling. It makes aging something to look forward to. And to always remember to enjoy the transition, for what else is life? And in the learned words of my only blood brother, "I like getting older. I feel like less of a dickhead."

My birthday celebrations were fun. Ken came for a visit and it rained the entire week. We went to the arcade and spent a good part of the evening laughing our faces off. I cried several times it was so good. We also sang karoake at a pub on Chevron - Head Over Heels (check out the lyrics - they're fucked!) That weekend we went to a dodgy but good Mexican restaurant and then to the Chophouse for some live music. It was World Cup group of 16 finals so I enlisted a handsome Brit to continue the evening (or should I say morning) to head to the Casino to the 24 hour coverage of the games for the Argentina v. Mexico game - was a good one but Mex lost. Then headed home in the first sun for seven days. It was a good birthday, well marked. But I missed you all... next year...

And now for the Impressionist portion of today’s blog entry. Beauty shots of the Gold Coast. A few folks from home requested a beach shot, and again I know that a part of your soul is eaten away each time you take a photograph of the sunset sky but I had to. It was just such an enjoyable evening on our balcony and it was just too beautiful. I’ll always store it in some part of my brain but here’s a glimpse for you.

Surfer's Paradise Beach
Sunset Sky on Chevron Island - May 9th, 2006
The moon in the southern hemisphere on the same night

It's a long way to the top if you want to rock n roll!

2006-06-29T16:56:00.000+10:00

Simone and Mark

Blain, me, Sean

Rene, Sean, Me

Rock Quiz Night – So, Thursday night at the Chophouse has become a regular weekly ritual. It’s a very nerdy musical bourgeois evening enjoyed by a select few. We gather around with libations and preen our rock and roll feathers and eventually it all comes to a bloody mess of a junkyard cockfight. I never win. I'm always second. Someday…

Sean and Chris

Greta its your birthday! Happy birthday Greta!

2006-06-29T16:50:00.000+10:00

For G’s 29th, we first headed out for a yummy Malaysian dinner with her twin brother and the rest of the family. Drank a lot of wine and then continued on to the Chophouse (where else?) which at the time had become our newest local and now only local. It was a rock quiz night – of which we maintain our second place rank (when will we crack 1st?) It was a whirlwind that ended in a shot of Jager and a sick quick walk home.

bocci at main beach park

2006-06-29T16:43:00.000+10:00

So, back in the summer (I almost forget that it was really hot here not long ago) we took a fish and chip picnic and a bocci set to the park and became children again when we quickly changed the regular rules to ‘with your eyes closed’, ‘under the legs’ and ‘down the hill’ versions of the game that lasted until the sunset. And then we just looked like weirdos huddled in the dark.

time, time, time is on my side

2006-06-15T16:35:00.000+10:00

Wow, I can't believe its been over a month since I've blogged. I'm ashamed. But I guess its evidence that I've merged onto the main highway here in the GC and managed to follow traffic. But according to my heartbeat, I'd say I was meandering down the slow coast road and stopping it to check out all the beaches and swells instead of streaking along. I'm not in such a hurry to move on now or in such a rush to be working in film or tv. So strange have the tides turned compared to what I would be filling my days with. I've changed as I knew I would but now I get to see how. Enjoying the getting there. A goal for each human being. Glad I've stopped for a moment.

I'll be writing again soon with more pictures. I've got much to catch you up on. But next week I age a year (at least numerically) and there will be more contemplations and photos to capture the occasion. Yes there will...

peaches and cream

2006-04-28T17:17:00.000+10:00

So, I thought I'd dispell this myth that I'm having the 'time of my life' as most of y'all have responded to the pics and such. Travelling isn't always easy and of course, blogs and diaries and such usually get the rose tinted shine shine to them. It's merely filtered, is all, but that has come to an end. I'm dedicating this post to all the shitty things that have happened to me since I was last on North American soil.

-first, customs in Canada almost didn't let me even board the plane since I didn't have my e-ticket for my exiting flight from New Zealand with me. Panic! I was shuttling around the frickin' airport looking for a internet terminal with a printer. Not easy. But I obviously made it with only about 15 minutes to spare.

- I was up for nearly 36 hours with the time difference and travel when first getting to NZ - but after that it was smooth

- I lost my bloody passport!! in Queenstown. It happened when we were looking for a place to pitch a tent around midnight and it spent the night getting run over on the highway. I had a major 5am freak out when I realized it was gone and then spend over an hour searching for it. Long story but Ken found it.

- Hitching from Milford Sound in the rain battling the sand flies! Yum! and then hitching (same day) from Te Anau and waiting for about 2 hours! We entertained ourselves though...

- Had major sore throat first two weeks in Australia. Couldn't kick it.

- No work scare. Realized work in film or tv was going to be hard to come by on the coast so had to look for work I haven't done in over 6 years. And my visa only allows me to work at one place for three months and most businesses know about this which makes it really hard to find anything.

- Working as a waitress/bartender at this shitty hipster club called Berlin. It was the worst job I've ever had. Every loser in there thought they were God's Gift. Thank God only worked there for 4 weekends.

- Minor depression about money/work/transition situation that lasted about a month and almost resulted in my returning home early. I'm over it.

- Food poisoning. The cause? A lovely warm egg salad sandwich. Sick for 2 days.

- Migraine/sinus cold last weekend

- In general, I don't love the Gold Coast, its great but I've lived in better places - while its cool and different and has a beautiful beach - its also filled with tourists, is nearly devoid of any culture other than beach/surf culture, the majority of the extra curricular shite just revolves around getting loaded and picking up tourists, etc. I think I'd much prefer a bigger city like Brissy or Melbourne and I'm thinking of moving in a few months.

So, look, I'm not complaining. I know it sounds like it but over about 15 posts, this is the most negative you're gonna get. And don't you wanna hear about the lousy stuff too? It's not all peaches and cream. Until next time...

see below post first or this will not make sense

2006-04-21T12:16:00.000+10:00

And there were some primary school yard flirtations...

In the end, we three conquered and divided the group of Aussie males forcing them to retreat and regroup. Us chicks went on to 4 more pubs and more antics which were not as heavily documented.

So, I didn't make it to church this year. Easter was a peripheral experience without family functions to attend and mainly just seemed to be about chocolate and time off work. Hope y'all had a good holiday and are enjoying the warmer weather. The only difference in weather here now is that it is a welcomed 5-10 degrees cooler at night now. Still blazing hot in the daytime thankfully. Days are getting shorter now though. It's dark at 5:45pm now. But the sun is still scorching at 6am. Things are different here down under.

Not so Passion of the Christ

2006-04-21T11:59:00.000+10:00

Hell yes, we had a good time on Easter Sunday. Is that sacrilegious?
Sharon (G's sister), her mate Amber and myself decided to forgo the festivities at FishO's (a grossly overrated local Sunday hangout) and head out for a pub crawl night.

me, sharon, amber

So, at our second location, we run into some fellow pub crawlers playing some bizarre game involving a clothespin and constantly switching clothes. Our introduction consisted of them running up to us and stripping. Hello?!

They encouraged us to join in the game.

the young ones...

2006-04-08T20:35:00.000+10:00

Well, if you really want to know what I've been doing... front to back... since the last post back in February...

It's been a while so I'm going to smash it all in there somehow and leave out the illicit bits. Some of you will hear 'em, some of you won't. And if you really want to know then you'll ask.

This was taken last night at the ChopHouse. We went to see a ska band. It was a good night.

I need a gun, cos all I do is dance - part deux

2006-04-08T20:19:00.000+10:00

A continuation of the trip to O'Reilly's national park...

Me climbing into a hollowed out tree that had long been killed by many strangling fig vines. I got photos inside as well. My brother was afraid I'd get bitten by one of the million deadly animals they have here in Aus but I escaped just fine.

The first photo is at the end of the 5 km hike at the national park which was stunning with a waterfall that I haven't posted and the other photo is from the GC when we returned at the end of the night at Greta's parents in Arundel. Again, I know you just shouldn't photograph the sunset but if the devil's going to grab my soul because of it then so be it. It was f'n beautiful and I'm glad I can see it again and again... beeotch!

I need a gun, cos all I do is dance - part huh?

2006-04-08T19:34:00.000+10:00

So, Ken, the brother, visited and left for Byron, and came back. I know it's all going to be very confusing for you all but deal with it. It's really odd trying to document shite in my life anyway so deal with it. Or just scan past and look at the photos and figure it out for yourself if you care. I'm just puttin' it out there, anyway. I just realized this morning that any journals or any blog type things I'm keeping while on this ride are probably best described by my emails to y'all. For myself anyway, I'm going to save all those emails and print them out in the end and that will be the document. Far out, hey?

Anyway, here is Ken and I enjoying ourselves at one of Greta's parents' many barbies.

The siblings Remark are doing their part chopping vegetables for the feast.

Greta made another of what she calls the "Canadian Trap" which consists of putting out a glass of wine and a bowl of snacks whilst a Canuck swims in an Aussie pool...

The latest all out excursion was to O'Reilly's, the largest national park in south Queensland. Your typical Queensland rainforest/waterfalls/mountains/pademelons/parrots and lots more...
It was a lovely group of Americans, Canadians and Australians. Katia and Todd had arrived a week before from Washington D.C. It was a meeting of nations - nah, we just ate, drank and ran around in the forest...

Todd, Me, Katia, Ken and Greta in a giant rotted out tree.

Me feeding a parrot from my hand

A pademelon (pronounced paddymelon - I totally didn't believe them but check out Greta's blog for the information if you like http://midnightstation.blogspot.com)

I need a gun, cos all I do is dance - st. paddy's day!

2006-04-08T19:14:00.000+10:00

Okay so, St. Paddy's Day, Ken was broke so G and I headed out together, united, in search of a good time at the local Surfers pub. Lansdowne. Boy did we find it. We ended up partying with these guys featured in the photos and stumbling around with them from pub to bar to club. I had no clue where we were out amoung the rest of the green folk, then down into little bars with loud music and then up through hidden stairways to hideaway clubs. I don't really know who half of these people are. I remember the names of two of them - Shane and Michael. But how lovely is it, in this particular day in age, that if you pose in a photo with anyone, anywhere, more likely, in a bar or pub or something, there will be a great chance your image will end up on the internet for all to see somewhere with a caption you might have no clue about... oh yes, you are out there... observe...

G and the boys... in locaton no. 2 on St. Paddy's Day. The dudes we were partying with ran into more dudes that they knew and the party grew...

I call this one, G - the comic scream - how cool is this photo?

Me with two Aussie boys - guy in red shirt and Michael - see I told you I only could remember two of the dudes names...

And Shane the dancing Irish Aussie hottie... if he only knew...

I need a gun, cos all I do is dance - the prequel

2006-04-08T19:03:00.000+10:00

this is Kenny bustin' it out on the first night here in the GC, Queensland. He was stoked that he was finally in Oz and it was hot! It wasn't supposed to be this kind of night, honestly. It started out with just a few pints but turned into a pub hopping, street pizza eating, stumbling home sorta night...

The next week we went on a walk with G's mum Jan to see several roos and kukkaburras, and one koala (which apparently we were lucky to see since they are so elusive)

I need a gun, cos all I do is dance - part something

2006-04-08T17:04:00.000+10:00

So this is when Ken showed up in the beginning of March. We went for a long, long scooter ride out to the Currumbin Rock Pools. These photos aren't us but just picture us in the water instead...

Below is what the Gold Coast saw in the wake of Cyclone Larry. Just a serious big swell. Apparently, Kelly Slater had to be rescued it was so big.

Ah, a drunken night at Fish O's with Sharon and Greta... man, I don't even remember how this night started. I think with White Russians and bowling and somehow ending up at this place - a local hang out. Very, very popular but honestly, I don't get it. It's lovely and all, on this marina with gigantic boats, and the place is huge, but its filled with ridiculously dressed, half drunk, locals who all know each other from high school and who also go there every weekend. It's like you can't miss it or you are a loser but see, that's the vicious cycle... eh? get it? I don't.

Sharon and G, and G and me covering my drunken face - thank GOD!

my beat is correct

2006-02-21T12:00:00.000+10:00

Not much more to report. And I'm thinking its too much anyway to continually update. Not too much work just too much, ya know? Who wants to know everything? I should say that'd be a real bore. After all, once you are settled in to life in a new place, its hardly exciting travel. Its just the same as at home. Work, down time, social bits, sleep, eat, work, etc... All the same struggles exist. Its just all some place different. And that's what's nice about it. Just readjusting, reinventing, recycling... its the change of scenary that's refreshing.

Here are a few pics from Greta's work party. It was straightforward fun.

drop it like its hot

2006-02-18T13:48:00.000+10:00

Oz is going. I'm still trying to suss out what life is going to be like here for a year. It's beautiful and so bloody hot. Now that I finally have a way to get around - a red bandit scooter - I'm getting the lay of the land and its v. cool. The Gold Coast basically runs a course of beaches and islands around the Nerang River. I'm meant to go hiking in the mountains in a few weeks which should prove exciting.

Last weekend went to a party on Tambourine Mountain which had an amazing view of the coast - much like looking at LA from Mulholland. Next weekend is a day at the races.

I have a few pictures and I hope to take more before posting any. This seems rushed because it is. I still to do not have my laptop here. But I've got everything else now. A flat, a bed, a scooter, a job (woo hoo - Berlin Lounge - just until I find industry work), and a bit of a social life... It all doesn't matter because its just so pleasant to ride down the coast. Wish y'all were here...

New Zealand... conclusions...

2006-02-02T17:50:00.000+10:00

Photos to come...

I could do a day to day, blow by blow but that would be boring and not very nostalgic. So here's NZ...

- DIVERSE landscape - sea change, altitude, remote lakes, party towns, rock formations, fiords, glaciers
- DIVERSE weather - freezing before the sun comes up, blazing hot sometimes (no ozone above NZ at this point), windy as hell in the mountains
- Kiwis = Canucks - seriously found that the people of NZ are much like Canadians
- North Island = sheep, farms, possums, sulfur, volcanos, Auckland, surfing
- South Island = sheep, farms, possums, giant mountains, glaciers, penguins, extreme sports, drinking
- Kiwis hate possums - they run them over or shoot them on site because its legal (actually seems like its illegal not to since they were an introduced animal and they are ruining the ecosystem)
- New Zealand is expensive and since its so damned remote its not very easy to do anything
- The huts are v. cool - on the tracks (on which you tramp) there are huts that you must book in order to sleep comfortably in the mountains or whatever - you will meet people from all over the world. We were the only Canadians we knew of - mostly, Aussies, Israelis, Germans and Japanese
- NZ loves skateboarders - no matter how small the town there was always a skatepark which made Darren and Ken very jealous
All in all, New Zealand was an amazing experience and I'd go back anyday - especially to do the Milford Track and perhaps get up to the Bay of Islands north of Auckland.

New Middle Zealand Earth - Part 4

2006-02-02T12:35:00.000+10:00

Last night in Queenstown - long party night - Drinking bourbon and coke, red bull and vodka and these mysterious shots from tea pots... it was good fun...
1/Ken, John and Jason's ass 2/ Darren 3/ Jason and John dancing 4/ Ken on the dancefloor

Last shot on the trip - the boys really wanted to see penguins, and we did. They were cute.

New Middle Zealand Earth - Part 3

2006-02-02T12:13:00.000+10:00

THE ROUTEBURN TRACK
13/Ken at the very beginning of our 3 day 34km alpine track - The Routeburn
14/The reward of our first days hike - we spent lunch at the foot of that amazing fiord. The river at the bottom was refreshing and the meadow incredible. This is my favourite photo and the most magical place I've ever seen. Ken and I agreed, all it lacked were unicorns!
15/Second day's hike brought us to this lake in the saddle of the mountains. Totally unexpected to find a lake at this altitude. The waterfalls were aplenty after the storm I hardly could sleep through overnight.

16/I believe this is a view from the saddle and not the summit as when we made the hours trek up there it was overcast... but this was a spectacular view 17/Last day's hike - The orchard 18/Our reward at the end of our hike was hitching to this - Milford Sound. Crazy beautiful. Pictures do not do it justice.

Overall the hiking was intense at times but so worth it. We were up 1515meters at the saddle. Makes for amazing photos.

New Middle Zealand Earth - Part 2

2006-02-02T11:55:00.000+10:00

You can click on the pics to open them larger...

7/The Remarkables mountain range - we thought they were stunning before we knew what they were called 8/Darren on the lift to the LUGE - so much fun! 9/Remarks in front of the Remarkables

TRIP TO PARADISE, NZ
10/ Endless sheep in Paradise - they were loud... 11/Paradise in the rain 12/Our Paradise companions - Mort and Klaus - crazy driving Vikings who the most hospitable folks we met in NZ
This trip I hope to detail in a short story someday as it was the coolest hitchhike trip - we bonded over a warped cassette of Queen's Greatest Hits and coffee with whiskey in the rain...

New Middle Zealand Earth

2006-02-02T11:14:00.000+10:00

K, so I'm just getting around to posting my photos with some description of the trip to New Zealand which was an incredible journey of all aspects - especially upon some reflection... The visuals say it all.
I'm actually posting this in reverse order... South Island first... I've edited this quite a bit - just sending the highlights, but since they all were highlights, I'm sending my favourites...

1/Wellington - beautiful progressive city (North Island) 2/Ken and I in Nelson - driving break and v. cool seaside south island town 3/Pancake Rocks

4/Southern Alps coastline - breathtaking 5/Franz Josef glacier - it had rained so much the night before that we had to sleep in our car since NZ is so remote and mountainous the road was washed out by a few slips and there was literally no where to go - needless to say the waterfalls where spectacular after that 6/side trip through farmland - dog rounding up cows which sort of charged the car

let the sunshine in

2006-01-23T12:43:00.000+10:00

So, its been a month. Shit. I've been on the road so I haven't been updating. Internet = money + time... of which I have little. So, I'll have to back track in order to document my travels. But not now... now, I'm relaxing finally in AUS. I'm here, been here for the last three days and I'm leaning back for a sec.

Got here Friday, and Greta picked me up from the train station. It's so nice to have those kind of friends that need no fuss. The type that you just fall back into rhythym with. Immediate she knew I'd just want to go home, get sushi take out and share a bottle of wine on the deck and that's exactly what we did. It was excellent. And just when I was breathing easier out of the corner of my eye I saw a big dark figure sweep across the throughway of our driveway. I looked at Greta to see her reaction, which was stiffling a giggle. 'did you see that?' and she was like 'I was wondering when you'd notice them.' Apparently, there are lots of giant fruit bats in the Gold Coast - completely harmless but almost terrifying. A few larger bats flew by and I'm not surprised they are the largest of their species. It's almost like Batman himself swooping through the sky.

The next morning brought hot sun in the room and loud tropical birds calling in the palms outside. Magpies, Parrots of all kinds, Crows and Kookaburras... It was insane but they haven't been as loud as that morning so far. I'll be glad to get my bed which I purchase my second day.

Yesterday was the BIG DAY OUT - which will be a post in itself once I get the photos back. It was a completely wild and excellent time - culture shock - I was the only N. American I heard all day. 50,000 Aussie crowd. And the bands kicked ass - especially Kings of Mother F'n Leon and Iggy Pop. It was the best day.

Now I'm working on getting a cell phone, a bank account, a scooter, internet and a JOB... Hope all work out soon... life in the sunshine is working itself out just fine...

where troubles melt like lemon drops

2005-12-23T10:40:00.000+10:00

I have a flat! I have a flat! And I'm living on an island! Chevron Island to be exact. Can't bloody wait now. Of course, my second home with Greta will have to be totally minimalist since both us girls are such travelers that we do not own much furniture between the two of us. Her priority seems to be the fridge, which we'll of course need. My priority is going to be my bed and a little stereo. Can't live without music. I'll lounge on the floor or on the patio which is the full length of our flat with windows in both bedrooms and the lounge. It's going to be a sweet life for a year or so. I can already tell it'll be hard to leave. Please come and visit. There may never be a better time to check out Oz...

cowgirl king of the rodeo, let the good times roll, let the good times roll

2005-12-14T11:09:00.000+10:00

It's real. It's real. Today is the first day its all felt real. Today I had two connections with the southern hemisphere. First, Greta emailed the first possibilities of our new, second home together. It still seems, let's say unique, that we are even going to live together again. The fact that Greta simply answered an ad in the NOW boggles my mind. All the fun we've had and will have because of that little ad... Anyway, as I looked up apartments in places like Broadbeach and Chevron Island, I finally felt I would actually be there and make it my home for over a year... and very soon. All the beach apartments and duplexes have a very 50's beachy retro style. It'll be like living in the home of Major Nelson and Jeannie. I left it all in the completely capable hands of G, since she's the native. I can't wait to walk into my new Aussie home.

Next, was an update from the brother. Ken sent pictures of life for him in the Bay of Islands, New Zealand. It looks purely beautiful. Soft farms, wind warped rocks and fine, gold sand. He looks worn and happy. He also sent word to me to make any plans I like for our adventures in the land of the Maori, so I finally booked the hike I've been dying to do... The Routeburn Track. This trail is in the world heritage site of Te Wahipounamu - The Place of Greenstone or Fiordland National Park. It's an alpine hike - 32km long, which we'll do in 3 days. No too strenuous or fast. It swerves through the Hollyford Valley (created my massive glaciers) past mountain lakes, snow peaked mountains, and ancient beech forests. There are some very rare animals in this remote area - takahe - a plump flightless bird thought to be extinct, and the earth's only alpine parrot.

So, needless to say, I booked us to enter the Routeburn Track on Jan. 14th. We'll be sleeping in huts in the mountains for two nights. I can't wait to breathe that air.

So, its real. And I'm stoked. There is a complete calmness about only looking ahead. I've moved out of my Granby apartment and although its only been over a week yet it seems months have passed. I feel so different already. It happens so fast.

Windsor has been a culture shock enough. It's incredible that only a 4 hour drive away will present such a difference in lifestyle. You are forced to drive everywhere. Country noises can be deafening. And youth ends early here. Everyone seems shocked that I'm 28, which is flattering, but feels weird. I guess its because I'm not married with children yet. Almost every girl I'm working with has 4 and 5 year old children and they are all younger than me. What is it that separates the 20 something's of small town and big city? Are townies more aware of their mortality or are they just comfortable with getter older? Are city kids smart or just selfish?

Who knows? We're all gonna die. I just want to enjoy every last drop.

how can i go forward if i don't know which way i'm facing?

2005-11-28T15:07:00.000+10:00

Well, it seems the waiting is over. Once again, I've been at the mercy of circumstance, and I've had to maintain a very yogic philosophy in order to deal. I've been repeating 'just be present' over and over. And so I'm taking the situation I've been thrown into (again), 'losing' my job [where has it gone?] and decided to start the transition early. On Thursday, Dec. 1st, I'll pack up my lovely home. Christmas will come soon enough, and that long plane ride just around the corner.

But for now the concern is leaving all that has been my life for just over 4 years. I've lived at 33 Granby from Sept. 2001 to Dec. 2005. In the span of my entire life, it will be a short period but it has been such a good run I can't help but be wistful on my last couple nights in my Toronto cocoon. It's just plain home and I will miss it dearly. But I've been meditating on the shift that is happening. Switching from a safe and stable place I feel I can own, to a nomadic, free spirit, carrying all I need on my back and in my heart. I know it all sounds very cheesy but what else can I say? It's truly how I feel and if one can't say these things that are very real, how will one ever relate to others, especially in foreign places?

So, I'm cherishing these last comfortable days and nights, basking in memories. Cara, Christian, Eliisa, Jeff, Elena, Sean, Steven, Sarah, Suzanne, Greta, Joey, Angie and everyone that came along with each of these who played a big part in this phase of my life... I'm thinking of you all... I have great works of art in my mind capturing the times we've had - and yeah, I'm getting really sentimental now, but again, if you can't at pivotal events in your life... when can you?

I'm really going to miss my garden and the countless parties.

so tired, tired of waiting...

2005-11-16T00:14:00.000+10:00

This is my first entry. I don't have much to say at this point, except the purpose for this journal is to document things, just anything things, random things I find interesting along the way and to keep in some form of contact with all of you lovely people wherever you may be. I guess by writing some shite and sending it into this ethereal terrain, it feels like there is some kind of meaning to it all. Whether or not anyone reads it. And from this point, I couldn't pinpoint any specific meaning to this trip. But we'll see what bubbles up to the surface. Hope this (the blogg) is as rewarding a sail as I hope the next few years of my life are.

welcome to the suck...