Toronto, Canada

Published by Gemma – Ontario

Toronto is Canada’s largest city located on the shores of Lake Ontario. Toronto is one of the worlds most diverse cities with nearly 50% of its population born outside of Canada.

Toronto has four distinct season which is quite helpful when you are packing for your visit. Toronto is one of Canada’s warmer cities in the winter, but don’t be fooled they can still be severe. While the summers are warm and humid.

Dundas Square

 

When I first visited Dundas Square I thought that it felt Vaguely familiar and it should have as  the urbanscape was designed off the same layout as Timesquare, During our time in Toronto I would refer to it as “Mini Time Square”.  The square is flanked by huge lit up advertising billboards and is on a slight incline to give the area a “theatrical” presence.

The centerpiece of the square how ever is the water fountain installation which is made up of 600 water jets and run 24 hours a day from around mid April until the end of October.

“Underground City” 

During the winter months you can head to downtown Toronto to PATH which is an underground pedestrian walkway linking 27 kms (16 miles) of shopping and entertainment.

CN Tower

       

The CN Tower is the signature of the Toronto Skyline and lights up like a beacon in the Toronto night sky. From its completion in 1976 until 2007 the CN Tower was the worlds tallest free standing structure.

If you want unrestricted views of Toronto look no further then the CN Tower. This Tourist attraction offers 360 degree birdseye view of the city.

To get to these magnificent views you’ll be taken up in one of the six glass elevators which will take less then a minute to get you to the observation deck. If you aren’t afraid of heights step out onto the toughened glass floor and look at the streets of Toronto below your feet.

   

If you start to feel hungry while you are taking in the views  ascend a few more  floors in the elevator to the award winning rotating restaurant and watch the views of Toronto go by as you enjoy your food.

For the more adventurous souls you can opted to go on the EdgeWalk, This is definitely not one for the faint hearted as you are 116 storys high above the ground. Attached to a harness system while you walk around the outside of the main pod. The EdgeWalk is the worlds highest full circle hands-free walk.

Hockey Hall of Fame

Hockey is said to be the first love of Canadians, So it should be no surprise that they have approximately 60 square feet dedicated to Celebrating the history of their beloved sport.

The HHOF is home to the iconic Stanley Cup and personally I think its the best looking trophy in all of sports.

In The Esso Great Hall you will find glassed cabinets honoring all the members that have been inducted in to the Hall of Fame.

You will also find all the major NHL trophies but most importantly you’ll find the most coveted trophy of them all the Stanley Cup. Here you will also have the chance to have a photo with the cup.

The HHOF is very family orientated and has catered to the younger hockey lover with their interactive zones.

Visitors get the chance to step into the shoes of the players, In the NHLPA be a player zone you can go one-on-one with a digital Goal Tender and take part in a shoot out or suit up as a Goal Tender and face some digital super stars shooting weighted sponge pucks at you.

Maybe you want to flex your hockey knowledge then head over to the Game Time Trivia section or try your hand at being a broadcaster and step behind the microphone a call a selection of historic games.

Old Town

Take a walk around the cobbled stone streets whilst being surrounded by historical buildings that date back to the 19th century the very beginnings of Toronto’s History.

In Old town you will find the Distillery District, The Flatiron Building, St Lawrence Markets, Front Street and King Street.

The Distillery District

Gooderham and Worts Whiskey Distillery was closed in 1990 and converted into the Distillery District. In 2003 the district was reopened to the public and is a pedestrian only Area, The district is home to many boutiques, cafes and award winning restaurants. The area is also listed as a National Historical Site of Canada.

Gooderham Building

Gooderham Building or better know as the flatiron building is a historic landmark in Toronto and can be found in the St Lawrence neighbourhood. The completion date for the building was 1892.

King Street

The King street district can be found between Church Street to Parliament Street, This is where you should venture to if you are looking for home decor and designer stores filled with furnishings for your home.

Westin Harbour Castle

If you want a hotel room with a view look no further then the Westin Harbour Castle Hotel. The hotel is located by Lake Ontario, and guests are spoiled with either beautiful scenic views of the lake or incredible views of the city. If you are lucky you might even get the iconic CN tower as your very own night light and watch it change colour from your hotel bed. 

 

After his recent trip to Toronto I asked my good friend Robert (@mr_rdb) if he had any tips to share, and here are a couple of them:

Matt and Robert – Lake Ontario

China Town

Chinatown is extensive, covering about 20 city blocks. Head there for amazing, delicious (and cheap) food plus gift shopping. Chinatown in Toronto doesn’t feel like a kitschy representation of China,  rather a bustling,  busy place where lots of Chinese people live and shop.  Consequently, it feels more alive than Chinatown in other cities I have visited.

The Village

Toronto’s gay village is also really extensive. Head to Church and Wellesley to find lots of bars, clubs and restaurants catering for the community. One refreshing thing about “The Village”,  as locals call it,  is that it is out and proud and very well groomed.  It’s clear that Toronto’s civic administration know that The Village is an asset to their city and not something to be hidden away.

Lake Ontario Water  Front

Lake Ontario has cycle paths all along the waterfront (although the local automated bike hire system didn’t seem to be able to cope with foreign credit cards, so you may be better off finding a bike hire place if you want to explore on two wheels).  Worth grabbing lunch or dinner in one of the waterfront pubs or restaurants with a view across to Algonquin Island, Ward’s Island,  or Toronto Island Park. There are ferries available from Queen’s Quay to take you over to one of the islands if that floats your boat.  Apparently,  there is a “clothing optional” beach on one of the islands for those who are so inclined!!!!

Thank you Robert!

So if you are planning a trip to the Great White North make sure Toronto is on your agenda, you will find a little bit of everything on offer and you will undoubtedly find ways to be entertained.

Margaret River ~ Western Australia

Published 22 November 2013, by Guest Bloggers Jacer Pointier-Broughton & Toby Broughton

Margaret River, we have absolutely fallen in love with this beautiful part of Western Australia. The combination of fresh air, stunning sceneries, mysterious forests, pristine beaches, fresh produce and local wine and beer will make it your perfect getaway. We guarantee if you visit, you too, will fall in love with everything Margaret River has to offer.

Location

Margaret River is located in the south west of WA, approximately a three hour drive from Perth city. If you choose to drive (as opposed to catching a bus), don’t just stick to the main highways, venture through the back roads to take in the scenery and the hidden delights of the vineyards, pastures and farms.

Places to Stay

You won’t be short of a place to stay in Margaret River. You can choose to stay in the town centre or you may wish to stay at a neighbouring hamlet such as Prevelly or Gracetown, just to name a few. Margaret River attracts more than 500 000 tourists annually so it would be wise to book your accommodation well ahead as these places book up quickly throughout the year. 

Things to Do & Places to See

One week may not be enough time to see everything but it is enough time to fall in love with the place and make you want to visit again and again. Here are just a few ideas on things to do and places to see.

Wineries

You can choose to drive yourself to all the different wineries (with a designated driver of course) or you can jump online and pre-book to join in on a Margaret River Wine tour. There are many available on-line with different price options and running times.

There are more than 150 wineries to visit in the Margaret river region.

Vasse Felix, House of Cards, Windows, Gralyn Estate, Woodlands, and Pierro are just a few that we visited in one day. At most of these wineries you can join in on free wine tastings. If you are not a wine fan, many of these places sell quirky pieces of art, jewellery, handmade chocolate and condiments, the majority of these items are locally made.

Take this opportunity to also visit the smaller wineries where you will be able to speak to the wine makers and owners themselves.

Breweries

The Colonial (hand crafted ales), Cheeky monkey (provide craft beers and ciders) and Eagle Bay Brewery are just a few breweries in Margaret River. These breweries often have live entertainment, plenty of food and drink options to suit the family. Many of these breweries are family friendly with options to sit inside or outside. Some of the breweries have playgrounds and sandpits to keep the little ones occupied whilst you tuck into a long relaxing lunch.

Places of Interest

Gracetown Beach

You can’t go past Gracetown beach, roughly 15-20 minutes away from town. This idyllic beach is suitable for adults and families with an accessible swimming beach. There are also well known surfing spots such a north and south point.

Canebrake

A hidden gem called Canebrake pool is a great spot for camping. Here you can set up camp for a short period, enjoy walks through the forests, canoe in the afternoon or take a dip in the fresh canebrake pool. You can sit here in peace and hear the trees move in the wind and the birds singing, bliss!

Chocolate Factory

You can’t go without visiting Margaret river chocolate factory. Free samples of chocolate, need I say more! Here you can taste the beautiful handmade chocolates, dark, milk, white, fruit and nut, truffle, coffee infused- everybody will find something they love. You will be able to purchase their chocolates, sauces and hampers. There is a variety of price ranges to suit your budget, so you will be able to purchase some gifts for yourself and friends back home.

Miller’s Ice Cream

Miller’s is located in Cowaramup is a 10-15 minute drive from Margaret River town centre.

One word to describe their fresh ice cream- YUM!  

This family owned business is on the owner’s farm and you can often see the cows in the neighbouring paddocks.  This ice-cream is so popular that they make fresh tubs daily. There is a cafe for the parents if you need a little rest and a playground to keep the kids entertained.

Our tips when visiting Margaret River

We could honestly go on and on with places to go see and things you must experience but we would be forever writing, so, here are our top tips when visiting Margaret River.

1. Clothing- For the summer and spring seasons, pack a light sweater as the early mornings and evenings can be cool. The sun can be very strong during these seasons, so don’t forget your sunglasses, sunscreen and hat.

Wet gear is a good idea if you plan to trek through the forests in the winter season.

Lots of warm clothing is needed for the winter, a beanie and warm jacket on top of your winter attire will suffice.

Pack you walking shoes- you will find the most beautiful places by exploring on foot, so pack some comfortable shoes.

2. Take your time- You must take your time to soak everything in; there is no need to rush whist in Margaret River. It is very easy to lose track of time whilst there, so take this opportunity to explore at your own pace.

 3. Swim- You must swim at the beach or a natural pool, the water is so fresh you won’t want to get out!

 4. Camera- Don’t forget your camera; you will be able to take some great scenic shots.

 5. Shop- You must visit some of the boutiques and speciality stores in the town centre. You will find some Australian fashion labels, quirky gifts, handmade jewellery, home wares and much more!

 6. Eat and drink- You will be able to have a nice casual breakfast or lunch in the town centre but you must visit at least, one-two wineries as well as breweries.

Try the local produce and local wine, beers and ciders; they are truly like nothing else in the world

We hope you enjoy this unforgettable part of Western Australia as much as we did.

 Jacer & Toby

The Pinnacles ~ Western Australia

Published 10 October 2013, by Jess

The Pinnacles are a popular tourist destination for those visiting the Australian city of Perth, Western Australia with approximately 250,000 visitors each year.  The limestone formations are located within the NambungNational Park, a 250 kilometre drive by road from Perth CBD or a 17 kilometre drive by road from the town of Cervantes.

 

The Pinnacles desert covers 190 hectares, is 60 metres above sea level and contains thousands of limestone Pinnacles all differing sizes.

Getting There

The drive from the city of Perth takes approximately 3 hours heading North along the Indian Ocean Drive, a scenic route with beautiful ocean views.

For tours, visit the below website.

http://www.visitpinnaclescountry.com.au/tours.asp

Cost

The PinnaclesDesert is accessible by car and costs $11 AUD per car to enter.

You can choose to drive your vehicle through the desert and then park in the car park and walk through to get some spectacular photos.

The Pinnacles driving track.

How The Pinnacles Were Formed

For information on how these amazing formations were created, see the below website;

http://www.visitpinnaclescountry.com.au/pages/the-pinnacles/

In order to see the Pinnacles properly, you are looking at a half day or full day trip, depending on the pace you want to go.  The Pinnacles are stretched over a huge area and there are some great photo opportunities to be had. 

We made the most out of our time, got up early and left the house by 8am arriving at The Pinnacles around 11am.  We then drive to Lancelin, approximately 1.5 hours South of The Pinnacles, a coastal town, for lunch and explored Lancelin beach.  We set off home around 3:00pm.

Lancelin Beach

Whether you are a Perth local who hasn’t experience The Pinnacles before, or a traveller trying to make the most out of your holiday, The Pinnacles are a great way to see a combination of Ocean (on your drive) and Desert.  After all, that is what Australia is well known for, our beaches and desert.

Los Angeles, California USA

Published 9 October 2013, by Jess

Los Angeles, well known as the home of Hollywood – A place where you go to be discovered, celebrity spotting and mixing with the rich and famous are the reasons many people visit this wonderful city.

Famous location from the movie ‘No Strings Attached’ starring Ashton Kutcher and Natalie Porter

I must admit, from everything I had been told, I wasn’t all that interested in seeing LA and therefore my trip was only a short three (3) nights.  Everyone has different tastes, but having been there myself now, I highly recommend the city to everyone thinking of going. 

I was told LA was “concrete city”, “difficult to get around” and “the people are extremely rude”. Maybe I caught LA on its good days, but I found everything I had been told to be false.  Sure, the city has its faults (walking anymore than 3-4 blocks away from Hollywood Boulevard in the opposite direction of The Roosevelt Hotel was an experience in itself and not one I’ll be rushing back to do anytime soon), but I really did enjoy my time there and would definitely visit again.

Things to See & Do

The Roosevelt Hotel

A perfectly positioned hotel on Hollywood Boulevard, The Roosevelt Hotel is popular among young Hollywood stars particularly frequenting the roof top pool and Teddy’s nightclub in the lobby. 

This was the hotel I stayed in and is located opposite the Chinese Theatre and Kodak Theatre.

The hotel is believed to be haunted, with a few reported sightings of Marilyn Monroe and Montgomery Cliff who both lived in the hotel for extended period.  Other sightings involve a little girl in a blue dress.

Hop On Hop Off Bus Tour

Across from our hotel a stall were selling tickets for the Hop On Hop Off buses.  Generally in the cities I visit, I like to take the tour because it’s a great way to get around a city and see its main attractions at your own pace.

For $19 US I purchased a ticket that gave me access to the Hollywood loop and the Santa Monica/Venice Beach loop.

See below for details of the places on each loop;

 Santa Monica

The Santa Monica Pier opened in 1909 and is a prominent landmark in Santa Monica attracting tourists from all over the world.  At the end of the Pier is a small carnival type atmosphere, with wooden rollercoaster, carnival stalls and lots of fun for the kids.

 

Third Street Promenade is also well worth seeing in Santa Monica.  This is a pedestrian-only shopping district that stretches for three blocks, buzzing with street performers and artists and some great shopping and eating venues.

Venice

A little over-rated in this writers opinion, as far as I could see it was just beach and the usual suburban housing etc. I did stroll around the area for a little while as our bus tour seemed to drop us in a desserted area and we couldn’t seem to find our way down to the Muscle Beach/Muscle Pit area we had hoped to see. Instead we stumbled across some cute little canals just like the picture below.

I am told that this is the area you want to see, so if VeniceBeach is on your list, I’d head down to MuscleBeach to see what all the fuss is about.

Hollywood

Walk of Fame

“This is where it all began. At this location on 15 August 1958, the first 8 stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame were dedicated to Ouva Borden, Ronald Colman Louise Fazenda, Preston Foster, Burt Lancaster, Edward Sedgwick, Ernst Torrence and Joanne Woodward. The Walk of Fame was completed in 1960”

The Hollywood Walk of Fame is a mark of achievement and honour for contribution to the entertainment industry. It includes a mix of musicians, actors, directors, producers, musicals/theatre groups, fictional characters and more.

The Walk of Fame is an impressive strip of pink stars stretching 15 blocks of Hollywood Boulevard and 3 blocks of Vine Street.

Chinese Theatre

Chinese Theatre is a movie theatre on the Walk of Fame that opened on the 18 May 1927. The theatre has distinct concrete blocks in the forecourt with the signatures, foot prints and hand prints of motion picture personalities from the 1920’s to the present day.

Beverly Hills

Famously referred to as Beverly Hills 90210 as a result of the popular tv 90’s show and now the remake, Beverly Hills is its own city in Los Angeles County California surrounded by the City of Los Angeles.  It is featured in many movies and television shows and also in some popular computer games.

It is home to the very famous ‘Rodeo Drive’, an upmarket, high-end shopping precinct for the rich and famous.  Brands such as Gucci, Prada and Jimmy Choo just to name a few can be found on Rodeo Drive. 

Prada, so sure of their brand, is the only store without a name to distinguish it to shoppers.

Hollywood Hills

If you have a car, which is recommended in LA since everything is very spread out, then driving into the Hollywood Hills has to be on your list!

We drove to 3000 Canyon Lake Drive, Hollywood to get some amazing views of the Hollywood sign.  The trip into the hills was very narrow & winding, but without a doubt it was well worth it.  The other great thing was the fact that there were very little people around so we weren’t interrupted trying to get a great shot.

 

For other great locations to get pictures of the Hollywood Sign go to – http://www.pachd.com/free-images/hollywood-sign.html

Disneyland

Getting there

If you are travelling there from Hollywood like I did, take the red line metro rail from the corner of Hollywood Bl & Highland Av toward downtown and get off at the last stop, Union Station (approximately 17 minutes). Transfer to a metrolink or amtrak train to Anaheim or Fullerton, then you can take a taxi or bus to Disneyland. We opted for the taxi since there were a number of them already waiting at the train station.

Fun for the whole family, Disneyland will bring out the kid in everyone. Whether you enjoy rides or not, the park is well set out and the FASTPASS is the best way to avoid lines.  You swipe your FASTPASS and the ride will provide you with a time to come back in which you will be able to get straight on without lining up.

Toon Town

We paid $78.50 US in 2011 for a one day pass with entry to Disneyland (No park hopping included)

http://disneyland.disney.go.com/tickets/

The teacups were something I had always wanted to experience for myself, ever since I was a child growing up watching movies of other kids riding the teacups.  Something to tick off the bucket list!

You also have the chance to meet some of the characters, whether they are walking around the park or within attractions.  The characters are always happy to take photos and interact.

In-N-Out Burger

In-N-Out Burger was the first drive-thru hamburger restaurant in California, their motto “Give customers the freshest, highest quality foods you can buy and provide them with friendly service in a sparkling clean environment.”

The burgers at In-N-Out Burger are absolutely amazing and the service is fantastic.  Be sure to use the local insider knowledge that we were provided with thanks to our Hop On Hop Off bus tour guide – Ask for ‘Animal Style’ burgers & fries.

Animal Style Burgers – Cooked in a thin layer of mustard, and in addition to the lettuce and tomato it also includes pickles, grilled onions, and extra spread.

Animal Style Fries – Comes with two slices of melted cheese, spread, and grilled onions on top.

Highly recommend you make a pit stop here at some point during your time in LA!

Newport Beach

A great place to visit on a beautiful summers day.  The main reason for our trip was to see the home of the popular television show ‘The OC’ (OrangeCounty).  The beach was stunning and the housing extremely impressive. Our trip was short due to having to catch a plane home that night but I would love to explore a little more of this coastal beauty.

The AFL Grand Final ~ Melbourne

Published 7 October 2013, by Jess

AFL is the Australian Football League, our countrys National sport and one I happen to absolutely love! The AFL Grand Final is the equalivant to the NFL Super Bowl in terms of it is the final game that decides who is the champion of AFL for that year.  In comparison to the Super Bowl it is on a much much smaller scale, however this was the best example I could give to provide a better understanding.

Flights

$1000 each return with Qantas from Perth.

The earlier you book flights, the cheaper they are.  I know of people who flew via Bali, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore & Hong Kong to Melbourne and their flights were cheaper than a direct flight to Melbourne.

Last minute tickets, if you could get on the flights were around $1500 return.

I also know people who paid approximately $800 return to Adelaide and then drove a car to Melbourne.

The Week Lead Up for 2014

There is a lot on in Melbourne in the lead up to the AFL Grandfinal, never a dull moment.

Federation Square during Grand Final week

Sunday – 21^st September 2014

VFL Grandfinal at Ethihad Stadium

Monday – 22nd September 2014
10am – The Brownlow Medal panel and fashion parade at Federation Square.

5pm – Red carpet presentation at Crown followed by the Brownlow Medal Count

Tuesday – 23^rd September 2014

10am – Auskick where the kids enjoy activities at Federation Square, meet players and stars from the NAB AFL Rising Star program.

Wednesday – 24^th September 2014

Live Music in Federation Square at Noon

Variety Great Grandfinal Luncheon at Crown Palladium

Thursday – 25^th September 2014

12.30pm – AFL Premiership Cup on display at Federation Square

Noon – 9pm – Grand Final experience at Crown Riverside

The AFL Footy Show spectacular at Rod Laver Arena

Friday – 26^th September 2014

Players and coaches.
Noon – Parade makes its way through the city from Victorian Arts Centre (St Kilda Road) travelling along Swanston and Collins Streets before finishing at the OldTreasuryBuilding (Spring and Collins)

Jarrad Roughead – Hawthorn

Paul Duffield – Fremantle

Lance “Buddy” Franklin – Hawthorn

Luke McPharlin – Fremantle

 Saturday – 27^th September 2014

Grandfinal at the MCG

2:30pm Live on the Big Screen at Federation Square the AFL Grandfinal

The Home of the AFL Grandfinal – the MCG

AFL Grand Final Breakfast/Ticket Package

$1795 + credit card fees & postage fees = $1826 (Silver seating at the game)

The breakfast was sponsored by CGU and ran for approximately 2 hours.

Hosted by Tim Watson

Entertainment included Daryl Braithwaite, Mike Brady, Rusty and the Other Guy & Vince Sorrenti.

Panel of footy experts including; Brian Taylor, Billy Brownless, Jobe Watson, Matthew Lloyd, Matthew Richardson, Jonathan Brown, Cameron Ling, Luke Darcy and Danny Frawley.

Tables of 10 were set up with beer and champagne all inclusive. The actual breakfast included fruit, danishes, croissants, muffins and Eggs Benedict.

Other breakfasts of interest are the North Melbourne Breakfast held at Etihad Stadium.  I’m told this is extremely well done & one of the better breakfasts.

Each of the football clubs hold breakfast for anyone to attend.  Contact the individual clubs for details.

AFL Tickets

8000 tickets are released and sold on the day of the AFL Grandfinal.

Tickets can also be sold through ballot systems from each team playing in the Grand Final.

AFL Members and other members can also buy tickets.

The AFL Grandfinal

What a spectacular experience, and now I can finally say I’ve seen one.

I attended the 2013 AFL Grandfinal where the Hawthorn Hawks were victorious over the Fremantle Dockers.

This was the Dockers first appearance in a Grand Final since entering the competition 19 years ago.

The ground was filled with each of the teams colours, wherever you looked yellow & purple were everywhere and the atmosphere was electric.  Being somewhat of a neutral supporter it was fantastic to see these two teams battle it out.

I was cheering on the Fremantle Dockers for two reasons;

1.  My Dad was a Fremantle Dockers member since the club joined the competition in 1995 attending every home game and even a few games in Melbourne.  Unfortunately in 2008 he passed away and never lived to see Fremantle make a Grand Final.  My family & I always said that if Fremantle ever made the Grand Final, we would make the trip in my Dads honour (hopefully next time they can come away with the win for him).

2.  Being a proud West Australian, when my team The West Coast Eagles aren’t playing, I always support the Fremantle Dockers.  I grew up in a house of Fremantle supporters and that’s just the way our family is, support WA before other clubs.

The players lined up for the National Anthem

Pre-game entertainment at the 2013 AFL Grand Final was ‘The Birds of Tokyo’, a well known Australian band from Perth, Western Australia.  All players who retire from the game that season are also given a lap of honour along with the Winner of the Brownlow Medal and the Winner of the Rising Star for that year.

Half-time entertainment included ‘The Hunters and Collectors’ and ‘Mike Brady’.

The MCG is a fantastic venue, lines for drinks and food were minimal and quick and exiting the arena was relatively fast and flowed.  The MCG is also the place where the line for the mens bathroom was bigger than the womens line, there’s a first for everything!

Whether your team is at the AFL Grand Final or not, it’s well worth the experience.

Another thing to ticket off my bucket list!

Vancouver, Canada

Published by Gemma – British Columbia

Vancouver is classed as one of the worlds most livable cities and its easy to see why, A vibrant city with a backdrop to die for. The city is located between the Burrard Inlet and Fraser River and sits at the feet of the North shore mountain ranges.

Sight Seeing

Stanley Park

Stanley Park is one of the largest urban parks in North America, it is roughly 1000 acres in size and is made up of mostly forest land.
A great way to see Stanley Park is by bike, Which is the option we took although when traveling with four boys such activities can turn competitive quite fast, So us girls decided to leave the boys to   it and rode around at a much more enjoyable pace. Personal I think its a great way to spend a summer’s day in Vancouver. It will take you roughly around an hour to ride the 9km Seawall and about 2 hours by foot.

Fun Fact: This one is for you Hockey lovers, The park is named after Lord Stanley the very same Lord Stanley the at the NHL trophy is named in honour of.

The Seawall
Construction of the Seawall started in 1917 and was declared officially complete in 1980 with the completion of the loop around.

There are many photo opportunities along the Seawall so make sure to pack your camera and be prepared to make a few stops along the way to take it all in, From city to beach views this ride has it all.

English Bay Beach
English Bay is located on the Western half of downtown area along Beach Avenue between Gilford Street and  Bidwell Street.

English Bay is a great place to go if you want to see beautiful sunset views. There are also two eye-catching statues at English Bay the Inukskuk statue and the very unique Laughing Statues.

Brockton Point Lighthouse
You can find the lighthouse at the most easterly point of Stanley Park overlooking Coal Harbour. You also get some nice views of North Vancouver and Lion Gate Bridge from this point as well.

As you make your way around the seawall you will get the opportunity to take some photos of the Vancouver Skyline.

Vancouver’s Waterfront

Canada Place
Canada Place is at the heart of Downtown Vancouver, and can be found on the Burrard Inlet Waterfront. At night the 90 foot sails are illuminated and during the Christmas season the sails are lit up in festive colours.

Canada Place was also the Main Press Centre for the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics and the Olympic Torch still stands as a reminder of the big event.

Vancouver Lookout Tower – Harbour Centre

If you want 360 degree views of Vancouver look no further than the Vancouver Lookout tower which sits atop of the Harbour Centre. The Harbour Center is the tallest structure in Vancouver and offers unrivaled views of the city and the breath-taking North Shore Mountain Ranges.

Grouse Mountain

Grouse Mountain is part of the North Shore Mountains and can be found in North Vancouver. You have a couple of options to get to North Vancouver from Mainland Vancouver, You can either drive which will take you across the Lion’s Gate Bridge or you can you use the public transit system a combination of  the Seabus and buses.

You have two options to get up the mountain, You can take the Skyride Gondola (North America’s largest aerial tram system) Which offers spectacular views of the Vancouver cityscape below and unspoiled views of the other North Shore Mountain Ranges. The gondola will have you at the alpine station within 8 minutes.

For the more adventurous type you can hike The Grouse Grind, The trail is 853 meters long at a 1.231 meter elevation, This thigh burning option will take you between 30 to 90 minutes depending on your fitness level.

During the Summer months when there is no snow on the ground Grouse Mountain put on some family friendly entrainment for visitors. you can watch lumberjacks face-off, The two Lumberjacks will entertain you with their skills and showmanship.

There is also a Wild Refuge where you’ll find two orphaned Grizzly Bears, wolves, falcons, eagles, owls and hawks.

Whistler Mountain

We decided it was best to hire a car to get to whistler but you can catch a shuttle bus if its more convenient for you.

As we set off early we decided to break up the 2 hour car trip by stopping in Squamish or as I lovingly like to refer to it as Squamton for Breakfast.

The drive along Highway 99 “Sea-to-Sky highway” is quite spectacular so if you are driving try not to get distracted by breathtaking views.

 

Whistler Air Tour

What better way to see the beautiful Whistler Mountain Ranges then by air. British Columbia has some of the most breathtakingly beautiful glaciers, valleys, rivers and lakes and Whistler Air gives you the opportunity to see these terrains that are not easily accessible and tend to go unseen by most.

PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola
The Peak 2 Peak Gondola links Blackcomb and Whistler Mountains together, the ride takes about 11 minutes from Peak to Peak. Once at the top you have access to hiking trails, Restaurants and the PEAK 2 PEAK Viewing Gallery.

Whistler Village
If you want to take it a little more easy instead you can stroll around the village looking at the reminisces of the 2010 Winter Olympics or by spending your hard-earned money in the many stores that are on offer or you can even kicking back at one of the bars with an alfresco seating area enjoying the beautiful summer weather while sipping a refreshing white wine Sangria.

City Landscapes, Rivers, Beaches and Mountains Vancouver has it all, There is a little bit of something for everyone and  you will not be left disappointed.

Summer Camp ~ United States of America

Published 6 September 2013, by Jess

 2006 took me on one of the very best experiences of my life! It is then that my love for travel became my lifes passion.  I was accepted as a Waterfront Counsellor on a Summer Camp in Connecticut, USA.

My Application

At the end of 2005 I applied to be a Summer Camp Counsellor through the International Exchange Program (IEP) in Australia.

At this stage in my life I was a qualified Swimming Instructor and actively working as one.  Growing up in Australia, swimming had been a huge part of my life in which I participated on a competitive level.  If I was going to be anything at Summer Camp, it was going to be a swimming instructor!

The application process requests that you compile a bunch of photographs that show you actively demonstrating your expertise.  So I included pictures of me in my job as a swimming instructor as well as playing ball games with some of my younger cousins.

Once you submit your application to IEP, everything is out of your hands.  IEP submit your application and from there it is up to the American Camp Recruiters/Owners/Managers to select you depending on the needs of their camp.

I remember the call came through on a Tuesday morning to say I had been accepted as a swimming instructor and lifeguard on a camp in Torrington, Connecticut.  A rush of excitement came over me, followed by a pile of nerves. My first solo overseas trip was now becoming a reality.

Why International Exchange Program (IEP)

My sister had previously worked on a US Summer Camp and went through IEP too.  I did a little research and found that compared to companies like ‘CampAmerica’, IEP actually paid better.  At the time I was there, the exchange rate was low, so I basically earnt the cost of my flight over, however a program such as this is more about the experience and less about the monetary incentive.

I would highly recommend IEP to anyone looking to become a camp counsellor.  They organise a lot of the tedious tasks involved with trying to work overseas such as the Working Visa.

http://www.iep.com.au/summercampusa

Camp Life

This really does depend on the camp you are placed on.  My camp varied significantly to the camp my sister was on and also the camp my friend was on.  I was placed on a Summer Camp in Torrington, Connecticut.

On arrival, my first week at camp was a ‘get to know you session’ as the first week was only Counsellors and no Campers, however all of the waterfront staff were required to complete and pass the ‘American Lifeguard Association Course’.  So, along with setting up the jetty’s on the lake, cleaning the pool, installing the games on the lake (inflatable trampoline and rock climbing) and making sure the bumper boats were working, we also had to complete and pass our lifeguarding course.  You could say it was a busy week for those of us on the Waterfront.

My camp had an age range of 6 year olds to 17 year olds and was both male and female.  Camp ran for a period of 8 weeks with parent day falling mid way through.

As a Specialised Camp Counsellor, my role was to teach the kids at camp how to swim and to complete specific milestones allowing them to pass their swimming stage. 

As a Waterfront Counsellor, we were probably the busiest of all counsellors on camp.  During breaks from activities at camp, waterfront staff we routinely rostered on so that the pool and lake could remain open for the campers. However, if I had my time all over again, I’d be a Waterfront Counsellor every time.  The group of people I worked with were fantastic, and having to spend so much time together I think worked in our favour, as we all got along quite well.

Camp days ran to schedule, allowing the campers to stick to a routine.  The flag was raised every morning and National Anthem sung followed by breakfast and then activities began for the day.

Tennis Courts with the Girls Bunks in the background

Camp Counsellors were allowed to go into town to the nearby bar once the campers were getting ready for bed.  Some Counsellors were put on bunk duty, which meant they would have to stay outside the bunks to make sure the kids went to sleep. Others were put on activity duty which meant they would have to stay on camp grounds and help out with camp run activities for the older children.  “Van nights” were held three (3) times a week in which the Counsellors could take a van from camp into the local bar ‘Memories’ to party and dance etc.  All Counsellors were required to ‘sign in’ to camp before 1pm by signing a sheet of paper to say they arrived back to camp.  There were consequences for those who didn’t.

Down time

The motto on our camp was “Camp is about the Campers, not the Counsellors”, while camp is an amazing experience, it is still our responsibility as Counsellors to make sure the kids are having the time of their lives.  Saying that, Counsellors down time is the time to have your fun!

During the eight (8) week camp experience, I received five (5) days off camp and one (1) over night stay away from camp.  Many of the American Counsellors were quite willing to provide their cars to us foreigners for our days off, which was extremely kind of them and very helpful.  For my overnight stay, myself and 10 others drove to Boston, Massachusetts and spent the night there getting up to all sorts of mischief.  One of my days away from camp was also in Boston where I attended a Boston Red Sox game at FenwayPark, an amazing experience.  Whatever you choose to do, just adds to the experience that is camp.

Boston Red Sox Game, Fenway Park

Special Events

Depending on the camp you are on and the campers you are bunk counsellor for, special trips are organised for the campers.

Niagara Falls

The kids who were 15-17 years old were among the group on my camp who visited Niagara Falls on a two (2) day stay away from camp grounds.  The counsellors who were bunked in with them were required to attend as chaperones.

Colour War

Colour War was a HUGE deal on my camp, it promoted team work, healthy competition and was a bucket load of fun!  There is generally a really elaborate way of Colour War “breaking” each year to which is a complete surprise to the Campers and Counsellors (those who aren’t in the know), as I heard it sometimes involved fireworks, helicopters and midnight wake up calls. Colour War is a five (5) day competition where the entire camp is split into two teams, Red and White.  It involves various activities/competitions earning points for teams along the way, it also included a piece of artwork that was judged and a ‘build’ that was judged.  During Colour War, there is no speaking in the Dining Hall, however when you are outside and about camp, you can be sure to hear plenty of camp cheers in support of the two teams.

Colour War Build Team

Bobcats Amatuer Baseball Game

We also took a day to attend an amateur baseball game in Connecticut, this is also the location where ‘Colour War’ broke.

Six Flags Amusement Park

We spent the day with our Campers going on rides, eating and having lots of fun!

Jack D Gordon Basketball Competition

An annual basketball game held between CampWah-nee and a rival camp, this is a chance for all of the foreign CampCounsellors to wear their countries flags with pride.

Girls Camp Olympics

All of girls camp was split into four (4) teams – Blue, Red, Yellow, Green. Teams verse each other in different activities such as tug-of-war, leap frog relays and throwing competitions to earn points in order to win the Olympics.

DJ Jeff

A DJ came to camp to play for all of the Campers at a disco in the Dance Studio.  A great time for Campers and Counsellors to relax, let loose and have some fun!

Banquet Night

Held towards the close of camp, Banquet Night is a chance for Campers and Counsellors to dress up elegantly, take photos, enjoy a nicely cooked meal with your bunk mates/kids and to reminisce on camp.

Waterfront Staff

Australians at Camp Wah-Nee

The Experience

If you are looking to make some “easy” money, then the USA Summer Camp experience is not for you!

If you are looking to work hard, have fun, make lifelong friends and enjoy making memories of an experience you would otherwise never have, then the USA Summer Camp experience is for you!

Some of the friends I have made at Summer Camp have travelled across the world and come to stay with me.  I’m still in contact with friends from Camp as those who have been are the only ones who will truly understand the experience.

Camp was my first overseas trip by myself and it is what gave me the travel bug I have now, for which I will be eternally grateful.  It opened my eyes to the way others live, cultural differences, manual labour (putting together the jetty for the lake) and opened me up to new experiences. I cannot recommend camp enough, if you are considering it, do it, do it now! You won’t regret it!

My bed at camp

My bunk at camp

The End of Camp

The last night of Camp, all Campers and Counsellors sit on the banks of the Lake (waterfront counsellors on the Jetty) while two chosen Counsellors row out on the Lake.  The camp year is set on fire while songs to reminisce camp are played.  This is done to signal the end of the camp year and new beginnings.

Christkindlmarkts

Published by Gemma – Christmas Markets – Introduction

The Christmas season is my favourite time of the year, I love nothing more than to decorate the house and making it feel and look as festive as possible.

Christmas is a big deal in the Fagan household, so much so that my Mother and I decided to plan a trip to Europe dedicated to the Christmas Markets.

Germany is known as the Christmas Market mecca and The Germans don’t disappoint, from the large cities to the small towns, everyone gets involved.

At these amazing markets you will be able to buy all kinds of traditional Christmas merchandise from local vendors such as unique tree decorations, Crib figures, handmade wooden carvings, glass blown trinkets and amazing smelling candles. Also, be sure to try some warmed Glühwein, freshly made gingerbread and roasted nuts as no visit is complete without them.

The large cities usually start their festivities the first weekend of December, where the smaller towns and villages tend only to hold them on certain dates so make sure to check dates before booking your trip as you don’t want to be left disappointed.
Germany isn’t the only country to organise Christmas Markets, they can be found all over Europe and each have their own unique cultural blend and traditions.

My Mum and I decided to stick to the Germanic regions and visited parts of Germany, Austria and Switzerland, they didn’t disappoint. As we were travelling by rail we decided it was best to stick to the major cities and do day trips to the smaller towns and villages from there.

I’d advise others to do the same, especially if you are new to travelling or/and have time restraints. It is easier to travel between the major cities as they have convenient rail (also flight) schedules and run daily. You may find trains to smaller towns are less frequent and may also require a few train changes to get to.

The route of our trip was Munich, Innsbruck, Luzern, Stuttgart, Koln and Frankfurt over four weeks.

If you are looking for a unique holiday filled with tradition than this is the type of holiday for you.  Recommended for all you closet Christmas lovers, who could say no to Christmas in the snow?!

Please check back as I will share with you our amazing experience and pass on some handy tips so you to can enjoy the magical Christkindlmarkts.

Oktoberfest, Munich ~ Germany

Published 8 August 2013, by Jess

 http://www.oktoberfest.de/en/navitem/About+the+Oktoberfest/

Oktoberfest is a 16 day festival held annually in Munich, Germany.  The festival celebrates BEER! Yes, you heard correct!

The event is held middle to late September until the first week in October and is the world’s largest fair.

The festivities began in 1810 and is an important part of Bavarian culture.  The origin dates back to the wedding of King Ludwig I to Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen on the 12 October 1810.

There are strict guidelines and criteria before a beer can be designated an Oktoberfest Beer.The beer served must be at a minimum 6% alcohol and must be brewed within the city limits of Munich.

Current Oktoberfest beers include;

• Augustiner-Bräu
• Hacker-Pschorr-Bräu
• Löwenbräu
• Paulaner-Bräu
• Spatenbräu
• Staatliches Hofbräu-München

Each of the Beers have their own Tent where you are served by women in traditional Bavarian outfits.

 Augustiner Tent

Considered the friendliest tent at Oktoberfest and my personal favourite of the tents I visited.  Augustiner is a great tasting beer, very wheaty which is typical of most German beers.  The tent was decorated extremely well, and the beer hall tables were set up to make the most of the space.  The Augustiner also felt more traditional than others, with majority of attendance being German people.  Unfortunately only locals can book the tables however, we arrived at 11:00am and managed to get a table reserved at 5:00pm, so we were able to sit there until the party arrived.

 

It may seem strange that I’m about to mention the bathrooms to you, however I felt it was extremely odd, but very hygienic.  The Augustiner Tent bathrooms had attendants who would regularly change the toilet bowls in the bathrooms.  Yes, the entire bowl was remove and replaced with a new toilet bowl, ensuring very clean toilets.

Hofbrau Tent

Hofbrau Tent is a very popular tent amongst Australians, New Zealanders and Americans.  This tent is the counterpart to the very popular Hofbraeuhaus located in the centre of Munich.

As with most of the tents, Hofbrau is extremely hard to get a seat.  After 8pm the main doors close and you’re only option are the outdoor beer hall tables.  We had a friend bribe the bouncer with 50 Euro to allow us to skip the line…it worked, and trust me the line was huge!

Around the Grounds

Opening hours vary depending on whether it’s a stall or a beer tent.  Check the above link for details.

Walking around the Oktoberfest grounds, it’s really great to see people get into the spirit of Oktoberfest and dress up in the traditional outfits, such as these guys below;

With 14 different beer tents around the grounds, various food stalls, rides and an abundance of atmosphere… Oktoberfest is a must see!

I would plan my holiday to Munich, Germany purely to go to Oktoberfest, it is that good!

Niagara Falls ~ Ontario, Canada

Published 6 August 2013, by Jess

 

Getting There

The Greyhound Bus from Toronto costs $31.50 (2011 prices) for a round trip to NiagraFalls.

http://www.viarail.ca/en

Hotel

The hotel I stayed in was located at the very end of what would be considered the “Niagara Falls strip”.  This street is the main street in Niagara, home to various hotels and restaurants.

There are two (2) Marriott Hotels so be sure not to confuse them, however they are directly opposite each other on the strip so if you do make the mistake, you don’t have far to travel.

View from the bedroom window

 

City	Hotel Name	Room type	Cost	$ Each	Per Night	BF Inc
NiagraFalls	Marriott Fallsview  Prime Minister Suite	2 x Queen, 1 x sofabed	$690	$115	$115	NO

Bedroom and Kitchenette to the right of picture

There were six (6) of us travelling in my group so we opted for the Prime Minister Suite to accommodate us all in the one (1) room. It also came with a kitchenette and spectacular views of the falls from the bedroom as well as the dining area.  It was for this reason, we chose to order food from the Tony Roma’s Restaurant next door and ate at our dining table with a few drinks to really take in the spectacular scenery.

View of the Falls at night from our Dining room window

Maid of the Mist

$15.60

http://www.maidofthemist.com/en/

You cannot book your ticket in advance, so be sure to leave some time incase the lines are long.  Saying that, the Maid of the Mist boats hold a lot of passengers on board so our wait was minimal.

The company provide blue poncho’s to protect you from getting too wet, and be warned, you will get wet! This is the reason I made sure to take my waterproof camera and it was definitely worth it.

Highly recommend the Maid of the Mist tour if you are in Niagara.  The boats get extremely close to the falls, in particular I didn’t expect to be taken so close to the Canadian Horse-Shoe Falls which are extremely impressive.

Around Niagara

The town of Niagara itself is really not very impressive.  It is slightly over commercialised in my opinion with too many hotels and restaurants crammed along the main strip.  I wouldn’t recommend you need any more than one (1) night here as the Maid of the Mist boat cruise is the only thing I suggest as a must see attraction. 

Splash out and pay for the upgraded room and make the most of the views, you won’t regret it!