Blogs from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, North America - page 16

We only have two more sleeps before we embark on our latest Great Asian Adventure! It has been three years since we last visited China and ventured into Vietnam, and five years since we taught in China (Guangzhou) and travelled to Hong Kong, Macau, Singapore, Malaysia and southern Thailand. We are more than ready to traverse Southeast Asia once again. I feel the land calling me; it has such a pull on my heart. It has been a very hectic month, with Peter finishing up his film shoot for his short "Ready or Not", and my wrapping up the year in my grade seven classroom, with graduation and yearbook, not to mention softball and union business. We are "Ready" for good food and beer under some palm trees on a beach, or along a river or ... read more

Finally, everything is falling into place. I have my bags packed and have just printed off the last of my itineraries. Tonight I say goodbye to my friends and family, and tomorrow morning I'll be on my way to Israel! I am definitely nervous about this trip - 2 months is a long time to be gone. But I'm also very excited about the adventures waiting for me overseas. When I arrive in Tel Aviv, I will be meeting up with my good friend Maija to spend a weekend on the beach. I am really looking forward to the relaxation of that first weekend. Not only will I be able to rest while getting over the 7-hour time difference, but I will also have my first day in weeks that I don't need to work or ... read more

Dilemmas imply choice - Will & Marika are trying to figure out what they are more excited about: their "Dalmatian" summer of 101 days off or that tomorrow while they sleep we fly over whales and waves. The notion of shuttling from adventure to adventure via at least 6 flights, 6 trains, 6 boats, 6 drives, 6 cable cars, 6 funiculars (look it up yourself!), 6 subways and 6 trams for me fuels a riot of anticipated perspective. BIG NEWS - We land Monday morning in Barcelona on the cusp of the biggest celebration in this city of over 4 million since the defeat of Franco - Barcelona today ole'd Manchester United for the coveted Champions Cup at Wembley Stadium thanks to the brilliance of Lionel Messi and amigos. The mood among Barcelonians (?) for the ... read more

G'Day mates: Well we've been busy since leaving Katoomba in the Blue Mountains. Arriving back in Sydney mid-afternoon Tuesday we got cleaned up and headed to Manley Harbour via a 35 minute ferry ride via the Sydney harbour. Our first spot was the Manley beach where we watched the surfers riding the waves and walked along the beach boardwalk. Then we headed back to Sydney to see the city at night from the ferry. Wednesday morning was a monorail ride to Paddy's Market, a Sydney landmark since 1834. At this market you can find a bargain on everything from fruit and veggies to t-shirts and Uggs. Then it was off to Hyde Park to see Archibald Fountain (commerates the alliance of Australia and Fance during the First World War and then to ANZAC memorial - Sydney's ... read more

G'Day mates: After an early morning good-bye to Gil, we headed to the Cairns Airport for our 6am flight to Newcastle, New South Wales. Looking out the window as we were coming into Newcastle airport you could see beautiful white sand dunes for miles. Upon landing we met up with our sailing friends (Don and Hilary) this time at their place in Corlette. Our first afternoon we drove around the local area checking out the beaches and bays. We also seen our first large number of kangaroos and a koala. Next morning we drove to Soldiers Point, next hiked to the top of Tomaree Head where we were greeted with the most amzing views of the coastline, beautiful white sand, emerald coloured waters... I'm not sure why Don and Hilary live here. Tomaree was also the ... read more