Montreal, QC

7/22

Walk down St Denis to St Catherine

Lunch at Cage Sports Bar

Chinatown

7/23

Putting Edge Laval

Les 3 Brasseurs

Despicable Me 4 at Cineplex Laval

Niata to Go

Neighborhood walk

7/24

Sir Wilfred Laurier Park

Ta Pies

Rain

7/25

Botanique Gardens

Villa Tandoori

7/26

Zoo Ecomuseum

Cage lunch

Mandys Dinner

Home Alone & Charlotte Symphony Orchestra @ Belk Theatre

Because where not going to watch every version a million times over the next month, we also head uptown to see Home Alone on the big screen, with the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra playing in the accompanying sound track.

We did this a while back with one of the Harry Potters, and it was a great night.  This would prove the same for Home Alone.  We had great seats on the main floor.  This was good for me, as the orchestra played directly under the screen, it the line of sight.  It was as good to see them perform as it was to see the movie.  At Harry Potter we were on the balcony, and I tended to forget the orchestra was playing because your first sights were the big screen.

I'm hoping they'll do this again with another movie next Christmas.  We'll be back for it for sure.

DLM&B, Home Alone at Belk Theatre, Charlotte

Harry Potter & The Chamber Of Secrets & Charlotte Symphony Orchestra @ Ovens Auditorium

One of the joys of parenthood is seeing what your kids get into.  Of the boys,both started reading Harry Potter, but B has taken his interest into an obsession which rivals their love of all sports.  So when Harry Potter & The Chamber of Secrets was to play with the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra, it seemed logical to get tickets for the family for Christmas.

We originally planned to go on Friday night, and had tickets for it, but an 8pm start would've seen the boys not last the night.  Luckily we sold them to neighbors and ended up with better tickets on the Saturday.  

Barry Potter

B had to be dressed as Harry Potter, and while only a few kids were dressed up, there were plenty of adults wearing scarves or shirts to show their allegiance to houses.  L was too cool to do such fun stuff.  The matinee show was announced after the Friday show sold out, so I'm not sure if people knew about it, but Ovens wasn't 2/3 full.

We have a deal with the boys that they must read the book before they get to watch the movie.  We are currently reading the Prisoner of Azkaban and have already seen  Chamber of Secrets.  The full orchestra sat under the screen and played the John Williams score.  It was definitely a fun concept, but so many times I was so taken by the movie I completely forgot about the live music right in front of me.

I have enjoyed the movies so far.  (Have yet to read the books myself.)  But the joy the boys got out of it was purely magic.  Will keep an eye out for future movies with live orchestras. 

Vancouver, BC

What I remember (in 2024)

On 27 July, A & I flew to Vancouver, as she had a work meeting there.  We stayed on a high floor at the Marriott downtown.  We flew back on the 31st.

We went to Capilano Bridge on the Saturday, and the Cleveland Dam, on the north side of Vancouver.  Sunday we saw the Creans.  While the girls went out, Creany and I went and saw the Simpsons Movie.

On the Monday, we rented bikes and rode around the massive Stanley Park.

View from our hotel, Vancouver, BC, Canada

Capilano Bridge, Vancouver, BC, Canada

Capilano Bridge, Vancouver, BC, Canada

Capilano Bridge, Vancouver, BC, Canada

Stanley Park, Vancouver, BC, Canada

New South Wales vs South Australia @ SCG

Day 3 of 4

South Australia 397 and 181 beat New South Wales 296 and 255 by 27 runs.

What I remember (in 2024)

Went with Reggae & Saffa.  

We went to the Randwick Ritz afterwards and saw Crackerjack.

Stayed at Reggae's in Randwick that night.

Istanbul, Turkey

Amy @ Cistern, Istanbul

Cistern, Istanbul

Cistern, Istanbul

Blue Mosque, Istanbul

What I remember (in 2024)

After 7 weeks, our last 2 nights were spent in Istanbul, seeing a couple of things we had yet to see, such as the Cistern.  We stayed at the same pension as when we first arrived in Istanbul, across the street from the Four Seasons.  We also ended up seeing The Weather Man at the movies, in the Taksim neighborhood, one hot afternoon.  I know there was a lot more we saw in Istanbul, but after so many years, I can't recollect them all.

Ankara, Turkey

Ankara, Turkey

Anit Kabir aka Ataturk's Mausoleum, Ankara, Turkey

Anit Kabir, Ankara, Turkey

What I remember (in 2024)

We only had 2 nights in Ankara.  Big city, which we weren't too impressed with.  

Came in to the Bus Station and headed for Otel 2000 for our accommodations.  Not great, but about $12 a night.  

We visited Anit Kabir, the massive mausoleum for Ataturk, located in the park built around it.  We also visited the Ethnography Museum and the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations. 

We also had a night at the movies, sssing Pearl Harbour.  The movie was in English with Turkish subtitles, meaning we weren't sure what the Japanese soldiers were saying.  The theatre was packed, and they had an intermission.  During which it felt like every person went out to a 20 man balcony to smoke.  It was great how A & I reacted differently to different scenes to the Turks, must have translated differently.

Austin, TX

We went to Mojo’s Coffee House for a cuppa after breakfast doughnuts at the hotel.  We also spent a few minutes at the Austin library checking the internet.  We ended up in an all-you-can-eat pizza place for lunch.  

The afternoon was spent wandering around the shops in the area and heading over to a shopping center near the hostel to go to the movies.  We saw Hollow Man.  Man, what crap!  Our movie choices seem to be getting worse and worse.  

After the movies we went to a nearby park and hung out by the river, just killing time and relaxing.  We were waiting for a friend of Amy’s, Andrew, from university who was coming into town.  We had Wendy’s for dinner and headed over to the Sheraton where they were checking in that evening.  After waiting for a couple of hours we finally get it out of him that he is not arriving until 11pm.  So we continue our journey east.  We are headed to New Orleans and drive until we can no longer stay awake.  We find a hotel at a freeway exit, God knows where, and crash for the night.

Flagstaff, AZ

This morning started with me kicking and screaming as Amy took me into a health food store for breakfast.  The nerve!  We went to Bookman’s to check internet and then to Ross 4 Less, where we bought a photo frame to send to Jen, thanking her for having us.  We are booked into the hostel for this evening.  A private room, which was actually nicer than yesterday’s hotel.  We ended up at the pub next door for the afternoon – The Mad Italian – for a few beers and playing pool.  Tonight we went to the movies, and continued our tradition of bad films, seeing A Perfect Storm.  There’s 2 hours we’ll never get back.  Just a simple pizza for dinner, before another quiet night in.

Grand Canyon National Park, AZ

We went to Yavapai Lodge for breakfast this morning, and to stock up on water bottles for the day. We caught a shuttle bus to bright Angel Lodge, and then another to an area called the Abyss. From here we walked along the South Rim (heading west) for 3 miles to Pima Point. All along the way we had spectacular views of the canyon. We caught another shuttle to Hermit’s Rest (the westernmost point on the rim Road). After walking back a ways, we caught the shuttle again back to Mojave and then walked the mile to Hopi Lookout before getting the shuttle back to the campsite.

Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

Amy & I, Grand Canyon, Arizona

That evening we drove outside the park to the town of Tusyan, to watch a movie about the Grand Canyon at the Imax theatre. We stopped at a local pizza place there for dinner before heading back into the National Park for an evening hanging around the camp.

Boulder, CO to Durango, CO

We started the day off at Rocky Mountain Joe’s – a café just outside Boulder to have our breakfast for the day. Afterwards it was back to Jen’s one last time, as we pack up the car and head off in the direction of the Grand Canyon. 

We were planning to stop at Mesa Verde National Park for the night but bushfires have set 70% of the park alight and the park is closed. We drive on to Durango, Colorado and decide to call it a night there at 7pm. After settling into the hostel we walk down to El Patio for a nachos dinner and a couple of beers. 

Later that evening we decide to go to the drive-in to see Me, Myself & Irene. Not a very good movie, but I loved being at a drive-in for the first time in a million years. Amy, however, fell asleep. A good night’s rest in the hostel and we move on to Grand Canyon National Park tomorrow.

Arches National Park, UT

We were up early this morning and straight into Arches National Park. We started the day driving to Devil’s Garden Trailhead at the end of the park to do a 5 mile hike that included Landscape Arch, Partition Arch and Navajo Arch. All the rock formations here are formed by wind erosion and, as the park name suggests, are literally archways. Our second stop was at Sand Dune Arch (2 small natural bridges) and then a mile further along to Broken Arch, which is a predicted name as currently it is only cracked. From there it was on to the Windows, along with Turret Arch and Double Arches. 

Amy, Partition Arch, Arches National Park, Utah

Me, Broken Arch, Arches National Park, Utah

Turret Arch, Arches National Park, Utah

Landscape Arch, Arches National Park, Utah

We left the park for a late lunch and to escape some of the heat. We ended up in Moab diner for a huge meal. After lunch it was back to the campsite for a swim.

We went back into Arches, stopped at Balance Rock, before heading the 1 mile to Delicate Arch, where we – and many others – watched the sunset. Due to a sandal blowout we couldn’t get as close as we’d like, but the setting sun behind this lone arch was pretty spectacular. 

Delicate Arch, Arches National Park, Utah

We went into Moab for the evening and saw Scary Movie (yawn) before packing it in for the night.

Miami, FL

I had a minor sleep in this morning and then walked up to McDonalds for breakfast.

I spent most of the day wandering around Washington and Collins Streets again. Watched some soccer being played on the sand at the beach, and did some people watching on Ocean Drive, before walking up to the cinemas on Lincoln Mall. I saw Road Trip, which was OK, but best of all was the 2 hours of air conditioning.

On the walk back towards the hostel I stopped at the 11th Street Diner for late lunch / early dinner. I had the fish and chips, which were really good. I walked back down to the beachfront again where I sat on the grass, wrote in my diary, checked photos and did some more people watching. I headed back to the hostel at 6pm.

I don’t know what it is, but I don’t like Miami that much.

The evening is spent talking to Amy again. This break between us is killing me and we’re only halfway there. Another night conserving money and taking it easy.

Portland, OR

I don’t know why, but this morning I couldn’t get started. I didn’t wake up until 11am and was only just ready in time when Amy came home to have lunch with me at noon. We picked up sandwiches from Zupans and drove to Washington Park to sit on the grass in the sunshine. We sat in the amphitheatre looking towards Mt Hood, surrounded by these beautiful gardens. It was picture perfect.

On her way back to work, Amy dropped me off at the grocery store to pick up food for dinner (I volunteered to cook her my one and only dish – chicken stir fry). I got home and prepared things so all I had to do when Amy got home was throw everything in the fry pan.

But when Amy got home we decided to go and see Cider House Rules at the Mission Theater (4 blocks away). Great movie, but deep and somber. It certainly didn’t give you the warmest feeling upon leaving. This is the same theatre we saw Being John Malkovich in, the last time I was here. For $2 and cheap beers in this old restored building, you can’t go wrong.

Once we got home I cooked dinner. It wasn’t too bad, even if I say so myself. Once again tonight was a late one for us, which is fine by me, but some of us have to be at work early in the morning.

Portland, OR

This has been the day I have been waiting for. Back in Portland to hang out with Amy again.

Most of the morning is spent in awe of the Oregon forest. The scenery around the lakes at Klamath Falls is stunning. The early afternoon was spent playing cards with Amy and Jackie. Amy has just returned from 6 months in Australia, and is heading back to Minnesota. While Amy is heading back to Seattle, after being in New Mexico for a possible job.

The train rolled into Portland at around 4pm. I found a storage room to put my backpack and headed off in search of food. First thing, though, was to stop off at Kinko’s to spend some time emailing. This has become an addiction I cannot do without for more than 2 days. After all this, it is still another 3 hours before Amy is due back from Italy. I found the Broadway Cinema and went and saw Mission Impossible II. Although it is not the greatest of movies, it kept me entertained, out of the cold, and somewhat homesick, as a lot of the movie is set in Sydney.

After a quick call to confirm she was home, I raced up to Amy’s to see her. It has only been a few weeks, but is so good to see her again. We stayed in talking about our different trips for what seemed like all night.

Seattle, WA to Victoria, BC, Canada

I was up at the crack of dawn this morning to get to Pier 69 to catch my ferry to Victoria. It’s another cloudy day, and while I originally wanted to sit outside, it was way too cold to do so. I sat with 2 couples from Chicago who were heading to Victoria for day trip. They were good company for the journey, as the predicted spectacular views were cut short because of the inclement weather.

Victoria, Vancouver Island, BC From The Ferry

The boat arrived at 11am and once again I was singled out by customs (at least they were friendly), but maybe I need an image overhaul.

The hostel is a pleasant twenty-minute walk around the harbor, and as soon as I checked in and found my room, I was out again exploring this town. Victoria is a lot bigger than I expected (I was thinking along the lines of Port Townsend again), but what am I to know. I stuck pretty much to the shopping area, just walking east to west and then north to south along about ten streets. The Canadian dollar is a lot more favorable for the traveling Aussie, so I went all out on a nice Chinese lunch. After lunch I crossed the bridge and followed the path along the harbourside – just taking in the view.

By the time I got back to the hostel it was 5pm. I was going to take it easy for the night, and it took all of about 2 minutes to fall in to an hour’s snooze.

I got some dinner and then headed up to the cinema to see Gladiator. This is a great movie. The best part being how Rome would have looked in all its glory (I so badly want to go back). The movie went for 3 hours but it was so good you didn’t even notice.

When I got back to the hostel I checked my emails and had another marathon phone call with Amy. She leaves for Italy on Saturday, so tomorrow will be the last time I talk to her before I see her in person.

The hostel room is the biggest I have ever seen. 48 beds (but broken up into sections of 8).

Portland, OR

Amy called this morning to say she was working from home and wanted to know if I wanted to hang out. She lives only 5 blocks from the hostel, so I walked over there for the morning. She drove me up to Washington Park where we had lunch surrounded by the beautiful rose gardens. We then drove around the north east of the city, as Amy had do some work in this area.

Amy & I @ Washington Park, Portland, OR

She dropped me downtown so I could do some more sightseeing, which I did until 4pm. I headed back to the hostel as to tidy up as Amy and I are off to the movies tonight.

Two blocks from the hostel is the Mission Theatre that is showing Being John Malkovich for $2. The theatre is an old time classic, and a sight in itself – with its own bar, balcony area, where you could be waited on, and piano (I felt like we should have been watching an old silent movie). The movie was bizarre but hilarious, who could’ve ever come up with a concept like that – it has been a long time since I’ve seen a movie this original. All of this and great company as well.

Because Amy is a Southerner (North Carolina) she insisted that I had to have barbeque. We drove all around northeast Portland until we found Yam Yams – a barbeque diner, where we ate ribs, fried ochre, red beans and sweet potato pie. I ate enough to do me a lifetime and there was still plenty left over. Over the last 2 days I have enjoyed the real American eating experience (mac and cheese yesterday, barbeque tonight). We drove around and talked till late, when Amy dropped me off at the hostel.

Isle Of Skye, Scotland to Oban, Scotland

I left Kyleakin at 8.30 am, bound for Glencoe. The Haggis bus made two stops first – at Ben Nevis and Fort William – to drop off and pick up other passengers. On the way I got my first sight of rain since arriving in Scotland, but it only lasted five minutes.

We arrived at Glencoe, to find the only thing to do was go for a hike. That, coupled with the fact that the youth hostel was fully booked, helped me decide to head onto the next stop – Oban. I checked in for three nights, and set about for a walk around town.

Oban is a smallish fishing village that happens to be having a seafood fair this weekend.

I walked through the main street of town and to the tourist office to find out what I can do for the next couple of days. I then walked up the hill to McCaig’s Tower. This was a tower built by a local banker in the late 1800’s in a style similar to that of the Colosseum in Rome. His vision was to have a statue of a family member in each arch, but it never came to fruition. I ended up sitting up there for an hour, reading and listening to my Walkman.

Oban from Pulpit Hill, Scotland

I eventually came back to the hostel when it started getting too cold.

I was going to spend the night in at the hostel (they have an open fireplace) but Kathy suggested going to the movies, which was only a couple minutes’ walk from the hostel. We went and saw The Gingerbread Man in a cinema that makes the loungeroom at the Entrance look like the MCG. The movie was alright, but nothing to rave about.

Afterwards we took a walk along the water’s edge to a War Memorial, before heading back to the warmth of the hostel.

Avignon, France

We woke up this morning to the sound of a couple of drops of rain on the tent. I bought my towel in and noticed that the weather had taken a turn for the worse overnight. Within 20 minutes we were in the tent in the middle of this huge thunderstorm. Thinking it would pass any moment, we had some breakfast and thought we’d wait until all had stopped. Unfortunately, it only got harder, so I had to get out and attach all the ropes to the tent, as we’d only used the basics last night when setting up.

When I’d finished doing this I went to the showers, through knee deep water on one of the campground’s roads, to try and warm up. Of course, by the time I got back to the tent, the rain had stopped, but it still looked to be a miserable day anyway.

We walked over to town to take a look around. The only real sight was the church, which we only saw from the outside, otherwise we just wandered around (in the rain) having a look until two pm, when we walked up to the local cinema and saw Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas, which was bizarre, but good, and a great way to dry out for two hours.

Back out into the rain and we walked down to the internet café on the other side of town. There was a problem and the computers were slow, so we didn’t stick around for long, but we met up with two Eurobussers, Nick from South Africa and Steve from Ireland, and we chatted for ages before heading to Maccas for dinner.

We got back to the camp site expecting the worst, but the Taj had handled the rain well, except for a small hole in the floor under my bedroll. We mopped that water up and made repairs with the huge sticky tape bought in Granada.

We were going to go back to town for drinks, but after a few games of cards and the rain persisting, we opted to stay dry in the tent.

Florence, Italy to Nice, France

Time to head back to the sun, sea and rocks of Nice today.

We packed up the tent and caught the bus to Florence SMN one last time. We got there at 10.45 am and had to wait an hour for our bus. We filled in time with an early lunch and a phone call to mum. The bus trip took five and a half hours and at no time did I know where we really were (although the last hour and a half was along a picturesque coastline). We met a couple of guys form the Eurobus who had been to Florence for a day’s shopping (so Buddah!). They were hoping to be on the bus to go straight through to London tonight, but considering we arrived at Nice at 5.15 pm (the same time the Eurobus was to leave) a half hour walk from the drop off point, I didn’t like their chances.

We went back to the same hostel we were in last time, Pado Tourisme, and got the last two beds. Thank God – seeing as there’d be nowhere else in Nice where we could stay for 60 francs a night.

We walked down to the main street, so I could find a place to exchange my excess lire for francs, and then we went to a Chinese fast-food place for dinner.

After dinner we decided to go and see a movie, and after passing two cinemas that only had French dubbed movies, we ended up at the Rialto to see the Avengers. This would have to be the worst movie I’ve seen since I slept through Blues Brothers 2000.

It was midnight by the time we came out and so we went straight home. Even though our room backs on to the railway line, both of us crashed.