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

Sunshine Coast

So we've been in Australia for 2 weeks, doing the family thing. On the 7th Mom, was flying back to the US, so I booked flights for me, B & L to go to the Sunshine Coast and catch up with some friends who I haven't seen since at least 5 years ago when I was here last.

We only had a couple hours wait with Robbie before we were on any easy 2 hour flight to Maroochydore. We were picked up by Tawnie and taken to the Kern's house. Kern, Robbie, Luke, & Luvvo I've known for 35 years, and they've known each other longer, so even after 5 years, when we get together, it's like it was last weekend. Kern has a couple of boys, SK & BK, around B &L's age. They were weirdly wary of each other for about an hour, when they started playing a game on the trampoline. That was it - they were as good a friends as the adults were. They were inseparable for the weekend. After spending the afternoon at Alexandra Headland Beach, we had an evening in at the Kerns and were joined by the Luvvos, the Marshes and Creany. Just fantastic to see everyone.

S, L, B & B at Alexandra Headland Beach, Queensland

Saturday morning was BK's soccer match in the morning, then we headed up to the Cooroy Bowls Club. Taken over by Your Mates Brewery, this casual Bowls Club does a barefoot Saturday afternoon for all and sundry. So about 20 of us had a bowl and a couple of beers. B & L did really well for 2 kids that had never heard of bowls before today. The did Grandddad Great proud. Fun afternoon in a Queensland "winter".

Your Mates Brewery @ Cooroy Bowls Club

After bowls it was off to Noosaville and a night at the Luvvos. As soon as we got there, all the boys (kid boys, not adult boys - gotta distinguish that now) headed into the backyard and were playing soccer like theyd known each other 24 years - not 24 hours. Luvvos, Kerns, Marshes, Creans, Robbie and even Hayden and his 2 girls enjoyed the evenings barbie, music and catch up around the fire. A tinge of sadness that I don't do this more often couldn't beat the overwhelming happiness of the night for me. Catching up with great mates and a second generation forging new friendships. Very cool. We all stayed in various parts of the Luvvo house. A couple of caravans parked in the driveway, B, L & I had the guest house, while the main house filled out with a tom other people.

A barbeque breakfast made for a slow start to Sunday morning, but once we cleaned up, it was back to the Kerns for lunch before Kern, Robbie & I went out to Mudjimba Beach and hung out for the afternoon. The kids were somewhere in their own world. From there we took Rob back to the airport, and then spent the evening at the the Kerns in Buderim.

Me, Bob & Kern @ Mudjuimba Beach

On Monday Queensland kids went back to school after their winter break. This was the perfect opportunity for L, B & I to go to Australia Zoo. Just an absolute ripper of a day. Perfect weather and barely anyone in the park. We saw literally every animal as B controlled the map. And we spent a full 7 hours in the park. The highlight was wathcing the boys feeding and patting the kangaroos - not something they'd get to do most days. Also was a big fan of the Crocoseum. You can definitely see the legacy of Steve Irwin when you seen the show they put on. One last, exhausted night with the Kerns. What a treat! It was special to finally meet his boys and see the life they have set up for themselves on the Sunshine Coast. And to see our boys mucking around like we did as kids (and in out 20's) was just the best.

L & B @ Australia Zoo

Obligitory Koala Picture @ Australia Zoo

Kangaroo Feeding Area @ Australia Zoo

On the Tuesday morning, after the Kerns left for work and school we were picked up by Aunty Trish and driven out to Mooloolabah, where we met my cosuin and her family for lunch at the surfclub. It was great to spend time with Trish, Kara, Cameron and Archie. Again, these trips back to Australia only come about once in a blue moon, so any chance for a catch up is a blessing. Trish drove us out to the airport and the boys and I said farewell to a magic 4 nights on the Sunshine Coast - their first venture ouside Sydney and the Central Coast, and only my 2nd visit there (the first in nearly 30 years).

Till next time

Washington DC

Our last day in DC and while I would love to head back to the Mall (and spend a couple of weeks) it's off to the DC Zoo today.  We took the boys to the the Reptile Park last time we were in Australia, and mum and I have taken them to the NC Zoo in Asheboro, so technically this is their 3rd zoo trip.  But they were into it.

We got there fairly early, and met up with Chase, who spent a few hours with us.  We wandered from cage to cage.  The pandas were the big draw card, and when we eventually found them (they weren't in their enclosure, but an air conditioned room) they played up to the crowds and entertained everyone.  The elephant enclosure was a stand out, as were the seals.  In all a great place.  Again I really enjoyed doing this as a family and seeing the boys' reactions to the day.  They loved it by the way. 

Smithsonian Zoo, DC

Because we had the car, we thought we'd try to get to a couple more monuments, so we tried Arlington Cemetery first.  Boys did a fantastic job adhering to the quietness (not easy for 6 year olds), actually they did a lot better than others who should've known better.  I know it sounds weird to say, but I like being at these war cemeteries.  It reminds me of the unnecessary loss of life and how fortunate I (and my generation) have been not to have to such an horrific fate.  White gravestones mark the field as far as the eye can see in every direction - so much needless loss.  I would have liked to get to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, but it had already been a long day and the boys were fading.  We made it to the eternal flame at JFK's grave, which was again a special (right word?) moment.  It's funny how the grave of someone who died before you were born and has no connection to you can affect you in such a way.

Arlington Cemetery, VA

We battled peak hour traffic to get back to the house.  Again dinner was from H Street.  This time we sat outside at Impala for a Mexican meal.  After walking another 7.5 miles (15638 steps) today - a couple of Corona's and margaritas were just what the doctor ordered. A great way to spend our last night in DC. 

I'm so glad we came to DC, despite the relentless heat.  This was an active vacation for us - usually it's just a week at the beach in summer when we take the opportunity.  A good test for what the boys are capable of.  And I'm glad mum got to come somewhere she'd never been before, and did so with her grandsons.  Does put some pressure on us to find another great spot next year, though.

Bateau Bay, NSW

What a big day!  K has planned a day at the Australian Reptile Park for the family.  This place is a Central Coast institution - that I've never been to.  When we moved to the coast I was too old to go with school excursions.  So after moving to Bateau Bay in 1987 my first trip is also a first for A and the boys.  And this is only 40 minutes from where I grew up.

What K arranged was to have a park ranger show us some of the animals and give us a guided tour around the park.  We got out of the cars and a downpour started.  I couldn't believe weather may ruin this day.  We ran for the shelter of the park's entrance.  Got inside and sorted out our meeting place with the ranger, stepped outside and the rain was gone.  Happily, we didn't see any more rain until the drive home.

We start off at the picnic tables and the ranger brings over some animals for us to handle.  LF, M and the boys love it, and show no fear as they hold a blue-tongue lizard, some sort of dragon, a skink and a snake.  The kids are great with the animals and love all that's going on.

B&L and a Blue-Tongue Lizard

 Me & a dragon

  L, LF & B hold a snake

After then having a tawny frogmouth perch on our arms and stuffing pine cones with fruit to fed to some birds, we went for a walk around the park.  The kids got to pat a kangaroo, which roam freely around the park.  We went into a lorikeet cage to leave the pine cones.  L got bit by a bird here and had all sorts of trouble recovering.  We then went into the koala enclosure and patted a koala.  Again this is a first for me - very un-Australian of me to not have touched a koala before.  When we went back to the picnic tables, our ranger bought over a wombat for us to hold.  We were then on our own to explore.  We didn't last much longer as the kids tired out.  But needless to say the day was a blast.  The kids could barely contain themselves, and the adults weren't far behind.  What a great day!

  B & LF meet kangaroos

With a koala

Mom & the boys hold a wombat

The Australian Reptile Park