I haven't really spoken much of the adventures here in Downtown Vancouver which is a bit remiss of me so here it goes...
We both got into the spirit of things by supporting the local ice-hockey team the Vancouver Canucks which was awesome as they made to the 2nd round of playoffs and we felt compelled to go a watch a game. It was like no other sporting event you've ever been to, although for $150 for nosebleed seats it had pretty high expectations. May it started to warm up too, into the mid teens which was very welcome. The walk around Stanley Park has become a regular thing now, which is keeping us active.

We visited the top of Grouse Mountain which at the time was covered with thick cloud, it was really quite bizarre, only being able to see 2 meters in front of you. Plus it was still covered with snow! But the real pulling point was the two Grizzly Bears that are kept up there, it takes a little bit to realise this bear is only a meter away with nothing stoping it except a ringlock fence.
On the north shore side there's the Capilano Suspension Bridge and the Trout & Salmon farm (the salmon here is bloody awesome!). This bridge is over 125m above the creek below... not for those afraid of heights.

The best train ride EVER is the rocky mountaineer. Which took us up through Whistler and the Squamish area, and the views we had for 3 hours was something a photo could never do justice. Through the mountains and VERY green landscape it would be something I could not recommend highly enough. Once in Whistler we'd found much of the snow had gone and weather was against us. We still did everything we wanted to do and more!
Ziplining through the forest
Scenic flight in a sailplane (which I very luckily got the co-pilots seat!)
and a bit of drinking in there for good measure... since Whistler is the party town (and it is literally OVERRUN by aussies and kiwis!)

It has been a real buzz so far and it only got better with the ferry ride to Vancouver island. This is the holiday destination for the rich and famous. With no property under $1m it is really amazing yet not over-the-top oppulent though. Combined with the world famous Butchart gardens. Not being a nature or gardening buff myself, I was absolutely astounded with this place. I took heaps of photos which you can see below. The trip around the islands was the cheapest and best cruise you will ever see! So beautiful!

The million dollar question though... no I havent managed to find employment yet. We have really spent so much of our time touring around this place and checking out every little thing to even consider it. I unfortunately missed a very valuable opportunity with the cruise ship company and now wont be able to persue that. I needed to be more proactive with that earlier on in the piece, but thats a lesson I've definately learnt.

But it has got to the point now where I am so torn as to whether to spend the rest of my savings touring the rest of canada/usa maybe even a quick trip down to the caribbean, or stay and save my pennies for living expenses... I dont really want to think about it but the time has come...

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2029214&id=219500184&l=aa850966d6

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2029446&id=219500184&l=7071d495c2

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7 Things to start it all!!

Firstly Welcome, secondly I will endeavour to update this as much as I possibly can. Since I have a bit of spare time on my hands at the moment....

My 7 Favourite Things, thanks to the Mighty Ginge for his tagging and funky list.



1. Cricket

From a young age I was besotted by this strange sport. From early memories when I waited 3 hours to go into bat at #8 (For those playing at home there is only 11 players, so its not hard to work out my skill level). After the 3 hour wait, I strode to the pitch full of confidence, and proceeded to play a sweep shot (swinging the bat almost 180 degrees to hit the ball behind you)... and on the first ball, first sweep shot... I managed to knock down not one but all three of the stumps and I was OUT. 3 hours of waiting for 15 seconds of embarrassing glory.

Aside from that I love the game, so much so my nickname (boeta/boets) came from a South African cricketer. Ever since playing (or should I say umpiring) the lunch-time cricket games at high school I have played or make sure I get involved wherever possible. Umpired WACA grade cricket for 4 years until I started shift work, which made it incredibly hard to be available week to week. Before you give me grief for umpiring, what would you do if you loved the game but had the skill level of a cerebral palsy sufferer.



2. Airlines
I love the smell of Jet A-1 in the morning ! The simple fact that these wonderful machines defy all known laws, some weighing over 350 tonnes are able to not only take off but sustain flight for sometimes 18 hours. I love flying, I love the fact that people can be half way around the world in half a day. I love the stories of people and how they have ended up in the places they have. Or even the shenanigans of some Crew!


My line of work could be said to involve these interesting creatures (the passengers that is) being that I worked for Virgin Blue and Skywest for 2 years whilst studying at uni, and now that I've graduated I'm still there more or less. The only wish is that I'd gone to flight college rather than uni. Since its hard to beat this as your day to day office...



3. Halo Multiplayer


Only because Halo 3 was chewed by Brenton's dog... otherwise we'd be playing that religiously. So the old beer, pizza and Halo nights are extremely competitive... Kills minus deaths over the entire night, highest score wins... John is on 21 wins, my score has been saved at 17 (since I'm decidedly 'out of the country', next is thommo on 5... but you get the idea.

Its usually between John and myself. John being the gun-ho jump, run, throw and destroy anything and everything (team mates included). Whereas myself 0n the other hand has never set foot on the centre of any map, creeps around the outside with my trusty sniper rifle, camping like a little slut. I've become the MOST annoying player, trouble is I was a crack shot from the get go... now, 2+ years later the others are just as good, so my significant advantage has gone, and I'm now forced to do the unthinkable... actually go and find people.



4. Twist Movies

Not that don't like other movies (massive fan of comedies)... There is nothing that leaves me reeling more than a good twist, I've posted pictures of three of my all time favs... have you seen them?





5. Cooking

OK so the name of this blog had to originated somewhere... seafood is my vice! Ever since I was 6 I've been cooking and enjoying cooking completely random and some horrifically hard things (souffle is a bitch) but if I wasn't working in the industry I am... for sure I would be a chef. The only thing stopping that would be the lack of creativity... I seemingly just flick through books to find the most appealing looking picture.

This can be extended to fine foods/dining, not the pretentious stuff, but seriously good restaurants which have unique recipes and flavours will get my dollar every time. I will happily spend $100 if the food is good, don't worry about stupid presentation or atmosphere... might go a little bit of the way explaining why I have gained so much weight



6. German Automobiles

Although most are stupidly over-elaborate, AND it's just a car... having now owned one, I can say that the comfort factor is huge. You will have to sell your newborn to be able to afford the maintenance on ANY of these babies... but that's when knowing someone certainly helps. I dislike those who purchase these cars as status symbols, that irritates me to no end. I realise this is about all they are perceived as being good for... but I'd like to believe that drivers should earn the right to drive nice cars.

If you have been caught speeding more than 5 times or caused more than 1 accident, you deserve to rot in that piece of shit Hyundai. End mini-rant.



7. Photography

I've never had any classes/lessons on how to do it properly, I still use my little baby Canon. But I would seriously give anything to have this UBER-camera with beautiful lens, and a few photography lessons on how to get the best out of this equipment. I love taking photos and sharing them, although I'm sure there are heaps of photography students who would stab me repeatedly if I purchased said camera... but then again I'd like a new MacBook too so heres where the dilemma begins...