22 hours of travel time, too many airplane meals and we finally arrived in Aus. Greeted by a familiar face we were so glad to be here. After a shower and a change if clothes we were good as new. Steve and Mands have a lovely home in Mornington and really made us feel welcome.
On day two we took the boat out for Bruce and Steve to ski. Sadly Bruce was unsuccessful. Turns out Krispy Kreme and Tim Hortons had caught up with us. We took a lovely drive out around the entire Melbourne bay and crossed over at the heads on a ferry.
On day two we were feeling weary so we lounged at home while Steve and Mandy fetched Kyle from his downhill racing event 3 hours away. We watched movies with Tora and went shopping for a cozzie to accommodate a pregnant figure.the boys took the boat out again but it was too windy to ski.
Today we visited a wildlife sanctuary. We cuddled a koala, fed kangaroos and wallabies and patted a dingo. Absolutely amazing.
As we pack the boat with ski and fishing gear, we prepare to head off tomorrow. First stop is Eden, about 6 hours away,. After that who knows, the plan was to drive to the Gold Coast but Steve and Bruce are debating the value of driving 15 hours when there are so many other exiting places along the way, so we'll see.....
Exciting news.....whilst lounging in the sun on the deck today, the jelly bean turned over and I felt it with my hand..... Eek!!!!
Our Internet is going to be scanty from now on, but we'll try post something whenever we can.
If any of you need to get hold of us urgently, mail Steve: Steve.longmore01@gmail.com. Just put Bruce or V as the subject.
Love to you all, we are missing you and home. Photos to follow soon
Tuesday 22 January 2013
Monday 21 January 2013
Vancouver Day 5 - 16 Jan 2013
At our dinner with Kucki and Mike the other night, Kucki had offered to take us on a bit of a road trip. We ended up organizing for today at 09h30. After breakie we packed our bags and checked out of our hotel. Fortunately we could leave our bags with reception while we went galavanting.
Kucki picked us up and we headed up towards whistler, north of Vancouver. On the way she decided to show us cypress mountain, the highest of the three mountains towering over the city. The road up was gorgeous, winding upwards the ski resort at the top. The snow was insanely thick. On each side of the road was a wall of about 2-3m. The higher we went the thicker and colder it got. The pine trees were so laden with snow that they looked like they were going to collapse at any moment!
After cypress we continued north towards horseshoe bay and Saskatoon. It is a beautiful road that winds along the coastline. The scenery is spectacular with the deep blue water meeting steep green edges of the mountains. The bay has multiple islands scattered throughout it and this only adds to the magnificence.
In all honestly Vancouver is one of the prettiest cities we have ever seen!
After a quick ride back to town Kucki surprised us with a visit to Granville Market and today it was open and happening! V was squealing with excitement! Definitely the best market we have EVER been to.. The fruit and veggies were incredible and the yummy goodies filled the place like a cholesterol minefield! Needless to say I fell victim and ravaged some delicious treats. V's highlight was a real toffee apple... And after stealing a bite I can vouch for its awesomeness!
After the market we headed back to our hotel and said goodbye to Kucki. A short walk to the station was followed by a 20min train ride to the airport for our 18h30 flight to Melbourne via Auckland.
Next stop a crazy two weeks with Steve, Mands, Kyle and Tora! Can't believe it's finally here!
Kucki picked us up and we headed up towards whistler, north of Vancouver. On the way she decided to show us cypress mountain, the highest of the three mountains towering over the city. The road up was gorgeous, winding upwards the ski resort at the top. The snow was insanely thick. On each side of the road was a wall of about 2-3m. The higher we went the thicker and colder it got. The pine trees were so laden with snow that they looked like they were going to collapse at any moment!
After cypress we continued north towards horseshoe bay and Saskatoon. It is a beautiful road that winds along the coastline. The scenery is spectacular with the deep blue water meeting steep green edges of the mountains. The bay has multiple islands scattered throughout it and this only adds to the magnificence.
In all honestly Vancouver is one of the prettiest cities we have ever seen!
After a quick ride back to town Kucki surprised us with a visit to Granville Market and today it was open and happening! V was squealing with excitement! Definitely the best market we have EVER been to.. The fruit and veggies were incredible and the yummy goodies filled the place like a cholesterol minefield! Needless to say I fell victim and ravaged some delicious treats. V's highlight was a real toffee apple... And after stealing a bite I can vouch for its awesomeness!
After the market we headed back to our hotel and said goodbye to Kucki. A short walk to the station was followed by a 20min train ride to the airport for our 18h30 flight to Melbourne via Auckland.
Next stop a crazy two weeks with Steve, Mands, Kyle and Tora! Can't believe it's finally here!
Wednesday 16 January 2013
Vancouver day 4 - 15 Jan 2013
The day of snow. We had an early breakfast then dressed extra warm and headed across on the seabus. Only we had to run a short distance to avoid waiting 30 mins for the next one. Needless to say the jelly bean was shaken awake and made his/her presence known. We then had a scenic bus drive along north Vancouver and headed to Grouse Mountain. This is the middle of the three mountains in Vancouver.
The Longmores arrived and were surrounded by about 50 7-8 year olds on a school outing. Feeling very overwhelmed we hung back till they were all up the mountain before we braved the Skyride. It's a smaller version on the Table Mountain car, they pack as many people onto it though and take you up about 3 x the height. Fortunately we headed into the clouds as I'm sure the exposure would have rattled us.
Once on top we just stood with our mouths open. It was like we time warped into a winter wonderland. I proper ski resort. We found rentals and Bruce was kitted out with boots, skis, a helmet and poles. He had an hour to play around before his lesson. After an initial tumble down a gentle slope, he mastered skiing so quickly and by the time I left him to his lesson, he was well on his way. 3 hours later he had had the lesson and gone down the beginners slope 3 times including the cable chair ride back up. A wonderful experience.
I had the pleasure of reading for 2 hours next to fireplace in a restaurant whilst watching the snow fall gently outside.
A wonderful day and a definate plan for a future skiing holiday....when I can participate too.
Below are some great pics.
The Longmores arrived and were surrounded by about 50 7-8 year olds on a school outing. Feeling very overwhelmed we hung back till they were all up the mountain before we braved the Skyride. It's a smaller version on the Table Mountain car, they pack as many people onto it though and take you up about 3 x the height. Fortunately we headed into the clouds as I'm sure the exposure would have rattled us.
Once on top we just stood with our mouths open. It was like we time warped into a winter wonderland. I proper ski resort. We found rentals and Bruce was kitted out with boots, skis, a helmet and poles. He had an hour to play around before his lesson. After an initial tumble down a gentle slope, he mastered skiing so quickly and by the time I left him to his lesson, he was well on his way. 3 hours later he had had the lesson and gone down the beginners slope 3 times including the cable chair ride back up. A wonderful experience.
I had the pleasure of reading for 2 hours next to fireplace in a restaurant whilst watching the snow fall gently outside.
A wonderful day and a definate plan for a future skiing holiday....when I can participate too.
Below are some great pics.
Monday 14 January 2013
Vancouver day 3 - 14 Jan 2013
Today we realized that even the weathermen can't predict Vancouver weather... According to the weather report it was supposed to be sunny and mild but we woke up to a snow blizzard. As a result we changed our plans and postponed our skiing experience.
We set off into town and explored the main shopping areas including Vancouver's istore. After this we took a bus to Granville island to go and find the infamous world renowned Granville market... Unfortunately our timing was off and we were told that the market closes for maintenance on only four days of the year... Today being one of them! A little disappointed we decided to take the aqua bus up false creek... This is a little boat that seats about 10 people and it ferries people to and from about 6 stops in the creek. Although it was almightily chilly we huddled in the closed off boat and saw Vancouver east from the water!
We can't get over how many boats there are in this city... And the majority are EXPENSIVE ones. It turns out that the gulf islands, which are scattered not far from the mainland, make for spectacular summer getaways and people moor in little coves for days at a time!
After our aquabus ride we were frozen to the core and decided to retreat to our hotel to get warm. The ride on the sky train was quick and after a quick stop at the grocery store we tucked ourselves in for a warm avi nap.
Marc (one of the guys that was in the Montreal case competition with me) originates from Vancouver and he arranged for us to meet his parents. Mike and Kucki live in North Vancouver in an area called deep cove. We arranged to go have dinner with them. To get to north Vancouver we needed to take the seabus, a 500 person ferry that leaves every 15min from the main station and goes across to lonsdale quay. From here we took a bus across in the snow and found mike and kucki's house... We were welcomed by huge friendly smiles and a roaring fire... It was fantastic and we chatted over some spectacular grub. At about 11 Kucki insisted on taking us home on the scenic root. It was amazing to see the city by night and we were in awe of the huge bridge that was lit up.
We set off into town and explored the main shopping areas including Vancouver's istore. After this we took a bus to Granville island to go and find the infamous world renowned Granville market... Unfortunately our timing was off and we were told that the market closes for maintenance on only four days of the year... Today being one of them! A little disappointed we decided to take the aqua bus up false creek... This is a little boat that seats about 10 people and it ferries people to and from about 6 stops in the creek. Although it was almightily chilly we huddled in the closed off boat and saw Vancouver east from the water!
We can't get over how many boats there are in this city... And the majority are EXPENSIVE ones. It turns out that the gulf islands, which are scattered not far from the mainland, make for spectacular summer getaways and people moor in little coves for days at a time!
After our aquabus ride we were frozen to the core and decided to retreat to our hotel to get warm. The ride on the sky train was quick and after a quick stop at the grocery store we tucked ourselves in for a warm avi nap.
Marc (one of the guys that was in the Montreal case competition with me) originates from Vancouver and he arranged for us to meet his parents. Mike and Kucki live in North Vancouver in an area called deep cove. We arranged to go have dinner with them. To get to north Vancouver we needed to take the seabus, a 500 person ferry that leaves every 15min from the main station and goes across to lonsdale quay. From here we took a bus across in the snow and found mike and kucki's house... We were welcomed by huge friendly smiles and a roaring fire... It was fantastic and we chatted over some spectacular grub. At about 11 Kucki insisted on taking us home on the scenic root. It was amazing to see the city by night and we were in awe of the huge bridge that was lit up.
Vancouver day 2 - 13 Jan 2013
We woke up to beautiful clear skies... After a quick breakie we decided to do some exploring on foot! We headed down towards the port edge where we found a beautiful promenade type walk. It was stunningly beautiful... The mountains which form the back drop to the city were covered in snow. I've attached a map of the city in the photos of yesterday's post with the pin showing where our hotel is.
Stanley park is at the end of the main peninsula and is an incredible natural forest with walkways and trails. Right in the centre is Vancouver aquarium which lay claim to nearly four hours of our day! V and I both love aquariums so this was such a treat... All the marine life is so different and beautiful. The photos just don't do it justice.
After the aquarium we couldn't handle the -5 weather any longer and decided to take a bus home...
Stanley park is at the end of the main peninsula and is an incredible natural forest with walkways and trails. Right in the centre is Vancouver aquarium which lay claim to nearly four hours of our day! V and I both love aquariums so this was such a treat... All the marine life is so different and beautiful. The photos just don't do it justice.
After the aquarium we couldn't handle the -5 weather any longer and decided to take a bus home...
Saturday 12 January 2013
Montreal day 8 / Vancouver day 1 - 12 Jan 2013
We checked out of the hotel at 10h30 and all 5 of us piled into a cab to the airport. Marc was flying to LA, Nic and Krits were off to North Carolina and v and I were set to fly to Vancouver! After an emotional fair well we all went our different directions!
V and I had a 6 hour flight however during this we lost three hours on the clock. We landed just after four and caught the Canada line from the airport to the centre of town! Vancouver is an incredibly pretty city and we are so excited to go exploring tomorrow! We are staying in a little hotel just above one of the ports called the ramada!
Hope you all are smiling and enjoying the hot weather!
Much love!!!!
V and I had a 6 hour flight however during this we lost three hours on the clock. We landed just after four and caught the Canada line from the airport to the centre of town! Vancouver is an incredibly pretty city and we are so excited to go exploring tomorrow! We are staying in a little hotel just above one of the ports called the ramada!
Hope you all are smiling and enjoying the hot weather!
Much love!!!!
Montreal Day 7 - 11 Jan 2013
So after the shock of losing the semi finals we had a late sleep in and decided to go on a long walk around the city... It was particularly beautiful with all the snow covered sidewalks! We went down to the port area and were amazed by the size of ship docked so far up the st laurens river.
We made it back in time to see Sydney university present... The presentation was mediocre to say the least with the team suggesting what was an impractical solution to a strategic problem. Nevertheless it was this team with this presentation that went on the win the competition.
At the closing banquet we received our prize for being divisional leaders and had lots of fun chatting to all our new friends! The competition was indeed an amazing experience that taught me so so much! It was worth every cent and a week that I will remember for the rest of my life!
V was so amazing throughout it all... From dressing up formally around her growing belly to being the undisputed biggest UCT fan, she encouraged and supported us all the way! It was such a blessing to have her here and the guys thoroughly enjoyed having a 'mom' to look after us!
We made it back in time to see Sydney university present... The presentation was mediocre to say the least with the team suggesting what was an impractical solution to a strategic problem. Nevertheless it was this team with this presentation that went on the win the competition.
At the closing banquet we received our prize for being divisional leaders and had lots of fun chatting to all our new friends! The competition was indeed an amazing experience that taught me so so much! It was worth every cent and a week that I will remember for the rest of my life!
V was so amazing throughout it all... From dressing up formally around her growing belly to being the undisputed biggest UCT fan, she encouraged and supported us all the way! It was such a blessing to have her here and the guys thoroughly enjoyed having a 'mom' to look after us!
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