As I am travelling for work more and getting more aeroplan points than we can use, we decided to invite Kurt out for a visit to Vancouver.
He arrived on Thursday night after a layover in Montreal. On Friday Kurt visited some of the tour operators in Vancouver to promote our tour boat operation, Capital Cruises.
After we were all done work, we headed up to Whistler for the weekend. We awoke Saturday morning to 16cm of fresh powder and headed up Blackcomb. It was decent skiing, but after a couple hours Kurt was weak in the knees (not sure if it was the view or muscle fatigue). We had some great runs down 7th heaven and then took the peak2peak over to Whistler.
Sunday, we decided not to ski, instead had a nice brunch and walked around the village. Afterwards we drove back to Vancouver.
Kurt and I managed to get last minute tickets to the Vancouver Canucks vs Colorado Avalanche. Good game with the Canucks winning 4-2.
Last night we had dinner with Kerri and Adam. Kurt and Kerri met up earlier at a pub for some St. Paddys day celebrations, needless to say the were totally sober when they showed up for dinner.
Overall a great visit, we enjoyed having Kurt and look forward to the next visit.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Sunday, March 8, 2009
London Trip - February
I was sent to London for 2 weeks at the end of Feb for work in my new role on the Integration team. I am enjoying the new role, as it is allowing me to learn more about our product. For the past 5 years I have mainly learned about the design side, where as this new role is more about delivery of the system.
The 2 weeks went well, had some good meetings and site visits. We managed to get out a do some touristy things as well. Highlights include:
The 2 weeks went well, had some good meetings and site visits. We managed to get out a do some touristy things as well. Highlights include:
- Walks through Portobello Market, Little Venice canals, Hyde Park
- Visits to the Natural History and Science Museums
- Threatre Show at the Hippodrome - La Clique
Here are some pics:
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| Working in London |
Saturday, March 7, 2009
We're Blogging again
Katie and I have finally started blogging again. It's been a little while since our last couple of blogs (about a year I think!!). We've been quite busy over the last year and will upload some post-dated blogs of the big events from last year.
We'll be attempting to blog weekly with updates on what we've been up to and more.
We'll be attempting to blog weekly with updates on what we've been up to and more.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Whistler Getaway
Prior to my upcoming business trip to London for 2 weeks, Katie and I decided to head up to Whistler for a couple of days. It hadn't snowed in a couple of weeks, so the conditions were not amazing (but still better than Ontario!!).
Both Friday and Saturday we bluebird days, which only happens a handful of days in the Whistler area. As such, Katie and I enjoyed all the sun we could get, and skied a little bit as well.
I tried my hand at the Jump/Trick Park and have the bruises to prove it. I fared much better on the Snow Cross course (Yes like the XGames version only smaller).
On the Friday, we managed to get some last minute tickets to the sold out Luge event. It was really cool, yet hard to see as the sleds fly by you any where between 120-140km/hr.
Overall, a great weekend.
Here are some pics:
Both Friday and Saturday we bluebird days, which only happens a handful of days in the Whistler area. As such, Katie and I enjoyed all the sun we could get, and skied a little bit as well.
I tried my hand at the Jump/Trick Park and have the bruises to prove it. I fared much better on the Snow Cross course (Yes like the XGames version only smaller).
On the Friday, we managed to get some last minute tickets to the sold out Luge event. It was really cool, yet hard to see as the sleds fly by you any where between 120-140km/hr.
Overall, a great weekend.
Here are some pics:
 |
| Whistler Getaway |
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Cuba
After all of our remote adventures, epic cross country travels, and culture exploration, Katie and I decided to hang up our backpacks and try out a 5 star all-inclusive resort in the Caribbean.
As to not venture to far on the luxury scale and also try to see some local culture, we decided to visit Cuba. We flew into Varadero and stayed for a week at the Sandals Resort.
The resort was very nice, it had a lagoon running all around the resort and you walked above it on boardwalks. The food was good, as most know who have gone to Cuba the food is basic but good. One night Katie and I had a restaurant reservation for 8pm, but got a little hungry around 6pm. We decided to venture over to the buffet for a quick snack. To our surprise there was some amazing treats at the buffet. I ended up having a snack of 3 lobster tails...mmmm. Katie had fruit dipped in the chocolate fountain. We still ended up heading out for our dinner reservation at 8pm.
The all-inclusive alcohol was kinda interesting. I normally only drink beer, wine, or rye whiskey, as rum and vodka make me ill. Yet, when you're in Cuba you have to have a mojito, cuba libra, etc. I discovered that I actually love rum, I just don't like barcardi. The Havana club is very good, especially the old it is. I was also drinking for 2 as we found out that Katie was pregnant 3 days prior to leaving for Cuba.
We did a day trip into Havana, which was amazing. We toured the old port area, revolution square, the parliament, and a cigar factory. The factory was really cool, they have 900 employees that make over 40,000 cigars a day. Havana was definately a place we would love to go back to and spend more time at, 3 days min.
The resort had scuba diving included, so I went out a couple of times. The reefs were very bare and uninteresting for the most part, but any scuba diving is usually still good scuba diving. Katie and I spent most of our time swimming, reading, lounging in the sun, playing beach volleyball, and more swimming.
Here are some pics:
As to not venture to far on the luxury scale and also try to see some local culture, we decided to visit Cuba. We flew into Varadero and stayed for a week at the Sandals Resort.
The resort was very nice, it had a lagoon running all around the resort and you walked above it on boardwalks. The food was good, as most know who have gone to Cuba the food is basic but good. One night Katie and I had a restaurant reservation for 8pm, but got a little hungry around 6pm. We decided to venture over to the buffet for a quick snack. To our surprise there was some amazing treats at the buffet. I ended up having a snack of 3 lobster tails...mmmm. Katie had fruit dipped in the chocolate fountain. We still ended up heading out for our dinner reservation at 8pm.
The all-inclusive alcohol was kinda interesting. I normally only drink beer, wine, or rye whiskey, as rum and vodka make me ill. Yet, when you're in Cuba you have to have a mojito, cuba libra, etc. I discovered that I actually love rum, I just don't like barcardi. The Havana club is very good, especially the old it is. I was also drinking for 2 as we found out that Katie was pregnant 3 days prior to leaving for Cuba.
We did a day trip into Havana, which was amazing. We toured the old port area, revolution square, the parliament, and a cigar factory. The factory was really cool, they have 900 employees that make over 40,000 cigars a day. Havana was definately a place we would love to go back to and spend more time at, 3 days min.
The resort had scuba diving included, so I went out a couple of times. The reefs were very bare and uninteresting for the most part, but any scuba diving is usually still good scuba diving. Katie and I spent most of our time swimming, reading, lounging in the sun, playing beach volleyball, and more swimming.
Here are some pics:
 |
| Cuba |
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Las Vegas - Thanksgiving 2008
Katie and I decided to bypass the turkey and gravy this year and head to Vegas for a 3 day weekend. As we haven't traveled through the US in awhile, our trip started off with a couple of speed bumps (ie. rub downs, searches, and charges).
Vegas was quite interesting, like Disneyland for rednecks, where everybody is sitting around slots machines smoking and hating every minute of it. After our explorations of the area, I would recommend Vegas to people, but talk with somebody that has traveled there and is of similar likeness to get recommendations.
We loved the Grand Canyon day trip. We bused out over the hoover dam and to the west rim of the canyon. After which we took a 15min heli flight down to the Colorado river for a quick boat trip. The only downfall to this tour was the bus ride back, as our french-Canadian tour guide decided to lock the bus doors and torture us the entire 2 hour ride back. His method of torture.....the entire final Las Vega concert by Celine Dion.
We also love the shows, of which the best was La Reve.
Here are some pics:
Vegas was quite interesting, like Disneyland for rednecks, where everybody is sitting around slots machines smoking and hating every minute of it. After our explorations of the area, I would recommend Vegas to people, but talk with somebody that has traveled there and is of similar likeness to get recommendations.
We loved the Grand Canyon day trip. We bused out over the hoover dam and to the west rim of the canyon. After which we took a 15min heli flight down to the Colorado river for a quick boat trip. The only downfall to this tour was the bus ride back, as our french-Canadian tour guide decided to lock the bus doors and torture us the entire 2 hour ride back. His method of torture.....the entire final Las Vega concert by Celine Dion.
We also love the shows, of which the best was La Reve.
Here are some pics:
 |
| Las Vegas |
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Business trip to Bangalore, India
In September, my company sent me to India for a week and a half to train staff at one of our subcontractors located in Bangalore, India.
The trip was very interesting, I was lucky that I had visited Kathmandu the previous year or else I may have experienced more culture shock.
I found it quite difficult after the first couple of days at work training the staff as I was quite jetlagged and was having a difficult time adjusting. I think this is due to the fact that the time change is approx 12 hours, other business travel I have done normally only has 3-8 hour time change. And unlike vacations I couldn't just sleep when I wanted too.
One the weekend I was there the subcontractors arranged days trips for me in and around the area of Bangalore. On Saturday, we drove leisurely towards our destination of Mysore. On the way we stopped at various places including: Bird Sanctuary with boat cruise, Old British summer palace, and waterfalls. In Mysore, we ate a local restaurant that the driver liked. It was a great experience and great food. You receive a banana leaf as your plate and must use you hands to eat the meal. I enjoyed a biryani and a grilled fish.
The next day we did a 1/2 day tour of Bangalore, visiting the provincial parliament, parks, temples, and the main market. The Market was the highlight of the day. I bought some local spices to bring home for an attempt at Indian cooking... I still need some practice.
Here are some Pics:
The trip was very interesting, I was lucky that I had visited Kathmandu the previous year or else I may have experienced more culture shock.
I found it quite difficult after the first couple of days at work training the staff as I was quite jetlagged and was having a difficult time adjusting. I think this is due to the fact that the time change is approx 12 hours, other business travel I have done normally only has 3-8 hour time change. And unlike vacations I couldn't just sleep when I wanted too.
One the weekend I was there the subcontractors arranged days trips for me in and around the area of Bangalore. On Saturday, we drove leisurely towards our destination of Mysore. On the way we stopped at various places including: Bird Sanctuary with boat cruise, Old British summer palace, and waterfalls. In Mysore, we ate a local restaurant that the driver liked. It was a great experience and great food. You receive a banana leaf as your plate and must use you hands to eat the meal. I enjoyed a biryani and a grilled fish.
The next day we did a 1/2 day tour of Bangalore, visiting the provincial parliament, parks, temples, and the main market. The Market was the highlight of the day. I bought some local spices to bring home for an attempt at Indian cooking... I still need some practice.
Here are some Pics:
 |
| India |
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