RTWT09

Round The World Tour 2009 (RTWT09)

We were like kids waiting for Santa to come on Xmas eve... Meeting Mum and Dad for the first time in over a year was awesome! To have best friends Harry and Jackie there as well... double awesome!



So much to blog about... so little of your reading time... or at least your attention. Don't worry I do it too. I start reading someone's blog in earnest and then I start to skim read faster than an autistic kid who is the worlds fastest skim reader. Except I take none of it in.

So I will direct you here

Holidays with RTW09

Pictures tell a thousand words or something like that.

I will break down the RTWT09 visit into some mirco blogs because I like to make things difficult for myself. Sorry I like to make the blog easy to digest.

Playing catch up on a lot of stuff. Sorry for being so slack. I blame Zoe because she is sleeping and is defenseless.


See you soon.

Mitch and Fumbles xox

The Killers

Question:

Would you like free tickets to 'The Killers'.

Answer:

Yes.



They were tops!



Also tops was the celery and dip in the Kool FM box. It was dippity goodness. There was no double dipping in play.



I stole this pigeon dance from Stevie Kidd on the dance floor in any given night club, Adelaide circa 2002. I have been perfecting it ever since. It is a hit with my Canadian work mates. Thanks Stevie.

That is all.

Mitch ;)

New Skids On Your Jocks

Question:

Would you like free tickets to New Kids on The Block?

Answer:

Yes.

My boss at the time was so obsessed with NKOTB and Joey McIntyre that it was hard not to be swept along with the hype...



That is Ceara reviewing the photo of her meet and greet with Joey before the concert... during the concert. Obsessed and then some.



Going to a New Kids On The Block concert in Canada was one of those surreal travel moments... It was no watching the sun rise at the Taj Mahal whilst trekking through India moment but... It was interesting to watch 5 guys pushing 40 strut their stuff... and strut they could. It was actually pretty good.

Highlight of the night... watching the crazy Mums going banana's over the New Kids... hilarious. Picture seagulls to a solitary chip at the beach.


Thanks crazy dirty thirties... thanks!

Mitch and Fumbles xo

Juno Adventure

Canada's music industries night of nights is called the "Juno's".

For some reason I got to work the red carpet at the said night of nights. Vancouver is Michael Buble's home town. When I told Nanna that I may meet Michael she challenged me to grab his arse. Not being one to turn down challenges... I accepted.

I had to wait a whole hour and a half just to get to the point of sighting the boob and he was being rushed through as the last red carpet guest... It was hectic and I had to go beyond my own comfort zone to get his attention...



For the record he has the perfect balance of firmness and supplenesss... in his left cheek anyway.

Mitch ;)

I wanna take you to a gay bar and spend all your money...

After Banff we spent a few days in Van Van with Ryan.

We had planned a few things which were really looking forward to. Going to Lynn Valley to see the suspension bridge and also heading to Grouse Mountain to do the Grouse Grind... Ryan had already been to Lynn Valley and the Grouse Grind was closed for winter. Mitch and Fumbles... the worlds worst travelers... and planners!

In the end it was a good thing because we got to spend more time just catching up!


Walking the Seawall...



English Bay...

Ryan saying goodbye to Zoe for who know's how long...

Ryan and Chris really liked the service at a place called Earls. Like they seriously liked the service. They spent a possible 7 days out of 10 at Earls. Sorry we wrote service... we meant servers... Hello ladies!


They fell in love several times...

The four days in Vancouver could also be compared to an Olympic event. Foosball, pool, beer, bowling, golf, beer and more foosball. It was quite epic. We had a years worth of matey stuff to do. Although I did let Australia down as far as consumption of alcohol. An example of this is not re-calling when and where this photo was taken...



In one of the above photo's you may find facial hair on Chris... this got him into some trouble... or you may even call it good times... You decide after the explanation.

On their last night in Canada Mitch kindly agreed to go along to 'Straight night' at Celebrities with Ryan and Chris... Celebrities by the way is the biggest gay bar in Vancouver. Ryan and Chris may argue that it was more of a group decision to head along to Celebrities however, Mitch was just a willing participant in what was going to tragically be my last night with best mate Ryan in potentially a long time. To get me across Chris and Ryan played me this song from their iPods...



Damn that song was catchy.

Ok so this story is dragging on. The line up to the said gay bar it was cold, long, nerve wrecking and a tinge exciting. We were all entering a gay bar for the first time (that I knew of anyway)... on straight night I might add too. Chris was edgy.. the kind of I don't want to enter but this is awesome edgy. That was the moment he was hit on. Insert the friendliest, funniest, raging homosexual I have yet to meet. "Hello there handsome... ooh facial hair... that is going to get you plenty of attention in there'. Waa haa...

It was loud, obnoxius, fun and altogether the weirdest way to spend my last night with Ryan and Chris... one to remember!

Favourite part of the night: Paying three dollars per scotch and dry because the bar tender fancied me! Woot woot!

All in all, great to see Ryan, great to meet Chris, great to witness Chris getting hit on in the line up to Celebrities!

Mitch and Fumbles ;)

Banff

Mitch and Fumbles the worlds worst travelers planned a trip to Banff to meet best mate Ryan and make new friends with Emma and Kade!

Naturally this journey started off with an early start. Our flight from Victoria to Calgary was leaving @ 9.25 am. We had booked an airport shuttle to pick us up @ 7:20 am. Given the fact we hadn't finished packing by 2:30 am in the morning, we did a fantastic job of getting to the pick up location @ 7:15 am. Well played Mitch and Fumbles.

We were however let down by the Airporter... it failed to pick us up. At 7:40 it was panic stations. This can't be happening. For once we were on time and Zoe hadn't dropped anything on the way here. One quick phone call to the company and one quick argument won by Mitch meant a taxi was on the way. Despite the fact the Airporter employee hung up on Mitch they did cover the difference between a taxi fare and the cost of the Airporter. Happy outcome.

After arriving in Calgary we made it to Banff via another airporter which took roughly two and a half hours. Zoe 'sleeps on public transport' Noonan slept most of the way. Thanks to the driver some interesting facts about the Rockies and Banff were learnt. Can I remember those now. No. Wait... Some parts of Brokeback Mountain were filmed near Banff. So now when I think of Banff and the Rockies I think Gay!



Seriously though this is some amazing scenery from that movie.



Thanks Jake and Heath. Thank you.

Anyway back to back... sorry back to Banff. We made some bloody fantastic friends in Banff called Emma and Kade.



Emma and Kade are awesome. You know when you meet people and you feel like.... I wish we had been friends for years already because I feel like I have missed out on being friends with you. That's what they are like. Zoe and Emma. Kindred spirits. They like milka, they like the same tv shows, Zoe is called Fumbles and Emma is called Sir Stacks a lot. Too funny!
We stayed with them for 5 days and we had the best time. So thanks to Emma and Kade for putting us up. Also to Rich and Linda their housemates for having us as well. Another top shelf couple! The late night group chats and laughs was just wha Zoe and Mitch needed. Emma and Kade are about to embark on the next leg of their journey which involves Hawaii and being in the Ellen audience! Brilliant!



Catching up with Ryan was superb! Often all you see is smiles and good reports of what we are doing over here. It has been cold this winter and it has been a downer. Both Fumbles and Mitch have been homesick over winter and at times it is hard to keep our end goals in sight. Victoria has been especially hard for Fumbles with the teaching side of things not working out. So a break in one of the most beautiful places in Canada and the excitement of meeting one of our best friends was so exciting and too hard to put into words... but I will try. You know when you are so excited or nervous or happy about something and you almost pee your pants...Yes? Well that's what it was like. Ryan was also traveling with his work mate Chris who is a really nice guy... his facial hair made him popular in a nightclub line up... but that story is for another blog.

We are both only 26 but it gets to a stage where you realise that many people come and go through your life and people like Ryan don't come around very often. Let alone come to Canada... geez why does it have to be so far away! You are the best!




We took so many photo's in Banff and you can see them on our Picasa page, I may have sent this to you via email as well... if I didn't... awkward!

Highlights of the trip: Catching up with Ryan, meeting Emma, Kade, Linda and Richard, a day at Sunshine Village getting to see where Anna and John lived last year and not getting mauled and eaten by a cougar.

Lowlights: The cold... minus 18... are you serious, not staying longer, dry skin and chapped lips and flying back to Victoria sucked the big one.



We had the best time and the break was awesome and much needed! Bring on Mum, Dad, Harry and Jackie in May!

Mitch and Fumbles xo

Donovan Frankereiter... wow!

Last night at Element we were lucky enough to go and see Donovan Frankenreiter, his band and Gary Jules as special guest. What a treat. Some of you may not know Donovan Frankenreiter others will.



To put it plainly this guy is the dude. He oozes talent and he also surfs. Dammit some people get all the skills!

If you don't know Donovan Frankenreiter here is a great song from him...



Gary Jules was also great to see... he is very funny and engaging with the audience. You may have heard his re-working of the Tears For Fears song Mad World...



Over 11 million hits on youtube... thanks for coming.

Plus he had a really cool jacket and hat!




One of my favourite things about music is sense of place and time. Last night Donovan Frankenreiter played a song called 'Free'. This was the song that was played right at the end of our wedding ceremony. It was so good for Zoe and I to see him do that live. Sense of place and time! We were right back there.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7Xv4oHGUyw

You can't embed that video but it is worth watching because he does some cool surfing in it and the song features Jack Johnson.

So quite frankly Donovan you are my hero and thanks for being so damn awesome.

Mitch and Zobo xo

NYE and a Polar Bear swim!

We had no plans for NYE in Victoria...

We certainly wanted it to be a better one than last year on the Sunshine Coast sitting in the rain alone...

Luckily Mitch's work was throwing a party at one of the biggest joints in town... plans made... although he had to do a small bit of work for the evening. The NYE countdown for the dance floor in the night club... easy enough. The rest of the time it was on for young and old!









Zoe flaked it pretty hard and a god cup of tea was needed.

Highlight of the night... Mitch carrying Zoe into a pizza by the slice shop at 2am... In the line up a guy slipped over and Zoe could not stop laughing... uncontrollable laughter... the everybody is looking type laughter and please stop now Zoe. She was on top form!

We had to be up the next day for a Polar Bear swim. What is a polar bear swim you say. Jumping in a freezing cold lake on New Years day... it was the 37th Annual Polar Bear Swim at Elk Lake... In the world of internet chat OMG (oh my god) was it cold!

Could not feel the toes for about half an hour afterwards. So glad it was done though. We had a crazy cab driver on the way out who we swear was going to drive us into the woods. But hey we are still here. Happy days!

Love to you all Mitch and Fumbles xo

White Orphans Xmas!

For xmas we planned a trip to Van Van to have and Orphans Xmas with Kiah and Kasia. Our Australian buddies who are also from Adelaide, lived and worked at Hot 91 on the Sunshine Coast, moved to Canada and have also appeared in Adelaide Confidential several times. We have already established this in other blogs... but it is quite fun to write!



It was quite an amusing/draining trek on the bus, ferry, bus, bus transfer to new bus and then taxi to Kiah and Kasia's. We both had a back pack, extra bag and ski gear. After almost a year we still haven't learnt how to travel light. 'Mitch and Zobo' = Learn the hard way!

There was a stack load of snow around xmas and it had also been snowing most of the day on xmas eve. Which meant travel time was way out of whack for everything... from our front door step to Kiah and Kasia's door step it took 5.5 hours. Wowser. Delighted to arrive to a cheeky beer is an understatement. An example of Vancouver's snow dump over the xmas period...



No exit no kidding...



Might take the bus today...



Good luck digging that out!

So the four of us decided early in December that we would have a good orphans xmas and eat like Kings. K & K did an amazing job of filling the fridge and cupboards of some great grub. We even had goats cheese.


Food highlight... Kasia's beetroot dip... Amazing.

Situation highlight... Kiah's lack of bowel movements... We had all of this beautiful food and Kiah was feeling a little sick and very constipated...



It became every one's business when Kiah was trying to do his business... when he finally managed to get one away it was met with plenty of cheering and it was quite an emotional moment on day four of our stay... he had quite the catching up to do with beverage and food consumption!

Fun highlight... The purchase of a $6 round plastic toboggan! Well played Kiah!



Present highlight.. The radio DJ game... too funny!



Activity highlight... Hitting Cypress Mountain!



A very huge thanks to Kiah and Kasia for having us over Xmas it was our first one over seas and it meant a lot to spend it with dear friends.



Hope you had a happy holidays! Mitch n Zobo xox

A wittle secret...

On Fumbles birthday I set her up on a date with a guy called Buster. You can see him below.



He has some great qualities. He is a good worker, shows affection, can carry a good load and he can take you places. The one downfall... when he poo's it is pretty much at eye line.

I booked Fumbles a horse and carriage ride around the capital regional district of British Columbia. A fancy way of saying the city of Victoria. It was very cold but very lovely. It was kind of misty which made it really special too. So given that Zoe was having a hard time with finding full time teaching work it was a welcome suprise and a Happy Birthday to someone who deserved it.




Hopefully she can pay me back soon.

Mitch and Fumbles xox

More blogging to come but this was a great moment.

Over xmas fumbles and I went to Vancouver to spend some time with Kiah, Kasia, Astrid and Cathal. We went up Cypress Mountain on Boxing day and we bumped into high school friend Chris Slack. Happy days. It was very random and very fun!

 

Mitch and Fumbles. xox

Commitment...

Ok so this blog has had some seri-arse neglect. Much like this house... just to help with the sensation you feel or perceive when you hear the word neglect, this random house is included in our blog.



Or... you could say something like this. Our blog is like Kevin Costner's career. Underachieving, neglected and like a pavlova. Looks good from the outside but once you see what is inside there is no substance.



Bang... did you hear that? It was the sound of hitting a nail on the head. Thanks career of Kevin Costner. Thanks.

Apologies if you have randomly stopped by and been disappointed by the lack of activity on our travel blog. A few updates are to follow.

Much love to you all, merry belated xmas, happy new year and all that stuff.

Mitch N Zobo xox

Sleepless in....

This weekend jut gone we hit the road to Seattle.

Well we hit the ocean first on a ferry and then the road once we got to the main land. We planned a cheeky weekend away with good friends Kiah and Kasia. Also Australians, also from Adelaide, also lived on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, also worked at Hot 91 and also appeared in Adelaide confidential several times. It's complicated.

So the plan was up early on Saturday morning to get the first ferry off of Vancouver Island at 7 am. I know... we can hear you laughing already. Mitch and Fumbles up early... we didn't disappoint. The alarm was set for 4:00 am to catch the bus at 5:35. We woke at 5:15 am. So Zoe took a quick 2 minute shower that lasted close to 15 minutes, we chucked some clothes on and we legged it to the bus stop... We made it... just... kind of... sort of. The bus was pulling around the corner as we made it to an imaginary bus stop. The bus driver was kind enough to pull over.

Once we made it to the mainland Kiah and Kasia were there like the reliable friends they are.



It was such an amazing weekend. Quick but such fun. Kiah and Kasia are such good company and who knew Seattle had so much history.

The border crossing was a bit of a drag.



Once we made it through it was great.

Highlights:

The underground tour. When Seattle was first settled they made such a shambles of building the city that lead to the down town core being rebuilt. Via building up and filling in the 8 foot walls surrounding the underlying streets. Hence. The underground tour. Sounds weird and I haven't done it justice but if you are really intrigued look it up and if you ever head to Seattle the tour is a must do. The nerd inside you will love it.



We were in the States a few weeks before the now famous 2008 Presidential race... the tension and atmosphere was evident everywhere.






















We had such a great time over a very short period. 4am Saturday morning to 11pm Sunday night. Bus, ferry, car trip, border crossing, car trip, hostel check in, walk about, dinner, drinks, more drinks, sleep, up early, markets, breakfast, shop, lunch, car trip, border crossing, car trip, ferry, bus, home, bed.











There was alos a group highlight. One of the first things we heard from a Seattle accent was this: A low flying pigeon poo'd and just missed some guys shoulder. his quote. "Damn that pigeon just violated me". Waa haa! So funny.

This is the family of Racoons that scared the crap out of Zoe and I after stepping off of the bus on the walk home.



Much love. Mitch and Fumbles xox

Tofino...

Yeeewwww!

Yeah, it was a long time coming. Catching a wave on the West Coast of Canada. We managed a cheeky weekend away in Tofino with good friends Anna and John before they hit the road in the US and then the UK. For John it had been almost a year since he had been for a paddle, for myself it had been 9 months. Too long.

We had to make the most of time because Tofino is a decent 5 hour drive from Victoria, so a 3:30 am start it was, on the road by 4. So at 4:15 am we hit the road, I won't say what made us late... Zoe. Anna did a lot of the early driving, after a pit stop at Port Alberni, we switched and I took over the driving. It was on this stretch of driving that John took over the title of 'Farty Pants". He tried to sneak a quiet one away, he did... however, it was silent but violent. So bad that Anna said the quote of 2008. "Uh I would rather smell my arm pits". Thanks Anna, thank you!

We got to Tofino by 9, hired wetsuits with hoods, boots, surfboards and racks for the car and were in the water by 9:45. Happy days.






The theory... surf as much as our small but fit bodies could surf. We did it! We were knackered, tired and irritable but well chuffed. Is that even possible?

We stayed at a placed called the Trek Inn, run by some Indian guy whose name I forget. This dude was smart. Has four degrees in things that I can't even pronounce let alone attempt to spell. Nice guy too. His story in a nutshell. Crap load of study, leave India, move to Canada, too smart for Canadians, can't get job in the promised land, travels, stays at Trek Inn whilst backpacking, next day buys it. Been there ever since. Is anybody else tired?

We had a great weekend with Anna and John who we love dearly. It was sad to see them off on the Sunday of surf trip. We will admit that we shed a tear or two driving away from their waving, smily, kiwi faces. We did however laugh most of the way home thanks to Anna's quote of 2008 "I would rather smell my own pits'!

More to come. Love Mitch N Zobo...

Update. Anna and John have settled in Chamonix, France. They are hosts to travel groups in a big fat French Chalet! Happy days!

Fumbles...

We have nicknamed Zoe fumbles because we have come to the realisation that she drops everything. Her phone, books, bags, sun glasses, her guts (not really but funny), take away coffee cups... everything! Fumbles... it is sticking like glue... well it would if she didn't stop dropping it...

Talk soon.

Mitch and Fumbles xox