Pistachio Monkey

Venice

Towards the end of a hot June Liz and i flew into Venice Marco Polo airport to spend 5 weeks traveling. With our only key date the Exit festival in Serbia we were free to go where we liked. Starting in Venice allowed us to blow the budget from the outset and we found relatively cheap accommodation at The Hotel Antico Capon, which gave us a nice little room overlooking The Campo Santa Margherita, which was in a lively and central area. Be warned that you may be serenaded by groups of drunken students strumming and singing Hay Jude in the early hours, earplugs are advised.

Its Hot in Venice, even in June, but it doesn’t smell like some people had said. Heading to St Mark’s square was our first outing and it was typically full of people feeding pigeons, popcorn kernels. We left the visit to the Cathedral to the last day but made a brilliant call on ascending the tower on a clear evening providing some stunning views. Not only did we get a lovely sunset but all the crowds and gone. We tried one morning to rent a boat, but my skills as a captain and lack of Italian failed this opportunity, probably for the best as it would have been like riding a bicycle on a motorway. Other than heading to Murano to see some glass where we perfected the technique for getting cheep cold beer (in supermarket, take two bottle’s, hide them in freezer, return 20 minutes later and collect prize!) and eating nibbles at our favourite wine bar.

Rovinj

Boarding an evening ferry took us across the Adriatic to Rovinj. Sandro of the Villa Salzburg picked us up and after dumping are bags dropped us back in town. We had a scrumptious fish platter for two and after touring some dubious bar’s we followed the noise and came across the 3rd Croatian Salsa Festival. It spilled out of the hotel and onto the streets, a very lively and sweaty crowd. While at the villa, which served a great breakfast from the friendly Sandro, we rented bicycles which we used to get into town and ride the coast. We climbed the tower (up rickety wooden stairs to Liz’s horror), relaxed on the beaches and fed crabs watermelon. Sadly i missed out on diving the Baron Gautsch, so i look forward to a return.

Bol

The best way to get to the south is from Rijeka, where we got on the Marco Polo Jadrolinija (The Jadrolinija is a reliable and cheap ferry service made up of many regular routes used by the locals to get around the islands of the south) which took us down the coast during the night to Split sleeping on the deck (lookout for the black soot which rains is pumped out of the chimney), where we got off and got another ferry to Brac, and a bus to Bol. The promenade connects the quite town to a series of large hotels, spa’s and dive centers and the spit pebble beach formation called Zlatni Rat (Golden Horn), seen in many tourist images of Croatia. The resort is very much a family resort, so there is not much in the way of night life. A secret nudist beach can be found beyond the Church towards the east, after the first cove.

Havar

Next stop was Havar on Havar island. Stepping of the bus we negotiated a cheap deal for an apartment on the edge of town. We got a balcony with a great view and a small kitchen so we could be a little more self sufficient. It seems that as long as your not visiting in the middle of the high season their is no need to book in advance, and if you don’t find somewhere direct their are numerous tourist offices happy to help. Havar was definitely the pace to be, there is a lively nightlife around the harbor, as well as a cluster of small uninhabited islands a small boat ride form the town. Renting a boat here was easy, as long as you don’t mind only having 8bhp at your disposal. This keeps it pretty safe to, as there is not much chance you can make it out in to deep sea, just remember to take your mobile with you as running out of petrol is not fun, they insisted this wouldn’t happen but it did. Thankfully we got rescued by some nice locals who topped up our tank.

Renting a scooter was probably better than the boat, as it actually had some power. Our beast was a FireFox, and came with cool decals to boot. First of we ventured out of town in search of our own beach. After a dubious journey down a long dusty path we came back to a concrete road, but then found another shaky path which took us to the coast. sadly it wasn’t long till someone else joined us but it was worth it. After we went to an another town for dinner and while the sun was setting we made it on to the old road back to town. It took us into the peeks of this island and gave us some spectacular panoramic views. The road through an area which had previously been ravaged with fire, caused when the island got hit by lightening, which created an eerie contrast of burnt shrubs and open road.

Mjlet

Next stop was Miljet, an island reserved as a national park. This had to be the most difficult place to access (2 Boats, 2 Bus’ and a Taxi) and was the most quiet and peaceful. Having missed the regular ferry from Debrovnik we decided to catch another regular connection from Prapratno, which upon arrival we realized that this was for Drivers only and not really foot passengers, so access to and fro can be tricky. Luckily we managed to bribe our way into a mini-bus which we found by chance. Other than walking round the lakes and visiting the cathedral there is not much to do, so we rented a canoe and rowed out of the bay to the small uninhabited islands surrounding. The water across much of Croatia is really clear and great for snorkeling and diving.

An early start commenced our journey north back through Debrovnoik and onto Mostar in Bosnia. We waited much of the day here until our connecting bus arrived. Many of the buildings of Mostar are dashed with bullet holes and some lay abandoned overgrown on the inside. An incredible sunset said farewell as we drove out of the valley for a very shaky journey north through southern Serbia. In retrospect we believe flying would have been as the journey is most relentless all the way to Belgrade.

Novi Sad - Exit Festival

This was what this tip was all about, the Exit music festival in Novi Sad, Serbia. With almost 50 of my friend arriving in this normally sleepy town on the river Danube, joining 10,000 Brits and many more Europeans. Performances from Prodigy, Snoop Dogg & the Wu Tang Clan were accompanied by many little stages perched atop walls and hidden in moats of the Petrovaradin fortress. My favorite spots where Cafe del Danube (which had a great view of Novi Sad and the sunset, not that i made it there in time) and The Converse Chill zone (with its bean bag fun). Most impressive of all was the Dance arena which took 25,000 revelers at a time in a multi-tired environment.

Life during the four day festival (which goes on in the fortress from 8pm - 8am) is spent sleeping during the day while partying in the night. although for many of the campers and wreck-heads sleep is usually not an option. The main campsite sits next to the beach which blasts dance music in direction of the tents all day, attributed by the scorching sun, i recommend getting a hotel, hostel or flat for the week (which can be very pricey but is a sound alternative when considering its a four day event).

Once the festival had come to an end we got on one of the last trains of the day to Budapest. The train was packed full of Brits all on their way home, this time quietly on route, as we had heard that the inbound trains were rammed full of excited party goers getting invloved.

Budapest

After five consecutive days of little rest arriving in a sweltering city was probably not the best of idea’s as we probably would have preferred to be back on the beach and swimming in the sea. However Budapest does offer some fantastic Spa’s with thermal and massage treatment. We decided to go to the Gellert bath which was beautifully ornate. We indulged in a Thai massage and then headed to the hot baths. In the communal garden they have a wave machine which fires off every half hour or so. We also tried to go to the Lukacs Medical Bath, known for its healing mud baths, but we were turned away being told you had to have a note from the doctor to be allowed in.

After spending the rest of our funds it was time to fly home. We arrived back for the floods but had little choice to stay after i was frog marched to a cash point by large bouncers to pay a tab in a dance club… we had the last the laugh though by fully consuming our ‘quota’

Good times must inevitabley come to an end and i soon relaised that i had to leave Canada and return home to old blighty to see friends, family and address the isssue of an empty bank account. With most of my main objectives complete though, i was happy to bored the plane, but sure enough as we started to hurtle down the runway i was thinking, what the hell have i done!

My final fortnight in the winter wonderland was plagued with spring weather. On one hand it was nice and sunny, but runs were diminishing along with the snow, it sure does melt fast. I travelled down to Vancouver to pick up Elizabeth who felt as if she had been living in the longest day ever. With the next day written off we then headed to Blackcomb base to teach my first lesson and get Liz skiing on a mountain for the first time in her life. Like a duck to water she did very well.

In time we had Liz going all over the mountain, round the Burnt Stew trail and even the tricky blue run that is the Saddle. But before we knew it her ski pass was to expire and her time on the learning to ski was over. luckily she is looking foward to getting her snow fix next year.

One of my main objectives, becide learning to teach and becoming an all mountain skiier, i wanted to successfully land a 360^o. A full rotation in the air without falling over was the mission and on Liz’s last day i tried and tried again. After 6 failed landings i was starting to get to sore and thought i am going to have to leave it to my last day. Day 75, and we are expected to be at the GLC for lunch at 12 and its my last run. Burton has convinced me that its possible, and i start my run up to the table top jump. I throw myslef into a full rotation and hit the ground. I did it, a single 360^o and im extatic. The final run down is complemented with some big grabs in the park and race to the base, splendid!

Draggin my bags over to the Greyhound bus loop, Grizwold, Lemon Loaf, Burton and Scholes surprised me with a farewell gift, a Whistler Hockey shirt tagged by the left overs, very sweet. Arriving back at the Hostel International, Liz and i decided to join a ghostley tour of Gastown. A quite intresting trip which took us to some of the darker parts of the area we probably would have not ventured into without our guide

Liz finally decided that she did want to go to the food market, which was full of all sorts of tastey treats. We then went to Brewery (what i wanted to do) and had a tatser selection and finally we went to the Kids Market (something we both wanted to do). Afterwich we thought the best plan would be to go and get drunk, which we did.

Our final day in Vancouver I finally made it to Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden which was really cool and forefilled my expectations.
We then checked out some native stores before heading to the airport, where i went on standby for a seat, and infact got 3. Landing back in the UK i got a lift home with Greg to my mum’s new home in Odium, near Farnham. All was well until i realised that she had sold Xanthos Tom Foolery while i was away, most upsetting

I find myself a week after getting back sitting in an office, not far from my old one. It looks remarkebly the same, white walls, steel flooring and rows of computer terminals, just different faces and different clients. Im just freelnacing for the moment, but i expect ill be back in full time work soon. So long snow… see you soon.

My last ski photos are here and some Vancouver ones here and my friend Andy Burton’s here (great shots mate!)

So my trip to Whistler has most certainly been worth it. I have just completed my Level 2 course with the CASI. So basically it means i have another badge to show off, but more importantly it means i can easily teach in Europe and the Alpes. Not everyone was lucky enough to meet the standard this time, but none the less were are all enjoyed a final week skiing together.

Our trip to Vancouver was a great oportunity to get out of town and experince some City life. while some of the lads enjoyed hanging about the computer game stores playing with the new PS3 and Wii i went with some others to see more of the city and spent time in the Dock (where we had some nice food and found the Steam Clock) , Aquarium (we love Beluga Whales) and Stanley Park.

Spring arrived and the majority of the village snow melted as the freezing level rose. Slush has arrived and we have seen how waterproof our gear really is. Its still snowing though and with more free time on our hands we have been truley pushing ot to the limit. Andy and i are determined to have skied every run on the mountain while also nailing 360’s.

Sadley we have had to say good bye to our old home and good friends. But a strong few are still here and going strong. But people are dropping like flies, which Andy can speak for literally (entering the Couloir on Whistler, following Tom, andy decided to drop and loose his skis so he could do the run on his belly, nice move. Ski patrol arrived shortley after offering me an alternate/safer point of entry). Anyhow, saying farewell usually means some good nites out. 80’s night at Tommy’s was the best yeat, with Robbo and Rowland celebrating their Birthdays, and a long night in Buffalo Bills sealed the deal.

The plan for now is, still the search for snow, but i am awaiting a special delivery of Betty, who arrives next week, ready to be my first pupil on the slopes. And then i suppose i need to think about returning back to London for a new home, job and summer.

latest photos are here and some but new ones here

I have never been one who would take his ski’s off and trek a kilometer around a mountain peak but the other sunday i did just that. ‘Fun’ Oly Lyon is a keen mountainer and climber who took us back country.

Out of Blackcomb Glacier, up the spear head and treverse around the peak until we reached just short of 7th Heaven, we found a kicker and a whole lot POW! (Powder not Prisoners of War) After a couple runs we had a flat track and were getting some air. After wiping out on the runup drop Oly decided to dig a snowhole. I let my feet do some talking and then we climbed out to arrive back in town at 6, skiing in front of a cat to ski some groomed courdrouy.

Sunday at 6 see’s the fire and ice show which i saw again from the GLC veranda. Attending is a good idea for free hot chocolate and hot dogs are available, and if your lucky you may even win the free Heli Ski trip, and that would be awsome!

Karreokke Monday’s precedde’s the inevitable 80’s nights, where for free beer i will sing Maccho Man, Thanks Colin. And out here it was great to see Blanche, Emily and Mark assembeling aquatic undersea costumes for Valentine’s.

Finally caught up with Robbo for a day’s ‘push it to the limit’, Tom likes to take his time on the lifts, and i bumped into Rowland at the top of a 10 minute hike is search of fresh tarcks and deep snow
. We took some Oriental border chicks for steep powder above Jersey Cream, and i found a cool cornice

The time also came where i was privaleged to wear the blue and yellow of the Whistler Blackcomb Ski School. Looking pretty sharp i shadowed into 2 schools aiding in the teaching. Whats better is that i got to ride the mountain will the full respect of Public, and on Presidents week, it get really busy, so jumping the life queue is essential. Twice up and down the Whistler Boal on Peak in 20 minutes with a 40 minute line, cheers Johnathan and Chris! Meet some happy Huskies
as well, i love the blue eyed ones.

With some freetyle coaching to finish the week, and 180’s now in the bag, who needs twin tips,
im off to Vancouver

latest photos are here and some but new ones here