Blog will be updated soon

Gone snowboarding.

I will update the blog soon - probably in the morning.

In the meantime here are some shots of Ottawa over the past few days (taken from our apartment window). One of the photos made it on National TV - third photo down (along with my name, nationality, and it was mentioned that it was my first winter in Ottawa) - it was on the Weather Channel (whoopiee)!

More shots and vids are here, and here .

Bloody Ref, the '50/50', Fall, Tremblant, Goliath, and Salsa

***Update before you read below - THAT WAS A FORWARD PASS - it is 4 days later (just after the long weekend - Thanksgiving ) and we lost - I kind of had a feeling before the game started that the ABs were up against it - as the French are an unpredictable team that somehow always rise to the big occasions. The ABs need to go into the next World Cup as under dogs - ie I think we need to play poorly over the next 4 years and then play with less pressure from the Nation and the world's media (and the people of NZ). Or we keep on winning over the next 4 years, go in as favorites and have massive home support (with the crowds at the games yelling chants that all kiwis know) to psych the players. Or we send the entire squad to a sheep farm way down south for 4 years, to give them more mongrel.

It is a cold and wet Saturday morning - a perfect time to write a blog entry. The view of Gatineau Park from our apartment window is changing daily, as the trees have turned from a dark green to shades of red, yellow and brown. Yes Fall is here (the geese are flying south - see pic) which means the infamous Ottawa winter is not far off - let us see if Ottawa's tag as the second coldest capital in the world eventuates this Winter - a lot of the locals are sceptical because of the (sped up) effect of Global Warming - last week the average temperature was 25 C (the 'norm' at this time of year is supposed to be around the early teens), the locals are all saying it is strange. Anyways, the Maples in Gatineau have changed and tourists are cueing up to drive through the Park. We on the other hand are still in Ottawa, at least for today, and will go to the 'Heart & Crown' to watch the AB's play France in the World Cup quarters. We are watching it with a couple from London, who will be happy that England beat Aussie in this mornings quarters 12-10. It will cost us $20 each to watch it, as the pub has to pay $10,000 to get the sports channel that plays the world cup!




So the last month - again a lot has happened. It started with the trip to La Ronde, a roller coaster park in Montreal; then there was the 3 day canoe trip down part of the Noire River in Quebec with 4 others; a 200 foot bungee jump; a secured full time position at a certain embassy; and the busy happenings in Ottawa.

La Ronde , a roller coaster theme park in Montreal was a blast. I had never been on a roller coaster before, and Miriam hadn't been on any for years, so we thought we would have a look. We chose the wrong day as it was a national holiday in Quebec, and the cues for rides were....long (like the airport cues in America - with the zig-zag lines). However the park is massive with hundreds of rides, so there were some options, like the Goliath, Bateau Pirate, Boomerang, Cobra, Manitou, Monstre, Orbite, Super Manege, Tornade, Vampire, and the Vertigo . Speaking of adrenaline rushes, I was asked to join some of our Ottawa friends in bungee jumping (Miriam wasn't up for it) at the 'Great Canadian Bungee' in Quebec (about 20 mins drive from Ottawa). The reason why I said yes, was because the jump was half price - not because it was a dodgy outfit or anything, but because a friend had a 2-for-1 pass. It was a 200 foot jump into a lagoon - I asked if I could be dipped on the way down, I ended up getting dunked down to my waist!

About 4 weeks back, we went on a 3 day canoe trip with 4 others (Dan, a Swiss Canadian, Mike & Amanda, friends of Dan, and Dave who knows Dan and whom we meet at tennis in Ottawa). We went down part of the Noire (Black) River , in Quebec. It took us about 2.5 hours (from Ottawa) to arrive at the canoe outfitters - located way out in the wops, down a gravel road. From there we were fitted with all the gears - life jackets, helmets, paddles; sorted out our food - in which we stored in a waterproof/bear proof barrel; and loaded the canoes onto the trailer for the 1.5hr drive to our drop off point (the road was rough as guts - 4x4 only). When we arrived at the drop off point, it was getting quite late (and dark), so we paddled up stream for about 15minutes to find a suitable place to camp the night. We had enough food to (almost) sink a canoe, and we needed to some how hoist the barrel of food 15 feet up a tree (and 2m out from the trunk), in order to safeguard it from the bears. Dan (the Swiss Canadian - well he comes to Canada all the time, so is considered a local) had the rope and with the help of some of us, we manged to hoist the food up without any hassle (the following night we weren't as successful, as the branches came crashing down on us - too much food in the barrel).

The next day, we had a gentle canoe ride down the river - although the wind made it seem as though we were paddling up stream at some points. We arrived at the campsite just before the infamous grade 3 rapid aptly named '50/50' - because you had a 50% chance of capsizing or getting through it unscathed. It was the first time we had encountered anybody for the entire day - in fact the campsite was choker (about 15 people), so we had to pitch the tent on some wild brush - very uncomfortable. Dave and I were the only ones game enough to try the '50/50' - we studied it a few time that night and were going to attempt it the next morning, without the camping gear inside the canoe. The next morning came, we studied the path we would take (over and over) before deciding it was time. We were all psyched up, we hopped in the canoe - adrenalin rushing through our veins - and paddled up stream a bit to get a better run up - on the way up stream we both spotted a snake swimming across the bow - was this a good omen, we thought. Nup, we capsized 2 seconds into the rapid, and went down the rest (over boulders) on our arse - canoes are s**t, why can't they stay upright! Anyways, the canoe was stuck (full of water) on a boulder in the middle of the rapid - we managed to somehow tip it over to release some of the water, and it finished the '50/50' without us. Oh, well there were more grade 3 rapids that day - bring it on!

Actually, the next one was 1oom upstream, one in which we were not aware of. We packed our gear on board and headed downstream. In 3 canoes ahead of us were a family (including a very young baby strapped in the front of the canoe - when I say strapped in, I mean strapped into a baby seat (like in a car), not a baby literally strapped to the canoe (like a pack);). 50 m upstream we all noticed the rapid. Miriam said, 'I hope that canoe with the baby is not going down that rapid ahead', I said 'no, but we are'. They portaged it, and we were heading for it. In the end, with Miriam's superior front end guidance and my panicky steering at the back, we got through the rapid fine, albeit a little wet - and so did the others. From then on there were many small rapids (grade 2s and 1s) and low water crossings to make - all of which we survived. However, later in the day we stopped before another grade 3. Dan suggested we take the gear out for this one. So we walked the gear through the forest to the other side of the grade 3, and studied the path we would take through the rapid. 'Alright, who is up first' , Dan said. Miriam and I said we would go first - on the walk to the canoe there were a few nerves, but also kiwi pride - we will do this one for all kiwis that have been in a canoe (not many). We headed up stream a bit - Miriam would go hard out up front and yell out directions, I would go hard out , steer, and yell out 'Oh mama'. Right this was our moment, the Canadians were filming it and were cheering us on. Now you would think that we might have come a cropper (**like the All Blacks vs France) , but nay - we conquered it - sweet. We some how turned the right way at the right time with our eyes closed and ended upright, out the other side of the rapid. Now it was the Canadians turn - Amanda and Mike were next. We were filming this time. They were looking good until the front left got stuck on a rock and swung the canoe around, tipping and filling it with water in the process - bugger (it was unlucky, as they were looking good. Even more unlucky was that when they tried to upright the canoe, it buckled under the pressure - this wasn't noticed until we returned the canoes to the outfitters later that day - they were given the option of buying the canoe for $800, or paying $250 for the damage - they paid the $250). Anyways, Dave and Dan were next. To cut to the chase, the experienced canoeists did with out a problem - nice one.

So within a few hours the canoe trip was over. It was a great experience, one in which we will do again for sure next summer.

** As I said at the top, this blog post has been written over a few days, because of the lack of time in which I have had to write it. I managed to secure work at 'that place' and have decided to postpone my studies until January (part-time, work full-time), because of many reasons. Mainly I had just started the new job, which was taking up a lot of time, and we have been making the most of the good weather by exploring parts of Quebec and Ontario - like last weekend in Tremblant.

Thanksgiving weekend, we went to Mont Tremblant to see the colours of Fall - the red, yellow and brown maples. We drove through Gatineau Park on the way, and then up the 317 to Tremblant. All I can say is stunning. If ever you get a chance to come to this part of Canada, come in Fall - it is unreal, the pictures don't do it justice at all.

So, Miriam's mum is here in a week (she is actually in Calgary at the mo. in a singing competition - good luck Anne!). Miriam has taken the week off (and I am in between contracts with 'that place'), so we might go to Quebec City and Montreal for a bit. Hopefully the Fall colours are still around.

Winter is a coming, so we purchased some ski/snow board gear at a warehouse sale. The gear was, get this, 70% cheaper than in NZ. We were stoked, as it will last us for years, and we saved a s**tload. Now all we need is snow.

I am still doing the OSSC sports on Wednesday nights. This time I have registered to do the 'All Sorts of Sports' option - which includes Dodgeball (yes like the movie - it is big over here), volleyball, floor hockey, indoor soccer, and basketball). During the winter, I might try ice hockey or curling!

We had a go at Salsa a few Tuesdays ago. It was cool, I think I'm a natural......being that needs to practise in order to get good at it. Miriam made it look easy - how do you move your hips like that! Anyways, we haven't been lately cos of some work (liaison) dinners that have ended up always occuring on Tuesday evenings. We'll get back into it in Winter.

We just purchased winter tyres and rims for the car - a must for Ottawa in Winter. They set us back a bit, but we are hopeful they will last the distance. Also speaking of the car, we are driving down to New York for Christmas and New Years and meeting some friends (Hamish & Karen) there, who are flying across from the UK. Hopefully the journey south will be OK - without the hassle of holiday traffic and blizzard like conditions.

Well, that is about all for now - back to my book 'Eau Canada' ( it is a book about water governance/management (or lack of it) in Canada. There is a common perception that Canada has 25% of the World's fresh water - this is a common 'myth' that has circulated around the media. The fact is that Canada has 6.7% of global fresh water, in which only 2.6% is able to be used in a renewable way. The great lakes are like giant swimming pools - if the water is used they will dry up, as they are not fed significantly and the average rainfall around the lakes is quite low. And the water sources up north are unattainable for obvious reasons. There are water shortages in the prairies, and water management is of concern throughout Canada - eg the Walketon disaster . USA has more renewable water sources than Canada, and they still import a lot from Canada. Brazil and Russia, top the list for global water resources).

I still can't believe the AB's are out of the World Cup.

Bloody Ref.

Need Marmite;)

Update coming and geese

Yep it's been a while since the last post. I will make a conscious effort to write something decent this weekend. There are some newish photos on FlickR of the canoe trip etc.

In the mean time here is a large pic of some Canadian Geese!

Sandbanks, Pollution, $165 bucks?, Niagara and Neon Lights

I am writing this with many thoughts in my head - well 4 really - should I study or should I work, or should I do both, and I should get some milk. As mentioned in the last post, I turned down that job offer so that I could do P.G in Public Policy - but have since received an email back from them asking me to reconsider - the package they are offering is very tempting. Putting the financial part aside, the study option would be better for us in the long term - ie back home in NZ. But doing both, even though it will be a lot of work, is also an option. Decisions.

Now from the present back to the past. Our trip to Niagara Falls, and other stops along the way. We left last Monday (a Civic Holiday in Canada - actually only in the Ontario Province), and drove South along the USA-Canada border to the Sandbanks Provincial Park on the shores of Lake Ontario (one big lake - but not the biggest - from the beach you would mistake it for an ocean, what with the sand and waves etc). As we were driving to Sandbanks, the road came to an end and cars were queuing to get on the small transport ferry. Before we knew it we were in the cue and then ended up on the ferry, not knowing whether it cost anything or where exactly it was going! It was a 5 minute ride across the water, we just followed everyone else out (ended up being free) and ended up in a nice small town called Picton, where we stopped for dinner. After the average meal (very average - it was still average when I was hungry, so it must have been pretty poor), we drove about 30minutes to our campsite (all campsites in National & Provincial Parks cost money - like back home, but more expensive) in Sandbanks Park (pics below) where we both had a painfall nights sleep in the tent (it's been a while since we tented it, and the hard ground didn't help).

The next day we drove all the way to Niagara-on-the-Lake (a little town near Niagara Falls-wine region). About 60km out of Toronto we hit a traffic jam - and ended up travelling 0-10km/h for 3hrs! It was all because an 18 wheeler had flipped and blocked part of the freeway. So we decided to bypass Toronto, mainly because it was getting late and also because we were in the middle of rush hour and a thunder storm (we will get back there, as it is only 5hrs down the road - it's just another big city). The traffic was amazing just out of Toronto - 6-8 lanes either side, full of cars etc - fumes everywhere. Speaking of fumes, we drove past Hamilton - the most polluted industrial place I have seen in a while - the smell was really bad - pic below.

So we arrived at Niagara-on-the-lake (NOTL) at about 8pm and looked for a place to stay. Firstly, NOTL is a beautiful town that has been restored to its 19th century glory. There are many wineries around NOTL - where some of the most famous North American wines are produced - including the unique ice wine. NOTL is also full of B&B's but they are somewhat pricey as we were about to find out.

Yeah, so it was getting late and we needed a place to stay. The tourist Information center was closed, so we had to drive around to look for a place. We stopped at a B&B and asked if there was any vacancy. The owner said no, and that many others were full. He kindly offered to call another B&B that he thought had a room available and came back to us saying that "there is one just down the road, Brian is making the room up for you as we speak" We asked how much, he said "the standard rate of $165 before tax". He gave us directions on how to get there - we ended up driving 20km down the road to the town of Niagara Falls, where we knew there were cheaper places - sorry Brian. Ended up staying 2 nights in a backpackers, in a huge old house run by a little old man who loved to talk. The price - $60 and free muffins, tea, coffee for breakfast - it was a B&B after all!

Niagara Falls. What can I say. The Falls are amazing but the beauty is spoiled by all the highrises, concrete and neon lights (at night the town of Niagara was like a mini Las Vegas). US multinationals (for those that don't know - USA is right across Niagara river) have come across to the Canadian side and set up shop - Starbucks, Hard Rock Cafes, Ripley's Believe it not Museums, Guinness Book of Records Museum, huge Ferris wheels, candy stores, IMAX cinemas and a shitload of other places you can waste your money on. The reason why these multinationals have taken it over, is because the best part of the Niagara Falls is on the Canadian side - the Horseshoe Falls. It is kinda sad really.

We went out on the boat 'Maid of the Mist'*** , which took us to within metres of the Falls - hence the boat name. It is one of the only times you see humans herded up like sheep. You buy tickets, more along a line, have your photo taken (you are super imposed on to a pic of the Falls), "smile, say cheese", cue up again, get given a blue jacket (more like a large blue plastic bag), cue up, wait for the boat to come back (there are 3 of them), boat is unloaded, you are loaded on, you are taken to the Falls, take a few photos, you are taken back to dock, you are unloaded, you cue to get on the lift back to the street, the lift takes you directly to the gift shop, you walk out of the gift shop, "would you like to see your photo", 'how much", "$25", "no thank-you", you are back on the street. This process happens every 15minutes all day, and the boats are packed like sardines in a can. Luckily we went early in the morning - by lunchtime you had to wait hours to board (and the temp. was in the high 30's - stuff being in those cues!). There were other tours you could take - like the cave walk under the Falls - but the wait was 2hrs 30mins and apparently you can only see the Falls through a small opening, and you only have 30seconds, so that the next person can have a look! So we flagged the idea.

Nighttime. The town was packed. There were fireworks over the Falls - which were quite good - it happens every week over Summer, and the Falls had bright lights shinning on them, which was quite cool. The town center, as I said earlier, was just neon and bright lights etc.

The next day (after two days in the area) we had decided to drive home. We took route 7, which was uneventful and kinda boring - but ended up back home by mid afternoon.

Summer is almost over. It has been pretty hot, but the Sun isn't as intense (and bright) as back home (ozone hole) - ie you don't burn if you are out in the Sun for a long period like you would back home. Fall isn't far away - looking forward to Gatineau Park and the new colours of the trees.

'Till next time.

***update (Aug 18) - later learned that the Niagara River is polluted - ie is full of piss - so the Maid of the Mist's mist wasn't nature's best - but was of the mellow yellow variety. We did go for a swim at Crystal Baeach afterwards - so hopefully it cleansed us of the polluting stuff!

Fingerprints, Quebec vs Canada, Canal Lock System and Natural Cosmetics

My finger prints are now out there for the world to see. I had to go down to the local police station and have my fingerprints taken - not because I am a bad citizen of Ottawa, but Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC) need them in order for me to recieve a security clearance to work in the public sector. It takes about 8 months to process, so I'll receive confirmation just before I finish P.G. in Public Policy - Sustainable Development (an area that I have always wanted to get into). So I have turned down work at the other place (what I was doing back home in Wellington) as promotional opportunities are non-existent - whereas I will benefit in public policy work, both here and when we get back home to NZ (thinking long term - much like the world needs to do - eg in terms of Sustainable Development;)

We have been having some stunning sunsets - from our apartment window:

It's hot - damn hot, 35c today (not including the humidex, so feels like over 40), 37c tomorrow! The locals say that this is the month of the hot weather, before a sharp change in the Fall (Autumn sounds better) to cooler temps and stunning scenery, as all the Maples trees etc turn all sorts of browns.

We are off on a roady next week, down to Toronto and further south to Niagara Falls - we have been told the the Falls are better on the Canadian side. So the car is in getting serviced today - I would have changed the oil and air filters myself - but then the warranty wouldn't be valid, as it wouldn't have been done by a certified professional - just another money making scheme I think.

Yeah, things have been busy. Miriam has had a few people visit from back home (work), and has been given an outstanding performance review from her bosses here & there - nice one. We have finished our outdoor adventure course and are now playing grass volleyball on Monday nights. Tuesday nights, we get 'oat & a boat' with some people we met on the Adventure course - usually do a hike or a bike in Gatineau Park. Wednesday we have Samba Ottawa practice - [we had a practice last week at Remic Rapids (an outdoor location beside the Ottawa river on the Ontario side) and half way through the practice the police showed up (from the Quebec (French) side of the river) saying that they had complaints about the noise from residents in Quebec! In the Samba group, there are some from Quebec & some from Ontario (Ottawa) - so there was a little debate going on about the situation - a small indication that things are still not right between Quebec & the rest of Canada]. Thursday tennis has finished but we play a couple we met on the course.

The Blues Fest was a blast - we were a bit 'blues Fested' out by the end of it though. The festival finished with the Village People. Highlights included Manu Chao, White Stripes, Kanye West, INXS (although the lead singer chosen from the TV series 'Rockstar INXS' loved himself a bit too much on stage - he started throwing paper cups into the crowd, thinking that people would fight over them because he had touched them - most of them blew back on stage - twat), Ukrainee - lowlights included Bob Dylan (sorry Bob - you would have been good back in the day) and Van Morrison - he didn't enjoy being there.

Canada Day was huge - heaps and heaps of people. We spent most of the day walking around watching the buskers, singers and just enjoying the atmosphere. They closed many streets and there were thousands of people around. We went to a friends place who was having a party & then wandered downtown to watch the fireworks over Parliament. Ended the night in a pub in the Byward Market area. Good night.

Miriam did a weekend course 2 weeks back on natural cosmetics. The first day was the theory part - talked about the toxins in your body from various unnatural cosmetics - quite scary. The second day was the practical part - where she made a few natural cosmetics, including lip balm, deodorant, moisturiser, and other stuff. If you cannot eat your cosmetics (ie it doesn't contain all natural resources) then you shouldn't be wearing it - because of the toxins;)

We went to Montreal for the weekend - weekend just been. On Saturday we wandered the inner city streets and had a look at shops around Dennis, st Catherine and Laurent streets - some wicked shops. We also went up to the top of Le Stade Olympique (The Olympic Stadium) which was built for the 1976 Olympic games. At the top you can see over all of Montreal - a cable car that holds 72 people takes you up. Amazing views. There are some pics on FlickR.

The next day (after a night out) we went to the world famous 'tam tam' on Mont Royal in central Montreal, where thousands of people sit in the park and play or listen to djembe drumming. I bought my drum a long and was getting into it - was a hot day. pics on FlickR.

Umm. Cannot think of what else that's been happening - worlds largest chamber music festival, North America's largest Volleyball tournament (10,000 people), North America's largest dragon boat festival.

There are some more silent crappy videos on YouTube including the canal lock system - exciting

That's all for now.

Will update Blog tonight or very soon ;)

Well how long has it been, a month now since I wrote in the blog?

I will write some more tonight for sure. In the mean time check out the recently updated FlickR photos and YouTube short silent crappy videos.

Also, went to the kiwi film "Eagle vs Shark" last night - very funny in a different sort of way. I think it comes out in NZ in August sometime. And on YouTube you can watch the new tv series on HBO from the NZ Flight of the Conchords.

A building is about to be developed next door...

A building is about to be developed across the road from our place, which may obstruct our view of the evening sunsets and the forests of Gatineau Park. A reason for building it is (the greed of) 'progress' (It maybe (well is) hypercritical of me saying this while living in an apartment block - but we - Miriam & myself - use our bikes and walk more than using the car;)

At the same time the human population is increasing (exponentially) and we are using larger ecological footprints (we are using 130% of nature's yearly output).

UN Human Development Report (1998): By the end of the 20th century, the world's 3 richest individuals (all of whom were American) had a combined wealth greater than that of the poorest 48 counties. In 1998, the UN calculated that US$40 billion, spent carefully, could provide clean water, sanitation, and other basic needs for the poorest on earth.

There needs to be 'Food for thought' literally, and then we may learn a thing or two from the developing countries: Sustainability - A Lesson from Tanzania