Whistler - The biggest ski resort in North America

Arriving at whistler after a beautiful drive from Vancouver, the ground was covered in snow in the village and light snow was falling. It was a picturesque place.
Instantly we fell in love with the place, the ski village architecture, snow covered roofs, Christmas decorations and every thing a short walk from our rented "condo".

With a day off before skiing we explored the village, got our gear ready for the snow, shopped for food and acquainted ourselves with the area. The place was amazing and had a great feel about it, already we want to come back and work a winter here.

Skiing.
With our gear rented and a 12 day pass, we were pumped when we finally headed up the slopes. However we were not very sure what to expect and having been 5 years since either of skied, we were a little cautious.
 With a tour from a friendly volunteer mountain host, we found the nice parts of the mountain and our memory of how to ski (and how much it hurts at first) came back. Unlike a lot of the peaks in Aus, there are green runs all the way from the peak to the village.

Once the top opened up, we headed up. The view was astounding. No photos can justify the view of the surrounding peaks, all covered in snow, as far as the eye can reach. The colour slowly changing from white to green as you look down each mountain to the valley some 2kms below. The peak on whistler was at 7200ft and we regularly skied a run from there to the village - a drop of 5000 ear popping feet. The amount of runs and terrain was on a scale hard to fathom. Skiing from the peak to the village non stop at a fast pace would take us over 30mins.
I (Adam) took a few days off the skiis to give snowboarding another try. It was difficult at first, unfortunately it doesn't translate from surfing at all. The weighting on your feet is different and takes some time to grasp. After a lesson though it all came back to me and I was carving down the mountain with more speed and confidence than ever. We even hit a few blue runs on my third day of snow boarding ever. I was happy with my progress and switched back to the skis for some more speed and to keep up with Corinne, who was now powering along faster then ever. After 4 more days on ski's then me I had to work hard to keep up with her. We had many races down hills and along flats to the lifts, one incident ended with her skiing onto the pavers at the village just to beat me. (Cos: Which i did!) How one of us didn't wipe out at high speed, I don't know.

The peak dude: A Native American symbol that points the way

We received fresh snow most days and even found some areas with no tracks to try our hand in some powder. We managed to skip the one day of heavy rain and hit the slopes again for fresh powder on our last day. Conditions were perfect, 10cm of snow in the early morning and still falling, the peaks open after avalanche bombing and the weekend crowds had disappeared. We headed up first lift and took the last lift to the peak at the end of the day, making the most of it and exhausting ourselves in the process.

This section of the trip definitely gets a 10/10. The village was fantastic, great cheap food (Avalanche pizza, Beef and Blue cheese best ever) and a great vibe, the skiing was amazing and the weather was pretty good to us.



Cos vs the giant avalanche pizza

 It is a trip definitely worth repeating, and no doubt we will.

Next up - Some news!!!!

Vancouver snow

We landed in Vancouver to a winter wonderland - the plane actually had to stop on the runway as the pilot couldn't see the lines. Toby (Adams cousin) met us at the airport and after a coffee to warm us up, we donned as many layers as we had and wandered around in the snow (throwing snowballs at each other, roofs, ducks and anything else). The site of a snow covered city was amazing, snow falling constantly and lining the trees and footpaths. It was an amazing site, and was forecast to only last for a few more hours.

Thin ice McJ!

So pretty in the snow!

Ads,Cos, Toby and Mo

Snow Angel!

By the morning the city had been transformed, most of the snow had melted, the roads were clear and the temp was closer to 0deg. Neither of us had been in snow fall and had only visited the snow on the mountains skiing so it was a real treat for us.

Terry and Geoff (Cos's uncle) have been kind enough to let us stay at their place, while they're in Aus, so we're currently resting up before heading off to Whistler on Wednesday. Its a great place in down town Vancouver and very comfortable. Thanks very much.
The city seems very friendly and easy to find every thing. It helps having locals to help you out, so far we really like it here and just know we will enjoy our time in this place.

Next stop: Whistler skiing!!

Surfing the North Shore

The day had come, we were finally going to surf the north shore. The forecast was the smallest it had been since we were here. 5-6ft
After the debacle of the bus the only way to go was rent a car and go in style. So picking up a convertible mustang we headed out to find some waves that would be suitable for our level of experience.

 The drive was nice and the waves at a break in Haleiweia were looking ok. Picked up some boards and headed out into what was probably 4ft, nice left and rights on a reef bottom and not too crowded. Although every so often a big bomb set came through out of nowhere. Had to be 8ft and caught out every one except for one local who knew spotted it and headed nicely out of the way.
One very unexpected surprise was the amount of turtles in the water. There were at least 5 or 6 turtles in the break between the beach and the line up. When you caught a wave you actually had to dodge them or risk ripping off a fin. They would pop up all around you and startle you when you werent expecting. I turned to paddle for one wave and nearly grabed one next to me. It was like that both days at all the breaks I went to.

After a surf we had a look at some other breaks and were not too impressed so ditched the boards and drove the long way home around the island. The scenery was spectacular with miles of coastline undeveloped and open, with big old volcanic mountains bordering the ocean. The drive was slow but the transport was cool so we enjoyed the slow pace.

The next day I (Ads) decided I hadn't had my fill of surfing some decent waves and headed north again on my own. The forecast was 6-7ft (Normal forecast not Hawaiian for those of you in the know).

Seeing a nice break called Chuns Reef I found a great board rental place. They had great quality new boards for rent at a good price. Tentatively I headed out and picked a few off in the corner to start with. The main part of the break was regularly seeing some big waves with most above head height.

I recall taking off on a wave that was the steepest I have ever made, dropping into it and then turning along the face, as the lip peeled over it started smashing into the side of my head, not even occurring to me that it might be a makable barrel I turned out to get away from the pounding. In hindsight its probably one of the biggest waves I have surfed yet.

I finished the day surfing some less vigorous waves back at Haleweia, though the clean up sets were more frequent then the day previous and if you picked it, very surfable big waves.

I was pretty stoked with my day, at the start of the year I didn't even know how to surf until Cos introduced me and got me hooked. Now I'm surfing head highs on the north shore of Hawaiian winter. Gnarly

Cos:

So with a day of freedom I set out with a long list of things to do. First, climb the giant volcano crater overlooking Waikiki, Diamond head crater. Ads wanted to hit the north shore early so I was left with a bus ride and a 2km walk to the bottom of the crater. A couple of kms and about 800m elevation later I got the view. At the top is a fantastic view of the island and ocean including the view of the all but non existent Waikiki break. (Pictured)

Then after some housekeeping (backpacker style, i.e. hand washing clothes in the bathtub (oh so glamorous) it was out to surf the massive waves of Waikiki. Unfortunately I ran over a local with a giant hired mal and after alot of swearing and some apologising on my part, I was left feeling a bit worse for wear. Even Loney Planet advises against dropping in or offending the locals in the surf. But fortunately Aloha spirit shone through and an older Hawaiian guy came over to make conversations and after finding out it was my last day in Hawaii, gave me a few waves. :) happy days.

When the cats away the mice will play: Next stop, SHOPPING! Though I only bought one new outfit, mainly cause that's all that will fit in my bag - again, glamorous backpacking! It was my last night in Hawaii so I bought myself a Lei, a big sundae from 'baskin and robins' and watched the beautiful sunset over Waikiki beach, listening to a band with a ukulele singing traditional music and yes, there were hula girls too.

Aloha Hawaii, Mahala!

Next Stop: VANCOUVER! (Snow!)

North Shore

We spent a few days bummin around Waikiki, surfed the little baby waves, played on the SUP, laid in the sun and shopped. We figured it was time to see some of what Hawaii had to offer as far as this supposedly fantastic surf on the legendary north shore.

2 1/2 hr bus ride later we arrived. Now I don't know how to explain the north shore. There are houses about 3 rows deep from the beach in this very red volcanic soil. Most of them are run down with the occasional newer house. If you didn't know better you would say you were in Thailand. Its certainly a laid back non developed place.

We got off the bus and walked along the beach, as we headed down we saw some huge waves in a massive shore dump. Its like they come from no where, there is no huge swell and then it just starts standing up into this massive wave which breaks very heavily on the reef below.
As we walked we saw lots of heads in the water and kept going until we reached a break known as "Off The Wall".

Big north shore waves

There were 50 guys in the water a crowd on the beach as well as video cameras and photographers with big lenses.

The waves were 3 stories high in some sets with a big tube which was hard to make, only one or two would paddle for each wave with the inside guy pulling off early, so surprisingly it was very ordered. I guess you cant muck around when the potential wipe out is big. We saw one snapped board and were only there 30min.
We saw a few guys wipe out but not many. There was even this mad body surfer we caught on video.

We spent a lot of the day walking, there is nothing but ramshackle houses all the way along the shore, no shops or any sign of tourism at all. It was hard to find any where to eat or buy anything. It is very surprising that some where that is so well known for surfing has resisted the urge to over develop. Its good news for those of us who want to get out there and watch or even game enough to participate.

We plan on heading out there on Monday to find a suitable wave for us and some other Australians we met in Waikiki. Hope it goes well.

Hawaii - Sun, surf and skyrise

Finally the international part of our trip has begun, just in time too, the malaise had set in and I could have very happily stayed camped at Corinnes parents and done nothing but surf and bum around.

It was the usual pain in the ass to get into the USA, you now have to fill out your visa waiver online which we didn't know about before we arrived at the airport, luckily you can do it fairly quickly. Being the paranoid state it is, we got frisked in FIJI and full bag search, they do this for all passengers heading to the USA. There is a lot of news about people not happy with some body scanners being installed in airports which can see through your clothes.
But we finally got here and our hotel was even nice enough to check us in at 8am if we took a room with no air con.

Waikiki is like the gold coast only surprisingly not as big, a few high rises and plenty of people on the rather small beaches. Surf board hire is big business here as the waves are these little long rolling ones which suits learning.

Line up face Waikiki

On our first day we couldn't help but rent a mal and fight the crowds, and I do mean fight. The waves being rather small and the sets only having 1 or two waves and a good 20-30 people in the line up. It wasn't much fun and you rarely get a wave to your self and they weren't that good, the water temp was warm and the sun is out. There are a few different points and its a good fun and relaxed. Cos got a few great waves and had a blast on one of the other days, might be that she got a little more respect then me (might have been the bikini). (Cos: Might have been the better position in the line up)

Riding a huge one on the sup

I hired a sup (Stand up paddle) on one of the days and it was good fun, the wave size suited and something different. If the damn things weren't so heavy and hard to get around then I would consider having one.

Line up at Waikiki

The dollar conversion is fantastic, It great how cheap it is with our dollar buying almost parity. Unfortunatly pack space and budget constraints don't permit us from going wild. Clothing and surf gear is pretty good value also. The food though is always fast and fatty, you have to look hard for a decent feed, luckily many hours in the warm water paddling will help us from putting on too much.

Next up - North Shore (Just to watch) 

Quick trip back to old stomping grounds - Sell the rocket

A buyer for the van had been found, he was from Sydney, happy to pay full asking price and we offered to deliver the van to Sydney.
We knew the van was a bargain at $3500 when we bought it, and although we spent some money on it, we advertised it for $6000. Not bad work at all.
We will definitely miss having the van, I just cant believe how easy it was to have all the boards every time we went to the surf ( between us we carried 5 boards - the majority Adams), a bed and a cupboard full of food to pass the time until it came good or to have a rest between surfs.
It has been our pseudo home for the last 3 months and we're back to being homeless nomads again.

We headed towards Newcastle and met up with some friends at treachery camp (just outside seal rocks), a great place with its own the beach. The conditions were pretty good with some smallish surf coming in and a great sunny day on Saturday. We have been definitely spoiled up north the water temp is so much colder back down south, I froze until I put a steamer back on.

After a few good days at treachery we continued south to Newcastle, unfortunately a noise in the front wheel continued to get worse, the noise was terrible and we couldn't figure out where it came from. Luckily Jax tyres at Newcastle west looked after us at short notice with a new wheel bearing, again. For you guys in Newcastle they are great, service is excellent and they have always looked after us very well.

We delivered the Van to the new owner who was happy enough and headed back to Newcastle. Staying at a friends (thanks again Matt for the top class digs) we were able to surf in the morning and revisit the things that we missed about Newcastle. They included but not limited to Darby Raj, Surfing bar beach, catching up with mates, familiar shopping centres, breakfast at swell Cafe Merewether, watching some awesome surf while eating breakfast ( some guys getting great tubes ).

We planned the trip to coincide with a Wednesday so I could catch up with the sailing crew, my great bunch of friends who I have been drinking and now surfing with for about 4 years. It was great to catch up again, have a beer on the boat, sail and chat. Its great how after such a long time as a group on the boat every thing just happens, I don't know if the guys know it but they would certainly see if they sailed on other boats that our bunch are actually a well oiled machine.

Back to Woodburn to welcome home Corinne's mum, enjoy our last 10 days before we head to Hawaii.

Our own funny home videos

With the van up for sale and interested parties looking this week, we decided to go away for a couple of days while we still could.

We headed south, hoping to find some waves and visit a few places we enjoyed on the way up. South West Rocks and Crescent Head our destination.

While killing time due to no swell anywhere we were up on the hill at Crescent Head and saw some para gliders taking off, we watched as the first two left with only a little trouble. The guy left asked if I could help by anchoring him while he filled the chute and then attempt a take off.
The first attempt went not so well, he got the chute filled lifted off the ground and I pushed him towards the steep down hill, a gust of wind pushed him back up and he proceeded to get bashed into his own car while his chute nearly hit the power lines close by.

Reset and try no 2 - See the video.

The poor bloke ended up in a thicket covered in small cuts and bleeding from every where.
I feel a little guilty I may have not helped a lot, but he gave no direction other then hang on, so I hung on.
We pretty much high tailed it out of there after that and let him sort out the mess that was his chute.

Slowly getting ready to finaly leave.

Again not much to post people. It has been rather quiet, we are trying to save a penny, kind of trying to find some part work (kind of not really) and just relaxing before it gets a little hectic later on.

The red rocket is for sale, if you know any one interested please pass it on, its currently listed on Gumtree.com.au for $6000. I expect we will sell it easily.

We had some semi decent surf at Coolongatta and Byron bay as well as feeding our addiction to Byron Bay cookies, if you want some let us know they sell seconds for $4 a bag. No they are not special hippie cookies they are actual great cookies.

This morning we went to Evans Head ( our closest break) for a surf and it was fantastic 3ft glassy waves with some fast and slow sections. I am so stoked still at how my learning and surfing is going, I guess spending most days dedicated to nothing else will help you get better at anything. Hope to get some photos or video soon.
This area is great there are so many great breaks all with in an hours drive, the only thing missing is a Northern corner, I expect the normal summer winds will make it hard to find a wave.

Well thats it for now. Something more interesting soon

Its not always the dream trip it may seem to be....

If its any consolation to those of you who may be following we have been plagued with terrible weather for about 10days now.
It has been record rain for the month of october in the northern rivers, the surf has been terrible and we have only had 1 fine day for the entire month.
When your living off your savings and in a van, theres not much to do when it rains all day, it tends to turn one a little stir crazy.
We have had 5 times more rain in the last ten days then is the average for the whole month of October.

Having been driven mad from sitting around Corinne's mums place we have decided to take to the van and try our hardest to find some surf.

My hair is all shaved off now, as I need to look at least some type of respectable while we look for some part time jobs before we leave.

Well thats it, not much to update as its all quiet.

Changes afoot

So what have we been up to since leaving the Whitsundays...
We headed down the coast and called into some family we had seen on the way up, our next destination was Brisbane for some shopping and for a Hair cut for Corinne.

Having had long hair now for at least 5 years Corinne decided it was time for a change, and whats more drastic then cutting it all off.



Cos and Ads pre hair cuts





Mr T Mohawk

After a poor attempt at dying Ads hair, we decided a new hair cut was over due also, with no job and no need to be a productive member of society, why not go for some thing a little different, after all its only hair it can grow back. It wont last long, but im going to shave it all off shortly and start from scratch.


Cheap dye - No good

Look out

On the surfing front we returned via the Gold Coast and surfed at Rainbow bay again, it served up some acceptable waves for the conditions.

Returning to Evens head we found the local Long board comp was on, both Cos and I considered entering for some fun, but the conditions were terrible, we certainly didn't feel like paying to go surf in rough on shore sloppy waves.

The rain was coming down in these parts too, we had 200mm in 24hrs which is more then usually falls in an entire month of October.

When the wind died we were left with some big swell, and Lennox head was going off, on Monday it had to be 10ft, when I first went past and saw guys surfing it I was expecting to see a jet ski towing them in.

The next day it subsided and then on Wed I decided to have a go, it was still 6ft on the big ones easily and guys getting the odd tube ride. I found the going difficult for my novice ability, cut myself up getting in from the rocks (there is no other way in) and got a huge wipe out which knocked the wind out of me and then a hold down.

It was such a pity the waves were awesome but getting in and out is just killer, I still have much to learn.



Going off at Lennox heads





Rock jumps not too kind to Ads shins - Oouch







Cruising the Whitsundays

We arrived at Airley Beach with 3 days booked on a Catermaran. It was 42ft Cat with only 8 guests and 2 crew. Which meant fully catered service and 3 days of just relaxing, no worrying about the anchor or cooking and cleaning, just bliss.

Great food,
Great scenary,
Great sealife,
Great company - xo

The photos say it all!

The weather was up and down during the trip





Our transport - A little better appointed then the van

Beautiful water and beaches - Still cold though




Aww




Big bat fish hanging around the boat




Cos managed to free herself from this clam




Where the bloody hell are ya!



White sand, blue water, amazing




Whitehaven beach - A must see

 



Cos found a swimming rock



Next stop - South to surf, Brisbane, Gold Coast and Evans Head!

Visit to Mum McJ and then to Airley Beach



Looking across the sand flats - North QLD - Carmilla Beach



We continued heading north for a visit to Adam's mum stopping off on the way near the coast, big tides greeted us with huge long sand flats and no water at all and a creek which was not swimable. (see below)

 

You know your in North QLD when you see this at the beach

(Note the little love heart.. a Cos n Ads calling card..)

We visited with family in Bundaberg or Gin Gin to be exact, a nice stop over and good to see them having been in different states for a while. (Hi Mum!) Thanks Jess for giving up your bed for us too!!

We also got a chance to see the beach nearest to Bundy, B.E.A.Utiful!

The stop gave us a chance to give the Red Rocket some TLC... Note the wifebeater Ads is wearing! (Should probably explain that term for those who are more politically correct than me: a wifebeater is a blue bonds singlet. Predominantly worn by truckies... No offence to them...)

And I also got a new surfboard... Kinda... Few coats of paint and some masking tape.. Harvey looks like a million dollars! Even matches his fins!

The report showed some swell due on the coast, but we were too far north to be able to get any, as we still hadn't had any decent surf we decided we needed to drive down south, it was 3 hrs drive but turned out to be very worth it. We surfed at Coolum beach on swell in the range of 3-4ft, it was fantastic and easily worth the drive. Hope you guys in Newcastle took full advantage of the big swells.

After a few days we continued our trip north for a stop off at the Whitsunday's. We got notice that there was going to be some serious rain but pushed on. Arriving in Proserpine we encountered a traffic jam on the main Highway due to the road flooding overnight. Eventually we were able to get through, though the road was still underwater. 

Go the red rocket

There is actually a road under there

We have also added a small traveling companion for the van, Ralph.  (named by Corinne.)









Next stop: Whitsundays Getaway...