Finally, after 6 weeks of adventure, I think I’m settled here in Auckland and ready to check-in with everyone back home. First, I want to thank everyone for coming to my going away party. I had an amazing time and I hope everyone else did too. But it turns out I lied to everyone. Not on purpose of course… I was meant to leave Montreal on the 4^th, but the day after the party, I received a call from Adam Sommer – my travel companion / McGill team mate / Wanderer. Our departure date had been changed from 4th February to to 31st January to make sure that we made it onto our standby flight.  It was a a very rushed goodbye, and a quick flight over to Vancouver… even then, we didn’t get on our flight to Sydney.

This wasn’t a bad thing. No way! I think now that this was the best thing that could have happened. We made the best of what was supposed to be our only day in Vancouver

We wandered along Robson Street, ate noodles and sushi, and went for a bike ride around Stanley Park. The views were amazing, but the mud on the back of my only outfit was not so amazing. I should mention that our luggage made it safely to Sydney – only 10 days too early!

We didn’t make that night’s flight either. What to do next? We never really had a choice… Going snowboarding at Whistler was a no-brainer. However, it wasn’t easy (or cheap) to pull off. We rented a car and ski/snowboard equipment, and borrowed some snow gear from Adam’s extended family with whom we were staying. As luck would have it, Adam’s uncle wasn’t 6’ 7," and the results were chilling.

The quote of the day was “It feels like I’m wearing – nothing at all!” – Ned Flanders. The suit was very tight and it left half of my forearms and calves exposed to the snow and wind. But when you’re skiing in endless powder for 40 minutes before having to take another lift back up the slope, it doesn’t matter what you’re wearing. It was, as Danny T would say, HAmazing.

Adam's uncle came skiing with us. He is the Air Canada pilot and the reason we finally made it safely to Sydney, while having as much fun as we did. Oh, and I should mention that the black “snow pants” that Adam is wearing. They are his work dress pants! That evening we realized we wouldn’t be getting to Sydney from Vancouver for at least another month. So we bit the bullet and booked a flight to Hawaii en route

!

To be able to snowboard one day, and then be surfing the next blew my mind. We spent four days in Hawaii, surfing, drinking, and conditioning our skin for the harsh Australian sun. Unfortunately, it was a real shame that we missed the Pro Bowl by 2 days! We did see one player at the airport; I’m not sure who he was but everyone wanted his autograph.

Eventually, ten days later than scheduled – well, really only 4 days late, if you count from the day of our initial 4th February 2008 planned departure, we arrived in Sydney, Australia.

We finally got our bags in Sydney, which was a relief. Now that we were in Australia it was time to start the serious backpacking. Up the coast was the plan, but we only had 15 days to travel from Sydney to Cairns. The two weeks that followed were a blur of meeting amazing people from around the world and seeing some of the most beautiful places in the world.

Most of our time in Sydney was taken up making plans for the rest of OZ, but we took a full day and I think we managed to do all the must-dos in Sydney except for Bondi Beach. We hit the Sydney Aquarium, The Sydney Harbour Bridge, the Botanical Gardens, and of course the Opera House. Sydney is also a great place to go out – we hit Empire Hotel with some new friends from Winnipeg.

The next day we got on our 12h overnight bus ride to Byron Bay.

According to Matty’s report, Byron Bay was wet and cloudy when he was there, and that’s exactly how we found it the morning we arrived. We weren’t about to let that stop us though. Cape Byron was an amazing place, even in the rain.

Lucky for us, our second and last day in Byron Bay was absolutely beautiful. We spent the whole day in the water bodysurfing on the massive 6-8’ waves and getting tossed around like rag dolls when they crashed over us. No pictures though, sorry! The nights were spent playing drinking games at the hostel and then stumbling over to Cheeky Monkey’s – the most popular backpacker’s bar in Australia’s most popular backpacker city.

We had decided earlier to skip Brisbane, as it’s just another big city. We opted to go to Noosa Heads instead. Just for one night though.

At this point, I think it would be appropriate to fill you in on GOON. For those of you who don’t know, around here goon is a slang term for box wine (which is traditionally taken out of the box and drunk from the bag). And since a case of beer in OZ can cost you nearly $50, 4L of box wine for $12 is always your best option. I should also mention that goon is made from milk and fish products. Not grapes, and Adam and I have identified 5 distinct stages experienced when drinking goon:

1) Ewww. 2) Mmmm. 3) Hahahah. 4) (blank) 5) Ewwww.

Our one night in Noosa was a clear example of the effects of goon. Adam made the mistake of mixing goon with beer. I don’t know where he went that night. And I don’t know why I didn’t go look for him. Thankfully, we made it onto the bus the next morning (pre-setting alarms is the key to backpacking) and we were off to Hervey Bay, the access point to Fraser Island.

Exploring Fraser Island, the worlds biggest sand island, was 3 of the most fun days of my life. I’m pretty sure that I did the exact same tour as Matty (Koala’s right, Matty?). Apart from the amazing people we were teamed up with, the highlights of the trip for me were: 4 x 4ing through the jungle and along the 90km of beach, and Lake Wabby. Lake Wabby was so amazing during the day that a few of us hiked nearly 2hrs there and back in the middle of the night just to see it in the moonlight.

Next stop was Airlie Beach. Not only was Airlie Beach where we were scheduled to get on our 3 day cruise of the Whitsunday Islands, it was to be the site of Adam’s 22^nd birthday bash! Many friends from our Fraser Island group were there to celebrate with us, and after a very nice dinner (not noodles for once!) we all ended up in togas in an empty bar and had another HAmazing night!

The next day we boarded the massive catamaran on our way to a private island where we (and the group of 110 backpackers) were to party the night away. The next two days were filled with sun, beer (for breakfast lunch and dinner!), beautiful beaches, beautiful girls, and not-so-beautiful snorkeling (there was a recent shipwreck and there was wreckage floating everywhere!)

After Airlie Beach we headed up to Cairns, our last stop in Australia. We used our first day to catch up on a lot of sleep. That night we caught the Brumbies v Highlanders.

Our last day spent in Australia was spent admiring one of the seven natural wonders of the world: the Great Barrier Reef. It was awesome. I can’t even begin to explain what it’s like. I made friends with a sea turtle.

So that was East Coast Australia in a nutshell… The only regret that I have is that we couldn’t find a kangaroo.

On to New Zealand! My new home.

I could tell you about all the crazy theme parties, the BBQs, the pickup games of touch rugby, cricket, volleyball… but I’m too excited. I want to tell you about RUGBY!

We found an AWESOME team to play for: Grammar Carlton. We arrived just in time for trials and the beginning of serious practicing. We played a trial game on Friday night, but I played like crap; I dropped 2 kickoffs, and my head wasn’t in it (not to mention I might have had 7-10 sober nights in the past 5 weeks… the fitness is a bit off). So I asked to join them the next day, 2 hours south in Hamilton for another trial game. We played in the shadow of the Waikato Chief’s ground:

Actually, I wish it was in the shadow – the sun was shining and the ground was hot as Hades. But I was eager to step up from the night before. I think I did. You’d have to ask the coach, but I’m pretty sure I pulled my own weight and then some.

The level of rugby over here is a lot harder than in Canada. I’m still getting used to it. I may never actually get used to it, as the Rugby is faster and harder hitting. But more than anything, it feels less planned and more instinctivel than the way we play.  I’ll tell you, these Pacific Islanders are strong, and fast, and have really hard names to remember. They’re all very nice and friendly too.

The bus ride back was full of drinking. A huge Maori guy – I forget his name – was sitting at the back of the bus calling on people to skull their beers. Of course “CANADA … CANADA” rang out. So I chugged mine, no problem, as did Adam. If there’s one thing we’ve gotten good at over the past 6 weeks it’s drinking! When the big Maori dude’s name was called out, he barely got through the neck of the bottle! Pacific islanders, as far as I’ve seen, aren’t the biggest drinkers.

And get this: dues for GCRFC are $30, and that includes a free gym membership as long as you go at least twice a week. HAmazing!

I’m quite torn though. I can’t decide where I’d rather be – in terms of watching sports. On one hand, I have the Super14. It’s everywhere. I bought a Blue’s Jersey and I’ll be at their game next week. On the other hand, you guys all get to watch Nos Canadiens at the top of the eastern conference. I think I’ve found a solution though. CJAD on-line at 1:00 pm on Friday will play Thursday’s game against Ottawa. We’re throwing a party and luring people to our flat with poutine. I can’t wait. GO HABS GO!

Also, in case you were worried about me and Bryce being apart so long, Bryce has sent me his replacement. Bryce’s Uni team captain, Will, from Nottingham has moved in 2 flats down from me (total coincidence). He’s a fullback. He could never replace Bryce, but he’s an awesome guy. He’s actually the one who was hooked up with Grammar Carlton. I expect to see him around for some of the 2009 season with SAB (that’s right Will, now they’re expecting you!).

Ok, so now that I have got the Rugby out of my system (for the time being at least…until practice in 2 hours!) I should mention Auckland. Don’t judge the pictures – I was cool at the time… trust me!

So, that’s what I’ve been up to. I want to say that I’m missing Montreal, but I’m too busy playing Rugby, watching Super14, partying, (I guess I should say studying, but not really) and having the time of my life!

And, I hear you all can barely move with all the snow there has been lately in Montreal. I do miss that! But don’t worry, Montreal is still my home. I’ll be back early August and, unless Thailand’s buckets of rum that Matty told you about are that bad, I’ll be in better shape than ever and ready to go for the Cup!

In the meantime, I hope Keith isn’t torturing you all too badly at training. Good luck to all those going with the Caribou to France! I’ll check in again soon.  Miss you all!

 Jon TooTall Phelan       (For more pictures, check facebook)