Day 7 - Shop til we Drop

August 2nd, 2008

Today we slept in a bit after a long and late night. Our plans was to hit a lot of major tourist spots. Our first stop was Union Square and the daily farmers market they have there. Lots of samples of breads, fruits, jams etc. Most of the stuff was a little pricey but we did buy some organic yogurt drinks, really good.

After that our shopping tour began. A store Chelsea saw online was here. So instead of paying for the shipping she had a good idea of the clothes she wanted there. Some really good deals. I even bought some things there. The fitting room line ups were long and I was the only guy in line...

The feet were getting soar so I decided to buy two pairs of shoes. Chelsea decided to get a pedicure and manicure instead. Special price fo you: $25. She was in complete relaxtion.

After a nice break for both of us we headed down to Fifth Ave. The shopping capital of the world... for the rich! We went into Saks Fifth Ave. and saw $1700 purses and a room filled with perfumes and make up. We saw Rockefeller Centre, Empire State, Chrysler Building, the New York Library, the Flatiron and many other humongous buildings.

After a long day we needed a great meal, so after countless times of trying to go, I finally found a Teppanyaki Restaurant, Benihana (the first ever). For those that dont know what it is, it is Japanese style cooking where a chef prepares your food right in front of you. We share a table that surrounds the grill in a semi circle with 6 other people. It was amazing! The meal consisted on Miso soup, salad, chicken fried rice, stirfry, veggies prawns, chicken, steak (for Matt) and noodles (for Chelsea). Ice cream and green tea were for desert.

After dinner we needed to walk it off so we headed to Times Square. While in TS, we went to a comedy show called HA! It was actually funny and only cost us $5. There was a 2 drink minimum but that was fine by me!

We walked a bit more around TS and went home. The day ended with some more shopping where we both found what we had been for all week. Great end to the longest shopping day we had ever experienced.

Day 6 - The Big Apple

August 1st, 2008

Our first full day in New York was a long one. Walking to places isn't so bad. We walked down to the World Trade Center site in about 20 minutes. I was a little disappointed there was no memorial just a bunch of cranes and rubble. All the surrounding buildings were so huge, its amazing those were even 30+ storeys higher! After that we headed to the tip of Manhattan to Battery park and the Staten Island Ferry. The ferry was free and gave us a great view of the New York skyline, Ellis Island (where all the immigrants landed from Europe) and the beuatiful Statue of Liberty. You can take a boat to both of these islands for about $30 and you cant even go to the top of the statue anymore. We saw it for free.

Our next stop was the financial capital of the world, Wall Street. I got my picture with the charging bull. Maybe it might bring us luck in our markets. Then we walked down and had lunch at the Stock Exchange. Now that's my fire hall boys!The largest flag we've seen. We spend a few hours down there also seeing the federal reserve building which houses 90 billion dollars worth of gold!!!

On our way home we shopped though China Town. I grabbed an empanada (pastry filled with chicken and hot sauce), Yummy! I did ask how much for a pop and he looked at me funny so I asked how much for soda instead and got the answer immediately. Our language for the simplist thing are the most different.

Tonight we headed to the Bronx (where Jenny's from) on the subway. There's only one thing in the Bronx and thats the New York Yankees playing the Anahiem Angels. We got down to the stadium, it was packed. We wanted to grab a bite before the game so I got myself a classic deli hero sub and some funions. We were actually allowed to bring our food into the stadium too. Too bad we couldn't bring beer! $9.50 for a 24 oz. Chelsea came back with beer number 2 for $21 (heinekin). The stadium and our seat were amazing. Unfortunatley the Yankees lost 1 - 0 and deserved to. It was a picthers dual. Sidney Ponson was throwing a one hitter going into the 8th when they pulled him. But got to see Mariano Rivera pitch however he actually gave up the winning run. We also saw a three great catches saving home runs from the Yankees outfield.

After the game the streets were packed so we went to the local sports bar, Stan's. couldn't even move. I guess they don't have fire codes here. Great atmosphere even after a loss. We both had Yeungling's Beer which is one of the oldest brewers in the US. Thanks for the suggestion Joe... great beer!

Day 5 - The Falls, the wings, and the city

July 31st, 2008

Today was a travel day but one that still had time to see some sights. My generous brother of mine offered to drive us to Buffalo and fly from there. On the trip down, Joe stopped in Niagara Falls. He said we couldn't go see the falls without a trip on the maid of the mist and I'm glad we listened to him. The falls were unbelievable! Only pictures can describe the sheer height and power of the falls. We would've been soaked if not for our fashionable blue raincoats.

Our next stop was Buffalo, home of the "Buffalo Wing". So why not go to the restaurant that invented them. The Anchor was the name and making wings was there game for over 100 years... beat that Col. Saunders. The wings were huge! Simply a great end to our visit with Joe and the family and our beginning to the remainder of our trip. Thanks Joe!

We arrived on time at the airport and so did our plane but the airport at LGA wouldn't let us leave Buffalo. When we got into LGA (New York), we knew why. They had about 10 planes on the runway ready to leave all lined up. Apparently that happens alot. We were delayed by about 1 hour because of that.

We checked into our apartment and got settled and then headed to the streets for some shopping and browsing. The apartment is located in Chinatown. The streets are fairly dirty as garbage pickup is not a regular thing here. We waled around to get familiar with the area. We managed to find ourselves in Little Italy at night. Really cool. All the restaurants are lit up and more than half the people are dining on the sidewalks. Nice restaurants with good prices too (free bottle of wine with 3 people). Chelsea and I both bought some sunglasses. We are realizing you can barter for items and Chelsea is pretty good at it too.

Early night tonight as we were tired from the traveling. Yankees game and a few special sites tomorrow...

Day 4 - The Centre of the Universe

July 30th, 2008

Nothing beats a vacation with a little golf. Matt once again in heaven, Joe took the boys and I to Silver Lakes for the Beckett Ontario Classic. First course I have played in a long time that doesn't have a home on it. The driving range was a lake with targets in the water. Just absolutley gorgeous. I spent a little time in the trees that outlined the fairways. The weather had all the seasons in it minus snow. Luckily I managed to take the invisible cup back to BC so Joe can challenge for the title again in September. The boys played well and had a good time.

While we were golfing Chelsea went to her first Ikea. Luckily for our bags she came home with little. But she wants to go when we get back... so next trip Vancouver Ikea. At least they have $1 breakfasts.


The afternoon brought us to Downtown TO. Saw Union Station after taking the TTC (subway)First stop and a long one was the CN Tower. What ruined the experience was the wait for 2 hours and then another 30 min down. We played games on our phones to kill the time. But forgetton once seeing the views below. It was the boys first time too!

We met Clara & Joe at the Hard Rock in Dundas Square (Canada's Times Square) also seeing Eaton's Centre. We also walked to see City Hall and the Much Music building. Just bagged tonight i think all of us wanted to sleep on the subway home but didn't want to miss our stop.

Off to the US tomorrow, but stopping in Niagara and Buffalo before landing in NYC!!!

Day 3 - The T.Ohhhh

July 29th, 2008

Today was an early one as we were heading in to Toronto with Teresa. Halle slept in so we didn't get to say goodbye but I'm sure we'll see her again soon.

When we arrived at the Beckett's house Joe, Clara, Pat, and Jay.

were all awaiting my and Chelsea's arrival. It was another relaxing day, simply catching up with the boys, who are now huge!!! Jay and I look pretty alike with our facial hair.

Joe took us around to all the places where Mom, Tara, Jerry, Joey, and Dad lived while in TO. Now I know what all you guys were talking about finally... after 24 years! We also toured around Downtown, driving through seeing all the condo developments, unbelievable!

We are doing that tomorrow! Its all our first times, including Jay and Pat...

Dinner was a nice piece of beef. Joe is quite the BBQ-er. Yummmy! Derek and Kelly also joined us. The night was capped off with some rock band.

It was an early night as the boys, Joe and I are heading to the links early... pray for sun for us all.

Day 2 - Cobourg

July 28th, 2008

Today was a great day. We started the day off by heading to the beach. Cobourg is right on Lake Ontario. It was just a beautiful out there. The beach gets groomed each morning. The sand was almost looked like brown sugar it was so dark. We threw the frisbee around. Lucas seemed to get better and better with every throw. After that we toured the rest of Downtown Cobourg seeing the marina with a sign that should've said, "Yacht's and $300K sailboats only!" Really nice.

Heading in to town we stopped at Victoria Hall. It is a huge historic building with some history that not too many know about. Originally in the 1800's, Cobourg was supposed to be the capital of Canada. The only problem was the harbour was too shallow, so they went up the road to Ottawa. It surprised me. So they built this building as there City Hall/Parliament. When we went in we looked behind some closed doors and an actual court case was going on. The court room looked fantastic, not your modern day court room. Unfortunately wasn't allowed to take any pictures in there, but if you're going to go to court, not a bad place to go.

Our next stop was Sue's Coffee Shop "the Human Bean". It was renovated in a TLC show called restaurant makeover. Really funky atmosphere serving fair trade and organic coffee beans. After that we headed down to Teresa's pet store. It was half pet store, half doggie daycare. It would be a sweet place for a dog.

The rest of the afternoon consisted of an overdose of Vitamin D. I'm not quite lobster colour yet. The pool was certainly used a lot yesterday. Halle reached a huge milestone in her short swimming career; she swam back and forth through the deep end. Now no fear.

Shelene and Zak did the most amazing Thai dinner ever! Will never forget it. Peanut sauce was everywhere, I was in heaven.

After dinner, we began games night. We kicked off with a competitive game of doubles darts and beer. We actually learned how to play darts too! Shelene and I took the first game in an amazing come from behind victory. This was followed by many games of pool and more beer. It got to game 5 were Shellene and I were competing for the tie breaker with Zak and Chelsea. We all had some awesome shots but Shelene and I finished them off sinking their hopes and dreams with the 8 ball.

This day was pure relaxation... off to TO tomorrow morning with Teresa.

Day 1 - Cobourg

So I finally had a nap in the car after arriving in Cobourg. We were waiting for the Liquor Store to open so we had some time to kill before heading over to Zak and Shellene's. Don't worry parents...

Zak and Shellene's house is just beautiful. To wake my self up i jumped in the pool and the hot tub with Zak and Lucas. Definitely needed that. Halle and Lucas are sooo cute! Halle is beside me now asking me what I am doing. She even knows what an ! is. Lucas is the swimming champ. After a quick catch up, the company started to arrive. Zak hosted a BBQ where my uncle Chris, aunt Chrissie, Emily and her new husband DJ. Teresa, Scott and their kids Dillon and Rhea. The BBQ was great however ended due to the west coast like rain storm that just rolled in. It poured and apparently its been like this for the last week.

Today we are touring Cobourg, going golfing and hitting the beach.

Chelsea: Matt also forgot to add that during the BBQ he sat on and broke a very nice chair to very nice outside patio set lol! I missed it because i fell asleep for 3 hours but I'm sure it was humorous. I have cut him off junk food from here forth. It is very beautiful here and I'm going to live in a house like this one day!

No Sleep til ... Brooklyn!!!!!

Saturday, July 26th, 2008

So to kick off this blog or to kick off our trip the title says it all. Dad dropped us off at Harbour Air. The pond hopper was right on time it took 15 minutes to get accross! Beat that BC Ferries (thanks VG). We arrived at the Flying Beaver, which to those that don't know isn't a strip club... LMAO - Sorry Jackie (Chelsea's Mom))We sat out on the deck to enjoy the view and have food and bevies. We decided to head to the airport and HAir sent us in a taxi for free (good service). As much as I wanted to walk to Jerry, can't say no to a free taxi. So we toured the airport bars receiving horrible service at Milestone's. Maybe its just me but when they call last call, would you think they actually call it out or at least ask their paying customers if they one more bellini??? Ok so its not just me then.

So after a few hours of lubrication, we were ready to fly and wake up in TO. I guess our brains had other plans. Along with the usual loud children that kick your seat, our over exhaustion worked against us. I got about 2 seconds of sleep and Chelsea close to the same. The seat were a little uncomfortable or oh well. We both looked at each other when we got off the plane and said now I know why its called the red eye...

Upon arriving at the gate, my brother Joe was there waiting for us. What a pleasant surprise! That was nice as we didn't really know where to pick our car up. So the rental place was a little bit of a joke but a memorable one. This is now 8 am, the car attendant opened shop at 7am so he could've woken up by then after a night of who knows what. The first car he brought looked good until we drove it... brand new car. Nothing like a rental. So we were finally on our way and Joe lead us out to the 401. 16 lanes WOWZER! Traffic was good we got to Cobourg in about 50 minutes.