mine's bigger

if you ARE serious.. where in Canada would you like to go??
although I think it takes about 2 years in all (or something like that) you could always MARRY Canadian (only a suggestion, not a proposal).. also.. depending on what skills you have to offer.. you could come on a work visa.. there's also other programs but that would all depends on your province of entry..

I'm serious...I was thinking Ottawa, Quebec. I'd be headed with an Associate I.T. degree so I would bring some skills, I was thinking of taking the work visa route myself.

I'm in Melbourne, so if you want to hop across to what we fondly refer to as "the ditch" to New Zealand....Melbourne or Sydney is the best place to do that from. Tis about a 3 and a half hour flight across to Enzed from either city, and you can get a return flight for around AU$400 but if you fly out of Melbourne, i'd come with you...because i look for any excuse to skip across the ditch to catch up with family ;-)

Brisbane is the major city in Queensland, but whenever i head up there...it's always either the Sunshine Coast or the Gold Coast that draws my attention. Either coasts are fun, but the Sunshine Coast is less commercialized besides being home to Steve Irwins Australia Zoo.

Adelaide is nice if you like looking at cathedral and church like structures...and visiting wineries!! ;-)

Perth is the West Coast answer to Queenslands beaches, and it houses some truly spectacular pieces of ocean paradise....so you best bring along your thongs.

There is an overnight cruise to Tasmania out of Melbourne...which was a shitload of fun the last time i took this trip. The ship has a couple of bars including a nightclub, a casino and a couple of choice restaurants. It docks in Devonport early morning around 8ish, where you can spend the day at your leisure cruising some of the sights on offer in Tasmania. The ship leaves around 5pm to head back to Melbourne.

I'm not sure what i find more disturbing about this...

That Motowndowntown has a little man in a boat, or that you have a bigger one Z

just so you know.. Ottawa is in Ontario not Quebec and if you DID want to come to Quebec, you'd need a working knowledge of french.. as for skills? no offense intended but we've a greater need for labor skills like electricians, plumbers etc.. I know a few currently that are in desperate need of apprentices, but again, you need to speak french (Quebec French not Paris French)

if you prefer coming on a work visa.. in IT I'd suggest looking at your local corporations branches like you'll find in Ottawa here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_technology_companies_in_Ottawa get into the US company and transfer to Canada.. it's one approach..

sounds like the FIRST stop should be Melbourne then and of COURSE I'd head to NZ with you.. geeze.. it'd be like having ma own personal travel guide... I'd be nuts NOT to after all.. it's THE ultimate trip.. what I call, going native!



ok then.. if time and finances permit.. sunshine coast it is



I like church architecture.. but that would be a 'day' trip for me.. I can only take so much of that kinda stuff on any trip.. but I have to do at LEAST one! I wouldn't drag you along if that wasn't your thing though.. like me with your soccer



wait.. thongs? my version or yours



would you wanna come to Tasmania too??

currently your dollar is about at par with Canada.. NICE.. so it gives a better idea on prices.. AND once I get all the particulars in order (where, what time of year etc) there are packages anyone could purchase now for 2014 or later travel so.. it's good to plan ahead

as things get a little more settled in my world (in other words when I have a better idea as to when I COULD come) we can chat on the phone (I have an unlimited international monthly calling plan for work )

OR for when you come to Canada.. OR for the UK jaunt.. we can chat WhenEVER this is SOO exciting

Pretty sure it was, hah...I was looking at a map at the same time for another reason and scoped it on there, looked like it was on the other side of the line, my bad. My French is alright, could use some work, but I'd probably be alright if I were stuck somewhere where French was the primary language, one of my friends from Quebec was helping me with it (Which means I would be f* in France, right?).

I was also thinking about transferring through a local company so I'll probably look into that avenue a bit more too. I'm just so tired here and your country is so beautiful.

my life motto.. go BIG.. or go HOME!

actually.. isn't the saying "ship" comes in?? maybe his is the tugboat to ferry it to shore

it's right on the border of Quebec actually.. it's just over a bridge.. so can be mistaken as being in Quebec.. but don't say THAT to the Ontarian's.. they don't like us very much

that changes things a bit then if you already have french.. in France though you'd probably get a D+ or C- cuz you can communicate.. just not really the same lingo..

I'd strongly suggest Ottawa/Kanata though.. that's our kind of Silicon Valley round the Eastern provinces.. we all have some.. that's just a more concentrated area..

thank you for the compliment to my Country.. I'm very proud to be a Canadian because of MANY things.. one is, we take great pains to preserve are fair lands and not over populate them.. we're not perfect by any means.. but I think knowing that, makes us a stronger country.. and we're HUGE on RESPECT.. which I guess adds to our charm.. but again.. thank you for the compliment and best of luck to you! keep us posted and ask anything you'd like.. that's what I was hoping from this thread!

you'll have to tell us more about where you are now though.. for those travelers (or lurkers lol) interested in visiting the state!

Fer sure i'd go! I became quite fond of Tassie when i lived there for a few months wayyyyy back in the days when i didn't know how to keep still :-)

And yes!...we have to hook up by phone

But no laughing at my accent!

I won't
but if you laugh at mine..?




























I'll switch to speaking french and REALLY mess ya up

sounds like a PLAN K... woooHOOOOey.. I'm all excited about travelin.. not sure I can wait... WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE.. *zee sings to the old men-at-work tune*
Oh, I'm goin to the land down unda..
(Oh yeah, yeah)
Where women glow and men plunder
Can't you hear, can't you hear the thunder?
(Oh)
You better run, you better take cover..
cuz I'm...
goin to the land down unda

a couple of pics for ya K..

my back yard earlier today


same backyard in the summer time..


found this lil critter earlier too..


and these gals are fairly frequent visitors


I'll add more when I have time.. enjoy!

They call those 'tinnys' here. The only thing they're capable of tugging are eskys full of cold beers whilst out fishing for barra! :-)

Speaking of french influence...i rather suspect the cuisine over there is quite something else no?

Wow!...now that is some inspiration to visit right there Z. Awesome pics...thank you :-)

*hands Z a vegemite sandwich*

here they're called 9&1/2's or bass boats.. they're used pretty much the same except the fish are bass, pike, perch or on the odd occasion, trolling for freshwater salmon or trout..

oops

actually we have more a multicultural cuisine here.. we have EVERYthing from A to Z.. we do have some plates that are unique in some way.. like POUTINE
french fries covered in a bbq sauce topped with curd cheese..
pure HEAVEN