All the Way From Down Under to Canada!

One thing we feel really good about with our Global FieldTrip is that is has inspired others to “go for it” and travel – especially our family from Australia!  Last Christmas, our cousins from outside of Melbourne wanted to experience a white Christmas in Canada – and the Siomos family got what they wished for!  For two weeks we gave them a Canadian winter adventure which included skating, hockey, tubing, snowshoeing and more!

Just this past Spring, another set of cousins from Oz – the Damchevs, called us up and said they were coming for a summer visit.  We were so excited to have them stay with us and experience a Canadian summer, which should be much warmer, right?

It was time for a Great Canadian road trip!  First to Ottawa for Canada Day, then off we went to Montreal where we enjoyed the Montreal Jazz Fest, Mount Royal, Smoked meat, Montreal bagels and more! We had loads of summer fun, despite the cooler than normal temps.

Shwartz’s smoked meat!

At the top of Mount Royal!

Then we went NorthWest to Beachburg for some white water rafting with Wilderness Tours.  We had a spacious log cabin right on the beach which was perfect for kayaking and reviewing our rolls:)

Log cabin for 2 nights

On the Ottawa.

Chess tournie #1

Chess tournie #2

Ready for bed!

The paddling weather was perfect – it was the best weather they had seen so far into the season with sunshine and clear skies.

Upon our return to TO, it was time to celebrate Mikhaila’s 16th birthday and connect with all the family.

More fun included the Blue Jays, Eaton Centre, Nathan Philips Square, Niagara Falls, the Beach and more!

Nathan Phillips Square

Canada 150!

Let’s go Jays!

Go Jays Go!

Of course Canada’s Wonderland was a hit with the kids of all ages!  Although the weather was overcast and gray – we decided to go anyways and were rewarded with fast and easy access to all the rides!  There were no lineups at all!!! Everyone enjoyed the awesome roller coasters multiple times and the tasty treats!

Leviathan!

Behemoth!

Family visits were essential and we were lucky to connect and have lots of fun!

Uno tournie

Dinner!

More dinner!

Katherine’s 16th

Family visits!

Dinner again!

Overall, it was an amazing time with all of our Aussie cousins and we can’t wait to see them all in the near future! With all of our fast-paced and stressed out lives, taking the time to have fun, travel with the kids, and spend time with family is so important.  We just need to do it more often!!

Until we meet again – which should be very soon!!