LakeFever's VirtualTourist Home Page

Hello everyone!

Welcome to my travel pages and thanks for taking a look.
I’m Andrew and I reside just outside of Niagara Falls Canada. Having grown up a 10 minute drive from Toronto, I have happily spent my entire life in Southern Ontario. Traveling has always been something I’ve wanted to do....as a family growing up we did move around a lot, but mostly (and extensively I might add) through Ontario, Quebec and north east United States. I always enjoyed visiting the different places, be it, with family, with friends, through camp, through school, for sports, for concerts, for fun, and now (to some degree), for work....

Originally I had whole heartedly thought I was going to backpack Europe right after university....I had the books, the maps...and in 97, the internet to help me research my exact plan......well ......that plan was good....but the traveling (read: money plan) was not.
From there work came and of course paying some debt to a student loan, which only furthered me from moving about......

To make a long story short, I eventually landed a decent gig in the tourism industry in Niagara - and with that - came the opportunities to finally see some places. Mostly North America stuff but I have managed to visit the UK every yr as well as a couple other places in Europe. Also, with time off - and that damned student loan gone - I have been able to do some leisure travel as well.

As everyone here, I love to travel and see different places. So to, do I love skiing a slope or having a beer on the beach. I try to seek all places that make me comfortable and uncomfortable at the same time.....Soon the plan has a more global tour in the sights, we'll see. If I don’t have the time for a while to post tips and picks, then Ill know I’m moving places!
Safe travels.

Next Trip: Dec 31-Feb 14: Laos (2wks), Cambodia (1wk), Thailand (3wks)

Recent Trips: Sept 07: UK (2wks), Amsterdam (1wk)

Magog, Quebec - last week of March - 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007...no 08 and shame on to the wiked lady who rented to us. You have no mercy. Watch out for Bromont PQ.

Travel has taken on many different themes in my life (as in most of ours)......sure, getting on a plane and flying a few time zones away really does constitute getting around.....however, sometimes driving to a destination - which is some what in your backyard - can be just as fulfilling.

Annually a group of guys travel to the Eastern Townships just outside of Montreal for a little relaxation and spring skiing. The place is great, the price is right and the group is, well, super charged for five days. We rent an awesome condo with all the amenities which overlooks the lake, and at the far end, a ski resort (look close)....there are four places to ski, we have our favorites of course, but the moral of the story is, it simply is a great time.

This picture here was taken just as dusk was setting in.....even with the multitude of beers and a good day skiing in me, I suddenly noticed the entire landscape was blue!......The lake was still frozen over - at least 90% of it - but the snow on the streets had melted a week ago and this weird vibe right between winter and spring occurred. In my mind, this very well could be the moment the seasons changed.

As far as the skiing....excellent! Well excellent coming from Southern Ontario......decent size runs...not Rocky Mountains or anything, but, enough to keep us happy and challenged.....Mostly we carve up Mont Sutton....have tried the other places though.....Mont Orford, Owls Head and Bromont are the others.

So, something to be said about the classic road trip - no matter what the season! I’ve been concentrating on uploading photos about further away places than I have been on some of the places I love which are so close. Will try - for the boys - to get some of this ski trip up for all to see.

Niagara Region is wine country! There are over 50 wineries in the area which includes a great agricultural variety including apples, peaches, cherries and pears.....the most popular land use though is to grow grapes. Due to the terrain and the position between two large lakes (Lake Ontario and Lake Erie), the climate is perfect for growing and producing world class wines. On my way to and from work I drive through vineyards...rows upon rows of grapes on either side of the road. It is quite relaxing and very uncrowded. Compared to traversing city traffic in Toronto most my life....the years Ive spent in the Niagara Region have been a nice change. Life certainly doesnt pass us by here, but, there is some sense of relaxation....take time to enjoy.

Buy a lilo and chill out in the ocean....a great past time....something to buy when you first arrive so you get full use....as much of Ko Phanagn chill life as a hammock at the bungalow.....try to find a beach that doesnt have too many waves.
Last visit Jan 06........maybe 07 too....see you there!
....NOTE:.......missed 07 for Central America......back to Thailand and Laos on Jan 1/08 for 7 wks. Guess I should put up some photos.
...stay tuned.

Best view from the steepest and most un even wobbly.....oh did I say steep?!?!?!?
The grandaddy of them all, well certainly the highest and most developed and underdeveloped at the same time. Half of the place is still under ground and jungle.
We sorted out a guide for $10 usd and was well worth it. After taking in various ruins over the previous few days, it was nice to know what you were actually looking at - with the guide that is.

One of my more recent trips to Vegas....spent some time at the Hoover Dam...96 people died making the dam that was completed in 4 yrs and 10% under budget....or so the tour guide said.

Not sure if this is a sign of the times or what but I found this scene quite funny...this church was right beside Comerica Park and Ford Field in Detroit....not much else there at the moment.....well a couple hundred people walking around asking for money...be kind but not too kind..they are everywhere.