Bucket Lists

I thought that would make a great thread, especially in the quieter racing months, so I will kick it off.

1. Call a Melbourne Cup on radio. Since I was a young boy my ideal job has been sports broadcaster. I loved all the race callers at the time, Tapp, Craig, Wilson, Papps, Russell and wanted to emulate their talents. Well in 2014 I was able to complete that bucket list item and call Protectionist skipping away for one of the better cup wins. I called the next two as well, but then the station's board saw two religious people who hate any form of gambling enter the picture and that was the end of that. But I can genuinely tick that off my list.

2. Call rugby league on the radio. As with the races, I loved listening to Hollywood and Zorba (Greg Hartley and Peter Peters) every Saturday and Sunday afternoon call the rugby league, and once again I desired to emulate those two. So in 2015 my station applied for and was granted permission by the Goulburn Workers Bulldogs to call games for that season. I managed three games before our old 1970's outdoor system shutdown for good but I called three matches. It was a shame our equipment died because I was puting together a plan for 2016 where we were going to live stream the calls on our facebook page, and where I would be able to go around the grounds and give live updates on the scores of other matches being played. 

3. Travel outside Australia. Well I have ticked this box off with my three cruises as I have travelled to New Caledonia, Vanuatu and so again a tick. Obviously much more to journey through but a fun start.

4. Visit Canada. Ever since I saw that iconic picture of Chateau Lake Louise with the crystal clear lake, I have wanted to experience Canada's Rockies. To spend a Christmas-New Year week in Bamff would be the ideal week.

5. Visit Japan. I have always been interested to experience different cultures and the more removed from Australia's culture the more intrigued I was. Japan to me is a fascinating culture and the history and landscape offer genuine cultural journey.

6. Complete a US road trip. While Route 66 is the iconic trip, a trip from sea to shining sea for me is the ultimate road trip. While New York and Chicago and other big cities would be great to visit, for me  the ultimate areas to explore would be Texas, Kentucky, Tennessee, the Dakotas, New Mexico and Montana. 

7. Write a book. I have been writing several stories over the last twenty years including stories about coming of age, a heist novel based on the Great Bookie Robbery in Melbourne on 21st April 1976, I have got a story based on the Joe Janiak/Takeover Target story, I have a story about a family which is based on the Slim Dusty/Joy McKean life. The big one however is a story about a loner, who gets the opportunity to join a crew aboard a vessel where they travel through time and observe human history, from before there was human history.

8. Own a Melbourne Cup winner. While this might be one I never achieve, it will still be fun trying. 

That is my ultimate list but obviously there are other things to accomplish.

So I would be interested in everyone else's lists, and whether you have ticked any off those lists!

               

Is the chateau a genuine 5* experience?

I haven’t stayed at the Chateau Lake Louise or Chateau Banff so can’t answer that. Went inside at Lake Louise briefly and it looked very nice. Had a high tea at Banff which was excellent (albeit overpriced). Again, inside the Chateau is also very nice. The location of both properties really add to them as well, just spectacular scenery all around. Lake Louise is actually right next to the lake itself so pretty much unbeatable. Banff is a bit out of town, still very much walkable to downtoawn Banff though, maybe 15 minutes. Banff hot springs is close by too. I have friends who stayed there in January and they raved about it. 

On my recent trip I also had a look around the Chateau Frontenac in Quebec City. Similar story, inside is very nice and again location adds to it IMO. This one is like a big medieval castle and is almost the centerpiece of old Quebec.

The Fairmont Chateau I have stayed at is the one at Whistler. Same story as the others I’ve mentioned - very nice inside and location is almost unbeatable. It’s probably 50m from the Blackcomb gondola. At the end of the day you literally ski up to the valet at the base to drop your skis and walk 20m to the bar for apres. Rooms have been renevated pretty recently so modern and what you would expect from something of that quality. The run shuttle busses all day to various stops around Whistler and have cars available to take guest anywhere they want. Staff also very good although being a ski town I think it’s hard for them to get long term staff so not perfect. I’d say this is a genuine 5 star property but there are certainly better experiences out there. 

With the Fairmont’s I think of you want the real top level experience you need to book one of the Fairmont Gold rooms. These are billed as a hotel within a hotel. They’re located in their own floors with seperate lobby and check in plus a lounge where they serve snacks etc most of the day. Have only seen video reviews but does look a fairly decent step up.