Giant Piñata Seen in Mexico City! To celebrate the record-breaking success of Viva Piñata™, the Xbox 360™ team in Mexico City decided to break a record of their own: by building the world’s largest piñata! Forty five dedicated team members and 800 volunteers built a giant Horstachio that stands 48 feet high and weighs a whopping 4,400 pounds!

If you are concerned about your safety (or your children’s) then perhaps you should try the parents’ and the children’s safety videos! Now who says we can’t sue Microsoft because our children bashed us up using their new Christmas present?

Pete’s piñata on Vimeo

The real piñata got his arse whipped until his leg broke and his guts spilled out. So much for the viva! All in the name of great fun at my cousin’s 21st birthday party.

The good and the bad of being born on New Year’s Eve:

• Everyone’s already in party mode (this can save you heaps on your catering budget).
• You get the best fireworks show of the year.
• Proximity to Christmas means you often won’t get the full value of 2 separate presents, rather a single crappier pressie.

Happy Birthday Pete. I hope you enjoy sleeping with the girls.

Flickr: Tara and James’ wedding is a group for anyone who can contribute or is interested in the photos from Thursday. Let’s go! I swear she’s doing it just for the Canadian permanent resident / citizenship thingo Why not, I would!

What a beautiful day it was. I got a lift with Paul and Karen and we chatted about their past 8 months of world travels. $26 for a tent site was a very cheap start.

All of Tara’s wishes came true on the day: the weather was stunning with blue skies and golden warmth; her dress was amazing; Bill walked her down the aisle; the ceremony went off without a hitch; her husband is a great guy; the venue was just marvellous; the catering was simply to die for; and the most excellent company of family and friends. What more could you ask for?

Here’s a few little video snippets. Enjoy! Congratulations to Tara and James. I wish you all the very best in your future together.

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Hi everyone,
Please remember to bring a plate of yummy food (it can be anything, so long as it tastes good) and whatever you want to drink (we have plenty of water!) Also, the way the weather is looking, it might pay to bring your warm clothes. See you at our house! Merry Christmas!

Christmas morning! Time to open the presents. Kate of course received a game of Postie Kate! Gill received the penguins cup, and I have started wearing my new Union Jack boxers.

Afternoon feasting began shortly after everyone arrived. In a spookily similar fashion to last Christmas, this year we spent the day with international friends and one of Kate’s family members. Last year it was her brother Matthieu, this year it’s 100% Gill, the flamenco dancing, kangaroo-ears wearing, often shopping and always fun loving mum of Kate.

chucking Christmas chocolate on Vimeo

Lots of eating, drinking, talking, playing games and staying in out of the freezing cold wind, hail and rain, filled a wonderful day with cheer, merriness, great company and a good time.

If like Jack Burton, danger is your middle name, then try some of these world famous most dangerous roads. On the other hand if you want a more laid back Australian pace, then rent a car and drive our famous Great Ocean Road.

A word of warning for all tourists thinking December is summer and it should be bikini weather 24/7 – sometimes you will need more warm dry clothing. And another thing, apparently the windscreen wipers and indicators are on the other side of the steering wheel in England. The question is though: Why? Answer: I’m not sure, but it certainly has been amusing during both today’s trip and yesterday when we were visiting Phillip Island.


to see the penguins on Vimeo

Using the tourists in town as a good excuse, I can’t recall whether I have or haven’t ever experienced this amazing journey myself. With Hong, Kate, Gill and myself cruising in the rental, we soon joined up with Boyun, Chi-he, Orapin and Chris.

First stop was the Erskine Falls, a lovely little spot just 8 kilometres off the main road. Beware: You’ll need more than the best Korean shoes to escape the disturbed trees.

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The morning’s weather was shite. However it did improve as the day wore on. I had the B52s in my head as we cruised down the highway. Down on the beach front there’s nothing to do but jump! The random pick of sites I thoroughly recommend include:

• the Lace Curtains
• Cape Patton Lookout
• The Razorback
• Loch Ard Gorge
• Of course, the Twelve Apostles

No longer is it embarrassing to have my friends from overseas proclaim they have completed several laps of the Great Ocean Road when I couldn’t tell if I’d been or not. Whatever you do, make the opportunity. Don’t miss Australia’s world famous Great Ocean Road.

Legends of the Dragon is this lovely amazing awesome salubrious book I have a couple of photos published in. It just arrived in the mail last Friday. Flipping through these superb images, considering my current out-of-work status, I find myself dreaming of my next Asian adventure!

Postie Kate also delivered my Christmas present (from me, to me) last Friday. The Korea theme pack should be some inspiring summer reading… I had to collect my CELTA in person today as the college doesn’t normally post out the certificates. That stork however, will be delivering babies and bringing a new sound to Christmas for quite a few friends this year.

At the Strike Bowling Bar for $7 you get a game and free French fries. That’s cheap! – but at about 6:30pm last night we had to make a booking for a 2-hour wait… It seems we aren’t the only ones who like Tight Ass Tuesday!

At the nearby Oxford Scholar Hotel (despite my protest of how terrible it has become) a few friends gathered for a couple of ales and to catch up on gossip. It wasn’t long before we returned underground for some lane and gutter action.


bowling at Strike on Vimeo

Thanks to all our friends who came along: Fujio, Takeshi and Takako, Boyun and Yasue, Chris, Helen, Mark and Jin. There certainly was a strong Japanese and Korean contingent from the CELTA course gang to make it a great fun night. Until next time, Cheers.