I’m officially back in the country after an Awesome cruise on the Pacific Dawn. Cruising from Brisbane we stopped at Noumea, Lifou and Vanuatu.

Captain Neil Turnbull looked after us and the weather was very nice with only a couple of rough days, though it did take me a couple of days to get over my sea legs on return.

The food was delicious and as per usual I totally over ate!!!
There will be a lot of hardcore exercise going on this week and some sort of soup diet!!!

Once again another fun cruise with P & O.

Saturday night I attended the Tibetan Earthquake Benefit concert organised by my friend Kirsty Chenery at the Z Pac Theatre, Zepher St. Hervey Bay.

The evening started with a viewing of: ‘The Sun Behind the Clouds …..Tibet’s struggle for freedom’ Movie. This movie was excellent, clearly portraying the current and ongoing dilemma Tibetans and His Holiness the Dalai Lama face in trying to see a middle path so that Tibetans can live in their own country (currently overtaken by the Chinese), keeping their customs alive and the practice of Buddhism.
This was a special preview as the movie is not officially released till October so we very blessed to be given this viewing.

We then enjoyed some food as many brought along a plate to share.

Following our break we had a great live performance from Alena of some of her original songs. Alena is a student at our local Buddhist Sanctuary and this was her first ever live performance – The Oddiyana Dharma Sanctuary.
The theatre was also decorated beautifully with pray flags by Alena earlier in the day.

This was followed by an exciting performance by the very talented special guests Tenzin Choegyal and Tibet2Timbuk2.

Their music ranged from relaxing, to mesmerising, to captivating to upbeat I want to dance songs!  
Most of their songs are either written about birds, lakes or mountains!
They were very amusing making us laugh.

Tibet2Timbuk2 has an eclectic repertoire including group arrangements of Tenzin’s Tibetan songs, Marcello’s English songs, collaborative songs and instrumentals and even classical tabla solo.  The overall sound is full and organic, with all three musicians sharing bass, percussion, harmony and melody roles to create a solid yet easy groove.

All up over $3,000 was raised on this very successful and enlightening night!
Awesome job, Kirst xox and all who participated, helped and attended!
There was alot of love in the room!

Friday night I went to see Patrizio Buanne live in Concert at the Convention Centre in Brisbane. What a thoroughly enjoyable performance. Patrizio’s voice is so strong and sounds like it has come from the heavens!
Add to that his moves, charisma, sex appeal plus 14 piece orchestra and you are in for one very sexy, professional, amusing and entertaining performance.

I just had to buy his latest album but unfortunately unlike when I went to his concert in 2007, Patrizio didn’t do a signing after his concert.

Patrizio Buanne spent his childhood between his hometown in Naples, Italy and Vienna, Austria, due to his parent’s restaurant business.

This multi-cultural upbringing sparked in Patrizio an early passion for languages, and by the age of 17 he already spoke fluent Italian, German, English, French and Spanish. It seemed obvious for both Patrizio and his parents for him to become an interpreter, and after graduation from school he went on to study Slavic languages at University and today he can add fluent Polish to his language tool kit. But whilst his aptitude for languages is admirable, a much greater gift, apparent even from the age of 4, was emerging – his gift to be able to sing and entertain people….

But what quality separates Patrizio from other great artists? Is it the natural grace of his voice, the “rugged” good looks, or the confident, casual, respectful attention that he gives to his audience? Or is it just the basic trust he evokes in people?

…..Click here to learn more.

A little disappointed I didn’t get a close up encounter with Patrizio this time, I was pleasantly surprised on my return flight home from Brisbane to see the all time Australian Legend Jimmy Barnes was on my flight.  

Not being one to miss an opportunity I had my photo snapped with My Cold Chisel Hero at the Brisbane Airport!!!

Click here to learn more 

with Special guests Tenzin Choegyal and Tibet2Timbuk2.
 

Saturday, June 26, 2010
Z Pac Theatre Zepher St. Hervey Bay 

5pm – 6.20pm: ‘The Sun Behind the Clouds …..Tibet’s struggle for freedom’ Movie
$7 a ticket

7pm – 9:30pm: Benefit Concert
$20 a ticket

$25 for both; Tickets available from Aura Dental, Torquay Rd and Go Natural Foods, the Esplanade from 19th May. Limited seating! 

Was so much fun!

A big thank you to Enrique for his awesome 2 hour lesson.
We had a fantastic turn out with Zumba enthusiasts of all ages and sizes completing the full two hours!!!

Also thank you to all who attended and sponsored this FUN event! 
I can’t wait for the next one!

Jeanette Maynes wants to shake up the idea of setting a Queensland record with Fraser Coast Zumba enthusiasts.

And if you’re not hooked yet, she says it won’t take long.

The owner of Design House in Hervey Bay and organiser of the popular Salsa Group, has teamed up with dance enthusiast Enrique Salomao for a fun two-hour Zumba 500 workout at the Great Hall, Beach Rd Pialba, this Saturday, April 17.

“We are aiming to get 500 people on Saturday.  But that’s just the start,” she said.

Ms Maynes says Zumba 500 isn’t just for fitness gurus; just about anyone can come along and give it a go, male or female.

“There is no room to feel uncomfortable.  You just go at your own pace. Everyone is too busy getting their own groove on to look at you” she said.

“It’s for all shapes and all ages.  They’re people in their 60s and 70s that come along to Zumba and can certainly keep up.”

“For that whole lesson I’m getting a huge maximum workout. It’s so much fun, and you feel awesome for the rest of the day.”

The party starts with registration at 9.30am at a cost of $15. The event runs from 10am to noon.

Make sure you dress in comfortable and sporty clothing. Children welcome.

To find out more visit www.salsagroup.com.au

Described as “One of the most important surf movies of our times” and YOU have the opportunity to come along and see it on the big screen. “Somewhere Near Tapachula” is a truly inspiring story of love, life and hope. Set in Tapachula, Mexico, this film follows the stories of 54 children from lives of poverty, trauma and abuse, and their journey to Mission Mexico, a children’s refuge founded by Australian couple Pam and Alan Skuse.

It also focuses on the unique surf community that they have pioneered in Tapachula, a coastal city with no other wave riders. The surfing experience has had a phenomenal impact on the children, creating an escape from their unimaginable pasts.

“Somewhere Near Tapachula” will challenge you with the important things in life and open your eyes to the power of riding waves, wether you are a surfer or not.

The film recently won the People’s choice award at Yallingup Surfilm Festival in W.A. It has also featured in the latest edition of Surfing World Australia and this week’s copy of Grazia Magazine. “Somewhere Near Tapachula” has also been nominated for the “Heart of Gold Award” in the International Film Festival held in Gympie this month.

You can check out the teaser trailer on www.somewhereneartapachula.com

This is going to be a fantastic night with live entertainment, art show, prizes and giveaways, Q&A with the director and producer and one of the stars from the film. 100% of profits go to Mission Mexico Children’s Refuge.

Maryborough Town Hall, Friday 19^th March.

Adults $ 15
Concession $ 10
 Family $ 40 (2 Adults, 2 Children).

Doors open: 6:45 pm
Tickets available by calling the numbers below or online at www.moshtix.com

For further information please contact:
Rachel 0424 190 494
Ana 0431 227 324
Lupita 0403 797 723

Blast from the past for my readers, some info on my experience in the 2001 Darwin Beer Can Regatta:

Though I did WIN:
2001 -Winner Darwin Beer Can Regatta; Best Beer Can Boat (A trophy)
2001 – Winner Darwin Beer Can Regatta; Best Beach Attire (A cheque) 

 I had the initiative to contact XXXX head office in Brisbane and asked them if they would sponsor my boat and supply me 3,000 sealed cans.

They were happy to do this and freighted the cans in two large boxes to me in Darwin plus supplied some mens XXXX t-shirts, a flag and stickers.
All I had to do then was enclose the cans in chicken fence wire to make my 6 seater catamaran as the cans were sealed.
There were no gluing cans together so I saved heaps of time and knew I would float! (Quite ingenious really!!!) 

I and my team of friends had an Absolute ball!!!

THE TEN CAN-MANDMENTS

1. Thou shalt enter the event in the right spirit

2. Thou shalt build the craft of cans.

3. The craft shall float by cans alone.

4. Thou shalt not drown.

5. Thou shalt not take the name of the craft in vain. Any craft bearing signs or lettering that may be offensive will be barred.

6. Thou shalt not drift from the straight and narrow and end up at Mandorah.

7. Thou shalt not protest too much.

8. Thou shall honor thy Committee.

9. Thou shalt not commit adultery – nothing really to do with the Regatta, but it gives us an air of responsibility and respect.

10. Thou shalt go back and read the first can-mandment again.

Today at 10.30am I went to Changes Gym in Hervey Bay for my first ever ZUMBA class.

Ricky Salomao our Instructor is from Rio in Brazil and certainly put us through a FUN & High energy workout!

Ricky was extremely funny as he instructed us how to do our Latin fitness moves to the pumped up Latin music.

The Zumba® program fuses hypnotic Latin rhythms and easy-to-follow moves to create a one-of-a-kind fitness program that will blow you away. Our goal is simple: We want you to want to work out, to love working out, to get hooked.

….. click here to learn more.

Ricky also mentioned to me he would be training people to take over to tackle the Kokoda Trail plus doing adventure & training days on Fraser Island. I’m in!!!!

I can’t wait till he returns from vacation in January so I can start attending regular ZUMBA classes!

Saturday night was the hugest Salsa Party to date with over 200 people dancing up a Salsa storm @ the Bayswater. 

The fun started at lunch time with Hervey Bay’s Jeanette Maynes from Design House and event manager of the Salsa Group parading the incredible Latin dance performers from Vida Latina Dance Co. along our Esplanade at Torquay promoting their upcoming performance; Latin Fantasy “Lolita’s Story’ creating quite a stir ….. click here to read more about the party and view the gallery.

A big Thank You to the Vida Latina Dance Troupe, I Harte Latin, the Bayswater Hotel, Design House, Fraser Coast Chronicle & the Salsa Group and all those who attended making these nights possible!!!!

On Saturday it was off to Noosa for the Noosa Half Marathon. As it has been awhile since I visited we decided to pull in and check out the Eumundi Markets.

The markets have grown considerably since my last visit a few years ago and the quality of the food, stalls and entertainment is still the best I’ve ever come across.

I met a lovely bloke from ERD (Educational Reptile Displays) who was not quite able to fully help me develop a liking for snakes on this particular visit anyway! Next trip I might have the courage to hold it on my own!

A visit to the markets is definitely a pleasant way to spend a few hours on a Saturday!!!

The 4^th Annual Forget Me Not Children’s Orphanage Charity Ball was on again last night at Kingfisher Bay Resort on Fraser Island. 

I attended the Ball with Fraser Coast Regional Mayor, Mick Kruger and my friend Naomi Wood.
The ball started this year from the Marina cruising on board the Spirit of Hervey Bay enjoying alcoholic beverages on route to Fraser Island. We then proceeded to the function room at Kingfisher Bay where we enjoyed a three course alternative drop meal plus free beer and wine. 

We listened to Lars Olsen founder of the orphanage and viewed plans for the projected further development, buildings and stages involved.

This was followed by 6 live auctions raising $19K +. Quite a lot of testosterone could be felt in the room as alcohol infused men bid big dollars & egged each other on. 

20 people from the floor also took to the front stage to pledge a donation of $500 each with over a third of the people at the ball being from Bundaberg. 

As the night progressed and the drinks & dollars flowed it looked like over 80% of Stage 1 of the proposed 6 stage plan would be achieved just from the donations at this one ball! The response was overwhelming. 

I won an Award for ‘Best Fancy Dressed Female 2009′ and I wasn’t even in fancy dress, that’s how I was dressed normally!!!! (How Funny!)

Next we had an Amazing performance from the very talented Jon Stevens. I had hoped to have a photograph taken with Jon after his performance as it was mentioned he would be coming out to mingle. Disappointingly we never saw Jon again with some commenting on his appearance as being brief even though it was well over an hour far longer than he had been booked for!! (Nice job Jon!) Time flys by when your having FUN!!!! (Luckily we had snapped a couple of shots while Jon was on stage).

Once again a very professional and successful night for the Forget Me Not Children’s Orphanage team and a sensational job by organiser Debbie Haigh from Haigh’s Jewellers.

Donations
$35K Rush QLD /NT
$30K McDonalds Bundaberg, Gympie, Hervey Bay
$19,600K+ live auctions on the night
$15K Private Donation
$15K Cardno (in services to build)
$14K + Silent auctions
$13, 800K + Ticket Profit
$10K in $500 lot donations from 20 ball attendees (the 500 Club)
$5K Hotondo Homes
$2,900K +  Haigh Jewellers emerald & diamond pendant
$1K The Pier Pavillion
TOTAL RAISED $166,000.00

Ticket cost went up from $120  to $195 this year, it has not been mentioned yet whether some of this cost will also be donated.

Click here to read Lars Olsen’s Quick News.

Some more exciting news from organiser Debbie Haigh…!

a)    The final figure which was a straight donation from every ticket purchased was $107 per ticket!!!

b)    Jon was given a private transfer & a drive around the Great Sandy Straits & over to Kingfisher by ‘That’s Awesome’ which he totally loved (totally sponsored)

c)    Jon was given a private transfer off the island by MI Helicopters & they gave him an aerial tour on the way to the airport.(totally sponsored)

d)    FMN had a Chef travel onsite to cook a fantastic meal for the Ball Committee & Jon & his crew on the Friday night – It was a great night (totally sponsored)

e)    Jon, Dion & Adam (the guitarists), Tommy (the sound engineer) & Simon (his manager) were very impressed with Hervey Bay & Fraser Island. They were also very impressed with the generosity of the people on the night.

f)     Jon does a lot of charity work, but not in venues this small. He did it only because of Lars & Forget Me Not – They were very taken with the organisation.

g)    Jon had personally waived his performance fee for this event - but we still had costs from the rest of his crew, which were covered by our platinum sponsor  *‘Harris Dental Boutique’ Bundaberg & three gold sponsors *McDonalds –Bundaberg, Gympie, Hervey Bay *Bay Dental Care – Hervey Bay *ABN AMRO Morgans – Bundaberg

h)    Jons Performance – was 85 minutes

i)     Jump in ticket price included; Private transfer over & back … alcohol all night … headline entertainment plus a much larger donation per ticket from last year

Related story, Related story

Talk about the experience of a life time!

The Sigatoka River Safari tour is described as “Simply Unforgettable” and two days later my heart still lies in the Village of Vunaqoru with my new friends, especially Aggie.

The day started from our resort in Denarau with a scenic bus trip through the countryside to the Coral Coast town of Sigatoka where we ventured further through the Sigatoka Valley enjoying spectacular scenery of the Fijian country side.

We then began our safari Jet Boat ride with Captain “Jack Sparrow” (Josh) learning about the cannibal history in Fiji. Christianity was introduced to Fiji which put an end to cannibalism but not after a missionary Thomas Baker was eaten for touching a comb in the chiefs hair which the then Fijians felt brought them years of hardship in their villages… click here to find out more. We also discussed the operations of the river and history of the valley.

Upon arriving at our village we were met by a lovely local lady named Aggie and were guided a further 500m into the Fijian highlands. After the protocol was explained including the wearing of a sarong (ladies must be covered past the knees) and the removal of hats & shoes due to respect for traditional culture we proceeded to meet the Village Chief and elders participating in a traditional kava ceremony.

We then walked throughout the village viewing the simplicity of their lifestyle and learning about their day activities. Aggie told us they have no electricity and their next village project is to bring a cable across the river which would cost $11,000 then $300 for each home to be connected to the electricity. They are nearly finished rebuilding their church that was destroyed with the floods in January due to the help of a $5,000 donation from an Australian business man who also fell in love with the villagers on his visit. The villagers use a generator to operate two televisions, have running water from a spring, pay $60 per acre to hire a tractor and sell the numerous vegetables they grow to create an income. The process in Fiji seems to be to raise a little funds, do a little more work to your project, taking time and numerous stages to complete a project which could be seen in the construction of a house and the church.
You will soon notice in Fiji everything is done on Fiji Time – No Hurry, No Worry!

Aggie explained to me they have early nights without electricity, not much TV makes lots of babies, we both couldn’t stop giggling again.

200 people live in the village with the children crossing the river each morning and walking 2km to go to school. Aggie goes to the town once a week on the bus, after crossing the river to buy supplies and said she thoroughly enjoys her day out but it is hard work to get everything back across the river.

The villagers gave us an amazing home cooked lunch and then sang songs and kindly invited us to dance. I couldn’t stop laughing at some of our new groovy moves and had an absolute ball leading my first ever Fijian Congo line through the villagers in the Community Hall.
Upon leaving, I felt terrible for not asking the Chief if he may enjoy a dance!

I asked Aggie if the Chief would mind if I took a photo with him. She said she would ask and couldn’t stop giggled saying “You Single, Chief Single!!” I then also couldn’t stop laughing ,specifying just a photo would be more that generous!

I had so much fun dancing, Aggie offered I could stay with her overnight any time I liked and we could dance all night with breaks to catch our breath. What a kind offer and something I would be delighted to do one day.

As we left in the jet boat it was lucky I had on my sunnies as I felt such sadness and a tear in my eye, thinking how blessed I was to be part of such a special day with such friendly special people and couldn’t stop waving to Aggie till I could no longer see her.

On the return trip we did a few donuts / 360 degree burnouts with Captain Sparrow, squealing with laughter and getting quite drenched.

What a once in a lifetime experience!
I would recommend this tour if you have the privilege of visiting Fiji, get away from the tourism and become a part of the real heart of the Fiji, the people! Your life will be touched by the experience…

10% of your ticket cost is donated to the villages plus you are able to make a personal donation on your visit if you chose to do so.
There are 12 villages in this exciting project with this soon to be 14.

Sigatoka River Safari
Feb 2008 - Awarded Fiji’s Best Adventure Tour at the Annual AON Tourism Awards
Feb 2009 - Awarded the Best Fiji Experience at the annual AON Tourism Awards

A couple of interesting reviews on the Andrew Johns Group Sex Scandal

Yes does not mean yes

But bad judgment is not the only problem with insisting only on “consent”, not morality.

Consent also means it’s every man for himself. That you can do whatever you can force some silly or intimidated woman to agree to, however much it will hurt them.

If this teenager consented to group sex, there was nothing more for Johns and his mates to know. Indeed, none seemed to think they had a duty to protect this young woman from what degraded them all. … click here to read the full story.

Does group sex make men fearless? Or are they just gay and frightened?

While it is hard to imagine my wife doing a female tag team in the hotel with the concierge, it is equally hard for me to understand why groups of men do this. Am I the only one that thinks it is totally gay? I don’t mean gay in some kind of pejorative sense, I mean gay as in homosexual. I may be behind the times but I cannot understand why any man would want to be in a room with five of his best mates in all their tumescent glory….. click here to read the full story.

One of the boys

These athletes rarely ever show remorse for the morality behind the deed. They only seem to be sorry for the subsequent embarrassment and pain it caused after they were caught. Are any of them sorry for the actual behaviours, regardless of whether they get busted or not?

When was the last time an athlete came out and said something like “my actions were disgraceful and I should not be engaging in that sort of behaviour in the first place because it is just plain wrong?”…. click here to read the full story.

[Image via The Sydney Morning Herald]

Friday night my friend Naomi & I booked into Jupiter’s Casino to watch Lady Salsa!!! What a sensational, electric & high energy performance. We thoroughly enjoyed the show and even went up on stage and did some Salsa! The show is a must see!

Shake your maracas and shimmy on down for the sauciest stage show in Jupiters’ history.
Hit the steamy streets of Havana and take a dip in the red hot world of Rumba, Mambo and Salsa for the dancing revolution that changed the world.
Lady Salsa is a stunning dance spectacular that charts Cuba’s vibrant and amazing history through the music and rhythm of this intoxicating island.
This whirling kaleidoscope of dazzling colour and seductive glamour features the red-hot rumba, mambo, cha-cha-cha and the sensational salsa. Gorgeous dancers in an incredible array of glittering, sexy costumes and an impossibly funky band, transport you to the steamy streets of Havana and the world of Salsa, rum and revolutions.

Saturday it was off to DouDouLe Latin Dance Camp 2009 for a full day of dance workshops plus a party and some amazing performances!!! This camp is organized by Jean-Luc Lambs whom I met and found to be an extremely pleasant, professional and helpful person. The thank you speech at the end of the night seemed to sum up his personality with the comment, “Heart of Gold!” What Jean-Luc is doing for the Australian Latin Dance Community is sensational and even with all the pressure of organising such a huge event he displayed no signs of stress. The 368 Latin enthusiasts in attendance had the choice of over 20 different Latin workshops in a range of levels throughout the day, followed by a huge party with the Sauciest & Hottest Latin Dancing I have ever come across.

The Party included performances from some of Australia’s most famous and talented Latin Dancers. It was an amazing experience to be part of such a huge Latin dance event and to feel the electric energy run through your body. I can’t wait for next year’s camp!!! 

Saturday Nights Performers: 
1.     Jaime Jesus & Mary (Jaime organises the Sydney Salsa Congress)
2.    Latin Motion Rising stars
3.    Kevin & Chelsea
4.    Carlos & Elli (Australian Salsa Cabaret Champions)
5.    Csaba & Val
6.    Kadu & Larissa (who made Zouk famous in Australia)
7.    CDA Samba
8.    Modus Vivendi
9.     Oliver Pineda & Luda Kroitor  (the current 5 times World Salsa Champions from ‘Dancing With The Stars’) 

Right on the beautiful beaches of the Gold Coast….DouDouLe Latin Dance Camp was founded in 2008 by Jean-Luc Lambs , who is also the Organiser for Brisbane Number 1 Latin Club “Casablanca Sunday Salsa Seduction”. Jean-Luc is also the Official MC to many Latin Parties, Festivals , Congresses and Concerts around Australia and has built himself a reputation for being partly involved in bringing the Latin Community together in his home town Brisbane.

DouDouLe Latin Dance Camp is designed to bring all Latin Dancers from different schools and cities under 1 roof, in a different setting and environment to your Dance Halls. A relaxed, Holiday environment makes this Latin Event one of its kind and it’s right on the Beaches of the Famous Gold Coast. His ideas of everyone together under 1 roof is to bring Unity and Love and also bring Dancers closer together by sharing more personal time together and the Passion that everybody brings with them , which is Latin Dance. For more information please click here .

 [Info via Jupiters Casino & DouDouLe Latin Dance Camp]

Dear Lenny & Mio, Thank you for such a fun, action packed night! Your performances, Zouk lesson and the way you worked the crowd was sensational!!! Thanks for making our Salsa Party so special and please come back to Hervey Bay soon to dance with all your new friends! The professionalism of your company and performances is to be commended.

Once again the Deck Restaurant was packed for another huge night of Salsa dancing!!

We started the night with some drinks and our buffet dinner then the dancing began with two performances by Lenny and Mio from the Vida Latina Dance Gym in Brisbane.

To find out more please click here.

When: 
Sat 2nd May 09  

Time:
6pm til’ late

Where:
The Deck Restaurant

Dress:  
Smart / Cocktail
(Pink, Red, Black & Silver theme)

Entry:  $45
Complimentary beverage on arrival, Buffet Dinner & Dessert, Lucky Door Prize, 2 Live Performances & a FREE 1/2 hr lesson by Lenny & Mio from Vida Latina in Brisbane + a night of high energy dancing!
 
Contact The Deck Restaurant
P: 07 4125 1155 to pay and secure your tickets.
(eftpos | credit card facilities available)
(tickets are non refundable)
Hurry! Tickets will Sell fast!

Please click here to download poster.

Please click here for more info.

HAVE YOU WATCHED GIANNE!  

GIANNE ABBOTT from Brisbane / Sunshine Coast, Queensland is in the Top 12 of “So You Think You Can Dance” on Sundays Channel 10 at 7.30pm. 

This is one talented woman, her performances are definately worth a look!

Let’s support Gianne by voting for her and keeping her in the competition.  

Send SMS message to 19 10 10 and type in Gianne or call check the number from the show – changes weekly

[Image Via So You Think You Can Dance}