• The Ryan Family
Jun – Sep 2018

Adventure of a Lifetime

Around the world in just over 80 days Read more
  • Trip start
    June 30, 2018

    Before we go... let's get up to speed.

    July 1, 2017 in Canada ⋅ ☁️ 22 °C

    With planning well underway and the calendar days quickly counting down, this travel journal will be our attempt at taking you along for the ride. Although many of you have asked, this is the closest we will get to packing you in our suitcase.
    So, how did this all come to be… well it started with our work sabbatical program. In March 2016 we signed paperwork to begin the process of taking a leave from work. Beginning in July of 2016 we would defer a portion of our earnings for 2 years to ‘save’ for our time off. This put us on track for a 6-month leave from July to December 2018!

    Time away from work?… Not be a slave to the alarm clock?… Share some dedicated time with the kids?… Continue to get paid?… we were in!

    Ok, the process was started, six months off work, so now what?

    What do we want to do, where do we want to go, how are we going to do it all?
    Well, you don’t often get an opportunity like this, so let’s make it something to remember.

    During previous adventures, both together and apart, we have had the opportunity to meet friends from all around the world. Over the years we have been lucky enough to have kept in touch, and even see, some of them, but not all. So now is the time… the path of our adventure takes us to a whole bunch of international locations, many of which are home to these friends. Everyone has been given a ‘heads up’ and fair warning about our plan to visit and no one seems to be going into hiding.
    As excited as we are to see numerous new places and sights, the building blocks of this trip are reunions, reconnecting and remembering. Whether it has only been 2 years or as long as 25 years, 2018 is a new chapter. We are eager to introduce Isaac and Oliver to our friends and their children. Their opportunity to reunite and ignite friendships while seeing some of this big world.
    So, “Please leave a message after the tone, we’re not here cause we are gone.
    Round the World is where we will be, but we’ll post our stories for y’all to see.”

    During the summer of 2017 we practiced our family vacation skills while visiting Canada’s east coast. Although still a year away, the ideas for our 2018 Around the World trip were bouncing around our heads.
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  • The beginning of 2018

    January 1, 2018 in Canada ⋅ ⛅ -23 °C

    This is the birthplace of the idea, the planning, the organizing, the emails, the notes, the maps and eventually the packing... as things are falling into place, we toast the beginning of 2018. The new year and the countdown to our adventure departure.Read more

  • The flights!

    January 26, 2018 in Canada ⋅ ☀️ 0 °C

    After months of talking and weeks of planning, lots of research and back and forth, comparing schedules and reviewing options, this is the day we actually booked our Around the World flights. Thanks to the patience and perseverance of our travel guru Brittany we now know where we are going and when we will be there… so next, what to do while we are there.Read more

  • Some other stuff...

    February 1, 2018 in Canada ⋅ 🌧 2 °C

    We needed a few places to stay, some rental vehicles to get around, some tickets to some attractions and a few different location transfers… so the planning continues. By air, by sea, by car and by foot we are going to make it from here to there (with a few stops along the way) and then back again. Schedules, itineraries, flight times, stopovers and travel times, all parts of the grand equation that would equal an amazing adventure.Read more

  • Getting checked out

    April 2, 2018 in Canada ⋅ ☀️ 3 °C

    Nothing can ruin a great adventure more than illness. So, considering all the different stops and stays we have ahead of us we decided to visit the Travel Medical Clinic. They offered some suggestions and recommendations, precautions and considerations…. we each got some meds and 74 pages of information that should help keep us safe and comfortable while traveling the world.Read more

  • Pieces falling into place...

    May 27, 2018 in Canada ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C

    As we flip a few more calendars, cross off a bunch more days and keep counting down, more and more pieces are coming together. Following our last posts, Isaac took some time to review our story so far to make sure we were sticking to the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. As we check things off the list, we answer the question of shoes or sandals with a family set of ‘shandals’… ready for water, ready for hiking, ready for kicking ass all around the world. Leaving footprints, making marks. Over a few beers we called on the recent experiences of some friends (thanks Ogdens) to get the insight on the sights in and around Bora Bora. After a few pictures, some stories, maps and suggestions we had lots to add to the ‘to-do’, ‘must-see’ and ‘don’t-miss’ lists. Another burning question has been how are we going to pack for this adventure. With so many places, 4 people and 82 days of travel, how much is too much and how little is not enough. Jen and I tried laying out our travel wardrobe to see just what it might look like. And finally the suitcases have surfaced. They have begun their journey by traveling from the closet in the basement to the floor upstairs (don’t worry, they are not getting a blog of their own!). With a few items in and around the packing area, we are hoping to add, subtract, consider and reconsider, pick and leave, organize and optimize what we need, what we want, what we are actually taking and ultimately determine how all the pieces fall into place.Read more

  • And a few more things...

    June 27, 2018 in Canada ⋅ 🌧 18 °C

    As the month of June is coming to an end, departure day is just around the corner. But before we load the car there are a few more things to check off the list. We started the month by sharing a toast to healthy travels with our first dose of Dukoral. A few days later a package arrived in the mail. Just a little something to share with old friends and new as we travel the world. Then, once again we raise our glasses, Dukoral down the hatch part 2… should be good to go now!

    And we entered the last week of the month with a stuffed mailbox. Tickets, vouchers, itineraries, luggage tags, puzzle books and even some gum. Thank you again Brittany at Flight Centre. Even though you are not actually with us, you will be with us!

    Now, to just get our papers in order...
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  • It’s about time

    June 28, 2018 in Canada ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C

    A well deserved toast two years in the making. As of today we are both off work for the next 6 months. Still a little hard to believe our adventure around the world is about to begin. Cheers to this opportunity to explore, connect, share and experience (and many more toasts)!Read more

  • A few hours to go

    June 29, 2018 in Canada ⋅ 🌙 24 °C

    Time to get some rest before we kick into high-gear. Another family photo before the boys are tucked in and we enjoy one final cheers with a local craft beer, Wonder Star from Flying Monkeys in Barrie. Next stop, Departure Day!Read more

  • Take a deep breath...

    June 30, 2018 in Canada ⋅ 🌙 22 °C

    Taking a deep breath and picturing what is on the horizon... as our planning and preparing become actual travel, we share the following quote from Ibn Battuta. We are all a little humbled by the number of family, friends and extended friends who share our excitement and are interested in our story. Let’s hope our adventure takes our breath away and our story does it justice.Read more

  • And jump right in!... Our departure

    June 30, 2018 in Canada ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C

    OK, 3,2,1, ready for take off, it is go time. Bags packed, shoes tied, underwear clean and eyes forward, let’s do this 7 am departure!

    What brought us here?
    Hopefully some loving family member who does not mind driving people to the airport at 4 am!

    What happened here?
    Voila, Jody Ryan. While not winding back roads on 2-wheels with her gang of biker dudes, Jody enjoys long drives to the city, often with airports at the end. While not working the kill-floor in her rubber-wear Jody also enjoys loading and unloading luggage, giving hugs and sending vacationers off. When she grows up she hopes to never grow old. And her goal in life is to build an ark and march in her animals 2 by 2. All in a day's work for this awesome sister, amazing sister-in-law and wicked aunt. And joining the departure team at the last minute we have Grandma. Never one to shy away from crazy adventures at all hours of the night (or morning), this intrepid explorer steps up to co-pilot Jody’s early morning delivery. Thank you to both of them for getting us to our starting point and sending us off with hugs and smiles. I wonder if they will pick us up too?

    Throughout our story we hope to share some interesting ‘Did You Knows’ (DYK) about some of the places we go and things we see. Whether factual or fun they are intended to be entertaining (especially if they are not factual!).

    DYK: Our departing flight will be one of up to 1100 flights coming or going from Pearson today. Toronto’s airport is named in honour of Toronto-born Lester B. Pearson, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate and 14th Prime Minister of Canada.
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  • Touchdown #1, Calgary, Alberta, Canada

    June 30, 2018 in Canada ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C

    Just a stop-over, but Calgary, Alberta is our first touchdown of many more to come. After a short stay in the airport we will be back in the air and on our way to destination #1.

    What brought us here?
    Honestly, the airline, not leaving the airport, just stopping over. Maybe we can explore the vast plains (of the airport) and lasso up some grub while we are here.

    What happened here?
    Flight arrived on time. We only had just over an hour before our next flight, so we caught a ride on one of the airports electric trams, got some food and found our gate. Our little dual prop Bombardier Q400 was at the gate when we arrived. A short time later we learned that our departure was delayed 30 mins due to the flight crew running late. We sent a few texts home. Sent an email to Sarah and Stewart letting them know of the delay and waited a little longer. We boarded shortly before 11:00 am and were on the move on time.

    DYK: Calgary was first Canadian city to host the Winter Olympics (1988). Home to the largest outdoor event in the world, the Calgary Stampede attracts over 1 million attendees each year.
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  • Touchdown #2, Yellowknife, NWT, Canada

    June 30, 2018 in Canada ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C

    Here we are, arriving in Yellowknife, NWT to visit Sarah and Stewart. We may not be here for a long time but we are looking forward to seeing some sights and spending time with friends.

    What brought us here?
    As 2nd generation family friends, I have known Sarah since she was born. Sarah joined us on our Trip of a Lifetime in 2011 when we visited Hawaii, Australia and Los Angeles. Sarah and Stewart are making a life for themselves in Canada’s Northwest Territories. Since Sarah survived our first Trip of a Lifetime we had to work in a visit with her and Stewart at their home in Yellowknife, capital of NWT.

    What happened here?
    After exiting the plane and walking in on the tarmac, Sarah and Stewart were waiting to meet us. Welcome to Yellowknife! We collected our luggage and our Yellowknife adventure was officially underway!

    DYK: While we are visiting Yellowknife we are experiencing about 20 hours of sunlight each day.
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  • Destination #1, Yellowknife

    July 1, 2018 in Canada ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C

    Sarah and Stewart's house... After dropping off our luggage we went for a beer flight at the NWT Brewing Co. [www.nwtbrewingco.com] (great first stop). After that we picked up some groceries and returned home to make dinner and visit.Read more

  • Happy Canada Day!

    July 2, 2018 in Canada ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C

    As part of this adventure we get to celebrate Canada’s 151st birthday in Yellowknife. The day starts off with a parade through downtown… red and white everywhere. After the parade we went for lunch at The Wildcat Café [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wildcat_Cafe]. This restaurant is the oldest in Yellowknife and is only open during the summer months, it has an interesting history and a great menu. Following lunch we walked up the hill to visit the Bush Pilots' Monument and had a great view of the houseboats. We continued our tour by the Yellowknife Wharf, the Bank of Toronto Building, and then a driving tour of more of Old Town, Latham Island and City Centre. We stopped at the Visitor Centre and got our Yellowknife pin. On our way home we also drove by the location of Sarah and Stewart’s new house. Once back at home we enjoyed dinner and some beers and played a wild game of Yahtzee!Read more

  • Yellowknife Day 2

    July 3, 2018 in Canada ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C

    With partly clouding skies overhead we headed out for some more touring. We stopped at the Welcome to Yellowknife sign and Bristol Freighter Historical Airplane. We then drove out to the Yellowknife Giant Mine and Boat Launch. We returned to downtown to have lunch at Boston Pizza. After a quick stop back at home to grab some fishing gear we got some ice cream and headed out to the Yellowknife River Bridge. Stewart and the boys cast a few lines in the river and Oliver caught a fish, but it got away before he could reel it in.
    Our day wound down back at Sarah and Stewart’s with some dinner, repacking and relaxing. Alarm was set and we got tucked in. Tomorrow is on its way!
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  • Yellowknife Day 3

    July 3, 2018 in Canada ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C

    Our short visit is coming to an end with an early morning wake up call. We were out of the house by 4:45 am and at the airport by 5 am. With some thank you hugs and good byes Sarah and Stewart drove away while we entered the airport. Check in was quick and easy (not a very big airport and we beat the rush). The line for security seemed longer but once again, it was not a very big airport, so did not take long to get through.
    We boarded the plane direct from the tarmac. With everyone buckled into their seats, baggage stowed and seatbacks in the upright position, we were ready to fly.
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  • Touchdown #3, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

    July 3, 2018 in Canada ⋅ ⛅ 13 °C

    Added at the last minute, we have a short stopover in Edmonton, Alberta. Upon leaving Yellowknife our pilot warned us that the fog was heavy in Edmonton and we might not be able to make the stop, but as we approached it had cleared up. We did not leave the plane as some passengers disembarked and others came on. From landing to take off we were about 36 minutes. Back to the skies and back on course for Calgary.Read more

  • Touchdown #4, Calgary again

    July 3, 2018 in Canada ⋅ ☁️ 10 °C

    Just a short 40 mins later and now we are back in Calgary…once we learned we did not have to collect our luggage (it was cleared all the way through to LA) we headed through Security and Customs with no problems. The International Departures area has lots of options for seating and eating, so after we relaxed for a short while we needed some grub. From the moment we walked in the Belgian Beer Cafe caught my eye and after learning it was the only one in Canada, we had to try it! We enjoyed a couple authentic Belgian beers and a couple local brews produced in Belgian styles… all good. We also had some food to wash it all down. After eating the boys played in the Fun Zone, we chatted with home, bought some travel snacks and visited Duty-Free.
    The plane starting boarding around 4 pm and we were LA bound. Isaac and I scored three seats for the two of us and shortly after take-off Jen’s neighbour found a different seat also giving her and Oliver three seats to share… kinda like first class!
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  • Touchdown #5, LA, California, USA

    July 3, 2018 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C

    LAX in Los Angeles, California, just a location to land the plane, not staying long, we need to find our ride and head to our destination.

    What brought us here?
    LAX is a hub for travelers visiting southern California. Back in 2011 we had the chance to see the sights in and around Los Angeles, so this time we are traveling south east of the city to experience a new adventure.

    What happened here?
    Flight landed on time and we successfully found our luggage. We put in a call to our shuttle service and headed outside to wait for their arrival. Quite a busy place, lots of people and vehicles on the move. We decided to let the cat (or mouse) out of the bag and tell the boys where we were going, up until now it had been a secret and we did not want the driver to slip up and ruin it for us. The boys reaction was very exciting. For now, they (and you) had to be patient for a short while longer. About 30 minutes later Nicole arrived and we were headed down the highway. Other than an instance of evasive maneuvers, the ride was smooth. It was a long day, we were all getting tired and Oliver might have dozed off for a short time. About 8:30 pm we arrived!

    DYK: For public health reasons, all garbage removed from international flights arriving at LAX is incinerated.
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  • Destination #2, Anaheim

    July 3, 2018 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 21 °C

    A place to hang our hats… or ears.

    Destination #2, Paradise Pier Hotel at Disneyland Resort California. Unpack the bags and get the sunscreen, we are here for a few days.

    What brought us here?
    A family vacation past the south western US does not seem complete without a visit to Disneyland. Our family trip to Florida’s Disney World a few years ago was an amazing experience and hopefully this Disney experience will be equally as exciting. So here we are at Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel. Disneyland and California Adventure parks are just across the street.

    What happened here?
    We were welcomed to Disney Paradise Pier by Gisele, who assured us Tinkerbell had our room ready and waiting. We got checked in and Gisele was also able to get us our park tickets. We were all tired but excited to have arrived.

    Our 10th floor room had two beds and a convertible couch. Out our window we could see half the pool and pool deck. Should work for the next few days.

    We dropped our bags in our room and headed back down to the restaurant for some late dinner. After dinner we turned in… need to get our rest before tomorrow.

    DYK: Paradise Pier Hotel has a ‘casual beach’ theme. It was built in 1984, has almost 500 rooms and a rooftop pool area with a ‘roller coaster’ water slide called ‘California Streamin’”.
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  • The mouse’s west coast house.

    July 4, 2018 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C

    Ok Mickey, Minnie and Walt’s whole gang, we are ready to check out your west coast digs.

    What brought us here?
    Well, first it was the kids (sort of…), second it was Cars Land, and third it was us (because of the kids and Cars Land). Disney’s Cars movie felt like such a significant part of our lives as our boys were growing up, especially with Isaac. Lightning McQueen and Mater were staples around our house. We watched the movie, had the toys, watched the movie, had the Halloween costume, watched the movie, got more toys, watched the movie and loved it every time! The chance to visit Cars Land was something we could not pass up (hopefully the kids like it as much as Mommy and Daddy will).

    Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Buzz, McQueen, from the classics to the modern we are here to see it all at Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park.

    What happened here?
    Our first day of park fun was spent at Disney California Adventure Park. Our alarm went off at 6 am to get us up and ready to head to the park for guest resort Magic Hour (resort guests get park access 1 hour before the park opens to the public at 8 am). Our first stop was the Fastpass station for Radiator Springs Racers. Once we had those in hand we enjoyed some breakfast at Flo’s V-8 Café. Sitting there, in this real-world of make-believe, it was quite an experience. We were literally in Radiator Springs! This was one of the moments we were waiting for. During the day we enjoyed numerous rides including Guardians of the Galaxy Mission Breakout, Pixar Pal-A-Round Ferris Wheel and Toy Story Midway Mania… but we all agreed our favourite was Radiator Springs Racers in Cars Land. We also got to see Mater, Groot, Captain America and Red (the fire engine from Cars).
    Late in the afternoon we headed back to the hotel for some pool time and the 4th of July Bar-b-q Extravaganza (food, music and fireworks.) Long, busy, exciting, tiring, hot, amazing day!

    DYK: Typically July 4th is the busiest day of the year at Disney Parks.
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  • Good Morning Mickey!

    July 5, 2018 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C

    On day 2 of our park fun we visited Disneyland Park. Another early start to take advantage of Magic Hour (it switches parks each day). This time our first destination was Tomorrowland and Fastpasses for Star Tours. Fastpasses in hand we found some breakfast. Once our bellies were full we rode Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage, a semi-submersible sub ride themed after the famous Disney clownfish. We also rode Star Tours, Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters, Autotopia, the Jungle Cruise, Tarzan’s Treehouse and Pirates of the Caribbean before stopping for some lunch. After lunch we rode the Disney Railroad all around the park and visited the Pirates Liar on Tom Sawyer Island. Our last ride was the Haunted Mansion.
    It was so hot, we decided to head back to the hotel for a break and to visit the pool.
    We got freshened up and returned to the park in time to take the train to New Orleans Station and check in for our 8 pm dinner reservations. We enjoyed our meal and sat through the Fantasmic Show. By the time we got back to the hotel everyone was exhausted again and we called it a night.

    DYK: Disneyland Park opened in July 1955. The park was designed and built under the direct supervisor of Walt Disney. Disney California Adventure Park opened in 2001.
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  • More Cars, and beer!

    July 6, 2018 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 36 °C

    Day 3 of our Disneyland Park fun had us revisit California Adventure Park. Once again we headed straight to Cars Land to get Fastpasses for Radiator Springs Racers. We then made a beeline for The Collectors Store at Guardians of the Galaxy. We were on the hunt for Groot. We left with one Groot and new shirts for Corey, Isaac and Oliver. Corey could not convince anyone to go on the Guardians ride again. We headed over to Flo’s V-8 Café in Cars Land for some breakfast. We rode Radiator Springs Racers and Goofy’s Sky School. I rode the Incredicoaster and Soarin’ Around the World. We again decided to end our park fun and head back to the hotel. Enroute we stopped for lunch at Splitsville in Downtown Disney. After some time at the pool we got ready and took a cab to the Anaheim Brewery. Jen and Corey enjoyed some beers. We had dinner next door at Umami Burger. After dinner our waitress Amanda arranged a Lyft to take us back to Disney California Adventure Park where we watched the Paint the Night Parade. After the parade we explored the lights of Cars Land before once again heading back to our hotel. Another busy fun-filled day.Read more