Week Eleven

The week was kicked off with Aunt Mare's Birthday and unfortunately we have no photos but she made a DELICIOUS cake!! 

Thursday we made our way to Grand Haven to have a swim in the Great Lake Michigan! 

So big it is like an Ocean!

The Kirby House in Grand Haven! We just wish it had the 'real' Kirby inside it! 

Friday we were both exposed to people and companies which we feel are working in our desired industries, to pick there brains and absorb as much information and advice as possible!  

Bren spent the afternoon with the White Caps supporting staff. 
Speaking with the President of the White Caps organisation, VP in Sales, Director of tickets sales and the Facility and Events manager ,learning and peppering them with questions about their roles and responsibilities. Concluding with a management team logo meeting and a tour of the ballpark, it was a fantastic learning experience and a great afternoon!

Meanwhile I visited and shadowed the JW Marriott Events Team in the morning, seeing how they organised and scheduled events at the hotel and all the accompanying details and logistics that come with each event. It was fantastic to be exposed to their daily programme!

 I then met with the General Manager of the Van Andel Arena and De Vos Place in the afternoon which again was very very interesting! As I peppered him with questions it was fantastic to hear about the coordination and goings on when organising events in a large arena.  

Here they are dealing with big scale events such as Ice Hockey, Bands, Musicals and numerous Artists, as opposed to the JW Marriott who are dealing with various sized corporate Hotel events - it was awesome to be exposed to and get an understanding of two very different sides of the events industry! 

After an Interesting, exciting and super beneficial day for both of us we had dinner with the Warren crew at 'Fugi Yama'.They cook it all in front of you - so much yummy food! 

Bren getting Saki (Rice Wine) sprayed into his mouth while the Chef counted to see how long he could drink for. 

After dinner we made our way to the Amway Grand Plaza in Downtown Grand Rapids. Where we were spoilt with a beautiful suite on the 24th Floor for the night!

Looking out over the rapids...

The following day we wandered down town Grand Rapids with Charlotte and Dan. Each year Grand Rapids has an Art Prize competition at the end of September with art and installations all over the city - after seeing some still standing from previous years I can imagine it would be awesome to see it all in action! 

So many Squirrels in Michigan! - They are too cute!

 

Sunday morning we ran a few errands, including visiting Coldstone for the 

'Ultimate Ice cream experience!' 

Bren's first Coldstone Ice cream experience included; 

1/2 Cheesecake Ice cream + 1/2 Oreo Cookie Ice cream with Brownie, Kit Kat, M&M's & Oreo mixed through it!

Sunday afternoon we then set off to Petoskey with Uncle Will. About a 3.5 hour drive from where we are staying, it is located In the northern tip of Michigan's Lower Peninsula and overlooks the shores of Traverse Bay. 

We stayed overnight in the Perry Hotel which is a very very cool early 1900's hotel. Lots of character and a very fun change to the 'modern' style hotels.

Amazing views!

The next morning we wandered around Petoskey then continued our journey further up the Peninsula to Mackinac City where we caught the ferry over to Mackinac Island. 

The Ferry ride over - Mackinac Bridge in the background.

Arriving at Mackinac Island and stepping onto the main street we were all 'wowed'! 

With no cars allowed on the Island, the streets are occupied by working Horses, Carriages and Bikes. At first it felt a bit like we were at Disney Land, wandering along fabricated streets and shops. Nope, this was a legitimate township! Very very cool!

Uncle Will and Bren having 'Rock Skipping' competitions.

The next morning we got up and biked around the perimeter of the Island (12.8km)

Soo pretty!

Feeling like Dorothy with my basket on the front...

Rock stacking - a Michigan thing! Below is our creation.

  

  

We concluded our bike ride with an awesome breakfast at The Pancake House then got geared up and departed Mackinac Island! It is a very very cool place - we would definitely recommend making the trip there when in Michigan! :D

On our way home we detoured across the Mackinac Bridge in search for Castle Rock, listed as a 'MUST DO while in Michigan' we thought we'd better check it out!

Following the GPS directions to Castle Rock, we arrived at our 'destination' after 15minutes of travelling along a gravel road...

Not really sure where the GPS thought we would be arriving at - but it was definitely not Castle Rock. Bren was still phsyced to be in the middle of the woods though!

After a few adjustments we were on our way to the 'real' Castle Rock.

View from the top, overlooking Mackinac Island.

After climbing Castle Rock we set off home! 
Awesome trip! 

That night when we got home Aunt Mare and I set off to BUNKO with her friends! A dice rolling game which I am going to introduce to whoever is willing when I get home! A very fun night!