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7/5/05
Delos Island- Greece If you have the chance to visit Mykonos Island in Greece, make sure you take the time to go to the ancient ruins at Delos. This small island is only a short ferry ride away but rich in Greek culture. It only takes a few hours of your day but the amount that you will learn is unforgettable! Nobody actually lives on this island except for archaeologists who are still studying and excavating. There is also a museum here that is a must see. The ferry's leave Mykonos all day long but the last one back is shortly before 4:00pm. Remember...With every adversity comes the seed of something equal or better benefit.
6/13/05
Las Vegas- 65th Year of Ice Capades Reunion Pool party at the Ice Capades reunion. Annette Bowman, Scott Driscol, Patrick Brault, Jeri Campbell and myself hangin' at the pool. What a great trip to Vegas! The reunion was run extremely well so hats off to the organizing committee! There were over 500 guests so you can only imagine the amount of socializing involved. I don't think I slept for 2 days. But 100% worth it. The reunions have been happening about every 5 years and I am already waiting for the next one to happen. What an honor is was for me to be there. Unfortunately, the Ice Capades is no longer-but the friendships that we made there will last forever. Soon we will just have to name the reunions 'The Figure Skaters' Reunion! Remember...Be totally committed to whatever it takes to succeed!!!
6/6/05
Athens- Principal Cast of Holiday on Ice- Hollywood At the end the 3rd year tour, the Principal cast gets together for a backstage photo right after the finale. The Hollywood tour is doing a 4th year Asia tour but many of the cast members are leaving and new faces are arriving. It has been a wonderful 3 years so far. We have toured Germany, France, Holland, Belgium, Denmark, England, Eastern Europe, Greece and Mexico. Tour life can be incredible just for the places that you get to visit. It is also a very difficult job...but getting paid to do what you love and have people clap for you is not too terrible! Remember...Who you are around you will grow to be like, positive or negative!
6/5/05
Athens-Changing of the Guards As you can see from this photo, the changing of the guards is quite funny. I have never seen anything like it before. The outfits alone are a riot! I think someone had just a little bit too much to drink before they came up with this routine! Remember...The past does not equal the future!
5/31/05
Mykonos Island- Greece The sunsets are absolutely beautiful! Need I say more?
5/31/05 Mykonos, Greece- Super Paradise Beach OK, I have been to thousands of places in my lifetime-but this Island is now on top of my list of places to visit AGAIN! Mykonos Island is fantastic. There are gorgeous beaches where freedom of dress (or no dress) are allowed. Crystal clear water is everywhere and the nightlife is absolutely fantastic! The island just about shuts down for the winter season but June-October are the time to visit. The photo above is Super Paradise Beach. It is 1/2 straight and 1/2 gay so everyone is welcome. There are 2 bar/restaurats that are located on either end of the beach. You can either rent a scooter/car or take a taxi to get here. I was there for 1 whole day but could have easily gone back everyday for a week and been really happy. I took a fast ferry from Athens. It is about 4 hours that way or you can take a 30 minute flight. I actually went twice and did it each way. Take the ferry and enjoy the scenery along the way...unless you are strapped for time, of course! Remember...Everything in your life happens for a reason or purpose that serves you!
5/12/05
Athens, Greece- The Acropolis
I have always wanted to see Athens for myself. It was one of the places on my list of places to see. The Acropolis is the main archaeological site here. It is a must see. The metro is very easy and very inexpensive. The traffic is terrible but the cabs are extremely cheap too. This city has undergone a huge facelift for the Olympics and it shows. If you are planning a trip to Greece, I would recommend staying in Athens for only 1 or 2 days. Go to the Acropolis and have dinner in the Plaka (the neighborhood of the Olympic Gods). The Plaka is very trendy and a fantastic place to be if you want to 'look cute.' Life is all about looking cute anyway so you might as well take my advice! After your days in Athens, go to the islands. There are about 3, 500 in total but Mykonos and Santorini are the most popular. The winters are cold so go in the spring or summer if possible. Remember....there are no failures only outcomes!
5/10/05 Santorini, Greece This photo is of the sunset pool of the hotel I stayed at on Santorini Island. I have to say that the views took my breath away. I have never seen such beautiful views and felt so relaxed in my life. The Greek people are very friendly, for the most part and English is spoken by most people here. If you are anywhere near Greece, definitely visit Santorini and stay on the cliff overlooking the volcano! The island was blown in half at some point in time and half if it is a huge cliff that people built houses, hotels and restaurants on. It is truly incredible. Words can't express how beautiful this island is. Get over there!!!!
5/5/05
Yes, there is a Starbucks on this tiny Island in Greece! How happy was I to discover it! There are about 3000 islands in Greece and I ended up on the 1 island with a Starbucks! Myconos is one of the most fun islands here. During the summer, you can stay out 24 hours a day if you want to. The beaches are beautiful and the night life is incredible too. I am making my second trip to the island and can't wait. The fast ferry takes about 4 hours from Athens or jump on a 30 minute flight. If you go, be sure to check out Blue Ginger Thai/Chinese restaurant. Excellent food and breathtaking views. I can eat there every night. also be sure to check out the Piano Bar in the heart of the city..overlooking the sea! There is live entertainment every evening and a bar staff that is first class. Go to Delos to visit the ancient ruins if you can. It is a quick boat ride and a trip back in time that you will not forget.
4/18/05 Bratislava is sometimes referred to as the "new Prague." I don't totally agree with this statement, although there is a very nice old town center and some incredible restaurants and hotels here. The main attraction is the castle that is up on a hill towering over the city. I am pictured in front of the Opera House in the town center right in the heart things. There is a restaurant called Paparazzi located near the opera house. Check it out. They have an incredible menu for food and a separate drinks menu that is a book. There are plenty of outdoor cafe's to relax and "look cute" in too!
4/25/05
Prague is my favorite European City. There is something very magical about this city. Being there feels like being back in time, even with all of the tourists! I recommend going before or after the summer. Tourism is huge here and the amount of people can be overwhelming. Just getting around can be a challenge! The city is not only beautiful, but it is also very trendy. I went from one trendy restaurant to another and wished I had more than the 10 days that I spent there. The winters are very cold, but the summers are nice. If you go, be sure to eat at BAZAAR. It is known as "the most romantic place in Prague." The menu is Mediterranean and the views are spectacular. I can't say enough good things about this city. I love it and will return many times. The photo is me with one of the castle guards. Be sure to watch the changing of the guards if you go!
5/9/05
I just arrived back on tour with Holiday on Ice-Hollywood. Budapest is our first city and the photo above is yours truly at the Buda castle with Budapest in the back round. What a beautiful city. Old world style is combined with the most modern styles. I really had no idea what to expect when I came here, so I was pleasantly surprised. Of course I did not look at the weather forecast before leaving San Francisco, so when I stepped off the plane in Budapest and the temperature was about 70 degrees, I had a smile from ear to ear! The audiences were amazing and the show sold very well. I look forward to the next few Eastern European cities that we travel to before going to Greece for a month.
2/8/05
Bikes, bikes, bikes!
I have never seen so many people ride bikes in my life! Being a pedestrian in this city can be very hazardous to your health! You must look both ways about 10 times before crossing the street! If there are not a million bikers, there are buses, trams, cars and other pedestrians all fighting to get somewhere! The photo above is outside the Amsterdam central train station. This is their version of a car park! Maybe the US can take notice of this and people can start riding to work and not driving so much! It is a great way to stay in shape, and get to where you are going. Rain, snow, wind, or extreme cold do not stop the Dutch from biking. This is their way of transportation and nothing will stop them!
2/8/05
This photo was taken somewhere in Holland, backstage at Holiday on Ice- Hollywood. Joel, Craig, Mike and Ashley are all pictured. My 3 month Dutch tour of Hollywood was fantastic. I have come to love Holland and all that it has to offer. The Dutch people were extremely friendly. We toured many different cities, playing for 1-2 weeks per engagement. The audiences loved the show and thanked us with standing ovations everyday. I would tour Holland again in a second!
2/8/05
Being in Amsterdam for 2 weeks over Christmas and New Year's was amazing. I
have always loved that city and now I love it even more. The canals are
gorgeous in summer or winter. It is such a cozy city that lends itself well to
eating at one of many cute restaurants, or having a night out on the town in
one of the city's fantastic bars. The photo above is of Ashley Clark and I, in
a Dutch wooden shoe (she made me take that photo shoot) in the heart of
Amsterdam. That pretty much says it all. We are just 2, sitting in a shoe! How
embarrassing!
5/27/04 Last night I had the incredible fortune to watch Madonna perform her Re-Invention tour from the front row at the Forum in Los Angeles. She has been a constant inspiration to me for the last 20 years and I think now more than ever. She was absolutely amazing last night. She looks better than ever and her voice is sounding great. I had such a great time dancing and singing along with her. She has the incredible ability to send her message across while still entertaining and having fun. The show is fantastic and I highly recommend it. It is all sold out across the world, but if you go to www.eseats.com you can find great seats. You can also go to www.madonna.com to find tour dates and updates about it. On another note, I had to have a minor knee surgery to clean up a few things. The surgery went very well and I am now back on the ice (1 week later) stroking. Unfortunately, I will not be able to compete at the MLFS Championships in Lakeland, Florida June 4-6, 2004. I am working to be able to perform in the first Sun Valley summer show that will be on Saturday night June 12. My Sun Valley teaching schedule is filling up quickly so if you are interested in working with me anytime from June 9-September 10, 2004, please let me know so that I can get you in my book. Smile, dance, love life and go out and buy something really expensive for yourself! Craig
4/8/04 I'm taking 2 months away from performing and traveling, but you can catch me in Sun Valley, Idaho from Mid June-Mid September.
3/29/04
3/11/04
Tour life can be very rewarding. I highly recommend it to
everyone, even if just for a year or two to try it out. It is not for
everyone, but if it works for you it can be fantastic. I mean really, who gets
paid to travel the world, stay in shape, and have thousands of people applaud
you every night? It is not always perfect as one can always find difficulties
in anything, but my appreciation for my "life" overrides any hardship that I
might encounter. The other day someone that I work with came up to me and
asked me how I could be happy all the time. My reply, "well..I just absolutely
love my job and my life." She just looked at me and said, "you are
right...what a great attitude!" They say, it only takes one bad apple to ruin
the bunch but that could also work the other way. One positive person can
totally affect the people around them and that good energy spreads like
wildfire. The things that I have learned "on the road" are some of the most
valuable things that I will ever need in life. Being around so many different
people from just about every country is a challenge, but also a blessing. My
memories from the last eleven years "on the road" are incredible. I would not
trade them for anything in the world. Stand tall, live to the beat of your own
drummer, smell the flowers, drink green tea!
Craig
3/8/04
The Berlin Wall always has fascinated me. Have you ever thought
about the walls that you put up around you? I know that I have walls up around
people or situations that I don't like. Imagine putting a wall up to divide a
city! This photo is a piece of the wall that I walked by everyday for 3 weeks
while in Berlin. There are still several sections of wall that have been left
standing as a reminder of what NOT to do, and there is a path of bricks where
the wall was so that people can see just where it was and how different things
are now. I am, and always have been fascinated with the Berlin wall. I don't
know if it that I can't believe that is was real, or that I am just elated
that it was taken down. I often wonder what it was like to live in Berlin with
such a division and then to have it taken down after such a long and gruesome
time. I wish that I could have been a "fly on the wall" to watch the freedom
transpire. My 3 weeks in Berlin were fantastic. I enjoyed getting to know one
of the world's best cities. I think it might be a wise investment to buy
property here. In 10-20 years time, I predict that Berlin will be a VERY hot
spot!
Live in the moment, enjoy life, create your own reality.
Craig
Berlin has been fantastic. Great audiences, great city, great
opening night, but too many shows! We are performing 13 shows per week here
so that is keeping us busy and also keeping our feet sore! Living in Berlin
can be quite fun. I predict that Berlin will be one of the worlds best
cities in the next 10 years after most of the construction is finished.
After the wall was taken down in 1989, the city needed a big facelift, which
it is in the middle of. so far, the changes are amazing and I look forward
to seeing this city again and again (considering it is different every
time). I am living right next to Checkpoint Charlie and near the
Brandenberger Gate and Potsdamer Platz where the Sony Center and Daimler
Chrysler building are. There are Starbucks everywhere!
Next time I come to Berlin, please let it be summer!
My travels with Holiday on Ice have been fantastic. We just completed a 3 week run in Vienna, Austria that was amazing. We skated at the same arena that I did my very first International competition in way back in 1987! Vienna has changed a lot, but some things were the same. They still have magazines on little hooks on the Underground railways. I remember in 1987 thinking about how incredible it was that people would read the magazines and then actually put them back on the hook for someone else to read. Well...I am happy to report that this practice still exists today!
I felt like a Vienna native after 2 weeks. I could get all the
way to the other end of the city on the Underground in 10 minutes (to go to
Starbucks of course).
I went to Salzburg (where they filmed The Sound of Music) with
my mom when she visited. We took a fun tour to see all the places that they
filmed the movie...and sang the songs to the CD in the van along the way!
We are now in Munich (Munchen) for 2 weeks. We had a gala
opening night here with about 12,000 people in attendance. Wow! It was
fantastic. We will play to almost 100,000 people during our 2 weeks here.
Enjoy life! Stay out of trouble. Invest!!!!
Craig
Holiday on Ice-
Hollywood! Well, I'm back on tour with the second season of "Hollywood" This
production was choreographed by Robin Cousins and Cidny Stuart and Directed by
Anthony Van Laast (Mama Mia) We are touring Germany, Austria,Belgium, Denmark
and Mexico this season. I love Germany during Christmas. The Germans LOVE this
holiday and the different cities compete for the best Christmas market! I love
going to town and finding a cute cafe and people watching. Of course, if there
is a Starbucks, you will find me there! My travels on the Adventure of the Seas cruise ship are still going very well. Last week, in Aruba, a bunch of us rented Jeeps and drove all around the island. We stopped at beautiful secluded beaches and played in the water. Then, to top it off, we went to dinner at a beautiful restaurant on the beach. All the tables are right in the sand by the water. There are palm trees and candles everywhere. I'll never forget that! Then, in St. Thomas, we went to a secluded beach where pelicans were dive fishing for lunch all day! If you are ever in St. Thomas, go to the Deli Deck and get a veggie burger with avocado and mushrooms. They are to die for! One more thing, in St. Maarten a friend of mine and I rented a jeep and drove all around the island. Fantastic!!! The adventures continue!!! Peace....
I'm now into my first week of "Cool Art, Hot Ice" onboard Royal Caribbean's Adventure of the Cruise ship. Great show and fun cast. The best part of this job is that I get to visit many tropical Islands along the way. Today we are in St. Maarten
and I am on the Dutch side of the Island. The other side is French and they
share the island...strange but true. I am sitting at the cutest little internet
cafe drinking cranberry juice and enjoying my day. We have 2 shows later tonight
so I decided not to relax on the beach...I'll do that in St. Thomas tomorrow!
Only 5 weeks to go!!!
I am just about to finish up in Sun Valley, Idaho for the summer and move on to Royal Caribbean's "Adventurer of the Seas" cruise ship for 7 weeks before returning to Holiday on Ice-Hollywood for year number 2 of a 3 year tour. We will tour Germany and then perform in Vienna for 3 weeks. This year's tour is only 4 months (ends Mid March) and then I am free until Mid June when I return to Sun Valley for the summer. I will write updates on what is going on during the cruise ship once I get on and settled!
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