Alot has happened since my last post.

Where to begin?  Australia Day celebration = antique car club showing their best,renovated the cars and that they were thier first cars driven.  The street was closed off and there was a line of approximately 300 cars that were driven in, backed into the curb and all day they sat around sharing how they missed the good ole days of well made cars.  Alot of car makes I never heard of...Holden(?), kinda cool the antique Chevy's, Fords, with the matching travel trailers, old touring buses, old fire engines, military jeeps you name it. Ferry boat races in the harbour, cannon's firing, concert's in the parks there are at least 12 parks within walking distance of the city center, singing, dancing, firewaorks, airborne fly over with major sonic booms an all around good time had by one and all.

Sydney Opera House - got a ticket to the show "SOAP".  I was front row stage right and yes as I updated that evening I got wet.  It is a Cirque de Soleil (sp) type of show, guys/gals, 5 bathtubs, a little humor, a little singing, alot of water play, hoses, acrobatics with trapeze, dual strands of draping and ropes that allow the performers to tie themselves up and swing/drop and sway areound the stage.  No photos but in my memeory it was stupendous.

More bright lights but those have been the stars in the clear night sky.  Indescribable the amount of lights/stars in a nights sky why you look out over the ocean.  have spent several of the nights out at Bondi Beach just sitting on the beach at night with a group of folks from the Hostel just chatting in at least 5 different languages (French, Italian, German, Korean, Spanish, Danish, English) if can give a person a headache but if you just sit back and listen it is fascinating thatat the world doesn't get along better.  There just needs to be a bottle of cheap wine at every gathering of foreign nationals.  everyone speaks at the same time and then the uncomfortable pause when everyone realizes no one knows what anyone said and the next words are please explain, speak slowly and what is the word for???  my next carreer  is going to be UN interpreter as everyone wants to be heard, understood and there own time to talk.  Ok maybe I'll be a traffic cop or just write a book about all the things I learned in one night.  makes me laugh just thinking about it.

Tomorrow I head out to do some snorkeling.  I spent today at the beach and spent itme in the water jumping the waves and avoiding the body surfers and trying to stay between the yellow & red flags where the lifeguards endlessly command via bullhorns that it is the safest place to swim.  The water is ice cold so once your body numbs it is alot of fun.  there are about a few hundred people of all nationalities squeeling in the cold as the waves crash into everyone and we all struggle to stand and prepare for the next one.  I decided that this is better than a gym membership what with the jumping, gasping for breath, paddling to stay afloat, running on the bottom of the ocean to gain your composure, shivering, all while gasping for breath as the next wave hits.  Now add a boogie board or short surf board to the mix and it is real close to the survival of the fittest.  Everyone come out of the water breathless, exhausted, sweating in the pelting Australian sun.  What a great day at the beach.  Did I mention that the water is cristal clear, blue and only brown is the sand when it is stirred up from the bottom as the waves crash on the sand bar.  Don't you wish you were here with me??  I miss my yoga buddies but this beats yoga hands down.

It's late so off to bed.
Cheers

Historical Houses Trust & Australia Day Celebration

Tuesday was a busy day of museums and historical sites.  The Hyde Park Barracks was a history of the colonization of Australia.  Convicts...I checked and there are a list of questionable Myers on the list of original settlers.  May check into relationships later, will return later next week and look for any Stone relations.  The living conditions were harsh to say the least, but for a quick rest on a long day of walking the hammock made of rope was refreshing.  The list attached is a portion of the 8 Myers listed and the ships they came over on.  There was additional information as to what the crime was and for how long the inmates were incarcerated.  You could be incarcerated from the ripe old age of nine. Fasinating some of the findings during the architectural diggings under floor boards once the demolition of the facility was halted.  Like everywhere the mindset was out with the old and built something new until the artifacts were located and the historical site designation was granted.

The Sydney Mint Museum shows the progression of the making of currency from who is on it (front & back), what denominations were allowed...fun fact that as the weekly wage way back was on $3AU a week there was no need for denominations above $10AU.  AU also created the first plastic/polymer currency which is widely used in many 3rd world countries as they lasted longer than the paper bills based on being handled more frequently and stored in shoes, waist/bra straps they have longer life time.  USA still uses paper currency.

 The Sydney Government House is a great old castle like dwelling that previously housed the Governor.  It is now only rarely used for state dinners/affairs.  It has a magnificent view of the Harbour.  The interior is set up with the furnishings of the past.  No photos allowed.  I'm still cute, hot sweaty and down about 10lbs, walking is a great weight controller.

The Museum of Sydney is also a very detailed exhibition of the history of AU.  There is a huge focus on the convict colonization and the treatment of the Aboriginal people during colonization.  Similar to the American Indian, where the USA gave them their ceremonial land to build casinos the AU government is also making reparations to the aboriginal people of land and recognition of art and history.  Alot of the aboriginal art is made up of what I can best describe a dot paintings.  they use alot of interpretation of animals and figures to convey messages of locations, living conditions and treatment by the white man.  Appears every countries settlement required the stepping on toes of the original settlers, (Indians/Aboriginal).

I told you it was a busy day of museums.  Next I ventured over to the Elizabeth Bay house which was another Historical Houses Trust site.  This is a splendid home that has been kept in the furnishings of the time.  Again no photos allowed. 

All for today.

Making reservations to see "Soap"  which is a Cirque do Soleil type presentation at the Sydney opera House for tonight and then off to catch Karen's 15 seconds of fame.

It's hard being Me

I guess it is about time to confess...I'm technologically challenged.  I'm disorganized in planning my daily schedule.  I'm poorly equipped to fry an egg.  I miss my walk in closet.  I'm tired of walking around in unfamiliar surroundings exploring sights in a foreign city.  I miss talking my poor English to others using the same dialect.  I miss a full screen desk top computer with spell check to work without my prompting it like it did at work.  I want the blisters from last week to go away so i can start on new ones rather than just chaffing the ones I already have.  I want fast food which so far I have avoided not to be...are you sitting down....I have been in each of the familiar burger joints just for pricing.....The golden arches, burger $7AU, , KFC $9AU for a ,meal, Subway $9AU for a six incher, gas is $125/ltr which I don't even know how to convert??  ,Mileage is in kilometers...which kills me, the car are all on the right side drive and come at you from the wrong direction.  I have yet to step off the curb until my little green man is blinking but i did experience near death of a Korean girl when she stepped in front of a car that stopped just short of making her a fatality.  Scared us both near out of our skins.  The food is under cooked but what do you expect from the Asians they eat raw fish.  The cleanliness is below standard but what is to be expected from hiring a cleaning staff of 3rd world people that pooh in the street is normal and acceptable.  No wonder there is world hunger and disease.  Whew, got that off my chest/shoulders.  Now to my happy place...I am embracing all that is around me in awe and acceptance.  I am truly blessed!

I seem to find it harder than most to have just learned to use a laptop in a wifi location, upload my pictures to Flickr and still not know how to get the pictures to be able to share the haul of at least 100 pictures a day that I take so that they can be viewed by the masses (4 another day), blog when I didn't ever think I had anything worth saying previously, upload all that is important to me to Facebook.  To think someone is a billionaire to think this was something people would find so fascinating.  I have grown personally more in the last year planning and actually living this experience than I would have ever allowed myself in my previous incarnation.  The stuff that was important is no big deal now.  Deadlines, appearances, impressions, possessions all very relative to the current living environment.  I hardly call what I am experiencing a day to day struggle but compared to what I am used to every day has challenges that I have never experienced before.  I'll call it growing pains.  they are never pleasurable at the time but they are what make us who we are going to be.  I am going to be fabulous. 

Let me share an example.  Finding food.  I first needed to locate what this country calls a grocery store when it is filled like home with 7-11's, Woolworth's or woolie's, the market's that seems to be everywhere, and the no name corner stores that seem to be on every corner.  All with the same level of junk food at exorbitant rates.  The Hostel front desk clerk advised of the grocer 3 block up which is in the under ground and I hit pay dirt. I walked out with a quart of milk, a banana, a box of cereal, loaf of bread, jar of instant coffee, box of crackers, 4 tin tins of tuna fish, 4 cups of yogurt, and a jar of strawberry jam all for the highway robbery price of $30.18AU.  As I was paying $6.40AU each morning for a cup of coffee, small orange juice, bowl of cereal and 2 slices of toast I decided that groceries would be money better spent.  The Hostel has a fully stocked self serve kitchen is all the necessary kitchen ware.  Not that I ever knew how to use any of it at home.  Skills never learned I miss alot.  Never too late to learn right...necessity breeds ingenuity or a large bill for eating out.  The refrigerators require that you label your food bags with tags to claim your stuff and there are cubby shelves for storing the non-perishables.  It's like kindergarten for adults to label your school bags so Mikey doesn't take your stuff in error.  At dinner time it is a mad bunch of chaos with everyone sharing pots/pans/utensils/plates/bowls/silverware in a very friendly yet chaotic fashion kinda like Top Chef but with alot of different languages and smells...some not so appetizing.

There are some nights that the Hostel host meals for a reduced $5AU.  I had my first taste of roo burger and the french cooked omelets, and there has the breakfast of runny eggs and undercooked bacon.  But when you don't have to cook it is worth it.  From time to time there is the backpacker sponsored pizza party and all you can eat spread at various bars that I have yet to participate due to the location when I passed didn't look like the food and beverage commission had approved meal prep.  I'm hungry but not taking life affecting chances.  All in all I'm not going hungry just loosing weight due to being on the go all day long from sun up to late in the evening all in the sake of traveling.

Dorm Living, The Arts & The Architecture

Today is Monday, Jan 24th at 11:05 am.  It is another beautiful day in NSW (New South Whales).  This weeek I set my sights on scheduling my future stays over the next few weeks remaining in Sydney.  I am currently checked into the Central Sydney YHA (Youth Hostel Association) I know I am not youth but it is the branding of the lodging.  It definitely sets the standard for the Hostel lodging environment.  The others of which there are gazillions, which is a wee bit more that a zillion of these facilities in Sydney.  This country definitely has one on every corner, kinda like gas stations back home.

I will be here a week and then i am moving down to the beach at Bondi.  I need time for my back to recover from the one day i went out to Bondi to to walk for coast and nearly fried my self in one afternoon.  The peeling is finally subsiding and I don't have to stop at every other tre and scratch my itching back like a wild animal in heat.  Such a lovely feeling.  i am using a 50 block that i brought with me and I still am darker than some of the aboriginals.  i don't know how these fair skinned Europeans and Asians do it. I will put that on my things to ask a stranger list.  That list is long and usually confined to where are you from, where have you been, how long are you staying and where are you going next.  Seems to be the standard greeting in this world of the street worldly mobile.    I am pleasantly surprised that I am not the oldest, single, most lost or excited person out here traveling.  The Central YHA where I am staying currently has a few elderly, families, school kids I mean teenagers on school trips, students (a lot from Korea and Asian locales that are doing some sort of work/study programs for school.  No wonder they are so smart as they are thrown out into the world to study and find work to support themselves all the while.  I am impressed.

This is my current home, bottom bunk on the right.  an 8-share, there are 2 more bunks around the corner from the storage lockers.  8 guys hanging out in the room the size of my living room, no closet, luggage on the floor, housekeeping nonexistent, the noises, smells and camaraderie of an animal house frat party.  Gotta love the experience.  My current roommates and they change almost daily, include a Korean (Chris-work/study), 3 Irish lads in their 20's with such strong accents I have to ask them to talk slowly and then I only get about every other word.  Nice kids here on a 1 year work visa.  All are fresh out of school and no work experience and all nervous about finding work.  My mentor self jumped in with some job search advise, like popping into the office towers and talking with the concierge as they will always know what is going on in the building.  Also to check with the hotel concierges or best of all the smokers outside of the buildings.  They smoke, they gossip, they are in the know.  I shared my story and my age and they all think it is amazing that I am able to travel and not work.  We talked about culture and real estate and sports (They did, I just agreed, what do I know about sports?!?!?!),  They all lived at home and decided that the work environment in Glasgow was so miserable that they had a better chance going away.  They are young, good kids that three of them and will find something if they just don't talk so fast.

i found a really neat art gallery on Oxford Street that had free wifi.  My favorite.  The packing around the computer has gotten old and really makes me feel touristy with the lugging the backpack but the few times I left it I regretted not having it when the wifi hot spot presented itself.  I stopped by the apple store on Sunday and they laughed at the fact that ATT has the strong hold it has in the States not allowing the wifi in the apple product to work without being in a hotspot.  Technology is my friend, technology is my friend.......on the good days!!

This one of the absolutely stunning pieces of art at the gallery.  It utilizes actual semi-precious stones to create the art.  The lifelike look was phenomenal.  There were also photos that utilized live actors in creating the ambiance of the pictures.  There had a video of the creative process.  the actors were people off the street put into makeup, dressed, and the scene was decorated around them...amazing transformation.

I went to Church on Sunday, a small Catholic church around the corner.  The beautiful tolling of the church bells ringing were my alarm clock and a quick shower put me in the pews right on time.  The church was beautiful and the service was hilarious.  A young priest was talking about the command to come and kept referencing the names of of Elizabeth and martin and come to find out they are the family pets 2 Labradors who also didn't see fit to come when commanded.  It was hilarious, probably only to me as I finally got that he was talking about pets not people.  Everyone else took it all in stride.  I was one of only 3 people under the age of feeble in the pews.  Guess not a lot of the backpacker set are up that early or committed to service.

I know you aren't supposed to take photo's in church but I believe that God asked us to tithe not only for the poor and outreach programs but for the general fund for the upkeep of these incredibly beautiful hoses of worship.  I think He is ok that I am sharing the beauty of His house with you. ;-)

It is really hard to schedule things to do because on my way to do them i get sidetracked...kinda like my writing.  So bare with me as my written accounts may also be a bit off track as i start down one path only to be sidetracked by a few other observations.  Like all big cities Sydney has some amazing building architecture.  i located a few brochures in the Hostel that provide maps of self guided walking tours.  I decided to head out and explore on my own.  it is funny when you are on vacation travel that stuff fascinates you that you normally walk right by in your own city.  I amaze myself that stopping and smelling the roses and actually looking at the sights of fascination or enjoying just sitting in a park and reading a book, stopping to listen to the street musician, enjoying the market place not just to shop but to observe and be entertained by the masses of people all in such a hurry to get somewhere or meet a deadline, people running to stay in shape or talking on their cell phone to some urgent meeting all the while realizing that if the world just stopped all that hurry scurry for just a few minutes that the world would not end, pause or fall off it's axis and that good people and things were happening all around them if they just stopped to take notice.  Amazing the eye opening experience of observation and time are.  I sat a watched some amazing musicians in the street, unlike our street people these folks actually have talent.  It reminds me more of the London area that escapes me right now where it is more of a festival, street party atmosphere rather than just a beggar on every corner.

With the mini concert set up of speakers, microphones and the lot they probably bring in more income that the lot of the rest of us.  Oh to be talented and living on the street....he probably owns the building he sits outside of playing....all the way to the bank.

I bought a pass to the historical homes and will venture to visit them this afternoon.  Australia Day is Wednesday so all the parks in the city are being set up for some celebration.  That will be my next update as I'm sure this city will have some excitement.  I head out to Bondi beach for a week as of Fridays nd that will be my week of beach laziness.  I will keep you posted. 

Sydney Harbour Bridge climb or not to bridge climb that was the question?

Not...are you kidding me.  I get motion sick in the backseat of the car.  You are not stripping me down to an unattractive grey jumper, cabling me to a group of strangers playing follow the leader on a 2.5 hour stair climb, only to stop and pose for wind blown pics all while I feel like I may be sick.  Not pretty.  i have a better idea, one I am proud to say that I stole from a fellow travel blogger and that is the Pylon lookout.  You can drop your extreme sport fanatics gotta say they did it friends at the Bridge Climb office and then continue 50m up the street and yes you still get the climbing exercise but safety first people I have year of experiences yet ahead to survive and document.  You climb casually unrestrained several levels to the street level, yeah you know where the car traffic noise, smells and real people cross the bridge.  You walk casually about that same 50 meters back the way you came and you arrive at Plyon Outlook.  The viewing deck is a few levels up, ok quite a few levels up but there are exhibits, displays, water fountains, find that on the exterior of a freaking bridge, sitting ledges, again bet you don't sit down while on the outside of the bridge without taking some flack from your strapped together peers.  I save myself the embarrassment and go by the beat of my own drummer....Again.


Sydney Opera House



Entrance to the Library



Beautiful Sunday in the Park




Statuary of "The Boxers" at the Centennial park



Sunset from the top of the Sydney Sky Tower

I am signing off for Tuesday, Jan 18th 7:08pm local time.
Have a great Tuesday, Ya'll!

Just some pics today

I'm too tired today to blog. I found the Library which has free wifi so I'm typing on my phone. Rode the free bus from my hostel to the CBD(Central business district) took the stroll out to the McGuire's chair (beautiful Harbour view. The pics attached are from my stroll along the coast from Bondi Beach to the end of the path.  It was magnificently beautiful and HOT in the sunlight.  Bear with me as I conquer technology and get the right pics with the correct verbiage.  There was an area beyond the beach that you carefully navigate over boulders, algae, deep crevices to get right next to the crashing water on the rocks.  The area is on the edge of the cove into Bondi where kids time these huge waves coming in and jump into the water and the waves brings them out and like a water slide or when the great white slides out of the water onto the lip of the pool throws them up on the rocks.  The young, so brave and fearless.  Looked fun but bet their Mum's didn't know they were doing it.

Yum how's that for a hearty Aussie Breakfast.  The coffee is a pretty good late, the cereal and milk scumcious, the eggs well lets just call it yellow runny not quite fully cooked stuff, the bacon I  believe is sliced from the living animal in the kitchen, not even warm let alone cooked, Sushi bacon and the sausages again they look recognizable but not cooked.  It is the Big Breakfast at the Hostel cafeteria. I , went for the lighter fare since without the eggs and bacon, just cereal, coffee, juice, toast and fruit with yogurt on top.  Actually very good and my stomach seemed to like it better.

Library in Pddington = WiFi hotspot

Spent the day at The Centenial Park. Walked trail about 5km round. They have a running, biking & wait for it...equestrian trail, duck pond w/the most evil red eyed black swans...go see the movie (evil I'm telling you!).
Relaxed the book by a local Aussie author, Ruth Park titled"the Harp In The South". One of those suspence, drama, romancy reads left behind by a former traveler @ the hostel. The hostel traveler is a light load bunch as anything that no longer is useful is left behind or traded for future use. I'm happy to know be in possession of a plastic coat hanger as it is an invaluable tool for hanging up damp socks to air out to dry by morning..laundry issues resolved.
Came home down Oxford St. and popped into the paddington St. Library and dad once again SKYPED me. Good to chat but not much news from yesterday. Read the blog for updates. We created a monster....Love U Dad!
Found the Paddington Market location on the Paddington Unity Church grounds. It is a Saturday morning weekly event so I will check it out & update later.
Very overcast today and windy so although hid there is a chill breeze. Nice to be put exploring on a day your shoe soles don't stick to the sidewalk. No complaint just commentary.
I entered my new digs this the railway YHA. this one is on a historic railway station which is rather cool & even has a railcar as one of the dormitories...not in it but next to the lobby away from the pool, party central bit bigger and bettermeetimg area. Looking forward to the next 4 days.

It's gonna be one of those days with the computer

I have no ides how my computer decided to be on 1/10th magnification but it is like typing the size of ants viewed from the topn of the Sydney Tower.  My typing is usually really bad but tonight it is invisible so I have no idea what the words look like so bear with me. 

Today I made reservation for the next 4 nights (mon-Thurs) at the Railways Hostel.  It is up the street and looks nice and has a pool go figure?  That outa the way I stopped for breakfast at a cafeteria that was part of the Hostel next door to mine.  I never heard of Hostels excpet for the scry movie which I did not watch but now it appear I am in hostel heaven either that or it is like when you see a cool car or new pair of jeans and before long you see them everywhere.  Guess they just were not on my radar.  I guess i can't say they are not my thing cause I kinda like them.  For cheap ot be able to say a nickel or dime so that you can do some other fabulous stuff and still be on a budget I think it is the silver lining.  I am amazed at the spectrum of people that seem to be coming and going.  There are ladies that I think at home I would call Ladies that Lunch thru the folks at hoem well we call them homeless.  Quite the spectrum.
eat at the cafeteria and although
I stopped to
it looked like breakfast it was a little undercooked.  I hope my stomach lives thru this.

Decided to take the long walk areound the Sydney Harbour.  I went the route my Mrs. McQuires Chair.  Was the Mayor wife and she like to sit there and view the harbour comings and goings so there is an bench carved into the rock for viewing the harbour.  I continued reoung the harbour and thru the Botanical gardens.  I decided to hang for awhile and just .enjoy the beautiful day and people watch.  What FuN!There was a dance troop practicing some funtastic acrobatics.  so a great afternoon of free entertainment in a beautiful setting..  Later walked thru the rose garden.  There was a section of the gardens that has a rainforest type area and there were these ginormous fruit bat all hanging and squaking and flying and fanning themselfes...yikes enough of the wild AU species.

As I was heading back toward town, I came acreoss the City Library and decided to pop in as I assumed all libraries had free WiFI.  I was right.  To my surprise my Dad was online and SKYEd me.  Good to chat Dad.  IT was 1:30pm in AU and 12:30am CST.  the Library was unige as it had the old full walls of books with the sliding ladder to reach them.  It was in a historic building with contemporary updates.  Amazing.

Continueing meward, I saw the Sky Tower which is about a million floors up where you have a viewing floor and for the brave an outdoor viewing platform.  No way I have no intention of dangling outside for a quick pic just to say I did it.  I got alot of fabulous scenic pics without messing up my hair or having it stand on end.  I hung out until sunset so i could see the beauty of the sunset off the city scape.  Awesome.

Another great day.  Tomorrow I move lodging and may head back out to Bondi to enjoy the beach and just chill if the weather is nice.  I still want to visit the Queen victoria Mall.  that has recently been renovated and still in progress.  It is the Gallaria on gold leafed..

This computer is gonna make me crazy. It will notlet me upload the pics I want so bear with.

I don't know who those 2 are over my shoulder or what the exhibit at the LIBRARY but they looked cute :-)

That's me on top of the world and then a final curtain call.

Sydney, AU My First Week

Well I have now transitioned into my first Hostel, 790 on George.  I decided I would only stay a few days at a few to get the flavor of what is to come.  Cramped, bunk beds, community showers/bath, communal dining, snoring (earplugs & night mask), noisy partiers, lights and luggage on/off in/out at all hours.  But all for the budget price of $29/night.  Submersion into the backpackers world.  Sad that this is what they can barely afford.  Most I have met are Korean, Japanese, New Zealanders, British and the reservations girl is from Massachusettes.  All very nice and inqusitive about where you are from and where you are going.

I hope you can read this commenorative sewer plate.  the quote is that the more we travel and meet people the more we are the same. 
I spent my first Day just trying to acclimate to my location at the ParkRoyal and decided to take the double decker city bus tour.  It is a 24 hour hop on hop off tour of all the sight in Sydney central and Bondi Beach area.  It was a great way to get the lay of the land.

As you cab see I made my way to the cultural highlights of the Sydney Opera House and the Harbour Bridge.  The plastic art in the foreground was an Art exhibition at the base of the steps to the Opra House.  I then wandered through the botanical gardens and the Govnor's Palace. This is all in the CBD or Central Business District.  Then off to wander George Street which is a main shopping street, similar to the Magnificnet Mile (Michigan Avenue in Chicago) similar in most major cities. 
I think that is enough for my first outing.  Lottsa fun so far.

City Sightseeing Sydney and Bondi - Hop On-Hop Off Tour

Well after a good nights sleep andacclimation to the time change, yeah like I know what time it is let alone what day, the best way to navigate a new land is to get a guide.  I decided on the double decker city bus tour as the today (0113/2011) is a bit overcast.  Temp is cool and not the scorching sun that AU is know for.  So I put on a cap, and upper deck here I come.  Hmmm...upper deck, sounds like a trend to me.  The great part about this 24 hour hop  on hop off option is that it covers the main attractions of Sydney and allows transfer to the Bondi Beach tour all for one price.  i highly recommend getting up early and take water/snacks (sandwich), sunblock as even overcast as it was and I wore 45sunblock I still got tan arms in one day, good walking shoes and a dedication to utilize the 24 hour ticket to it's fullest.  I decided to ride the whole route to get the lay of the land and then spend the next several days in Sydney proper actually spending time visiting those locations so I'd have more time.  the transfer to the Bondi route allowed me to get a fell for the actual beach experience.  Guess where I'm headed??  Ok I'm staying in Sydney central for a few weeks and then to the beach.  It is simply gorgeous with signs that I will share next time that say Dangerous Current...and they mean it!

Today is actually Friday as I may from time to time be a day behind on my posts.  So today I move out of my posh ParkRoyal Hotel address and into one of the local Hostels.  I spent some time after my Bus tour checking out the local scene.  It is actually very exciting to see and hear the various languages and stories from those who have gone before.  Some good and some not so good.  I can finally say that I'm glad I'm older and wiser because the horror stories are from the young and not too bright.  Alcohol always seems to lead to a story of lost passports, cash, valuables.  Silly is as silly does, I'm glad I have silly in my blood and not my blood alcohol level.   The challenge will be finding a place that is calm enough for me.  I have decided to stay in blocks of three nights so I can try out a few for price, location and roommates.   The Hostels I saw are just like in the pictures, rather summer camp like and about as well kept.  Not for the faint of heart, requiring creature comforts, and amenities other than a shared bathroom and a bunk bed to lay one's head.  I'm not here to stay in 5 star pampered lodging or I could have stayed home and checked into the Mansion.

Today I move into my first hostel that is in Sydney central.  My sights today will be the Circular Quay which is a large tourist area for people watching and great views of the Harbour.  I am searching for an event to attend at the Sydney Opera House in order to get an inside view rather than just a paid tour.  Sydney is a great walking city so I definitely will go do some stretching (yoga) this morning before headlining out for the day.  I'm still getting the hang of uploading my pics to my computer prior to starting my blog so bear with as i get things organized.

It's 7:33 am on 01/14/2011 and that makes it 2:33pm CST 01/13/2011 in the States.  It's gonna be a beautiful day.  Enjoy

Still in the air..8:04am CST 01/12/2011; The flight that never ends...

Ginger Rogers may have been able to say; Fred  Not sure where here is as the plane blinds are drawn and it is pitch black  Astaire was great but I did everything he did backwards and in heels.  I just blasted thru the air on an out of control looge/bobsled, felt the thrill of riding Sir Branson's rocket ride in the atmosphere experiencing weightlessness and stomach discomfort all while strapped in my fully reclined bed w/pillow behind my head in my Quanta supplied PJ's.  It's gonna be one of those that you just have to be here.  It's gonna be one of those you just had to be there.  Not sure where here is at the moment as the cabin blinds are still drawn and it is pitch black n here.  Talk about your black out curtains...I hope I haven't gone blind or as i still delirious from too much good food and lack of sleep?  It was only 2, 3 maybe 6 times that our Captain came over the speaker to ask us to return to our seats during the night.  I'm not sure but I think global warming is opening the atmosphere and creating turbulence.  Remind me when I get back to write a strongly worded letter to the Environmental Protection agency that they are not...I repeat not doing a very good job and I may add Al Gore to my Christmas card list. 
Note to self, next around the world trip go the other way...just 4 fun!
I think I mentioned that once in LA I chatted with a nice lady who explained the overbooking situation on her flight to Melbourne.  That Quantas did not use double decker aircraft due to some electrical issues catching fire, hmmmm so remind me again why i am on the upper deck of this plane?  I feel another letter formulating.  Oh wait it's the Captain again telling everyone that the telly would be out for about 15 minutes while the system is rebooted.  Hey if it avoids electrical shorts/fires just leave the damn this off.  I think the natives in coach are getting restless.  I didn't come along on this extreme sport ride to watch TV in my jammies, so just let the TX alone  b4 we really are being jettisoned to our death due to mechanical failure.  Mom, I want a full update did Oprah and Gail have these issues on their recent trip to AU?  Really?  I bet John Travolta as pilot he wouldn't let something like this happen.  Counting back from 100, reciting it's not the destination it's the journey.  Heck I'm going back to playing with my seat reclining controls as there is still over 3 hours left and the Captain discontinued cabin service....there goes breakfast...literally and figuratively.  Poor guy- Augh better him than me.  ;-)
Well blessing were answered for a smooth breakfast service.  Scrambled eggs (real ones), toast, sausage, fruit cup and coffee and orange juice.  Mmmmm Good!
I snuck a Godiva Chocolate the slab not the teenie, tiny little square that you get at the store, I'm talking a good 2 inch slab down to my friend I met in the airport.  Let me tell you that there is a reason that there is a curtain between First, Business and Coach.  I peaked into 1st class there weer on 10 seats same as mine...suckers paid alot to sit up front.  Maybe they got massages and therapy as well as PJ's?  But coach was like a sardine can busted open looked like the surrounding devastation near the Super Bowl arena after Katrina.  There were people's limbs in the aisle, pillows and blankets, kids crying and I'm sure there was moaning and wailing and oh my goodness is was not attractive.  I looked a little like the sad scene of during Titanic when they finally went back for the survivors only to find....well you get the picture.  It was not pretty and it brought tears to my eyes.  I was a little fearful that I would be help hostage by these very uncomfortable people as I only had 1 piece of chocolate which only 1 person I know could turn the 5 loaves and fishes into a banquet for the masses.  Needless to say I dropped off mu offering and return to sleep reclined, comfortable and n my PJ's until we very gracefully and without further turbulence set down in Australia. 
I must say that I was very rested upon arrival and was whisked to my Hotel, the ParkRoyal.  The hotel is very nice, in town and close to the Imax theatre near Darling Harbour.  It was wonderfully located for sight seeing and locating a few reasonable lodging options that I will be trying out on Friday and over the weekend.
Today is over and tomorrow we sight see.

It's the journey not just the destination that makes the most impact

As of Wednesday, January 12th, I am officially an Aussie traveler.  After delays due to weather at both Houston Hobby and DFW, I finally landed in a 1st class American Airlines seat my way to Los Angels.  I was able to visit both of the American Airlines Admiral Clubs of Dallas and Los Angeles due to the flight delays and my OneWorld business class travel ticket.  Nothing to write home about as they were both filled with business types and those who have reached the appropriate level of travel miles.  However my First Class Stewardess and i were chatting about my trip and I will share the insight.  On Odd #'d flights the service begins from the back of the plane and on even #'s flights the service starts in the front.  Why do I share these morsels of wisdom?  Because on these long haul flights where you want the selection of chicken or pasta you won't get stuck with what is left, it will behove you to select your seat accordingly or go for the middle of the section .  Those on the wrong end will be served what is left without a choice.  Who knew there was such a process in place?

You don't know exclusivity until you reach the First Class Level.  In LA I was invited into the First Class Lounge based not only on my ticket but also this OneWorld around the world ticket comes with perks.  You basically have a Buffet of eats that puts many 5 star restaurants to shame, Salmon, Beef Wellington, self pour drinks, too bad I quite drinking a few years ago and per my stewardess there is not limit and the abuse is evident. Nuf said.  It was definitely a rung above what the normal passenger will ever achieve, myself included.  I'm just visiting, these are not my people.  But I sure did pack myself a few cookies, an orange, apple and trail mix just in case the 17 hours in flight to Sydney found my stomach growling.

What was i thinking?  I have traveled overseas many times and a few in business class and more in coach.  I may not have enough room or energy to tout praise for the Qantas Airlines Staff, Amenities and quality of service.  Firs twas the challenge of getting from the American Arrival gate in LAX to the International Travel partner international gate.  If you ever wondered what all that traffic was out on the tarmac when you assume it is just the fueling trucks, baggage handlers, traffic directors etc, oh no at 11:50 pm there was a tram full of weary traveler crammed into a travel coach zig zagging literally in front, around and sometime too close to the airplane traffic.  Talk about congestion, or better yet let's just take a moment of silence to thank our lucky stars that we made it the the Quantas International departure terminal.  No wonder LAX is one of the worst congested airports in the US.  It might have to do with the daredevil drivers of coach full of paying customers being delivered by van from terminal to terminal.

OK lets get to the most, bestest, most incredible travel experience that I can positively recollect. I definitely am now approaching an exhausted state as i have been at the airport, traveling, or waiting to travel for a little over 10 hours and I have not even left the Continental US.  Well chatty I have been out of necessity and boredom.  I was talking to a New Zealander and what a fantastic accent they have so British and use of words that we just can't get away with, yet sounds so cool when they say it.  Bloke, smashing, and a few indiscernible praises that even when repeated several times are only know to other Aussies.  We talked about the overbooking of her flight to Melbourne and how Quantas does not fly the new double decker planes as there were some mechanical fire issues.  Nice news to hear just before you are stepping on this airlines for a 17 hour flight over the Pacific.  Well guess my surprise and slight hesitation when I was allowed to board with the first class, and the long list of upper echelon of elite passengers and upon entering the doorway was directed with a smile to the upper level.  What to my surprise was a plane needing an upper deck.  The upper deck of buses were open air.  I was a wee bit skeptical of what i would find until I rounded the corner at the top of the stairs.  To my surprise and delight, there were a mere 6 rows of 2 seats on each side of the aisle, of which i was in front of the exit door so there was a good 6 feet of leg space which is case you don't remember I am only 5'6 so hence I could have laid prone in from of my seat without touching either chair.  I use the term seat loosely as these are the high tech kind that have more buttons than the direct TV remote that I left behind.  You can sit up, recline, lay flat, or  any combination of a leg rest to a fully extended support as well as a vibrating massage.  It took me half an hour of fiddling to get it just right so that I didn't wake with back pain. 

The Quantas service was over the top.Greeted at the top of the stairs with the offer of orange juice, water and or Champagne.  There is so much service it is a bit overwhelming.  Hang you jacket, stow you bag, explain the TV channels, and the remote for reclining the seat when the time came.  Pajamas, hot towels to refresh you, dinner and breakfast menu to select your preference and when you prefer to be served, to be woken up or allowed to sleep, and it is all about that Aussie accent.  My two  stewardesses, one just celebrated 25 years in the air, were there to look after my every whim.  Did I mention that business class is upstairs.  See my seat below.  Priceless!!

Oh and the amenities packet that you get is a fluffy full blanket not the thread bare rag on previous airlines, then travel pouch that has the slippers, eye mask and toiletries and did I mention a full set of pajamas.  And can i tell you that not everyone should be walking around in the pajamas but it made for some light giggles with my seat mate. 

I had to hand write my notes originally as although I was in 3 airports and 2 executive lounges I was unable to connect to the free WiFi???  I have been so chatty that I hardly had time to mess with it so I am playing catch up now that I have had a decent nights sleep.  I was still awake at !:27 am 1/11/2011 so I had dinner.  Smells delicious.  Don't remember turbulence quite this rough on previous overseas flights.  Poor guy next to me is wearing his red wine.  Too bad for the cute PJ's but good thing not his own clothes.  Not quite ready for the Dramamine, but sure glad I have it in my carry on just in case.

I'm still amazed at how easy it was to pack for this adventure.   Normally I would have the largest roller bad stuffed with well over twice the amount of clothes needed for a months travels and barely wear 1/2 the outfits.  I managed to put together a few outfits that are interchangeable, layered and darker colors so that I can get through several months without showing up in the same thing twice.  As the quote from "Steel Magnolias " goes something like the difference between man and animals is our uncanny ability to accessorize.

Oh, I almost forgot the reading material that was consumed by the horrible flooding in NE Queensland.  I will not dwell but even now that I am here the impact will change my plans for going up to the Great Barrier Reef as there is still alot of issues with travel into the area and the cleanup is going to take some time.  They are comparing it to the Katrina of AU. 

My flight just keeps getting better....Chocolate Mouse Cheesecake.  Not the crummy stuff but good, makes your teeth hurt delicious.  I'll find a gym when I get to Sydney. I'm taking from the menu:  Neil Perry is one of Australia's leading chefs, having built an international reputation at his renowned Rockpool restaurant in Sydney.  Neil lends his expertise to Quantas - bringing restaurant style  cuisine to your inflight experience.  For recipe details refer to http://www.rockpool.com/.  Y U M !

I've kept to my conviction no alcohol and refused the wine and the port and sherry after dessert wine although both the red and white are being highly praised by my seat mate.  I am not sure I deserve all this fabulousness but I am certainly appreciative of the blessing.  I am savoring every morsel, , taste, smell, sight and sound.  Amazing the simple joys that can be appreciated during a bumpy 17 hour flight to a foreign country.  WOW and there is port, tea and /or coffee to finish it off and a full bottle of water set on your arm rest so that when you awake in the morning with cotton mouth and breath of a dragon you can refresh yourself.  If they don't stop soon I am never getting off of this plane.  I mean it...ever!  Ok it's time to fiddle with the remote control bed and settle in for a sound 10 hour sleep.

Car sold, Condo leased, Belongings stacked, taxes finished, Oh My....

I am out of here on Monday for Sydney, AU. I'm still floating on air that the day is arriving.  I just received my Yellow Fever booster (ouch) and have my Malaria pills (ready for a psychotic episode per the medication side effects), purchased the travel insurance, received the final 15 page travel itinerary from my travel agent, met for coffee contacts at Hosteling International and was provided awesome insight that answered my insecurity questions, watched the video documentary "A Map for Saturday" which made my laugh and cry and finally settling into the reality that I have yet to pack.  Gotta love the procrastinator in me. 

You will be seeing alot of my travel gnome so help me give him a name.  Suggestions?The parentals are not too excited that I chose their dining room as my house hold goods storage space but Dad loves the set up I did for him in the den so I think they will adjust.  Good thing I finally said goodbye to the armoir, lordy it was so big it would block the sun.

For those patiently awaiting the Final Itinerary of my trip here goes:

Jan 10, 2011 Houston Hobby, American Eagle to DFW

DFW to LAX (first class....sweet) OneWorld tickets rock!

LAX to Sidney, AU (I depart Houston at 2:55 pm on Monday and arrive at 9:25am on Wednesday.  A bit of a long journey.

Feb 14, 2011 Sydney, AU to Auckland, NZ

March 1, 2011 Auckland to Sydney to Singapore, Malaysia

March 18, 2011 Singapore to Bangkok, Thailand

April 4th, 2011 Bangkok to Hong Kong, China

May 2, 2011 Hong Kong to Tokyo, Japan

May 30, 2011 Tokyo to Delhi, India

June 30, 2011 Delhi to Capetown, South Africa

July 11, 2011 Capetown to London for the final months to experience Europe via rail.

All this on a simple 15 page itinerary that in and of itself is a very flexible schedule of my whereabouts during the year. 

I have been researching various avenues of how to document my experience, economize and profit during this adventure.  I mentioned earlier in this blog a DVD that I was given called "A Map for Saturday".  When I called the local Hosteling International in Houston to get my membership locally before I left; I received an invitation to coffee by the local Bluebonnet Council of Hosteling International volunteers.  They answered all my questions and calmed my concerns related to what this experience could be.   Believe it or not I have had a rather calm composure which most of you are shaking your heads....but all the right people have come into my life at the right times to get me to this place of peace with myself.  My folks still see me as neurotic but I will always be that in their eye's. Their crazy, little to the left, middle child.  Always into something or stirring up trouble just for the fun of it to get some attention or keep myself entertained.  The documentary is of a younger me come to realize that his life is ahead of him and wanted to go travel before he got all bogged down with life.  I fortunately arrived at this place later in life and found the unbogging  of my life enriching. I think I arrived finally with the right frame of mind, the right life experiences under my belt, the financial comfort that so many are struggling with in this unfortunate economy, health, and no baggage except that which I plan to pack tomorrow and then 12 more times until I leave for the airport on Monday. 

Talk about a total mindset change.  Only pack as a minimalist not as a hypochondriac for all occasions.  Here's an enlightenment...packing square cut swim trunks instead of tighty whitey's or boxer briefs as they can be washed out nightly, dried overnight and make you look HOT on the Aussie beaches.  Taking 2 band aides, no shampoo/conditioner and a sarong I got in Greece that can be used as a beach/shower towel,  a bed sheet to keep the bed bugs at bay and a toga for the impromptu party at the Hostel. I was reminded that 2 band aides would keep the immediate wound addressed until I got to the Pharmacy for medical attention if required, the box was overkill.  I will always be arriving in each new country to a short, luxurious hotel stay prior to locating economical lodging which will ensure toiletries that can be garnered for ongoing lodging uses.

Thanks all for coming along for the adventure/FUN.

G-Night