Back in Sydney

OK, this whole blog thing has not gone as planned.  I apologize to both the 'followers' and those who casually sign on to see what's going on.

The blog has not gone as planned for the following reasons:

1) too busy!  on the go and have not spent much time on the computer at all. For example, I tented for eleven nights in a row in Queensland and much of that time was not conducive to blogging.
2) wireless is expensive, as previously explained, or simply not available.
3) lost my special computer adapter, or it was stolen, somewhere in Queensland. Just got  a new one today, and my other adapter which I can use on my phone, camera or iPod does not fit my computer. 

There remains a lot to be said about Australia and this trip, so here's what I think I will do.  I will go through my seven hundred and someodd photos (!) and choose the best ones (i.e. not all) and add them to my blog with an explanation of what is happening on each stage of my trip, i.e Sydney, Airlie Beach, Brisbane, Fraser Island, Sydney again.  So it will be more of a photo diary than a blog. 

I leave for Vancouver on Thursday.  Tomorrow I am off to the Blue Mountains by train. My time in Australia is coming to an end.   Keep checking this site and I promise you I will post photos ASAP!

Sunny and Freaking Cold Brisbane

Sorry it has taken so long to post... I am currently in a campground in Brisbane.  Been here for three days, and we're going to Fraser Island at the end of the week.  The reason that I haven't posted for a while is simply that, like almost EVERYTHING else in Australia, internet is very expensive and free wireless is almost impossible to find.  I tried to post at a McDonald's in Airlie Beach (free WiFi) but it was painfully slow.
Brisbane is in its winter... Days are crisp and windy (think Vancouver in March or October without the rain.)  It is very sunny here!!  But not fun tenting because the nights are so cold.

Airlie Beach / Whitsunday Islands was AMAZING.  I will post pictures soon.  Excellent sailing excursion.  Must try scuba diving soon with doctor's note.  Did lots of snorkeling though.  The day before, we took a high-speed catamaran out to the Great Barrier Reef, where the snorkeling was, well, great!  But the highlight of the trip so far has been taking a helicopter ride over the Great Barrier Reef in the front seat of a glass-bottom helicopter. Totally a wonderful experience for anyone. The Heart Reef brings in something like $30 million dollars worth of tourism revenue for the state of Queensland.  I too a couple of great photos which I will post.

Unhappy to report that the only wallabies and kangaroos I have seen have been roadkill. I  am looking forward to an improvement here!!  Lots of colourful marine life while in the ocean, some cool birds (mostly pests) and a few friendly cats.  Hoping to see more Australian wildlife soon!!

Will try to post again soon!  Off to the Sunshine Coast tomorrow, then Fraser Island on the weekend.  Am now going to put on multiple layers of clothing to get in my sleeping bag.

Sunny Sydney

Let me start by saying that if you ever fly from Vancouver to Sydney, you owe it to yourself to go business class.

Met by private car (BMW) and card-bearing driver at Syney airport. About 20 minutes to the hotel. Sydney is crisp and clear.  Dry air like in Vancouver's on a sunny winter day.  It's going to warm up.

At hotel was greeted by a private check in and told that my room was being upgraded.  Check-in agent personally escorted me to my room. Got to my room and there was a bottle of champagne on ice that I will be enjoying tonight...

Check out the pics. My room has a great view of the Sydney Opera House, the harbour and the bridge. Yes I know the windows are dirty. Shangri-La is currently washing its windows.  Hope they do mine soon.

Yes it's tough being here.   Gotta suck it up and take one for the team.  Off to explore.  Will write more later.

I'm off!

LEAVING FOR AUSTRALIA!

I'm off! Flying Air Canada "executive class" on a direct flight 15.5 hours, YVR - SYD. Ha ha! We'll see what that's like. Looking forward to my little pod seat!

Next blog post will be from Sydney Australia, hopefully!

Happy Canada Day!

Happy Canada Day!  It's also the first day of my Summer holidays.


I am busy making preparations and starting to pack.  Also I am doing a big clean-up for my house-sitter, Jessica.  Not the home per se, but all the closets and cupboards need attention.  And then there's the paper I need to finish writing before I go.  So I will be very busy before I go- but only five more sleeps!


All the advice says pack light.  But if you know me, you know that I don't pack light. Yes, I am a bit of a princess. In fact, I have to check two bags- one for camping stuff (sleeping bag, tent, thermarest, cooking stuff) and then my backpack.  (And I never check two bags!) Also I have my carry-on. I can manage it nicely because the smaller check bag fits on top of the carry-on and can be wheeled around. So I think it's definitely manageable.


It is winter in Australia.  But the current temperature in Brisbane (just past their winter solstice)  is daily highs of 18 to 24 degrees.  Well, that's warmer than our "summer" in Vancouver.  We are hoping for an improvement this month over last-  June was renamed 'Junuary'.  I am packing for cool nights and warm days.  Most of my time in Australia will be spent in Queensland...


http://www.weather.com.au/qld


For me, one of the best things about travel is the anticipation of a trip that I am really looking forward to.  Everyone - friends, family, colleagues- knows how excited I am about this trip.  Thanks all for being patient with me...


Me:  "Have I mentioned that I am going to Australia?"
Them: "Not since yesterday, and the day before that, and the day before that."


 “The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.” - St. Augustine

NOT TOO FAR AWAY!!

It's about five weeks until my one-month journey to Australia.  I won't be posting any more on my blog until much closer to my departure date.  Today I have created this blog for friends and family so they can follow my journey to the east coast of Australia.

By the way, did I mention that this is my first ever blog!??

Happy to have you along on the journey...