Australia!

[The Big D]

Just checked in at LAX for a long awaited trip. One that has been on my bucket list for a long time.

Will update periodically with (hopefully) some cool and fun stuff.

First, though, I must again mention the very cool and efficient TSA 'Pre Check.' Nobody but me in the queue just a bit ago, but it is a slow time of day here at LAX. (1830, PST.)

Nothing out of checked luggage, shoes and belt ON; so easy.

Left home yesterday to avoid any east coast weather and had a gorgeous day and a half in SoCal. LAX Marriott is great. Had a complimentary 1700 checkout. Excellent given my 2210 departure. United Lounge has $2. Heinekens. Great service there, too.

Only 'bad' stuff is the waaaaaaaaaaaay long flight ahead. Fifteen (15) plus hours to Sydney and then another flight to Melbourne.

Look for me at the Australian Open Friday. It is on 'the deuce.'

Oh, the forecast is 106 F when I arrive Thursday morning. Nope, that is not a typo. Hope the Heinekens will help me hydrate.

Be safe.

 

[hsguy]

Hope you have a great trip and I look forward to your updates. We have several forum members in Australia, you might want to try and get together with one or more, nothing like some local advice.

 

[jimmib]

I envy you...have a great time and they have some good local suds too

 

[The Big D]

Good idea..and would love to do so. Thank you, hsguy. On a bit of a tight schedule but if any OZ-based Forum members see this, please hit me up and we'll see if there is a meet opportunity.

Cheers!

Hope you have a great trip and I look forward to your updates. We have several forum members in Australia, you might want to try and get together with one or more, nothing like some local advice.

 

[wbraswell]

Have a great time. You're lucky, when I went there in '91 we had to stop first at Aukland, N.Z., then to Sydney. The Aussies are really nice folks, but they can be kind of hard to understand now and then, for us "Yanks".

 

[shouldazagged]

I am so envious!

Have a wonderful time, and be sure to report on your reaction to eating Vegemite.

 

[Fishslayer]

Just so ya know, nobody in Oz drinks Fosters...

 

[Hodgin]

Nice trip. Have a great time but avoid the nasty varmints.

 

[sipowicz]

Too long a trip for me...I can only make it as far as New Zealand....

 

[Cyrano]

I am so envious!

Have a wonderful time, and be sure to report on your reaction to eating Vegemite.

I had Vegamie once in New Zealand: a foul and unnatural substance!! Avoid it at all costs; it's much worse than whatever i;'s supposed to cure..

 

[wbraswell]

I agree on the Vegamite. Don't try very much of it. I know 20 years ago, I was very impressed by the toilets. I think those things would flush a football.

 

[Malpasowildlifer]

Sounds like fun! I'd like to go someday

 

[therevjay]

I used to dream about going to Australia. Then I started watching "Nat Geo" and "Travel" channel and found out everything in the country is either poison, or has big fangs & claws. (even the plants) Maybe New Zealand?

Just kidding Aussies. I do love Fosters Bitter, and "Sheaf Stout". (Fosters Lager just isn't the same as it was yrs ago)

 

[Texas Star]

Watch out for their knife laws. Maybe you can carry a std. size Swiss Army knife.

My favorite bank teller here is from Melbourne. Nice person and the sharpest tack in the box at that bank.

We have one member in Victoria. Is that the right state for Melboune?

 

[Cyrano]

Then I started watching "Nat Geo" and "Travel" channel and found out everything in the country is either poison, or has big fangs & claws. (even the plants) Maybe New Zealand?

QUOTE]

Yes, New Zealand. One of the peculiarities of their fauna is that there are no native carivorves. This has led to birds nesting on the gorund, for instance. It has also led to great problems with imported pets; cats and dogs. Feral cats are a plague there, and if possible are shot on sight. i saw a couple of feral cats; they're pretty wary.

 

[shouldazagged]

Just so ya know, nobody in Oz drinks Fosters...

An acquaintance on a knife forum lived in NSW and told me Aussies regard Foster's as a very small step above wombat urine.

Unlike most of his countrymen, he was occasionally given to hyperbole.

 

[Texas Star]

An acquaintance on a knife forum lived in NSW and told me Aussies regard Foster's as a very small step above wombat urine.

Unlike most of his countrymen, he was occasionally given to hyperbole.

What did he tell you about their knife laws? I doubt that Crocodile Dundee's big sticker is legal most places there.

 

[shouldazagged]

Strangely, since it was a knife forum, the subject didn't come up. But Mike Stewart at Bark River Knife & Tool sold a lot of one particular model field knife with, as I recall, a four or four and a half inch fixed blade, to people in Oz who apparently had some input into its design. That was several years ago, so the laws may have changed.

The Dundee knife was, I suspect, as big a joke as most of the flick.

 

[YogiBear]

Aloha,

Anything alcoholic made by Bundaberg is pretty good.

I fell in love with their Ginger Beer. It makes American ginger ale

taste like it's be recycled several times thru a body.

BTW, it's non alcohol with a punch.

Watch out for salt water crocs in waterways. Do not drag your hand in the water from a boat.

 

[The Big D]

Quick update: 14 hours LAX to SYDNEY. Off-load and new security check before back aboard and 1 hour to Melbourne. Plane must be the oldest 747 in United's fleet. But got me here.

Record heat in Melbourne. First time in 100 years 4 consecutive days of 104 F plus. 108 yesterday at Australian Open tennis. Big fun! Very dry heat...not unbearable. Heineken and James Boag helped!

Melbourne is a lovely city. My hotel is the layover domicile for Emirates Airlines flight crews. Wow! Beautiful women...all nationalities.

Flemington Racecourse for ponies today. Hope to replenish my funds. OZ is very expensive.

More soon...

Be safe.

 

[Dave_n]

Remember the way that Aussies spell beer is XXXX, actually not a bad one if thirsty but there are many better but Foster's is not one to order. Was in Brisbane in late November, but I was lucky and was in Business Class on Kiwi Air via Auckland in both directions. Been there many times but usually flying in "peasant"; the 15 hour flights are not good back there. Dave_n

 

[The Big D]

Day 6 update.

Wow....what a great place. I love OZ. Flew to Sydney Sunday with my mates after three days in Melbourne. BTW, it is properly pronounced MEL-burn. Get it right most times by now.

Sydney is more like NYC...Melbourne more like Boston or DC. Lotsa green places there.

Climbed Sydney Harbour Bridge yesterday. Was on my bucket list and what fun! Quite exhilarating. Dinner via a boat ride to Sydney Rowing Club Sunday. Gorgeous. Mostly wet and grey weather now but heading off to Bondi Beach in just a bit. (Better than home, regardless; 8 inches of snow forecast there.)

Aussies are quiet and nice. They do not like to call attention to themselves. Such a cool lifestyle. Many folks out and about enjoying themselves even late night.

Stopped at a roof top pub post-climb yesterday and it was jam packed. On a Monday afternoon. Mostly Sydney-ites enjoying a long 'weekend.'

Have not been behind the wheel yet and hope that continues. Public transit is very efficient. Road the train home from Rowing Club Sunday late night and felt altogether safe.

More soon...irregular 'net access whilst Down Unda

Cheers, mates!

 

[Dave_n]

If you are till in Sydney, then take the ferry over to Taronga Zoo and enjoy yourself. And do not forget Charing Cross (but hold onto your wallet!) Dave_n