Backdoor Braggin'

• The nerve of the Sydney Tower! We'd only circumnavigated two-thirds of the city in their revolving tower-top bar when we realized that the world was no longer spinner around us, or vice versa, or the opposite. This meant that my friends Yian Yian, Dan, Lindsay, Derek and I were forced to get up and move from table to table in order to finish the grand-scale game of I-Spy, as well as my James Squire Amber Ale. What a drag!

• Ugh, I look like Rudolph (no, not the former mayor). My single application of sunblock must not have been strong enough once the sun pressed through in the early afternoon yesterday, leaving me with a bright red nose. It was probably the extended picnic  lunch (pictured) on the cliff top of the South Head entrance to Sydney Harbour (Port Jackson). Though I suppose it could have been the hike out to New South Wales' second-oldest functioning lighthouse, or the reflections off the water on the fast-ferry ride out to Watson's Point.

• Isn't burning the roof of your mouth simply the worst? Dining at Sea Baby on yummy Chinese soup during my friend Pieta's lunch hour the delectable dumpling burst flavour, along with intense heat, leaving my tongue in heaven and my mouth's roof in purgatory.

• A decade's streak ruined by the Taronga Zoo. Having worked up an appetite just watching the acrobatics of the seal and bird shows, I was in need of refueling. Snagged a veggie wrap from the cafe to rejuvenate myself for the three baby tigers, lions, giraffes and platypus, but not until after tearing off a huge bite with my teeth and swallowing it did my friend Shaista, with whom I was sharing the wrap, point out that it looked mightily like chunks of chicken in the wrap. Sure enough the label confirmed it, but the damage had already been done to this vegetarian.

•  Suffering for choices - at the Local Taphouse I could only drink one night's worth of beer from the twenty on tap (and additional twenty-one bottles, including two from Brooklyn Brewery). Not only that but Dan legitimately complained that they did formerly have more. Ok this isn't backdoor at all, it's simply marvelous and I wanted to share.

To(o) Lax

With the prospect of over 20 hours cooped up in a flying vessel ahead of me I wasn't too anxious to strap in early. Waiting for the first call for last call before boarding at Pearson, I was near the end of what had been a lengthy queue for a full flight. Arriving at my window seat I tried to show penance for having climbed over the two people to get there by reassuring them that boarding was almost complete. The wording of what I blurted out did the opposite of reassure them, as I asserted to my fellow airline passengers "The end is near." The rest of the flight was spent trying not to worry them by not saying much. Luckily there were Hollywood distractions on board my flight to LA - Gosling, Pitt and Clooney. Like I said, it was a packed flight!

Australia, The Rematch/New Zealand (February 2012)

Welcome to this double feature. Grab your popcorn, or more appropriately some of Stefan's Pies, and prepare to follow the adventure through this foreign feature.

A mere fourteen months ago I was returning from the underside of the world with visions of starfish and tales of even grander times to be had in New Zealand.

Not to mention my new-found appreciation for organized tours, and the parties that run hand-in-hand. Doing the quick calculation I realized at a rate of one Contiki tour a year I only had ten more opportunities before being age-discriminated out of eligibility. All of this combined with a yearning to see everything in the whole wide world, and additionally take a break from the Canadian winter, culminated in the planning of this trip. I couldn't very well travel all that way and not pop in to say hello to my Aussie and transplanted-Aussie friends (see you soon Lee, Shai, Yian Yian, Dan and Tegan!) so I'm starting in the familiar home of the kangaroo before breaking new ground with the kiwis.

Equipped with my new everything-proof camera and a desperate desire for a break following some intense months of work I'm setting off shortly to view every vista and soak up every ray of my month away. That being said, I may take the occasional moment to fill you in on what I've seen and done. Feel free to peek here from time to time and read all about it.

Next post from the other side!

Australian Video Review!

Five weeks in Australia simply flew by. Luckily I had my camera at the ready - at least for much of it - and this is the fruit of those pictures, handily packaged up in this video. Watch simply for the darling penguins, koalas, glimpse of a dolphin and even a shark! I'm packing a lot into 8 minutes so don't blink.



Great Australian (and American) music to boot!
- Architecture in Helsinki (Aus)
- The Boat People (Aus)
- Wavves (USA)

Roboroom

Shhhhhhweep goes the door as the green button is pressed. Opening upon a fairly clean commode I find this 'heaps' nicer than the last public washroom I'd turned down. I enter and press the inner green button - Shhhhwoop, the door closes behind me. A friendly voice from everywhere begins instructing me on how to go to the bathroom. The nicest touch however is when I take a seat and a full-piano version of What the World Needs Now (is Love, Sweet Love) begins playing for my enjoyment (and perhaps to muffle sounds to the outside world?). The song does not make up for the automated TP dispenser whirring and whirring without producing anything but noise (luckily I'd realized this ahead of time and had come prepared - hopefully the next 'bloke' did too!). The lack of soap from the laser guided dispenser was disappointing, but would have been forgiven if on the way out the room had sighed "Ahh, What a relief!"

It's Oh-vah

Finished up my east coast tour today which was bittersweet. Saying goodbye to all my new 'mates' was pretty difficult with the reality of not seeing many of them again. The tour itself was much different and so much more than I'd really come to expect, in all the best ways. I think I pretended I was still 18 while taking a couple of months off my lifespan in the process, and am sure that it was worthwhile. Highlights were many and came quick but sailing in the Whitsunday's, scuba & snorkelling the reef and today's bungy jump were all up there. Back in Sydney now just for a day and a half before the day-long travels back home (where I leave and arrive at about the same time due to time change). Hopefully I remembered to take the odd picture or two, but Facebook is sure to turn up a couple in the weeks to come... I worry I won't be quick enough for all the untagging that will likely need to be done...

Tiki

I've been Contiki-ing for a week and it feels like a month for the amount that has been packed into that time. Hence the lack of free moment to write quirky and interesting blog posts to you all. I'm more alive than ever, embracing the "you can sleep on the bus" mentality and running with it. The weather hasn't quite been the dream I'd hoped for but that hasn't put much damper on the party. And now that it has turned - hot and sunny now - I'm going to spend the next two days in the ocean dragging along behind the sailboat I'm partying, er sleeping on. Beyond that it is GBReef diving and WWRafting then trying to say goodbye to all my new friends!

Will have photos and stories for you when I'm home December 13th!

Non-Stop

Why did I leave such little time for the world-renowned city of Sydney? (Simple answer is I was loving Melbourne so much.) Since arriving and realizing how much there is to see and how short a time I'd allotted to see it in it has been a non-stop whirlwind tour. Luckily for me the sun and warmth has continuously been on my side for the first multi-day stretch of the trip (and only supposed to heat up from here).

Arriving bright and early I trucked it around (and by trucked it I mean hiked it) all over this fair city getting a full memory card worth of photographs of the iconic Opera House from every imaginable angle. Being welcomed by my gracious hosts after a full day of sight-seeing with a hearty dinner was more than I could have asked for.

Joined by Yian Yian the next day we walked the Harbour Bridge, ate at the market, toured museums, science centers (gotta go back still!), the observatory and more - and without a break met for drinks, dinner and more drinks in some of Australia's oldest pubs. The rooftop patio wasn't too shabby either.

Bright and early today was a hearty breakfast with another friend, Peita, from my brief frat house days in Vancouver before some fun in the sun. You'd think a day at the beach would be relaxing, but Dan doesn't like to sit still (and frankly neither do I) so the beach included snorkeling, body surfing, frisbee, and dinner+drinks at the Australian equivalent to the legion (overlooking the large crashing waves of the beach).

Alas this has turned into a 'What I did on Summer Vacation' post which I swore I wouldn't resort to. But there's no time to be creative and rewrite it - so this will have to also serve as an 'I'm alive and doing fine!' post too since I meet my two-week adventure tour an hour away from here tomorrow at seven in the morning (7 am) (0700h). Guess I can't complain.. just hope the kookaburra doesn't ruin my rest!

Impressed/Impressions

I've been ushered directly into a party. A confluence of music, culture, fashion, and bright spirits that everyone seems to have heard about. And I've skipped the queue.

Despite my shoddy clothes and hiking boots I've been offered the insider's tour, complete with food and drink and personal meetings. It began by entering the en vogue Melbourne neighbourhood of Carlton North, steps from Brunswick Street where all social ventures seem to revolve around meals and drinks. In that vein I've drank the local brew in the corner pub for dollar tacos, feasted at the impossible-to-get-a-table Moroccan restaurant, lunched at the $4 pizza hot spot with fashionable people beyond my understanding.

Perhaps most exciting for me is my introduction to the absolutely surging and dynamic Melbourne music scene. This has allowed me to drink with a singer in the band (The Boat People) before watching their show and then chat with him about their upcoming opening slot for Crowded House. In addition to that I've been sleeping in the music room of the former Isle of Man who is working on a new project as we speak (keep an ear out for Wilding). Browsing the Beat, Melbourne's local music mag, is like looking at Lee's personal daytimer as it is full of friend's bands playing around town and around the country.

All of this and still the chance to check out the local football club (soccer), Melbourne Heart, a day oggling penguin babies, sea-dragons and sharks at the aquarium, a bike ride/river paddle. Most hilarious was the 90's throwdown at the Town Hall full of unbuttoned, curly-haired (and I don't just mean that on his chest) characters, plus the angry grinding red-head, and the overly enthusiastic Zac Galifinakis dancing like it was 1999 all night long!

With the plethora of quirky little shops, tasty independent restaurants, grungy corner bars, talent-filled music halls and plenty of oddly dressed but outgoing people to frequent these places, it seems that Melbourne's party is going to go strong into the night and I'm just happy that I've gotten this opportunity to stop in for a drink.

Aussie Eyes (Pics!)

I haven't quite been able to give you 1000 words on everything that I've seen so here are a few highlight pictures to satiate your appetite until I return to Canada with a full-out slideshow. Feast your eyes on these!

- Darling, curious, Koala kub

- Kermit's well-deserved star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame
- Buzzzz

- What Australian photo blog would be complete without Kangaroos?

- Or their little Wallaby counterparts?
- Remarkable climb up the Remarkable Rocks

- Fur Seal Nap Time
- Comments needed!

Mel B.

Melbourne greeted me quite pleasantly at 6:15am with the sun streaming in as my overnight bus ambled over the bridge toward the large and bustling city. A megatropolis compared to Adelaide, Melbourne seems to be teeming with life and culture, business and people. Even more pleasantly following a relaxing day of sightseeing I was greeted by my good friend Lee who lives here with her boyfriend. She's been a most gracious host and I've already been welcomed by more sunshine, beer and a massive Moroccan feast with a slew of her friends. More of the same, plus gigs and bike rides and all sorts of fun awaits!

Itemized Animals *Updated*

Being on a new continent there are many things to see that I've never encountered before. More specifically there's a plethora of wildlife that I have/am going to/want to check out and to track all the new fauna I've decided to keep a list.

Kangaroo - Getting the most obvious out of the way first. This large, often upright, animal is in fact as abundant as deer are in Ontario - if not more so. Unlike many visitors my first encounter was NOT with roadkill, but was still from a moving vehicle as a few stood in a field as I whizzed by on my way to Kangaroo Island. These were only slightly more exciting than the taxidermied ones in the museum.
However on Kangaroo Island within only a couple of hours we went for a walk and rounding the first bush came upon a mother and her joey (out of the pouch). They were neat and not at all afraid, allowing us within 5 meters or so. Fun to watch, especially when moving along with their tails or hopping. Video to prove it!
Voted: Hoppiest.

Update Also spotted approximately 720m above sea level grazing in a group of five, including a Joey, at the top of Mount Lofty. The clouds clearing to offer a panoramic view of Greater Adelaide as I completed the ascent made the two hour hike up well worth it!

Wallaby - These lil guys resemble kangaroos but are much smaller and have less thick tails. Spotted EVERYWHERE on Roo Island they also let me approach quite close.
Voted: Most abundant, especially at night, resulting in many carcasses in the morning.

Birds - I don't particularly like birds so I'll lump them into a category of their own as there were a few notables. Bright red and green ones flying around mountainside, while in the parks and rivers there are aggressive and loud birds all over. Pelicans were in the river and were seen gorging themselves such that their throats were bulging out as if there were triplets stuck in there (a stork reference, I know). A massive Wedge-tail Eagle was displayed at a show while a darling and fluffy, white Barn Owl sat on my lap. (Truly! Albeit a trained one.)
Voted: Most colourful.

Koala - Perhaps the cutest these lazy grey balls were spotted perched only a few meters up in the trees. Not overly enthralling as most were caught during their 22 hour nap (each day) but the awake mother with her curious and cute baby clutched to her lap were stand-outs!
Voted: Cutest by far.

New Zealand Fur Seal - Playful creatures seen unknowingly getting washed off rocks by large waves through Admiral's Arch.
Voted: Silliest.

Sea Lions - Small cubs squawking and running out of the way of massive feuding males. Indifferent females rebuffing the buffoon male's approaches. All of this was seen from mere meters away as all of this went on around me. A sea lion even emerged from the bush right behind to saunter by casually.
Voted: Strongest.

Dugg - A most intelligent, vegetarian creature, often spotted on Kangaroo Island. With a red fuzzy face and dread-locked hair he was quite knowledgeable of other animals and really knew how to have a good time! Prepares a decent meal too.
Voted: Best guide.

Pictures to come! (I promise..some time)

Quotes and Questions

- "ARE YOU READY, sir, for the second coming of Jesus Christ?"
I had to laugh at the formality of the man thrusting a pamphlet at me on Hollywood Boulevard.

- Do Not Enter Bus Through Window
Is it really necessary to put this sticker on the public buses in Adelaide? Wouldn't the driver object to you boarding his lap anyhow?

- This is more of a reflection, but is it wrong that I came halfway around the world to go out drinking with a couple of Canadians? And a Kiwi.. that makes it okay, right?

How much more Australian could I really get than going to a place called Kangaroo Island tomorrow? Going to see sea lions, enjoy the Fairy Penguins fairy much, and most likely see my first live Kangaroo on his eponymous island!

RAd-elaide

Knowing that I am safely arrived in Adelaide after what I calculated to be 36 hours from door-to-door traveling (whew), you can all now rest as easily as I did last night. That despite the five other people in the dorm room and the one that kept attempting to start his chainsaw over and over. Wait.. for clarification he was snoring before any of you have HOSTEL the movie thoughts. Uh-oh now I'm thinking about it.. no sleep tonight I guess. Especially after touring the Old Adelaide Gaol this morning, site of 45 executions and many of their graves, and some of their ghosts!
The city is compact, and friendly. Plenty of great restaurants and walking paths and free museums and the like. Going to have a grand time here I believe. Tell you all about my exploits soon.

Arrived Down Under

I've made it.. sort of. Two flights in, two still remaining, but at least the 14+ hour whopper of LA->Sydney is behind me (as of ten minutes ago). The flight was manageable, kind of like one really, really long, somewhat sleepless night that in actuality took two days (silly international dateline). Only quick hops now on to Melbourne and direct transfer to Adelaide, then I get to work my way back here over land during the next few weeks.

LA was seen in a haste. Leaving the she-male on the subway (no amount of cover-up can cover that up..) I ran around the Walk of Fame trouncing on everyone from Faye Wray to Chevy Chase to Rush! Saw the Kodak and Chinese Theatres and some shady parts of Sunset Boulevard. Also scorched through downtown on foot by the library, city hall and old Walt's Music Hall (Disney that is). Most importantly I kept track of the HOLLYWOOD sign at all times.

So far so good. I haven't a clue what time it is anywhere despite what my three time-zone watch tells me, all I know is that it needs to be Shower-time, and soon!

Aussie Aussie Aussie, Oi Oi Oi!

Ah the land down under. How many cliches can I cram in?

With the good fortune of a couple months free before settling in I'm taking full advantage and doing some globe trotting. The decision of where to go wasn't too difficult to make. Where is the furthest possible place that will warrant a hefty chunk of time? Additionally where do I have friends that I'd love to catch up with? And where will the weather be sunny and bright just as the cold sets in on Ontario?

So off I go! Short notice but time is short. The hellish flight there will be broken up by a lengthy layover in LA. Sayin' hello to Hollywood! (Trying to look at it with a positive spin.) Then crossing the Pacific and hopping my way to Adelaide in the south where I will begin my overland route back along the coastal cities all the way up to Cairnes in the northeast. (See itinerary-> on the side for VIA points.)

Don't fret - I'll try to keep you in the loop via this here blog, and before you know it, bam, I'll be back before Christmas with many stories to tell (and more than likely a tan!)