December 13, Canberra, Australia
Up fairly early and off to embassy to apply for visa. Walked! Only took about an hour but then had to walk another hour to get money order to pay for visa ($119). About half the price of the US visas but more than the Australian visas.Amazing as even in morning the roads are not busy. Not a lot of traffic. Streets are great. Big wide multi lane with huge medians which are grassed and treed. Very nice.
Then walked into the city and to the tourist information. Another 1 1/2 hour walk. Got into a new hotel, but fairly expensive at $139 but not much else around and this was the cheapest. Government city causes this I am told.
Caught the bus back to other hotel to pick up my bag which made life easier, and then spent a hour down by the pool. Very nice. Sunny all day today which was great after all the rain the last few days. Not hot but still sunny, about mid 20s.
December 12, Canberra, Australia
Spent the day with friends in Lilydale. Actually did more shopping in morning and then just sat in back yard talking.Got a ride to airport in evening after a great dinner. Roast chicken.
Plane to Canberra is only about 1 hour.
Talked to the guy sitting next to me most of the trip. He had been to an ultimate frisbee tournament for the weekend and was on his way home. He was from North Queensland.
In the end he gave me a ride to my hotel. Great hospitality! His comments was that it would come around to him, and he is so right!
Was late.
December 9 to 11, Lilydale (suburb of Melbourne), Australia
Visiting friends. Great area which is really almost country! The city is about 1 hours drive from city centre and there are many gum trees and bush in the area.Spent one afternoon walking around the local lake. Man made but has some great park and picnic areas.
Went to birthday party one night. Great fun. Hilarious as I get so many comments about my name! Not hearing any new ones but still interesting.
Great time just catching up with friends.
I have not seen the 'kids' for 20 years, and at 26, 24 and 32 now, they have changed a lot. Great kids.
December 7 & 8, Melbourne, Australia
Staying with friends that live in the south part of the city. Great as access to city is nice here.
Took the tram down to my old shopping area. Many changes have gone on here. Many new cafes along the street and many have been dressed up and are very trendy looking. Good changes having said that. Surprised to see that Luna Park, an amusement park still is around. Walked back to house along the beach. So nice. Great beach area that runs all along the city.December 5 & 6, Melbourne, Australia
Slept in this morning until about 7.30 am! Too many late nights I guess.
Lazy coffee morning. Then out to yard to do some weeding.
Then watching the golf and cricket! The cricket not going so well so not on the tv as much! England up a lot!
Actually attended my first Xmas dinner! Was lucky enough to tag along with friends.
December 4, Melbourne, Australia
Another leisurely coffee and then off to the city.Stopped at the Queen Victoria Market. This has changed. Now many of the stalls are souvenir type things and not as much day to day living need things.
Then walked into the city and toward the Docklands area. This is a completely redeveloped area. This areas was used as the docking area for the Volvo race lay over. Very nice area with shops, apartments, bake shops, and coffee shops. But not many people are around as most of the stores have not opened yet.
Caught the tram to South Melbourne to meet up with the girls.
Then off to a dance recital of M's 8 year old daughter. The show was about 2 1/2 hours, and not too bad. They were very good about making the change to the next performance. A huge improvement I was told. The theatre was a great place for a small community theatre. The whole family was there and the younger ones where good about watching.
Back to the house for pizza.
Headed back to South Melbourne and R was in the house waiting. Or should I say keeping the cat company!
R gave me a ride back to N's.
The house in South Melbourne, 3 girls and a male cat. 3 people that I did not think that would ever get an animal, but have adopted a cat. Well the cat now rules the house and everything gets done for the cat. They talk more to the cat than each other!Concert
December 3, Melbourne, Australia
So nice to be having coffee with N again. Of course, catching up with everyone's lives and what has been going on over the years.
Then off to catch up with JC. Not sure why but going shopping with her and M. But I did not realize the 2 youngest boys were going as well. But turned out ok, the boys where good. 4 and 2 years old. After hours of shopping, finally got some lunch, and then off to another store! Bit more than what I was expecting.
Had a BBQ at friends of the girls out in Eltham. Took a bit to get there as the traffic was bad, but at least we were still moving. Took about 1 hour.
Arrived and got into the beers. Beer at the store can be on sale so have to watch. $29 for 24 of Corona! Regular is $49 (Canadian and Australian $ as close to the same)Great BBQ and good to see them again, although I do not remember meeting as was 20 years ago! We talked a bit about the New Years Eve party held in JW's parking lot under a tent! Met a lot of people then and now meeting some of them again, but I do not remember.
Got back to N's fairly late. Another late one!
Forgot how these guys are always on the go!
December 2, Melbourne, Australia
Arrived at about 7.30 am. Got some sleep but not a lot. JW picked me up and off to see her Mom. Great to see them. They have not changed a bit! Short visit and then off to South Melbourne as she had to get to work. While she did that I took a walk along the banks or The South Yarra. This whole area has been developed with high rises, conference centers, casino and apartment buildings. 20 years ago there were mostly warehouses, so it is a very nice change. They have gone very 'artsy' with sculptures everywhere and very modern buildings. Caught up with JC and P. None of them have changed a bit!
After lunch took a quick walk into the city. Walked along Bourke street which is where the office was. This street has not changed much at all. The Myers windows are still done up with the theme this year as the Nutcracker.Caught up with JC and P. None of them have changed a bit!
December 1, Melbourne, Australia
In the air, on the ground, on the way to Melbourne, Australia
Up early, but I guess to early as I woke up the guys in the lobby! HIlarious, they were sleeping on cots behind the desk and on the floor in the breakfast area! And the motorbikes were parked in the breakfast area as well. It was only 6 am
Took 1 hour to get to airport, and then entered into total chaos. Hanoi airport is really small and yet seemed very busy. A lot of people around.Short flight to Hong Kong, only 1 hour 20 minutes, but then had a 6 hour wait for flight to Melbourne. While taxiing in there was a A380 parked. It is huge and dwarfed all other planes.
Time went by fast as this is a shopping mecca! Every name brand you can imagine. I just looked. Had a coke and that cost HK$56 or $8. Ouch, and I was complaining about anything close to $1!!!!!
Airport is huge and the bonus is free wifi! Caught up on some emails.
Only an 8 1/2 hour flight from Hong Kong to Melbourne, no stops. Cathay Pacific has great service, lots of good food and FREE beers! Nice, so that makes the cheapest beers so far!
