Ok, my first day exploring Oz... I started with a non-impressive breakfast (as usual for hostels) then went on a search for a phone and a non-instant coffee. While I didnt find a vodaphone, I did find a bagel and coffee shop. Where I ordered a 'tall black' or large americano. It was delightful :) Which reminds me that I had an amazing mocha at the airport from gloria jeans. Yay for a country that isn't screwing up my basic need of caffeine...oh I even saw a place that called themselves a 'caffeine distributor', Brillant! I might try that tomorrow. Since I couldn't find a phone place, I came back to the hostel to look it up online.
Found one and headed downtown. I walked by the Melbourne Museum which is next to the beautiful Royal Exhibition Building. I found my phone at the post office of all places...then again it was at this point that I learned my natural compass is still set to the northern hemisphere which meant when I felt like I needed to turn right I probably needed to turn left. I am just getting used to it, that and the fact I need to look the 'other' way before crossing the street. After getting some yummy lunch I figured that I could go check out the Aus Open grounds. So I enjoyed a jaunt through town (even found a Harry's Bar as every good town does) and found my way along batman expressway (seriously) to the grounds. It was definitely a great day to be outside :)
After deciding to not buy anything for today I took a walk through the kings and queens gardens enjoying all the beauty and then into the National Gallery of Victoria. The art that I saw was amazing, but I didnt have enough time to see it all. Then I went next door to the Arts Center where I took a self guided tour of all the art there, oh and there was a special exhibit for AC/DC as they are Melbourne boys :)
A BBQ later and I'm watching some tennis and relaxin for now :)
Friday, January 29, 2010
Thursday, January 28, 2010
I made it...finally...to Oz
Now its not like I've seen a kangaroo or anything quite that exciting, but I did experience the commute from Sydney to Melbourne with all the businessmen (and women, but mostly men in pinstripes). And I'm here...finally.
So nothing interesting to report, other than I have officially crossed the international dateline. Although, it wasn't very dramatic...at one point it was the 27th (when I left Hawaii at least) then It was the 28th when I landed, and not midnight or anything like that. Thanks to a canceled flight yesterday our flight was quite crowded, but they offered us free food and drinks (not JetStars norm) for both meals. And then on the Quantas flight from Sydney I got free food again. I think I had like four meals on this long day.
I did make some amusing notes on human behaviors while traveling.... 1) everyone wants to be first on and first off, but the funny thing is, it doesn't really change the time when you get to your final destination...seriously! 2) Baggage claim is even worse. Everyone thinks that obviously their bags were the first off so they crowd around the carousel so that when your bag does show up you have to push and shove your way through the crowd to get to it (if you're lucky and don't miss it). 3) This may just be me, but I love candies in foreign countries the wrappers, the names, it just makes me want to try them all...oh and the same goes for books except that its more the titles and what books they emphasize that interests me. Ok, these are major break throughs its just yet another thing that stands out on a trip like this where I have no time constraints or stresses.
Oh and I'd just like to add that I think its mildly boring to be sitting in my hostel watching the Oz Open when its mere miles away...but the seats are darn expensive so I don't blame us.
Well hugs & kisses from Down Under!
So nothing interesting to report, other than I have officially crossed the international dateline. Although, it wasn't very dramatic...at one point it was the 27th (when I left Hawaii at least) then It was the 28th when I landed, and not midnight or anything like that. Thanks to a canceled flight yesterday our flight was quite crowded, but they offered us free food and drinks (not JetStars norm) for both meals. And then on the Quantas flight from Sydney I got free food again. I think I had like four meals on this long day.
I did make some amusing notes on human behaviors while traveling.... 1) everyone wants to be first on and first off, but the funny thing is, it doesn't really change the time when you get to your final destination...seriously! 2) Baggage claim is even worse. Everyone thinks that obviously their bags were the first off so they crowd around the carousel so that when your bag does show up you have to push and shove your way through the crowd to get to it (if you're lucky and don't miss it). 3) This may just be me, but I love candies in foreign countries the wrappers, the names, it just makes me want to try them all...oh and the same goes for books except that its more the titles and what books they emphasize that interests me. Ok, these are major break throughs its just yet another thing that stands out on a trip like this where I have no time constraints or stresses.
Oh and I'd just like to add that I think its mildly boring to be sitting in my hostel watching the Oz Open when its mere miles away...but the seats are darn expensive so I don't blame us.
Well hugs & kisses from Down Under!
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
dive certified and ready to go
Well, it has been quite an interesting few days here in Hawaii. For starters I am now PADI dive certified :) I also have more than just plain white to my skin tone :) And I'm getting used to living out of a backpack.
Yesterday was all diving... Roger, at Cool Blue Scuba, taught me all the skill and stuff that I need to know for diving. Then we went out on his sailboat into the harbor for some quality time at the Turtle carwash... We saw our first turtle while we were looking for the buoy to hook to before deciding to just drop anchor. Then when we went down to the bottom we saw lots of fish, coral, more turtles and even an eagle ray. The rest of the day was consumed with doing my homework for the certification...oh and a nice run :)
Today was not a very nice weather day for diving, but Roger took me to a lagoon where we could finish practicing the skills needed to complete my certification. After the two short dives to do that I was on my own, so I set off doing some random activities including getting some stuff out of my bag and sending it home, going to BWWs for lunch (can you believe they have it here, but we don't have one in Seattle?!?!), then hangin at the beach and reading. When the wind got to be too much to handle I came back to the hostel to change and then I went for another delightful run (about 5 miles this time) and now its raining so there's not much more fun to be had.
Tomorrow its off to OZ, yay!!!
Here's a link to my pictures so far :) (ok, I had problems with the pics hence the late posting, but they are at http://annemariemills.shutterfly.com/ and when I get to post more they will be added there as well)
Yesterday was all diving... Roger, at Cool Blue Scuba, taught me all the skill and stuff that I need to know for diving. Then we went out on his sailboat into the harbor for some quality time at the Turtle carwash... We saw our first turtle while we were looking for the buoy to hook to before deciding to just drop anchor. Then when we went down to the bottom we saw lots of fish, coral, more turtles and even an eagle ray. The rest of the day was consumed with doing my homework for the certification...oh and a nice run :)
Today was not a very nice weather day for diving, but Roger took me to a lagoon where we could finish practicing the skills needed to complete my certification. After the two short dives to do that I was on my own, so I set off doing some random activities including getting some stuff out of my bag and sending it home, going to BWWs for lunch (can you believe they have it here, but we don't have one in Seattle?!?!), then hangin at the beach and reading. When the wind got to be too much to handle I came back to the hostel to change and then I went for another delightful run (about 5 miles this time) and now its raining so there's not much more fun to be had.
Tomorrow its off to OZ, yay!!!
Here's a link to my pictures so far :) (ok, I had problems with the pics hence the late posting, but they are at http://annemariemills.shutterfly.com/ and when I get to post more they will be added there as well)
Sunday, January 24, 2010
80 & sunny
Ahhhhh, finally somewhere warm :) it was a little questionable looking when I landed in Honolulu but the sun came out and it was beautiful!
I'm here in Hawaii for 3 days before I head to Oz, finally, on a paid ticket. Tomorrow I'm starting my dive classes so that I can get my certification before going to the Great Barrier Reef. Today I didn't do much but I spent some time on the beach, watched the end of the Saints game, Go Drew!! Then the best thing happened, as I was watching the sunset I realized they had set up for a hula show. It was awesome! They had the cutest girl dancing the hula and then they taught us how to do it too!
Nothing else too crazy, just enjoying my time away from work (its been over a month now!).
Hugs & Kisses:)
I'm here in Hawaii for 3 days before I head to Oz, finally, on a paid ticket. Tomorrow I'm starting my dive classes so that I can get my certification before going to the Great Barrier Reef. Today I didn't do much but I spent some time on the beach, watched the end of the Saints game, Go Drew!! Then the best thing happened, as I was watching the sunset I realized they had set up for a hula show. It was awesome! They had the cutest girl dancing the hula and then they taught us how to do it too!
Nothing else too crazy, just enjoying my time away from work (its been over a month now!).
Hugs & Kisses:)Monday, January 18, 2010
To Oz via Hawai
Ok, so I have spent my day trying to figure out my best bet to get to down to Australia and I think I've found it.
I'm going to Honolulu :) 80 degrees, sunny and on the beach. I think I'm going to head out on Wednesday and my flight to Melbourne is on the 27th. Anyone want to join me? Mom said I could use some buddy passes and the flights are wide open if you want to come...even just for the weekend...you know you want to ;)
and that's really all I've got for now!
I'm going to Honolulu :) 80 degrees, sunny and on the beach. I think I'm going to head out on Wednesday and my flight to Melbourne is on the 27th. Anyone want to join me? Mom said I could use some buddy passes and the flights are wide open if you want to come...even just for the weekend...you know you want to ;)
and that's really all I've got for now!
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Grrrrrrr
Ok, so I was supposed to be in Oz by now.... but the flight gods are not working with me at this point. I spent last night in an airport because there were not enough seats for me to go to Sydney. This is the downside of flying standby though. Tonight looked even worse so I flew back home to figure out what I'm going to do because the flights to Sydney aren't looking good anywhere down the road.
So Seattle, I need some coffee and a flight plan. Any recommendations for Sao Paulo, Key West, Amsterdam, Lima, Tokyo or heck, anywhere else that Delta can take me? I'm really only prepared for warm weather though....I'll keep you posted.
So Seattle, I need some coffee and a flight plan. Any recommendations for Sao Paulo, Key West, Amsterdam, Lima, Tokyo or heck, anywhere else that Delta can take me? I'm really only prepared for warm weather though....I'll keep you posted.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
a little more time in the states
so today's flight to Sydney was looking a little on edge and I wasn't able to get rid of my car yesterday or a few other things that need to get done before I left .... which means I'm going to wait a few more days before leaving the country.
this all is going to allow me to get my ducks properly in a row (instead of just in the same pond) before leaving and also allows me to leave without anything hanging over my head :)
but today I made good steps, I gave my car to someone who really needs it and that felt good. much better than selling it to some doof that really just wants to make money off of it. I'm happy that I was able to help my neighbor out in a very real way.
I also think I figured out my tax extension form...you'd think its not hard, but without my W2 its just not easy to guess if I'm going to owe taxes or get money back... so anyways, enough about my little dramas.
And finally its final packing time. I'm pretty ready just the final narrowing down and walkabouts to check weight.
YAY!!! thanks for those who have sent good wishes I'm holding on to them as I continue to prepare to leave :)
this all is going to allow me to get my ducks properly in a row (instead of just in the same pond) before leaving and also allows me to leave without anything hanging over my head :)
but today I made good steps, I gave my car to someone who really needs it and that felt good. much better than selling it to some doof that really just wants to make money off of it. I'm happy that I was able to help my neighbor out in a very real way.
I also think I figured out my tax extension form...you'd think its not hard, but without my W2 its just not easy to guess if I'm going to owe taxes or get money back... so anyways, enough about my little dramas.
And finally its final packing time. I'm pretty ready just the final narrowing down and walkabouts to check weight.
YAY!!! thanks for those who have sent good wishes I'm holding on to them as I continue to prepare to leave :)
Friday, January 8, 2010
tired...so tired of packing
It's been a while, so here's what I've been up to...PACKING!!!!
I have been packing for days...and I'm so very tired of it, but its almost done. Movers are coming on Sunday to move the big stuff. And then very shortly I will be on my way :)
This weekend I get to celebrate with my friends and I'm super excited to see everyone! And then I get to finish up the packing....whoo hooo :-P
Nothing terribly interesting I'm afraid, but just you wait...one week and I'll be talking to you from Australia :-D
I have been packing for days...and I'm so very tired of it, but its almost done. Movers are coming on Sunday to move the big stuff. And then very shortly I will be on my way :)
This weekend I get to celebrate with my friends and I'm super excited to see everyone! And then I get to finish up the packing....whoo hooo :-P
Nothing terribly interesting I'm afraid, but just you wait...one week and I'll be talking to you from Australia :-D
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