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Published: February 1st 2011
Well...so begins the next chapter of this amazing journey. Australia first, then Vietnam and Cambodia, followed by Thailand, China and a grand finale in Japan.
During what appeared to be the longest flight on record for me (16 hours) in the largest plane (it had a second floor!) I have finally arrived in Melbourne, Australia. It was a bit of an inauspicious start...one hour into the flight, the gentleman next to me suddenly fell out of his seat onto the floor and passed out. I signalled a flight attendant who rushed over and all sorts of pandemonium ensued with oxygen tanks, tapping on his chest and people leaning out of their seats to see what was going on. The man on my right, was sound asleep and didn't even budge for a second. I was secretly praying that this was not some sort of omen of my trip to follow but when he was revived and maintained a cheerful disposition for the remainder of the flight I felt that all was well. One more hour on that plane and I might have collapsed for a different reason!!!
Melbourne is a lovely city. Despite the searing heat (it is 39
degrees Celsius today) I have done my own walkabout in an attempt to get to acquainted with this city located in the south. It is very cosmopolitan with a population of 3.5 million people. It is a very international city with many different cultures strongly represented throughout. It is also a city that uniquely blends old Victorian architecture with modern, futuristic elements. (They can co-exist you modernists of Toronto!!!) I am so charmed by everything and it is all so very civilized. Trams are provided free of charge to tourists in the central business district and a lovely waterfront exists to recover and shade oneself when the oppressive heat becomes too much.
Melbourne is a very cafe-oriented city with many lovely settings to choose from. I have yet to have a bad cup of coffee (and believe me, I've needed that caffeine nectar to keep me going with all of this jetlag nonsense!) Because of its international population there is an abundance of restaurant choices and let's face it, these Ozzie guys are not hard on the eyes!!!
Tomorrow I will go outside of the city on a tour of a nature reserve for koalas, kangaroos, and other
indigenous animals. The highlight of my tour will take place at sunset (9:00 here!) where we will be seated on bleachers and watch thousands of penguins come out of the ocean...a nightly ritual for these creatures as they settle on land for the evening. Being an animal lover I can't wait for this event and it will give me the real feeling that I am finally in the "Land of Down Under".
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Ted
non-member comment
Hay man, As a fellow teacher and traveller, I just want to say good luck and have fun. You're doing a wonderful thing.