Arrival in the Antipodes

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G'day Folks,

Remarkable but true, China Eastern Airlines got me all the way to Sydney - no hassles and pretty much on time.

No chickens on board either!

Food and accommodation on board OK, but not spectacular. Like most things in life, you get what you pay for.

Very impressed with the new airport in Shanghai (Pudong). Very post modern architecture. Probably the worlds cheapest duty free (200 Chinese fags - a bargain at US$8 - 4 quid).

Arrived early morning in Sydney at about 1100 hours - took bloody ages to get through customs, immigation and environmental. Managed to avoid the full rubber glove treatment (your call to Australian customs failed Dan).

New YHA Hostel in Sydney very swish. Converted from an old railway station - rooms are available in railway carriages kept in sidings. Airport railink takes you direct to the hostel (almost). Has a postage stamp sized swimming pool.

Spent the rest of the day walking down to circular quay doing the tourist thing - Sydney Harbour Bridge, the Opera House, buskers, The Rocks etc.

19th Nov.

virgin Blue flight to Ballina - met at airport by Dave Shaw; an Australian Veterinary Surgeon I met at a cricket test match in NZ some years ago.




OK folks - sorry not much excitement above - I'll work on it over the next few days.

Gaz out.

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