http://ozglot.homepie.org an American glotter's trip to the magical land of Oz Thu, 01 Jan 2009 00:52:57 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en I have returned to the land of my fathers. Plane touched down on time and friends picked me up on time. We rode to my friend Mickey's house in a silver minivan. Not a Mom's minivan, mind you, but somebody's work van. Much convenient for baggage and quite unexpected and ... http://ozglot.homepie.org/entry-named/back-in-the-usa/ That's right. No more Australia. It's slipping away as this is posted... goodbye, noble land of green and gold. I'm now up against more than half a day in a confined space---but will emerge butterfly-like from this intercontinental chrysalis a whole 4 hours younger. Honestly, how spiffy is that? Half of ... http://ozglot.homepie.org/entry-named/im-on-the-plane-right-now/ http://ozglot.homepie.org/entry-named/flying-away/ Wowza! It still rained! And I still went! Despite having no hat, no umbrella, and only a leather coat! How's that for determination? Still got up at 9:30, walked all the way there to the Circular Quay (which, by the way, isn't circular) and missed my ferry the first time, ... http://ozglot.homepie.org/entry-named/tah-ron-gah/ -33.875235 151.221614 It's raining today in Sydney. I'm trying to figger how to get into San Francisco so I can actually, you know, go home. It's too expensive and too late to get the flight directly into SFO. I can't book a connecting flight to San Fran at my travel agent's affiliate ... http://ozglot.homepie.org/entry-named/plan-a-but/ -33.881479 151.205059 So the past two days, since 5:30pm on Friday, I've been on the bus. Finally got off at around 6:30 this morning. For those of you trying to do the math, yes, that is 37 hours on the bus (minus three hours in Brisbane, collecting luggage---hoo-ray). It's not really as ... http://ozglot.homepie.org/entry-named/somewhere-else-entirely/ -33.875235 151.221614 http://ozglot.homepie.org/entry-named/opera-house-in-the-rain/ -33.856945 151.211572 Somebody, please. I have no idea and I have a week left. Put me on a bus. Just have it go south at some point because I know that's where I eventually have to end up. No, I don't feel like sailing, I wouldn't like an "eco-tour," I want to ... http://ozglot.homepie.org/entry-named/tell-me-where-to-go/ -20.269685 148.720036 That is, if I'd went on my originally scheduled flight. But no---I've bought myself another what, eight days? And what am I doing with them? Acting like I'm on vacation! Today started off unusually, although it certainly sounds like something I'd do. I ate a breakfast of coconuts. Coconuts, mind you, ... http://ozglot.homepie.org/entry-named/i-coulda-been-home-today/ -20.269685 148.720036 A sunny beach day, and nothing better to do but read a whole book sitting out there underneath the palms. The perfect setting to be absorbed. Mutant Message Down Under, by Marlo Morgan, isn't about mutants. It's about The Real People: atribe of ancient aborigines stalwartly unchanged by "civilized" society. To ... http://ozglot.homepie.org/entry-named/mutants-on-the-beach/ -20.267753 148.716645 A naturewalk in Airlie, let me say, takes awhile. You've go to get past the houses, first of all. And there seem to be a lot. Just follow that creek, past the construction noises, and eventually you'll end up in rainforest. http://ozglot.homepie.org/entry-named/a-naturewalk-in-airlie/ http://ozglot.homepie.org/entry-named/an-ants-nest-in-airlie/ After the dive shop signed my papers yesterday, a classic backpacker misadventure ensued. I hopped in a van going to Airlie Beach, cause, well, I had nothing better to do. Two travelling Czechs, Petr and Zdenka, were going in their 1979 Toyota Hi-Ace and had room. So I went. Another ... http://ozglot.homepie.org/entry-named/petr-zdenkas-wacky-van-adventure/ -20.269685 148.720036 I got off the boat yesterday around 5:00, and my head is still bobbing with the ocean waves. My ears have yet to fully equalize. I fell asleep around 6:30 dead tired. But damn, was it was worth it. The best part about the trip was the people on the boat. ... http://ozglot.homepie.org/entry-named/diving-dream-done/ -19.256661 146.821461 http://ozglot.homepie.org/entry-named/kid-witha-kite/ Diving tour has been booked. It was difficult to decide, because of the myriad options, the availability and seeming changability of information, not to mention the time I've got. I'm trying to stay cool, and enjoy my time as best I can. So I hae a new decision-making model. Essentially, ... http://ozglot.homepie.org/entry-named/diving-into-decision-making/ -19.258302 146.817899 Arrived here about 3:20 this afternoon. Checked into a nice hostel, the Globetrotter's (reminds me of Globtrekker's, and therefore Lonely Planet, which has become my sole reliable travel guide these last few weeks). Have slightly more money than anticipated, perhaps even enough if I manage to get some temop job ... http://ozglot.homepie.org/entry-named/townsville-it-is/ -19.259861 146.822705 Yes. You heard it here first. I'm all over this place but that's because there are no directional signs in Brisbane. So, I'm literally all over the place. I had to cut through parkland last night just to find my way back to the hostel. And don't even get me ... http://ozglot.homepie.org/entry-named/brisbane-is-kinda-hectic/ -27.468088 153.025324 Cleaned out apartment on Monday---technically checked out, but stayed there. Just stowed my impressive luggage collection back at the Friendly Backpacker and've returned the last library books of my time in Melbourne. It's a bittersweet thing, leaving the city. Gah! there's still so much I feel I want to do. ... http://ozglot.homepie.org/entry-named/last-day-melbourne/ -37.809708 144.96461 As of not too long ago, I've got myself a ticket to Brisbane and a hostel for that night. Total cost: AU$135—which is good, cause as you may know I don't have that much AU$ left. The flight gets in at 11:00 at night on Tuesday. From there, maybe the ... http://ozglot.homepie.org/entry-named/queensland-confirmed/ -37.816556 144.954021