Category: Trip

The flight was just as you’d expect, made bearable by the amazing customer service and the unusually comfy seat (for premium economy). Since I talked it up to anyone who’d listen, here’s a photo of my delicious fruit platter dinner:

I count eight types of fruit! It was all incredibly fresh and delicious too (especially the strawberries). But it didn’t stop there, since my second ‘snack’ meal was a special fruit version too:

The flight attendant probably thought I was a monkey since she randomly offered me (and it seems just me) a banana at one point as well 🙂

Anyway we arrived, and just in time since the currency/SIM card booths were closing as I reached them! The rain was also torrential and the taxi ride was quite an experience since the driver thought he was a formula one racer and cared not for the poor visibility! He even did a U-turn when he missed a street!

Dinner has been et, some important supplies bought, a bath had and it’s long past time for bed. At least it should be, but I just turned on the TV and this is starting:

Maybe I’ll stay up for a bit longer to see what it is 🙂

I’m at the airport waiting to board. The above is not my flight, but I can’t get a photo of my plane since it’s well hidden by a jet bridge.

I’m extremely tired and have very sore eyes, but I’m excited about the second half of this trip. I hope I can regenerate some energy on the flight!

Over eighteen days in Australia I did and saw a lot, and importantly spent a wonderful time with mum. I averaged just under 14k steps a day, which probably explains my exhaustion! It’s a good thing I’m immediately going on a second holiday to recover 🙂

The last Chomp has been eaten (except for the 8 in my suitcase), the last frozen coke drunk and the last postcard – from Oz – sent. Now it’s time for Japan!

I’m in Sydney for my last full day in Oz. Sue was nice enough to drive me down this morning, and I finished my packing and relaxed in my room through the afternoon until nightfall, at which it was time to go and see:

This is my third year of Vivid and I was looking forward to seeing some lights. The weather was mild and it was a very pleasant walk down to Circular Quay to see the bridge and Opera House. The crowds were busy but not as great as previous years.

As scheduled the lights came on as scheduled exactly at 6pm. I had arrived early and as you can see had a great spot, and as with the last two years I found the bridge the most impressive.

The projection on the Opera House seemed to be an animated story rather than the a series of varied images as previous years. I found this less interesting, but I liked the spotlights that shone up from behind the structure.

There were more building projections than ever, and the resolution of the projectors has become incredible. I watched the above building for about ten minutes and the images never repeated. They were so fluid and varied I wouldn’t be surprised if they were randomized in real-time. It was extremely impressive!

Other buildings nearby had equally impressive projections, and next to the above was a gigantic rectangular structure made of lights. I got closer and found it was a walk-thru installation (by Samsung) that looked dazzling but had a 1 one hour wait time! I didn’t wait 🙂

I spent about 90 minutes exploring all the lights in and near Circular Quay, and had so much fun I seriously considered heading to Darling Harbour to see what they had. However I’m very tired and had walked enough already, and it was time to return and relax since I have a big trip ahead of me tomorrow. It was a nice end to the Australia holiday.