The flight on Qantas:
Flying from LA to Brisbane on Qantas Airlines is an amazing experience, even in economy class, which I flew. Yes it is a 14 hour flight, but not only do they feed you incessantly (with free alcohol too), there are TV screens in front of every seat. I had a delicious Mahi Mahi dinner a bit after we left at midnight, and then watched a movie trying to stay up until until at least 10:00 pm Brisbane time (17 hour time difference from LA...1:00 am is 6:00 pm in Australia), and then
tried to sleep closer to when I would be sleeping the next day. You can pre-select your seat for $20.00--which is SO worth it. My row had no one else initially, but one of the passengers in the middle section took the window seat after take off (they allow you to move to any open seat after take off as long as you keep within your flight class). I had a nice aisle seat close to the rest rooms (which is a luxury, believe me!) . Legs bothered me a bit mid-flight so I kept doing deep knee bends, but the trip went by faster than I thought it would and checking in through Border patrol and then customs was quick: I was in the K9 row--so had a cute little beagle sniff by bag for 5 seconds and then I was out!
Australia was beautiful, the temperature (remember it is heading to winter there) was around 50 degrees. It was a clear blue sky. I arrived Friday, the 27th, at 6:45 am (we crossed the International date line somewhere in the Philippines). I am SO excited.
It's amazing who you run into in Australia.
Picture this... I refuse to exchange my money at the airport (they want 1.19 for 1.00) so I decide to wait until the city and use an ATM there (much better rate--$267 for $250)-- risking having no money for 20 minutes (or so I thought). My phone nor the internet on my computer works at this point as the international terminal did not have wireless. I decide to wait to pick up a track phone in the city---so I have no money & no phone. I also do not have Emily's new phone number (she had recently lost her phone)...no contact information. I immediately head over to AVIS and rent my car for the weekend--at a great rate $108 from Friday through Monday. I used my preferred card which has my setting pre-programmed (no insurance, noGPS). I I found out later that Amica does NOT cover outside the USA--so literally no insurance from my insurance provider. I had brought my GPS, but didn't have Australian maps...so no map. Luckily I had googled Emily's address and had directions..
I find my car and am on my way. No money, no phone, no GPS, no map--just directions written down from google maps. I get in car and there is no steering wheel--oh right..it's on the right. I get out and go to the other side. Wow, does it feel weird driving on the left. I negotiate the first ramp...stay on the left, that is the slow lane. Put on blinker...no, that's the lights, hm...blinker is on the right side of the steering wheel. Get to first round about. Go left, not right! Lots of traffic. As I go around a left hand corner my wheel hits the curb...need to stay closer to center line. My mind (remember NO sleep either) keeps thinking I am driving in America with the car on my right--but the car is on my left. Coming down street, there is a parked electric bus in my lane... I put on right blinker to change lanes... slowly now...cars in mirror, wait for them...swing around bus---BAM!!! OH #$%^&$! Left front wheel hits left corner of bus...wheel is bent and I can't drive the car.
I am only a few kms away from airport with no money, no phone, no car that's drivable, with 15 Australians looking at me as I walk into the bus and talk to the Driver. One says "How in heaven's name did you do that?" I tell everyone I am so sorry, and they are really nice. "It's not your fault--but when you get off a plane you really should take a taxi" another woman says, "no one thinks straight after a long plane ride". I say "It was totally my fault... I should NOT have rented a car".
The driver of the bus calls the tow company for me and is on his way with just a plastic bumper a bit ajar. Everyone on the bus bids me fair well and wishes me better luck. The tow operator arrives and offers me a trip back to the airport and I gladly say yes. He tells me some nice stuff to do in the city and some of his other interesting accidents. He was really nice too. We drive around the airport, he drops me off and I sheepishly make my way back to the Avis counter--I so did not want to face the Avis people (less than an hour later). However, they were really nice. Yes I did have to pay the $2600 Excess fee until my insurance is settled--remember, no Insurance--and they charged my card.
However from this point on the miracles begin to occur. They explain because I chose VISA, the 2600 will be covered "so no need to worry, mate". (I call VISA later, and not only do they cover the 2600 but are the PRIMARY insurance carrier for international rentals--so will cover EVERYTHING! I almost begin to tear up I am so relieved. )
A nice lady at the airport tells me about the train, so I buy a City train ticket ($15.00) and hop on the train. Wow! Nice train! So smooth. So bright. I am on my way by 9:30 am.
Brisbane & St. Lucia
I get off at the Roma Station and make my way to the third floor where you pick up the taxis. I ask the driver to take me to Emily's apartment at St.Lucia. We arrive and I try to give him a tip but he refuses. "You've been having a bad day--just give me the posted rate! Enjoy your stay sir!" Wow. I find my way to Emily's apartment door and start walking up--she is on the 5th floor. I walk up 5 flights --man those suitcases are heavy. I look up--the number says "2". Sigh...three more flights! Those suitcases are REALLY heavy. I trudge up the flights, setting the suitcases down every four or five steps...3...4 (one more)...5.. Yes! Totally exhausted I knock on her door. I am so glad to see her! "Dad, did you walk up all those flights with those suitcases? Why didn't you take the elevator?"....
There was an elevator?
Uni
After lunch we walk to the St. Lucia campus of the University of Queensland. What a beautiful campus. The students call it "Uni". Turkeys, magpies... spiders?
This University of Queensland Campus had amazing architecture.
The bush turkeys were everywhere!
Downtown Brisbane
We take the bus to Brisbane and get out down town. What a clean city! The school kids are just out of school in their uniforms. I tell Emily that it feels like I am at Hogwarts as there are many different schools, each with their different uniform styles.
Walking over the bridge to the carousel and the "fake beach" and the walk along the river.
Back across the bridge to the Botanical Gardens, and then back to where we started.
Byron Bay
Later that night (7:30) we caught the shuttle from Brisbane to Byron Bay arriving just after 9:30...I was going to drive, but I am so glad I didn't. It was about 2 hours south of Brisbane. Emily brought along her friend Manika. We stayed at Byron Central Apartments, which were very central, very clean, and quite economical. I wasn't quite up to staying at a hostel. The temperature rose to mid seventies and was quite pleasant I thought the ocean felt like bath water, but no one was swimming. It was winter remember!
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| People watching surfers below |
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| Emily made a new friend |
There was a really beautiful hike to the light house. The path went for about a mile along the coast.
This point at the end of this path was even more beautiful than it looks. Notice how the entire path is bricked.
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| Emily and Manika |
So far I have had an amazing and wonderful trip. A bit filled with adventure, but also filled with some of the nicest people I have ever met. I am so happy to be here.
On to Melbourne!
--Mike
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