Saturday, September 01, 2018

A Land Down Under

Today begins quite an adventure for me. In a few hours, I will take the first of three flights that will result in a trip to visit my brother, thundering36, in Melbourne, Australia. It's been several years since I have traveled far from the USA, and this trip will easily be the farthest.

The flight from San Francisco to Melbourne is a straight shot -- over 15 hours, almost completely over water. Mrs. lightning and I were debating whether it would be better to be eaten by sharks or munched on by miscellaneous ocean fish if the plane crashed. I think I would prefer feeding a group of many fish. I guess it's just my nature!

We've planned a few things for the trip. thundering36 and I will celebrate his birthday with a nice brunch buffet at the Crown Casino. Strangely enough, I think I'll find a little time for poker!

We also will be going to a footy game, which I am really looking forward to. I imagine the experience will be quite different than watching Australian Rules Football on television in the USA.

The real challenge of the trip will be driving on the opposite side of the car and the opposite side of the road. I'm gonna have to make sure I concentrate and don't do anything stupid.

I'll be staying for 11 days before heading back via Sydney and Dallas Fort Worth. It should be quite an adventure. I decided not to take a laptop computer, so I'll probably be communicating mostly via phone and social media.

Thanks for reading!

13 Comments:

Blogger pokerluckbox said...

I hope you have a great time!!

6:42 AM  
Blogger thundering36 said...

You're coming to visit me? Awwwww... shucks. Imagine Thursday evening at the Melbourne Cricket Ground(MCG) with over 90000 spectators! Too bad the Bulldogs won't be playing. Go Hawks!

6:43 AM  
Blogger Iron Mike Sharpe said...

Enjoy!

7:20 AM  
Blogger AgSweep said...

Safe travels! You'll do fine driving just pay attention when turning(get in the correct lane!). In New Zealand every time we turned there was a moment of hilarity when the windshield wipers came on instead of the turn signal.

8:41 AM  
Blogger Koala said...

If you get a chance call 0438 901 405, that's me. Just done the driving on the Other side of the road for 4 weeks in the USA. can be confusing. Enjoy.

8:57 PM  
Blogger Memphis MOJO said...

Have a great trip!

The real challenge of the trip will be driving on the opposite side of the car and the opposite side of the road.

A friend of mine told me that wasn't so bad. What he found confusing was when backing out of a driveway or parking spot.

12:11 PM  
Blogger thundering36 said...

Welcome to Melbourne, Australia!

1:30 PM  
Blogger Mr Subliminal said...

Enjoy! And don't forget to stir your coffee counterclockwise, otherwise it turns into tea.

8:58 PM  
Blogger lightning36 said...

The driving has been difficult. thundering's heart has stopped twice, I think. Everything is opposite. And I keep turning on the damn wipers that AgSweep mentioned.

11:11 PM  
Blogger Tony Bigcharles said...

weird how Koala wanted his phone number published here. almost as weird as someone not wanting to bring a computer.

6:29 PM  
Blogger Lester said...

As a pedestrian you need to look right instead of left when crossing the street too. Have fun!

9:47 PM  
Blogger Ace said...

Enjoy your trip! I had a similar driving experience in Cyprus few years ago. Roundabouts were tricky.

7:59 PM  
Blogger Koala said...

WTF are you talking about Tony? It was the only way I could get my Australian mobile number to him.

4:12 AM  

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