Saturday, November 29, 2008
Franz Josef Glacier 11-30-2008
My keyboad on my PDA is giving me problems - about 5 of the keays aren't working so I am just going to post a few photos. We continue to have a great time a we are seeing some of the best scenery in the world. Most of it is between 2,000 and 6,000 feet so Kathy is not having any health issues to speak of. We drove to Milford Sound, on the way back hiked Key Summit (it was like being in the alps. Then we spent 10 hours driving north and wound up a the Fraz Josef Glacier which start just a few hundred feet above sea level here aon the coast. I went on a guide hike up into the glacier, crampons, ice axes, ropes the whole thing with about 13 others. Hiking a glacier is one of the things you should do if you are able before you die. Here are photos
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
11-26-08 Underwear, Doubtful Sound
11-26-08
Ta Anui, woolen tee's, cold, fjord land, Queenstown cluster: Yesterday we put in 4.5 hours of driving in. The drive wasn't that long 150 miles but it was pretty spectacular, big gorges, mountains rising fro lakes. We drove from Wanaka to Queenstown.
Q was a real cluster crowded congested confusing. Every place calling itself the extreme activity center, after 10 min I said we have to get ot of here. That said it must have been beautiful before all of this, the natural setting is dramatic.
Mike and Maggie
Our hosts Mike and Maggie told us that Doughtful Sound not the traditional Milford Sound was the trip to do, so we are going on that today $520NZ about $300uS not cheap. We have a boat ride across a lake transfer to a bus arrive at the sound and then a 3 hour cruise. The weather has been by Vegas standards terrible, rainy, windy and 50 degrees - welcome to summer on the south island. I want the cloud ceiling to rise so we get those postcard views but it will be what it will be.
underwear-tee shirts: since I was here last time I have wanted to get a couple of wool crew tee's. This time I scored. Everyone here raves about their woolen light weight shirts - you can apparently hike in the for 4 days before you start to smell. I couldn't find them on my last trip this time they were in large supply in the outdoor stores. I ran in one yesterday and it is true, not only that, I washed it in the sink last night and it is dry this morning-perfect. Icebreaker is the brand check it out on the Internet if your interested.
Ta Anui, woolen tee's, cold, fjord land, Queenstown cluster: Yesterday we put in 4.5 hours of driving in. The drive wasn't that long 150 miles but it was pretty spectacular, big gorges, mountains rising fro lakes. We drove from Wanaka to Queenstown.
Q was a real cluster crowded congested confusing. Every place calling itself the extreme activity center, after 10 min I said we have to get ot of here. That said it must have been beautiful before all of this, the natural setting is dramatic.
Mike and Maggie
Our hosts Mike and Maggie told us that Doughtful Sound not the traditional Milford Sound was the trip to do, so we are going on that today $520NZ about $300uS not cheap. We have a boat ride across a lake transfer to a bus arrive at the sound and then a 3 hour cruise. The weather has been by Vegas standards terrible, rainy, windy and 50 degrees - welcome to summer on the south island. I want the cloud ceiling to rise so we get those postcard views but it will be what it will be.
underwear-tee shirts: since I was here last time I have wanted to get a couple of wool crew tee's. This time I scored. Everyone here raves about their woolen light weight shirts - you can apparently hike in the for 4 days before you start to smell. I couldn't find them on my last trip this time they were in large supply in the outdoor stores. I ran in one yesterday and it is true, not only that, I washed it in the sink last night and it is dry this morning-perfect. Icebreaker is the brand check it out on the Internet if your interested.
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Wanaka Day 3
Wanaka day 3: Things are going fairly well. Kathy took a spill on the art bike ride hurt her hip area, and then last night she stumbled as she got out of bed and went down on it again.
The last couple of days we have been going on walks and hikes.
Yesterday was particularly interesting. We hiked to the base of the Rob Roy Glacier. On or way to the trailhead we were faced with about 10 stream crossings. We have a worn out passenger car and I did not want to cross them. At the first we stopped and we were prepared to park, then two young guys in a similar car drove up took a look and did it. I looked at Kathy and she said what the heck. We did it and while I was nervous at every other ford we made it. When we drove back in the rain we picked up a Swiss couple who had parked there and decided to walk instead of risking it.
It was about a 4.5 hour hike with a 20 minute stop at the top. Kathy did pretty well. To her credit she does not complain - she gets it done. I let her set the pace and followed. We went up a valley which contained a couple of ecosystems; I would say we climbed about 2500 feet. At certain points it was very jungle like. I was raining lightly when we returned to the car. I wanted to get out before the streams rose.
The best way to describe the pristine nature of the area – it is like we are traveling in an environment similar to what Lewis and Clark found with bed and breakfast.
Last night we had pizza at a very cool rock building with a fireplace.
We rented a video recommended by our hosts - Once we were Warriors. It was about a lower class Maori family - it was brutal. These guys are the ultimate mocho guys. Although I was tired I could not fall asleep until the end.
The last couple of days we have been going on walks and hikes.
Yesterday was particularly interesting. We hiked to the base of the Rob Roy Glacier. On or way to the trailhead we were faced with about 10 stream crossings. We have a worn out passenger car and I did not want to cross them. At the first we stopped and we were prepared to park, then two young guys in a similar car drove up took a look and did it. I looked at Kathy and she said what the heck. We did it and while I was nervous at every other ford we made it. When we drove back in the rain we picked up a Swiss couple who had parked there and decided to walk instead of risking it.
It was about a 4.5 hour hike with a 20 minute stop at the top. Kathy did pretty well. To her credit she does not complain - she gets it done. I let her set the pace and followed. We went up a valley which contained a couple of ecosystems; I would say we climbed about 2500 feet. At certain points it was very jungle like. I was raining lightly when we returned to the car. I wanted to get out before the streams rose.
The best way to describe the pristine nature of the area – it is like we are traveling in an environment similar to what Lewis and Clark found with bed and breakfast.
Last night we had pizza at a very cool rock building with a fireplace.
We rented a video recommended by our hosts - Once we were Warriors. It was about a lower class Maori family - it was brutal. These guys are the ultimate mocho guys. Although I was tired I could not fall asleep until the end.
Friday, November 21, 2008
Wanaka New Zealand 11-22-08
The ride to Wanaka, staying at a stone guest house: We took Nikki's advice and headed west to a place called Wanaka about 50 kilometers north of Queenstown. Nikki recommended it over the more popular destination. The guide books call it the new version of old Queenstown - smaller and less congested with access to all that the other has to offer.
It was like driving in southern Colorado - the roads were flat and there was farming. This is totally different from the north island, which is more fern jungle and lush.
The ride over took about 6.5 hours - not short. When we arrived as is our custom we went to the "I" center to find accommodation.
Kathy asked for the usual motel but at this point I had it with motels so I said we were looking for more intimate accommodations’ where we could meet our hosts. The lady went to the wall with all of the brochures and came back with several. We chose one a two unit set up for 4 nights. Turns out it was a great choice. We are staying in a stone guest house on the edge of Lake Wanaka with a New Zealand couple about our age that built the place and like to drink red wine and tell stories. This is the kind of thing you look and hope for on the road - people who are local who can guide you during your visit.
The weather continues to be a bit blustery - cloudy and cool. We will see what the day brings, maybe some bike riding or a hike.
Later
It was like driving in southern Colorado - the roads were flat and there was farming. This is totally different from the north island, which is more fern jungle and lush.
The ride over took about 6.5 hours - not short. When we arrived as is our custom we went to the "I" center to find accommodation.
Kathy asked for the usual motel but at this point I had it with motels so I said we were looking for more intimate accommodations’ where we could meet our hosts. The lady went to the wall with all of the brochures and came back with several. We chose one a two unit set up for 4 nights. Turns out it was a great choice. We are staying in a stone guest house on the edge of Lake Wanaka with a New Zealand couple about our age that built the place and like to drink red wine and tell stories. This is the kind of thing you look and hope for on the road - people who are local who can guide you during your visit.
The weather continues to be a bit blustery - cloudy and cool. We will see what the day brings, maybe some bike riding or a hike.
Later
New Zealand 11-21-08
Christchurch lives up to its reputation: I did an 11k run from the motel downtown and around the 2 large parks that form the western side of the area. The school kids are always learning cool outdor skills and involved in sports. Here is a practice rope swing to a ledge.
A cricket practice
The weather was cool and overcast. I wound up as I do when things are working right at major features, the museum of natural history -sounds like a sleeper right. They had some great scenes of Maoris killing the giant moa birds now extinct. There was a teacher who was explaining the early years of Maori and Europeans. The early settlers brought with them their animals including their bird’s cats and rabbits which fared well but did a lot of damage.
Later in the day we went back to the arts center - got so e free bikes and road the park, went to the botanical garden, road the river, back to the museum, dropped off the bikes, to the bar across the street and then back to the museum for some free wine and a band concert. All of the attractions with the exception of the bar were free. This city appreciates its inhabitants!!!
As usual we saw any kids with instructors learning how to ford rivers on a zip line, swing on ropes to cross obstacles and playing sports such as cricket, very cool. All of them had their school sport coats and ties on, shorts and long socks.
A cricket practice
The weather was cool and overcast. I wound up as I do when things are working right at major features, the museum of natural history -sounds like a sleeper right. They had some great scenes of Maoris killing the giant moa birds now extinct. There was a teacher who was explaining the early years of Maori and Europeans. The early settlers brought with them their animals including their bird’s cats and rabbits which fared well but did a lot of damage.
Later in the day we went back to the arts center - got so e free bikes and road the park, went to the botanical garden, road the river, back to the museum, dropped off the bikes, to the bar across the street and then back to the museum for some free wine and a band concert. All of the attractions with the exception of the bar were free. This city appreciates its inhabitants!!!
As usual we saw any kids with instructors learning how to ford rivers on a zip line, swing on ropes to cross obstacles and playing sports such as cricket, very cool. All of them had their school sport coats and ties on, shorts and long socks.
New Zealand 11-20-08
New Zealand Days 1-2: Landed shortly after ,midnight a couple of days ago. The flight over was 3 hours, it went well, good movie. The room we got was pretty dingy, but when we woke up the daylight revealed that it was clean - that is a huge issue for Kathy. When we rolled out I asked if we could stay another night - they were completely booked with a waiting list - so it was back to finding accomodation. I walked down the street to the bank to get some NZ cash and found a great place for $130 NZ at .59 exchange rate it is about $70 US.
One of the things that I haven't mentioned yet is the fact that residential architecture in both Australia and New Zealand is far superior to the US. I don't know how they teach this in their architecture schools but they know what they are doing. They are especially good at dealing with the details and demensions of the craft. They custom design a lot more of the work - they don't go to the catalogue - pick standard parts(railings ie) out and then try to piece them together. By having an in depth appreciation and knowledge of materials they design things that are not over structured (things are sized to carry the load not twice as big as they should be just because that is what is available off the shelf). I am jellous. Here when you hire an architect to work on the design of your small building you really get something.
Yesterday we picked up the hired vehicle at juicy rentals, a place Nikki recommended. This place features older cars at cheap prices. We will be paying around $400 US for 3 weeks. We got a 96 toyota something or other. It has a cassette player. We had to bring the original rental back because the brakes were squeeking. Oh well it is cheap and in some ways a car is a car.
We started touring the city a bit it is very beautiful - green many parks and open spaces. The kids in schools all have uniforms and in Christchurch they include a sport coat for both girls and guys with shorts for guys and a skirt for the girls.
There is talk here of bad times but you don't see the signs like the US. It is more fear that reality for these folks.
Last night we filled up the spa tub and had the best bath I have had in years. We have a spa tub at home but our water heater was not sized to meet the tub requirements so we never use it- see what I mean about architects.
Tomorrow we will be taking off somewhere, we don't have a plan yet. The sea coast is to the east - wine country to the north - and the fojords and outdoor stuff to the west and south. Right now I am thinking west and south. I think I will try to locate a bicycle shop and see if there are any events going on that I could jump into.
Later,
One of the things that I haven't mentioned yet is the fact that residential architecture in both Australia and New Zealand is far superior to the US. I don't know how they teach this in their architecture schools but they know what they are doing. They are especially good at dealing with the details and demensions of the craft. They custom design a lot more of the work - they don't go to the catalogue - pick standard parts(railings ie) out and then try to piece them together. By having an in depth appreciation and knowledge of materials they design things that are not over structured (things are sized to carry the load not twice as big as they should be just because that is what is available off the shelf). I am jellous. Here when you hire an architect to work on the design of your small building you really get something.
Yesterday we picked up the hired vehicle at juicy rentals, a place Nikki recommended. This place features older cars at cheap prices. We will be paying around $400 US for 3 weeks. We got a 96 toyota something or other. It has a cassette player. We had to bring the original rental back because the brakes were squeeking. Oh well it is cheap and in some ways a car is a car.
We started touring the city a bit it is very beautiful - green many parks and open spaces. The kids in schools all have uniforms and in Christchurch they include a sport coat for both girls and guys with shorts for guys and a skirt for the girls.
There is talk here of bad times but you don't see the signs like the US. It is more fear that reality for these folks.
Last night we filled up the spa tub and had the best bath I have had in years. We have a spa tub at home but our water heater was not sized to meet the tub requirements so we never use it- see what I mean about architects.
Tomorrow we will be taking off somewhere, we don't have a plan yet. The sea coast is to the east - wine country to the north - and the fojords and outdoor stuff to the west and south. Right now I am thinking west and south. I think I will try to locate a bicycle shop and see if there are any events going on that I could jump into.
Later,
Australia 11-17-2008
Here we are on Phillip Island south of Melbourne. We drove in from Apollo Bay yesterday. Beautiful drive along the Great Ocean Road. This road is lined with great surfing locations - better than California for sure and they aren't crowded. We stopped in a town named Loren when we saw about 70 people on the beach. It turns out they were there for an adventure race practice. They were going to start the practice with a 1200 yard swim -I almost jumped in for the swim but we had a ways to go to get to the island. We took a ferry from Queenscliff to Serento avoiding Melbourne streets.
As is our custom we always stop at the "I" Information building, to line up accomodation and in this case we made arrangements to see the penguin march. This takes place along a beach on the south part of the island at about7:30 pm.
We wound up renting a cabin in what the call a camper van park. The cabin is a nice little prebuilt mini building, new a very comfortable.
By this time it was 4:00 I was tired of driving and ready to get in the cold water and see if I could still swim. I put my wet suit on and went for a 50 minute swim, keeping an eye out for shark fins. I know there aren't any but when you are by yourself in strange cold waters you always have a uneasy feeling. The swim felt great.
This morning the news reported on a huge storm north at Brisbane and Sydney 180,000 homes without power.
The economic downturn is on all the news station, but from what I can tell it really has not hit here. The big concern is that if China slows down then it will effect the country. So US purchases of Chineese goods is how our economy will effect Australia.
The weather has been cool sweater and jacket weather with periods of sun.
As is our custom we always stop at the "I" Information building, to line up accomodation and in this case we made arrangements to see the penguin march. This takes place along a beach on the south part of the island at about7:30 pm.
We wound up renting a cabin in what the call a camper van park. The cabin is a nice little prebuilt mini building, new a very comfortable.
By this time it was 4:00 I was tired of driving and ready to get in the cold water and see if I could still swim. I put my wet suit on and went for a 50 minute swim, keeping an eye out for shark fins. I know there aren't any but when you are by yourself in strange cold waters you always have a uneasy feeling. The swim felt great.
This morning the news reported on a huge storm north at Brisbane and Sydney 180,000 homes without power.
The economic downturn is on all the news station, but from what I can tell it really has not hit here. The big concern is that if China slows down then it will effect the country. So US purchases of Chineese goods is how our economy will effect Australia.
The weather has been cool sweater and jacket weather with periods of sun.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Phillip Island
11-17-2008
Here we are on Phillip Island south of Melbourne. We drove in from Apollo Bay yesterday, beautiful drive along the Great Ocean Road. This road is lined with great surfing locations - better than California for sure and they aren't crowded. We stopped in a town named Loren when we saw about 70 people on the beach. It turns out they were there for an adventure race practice. They were going to start the practice with a 1200 yard swim -I almost jumped in for the swim but we had a ways to go to get to the island. We took a ferry from Queenscliff to Serento avoiding Melbourne streets.
As is our custom we always stop at the "I" Information building, to line up accommodation and in this case we made arrangements to see the penguin march. This takes place along a beach on the south part of the island at about7:30 pm.
We wound up renting a cabin in what the call a camper van park. The cabin is a nice little pre-built mini building, new a very comfortable.
By this time it was 4:00 I was tired of driving and ready to get in the cold water and see if I could still swim. I put my wet suit on and went for a 50 minute swim, keeping an eye out for shark fins. I know there aren't any but when you are by yourself in strange cold waters you always have an uneasy feeling. The swim felt great.
This morning the news reported on a huge storm north at Brisbane and Sydney 180,000 homes without power.
The economic downturn is on all the news station, but from what I can tell it really has not hit here. The big concern is that if China slows down then it will affect the country. So US purchases of Chinese goods or lack thereof is how our economy will affect Australia.
The weather has been cool sweater and jacket weather with periods of sun. Tonight it is the Penguin Parade and we will light 59 candles for yours truly. Another year spent disregarding what is considered the right things to do in life.
Here we are on Phillip Island south of Melbourne. We drove in from Apollo Bay yesterday, beautiful drive along the Great Ocean Road. This road is lined with great surfing locations - better than California for sure and they aren't crowded. We stopped in a town named Loren when we saw about 70 people on the beach. It turns out they were there for an adventure race practice. They were going to start the practice with a 1200 yard swim -I almost jumped in for the swim but we had a ways to go to get to the island. We took a ferry from Queenscliff to Serento avoiding Melbourne streets.
As is our custom we always stop at the "I" Information building, to line up accommodation and in this case we made arrangements to see the penguin march. This takes place along a beach on the south part of the island at about7:30 pm.
We wound up renting a cabin in what the call a camper van park. The cabin is a nice little pre-built mini building, new a very comfortable.
By this time it was 4:00 I was tired of driving and ready to get in the cold water and see if I could still swim. I put my wet suit on and went for a 50 minute swim, keeping an eye out for shark fins. I know there aren't any but when you are by yourself in strange cold waters you always have an uneasy feeling. The swim felt great.
This morning the news reported on a huge storm north at Brisbane and Sydney 180,000 homes without power.
The economic downturn is on all the news station, but from what I can tell it really has not hit here. The big concern is that if China slows down then it will affect the country. So US purchases of Chinese goods or lack thereof is how our economy will affect Australia.
The weather has been cool sweater and jacket weather with periods of sun. Tonight it is the Penguin Parade and we will light 59 candles for yours truly. Another year spent disregarding what is considered the right things to do in life.
Apollo Bay
11-15-2008
Apollo Bay for the 3rd day: It is cloudy again this morning. Sometimes it feels like the rain just follows us in Australia. We grilled some chicken that we bought at the butcher shop yesterday on the community barbeque. It was good and we knew what we were eating for a change. Kathy likes to eat out all the time no matter how bad the food is or how unhealthy it is, I am hoping I can get through to her about that on this trip - one can always hope.
We hiked a short trail loop in the Otway National Forest yesterday. The route was short but spectacular and the quality of the trail was first class. Metal gratings you walked on suspended above the surface insured that the ground was protected from disturbance. Tall ferns flanked much of the route along with huge eucalyptus trees.
When we came back we grilled the chicken and had a drink about 3:30 then it was nap time. I woke up a couple of hours later groggy I guess I had more wine than I thought. Kathy was still sleeping so I put on my jacket and walked a block to the commercial strip on the coastal highway. The restaurants were doing a pretty good business. I figure most of the people were locals in from farms and weekly jobs for a nice dinner. They were drinking wine rather than beer which seemed surprising for this part of the world. All of the shops and many of the smaller restaurants were closed, this is not Vegas or even a normal city in the US.
Apollo Bay for the 3rd day: It is cloudy again this morning. Sometimes it feels like the rain just follows us in Australia. We grilled some chicken that we bought at the butcher shop yesterday on the community barbeque. It was good and we knew what we were eating for a change. Kathy likes to eat out all the time no matter how bad the food is or how unhealthy it is, I am hoping I can get through to her about that on this trip - one can always hope.
We hiked a short trail loop in the Otway National Forest yesterday. The route was short but spectacular and the quality of the trail was first class. Metal gratings you walked on suspended above the surface insured that the ground was protected from disturbance. Tall ferns flanked much of the route along with huge eucalyptus trees.
When we came back we grilled the chicken and had a drink about 3:30 then it was nap time. I woke up a couple of hours later groggy I guess I had more wine than I thought. Kathy was still sleeping so I put on my jacket and walked a block to the commercial strip on the coastal highway. The restaurants were doing a pretty good business. I figure most of the people were locals in from farms and weekly jobs for a nice dinner. They were drinking wine rather than beer which seemed surprising for this part of the world. All of the shops and many of the smaller restaurants were closed, this is not Vegas or even a normal city in the US.
Friday, November 14, 2008
11-13-2008
Escape from the city, lord of the flies, Kathy takes a deep breath, US rules, Apollo Bay, Slovaki in Aus, Best Western, run, bowling green.
Kathy seemed to be a little indecisive this morning to I took charge and said we would go to the great ocean road on the coast and I set the GPS for the YHA Hostel in Apollo Bay. The locals said that it was a one and a half hour trip but it wound up being about 3 at our pace. Today the GPS worked fairly well as we made our way through the streets of Melbourne on our way out.
Assaut Vehicle
We headed towards Touque on the coast which is where you pick up the coastal route. As we left that town there was a sign that read Bells Beach. If any of you remember the movie Point Break that is where Johnny confronted the leader of the surfer bank robbers for the last time. It is legendary due to the size of the swell that comes in from the Antartic. As most of the top surfing places in the world this one did not look that remarkable on this day. It is an small bay about a half mile long.
Kathy and I hiked down from the bluff above on a well constructed wooden stair, the flies were all over us - this was our first encounter with that pest. It was about 150 to the water. As we climbed out Kathy was doing fairly well. After a few minutes in the car she began sweating and coughing. We had to stop the car so that she could get out and get some nasal drops. To be honest I was worried that she was going to have a heart attack or some other life threatening event. I thought what am I going to do if she drops to the ground and stops breathing. I guess I would do CPR until she either started breathing again or died. That is not the kind of situation I want to be in. In any case she recovered and we were back on the road.
In the next settlement I saw a sign on a family restaurant that said Solovaki so we stopped for what I hoped was some healthy Greek food. We ordered and I ask what other greek food they had - the lady said what greek food. That was not a good sign - she didn't know Slovaki from fish and chips. We got the food and started to eat but Kathy slowed as some of the meat dropped out. You couldn't tell what specific animal it came from even though we ordered the chicken. I am still feeling a bit ill after about 15 hours. Finally we arrived in Apollo Bay. An attractive small town on the coast. We decided on staying at a Best Western because the room has a small kitchen where hopefully we will be able to cook some healthier food.
I didn't feel like it but I forced myself to go for an hour run. As usual at the end of the run I felt much better. The flies left me alone for most of the run.
We are on the second story of the motel which over looks the bowling club. After showering I filled a wine glass and went over to spectate. Men and women of all ages were together on teams Grandma together with Mom. It is not as physically demanding as our bowling it is about judgement and skill so age is not the huge advantage. Their kind of bowling is more like Bochi.
A final note.
I have been watching a lot of the news and I had a great conversation with a local businessman on the flight over. The US at this point in time is driving the worlds economy. Even though our economy is in recession and our dollar is not supposedly worth anything we are the only real game in town. The Australian dollar was trading close to even with the US a few months ago now it is worth .67 because apparently it is the currency of choice in the world. World business wants to trade and the bottom line is that the dollar is what they want to use. The EURO I guess is in there somewhere but the dollar is still on top. So for people who are thinking about moving their investments focus out of the US because of our percived internal decline I would say think again, I don't think it is time yet unless you are very savvy.
Escape from the city, lord of the flies, Kathy takes a deep breath, US rules, Apollo Bay, Slovaki in Aus, Best Western, run, bowling green.
Kathy seemed to be a little indecisive this morning to I took charge and said we would go to the great ocean road on the coast and I set the GPS for the YHA Hostel in Apollo Bay. The locals said that it was a one and a half hour trip but it wound up being about 3 at our pace. Today the GPS worked fairly well as we made our way through the streets of Melbourne on our way out.
Assaut Vehicle
We headed towards Touque on the coast which is where you pick up the coastal route. As we left that town there was a sign that read Bells Beach. If any of you remember the movie Point Break that is where Johnny confronted the leader of the surfer bank robbers for the last time. It is legendary due to the size of the swell that comes in from the Antartic. As most of the top surfing places in the world this one did not look that remarkable on this day. It is an small bay about a half mile long.
Kathy and I hiked down from the bluff above on a well constructed wooden stair, the flies were all over us - this was our first encounter with that pest. It was about 150 to the water. As we climbed out Kathy was doing fairly well. After a few minutes in the car she began sweating and coughing. We had to stop the car so that she could get out and get some nasal drops. To be honest I was worried that she was going to have a heart attack or some other life threatening event. I thought what am I going to do if she drops to the ground and stops breathing. I guess I would do CPR until she either started breathing again or died. That is not the kind of situation I want to be in. In any case she recovered and we were back on the road.
In the next settlement I saw a sign on a family restaurant that said Solovaki so we stopped for what I hoped was some healthy Greek food. We ordered and I ask what other greek food they had - the lady said what greek food. That was not a good sign - she didn't know Slovaki from fish and chips. We got the food and started to eat but Kathy slowed as some of the meat dropped out. You couldn't tell what specific animal it came from even though we ordered the chicken. I am still feeling a bit ill after about 15 hours. Finally we arrived in Apollo Bay. An attractive small town on the coast. We decided on staying at a Best Western because the room has a small kitchen where hopefully we will be able to cook some healthier food.
I didn't feel like it but I forced myself to go for an hour run. As usual at the end of the run I felt much better. The flies left me alone for most of the run.
We are on the second story of the motel which over looks the bowling club. After showering I filled a wine glass and went over to spectate. Men and women of all ages were together on teams Grandma together with Mom. It is not as physically demanding as our bowling it is about judgement and skill so age is not the huge advantage. Their kind of bowling is more like Bochi.
A final note.
I have been watching a lot of the news and I had a great conversation with a local businessman on the flight over. The US at this point in time is driving the worlds economy. Even though our economy is in recession and our dollar is not supposedly worth anything we are the only real game in town. The Australian dollar was trading close to even with the US a few months ago now it is worth .67 because apparently it is the currency of choice in the world. World business wants to trade and the bottom line is that the dollar is what they want to use. The EURO I guess is in there somewhere but the dollar is still on top. So for people who are thinking about moving their investments focus out of the US because of our percived internal decline I would say think again, I don't think it is time yet unless you are very savvy.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Australia Day One
Well it is Thursday Morning day after the first day of the trip. That first day was a real challenge for me and especially for Kathy.
As many of you know Kathy lost her passport and only discovered the fact Friday. She flew into Los Angeles to the west coast passport office at 7am to sit outside the office. She made it through and filled out new paper work. She was told to come back and pick it up about 3:00 - it worked and she went to the airport to wait for me.
I worked the Siverman Ironman event as an official in the morning and a aid station worker in the afternoon. It was fun but exhausting and I left my crew around 8:00 pm so the I could get some sleep before the 3:30 wake up to take Kathy to the airport. When I got home she said her friend who was going to take me to the airport had decided that it would be inconvenient and Kathy had arranged for a limo $80 one way which being cheap made me mad but there was no time - it had to be a go.
We met up at the LA international terminal, boarded the new A380 for the long flight. It is a rather short plane - fat with two levels - we were on the lower level. Staff was great, seats were comfortable with just adequate leg room. There were delays due to passenger issues on both ends of the journey but we finally arrived in Melbourne at 11:00am. We were mentally exhausted. Customs- baggage- and car hire drained our waning capacities.
I rented a GPS. We were told that if we used the toll roads into the city there were no pay booths but they would take a photo of our car so we would have to call the toll company and pay over the phone or get a ticket. OK that sounds like something I don't want to deal with. So with our GPS we head towards a city with an old world street pattern with little of any signage. Immediately the GPS started giving us bad information - oh my god. Now what we were cruising down congested urban streets driving on the wrong side of the road trying to maintain some sort of mental composure. It is difficult when you first start out to judge the distance on the passenger’s side so as I careened along a curve in the street I slammed the wheel into the curb on the passenger’s side. As I found out when we arrived at the hostel the rim was somewhat bent and the hub cover from the Camry was gone. Oh-Shit now what I refused the insurance at the rental place. We checked into the hostel. The room was a double and I thought it was clean. After going on the airport to hostel adventure ride Kathy was mental cooked and so was I. She fell on the bed sobbing and saying that she was not going to travel like this. I was in about the same mental condition and was the one who stepped up to make the initial arrangements. I know from experience that the first couple of days are the worst. Her comments put me over the edge - I tried not to show it. Someone has to keep a few rods in the reactor - I didn't want another Chernobyl where everyone was running for the exits.
She took a nap and I went out to take a walk and settle myself down. I my walk I went by a Toyota Dealership - they had the wheel cover for about $25 dollars - I walked home popped it on it worked. First problem solved - things are looking up. I got some money and continued walking - I bought Kathy’s favorite rum and diet coke for a cocktail - had a beer checked out a dance studio -went back. She was still tired after a couple hours of rest and still angry at our situation which at this point I felt had improved dramatically.
I offered her a cocktail and we went out to get something to eat. Found a nice place nearby and had a pizza. Across the street was a comedy club I suggest we check it out - we did and decided to see the show.
By this time I was operating on fumes but Kathy and I both needed a laugh and we wanted to see what comics were like in Aus. The show was pretty good same topics as back home. They were disappointed with the election of Obama - a guy who can actually think and speak will be much more difficult subject material.
We today we will probably head toward the southern coast and see where we end up. I can hardly wait to begin the second day of Aussie Urban Assault driving - but I am sure it will be better once we get out of town.
As many of you know Kathy lost her passport and only discovered the fact Friday. She flew into Los Angeles to the west coast passport office at 7am to sit outside the office. She made it through and filled out new paper work. She was told to come back and pick it up about 3:00 - it worked and she went to the airport to wait for me.
I worked the Siverman Ironman event as an official in the morning and a aid station worker in the afternoon. It was fun but exhausting and I left my crew around 8:00 pm so the I could get some sleep before the 3:30 wake up to take Kathy to the airport. When I got home she said her friend who was going to take me to the airport had decided that it would be inconvenient and Kathy had arranged for a limo $80 one way which being cheap made me mad but there was no time - it had to be a go.
We met up at the LA international terminal, boarded the new A380 for the long flight. It is a rather short plane - fat with two levels - we were on the lower level. Staff was great, seats were comfortable with just adequate leg room. There were delays due to passenger issues on both ends of the journey but we finally arrived in Melbourne at 11:00am. We were mentally exhausted. Customs- baggage- and car hire drained our waning capacities.
I rented a GPS. We were told that if we used the toll roads into the city there were no pay booths but they would take a photo of our car so we would have to call the toll company and pay over the phone or get a ticket. OK that sounds like something I don't want to deal with. So with our GPS we head towards a city with an old world street pattern with little of any signage. Immediately the GPS started giving us bad information - oh my god. Now what we were cruising down congested urban streets driving on the wrong side of the road trying to maintain some sort of mental composure. It is difficult when you first start out to judge the distance on the passenger’s side so as I careened along a curve in the street I slammed the wheel into the curb on the passenger’s side. As I found out when we arrived at the hostel the rim was somewhat bent and the hub cover from the Camry was gone. Oh-Shit now what I refused the insurance at the rental place. We checked into the hostel. The room was a double and I thought it was clean. After going on the airport to hostel adventure ride Kathy was mental cooked and so was I. She fell on the bed sobbing and saying that she was not going to travel like this. I was in about the same mental condition and was the one who stepped up to make the initial arrangements. I know from experience that the first couple of days are the worst. Her comments put me over the edge - I tried not to show it. Someone has to keep a few rods in the reactor - I didn't want another Chernobyl where everyone was running for the exits.
She took a nap and I went out to take a walk and settle myself down. I my walk I went by a Toyota Dealership - they had the wheel cover for about $25 dollars - I walked home popped it on it worked. First problem solved - things are looking up. I got some money and continued walking - I bought Kathy’s favorite rum and diet coke for a cocktail - had a beer checked out a dance studio -went back. She was still tired after a couple hours of rest and still angry at our situation which at this point I felt had improved dramatically.
I offered her a cocktail and we went out to get something to eat. Found a nice place nearby and had a pizza. Across the street was a comedy club I suggest we check it out - we did and decided to see the show.
By this time I was operating on fumes but Kathy and I both needed a laugh and we wanted to see what comics were like in Aus. The show was pretty good same topics as back home. They were disappointed with the election of Obama - a guy who can actually think and speak will be much more difficult subject material.
We today we will probably head toward the southern coast and see where we end up. I can hardly wait to begin the second day of Aussie Urban Assault driving - but I am sure it will be better once we get out of town.
Monday, November 10, 2008
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