Media team party at Long Room

Hi Folks!!! Federer is playing Murray in the final as I type this. There is a hush in the media area and the arena outside is packed. I can't believe it's almost all over. Working here at the tennis has been the greatest experience ever. I'm tempted to reapply and come back next year, but then I'd be out of pocket a couple thousand... again. (Pic on left is writing on centre court - I got to go stand there and take pics after! See newer blog post).

I've booked my ticket to New Zealand, leaving next week. It only came to $200 one-way, which I thought was a good deal. It's about a four hour flight, I'm really excited. The best part of this so far has been not knowing what's happening next (to some extent). Being stranded in Sydney with no rooms was one thing I probably wouldn't plan the same way if I were to do it over, but not knowing what's coming and where I'll go is so great.

I'm just a bit tired today, and I'll explain why. I got home at 4:30am yesterday - first time in a while I've been out THAT late. But before that, I went out for lunch with a Canadian girl, Nicole, who I met in Bondi Beach in Sydney who is also traveling solo. She's from Saskatoon and is loving her time here. Nicole and I had beers and potato wedges in Richmond at a place called Wild Oscar's. We chatted about everything - she's heading to Adelaide via the Great Ocean Road, and then into the Outback - quite the adventure. We have such a great connection, being Canadian but we're also both outgoing and funny.

Then, that night, it was the media party at a club downtown called Long Room. The name speaks for itself - it's a long, basement room with a swanky feel to it. With our media accreditation passes, we were able to by-pass the line, so I couldn't turn that one down. However, I wasn't prepared, so just before Serena and Henin stepped on court I took a short tram ride into the city to buy an outfit for the night. It was hot yesterday - it reached 36 Celsius and was still that hot at 6pm when I made my quick shopping spree into town.

I rode the tram to Flinders St. and walked up five blocks to the shopping area. Melbourne is famous for its little shopping districts and for the best stores. I went to 'Cotton On', what Melburnians call the cheap version of Zara. I bought a pair of black heels and two skirts, one black and one purple, so I'd have options. I made it back to the tennis in good time and was lucky to walk in when I did because a girl who works at the media desk, Kate, was also just arriving. She mentioned that she and a group of girls were going to the Heineken tent to watch the match and invited me along.

If I could describe a perfect night, it would be last night. The air was very warm but there was a light, cool breeze. The moon was at its fullest and largest in years (thanks for the article on that UJ, very interesting), and it was a Saturday night women's final match in Australia - can it get any better? I made my way over to the 'Oval' which is a little outside centre here at the tennis with shops, activities, and of course a beer and wine tent complete with two giant big screens. I met the girls and we watched the women's match. There was a noticeable favour for Justine but Serena beat her - all the while we were all remarking on how Serena can possibly play tennis with such big... hmmm, whats the word.... 'bbbbbandages on her legs' hahaha. Well, you know what I mean. But honestly, she's a powerhouse and I'm not a big fan of her.

Either way, we stayed til the end, then Kate and I made our way to her apartment, which is right near the tennis and the downtown area, and we changed into our bar clothes. Her place is amazing! We waited for our friend Malin and then all walked to the bar.

Melbourne is so much fun at night. There's a very carefree vibe, but you know people are still in for a serious night of dancing and drinking. We made it to the bar and bypassed all the people in the line, flashing our media badges like we were Federer himself, and strolled inside. The music was loud, typical hip hop and club music, and it was really good and varied throughout the night. What's more is the Australian Open had arranged for the media folks to have a private area so we went behind another velvet rope (sorta) to sit up behind the bar and chill with our own kind, or 'Journos' as they're called.

It was nearing midnight when the rest of them showed up - they'd been waiting for the Nestor match to end. The six of us girls danced, drank ($9 glasses of wine) and mingled, and before we knew it, the lights were coming on and it was 3am, closing time. We were herded outta there like cows and everyone flooded out onto the streets, confused as to where to go next. We all walked to a place called 1806 where I stayed for 10 minutes and then took a cab home. It was a fabulous night!!

Tonight there is another media party here and tomorrow the web team is going to a bar called the Post Office Hotel for a wrap up party. Then I'm outta here.

I thought about how many nights I've gone without having some booze and couldn't remember the last night I was drink-free (whoops!). I also can't remember the last day I haven't gotten sun. The way of life down here is so relaxed. I'm also picking up a lot of the lingo here. People say 'I reckon' instead of 'I think', they say 'heaps' instead of 'a lot', and they say 'flat out' when they mean 'really busy'. I've said 'good on you' many times and I like it! Good on me!

So, I may not be able to blog until I get to New Zealand, but when I do, you can guarantee some stories. Until then, (I'll do a little acceptance speech here) I'm so happy with everything in Melbourne and I'm sad my time is ending here. It's been a GREAT run and I'll really miss the people, the tennis and the many friend/shopping/drinking/tennis celebrity adventures. Adieu!

Funny/minor observations while tramming

For over two weeks now, I've been taking the same tram along the same route to the tennis and back every day. For two weeks, I've passed the same church and always noticed a banner strung across it reading: 'Jesus: the only way to God'. However, for the past two weeks, a tree's been covering part of the banner, so I've been reading it as if it said: 'Jesus, the only way to Go." Today I realized it and had a good chuckle to myself. It's times like these I wish I had Kate or someone with me to appreciate the humour. Ahh, the ups and downs of travelling alone.

There is also a tram-card payment system here called the My Ki, pronounced My Key, where riders put their cards up to a small machine, installed in every tram, and it reads it. Many people here complain about it as it often doesn't work. I've almost been tempted to suggest to name it the 'Quick Ki' (say it fast), and I think it would take a bit of the pressure off a machine that sometimes doesn't work but is fun to watch people trying to use. It sure would apply to the often frustrated patrons jamming and pulling out their keys multiple times before it actually works.

There's a store called Dimmey's and I can't stand the name. It just reminds me of that guys' name in the Exorcist so every time the tram goes past I try to avoid looking at it. It's not just a store, it's a giant building that takes up an entire block of the city and the name is written all over it at least 30 times! It's kinda funny, I don't know what it is, but I'll sit on the opposite side of the tram so I don't look over.

That is all.

Weekend finals here at the Open

I was very lucky (I keep using that word!) today to stumble upon Andy Murray - maybe I should leave the sentence like that - while he was practicing on court 4. I watched his match last night as he defeated Cilic and was amazed at how far the Brit/Scot has come in the AO. To set the record straight, Murray isn't the grumpy, whiny kid most people think of when they read or hear about him. He was joking, laughing, playfully hitting the ball in the direction of his comrades and even handed out balls to the crowd after.

I'm sure no amount of practicing can prepare him when he faces either Federer or Tsonga, the winner of that match to be determined tonight. And here we are - two days left of tennis and it's been a phenomenal few weeks here in Melbourne.

I'm much poorer now than when I woke up this morning. I had my hair done this a.m., highlights and cut, and it looks amazing! I've never had such a good cut. It's cute, summery, blonde and worth every penny (although they don't use pennies here haha).

It is also because I spent a few hundred today that I avoided booking my travel plans, at least until tomorrow. I couldn't bear to part with another couple hundred and for some reason, waiting 24 hours before I do again felt logical. I am a bit confounded as to what to do next! I've settled into life here in Melbourne, so much so that taking off and arriving in another foreign country to check into a hostel feels about as normal as leaving Toronto to go to Sydney in the first place. I'm very excited for New Zealand and it is certainly going to be where I go next, but I'm just not sure where to start off my LOTR ROTK (Frodo fans know that one) journey.

I'll be booking it tomorrow and have a few options: fly to Wellington and stay with a family friend for a few days to get my bearings; or fly to Christchurch, hostel-it-up and make my way to Wellington after a week on my own. These are both viable options and I'll do both of them at some point, the question is in what order? The answer is, it doesn't matter!

For now, I have the last few days to look forward to here in Melbourne. Tonight, a Sydney friend is in town at the tennis. Tomorrow, it's the women's final game and all will be a-buzz here. Sunday is of course the men's final match - can't wait. Sunday night is also the media party here in the cafeteria with booze and food. Then Monday night is a double-party for the web team and also Tommy T. is taking all us fun-seekers out for dinner. I hope to do both but Tom mentioned it's ok for me to divide my time 70(tennis party)/30(dinner).

I can't wait to fill you in on this weekend - it's my last hurrah here in Melbourne.

Australia Day

It's been one month since I landed in Australia, which is really hard to believe. Time has gone by really fast since I arrived! I just watched Federer beat Davydenko in 4 sets - it's hard not to cheer for the GOAT (greatest of all time), but when you're sitting in the media section you have to show no bias. I couldn't help but clap once the match was done.

The tennis will be over in four days and I really have to start planning the next phase. This week has been much more low key than last. I've spent my days sleeping in, having leisurely breakfasts and reading sessions with the Davey's. I then head into the tennis, never getting in earlier than noon or 1pm. It's a nice way to live your life! But, I end up staying here til 10:30pm or later, as the night matches are by far the best.

I've spent the past two lunches chatting with a Swedish bloke who is 29 but looks 20. He is here to cover the tennis and to write his first non-fiction novel about the 'underbelly' of Australia, i.e. the drug-related side. I told him I've written two trilogies already (haha). Of course they are unpublished and are left wanting.

Today, sitting in the web team room, I spotted my favourite tall Croatian guy, Karlovic, walking in the media room. He noticed me, too, and in the split second when he walked past the door, he stuck out his giant arm and gave me a wave! We are buddies now. He's still playing in the doubles, despite losing to Rafa. I watched Ivo play doubles last night against two guys who Tom and I bumped into at an ice cream shop in St. Kilda. That was cool.

Yesterday was Australia Day here. I almost shouted, 'Happy Canada Day' as Tom and I watched the fireworks from the pit-like patio in the bowels of Rod Laver. The last fireworks show I watched was from the Washington Mall on July 4th. What a far ways away that was.

So, as you can read, not much is going on. I shouldn't be blah-say (sp?) - I love the tennis and there is a lot going on everywhere I look. I've come up with a routine and have only a few days left before I'm swept off my feet again in New Zealand. I wonder what adventures I'll find myself in there...

The Giant Serb and the Tiny Canadian

The tallest person in our close family is Nick, at 6'6", but he's still 4 inches shy of the player I got to sit down with and interview yesterday (click the hyperlink to read Karlovic's blog, ghostwritten by me). Ivo Karlovic from Croatia is an astounding 6'10"!!! You can see him coming a mile away but deep down he's shy and humble. Right now he's playing Nadal on centre court and I've just stepped away from that match to come and write this.

Things are amazing here! The weather is always warm and the sun is out everyday. I've gotten some great colour and probably can only achieve this level of tan after a whole summer in Canada. For me, I've been in and out of the rays for about three weeks to get to this.

The tennis is going very well - I'm here everyday and it doesn't even feel like work. Aside from sitting down with Karlovic yesterday, I also interviewd doubles player Bethanie Mattek-Sands from the US. As I was waiting for my turn to speak to her, I started talking with a well-built guy also waiting around who turned out to be her husband, Jason. He's a really nice guy and I started to go through the questions I was about to ask his wife to see if he could answer similarly. In the end, he got most of her answers right, except for "who would you like to have dinner with, dead or alive?" Jason didn't know her answer. Bethanie needed a split second to think about it before answering Brett Favre. That got me into talking about the NFL, which I actually miss being down here, and she mentioned they'd had drinks with T.O. in Melbourne. T.O. (see previous blog post) is still around and is in the tennis park today. I'm still waiting to meet him haha.

Wandering around the tennis grounds yesterday, I happened to be right near the media entrance when I saw a crowd forming. Which famous face would appear through the door? None other than Jesse Metcalfe, aka the Desperate Housewives gardener, or as you Passions fans would remember, the hunky Miguel (see pic). I had to laugh as I took his picture, as though I was a big fan. The crowd's reaction was hilarious. People were so eager to see who they were rolling out the red carpet for and when Jesse came out, there was a noticeable groan as people took photos, giggled and dispersed.

This past weekend was a blast! I met up with Brennan's friend from home named Jess (see pic, Jess on left). She's studying here in Melbourne and has a great entourage of foreign friends all here for the same reason as her - get their B. Ed and PARTY!! We drank goon, my first experience with the famous 'wine'. Thanks, Paul Marley, it is excellent, I've already learned to love it, thanks for the advice on that one haha. We chilled at her friends' place and I wore my new amazing dress that is absolutely stunning on me, if I do say so myself ;).

We then headed to Baroq House, a swanky lounge/club downtown. Jess' friend Fiona from England (see pic of us three) was there and we all hit it off really well. The bar was so hot and stuffy, and completely crowded. That day it'd been 36 degrees outside - it was like standing under a hand dryer in a bathroom - and the bar was equally as hot. I got home at 3am after having some Macca's, aka Mickey D's as we call it back home. It was a great night!

So, tomorrow it's same old: work in the press room, interview players, and watch some matches, blah blah blah haha. I can't believe how lucky I've been - even though I lose my centre court seating privileges at the end of next week, I don't care. I'll still be here and the atmosphere is electric. It's also settling down a lot because players are going home after losing. The big players are still around, though. I'm keeping my eyes peeled.

Royal Visit

Who do you have to be to earn a higher amount of applause than Roger Federer, add to that when you are in the same arena as Federer? Prince William. As 15,000 spectators calmly watched another Federer victory, we were all in for a HUGE treat. At the start of the third and final set, a huge buzz formed over the crowd and people began to cheer. As I turned my eyes to the large jumbo tron I see a familiar but out-of-context face - Prince William, joining all us peasants for a third set to watch King Rog.

Little did I know when I woke up this morning that I'd be seeing Prince William this evening. My sister and I always had a bet - we each had five years to meet one famous person of our choosing and we both agreed on that famous person when we made our pact. Mine was Wills. I say I've come closer now - hers was Elijah Wood. While we were two degrees of separation away from Frodo when we met Gandalf in London, this takes the cake!

Sitting with my new New Zealand friend, a reporter from Auckland, we watched Rog finish off the last set and win, as flashes shot out from the crowd -10 per second - to take a pic of Wills, sitting front row centre behind the net. My keen eye spotted dozens of British Secret Service agents standing around various spots of the arena, most of them behind Wills guarding the stairs or the seats around him. It was all very James Bond.

The match ended and I bee-lined it back to the media room to see if I'd catch Rog or Wills in the main lobby. Darn, it was just Rog's wife Mirka, another boring sighting - just kidding! I also shared some alone time with Marcos Baghdatis who was waiting for his girlfriend, albeit NOT Prince William, by the exit for the stadium. Rog and Wills, aka King and Prince, must have been in a secure location discussing the weather or Rog's forehand. What do you talk about with the best tennis player in the world? Counter that, what do you say to the most famous Prince in the world? I would have loved to know.

Either way, I know it's been a few days since a blog posting from me - so I hope this one makes up for it! Getting a computer here and taking a moment to blog is tough. Work is going really well and I have to pinch myself every time I sit in my (estimated) $100 seat in Rod Laver arena, with my giant hot dog and my plastic cup of Jacob's Creek wine. This is spectacular, I should make a profession out of this.

T.O. in da house

Alright, so I wanted to post this after (as in tomorrow) to save for any big stories, but it's just too exciting to wait. Although I haven't bumped into him, the author of 'Finding Fitness', former Dallas Cowboys player, and well-known by the affectionate nickname, T.O., that's right... TERRELL OWENS, is in MELBOURNE RIGHT NOW at the tennis!!!!

Brennan, stay calm, as I am trying to. If I see him, I will get his autograph for you, but he is highly guarded and is here to see Roddick's match, which is in progress already. I am kinda going nuts right now. T.O. is one of the biggest athletes ever and he's here, in the building! Breathe, Mel, breathe. I haven't seen him in person but saw him on the many TVs here. ESPN interviewed him, so check that out.

I also was alone in a hallway with Dinara Safina, who'd just won her match this morning. I just walked past her and she smiled. That's all for today!

Links to my summaries and articles

Here are all of the match summaries and articles I've written for the 2010 Open:

Stevenson injury - Thursday, Jan. 14, 2010

Kia Motors Sponsor - Friday, Jan. 15, 2010

Meusberger match - Saturday, Jan. 16, 2010

Seeing Double - Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2010

Ivo Karlovic Blog - Saturday, Jan. 23, 2010 (ghostwritten by me, but check out the comments!!)

Inside the world of... Bethanie Mattek-Sands - Monday, Jan. 25, 2010

Close encounters of the tennis kind

Wow.

Yesterday, while walking through the restricted media halls here at the Open (I have a pass that lets me go there) I nearly bumped into one of my long time favourite players Lleyton Hewitt. How can I make a 2-second encounter into a longer one? Here's a crack at it: (Cue the dramatic music overture) He looked right at me, his piercing blue eyes making contact with mine. He was mid-sentence, talking to his coach, as we passed but for a split second he eyed me as if to smile but then continued. He turned and disappeared down the corridor as my heart pounded louder than all our footsteps combined. (End Scene). There. Don't worry, Brennan, the man didn't really notice me haha.

Double Wow.

And, just now, following Tom through the media halls, we both find ourselves behind a 2-seated baby carriage. Who in the tennis tournament would have children needing a 2-seated baby pram? Hmmm... maybe his name starts with an R and ends in an -oger...

Sure enough, just a few steps ahead of the carriage is Federer's wife, carrying one of his newborn daughters. Holding the other baby is Rog's agent's wife. I knew the 'boss' had to be around somewhere.

They mingled in the main hallway for a bit before Federer himself appeared. He's much taller in real life than I'd imagined and he was dressed in all white, not his signature black, or what he used to wear when he first turned pro. What a classy guy. He's so elegant.

While Rog didn't look directly at me, I was only 5-feet from the legendary player. Outstanding!!!

Tom is off doing an interview and also said that if he finds a Canadian player that he knows, he's going to ask if that player could get me into the Official Player's Party happening ce soir at 7pm downtown. IMAGINE! I don't know yet what will happen, but you can bet I'll fill you in nevertheless.

At the Davey's

It is the second morning in which I've woken up in Melbourne. As I lie in bed I still cannot believe my luck! The bed is comfortable, the room is clean and open, the sun streams in but the air is fresh, and I am in a delightful home with an amazing family who has opened their doors to me in the most hospitable way possible. Thanks to my friend Tom, I have a wonderful place to stay for the next few weeks. The Davey's live a 30-minute tram ride from the Australian Open's Rod Laver arena. The family of four owns a house filled with character, wine, food, friends and laughs. Their eldest daughter (27) is studying overseas and the youngest (24) is at home working full time. They have ever so kindly made the empty bedroom into a place for me.

Let's back-pedal a bit... I left Sydney and Bronte Beach refreshed and tanned, ready for the next phase of my IWA. Everyone was sleeping when I left Dane's, and I wished I had been too. The night before leaving we all went to the Beach Road Hotel where I mistakenly had a few screwdrivers before downing a few beers. Someone tell Mel she makes a strong screwdriver!! While I had a full dinner and a few waters (I really did, Mom!) I still felt the effects of a hangover the following morning. Combine that with waking up at 5:30am and the prospect of a long journey ahead and I was about ready to cry.

I climbed on the 6:30am city bus, but waited 15 minutes outside at the stop for it. It was a fresh morning and I longed to be one of the jogger's on the ocean path below. Instead, I got on the cool bus that would take me to Bondi Junction terminal, hopped on a subway to Central Station, stood in line at the Country Link to confirm my ticket was the right one and which platform to go to, bought a few magazines and a much needed water before boarding. Phew! All this while my hangover settled in. At least I hadn't pulled my tooth out the night before.

Once on board the train I was feeling considerably better. I finished my blueberry muffin and watched as the city faded around me to the most extensive, often barren and interesting countryside I've ever seen. This train ride from Sydney to Melbourne was much different than the one to Katoomba. Instead of snaking through the mountains, this train soared along a scorched and open countryside. The scenery was incredible. Giant fields and gradual hills were dotted with the odd tree - the only signs of life amidst desert-like conditions. In the distance mountains loomed but we didn't come close to them.

The ride felt quicker than I'd expected it to. I really enjoyed taking the train and arrived in Melbourne exactly 12 hours after I'd left. Tom was waiting for me and we jumped on a tram to head for the Davey's, who'd said it was fine for me to arrive a few days earlier than planned. We arrived and were met with tremendous warmth. The house is spectacular. It's so cute, it's hard to describe it. The kitchen is farm-house-ish with open concept shelves lined with jars, mugs, and art. Everything is so accessible. The living room is like a lodge, with exposed wooden beams and large windows lining three-quarters of the room. The country-feel of the house is sort of English but brings in the new Australian feel that I've never experienced.

Jumping back to last night after my Australian Open post, I returned home and was welcomed into a family barbecue with delicious mustard chicken, potatoes and salad on the menu. Wine was flowing and my glass was routinely refilled by others. It felt surreal to be sitting with a group of strangers and welcomed into their everyday lives and conversations. It's been this way ever since I arrived and I feel so lucky to have it.

Today I am due back at the tennis at noon to help Tom and perhaps write another match summary. I can't wait to report back on the gossip from the tennis.

Australian Open Day 1

Quick post - I'm here at the Australian Open Tennis in Melbourne! I was so lucky to get a media accreditation and will be helping out with the web team here. I'm in the press room right now and it's full of action. I'm tasked to write a game summary which I should be doing right now. Once it's posted I'll share the link on the blog.

I took the train into Melbourne yesterday - it was 12 hours!!! It was an amazing ride - I had nothing else to do, and I saw a lot of countryside. I am staying with a family 30 mins out of the city. They are amazing - they have two daughters, one who is overseas, so they kindly are putting me up in her room for three weeks. The house is a quaint, eclectic, cozy place and is just beautiful.

So, today I am going to watch some tennis matches and write my first report - wish me luck! Tom is here with me and it's nice to have a few people I know around. I also saw Federer and Montfils practicing on centre court. I look forward to the random close encounters with the players while I'm here!

Over and out.

Beach to beach via vespa

There are a few must-dos that I've picked up while here in Sydney. Or, must-not-dos, as I should say. Must not walk/run/drive on the right hand side. Must not kick sand on people as you walk past them on the beach. Must not stick feet out while riding back of the Vespa. Must not steal someone else's assigned movie theatre seat. Must wear sunscreen and drink water... etc. I also learned how a tattoo does last forever - don't worry, I didn't get one - but I do see many 60+ bodies with tattoos and somehow feel that Australia is ahead of the times for aging tattoo-owners. This would be a perfect time to insert the picture of the old man with the shark fin tattooed on his forehead, only I didn't get a picture!

The past week at Dane's has been phenomenal! From beach days to vespa rides, I feel like I've really gotten to know the place, his friends and the way of life around here. Needless to say, the way of life is much more relaxed and laid back than Canada. For one, instead of grumbling to your neighbour while shoveling your driveway on a cold Monday morning, you smile at your fellow joggers who flock to the beachside path.

This morning was my second morning jogging along the cliffside 'Bronte-to-Bondi' walk. It's actually called Bondi to Coogee, but I never made it that far. The path overlooks the many beaches that carve the landscape from Dane's place to the most famous beach in Australia: Bondi Beach. The ocean sparkles in the rising sun. The beaches are empty at 7:30am but await the many revelers who will flock to them later on in the day. The keenest of keen surfers unload their boards from the trunks of their cars parked along the cliffside edge. Today I did what I did on Saturday morning, I jogged along the ring of trail all the way to the cliff edge and stopped to look out at the waves crashing down on the rocks below. There is one particular rock which is flat and big and the waves wash completely over it and then recede, allowing the sun to dry off the surface for one bitter sweet moment before another wave comes to envelope it once again. It's mesmerizing to watch. If you are insane, it would be quite frustrating to watch.

This weekend was a great old time. The Sydney Festival started on Saturday night, so after a day of beaching and snorkeling (and tanning in the hot sun which was almost too hot at one point), we headed into town. The Reverend Al Green(e?) was the guest singer and while the event was fun, the best part was the company. Dane, his friend Scott, and their four women found a spot on the grass and we joked, at meat pies, and took tons of pictures.

Sunday was a laid back day full of beaching and barbecueing. We even went to see Sherlock Holmes again and I enjoyed it just as much (the other three hadn't seen it, so I was happy to go again).

The best and probably most rewarding part of the weekend was taking a ride on Dane's Vespa. The Vespa, a convenient and popular method of transportation, is a hot little red thing that Dane uses to get around town. Hopping on the back and strapping on my helmet, I felt like I was more prepared to rocket into space, but the little motor scooter is much more modest.

I was a bit scared at first (maybe also because we drove on the left) but it was amazing after a few minutes. They say to do something everyday that scares you - well that was certainly it and can probably count for the whole month!

So, it's been one week since I arrived here and I'm so lucky to have friends who live in such a place and who are hospitable enough to take me in. I leave for Melbourne soon and will go there via train on Wednesday morning, so today and tomorrow are the last days I have here before I go and do some work. The weather said it's going to be 43 celsius in Melbourne today! Yikes! It will cool off before I arrive, though. It'll be sad to leave, especially knowing that the apartment will be torn down in March and in its place a few million dollar houses built. I'm glad I got to see and stay at "the best place ever to live," - Dane Parkinson.

Georgie

If sitting on a train for 12 hours as the Australian countryside passes you by is your idea of fun, then you're like me. I've just booked my train to Melbourne and it gets me there in the evening after leaving Sydney at 7:30am next Wednesday. I found a great deal on the price and even booked ahead for my hostel in Melbourne for two nights. I'm not sure what the deal is yet with the family I am staying with. But I've learned my lesson to not go into a situation without a place to stay.

The nice part of being at Dane's is having the time and freedom to do anything. Like my sister said on the phone this morning, I was totally thrown into this trip last week and now I have the ability to sit back and settle in. George Costanza is my companion. He is the little King Charles Cocker Spaniel dog owned by the twin sisters who live with Dane.

He's the cutest and is currently sleeping next to me as I sit on the couch watching tennis.

Yes, I know it's not good to watch too much tv when you have a beach nearby, so my plan is to go to the beach right after I post this.

Dane's parents just stopped by. They are so nice

and even invited me to come and visit them for a night or two on my way back up from the tennis. They live in a small place over an hour away and it would be great to visit.

Aside from being happy that I booked the next phase of my trip, I am really settling in here. I find it hard to picture friends and family back home with a 16 hour time difference because its just so different to be awake and going to a beach when I visualize everyone sleeping! We watch Entertainment Tonight at 10am here and get all the news a day later, which is a bit odd. It's also nice to cut the slave-ties to the North American culture.

So while I assure you my upcoming posts will be a bit more exciting than this one as nothing much has happened over the past three days, I am quite content at living the beach life and will keep you posted regardless. Cheers!

Dane's on Bronte Beach

From the couch I am sitting on I can see the ocean. In the second floor apartment that belongs to my friend Dane, I am taking a break from the strong Australian sun and watching a bit of the Brisbane International Tennis Championship.

Dane's two-storey apartment residence is my home for the next week and I love it! Aside from the frequent spider and the screeching possum living in the ceiling, the place is brilliant. Dane, who I met back at WLU and who Brennan lived with for four years, moved back to Australia two years ago and has settled very well into his renewed laid back life. In the beginning, the first person I thought of when I thought of Australia was Dane, so naturally my trip here would have to include a huge reunion with the big, awesome Aussie.

It's day two of my time here at Bronte Beach. On Monday at 5pm Dane and his girlfriend Trish came to pick me up at Bondi Junction subway stop and we went for pizza and beer on Bondi Beach... probably the best pizza I've ever had! We had a great catch up session by the water and turned in for the night. The first day here was better than ever. Trish, who is also from Toronto, is staying with Dane for a few weeks and the two of us hit it off right away. We decided to go for lunch at a cafe called Swell Bar right on the coast of Bronte Beach. We shared a bottle of white wine and chatted all about life. I've been really lucky to have met great people to hang out with wherever I've gone so far.

Trish and I then headed to the beach. Bronte is amazing - it's a tiny little alcove beach with the best waves and pristine sand to lie on. We set up a tanning station near the water and slathered on the sunscreen. Unfortunately I think I missed a few spots, something I can elaborate on after this. We both decided to dip in the water - our first time in the ocean yet. The water was refreshing, really clean, and very wavy. The first few waves knocked us over and the strong undertow swished us around - I've never been in such strong waves. They were 10 feet high in parts, just three feet from the sand - now that's a shorebreak! Needless to say we didn't spend much time in the water, but went to tan again more on the sand.... amateurs :P

Our plans were to go to the Beach Road Hotel in Bondi that evening, so Trish and I got ready back at Dane's and began to notice where we had missed putting on sunscreen. I completely missed my feet, which aren't too bad as they had had sand on them. Parts of my arm are red as well but I've had it worse. We had dinner at the hotel and then watched Dane's friend Ben play guitar and sing live. We played some pool and came home to hang out on the balcony. Trish's friend Kate, a New Zealander who joined us for dinner, has a place North of Sydney. Trish went home with Kate and is staying with her for a few nights.

It's really nice to have a place to stay where I don't have to lock up my backpack every time I leave. As I write this, Finding Nemo is playing in the background. I bought some food to make dinner for me and Dane and we're going to have a low key night here. It's been one week since I landed in Sydney and it's hard to believe all I've done. This week will probably be more low key than last, perfect chance to up my tan.

Sydney Sightseeing with the Girls

It's been exactly one week since landing in Sydney although all I've done makes it feel like three weeks have gone by. Picking up from where I left off at Manly, things have gone really well! The girls and I had two more days in Sydney but with checking emails in the hostel internet cafe and figuring out schedules, it was hard to get started before noon both days. On Sunday, Charlotte, Jeanne and I went to the Museum of Contemporary Art in downtown Sydney by Circular Quay. It was really cool to see the Native Australian art and the pieces were nice - some I would have hung in my own house. But, of course when it comes to contemporary art, there are always the weird things. I couldn't help but let my comments tumble out when we saw the collection of topless photos of a native woman and the HHH photography series by a female artist where all her subjects wear black cloaks with HHH written on the masks.

We met Charlotte's Dutch friends at a cafe and played asshole, or President, a card game that is now quite popular here! They knew what it was before, but I was happy to reignite the spark for this incredible game and we played for an hour at our table after finishing our sandwiches. The boys left us to go to Wollongong (a city just over an hour out of town) and us girls picked up dinner and made our plan. We all agreed to catch a movie and got tickets to see Sherlock Holmes in downtown Sydney. The price for mine, an adult ticket, was $17!!!!!! I couldn't believe it. The girls got to pay a student rate, which was still pricey. We split a large popcorn and a water and watched the movie which is incredible! There's lots of great music, lots of action scenes, some amazing dialogue which I had trouble catching thanks to Robert Downey Jr.'s impeccable Holmes interpretation, and a great performance by Jude and Rachel. The story was great, I highly recommend the movie. We finished off the night with drinks at the local bar and I went back up to my hostel room. The other three girls were sleeping and I was the last to come in.

The following day was Charlotte's and my 'admin' day. I opened up a bank account and Charlotte talked to a travel agent about sightseeing options. The travel agency we went to, called Tribal Travel, is co-owned by a Torontonian guy who I chatted with about missing Timmy's and Kraft Dinner. He'd been living here for five years and hasn't gone back to Canada! The girls and I then mooched through the botanic gardens which are amazing. It's so cool to be in the middle of what looks like a rain forest, and then look up to see the tall buildings of Sydney. The Flying Foxes, or 'vampire bats' as they look like to me, are everywhere, dangling upside down from the trees. My co-worker Mary D. told me about them and they didn't disappoint. Our last few days in Sydney were really great but I think I'm ready for Dane's and Melbourne now. I meet Dane at 5pm tomorrow (Monday)... updates to follow!

(Pic: Flying Foxes hanging upside at Botanic Gardens)

My Manly Beach Date

I have just arrived back in Sydney. I got in yesterday via train (one of my preferred methods of travel) and am missing the blue mountains already. I love the Australian Outback: the pictures tell you what I mean.

As is the case with all travelers, I have a different place to lay my head tonight. I've now taken up residence for two nights at Base Backpackers in the CBD of Sydney. That's the Central Business District. I have a room for four - all girls - and while two of them checked out early, I met Jeanne from Switzerland and she and I will be going around today with Charlotte to sight see.

I was really looking forward to last night. A family friend, Tom Tebbutt, from T.O. who writes about tennis, was in town for one night before heading to Brisbane to cover a tournament. Tom and I had a plan to meet at the Sheraton Four Points at 5:30pm last night, and it went off without a hitch. Except for the moment that I stepped outside the skies opened and I was caught in a downpour. I ran from underpass to underpass, getting soaked and laughed at by passing motorists and lucky umbrella-possessing pedestrians. It gushed down rain for 20 minutes and had I only waited at the hostel, I could have walked to meet Tom and missed the downpour. Instead, I didn't want him to think I was standing him up.

I met Tom and we went to his room so I could towel-dry and use the hair dryer. It was great to see an old friend. I'd been a bit lonely since arriving and a familiar face was just what I needed. Tom escorted me to a bar and we each had a pint sitting out on the street. The sun was coming out just in time for our walk down to the 'Rocks', a harbour area of Sydney. Tom had the whole event planned and I wasn't about to question it.

We had a great 'date', Manly beach for beer and pizza was our ultimate destination but Tom and I wandered around Circular Quay for the next ferry. It's gorgeous down there! The Sydney Harbour is amazing and really a natural phenomenon. I saw the Sydney Opera house and the Harbour bridge - really incredible! When we finally boarded the ferry Tom and I headed up to the bow of the boat to get the best view.
It was a good 30 minute ride and when we arrived, we headed for the beach to walk along the sand and dip our feet in the ocean. It was the first time I'd been to the ocean on the trip. We got a pizza and beer right on the beach and then I treated Tom to the best ice cream at Movenpick - Tiramisu flavour. It was the least I could do as Tom was kind enough to treat me to everything else for the dinner.

The ferry back was amazing. The sights are gorgeous and it was breathtaking to see how the harbour opens up to the Pacific. A bright orange moon was rising on the ocean horizon and it was so bright it looked like the sun reflecting off the water. It was cool to think about how that moon was the same one shining down on Canada - did anyone see it, too?

I made it back to the hostel and had the best sleep yet - 9.5 hours! Today will be another day of Sydney sight-seeing, and then I rendez-vous with Dane, a friend from WLU. He's picking me up tomorrow afternoon and we head back to his house in Bronte beach, near Bondi. Then, I can't wait to hang out at his place, on the beach, and relax and take a break from sightseeing.

Til then, I wish all you guys back home a happy return to work and school!!!! I guess I'm not too jealous about that.