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.