Vacations MAX Blog

Day 23: From Adelaide to Melbourne

Melbourne, Australia, Aug 23, 2009

At 8:00am we woke up and started packing our bags, while taking turns with washing and getting dressed. It was time to go to our last city of our tour: Melbourne. We had our breakfast and checked the room if we didn’t left anything behind and then checked out at the reception. At 9:45am, we were picked up for our transfer to Adelaide Airport. The weather was okay, but a bit windy and cloudy. We had seen the previous days on the television that Melbourne was hit by a storm and some neighbourhoods had suffered some damage. Fingers crossed.

We checked in for Qantas flight QF0682 to Melbourne, then we walked around the airport a bit to see what the shops had to offer. As I found nothing of interest, I sat down and waited for the boarding to begin. Around 11:30am, it was boarding time, but the flight wouldn’t leave until 11:50am, a delay of 10 minutes. The flight itself was relaxed and short, taking under 50 minutes, as we landed, with the time difference, in Melbourne at 1:30pm. The weather turned out to be good, compared to what we had seen on the news. It was windy, but dry and even sunny.

We got our suitcases and got into the shuttle bus for out trip to the hotel: Batman’s Hill On Collins. The driver informed us about what to do, see and eat in Melbourne, which was really helpful as we didn’t had a good idea of what we could do in Melbourne. We knew that we at least wanted to take a tour on the Great Ocean Road. At the hotel, we checked in and then freshened up in the room, before we headed out into the city. First thing we did, was book the Great Ocean Road tour at the reception and then we went across the street for a small lunch.

After the small lunch, we walked towards the train station, which was directly across from the hotel and walked around inside the shopping station. Most of the stores were clothing stores. As we were walking around, we noticed a lot of AFL fans walking around, mostly St. Kilda Saints fans. Apparently the AFL game between them and the North Melbourne Kangaroos. So, we walked out of the mall and headed towards the Etihad Stadium, where the match had been played.

We walked around the stadium and then around the neighbourhood some more, looking for a place to eat. Unfortunately, we didn”t found anything to our liking, so we got back to the mall at the train station and bought some food at the food court. Martin a couple of sandwiches and I bought some pizza slices. Back in our hotel, we ate our meal and watched some tv. Despite a quiet day, we went to bed early, as we had an early rise for the Great Ocean Road tour.

- Distance travelled: 401 miles or 645 kilometers

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Time of My Life

Bangkok, Thailand, Dec 28, 2009

It occurred to me awhile ago that I’m having what some might term “the time of my life,” and frankly, that scares the shit out of me.  I really hope not.  

I’m having a blast.  An absolute blast.  I can’t remember the last time I had so much fun on a regular basis, and was so happy.  Happy!  Who says that?  Do you know I haven’t cried once since I’ve left the States?  Not once.  (Although I admit there was a close call or two in our dear People’s Republic.)

Sure, there is stress and responsibility and headaches associated with travel.  Plenty of it.  But it’s nothing I can’t handle, and I seem to be rewarded tenfold.  Every day is a new adventure, and it rocks.  The freedom, the independence, the exploration, the thrill — I’m like a junkie getting my fix.  I am so fortunate to have this opportunity.  I am grateful for it every day.

You hear that lucky star?  I’m shaking my fist at you.  I’m in this “happy life” business for the long haul, so no monkeying around.  I need you to keep kicking me as good days as you’ve got.  Don’t make me come up there and show you who wears the pants in this relationship.  Keep the amazing times coming, with extra sprinkles please.

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Arriving in Delhi

Delhi, India, Jul 06, 2009

I’m wired on the flight. I’m excited and scared for my first trip on my own in a whole new place on the other side of the world. I read three books until my eyes are strained and blood shot. Some about Dharamsala; which succeeds in enchanting my soul. I get off the plane in Delhi and I’m greeted by a waft of dust and heat. I scan the yelling crowd of signs, looking for the cab to bring me to the hotel. A friendly guy jumps in my face and he’s the one. We walk through a long tunnel that feels like a microwave. IT’S SO HOT! that phrase will echo in my mind for the duration of my time in Delhi. We walk to the chaotic parking lot and I get into a rickety old jeep. We’re driving over dirt mounds and the smell of dust fills the warm air. I have nothing to compare this to so my mind immediately connects the experience to Jurassic Park. I’m in Jurassic Park! I look out the windows and see girls walking along the street in sparkley pastel saris like little fairies decorating the dirt horizon. I see many women carrying rice on their head. I pass some destitute areas. Barefoot children running on rubble. I’m shocked and fascinated by what I see already. A man missing an arm and a leg slams his fist on my window. He’s a begger. I soon see a woman begger carrying a baby through traffic. It’s overwhelming. I feel a little unsafe. I can tell when they see me, all they can see is dollar signs. I arrive at the hans hotel. It’s beautiful and incredibly cheap. The other students haven’t arrived yet. I came a day early because I was a bit overreager. I claim a bed, read the newspaper, watch some t.v., and take pictures of the sun setting on delhi. I want to absorb all I can, but right now I’m focused on absorbing some luxurious air conditioning and sleep.

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