Australia - Day 1

I wrote this post right when I arrived in Australia with my first impressions. Its about 3 weeks old, but I thought I'd post it as I didn't really have the internet while I was away. But tonight I'll write the BIG post hopefully telling you about everything I did!

Australia, Day 1 - the Journey

Wow, does it ever take a LOOONG time to get to Australia. Its quite daunting actually when you start thinking about the flight before you board. I went through Abu Dhabi so the first leg of my journey was 12 hours long. It was a good flight, nice attendants, I spoke with 1 about world literature, her favourite authors, she gave me lots of recommendations. Another heard me coughing and insisted that I drink hot water with honey and lemon. I sat in one of those pods, where the whole seat moved forwards and backwards, and I had my legs out in front of me. I stored my belongings in my own cubby, I didn't have a person sitting next to me, my chair massaged me. I had constant service, lots of Earl Grey teas, very comfortable, very nice, excellent food. It was quiet with a few rough turbulance patches.

Then I arrived in the Abu Dhabi airport. To be honest I was expecting something pretty spectacular, with everything you hear about the UAE and all. I guess Dubai is the one with all the flash. It was small, they still have the buses that pick you up from the plane and take you to the airport. The shopping wasn't that impressive, it was like La Guardia, you know a simple commutor airport. Because I was transferring I had to make my way to the other side of the airport, through gruff security that didn't really check anything. We weren't actually allowed to sit in our Gate's 'lounge' right away, which was the oddest thing. Maybe it was because I landed around 8am in the morning and they were still cleaning, maybe it was because they wanted extra security to check your ticket before you were allowed into the seating area, it was honestly the strangest thing. There were little smoking pods throughout the airport little 'sealed' clear rooms that people kept opening the doors too and jamming themselves inside, causing the rest of us to breathe in the smoke constantly. Strange experience which I hope I don't need to repeat for too long on the way back.

The flight to Sydney was very annoying. I saved up my sleeping for the 2nd leg of the journey but of course I was kicked into economy class, very sad. I walked to my seat and there was this baby sitting in my seat and all I could think was OH NO! The mother was telling me she was a really good flyer, but you know you never believe them. Luckily? a flight attendent came up and said once the plane was completely boarded I could move to another seat, I felt bad, but not too bad and moved. I sat in a 4 seater row, with an empty seat between me and this boy with a broken arm. He proceeded to be the world's most annoying seat companion in history! He laid down over the two seats, his head in his mother's lap, his feet periodically under my legs which he wiggled every once and a while. The flight attendents constantly needing to wake him to get his seat belt on him, or to get him to sit up. The other side of me was this other winner, a guy with a sinus infection who weezed and laughed loudly while watching his entertainment system. When he finally shut up and went to sleep he snored so loudly I think he kept shaking my seat. And in front of me was this elderly couple who kept calling the flight attendents over to ask for things throughout the flight, no one really able to understand what hte other was saying so it was super annoying, I felt the flight attendents really earned their pay on my flight, I couldn't have done their job with as much patience. And the baby? Guess who was a little angel the entire flight? Ya, nice.

Sydney!
I landed at about 7:30am Sydney time. My customs officer was like the nicest ever! How that's possible I have no idea. My beautiful cousins, Joanne and Renee, waited on the other side of the gate. I think we were all a bit nervous we wouldn't recognize each other since we've never met, but we did! Joanne is around my age and she's married to this really awesome guy, Aaron. Renee is the young one, early 20s, still in school, lots of life and really cool. She and I are going to the big V-Fest on Saturday to see the KAISER CHIEFS. I love the houses here, when we drove to Joanne's place from the airport we took more of a scenic route. It feels a bit Californian, thatched roofs, iron decorative bars on windows. Lots of palm trees and other trees lining the streets. Just beautiful. I'm staying in this suburb of Sydney which is very charming. Joanne's flat is in this lovely complex on the 2nd floor. She and Aaron left for work, and my Aunt and Uncle came over. The 4 of us, including Renee, went up the road for lunch. This isn't like an Ontario suburb, just up the road there is this spectacular biscuit factory that has been converted into a shopping and restaurant complex. Its so nice, lots of cobble stone and open air cafes and restaurants. Business people walking around all dressed up in the crazy 31C heat! Man was it hot, and bloody humid! Then took a loooong 4 hour nap, the cousins came back from work, we ate like kings an eggplant pasta, and gabbed all night. Aaron is a wine lover like myself, he loves Australian wine and knows it pretty well, which is AWESOME. We're going to the Hunter Valley on Monday, a big wine region an hour outside of the city, of course I am SUPER EXCITED.

Today I believe we're going to see the famous Bondi Beach, get some shopping in and check out a famous seafood restaurant, hurray! And I'll be seeing my cousin John who'll hopefully join us for drinks on the town tonight!