Setting Out

A wee bit late as I've been in Australia for a week already, but now is as good a time to start as any. Apologies for the lack of pictures and content, that's gonna take some time to get taken care of.

The flight was okay, and I must say, the food was surprisingly good. For some weird reason I actually look forward to airline food. It's the greatest non-life threatening gamble I get a thrill out of (second being jaywalking in Toronto). The flight itself was a long, tiring and overall successful war against gravity. 24 hours to cross the planet. Incredible.

In the 8 days I've been here it's been a bit of a whirlwind. I've realized how much I value work in it's absence, and have gotten right down to getting myself settled domestically. Bank account, job interviews and apartments once reaching Melbourne. I've certainly rested, and adventured to a degree, but haven't gotten into the country side, which is my first love and my main goal.

First week in Sydney was interesting as it felt so much like Toronto I was nonplussed. The opera house and the harbour bridge were certainly covered, but since I'm not much of a tourist I ended up spending 4 of my 6 days exclusively in the Royal Botanic Gardens. This is far more exciting as it sounds as I took the time to learn the tree names in Latin, and made a point of having mid-day naps under at least three different genus' (Ficus, Aucaria, and Eucalyptus). All this and nobody charged me rooming fees under the canopy! I couldn't believe it! Quite surprising as everything else in Sydney seems to cost something.

Anyway, took the night train from Sydney to Melbourne and experienced the glory of Australian rail. What an experience! Have to keep that fun story for later.