The Arrival

I have arrived.

Last week, with a board bag and back pack, I was dropped off at LAX to begin my adventure to Aus. Because I had 3 hours before departure, I checked in and sat at the bar in Bradley International Terminal. There I proceeded to drink scotch and watch the last Lakers victory of the season from home soil. When it was time to board, I did so with a buzz and a smile.

The flight to Brisbane took 20 hours including a 4 hour layover in Fiji and a delay due to engine trouble. Having slept the majority of the flight and deep seeded excitement on par with jumping out of a plane, I grabbed my bags and caught a train into the heart of Brisbane. After catching a few funny glances for walking through downtown with a surfboard, I acquired a phone and a bank account.

With my new phone I was able to reach my Aussie mate Mex and head towards his house in Indropilly, a suburb of Brisbane. There is where I would set up shop for a few days until I caught the train to Noosa. The weekend was filled with parties and clubs that I frequented on my last visit to Aus. The Vic, a former favorite venue, had burned down a few months ago but, although a few things had changed, the majority remained the same.

The ride to Noosa was filled with beautiful countryside and a bit of sleep from an eventful weekend. When I arrived I was greeted by my family away from home. Dennis Dunstin, former Fleetwood Mac manager, current friend of the family, and absolute legend picked me up from the train station. I have been staying with his lovely family just outside of Noosa in Tinbeerwa, and enjoying a bit of rest. I have a job interview on Wednesday and a call into a few of the local realestate offices for an apartment.

Things couldn't have gone more smoothly and I'm looking forward to my extended stay in Australia. Coming back has only deepened my love for the people, scenery, and lifestyle that this country has to offer. I can't wait to be a tourguide to friends and family from home that will join me in the next few months.

Goodbye and Hello

........and so it begins again. On Tuesday, January 27th, I board a plane bound for Brisbane, Australia. Yesterday I said goodbye to some of the most amazing people in my life...again. After a month of wandering in my old territory, the time has come to make my next move. Although everything necessary for my trip to Australia has been squared away for weeks, the flight remained unresolved until last Tuesday. I grew tired of waiting for things outside of my control and pulled the trigger. Now I sit in Carlsbad, having said goodbye to all of my dear friends in San Diego, spending some of the remaining time with family.

The past month has been full of great experiences. My friends have made sure that we celebrate every day of life. San Diego and Los Angeles have been filled with sunshine, surf, and Lakers victory. A great combination if I must say so.

Having looked up old contacts from my travels in 2006, I realized how many people I know in Australia. Although contact has been sparse with some, as soon as I looked them up, old memories resurfaced and I remembered the warmth I experienced while there. I am very eager to catch up with my Aussie mates and forge new experiences in one of the most beautiful places in the world.

After an 18 hour flight, including a 4 hour layover in Fiji, I will arrive in Brisbane on Thursday the 29th. After hanging out in Brisbane for a few days I will hop a train to Noosa where I will meet with family friend, and legend, Dennis. This will be my home base until Seton arrives and I can secure a job and an apartment. Who knows what will happen along the way but I am ready for whatever comes, greeting all with a smile and a lust for adventure.