Michelle's off to OZ
Thirty-four hours in transit - it’s a long way from Halifax to Sydney. I decided to use the Aeroplan points I’d been saving for 15 years. I was going Business class.
The executive lounge in Toronto Airport is a gloomily lit place – full of men with suits and laptops. I’d at least put on long pants and sleeves when I went into there, but I still felt as if someone was going to tap me on the shoulder and motion towards the door. There were cookies, nuts, cheese & crackers and booze, booze, booze – and three hours to fill in. Actually that was my only complaint. It would have been better if I could have split the legs of the trip. After so many legs (and so many lounges) one can finally reach saturation point. After all, even if you don’t have to pay, it still needs to fit into your stomach.
It was a beautiful day to fly. I counted ski hills in Vermont, scouted the rapids in Montreal, and was stunned at the size of the enormous trench that is the Grand Canyon. It was evening when I reached L.A.
Many of you have heard me discuss my theory on ‘things to do before you die’. One of my “things” was to ride up in front of the curtains on a plane. I handed over my boarding pass as I entered the Jumbo for Auckland. They motioned me to go up the stairs! It may have been nearly 3 AM Halifax time, but I couldn’t have taken the smile off my face if I’d tried. I had two glasses (real glass) of champagne before all was organized to leave the ground. The cabin crew called me by name when they spoke to me, and after a snack, the big chair was soon fully reclined. I slept.
I am truly blessed to have two great friends who live in Sydney and make me very welcome every time I come. Helen had a meeting downtown that afternoon, and after we had a quick walk down the beach, we headed into the city.
Sydney is truly one of the world’s most beautiful cities. I walked down to Circular Quay and then onto the Opera House. From the blue sky shone bright sun, and I walked around a postcard. I found a bench and just sat. The Sydney Harbor Bridge drew my attention and I watched as about 40 ant-sized people wandered around on the top of the famous arch. It was warm and sunny and I was overcome by the need to put my head on my backpack and sleep.
As a Queenslander by birth, I was brought up to believe that there were no beaches worth getting wet at besides those in Queensland. Bondi in particular, was an object of derision. Next day I sat at Bondi and people watched for over an hour. Several sets of sand joggers sweated back and forth across the beach. The odd set of bare breasts were exposed to the sun. Surfers rode waves with various measures of success. It’s a great place.
I took a quick dip and then followed the sea walk back to Helen and Pat’s. This is a paved path that contours the coastline from Coogee to Bondi and beyond. The views are wonderful, up and down the coast, crashing blue-green surf, sandstone cliffs, white beaches and expensive homes.
Speaking of wonderful beaches, my Mum, Brother and I have just returned from an overnight road trip to Jervis Bay. I love this area. We stayed in Huskisson – by the beach. Accompanied by the gurgling of gentle waves, Mum and I sat out on our deck and peeled and ate prawns as I sipped on some cold white wine. The water is warm and clear. There are fish popping in the creek and bright red birds in the impressively huge gum trees.
The birds are one thing that makes Australia special. They’re outrageous by color and by action. During the ANZAC day dawn service, the trees at the war memorial were alive with birds. Mum said she could even hear them on the radio as she listened at home. I wouldn’t have believed you could get 25,000 people together at 5:30 am unless a threat was involved. Trev and I were part of the crowd. People held candles and the only noise was from the official parties and of course, the birds. We looked down along ANZAC parade, across old parliament house and then to the illuminated flag of new parliament house. I was pleased to have been able to participate in such an important national day as this – the 90th Gallipoli anniversary - and in our nations capital. You can take the girl from Australia but you can’t take the Aussie from the girl.
I’ll be home May 6.
posted by Michelle & Jim Wiebe at 4:58 p.m.
