I'm back in Brisbane...and have been for about a week. It's been an extremely busy several weeks. I spent ten days in Singapore teaching a class. In Singapore, I typically woke up at 3AM, worked on class materials or tried to catch up on emails, had an early breakfast, took a nap, headed in to class, taught all day, then had dinner at a local food stall and promptly fell asleep. Rinse, lather, repeat.
Once I returned to Brisbane, I was faced with the problem of finding a place to live. Followed by finding a way to transfer money from my US bank account into Australia. Oh, I can use my ATM card here, no problem. But, to actually secure an apartment, I needed a large chunk of cash or cash equivalent in US dollars -- fast. Fortunately, a friend sent me some money via Western Union. I've also been opening bank accounts, looking into long-range money transfer strategies, paying my bills, and all that kind of stuff.
The apartment I chose is on the 38th floor of a 68 story high-rise. Quite a change from my 2 floor wood frame house in San Francisco. But, the view is great and it is a manageable size for what I need. I signed the paperwork after getting my cash infusion. Only problem with the apartment is that I can't move in until 23-APR-2007 at the earliest.
My problem at that point was to find and secure some short-term housing that was not a hotel for the month of April. It's an interesting challenge, because there are two national holidays in Australia in the month of April. Good Friday and the Monday after Easter (the 6th through the 9th) are public holidays. And the 25th is a public holiday: ANZAC day, roughly the equivalent of Memorial Day in the US. So, lots of people out and about and on holiday. Schools are off for Easter week. So, finding a place available for a month that didn't cost a fortune took some persistence, searching, phone calls, and flexibility.
I have only one more financial problem to deal with and that is filing about a month's worth of expense reports. Yesterday, I paid all my bills, including my hotel bills, which I had put on credit cards. Now, I need to recoup all that money.
This morning, I woke up early, stepped outside to catch some fresh air, and saw this lovely sight. Three balloons floating over the city. It lifted my spirits.
I was so busy in Singapore, I really only got to take a few photos. But, it was an amazing place, and I will be posting a "Memories of ..." entry in the next few days. Keep an eye out. Now that I'm more settled in Brisbane, I expect I'll be back on a more regular posting schedule.
Saturday, 31 March 2007
Monday, 12 March 2007
Finally, a Ferry
Every day I've gone to work in Milton using a city ferry as one stage of the journey. It's a great commute anda fairly quick ride across the river to Eagle Street. This is one of a small number of cross-river boats. They are single deck and travel only three stops connecting Kangaroo Point with the CBD. They're great little boats and the roundtrip fare is A$4.40 per day or A$17.60 for a week. Once ticketed, you can ride anywhere within a single zone all day on the ferries, the city cats, the buses, or the trains. It's a great deal, and very handy for making car-less freaks like me able to get around. The rest of Brisbane seems very suburban and car-oriented. It's very first world that way, or at least, the part I've been exposed to so far.
Friday, 9 March 2007
Brisbane in the morning
I took this photo from my hotel room balcony this morning, just at sunrise. After another travel adventure, I'm back in my new home town. Ah, relief. I also got more good news...my work visa is valid until 2010.
Yesterday, at the time when my flight was supposed to leave Auckland, it was announced as cancelled. Plane load of people descend on three workers to get new bookings. Naturally, I was toward the end of the line. I was offered a plane to Sydney, then a transfer to another airline and another plane to Brisbane. So, a direct flight that would have gotten me to Brisbane at 4:30PM ended up being a bit of a hassle (along with even more hassle for many of my fellow riders), lots of stress, and arrival in Brisbane at 9:55PM local time.
My biggest concern, of course, was my luggage. Miraculously, it made it on to both planes and was available for me in Brisbane. Phew -- another bullet dodged. My tags have my US address, so I can only imagine where they would have ended up had they been lost in transit. Several of my travel-mates did end up losing their luggage. I feel very sad for them.
One of my seatmates on the Auckland -> Sydney leg was an older fellow who had some motor coordination problems, as well as a bit of a twitch. Most likely Parkinson's. I felt quite sorry for the bloke, but it was a bit trying to have someone continually jabbing me in the ribs, however unintentionally. I had to help him with his tray table, seatbelt, and a few other things.
In Sydney, the promised assistance in getting us transferred from the International to the Domestic terminal was not present. So, another bit of a mad scramble to locate the proper bus. Wait...wait...wait. Ah, the bus is full. Ah, the bus transfer will cost A$5. Ah, it's 45 minutes to flight time -- a bit of a concern because in the US, they will not board you on the flight if you have checked baggage and are ticketed less than 45 minutes before flight time.
Arrive the terminal, stand in line for ticketing and checking of baggage. Have someone else run to the front of the line because they have a flight to Melbourne at the same time as me ... I nearly kicked the guy in the shins ... as if! Backs checked with only a slightly higher than expected charge for excess baggage. Waft through security ... so much easier than the US, with no silly "take of your shoes" dance. Realize I had no idea which gate I was supposed to go to. Only 20 minutes before flight time.
Arrive at gate, and thankfully find a departure lounge full of people. Hah...plane had arrived late. Delay for cleaning plane. Boarding time arrives. Ah, this time we will be boarding through the front and rear of the plane. Those passengers in the rear of the plane, please take the door to your left (that was me), onto the tarmac, follow the lines, follow the instructions of the ground crew, walk through the rain, up the stairs, into the plane. Find seat. Ah, met by a garrulous teenager who very much wanted to talk about his lost luggage. Advised by plane staff "do *not* put on your seatbelt as we are still fuelling the plane."
Push back, mad scramble to put on seatbelt. Plane staff advises us there is no smoking on the plane, and the lavatories are equipped with video...sorry, smoke detectors. Titters all 'round.
Still and all, I was very happy to finally make it to Brisbane and find my bags were at the carousel. Big sigh of relief.
Taxis for all. Friendly driver who knew exactly where I was going. Enjoyable conversation through the much-needed rain. Five minutes after arriving the hotel, I was in the lift and on my way to my ninth floor room with fabulous view of the Brisbane River and Central Business District, AKA downtown.
Ah, relief. So glad to be at rest again.
Yesterday, at the time when my flight was supposed to leave Auckland, it was announced as cancelled. Plane load of people descend on three workers to get new bookings. Naturally, I was toward the end of the line. I was offered a plane to Sydney, then a transfer to another airline and another plane to Brisbane. So, a direct flight that would have gotten me to Brisbane at 4:30PM ended up being a bit of a hassle (along with even more hassle for many of my fellow riders), lots of stress, and arrival in Brisbane at 9:55PM local time.
My biggest concern, of course, was my luggage. Miraculously, it made it on to both planes and was available for me in Brisbane. Phew -- another bullet dodged. My tags have my US address, so I can only imagine where they would have ended up had they been lost in transit. Several of my travel-mates did end up losing their luggage. I feel very sad for them.
One of my seatmates on the Auckland -> Sydney leg was an older fellow who had some motor coordination problems, as well as a bit of a twitch. Most likely Parkinson's. I felt quite sorry for the bloke, but it was a bit trying to have someone continually jabbing me in the ribs, however unintentionally. I had to help him with his tray table, seatbelt, and a few other things.
In Sydney, the promised assistance in getting us transferred from the International to the Domestic terminal was not present. So, another bit of a mad scramble to locate the proper bus. Wait...wait...wait. Ah, the bus is full. Ah, the bus transfer will cost A$5. Ah, it's 45 minutes to flight time -- a bit of a concern because in the US, they will not board you on the flight if you have checked baggage and are ticketed less than 45 minutes before flight time.
Arrive the terminal, stand in line for ticketing and checking of baggage. Have someone else run to the front of the line because they have a flight to Melbourne at the same time as me ... I nearly kicked the guy in the shins ... as if! Backs checked with only a slightly higher than expected charge for excess baggage. Waft through security ... so much easier than the US, with no silly "take of your shoes" dance. Realize I had no idea which gate I was supposed to go to. Only 20 minutes before flight time.
Arrive at gate, and thankfully find a departure lounge full of people. Hah...plane had arrived late. Delay for cleaning plane. Boarding time arrives. Ah, this time we will be boarding through the front and rear of the plane. Those passengers in the rear of the plane, please take the door to your left (that was me), onto the tarmac, follow the lines, follow the instructions of the ground crew, walk through the rain, up the stairs, into the plane. Find seat. Ah, met by a garrulous teenager who very much wanted to talk about his lost luggage. Advised by plane staff "do *not* put on your seatbelt as we are still fuelling the plane."
Push back, mad scramble to put on seatbelt. Plane staff advises us there is no smoking on the plane, and the lavatories are equipped with video...sorry, smoke detectors. Titters all 'round.
Still and all, I was very happy to finally make it to Brisbane and find my bags were at the carousel. Big sigh of relief.
Taxis for all. Friendly driver who knew exactly where I was going. Enjoyable conversation through the much-needed rain. Five minutes after arriving the hotel, I was in the lift and on my way to my ninth floor room with fabulous view of the Brisbane River and Central Business District, AKA downtown.
Ah, relief. So glad to be at rest again.
Wednesday, 7 March 2007
Brisbane, Part Two
My visa for Australia was approved today! Hooray! This is great news, and took only about a week. With that, my interlude in Auckland is coming to a close. I'll be heading back to Brisbane within the next 36hours. I'll stay there for about a week, then head over to Singapore for ten days to train one of my company's customers. I look forward to establishing a home in Brisbane, and to blogging from Singapore.
Of course, I'll have to find a whole new set of travel adapters, because Singapore uses a different plug standard than Australia and New Zealand. I figure I'll be able to go almost anywhere by the time I'm done with my overseas assignment.
I've been doing a happy dance for the last hour. I'm so relieved the visa process is finally over. It is such a relief to have that sword removed from over my head.
I'll be taking a few last photos of Auckland before I leave. I'll post them as soon as I can.
Of course, I'll have to find a whole new set of travel adapters, because Singapore uses a different plug standard than Australia and New Zealand. I figure I'll be able to go almost anywhere by the time I'm done with my overseas assignment.
I've been doing a happy dance for the last hour. I'm so relieved the visa process is finally over. It is such a relief to have that sword removed from over my head.
I'll be taking a few last photos of Auckland before I leave. I'll post them as soon as I can.
Sunday, 4 March 2007
Guardian bear
I took a walk to the Western Marina in the city. I'm told the marina is the world's largest. At the end of the boardwalk, a bronze teddy bear guards the harbor. He has a pilot's cap under his left arm and holds a sailboat in his right. Sometimes, Auckland is known as the City of Sails.
Saturday, 3 March 2007
An unexpected sight
There are sights in a city that come upon me and take me by surprise. I was wandering along a street called Karanghape Road. I had just passed through a block party cum anti-global warming rally to a park when I looked across the street and noticed these gates. A small compound next to a park is guarded by two gates, each with Stars of David on them. Behind the gates, in the compound, is a Jewish cemetery. It's a highly urbanized, well developed neighborhood that clearly goes back some time. It's also across a bridge from a major hospital, and not too far from a couple of universities, and also about 500m from what seems to be Auckland's Auto Row.
And yet there, nestled next to a park at a major intersection, is a Jewish cemetery. I was grateful to be reminded of mortality, grateful to be reminded that here, in the midst of a Christian and Ma Ori nation, Jews had lived and died and left mementos of their passing.
I sat for a while under a shade tree and meditated on this. Crowds passed by, either blind or blase to the significance of these memorials.
And yet there, nestled next to a park at a major intersection, is a Jewish cemetery. I was grateful to be reminded of mortality, grateful to be reminded that here, in the midst of a Christian and Ma Ori nation, Jews had lived and died and left mementos of their passing.
I sat for a while under a shade tree and meditated on this. Crowds passed by, either blind or blase to the significance of these memorials.
Auckland at Night
Sorry for the weird exposure, but what do you expect from a camera phone?
There's this very tall radio/TV/communications tower in downtown Auckland called the Sky Tower. Around it is Sky City, the Sky Theater...you get the idea. My hotel is about two blocks from this structure. At night, they light it up with different colors. Two nights ago, the theme was red, last night, it was blue and Green.
Just to the right of the top of the tower is the moon. It was a beautiful site, in a man-made kind of way. Wherever I go in Auckland, I can usually find my way back by using the Sky Tower as a locator.
There's this very tall radio/TV/communications tower in downtown Auckland called the Sky Tower. Around it is Sky City, the Sky Theater...you get the idea. My hotel is about two blocks from this structure. At night, they light it up with different colors. Two nights ago, the theme was red, last night, it was blue and Green.
Just to the right of the top of the tower is the moon. It was a beautiful site, in a man-made kind of way. Wherever I go in Auckland, I can usually find my way back by using the Sky Tower as a locator.
Thursday, 1 March 2007
I'm in Auckland, New Zealand
Due to some complications with my visa, I've had to head over the Tasman Sea to Auckland, New Zealand. I found out I needed to be out of the country last Thursday, and was on my way on Sunday morning. I had my choice of NZ, Singapore, or Tokyo. For some reason, I chose Auckland. I'm glad I did.
I really like the city. Geographically, it's very interesting and very, very different from Brisbane. It's geologically a very active set of islands. Auckland is a city on a narrow isthmus in the North Island. So, it has a large bay to the West, and a large harbor to the East. The city spreads out between the two. It has a lot of features similar to San Francisco. It's international, there are several major universities, it's a major port city, and the geography is nice...lots of hills.
Locally, there is a food company called "Sanitarium." One of those things that just does not translate well between cultures. They call themselves "The Health Food Company." In the US, a sanitarium is a place of refuge for those with psychological, emotional, or mental problems. I think the locals would be appalled if I shared that little factoid with them.
I'm here for a bit, until either my visa is dealt with, or until the middle of March. If the visa goes on through mid-March, then I'll be off to Singapore to teach a class. And the, either back to Brisbane or on to Tokyo. This hasn't turned out the way I expected, but I'm settling in to Auckland fairly well.
Living in an inner city is a pain, let me tell you. No supermarkets as such, you're paying airport prices for almost everything, you have no car, you have no idea where anything useful is, and yet, you're stuck in the middle of this metropolis. I can't even find a decent bar with a TV! Not like Brisbane at all, where every bar/pub has a TV,and there are lots of them, too. I'll just have to explore the university neighborhoods...if there are no bars there, I'll be very, very surprised. Some nights, I just want to nurse a beer and watch sports so I can get out of this hotel room.
Because of the time zone, my work day starts around 1PM local time and runs until 9PM. Like most cities, there's not much for a tourist to do in the morning. Why does everyone assume tourists don't get up and out early? I wake up at 2AM every day, go until 8 or 9, sleep for a few hours, then get to work at 1PM. Like almost every place, there is *nothing* to do at 2AM in the morning ... at least, nothing G-rated. Ah, well, I'm sure I'll sort it out. Just in time to move on to the next city.
Ah, the lilfe of the international traveler. It always seems glamorous from the outside, but reality is more complex.
I really like the city. Geographically, it's very interesting and very, very different from Brisbane. It's geologically a very active set of islands. Auckland is a city on a narrow isthmus in the North Island. So, it has a large bay to the West, and a large harbor to the East. The city spreads out between the two. It has a lot of features similar to San Francisco. It's international, there are several major universities, it's a major port city, and the geography is nice...lots of hills.
Locally, there is a food company called "Sanitarium." One of those things that just does not translate well between cultures. They call themselves "The Health Food Company." In the US, a sanitarium is a place of refuge for those with psychological, emotional, or mental problems. I think the locals would be appalled if I shared that little factoid with them.
I'm here for a bit, until either my visa is dealt with, or until the middle of March. If the visa goes on through mid-March, then I'll be off to Singapore to teach a class. And the, either back to Brisbane or on to Tokyo. This hasn't turned out the way I expected, but I'm settling in to Auckland fairly well.
Living in an inner city is a pain, let me tell you. No supermarkets as such, you're paying airport prices for almost everything, you have no car, you have no idea where anything useful is, and yet, you're stuck in the middle of this metropolis. I can't even find a decent bar with a TV! Not like Brisbane at all, where every bar/pub has a TV,and there are lots of them, too. I'll just have to explore the university neighborhoods...if there are no bars there, I'll be very, very surprised. Some nights, I just want to nurse a beer and watch sports so I can get out of this hotel room.
Because of the time zone, my work day starts around 1PM local time and runs until 9PM. Like most cities, there's not much for a tourist to do in the morning. Why does everyone assume tourists don't get up and out early? I wake up at 2AM every day, go until 8 or 9, sleep for a few hours, then get to work at 1PM. Like almost every place, there is *nothing* to do at 2AM in the morning ... at least, nothing G-rated. Ah, well, I'm sure I'll sort it out. Just in time to move on to the next city.
Ah, the lilfe of the international traveler. It always seems glamorous from the outside, but reality is more complex.
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